Talk about a devastating loss for the Steelers. Just when it looked like Tom Brady, their Kryptonite, had beaten them again, the Steelers appeared to pull out a comeback for the ages. That is until instant replay took over. You can argue that Jesse James scored for the Steelers, and you can also argue that he didn’t maintain control of the ball on the so-called go ahead touchdown. Heck, who knows what constitutes a catch in the NFL these days? All that matters is that New England left Heinz Field with the win, and because if it they will most likely have home field advantage in the AFC Playoffs. It was all set up for the Steelers and they just couldn’t get it done. It’s a loss they’ll talk about for years. Steelers’ fans have every right to be upset.
· Big Ben was great for the Steelers, but his ill advised pass in the final seconds that was intercepted will and should be second guessed. It was risky to throw it over the middle into a crowd of defenders. Sure, the Steelers wanted to win it, but all they needed was a field goal to send the game to overtime. It would have been great had it worked. Instead, it ruined what was another great game by the Steelers’ future hall of fame quarterback.
· It’s amazing the Steelers were even in a position to win after losing star wide receiver Antonio Brown due to a calf injury. If it is a bruised calf he could be out for a few weeks. If it is severe it could take up to eight weeks to heal, and that would mean AB is done for the year. It’s bad enough the Steelers lost to New England. Losing Brown for the season would be even more devastating.
· There have been a lot of rumors concerning the Pirates and possible trades they might make. They didn’t do anything at the Winter Meetings. The names that are most mentioned are Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole. I don’t think the Pirates will deal either before the season opener. That said, if the Pirates get deals they can’t pass up I think they need to pull the trigger and make the deal. McCutchen is in the last year of his contract, and there’s no way he’ll be back in 2019. Cole has two years of team control, which makes him even more attractive in a deal. He’ll be gone after the 2019 season. I know Pirates’ fans don’t want to hear it, but the Pirates need to rebuild at some point. Getting value for both players is a step in the right direction, even if it won’t be popular among the fan base.
· Maybe it is time for Jim Rutherford to shake up the Pens and make a big deal. Entering the weekend they had lost three in a row, their second three game losing streak in less than a month, and four of their last five. That included losing three of five at friendly PPG Paints Arena, something that is just not acceptable. The Pens just don’t have it this year. If the playoffs were to start today the Pens wouldn’t make it. That says it all.
· Good for Marc Andre Fleury. The former Pens’ goalie beat his old team in his new hometown of Las Vegas. It had to be a very emotional night for the guy who lost his job to Matt Murray and was let go in the expansion draft. Vegas has been a great story this year. They’re doing much better than anyone could have predicted. Fleury is the face of their new franchise. I hope he does terrific things for this new franchise.
· I like the new earlier signing date for college football, which will take place on December 30th. If guys are ready to sign, why not get it over with. It takes a lot of pressure off the players as well as the coaches. It makes for a lot of extra work for coaches whose teams are in bowl games. They have to do double duty. But, if they can get the guys they want early it will be worth it.
· Pitt needs a good recruiting class to get back the program back on the winning track. The Panthers will have to replace two of their best players, as Jordan Whitehead and Quadree Henderson, who both declared for the NFL draft. These are the kind of players Pitt needs to compete in the ACC. It’s really not a big surprise either player is leaving early. Now the question is can they replace them?
· Indiana’s Riley Stapleton did it again. He had two touchdown catches for James Madison in their national semifinal game. JMU is back in the national championship game for the second year in a row. Hope they do it again.
