Pickett’s Timeline
The early indications are that Kenny Pickett’s knee injury is not serious enough to keep him out for a prolonged period of time.
If I can make suggestion, though: Make it longer.
Not more than perhaps this week and next week’s bye. But just enough time to try and get him a mental reset. Obviously, the physical healing is the priority. If ever a QB has looked like he needs to regain some confidence though, it’s Pickett.
Pickett was at his best down the stretch last season when he moved decisively and with intention. This year, he’s been processing slowly and acting with an indecision that belies the offseason of work he put in.
To put it more succinctly, last year he looked confident in going 7-2 down the stretch.
This year, he looks scared, lost, and confused.
If he was decisive last year under Matt Canada, what’s the issue this year?
Time For the Kids
Dan Moore Jr. and Pat Freiermuth are both injured, so by default Broderick Jones and Darnell Washington are going to see increased roles in Week 5 against the Ravens.
Don’t let Mike Tomlin lie to you and insist those are the “hell yeah” changes that need to be made, though.
At least two that need to happen are actually on the other side of the ball: Keeanu Benton and Joey Porter Jr. need to start. Now.
The Steelers continue to get worked in the run game, and it’s clear that Benton can only be an upgrade to whatever has allowed 148.5 rushing yards per game, good for 29th in the NFL.
And on the outside in coverage they’ve been torched. It’s obvious neither Patrick Peterson nor Levi Wallace, despite some occasional bright spots against the Raiders, are up to playing outside cornerback anymore. Both would be fine on the inside. Which means they’re down to just Porter, who has been their best corner in coverage, to play on the outside.
So it doesn’t matter which of the two, Wallace or Peterson, he starts over, he just needs to start now. And maybe get cloned.
Time For Change is Now For Pitt
Speaking of changes, with a bye this week, what’s stopping Pitt from finally pulling the plug on the horrific experiment that is Phil Jurkovec?
I’ll tell you: Nothing other than Pat Narduzzi’s stubbornness.
If Narduzzi is actually more focused on trying to salvage the season rather than negotiating terms on a move to Michigan State, he needs to get the Pine-Richland Boo-Boo Baby on the bench and move on to Christian Veilleux, who will be their starter next year anyway.
Nova Zcotia
By all accounts, other than the power play continuing to find its way, the Penguins exhibition trip to Sidney Crosby’s home in the Canadian Maritimes was a rousing success for everyone.
Especially Radim Zohorna.
In all fairness, training camp and the entire preseason have worked out well for Zohorna, who’s size and speed I’ve been a fan of since his first go-‘round with the organization.
Why?
Simple: He’s not all about one or the other. He uses his size when necessary, and looks like his skating has improved to the point where he has no problem staying with the play when skating on Evgeni Malkin’s right wing, as he did last night in Halifax and the several practices previous to last ngiht’s 3-0 loss to the Senators.
Until Jake Geuntzel is back in the lineup and the forward combinations get realigned, presumably pushing Zohorna down to the depth lines, let him skate on Malkin’s wing and clear some space for Geno.
Foundation Laid?
For the most part casual fans have wanted nothing of it, but it’s been pointed out that the Pirates, after their midseason collapse, played quietly improving baseball.
Did they light the world on fire? No.
But take their run over the final two and a half months and project it out over a full season, and you get a team that could push for a Wild Card spot.
Now, add a healthy Oneil Cruz and hopefully a full season of Paul Skenes, and most importantly, a veteran anchor for the rotation and a first baseman (Carlos Santana?), and you’ve got a team that has a legitimate shot at a postseason berth in 2024.
That’s a lot of ifs and buts, but if the front office is ok with spending the money necessary this offseason to support the young guys who are coming of age right before their eyes, it’s totally realistic.