1 00:00:07,560 --> 00:00:13,480 Speaker 1: Live from Indianapolis. This is continuing coverage NFL Combine on 2 00:00:13,640 --> 00:00:19,759 Speaker 1: Steelers National Video. Good morning, everyone, Welcome to the Convention 3 00:00:19,800 --> 00:00:22,280 Speaker 1: Center in Indianapolis. We were right across the street from 4 00:00:22,360 --> 00:00:26,920 Speaker 1: Lucas Oil Stadium where the combined will officially being held. 5 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:29,200 Speaker 1: Not here radio road, but we'll be with you Jerry 6 00:00:29,240 --> 00:00:32,080 Speaker 1: du Black of the Pittsburgh Post because that Stealer Radio 7 00:00:32,200 --> 00:00:34,879 Speaker 1: Network and joined by Matt Williamson for the next two 8 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:38,360 Speaker 1: hours from the Stealer Nation Radio. Matt, good morning, Glad 9 00:00:38,400 --> 00:00:40,720 Speaker 1: to be with you, absolutely, um, and glad to be 10 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:44,920 Speaker 1: with everybody in the morning. You guys started broadcasting yesterday afternoon. 11 00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:48,879 Speaker 1: I believe we couldn't get credentials until so you can 12 00:00:48,960 --> 00:00:50,560 Speaker 1: get in here at ten. But we went a little extra, 13 00:00:50,640 --> 00:00:52,360 Speaker 1: We went a little overtime, gave an extra inning and 14 00:00:52,360 --> 00:00:55,200 Speaker 1: went an hour late. Yeah, and always on the first 15 00:00:55,240 --> 00:00:57,160 Speaker 1: day of the combined when we get a chance to 16 00:00:57,200 --> 00:00:59,640 Speaker 1: talk with Kevin Colbert, he meets with the national and 17 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:02,840 Speaker 1: he does his rounds with some of the national radio 18 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:06,240 Speaker 1: and then he meets with the local group of reporters 19 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:08,080 Speaker 1: and then he makes his way up s n R 20 00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:11,120 Speaker 1: and ESPN, and you guys had a chance to talk 21 00:01:11,120 --> 00:01:16,160 Speaker 1: to Kevin Colbert and uh, anything enlightening, which I'm gonna 22 00:01:16,200 --> 00:01:19,280 Speaker 1: guess probably after the lake or so I doubt it, 23 00:01:19,319 --> 00:01:21,479 Speaker 1: but uh, it's always good to chat with him. Yeah, 24 00:01:21,480 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 1: I'm sure we'll replay it at some point during the 25 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:24,759 Speaker 1: week too in case you guys miss it, or I'm 26 00:01:24,760 --> 00:01:26,760 Speaker 1: sure you could find it in podcast form or whatever. 27 00:01:26,880 --> 00:01:28,760 Speaker 1: It's not my specialty of where you can dig that up, 28 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:30,840 Speaker 1: but it was a really good conversation. Kevin sapoth with 29 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:33,959 Speaker 1: us for twenty minutes as and you know, just to 30 00:01:33,959 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 1: pull back the curtain for people who don't realize that's 31 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:38,280 Speaker 1: kind of what GMS and a lot of the coaches 32 00:01:38,360 --> 00:01:41,360 Speaker 1: do on I guess Monday this year, Tuesday this year, 33 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:44,440 Speaker 1: because now on they're busy, I mean they're they're off 34 00:01:44,520 --> 00:01:47,120 Speaker 1: doing scouting stuff and you know, we get drills tomorrow. 35 00:01:47,360 --> 00:01:49,320 Speaker 1: They'll be heights and weights and interviews and all that 36 00:01:49,320 --> 00:01:51,600 Speaker 1: stuff going on as we speak. So it was good. 37 00:01:51,680 --> 00:01:53,160 Speaker 1: I mean, we had a little talk about stuff on 38 00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:55,000 Speaker 1: to it. We had some quarterback stuff. We had a 39 00:01:55,040 --> 00:01:58,000 Speaker 1: lot of talk about his replacement and his role and 40 00:01:58,120 --> 00:02:00,560 Speaker 1: finding the next guy and how that process us goes. 41 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:03,040 Speaker 1: And you know, most of the time. People in his 42 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:05,920 Speaker 1: position don't have the option of leaving when they want to. 43 00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:09,560 Speaker 1: That's a really unique spot. And I have a hunt 44 00:02:09,600 --> 00:02:11,040 Speaker 1: you agree with me, but I think he's had a 45 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:12,920 Speaker 1: Hall of Fame career. It's a great way to go 46 00:02:12,960 --> 00:02:15,600 Speaker 1: out on his terms. You know, question about it came 47 00:02:15,639 --> 00:02:17,720 Speaker 1: in in two thousand. You know, the Steelers went to 48 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:20,880 Speaker 1: three Super Bowls after that. You know he uh, he 49 00:02:21,040 --> 00:02:24,280 Speaker 1: kind of a retold rebuilt this team with with his 50 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:27,560 Speaker 1: uh some of his drafts home run number one picks 51 00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:30,200 Speaker 1: for the most part. Yeah, um, and you know, some 52 00:02:30,200 --> 00:02:32,160 Speaker 1: some great free agent signings along the way. You know, 53 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:34,800 Speaker 1: I was thinking about this last night. At some point 54 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:37,640 Speaker 1: I'm going to ask him, and he'll probably be relucked 55 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:40,040 Speaker 1: to do so, but I'm gonna ask him to name 56 00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:45,360 Speaker 1: his his top five free agent signings. He's been here. 57 00:02:45,400 --> 00:02:47,520 Speaker 1: A couple of years ago. Bill Coward was asked by 58 00:02:47,520 --> 00:02:52,280 Speaker 1: CBS Sports to do his top five I think, or 59 00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:57,280 Speaker 1: ten maybe, but top five, uh worst draft picks, and 60 00:02:57,280 --> 00:02:58,959 Speaker 1: you know who was number one. I was surprised and 61 00:02:58,960 --> 00:03:01,760 Speaker 1: I told him I would disagreed with him. That's that's 62 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:05,880 Speaker 1: a Coward era. Yeah, Okay, nothing Troy Edwards and the 63 00:03:05,919 --> 00:03:10,800 Speaker 1: reason I I I kind of connored that pick was Um, 64 00:03:10,960 --> 00:03:14,799 Speaker 1: that choice was that Troy Edwards had a good rookie year. 65 00:03:14,880 --> 00:03:17,200 Speaker 1: I say, he wasn't bad. In fact, I think he 66 00:03:17,240 --> 00:03:20,280 Speaker 1: said the rookie record for catches. So it wasn't like 67 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:22,400 Speaker 1: now but he you know, it wasn't like he was 68 00:03:22,440 --> 00:03:25,480 Speaker 1: a totally played to me, I would have thought for sure, 69 00:03:25,520 --> 00:03:28,000 Speaker 1: and this was his number two pick was Jammaine Stevens. Yeah, 70 00:03:28,080 --> 00:03:31,640 Speaker 1: that one absolutely comes to mind, right right, and so, um, 71 00:03:31,760 --> 00:03:34,800 Speaker 1: but Troy Edwards was productive the first couple of years. 72 00:03:35,080 --> 00:03:38,120 Speaker 1: They went and drafted Plexico Burst right after that too, 73 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:43,720 Speaker 1: right right. So I was surprised at this because but 74 00:03:43,800 --> 00:03:46,160 Speaker 1: he said because of uh and I can't remember the 75 00:03:46,200 --> 00:03:48,840 Speaker 1: overall pick what he was, but because of where they 76 00:03:48,920 --> 00:03:52,000 Speaker 1: had a high enough draft pick. Um, That's what I 77 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:54,960 Speaker 1: was gonna say, because I remember that dravidly. What year 78 00:03:55,040 --> 00:03:57,840 Speaker 1: was it? Do you remember? It was like? It was it? Uh? 79 00:03:58,600 --> 00:04:01,040 Speaker 1: So Coward came in nine two, So I would have 80 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:08,880 Speaker 1: said that was so, but uh, let's nineties. Yeah, I 81 00:04:08,920 --> 00:04:13,360 Speaker 1: would have said, okay, because that that adds up because 82 00:04:13,600 --> 00:04:15,840 Speaker 1: I was not yet getting paid to do things from 83 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:17,440 Speaker 1: all at that point. That was coming in a year 84 00:04:17,520 --> 00:04:20,640 Speaker 1: or two. But Draft day was my passion, you know, 85 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:23,360 Speaker 1: without a question, and a lot of Steeler Nation at 86 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:24,920 Speaker 1: that time. I don't know if they were people listening. 87 00:04:25,000 --> 00:04:27,919 Speaker 1: Remember we were on the edge of our seats hoping 88 00:04:27,960 --> 00:04:30,840 Speaker 1: for Tory Holt or David Boston. I mean those are 89 00:04:30,839 --> 00:04:34,400 Speaker 1: the guys that were often marked to this dealer. David Sure, yeah, 90 00:04:34,560 --> 00:04:37,320 Speaker 1: and boy when he went to the Cardinals, I oh, man, 91 00:04:37,400 --> 00:04:39,279 Speaker 1: that was the guy I thought was gonna fall. And 92 00:04:39,520 --> 00:04:42,159 Speaker 1: you know, so I always felt like they settled on Edward. 93 00:04:42,200 --> 00:04:44,240 Speaker 1: But to your point, he did a lot more for 94 00:04:44,240 --> 00:04:48,559 Speaker 1: the Steels than Jamaine Stevens. Absolutely absolutely so that Kevin 95 00:04:48,560 --> 00:04:50,440 Speaker 1: free agent wanted to be a tough one to come up. Yeah, 96 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:53,560 Speaker 1: and I'd just be curious of of, um, of what 97 00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:57,200 Speaker 1: he thought and because and just offhand too, um, you know, 98 00:04:57,240 --> 00:05:00,720 Speaker 1: I'm trying to remember who came in during his uh, 99 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:05,160 Speaker 1: during his time here. Um, while you're kind of kicking 100 00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:07,680 Speaker 1: that around, I had it kind of joked with Kevin 101 00:05:07,760 --> 00:05:10,359 Speaker 1: yesterday as he was getting off the air that say, 102 00:05:10,400 --> 00:05:13,640 Speaker 1: I hope that ESPN or NFL network does a Football 103 00:05:13,720 --> 00:05:16,440 Speaker 1: Life for a thirty for thirty with him and Ozzy 104 00:05:16,560 --> 00:05:20,040 Speaker 1: Knewsome being honest with each other, like, man, you took 105 00:05:20,080 --> 00:05:21,839 Speaker 1: that guy from me, or you took him from me, 106 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:23,480 Speaker 1: and he kind of about it like, oh, it would 107 00:05:23,480 --> 00:05:26,120 Speaker 1: be an interesting show if we both could be honest. 