Media magpies and Steelers fans whinging over the franchise’s choice of Mike McCarthy, rather than another defensive minded coach, don’t seem to understand that they’re pining for a tradition that led to Pittsburgh’s seven-game playoff losing streak. Since Mike Tomlin’s heydays with Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers haven’t kept up on offense. When circumstances change, course correction is in order.
Simply put: When Bill Belichick walks through its door next year, he’ll enter a Pro Football Hall of Fame suffering from diminished integrity because of the Snub Heard Round the World. But for now, he’s become something no one could have imagined — a sympathetic figure. For that reason alone, a pox on voters who slighted Belichick.
Perfect timing: Not that it was planned this way — hmm, or was it? — but the Hall of Fame kerfuffle gives media something insignificant — Belichick will get in — yet controversial enough to fill a slow week with cheap outrage.
A dismal turn: With the Washington Post reportedly declining to send writers to cover the Nationals’ spring training in West Palm Beach, Florida, how will Nats’ fans know just what a bad season they’re in for? But seriously, the radical decision is part of the paper’s cost-cutting move that could see major staff reductions in sports and other departments. The year is off to a very bleak start.
Power play: Did Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem clear it with the nation’s most powerful executive before declaring that ICE agents will be “all over” the Super Bowl? I’m referring of course to Roger Goodell.
Not so super: Another week of hype will have people believing Patriots vs. Seahawks is a special matchup instead of what it is — serviceable.
Late bloomer: From the 2018 quarterback draft class that included Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield, Seattle’s Sam Darnold is the first to reach the Super Bowl.
Talent chasm: Seeing how much weaker backups like Denver’s Jarrett Stidham are compared to starters, it’s clear why the rules and officials protect quarterbacks like they’re made of Waterford crystal.
Great handle: Veteran coach Jim Bob Cooter has interviewed for the Eagles’ offensive coordinator job. I only mention this because Jim Bob Cooter is the best football name there is.
Passing the Buck: Somebody put together a trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo already.
As if on skates: When you hear a TV guy at a college basketball game say, “He almost traveled,” the player traveled. Though not as blatant as the interpretive dances performed in the NBA, today’s collegians get away with some funky footwork.
Numbers game: Keeping the College Football Playoff at 12 teams for another year is a good thing. There’s no hurry to expand — i.e., water down — the tournament field.
Anything goes: Darian Mensah breaking his contract with Duke so he can quarterback Miami is an example of where the no-rules culture is going. The portal bedlam that began as a game of musical chairs has morphed into speed dating.
Show him the money: Now that big-program college players are well-paid independent contractors, Deion Sanders has introduced a disciplinary fine system for his team. Wind sprints are so old school. At Colorado, players will be docked $2,000 for missing practice, $500 for being late and as much as $2,500 for violation of other team rules. Coach Prime knows how to get his players’ attention.
Bob Molinaro is a former Virginian-Pilot sports columnist. His Weekly Briefing runs Fridays in The Pilot and Daily Press. He can be reached at bob5molinaro@gmail.com and via Twitter@BobMolinaro.