1 00:00:03,640 --> 00:00:08,920 Speaker 1: He's the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson, home 2 00:00:08,960 --> 00:00:17,040 Speaker 1: of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome to 3 00:00:17,079 --> 00:00:20,400 Speaker 1: the Drive. I'm Dale Lolly here with Matt Williamson's a lovely, 4 00:00:20,760 --> 00:00:24,599 Speaker 1: lovely Monday here in Pittsburgh. Yeah, it's warm, nice son, 5 00:00:24,600 --> 00:00:26,640 Speaker 1: And how about that? I had my code on this morning. 6 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:29,680 Speaker 1: I went down to the Kevin Colbert press conference, in 7 00:00:29,720 --> 00:00:33,040 Speaker 1: the pre uh NFL Scouting Combine press conference that he 8 00:00:33,080 --> 00:00:36,320 Speaker 1: does every year, and I had my my winter code on. 9 00:00:36,360 --> 00:00:39,239 Speaker 1: It was still maybe fifty degrees when I when I 10 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:41,400 Speaker 1: left the house, when I came out of hines Field, 11 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:45,600 Speaker 1: because that's where they had the event at UM, I 12 00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:47,680 Speaker 1: got in my car and it showed sixty eight degrees. 13 00:00:48,360 --> 00:00:52,480 Speaker 1: How about that in February. Maybe in the late February, 14 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:55,040 Speaker 1: look like I look like a full with this winter 15 00:00:55,160 --> 00:00:58,360 Speaker 1: jacket on. Maybe I'll have to leave my house and 16 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:02,880 Speaker 1: stop doing podcasting, radio, doing his talking. So maybe venture 17 00:01:02,920 --> 00:01:06,560 Speaker 1: out and get some sun. Getting that pasty white film 18 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:09,840 Speaker 1: about yourself. You need a little son, Use a little son. 19 00:01:10,080 --> 00:01:13,560 Speaker 1: You won't get that next week in Indianapolis. No, but 20 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:16,160 Speaker 1: that was one week from now. You and I will 21 00:01:16,200 --> 00:01:18,360 Speaker 1: be an Indy. I mean that's good stuff. I'm pretty 22 00:01:18,360 --> 00:01:22,440 Speaker 1: exsuched for that. Yeah. Absolutely. Uh. Getting back to Kevin 23 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:25,960 Speaker 1: Colbert what he had to say today, a lot was talked, 24 00:01:26,200 --> 00:01:30,320 Speaker 1: covered a lot of subjects. Actually, Um said that the 25 00:01:30,920 --> 00:01:34,000 Speaker 1: Steelers and I didn't know this part of it, but 26 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:39,640 Speaker 1: March first, Um, the NFL shuts down the interview process 27 00:01:40,160 --> 00:01:45,160 Speaker 1: with outside candidates who are under contract. Um. And and 28 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:48,360 Speaker 1: that makes some sense. Yeah, that, you know, because the 29 00:01:48,600 --> 00:01:54,240 Speaker 1: combine really starts the new league here. M hm. You 30 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:56,559 Speaker 1: know that you have makes a ton of sense. Free 31 00:01:56,560 --> 00:01:58,840 Speaker 1: agency starts two weeks after that. Then you got the 32 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:00,640 Speaker 1: then you've got all the pro as and then this, 33 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:04,160 Speaker 1: you know, the the draft. If you're talking to two 34 00:02:04,200 --> 00:02:07,280 Speaker 1: guys from other teams who are under contract with other 35 00:02:07,280 --> 00:02:09,920 Speaker 1: teams at that point for one of those jobs, like 36 00:02:10,200 --> 00:02:13,839 Speaker 1: they've got all the inside knowledge of everything that's going 37 00:02:13,880 --> 00:02:16,320 Speaker 1: on with that franchise. That's what I'm gonna say is 38 00:02:16,360 --> 00:02:19,040 Speaker 1: you could easily, I don't want to say Ben rules, 39 00:02:19,120 --> 00:02:20,840 Speaker 1: but you could be like, Hey, if you really want 40 00:02:20,919 --> 00:02:23,160 Speaker 1: this job, which quarterback do you like best? Yeah? Which 41 00:02:23,320 --> 00:02:25,679 Speaker 1: who are they thinking there? You know, Yeah, who's the 42 00:02:25,720 --> 00:02:28,320 Speaker 1: Bear's favorite quarterback? Or you know whatever. You then you 43 00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:31,600 Speaker 1: start bringing in division rivals, front office people, you know, 44 00:02:31,680 --> 00:02:34,200 Speaker 1: and trying to get picked their brains and what they're doing, 45 00:02:34,639 --> 00:02:36,280 Speaker 1: and probably it just seems like it would be a 46 00:02:36,280 --> 00:02:40,560 Speaker 1: little unfair to the candidate to like, hey, I'm in 47 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:43,120 Speaker 1: full off season here, I'm trying to call agents and 48 00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:46,160 Speaker 1: sign free agents. I don't have time to market myself. 