1 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:07,080 Speaker 1: Please. He's The Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson 2 00:00:07,480 --> 00:00:12,639 Speaker 1: on Home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. 3 00:00:49,520 --> 00:00:52,400 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Drive. I'm Daal Lolly here with Matt Williamson. 4 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:54,960 Speaker 1: It's a lovely Wednesday here in Pittsburgh. It looks like 5 00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:59,160 Speaker 1: the weather is finally finally starting to turn to the 6 00:00:59,200 --> 00:01:02,240 Speaker 1: good here. Yeah. Absolutely. I was at a local watering 7 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:04,280 Speaker 1: hole with a bunch of my buddies last night and 8 00:01:04,480 --> 00:01:06,200 Speaker 1: one of the dudes has a pool. It's been open 9 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:08,480 Speaker 1: for a while. He's like, we may have a party 10 00:01:08,640 --> 00:01:10,080 Speaker 1: coming up in the next day or two. I'm like, 11 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:16,840 Speaker 1: I'm in. But that also means for the NFL it 12 00:01:16,959 --> 00:01:21,800 Speaker 1: is now kind of the let's just talk about nothing, yeah, 13 00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:27,680 Speaker 1: manufacturing things to talk about. We can pretend like it isn't. 14 00:01:27,760 --> 00:01:30,240 Speaker 1: But there's about a six week stretch now, maybe a 15 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:33,600 Speaker 1: little less where sure there's a Ryan Carrogan signing to 16 00:01:33,640 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 1: Philadelphia and things like that, but there's not big news. 17 00:01:36,560 --> 00:01:39,800 Speaker 1: And you know, frankly, pretty soon this is when coach 18 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:41,960 Speaker 1: Tomlin and Kevin Colbert take their kids to Disney World 19 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:44,040 Speaker 1: or whatever, like they gotta get away too, you know. 20 00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:46,160 Speaker 1: But we'll have mini camp coming up and things of 21 00:01:46,160 --> 00:01:48,680 Speaker 1: that nature, and O t s will start, I believe 22 00:01:48,760 --> 00:01:53,080 Speaker 1: next week. We'll see if the hell that goes. Um, 23 00:01:53,120 --> 00:01:55,560 Speaker 1: but as you mentioned, this list, kind of season is 24 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:58,960 Speaker 1: it is? You sent me this one. This is the 25 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:01,880 Speaker 1: five most improved of teams of this offseason after the 26 00:02:01,960 --> 00:02:05,400 Speaker 1: draft and free agency. So essentially this is the winner 27 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:08,240 Speaker 1: of the off season. Sure, and we know how that goes. Yeah, 28 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:10,480 Speaker 1: you know, I mean, on paper is a lot different 29 00:02:10,480 --> 00:02:13,160 Speaker 1: than playing it out than uh, you know, boy they 30 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:15,880 Speaker 1: got this quarterback, but oh their centers garbage and they 31 00:02:15,919 --> 00:02:17,880 Speaker 1: don't pick up any Blitzer and all those you know. 32 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:21,720 Speaker 1: But I've written these articles, You've written these articles. I 33 00:02:21,720 --> 00:02:23,359 Speaker 1: think this one's Matt bow and who does a really 34 00:02:23,360 --> 00:02:25,680 Speaker 1: good job on ESPN. This is Robert Mays. This one 35 00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:27,239 Speaker 1: rob May. He does a really good job too for 36 00:02:27,240 --> 00:02:29,239 Speaker 1: the athletic I was actually listening to podcasts as I 37 00:02:29,320 --> 00:02:32,320 Speaker 1: was coming in. Um, so I'm interested, you know, I mean, 38 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:35,200 Speaker 1: I think he'll make good arguments, but take it with 39 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:38,079 Speaker 1: a grain of salt. So he says that the teams 40 00:02:38,120 --> 00:02:40,440 Speaker 1: that have improved the most this offseason. He has some 41 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:45,480 Speaker 1: honorable mentions here. Talk about his first honorable mention is Arizona, 42 00:02:45,880 --> 00:02:49,520 Speaker 1: and I honestly think Arizona maybe should have been because 43 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:51,679 Speaker 1: I look. I I looked ahead at this to see 44 00:02:51,680 --> 00:02:55,720 Speaker 1: whose top five were, and they added J. J. Watt, 45 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:59,440 Speaker 1: Rodney Hudson, A J. Green, Malcolm Butler's, Avan Collins, Ron 46 00:02:59,480 --> 00:03:01,920 Speaker 1: del Moore. It's pretty good. That's a pretty good group 47 00:03:01,919 --> 00:03:05,000 Speaker 1: to add James Conner and James Conner. Yeah you know, 48 00:03:05,400 --> 00:03:07,040 Speaker 1: um so I look at that and said, okay, you 49 00:03:07,080 --> 00:03:10,079 Speaker 1: had a quality center. Oh I like huntson a lot, 50 00:03:10,160 --> 00:03:12,880 Speaker 1: and be honest, I want to stealers quality defensive player 51 00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:16,200 Speaker 1: and what who is going to help your raise the level? 52 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:18,360 Speaker 1: Maybe he's not the player he once was, but he 53 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:21,040 Speaker 1: helps the other guys on that defense. This isn't part 54 00:03:21,040 --> 00:03:23,480 Speaker 1: of the equation. But don't forget Chandler Jones returns he 55 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:25,880 Speaker 1: missed like the whole year. That makes why play a 56 00:03:25,880 --> 00:03:27,640 Speaker 1: few less snaps? You know there's a trick you can 57 00:03:27,680 --> 00:03:30,480 Speaker 1: line those guys up opposite each other. Absolutely. A J. 58 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:32,519 Speaker 1: Green is not what he used to be, but I 59 00:03:32,560 --> 00:03:34,839 Speaker 1: don't think he's gonnambarrass himself out there. And you've still 60 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:37,200 Speaker 1: you've still got a very talented wide receiver group. But 61 00:03:37,520 --> 00:03:39,480 Speaker 1: Hopkins is gonna get the targets. I mean, there's no 62 00:03:39,600 --> 00:03:42,080 Speaker 1: question about that Green is gonna be out there. Though. Um, 63 00:03:42,160 --> 00:03:45,040 Speaker 1: I don't know that they upgraded a cornerback with Malncolm Butler, 64 00:03:45,160 --> 00:03:48,240 Speaker 1: but they lost Patrick Peter, who is not playing great, 65 00:03:48,320 --> 00:03:50,120 Speaker 1: to be honest with you, corner to me is their 66 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:52,720 Speaker 1: biggest hole. Yeah, but you had his Aven Collins and 67 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:55,080 Speaker 1: Roundel Moore. Those are two quality players from the draft. 