108 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:28,279 Speaker 1: You know. So there's a lot of those type of 109 00:05:28,279 --> 00:05:30,960 Speaker 1: things too, And you know, just another Kevin note that 110 00:05:31,080 --> 00:05:33,880 Speaker 1: I just want everyone to realize. It really adds to 111 00:05:33,920 --> 00:05:38,000 Speaker 1: his greatness. In my opinion, the Steelers have earned, on average, 112 00:05:38,040 --> 00:05:40,840 Speaker 1: the four pick in the draft while Kevin has been here. 113 00:05:40,960 --> 00:05:43,360 Speaker 1: You know, sometimes we've traded up sometimes to trade it back, 114 00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:46,479 Speaker 1: but that's what he's been given. You know. That's well 115 00:05:46,560 --> 00:05:49,400 Speaker 1: out of the blue chip range. Yeah, and I wonder 116 00:05:49,440 --> 00:05:53,880 Speaker 1: how many teams average only the Patriots or Blower during 117 00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:56,480 Speaker 1: that time, only the because they would be the only 118 00:05:56,520 --> 00:06:00,480 Speaker 1: team that was more successful during that Yeah, twenty four 119 00:06:00,520 --> 00:06:02,919 Speaker 1: doesn't sound as early as you think, but once in 120 00:06:02,920 --> 00:06:04,920 Speaker 1: a while, you're in the early teens and a lot 121 00:06:04,960 --> 00:06:07,560 Speaker 1: of thirties in there. And Cam Heyward was really late pick, 122 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:10,320 Speaker 1: and that's really late pick, and that's that only shows 123 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:13,000 Speaker 1: their success on the field, But I think it's reflective 124 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:15,160 Speaker 1: of the fact that how well they have drafted when 125 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:18,160 Speaker 1: you consider how low they've had to pick right, making 126 00:06:18,160 --> 00:06:20,160 Speaker 1: fun of the division rivals. But it's not hard to 127 00:06:20,200 --> 00:06:23,320 Speaker 1: take Joe Burrow or Miles Garrett, you know, or even 128 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:26,160 Speaker 1: the Patrick Peter. I mean, those those are teams who 129 00:06:26,200 --> 00:06:28,680 Speaker 1: were screwed up the number one, number one overall pick 130 00:06:28,760 --> 00:06:32,360 Speaker 1: for years though both of them, yea. I mean, imagine 131 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:35,080 Speaker 1: if he had better cards than as a drafter. I mean, 132 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:38,559 Speaker 1: we talked about this a lot. Like most drafts, there's 133 00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:41,360 Speaker 1: five or six Blue Chippers. Steelers have never had a 134 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:44,640 Speaker 1: chance at those guys, and there's about fifteen or sixteen 135 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:47,640 Speaker 1: guys that are probably pretty much Round one players no 136 00:06:47,680 --> 00:06:50,080 Speaker 1: matter what year they come out. They were just at 137 00:06:50,120 --> 00:06:53,600 Speaker 1: those guys. You know, they're really drafting off their players. 138 00:06:53,680 --> 00:06:56,680 Speaker 1: Since Kevin's been here. The best chance they had was 139 00:06:56,960 --> 00:07:00,440 Speaker 1: in UM two thousand and four, after the two thousand 140 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:02,880 Speaker 1: and three season, when they drafted eleven and that's when 141 00:07:02,880 --> 00:07:06,240 Speaker 1: they got Ben together. Other than that, aside from trading up, 142 00:07:06,960 --> 00:07:09,000 Speaker 1: they've been they've been weighed down the list and you 143 00:07:09,040 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 1: know it, you know, and we'll talk about this later. 144 00:07:11,720 --> 00:07:14,600 Speaker 1: It points up where they are now. Are they in 145 00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:17,560 Speaker 1: position to get a quarterback? And we all know the 146 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:21,640 Speaker 1: year the class is not as good Kevin Colbert said yesterday, 147 00:07:21,640 --> 00:07:24,000 Speaker 1: which he did last week, iterated the fact that he 148 00:07:24,040 --> 00:07:27,200 Speaker 1: thinks there is quality among the quarterbacks in this draft. 149 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:29,560 Speaker 1: There's just not a bunch of them. He said, there 150 00:07:29,640 --> 00:07:33,400 Speaker 1: there will be winning quarterbacks in this draft. And I 151 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:36,600 Speaker 1: I'm hesitant to say he said for Bowl winning quarterbacks 152 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:38,320 Speaker 1: because I don't think he wants to put that stamp 153 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:40,400 Speaker 1: on him. But he's you know, he said winning, he 154 00:07:40,480 --> 00:07:45,320 Speaker 1: said winning and starting quarterbacks NFL draft. Yeah exactly. And 155 00:07:45,400 --> 00:07:48,120 Speaker 1: you know, if there are, there's probably just a couple 156 00:07:48,760 --> 00:07:51,840 Speaker 1: um and we'll see how how you know, and or 157 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:54,880 Speaker 1: low those guys go. And we could talk about that 158 00:07:54,880 --> 00:07:56,640 Speaker 1: a little bit later. So when when you look at 159 00:07:56,640 --> 00:07:59,360 Speaker 1: where the Steelers have drafted and the impact players that 160 00:07:59,400 --> 00:08:01,720 Speaker 1: they've been able to get, just right off the bat, 161 00:08:01,720 --> 00:08:03,800 Speaker 1: two guys on their team, Heyward and t. J. Watt, 162 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:07,680 Speaker 1: really made first rounders right right exactly exactly. Uh Keith 163 00:08:07,760 --> 00:08:11,200 Speaker 1: Miller was really he was? Was he thirty second or something? 164 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:16,120 Speaker 1: Orty two? Yeah? And uh but other than Ben after drafting, 165 00:08:16,160 --> 00:08:19,000 Speaker 1: haven't they just haven't been able to pick that high now, right? 166 00:08:19,040 --> 00:08:21,960 Speaker 1: I mean it's and side note, they don't have a 167 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:23,880 Speaker 1: lot of calf base either. You know, compared to some 168 00:08:23,920 --> 00:08:26,280 Speaker 1: of these other teams. I often say, you know, what, 169 00:08:26,360 --> 00:08:28,360 Speaker 1: if Kevin would have had more cards in his hand, 170 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:30,080 Speaker 1: what kind of poker player could he have been? Then? 171 00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:32,720 Speaker 1: And I also think not to diminish what Kevin's done 172 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:35,120 Speaker 1: and that whole staff. They've done a really good job 173 00:08:35,160 --> 00:08:37,079 Speaker 1: developing coo. You Know, one thing I brought up to 174 00:08:37,160 --> 00:08:40,040 Speaker 1: Kevin yesterday was I don't know that they realizes how 175 00:08:40,080 --> 00:08:42,400 Speaker 1: involved coach Tomlin is or how good he is with 176 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:45,640 Speaker 1: personnel in in addition to coaching. You know, a lot 177 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:47,560 Speaker 1: of the head coaches don't get that involved. You know, 178 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:50,000 Speaker 1: he's really into it. Mike Tomlin watches his No I'm 179 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:51,520 Speaker 1: not gonna sit here and pretend to know how much 180 00:08:51,559 --> 00:08:56,800 Speaker 1: film he watched much film on players as as I 181 00:08:56,840 --> 00:08:59,240 Speaker 1: can imagine any coach in the national football that He's 182 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:02,520 Speaker 1: He's a football junkie and he studies film and watches 183 00:09:02,559 --> 00:09:06,480 Speaker 1: it uh endlessly. And I think that's why he has 184 00:09:06,520 --> 00:09:10,880 Speaker 1: a good feel, uh, you know, for for talent and players. 185 00:09:10,880 --> 00:09:13,480 Speaker 1: And it's also why he has uh a lot of 186 00:09:13,520 --> 00:09:16,960 Speaker 1: input in what the Steelers bring in who they draft. 187 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:20,079 Speaker 1: You know, I used to um for the longest time, 188 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:22,960 Speaker 1: I always thought it was kind of fifty fifty, six, forty, 189 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:25,440 Speaker 1: and I'm not gonna stare and say it's eight. But 190 00:09:25,520 --> 00:09:28,440 Speaker 1: I think the way it's the way it is now 191 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:33,400 Speaker 1: is that Kevin together the draft board along with along 192 00:09:33,440 --> 00:09:36,400 Speaker 1: with Mike Tomlin, but when it comes down to picking him, 193 00:09:36,840 --> 00:09:40,240 Speaker 1: it's Mike Tomlin's picks saying that's some of the free agents. Now, 194 00:09:40,600 --> 00:09:42,640 Speaker 1: if Kevin's not on board with it, then they don't 195 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:44,800 Speaker 1: go that one. But if Kevin is putting these players 196 00:09:44,800 --> 00:09:46,880 Speaker 1: in front of him with the draft grade, that obviously 197 00:09:47,080 --> 00:09:49,640 Speaker 1: that's who he likes. But it's but it's Mike Tomlin 198 00:09:49,720 --> 00:09:52,200 Speaker 1: who was making the call. Okay, that's interesting to me, 199 00:09:52,240 --> 00:09:54,880 Speaker 1: and it doesn't really surprise me, and or does it 200 00:09:54,920 --> 00:09:58,640 Speaker 1: diminish Kevin's role at all, because he's compiling that list 201 00:09:58,640 --> 00:10:01,120 Speaker 1: from which he's choosing, he is put on and to 202 00:10:01,200 --> 00:10:02,480 Speaker 1: end and set it up right in front of the 203 00:10:02,480 --> 00:10:07,440 Speaker 1: net for him to bury right he has said to 204 00:10:08,200 --> 00:10:11,360 Speaker 1: exactly exactly, and it makes you wonder. I mean, I 205 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:13,520 Speaker 1: don't know who the next successor is going