49 00:02:46,240 --> 00:02:50,600 Speaker 1: You know, it's also unfair to that team two take 50 00:02:50,639 --> 00:02:54,440 Speaker 1: their guy out of the process, somebody who's obviously high 51 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:57,880 Speaker 1: up in their you know, hierarchy, uh and and say hey, 52 00:02:57,880 --> 00:02:59,519 Speaker 1: we're gonna we're gonna bring him in for a couple 53 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:02,680 Speaker 1: of days and take him away from your process because 54 00:03:02,720 --> 00:03:04,519 Speaker 1: we want to, you know, we want to talk to 55 00:03:04,560 --> 00:03:06,399 Speaker 1: him again. So they want to get all their their 56 00:03:06,840 --> 00:03:11,320 Speaker 1: there outside interviews done by March first for guys who 57 00:03:11,320 --> 00:03:13,760 Speaker 1: are under contract. He said that they could still then 58 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:18,720 Speaker 1: look at some additional outside candidates who aren't under contract. 59 00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:21,040 Speaker 1: Let's say, let's say, for jam I'm just gonna throw 60 00:03:21,040 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 1: this name out there. Let's say let's say they want 61 00:03:22,880 --> 00:03:27,079 Speaker 1: to talk to Mike Mayock. Yeah they can, they could, 62 00:03:27,160 --> 00:03:30,080 Speaker 1: they could make they could do that because he's not 63 00:03:30,160 --> 00:03:32,880 Speaker 1: under contract. Um, but he did say that they want 64 00:03:33,160 --> 00:03:36,920 Speaker 1: they want to wrap that stuff up by early March. Uh, 65 00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:39,800 Speaker 1: and then then there'll be a dead period there because 66 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 1: they've got work to do of their own. They get 67 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:45,360 Speaker 1: to the grind show and yeah, I'm sure Kevin's working 68 00:03:45,400 --> 00:03:47,520 Speaker 1: on that now, of course, as is the whole scout 69 00:03:47,520 --> 00:03:50,800 Speaker 1: and staff. But this is a big thing looming. So 70 00:03:50,840 --> 00:03:54,119 Speaker 1: what I take away from what you're saying is they 71 00:03:54,160 --> 00:03:57,880 Speaker 1: won't be interviewing folks from other teams much longer another 72 00:03:57,920 --> 00:04:00,800 Speaker 1: week or so. But that doesn't mean have a decision 73 00:04:00,840 --> 00:04:02,920 Speaker 1: by March. Fis right. They got to do their second 74 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:07,160 Speaker 1: interviews and those will take place after the draft, and 75 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:10,280 Speaker 1: at that point, um, they will hire a new GM 76 00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:13,960 Speaker 1: after the draft. Okay, so we won't know that news 77 00:04:14,200 --> 00:04:17,200 Speaker 1: for a while then right now. There may be some 78 00:04:17,200 --> 00:04:20,080 Speaker 1: some leaks or whatever, but uh, yeah, they're not going 79 00:04:20,120 --> 00:04:25,919 Speaker 1: to make anything official until after the conclusion of draft, okay, 80 00:04:26,240 --> 00:04:29,560 Speaker 1: which is a little strange to me too, Like hypothetical 81 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:34,400 Speaker 1: I'm working for I don't know the Vikings, and I 82 00:04:34,440 --> 00:04:36,760 Speaker 1: interviewed and I think I did well, and I got 83 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:39,599 Speaker 1: great feedback from the Steelers. I go back to the 84 00:04:39,720 --> 00:04:43,200 Speaker 1: Vikings and you know, tear up this draft and free 85 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:47,360 Speaker 1: agency or whatnot. With the thought of, but I'm really 86 00:04:47,360 --> 00:04:48,760 Speaker 1: going to be working for the Steelers. You know. It's 87 00:04:48,800 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 1: almost like in college, where yeah, I'm recruiting these guys, 88 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:54,160 Speaker 1: but I'm really not gonna be here. You know. It's 89 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:56,560 Speaker 1: kind of an odd that happens all the time in college. 90 00:04:56,560 --> 00:05:01,000 Speaker 1: Happens all the time. It is a unique situation, and 91 00:05:01,040 --> 00:05:04,480 Speaker 1: I know, I know some people have kind of blanched 92 00:05:04,520 --> 00:05:10,279 Speaker 1: at the idea that Colbert is helping acquire candidates. He's 93 00:05:10,360 --> 00:05:14,159 Speaker 1: he's helping identify who to Art Rooney the second, who 94 00:05:14,279 --> 00:05:17,760 Speaker 1: the good candidates will be, and he's also sitting in 95 00:05:17,839 --> 00:05:21,200 Speaker 1: on the interviews with the candidates. But it's it is, 96 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:26,279 Speaker 1: it is a unique situation, and that typically the outgoing 97 00:05:26,400 --> 00:05:32,520 Speaker 1: GM has been fired percent of the time. I mean, 98 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:35,280 Speaker 1: the only GM that I can think of that actually 99 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:39,040 Speaker 1: get the opportunity to call his own shot and retire 100 00:05:39,240 --> 00:05:40,839 Speaker 1: the only one I can think of in recent memories, 101 00:05:40,839 --> 00:05:44,760 Speaker 1: AUSI knew them, Yeah, pretty rare, but they had they 102 00:05:44,760 --> 00:05:47,640 Speaker 1: had Erica Costa already in house. Who was who was 103 00:05:48,000 --> 00:05:51,280 Speaker 1: being you know, who was being primed for that job 104 00:05:51,320 --> 00:05:53,800 Speaker 1: for years? He was, he was as he's assistant. Well, 105 00:05:53,880 --> 00:05:58,159 Speaker 1: Kevin doesn't have an assistant GM. There's not an obvious successor, 106 00:05:58,279 --> 00:06:00,200 Speaker 1: you know, I mean, there's not a vice president him 107 00:06:00,200 --> 00:06:04,400 Speaker 1: and there's not m It blows me away that anyone 108 00:06:04,400 --> 00:06:06,200 Speaker 1: would look at it that way, like I would look 109 00:06:06,240 --> 00:06:09,480 Speaker 1: at it the other way, like, hey, you're a Steeler's employee, Kevin, 110 00:06:09,720 --> 00:06:12,840 Speaker 1: We're going to use your immense talents to help us 111 00:06:12,920 --> 00:06:15,719 Speaker 1: find your successor. I mean that's part of your job description. 