The North Shore Drive Sports Podcast – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Interactive

CURRENT
EPISODE

October 22, 2019

College Football updates: Have Pitt and Penn State performed as expected?

Pitt insiders John McGonigal and Craig Meyer and Penn State insider Mike Persak revisit and update their season expectations.

Show Notes

Penn State writer Mike Persak and Pitt writers John McGonigal and Craig Meyer discuss how the two teams have played up to this point and pick midway MVPs. They also talk about what the future could look like for the Nittany Lions and Panthers.

MUSIC CREDIT
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"RetroFuture Clean" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

PREVIOUS
EPISODES

October 16, 2019

Steelers' off week comes at perfect time during 'fragile state'

The Steelers secured a big Sunday night win over the Chargers, but the injuries keep piling up. Enter an off week and a date with the lowly Dolphins.

Show Notes

Steelers insiders Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo break down Duck Hodges' surprising performance in a win over the Chargers, why this is still Mason Rudolph's team moving forward and the standout performance from the defense, highlighted by rookie Devin Bush.

MUSIC CREDIT
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"RetroFuture Clean" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

October 15, 2019

Penguins' hot start: Small sample size or sustainable?

Despite a litany of injuries, the Penguins are off to a high-flying start. Can they keep it up?

Show Notes

Penguins insiders Matt Vensel and Mike DeFabo look at the depleted Penguins and discuss whether their high-octane offense can keep up with the mounting injuries. They ponder if some of the young call-ups will stick long term and decide if some eye-popping stats are sustainable or a blip in the early season.

MUSIC CREDIT
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"RetroFuture Clean" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

October 10, 2019

Penguins scramble to replace Malkin; Letang struggles to start

The 2019-20 Penguins season is underway, and the injury bug has bit hard. What are the early impressions through the first week?

Show Notes

Penguins insiders Matt Vensel and Mike DeFabo take stock of the Penguins many injuries already, most notably the "longer term" absence of Evgeni Malkin. They look at four players who need to step up the most and give their impressions of the newcomers thus far.

MUSIC CREDIT
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"RetroFuture Clean" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

October 9, 2019

Duck season in Pittsburgh: Can Devlin Hodges keep Steelers afloat?

The Steelers are down to their 3rd quarterback entering a road Sunday Night Football matchup. Can Devlin "Duck" Hodges will Pittsburgh to a win?

Show Notes

October 4, 2019

Know your enemy: Ravens writer on rivalry with Steelers, game prediction

Baltimore Sun reporter Jonas Shaffer joins us to give the Ravens' perspective on Week 5's key divisional matchup with the Steelers

Show Notes

October 1, 2019

Steelers have a win, but is the performance sustainable?

The Steelers dipped into their bag of tricks to beat the Bengals on Monday Night Football, so do we think any different of them now that they have a win?

Show Notes

Steelers insiders Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo discuss if the Week 4 win changes how they think about the team's future, if the performance can be sustained going forward and if Pittsburgh has a legitimate shot at beating the Ravens.

MUSIC CREDIT
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"RetroFuture Clean" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

September 30, 2019

Clint Hurdle fired: Who could be next as Pirates manager?

The Pirates fired manager Clint Hurdle after a disastrous 2019 season. Who is willing to accept the responsibility of fixing the mess?

Show Notes

Pirates insiders Jason Mackey and Nubyjas Wilborn take you behind the scenes of Clint Hurdle's firing, discuss whether Neal Huntington should have followed him out the door and look what who might be next in line for Pittsburgh's dugout.

MUSIC CREDIT
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"RetroFuture Clean" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

September 26, 2019

13 things we've learned as Penguins season opener approaches

Our Penguins insiders break down the Big 3's closing window, Brandon Tanev's presence and prospects to watch.

Show Notes

September 24, 2019

Steelers remain winless, James Conner disappears, and bold predictions

Our insiders look at the Steelers' loss in San Francisco and discuss if the offense or defense is more at fault.

Show Notes

Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo look at the anemic Steelers offense and a defense that can't seem to make a big stop and discuss which side of the ball is more at fault for the team's 0-3 start.
And should the Steelers be playing Jaylen Samuels more now that James Conner is stuck in the mud?
Plus, some bold predictions for the rest of the season.

MUSIC CREDIT
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"RetroFuture Clean" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

September 19, 2019

Pirates postmortem: Trying to make sense of chaotic season

Pirates reporters Jason Mackey and Nubyjas Wilborn talk about the craziness surrounding Felipe Vazquez and other off-field incidents, any positives to take away from 2019 and look ahead to 2020.

Show Notes

September 18, 2019

Big Ben out, Minkah Fitzpatrick in: What does future hold for Steelers?

Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo look at the Steelers' whirlwind week as Ben Roethlisberger's season ends and Minkah Fitzpatrick arrives, all while the team tries to recover from an 0-2 start.

Show Notes

Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo discuss Ben Reothlisberger's uncertain future, how Mason Rudolph projects for the rest of his season, Minkah Fitzpatrick's immediate impact and Devin Bush's early struggles. Then they look ahead to the 49ers in Week 3 and predict if the Steelers can capture their first win.

MUSIC CREDIT
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"RetroFuture Clean" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

September 16, 2019

Steelers legend Dermontti Dawson on the loss of Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers' chances moving forward

Steelers legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer talks about the loss of Ben Roethlisberger, rallying around Mason Rudolph and his view of the team moving forward.