to be, 206 00:10:14,200 --> 00:10:17,520 Speaker 1: but I'm not diminishing that new higher at all. It's 207 00:10:17,520 --> 00:10:19,920 Speaker 1: going to be a giganta for this organization. But as 208 00:10:19,920 --> 00:10:22,440 Speaker 1: long as Tomlin's in place, things probably won't change all that, 209 00:10:22,520 --> 00:10:24,839 Speaker 1: mind you, And I think the thing that and I 210 00:10:24,880 --> 00:10:26,440 Speaker 1: want to get back to this free agent list too 211 00:10:26,440 --> 00:10:29,679 Speaker 1: before I forget, because I could forget knowing me um 212 00:10:29,760 --> 00:10:34,320 Speaker 1: the You know, there's this notion that the Steelers might 213 00:10:34,440 --> 00:10:37,920 Speaker 1: just promote from within, but the reality is, no matter 214 00:10:37,960 --> 00:10:41,000 Speaker 1: who they bring in, Brandon Hunt's role and omar CON's 215 00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:43,800 Speaker 1: role im not gonna change. It's gonna stay exactly the 216 00:10:43,800 --> 00:10:45,880 Speaker 1: way it is. So it's not like they're in jeopardy 217 00:10:45,920 --> 00:10:48,319 Speaker 1: of being bounced out by bringing in a new GM. 218 00:10:48,360 --> 00:10:51,080 Speaker 1: The new GM is gonna replace Kevin Colbert and nothing's 219 00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:54,920 Speaker 1: going to change internally. So that's why where early on 220 00:10:55,040 --> 00:10:57,319 Speaker 1: I thought, I thought they might just promote those guys 221 00:10:58,240 --> 00:11:02,000 Speaker 1: and no disrespect to anyone because they and they'll continue 222 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:05,040 Speaker 1: to do the jobs they do. Uh and so's role 223 00:11:05,160 --> 00:11:08,760 Speaker 1: will not change regardless, And so that's why I I 224 00:11:08,800 --> 00:11:12,160 Speaker 1: believe they will go to the outside and bring someone in. 225 00:11:12,240 --> 00:11:15,840 Speaker 1: They are not going on such an extensive search just 226 00:11:15,920 --> 00:11:19,160 Speaker 1: to make cursory like, well, we're doing our homework and 227 00:11:19,200 --> 00:11:21,440 Speaker 1: we're going to promote these guys. And I think that's 228 00:11:21,440 --> 00:11:23,720 Speaker 1: gonna happen, and that has That's no reflection on the 229 00:11:23,720 --> 00:11:26,800 Speaker 1: other guys, but I do believe they will go outside 230 00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:32,240 Speaker 1: and they want. You know, there's two prerequisites requisites prerequisites 231 00:11:32,600 --> 00:11:35,640 Speaker 1: talent evaluated and being able to put together a draft. Now, 232 00:11:35,840 --> 00:11:38,160 Speaker 1: I don't know how many of those guys that they 233 00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:40,839 Speaker 1: have interviewed have put together a draft, but I know 234 00:11:40,960 --> 00:11:42,920 Speaker 1: one of them who had sure, and that's Andy White 235 00:11:42,920 --> 00:11:45,000 Speaker 1: over in the Philadelphia Eagles. He's their vice president of 236 00:11:45,040 --> 00:11:47,319 Speaker 1: player personnel whatever he is. He's one year younger than me, 237 00:11:48,640 --> 00:11:51,040 Speaker 1: and he's put together the last two Eagle drafts, so 238 00:11:51,240 --> 00:11:53,320 Speaker 1: he knows how to do it right. And that's why 239 00:11:53,480 --> 00:11:57,319 Speaker 1: when I'm looking at candidates who they would consider to me, 240 00:11:57,480 --> 00:12:00,120 Speaker 1: he checks both boxes. Now I'm not saying he's going 241 00:12:00,160 --> 00:12:02,520 Speaker 1: to be the guy, but when looking for what they 242 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:05,480 Speaker 1: want and the fact he's a elemning guy and he 243 00:12:05,600 --> 00:12:07,559 Speaker 1: once worked for the Steelers years ago. That's where he 244 00:12:07,640 --> 00:12:11,040 Speaker 1: got his start. So you know, I've always joked if 245 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:15,280 Speaker 1: you've if you've connected through Pittsburgh, or you worked at Promani's, 246 00:12:15,480 --> 00:12:18,800 Speaker 1: or you were born in Pittsburgh, you had any Pittsburgh connection, 247 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:21,240 Speaker 1: you had a chance to be hired by the Steelers 248 00:12:21,920 --> 00:12:24,760 Speaker 1: absolutely because it does Western Pennsylvania roots. They tend to 249 00:12:24,840 --> 00:12:27,280 Speaker 1: embrace and I get it. And that's why to me, 250 00:12:27,800 --> 00:12:30,800 Speaker 1: a guy like and Titel uh checks all the boxes. 251 00:12:31,520 --> 00:12:33,640 Speaker 1: It's interesting because I knew Andy all through high school 252 00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:36,199 Speaker 1: as a year younger than me. Brothers. Actually, one of 253 00:12:36,280 --> 00:12:41,120 Speaker 1: his brothers worked with us at ESPN, Andy go Villanova. Um, 254 00:12:41,440 --> 00:12:44,200 Speaker 1: you know one of your brothers worked with me at ESPN. 255 00:12:44,320 --> 00:12:48,679 Speaker 1: He was with Todd's staff and with the Scouts in group. 256 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:51,520 Speaker 1: And even like when I just started to get into 257 00:12:52,240 --> 00:12:56,040 Speaker 1: trying to do this professionally, applied twice for the Steeler 258 00:12:56,160 --> 00:12:59,360 Speaker 1: intern job and that's when Andy had that job. Yeah, 259 00:12:59,480 --> 00:13:02,720 Speaker 1: so that was um correlated. And then I've seen him 260 00:13:02,800 --> 00:13:04,400 Speaker 1: a bunch of these type of events Andy, how you 261 00:13:04,440 --> 00:13:06,600 Speaker 1: doing that kind of thing? Senior bowls? So now he's 262 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:08,320 Speaker 1: a good dude, and that would be make a lot 263 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:11,720 Speaker 1: of sense. Um. You know, I was when you're mentioning 264 00:13:11,920 --> 00:13:17,040 Speaker 1: guys with uh you know, Western Pa backgrounds. Um. I 265 00:13:17,240 --> 00:13:19,800 Speaker 1: was reminded last night when I was going over some stuff, 266 00:13:20,040 --> 00:13:23,600 Speaker 1: UM that that Luke Getzi was you know that's another one. 267 00:13:23,640 --> 00:13:25,640 Speaker 1: I was, Yeah, I know that's what you made me 268 00:13:25,720 --> 00:13:28,079 Speaker 1: think it hired as the coordinator for the Bears. For 269 00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:30,199 Speaker 1: the Bears, Yeah, and he had been Packers. What is 270 00:13:30,240 --> 00:13:32,720 Speaker 1: our quarterback coach? I believe was he was? And um 271 00:13:32,920 --> 00:13:36,839 Speaker 1: you know he yeah, and Valley exactly exactly. Luke's the best. Yeah. 272 00:13:36,920 --> 00:13:39,160 Speaker 1: I remember talking to Mike McCarthy about this years ago 273 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:41,520 Speaker 1: when he was in Green Bay and what it is, 274 00:13:41,679 --> 00:13:44,200 Speaker 1: because you know, we we could spend a whole hour 275 00:13:44,480 --> 00:13:47,880 Speaker 1: listing all the Western Pennsylvania coaches head coaches have gone 276 00:13:47,920 --> 00:13:50,679 Speaker 1: through the NFL, and from McCarthy saying it says, it 277 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:53,160 Speaker 1: just seems like the road to the NFL goes through 278 00:13:53,520 --> 00:13:57,680 Speaker 1: Western Pennsylvania when you talk about all the coaches. Yeah, 279 00:13:57,960 --> 00:13:59,839 Speaker 1: I was I gonna say about Louke real quick. When 280 00:13:59,880 --> 00:14:02,120 Speaker 1: I got the pit, he got the pit. He had 281 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:05,280 Speaker 1: just been recruited with Tyler Palco. They took two quarterbacks 282 00:14:05,360 --> 00:14:08,439 Speaker 1: that year, and you know, he lasted a pit for 283 00:14:08,480 --> 00:14:10,120 Speaker 1: a couple of years as I did. We were there 284 00:14:10,160 --> 00:14:12,400 Speaker 1: but three years together, and then when I took the 285 00:14:12,440 --> 00:14:15,520 Speaker 1: director of football offs job at Akron, we stole Luke 286 00:14:15,559 --> 00:14:18,959 Speaker 1: and made him our quarterback. He came with with j 287 00:14:19,080 --> 00:14:21,840 Speaker 1: D and I and followed Um Charlie Fry as our 288 00:14:21,920 --> 00:14:24,480 Speaker 1: quarterback at Acron. We pillaged them from from pit because 289 00:14:24,480 --> 00:14:26,000 Speaker 1: we love him so much. He didn't get a chance 290 00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:27,520 Speaker 1: to get on the field here. The same thing happened 291 00:14:27,560 --> 00:14:28,880 Speaker 1: to Joe Flacco when I was here a pit you 292 00:14:29,000 --> 00:14:30,760 Speaker 1: need to transfer to Delaware and that's the way it goes. 293 00:14:30,920 --> 00:14:34,680 Speaker 1: Yeah and yeah, yeah, probably a bad move on his 294 00:14:35,480 --> 00:14:37,840 Speaker 1: So so anyway we're talking, you know, I mentioned about 295 00:14:37,920 --> 00:14:39,800 Speaker 1: who you know, I want to ask Kevin who would 296 00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:43,640 Speaker 1: he say are his top five free agent acquisitions? And 297 00:14:43,720 --> 00:14:46,880 Speaker 1: I have to think that James Ferrier would be the 298 00:14:46,880 --> 00:14:49,120 Speaker 1: first thing that came to mind. Me to yeah, me too, 299 00:14:49,240 --> 00:14:53,280 Speaker 1: because of his performance on the field, and he was 300 00:14:53,400 --> 00:14:59,480 Speaker 1: there captain. Hey, they all listened to and followed James Ferrier. Yeah, 301 00:14:59,800 --> 00:15:02,720 Speaker 1: I wasn't, you know, getting a check from the team 302 00:15:02,760 --> 00:15:04,760 Speaker 1: at that point or doing ste the Nation radio. Of 303 00:15:04,840 --> 00:15:07,760 Speaker 1: course I was, you know, watching and very interested. But 304 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:10,200 Speaker 1: all you guys that were around also the exact same 305 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:11,720 Speaker 1: thing about him. You know that he was the hammer 306 00:15:11,800 --> 00:15:14,720 Speaker 1: in the locker room, like a Pouncy or Hayward nowadays, 307 00:15:14,920 --> 00:15:17,520 Speaker 1: you know, And he was the leader, but he wasn't homegrown, 308 00:15:17,720 --> 00:15:20,040 Speaker 1: you know. And they came in from the Jets. Yeah, 309 00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:22,040 Speaker 1: and not even it was an outside linebacker and they 310 00:15:22,080 --> 00:15:24,240 Speaker 1: made him an inside back right right, and not even 311 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:28,680 Speaker 1: knowing his personal stuff made that signing this guy was 312 00:15:28,760 --> 00:15:30,440 Speaker 1: what the fifth pick in the draft, the sixth pick 313 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:33,480 Speaker 1: in the draft. That scheme didn't quite work out for 314 00:15:33,600 --> 00:15:35,560 Speaker 1: him with the Jets, but it doesn't mean he's any 315 00:15:35,680 --> 00:15:37,560 Speaker 1: lesser of a player and you get him at a discount. 