TAKEAWAYS

     Happy Friday, Black-N-Gold Nation! Our Pens are off until their back-to-backs this weekend. Our Pirates are just now getting into the swing of things in Bradenton. And our Steelers are gearing up for the Combine next week. What is Mrs. Black-N-Gold to do? Today she'll give you her Takeaways, focusing on some of the hot-button issues with our favorite Black-N-Gold Teams. Take it away, Mrs. Black-N-Gold!

PENGUINS

Last night's game notwithstanding, it could be that the love affair between our Pens and F Phil Kessel has soured. When GM Jim Rutherford orchestrated the 6-player trade that brought Kessel to Pittsburgh in the offseason, Trader Jim envisioned a prolific scorer to add to the firepower of C Sidney Crosby and C Evgeni Malkin. So far the 5-time 30-goal scorer has only garnered 16 goals and 19 assists in 55 games. Kessel responded to a challenge from D Kris Letang in last week's game-day skate prior to the Pens contest in Carolina. Kessel scored 1 goal on 7 shots and kept the Pens in it until Tanger won it in the shootout. Word is that the Pens are not happy with Kessel's output (our lack thereof) and feel the same way about his effort. Although he's had a relatively productive career, the knock has always been that Kessel is not the most motivated of teammates. That attitude is not going to cut it. The Pens need everyone to put forth maximum effort in this push to the playoffs. If Kessel needs a kick in the pants, then so be it. Someone light a fire under this kid and get him to light the lamp. Let's Go Pens!!!

PIRATES

As our Pirates welcome pitchers and catchers (and eager position players) to Bradenton, Mrs. Black-N-Gold wonders what will be the Buccos MO this season. By the looks of things, with a revamped & reloaded bullpen (save for the returns of RH Arquimedes Caminero, RH Jared Hughes, LH Tony Watson & RH Mark Melancon), a new offensive approach and a return to preaching defense, the Bucs are trying to become the NL's version of the KC Royals. And why not? KC is the defending champs, after all. The Pirates look like they want to stretch their relievers so they can mix and match and have them eat up multiple innings, if need be. They also are eschewing power for contact and on-base skills. The Buccos also want to return to the defensive roots they've allowed to fall by the wayside the past few years. All this worked for KC. Mrs. Black-N-Gold hopes this formula works in Pittsburgh, too. Let's Go Bucs!!!!!

STEELERS

CB Brice McCain has been  mentioned for a possible return engagement to Pittsburgh. McCain spent the 2014 season with our Steelers, filling in admirably with 3 interceptions. McCain parlayed that into a 2-year deal with the Miami Dolphins that only lasted 1 season, registering 1 INT. With McCain again a free agent and the Steelers in desperate need of help in the secondary, naturally McCain's name came up. McCain came in handy in a pinch when the Steelers needed him but he is, by no means, the shutdown corner that the Steelers obviously need. If GM Kevin Colbert and Coach Mike Tomlin think they can sneak McCain back into town and promptly place him into the starting lineup, they've got another thing coming. There will be rioting and looting and pillaging at Heinz Field. If the Steelers want to bring in McCain for depth purposes that's fine. But there's no denying the fact that this team needs a corner who can shut off half of the field. Face it, the name Brice McCain hardly strikes fear into the hearts of opposing wide receivers. Get us a shutdown corner. Period. Let's Go Steelers!!!!!!