1 00:00:02,800 --> 00:00:05,480 Speaker 1: Your tunes about Drive on your twenty four to seven 2 00:00:05,519 --> 00:00:20,040 Speaker 1: home of the Black and Goals, Steelers Nation Radio. 3 00:00:22,320 --> 00:00:25,280 Speaker 2: Good afternoon, Steelers Nation. It's the Drive on the Steelers 4 00:00:25,320 --> 00:00:28,000 Speaker 2: Audio Network. While Shuoler and Matt Williamson with you for 5 00:00:28,040 --> 00:00:31,200 Speaker 2: the next two hours here on a Tuesday where Matt, 6 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:34,160 Speaker 2: things are happening quickly. Yeah, we got the Mike Tomlin 7 00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:36,760 Speaker 2: press conference in the books that we'll get to here momentarily. 8 00:00:37,280 --> 00:00:40,839 Speaker 2: We got a thrilling Monday night football game last night 9 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:43,000 Speaker 2: that we have to discuss at some point, and we 10 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:45,680 Speaker 2: also partner. I mean, just a hair over twenty four 11 00:00:45,720 --> 00:00:47,239 Speaker 2: hours from now, you and I will be on a 12 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:49,960 Speaker 2: flight to Dublin. And yeah, things are really picking up. 13 00:00:50,080 --> 00:00:52,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, and then there's things happening around the league like 14 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:55,680 Speaker 3: Jackson dart Is now, I mean we're already benching quarterbacks, 15 00:00:55,680 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 3: and then like play callers in Tennessee are getting their jobs. 16 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:03,920 Speaker 3: I mean zher and three. People start panicing, and Steelers 17 00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 3: say what you want. I mean, they're in pretty good 18 00:01:05,440 --> 00:01:08,160 Speaker 3: shape at two and one, and Raven's losing last night 19 00:01:08,360 --> 00:01:11,920 Speaker 3: burrows out. You start looking around the vision not such 20 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:13,399 Speaker 3: such a bad place to be in right now? 21 00:01:13,520 --> 00:01:17,360 Speaker 2: No, it is certainly not. And with that as well 22 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:23,000 Speaker 2: too some I think maybe you could say optimistic injury 23 00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:26,880 Speaker 2: renew injury news, injury updates, you know, painted by Mike 24 00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:27,520 Speaker 2: Tomlin and his. 25 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:29,440 Speaker 3: Any of it. So I can't wait to hear. 26 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:31,959 Speaker 2: Well, here we go. So this part not surprising. I 27 00:01:31,959 --> 00:01:34,880 Speaker 2: think everybody saw this coming. But Alex Highsmith has been 28 00:01:34,959 --> 00:01:37,280 Speaker 2: has been ruled out. He will not play Sunday in Dublin. 29 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:40,000 Speaker 2: We all know that he avoided ir which is good. 30 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:42,440 Speaker 2: But I think also when you look at kind of 31 00:01:42,440 --> 00:01:44,959 Speaker 2: the timeline of there's the bye week after this, give 32 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:47,880 Speaker 2: him as much time as possible sense hopefully we'll see 33 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:51,120 Speaker 2: him in mid October, you know, maybe week six when 34 00:01:51,160 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 2: when Cleveland rolls the town after the bye week. 35 00:01:53,480 --> 00:01:57,200 Speaker 3: Now, right, with Watt and Cam, I thought Herbig was 36 00:01:57,280 --> 00:01:58,240 Speaker 3: the best player in the field. 37 00:01:58,320 --> 00:01:59,080 Speaker 2: Outstanding. 38 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:02,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean I was not a big Will Campbell 39 00:02:02,040 --> 00:02:04,800 Speaker 3: fan coming out of LSU rookie, but he was still 40 00:02:04,800 --> 00:02:07,280 Speaker 3: a top five pick or whatever and six whatever he 41 00:02:07,360 --> 00:02:11,200 Speaker 3: ended up going, and that kid had a long day 42 00:02:11,280 --> 00:02:13,160 Speaker 3: with Herbig, Yes, was phenomenal. 43 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:15,760 Speaker 2: And I wonder what the kind of you know, if 44 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:19,800 Speaker 2: this was Pat's Nation Radio, if we're WEEI, which is 45 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:22,880 Speaker 2: the huge sports station and in Boston where they all 46 00:02:22,919 --> 00:02:25,919 Speaker 2: talk about Chadda and the Sacks. I wonder how they 47 00:02:25,919 --> 00:02:30,240 Speaker 2: were talking about Will Campbell yesterday and today. But yes, 48 00:02:30,480 --> 00:02:32,040 Speaker 2: I think you got to give her Big a ton 49 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:34,480 Speaker 2: of credit. I think that was a ideal match up 50 00:02:34,560 --> 00:02:37,480 Speaker 2: for him, and I think he feasted. He certainly took advantage. 51 00:02:37,760 --> 00:02:40,080 Speaker 2: When you combine that with how Cam Heyward played, how TJ. 52 00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:42,440 Speaker 2: Watt played, I don't think there's any surprises as to 53 00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:45,200 Speaker 2: why they were able to force so many turnovers, get 54 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:46,880 Speaker 2: after the quarterbacks so many times. 55 00:02:47,040 --> 00:02:49,720 Speaker 3: The defensive front looked like the fierce defensive front we 56 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:52,600 Speaker 3: thought it could be absolutely and even without Highsmith. But 57 00:02:52,720 --> 00:02:56,000 Speaker 3: I mean, her BIG's an unbelievable replacement. You also got 58 00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:56,839 Speaker 3: to throw Harmon back. 59 00:02:56,880 --> 00:02:58,560 Speaker 2: I was going to say, nice first look at the 60 00:02:58,560 --> 00:02:59,799 Speaker 2: first round pick as well too. 61 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:02,600 Speaker 3: Yeah, and Benton and Hayward could play a little less. 62 00:03:02,720 --> 00:03:05,160 Speaker 3: You know, I think they're trusting why Black a little 63 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:08,960 Speaker 3: bit more. Same with that Walle I was going to say, 64 00:03:09,360 --> 00:03:10,360 Speaker 3: you know, I'm one of my guys. 65 00:03:10,400 --> 00:03:13,520 Speaker 2: You know, I think they've kind of started to figure 66 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 2: out how they're deploying that defensive line, that defensive front. 67 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:18,640 Speaker 2: What they're going to look like at the base and 68 00:03:18,680 --> 00:03:22,119 Speaker 2: it's a very encouraging start. And then yet you get 69 00:03:22,120 --> 00:03:25,960 Speaker 2: hopefully Alex Highsmith back sometime in early October, and and 70 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:28,160 Speaker 2: then you really feel like you're you're cooking with something 71 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:30,239 Speaker 2: there with that group. But I don't think that surprises 72 00:03:30,280 --> 00:03:32,839 Speaker 2: anybody that he's ruled out for this Sunday. I think, 73 00:03:32,840 --> 00:03:35,640 Speaker 2: in fact, we probably all expected that for Alex Highsmith. 74 00:03:35,760 --> 00:03:38,640 Speaker 3: The game after the bye. I think it'll be a conversation. 75 00:03:38,200 --> 00:03:41,080 Speaker 2: Exactly right that that home game against Cleveland the second 76 00:03:41,120 --> 00:03:43,960 Speaker 2: weekend in October is I think when we really start 77 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:46,440 Speaker 2: to hope to get some better news about Alex high Smith. 78 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:49,960 Speaker 2: Questionable have a chance to play. According to Mike Tomlin, 79 00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 2: the two that we've been discussing in this regard for 80 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:54,200 Speaker 2: the last couple of weeks to Shawn Elliott with the knee, 81 00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:56,600 Speaker 2: Joey Porter Junior with the hamstring. Both will have to 82 00:03:56,640 --> 00:03:59,240 Speaker 2: wait and see how they progress throughout the week. Okay, 83 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:01,960 Speaker 2: but they have a chance to play. According to Mike Tomlin. 84 00:04:02,240 --> 00:04:05,839 Speaker 3: We've said over and over that Elliott, even since he's 85 00:04:05,840 --> 00:04:09,240 Speaker 3: got here, we've talked about how he's a glue guy. 86 00:04:09,560 --> 00:04:11,920 Speaker 3: He's more important than you think. Then they gave him 87 00:04:11,960 --> 00:04:14,640 Speaker 3: another contract. I mean, he was a great free agent signing. 88 00:04:14,680 --> 00:04:17,280 Speaker 3: But even just him being out this year, middle of 89 00:04:17,279 --> 00:04:20,280 Speaker 3: the field defense in the passing game has been problematic. 90 00:04:20,320 --> 00:04:24,000 Speaker 3: Communication two games ago, not this past one was problematic. 91 00:04:24,080 --> 00:04:27,120 Speaker 3: I think he's useful that way. The run defense has 92 00:04:27,200 --> 00:04:29,080 Speaker 3: not been great start to finish, and he's a good 93 00:04:29,120 --> 00:04:34,839 Speaker 3: run defender for his position, very important porter as well. 94 00:04:35,320 --> 00:04:38,000 Speaker 3: I don't know what we have dug into the Vikings. 95 00:04:38,040 --> 00:04:39,599 Speaker 3: We've got lots and lots of time. We got a 96 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:43,039 Speaker 3: lot of hours from overseas going forward to talk about 97 00:04:43,040 --> 00:04:43,560 Speaker 3: the vikings. 98 00:04:43,720 --> 00:04:47,320 Speaker 2: But six hours of programming just you and I. Six 99 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:48,960 Speaker 2: hours of programming from Dublin. 100 00:04:49,080 --> 00:04:54,039 Speaker 3: That's awesome. But Addison is back this week, and justin 101 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:57,279 Speaker 3: Jefferson's a total superstar, you know. So every corner you 102 00:04:57,279 --> 00:04:59,760 Speaker 3: can get, sign me up. And they start traded for theeling. 103 00:04:59,640 --> 00:05:03,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, they sure did. They've got talented playmakers. They're getting 104 00:05:03,200 --> 00:05:05,960 Speaker 2: healthier on the offensive line as well too, with Kelly 105 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:09,760 Speaker 2: and Darisol and so yeah, we will have obviously a 106 00:05:09,800 --> 00:05:12,880 Speaker 2: lot on that as we roll along. And then finally 107 00:05:12,920 --> 00:05:17,000 Speaker 2: from Mike Tomlin expected to play so probable if you 108 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:19,920 Speaker 2: will is Darius Slay with that leg issue that we 109 00:05:19,960 --> 00:05:22,719 Speaker 2: saw him dealing with, had to exit for a couple series, 110 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:25,159 Speaker 2: was able to come back into the game. As you know, 111 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:27,080 Speaker 2: and I'm sure most of the listeners know, that's usually 112 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:29,240 Speaker 2: a good sign. You know, when you're injured and you 113 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:32,240 Speaker 2: don't return, it's not a great indicator for your following 114 00:05:32,279 --> 00:05:34,040 Speaker 2: week when you're injured, but you're able to get back 115 00:05:34,040 --> 00:05:35,720 Speaker 2: in there, that's that's more encouraging. 