1 00:00:04,720 --> 00:00:07,960 Speaker 1: This is the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson 2 00:00:08,360 --> 00:00:13,480 Speaker 1: on Home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. 3 00:00:20,960 --> 00:00:24,040 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Drive. I'm Dale Lollly. He is Matt Williamson, 4 00:00:24,160 --> 00:00:29,440 Speaker 1: and welcome. It's a Thursday, beautiful Thursday. From tonight, Matt, 5 00:00:29,880 --> 00:00:32,880 Speaker 1: the NFL season will kick off. Yeah, the town seems 6 00:00:32,920 --> 00:00:36,599 Speaker 1: to be but backyard brawl going on this evening. I'm 7 00:00:36,640 --> 00:00:39,159 Speaker 1: kind of looking forward to that. But more importantly to 8 00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:42,239 Speaker 1: me is we got a week till the NFL kickoff 9 00:00:42,320 --> 00:00:45,360 Speaker 1: and just slightly over that till the Steeler kickoff. That's awesome. 10 00:00:45,760 --> 00:00:49,360 Speaker 1: Can't wait, can't wait? We have seen enough practices. Yeah, 11 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:52,360 Speaker 1: we've been talking about practice for a long time now. Yes, 12 00:00:52,440 --> 00:00:56,560 Speaker 1: it's been a lot. Yeah, we're talking about practice. Um, 13 00:00:56,560 --> 00:00:58,920 Speaker 1: tired of talking about practice. Let's talk about some games 14 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:04,080 Speaker 1: that matter. The Steelers making a pair of rossos today. Uh, well, 15 00:01:04,319 --> 00:01:07,920 Speaker 1: no surprise that they placed the Demontekzy on injured reserve. 16 00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:10,240 Speaker 1: That will be with a design They don't have to 17 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:12,360 Speaker 1: say it now, but he'd be designated to return at 18 00:01:12,440 --> 00:01:15,319 Speaker 1: some point. Calvin Austen also going on there. That one's 19 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:18,400 Speaker 1: minimal surprise there, but I knew something was going to 20 00:01:18,480 --> 00:01:20,480 Speaker 1: happen at the wide receiver position. I did talk to 21 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:23,200 Speaker 1: Calvin Austin yesterday. I don't think he expected to go 22 00:01:23,200 --> 00:01:26,440 Speaker 1: in on are but they had seven receivers on the roster. 23 00:01:26,640 --> 00:01:29,880 Speaker 1: I mean six is really yeah, I mean you knew 24 00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:33,280 Speaker 1: something's gonna happen. So they resigned to replace those guys, 25 00:01:33,480 --> 00:01:37,640 Speaker 1: Marcus Allen and offensive lineman Trent Scott. They were an 26 00:01:37,640 --> 00:01:42,240 Speaker 1: offensive lineman short. You'd like somebody that better than Trent Scott, 27 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:43,800 Speaker 1: to be honest with you. But he's been around the 28 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:46,720 Speaker 1: block and he's a tackle and he started games in 29 00:01:46,760 --> 00:01:49,800 Speaker 1: the NFL. Yeah, that's that's where he's had a big deal. 30 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:52,160 Speaker 1: I'm sure people are asking about Joe Haig. He's visiting 31 00:01:52,200 --> 00:01:55,320 Speaker 1: the Raiders as we speak. So why did they signed 32 00:01:55,360 --> 00:01:58,680 Speaker 1: resigned Hag? Well, Haig doesn't have to sign here. He 33 00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:00,840 Speaker 1: can sign wherever he'd like out right right, it's a 34 00:02:00,840 --> 00:02:03,040 Speaker 1: two way street. That's a good point right now, it's not. 35 00:02:03,520 --> 00:02:04,720 Speaker 1: But as soon as you let him go, he can 36 00:02:04,720 --> 00:02:06,240 Speaker 1: do whatever the heck he wants, so he might as 37 00:02:06,240 --> 00:02:09,000 Speaker 1: well weigh his options. They just got Alex Leatherwood. I'm 38 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:10,880 Speaker 1: sure Joe Haig is looking at this one. Why am 39 00:02:10,880 --> 00:02:12,200 Speaker 1: I about to go there and get a start, so 40 00:02:12,320 --> 00:02:14,959 Speaker 1: he might start for the Raiders. I mean, they their 41 00:02:15,040 --> 00:02:18,960 Speaker 1: their lines worse than the Steelers and folks that doesn't 42 00:02:20,000 --> 00:02:22,600 Speaker 1: there's no line worse in the history of the league. 43 00:02:22,919 --> 00:02:26,400 Speaker 1: It's the worst line ever put together. Yep. I mean 44 00:02:26,440 --> 00:02:29,680 Speaker 1: the lines tonight it at the at Aky Serfield will 45 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:31,519 Speaker 1: be better than there is. Everybody in the world's better 46 00:02:31,520 --> 00:02:34,560 Speaker 1: than the Steeler line. That's I keep telling people. Watch 47 00:02:34,639 --> 00:02:38,200 Speaker 1: some other teams. This is an uncommon problem. There are 48 00:02:38,440 --> 00:02:41,680 Speaker 1: twenty five teams around the league who are hurting for 49 00:02:41,760 --> 00:02:44,240 Speaker 1: offensive linemen. Yeah, and there's five of them that are 50 00:02:44,280 --> 00:02:46,600 Speaker 1: every bit as bad as the Steelers and if not worse, 51 00:02:46,760 --> 00:02:48,359 Speaker 1: you know, and the Raiders are one of them. So 52 00:02:48,720 --> 00:02:50,480 Speaker 1: if I'm hey, I'm looking at like I can maybe 53 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:53,919 Speaker 1: be their right tackle, might maybe a starting guard some 54 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:56,280 Speaker 1: money right right right, and then the next contract get 55 00:02:56,560 --> 00:02:58,880 Speaker 1: a bump from there, or maybe they're gonna pay him 56 00:02:58,880 --> 00:03:00,679 Speaker 1: more than the Steelers did. I don't know. Yeah, So 57 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:02,480 Speaker 1: I mean that that's the reality of it. They also 58 00:03:02,520 --> 00:03:05,840 Speaker 1: made death three roster moves on the practice squad. Uh. 59 00:03:05,880 --> 00:03:10,120 Speaker 1: They signed Mark Gilbert, cornerback who was here last year camp, 60 00:03:10,280 --> 00:03:13,440 Speaker 1: signed with the Lions off the Steelers practice squad and 61 00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:16,880 Speaker 1: actually name I think he went to Duke, if from 62 00:03:16,880 --> 00:03:19,600 Speaker 1: memory serves. Uh, they got the tight end Justin Rigg 63 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:25,600 Speaker 1: and linebacker Chapel Russell. Uh, let me they stay here. Um, yeah, 64 00:03:25,639 --> 00:03:28,520 Speaker 1: Mark Gilbert did he play Duke? Let me see here. 65 00:03:28,880 --> 00:03:31,320 Speaker 1: So I don't know a lot about those three names. Uh. 66 00:03:31,400 --> 00:03:36,560 Speaker 1: Well he is. Uh, he's Sean Gilbert's nephew. But he 67 00:03:36,600 --> 00:03:40,480 Speaker 1: played last year in the NFL. Actually had a bubble 68 00:03:40,520 --> 00:03:44,000 Speaker 1: in the sea against the Steelers. Uh for the Lions. 69 00:03:44,240 --> 00:03:46,560 Speaker 1: I help turn the game into it. He played the 70 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:49,880 Speaker 1: Lions and he was Oneah. Uh. Justin Rigg was with 71 00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:54,920 Speaker 1: the Bengals in the preseason. Um University Kentucky product, played 72 00:03:54,960 --> 00:03:57,960 Speaker 1: sixty three games there the end. Yeah, and then the 73 00:03:58,080 --> 00:04:03,720 Speaker 1: Chapel Russell was with the Jaguars, played in all sixteen games, 74 00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:06,680 Speaker 1: started one, so he played a little bit for them. 75 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:11,600 Speaker 1: He has played in twenty seven total NFL games. Was 76 00:04:11,640 --> 00:04:14,680 Speaker 1: originally a seventh round draft pick of the Buccaneers, two 77 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:18,640 Speaker 1: first overall, So that's the same spot Chris. A lot 78 00:04:18,640 --> 00:04:23,480 Speaker 1: of con was like that, the that wasted draft pick 79 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:25,800 Speaker 1: that the Steelers had this year that ended up in 80 00:04:25,839 --> 00:04:28,359 Speaker 1: the Chiefs right, he's on the Chiefs practice squad. I 81 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:31,120 Speaker 1: can't tell you how many times I've answered this question. 82 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:33,840 Speaker 1: Was that a waste? Why did they waste that draft 83 00:04:33,880 --> 00:04:36,800 Speaker 1: pick on a seventh round quarterback? They you know they 84 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:38,600 Speaker 1: got I don't know if you knew this or not, Matt, 85 00:04:38,640 --> 00:04:41,240 Speaker 1: but the Steelers once draft at Brett Kissel and they 86 00:04:41,320 --> 00:04:45,039 Speaker 1: got Kelvin Beacham in the seventh round. So two guys 87 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:46,839 Speaker 1: in the last twenty years, and all of a sudden 88 00:04:46,880 --> 00:04:48,720 Speaker 1: they wasted a draft pick one of their two seventh 89 00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:51,800 Speaker 1: round draft Mark Robinson was the other one. But so 90 00:04:51,839 --> 00:04:54,240 Speaker 1: if Mark, if people think Mark Robinson is a player, 91 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:57,039 Speaker 1: well that's the thing. Well Robinson is so great he 92 00:04:57,040 --> 00:05:00,080 Speaker 1: should replace Bush because Bush is terrible, of course, and 93 00:05:00,440 --> 00:05:02,600 Speaker 1: they could have had someone just like them instead of 94 00:05:02,640 --> 00:05:05,719 Speaker 1: for the Alo con um. So that's your one, dude, 95 00:05:05,880 --> 00:05:08,080 Speaker 1: Like you get one of those every ten years, a 96 00:05:08,120 --> 00:05:12,599 Speaker 1: seventh round draft that turns into something that's a starter. Um, 97 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:16,600 Speaker 1: you know, I've gone through this a dozen times. They 98 00:05:16,640 --> 00:05:19,680 Speaker 1: weren't going to be able to sign a quarterback as 99 00:05:19,720 --> 00:05:24,560 Speaker 1: an undrafted Brookie free agent who could tie his shoes, 100 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:28,080 Speaker 1: and I knew which way the football was supposed to 101 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:30,320 Speaker 1: be thrown. The way I always explain it is put 102 00:05:30,360 --> 00:05:35,839 Speaker 1: yourself in said undrafted quarterback shoes. I would rather go 103 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:38,560 Speaker 1: to the Chiefs, I'd rather go to the Bills. I'd 104 00:05:38,640 --> 00:05:40,560 Speaker 1: rather go to anyone that didn't draft a quarterback in 105 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:43,320 Speaker 1: the first round and brought in another guy in free agency. 