1 00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:10,200 Speaker 1: Mike McCarthy gave his an augular dress today and he 2 00:00:10,240 --> 00:00:12,480 Speaker 1: seemed to have won the opening press conference, joining me 3 00:00:12,520 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 1: not to discuss he covers the Steelers for the Athletic 4 00:00:15,880 --> 00:00:16,880 Speaker 1: it's Mike de Fabo. 5 00:00:17,320 --> 00:00:18,120 Speaker 2: Mike am I right. 6 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:21,200 Speaker 1: I thought McCarthy clearly won his opening press conference. 7 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:26,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, and that's all that matters, right, winning that press conference. 8 00:00:26,040 --> 00:00:28,280 Speaker 3: But I think the biggest thing that stuck out to 9 00:00:28,320 --> 00:00:30,920 Speaker 3: me was he was clearly emotional when he started talking 10 00:00:30,960 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 3: about what it meant to him to be. 11 00:00:32,760 --> 00:00:33,720 Speaker 4: The coach in Pittsburgh. 12 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:35,800 Speaker 3: And no matter how you feel about the hire, and 13 00:00:35,840 --> 00:00:37,720 Speaker 3: I think we all have different points of view on that, 14 00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:41,400 Speaker 3: I mean, you have to understand how cool it must 15 00:00:41,479 --> 00:00:44,920 Speaker 3: be for him to grow up here in this community, 16 00:00:45,159 --> 00:00:48,560 Speaker 3: understand that football is everything in Pittsburgh, and now. 17 00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:49,360 Speaker 4: He gets to leave them. 18 00:00:49,360 --> 00:00:53,120 Speaker 3: And I think that that was maybe the biggest takeaway 19 00:00:53,120 --> 00:00:55,560 Speaker 3: that I had was just his family was there. His 20 00:00:55,640 --> 00:00:57,480 Speaker 3: mom was in the front row, his dad was in 21 00:00:57,520 --> 00:01:00,840 Speaker 3: the front row. Like it felt like McCarthy's family reunion 22 00:01:00,880 --> 00:01:03,160 Speaker 3: with the front two rows, which is so many people there, 23 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:06,160 Speaker 3: so it's nothing else. This is a very sentimental moment. 24 00:01:06,200 --> 00:01:10,320 Speaker 3: But ultimately that sentimental moment will wear off, and ultimately 25 00:01:10,360 --> 00:01:13,040 Speaker 3: the question is can he find and develop the next 26 00:01:13,080 --> 00:01:16,640 Speaker 3: quarterback and can he win playoff games? And I think 27 00:01:16,760 --> 00:01:18,920 Speaker 3: in that order is how he should be judged. 28 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:20,360 Speaker 2: Oh, no question about that. 29 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:23,360 Speaker 1: And really, in terms of information, I'm not sure we 30 00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:26,920 Speaker 1: learned much from that press conference that we didn't already know. Mike, 31 00:01:26,959 --> 00:01:30,560 Speaker 1: for example, I think we knew he got hired in 32 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:34,200 Speaker 1: part because you'd have a better chance of getting Rogers back. 33 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:36,840 Speaker 1: And boys sided to me like, there is indeed a 34 00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:39,480 Speaker 1: good chance of that, and they've clearly talked. 35 00:01:40,880 --> 00:01:44,200 Speaker 3: Yeah, Mike McCarthy said that they've already spoken. And really 36 00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:46,560 Speaker 3: it seemed to me like Aaron Rodgers was leaving the 37 00:01:46,560 --> 00:01:47,039 Speaker 3: door open. 38 00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:48,160 Speaker 4: When we asked Aaron. 39 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:51,240 Speaker 3: Rodgers about his future leading up to that Week eighteen 40 00:01:51,240 --> 00:01:54,320 Speaker 3: game against the Baltimore Ravens, he clearly left the door open. 41 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:56,040 Speaker 3: He said, look, I'm going to be a free agent. 42 00:01:56,280 --> 00:01:58,080 Speaker 3: I'm going to have one or two options. And when 43 00:01:58,120 --> 00:02:00,559 Speaker 3: he said one or two options to me, I was thinking, 44 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:02,360 Speaker 3: he's either going to play. 45 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:04,000 Speaker 4: For the Steelers next year or he's going to go 46 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:05,919 Speaker 4: play with his buddy Kevin O'Connell. 47 00:02:06,440 --> 00:02:08,760 Speaker 3: And now the fact that you brought in Mike McCarthy, 48 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:12,080 Speaker 3: a guy who knows him well, who contributed in some 49 00:02:12,240 --> 00:02:15,639 Speaker 3: way to his development. I think it certainly increases the likelihood. 50 00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:16,320 Speaker 5: Now. 51 00:02:16,680 --> 00:02:19,720 Speaker 3: Ultimately, I think that the ball is now in Aaron Rodgers' court, 52 00:02:19,760 --> 00:02:22,000 Speaker 3: and what does he want to do? In trying to 53 00:02:22,040 --> 00:02:25,400 Speaker 3: predict what or when Aaron Rodgers is going to make 54 00:02:25,400 --> 00:02:28,640 Speaker 3: a decision is always a dangerous game. But again, my 55 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:32,160 Speaker 3: sense from talking with Rogers in the week's leading up 56 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:34,960 Speaker 3: to the season finale, it seemed to me like he 57 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:37,520 Speaker 3: was a guy that was more leaning towards coming back 58 00:02:37,560 --> 00:02:40,560 Speaker 3: to playing than thinking that his playing days were done. 59 00:02:40,880 --> 00:02:43,959 Speaker 1: Yeah, but that being the case, Mike, I can't wait 60 00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:46,480 Speaker 1: forever for him. If I'm a new coach, even if 61 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:49,280 Speaker 1: I have a history with Rogers like McCarthy does, I 62 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:52,160 Speaker 1: can't wait forever. In fact, I wouldn't wait till past 63 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:53,920 Speaker 1: the first week of March. I would want him to 64 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:58,120 Speaker 1: decide before legal tampering and then free agencies start, because 65 00:02:58,120 --> 00:03:00,280 Speaker 1: you got to get your quarterback room straightened out, and 66 00:03:00,320 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 1: it can't go like it did last year. I think 67 00:03:03,400 --> 00:03:07,760 Speaker 1: that was ultimately, to some small degree damaging, especially given 68 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:09,960 Speaker 1: that Rogers really didn't play terrific. 69 00:03:11,320 --> 00:03:14,000 Speaker 3: Now I agree with you, Mark, and especially because Aaron Rodgers' 70 00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:17,239 Speaker 3: excuse during that time was he said he had family issues. Well, 71 00:03:17,240 --> 00:03:20,240 Speaker 3: if that was the reason before that, there should be 72 00:03:20,280 --> 00:03:23,240 Speaker 3: no reason why he can't make a timely decision for 73 00:03:23,360 --> 00:03:25,320 Speaker 3: a franchise that needs one quickly. 74 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:27,760 Speaker 4: And I'm kind of on. 75 00:03:27,720 --> 00:03:30,280 Speaker 3: The fence and more towards the negative aspect of Aaron 76 00:03:30,320 --> 00:03:33,120 Speaker 3: Rodgers coming back, because on one hand, look, it's kind 77 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:35,320 Speaker 3: of the same conversation as last year. There are not 78 00:03:35,480 --> 00:03:37,400 Speaker 3: a lot of good options right now, and you could 79 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:40,400 Speaker 3: probably convince yourself he's the best of the bad options. 80 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:43,720 Speaker 3: They had been stockpiling draft capital with the plan of 81 00:03:43,800 --> 00:03:45,119 Speaker 3: moving up in this year's. 82 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:46,240 Speaker 4: Draft to land that quarterback. 83 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:50,720 Speaker 3: Unfortunately, the twenty twenty six quarterback class has virtually collapsed. 84 00:03:50,760 --> 00:03:53,640 Speaker 3: You've got Fernando Mendoza, who's going to go first overall 85 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:55,920 Speaker 3: to the Vegas Raiders, who are going to get Clint 86 00:03:56,000 --> 00:03:58,920 Speaker 3: Kubiak probably as their head coach because of the quarterback 87 00:03:58,960 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 3: they're going to be able to get after that. 88 00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:03,120 Speaker 5: You who are we talking about here? 89 00:04:03,120 --> 00:04:05,240 Speaker 3: Maybe Ty Simpson is kind of the guy people are 90 00:04:05,240 --> 00:04:08,240 Speaker 3: talking about as the next best rookie quarterback. He has 91 00:04:08,360 --> 00:04:11,800 Speaker 3: just one year of full time starting experience. And if 92 00:04:11,800 --> 00:04:14,520 Speaker 3: you look at the resumes and the track record of 93 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:17,839 Speaker 3: one year starters that go pro other than Cam Newton, 94 00:04:17,960 --> 00:04:20,600 Speaker 3: they're not a long list of guys who've been successful. 95 00:04:20,640 --> 00:04:22,640 Speaker 3: So there's a couple other guys you might be able 96 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:24,680 Speaker 3: to throw a dart at in the second or third round, 97 00:04:24,680 --> 00:04:26,440 Speaker 3: and I think that that might be a decent approach. 98 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:28,839 Speaker 3: But the way I look at I think the Steelers 99 00:04:28,839 --> 00:04:32,480 Speaker 3: are probably thinking, same as last year, Let's bring in 100 00:04:32,560 --> 00:04:35,520 Speaker 3: Rogers as another veteran band aid for one more season. 101 00:04:36,160 --> 00:04:39,000 Speaker 3: Maybe he can provide more time to get you in 102 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:41,040 Speaker 3: that bridge, to get you to the twenty twenty. 103 00:04:40,839 --> 00:04:41,920 Speaker 4: Seven quarterback class. 104 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:45,880 Speaker 3: But before long, they can't keep just putting these veteran bandings. 