Podcasts about post gazette

On the Tuesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey and insider Ray Fittipaldo sort through blame for the Steelers' defensive struggles through the first two games of 2025. Are coach Mike Tomlin and position assistant Karl Dunbar most to blame for the defensive line's ineffectiveness, particularly against the run? Or do Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Isaiahh Loudermilk and Yahya Black need to step up amid the injury to Derrick Harmon? Our duo tackles those questions and more defensive issues. Are defenses picking on Jalen Ramsey? And should fans be worried about T.J. Watt's lack of stats? The guys also ponder some offensive topics. Are Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu in an early-season slump? Or are the experiencing something worse? What should Tomlin do with Kaleb Johnson after his enormous kickoff gaffe? And does Arthur Smith's distribution of carries for Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren make any sense? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise offers his thoughts on the struggles of the Steelers defense through the first two weeks of the NFL season. Specifically, he ponders the concern level regarding T.J. Watt not having a sack yet in 2025. Can the Steelers' defense be its best if he isn't making disruptive plays? How much have the defensive line's struggles in the absence of Derrick Harmon hindered him? Do Keeanu Benton, Cam Heyward, Yahya Black and others need to step things up for Watt to be the best version of himself? How much will the Alex Highsmith injury potentially hurt Watt by allowing defenses to focus on stopping him more? And can Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer step up enough to fill that void for coach Mike Tomlin's defense? Paul tackles those questions and the latest headlines from Tomlin's weekly news conference. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette sports writers Adam Bittner and Paul Zeise react live after the Steelers' NFL Week 2 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, the home opener at Acrisure Stadium. Were Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Pat Freiermuth and Jonne Smith able to maintain momentum in the passing game? Was Broderick Jones able to get back on track at left tackle? How did Zach Frazier, Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick look? Especially in run blocking for backs like Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell and Kaleb Johnson? On the defensive side, were Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt, Keeanu Benton and Payton Wilson better able to contain the opposing running game? And how did Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay Jr. and the new-look secondary perform in the absence of injured CB Joey Porter Jr. and S DeShon Elliott? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette high school sports insiders Mike White and Keith Barnes recap a busy week of football news around the WPIAL and Pittsburgh City League. What should we make of Shady Side Academy's injury situation a week after forfeiting in controversial fashion against Clairton? Is Aliquippa championship material once again in Class 4A? What should we make of a key rule change for students at faith-based schools? What are small schools like Monessen, Avella and Cornell having success so far in 2025? And why is offense up across the district so far? Our duo tackles those questions; spotlights James Armstrong of Hopewell and Jeffery Thompson of Clairton as shining stars; and previews the games of the week between Hopewell and Avonworth; North Allegheny and Norwin; South Allegheny and South Park; Monessen and Fort Cherry; Ringgold and Southmoreland; and Avella and California Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to analyze the future of Henry Davis and other young players with the Pirates. Is Henry Davis still a viable candidate to be the club's catcher of the future? Or are his struggles at the plate to profound to overcome in his time share with Joey Bart? Will any of Nick Yorke, Cam Devanney, Liover Peguero or Ji-Hwan Bae appear on the opening day roster next season? What should GM Ben Cherington and manager Don Kelly do with Oneil Cruz amid his continued underachievement? Where should Cherington be planning to allocate his free agent dollars for 2026? And where do names like Denis Santana, Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler fit into the future bullpen mix? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to ponder Penn State's progress through the first two weeks of the season. Have coach James Franklin's Nittany Lions proven anything yet? Is there anything they can show against Villanova that they haven't against Florida International and Nevada? Does Franklin deserve criticism for the soft schedule? And is Oregon in a few weeks the only test that matters? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Among them: Are Devonte Ross, Kyron Hudson and Trebor Pena the best trio of receivers the program has had in a while? Where does Drew Allar rank among NFL draft QB hopefuls like Clemson's Cade Klubnik, LSU's Garrett Nussmeier and LaNorris Sellers? Can we expect more dominance from Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton? And how is Penn State figuring into the College Football Playoff national title conversation alongside names like Oregon, Ohio State and LSU?