68 00:03:55,360 --> 00:03:57,760 Speaker 1: This also doesn't factor in. But I'm sure Isaiah Simmons 69 00:03:57,800 --> 00:03:59,440 Speaker 1: will be a lot better in year two than as 70 00:03:59,440 --> 00:04:02,280 Speaker 1: well Kyler Murray in year three. Right right, So Simmons 71 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 1: next to Collins in the second levels pretty contriguing. I 72 00:04:05,360 --> 00:04:09,080 Speaker 1: think that's a Those are quality adds. I agree. I 73 00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:15,040 Speaker 1: also think Kingsbury is it a crossroads and they got 74 00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:17,960 Speaker 1: a lot older this offseason. You know, Well, that's the 75 00:04:18,000 --> 00:04:21,279 Speaker 1: one thing. You look at those guys what Hudson, Green, Butler, 76 00:04:21,839 --> 00:04:24,120 Speaker 1: guys all on on on the wrong side of thirty, 77 00:04:24,160 --> 00:04:26,800 Speaker 1: and some of them cost him draft picks. Um, so 78 00:04:26,839 --> 00:04:29,440 Speaker 1: I think he realizes I better do something in this 79 00:04:29,520 --> 00:04:33,080 Speaker 1: tough division sooner than later, you know. So there is 80 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:37,200 Speaker 1: some motivation that might not be a long term game. 81 00:04:38,240 --> 00:04:41,200 Speaker 1: The next team on the Honorable Mention list Denver one 82 00:04:41,240 --> 00:04:44,680 Speaker 1: more Cardinal's note too. Kyler got hurt, which worries me. 83 00:04:44,720 --> 00:04:47,480 Speaker 1: Funny those running quarterbacks, but after that minute he did, 84 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:49,880 Speaker 1: he was a lot less scary to play against. I mean, 85 00:04:49,960 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 1: just didn't run nearly as much. And when he's fresh 86 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:54,080 Speaker 1: and healthy, he's handful. It's one of the reasons why 87 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:56,200 Speaker 1: the Steelers mantra when they play the Ravens is to 88 00:04:56,240 --> 00:04:59,040 Speaker 1: hit Lamar Jackson as much as possibles beat him up. 89 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:02,359 Speaker 1: The Broncos are next on here in his first edition 90 00:05:02,680 --> 00:05:06,080 Speaker 1: notable edition, Teddy Bridgewater come on, maybe the starting quarterback, 91 00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:10,240 Speaker 1: but then Kyle Fuller, Ronald Darby, Patrick's or Taine Javante Williams. 92 00:05:10,279 --> 00:05:14,040 Speaker 1: How about adding three corners? Three corners in today's NFL. Now, 93 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:17,159 Speaker 1: cornerback was an issue for them last year it was, 94 00:05:17,720 --> 00:05:22,960 Speaker 1: But I don't agree with this certain pick. Yeah, but 95 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:24,479 Speaker 1: he's a really good player. He's a good player, and 96 00:05:24,480 --> 00:05:27,520 Speaker 1: they and they, you know, young cornerbacks do take time. 97 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:31,000 Speaker 1: But he, you know, started from the get go. Alabama, Um, 98 00:05:31,400 --> 00:05:34,719 Speaker 1: their secondary should be good. Uh, they s don't have 99 00:05:34,720 --> 00:05:37,160 Speaker 1: a quarterback. Bridgewater does not solve that issue for me 100 00:05:37,279 --> 00:05:40,200 Speaker 1: me neither. I mean there's another team, like the Channel 101 00:05:40,279 --> 00:05:43,560 Speaker 1: Jones conversation. They get Von Miller back, really well coached 102 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:45,479 Speaker 1: on that side of the ball. They got coverage guys, 103 00:05:45,480 --> 00:05:47,920 Speaker 1: they got past Rush, they got run Suffers. I bet 104 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:50,760 Speaker 1: they're really good on DYEA. They got Courtland Sutton back, 105 00:05:50,880 --> 00:05:52,680 Speaker 1: you know. I mean, they have a lot of weapons 106 00:05:52,720 --> 00:05:55,920 Speaker 1: they've drafted, but they again lost the right tackle and 107 00:05:56,480 --> 00:05:58,080 Speaker 1: the one wide receiver who they were going to try 108 00:05:58,080 --> 00:06:01,480 Speaker 1: to trade, um the kid from Penn Stay Hamler ham 109 00:06:01,520 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 1: not Hamdler, the other one Patrick Shawn Hamilton's Hamilton's. Yeah. 110 00:06:06,040 --> 00:06:07,960 Speaker 1: But they have Judy, they have Sutton, they have Handler, 111 00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:09,600 Speaker 1: they have fanned him, and I think they were gonna 112 00:06:09,680 --> 00:06:11,680 Speaker 1: they were gonna get something for Hamilton. They had his 113 00:06:11,720 --> 00:06:13,159 Speaker 1: trade all set up, and he gets hurt in the 114 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:15,719 Speaker 1: offseason and the end up releasing both of those guys. 115 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:17,560 Speaker 1: Kind of like the right tackle to James, like you 116 00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:20,800 Speaker 1: mentioned that, you get him franchised and then he opts 117 00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:22,440 Speaker 1: out and then he gets injured and you got he 118 00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:25,280 Speaker 1: really got nothing out of him, and despite investing a lot, 119 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:28,400 Speaker 1: that team's really I mean, I think Joanta Williams is 120 00:06:28,440 --> 00:06:30,920 Speaker 1: going to go past Gordon quickly, you know, anyone listens 121 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:33,440 Speaker 1: to know that we like him a lot. Would you 122 00:06:33,480 --> 00:06:35,880 Speaker 1: start Locker Bridgewater though, I mean I don't think they 123 00:06:35,880 --> 00:06:37,479 Speaker 1: have don't. I don't think either one is a is 124 00:06:37,520 --> 00:06:41,440 Speaker 1: a viable option. I mean maybe they still get Rogers. 