The Steelers had to wait out a weather delay, but when they did they looked pretty good in their second pre-season game. Most of the big names sat this one out against Tampa Bay, which was expected. Bud Dupree, who has been a major disappointed so far as a Steeler, looked really good on the defensive side. Receivers James Washington and rookie Diontae Johnson made some plays on offense. Most of the roster spots are pretty secure, but there are still battles ongoing. The Steelers will end up cutting several guys who can and will make an NFL roster somewhere.
• Both quarterbacks looked good for the second straight game. Josh Dobbs continued to show what he can do when he takes off from the pocket. Second year man Mason Rudolph was most impressive. I’ll stick with my prediction that he will win the backup job. I think the Steelers are blessed to have two good players behind Ben Roethlisberger. But hopefully neither will have to take a meaningful snap all season.
• Is it possible the Oakland Raiders are already fed up with Antonio Brown? Sure sounds like it. GM Mike Mayock told reporters that it’s time for Mr. Big Chest to “be all in or all out.” Brown is upset again because the NFL won’t let him use his old helmet, and after finding a similar model that helmet did not pass the NFL’s safety inspection. Now, Brown has left the Raiders again. I can hear the laughter from the Steelers all the way here in Indiana.
• It was neat watching the Pirates take part in the Little League Classic again on Sunday night. It’s one of the highlights of the season, and the Pirates have taken part of the game twice. Unfortunately, the Pirates lost again and dropped the series to the Chicago Cubs. They’re now 7-27 since the All Star Break. Enough said.
• I’ve written this before and I’ll say it again, I’ve never seen a team so horrible at coming through with the bases loaded. The Pirates had the sacks jammed three times in their loss to the Cubs on Saturday and still couldn’t score. It’s been with this way for the Pirates for years. Absolutely pathetic.
• I feel bad for pitcher Jameson Taillon, who will now undergo Tommy John surgery for the second time in his career. He has missed most of the 2019 season and will also be out all of 2020. Who knows how good he’ll be when he returns. He could come back as good as ever. Then again, he may never be the same. It’s a bad break for a good kid and a major setback for the Pirates.
• Looking ahead, it’s hard to imagine the Pirates being very good next year. The Taillon injury makes the much maligned pitching staff even more of a question mark. I find it hard to believe owner Bob Nutting will spend the big money to acquire a top tier free agent. The team’s best bet might be to trade reliever Felipe Vasquez for a starting pitcher in the off-season.
• Rocky Bleier was an American war hero and Pittsburgh Steelers legend. He’ll be featured in an emotional ESPN documentary this Tuesday that follows Rocky back to Vietnam where he nearly lost his life fifty years ago. I spoke with Rocky at Steelers’ training camp last year where he was selling an updated version of his book, Fighting Back. He was excited about the trip, but wasn’t sure what it would be like for him. The previews look incredibly moving. This should be must viewing for all Steelers fans.
• Shame on the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell. The league has hired rapper Jay Z and his Roc Nation to enhance the league’s game experiences and amplify the league’s social justice efforts. In the words of John McEnroe, “You cannot be serious!” I guess Goodell and his league haven’t listened to any of Jay Z’s lyrics which always contain the N word, degrade women and promote violence toward law enforcement. Yet this is what the NFL’s newest partner does on a regular basis, and it has made him filthy rich. Goodell has done some dumb things while in his position. This is not only dumb, it’s also downright insulting. Goodell always talks about “protecting the shield”. He has just destroyed the credibility of the NFL’s shield with this partnership. Goodell and the NFL deserve all the criticism that is sure to come their way.
• RIP Jack Whitaker. Back in the day, Jack Whitaker was a star for CBS Sports. His commentaries at the end of major events were as good as the games themselves, sometimes better. He also did play by play of Super Bowl 1 for CBS. Whitaker later enjoyed a long career at ABC Sports. I had a chance to say hello to him at the US Open at Shinnecock several years ago. He was a true gentleman and broadcasting legend.