On 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 analyze which young Steelers are under the most pressure to prove themselves heading into NFL Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks? Can Roman Wilson finally generate some production behind DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III after a quiet Week 1 and a lost rookie season in 2024? Will Darnell Washington emerge as advertised next to Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith at tight end? What's going on with Payton Wilson? And when will he live up to his self-proclaimed potential as the best cover linebacker in the NFL? And what are reasonable improvements Broderick Jones can make at left tackle after a disastrous Week 1? Our duo tackles those questions, then analyzes the differences Aaron Rodgers at QB and Jalen Ramsey at CB have made to their respective units. And whether Ramsey is bringing a different attitude to his defense than did Minkah Fitzpatrick, the guy who was traded for Ramsey before training camp.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to sort through the controversy surrounding the future of the Backyard Brawl rivalry between Pitt and West Virginia. Who shares more blame for the future for the series going on hiatus? Pat Narduzzi, Allen Greene and the Panthers? Or Rich Rodriguez, Wren Baker and the Mountaineers? Would both teams benefit from some non-conference scheduling flexibility? Or should this game be played every year? And how should College Football Playoff resume conversations influence the conversation? Our duo tackles those questions and more before the teams square off Saturday. How much pressure will Narduzzi be under if Pitt loses the game as a 7.5-point favorite? How encouraged should fans be by a possible 3-0 start for the Panthers? And who will prove to be the hero for Pitt on Saturday? Eli Holstein? Braylan Lovelace? Desmond Reid? Or someone else?

On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette insider Brian Batko welcomes Associated Press sports writer and Post-Gazette alumnus Andrew Destin to preview the Steelers' NFL Week 2 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. How will the Steelers defense, which struggled so mightily against Justin Fields and Breece Hall in Week 1, deal with the Seahawks' rushing attack, led by Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet? Are the Seahawks an offense in transition, or are they just mediocre? On the offensive side of the ball for the Steelers, how will Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu and the rest of the offensive line deal with a potent Seahawks pass rush led by DeMarcus Lawrence and Derick Hall? And what are they saying about DK Metcalf in Seattle as the new Steelers receiver faces off against his old team on Sunday? Our duo answers 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 week, which includes a statement sweep over No. 3 Kentucky and victories over Pepperdine and Jacksonville. Did this Pitt team announce its arrival on the national stage after beating Kentucky so handily? Have the Panthers found their footing after a rough start to the season that included two straight losses? How does this win shift their perspective in the national rankings? For the Kentucky game specifically, what does it mean for the team that it didn't have to overly rely on Olivia Babcock, as Dagmar Mourits and Blaire Bayless each also finished with at least nine kills? How are contributions from Bre Kelley and Ryla Jones helping? And what does it say about Dan Fisher's squad that it was able to hold its composure in those close sets against the Wildcats despite boasting a host of new players? Our duo answers those questions and more.

Post-Gazette insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo give their Steelers practice report from the team's UPMC Rooney Sports Complex ahead of an NFL Week 2 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks at Acrisure Stadium. Why do DC Teryl Austin and captain Cam Heyward seem optimistic about fixing the run defense issues that crept up against Justin Fields, Breece Hall and the New York Jets in Week 1? Can the issues be fixed without first-round NFL draft pick Derrick Harmon? And could we see more of Day 3 pick Yahya Black in the defense's next outing? The guys ponder those questions and how OC Arthur Smith can get the running game on track. From better blocking from Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu and the offensive line. To Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell and Kaleb Johnson alongside Aaron Rodgers in the backfield.

Post-Gazette high school sports insider Matt Press interviews Norwin cross country standout Annie Czajkowski after she set a 5k record for the Knights at the Red, White & Blue classic at White Oak Park. What did the record-setting performance mean to her? What's her excitement level for competing at the New Balance Nationals in Boston? What does her weekly training routine look like? What type of music does she like to listen to while she's running? And what can she tell us about her interest in baking? The duo tackles those questions and more.

