The NHL trading deadline has passed, so now we know what the Penguins will look like in the playoffs.
What we don't know is whether they can win the playoffs for a third straight season.
General manager Jim Rutherford made his big deal well in advance of the deadline, acquiring center Derick Brassard from Ottawa while sending away defenseman Ian Cole and winger Ryan Reaves.
There were no deals left for the Penguins in the last-minute frenzy, and that's at least slightly disappointing.
They could have used another defenseman to help replace Cole, and they should have been in the market for an experienced backup goaltender.
The Penguins' defensive corps hasn't been a strength this season, especially with Kris Letang's early-season struggles. Another experienced player there would have helped, but it didn't happen.
It always takes two to make a trade (and sometimes more, as we saw with the Brassard acquisition), and salary cap issues matter, too. The Penguins traditionally spend close to the cap, so there's not a lot of room to add even a moderately expensive player without subtracting another in the same pay bracket.
If the Penguins face a team like Tampa Bay in the playoffs, can their third defensive pairing match up adequately against the Lightning's third or fourth lines?
That's a legitimate question.
The Penguins currently cover goaltending with Matt Murray, backed up by rookies Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith. Murray is presently out after sustaining a concussion at practice the other day. A teammate's shot rang off his mask.
It's the second documented concussion in Murray's career, which matches the number of Stanley Cup rings he has.
The playoffs unfold over nearly two months. If Murray is injured, there are rookies behind him rather than the safety valve that Marc-Andre Fleury provided since Murray took over the No. 1 spot two years ago.
The Penguins did what they could at the deadline. It's not possible to plug every leak. But there are two areas of vulnerability that are a concern as the team chases its third consecutive title.
---
--CATCH OR NOT?
Some of the NFL's brightest minds are holed up in conference rooms these days, watching endless replays of borderline catches.
They're trying to determine what meets the definition of a legal catch. Or else they're trying to redefine the term. Or maybe they're just looking for a way to explain the rulings to the players.
Oh, what a tangled web they've weaved with rules amendments backed with slow-motion replays.
The Steelers' season may have turned on one of those dubious calls, the famous catch/non-catch by tight end Jesse James in the game against New England. Then again, the way the Steelers were playing defense by the end of the season, maybe it didn't matter. They would have lost another way.
Famed TV producer Mark Goodson once said the key to having a successful game show was to have something that allowed the home viewers to play along.
The best thing the NFL can do is this matter is follow a basic rule of business: Keep it simple.
Viewers want action, not a soliloquy from referee Ed Hochuli.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Sunday, February 25, 2018
Altoona Mirror, February 25, 2018
The Pirates and Penguins both made trades to plug significant holes in their lineups.
Jim Rutherford mercifully ended six months of talk show blather by landing a third center, while Neal Huntington called an end to open auditions for the Pirates' left field vacancy.
The Penguins feel most comfortable when they're three-deep in quality centers, and Derick Brassard, acquired from Ottawa in the complex trade, is a worthy complement to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Rutherford could have filled the spot with a lesser player and gotten away with giving up less. But he went big.
The Penguins may miss goalie prospect Filip Gustavsson some day, but that day won't be in 2018. They're covered at goal, and this is all about the here and now as the Penguins chase a third straight Stanley Cup.
The Penguins will miss Ian Cole now, but he was part of the price Rutherford had to pay to land Brassard. There are legitimate questions about the Penguins' defensive depth heading into the playoffs.
It is possible, however, that Rutherford could still get a defenseman before Monday's trade deadline.
Tough guy winger Ryan Reaves also had to be sacrificed to complete the deal. Both Rutherford and coach Mike Sullivan swear Reaves had value as a deterrent of cheap shots against the Penguins stars, but that was never apparent.
Meanwhile, in Florida, Huntington took advantage of the Tampa Bay Rays' roster paring to grab Corey Dickerson. As a bonus, the Rays were willing to take reliever Daniel Hudson, who laid a $5.5 million egg in the bullpen last season.
Dickerson was an All-Star in the first half of the season, but fell off dramatically in the second half. McCutchen wound up with almost the same numbers in a less conventional split. McCutchen killed it in June and July, was mediocre in the two months that preceded and followed that burst.
The real answer for the Pirates' outfield is former No. 1 draft pick Austin Meadows. He probably needs a season at Class AAA to make up for all the time he lost last year to a series of injuries.
Dickerson has some flaws, including high strikeout totals. But McCutchen also averaged 124 strikeouts over the last seven seasons.
Two general managers -- one at crunch time in his season, the other just beginning training camp. They both helped their teams last week
---
--HAPPY 90TH
Friends gathered last week to throw a 90th birthday party for ElRoy Face, the Pirates' "Baron of the Bullpen" from the 1950s and '60s.
Face never got more than 19 percent of the Hall of Fame voting. He deserved more, pitching in an era before a closer was a one-inning specialist.
After he was done with baseball, Face went to work as a carpenter. He's now long retired from that job, too, and has outlived two wives.
He wasn't big, but he could throw hard and he had plenty of confidence, which started with the way he'd stride in from the bullpen.
