Award-winning 93.7 The Fan reporter Josh Rowntree joined the show. He said Chris Oladokun got snaps today in scout team as the team prepares for Jacksonville on Saturday night. He said Mason Rudolph was the best QB of the day if he had to pick one, but the three main signal callers looked solid. Josh said Gunner Olszewski was the best of the receivers today, even ahead of George Pickens. He said Gunner will likely be a special team’s guy, like he was in New England, but could still find his way into the offense. Without hesitation, Josh said Zach Gentry will see an increased role in the Matt Canada offense in the absence of Ben Roethlisberger. He said Connor Heyward could push for some playing time in that role too. Josh said it’s hard to judge Devin Bush when the activities aren’t live because he becomes a different player (in a worse way) when the pads go on. Josh talked about the hope of Minkah Fitzpatrick wearing the green dot and being the defensive play caller, but he thinks it will be Myles Jack. Josh reported Najee Harris won’t play Saturday in Jacksonville, but said he could play in the preseason finale. Josh talked about Jaylen Warren carrying around a football in camp, but mentioned that’s because the coaches seem to really like him. He gave the feeling that Rudolph was made aware Kenny Pickett passed him up at the end of this past weekend.

If you had 10 carries in an NFL game, how many yards would you have? 

Dennis Eckersley called out the Pirates team, management, etc. last night and Greg Brown had a rebuttal. The guys debated if the call out was warranted. Poni doesn’t like another last place team calling out the Pirates. The guys think the team should do something about the Kirk Gibson iconic home run, which was hit off Eckersley. To the Steelers – Poni said he had a source tell him Kenny Pickett will start a game this year. What does that mean for Mitch Trubisky? 

Steelers insider Brian Batko from the Post Gazette joined the show. The guys asked Brian about his observations from camp the last few weeks. Brian likes the idea of Chase Claypool moving to the slot if George Pickens takes over a role on the outside. To that point, he talked about which WR could be left off the 53-man roster for the guys vying for the final spot. Brian believes Robert Spillane will win the inside linebacker battle over Devin Bush.  

Mike Tomlin named his Top 5 NFL coaches and it’s not one many would agree with. He left off Bill Belichick and the guys are surprised. Is it because he no longer has Tom Brady? He had Andy Reid and Sean McVay at 1 and 2. 

Steelers insider Brian Batko from the Post Gazette joined the show. The guys asked Brian about his observations from camp the last few weeks. Brian likes the idea of Chase Claypool moving to the slot if George Pickens takes over a role on the outside. To that point, he talked about which WR could be left off the 53-man roster for the guys vying for the final spot. Brian believes Robert Spillane will win the inside linebacker battle over Devin Bush.  

We heard the one-on-one interview with Jeff Hathhorn and Brian Flores.  

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike said the Steelers will force Kenny Pickett to earn the starting spot from Mitch Trubisky because the players want a proven player in that spot. Mike views Trubisky as an underrated player who has the shot until he blows it or gets injured. Mike said Pickett got a good review following his first preseason game even though his raw skills aren’t off the charts. Mike expects Mason Rudolph to be on the Steelers roster by week one, unless the team finds a trade partner – he won’t get cut. He said the Lions make sense for Rudolph because he doesn’t think much of Jared Goff. The guys asked when we will finally hear more of the Deshaun Watson case and when a resolution will be made. His best guess is 12 games and a fine around, but under, $5 million. He said the NFL wants “double digits” in terms of games. He thinks the Browns would almost prefer a full season if he got 12 games because they could kick his contract down the road for an extra season. Mike got into the Roquan Smith situation and what we could see happen with the inside linebacker that has requested a trade. The guys asked Mike about the Steelers young offense and said it wouldn’t surprise him if the Steelers traded Chase Claypool by this year’s deadline. 

