1 00:00:04,200 --> 00:00:07,480 Speaker 1: He's the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson show 2 00:00:07,560 --> 00:00:09,760 Speaker 1: on your twenty four to seven home of the Black 3 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:12,639 Speaker 1: and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. 4 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:18,920 Speaker 2: Welcome to the Drive. I'm Dale Lollie, he is Matt Williamson, 5 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:23,480 Speaker 2: and well we are the Drive. As I mentioned, and 6 00:00:23,840 --> 00:00:29,360 Speaker 2: it is a just another rainy Wednesday. The last week 7 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:32,120 Speaker 2: or so has been worse than February was here in Pittsburgh. 8 00:00:32,400 --> 00:00:34,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, it really has. It's just been kind of wet 9 00:00:34,320 --> 00:00:37,960 Speaker 1: and miserable and cold. Ye, let's get us for this 10 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:38,720 Speaker 1: weekend though, So. 11 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:42,720 Speaker 2: I hope so. Well, that's a nice segue, Matt, because 12 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:46,560 Speaker 2: things got nicer for the Steelers last weekend, sure did. 13 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:49,519 Speaker 2: As such, I wanted to take a look at what 14 00:00:49,640 --> 00:00:53,640 Speaker 2: the team's depth chart looks like now, Okay, following the draft, 15 00:00:53,680 --> 00:00:56,279 Speaker 2: following the majority of free agency, there could be some 16 00:00:56,320 --> 00:00:59,480 Speaker 2: other additions here coming, but I think by and large 17 00:00:59,480 --> 00:01:02,600 Speaker 2: the roster is pretty set at this point. You may 18 00:01:02,640 --> 00:01:06,319 Speaker 2: see an addition here or there, but nothing too drastic. 19 00:01:06,319 --> 00:01:10,399 Speaker 2: I wouldn't I wouldn't believe. So let's take a look 20 00:01:10,440 --> 00:01:13,200 Speaker 2: at this and we'll judge just whether it's better than 21 00:01:13,200 --> 00:01:15,520 Speaker 2: it was last year. 22 00:01:16,240 --> 00:01:17,280 Speaker 1: Okay, that's fair. 23 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:20,399 Speaker 2: So let's take a look at We'll start with the 24 00:01:20,680 --> 00:01:25,240 Speaker 2: offensive side of the football at wide receiver. Now, remember 25 00:01:25,240 --> 00:01:27,520 Speaker 2: we're looking at this as in terms of where it 26 00:01:27,640 --> 00:01:29,840 Speaker 2: was last year at this time, so. 27 00:01:29,920 --> 00:01:32,479 Speaker 1: Like it should we look at it through this lens. 28 00:01:32,560 --> 00:01:35,240 Speaker 1: You you know, like Deontay Johnson's coming off a good year. 29 00:01:35,760 --> 00:01:38,840 Speaker 1: Pickens is a rookie. You know, you don't know what 30 00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:39,560 Speaker 1: he's going. 31 00:01:39,360 --> 00:01:43,440 Speaker 2: To do yet. Okay, Yeah, so it's it's Deontay Johnson, 32 00:01:44,640 --> 00:01:49,960 Speaker 2: George Pickens, Alan Robinson, Miles Boykin, Gunner, Old Chefsky, Calvin Austin. 33 00:01:50,280 --> 00:01:52,160 Speaker 2: I mean they got a lot of receivers. Cody White, 34 00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:58,440 Speaker 2: JaMarcus Bradley, Anthony Miller, Dana Chisna des Fitzpatrick, and Jordan 35 00:01:58,600 --> 00:02:01,920 Speaker 2: Byrd are their guys at the wide receiver position. 36 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:08,520 Speaker 1: Okay, So Austin's exactly the same for me. 37 00:02:10,240 --> 00:02:16,360 Speaker 2: I don't know, In fact, I might feel slightly less 38 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:17,520 Speaker 2: about him. 39 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:21,000 Speaker 1: It's one year off of you know away, Yeah. 40 00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:23,520 Speaker 2: I mean out of sight, out of mind. Yeah, you know, 41 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:25,440 Speaker 2: last year at this time, right after the draft, you're 42 00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:27,760 Speaker 2: kind of excited about his prospects. 43 00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:31,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think Deante is exactly the same for me, 44 00:02:31,400 --> 00:02:32,880 Speaker 1: And I know he didn't catch a touchdown folk. 45 00:02:32,960 --> 00:02:34,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, but I don't feel any differently about him. I 46 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:36,800 Speaker 2: think he's still a very good wide receiver. 47 00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:42,160 Speaker 1: Yes, I like pickings more now than then. Right, that's 48 00:02:42,200 --> 00:02:47,200 Speaker 1: probably enough to give the edge to this group. I 49 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:51,680 Speaker 1: have a hard time wrapping my head around my thoughts 50 00:02:51,720 --> 00:02:55,320 Speaker 1: on Claypool then versus my thoughts on Robinson. 51 00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 2: Now. Yeah, I'm with you on that. It's a tough Paul, 52 00:03:00,440 --> 00:03:02,400 Speaker 2: It is a tough call. But I do feel better 53 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:06,160 Speaker 2: about Miles Boykin now that I did a year ago. 54 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:08,960 Speaker 1: I think he makes a team and is a contributor 55 00:03:09,040 --> 00:03:10,040 Speaker 1: and has value. 