How You Get Fired On Your Day Off?
Today will be an off day for the Steelers, at least as far as having to actually practice. It was announced yesterday morning that on the final day before cutting the roster, a ‘team-building activity’ would be on the docket instead.
One guy who won’t be there? Kevin Dotson.
A 4th Round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, Dotson had a physical streak that netted him four starts as a rookie and all 17 games last year.
While Dotson was consistent in the run game from day one, his pass protection had seemed to level off, and I don’t know how much room was left for growth in his game. With both James Daniels and Isaac Seumalo signed in free agency each of the last two offseasons though, Dotson’s opportunities to start were going to be nonexistent.
Would I prefer to have Dotson as the swing reserve guard as opposed to Nate Herbig? Yes. But I have to believe this gives the organization the opportunity to keep Herbig -and- slide 7th Round pick Spencer Anderson through to the practice squad… as well as earn moves up from the 5th to the 4th and 6th to the 5th Rounds, if not close to a 40-slot jump each for pick if each team’s season goes as most expect.
Oh, and there’s a chance Kendrick Green will be kept around now, as well.
Yay.
If it works out, it’s another heist by the Khan Artist. If not, it could leave the Steelers dangerously thin in the interior offensive line.
Tunnel Monster Strikes Again
I’m not sure if it was the Squirrel Hill Tunnels or the Liberty Tubes, but apparently the tunnel monster that causes people to inexplicably drive like idiots near the tunnels caused a pile-up Friday night that involved Diontae Johnson and his very expensive automobile.
Just grateful and #blessed that he hung on to the phone long enough to alert the authorities.
Stay safe aht there, Steelers fans. And stop inexplicably braking in and out of the tunnels. The fender bender you cause could put a starter on IR.
Skenes Saturday Skid
Well, that escalated quickly.
After three flawless starts in Bradenton between the Florida Complex League and Single-A Marauders, Pirates’ 1st overall draft pick Paul Skenes made his first start for AA Altoona on Saturday night.
It did not go well, at least according to the box score. 4 earned runs in just 2/3 of an inning on 3 hits and 2 walks doesn’t sound pretty.
Reading between the numbers sounds like the way to go on this outing, though.
To be honest, if Olivia Dunne were waiting in the Curve pressbox for you, you may have a hard time buckling down and finding your location as well.
Maggi Man
It’s been four months now since Drew Maggi, th e13-year minor league veteran made his Major League debut with the Pirates, and a few days later, got his first -and only- hit in the bigs.
But his story of perseverance still resonates, as it did with CBS This Morning this past weekend.
Maggi was released by the organization five weeks ago today.