112 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:18,280 Speaker 1: While we're paying you. We think you're gonna be a 113 00:06:18,279 --> 00:06:20,720 Speaker 1: massive asset to help find the next guy. Of course 114 00:06:20,720 --> 00:06:23,800 Speaker 1: we want you sitting it, not like I mean, Kevin's 115 00:06:23,839 --> 00:06:26,040 Speaker 1: not could be like I'm gonna take the third best candidates, 116 00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:28,040 Speaker 1: So he didn't look as good as I did, or 117 00:06:28,080 --> 00:06:29,560 Speaker 1: you know what I mean. Yeah, because he's still gonna 118 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:31,200 Speaker 1: be involved in the process. I mean, he would like 119 00:06:31,240 --> 00:06:33,560 Speaker 1: to continue with the team. There's also and he brought 120 00:06:33,640 --> 00:06:36,120 Speaker 1: this up, and it's a valid point. Art Rooney the 121 00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:39,320 Speaker 1: second has never had to do this before. Right, You 122 00:06:39,360 --> 00:06:42,039 Speaker 1: forget he took he took over the team in in 123 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:47,600 Speaker 1: twenty in two thousand three, corporate was already in place. Yeah, 124 00:06:47,839 --> 00:06:51,200 Speaker 1: you know, Dan Rooney hired Kevin Colbert, not not Art 125 00:06:51,240 --> 00:06:54,520 Speaker 1: Rooney the second, So you know that entire time that 126 00:06:54,680 --> 00:06:58,800 Speaker 1: that Art has been in charge of the team, the president, 127 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:02,360 Speaker 1: he's had a head coach, but he's ever had to 128 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:06,360 Speaker 1: hire at GM. Yeah right, I mean, how many ownership 129 00:07:06,400 --> 00:07:09,240 Speaker 1: groups could go that long without having to look for 130 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:13,280 Speaker 1: a GM coach quarterback, you know, I mean it's bonkers. Yeah, 131 00:07:13,640 --> 00:07:16,120 Speaker 1: it slips, so I mind sometimes, like you know they've 132 00:07:16,120 --> 00:07:19,560 Speaker 1: done before, the higher well the long time ago. Time 133 00:07:19,640 --> 00:07:21,760 Speaker 1: to change, the league has changed, let alone the people 134 00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:25,040 Speaker 1: make decisions changing. Yeah, absolutely, so that'll be part of it. 135 00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:29,120 Speaker 1: Although one thing that Kevin did say is that Art 136 00:07:29,160 --> 00:07:32,119 Speaker 1: is giving him a lot of input into what kind 137 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:34,040 Speaker 1: of general manager he would like, and it's going to 138 00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:37,880 Speaker 1: be somebody with a personnel background, which is which makes sense. 139 00:07:37,920 --> 00:07:40,600 Speaker 1: That's that's that's largely who they have interviewed, with the 140 00:07:40,640 --> 00:07:44,160 Speaker 1: exception of Omar Khan, who's one of the in house candidates. 141 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:47,040 Speaker 1: I bet there's some people going, what other kind of 142 00:07:47,080 --> 00:07:49,960 Speaker 1: backgrounds could they have? Well, they could be numbers guys, 143 00:07:50,440 --> 00:07:53,840 Speaker 1: they could be true analytics folks, they could be coach 144 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:58,520 Speaker 1: turn GM. For example, on Lynch out of the booth 145 00:07:58,560 --> 00:08:00,760 Speaker 1: and he had none of them up. You know, when 146 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 1: the when the Browns hired Saushy Brown. Um, what was 147 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:07,000 Speaker 1: Saucy Brown's background? He was he came from baseball, right, 148 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:10,880 Speaker 1: I know he was involved with the Red Sox. Yeah, 149 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:13,040 Speaker 1: I mean he was. He was the analytics guy for 150 00:08:13,080 --> 00:08:15,800 Speaker 1: the Red Sox. He would he didn't have a football background. 151 00:08:16,200 --> 00:08:17,520 Speaker 1: I didn't know if he had a year or two 152 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:20,960 Speaker 1: in the NFL between that or not. I frankly don't remember. 153 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:23,920 Speaker 1: But he made his bones in a different sport by 154 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:28,760 Speaker 1: analytically looking at player evacuation and team building. Yeah. So 155 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:31,960 Speaker 1: you know, there's a lot of different ways to look 156 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:35,760 Speaker 1: at this, and it also shows that what the Steelers 157 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:39,240 Speaker 1: are looking for is the next Kevin Colbert. Right. That's 158 00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:42,000 Speaker 1: what I was thinking too, was we want a former scout. 