The North Shore Drive Sports Podcast

     

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February 01, 2025 Is Steelers fan frustration at all-time high? Art Rooney II's philosophy stale? Guy Junker weighs in

On his new Saturday podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes longtime Pittsburgh sports broadcast and current Pirates public address announcer Guy Junker to tackle a range of topics.

They start with fan frustration surrounding the Steelers. Is it at an all-time high after eight years without an NFL playoffs win? Has owner Art Rooney II's philosophy worn thin with his hardcore customers, particularly with regard to coach Mike Tomlin and the stability he represents? What can be done to fix the defense that faltered down the stretch, despite the presence of highly paid stars like T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Patrick Queen and Alexi Highsmith? And what should happen at the QB position? Should GM Omar Khan pick the veteran presence of Russell Wilson? The mobility of Justin Fields? Or someone else entirely via the NFL draft or free agency?

Our duo tackles those questions, then reflects on Guy's long career; his work with colleagues including Stan Savran and Bob Pompeani; and his many years on the popular Sportsbeat show.

Later, Jason and Guy reflect on the latest with the Pirates and Penguins. Who's most to blame for the Penguins' recent struggles? Is it the Fenway Sports ownership group that has failed to live up to the success Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle had here? Is it past GMs including Jim Rutherford and Ron Hextall, whose moves are still hurting the roster today? Is it current GM Kyle Dubas and his disastrous deal with goalie Tristan Jarry? Or is it coach Mike Sullivan's inflexible game plans? And how will the franchise handle star Sidney Crosby moving forward.

On the Pirates side, what we can expect from them in 2025? Can Ke'Bryan Hayes stay healthy at 3B? Does Oneil Cruz still have more upside, particularly as a power threat at the plate? How good can the young pitching staff led by Paul Skenes, Jared Jones and Mitch Keller be? And how can manager Derek Shelton fix this team's problems with fundamentals?

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January 31, 2025 Paul Zeise Live: What do Steelers under Mike Tomlin have in common with Eagles under Andy Reid?

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

He offers his thoughts on what the Steelers under coach Mike Tomlin have in common with the Philadelphia Eagles under Andy Reid, before his dynastic Super Bowl success with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Is Tomlin capable of a similar run elsewhere if the Steelers ever let him go? Is that a reason for GM Omar Khan and owner Art Rooney II to keep him in place here? And what should we make of Rooney praising Tomlin for the winning "culture" built around stars like T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward?

Paul tackles those topics, then talks a little Pirates. Specifically, how the lineup should be coming together around key pieces like Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz and Ke'Bryan Hayes with spring training looming.

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January 31, 2025 Steelers bests and worsts of 2024? Justin Fields the biggest winner? Cam Heyward best player?

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter and Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko hand out Driver awards for the team's bests and worsts in 2024.

Was Cam Heyward the team's best player? Or do T.J. Watt and others have arguments? Was Justin Fields the biggest winner, earning favor with his early victories before watching Russell Wilson and the offense struggle down the stretch? Was Cam Sutton GM Omar Khan's worst acquisition? Zach Frazier the best draft pick? Chris Boswell the best supporting player? And special teams coach Danny Smith coach Mike Tomlin's best assistant coach?

Our duo tackles those questions and more, including the best and worst performances of the season.

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January 30, 2025 Paul Zeise Live: Should Steelers consider trading for Rams' Matthew Stafford if he's available?

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

Should the Steelers consider trading for Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford if he's made available on the trade market ahead of a likely rebuild in Los Angeles? Or are coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan better off with the players they know in Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields via NFL free agency? And where does Cooper Kupp belong in offseason trade conversations, with the Steelers known to covet receiving help, as well?

Paul tackles those questions and more on the Steelers front, then reacts to the Penguins' overtime win Wednesday in their first trip to face the Utah Hockey Club; and news that the Pirates are seeking feedback from fans via a survey released this week.

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January 30, 2025 How did Steelers create their MESS at WR? Mike Tomlin's message stale with George Pickens, others?

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to tackle the hot topics in Pittsburgh sports, starting with the Steelers' struggles at the wide receiver position in 2024.

Was owner Art Rooney II just being realistic about the team's lack of talent in the passing game when stating his preference to build around the running game earlier this week? Who or what is most responsible for the current mess in the WR room. Is it former GM Kevin Colbert and current GM Omar Khan for failing to cultivate depth? Is it Mike Tomlin's personality management of players like George Pickens, Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool? Was it moving on from JuJu Smith-Schuster, who's now an important piece for Patrick Mahomes and the Super Bowl-bound Kansas City Chiefs? And where do depth options like Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson fit into the conversation?