125 00:06:41,560 --> 00:06:44,520 Speaker 1: If you start lock you take advantage of what you 126 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:49,560 Speaker 1: have offensively with your downfield, he'll let it fly. If 127 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:52,880 Speaker 1: you start Bridgewater, yeah, he won't turn the football over. 128 00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:56,359 Speaker 1: But you're not taking advantage of what your your attributes are. No, No, 129 00:06:56,400 --> 00:07:00,440 Speaker 1: you're right. I mean I discussed my wide receivers today 130 00:07:00,440 --> 00:07:03,400 Speaker 1: and I kind of quoted you because I had DJ 131 00:07:03,560 --> 00:07:06,279 Speaker 1: More really high on there, like seventeen. Like you watch 132 00:07:06,360 --> 00:07:09,240 Speaker 1: the tape, he's running free. I mean, I'm not gonna 133 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:10,840 Speaker 1: ding him for that and not put him on the 134 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:14,240 Speaker 1: list because Teddy doesn't let it fly. Could absolutely see 135 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:16,760 Speaker 1: that with Judy and Sutton and faith in those guys. 136 00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:19,760 Speaker 1: So do you want to try to win thirteen nine 137 00:07:19,800 --> 00:07:23,840 Speaker 1: with Teddy or you're gonna accept some mistakes and win 138 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:27,400 Speaker 1: higher scoring games with Locke. Neither's probably the answer, right, 139 00:07:27,520 --> 00:07:29,880 Speaker 1: you know. Unfortunately, But if they and if they had Rogers, 140 00:07:29,960 --> 00:07:32,520 Speaker 1: I think they're a massive content. Oh yeah, absolutely, I 141 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:33,880 Speaker 1: mean I think the defense is good. I think the 142 00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:37,360 Speaker 1: weapons are good. It's just the one thing you don't 143 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:39,480 Speaker 1: have as a quarterback, which is the biggest, the most 144 00:07:39,520 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 1: important position on the field. The next honorable mention the Rams. 145 00:07:46,120 --> 00:07:49,000 Speaker 1: Stafford carries a lot of notable additions. There's only three 146 00:07:49,320 --> 00:07:52,640 Speaker 1: Stafford DeShawn Jackson to two at Well. Really there's only 147 00:07:52,920 --> 00:07:55,559 Speaker 1: one one. I don't I'm not counting DeShawn on Sean 148 00:07:55,680 --> 00:07:58,800 Speaker 1: Jackson to play four games this year. He hasn't shown 149 00:07:58,800 --> 00:08:00,840 Speaker 1: that he can do it. No, I don't get that. 150 00:08:00,920 --> 00:08:03,920 Speaker 1: I mean it's pretty clear when you add at Well 151 00:08:04,320 --> 00:08:07,880 Speaker 1: and Jackson you want speed, you know. I mean they're 152 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:11,480 Speaker 1: both small, they're both hard to count on in my opinion, 153 00:08:11,520 --> 00:08:13,360 Speaker 1: I mean, very hard to count on. But they're gonna 154 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:15,160 Speaker 1: throw down fare. I mean, maybe they're hopeful that one 155 00:08:15,200 --> 00:08:18,680 Speaker 1: of the two is active. You know. I mentioned my 156 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:20,280 Speaker 1: wide receiver rans I got a lot of heat. I 157 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:22,200 Speaker 1: didn't put Woods or Cup on there. But that's a 158 00:08:22,200 --> 00:08:25,200 Speaker 1: pretty good group of receivers on One of those guys 159 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:27,920 Speaker 1: is healthy. And that was a big thing that McVeigh 160 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:31,200 Speaker 1: went crazy about, was God and let it fly downfield. 161 00:08:31,240 --> 00:08:34,760 Speaker 1: Either and Stafford will, but they vastly improved. I mean, 162 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:36,920 Speaker 1: one position goes a long way. Don't get me wrong, 163 00:08:36,960 --> 00:08:40,040 Speaker 1: it's a quarterback. But I don't know. They were pretty 164 00:08:40,040 --> 00:08:43,880 Speaker 1: good to begin with. Uh. The Giants are next on 165 00:08:43,920 --> 00:08:48,559 Speaker 1: the list is unhonorable mention and Kenny Kenny Golladay, Dorry Jackson, 166 00:08:48,679 --> 00:08:52,360 Speaker 1: Ka Darius Tony ass. That defense looks pretty formidable. All 167 00:08:52,400 --> 00:08:54,800 Speaker 1: of a sudden, they got the big guys in the middle, 168 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:58,040 Speaker 1: the pretty decent a corner with like Brad Berry and 169 00:08:58,080 --> 00:09:00,160 Speaker 1: some of their editions. I love the linebackers and I 170 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:03,880 Speaker 1: don't love the lineback. They ignored linebackers whatever since Lawrence 171 00:09:03,880 --> 00:09:06,760 Speaker 1: Taylor Um. The thing where he has been most though, 172 00:09:07,160 --> 00:09:09,400 Speaker 1: is so many of these teams did this with their 173 00:09:09,440 --> 00:09:13,920 Speaker 1: young quarterbacks. Miami Philly, we're gonna surround you with tons 174 00:09:13,960 --> 00:09:16,840 Speaker 1: of weapons at this stage of your career. Sink or swim, 175 00:09:16,920 --> 00:09:18,600 Speaker 1: and by the way, we're gonna pick up an extra 176 00:09:18,640 --> 00:09:21,880 Speaker 1: first round pick next year in case. But they didn't 177 00:09:21,880 --> 00:09:25,480 Speaker 1: really address the line. If you'd have kept Zeitler, I'd 178 00:09:25,480 --> 00:09:27,120 Speaker 1: feel a lot more comfortable about it, you know what 179 00:09:27,120 --> 00:09:30,520 Speaker 1: I mean? Like Thomas got better during his rookie year, 180 00:09:30,880 --> 00:09:32,880 Speaker 1: accounting on the eighth solder to be the left tackle 181 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:35,360 Speaker 1: after often out and he was declined to begin with, 182 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:38,679 Speaker 1: and you didn't get any younger while he opted out, right, 183 00:09:38,800 --> 00:09:41,000 Speaker 1: I mean like I would have taken Thearissaw instead of Tony, 184 00:09:41,160 --> 00:09:43,480 Speaker 1: or would have kept Zeitler. I mean, one more lineman 185 00:09:43,480 --> 00:09:45,360 Speaker 1: would have gone a long way. So now we're up 186 00:09:45,400 --> 00:09:48,120 Speaker 1: to number five. Those are those are the honorable mentions. 