Pirates should sign another starting pitcher

     As we approach February and into Spring Training, free agents that are left on the board are going to get desperate, especially in the market of the starting pitchers. Guys like Gallardo, Latos, Minor, and Fister are all still left unsigned. However, many believe that they will all find their next destination here very shortly. 

     For the Pirates, another starting pitcher could be something they pursue. Looking at the rotation, I like the top 3 of Cole, Liriano, and Neise. Locke is a good fill in guy as a 5 starter, but he is currently the Pirates 4th best guy with Vogelsong as the other. The backend isn't as great as it needs to be. I know Vogelsong is more or less supposed to fill in until Glasnow, Taillon, or Kingham are ready, but there are too many question marks about all 3 of those guys to be sure if they can make an immediate impact in 2016. Therefore, I would think the Pirates could benefit from picking up another SP, if the price is right. 

     Let's take a look at the top FA SP still on the market:

Yovani Gallardo: Gallardo is the name that really stands out. He was the guy that constantly dominated the Pirates. He has been the face of consistent pitching over his whole career. Being 30 and having a draft pick attachment to him might hurt him in FA. I don't think he will fetch as much as guys like Kazmir and Leake. This could mean the Pirates could make a play at a 2-3 year deal worth about $10-12M a year. As for losing the draft pick, I wouldn't worry about it, especially since the Pirates have a competitive balance pick anyway. They can easily afford to lose out on a late first-round pick. 

Likelihood of signing: Low

Mat Latos: Latos has been the exact opposite of Gallardo in the way that he hasn't been consistent. His numbers have continuously gone down since looking like he was going to be stud after getting dealt from the Padres to the Reds. It didn't pan out that way though. After being dealt to the Marlins last offseason, he was dealt again to the Dodgers prior to the trade deadline. Later he would give up a homer to Francisco Liriano (still one of my favorite memories of last season). Anyway, the Dodgers eventually gave him a release from the team. Still known as a pretty young pitcher, many teams still figured to flock around him. That hasn't been the case. Questions about his work ethic, behavior, attitude, and whether he is a good teammate have held him back. Because no team has seemed too big about him and the position of the offseason we are in, it's hard to imagine that Latos will get anything more than $6-8M or anything more than one year. 

Likelihood of signing: Possible

Mike Minor: Minor fell in the same boat as Henderson Alvarez did. Has good talent, but hasn't been healthy enough to sustain anything long term. Therefore, he got a non-tender. Alvarez has since signed a very cheap deal with Oakland, and Minor figures to do the same, too. However, one thing that could keep him away from the Pirates is that he is a lefty, and the Pirates rotation already has 3 lefties. But, if the Pirates don't mind that part, he could be the perfect Searage project. 

Likelihood of signing: Somewhat possible  

 

     I cannot say for certain whether the Pirates will sign another SP, but I do think it'd be in their best benefit. A one-year guy could certainly be the direction the Pitates go because of the prospects in the system, but maybe they surprise us with something bigger. The likely lowering of demands by some of these pitchers could lead the Pirates to maybe take some shots at getting one of them. Whatever the case, I don't think the 2016 Pirates roster is a complete roster yet. I think another piece or two could really get this team over the top. Whether they do it or not is up to them. 

NFL Conference Championship week picks

     Last week we saw some competitive games in the divisional round. The road teams gave it a good fight, but the 4 home teams were able t prevail, just a week after the 4 road teams won. We saw it all last week. Chiefs screwed up time management. Rodgers had another hail mary, but a coin toss controversy inevitably ended the Packers season. The Panthers nearly blew a 31-point lead. Meanwhile, the battered and bruised Steelers led in the 4th quarter against the mightY Broncos, but third-string RB Toussaint fumbled with the Steelers driving, leading to the Broncos winning drive. It was wild indeed, with all 4 games being very good. This sets up for the first 1 vs 2 matchups in both leagues in one season since 2004. With a snowy weekend upon us, travel could get interesting which is another wrinkle to what should be an interesting sunday of games.

Broncos 23 Patriots 17
Analysis: Just two years ago these teams played for the AFC Championship in Denver. This year, they will do it again. Last time, it was the Broncos that prevailed. This year will be the same. It is true that both teams are different, but that won't change the result. The real difference to me is that the Broncos are at home. Patriots haven't won a road playoff game in a long time, and I don't believe that changes Sunday.

Cardinals 26 Packers 21
Analysis: Cardinals were able to escape with their lives last weekend even with the Rodgers putting up one of the best throws in the history of the NFL. As for the Panthers, they survived after leading 31-0 to win by the slim margin of 31-24. I continually said that I think the Cardinals are the best team in the league. That opinion has not changed. I think they are better than the Panthers. Cardinals defense will be able to get the job done as Palmer and the offense will be good enough.