116 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:37,920 Speaker 3: And so we never know if something blows up after 117 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 3: you're dying exactly right, So you can rule Alex high 118 00:05:42,200 --> 00:05:44,760 Speaker 3: Smith out, you can list Joey Porter Junior into Sean 119 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:47,719 Speaker 3: Elliott is questionable, and then you could have Darius Slay 120 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:48,640 Speaker 3: as probable. 121 00:05:49,080 --> 00:05:51,040 Speaker 2: That's the latest on the injury front as we sit 122 00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:52,680 Speaker 2: here on a Tuesday afternoon. 123 00:05:52,800 --> 00:05:55,200 Speaker 3: And fortunately, I think we brought this up yesterday. There 124 00:05:55,279 --> 00:05:59,480 Speaker 3: was no injuries of note suffered last week, so there's 125 00:05:59,480 --> 00:06:01,760 Speaker 3: nothing new to add to the slate. So all these 126 00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:04,560 Speaker 3: guys are getting back at it. That's good news, Yeah, 127 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:05,160 Speaker 3: real good news. 128 00:06:05,200 --> 00:06:05,440 Speaker 4: It is. 129 00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:08,120 Speaker 2: It absolutely is. And some other things from the Mike 130 00:06:08,160 --> 00:06:11,000 Speaker 2: Tomlin press conference that I wanted to dive into with 131 00:06:11,040 --> 00:06:15,640 Speaker 2: you kind of a I don't know, maybe a tale 132 00:06:15,680 --> 00:06:18,680 Speaker 2: of two different stories right out of the gate. At 133 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:21,560 Speaker 2: his weekly press conference, Mike Tomlin discussed the need to 134 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:24,240 Speaker 2: be better in possession down situations on both sides of 135 00:06:24,279 --> 00:06:27,080 Speaker 2: the ball. Okay, you know, the third and fourth downs 136 00:06:27,080 --> 00:06:29,640 Speaker 2: for the defense, third down conversions for the offense. 137 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:32,040 Speaker 3: The defense was night and day. I mean, early downs 138 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:33,800 Speaker 3: were it's awesome. Late downs was. 139 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:34,640 Speaker 2: Bad, real bad. 140 00:06:35,120 --> 00:06:36,720 Speaker 3: Is that a fluke or is it going to be 141 00:06:36,720 --> 00:06:37,839 Speaker 3: a trend? Let's hope not. 142 00:06:38,279 --> 00:06:41,080 Speaker 2: Absolutely. The other thing that he discussed, though, was the 143 00:06:41,839 --> 00:06:44,680 Speaker 2: while the offense has had too many lulls. You know, 144 00:06:44,720 --> 00:06:46,960 Speaker 2: they had those six straight possessions I think where it 145 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:49,599 Speaker 2: was either three and out or a turnover. He also 146 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:52,400 Speaker 2: talked about how seven for eight in the red zone, 147 00:06:52,440 --> 00:06:53,960 Speaker 2: they are finiting when they get down there into the 148 00:06:54,000 --> 00:06:57,000 Speaker 2: rest zone, they're finishing. They're not you're not trotting Chris 149 00:06:57,000 --> 00:06:59,160 Speaker 2: Boswell out onto the field like you were doing entirely 150 00:06:59,160 --> 00:07:00,400 Speaker 2: too often last season. 151 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:02,320 Speaker 3: A wonderful safety blanket. But I don't want to pull 152 00:07:02,320 --> 00:07:03,080 Speaker 3: that blanket out if I. 153 00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:05,040 Speaker 2: Don't have to, you know, so kind of some you know, 154 00:07:05,080 --> 00:07:08,160 Speaker 2: some pointing of Mike Tomlin there of Hey, I want 155 00:07:08,200 --> 00:07:10,400 Speaker 2: the possession stuff to get move possession down stuff to 156 00:07:10,400 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 2: get moving in the opposite direction. I want the red 157 00:07:12,560 --> 00:07:15,560 Speaker 2: zone success for both units, offense and defense to continue. 158 00:07:15,720 --> 00:07:19,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, and again, red zone's really difficult. And we've talked 159 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:22,440 Speaker 3: about this quite a bit. They've gone a handful of 160 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:24,000 Speaker 3: years of being at the bottom of the league in 161 00:07:24,000 --> 00:07:25,440 Speaker 3: red zone offense and. 162 00:07:25,320 --> 00:07:28,600 Speaker 2: Since Antonio, since that twenty eighteen season with Ben and 163 00:07:28,600 --> 00:07:31,240 Speaker 2: Brown and James Conner, Yeah, they were like second or 164 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:33,160 Speaker 2: third in red zone percentage of that year. They were 165 00:07:33,200 --> 00:07:35,400 Speaker 2: one of the better teams in the league in twenty eighteen. 166 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:35,920 Speaker 3: Wow. 167 00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:39,200 Speaker 2: Since twenty nineteen, it's gone south. And in twenty nineteen, 168 00:07:39,200 --> 00:07:41,720 Speaker 2: at least it was understandable because you lost Ben Roethlisberger 169 00:07:41,920 --> 00:07:43,320 Speaker 2: six quarters into the season. 170 00:07:44,080 --> 00:07:46,440 Speaker 3: That one's fine, But that one I can put aside. 171 00:07:46,520 --> 00:07:48,640 Speaker 2: You know, since that hasn't been the exception to the rule. 172 00:07:48,680 --> 00:07:50,840 Speaker 2: That's been a trend that continued for way too long. 173 00:07:50,720 --> 00:07:54,600 Speaker 3: With a different quarterback every year, multiple offensive coordinators. I 174 00:07:54,640 --> 00:07:57,240 Speaker 3: thought Wilson would help more than he did. You know, 175 00:07:57,280 --> 00:08:00,400 Speaker 3: I thought it'd be better last year. But maybe it's 176 00:08:00,400 --> 00:08:03,680 Speaker 3: a fluke and maybe, you know, Thanksgiving, we're talking about 177 00:08:03,680 --> 00:08:05,800 Speaker 3: how they're not getting the red zone anymore. But this 178 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:08,720 Speaker 3: is really really promising, and I think the quarterback change 179 00:08:08,760 --> 00:08:09,800 Speaker 3: has a ton to do with it. 180 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:12,680 Speaker 2: A ton to do with it, a ton. And then lastly, 181 00:08:12,760 --> 00:08:16,080 Speaker 2: Matt from the Mike Tomlin press conference, specifics that I 182 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:18,840 Speaker 2: wanted to get to with you. As obviously as you 183 00:08:18,840 --> 00:08:23,080 Speaker 2: can imagine, Mike Tomlin was asked multiple times and gave 184 00:08:23,080 --> 00:08:26,120 Speaker 2: a few different answers just about the magnitude of this 185 00:08:26,280 --> 00:08:32,480 Speaker 2: game Sunday in Dublin. How you navigate knowing that this 186 00:08:32,520 --> 00:08:36,160 Speaker 2: is different than a typical game, but that also it's 187 00:08:36,240 --> 00:08:39,600 Speaker 2: one out of seventeen, it's the same regular season opportunity, 188 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:42,400 Speaker 2: while it is different, while it is on a bigger stage, 189 00:08:42,400 --> 00:08:44,839 Speaker 2: while it is in a different country, while it means 190 00:08:44,880 --> 00:08:48,360 Speaker 2: so much to the history of the Steelers organization and 191 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:53,320 Speaker 2: the Rooney family decades in decades in the making culminating 192 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:57,320 Speaker 2: in this moment, making sure to acknowledge that, but also 193 00:08:57,480 --> 00:09:03,120 Speaker 2: staying business as usual, also staying focused on the task. Imallenge, Man, 194 00:09:03,160 --> 00:09:05,120 Speaker 2: I imagine that's a real challenge. 195 00:09:05,200 --> 00:09:05,400 Speaker 1: Yeah. 196 00:09:05,440 --> 00:09:08,920 Speaker 2: I would think it's a challenge for Minnesota, oh of course. 197 00:09:09,120 --> 00:09:10,880 Speaker 2: But for the Steelers, again. 198 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:13,040 Speaker 3: They're kind of the guest, you know, yeah, yeah. 199 00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:17,000 Speaker 2: Everybody knows how much Ireland means to the Rooney family 200 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:20,559 Speaker 2: in the Steelers organization. Everybody knows again how many decades 201 00:09:20,559 --> 00:09:23,760 Speaker 2: in the making this first regular season There's been preseason 202 00:09:23,760 --> 00:09:26,960 Speaker 2: games there before, but this first regular season NFL game 203 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:30,040 Speaker 2: in Dublin and the Steelers being the host team in 204 00:09:30,080 --> 00:09:32,959 Speaker 2: the history of the Rooney family in the organization. The 205 00:09:33,000 --> 00:09:35,679 Speaker 2: magnitude of that is undeniable. 206 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:35,560 Speaker 3: No question. 207 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:38,760 Speaker 2: But you also have to proceed as if this is 208 00:09:38,800 --> 00:09:41,840 Speaker 2: another regular season game. We're trying to get to three 209 00:09:41,880 --> 00:09:44,120 Speaker 2: and one, We're trying to head into our bye week 210 00:09:44,160 --> 00:09:46,040 Speaker 2: with a win in some momentum. 211 00:09:45,640 --> 00:09:48,280 Speaker 3: And just x's and o's and the team you're playing 212 00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:50,160 Speaker 3: this is not an easy team to prepare for a 213 00:09:50,440 --> 00:09:54,520 Speaker 3: challenge at all. I mean, the offense is loaded with playmakers. 214 00:09:54,600 --> 00:09:57,440 Speaker 3: You mentioned the offensive line, They rebuilt the interior of 215 00:09:57,480 --> 00:10:00,600 Speaker 3: it and is now back where they wanted to be. 216 00:10:00,800 --> 00:10:03,320 Speaker 3: Darris saw. Their best player was out for a while. 217 00:10:04,200 --> 00:10:06,240 Speaker 3: The quarterbacks only played one game, you know. I mean, 218 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:07,880 Speaker 3: it's not like you've got a lot of tape on 219 00:10:07,960 --> 00:10:11,240 Speaker 3: him in the Vikings uniform. And the defense is the 220 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:13,000 Speaker 3: hardest one in the league to prepare for. I mean 221 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:16,199 Speaker 3: it's it's a nightmare. I mean, Flores is a mad scientist. 