56 00:03:10,360 --> 00:03:13,120 Speaker 2: I feel better about Gunner Old Chewsky is a wide 57 00:03:13,360 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 2: is a wide receiver, believe it or not. That I 58 00:03:15,560 --> 00:03:17,720 Speaker 2: did a year ago at this time, he had like 59 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:20,519 Speaker 2: three He had like three career catches before last year. 60 00:03:20,720 --> 00:03:23,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, I didn't think he'd even see the field on offense. 61 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:24,919 Speaker 1: So yeah, I guess so. But I don't want to 62 00:03:24,919 --> 00:03:25,720 Speaker 1: see him on offense. 63 00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:28,000 Speaker 2: No, I don't either, But I feel better about him 64 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:29,680 Speaker 2: offensively I did a year ago. 65 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, I guess Miller's Miller Miller. 66 00:03:33,840 --> 00:03:36,160 Speaker 2: I feel way better about Yeah. 67 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:38,160 Speaker 1: I guess Camp gives us enough to say we saw 68 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:40,320 Speaker 1: him running around pre injury, and I'm not going to 69 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:44,680 Speaker 1: hold the injury against him. So better now, Yeah, I 70 00:03:44,680 --> 00:03:46,680 Speaker 1: think I I think I don't know if I want 71 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:49,480 Speaker 1: to say it's markedly better, right, right, right, but I 72 00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 1: do feel better about it. Mm hmm. I mean the 73 00:03:52,320 --> 00:03:55,760 Speaker 1: fact that Pickens, I know he's good, you know what 74 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:58,080 Speaker 1: I mean? Any lookie, it's going to be a little 75 00:03:58,120 --> 00:04:00,320 Speaker 1: shady on you know. And when we get the people 76 00:04:00,360 --> 00:04:03,000 Speaker 1: the Steelers just picked, I don't think you can just 77 00:04:03,040 --> 00:04:04,840 Speaker 1: assume they're all hits. 78 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:07,280 Speaker 2: Right, No, I'm with you on that. So I think 79 00:04:07,880 --> 00:04:10,200 Speaker 2: I think there's some track record there for with these 80 00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:13,920 Speaker 2: guys Calvin Austin. Aside that I look at it and say, okay, 81 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:17,320 Speaker 2: this these guys, this could be a pretty decent group 82 00:04:17,320 --> 00:04:18,520 Speaker 2: of wide receivers. 83 00:04:18,880 --> 00:04:21,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, I definitely give the edge to this year's crop. 84 00:04:23,880 --> 00:04:27,919 Speaker 2: Uh. Looking at the offensive line, this is where it 85 00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:31,440 Speaker 2: gets interesting. So you got obviously, they drafted Broderick Jones 86 00:04:31,440 --> 00:04:34,159 Speaker 2: in the first round. They took Anthony Spencer in the 87 00:04:34,360 --> 00:04:39,040 Speaker 2: seventh round. They added Isaac Samalo at left guard. You've 88 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:41,600 Speaker 2: got Mason Cole returning, you got James Daniels returning. He 89 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:44,680 Speaker 2: got chokes of corps for its returning. They also signed 90 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:48,719 Speaker 2: the Raven Clark. They signed Nate Herbig as well. Kevin 91 00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:52,159 Speaker 2: Dotson is still there, Kendrick Green is still there. You know, 92 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:54,279 Speaker 2: I'm not going to run through all these other guys. 93 00:04:54,440 --> 00:04:55,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, people know the names, right. 94 00:04:56,120 --> 00:04:57,960 Speaker 2: Yeah. Oh. 95 00:04:58,080 --> 00:05:01,920 Speaker 1: I definitely feel way better about it now then I don't. 96 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:03,640 Speaker 2: I think is a slam dunk better. 97 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:07,920 Speaker 1: It's like I feel better about Mason Coal right than 98 00:05:08,320 --> 00:05:11,400 Speaker 1: you know what I mean? And I remember, I don't 99 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:13,160 Speaker 1: know if I wrote an article, but I definitely said 100 00:05:13,160 --> 00:05:17,400 Speaker 1: it several times that my biggest fear, I guess this time. 101 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:21,160 Speaker 1: You know, before we broke camp, my biggest fear was 102 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:27,159 Speaker 1: that the offensive line would be bad, so bad that 103 00:05:27,200 --> 00:05:31,080 Speaker 1: we wouldn't be able to evaluate picket properly. And it 104 00:05:31,120 --> 00:05:33,840 Speaker 1: was way better than that. I mean. So my point 105 00:05:33,880 --> 00:05:35,960 Speaker 1: of that statement is I was pretty worried about the 106 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:36,599 Speaker 1: line a year ago. 107 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:43,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, And I think that was just natural, you know, 108 00:05:44,040 --> 00:05:47,240 Speaker 2: because because you know, the guy, the guys who were 109 00:05:47,279 --> 00:05:51,440 Speaker 2: returning hadn't really done it at a very high level. 