On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo react to the team's first training camp practice at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. They explain why it's way too soon to panic about a rough start for Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf, who connected just one time in four attempts Thursday. Why Metcalf is optimistic about the way OC Arthur Smith plans to use him. And how other piec...
Jul 25, 2025•26 min
Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the Steelers' first practice day of training camp in Latrobe. He gives thoughts on the news of the day, as new faces including Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith took to the Saint Vincent College practice field for the first time and as returning stars like T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and Jaylen Warren look to build toward the franchise's first NFL playoff win since 2017. He also weighs in on former Steelers quarterback Justin Fi...
Jul 24, 2025•31 min
Post-Gazette insiders Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo recap the first practice of Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. They react to QB Aaron Rodgers having his first pass to DK Metcalf intercepted by new teammate Patrick Queen; Jalen Ramsey talking over slot corner duties with Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay Jr. playing outside; Juan Thornhill getting extensive looks in the absence of Minkah Fitzpatrick at safety; Jonnu Smith doing limited work in his first appearance in a...
Jul 24, 2025•8 min
In his weekly Pirates mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette insider Noah Hiles answers reader questions. Among them: What is the likelihood GM Ben Cherington deals Oneil Cruz at this year's MLB trade deadline? Is the Pirates' potential interest in trading Mitch Keller related to Bob Nutting wanting to get his salary off the books? What are the chances the Pirates stand pat at the deadline? What major league hitters are realistic trade targets for the Pirates? And which of the Pirates' late-round MLB dra...
Jul 24, 2025•16 min
He weighs in on report day for Steelers training camp, which included several highlights. From the arrival of Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith following their acquisition via the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade; to T.J. Watt returning after his brief hold out; to new faces Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf acquainting themselves with Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Paul has every angle covered. He also gives his thoughts on the Pirates as they wrap up their series victory against the Detroit Tigers with the M...
Jul 23, 2025•31 min
Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Colin Beazley discuss Spencer Horwitz and his performance against the Tigers, including his grand slam on Wednesday. Noah believes it's something that will be important moving forward, as the Pirates have had a revolving door at first base in recent years. Colin talks about Horwitz's recent frustration and what this week's performance meant to him.
Jul 23, 2025•8 min
Post-Gazette insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo recap report day for Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. They explain why there's a "new team" energy T.J. Watt spoke of around coach Mike Tomlin's group this summer, following the offseason acquisition of names like Aaron Rodgers, Jonnu Smith, Jalen Ramsey and DK Metcalf by GM Omar Khan. Plus the draft selection of names like Derrick Harmon, Kaleb Johnson, Jack Sawyer and Yaha Black. Then later, the guys look ahead to ...
Jul 23, 2025•8 min
On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko break down the biggest positional battles ahead of training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. How does the secondary trio of Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay and Joey Porter Jr. get used at CB/S now that Minkah Fitzpatrick is no longer in Pittsburgh? Are the LB/DL positions now primed to stop the run with the addition of rookie ...
Jul 23, 2025•28 min
Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley recaps the week in Pirates prospect news, which included a second perfect game in nine days from Class High-A Greensboro ahead of the MLB trade deadline next week. He also gives updates on individuals in the minor league system including Bubba Chandler, Billy Cook, Jared Triolo, Konnor Griffin, Tony Blanco Jr, Edward Florentino and more.
Jul 22, 2025•9 min
On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes colleague Ray Fittipaldo for a position-by-position preview of training camp, which begins Wednesday at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. -How will things shape up at QB behind Aaron Rodgers, with Will Howard challenging Mason Rudolph for the backup role? -Is Jaylen Warren prepared to assume starter duties in the backfield, with Kaleb Johnson, Kenneth Gainwell and Trey Sermon also jockeying for t...
Jul 22, 2025•32 min
Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles reports the latest of what he's hearing about the Pirates' dealings ahead of the MLB trade deadline next week. Are the rumors that Ben Cherington will be fired as GM soon actually bunk? And what power will he have to make a major deal before the deadline in the eyes of owner Bob Nutting? Are the New York Yankees making a play for Mitch Keller? Perhaps more so than the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs? What's a reasonable return for him in a deal? And is movi...
Jul 21, 2025•9 min
On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to react to the revelation of the team's new throwback uniforms, inspired by its original look from 1933. Is it too loud like the infamous "bumblebee" uniforms of the last decade? Will we miss the block numbers from the 1970s that characterized the last few years of throwbacks? And what tweaks could they have made to the kit? Our...
Jul 21, 2025•39 min
Pirates insider Noah Hiles dives into the team being swept for the eighth time this season, this time at the hands of the bottom-dwelling Chicago White Sox at home. The loss drops Pittsburgh as a franchise to below .500 all-time for the first time since 1903 and marks the team's 11th loss in 12 games. Amid their ugliest stretch of the season, the Pirates also now look to have an issue with the starting rotation, as Andrew Heaney and Bailey Falter have both struggled as of late. Noah breaks it al...
Jul 20, 2025•9 min
On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to draft 2025 breakout candidates ahead of training camp next week at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. Is Payton Wilson the most obvious pick, given the prominent role he's expected to have? Can names like Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, Joey Porter Jr. and Jaylen Warren take the next step in their careers to establish themselves...
Jul 18, 2025•31 min
In his weekly Pirates mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette insider Noah Hiles answers reader questions. Among them: When will MLB award Pittsburgh another MLB All-Star game to possibly showcase stars like Oneil Cruz and Paul Skenes in their home stadium? What's the latest Noah's hearing on the trade front, with particular regard to Mitch Keller? Could the Chicago Cubs be looking to acquire Ke'Bryan Hayes? Did GM Ben Cherington get enough for trading Adam Frazier to the Kansas City Royals for Cam Devann...