222 00:10:17,280 --> 00:10:20,800 Speaker 2: He sure is, and you know that's something that obviously 223 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:22,880 Speaker 2: we'll talk. Let's talk a little bit about that now. 224 00:10:22,920 --> 00:10:27,000 Speaker 2: We will do a ton of Viking specific talk from 225 00:10:27,520 --> 00:10:31,480 Speaker 2: Dublin on Friday and Saturday with our programming. But Matt, 226 00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:34,960 Speaker 2: it's a defense that is multiple, It's a defense that 227 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:39,680 Speaker 2: can disguise and confuse the opposition. And you know, we'll 228 00:10:39,679 --> 00:10:43,440 Speaker 2: do again, we'll do matchup specific segments later in the week. 229 00:10:43,840 --> 00:10:46,560 Speaker 2: But I just think on the surface, Aaron Rodgers and 230 00:10:46,600 --> 00:10:50,200 Speaker 2: his game brain against Brian Floores and his game brain 231 00:10:51,040 --> 00:10:53,760 Speaker 2: is maybe at the top of the list as the 232 00:10:53,960 --> 00:10:55,840 Speaker 2: you know, the the top of the fight card is 233 00:10:55,840 --> 00:10:56,839 Speaker 2: the main event in this one. 234 00:10:57,040 --> 00:11:02,800 Speaker 3: One hundred agree. So every Monday night, well actually this week, 235 00:11:02,840 --> 00:11:05,200 Speaker 3: we're doing it a week a day early. What I 236 00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:09,199 Speaker 3: do that nowadays is we usually record him on Thursdays, 237 00:11:09,240 --> 00:11:12,080 Speaker 3: but we're doing this one on Wednesday with Missy and 238 00:11:12,200 --> 00:11:14,920 Speaker 3: Rob and we do the matchup show basically, you know, 239 00:11:15,000 --> 00:11:18,840 Speaker 3: and we each so there's three matchups on each side 240 00:11:18,840 --> 00:11:22,000 Speaker 3: of the ball. We each pick one. And this year 241 00:11:22,240 --> 00:11:26,040 Speaker 3: I've just been sending a group email with six or 242 00:11:26,040 --> 00:11:28,160 Speaker 3: seven ideas on both sides of the ball or whatever 243 00:11:28,200 --> 00:11:30,120 Speaker 3: comes to mind, and if they like them, great, If 244 00:11:30,120 --> 00:11:32,400 Speaker 3: they don't, they don't first thing I wrote down Rogers 245 00:11:32,480 --> 00:11:36,439 Speaker 3: ver Flora. Yeah, like, if those two don't pick that one, 246 00:11:37,160 --> 00:11:38,000 Speaker 3: please picking that one. 247 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:38,240 Speaker 2: Yeah. 248 00:11:38,440 --> 00:11:41,000 Speaker 3: I always let those guys pick first, ladies first, you know, 249 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:44,040 Speaker 3: and then I'll take the next thing out. But I 250 00:11:44,080 --> 00:11:47,199 Speaker 3: am we are absolutely talking about that on tomorrow show, Yes, 251 00:11:47,360 --> 00:11:48,199 Speaker 3: no question. 252 00:11:48,120 --> 00:11:50,960 Speaker 2: And so that to me is a real kind of 253 00:11:51,040 --> 00:11:53,319 Speaker 2: you know, game within the game big time is what 254 00:11:53,360 --> 00:11:56,240 Speaker 2: Flora is, How Flora tries to confuse Rogers, how he's 255 00:11:56,280 --> 00:11:58,200 Speaker 2: able to counter that like he does so well at 256 00:11:58,200 --> 00:12:00,760 Speaker 2: the line of scrimmage, and how that plays out over 257 00:12:00,760 --> 00:12:04,280 Speaker 2: the course of four quarters. One thing that worries me 258 00:12:04,280 --> 00:12:06,240 Speaker 2: in that regard Matt that I think we have to mention, 259 00:12:06,320 --> 00:12:10,240 Speaker 2: and I saw you tweeting this this morning. It's a 260 00:12:10,480 --> 00:12:15,440 Speaker 2: Vikings defense that was just hey, had a had a 261 00:12:15,480 --> 00:12:19,240 Speaker 2: fantastic performance top the bottom against the Bengals this past. 262 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:20,000 Speaker 3: Second oh woah. 263 00:12:20,200 --> 00:12:22,800 Speaker 2: But really in limiting what the Bengals were able to 264 00:12:22,840 --> 00:12:25,120 Speaker 2: do on the ground and forcing them to be one 265 00:12:25,120 --> 00:12:27,719 Speaker 2: dimensional and forcing Jake Browning to drop back and try 266 00:12:27,800 --> 00:12:31,800 Speaker 2: and beat you, And that's obviously a very difficult proposition 267 00:12:31,840 --> 00:12:33,920 Speaker 2: when it's not Joe Burrow that you're that you're that 268 00:12:33,960 --> 00:12:40,160 Speaker 2: you're making do Thatdgers two touchdowns and yeah, Chase brown 269 00:12:40,240 --> 00:12:43,400 Speaker 2: had three yards on ten carries. I think it was. 270 00:12:44,040 --> 00:12:46,880 Speaker 2: The Bengals right now are the only team in the 271 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:50,120 Speaker 2: NFL averaging less than the Steelers in terms of yards 272 00:12:50,160 --> 00:12:53,760 Speaker 2: per rush. That to me is a big concern with 273 00:12:53,800 --> 00:12:57,559 Speaker 2: what Minnesota's defense was just able to do and completely 274 00:12:57,600 --> 00:13:01,600 Speaker 2: eliminating Cincinnati's run game as an element for that offense. 275 00:13:02,559 --> 00:13:06,000 Speaker 2: I obviously have a lot more faith in Aaron Rodgers 276 00:13:06,080 --> 00:13:08,200 Speaker 2: than I do Jake Browning to be able to counter that, 277 00:13:08,600 --> 00:13:12,400 Speaker 2: But you also cannot put that entirely on Aaron Rodgers 278 00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:15,600 Speaker 2: and get into that one dimensional phase where Brian Flure 279 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:16,920 Speaker 2: has really has your right where he wants you. 280 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:19,400 Speaker 3: And I wouldn't mind borrowing Higgins and Chase too. I 281 00:13:19,400 --> 00:13:21,520 Speaker 3: mean it's not like they don't have weapons or Browning 282 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:25,080 Speaker 3: has not had any success at this level. But I 283 00:13:25,080 --> 00:13:27,959 Speaker 3: mean the Bengals, not just in this game, have struggled 284 00:13:27,960 --> 00:13:29,200 Speaker 3: to run the ball all year, you know. I mean, 285 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:31,880 Speaker 3: as you mentioned, they're right with the Steelers in lowest 286 00:13:31,960 --> 00:13:36,240 Speaker 3: yards per carry thus far through three games, and Brown's 287 00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:38,760 Speaker 3: had a good rookie year. But you're right, I mean 288 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:41,679 Speaker 3: they totally wiped out that portion of it, and then 289 00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:43,679 Speaker 3: they got the lead and they had to keep throwing, 290 00:13:43,760 --> 00:13:46,640 Speaker 3: and the game script didn't help Cincinnati, and the snowball 291 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:48,720 Speaker 3: just kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger and turned 292 00:13:48,760 --> 00:13:51,560 Speaker 3: into an avalanche. I mean it was a disaster for Cincinnati, 293 00:13:51,960 --> 00:13:52,640 Speaker 3: Yes it was. 294 00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:55,439 Speaker 2: And part of that is because they are down their quarterback, 295 00:13:55,760 --> 00:13:58,320 Speaker 2: and when you rely on your quarterback as much as 296 00:13:58,360 --> 00:14:01,600 Speaker 2: they do, that is what it is. But an another 297 00:14:01,640 --> 00:14:05,520 Speaker 2: part of that was just how confused, you know, how 298 00:14:06,200 --> 00:14:10,560 Speaker 2: just Man had those guys in a blender the Vikings 299 00:14:10,600 --> 00:14:14,239 Speaker 2: defense did for the entire course of that contest. 300 00:14:14,559 --> 00:14:17,080 Speaker 3: I mean, the Vikings should have came to the line 301 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:19,920 Speaker 3: on offense, taking every snap and just throwing it in 302 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:24,440 Speaker 3: the ground and still won that game. The defense beat them. 303 00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:27,200 Speaker 2: Alone, exactly right, exactly right. That's a very good point 304 00:14:27,240 --> 00:14:29,280 Speaker 2: by you of how many points the defense was able 305 00:14:29,360 --> 00:14:31,160 Speaker 2: just to put up on the board in. 306 00:14:31,160 --> 00:14:35,400 Speaker 3: Their very opportunistic, very aggressive, extremely well coached and just 307 00:14:35,480 --> 00:14:39,520 Speaker 3: highly unorthodoxy like they'll do things like remember like when 308 00:14:39,520 --> 00:14:41,480 Speaker 3: Paula Malu would come like close to the line of 309 00:14:41,480 --> 00:14:44,360 Speaker 3: scrimmage and you know, look like he's blitzing, and he 310 00:14:44,480 --> 00:14:45,960 Speaker 3: was one of the only guys that ever had done 311 00:14:45,960 --> 00:14:48,800 Speaker 3: this ever, and then to sprint down and back into 312 00:14:48,840 --> 00:14:50,120 Speaker 3: like a cover two environment. 313 00:14:50,200 --> 00:14:51,560 Speaker 2: But then every once in a while he'd hop over 314 00:14:51,600 --> 00:14:51,840 Speaker 2: the line. 315 00:14:53,600 --> 00:14:55,280 Speaker 3: I mean, they do that kind of stuff, like stuff 316 00:14:55,320 --> 00:14:57,720 Speaker 3: you don't see. I saw a clip the other day 317 00:14:57,760 --> 00:15:02,560 Speaker 3: of both safeties coming down, or the safeties and the 318 00:15:02,600 --> 00:15:06,120 Speaker 3: linebackers just codally exchanged. You know, like you're not sure 319 00:15:06,120 --> 00:15:08,720 Speaker 3: what these guys responsibilities are and there's holes in it, 320 00:15:08,800 --> 00:15:11,960 Speaker 3: but it's hard to tell what you're gonna get sure. 321 00:15:12,080 --> 00:15:15,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, sure, that's and again that's where you love having 322 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:18,440 Speaker 2: Aaron Rodgers as part of this. I mean, I don't 323 00:15:18,480 --> 00:15:20,560 Speaker 2: think you could have a better quarterback in the NFL 324 00:15:20,680 --> 00:15:23,120 Speaker 2: right now. In terms of the above the next stuff 325 00:15:23,160 --> 00:15:24,400 Speaker 2: above the shoulder stuff. 326 00:15:24,120 --> 00:15:26,640 Speaker 3: It's really phenomenal and thriving. 327 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:29,440 Speaker 2: To kind of counter what the Vikings have been doing 328 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:31,200 Speaker 2: early on in the season and having people in a 329 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:32,760 Speaker 2: blender and having people confused. 330 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:38,160 Speaker 3: Even with his experience, knowledge and smarts, there'll be one 331 00:15:38,240 --> 00:15:40,800 Speaker 3: or two coverages he probably has never seen before because 332 00:15:40,840 --> 00:15:43,480 Speaker 3: it's almost like they make stuff on the fly, correct, 333 00:15:43,480 --> 00:15:46,080 Speaker 3: I mean, because they don't. They don't really even fear 334 00:15:46,840 --> 00:15:49,080 Speaker 3: having a hole in the zone. They just want to 335 00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:52,200 Speaker 3: cause confusion sometimes. You know, they're like the Joker, you know, 336 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:55,920 Speaker 3: they's one chaos, introduce. 