Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Steelers-Packers last Thursday had a better rating than any Penguins or Pirates game this season in the local market, even though we hear people say they don’t care about it. What is the future for the NFL preseason? Mike thinks we could look at 20 regular season games with 0 preseason games at some point. Mike thinks the NFL international expansion would go ‘at least’ 2 teams at a time, so there is always an even number. Mike believes the expansion could get to 40 teams, with a pair of 4-team international divisions in each conference. Could there be a new way of travel that would help NFL teams get from the United States across the pond? What happens if a team in Australia clinches home-field in the playoffs? Mike said the NFL would go to Canada and ‘not think twice about it’ if the league knows they can make money. Mike mentioned other difficulties that will arise for teams and players that are in the international markets. Which countries would be in the front of the line here? If countries can just tout money, the NFL will bite, which includes places like Saudi Arabia being on the table. Mike doesn’t expect to see Tony Romo in the booth for CBS this season and perhaps never again. Mike thinks CBS was looking for a reason to get out of Romo’s deal more than they were embarrassed by what he actually did. The convo turned to love for Bob Seger. Mike was sadly reminded of 13-9. After the chat with Mike, we talked more about the iconic 2007 college football season.
The BATTLIN’ BUCS. The Pirates came back from 3-1 down to win the game, 4-3 over the Tigers. A banner day for Rafael Flores Jr., who hit a pair of homers, including the game-tying HR in the 9th. Brandon Lowe walked it off with his 27th long ball of the year just a few batters later. So, plenty of good – the Pirates won, but how did Paul Skenes look? Skenes looked very average again, to be kind. Plenty of control issues that had him running up the pitch count and removed from the game before he completed 5 innings. Do the Pirates have any shot to make the playoffs?
Calls in reaction to the Pirates winning in walk-off fashion against the Tigers.