110 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:54,760 Speaker 2: The guys that they had added, we were newcomers to 111 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:57,520 Speaker 2: this team, and you just didn't know. I can remember 112 00:05:57,560 --> 00:06:00,000 Speaker 2: saying in training camp. When when that line was struggling 113 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:02,800 Speaker 2: in training camp and struggled in that second preseason game 114 00:06:02,839 --> 00:06:06,839 Speaker 2: down in Jacksonville, I remember talking to some of the 115 00:06:06,839 --> 00:06:12,160 Speaker 2: players and saying this myself, like people were kept asking 116 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:14,000 Speaker 2: all last offseason, Hey, how long is it going to 117 00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:17,360 Speaker 2: take this offensive line to jel And then when it didn't, 118 00:06:17,400 --> 00:06:20,200 Speaker 2: it wasn't didn't look like it should look in the 119 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:22,640 Speaker 2: second preseason game, They're like, oh my god, this line 120 00:06:22,839 --> 00:06:26,800 Speaker 2: has it jeled yet. It takes time, and it did 121 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:29,479 Speaker 2: take some time. But I thought, you know, in the 122 00:06:29,520 --> 00:06:34,040 Speaker 2: second half of the season in particular, you know, they 123 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:35,119 Speaker 2: played really well. 124 00:06:35,960 --> 00:06:39,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, yeah they did. They stayed healthy. But that's 125 00:06:39,880 --> 00:06:42,080 Speaker 1: not their fault. I'm not holding that against them, No. 126 00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:44,320 Speaker 2: Absolutely not. That's a that's a ship in their favor. 127 00:06:44,880 --> 00:06:48,200 Speaker 1: Yeah absolutely. I mean, I'm trying to the hard part 128 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:50,680 Speaker 1: of this exercise is being honest with yourself of what 129 00:06:50,720 --> 00:06:54,720 Speaker 1: your mindset was one year ago, you know, And to 130 00:06:54,760 --> 00:06:58,440 Speaker 1: be honest, you and I were very high on James Daniels. 131 00:06:58,520 --> 00:07:01,000 Speaker 1: You know, we called when we did in preview, you 132 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:04,359 Speaker 1: know that that's a definite target. But my opinion hasn't changed. 133 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:06,240 Speaker 1: He lived up to it. You know what I mean 134 00:07:06,320 --> 00:07:08,320 Speaker 1: it's like, boy, I like him less now because I 135 00:07:08,400 --> 00:07:10,800 Speaker 1: was so high on him then. The only guy I 136 00:07:10,800 --> 00:07:12,680 Speaker 1: can say I was higher on then than now is 137 00:07:12,760 --> 00:07:13,360 Speaker 1: Kendrick Green. 138 00:07:15,040 --> 00:07:19,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, which is maybe maybe Kevin Dotson. And you know, 139 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 2: and those guys are are now backups. 140 00:07:21,920 --> 00:07:23,840 Speaker 1: Right right right, so it's not even close. 141 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:28,640 Speaker 2: No, the idea. So I'm looking here at our lads, 142 00:07:29,200 --> 00:07:32,760 Speaker 2: mm hm, and they have Broderick Jones listed as the 143 00:07:32,760 --> 00:07:35,000 Speaker 2: starter at left tackle, and I think a lot of 144 00:07:35,040 --> 00:07:37,920 Speaker 2: people are are looking at it that way, and I 145 00:07:37,920 --> 00:07:39,440 Speaker 2: don't know that that's going to be the case. 146 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:44,280 Speaker 1: I don't either, And I don't think we've had this 147 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:46,840 Speaker 1: conversation on here. I think we've talked about it off 148 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:53,600 Speaker 1: the air. But unlike other positions, you you have to 149 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:56,239 Speaker 1: have a well rounded game at offensive line, especially tackle, 150 00:07:56,320 --> 00:08:00,360 Speaker 1: especially left tackle. Like if you draft Calvin Austin, you 151 00:08:00,400 --> 00:08:02,360 Speaker 1: can throw him out there for twenty plays a game 152 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 1: and say run go routes or you know, just have 153 00:08:04,440 --> 00:08:05,280 Speaker 1: them do what they do. 154 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:07,720 Speaker 2: Well, just go out and be fast, go be fast. 155 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:11,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, I know you're developing XYZ. Or you draft a 156 00:08:11,720 --> 00:08:14,320 Speaker 1: dude that just rushes the passer, Well, he's not out 157 00:08:14,320 --> 00:08:15,840 Speaker 1: there on first and ten. He's out there on third 158 00:08:15,880 --> 00:08:18,600 Speaker 1: and eight. Well, your