337 00:15:55,520 --> 00:15:59,800 Speaker 2: A little chaos into the system, and then kind of 338 00:15:59,800 --> 00:16:03,080 Speaker 2: finally mad. As we wrap up this opening, uh, this 339 00:16:03,160 --> 00:16:07,320 Speaker 2: opening segment, this opening salvo here. I liked hearing Mike 340 00:16:07,360 --> 00:16:10,880 Speaker 2: Tomlin pretty quickly into his opening statement as well too, 341 00:16:11,040 --> 00:16:14,200 Speaker 2: crediting the kickoff team and the kickoff coverage good and 342 00:16:14,240 --> 00:16:17,440 Speaker 2: how that was much improved against New England, keeping them 343 00:16:17,440 --> 00:16:21,080 Speaker 2: inside the thirty, making them play on a larger, longer field, 344 00:16:21,160 --> 00:16:23,000 Speaker 2: something that they were not doing against the Jets and 345 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:25,880 Speaker 2: the Seahawks. And in a game against an opponent like 346 00:16:25,920 --> 00:16:29,600 Speaker 2: the Vikings where that minutia those margins are gonna matters 347 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:30,560 Speaker 2: to be big time. 348 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:30,840 Speaker 3: Yeah. 349 00:16:30,880 --> 00:16:34,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's that's another It's not a trend yet, right, 350 00:16:34,120 --> 00:16:35,960 Speaker 2: they kind of reversed the trend of what we had 351 00:16:35,960 --> 00:16:38,040 Speaker 2: seen in the first two games. I want to see 352 00:16:38,040 --> 00:16:41,200 Speaker 2: them continue to lock that down and and don't give 353 00:16:41,240 --> 00:16:43,080 Speaker 2: the Vikings any extra inches. 354 00:16:43,320 --> 00:16:45,760 Speaker 3: No, that's huge. I didn't realize he brought that up. 355 00:16:46,040 --> 00:16:48,480 Speaker 3: I'm glad we mentioned it first. We brought it up yesterday. 356 00:16:48,520 --> 00:16:50,800 Speaker 3: I think we almost slipped our minds, like, oh, the 357 00:16:50,880 --> 00:16:54,000 Speaker 3: kick offs are a lot better too, So now keep 358 00:16:54,040 --> 00:16:57,960 Speaker 3: that up for sure. You can't Jets had too many 359 00:16:58,040 --> 00:17:00,600 Speaker 3: or Patriots had too many long drives, held the ball 360 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:02,760 Speaker 3: too long, you know, I mean, you can't give them 361 00:17:02,800 --> 00:17:05,000 Speaker 3: short fields, or they may have been way different a 362 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:05,400 Speaker 3: game too. 363 00:17:05,720 --> 00:17:09,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely you had. I think it was a twelve 364 00:17:09,240 --> 00:17:11,320 Speaker 2: play drive and a seventeen play drive for New England 365 00:17:11,320 --> 00:17:14,280 Speaker 2: that resulted in zero points on each of those. Rare man, 366 00:17:14,359 --> 00:17:16,000 Speaker 2: it's nice that you could get it done in that 367 00:17:16,160 --> 00:17:18,080 Speaker 2: in that stage, at that moment, but you don't want 368 00:17:18,080 --> 00:17:18,679 Speaker 2: to bank on that. 369 00:17:18,840 --> 00:17:20,160 Speaker 3: Oh you're holding on for life. 370 00:17:21,800 --> 00:17:23,840 Speaker 2: You're like the scared kid on the roller coaster, just 371 00:17:23,880 --> 00:17:26,959 Speaker 2: hoping this ride and right, get me off of this thing. 372 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:30,040 Speaker 2: But that's kind of your news of the day, your 373 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:34,120 Speaker 2: your Tomlin news. Your updates there mostly positive, mostly positive 374 00:17:34,119 --> 00:17:37,760 Speaker 2: on that forefront, and hopefully hopefully this is the week 375 00:17:37,800 --> 00:17:40,320 Speaker 2: as again the Vikings are starting to get some reinforcements 376 00:17:40,359 --> 00:17:44,960 Speaker 2: in the injury and suspension department, particularly on their offense. Yeah, yeah, 377 00:17:45,200 --> 00:17:47,240 Speaker 2: I'd like to be saying the same thing about the 378 00:17:47,240 --> 00:17:49,479 Speaker 2: Steelers defense by the time we get to you know, 379 00:17:49,600 --> 00:17:52,160 Speaker 2: to Saturday and Sunday and get to Dublin and Croke 380 00:17:52,240 --> 00:17:53,320 Speaker 2: Park and everything out there. 381 00:17:53,480 --> 00:17:57,240 Speaker 3: Addison coming back, Kelly, as you mentioned huge, these are. 382 00:17:57,440 --> 00:17:59,800 Speaker 2: Really strong on the defensive side of the ball for 383 00:17:59,840 --> 00:18:00,320 Speaker 2: that too. 384 00:18:00,920 --> 00:18:03,120 Speaker 3: I don't know what we'll get into the stuff once 385 00:18:03,160 --> 00:18:06,000 Speaker 3: we get overseas, but Hardgrave got banged up in this game. 386 00:18:06,400 --> 00:18:09,400 Speaker 3: I'm curious what his status is or where where they're 387 00:18:09,440 --> 00:18:09,920 Speaker 3: at on him. 388 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:13,720 Speaker 2: We'll get first injury reports from both teams tomorrow and 389 00:18:13,760 --> 00:18:15,960 Speaker 2: that's something obviously that we'll keep an eye on, and 390 00:18:15,960 --> 00:18:21,720 Speaker 2: we'll address reminder, no Drive shows on Wednesday or Thursday, right, 391 00:18:22,000 --> 00:18:24,479 Speaker 2: but we will have a three hour show Friday and 392 00:18:24,560 --> 00:18:27,439 Speaker 2: a three hour show Saturday to make up for you. 393 00:18:27,520 --> 00:18:30,919 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, certainly. I texted our buddy Bob Labriola and 394 00:18:30,920 --> 00:18:32,680 Speaker 2: told him he was off the hook on this Thursday 395 00:18:32,680 --> 00:18:35,840 Speaker 2: because there's no Thursday, no Thursday edition of the Drive. 396 00:18:36,440 --> 00:18:39,199 Speaker 2: But hopefully we'll be able to nab some fun guests 397 00:18:39,240 --> 00:18:41,920 Speaker 2: while we're over there. A yeah, maybe some of the 398 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:45,840 Speaker 2: DV morning show people that'll all be there, Missy Max, 399 00:18:46,160 --> 00:18:48,760 Speaker 2: maybe some other some Mother Steelers alumni that are gonna 400 00:18:48,760 --> 00:18:51,480 Speaker 2: be floating around. I do think Friday Show I want 401 00:18:51,480 --> 00:18:53,320 Speaker 2: to say it is. I think Pursuda is scheduled to 402 00:18:53,400 --> 00:18:55,280 Speaker 2: join us for a little bit of time as well too, 403 00:18:55,400 --> 00:18:57,119 Speaker 2: so we're gonna have a lot of fun. It's all 404 00:18:57,160 --> 00:18:59,720 Speaker 2: gonna happen really quick, but plenty to get to today. 405 00:19:00,040 --> 00:19:03,800 Speaker 2: Obviously before we all I almost set sail off. I 406 00:19:03,840 --> 00:19:05,520 Speaker 2: hope we're not taking a boat. That would take a 407 00:19:05,520 --> 00:19:08,320 Speaker 2: long time before we all fly off to the Emerald 408 00:19:08,400 --> 00:19:10,520 Speaker 2: Isle and get ready for a big one at Croke 409 00:19:10,640 --> 00:19:14,120 Speaker 2: Park in Dublin. Our buddy Chris Adanski covers the Steelers 410 00:19:14,119 --> 00:19:17,280 Speaker 2: for the Trib co hosts the Steelers Blitz here on 411 00:19:17,440 --> 00:19:19,320 Speaker 2: Steelers Nation Radio. He's going to join us on the 412 00:19:19,359 --> 00:19:22,000 Speaker 2: other side some more updates from down on the South Side, 413 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:24,320 Speaker 2: and we'll get his thoughts on the challenge that these 414 00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:27,040 Speaker 2: Vikings are going to present this weekend to the Steelers. 415 00:19:27,040 --> 00:19:28,640 Speaker 2: All of that and more when we return West Yuler, 416 00:19:28,680 --> 00:19:31,639 Speaker 2: Matt Williamson, It's the Drive on Steelers Nation Radio on 417 00:19:31,680 --> 00:19:32,920 Speaker 2: the Steelers Audio Network. 418 00:19:39,800 --> 00:19:42,480 Speaker 1: Your tunes about Drive on your twenty four to seven 419 00:19:42,520 --> 00:19:45,680 Speaker 1: home of the Black and Goal. Steelers Nation Radio. 420 00:20:03,480 --> 00:20:06,919 Speaker 2: A busy week for your Pittsburgh Steelers. Plenty of moving 421 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:10,160 Speaker 2: and shaking in terms of the usual day to day operations, 422 00:20:10,680 --> 00:20:13,439 Speaker 2: but of course this operation is picking up and flying 423 00:20:13,440 --> 00:20:16,960 Speaker 2: across the pond to Dublin for perhaps one of the 424 00:20:17,000 --> 00:20:20,840 Speaker 2: more meaningful regular season games in franchise history. Joining us 425 00:20:20,840 --> 00:20:23,600 Speaker 2: now to discuss covers the Steelers for the trib the 426 00:20:23,760 --> 00:20:26,680 Speaker 2: co host of the Steelers Blitz with our guy Tom Opferman. 427 00:20:27,080 --> 00:20:30,240 Speaker 2: It's Chris Adamski. Buzz. Thank you for taking the time. 428 00:20:30,280 --> 00:20:34,960 Speaker 2: As always, we have heard, you know, a chance to 429 00:20:35,040 --> 00:20:39,760 Speaker 2: play for Deshaun Elliott and Joey Porter Junior this Sunday. Obviously, 430 00:20:39,840 --> 00:20:42,920 Speaker 2: for both of those guys and for the Steelers secondary 431 00:20:42,920 --> 00:20:45,439 Speaker 2: as a whole, getting them back would be massive, I think, 432 00:20:45,520 --> 00:20:50,119 Speaker 2: particularly against this talented Vikings offense as well too. I 433 00:20:50,119 --> 00:20:52,040 Speaker 2: know it's still early in this process and we got 434 00:20:52,080 --> 00:20:55,320 Speaker 2: to see them you know, practice and their availability and everything. 435 00:20:55,400 --> 00:20:58,080 Speaker 2: But how are you feeling about the chances to see 436 00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:01,960 Speaker 2: Joey Porters Junior and Sean Elliott this Sunday at Croke Park. 437 00:21:03,760 --> 00:21:06,320 Speaker 4: Yeah, the Elliott thing is a lot more kind of 438 00:21:06,359 --> 00:21:10,200 Speaker 4: linear and more predictable in terms of his injury. The 439 00:21:10,359 --> 00:21:13,120 Speaker 4: border injury has been sort of lingering for a while, 440 00:21:13,240 --> 00:21:15,159 Speaker 4: is to. I mean, from the very beginning, they sort of, 441 00:21:15,520 --> 00:21:17,760 Speaker 4: I don't say downplayed it, but it didn't get announce 442 00:21:17,760 --> 00:21:19,560 Speaker 4: as an injury might I mean, we went through Mike 443 00:21:19,600 --> 00:21:21,840 Speaker 4: Tomlin after the game said it was kind of precaution. 444 00:21:22,040 --> 00:21:24,560 Speaker 4: Then he said two days later, that Tuesday, two weeks 445 00:21:24,600 --> 00:21:28,360 Speaker 4: ago now that he was optimistic in play. And then 446 00:21:28,400 --> 00:21:30,480 Speaker 4: then and he didn't practice at all. He didn't practice since, 447 00:21:30,520 --> 00:21:33,000 Speaker 4: So I mean, you know, with the hamstring thing, that's 448 00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:35,240 Speaker 4: probably more, but it's harder to kind of predict or 449 00:21:35,240 --> 00:21:37,359 Speaker 4: look at or see how he reacts to it. At 450 00:21:37,440 --> 00:21:40,520 Speaker 4: least with Elliott's injury. If he's assuming he does practice 451 00:21:40,520 --> 00:21:43,800 Speaker 4: and soon there's no setbacks, that seemed a little more predictable. 452 00:21:43,840 --> 00:21:46,280 Speaker 4: And if he's on track too, you would think that 453 00:21:46,359 --> 00:21:48,679 Speaker 4: there's a better chance he would play. And I'm just 454 00:21:48,720 --> 00:21:50,480 Speaker 4: like I said, I was saying before week one, I 455 00:21:50,560 --> 00:21:53,119 Speaker 4: was fascinated and I was going to focus on watching 456 00:21:53,119 --> 00:21:56,680 Speaker 4: how the Seaers deployed their secondary and all the moving pieces, 457 00:21:56,680 --> 00:21:59,160 Speaker 4: and then and then kind of big names and that 458 00:21:59,200 --> 00:22:02,040 Speaker 4: the players they had have and and since I said that, 459 00:22:02,080 --> 00:22:04,479 Speaker 4: they added a whole nother one into real Peppers, And 460 00:22:04,800 --> 00:22:06,240 Speaker 4: but we have we kind of got the privd of 461 00:22:06,240 --> 00:22:09,040 Speaker 4: seeing how they wanted to or intended to or planned 462 00:22:09,080 --> 00:22:12,040 Speaker 4: to deploy everybody because they have everybody at full health. 463 00:22:12,119 --> 00:22:15,119 Speaker 4: So did you get everybody up again? I'll be fascinated 464 00:22:15,119 --> 00:22:17,320 Speaker 4: to keep an eye on that, to see exactly how 465 00:22:17,359 --> 00:22:21,240 Speaker 4: everybody's using, where they're putting, and how they're put Chris. 466 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:26,000 Speaker 3: The Elliott situation aside, would it shock you if Peppers 467 00:22:26,080 --> 00:22:29,119 Speaker 3: moved past Clark on the depth chart or in the 468 00:22:29,160 --> 00:22:31,760 Speaker 3: pecking order. I think he's the better player, and he 469 00:22:31,840 --> 00:22:32,760 Speaker 3: certainly runs better. 470 00:22:34,720 --> 00:22:38,920 Speaker 4: Yeah, you know, he showed out pretty well there, and yeah, 471 00:22:39,280 --> 00:22:42,880 Speaker 4: I would have thought, you know, if you know, Peppers 472 00:22:43,160 --> 00:22:45,920 Speaker 4: had been available somehow you know, lay Chel I or 473 00:22:45,960 --> 00:22:47,840 Speaker 4: whatever it is, and it's if and if whatever, but 474 00:22:48,920 --> 00:22:51,359 Speaker 4: you would think he'd be more of a target to tell, 475 00:22:51,400 --> 00:22:52,720 Speaker 4: you know, I don't know whatever happened to New England. 476 00:22:52,760 --> 00:22:55,680 Speaker 4: You're all kind of you know, speculation everything, how it 477 00:22:55,680 --> 00:22:57,440 Speaker 4: didn't work out in New England, why he was cut. 478 00:22:57,520 --> 00:23:01,240 Speaker 4: But I mean Clark was available, you know after camp starting. 479 00:23:01,320 --> 00:23:03,720 Speaker 4: There's some injury history there and everything, and Peppers pretty 480 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:06,480 Speaker 4: much almost played as much as Clark did this past 481 00:23:06,520 --> 00:23:09,159 Speaker 4: week as well, and that was after what he was, 482 00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:12,280 Speaker 4: what eleven days a Steeler at that point, whenever that 483 00:23:12,280 --> 00:23:15,119 Speaker 4: that was developed, and he played pretty well. I mean 484 00:23:15,240 --> 00:23:17,479 Speaker 4: Clark said shown you know a little bit of splash too, 485 00:23:17,520 --> 00:23:18,720 Speaker 4: as you kept this hand on the ball in the 486 00:23:18,760 --> 00:23:21,040 Speaker 4: one interception. You have a little little bit more. But 487 00:23:21,320 --> 00:23:23,600 Speaker 4: Pepper's he's always been a playmaker. He's the type of 488 00:23:24,280 --> 00:23:27,520 Speaker 4: piece that the Steelers like a Mike Toman kind of player, 489 00:23:27,560 --> 00:23:32,680 Speaker 4: I think in terms of just that versatility, and he 490 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:35,080 Speaker 4: does make big plays and it sounds like there's that 491 00:23:35,200 --> 00:23:37,960 Speaker 4: history there and everything, and he definitely can use him 492 00:23:38,480 --> 00:23:41,440 Speaker 4: I deploy him a little bit more freely, if that's what. 493 00:23:41,600 --> 00:23:43,360 Speaker 4: Going back to what I said, I'm fascinated to see 494 00:23:43,400 --> 00:23:45,960 Speaker 4: how they use everybody if they do. Go back to 495 00:23:46,320 --> 00:23:48,479 Speaker 4: if Joey does come back and you have your your 496 00:23:48,520 --> 00:23:51,520 Speaker 4: two outside corners more and seeing with him and Ramsey man, 497 00:23:51,760 --> 00:23:53,200 Speaker 4: it can be kind of fun the kind of things 498 00:23:53,240 --> 00:23:54,760 Speaker 4: they could do with those two and where they put 499 00:23:54,760 --> 00:23:55,359 Speaker 4: them and everything. 500 00:23:55,680 --> 00:23:59,120 Speaker 3: I guess along those lines. Got Addison coming back this week. 501 00:23:59,119 --> 00:24:00,719 Speaker 3: I'm just starting to really dig in the matchup. It's 502 00:24:00,760 --> 00:24:03,680 Speaker 3: early in the week, of course, but Jefferson's a nightmare 503 00:24:03,720 --> 00:24:05,840 Speaker 3: and then there isn't an answer for him. Do you 504 00:24:05,840 --> 00:24:11,960 Speaker 3: think Porter's availability greatly changes the Jefferson plan in any way? 505 00:24:13,400 --> 00:24:17,000 Speaker 4: Yeah? Man, that'd be one thing. He's sitting out for 506 00:24:17,040 --> 00:24:20,159 Speaker 4: two and a half games and maybe a tender hamstring. 507 00:24:20,200 --> 00:24:23,000 Speaker 4: And yeah, I don't know if they would put you know, Ramsey, 508 00:24:23,080 --> 00:24:25,840 Speaker 4: and I'm Ramsey is gonna want them, That's for sure. 509 00:24:25,920 --> 00:24:29,320 Speaker 4: I would think, say you want them, And there's there's 510 00:24:29,680 --> 00:24:31,880 Speaker 4: the school of thoughts certainly that that's something you could do. 511 00:24:33,520 --> 00:24:36,320 Speaker 4: I don't know if Joey even I don't know. I 512 00:24:36,320 --> 00:24:39,159 Speaker 4: always get maybe I'm too simple about these things. You know, 513 00:24:39,400 --> 00:24:42,080 Speaker 4: Joey's on the Ian, not the Jefferson Small by any 514 00:24:42,080 --> 00:24:45,960 Speaker 4: stretch of the imagination. But you know, I don't see 515 00:24:46,160 --> 00:24:48,320 Speaker 4: like Joey is the matchup for him necessarily. But I 516 00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:52,240 Speaker 4: mean the Steelers don't always Sometimes they revert to that 517 00:24:52,440 --> 00:24:55,439 Speaker 4: or that, you know, the follow around, uh situation for 518 00:24:55,560 --> 00:24:57,760 Speaker 4: the for Thover's here. But yeah, I mean jeff Jefferds. 519 00:24:57,840 --> 00:24:59,679 Speaker 4: I mean they play Chase twice a year two and 520 00:24:59,720 --> 00:25:01,800 Speaker 4: I think those who are kind of you know, kind 521 00:25:01,800 --> 00:25:04,600 Speaker 4: of head and shoulders on their own tier. And like 522 00:25:04,600 --> 00:25:06,000 Speaker 4: I said, they had the match up with Chase all 523 00:25:06,040 --> 00:25:09,040 Speaker 4: the time, and you see hints from that, but yeah, 524 00:25:09,119 --> 00:25:12,680 Speaker 4: it's a whole nother level in terms of star player, 525 00:25:12,680 --> 00:25:14,680 Speaker 4: and I know they're not a quarterback and everything else. 526 00:25:14,760 --> 00:25:17,440 Speaker 4: And he hasn't been quite as productive these first three 527 00:25:17,480 --> 00:25:19,239 Speaker 4: weeks as he as you think of him, but he's 528 00:25:19,240 --> 00:25:22,560 Speaker 4: still probably you know, if you pull a pull, he's 529 00:25:22,560 --> 00:25:24,480 Speaker 4: certainly a lot of votes the game's best receiver, that's 530 00:25:24,520 --> 00:25:24,879 Speaker 4: for sure. 531 00:25:26,080 --> 00:25:29,440 Speaker 2: Chris, I guess kind of maybe similar maybe same church, 532 00:25:29,480 --> 00:25:31,960 Speaker 2: different pew to the question that Matt just asked you 533 00:25:32,000 --> 00:25:34,719 Speaker 2: about Pepper's Are we seeing a little bit of a 534 00:25:34,760 --> 00:25:38,439 Speaker 2: shift in Cole Holcombe maybe getting a bigger share of 535 00:25:38,480 --> 00:25:42,160 Speaker 2: the load over Peyton Wilson. Is that something you expect 536 00:25:42,160 --> 00:25:44,399 Speaker 2: to continue or was maybe not just a function of 537 00:25:44,440 --> 00:25:46,000 Speaker 2: Sunday's game plan in New England. 538 00:25:47,280 --> 00:25:50,000 Speaker 4: Yeah, I kind of wonder about in New England in 539 00:25:50,119 --> 00:25:52,960 Speaker 4: terms of, you know, you could deploy this sort of 540 00:25:53,040 --> 00:25:56,320 Speaker 4: match up specific And that's what I'd probably have said 541 00:25:56,359 --> 00:25:59,000 Speaker 4: a month ago if they knew, once they established that 542 00:25:59,080 --> 00:26:02,760 Speaker 4: Holcombe was you know, full health. I guess they knew that. 543 00:26:02,960 --> 00:26:07,040 Speaker 4: But back to being at least however quose to the player, 544 00:26:07,080 --> 00:26:09,240 Speaker 4: he was before the injury or the player. Maybe he 545 00:26:09,359 --> 00:26:12,440 Speaker 4: would argue he is the same player once they established 546 00:26:12,440 --> 00:26:14,640 Speaker 4: that and the durability he got through they rent them 547 00:26:14,680 --> 00:26:16,840 Speaker 4: up and whether that was intentional from the start or not. 548 00:26:16,960 --> 00:26:19,600 Speaker 4: But no snaps to was it thirteen snaps to half 549 00:26:19,640 --> 00:26:22,800 Speaker 4: the snaps this past game? And now there is a 550 00:26:23,160 --> 00:26:25,800 Speaker 4: confidence with him. Of course he made a play early 551 00:26:25,840 --> 00:26:29,040 Speaker 4: on on Sunday, of course, and I think he legitimately 552 00:26:29,119 --> 00:26:31,200 Speaker 4: has impressed. Mean hear Mike Thomas kind of went on 553 00:26:31,400 --> 00:26:34,800 Speaker 4: and on about him today in terms of and remember 554 00:26:34,840 --> 00:26:37,600 Speaker 4: they signed him. It's like I don't forget if I 555 00:26:37,600 --> 00:26:39,920 Speaker 4: forget who, I tell what, talk to who about now? 556 00:26:39,960 --> 00:26:43,600 Speaker 4: But there was a maybe Patrick Queen's not here if 557 00:26:43,880 --> 00:26:45,800 Speaker 4: Kulkomb doesn't get hurt. And you know he was supposed 558 00:26:45,840 --> 00:26:47,760 Speaker 4: to be kind of their answer and inside linebacker three 559 00:26:47,840 --> 00:26:50,119 Speaker 4: years ago when he signed the three year contract with 560 00:26:50,160 --> 00:26:52,720 Speaker 4: the Steelers, so they obviously had an eye for him 561 00:26:52,720 --> 00:26:57,159 Speaker 4: and what he could do. And you know, let's face it, 562 00:26:57,200 --> 00:27:00,760 Speaker 4: I mean, Peyton Wilson hadn't been you could say been terrible, 563 00:27:00,800 --> 00:27:03,240 Speaker 4: but you know, not exactly stood out and maybe taking 564 00:27:03,280 --> 00:27:04,880 Speaker 4: that next step that you thought. I mean the first 565 00:27:04,880 --> 00:27:06,760 Speaker 4: game he played every snap. I think maybe that was 566 00:27:06,800 --> 00:27:10,120 Speaker 4: an ideal world where him and Queen play are every down. 567 00:27:10,240 --> 00:27:12,679 Speaker 4: Linebackers are every down, you know, depending on how you 568 00:27:12,680 --> 00:27:14,480 Speaker 4: wanted to do your safeties and all that too. So 569 00:27:14,960 --> 00:27:17,240 Speaker 4: and I think the struggles against the run if that's 570 00:27:17,280 --> 00:27:20,040 Speaker 4: what hokem is so whether it's macho specific, I mean, 571 00:27:20,200 --> 00:27:23,280 Speaker 4: I would think it'll probably follow into maybe we see 572 00:27:23,600 --> 00:27:26,520 Speaker 4: like it was last year, Landon Roberts and Peyton Wilson 573 00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:28,360 Speaker 4: and how they divide up that labor and then who 574 00:27:28,400 --> 00:27:30,200 Speaker 4: you call the starter? You call the starter, I guess, 575 00:27:30,200 --> 00:27:33,160 Speaker 4: and might be the first snap and what personnel package 576 00:27:33,200 --> 00:27:36,560 Speaker 4: is out there or whatever. But we'll probably go back 577 00:27:36,600 --> 00:27:38,359 Speaker 4: to that, and then you know, I guess that is 578 00:27:38,400 --> 00:27:41,320 Speaker 4: the expense of Peyton Wilson being that every down guy 579 00:27:41,359 --> 00:27:42,359 Speaker 4: that you. 580 00:27:42,680 --> 00:27:46,080 Speaker 3: The Stewards envision. I'm sure he envision. When the season started, Chris, 581 00:27:46,119 --> 00:27:48,680 Speaker 3: what'd you think of the first round pick Derek Harmon's 582 00:27:48,680 --> 00:27:51,560 Speaker 3: debut And is there a lot of buzz and optimism 583 00:27:51,680 --> 00:27:53,719 Speaker 3: around the team that you've been You've noticed? 