187 00:09:48,640 --> 00:09:52,439 Speaker 1: Number five is at Jacksonville Jaguars. I suppose, I mean 188 00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:55,240 Speaker 1: they were starting when you're starting at the bottom. But 189 00:09:55,280 --> 00:09:58,520 Speaker 1: they had a Trevor Lawrence, Travis, A t N, Shaquille Griffin, Ray, 190 00:09:58,520 --> 00:10:06,160 Speaker 1: Shawn Jenkins, Roy Robert Harris Robertson, Harris Tyson Campbell, Marvin Jones. Okay, 191 00:10:06,720 --> 00:10:09,760 Speaker 1: a bunch of rookies, you know, for the most Shack 192 00:10:09,800 --> 00:10:13,000 Speaker 1: Griffin might be one of the more overrated players in 193 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:15,160 Speaker 1: the league in in my opinion. So they got they 194 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:17,600 Speaker 1: now have last year's first round pick, which doesn't equate 195 00:10:17,640 --> 00:10:21,640 Speaker 1: to this Henderson Griffin, and then they drafted Campbell in 196 00:10:21,679 --> 00:10:24,760 Speaker 1: the second round out of Georgia. So you would think 197 00:10:24,880 --> 00:10:29,400 Speaker 1: three young corners is a real strength, but you mentioned 198 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:32,240 Speaker 1: the free agent editions. None of them move the needle 199 00:10:32,280 --> 00:10:34,680 Speaker 1: for me all that much. Though they're not really anything 200 00:10:34,720 --> 00:10:37,800 Speaker 1: different than what who this? Like? The Steelers signed you 201 00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:40,640 Speaker 1: know some guys, some guys right, some depth pieces like 202 00:10:42,120 --> 00:10:45,120 Speaker 1: who's the real I covered the league. I couldn't tell 203 00:10:45,160 --> 00:10:48,280 Speaker 1: you who Roy Robertson Harris is. Yeah, he's the top 204 00:10:48,280 --> 00:10:50,360 Speaker 1: of my head, like, played well for the Bears, and 205 00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:52,840 Speaker 1: he's kind of an underrated guy. But I gotta admit 206 00:10:53,160 --> 00:10:55,200 Speaker 1: I'll be very honest too. When they signed him, I'm like, 207 00:10:55,320 --> 00:10:56,520 Speaker 1: is that the guy I'm thinking? I had to go 208 00:10:56,559 --> 00:10:59,040 Speaker 1: back and back and look. Yeah, yeah, I do kind 209 00:10:59,040 --> 00:11:01,400 Speaker 1: of like him. He's a first little interior dude, and 210 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:05,000 Speaker 1: he'll work out fine there, I'm sure. But man, I mean, 211 00:11:05,640 --> 00:11:09,920 Speaker 1: how much credit do you I don't give gms a 212 00:11:09,920 --> 00:11:15,040 Speaker 1: lot of credit for drafting Andrew Luck, Mario Lemieu, Sydney Crosby, 213 00:11:15,240 --> 00:11:18,120 Speaker 1: Lebron James, Like, my sister can make that pick. He's 214 00:11:18,160 --> 00:11:21,760 Speaker 1: an addition. I mean, we're not rewarding difficulty points to 215 00:11:21,840 --> 00:11:25,720 Speaker 1: these gms. But you know, is he a way better 216 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:28,600 Speaker 1: prospect than Burrow? You were also the GM that earned 217 00:11:28,640 --> 00:11:31,400 Speaker 1: the first overall pick in the draft? Yeah, right, right, 218 00:11:31,520 --> 00:11:33,720 Speaker 1: right right, and and there's nowhere to go him up. 219 00:11:33,720 --> 00:11:36,040 Speaker 1: But my point with Burrow is he looks like he's 220 00:11:36,040 --> 00:11:38,360 Speaker 1: would be a really good quarterback. But even if he 221 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:40,679 Speaker 1: had stayed healthy, the Bengals only one would have won 222 00:11:40,760 --> 00:11:42,960 Speaker 1: six games last year, or the most and most I mean, 223 00:11:43,000 --> 00:11:46,520 Speaker 1: if it was really really good. Yeah. Uh Number four 224 00:11:46,559 --> 00:11:50,120 Speaker 1: on here is the Cleveland Browns. I guess I agree. 225 00:11:50,360 --> 00:11:54,280 Speaker 1: The notable additions John Johnson, Troy Hill, j Daveon, Clowney, 226 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:59,200 Speaker 1: Malik Jackson, Tech McKinley, Greg Newsome, Jeremiah Wilson, Cormoa, and 227 00:11:59,240 --> 00:12:02,400 Speaker 1: Anthony Walk. I love that they attack defense, and they're 228 00:12:02,440 --> 00:12:04,160 Speaker 1: all defensive players you just mentioned, but they had to 229 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:06,800 Speaker 1: because they lost seven starters off the defense. It means 230 00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:09,720 Speaker 1: it's gonna be a completely different defense this year. I 231 00:12:09,840 --> 00:12:15,000 Speaker 1: just don't know that the combination of Jadeveon, Clowney, Malik Jackson, 232 00:12:15,000 --> 00:12:18,520 Speaker 1: attach McKinley make them better upfront. I don't think it 233 00:12:18,559 --> 00:12:22,120 Speaker 1: does neither. Probably rather a Vernon and Robert sit and 234 00:12:22,120 --> 00:12:23,760 Speaker 1: the guys that they got rid of. You know, I 235 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:26,640 Speaker 1: think that the line could be a liability outside of Garrett. 236 00:12:26,880 --> 00:12:28,600 Speaker 1: I bet their first round pick a year from now 237 00:12:28,679 --> 00:12:31,439 Speaker 1: is a defensive lineman. In some regard, neither one of 238 00:12:31,520 --> 00:12:34,440 Speaker 1: us would put our money into Clowney. The back seven 239 00:12:34,520 --> 00:12:36,640 Speaker 1: got a lot better. Yeah, it's it's better, but they 240 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:39,760 Speaker 1: didn't balance it out like the front seven. The front 241 00:12:39,760 --> 00:12:43,320 Speaker 1: four was their strength last year. Now it might and 242 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:46,880 Speaker 1: now it's the weakness. And you've strengthened the back seven. Like, Okay, 243 00:12:46,960 --> 00:12:49,160 Speaker 1: teams were passing all over us last year's we gotta 244 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:51,560 Speaker 1: get better. We'll now they're gonna run on you. And 245 00:12:51,800 --> 00:12:56,079 Speaker 1: Greedy Williams Returns, Delpit Returns. Maybe you could have gone 246 00:12:56,120 --> 00:12:59,000 Speaker 1: one less