159 00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:44,560 Speaker 1: We want somebody that's been in college. Is that's you know, 160 00:08:44,640 --> 00:08:46,719 Speaker 1: broken down a lot of tape, that knows what he's 161 00:08:46,760 --> 00:08:50,840 Speaker 1: looking at evaluate or of NFL talent? Yeah, who also 162 00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:53,959 Speaker 1: can head the scouting department. Who can be that guy 163 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 1: who makes everybody to get all the information together and 164 00:08:57,320 --> 00:09:01,560 Speaker 1: condemn work with Mike Tomlin too and in Arn't Rooney 165 00:09:01,600 --> 00:09:05,240 Speaker 1: to put the best group you know on the field. 166 00:09:05,480 --> 00:09:08,240 Speaker 1: It's probably on the field. Yeah, that makes sense. I 167 00:09:08,240 --> 00:09:11,160 Speaker 1: mean that's the strategy I would look at too. I 168 00:09:11,160 --> 00:09:13,199 Speaker 1: mean that doesn't mean you have to only go down 169 00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:16,480 Speaker 1: that path there. I mean there certainly are general manager 170 00:09:16,559 --> 00:09:20,800 Speaker 1: candidates that are personnel driven, but more analytical than it 171 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:23,360 Speaker 1: was here before, or less analytical than they were here before, 172 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:25,680 Speaker 1: you know, I mean, no one ignores every other aspect 173 00:09:25,760 --> 00:09:28,040 Speaker 1: of it, and I think that's why they've looked. They've 174 00:09:28,040 --> 00:09:30,320 Speaker 1: talked to so many different candidates. They've talked to nine 175 00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:33,520 Speaker 1: different people about this job. And I don't know that 176 00:09:33,520 --> 00:09:36,920 Speaker 1: that's been reported or I mean to offend you reporters, 177 00:09:37,000 --> 00:09:39,040 Speaker 1: I don't know if it's been talked about enough. Like 178 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:41,560 Speaker 1: if this was a coaching search and there was nine 179 00:09:41,600 --> 00:09:44,880 Speaker 1: guys in it right now, nine people involved, that would 180 00:09:44,880 --> 00:09:46,760 Speaker 1: have been more talked about. But it's kind of been 181 00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:48,880 Speaker 1: a little behind the scenes. And you hear these names 182 00:09:48,920 --> 00:09:51,360 Speaker 1: and there's not a household names, so people don't react 183 00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:53,880 Speaker 1: to it as much. But this is an extensive search, 184 00:09:54,040 --> 00:09:56,800 Speaker 1: is my point. Yeah, they're they're not. They're leaving no 185 00:09:57,000 --> 00:10:01,080 Speaker 1: stone unturned with this, and I imagine, judging from what 186 00:10:01,160 --> 00:10:04,440 Speaker 1: Colbert said today, they'll be maybe one or two more 187 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:08,040 Speaker 1: candidates to come out interesting. And again we still have 188 00:10:08,080 --> 00:10:10,920 Speaker 1: about a week two. You know, look at people from 189 00:10:10,960 --> 00:10:14,400 Speaker 1: other organizations, and I'm sure there's more examples than just 190 00:10:14,559 --> 00:10:16,640 Speaker 1: mayok to you know. I mean the guys that have 191 00:10:16,679 --> 00:10:19,920 Speaker 1: taken a step back or highly successful or in TV 192 00:10:20,280 --> 00:10:24,040 Speaker 1: or whatever. Yeah. So, you know, I think if you're 193 00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:27,880 Speaker 1: a Steelers fan, that's that should be what you want. Um, 194 00:10:27,920 --> 00:10:31,920 Speaker 1: you know. I I think that you listen to how 195 00:10:31,920 --> 00:10:36,160 Speaker 1: other teams do it and maybe learn something about the process, 196 00:10:36,720 --> 00:10:39,240 Speaker 1: because you don't have you don't get this opportunity. If 197 00:10:39,240 --> 00:10:42,320 Speaker 1: you're the Pittsburgh Steelers, you don't get the opportunity to 198 00:10:42,440 --> 00:10:45,200 Speaker 1: talk to a lot about Again, Colbert has been there 199 00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:47,560 Speaker 1: since two thousand. Mike Tomlin has been with the team 200 00:10:47,600 --> 00:10:50,280 Speaker 1: since oh seven. You don't do this all the time. 201 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:53,559 Speaker 1: You make when you make these hires, you make these 202 00:10:53,600 --> 00:10:56,160 Speaker 1: hires with the idea that this guy is going to 203 00:10:56,200 --> 00:10:59,720 Speaker 1: be here for the next twenty years. Yeah. I don't 204 00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:03,000 Speaker 1: know that all franchises do that, right. It doesn't mean 205 00:11:03,000 --> 00:11:05,280 Speaker 1: you're stuck with them forever. I mean, it's terrible they'd 206 00:11:05,280 --> 00:11:07,680 Speaker 1: move on from him. I mean it's not like, Wow, 207 00:11:07,720 --> 00:11:10,000 Speaker 1: we we made our decision. We're gonna live through it, 208 00:11:10,080 --> 00:11:12,120 Speaker 1: even though we hate every day of marriage, you know. 209 00:11:12,160 --> 00:11:14,640 Speaker 1: I mean, they that's not the way they would operate. 