1 00:00:04,760 --> 00:00:07,440 Speaker 1: Your tunes about drive on your twenty four to seven 2 00:00:07,520 --> 00:00:12,039 Speaker 1: home of the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio. 3 00:00:26,520 --> 00:00:28,880 Speaker 2: Back on the drive here on a Friday, into the 4 00:00:28,880 --> 00:00:31,920 Speaker 2: phone lines we go to catch up with our good 5 00:00:31,920 --> 00:00:34,920 Speaker 2: buddy Steelers historian, the Dean of Doom, the lord of 6 00:00:34,960 --> 00:00:37,519 Speaker 2: living in his fears, the Great Bob Labriola Labs. Thank 7 00:00:37,560 --> 00:00:39,879 Speaker 2: you for taking the time for us here on this Friday. 8 00:00:40,280 --> 00:00:42,400 Speaker 2: Plenty that we want to get into with you, So 9 00:00:42,760 --> 00:00:44,960 Speaker 2: I'll just jump right into it. You know, there's been 10 00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:47,680 Speaker 2: a ton of speculating in the you know, the week 11 00:00:47,760 --> 00:00:52,520 Speaker 2: here of the Steelers and hiring Mike McCarthy and going 12 00:00:52,560 --> 00:00:55,480 Speaker 2: with an offensive mine versus defensive mind, going with an older, 13 00:00:55,520 --> 00:00:58,360 Speaker 2: more experienced guy versus a younger guy, and all these 14 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:00,760 Speaker 2: different What were their priorities, what were their angles, what 15 00:01:00,800 --> 00:01:02,960 Speaker 2: were their process At the end of the day, I 16 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:05,320 Speaker 2: think it's pretty clear they hired Mike McCarthy because they 17 00:01:05,400 --> 00:01:07,840 Speaker 2: believe that he was the best coach available for the 18 00:01:07,880 --> 00:01:09,560 Speaker 2: Pittsburgh Steelers to hire this offseason. 19 00:01:11,319 --> 00:01:14,880 Speaker 3: I agree, And uh, you know, a lot of the 20 00:01:15,520 --> 00:01:18,680 Speaker 3: lot of the things you mentioned I think contributed to that. 21 00:01:20,560 --> 00:01:23,959 Speaker 4: You know, I think that there was an interest in. 22 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:31,680 Speaker 3: Hiring an offensive minded head coach. You know, the previous 23 00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:37,560 Speaker 3: three had been you know, defensive coordinators with no head 24 00:01:37,560 --> 00:01:43,880 Speaker 3: coaching experience in the NFL. So this representative represented a 25 00:01:44,000 --> 00:01:46,960 Speaker 3: change from the same old, same old. This Mike McCarthy 26 00:01:47,040 --> 00:01:51,840 Speaker 3: is a offensive minded coach, a someone with a reputation 27 00:01:51,960 --> 00:01:56,000 Speaker 3: as a developer of quarterbacks, and someone who has success 28 00:01:56,920 --> 00:02:00,400 Speaker 3: as an NFL head coach, a bunch of wins, super 29 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:05,240 Speaker 3: Bowl ring you know, work for a couple of other 30 00:02:06,440 --> 00:02:12,120 Speaker 3: iconic NFL franchises, so he has an understanding of being 31 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:15,480 Speaker 3: in that seat in a in a in a city, 32 00:02:15,680 --> 00:02:19,920 Speaker 3: or a fandom like that. You know, Green Bay and 33 00:02:20,160 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 3: Dallas are both, as I said, iconic NFL franchises. Their 34 00:02:26,000 --> 00:02:32,799 Speaker 3: fan bases are rabbid. And you know, again, I think 35 00:02:32,840 --> 00:02:37,040 Speaker 3: that when you look at the the pool from which 36 00:02:37,080 --> 00:02:42,799 Speaker 3: to choose, uh, MICHA. McCarthy is a proven guy. He 37 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:47,119 Speaker 3: addresses an area I think that the Steelers have identified 38 00:02:47,160 --> 00:02:52,720 Speaker 3: as one that needs help or improvement or you know, 39 00:02:52,760 --> 00:02:55,960 Speaker 3: whatever word you want to use it, use for it. 40 00:02:56,760 --> 00:03:01,280 Speaker 3: And this job is important to him. He loves it 41 00:03:01,360 --> 00:03:06,280 Speaker 3: here and I think that's you cannot underestimate that either 42 00:03:07,919 --> 00:03:13,240 Speaker 3: anyone who either watched his introductory press conference or you know, 43 00:03:13,280 --> 00:03:17,360 Speaker 3: attended it, which I did. You could see as he 44 00:03:17,520 --> 00:03:23,880 Speaker 3: was delivering his opening statement and then answering questions, this 45 00:03:24,080 --> 00:03:24,520 Speaker 3: means a. 46 00:03:24,440 --> 00:03:26,280 Speaker 4: Lot to him. And so. 47 00:03:27,919 --> 00:03:29,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, I just think that there were a lot of 48 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:31,560 Speaker 3: things that came together that made him the best candidate. 