Kenny Pickett did not participate in 7-shots in day two of camp, creating more early concern about where he stands on the depth chart. How much should we look into his early participation?

Rob Zombie giveaway. 

Ben Roethlisberger spoke this morning in response to Cam Heyward responding to him. It seems like it now may be put to bed. Chris believes Heyward won the mini debate and appears stronger as a leader than ever before. He feels like Ben back-pedaled on a few comments made in the Post-Gazette interview. Ultimately, it seems like Ben’s comments were just shots at Mike Tomlin, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, and didn’t venture much further than that. 

Chris said there’s a position “battle” hiding in plain sight. He said Mitch Trubisky is the man based on how reps are being treated, even after just one full day of camp. Kevin Dotson was asked about his battle with Kendrick Green, in which he said it’s absolutely a competition. Those guys split reps 50/50 yesterday with the starting unit. Trubisky got every rep with the one’s and Kenny Pickett took reps with the third string. How long will Trubisky hold the job? That’s the real question. 

This Day in Pirates History: The Brian Giles walk-off home run.

This Day in Pirates History: The Brian Giles walk-off home run. 

Ben Roethlisberger spoke this morning in response to Cam Heyward responding to him. It seems like it now may be put to bed. Chris believes Heyward won the mini debate and appears stronger as a leader than ever before. He feels like Ben back-pedaled on a few comments made in the Post-Gazette interview. Ultimately, it seems like Ben’s comments were just shots at Mike Tomlin, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, and didn’t venture much further than that. 

Funny headlines. Are aliens real? And should Rod Woodson be banned from the show? 

Reset. 

Funny headlines. Are aliens real? And should Rod Woodson be banned from the show?

Mitch Trubisky took every first team rep in practice today. How much of a battle will it be? Kenny Pickett took third team reps behind Mason Rudolph. Chris reiterates the point made by Mike Florio – that the pick is wasted if Pickett can’t jump Rudolph on the depth chart. We heard from Trubisky after his first day in practice as QB1.   

93.7 The Fan Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn joined the show. Jeff reported Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph did not get a single first team rep as they all went to Mitch Trubisky. Jeff chalked that up to being the first day, saying it was a very controlled atmosphere. Jeff described Trubisky as “ehh” after day one. The guys asked Jeff about what’s going on with Diontae Johnson after the WR basically sat out the first day. Jeff talked about a rotation of guys at inside linebacker with Myles Jack, Devin Bush, Robert Spillane and even Buddy Johnson for tomorrow. He shared his thoughts on what Cam Heyward had to say in response to Ben Roethlisberger. Poni asked for an offensive and defensive MVP from day one – George Pickens and Carlins Platel. 

93.7 The Fan Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn joined the show. Jeff reported Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph did not get a single first team rep as they all went to Mitch Trubisky. Jeff chalked that up to being the first day, saying it was a very controlled atmosphere. Jeff described Trubisky as “ehh” after day one. The guys asked Jeff about what’s going on with Diontae Johnson after the WR basically sat out the first day. Jeff talked about a rotation of guys at inside linebacker with Myles Jack, Devin Bush, Robert Spillane and even Buddy Johnson for tomorrow. He shared his thoughts on what Cam Heyward had to say in response to Ben Roethlisberger. Poni asked for an offensive and defensive MVP from day one – George Pickens and Carlins Platel. 

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike thinks Mitch Trubisky will get the inside track on the starting job and have the opportunity to take it, but Kenny Pickett won’t be far behind. He said it’s easier to go from the veteran to the rookie than the rookie to the veteran. He said the opinion in the locker room matters a ton because the other players aren’t thinking about which QB is better for the future, they want the better QB right now. Mike said if Pickett can’t leapfrog Mason Rudolph then the Steelers screwed up and picked the wrong guy. Mike got into the Deshaun Watson case and said the Judge Robinson verdict is not final. He expects the Steelers to see Jacoby Brissett in Week 3 and Watson in Week 18. Poni asked Mike about what will come of Diontae Johnson entering the final year of his contract. Mike had comments on Ben Roethlisberger taking shots at Mike Tomlin last week, saying Tomlin is one of the most respected coaches in the league. “Never say never” is what Mike said about a Big Ben comeback, but with him being a shell of his prime self, he doesn’t expect a team to ever reach out.  

Cam Heyward had an answer back for Ben Roethlisberger after the comments the former Steelers QB made last week about the me-first attitude in the league and in the team’s locker room. The guys think Heyward had all the right to have a response to Ben as the current team leader. As practice gets underway, the guys dove into the early reports. Donny is upset because Crowley broke his second quarter-inch headphone adapter in as many months. 

Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown joined the show. Greg talked about the upcoming Pirates team Hall of Fame and who should be in the inaugural class – he highlighted Steve Blass due to his career as a player, broadcaster and an ambassador. Greg is completely up in the air on if Jose Quintana will make another start with the Pirates as the trade deadline is just days away. Greg shared the comparison between Quintana this year and Tyler Anderson last year. Even as sellers, the Pirates may not do a complete dump of their roster.