105 00:04:45,920 --> 00:04:49,200 Speaker 3: They've got to find the future franchise quarterback. And ultimately, 106 00:04:49,320 --> 00:04:52,000 Speaker 3: again that's what McCarthy's going to be judged by, not 107 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:55,360 Speaker 3: by whether they win one single playoff game this year 108 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:57,960 Speaker 3: or whatever, have a winning record. Can you get the 109 00:04:57,960 --> 00:05:01,560 Speaker 3: Steelers out of this current cycle of just veteran band aids. 110 00:05:01,839 --> 00:05:04,640 Speaker 1: Well, if Rogers doesn't come back, what about Malik Willis? 111 00:05:04,640 --> 00:05:05,599 Speaker 1: What about Will Howard? 112 00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:08,040 Speaker 5: Yeah? 113 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:09,800 Speaker 3: I mean I think that your options if it's not 114 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:13,839 Speaker 3: Aaron Rodgers veteran. Wise, Malik Willis is probably the guy 115 00:05:13,839 --> 00:05:17,080 Speaker 3: that stood out the most, and really what you'd be 116 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:20,160 Speaker 3: counting on there is kind of like a Baker Mayfield, 117 00:05:20,400 --> 00:05:24,640 Speaker 3: like you know, redemption in the second act of his career. 118 00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:26,360 Speaker 4: I don't know that he has it in him. 119 00:05:26,400 --> 00:05:29,280 Speaker 3: He wasn't like you look at Sam Darnold and other 120 00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:32,760 Speaker 3: guys like that who've had redemption stories. Those were elite, 121 00:05:32,839 --> 00:05:35,560 Speaker 3: high end talents that then never really put. 122 00:05:35,360 --> 00:05:37,479 Speaker 1: It together at the NFL level, right, They weren't like 123 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:40,679 Speaker 1: Liberty Liberty like like Willis playing at a lower level. 124 00:05:40,720 --> 00:05:43,440 Speaker 2: And but that said, he's kind of the flavored du jour, 125 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:44,120 Speaker 2: isn't he, Mike. 126 00:05:44,240 --> 00:05:46,640 Speaker 1: I'm not sure if the Steelers should want him. I'm 127 00:05:46,680 --> 00:05:49,960 Speaker 1: even less sure that they could get him. 128 00:05:50,120 --> 00:05:53,119 Speaker 3: Yeah, Malik Willis would fit more so into the modern NFL. 129 00:05:53,240 --> 00:05:55,960 Speaker 3: And here's my biggest gripe I guess with with bringing 130 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:59,640 Speaker 3: back Rogers would be just look at how the playoffs unfolded. 131 00:05:59,760 --> 00:06:01,839 Speaker 3: You know, if you're into sports gambling, one of the 132 00:06:01,839 --> 00:06:04,120 Speaker 3: best bets you could have made throughout this playoffs was 133 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:07,919 Speaker 3: over rushing attempts and over rushing yards for every single 134 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:13,039 Speaker 3: quarterback in the playoffs, whether that's Josh Allen or even 135 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:15,400 Speaker 3: Sam Darnold, bow knicks go. 136 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:16,039 Speaker 5: Down the list. 137 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:19,840 Speaker 3: And when you play really elite defenses, which is what 138 00:06:19,880 --> 00:06:22,559 Speaker 3: you're going to see in the playoffs right now, having 139 00:06:22,560 --> 00:06:25,960 Speaker 3: a quarterback with mobility is just such an essential part 140 00:06:25,960 --> 00:06:28,440 Speaker 3: of that. And that was what hurt Aaron Rodgers the most. 141 00:06:28,640 --> 00:06:30,920 Speaker 3: You look at his numbers, it's really. 142 00:06:30,880 --> 00:06:32,720 Speaker 5: Two different stories with him last year. 143 00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:35,920 Speaker 3: How he's played against average the blow average defenses, and 144 00:06:35,960 --> 00:06:39,279 Speaker 3: how he played against top ten defenses. And when he 145 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:41,680 Speaker 3: played top ten defenses, there were eight times that he 146 00:06:41,720 --> 00:06:44,440 Speaker 3: had those games his passer rating with seventy five. 147 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:46,920 Speaker 4: He turned the ball over. 148 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:49,919 Speaker 3: More than than he threw touchdown passes. And I know 149 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 3: people are going to say, oh, yeah, isn't that every quarterback, No, 150 00:06:53,279 --> 00:06:56,279 Speaker 3: it's not. With Rogers. It was to a much greater 151 00:06:56,400 --> 00:06:59,680 Speaker 3: degree that the decline was much more precipitous because of 152 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:02,599 Speaker 3: the fact he doesn't have mobility and that the deep 153 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:06,720 Speaker 3: ball was inconsistent at best throughout the year. So I 154 00:07:06,720 --> 00:07:09,160 Speaker 3: think my fear would be Rogers can get you what 155 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:11,000 Speaker 3: he got you last year. He can get you to 156 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:14,120 Speaker 3: ten and seven. He can get you to the playoffs. 157 00:07:14,320 --> 00:07:17,440 Speaker 3: But when you see the good defense, Virtually every time 158 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:18,680 Speaker 3: he saw a good defense, it. 159 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:20,960 Speaker 4: Was a very, very disappointing performance. 160 00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:23,520 Speaker 2: And he clearly doesn't want to get hit either. We're 161 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:24,000 Speaker 2: talking to Mike. 162 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:26,240 Speaker 1: The fable of the athletic brought to us by Armstrong 163 00:07:26,560 --> 00:07:29,000 Speaker 1: the Internet. You can count on the people you can 164 00:07:29,040 --> 00:07:34,440 Speaker 1: trust Armstrong one wire dot com. Why did the Steelers 165 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:38,880 Speaker 1: back off the younger coaches like Shula and Shielhouse, the Kubiaks. 166 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:42,120 Speaker 1: That was their old model for hiring and they just 167 00:07:42,640 --> 00:07:45,520 Speaker 1: dumped out of it so quick, only interviewed three coaches 168 00:07:45,560 --> 00:07:46,080 Speaker 1: in person. 169 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:49,720 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think you get the nail on the head mark. 170 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:52,640 Speaker 3: That would be my biggest complaint about this whole thing 171 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:56,720 Speaker 3: is the process, because really you look at what they did. 172 00:07:56,760 --> 00:07:59,320 Speaker 4: They only had three in person interviews. 173 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:01,880 Speaker 3: They brought in two minority candidates to check the box 174 00:08:01,920 --> 00:08:04,280 Speaker 3: for the Rooney roll, and then they hired their guy. 175 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:05,840 Speaker 4: And that's what you do. 176 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:08,200 Speaker 3: If you can go get Ben Johnson, if you can 177 00:08:08,240 --> 00:08:10,800 Speaker 3: go get Mike Rabel, if you can go get a 178 00:08:10,840 --> 00:08:13,760 Speaker 3: guy who's clearly the top guy on the market. Mike 179 00:08:13,840 --> 00:08:16,080 Speaker 3: McCarthy was not clearly the top guy on the market. 180 00:08:16,160 --> 00:08:18,640 Speaker 3: So I'm not even saying they should have hired Shula 181 00:08:18,840 --> 00:08:22,160 Speaker 3: or should have hired Selhouse. But I would have liked 182 00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:24,680 Speaker 3: to see the Steelers at least bring those guys in 183 00:08:25,040 --> 00:08:27,680 Speaker 3: and allow them the opportunity to impress you in an 184 00:08:27,680 --> 00:08:31,240 Speaker 3: in person interview. You know, Art Rooney, days after Mike 185 00:08:31,280 --> 00:08:34,079 Speaker 3: Tomlin stepped down, he talked about how they were not 186 00:08:34,160 --> 00:08:36,760 Speaker 3: planning to hire Mike Tomlin when they brought him in 187 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:41,199 Speaker 3: for an interview. Well, why why was Shula and Seelhouse 188 00:08:41,240 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 3: and et cetera not given that same opportunity to impress 189 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:44,560 Speaker 3: you in person? 190 00:08:44,720 --> 00:08:48,520 Speaker 1: No, I agree totally. I find myself wondering two things. 191 00:08:48,559 --> 00:08:52,600 Speaker 1: If McCarthy wasn't like preordained as a successor the moment 192 00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:54,920 Speaker 1: they got even a hint to Tomlin was going to quit, 193 00:08:55,600 --> 00:08:58,640 Speaker 1: And if Art didn't want some young guy who would 194 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:02,520 Speaker 1: swing focus of the organize to analytics to a degree 195 00:09:02,559 --> 00:09:03,680 Speaker 1: that he'd be uncomfortable with. 196 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:07,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, I thought it was kind of funny to your 197 00:09:07,040 --> 00:09:10,520 Speaker 3: point there, Mark, that Art has repeatedly said that the 198 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:13,280 Speaker 3: problem is not the size of the staff, and they've 199 00:09:13,360 --> 00:09:15,600 Speaker 3: kind of like papooed the notion of, oh, well, that 200 00:09:15,679 --> 00:09:20,520 Speaker 3: these teams have all these excessive titles and extra staff members. Well, 201 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:24,560 Speaker 3: the same franchise that does not employ a passing game 202 00:09:24,640 --> 00:09:29,160 Speaker 3: coordinator was considering a passing game coordinator as their next 203 00:09:29,160 --> 00:09:29,720 Speaker 3: head coach. 204 00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:31,719 Speaker 4: And that's one thing that I would like. 205 00:09:31,679 --> 00:09:35,719 Speaker 3: To see change with this next regime is approaching the 206 00:09:35,840 --> 00:09:38,320 Speaker 3: coaching staff as if it's your roster. And what I 207 00:09:38,320 --> 00:09:41,400 Speaker 3: mean by that is acquiring the most and the best 208 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:46,320 Speaker 3: and the youngest talent and looking at it like I mean. 209 00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:49,920 Speaker 4: Here's another way to look at it. The Steelers built. 