316 00:15:37,800 --> 00:15:39,600 Speaker 1: It kind of reminded me of the Bettest trade, Like 317 00:15:39,960 --> 00:15:42,560 Speaker 1: what's wrong with this guy? People always want to throw 318 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:44,520 Speaker 1: Jerome Bettis in there, but I said Jerome Bettis was 319 00:15:44,560 --> 00:15:47,720 Speaker 1: a trade. Was on a free agent action. So two 320 00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:51,880 Speaker 1: more Ryan Clark good one. Jeff Hardings which was basically 321 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:54,440 Speaker 1: his first because he came with him from Detroit, basically 322 00:15:54,520 --> 00:16:00,280 Speaker 1: came and that's exactly what they needed. Night said that 323 00:16:00,520 --> 00:16:02,360 Speaker 1: even going back to when they brought in Will Wolf 324 00:16:02,440 --> 00:16:05,560 Speaker 1: for years before that, Um, you know, you bring in 325 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:08,120 Speaker 1: a guy who was a proven quality starter that you 326 00:16:08,240 --> 00:16:10,760 Speaker 1: bring him in and you pencil him in. No disrespect 327 00:16:10,800 --> 00:16:12,920 Speaker 1: to Joe Hegg. Joe Hegg was what he was, a 328 00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:15,520 Speaker 1: personal guy. He's going to come off the bench. They 329 00:16:15,560 --> 00:16:17,240 Speaker 1: don't need that this year. They need to go out 330 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:20,280 Speaker 1: and spend some money in a big time. Uh, you know, 331 00:16:20,480 --> 00:16:23,680 Speaker 1: starter on that offensive line, ideally a center, depending on 332 00:16:23,760 --> 00:16:26,640 Speaker 1: what they're gonna do with Kendrick Green. Uh. You know, 333 00:16:26,720 --> 00:16:30,960 Speaker 1: it seems somewhat unanimous that he's probably better suited at guard. Um. 334 00:16:31,200 --> 00:16:33,200 Speaker 1: You know, I know Craig Wolfley thinks that he could 335 00:16:33,240 --> 00:16:36,240 Speaker 1: still be a good center. Uh. You know, I have 336 00:16:36,360 --> 00:16:38,560 Speaker 1: mixed feelings. I was kind of with Ben and was 337 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:41,280 Speaker 1: saying it before Ben even came out about that, and thought, 338 00:16:41,760 --> 00:16:44,240 Speaker 1: let something off. This young man's played. He played more 339 00:16:44,320 --> 00:16:47,760 Speaker 1: guard at Illinois than he did center, and and a 340 00:16:47,840 --> 00:16:49,960 Speaker 1: couple of people that are closer to the organization and 341 00:16:50,120 --> 00:16:52,600 Speaker 1: he kind of came back and said, that's nice, Matt, 342 00:16:52,680 --> 00:16:55,280 Speaker 1: but they think he's a center. Yeah, he do it, 343 00:16:56,160 --> 00:16:58,440 Speaker 1: ran well stuff. But there was a good draft pick 344 00:16:58,480 --> 00:17:01,320 Speaker 1: as well that was And a couple of people close 345 00:17:01,360 --> 00:17:03,720 Speaker 1: to the organization said, I don't think that's what's gonna happen, Mat. 346 00:17:03,760 --> 00:17:05,159 Speaker 1: I think they have faith that he's going to be 347 00:17:05,200 --> 00:17:07,840 Speaker 1: a center. And okay, I mean I can con see 348 00:17:07,920 --> 00:17:10,440 Speaker 1: that he's possibly can get a lot better in the 349 00:17:10,520 --> 00:17:12,320 Speaker 1: second year. And I guess he's working out with Penalty 350 00:17:12,359 --> 00:17:14,959 Speaker 1: as we speak. But I just kind of look at 351 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:20,000 Speaker 1: it like I need an adult in the room. Second contract, 352 00:17:20,560 --> 00:17:23,399 Speaker 1: twenty eight year old into your offensive lineman, either a 353 00:17:23,480 --> 00:17:26,240 Speaker 1: right guard or center in that offensive line. I think 354 00:17:26,240 --> 00:17:28,240 Speaker 1: it would go a long way better than trade Turner 355 00:17:28,359 --> 00:17:30,600 Speaker 1: and a little younger and you know, yeah, and and 356 00:17:31,040 --> 00:17:33,880 Speaker 1: you know it's not just that offensive lineman. Other rooms 357 00:17:33,920 --> 00:17:35,040 Speaker 1: that need debt. And I want to talk to you 358 00:17:35,080 --> 00:17:37,000 Speaker 1: about that as well. Where are the leaders going to 359 00:17:37,080 --> 00:17:40,440 Speaker 1: come from on this football team? Uh, you know, especially 360 00:17:41,440 --> 00:17:44,440 Speaker 1: especially on offense. So Ryan Clark would be one, here's 361 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:48,600 Speaker 1: another one. Chimofen would be another one. Absolutely, you know. 362 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:53,040 Speaker 1: I look at Tyson Alualu as Chimo von Hoffen. Yeah, 363 00:17:53,119 --> 00:17:56,480 Speaker 1: modern day version doesn't look like camp inter Steed, but 364 00:17:56,560 --> 00:17:58,399 Speaker 1: can play the knows and it is lore of a 365 00:17:58,480 --> 00:18:00,879 Speaker 1: modern day knows because he can get field a little bit. 366 00:18:01,400 --> 00:18:05,080 Speaker 1: But it's also very talented. You know, you got more 367 00:18:05,160 --> 00:18:07,560 Speaker 1: out of him than his former team did. Could play 368 00:18:07,680 --> 00:18:09,400 Speaker 1: end for you in a pinch in the three four, 369 00:18:09,720 --> 00:18:12,119 Speaker 1: really valuable. Yeah, I was thinking of Lulu as you 370 00:18:12,160 --> 00:18:14,440 Speaker 1: mentioned Chemo as well. You know, Steve has lost Chris 371 00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:17,200 Speaker 1: Hope and uh, that's when they brought in Ryan Clark. 372 00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:19,760 Speaker 1: Ryan Clark had a tough job and he'd tell he 373 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:23,360 Speaker 1: might say this publicly privately, and it was no condemnation 374 00:18:23,440 --> 00:18:26,159 Speaker 1: of Troy Polamalo. But when you have a guy who 375 00:18:26,280 --> 00:18:29,480 Speaker 1: could quote freelance and did freelance the way he did 376 00:18:29,640 --> 00:18:33,280 Speaker 1: something to the Steelers chagrin um, Bryan Clark had to 377 00:18:33,359 --> 00:18:36,760 Speaker 1: be the one to quote cover for Troy Polamalo and 378 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:39,719 Speaker 1: and know how and when to do it. And sometimes 379 00:18:39,800 --> 00:18:42,080 Speaker 1: it looked like Ryan Clark was a culprit, when in 380 00:18:42,200 --> 00:18:46,400 Speaker 1: fact he wasn't. He wasn't. So yeah, and so Ryan 381 00:18:46,480 --> 00:18:48,720 Speaker 1: Clark was another one that I would I would have 382 00:18:48,760 --> 00:18:52,159 Speaker 1: met Kevin Colbert would put on his list, but it 383 00:18:52,200 --> 00:18:53,880 Speaker 1: was I'm gonna I'm gonna see if he he wants 384 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:56,920 Speaker 1: to bite on that one. And it's what a little 385 00:18:56,960 --> 00:18:59,240 Speaker 1: trend I've noticed with the names you mentioned, and I 386 00:18:59,359 --> 00:19:02,000 Speaker 1: bet it apply as to who they signed here. Blue 387 00:19:02,080 --> 00:19:05,200 Speaker 1: guys you know, and leaders, Blue guys that have been 388 00:19:05,240 --> 00:19:07,880 Speaker 1: around that make up for others mistakes and can fill 389 00:19:07,920 --> 00:19:10,000 Speaker 1: in gaps and do a lot of things. I bet 390 00:19:10,040 --> 00:19:11,600 Speaker 1: they're looking for that a couple of spots. Yeah, I 391 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:13,600 Speaker 1: want to talk about leaders when we come back Hren's 392 00:19:13,600 --> 00:19:16,400 Speaker 1: football team, because they are diminishing little by little year 393 00:19:16,440 --> 00:19:19,440 Speaker 1: by year, and I think it's something that they need 394 00:19:19,520 --> 00:19:24,160 Speaker 1: to pay attention to. Heading into two, we're gonna take 395 00:19:24,200 --> 00:19:27,399 Speaker 1: a break. Jerry doo LAC and Matt Williamson. We are 396 00:19:27,440 --> 00:19:30,880 Speaker 1: at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Matt and I will 397 00:19:30,920 --> 00:19:33,400 Speaker 1: be with you until noon, so two hours or early 398 00:19:33,480 --> 00:19:36,720 Speaker 1: morning coverage here on Steeler Nation Radio or Carbine Bridge 399 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:40,159 Speaker 1: is presented by First National Bank. Let's get started, member 400 00:19:40,359 --> 00:19:42,480 Speaker 1: f D I C will be back right after this 401 00:19:51,080 --> 00:19:56,840 Speaker 1: live from Indianapolis. This is continuing coverage NFL Combine on 402 00:19:57,000 --> 00:20:04,639 Speaker 1: Steelers Nation Radio. About Moldy Moore, Role Blair, right, yeah, absolutely, 403 00:20:04,800 --> 00:20:07,040 Speaker 1: you know my might. I'm sure there's a lot of 404 00:20:07,040 --> 00:20:09,320 Speaker 1: good names on that list. Yeah, might work its way 405 00:20:09,359 --> 00:20:12,679 Speaker 1: onto that list. We're back at the Indianapolis, the NFL 406 00:20:12,760 --> 00:20:18,160 Speaker 1: Combine in Indie, where we're broadcasting from the Indianapolis Convention Center, 407 00:20:18,920 --> 00:20:22,840 Speaker 1: the NFL Combine. The drills get underway tomorrow across the 408 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:25,720 Speaker 1: eighth the tunnel one across the street at Lucas Oil. 409 00:20:25,880 --> 00:20:28,879 Speaker 1: Trying to remember how many years we've been uh situated 410 00:20:28,920 --> 00:20:32,920 Speaker 1: over here now, uh convention center as opposed to one 411 00:20:33,119 --> 00:20:36,679 Speaker 1: from the hallway and be the media room was right 412 00:20:36,760 --> 00:20:39,639 Speaker 1: in Lucas Oil Stadium since I've been coming with SNR, 413 00:20:39,680 --> 00:20:43,800 Speaker 1: we've been here, so I'm not sure that's what I 414 00:20:43,840 --> 00:20:46,760 Speaker 1: would have passed, you know, Matt went and I probably 415 00:20:46,840 --> 00:20:49,520 Speaker 1: mentioned this every year. When I first came here, I 416 00:20:49,640 --> 00:20:52,440 Speaker 1: want to say, there were two radio stations in the 417 00:20:52,560 --> 00:20:56,200 Speaker 1: hallway outside the medium I think Serious was one and 418 00:20:56,320 --> 00:20:59,000 Speaker 1: some other NFL net were not network, but some other 419 00:20:59,119 --> 00:21:03,119 Speaker 1: else type of station, and then it and then what started. 