The Steelers are officially a train wreck. At 0-3 you can forget playoffs this year. This is shaping up as what could be one of the worst years in the team’s modern history. The offense is a mess. The Steelers can’t run the ball and their passing game, save for a few plays against the 49ers, has been nonexistent. And despite playing so poorly for much of the game, the Steelers had the lead late until James Conner’s fumble led to the final score. It’s early to give up on the Steelers, but I don’t see any way they will turn this around.
• The Steelers forced five turnovers against the 49ers and only got six points out of it. Four of those took place in the first half. Creating turnovers has been a problem for the Steelers the past few years. When they finally were able to do it the Steelers couldn’t do anything on offense. That’s terrible.
• Mason Rudolph had a rough first start, and that’s being kind. He was awful in the first half. Yes, he made some plays in the second half against the 49ers, but it was not a good first game from the second year quarterback. I think he will be much better as he gets more experience. He can’t play a whole lot worse.
• The season ending injury to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger could end his career. If you’re old enough to have followed the Steelers of the 70s you might recall that an elbow injury is what ended Terry Bradshaw’s career. So far, reports are encouraging and Roethlisberger won’t need Tommy John surgery. Still, Big Ben will be 38 when next season comes around. I just don’t see Roethlisberger going out this way. I believe he will work hard to come back from the injury and prove he can still be a great NFL quarterback.
• I was very surprised to see the Steelers give up next year’s first round draft pick for defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick. I didn’t like the trade from the minute it was announced. It’s the first time the Steelers have traded their top pick since 1967. Fitzpatrick makes the Steelers’ defense better right away. Still, I think it was a risky trade for the Black and Gold. If Mason Rudolph isn’t the answer at quarterback and the Steelers end up with a high draft pick, the team will have traded away their chance to draft their next franchise quarterback. If that happens the trade will go down as a bad one for the Steelers, even if Fitzpatrick is really good, and he made an immediate impact forcing two turnovers against the 49ers. Only time will tell how this deal ends up and the impact it has for the Steelers. After watching the Steelers and Rudolph stink it up in San Francisco, I dislike this trade even more.
• Business isn’t booming. I can’t say I was shocked when I heard the news on Friday that the Patriots had released Antonio Brown. I didn’t think it would happen this soon, but I found it hard to believe Mr. Big Chest would make it through the year with the Patriots. I did laugh when I saw Brown declare on Sunday that he was done with the NFL. Actually, it’s more like the NFL is done with Brown. I find it hard to believe that any team would even entertain signing him after all he’s done the last several months. He’s completely toxic and it’s his own fault. Brown is an incredible talent, but a major league head-case. It wouldn’t surprise me if he never plays another down in the NFL.
• IUP is on a roll. Lock Haven is no powerhouse, but when you can put up 77 points on the scoreboard that says something. I’ve said all along that I believe IUP is going to surprise people this year. From what I’ve seen in the early going, I think the Crimson Hawks have a chance for a great season.
• Penn State had the week off. The Lions have a lot to correct before they open up Big Ten play next Friday night. The game at Maryland won’t be easy. The Terps always play tough against Penn State. They will be having a “black out” game. The atmosphere should be electric. It will be a good early season test for Penn State.
• Pitt blew a three touchdown lead and then pulled out an incredible win against UCF. I loved the “Pitt Special” call that resulted in a touchdown and helped the Panthers upset UCF. It was a gutsy called by Mark Whipple, the former Steelers coach. Great win for Pitt. It could help them turn their season around.
• The Pirates got swept in Milwaukee. Now, there’s a shocker. Miller Park is the Pirates’ house of horrors. Just when you think the season can’t get any worse the Pirates go to Milwaukee and get thoroughly outplayed. If the Pirates don’t make major changes, and I’m talking from the top on down, they will have a hard time getting any fans to come to PNC Park next year. Even if they have several bobblehead giveaways.
• I was shocked when I saw the news surrounding Pirates All Star reliever Felipe Vasquez. The story is very disturbing and disgusting. I doubt Vasquez will ever pitch again for any major league baseball team, which is the least of his problems right now. He’s probably headed for many years in jail. The Pirates had discussions with teams about a Vasquez deal prior to the trade deadline, and I believe they would have had more discussions about trading him this off-season. Now, they’ll get nothing for him and will lose one of their best players. I feel bad for the Pirates’ organization. But after reading details of this story, I don’t feel bad for what’s in store for Vasquez.
• The feel good moment in baseball this week was when Mike Yastrzemski returned home to Boston as a member of the San Francisco Giants. Young Yaz even hit a home run at Fenway Park in front of his grandfather, Carl. Yaz even threw out the first pitch to his grandson the next day. It was great stuff.
