September 1, 2015
Welcome to the every-weekday Five Qs at 5. I’ve got the Tuesday editions. Matt Gajtka has Monday, Josh Yohe Wednesday and Dejan Kovacevic Thursday and Friday.
Submit your entry in the comments below. No more than one per person, please.
August 31, 2015
Looks like I’ve been bumped up in the rotation. They only do that with good pitchers, right?
Anyway, let’s see how I do on five day’s rest instead of seven. Because of the new gig, I’ll do all baseball this time.
Donnie Mason: What all gets simulated in a simulated game such as A.J. Burnett threw this past weekend? Pace of game? Breaks for your team to bat? Wooing?
MG: There were a couple questions along these lines in the mailbag today, so let’s lead off with it.
August 27, 2015
It’s been an interesting few days in Pittsburgh sports. Lots of topics to address. Almost 100 questions this week, and there were many great ones. Thanks, as always. And away we go …
Mholsinger11: With Martavis Bryant facing a suspension, who are we more likely to see out there on the field in Week 1? Sammie Coates or Darrius Heyward-Bey?
August 26, 2015
MIAMI — Greetings from south Florida, where you can apparently get sunburn on a cloudy day and where last night’s low dropped all the way down to 81 degrees. Good thing I don’t mind the heat!
Jimmy Streich: I used to be a big fan of win-loss record for a pitcher, but then you look at a guy like Nolan Ryan who finished with more losses than wins in several years, but is one of the all-time greats. What is your least-favorite sport/position for the W-L stat: MLB pitcher, NHL goalie, NFL quarterback?
MG: Glad you asked this one because I’ve thought about it quite a bit.
August 25, 2015
Ever wake up with a plan for your day and, 90 minutes later, that plan changed drastically?
That’s today, making it a perfect day to dive into some questions.
Big Daddy: If the Steelers sign Michael Vick do you see him staying on the roster once Bruce Gradkowski gets back? Also your thoughts on signing Doug Legursky as added insurance?
NC: This is really the biggest question of the day, isn’t it? Let’s start with what we know.
August 24, 2015
If it’s Monday, Matt Gajtka is in Miami, and I’m on the Qs …
Tom: DK, how do you see Maurkice Pouncey’s injury altering anything schematically? The Steelers were supposedly going to a more zone run attack before he went down two years ago and had to scrap it. I think the offense will still be fine, just not quite as dynamic with how well Pouncey could pull as well as get to the second level.
DK: To start, I’m not of the mind that this is a catastrophic loss for the team. Pouncey is athletic, smart and experienced, and he’s the unquestioned leader of the offensive line. And as you correctly note, his ability to block downfield — as he was for Le’Veon Bell when getting hurt — is a trait that almost surely will be missed during his absence.
August 21, 2015
Heading to PNC Park to write a full column tonight, but before that happens …
Carlos Danger: Hi, DK. Since the site’s inception, which column had the most views? And which game thread had the most comments?
The most viewed without any assistance from the wrong end of the commonwealth came that same month, a Jan. 2 Friday Insider that made waves regarding both Troy Polamalu and Simon Despres. Never had one quite like that, before or since.
August 20, 2015
Good afternoon from Bladerunners in Bethel Park. Yeah, my life is pretty much one long hockey rink. As always, received lots of good questions today. Away we go …
Adam: Who wins in a race between Starling Marte, Andrew McCutchen and Gregory Polanco?
JY: Wow. I’ve pondered this on a few occasions myself.
August 19, 2015
Still running on adrenaline from last night’s 15-inning trek at PNC Park. Hope the buzz doesn’t wear off before I finish writing these responses … I’m just glad Josh has tonight’s Pirates coverage.
Zack Hough: How comfortable are you with the Pirates’ rotation down the stretch and do you think they’re using their bullpen too much?
MG: This question came in less than 10 minutes after last night’s game ended, and I’m guessing it was further fueled by recent events on the North Side and diamonds elsewhere. In 15 August games, Pirates starters have completed seven innings just twice — Charlie Morton on Aug. 2 at Cincinnati and Francisco Liriano last night.
Steelers Lawrence Timmons has missed most of the preseason. That contributes to the team's issues on defense. -- GETTY
September 1, 2015
Five Qs at 5: Draft decisions and Timmons
1by Neal Coolong • Five Qs at 5 • Steelers
Not a whole lot has happened with this team lately, has it? The Steelers have seen the signing of one of the more prominent names in the league (Mike Vick), a rare preseason trade for a kicker (Josh Scobee) and roster cuts coinciding with one of the worst preseason losses in recent memory.
There’s even more to go over here, so let’s dig into it.
meburk: With the salary cap teams don’t have as many veterans on their roster. Is their a lack of leadership in the locker room in that the it seems the younger players (Le’Veon Bell, Martavis Bryant) are losing sight of the team goals?
NC: I’m not sure the salary cap can be fairly considered the reason teams don’t have as many veteran players, although I’m equally unsure that’s not the specific point you’re making.
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