210 00:09:49,640 --> 00:09:52,040 Speaker 3: Their dynasty in the seventies because Chuck Noll was an 211 00:09:52,040 --> 00:09:56,160 Speaker 3: elite coach. You need to have elite coaches plural now 212 00:09:56,200 --> 00:09:58,360 Speaker 3: to win. Just look at the Rams and how people 213 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:00,359 Speaker 3: keep trying to pluck from that tree. 214 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:02,640 Speaker 4: I would love to see the Steelers do that. 215 00:10:02,679 --> 00:10:05,440 Speaker 3: And I think that that begins first and foremost with 216 00:10:05,559 --> 00:10:09,479 Speaker 3: the defensive coordinator. Like Sean Payton has had this resurgence 217 00:10:09,800 --> 00:10:12,920 Speaker 3: within Denver and everyone's talking about how he found a 218 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:15,000 Speaker 3: young quarterback in Bonnick that he can develop. 219 00:10:15,679 --> 00:10:17,679 Speaker 4: The Denver Broncos were. 220 00:10:17,600 --> 00:10:20,559 Speaker 3: In that position and they were in a playoff game 221 00:10:20,640 --> 00:10:23,719 Speaker 3: until the very end with a backup quarterback because of 222 00:10:23,840 --> 00:10:27,320 Speaker 3: Vance Joseph. Their defensive coordinator who is a high end 223 00:10:27,360 --> 00:10:30,360 Speaker 3: defensive mind coordinating the elite defense. And so I think 224 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:34,000 Speaker 3: that really Mike McCarthy can change public perception and set 225 00:10:34,080 --> 00:10:37,600 Speaker 3: himself up for success by hiring the right defensive coordinator. 226 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:40,000 Speaker 3: I think that that's a huge part of what comes 227 00:10:40,040 --> 00:10:40,880 Speaker 3: next to the Steelers. 228 00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:41,760 Speaker 2: I do too. 229 00:10:41,920 --> 00:10:44,360 Speaker 1: I think that's the toughest job on the staff, maybe 230 00:10:44,360 --> 00:10:46,839 Speaker 1: even tougher than head coach with the way things have 231 00:10:47,520 --> 00:10:50,000 Speaker 1: transpired here, because they're going to play a three to 232 00:10:50,040 --> 00:10:53,000 Speaker 1: four McCarthy said he's comfortable with that. I wonder in 233 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:55,079 Speaker 1: that limits who you can bring in, who you should 234 00:10:55,160 --> 00:10:58,120 Speaker 1: bring in as a defensive coordinator as well. Plus you 235 00:10:58,160 --> 00:11:01,920 Speaker 1: have veterans like TJ wat who just don't want to 236 00:11:02,080 --> 00:11:03,760 Speaker 1: change the way they played. 237 00:11:03,480 --> 00:11:04,120 Speaker 2: No matter what. 238 00:11:06,320 --> 00:11:07,600 Speaker 4: Yeah, I agree with you, Mark. 239 00:11:07,640 --> 00:11:09,560 Speaker 3: And one name that I would keep an eye on 240 00:11:09,640 --> 00:11:12,160 Speaker 3: and that I think could be very much in contention 241 00:11:12,400 --> 00:11:15,240 Speaker 3: is Patrick Graham. Right now, he's the defensive coordinator for 242 00:11:15,280 --> 00:11:17,560 Speaker 3: the Raiders, and if you look up, the stature going 243 00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:20,560 Speaker 3: to be underwhelmed. But at the same time, you know 244 00:11:20,559 --> 00:11:22,800 Speaker 3: when Patrick Graham, he's now in his fourth year with 245 00:11:22,880 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 3: the Raiders. His first two years they had the second 246 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:28,400 Speaker 3: lowest paid defense in the third lowest paid defense, and 247 00:11:28,440 --> 00:11:30,800 Speaker 3: then they loaded up in the draft with offensive talent. 248 00:11:31,240 --> 00:11:35,520 Speaker 3: Patrick Graham overlapped with McCarthy in twenty eighteen when he 249 00:11:35,640 --> 00:11:39,200 Speaker 3: was in Green Bay, and Patrick Graham has experienced with 250 00:11:39,240 --> 00:11:41,600 Speaker 3: a lot of really good defensive minds. He started his 251 00:11:41,640 --> 00:11:44,080 Speaker 3: career with Bill Belichick, and he took from him that 252 00:11:44,080 --> 00:11:45,760 Speaker 3: you got to make the offense beat you with their 253 00:11:45,760 --> 00:11:49,560 Speaker 3: off hand. He worked under Steve Spagnolo, and Spagnolo is 254 00:11:49,640 --> 00:11:53,000 Speaker 3: like a wizard with his pressure packages in those kinds 255 00:11:53,040 --> 00:11:55,960 Speaker 3: of things. He also with the defensive coordinator under Brian 256 00:11:56,040 --> 00:11:57,080 Speaker 3: Flores in Miami. 257 00:11:57,240 --> 00:11:58,920 Speaker 4: We know that Flores all. 258 00:11:58,800 --> 00:12:01,120 Speaker 3: That he does with pressure and also venturing into the 259 00:12:01,200 --> 00:12:03,640 Speaker 3: quarters universe, which has been so big from a coverage 260 00:12:03,640 --> 00:12:05,680 Speaker 3: standpoint in the modern NFL. 261 00:12:06,120 --> 00:12:07,320 Speaker 4: So you know, I think. 262 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:10,520 Speaker 3: That that's a guy that has connections to McCarthy, and 263 00:12:10,679 --> 00:12:13,440 Speaker 3: if they were to hire Patrick Graham, I would be 264 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:14,360 Speaker 3: a fan of that move. 265 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:18,040 Speaker 1: It strikes me that hiring McCarthy, which is basically running 266 00:12:18,080 --> 00:12:21,960 Speaker 1: back what Tomlin did but with a different guy, that 267 00:12:22,040 --> 00:12:24,719 Speaker 1: their super Bowl now is just winning a playoff game. 268 00:12:24,760 --> 00:12:28,000 Speaker 1: That there's almost an obsession there with Art because the 269 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:30,080 Speaker 1: Steelers ain't done it in almost a decade. 270 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:35,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, And I agree there mark where I really was 271 00:12:35,960 --> 00:12:39,400 Speaker 3: hoping and thinking that a new coach would give them 272 00:12:39,440 --> 00:12:42,760 Speaker 3: the opportunity to hit the reset button and to start 273 00:12:42,800 --> 00:12:45,480 Speaker 3: turning over the roster and getting younger and you know, 274 00:12:45,640 --> 00:12:49,280 Speaker 3: trade TJ. Watton, get some assets, and you know, move 275 00:12:49,360 --> 00:12:53,440 Speaker 3: on from from Jalen Ramsey and get younger players within 276 00:12:53,480 --> 00:12:56,120 Speaker 3: that And even if it means taking a step back 277 00:12:56,160 --> 00:12:58,520 Speaker 3: this year, it's ultimately going to put you in a 278 00:12:58,559 --> 00:13:01,840 Speaker 3: position to to then draft the quarterback of the future. 279 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:06,440 Speaker 3: And I would have loved to say progress and success 280 00:13:06,559 --> 00:13:09,800 Speaker 3: is measured by how much does the roster improve and how. 281 00:13:09,720 --> 00:13:12,600 Speaker 4: Much have you put yourself in a position. 282 00:13:12,280 --> 00:13:14,800 Speaker 3: That when you do land that rookie quarterback in twenty 283 00:13:14,840 --> 00:13:17,400 Speaker 3: twenty seven, they can walk into a situation like Ben 284 00:13:17,480 --> 00:13:20,800 Speaker 3: Roethlisberger inherited, where it was a pretty complete team around 285 00:13:20,880 --> 00:13:23,240 Speaker 3: him and he was able to elevate them and push 286 00:13:23,280 --> 00:13:26,280 Speaker 3: them over the top. Instead, what I'm fearful of is 287 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:28,480 Speaker 3: is you're going to have a situation where they take 288 00:13:28,600 --> 00:13:33,319 Speaker 3: duct tape and aging veterans and they slap together eleven 289 00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:35,040 Speaker 3: wins and then you know. 290 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:37,400 Speaker 4: Maybe they win a playoff game. Maybe they don't, and 291 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:38,160 Speaker 4: that doesn't. 292 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:40,839 Speaker 3: Get you any closer to legitimately competing with the top 293 00:13:40,880 --> 00:13:44,080 Speaker 3: dogs in the AFC and really in the NFC, which 294 00:13:44,080 --> 00:13:46,880 Speaker 3: they're playing an entirely different game right now than the rest. 295 00:13:46,960 --> 00:13:49,760 Speaker 3: And that's what I would do. But I agree with you, Mark, 296 00:13:49,840 --> 00:13:51,679 Speaker 3: I don't see that happening. I think that they're going 297 00:13:51,720 --> 00:13:54,319 Speaker 3: to run it back. I think they're going to again 298 00:13:54,600 --> 00:13:56,400 Speaker 3: do everything in their power to try to win as 299 00:13:56,440 --> 00:14:00,720 Speaker 3: many games right here right now, and that similar short 300 00:14:00,720 --> 00:14:04,680 Speaker 3: sighted approach has led to the non losing season streak 301 00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:08,880 Speaker 3: and also the ultimate nine year winless streak in the 302 00:14:08,880 --> 00:14:10,520 Speaker 3: playoffs that's forced one out. 303 00:14:10,800 --> 00:14:13,160 Speaker 1: You know what amazes me, Mike is that New England 304 00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:16,000 Speaker 1: is back in the super Bowl and with the franchise quarterback, 305 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:20,800 Speaker 1: just six years after Brady left. Why don't the Steelers 306 00:14:20,800 --> 00:14:23,200 Speaker 1: look at that and think, you know, maybe we're not 307 00:14:23,400 --> 00:14:26,760 Speaker 1: always right, maybe our approach does need tweak. But quite 308 00:14:26,760 --> 00:14:29,400 Speaker 1: the contrary, it seems like they're they believe more than 309 00:14:29,440 --> 00:14:30,320 Speaker 1: ever in their approach. 310 00:14:32,560 --> 00:14:33,760 Speaker 4: Yeah, I agree with you, Mark. 311 00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:37,480 Speaker 6: I think that they just refuse to punt on a season, or. 312 00:14:37,400 --> 00:14:38,280 Speaker 4: Not even punt on it. 313 00:14:38,400 --> 00:14:42,480 Speaker 3: They just only look at the end result that year, 314 00:14:42,840 --> 00:14:46,560 Speaker 3: and I just again, I just feel like you don't 315 00:14:46,600 --> 00:14:50,920 Speaker 3: have to measure success of a season by the ultimate 316 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:53,920 Speaker 3: record and whether you won more games than you lost. 317 00:14:54,240 --> 00:14:56,640 Speaker 3: I think you should measure success of a season this 318 00:14:56,800 --> 00:15:00,040 Speaker 3: year by how much have you improved the roster? And 319 00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:02,000 Speaker 3: that's that's what I ultimately would be doing if I 320 00:15:02,040 --> 00:15:03,560 Speaker 3: were calling the shots. 321 00:15:03,600 --> 00:15:06,600 Speaker 1: Mike is always absolutely great stuff, good content at the 322 00:15:06,640 --> 00:15:09,040 Speaker 1: athletic as well, and we'll talk again next week. 323 00:15:10,120 --> 00:15:11,760 Speaker 3: All right, Tom, great, Mark, thanks for having me. 324 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:14,720 Speaker 1: That's Mike de Fabo, brought to us by Armstrong on 325 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:18,720 Speaker 1: Wired dot Com. Get your calls in now for calls 326 00:15:18,760 --> 00:15:21,000 Speaker 1: on the fifteens, and we've got Phil Bourd talking hockey 327 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:23,080 Speaker 1: at the bottom of the hour. Want your reaction to 328 00:15:23,120 --> 00:15:27,320 Speaker 1: the McCarthy inauguration aka the opening press conference? 329 00:15:27,360 --> 00:15:28,240 Speaker 2: One O five to nine. 330 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:33,480 Speaker 7: Day night the Pens face off against the Blackhawks. Game 331 00:15:33,600 --> 00:15:37,320 Speaker 7: time is seven. Our coverage starts at six here every 332 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:39,800 Speaker 7: game and the best coverage right here on your home 333 00:15:39,800 --> 00:15:42,120 Speaker 7: of the Pens one O five nine d X. 334 00:15:43,960 --> 00:15:47,160 Speaker 2: You know what's on, everybody, Get a loud our. 335 00:15:47,040 --> 00:15:50,720 Speaker 8: Twenty twenty six I heart and now the super genius 336 00:15:50,760 --> 00:15:51,520 Speaker 8: Mark Madden. 337 00:15:51,680 --> 00:15:53,040 Speaker 4: Hey, Mark, Great show as. 338 00:15:53,320 --> 00:15:54,760 Speaker 2: When you got a young trophy white. 339 00:15:54,920 --> 00:15:57,560 Speaker 1: Oh's Monday that I can't even quote the big o'bowski right, 340 00:15:57,600 --> 00:15:58,440 Speaker 1: goodbye the. 341 00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:00,359 Speaker 2: X at one oh five nine. 342 00:16:02,640 --> 00:16:06,560 Speaker 1: Good stuff from the Favo, good stuff all day. After 343 00:16:06,600 --> 00:16:12,680 Speaker 1: the McCarthy inauguration com press conference, McCarthy came off good. 344 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:16,040 Speaker 1: He cried, he said, here we go. He pronounced will 345 00:16:16,120 --> 00:16:21,200 Speaker 1: haird with that hardians Or accent. He said, Pittsburgh is 346 00:16:21,280 --> 00:16:23,480 Speaker 1: my life. His whole family was there, his mom and dad, 347 00:16:23,600 --> 00:16:26,800 Speaker 1: YadA yadas. What came off great? He won the press conference. 348 00:16:26,840 --> 00:16:29,760 Speaker 1: I still don't think he's the right Hire didn't tell 349 00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:32,120 Speaker 1: us anything. We didn't already know he's gonna be calling 350 00:16:32,200 --> 00:16:35,320 Speaker 1: the plays. We knew that he wants Rogers back. We 351 00:16:35,400 --> 00:16:39,840 Speaker 1: figured that they can't let Rogers take past the beginning. 352 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:41,640 Speaker 2: Of March to decide, just can't. 353 00:16:42,200 --> 00:16:45,920 Speaker 1: They will be doing their team and the change over 354 00:16:46,040 --> 00:16:49,480 Speaker 1: to a new coaching staff a great disservice if they 355 00:16:49,560 --> 00:16:53,160 Speaker 1: let Rogers wait as long as he wants to decide. 356 00:16:53,160 --> 00:16:56,280 Speaker 1: But I have a hunts they will do just that. 357 00:16:57,480 --> 00:17:00,000 Speaker 1: Let's go to Nick. Nick, you're on calls on the fifteen. 358 00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:06,840 Speaker 3: I'm mark uh so, we need to replace russ On 359 00:17:06,880 --> 00:17:09,440 Speaker 3: the first line, and well. 360 00:17:09,400 --> 00:17:13,119 Speaker 1: Yeah, for three games, but they're three home games before 361 00:17:13,160 --> 00:17:16,240 Speaker 1: the break that you could really use points from to 362 00:17:16,320 --> 00:17:17,200 Speaker 1: maintain what you're doing. 363 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:18,200 Speaker 2: So yeah, what would you do. 364 00:17:21,400 --> 00:17:21,440 Speaker 9: That? 365 00:17:22,480 --> 00:17:23,840 Speaker 5: I haven't really made a decision. 366 00:17:24,119 --> 00:17:27,240 Speaker 1: Uh do you Well, I'll tell them to hold off 367 00:17:27,280 --> 00:17:29,120 Speaker 1: on the assembly lines for practice. 368 00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:35,120 Speaker 2: Then, okay, what would you do? Tell me what you do? 369 00:17:38,119 --> 00:17:40,560 Speaker 5: Maybe call up Rutger mcgrorty. 370 00:17:40,720 --> 00:17:41,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's what I said. 371 00:17:41,600 --> 00:17:44,480 Speaker 1: It'd be if he if he's ready, Yeah, i'd even 372 00:17:44,480 --> 00:17:46,639 Speaker 1: call coven. I'll give him a shot on Crosby's line. 373 00:17:46,680 --> 00:17:50,280 Speaker 1: But Crosby doesn't like playing with coyven, and uh, I 374 00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:53,600 Speaker 1: assume mc groarty's ready to play, he's in Wilkes. Whoever 375 00:17:53,640 --> 00:17:56,960 Speaker 1: they they put in, whether it's Hayes who's here, or 376 00:17:57,040 --> 00:17:59,760 Speaker 1: McGroarty and coyven, and who would have to be summoned. 377 00:18:00,320 --> 00:18:03,199 Speaker 1: I would just put whoever enters the lineup on the 378 00:18:03,240 --> 00:18:06,760 Speaker 1: Crosby line directly where Rust was and not shake up 379 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:07,840 Speaker 1: the three other lines that. 380 00:18:07,800 --> 00:18:10,080 Speaker 2: Are playing extremely well for three games. 381 00:18:10,119 --> 00:18:12,920 Speaker 1: I think that's a really let's go to Lenny. Lenny, 382 00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:13,560 Speaker 1: you're on with Mark. 383 00:18:15,560 --> 00:18:18,919 Speaker 10: I loved your column on Rogers. Rogers, take your time, 384 00:18:19,080 --> 00:18:24,119 Speaker 10: No Rush, talk to your wife anyway. With the McCarthy press, 385 00:18:24,160 --> 00:18:26,080 Speaker 10: it sounded like my uncle wrote it. It was great 386 00:18:26,560 --> 00:18:30,040 Speaker 10: the McCarthy press conference. Safe to assume that him being 387 00:18:30,080 --> 00:18:33,040 Speaker 10: a local guy doesn't do a ton for you, But 388 00:18:33,119 --> 00:18:37,119 Speaker 10: here's why it matters to me. It makes me feel 389 00:18:37,160 --> 00:18:39,680 Speaker 10: good to see a local boy done good. 390 00:18:39,800 --> 00:18:40,000 Speaker 5: Right. 391 00:18:40,119 --> 00:18:44,760 Speaker 10: I love Christian Kunk's long snapping, And ultimately, isn't that 392 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:48,400 Speaker 10: what sports are about? Nos and losses indicate how much 393 00:18:48,440 --> 00:18:51,879 Speaker 10: fun you have as a fan, but ultimately it's entertainment. 394 00:18:52,040 --> 00:18:55,200 Speaker 5: So local boy done good me, I just don't. 395 00:18:55,040 --> 00:18:57,800 Speaker 2: Care it does to you. And okay, I just it 396 00:18:57,840 --> 00:18:58,960 Speaker 2: doesn't matter to me at all. 397 00:19:00,320 --> 00:19:03,960 Speaker 10: I would love, actually to see a totally homegrown Pittsburgh 398 00:19:04,040 --> 00:19:08,879 Speaker 10: Steelers team. I know it's a terrible idea strategically. 399 00:19:08,320 --> 00:19:08,480 Speaker 7: Just. 400 00:19:10,880 --> 00:19:12,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, no, would It wouldn't be fun at all. 401 00:19:12,880 --> 00:19:15,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, thank you for calling and saying something that was 402 00:19:15,680 --> 00:19:16,760 Speaker 1: endearingly stupid. 403 00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:18,280 Speaker 2: I think that's the best way to put it. 404 00:19:19,720 --> 00:19:22,280 Speaker 1: Well, Okay, this segment brought to us by bet Parks, 405 00:19:22,280 --> 00:19:26,040 Speaker 1: except I can't find the ad. I can't find it. 406 00:19:26,600 --> 00:19:31,960 Speaker 1: The hell with it? One oh five ninety x oh wait, 407 00:19:31,960 --> 00:19:34,760 Speaker 1: we got Porky next, and maybe the Bet Park's ad 408 00:19:34,760 --> 00:19:37,440 Speaker 1: at some point who knows one O five to nine. 409 00:19:38,080 --> 00:19:41,800 Speaker 8: Hey, find yourself needing a little post holiday cash infusion, 410 00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:45,240 Speaker 8: Say no more the X as you're shot at extra cash. 411 00:19:45,280 --> 00:19:47,760 Speaker 8: Oh my god, it's happened at thirteen times a day, 412 00:19:47,880 --> 00:19:50,199 Speaker 8: nine am through nine pm. The X will give you 413 00:19:50,359 --> 00:19:52,919 Speaker 8: the keyword at the top of every hour. Enter it 414 00:19:53,080 --> 00:19:56,560 Speaker 8: at wxdx dot com and you can win one thousand dollars. 415 00:19:56,760 --> 00:19:59,280 Speaker 8: You're gonna use it, all of it. Listen all day 416 00:19:59,320 --> 00:20:02,239 Speaker 8: for your chance at some extra cash. On one oh 417 00:20:02,359 --> 00:20:03,560 Speaker 8: five nine the. 418 00:20:03,880 --> 00:20:05,200 Speaker 3: X Winter is here. 419 00:20:05,359 --> 00:20:07,840 Speaker 11: And if your heating system isn't kicking on just not 420 00:20:07,960 --> 00:20:11,359 Speaker 11: keeping up, call the heating professionals at Vey Plumbing, Heating 421 00:20:11,400 --> 00:20:15,520 Speaker 11: and Cooling or visit cal McVeigh dot com to schedule online. 422 00:20:15,640 --> 00:20:20,040 Speaker 12: Don't overpay cal McVeigh today from the one oh five 423 00:20:20,160 --> 00:20:21,760 Speaker 12: nine the ex Weather Center. 424 00:20:22,200 --> 00:20:25,280 Speaker 13: This report is sponsored by Groundwork's your local experts for 425 00:20:25,400 --> 00:20:27,080 Speaker 13: foundation and concrete repair. 426 00:20:27,200 --> 00:20:28,680 Speaker 2: It's no possible arc Mada. 427 00:20:28,920 --> 00:20:30,840 Speaker 4: This is one of the two chip straps to bring 428 00:20:30,880 --> 00:20:32,400 Speaker 4: the duck tape type of prefairs. 