by Bill Neal, For New Pittsburgh Courier
:10—When your defense is gouged for 215 yards rushing, 120 of those yards by J.K. Dobbins on 15 carries for a whopping 8.0 yards per carry, it might be time to try something or someone different. When your quarterback throws 3 interceptions, 2 of the picks inside the red zone, it might be time to try something or someone different. I have come to the opinion that if the Steelers had sat Kenny Pickett for the entire season to learn and made Mason Rudolph the starter the Steelers record would probably be 8-5 instead of 5-8 and 2-4 at home. Though the Steelers hate to admit it, it has been a rebuilding year ever since Kenny Pickett was thrust into the starting lineup. Mason Rudolph was given no chance to realistically compete for the starting job and being delegated clipboard guy in street clothes was reason for him to sulk and be a thorn in the side of ownership. None of that happened, and that’s a real feather in Mason’s hat, his integrity there for all to see. If Kenny Pickett is out this week, Mason Rudolph should be given all the first-team reps and installed as the starter for the remainder of the season. Or what remains of it.
:09—Of major concern for every Steelers fan is the fact Kenny Pickett is on his second concussion protocol in 13 games. His health and well-being is paramount to this discussion and we hope and pray he’s fine but from a fan’s interest, it is alarming that he’s been placed in the protocol twice already and it may be a lingering problem moving forward. If his health is in jeopardy and long-term effects are in the offing, no one should begrudge the man looking out for his best interests. That being said, should the Steelers be concerned enough to think about another quarterback in the next draft if Pickett is susceptible to head trauma? It’s a little early to push the panic button but it is a real concern moving forward.
:08—Holding the Baltimore Ravens to 16 points at home should be enough to win. The Steelers’ defense bent but did not break, allowing only 94 yards passing. Yes, the Swiss cheese defensive line and linebacking corps were awful, allowing Minkah Fitzpatrick, the best safety in the entire NFL, to once again lead the team in tackles with 11, but still, they only gave up 16 points. Our special teams were atrocious and the time has come to find a better punter than Pressley Harvin III, he of the 17-yard punt that seems to happen way too often. Give him a bus ticket and move on.
:07—With 3 interceptions at least it can’t be said the Steelers were playing too conservatively. The offensive coordinator Matt Canada decided it was time to play NFL football and opened up the passing playbook. Unfortunately Mitch Trubisky did not bring his needle and thread and both passes intercepted in the red zone were, by his own admission, passes forced into an area he should not have attempted. Trubisky has not excelled in the offensive scheme and though he has all the physical attributes to be a serviceable QB in the NFL, it’s not with the Pittsburgh Steelers as they are designed this season. The last and logical conclusion is to run with Mason Rudolph and try to win out.
:06—Having had the unenviable position of being heir apparent to a fading Ben Roethlisberger, who we’ve heard was very unhappy at Rudolph being drafted and never took him under his wing to help him develop into an NFL QB, a complete disservice to the owners, his teammates and the fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rudolph has handled every adversity with head held high and mouth firmly shut, his only comments tactful and spot-on in regards to his situation. He’s earned our respect and he’s earned the chance to run this woeful offense and try to spark something that will get us a couple touchdowns in a game. At 6’5” and 235 pounds he should be able to withstand the sacks he’s certain to get playing behind this offensive line. Let’s see what he can do. I’m sure George Pickens, Diontae Johnson and Pat Freiermuth would love to try out the aerial show from Mason Rudolph. I’m just saying, couldn’t hurt.
:05—Shoutout #1 to the Pittsburgh Panthers Women’s Volleyball team and its monumental win against #1 ranked and defending national champion Wisconsin to get to the Final Four for a second consecutive season. With a 5th set 15-13 win the Panthers were able to punch their ticket to the Final Four and hopefully bring back a national championship this year. Go Pitt!!!
:04—Shoutout #2 to the Westinghouse Bulldogs football team for their runner-up position in the PIAA Class 2A division. Having fallen just short of the ultimate goal the Bulldogs showed grit and determination and skill beyond what anyone outside their locker room thought they were capable of this season. Congratulations to the players and Coach Donta Green for a season to be remembered.
:03—Shout out #3 to the Belle Vernon Leopards and Coach Matt Humbert for their 1st Pennsylvania High School State Championship, beating Neumann-Goretti 9-8 with a last-second goal-line stand to secure the Class 3A Title. One for the ages, the Leopards stopped Neumann-Goretti 3 times at the 1 yard line to keep their lead then went on offense and punched the ball forward a few yards to run out the clock. Congratulations to Belle Vernon on a classic, never-to-be-forgotten first title.
:02—Once again, as the absolute expert on all things hockey and especially the NHL, it was truly amazing to see Kris Letang skate out first onto the ice ahead of Sidney Crosby Saturday night, Dec. 10, 12 days, yeah, 12 days after his second stroke kept him off the ice, to a thunderous round of applause from the home crowd. It is a monument to the physicality of Letang that he could return so quickly and a moment that transcended sports. Fittingly the Pens won 3-1 with Sid notching 3 points and 2 more goals and keeping his name firmly in the conversation for MVP this season. Others may have more gaudy stats but no one is more valuable than Crosby has been this past season. Nobody. And the next time someone wants to anoint Connor McDavid as the best, ask them how many Cups Connor’s won with superior talent up and down Edmonton’s roster. Zero. Zero. Zero.
:01—Brittney Griner is free and back home in the United States. Where she belongs. ‘Nuff said.
:00—GAME OVER.
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