Post-Gazette Sports Network: Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, Penguins and more

On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to put a wrap on the team's preseason. Russell Wilson has retained the No. 2 QB job, but how much ground has Justin Fields made up since the start of training camp? What are Ray's expectations for the cornerback room as the 53-man roster cut nears? Could Beanie Bish...

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, Christopher Carter and Brian Batko look ahead to the Steelers' preseason finale against the Lions as the quarterback battle between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields reaches its conclusion. Would Fields give the offense a higher ceiling, or should the Steelers rely on the steady hand of Wilson? Plus, what position battles are most important in...

On Friday's episode of First 10, Jason Mackey takes a look at Kyle Dubas' stunning trade for prospect Rutger McGroarty, sending Brayden Yager out of town. Could McGroarty be an answer to what has ailed Mike Sullivan and company lately? Plus, a look ahead to the Steelers' final preseason game against the Lions and what Broderick Jones, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and others have to show. Hosted b...

Post-Gazette sports editor and fantasy analyst Chris Dell breaks down his favorite draft strategies and top players to target — as well as to avoid — at every position for 2024. Chris and fellow show co-host Dalton Brown also run through their preferred sleeper picks, handcuff running backs and rookie wide receivers to keep an eye on this season. Is Christian McCaffrey the clear-cut number-one ove...

On their weekly Penn State football podcast, host Adam Bittner and Daily Collegian/Post-Gazette Nittany Lions insider Joel Haas ponder over/unders for the team's biggest stars. Will Drew Allar surpass 3,000 passing yards for the first time in 2024? Could he challenge the 30 touchdown threshold? And will he throw more than his two interceptions from 2023 in new OC Andy Kotelnick's system? On the ru...

In his weekly YouTube appearance, Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise joins host Adam Bittner to react to the Steelers' struggles offensively so far this NFL preseason. Is new OC Arthur Smith right that exhibition games can "distort reality"? Is it too soon to judge QBs Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, considering Kenny Pickett's success last year that proved to be a mirage? And di...

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to ponder the team's QB situation ahead of its NFL preseason finale Saturday vs. the Detroit Lions. Will Russell Wilson get the bulk of the first-team reps? Or could he split time with an ascendant Justin Fields? Later, they tackle the offensive line's struggles. Ca...

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist explains why Pitt football needs running backs Desmond Reid -- the Western Carolina transfer -- and Rodney Hammond Jr. to thrive in the running game this season for new OC Kade Bell's offense to succeed. Then later, Jason talks Steelers and Pirates. Is new OC Arthur Smith right not to panic about the ugly NFL preseason performance of his...

Steelers insiders Ray Fittipaldo and Brian Batko report from Steelers preseason practice on Tuesday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side. The offensive line, which underperformed in the second preseason game against the Bills, is banged up. What should we make of Broderick Jones' elbow injury? Is he dealing with any other bumps and bruises? Will first-round NFL draft pick Troy Fautanu b...

On his weekly Chipped Ham and Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes former Super Bowl champion Trai Essex to weigh in on the team's offensive line and QB situations. Are the issues we've seen from OT Broderick jones in the NFL preseason fixable? Or genuine cause for concern? Is Dan Moore Jr. underrated as a tackle option along with Troy Fautanu? And what will it take...

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey reacts to Andrew McCutchen's latest injury and what it means for his future with the Pirates. Should GM Ben Cherington bring him back next season as one of their more productive hitters? Or should they look to fill the DH spot with someone who has more positional flexibility? Then elsewhere on the Pirates front, Jason gives...

On their weekly Pitt football mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Stephen Thompson answer reader questions. Among them: Is Nate Yarnell still the Panthers' clear-cut starting quarterback? Or is Eli Holstein closing in? How many true freshmen see the field this year? And who are the big targets for Jeff Capel and Pitt basketball if they can't land Meleek Thomas? Our duo ta...

On the Monday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to react to the team's NFL preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. What's going on with QBs Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, who have yet to produce a touchdown drive this preseason? What can be done about the offensive line's struggles as it navigates inj...

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey reacts to the Steelers' preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills this past weekend. Why haven't we seen new OC Arthur Smith's offense translate well in-stadium yet? Why haven't tight ends including Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington seen more targets after heavy workloads at training camp in Latrobe? And what can we expect fro...

Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin talk about a rare series victory over the Mariners, as a blowout loss puts their end-of-season plans into focus. What should the team strive for as it closes out what will likely be a dissapointing end to a once-promising season? Has Joey Bart proven himself to be the catcher of the future? And where can Oneil Cruz actually settle defensively? Hosted b...

Post-Gazette insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo react to the Steelers' 9-3 NFL preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night at Acrisure Stadium. What should we take away from QB Russell Wilson's first start in a Steelers uniform, and is there really a battle for the starting job between him and Justin Fields after tonight? How did rookie Zach Frazier look as the team's starting cente...

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, Christopher Carter talks with Steelers insider Gerry Dulac about Russell Wilson's game plan in the preseason game against the Bills. Why are the Steelers convinced Wilson is the man for the job in Week 1? And has Justin Fields proven to be worthy of his own packages? Plus, what are the chances Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick al...

In his weekly YouTube appearance, Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise joins host Adam Bittner to weigh Steelers GM Omar Khan's options if he can't complete a trade for San Francisco 49ers star Brandon Aiyuk. Would Khan be justified to feel content with names like Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins and Scotty Miller behind George Pickens? Or should he be looking at other options like the Seattle Seah...

On their weekly Penn State football podcast, host Adam Bittner and Daily Collegian/Post-Gazette insider Joel Haas ponder freshmen breakout candidates for coach James Franklin and the Nittany Lions in 2024. Can offensive linemen Cooper Cousins maintain his spring momentum and earn a starting spot? Can five-star prospect Luke Reynolds emerge in a tight end room that includes respected veterans Tyler...

Quarterback Russell Wilson speaks with reporters after Steelers training camp practice Wednesday at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. He explains how he's feeling as he continues to work his way back from a calf injury and take over No. 1 reps from backup Justin Fields; his expectations of joint practices and an NFL preseason game with the Buffalo Bills this week; his growing relationships with co...

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Mike's Beer Bar, host Christopher Carter welcomes insider Brian Batko to break down the latest developments in the QB battle between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields at Steelers training camp. Is Wilson's light workload in Latrobe strange, even despite the injury? Has Fields become a legit threat to win the starting role? Or a...

Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo talk after Monday's training camp practice about Arthur Smith's offense. Even though Smith is known more as a run-first guy, what can we learn from how aggressive the Steelers were throwing the ball on Friday against the Texans? How are Mike Tomlin and the rest of the Steelers coaching staff evaluating Justin Fields and, to a lesser extent, Russell...

On their weekly Pitt football mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Stephen Thompson answer reader questions. Among them: How many games will it take new coordinator Kade Bell's offense to find its stride? Why are names including Zion Fowler and Lamar Seymore standing out at receiver and has Konata Mumpfield established himself as the No. 1 option? And why are guys includin...

Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith speaks to reporters after Steelers training camp practice Monday in Latrobe. He offers his thoughts on Cordarrelle Patterson working his way back into action after injury; QB Justin Fields' efforts in the preseason loss the Houston Texans, including snap issues with C Nate Herbig; the No. 2 receiver battle between Van Jefferson, Scotty Miller, Calvin Austin III a...

On their Pirates podcast, Post-Gazette insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin discuss what the Pirates' goals should be now that losing sweeps against the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers have severely diminished their MLB postseason chances. Can young players including Henry Davis and Jack Suwinski prove they belong in the club's 2025 future and beyond? Will young starters Paul Skenes and...