Show Notes

John McGonigal and Mike Persak break down the 100th meeting between Pitt and Penn State, and former Pitt star Mike Caprara joins Adam Bittner to remember the Panthers' 2016 win and look ahead. Then, Former Penn State linebacker Nyeem Wartman talks about his new role as an assistant coach at Mississippi State, memories of the classic matchup between the Nittany Lions and Pitt in 2016 and his thoughts on whether the series is a rivalry.

MUSIC CREDIT
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"RetroFuture Clean" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

September 13, 2019

Pitt-Penn State: The 100th (final?) matchup in storied rivalry

Previewing the 100th meeting between Pitt and Penn State, remembering some classic moments and looking ahead.

Show Notes

John McGonigal and Mike Persak break down the 100th meeting between Pitt and Penn State, and former Pitt star Mike Caprara joins Adam Bittner to remember the Panthers' 2016 win and look ahead. Then, Former Penn State linebacker Nyeem Wartman talks about his new role as an assistant coach at Mississippi State, memories of the classic matchup between the Nittany Lions and Pitt in 2016 and his thoughts on whether the series is a rivalry.

MUSIC CREDIT
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"RetroFuture Clean" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

September 10, 2019

Steelers crumble in New England, AB signs with Patriots and Seahawks loom

Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo look at what went wrong for the Steelers in New England, discuss the Antonio Brown conspiracy theories and preview Week 2 against the Seahawks.

Show Notes

Steelers writers Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo recap a disastrous night in New England (1:55), discuss how Pittsburgh can pick up the pieces (7:15), debunk some Antonio Brown conspiracy theories (18:30) and preview the Week 2 game against the Seahawks (26:36).

MUSIC CREDIT
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"RetroFuture Clean" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

September 6, 2019

Steelers-Patriots preview: Can Pittsburgh spoil a banner party in New England?

Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo analyze the Steelers' season opener against the Patriots and give their predictions.

Show Notes

September 5, 2019

Patriots-Steelers rivalry: Best and worst memories

Adam Bittner, Josh Axelrod and Ryan Winn discuss the 20-year rivalry between the Patriots and Steelers from their perspective -- the couch.

Show Notes

Adam Bittner and Josh Axelrod look back at the times when they were just Steelers fans and recount their favorite and worst memories from the Patriots rivalry, their most hated players and the outcome they would most like to change.

MUSIC CREDIT
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"RetroFuture Clean" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Episode 6

College football preview: Pitt, Penn State and national picture

Pitt writer John McGongial and Penn State writer Mike Persak join Adam Bittner to preview each team's season and look at the national landscape ahead of Week 1.

Show Notes

College football season is here, so Pitt writer John McGonigal and Penn State writer Mike Persak join Adam Bittner to discuss the things they'll be watching in Week 1 (3:46), their team MVPs and breakout stars (17:27) and pick their favorites for the College Football Playoff (53:25).

MUSIC CREDIT
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"RetroFuture Clean" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Episode 5

State of the Steelers: WRs emerging, James Conner's value and versatile defense

Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo take a look at the Steelers halfway through the preseason and discuss who's emerging and how the team will look when the games count.

Show Notes

With Steelers training camp over, Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo discuss what they learned at Saint Vincent (1:27), break down preseason Weeks 2 and 3 (9:27), look at the versatile defense (16:21), view the Antonio Brown drama from afar (23:57) and pick a No. 2 QB between Mason Rudolph and Josh Dobbs (29:16).

MUSIC CREDIT
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"RetroFuture Clean" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Episode 4

Pitt football expectations with new-look offense and defense missing its star

Craig Meyer welcomes John McGonigal to the Pitt beat, and the two discuss expectations for the defending ACC Coastal champions heading into 2019.

Show Notes

Craig Meyer and John McGonigal discuss Kenny Pickett's ceiling under new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple (4:05), how the defense can possibly replace star defensive lineman Rashad Weaver (22:03) and Pitt's tough schedule to open the year (39:21).

MUSIC CREDIT
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"RetroFuture Clean" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Episode 3

Which Steelers have stood out in camp, and who to watch in preseason

Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo return home from training camp to discuss standout players and things to watch in the preseason.

Show Notes

Episode 2

Future of the Pirates after quiet trade deadline

Jason Mackey, Bill Brink and Nubyjas Wilborn discuss the Pirates' few deadline moves, why Felipe Vazquez is still here and their brawl memories.

Show Notes

Jason Mackey, Bill Brink and Nubyjas Wilborn discuss the Pirates trading Corey Dickerson (2:23) and try to figure out why Felipe Vazquez is still in Pittsburgh (11:33). They take a big-picture look at GM Neal Huntington's approach to team-building (23:26) and share their favorite brawl moments (36:24).

MUSIC CREDIT
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"RetroFuture Clean" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Episode 1

Steelers open training camp; Penguins offseason review

Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo discuss what they're looking for as training camp begins, then Matt Vensel and Mike DeFabo analyze the Penguins' offseason moves.

Show Notes

In the first-ever episode of The North Shore Drive, we dive into Steelers training camp talk with Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo. They discuss camp memories (5:25) and off-the-radar guys to keep an eye on (10:00).

Then, Matt Vensel and Mike DeFabo join us to recap the Penguins' summer so far (33:10), predict who could get traded next (44:20), and guess what the lines will look like in the fall (50:30).

MUSIC CREDIT
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"RetroFuture Clean" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Series Preview

The North Shore Drive Preview

Join us every week for a look at Pittsburgh sports with a rotating cast of Post-Gazette sportswriters from our home base on North Shore Drive.