Jul 18, 2025•27 min
Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the Steelers’ new 4-year contract with linebacker T.J. Watt, which averages significantly less than the reported $40 million per year he was seeking. Did GM Omar Khan make a good deal, solidifying his team’s future after acquisitions of big name veterans this offseason, including DK Metcalf, Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith? Or did he hamstring the future for a core that includes names like Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton, Joey Porter J...
Jul 17, 2025•52 min
Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to react to the hot topics in Pittsburgh sports this week. Should Steelers GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin make an exception to their rule of not negotiating contracts with players during training camp and into the season when it comes to T.J. Watt? Or should they stick to their guns as he reportedly seeks a contract that would take him to his age 36 season? Is there still time to trade him? And would that defeat the purpose o...
Jul 17, 2025•46 min
On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to ponder which returning players are under the most pressure when training camp begins next week at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. They start with the offense. Is Broderick Jones under real pressure right now? Or does the lack of competition at tackle give him a longer runway to prove himself? How will Jaylen Warren cope w...
Jul 16, 2025•34 min
Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m. Eastern. He gives his thoughts on a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter that the number of years in his next contract has become the sticking point in contract negotiations with T.J. Watt. Should GM Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin give into the demands of a player who will turn 31 this season? Or hold firm and not commit to him for too long on a defense that already includes older players such as Cam H...
Jul 15, 2025•31 min
On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes receiver Calvin Austin III to tackle a range of hot topics ahead of training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe next week. Calvin shares his message for kids in his native Memphis, Tenn., ahead of his youth camp coming up this weekend; explains why he likes the getaway nature of coach Mike Tomlin's camp; gives his reaction to the big Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith trade a ...
Jul 15, 2025•23 min
On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to discuss what's at stake for the team's rookies during training camp, which begins next week at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. What does first-round NFL draft pick Derrick Harmon need to do to solidify his status as a presumed defensive line starter next to Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton? How much of him will we see in the pr...
Jul 14, 2025•32 min
Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles provides his analysis on Day 1 of the Pirates 2025 draft activity, which included four picks in the first three rounds. The draft started with a bang, as the top right-handed pitching prospect, 19-year-old Seth Hernandez, slide to the Pirates at No. 6. That pick was followed by another young arm, then with a pair of experienced collegiate bats. Hiles gives the rundown on all four players.
Jul 14, 2025•9 min
Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news and analyzes the Steelers' upcoming 2025 NFL regular season schedule. How good of a start does Pittsburgh need to have to secure a home playoff game with early-season contests against the Jets, Seahawks, Patriots, Vikings and Browns? What record does Mike Tomlin and company need to maintain in the AFC North against powerhouse offenses like the Ravens and Bengals? Paul breaks down the roster depth on both sides o...
Jul 11, 2025•28 min
In his weekly mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles answers reader questions. Among them: How many full seasons does Paul Skenes actually have remaining in Pittsburgh? What are the team's best and worst-case scenarios for this weekend's MLB draft? How much does a draft prospect's agency affect their willingness to draft a player? Is it true that Ben Cherington didn’t do much in free agency because he spent too much of the baseball budget on the analytics department? If so, how...
Jul 11, 2025•23 min
Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news and breaks down why he believes the Pittsburgh Steelers and T.J. Watt are currently playing a game of high-stakes chicken with his deal. Will Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan listen to trade offers from division rivals like the Baltimore Ravens over the next two months, or will they eventually make Watt the highest-paid defensive player in the league above the Cleveland Browns' Myles Garrett? Lastly, Paul dives into mo...
Jul 10, 2025•30 min
Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news and analyzes whether the Steelers are legit postseason contenders ahead of the 2025 NFL regular season. Paul breaks down why he believes this is the best Steelers team on both sides of the ball since Pittsburgh had Ben Roethlisberger in 2017. Do the additions of Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith, among others, make this team a threat to win the AFC North and actually win a playoff game come winter? Con...
Jul 09, 2025•32 min
Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news and breaks down a number of recent Steelers trending topics, including fallout from the Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith and Minkah Fitzpatrick trade. He also breaks down the misconception behind Art Rooney's franchise ownership as the Steelers turn 92 today, after he founded the team in 1933. Did the Steelers fleece the Dolphins on the trade, given recent reports that Miami was unhappy with Ramsey's locker room behavi...
Jul 08, 2025•31 min
Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles discusses the last week in the Pirates minor leagues, leading with the High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers twirling a combined perfect game on the Fourth of July. Noah starts by discussing that impressive feat by farmhand pitchers Khristian Curtis, Jake Shirk and Michael Walsh, then breaks down updates from some of GM Ben Cherington's top prospects. Noah gives updates on Konnor Griffin, Hunter Barco, Nick Yorke, Wyatt Sanford, Ronny Simon, Antwone Kelly, Javier...
Jul 08, 2025•9 min
Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley unpacks Pittsburgh's series sweep in Seattle, as the team was shut out in three consecutive games and had one extra base hit all series. Beazley makes the case that this is the worst offensive series in Pirates history, noting that this was the first time since 1888 that the club had been shut out for an entire series. Beazley then focuses on the pitching, which continued to be solid. Mike Burrows and Paul Skenes both had good starts against the Mariner...
Jul 07, 2025•9 min
Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news and breaks down a number of recent Steelers trending topics, including Terry Bradshaw's controversial comments about Chuck Noll. Is prime Aaron Rodgers better than prime Patrick Mahomes? Paul reacts to Big Ben's recent comments and discusses why the Steelers' former Super Bowl-winning QB would come out and say that on his podcast. Also, was Bill Cowher correct in saying that Rodgers needs "the keys" to Pittsburg...
Jul 07, 2025•33 min