210 00:11:15,200 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 1: But I was as you were saying that, I was 211 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:20,280 Speaker 1: just sitting there thinking, like, I'm sure they'll keep the 212 00:11:20,320 --> 00:11:25,320 Speaker 1: same college grading system, the same free agent system. They'll 213 00:11:25,360 --> 00:11:28,439 Speaker 1: they'll still have the same way of looking at free agency. 214 00:11:28,480 --> 00:11:31,000 Speaker 1: We're probably not gonna buy like crazy at twelve o 215 00:11:31,200 --> 00:11:33,600 Speaker 1: one the day that free agency opens. I mean, those 216 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:39,400 Speaker 1: are organizational traits. However, if you sit down with ten 217 00:11:40,360 --> 00:11:45,520 Speaker 1: really strong personnel people and you haven't changed things here 218 00:11:45,559 --> 00:11:49,360 Speaker 1: for a while, you might incorporate a new idea, whether 219 00:11:49,400 --> 00:11:52,760 Speaker 1: you hire that person or not. Of wow, we should 220 00:11:52,800 --> 00:11:55,679 Speaker 1: look at this differently, small example, and I these guys 221 00:11:55,679 --> 00:11:58,600 Speaker 1: know things way better than I do. Like our Brown's 222 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:02,599 Speaker 1: draft board would have all these columns straight up and 223 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:07,080 Speaker 1: down columns, Q B, R, B, W R, T, E, etcetera, etcetera. 224 00:12:07,559 --> 00:12:10,960 Speaker 1: But we had one column. We had had a safety column, 225 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:13,920 Speaker 1: and we had a C B column for the defensive backs, 226 00:12:13,960 --> 00:12:18,240 Speaker 1: of course, but we also had small C small B 227 00:12:18,520 --> 00:12:21,160 Speaker 1: lower case, and those were our nickels, you know, And 228 00:12:21,160 --> 00:12:24,600 Speaker 1: that was before nickels were a common thing, and they 229 00:12:24,640 --> 00:12:27,920 Speaker 1: were all five nine and lower like, Okay, maybe we'll 230 00:12:27,920 --> 00:12:30,760 Speaker 1: steal that idea from the third candidate we interviewed and 231 00:12:30,840 --> 00:12:32,600 Speaker 1: do that ourselves. We hadn't thought of that, you know, 232 00:12:32,600 --> 00:12:36,040 Speaker 1: I mean, just why not? You know, now, maybe you 233 00:12:36,120 --> 00:12:38,160 Speaker 1: have an h next to a guy because he's a 234 00:12:38,280 --> 00:12:41,920 Speaker 1: hybrid you know, he's a hybrid safety slash linebacker. Uh, 235 00:12:42,400 --> 00:12:44,720 Speaker 1: you know, and we don't know that The Steelers don't 236 00:12:44,760 --> 00:12:47,840 Speaker 1: do that stuff already. We're just saying just an example, 237 00:12:48,600 --> 00:12:51,079 Speaker 1: we're a running back who also plays wide receiver or 238 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:56,120 Speaker 1: vice versa. You know that kind of yeah, agree, Like 239 00:12:56,480 --> 00:12:58,280 Speaker 1: why not sit down and talk to all these people 240 00:12:58,320 --> 00:13:00,280 Speaker 1: for a day and get all their idea is on 241 00:13:00,320 --> 00:13:04,720 Speaker 1: this difficult process that is a very inexact science and 242 00:13:04,760 --> 00:13:08,640 Speaker 1: get some new ideas um. You know, so I think 243 00:13:08,679 --> 00:13:13,240 Speaker 1: that's all part of it. Um. Over the weekend met 244 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:17,560 Speaker 1: the Steelers also hired Brian Flores, uh, my Dolphin's head 245 00:13:17,559 --> 00:13:22,560 Speaker 1: coach as a senior defensive assistant and linebackers coach. Uh. 246 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:26,400 Speaker 1: Colbert was asked about that and he kind of, uh, people, 247 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:28,440 Speaker 1: I think we're trying to make this into you know, 248 00:13:28,520 --> 00:13:30,720 Speaker 1: did did Mike Tomlin come to you and ask you 249 00:13:30,760 --> 00:13:32,880 Speaker 1: what you thought of this? He's like, no, this this 250 00:13:33,240 --> 00:13:36,920 Speaker 1: Mike has autonomy over his staff. He may come to 251 00:13:36,960 --> 00:13:40,400 Speaker 1: me and say, hey, I'm I talked to this guy. 252 00:13:41,280 --> 00:13:43,040 Speaker 1: I may hire him. What do you know about him? 253 00:13:43,160 --> 00:13:45,280 Speaker 1: Or can you find out, you know, call around the 254 00:13:45,320 --> 00:13:48,640 Speaker 1: league and find out get some information on this guy. Um, 255 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:54,000 Speaker 1: he said, But really it's Mike's it's Mike's it's his decision. Yeah. 256 00:13:55,200 --> 00:13:57,920 Speaker 1: Balma doesn't go to Colport and say, hey, uh, you 257 00:13:58,000 --> 00:14:03,520 Speaker 1: hire this this scout. Yeah. Right. Then he's got their 258 00:14:03,559 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 1: own group of people who work under them, and they 259 00:14:05,440 --> 00:14:08,880 Speaker 1: both then report to Art Rooney the second. Um. You know, 260 00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:11,760 Speaker 1: so Art has to sign off on the for example, 261 00:14:11,800 --> 00:14:16,200 Speaker 1: the Brian Flores higher. Um. And I think this is 262 00:14:16,240 --> 00:14:19,640 Speaker 1: an interesting one