1 00:00:04,840 --> 00:00:08,000 Speaker 1: Is The Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson on 2 00:00:09,400 --> 00:00:20,960 Speaker 1: Home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome 3 00:00:20,960 --> 00:00:24,000 Speaker 1: to the Drive. I'm Dale Lolly here with Matt Williamson. Matt, 4 00:00:24,079 --> 00:00:27,000 Speaker 1: the O t A s are underway over the u 5 00:00:27,080 --> 00:00:30,160 Speaker 1: PM C Rooney Sports Complex. Uh. We've got to talk 6 00:00:30,200 --> 00:00:33,519 Speaker 1: to Cam Hayward yesterday, a couple of other guys today. Uh. 7 00:00:33,760 --> 00:00:39,040 Speaker 1: Pretty good. Uh, pretty good tournament and all that good stuff. Absolutely, 8 00:00:39,080 --> 00:00:40,960 Speaker 1: and there was some question as to how that would 9 00:00:40,960 --> 00:00:45,360 Speaker 1: all uh play out, given everything that's happening with the 10 00:00:45,400 --> 00:00:47,520 Speaker 1: c b A and the then the union saying hey, 11 00:00:47,520 --> 00:00:51,320 Speaker 1: we you know, we want some concessions here around you know, 12 00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:54,400 Speaker 1: we're worried about COVID and things of that nature, and 13 00:00:54,520 --> 00:01:00,520 Speaker 1: really worried about COVID. Yeah, it might be a likely Yeah, 14 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:03,560 Speaker 1: and that's one of the things. Again, had the opportunity 15 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:06,200 Speaker 1: to talk to Cam Heyward, he's the Steeler's NFL h 16 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:09,440 Speaker 1: p A rep. Talked to him on Tuesday. Did he 17 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:11,920 Speaker 1: take that over from Ramon? Yes, I should know that, 18 00:01:11,959 --> 00:01:15,720 Speaker 1: but okay, and so you know, he was at the 19 00:01:15,760 --> 00:01:20,040 Speaker 1: forefront of kind of negotiating the way things went here 20 00:01:20,040 --> 00:01:22,080 Speaker 1: for the Steelers getting you know, whether or not they 21 00:01:22,080 --> 00:01:23,960 Speaker 1: would be on the field. If you remember about a 22 00:01:23,959 --> 00:01:26,120 Speaker 1: month ago there was they put out a statement that 23 00:01:26,160 --> 00:01:29,560 Speaker 1: the Steelers wouldn't be participating. Well that that was obviously 24 00:01:29,800 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 1: not the case, that was obviously smoothed out. Um. And 25 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:35,199 Speaker 1: so I had a chance to talk to Cam Heyward 26 00:01:35,240 --> 00:01:41,440 Speaker 1: about that on Tuesday. Here's what Cam had to say. 27 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:47,640 Speaker 1: Hear me, hear me, Yeah, yeah, you know, I guess 28 00:01:47,720 --> 00:01:49,400 Speaker 1: last month you guys put out a statement that the 29 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:52,120 Speaker 1: Steelers weren't going to participate, and now you know that's 30 00:01:52,160 --> 00:01:58,400 Speaker 1: obvious to change. Uh, you know, multitude things, uh, you know, 31 00:01:58,560 --> 00:02:02,560 Speaker 1: and I don't think it was ever uh you know, 32 00:02:02,600 --> 00:02:05,120 Speaker 1: I think when we first came out with the statement, um, 33 00:02:05,160 --> 00:02:08,680 Speaker 1: if we had stayed under the old rules and um, 34 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:10,960 Speaker 1: you know I'm not having that cooperation with both the 35 00:02:11,040 --> 00:02:14,280 Speaker 1: organization and the players, we couldn't have got it done. 36 00:02:14,440 --> 00:02:17,920 Speaker 1: But um, a month later, we were able to you know, 37 00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:21,639 Speaker 1: iron out some things, uh and put both the players 38 00:02:21,720 --> 00:02:27,080 Speaker 1: at players sanity at uh at a low. You know, 39 00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 1: players are still giving an opportunity to understand that with 40 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:33,280 Speaker 1: mandatory I mean and you know, I mean not mandatory 41 00:02:33,360 --> 00:02:38,280 Speaker 1: but uh not it was volunteer, voluntary, but Uh, you 42 00:02:38,280 --> 00:02:40,919 Speaker 1: know this is ever going process. You know, I don't 43 00:02:40,960 --> 00:02:43,560 Speaker 1: think you ever just you know, play at your feet 44 00:02:43,600 --> 00:02:45,640 Speaker 1: down and say we're not going to do this. You know, 45 00:02:45,680 --> 00:02:48,360 Speaker 1: we were able to work through stuff. UM, and I 46 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:51,799 Speaker 1: appreciate everybody for working with us. Yeah. Well E d 47 00:02:51,919 --> 00:02:56,919 Speaker 1: K Yeah, Cam. I was just wondering if if you've 48 00:02:56,960 --> 00:02:59,680 Speaker 1: got any concessions, or if you talk to anybody with 49 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:03,520 Speaker 1: dealers to get any concessions or anything like that, about 50 00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:06,680 Speaker 1: what you guys would or would not be asked to do. Yeah, 51 00:03:06,880 --> 00:03:10,400 Speaker 1: you know, I think it. We had our leadership council UM, 52 00:03:10,919 --> 00:03:14,360 Speaker 1: talked to our our higher ups and you know coach 53 00:03:14,440 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 1: T Mr Rooney, UM, Kevin Colbert, and we just talked about, 54 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:21,200 Speaker 1: you know, whether it was the safety of you know, 55 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:25,040 Speaker 1: trying to have guys who were flying across country UM 56 00:03:25,800 --> 00:03:28,560 Speaker 1: get two negatives to even start the process. That was 57 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:32,960 Speaker 1: one thing that was completely abolished, especially when not everybody 58 00:03:33,040 --> 00:03:37,520 Speaker 1: is vaccinated. UM. You know we understood that. UM. Things 59 00:03:37,520 --> 00:03:40,280 Speaker 1: have changed, and you know, now we're playing a seventeen 60 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:44,200 Speaker 1: sympthing game and our main thing was let's not beat 61 00:03:44,240 --> 00:03:46,760 Speaker 1: our bodies up. Let's approach this the right way where 62 00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:50,920 Speaker 1: we have UM a ramp up period and that guys 63 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:54,400 Speaker 1: are learning and guys are taking advantage of this time. UM, 64 00:03:54,440 --> 00:03:57,560 Speaker 1: and I wanted to make sure UM we never ostracized 65 00:03:57,600 --> 00:03:59,680 Speaker 1: the guys that went in. UM. We had a lot 66 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:03,200 Speaker 1: of guys that love being in and you know, we 67 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 1: had to show this front that we didn't want to 68 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:08,680 Speaker 1: you know, jeopardize that UM. And I think we did 69 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:12,320 Speaker 1: a great job of just being open and honest with UM, 70 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:14,720 Speaker 1: you know, everybody, and making sure we didn't have a 71 00:04:14,760 --> 00:04:17,440 Speaker 1: lot of contact. UM. You know right now, I don't 72 00:04:17,440 --> 00:04:19,800 Speaker 1: think contexts that big. You know, many camps a different thing, 73 00:04:19,880 --> 00:04:21,560 Speaker 1: but O T a S. I think it's a big 74 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:24,320 Speaker 1: time for learning UM. And a lot of young guys 75 00:04:24,360 --> 00:04:26,159 Speaker 1: tend to improve in this time, whether it's the first 76 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:28,760 Speaker 1: year or second year guys. So this time is really 77 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:31,520 Speaker 1: about getting those guys up to speed and you know, 78 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:34,680 Speaker 1: teaching these guys UM coach. These main thing was I 79 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:38,040 Speaker 1: want to see guys how how weather conditioned. UM and 80 00:04:38,320 --> 00:04:41,120 Speaker 1: doing that, UH, we've been able to run, We've been 81 00:04:41,560 --> 00:04:44,920 Speaker 1: the coach, listen, learn and when you have that those 82 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:52,479 Speaker 1: right ingredients now and things that benefit us. M. I 83 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:54,799 Speaker 1: know it's a fine line here, but were you happy 84 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:57,320 Speaker 1: with the participation, and it's just like the first time 85 00:04:57,320 --> 00:05:00,719 Speaker 1: it maybe feels normal out there for you guys. Yeah, 86 00:05:00,839 --> 00:05:04,680 Speaker 1: I'm happy with participation, you know, happy whoever shows up. 87 00:05:04,760 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 1: You know, it doesn't really matter who shows up. Um, 88 00:05:07,839 --> 00:05:10,720 Speaker 1: you know, if we're gonna be here, Um, we're gonna 89 00:05:10,760 --> 00:05:14,039 Speaker 1: take advantage of this time. Um. And you know it's 90 00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:18,320 Speaker 1: gonna change constantly. You know, I think I said it before. 91 00:05:18,360 --> 00:05:20,120 Speaker 1: You just can't plant your feet and say this is 92 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:23,520 Speaker 1: just gonna happen this way. Um. We we learned from 93 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:26,560 Speaker 1: last year that you have to be very Um, you 94 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:30,480 Speaker 1: have to be able to adapt to different situations. But um, 95 00:05:30,520 --> 00:05:33,240 Speaker 1: you know we'll keep going. You know, guys are gonna 96 00:05:33,240 --> 00:05:36,520 Speaker 1: come in and out. And um, this is a voluntary period. 97 00:05:36,520 --> 00:05:38,840 Speaker 1: I don't think we've every judge guys off attending a 98 00:05:38,880 --> 00:05:41,599 Speaker 1: voluntary period. So you know, when we get to mini camp, 99 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:46,280 Speaker 1: I think we participation, but I don't really worry about 100 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:52,440 Speaker 1: that prior ESPN get him. Kind Of along those lines, 101 00:05:52,480 --> 00:05:55,560 Speaker 1: it seemed like there were some position groups that had 102 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:58,760 Speaker 1: a fewer number of guys than others. Are those position groups, 103 00:05:58,839 --> 00:06:00,760 Speaker 1: especially if you know they're on the offensive side and 104 00:06:00,760 --> 00:06:04,360 Speaker 1: they're learning new concepts with the new offense. Are they 105 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:06,480 Speaker 1: at a disadvantage for not being here? Are though some 106 00:06:06,520 --> 00:06:08,240 Speaker 1: of the guys you would anticipate to kind of come 107 00:06:08,320 --> 00:06:13,039 Speaker 1: in and out throughout this, you know, if they weren't here, 108 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 1: it doesn't really matter. I think we've we've you know, 109 00:06:15,680 --> 00:06:18,760 Speaker 1: had guys in before this time, so you know, we 110 00:06:18,880 --> 00:06:22,400 Speaker 1: just haven't been able to really publicize it. But you know, 111 00:06:22,440 --> 00:06:25,960 Speaker 1: guys have been coming in and you know, wherever they're working, 112 00:06:25,960 --> 00:06:28,200 Speaker 1: they're getting to work. We never have to worry about 113 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:30,840 Speaker 1: that with our guys. We've you know, I think our 114 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:34,440 Speaker 1: level of communication has improved in the pandemic, where you know, 115 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 1: you don't just depend on a facility to provide everything 116 00:06:37,800 --> 00:06:40,400 Speaker 1: you need. And that's huge for us now. Um, I 117 00:06:40,440 --> 00:06:42,960 Speaker 1: can tell you to last year, I didn't know how 118 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:45,680 Speaker 1: to set up a workout by myself. But you know, 119 00:06:45,760 --> 00:06:48,880 Speaker 1: you get really good at you get used to hum, 120 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:51,000 Speaker 1: a familiarity to it. You know you're able to do 121 00:06:51,040 --> 00:06:53,680 Speaker 1: it by yourself. Guys are you know, working out together, 122 00:06:54,040 --> 00:06:57,280 Speaker 1: working on things, whether it's you know, a lineman, wide receivers, 123 00:06:57,320 --> 00:07:01,360 Speaker 1: tight ends, quarterbacks, organized and things. Um, and I think 124 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:04,440 Speaker 1: we're having that communication outside the building. It's gonna be 125 00:07:04,520 --> 00:07:10,840 Speaker 1: huge for us down the road. They can change gears 126 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:14,440 Speaker 1: a little bit. I know last week you're pretty vocal 127 00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:18,160 Speaker 1: defending your quarterback. Then, um, why did you feel the 128 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:20,880 