He was 20 years too early for the free agency era and its rewards, and, oh, does he regret that.
When the split-fingered fastball came into vogue in the 1980s, someone asked Face about the difference between that pitch and his specialty, the forkball.
"About $5 million a year," he said without missing a beat.
---
--WHAT A MESS
If they shut down college basketball for the next 10 years, it still wouldn't get rid of the smell.
It's a corrupt business with no shame. No ethics, no integrity, no respect for rules. Bribes, blatant payments, phony courses. You name it, they have it.
What a cesspool.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Jim Rutherford mercifully ended six months of talk show blather by landing a third center, while Neal Huntington called an end to open auditions for the Pirates' left field vacancy.
The Penguins feel most comfortable when they're three-deep in quality centers, and Derick Brassard, acquired from Ottawa in the complex trade, is a worthy complement to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Rutherford could have filled the spot with a lesser player and gotten away with giving up less. But he went big.
The Penguins may miss goalie prospect Filip Gustavsson some day, but that day won't be in 2018. They're covered at goal, and this is all about the here and now as the Penguins chase a third straight Stanley Cup.
The Penguins will miss Ian Cole now, but he was part of the price Rutherford had to pay to land Brassard. There are legitimate questions about the Penguins' defensive depth heading into the playoffs.
It is possible, however, that Rutherford could still get a defenseman before Monday's trade deadline.
Tough guy winger Ryan Reaves also had to be sacrificed to complete the deal. Both Rutherford and coach Mike Sullivan swear Reaves had value as a deterrent of cheap shots against the Penguins stars, but that was never apparent.
Meanwhile, in Florida, Huntington took advantage of the Tampa Bay Rays' roster paring to grab Corey Dickerson. As a bonus, the Rays were willing to take reliever Daniel Hudson, who laid a $5.5 million egg in the bullpen last season.
Dickerson was an All-Star in the first half of the season, but fell off dramatically in the second half. McCutchen wound up with almost the same numbers in a less conventional split. McCutchen killed it in June and July, was mediocre in the two months that preceded and followed that burst.
The real answer for the Pirates' outfield is former No. 1 draft pick Austin Meadows. He probably needs a season at Class AAA to make up for all the time he lost last year to a series of injuries.
Dickerson has some flaws, including high strikeout totals. But McCutchen also averaged 124 strikeouts over the last seven seasons.
Two general managers -- one at crunch time in his season, the other just beginning training camp. They both helped their teams last week
---
--HAPPY 90TH
Friends gathered last week to throw a 90th birthday party for ElRoy Face, the Pirates' "Baron of the Bullpen" from the 1950s and '60s.
Face never got more than 19 percent of the Hall of Fame voting. He deserved more, pitching in an era before a closer was a one-inning specialist.
After he was done with baseball, Face went to work as a carpenter. He's now long retired from that job, too, and has outlived two wives.
He wasn't big, but he could throw hard and he had plenty of confidence, which started with the way he'd stride in from the bullpen.
He was 20 years too early for the free agency era and its rewards, and, oh, does he regret that.
When the split-fingered fastball came into vogue in the 1980s, someone asked Face about the difference between that pitch and his specialty, the forkball.
"About $5 million a year," he said without missing a beat.
---
--WHAT A MESS
If they shut down college basketball for the next 10 years, it still wouldn't get rid of the smell.
It's a corrupt business with no shame. No ethics, no integrity, no respect for rules. Bribes, blatant payments, phony courses. You name it, they have it.
What a cesspool.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Altoona Mirror, February 21, 2018
Buster Olney, who reports for ESPN and knows his stuff, says the New York Yankees have an interest in David Freese.
The Pirates might well have an interest in having Freese in pinstripes.
Freese opened spring training with a calculated rant against the organization and manager Clint Hurdle. Is that the kind of thing Hurdle and Freese can work out, or is it better to find Freese a new home? After all, he's slated to be a part-time player with the Pirates and he's soon to turn 35.
Maybe that was the ultimate aim of the camp-opening rant, which seemed to be very pre-meditated.
There's another potential factor at work, too. Do the Pirates want Freese to be introduced on opening day and get a big reaction from fans who share his views after two losing seasons?
You get the feeling that Freese would be happier elsewhere and that the Pirates would be just as happy to see him with a new zip code.
The Pirates open the season on March 29. It will be an upset if Freese is on the roster then.
---
--TEAR IT DOWN
The University of Louisville found out that it is being stripped of the 2013 men's basketball championship, their penalty for NCAA violations.
So does this mean Michigan, which lost the championship game, gets the title? Crank up the parade, Wolverines.
What it means mostly is a janitor will probably take down the championship banner one day and most people won't notice that it's missing.
That seems to violate the spirit of the penalty. Bring back (hopefully disgraced) former coach Rick Pitino and have him work the pullies to lower the banner from the rafters.
Have Pitino come out with a chorus line of hired escorts, since using their services to ply recruits is part of what got Louisville in such big trouble.
Make it a party. The University can sell a special VIP package to the boosters who allowed that corrupt culture to develop.
One more thing: Raffle off the banner. Does $500 per ticket sound about right?
---
--BAD SIGN?
The MLB free agent market has been operating at a glacial pace.
There was a break the other day when the San Diego Padres signed first baseman Eric Hosmer for eight years and $144 million. There is an opt-out clause after five years.
Hosmer is a fine player, a power hitter who also excels defensively. He's also widely recognized as a solid citizen and a positive clubhouse presence.
This signing at this amount would make perfect sense if Hosmer were 24. But he's 28. He'll be 33 when the opt-out clause kicks in (and he controls that). So he could be on the books for three more years beyond the first five.
The Padres have front-loaded the contract so Hosmer gets less in the final years, a hedge against decline that's probably inevitable.
The Padres had a 71-91 record last season and were never a factor in the division and wild card races. They have some good young talent and could be on the upswing.
But unless the Padres expect to contend immediately, this signing doesn't make a lot of sense.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
The Pirates might well have an interest in having Freese in pinstripes.
Freese opened spring training with a calculated rant against the organization and manager Clint Hurdle. Is that the kind of thing Hurdle and Freese can work out, or is it better to find Freese a new home? After all, he's slated to be a part-time player with the Pirates and he's soon to turn 35.
Maybe that was the ultimate aim of the camp-opening rant, which seemed to be very pre-meditated.
There's another potential factor at work, too. Do the Pirates want Freese to be introduced on opening day and get a big reaction from fans who share his views after two losing seasons?
You get the feeling that Freese would be happier elsewhere and that the Pirates would be just as happy to see him with a new zip code.
The Pirates open the season on March 29. It will be an upset if Freese is on the roster then.
---
--TEAR IT DOWN
The University of Louisville found out that it is being stripped of the 2013 men's basketball championship, their penalty for NCAA violations.
So does this mean Michigan, which lost the championship game, gets the title? Crank up the parade, Wolverines.
What it means mostly is a janitor will probably take down the championship banner one day and most people won't notice that it's missing.
That seems to violate the spirit of the penalty. Bring back (hopefully disgraced) former coach Rick Pitino and have him work the pullies to lower the banner from the rafters.
Have Pitino come out with a chorus line of hired escorts, since using their services to ply recruits is part of what got Louisville in such big trouble.
Make it a party. The University can sell a special VIP package to the boosters who allowed that corrupt culture to develop.
One more thing: Raffle off the banner. Does $500 per ticket sound about right?
---
--BAD SIGN?
The MLB free agent market has been operating at a glacial pace.
There was a break the other day when the San Diego Padres signed first baseman Eric Hosmer for eight years and $144 million. There is an opt-out clause after five years.
Hosmer is a fine player, a power hitter who also excels defensively. He's also widely recognized as a solid citizen and a positive clubhouse presence.
This signing at this amount would make perfect sense if Hosmer were 24. But he's 28. He'll be 33 when the opt-out clause kicks in (and he controls that). So he could be on the books for three more years beyond the first five.
The Padres have front-loaded the contract so Hosmer gets less in the final years, a hedge against decline that's probably inevitable.
The Padres had a 71-91 record last season and were never a factor in the division and wild card races. They have some good young talent and could be on the upswing.
But unless the Padres expect to contend immediately, this signing doesn't make a lot of sense.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Monday, February 19, 2018
Altoona Mirror, February 18, 2018
It should have been easy to find manager Clint Hurdle at Pirates spring training camp on Friday.
He was under the bus, right where utility infielder David Freese threw him in an unexpected camp-opening rant.
Freese unloaded on the Pirates over a number of topics. Some were valid, and some made as much sense as John Belushi's "Was it over when the Germans attacked Pearl Harbor?" speech from "Animal House."
There were plenty of darts flying from Freese's locker, and some of them seemed to be aimed squarely at the manager.
Hurdle is beginning his eighth year, and has mostly escaped public criticism from players. Hurdle is from an old school era, but embraces new age methods like analytics, regular meetings with a leadership counsel he's appointed and he even issues a daily inspirational e-mail that ends, "Love, Clint."
Hurdle's the man in charge, so he must have the one Freese was talking about when he said, "You can't do all these things if you don't have the accountability, the demand to win. What's the point in doing anything? The last two years, we haven't done as well as we could've because of our environment. The demand to win just hasn't been in the air."
That falls under the responsibility of the manager. The demand to win isn't there? No accountability? That's clearly a strong blast at the way Hurdle runs the team.
Are these issues Freese has raised at leadership counsel meetings in the two years he's been with the Pirates? Did he keep those observations to himself, or did he mention them and sit and watch as the clubhouse rotted over a span of two seasons?
Freese added: "When you're losing 10-2 in the pouring rain against (the Cubs and manager Joe) Maddon and you're laughing, that's not good. That says a lot." He didn't specify who was laughing.
Freese continued that theory when he said the Pirates didn't have a losing record last season because Starling Marte was suspended for half the season and Jung Ho Kang was absent all year after failing to secure a work visa.
"I think we lost 87 games because our environment doesn't allow," Freese said. "I think that's something we have to work on. I think it's important to focus on, kind of the foundational components of what it takes to have a winning culture."
