Kovacevic: Cockrell vs. Coty, Cutch vs. Clint, boxer vs. non-boxer

It couldn't be clearer that the Steelers' coaches no longer trust Ross Cockrell and, though I've liked some of Cockrell's contributions in the past, it's easier than ever to see why.

So, fine. Act on it now.

It was understandable and, to a degree, admirable that Mike Tomlin and Keith Butler started Cockrell in the preseason loss Saturday night to the Colts. We've seen that before with the head coach, where he'll allow a player to play his own way down the depth chart. And again, I've liked Cockrell at times, especially when matched against bigger wide receivers, so I'm not about to suggest he wasn't deserving of a last gasp. If he'd have shined against Indianapolis, it would have been better for all concerned.



But he sure didn't shine:





And now, with Coty Sensabaugh already having taken the majority of first-team practice reps plus a chunk of the duty against the Colts, as well as third-round pick Cameron Sutton faring quite well later in that game, the bulk of practice and the final preseason game Thursday in Charlotte really needs to be dedicated to those two.

I'm not exaggerating the relevance of exhibitions here. I'm just pointing out that a championship defense deserves to go with its highest-potential choices from the outset. Same goes for T.J. Watt over James Harrison. Or Mike Hilton over Willie Gay. The Steelers found out last year, to their considerable benefit, that trusting younger talent can work when all of their top three picks -- Artie Burns, Sean Davis, Javon Hargrave -- started almost immediately.

The known commodity isn't always the answer.

• I'm concerned about Ramon Foster's knee. He's been dragging the thing around, getting regular breaks and treatment. It doesn't look or sound serious, but it sure can't help.

When I mentioned this to the big man over the weekend, he smiled, shrugged and playfully shot back, "Nah, I'm good. It's nothing."

He's a big part of this process. Can't be overstated.

• There's absolutely nothing to read into the heated words exchanged between Andrew McCutchen and Clint Hurdle yesterday in Cincinnati. At least not as it relates to their relationship. The two are exceptionally close, they trust each other, and they're both passionate about baseball and life.

Cutch's issue, of course, was Jeff Kellogg, one of the many arrogant umpires who believe they're above following proper protocol because it doesn't fit their personal style. Kellogg has one of the laziest approaches to granting a batter time or making clear to a pitcher that time's been granted. He won't change that for anyone, even a superstar veteran facing a toddler on the mound making his major-league debut.

That's Cutch's problem. It has been for a long time. He feels umps don't treat him with the same respect they give, say, Joey Votto of the Reds. And feels that's because, unlike the volatile Votto and others, he doesn't argue or embarrass them with tantrums to get the calls.

So, he blew up. And when he got back to the dugout, he kept right on blowing up at whoever was going to dare say the first word to him.

Nothing to see here.

• Speaking of Votto, watching him work for walks while his teammates have runners all over the bases ... I appreciate that. I really do. I also am intensely aware of the math that underscores the value of reaching by any means possible, including the walk. But I also wonder aloud if it still applies as concretely when the rest of someone's team is mostly lousy.

In other words, does the walk outweigh taking the bat off your shoulder when the guy behind you is Adam Duvall, a career .243/.298./.496 hitter who went 1 for 14 over the weekend and killed every rally that Votto sustained?

Not claiming to have anything definitive here. Just expressing curiosity.

• So wait, two guys boxed, one guy wasn't a boxer, the guy who wasn't a boxer lost this boxing match as almost everyone apparently had anticipated ... and this was a billion-dollar global event why, exactly?

Also, where do I sign up for my crack at the loser's $127 million payday?

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