Mike Prisuta’s Sports Section
A weekly look at the games people are playing and the people who are playing them.
The Penguins' Mantra Worth Repeating As Often As Necessary
For the Pens to survive a series that's already had more twists and turns than a New York Subway, they must eschew emotions and keep their composure.
Pittsburgh Penguins Flip The Script For Openers Against Rangers in New York
There wasn’t much to be excited about as the playoffs commenced. But an inspired effort in Game 1 established the Penguins have a different narrative in mind against the Rangers.
Why Steelers Should be Talking About QB Malik Willis With Conviction
There’s a reasonable chance a raw but tantalizing prospect from Liberty University will be available on the 20th overall selection of the NFL Draft.
Challenge for the Pittsburgh Penguins: Get Defensive Down The Stretch
The injury to goaltender Tristan Jarry has complicated the Pens’ already uncertain prospects for the upcoming playoffs.
Pirates’ Prospects: Not Hopeless, But Close
We’ve all seen this movie before. We know how it ends. The key will be leaving the theater once we realize we’ve seen enough.
March Madness: Confessions of a Coach K Konvert
After what seems like a lifetime of doing the right thing and rooting against Duke, I’m backing the Blue Devils in the Final Four. Blame it on the coach with the name that’s difficult to pronounce and even tougher to spell.
The More Things Change, The More They Remain The Same In Pittsburgh's Sports Landscape
The Steelers are reloading. The Penguins are going for broke. And the Pirates are acting like they’re broke, as is their habit.
Mitch Trubisky Has the Skills Steelers Had to Have in Ben's Successor
It was never about who the next quarterback would be. It was always about how the next quarterback would play.
Finding The Steelers’ Next Quarterback Could Not Be More Entertaining
There are candidates aplenty but the options are beginning to dwindle and that has Steeler Nation obsessing and holding its breath.
What Will Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ron Hextall Need to Do as Trade Deadline Looms?
Big games between now and the NHL’s trade deadline will dictate whether a blockbuster deal or a complementary addition to the roster is necessary.
The Pittsburgh Steelers Are Embracing Change – For a Change
It’s not that the organization has become unrecognizable. But the Steelers are becoming much more cognizant of the need to “stay ahead of the game.”
The Number of Reasons to Celebrate Sidney Crosby
Career goal No. 500 was a significant milestone, but for the Penguins’ captain, it was also just another day at the office in a 17-years-and-counting run of defining moments that range from subtle to historic.
The Bengals Turned Things Around Quickly – Why Can’t The Steelers?
It seems the Steelers are a long way from earning a trip to the league championship, but this season the Bengals have reminded everyone how quickly the game can change.
Why Winning Isn’t Everything For The Penguins ... Yet
Lately, the emphasis has been more on the process of playing winning hockey rather than the final result.
The Key to Penguins' Success is To Resist “Coloring Outside the Lines”
There’s a blueprint for success under Mike Sullivan. It’s a demanding one and it can’t be compromised.
Finding The Steelers’ Next QB Will Require More Commitment Than Lip Service
Mike Tomlin knows what he wants in looking for Ben Roethlisberger’s replacement. The question is what are he and the Steelers willing to do to get that guy?
Steelers' Chances Don't Look Good in Kansas City. So Why Stop Now?
It hasn’t looked good for Mike Tomlin’s team all season, and yet the Steelers have still managed to somehow make it to the playoffs.
As Ben Roethlisberger Leaves the Stage – The Steelers’ Next Man Up Emerges
Roethlisberger’s impending departure signals a changing of the guard.
The Steelers Might Not Need a Christmas Miracle to Make The Playoffs
The Steelers are 1-3-1 in their last five games but, amazingly, they’re still in the playoff conversation. They’ll probably get the help they need the rest of the way, too. But can they help themselves?
Dismissing Pitt Early This Season was the Wrong Call
The Panthers’ rise from embarrassment to the ACC Championship was inspiring. It was also a lesson to those quick to jump off a bandwagon. Those inclined to do so risk missing a hell of a ride.
Pittsburgh Penguins' Plan: Do What Needs to be Done, Repeat
With the series tied at a game apiece, how the Pens fare the rest of the way will depend heavily on how their brand of physicality counters the Islanders’ heavy-hitting approach.
Pittsburgh Penguins Playing for Each Other as Much as Another Cup
The franchise’s decorated championship core looks poised to make another run, but likely won’t survive another early postseason collapse intact.
Portraits of Steelers’ Demise As Plentiful as They Are Painful
What looked like the end of an era was captured for posterity a bunch of times during and after the collapse against Cleveland. It might be a while before Mike Tomlin and the survivors find themselves smiling for the cameras again.
Loss of Browns' Coaches Makes Things Harder for Steelers
Cleveland won’t be what they could have been Sunday night due to circumstances beyond their control. The Steelers need to be all they can be, anyway, or else.
Restored Roethlisberger needs no encore in Cleveland
The Steelers found what had been lacking against Indianapolis. Their best-case-scenario for the Browns is escaping the regular-season finale healthy.
Ben Roethlisberger’s Lament: Do you See What I See?
The quarterback and his team need to identify what’s wrong before they can fix it. There’s enough evidence available to identify the former, which gives them a chance to accomplish the latter in time.
Will the ‘Real’ Steelers Emerge Again, or Have They Already?
The team, with Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback, has gone from being perceived as a legitimate contender to being doubted locally and nationally, and deservedly so.
First Loss Betrays Steelers’ Vulnerability, But It's Not a Fatal Flaw
How they bounce back against the Bills and beyond will be much more revealing than the loss to Washington.
Is Perception Reality for the Steelers?
Despite an 11-0 record, they aren’t regarded by many, if any, as a juggernaut.
The Ravens are No Longer Among Steelers’ Chief Concerns
At 10-0 the Steelers have bigger turkeys to stuff.
For Steelers, Adaptability is Mandatory, Distraction is Unacceptable
Mike Tomlin's squad faces a different team this week, but the same opponent.
Tomlin Determined Not to Let Steelers Take Eye Off Of The Prize
Making it halfway through the season undefeated says a lot about how the Steelers are constructed. But their commitment despite whatever’s thrown in their path by the pandemic is also a critical component.
Time Running Out on Stanley Cup Countdown
Penguins General Manager Jim Rutherford is doing what he can to keep his team ready during the NHL’s current hiatus. But Rutherford also knows the league may not make it back until next season. We’ll soon get to a point where the NHL shouldn’t.
From Madness to Desperation, if That’s What it Takes
In coping with the loss of March Madness, sports columnist Mike Prisuta has tried just about everything to recreate what can't be replicated.
From March Madness to March Sadness
It’s easy to understand and accept why our games have suddenly gone away. It’s what to do without them that’s perplexing and depressing if not distressing.
March Madness is not for the Faint of Heart
Robert Morris’ last-second survival in the Northeast Conference semifinals re-introduced tournament basketball with all the mayhem and euphoria we’ve come to anticipate at this point of a season.
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
