Tuesday 12 Qs: Tomlin, Scuds, Russ, Pederson

Hey DK. I can’t help shake the feeling that Ben continues to work in vertical passes to Antonio Brown to allow him to build on his five catches a game record. Off base? It’s not like the plays are helping the offense any.

Dejan: I know you tried in the post game PC, but will someone specifically ask Mike Tomlin why there record is so poor against the worst teams on their schedule year after year? And why do you think this may be?

DK: The Pens are showing that they're more than capable of winning now... but what other pieces do you see them needing in April, and what do they need to give up to get them?

Hi DK with the Pens looking to add a top 6 winger for Malkin does it make sense to trade Martin for another rental player or to put together a package deal and go after a winger who is under contract for a couple more years even though the cap may not rise that much next year?

With Pitt basketball about to fire up what should constituent a successful season for the Panthers this year? Making the Big Dance might be difficult and I have low expectations.... am I being a Debbie Downer?

Looks like Beau Bennet is just about ready to return and by all accounts is tearing it up in the AHL after a strong camp. Where would you play him?

I say put him on the 2nd line with Geno and Duper, move Comeau to the 3rd line and Downie to the 4th. Need to see what he has.

Given that Rutherford has stated he is a short-term gm, was he out of line in locking flower up for well beyond what rutherford's tenure will be?

DK, how concerned is the Pirates' front office with Arbitration this offseason? It seems like no one is talking about this in the midst of the RussMart sweepstakes, but there are some big raises coming for Harrison, Watson, and Melancon just to name a few.

DK,

During Pens' preseason, I think you were anxious to see how Pascal Dupuis and Rob Scuderi bounced back from injury. After a hot start, Pascal seems...a little out of sorts. On the other hand, Rob seems unspectacular, but solid. Your assessment after small sample size?

Unless I'm not reading carefully, I think that you've been pretty down on Rob Scuderi & his value to the Pens. Yet, Mike Johnston seems to go out of his way to repeatedly point out how well he's playing. Do you think that Scuderi is playing better? Close to worth his cap hit?

The Penguins power play has been unworldly, but the even strength scoring for the top two lines has been reminiscent of last season's playoff struggles. What are teams doing different to Sid/Geno the past four yrs to prevent the big goals they used to score against Phi,Was, etc?

Of all the 1B options for the Pirates, one that I haven't heard mentioned much is Travis Snider. I know that he did some work at 1B late in the season and, with his ability to hit both LHP and RHP, it would seem that he could be a guy to take the job over on an everyday basis

From everything I have seen, Jamie Dixon seems to be a terrific person and appears to have so few problems with his players and program overall. So, is this the season that Pitt takes the next step in March 2015? Is there any pressure on Jamie from his bosses?

I believe Tomlin is a good coach, and do not think we are to this point yet, but at some point do the Steelers take the same route as the Pens and bring in new coaches for a fresh perspective? I realize it's not the Steelers way, but at some point something needs to change

I believe Tomlin is a good coach, and do not think we are to this point yet, but at some point do the Steelers take the same route as the Pens and bring in new coaches for a fresh perspective? I realize it's not the Steelers way, but at some point something needs to change.

The egg laying by the Steelers against inferior opponents is common theme of Tomlin's tenure, it's almost risen to the level of institutional indifference. Players are pros and shouldn't need extra motivation week in week out. Who shoulders most of the blame for these debacles?

Something I haven't seen discussed anywhere is P Dupuis's role on the team this year. How to you see him fitting with the current roster? He's now off the first line, doesn't seem to have much impact with Malkin, and 3.5 mil is a lot for a third liner even w/ leadership.

What has been the most encouraging element of the Penguins early season play that would bode well for sustained playoff success?

When did you turn the corner on your opinion of Dan Bylsma as a coach? It seems fairly evident from your recent writing that you don't think much of him.
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Obviously results come into play, but he was the same guy in '14 that he was in '09. In short, when did the light go off?

DK,
All the focus has been on Russ, Liriano, and Volquez. They were willing to throw $30.6 mil at Liriano and Russ. Any rumblings of who else they could throw that money at in FA instead? Headley, McCarthy, LaRoche, K Morales, G Soto would all make varying amounts of sense.