584 00:27:55,440 --> 00:27:58,160 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean you can't right away right his first 585 00:27:58,320 --> 00:28:01,119 Speaker 4: was the second and third snap. He popped right away. 586 00:28:01,720 --> 00:28:04,119 Speaker 4: He played I think more than I certainly I thought 587 00:28:04,200 --> 00:28:07,480 Speaker 4: he'd played for his first game, and I thought even 588 00:28:07,520 --> 00:28:09,480 Speaker 4: maybe they might do the thing, and that might have 589 00:28:09,560 --> 00:28:12,919 Speaker 4: been desperation is probably a strong word, but they need 590 00:28:13,200 --> 00:28:15,720 Speaker 4: They needed him out there, I think right. And I 591 00:28:15,720 --> 00:28:17,520 Speaker 4: thought maybe to be like a ramp up for last 592 00:28:17,520 --> 00:28:19,639 Speaker 4: week he was limited this week, he'd make his debut 593 00:28:19,800 --> 00:28:22,000 Speaker 4: even but the fact that he only had one full 594 00:28:22,040 --> 00:28:23,600 Speaker 4: practice and they put him out there, I think it's 595 00:28:23,600 --> 00:28:25,920 Speaker 4: another sign of how much they believe in him for 596 00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:29,240 Speaker 4: being a rookie. And what you know, we used. You 597 00:28:29,240 --> 00:28:30,720 Speaker 4: were there of a camp. Of course you saw him 598 00:28:30,720 --> 00:28:33,080 Speaker 4: and practice and everything. I think he does pop of 599 00:28:33,160 --> 00:28:35,680 Speaker 4: course the pedigree and the tape from room last year 600 00:28:35,680 --> 00:28:38,000 Speaker 4: and everything, and like I said, they do need some 601 00:28:38,080 --> 00:28:41,880 Speaker 4: more of that. And yeah, I would expect again just 602 00:28:41,880 --> 00:28:43,920 Speaker 4: from sitting out. He didn't practice for three weeks and 603 00:28:43,960 --> 00:28:45,760 Speaker 4: hasn't played. He didn't get a live game his first 604 00:28:45,840 --> 00:28:47,920 Speaker 4: NFL game this past week, expect him to get better. 605 00:28:47,960 --> 00:28:50,720 Speaker 4: And seeing how he kind of burst on the scene 606 00:28:50,720 --> 00:28:52,880 Speaker 4: there and in the first half of that first quarter 607 00:28:52,920 --> 00:28:55,600 Speaker 4: and then he kind of maybe plateaued a little bit. 608 00:28:55,640 --> 00:28:58,120 Speaker 4: Maybe you could see that for longer sustain period. So yeah, 609 00:28:58,200 --> 00:29:01,120 Speaker 4: I think it might be the start, you know, knocking wood. 610 00:29:01,120 --> 00:29:04,520 Speaker 4: If you're a Steeler fan or whatever to see declare, yeah, 611 00:29:04,560 --> 00:29:06,720 Speaker 4: it might be sort of of a long career this 612 00:29:06,760 --> 00:29:08,000 Speaker 4: past Sunday and heading forward. 613 00:29:08,760 --> 00:29:11,240 Speaker 2: Chris Adamski with US here covers the Steelers for the trip. 614 00:29:11,280 --> 00:29:14,680 Speaker 2: He's also now part of our Steelers Nation Radio on 615 00:29:14,720 --> 00:29:18,440 Speaker 2: the Steelers' Audio network Family. Chris, I want to ask 616 00:29:18,440 --> 00:29:22,240 Speaker 2: you just kind of about the the vibe with this 617 00:29:22,400 --> 00:29:25,440 Speaker 2: game ahead down there on the south side and around 618 00:29:25,480 --> 00:29:28,880 Speaker 2: the facility. I thought Mike Tomlin did a good job 619 00:29:28,920 --> 00:29:31,080 Speaker 2: of laying out why this game is so important, what 620 00:29:31,120 --> 00:29:33,120 Speaker 2: it means to the organization, what it means to the 621 00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:36,000 Speaker 2: Rooney family, what it would have meant to the ambassador, 622 00:29:36,000 --> 00:29:38,280 Speaker 2: and how much he'll be thinking about him when they 623 00:29:38,280 --> 00:29:40,920 Speaker 2: get over there. But at the same time, this is 624 00:29:40,960 --> 00:29:43,920 Speaker 2: business as usual. This is another game. It's a regular 625 00:29:43,920 --> 00:29:46,280 Speaker 2: season game, one out of seventeen where they need to 626 00:29:46,320 --> 00:29:51,560 Speaker 2: take care of business. How Like, how realistically are they 627 00:29:51,560 --> 00:29:53,560 Speaker 2: going to be able to walk that tightrope this week 628 00:29:53,640 --> 00:29:56,920 Speaker 2: of being excited, you know, having to get on a 629 00:29:56,960 --> 00:30:00,200 Speaker 2: flight a Thursday night over to Dublin and all the 630 00:30:00,320 --> 00:30:02,520 Speaker 2: pomp and circumstance that will come at this game, the 631 00:30:02,600 --> 00:30:06,400 Speaker 2: NFL's first regular season game in Dublin at a historic 632 00:30:06,480 --> 00:30:09,760 Speaker 2: stadium like Croke Park, with over eighty thousand people that 633 00:30:09,800 --> 00:30:12,600 Speaker 2: are gonna be there. What's the vibe like, what's the 634 00:30:12,720 --> 00:30:15,920 Speaker 2: kind of trying to again walk that that tightrope, that 635 00:30:16,040 --> 00:30:19,880 Speaker 2: razor thin margin of recognizing that this game is a 636 00:30:19,880 --> 00:30:23,120 Speaker 2: big deal, but maybe also just treating it like it's 637 00:30:23,160 --> 00:30:24,480 Speaker 2: any other regular season game. 638 00:30:26,160 --> 00:30:26,360 Speaker 1: Yeah. 639 00:30:26,400 --> 00:30:28,040 Speaker 4: You know, some of the players, you talk to them, 640 00:30:28,240 --> 00:30:30,600 Speaker 4: it's definitely a unique experience for them. 641 00:30:30,680 --> 00:30:31,600 Speaker 3: I mean, what is it. 642 00:30:31,760 --> 00:30:33,680 Speaker 4: I guess Hayward would have been part of the team 643 00:30:34,240 --> 00:30:36,200 Speaker 4: when they went to Dublin. There's probably a couple of 644 00:30:36,320 --> 00:30:38,320 Speaker 4: veterans that they've had, so many veterans come in that 645 00:30:38,400 --> 00:30:41,360 Speaker 4: probably made a couple of games or two somewhere. I'm 646 00:30:41,360 --> 00:30:43,880 Speaker 4: sure Ramsey because Jacksonville always plays over in London and 647 00:30:43,880 --> 00:30:44,479 Speaker 4: all that. So there. 648 00:30:44,600 --> 00:30:47,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, I know dk DK played a game in Germany, 649 00:30:47,320 --> 00:30:48,920 Speaker 2: I believe when he was at the Seahawks. 650 00:30:50,160 --> 00:30:50,320 Speaker 3: Yeah. 651 00:30:50,400 --> 00:30:52,400 Speaker 4: Yeah, so you got some of the guys, but all 652 00:30:52,440 --> 00:30:55,240 Speaker 4: the younger guys that this is, you know, a unique opportunity. 653 00:30:55,440 --> 00:30:57,480 Speaker 4: Even I mean TJ. Watson in the league for nine years, 654 00:30:57,480 --> 00:30:59,960 Speaker 4: he hasn't been able to be a part of something 655 00:31:00,120 --> 00:31:02,200 Speaker 4: like this, And yeah, the whole Ireland thing, I thought 656 00:31:02,240 --> 00:31:05,360 Speaker 4: it was pretty neat today Mike Tomlin talking about the 657 00:31:05,440 --> 00:31:09,000 Speaker 4: Rooney or the Ambassador Rooney and mister Rooney and that 658 00:31:09,120 --> 00:31:11,800 Speaker 4: family and what it means and how they sort of 659 00:31:12,040 --> 00:31:14,959 Speaker 4: they like to and the players that come here, you 660 00:31:14,960 --> 00:31:16,680 Speaker 4: could tell that. I think that's true because a lot 661 00:31:16,720 --> 00:31:19,200 Speaker 4: of them do kind of talk about and everybody knows 662 00:31:19,240 --> 00:31:21,760 Speaker 4: the Steelers history of being in Super Bowls and all that, 663 00:31:22,240 --> 00:31:24,880 Speaker 4: but I do feel like every time the new veteran comes, 664 00:31:24,920 --> 00:31:27,720 Speaker 4: they often reference that. So I'm sure they have been 665 00:31:27,760 --> 00:31:29,800 Speaker 4: sort of, you know, talked to about it, or maybe 666 00:31:29,840 --> 00:31:31,440 Speaker 4: they ask about I don't know, or you know, they 667 00:31:31,480 --> 00:31:33,479 Speaker 4: see something. But it does get right. I don't think 668 00:31:33,480 --> 00:31:35,840 Speaker 4: it's just lip service when they're talking about that. And yeah, 669 00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:38,160 Speaker 4: I mean, you guys knew mister Rooney would have been 670 00:31:38,160 --> 00:31:40,200 Speaker 4: really cool for him to be part of something and 671 00:31:40,280 --> 00:31:42,080 Speaker 4: how much Ireland meant to him and means of the 672 00:31:42,080 --> 00:31:45,520 Speaker 4: family and everything. And it took a while, it feels like, 673 00:31:45,560 --> 00:31:47,480 Speaker 4: for all these international games from Ireland to get a 674 00:31:47,520 --> 00:31:49,920 Speaker 4: game period. But you got to think, if you know, 675 00:31:49,960 --> 00:31:53,920 Speaker 4: the Steelers connection and the Rooney family connection, maybe there 676 00:31:53,920 --> 00:31:56,680 Speaker 4: isn't a game Iraad, maybe there's another country in Europe 677 00:31:56,720 --> 00:31:58,800 Speaker 4: or whatever it might be. The places they've been and everything, 678 00:31:58,920 --> 00:32:01,840 Speaker 4: so you got all that up. It is pretty neat, 679 00:32:01,840 --> 00:32:03,600 Speaker 4: and I think it will be an experience. I do 680 00:32:03,680 --> 00:32:08,240 Speaker 4: wonder if in terms of keeping a business trip right, 681 00:32:08,520 --> 00:32:12,320 Speaker 4: the fact that they're leaving Thursday night and not maybe 682 00:32:12,400 --> 00:32:15,360 Speaker 4: earlier in the week, I wonder if that's I mean, 683 00:32:15,400 --> 00:32:17,320 Speaker 4: there's not gonna much time to They're not gonna be 684 00:32:17,320 --> 00:32:19,440 Speaker 4: any tourism really by the players, and you know, by 685 00:32:20,040 --> 00:32:22,520 Speaker 4: the time they touch down and get sleep and practice 686 00:32:22,520 --> 00:32:23,800 Speaker 4: that first they all of a sudden, it's the day 687 00:32:23,800 --> 00:32:25,360 Speaker 4: before a game, you know, when you get your meetings 688 00:32:25,400 --> 00:32:28,880 Speaker 4: and everything else. So there really isn't much you know, 689 00:32:29,120 --> 00:32:31,360 Speaker 4: I would think in terms of the schedule, just thinking 690 00:32:31,360 --> 00:32:33,360 Speaker 4: of it myself, it's kind of frenzy. Before you know what, 691 00:32:33,360 --> 00:32:35,280 Speaker 4: they're playing a game before you know it's back home again. 692 00:32:35,360 --> 00:32:38,200 Speaker 4: So in the sense of focusing on the game, it 693 00:32:38,320 --> 00:32:41,719 Speaker 4: sounds like maybe that's part of the intentionality of choosing 694 00:32:41,720 --> 00:32:43,440 Speaker 4: to leave when they did. And I think the players 695 00:32:43,960 --> 00:32:46,200 Speaker 4: really are going to have to just by the nature 696 00:32:46,200 --> 00:32:48,800 Speaker 4: of things, will come back them fast. Friday practice Saturday, 697 00:32:48,880 --> 00:32:51,280 Speaker 4: we'll walk through meetings and all that. Before you know 698 00:32:51,320 --> 00:32:53,280 Speaker 4: it will be playing a game and they won't even 699 00:32:53,320 --> 00:32:55,920 Speaker 4: really register them kind of that in terms of the 700 00:32:55,960 --> 00:32:57,520 Speaker 4: routine and what they're doing and prepare for it. 701 00:32:58,440 --> 00:33:00,800 Speaker 3: So the Steelers have a winning record, know that. But 702 00:33:00,880 --> 00:33:03,080 Speaker 3: we also know and all our listeners know that there 703 00:33:03,120 --> 00:33:06,480 Speaker 3: are a lot of areas that still need work, and 704 00:33:07,520 --> 00:33:10,760 Speaker 3: the biggest concern for me that it won't get fixed 705 00:33:11,080 --> 00:33:14,360 Speaker 3: or might just not be ever a strength this year 706 00:33:14,960 --> 00:33:17,160 Speaker 3: is a still running game. Do you have I'm not 707 00:33:17,160 --> 00:33:19,240 Speaker 3: saying it won't, it's just the one I feel the 708 00:33:19,320 --> 00:33:24,200 Speaker 3: least confident will come around. Do you agree? 