Is it time for the Steelers to buck up and pay Alex Highsmith? Poni thinks it’s odd that fans aren’t clamoring for the team to pay another player like they have for players again and again in the past. Chris restated that he isn’t sold on giving Highsmith a big-time contract yet either. 

The guys reacted to their hour-long chat with Kenny Pickett. 

We heard media sessions of Cam Heyward and Patrick Peterson from today at OTAs. 

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett joined the show. Kenny talked about his start to OTAs and how he is already getting accustomed to his second year in the NFL. Kenny talked about his off-season training regiment and what was normally lined up on his schedule. The guys asked Kenny about how much different the playbook is to him this year, opposed to as a rookie. He said he felt much more confident in the playbook and his ability after the bye week. Kenny said he still shoots for 8 hours of sleep, but also wants to be that first guy in and last guy out of the facility every single day. Kenny preached the importance of taking care of your body in the NFL because of how much longer the season is than in college. Kenny got into what went into his weight gain, after checking in over a dozen pounds heavier this off-season. Kenny made sure to mention that it was “good” weight he added and not just 10+ bad pounds. Kenny’s new helmet was a point of discussion after he suffered two concussions last season. Kenny said the league has done a good job of protecting players. 

More w/ Pickett – Kenny fielded some fan questions about pregame meals and rituals, but he goes with a super laidback approach. Kenny talked about the butterfly and chills feeling before a big game. Off that, he commented on the feeling of entering after halftime of the Jets game for his first NFL action. The guys wanted to know about his relationship with George Pickens and what the budding star WR is really like. Kenny also got into some of the other newer targets he has, including Calvin Austin and Allen Robinson. He talked about the meaning of having a veteran presence in the locker room. Kenny is excited about how year’s draft went and how he has grown into a different role since he isn’t a rookie anymore. Kenny also listed off some of his favorite movies. 

More w/ Pickett – Kenny plays a little game of What Would Poni & Mueller Do?

More w/ Pickett – Kenny plays a little game of What Would Poni & Mueller Do?

More w/ Pickett – Kenny fielded some fan questions about pregame meals and rituals, but he goes with a super laidback approach. Kenny talked about the butterfly and chills feeling before a big game. Off that, he commented on the feeling of entering after halftime of the Jets game for his first NFL action. The guys wanted to know about his relationship with George Pickens and what the budding star WR is really like. Kenny also got into some of the other newer targets he has, including Calvin Austin and Allen Robinson. He talked about the meaning of having a veteran presence in the locker room. Kenny is excited about how year’s draft went and how he has grown into a different role since he isn’t a rookie anymore. Kenny also listed off some of his favorite movies. 

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett joined the show. Kenny talked about his start to OTAs and how he is already getting accustomed to his second year in the NFL. Kenny talked about his off-season training regiment and what was normally lined up on his schedule. The guys asked Kenny about how much different the playbook is to him this year, opposed to as a rookie. He said he felt much more confident in the playbook and his ability after the bye week. Kenny said he still shoots for 8 hours of sleep, but also wants to be that first guy in and last guy out of the facility every single day. Kenny preached the importance of taking care of your body in the NFL because of how much longer the season is than in college. Kenny got into what went into his weight gain, after checking in over a dozen pounds heavier this off-season. Kenny made sure to mention that it was “good” weight he added and not just 10+ bad pounds. Kenny’s new helmet was a point of discussion after he suffered two concussions last season. Kenny said the league has done a good job of protecting players. 

The Pirates have managed to fall very hardly back to earth after another loss today, putting them at 25-24 after a 20-win April. The guys thought even with the unprecedented start, the team couldn’t possibly fall to below .500 anytime soon. Chris said the Derek Shelton extension seemed a little ridiculous when it happened and it looks a million times worse now. 

Calls.

Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike talked about a conspiracy theory going around the league that he has been tied to. Mike said the Thursday Night Football flex rule late in the season isn’t fair to the fans, but it shows that the in-stadium experience is an after thought because it’s all about TV revenue and streaming. Mike said it was a lot of Roger Goodell, Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft who were the three main voices looking to flex TNF and the Broncos were one of the teams that flipped to make it happen. Mike expects streaming services to be peppered into the next TV deal and the future could be all streaming based. He said the NFL will always be able to force the hand, it’s just a question as to what is the drop off in viewership. The guys asked Mike if there will be more players suspended due to sports betting after a report of a “second wave” under investigation. Mike thinks no player will be an exception to the gambling rule, no matter the position or power in the league. Mike commented on Tom Brady having an ownership stake in the Raiders and if that means he will suit up for them at some point or if it holds up his TV career. The guys asked Mike about the new tweak to the kickoff and touchback rule – Mike thinks they are slowly working toward a time when the kickoff is out of the game in general. 

Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike talked about a conspiracy theory going around the league that he has been tied to. Mike said the Thursday Night Football flex rule late in the season isn’t fair to the fans, but it shows that the in-stadium experience is an after thought because it’s all about TV revenue and streaming. Mike said it was a lot of Roger Goodell, Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft who were the three main voices looking to flex TNF and the Broncos were one of the teams that flipped to make it happen. Mike expects streaming services to be peppered into the next TV deal and the future could be all streaming based. He said the NFL will always be able to force the hand, it’s just a question as to what is the drop off in viewership. The guys asked Mike if there will be more players suspended due to sports betting after a report of a “second wave” under investigation. Mike thinks no player will be an exception to the gambling rule, no matter the position or power in the league. Mike commented on Tom Brady having an ownership stake in the Raiders and if that means he will suit up for them at some point or if it holds up his TV career. The guys asked Mike about the new tweak to the kickoff and touchback rule – Mike thinks they are slowly working toward a time when the kickoff is out of the game in general. 

Could the Penguins be zeroing in on their next GM? One of the top Penguins insiders says the job is there for Kyle Dubas if he wants it. Should the Penguins be ready to strike on the young GM candidate from Toronto?

GIVEAWAY.

Pirates-Rangers live look-in.