because Flores and Colbert brought this up. 263 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:22,480 Speaker 1: He said, I think he can bring because he started 264 00:14:22,480 --> 00:14:26,280 Speaker 1: his career as a scout. I didn't realize that, Okay, 265 00:14:26,920 --> 00:14:29,400 Speaker 1: just do a lot of cross training. Is first, I 266 00:14:29,440 --> 00:14:31,840 Speaker 1: think the first four or five years in the Patriots 267 00:14:31,960 --> 00:14:35,720 Speaker 1: organization whereas a scout, and then he moved over he 268 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:38,880 Speaker 1: moved over the to the coaching side of things. Um. 269 00:14:38,920 --> 00:14:40,960 Speaker 1: So Kevin said, I can't wait to sit down with 270 00:14:41,040 --> 00:14:44,160 Speaker 1: him and you know, pick his brain a little bit 271 00:14:44,160 --> 00:14:47,840 Speaker 1: on that side. Of it absolutely. I mean, because he's 272 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:51,320 Speaker 1: done both, which is rare. And again I've mentioned that 273 00:14:51,320 --> 00:14:54,200 Speaker 1: that is a a New England thing. They like to 274 00:14:54,200 --> 00:14:56,560 Speaker 1: cross train people, have them do a lot of different things. 275 00:14:56,560 --> 00:15:00,000 Speaker 1: They understand the organization better from different angles as opposed 276 00:15:00,080 --> 00:15:03,040 Speaker 1: to give me the talented dude and I'll coach him 277 00:15:03,120 --> 00:15:04,560 Speaker 1: up and figure it out from there, you know, like 278 00:15:04,920 --> 00:15:06,680 Speaker 1: some coaches can get their in mind and so can 279 00:15:06,680 --> 00:15:13,320 Speaker 1: scouts whatever. Um. The this whole situation with Flora's to 280 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:16,000 Speaker 1: me is really interesting and I don't even care about 281 00:15:16,000 --> 00:15:17,520 Speaker 1: the lawsuit and stuff as much. It's not that I 282 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:19,400 Speaker 1: don't care about it, but that part is not interesting 283 00:15:19,440 --> 00:15:22,680 Speaker 1: to me because I thought he was in ascending, super 284 00:15:22,800 --> 00:15:27,960 Speaker 1: bright head coach with the Dolphins, the one more games 285 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:30,200 Speaker 1: that he should have in Miami, and of all the 286 00:15:30,240 --> 00:15:33,520 Speaker 1: coaching moves him getting let go was the one at 287 00:15:33,640 --> 00:15:36,920 Speaker 1: least understood by the product that was put on the field. 288 00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:39,440 Speaker 1: And I think he's a heck of a coach that 289 00:15:39,520 --> 00:15:42,160 Speaker 1: the Steelers are getting into discount. I would hope they 290 00:15:42,160 --> 00:15:44,640 Speaker 1: can keep him in this organization in some capacity for 291 00:15:44,680 --> 00:15:48,800 Speaker 1: a long haul. Um. I think it's a gift. Yeah, 292 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:53,360 Speaker 1: I agree, and I don't know I think he even 293 00:15:53,400 --> 00:15:55,960 Speaker 1: said this last week or within the last couple of weeks, 294 00:15:56,200 --> 00:15:57,760 Speaker 1: that he didn't think he was going to get another 295 00:15:57,840 --> 00:16:02,200 Speaker 1: job in a league this year. Cousin of lawsuit. Um, 296 00:16:02,240 --> 00:16:04,960 Speaker 1: you know, so, I think it shows a great deal 297 00:16:05,160 --> 00:16:10,240 Speaker 1: of um uh for lack of better word, guts uh 298 00:16:10,560 --> 00:16:13,640 Speaker 1: by Art Rooney kind of thumb your nose at everybody 299 00:16:13,680 --> 00:16:15,360 Speaker 1: else in the league and say, hey, we're this guy's 300 00:16:15,360 --> 00:16:17,360 Speaker 1: a good football coach, and like tomam for that matter, 301 00:16:17,520 --> 00:16:20,360 Speaker 1: this guy's a good football coach. We're bringing him in 302 00:16:21,640 --> 00:16:26,640 Speaker 1: whether he's in reality, he's also suing the Steelers, even 303 00:16:26,640 --> 00:16:29,800 Speaker 1: though they're not named in this because they're they're part 304 00:16:29,880 --> 00:16:32,480 Speaker 1: of the NFL. If he wins his his case and 305 00:16:32,560 --> 00:16:37,440 Speaker 1: wins a monetary settlement from the NFL, he's getting that 306 00:16:37,520 --> 00:16:39,560 Speaker 1: money one and one thirty second of it from the 307 00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:42,840 Speaker 1: Pittsburgh Steelers. Yeah, it can't be like the Rooney Mr 308 00:16:42,920 --> 00:16:46,320 Speaker 1: Rooney saying okay, but why don't you change your lawsuit 309 00:16:46,360 --> 00:16:49,000 Speaker 1: to thirty one teams or after it because we love you. 310 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:51,560 Speaker 1: You know it's you know, by the way, it is 311 00:16:51,600 --> 00:16:54,240 Speaker 1: a class action lawsuit as well. Other people could join 312 00:16:54,280 --> 00:16:57,920 Speaker 1: in on this thing. Oh right, right, right. I haven't 313 00:16:57,960 --> 00:17:00,400 Speaker 1: heard much about it, and I'm not even here to 314 00:17:00,400 --> 00:17:02,320 Speaker 1: talk about the lawsuit. I just think he's gonna help 315 00:17:02,360 --> 00:17:06,520 Speaker 1: the defense. I think he's just he's yeah, I mean, yeah, 316 00:17:06,560 --> 00:17:08,159 Speaker 1: that's I mean, we've talked about him a lot in 317 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:10,720 Speaker 1: the past of the job that he did in Miami. 