Chip Kelly is tasked with bringing Kaepernick back

     Justin Timberlake once brought sexy back (so he says anyways), and Dr. Seuss wrote a book about the Cat in the Hat coming back. And heck, who can forget the Bills thrilling 32-point comeback over the Oilers.  All these things involve coming back or being brought back. For Chip Kelly, his job is to bring Kaepernick back. If it succeeds, Kaepernick would be known as a comeback story. Will he be able to do just that? Well, let's analyze, shall we?

     First, Kaepernick seems like the perfect QB for Chip Kelly's offense. It is at the point where Kelly wanted Kaepernick to join him if he got another NFL job. Instead, Kelly joined the 49ers to have Kaepernick already in place. So it seems obvious, no matter what is said, that Kap is the 49ers guy going forward. 

     Next, what Kelly will need to do is get Kaepernick comfortable in his offense. This is something that Sam Bradford had trouble with just a season ago in Philadelphia. Though, Kap is a different kind of QB. He's more mobile with the potential of running an efficient offense. Bradford has never been that. However, the injuries that have plagued the 49ers QB this past season could impede his progress. It is unknown how healthy he will be at training camp and into the preseason as he just had a couple of surgeries. If he comes back healthy as ever, he could be a huge weapon in the offense, especially if he gets used to Kelly quickly. Again, both are very much maybes. 

     Overall, there are many unknowns in this whole scenario, and the 49ers in general, that it's hard to come up with much about whether or not it's going to be a good match or not. It's more of a wait and see at this moment. It could very well be Gabbert that fits into the Kelly system despite him liking Kap more. Once the coaching staff is put in place and we hear more regarding Kap's surgery recovery, we will be able to focus on the task of not totally fixing Kaeperick, but rather retooling him. If things don't go as planned with Kap, the focus will go towards Gabbert. For right now, it is very unknown. One thing is for sure, though. Kelly has a lot of work ahead of him. 

The Pirates emphasis on the bullpen is strange

    Over the past few seasons, the Pirates have been able to put together some of the best bullpens in all of the major leagues. They have done a great job finding "Diamond in the rough" type players that have thrived for the Pirates. It's been really enjoyable to watch. However, this offseason, the Pirates have been spending a lot of money on the bullpen and have seemed to put an emphasis on the pen that they haven't before. Whether it be signing guys or claiming guys off waivers, the Pirates have put together unimaginable bullpen depth. 

     The Pirates appear to be rolling into Opening Day with a rotation that includes both Locke and Vogelsong. The rotation depth come Opening Day will be very slim while the bullpen depth is very strong. The idea is for the bullpen depth to be good enough so that the starters don't have to be superb all year long. It also means the starters wouldn't have to go as deep in games, making them fresher later in the season. 

     It's easy to see exactly what the Pirates are doing. They want to play on the strength of their bullpen while putting their starters in good situations all year. I get it. However, I think it is really strange for a team to try this. In fact, it's playing with fire. 

     Though a good bullpen is becoming a popular way to shorten a game, you can't ignore the rotation. In some ways, I think the Pirates have ignored the rotation for 2016. I get that Taillon, Kingham, and most importantly, Glasnow will be ready at some point, but you can't count on a huge impact from them. I think the rotation isn't deep enough at this exact moment in time. Compensating with a deep, good bullpen is really the only thing the Pirates can do. 

     I think it's very curious that the Pirates are doing this. This method of pitching is something that hasn't been seen. It makes everything really unbalanced in my opinion. This is especially so when you consider the Pirates only LH reliever is setup man Tony Watson, who will not be a lefty specialist. They cover the rotation with 3 LHPs, but that doesn't help the bullpen. They've brought in so many righties, but no lefty relievers. I just think that is very curious also. 

     Now, I've been wrong about some of the Pirates previous methods in the past. I could very well be wrong again. However, I just don't see it right now. It's very strange, and could really flop (though it could be great, too). I just don't like the unbalanced nature of the roster because of it. Having too much of a good thing sometimes isn't the answer. We shall see if that is the case here or not. 

NFL Divisional round picks

     Wildcard weekend was fun overall. We saw the Bengals and Vikings fall in strange circumstances after looking like they had it sealed away. We also saw the Chiefs rout the Texans, and the Packers play the best they've played in quite awhile. For the first time in NFL history, the 4 road teams won on wildcard weekend. That hasn't stopped Vegas from favoring the 4 home teams this weekend however. With constant injury news, and whatever we call what is going on with Chandler Jones, it's been a week of speculation as to how these situations could shape this weekend's games. I'm going to pick these games as best I can, but as we all know, it's unpredictable. 