429 00:20:32,480 --> 00:20:34,840 Speaker 2: What not gonna make us play a womper game. It's 430 00:20:34,880 --> 00:20:37,639 Speaker 2: not Fairens dot Ferens dot Fair the ex at one 431 00:20:37,680 --> 00:20:38,480 Speaker 2: O five nine. 432 00:20:40,080 --> 00:20:42,960 Speaker 1: Peng was a red hot return home to play Chicago 433 00:20:43,280 --> 00:20:46,600 Speaker 1: this Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena. Joining me now 434 00:20:46,640 --> 00:20:50,320 Speaker 1: to talk about the red hot flightless Birds. He is 435 00:20:50,359 --> 00:20:54,600 Speaker 1: the old two niner color analyst Phil bork Porky Uh. 436 00:20:54,640 --> 00:20:58,200 Speaker 1: One bit of uh disconcerting news to open with. Brian 437 00:20:58,280 --> 00:21:01,280 Speaker 1: Russ got a three game suspension or his hit to 438 00:21:01,320 --> 00:21:04,960 Speaker 1: the head on brock Bester of Vancouver. At the end 439 00:21:05,000 --> 00:21:08,280 Speaker 1: of that when this past Sunday, what's your take on that. 440 00:21:08,440 --> 00:21:11,120 Speaker 1: I didn't even think it would merit any suspension, maybe 441 00:21:11,160 --> 00:21:14,159 Speaker 1: a fine, and he got a lengthier suspension than a 442 00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:16,800 Speaker 1: career headhunter like Jacob Truba ever has. 443 00:21:18,359 --> 00:21:20,000 Speaker 5: The Afternoon Double that I'm good to be on with 444 00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:25,679 Speaker 5: you like always, I concur on floored. I'm in shock 445 00:21:26,400 --> 00:21:30,240 Speaker 5: that that's three games, you know, And i mean we've 446 00:21:30,280 --> 00:21:34,240 Speaker 5: talked about Tom Wilson over and over again. Tom Wilson 447 00:21:34,359 --> 00:21:37,600 Speaker 5: can take fifteen strides and literally try to end a 448 00:21:37,640 --> 00:21:40,480 Speaker 5: guy's career and put him in the second balcony and 449 00:21:40,560 --> 00:21:42,280 Speaker 5: if he goes to the bench, he comes back and 450 00:21:42,320 --> 00:21:45,440 Speaker 5: plays in the game, or you know, there's not an injury. 451 00:21:45,520 --> 00:21:47,199 Speaker 5: A lot of times it's not even a penalty on 452 00:21:47,280 --> 00:21:50,639 Speaker 5: some of his hits, and never mind the suspension on 453 00:21:51,160 --> 00:21:55,639 Speaker 5: those kind of you know, predatory hits. I think in 454 00:21:55,680 --> 00:21:58,920 Speaker 5: the context of the game and the context of that hit, 455 00:22:00,400 --> 00:22:05,439 Speaker 5: I thought one game at the very very maximum, but 456 00:22:05,520 --> 00:22:07,200 Speaker 5: I was really thinking, Okay, this is going to be 457 00:22:07,240 --> 00:22:09,560 Speaker 5: a fine, this is gonna be a little pep whack, 458 00:22:09,880 --> 00:22:12,720 Speaker 5: and you know, like, don't do it again. He's never 459 00:22:12,760 --> 00:22:18,920 Speaker 5: been suspended before, he's never been fined before. Three games 460 00:22:18,600 --> 00:22:24,080 Speaker 5: is something with intent to really really hurt somebody. And 461 00:22:25,200 --> 00:22:27,400 Speaker 5: I once again, it's not about the act, it's about 462 00:22:27,440 --> 00:22:31,760 Speaker 5: the result. Because brock Besser is now on IR and 463 00:22:31,840 --> 00:22:34,480 Speaker 5: so if brock Besster is okay, or if that's in 464 00:22:34,520 --> 00:22:36,960 Speaker 5: the middle of the game and brock Besser plays the 465 00:22:36,960 --> 00:22:40,160 Speaker 5: rest of the game, I don't even know if maybe 466 00:22:40,160 --> 00:22:42,359 Speaker 5: a penalty on the play, but I certainly don't think 467 00:22:42,400 --> 00:22:47,320 Speaker 5: there'd be a suspension. So the wild inconsistency of player safety, 468 00:22:48,000 --> 00:22:50,640 Speaker 5: it's beyondwards. 469 00:22:50,359 --> 00:22:51,359 Speaker 2: No question about that. 470 00:22:51,560 --> 00:22:55,320 Speaker 1: And now there's the question of how does Dan Mues 471 00:22:55,800 --> 00:22:58,240 Speaker 1: reconfigure his lines because Bork Yeah, I think a major 472 00:22:58,280 --> 00:23:01,679 Speaker 1: strength during this eleven two and two spell since the 473 00:23:01,720 --> 00:23:04,800 Speaker 1: holiday break is that the Penguins have four lines who 474 00:23:04,800 --> 00:23:07,520 Speaker 1: are all really meshing that with everyone, the hole has 475 00:23:07,520 --> 00:23:09,719 Speaker 1: been greater than the sum of the parts. 476 00:23:09,760 --> 00:23:11,399 Speaker 2: What does MWS do now with Rusto? 477 00:23:13,960 --> 00:23:15,920 Speaker 5: Well, the easy thing is to move with Cargo Kel 478 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:18,680 Speaker 5: over to the right side, because you don't have a 479 00:23:18,720 --> 00:23:22,480 Speaker 5: lot of you know, right hand shooting forwards that can 480 00:23:22,520 --> 00:23:26,480 Speaker 5: play up there. You know, your extra forward is is 481 00:23:26,560 --> 00:23:29,399 Speaker 5: Kevin Hayes. You know, do you just plug Kevin Hayes 482 00:23:29,640 --> 00:23:32,840 Speaker 5: in on that That's the easiest move because then you're 483 00:23:32,840 --> 00:23:37,160 Speaker 5: not touching any of the other lines. You know, call 484 00:23:37,240 --> 00:23:40,600 Speaker 5: me crazy, but I would actually entertain the thought of 485 00:23:40,680 --> 00:23:43,320 Speaker 5: putting a skinny Maulkin up on the left side with 486 00:23:43,480 --> 00:23:47,800 Speaker 5: Sid and Ricargo Kel and then sliding Kevin Hayes on 487 00:23:47,840 --> 00:23:50,080 Speaker 5: that line with China Coof and Tommy Mildell. 488 00:23:51,160 --> 00:23:51,680 Speaker 2: I don't want to. 489 00:23:51,800 --> 00:23:54,680 Speaker 1: I don't want to make Novak and Chinakov stall out 490 00:23:54,760 --> 00:23:56,680 Speaker 1: that that line's been their best line recently. 491 00:23:56,840 --> 00:23:57,840 Speaker 5: Yeah, that's what I mean. 492 00:23:57,880 --> 00:23:59,280 Speaker 6: I mean, that's why that's why I like. 493 00:23:59,480 --> 00:24:03,800 Speaker 5: Okay, then put Hazy up there right and just you know, 494 00:24:04,359 --> 00:24:07,520 Speaker 5: it's swallow hearts for three games and uh and where 495 00:24:07,560 --> 00:24:10,159 Speaker 5: you go? Kevin Hayes for three games. I think he 496 00:24:10,200 --> 00:24:12,480 Speaker 5: can do the job, you know, and you put Ma 497 00:24:12,560 --> 00:24:14,320 Speaker 5: cargotel Over on the other side, on the on the 498 00:24:14,400 --> 00:24:15,480 Speaker 5: right wing as the right hand shot. 499 00:24:15,920 --> 00:24:18,440 Speaker 1: And one thing we see BRKI is sometimes when a 500 00:24:18,480 --> 00:24:20,880 Speaker 1: guy's been a scratch for a while and he gets 501 00:24:20,880 --> 00:24:23,520 Speaker 1: in the lineup, he responds, Kevin Hayes has done that 502 00:24:23,640 --> 00:24:25,840 Speaker 1: this year, and I think he might even more so 503 00:24:25,960 --> 00:24:27,040 Speaker 1: play him with Sid. 504 00:24:27,960 --> 00:24:31,200 Speaker 5: I concur you know, we I know, we talked about 505 00:24:31,200 --> 00:24:33,800 Speaker 5: and it's almost like, you know, because we're not going 506 00:24:33,880 --> 00:24:36,440 Speaker 5: to give a lot of compliments to Kevin Hayes. We 507 00:24:36,520 --> 00:24:39,359 Speaker 5: give the old good guy and and and it's true, 508 00:24:39,400 --> 00:24:42,280 Speaker 5: and there's there is something to that because when the 509 00:24:42,320 --> 00:24:44,280 Speaker 5: guy sits for a while and he's he's a good 510 00:24:44,320 --> 00:24:48,560 Speaker 5: teammate and he's he you know, doesn't bring his disappointment 511 00:24:48,680 --> 00:24:51,080 Speaker 5: or dragging the lip into the locker room, which Kevin 512 00:24:51,119 --> 00:24:54,040 Speaker 5: Hayes he doesn't do, and you know he's doesn't ego 513 00:24:54,080 --> 00:24:56,760 Speaker 5: and you know it hurts him. But I don't feel 514 00:24:56,800 --> 00:24:59,240 Speaker 5: that from Kevin Hayes at all. So yeah, I think 515 00:24:59,240 --> 00:25:01,880 Speaker 5: a combination of you know, him being a pros pro 516 00:25:02,320 --> 00:25:04,840 Speaker 5: and understanding, hey, I'm on a good team here, you know, 517 00:25:05,080 --> 00:25:07,520 Speaker 5: don't be don't be the jerk here. You know, just 518 00:25:07,560 --> 00:25:10,679 Speaker 5: because you're not playing. You know, you'll find a way 519 00:25:10,920 --> 00:25:13,800 Speaker 5: to muster up a great work ethic and practice in 520 00:25:13,880 --> 00:25:16,280 Speaker 5: the gym, you know, and be a great teammate. And 521 00:25:16,320 --> 00:25:18,120 Speaker 5: then when you do get in there, you're right Mark, 522 00:25:18,160 --> 00:25:20,439 Speaker 5: and the guys in the room, they rally around you 523 00:25:20,680 --> 00:25:23,760 Speaker 5: and they pull for you to, you know, pull the 524 00:25:23,840 --> 00:25:27,280 Speaker 5: load whatever line you're on. So I have no doubt 525 00:25:27,359 --> 00:25:30,040 Speaker 5: if Kevin Hayes is that guy for three games, he 526 00:25:30,119 --> 00:25:30,920 Speaker 5: will do the job. 527 00:25:32,080 --> 00:25:32,800 Speaker 2: Uh brky. 528 00:25:33,160 --> 00:25:36,760 Speaker 1: I thought that trip West was magnificent, the four straight wins. 529 00:25:37,080 --> 00:25:40,400 Speaker 1: Who or what was the biggest catalyst in those four victories? 530 00:25:41,680 --> 00:25:45,240 Speaker 5: Goaltenders. Goaltenders are rock solid a key moments of the 531 00:25:45,280 --> 00:25:49,040 Speaker 5: game both she lost and skinner. The Penguins were not 532 00:25:49,160 --> 00:25:52,440 Speaker 5: let her perfect in any of those games. There there 533 00:25:52,440 --> 00:25:55,240 Speaker 5: were moments. They're playing, you know, teams with good offensive talent, 534 00:25:55,280 --> 00:25:58,199 Speaker 5: they're going to get their chances, and sometimes there are 535 00:25:58,240 --> 00:26:01,560 Speaker 5: odd man chances. Sometimes there are point blank chances, and 536 00:26:01,600 --> 00:26:04,080 Speaker 5: we don't really think a lot of them because we're 537 00:26:04,280 --> 00:26:07,680 Speaker 5: we're so uh you know, a wash. With the victory 538 00:26:07,760 --> 00:26:11,159 Speaker 5: of four straight games in Seattle and those Western Canada 539 00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:13,800 Speaker 5: teams and and we all, I think going into that, 540 00:26:13,840 --> 00:26:16,800 Speaker 5: we thought, okay, that Calgary Edmonton back to back, that's 541 00:26:16,840 --> 00:26:19,399 Speaker 5: going to be a tough one because Calgary played a 542 00:26:19,440 --> 00:26:23,840 Speaker 5: pretty boring, you know, systematic, you know game the game 543 00:26:23,840 --> 00:26:25,920 Speaker 5: they won here in Pittsburgh, and I had the potential 544 00:26:25,960 --> 00:26:28,360 Speaker 5: to do that on home ice also, And then if 545 00:26:28,359 --> 00:26:30,280 Speaker 5: you lose that game against Calgary, you got to roll 546 00:26:30,320 --> 00:26:32,560 Speaker 5: into Edmonton the next night, and none of that came 547 00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:36,159 Speaker 5: into play. You know, there's they just have this and 548 00:26:36,200 --> 00:26:39,399 Speaker 5: it's not a cockiness, Mark, it's it's an extreme confidence 549 00:26:39,800 --> 00:26:42,440 Speaker 5: in what they're doing and who they're doing it with. 550 00:26:43,080 --> 00:26:46,560 Speaker 5: And again, you've been around some crappy teams like I have, 551 00:26:46,880 --> 00:26:49,480 Speaker 5: but you've been around some good teams since, so right, Mark, 552 00:26:49,720 --> 00:26:52,439 Speaker 5: you know you know what smells right right, And you 553 00:26:52,520 --> 00:26:54,760 Speaker 5: know the way they were winning those games, You're like, 554 00:26:55,119 --> 00:26:58,760 Speaker 5: that wasn't just goaltending, That wasn't just sid, that wasn't 555 00:26:58,920 --> 00:27:02,399 Speaker 5: just stars, that wasn't just you know, caught a team 556 00:27:02,440 --> 00:27:05,400 Speaker 5: on an off night. No, all four of those games, 557 00:27:05,440 --> 00:27:10,399 Speaker 5: from Seattle to Calgary to Edmonton to Vancouver, the Penguins dictated. 