Speaker 1: need I'm assuming you heard all the off season chatter 129 00:07:20,920 --> 00:07:23,800 Speaker 1: about him and how people don't think he's gonna be 130 00:07:23,840 --> 00:07:26,040 Speaker 1: any good this year. Why did you feel the need 131 00:07:26,080 --> 00:07:27,880 Speaker 1: to come to his defense? And how do you look 132 00:07:27,920 --> 00:07:31,120 Speaker 1: out there today? And I think we're just we're just 133 00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:33,840 Speaker 1: blowing it out of proportion. Dude went eleven and o 134 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:36,160 Speaker 1: to start the season. How many other quarterbacks did that? 135 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:40,080 Speaker 1: And you know, I think we we we can sit 136 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:42,080 Speaker 1: up here and talk about you know, we lost the 137 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:45,640 Speaker 1: game last year. Um, you know we lost to Cleveland Browns. Okay, 138 00:07:45,640 --> 00:07:47,360 Speaker 1: so be it. We fell off at the end. We've 139 00:07:47,360 --> 00:07:50,360 Speaker 1: still made the playoffs. But I'm not here to, you know, 140 00:07:50,720 --> 00:07:53,160 Speaker 1: say my quarterback is not able to do it. I've 141 00:07:53,160 --> 00:07:56,520 Speaker 1: seen this guy when Super Bowls on TV. I've seen 142 00:07:56,600 --> 00:07:59,280 Speaker 1: him day in and day out compete, And you know, 143 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:01,800 Speaker 1: you just get fush because you know, I know Ben 144 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 1: puts in work and I know how much he cares 145 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:07,040 Speaker 1: about this team. Um, if he didn't want to do it, 146 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:09,080 Speaker 1: and he didn't, you know, if he If he was 147 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:11,120 Speaker 1: just here for the money, that's one thing, and I 148 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:12,760 Speaker 1: don't think we would ever have to worry about that. 149 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:16,160 Speaker 1: But when he steps in this building, he's a dedicated 150 00:08:16,200 --> 00:08:18,400 Speaker 1: to this. So I need to hear the bad mouthing 151 00:08:18,440 --> 00:08:23,160 Speaker 1: about him being you know, um are not great quarterbacks, 152 00:08:23,360 --> 00:08:26,120 Speaker 1: and then everybody's ready to elevate other other quarterbacks. I'm like, 153 00:08:26,240 --> 00:08:28,720 Speaker 1: what have they done? You know this guy is a 154 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:32,360 Speaker 1: proven winner, but you ever ready to discount them? All 155 00:08:32,400 --> 00:08:34,720 Speaker 1: I was saying was, you know, I think having a 156 00:08:34,720 --> 00:08:37,720 Speaker 1: greater balance is gonna make them that more dangerous. You know, 157 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:40,040 Speaker 1: you you bring in guys and I know our offensive 158 00:08:40,040 --> 00:08:42,679 Speaker 1: line is in flux, but you know they're gonna be 159 00:08:42,679 --> 00:08:45,600 Speaker 1: better because they're learning a different system. Um, we're bringing 160 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:48,439 Speaker 1: another running back, We're bringing you know, our receivers are 161 00:08:48,480 --> 00:08:51,720 Speaker 1: a year older, bringing another tight end. All these different 162 00:08:51,720 --> 00:08:54,000 Speaker 1: things I think can help Ben And you know, I'm 163 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:56,560 Speaker 1: excited for him. You know, as a defense, when the 164 00:08:56,600 --> 00:08:58,920 Speaker 1: offense can stay on the field, that lets us know 165 00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:02,000 Speaker 1: that world. When the offense isn't on the field and 166 00:09:02,040 --> 00:09:03,880 Speaker 1: we're on the field, that means we gotta we gotta 167 00:09:03,920 --> 00:09:06,360 Speaker 1: kick butt. But when the offense is on the field. 168 00:09:06,360 --> 00:09:12,800 Speaker 1: We can totally get after it. Gerry, Hello, Cam was 169 00:09:12,840 --> 00:09:17,000 Speaker 1: it important for I'm well, was it important for you 170 00:09:17,240 --> 00:09:20,000 Speaker 1: and Ben to be here on the first day and 171 00:09:20,040 --> 00:09:22,760 Speaker 1: what was the message, if any, that you delivered to 172 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:28,079 Speaker 1: your veteran players about OTIS and attending. I don't know 173 00:09:28,120 --> 00:09:29,480 Speaker 1: if it's you know, I don't put a lot of 174 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:32,319 Speaker 1: stock into this. I think, you know, we can benefit 175 00:09:32,400 --> 00:09:34,000 Speaker 1: from it. But if a guy is not here and 176 00:09:34,880 --> 00:09:36,679 Speaker 1: you know, chooses to go elsewhere, that's not a big 177 00:09:36,679 --> 00:09:39,800 Speaker 1: deal to me. Um. You know, the guys that aren't 178 00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:42,400 Speaker 1: here are usually veterans who have been in the system. 179 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:44,199 Speaker 1: But you know, for me and Ben, it's like we 180 00:09:44,320 --> 00:09:47,400 Speaker 1: like tried to UM. We try to call thevate relationships 181 00:09:47,480 --> 00:09:49,760 Speaker 1: right now. We try to learn different guys or new 182 00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:52,720 Speaker 1: new positions. UM. And that just comes with time, you know. 183 00:09:52,760 --> 00:09:56,679 Speaker 1: I think, Um, there's there's growth that can happen, UM 184 00:09:56,880 --> 00:10:00,440 Speaker 1: for a younger guy, you know, talking to an older guy. 185 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:03,240 Speaker 1: Younger guys like to emulate older guys during this time. 186 00:10:03,760 --> 00:10:08,920 Speaker 1: But you know, UM, going forward, I tell my guys, 187 00:10:09,120 --> 00:10:12,360 Speaker 1: you know, this is voluntary. I'm not really you know, 188 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:15,760 Speaker 1: I know everybody's working, which puts me at an ease, 189 00:10:16,280 --> 00:10:18,719 Speaker 1: But I'm not gonna put all my eggs in the 190 00:10:18,800 --> 00:10:23,480 Speaker 1: basket for you know, a voluntary period. This is the 191 00:10:23,520 --> 00:10:26,679 Speaker 1: time to learn and you know the virtual meetings are 192 00:10:26,720 --> 00:10:29,880 Speaker 1: what and then you have to feel work. But every 193 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:32,360 Speaker 1: guy in this this building and outside this building, I 194 00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:34,560 Speaker 1: know it's putting there the best foot forward, you know, 195 00:10:34,559 --> 00:10:37,760 Speaker 1: and the conversations I have. Um, you know, guys can 196 00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:40,440 Speaker 1: get good world good work wherever they go. It's just 197 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:45,120 Speaker 1: about where they feel like they need to be. Sports. Now, 198 00:10:51,080 --> 00:10:53,080 Speaker 1: you mentioned it a little bit earlier, but how much 199 00:10:53,120 --> 00:10:57,040 Speaker 1: did game? How much does that kind of change the 200 00:10:57,640 --> 00:11:01,000 Speaker 1: math for you about how and how much and how 201 00:11:01,040 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 1: often you want to exert yourself and and go through 202 00:11:05,160 --> 00:11:08,720 Speaker 1: contact in the off season. And I think it was 203 00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:11,320 Speaker 1: just an overdue thing that needed to be changed. Um 204 00:11:11,360 --> 00:11:14,000 Speaker 1: and when you talk about our off seasons, um work, 205 00:11:14,400 --> 00:11:17,559 Speaker 1: you know, seventeen games is you know, it's funny we 206 00:11:17,679 --> 00:11:20,680 Speaker 1: get a seventeen seventeen game and they say they shorten 207 00:11:20,720 --> 00:11:23,160 Speaker 1: our preseason, but then we have the Hall of Fame games, 208 00:11:23,240 --> 00:11:26,719 Speaker 1: so uh, it's not really like we're shorting anything for us. 209 00:11:27,240 --> 00:11:30,520 Speaker 1: You know, we just gained an extra game. But um, 210 00:11:30,559 --> 00:11:33,719 Speaker 1: you know, we we just have to be smart. Um, 211 00:11:33,760 --> 00:11:36,920 Speaker 1: you know, whether it's reps now and you know during 212 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:39,280 Speaker 1: team game, you just want to you know, it's a 213 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:42,200 Speaker 1: war of attrition already. Let's let's add a little bit 214 00:11:42,240 --> 00:11:44,800 Speaker 1: more bang to it, so you know, those hits on 215 00:11:44,840 --> 00:11:47,080 Speaker 1: the body. I was talking to a coach on there. 216 00:11:47,160 --> 00:11:50,559 Speaker 1: You know, usually this first day there's already separated shoulder 217 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:54,640 Speaker 1: or you know, a torn hamstring. But um, that's always 218 00:11:54,640 --> 00:11:56,840 Speaker 1: been the nature of the game. But that doesn't prevent 219 00:11:56,880 --> 00:11:59,800 Speaker 1: you from growing and attacking this game to make sure 220 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:03,200 Speaker 1: everybody stays healthy and it's ready for a week one. Jeff, 221 00:12:03,240 --> 00:12:08,400 Speaker 1: I've seven, Hey, Cam, you mentioned the message or that 222 00:12:08,440 --> 00:12:10,560 Speaker 1: you wanted to cultivate relationships. There are a lot of 223 00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:13,319 Speaker 1: new players here, obviously a lot of rookies. What's your 224 00:12:13,360 --> 00:12:18,560 Speaker 1: message to them about your expectations? You know, I don't 225 00:12:18,559 --> 00:12:21,199 Speaker 1: I don't know how much expectations you go into this time. 226 00:12:21,400 --> 00:12:24,480 Speaker 1: I think you really start to narrow it down when 227 00:12:24,480 --> 00:12:28,520 Speaker 1: we get the training camp. But um, I think many 228 00:12:28,559 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 1: camp you see what guys look like going from full speed. 229 00:12:32,440 --> 00:12:36,040 Speaker 1: But training camp you say, you know, what can this 230 00:12:36,080 --> 00:12:39,160 Speaker 1: guy do for this team? Now? Um, and you know 231 00:12:39,200 --> 00:12:41,600 Speaker 1: I don't like the there's so much time that can 232 00:12:41,640 --> 00:12:44,840 Speaker 1: be put into this that if you if you rush 233 00:12:44,880 --> 00:12:46,520 Speaker 1: it and think, oh, I gotta be the perfect player 234 00:12:46,600 --> 00:12:50,360 Speaker 1: right now, you're not really gonna learn too much. And 235 00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:55,280 Speaker 1: I think learning is the main thing for young guys. UM. 236 00:12:55,320 --> 00:13:01,320 Speaker 1: I was not fortunate enough to have a mini camp been. UM. 237 00:13:01,360 --> 00:13:03,240 Speaker 1: You know the O t A is my first year 238 00:13:03,280 --> 00:13:06,400 Speaker 1: because we were the lockout, and you know, my think 239 00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:09,400 Speaker 1: the main thing was wherever I went, I was, you know, 240 00:13:09,640 --> 00:13:12,600 Speaker 1: be a sponge, be open to learning. UM. You know, 241 00:13:12,800 --> 00:13:16,160 Speaker 1: you're in a different situation where you've only where you 242 00:13:16,240 --> 00:13:18,680 Speaker 1: might have only played thirteen games in the season. Now 243 00:13:18,760 --> 00:13:21,679 Speaker 1: you're gonna play seventeen in the regular season, UM, and 244 00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:25,559 Speaker 1: then for precinct preseason games on top of that. UM. 245 00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:27,600 Speaker 1: It's a it's a word of attrition. So I understand 246 00:13:27,679 --> 00:13:31,520 Speaker 1: how guys prepare their bodies, their minds, UM, and just 247 00:13:31,679 --> 00:13:34,480 Speaker 1: get used to being in the flow of NFL football. 248 00:13:34,559 --> 00:13:37,040 Speaker 1: It's a it's a different space, and you just gotta 249 00:13:37,080 --> 00:13:42,200 Speaker 1: be willing to learn. CAMA. A couple of questions ago, 250 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:45,079 Speaker 1: you mentioned that sort of complementary football angle of how 251 00:13:45,120 --> 00:13:48,439 Speaker 1: the offense could help the defense. UM. Mike talks about 252 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:50,600 Speaker 1: that a lot too, as it relates to past rush 253 00:13:50,760 --> 00:13:55,840 Speaker 1: and coverage. You lost Bud, you lost Nelson, you lost Hilton. UM, 254 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:58,720 Speaker 1: can you talk about a little bit how that complementary 255 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:02,000 Speaker 1: football sort of aspect is a challenge this year with 256 00:14:02,120 --> 00:14:03,960 Speaker 1: some of those guys gone from your defense and the 257 00:14:04,040 --> 00:14:07,400 Speaker 1: options you have to replace those guys. Yeah, you know, 258 00:14:07,600 --> 00:14:10,920 Speaker 1: it's always a challenge. You lose guys, great guys every year. 259 00:14:11,240 --> 00:14:13,800 Speaker 1: You know, that's the nature of the game. Everybody in 260 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:17,360 Speaker 1: this league should be paid, you know, the highest amount. 