left tackle doesn't come in out 159 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:22,400 Speaker 1: of the game when he chooses, So if he's bad 160 00:08:22,440 --> 00:08:27,440 Speaker 1: at something, if he does, that's a problem, that's a problem, right, right, 161 00:08:27,520 --> 00:08:31,640 Speaker 1: So that position has to I mean, everyone has strengths 162 00:08:31,640 --> 00:08:34,960 Speaker 1: and weaknesses, but if you have something that is inplayable 163 00:08:35,040 --> 00:08:37,680 Speaker 1: as a rookie, which is often the case for rookies 164 00:08:37,720 --> 00:08:40,400 Speaker 1: no matter what position it is, I can't try you 165 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:42,640 Speaker 1: out there. If you can't handle a bull rush. The 166 00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:44,800 Speaker 1: whole leagu's gonna figure it out, you know, Yeah. 167 00:08:44,480 --> 00:08:46,320 Speaker 2: Which is kind of what happened to Kendrick Green his 168 00:08:46,400 --> 00:08:46,880 Speaker 2: rookie year. 169 00:08:47,120 --> 00:08:50,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, exactly. The weakness was exposed and he was out there, 170 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:52,120 Speaker 1: snap after snap getting it exposed. 171 00:08:52,640 --> 00:08:54,199 Speaker 2: Yeah, and you just don't have the time to get 172 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:56,000 Speaker 2: it better. So I think it's going to be a 173 00:08:56,040 --> 00:08:58,360 Speaker 2: process with Broderick Jones. And I know that might not 174 00:08:58,480 --> 00:09:00,679 Speaker 2: be what people want to hear, but I'll go back 175 00:09:00,720 --> 00:09:04,640 Speaker 2: to what I've continually said here. The Steelers feel better 176 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:09,000 Speaker 2: about the offensive tackles than I think the public general 177 00:09:09,040 --> 00:09:11,520 Speaker 2: public does. And I know that sounds weird to say 178 00:09:11,559 --> 00:09:15,160 Speaker 2: that after they just took tackle in the in the 179 00:09:15,200 --> 00:09:18,040 Speaker 2: first round. But here's the beauty of this. I've been 180 00:09:18,080 --> 00:09:21,120 Speaker 2: thinking about this. I know everybody's thinking that, well, Dan 181 00:09:21,160 --> 00:09:23,880 Speaker 2: Moore's done, he's not going to be here, They're going 182 00:09:23,960 --> 00:09:26,120 Speaker 2: to get rid of him after his rookie contract. Blah 183 00:09:26,160 --> 00:09:32,800 Speaker 2: blah blah. There's nothing that says that Dan Moore doesn't 184 00:09:32,840 --> 00:09:36,400 Speaker 2: go out in the next two years here and show 185 00:09:36,440 --> 00:09:38,120 Speaker 2: that he could play right tackle. He didn't get much 186 00:09:38,120 --> 00:09:39,640 Speaker 2: of a chance to do it as a rookie. 187 00:09:40,600 --> 00:09:42,640 Speaker 1: Oh no, I think his story's far from written. 188 00:09:43,320 --> 00:09:46,840 Speaker 2: And they decide two year or a year from now 189 00:09:46,840 --> 00:09:48,480 Speaker 2: that you know what, we're gonna go with Dan Moore 190 00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:50,480 Speaker 2: at right tackle and we're gonna let Chukes walk. He's 191 00:09:50,480 --> 00:09:54,480 Speaker 2: going to be too expensive. M it's very possible, you know, 192 00:09:54,920 --> 00:09:57,160 Speaker 2: and all these guys are young enough that you could 193 00:09:57,160 --> 00:10:00,200 Speaker 2: do that. So I think the idea, you know, they 194 00:10:00,200 --> 00:10:02,240 Speaker 2: took a tackle in the first round at first of all, 195 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:05,800 Speaker 2: I think Broderick Jones was easily worth that pick, agreed, 196 00:10:06,320 --> 00:10:09,040 Speaker 2: and so they saw an opportunity here to say, okay, 197 00:10:09,040 --> 00:10:12,760 Speaker 2: we're going to get a young offensive tackle guy who's 198 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:15,400 Speaker 2: twenty one years old that we think can play for 199 00:10:15,480 --> 00:10:20,240 Speaker 2: us for the next twelve years at the position and 200 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:22,560 Speaker 2: build our line around him. But I don't know that 201 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:25,640 Speaker 2: that necessarily means he starts right out of the gate, right, 202 00:10:26,080 --> 00:10:27,839 Speaker 2: is my point. I think, you know, it may take 203 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:30,680 Speaker 2: some time. He's not a finished product. 204 00:10:31,400 --> 00:10:33,680 Speaker 1: No, he's far from a finished product, especially in protection. 205 00:10:34,240 --> 00:10:36,760 Speaker 1: And that's okay. I mean, if he was a finished product, 206 00:10:36,760 --> 00:10:38,000 Speaker 1: they did the second pick in the draft, you know 207 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:42,079 Speaker 1: what I mean, Like, that's okay. They don't come to 208 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:45,160 Speaker 1: the league polished perfectly. I mean that's why you pay 209 00:10:45,360 --> 00:10:47,319 Speaker 1: line coaches and secondary coaches, et cetera. 210 00:10:47,760 --> 00:10:50,040 Speaker 2: And yeah, we're talking about a guy who nineteen career 211 00:10:50,080 --> 00:10:51,920 Speaker 2: starts exactly in college. 