558 00:27:09,880 --> 00:27:12,240 Speaker 6: The terms and said, this is the way the. 559 00:27:12,200 --> 00:27:14,680 Speaker 5: Game's gonna be played. You're going to adjust to us, 560 00:27:14,840 --> 00:27:17,119 Speaker 5: not us to adjust to you. We're gonna score the 561 00:27:17,160 --> 00:27:19,080 Speaker 5: first goal in each game, and then you're gonna be 562 00:27:19,119 --> 00:27:21,359 Speaker 5: chasing us, and then we're gonna lock it down. Our 563 00:27:21,400 --> 00:27:23,760 Speaker 5: goaltender is gonna make great saves and we're gonna win 564 00:27:23,800 --> 00:27:25,640 Speaker 5: all four games. And that's exactly what they did. 565 00:27:26,400 --> 00:27:28,959 Speaker 1: I gotta tell you, Borky, I believe in Stuart Skinner. 566 00:27:29,000 --> 00:27:31,440 Speaker 1: Say his name and he appears this. This guy's been 567 00:27:31,440 --> 00:27:34,800 Speaker 1: in the last two Stanley Cup finals. Didn't win, but 568 00:27:34,880 --> 00:27:37,439 Speaker 1: I think he observed absorbed in unfair share of the 569 00:27:37,440 --> 00:27:40,960 Speaker 1: blame thereof. I think that's easier than their stars looking 570 00:27:40,960 --> 00:27:43,439 Speaker 1: in the mirror up there in Edmonton. And what I 571 00:27:43,480 --> 00:27:46,159 Speaker 1: get from him is you talk about you can smell stuff. 572 00:27:46,920 --> 00:27:49,919 Speaker 1: He expects to win when the game gets tight. And 573 00:27:50,000 --> 00:27:52,080 Speaker 1: I'll be one, I'm not sure we had that with Jari. 574 00:27:54,480 --> 00:27:56,240 Speaker 5: No, you can be blunt all you want. We didn't, 575 00:27:57,160 --> 00:28:00,239 Speaker 5: and when we did, it was it was fleeting right, 576 00:28:00,840 --> 00:28:03,320 Speaker 5: it was. There was not a consistency to it, you 577 00:28:03,359 --> 00:28:05,520 Speaker 5: know that we felt like, oh, we'll walk out of 578 00:28:05,520 --> 00:28:09,360 Speaker 5: the building like holy moly, Jars was unbelievable. But then 579 00:28:09,400 --> 00:28:11,199 Speaker 5: the next night, we're walking out of the building and 580 00:28:11,240 --> 00:28:14,800 Speaker 5: we're like, where is that Tristan jarity from two nights ago? 581 00:28:15,000 --> 00:28:17,439 Speaker 5: And there was too much of that, which left us 582 00:28:17,520 --> 00:28:20,199 Speaker 5: uneasy with the warm and fuzzies when he had a 583 00:28:20,240 --> 00:28:24,520 Speaker 5: great game. And that's what being so wildly inconsistent will 584 00:28:24,520 --> 00:28:27,600 Speaker 5: do to you. And right with Tristan, excuse me. With 585 00:28:27,600 --> 00:28:29,960 Speaker 5: Stuart Skinner, you don't feel that. And I guess he's 586 00:28:30,000 --> 00:28:32,240 Speaker 5: the new shiny car in the driveway too, you know, 587 00:28:32,960 --> 00:28:35,679 Speaker 5: but we just see his body language and and the 588 00:28:35,960 --> 00:28:39,080 Speaker 5: and the calmness that he makes big saves and when 589 00:28:39,120 --> 00:28:41,960 Speaker 5: he has to get athletic for a big guy, he 590 00:28:42,040 --> 00:28:47,080 Speaker 5: moves really well laterally without beating out of control. And 591 00:28:47,120 --> 00:28:51,200 Speaker 5: you're right, he just oozes win. He just ooses victory. 592 00:28:51,360 --> 00:28:54,600 Speaker 5: And you're right. It's not hoping to win, it's expecting 593 00:28:54,680 --> 00:28:56,640 Speaker 5: to win. And that's why when you asked me what 594 00:28:56,800 --> 00:28:59,280 Speaker 5: was the biggest reason for the Penguins, it was goaltending 595 00:28:59,440 --> 00:29:01,640 Speaker 5: because it just as you're sitting on the bench, you're 596 00:29:01,680 --> 00:29:04,880 Speaker 5: looking down at that guy number seventy four, or even 597 00:29:04,880 --> 00:29:06,960 Speaker 5: when she losses out there and you're like, man, my 598 00:29:07,080 --> 00:29:09,560 Speaker 5: goalie is locked in giddy up let's go. 599 00:29:10,080 --> 00:29:11,720 Speaker 1: We're talking to Phil bork here on the Home of 600 00:29:11,760 --> 00:29:14,200 Speaker 1: the Penguins one oh five nine the X Poor. Okay, 601 00:29:14,200 --> 00:29:15,720 Speaker 1: I want to get back to that line of maalking 602 00:29:15,840 --> 00:29:19,040 Speaker 1: China Coof and Novak, because well, we know that Gino 603 00:29:19,120 --> 00:29:19,880 Speaker 1: is still a good player. 604 00:29:19,920 --> 00:29:21,840 Speaker 2: In fact, he's playing above him beyond this year. 605 00:29:22,320 --> 00:29:24,200 Speaker 1: But I had barely heard of China Kopf before he 606 00:29:24,280 --> 00:29:27,320 Speaker 1: got here, and I had not been impressed with Tommy 607 00:29:27,400 --> 00:29:30,880 Speaker 1: Novak for most of his days as a Penguin. What 608 00:29:31,080 --> 00:29:33,840 Speaker 1: enables that line to do so well together? And not 609 00:29:33,880 --> 00:29:38,280 Speaker 1: only that, Porky, it happened immediately. There was no getting 610 00:29:38,280 --> 00:29:39,360 Speaker 1: to know each other process. 611 00:29:39,360 --> 00:29:45,080 Speaker 5: That was like, bang, you're right. It reminds me of 612 00:29:45,120 --> 00:29:45,760 Speaker 5: what we the. 613 00:29:45,680 --> 00:29:47,760 Speaker 6: Conversations we had when Gino was. 614 00:29:47,720 --> 00:29:51,440 Speaker 5: In the middle of Mantha and Brazo. Right, it's hard 615 00:29:51,480 --> 00:29:54,280 Speaker 5: to put your finger on why. Sometimes it just is. 616 00:29:54,760 --> 00:29:58,320 Speaker 5: And I think it's this situation also where number one 617 00:29:58,960 --> 00:30:02,000 Speaker 5: and I get maybe this is just me kind of 618 00:30:02,040 --> 00:30:05,240 Speaker 5: hopeful thinking that if Guinea Malkins never played with another 619 00:30:05,320 --> 00:30:08,440 Speaker 5: Russian forward, he played with Sergei Gonchar, but Conco is 620 00:30:08,440 --> 00:30:11,960 Speaker 5: a defenseman, so Gino's never had this opportunity. He had 621 00:30:11,960 --> 00:30:15,280 Speaker 5: Sergei Platnakoff here for a cup of coffee, and he had, 622 00:30:15,760 --> 00:30:19,120 Speaker 5: you know, a temph of the skill of china Koff, 623 00:30:19,560 --> 00:30:20,520 Speaker 5: And I. 624 00:30:20,480 --> 00:30:24,080 Speaker 6: Just think it's what a find for Kyle Dubis. 625 00:30:24,160 --> 00:30:29,360 Speaker 5: To get china Koff out of Columbus, a division rival, 626 00:30:29,800 --> 00:30:31,760 Speaker 5: and only have to give up a second and third. 627 00:30:32,280 --> 00:30:35,360 Speaker 5: You know, when we play those games against against Columbus 628 00:30:35,440 --> 00:30:37,520 Speaker 5: and Chinakopf was in the lineup, you always saw a 629 00:30:37,920 --> 00:30:41,160 Speaker 5: little slivers. But then you hear about the undercurrents of 630 00:30:41,240 --> 00:30:43,680 Speaker 5: him and his head coach and him as general manager, 631 00:30:43,720 --> 00:30:46,400 Speaker 5: that things were just not rosy there. And sometimes you 632 00:30:46,480 --> 00:30:48,920 Speaker 5: hear it a thousand times. Sometimes a guy needs a 633 00:30:48,960 --> 00:30:52,080 Speaker 5: different uh scenery, and that's what it's been for Tinakoff. 634 00:30:52,200 --> 00:30:54,280 Speaker 5: And then to play with a legend like it's Guinny Malkin. 635 00:30:55,280 --> 00:30:58,880 Speaker 5: He's he is such an unbelievable hockey player, the way 636 00:30:58,920 --> 00:31:01,240 Speaker 5: he can skate, the the way his mind, his hands 637 00:31:01,240 --> 00:31:04,320 Speaker 5: and his feet all keep up on the same same note. 638 00:31:04,520 --> 00:31:07,479 Speaker 5: But then you add in Tommy Novak, who is playing 639 00:31:07,520 --> 00:31:10,560 Speaker 5: the best hockey I've ever seen him play. He's playing 640 00:31:10,560 --> 00:31:13,080 Speaker 5: with so much confidence and he's got so much hop 641 00:31:13,080 --> 00:31:16,320 Speaker 5: in his giddeup that you know, China cof can fly 642 00:31:16,560 --> 00:31:19,480 Speaker 5: and he's pulling, and he's making Malkin hitch his wagon 643 00:31:19,760 --> 00:31:23,080 Speaker 5: to both Novak and chinakof because both of them are 644 00:31:23,120 --> 00:31:25,360 Speaker 5: doing things that's such a high rate of speed, it's 645 00:31:25,400 --> 00:31:28,680 Speaker 5: making Gino do it at the same rates. And Gino 646 00:31:28,800 --> 00:31:31,960 Speaker 5: right now is hungry and he's fresh, and he's feeling 647 00:31:31,960 --> 00:31:34,840 Speaker 5: it and he's just having he's energized by everything that's 648 00:31:34,840 --> 00:31:36,800 Speaker 5: going on with this hockey team, and that line's just 649 00:31:36,840 --> 00:31:37,400 Speaker 5: fun to watch. 650 00:31:38,080 --> 00:31:38,440 Speaker 2: Porky. 651 00:31:38,480 --> 00:31:39,920 Speaker 1: You and I have been around the penwish for a 652 00:31:39,920 --> 00:31:43,240 Speaker 1: long time. We both can get a bit cynical, me 653 00:31:43,440 --> 00:31:45,400 Speaker 1: much more so than you. But I gotta tell you 654 00:31:45,720 --> 00:31:48,400 Speaker 1: it warmed to my heart when Ben Kindall, after not 655 00:31:48,480 --> 00:31:52,160 Speaker 1: scoring for nineteen games in his hometime of Vancouver, had 656 00:31:52,200 --> 00:31:54,680 Speaker 1: to buy one hundred and ninety some tickets and got 657 00:31:54,680 --> 00:31:56,120 Speaker 1: his money's worked with two goals. 658 00:31:56,120 --> 00:31:57,800 Speaker 2: That was just a great moment. 659 00:31:57,600 --> 00:32:00,360 Speaker 5: Wasn't it. And also in the back of the mind 660 00:32:00,440 --> 00:32:04,000 Speaker 5: he knew that that AMX card better be a high 661 00:32:04,000 --> 00:32:05,720 Speaker 5: limit because he had to go out for the rookie 662 00:32:05,760 --> 00:32:11,400 Speaker 5: dinner afterwards. So he had expensive weekend. Extensive extensive weekend, 663 00:32:12,280 --> 00:32:15,200 Speaker 5: expensive weekend for Ben Kindle, but I'm sure it was 664 00:32:15,280 --> 00:32:17,800 Speaker 5: worth it, and you're right, it did warm the cockles 665 00:32:18,000 --> 00:32:20,600 Speaker 5: of my heart. Also to see a young eighteen year 666 00:32:20,640 --> 00:32:23,160 Speaker 5: old kid, first time playing in his hometown, did not 667 00:32:23,240 --> 00:32:27,160 Speaker 5: score once, but to score twice and the Penguins victory, 668 00:32:27,280 --> 00:32:29,680 Speaker 5: all of it all wrapped up in a red bow, 669 00:32:30,080 --> 00:32:33,600 Speaker 5: last game of a four game road trip. We haven't 670 00:32:33,600 --> 00:32:37,600 Speaker 5: had something like that really since Jake Cansel, Right since 671 00:32:37,680 --> 00:32:40,160 Speaker 5: Jake Cansel came in and the first two shots against 672 00:32:40,160 --> 00:32:43,360 Speaker 5: the New York Rangers are both goals and were just like, hold, 673 00:32:43,520 --> 00:32:46,600 Speaker 5: what who is this kid? Where did this come from? 674 00:32:46,640 --> 00:32:49,320 Speaker 5: And he kind of never looked back from there, you know. 675 00:32:49,400 --> 00:32:51,840 Speaker 5: For Ben Kindle, I don't know if it's going to 676 00:32:51,920 --> 00:32:53,960 Speaker 5: be that easy at scoring goals. He has to work 677 00:32:54,000 --> 00:32:56,800 Speaker 5: pretty hard at it. But for him to find the 678 00:32:56,840 --> 00:33:00,680 Speaker 5: back of the net not once but twice, you're right. 