261 00:14:17,480 --> 00:14:19,520 Speaker 1: That's why I think, because the amount of work you 262 00:14:19,600 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 1: put in should benefit you what you put on the field. UM. 263 00:14:23,560 --> 00:14:27,120 Speaker 1: But this creates an opportunity for guys to step in. UM. 264 00:14:27,160 --> 00:14:29,520 Speaker 1: Alex Heismith is a guy I look at, you know, 265 00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:31,760 Speaker 1: his second year. He really got to play his first year, 266 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:33,840 Speaker 1: and this is the second year where we look for 267 00:14:33,920 --> 00:14:36,200 Speaker 1: in the blossom. You know, a guy like camp Sutton 268 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:38,440 Speaker 1: has always been our utility guy, being able to play 269 00:14:38,440 --> 00:14:41,520 Speaker 1: at the nickel, the slot, you know, the dime. Well, 270 00:14:41,520 --> 00:14:43,640 Speaker 1: now let's see if you can play a full time 271 00:14:43,680 --> 00:14:46,600 Speaker 1: corner outside. UM. You look at a guy like James 272 00:14:46,640 --> 00:14:50,000 Speaker 1: Bierre stepping in. UM. You know, these are guys that 273 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:53,680 Speaker 1: were you know, depth pieces last year that now we 274 00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:56,680 Speaker 1: get the elevator to the next step. But now our 275 00:14:56,760 --> 00:14:59,920 Speaker 1: depth gets questioned. But you know, this is an opportunity 276 00:14:59,920 --> 00:15:02,320 Speaker 1: for those guys to step up. Um, you know, and 277 00:15:02,360 --> 00:15:06,080 Speaker 1: I think the coaches are gonna understand that. I think, um, 278 00:15:06,200 --> 00:15:09,680 Speaker 1: we find good depth. But by using this time out 279 00:15:09,680 --> 00:15:12,240 Speaker 1: here and you know, getting ready for many camps and 280 00:15:12,640 --> 00:15:15,280 Speaker 1: you know, training camp. Um, you know, I don't, I 281 00:15:15,320 --> 00:15:18,560 Speaker 1: don't you know, worry about it, but I'm excited about it. 282 00:15:18,640 --> 00:15:20,040 Speaker 1: You know, this is a chance for new guys to 283 00:15:20,080 --> 00:15:24,760 Speaker 1: step up. Well as just one more thing about the 284 00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:27,480 Speaker 1: participation and stuff. But the guys that aren't there, was 285 00:15:27,520 --> 00:15:29,720 Speaker 1: that your understanding that it had nothing to do with 286 00:15:29,760 --> 00:15:31,480 Speaker 1: any of the protocol stuff and it was just like, 287 00:15:31,480 --> 00:15:32,960 Speaker 1: hey man, I'm just gonna kind of do my thing 288 00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:34,440 Speaker 1: and I'll be there at mini camp. Was that the 289 00:15:34,520 --> 00:15:37,640 Speaker 1: vibe that you got from those guys. It's just I 290 00:15:37,920 --> 00:15:41,440 Speaker 1: think guys that have gotten accustomed to, you know, training elsewhere. 291 00:15:41,640 --> 00:15:45,320 Speaker 1: You know, everybody's got great routines now and the pandemic 292 00:15:45,320 --> 00:15:48,800 Speaker 1: has created that, um, you know now more never players 293 00:15:48,800 --> 00:15:52,440 Speaker 1: are having that that freedom to really choose. We're the 294 00:15:52,560 --> 00:15:56,720 Speaker 1: only league that has this type of you know, participation 295 00:15:56,880 --> 00:15:59,600 Speaker 1: in an off season program. You know, most guys look 296 00:15:59,600 --> 00:16:02,200 Speaker 1: at bast Well basketball, you're playing pick up and you're 297 00:16:02,200 --> 00:16:05,680 Speaker 1: doing your own drills elsewhere. Um, you know, and you know, 298 00:16:05,840 --> 00:16:09,600 Speaker 1: I think you can learn so much here. But it 299 00:16:09,640 --> 00:16:12,280 Speaker 1: doesn't hurt to learn something from somebody new. Um. You 300 00:16:12,320 --> 00:16:14,960 Speaker 1: know they're there are great coaches, and I love our 301 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:17,640 Speaker 1: guys because they understand what's gonna get you better. They're 302 00:16:17,680 --> 00:16:20,880 Speaker 1: not just gonna go with, you know, the newest and 303 00:16:20,920 --> 00:16:23,080 Speaker 1: freshest thing out there and the guy who's you know, 304 00:16:23,160 --> 00:16:24,680 Speaker 1: just trying to get his name out there, that might 305 00:16:24,720 --> 00:16:27,400 Speaker 1: just get you hurt. These guys are you know, um 306 00:16:27,440 --> 00:16:30,920 Speaker 1: investing in themselves. You know, James Harrison, look at that guy. 307 00:16:31,280 --> 00:16:34,000 Speaker 1: That guy would always travel across country the Arizona to 308 00:16:34,080 --> 00:16:37,320 Speaker 1: go train. You know that that was his regiment. He 309 00:16:37,400 --> 00:16:40,560 Speaker 1: understood it and he applied it to you know, steal football. 310 00:16:41,000 --> 00:16:42,840 Speaker 1: You know, I think guys are more accustomed to doing 311 00:16:42,840 --> 00:16:51,960 Speaker 1: that now. Never Hey cam um, how are you doing? 312 00:16:52,520 --> 00:16:57,200 Speaker 1: I am good? How are you awesome? Thank you? I UM. 313 00:16:57,320 --> 00:17:01,480 Speaker 1: When you look at Richie kind of this earlier, even 314 00:17:01,520 --> 00:17:04,719 Speaker 1: though you said this is really not contact, it's just 315 00:17:04,800 --> 00:17:08,000 Speaker 1: about learning or conditioning. What is the value of actually 316 00:17:08,080 --> 00:17:11,960 Speaker 1: being with each other as opposed to being entirely virtually 317 00:17:12,359 --> 00:17:15,639 Speaker 1: like you were a year ago. What's specifically different and 318 00:17:15,680 --> 00:17:17,800 Speaker 1: can you sense it? And does it make a difference 319 00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:21,800 Speaker 1: to you? Like was it fun getting in the car? Well, like, 320 00:17:22,440 --> 00:17:27,480 Speaker 1: I'll be honest with you, virtual blows like it's not 321 00:17:27,560 --> 00:17:32,399 Speaker 1: anything like you know, like, uh, like I would love 322 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:35,879 Speaker 1: to see you guys in person. But you know, I think, Um, 323 00:17:35,960 --> 00:17:38,720 Speaker 1: when you look at like just installing stuff and learning, 324 00:17:39,240 --> 00:17:42,000 Speaker 1: you really don't get to know someone knows like or 325 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:44,800 Speaker 1: grasps like what's really going on? You know, when you 326 00:17:44,840 --> 00:17:49,400 Speaker 1: have that that that in in meeting time and