212 00:10:52,760 --> 00:10:55,080 Speaker 1: And you mentioned it with Chukes, Like maybe Cheukes has 213 00:10:55,120 --> 00:10:59,640 Speaker 1: a phenomenal year, that doesn't mean he's worth the money 214 00:10:59,679 --> 00:11:03,000 Speaker 1: that he deserves or will get. And I just was 215 00:11:03,040 --> 00:11:06,200 Speaker 1: I just did a big podcast on fifty year options. 216 00:11:06,280 --> 00:11:11,200 Speaker 1: So if Jones has a similar career as Andrew Thomas 217 00:11:11,240 --> 00:11:15,319 Speaker 1: who's phenomenal, or Wills, it's only like fourteen or fifteen 218 00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:18,360 Speaker 1: million dollars to pick up that fifty year option, and 219 00:11:18,600 --> 00:11:21,320 Speaker 1: you get a third round pick in return for Jokes 220 00:11:21,360 --> 00:11:23,959 Speaker 1: possibly if he walks, you know, like there's a lot 221 00:11:23,960 --> 00:11:26,880 Speaker 1: of benefit to having a first round tackle on the books, 222 00:11:27,200 --> 00:11:27,680 Speaker 1: and as. 223 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:30,920 Speaker 2: You mentioned previously, they're you know, expecting these guys to 224 00:11:30,960 --> 00:11:35,480 Speaker 2: stay healthy for all seventeen games. It's unrealistic. Never know, 225 00:11:35,640 --> 00:11:39,320 Speaker 2: it's just unrealistic. So I feel way better about that 226 00:11:39,400 --> 00:11:42,440 Speaker 2: line right now than I do than I did a 227 00:11:42,480 --> 00:11:43,400 Speaker 2: year ago this time. 228 00:11:43,880 --> 00:11:47,559 Speaker 1: And I'll take her Big over their six seventh eighth 229 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:48,960 Speaker 1: lineman a year ago. 230 00:11:49,360 --> 00:11:51,679 Speaker 2: I'll take Dotson over their sixth seventh eighth line. I mean, 231 00:11:52,120 --> 00:11:55,640 Speaker 2: you know, I mean, they've got quality bench guys, like 232 00:11:55,720 --> 00:11:58,720 Speaker 2: guys who have started. They've got one hundred starts even 233 00:11:58,760 --> 00:12:02,839 Speaker 2: if Dan were if Dan Moore doesn't win the starting 234 00:12:02,920 --> 00:12:06,400 Speaker 2: left tackle job, yeah yah, and even if he does, 235 00:12:06,720 --> 00:12:09,800 Speaker 2: they've got over one hundred starts on their bench. Yeah. 236 00:12:09,800 --> 00:12:10,480 Speaker 1: That doesn't surprise. 237 00:12:10,640 --> 00:12:12,200 Speaker 2: That doesn't happen in today's NFL. 238 00:12:12,640 --> 00:12:15,920 Speaker 1: No, it doesn't. And l Raven Clark isn't a throw 239 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:16,440 Speaker 1: away to me. 240 00:12:17,040 --> 00:12:19,640 Speaker 2: No, He's got fifty starts or whatever it is in 241 00:12:19,679 --> 00:12:22,240 Speaker 2: his career. Like these guys have played and played a. 242 00:12:22,240 --> 00:12:24,800 Speaker 1: Lot, Clark can get you out of a game or 243 00:12:24,880 --> 00:12:27,040 Speaker 1: start for a month when guys are down, you know, 244 00:12:27,120 --> 00:12:28,959 Speaker 1: I mean, so I didn't even think they had a 245 00:12:29,000 --> 00:12:30,120 Speaker 1: lo Raven Clark last. 246 00:12:29,960 --> 00:12:32,320 Speaker 2: Last year, right, I mean that was the thing. I mean, 247 00:12:32,360 --> 00:12:36,559 Speaker 2: they had guys that had done that, but not necessarily 248 00:12:38,000 --> 00:12:40,320 Speaker 2: I don't know. I mean he's he's at least equal 249 00:12:40,360 --> 00:12:41,480 Speaker 2: to what they had last year. 250 00:12:41,640 --> 00:12:44,680 Speaker 1: Let's say he's at the tackle position right right, right, 251 00:12:44,840 --> 00:12:46,760 Speaker 1: you know that was he would have fit right in 252 00:12:46,920 --> 00:12:48,280 Speaker 1: or been a little better than you. 253 00:12:48,200 --> 00:12:52,240 Speaker 2: Know, yeah, uh, at tight end, of course, they added 254 00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:54,960 Speaker 2: Darnell Washington in this group. They bring back Pat Fryarmouth, 255 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:57,280 Speaker 2: they bring back Zach Gentry. They still have Connor Hayward 256 00:12:57,320 --> 00:12:59,880 Speaker 2: on the roster, although he'll probably he'll be making the 257 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:03,480 Speaker 2: move over to fullback. I mean, you have to feel 258 00:13:03,480 --> 00:13:04,600 Speaker 2: better about this group. 259 00:13:04,440 --> 00:13:06,640 Speaker 1: Right, Do you want to lump full back and tight 260 00:13:06,720 --> 00:13:07,160 Speaker 1: end together? 261 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:09,640 Speaker 2: Then we can? I mean they're all they kind of 262 00:13:09,679 --> 00:13:12,360 Speaker 2: the but yet, I mean you have to feel. 263 00:13:12,160 --> 00:13:15,160 Speaker 1: Better about that group, you know, like we do a 264 00:13:15,280 --> 00:13:19,000 Speaker 1: player by player. I'm much higher on Hayward now than then. 265 00:13:20,360 --> 00:13:23,439 Speaker 2: Yeah, we saw him for a year, right, I mean 266 00:13:23,480 --> 00:13:26,880 Speaker 2: we make the team. We saw Pat Fryarmouth. You know, 267 00:13:27,080 --> 00:13:31,080 Speaker 2: coming out of his rookie season, he had averaged what 268 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:34,400 Speaker 2: was it eight yards of catch? Yeah, I mean he 269 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:38,080 Speaker 2: improved that dramatically last year. Now the touchdowns were down, 270 00:13:38,120 --> 00:13:40,880 Speaker 2: but that again, much like the Deontay Johnson situation, that 271 00:13:40,920 --> 00:13:44,160 Speaker 2: wasn't his fault necessarily, No, No, I mean that was 272 00:13:44,280 --> 00:13:47,400 Speaker 2: that was more of a product byproducts of their offense 273 00:13:47,480 --> 00:13:49,240 Speaker 2: and having the young quarterback in there. 