1 00:00:04,080 --> 00:00:07,440 Speaker 1: Please. He's the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson 2 00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:13,000 Speaker 1: on Home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. 3 00:00:41,640 --> 00:00:44,680 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Drive. I'm Dale Weller here with Matt Williams. 4 00:00:44,720 --> 00:00:48,000 Speaker 1: It's a lovely monday here in Pittsburgh. This sun is shining, 5 00:00:48,440 --> 00:00:53,640 Speaker 1: it's chirping, it's summertime. Steelers are off parts unknown and 6 00:00:54,520 --> 00:00:56,720 Speaker 1: doing their thing until we come back for training camp 7 00:00:57,080 --> 00:01:00,480 Speaker 1: in about five weeks, and we'll still be keeping you 8 00:01:00,680 --> 00:01:04,240 Speaker 1: updated on everything that happens here in with the Steelers. 9 00:01:04,240 --> 00:01:06,480 Speaker 1: And one of the things that happened last week Matt 10 00:01:06,680 --> 00:01:09,840 Speaker 1: late in the week was a trade turner visited the 11 00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:13,880 Speaker 1: Steelers are Friday. Um. I know a lot of people 12 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:16,480 Speaker 1: get excited about these free agent vitas. Mali Cooker was 13 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:20,160 Speaker 1: before that a couple of them. Any time you have 14 00:01:20,240 --> 00:01:24,559 Speaker 1: a veteran guy who's coming off of injury type stuff, um, 15 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:26,399 Speaker 1: and they haven't signed yet at this point, you want 16 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:27,920 Speaker 1: to bring him in and kick the tires a little 17 00:01:27,959 --> 00:01:30,000 Speaker 1: bit and see how you know, waity, where are you 18 00:01:30,040 --> 00:01:32,520 Speaker 1: at in your rehab process? How you know how healthy 19 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:34,520 Speaker 1: are you? How much do you want to play exactly? 20 00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:37,880 Speaker 1: And there's there's a pretty good group of players still 21 00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:41,800 Speaker 1: out there that will end up being employed probably of them. 22 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:45,880 Speaker 1: The reasons they are unemployed are numerous. I mean, they 23 00:01:45,959 --> 00:01:49,000 Speaker 1: could be they overvalued themselves when free agency hit the 24 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:52,160 Speaker 1: first time around their position. There wasn't a strong market 25 00:01:52,200 --> 00:01:54,200 Speaker 1: for slot receivers. You know, it's a bad year for 26 00:01:54,240 --> 00:01:57,440 Speaker 1: those guys. Weird year in general, without much cap space 27 00:01:57,560 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 1: to spend, and maybe most years they would have been 28 00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:02,040 Speaker 1: picked up. But a high percentage of him kind of 29 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:04,760 Speaker 1: you mentioned are guys that are coming off eat injury 30 00:02:04,880 --> 00:02:07,440 Speaker 1: or that even if it was a scope after the 31 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:09,200 Speaker 1: season or whatever. That's not much to me or you. 32 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:11,639 Speaker 1: But if I'm gonna invest in this guy, you need 33 00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:14,400 Speaker 1: to be sure of these things. Maybe want your team 34 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:17,440 Speaker 1: doctors to check them out. So the Steelers or it 35 00:02:17,440 --> 00:02:19,840 Speaker 1: sounds like they're doing their due diligence on some guys 36 00:02:20,680 --> 00:02:23,800 Speaker 1: did have either entered the league with some fanfare or 37 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:25,960 Speaker 1: have had success in this league. If you can add 38 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:28,600 Speaker 1: a good football player at any position, especially on the 39 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:31,120 Speaker 1: chief at this point, why not. I mean you just 40 00:02:31,160 --> 00:02:32,920 Speaker 1: take a look at it and yeah, you never know, 41 00:02:33,040 --> 00:02:35,520 Speaker 1: you get you know, a couple of days into training 42 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:37,800 Speaker 1: camp or you know, you get the training camp and 43 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:42,280 Speaker 1: somebody's not you, they got hurt. There's all kinds of things. 44 00:02:43,639 --> 00:02:46,600 Speaker 1: I mean, you're gonna call somebody, uh, you know, services 45 00:02:46,639 --> 00:02:48,960 Speaker 1: at some point here. I know a lot of people 46 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:50,960 Speaker 1: looked at that and put two and two together and 47 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:53,840 Speaker 1: got six. Because Trey Turner has been a right guard 48 00:02:54,280 --> 00:02:56,520 Speaker 1: over the course of his career. And of course, you know, 49 00:02:56,840 --> 00:03:00,360 Speaker 1: David de Castro uh didn't practice it at the at 50 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:02,880 Speaker 1: the mini camp. Was only there for the first day. 51 00:03:02,919 --> 00:03:05,160 Speaker 1: Mike Tomlin kind of said no, he was. You know, 52 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:09,000 Speaker 1: all the guys who weren't here were excused. Um. You know, 53 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:13,720 Speaker 1: I don't know what the Castro situation is. I made 54 00:03:13,720 --> 00:03:16,079 Speaker 1: some calls and things of that nature and haven't heard 55 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:19,320 Speaker 1: anything back. But I mean he looked fine moving around. 56 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:21,959 Speaker 1: It's just maybe a situation like hey, Dave, you don't 57 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:23,959 Speaker 1: need to do this. That's what I was thinking too, 58 00:03:24,040 --> 00:03:26,960 Speaker 1: is it is just a situation. If Pouncey was here, 59 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:28,880 Speaker 1: would he not be here either? You know, like, let 60 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:30,880 Speaker 1: we want the other guys to get reps. Were putting 61 00:03:30,880 --> 00:03:33,080 Speaker 1: and trying some new bodies, a bunch of new bodies, 62 00:03:33,320 --> 00:03:35,840 Speaker 1: you know, on that offensive line, a bunch of young 63 00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:38,880 Speaker 1: guys that quite frankly, you need to get up to speed. 64 00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:40,960 Speaker 1: We talked about it last week that they probably have 65 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:46,600 Speaker 1: nine NFL offensive lineman like Coward and can get those 66 00:03:46,640 --> 00:03:51,240 Speaker 1: guys up to speed, right, Yeah, agree. I mean I'm 67 00:03:51,480 --> 00:03:54,160 Speaker 1: not speculating, but the Castro I don't think it was 68 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:56,880 Speaker 1: very healthy all of the last year. I mean, could 69 00:03:56,880 --> 00:04:00,200 Speaker 1: he have lingering things maybe I don't know. Wouldn't rise 70 00:04:00,200 --> 00:04:03,080 Speaker 1: me if he has an offseason surgery that you know, um, 71 00:04:03,320 --> 00:04:05,560 Speaker 1: because it doesn't mean he's cooked, but I mean who knows, 72 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:08,680 Speaker 1: you know. But again, at any position, if there's a 73 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:12,080 Speaker 1: quality target out there to add, and when's it a 74 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:13,920 Speaker 1: bad idea to add more offensive line help? You know? 75 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:15,400 Speaker 1: I mean all the people that have been killing the 76 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:18,080 Speaker 1: Steelers for and he's been picking the first two rounds 77 00:04:18,080 --> 00:04:19,920 Speaker 1: on the line, Well what if they had another one? 78 00:04:19,960 --> 00:04:22,400 Speaker 1: You know? I mean they didn't shake out. We didn't 79 00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:25,320 Speaker 1: think Thoughts was gonna play last year. To that point, 80 00:04:25,360 --> 00:04:29,080 Speaker 1: I did a little research over the weekend into the 81 00:04:29,120 --> 00:04:31,600 Speaker 1: Steelers offensive line because that seems to be the biggest 82 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:37,200 Speaker 1: hyeah especially nationally. Well, they got all these new guys 83 00:04:37,240 --> 00:04:39,880 Speaker 1: on the offensive line, and it's you know, it's bottom 84 00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:45,360 Speaker 1: five offensive line. Okay, so two thousand nineteen their offensive line. 85 00:04:45,400 --> 00:04:49,760 Speaker 1: This is according to Football Outsiders adjusted line yards ranking, 86 00:04:50,680 --> 00:04:54,760 Speaker 1: they were okay, two thousand twenty, they were thirty second 87 00:04:55,480 --> 00:04:58,760 Speaker 1: in adjusted offensive line yards. I think that's a run 88 00:04:58,839 --> 00:05:01,760 Speaker 1: stat It's a run stay, there's no doubt about But 89 00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:05,599 Speaker 1: they averaged three point seven eight yards per play last 90 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:11,000 Speaker 1: year adjusted line stats. That's their lowest uh since Football 91 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:18,960 Speaker 1: Side has began tracking. That's uh, that statistic in but 92 00:05:18,960 --> 00:05:22,720 Speaker 1: but this is a big butt. In two thousand five 93 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:26,680 Speaker 1: they were adjusted offensive line ranking. That was right, you know, 94 00:05:26,920 --> 00:05:30,120 Speaker 1: supposed to be a great offensive line. They were twelve 95 00:05:30,720 --> 00:05:33,719 Speaker 1: two thousand eight, when they went back to the Super 96 00:05:33,720 --> 00:05:37,320 Speaker 1: Bowl again, there were twenty four in adjusted offensive line 97 00:05:37,320 --> 00:05:42,320 Speaker 1: two thousand ten they were nineteen. Then they weren't greatnes 98 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:46,560 Speaker 1: but those teams went the Super bowls. Okay, interesting if 99 00:05:46,560 --> 00:05:51,200 Speaker 1: you look at the sack yardage um. Before we do, 100 00:05:51,279 --> 00:05:54,000 Speaker 1: let's talk abound a little. We've talked about this a lot. 101 00:05:54,080 --> 00:05:56,320 Speaker 1: I think the way they run the ball is changing 102 00:05:56,360 --> 00:05:59,280 Speaker 1: this year. Is the guy there is running the ball 103 00:05:59,640 --> 00:06:03,040 Speaker 1: is obviously changing dramatically for the better. In that case, 104 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:05,440 Speaker 1: we'll see how the scheme stuff works out. But I'm 105 00:06:05,520 --> 00:06:09,839 Speaker 1: very convinced that the ball carrier will be better. Um. Interesting, 106 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:13,440 Speaker 1: and again we do have a lot more new bodies 107 00:06:13,720 --> 00:06:17,120 Speaker 1: up front than most years. You know, the continuity here 108 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:20,200 Speaker 1: has been crazy with the offensive line. They averaged UM 109 00:06:20,440 --> 00:06:24,760 Speaker 1: last season. On runs around left end, the Steelers average 110 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:27,640 Speaker 1: four point almost four four point four or five yards 111 00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:30,840 Speaker 1: per carry, which was eighteen in the league on runs 112 00:06:30,880 --> 00:06:33,520 Speaker 1: around the as much of a run blocker. But you know, 113 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:36,320 Speaker 1: on runs around the right end, they average four point 114 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:39,400 Speaker 1: seven six yards per carry, which is fourteen best in 115 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:43,280 Speaker 1: the league. What those were a lot where the wide 116 00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:46,080 Speaker 1: receiver sweeps and then the end around sweeps and things 117 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 1: of that, and at all pitches to the outside or whatever. 118 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:51,320 Speaker 1: Because you got sixty four yards rushing out of Raby 119 00:06:51,400 --> 00:06:55,120 Speaker 1: McLeod on four attempts. Okay, one waste. These are all 120 00:06:55,360 --> 00:06:59,159 Speaker 1: off tackle. Chase Claypool was used a lot at the 121 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:01,240 Speaker 1: goal line, so this kind of actually hurt the average. 122 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:03,279 Speaker 1: He had ten carries for sixteen yards, but he scored 123 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:05,080 Speaker 1: two touchdowns. He would have kept running if the end 124 00:07:05,120 --> 00:07:09,120 Speaker 1: zone didn't stop him, right uh. And then Deante Johnson 125 00:07:09,160 --> 00:07:11,720 Speaker 1: had three carries for fifteen yards, So they got some 126 00:07:11,760 --> 00:07:14,960 Speaker 1: production out of the wide receivers in that mostly early. 127 00:07:16,480 --> 00:07:18,960 Speaker 1: That's gonna go up. He's not gonna go away. I'll 128 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:21,320 Speaker 1: get they'll get better at it and they'll do it 129 00:07:21,320 --> 00:07:24,000 Speaker 1: more often. Yeah, you know. Now, I asked Mack Canada 130 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:26,000 Speaker 1: why they didn't do more of it last year. They 131 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:28,120 Speaker 1: did it early in the season and then kind of stopped, 132 00:07:28,160 --> 00:07:30,040 Speaker 1: and he said, you know, he said, look, we were 133 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:31,520 Speaker 1: trying to do what we needed to do to win 134 00:07:31,560 --> 00:07:36,600 Speaker 1: every week, as opposed to right right right last year. 135 00:07:36,560 --> 00:07:41,080 Speaker 1: Off season was odd. Yeah. Interesting. My guess is between 136 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:43,640 Speaker 1: the tackles wasn't great. Between the tackles was not great 137 00:07:43,680 --> 00:07:45,480 Speaker 1: at all. Yeah, I bet it was that. But that's 138 00:07:45,560 --> 00:07:49,400 Speaker 1: kind of a running back. Sure statistic as well, without question, 139 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:52,960 Speaker 1: and uh, I think it's pretty clear Palence he was 140 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:55,560 Speaker 1: at the end and we mentioned the Castros was was 141 00:07:55,680 --> 00:07:58,160 Speaker 1: not himself last year. Hopefully he gets to that point. 142 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:01,760 Speaker 1: Over All, I think the line's going to be better 143 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:04,520 Speaker 1: this year. I don't know about center. I think it's 144 00:08:04,520 --> 00:08:07,160 Speaker 1: gonna be better run blocking. I definitely think. I think 145 00:08:07,200 --> 00:08:09,640 Speaker 1: what people are concerned with are this sack. You know 146 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:12,840 Speaker 1: how much he is Ben Roethlisberg gonna give me sacked. Well, 147 00:08:12,920 --> 00:08:15,600 Speaker 1: let's look at so because I think Ben he's hold 148 00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:17,720 Speaker 1: the ball a little longer to little. Sacks were definitely 149 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:21,760 Speaker 1: a quarterback stat too. So in two thousand five, the 150 00:08:21,800 --> 00:08:24,960 Speaker 1: Steelers were twenty second and adjusted sack rate. He was 151 00:08:25,000 --> 00:08:28,120 Speaker 1: sacked thirty two times that year, and they didn't throw 152 00:08:28,160 --> 00:08:31,480 Speaker 1: the ball a whole lot that right. Right, two thousand 153 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:36,679 Speaker 1: and eight, he was sacked fifty times. They were they 154 00:08:36,720 --> 00:08:39,880 Speaker 1: were twenty nine and adjusted sack rate. In two thousand 155 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:42,480 Speaker 1: ten he was sacked forty three times. They were twenty 156 00:08:42,559 --> 00:08:46,040 Speaker 1: nine and adjusted sack rate. Are they gonna somehow fall? 157 00:08:46,160 --> 00:08:48,240 Speaker 1: Is he gonna get sacks fifty times again this year? 158 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:51,040 Speaker 1: I don't believe so. No, I would. I would be 159 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:53,000 Speaker 1: surprised if he got sacked the thirty two times he 160 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:55,160 Speaker 1: was sacked in in two thousand five, because he's gonna 161 00:08:55,160 --> 00:08:58,520 Speaker 1: get rid of the football. He sees things so much 162 00:08:58,559 --> 00:09:01,400 Speaker 1: better now than he did when he was twenty four 163 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:05,200 Speaker 1: years old, better mental processor for sure. My counter would 164 00:09:05,200 --> 00:09:09,800 Speaker 1: be he probably won't shrug off too. He alluded on 165 00:09:09,880 --> 00:09:12,280 Speaker 1: the field, and you know, I tweeted that out earlier 166 00:09:12,280 --> 00:09:14,320 Speaker 1: today a link with my story, and Mark Madden brought 167 00:09:14,360 --> 00:09:16,800 Speaker 1: that that point up. He's not you know, I'll tell 168 00:09:16,800 --> 00:09:20,760 Speaker 1: I'll take young Ben overall Ben would yeah, no kidding, 169 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:23,640 Speaker 1: But that doesn't mean you can't win with old Ben 170 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:27,960 Speaker 1: with what he's got above the neck. Now, young Ben 171 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:31,760 Speaker 1: absolutely understanding where everything's coming from. I mean, I go 172 00:09:31,840 --> 00:09:33,800 Speaker 1: back to rivers a lot last year with Indy, Like 173 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:36,080 Speaker 1: at this time last year, you and I thought man 174 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:41,240 Speaker 1: was not good in not at all and really through 175 00:09:41,280 --> 00:09:43,680 Speaker 1: a lot of picks, and we know he's not supermobile. 176 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:46,480 Speaker 1: We looked really cooked and I was like, man, I 177 00:09:46,480 --> 00:09:49,240 Speaker 1: don't think Indie's upgrading here. I don't think that's the answer. 178 00:09:50,120 --> 00:09:52,080 Speaker 1: He played well enough, you know what I mean, And 179 00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:55,000 Speaker 1: he was really good from upside above the head. Uh. 180 00:09:55,280 --> 00:09:57,480 Speaker 1: You know, if you look at their running back receptions, 181 00:09:57,520 --> 00:09:59,840 Speaker 1: like Jonathan Taylor wasn't much of a receiver. He caught 182 00:09:59,840 --> 00:10:02,520 Speaker 1: like already five balls, and the hem Hinz caught a lot. 183 00:10:02,760 --> 00:10:06,600 Speaker 1: And so if Ben can incorporate those type of things 184 00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:09,800 Speaker 1: as well as understanding Blitzer and protections and all those 185 00:10:09,800 --> 00:10:12,839 Speaker 1: stuff that we know he can, that might be all 186 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:15,520 Speaker 1: you need, you know. I mean, so you just have 187 00:10:15,600 --> 00:10:18,400 Speaker 1: to play differently. They do have to play differently, and 188 00:10:18,440 --> 00:10:20,320 Speaker 1: that leads me to, you know, some of the things 189 00:10:20,320 --> 00:10:22,920 Speaker 1: that Adrian Clem said this weekend, we know the offense 190 00:10:23,040 --> 00:10:24,840 Speaker 1: is going to be different this year, and I don't 191 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 1: think that's a big secret. I thought this this uh 192 00:10:28,440 --> 00:10:33,160 Speaker 1: quote from Clem was really um. There's no doubt the 193 00:10:33,160 --> 00:10:35,800 Speaker 1: Steelers want to be more physical upfront. It seems like 194 00:10:35,840 --> 00:10:39,040 Speaker 1: every offensive lineman when we talked to says we're coming 195 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:42,720 Speaker 1: off the ball more. And there's not an offensive lineman 196 00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:45,439 Speaker 1: in the league who wouldn't be more excited about that. 197 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:47,040 Speaker 1: That's what they wanted, that's what they want to do. 198 00:10:47,679 --> 00:10:51,800 Speaker 1: It gets real old catching these defensive linemen linebackers coming 199 00:10:51,800 --> 00:10:55,240 Speaker 1: at you play after play, the time you're blocking someone 200 00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:57,320 Speaker 1: smaller than you. You want to come and be the hammer, 201 00:10:57,600 --> 00:11:01,480 Speaker 1: not the nail, you know. Um. So Clem said, we've 202 00:11:01,480 --> 00:11:04,080 Speaker 1: asked about the physicality, says, you can't stray away from it. 203 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:06,120 Speaker 1: You set the tone for what it's going to be, 204 00:11:06,160 --> 00:11:08,320 Speaker 1: and you can create an environment in a in a 205 00:11:08,440 --> 00:11:12,080 Speaker 1: room carry that out onto the football field. You're demanding 206 00:11:12,080 --> 00:11:14,640 Speaker 1: of it every single day. It's not that we're trying 207 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:17,000 Speaker 1: to find ourselves. This is who we're going to be. 208 00:11:17,400 --> 00:11:19,319 Speaker 1: If you're going to live in this world, that's how 209 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:21,560 Speaker 1: we're going to live. If you can't do it. You'll 210 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:23,600 Speaker 1: be at home where you'll be on the sideline with 211 00:11:23,600 --> 00:11:26,000 Speaker 1: a hat on. It's not a democracy in our room. 212 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:28,640 Speaker 1: It is what it is. I kind of like that. Yeah, 213 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:31,439 Speaker 1: they're going to be physical. It's yeah. I like the 214 00:11:31,480 --> 00:11:33,800 Speaker 1: way he phrased it. Talk is cheap thought. I mean 215 00:11:33,840 --> 00:11:35,480 Speaker 1: we're sitting here in June. I mean that doesn't mean 216 00:11:35,480 --> 00:11:39,120 Speaker 1: you're gonna move the Browns and Bengals and Ravens off 217 00:11:39,120 --> 00:11:41,079 Speaker 1: the line of scrimmage. But I like that he takes 218 00:11:41,160 --> 00:11:44,440 Speaker 1: the like this is the the word. The standards us 219 00:11:44,480 --> 00:11:47,200 Speaker 1: a lot around here. But I mean, we are going 220 00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:49,560 Speaker 1: to be physical. If you're not on board, you're not 221 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:51,240 Speaker 1: going to be one of us. You know, you can 222 00:11:51,240 --> 00:11:53,560 Speaker 1: go play for somebody else or you know. And I 223 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:56,280 Speaker 1: do think Green comes off the ball and shows physicality. 224 00:11:56,800 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 1: Um we already know Dots and does so I expect 225 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:03,679 Speaker 1: that to be very true. I think their offseason moves 226 00:12:03,280 --> 00:12:05,920 Speaker 1: that showed the style players there too. I mean Banner 227 00:12:05,960 --> 00:12:08,880 Speaker 1: gets off the ball and pounds people too. You know, um, 228 00:12:09,040 --> 00:12:11,000 Speaker 1: there are some people out there, well you know this 229 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:13,320 Speaker 1: this move of chokes a core for to left tackle. 230 00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:15,680 Speaker 1: He wasn't very good at right tackle last season, So 231 00:12:15,679 --> 00:12:19,520 Speaker 1: how's he gonna play left tackle? Is he gonna be 232 00:12:19,520 --> 00:12:22,760 Speaker 1: worse than now? I don't. I don't think so. Al 233 00:12:22,920 --> 00:12:24,880 Speaker 1: was not physical at all at this point in his career. 234 00:12:25,520 --> 00:12:27,319 Speaker 1: He was a lot of a catching and you know, 235 00:12:27,840 --> 00:12:31,400 Speaker 1: uh had a really good career here. And yeah, I'm 236 00:12:31,440 --> 00:12:34,520 Speaker 1: not shoveling dirt on out right right right, I mean, 237 00:12:34,960 --> 00:12:39,160 Speaker 1: he is what he is. I really think the guard 238 00:12:39,280 --> 00:12:42,800 Speaker 1: pairing will be average at worst. I think there's a 239 00:12:42,880 --> 00:12:45,000 Speaker 1: chance that that's gonna be a pretty good group. Maybe 240 00:12:45,040 --> 00:12:46,400 Speaker 1: not the best in the league or anything like that, 241 00:12:46,440 --> 00:12:50,839 Speaker 1: but something like that. And the tackle pairing will be 242 00:12:50,840 --> 00:12:54,400 Speaker 1: better than last year's. I agree, And again it goes 243 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:57,240 Speaker 1: back to what we talked about a lot nobody is 244 00:12:57,280 --> 00:13:00,599 Speaker 1: allowed to get better with some Steelers, Like that was 245 00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:03,400 Speaker 1: a quarter for his first year of starting in the NFL. 246 00:13:03,679 --> 00:13:06,200 Speaker 1: I didn't think he was bad either, Like, is there 247 00:13:06,240 --> 00:13:11,360 Speaker 1: any like I could pick just about any offensive lineman 248 00:13:11,400 --> 00:13:14,080 Speaker 1: look at his first year and say, well, that wasn't 249 00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:16,200 Speaker 1: very good, but his next year is going to be better, 250 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:18,199 Speaker 1: right right, right? He knows what to expect now. I 251 00:13:18,280 --> 00:13:20,480 Speaker 1: think a lot of people assume it feels like he's 252 00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:22,880 Speaker 1: been here forever. Well, he hasn't played that many snaps 253 00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:25,000 Speaker 1: all in all, at at the NFL level. I mean, 254 00:13:25,400 --> 00:13:28,200 Speaker 1: in terms of his nineteen career starts. Yeah, there you go. 255 00:13:28,400 --> 00:13:30,880 Speaker 1: That's the second most on the offensive line outside of 256 00:13:30,960 --> 00:13:33,560 Speaker 1: David de Castro, the guys who were gonna who are 257 00:13:33,840 --> 00:13:36,600 Speaker 1: penciled in the start right now. It wouldn't shock me. 258 00:13:36,880 --> 00:13:39,040 Speaker 1: And this isn't the reflection on a new coach or 259 00:13:39,040 --> 00:13:41,480 Speaker 1: anything like that, but it's just in experience in general. 260 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:44,040 Speaker 1: There might be some communication errors and stuff like that. 261 00:13:44,160 --> 00:13:46,520 Speaker 1: Especially the first month or two of the season. I 262 00:13:46,559 --> 00:13:48,760 Speaker 1: thought you had him, we had you know, or you know, 263 00:13:48,840 --> 00:13:52,280 Speaker 1: even how you talked to older offensive lineman. The nonverbal 264 00:13:52,280 --> 00:13:54,880 Speaker 1: communications stuff. You know, we're to block this nose for 265 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:56,920 Speaker 1: just long enough so I can get to the second level. 266 00:13:57,040 --> 00:13:59,559 Speaker 1: I mean, some of those things might need some kinks taken, 267 00:13:59,600 --> 00:14:02,600 Speaker 1: you know, and Pounty's leadership will be missed. Ben will 268 00:14:02,600 --> 00:14:04,760 Speaker 1: make up for some of those things, especially in protection, 269 00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:06,959 Speaker 1: you know, you know, flat out yelling out for people, 270 00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:09,480 Speaker 1: so well, a good a bunch better running back to 271 00:14:09,480 --> 00:14:11,880 Speaker 1: say too. I mean a back that is willing and 272 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:14,800 Speaker 1: able to blitz pick up and not be a liability 273 00:14:14,800 --> 00:14:17,079 Speaker 1: there I think will be very helpful and a two 274 00:14:17,080 --> 00:14:19,640 Speaker 1: way tight end to you know, you know, if you're 275 00:14:19,680 --> 00:14:25,560 Speaker 1: trying to establish that physicality, having a two pound running 276 00:14:25,560 --> 00:14:27,640 Speaker 1: back is a good way to do that as well. 277 00:14:27,720 --> 00:14:31,000 Speaker 1: It is without question and just thinking about it, I mean, 278 00:14:31,160 --> 00:14:32,960 Speaker 1: the Steelers were near the bottom of the league in 279 00:14:33,000 --> 00:14:36,720 Speaker 1: twelve personnel back in two tight ends, so in turn 280 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:38,680 Speaker 1: they were sort of near the top of the league 281 00:14:38,720 --> 00:14:42,760 Speaker 1: and eleven personnel with back Ebron Does that count three 282 00:14:42,840 --> 00:14:44,960 Speaker 1: or question I had about that because you met you've 283 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:48,960 Speaker 1: referenced that before. Does that count when they play six linemen? Yes, 284 00:14:49,080 --> 00:14:50,680 Speaker 1: I'd have to go double check that one because I 285 00:14:50,680 --> 00:14:56,360 Speaker 1: pulled that off of um Warren Sharp's has all that stuff. 286 00:14:56,800 --> 00:15:00,000 Speaker 1: Typically they play that that I don't have. They were 287 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:02,080 Speaker 1: a little lower last year and six oh line because 288 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:04,120 Speaker 1: the six guys the six guy was Gerald Hawkins and 289 00:15:04,160 --> 00:15:05,920 Speaker 1: he just wasn't. They wasn't. They weren't as good there. 290 00:15:05,920 --> 00:15:08,080 Speaker 1: And it's different when it's Banner or now your six 291 00:15:08,160 --> 00:15:11,480 Speaker 1: guy is Dan Moore, it's Joe Will go on to 292 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:13,640 Speaker 1: I was actually kind of gonna reference that too, like 293 00:15:13,680 --> 00:15:17,160 Speaker 1: I think we're gonna see bigger on the line of 294 00:15:17,280 --> 00:15:22,080 Speaker 1: scrimmage in line wise slash sixth offensive lineman more often, 295 00:15:22,600 --> 00:15:24,800 Speaker 1: and you gotta think about it. If they are, they're 296 00:15:24,840 --> 00:15:28,720 Speaker 1: they're promptly like everybody the snap, the snaps that they 297 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:32,880 Speaker 1: ran the most of, or a back ebron and three receivers, well, 298 00:15:32,880 --> 00:15:36,000 Speaker 1: it's really only five good blockers blocking eleven, and it's 299 00:15:36,040 --> 00:15:38,720 Speaker 1: not quite eleven. I mean Clay Pool and Smith Schuster 300 00:15:38,760 --> 00:15:41,480 Speaker 1: are good blockers for wide receiver receivers, but they're still 301 00:15:41,520 --> 00:15:43,880 Speaker 1: wide receivers, still wide receivers, right, So I mean your 302 00:15:44,640 --> 00:15:47,480 Speaker 1: number count isn't great either for that. I mean I 303 00:15:47,480 --> 00:15:49,760 Speaker 1: think that's you know, insert friar moves and that all 304 00:15:49,800 --> 00:15:51,840 Speaker 1: goes into the running as well. I know everybody wants 305 00:15:51,880 --> 00:15:54,360 Speaker 1: to blame it on the offensive line or the running back, 306 00:15:54,880 --> 00:15:58,560 Speaker 1: but your secondary guys, your your guys on the edges 307 00:15:58,600 --> 00:16:01,480 Speaker 1: have to block too, right. I mean look at Tennessee 308 00:16:01,680 --> 00:16:05,560 Speaker 1: and they're a heavy run team and their receivers are 309 00:16:05,680 --> 00:16:09,240 Speaker 1: big downfield blockers too. I mean, Henry doesn't spring seventy 310 00:16:09,280 --> 00:16:11,800 Speaker 1: yarders entirely on his own. You know, it's the second 311 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:14,080 Speaker 1: and third level. It's important to the Ravens, you know. 312 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:16,280 Speaker 1: I mean some teams stressed it more than others, and 313 00:16:16,280 --> 00:16:18,600 Speaker 1: I do think the Steelers white outs are good blockers, 314 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:22,200 Speaker 1: especially it's who you mentioned Washington is a pretty good blockers. 315 00:16:22,480 --> 00:16:25,720 Speaker 1: Good point, um, but he run isn't you know. So 316 00:16:26,920 --> 00:16:31,280 Speaker 1: it just giving you another beefier package to use. And again, 317 00:16:31,840 --> 00:16:36,240 Speaker 1: like you said, maybe it's more. Maybe it's Haig is 318 00:16:36,280 --> 00:16:39,480 Speaker 1: a sixth offensive lineman, somebody to be better than hockets. Yeah, 319 00:16:39,480 --> 00:16:41,480 Speaker 1: I mean I know it. Maybe use b J. Finnie 320 00:16:41,520 --> 00:16:43,480 Speaker 1: in that role in the patch. Yeah, I mean, Hubbard 321 00:16:43,520 --> 00:16:45,960 Speaker 1: wasn't a true tackle tackle, you know, look like a 322 00:16:46,080 --> 00:16:48,160 Speaker 1: tight end type guy. And it's just getting that extra 323 00:16:48,200 --> 00:16:51,560 Speaker 1: guy out there who's capable of putting somebody on his 324 00:16:51,640 --> 00:16:53,520 Speaker 1: back if you know, if need be. And a lot 325 00:16:53,560 --> 00:16:58,520 Speaker 1: of times when you're out on the edge, it's pound guy. Yeah, absolutely, 326 00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:02,160 Speaker 1: So I do think they'll have more options with their blockers, 327 00:17:02,240 --> 00:17:06,320 Speaker 1: a better running back, better scheme, But there's hardships ahead. 328 00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:09,239 Speaker 1: I mean, maybe the Castro is done or Banner can 329 00:17:09,280 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 1: started again. You know, like it's not all gonna be rosy. No, 330 00:17:11,720 --> 00:17:13,920 Speaker 1: it's not, it's not. But to you, you know, something 331 00:17:13,960 --> 00:17:15,520 Speaker 1: you always say is this is the time of year 332 00:17:15,560 --> 00:17:19,119 Speaker 1: when everybody looks their best turn optimism season, all the 333 00:17:19,480 --> 00:17:22,679 Speaker 1: old Although draft picks are gonna hit. Anyone who's injured 334 00:17:22,720 --> 00:17:26,439 Speaker 1: will be fine, and nobody gets old. We always though 335 00:17:26,440 --> 00:17:29,320 Speaker 1: about guys getting better. Well, people get old too, they do. 336 00:17:29,400 --> 00:17:32,560 Speaker 1: And that's kind of what happened with the Steelers offensive line. 337 00:17:32,680 --> 00:17:35,399 Speaker 1: You know, here's the thing. That line was ranked thirty 338 00:17:35,440 --> 00:17:37,760 Speaker 1: second last year and adjusted line of scrimmage. Now, some 339 00:17:37,800 --> 00:17:39,240 Speaker 1: of that was them and some of that was the 340 00:17:39,320 --> 00:17:44,520 Speaker 1: running backs. There's no doubt about that. Um. It's almost 341 00:17:44,520 --> 00:17:47,520 Speaker 1: to me like what happens with the Pirates from year 342 00:17:47,560 --> 00:17:52,160 Speaker 1: to year. The Pirates stink. They then they trade away 343 00:17:52,320 --> 00:17:54,760 Speaker 1: two or three of their more popular players, or they leave. 344 00:17:54,960 --> 00:17:57,199 Speaker 1: You know, there's contracts are up and they leave, and 345 00:17:57,240 --> 00:18:02,080 Speaker 1: everybody goes crazy about it. They won sixty six games 346 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:05,080 Speaker 1: with those guys. You can't bring those guys back again 347 00:18:05,119 --> 00:18:09,160 Speaker 1: and expect things to change. There's some common stories about 348 00:18:09,160 --> 00:18:11,000 Speaker 1: coaches coming and even chunked old at some of this. 349 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:14,359 Speaker 1: You come in and say, I can win four games 350 00:18:14,400 --> 00:18:17,040 Speaker 1: with or without you guys. Even if you like to 351 00:18:17,119 --> 00:18:20,119 Speaker 1: bring those same guys back again, this year would have 352 00:18:20,160 --> 00:18:23,120 Speaker 1: been you're just the what do you expect to change? 353 00:18:23,240 --> 00:18:25,840 Speaker 1: Especially at that point in their careers, Like even Matt 354 00:18:25,880 --> 00:18:29,399 Speaker 1: Filers twenty nine yeah, true, true, you know, in a 355 00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:32,760 Speaker 1: youth movement and maybe a little overdue one, right, because 356 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:36,040 Speaker 1: I remember and apparently the Steelers agreed with me, because 357 00:18:36,359 --> 00:18:37,640 Speaker 1: you and I've been doing this for a while now, 358 00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:43,080 Speaker 1: before last year's draft, before the Claypool draft, you know, 359 00:18:43,280 --> 00:18:45,480 Speaker 1: you and I thought receiver and running backs for their 360 00:18:45,560 --> 00:18:48,879 Speaker 1: top two picks, and they had to find a Bud replacement. 361 00:18:49,480 --> 00:18:52,040 Speaker 1: And we got a lot of feedback saying do you 362 00:18:52,080 --> 00:18:54,560 Speaker 1: think they can ignore the old line? And I remember 363 00:18:54,600 --> 00:18:58,080 Speaker 1: saying over and over at that point, I might regret 364 00:18:58,200 --> 00:19:00,600 Speaker 1: this because you don't want to be a year late 365 00:19:00,680 --> 00:19:03,400 Speaker 1: on the offensive line. But I would wait a year 366 00:19:04,040 --> 00:19:05,560 Speaker 1: and I would not address it. And they didn't have 367 00:19:05,560 --> 00:19:09,760 Speaker 1: a first round pick, and maybe a bit me and 368 00:19:09,840 --> 00:19:12,040 Speaker 1: them a little bit too, But they end up having 369 00:19:12,040 --> 00:19:13,800 Speaker 1: a really good draft class. It's not like, boy, they 370 00:19:13,800 --> 00:19:16,080 Speaker 1: shouldn't have taken clay Pool. They should have taken some time, 371 00:19:16,160 --> 00:19:18,160 Speaker 1: should have taken high you know, Highsmith. I mean, those 372 00:19:18,160 --> 00:19:22,960 Speaker 1: guys are all worked and yeah, so you can't just 373 00:19:23,040 --> 00:19:25,159 Speaker 1: keep running back the same guys forever though, and they 374 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:28,320 Speaker 1: other part of the equation one, yeah to me, those 375 00:19:28,440 --> 00:19:30,040 Speaker 1: they went twelve and four. But oh, by the way, 376 00:19:30,040 --> 00:19:31,800 Speaker 1: they were not talking about four and twelve team here. 377 00:19:31,800 --> 00:19:34,879 Speaker 1: They were twelve and four yards for play, were good plays, 378 00:19:34,920 --> 00:19:37,640 Speaker 1: for game time possession. You know, a lot of those 379 00:19:37,640 --> 00:19:39,960 Speaker 1: things were pretty good for a lot of the year. 380 00:19:40,840 --> 00:19:43,440 Speaker 1: So they had issues, there's no doubt. I just think 381 00:19:43,480 --> 00:19:45,560 Speaker 1: that they did or they're addressing them. Yeah, they didn't. 382 00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:49,879 Speaker 1: They weren't capable in my eyes, of adjusting from the 383 00:19:49,960 --> 00:19:53,720 Speaker 1: offensive style that they were playing. And you want because 384 00:19:53,760 --> 00:19:56,359 Speaker 1: they couldn't run. I think teams figured out that they 385 00:19:56,400 --> 00:20:01,480 Speaker 1: couldn't run the football. Uh, probably by a out Thanksgiving. Yeah, 386 00:20:01,560 --> 00:20:03,560 Speaker 1: well those first the first five games of the year, 387 00:20:03,640 --> 00:20:05,560 Speaker 1: first six games of the year, they were averaging twenty 388 00:20:05,600 --> 00:20:08,160 Speaker 1: nine yards rushing per game, and then they finished it 389 00:20:08,160 --> 00:20:11,800 Speaker 1: at eighty yards rushing per game. That says everything they 390 00:20:11,840 --> 00:20:14,280 Speaker 1: have is like fifty nine yards or fifty yards rushing 391 00:20:14,320 --> 00:20:16,320 Speaker 1: a game the rest of the season. Rest of the 392 00:20:16,359 --> 00:20:19,920 Speaker 1: season because everybody figured out, hey, we're gonna we're gonna 393 00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:22,480 Speaker 1: crowd the line of scrimmage. Roethlisberger wants to get rid 394 00:20:22,520 --> 00:20:25,080 Speaker 1: of the football quickly. He's having trouble throwt you know, 395 00:20:25,080 --> 00:20:27,240 Speaker 1: connecting on the deep balls, not throwing the deep balls, 396 00:20:27,240 --> 00:20:28,960 Speaker 1: connecting on We're not afraid of the deep ball, and 397 00:20:29,040 --> 00:20:31,480 Speaker 1: we're not afraid of it, and we're not afraid of 398 00:20:31,480 --> 00:20:34,160 Speaker 1: their running backs. And we're gonna hit these receivers right 399 00:20:34,200 --> 00:20:36,840 Speaker 1: at the catch, at the catchpoint, don't allow after the catch, 400 00:20:36,880 --> 00:20:40,000 Speaker 1: were crowd the box the other aspect. And I'm hard 401 00:20:40,040 --> 00:20:43,400 Speaker 1: on James Conner because he's not reliable. I mean that's 402 00:20:43,440 --> 00:20:45,479 Speaker 1: that's a fact. There was a huge difference. So between 403 00:20:45,560 --> 00:20:49,360 Speaker 1: him and the other guy is just the ball carrier. 404 00:20:49,480 --> 00:20:52,199 Speaker 1: I mean, Connor may have some really good games for 405 00:20:52,240 --> 00:20:54,159 Speaker 1: Arizona this year. I mean, will he put sixteen or 406 00:20:54,160 --> 00:20:57,320 Speaker 1: seventeen together. I have my doubts, but I think he's 407 00:20:57,359 --> 00:21:00,280 Speaker 1: a good football player and a good back. He average 408 00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:02,080 Speaker 1: four point three yards per carry. The rest of the 409 00:21:02,080 --> 00:21:04,480 Speaker 1: back's average three point three yards per Yeah, that's a 410 00:21:04,520 --> 00:21:06,800 Speaker 1: lot over. It's a huge It's it's a he was 411 00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:10,280 Speaker 1: a big number too, Like it wasn't like fifteen carries. 