Mostly what it takes to have a winning culture is better players. Marte went out and John Jaso played too much. Kang never got here, and that meant Freese was used too often, something he admitted last season.
Freese linked the front office's belief in analytics to a lack of urgency to win, which doesn't seem terribly logical. He also continued the long-standing tradition of baseball players advocating teams spend more money on players.
Here's what happened to the Pirates in 2016. Their two best starting pitchers, Gerrit Cole and Francisco Liriano, had terrible seasons. It's easy to point fingers at the end of the rotation losers like Ryan Vogelsong and Jeff Locke, but there's no hope when the top two fail.
Last year the players who were supposed to occupy the second through fifth spots either weren't there (Kang and Marte) or flopped (Gregory Polanco). Andrew McCutchen, sainted now that he's gone, was spectacular for two months and below average in the other four.
The Pirates need better players (or at least better production from players who are already here).
The dissenting view belongs to Freese, who finds serious fault with a manager who was just given a four-year extension.
Should be an interesting discussion the next time Freese and Hurdle sit down for a chat.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
He was under the bus, right where utility infielder David Freese threw him in an unexpected camp-opening rant.
Freese unloaded on the Pirates over a number of topics. Some were valid, and some made as much sense as John Belushi's "Was it over when the Germans attacked Pearl Harbor?" speech from "Animal House."
There were plenty of darts flying from Freese's locker, and some of them seemed to be aimed squarely at the manager.
Hurdle is beginning his eighth year, and has mostly escaped public criticism from players. Hurdle is from an old school era, but embraces new age methods like analytics, regular meetings with a leadership counsel he's appointed and he even issues a daily inspirational e-mail that ends, "Love, Clint."
Hurdle's the man in charge, so he must have the one Freese was talking about when he said, "You can't do all these things if you don't have the accountability, the demand to win. What's the point in doing anything? The last two years, we haven't done as well as we could've because of our environment. The demand to win just hasn't been in the air."
That falls under the responsibility of the manager. The demand to win isn't there? No accountability? That's clearly a strong blast at the way Hurdle runs the team.
Are these issues Freese has raised at leadership counsel meetings in the two years he's been with the Pirates? Did he keep those observations to himself, or did he mention them and sit and watch as the clubhouse rotted over a span of two seasons?
Freese added: "When you're losing 10-2 in the pouring rain against (the Cubs and manager Joe) Maddon and you're laughing, that's not good. That says a lot." He didn't specify who was laughing.
Freese continued that theory when he said the Pirates didn't have a losing record last season because Starling Marte was suspended for half the season and Jung Ho Kang was absent all year after failing to secure a work visa.
"I think we lost 87 games because our environment doesn't allow," Freese said. "I think that's something we have to work on. I think it's important to focus on, kind of the foundational components of what it takes to have a winning culture."
Mostly what it takes to have a winning culture is better players. Marte went out and John Jaso played too much. Kang never got here, and that meant Freese was used too often, something he admitted last season.
Freese linked the front office's belief in analytics to a lack of urgency to win, which doesn't seem terribly logical. He also continued the long-standing tradition of baseball players advocating teams spend more money on players.
Here's what happened to the Pirates in 2016. Their two best starting pitchers, Gerrit Cole and Francisco Liriano, had terrible seasons. It's easy to point fingers at the end of the rotation losers like Ryan Vogelsong and Jeff Locke, but there's no hope when the top two fail.
Last year the players who were supposed to occupy the second through fifth spots either weren't there (Kang and Marte) or flopped (Gregory Polanco). Andrew McCutchen, sainted now that he's gone, was spectacular for two months and below average in the other four.
The Pirates need better players (or at least better production from players who are already here).
The dissenting view belongs to Freese, who finds serious fault with a manager who was just given a four-year extension.
Should be an interesting discussion the next time Freese and Hurdle sit down for a chat.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Wednesday, February 14, 2018
Altoona Mirror, February 14, 2018
Pitt's basketball program has fallen on hard times. That much is indisputable.
The Panthers don't win very much, and their home court is three-quarters empty for some games.
The issue here is how can the university fix the program and make Pitt basketball a hot ticket again.
It won't be easy.
The decision starts with the question of whether Kevin Stallings is the coach the revive Pitt basketball. His second season has represented an almost complete rebuild, and the awful results speak for themselves.
Can Stallings and his staff recruit well enough to make Pitt competitive in the tough ACC? The results this season have been especially disheartening. Pitt doesn't just lose, the Panthers often lose big.
Losses as lopsided as many the Panthers have endured suggest a serious talent gap between Pitt and the rest of the conference.
It would take a significant investment to buy out the remainder of Stallings' contract, but it's hard to imagine there's much sentiment to keep him. His hiring wasn't popular at the time, and the results haven't changed many minds.
Pitt fans had gotten used to having the NCAA Tournament on their schedule. Their big complaint was Jamie Dixon didn't get his teams deep enough in the tournament.
Now the season ends with the last game, and that's it. Does this season also end with an unhappy parting with Stallings?
---
--LOW CLASS
Not many people were probably aware of Jason Kelce until a few days ago.