318 00:17:10,800 --> 00:17:13,600 Speaker 1: I you know, I thought it was Sertaly moved to 319 00:17:13,680 --> 00:17:15,960 Speaker 1: fire and but what do I know? Um, you know, 320 00:17:16,080 --> 00:17:17,760 Speaker 1: and I don't know that Miami is the most stable 321 00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:20,320 Speaker 1: ownership and organization either. I mean, if if one of 322 00:17:20,320 --> 00:17:24,040 Speaker 1: these these teams that routinely screws things up hands you 323 00:17:24,119 --> 00:17:26,440 Speaker 1: a gift, take the gift and say thanks. I mean, 324 00:17:26,840 --> 00:17:30,000 Speaker 1: from what I understand, Flores is highly competitive and one 325 00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:32,679 Speaker 1: of the big sticking points was he thought they had 326 00:17:32,720 --> 00:17:35,520 Speaker 1: to be better at quarterback than two hm and I 327 00:17:35,560 --> 00:17:40,720 Speaker 1: tend to agree with them, right right, Um, but it 328 00:17:40,840 --> 00:17:43,600 Speaker 1: is interesting and that you know they now have um, 329 00:17:43,680 --> 00:17:45,800 Speaker 1: you know, on that coaching stuff on the defensive side 330 00:17:45,800 --> 00:17:49,040 Speaker 1: of things, especially uh, if you look at what what 331 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:53,119 Speaker 1: they have there. I mean, Tomlin is a legitimate top 332 00:17:53,240 --> 00:17:59,160 Speaker 1: level defensive mind, Terrell Austin legitimate top level defensive mind, 333 00:17:59,160 --> 00:18:02,280 Speaker 1: and now you have Brian flourished that as well. Um, 334 00:18:02,520 --> 00:18:05,640 Speaker 1: it's it's a pretty impressive coaching staff on that side 335 00:18:05,680 --> 00:18:08,400 Speaker 1: of the ball. I was thinking that too, like that 336 00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:11,480 Speaker 1: that trio, and they all have different backgrounds. I mean 337 00:18:11,720 --> 00:18:13,959 Speaker 1: it seems like a million years ago, but Tomlin came 338 00:18:14,000 --> 00:18:16,360 Speaker 1: from a Cover two system and you know, it's obviously 339 00:18:17,320 --> 00:18:20,000 Speaker 1: very well at dept In three four and Lebo stuff 340 00:18:20,040 --> 00:18:22,399 Speaker 1: and everything since. But they come from a lot of 341 00:18:22,440 --> 00:18:26,320 Speaker 1: different backgrounds and there's some strong minds that would be 342 00:18:26,359 --> 00:18:31,800 Speaker 1: the top defensive mind on most teams. I would say, yeah, So, uh, 343 00:18:31,840 --> 00:18:34,360 Speaker 1: you know, I think it shows that the Steelers, uh 344 00:18:34,359 --> 00:18:39,000 Speaker 1: and Mike Tomlin in particular, want to be a top defense. 345 00:18:39,040 --> 00:18:40,800 Speaker 1: I mean, I don't think there's any doubt about that, 346 00:18:40,880 --> 00:18:44,679 Speaker 1: and they know that and along those lines, you know that. Um, 347 00:18:44,760 --> 00:18:46,520 Speaker 1: And we'll get more into this in the second segment 348 00:18:46,520 --> 00:18:50,240 Speaker 1: in regards to the quarterback position, but um, you know, 349 00:18:50,520 --> 00:18:53,520 Speaker 1: I think that when you look at what the Steelers 350 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:55,600 Speaker 1: want to be on defense, they want to be a 351 00:18:55,680 --> 00:19:00,600 Speaker 1: defense that shuts people down. And you know, I think 352 00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:04,480 Speaker 1: they've got three guys there now with an extensive background 353 00:19:04,520 --> 00:19:08,840 Speaker 1: and well shutting other teams down. Yeah, And I don't 354 00:19:08,840 --> 00:19:13,960 Speaker 1: know how much influence Flores's addition will have with Steelers 355 00:19:14,040 --> 00:19:16,560 Speaker 1: changing their scheme or more than. I mean, they're not 356 00:19:16,600 --> 00:19:19,160 Speaker 1: going to change the scheme. The scheme is still right 357 00:19:19,280 --> 00:19:21,320 Speaker 1: because I mean what I wanted to throw out there 358 00:19:21,480 --> 00:19:25,720 Speaker 1: was Miami's defense was one of the most blitz heavy 359 00:19:25,800 --> 00:19:29,240 Speaker 1: defenses in the league, and they invested like crazy at 360 00:19:29,280 --> 00:19:34,720 Speaker 1: corner you know, Byron Jones, Um is even Howard. And 361 00:19:34,760 --> 00:19:38,080 Speaker 1: then that same year that they gave us two massive contracts, 362 00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:40,160 Speaker 1: they used the first round pick on the corner. So 363 00:19:40,720 --> 00:19:42,760 Speaker 1: I don't think all of a sudden, the Steelers are 364 00:19:42,760 --> 00:19:46,120 Speaker 1: gonna be looking for Dion and Woodson and paying them 365 00:19:46,160 --> 00:19:48,840 Speaker 1: thirty million a year, and it's like crazy, you know, 366 00:19:49,160 --> 00:19:50,879 Speaker 1: I think all these guys are gonna have to adapt 367 00:19:50,880 --> 00:19:53,239 Speaker 1: to one another. But that's what Miami did. And I'm 368 00:19:53,240 --> 00:19:55,240 Speaker 1: sure a lot of people remember that Thursday night game 369 00:19:55,640 --> 00:19:59,120 Speaker 1: when Miami just totally confounded and blitzed the heck out 370 00:19:59,160 --> 00:20:02,560 Speaker 1: of Baltimore and Lamar Jackson. Yeah, I know one on 371 00:20:02,560 --> 00:20:05,080 Speaker 1: one point point about the floor is hiring that a 372 00:20:05,080 --> 00:20:09,760 Speaker 1: lot of fans UM got caught up on, was well, 373 00:20:10,680 --> 00:20:14,840 Speaker 1: make it Fitzpatrick didn't want to play for him un traded. 