412 00:21:10,320 --> 00:21:12,680 Speaker 1: They had a number, a large number of carries as 413 00:21:12,720 --> 00:21:14,760 Speaker 1: did he and it was like he's breaking eighty yard 414 00:21:14,800 --> 00:21:18,480 Speaker 1: or right zero zero eighty. I mean, he's a consistent producer, 415 00:21:18,920 --> 00:21:22,320 Speaker 1: gets more than what's blocked. McFarland was swimming. I think 416 00:21:22,359 --> 00:21:26,760 Speaker 1: Snell's very pedestrian. You know, he was clearly the top guy, 417 00:21:26,840 --> 00:21:28,679 Speaker 1: and he passed the eyeball test. I mean when he 418 00:21:28,720 --> 00:21:31,200 Speaker 1: was right like the James he's gonna get, He's gonna 419 00:21:31,200 --> 00:21:34,240 Speaker 1: get chunk yardage, and that it may even be a 420 00:21:34,280 --> 00:21:37,439 Speaker 1: little optimistic to say Nausey is better than James at 421 00:21:37,520 --> 00:21:40,760 Speaker 1: James's best, but he's at least as good, at least 422 00:21:40,840 --> 00:21:44,720 Speaker 1: at least as good and has shown to be more durable. Yes, 423 00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:46,760 Speaker 1: and that's the big thing. I mean, you know the 424 00:21:46,880 --> 00:21:51,400 Speaker 1: number yeah, the number one ability is availability, right, and 425 00:21:52,160 --> 00:21:54,480 Speaker 1: just didn't have it that that's the one you know, 426 00:21:54,560 --> 00:21:58,440 Speaker 1: you just can't It can't be overlooked, you know, at 427 00:21:58,440 --> 00:22:00,679 Speaker 1: that position. You know, to me, I thought that one 428 00:22:00,720 --> 00:22:03,560 Speaker 1: of their biggest failures of last year was not having 429 00:22:03,640 --> 00:22:07,399 Speaker 1: somebody capable of being his his the backup. I think 430 00:22:07,440 --> 00:22:11,840 Speaker 1: that's why. You know, Calin Balage is not a great 431 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:14,960 Speaker 1: NFL running back, but he is an NFL running back. 432 00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:17,359 Speaker 1: He is, and I think he's he got better. He 433 00:22:17,400 --> 00:22:20,280 Speaker 1: started his career slow. But we even brought up the 434 00:22:20,359 --> 00:22:22,720 Speaker 1: Carlos Hides of the world, like they could have used 435 00:22:22,880 --> 00:22:25,399 Speaker 1: that guy that you know last year, you know, everyone 436 00:22:25,480 --> 00:22:27,880 Speaker 1: to give them a hard time for you should spend 437 00:22:27,880 --> 00:22:30,760 Speaker 1: eight million on a backup quarterback, but only probably should 438 00:22:30,760 --> 00:22:33,159 Speaker 1: spend million on a backup running back would have gone 439 00:22:33,200 --> 00:22:34,960 Speaker 1: a long way. Yeah, yeah, I think it would have, 440 00:22:35,200 --> 00:22:36,879 Speaker 1: especially in the year before that as well. And the 441 00:22:37,000 --> 00:22:40,480 Speaker 1: running backs were really poor then when Connor wasn't right 442 00:22:40,520 --> 00:22:42,480 Speaker 1: over the last two years, which was way too calm, 443 00:22:42,520 --> 00:22:44,480 Speaker 1: they just have an answer. They were the worst running 444 00:22:44,480 --> 00:22:46,560 Speaker 1: background in the league. Yeah, you know, that's the first 445 00:22:46,640 --> 00:22:50,119 Speaker 1: round pick. If that's better, If that running game is 446 00:22:50,160 --> 00:22:53,280 Speaker 1: better because of the running backs. This offensive line, you 447 00:22:53,320 --> 00:22:57,159 Speaker 1: know again if it's if it's nineteen or twentieth and 448 00:22:57,240 --> 00:23:00,119 Speaker 1: adjusted line, you know, offensive line play this year, it's 449 00:23:00,119 --> 00:23:01,720 Speaker 1: a big First of all, it's a big step up 450 00:23:01,760 --> 00:23:04,400 Speaker 1: from where they've been the last two years. Yes. Secondly, 451 00:23:04,960 --> 00:23:07,120 Speaker 1: that's into that range where they were when they won 452 00:23:07,160 --> 00:23:10,480 Speaker 1: Super Bowls. Yeah, I think their skill position group will 453 00:23:10,480 --> 00:23:12,920 Speaker 1: be much higher than nineteen or twenty you know, running backs, 454 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:15,920 Speaker 1: tight ends, receivers, and if you if it does get 455 00:23:15,960 --> 00:23:19,320 Speaker 1: the means you're trending the right direction with a new 456 00:23:19,359 --> 00:23:22,359 Speaker 1: scheme and a new line coach, and youth is trending, 457 00:23:22,359 --> 00:23:24,880 Speaker 1: you know, trending in the right direction. And I don't 458 00:23:24,920 --> 00:23:27,040 Speaker 1: know that there's a million Pro Bowls in the future 459 00:23:27,080 --> 00:23:31,360 Speaker 1: of these young guys. But I do believe that if 460 00:23:31,400 --> 00:23:35,760 Speaker 1: you have ten guys that can play and five that 461 00:23:35,880 --> 00:23:40,280 Speaker 1: aren't bad in today's NFL, that goes a long way, 462 00:23:40,440 --> 00:23:43,280 Speaker 1: you know. I mean again, it's better than having two 463 00:23:43,320 --> 00:23:47,800 Speaker 1: studs and three duds. Yeah, you know, yeah, that's every time. 464 00:23:48,280 --> 00:23:51,119 Speaker 1: Oh absolutely, yeah, that's the thing. You don't You can't 465 00:23:51,200 --> 00:23:56,919 Speaker 1: have obvious uh bad offensive lineman starting you get. You 466 00:23:56,960 --> 00:23:59,400 Speaker 1: can't have four really good guys and one guy that's 467 00:23:59,400 --> 00:24:02,960 Speaker 1: just uh yeah, because he'll they'll attack him like crazy. 468 00:24:03,119 --> 00:24:05,640 Speaker 1: They'll line up guys to attack him like crazy. Much 469 00:24:05,680 --> 00:24:07,720 Speaker 1: different subjects, but I've been looking at this over the 470 00:24:07,800 --> 00:24:09,880 Speaker 1: last couple of weeks to the last couple of weeks 471 00:24:09,960 --> 00:24:12,920 Speaker 1: last week or so. The same is true in the secondary, 472 00:24:13,040 --> 00:24:15,360 Speaker 1: Like I'm not sure in today's NFL, with so many 473 00:24:15,400 --> 00:24:20,080 Speaker 1: defensive backs of play six seven at times, and they're 474 00:24:20,119 --> 00:24:23,800 Speaker 1: not all pseudo linebackers in this life is like Jalen 475 00:24:23,920 --> 00:24:26,200 Speaker 1: Ramsey's wonderful, but he only covers one guy and every 476 00:24:26,240 --> 00:24:29,680 Speaker 1: offense has five dangerous ones. Now, I think secondary and 477 00:24:29,760 --> 00:24:34,720 Speaker 1: old line star power isn't nearly as important as reliability 478 00:24:34,800 --> 00:24:37,679 Speaker 1: unless you get several stars, well then you're great. You know, 479 00:24:37,760 --> 00:24:39,560 Speaker 1: I'd love to have the Browns offensive line. You know, 480 00:24:39,560 --> 00:24:42,040 Speaker 1: I'd love to have three Pro bowlers in the secondary. 