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 tackle swirling trade rumors at the WR position. Could GM Omar Khan swing a trade for a No. 2 option across from George Pickens soon, as pundits including Bryant McFadden have suggested? Or might the process take longer to play out? Is Denver's Courtland Sutton a potentially cheaper option than Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers standouts the Steelers have been connected to for weeks? And how do names including third-round pick Roman Wilson, former fourth-rounder Calvin Austin and free agent pickups Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins figure into the receiver conversation? Our duo tackles those topics, then ponders whether Najee Harris could get a contract extension or see his fifth-year option exercised this week. Then Pirates insider Andrew Destin stops by to analyze Paul Skenes' latest strong start in the minors and his potential to join the club's rotation sooner or later amid profound struggles for the offense. 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 Pirates' latest punchless loss, a 5-2 defeat Tuesday against the Oakland Athletics. Is the club's strategy overseen by manager Derek Shelton and GM Ben Cherington of trying to see a lot of pitches flawed? Have key young players including Jack Suwinski and Oneil Cruz gotten worse compared to where they were one and two years ago? What is this club's offensive identity? Jason tackles those questions, reacts to Paul Skenes' latest strong start in the minors and highlights the importance of development successes like Drew O'Connor to the Penguins' future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On his weekly Penn State football podcast, Post-Gazette Penn State insider Seth Engle welcomes former Nittany Lions linebacker Jason Cabinda to recap the NFL draft for this year's crop of prospects in Happy Valley. Will Olu Fashanu thrive protecting Aaron Rodgers with the New York Jets? What kind of impact can Chop Robinson make for the Miami Dolphins? Was Caedan Wallace's third-round selection by the New England Patriots a mild surprise? And was Adisa Isaac drafted a bit lower than expectations? Our duo tackles those topics and ponders the landing spots of other Penn State NFL hopefuls including Hunter Nourzad, Daequan Hardy, Kalen King and Theo Johnson. Then Jason explains his own undrafted free agent grind, recalls the fun of the 2016 Big Ten championship run and outlines his plans for the year ahead as he looks for his next NFL home. 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 Tej Seth of SumerSports.com to get an analytics-based review of the Steelers' 2024 NFL draft class. Why do numbers gurus see first-round pick Troy Fautanu and third-rounder Payton Wilson as potential steals? Why is third-rounder Roman Wilson's potential range of outcomes a bit more murky? Why are second-round pick Zach Frazier and fourth-rounder Mason McCormick getting solid reviews as well? And how does the analytics community regard Steelers GM Omar Khan's moves, generally speaking? Our duo tackles those topics and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On his daily First 10 podcast, Jason Mackey reacts to the Pirates' latest loss to the Oakland Athletics, in which their offense struggled mightily once again. Is it fair to just blame hitting coach Andy Haines for the struggles of young players including Oneil Cruz and Jack Suwinski? Or do the team's problems run deeper? What can or should manager Derek Shelton change? And is it time minor-league options like Nick Gonzales and Ji Hwan Bae get opportunities in this lineup? Jason tackles those topics, then talks about the changes the Penguins and Steelers need to make in their respective offseasons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On their weekly Pitt football mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Abby Schnable answer reader questions. Among them: How will Kentucky transfer Jaremiah Anglin Jr. help coach Pat Narduzzi's defense amid transfers by prominent names including Dayon Hayes and Solomon DeShields? What other plays is Pitt targeting in the transfer portal? Will Marquis Williams get a chance in the NFL after not receiving a free agent offer in the immediate aftermath of the NFL draft? What is Jeff Capel's ideal next addition on the basketball side? And which player will be the next to step up in a headline grabbing way for the women's volleyball team? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On his daily Frist 10 podcast, Post-Gazette columnist Jason Mackey weighs in on the Steelers' draft class. How can coach Mike Tomlin's influence be seen in GM Omar Khan's choices? And what are the biggest questions facing top picks Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier, Roman Wilson and Payton Wilson? Jason tackles those topics, then talks Pirates. Can this offense be fixed? Or will it keep wasting strong starts by the likes of Martin Perez, Jared Jones and even Quinn Priester over the weekend? And how much are bullpen struggles by names including David Bednar and Aroldis Chapman hurting this team's chances of making a run at a playoff spot? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Mike's Beer Bar, host Christopher Carter and Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo react to the Steelers' NFL draft haul. Are first-round pick Troy Fautanu and second-round Zach Frazier likely to slide right into starting roles along the offensive line? What grades do GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin deserve for the class that also includes WR Roman Wilson, LB Payton Wilson, G Mason McCormick, DT Logan Lee and DB Ryan Watts? And is a reunion with Cam Sutton possible amid reports that he's met with the team since his release by the Detroit Lions? Our duo tackles those topics and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On their Pirates podcast, Post-Gazette insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin recap the weekend series against the San Francisco Giants and look ahead to the upcoming set against the Oakland Athletics. Can manager Derek Shelton's offense turn around its profound struggles that resulted in just three runs in regulation in three games? How much pressure is on Ke'Bryan Hayes, Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz to be part of the solution? Is a demotion for former first-overall pick Henry Davis inevitable now? Is Rowdy Tellez breaking out of his season-long individual slump? How surprising was Quinn Priester's efficient start Friday night? And is there still reason for concern about closer David Bednar? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko joins host Adam Bittner to react to the team's picks on Day 3 of the NFL draft. Could fourth-round pick Mason McCormick eventually start at guard if GM Omar Khan decides to move on from James Daniels and Isaac Seumalo in the next couple of years? Does sixth-rounder Logan Lee have the physical tools to become a rotation player on the defensive line alongside Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton? And where does fellow sixth-rounder Ryan Watts fit into the secondary moving forward? Our duo tackles those questions, and Brian adds thoughts on Day 2 picks Roman Wilson and Payton Wilson, who followed popular choices of Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier at the top of the draft. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to recap the Steelers' picks on Day 2 of the NFL draft after they took Washington OT Troy Fautanu on Day 1. What kind of impact can second-round pick Zach Frazier make from Day 1 at the center position? Is third-rounder Roman Wilson ready to be the No. 2 opposite of George Pickens in new coordinator Arthur Smith's offense? What can fellow third-round pick Payton Wilson add to coach Mike Tomlin's linebacker corps alongside Patrick Queen, Elandon Roberts and possibly a healthy Cole Holcomb? And how much credit does GM Omar Khan deserve for waiting for these players to fall instead of trading up to get them? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo joins assistant sports editor Adam Bittner to react to the Steelers' selection of Washington OT Troy Fautanu on Day 1 of the NFL draft. Will he start from Day 1 at right tackle? Or will he need time to develop like Broderick Jones did a year ago? How soon will Fautanu's selection allow Jones to work from the left side? And where does Dan Moore Jr. fit in this mix? Was Fautanu the tackle GM Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin had their eye on from the start? Or were names like JC Latham, Taliese Fuaga and Amarius Mims higher on their big board? Our duo tackles those questions, then gets into the team's Day 2 needs. Could the Steelers trade up in the second round for a center prospect like Jackson Powers-Johnson or Zach Frazier? Does the run on projected Day 2 receivers like Ricky Pearsall and Xavier Legette add pressure to select guys like Roman Wilson and Malachi Corley while they're available? And are there any other Day 2 names Ray is watching? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey reacts to the Steelers' selection of Washington OT Troy Fautanu in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday night in Detroit. Was tackle the right position to target, given all of the team's other needs -- particularly at center? How big of an asset will it be to have to first-round tackles in Fautanu and 2023 top pick Broderick Jones? And how important is it for GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin to grab a center like Jackson Powers-Johnson or Zach Frazier in the second round Friday? Jason tackles all of those questions and more, then gets into the Pirates. Specifically, he ponders free agent additions Aroldis Chapman and Rowdy Tellez and the reasons why they're off to such slow starts with their new team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Andrew Destin and Noah Hiles react to the club's 7-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday afternoon, which gave the Pirates a 2-2 split over the four-game series. What is wrong with Aroldis Chapman? Can he find his footing again and become the dominant reliever we saw at the beginning of the year? What does Rowdy Tellez need to do to break out of this slump? Has Oneil Cruz started to gain some momentum? And was Mitch Keller's lack of command a cause for concern? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey gives his thoughts on the Steelers' wants vs. needs in the NFL draft. Is the hole at center one that simply must be filled by a player like Jackson Powers-Johnson or Graham Barton? Or could this draft class still be a successful one of a less glaring need like tackle is addressed with names like JC Latham, Amarius Mims, Taliese Fuaga or Troy Fautanu? Jason tackles those questions, then pivots to Pirates. Is Paul Skenes' MLB debut creeping forward a bit, possibly to as soon as next weekend? Are changes coming with young players who aren't performing, including Jack Suwinski and Henry Davis? And could we see the return of Nick Gonzales sooner than later, now that he's tearing up Class Triple-A pitching with the Indianapolis Indians? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the Wednesday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Mike's Beer Bar, host Christopher Carter and Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko issue their final NFL mock draft picks ahead of the first round Thursday night in Detroit. Why does Chris think Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga will still be available when the Steelers pick at No. 20? Might Amarius Mims be the one of the only impact OTs left at that spot, as Brian projects? Why did both of the guys pass on trendy Steelers mock picks like Graham Barton, Jackson Powers-Johnson, and Cooper DeJean? And how do they see the rest of the draft shaking out, from quarterbacks including Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye to receivers including Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Oduze? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On their weekly Penn State football podcast, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette/Daily Collegian insider Seth Engle preview the NFL draft for Nittany Lions prospects. Can Olu Fashanu shake of some late whispers from critics about his readiness to earn a top 10 selection? Has Chop Robinson done enough at the NFL combine and Nittany Lions pro day to assuage concerns about his production in college? Is Adisa Isaac underrated? What do the later rounds hold for names like Theo Johnson, Hunter Nourzad, Caedan Wallace, Curtis Jacobs and Daequan Hardy? And did Kalen King and Johnny Dixon make mistakes by skipping the Peach Bowl and leaving college early? Our duo tackles those questions 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 welcomes Andy Phillips, author of "Round Zero: Inside the NFL Draft," to preview this year's event. Why do the Steelers' strategies of finding receivers in middle rounds, Hall of Fame centers and consistently great EDGE rushers stand the test of time? How is the draft process changing, and how do the Steelers, coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan fit into that? And how many of the Steelers' top potential targets will be available at No. 20? Will the likes of Tailese Fuaga, JC Latham, Troy Fautanu and Olu Fashanu all be gone? Will that level them with Georgia OT Amarius Mims? Or could they be forced to draft a center like Jackson Powers-Johnson or Graham Barton? And should Steelers fans root for QB names like Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix to go early to avoid that fate? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On their weekly Pitt football mailbag video, Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Abby Schnable answer reader questions. Among them: Will coach Pat Narduzzi replace the departed Dayon Hayes and Solomon DeShields via the transfer portal? How can the Panthers hold off programs capable of offering their players better NIL offers? And on the basketball front, how much can transfer additions Cam Corhen and Damian Dunn help Jeff Capel's squad? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On his daily First 10 podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes Indianapolis Indians communications director Cheyne Reiter to analyze the dominant start that Pirates No. 1 overall MLB draft pick Paul Skenes is off to in the minor leagues. What's made him so effective in his early starts? And how is he interacting with fans and teammates in the Indians clubhouse? Our duo tackles those topics and more as Pirates fans await his pending MLB debut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices