You ask. I answer. It’s time for “Mailing It In,” a weekly Q&A that appears Tuesdays at TribLive.com. Most of the questions come via X, but you can also hit me up at jraystarkey@gmail.com. Let’s gooooooo …
J, @Crossland895: Hello Joe! If you would, please grade day 1 of the Steelers free agency. Individually or collectively, your choice. Thank you, Joe.
Starkey: You’re welcome, Dr. 895, and I’d have to rate it an A-, at worst.
Michael Pittman is solid. It only took three years, but the Steelers finally found a No. 2 receiver. And they got Pittman for nothing, basically. If DK Metcalf can stay away from strange men wearing blue wigs, the Steelers will have a nice one-two punch (no pun intended) at receiver.
Rico Dowdle, meanwhile, was a great signing. What is there not to like about him? He’s 27 but has only carried the ball 567 times in his career and is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons averaging 4.6 yards per carry with eight touchdowns. He plays every game. He can catch the ball, too.
Kenneth Gainwell would have been affordable. He was outstanding last season. Stunk to lose him. But the physical Dowdle should pair nicely with Jaylen Warren.
The other major signing was cornerback Jamel Dean, who’s a tremendous athlete with excellent overall numbers but a concerning injury history at age 29. Still, he’s coming off a career-best three interceptions and a good overall season.
GM Omar Khan left himself a not-too-expensive out on Dean’s deal after a year, too, and if Dean stays healthy, he and Joey Porter should be an excellent tandem.
No complaints here. How about you?
BoomBox Billy, @b1llyboombox: Dear Dr. Starkatron, do you believe that the Malkin suspension was a little extreme now knowing what Hagel was given? Seems as if Dahlin does something most don’t know about, what is it? Is Dahlin deserving of any of this?
Starkey: Funny you should ask, Dr. Box. I wrote about this in my latest column for the Trib. The short version: Brandon Hagel’s attack on Dahlin — who specializes in sneak-attack crosschecks, by the way — was way more dangerous than Malkin’s stick chop, yet Hagel did not get suspended.
How is that possible?
Well, it’s possible because the so-called NHL Department of Player Safety is a joke. Malkin deserved a suspension, but five games was laughable — especially when compared to Hagel or to, say, Jacob Trouba’s baseball swing that drilled Trent Frederic in the back of the head a few seasons ago.
Do I need to tell you that Trouba only got a $5,000 fine, too?
Disco Dave, @D1scoDave: Dear Joe, when is the last time we’ve seen a Penguins group like this one? Never quit, in every game attitude. Also do you believe the Silovs/Skinner tandem can win them a playoff series or will Murashov be up by then?
Starkey: I thought the 2021-22 team that was undone by Trouba’s elbow to Sidney Crosby’s head was ready to win at least a round in the playoffs and had something special about it, Dr. Disco (Trouba wasn’t punished for that hit, either, by the way).
As for the goalies, you never know how it’ll play out if the Penguins make the playoffs — remember Jeff Zatkoff? — but the plan quite obviously is to go with Silovs and Skinner. And they have been good enough so far.
Murashov remains a highly intriguing option. He’s 20-6-2 with a .922 save percentage at Wilkes-Barre.
Michael PD, @MPDgrampsof4: Hello Dr. Starkey. Should it be possible for NHL players to get the second assist on their own goal? Example: Sid makes great play behind the net with the puck.. gets puck to Rust whose shot is then directed in by Sid.. should be Crosby from Rust and Crosby…. What say you?
Starkey: I like it, Dr. PD, and I also believe that basketball players should get an assist when they pass to a player who is fouled and then makes free throws. How is that not already a thing?
Skruluz, @skruluz: Do you think the Pirates will move on from Henry Davis soon? Or are we going to be stuck with an okay-ish defensive light hitting catcher?
Starkey: He’s a good defensive catcher, Dr. S., but like I always say, I can find good defensive catchers anywhere. I could bring Jacob Stallings out of retirement for that. The Pirates drafted Davis to hit. Period. And he has hit more or less like a pitcher in his career.
Will that change? Well, last I checked, Davis was off to an 0-for-15 start in spring training, so I’m not overly optimistic. But I am open-minded. Things can change fast.
Also, I do not think the Pirates will move on anytime soon no matter what. They like Davis defensively. Paul Skenes likes him behind the plate, as well, and one must consider that.
Sportstradamous, @RevD98: How long will the pirates manipulate KG’s service time?
Starkey: I honestly believe a brief stint in the minors would be more a baseball decision, Dr. 98 — and I’m normally quite cynical on the Pirates. Konnor Griffin has not played game beyond Double-A and had only 83 at-bats there. Having said that, if he is sent down, it better not be for long.
