The North Shore Drive Sports Podcast

     

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February 23, 2025 Pirates spring training: What does Mitch Keller's high velocity in first start mean?

Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin analyze a win over the Twins as Pittsburgh starts spring training 2-0. Mitch Keller came out with high velocity, which is a stark difference from a year ago. What does it mean for the former All-Star moving forward? Plus some first impressions from Caleb Ferguson's time on the mound, and an impressive appearance from first-round pick Konnor Griffin at the plate.

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February 23, 2025 Steelers NFL mock drafts: Is Ashton Jeanty too good to pass up if he's available?

Host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko react to the week in Steelers NFL mock draft picks from around the Internet.

Is Ashton Jeanty a running back too good to pass up on if he's available to GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin at No. 21 overall? Is the roster ready to help him thrive? Or would his production be limited by the pieces around him like Saquon Barkley's was with the New York Giants before he became a finishing piece for the Phiadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl run? And to what degree is Najee Harris a cautionary example of taking a running back in the first round?

Why is Luther Burden III a rising pick for the Steelers at receiver, eclipsing names like Emeka Egbuka and Matthew Golden this week? Does East Carolina CB Shavon Revel Jr. make sense despite injury concerns? Is Washington State's Kyle Williams a later-round receiver to watch? And what are Brian's thoughts on QBs Jalen Milroe and Jaxson Dart as they continue to show up in numerous Steelers mocks? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

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February 22, 2025 Pirates spring training: Matt Gorski, DJ Stewart provide pop in opener

In the first recap of 2025 spring training games, Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin analyze Saturday's win over the Orioles. Should we keep eyes on Matt Gorski and DJ Stewart as power options after their statements against Baltimore? And is Carmen Mlodzinski, who got the start, a legitimate option in the rotation?

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February 21, 2025 How can Steelers, Omar Khan leverage NFL's growing salary cap? Is Daniel Jones a legit QB option?

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to consider what the NFL's growing salary cap could mean for the team in NFL free agency and the trade market.

Will it help GM Omar Khan, coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers keep members of the 2024 roster like Najee Harris, Russell Wilson or Justin Fields? Could it help in the pursuit of a big-name QB like Aaron Rodgers or Matthew Stafford? Or is a big move at another position of need like defensive line, wide receiver or cornerback now possible?

Later, Chris and Brian size up the free agent running back class and whether a name like former Browns star Nick Chubb could be an option for Khan and the front office. And they end the show by analyzing reports tying former New York Giants first-round pick Daniel Jones to Pittsburgh.

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February 20, 2025 Paul Zeise Live: Interest in Steelers' Justin Fields heats up? Is Ben Roethlisberger right about offense?

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m. Eastern.

What should we make of the latest reports surrounding Steelers quarterback Justin Fields? Does it seem more likely that he ends up back in Pittsburgh via NFL free agency or with another team, potentially including the New York Jets? And is Ben Roethlisberger right in saying the Steelers offense is not ready to take any steps forward because of a lack of weapons surrounding George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth and any quarterback they may sign?

Paul tackles those questions, offers his reflections on the passing of legendary Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange and weighs in on the 4 Nations Face-Off championship between the U.S. and Canada on Thursday night, with the Penguins' Mike Sullivan and Sidney Crosby going head to head.

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February 20, 2025 Remembering Penguins legend Mike Lange. What's his legacy for the team and the NHL?

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to react to the passing of legendary Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange late Wednesday night at the age of 76.

What legacy does he leave the team, NHL and hockey community at large? What are some of Jason's best memories of getting to know Mike on a personal level over the years? What were some of his best moments on the mic? And why is he every bit a piece of franchise lore alongside on-ice heroes like Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin?

Our duo tackles those poignant questions, then dives into some hockey talk about the U.S. vs. Canada championship match of the Four Nations Face-off. Can Penguins coach Mike Sullivan and his American team recreate their defensive magic from the first matchup over the weekend. Will there be more booing and fisticuffs? And has this tournament reminded the right people that Crosby remains every bit the face of hockey and Team Canada that Connor McDavid is?