106 00:05:43,360 --> 00:05:45,960 Speaker 1: That's gonna get all the reps. I just want to 107 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:47,720 Speaker 1: be able to throw the football in a in a 108 00:05:47,760 --> 00:05:50,960 Speaker 1: preseason game and maybe even take some snaps in a 109 00:05:51,040 --> 00:05:55,040 Speaker 1: drill because that guy didn't get that opportunity here, and 110 00:05:56,320 --> 00:05:58,800 Speaker 1: well why did they draft him? Then, Well you didn't 111 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:01,320 Speaker 1: know that every everybody was gonna make it through the 112 00:06:01,360 --> 00:06:05,040 Speaker 1: preseason healthy or something would happen to a guy. Yeah, 113 00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:08,240 Speaker 1: we're gonna take four quarterbacks to training camp, no matter what, 114 00:06:08,320 --> 00:06:10,800 Speaker 1: no matter what. That's what you do. He gets you 115 00:06:10,839 --> 00:06:15,640 Speaker 1: through all that situation, because again, if you don't draft one, 116 00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:19,640 Speaker 1: no undrafted rookie who is worth a pound of wet 117 00:06:19,720 --> 00:06:23,280 Speaker 1: spit is going to sign with you because you drafted one. 118 00:06:23,320 --> 00:06:25,479 Speaker 1: You the drafted the only quarterback taken in the first 119 00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:28,480 Speaker 1: round this year, and you signed one in free agency, right, 120 00:06:28,720 --> 00:06:30,479 Speaker 1: I mean, obviously all those guys are gonna get all 121 00:06:30,520 --> 00:06:35,480 Speaker 1: the reps, um I had something brilliant. And who knows. 122 00:06:35,560 --> 00:06:37,479 Speaker 1: I mean somebody could have called the Steelers weeks ago 123 00:06:37,560 --> 00:06:39,480 Speaker 1: and said, we'll give you a good pick for Rudolph. 124 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:40,840 Speaker 1: I mean, all that good thing. We got this other 125 00:06:40,839 --> 00:06:43,359 Speaker 1: guy for your phone round, you know. So uh And again, 126 00:06:43,360 --> 00:06:46,839 Speaker 1: it's not a wasted pick. I mean, seventh rounders are 127 00:06:46,920 --> 00:06:49,400 Speaker 1: being thrown around the last week or so for you know, 128 00:06:50,160 --> 00:06:53,120 Speaker 1: I got a couple of spare pennies in my pocket. 129 00:06:53,160 --> 00:06:56,840 Speaker 1: Here take this seventh rounder from two thousand, that kind 130 00:06:56,839 --> 00:07:00,200 Speaker 1: of stuff, you know. Um, So yeah, I mean again, 131 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:03,640 Speaker 1: it's not the the end of the I don't get 132 00:07:03,640 --> 00:07:06,680 Speaker 1: the idea that they somehow wasted a seventh round draft 133 00:07:06,720 --> 00:07:09,120 Speaker 1: pick that a was one of two seventh round draft 134 00:07:09,120 --> 00:07:11,760 Speaker 1: picks that they had and B was at the end 135 00:07:11,800 --> 00:07:16,200 Speaker 1: of the seventh round. Um, I give me they could 136 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:18,080 Speaker 1: have signed an offensive linement that would have helped them 137 00:07:18,080 --> 00:07:22,520 Speaker 1: this year. Really were they getting? Were they drafting in 138 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:24,760 Speaker 1: the seventh round that was gonna help them this year, 139 00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:28,160 Speaker 1: next year, or even potentially the year after that. They've 140 00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:30,280 Speaker 1: got somebody like Mark Robinson or like one of these 141 00:07:30,360 --> 00:07:33,400 Speaker 1: dudes they just signed to the practice squad, who would 142 00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:35,360 Speaker 1: have had an opportunity and you see what they do 143 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:38,280 Speaker 1: and who knows. I mean maybe you would have found 144 00:07:38,280 --> 00:07:40,200 Speaker 1: a guard or a safety or something there that would 145 00:07:40,200 --> 00:07:42,760 Speaker 1: have made the team or made your practice squad. But 146 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:45,720 Speaker 1: you also could have found a long time backup quarterback too, 147 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:49,440 Speaker 1: you know that's more valuable. I mean, I think it's 148 00:07:49,480 --> 00:07:52,240 Speaker 1: really splitting hairs that criticize them for that pick is 149 00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:55,560 Speaker 1: crazy to me. Yeah, I don't I understand it. There's 150 00:07:55,560 --> 00:07:57,840 