Join us every week for a look at Pittsburgh sports with a rotating cast of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sportswriters from our home base on North Shore Drive.
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On his weekly mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles answers reader questions. Among them: How should the front office manage the Oneil Cruz situation heading into next season, with major questions looming over his ability to become a true MLB star? Is GM Ben Cherington's job secure if this team is able to finish close to the .500 mark under manager Don Kelly? Was moving Bubba Chandler into the starting rotation next to Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller a wise idea? How much should Braxton Ashcraft's workload be managed moving forward? And if the Pirates can only keep one of Andrew McCutchen or Tommy Pham for 2026, which one should they choose?
On the Wednesday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christipher Carter to assess the team's line play in NFL Week 1 against the New York Jets. Is it too soon to panic about Broderick Jones after he gave up three sacks? Or is he a valid concern for coach Mike Tomlin and OC Arthur Smith? Do teammates Troy Fautanu, Mason McCormick, Isaac Seumalo and Zach Frazier deserve more credit than they've received for limiting pressure? And how much blame does QB Aaron Rodgers deserve for taking four sacks in the contest? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Including: What should we make of the team's plans at safety now that DeShon Elliott is hurt and Jabrill Peppers has been signed to play alongside Chuck Clark and Juan Thornhill? Is Keeanu Benton the defensive lineman who most needs to improve in coming weeks? What kind of difference can a healthy Derrick Harmon make for the defensive line? And what happens if Cam Heyward is merely a good player and no longer an All-Pro type at the end spot?
Live around 5 p.m. Eastern, Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise analyzes the Steelers' offense following the NFL Week 1 victory against the New York Jets. How much potential does OC Arthur Smith's unit have after scoring 34 points in its debut? How high can new faces like Aaron Rodgers, Jonnu Smith and DK Metcalf lift the group's ceiling? Can Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu and the offensive line get on the same player as the skill position players? And what are reasonable expectations for the running game led by Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell and Kaleb Johnson? Paul tackles those questions, plus the reported signing of safety Jabril Peppers amid an injury to safety DeShon Elliott. (46) Post-Gazette Sports (@PGSportsNow) / X
Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo report from coach Mike Tomlin's weekly news conference ahead of an NFL Week 2 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks at Acrisure Stadium. What did Tomlin have to say about the signing of Jabrill Peppers, a veteran safety? What could it mean for the injured DeShon Elliott moving forward? And how could Elliott's absence impact the secondary as it's still integrating new faces like Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay Jr.? Our duo tackles those questions, plus struggles on both the offensive and defensive line in NFL Week 1 against the New York Jets. Can Broderick Jones turn things around after giving up sacks to the Jets pass rush? And how will Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Yahya Black and others improve against the run before the anticipated return of first-round pick Derrick Harmon in Week 3?
On the Tuesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to analyze the Steelers' outlook after the NFL Week 1 victory against the New York Jets. Should Aaron Rodgers' performance cause us to adjust expectations for coach Mike Tomlin's team? How much of the production from receivers like DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III and Jonnu Smith is sustainable in future weeks? Why did Broderick Jones struggle so much at OT and how will OC Arthur Smith respond if those struggles continue? Should we be surprised at the distribution of carries between Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell? And how could injuries to Joey Porter Jr. and DeShon Elliott impact the Week 2 game against Seattle? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
Post-Gazette insiders Stephen Thompson and Abby Schnable analyze the state of play with Pitt football as the Backyard Brawl rivalry game vs. the West Virginia Mountaineers looms this weekend. Are the QB Eli Holstein, OC Kade Bell and the Panthers meeting the grade offensively? Particularly in the running game with Desmond Reid? How did depth DBs Shawn Lee and Shadarian Harrison look in extended run against Central Michigan? And what does it mean for coach Pat Narduzzi's squad that WVU star Jaheim White is dealing with an injury following his team's loss to the Ohio Bobcats over the weekend? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
Post-Gazette high school sports insiders Mike White and Keith Barnes recap a busy week in football news around the WPIAL and City League. What do the guys make of Shady Side Academy's controversial forfeit to Clairton? Should there be repercussions? Why was the offensive battle between North Catholic and Blackhawk one of the highlights of the week? And how has the Cougars' Brayden McCarthy been able to lead the district in rushing despite his team frequently playing from behind? What have Southmoreland's Dawson Wolfe and Ringgold's Amoni Ward done to get the guys' attention? And who do they like in the highlight games of this week, including Penn-Trafford vs. Woodland Hills; Aliquippa vs. Mars; and Thomas Jefferson vs. Avonworth?
Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley discusses the last week in Pirates' minor league baseball, as both Double-A Altoona and High-A Greensboro advanced to the minor league playoffs. Beazley discusses what this means and what next steps are, before highlighting nine players who stood out in the last week: Rafael Flores, Hunter Barco, Brandan Bidois, Konnor Griffin, Termarr Johnson, Duce Gourson, Callan Moss, Edward Florentino and Levi Sterling.
On the Monday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo analyze the NFL Week 1 victory against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Why was QB Aaron Rodgers able to have so much success in his Steelers' debut? Despite an offensive line that struggled to protect him, with Broderick Jones as the clearest weak link. And despite the lack of a running game led by Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell in the backfield. And how much credit does OC Arthur Smith deserve for opening up the passing game such that DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth and Ben Skowronek all were able to get noteworthy touches? Our duo tackles those questions, plus the struggles on the defensive side on the ball. What wasn't working against Justin Fields, Breece Hall and the Jets' running game? How bad was the defensive line, in particular, with Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton and Yahya Black struggling in the absence of first-round pick Derrick Harmon? How much responsibility do linebackers Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson share? And how will coach Mike Tomlin and DC Teryl Austin attempt to fix it?
Post-Gazette insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo react to the Steelers' NFL Week 1 victory against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. How valuable has Chris Boswell become to coach Mike Tomlin after nailing field goals from 56 and 60 yards? The latter of which proving to be the game-winner. What should we make of Aaron Rodgers' prolific first outing within Arthur Smith's offense, throwing four touchdowns and proving chemistry with receivers including DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III and Jonnu Smith? And why was Justin Fields able to have so much success against his former team? Moving the ball alongside running back Breece Hall against a Steelers defense that includes huge names like T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr. and Patrick Queen? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
Post-Gazette sports writers Adam Bittner and Paul Zeise react live after the Steelers' NFL Week 1 matchup with the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. How did Aaron Rodgers look in his Steelers debut? How did he mesh with targets including DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington? Was the new-look defense solid with names like Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay Jr. in the lineup, joining established names like T.J. Watt, Joey Porter Jr. and Patrick Queen? And what should we make of GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin agreeing to a new contract with defensive captain Cam Heyward? The live stream will begin 10-15 minutes after the conclusion of the game on CBS . A replay will be available immediately after the live show.
Post-Gazette/Daily Collegian Penn State insiders Isaiah Maldonado and Lyle Alenstein break down the Nittany Lions' 34-0 win over Florida International on Saturday at Beaver Stadium. Why was the third-down battle the key to the Nittany Lions' slow start on offense after basically doing whatever they wanted against Nevada in Week 1? And how did QB Drew Allar adjust and lead a balanced attack in the second half? How were the Nittany Lions able to better utilize their star running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton? On the defensive side of the ball, what can we learn from the Nittany Lions' dominant, shutout performance? Which units and players stood out? And is this the breakout game for true freshman Chaz Coleman? Our duo answers those questions and more.
Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Stephen Thompson and Abby Schnable react postgame after the Panthers' 45-17 win over Central Michigan on Saturday at Acrisure Stadium. What led to QB Eli Holstein having another solid game statistically, and should fans be concerned about some turnover snafus leading into tougher games like next week's Backyard Brawl and the ensuing ACC schedule? How was the Pitt defense, with names like Kyle Louis and Rasheem Biles, able to stop Central Michigan's potent rushing attack led by Trey Cornist and Nahree Biggins? How will the emergence of players like Poppi Williams and Blue Hicks help the WR depth behind Kenny Johnson? And what allowed the defensive line depth to show with big performances from guys like Zach Crothers? Our duo answers those questions and more.