Kelce plays center for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. When the city celebrated its first NFL championship since 1960, Kelce unfortunately stole the moment by addressing the team's doubters.
It's a common theme in sports -- nobody gave us a chance and we showed them. It took a turn for the bitter, though, and Kelce unleashed some heavy-duty profanity as he addressed a crowd and live TV and radio microphones.
Several Eagles players spoke, but only Kelce had reason to regret what he'd said. He's 30, certainly old enough to know better.
On a subsequent radio appearance, he said, "Did I do something stupid? Did I do anything dumb?"
Yes to both questions. Celebrate. Enjoy the accomplishment. Don't waste time castigating critics, and don't use language better suited for a biker bar.
Between choreographed end zone celebrations and Kelce's nonsense, the idea of winning with style is becoming obsolete.
---
--SOME MOVEMENT
Has MLB's free agent logjam broken with the Chicago Cubs' signing of pitcher Yu Darvish?
He is guaranteed $126 million over the next six seasons. That would seem high for a pitcher who's 31, has an injury history and is coming off a hugely disappointing offseason.
Now that spring training camps are open, maybe teams are facing their deficiencies more realistically and will be willing to offer some contracts.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
The Panthers don't win very much, and their home court is three-quarters empty for some games.
The issue here is how can the university fix the program and make Pitt basketball a hot ticket again.
It won't be easy.
The decision starts with the question of whether Kevin Stallings is the coach the revive Pitt basketball. His second season has represented an almost complete rebuild, and the awful results speak for themselves.
Can Stallings and his staff recruit well enough to make Pitt competitive in the tough ACC? The results this season have been especially disheartening. Pitt doesn't just lose, the Panthers often lose big.
Losses as lopsided as many the Panthers have endured suggest a serious talent gap between Pitt and the rest of the conference.
It would take a significant investment to buy out the remainder of Stallings' contract, but it's hard to imagine there's much sentiment to keep him. His hiring wasn't popular at the time, and the results haven't changed many minds.
Pitt fans had gotten used to having the NCAA Tournament on their schedule. Their big complaint was Jamie Dixon didn't get his teams deep enough in the tournament.
Now the season ends with the last game, and that's it. Does this season also end with an unhappy parting with Stallings?
---
--LOW CLASS
Not many people were probably aware of Jason Kelce until a few days ago.
Kelce plays center for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. When the city celebrated its first NFL championship since 1960, Kelce unfortunately stole the moment by addressing the team's doubters.
It's a common theme in sports -- nobody gave us a chance and we showed them. It took a turn for the bitter, though, and Kelce unleashed some heavy-duty profanity as he addressed a crowd and live TV and radio microphones.
Several Eagles players spoke, but only Kelce had reason to regret what he'd said. He's 30, certainly old enough to know better.
On a subsequent radio appearance, he said, "Did I do something stupid? Did I do anything dumb?"
Yes to both questions. Celebrate. Enjoy the accomplishment. Don't waste time castigating critics, and don't use language better suited for a biker bar.
Between choreographed end zone celebrations and Kelce's nonsense, the idea of winning with style is becoming obsolete.
---
--SOME MOVEMENT
Has MLB's free agent logjam broken with the Chicago Cubs' signing of pitcher Yu Darvish?
He is guaranteed $126 million over the next six seasons. That would seem high for a pitcher who's 31, has an injury history and is coming off a hugely disappointing offseason.
Now that spring training camps are open, maybe teams are facing their deficiencies more realistically and will be willing to offer some contracts.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Altoona Mirror, February 11, 2018
The Steelers seem to be heading toward a long-term contract agreement with Le'Veon Bell.
It could cost them about $15 million per season for the services of one of the best running backs in the NFL.
Here's a better idea: Put the franchise player label on Bell for the 2018 season. Then let him leave.
The Steelers would be better served to invest their Bell stash in defense. That's the greater need.
The Steelers have a franchise quarterback and a very good line to protect him. Antonio Brown is without peer at the receiver position. Receiving depth got a boost this past season with JuJu Smith-Schuster's impressive rookie season.
So do the Steelers really need to commit quarterback-like money to Bell, his considerable talent notwithstanding?
The Philadelphia Eagles just won the Super Bowl with perpetually-recycled LeGarrette Blount carrying the ball most often for them. They got in-season help through a trade for Miami's Jay Ajayi.
The Steelers aren't sure what they have at running back beyond Bell. Rookie James Conner only carried the ball 32 times before an injury ended his season early. They signed Stevan Ridley off the street when Conner exited.
In addition to taking a gigantic bite out of the payroll, there are other concerns about Bell. He's been reckless off the field, getting popped for marijuana possession at a traffic stop, then failing to make a follow-up test.
Reports say he was late for a walk-through preceding the Steelers' only playoff game. Because of the weed break, he's on the NFL's discipline docket.
He also has a knack for saying dumb and possibly disruptive things, like the threat to retire he issued in the week before the playoff game.
Bell's proclivity for saying the wrong thing shouldn't be a deal breaker when it's weighed against his talent. But it's part of a profile that makes a major investment something to consider with caution.