Speaker 1: been guys like Dak Prescott that are fifth rounders that 151 00:07:57,880 --> 00:08:00,600 Speaker 1: are you know, that go on and have careers. They 152 00:08:00,600 --> 00:08:04,840 Speaker 1: didn't have a fifth round pick, right, So um, yeah, 153 00:08:04,880 --> 00:08:08,280 Speaker 1: so that's the roster moves. Um, you know he's shocked 154 00:08:08,280 --> 00:08:12,400 Speaker 1: by Alan or Scott. No. Yeah, I mean they're familiar, 155 00:08:12,480 --> 00:08:15,120 Speaker 1: they know what they're doing. I knew Allen was coming back. 156 00:08:15,160 --> 00:08:18,800 Speaker 1: I mean he's he's a core special teams player. Um. 157 00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:21,400 Speaker 1: Scott is a guy that he's been on the block 158 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:24,280 Speaker 1: and tackle. Yeah, I mean he's got as good as 159 00:08:24,320 --> 00:08:26,080 Speaker 1: it gets, folks in terms of plucking guys off the 160 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:28,240 Speaker 1: waiver wire or whatever. I mean, that's what's out there. 161 00:08:28,640 --> 00:08:31,440 Speaker 1: So such his life. There's nobody They're not gonna nobody's 162 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:37,080 Speaker 1: cutting a starting tackle. Nobody's making a starting, quality starting tackle. 163 00:08:37,120 --> 00:08:39,440 Speaker 1: I mean all Alex Leatherwood was a starting quote unquote 164 00:08:39,440 --> 00:08:44,200 Speaker 1: a starting tackle, but only in the eyes of the Raiders. 165 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:51,040 Speaker 1: The Eagles picked up trade sermon. That was another one. 166 00:08:51,040 --> 00:08:54,160 Speaker 1: I'm sure he names were brought up. I mean, everybody 167 00:08:54,200 --> 00:08:56,480 Speaker 1: who's gotten cut, what about this guy? What about that guy? 168 00:08:56,520 --> 00:08:58,560 Speaker 1: What about that guy? There's a reason they're on the 169 00:08:58,559 --> 00:09:02,360 Speaker 1: street this time year. I love my job, but it 170 00:09:02,400 --> 00:09:04,600 Speaker 1: can get a little annoying that everyone that got cut 171 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:06,720 Speaker 1: is what we will see a good fit. I've heard 172 00:09:06,720 --> 00:09:08,160 Speaker 1: of him and see you could fit. He's better than 173 00:09:08,200 --> 00:09:11,640 Speaker 1: what they got, right. Probably not? Probably not is a 174 00:09:11,640 --> 00:09:13,720 Speaker 1: short answer. Yet they probably want to stick with the 175 00:09:13,760 --> 00:09:18,360 Speaker 1: guy that they've invested in entire offseason into training and 176 00:09:17,360 --> 00:09:19,640 Speaker 1: tea and every little bit out of them, and you 177 00:09:19,679 --> 00:09:21,760 Speaker 1: know his strengths and weaknesses, what you could trust out 178 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:23,520 Speaker 1: of them on game day and that type of thing. 179 00:09:23,679 --> 00:09:25,559 Speaker 1: Or may have even been here a couple of years, 180 00:09:25,600 --> 00:09:28,120 Speaker 1: you know. So no, keeping your own is a good move, 181 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:30,079 Speaker 1: especially if you're a quality key. One of the other 182 00:09:30,160 --> 00:09:32,439 Speaker 1: questions that I've gotten mat is then the Steelers now 183 00:09:32,520 --> 00:09:38,319 Speaker 1: have eleven of their sixteen practice squad spots available or 184 00:09:38,520 --> 00:09:41,600 Speaker 1: filled right now? Why haven't they filled up the practice squad. Well, 185 00:09:41,640 --> 00:09:44,440 Speaker 1: first of all, they're not practicing. They don't need the 186 00:09:44,440 --> 00:09:48,000 Speaker 1: bodies until next Monday. As we saw, they just signed 187 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:52,200 Speaker 1: three guys who were with other teams. You're you're waiting 188 00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:54,280 Speaker 1: for the smoke to clear on this here right now 189 00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:57,720 Speaker 1: and sifting through there. Put it this way, there were 190 00:09:57,720 --> 00:10:02,120 Speaker 1: what a thousand players who just be game free agents yesterday, 191 00:10:03,160 --> 00:10:07,959 Speaker 1: and even the best of coach or pro pro scouting staffs. 192 00:10:08,679 --> 00:10:10,719 Speaker 1: That's a lot to digest, which not only a lot 193 00:10:10,760 --> 00:10:12,680 Speaker 1: to digest, it is a lot you have to contact. Okay, 194 00:10:12,679 --> 00:10:17,760 Speaker 1: who fished? I gotta go, We're gonna call these five guys, 195 00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:19,360 Speaker 1: and which one of them is gonna say yes? And 196 00:10:19,440 --> 00:10:21,280 Speaker 1: you know they get on a plane and all that 197 00:10:21,320 --> 00:10:23,800 Speaker 1: kind of stuff too, and you don't and those agents, 198 00:10:24,280 --> 00:10:27,199 Speaker 1: I mean, they play one team off the other. You 199 00:10:27,320 --> 00:10:29,440 Speaker 1: got to get the name on the contract before you 200 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:32,640 Speaker 1: announce this. There was that happened to the Steelers with 201 00:10:32,760 --> 00:10:35,160 Speaker 1: an undrafted guy. I want to say this is probably 202 00:10:35,400 --> 00:10:39,480 Speaker 1: fifteen years ago were they announced that they were going 203 00:10:39,559 --> 00:10:42,280 Speaker 1: to sign. It was some wide receiver. I can't remember 204 00:10:42,320 --> 00:10:45,880 Speaker 1: what his name was. And when they announced he was 205 00:10:45,880 --> 00:10:48,800 Speaker 1: going to sign with the Steelers, the Falcons up their 206 00:10:48,840 --> 00:10:52,079 Speaker 1: offer to him and he ended up signing in with Atlanta. 207 00:10:52,120 --> 00:10:54,080 Speaker 1: While they came back, they they had already announced that 208 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:56,560 Speaker 1: the guy who was was gonna be on there. I'm 209 00:10:56,600 --> 00:10:59,000 Speaker 1: on the undrafted guys. So they don't do that anymore. 210 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:01,680 Speaker 1: The name has to be on the paper. Yeah, and 211 00:11:01,760 --> 00:11:04,040 Speaker 1: think about if you're an agent too, you may have 212 00:11:04,120 --> 00:11:07,560 Speaker 1: just had forty customers clients that were released, you know, 213 00:11:07,679 --> 00:11:09,440 Speaker 1: Like I'll get back to in a minute, I'm dealing 214 00:11:09,480 --> 00:11:11,240 Speaker 1: with this and it's not there's one an agents, just 215 00:11:11,360 --> 00:11:13,920 Speaker 1: one person in the building. But I mean still there's 216 00:11:13,920 --> 00:11:16,880 Speaker 1: just a flurry of activity. And the biggest point is, 217 00:11:16,920 --> 00:11:19,320 Speaker 1: like you said, they don't need those bodies right this second, 218 00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:21,320 Speaker 1: you know, I mean they will fill them up. They're not. 219 00:11:21,400 --> 00:11:23,760 Speaker 1: They didn't practice today, They're not going to practice tomorrow. 220 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:26,120 Speaker 1: It's a practice squad, and I think people need to 221 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:28,480 Speaker 1: understand that is what it's going to get filled. Guys. 222 00:11:28,600 --> 00:11:33,559 Speaker 1: You're not necessarily putting guys on your practice squad to 223 00:11:33,679 --> 00:11:36,720 Speaker 1: quote unquote hide them or or develop them for later. 224 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:40,680 Speaker 1: Your practice squad is largely do you like those guys? Yes, sure, 225 00:11:41,320 --> 00:11:44,320 Speaker 1: but your your practice squad is there exactly for what 226 00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:48,120 Speaker 1: the name of it is. Practice. We need somebody to 227 00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:50,719 Speaker 1: practice against that you know, we can trust that isn't 228 00:11:50,720 --> 00:11:53,160 Speaker 1: going to take our dude's knees out. They understand how 229 00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:57,719 Speaker 1: to practice, they know how things work. Yeah, they're not 230 00:11:57,760 --> 00:12:00,200 Speaker 1: going to cause waves on and off the field. You know. 231 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:02,320 Speaker 1: I don't want to be a headache with these guys. 232 00:12:02,840 --> 00:12:05,000 Speaker 1: No offense to the walk Ons of the world, but 233 00:12:05,400 --> 00:12:07,680 Speaker 1: the walk Ons had a shorter release at the college 234 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:10,160 Speaker 1: level in terms of getting in trouble or whatever than 235 00:12:10,200 --> 00:12:12,120 Speaker 1: the others because I don't want to spend time with them. 236 00:12:12,160 --> 00:12:14,040 Speaker 1: I got I don't know a few enough a few 237 00:12:14,160 --> 00:12:16,240 Speaker 1: enough hours in the day to begin with, let alone, 238 00:12:16,280 --> 00:12:18,679 Speaker 1: to deal with those type of guys. So be model citizens. 239 00:12:18,679 --> 00:12:21,439 Speaker 1: Do what you said. Maybe you get an opportunity to 240 00:12:21,480 --> 00:12:23,200 Speaker 1: get called up. You know, some of those guys are 241 00:12:23,240 --> 00:12:24,800 Speaker 1: on the fringe of being rosters, and some of them 242 00:12:24,840 --> 00:12:27,200 Speaker 1: are just warm bodies to some degree. And you hope 243 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:28,640 Speaker 1: to get in camp next year, you know, I mean, 244 00:12:28,640 --> 00:12:31,280 Speaker 1: that's the best as it gets. Yeah, I mean, and 245 00:12:31,320 --> 00:12:33,080 Speaker 1: you know, maybe you get onto the practice squad and 246 00:12:33,080 --> 00:12:36,199 Speaker 1: you do some stuff on there. Yeah, and you know, 247 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:40,000 Speaker 1: open some eyes. That's happened. Um I said, well, you know, 248 00:12:40,040 --> 00:12:42,760 Speaker 1: still get attention from your position was on the practice squad, 249 00:12:42,760 --> 00:12:44,400 Speaker 1: and I'm like, I got asked that my in my 250 00:12:44,480 --> 00:12:46,880 Speaker 1: life chat to damn. Well, you know everybody looks at 251 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:48,880 Speaker 1: the guys in the practice squad like they're James Harrison. 