Host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko recap the week in NFL mock draft picks for the team from across the Internet.
-Is Shemar Stewart a name we should pay more attention to in the defensive line conversation alongside names like Kenneth Grant, Derrick Harmon and Walter Nolen? Especially because he visited the team's facility while Grant and Nolen did not?
-Where does Dylan Sampson fit in the RB pecking order for GM Omar Khan after several multi-round mocks connected him to the Steelers this week?
-What should we make of Shedeur Sanders trending down and Jaxson Dart's continually volatile draft stock in the QB conversation and the Aaron Rodgers drama drags into another week?
-Could fans be happy with depth defensive line prospects including Jamaree Caldwell, Ty Robinson, Elijah Roberts and Jordan Phillips should coach Mike Tomlin not add the the bigger names in the earlier rounds?
-And how soon is too soon for Khan to consider a depth defensive tackle to work behind Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu and push them for starting roles if they struggle? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
On his weekly Saturday Conversations podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes Penguins broadcaster Paul Steigerwald to tackle a range of hockey topics.
Can coach Mike Sullivan's team sustain its late-season momentum into next season to give Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin a chance to return to the playoffs? How much should we believe in young players and prospects like Ville Koivunen, Rutger McGroarty and Sergei Murashov? And how much can GM Kyle Dubas accomplish with his slew of NHL draft picks in upcoming lotteries?
Our duo tackles those topics, then looks back on Paul's career as a broadcaster. How did it come to be after he started as the team's director of marketing? What was his relationship with Mike Lange? And what are his memories of the late play-by-play legend? What are his favorite stories from past Stanley Cup runs? When does he plan to retire? And which players does he put on the Mount Rushmore of Penguins hockey next to names like Crosby, Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr?
Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles previews the team's three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians this weekend.
Carmen Mlodzinski starts Friday night against former Pirate Luis Ortiz. What does Mlodzinksi need to show in order to shore up his place in the starting rotation? Is getting through the Guardians order twice the key? How will the bullpen perform now that it's rested thanks to some solid starting pitching performances this week against the Nationals?
Noah also breaks down some of the likely pitching matchups as NL Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes looks set to face Ben Lively and Mitch Keller faces off against Logan Allen. How can the Pirates generate enough offense to come on top of those games?
Finally, Noah breaks down the Guardians' start to the season. Numbers show they're about average across the board so far this year, but will this team that made the playoffs last season start to kick it into gear this weekend? Noah answers those questions and more.
On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko hold a fantasy draft of which players they feel GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin are most likely to pick in the NFL draft.
Will the answer come from the familiar DT trio of Derrick Harmon, Kenneth Grant and Walter Nolen? Could Nick Emmanwori be a sleeper option? Where do QBs Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart fit into the conversation? Are Darius Alexander, Jahdae Barron and Shemar Stewart wild-cards?
Our duo tackles those questions, then ponders which non-visitors to the Steelers' facility this draft season remain high on the radar. Then discusses whether T.J. Watt could be worth $41 million or more on his next contract.
Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Colin Beazley break down the Pirates' series win over the Washington Nationals, in which they won three of four games, which concluded Thursday afternoon with a 1-0 win. Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Bailey Falter and Andrew Heaney all gave the Pirates quality starts in the series, but how long can a strong starting rotation be expected to carry the team's lackluster offense? Is Oneil Cruz the answer to the club's leadoff spot woes, as the center field hit two home runs, including a grand slam, in this series? And what other changes could manager Derek Shelton make to the lineup to try to generate more runs? Our duo discusses those topics and more.
Host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey to discuss the Steelers' interest in running backs ahead of the NFL draft.
What should we make of the fact that nine of the team's 30 pre-draft visitors play the position? How much belief should OC Arthur Smith have in internal options like Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell?
Will GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin look to make a big splash and take a projected Day 1 option like Omarion Hampton to replace Najee Harris as a 1,000-yard caliber back? Or will they look to Days 2 and 3 with an eye toward building depth in the form of names like DJ Giddens, Bhayshul Tuten, Dylan Sampson, Ollie Gordon II, Jaydon Blue, Kaleb Johnson, RJ Harvey and TreVeyon Henderson?
In his weekly mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles answers reader questions.
Among them: What's preventing outfielder Oneil Cruz from becoming an elite MLB player? What role do analytics play in manager Derek Shelton's constantly shifting lineups? Which prospects beyond Bubba Chandler are worthy of promotions? Will Chandler bump Carmen Mlodzinski from the lineup whenever he reaches the big leagues? When could a potential change come with Ben Cherington in the GM role? When will we see more of Andrew McCutchen in the lineup? And is Jack Suwinski the new Cole Tucker?
On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo recap their final seven-round mocks ahead of the NFL draft next week.
Why did both choose Oregon DL Derrick Harmon over other DL options like Walter Nolen and Kenneth Grant? And projected first-round options at other positions like Jahdae Barron at CB, Omarion Hampton at RB and Shedeur Sanders or Jaxson Dart at QB?
Will coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan chase speed at RB on Day 2 with names like Dylan Sampson and Bhayshul Tuten? How would those guys pair with internal options like Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell? Can Tyler Shough and Will Howard be capable backups to Mason Rudolph and -- possibly -- Aaron Rodgers quickly?
And why are OT Logan Brown, WR Konata Mumpfield, Ty Robinson, Jamaree Caldwell and Yahya Black among names to watch as potential Day 3 games? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
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On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes ESPN senior college football writer Heather Dinich to analyze the 2025 and 2026 NFL draft QB classes to find the best possible fit for coach Mike Tomlin's team.
How does Heather feel about 2025 options at the position including Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe, Will Howard and Tyler Shough?
Do any of them make more sense than names like Drew Allar, Nico Iamaleava, LaNorris Sellers and Cade Klubnik? Who all could be available next spring along with Arch Manning?
And what are Heather's thoughts on the Aaron Rodgers drama in the short-term, as OC Arthur Smith waits to see who will be throwing to star receivers DK Metcalf and George Pickens in the season ahead.
Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles previews the team's four-game series against the Washington Nationals this week.
Are Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller in must-win situations following the weekend sweep vs. the Cincinnati Reds? Can Skenes bounce back from his rough start last week vs. the St. Louis Cardinals? And what should we make of fellow rotation members Andrew Heaney and Bailey Falter?
Noah tackles those questions; offers injury updates on Joey Bart, Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz; ponders call-ups for prospects including Matt Gorski and Nick Yorke amid a promotion for Henry Davis; and offers stories to watch from the other dugout with the Nationals.