It's not a question of spending the money. It's more a matter of how the Steelers will allocate those funds.
With average production at running back, the Steelers ' offense will still be formidable with Ben Roethlisberger and Brown leading the way.
The defense won't be championship caliber without a significant upgrade. The Steelers have drafted too many disappointing linebackers, and now they've lost Ryan Shazier to a devastating injury.
While the clock ticks on Roethlisberger's career, the Steelers are fielding a defense that isn't good enough.
Spend the money on the defense, and let Bell find his fortune elsewhere.
---
--NO SALE
Looks like all MLB owners are being prudent and staying away from the free agent market.
The last time they all had the same idea at the same time, it was found to be collusion. It cost them more than $200 million and earned decades of mistrust from the Players Association.
Spring training camps are opening this week, and a lot of major talent is unsigned. Everybody needs pitching, but nobody needs Jake Arietta?
Lawyers are warming up in the bullpen.
---
--MOVING AROUND
Two of the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame are also two much-traveled players.
Randy Moss played for six teams in nine seasons, while Terrell Owens was employed by six NFL teams and one Indoor League team.
This means that both were in constant demand, and that teams didn't really regret letting them go elsewhere.
---
--NEW ROLE
The most intriguing move of the offseason is the Steelers' hiring of Tom Bradley to coach defensive backs.
Can a man who is 61 years old adapt to coaching pro players after a lifetime in college football?
And how long until a player less than half his age drops a, "You don't understand. This is the NFL" on him?
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
It could cost them about $15 million per season for the services of one of the best running backs in the NFL.
Here's a better idea: Put the franchise player label on Bell for the 2018 season. Then let him leave.
The Steelers would be better served to invest their Bell stash in defense. That's the greater need.
The Steelers have a franchise quarterback and a very good line to protect him. Antonio Brown is without peer at the receiver position. Receiving depth got a boost this past season with JuJu Smith-Schuster's impressive rookie season.
So do the Steelers really need to commit quarterback-like money to Bell, his considerable talent notwithstanding?
The Philadelphia Eagles just won the Super Bowl with perpetually-recycled LeGarrette Blount carrying the ball most often for them. They got in-season help through a trade for Miami's Jay Ajayi.
The Steelers aren't sure what they have at running back beyond Bell. Rookie James Conner only carried the ball 32 times before an injury ended his season early. They signed Stevan Ridley off the street when Conner exited.
In addition to taking a gigantic bite out of the payroll, there are other concerns about Bell. He's been reckless off the field, getting popped for marijuana possession at a traffic stop, then failing to make a follow-up test.
Reports say he was late for a walk-through preceding the Steelers' only playoff game. Because of the weed break, he's on the NFL's discipline docket.
He also has a knack for saying dumb and possibly disruptive things, like the threat to retire he issued in the week before the playoff game.
Bell's proclivity for saying the wrong thing shouldn't be a deal breaker when it's weighed against his talent. But it's part of a profile that makes a major investment something to consider with caution.
It's not a question of spending the money. It's more a matter of how the Steelers will allocate those funds.
With average production at running back, the Steelers ' offense will still be formidable with Ben Roethlisberger and Brown leading the way.
The defense won't be championship caliber without a significant upgrade. The Steelers have drafted too many disappointing linebackers, and now they've lost Ryan Shazier to a devastating injury.
While the clock ticks on Roethlisberger's career, the Steelers are fielding a defense that isn't good enough.
Spend the money on the defense, and let Bell find his fortune elsewhere.
---
--NO SALE
Looks like all MLB owners are being prudent and staying away from the free agent market.
The last time they all had the same idea at the same time, it was found to be collusion. It cost them more than $200 million and earned decades of mistrust from the Players Association.
Spring training camps are opening this week, and a lot of major talent is unsigned. Everybody needs pitching, but nobody needs Jake Arietta?
Lawyers are warming up in the bullpen.
---
--MOVING AROUND
Two of the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame are also two much-traveled players.
Randy Moss played for six teams in nine seasons, while Terrell Owens was employed by six NFL teams and one Indoor League team.
This means that both were in constant demand, and that teams didn't really regret letting them go elsewhere.
---
--NEW ROLE
The most intriguing move of the offseason is the Steelers' hiring of Tom Bradley to coach defensive backs.
Can a man who is 61 years old adapt to coaching pro players after a lifetime in college football?
And how long until a player less than half his age drops a, "You don't understand. This is the NFL" on him?
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Altoona Mirror, February 7, 2018
The football wasn't always letter perfect, but the entertainment value of Super Bowl 52 was off the charts.
Some small observations from the big game:
--Who could have predicted a huge play would be a pass Tom Brady didn't catch rather than one he threw?
--Option pass by the tight end to the quarterback on fourth-and-goal? Gutsy play calling, Eagles. If it hadn't worked, the talk show lines in Philadelphia would have melted.
--Eagles fans waited a long time for football success. The Eagles had never won a Super Bowl, and their last NFL championship was in 1960. Bobby Layne played quarterback for the Steelers that season.
--The commercials haven't kept pace with the quality of the games. People at the ad agencies are trying too hard. Keep it simple. That said, the "Dirty Dancing" tribute with Eli Manning and Odell Beckham, Jr. was inspired.