On the Saturday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder and Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko talk Cam Heyward's contract dispute and then give predictions/keys to win for the Steelers-Jets Week 1 matchup on Sunday. Did the Steelers call Heyward's bluff throughout these contract negotiations about him potentially not playing Sunday? What kind of a distraction would that be for the team and a defense that struggled against the run last year? Is there a possibility a deal could get done before Sunday — or later? What is it going to take for the Steelers to walk out of MetLife Stadium with a win this weekend? How will Aaron Rodgers fare in his return to New York after spending the last two seasons there? How will the defense, featuring new names like Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay Jr. and Juan Thornhill, do against former Steelers QB Justin Fields? How will wide receivers like Roman Wilson perform behind DK Metcalf? And what about the offensive line, where Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu will make their first start together in their preferred positions? Our duo answers those questions and more.
Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to react to Penn State football's victory against Nevada and forward to a Week 2 matchup with Florida International. Are Dani Dennis-Sutton and DC Jim Knowles the pieces the Nittany Lions need to form a College Football Playoff national championship caliber defense? What did Drew Allar prove in distributing the ball to a bunch of receivers in the season opening win? Do Kyron Hudson, Devonte Ross and Trebor Pena give OC Andy Kotelnicki the depth necessary at receiver to challenge defenses? And is the running game's lack of explosiveness beyond Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton a concern for coach James Franklin? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
On the Friday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder and Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey to take stock of DK Metcalf's role with the Steelers. Is he actually the most important player on the team? Despite the presence of Aaron Rodgers, Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt and Jaylen Ramsey? Should his contract elevate the pressure for him to post bigger numbers than George Pickens did? Or is it the lack of depth behind him, with Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin still finding their way? And what difference will his attitude make in this Steelers locker room? Our duo tackles those questions; what success looks like for Rodgers within OC Arthur Smith's offense; and Cam Heyward's handling of his contract dispute with GM Omar Khan's front office.
Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Stephen Thompson and Abby Schnable look ahead to the Panthers' matchup against Central Michigan on Saturday. After a dominant performance by Eli Holstein against Duquesne in their season opener, how will he react to the Chippewas defense? Should Kyle Louis be concerned about the run game? How will Kade Bell use the receiving group to keep his offense on the field? And what do Javon McIntyre and Pitt's defense need to do to avoid challenges created by Central Michigan's offense? Our duo tackles those questions and shares their game picks for this matchup.
Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to react to the Pirates' run of success over the past couple of weeks, culminating in a series win against the defending World Serie champion Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. Could this hot streak save GM Ben Cherington's job despite the ugly start to the year? Will Bob Nutting believe in the direction he's set, especially on the pitching side? And how does Don Kelly figure into the future? Our duo tackles those questions; analyzes reasons young pitchers like Paul Skenes, Bubba Chandler, Braxton Ashcraft and Mike Burrows are arriving MLB-ready after years of prospect underachievement; and ponder whether Jared Triolo can keep up his offensive numbers and be closer to the player the Pirates hoped Ke'Bryan Hayes would become.
Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to react to Pitt football's season-opening beating of Duquesne and look ahead to a Week 2 matchup with Central Michigan. Is Eli Holstein proving he belongs in the conversation with Miami's Carson Beck and Clemson's Cade Klubnik as the best QBs in the ACC? Should coach Pat Narduzzi and OC Kade Bell be concerned about the lack of rushing production beyond Desmond Reid? What does Duquesne receiver Joey Isabella's big day mean for the Pitt secondary? And why was Blue Hicks among the standouts at receiver for Jason? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
Steelers, Nfl, Pittsburgh Steelers
Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise gives his predictions for the NFL season that begins Thursday night. What will the Steelers' final record be with Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Ramsey, DK Metcalf and Jonnu Smith joining T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and Jaylen Warren in the fold? Will Mike Tomlin finally secure a long-awaited playoff victory? And which teams does Paul like to challenge for Super Bowl berths? Josh Allen and the Bills? Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs? Saquon Barkley and the Eagles? Paul tackles those questions and more.
In this episode of their Serving Up Pitt volleyball podcast, Post-Gazette insider Abby Schnable and former Panthers player Cat Flood break down the team's performances from the past weekend against No. 25 TCU and No. 7 Arizona State. How did the Panthers look so dominant in two top-25 wins after an 0-2 start to the season? Why did the block improve so much and show its best performances in those two games at PPG Paints Arena? Which players are starting to fill the lineup around last season's AVCA Player of the Year Olivia Babcock? How can setter Brooke Mosher and Blaire Bayless keep improving after their breakout performances last weekend? And what does it say about the general state of college volleyball that the Panthers dropped from No. 3 to No. 9 in the rankings despite those performances? Our duo discusses those topics and more.
