Post-Gazette high school sports insider Keith Barnes interviews Beaver Area quarterback Travis Clear, who was named the PG's WPIAL and Pittsburgh City League athlete of the week for his standout performance again Hopewell. Travis explains how he passed for a WPIAL-leading 391 yards and a pair of touchdowns to life his team a thrilling 51-50 victory that kept it in the mix in Class 3A.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise ponders the Steelers' recent past at the quarterback position. Would GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin have been better off drafting current Patriots QB Drake Maye -- their opponent in NFL Week 3 -- or another young QB like Bryce Young, Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, or C.J. Stroud? Even if it had meant losing seasons following the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger at the end of 2021? And how much better would it be for their long-term future if 2025 turns out to be a rough season with 41-yard-old Aaron Rodgers ahead of a promising QB class the could include names like Arch Manning, Drew Allar, Cade Klubnik, Garrett Nussmeier and LaNorris Sellers? Paul tackles those questions and the latest news from practice this week, which could include the return of first-round NFL draft pick Derrick Harmon from injury to bolster Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Yahya Black and the struggling defensive line.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the Wednesday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette Steelers insider Christopher Carter analyze the team's struggling running game and what can be done to fix it.

Is the lack of success holding back Arthur Smith's offense, even as its identity has shifted more toward Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf and the passing game? Are RBs Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell or offensive linemen including Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu and others more at fault for the issues so far? Is there a role for rookie RB Kaleb Johnson that makes sense right now? And how much is Najee Harris being missed in the early going?

Our duo tackles those questions, then pivots to defense. What issues is Christopher seeing on film? Is it a simple lack of execution from big names including Jalen Ramsey, Patrick Queen and Darius Slay Jr.? Or are there bigger problems at play? Is it a red flag that coach Mike Tomlin's defense was burned for touchdowns by the Jets' Garrett Wilson and the Seahawks' Tory Horton on virtually identical plays in back-to-back weeks? And how much of a concern should Ramsey's play be so far?

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise offers his thoughts on the struggles of the Steelers defense through the first two weeks of the NFL season. Specifically, he ponders the concern level regarding T.J. Watt not having a sack yet in 2025. Can the Steelers' defense be its best if he isn't making disruptive plays? How much have the defensive line's struggles in the absence of Derrick Harmon hindered him? Do Keeanu Benton, Cam Heyward, Yahya Black and others need to step things up for Watt to be the best version of himself? How much will the Alex Highsmith injury potentially hurt Watt by allowing defenses to focus on stopping him more? And can Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer step up enough to fill that void for coach Mike Tomlin's defense? Paul tackles those questions and the latest headlines from Tomlin's weekly news conference.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo react to coach Mike Tomlin's weekly news conference at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex ahead of an NFL Week 3 matchup with the New England Patriots.

They give their thoughts on Kaleb Johnson losing his role as a kickoff returner after his major gaffe against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2; Johnson's future in a backfield that Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell have dominated so far; Tomlin's belief that the run defense improved in Week 2 despite the Seahawks' Kenneth Walker III having a huge day; the offensive line struggles of tackles Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu; and Tomlin's late-game fourth-down decision that proved costly.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the Tuesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey and insider Ray Fittipaldo sort through blame for the Steelers' defensive struggles through the first two games of 2025.

Are coach Mike Tomlin and position assistant Karl Dunbar most to blame for the defensive line's ineffectiveness, particularly against the run? Or do Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Isaiahh Loudermilk and Yahya Black need to step up amid the injury to Derrick Harmon? Our duo tackles those questions and more defensive issues. Are defenses picking on Jalen Ramsey? And should fans be worried about T.J. Watt's lack of stats?

The guys also ponder some offensive topics. Are Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu in an early-season slump? Or are the experiencing something worse? What should Tomlin do with Kaleb Johnson after his enormous kickoff gaffe? And does Arthur Smith's distribution of carries for Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren make any sense?

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley discusses the last week of Pirates' minor league action, as High-A Greensboro was swept in its South Atlantic League playoff series. Colin highlights the success of the Indianapolis Indians and previews the Altoona Curve's upcoming playoff series, before giving updates on Hunter Barco, Jack Suwinski, Brandan Bidois, Eddy Yean, Konnor Griffin, Duce Gourson, Connor Wietgrefe, Esmerlyn Valdez and Callan Moss.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Stephen Thompson and Abby Schnable sort through an ugly Backyard Brawl loss to West Virginia for the Panthers and how coach Pat Narduzzi and Co. can bounce back ahead of ACC play.

Can coordinators Kade Bell and Randy Bates get the penalties cleaned up? What's the latest on the health of RB Desmond Reid and DB Cruce Brookins? Can Bell get QB Eli Holstein back into rhythm with some easy throws to names like Kenny Johnson and Blue Hicks? And what are the other biggest concerns that need to be rectified? From mental errors along the offensive line to the secondary's shaky play? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Editor's note: We apologize for audio syncing issues with this episode.

On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Ray Fittipaldo and Christopher Carter sort through the NFL Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

What's behind the inconsistency coach Mike Tomlin's defense has shown through two games? Particularly against Sam Darnold, Kenneth Walker III and Jaxson Smith-Njigba on Sunday? Why are key players like Jalen Ramsey, Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson and others simply losing one-on-one matchups? And will the woes require a change in scheme from DC Teryl Austin if they continue?

Our duo tackles those questions, plus a frustrating day for the offense. How much is QB Aaron Rodgers to blame of the lack and scoring? And how much criticism do Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier and the offensive line deserve for failing to give Rodgers the time to distribute the ball to targets including DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Roman Wilson?

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette high school sports insiders Mike White and Keith Barnes recap a busy week of football news around the WPIAL and Pittsburgh City League.

What should we make of Shady Side Academy's injury situation a week after forfeiting in controversial fashion against Clairton? Is Aliquippa championship material once again in Class 4A? What should we make of a key rule change for students at faith-based schools? What are small schools like Monessen, Avella and Cornell having success so far in 2025? And why is offense up across the district so far?

Our duo tackles those questions; spotlights James Armstrong of Hopewell and Jeffery Thompson of Clairton as shining stars; and previews the games of the week between Hopewell and Avonworth; North Allegheny and Norwin; South Allegheny and South Park; Monessen and Fort Cherry; Ringgold and Southmoreland; and Avella and California

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.