Chiefs 23 Patriots 20 OT

Analysis: The Chiefs have been on a roll recently, that's no secret, and I don't think it ends here. The Chiefs are confident rolling into Foxborough after a energetic and rousing defeat of the Texans. Patriots stumbled into the playoffs, losing their final 2 games, and their edge in the AFC. Patriots are also dealing with some injury issues. Tom Brady doesn't seem 100% and Chandler Jones' situation, as well as another Gronk injury, have made for a pretty hectic week up in Patriot land. Chiefs are rolling; Patriots aren't. Momentum is key in the playoffs, and New England just doesn't have it. 

Panthers 23 Seahawks 13

Analysis: Seahawks got the luckiest of all lucky wins, and it wasn't even the luckiest win of the bunch last weekend. I don't think they get as lucky this week. The Panthers, 15-1, have shown ultimate consistency this year on both sides of the ball. The Panthers are a better version of the Seahawks. I also don't know if Seattlr is built for these tough road playoff games. Russell Wilson will again struggle to find his rhythm, but this time, Blair Walsh won't bail them out (too soon?). 

Cardinals 38 Packers 24

Analysis: The Cardinals cruised by Green Bay the last time they played thanks in large part to outstanding work from the defense. I think there will some similarities here. The Packers won't get destroyed, but they will get handled pretty well. Cardinals are an unstoppable force right now that is on a collision course for Santa Clara in three long weeks. Carson Palmer will get playoff win number 1 in what has been a roller coaster ride of a career for him. He deserves it more than any quarterback left in the playoffs. 

Broncos 27 Steelers 7

Analysis: The Steelers have been the most injured team in the league when it comes to star power being hurt. Roethlisberger has left 4 games early and missed 5. Bell missed most of the year. They had to roll with Toussaint and Todman at RB last week, and now Brown is out with a concussion (is he faking it Pacman Jones?). These injuries are beginning to pile up and will eventually catch up to them. It's a testiment that they even got this far. However, the Broncos will be the end up the line for them. Roethlisberger being limited and without his favorite target is huge news. If the Broncos didn't face Brown the last time, they would've enialated the Sterlers. That's what's going to happen here. No matter his playoff marks, Manning is the QB the Broncos should and will play. He won't be godly, but he will be good enough. The injuries will be just too much for the Steelers to overcome against a very talented Broncos defense. 

Can Chip Kelly bring in an elite coaching staff

     With Chip Kelly now officially the 49ers head coach, he can get to work on how he is going to get them back in contention in a tough NFC. The first key to success is to pick a coaching staff that'll work well with the group of players on the team. Kelly won't be introduced as 49ers coach until next week because he is getting time to bring in his coaching staff. The question really becomes whether or not he can bring in a quality staff. 

     Chip Kelly has a lot of connections throughout many different places. He has guys in his mind that he would like to bring in. Also being an offensive guru with no sort of roster control attached to him could be attractive to some people out there that would like to join the offensive side of the staff. The defensive side might be harder, but Kelly will look for a guy to handle the defense themselves. 

     The 49ers brought in a big-time coach that is just going to coach instead of control. That combined with a roster with many nice core players could be very attractive to a lot of assistants around the league. And as I said before, Kelly's vast connections won't hurt him either in his search. 

     I think Chip Kelly will be able to bring a much better staff than Tomsula did, but that's not surprising. Some of the coaching staff that was under Tomsula is already gone, and I can't see Kelly keeping much, if any of it, in tact. I think Kelly can hire a staff that is very good. Will it be elite? That's tough to do. Will it be good? I'm confident it willl. He brought in a very good initial coaching staff in Philly, and I think he will be able to do that again. 

Pirates extend Chris Stewart

     Pirates have extended Chris Stewart for 2 more years, with an option for the third year. This move comes as a surprise to most people, especially considering that we thought we would see a Cervelli extension instead. Stewart figures to remain the backup catcher, even if Cervelli isn't retained.

     This move could mean one of two things for the Pirates. One: They have a future tandem of Diaz/Stewart. Two: They extend Cervelli as well and use Diaz as trade chip. The former is much more likely because it makes more sense. The Pirates are high on Diaz. He would also come as cheaper than Cervelli, which is something the Pirates are very interested in (good or bad).

     I definitely think that this move is a precursor to something. Whether it be a trade of Diaz or not giving Cervelli an extension, this move has something to do with all that, even if Stewart never is the full-time starter. Pirates won't carry Cervelli, Diaz, and Stewart all at once. It makes zero sense. In the end, Stewart is one of the top backup catchers in the league, and the Pirates would've been hard pressed to find a better one. This extension is a good move by the Pirates.

49ers hire Chip Kelly as new head coach

     Today, Jed York announced via twitter that the 49ers have hired former Oregon and Eagles head coach Chip Kelly as their new head coach, The news came just a little bit after it was reported that the 49ers narrowed their search down to Chip Kelly and Mike Shanahan. Obviously, they decided to go with the younger and more upstart Kelly. Kelly figure to try to revamp an offense that has been near the bottom of the league more often than not in recent years. He also figures to play a big role in getting Colin Kaepernick right once again. He will reportedly not be getting personnel decisions with 49ers, but he will get to choose his coaching staff.

     I like this hire because I have always liked Kelly. He is a smart coach with a burning desire to win and win at a high level. He is also eager to prove the Eagles wrong. Chip Kelly can succeed with the players that the 49ers have, especially Kaepernick. Kelly has always wanted Kap in his system. Now he finally gets his shot. We will get to see what he can do with these guys. I also fully expect the 49ers to take a WR with their first-round pick to go along with the system.

     The thing I like about this hire a lot is that Chip Kelly will not have as much control as he did over in the city of brotherly love. He is going to just coach with the 49ers, which is something that both sides could agree on. Chip Kelly realizes that was his downfall in Philly, and Baalke wasn't prepared to give up any of his power, anyways. It was an idea that both sides could get behind. Honestly, letting Kelly just coach is the best that you can do because he is an awesome coach. To get Kelly to back off of a position of unlimited power (Star Wars reference alert) is huge for the 49ers.

     I think Chip Kelly is in a prime position to succeed in SF. Cannot dismiss that he had two straight 10-6 seasons to start his pro career. Now, he finally has a QB that makes sense for the system he likes to run. I know games are played on the field, but I can only analyze based on what is on paper at this point. On paper, this looks like a hire that can work. Plus, let's be honest, anyone is better than Tomsula.

Hiring Shanahan would mean the end of Kaepernick in San Francisco

      It has been reported that the 49ers interest in hiring Mike Shanahan for the head coaching position has intensified. This renewed interest likely stems from the fact that they couldn't land Jackson, and Koetter and Coughlin might soon wind up in other places. While Shanahan has connection to the last 49ers championship team, he hasn't coached since 2013, a 3-13 season for the Redskins that effectively was the beginning of the RGIII downfall. His overall body of work is impressive, but he hasn't been that good of a good coach since him and Elway were separated. While Shanahan is known to be QB-friendly, many speculate that he would want to start anew in SF without Kaepernick. Is that really the right move for the 49ers?

     Kaepernick was able to orchestrate some incredible feats early in his career. It got to the point where some were claiming he could be the best QB the 49ers have ever had. Something happened over the last couple of years that has made him falter a bit. Overall, his 2014-2015 season wasn't terrible, but he was unfairly treated for not being able to hold up godly numbers year in and year out, especially as a developing QB still. In this past season, injuries plagued him, so there is some excuse to the low numbers. Plus, the offensive line did no favors for him when he was not hurt. Overall, I think Kaepernick has been given unfair treatment. 49ers gave the extension to Kaepernick knowing he was their guy. Why would you quit on him now?

     The truth is that Shanahan would probably want to start fresh with a new QB (likely one the 49ers draft). I think it would be a big mistake for the 49ers to give up on him after one "just good" season, and one injury-filled one. I like to believe that Kaepernick still has a lot of growth as a person and a QB to go, and that he can still be a good one in this league. If 49ers dump him away now, they will regret it later. The QBs in this year's draft are uninspiring, and Blaine Gabbert is in no way a starter. Kaepernick is the QB that the 49ers have that they know what they'll get out of him. He is better than what is out there at this point. Maybe I am in the minority about Kap, but I really don't care. I like him. I think he is still good. That's all there is to it.

     IF Mike Shanahan doesn't want to work with Kaepernick, then the 49ers shouldn't want to work with Shanahan. It SHOULD be as simple as that. Instead, Baalke and York are actually considering it, and pretty strongly too. 49ers would be making a big mistake hiring a washed-up coach who doesn't want to work with a very good QB. But, you know what they say; the grass is always greener on the other side.

Who will the next 49ers coach be?

     The 49ers coaching search has dragged on for a little over a week now. Last year, it took them a little over two weeks to find their coach. Many are hoping that the 49ers get their next coach by the end of the week, which is a fair expectation. Today, I am going to analyze each of the candidates that the 49ers have been linked to, starting from what I think the worst candidate of the bunch is all the way to the best. 

Mike Shanahan: I can't believe that the 49ers are still barking up this tree. Shanahan is a has been. His failure with Robert Griffin III in Washington proved that. Shanahan shouldn't even get a glimpse of consideration, but unfortunately the 49ers are leaving the door at least slightly ajar for him. 

John DeFilippo: I like DeFilippo. I just don't think he's the right guy for a head coaching job yet. I don't know how much of the interview with him was actually about the head coaching job. He could very well come in as the OC of a Tom Coughlin staff and take over once Coughlin calls it quits in a few years. Under Coughlin's teachings, DeFilippo could be a great HC in the years to come. 49ers would definitely enjoy knowing that their next coach is already in the organization. 

Anthony Lynn: Lynn may be a little like DeFilippo. Not ready for a HC job yet, but could be in a few years. However, he is already the assistant coach to Rex Ryan, who he is loyal to. I think he could be the successor to Ryan somewhere. His area of expertise is running backs, which is something I like. I would be intrigued to see if he could lead Carlos Hyde to a whole new level. 

Dirk Koetter: Koetter seems destined for the Tampa Bay job, but that didn't stop the 49ers from talking to him. Koetter's work with Jameis Winston this year was something that is marveled around the league. Seeing him take a crack at retooling Kaepernick would be nice to see.

Chip Kelly: Kelly's name hasn't come up much on the coaching carousel, and I can't understand why. Sure, he was power hungry and was demanding, but I think he could learn from those mistakes. Plus, you gotta admit that going 10-6 in each of his first 2 seasons wasn't bad. He is also said to love Kaepernick, so there could be a fit there. Kaepernick is the exact QB Kelly wants for his system. He didn't get that in Philly with the likes of Foles, Sanchez, and Bradford. Now, people say he doesn't connect with players well. True that it does bring up a red flag, it's definitely a problem that can be fixed. 

Hue Jackson: Jackson was my top candidate just a couple of days ago. Now, not so much. It seems that the 49ers interest in him has faltered quite a bit. Hue Jackson led the Raiders to 8-8 a few years back (granted they started 7-4), and then was canned pretty quickly by the Raiders. He later did fabulous work with Andy Dalton in Cincinnati after Jay Gruden left for the job in DC. Now, he is a hot coaching candidate. With an outstanding ability to lead men and some smarts to go with it, it's easy to see why he's wanted. Didn't really get the chance to succeed in Oakland, but his next team shouldn't be so impatient. Will it be the 49ers? Who knows. 

Tom Coughlin: Coughlin left the Giants on what seemed like okay terms. Not good, but okay. Since, he's interviewed for some head coaching jobs, including the 49ers. The 2-time Super Bowl champion coach had some great success in the Giants organization, fulfilling the ultimate underdog story not just once, but twice. His wins over the Patriots in 2 Super Bowls where the odds were way out of their favor are something we may never forget. Coughlin's ability to coach in tough spots made those happen. Now 69 years old, the guy says he's still got fire in him to coach. I think he's just what the 49ers need. The experience, the loyalty, the attitude he brings are all something the team needs to thrive. When Coughlin speaks, people listen. That wasn't the case with Tomsula. Bringing in someone like him would be a shot in the arm for the organization. Baalke and Coughlin's shared connection to Bill Parcells definitely help as well. Coughlin also has a connection to DeFilippo, who, as I said before, could be brought into the organization as the successor to Coughlin. 

     If I had to guess who the 49ers would bring in, I'd say Coughlin. However, I was already convinced once that it was going to be Kelly, and once that it was going to be Jackson, so I've been unstable in that regard. 49ers could really surprise us here. Isn't that always the way it goes? You think you know what will happen, then nope, it doesn't. We should know within the coming days who the coach will be. 

What does Tom Coughlin interview mean for the 49ers and Hue Jackson?

     Yesterday, it was reported that the 49ers are set to interview with former Giants coach Tom Coughlin. This comes the day after it looked almost like a sure shot that Hue Jackson was destined for the Bay Area. Now, it isn't as sure of a thing as it looked before. What does the recent news on Coughlin mean for the 49ers and Jackson? 

     It's obvious that Hue Jackson has leverage on what he can do based on the number of teams in search of him (especially with Gase getting hired). In which case, I think the 49ers wanted to show that they have leverage as well. They are clearly setting out to show Hue Jackson that they aren't prepared to give into his demands. With coaches like Chip Kelly, Tom Coughlin, and Dirk Koetter on the 49ers radar, they have that leverage. If they can't land Jackson, their coaching search will go on with other good candidates still in play. 

     Hue Jackson's demands are said to be pretty lofty. That could really hurt his chances of going to the 49ers because they aren't known for giving coaches a ton of power. That is the main reason why Jim Harbaugh isn't on the 49ers sideline as their coach right now. 49ers would be ridiculed for going that far with a coach now, especially a coach that went 8-8 in his one season with the Raiders. 

     49ers do not want to be back in a coaching search in the next couple of years because the next coaching search will likely be paired with the next GM search as well. Because of this, Baalke and York can't afford to mess up. Giving a coach too much power could be a mistake the 49ers can't afford right now. 

     49ers want Hue Jackson. That is clear, but to this point, there is no offer on the table. Meanwhile, the 49ers are going to continue talking to candidates while they see what is going on with Jackson. The situation with Hue Jackson will be resolved very soon, but that won't hold up the 49ers. 

     

If Marvin Lewis is fired, could he be option for 49ers

     The Bengals lost to the Steelers in the wildcard game in Cincinnati last night in in one of the worst meltdowns I've ever seen. Burfict and Jones got flagged for personal fouls, moving the ball from the Bengals 48 all the way up to their 18, making it a chip-shot FG for Boswell. Could this loss be enough to lose Lewis his job? The simple answer is yes. 

     With the loss, Marvin Lewis now owns the worse playoff record of all-time as a coach at 0-7, surpassing Jim Mora's 0-6 record (playoffs?).  Lewis has shown ability to get team to playoffs, but not win once his teams get there. There is another reason he should be fired. That is lack of control of his players. Problems like this don't get talked about when the team is winning games, but they get magnified in playoff losses. After the meltdown last night, it became clear that either Jones and Burfict go or Lewis goes. In the end, it's easier to replace a head coach than two talented players. Burfict and Jones can't coexist with Lewis anymore, it seems. Lewis is the most fundementally-sound coach in the league, but is he a leader of men? Not really. This will lead to his undoing in an overwhelming successful, but underwhelmingly unproductive career overall in Cincinnati. 

     That all being said, could he be an option for the 49ers? Answer: no. He's a very tactical coach, but not a leader of men. I don't think that is the direction the 49ers are going right now. They are looking for a leader. Lewis isn't one. Also, Lewis isn't well-versed in QBs, which is another thing the 49ers are looking for. Marvin Lewis just wouldn't make sense in San Francisco. 

     Marvin Lewis can fit somewhere and many teams would look his way if he gets fired. I don't think the 49ers will be one of those teams. The fit doesn't make much sense. He's a big-name coach, but not the coach they need right now. 

NFL wildcard weekend picks

AFC Wildcard round picks 

Texans 27 Chiefs 21

Analysis: The Chiefs have been the hottest team in the NFL, having won 10 straight games since a putrid 1-5 start. The stretch of wins propelled them into a playoff game against a Texans team that is also playing well, and are healthier than they've ever been. Unfortunately for the Chiefs, I think that long playoff drought they are carrying continues. Texans are healthy and playing well. Watt will make the difference. 

Steelers 31 Bengals 21

Analysis: Both the Bengals and Steelers are banged up. The Bengals are without Dalton and the Steelers big injury this week is RB DeAngelo Williams. These two hated rivals will do battle once more this year on a big stage, one day after 10 year anniversary of the last time they met in the playoffs. Just like the Chiefs, I'm predicting the Bengals playoff drought to continue. I think the Bengals are really going to miss Dalton more than the Steelers miss their RBs of Bell and Williams. Roethlisberger can really sling it still, and Brown and Bryant will torture the Bengals secondary. 

NFC wildcard round picks 

Analysis: Vikings 16 Seahawks 10

The weather is supposed to be really cold, otherwise known as the way Vikings game should be. Unfortunately, this could be the last outdoor Vikings home game we see in awhile or ever. The weather will play a factor, as it is the coldest game the Seahawks will ever play in to date. The Seahawks were expecting Marshawn Lynch to be back, but he has been downgraded to out. This leaves a big hole for the Seahawks, especially in the cold where the running game is ever important. I don't expect Russell Wilson to drop back very often. That lack of a big-time running back will hurt them. The Seahawks have been playing well, but I think the Vikings will win based on the fact that they are the home team, and they have been consistently good all year. One thing is for sure: Whichever team finds the running game sooner will have the clear advantage, and right now that looks like the Vikings. But then again, it is the playoffs.

Redskins 34 Packers 27

Analysis: The Packers, after starting 6-0, fell off a lot and fell to 10-6, barely making the playoffs. Instead of hosting a playoff game or even a bye or homefield advantage. Instead, they find themselves on the road against a surging Redskins team who has seen Kirk Cousins being very successful. Usually, I would go with the experienced and weathered QB, but not this time. Rodgers hasn't played well lately, and I don't think he will here. I expect a good offensive game with a lot of explosive plays. It could potentially be the best game of the weekend. 

Pirates sign pitcher Trey Haley to a major-league contract

     Today, the Pirates announced that they have signed righty Trey Haley to a one year major league contract. Haley is a career minor leaguer that has spent his whole career in the Cleveland Indians organization after being a second-round draft choice of the tribe in 2008. Haley, 25, can hit 100 mph on the gun but mainly sits 95-98. However, his control has been the bane of his existence and what has kept him out of the majors.

     At first glance, I was like, huh? Who is this guy? I did some research on him and discovered the things I said above. Like the fact that he is still young and can throw hard.These are two things that Searage likes to work with. Haley sounds a lot like someone the Pirates picked up last year. That guy being Arquimedes Caminero. The comparisons are very similar. Pirates trusted Caminero enough last year to put him on the opening day roster. There is no reason to think they can't do that again, I guess.

     The Pirates have seen a trend this offseason when it comes to adding bullpen arms. The trend is having hard throwers. Nicasio, Feliz, and now Haley are all hard throwers. The trend is undeniable. The Pirates are going for a bullpen consisting of mostly guys that can throw 97+ mph. The Royals have been a team that has made that philosophy work. We will see if the Pirates can replicate.

     Could this signing be another precursor to Melancon's departure? Well, it is hard to say because Haley isn't guaranteed anything. A spot in the bullpen is well up for grabs between a bunch of depth guys that the Pirates had. Only six guys have a bullpen spot currently, and they still need another lefty to fill out the bullpen. Plus, if they sign another starter, Vogelsong will fill the Blanton role as the hybrid. The bullpen is going to be pretty crowded, with only one spot left and two needs remain. A spot could open up if Melancon is dealt. Plus, I said it yesterday in the Feliz post. I can't see the Pirates spending 25% of their payroll to the bullpen. It just doesn't make sense. A crowded, expensive bullpen could lead to someone going, and it is likely Melancon. Huntington did say that they are preparing for Melancon to be the closer, but you got to take what GMs say to the media with a grain of sand. It is just strange that they are stockpiling a bunch of bullpen guys and spending a lot on the bullpen. They must have a bigger plan because a budget-driven team can't afford to spend a fourth of their payroll on bullpen pitching, especially when the backend of the rotation is looking barely acceptable. A good bullpen is awesome to have, but it means nothing if the rotation and offense can't get you in situations to make the bullpen's job meaningful.

     I wouldn't have wasted a 40-man roster spot on this guy, but that is what I thought about Caminero last year, too. The difference is that the bullpen this year looks way stronger than last year at this point. Trey Haley just isn't the same fit as Caminero was last year. The track records are similar but most of the rest isn't. I think there are still dominoes that need to fall because the roster looks super unbalanced at this point.

Pirates sign Neftali Feliz

     The Pirates announced the signing of relief pitcher Neftali Feliz to a one-year deal. The deal is worth $3.9M plus incentives. The deal adds some depth to the bullpen. 

     Neftali Feliz debuted in the majors in 2009 with a little bit of work. He became a force to be reckoned with in 2010 when he won rookie of the year with 43 saves for the Texas Rangers. In the later years, he fell off a little bit, to thr point where the Rangers dumped him. He found a new home with the Tigers where he found some success once again. He is 27-years old and can throw 97+ MPH. 

     Neftali Feliz is the perfect signing for the Pirates to make, especially for just 1 year. He has a lively fastball, but some command issues. However, that hasn't stopped Ray Searage before. He is like Caminero when he came to the Pirates, but already more refined. Feliz doesn't need much work done to him. He's far from a reclamation guy. He's more of a bounce back guy that had glimpses of greatness last year. I think Searage will do wonders with him.

      Could this signing be the precursor to a Melancon trade? Many speculate that it is. Even yesterday I would've said a Melancon trade is unlikely, but now it's up in the air once again. Pirates could definitely trade him and have more flexibility in the payroll to do some bigger things, or just deepen the ballclub. If they don't trade Melancon, the bullpen is as deep as it has ever been. The downside is that the payroll flexibility wouldn't be quite as good. Pirates can't go wrong either way really. 

     This is a good move for the Pirates. They know that Feliz will be solid at the least, and that is worth the money. As I said before, you don't need all kinds of superstars in the bullpen. You just need guys who you know can get the job done. Also, it is hard to argue with the Pirates when it comes to building bullpens. 