Then later, Adam and Jason ponder Penn State's College Football Playoff chances next season following Jason's column on the topic. Are the returns of Drew Allar, Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen and Dani Dennis-Sutton enough to make this program a dominant force? Or will it need transfer additions at wide receiver like Devonte Ross and Kyron Hudson to make an impact to take a step forward from a crushing loss to Notre Dame in the CFP semifinals at the Orange Bowl last month?

In the third segment, airing on the PG’s new Pirates-focused channel, the topic is payrolls disparity in MLB and the need for a salary cap to even things out. Are tight spenders like the Pirates’ Bob Nutting or free spending teams like the Dodgers, Yankees and Mets the sport’s biggest problem? How much should revenue sharing be part of the conversation around payroll? And how much would transparency in these matters help quell fans’ angst?

Adam and Jason try to answer those questions, then weigh in on some baseball topics, including the first base situation amid Spencer Horwitz’s injury. Is Nick Yorke a good fit as a replacement? Why is it the right move to keep Bryan Reynolds in the outfield? And what impact can Tommy Pham have on the clubhouse culture, starting with his relationship with Oneil Cruz?

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February 19, 2025 Zeise Live: Is 'Steelers Way' dying as Ben Roethlisberger fears? Can Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt save it?

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live at a special time, around 4 p.m. Eastern.

Is the "Steelers Way" of leadership, locker room standards and physical football dying, as former QB Ben Roethlisberger fears in comments on his "Footbahlin" podcast this week? Can homegrown Steelers including T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward preserve it for future generations? Should franchise legends like "Mean" Joe Greene be brought in to teach it? And what responsibility does coach Mike Tomlin have in carrying franchise traditions forward?

Paul tackles those questions and reacts to the latest from Pirates spring training as well as the 4 Nations Face-off championship between Penguins coach Mike Sullivan on the American side and captain Sidney Crosby on the Canadian side.

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February 19, 2025 Pirates spring training report: Oneil Cruz taking center field in stride? Action for Bubba Chandler?

Post-Gazette insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin report on everything happening from Pirates spring training in Bradenton, Fla., on Wednesday. How did Oneil Cruz sound heading into his first full season as the Pirates center fielder? And why is he so excited for new free agent acquisition Tommy Pham to join him in the outfield? How did reliever Ryan Borucki look in his first live at-bats of spring training? Could Bubba Chandler force his way onto the opening day roster? Or will he likely have to wait in the minor leagues for a while before making his way to Pittsburgh? Our duo answers those questions, plus gives some injury updates courtesy of Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk.

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February 19, 2025 Grading Steelers GM Omar Khan for his first two NFL draft, free agent classes. Do his moves hold up?

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to grade GM Omar Khan on his first two seasons of NFL draft picks and free agency signings.

How much credit does he deserve for adding contributors including Joey Porter Jr., Zach Frazier, Keeanu Benton, Payton Wilson and Nick Herbig. Can first-round picks Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu still emerge as difference makers? And do the draft classes rely on them to be considered successes?

On the free agency and trade front, how should we view moves for names including Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Patrick Queen, Donte Jackson, Larry Ogunjobi, Patrick Peterson, Elandon Roberts, Isaac Seumalo, DeShon Elliott, Van Jefferson and others? Did Khan hit on enough of those guys? Or did the additions end up leaving too much to be desired?

Our duo tackles those questions, then ponders how much help the offensive line may still need despite heavy investment in it the past couple of offseasons.

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February 18, 2025 Paul Zeise Live: Steelers' George Pickens calls Aaron Rodgers 'dream' teammate? Justin Fields eyes Jets?

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news around 5 p.m. Eastern.

What should we think of George Pickens calling Aaron Rodgers — not Justin Fields or Russell Wilson — his "dream" teammate in an interview? Should coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan care what their No. 1 receiver thinks during NFL free agency? Or does he have to do more to earn that level of respect?

Paul tackles those comments, then gives his thoughts on a report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Fields is "intrigued" by the Jets and their weapons, including Garrett Wilson; and a report by the Post-Gazette's own Gerry Dulac outlining the plan for running back Jaylen Warren this offseason with teammate Najee Harris hitting free agency.

Later, Paul welcomes Washington Wild Things GM Tony Buselli to talk baseball as Pirates and MLB spring training begins in earnest.

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Music from https://filmmusic.io "RetroFuture Clean" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com) License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)


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