you're 327 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:51,479 Speaker 1: able to just you know, wrap with your coach and 328 00:17:51,560 --> 00:17:54,040 Speaker 1: just coach, I don't really understand it. Let's go over 329 00:17:54,040 --> 00:17:56,920 Speaker 1: that one more time. You can't really you can't really 330 00:17:56,920 --> 00:18:00,600 Speaker 1: go through that in a virtual senate. Um, And this 331 00:18:00,600 --> 00:18:04,560 Speaker 1: this is just uh, we're not at normal. We're getting 332 00:18:04,600 --> 00:18:08,879 Speaker 1: the normal, but uh, this is just something we're growing through. Um. 333 00:18:08,920 --> 00:18:11,240 Speaker 1: You know, it's one thing that's just getting your car 334 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:13,520 Speaker 1: and listen to a virtual meeting. It's another thing to 335 00:18:13,560 --> 00:18:16,680 Speaker 1: be in the meeting and be present. And I think 336 00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:20,680 Speaker 1: that goes a long way and I think, um, multiple 337 00:18:20,720 --> 00:18:23,320 Speaker 1: teams are going through you know, it's it's just something 338 00:18:23,320 --> 00:18:29,760 Speaker 1: we're adapting to this year, right is that? Yeah? Kay? 339 00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:32,479 Speaker 1: I'm I guess kind of building on that. Relating to that, 340 00:18:32,520 --> 00:18:34,679 Speaker 1: I saw that you did a vaccine ps A not 341 00:18:34,760 --> 00:18:37,120 Speaker 1: too long ago. I know it's kind of a sensitive 342 00:18:37,280 --> 00:18:39,720 Speaker 1: around the NFL. Obviously it's a personal choice, but the 343 00:18:39,800 --> 00:18:43,520 Speaker 1: league is incentivizing it, especially with those in person meeting 344 00:18:43,560 --> 00:18:45,879 Speaker 1: restrictions being lifted. I mean, as a team captain and 345 00:18:45,960 --> 00:18:47,760 Speaker 1: the the p A rep. I mean, how are you 346 00:18:47,800 --> 00:18:50,640 Speaker 1: handling that vaccination discussion with your teammates if and when 347 00:18:50,640 --> 00:18:53,879 Speaker 1: it comes up? You know, I think everybody has to 348 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:58,640 Speaker 1: make that decision personally. UM. I I can bouse where 349 00:18:58,600 --> 00:19:01,359 Speaker 1: it's that I got the back seem because you know 350 00:19:01,440 --> 00:19:04,960 Speaker 1: my family, Um, you know, with my current situation, I 351 00:19:04,960 --> 00:19:08,480 Speaker 1: have bad asthma. UM, I have bad allergies. Uh. You 352 00:19:08,520 --> 00:19:10,080 Speaker 1: know when I was a kid, I was always always 353 00:19:10,080 --> 00:19:13,200 Speaker 1: in the hospital to begin with. So I just thought 354 00:19:13,240 --> 00:19:18,000 Speaker 1: to myself, UM, I don't want to give another reason why. Um, 355 00:19:18,040 --> 00:19:21,359 Speaker 1: but that's everybody's political uh you know, not political belief, 356 00:19:21,400 --> 00:19:24,160 Speaker 1: but you know belief towards it. Um. You know, everybody's 357 00:19:24,160 --> 00:19:27,560 Speaker 1: had different situations. My grandpa passed away before, you know, 358 00:19:27,640 --> 00:19:30,480 Speaker 1: during the pandemic, um, and he was just scared to 359 00:19:30,520 --> 00:19:33,240 Speaker 1: even go to the hospital. So, you know, you know, 360 00:19:33,400 --> 00:19:37,160 Speaker 1: everybody's got their own story. UM. And I can't think 361 00:19:37,240 --> 00:19:39,320 Speaker 1: for them. All I can do is provide them the 362 00:19:39,320 --> 00:19:42,520 Speaker 1: information and let them make a you know, a choice 363 00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:44,719 Speaker 1: of their own. Um. And I think guys have been 364 00:19:44,720 --> 00:19:47,360 Speaker 1: doing that. You know, some guys have gotten COVID and 365 00:19:47,480 --> 00:19:50,840 Speaker 1: are wondering, do I get the shot now? Um? And 366 00:19:50,880 --> 00:19:54,080 Speaker 1: so they need to understand that and understand why and 367 00:19:54,240 --> 00:20:05,240 Speaker 1: when they should be getting the shot. Hey, cam, uh 368 00:20:05,440 --> 00:20:08,840 Speaker 1: is the union and for the Steelers specifically, are you 369 00:20:08,920 --> 00:20:12,560 Speaker 1: comfortable with the injury protection for players who do choose 370 00:20:12,600 --> 00:20:16,480 Speaker 1: to train outside of the facility. Was that part of 371 00:20:16,520 --> 00:20:22,400 Speaker 1: it negotiated on on your part? It wasn't really negotiated. Um. 372 00:20:22,480 --> 00:20:25,240 Speaker 1: You know, I do know there's been a history with 373 00:20:25,280 --> 00:20:27,640 Speaker 1: the Steelers and the guy has gotten hurt. They've tried 374 00:20:27,680 --> 00:20:31,280 Speaker 1: to honor it for the most part. Um. It's just 375 00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:37,080 Speaker 1: it's beyond me that we're training outside the facility for 376 00:20:37,280 --> 00:20:41,399 Speaker 1: our jobs can't get covered for you know, um, you 377 00:20:41,440 --> 00:20:45,119 Speaker 1: know injuries. Um, you know, I think that's one thing 378 00:20:45,160 --> 00:20:48,240 Speaker 1: that needs to be addressed soon because I think, um, 379 00:20:48,280 --> 00:20:49,959 Speaker 1: at the end of the day, we're all just working 380 00:20:50,240 --> 00:20:54,840 Speaker 1: towards one goal and you shouldn't be penalized if you're 381 00:20:54,880 --> 00:20:58,720 Speaker 1: out anywhere just trying to work on your game. But 382 00:20:58,880 --> 00:21:01,880 Speaker 1: did you have a question or now no, Ray asked 383 00:21:01,920 --> 00:21:06,040 Speaker 1: my question. I'm good, okay, Oh thank you everybody, Thank 384 00:21:06,040 --> 00:21:10,080 Speaker 1: you so much. Cam Nope, Ray asked my question. That's 385 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:12,760 Speaker 1: this is what we deal with on the on the 386 00:21:12,840 --> 00:21:14,840 Speaker 1: zoom calls. Yeah, I'm glad I'm not involved in that. 387 00:21:14,880 --> 00:21:16,440 Speaker 1: I gotta be like, you don't know when you're gonna 388 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:19,400 Speaker 1: come when your turn is gonna come up. Oh yeah, 389 00:21:19,480 --> 00:21:21,280 Speaker 1: you've explained that before. I don't know if you so 390 00:21:21,400 --> 00:21:23,879 Speaker 1: you you know, you could be first you were sad 391 00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:26,280 Speaker 1: to day, right, yeah, that one, and with that one 392 00:21:26,440 --> 00:21:29,080 Speaker 1: you could be eight. You could be tent and so 393 00:21:29,240 --> 00:21:31,160 Speaker 1: you you you kind of gotta have four or five 394 00:21:31,200 --> 00:21:32,440 Speaker 1: things that Okay, I want to ask one but that 395 00:21:32,600 --> 00:21:34,879 Speaker 1: this if just as that and then all of a 396 00:21:34,880 --> 00:21:36,920 Speaker 1: sudden you get down and if you're downe at the 397 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:39,280 Speaker 1: end of this thing and you're you know, you're you're 398 00:21:39,359 --> 00:21:41,280 Speaker 1: checking off the questions as are going like oh boy, 399 00:21:41,760 --> 00:21:44,080 Speaker 1: you got nothing left you ever pass you know, like 400 00:21:44,480 --> 00:21:47,240 Speaker 1: I always ask something because you don't. I mean, you 401 00:21:47,480 --> 00:21:49,720 Speaker 1: only get one or two questions on these kind of 402 00:21:49,760 --> 00:21:52,000 Speaker 1: things as it is, and this is the only availabilities 403 00:21:52,040 --> 00:21:53,840 Speaker 1: that you have. So I mean, you spend so much 404 00:21:53,880 --> 00:21:56,960 Speaker 1: time outside and having a talk with him, just one 405 00:21:57,000 --> 00:22:00,920 Speaker 1: on one, and that's vanished. That's vanished. But we're getting closer. 406 00:22:00,920 --> 00:22:04,639 Speaker 1: As as Cam said there, Oh yeah. You know a 407 00:22:04,640 --> 00:22:06,919 Speaker 1: lot of a lot of the Steeler players at the 408 00:22:06,920 --> 00:22:11,080 Speaker 1: O t A s it's above two thirds have been there. Um, 409 00:22:11,119 --> 00:22:13,280 Speaker 1: a lot of the more veteran players are not there. 410 00:22:13,480 --> 00:22:15,359 Speaker 1: They really don't need to be. They really don't need 411 00:22:15,359 --> 00:22:17,040 Speaker 1: to mean that's that's they wouldn't be getting a lot 412 00:22:17,080 --> 00:22:19,440 Speaker 1: of reps anyways, right, You wouldn't want them to because 413 00:22:19,440 --> 00:22:20,639 Speaker 1: you want to get you want to get you know, 414 00:22:20,680 --> 00:22:22,720 Speaker 1: if you're Mike Tomlin and his coaching staff, you want 415 00:22:22,720 --> 00:22:25,000 Speaker 1: to get as good a look as some of these 416 00:22:25,040 --> 00:22:28,000 Speaker 1: younger guys as you can, even the non drafted, even 417 00:22:28,040 --> 00:22:29,760 Speaker 1: at the bottom of the roster guys, because you want 418 00:22:29,760 --> 00:22:33,800 Speaker 1: to see if there's a stands out right, absolutely, you 419 00:22:33,840 --> 00:22:37,320 Speaker 1: know what the the castro is gonna do. You know, 420 00:22:37,600 --> 00:22:40,840 Speaker 1: he doesn't you know. I mean, there's not like chance 421 00:22:40,920 --> 00:22:43,399 Speaker 1: they could get hurt as well. I mean, but you 422 00:22:43,440 --> 00:22:46,359 Speaker 1: just want to develop the youngsters. So people looking at 423 00:22:46,520 --> 00:22:49,040 Speaker 1: sometimes as why aren't the veterans there? They should show 424 00:22:49,040 --> 00:22:51,800 Speaker 1: better leadership. They really won't do anything. They just stand there. 425 00:22:51,840 --> 00:22:55,240 Speaker 1: And yeah, I mean, well, to Cam's point, and you 426 00:22:55,280 --> 00:22:57,400 Speaker 1: heard him say this that you know, he and Ben 427 00:22:57,480 --> 00:23:01,720 Speaker 1: Roethlisberger have been there both days, um thus far and 428 00:23:01,760 --> 00:23:04,879 Speaker 1: there as you're you know, you're offensive and defensive captains. 429 00:23:05,480 --> 00:23:08,240 Speaker 1: They're trying to learn these guys and get around these 430 00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:10,919 Speaker 1: guys and kind of get a good idea of and 431 00:23:10,920 --> 00:23:14,200 Speaker 1: that's amendable. And not every team has those has their 432 00:23:14,280 --> 00:23:16,200 Speaker 1: leaders there right now, you know. I mean they don't 433 00:23:16,240 --> 00:23:18,560 Speaker 1: have to be there. I guess Ben had a bunch 434 00:23:18,560 --> 00:23:20,800 Speaker 1: of rookies overs out for for a dinner or something 435 00:23:20,840 --> 00:23:24,760 Speaker 1: like that too. Um, Cam's obviously the perfect guy to 436 00:23:24,880 --> 00:23:27,000 Speaker 1: be the team Rep. Two. I mean, he's been great 437 00:23:27,000 --> 00:23:28,760 Speaker 1: with you guys all along. You can tell he's great 438 00:23:28,800 --> 00:23:31,040 Speaker 1: with his teammates. He's great on the field, you know, 439 00:23:31,160 --> 00:23:33,960 Speaker 1: so it makes a perfect sense. Yeah. So I mean 440 00:23:34,280 --> 00:23:40,160 Speaker 1: that's that's all part of this and and is we know, um, 441 00:23:41,000 --> 00:23:43,679 Speaker 1: there there were a lot of veteran guys. Mike Tomlin 442 00:23:43,760 --> 00:23:46,600 Speaker 1: said this during the draft he was asked about the 443 00:23:46,640 --> 00:23:48,960 Speaker 1: O T H sessions. This is phase three of them. 444 00:23:49,200 --> 00:23:52,040 Speaker 1: There were two phases before this, and the Steelers have 445 00:23:52,080 --> 00:23:53,439 Speaker 1: had a lot of guys in and out of the 446 00:23:53,480 --> 00:23:57,320 Speaker 1: building in those first two sessions. Well, now you've added 447 00:23:57,359 --> 00:23:59,440 Speaker 1: all the young guys to this, the whole new cropt 448 00:23:59,440 --> 00:24:01,560 Speaker 1: about it in Yeah, so all the all the veteran 449 00:24:01,600 --> 00:24:03,680 Speaker 1: guys could have already been in here and learned, you know. Okay, 450 00:24:03,680 --> 00:24:06,280 Speaker 1: here's what the new offense is gonna look like. Take 451 00:24:06,359 --> 00:24:08,960 Speaker 1: this with you, go work on it wherever you're gonna 452 00:24:09,000 --> 00:24:11,520 Speaker 1: work on it. We're bringing all these new you know, 453 00:24:12,080 --> 00:24:15,240 Speaker 1: they have ninety guys on the roster, right. It's kind 454 00:24:15,240 --> 00:24:17,679 Speaker 1: of weird how it's set up like that that, you know, 455 00:24:17,800 --> 00:24:21,040 Speaker 1: really two thirds of the team goes to the first 456 00:24:21,080 --> 00:24:23,800 Speaker 1: two thirds of mini camp and then the whole new flood, 457 00:24:24,320 --> 00:24:27,080 Speaker 1: and with just a mini camp under their belt, they 458 00:24:27,160 --> 00:24:29,920 Speaker 1: only meet their new teammates, the veterans, but then they're done, 459 00:24:29,960 --> 00:24:33,080 Speaker 1: you know, Like it's kind of an odd set up. Yeah, So, 460 00:24:33,240 --> 00:24:35,880 Speaker 1: I mean that's what's going on right now. It's it's 461 00:24:35,880 --> 00:24:38,719 Speaker 1: a lot of learning. It's a lot of teaching. Um, 462 00:24:38,760 --> 00:24:41,359 Speaker 1: you know, a lot of questions and those kind of 463 00:24:41,400 --> 00:24:43,679 Speaker 1: things that are going on right now. Uh. Some of 464 00:24:43,720 --> 00:24:47,840 Speaker 1: the younger veterans are there obviously, but a lot of 465 00:24:47,840 --> 00:24:50,199 Speaker 1: the older guys are not because, as you said, they 466 00:24:50,240 --> 00:24:52,600 Speaker 1: don't need to be there for these kind of sessions. 