--Couldn't get out of the biggest game of the year without a replay controversy or two. Best suggestion heard all weekend: Make all replay rulings based on real-time replays rather than slow motion.
--No, the Zach Ertz "was it a catch?" wasn't the same as the Jesse James play in the regular season game against the Patriots. Get over it.
--Either Nick Foles has just had the greatest streak of his life or he's been seriously underrated by NFL talent evaluators.
--Rob Gronkowski catches passes even when everyone knows he's going to get the ball.
--You can see why the Patriots signed James Harrison so late in the season. Their defense needed help.
--The silliest questions are the ones asking players immediately after the game what their retirement plans are. The player is 15 minutes removed from the field. Heads are spinning. It's not the best time to make life-altering decisions.
--There's always talk about declining ratings for the NFL, but nine of the 10 most-watched programs in TV history are Super Bowls, including this one. The only non-football program is the final episode of MASH.
--After a year dominated by anthem protests, it was nice to see the captains of both teams respectfully applauding the veterans who participated in the coin toss.
--It became apparent by mid-October that the Eagles were the best team in the NFL. The upset was that they maintained the standard after quarterback Carson Wentz sustained a season-ending knee injury. Next man up indeed.
---
--PATIENCE, PLEASE
Why are people in such a rush to issue medical bulletins on the Steelers' Ryan Shazier?
He's had a serious injury. If he can walk again and lead a normal life, that will be enough.
It's difficult to imagine any doctor would clear him to play football after such an injury. So what's the rush to put out "news" about his progress?
Let him be, and hope for the best.
---
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Some small observations from the big game:
--Who could have predicted a huge play would be a pass Tom Brady didn't catch rather than one he threw?
--Option pass by the tight end to the quarterback on fourth-and-goal? Gutsy play calling, Eagles. If it hadn't worked, the talk show lines in Philadelphia would have melted.
--Eagles fans waited a long time for football success. The Eagles had never won a Super Bowl, and their last NFL championship was in 1960. Bobby Layne played quarterback for the Steelers that season.
--The commercials haven't kept pace with the quality of the games. People at the ad agencies are trying too hard. Keep it simple. That said, the "Dirty Dancing" tribute with Eli Manning and Odell Beckham, Jr. was inspired.
--Couldn't get out of the biggest game of the year without a replay controversy or two. Best suggestion heard all weekend: Make all replay rulings based on real-time replays rather than slow motion.
--No, the Zach Ertz "was it a catch?" wasn't the same as the Jesse James play in the regular season game against the Patriots. Get over it.
--Either Nick Foles has just had the greatest streak of his life or he's been seriously underrated by NFL talent evaluators.
--Rob Gronkowski catches passes even when everyone knows he's going to get the ball.
--You can see why the Patriots signed James Harrison so late in the season. Their defense needed help.
--The silliest questions are the ones asking players immediately after the game what their retirement plans are. The player is 15 minutes removed from the field. Heads are spinning. It's not the best time to make life-altering decisions.
--There's always talk about declining ratings for the NFL, but nine of the 10 most-watched programs in TV history are Super Bowls, including this one. The only non-football program is the final episode of MASH.
--After a year dominated by anthem protests, it was nice to see the captains of both teams respectfully applauding the veterans who participated in the coin toss.
--It became apparent by mid-October that the Eagles were the best team in the NFL. The upset was that they maintained the standard after quarterback Carson Wentz sustained a season-ending knee injury. Next man up indeed.
---
--PATIENCE, PLEASE
Why are people in such a rush to issue medical bulletins on the Steelers' Ryan Shazier?
He's had a serious injury. If he can walk again and lead a normal life, that will be enough.
It's difficult to imagine any doctor would clear him to play football after such an injury. So what's the rush to put out "news" about his progress?
Let him be, and hope for the best.
---
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Sunday, February 4, 2018
Altoona Mirror, February 4, 2018
OK, what exactly is it that bothers you about the New England Patriots?
Is it the beady-eyed coach, who vandalizes those officially-licensed hoodies by chopping off the sleeves for added comfort?
Even if he's not up to something illegal, he looks guilty.
Is it the quarterback who's right out of Central Casting, just too perfect in every way? He's impossibly wealthy, wildly successful and married to a super model, after all.
Even when he emerges from a mud puddle after a sack, his hair is perfect.
Oh, those Patriots. They're so annoying, which is why so many people have landed in the Philadelphia Eagles camp by default today.
They'll root for the Eagles, knowing full well that if they win, Philadelphia might be closed for repairs until at least April.
Steelers Nation is especially displeased with the Patriots' sustained success. One reason is the Patriots' accomplishments exceed the Steelers'.
We all know the Steelers won four Super Bowls in six seasons, 1974-79. They teach that in pre-school now. Impressive? Of course.
That success came from six incredible years of acquiring talent through the draft, 1969-74. The streak started with Joe Greene and ended with the legendary 1974 draft, which produced four Hall of Fame players.
