Former Penguin Tyler Kennedy joined the show. Tyler commented on Marc-Andre Fleury coming back to Pittsburgh, but not playing in the game. He said why Fleury was such a lovable teammate. TK talked about how the Penguins have turned some things around in this last little set of games. Tyler wished a new Penguin well, even though he’s going to be rocking the #48. Chris asked Tyler about the upcoming schedule and if the team is looking at this in a chunk of games or just one at a time. TK also talked about some challenges to Christmas shopping. 

We all got got by a fake Jason Mackey account on Twitter. The guys are scrambling after a fake trade rumor was spread around that was quickly picked up by multiple notable media members. 

HOUR 1: Is the Mike Tomlin message still hitting the mark? Diontae Johnson says so. Donny and Chris don’t buy it. Given the effort we saw Saturday, the last three games and in some cases, all season, it just isn’t there. The Steelers are still making mistakes heading into Week 16 that they should have had cleaned up for the last two months. 

Is there belief in the quarterback position within the locker room? Chris thinks the receivers, mostly George Pickens and Diontae Johnson, have let that frustration get to them, but it isn’t completely unwarranted. A few fans gave their thoughts on what is going on with the Steelers as a whole right now. 

HOCKEY TALK! The Penguins won in the return of Marc-Andre Fleury, but he didn’t play. The fans were clamoring for it and even when the Pens went up 3-0, they didn’t get their wish. And Chris explained why the 7-0 loss to Toronto looked worse the other night. How does their schedule pan out for them going forward? Chris wants to see 8 points in the next 5-6 games to try and make some headway after the new year. 

Peter King suggested the Steelers benching George Pickens for Saturday’s game against the Bengals. Would that be a smart move? The game is still technically of meaning, so would it make sense to bench one of your best skilled players? The guys agreed that his usual effort spits in the face of something Mike Tomlin consistently preaches and believes in. 

George Pickens has spoken. In his chat with the media, some answers did not sit well with the guys. He brought out some classic gems and blamed the media for his lack of effort being a story.  

We listened to more of the George Pickens media session today which included another shot at the media and what he thinks of Mason Rudolph. 

BREAKING NEWS: The Pirates have re-signed Andrew McCutchen to a 1-year deal worth reportedly $5M. The guys gave their initial thoughts on the move and what it means for the team. We took some more calls on the Cutch news and the George Pickens words from today. 

Donny Football Debrief – Funny college bowl games are off and running.

Pirates insider Jason Mackey from the PG joined the show. Jason recapped the breaking news that Andrew McCutchen has re-signed with the Pirates. Jason talked about what made the deal come to be and if it’s any different, financially, to what the deal was last year. Jason doesn’t expect to be an everyday player this season and thinks the team has to figure out a way to work his role the smartest way possible. Jason thinks this move to bring back Cutch is just a building block to something bigger coming up. Jason said they are not done addressing the pitching staff and suggested a few ways the Pirates could make something happen. He got into the free agent market and where the Pirates feel comfortable finding players. Jason talked about the strategy and methods the Pirates use in the off-season when it comes to building a roster. 

The route George Pickens decided to take today was to attack the media for why he is consistently putting together lazy efforts. What does this say in year two for Pickens that his game has seemingly gotten worse and his attitude has greatly diminished? How much of that falls on Mike Tomlin? Callers gave their take.

Steelers insider Brian Batko from the PG joined the show. Brian commented on the George Pickens words from today and how that sits with him. He talked about how it isn’t a good look for Mike Tomlin, especially at this stage of his career. Brian mentioned how sometimes players are truly different in the real world opposed to what they are like in the media scrums, but he said it doesn’t seem like Pickens has ever taken accountability for anything. Brian said it becomes a very difficult thing for Tomlin to deal with and at what point is it not worth having the player around anymore? Brian talked about the injury issues the team is currently going through and what things are looking like for Saturday. Brian puts a part-time Pickens benching for Saturday is at 40 percent, depending on how things go the rest of the week.

Callers give their thoughts on the top stories of the day.

Steelers insider Brian Batko from the PG joined the show. Brian commented on the George Pickens words from today and how that sits with him. He talked about how it isn’t a good look for Mike Tomlin, especially at this stage of his career. Brian mentioned how sometimes players are truly different in the real world opposed to what they are like in the media scrums, but he said it doesn’t seem like Pickens has ever taken accountability for anything. Brian said it becomes a very difficult thing for Tomlin to deal with and at what point is it not worth having the player around anymore? Brian talked about the injury issues the team is currently going through and what things are looking like for Saturday. Brian puts a part-time Pickens benching for Saturday is at 40 percent, depending on how things go the rest of the week. 

Pirates insider Jason Mackey from the PG joined the show. Jason recapped the breaking news that Andrew McCutchen has re-signed with the Pirates. Jason talked about what made the deal come to be and if it’s any different, financially, to what the deal was last year. Jason doesn’t expect to be an everyday player this season and thinks the team has to figure out a way to work his role the smartest way possible. Jason thinks this move to bring back Cutch is just a building block to something bigger coming up. Jason said they are not done addressing the pitching staff and suggested a few ways the Pirates could make something happen. He got into the free agent market and where the Pirates feel comfortable finding players. Jason talked about the strategy and methods the Pirates use in the off-season when it comes to building a roster. 

BREAKING NEWS: The Pirates have re-signed Andrew McCutchen to a 1-year deal worth reportedly $5M. The guys gave their initial thoughts on the move and what it means for the team. 

George Pickens has spoken. In his chat with the media, some answers did not sit well with the guys. He brought out some classic gems and blamed the media for his lack of effort being a story.