420 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:06,520 Speaker 1: I bet we were probably one of maybe six of 421 00:21:06,640 --> 00:21:10,440 Speaker 1: the teams, yeah, yeah, or eight or mainly just the stations. Now, 422 00:21:10,560 --> 00:21:13,479 Speaker 1: of course the radio row is not just the radio stations, 423 00:21:13,520 --> 00:21:15,080 Speaker 1: but their teams have their set up, but you know, 424 00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:18,359 Speaker 1: similar to kind of what we have here. Um and uh, 425 00:21:18,440 --> 00:21:21,399 Speaker 1: it's just grown into what every team or every NFL 426 00:21:21,480 --> 00:21:23,960 Speaker 1: city has represented here. And it's just amazing for the 427 00:21:24,080 --> 00:21:26,680 Speaker 1: NFL combine, and of course the combine is so popular, 428 00:21:27,280 --> 00:21:31,119 Speaker 1: uh for two for viewing purposes to is the NFL Network. 429 00:21:31,160 --> 00:21:34,399 Speaker 1: It's their most watched broadcast all year, which just blows 430 00:21:34,480 --> 00:21:36,440 Speaker 1: my mind. It's amazing. I thought I was one of 431 00:21:36,480 --> 00:21:38,720 Speaker 1: the only geeks that was watching all these years, you 432 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:40,560 Speaker 1: know that was into the drills and all that and 433 00:21:40,680 --> 00:21:43,119 Speaker 1: it's growing like crazy, which is wonderful for the sport. 434 00:21:43,600 --> 00:21:45,320 Speaker 1: I even went on the you know, looked on their 435 00:21:45,359 --> 00:21:47,439 Speaker 1: guide to look their coverage is even gonna be more 436 00:21:47,520 --> 00:21:49,880 Speaker 1: extensive this year than ever, you know. I mean, that's 437 00:21:49,960 --> 00:21:51,240 Speaker 1: a lot of stuff for me to catch up on 438 00:21:51,400 --> 00:21:52,879 Speaker 1: when I get home. And you know, and you know what, 439 00:21:52,960 --> 00:21:55,520 Speaker 1: I think that is fantasy football. I think it's a 440 00:21:55,520 --> 00:21:58,200 Speaker 1: lot to do with it. Absolutely, without question. Everybody there 441 00:21:58,520 --> 00:22:01,440 Speaker 1: During the season, they all think their offensive coordinators and 442 00:22:01,520 --> 00:22:03,960 Speaker 1: out of season they'll think they're g ms. Yeah, you know, 443 00:22:04,359 --> 00:22:05,760 Speaker 1: today I want to get an early look at who 444 00:22:05,800 --> 00:22:10,160 Speaker 1: they like. This one receiver exactly. I like this guy 445 00:22:10,280 --> 00:22:13,800 Speaker 1: the way he ran drills. Yep. I do think in 446 00:22:13,880 --> 00:22:17,320 Speaker 1: general fandom it's about the name on the back of 447 00:22:17,359 --> 00:22:19,600 Speaker 1: the jersey, then the front of the jersey at times. Nowadays. 448 00:22:19,680 --> 00:22:22,120 Speaker 1: You know, my young son loves the Steelers, but there's 449 00:22:22,160 --> 00:22:24,440 Speaker 1: players he just grew up watching more than I did. 450 00:22:24,520 --> 00:22:26,680 Speaker 1: You know, absolutely, my call the great fit of poulto 451 00:22:26,800 --> 00:22:30,680 Speaker 1: his son is, uh, you know, the big Justin wants 452 00:22:30,760 --> 00:22:33,880 Speaker 1: his jersey. You know. Um, it's and you're right, it's 453 00:22:33,960 --> 00:22:35,920 Speaker 1: it's who the player is, not the team they're playing for. 454 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:37,960 Speaker 1: They follow on Instagram and stuff like that, and they 455 00:22:38,240 --> 00:22:40,159 Speaker 1: know a little bit more about the personality, and you know, 456 00:22:40,440 --> 00:22:45,440 Speaker 1: so there there's discussion about moving to Combine next year. 457 00:22:46,520 --> 00:22:48,680 Speaker 1: I'm the same way. India, of course, is one. This 458 00:22:48,960 --> 00:22:51,000 Speaker 1: is another in Los Angeles, the home of the NFL 459 00:22:51,080 --> 00:22:55,920 Speaker 1: network is a third. And um, First of all, I 460 00:22:56,080 --> 00:22:59,320 Speaker 1: think the location geographically for team you know, you're in 461 00:22:59,400 --> 00:23:01,919 Speaker 1: the middle, you know if you're if you're looking from 462 00:23:01,960 --> 00:23:05,440 Speaker 1: that standpoint, it's certainly easy or easier access for the 463 00:23:05,560 --> 00:23:08,480 Speaker 1: vast majority of the league. I think eighteen teams can drive. 464 00:23:08,920 --> 00:23:12,200 Speaker 1: And second of all, there is no better city for 465 00:23:12,480 --> 00:23:15,000 Speaker 1: a Super Bowl, a Final Four, or anything like the 466 00:23:15,119 --> 00:23:17,959 Speaker 1: NFL Combine. They have the Big ten championship here because 467 00:23:18,080 --> 00:23:21,680 Speaker 1: of the uh the infrastructure here, so many hotels, the 468 00:23:21,760 --> 00:23:25,640 Speaker 1: grid here, you can stay here, walk here, everything is downtown. 469 00:23:25,760 --> 00:23:28,080 Speaker 1: It is the best location I have seen for Super 470 00:23:28,119 --> 00:23:30,120 Speaker 1: Bowl or Final Four, and I've been to too many 471 00:23:30,240 --> 00:23:33,200 Speaker 1: of both and without with bar none because everything is 472 00:23:33,440 --> 00:23:36,000 Speaker 1: right here for the fans and everybody. I've been to 473 00:23:36,160 --> 00:23:39,959 Speaker 1: very few of those events. And but I can't agree more. 474 00:23:40,080 --> 00:23:42,560 Speaker 1: I mean, everything is flat. When the weather is bad, 475 00:23:42,640 --> 00:23:44,960 Speaker 1: you don't have to go outside, you know, West and 476 00:23:45,040 --> 00:23:47,119 Speaker 1: Dale and I drive here. It takes a little unders 477 00:23:47,160 --> 00:23:49,960 Speaker 1: hours including a stop, and there's you know, cities that 478 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:52,159 Speaker 1: are even closer with NFL teams and a lot that 479 00:23:52,200 --> 00:23:54,880 Speaker 1: are in the same area. We we parked the jeep 480 00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:57,120 Speaker 1: and we never moved again until we head back to Pittsburgh. 481 00:23:57,200 --> 00:23:59,720 Speaker 1: You know, we walk everywhere for a week. It's great. Yeah, 482 00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:02,960 Speaker 1: I would I would move. Um. I think they would 483 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:07,119 Speaker 1: be doing themselves a media disservice as well if they 484 00:24:07,160 --> 00:24:11,920 Speaker 1: would go l A, because fewer places would travel, fewer teams, 485 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:16,680 Speaker 1: fewer stations, fewer media people whether online or newspapers or whomever, 486 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:20,080 Speaker 1: would travel to l A, especially when people are watching budgets, 487 00:24:20,160 --> 00:24:22,639 Speaker 1: because with so many teams, you're able to drive here. 488 00:24:22,680 --> 00:24:26,920 Speaker 1: It's it's obviously it's it's cheaper and more cost affordable. 489 00:24:27,359 --> 00:24:28,760 Speaker 1: And they go to l A, it's gonna be a 490 00:24:28,760 --> 00:24:31,000 Speaker 1: whole another ball game, and probably even Dallas, but especially 491 00:24:31,119 --> 00:24:33,200 Speaker 1: l A. Yeah, l A just getting around so difficult. 492 00:24:33,240 --> 00:24:35,040 Speaker 1: I mean, if we take an hour bus ride to 493 00:24:35,080 --> 00:24:36,920 Speaker 1: come to a two hour show, is that worth it 494 00:24:37,000 --> 00:24:40,280 Speaker 1: for everybody? And all that type of thing. And I 495 00:24:40,600 --> 00:24:43,160 Speaker 1: sympathize with the players. I mean they're here three days 496 00:24:43,520 --> 00:24:46,800 Speaker 1: and they are herded like cattle and poked and prodded 497 00:24:46,840 --> 00:24:50,679 Speaker 1: and get very little sleep and analyzed to the nth degree. 498 00:24:51,320 --> 00:24:52,879 Speaker 1: And I have to think, and I don't know the 499 00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:55,520 Speaker 1: distics of it, but if it were somewhere else, do 500 00:24:55,600 --> 00:24:57,280 Speaker 1: they have to get up an hour early to bust 501 00:24:57,359 --> 00:24:59,800 Speaker 1: to the you know, the medical centers and they as 502 00:24:59,840 --> 00:25:02,240 Speaker 1: a whip to handle it. And then they run the 503 00:25:02,320 --> 00:25:04,800 Speaker 1: forty at point five of a tenth of a second 504 00:25:04,880 --> 00:25:07,400 Speaker 1: slower and we russure them and they lose two rounds 505 00:25:07,400 --> 00:25:09,320 Speaker 1: in the draft. It's crazy to me in some regards, 506 00:25:09,400 --> 00:25:11,760 Speaker 1: you know, Yeah, yeah, I I agree, And uh, you know, 507 00:25:11,840 --> 00:25:14,159 Speaker 1: the step after this, after the combine, is probably the 508 00:25:14,200 --> 00:25:16,480 Speaker 1: more essential step. I mean, they get to obviously, they 509 00:25:16,520 --> 00:25:18,359 Speaker 1: get to see drills. One of my one of my 510 00:25:18,520 --> 00:25:20,720 Speaker 1: kind of the things I kind of sneaker at, it's 511 00:25:20,720 --> 00:25:22,919 Speaker 1: almost like a pet peeve of mine, is when they 512 00:25:22,960 --> 00:25:25,560 Speaker 1: see is when the quarterback's throw and he made every throw. No, 513 00:25:25,680 --> 00:25:28,200 Speaker 1: I know, they want to gates their arch arm strength. Yeah, 514 00:25:28,240 --> 00:25:30,800 Speaker 1: but they make every throw with nobody coming at them 515 00:25:31,080 --> 00:25:33,879 Speaker 1: right right, right, you know, no whether conditions right, you know, 516 00:25:34,040 --> 00:25:36,800 Speaker 1: the the prockets not collapsing. They go, wow, he can 517 00:25:36,840 --> 00:25:40,000 Speaker 1: make all these throws. Yeah, I equated to uh, the 518 00:25:40,280 --> 00:25:42,520 Speaker 1: guys on the PGA tour on the practice range. You know, 519 00:25:42,640 --> 00:25:45,600 Speaker 1: I watched his warm up, you know, he looked really good. Yeah, 520 00:25:45,680 --> 00:25:47,600 Speaker 1: And they take it out there when the pressure is 521 00:25:47,640 --> 00:25:50,920 Speaker 1: on camera right and trees are surrounding the Horner's water 522 00:25:51,040 --> 00:25:53,040 Speaker 1: to the left and bunkers to the right. So and 523 00:25:53,080 --> 00:25:54,520 Speaker 1: what what are you gonna do? And it's the same 524 00:25:54,560 --> 00:25:57,639 Speaker 1: type of thing. And most of these guys, Matt, I 525 00:25:57,720 --> 00:26:01,480 Speaker 1: would think, over the years have learned that the combine 526 00:26:01,640 --> 00:26:05,840 Speaker 1: is supplemental information and it better and it's not the 527 00:26:05,960 --> 00:26:08,479 Speaker 1: majority of your information. I mean, Stevens have always been 528 00:26:08,520 --> 00:26:12,920 Speaker 1: the tape they see in the fall is what they're 529 00:26:12,920 --> 00:26:15,480 Speaker 1: looking at. And they use these other sessions, especially the 530 00:26:15,560 --> 00:26:17,960 Speaker 1: interview sessions, and when they go to the pro days, 531 00:26:18,240 --> 00:26:21,440 Speaker 1: they're just supplementing and trying confirming what they think they know. 532 00:26:21,800 --> 00:26:23,959 Speaker 1: And then they have to meet the people. I mean, 533 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:26,680 Speaker 1: that's what they're after. I mean, people forget the number 534 00:26:26,760 --> 00:26:29,280 Speaker 1: one goal of this event is medical. That's what it 535 00:26:29,320 --> 00:26:32,920 Speaker 1: started as. Get everybody here, get all the doctors on them. 536 00:26:32,960 --> 00:26:36,159 Speaker 1: That's still to me the number one important thing because uh, 537 00:26:36,240 --> 00:26:38,240 Speaker 1: the Steelers and a lot of these teams should have 538 00:26:38,359 --> 00:26:41,840 Speaker 1: their boards pretty well set, a strong rough draft of 539 00:26:41,920 --> 00:26:44,800 Speaker 1: your board. But if your doctor says that kne's not 540 00:26:44,840 --> 00:26:46,800 Speaker 1: gonna hold up, I mean there's a lot of negatives 541 00:26:46,840 --> 00:26:49,160 Speaker 1: that happened to that board this week because of medicals. 