Pirates insider Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason shared his thoughts on what Ben Cherington said before the game yesterday and it doesn’t have anyone, including the diehards, very happy. Jason said the team is as bad as they appear and it wasn’t a time for the GM to say he’s seeing signs of progress. He said members of the coaching staff could be in trouble because of how poorly some veteran players have performed while with the Pirates to only see them play well elsewhere. Even with the status of their roster, the performance isn’t good enough. Jason said the team should be up front with the fans and explain there is a process before the team is good again. He referenced what the Texas Rangers have done. The guys asked Jason about David Bednar and if he will be on the roster after this year’s trade deadline. On Bryan Reynolds, Jason doesn’t think his stock is high enough to trade right now based on what he’s done so far.

Cook & Joe had two great interviews today with Mike Munchak and Jack Ham. Poni broke down the chat with Munchak and is very intrigued by the comments from the former Steelers offensive line coach. He said even if he doesn’t want to live in Pittsburgh, the Steelers could make something work. Ham wanted to give his comments on Doug Whaley saying he couldn’t’ hack it in today’s NFL. Ham said he would have adapted and been just find in modern day football. 

Former Steeler Arthur Moats joined the show. Poni asked Arthur about Michael Vick returning to football in the fan-controlled league. He has no doubt Vick can play in the league. Arthur said if he was offered $1 million by another school after his junior year of college, he would leave in a heartbeat. He said the Jordan Addison situation sucks for Pitt, but unfortunately it’s how the game is going. Arthur said NIL is an official thing now, but it’s obviously been around for a long time. Poni asked Arthur about the future for Stephon Tuitt if he isn’t present at OTAs next week. Even though the workouts are optional, but it would certainly be worrisome. He said players that want to be there will show up to OTAs, referencing players like Ben Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu. He said the Steelers have to be prepared in case Tuitt doesn’t show up. Arthur said he doesn’t plan on attending the Antonio Brown concert.

Former Steeler Arthur Moats joined the show. Poni asked Arthur about Michael Vick returning to football in the fan-controlled league. He has no doubt Vick can play in the league. Arthur said if he was offered $1 million by another school after his junior year of college, he would leave in a heartbeat. He said the Jordan Addison situation sucks for Pitt, but unfortunately it’s how the game is going. Arthur said NIL is an official thing now, but it’s obviously been around for a long time. Poni asked Arthur about the future for Stephon Tuitt if he isn’t present at OTAs next week. Even though the workouts are optional, but it would certainly be worrisome. He said players that want to be there will show up to OTAs, referencing players like Ben Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu. He said the Steelers have to be prepared in case Tuitt doesn’t show up. Arthur said he doesn’t plan on attending the Antonio Brown concert.

Aditi asked if any athlete ever took over a sport like Tiger Woods. Aditi gave her thoughts on NIL and Jordan Addison making the move to USC. She approves of college athletes getting paid, but doesn’t love that Addison will be making more than an NFL rookie like George Pickens. Aditi still believes Mike Tomlin would be a great college coach because of recruiting ability, but Tomlin has no interest in making the move. Aditi commented on the Diontae Johnson contract situation and said the two new receivers are likely insurance policies for the future.  

Former Steeler Robin Cole joined the show. Robin talked about the differences between rookie camp in 1977 and 2022. He talked about overcoming a bad first impression with Chuck Noll, which he said had to do with him being a Raiders fan growing up. Robin gave his thoughts on Doug Whaley’s comments regarding Jack Ham playing in today’s game – Robin said Ham would still be a Hall of Famer and that he’s one of the smartest players he ever played with. Robin said there’s no way players today could handle what happened in practice in the 70’s and 80’s. Robin did not sound optimistic about Devin Bush.

Former Steeler Robin Cole joined the show. Robin talked about the differences between rookie camp in 1977 and 2022. He talked about overcoming a bad first impression with Chuck Noll, which he said had to do with him being a Raiders fan growing up. Robin gave his thoughts on Doug Whaley’s comments regarding Jack Ham playing in today’s game – Robin said Ham would still be a Hall of Famer and that he’s one of the smartest players he ever played with. Robin said there’s no way players today could handle what happened in practice in the 70’s and 80’s. Robin did not sound optimistic about Devin Bush.

Aditi asked if any athlete ever took over a sport like Tiger Woods. Aditi gave her thoughts on NIL and Jordan Addison making the move to USC. She approves of college athletes getting paid, but doesn’t love that Addison will be making more than an NFL rookie like George Pickens. Aditi still believes Mike Tomlin would be a great college coach because of recruiting ability, but Tomlin has no interest in making the move. Aditi commented on the Diontae Johnson contract situation and said the two new receivers are likely insurance policies for the future.

Jordan Addison is officially headed to USC. Poni went on a passionate rant against the school, the football program and anyone involved with it. He shifted his thoughts to Nick Saban – saying Saban is a baby for how he has acted in the last 48 hours. He added that Pat Narduzzi should gain a lot of respect for taking the high road in a time he could have acted much differently. 

Aditi Kinkhabwala joined the show. Poni and Aditi talked about wedding gifts and weekend getaways. Poni asked Aditi her thoughts on the new-look Steely McBeam. She is not a fan. Aditi gave her thoughts on the Big Ben bad blood report, but she said she’s struggling to really see it after hearing the same thing about players like Troy Polamalu and James Harrison. Aditi talked about Ben last year and said he was engaged in learning the offense under Matt Canada. By comparison, Aditi believes Tom Brady pulled the phony retirement to get Bruce Arians to quit coaching. Antonio Brown also came up.

Aditi Kinkhabwala joined the show. Poni and Aditi talked about wedding gifts and weekend getaways. Poni asked Aditi her thoughts on the new-look Steely McBeam. She is not a fan. Aditi gave her thoughts on the Big Ben bad blood report, but she said she’s struggling to really see it after hearing the same thing about players like Troy Polamalu and James Harrison. Aditi talked about Ben last year and said he was engaged in learning the offense under Matt Canada. By comparison, Aditi believes Tom Brady pulled the phony retirement to get Bruce Arians to quit coaching. Antonio Brown also came up.

Jordan Addison is officially headed to USC. Poni went on a passionate rant against the school, the football program and anyone involved with it. He shifted his thoughts to Nick Saban – saying Saban is a baby for how he has acted in the last 48 hours. He added that Pat Narduzzi should gain a lot of respect for taking the high road in a time he could have acted much differently.

More Jordan Addison fallout as the star wide receiver has reportedly chosen USC over Texas after leaving Pitt. The guys debated if NIL is ruining college football. Chris said it doesn’t really matter – it will be a 7 or 8 team sport like it has been for years now. 

Former Steeler JT Thomas joined the show. JT said NIL is a big opportunity for kids in college and it’s a tough situation because the NFL isn’t a guarantee. The guys asked JT his thoughts on playing for Chuck Noll and the 70’s Steelers. The guys let JT listen to Doug Whaley’s comments on Jack Ham and he said he disagrees for several different reasons. JT said he has no doubt a lot of players from his era would translate into the game today. He said even with rules changes, the play styles could translate better than people seem to think.