274 00:13:50,120 --> 00:13:52,480 Speaker 1: And I liked Friarmouth a year ago. Again trying to 275 00:13:52,760 --> 00:13:54,800 Speaker 1: teleport back to what I thought of these guys, but 276 00:13:54,880 --> 00:13:57,920 Speaker 1: you have to say his stock is up. Gentry stock 277 00:13:58,000 --> 00:13:59,960 Speaker 1: maybe rose more than any of them. Like I didn't 278 00:14:00,080 --> 00:14:02,720 Speaker 1: think he was potentially an NFL player at this timeline. 279 00:14:03,760 --> 00:14:05,120 Speaker 1: He had a role, and he played a lot when 280 00:14:05,120 --> 00:14:06,160 Speaker 1: the team was at their best. 281 00:14:06,440 --> 00:14:08,960 Speaker 2: And then you added Darnell Washington to that group, and 282 00:14:10,040 --> 00:14:13,079 Speaker 2: my goodness, not close. It might it might be one 283 00:14:13,080 --> 00:14:16,079 Speaker 2: of the better tight end rooms in the NFL. 284 00:14:16,720 --> 00:14:19,040 Speaker 1: Agreed, Agreed, And I think people were sleeping on Hayward 285 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:21,280 Speaker 1: to what how he can impact the game. It might 286 00:14:21,320 --> 00:14:23,840 Speaker 1: not be every snap, it won't be, but I think 287 00:14:23,840 --> 00:14:26,680 Speaker 1: he is a weapon that they will use more of. 288 00:14:27,280 --> 00:14:31,520 Speaker 1: And even if we give last year's group Derek Watt, 289 00:14:31,640 --> 00:14:32,840 Speaker 1: this year's groups better. 290 00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:37,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, and what actually filled a pretty specific role last 291 00:14:37,840 --> 00:14:40,360 Speaker 2: year for them, I mean he was pretty good short 292 00:14:40,400 --> 00:14:43,080 Speaker 2: yardage runner for them and did some blocking stuff. I 293 00:14:43,080 --> 00:14:46,000 Speaker 2: mean he they they gave the ball to him five 294 00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:48,480 Speaker 2: or six times in you know, third and one, fourth 295 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:51,680 Speaker 2: and one situations, and he he came through on him. 296 00:14:52,280 --> 00:14:54,880 Speaker 1: Well, I think you have to influence I mean, special 297 00:14:54,880 --> 00:14:57,280 Speaker 1: teams has to influence this as well, without a doubt, 298 00:14:57,440 --> 00:14:58,080 Speaker 1: without a doubt. 299 00:14:58,160 --> 00:15:00,640 Speaker 2: I mean, that's gonna be one of my big questions 300 00:15:00,680 --> 00:15:03,120 Speaker 2: about Washington. You know, is he capable of doing that? 301 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:05,440 Speaker 2: Do they want him to do that? I bet not? 302 00:15:05,960 --> 00:15:09,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, which probably onlike field goal protection team. 303 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:15,600 Speaker 2: I'm gonna put him on a field goal block. Go 304 00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:18,400 Speaker 2: play to Ken, Go play to Ken Bay Mutumbo here. 305 00:15:21,280 --> 00:15:25,240 Speaker 1: So yeah, losing Watt's contributions on teams isn't great for 306 00:15:25,280 --> 00:15:27,680 Speaker 1: this conversation, But I still don't think it's close. 307 00:15:28,160 --> 00:15:31,520 Speaker 2: No, I don't think so either. Looking at the running 308 00:15:31,520 --> 00:15:35,880 Speaker 2: back position, he got Naujie Harris, you got Jayleen Warren, 309 00:15:36,080 --> 00:15:39,880 Speaker 2: Anthony McFarlane, the guys on the bench. Other guys here 310 00:15:39,880 --> 00:15:44,560 Speaker 2: there are Jason Huntley and Master Tigue. So a year 311 00:15:44,560 --> 00:15:47,400 Speaker 2: ago we know anything about Jalen Warren. A year ago, 312 00:15:47,560 --> 00:15:51,520 Speaker 2: I will say the Warren factor is huge. I did 313 00:15:51,520 --> 00:15:53,920 Speaker 2: I feel better about McFarland a year ago than I 314 00:15:53,960 --> 00:15:57,360 Speaker 2: do now. I can't say I have a strong feeling 315 00:15:57,360 --> 00:15:59,680 Speaker 2: one way or another. I kind of do because the 316 00:15:59,720 --> 00:16:02,680 Speaker 2: one game, right, I know, people, the one game he 317 00:16:02,760 --> 00:16:06,760 Speaker 2: played last year, I think he got eleven touches and 318 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:11,120 Speaker 2: was pretty like average, like six or seven yards per touch. 319 00:16:12,560 --> 00:16:14,720 Speaker 1: So at this time last year was the depth chart 320 00:16:15,080 --> 00:16:17,640 Speaker 1: Harris Snell, McFarland or am I missing somebody? 321 00:16:17,640 --> 00:16:19,000 Speaker 2: It was Harris Snell McFarlane. 322 00:16:19,080 --> 00:16:23,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, Okay. One thing that I think helps last year. 323 00:16:24,320 --> 00:16:26,520 Speaker 1: Back to what we were just talking about, they have 324 00:16:26,600 --> 00:16:29,160 Speaker 1: not replaced Snell's special team capabilities. 325 00:16:29,280 --> 00:16:29,640 Speaker 2: They have not. 326 00:16:29,840 --> 00:16:32,240 Speaker 1: No is strong. I mean, at least at that in 327 00:16:32,280 --> 00:16:34,120 Speaker 1: that room, they haven't. I mean they might. They might 328 00:16:34,120 --> 00:16:36,520 Speaker 1: do it with a linebacker or safety or whatever. But 329 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:40,280 Speaker 1: if you're just looking at running backs now, for learning 330 00:16:40,280 --> 00:16:43,200 Speaker 1: back experienced sixty five days ago, they had more special 331 00:16:43,200 --> 00:16:47,040 Speaker 1: teams value, then do you have it is your opinion 332 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:48,000 Speaker 1: of nause change. 