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

Post-Gazette Penguins insider King Jemison welcomes Noah Hiles to discuss the team's disastrous first two games of the Stanley Cup playoffs and wonder whether they have any shot at a comeback against the Philadelphia Flyers. This show is presented by FanDuel.

What has gone wrong for the Penguins, and why didn't they fix it in between Games 1 and 2? Do the Penguins look old, buoyed by stars like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson? How are the Flyers so much more physical and faster to the puck? What does this series outlook say about the future of the team? Do they have any answer for Porter Martone? Do the Penguins stand any chance of making a comeback? King and Noah tackle those topics, plus take a look at the most disappointing Penguins of the first two games and the few players who have shown up.

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On the Tuesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to analyze picks from his final seven-round mock before the 2026 NFL draft begins.

Why did Ray go with receiver Denzel Boston as the first-round pick, despite size that overlaps with what DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. already offer GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy? Is Keylan Rutledge closing a clear second-round value at guard? Does Treydan Stukes offer the versatility the secondary needs alongside Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey and Jamel Dean? Why would Antonio Williams be worth double dipping at receiver for? Is 6-foot-9 Travis Burke ideal insurance on Broderick Jones later in the third round? And why is Carson Beck the QB Ray settled on compared to other projected mid round picks like Drew Allar, Cole Payton and Taylen Green?

Our duo tackles those questions, then sorts through Ray's Day 3 picks, including TE Marlon Klein, DL Darrell Jackson Jr., LB Jack Kelly and LB Nadame Tucker.

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Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo react to the pre-draft news conference of GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy. Is Broderick Jones healthier than a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter indicated earlier Monday? Is there still a chance Aaron Rodgers will sign before the NFL draft later this week? Or will Mason Rudolph and Will Howard continue to be the internal signal callers for now? Will Khan make any trades as he holds 12 picks for this draft? If so, why is USC receiver Makai Lemon the name to watch most closely? And are Vega Ioane and Chris Johnson the other top 30 visitors worth watching most closely?

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On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo react to news that Broderick Jones has suffered a setback in his injury recovery and may not be ready for training camp or the start of the season.

Could this force GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy to go hunting for a tackle in the NFL draft later this week? Is Dylan Cook a viable alternative if Jones isn't healthy enough? And would first-round options like Kadyn Proctor, Blake Miller, Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu be fits to join Mason McCormick, Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier along the offensive line?

Our duo tackles those questions. Then ponders whether the Bengals' trade for Dexter Lawrence over the weekend may complicate the pursuit on a top draft receiver option like Jordyn Tyson, Carnell Tate, Denzel Boston, Makai Lemon or Omar Cooper Jr. to play next to DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr.

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Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Ray Fittipaldo and Brian Batko recap the introductory news conferences for coach Mike McCarthy's new lieutenants: OC Brian Angelichio, DC Patrick Graham and STC Danny Crossman.

How will Angelichio handle the uncertainty at QB with Aaron Rodgers still yet to sign and Will Howard and Mason Rudolph under contract? How will he juggle duties with McCarthy calling the plays? And what are his plan for a unit that includes known quantities like Jaylen Warren, DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Darnell Washington and Pat Freiermuth in addition to a young offensive line built around Mason McCormick, Broderick Jones, Zach Frazier and Troy Fautanu?

On defense, what will Graham preserve about the unit's signature 3-4 defensive scheme under Mike Tomlin? And what might he change up as he inherits contributors like T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr., Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon and others? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

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Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Stephen Thompson and Abby Schnable break down the Panthers' latest transfer portal additions and ponder whether the near-total roster overhaul can actually be a blessing for Jeff Capel's squad. This show is presented by FanDuel.

In this day and age of college basketball, could it actually be a blessing in disguise that Capel's squad will be entirely rebuilt for next season? Are there examples where a complete roster overhaul has worked for struggling programs? Can Charleston Southern transfer A'lahn Sumler give Pitt what it's been missing for multiple years now — a proven ball handler and strong 3-point shooting? And what should Capel do with his remaining four spots? Our duo tackles those topics and more.

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In his weekly Pirates mailbag video, Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley answers reader questions. This show is presented by FanDuel.

Is it too early to be worried about Konnor Griffin struggling to find his stride since his MLB debut? Has manager Don Kelly simply been unlikely with in-game decisions involving Brandon Lowe, Nick Yorke and Justin Lawrence? And in pulling starters like Paul Skenes, Bubba Chandler, Mitch Keller, Carmen Mlodzinski and Braxton Ashcraft early? And could GM Ben Cherington try to trade with the Texas Rangers for Andrew McCutchen if he continues to be productive?

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On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to sort through the week in NFL mock draft for GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy's team.

Is Ty Simpson starting to fade as a favorite choice for experts like Mel Kiper Jr. and Tom Fornelli? Have Vega Ioane and Omar Cooper Jr. begun to emerge as the most common choices with a little less than a week to go before teams make their selections? Are the Steelers serious about projected Day 2 QBs like Cole Payton, Drew Allar, Carson Beck and Taylen Green? Especially with Aaron Rodgers yet to decide if he will return in 2026? Will the Steelers have to take Keylan Rutledge in the second round if they want him? Why has Pitt's Kyle Louis remained a consistent later-round choice for experts? And why do right tackles like Blake Miller continue to show up in mocks despite Troy Fautanu's secure hold on that position? Our duo tackles those questions and more as they ponder who will join stars like Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr., T.J., Cam Heyward and DK Metcalf on the team's roster.

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Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the Pirates' series split with the Washington Nationals this week at PNC Park.

What should we make of Konnor Griffin's inconsistent start to his MLB career? Both at the plate and on defense, where he had an ugly error that cost the team three runs Thursday before redeeming himself with a triple? Can Oneil Cruz make his hot-hitting start last And what would that mean for the offense alongside names like Brandon Lowe, Ryan O'Hearn and Bryan Reynolds? And has Marcell Ozuna begun to shake out of his early slump and live up to the hype that accompanied his arrival during spring training? Paul tackles those questions and more.

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On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko is joined by sports editor Adam Bittner to ponder questions for new offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham ahead of their expected introductions Friday. This show is presented by FanDuel.

What will Angelichio's role be within Mike McCarthy's staff if he's not the play caller? What will he have to say about Aaron Rodgers with the QB still yet to sign as the starter ahead of Will Howard and Mason Rudolph? How will he use players like Jaylen Warren and DK Metcalf? On defense, how closely will Graham be able to mimic the scheme Dick LaBeau, Keith Butler and Teryl Austin have presided over for most of the last 25 years? And what are his plans for Jalen Ramsey?

Our duo tackles those topics, then explains why Drew Allar, Emmanuel Pregnon, Keylan Rutledge, Jordyn Tyson, Bryce Lance, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and Dillon Thieneman are NFL draft prospects they're willing to "bet a beer" on as potential Steelers picks.

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