Buccaneers insider Jon Ledyard joined the show. Jon did not have high praise for Byron Leftwich because he hasn’t proven to be someone that can change or adapt from year to year. He actually gave Matt Canada props for doing that in the middle of this season. Jon said Leftwich was the guy that ran the offense on game days and did the game planning in Tampa Bay and it wasn’t just Bruce Arians calling all the shots. Jon thinks the overall playbook from Leftwich and Arians isn’t as strong as it’s perceived in the league. He said it counts a lot on the players being at an elite level. He said the in-game evolution of the offense is almost nonexistent. Jon talked about the predictability of the offense is bad and the success only comes from Tom Brady in a no-huddle approach. He expects Leftwich to consider his options, but would certainly have interest from Pittsburgh. His overall grade for Leftwich in his time in Tampa is a C because there were great things, but last year earned him an F. 

Steelers insider Mark Kaboly is reporting a Mike Tomlin personal matter, which explains why the Steelers have not made any changes yet. Chris said they could be missing out on guys, but also the point that Tomlin could be waiting for a candidate that is still in the playoffs. Does it give you any added hope that Matt Canada could be out as the OC?

Did last night turn you off from Byron Leftwich as a possible OC candidate? The former Steeler is likely getting fired in Tampa Bay after a very bad season. Mullsy shared his concern with the Steelers defense going into next season. 

The Pittsburgh Maulers have a new head coach – former Steelers secondary coach, Ray Horton. And Poni isn’t happy with Friday Beers: Pittsburgh. 

Steelers insider Mark Kaboly is reporting a Mike Tomlin personal matter, which explains why the Steelers have not made any changes yet. Chris said they could be missing out on guys, but also the point that Tomlin could be waiting for a candidate that is still in the playoffs. Does it give you any added hope that Matt Canada could be out as the OC?

The final four QBs in the AFC are set – how can the Steelers keep up? Mike Tomlin is a defensive coach, but does he have the right pieces on offense or the right coordinator? The guys think the Steelers need a difference maker as OC, not just a guy like Matt Canada. Could Byron Leftwich be the replacement? And Jordan Addison has declared for the draft – do you want to see him reunite with Kenny Pickett? 

Calls. 

Former Pirates pitcher AJ Burnett joined the show. AJ said he wants to come back to Pittsburgh to see Andrew McCutchen play with the Pirates again. AJ said he and Cutch became pretty close during their time in Pittsburgh. He said Cutch just wanted to win and that was clear from the get go. He talked about what his role was when he was a veteran leader in Pittsburgh and how Cutch can now mentor the younger guys on that roster. The guys asked AJ how he felt about a few of the goofy moments from last year’s Pirates team and he said it was better to hold his comments to himself. AJ compared McCutchen to some of the other great players he shared the field with. AJ talked about how he was able to adapt to the game as he got later in his career and what led to an All-Star appearance in his final season. AJ talked about how the fanfare is different in Pittsburgh than other spots he played and how he loves to stay in touch with the city. He gave his thoughts on Oneil Cruz and how a veteran like Cutch could mold his young pro career. He talked about the relationship he still has with Charlie Morton, who has continued to pitch well deep into his career. 

Reaction to the AJ Burnett interview. The guys want a player like Burnett in Pittsburgh and think it’s vital to future success. Will Andrew McCutchen have a career renaissance now that he’s back in black and gold?  

Poni gave Donny and Mullsy their Christmas gifts.

Former Pirates pitcher AJ Burnett joined the show. AJ said he wants to come back to Pittsburgh to see Andrew McCutchen play with the Pirates again. AJ said he and Cutch became pretty close during their time in Pittsburgh. He said Cutch just wanted to win and that was clear from the get go. He talked about what his role was when he was a veteran leader in Pittsburgh and how Cutch can now mentor the younger guys on that roster. The guys asked AJ how he felt about a few of the goofy moments from last year’s Pirates team and he said it was better to hold his comments to himself. AJ compared McCutchen to some of the other great players he shared the field with. AJ talked about how he was able to adapt to the game as he got later in his career and what led to an All-Star appearance in his final season. AJ talked about how the fanfare is different in Pittsburgh than other spots he played and how he loves to stay in touch with the city. He gave his thoughts on Oneil Cruz and how a veteran like Cutch could mold his young pro career. He talked about the relationship he still has with Charlie Morton, who has continued to pitch well deep into his career. 

Jordan Addison has declared for the NFL Draft. Do we want to see Kenny Pickett reunited with an old friend? Which position would you rather see the Steelers go with at pick 17? 

NFL insider Brooke Pryor from ESPN joined the show. Brooke said she isn’t sure those in the Steelers facility feel the same negative way about Matt Canada as the media and fans do. Brooke talked about some of the insight she got from players on locker cleanout day last week and how that could go a long way for Canada’s case. Brooke said she wants Kenny Pickett to get more weapons, like Jordan Addison, after the connection the two players had at Pitt. She said the Super Bowl could be the cutoff date for Canada’s future, it’s not necessarily set in stone right now. She thinks the Tremaine Edmunds to the Steelers talk certainly has some legs to it. Brooke highlighted some of the big free agents the Steelers should try to bring back. She talked about a few upgrades the team could look for in free agency. Brooke labeled it as an incredibly important off-season because now that they have their next quarterback, they have to fill in the other holes. Brooke was not happy with John Harbaugh last night. 

Through everyone we’ve talked to, hearing both good and bad, what do we make of how the players feel about Matt Canada? The guys looked at the 49ers offense and asked why can’t the Steelers always be wide open? 

NFL insider Brooke Pryor from ESPN joined the show. Brooke said she isn’t sure those in the Steelers facility feel the same negative way about Matt Canada as the media and fans do. Brooke talked about some of the insight she got from players on locker cleanout day last week and how that could go a long way for Canada’s case. Brooke said she wants Kenny Pickett to get more weapons, like Jordan Addison, after the connection the two players had at Pitt. She said the Super Bowl could be the cutoff date for Canada’s future, it’s not necessarily set in stone right now. She thinks the Tremaine Edmunds to the Steelers talk certainly has some legs to it. Brooke highlighted some of the big free agents the Steelers should try to bring back. She talked about a few upgrades the team could look for in free agency. Brooke labeled it as an incredibly important off-season because now that they have their next quarterback, they have to fill in the other holes. Brooke was not happy with John Harbaugh last night. 

Ah yes, there is a new twist in the Matt Canada saga. If the Buccaneers lose tonight and fire Byron Leftwich, could we see the former Steelers QB become the OC in Pittsburgh? Poni thinks so. 

Calls.

What do we make of the John Harbaugh in-game interview last night? Mullsy had a few sources on Team Harbaugh in this case. And Lamar Jackson didn’t even make the trip to the game accompanied by the JK Dobbins comments – what is going on in Baltimore? A very surprising team is the favorite to land Lamar. 

What do we make of the John Harbaugh in-game interview last night? Mullsy had a few sources on Team Harbaugh in this case. And Lamar Jackson didn’t even make the trip to the game accompanied by the JK Dobbins comments – what is going on in Baltimore? A very surprising team is the favorite to land Lamar.