467 00:24:52,640 --> 00:24:55,920 Speaker 1: You're not you're not teaching old dogs new tricks in 468 00:24:56,280 --> 00:24:59,359 Speaker 1: regard to Okay, here's here's how we have this outside leverage, 469 00:24:59,359 --> 00:25:03,080 Speaker 1: here's how we p We've already gone over whatever. I mean, yeah, 470 00:25:03,080 --> 00:25:05,560 Speaker 1: I mean these guys have been coached. Um, I do 471 00:25:05,680 --> 00:25:09,159 Speaker 1: think there's some some value. I mentioned this before. Just 472 00:25:09,200 --> 00:25:12,400 Speaker 1: across the league, so many players signed one year deals 473 00:25:12,480 --> 00:25:14,440 Speaker 1: that you know, put your best step forward for your 474 00:25:14,440 --> 00:25:17,840 Speaker 1: new team, or you know, market yourself as best as possible, 475 00:25:18,240 --> 00:25:19,960 Speaker 1: even if you're not getting a ton out of them. 476 00:25:20,520 --> 00:25:21,919 Speaker 1: I think the young guys get a lot out of 477 00:25:21,920 --> 00:25:25,480 Speaker 1: it though. Yeah, oh, there's no doubt. And that's why, um, 478 00:25:25,520 --> 00:25:28,080 Speaker 1: you know, that's why they have these things is for 479 00:25:28,280 --> 00:25:30,920 Speaker 1: the young guys, for the younger players, because if you're 480 00:25:30,920 --> 00:25:33,240 Speaker 1: making a position switch, yeah, right, I mean this is 481 00:25:33,359 --> 00:25:36,879 Speaker 1: you know, you know, maybe yeah, you were in camp 482 00:25:37,000 --> 00:25:41,600 Speaker 1: last year with the Titans. Well, they're gonna do things differently, 483 00:25:41,880 --> 00:25:44,280 Speaker 1: very differently. It's not like baseball, where you play right 484 00:25:44,320 --> 00:25:47,000 Speaker 1: field and yeah, I'm you know, I'm the I'm the 485 00:25:47,040 --> 00:25:49,600 Speaker 1: center on the team and so I you know, they 486 00:25:49,640 --> 00:25:51,199 Speaker 1: have the plays a little bit different. But I can 487 00:25:51,240 --> 00:25:53,119 Speaker 1: pick that up pretty quickly and what I'm supposed to 488 00:25:53,119 --> 00:25:55,199 Speaker 1: do and I rebound to score and do that stuff. No, 489 00:25:55,320 --> 00:25:59,120 Speaker 1: you're you're asked to do some completely different things. I mean, 490 00:25:59,119 --> 00:26:02,480 Speaker 1: if you're a right guard outside zones on outside zone 491 00:26:03,119 --> 00:26:05,520 Speaker 1: in every city, you know, every city exactly the same way. 492 00:26:05,560 --> 00:26:07,280 Speaker 1: Just look at the three or four defenses a run 493 00:26:07,359 --> 00:26:10,000 Speaker 1: the league. They don't all run them the same way. No, 494 00:26:10,160 --> 00:26:13,040 Speaker 1: not at all. I mean it's kind of gone the 495 00:26:13,080 --> 00:26:15,640 Speaker 1: way of the dinosaur to do the old school two gapping. 496 00:26:15,960 --> 00:26:17,639 Speaker 1: You know, just eat up as many blocks as you 497 00:26:17,680 --> 00:26:20,480 Speaker 1: can with because nobody runs the ball and you know 498 00:26:20,480 --> 00:26:23,000 Speaker 1: you're you're looking for penetrators everywhere. And plus the league 499 00:26:23,040 --> 00:26:25,480 Speaker 1: is just getting flooded with awesome defensive lineman, so why 500 00:26:25,520 --> 00:26:28,119 Speaker 1: not use them. But still, they all run those things 501 00:26:28,160 --> 00:26:31,600 Speaker 1: a lot differently. I heard an interview with Curtis Marsh 502 00:26:31,920 --> 00:26:34,119 Speaker 1: I wanted with my favorite podcast. I was listening to 503 00:26:34,160 --> 00:26:36,000 Speaker 1: and he was just blown away of how well the 504 00:26:36,080 --> 00:26:39,840 Speaker 1: Steelers use their big guys to set up their edge guys, 505 00:26:39,920 --> 00:26:42,880 Speaker 1: you know, in terms of stants and stunts, and then 506 00:26:42,880 --> 00:26:44,439 Speaker 1: that goes back to le Beau and you know, not 507 00:26:44,520 --> 00:26:46,520 Speaker 1: every team does it that well. Boy, they set you 508 00:26:46,600 --> 00:26:49,439 Speaker 1: up for success here. Yeah, that's why I'm not super 509 00:26:49,480 --> 00:26:53,359 Speaker 1: concerned about that position necessarily. I've seen you know, a 510 00:26:53,359 --> 00:26:56,800 Speaker 1: lot of fans so they need better outside linebacker depth. 511 00:26:57,320 --> 00:26:59,879 Speaker 1: I've seen him win with you know, Anthony Chikolo. I 512 00:27:00,080 --> 00:27:04,440 Speaker 1: seen him win with just guys at the outside linebacker position. 513 00:27:04,480 --> 00:27:06,760 Speaker 1: As long as as long as your defensive linemen is 514 00:27:07,200 --> 00:27:09,760 Speaker 1: are there doing their job, doing your job, your linebackers 515 00:27:09,760 --> 00:27:12,520 Speaker 1: are going to be successful. I'm not at all discrediting 516 00:27:12,520 --> 00:27:15,880 Speaker 1: the great accomplishments of Lloyd and Green and Gilden and 517 00:27:15,920 --> 00:27:18,439 Speaker 1: what and you know, we've seen tons and tons of bud. 518 00:27:19,000 --> 00:27:22,280 Speaker 1: But you're right, I mean, scheme helps that position more 519 00:27:22,359 --> 00:27:24,159 Speaker 1: than if you would say, loose camp Heyward. You know, 520 00:27:24,880 --> 00:27:27,240 Speaker 1: it would rather Hayward and Tuart or at least as 521 00:27:27,280 --> 00:27:30,640 Speaker 1: important to what and certainly is depth to me than 522 00:27:30,720 --> 00:27:33,080 Speaker 1: the other you know, other way around. Yeah, but the 523 00:27:33,240 --> 00:27:37,040 Speaker 1: Steelers just completed their second of ten O T A 524 00:27:37,160 --> 00:27:40,160 Speaker 1: s today. Um so the ten days in a row 525 00:27:40,240 --> 00:27:42,840 Speaker 1: or you get, you get ten over three week periods. 526 00:27:42,840 --> 00:27:45,040 Speaker 1: So they'll do three this week, three next week because 527 00:27:45,080 --> 00:27:47,720 Speaker 1: of the holiday, and then for the final week before 528 00:27:47,720 --> 00:27:51,160 Speaker 1: then the week after that is their mandatory mini camp 529 00:27:51,680 --> 00:27:53,280 Speaker 1: and plus people will go home. And you know they're 530 00:27:53,280 --> 00:27:54,879 Speaker 1: not gonna spend all three weeks here if they're not, 531 00:27:54,920 --> 00:27:58,719 Speaker 1: if this isn't their hometown, and that matters, Yeah it does. Yeah, so, 532 00:27:58,960 --> 00:28:01,080 Speaker 1: but that's gonna do it for this segments. Actually football 533 00:28:01,080 --> 00:28:02,920 Speaker 1: to talk about a little, you know, right, Yeah, I 534 00:28:03,000 --> 00:28:06,040 Speaker 1: get some work coming up here in future segments, but 535 00:28:06,320 --> 00:28:07,760 Speaker 1: that's gonna do it for this one. So for my 536 00:28:07,760 --> 00:28:11,480 Speaker 1: partner Matt Williamson for Jacob Brecta here on site keeping 537 00:28:11,560 --> 00:28:13,560 Speaker 1: us on the air, I'm Dale Lolly. We thank you 538 00:28:13,600 --> 00:28:16,879 Speaker 1: for listening to this edition of the Drive on Steelers 539 00:28:16,960 --> 00:28:17,600 Speaker 1: Nation Radio.