The Steelers can kiss their 2019 playoff hopes goodbye. Their latest ugly loss in the swamps of Jersey, and it was brutal, to the 5-9 New York Jets pretty much sealed their fate. You can count on at least one bad loss for the Steelers each season under Mike Tomlin. Steeler fans got a couple of those this year, but this one probably hurt the most given what was at stake. It won’t be a Merry Christmas for the Black and Gold this year.
· Offensive coordinators are always the most second guessed guys around. Randy Fichtner deserves to be criticized after some of his play calls in the Jets debacle. A few different times the Steelers were in field goal range and never even got to attempt the three point kick. Why the Steelers didn’t go conservative with run calls in a tight ball game when they were in field goal range had me scratching my head. What were the Steeler coaches thinking? It made no sense at all.
· The Duck Hodges story was great while it lasted. But after a few bad games it’s obvious that Duck is a so-so quarterback who was undrafted for a reason. He threw a couple of really bad interceptions in the loss. Duck could have been the hero had James Washington held on to his bomb in the late going. It was a heck of a throw by Hodges. Still, his body of work in this game wasn’t up to par. I’m glad I didn’t buy any Duck Hodges gear.
· Injuries have absolutely obliterated the Steelers this season. The entire season changed when Big Ben went down early. And in this crucial game with the playoffs on the line the Steelers lost James Conner, Maurkice Pouncey, and Mason Rudolph, who was back in at quarterback to replace the struggling Duck Hodges. In all my decades of watching the Steelers I can’t recall a year in which they’ve had so many injuries, even though it’s part of the game.
· James Conner is a great guy and a heck of a football player…..when he’s healthy. Unfortunately, Conner just can’t stay on the field. He’s already missed five games this year, missed seven games as a rookie and had to sit out three games last year when he still made it to the Pro Bowl. I just don’t see how the Steelers can invest in him long-term when he becomes a free agent after next season. I was hoping Conner would be a legendary player for the Steelers. Unfortunately, the guy can’t stay healthy.
· I’m looking forward to next Saturday’s college football playoff games. I’m pulling for LSU to win it all. I covered the Tigers for fourteen years during my media days. I like them to beat Oklahoma, which has already suspended three starters for the contest. I’d love to see Clemson, winners of two out of the last three titles, beat Ohio State. I just think the Buckeyes are too strong. So, I’m going with LSU vs Ohio State in the title game.
· Indiana is well represented in the NCAA Subdivision playoffs. Brothers Riley and Dylan Stapleton have helped lead James Madison to the national championship game. Riley had nine catches including two touchdowns to lead the Dukes past Weber State. Dylan had five catches in the semifinal win. James Madison is coached by former IUP head coach Curt Cignetti. It would be great to see these three end their season with a national title.
· All the Penguins want for Christmas is to finally get healthy. The Pens have to be happy with their trip through Western Canada where they won two of three. They have nearly a week off until they play again. Sidney Crosby will be back in the lineup soon. That’s good news. Hopefully 2002 will bring good health for the Penguins.
· It was great a year for college sports in the city of Pittsburgh. The Burgh hosted the NCAA Wrestling Championships in March. This past week the NCAA Women’s Volleyball championships came to Pittsburgh. I attended both events and they were terrific. Hats off to Stanford for winning the volleyball championship Saturday night. They didn’t lose a set on their way to a second straight title. I’m glad I went to both championships and hope that Pittsburgh gets to host more of these championships in the future.
· Here’s to wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and prosperous New Year.