Gooseheimer2023, @gooseheime83054: Greetings Professor Starkey. Is Henry Davis the biggest bust overall first pick in baseball history or sports history?
Starkey: Neither, Dr. 2023. But if he wants to avoid the “bust” rap, he really needs to start hitting.
Burghie, @houseofburgh412: Would you rather sign Kyler Murray to a 1-year vet minimum deal, or Aaron Rodgers to a 1-year $12.5-million dollar deal.
Starkey: Rodgers was better than expected last season, Dr. 412, and maybe with additional help (Michael Pittman for starters), he could lift the Steelers to a playoff win.
But would you bet on that?
I feel like that story has a predictable ending. I’m not a huge fan of Murray, but I feel like the unknown is preferable here.
Ron Edward, @RonaldEdward24: Who was your all-time favorite athlete growing up?
Starkey: Bob McAdoo. And thank you for asking, Dr. 24.
JR Marshall, @JRmarch_all: Professor Starkinator, this is JR from NYC. What possible downside is there for having Konnor Griffin start the year in AAA? The pirates have enough quality bats and infielders, considering how healthy everyone currently is.
Starkey: They do not have enough quality bats without Griffin, Dr. Marshall. I disagree there. I would not be outraged by Griffin starting in Triple-A, but the “possible downside” is that he is already one of your best players and his demotion might cost you a win or two, and that might cost you a playoff spot.
Joseph Koehler, @KoehlerJoseph: What’s your all time sandwich draft?
1st round: Beef on weck
2nd round: Banh mi
3rd round: French dip
4th round: Rueben
5th round: Fried fish on Mancini’s
6th round: Club or BLT
7th round: Philly cheesesteak
8th round: Primanti’s cap & cheese
Starkey: That’s too many rounds, Dr. J. I’ll give you my three stars:
3 — Sheetz turkey and cheese on a bun.
2 — BLT with burnt bacon.
1 — Egg and cheese. Is that a sandwich? I think so.
Frank Cavelli, @fcave00: What do you like more, the World Baseball Classic or the 4 Nations tournament and why?
Starkey: The 4 Nations final was incrinculent, Dr. 00, so I’ll go with that for now. I’m still warming up to the WBC. Get back to me in a week.
Burke O’Toole, @BurkeMan513: Dr. Starkey, who will have the better season Pittman or Metcalf? (Assuming DK can avoid the blue wig man).
Starkey: Hmmmm. That’s an interesting question. I’ll go Pittman. He had more catches and TDs than Metcalf last season, although Blue Wig had something to do with that.
Joe Custer, @colonelflan42: What is the most pessimistic take you have heard (from someone in sports, not random angry yinzer who calls in) about the upcoming Pirates season..and what is the most optimistic (same yinzer rule)
Starkey: I mean, the Vegas books still have the Pirates over-under at below .500, General Custer, so they don’t believe this will be a playoff year.
“MLB Tonight,” however, decidedly does. Theirs is the most optimistic prediction I have seen.
Scoops, @Scoops1616: Doctor, how much bird milk could a bird milk produce in a single bird milk session? Nah, real question. Why am I a stupid idiot? Every year I disavow with passion our Buccos. Yet here my stupid (rear end) is drinking purple Gatorade, getting excited and ordering MLB to watch. Help.
Starkey: No need for help, Dr. Scoops. I think it’s a wise investment for this season.
Kayvan Ilkhanipour, @Kaveman1970: Your beloved Sabres vs Pens ECF. Who you got and who are you deep down rooting for in game 7? Sorry I had to ask that hypothetical.
Starkey: Quite all right, Dr. 1970, and you know the answer to that. I grew up watching Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin and Rene Robert. Won’t you let Buffalo win something, ever, just once?
Brenden McKeel, @BrendenMcKeel12: Do you think the Steelers still add another WR with the addition of Pittman in free agency? Doubs, Jennings, Diggs, Hill, CA3, among more? Also our guard spot is now open — how about a guy like Mekhi Becton?
Starkey: I’d still expect a WR in the draft, but a free-agent guard would be nice. Not sure Becton is the right one, Dr. McKeel. To say he struggled last season would be putting it very kindly
Let’s Talk Pens, @LetsTalkPIT: If you could go back into the moment and re-watch any one game you’ve ever seen in your lifetime before time automatically reset you to the present, what would it be and why?
Starkey: Bills, 51, Raiders 3, 1990 AFC Championship Game. It was the equivalent of the Pirates’ Wild-Card win over the Reds: an exorcism mixed with Mardi Gras.
And thank you for asking.