709 00:33:24,520 --> 00:33:28,560 Speaker 4: Yeah, the wort question, it's crazy, it's weird. Well I 710 00:33:28,560 --> 00:33:31,720 Speaker 4: shouldn't say it's crazy or weird, but it's a This 711 00:33:31,840 --> 00:33:34,600 Speaker 4: might sound like a dichotomy or something here, but I 712 00:33:35,120 --> 00:33:38,440 Speaker 4: kind of feel better about Jaalen Warren as an every 713 00:33:38,480 --> 00:33:46,400 Speaker 4: down running back. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And I don't 714 00:33:46,440 --> 00:33:49,160 Speaker 4: know if I would have necessarily I wanted to see 715 00:33:49,160 --> 00:33:51,120 Speaker 4: it at least right I think the way we I've 716 00:33:51,160 --> 00:33:54,280 Speaker 4: talked about it is with Warren is I'm not saying 717 00:33:54,320 --> 00:33:55,640 Speaker 4: he can't do it, but there's going to be a 718 00:33:55,640 --> 00:33:59,720 Speaker 4: little trepidation until I start seeing you know, and and 719 00:33:59,480 --> 00:34:02,200 Speaker 4: and to be fair, I was just gonna say, in 720 00:34:02,240 --> 00:34:04,400 Speaker 4: a situation where you wouldn't lean on Najie Harrison in 721 00:34:04,440 --> 00:34:05,920 Speaker 4: the past, where you get an early lead and then 722 00:34:05,920 --> 00:34:07,880 Speaker 4: you and then you're running more. But that's that's kind 723 00:34:07,880 --> 00:34:09,839 Speaker 4: of what happened last week, and it didn't really work 724 00:34:09,880 --> 00:34:12,160 Speaker 4: out too well in terms of the middle part of 725 00:34:12,160 --> 00:34:15,040 Speaker 4: that game, whenever you traditionally would want to lean on 726 00:34:15,080 --> 00:34:17,719 Speaker 4: that style of running or that that style running game. 727 00:34:17,800 --> 00:34:21,040 Speaker 4: And yeah, you know, it's funny because you asked earlier 728 00:34:21,040 --> 00:34:22,600 Speaker 4: and I didn't really answer that part of your question 729 00:34:22,640 --> 00:34:24,920 Speaker 4: about that the team being excited about Derek Harmon and 730 00:34:24,920 --> 00:34:27,160 Speaker 4: where I'm going with this is I was going to 731 00:34:28,560 --> 00:34:30,279 Speaker 4: I was gonna answer that in the affirmative, Yes, I 732 00:34:30,360 --> 00:34:32,600 Speaker 4: really get the sense from the coaching staff and the 733 00:34:32,600 --> 00:34:35,759 Speaker 4: teammates about that. But then the way I was gonna 734 00:34:35,840 --> 00:34:37,040 Speaker 4: but then I was going to sort of college it 735 00:34:37,120 --> 00:34:40,319 Speaker 4: by saying I felt the same genuine I mean, I 736 00:34:40,320 --> 00:34:42,000 Speaker 4: get their first round picks and all that, and that 737 00:34:42,120 --> 00:34:43,759 Speaker 4: that's that's a read that's part of the reason why 738 00:34:43,800 --> 00:34:46,440 Speaker 4: is that pedigree, But I felt a genuine sort of 739 00:34:46,520 --> 00:34:48,160 Speaker 4: like wow, this faw a Ton is just gonna blow 740 00:34:48,160 --> 00:34:49,919 Speaker 4: people away. This is going to be you know, he's great. 741 00:34:49,920 --> 00:34:51,879 Speaker 4: Look at the way he moves. He's gonna just really 742 00:34:51,960 --> 00:34:53,839 Speaker 4: hit the ground running and be you know, a high 743 00:34:53,920 --> 00:34:56,799 Speaker 4: level starter immediately. And and you know, over the first 744 00:34:56,840 --> 00:34:58,680 Speaker 4: three games it hasn't been a meeting. Now, that doesn't 745 00:34:58,719 --> 00:35:00,640 Speaker 4: mean it's gonna happen, not not gonna happen, or you 746 00:35:00,719 --> 00:35:02,400 Speaker 4: of course you given up on him. He's anything like 747 00:35:02,440 --> 00:35:04,480 Speaker 4: that at all. I'm just saying that he hasn't stood 748 00:35:04,480 --> 00:35:07,160 Speaker 4: out that that's been kind of a I guess something 749 00:35:07,160 --> 00:35:09,839 Speaker 4: that I almost penciled in is like, oh, even though 750 00:35:09,880 --> 00:35:12,480 Speaker 4: he played one NFL game right that people were so 751 00:35:12,640 --> 00:35:14,960 Speaker 4: high on him that, okay, right, tackle was fine, that's 752 00:35:15,000 --> 00:35:17,000 Speaker 4: gonna be great. You know, center's great. And at the 753 00:35:17,040 --> 00:35:19,560 Speaker 4: same time you're dealing with all those guys. I mean, 754 00:35:19,680 --> 00:35:22,759 Speaker 4: what Fraser's now at what twenty career starts whatever? You know, 755 00:35:23,080 --> 00:35:25,799 Speaker 4: mccormicks did sixteen career starts and fallow Tons at four 756 00:35:25,880 --> 00:35:29,360 Speaker 4: career starts. So you go up into roder toonese. How 757 00:35:29,400 --> 00:35:29,840 Speaker 4: many does he have? 758 00:35:30,160 --> 00:35:30,600 Speaker 3: What thirty? 759 00:35:30,719 --> 00:35:33,839 Speaker 4: Maybe? So you're going up and down this and there's 760 00:35:33,880 --> 00:35:38,280 Speaker 4: still a very young offensive wire other than your left 761 00:35:38,320 --> 00:35:41,280 Speaker 4: guard of course, and that's also been you know, another 762 00:35:41,280 --> 00:35:42,759 Speaker 4: thing where I kind of oh, he's say, I'm all 763 00:35:42,800 --> 00:35:44,920 Speaker 4: those fine penciled in and that hasn't worked out either. 764 00:35:45,000 --> 00:35:47,400 Speaker 4: Now there's a track record there unless you start to 765 00:35:47,400 --> 00:35:50,279 Speaker 4: worry about and being you know, whether it be the 766 00:35:50,280 --> 00:35:52,200 Speaker 4: injury catching up with him or get in age and 767 00:35:52,480 --> 00:35:54,680 Speaker 4: you got to pedigree with the other four essentially, So 768 00:35:55,120 --> 00:35:58,560 Speaker 4: I still think it can be okay. But but yeah, 769 00:35:59,160 --> 00:36:02,319 Speaker 4: like like you put it, there's a point where you 770 00:36:02,320 --> 00:36:04,200 Speaker 4: know that it is you were three weeks in. After 771 00:36:04,200 --> 00:36:06,840 Speaker 4: one week, well it's one week sample size two two games, Okay, 772 00:36:06,880 --> 00:36:09,000 Speaker 4: Now you're three games, and so if things think are 773 00:36:09,080 --> 00:36:11,600 Speaker 4: on for their game or two, there's no longer small 774 00:36:11,600 --> 00:36:13,719 Speaker 4: sample size to explain this away. It's kind of they 775 00:36:13,760 --> 00:36:15,160 Speaker 4: are who they are at that point, right. 776 00:36:16,040 --> 00:36:18,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, And two point eight yards per rush attempt in 777 00:36:18,560 --> 00:36:21,400 Speaker 2: the first three games is certainly not paint a pretty picture. 778 00:36:22,280 --> 00:36:24,680 Speaker 2: Kris Damski, co host of the Steelers Blitz here on 779 00:36:24,680 --> 00:36:27,400 Speaker 2: the Steelers Audio Network, covers the Black and Gold for 780 00:36:27,600 --> 00:36:30,200 Speaker 2: the trib Buzz. Thank you for the time, partner as always, 781 00:36:30,200 --> 00:36:31,200 Speaker 2: and we'll talk to you next week. 782 00:36:32,280 --> 00:36:33,440 Speaker 4: I want the pleasure guys see you. 783 00:36:33,480 --> 00:36:38,240 Speaker 2: Then there he is Chris Adamski, you know before I 784 00:36:38,239 --> 00:36:41,520 Speaker 2: cut him off there dropped his call there. Should ask him, 785 00:36:41,560 --> 00:36:43,680 Speaker 2: you know he he likes to wear those Irish caps. 786 00:36:43,680 --> 00:36:46,680 Speaker 2: That's kind of like one of the looks. Should ask 787 00:36:46,719 --> 00:36:48,560 Speaker 2: him where to get a good Irish cap over there 788 00:36:48,880 --> 00:36:51,120 Speaker 2: and Dublin. Maybe I'll text him to get that information 789 00:36:51,360 --> 00:36:54,120 Speaker 2: one of our us out. I'm sure it's probably like 790 00:36:54,280 --> 00:36:56,520 Speaker 2: finding in French fries on a sandwich in Pittsburgh, It's 791 00:36:56,560 --> 00:36:59,520 Speaker 2: probably not too difficult to find yourself an Irish cap 792 00:36:59,560 --> 00:37:02,879 Speaker 2: over When we returned to close down the first hour 793 00:37:03,239 --> 00:37:07,680 Speaker 2: a little Tuesday rewind some maybe final or extra observations 794 00:37:08,040 --> 00:37:11,359 Speaker 2: after rewatching the Steelers game yesterday. We'll get into those 795 00:37:11,760 --> 00:37:13,960 Speaker 2: and maybe kind of put the final pin in the 796 00:37:13,960 --> 00:37:18,440 Speaker 2: Patriots conversation before all eyes fully turned to Ireland and 797 00:37:18,480 --> 00:37:20,759 Speaker 2: those Minnesota vikings. West Euler, Matt Williams and it's the 798 00:37:20,800 --> 00:37:23,680 Speaker 2: Drive on Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network, 799 00:37:31,320 --> 00:37:32,319 Speaker 2: your tunes. 800 00:37:31,960 --> 00:37:34,400 Speaker 1: About Drive on your twenty four to seven home of 801 00:37:34,440 --> 00:37:49,040 Speaker 1: the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio. 802 00:37:51,400 --> 00:37:55,040 Speaker 2: It's Tuesday Rewind Time. It's a very simple concept with 803 00:37:55,080 --> 00:37:58,360 Speaker 2: a catchy name. It's just some final thoughts about the 804 00:37:58,360 --> 00:38:01,160 Speaker 2: Steelers previous game. You know, we've had a chance to 805 00:38:01,200 --> 00:38:04,400 Speaker 2: do some rewatch and some deeper dives into it at 806 00:38:04,400 --> 00:38:08,080 Speaker 2: this point, Matt, quite simply, I do feel like we've 807 00:38:08,080 --> 00:38:11,680 Speaker 2: done a pretty good job combing over all the details 808 00:38:11,719 --> 00:38:13,600 Speaker 2: of that win in New England, just because we know 809 00:38:13,640 --> 00:38:15,440 Speaker 2: how quickly we're gonna have to turn the page here 810 00:38:15,480 --> 00:38:17,560 Speaker 2: this week, and kind of how little time we had 811 00:38:18,000 --> 00:38:20,319 Speaker 2: to get into the weeds and into the forest of 812 00:38:20,360 --> 00:38:23,760 Speaker 2: that game. But kind of final thing to kick around 813 00:38:23,800 --> 00:38:26,440 Speaker 2: for you. And we touched on this a little bit 814 00:38:26,480 --> 00:38:28,560 Speaker 2: in the opening segment, but wanted to get back to it. 815 00:38:29,200 --> 00:38:35,120 Speaker 2: I think they've found their ideal base alignment on defense. Hayward, 816 00:38:35,440 --> 00:38:38,760 Speaker 2: A Quala, Harmon, Do you agree? 817 00:38:39,280 --> 00:38:41,239 Speaker 3: Yeah, I don't know if they agree. I mean, that 818 00:38:41,320 --> 00:38:46,319 Speaker 3: might leave Benton a little out in the cold because 819 00:38:47,200 --> 00:38:51,920 Speaker 3: equally only played thirteen to fifteen snaps something in that neighborhood. 820 00:38:52,640 --> 00:38:54,160 Speaker 3: But I think. 821 00:38:54,360 --> 00:38:56,480 Speaker 2: Harmon and way a Black will still get more snaps 822 00:38:56,520 --> 00:39:02,759 Speaker 2: than a Quala. But that's ideal base formation right now? 823 00:39:02,840 --> 00:39:06,000 Speaker 3: Is those three me too? I agree with you. I 824 00:39:06,040 --> 00:39:08,759 Speaker 3: think they probably agree with us, and I think that's 825 00:39:08,800 --> 00:39:12,560 Speaker 3: the best way to do it. We know that their 826 00:39:12,600 --> 00:39:17,640 Speaker 3: base three four isn't going to be used exclusively or right. 827 00:39:17,719 --> 00:39:20,319 Speaker 3: It's not like a starter in basketball, and you ring 828 00:39:20,360 --> 00:39:22,000 Speaker 3: the six guy off the bench because you know, and 829 00:39:22,080 --> 00:39:24,759 Speaker 3: the nickel and dime could easily and probably will be 830 00:39:24,840 --> 00:39:27,680 Speaker 3: used even more. But I think that's a great way 831 00:39:27,719 --> 00:39:31,399 Speaker 3: to do it, is if those three are there when 832 00:39:31,440 --> 00:39:33,640 Speaker 3: you need three of them out there more often than not. 833 00:39:33,880 --> 00:39:36,160 Speaker 3: And Cam could take a breather still or I mean 834 00:39:36,440 --> 00:39:40,040 Speaker 3: all these guys could Andy of Benton and Black quote 835 00:39:40,080 --> 00:39:43,160 Speaker 3: off the bench. I know it doesn't work that way now. 836 00:39:43,120 --> 00:39:47,239 Speaker 2: You cook it pretty good players the sideline, right. 