We heard from Minkah Fitzpatrick as he met with the media after signing his extension.  

Poni said the Steelers need change if they fail with this defense, who is the top paid in the entire league.  

Poni is worried about the tennis ball sized hail and how it impacts beer league softball.

A passionate opening rant from Poni after Minkah Fitzpatrick talked about his contract extension with the Steelers. Minkah described the playoff loss to Kansas City as “embarrassing.” Poni said a lot of recent playoff performances fall under that category, even before Minkah’s career started. He said there should be a lot of pressure on Mike Tomlin and the entire staff going into the season with the number one paid defense. If not, things must change. 

93.7 The Fan reporter Josh Rowntree joined the show. Josh joined following the Minkah Fitzpatrick press conference. Josh commented on what we might see from the defensive play calling this season, but there isn’t much given away yet, since so far has been a lot of walk-thru type practices. Josh talked about who will have more input – Teryl Austin or Brian Flores. He said Austin is the defensive coordinator, but the impact from Flores will be “significant.” Josh said Devin Bush made it known that he had some fear last year playing on his injury, but appears to be over that fear, which could make him a better player. He doesn’t think Flores will put up with Bush being a “tentative” player in a real game. Josh thinks Flores could have guys ready to roll, like Robert Spillane or Buddy Johnson, if Bush can’t get the job done. Josh thinks Bush will be the best of the Steelers inside linebackers. Poni asked Josh about how Terrell Edmunds feels with the strong safety battle, but Edmunds believes he’s the unquestioned starter.  

Poni’s dad was banned from a Mexican restaurant.

93.7 The Fan reporter Josh Rowntree joined the show. Josh joined following the Minkah Fitzpatrick press conference. Josh commented on what we might see from the defensive play calling this season, but there isn’t much given away yet, since so far has been a lot of walk-thru type practices. Josh talked about who will have more input – Teryl Austin or Brian Flores. He said Austin is the defensive coordinator, but the impact from Flores will be “significant.” Josh said Devin Bush made it known that he had some fear last year playing on his injury, but appears to be over that fear, which could make him a better player. He doesn’t think Flores will put up with Bush being a “tentative” player in a real game. Josh thinks Flores could have guys ready to roll, like Robert Spillane or Buddy Johnson, if Bush can’t get the job done. Josh thinks Bush will be the best of the Steelers inside linebackers. Poni asked Josh about how Terrell Edmunds feels with the strong safety battle, but Edmunds believes he’s the unquestioned starter.

James Harrison says his play in Super XLIII was bigger than the touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Santonio Holmes. 

Reset on Minkah Fitzpatrick signing his big deal. 

Former Steelers weigh in on the Minkah Fitzpatrick deal, making him the highest paid safety in NFL history. Ryan Clark said he’s been very impressed with Minkah since entering the league.

Former Steelers weigh in on the Minkah Fitzpatrick deal, making him the highest paid safety in NFL history. Ryan Clark said he’s been very impressed with Minkah since entering the league.

Aditi told the guys the next guys up for Steelers contracts are Diontae Johnson and Chris Boswell. The guys debated which player they would pay next. Chris makes the point that Boswell is a very important player that has won the Steelers a lot of games and bounced back in a big way after a miserable 2018. He added that Boswell would require far less money, given his position. Based on what Aditi said, Johnson will cost over $20 million per year if the team continues to wait. 

Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown joined the show. Greg talked about the near no-hitter the Pirates fended off last night thanks to a Cal Mitchell double with two outs and two strikes in the 9th inning. Poni asked Greg about over-managing and why it had a factor in the Cardinals losing the no-hitter last night. Greg talked about how complete games are becoming rarer than no-hitters. The guys asked Greg if he expects to see Oneil Cruz this weekend when the team returns home. Greg thinks the Pirates were still playing decent baseball up until the last few days. Greg talked about how hot it was in the booth yesterday in St. Louis.

Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown joined the show. Greg talked about the near no-hitter the Pirates fended off last night thanks to a Cal Mitchell double with two outs and two strikes in the 9th inning. Poni asked Greg about over-managing and why it had a factor in the Cardinals losing the no-hitter last night. Greg talked about how complete games are becoming rarer than no-hitters. The guys asked Greg if he expects to see Oneil Cruz this weekend when the team returns home. Greg thinks the Pirates were still playing decent baseball up until the last few days. Greg talked about how hot it was in the booth yesterday in St. Louis.

Aditi continued on the Minkah Fitzpatrick contract impact.

Aditi Kinkhabwala joined the guys to react to the Minkah Fitzpatrick deal. The guys asked Aditi how this will continue to transform the Steelers defense going forward, even with an aging front seven. She talked about the pressure it puts on Minkah, the defense, Brian Flores and Mike Tomlin, as the team has the #1 most expensive defense in the league.

A huge deal for the Steelers as the team locked up all-pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick for 4 more years. The guys discussed what this means for the Steelers defense expectations and what the expectations are for Minkah, who has lived up to his billing so far in black and gold. 

Fan calls. 

HOCKEY TALK! The Stanley Cup Final starts tonight between Tampa Bay and Colorado.