Mike Prisuta’s Sports Section
A weekly look at the games people are playing and the people who are playing them.
Change of Direction Evident, Encouraging for Penguins
They know they have to develop their next wave sooner rather than later. Development camp was an example of how hard they’re working to make it happen.
Difficult Decisions Loom for Pens’ Dubas, Including One in Particular
Seeking a quick fix in free agency wasn’t an option this time. But trading Sidney Crosby might be if the Pens are to contend again sooner rather than later.
Talk Is Cheap for a Pirates Organization That's Too Often Been the Same
Bob Nutting may be saying the right things. But until Ben Cherington does the right thing the Bucs are in danger of wasting the type of opportunity that doesn’t come around very often.
Skenes Raising the Roof Along with Pirates’ Expectations
It’s sensory overload whenever the Buccos’ latest pitching phenom takes the mound. Such is the extent to which the franchise’s latest savior has already delivered.
Tension and Contention Accompany Tomlin Extension
The Steelers have been making changes at a furious rate for some time now. But changing head coaches clearly isn’t on team president Art Rooney II’s agenda.
NHL Playoffs Betray Penguins’ Plight
It’s clear the teams that are still playing are doing so for a reason. And it’s just as clear what the Pens lack and how far away they are from a championship.
It’s More Like Wilson Then Fields for the Steelers
The team has a chance to get what they want from both of their new quarterbacks, provided Russell Wilson and Justin Fields hold up their end.
An Irrational Response to Steelers’ Schedule, Just Because
The annual math projections in May are pointless, given the inherent volatility of an NFL season. But where’s the fun in acknowledging any of that?
Pirates Can Begin to Dream Again Thanks to Skenes
Their latest savior can’t and won’t solve all of the Bucs’ problems. But the long-awaited promotion of last season’s first-overall pick has nonetheless changed the game.
Steelers Just Getting Started in Adhering to Their ‘Urgency’ Edict
They appear to have won free agency and the draft. But team president Art Rooney II and head coach Mike Tomlin know that’s a long way from winning the Super Bowl.
Steelers Should Get What They Need, But Not Get Greedy
There’s a chance they can drastically improve the offensive line, and thus the offense, in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. But their focus should be on a center — first and foremost.
‘What Might Have Been’ Trumps ‘Almost’ After Pens Come Up Short
They played some inspiring hockey down the stretch. But it was too little, too late to make the playoffs, and that’s on them. Again.
Pirates’ Prognosis Lacks Certainty but Not Potential
There are questions, as there always are. But the Bucs might have the right answers this time, which could make for a compelling summer.
Dambrot’s Spectacular Swan Song Potentially Game-Changing for Duquesne
The Dukes’ NCAA Tournament run was as heartwarming as it was historic. But it also established what’s possible again on The Bluff.
From March Madness to March Sadness
Pitt’s NCAA Tournament exclusion was unfortunate. But the Panthers’ subsequent decision to forgo the NIT was a disappointing mistake.
Penguins Need to Acknowledge Their Problems Before Solving Them
Mike Sullivan deserves scrutiny but apparently won’t get it from Kyle Dubas. The latter is potentially a bigger issue amid the team’s late-season collapse.
Robert Morris’ Hockey Saga Already Had a Happy Ending
The men’s and women’s programs were taken away and then reinstated. The men’s team has made the most of the re-boot with a playoff victory to remember.
Retiring No. 68 Is Appropriate Closure for Jaromir Jagr, Penguins
He wasn’t a Penguin for life, but he was the second-best Penguin ever to lace up a pair of skates. And it’s about time his Penguins career is celebrated.
Pittsburgh Penguins Need Dedication to Detail to Move Forward
If they’re going to play more consistently in the season’s unofficial second half, the Pens will have to play with more determination than dazzle.
Steelers A Step Away from Contention, But It's A Massive Step
Hiring new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith won't make much of a difference without a significant improvement from a quarterback yet to be determined.
What the next Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Coordinator Should See
There’s a huge question mark looming over the quarterback position. But beyond that it’s easy to see the potential for growth and even explosiveness, if only the Steelers would notice.
QB or not QB? That is the Steelers’ Question
Mason Rudolph is in the conversation for a change and Kenny Pickett is still in the organization’s good graces. But there are layers of variables to resolve on the way to determining 2024’s starter.
Playoffs the Reward for Pittsburgh Steelers’ Unanticipated Transformation
They’re no longer who they were, individually and collectively. But there’s still work to be done if they want to become the team they intended to be all along.
Better Late Than Never: Mason Rudolph's Unexpected Resurrection with the Steelers
Hindsight suggests they could have played him sooner. But there was no reason to perceive Rudolph as anything other than a last resort until he finally proved otherwise.
The Steelers Have Questions, But No Answers, Amid a Late-Season Collapse
From the quarterback position to the culture of their locker room, they’re going to eventually have some explaining to do.
Redemption or Armageddon Awaits the Steelers in Indianapolis
They’ve earned the criticism they’ve been receiving since Arizona and New England. But when it comes from within it has to be either answered or acknowledged.
Great Read: A Neville Island Native's Journey to the Exciting Sidelines of the NFL
Bob Angelo was determined to work at NFL Films. He enjoyed his 43 years there so much he’s written a book about it.
Gaining More Yards Than They've Done in Years Is Not Enough for the Steelers, But It’s a Start
The difference in their offense without former coordinator Matt Canada was more subtle than spectacular, initially. But for a change, there’s hope on the horizon.
Pittsburgh Steelers Finally Get Around to Blaming Matt Canada
The offense was getting worse, not better, as was quarterback Kenny Pickett. That left Mike Tomlin with little choice but to do what needed to be done.
Finally Embracing Change Might be Game-Changing for Steelers
They kept their prized draft picks under wraps intentionally, for whatever reason. Now we’ll find out if turning to rookies can alter the season’s course.
Can Steelers And Kenny Pickett Solve Their Identity Crisis?
The team needs their QB to be neither the goat nor the hero, just something in between.
Steelers are Threatening to Become Their Own Worst Enemy
The continued struggles on offense are frustrating the players as well as Steeler Nation. And they’re becoming tougher to deal with each passing week.
Phillies And Their Fans Are No Match for the Diamondbacks
Arizona was never supposed to reach the World Series. But manager Torey Lovullo and his players got there by finding comfort in the chaos.
Will the Pittsburgh Steelers Answer When Opportunity Knocks in LA?
Sunday might constitute their best, last chance to finally get the offense in gear. Failing that, it might start to get really ugly for coordinator Matt Canada.
The Pittsburgh Penguins’ Mantra: If You’re driving Over a Cliff, Drive Faster
Kyle Dubas is steering into the skid that helped get him hired in the first place.
Najee Harris Urges The Steelers To Deal With Their Inconvenient Truth
Harris suggests that it's the players, not Matt Canada, who have gotten the Steelers into the mess they are in and it's the players who must get them out of it.
About This Blog
Mike Prisuta is a veteran of Pittsburgh sports reporting since 1985.
Mike can be heard Monday through Friday talking sports with Randy Baumann and the DVE Morning Show.
His favorite sport is whatever’s in season.
Follow him on Twitter @DVEMike
