Hall of Fame Steelers running back Franco Harris joined the show. Franco reflected on what it was like to announce Kenny Pickett’s name Thursday night at the NFL Draft. He was overly excited because he didn’t expect the Steelers to have a chance at picking him. He said he’s watched some of Kenny’s games and “he’s a player.” Franco gave his expectations for Pickett going into the season. He said it’s a tough adjustment to the NFL, but Kenny provides a lot of promise for the city and organization. The guys asked Franco what he thinks of the new Harris in town – Najee Harris – and how impressed he was by his rookie season. Franco plead the fifth when asked if he was more excited about announcing Kenny Pickett (Pitt) or Pat Freiermuth (Penn State) last year. Franco is fired up over the combination.

One of the top players in the NFL Draft gave love to a Steelers mid round selection. Sauce Gardner, taken 4th overall by the Jets, said Calvin Austin III, the Steelers 4th round pick was the best wide receiver he faced in college. Another source of the Steelers finding great value in the later rounds of the draft. 

Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo joined the show. Ray gave his odds on Kenny Pickett starting for the Steelers and when it would happen. He said there’s some question on how early it happens, which plays in large part to how Mitch Trubisky plays. He gave his initial thoughts on the Steelers draft class. The guys asked Ray how each QB plays into the Matt Canada offense. He added what he thinks happens with Mason Rudolph, which is likely a trade sometime before the season. He also left a small chance that Trubisky is on the move depending on how he reacts to the Pickett draft pick. Ray commented on the Steelers acquisition of Damontae Kazee, a safety who has started 49 games in five seasons. Ray said picking the QB in the 7th round didn’t make much sense to him.

Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo joined the show. Ray gave his odds on Kenny Pickett starting for the Steelers and when it would happen. He said there’s some question on how early it happens, which plays in large part to how Mitch Trubisky plays. He gave his initial thoughts on the Steelers draft class. The guys asked Ray how each QB plays into the Matt Canada offense. He added what he thinks happens with Mason Rudolph, which is likely a trade sometime before the season. He also left a small chance that Trubisky is on the move depending on how he reacts to the Pickett draft pick. Ray commented on the Steelers acquisition of Damontae Kazee, a safety who has started 49 games in five seasons. Ray said picking the QB in the 7th round didn’t make much sense to him.

The Steelers and Kevin Colbert revealed when the team made their decision on Kenny Pickett. Colbert said he really believes there are 5 starting QBs that got drafted this year. The guys called hogwash and think it’s because of how much work Colbert did on every QB going into the draft. 

Texas A&M football insider Billy Liucci joined the guys. Billy joined to talk about the Steelers third round pick DeMarvin Leal. Leal was in mock drafts last year and as early as six months ago going as a first round pick, some even had him in the top five. He fell to the Steelers in the third round. Billy said he could be the steal of the draft if he plays to his potential. Billy said he watched multiple games this year where Leal was the best player on the field. He believes if Leal left after his sophomore year he would easily have been taken in the top 15. He described Leal as a “tweener” given his stature while also labeling him as a “gifted athlete.” Billy expects a lot of teams to regret not taking Leal and the Steelers ended up with a great player. Billy thinks Leal with the Steelers is a match made in Heaven. Billy compared Leal to players like Ty Warren and Michael Bennett at the NFL level.

Texas A&M football insider Billy Liucci joined the guys. Billy joined to talk about the Steelers third round pick DeMarvin Leal. Leal was in mock drafts last year and as early as six months ago going as a first round pick, some even had him in the top five. He fell to the Steelers in the third round. Billy said he could be the steal of the draft if he plays to his potential. Billy said he watched multiple games this year where Leal was the best player on the field. He believes if Leal left after his sophomore year he would easily have been taken in the top 15. He described Leal as a “tweener” given his stature while also labeling him as a “gifted athlete.” Billy expects a lot of teams to regret not taking Leal and the Steelers ended up with a great player. Billy thinks Leal with the Steelers is a match made in Heaven. Billy compared Leal to players like Ty Warren and Michael Bennett at the NFL level.

Another pursuit of a Penguins’ Stanley Cup begins tonight. The guys debated if this was the ‘Last Dance’ for Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang together. Poni made his official prediction – Penguins in 6 over the Rangers in the first round. Chris doesn’t feel nearly as confident in the Pens to get it done. 

Penguins insider Rob Rossi joined the show. Rob thinks it could be the last go-round for the Penguins big three and he said basically everyone besides Sidney Crosby is expendable under the new ownership group and management. Rob gives the Pens a better chance than most against the Rangers because he isn’t sold on a lot of their players’ playoff experience. He talked about Tristan Jarry and his availability moving forward. Rob doesn’t buy into momentum when it comes to the playoffs, referencing some of the playoff issues we’ve seen from Penguins goaltending the last few years. He thinks the team could rally around the big three since it may be the final playoff run they have together. Rob believes if they split the first two games in New York, the Pens have more than a fair chance to win the series. Kris Letang’s old agent is the GM in Montreal and Rob thinks that’s an easy link to Letang’s future. Rob said he thinks Evgeni Malkin is more likely to return than Letang. Rob added a few players he thinks will be in their final runs as Penguins heading into the playoffs.

Penguins insider Rob Rossi joined the show. Rob thinks it could be the last go-round for the Penguins big three and he said basically everyone besides Sidney Crosby is expendable under the new ownership group and management. Rob gives the Pens a better chance than most against the Rangers because he isn’t sold on a lot of their players’ playoff experience. He talked about Tristan Jarry and his availability moving forward. Rob doesn’t buy into momentum when it comes to the playoffs, referencing some of the playoff issues we’ve seen from Penguins goaltending the last few years. He thinks the team could rally around the big three since it may be the final playoff run they have together. Rob believes if they split the first two games in New York, the Pens have more than a fair chance to win the series. Kris Letang’s old agent is the GM in Montreal and Rob thinks that’s an easy link to Letang’s future. Rob said he thinks Evgeni Malkin is more likely to return than Letang. Rob added a few players he thinks will be in their final runs as Penguins heading into the playoffs.

The guys from Bridge City Brinery join The PM Team.

Reset on Devin Bush being declined his 5th year option. 

Fans give their thoughts on Devin Bush, Jordan Addison and the NFL Draft.

Fans give their thoughts on Devin Bush, Jordan Addison and the NFL Draft.