defensive back and got some sort of defensive 247 00:12:59,040 --> 00:13:02,480 Speaker 1: linement instead. And O'Dell Returns. I mean that doesn't I 248 00:13:02,480 --> 00:13:04,200 Speaker 1: think that's a huge wild card for me, but that 249 00:13:04,240 --> 00:13:06,760 Speaker 1: doesn't factor in these equations. Yeah, now they're in a 250 00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:11,439 Speaker 1: good shape. The Jets are number three. Some of these 251 00:13:11,440 --> 00:13:13,960 Speaker 1: are low hanging fruit, like Jacksonville, Like your the worst 252 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:16,040 Speaker 1: two teams in the league. They had Zach Wilson and 253 00:13:16,120 --> 00:13:20,840 Speaker 1: the draft obviously, Corey Davis, Carl Lawson, Sheldon Rankings, LaMarcus Joiner, 254 00:13:20,840 --> 00:13:23,440 Speaker 1: Elijah Vera Tucker, Elijah More the last two. Also, I 255 00:13:23,480 --> 00:13:25,400 Speaker 1: really like what they're doing. I'll be honest. I mean, 256 00:13:25,400 --> 00:13:28,800 Speaker 1: you take Vera Tucker sticking next to Beckton, but they 257 00:13:28,840 --> 00:13:31,280 Speaker 1: had very little talent to begin with, little talent, and 258 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:33,000 Speaker 1: they had a ton of cash base. And you know, 259 00:13:33,040 --> 00:13:34,719 Speaker 1: I laws in is one of my favorite pickups. I 260 00:13:34,720 --> 00:13:37,760 Speaker 1: think Corey Davis will help them. Guys like Joiner that 261 00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:41,640 Speaker 1: you mentioned are good players rankings, but your ceiling right 262 00:13:41,640 --> 00:13:44,120 Speaker 1: now is to be average. Oh yeah, I mean that 263 00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:47,040 Speaker 1: this doesn't make you a contender. But that's a huge 264 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:50,959 Speaker 1: step forward from where they were number two on this list. 265 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:53,400 Speaker 1: And I might disagree with this one as well. The 266 00:13:53,440 --> 00:13:57,520 Speaker 1: New England Patriots at number two mm hm. They had 267 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:00,679 Speaker 1: a Johnny Smith, Matthew jude On, Hunter, Henry now, Wilson Aguilar, 268 00:14:00,760 --> 00:14:04,280 Speaker 1: Trent Brown, Kyle Van Noy, Jalen Mills, Kendrick Born, Mac Jones, 269 00:14:04,520 --> 00:14:07,800 Speaker 1: rookie Christian Barmore as a rookie. I would also factor 270 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:10,600 Speaker 1: in their opt outs. Right, they're gonna get those guys back, 271 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:14,760 Speaker 1: But you don't know what those guys are gonna be. Um. 272 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:17,120 Speaker 1: They spent a lot of money, they added a lot 273 00:14:17,160 --> 00:14:21,160 Speaker 1: of people. But does Matthew jude On, for example, make 274 00:14:21,240 --> 00:14:27,960 Speaker 1: them better? Uh? Does do Nelson, Aguilar and Kendrick Born 275 00:14:28,080 --> 00:14:30,640 Speaker 1: make them a more That's my big valuable you know, 276 00:14:30,760 --> 00:14:33,600 Speaker 1: a more dangerous team on offense. Hell no, it's kind 277 00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:35,840 Speaker 1: of like the Jaguars arguments with picks, but this is 278 00:14:35,840 --> 00:14:38,080 Speaker 1: with cap space. They spend a ton in free ag 279 00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:39,720 Speaker 1: and you still might not have a quarterback. And you 280 00:14:39,720 --> 00:14:42,160 Speaker 1: still might not have a quarterback. I just don't think 281 00:14:42,200 --> 00:14:44,480 Speaker 1: you have wide receivers. And I'm sure those tight ends 282 00:14:44,480 --> 00:14:46,760 Speaker 1: will make a difference. They're good players, but they're now 283 00:14:46,840 --> 00:14:48,480 Speaker 1: the highest paid tight ends in the league that aren't 284 00:14:48,520 --> 00:14:50,840 Speaker 1: named Kad or Kelsey. We kind of saw how that 285 00:14:50,880 --> 00:14:53,600 Speaker 1: worked with Hooper and in Cleveland spending twenty eight million 286 00:14:53,680 --> 00:14:56,320 Speaker 1: dollars on the on the tight end position, right, and 287 00:14:56,400 --> 00:14:59,120 Speaker 1: I felt like in a big way, this free agency 288 00:14:59,120 --> 00:15:02,000 Speaker 1: period was just make ing up for bad drafts. So yes, 289 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:04,000 Speaker 1: it doesn't make you better. I mean, if that's your argument, 290 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:07,400 Speaker 1: is what teams are better? And I guess they have 291 00:15:07,480 --> 00:15:09,720 Speaker 1: a pass rush now with Judon and Kyle van Noy, 292 00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:12,880 Speaker 1: but neither one of them has ever gotten double digits 293 00:15:12,880 --> 00:15:15,800 Speaker 1: in sacks. No, and that goes for winnavitinu Cha and 294 00:15:15,840 --> 00:15:17,800 Speaker 1: the guys already on the team, and they'll blitz a 295 00:15:17,840 --> 00:15:20,080 Speaker 1: fair amount. I think the defense will be good. I 296 00:15:20,080 --> 00:15:21,840 Speaker 1: think the old line will be good. Of course, they'll 297 00:15:21,840 --> 00:15:26,200 Speaker 1: be well coached, but drastically better. That's not how I 298 00:15:26,200 --> 00:15:28,640 Speaker 1: would use my money. Yeah, they won seven games last year. 299 00:15:28,680 --> 00:15:31,000 Speaker 1: They's suddenly gonna be a ten win team. I mean, 300 00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:33,000 Speaker 1: I know he made a ton of money, but what 301 00:15:33,040 --> 00:15:36,160 Speaker 1: if that was Kenny Golladay. Yeah, give me a guy, 302 00:15:36,240 --> 00:15:39,760 Speaker 1: a guy, an actual legit number one receiver. I mean, like, 303 00:15:39,840 --> 00:15:42,680 Speaker 1: would Agilar play snaps here if you if you had 304 00:15:42,840 --> 00:15:46,560 Speaker 1: offered Philadelphia Aguilar Beck for nothing, they wouldn't have taken 305 00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:49,600 Speaker 1: him right right, And they needed receivers. They let him 306 00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:51,960 Speaker 1: walk two years ago, and they needed receivers. They want 307 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:53,800 Speaker 1: nothing to do with them. Kendre Born to me's a 308 00:15:53,840 --> 00:16:00,400 Speaker 1: four three and again neither one who plays snaps with