Our duo tackles those questions, then reacts to headlines on the college front. How crucial was Pitt basketball's victory against the North Carolina Tar Heels this week? Is Jeff Capel starting to figure out how to better use his forwards around star guards like Jaland Lowe and Ishmael Leggett? And on the Penn State front, what does the Jim Knowles hiring say about James Franklin's intent to compete at a championship level? And does early 2025 College Football Playoff hype make sense for this team with the return of key pieces like Drew Allar, Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen?

The later, the guys react to the Pirates' sluggishness in MLB free agency. What is the primary reason GM Ben Cherington has made only small moves like signing Andrew McCutchen and Adam Frazier or trading for Spencer Horwitz so far? Is TV revenue an issue? Is saving for a Paul Skenes extension a possibility? And how much trouble are Cherington and manager Derek Shelton in? Should we interpret the inactivity as a signal that they feel comfortable?

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January 29, 2025 Paul Zeise Live: Should Steelers FEAR losing Russell Wilson to Pete Carroll, Raiders?

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

Could the Steelers lose QB Russell Wilson via NFL free agency to a reunion with former coach Pete Carroll and the Raiders? Would the duo be able to recreate the Super Bowl-winning magic they had in their time together with the Seattle Seahawks? Or are those days long gone? And should GM Omar Khan, coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers prefer Justin Fields paired with NFL draft options like Alabama's Jalen Milroe anyway?

Paul tackles those questions and more on the Steelers front then looks toward Pirates and Pitt topics. Will GM Ben Cherington's signing of Adam Frazier via MLB free agency make any difference to this team's trajectory? Or should they have pursued a name like Austin Hays instead? And how important was Pitt basketball's win vs. the North Carolina Tar Heels, as coach Jeff Capel, guards Jaland Lowe and Ishmael Leggett and the Panthers look to bolster their March Madness resume?

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January 29, 2025 Is Steelers' Art Rooney II TOO FOCUSED on running game? Will Omar Khan spend more on offense?

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 react to owner Art Rooney II's year-end comments earlier this week.

Is Rooney too focused on winning with the running game, considering how it performed despite run-focused Arthur Smith calling the plays in 2024? Do the Steelers simply need to look beyond Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren as lead backs to have more success? Can the offensive line take a step forward behind key young players including Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick? And where does the QB situation with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields fit into the conversation.

Later, our duo ponders whether GM Omar Khan will spend more money on offense in NFL free agency to balance out the disparity with the defense, which has players on major deals including T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cam Heyward, Patrick Queen and Alex Highsmith. And they discuss possible coaching staff changes still to come.

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January 28, 2025 Paul Zeise Live: Can Steelers REALLY use Eagles as a model without stars like Saquon Barkley?

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

Are the Eagles a realistic model for the Steelers? Given assistant GM Andy Weidl's ties to both teams? Or will their Super Bowl-level success be difficult to replicate in the absence of offensive stars like Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, Jalen Hurts? Or an offensive line anchored by reliable pieces like Lane Johnson?

What should we make of Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan, Arthur Smith and Teryl Austin all appearing at the Senior Bowl this week? What NFL draft prospects should they be looking closest at? And which running back names are intriguing with the possibility of Najee Harris moving on in NFL free agency?

And on the Pirates front, what difference will Adam Frazier make in his return to Pittsburgh? And is Paul Skenes already one of baseball's biggest stars with his appearance on the MLB The Show cover, announced Tuesday?

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January 28, 2025 Steelers officially choosing between Russell Wilson, Justin Fields after Art Rooney II comments?

On his weekly Chipped Ham and Football podcast, host Brian Batko welcomes fellow Post-Gazette Steelers insider Gerry Dulac to react to owner Art Rooney II's comments about the team Monday.

Specifically, they focus on the QBs after Rooney said he doesn't expect the team will be able to keep both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in 2025. Should they give Wilson another look despite his five-game losing streak and NFL playoffs loss to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens? Or did Fields show enough upside early in the season that he deserves a chance to be the No. 1?

Also on the docket are coaching issues. What did Rooney's comments tell us about his satisfaction level with Mike Tomlin? And what does the future hold for assistants Arthur Smith, Teryl Austin and Pat Meyer? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

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January 28, 2025 Who's to blame for Pitt basketball's slump? Jeff Capel or players? Too many minutes for Cam Corhen?

On their weekly Pitt basketball mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Stephen Thompson answer reader questions. Among them: Who deserves the most blame for the recent offensive slump? Coach Jeff Capel? Or a lack of shooting prowess from key offensive pieces like Jaland Lowe, Ishmael Leggett and Zack Austin? Why is forward Cam Corhen playing 35-plus minutes per game despite frequent struggles?

And on the football side, what are reasonable expectations for coach Pat Narduzzi and the Panthers with key pieces including QB Eli Holstein and RB Desmond Reid set to return?

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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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