49 00:03:32,440 --> 00:03:35,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, and the two things I think that stand out 50 00:03:35,280 --> 00:03:38,440 Speaker 1: compared to the other candidates labs to me with him. 51 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:42,000 Speaker 1: Are you touched on both of them? Number one, the 52 00:03:42,040 --> 00:03:46,480 Speaker 1: ability to identify and develop the next quarterback whenever that is, 53 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:48,960 Speaker 1: whoever that is. We don't think to get into those names. 54 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 1: And then part two is this team won the division 55 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:58,360 Speaker 1: last year. I mean, obviously the Steelers, mister Rooney is 56 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:01,880 Speaker 1: always going to want to be as competitive year to 57 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:05,240 Speaker 1: year as possible. And I think McCarthy brings both those 58 00:04:05,240 --> 00:04:05,720 Speaker 1: to the table. 59 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:08,000 Speaker 4: Yeah. 60 00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:14,280 Speaker 3: And you know another thing that I thought was a 61 00:04:14,320 --> 00:04:16,400 Speaker 3: feather in his cap. Let me put it that way. 62 00:04:17,279 --> 00:04:21,440 Speaker 3: And I remember this with Mike Tomlin too. You know 63 00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:24,680 Speaker 3: Mike Tomlin, when he was hired, he came from a 64 00:04:24,760 --> 00:04:29,880 Speaker 3: Tampa too, Tony Dungeon defense. He stayed with the Dick 65 00:04:29,960 --> 00:04:34,760 Speaker 3: Lebow zone blitz, and I remember talking to him about 66 00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:39,080 Speaker 3: that early in the two thousand and eight season, which 67 00:04:39,160 --> 00:04:42,279 Speaker 3: was his second, and you know, he explained it to me. 68 00:04:42,320 --> 00:04:47,560 Speaker 3: He said, you know that he used to do studies 69 00:04:47,640 --> 00:04:52,120 Speaker 3: off season studies, deep dives into you know, different things 70 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:55,520 Speaker 3: that were going around the league, research projects kind of. 71 00:04:56,120 --> 00:04:59,560 Speaker 3: And he said, so he was very familiar with the 72 00:04:59,680 --> 00:05:03,240 Speaker 3: zone blitz, you know, Dick le Bow's version of it, 73 00:05:04,040 --> 00:05:08,400 Speaker 3: the Steelers personnel, and he said, you know, why would 74 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:12,040 Speaker 3: I want to change something that was successful and beyond that, 75 00:05:12,800 --> 00:05:17,960 Speaker 3: the selfless look at it. You know, he also said, 76 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:21,880 Speaker 3: if you want to change over your personnel from three 77 00:05:21,920 --> 00:05:24,440 Speaker 3: four to four three, it's going to take you four 78 00:05:24,520 --> 00:05:26,200 Speaker 3: years maybe five. 79 00:05:26,520 --> 00:05:27,080 Speaker 4: To do it. 80 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:32,039 Speaker 3: And you know, Mike McCarthy was said something similar on 81 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:35,920 Speaker 3: when when he was introduced, that he was going to 82 00:05:35,960 --> 00:05:38,400 Speaker 3: stick with the three four you know, because you looked 83 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:41,919 Speaker 3: at the Steelers personnel and that's what it was geared towards. 84 00:05:42,320 --> 00:05:48,400 Speaker 3: And that that kind of attitude by a candidate who 85 00:05:48,400 --> 00:05:52,200 Speaker 3: then that you hire, I think is a very good 86 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:56,719 Speaker 3: quality to have. H You don't necessarily want somebody who's 87 00:05:56,800 --> 00:05:59,720 Speaker 3: just going to come in and tear things down just. 88 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:01,440 Speaker 4: To sh owe you who's in charge. 89 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:07,840 Speaker 3: So again that that was another quality of his I 90 00:06:07,880 --> 00:06:12,200 Speaker 3: think that I like personally, and I would believe that 91 00:06:12,279 --> 00:06:15,200 Speaker 3: it was an asset for him in his interviews. 92 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:18,960 Speaker 4: Uh. And you know that. 93 00:06:19,360 --> 00:06:23,360 Speaker 3: And and why would you, as Art Rooney said, uh 94 00:06:23,400 --> 00:06:27,560 Speaker 3: when at the Mike Tomlin press conference, why would you 95 00:06:27,600 --> 00:06:30,920 Speaker 3: want to waste a year when you weren't trying to compete. 96 00:06:31,200 --> 00:06:32,200 Speaker 4: Ah. 97 00:06:32,279 --> 00:06:40,960 Speaker 3: So again, as I said, I I understand. 