333 00:16:49,520 --> 00:16:53,880 Speaker 2: It hasn't you know? I I think you know he is. 334 00:16:54,080 --> 00:16:58,800 Speaker 2: He is a grinder who is always available. I still 335 00:16:58,840 --> 00:17:00,800 Speaker 2: think that there's more meat on the bone there for 336 00:17:00,880 --> 00:17:03,880 Speaker 2: him as a receiver given some of the moves that 337 00:17:03,880 --> 00:17:05,359 Speaker 2: they've made I don't know that we ever get to 338 00:17:05,359 --> 00:17:08,399 Speaker 2: see that. I mean, I think he's you know, as 339 00:17:08,440 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 2: a receiver is what he is. I mean, he's going 340 00:17:11,640 --> 00:17:14,040 Speaker 2: to catch some footballs. He's gonna, you know, do some 341 00:17:14,160 --> 00:17:16,240 Speaker 2: things there, but it's not going to be anything dynamic, 342 00:17:16,320 --> 00:17:17,959 Speaker 2: because I don't know that they're going to ask him 343 00:17:18,000 --> 00:17:20,840 Speaker 2: to do anything dynamic. But man, is he a gamer 344 00:17:21,640 --> 00:17:22,040 Speaker 2: right right? 345 00:17:22,080 --> 00:17:22,240 Speaker 1: Right? 346 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:24,640 Speaker 2: He just takes the ball and the game after game 347 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:27,960 Speaker 2: after game doesn't miss that. You know. The foot issue 348 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:29,959 Speaker 2: that he played through at the start of last year 349 00:17:29,960 --> 00:17:31,960 Speaker 2: I think was real. I think some of that was 350 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:34,720 Speaker 2: also the offensive line trying to figure out what it 351 00:17:34,800 --> 00:17:37,600 Speaker 2: wanted to do, right, But I know in the second 352 00:17:37,640 --> 00:17:39,960 Speaker 2: half of last season he was a monster. 353 00:17:41,240 --> 00:17:43,680 Speaker 1: I mean, I'm not sure that I knew Jalen Warren's 354 00:17:43,760 --> 00:17:46,240 Speaker 1: name one year ago, so I definitely feel better about 355 00:17:46,320 --> 00:17:46,720 Speaker 1: him now. 356 00:17:46,880 --> 00:17:49,320 Speaker 2: Or he was just a guy. 357 00:17:49,520 --> 00:17:52,760 Speaker 1: And maybe I'm not even predicting it. There might be 358 00:17:52,800 --> 00:17:54,720 Speaker 1: another Jayleen Warren on this team, you. 359 00:17:54,680 --> 00:18:01,720 Speaker 2: Know, right, Yeah, that doesn't happen every year, but certainly 360 00:18:01,800 --> 00:18:05,199 Speaker 2: Jaylen Warren is a big factor in that. I mean 361 00:18:05,200 --> 00:18:09,440 Speaker 2: he is way I think he's way better than Benny Snow. Yeah. 362 00:18:10,359 --> 00:18:11,399 Speaker 2: I don't even think it's close. 363 00:18:11,920 --> 00:18:13,840 Speaker 1: What I meant by that, though, is maybe one of 364 00:18:13,840 --> 00:18:17,359 Speaker 1: the undrafted free agent backs makes the team. Not like, 365 00:18:17,520 --> 00:18:19,400 Speaker 1: boy he's in next Jayalen Warren and he's a really 366 00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:21,520 Speaker 1: good number two, right right right? I the name we're 367 00:18:21,560 --> 00:18:24,359 Speaker 1: not even discussing that makes the team that's currently on 368 00:18:24,400 --> 00:18:26,960 Speaker 1: the roster. Yeah, but no, Warren puts it over the top. 369 00:18:27,800 --> 00:18:31,480 Speaker 2: And then finally we come to the quarterback position, and 370 00:18:31,600 --> 00:18:35,399 Speaker 2: right now it is Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Tanner Morgan. 371 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:37,960 Speaker 2: They're still going to add somebody else to that group. 372 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:40,320 Speaker 2: They won't go to camp with just three quarterbacks. So 373 00:18:40,359 --> 00:18:43,080 Speaker 2: there's you know, whether that be a veteran, whether that 374 00:18:43,119 --> 00:18:47,600 Speaker 2: be another young guy, maybe somebody from a tryout at 375 00:18:47,680 --> 00:18:51,800 Speaker 2: rookie Minnie camp next weekend. We'll see. So I mean, 376 00:18:51,920 --> 00:18:55,120 Speaker 2: I think you look at Pickett and Trubisky and where 377 00:18:55,119 --> 00:18:58,760 Speaker 2: they were at a year ago, is they flipped spots? 378 00:18:59,119 --> 00:19:02,360 Speaker 1: Yeah. I can make an argument here though that if 379 00:19:02,400 --> 00:19:05,840 Speaker 1: I go back in the way back machine, I was 380 00:19:05,880 --> 00:19:08,640 Speaker 1: pretty high on Trubisky and I'm not low on him now. 381 00:19:08,920 --> 00:19:11,800 Speaker 1: That's not what I'm implying. I just, you know, lobbied 382 00:19:11,880 --> 00:19:15,439 Speaker 1: for him in free agency, and I don't think he 383 00:19:15,480 --> 00:19:17,840 Speaker 1: played bad. It sounds like I'm killing Trubisky because I 384 00:19:18,040 --> 00:19:20,280 Speaker 1: still think he's a really good backup that maybe even 385 00:19:20,320 --> 00:19:23,679 Speaker 1: the right situation, could be a quality starter. But I 386 00:19:23,720 --> 00:19:25,239 Speaker 1: was pretty high on him a year ago, you know. 387 00:19:25,400 --> 00:19:28,240 Speaker 1: And I can't say it went up. I'm not sure 388 00:19:28,240 --> 00:19:29,920 Speaker 1: it went down, but it didn't go up. 389 00:19:30,600 --> 00:19:32,360 Speaker 2: How do you feel about Pickett after a year? 390 00:19:33,480 --> 00:19:36,840 Speaker 1: Well, before I get there, Rudolph has some value here. 391 00:19:37,080 --> 00:19:41,040 Speaker 2: Oh, there's no doubt, you know what I mean, Tandem 392 00:19:41,040 --> 00:19:43,520 Speaker 2: Morgan versus Mason Rudolph is not even close. 