North Shore Drive podcast - Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, Penguins and more

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Mike's Beer Bar, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to analyze third-round NFL draft pick Roman Wilson's role in new OC Arthur Smith's offense. How much potential does Wilson have to be a No. 2 behind George Pickens and ahead of names like Van Jefferson, Scotty Miller and Quez Watkins? Can he handle a high volume of targets after not seeing the ball a ton in his college offense at Michigan? Or are the Steelers going to need to trade for a proven No. 2 like Courtland Sutton, Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel? Our duo tackles those questions and more. They also ponder what the Steelers can expect in the NFL schedule release Wednesday night. And later, Pirates insider Andrew Destin joins Christopher to break down the team's series against the Brewers in Milwaukee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey checks in with former AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh Pirates sideline reporter Robby Incmikoski to see what he's been up to since leaving the network last fall. How are things in his new role with Bally Sports Southwest, covering the World Series champion Texas Rangers? And what are some of his favorite memories of working with the Pirates in a tenure that spanned the playoff years with Andrew McCutchen, Gerrit Cole and Neil Walker to more recent struggles under GM Ben Cherington and manager Derek Shelton? Our duo tackles those topics and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On his weekly Chipped Ham and Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko answers reader questions. Among them: Is a Pat Freiermuth extension really worthwhile for GM Omar Khan considering the tight ends injuries and uninspiring production? Should the team have selected a top NFL draft corner like Quinyon Mitchell, Terrion Arnold, Nate Wiggins or Cooper DeJean instead of the sixth tackle off the board in Troy Fautanu? Could QB Justin Fields be an option at another position like WR or KR if he fails to beat out Russell Wilson for the top QB job? What about undrafted free agent John Rhys Plumlee? And how quickly can Arthur Smith assemble all of his pieces on offense before the unit hits its stride? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey reacts to the club's 8-6 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night. Is it time to give shortstop Oneil Cruz credit for emerging from his early-season slump? How much longer can general manager Ben Cherington let Rowdy Tellez struggle at first base? And will the Pirates cum to regret designating Roansy Contreras for assignment to make room for Paul Skenes on the MLB roster? Jason tackles those questions, then explains why he prefers the Steelers' QB situation with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to the $212 million contract that the Detroit Lions just gave to Jared Goff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On their weekly Pitt mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Abby Schnable answer reader questions. Among them: What can Chris and Abby tell us about new Pitt transfer portal commits Chief Borders and Josh McCarty? How is Pat Narduzzi's 2025 recruiting class coming along? What are Blake Hinson's NBA chances after an impressive showing at G League camp? And what is the financial situation like for the Atlantic Coast Conference? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Monday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Mike's Beer Bar, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo joins host Christopher Carter to react to the team's rookie minicamp over the weekend. Should we read anything into Troy Fautanu working out at RT as opposed to LT? Is undrafted rookie Beanie Bishop an option at slot corner? Who is Anthony Averett, the veteran CB signed after a tryout during rookie camp? And how did new faces including Zach Frazier, Roman Wilson and Payton Wilson look on their first weekend as Steelers? Our duo tackles those topics and more on the football front. Then Christopher welcomes Pirates insider Noah Hiles to react to Paul Skenes' MLB debut against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday at PNC Park. And another series loss for the team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey reacts to Paul Skenes' MLB debut for the Pirates over the weekend. What was the atmosphere at PNC Park like for the win against the Chicago Cubs? What can Skenes improve before his next start against the same team at Wrigley Field this week? And what moves does GM Ben Cherington need to make now to improve a roster that lost yet another series? Could names like Rowdy Tellez be in jeopardy of losing playing time? Jason offers his thoughts on those questions, then turns his attention to Steelers rookie minicamp, where NFL draft choices including Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier and Roman Wilson got their first chance to impress while wearing the team's uniforms over the weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Mike's Beer Bar, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to preview the team's rookie minicamp. What will the NFL draft class that includes Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, Roman Wilson, Payton Wilson, Mason McCormick, Ryan Watts and Logan Lee show in their first workouts with the team? Do any of these players have a chance to start Week 1 -- or at least early in their rookie seasons? Our duo tackles those questions, plus reports that former linebacker Bud Dupree has been in contact with the Steelers about a possible return. Then later, Pirates insider Noah Hiles joins Chris to preview Paul Skenes' MLB debut against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday at PNC Park. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey tackles reasonable expectations for former No. 1 overall MLB draft pick Paul Skenes' MLB debut, scheduled for Saturday against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. He also explains why GM Ben Cherington and the front office kept word of Skenes' promotion a tightly held secret and what the promotion of Nick Gonzales could mean for the club's struggling offense. Later, he analyzes the Steelers' signing of veteran WR Scotty Miller, arguing the receivers room needs more talent behind Georgie Pickens as the No. 1. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charlotte Heyward-Wesley, mother of Steelers Cameron and Connor, talks with Post-Gazette Health reporter Abby Mackey about raising a houseful of children — all of whom she instilled with a respect for others and a drive to do good. Check out the Post-Gazette's newly launched 412 Kids parenting podcast for more conversations like these: https://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/412-kids-parenting-podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his weekly YouTube appearance, Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise joins host Adam Bittner to react to the Steelers' NFL free agency signing of WR Scotty Miller, who most recently played under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith with the Atlanta Falcons. Could Miller be useful? Or is he just the latest in a slew of uninspiring free agent signings that includes Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins? Does Smith's offense really require a strong No. 2 receiver across from George Pickens? Or is the emphasis on the running game with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren all that really matters? And is there still a chance GM Omar Khan gives quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields a bigger-name weapon between now and the start of the season? Our duo tackles those questions, then gets into some Pirates topics. Can Paul Skenes really help the team's results much as the offense continues to scuffle? How long will GM Ben Cherington allow 1B Rowdy Tellez to scuffle before giving his roster spot to minor league standouts like Nick Gonzales, Jake Lamb and Ji Hwan Bae? And are Oneil Cruz's early struggles more related to his 2023 injury? Or the Pirates clear issue with developing hitters overall? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson to talk about Paul Skenes ahead of his MLB debut, scheduled for Saturday against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. What makes the former No. 1 overall MLB draft pick special? How did the Tigers' run to a College World Series title last season prepare him for success at the sport's top level? And how does he compare to former Washington Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg, whom Johnson coached against when Strasburg was in college at San Diego State? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Pirates are calling up No. 1 prospect Paul Skenes, who will make his major-league debut Saturday against the Cubs. What does this mean for Jared Jones and the Pirates, who lost 5-4 on Wednesday afternoon to drop a winnable series to the visiting Los Angeles Angels at PNC Park? Will Skenes be on a pitch count? Does it even matter if the Pirates can't hit? Our duo discusses those topics and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Mike's Bee Bar, host Christopher Carter and Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo discuss the team's options in finding a No. 2 receiver behind George Pickens. Should GM Omar Khan continue to remain patient and see how internal options like Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins and Roman Wilson look during spring workouts? Should he target remaining free agents like Hunter Renfrow, Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Michael Thomas? Or could a trade for a name like Courtland Sutton, Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk still make the most sense at some point between now and the start of the 2024 NFL season? At what other spots could they look to add? And is Cam Sutton still a possibility at corner? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Then later, Chris welcomes Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles to discuss the team's series against the Los Angeles Angels and the chances we could see former No. 1 overall pick Paul Skenes in MLB this weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On their weekly Pitt mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Abby Schnable answer reader questions. Among them? What is basketball coach Jeff Capel's next recruiting move now that Kentucky transfer Adou Thiero has picked John Calipari and Arkansas over the Panthers? And why didn't Blake Hinson receive an NBA draft combine invite after his superb season in the ACC? Then on the football side, are Anthony Johnson and Jacob Bostick potential recruiting targets in the transfer portal? And does Pat Narduzzi need to emphasize Pitt's success in the NFL draft more frequently on the recruiting trail? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey reacts to Pirates manager Derek Shelton's Monday comments on Paul Skenes' pending MLB debut. Why would Shelton say last year's No. 1 overall MLB draft pick is "scheduled to pitch" in the minors this weekend, despite many signs that point toward him being promoted? Why does the club's schedule make a debut soon unfavorable if it's not this weekend? And what's the likely timeline if a promotion is still coming this week? Jason tackles those questions, reacts to Mitch Keller's complete game win against the Los Angeles Angeles on Monday at PNC Park and gives his thoughts on former first-round pick Cole Tucker's return to Pittsburgh with the Angels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On his weekly Chipped Ham and Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes undrafted free agent QB John Rhys Plumlee to talk about his signing with the team. How did the deal come together at the conclusion of the NFL draft last month? Why does he see himself as a QB despite some teams wishing to see him work out at WR during the draft process? Could he mimic the New Orleans Saints' Taysom Hill or former QB Kordell Stewart and play a "slash" type roll for the Steelers, switching off between positions? And why does he see himself in presumptive starting quarterback Russell Wilson? Our duo tackles those topics and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey weighs in on the Penguins' firing of assistant Todd Reirden from coach Mike Sullivan's staff. Can a fresh voice actually get the team's powerplay led by stars including Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang to click? Or is Reirden being scapgoated for that group's resistance to chance? Jason tackles those questions, recaps his weekend at the Pittsburgh Marathon and ponders what's next for the Pirates after a series victory against the Colorado Rockies over the weekend. Could Paul Skenes be promoted from Class Triple-A Indianapolis this week? Or will fans have to wait longer? And what needs to carry over into the next series against the Los Angeles Angels that begins Monday evening at PNC Park? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin react to the club's series victory against the Colorado Rockies this weekend. Is Oneil Cruz showing signs of coming around after smacking a pair of homers in the three-game set? Is Jared Jones becoming a stopper in this rotation? Is Bailey Falter regressing? And what's next for Henry Davis now that he's been demoted to Class Triple-A Indianapolis amid Yasmani Grandal's activation from the injured list? Our duo tackles those topics and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices