Mike Prisuta’s Sports Section
A weekly look at the games people are playing and the people who are playing them.
For Love of the Game: The Pirates Are Worth Watching Again
The Pirates aren’t yet resurrected, far from it. But their return to relevance has made baseball fun again at PNC Park, and for now that’s more than enough.
Why The Spotlight Shines So Brightly On Steelers’ Rookies During OTAs
Specific roles have yet to be determined. But there’s reason to suspect this year’s draft class will be counted upon heavily sooner rather than later.
Why Kyle Dubas Faces An Uphill Battle in Joining the Penguins
He has a lot of work to do, as will the eventual new GM. Both will need to realize the gravity of the challenge they’re facing first and foremost to have any hope of eventually getting the job done.
Despite The Steelers' Great Offseason, It's a Long Way From Football in Shorts to the Super Bowl
Things are going so swimmingly even the guy Kenny Pickett replaced is firmly in Pickett’s corner.
There Are Very Good Reasons The Steelers Are Collecting Cornerbacks
We’ll begin to find out next week if they’ve come up with somebody better or merely somebody else.
Pitcher Mitch Keller Personifies Why The Pirates Are a Different Team This Season
They’re still not a potential pennant-winning collection but they have an Ace to deal, and that’s progress.
The Steelers' Matt Canada Has Some Stuff to Coordinate For A Change
The last two years haven’t been good enough. But in the wake of the draft and the natural evolution of the offense, the embattled OC, at last, has what he needs to change the narrative.
Steelers Don't Have To Corner the Market When They Tackle The Draft
Not being a member of that oh-so-tight inner circle on the South Side, I don’t know for certain who the Steelers are about to draft. But I know what I’d do.
Playing The Right Way Has Pirates Playing a Different Game
The Bucs’ hot start is just that. But if they keep playing how they’ve been playing, an entertaining summer of baseball isn’t beyond their grasp.
Penguins' Woes Are Many And It's Only Going To Get Worse
Just missing the playoffs when a spot was there for the taking is as frustrating as it is disappointing. But the bigger problem is the Pens are about to slip into the abyss, if they haven’t already.
Home Openers Are Always Hopeful, Yes, Even for the Pirates
The Pirates are coming off their first back-to-back, 100-loss seasons since the 1950s. But they’ve at least hinted this season might finally be different. We’ll see.
“I Love It All”: Mike Tomlin Is As Invested As Ever Entering His 17th Season
He’s been to Super Bowls and he’s failed to make the playoffs. But the Steelers’ head coach continues to embrace the job and the process no matter the results.
The Ben Roethlisberger Revelations That Matter the Most
It was intriguing he considered un-retiring, but it's what he had to say about his successor and the Steelers' offensive coordinator that should be making headlines.
Steelers’ Moves Encouraging But There’s Much More To Be Done
Free agency has helped solidify things, especially at inside linebacker. But it hasn’t altered what they’re still going to have to find in the draft.
The Steelers Have Their Quarterback ... At Least For The Time Being
Kenny Pickett’s rookie season was promising but how long he’s perceived as the answer remains to be seen. That will depend, in part, on economics eventually, ask Lamar Jackson.
The First Round Is Just the Starting Point for the Steelers
They didn’t stop adding talent after drafting Kenny Pickett last year. They need to follow suit — no matter who winds up first on their list this time around.
With March Madness Just Weeks Away – It Seems Like Old (Good) Times at Pitt
Jeff Capel’s team has a collective maturity that includes veteran perspective. That explains why it’s not about 20 wins for the Panthers, it’s about the next one.
Perfect Timing: Pittsburgh's College Basketball Teams Take Center Stage
Now that football season has ended, it’s time to appreciate what Pitt, Duquesne and Robert Morris have been doing on the hardwood.
Sports Columnist Mike Prisuta: Why I'm Picking the Eagles To Win Super Bowl LVII
The Chiefs may have the higher-profile QB, but the Eagles have the pass rush to repeatedly flatten Patrick Mahomes, and they will.
Who Can Convince the Pens to Switch from Pond Hockey to Playoff Hockey?
If Mike Sullivan and Sidney Crosby can’t get through to the other players, who can?
Art Rooney's State of the Steelers Gets Right to the Point
The team president is encouraged but not satisfied after scrambling back from 3-7 to 9-8 and just missing the playoffs.
You Can Add Misplaced Anger to the List of Penguins Problems
Mike Sullivan’s team needs to be much more focused on controlling what it can control — and not redirecting frustration at issues such as officiating.
Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin's Value Is In The Eye of The Beholder
When perspective is applied rather than passion, the Steelers’ head coach is appreciated for what he can still accomplish. When it isn’t he’s a convenient scapegoat.
The Kenny Pickett Era Is Off and Running for The Steelers
They’ve found their QB whether they make the playoffs or not.
There's Much at Stake for the Steelers Beyond a Remote Chance of Making The Playoffs
They might be eliminated from postseason contention before they play the Ravens. But there would still be plenty to play for, even if it comes to that on Sunday night in Baltimore.
Franco Harris Holds An Unquestioned Place Among Steelers’ All-Time Greats
There was never one like him and there won’t be again. That needs to be remembered upon the occasion of his passing.
Pittsburgh Steelers Are Staging A Long-Awaited Immaculate Remembrance
Franco Harris’ No. 32 jersey should have been retired years ago. But it’ll have been worth the wait if the occasion serves as a reminder that the 1970s should never go out of style.
Despite Their Record, The Season is Far From Over for the Steelers
Their playoff aspirations may have been torpedoed by the Ravens. But the head coach has a streak going the players are intent on preserving.
Are The Stars Aligning Just in Time for the Pittsburgh Steelers?
They’re getting better but their opponents are also getting worse.
The Steelers' Picket-To-Pickens Connection Is Inspiring To Watch
There had been a plan for the rookie QB and the rookie wide receiver all along. The rookie duo provided a glimpse of what that plan entails by picking up where they had left off in Indianapolis.
Will Winning Now Hurt Steelers in the Next Draft? Right Now -- It Doesn't Matter
Winning is always the ultimate goal, no matter the circumstances. As for the draft, the Steelers have found some of their best players in the later rounds.
Pittsburgh Steelers Are No Longer Ready for Prime Time
The NFL used to love putting the Steelers on national television. But moving their upcoming rematch against the Bengals into TV oblivion is an unimpeachable indictment of what the Steelers have become.
What Does The Claypool Trade Reveal About the Steelers Philosophy Now?
It’s no longer all about refusing to give in no matter the circumstances of a given season. It’s about accepting where they are and finding the most practical way to get where they want to be.
Why Winning Isn't Everything For the Steelers With Kenny Pickett
In a bottom-line business, the Steelers know they have to look beyond immediate results in assessing the progress and potential of their rookie QB.
QB or Not QB? That Is The Question for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers
A healthy Kenny Pickett will absolutely, positively get the call on Sunday night in Miami. But in committing to Pickett the Steelers are missing out on an opportunity to see if what Mitch Trubisky somehow managed to recapture against Tampa Bay had a shelf life.
At 1-4 The Scrutiny Justifiably Intensifies for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers
What happens from here will resonate far beyond whether the season can be salvaged.
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