Post-Gazette high school sports insider Matt Press interviews this week's WPIAL and Pittsburgh City League boys athlete of the week, Latrobe cross country runner Charlie Heese. He gets the inside scoop on how Charlie cruised to a victory at the Red, White and Blue Classic race last weekend at White Oak Park; Charlie's summer training regimen that led to his victory; the ways a wrestling background has helped Charlie in racing; and Charlie's off-track interests including his Eagle Scout project and a love of photography.

Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise gives his thoughts on the Steelers defense heading into its NFL Week 2 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. Is the unit capable of a "redemption Sunday," as captain Cam Heyward vowed in recent podcast comments? Or are problems with the run defense still too glaring between the struggles of Keeanu Benton and the injury absence of first-round NFL draft pick Derrick Harmon? What should we make of the secondary with DeShon Elliott out and Jabrill Peppers entering the equation? And are Darius Slay Jr. and Jalen Ramsey adding enough for coach Mike Tomlin at the cornerback slot? Paul tackles those questions and more.

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

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 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 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 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 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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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 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.

On their weekly Vastity Xtra podcast, Post-Gazette high school sports insiders Keith Barnes and Mike White discuss the hottest topics around the WPIAL and City League. -Have Pittsburgh-area teams fallen behind their Eastern Pa. peers following Central Catholic's blowout loss this weekend against La Salle College? -Why were McKeesport's Kemon Spell and Peters Township's Nolan DiLucia among our duo's shining stars of the week? -How are stars including Central Catholic's Ashton Blatt and Pine-Richland's Jay Timmons navigating the new world of revenue sharing and NIL in high school sports? -Why are Mohawk-Laurel, Moon-Montour, Mars-Bethel Park, New Castle-Hopewell, Pine-Richland-Central Catholic and Peters Township-McKeesport the big games to watch this coming weekend? -And what are former WPIAL stars Mike Logan and William "TuTu" Ferguson up to these days? The guys chat about those topics, plus a sighting of former Steelers linebacker James Harrison at a game over the weekend.

On the Tuesday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey is joined by insider Ray Fittipaldo to react to the team's Monday round of roster cuts. What should we make of Corliss Waitman winning the punting job over Cameron Johnston? And will Mark Robinson be miss in the inside linebacker group behind names like Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson and Cole Holcomb? The guys also ponder the futures of players still potentially in some degree of roster trouble. Is Will Howard destined for IR this point after he and Skylar Thompson made it through this round of cuts? And what's going to happen with seventh-round pick Donte Kent? Or Cory Trice Jr. behind Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay Jr. at corner?

In this clip from the Tuesday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes insider Ray Fittipaldo to analyze the Steelers' situation at offensive tackle with Troy Fautanu and Broderick Jones. Did either or both show enough in training camp and the preseason to prove that they can be building blocks for the young offensive line, which also includes names like Mason McCormick and Zach Frazier? And will they be able to adequately protect Aaron Rodgers, who increasingly lacks mobility at QB? Later, they ponder whether the running game or high number of new faces in the secondary is a bigger concern. With Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay Jr, Juan Thornhill and others all trying to find their place. And they explain how they feel the Cam Heyward contract dispute may play out now that he's returned to practicing with the team.

Live around 5 p.m. Eastern, Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to a couple of former Steelers getting moved by the Cleveland Browns. What's next for QB Kenny Pickett after he was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders? Are his dreams of starting in the NFL again doomed after losing the competition with Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders with the Cleveland Browns? Or can he find his way in a Raiders QB room that includes Geno Smith and Aidan O'Connell? And what's next for Diontae Johnson after he was cut by the Browns? Could his NFL career be over after he was traded by the Steelers last offseason and has now failed to find a home with four teams since? Paul tackles those questions and more.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise weighs in on the hottest topics in Pittsburgh sports. Specifically, he gives his thoughts on a suggestion by ESPN's Bill Barnwell that the Steelers could trade for Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson after he lost a competition with Daniel Jones to start. Should GM Omar Khan really consider dealing for the 23-year-old, who's had mixed results so far, as a potential successor to Aaron Rodgers? Are internal options like Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and Will Howard preferable? Or should Khan focus on the 2026 NFL draft in Pittsburgh, that figures to include talented rookie options like Arch Manning, Drew Allar, Nico Iamaleava, Cade Klubnik and Garrett Nussmeier?