679 00:33:00,720 --> 00:33:03,760 Speaker 6: It just again, it just energizes everybody. 680 00:33:04,120 --> 00:33:06,920 Speaker 5: It brings in that belief and that hope, and it 681 00:33:07,000 --> 00:33:11,160 Speaker 5: kind of it unifies the team, the people who work 682 00:33:11,440 --> 00:33:16,160 Speaker 5: in sales and in marketing and ticketing. Everybody is energized 683 00:33:16,200 --> 00:33:19,080 Speaker 5: by this. And then also the city, you know, because 684 00:33:19,080 --> 00:33:20,760 Speaker 5: we know what's going on in the north Shore with 685 00:33:20,800 --> 00:33:23,560 Speaker 5: both those teams, and now people are saying, holy moly, 686 00:33:23,640 --> 00:33:25,920 Speaker 5: what's going on over here on Fifth Avenue? That the 687 00:33:25,960 --> 00:33:28,800 Speaker 5: Penguins are playing some kind of hockey and we're gonna lose. Man, 688 00:33:28,840 --> 00:33:31,800 Speaker 5: they're entertaining the pants off of us. And so that's 689 00:33:31,880 --> 00:33:34,560 Speaker 5: just with these few home games that we have here, 690 00:33:34,600 --> 00:33:37,880 Speaker 5: we have three home games before the Olympic break, this 691 00:33:38,000 --> 00:33:40,800 Speaker 5: Billy should be packed to the guills, man, because it 692 00:33:41,000 --> 00:33:43,000 Speaker 5: is one hell of a hockey team to watch. 693 00:33:44,000 --> 00:33:44,360 Speaker 2: Porky. 694 00:33:45,640 --> 00:33:48,000 Speaker 1: The Penguins a second in the Metro, which is not 695 00:33:48,080 --> 00:33:50,959 Speaker 1: a good division below Carolina, except maybe the Penguins are. 696 00:33:52,360 --> 00:33:54,040 Speaker 1: I think they got to finish second or third in 697 00:33:54,040 --> 00:33:56,280 Speaker 1: the Metro. I think both wild cards are likely to 698 00:33:56,280 --> 00:33:58,600 Speaker 1: go to Atlantic. And on top of that, if the 699 00:33:58,600 --> 00:34:01,720 Speaker 1: Penguins finished second or third in the Metro, they could 700 00:34:01,720 --> 00:34:04,720 Speaker 1: win a playoff series. Never mind just making it, but 701 00:34:04,800 --> 00:34:07,440 Speaker 1: I would like whatever matchup they got if they finished 702 00:34:07,440 --> 00:34:09,000 Speaker 1: second or third in the Metro. 703 00:34:10,200 --> 00:34:12,799 Speaker 5: Well, that's what this twelfth let's it twelve two and two, 704 00:34:12,880 --> 00:34:15,120 Speaker 5: I believe in the last or eleven two and two 705 00:34:15,160 --> 00:34:17,520 Speaker 5: in the last correct fifteen games, it's got you, right, 706 00:34:17,520 --> 00:34:20,040 Speaker 5: eleven two and two, it's got you up in the 707 00:34:20,040 --> 00:34:22,239 Speaker 5: top three of the metro, exactly where you want to be. 708 00:34:22,680 --> 00:34:24,719 Speaker 5: And that's why you want to push really hard in 709 00:34:24,719 --> 00:34:27,480 Speaker 5: these last few games before the Olympic break, because you 710 00:34:27,520 --> 00:34:30,279 Speaker 5: know what marches seventeen games in thirty one days. It's 711 00:34:30,280 --> 00:34:32,920 Speaker 5: an absolute bear, and so you've got to put yourself 712 00:34:32,920 --> 00:34:35,359 Speaker 5: in that position. And you're right. You look at what's 713 00:34:35,400 --> 00:34:38,640 Speaker 5: happening in the Atlantic, and it does I concur with you, Mark, 714 00:34:38,680 --> 00:34:41,520 Speaker 5: It does look like it'll be five teams from the Atlantic. 715 00:34:41,760 --> 00:34:45,160 Speaker 5: So you don't want to drop down into that mush, 716 00:34:45,280 --> 00:34:48,160 Speaker 5: that mess that's going to be, you know, six or 717 00:34:48,200 --> 00:34:52,120 Speaker 5: seven teams all scrambling for two spots in the wild card. 718 00:34:52,200 --> 00:34:54,320 Speaker 5: You do not want to drop down there. You've worked 719 00:34:54,320 --> 00:34:57,840 Speaker 5: so hard to get yourself up where you are. And oh, btw, 720 00:34:58,239 --> 00:35:01,160 Speaker 5: you play the Carolina Hurricanes times in the month of March, 721 00:35:01,200 --> 00:35:03,919 Speaker 5: the team that you were nipping at their heels now 722 00:35:03,960 --> 00:35:06,520 Speaker 5: and so forget about the New York Islanders, rip that 723 00:35:06,600 --> 00:35:09,400 Speaker 5: rear view mirror off. You got to just power ahead 724 00:35:09,560 --> 00:35:12,560 Speaker 5: and start hunting down the Carolina Hurricanes. That's what your 725 00:35:12,560 --> 00:35:14,960 Speaker 5: goal should be and everything else will take care of itself. 726 00:35:15,120 --> 00:35:17,080 Speaker 1: Well, what you got to do in that case working. Yeah, 727 00:35:17,120 --> 00:35:19,880 Speaker 1: I noticed they do play Carolina three times in March. 728 00:35:20,280 --> 00:35:22,279 Speaker 1: Got to win the first one. If you win the 729 00:35:22,320 --> 00:35:24,839 Speaker 1: first one, then they're starting to think about it. 730 00:35:26,280 --> 00:35:28,920 Speaker 5: Well, partner, they already beat them the one time in 731 00:35:28,920 --> 00:35:31,480 Speaker 5: Pittsburgh and they sampled them. Right, that's one of the 732 00:35:31,480 --> 00:35:35,239 Speaker 5: penguins the best games all year, and maybe they found, 733 00:35:35,520 --> 00:35:38,880 Speaker 5: you know, the magic recipe to beat the Carolina Hurricanes. 734 00:35:38,920 --> 00:35:42,160 Speaker 5: Now down the tobacco road. It's always a little bit difficult, right, 735 00:35:42,239 --> 00:35:44,759 Speaker 5: it's a little bit more difficult, But you should have 736 00:35:45,080 --> 00:35:48,000 Speaker 5: some kind of a blueprint and something edged in your 737 00:35:48,080 --> 00:35:50,600 Speaker 5: memory and the things that you did on home ice 738 00:35:50,640 --> 00:35:53,000 Speaker 5: here just a little while ago against those Carolina Hurricanes. 739 00:35:53,120 --> 00:35:57,360 Speaker 5: Because I was down between the benches and the Carolina Hurricanes, 740 00:35:57,680 --> 00:36:00,640 Speaker 5: they look completely lost. They would just look staring out 741 00:36:00,680 --> 00:36:03,600 Speaker 5: into outer space, thinking what the heck is going on here? 742 00:36:04,520 --> 00:36:07,520 Speaker 1: Finally, Borki, you've been on the Penguins when they made 743 00:36:07,520 --> 00:36:10,640 Speaker 1: some big trays that paid off. There's a report that 744 00:36:10,760 --> 00:36:13,520 Speaker 1: Dallas Stars might trade Jason Robertson because they can't re 745 00:36:13,640 --> 00:36:16,040 Speaker 1: sign him, can't fit him in under the cap. If 746 00:36:16,080 --> 00:36:18,239 Speaker 1: that's true, should the Penguins make a move and how 747 00:36:18,280 --> 00:36:19,040 Speaker 1: far should they go. 748 00:36:21,040 --> 00:36:23,000 Speaker 5: I would definitely go for a player like that. He 749 00:36:23,120 --> 00:36:27,160 Speaker 5: is he is just a proven goal scorer, he's a sniper, 750 00:36:28,200 --> 00:36:30,839 Speaker 5: and there's not a lot of guys like him, uh 751 00:36:31,160 --> 00:36:34,200 Speaker 5: that are available. And that's the thing that the guys 752 00:36:34,239 --> 00:36:36,440 Speaker 5: are out there, but teams that they're not going to 753 00:36:36,480 --> 00:36:38,080 Speaker 5: move them, they're not going to lock them up. 754 00:36:38,120 --> 00:36:43,719 Speaker 6: And here's the thing, what do I have to give up? 755 00:36:43,960 --> 00:36:47,480 Speaker 5: You know? I mean you've got, you know, a tractor 756 00:36:47,560 --> 00:36:50,799 Speaker 5: trailer full of draft picks. So that's that's absolutely on 757 00:36:50,840 --> 00:36:52,160 Speaker 5: the table. But what what. 758 00:36:52,239 --> 00:36:53,319 Speaker 6: Players are going to be? 759 00:36:53,520 --> 00:36:54,880 Speaker 5: Is it going to be rough? Is it going to 760 00:36:54,920 --> 00:36:57,880 Speaker 5: be raquel? I think that's probably somewhere in the conversation, 761 00:36:58,400 --> 00:37:03,400 Speaker 5: right and maybe multiple first round picks, But I think 762 00:37:03,560 --> 00:37:07,000 Speaker 5: it's it's a dialogue. I think I would assume it's 763 00:37:07,040 --> 00:37:10,000 Speaker 5: it's seriously going on. Because if a player like that 764 00:37:10,080 --> 00:37:13,759 Speaker 5: becomes available, and you are where you are in the standings, 765 00:37:13,800 --> 00:37:16,440 Speaker 5: and you have done all this this work over the 766 00:37:16,480 --> 00:37:19,319 Speaker 5: last couple of years to you know, compile all these 767 00:37:19,400 --> 00:37:22,960 Speaker 5: draft picks for opportunities like this, I would I would 768 00:37:22,960 --> 00:37:27,399 Speaker 5: assume a serious conversation or serious conversations have been going on. 769 00:37:27,719 --> 00:37:30,040 Speaker 2: What if they wanted Ruster Riquel as part of the deal. 770 00:37:33,800 --> 00:37:38,360 Speaker 5: Wow, well I have a tough time. I have a 771 00:37:38,400 --> 00:37:38,839 Speaker 5: tough time. 772 00:37:38,920 --> 00:37:40,680 Speaker 2: I mean, yeah, I hasten to add. 773 00:37:40,680 --> 00:37:43,600 Speaker 1: In ninety one were there they traded Kulley and Zilapski. 774 00:37:44,040 --> 00:37:46,000 Speaker 1: In ninety two they traded Rex and Cough. 775 00:37:47,280 --> 00:37:51,319 Speaker 5: Yeah. I have to seriously consider it. I do. I 776 00:37:51,360 --> 00:37:54,319 Speaker 5: have the serious seriously considerate. I mean I have to 777 00:37:54,320 --> 00:37:57,319 Speaker 5: sleep on it a night because I don't know. 778 00:37:57,440 --> 00:37:58,640 Speaker 6: It's personally. 779 00:37:58,760 --> 00:38:01,440 Speaker 5: I love both those people and players. Yeah, I mean, 780 00:38:01,520 --> 00:38:04,480 Speaker 5: but but it's or you're right, it's a business and 781 00:38:04,800 --> 00:38:07,040 Speaker 5: if if you are one hundred per cent sure that's 782 00:38:07,040 --> 00:38:08,920 Speaker 5: the player that can get you to the next level, 783 00:38:09,280 --> 00:38:12,200 Speaker 5: you're right. Sometimes you have to make those deals, and 784 00:38:12,239 --> 00:38:14,680 Speaker 5: they're hard to say goodbye to guys. But if it's 785 00:38:14,880 --> 00:38:17,840 Speaker 5: absolutely positively gonna make you better, and you better do 786 00:38:17,880 --> 00:38:20,480 Speaker 5: your homework on that guy on you know what he 787 00:38:20,520 --> 00:38:23,120 Speaker 5: eats for breakfast and how many sheets he uses to wipe, 788 00:38:23,160 --> 00:38:25,920 Speaker 5: you better know him inside out. And because you know, 789 00:38:25,960 --> 00:38:28,799 Speaker 5: those are major deals on major players that are loved 790 00:38:28,800 --> 00:38:29,600 Speaker 5: in that locker room. 791 00:38:30,160 --> 00:38:32,000 Speaker 2: Four Ky has always great stuff. We'll see at the 792 00:38:32,080 --> 00:38:32,920 Speaker 2: rink Thursday night. 