     

49ers head coaching tracker

Here is a tracker of the 49ers head coaching search:

49ers fire Jim Tomsula

49ers expected to pursue Sean Payton

Chip Kelly reached out to 49ers for HC vacancy

49ers ask Bengals permission to interview Hue Jackson

49ers to interview Bills assistant HC Anthony Lynn

49ers to meet with Mike Shanahan

49ers to meet with Anthony Lynn Thursday

Hue Jackson scheduled to interview on Sunday with 49ers 

Sean Payton intends to stay with Saints
Despite recent reports, David Shaw will not interview with 49ers

Chip Kelly met with 49ers about HC job

49ers meeting with Browns OC John DeFilippo on Friday  

Despite much speculation, the 49ers have not contacted Mike Holmgren in regards to their HC vacancy

49ers top head coaching candidate at this time is Hue Jackson 

49ers interviewed Buccaneers OC Dirk Koetter on Saturday 

49ers could hire Hue Jackson as early as Sunday 

49ers expect to have new head coach early this week

49ers to interview Tom Coughlin 

49ers meeting with Tom Coughlin on Tuesday 

49ers focusing less on Hue Jackson, at least for now. Could still get back to it, though 

Browns hire Hue Jackson, one of the 49ers top candidates 

49ers closing in on decision for next head coach. Mike Shanahan said to be back in mix. 

49ers' interest for Mike Shanahan has "ramped up considerably"
49ers expected to hire new head coach by the end of firday

49ers down to Chip Kelly and Mike Shanahan. Expect decision within the next 24 hours

49ers may not have given up on Coughlin or Koetter yet. Coughlin bowed out of potential Eagles job. 

49ers hire Chip Kelly 

Should the 49ers go offensive or defensive minded for their next coach

     The 49ers had a disappointing 2015-2016 season. It ended in a pretty quick firing of head coach Jim Tomsula. Tomsula was only the coach for one season, and it was a massive failure. Now, the 49ers are in the same situation they were a year ago, looking for a coach that fits. The difference this time though is that GM Trent Baalke knows he's at the end of his rope. He must choose the next coach wisely or else he's out. That's not a secret at this point. It's also no secret that Baalke messed up last offseason by hiring Tomsula over guys like Gase, Marrone, Fangio, and others. He can't afford to do the same. Finding the right guy is a difficult thing to do. Names look good on paper, but it's deeper than that. One thing that is considered is whether they want an offensive-minded or a defensive-minded coach. Let's start by looking at the options for each. 

Offensive coaching candidates: Sean Payton, Chip Kelly, Hue Jackson, Adam Gase, Doug Marrone, Rob Chudzinski. 

     Payton, Kelly, and Jackson have been linked to 49ers at this point. Marrone and Gase interviewed last year while Chudzinski would've interviewed for 49ers offensive coordinator job, but Colts declined permission. 

     Payton and Kelly are obviously the most attractive candidates on this list but not the best, in my opinion. Gase is obviously sought after, but I don't think he likes the 49ers management after the flop last year. So, I doubt he wants to do that. I always thought that Doug Marrone was underrated. He is an offensive line guru which in turn helps the QB out a ton. I thought the Bills made a mistake in firing him. The other option that stands out is Hue Jackson. Like Marrone, I believe he got wrongly fired when he was the coach of the Raiders. I also like what he's done with the Bengals offense. 

     Now, we go to the defensive side. There isn't much out there. The potential coaches are thin if teams are looking for defensive ones. 

Defensive coaching candidates: Teryl Austin, Wade Phillips, David Shaw, Eric Mangini

     As I said, not much. Even Wade Phillips isn't an option because he's going to stay in Denver as the DC. I thought I'd include him anyway. The 49ers interviewed Teryl Austin last year, and they may look that way again. Teryl Austin is the prime defensive candidate out there. Jed York said that they weren't going in-house for their coach. That pretty much takes Eric Mangini out of the hunt. The last case is David Shaw. 49ers were able to pry Jim Harbaugh from Stanford. David Shaw then took obey there and hasn't looked back ever since. He also sounds like he's committed to Stanford, for the time being. If he was to jump to the NFL, he'd have a lot of suitors for sure. However, that won't happen this year. 

     Based on the candidates and the state of the 49ers, an offensive coach might be the better option. They would prefer a smart coach that can help the QB out. If they get a QB whisperer, they'll keep Kaepernick. Gase and Marrone are two names that come to mind. However, Kaepernick seems like the perfect QB for a Chip Kelly system. There's also Hue Jackson, who has done a great job working with Dalton. Hue Jackson is very smart, too. He seems like a fit that makes a lot of sense when you think about it. 

     I'm not sure who the 49ers will hire. I just hope they hire someone that can make a difference. Jim Tomsula wasn't ever going to be that guy, and it became obvious pretty quickly. 49ers are definitely going to try their hardest to bring in the right guy.