252 00:12:49,880 --> 00:12:52,320 Speaker 1: Like James Harrison shouldn't have been on the practice squad 253 00:12:52,559 --> 00:12:56,200 Speaker 1: right right? That that was a mistake. Yeah, that just 254 00:12:56,320 --> 00:12:58,920 Speaker 1: as cutting him three times, it was a mistake. It's 255 00:12:58,960 --> 00:13:01,400 Speaker 1: like our seventh round call versation a minute ago. I mean, 256 00:13:01,440 --> 00:13:05,760 Speaker 1: like fans, I love the passion. I've been there as well, 257 00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:08,760 Speaker 1: where I'm eagerly awaiting who that fifty three guy is 258 00:13:08,880 --> 00:13:10,839 Speaker 1: or the seventh round pick, or who's gonna be on 259 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:14,720 Speaker 1: the practice squad. But the more you realize it's not 260 00:13:14,880 --> 00:13:18,160 Speaker 1: that important, you know. I mean, sure there's some stories there, 261 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:21,480 Speaker 1: of course there are. There's Kurt Warner stories out there too. 262 00:13:21,559 --> 00:13:24,000 Speaker 1: I mean, but that doesn't mean you can bank on 263 00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:27,360 Speaker 1: it or anything. It's one out of every again, every 264 00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:30,160 Speaker 1: ten years you get a guy that that it's done. Another. 265 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:33,280 Speaker 1: Steelers have had some success with some of the offensive 266 00:13:33,320 --> 00:13:35,400 Speaker 1: linemen there. I was asked about that as well. Well. 267 00:13:36,080 --> 00:13:38,839 Speaker 1: The Steelers have now had four offensive line coaches in 268 00:13:38,880 --> 00:13:40,800 Speaker 1: the last three years. Kind of they have. I get 269 00:13:40,840 --> 00:13:43,319 Speaker 1: it because there was, you know, the situation at the 270 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:47,120 Speaker 1: end of last right, Okay, I get that. Uh are 271 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:49,800 Speaker 1: you know, are are they not being taught correctly or 272 00:13:49,880 --> 00:13:51,960 Speaker 1: is it you know, a situation where they're just they 273 00:13:51,960 --> 00:13:55,240 Speaker 1: don't have the talent? Like to me, it's always about 274 00:13:55,240 --> 00:13:59,320 Speaker 1: the Jimmy's and Joe's. I mean, if you don't I 275 00:13:59,320 --> 00:14:03,640 Speaker 1: if I if I have a team of anything and 276 00:14:03,720 --> 00:14:07,760 Speaker 1: we don't have the talent, it doesn't matter. How Vince 277 00:14:07,800 --> 00:14:09,679 Speaker 1: Lombardi could come out of the grave and he's not 278 00:14:09,720 --> 00:14:15,079 Speaker 1: coaching that team Belichick this year. Right. I saw with 279 00:14:15,160 --> 00:14:17,480 Speaker 1: Belichick two years ago when they went seven and nine, 280 00:14:17,559 --> 00:14:20,600 Speaker 1: like that was a bad roster. Yeah, he coached him 281 00:14:20,600 --> 00:14:25,080 Speaker 1: as seven wins, but that was probably their ceiling. Yeah, 282 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:30,840 Speaker 1: I mean, I think that downplays the coaching matters somewhere, 283 00:14:30,960 --> 00:14:34,840 Speaker 1: no doubt, and coach is the most important position coach 284 00:14:34,880 --> 00:14:36,920 Speaker 1: out there by far. But if you don't have the talent, 285 00:14:36,960 --> 00:14:41,360 Speaker 1: it doesn't matter. But I also don't know is this 286 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:45,200 Speaker 1: guy or the guys before him post Munch good or 287 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:47,880 Speaker 1: bad at their job? I honestly don't know, and I 288 00:14:47,920 --> 00:14:51,480 Speaker 1: avoid that conversation at all costs because I've been fortunate 289 00:14:51,600 --> 00:14:54,400 Speaker 1: enough to see them behind the scenes, and even the 290 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:58,720 Speaker 1: biggest fan whoever is covering the team, would never know 291 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:01,200 Speaker 1: if he's a good assistant coach or not. You're not 292 00:15:01,280 --> 00:15:03,720 Speaker 1: in the tight end room. And that's what you know 293 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:07,280 Speaker 1: what I mean. There are media members out there, and 294 00:15:07,360 --> 00:15:10,160 Speaker 1: I'm not saying one anybody out but there are who 295 00:15:10,200 --> 00:15:12,640 Speaker 1: thinks that they know offensive line play because they well 296 00:15:12,680 --> 00:15:15,760 Speaker 1: I played office flyne at high school. That's not the same. 297 00:15:16,200 --> 00:15:19,040 Speaker 1: If I have a question about something on the offensive line, 298 00:15:19,920 --> 00:15:23,000 Speaker 1: I go ask somebody who knows right right, I'll grab Wolf, 299 00:15:23,080 --> 00:15:26,080 Speaker 1: or I'll grab you know, Max, grab somebody off, you know, 300 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:28,240 Speaker 1: I'll talk to somebody who might know a little bit 301 00:15:28,240 --> 00:15:31,440 Speaker 1: more about offensive line play than me. I mean, how 302 00:15:31,480 --> 00:15:34,160 Speaker 1: often do we reference Greg Costell? I mean all the time. 303 00:15:34,360 --> 00:15:37,320 Speaker 1: He's phenomenal. You know, my buddy Ross Tucker calls him 304 00:15:37,360 --> 00:15:41,960 Speaker 1: the best civilian tape guy out there, and agree, I 305 00:15:41,960 --> 00:15:44,160 Speaker 1: wish I was as good. I still a civilian, still 306 00:15:44,160 --> 00:15:47,080 Speaker 1: a civilian, And anytime he talks O line, he's always like, 307 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:50,080 Speaker 1: I'm weaker on old line than the other positions. You know, 308 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:52,840 Speaker 1: it's just it's a totally different beast. I mean, it's 309 00:15:52,880 --> 00:15:55,880 Speaker 1: so technically sound, all that type of thing. And hey, 310 00:15:55,960 --> 00:16:01,200 Speaker 1: I mean I totally get that. Um we'll see on 311 00:16:01,240 --> 00:16:03,680 Speaker 1: the Steeler a line. That's the thing I'm not ready 312 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:06,440 Speaker 1: to say as some as some are that this is 313 00:16:06,480 --> 00:16:10,440 Speaker 1: a disaster. Nobody seemed to notice it or recognize it. 314 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:13,160 Speaker 1: But the last game was better. I mean it was better. 315 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:16,040 Speaker 1: I mean, and so we'll see. And you mentioned yesterday, 316 00:16:16,400 --> 00:16:18,440 Speaker 1: wait till they start the game plan a little bit 317 00:16:18,480 --> 00:16:21,960 Speaker 1: as well. You know, the Dan Moore verse, Josh Allen 318 00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:25,360 Speaker 1: and Jacksonville situation would not have happened to that extreme 319 00:16:25,520 --> 00:16:28,880 Speaker 1: in a regular game, you know. I mean, if Moore 320 00:16:29,000 --> 00:16:33,520 Speaker 1: knows that he has help, he's got somebody chipping behind him, 321 00:16:33,600 --> 00:16:36,280 Speaker 1: or if he's got somebody to his left side, he's 322 00:16:36,280 --> 00:16:38,960 Speaker 1: not going to get those holding penalties a right, right, 323 00:16:39,000 --> 00:16:41,160 Speaker 1: Like that doesn't mean and your past that's different and 324 00:16:41,240 --> 00:16:44,640 Speaker 1: everything about it. Everything everything changes. So and if he's 325 00:16:44,680 --> 00:16:47,000 Speaker 1: the only one that you're worried about, like I had 326 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:49,200 Speaker 1: that question, well, I feel pretty good about chokes at 327 00:16:49,240 --> 00:16:53,080 Speaker 1: right tackle. And let somebody recognizes that Chukes isn't playing poorly. 328 00:16:53,880 --> 00:16:55,960 Speaker 1: I feel good about the center and the right guard 329 00:16:55,960 --> 00:16:58,800 Speaker 1: looks like it's going to be fine better in this game. 330 00:16:58,960 --> 00:17:01,400 Speaker 1: Dotson looks like he might be okay, but damn more, 331 00:17:01,440 --> 00:17:03,200 Speaker 1: he could be a problem. Like if you've only got 332 00:17:03,240 --> 00:17:06,080 Speaker 1: one problem and he's not a disaster. We saw him 333 00:17:06,160 --> 00:17:09,200 Speaker 1: last year. He was serviceable, you know, right, Um, if 334 00:17:09,200 --> 00:17:12,280 Speaker 1: it's only one problem, you're okay. Okay, you can't have 335 00:17:12,320 --> 00:17:14,440 Speaker 1: two or three. I mean, hey, I mean back to 336 00:17:14,480 --> 00:17:17,399 Speaker 1: the Jimmy's and Joe's. I'd like better Jimmy's and Joe's 337 00:17:17,440 --> 00:17:19,160 Speaker 1: on the offensive line. That's part of the thing about 338 00:17:19,200 --> 00:17:23,119 Speaker 1: mun Chack, Like mun Check had two first round draft 339 00:17:23,119 --> 00:17:26,920 Speaker 1: picks that were already staying second round pick right Helps 340 00:17:27,359 --> 00:17:30,800 Speaker 1: Daniels was a two, what Chooks was the three? More 341 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:36,639 Speaker 1: was a four? Cole was undrafted or six? Yeah, I 342 00:17:36,680 --> 00:17:39,280 Speaker 1: mean Dotson was a mid round pick before. Yeah, Green 343 00:17:39,400 --> 00:17:42,159 Speaker 1: was a mid round pick. You know, so in a 344 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:45,480 Speaker 1: position that goes extremely early. I mean, guys with third 345 00:17:45,600 --> 00:17:48,359 Speaker 1: round grades going to second on the old line because 346 00:17:48,359 --> 00:17:50,920 Speaker 1: there's a shortage, folks, you know, there's not a ton 347 00:17:50,920 --> 00:17:53,360 Speaker 1: of pedigree there. I bet there will be more pedigree 348 00:17:53,400 --> 00:17:54,919 Speaker 1: next year at this time yeah. I mean, it wouldn't 349 00:17:54,920 --> 00:17:57,200 Speaker 1: surprise me one bit if their first round draft pick 350 00:17:57,280 --> 00:18:00,000 Speaker 1: is an offensive lineman. Absolutely, I mean, and a free 351 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:02,040 Speaker 1: agent signing or you know right, I mean this this 352 00:18:02,080 --> 00:18:04,320 Speaker 1: thing is not completely fixed yet. I had somebody say 353 00:18:04,359 --> 00:18:07,080 Speaker 1: that this is just arrogance by Tomlin thinking as his 354 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:10,760 Speaker 1: offensive line fixed. I have yet to hear Tomlin say, yeah, 355 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:14,240 Speaker 1: well we got our offensive line fixed, right. He recognizes 356 00:18:14,320 --> 00:18:17,760 Speaker 1: the problem his words come out of his mouth. Absolutely. 