On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes former offensive lineman Willie Colon to preview the 2025 NFL season and the NFL Week 1 matchup with the New York Jets. What did Willie see from the young offensive line at training camp? And what are his expectations for guys including Troy Fautanu, Broderick Jones, Mason McCormick and Zach Frazier? Does he believe Aaron Rodgers has enough left to maximize production from receiving options including DK Metcalf, Jonnu Smith, Roman Wilson, Calvin Austin III and Pat Freiermuth? And why does he believe the Jets should NOT be able to win on Sunday? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
Post-Gazette high school sports insider Keith Barnes speaks to Leechburg senior running back Tim Andrasy after his huge night against Beth-Center that earned him PG WPIAL and City League athlete of the week honors. Tim explains what went into his seven-touchdown night against Beth-Center, which included a kick return score and a whopping 310 yards on the ground. The guys also discuss the reasons why Leechburg has started to take the next step as a program.
Post-Gazette high school sports insider Matt Press speaks to Morgan Gesinski of Mount Pleasant girls soccer, the PG's WPIAL and City League athlete of the week. He gets her reaction to a three-goal performance this past week against Hopewell, which included the 100th goal of her career. She also explains why Robert Morris was the school for her to continue here career with in the college ranks starting next season.
Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise gives his thoughts on Teryl Austin's future as defensive coordinator Should the long-time assistant be coaching for his job in 2025? After struggles against elite teams late last season and Mike Tomlin's "historic" label for this year's unit? Can he successfully put new pieces like Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay Jr. and Derrick Harmon together with established ones like Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt and Joey Porter Jr.? And what level of performance should he have to hit in order to earn an extension of his current deal that expires at the end of the season? Paul tackles those topics as well as comments Wednesday from names including Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf.
Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac & Ray Fittipaldo recap a busy day of Steelers player comments after practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. They explain how QB Aaron Rodgers addressed questions about his past with the New York Jets, the team he'll face in NFL Week 1 on Sunday; why Rodgers believes in his current options at receiver and tight end including DK Metcalf, Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth, Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson; and the depth the Steelers have at the tight end position.
On the Wednesday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette insider Christopher Carter to preview the defense's NFL Week 1 matchup with the New York Jets. Are Justin Fields, Breece Hall and the Jets' offensive line a worthy early test of coach Mike Tomlin, GM Omar Khan and their attempts to rebuild the team's run defense this season? How much will they miss Derrick Harmon amid his early injury? Can Yahya Black translate his preseason success to possible extended regular season snaps against another team's starters? And what would Cam Heyward's potential absence do the game plan? Our duo tackles those questions and Heyward's refusal this week to commit to playing in Week 1 if his contract demands are not met. Is Heyward handling this properly? Have Steelers fans been too hard on him? Or do they simply have bad memories of Le'Veon Bell's yearlong holdout in 2018?
Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to Cam Heyward's latest refusal to commit to playing in NFL Week 1 against the New York Jets amid a contract dispute with GM Omar Khan's front office. Is Heyward serious? Or is he just continuing to posture until kickoff in hopes of pressuring the team into a deal? Is whatever raise he could secure worth it in terms of fan backlash to his demands? And how would his absence affect T.J. Watt, Jalen Ramsey and the rest of the Steelers' defense? Paul tackles those questions, plus his thoughts on coach Mike Tomlin's weekly news conference, where he gave injury updates on players including Derrick Harmon and Nick Herbig.