542 00:26:49,160 --> 00:26:52,239 Speaker 1: So the Steelers passed on Eddie Lacey right, exactly right, 543 00:26:52,240 --> 00:26:56,359 Speaker 1: and he didn't and he knew would never last. He 544 00:26:56,480 --> 00:26:58,120 Speaker 1: might be okay for a year or two, but they said, 545 00:26:58,119 --> 00:27:00,720 Speaker 1: in no way he's gonna last. Yeah. Um, I do 546 00:27:00,840 --> 00:27:03,199 Speaker 1: think the interviews are very important. But I've also been 547 00:27:03,240 --> 00:27:04,920 Speaker 1: a part of those. Like I sat him when I 548 00:27:04,960 --> 00:27:06,720 Speaker 1: was with the Browns. I sat in tour of them, 549 00:27:07,280 --> 00:27:10,080 Speaker 1: and it was fifteen minutes. The young man would walk in. 550 00:27:10,200 --> 00:27:12,160 Speaker 1: There was ten or twelve of us in this little room, 551 00:27:12,359 --> 00:27:15,000 Speaker 1: ten or twelve different teams. Correct, well they're ten or 552 00:27:15,040 --> 00:27:19,480 Speaker 1: twelve bodies, you know, Browns people. And he would walk 553 00:27:19,520 --> 00:27:21,440 Speaker 1: in and shake all our hands and would smile and 554 00:27:21,520 --> 00:27:23,840 Speaker 1: make a joke or whatever, and then they'd sit down 555 00:27:23,840 --> 00:27:26,240 Speaker 1: and start talking football with them and questioning things, and 556 00:27:26,280 --> 00:27:28,160 Speaker 1: then the horn to blow. I mean like it wasn't 557 00:27:28,240 --> 00:27:30,480 Speaker 1: quite long enough to he could fudge his way through it. 558 00:27:30,520 --> 00:27:32,359 Speaker 1: As my point, you know, he's getting the same questions 559 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:34,200 Speaker 1: every time. That's the other thing. Those guys are prepped 560 00:27:34,240 --> 00:27:35,520 Speaker 1: on hot That's what they would do in the last 561 00:27:35,560 --> 00:27:38,240 Speaker 1: two months. Right, you got in trouble back in high school. 562 00:27:38,240 --> 00:27:40,879 Speaker 1: You're gonna get asked about that thirty two times, Right, 563 00:27:41,359 --> 00:27:43,680 Speaker 1: how do you answer it? Um? I'm a fan of 564 00:27:43,760 --> 00:27:46,040 Speaker 1: the drill. I mean, I'm a I'm a scout at heart. 565 00:27:46,520 --> 00:27:48,359 Speaker 1: But I really think if you could get away with 566 00:27:48,520 --> 00:27:50,760 Speaker 1: just looking at all the drills and say who were 567 00:27:50,800 --> 00:27:53,240 Speaker 1: the top fifteen percent, who were the bottom fifteen percent, 568 00:27:53,480 --> 00:27:55,480 Speaker 1: and you know, use your judgments that way, and you'd 569 00:27:55,480 --> 00:27:57,800 Speaker 1: probably be fine. Yeah. And I'm and and I'm not 570 00:27:58,480 --> 00:28:03,240 Speaker 1: suggesting that guys can't improve or even hurt their draft 571 00:28:03,280 --> 00:28:07,560 Speaker 1: stock with a bad time or something. Um Um, I 572 00:28:07,600 --> 00:28:11,440 Speaker 1: don't know that it's ever drastically. The medical and and 573 00:28:11,600 --> 00:28:13,680 Speaker 1: maybe their history or things they find out in the 574 00:28:13,760 --> 00:28:18,240 Speaker 1: interviews would probably be more damaging, uh than than anything 575 00:28:18,359 --> 00:28:20,280 Speaker 1: that might happen at the combat. For the most part, 576 00:28:20,760 --> 00:28:22,600 Speaker 1: I always feel for the players. There's always like one 577 00:28:22,680 --> 00:28:25,320 Speaker 1: or two a year. I forget, the defensive tackle comeing 578 00:28:25,320 --> 00:28:26,920 Speaker 1: out of Michigan was a couple of years ago, but 579 00:28:27,520 --> 00:28:30,440 Speaker 1: I didn't have any ailments you know, and didn't time 580 00:28:30,600 --> 00:28:32,840 Speaker 1: in college, didn't have a bad knee, but then they 581 00:28:32,920 --> 00:28:34,760 Speaker 1: found a heart problem with them or something he never 582 00:28:34,800 --> 00:28:36,600 Speaker 1: even knew he had his whole life or didn't hinz 583 00:28:36,680 --> 00:28:38,520 Speaker 1: wouldn't have an a c L. And so I forget 584 00:28:38,560 --> 00:28:40,440 Speaker 1: what his story was or whatever that was. I can't 585 00:28:40,480 --> 00:28:43,200 Speaker 1: remember coming out, but uh, yeah, like they find things 586 00:28:43,240 --> 00:28:44,920 Speaker 1: you didn't even know wrong with he didn't have an 587 00:28:44,960 --> 00:28:47,719 Speaker 1: a c L. I think it was right right, right, 588 00:28:48,480 --> 00:28:50,840 Speaker 1: you know. So a couple of those things that aren't 589 00:28:50,840 --> 00:28:52,800 Speaker 1: you're not even looking for they find. I always feel 590 00:28:52,800 --> 00:28:55,760 Speaker 1: bad for those guys. I do think. I mean to 591 00:28:55,880 --> 00:28:58,200 Speaker 1: get conkey about it. I think there's some drills that 592 00:28:58,240 --> 00:29:01,320 Speaker 1: are really important for some position, but I don't need 593 00:29:01,400 --> 00:29:04,600 Speaker 1: to see offensive lineman running forty yards or you know 594 00:29:04,640 --> 00:29:06,080 Speaker 1: what I mean. I'm not gonna change my tune on 595 00:29:06,120 --> 00:29:07,840 Speaker 1: that kind of stuff that much. One of the coach 596 00:29:08,360 --> 00:29:10,080 Speaker 1: m VS Day, I don't know was Jason Licktor who 597 00:29:10,120 --> 00:29:12,800 Speaker 1: it was from Tampa Bay or somebody. They were talking 598 00:29:12,920 --> 00:29:15,720 Speaker 1: Maybe it wasn't McCarthy either, but one of them was saying, 599 00:29:16,160 --> 00:29:20,520 Speaker 1: when when they talked to their scouts and their assistant coaches, 600 00:29:21,080 --> 00:29:23,760 Speaker 1: they're not worried about their forty times as much as 601 00:29:23,840 --> 00:29:27,120 Speaker 1: they say how fast does he look on fit? How 602 00:29:27,400 --> 00:29:30,080 Speaker 1: fast does he play in a game? Right? And and 603 00:29:30,360 --> 00:29:32,600 Speaker 1: you know the forty time too, it's just like it's 604 00:29:32,600 --> 00:29:35,440 Speaker 1: just like Olympic sprinters, you know, to run this forty 605 00:29:35,440 --> 00:29:37,520 Speaker 1: time fasters, but how are they going to be you know, 606 00:29:37,640 --> 00:29:40,080 Speaker 1: on the field or in pads or just how fast 607 00:29:40,120 --> 00:29:43,040 Speaker 1: do they play on the field, whether instinctively or naturally? 608 00:29:43,600 --> 00:29:46,160 Speaker 1: And um, you know, sure the forty time is nice, 609 00:29:46,200 --> 00:29:49,720 Speaker 1: but he's more concerned with how fast they look on film. Yeah, 610 00:29:49,920 --> 00:29:51,480 Speaker 1: A couple of notes on that is, First of all, 611 00:29:52,040 --> 00:29:53,400 Speaker 1: what do you think these players have been doing for 612 00:29:53,440 --> 00:29:55,320 Speaker 1: the last couple of months. They're working on their tracks. 613 00:29:55,880 --> 00:29:58,640 Speaker 1: That doesn't make you better, fools, know, it's all about 614 00:29:58,680 --> 00:30:02,040 Speaker 1: your start and no one's chasing you. The conditions and 615 00:30:02,160 --> 00:30:04,720 Speaker 1: track are not you know, were sloppy or you're not 616 00:30:04,760 --> 00:30:06,920 Speaker 1: wearing football cleats and you certainly don't have pads or 617 00:30:06,920 --> 00:30:09,200 Speaker 1: a ball in your hand or getting chased by eleven 618 00:30:09,240 --> 00:30:11,720 Speaker 1: men trying to destroy you. And and then the other 619 00:30:11,800 --> 00:30:15,040 Speaker 1: thing too, I think it is important is if I 620 00:30:15,160 --> 00:30:19,080 Speaker 1: have braid on this player as I'm questioning his speed 621 00:30:19,440 --> 00:30:21,760 Speaker 1: or boy, I think he's really fast, and the forty 622 00:30:21,840 --> 00:30:24,360 Speaker 1: time tells me different. I'm gonna go back and say 623 00:30:24,440 --> 00:30:26,640 Speaker 1: maybe I had to pay, you know right, you know right? 624 00:30:26,880 --> 00:30:29,320 Speaker 1: You know, Jerry Dulack and Matt Williamson were at the 625 00:30:29,440 --> 00:30:33,840 Speaker 1: NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Or combined coverage is presented a 626 00:30:33,960 --> 00:30:37,320 Speaker 1: first National Bank. Let's get started. Remember F D I C. 627 00:30:37,560 --> 00:30:39,280 Speaker 1: We'll take a break. We're coming back with a whole 628 00:30:39,320 --> 00:30:41,560 Speaker 1: lot more. Matt and I are with you until noon. 629 00:30:41,640 --> 00:30:51,400 Speaker 1: You're listening to ESPN Pittsburgh in the Nation Radio live 630 00:30:51,480 --> 00:30:56,840 Speaker 1: from Indianapolis. This is continuing coverage of the NFL Combine 631 00:30:57,040 --> 00:31:02,360 Speaker 1: on Steelers Nation Radio. Yeah, Carbine coverage is presented by 632 00:31:02,360 --> 00:31:05,480 Speaker 1: the National Bank. Let's get started. Remember F D I 633 00:31:05,680 --> 00:31:08,880 Speaker 1: C H. Matt. We were almost sat Dale, Matt. We 634 00:31:09,000 --> 00:31:13,960 Speaker 1: were talking earlier about um leadership and you mentioned that 635 00:31:14,080 --> 00:31:17,200 Speaker 1: about the offensive line, and I think that is something 636 00:31:17,680 --> 00:31:20,200 Speaker 1: that this team needs to be fully aware of. You know, 637 00:31:20,280 --> 00:31:22,800 Speaker 1: you look over the last couple of years. Ramon Foster 638 00:31:22,960 --> 00:31:26,880 Speaker 1: leaves last year, no Pouncy, no Dicastro, and I'll even 639 00:31:26,960 --> 00:31:32,560 Speaker 1: throw alvillanois now Ben's gone. There are no leaders on 640 00:31:32,640 --> 00:31:37,200 Speaker 1: that offense. There is nobody that um. Uh, that is 641 00:31:37,320 --> 00:31:44,800 Speaker 1: somebody who they would rally around, listen to follow, take charge, uh, 642 00:31:45,200 --> 00:31:49,040 Speaker 1: someone accountable. Um. And it's one of the reasons why 643 00:31:49,360 --> 00:31:52,120 Speaker 1: I think that. And I've changed my tune about you 