Steelers? Right, Yeah, yeah, 309 00:16:00,960 --> 00:16:03,880 Speaker 1: number one. This is what I haven't heard a lot 310 00:16:03,920 --> 00:16:08,920 Speaker 1: about or at least mentioned in this in this vein Washington. Wow. 311 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:15,280 Speaker 1: Notable additions Ryan Fitzpatrick Curtis, Samuel William Jackson, Charles Leno, 312 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:18,720 Speaker 1: Eric Flowers, Jayme and Davis, Samuel cos Me, Bobby McClean 313 00:16:19,880 --> 00:16:22,440 Speaker 1: sort of their old line because it was a decent 314 00:16:22,520 --> 00:16:25,520 Speaker 1: old line. They just gave Morgan Moses the option to 315 00:16:25,560 --> 00:16:29,240 Speaker 1: go out and seek its trade. That was yesterday, actually 316 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:32,240 Speaker 1: because I thought their old line was one good guy 317 00:16:32,280 --> 00:16:35,800 Speaker 1: away from being solid, you know, being filled up, and 318 00:16:35,880 --> 00:16:38,200 Speaker 1: they drafted cos Me, they signed Leno, who I don't 319 00:16:38,240 --> 00:16:41,440 Speaker 1: understand why Chicago cut, and they also had a Flowers, 320 00:16:41,480 --> 00:16:43,240 Speaker 1: so they're gonna put back at guard, you know, I 321 00:16:43,240 --> 00:16:45,920 Speaker 1: mean he's not a tackle. So I thought they completed 322 00:16:45,960 --> 00:16:48,520 Speaker 1: that and actually had an abundance. So that makes sense 323 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:51,600 Speaker 1: now with with Moses because Leno right caused me if 324 00:16:51,640 --> 00:16:53,640 Speaker 1: New England was going to spend money on receiver, Curtis 325 00:16:53,680 --> 00:16:56,760 Speaker 1: Samuel would have Curtis Samuel's guy way better than either 326 00:16:56,800 --> 00:16:59,040 Speaker 1: guy that that New England. I mean, you're looking at 327 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:02,600 Speaker 1: mclare and s Emmule and Denomie Brown and Logan Thomas 328 00:17:02,600 --> 00:17:05,399 Speaker 1: as your receiver, and Gibson is a good receiver of 329 00:17:05,480 --> 00:17:07,399 Speaker 1: the backfield. I think he's ready for to jump forward. 330 00:17:07,880 --> 00:17:09,440 Speaker 1: I think their defense might be the best in the league. 331 00:17:09,440 --> 00:17:11,040 Speaker 1: I'm not saying it's my pick to be best in 332 00:17:11,040 --> 00:17:12,800 Speaker 1: the league, but they're gonna play it's pretty give me 333 00:17:12,840 --> 00:17:14,919 Speaker 1: top five and it's gonna They're gonna rush the pastor 334 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:16,960 Speaker 1: as well as anyone, if not better, as long as 335 00:17:17,160 --> 00:17:19,680 Speaker 1: long as Fitzpatrick doesn't turn into bad Ryans Fitzpatrick and 336 00:17:19,720 --> 00:17:22,320 Speaker 1: throw interceptions is gonna go like, I think they'll play 337 00:17:22,359 --> 00:17:25,240 Speaker 1: a lot of press band coverage, you know, with big corners. 338 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:29,040 Speaker 1: We both like Jamie Davis a lot. I don't think 339 00:17:29,119 --> 00:17:32,640 Speaker 1: we tell our listeners a difference between Jamie Davis and Boston. Yeah, 340 00:17:32,720 --> 00:17:35,399 Speaker 1: I mean that we know what they're doing there. But 341 00:17:35,960 --> 00:17:38,720 Speaker 1: I said this on my podcast, employ did I get heat? 342 00:17:39,280 --> 00:17:42,720 Speaker 1: I think Washington has the worst quarterback situation in the league. 343 00:17:42,840 --> 00:17:44,879 Speaker 1: I'm gonna say they'll get the worst quarterback play in 344 00:17:44,920 --> 00:17:48,000 Speaker 1: two thousand twenty one. But situation, if I was a 345 00:17:48,080 --> 00:17:51,520 Speaker 1: GM to inherit a quarterback situation, they don't even have 346 00:17:51,560 --> 00:17:53,520 Speaker 1: a third round pick sitting around to learn. I mean 347 00:17:53,560 --> 00:17:56,040 Speaker 1: they don't have the Rootolph, they don't have a Haskins. 348 00:17:56,080 --> 00:17:59,240 Speaker 1: I mean, they don't have anything to Haskins. I understand 349 00:17:59,240 --> 00:18:01,399 Speaker 1: why they move on from Don't get me wrong, but 350 00:18:01,480 --> 00:18:04,800 Speaker 1: if you're counting on Fitzpatrick to not turn the ball over, 351 00:18:06,040 --> 00:18:08,920 Speaker 1: good luck with We're stay healthy Atty and the way 352 00:18:08,920 --> 00:18:12,280 Speaker 1: he runs around seventeen game season, you know, do you 353 00:18:12,640 --> 00:18:14,320 Speaker 1: do they tell him, Hey, Ryan, we don't want you 354 00:18:14,400 --> 00:18:16,600 Speaker 1: running around. We don't you know, throw the ball away. 355 00:18:17,280 --> 00:18:19,280 Speaker 1: I mean, for someone that has no skin in the game, 356 00:18:19,720 --> 00:18:22,080 Speaker 1: I don't care if Washington wins one game or seventeen, 357 00:18:22,800 --> 00:18:27,160 Speaker 1: and I'll gladly draft their their fantasy guys. They'll be fun. 358 00:18:27,840 --> 00:18:29,480 Speaker 1: But that's not the approach I would have taken. A 359 00:18:29,560 --> 00:18:34,320 Speaker 1: quarterback would have been Fitzpatrick and Davis Mills or even 360 00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:36,679 Speaker 1: somebody you know. I mean, you know, I would not 361 00:18:36,760 --> 00:18:38,760 Speaker 1: put all those chips in that basket for this year 362 00:18:39,760 --> 00:18:43,040 Speaker 1: to that point. Okay, so Pro Football Focused did what 363 00:18:43,119 --> 00:18:48,439 Speaker 1: they're calling implied um market implied power rankings. What they 364 00:18:48,480 --> 00:18:52,800 Speaker 1: did was looked at the They looked at the what 365 00:18:52,960 --> 00:18:56,240 Speaker 1: the odds are for for every every game this season, 366 00:18:57,040 --> 00:19:00,320 Speaker 1: and then they use a matrix based approach where they 367 00:19:00,320 --> 00:19:03,320 Speaker 1: can derive an offensive It's a massive matric based approach 368 00:19:03,320 --> 00:19:05,480 Speaker 1: where we can drive an offensive and defensive rating for 369 00:19:05,520 --> 00:19:08,200 Speaker 1: each team, which when added together, gives rise to a 370 00:19:08,240 --> 00:19:10,320 Speaker 1: point spread that would theoretically be the spread in the 371 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:13,280 Speaker 1: game versus an average team on a neutral field, the 372 00:19:13,400 --> 00:19:16,199 Speaker 1: most average team on a neutral field. That's important in 373 00:19:16,200 --> 00:19:19,399 Speaker 1: this equation. Okay, so we just went through those teams 374 