Post-Gazette insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo report from the Mike Tomlin news conference and Steelers practice at the team's UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. What will the absence of Derrick Harmon mean to the defensive line? Especially with Cam Heyward still threatening to possibly hold out for NFL Week 1 against the New York Jets, which would leave the group thin beyond Keeanu Benton and Yahya Black? How likely is it that Nick Herbig will play as the outside linebackers led by T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith look to bounce back in pass rushing? And how seriously is Tomlin taking Heyward's threats? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
On the Tuesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes insider Ray Fittipaldo to react to the team's new three-year contract with RB Jaylen Warren. Were coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan right to lock the veteran up through 2027? Especially on the heels of the third-round selection of Kaleb Johnson in the NFL draft? And how does this heighten expectations for Warren within OC Arthur Smith's offense next to backfield mates like Kenneth Gainwell? Our duo ponders those questions, then wonders whether Aaron Rodgers or Justin Fields have more to prove when the Steelers face the New York Jets in NFL Week 1 on Sunday; how close DC Teryl Austin's defense can come to the "historic" label coach Mike Tomlin gave it in the preseason; and which NFL draft QB hopefuls and possible Steelers draft picks -- from Drew Allar to Arch Manning, Cade Klubnik and Garrett Nussmeier -- impressed during a busy first week of action.
Post-Gazette Pitt Panthers insiders Stephen Thompson and Abby Schnable react to coach Par Narduzzi's injury updates on key offensive and defensive line players ahead of the football team's matchup with Central Michigan this weekend. Could right tackle Ryan Baer return quickly after missing the latte portions of the win against Duquesne with what Narduzzi described as a "stinger"? How confident should fans feel about backups at offensive line positions? And why was there a lot to like about the defensive line depth? With names like Joey Zelinsky and Zach Crothers performing in the absence of Jaeden Moore? Our duo tackles those questions, then reacts to major non-conference wins for the ACC over the weekend. Is the conference proving itself after Florida State upset Alabama and Miami triumphed over Notre Dame?
Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley gives the latest updates on the Pirates minor league system, as top prospects Konnor Griffin and Esmerlyn Valdez are leading Double-A Altoona to their first playoff berth since 2018. Valdez and pitcher Wilber Dotel earned Eastern League Player and Pitcher of the Week honors, the first time two Altoona players have done that since 2012. Beazley also discusses Rafael Flores, Nick Yorke, Sammy Siani, Nick Cimillo, Callan Moss, Jared Jones, Edward Florentino and Tony Blanco Jr.
On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko ponder some Steelers questions. Will the Steelers be better this season than they were in 2024, with new additions like Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf and Darius Slay Jr.? Or is another 10-7 season with a first-round exit on the horizon, as coach Mike Tomlin has grown accustomed to over the past few years? Chris and Brian then go over some bold predictions for this season. Could new CB Jalen Ramsey be their best defensive player, even more valuable than names like T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Stephen Thompson and Abby Schnable react to the Panthers' 61-9 season-opening win over crosstown rival Duquesne. What can we learn about Pat Narduzzi's team after a blowout win over an inferior opponent? Is Eli Holstein back to his best after starting last season hot and petering off at the end because of injuries? Is Desmond Reid already staking his claim to another All-American season? Will the special teams give the Panthers a boost this season after Reid's punt return TD and Kenny Johnson's long kick return? And what can the defense led by Kyle Louis take from this contest into games against more challenging opponents in the ACC? Our duo answers those questions and more.
Host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey to preview the season for coach James Franklin's Penn State Nittany Lions football team. Will we learn anything about Drew Allar, Kaytron Allen, Nick Singleton and others during an easy early-season schedule? Or will we need to wait until White Out night against the Oregon Ducks in late September? How much can the new Jim Knowles defense dominate Big Ten opponents? Can Penn State finally beat its nemesis Ohio State in Columbus? And what are Jason's picks in terms of record, the conference title race and College Football Playoff potential? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
In this clip from the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey to ponder the Steelers' worst-case scenarios in 2025 and what could lead to them. Is the quarterback room good enough as a whole? From Aaron Rodgers with question marks as a 41-year-old to Mason Rudolph as a backup in the event Rodgers is injured? Or could those two doom the team if they're not playing at their best? What happens if DK Metcalf is injured? Do coach Mike Tomlin, GM Omar Khan and OC Arthur Smith have enough depth there in the form of Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson and Scotty Miller? Or do they still need to make a move at some point? And have the communication issues in the defensive backfield been rectified? Or will Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay Jr. and Juan Thornhill fall into similar traps that Minkah Fitzpatrick did in leading the group last season? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