644 00:31:52,280 --> 00:31:55,560 Speaker 1: do based on different things I've heard a bottom and 645 00:31:55,760 --> 00:31:58,120 Speaker 1: and what he did last year by coming back at 646 00:31:58,160 --> 00:31:59,800 Speaker 1: the end of the year to play in the postseason 647 00:32:00,320 --> 00:32:02,360 Speaker 1: when he really had no business doing it. He was 648 00:32:02,440 --> 00:32:04,600 Speaker 1: cleared to play, but a lot of guys, a lot 649 00:32:04,680 --> 00:32:07,520 Speaker 1: of agents told him, how you're gonna be a free agent, 650 00:32:07,600 --> 00:32:11,720 Speaker 1: don't risk farther injury. And I think uh impressed the 651 00:32:11,760 --> 00:32:13,920 Speaker 1: stealers with that. He showed them a lot by doing that. 652 00:32:14,240 --> 00:32:16,840 Speaker 1: And I was told, Juju is all about he loves 653 00:32:16,920 --> 00:32:20,000 Speaker 1: to play, he's committed to play, and he wants to play. 654 00:32:20,520 --> 00:32:23,640 Speaker 1: And and yeah he's a little goof, he's a little silly, 655 00:32:24,640 --> 00:32:28,360 Speaker 1: but you know it's he is the one guy, um 656 00:32:28,480 --> 00:32:31,680 Speaker 1: that I think because you know, he's probably the most 657 00:32:31,840 --> 00:32:34,840 Speaker 1: vested you know, and I know Mason Rudolf. No, it's 658 00:32:34,840 --> 00:32:38,280 Speaker 1: been there just too long, right, because it's so regardless 659 00:32:38,280 --> 00:32:42,240 Speaker 1: of Juju came with Connor and yeah, so that's why 660 00:32:42,320 --> 00:32:44,720 Speaker 1: I think they need to resign him, because otherwise you're 661 00:32:44,760 --> 00:32:48,160 Speaker 1: turning that wide receiver room over to Deante Johnson. And 662 00:32:48,600 --> 00:32:51,040 Speaker 1: you know, and that's not the most advisable thing. So 663 00:32:51,080 --> 00:32:53,720 Speaker 1: you look at the offensive line, same deal. There's nobody 664 00:32:53,760 --> 00:32:57,400 Speaker 1: there not not to say, may maybe somebody could evolve 665 00:32:57,600 --> 00:33:01,000 Speaker 1: into that. I'm sure some leaders will step up. Its right, 666 00:33:01,120 --> 00:33:04,040 Speaker 1: but you don't have any on offense. And and I 667 00:33:04,200 --> 00:33:07,880 Speaker 1: think it's important to sign Juju for that reason. He's 668 00:33:07,920 --> 00:33:10,600 Speaker 1: a guy. Yeah, he is a guy who they will 669 00:33:10,680 --> 00:33:13,680 Speaker 1: listen to. He is a guy who has the ability 670 00:33:13,760 --> 00:33:16,320 Speaker 1: to have them kind of quote follow him, set the tone. 671 00:33:16,600 --> 00:33:19,160 Speaker 1: He's a tough guy. Obviously what he did last year 672 00:33:19,360 --> 00:33:21,360 Speaker 1: coming in, as I said, when he really had no 673 00:33:21,480 --> 00:33:24,960 Speaker 1: business coming back and playing, um, those are examples that 674 00:33:25,080 --> 00:33:28,880 Speaker 1: players look at, and those are examples that that you know, 675 00:33:29,080 --> 00:33:33,360 Speaker 1: there's tend to follow and and and he sets a 676 00:33:33,520 --> 00:33:36,560 Speaker 1: trend by doing that. And I think for that reason 677 00:33:37,000 --> 00:33:39,600 Speaker 1: it is important to bring him back. Also because I 678 00:33:39,800 --> 00:33:41,920 Speaker 1: just don't think his market value is gonna behind in 679 00:33:41,960 --> 00:33:44,480 Speaker 1: free agency. It wasn't last year. I know it was 680 00:33:44,520 --> 00:33:47,280 Speaker 1: a flattened cap, but I don't see him of a 681 00:33:47,320 --> 00:33:50,640 Speaker 1: sudden getting number one money. He's just not No. I 682 00:33:50,720 --> 00:33:52,640 Speaker 1: mean a couple of notes on that is you mentioned 683 00:33:52,680 --> 00:33:55,040 Speaker 1: the guys that left. I think one you didn't mention. 684 00:33:55,160 --> 00:33:57,480 Speaker 1: I think it's sort of interesting as Hayward Bay because 685 00:33:57,600 --> 00:33:59,959 Speaker 1: even in the A B years in Juju rookie year 686 00:34:00,120 --> 00:34:01,840 Speaker 1: was I know, Hayward Bay's not making a play for 687 00:34:01,920 --> 00:34:03,120 Speaker 1: you on third and eight or winning you in the 688 00:34:03,160 --> 00:34:05,640 Speaker 1: Super Bowl, But I bet he was a calming influence 689 00:34:05,680 --> 00:34:07,840 Speaker 1: in that wide receiver room. And you know, hey, I 690 00:34:07,960 --> 00:34:09,239 Speaker 1: was a super high pick and I had to go 691 00:34:09,320 --> 00:34:12,000 Speaker 1: play special teams and you know it's a humbling game. 692 00:34:12,480 --> 00:34:14,480 Speaker 1: And you're right about Juju. I thought about him more 693 00:34:15,160 --> 00:34:17,120 Speaker 1: on the and I think he probably gets a bum 694 00:34:17,280 --> 00:34:19,680 Speaker 1: rap because what's the twenty two or something, and they 695 00:34:19,719 --> 00:34:22,160 Speaker 1: think he's he's all of twenty four. Now, what's his 696 00:34:22,200 --> 00:34:24,040 Speaker 1: four years in his fourth year worth year and he 697 00:34:24,080 --> 00:34:25,680 Speaker 1: came as a nineteen year old or whatever. Yeah, he 698 00:34:25,719 --> 00:34:27,040 Speaker 1: was the youngest player in the league when he came in. 699 00:34:28,000 --> 00:34:30,360 Speaker 1: That's what I mean. Just because he likes TikTok and 700 00:34:30,440 --> 00:34:32,719 Speaker 1: Instagram and his brand and things. That's what people that 701 00:34:32,800 --> 00:34:34,520 Speaker 1: age do. Now. I mean, I feel like an old man, 702 00:34:34,640 --> 00:34:38,640 Speaker 1: haven't even think that way. But on the field, I 703 00:34:38,760 --> 00:34:42,160 Speaker 1: think he really brings an element that's missing. And frankly, 704 00:34:42,160 --> 00:34:44,319 Speaker 1: they're gonna be a little critical of Claypool here when 705 00:34:44,600 --> 00:34:46,680 Speaker 1: you know, a couple of years ago when they drafted Claypool, 706 00:34:47,080 --> 00:34:49,040 Speaker 1: I'm raving up and down. Boy, he was a really 707 00:34:49,080 --> 00:34:50,960 Speaker 1: good special team or at Notre Dame, he was a 708 00:34:51,000 --> 00:34:54,800 Speaker 1: tremendous blocker, really physical. But we haven't seen enough of 709 00:34:54,840 --> 00:34:57,600 Speaker 1: that in this league, you know. And maybe he's more 710 00:34:57,640 --> 00:35:00,759 Speaker 1: worried about his brand Bad Runner BA Route Runner two 711 00:35:01,000 --> 00:35:04,759 Speaker 1: and Juju. Just the physicality and tenacity he plays with 712 00:35:04,920 --> 00:35:07,640 Speaker 1: on Sunday, to me, is enough for me to strongly 713 00:35:07,680 --> 00:35:10,160 Speaker 1: consider bringing him back. Absolutely, And he can't be much 714 00:35:10,200 --> 00:35:12,239 Speaker 1: more expensive than last year now, And that's right. I 715 00:35:12,280 --> 00:35:14,400 Speaker 1: mean they give nine million dollars for one year, and 716 00:35:14,520 --> 00:35:16,239 Speaker 1: I mean they give any kind of average on that. 717 00:35:16,440 --> 00:35:18,920 Speaker 1: It's to me, it's well worth it. Yeah, to two 718 00:35:18,960 --> 00:35:21,759 Speaker 1: receivers under contract, right, Yeah, I couldn't. They're gonna. They're 719 00:35:21,760 --> 00:35:24,640 Speaker 1: not gonna bring James Washington back. There's no need to um, 720 00:35:24,840 --> 00:35:27,120 Speaker 1: you think the Clouds any change back either. I think 721 00:35:27,160 --> 00:35:28,759 Speaker 1: he has a chance to be back, but but not. 722 00:35:29,000 --> 00:35:31,440 Speaker 1: But yeah, but as at this case, he'll he'll move 723 00:35:31,520 --> 00:35:33,320 Speaker 1: move from the fifth guy to the fourth guy, although 724 00:35:33,400 --> 00:35:34,799 Speaker 1: the way he was playing at the end of the year, 725 00:35:35,160 --> 00:35:37,000 Speaker 1: he was more like the fourth actually would have been 726 00:35:37,040 --> 00:35:39,839 Speaker 1: the third because Juju wasn't there for the most part. Um, 727 00:35:40,280 --> 00:35:45,040 Speaker 1: but and but also also it then will lead me 728 00:35:45,200 --> 00:35:48,800 Speaker 1: to believe, especially if Judu is not resigned, there is 729 00:35:48,840 --> 00:35:53,560 Speaker 1: no doubt they'll draft to wide by day two because yeah, 730 00:35:53,719 --> 00:35:56,120 Speaker 1: and and too, they never turn their back on a 731 00:35:56,160 --> 00:35:58,839 Speaker 1: skill player, and if there's any type of need for one, 732 00:35:58,880 --> 00:36:02,320 Speaker 1: which there will be. Um, So you go to the 733 00:36:02,360 --> 00:36:04,160 Speaker 1: other side of the ball. You have Cam of course, 734 00:36:04,200 --> 00:36:07,120 Speaker 1: the unquestioned leader. I'm not gonna sit here in dub 735 00:36:07,320 --> 00:36:10,160 Speaker 1: t J a leader but his but um, you have 736 00:36:10,320 --> 00:36:13,600 Speaker 1: a guy in a second tier level who was obviously 737 00:36:13,680 --> 00:36:16,040 Speaker 1: a defensive player of the Year and all player, and 738 00:36:16,120 --> 00:36:18,920 Speaker 1: your back and and you have joe Hay now Joey 739 00:36:20,080 --> 00:36:22,200 Speaker 1: Joey not be back. But you have a couple of guys. 740 00:36:22,480 --> 00:36:25,000 Speaker 1: So this then, but you look at the offensive line, 741 00:36:25,080 --> 00:36:27,520 Speaker 1: same thing. So you lose You lose Poundsy, you lose 742 00:36:27,640 --> 00:36:29,880 Speaker 1: Ramon the year before that, you lose the Castro. So 743 00:36:30,000 --> 00:36:33,359 Speaker 1: all those veteran players who in around and and lead 744 00:36:33,400 --> 00:36:37,680 Speaker 1: by example or by by voice, which was Poundcy was both, Um, 745 00:36:38,040 --> 00:36:39,840 Speaker 1: you don't have that, and they don't have that on 746 00:36:39,960 --> 00:36:42,480 Speaker 1: that offensive line, and I'm not sure to see that 747 00:36:42,600 --> 00:36:46,480 Speaker 1: developing anywhere as of right now. Green has those qualities 748 00:36:47,080 --> 00:36:50,960 Speaker 1: because he's feisty, um, But as of right now, you 749 00:36:51,040 --> 00:36:53,239 Speaker 1: don't have that. And I think maybe they need to 750 00:36:53,400 --> 00:36:57,120 Speaker 1: have a veteran presence and who you know, maybe also 751 00:36:57,239 --> 00:36:59,000 Speaker 1: might be that leader type. But you're not going out 752 00:36:59,000 --> 00:37:00,719 Speaker 1: and say let's go get a lead here, because you 753 00:37:00,840 --> 00:37:02,839 Speaker 1: never know. But I think it's important to get an 754 00:37:02,960 --> 00:37:07,279 Speaker 1: established veteran starter, a quality one if you agree. And 755 00:37:07,640 --> 00:37:09,600 Speaker 1: originally I thought it'd be center, and now I think 756 00:37:09,640 --> 00:37:12,680 Speaker 1: it's gonna be right guard. But either way, I mean, 757 00:37:12,800 --> 00:37:16,440 Speaker 1: the example I used early on was Ryan Jensen is 758 00:37:16,480 --> 00:37:19,560 Speaker 1: a center, the free agent now with Tampa Bay want 759 00:37:19,600 --> 00:37:21,600 Speaker 1: a Super Bowl. He played with Brady, He's from the 760 00:37:21,680 --> 00:37:24,799 Speaker 1: Ravens before that. He's the nastiest center in the league. 