393 00:19:43,720 --> 00:19:47,880 Speaker 1: It's not even close. And but pick it's better than 394 00:19:47,960 --> 00:19:51,000 Speaker 1: I expected, you know. I mean, he's a first round quarterback. 395 00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:54,720 Speaker 1: You knew there'd be struggles. I liked him a year ago. 396 00:19:55,480 --> 00:19:58,760 Speaker 1: I'm pretty sure he's an NFL starter now, where I didn't, 397 00:19:59,040 --> 00:20:01,600 Speaker 1: I wouldn't say I'm sure of it. And that's a 398 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:03,639 Speaker 1: big thing. There's not thirty two of those in the world. 399 00:20:04,160 --> 00:20:06,479 Speaker 2: No, I think so as well, And I'm kind of shocked. 400 00:20:06,520 --> 00:20:11,040 Speaker 2: I continue to read stuff from the national writers and 401 00:20:11,840 --> 00:20:16,359 Speaker 2: pundits that they're not they're not as sold on Kenny 402 00:20:16,359 --> 00:20:19,239 Speaker 2: Pickett as as the Pittsburgh media seems to be here 403 00:20:19,240 --> 00:20:23,760 Speaker 2: the Pittsburgh fan base. I'm like, if you're just if 404 00:20:23,800 --> 00:20:26,359 Speaker 2: you're just looking at pickets stats from last year, I 405 00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:29,880 Speaker 2: get that. Sure. If you watched him play though, that's 406 00:20:29,920 --> 00:20:30,680 Speaker 2: the difference to. 407 00:20:30,640 --> 00:20:33,400 Speaker 1: Me, and you watch him improve and you watch how 408 00:20:33,440 --> 00:20:36,120 Speaker 1: the team responds to him, and you know, come back 409 00:20:36,200 --> 00:20:39,000 Speaker 1: victories and things of that nature. I mean like, yeah, 410 00:20:39,040 --> 00:20:40,800 Speaker 1: I think they found their quarterback. 411 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:43,199 Speaker 2: Yeah. And I just think, you know, if you do 412 00:20:43,240 --> 00:20:46,879 Speaker 2: get caught up in the touchdown numbers and things of 413 00:20:46,880 --> 00:20:49,520 Speaker 2: that nature, the interceptions, Like I you know, you still 414 00:20:49,520 --> 00:20:52,440 Speaker 2: see the thing, well, he's interception prone. Were like two 415 00:20:52,480 --> 00:20:56,080 Speaker 2: hundred passes last year without throwing an interception, you know some. 416 00:20:56,080 --> 00:20:58,320 Speaker 1: Of that was If his numbers next year are the 417 00:20:58,359 --> 00:21:00,679 Speaker 1: same as last year, I'll have a problem, right, the 418 00:21:00,680 --> 00:21:03,320 Speaker 1: circumstances are, right, I thought. 419 00:21:03,119 --> 00:21:07,200 Speaker 2: I expect something this year, you know, two to one ratio, 420 00:21:08,200 --> 00:21:09,600 Speaker 2: yeah or better. 421 00:21:10,680 --> 00:21:13,840 Speaker 1: And if you look at EPA Pro Football Focus grade, 422 00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:18,440 Speaker 1: it's QBR anything that's not base stats. The second half 423 00:21:18,480 --> 00:21:20,280 Speaker 1: of the year, he's like a top ten quarterback. 424 00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:23,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, and that means something. You know, I think you 425 00:21:23,520 --> 00:21:27,119 Speaker 2: know that you saw the growth, you saw the the maturity, 426 00:21:27,200 --> 00:21:29,879 Speaker 2: you saw the leadership and those things mean. 427 00:21:29,800 --> 00:21:34,560 Speaker 1: Something, so across the board, I like every offensive position better. 428 00:21:35,400 --> 00:21:39,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think that's uh, it's not not something that 429 00:21:39,080 --> 00:21:43,159 Speaker 2: you'd always say, but I think it's pretty obvious that 430 00:21:43,200 --> 00:21:43,840 Speaker 2: they're they're. 431 00:21:44,480 --> 00:21:46,280 Speaker 1: I assume do defense in the next segment that I'm 432 00:21:46,320 --> 00:21:46,840 Speaker 1: we're going to do. 433 00:21:46,840 --> 00:21:48,560 Speaker 2: Defense next, and I don't I don't know that I'll 434 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:49,320 Speaker 2: look at that the same. 435 00:21:49,920 --> 00:21:51,520 Speaker 1: I'm not going to just always give the benefit of 436 00:21:51,520 --> 00:21:53,920 Speaker 1: the doubt of the current group, right, but. 437 00:21:53,960 --> 00:21:55,440 Speaker 2: We'll take a look at that when we come back. 438 00:21:55,760 --> 00:21:58,280 Speaker 2: You can listen to Steelers Nation Radio anytime anywhere through 439 00:21:58,320 --> 00:22:01,400 Speaker 2: your smart speaker. Just say Alexa, play Steelers Nation Radio 440 00:22:01,440 --> 00:22:03,879 Speaker 2: from my heart, and Alexa will take care of the rest. 441 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:07,040 Speaker 2: He is Matt Williamson. I am Dale Lallie. You're listening 442 00:22:07,040 --> 00:22:09,920 Speaker 2: to the drive here on Steelers Nation Radio. We'll take 443 00:22:09,960 --> 00:22:12,240 Speaker 2: a look at the defense when we come back right 444 00:22:12,280 --> 00:22:12,600 Speaker 2: after this