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

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 recen...

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 Bar...

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...

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 Co...

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley discusses five potential partners that could make sense for the Pirates at the 2025 trade deadline, as the Pirates are expected to sell at the deadline. The Pirates will be listening to calls on everyone other than Paul Skenes, so Mitch Keller, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Andrew Heaney, Adam Frazier and more could be on the move. Beazley thinks trades with the Cubs, Phillies, Yanke...

In his weekly mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles answers reader questions. Among them: When can fans expect to see top prospect Konnor Griffin crack the major league roster? Is GM Ben Cherington focused on adding hitting at the trade deadline, and what could a star pitcher like Mitch Keller net them in return? Is it safe to assume Cherington will be back next year considering he's manning this trade deadline f...

On a special Thursday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko joins host Adam Bittner to analyze the team's receiving options following the acquisition of Jonnu Smith.

Will OC Arthur Smith use the tight end more as a WR2 behind DK Metcalf? Given that Smith put up big receiving options last year with the Miami Dolphins? How will his presence impa...

Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Colin Beazley discuss the Pirates' perfect homestand, as they swept the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals behind outstanding starting pitching and a reliable bullpen. Colin and Noah start with the starters, talking about Mitch Keller, Andrew Heaney and Paul Skenes against St. Louis, then they debate whether the success has an impact on 2025 or if it simply sets a positive foundation ...

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko ponder the coaching job in front of Mike Tomlin amid the acquisition of big personalities including Jalen Ramsey, Aaron Rodgers, Jonnu Smith, DK Metcalf and Darius Slay Jr. this offseason.

How will Ramsey fit into the secondary schematically following the departure ...

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 whether Steelers GM Omar Khan has made his team too old with moves for veterans including DK Metcalf, Aaron Rodgers, Darius Slay Jr., Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith. Can this team really compete with the NFL's best by making a roster that already including Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt older? Or could ...

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley reacts to Bryan Reynolds' recent hot streak, which has coincided with explosive offensive efforts for the whole lineup over the past week. Can Reynolds sustain this production to emerge from his season-long slump? Or is this a short-live hot streak? And to what degree can this offense score runs as long as he's hitting, showing an example for guys like Oneil Cruz, Ke'Bryan Hayes among othe...

On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes long-time Miami-area radio host and podcaster Orlando Alzugaray to react to the blockbuster deal between Pittsburgh and the Miami Dolphins, in which they exchanged CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith and S Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Was the deal mutually beneficial? Or just Miami's way of unloading its problems? Could a change of scenery help ...

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m. Eastern.

Are the Steelers actually any better after making their blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins for former All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey and TE Jonnu Smith while sending former All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick? Or is the team's talent level close to the same around new stars including QB Aaron Rodgers and WR DK Metcalf? Doe...

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley discusses the last week in the Pirates minor leagues, highlighted by Konnor Griffin and Esmerlyn Valdez's inclusion in the All-Star Futures Game. Colin starts by talking about Valdez and his meteoric rise through the prospect rankings this season, dominating at High-A Greensboro, then discusses Konnor Griffin and his similar success since being drafted No. 9 overall last year. Colin then g...

On a special LIVE Monday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko react to news that GM Omar Khan has made a series of blockbuster trade, bringing former All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey and TE Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh while sending former All-Pro S Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins. Is this secondary better with Ramsey ins...

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley previews the club's weekend series against the New York Mets with a focus on Mitch Keller, who has one of the worst records in baseball despite a solid 4.02 ERA. How much is his 1-10 record is his fault? How much blame does the offense deserve amid the struggles of names like Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds and Ke'Bryan Hayes? And what should we make of MLB trade rumors tying him to clubs like ...

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Christopher Carter welcomes podcaster Dave Dameshek to get his assessment of the team ahead of training camp next month at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe.

They begin by pondering which young players could be x-factors in 2025, with a specific focus on the 2023 NFL draft class that included Joey Porter ...

In his weekly mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles answers reader questions. Among them: Has manager Don Kelly handled outfielder Oneil Cruz's recent lapses correctly by benching him? Is there any reason owner Bob Nutting is holding onto GM Ben Cherington as the season slips further and further away? Will pitcher Andrew Heaney be dealt at the MLB trade deadline, opening up a spot for prospects like Thomas Harrin...

The Post-Gazette's Adam Bittner and Jason Mackey size up the NFL free agent wide receiver market now that Aaron Rodgers is officially in the fold for the Steelers as QB. Should GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin be targeting Amari Cooper as one of the biggest names remaining? Allen Lazard as one of Rodgers' personal favorites? Or could they still convince Keenan Allen to come to Pittsburgh to play alongside names like DK Metcalf, C...