357 00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:21,520 Speaker 1: Any time I have a problem with while they should 358 00:18:21,520 --> 00:18:24,160 Speaker 1: have taken Creed Humphrey instead of Muth, or they should 359 00:18:24,160 --> 00:18:26,560 Speaker 1: have taken this guy instead of Nausea, or this guy 360 00:18:26,560 --> 00:18:30,720 Speaker 1: instead of Claypool or Bush or whomever. Revisionist history in 361 00:18:30,760 --> 00:18:34,239 Speaker 1: the draft is cheating on the test, you know what 362 00:18:34,280 --> 00:18:37,280 Speaker 1: I mean, It doesn't take much to do that. If 363 00:18:37,320 --> 00:18:40,080 Speaker 1: you can show me proof of where you had it 364 00:18:40,119 --> 00:18:42,600 Speaker 1: all laid out that you like this guy better than 365 00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:46,240 Speaker 1: stick by your guns, great, you know um, But to 366 00:18:46,320 --> 00:18:49,119 Speaker 1: say it two years after the fact, they're dumb. They 367 00:18:49,119 --> 00:18:52,240 Speaker 1: should have they passed on How did why did they 368 00:18:52,280 --> 00:18:54,320 Speaker 1: draft Dak Prescott in the third round? You know, like, 369 00:18:55,040 --> 00:18:58,359 Speaker 1: just revisionist history of the draft is hard for me 370 00:18:58,400 --> 00:19:01,640 Speaker 1: to swallow. Not the men and where I'm sure Creed 371 00:19:01,720 --> 00:19:03,439 Speaker 1: Humphrey to be a great Steeler, but he might be 372 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:07,239 Speaker 1: a better Chief than he's a Steeler. Or also make 373 00:19:07,320 --> 00:19:09,639 Speaker 1: note that the Chiefs passed on Creed Humphrey with their 374 00:19:09,680 --> 00:19:12,360 Speaker 1: first of course, right right right, first two second round 375 00:19:12,440 --> 00:19:15,000 Speaker 1: draft picks last year. They passed on him with their 376 00:19:15,040 --> 00:19:17,320 Speaker 1: first one, took him with their second. And if they 377 00:19:17,320 --> 00:19:20,119 Speaker 1: thought he was gonna be all all that in a 378 00:19:20,200 --> 00:19:22,119 Speaker 1: bag of doughnuts, right, they had taken him with the 379 00:19:22,119 --> 00:19:24,200 Speaker 1: first second round draft. And we know how this worked. 380 00:19:24,240 --> 00:19:27,320 Speaker 1: To the same people that would be that are saying 381 00:19:27,359 --> 00:19:30,040 Speaker 1: that would be like, well, they don't have a tight end. 382 00:19:30,520 --> 00:19:33,480 Speaker 1: That friar mood for the for the Chiefs is really good. 383 00:19:33,520 --> 00:19:37,119 Speaker 1: Why don't they draft him? Like you can't have everything 384 00:19:37,440 --> 00:19:40,400 Speaker 1: you can't right, imagine if they would drafted friar mouth. 385 00:19:40,440 --> 00:19:42,800 Speaker 1: The Chiefs are smarter than Steelers, you know, yeah, well 386 00:19:42,840 --> 00:19:44,320 Speaker 1: you know, I mean, there are only so many draft 387 00:19:44,320 --> 00:19:47,440 Speaker 1: picks to go around. But that's just how it goes. Uh. 388 00:19:47,480 --> 00:19:49,919 Speaker 1: He is Matt Williams and I am Dale Lally and 389 00:19:50,080 --> 00:19:53,520 Speaker 1: uh this is to drive on Steelers Nation Radio, and 390 00:19:53,560 --> 00:19:56,520 Speaker 1: I'm looking for just this just not working right, here. 391 00:19:57,119 --> 00:20:00,280 Speaker 1: But yeah, I mean, I think that U. I mean, 392 00:20:00,280 --> 00:20:02,440 Speaker 1: and some of the revisionist history makes me crazy, but 393 00:20:02,760 --> 00:20:04,440 Speaker 1: such as life, it's how it goes. We're getting a 394 00:20:04,480 --> 00:20:07,200 Speaker 1: little testy here. We're ready for the regular season. Absolutely. 395 00:20:07,880 --> 00:20:10,760 Speaker 1: You can now listen to Steelers Nation Radio anytime anywhere 396 00:20:10,880 --> 00:20:15,120 Speaker 1: through your smart speaker. Just say Alexa, play Steelers Nation 397 00:20:15,200 --> 00:20:17,560 Speaker 1: Radio from my heart. Alexa will take care of the 398 00:20:17,560 --> 00:20:21,040 Speaker 1: rest that well. I'm gonna try that at home tonight. 399 00:20:21,440 --> 00:20:23,320 Speaker 1: I'm gonna tell the kids do it. Then my wife's 400 00:20:23,320 --> 00:20:25,920 Speaker 1: gonna get mad when I start yelling, were Alex, Alexa? 401 00:20:26,359 --> 00:20:31,440 Speaker 1: Who's this Alexa? Maybe I'll record another podcast in one room, 402 00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:34,200 Speaker 1: have us going in the other room. Just could play 403 00:20:34,240 --> 00:20:36,320 Speaker 1: all of our stuff all over the house. Yeah, I've 404 00:20:36,359 --> 00:20:40,320 Speaker 1: had enough of Dad all Dad, all the time. Everybody 405 00:20:40,359 --> 00:20:42,439 Speaker 1: will then tune you out. That's how that works out. Oh, 406 00:20:43,040 --> 00:20:45,960 Speaker 1: they've got that down bad. Anyway, We're gonna take a break. 407 00:20:45,960 --> 00:20:48,200 Speaker 1: We'll be back with more. You're listening to the Drive 408 00:20:48,280 --> 00:20:49,600 Speaker 1: on Steelers Nation Radio.