481 00:24:42,160 --> 00:24:44,440 Speaker 1: But you gotta pay him, you know what I mean, 482 00:24:44,520 --> 00:24:46,159 Speaker 1: Like they don't grow on trees. You gotta draft them 483 00:24:46,160 --> 00:24:48,440 Speaker 1: and pay him. And you know, yeah, it's all interesting 484 00:24:48,440 --> 00:24:51,879 Speaker 1: and uh you know I think that uh um. You know, 485 00:24:52,119 --> 00:24:54,520 Speaker 1: we'll see how this works out with the Steelers offensive line. 486 00:24:54,520 --> 00:24:59,440 Speaker 1: But I feel better about it just because I think 487 00:24:59,520 --> 00:25:03,240 Speaker 1: Nager Harris adding Naja Harris elevates the play of the line. 488 00:25:03,600 --> 00:25:05,879 Speaker 1: I also think the scheme is gonna be better. I 489 00:25:05,880 --> 00:25:09,160 Speaker 1: think the the adjustment of the scheme to a more 490 00:25:09,840 --> 00:25:12,040 Speaker 1: We've heard this a lot as well, that Matt Cannon 491 00:25:12,160 --> 00:25:16,040 Speaker 1: is going to it's gonna be match more, matchup driven, 492 00:25:16,520 --> 00:25:19,119 Speaker 1: getting you know, getting guys into positions where they can 493 00:25:19,160 --> 00:25:22,000 Speaker 1: make plays as opposed to and this is something you know, 494 00:25:22,040 --> 00:25:24,040 Speaker 1: you've talked about for a long time as the Steeler's 495 00:25:24,119 --> 00:25:26,800 Speaker 1: offense for the for a very long time was our 496 00:25:26,800 --> 00:25:28,560 Speaker 1: guys are just better than your guys. And it worked 497 00:25:28,680 --> 00:25:31,639 Speaker 1: and it was fine because they were brown and right 498 00:25:33,880 --> 00:25:36,120 Speaker 1: used it as you know, those guys, these guys were 499 00:25:36,119 --> 00:25:38,360 Speaker 1: better than anybody that lined up against him, and their 500 00:25:38,359 --> 00:25:40,399 Speaker 1: line was really good too, and so you didn't have 501 00:25:40,440 --> 00:25:42,399 Speaker 1: to worry about that, you know, getting the right scheme 502 00:25:42,480 --> 00:25:44,320 Speaker 1: fit and matchups and stuff. He just ran what you 503 00:25:44,400 --> 00:25:47,080 Speaker 1: ran and they had to stop it. I mean, even 504 00:25:47,320 --> 00:25:48,760 Speaker 1: you know, we talked a lot about the jet motion. 505 00:25:48,800 --> 00:25:52,480 Speaker 1: If Claypool screaming across in jet motion, that linebacker is 506 00:25:52,520 --> 00:25:55,080 Speaker 1: bound to take a step to the right. If Claypool's 507 00:25:55,119 --> 00:25:58,119 Speaker 1: crossing his face before, you know, before the snap, and 508 00:25:58,160 --> 00:26:00,000 Speaker 1: that might be just enough for the guard to get 509 00:26:00,080 --> 00:26:02,719 Speaker 1: to him and get a better blocking angle. Or you know, 510 00:26:02,760 --> 00:26:05,480 Speaker 1: the play goes the opposite direction and that linebacker can't 511 00:26:05,520 --> 00:26:07,320 Speaker 1: quite get there. I mean, things like that will help 512 00:26:07,359 --> 00:26:09,080 Speaker 1: a lot. All of a sudden, here comes here is 513 00:26:09,160 --> 00:26:11,439 Speaker 1: screaming through the line with the foot right, you know, 514 00:26:11,560 --> 00:26:14,800 Speaker 1: and you're slightly out of position as a linebacker. You're 515 00:26:14,800 --> 00:26:19,080 Speaker 1: not gonna you know, arm tackle him to the ground, right. 516 00:26:19,520 --> 00:26:21,840 Speaker 1: I think that's very much in the cards. And again, 517 00:26:21,880 --> 00:26:24,000 Speaker 1: I still think McFarland has a lot left, you know, 518 00:26:24,600 --> 00:26:28,520 Speaker 1: his his future isn't written. And Blage gives you, I 519 00:26:28,960 --> 00:26:31,840 Speaker 1: don't know what see more of him, but sort of 520 00:26:31,880 --> 00:26:34,040 Speaker 1: a floor guy. You know, I mean, if he's my 521 00:26:34,080 --> 00:26:37,359 Speaker 1: worst option, it's probably better than Snell, you know what 522 00:26:37,359 --> 00:26:42,280 Speaker 1: I mean, doesn't Yeah, he's more gifted. Yeah, he's big, 523 00:26:42,280 --> 00:26:45,560 Speaker 1: and he's big and fast. He catch a ball pretty well. Um, 524 00:26:45,720 --> 00:26:50,280 Speaker 1: I would imagine you agree. The pivotal guy is Green though. 525 00:26:50,280 --> 00:26:53,280 Speaker 1: On the line, I mean, if he's good, if he's 526 00:26:54,119 --> 00:26:57,159 Speaker 1: the best center in the league from day one or 527 00:26:57,240 --> 00:27:01,200 Speaker 1: quickly after, you're gonna be fine, I think so. I mean, yeah, 528 00:27:01,440 --> 00:27:05,080 Speaker 1: that position could be a problem. It could be out 529 00:27:05,080 --> 00:27:07,480 Speaker 1: there knows there's no way Hassa is gonna be out 530 00:27:07,520 --> 00:27:09,760 Speaker 1: And if Finny gets hurt and Green is not ready, 531 00:27:10,000 --> 00:27:13,239 Speaker 1: it can't be. It just can't be. You're looking the 532 00:27:13,240 --> 00:27:16,480 Speaker 1: waiver wire. Then yeah, I agree, Um, but I think 533 00:27:16,480 --> 00:27:19,800 Speaker 1: it's you know, the potential was there, and I know 534 00:27:19,880 --> 00:27:23,879 Speaker 1: potential was is a dirty word because sometimes what do 535 00:27:23,920 --> 00:27:26,720 Speaker 1: you expect? No, he's pretty good, you know, it was 536 00:27:26,760 --> 00:27:28,560 Speaker 1: what third or fourth slidder off the board could have 537 00:27:28,600 --> 00:27:31,600 Speaker 1: been the second or third. But he's gonna have a tough, 538 00:27:31,760 --> 00:27:33,760 Speaker 1: tough acclamation period. It would be a lot more worried 539 00:27:33,800 --> 00:27:35,600 Speaker 1: than if it was last year, do you know, preseason 540 00:27:35,640 --> 00:27:38,840 Speaker 1: and not as much camp. And but he's in the mix. 541 00:27:39,600 --> 00:27:42,000 Speaker 1: He's definitely in the mix. Yeah, And so we'll see 542 00:27:42,040 --> 00:27:43,639 Speaker 1: how that all works out. But I just thought the 543 00:27:43,680 --> 00:27:45,320 Speaker 1: whole thing was very interesting when I when I looked 544 00:27:45,359 --> 00:27:48,879 Speaker 1: up those numbers to see where where those other good steeling. 545 00:27:49,040 --> 00:27:51,080 Speaker 1: We're not talking about good Steeler teams. We're talking about 546 00:27:51,080 --> 00:27:53,280 Speaker 1: two of them one super bowls, right, Those are great 547 00:27:53,320 --> 00:27:56,680 Speaker 1: Steeler teams won super Bowls, and their offensive line play 548 00:27:56,760 --> 00:27:59,880 Speaker 1: was just average. Now, I don't think the schemes helped 549 00:27:59,880 --> 00:28:01,520 Speaker 1: the line. I don't think the running backs helped the 550 00:28:01,520 --> 00:28:04,320 Speaker 1: line lately. And I think age settled in a little 551 00:28:04,320 --> 00:28:06,639 Speaker 1: bit here, you know, and it was time for a change, 552 00:28:06,840 --> 00:28:09,639 Speaker 1: and they dressed it pretty hard. Yeah. Absolutely, But that's 553 00:28:09,680 --> 00:28:12,159 Speaker 1: gonna do it for this segment, So form my partner 554 00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:14,800 Speaker 1: Matt Williamson for Jacob Brex here inside keeping us on 555 00:28:14,840 --> 00:28:17,240 Speaker 1: the air. I'm Dale Lally. We thank you for listening 556 00:28:17,240 --> 00:28:20,359 Speaker 1: to this edition of the Drive on Steelers Nation Radio.