Bill Neal: March Madness? Actually, it’s Steelers Madness!

Mitch Trubisky (Wikipedia Photo)

by Bill Neal, For New Pittsburgh Courier 

  :10—First of all, just relax. I’ll get back to the NCAA’s next week when it really starts to matter. Sweet Sixteen is where it’s at, baby! Sure you had a couple major upsets but by now you’re getting used to that. Know this—any five legit ballers can beat any five legit ballers any time, any place. Just ask Kentucky (they were beaten by No. 15 seed St. Peter’s)

:09—On to your Steelers’ recent spending spree, man. That urban legend that the Steelers don’t spend money is just that, an urban legend. You saw that a few years back when they gave Big Ben… Big Bank! One hundred million dollars to be exact. For a second time. And clearly they opened up the savings account to make T.J. Watt the game’s highest-paid defensive player. So here’s what money can buy…

:08—QB Mitch Trubisky. If you say you saw that one coming, well… 2 years for $14 million, up to $27 million if he exceeds all incentives. Mitch spent the first 4 years with the Bears where he made the 2018 Pro Bowl and two playoff appearances. Strong of arm and fleet of foot, it won’t be long before the Trubisky era begins in the ‘Burgh…

:07—OL James Daniels, a bargain at 3 years for $26.5 million. First, Daniels is only 24 and already has 4 years in the NFL so his upside is tremendous. At 6’4” and 327 pounds, he should optimally fit perfectly into the guard position and has Pro Bowl-caliber talent if left at one position and not constantly switching between center and guard. Prediction? Daniels becomes a beast at guard…

:06—ILB Myles Jack, fresh from a 108-tackle season with the Jaguars, he signed with the Steelers after a phone call with Coach Mike Tomlin, calling his signing with the Steelers a “no-brainer.” Jack has a 2-year contract for $16 million, here to fill the turnstile-like rushing attack we saw against the Steelers last season, replacing recently-released Joe Schobert who never lived up to modest expectations. Jack is known to be a run-stopper, just what the doctor ordered for our men in black and gold…

:05—OL Mason Cole, recently departed from a 1-year stint with the Minnesota Vikings after his first 3 years in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, signed a 3-year, $15.75 million dollar contract. In 4 seasons Cole has played both center and guard and addressed this a few days ago saying, “I’ve never cared where I’ve played. Whatever I can do to help the team and bring the Lombardi Trophy to the city of Pittsburgh (is the goal). Whatever that role is, I’m all for it.” Cole will most likely be the center on opening day, moving Kendrick Green to guard, his more natural position, and solidifying a line that Najee Harris will run wild behind in the 2022 season. Does 1,500+ yards seem out of the question for Najee, and a 4.5-yard-per-carry average? C’mon man! Book it.

:04—And finally, to the beleaguered D-backfield; CB Levi Wallace, 2 years for $8 million. After walking-on at Alabama, then going undrafted, Wallace signed with the Buffalo Bills and was a steady CB for them for 4 years, starting all 17 games last year. Brought in to fill the spot left by Joe Haden, Levi has some big cleats to fill but appears confident he can slide into Haden’s spot as Cam Sutton moves to the slot corner. The feeling is more defensive holes will be filled in the upcoming draft. Unless, of course, Kenny Pickett or Malik Willis slides to #20. Then all bets are off.

:03—A fond heartfelt goodbye to our good friend John Clayton, gone much too soon at 67, and, to be sure, unexpectedly. I had the pleasure of having John call in on our show, “Champions Live” sports talk back in the day. John couldn’t have been nicer and more down to earth. And considering he knew more than our entire sports team it could have gone much differently.

:02—For the record, this is the first time in 20 years that no Pittsburgh local basketball team was invited to the Big Dance. No Pitt, No Dukes or RMU. For that matter, no Penn State or West Virginia. Now that’s madness! Hey, the good news is things can only get better. To that point trust me when I tell ya the Pitt Panthers will roar again…Duquesne will put up their dukes again and Bobby Mo will… well, they’ll do whatever Colonials do. (And keep this to yourself, I don’t want to say it out loud but we don’t really care about Nittany Lions and Mountaineers!!! Oh please, you were thinking it but I had to say it for you.)

:01—By the way, this just in…Big Ben is coming out of retirement to join Brady on the ultimate comeback trail! Gotcha! That’s early April Fools!

:00—GAME OVER.

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