In this clip from the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey to ponder best-case scenarios for the Steelers in 2025 and what needs to go right to attain them. Do T.J. Watt, Alex Smith, Nick Herbig and the pass rush need to be better than they were in 2024? And how much will a reloaded offensive line with Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black next to Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton help in that pursuit? Can the entire quarterback room be good enough for OC Arthur Smith? From Aaron Rodgers, who's facing questions about how quickly he can find his stride, to Mason Rudolph in a backup role. And can coach Mike Tomlin get where he wants to go if Broderick Jones, and potentially also Troy Fautanu, aren't playing at close to a Pro Bowl level in protecting a largely immobile Rodgers behind center? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
Host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette/Daily Collegian Nittany Lions insider Isaiah Maldonado to preview Penn State's season opener against Nevada at Beaver Stadium. Will coach James Franklin and OC Andy Kotelnicki get dominance out of their veteran offensive line? How many big plays will we see from Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton at running back? Will QB Drew Allar find early chemistry with receivers including Trebor Pena, Devonte Ross, Kyron Hudson, Liam Clifford, Tyseer Denmark and Koby Howard? And how many depth players will make contributions in what's expected to be a blowout? Our duo tackles those questions, plus some season preview over/unders. Will Allen and/or Singleton surpass Evan Royster's all-time rushing record? How much of Tyler Warren's success can Khalil Dinkins, Luke Reynolds and Andrew Rappleyea replicated? Will Dani Dennis-Sutton follow Abdul Carter in surpassing 10 sacks for the season? And how far will Penn State go, both in the Big Ten against foes like Oregon and Ohio State. And in the College Football Playoff?
Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to give season predictions for the Pitt Panthers football team at the start of the 2025 season. How cool is it to see coach Pat Narduzzi's team facing crosstown rival Duquesne in the season opener? Is Eli Holstein capable of a season like Kenny Pickett had in 2021 en route to an ACC conference championship? Is Desmond Reid's health the most important factor for OC Kade Bell's offense? And is Pitt a top three or four team if it can follow through on linebacker Kyle Louis' vision of finishing games? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner analyze the Pirates' decision to wait until late August to promote top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler to MLB. Should GM Ben Cherington have had him here months ago, when he could have helped salvage the season for stalwarts like Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller in the rotation? Or was this team always doomed to fail because of its deficient offense? Were Chandler's struggles in the minor leagues legitimate concerns? Or a reflection of his frustration with his slow promotional route? And who are the prospects Jason would like to see next? From Nick Yorke to Hunter Barco? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Is Henry Davis starting to put things together at catcher, given the team has a winning record when he plays? Does the 2026 rotation need another veteran like Andrew Heaney? Or should the Pirates lean into homegrown options like Braxton Ashcraft? And should Skenes be a lock to win the Cy Young award at season's end?
In the debut episode of Serving Up Pitt, Post-Gazette Pitt insider Abby Schnable and co-host and former Panther Cat Flood dive into Pitt volleyball's 2025 season. They take a deep dive into the roster. How will coach Dan Fisher replace the team's key departures, like Rachel Fairbanks, Emmy Klika and Valeria Vazquez Gomez? How will the team fill in around reigning AVCA Player of the Year Olivia Babcock? Abby and Cat preview the rest of the 2025 season after a rough start for the Panthers. How can they bounce back after starting the season ranked No. 3 but falling in their first two matches to Nebraska and Florida? Will the team's tough early schedule harden them for the months to come? And what is their ceiling — another Final Four appearance? Abby and Cat discuss their key takeaways from those matches and what they mean for Pitt moving forward. What do the Panthers need to fix before the upcoming State Farm Showcase at PPG Paints Arena, when they welcome No. 25 TCU and No. 13 Arizona State to Pittsburgh this weekend? They close the show with some rapid-fire questions on breakout players, team strengths, players to watch and more.
In this clip from the Thursday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette insider Christopher Carter to analyze the Steelers' depth at safety after roster cut down day. Do GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin have enough depth at the position, with only DeShon Elliott, Juan Thornhill and Chuck Clark manning it moving forward? Is the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade for Jalen Ramsey a signal they they believe they can find useful players at safety even in the event of injury? How does Ramsey figure into the safety situation, if at all? And how should we feel about the overall secondary that also includes names like Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay Jr.? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
In his weekly Pirates mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette insider Noah Hiles answers reader questions. Among them: What are the chances Konnor Griffin makes the team out of spring training in 2026? Does general manager Ben Cherington have a legitimate chance to keep his job? After his hot stretch at the plate lately, could Jared Triolo solidify his spot as the starting shortstop or third baseman for next season? What Pirate has impressed Noah the most this season, and who do the Pirates need to cut ties with? And who could the Pirates acquire via free agency or trade to shore up the corner-outfield spots? Noah answers those questions and more.
