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

On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive, presented by Mike's Beer Bar, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette insider Ray Fittipaldo to tackle the hottest topics from Steelers training camp practice on Sunday. Do first-team reps signal rising stock for LB Payton Wilson and Cory Trice Jr. after strong NFL preseason debuts Friday vs. the Houston Texans? And is the defensive line showin...

Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo talk after Sunday's training camp practice about first-round pick Troy Fautanu's injury and the battle at center. Is Fautanu going to start on the sideline after a rough first preseason game and getting hurt? And is Zach Frazier taking over at center for Nate Herbig already? Plus, a look at how Cordarrelle Patterson's return could impact the new kic...

Post-Gazette insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo react to the Steelers 20-12 NFL preseason loss to the Houston Texans on Friday night at Acrisure Stadium. What should we take from QB Justin Fields' performance, which was accurate but undone by struggles around him? How much will Nate Herbig's two botched exchanges weigh in the center competition with rookie Zach Frazier? How did first-round pi...

The Post-Gazette's Adam Bittner and Paul Zeise react live after the Steelers' first NFL preseason game Friday evening vs. the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. How did Justin Fields look with the first team with Russell Wilson taking the night off? What happened in the offensive tackle battle between Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu and Dan Moore Jr? Which receivers -- including Roman Wilson, Van J...

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey answers reader questions. Among them: What needs to change with the Pirates' Oneil Cruz? Should GM Ben Cherington consider bring back Aroldis Chapman amid bullpen struggles from David Bednar and Colin Holderman? What is Derek Shelton's future as Pirates manager amid the club's losing skid that's pushed it to the fringes of M...

On Friday's episode of the North Shore Drive podcast presented by Mike's Beer Bar, host Christopher Carter is joined by Steelers insider Gerry Dulac to discuss the latest Brandon Aiyuk trade rumors. Do the Steelers hold all the cards when it comes to the potential trade package? And what will we be watching for from Justin Fields in the Steelers' preseason opener against the Texans? Hosted by Simp...

On their weekly Penn State football podcast, host Adam Bittner and Daily Collegian/Post-Gazette insider Joel Haas react to comments by coaches and players at the Nittany Lions' media day this past weekend. Why are receivers including Tre Wallace, Kaden Saunders and Liam Clifford generating buzz early in fall camp? How will the complement transfer Julian Fleming? And how will coach James Franklin a...

In his weekly YouTube appearance, Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise joins host Adam Bittner to weigh the potential impact of a Brandon Aiyuk trade with the San Francisco 49ers on the rest of the Steelers' roster. Could GM Omar Khan be forced to choose between Aiyuk and George Pickens as soon as next season for salary cap reasons? What impact could a major deal with Aiyuk mean for the QB sit...

In Thursday's edition of First 10, Jason Mackey talks about another incredibly frustrating Pirates loss, as the bullpen gives up another game while Yasmani Grandal and Connor Joe fail to come through in the clutch. Are there any answers to stop their free fall from contention? Plus a look at the Steelers' first preseason game Friday and lingering concerns over Sidney Crosby's contract. For more sp...

Post-Gazette insiders Gerry Dulac report from Steelers training camp practice in Latrobe ahead of the first NFL preseason game Friday vs. the Houston Texans. How much -- or how little -- will we see big names including Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Russell Wilson? Could Justin Fields see as many as three drives at QB before giving way to backups? Why have Van Jeffe...

Quarterback Russell Wilson speaks to reporters following practice at Steelers training camp on Wednesday. He explains how he's feeling now that he's been integrated into practices following his calf injury; his expectations to play in NFL preseason games starting Friday vs. the Houston Texans; his excitement level to see backups including Kyle Allen and John Rhys Plumlee work; how his deep ball ha...

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Mike's Beer Bar, host Christopher Carter and Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko react to reports that the team has "re-engaged" in trade talks with the San Francisco 49ers regarding receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Is a deal now a serious possibility? What would GM Omar Khan be willing to give up? And how do the AFC No...

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey reacts to the Pirates' wild loss to the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night. Could the PNC Park drainage woes that caused a long delay become symbolic of the season falling apart? Will manager Derek Shelton's team lose out on a Bailey Falter start while still having to face the Padres' Dylan Cease later in the week? And could...

Post-Gazette insiders Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo recap practice at Steelers training camp on Sunday in Latrobe. Is Russell Wilson's workload expanding at QB as he returns from his injury? How's the relationship between receiver George Pickens and position coach Zach Azzanni unfolding after their dust-up early in camp? How did No. 1 NFL draft pick Troy Fautanu look getting first-team reps? Why...

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey tackles the latest trade rumors tying San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk to the Steelers. Is a deal finally a legit possibility amid GM Omar Khan's search for a No. 2 receiver across from George Pickens? Or are Aiyuk's contract demands still a problem for making a swap work? Later, Jason looks ahead to the Pirates' k...

On their weekly Pitt football mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Stephen Thompson answer reader questions. Among them: Is there a true competition at QB? Or has coach Pat Narduzzi pretty much decided that Nate Yarnell will start over Eli Holstein barring a rash of mistakes by Yarnell? What are the odds of Pitt winning seven games and getting back to a bowl game this seas...

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey streams his daily First 10 podcast live and tackles the hot topics in Pittsburgh sports. Can the Pirates still make the MLB postseason after a disastrous loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday that included questionable decisions from manager Derek Shelton? What should the club do with shortstop Oneil Cruz amid his continued struggles in the field? An...

On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Mike's Beer Bar, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette insider Ray Fittipaldo to recap the first week in pads at Steelers training camp. Were rookie offensive linemen Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick the biggest winners? How soon could Fautanu start at tackle, and what would that mean for fellow tackles Dan...

Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin discuss the series against the Diamondbacks, which ended in dramatic fashion as Colin Holderman blew another lead and another Paul Skenes start was wasted. Did manager Derek Shelton cost his team a critical game in the NL wild card race? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of person...

Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo recap Sunday's training camp practice as the defense responds with a bounce-back day after the offense had several standout days. DeMarvin Leal is back to looking like the athletic force he looked like when the Steelers drafted him, while corner Cory Trice is inspiring hope for the secondary. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz...

Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko report on everything that went down at the Steelers' annual "Friday Night Lights" training camp practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium. How did the players and fans interact at this special event? How did Justin Fields perform in another practice with the first team as Russell Wilson continues to nurse his calf injury? And what led t...

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey answers reader questions. Among them: Is it time for the Pirates to move SS Oneil Cruz to the outfield or designated hitter spot amid his struggles in the field this season, highlighted by a three-error game Wednesday vs. the Houston Astros? What are the Penguins' chances of making the playoffs? And will GM Kyle Dubas make a...

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Mike's Beer Bar, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette insider Brian Batko to react to a chippy week at Steelers training camp in Latrobe. Was the practice fight on Wednesday after a hit on QB Justin Fields a bad sign for team camaraderie? Or was it an important part of implementing a nastier identity for the offense unde...

On their weekly Penn State football podcast, the host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette/Daily Collegian Nittany Lions insider Joel Haas look ahead to the Nittany Lions' media day this weekend and ponder expectations for them in 2024. Can they win in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff? Not just earn a berth in the field? Is that a fair expectation with big names including Drew Allar, Nick Si...

Post-Gazette insiders Gerry Dulac and Brian Batko have the latest from Steelers training camp Thursday at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. How does the re-signing of OLB Markus Golden impact the defense moving forward? Did T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward get the unit back on track in the seven shots drill Thursday after several days of offensive domination? And can rookie offensive linemen Troy Fautanu...