761 00:37:25,920 --> 00:37:28,440 Speaker 1: Somebody you want on your team and not to play against. 762 00:37:28,840 --> 00:37:30,920 Speaker 1: It'll probably be a little more expensive than you want 763 00:37:30,960 --> 00:37:36,240 Speaker 1: to spend. I'm saying, well, he's been around the block 764 00:37:36,320 --> 00:37:39,720 Speaker 1: and he as tough as could be. Somebody along those lines, 765 00:37:40,040 --> 00:37:42,000 Speaker 1: and you know, the room is his for the taking. 766 00:37:42,280 --> 00:37:44,640 Speaker 1: It makes a lot of sense to me. And you know, 767 00:37:44,719 --> 00:37:48,200 Speaker 1: we opened the show with with some of Kevin's I mean, uh, 768 00:37:48,400 --> 00:37:51,040 Speaker 1: something along those lines could have a real ripple effect, 769 00:37:51,080 --> 00:37:54,200 Speaker 1: not only on the line but the whole offense. I think, na. 770 00:37:54,480 --> 00:37:56,279 Speaker 1: I mean, I haven't been down there with microphones in 771 00:37:56,320 --> 00:37:58,759 Speaker 1: their face, but I think Nausey has some leaderships. I 772 00:37:58,800 --> 00:38:00,759 Speaker 1: think he has a chance. Yes, I agree with that, 773 00:38:01,160 --> 00:38:04,160 Speaker 1: and I think Friar moved too. But I think now 774 00:38:04,200 --> 00:38:07,200 Speaker 1: I see nothing against Farms because I'm not saying you 775 00:38:07,280 --> 00:38:09,440 Speaker 1: can or you can't, but I do see a little 776 00:38:09,480 --> 00:38:13,879 Speaker 1: bit more in Nausea's personality where it could it could 777 00:38:13,960 --> 00:38:16,800 Speaker 1: lead to that. I mean, I'm you know, I'm not 778 00:38:16,880 --> 00:38:20,400 Speaker 1: gonna ordain him the next room bettist, that's for sure, uh, 779 00:38:20,520 --> 00:38:22,919 Speaker 1: in terms of his leaders ability, But again, you don't 780 00:38:23,000 --> 00:38:25,239 Speaker 1: lead by you know, you're not carrying the flag and 781 00:38:25,480 --> 00:38:28,600 Speaker 1: sounding the horn and beating the drum. You lead for example, 782 00:38:28,680 --> 00:38:31,200 Speaker 1: like James Ferrier. James Ferrier wasn't the best player on 783 00:38:31,280 --> 00:38:34,560 Speaker 1: that defense. Sure, man, he I mean really good, but 784 00:38:34,760 --> 00:38:38,080 Speaker 1: they he had everybody's attention, you know, and he was 785 00:38:38,160 --> 00:38:40,600 Speaker 1: a calming influence. When people ask me who your all 786 00:38:40,640 --> 00:38:42,960 Speaker 1: time favorite players, there's so many of them, but I 787 00:38:43,200 --> 00:38:46,879 Speaker 1: usually start with James Ferrier, Monty Dawson. Yeah, without question. Yeah, 788 00:38:47,560 --> 00:38:50,279 Speaker 1: my hunches. They'll draft two or three team captains, you 789 00:38:50,360 --> 00:38:53,120 Speaker 1: know that those type of guys, those next leaders and 790 00:38:53,160 --> 00:38:55,440 Speaker 1: will probably higher on their list. And it's always high 791 00:38:55,480 --> 00:38:58,120 Speaker 1: on their list compared to other teams. Character, leadership, all 792 00:38:58,160 --> 00:39:00,839 Speaker 1: those things. And they tried to draft use. Yeah, that's 793 00:39:01,120 --> 00:39:03,560 Speaker 1: that's a that's a big priority with them. It always 794 00:39:03,600 --> 00:39:05,800 Speaker 1: has been. It doesn't always work, but there is a 795 00:39:05,880 --> 00:39:08,640 Speaker 1: void now though. But there's also the elephant in the 796 00:39:08,760 --> 00:39:11,320 Speaker 1: room too. If there's going to be a new quarterback, 797 00:39:11,680 --> 00:39:15,120 Speaker 1: whether that's a rookie of free ading, whatever, what's his personality, 798 00:39:15,239 --> 00:39:17,799 Speaker 1: you know, I mean that's to be determined, But if 799 00:39:17,800 --> 00:39:20,360 Speaker 1: it's a rookie, that's asking a lot. I think the 800 00:39:20,440 --> 00:39:22,320 Speaker 1: other thing too, And we we we were touching on 801 00:39:22,440 --> 00:39:26,480 Speaker 1: this and and um uh when you look this team, 802 00:39:26,800 --> 00:39:29,880 Speaker 1: and this is a big problem to me, Matt going forward, 803 00:39:30,600 --> 00:39:34,120 Speaker 1: is there isn't anybody waiting in the wings to step up, 804 00:39:34,760 --> 00:39:37,959 Speaker 1: and and you think, okay, well we're gonna he's gonna 805 00:39:38,000 --> 00:39:39,920 Speaker 1: start this year. There's not even there's not even an 806 00:39:39,920 --> 00:39:43,680 Speaker 1: Alex Highsmith type of player. There's not a like that. 807 00:39:44,160 --> 00:39:46,480 Speaker 1: There's not an offensive lineman like that, mainly because they 808 00:39:46,520 --> 00:39:49,200 Speaker 1: had to use those guys last year. There's no ight 809 00:39:49,320 --> 00:39:51,400 Speaker 1: end like that. I mean for our Moose already established 810 00:39:51,440 --> 00:39:57,920 Speaker 1: wide receiver, running back, UM, defensive line nobody, UH, linebacker nobody, 811 00:39:58,040 --> 00:40:01,239 Speaker 1: and in the secondary nobody. And so that to me, 812 00:40:01,440 --> 00:40:04,640 Speaker 1: that points up their lack of quality depth and and 813 00:40:04,800 --> 00:40:07,719 Speaker 1: guys who can stop. And you think, Okay, we can 814 00:40:07,800 --> 00:40:09,680 Speaker 1: move on from this guy because we want to play 815 00:40:09,760 --> 00:40:12,840 Speaker 1: this guy. They don't. I'm hard pressed to come up 816 00:40:12,880 --> 00:40:14,360 Speaker 1: with somebody. And I don't know if there's been a 817 00:40:14,400 --> 00:40:17,200 Speaker 1: team over the Colbert era over the last forty years, 818 00:40:17,239 --> 00:40:19,680 Speaker 1: it's been better than that. You know, like guys like 819 00:40:20,200 --> 00:40:22,279 Speaker 1: Harrison and Porter can't get on the field because a 820 00:40:22,320 --> 00:40:23,840 Speaker 1: lot of the outside edge guys are too good to 821 00:40:23,880 --> 00:40:27,279 Speaker 1: get in front of him, like more depth than enviable depth. 822 00:40:28,120 --> 00:40:30,680 Speaker 1: I'm gonna give him a slight excuse on that, although 823 00:40:30,719 --> 00:40:32,640 Speaker 1: I think it's a tremendous point because I can't get 824 00:40:32,719 --> 00:40:34,879 Speaker 1: one of you know, a fifth round pick that's ready 825 00:40:34,920 --> 00:40:36,920 Speaker 1: to become a starter, and one of those things maybe 826 00:40:37,080 --> 00:40:39,960 Speaker 1: maybe they want to say, maybe they want to say, 827 00:40:40,000 --> 00:40:42,640 Speaker 1: isaaia because who I think they like, he's probably, but 828 00:40:42,840 --> 00:40:47,080 Speaker 1: he's right, he's nex cam Heyward do I promising young guy. 829 00:40:48,280 --> 00:40:51,680 Speaker 1: The things I'll excuse them on is because first off, 830 00:40:52,000 --> 00:40:53,480 Speaker 1: I say this all the time, but I think it's 831 00:40:53,520 --> 00:40:56,600 Speaker 1: really important. Only the Jets and the Lions played more 832 00:40:56,719 --> 00:40:59,400 Speaker 1: rooke knaps this year than the Steelers, so that was 833 00:40:59,520 --> 00:41:02,239 Speaker 1: kind of by design, and they accelerated the learning curve 834 00:41:02,360 --> 00:41:05,839 Speaker 1: on rookies. And I also think that the COVID cap 835 00:41:05,920 --> 00:41:08,160 Speaker 1: situation a year ago hurt them more than you know, 836 00:41:08,280 --> 00:41:11,200 Speaker 1: it's really question. I mean four four rookie starters on 837 00:41:11,520 --> 00:41:14,839 Speaker 1: absolutely count the punter two and yeah, I'm part of that. Yeah, 838 00:41:14,880 --> 00:41:16,719 Speaker 1: they they had to move on. You know, you look 839 00:41:16,760 --> 00:41:19,319 Speaker 1: at the you look at the free agents that they 840 00:41:19,719 --> 00:41:23,200 Speaker 1: had to that they not signed last year. You know, Uh, 841 00:41:23,320 --> 00:41:26,520 Speaker 1: there were I think there were fives, uh six starters, 842 00:41:26,840 --> 00:41:30,880 Speaker 1: six I believe, but um, you know Bud Dupree, Uh, 843 00:41:31,320 --> 00:41:36,440 Speaker 1: Mike Hilton, Um, who am I missing? James James Conner 844 00:41:36,480 --> 00:41:40,000 Speaker 1: been in away there was another guy on those other um. 845 00:41:40,200 --> 00:41:42,480 Speaker 1: But but so they were they were in a position 846 00:41:42,560 --> 00:41:45,920 Speaker 1: where they Matt Fyler, where they resigned those guys didn't 847 00:41:46,040 --> 00:41:49,080 Speaker 1: what couldn't afford to would have been handy and I 848 00:41:49,239 --> 00:41:51,120 Speaker 1: was surprised they didn't resign him. I thought it was 849 00:41:51,200 --> 00:41:53,800 Speaker 1: a big mistake because he wasn't gonna cost him a 850 00:41:53,840 --> 00:41:55,680 Speaker 1: lot of money. The chart were paid for him. Sure 851 00:41:55,719 --> 00:41:56,960 Speaker 1: they could have got him cheaper than that, and he 852 00:41:56,960 --> 00:41:59,440 Speaker 1: could played right tackle absolutely right now. He was the 853 00:41:59,480 --> 00:42:00,759 Speaker 1: one that may a lot of sense to me. But 854 00:42:00,920 --> 00:42:02,520 Speaker 1: he did get more than I thought he'd get. So 855 00:42:02,640 --> 00:42:04,719 Speaker 1: there were enough guys, I mean, there were guys that 856 00:42:04,800 --> 00:42:07,120 Speaker 1: they just couldn't resign, so they were in a position 857 00:42:07,239 --> 00:42:09,560 Speaker 1: where they had to play these guys and then Lebron 858 00:42:09,640 --> 00:42:12,080 Speaker 1: got hurt and Pat Farmers, who they really like, of course, 859 00:42:12,280 --> 00:42:14,040 Speaker 1: which was a great pick and it shows why they 860 00:42:14,080 --> 00:42:16,520 Speaker 1: had such a high grade on him. Yeah, um, you 861 00:42:16,600 --> 00:42:20,440 Speaker 1: know who's in and played very well. But yeah, you know. Uh. 862 00:42:20,920 --> 00:42:23,920 Speaker 1: Kevin Colbert was saying yesterday last year was the worst 863 00:42:24,000 --> 00:42:26,920 Speaker 1: free agency year. They had so many free agents and 864 00:42:27,000 --> 00:42:30,840 Speaker 1: they had a low cap a hundred two millions, worst 865 00:42:30,920 --> 00:42:33,520 Speaker 1: year that he's had with since he came in two thousands, 866 00:42:33,600 --> 00:42:37,880 Speaker 1: and that most teams that ends up being the two 867 00:42:37,960 --> 00:42:40,080 Speaker 1: or three win season. That's gonna do for hour one, Matt, 868 00:42:40,120 --> 00:42:42,040 Speaker 1: and I will be back with you for hour to 869 00:42:42,200 --> 00:42:45,720 Speaker 1: Our combined coverage is presented by First National Basket Started 870 00:42:45,840 --> 00:42:48,680 Speaker 1: member f d i C where at the Indiana Convention 871 00:42:48,760 --> 00:42:51,920 Speaker 1: Center in Indianapolis. It's the NFL Combine. We'll be back 872 00:42:52,040 --> 00:42:55,000 Speaker 1: right after this year. Listening to ESPN Pittsburgh and Steeler 873 00:42:55,160 --> 00:42:55,840 Speaker 1: Nation Radio