Host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette/Daily Collegian Nittany Lions insider Isaiah Maldonado preview a pressure-packed season for Penn State QB Drew Allar. Can he prove his many critics wrong after a crushing interception at the end of the College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Notre Dame at the Orange Bowl set him up for an offseason full of doubt nationally? Did coach James Franklin and OC Andy Kotelnicki add enough firepower for him to succeed in transfer receivers Kyron Hudson, Devonte Ross and Trebor Pena? How will he perform without the safety valve that Tyler Warren provided at tight end before departing to the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL draft this past spring? And will names like Khalil Dinkins, Luke Reynolds and Andrew Rappleyea be able to step up for him in a similar way? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
Post-Gazette high school sports insider Matt Press interviews Montour girls soccer standout Irelynn Hobbs, the Post-Gazette's WPIAL athlete of the week, about an array of topics. How does Irelynn prepare for a big game? What does she remember about scoring a playoff winner against Franklin Regional last season? What's it like playing for her father, Alex Hobbs? What has she learned from her older sister, Kira? And where does she see her sport growing from here in the city following the Pittsburgh Riveters' debut season?
Post-Gazette high school sports insider Keith Barnes interviews Bethel Park football standout David Dennison, who was named the PG's WPIAL and City League athlete of the week after piling up 238 yards and four touchdowns in a major Week 0 victory against Steel Valley. David explains how his big night unfolded and his expectations this season as his team competes with the likes of Peters Township for supremacy in WPIAL Class 5A.
In this clip from the Thursday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette insider Christopher Carter to react to the team's roster decisions at the wide receiver position. Have GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin closed the door on a move for an outside WR2? With names like Amari Cooper and Marquez Valdes-Scantling off the market and Gabe Davis still not getting an offer despite multiple visits to the team? Are Roman Wilson, Calvin Austin III and others enough behind DK Metcalf? Especially in the event of injury? How much can OC Arthur Smith's offense really rely on tight ends like Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington in the passing game? And can 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers effectively distribute the ball to all of those targets? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
Live around 5:45 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise gives his thoughts on the Steelers practice squad, announced Wednesday, as well as moves to put QB Will Howard and Donte Kent on injured reserve. Did coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan make the right moves in keeping names like Beanie Bishop, Sebastian Castro, James Pierre, DeMarvin Leal and Max Hurleman? Or should they have looked at more external options amid roster cuts around the NFL? And what will the impact of the IR decision be on Howard's development? Will he struggle to ever surpass Skylar Thompson on the depth chart behind Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph if he can't get practice reps while on IR, per NFL rules? Or would that be a good place for him to learn the position at the NFL level?
In the debut episode of their Penn State football podcast, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette/Daily Collegian Nittany Lions insider Isaiah Maldonado preview the season for the pivotal wide receiver group. Can transfers Trebor Pena, Devonte Ross and Kyron Hudson make the impact this team sorely lacked from the position last season, in falling short against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl? Or could they be the next in a long line of disappointments for coach James Franklin, from Dante Cephas, to Malik McClain to Julian Fleming? And how will home-grown options including Liam Clifford, Tyseer Denmark and Koby Howard develop with Drew Allar behind center? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette insider Brian Batko welcomes KDKA-TV sports reporter Rich Walsh to react to the Steelers' final roster cuts down to their 53-man roster for NFL Week 1. Is it bad news for Mason Rudolph that Skylar Thompson earned the No. 3 job over Will Howard? Could he challenge Rudolph for the No. 2 role behind Aaron Rodgers? Was the release of RB Trey Sermon a good sign for rookie Kaleb Johnson as he looks to find his way in a backfield with Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell? And who were the biggest surprise cuts from coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan? Does the list include Robert Woods, Chuck Clark or James Pierre? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
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