Starkey & Mueller

What is happening with the Steelers defense? Aditi joins the PM Team

After the Pirates lost 8-4 to the Chicago Cubs, Matt Clement joins.

The Donny Football Debrief: What they're saying in New York ahead of the Giants matchup against the Chiefs

Is Derrick Harmon close to playing shape? He told reporters today if his number is called he’s ready to go.

Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike said the Steelers defense just is not getting it done. He brought up the follie from Kaleb Johnson and how the Steelers are usually the beneficiaries of plays like that. Mike said the mistakes made fall on Mike Tomlin and everyone else in the organization. Mike said this all falls back on Tomlin and it is really odd seeing the Steelers defense look like this. Mike doesn’t think the Steelers will start poorly enough to dangle big name players, or even Aaron Rodgers at the trade deadline. Mike and the guys went through some of the critical plays from Sunday. An age-old question about Tomlin’s coaching tree that lacks any branches. Why didn’t the Steelers keep Brian Flores in their building? The guys asked Mike a few Tom Brady related questions. Mike expects the Bengals to forge ahead with Jake Browning and not trade for another QB.

Former Penguin Tyler Kennedy joined the show. TK said Max Talbot will be joining Pomp & Joe tomorrow. Tyler told the guys that Talbot was one of the most fun guys on and off the ice. TK said the comments from Sidney Crosby today didn’t completely put out the fire on his future – which originally started with his own agent. He said Sid is made to be playing in the playoffs, and even though he loves the city and organization, it’s fair to question how much longer he can play on a bad team. TK doesn’t want to count the Penguins out before the season starts, even if it doesn’t look very interesting.

Comments are coming out of the Steelers facility today and the eyes are on the defense heading into Week 3. Will the defense look any better against Drake Maye and a young Pats offense? The guys aren’t so sure. At what point will this defense wake up? Donny thinks the offense will win them more games than the defense this year.

PM Team FULL Show 9-16-25

Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown joined the show. Greg reflected on the season from Paul Skenes as he enters his final home start of the season. Greg said it’s already hard to tell if there is another pitcher in Pirates history more dominant than Skenes. Greg said the division crown is still a goal, but it only takes the team being a little better than average to be in a playoff spot. Greg said it takes a legitimate starting SS and/or 3B to feel serious about next season. Greg talked about the decision by Don Kelly to sit Oneil Cruz and how frustrating the second half of the season has been for Cruz. The guys asked Greg about the idea of Cruz changing his position yet again in the offseason. Poni had Greg answer questions all around the diamond for the 2026 Buccos. Black & Gold Auction House – Round 6. Donny Football Debrief – The Steelers have a new WR – Isaiah Hodgins. And baby, did this thing go off the rails…

Mike Tomlin was making excuses for his defense after Sunday. What was the most annoying line he used – they were tired, they have too many new players, etc.? Tomlin acts like nobody else around the league has new players on their team. How much ROI are the Steelers getting with some of their defensive big names? Tomlin Tidbits – Jack Sawyer is going to take on a bigger role with the Alex Highsmith injury.

Another Tomlin Tuesday has people fired up over Mike Tomlin and his words following the loss to the Seahawks. A lot of excuses for what happened against Seattle when it came to his defense – a unit that yet again was gouged in the run game. Tomlin said the miscommunication was an issue and the lack of cohesion didn’t help. Calls reacting to Mike Tomlin and his Tuesday press conference. Chris questioned if any other team in football ahs the same type of brain trust and hierarchy as the Steelers old method. Tomlin-ism of the Week – Mike Tomlin talking about the ‘big nickel’ and ‘diming’ from the opposing defense.

Donny Football Debrief – The Steelers have a new WR – Isaiah Hodgins. And baby, did this thing go off the rails…

Black & Gold Auction House – Round 6.

Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown joined the show. Greg reflected on the season from Paul Skenes as he enters his final home start of the season. Greg said it’s already hard to tell if there is another pitcher in Pirates history more dominant than Skenes. Greg said the division crown is still a goal, but it only takes the team being a little better than average to be in a playoff spot. Greg said it takes a legitimate starting SS and/or 3B to feel serious about next season. Greg talked about the decision by Don Kelly to sit Oneil Cruz and how frustrating the second half of the season has been for Cruz. The guys asked Greg about the idea of Cruz changing his position yet again in the offseason. Poni had Greg answer questions all around the diamond for the 2026 Buccos.

How much ROI are the Steelers getting with some of their defensive big names?

Mike Tomlin was making excuses for his defense after Sunday. What was the most annoying line he used – they were tired, they have too many new players, etc.? Tomlin acts like nobody else around the league has new players on their team.

Tomlin-ism of the Week – Mike Tomlin talking about the ‘big nickel’ and ‘diming’ from the opposing defense.

Another Tomlin Tuesday has people fired up over Mike Tomlin and his words following the loss to the Seahawks. A lot of excuses for what happened against Seattle when it came to his defense – a unit that yet again was gouged in the run game. Tomlin said the miscommunication was an issue and the lack of cohesion didn’t help.

PM Team FULL Show 9-15-25

Aaron Rodgers said that it is only week 2 and everybody should relax. Poni mentions that Rodgers was great in week one, but the offense as a whole really was not. The Seahawks did a good job taking DK Metcalf out of the game yesterday. Mullsy does not think that Mike Tomlin will win another playoff game with the Steelers. The Steelers gave up a touchdown run on 3rd and goal from the 19 yesterday. Poni thinks that Walker wasn’t even touched on this play. Callers talk about the game. Donny Football Debrief – WVU beat Pitt in Morgantown to close out this edition of the Backyard Brawl. Pat Narduzzi is lucky that the Steelers lost, so that nobody talks about the brawl. The guys expected Pitt to win, but thought it would be close.