Mike Prisuta’s Sports Section
A weekly look at the games people are playing and the people who are playing them.
Patriot Games Can’t Diminish Harrison’s Place in Steelers History
James Harrison intimidated opposing players in a way not seen since the days of Jack Lambert and Mean Joe Greene.
Penguins Seeking 3-Peat With The Swagger of a Champion
The power play, star power and goaltending are among the primary weapons the Penguins have at their disposal in their quest for another championship. But so, too, is an unshakable belief they can hoist Lord Stanley's Cup three times in a row.
En Route to Becoming Pitt’s Basketball Savior, Capel Learned the Hard Way
Jeff Capel brings more than an impressive resume to the Pitt Panthers.
Remembering Namath, and to Protect the Plate, on the Occasion of Mom’s Passing
Mike Prisuta reflects on life lessons (and sports instruction) received from his late mother, Margaret Prisuta.
Embracing March Madness: The Only Constant is the Drama
Pittsburgh is blessed this week to host Duke and Mike Krzyzewski, Villanova and Jay Wright, and Oklahoma and freshman sensation Trae Young, among others, at PPG Paints Arena.
Stakes Raised in Steelers' Looming Breakup with Le'Veon
Bell’s special, but he’s not unique. The Steelers will need to identify his replacement sooner or later, perhaps even sooner rather than later.
Hunwick’s The Question, Letang’s The Answer for Penguins
The pressure is seemingly on Matt Hunwick to elevate his game, but it’s actually much more essential that Kris Letang gets it together.
Trade Now, Sign Later Approach Could Work Again for Penguins
With the NHL trade deadline looming, the Penguins are increasingly employing more forward-thinking approaches to the acquisition of future stars.
The Quest is No Less Recognizable Even if Team USA Is Not
They’re still playing hockey at the Winter Olympics, but without NHL players. Which means the guys doing the playing are relative nobodies. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Steelers Headed in Wrong Direction on The Stairway to Seven
A year ago at this juncture, the Steelers could legitimately perceive the Patriots as the only team standing between them and yet another championship. Now, a lot more more than just one team is in the way.
Hating the Patriots at Both Ends of Pennsylvania
Eagles fans will be disappointed if the Patriots prevail on Super Bowl Sunday –– Steelers fans could be devastated.
Guilty as Charged as a Nutting Enabler
If you're looking for someone to blame for the current state of the Pirates, start by looking at the mirror.
Steelers' No. 1 Problem Makes Others Pale in Comparison
Until they solve it, the Steelers are more of a Fantasy League team than they are a Super Bowl team.
Steelers Must Avoid ‘Captain Ahab’ Approach to the Jaguars
The Patriots are to the Steelers what Moby Dick was to Captain Ahab and that kind of obsession can backfire.
Fire Still Burns on Occasion for Still-Capable Penguins
Wins over the Flyers and Blue Jackets might signal a turning point in what's been a mediocre stretch of hockey for a team from which much more is expected.
7 Reasons Why I Think Steelers Will Beat Pats Next Time
The Steelers have been unable to beat New England in their last five outings. But there are plenty of good reasons why that streak could be broken next time around.
Steelers Can't Ease Their Patriots Pain Until January
Much as they’d like to, the Steelers won’t be able to exorcise the ghosts of AFC Championship Games Past, even with a win on Sunday.
Even When Pens Aren't Playing, There's Good Hockey to Be Found In Pittsburgh
PPG Paints Arena hosts a number of exciting hockey teams this month, and none of them play in the NHL.
Are Steelers Obsessed with Patriots? Why Wouldn’t They Be?
If the Steelers aren’t obsessed with beating New England by now, they’re doing it wrong.
Are Steelers Good Enough to Overcome Themselves?
The time has come for the offense to more often resemble what everyone thought it would become this season, as opposed to sinking on occasion to a Cleveland Browns-esque level of ineptitude.
What Steelers Have Experienced Suggests Where They’re Going
Their toughest opponent in the second half of the season, aside from the New England Patriots, might be themselves.
Steelers Will Ultimately Go Where Roethlisberger Takes Them
The Steelers quarterback has yet to make the argument that he should at least still be in the conversation when the likes of Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers are discussed.
Visit from McDavid Brings Out the Best in Crosby, Penguins
After a pair of blow-out losses, the Pens reminded everyone they still have the formula that earned them back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships.
It's What Steelers Do After Kansas City That Matters
The team is more than capable of beating the Bengals Sunday, but are they willing to keep their eye on the ball long enough to begin stacking victories again for a change?
Steelers' Latest Soap Opera is Timely If Not Manufactured
All of a sudden the Steelers have that us-against-the-world mentality many a team has sought to manufacture in tough times such as these.
Playoff Baseball a Far Cry From What Pirates Delivered in 2017
Instead of Buc-tober, they left us with a reminder of how fast and how far they had fallen.
Steelers and Ravens Battling More Than Each Other This Time
Sunday's national anthem fallout has changed the game.
Encouraging Start Only a Start for The Steelers
The season's first two victories were notched against mediocre competition. Eventually, the degree of difficulty is going to ratchet up considerably.
Mike Sullivan All-In On Penguins Winning It All Again
If the Penguins aren't again hoisting the Stanley Cup next June, it won’t be because anyone doubted such an outcome was possible.
Pitt’s Needs to Make Penn State Rivalry Less One-Sided
Pitt has a chance Saturday to pull an upset reminiscent of last November’s improbable victory at No. 2 Clemson or, given Penn State’s No. 4 ranking, the chance to get humiliated in Beaver Stadium.
Steelers Still Reaching for Answers in Defensive Backfield
Newly-signed cornerback Joe Haden could provide much-needed help, if the Steelers were right and the Browns were wrong about his health.
Steelers Are a ‘Close Group’ Still Seeking an Identity
The team looks good on paper, good in practice and even, uncharacteristically, good so far in the preseason. But very soon now, none of that will matter.
Who Belongs on a Pittsburgh Steelers Mount Rushmore?
As the team prepares the inaugural class of its Hall of Honor, Mike Prisuta selects the four members of the Steelers family most deserving of inclusion.
From the Obvious to the Minute - Steelers Don't Miss a Detail
For the Pittsburgh Steelers these days, no aspect or nuance of the game is considered too small to not be worth covering in training camp and beyond.
Steelers Must Man-Up if They Are Ever Going to Beat Patriots
“Press/Man” might be the Kryptonite the Steelers have been seeking to finally deal with New England.
Deal or No Deal is a Complex Question for Surprising Pirates
There’s no reason to be sellers now that the season has taken a turn toward the competitive, but nor should the Pirates be desperate to buy and in the process over-spend.
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