98 00:06:39,920 --> 00:06:41,640 Speaker 4: Well, let me let me take that back. 99 00:06:41,680 --> 00:06:48,080 Speaker 3: I don't understand a lot of the pushback criticism of 100 00:06:48,120 --> 00:06:48,719 Speaker 3: this hire. 101 00:06:49,560 --> 00:06:50,440 Speaker 4: Let me just say this. 102 00:06:50,760 --> 00:06:52,520 Speaker 3: You didn't ask me this, but I'm gonna kind of 103 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:56,159 Speaker 3: go there anyway. You know, a lot of the names 104 00:06:56,200 --> 00:06:59,720 Speaker 3: that Steelers fans seem to want, and a lot of 105 00:06:59,760 --> 00:07:03,520 Speaker 3: meat you maybe wanted as well, they didn't get hired. 106 00:07:05,080 --> 00:07:10,520 Speaker 3: If these guys for such slam dunk lock candidates for 107 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:13,400 Speaker 3: these head coaching jobs. Look at all the head coaches, 108 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:18,760 Speaker 3: They're all guys who were at other jobs, recycled guys, 109 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:23,560 Speaker 3: if you want to use that word, veteran guys. You know, 110 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:26,960 Speaker 3: all these hot coordinators. You know that Ben Johnson and 111 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:32,840 Speaker 3: those people there weren't They didn't exist in this hiring cycle. 112 00:07:33,640 --> 00:07:34,120 Speaker 4: And so. 113 00:07:36,280 --> 00:07:39,800 Speaker 3: You know, a lot of times I think the NFL decides, 114 00:07:40,960 --> 00:07:44,240 Speaker 3: and the fact that Chris Shula. 115 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 4: And I hate to, you know, point to him, but he. 116 00:07:46,840 --> 00:07:50,320 Speaker 3: Seemed to be the big hot name there for a while. 117 00:07:50,960 --> 00:07:55,400 Speaker 3: The Dolphins didn't even hire him, and so I don't 118 00:07:55,440 --> 00:07:58,800 Speaker 3: know why, But if he was such a slam dunk candidate, 119 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:02,960 Speaker 3: I think that that's a legitimate question to ask. Why 120 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:07,680 Speaker 3: would the team that his grandfather, why would the franchise. 121 00:08:07,760 --> 00:08:09,520 Speaker 4: Let's let's be clear on that. 122 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:13,800 Speaker 3: Because Don Schule's association with the Miami Dolphins came very 123 00:08:13,840 --> 00:08:17,960 Speaker 3: early in their franchise history. Why would the franchise that 124 00:08:18,040 --> 00:08:23,400 Speaker 3: Don Shula turned into whatever it was, and it's on 125 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:26,560 Speaker 3: its best in its best era, won't have nothing to 126 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:31,720 Speaker 3: do with him. So, again, as I said, I'm not 127 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:34,560 Speaker 3: here to run down Chris Shula, but I think that 128 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:39,120 Speaker 3: if he was such a slam down candidate, there would 129 00:08:39,160 --> 00:08:45,200 Speaker 3: have been more interest in him, and maybe he would 130 00:08:45,200 --> 00:08:46,120 Speaker 3: have a job by now. 131 00:08:47,480 --> 00:08:49,480 Speaker 2: As Matt likes to say, a lot the rest of 132 00:08:49,520 --> 00:08:51,760 Speaker 2: the league will tell you how they feel about personnel, 133 00:08:52,240 --> 00:08:55,640 Speaker 2: and certainly I think we can we can absolutely do 134 00:08:55,920 --> 00:08:57,920 Speaker 2: something from that, Labs, I think that's a fair point 135 00:08:58,600 --> 00:09:02,600 Speaker 2: to bring up here, Labs. Is it fair to deduce 136 00:09:03,160 --> 00:09:05,600 Speaker 2: I don't even know that's a bad transition. But does 137 00:09:05,640 --> 00:09:07,800 Speaker 2: it as we're sitting here right now, it is the 138 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:11,120 Speaker 2: end of January. It is a long time even until 139 00:09:11,160 --> 00:09:14,840 Speaker 2: training camp and certainly until September when the Steelers will 140 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:17,640 Speaker 2: play their first regular season game. But does it feel 141 00:09:17,720 --> 00:09:20,600 Speaker 2: like as we sit here today, there is a pretty 142 00:09:20,600 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 2: substantial chance that Aaron Rodgers will be under center starting 143 00:09:25,120 --> 00:09:27,080 Speaker 2: for the Pittsburgh Steelers once again in the fall of 144 00:09:27,080 --> 00:09:27,880 Speaker 2: twenty twenty six. 145 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:34,920 Speaker 4: Truly, I don't know how to handicap that. I don't. 146 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:37,600 Speaker 3: You know, It's gonna come down to, does Aaron Rodgers 147 00:09:37,600 --> 00:09:38,440 Speaker 3: want to play any. 148 00:09:40,160 --> 00:09:44,440 Speaker 1: And I think there's interest from the Steelers though, question mark. 149 00:09:45,280 --> 00:09:50,480 Speaker 4: I think they are not opposed. Yeah, yeah, yeah, because. 