The Pens laid a couple of eggs this past week and looked really bad in getting blown out in Boston. That gave many Yinzers a reason to jump off the nearest bridge. That’s why the overtime win over the Islanders was so big. It came at the right time and gave the Pens a shot in the arm they really needed. Leave it to Sidney Crosby to be the hero when the Pens needed one. It was a heck of a hockey game.
· Matt Murray’s injury could change the Pens’ whole season. He may only miss a few games, which is the hope. His former teammate Marc-Andre Fleury missed two months when he suffered a concussion earlier this season. The fact that Murray has started skating on his own is a good sign. Hopefully he’s back sooner rather than later.
· Tough break for IUP men’s basketball team being left out of the NCAA Tournament. Despite another great year, the Crimson Hawks will be watching from the sidelines. I thought IUP would have a great shot to get in, despite losing early in the PSAC Tournament. That’s how it goes these days, I guess.
· On a more positive note, good luck to the IUP women in the tournament. They’ve had a great year and have a chance to make a nice run.
· I think it’s just a matter of time until Pitt parts with basketball coach Kevin Stallings. I can’t imagine they’ll keep him after a winless year in the ACC and dismal attendance. There is zero interest in Pitt basketball right now. Who could have imagined that a few years ago when The Pete was the place to be.
· The Steelers will get a better look at players they could draft after spending the last few days at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. The upcoming draft is a very important one for the Steelers. They still feel that they are close to getting back to another Super Bowl, but also know they have holes to fill on defense. Colbert needs to hit some home runs in this draft. He only has five picks after trading away two selections previously and not getting any compensatory picks from the NFL. Each selection is more important than ever.
· It was no surprise when Steelers’ GM Kevin Colbert said that Ryan Shazier won’t play in 2018. It’s just now official. I’d be shocked, but thrilled, if Shazier ever plays again. That said, the Steelers are paying more attention than ever to the linebacker position. I fully expect the Black and Gold to draft a middle linebacker in the first two rounds of the draft. They’ll probably also sign one in free agency, if there’s a good fit. You don’t just find guys like Ryan Shazier, so the guy that comes in to take his place has big shoes to fill.
· I’m not the least bit surprised that former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley dazzled at the combine. As I’ve said before, he’s a generational talent. The Cleveland
Browns are on the clock and have the first pick in the draft, plus the fourth pick in Round One. If I’m the Browns I take Barkley with the first pick, even though the team desperately needs a quarterback. The Giants will most likely take a quarterback with the second pick. It’s highly doubtful the Colts would take a QB at three, which means the Browns would still get one of the top quarterbacks at four. That would be my strategy. I seriously doubt that Barkley will last to pick four if the Browns don’t take him at number one. A top rated quarterback will still be there at number four. Take Barkley at one and your next franchise QB at four. That would be a heck of a draft right there.
· Kevin Colbert said he’s not trading Martavis Bryant, who is headed into the final year of his contract. I can’t say I’m surprised by that. Bryant is still very affordable and probably wouldn’t bring much in a trade, when you consider that former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes only netted the Steelers a fifth round pick. If, however, a team offered the Steelers a few decent picks I do believe Colbert would at least think twice, and well he should.
· I’m glad Andrew McCutchen spoke his mind in his first spring training with the San Francisco Giants. Cutch questioned the Pirates’ not going for it when the team had made the playoffs three straight years. It’s one thing when fans say it. It’s another when the team’s former star player says it. Cutch is right, the Buccos had a chance to go for it and didn’t. I hope he gets his World Series ring in Frisco.