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike said the Steelers will force Kenny Pickett to earn the starting spot from Mitch Trubisky because the players want a proven player in that spot. Mike views Trubisky as an underrated player who has the shot until he blows it or gets injured. Mike said Pickett got a good review following his first preseason game even though his raw skills aren’t off the charts. Mike expects Mason Rudolph to be on the Steelers roster by week one, unless the team finds a trade partner – he won’t get cut. He said the Lions make sense for Rudolph because he doesn’t think much of Jared Goff. The guys asked when we will finally hear more of the Deshaun Watson case and when a resolution will be made. His best guess is 12 games and a fine around, but under, $5 million. He said the NFL wants “double digits” in terms of games. He thinks the Browns would almost prefer a full season if he got 12 games because they could kick his contract down the road for an extra season. Mike got into the Roquan Smith situation and what we could see happen with the inside linebacker that has requested a trade. The guys asked Mike about the Steelers young offense and said it wouldn’t surprise him if the Steelers traded Chase Claypool by this year’s deadline. 

A Steelers source told Poni to expect seeing Kenny Pickett at some point this season. He didn’t say why, so the guys discussed if it was more likely seeing Kenny due to injury or poor play from Mitch Trubisky. The guys talked about teams in history that have started the season with one QB and have made the playoffs with another one. Poni thinks it would make Trubisky play better if the team instilled confidence in him from the start. Chris thinks it’s too much of a cut-throat game for that making him play better. 

Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown joined the show. After Dennis Eckersley attacked the Pirates for a “no-name” lineup and a “hodgepodge of nothingness,” the guys got Greg’s comments on it. Brownie fired a shot right back at the Red Sox. Greg said the Red Sox folks shouldn’t talk much – their team is also in last place in their division and one of the highest payrolls in baseball. Greg said sometimes broadcasters who don’t see teams much do not have a ton of homework done, especially the color commentator. Greg added that it is Eckersley’s last season in the booth and he could be at the point where he doesn’t care much what he says or what the punishment may be. Chris asked Greg about the Josh Bell case before the draft when the Red Sox kicked up a fuss over the Pirates overpaying for Bell. Greg doesn’t agree that the entire roster/lineup is a “hodgepodge of nothingness” because there are recognizable players. Chris asked Greg about the dangers of a losing club when a town posing a strong football love (like Pittsburgh) loses a lot of interest in the team. He doesn’t like the stat about close games because it means nothing in the final column.  

Another big night for Donny after he won a Pirates in-game entertainment game of Cup Stack.  

Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown joined the show. After Dennis Eckersley attacked the Pirates for a “no-name” lineup and a “hodgepodge of nothingness,” the guys got Greg’s comments on it. Brownie fired a shot right back at the Red Sox. Greg said the Red Sox folks shouldn’t talk much – their team is also in last place in their division and one of the highest payrolls in baseball. Greg said sometimes broadcasters who don’t see teams much do not have a ton of homework done, especially the color commentator. Greg added that it is Eckersley’s last season in the booth and he could be at the point where he doesn’t care much what he says or what the punishment may be. Chris asked Greg about the Josh Bell case before the draft when the Red Sox kicked up a fuss over the Pirates overpaying for Bell. Greg doesn’t agree that the entire roster/lineup is a “hodgepodge of nothingness” because there are recognizable players. Chris asked Greg about the dangers of a losing club when a town posing a strong football love (like Pittsburgh) loses a lot of interest in the team. He doesn’t like the stat about close games because it means nothing in the final column.  

93.7 The Fan Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn joined the show. Jeff reported that Kenny Pickett has seemed to take over the second spot on the QB depth chart. Jeff agreed the game speed didn’t look like it impacted Pickett on Saturday and it seems like he’s growing every single day at camp. Jeff expects Pickett to be the second quarterback to play on Saturday. Chris shifted the chat to Devin Bush and asked Jeff what impression the reporters had on his answers today. Jeff said Pressley Harvin III absolutely booted one today and hopes he will have a big bounce back season. Jeff thinks Kendrick Green still has the edge over Kevin Dotson in the left guard battle. Jeff gave a name for his Steelers Mt. BUSTmore.  

Pitt fans are not happy with Ron Cook

What should the Steelers do with Mason Rudolph? There are trade rumors out there and Poni thinks the Rudolph camp should request a trade. Two of the teams that would make sense are the Steelers next two preseason opponents – Jacksonville and Detroit. On the other side, Devin Bush had more stupid comments, saying even if he sucks again this year, he will still find a good NFL job next year.