150 00:09:53,320 --> 00:09:55,840 Speaker 3: You know, as Art said, you know, we all have 151 00:09:55,880 --> 00:09:59,840 Speaker 3: to sit down and see if it makes sense for everyone, Okay, 152 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:06,480 Speaker 3: And that means does Aaron Rodgers want to play? Does 153 00:10:06,679 --> 00:10:09,760 Speaker 3: he want to play at all? Does he want to 154 00:10:09,760 --> 00:10:14,200 Speaker 3: play for Mike McCarthy and the Steelers more specifically, And 155 00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:17,440 Speaker 3: you know, what are his demands because he's a free agent? 156 00:10:18,880 --> 00:10:22,720 Speaker 3: Does he want forty million dollars? Is he willing to, 157 00:10:23,040 --> 00:10:27,120 Speaker 3: you know, do some sort of team friendly thing. You know, again, 158 00:10:27,200 --> 00:10:29,319 Speaker 3: I don't know the answers to any of these things, 159 00:10:29,520 --> 00:10:31,360 Speaker 3: but I think these are the issues that have to 160 00:10:31,400 --> 00:10:39,440 Speaker 3: be hammered out or at least aired. And you know, 161 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:42,360 Speaker 3: one of the let me just say this too, the 162 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:45,920 Speaker 3: whole narrative about if the Steelers want and want to 163 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:48,280 Speaker 3: end up doing business with Aaron Rodgers again, they're. 164 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:50,240 Speaker 4: Going to be held hostage all through the offseason. 165 00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:53,800 Speaker 3: Number one, that wouldn't happen. And number two, it didn't 166 00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:58,800 Speaker 3: happen last year either just because it wasn't announced, just 167 00:10:58,880 --> 00:11:03,080 Speaker 3: because you know, social media didn't new didn't know, Just 168 00:11:03,080 --> 00:11:06,680 Speaker 3: because a lot of radio talk show hosts weren't informed, 169 00:11:07,440 --> 00:11:12,079 Speaker 3: doesn't mean that Mike Tomlin, Aaron Rodgers, and Art Rooney 170 00:11:12,120 --> 00:11:16,160 Speaker 3: the second hadn't come to some understanding of what was 171 00:11:16,160 --> 00:11:19,160 Speaker 3: going to end up happening in June. You know, the 172 00:11:19,200 --> 00:11:24,120 Speaker 3: whole thought that it wasn't until Aaron Rodgers showed up 173 00:11:24,720 --> 00:11:27,680 Speaker 3: at the upmc rooney Sports complex on the South Side 174 00:11:27,720 --> 00:11:31,440 Speaker 3: and put pen to paper. The Steelers weren't aware or 175 00:11:31,520 --> 00:11:33,720 Speaker 3: sure that he was going to be the quarterback in 176 00:11:33,760 --> 00:11:34,680 Speaker 3: twenty twenty five. 177 00:11:34,760 --> 00:11:38,480 Speaker 4: I mean, that's that's just that's just stupid. It just 178 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:44,000 Speaker 4: is and so you know, so let me just throw 179 00:11:44,080 --> 00:11:44,800 Speaker 4: that out there too. 180 00:11:45,720 --> 00:11:51,880 Speaker 1: So Andy Whidel was involved with the Falcons GM search. 181 00:11:52,120 --> 00:11:54,320 Speaker 1: It looks like they're going to go another direction. That's 182 00:11:54,320 --> 00:11:56,400 Speaker 1: not official yet, but or is it though? 183 00:11:56,760 --> 00:11:59,000 Speaker 2: I think the chef they're reporting that they hired the Bears. 184 00:11:59,200 --> 00:12:01,760 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, much that last still still. 185 00:12:02,000 --> 00:12:03,960 Speaker 2: A credible one, but still still a report. 186 00:12:04,040 --> 00:12:08,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, so labs, especially with a new coaching staff, new schemes, 187 00:12:09,480 --> 00:12:13,160 Speaker 1: I think keeping your basically your head scout is super important. 188 00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:15,240 Speaker 1: And I wish the best for Andy. I'm sure be 189 00:12:15,240 --> 00:12:17,520 Speaker 1: a GM someday, but keeping him around I think is 190 00:12:17,520 --> 00:12:18,199 Speaker 1: pretty important. 191 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:24,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, and you know, Andy Widel is certainly a significant 192 00:12:24,559 --> 00:12:29,360 Speaker 3: contributor in this whole process. My experience is that a 193 00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:34,800 Speaker 3: lot of times these guys who are looking for GM jobs, 194 00:12:35,320 --> 00:12:36,280 Speaker 3: they've got to go through. 195 00:12:36,120 --> 00:12:37,000 Speaker 4: A hiring cycle. 196 00:12:39,240 --> 00:12:44,160 Speaker 3: Yeah right, yeah, I mean he's learning still the people 197 00:12:44,160 --> 00:12:48,320 Speaker 3: who are hiring are learning about him as well and 198 00:12:48,400 --> 00:12:50,880 Speaker 3: learning about you know, what they're looking for in this 199 00:12:51,559 --> 00:12:52,439 Speaker 3: uh kind. 200 00:12:52,240 --> 00:12:53,079 Speaker 4: Of a job sert. 201 00:12:53,240 --> 00:12:59,000 Speaker 3: So I wouldn't I wouldn't make any giant leaps to 202 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:04,760 Speaker 3: Andy Widel being not hired. I want to say passed over, 203 00:13:04,840 --> 00:13:11,360 Speaker 3: because that's mean not hired by the Falcons is some 204 00:13:11,440 --> 00:13:16,520 Speaker 3: sort of u testament to his fitness for this. 205 00:13:16,840 --> 00:13:17,440 Speaker 4: Kind of job. 206 00:13:17,600 --> 00:13:22,880 Speaker 3: So yeah, and I think it's a good thing for 207 00:13:22,920 --> 00:13:24,520 Speaker 3: this team, the Steelers. 208 00:13:24,559 --> 00:13:27,040 Speaker 4: I mean, in the situation that they're in. 209 00:13:27,480 --> 00:13:32,680 Speaker 3: You know, new head coach that you know, your your 210 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:40,400 Speaker 3: personnel department is not also going undergoing and upheaval and uh, 211 00:13:40,679 --> 00:13:44,920 Speaker 3: you know the O Mark Kahn, Andy widel uh tandem dynamic, 212 00:13:45,040 --> 00:13:47,600 Speaker 3: however you want to describe it. I think you know, 213 00:13:47,640 --> 00:13:51,040 Speaker 3: it's they're starting to gain their footing too, and and 214 00:13:51,320 --> 00:13:54,240 Speaker 3: get better at you know, what they're doing, and you 215 00:13:54,240 --> 00:13:57,679 Speaker 3: know those kind of things. And so yeah, that's a 216 00:13:58,480 --> 00:14:02,120 Speaker 3: I think that's a positive develop for the Steelers labs. 217 00:14:02,120 --> 00:14:04,080 Speaker 2: Something you mentioned earlier that I wanted to follow up 218 00:14:04,120 --> 00:14:06,559 Speaker 2: on you with and it is Bob Labriola, Steelers historian, 219 00:14:06,600 --> 00:14:09,800 Speaker 2: with us here on the Drive on this Friday, mentioning 220 00:14:09,880 --> 00:14:14,640 Speaker 2: McCarthy's time with Green Bay and Dallas, two other storied franchises, 221 00:14:15,160 --> 00:14:20,000 Speaker 2: big rabid fan bases with high expectations. How much do 222 00:14:20,040 --> 00:14:21,800 Speaker 2: you think that that is really going to be a 223 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:25,000 Speaker 2: benefit for him as he starts another NFL you know, 224 00:14:25,080 --> 00:14:29,080 Speaker 2: cornerstone franchise head coaching job with a fan base that 225 00:14:29,160 --> 00:14:31,960 Speaker 2: expects to win and be successful and be in contention 226 00:14:32,120 --> 00:14:34,520 Speaker 2: every year. I mean, like, we don't have to be naive. 227 00:14:34,640 --> 00:14:38,320 Speaker 2: Rights different coaching the or I guess, managing the Red 228 00:14:38,360 --> 00:14:41,480 Speaker 2: Sox than it is the Pirates. It's different coaching Pitt 229 00:14:41,520 --> 00:14:46,360 Speaker 2: basketball than it is Duke or Kentucky or Kansas. Mike 230 00:14:46,440 --> 00:14:49,000 Speaker 2: McCarthy having been there, done that with two of the 231 00:14:49,040 --> 00:14:53,440 Speaker 2: other big time cornerstone franchise storied NFL franchises, I think 232 00:14:53,520 --> 00:14:57,800 Speaker 2: that certainly has to help him maybe just you know, 233 00:14:57,800 --> 00:15:01,400 Speaker 2: know what he's getting into as he as he you know, 234 00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:04,160 Speaker 2: maybe now the the third piece of that that big 235 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:05,400 Speaker 2: three set in the NFL. 236 00:15:06,560 --> 00:15:09,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, and you know, beyond knowing what he's getting into, 237 00:15:10,360 --> 00:15:13,480 Speaker 3: he knows how to react to it, to the things 238 00:15:13,480 --> 00:15:17,760 Speaker 3: that come with that job, that job, the head coaching job. 239 00:15:18,320 --> 00:15:20,640 Speaker 3: First of all, being a head coach in the NFL 240 00:15:20,760 --> 00:15:21,200 Speaker 3: is unique. 241 00:15:21,240 --> 00:15:23,760 Speaker 4: There's one of thirty two jobs on the earth. 242 00:15:25,240 --> 00:15:30,280 Speaker 3: But then doing it in that kind of crucible is 243 00:15:30,320 --> 00:15:35,960 Speaker 3: also unique within the uniqueness of the fraternity. And so 244 00:15:37,280 --> 00:15:41,520 Speaker 3: you know, Mike McCarthy has walked into his office every 245 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:49,200 Speaker 3: day many years knowing that all eyes are on him, 246 00:15:49,400 --> 00:15:52,240 Speaker 3: you know, he is going to be asked to not 247 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:58,160 Speaker 3: only perform, but he is going to be subject to, 248 00:15:58,840 --> 00:16:02,680 Speaker 3: you know, the things that the visibility and the pressures 249 00:16:02,680 --> 00:16:04,720 Speaker 3: and the spotlight that comes with those jobs. 250 00:16:04,880 --> 00:16:07,160 Speaker 4: Let me throw this out at you. You know, forget 251 00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:09,560 Speaker 4: Green Bay, let's talk about Dallas. 