Paul Zeise's sports chat: 10.29.12

Monday, 29 October 2012 13:45

Written by Paul Zeise

Paul Zeise: Welcome to this week's chat. This will be a weekly event - start sending questions now about any subject and we will get started. Thanks as always for joining me.

Ken: There was only one Myron Cope, and his Steeler homer schtick will never be duplicated but I think the Steelers would do well to promote or consider Greg Giannotti as a new radio color man. Think he'd consider it?

Paul Zeise: I'm sure he would but I'm not sure that the Steelers would move a guy like Tunch Ilkin - a former player and a long time loyal employee - out of the booth unless it was his choice. If I might ask - why Gregg? He is very good at what he does, but what makes you think he has that "next Myron Cope" feel to him?

JiminVT: I am forced to see a lot of Giants games up here, and boy is their secondary weak. Do you see a shootout Sunday in the Swamp?

Paul Zeise: I think the weather will be a factor or at least could be in that. If it is still bad from the storm and winds are swirling - in that stadium especially - it won't be a shootout because throwing the ball will be tough. If it is a nice day or at least a day without lots of wind, I think both teams could move the ball and score some points though both front sevens will have something to say about that. I see it as a close game and maybe both teams in the 20s.

Will: Paul, that was a terrible World Series. These cold weather, gloomy late October games all look the same and I'm guessing no one outside of Northern California and Michigan cared. So now's the time--bring back classic afternoon World Series games! The ratings couldn't be that much worse, right?

Paul Zeise: Yes, I thought it was an awful World Series but not because it was at night - it was because neither team is particularly exciting in a lot of ways and also because the Tigers apparently thought the season ended after the ALCS as they just did not show up. Those were not very interesting games by any measure, though they were close, the Tigers just looked like a team who had no fight left in them. Yet, I'm sure we will be treated to months and months of stories about what a superb manager Jim Leyland is.....

Ken: Giannotti knows the NFL and has a good sense of humor. He could do impersonations during blow outs.

Paul Zeise: Well seeing as there aren't many blowouts any more in the NFL because of the parity, he wouldn't get to do many impressions. But yes, he would do a good job.

BobL: Does Mendenhall's out of control twitter account and contract status tip the balance in favor of Dwyer? Can't they use both?

Paul Zeise: I think that Dwyer's performance may be tipping the scale in his favor and I think that the Mendenhall era is going to come to an end. It seems like the Steelers are ready to move forward and if Jon Dwyer proves he can handle the load over the next few days he makes Mendenhall expendable.

Guest: What do you think of the Pitt-ND game?

Paul Zeise: I am intrigued by the Pitt-Notre Dame game. My senses are that Notre Dame's defense will dominate the game but if Pitt can get that front seven blocked, I think it has a chance to hang around in the game and get into the fourth quarter - and once you get to the fourth quarter anything can happen. It should be an interesting matchup.

Ken: Paul, I actually think the Browns are better than people think, but how does Norn Turner still have a job? Some guys are coordinators, some are head coaches...

Paul Zeise: I agree - and frankly I think he was overrated as an offensive coordinator. Frankly - the most success he had was when he worked for Jimmy Johnson and had a cast of characters that were so good even he couldn't screw it up. I think it is a great question though - if you look at his resume, nothing suggests he is going to turn this thing around for San Diego and get that team over the top. I guess he is a safe hire - his teams are generally around .500 or so and always seem to hang around playoff contention.

Will: What kind of involvement does Art Rooney have during the season with the team? I think we've seen him flex his muscle after the season, but do you think he sits in with Tomlin and LeBeau this time of year?

Paul Zeise: No, it isn't his style. The Steelers are considered a dream job because the owners don't mess with coach and GM especially during the season. The Rooneys also stand by their coaches and trust them, so I doubt the Rooneys are sitting in meetings and telling Dick LeBeau how to run things.

Paul Zeise: Well, we got things started this week and we will do this every week at Noon. Pass the word around and let's get this chat rolling each Monday. You can also check out my thoughts at my blog, Zeise Out Loud.