But as those players faded away, so did the Steelers' success. Walter Abercrombie was running the ball instead of Franco Harris. Goodbye, Swann and Stallworth. Hello, Gregg Garrity and Calvin Sweeney.
After the fourth Super Bowl, Chuck Noll's record was 93-91. The Steelers played six playoff games in 11 seasons. They never got back to the Super Bowl; they reached the AFC Championship Game once and lost, 45-28 to Miami.
The Steelers of the '70s were great, but only with one core group of players over a six-year span.
If the Patriots win tonight, it will be the second time they've won the Super Bowl three times in four seasons.
Because of the salary cap, they've had to constantly re-invent their team. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are constants, but they're the only ones. The Patriots have even lost assistant coaches to other teams.
The system conspires against sustained success. The salary cap helps break up teams. The Steelers of the '70s never had to make a choice between Jack Ham and Jack Lambert. They could keep both as long as they wanted to.
Win or lose tonight, the Patriots are a team for the ages in the NFL. You don't have to like them, but you should respect them.
---
--ALL-TIME STAR?
A lot of people are still upset about the Pirates trading Andrew McCutchen. Mostly this is because of the misguided belief McCutchen was one of the Pirates' all-time greats and should have stayed with the team through his whole career.
Is McCutchen on a level with Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell? Not even close.
In fact, look up the numbers, and Brian Giles posted significantly better numbers in his five seasons with the Pirates than McCutchen did in his time here.
Giles had the misfortune to play on consistently lousy teams, so his accomplishments never got as much attention as they deserved.
---
--HERE'S YOUR PICK
It doesn't make any sense to pick against the Patriots.
That said, the Eagles have an excellent chance to win tonight. They play defense, and backup quarterback Nick Foles has met the challenge of running their offense.
The Patriots' defense isn't as strong as it's been in other Super Bowl seasons (hence the late-season signing of James Harrison).
Looks like the Patriots in a close game, but it really could go either way as the NFL's two best teams face off in the final game of the season.
(And here's hoping we don't have one of those hopelessly convoluted replay reviews to drag down the whole show).
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Is it the beady-eyed coach, who vandalizes those officially-licensed hoodies by chopping off the sleeves for added comfort?
Even if he's not up to something illegal, he looks guilty.
Is it the quarterback who's right out of Central Casting, just too perfect in every way? He's impossibly wealthy, wildly successful and married to a super model, after all.
Even when he emerges from a mud puddle after a sack, his hair is perfect.
Oh, those Patriots. They're so annoying, which is why so many people have landed in the Philadelphia Eagles camp by default today.
They'll root for the Eagles, knowing full well that if they win, Philadelphia might be closed for repairs until at least April.
Steelers Nation is especially displeased with the Patriots' sustained success. One reason is the Patriots' accomplishments exceed the Steelers'.
We all know the Steelers won four Super Bowls in six seasons, 1974-79. They teach that in pre-school now. Impressive? Of course.
That success came from six incredible years of acquiring talent through the draft, 1969-74. The streak started with Joe Greene and ended with the legendary 1974 draft, which produced four Hall of Fame players.
But as those players faded away, so did the Steelers' success. Walter Abercrombie was running the ball instead of Franco Harris. Goodbye, Swann and Stallworth. Hello, Gregg Garrity and Calvin Sweeney.
After the fourth Super Bowl, Chuck Noll's record was 93-91. The Steelers played six playoff games in 11 seasons. They never got back to the Super Bowl; they reached the AFC Championship Game once and lost, 45-28 to Miami.
The Steelers of the '70s were great, but only with one core group of players over a six-year span.
If the Patriots win tonight, it will be the second time they've won the Super Bowl three times in four seasons.
Because of the salary cap, they've had to constantly re-invent their team. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady are constants, but they're the only ones. The Patriots have even lost assistant coaches to other teams.
The system conspires against sustained success. The salary cap helps break up teams. The Steelers of the '70s never had to make a choice between Jack Ham and Jack Lambert. They could keep both as long as they wanted to.
Win or lose tonight, the Patriots are a team for the ages in the NFL. You don't have to like them, but you should respect them.
---
--ALL-TIME STAR?
A lot of people are still upset about the Pirates trading Andrew McCutchen. Mostly this is because of the misguided belief McCutchen was one of the Pirates' all-time greats and should have stayed with the team through his whole career.
Is McCutchen on a level with Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell? Not even close.
In fact, look up the numbers, and Brian Giles posted significantly better numbers in his five seasons with the Pirates than McCutchen did in his time here.
Giles had the misfortune to play on consistently lousy teams, so his accomplishments never got as much attention as they deserved.
---
--HERE'S YOUR PICK
It doesn't make any sense to pick against the Patriots.
That said, the Eagles have an excellent chance to win tonight. They play defense, and backup quarterback Nick Foles has met the challenge of running their offense.
The Patriots' defense isn't as strong as it's been in other Super Bowl seasons (hence the late-season signing of James Harrison).
Looks like the Patriots in a close game, but it really could go either way as the NFL's two best teams face off in the final game of the season.
(And here's hoping we don't have one of those hopelessly convoluted replay reviews to drag down the whole show).
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
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