252 00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:13,520 Speaker 3: After every game Mike McCarthy coached for the Cowboys, he 253 00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:17,640 Speaker 3: went into his postgame presser having had the owner already 254 00:16:17,640 --> 00:16:25,120 Speaker 3: talked to the media. Right, that's that's a reality. So 255 00:16:26,600 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 3: you know he has handled that kind of thing. They 256 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:32,680 Speaker 3: went twelve and five what three times that he was there, 257 00:16:33,160 --> 00:16:35,080 Speaker 3: So there was a lot of winning and he was 258 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:39,040 Speaker 3: able to foster a lot of winning and the things 259 00:16:39,080 --> 00:16:41,480 Speaker 3: that you need to foster to have that kind of 260 00:16:41,520 --> 00:16:46,360 Speaker 3: winning under a situation where the owner could be thrown 261 00:16:46,400 --> 00:16:50,080 Speaker 3: you under the bus if you lost the game before 262 00:16:50,080 --> 00:16:52,640 Speaker 3: you even and you don't even know that it happened, 263 00:16:53,040 --> 00:16:54,960 Speaker 3: because then you go into your you go into your 264 00:16:54,960 --> 00:16:57,840 Speaker 3: press conference. I mean, I have seen these things where 265 00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:02,280 Speaker 3: the question would would start with Mike, Jerry Jones just 266 00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:03,600 Speaker 3: said this about that. 267 00:17:04,160 --> 00:17:05,560 Speaker 4: How do you respond to that? 268 00:17:06,880 --> 00:17:09,440 Speaker 1: Plus Jerry like radio shows throughout the week, and. 269 00:17:09,720 --> 00:17:10,520 Speaker 4: There you go. 270 00:17:11,560 --> 00:17:15,199 Speaker 3: Jerry Jones is not someone you can if you're the 271 00:17:15,240 --> 00:17:18,879 Speaker 3: head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, whatever you think of him, 272 00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:24,359 Speaker 3: forget that you can't just kiss him off because he 273 00:17:24,520 --> 00:17:27,240 Speaker 3: is completely and totally in control there. 274 00:17:27,600 --> 00:17:30,640 Speaker 4: Yeah. So you know, I just. 275 00:17:30,640 --> 00:17:34,840 Speaker 3: Think that that kind of experience for Mike McCarthy. I 276 00:17:34,880 --> 00:17:38,400 Speaker 3: can't imagine a realistic scenario where that whatever happened in Pittsburgh, 277 00:17:38,560 --> 00:17:41,680 Speaker 3: but I think that has thickened his skin a little bit. 278 00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:45,840 Speaker 3: I don't think that it has also given him the 279 00:17:45,880 --> 00:17:52,320 Speaker 3: kind of experience that you know, it's it should just 280 00:17:52,480 --> 00:17:56,879 Speaker 3: help him. You know, when Art Rooney talked to me 281 00:17:57,600 --> 00:18:02,560 Speaker 3: about why this decision was made to hire Mike McCarthy, 282 00:18:03,320 --> 00:18:06,040 Speaker 3: and one of the things we got around to was 283 00:18:06,080 --> 00:18:10,320 Speaker 3: I asked him about the reaction to it, which at 284 00:18:10,359 --> 00:18:11,679 Speaker 3: the time was largely negative. 285 00:18:11,680 --> 00:18:13,560 Speaker 4: I don't know that. 286 00:18:13,480 --> 00:18:17,640 Speaker 3: It's improved a lot, but there was still some disappointment 287 00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:20,960 Speaker 3: slash negativity about the hire. And one of the things 288 00:18:21,040 --> 00:18:23,520 Speaker 3: Art said was, you know, we're not looking to win 289 00:18:23,560 --> 00:18:26,720 Speaker 3: the initial press conference. You know, we want the best 290 00:18:26,720 --> 00:18:30,439 Speaker 3: coach for us to compete for a championship. Well, let 291 00:18:30,480 --> 00:18:32,720 Speaker 3: me tell you I was at that initial press conference, 292 00:18:33,200 --> 00:18:37,040 Speaker 3: and they won that Mike McCarthy won that press conference. 293 00:18:38,119 --> 00:18:41,160 Speaker 3: There's still maybe people who don't like the move. There's 294 00:18:41,160 --> 00:18:44,240 Speaker 3: still maybe people that wanted something else to happen. But 295 00:18:44,720 --> 00:18:46,840 Speaker 3: anybody who was in that room or watched it, who 296 00:18:46,880 --> 00:18:49,159 Speaker 3: was in the business will tell you he won the 297 00:18:49,160 --> 00:18:53,560 Speaker 3: press conference. And so I think that that was some 298 00:18:53,720 --> 00:18:58,080 Speaker 3: of what I was just talking about. His experience with 299 00:18:58,200 --> 00:19:01,600 Speaker 3: being in the spotlight, with looking down quote unquote the 300 00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:07,639 Speaker 3: barrel of the media attention, he could handle and he 301 00:19:07,800 --> 00:19:14,800 Speaker 3: was genuine, he was sincere. And you know, as I said, 302 00:19:14,880 --> 00:19:19,200 Speaker 3: I we'll find out what happens, because it really doesn't 303 00:19:19,240 --> 00:19:22,159 Speaker 3: matter until the games start, and then he's gonna be 304 00:19:22,240 --> 00:19:25,200 Speaker 3: judged on what he does one way or the other, 305 00:19:25,680 --> 00:19:29,280 Speaker 3: and that's really what's going to count. But so far, 306 00:19:29,400 --> 00:19:31,280 Speaker 3: so good in my opinion. 307 00:19:32,040 --> 00:19:34,920 Speaker 1: So lab's kind of an x's and o's. You know, 308 00:19:35,280 --> 00:19:42,119 Speaker 1: McCarthy's offense is predominantly three wide receivers, quarterback aside. Do 309 00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:47,880 Speaker 1: you think wide receivers the biggest offseason need on the team. 310 00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:50,320 Speaker 4: Well, I mean I think that when you're going. 311 00:19:51,920 --> 00:19:56,159 Speaker 3: Looking at and this is I mean this both in 312 00:19:56,280 --> 00:20:00,640 Speaker 3: free agency and the draft. I don't know it's available 313 00:20:00,680 --> 00:20:03,280 Speaker 3: in free agency in terms of wide receivers. I do 314 00:20:03,320 --> 00:20:06,720 Speaker 3: not believe, beyond Aaron Rodgers, that there is a whole 315 00:20:06,720 --> 00:20:12,760 Speaker 3: lot of realistic quarterbacks that you can acquire, you know, 316 00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:16,360 Speaker 3: as unrestricted free agents trades. 317 00:20:16,440 --> 00:20:17,159 Speaker 4: I think. 318 00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:22,639 Speaker 3: I believe the Steelers would rather spend draft capital, significant 319 00:20:22,680 --> 00:20:26,720 Speaker 3: draft capital if they're using it on a quarterback, on 320 00:20:26,840 --> 00:20:30,840 Speaker 3: someone they draft and can develop from the beginning, as 321 00:20:30,840 --> 00:20:37,320 Speaker 3: opposed to a recycled guy. So, you know, I do 322 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:40,760 Speaker 3: believe by the end of April, when the draft comes 323 00:20:41,480 --> 00:20:45,200 Speaker 3: that the Steelers will have some idea what their quarterback 324 00:20:45,800 --> 00:20:49,280 Speaker 3: situation is going to be number one in terms of 325 00:20:49,320 --> 00:20:53,760 Speaker 3: free agents, and also they will have a better idea 326 00:20:53,880 --> 00:20:58,399 Speaker 3: of what the class of quarterbacks in the draft looks like, 327 00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:03,679 Speaker 3: who they like, where they have them, in terms of 328 00:21:03,680 --> 00:21:05,840 Speaker 3: where you would have to pick them, et cetera. Okay, 329 00:21:06,320 --> 00:21:10,760 Speaker 3: once that's all figured out, I do believe that adding 330 00:21:10,800 --> 00:21:17,640 Speaker 3: weapons is something that is it has to be done, 331 00:21:18,359 --> 00:21:21,399 Speaker 3: and I don't know that they necessarily have to be 332 00:21:21,520 --> 00:21:24,720 Speaker 3: wide receivers, but certainly the two games they had to 333 00:21:24,720 --> 00:21:31,400 Speaker 3: play without DK Metcalf kind of emphasize that that there 334 00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:38,080 Speaker 3: were not enough weapons as eligibles that you know, could 335 00:21:38,280 --> 00:21:41,919 Speaker 3: do due to a stress a defense the way that 336 00:21:42,119 --> 00:21:46,800 Speaker 3: you know, you need to stress one to win important games, 337 00:21:46,880 --> 00:21:49,000 Speaker 3: late season games against good teams. 338 00:21:50,240 --> 00:21:53,359 Speaker 4: So is that the number one? Uh? 339 00:21:53,840 --> 00:21:57,440 Speaker 3: You know, to answer your question, could be wide receiver 340 00:22:01,080 --> 00:22:04,919 Speaker 3: or again, if there's if there, if there is a 341 00:22:05,000 --> 00:22:10,520 Speaker 3: quarterback there that they really like round one and McCarthy 342 00:22:10,680 --> 00:22:14,280 Speaker 3: likes him and there's agreement on that, I could definitely 343 00:22:14,280 --> 00:22:15,520 Speaker 3: see it being a quarterback. 344 00:22:16,200 --> 00:22:18,320 Speaker 4: What I cannot see is. 345 00:22:19,000 --> 00:22:23,879 Speaker 3: The one of the ongoing fan narratives. Let's just go 346 00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:27,160 Speaker 3: with Will Howard and see what he can do. There's 347 00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:30,639 Speaker 3: a path for Will Howard to win that job, but 348 00:22:31,040 --> 00:22:32,480 Speaker 3: he's not going to be anointed. 349 00:22:35,400 --> 00:22:40,080 Speaker 1: He's not even anointed the number two job yet, right right? 350 00:22:40,400 --> 00:22:41,000 Speaker 4: I mean so. 351 00:22:44,080 --> 00:22:47,959 Speaker 3: Again, you know I say this, I wish I had 352 00:22:47,960 --> 00:22:52,160 Speaker 3: a nickel for every time I've said on these on 353 00:22:52,200 --> 00:22:56,040 Speaker 3: your airwaves, on your show. You know, I'm not here 354 00:22:56,040 --> 00:22:58,480 Speaker 3: to run down Will Howard, but he's not going to 355 00:22:58,520 --> 00:23:01,600 Speaker 3: get annoyed. Then I probably wouldn't have to do these 356 00:23:01,600 --> 00:23:04,159 Speaker 3: shows anymore, and i'd be calling you. You'd have to 357 00:23:04,200 --> 00:23:13,639 Speaker 3: be calling me in Bermuda Beach. But I mean it's again, 358 00:23:13,760 --> 00:23:19,399 Speaker 3: he's maybe Mike McCarthy has said he's excited about working 359 00:23:19,440 --> 00:23:21,920 Speaker 3: with him. He sees a lot of potential in him, 360 00:23:22,280 --> 00:23:25,480 Speaker 3: you know, all that kind of stuff. But anybody who 361 00:23:25,520 --> 00:23:28,720 Speaker 3: thinks that the Steelers are going to training camp. 362 00:23:30,480 --> 00:23:34,399 Speaker 4: With Will Howard annoying it as a starter, it's this 363 00:23:34,520 --> 00:23:36,080 Speaker 4: bad booth. I don't think right. 364 00:23:36,320 --> 00:23:40,040 Speaker 3: I don't think they understand how the NFL works in general, 365 00:23:40,160 --> 00:23:42,359 Speaker 3: or how the Pittsburgh Steelers work in particular. 366 00:23:43,240 --> 00:23:44,879 Speaker 2: Yeah, if you think that's the case, I've got a 367 00:23:44,920 --> 00:23:47,880 Speaker 2: beach to sell you on Greenfield Avenue, where you can 368 00:23:48,080 --> 00:23:52,400 Speaker 2: where you can hang out there in Mike McCarthy's hometown, Labs, 369 00:23:52,560 --> 00:23:55,680 Speaker 2: thank you so much, Bob Labriola, Steeler's historian of course, 370 00:23:55,720 --> 00:23:57,439 Speaker 2: the Dean of Doom and the lord of living in 371 00:23:57,480 --> 00:24:00,000 Speaker 2: his fears, kind enough to give us his time here 372 00:24:00,040 --> 00:24:02,520 Speaker 2: on a Friday, Labs. We appreciate it. Take care, have 373 00:24:02,560 --> 00:24:03,880 Speaker 2: a good weekend, and we'll talk to you soon. 374 00:24:04,680 --> 00:24:05,840 Speaker 4: Yeah, you guys do the same. 375 00:24:06,440 --> 00:24:09,159 Speaker 2: There, he goes, Bob Labriola, great stuff. Make sure you're 376 00:24:09,200 --> 00:24:13,280 Speaker 2: reading all his coverage on Steelers dot com, and good 377 00:24:13,280 --> 00:24:16,160 Speaker 2: to catch up with him after a yeah, a few weeks, hiatus. 378 00:24:16,320 --> 00:24:17,600 Speaker 2: I don't know if we'll have him on every week 379 00:24:17,640 --> 00:24:19,480 Speaker 2: throughout the off season. But we'll stay and we'll stay 380 00:24:19,520 --> 00:24:21,680 Speaker 2: in touch, stay, stay, stay in the loop with labs. 381 00:24:21,680 --> 00:24:22,880 Speaker 2: As we roll along here. 382 00:24:22,880 --> 00:24:25,560 Speaker 1: I'm going to recycle that little nugget about all the 383 00:24:25,560 --> 00:24:28,040 Speaker 1: ones everybody wanted didn't get hired. 384 00:24:28,640 --> 00:24:29,760 Speaker 4: More or less, it's. 385 00:24:29,600 --> 00:24:31,080 Speaker 2: A good point, you know what I mean. It is 386 00:24:31,400 --> 00:24:35,920 Speaker 2: as much as it felt like Shula and sheel Hass 387 00:24:35,960 --> 00:24:40,080 Speaker 2: Steel Hass were the two kind of yeah, you know, 388 00:24:40,160 --> 00:24:42,960 Speaker 2: top models. They were the prettiest girls at the problem 389 00:24:43,000 --> 00:24:45,600 Speaker 2: that everybody wanted to get on the dance floor. They're 390 00:24:45,960 --> 00:24:47,760 Speaker 2: head coaches as we speak. They are not head coaches 391 00:24:47,760 --> 00:24:49,920 Speaker 2: as we speak. And if you listen to reports out 392 00:24:49,960 --> 00:24:52,840 Speaker 2: of Vegas and Arizona, it doesn't sound like either of 393 00:24:52,880 --> 00:24:56,760 Speaker 2: those organizations are or you know, zeroed in on either 394 00:24:56,800 --> 00:24:58,720 Speaker 2: of those two. That also, at the same time doesn't 395 00:24:58,760 --> 00:25:01,320 Speaker 2: mean that those two are schlubs. No, that's all same, right, 396 00:25:01,400 --> 00:25:04,639 Speaker 2: And everybody completely missed the mark. And but just a 397 00:25:04,640 --> 00:25:06,280 Speaker 2: lot of times you have to be careful with the 398 00:25:06,280 --> 00:25:08,480 Speaker 2: perception matching the reality and vice. 399 00:25:08,480 --> 00:25:10,840 Speaker 1: Sure, we don't know how interviews went and all those things. 400 00:25:10,920 --> 00:25:13,200 Speaker 2: You know, Matt, you want to talk some free agent 401 00:25:13,240 --> 00:25:15,520 Speaker 2: wide receivers on the other side, Yeah, yeah, let's do 402 00:25:15,600 --> 00:25:17,520 Speaker 2: that when we come back here to close down the 403 00:25:17,560 --> 00:25:19,560 Speaker 2: first hour, kind of piggyback off of what we were 404 00:25:19,600 --> 00:25:22,120 Speaker 2: just talking about there with Labs and something that Matt 405 00:25:22,160 --> 00:25:24,040 Speaker 2: and I have discussed a few times over the course 406 00:25:24,080 --> 00:25:25,760 Speaker 2: of the week. We'll do that to wrap up the 407 00:25:25,760 --> 00:25:28,679 Speaker 2: first hour of the drive when we return. Eu'ler Williamson 408 00:25:28,880 --> 00:25:31,080 Speaker 2: Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.