793 00:38:34,080 --> 00:38:35,560 Speaker 5: Join at Double M. Good hockey talk. 794 00:38:36,040 --> 00:38:37,959 Speaker 2: That's the old two nineer. I'm Mark Madden. 795 00:38:37,960 --> 00:38:39,840 Speaker 1: Now it's time to ask Mark anything, which is always 796 00:38:39,840 --> 00:38:42,759 Speaker 1: a lot of fun. Dial four one two eight three 797 00:38:42,840 --> 00:38:46,400 Speaker 1: three wxdx. That's four one two eight three three wxdx, 798 00:38:47,160 --> 00:38:51,000 Speaker 1: or use the secret line four one two three three 799 00:38:51,120 --> 00:38:54,480 Speaker 1: three w xdx. Or leave a talk back via the 800 00:38:54,600 --> 00:38:57,600 Speaker 1: microphone icon at the iHeartMedia app. 801 00:38:58,160 --> 00:38:59,799 Speaker 2: A'm Mark mat one oh five ninety X. 802 00:39:00,640 --> 00:39:03,960 Speaker 12: It's time to submit your questions for ask Mark Anything. 803 00:39:04,520 --> 00:39:07,839 Speaker 12: Use your free iHeartRadio app and sap the microphone icon 804 00:39:08,000 --> 00:39:11,000 Speaker 12: to send your questions to the super genius instantly. 805 00:39:13,400 --> 00:39:16,560 Speaker 8: It's The Woody Show weekday mornings at six on one 806 00:39:16,560 --> 00:39:17,400 Speaker 8: O five nine. 807 00:39:17,760 --> 00:39:18,680 Speaker 2: X eighty four. 808 00:39:18,760 --> 00:39:22,640 Speaker 4: Lumber is your one stop destination for top quality materials 809 00:39:22,760 --> 00:39:26,839 Speaker 4: and personalized service, whether you're a seasoned contract. 810 00:39:26,480 --> 00:39:29,560 Speaker 8: Now the super Genius Mark Madden is one. 811 00:39:29,440 --> 00:39:32,480 Speaker 4: Of a two drafts bringing the duct tape type of prefers. 812 00:39:32,520 --> 00:39:34,879 Speaker 2: What they're gonna make us play a walker game. It's 813 00:39:34,920 --> 00:39:35,759 Speaker 2: not fair, it's not fair. 814 00:39:35,800 --> 00:39:36,399 Speaker 5: It's not fair. 815 00:39:36,920 --> 00:39:42,759 Speaker 1: The X at one O five nine, I'm to ask 816 00:39:42,880 --> 00:39:47,440 Speaker 1: Mark anything brought to us by People's hyphengas dot com, 817 00:39:47,560 --> 00:39:51,280 Speaker 1: say reliable natural gas energy that's people's natural gas. 818 00:39:52,920 --> 00:39:53,240 Speaker 5: Uh. 819 00:39:53,280 --> 00:39:54,399 Speaker 2: I love the hockey talk. 820 00:39:54,440 --> 00:39:57,480 Speaker 1: I mean, McCarthy did grade at his inaugural today, but 821 00:39:58,200 --> 00:40:00,439 Speaker 1: he didn't say nothing makes me think they're gonna better 822 00:40:00,480 --> 00:40:03,319 Speaker 1: than ten and seven. Didn't say nothing that makes me 823 00:40:03,360 --> 00:40:06,560 Speaker 1: think they're gonna win a playoff game. But Stuart Skinner, 824 00:40:06,880 --> 00:40:09,880 Speaker 1: now you're talking. He's on this hot streak seven and 825 00:40:09,960 --> 00:40:14,840 Speaker 1: one in his last eight starts and goals against it 826 00:40:14,920 --> 00:40:18,800 Speaker 1: about one six say percentage at about nine to four, 827 00:40:19,760 --> 00:40:23,040 Speaker 1: and the Edmonton fans are like on Twitter saying, yeah, 828 00:40:23,080 --> 00:40:24,200 Speaker 1: you'll see he doesn't win. 829 00:40:26,560 --> 00:40:28,080 Speaker 2: What as opposed to Tristan Jarry. 830 00:40:28,880 --> 00:40:32,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, if you're waiting for him to solve your problems, you're. 831 00:40:31,840 --> 00:40:32,960 Speaker 2: Gonna be waiting for a while. 832 00:40:34,239 --> 00:40:38,239 Speaker 1: And anyway, in game seven in twenty four Stanley Cup 833 00:40:38,280 --> 00:40:42,759 Speaker 1: Final against Florida, you lost two to one, Skinner made 834 00:40:42,840 --> 00:40:47,279 Speaker 1: nineteen saves on twenty one shots and your offensive juggernaut 835 00:40:47,400 --> 00:40:51,479 Speaker 1: soiled the bed and mcjesus got zero points. Like I said, 836 00:40:51,520 --> 00:40:53,800 Speaker 1: that was in the twenty twenty four final. Game seven, 837 00:40:54,440 --> 00:40:57,399 Speaker 1: Skinner did not excel, to be honest, in the twenty 838 00:40:57,440 --> 00:41:02,600 Speaker 1: twenty five final. But now the Oiler's got Jarry, and 839 00:41:02,680 --> 00:41:06,239 Speaker 1: let's see if that solves the problem for the Penguins. 840 00:41:06,320 --> 00:41:09,920 Speaker 1: So far, Skinner is winning games. You get ahead, you 841 00:41:10,000 --> 00:41:13,320 Speaker 1: feel like he's gonna win it. You got ahead with Jari, 842 00:41:14,719 --> 00:41:16,239 Speaker 1: it didn't feel like he was gonna win it. It 843 00:41:16,239 --> 00:41:18,640 Speaker 1: felt like no lead was safe, and it often wasn't. 844 00:41:19,640 --> 00:41:22,239 Speaker 1: And furthermore, Jarry did that thing where he kept letting 845 00:41:22,239 --> 00:41:25,440 Speaker 1: in the first shot. Now, when the Penguins beat Edmonton 846 00:41:25,520 --> 00:41:28,080 Speaker 1: last week, Jarry didn't let in the first shot. He 847 00:41:28,200 --> 00:41:31,759 Speaker 1: let in these second, third, and four shots. Not gonna 848 00:41:31,800 --> 00:41:34,560 Speaker 1: lie to you, that felt pretty good. Can you get 849 00:41:34,560 --> 00:41:37,360 Speaker 1: your calls in eight, three, three, four to one two WDX, 850 00:41:39,160 --> 00:41:42,040 Speaker 1: I got I gotta tweet? Why are you talking about hockey? 851 00:41:42,480 --> 00:41:44,800 Speaker 1: Because the Penguins are good and the Steelers aren't playing 852 00:41:45,320 --> 00:41:48,640 Speaker 1: because McCarthy's recycled. It's the same old story with them, 853 00:41:48,680 --> 00:41:51,120 Speaker 1: will be the same old story with them. You want 854 00:41:51,120 --> 00:41:53,279 Speaker 1: to fool yourself. It won't be for the first time. 855 00:41:53,680 --> 00:41:58,000 Speaker 1: Nothing different is going to happen with the Penguins. Something 856 00:41:58,080 --> 00:42:04,000 Speaker 1: different is happening. I can feel it. I can feel 857 00:42:04,040 --> 00:42:07,759 Speaker 1: it all the way down in my plums. Let's go 858 00:42:07,800 --> 00:42:08,440 Speaker 1: to a talkback. 859 00:42:08,840 --> 00:42:11,040 Speaker 3: I just wanted to ask, so you think that Mike 860 00:42:11,080 --> 00:42:14,640 Speaker 3: Tomlin leaving is more additioned by subtraction, even though the 861 00:42:14,760 --> 00:42:16,320 Speaker 3: Mike McCarthy hires underwhelming. 862 00:42:16,640 --> 00:42:18,920 Speaker 2: Just what your thoughts on that, thanks? 863 00:42:20,239 --> 00:42:24,480 Speaker 1: I think it's a sideways maneuver, a sideways higher lateral. 864 00:42:25,400 --> 00:42:28,640 Speaker 1: I will say that one of McCarthy's strongest qualifications is 865 00:42:28,680 --> 00:42:32,040 Speaker 1: that he's not Tomlin. Wondering about McCarthy's going to come 866 00:42:32,040 --> 00:42:35,400 Speaker 1: in and be in many ways the same kind of 867 00:42:35,440 --> 00:42:37,839 Speaker 1: coach I think as Tomlin, but. 868 00:42:37,840 --> 00:42:38,720 Speaker 2: He won't be stale. 869 00:42:39,760 --> 00:42:43,360 Speaker 1: I think there will be minimal change with McCarthy, but 870 00:42:43,360 --> 00:42:46,440 Speaker 1: at least there's going to be changed. 871 00:42:48,120 --> 00:42:50,720 Speaker 2: Well, I got to throw this out there. People are outraged. 872 00:42:51,120 --> 00:42:54,600 Speaker 1: They're like going nuts because Shdor Sanders is going to 873 00:42:54,600 --> 00:42:55,160 Speaker 1: the Pro Bowl. 874 00:42:55,600 --> 00:42:58,359 Speaker 2: Who gives a crap, it's a freaking flag football game. 875 00:42:59,080 --> 00:43:02,320 Speaker 13: Let's go to a talkback, hey, Mark, for my sanity, 876 00:43:02,600 --> 00:43:05,200 Speaker 13: I need the Steelers to have a winning season next year. 877 00:43:05,680 --> 00:43:08,240 Speaker 13: Can you imagine what the talking heads would be saying 878 00:43:08,440 --> 00:43:13,200 Speaker 13: if the first year after Tomlin leaves they finally have 879 00:43:13,320 --> 00:43:14,200 Speaker 13: a losing season. 880 00:43:15,680 --> 00:43:19,080 Speaker 1: Oh, Tomlin is already being martyred like he was fired. 881 00:43:19,120 --> 00:43:21,160 Speaker 1: When he wasn't fired, he quit. And if people knew 882 00:43:21,200 --> 00:43:24,440 Speaker 1: the whole story, he wouldn't be a martyr at all, 883 00:43:24,520 --> 00:43:27,799 Speaker 1: except maybe the altar of well, I have a great punch, Lamb, 884 00:43:27,840 --> 00:43:32,680 Speaker 1: but I'm not going to use it. But yeah, he quit, 885 00:43:33,840 --> 00:43:35,520 Speaker 1: He's not a martyr, he's not a victim. 886 00:43:36,239 --> 00:43:39,000 Speaker 2: He didn't win a playoff game in nine years. But 887 00:43:39,080 --> 00:43:40,239 Speaker 2: you're right. If they have a. 888 00:43:42,440 --> 00:43:45,440 Speaker 1: Losing season after Toma didn't have any, if they have 889 00:43:45,480 --> 00:43:48,000 Speaker 1: a losing record in their first season of offing after 890 00:43:48,040 --> 00:43:51,200 Speaker 1: he quits, then yeah, people are gonna say see see 891 00:43:51,280 --> 00:43:53,960 Speaker 1: coach T And really a lot of his ex players 892 00:43:54,160 --> 00:43:56,600 Speaker 1: are doing that right now, before a game's been played 893 00:43:56,960 --> 00:43:59,880 Speaker 1: under Mike McCarthy, even before Mike McCarthy was named. 894 00:44:00,640 --> 00:44:02,759 Speaker 2: As I debated the other day, could be a black thing. 895 00:44:02,840 --> 00:44:06,319 Speaker 1: I don't know. I'm not black. Let's go to Steve. Steve, 896 00:44:06,360 --> 00:44:08,360 Speaker 1: you're own with double M. 897 00:44:08,520 --> 00:44:13,080 Speaker 9: Yeah, Hi, Mark, I've got a Stuart's Skinner question for you. Okay, 898 00:44:14,120 --> 00:44:16,960 Speaker 9: assuming things continue to go as well as they have 899 00:44:17,160 --> 00:44:20,880 Speaker 9: been lately and since he came on the scene last 900 00:44:20,920 --> 00:44:24,280 Speaker 9: months in Edmonton, what are you doing if you're Kyle 901 00:44:24,400 --> 00:44:27,719 Speaker 9: Dubis and if they have a good run and at 902 00:44:27,800 --> 00:44:30,600 Speaker 9: least win a playoff round, what are you doing next 903 00:44:30,600 --> 00:44:33,400 Speaker 9: off season? With Stuart Skinner, Are you keeping him? You're 904 00:44:33,440 --> 00:44:36,120 Speaker 9: going to try to keep him with pair with mirrorshof 905 00:44:36,360 --> 00:44:36,520 Speaker 9: or what. 906 00:44:37,120 --> 00:44:40,799 Speaker 1: I would keep him at a minimal price to pair 907 00:44:40,880 --> 00:44:43,520 Speaker 1: with Morrishoff, but that's not what they'll do. They have 908 00:44:43,600 --> 00:44:47,040 Speaker 1: shill Off signed through next year. They will go with 909 00:44:47,080 --> 00:44:50,239 Speaker 1: Shilloffs in morrishof I don't think they would re up Skinner. Now, 910 00:44:50,239 --> 00:44:52,160 Speaker 1: if you won two rounds, that might be a different 911 00:44:52,160 --> 00:44:55,439 Speaker 1: story depending how Skinner played, But even then, I think 912 00:44:55,480 --> 00:44:58,719 Speaker 1: the goaltending tandem next year is going to be Morrishoff 913 00:44:58,760 --> 00:45:00,840 Speaker 1: and Shilloffs five ninety x