The Pirates beat the Tigers 8-0 to split the series in Detroit. Are we feeling any better about them after the big win? And the Rich Hill grunts led to a 1-hit effort over 6 innings. Chris thinks the hitting was contagious today and hopes it can keep going after a 14-hit effort.  

The Pirates beat the Tigers 8-0. Rich Hill went 6 shutout innings allowing just 1 hit. Do you feel any better about the Buccos now? 

Aditi Kinkhabwala from the NFL on CBS joined the show. Aditi talked about the guys breaking the news of Mason Rudolph coming back to the Steelers. Aditi talked about what she likes and doesn’t like about the Steelers schedule, starting with the dislike of the 2 Thursday Night Football games. She talked about the challenge of going out to places like Las Vegas and Los Angeles, but the likelihood that the Steelers fans will take over each city/stadium. She doesn’t like the idea of possibly flexing games in and out of Thursday Night Football in the future. Aditi isn’t sold on Poni’s logic that the Steelers have an advantage with the 2 home TNF games because they are playing average/below average team in those spots. Aditi asked the guys how they feel about the possibility of the Steelers facing multiple rookie QBs this season. Aditi predicted the Steelers will go 10-7 and make the playoffs. 

Donny Football Debrief – Another step closer to the NCAA Football. 

Aditi Kinkhabwala from the NFL on CBS joined the show. Aditi talked about the guys breaking the news of Mason Rudolph coming back to the Steelers. Aditi talked about what she likes and doesn’t like about the Steelers schedule, starting with the dislike of the 2 Thursday Night Football games. She talked about the challenge of going out to places like Las Vegas and Los Angeles, but the likelihood that the Steelers fans will take over each city/stadium. She doesn’t like the idea of possibly flexing games in and out of Thursday Night Football in the future. Aditi isn’t sold on Poni’s logic that the Steelers have an advantage with the 2 home TNF games because they are playing average/below average team in those spots. Aditi asked the guys how they feel about the possibility of the Steelers facing multiple rookie QBs this season. Aditi predicted the Steelers will go 10-7 and make the playoffs. 

The guys continued the Mason Rudolph discussion after a Ron Cook column from earlier today described Rudolph’s career in Pittsburgh as “tragic.” The guys reiterated that Rudolph got more than his fair shake with one notable infamous moment involving Myles Garrett surrounded by mediocre play. Poni pointed out some QBs in recent NFL history that never got the opportunities that Rudolph got during his time in Pittsburgh. The guys are waiting for the crowd that says Rudolph is the best looking QB in camp in a few months. 

How should the Steelers handle their backup QB situation? How much better is Mitch Trubisky than Mason Rudolph? If a team offered a 4th round pick for Trubisky, do you say yes or no? And Poni wants the Steelers to add another edge rusher, shining light on Justin Houston, who had 9 sacks last year in Baltimore. The guys ran down 3rd round picks in the Mike Tomlin era to decide where Rudolph ranks. 

Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike talked about how the NFL schedule shook out and how the Steelers ended up with 2 Thursday Night Football games. Mike believes the league will eventually have the power to flex games in and out of TNF late in the season. Mike got into the number of teams that have multiple TNF games and that 6 of the 7 teams that voted against that rule change got tossed into a pair of games on Thursdays. Mike said it’s common that the commissioner will end up getting what he wants with TNF. Mike talked about the streaming impact on the NFL with the additional games on Peacock this year, including a playoff game. Mike said people in the local markets shouldn’t fear over streaming games because there’s always a local station that picks it up, but the subscriptions will have to be picked up if fans want to watch games on a national level. The guys asked Mike about the Steelers re-signing Mason Rudolph and why it makes sense for both parties. Mike commented on if we could ever see a player like Martavis Bryant in the NFL again. 

Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike talked about how the NFL schedule shook out and how the Steelers ended up with 2 Thursday Night Football games. Mike believes the league will eventually have the power to flex games in and out of TNF late in the season. Mike got into the number of teams that have multiple TNF games and that 6 of the 7 teams that voted against that rule change got tossed into a pair of games on Thursdays. Mike said it’s common that the commissioner will end up getting what he wants with TNF. Mike talked about the streaming impact on the NFL with the additional games on Peacock this year, including a playoff game. Mike said people in the local markets shouldn’t fear over streaming games because there’s always a local station that picks it up, but the subscriptions will have to be picked up if fans want to watch games on a national level. The guys asked Mike about the Steelers re-signing Mason Rudolph and why it makes sense for both parties. Mike commented on if we could ever see a player like Martavis Bryant in the NFL again. 

The Steelers have released Ahkello Witherspoon, leaving them thin at an already thin position. What are the expectations for the defense this season? What are your questions/concerns? 

Pirates-Tigers live look-in.

St. Louis Battlehawks OC and former NFL QB Bruce Gradkowski joined the show. The guys asked Bruce all about the newest Steelers WR, Hakeem Butler, who came from Bruce’s XFL squad. He credits Butler for being prepared in multiple situations that build a lot of mismatches with XFL defenses. Bruce got into the size that Butler offers and how he’s a good player to go up for contested catches. The guys then switched the conversation to Mason Rudolph with Bruce having insight on the life of a backup QB. Bruce thinks it’s a good move for both parties and the Steelers were smart to not let emotions get the best of them. He thinks Rudolph will understand his role and can still bring something positive to the team. He said Rudolph did get a fair shake, but can still be a veteran presence in that QB room. The guys asked Bruce what Ben Roethlisberger was like as a starting QB. Bruce talked about the overall experience in the XFL this season and what is in his future. 

St. Louis Battlehawks OC and former NFL QB Bruce Gradkowski joined the show. The guys asked Bruce all about the newest Steelers WR, Hakeem Butler, who came from Bruce’s XFL squad. He credits Butler for being prepared in multiple situations that build a lot of mismatches with XFL defenses. Bruce got into the size that Butler offers and how he’s a good player to go up for contested catches. The guys then switched the conversation to Mason Rudolph with Bruce having insight on the life of a backup QB. Bruce thinks it’s a good move for both parties and the Steelers were smart to not let emotions get the best of them. He thinks Rudolph will understand his role and can still bring something positive to the team. He said Rudolph did get a fair shake, but can still be a veteran presence in that QB room. The guys asked Bruce what Ben Roethlisberger was like as a starting QB. Bruce talked about the overall experience in the XFL this season and what is in his future. 

Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown joined the show. Greg talked about the Jim Leyland Cup starting tonight in Detroit between the Pirates and Tigers. Greg got into what could be afoot with Rodolfo Castro, who is out of the lineup again tonight. Greg isn’t worried about Ke’Bryan Hayes not crushing the baseball because that defense isn’t going anywhere. The guys asked Greg about the catcher play and how much longer Austin Hedges can spend in the majors. Greg discussed when we could see one of the young catchers in the big leagues.  

The Pat McAfee Show is on its way to ESPN. Is this a good or bad move for Pat and his crew? 

Calls.

Donny Football Debrief – How did Colin Cowherd rank his Top 10 AFC quarterbacks? 

The Pat McAfee Show is on its way to ESPN. Is this a good or bad move for Pat and his crew?