It was a kick having you here for a few weeks. Of course, the kick sailed wide left (the cheap, gratuitous missed field goal reference is mandatory because Steelers Nation is feeling the bitterness this week).
Scobee's fate was sealed Thursday night when he missed a 41-yard field goal after missing a 49-yard try. That scared Mike Tomlin so badly that he wouldn't try another field goal, instead opting for a couple of plays that failed on fourth down.
When the coach is hinky about a kicker's ability to make high-percentage field goals, it's time for the kicker to pack his bags. That lack of confidence spills over to the offensive play calling and has a bigger effect than the three points that got away.
At the quarter mark of the season, the most regrettable moment of the Steelers season to date is Shaun Suisham's decision to get involved on a tackle in the opening preseason game. He injured his knee and was lost for the season.
The Steelers were so confident in Suisham that they didn't even bother to invite another kicker to camp to offer token competition.
How things have changed on that one play. Now they're scouring Craigslist to find somebody who can make field goals -- and extra points, too. Let's not forget that Scobee's here today-gone tomorrow Steelers career also included a missed extra point against San Francisco.
So now Chris Boswell is the latest to sign his name on the Steelers' 2015 kicker registry. Four games is the benchmark to beat.
Wonder if the Vegas sports books have established an over/under line on how many kickers the Steelers will use this season?
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--MORTON MYSTERY
Charlie Morton is a fine guy and a talented pitcher.
Unfortunately, he's also an enigma who can never find a way to harness his significant ability and become a consistent winner.
In the last few weeks, Morton has basically pitched his way out of a postseason rotation. Most teams go with four starters in the postseason, and the Pirates will use Gerrit Cole, Francisco Liriano, J.A. Happ and A.J. Burnett. Morton isn't even a lock to make the postseason roster at this point.
Some pitchers are sunk because they don't think. Morton's problem is he thinks too much. The Pirates have tried to break of him of this and get him to trust his stuff, but he's still too inconsistent.
He recently said that he's working out some issues in his delivery. That might fly in June, but this is October. Time is short, and patience is thin.
It's doubtful the Pirates want to continue this drama
The Pirates are on the hook for $8 million next season on Morton's contract. They're also facing an offseason when they'll be shopping for a pitcher to replace the retiring A.J. Burnett.
Prospects Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow might be along at some time next season, but that's not automatic. Teams also have to allow time for inexperienced pitchers to get acclimated to major league competition.
It's unlikely the Pirates will simply move Morton. But is it also unlikely they'll ever figure him out?
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--DEE-FENSE
Pat Narduzzi came to Pitt with a mission to upgrade a porous defense.
Saturday at Virginia Tech, the Panthers allowed just nine rushing yards, sacked the quarterback seven times and intercepted three passes.
If that's not a complete repair, it's at least a very impressive start.
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