374 00:20:15,520 --> 00:20:19,320 Speaker 1: I guarantee you that Mike Tomlin doesn't make this move 375 00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:24,760 Speaker 1: without at least running it by make it fits. Hey, Manca, um, 376 00:20:24,840 --> 00:20:27,679 Speaker 1: we're gonna hire I'm gonna I'm thinking about hiring Brian 377 00:20:27,720 --> 00:20:30,840 Speaker 1: Flores to be our linebackers coach and senior defensive assistant. 378 00:20:31,600 --> 00:20:34,600 Speaker 1: Okay with that, now, not that he would not that 379 00:20:34,640 --> 00:20:37,640 Speaker 1: he would give Fitzpatrick Vito power over this, but sure, 380 00:20:37,720 --> 00:20:39,440 Speaker 1: but you might want to hear you at least bring 381 00:20:39,480 --> 00:20:41,760 Speaker 1: it up. What are what are your what are your 382 00:20:41,800 --> 00:20:43,159 Speaker 1: thoughts on the guy? Is he would he be a 383 00:20:43,200 --> 00:20:46,480 Speaker 1: good addition to our staff. Manka's not going anywhere. In fact, 384 00:20:46,480 --> 00:20:48,840 Speaker 1: he's probably get locked up long term here before long. 385 00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:52,440 Speaker 1: Um my hunch. And again this is just an educated guess. 386 00:20:52,480 --> 00:20:56,560 Speaker 1: Nobody telling me things was that Minca and Flores were 387 00:20:56,640 --> 00:21:01,280 Speaker 1: on the side of we don't really like it in yeah, right, right, 388 00:21:01,400 --> 00:21:04,160 Speaker 1: We're not in for this. I don't want to bonus 389 00:21:04,160 --> 00:21:06,440 Speaker 1: for every loss. We're not in this tank for to 390 00:21:06,600 --> 00:21:08,400 Speaker 1: a thing. That's that's not what we want to do, 391 00:21:09,119 --> 00:21:10,879 Speaker 1: right Yeah. I kind of feel like they were on 392 00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:15,639 Speaker 1: the same time point. Yeah. Um, and so therefore they 393 00:21:16,040 --> 00:21:20,960 Speaker 1: you know, Minka had already seen the the Dolphins trade away. 394 00:21:20,960 --> 00:21:24,159 Speaker 1: They're starting left tackle and in one of their starting widers. 395 00:21:24,200 --> 00:21:27,360 Speaker 1: I mean you could see the writing was on the wall. 396 00:21:27,600 --> 00:21:30,680 Speaker 1: These guys world knew what. Yeah, these guys aren't interested 397 00:21:30,680 --> 00:21:34,080 Speaker 1: in winning, or at least management isn't. We know what 398 00:21:34,119 --> 00:21:36,879 Speaker 1: the coaching staff is saying, but management isn't interested in winning. 399 00:21:37,240 --> 00:21:39,679 Speaker 1: And I'm not gonna play linebacker and get myself all 400 00:21:39,720 --> 00:21:42,800 Speaker 1: beat up and perhaps shortened my career for a team 401 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:45,119 Speaker 1: that's not interested. Yeah. So for a team that's not 402 00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:49,199 Speaker 1: interested in winning. To me, that that's a what this 403 00:21:49,280 --> 00:21:52,960 Speaker 1: was about. Not because any time he's ever been asked 404 00:21:52,960 --> 00:21:56,560 Speaker 1: about the possibility or the potential of moving around in 405 00:21:56,640 --> 00:21:59,320 Speaker 1: the Steelers defense and coming down in the box and 406 00:21:59,320 --> 00:22:01,240 Speaker 1: doing some of the things things that Miami was asking 407 00:22:01,320 --> 00:22:04,080 Speaker 1: him to do, he said, Yeah, I'm all for it. Right, 408 00:22:04,359 --> 00:22:07,840 Speaker 1: He's never boked at that. I think he'd attempted to win. Yeah, 409 00:22:07,960 --> 00:22:10,640 Speaker 1: I think he was more upset than the fact that, Hey, 410 00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:13,480 Speaker 1: you're gonna ask me to go down and play linebacker 411 00:22:13,600 --> 00:22:17,360 Speaker 1: two pounds or two two ten pounds and get all 412 00:22:17,400 --> 00:22:20,280 Speaker 1: beaten up and potentially shortened my career when you're trying 413 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:24,720 Speaker 1: to lose. Yeah, And frankly, after a year in the 414 00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:27,919 Speaker 1: league is what twenty two year old young man, and 415 00:22:27,960 --> 00:22:30,200 Speaker 1: you get traded the Steelers. I wouldn't be coming out 416 00:22:30,240 --> 00:22:31,800 Speaker 1: saying I wanted to get out of there, because all 417 00:22:31,840 --> 00:22:33,760 Speaker 1: they want to do is lose either. You know, that 418 00:22:33,800 --> 00:22:36,840 Speaker 1: doesn't do any good things to yourself, which exactly is 419 00:22:36,880 --> 00:22:42,640 Speaker 1: not the Saban Bamo way, or the Floores Belichick way 420 00:22:42,680 --> 00:22:45,280 Speaker 1: where he came from, or the Steeler way. You know, 421 00:22:45,440 --> 00:22:48,560 Speaker 1: like those three organizations as much as any football groups 422 00:22:48,640 --> 00:22:52,719 Speaker 1: out there, are not going to tank for two of us, right, 423 00:22:52,840 --> 00:22:56,679 Speaker 1: absolutely not. But you know, we'll continue along with this 424 00:22:56,720 --> 00:23:00,040 Speaker 1: conversation about what Kevin Colbert had to say. Uh in 425 00:23:00,040 --> 00:23:02,400 Speaker 1: the next segment, he is Matt Williamson. I'm Dale Lally. 426 00:23:02,440 --> 00:23:05,000 Speaker 1: You're listening to the drive here on Steelers Nation Radio. 427 00:23:05,280 --> 00:23:07,159 Speaker 1: We'll be back with more right after this