PAUL ZEISE’S SPORTS CHAT HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights from Paul Zeise’s Thursday sports chat, which you can join weekly at post-gazette.com. Questions and answers have been edited for clarity:

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John Strange: I do not share in the widespread optimism of Big Ben [Roethlisberger] being the missing piece to a Steelers Super Bowl run. He got 3 points in the opener against the Patroits last season. Seriously, 3 points. He also has a long history of playing small in big games … falling behind by 20 or more points before getting a few garbage time touchdowns against soft prevent defenses to make games look closer than they really were. With the $68 million 2-year cap destroying extension he signed in April 2019, are the Steelers just buried until 2022?

Zeise: I think Ben will help the offense out. I don’t know how much, though, and I do agree that people are giving way too much credit to his return. I don’t think his impact will be that great and I also think the defense will take a step back this year, and they still won’t be able to run the ball effectively.

Bill: If Ben and most of the defensive stars stay healthy, and the Steelers miss the playoffs again, is [coach Mike] Tomlin finally on the hot seat? Mr. [Art] Rooney gave him a shorter extension than normal last year for a reason.

Zeise: No, I don’t think so. Now he may be smart and understand it could be a while before the Steelers are great again and leave on his own, but he won’t be pushed out.

Dennis: Do you think Diontae Johnson will be the next superstar and do you think the Steelers are flying under the radar?

Zeise: He has a chance to be a very good player. I don’t know about superstar but I could see him being a productive receiver for a long time. I think most people have the Steelers in the 8- to 10-win range so, no, I don’t think they are under the radar ... that is about where they should be.

Caddisman: I’m not a hockey fan, but I’m curious about the proposed playoffs. With a 3-4 week mini-training camp, and the complete playoffs, wouldn’t this lead directly into the training camp for next season?

Zeise: Yes, I think training camp will be shortened as will the preseason, and next season will start maybe two weeks later than normal. But they want to push the start of that back as far as possible so they can be sure to have fans in the stands for the entire season.

Joe: Is the NHL really going to play playoff hockey in August or is that a pipe dream? Would the Penguins have an asterisk after their names if they win the Cup?

Zeise: No, it isn’t a pipe dream, it is a reality. And if the Pens were to beat the Canadians, Flyers, Bruins, Lightning and say the Blues in playoff series, there is nothing asterisk-worthy about that.

Adam: Do you think Pirates could make the playoffs if there are fewer games? They do start out pretty strong before the All-Star break.

Zeise: Yes I do, because I think anything can happen in a shorter series. I think that’s realistic, as well. If they were to get off to a hot start there is a lot less time in terms of games remaining for them to fall back to the pack when their lack of depth and pitching finally gets exposed.

Jock Sutherland: Longtime Pitt [basketball] season ticket holder who’s not buying all of Pitt’s excuses for not playing Duquesne this season. When they do play, I always hope for a close game so all the fans are into the game.

Zeise: The fact that they have Drexel and not Duquesne on their schedule is absolutely silly. Pitt should be ashamed of itself.