00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:21,879 Speaker 1: at all improved in the office. Yeah, okay, And I 375 00:19:21,920 --> 00:19:23,639 Speaker 1: don't think we have huge problems with any I mean, 376 00:19:23,680 --> 00:19:26,720 Speaker 1: they're all better, you know, alright, So they're number one 377 00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:29,880 Speaker 1: team in this in this metric, the Kansas City Chiefs 378 00:19:30,320 --> 00:19:33,439 Speaker 1: six point four points above average, an average team on 379 00:19:33,440 --> 00:19:36,440 Speaker 1: a neutrotl field against the most average team in the league, 380 00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:38,879 Speaker 1: which is a hypothetical team. We don't have that team. 381 00:19:39,040 --> 00:19:42,439 Speaker 1: Number two is Tampa Bay at five point five. Now 382 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:45,560 Speaker 1: the Buccaneers, the Buccaneers weren't going to be on that 383 00:19:45,640 --> 00:19:48,440 Speaker 1: list of most improved teams because they got everybody back? 384 00:19:50,320 --> 00:19:52,240 Speaker 1: Was that like a whole point behind Kansas City though? 385 00:19:53,160 --> 00:19:56,320 Speaker 1: Uh's point nine points behind them? Yeah, casey is no 386 00:19:56,440 --> 00:19:59,080 Speaker 1: line obviously, that's what their off season goal. Uh, And 387 00:19:59,160 --> 00:20:02,960 Speaker 1: these are what they're all the contenders. Number three is 388 00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:07,479 Speaker 1: Buffalo at four point three, and then number four is 389 00:20:07,560 --> 00:20:12,800 Speaker 1: Baltimore at four plus four point two. I'm not buying that. 390 00:20:13,119 --> 00:20:17,320 Speaker 1: I'm just not because they lost. But yeah, I don't 391 00:20:17,320 --> 00:20:19,760 Speaker 1: know that they're better, like I think, I don't know 392 00:20:19,800 --> 00:20:22,920 Speaker 1: that they're markedly worse than they were a year ago. No, 393 00:20:23,200 --> 00:20:24,880 Speaker 1: but I don't think that they're better. And they didn't 394 00:20:24,880 --> 00:20:28,320 Speaker 1: win their division last year, correct, I mean, I think 395 00:20:28,480 --> 00:20:31,000 Speaker 1: teams have figured out how to play them. A little bit, 396 00:20:31,040 --> 00:20:33,199 Speaker 1: not that they've been figured out that they solved, but 397 00:20:33,800 --> 00:20:36,880 Speaker 1: they're gonna make Lamar throw outside in numbers their old 398 00:20:36,920 --> 00:20:40,680 Speaker 1: lines better, but not leaps and bounds in their pass rush. 399 00:20:40,800 --> 00:20:45,560 Speaker 1: Is certainly a big step back. The next tier. This 400 00:20:45,600 --> 00:20:47,200 Speaker 1: is what they're calling the next tier. There are four 401 00:20:47,240 --> 00:20:49,879 Speaker 1: teams in the second tier. That would be the Rams 402 00:20:49,880 --> 00:20:53,000 Speaker 1: at plus three point seven. They were on that list 403 00:20:53,040 --> 00:20:57,480 Speaker 1: of improved they just can't afford injuries. Number six was 404 00:20:57,520 --> 00:20:59,560 Speaker 1: the San is the San Francisco forty nine is a 405 00:20:59,560 --> 00:21:03,560 Speaker 1: plus three point six kind and they got They should 406 00:21:03,600 --> 00:21:06,000 Speaker 1: be considered in that teams that got better in the 407 00:21:06,040 --> 00:21:08,720 Speaker 1: off season just because of who they're getting back that 408 00:21:08,800 --> 00:21:12,720 Speaker 1: they didn't have last and bos they got hit harder 409 00:21:12,720 --> 00:21:14,879 Speaker 1: than any team in the league by injury. Um. I 410 00:21:14,880 --> 00:21:18,480 Speaker 1: know this isn't factoring in, but their schedules pretty darn favorable. 411 00:21:18,800 --> 00:21:20,800 Speaker 1: But I mean, they didn't have their starting quarterback, the 412 00:21:20,880 --> 00:21:23,280 Speaker 1: best defensive player, and maybe the best offensive players they 413 00:21:23,280 --> 00:21:27,280 Speaker 1: were lining up with Nick Mullins. This goes to show 414 00:21:27,320 --> 00:21:31,280 Speaker 1: you again how remarkable the Steelers nineteen season was. Like 415 00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:34,320 Speaker 1: the Niners got a you know, a top ten pick 416 00:21:35,119 --> 00:21:37,600 Speaker 1: out of not having Jimmy Garoppolo, and then two years 417 00:21:37,600 --> 00:21:39,680 Speaker 1: ago when they didn't have Jimmy, they got Bosa with 418 00:21:39,720 --> 00:21:44,040 Speaker 1: a second pick. Yeah, and Jimmy is not the best 419 00:21:44,040 --> 00:21:46,080 Speaker 1: player in the league, you know, or do even you 420 00:21:46,119 --> 00:21:49,240 Speaker 1: know his borderline starter? Number seven is Cleveland at plus 421 00:21:49,240 --> 00:21:52,159 Speaker 1: two point nine. Do you think do you think the 422 00:21:52,280 --> 00:21:55,800 Speaker 1: Ravens are true four point two and the Browns are 423 00:21:55,960 --> 00:21:59,320 Speaker 1: two point nine? Because I think the Ravens, I think 424 00:21:59,320 --> 00:22:01,000 Speaker 1: the Browns are be a better team, right. I think 425 00:22:01,000 --> 00:22:04,119 Speaker 1: they're a better team right now than the Ravens. I 426 00:22:04,160 --> 00:22:06,840 Speaker 1: think if they played each other on a neutral field, 427 00:22:07,240 --> 00:22:10,760 Speaker 1: I would have the Brown's favored. I agree by two 428 00:22:10,760 --> 00:22:12,840 Speaker 1: and a half orst, not by the leaps and bounds, 429 00:22:12,880 --> 00:22:15,119 Speaker 1: but and I might even think about the matchup. They 430 00:22:15,160 --> 00:22:17,320 Speaker 1: stopped the round. Well, this left tackle can't block this guy. 431 00:22:17,359 --> 00:22:19,560 Speaker 1: I'm just saying I think Cleveland is the more well 432 00:22:19,640 --> 00:22:22,080 Speaker 1: rounded team that I trust. I think so as well. Right. 433 00:22:22,720 --> 00:22:25,320 Speaker 1: Number eight is the Colts at plus two point three. 434 00:22:25,480 --> 00:22:28,360 Speaker 1: I'm not buying that. That one's not for me. I'm 435 00:22:28,400 --> 00:22:31,480 Speaker 1: not buying that at all. I don't think they got better, period. No, 436 00:22:31,520 --> 00:22:33,760 Speaker 1: I'm not sure what they got worse. They got worse 437 00:22:34,320 --> 00:22:37,000 Speaker 1: because wins is not better than Rivers and their left 438 00:22:37,000 --> 00:22:40,600 Speaker 1: tackle retired, and they're hoping Fisher plays in November or 439 00:22:40,640 --> 00:22:44,800 Speaker 1: whatever because their pass rush knows we better unless Putty 440 00:22:44,880 --> 00:22:48,600 Speaker 1: pays a star. No, right, yeah, I don't. I'm not 441 00:22:48,640 --> 00:22:51,360 Speaker 1: buying the Colts. I'm not either. There's quite a few 442 00:22:51,359 --> 00:22:53,800 Speaker 1: teams I put ahead of them, the above average teams. 