837 00:39:47,040 --> 00:39:51,719 Speaker 3: You know, like when they devised this thing, we had 838 00:39:51,800 --> 00:39:55,040 Speaker 3: similar things in mind, but I didn't count on as 839 00:39:55,120 --> 00:39:58,640 Speaker 3: much for mcwala. He's outkicked my thoughts for him, and 840 00:39:58,760 --> 00:40:01,520 Speaker 3: certainly when they drafted a Black, that's a nice pick, 841 00:40:01,560 --> 00:40:04,799 Speaker 3: but I didn't look at him as a regular contributor. 842 00:40:04,840 --> 00:40:06,960 Speaker 3: I mean, he's better than I thought too, no doubt, 843 00:40:07,040 --> 00:40:10,720 Speaker 3: you know, Benton to me, I expected more from this point, 844 00:40:10,800 --> 00:40:15,360 Speaker 3: but I'm hoping his role can be more conducive to 845 00:40:15,400 --> 00:40:17,560 Speaker 3: what he does well. I mean, if he's in the 846 00:40:18,160 --> 00:40:19,839 Speaker 3: so when you have the fore man front and there's 847 00:40:19,880 --> 00:40:22,960 Speaker 3: only two of those people out there. You'd love it 848 00:40:23,000 --> 00:40:25,320 Speaker 3: to be Hayward. But if it isn't and it's Benton 849 00:40:25,600 --> 00:40:29,279 Speaker 3: and Harmon, that's not bad either though, you know. I 850 00:40:29,320 --> 00:40:32,200 Speaker 3: mean if if he's your if you're your early down 851 00:40:32,320 --> 00:40:35,759 Speaker 3: your three four stuff is you know, the more important role, 852 00:40:36,000 --> 00:40:39,200 Speaker 3: and Cam's only out there some on you know, Nickel 853 00:40:39,239 --> 00:40:42,200 Speaker 3: and Dime. Okay, you know how it just gives you 854 00:40:42,200 --> 00:40:44,560 Speaker 3: a lot of flexibility. There's a lot of options there. 855 00:40:44,760 --> 00:40:47,600 Speaker 2: And that's what we envisioned. Yeah, when we all gathered 856 00:40:47,640 --> 00:40:49,680 Speaker 2: in Latrobe, but the end of July. 857 00:40:50,080 --> 00:40:52,120 Speaker 3: Exactly right, I thought it was a really deep D 858 00:40:52,280 --> 00:40:52,960 Speaker 3: line group, you know. 859 00:40:52,960 --> 00:40:54,600 Speaker 2: I thought it was a very deep group. And that 860 00:40:54,680 --> 00:40:56,799 Speaker 2: was even before I think we all had the expectations 861 00:40:56,800 --> 00:40:58,920 Speaker 2: for ya Black that we have now. Yeah, you know, 862 00:40:59,000 --> 00:41:01,640 Speaker 2: like his expectation have grown in that time period. We 863 00:41:01,640 --> 00:41:05,560 Speaker 2: were all obviously high on Harmon and Hayward, and I 864 00:41:05,800 --> 00:41:08,880 Speaker 2: think Benton not maybe not quite to that extent, but 865 00:41:08,920 --> 00:41:13,640 Speaker 2: certainly as well too. This is I think how you 866 00:41:14,800 --> 00:41:18,239 Speaker 2: start to get to the defense that we're all optimistic 867 00:41:18,280 --> 00:41:23,640 Speaker 2: they can become is by obviously starting to win more 868 00:41:23,640 --> 00:41:27,120 Speaker 2: in the trenches and as you get healthier there as 869 00:41:27,160 --> 00:41:28,799 Speaker 2: you have a lot of bodies to rotate in and 870 00:41:28,840 --> 00:41:31,520 Speaker 2: out and stay fresh there to help your rookies who 871 00:41:31,520 --> 00:41:32,239 Speaker 2: were trying to get up to. 872 00:41:32,200 --> 00:41:33,880 Speaker 3: Speed, rookies getting more experience. 873 00:41:33,960 --> 00:41:36,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, keeping Cam Hayward from you know, running all the 874 00:41:36,880 --> 00:41:39,640 Speaker 2: tread off his tires early in the season a lot 875 00:41:39,680 --> 00:41:42,600 Speaker 2: early on. It's a great it's the ideal balance that 876 00:41:42,640 --> 00:41:43,880 Speaker 2: I think they're starting to develop them. 877 00:41:44,040 --> 00:41:47,399 Speaker 3: Yeah, And this was their vision when the draft was over, 878 00:41:47,560 --> 00:41:50,799 Speaker 3: when when they went to camp, and you even had 879 00:41:50,840 --> 00:41:53,360 Speaker 3: a Lowry in there who was kind of an innings 880 00:41:53,400 --> 00:41:57,080 Speaker 3: eater type guy, and Logan Lee is a name we 881 00:41:57,120 --> 00:42:01,000 Speaker 3: haven't mentioned. They lost louder Milk and frankly, I didn't 882 00:42:01,000 --> 00:42:03,920 Speaker 3: know if Loudermilk would make the team. Whenever the ninety 883 00:42:03,920 --> 00:42:09,759 Speaker 3: man are, you know, the more guys involved. So I 884 00:42:09,800 --> 00:42:12,160 Speaker 3: think this has been the vision all along, you know, 885 00:42:12,800 --> 00:42:16,160 Speaker 3: and it's a good one. And they've invested a lot 886 00:42:16,200 --> 00:42:19,080 Speaker 3: in the cornerback position. They've made a traded safety, they've 887 00:42:19,120 --> 00:42:22,320 Speaker 3: added some safeties. They've been aggressive on the second level 888 00:42:22,320 --> 00:42:24,840 Speaker 3: as well. But the foundation of this d and it 889 00:42:24,880 --> 00:42:27,440 Speaker 3: always will be, is the front line, you know, including 890 00:42:27,520 --> 00:42:30,520 Speaker 3: Watt high Smith, Herbig I mean, the people on the 891 00:42:30,560 --> 00:42:33,359 Speaker 3: line of scrimmage. That goes back to hate. It goes 892 00:42:33,360 --> 00:42:35,799 Speaker 3: back to Joe Green, as I say, it goes back 893 00:42:35,800 --> 00:42:38,200 Speaker 3: to the Hampton and Smith and Lloyd and those guys. 894 00:42:38,239 --> 00:42:43,239 Speaker 2: But it goes back to Joe Grady, the Steel Curtain baby. Yeah, 895 00:42:43,320 --> 00:42:45,680 Speaker 2: one of the great nicknames in the history of sports. 896 00:42:46,360 --> 00:42:48,840 Speaker 3: So I think that's a real promising place to start 897 00:42:49,160 --> 00:42:53,359 Speaker 3: for what the defense is not starting in this game 898 00:42:53,400 --> 00:42:57,160 Speaker 3: and going forward is at least that line should be 899 00:42:57,200 --> 00:43:00,000 Speaker 3: really good. I mean, I think it's still the best 900 00:43:00,000 --> 00:43:03,279 Speaker 3: defensive line of the league. I know that that that 901 00:43:03,280 --> 00:43:05,879 Speaker 3: that took a little bit of shrapnel, you know you. 902 00:43:05,880 --> 00:43:08,080 Speaker 2: Did, I mean, is there for that one? 903 00:43:08,239 --> 00:43:10,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, But it's especially the run defense stuff. 904 00:43:10,840 --> 00:43:12,279 Speaker 2: I think you and I have been saying this since 905 00:43:12,360 --> 00:43:14,560 Speaker 2: July as well too. There's clearly a plan. 906 00:43:15,000 --> 00:43:16,439 Speaker 3: There's clearly a plan now. 907 00:43:17,600 --> 00:43:21,600 Speaker 2: Like everything, Mike Tyson, everything, it's great to everyone has 908 00:43:21,600 --> 00:43:23,000 Speaker 2: a plan too. You get punched in the face or 909 00:43:23,080 --> 00:43:25,400 Speaker 2: punch in the mouth, right, you deal with some injuries, 910 00:43:25,440 --> 00:43:27,319 Speaker 2: you deal with some guys not quite performing the way 911 00:43:27,360 --> 00:43:29,120 Speaker 2: you thought they were going to right out of the gate. 912 00:43:29,640 --> 00:43:32,240 Speaker 2: But I think the plan has always been there. Starting 913 00:43:32,239 --> 00:43:34,320 Speaker 2: to come together, maybe took a week or two longer 914 00:43:34,320 --> 00:43:36,799 Speaker 2: than we all want it, but that to me. 915 00:43:36,960 --> 00:43:39,239 Speaker 3: And Tomlin's going to be good at adjusting on the 916 00:43:39,440 --> 00:43:42,640 Speaker 3: I mean, anyone that's coached over ten years as a 917 00:43:42,680 --> 00:43:45,360 Speaker 3: head coach has dealt. I mean, every team comes in 918 00:43:45,400 --> 00:43:47,000 Speaker 3: with a plan and none of it ever goes. 919 00:43:47,000 --> 00:43:48,520 Speaker 2: And then you get punched in the mouth, right right, 920 00:43:48,560 --> 00:43:50,040 Speaker 2: you get yeah. 921 00:43:49,960 --> 00:43:52,279 Speaker 3: Yeah, and then he knows how to adapt as when 922 00:43:52,320 --> 00:43:55,200 Speaker 3: he els anyone out there. I mean, you can complain 923 00:43:55,400 --> 00:43:57,400 Speaker 3: he should go for it more and fourth down. You know, 924 00:43:57,840 --> 00:43:59,879 Speaker 3: you gotta have your complaints about the head coach, and 925 00:44:00,080 --> 00:44:04,160 Speaker 3: sure that's fine, but understanding how the league works and 926 00:44:04,520 --> 00:44:08,040 Speaker 3: what all unforeseen things that are coming your way. And 927 00:44:08,080 --> 00:44:10,239 Speaker 3: there's a lot more coming and most of it's bad. 928 00:44:10,880 --> 00:44:13,560 Speaker 3: You know, I always say most of it's bad. I mean, 929 00:44:13,600 --> 00:44:15,640 Speaker 3: some of it might be a pleasant something or other. Wow, 930 00:44:15,760 --> 00:44:17,239 Speaker 3: romand Wilson turned into a great player. 931 00:44:17,360 --> 00:44:19,680 Speaker 2: Wow, he's way ahead of the dule. 932 00:44:19,800 --> 00:44:22,120 Speaker 3: But most of it's bad. That's coming down the Popes. 933 00:44:22,200 --> 00:44:25,120 Speaker 2: Mostly you're gonna have to navigate the first season without 934 00:44:25,239 --> 00:44:26,760 Speaker 2: Joey Porter Junior and Deshaun Ellie. 935 00:44:26,840 --> 00:44:29,200 Speaker 3: Yeah, you know, Benton's not a nose or you know whatever, 936 00:44:29,239 --> 00:44:31,240 Speaker 3: it is, or man, they's got three zero line injuries 937 00:44:31,280 --> 00:44:32,920 Speaker 3: in the same game. What are we gonna do? You 938 00:44:32,960 --> 00:44:34,520 Speaker 3: know that stuff happens all the time. 939 00:44:34,400 --> 00:44:36,759 Speaker 2: It certainly does. But I think they are going to 940 00:44:36,800 --> 00:44:39,360 Speaker 2: be stronger for some of those setbacks on the defensive 941 00:44:39,360 --> 00:44:42,360 Speaker 2: line in the early season, and hopefully that really continues 942 00:44:42,400 --> 00:44:44,560 Speaker 2: and carries over and they build upon it Sunday against 943 00:44:44,560 --> 00:44:47,640 Speaker 2: the Vikings, because that would go a long way. 944 00:44:47,920 --> 00:44:50,560 Speaker 3: Come up with bye would be real nice. You get 945 00:44:50,600 --> 00:44:52,560 Speaker 3: a long stretch after that buy. I don't love the 946 00:44:52,600 --> 00:44:53,120 Speaker 3: early buye. 947 00:44:53,320 --> 00:44:55,160 Speaker 2: I don't either. I do love getting to do it. 948 00:44:55,480 --> 00:44:57,000 Speaker 2: I love getting the buy when we're coming back from 949 00:44:57,080 --> 00:44:58,759 Speaker 2: Dublin because we're all going to be wiped out for 950 00:44:58,800 --> 00:45:01,040 Speaker 2: our own personal sake. But in terms of how it 951 00:45:01,080 --> 00:45:02,520 Speaker 2: falls in the schedule. 952 00:45:02,280 --> 00:45:05,319 Speaker 3: That post buy is not going to be an easy run, 953 00:45:05,400 --> 00:45:06,480 Speaker 3: and it's gonna be a long run. 954 00:45:06,560 --> 00:45:09,000 Speaker 2: It's going to be a gauntlet ye and yeah, hopefully 955 00:45:09,000 --> 00:45:13,280 Speaker 2: their positioning themselves adequately. Foresaid Gauntlet hour in the books 956 00:45:13,280 --> 00:45:16,840 Speaker 2: Another Hour Ago, West ruler Matt Williamson a little fantasy 957 00:45:16,840 --> 00:45:19,600 Speaker 2: football focus when we return to start hour number two. 958 00:45:20,440 --> 00:45:22,239 Speaker 2: It is the drive on Steelers Nation Radio on the 959 00:45:22,239 --> 00:45:23,400 Speaker 2: Steelers audio Network,