First Call: Steelers biggest question for 2020, thankful Jagr, future of Joe Musgrove
Monday’s “First Call” looks at an odd choice for the Steelers biggest question heading into 2020. The future of Pirates starter Joe Musgrove is an interesting talking point. Jaromir Jagr gives thanks. And we tell you how one city may play host to three teams this fall.
Renew JuJu?
NFL.com posed the biggest possible question facing each team in the league. And no offense to writer Marc Sessler. But this is overthinking things.
This is what he selected as the “burning question” for the Steelers: “Will JuJu Smith-Schuster come roaring back?”
Yeah. A big deal, no doubt. And a huge question. But c’mon!
The biggest question for the Steelers is undoubtedly the health of Ben Roethlisberger’s arm and his effectiveness upon his return.
If he doesn’t become the “Big Ben” of old, Smith-Schuster won’t be “roaring back.” Maybe jogging back, at best. Because even a diminshed Roethlisberger is better than what the Steelers had last year at quarterback.
The biggest reason for Smith-Schuster’s slide last year was the absence of the guy throwing him the ball.
Was JuJu good enough on his own? Independent of quarterback play? No. He wasn’t.
Let’s not outthink the obvious, though. The return of a Hall of Fame quarterback — or not — is clearly the biggest x-factor for this team in 2020.
Thanks from 68
NHL.com is continuing its “Super 16” series. Last week, they focused on the top right wings in the expansion era.
Former Penguins star Jaromir Jagr was voted first by 13 NHL.com writers. New York Islanders legend Mike Bossy was second and Montreal Canadiens Hall of Famer Guy Lafleur was third.
Jagr was certainly appreciative.
Number 68 wasn’t the only former Penguin to make the list. Jarome Iginla is eighth, Mark Recchi is ninth and Marian Hossa is 12th.
OK, some of those stints were brief. And maybe didn’t end great. But they were still Penguins.
Viva Las Vegas
The NFL is telling its teams to answer no “what if” questions about the schedule, when it comes to the league’s abilities to surf through the covid-19 pandemic.
But that doesn’t mean it didn’t plan for problems. And it doesn’t mean we can’t speculate about what those plans may be.
As of last year, the city of Las Vegas didn’t have an NFL team. Now, it may have three.
The Raiders are moving there this year. We knew that already. Now, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal and ProFootballTalk, new Allegiant Stadium could host both Los Angeles teams as well.
That’s if need be. In other words, if the State of California doesn’t open up in time for the NFL season.
As both sites point out, some minor tweaks may be needed. But the schedules between the three franchises are such that Vegas could be the hometown for each of them.
As for the San Francisco 49ers, their schedule could jibe with the Arizona Cardinals. And the Rams alternatively could partner with the Dallas Cowboys in a worst-case scenario.
Ace? Or outta here?
CBS Sports sees things going one of two ways with Pirates starter Joe Musgrove.
He’s either going to be the Pirates next ace. Or he is going to be traded.
How can a guy who has never had an ERA under 4.00 suddenly become an ace? Good question. CBS Sports writer Mike Axisa gives three reasons.
The right-hander is throwing harder, his secondary pitches are getting better and the change from Ray Searage to Oscar Marin as the Pirates pitching coach.
Axisa gets much more in depth as to why those factors are so important. It’s worth a read.
Now, as for why the Pirates might decide to move Musgrove? Well, the same reasons.
Here’s what Axisa said: “Keeping Musgrove through his arbitration years and letting him walk as a free agent after the 2022 season seems unwise. Either sign him or trade him. Get long-term value one way or the other.”
Right. If all that works out for Musgrove, will the Bucs really be willing to pay him?
Ha! What do you think?
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.
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