443 00:22:55,359 --> 00:22:59,200 Speaker 1: There's a bunch here. Uh Seattle at nine plus one 444 00:22:59,200 --> 00:23:03,560 Speaker 1: point seven. I'm fine with that, assuming Wilson plays like 445 00:23:03,600 --> 00:23:04,800 Speaker 1: he does early in the year or not at the 446 00:23:05,040 --> 00:23:07,399 Speaker 1: end of the year. The Saints at ten at plus 447 00:23:07,440 --> 00:23:10,200 Speaker 1: one point four, I still think it's a really good roster. 448 00:23:10,280 --> 00:23:13,800 Speaker 1: It's a good roster. But again, you're quarterbacks on issue. 449 00:23:14,480 --> 00:23:18,400 Speaker 1: But it was last year. It was but Blees wasn't 450 00:23:18,400 --> 00:23:20,040 Speaker 1: going to turn to football over. If they turned things 451 00:23:20,080 --> 00:23:24,040 Speaker 1: over to Jamis Winston and he turns into bad Jamis 452 00:23:24,040 --> 00:23:27,360 Speaker 1: Winston in the first twenty interceptions, well then there they're 453 00:23:27,440 --> 00:23:28,960 Speaker 1: they're in trouble. But I think that's one of the 454 00:23:29,000 --> 00:23:31,000 Speaker 1: better defenses in the league. I think it's the best 455 00:23:31,040 --> 00:23:34,400 Speaker 1: THO line in the league, right there with Cleveland. Yeah, 456 00:23:34,560 --> 00:23:37,679 Speaker 1: so it wasn't like their quarterback play was vintage Breeze 457 00:23:37,760 --> 00:23:41,120 Speaker 1: last year. Number eleven is Arizona plus one point one. 458 00:23:41,200 --> 00:23:45,560 Speaker 1: We talked about them earlier. I mean I think number 459 00:23:45,600 --> 00:23:49,480 Speaker 1: twelve fourth in that division by their metrics to division. 460 00:23:50,200 --> 00:23:54,520 Speaker 1: Number four is Green Bay at plus point eight with Rogers, 461 00:23:54,520 --> 00:24:00,680 Speaker 1: I think it's better than that without their way below right. Uh, 462 00:24:00,840 --> 00:24:04,600 Speaker 1: Number thirteen is Dallas at plus point eight. I think 463 00:24:04,600 --> 00:24:07,440 Speaker 1: i'd have them higher. The defense is still gonna be 464 00:24:07,440 --> 00:24:09,359 Speaker 1: an issue, it is. I mean, they're kind of a 465 00:24:09,440 --> 00:24:11,960 Speaker 1: lot of rookies, yeah, and it's not gonna be good, 466 00:24:11,960 --> 00:24:14,200 Speaker 1: but I bet it's better than last year. Big thing 467 00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:16,159 Speaker 1: with their defense last year too was not only with 468 00:24:16,280 --> 00:24:18,240 Speaker 1: it a not of talent. They had a lot of 469 00:24:18,280 --> 00:24:21,360 Speaker 1: blown assignments and things like that. That typically doesn't get 470 00:24:21,359 --> 00:24:23,920 Speaker 1: better when you're playing rookies. No, but it almost can't 471 00:24:23,920 --> 00:24:27,000 Speaker 1: get worse. I mean it was bad. Number Yeah, Number 472 00:24:27,000 --> 00:24:30,640 Speaker 1: fourteen the Steelers at plus point six. I think that's 473 00:24:30,640 --> 00:24:33,800 Speaker 1: about right, but a little higher. IM I might have 474 00:24:33,840 --> 00:24:35,600 Speaker 1: them a little bit higher, and I would have them 475 00:24:35,800 --> 00:24:39,520 Speaker 1: out move the Colts. Yeah, I think they're more in 476 00:24:39,600 --> 00:24:43,959 Speaker 1: line with what I think. They're closer to Baltimore than 477 00:24:44,600 --> 00:24:47,280 Speaker 1: than than Baltimore is to Cleveland, and they have a 478 00:24:47,359 --> 00:24:50,360 Speaker 1: bay of Baltimore ranked ahead of Cleveland. Jude that you're 479 00:24:50,359 --> 00:24:54,680 Speaker 1: saying there's a bigger gap from Cleveland to the Ravens 480 00:24:54,720 --> 00:24:59,040 Speaker 1: than the Ravens to the Steelers. The Ravens the the 481 00:24:59,160 --> 00:25:02,480 Speaker 1: Ravens came in a four point two. The Browns came 482 00:25:02,480 --> 00:25:05,440 Speaker 1: in at two point nine, So that's a one point 483 00:25:05,480 --> 00:25:08,879 Speaker 1: three point and I think they them. I think they 484 00:25:08,920 --> 00:25:11,720 Speaker 1: should flop the Steelers coming at point six. They're telling 485 00:25:11,800 --> 00:25:14,520 Speaker 1: us that it's a distant third. Yeah, that the Browns 486 00:25:14,520 --> 00:25:17,000 Speaker 1: are two point three points per game better than the Steelers. 487 00:25:18,080 --> 00:25:22,040 Speaker 1: That might be true, maybe, but I don't think that 488 00:25:22,080 --> 00:25:24,120 Speaker 1: the Ravens are in the right spot. You don't think 489 00:25:24,119 --> 00:25:26,760 Speaker 1: the Ravens are. I don't think the Ravens. I don't 490 00:25:26,760 --> 00:25:28,800 Speaker 1: think the Ravens should be in the top four contenders. 491 00:25:29,080 --> 00:25:31,560 Speaker 1: I don't either class I would put I would rank 492 00:25:31,600 --> 00:25:33,879 Speaker 1: them Brown's, Ravens, Steelers, but I think the gap between 493 00:25:33,920 --> 00:25:35,720 Speaker 1: all three would be less than these. I think the 494 00:25:35,760 --> 00:25:40,719 Speaker 1: gap between the Ravens and Steelers is pretty close. I like, 495 00:25:40,760 --> 00:25:42,920 Speaker 1: I don't think it's markedly that the Ravens are so 496 00:25:43,080 --> 00:25:46,320 Speaker 1: the Steelers swept him last year, including down in Baltimore 497 00:25:46,400 --> 00:25:50,400 Speaker 1: with Lamar Jackson playing right. The Colts don't make sense 498 00:25:50,400 --> 00:25:52,560 Speaker 1: to me in the AC and that was after they 499 00:25:52,560 --> 00:25:55,280 Speaker 1: had just lost Evan Bush by the way, good point, 500 00:25:55,320 --> 00:25:57,679 Speaker 1: good point. So you know, I don't know that the 501 00:25:57,760 --> 00:26:00,639 Speaker 1: Ravens are are markedly better team and the Steelers they 502 00:26:00,720 --> 00:26:03,159 Speaker 1: just don't. They deserve a lot of respect. But the Steelers, 503 00:26:03,400 --> 00:26:05,639 Speaker 1: Steelers should too, right right for the same vein Like 504 00:26:05,680 --> 00:26:07,280 Speaker 1: these teams know how to win, they have good coaches, 505 00:26:07,359 --> 00:26:10,920 Speaker 1: you know. Uh. Number fifteen is the Chargers at point three. 506 00:26:11,240 --> 00:26:13,720 Speaker 1: I'm a believer, but I gotta see it first. I've 507 00:26:13,520 --> 00:26:16,600 Speaker 1: I've bitten on that forbidden fruit before and it's hurt. 508 00:26:16,680 --> 00:26:19,960 Speaker 1: You know. Number sixteens another team that people are ranking 509 00:26:19,960 --> 00:26:21,560 Speaker 1: ahead of the Steelers, and I don't know that they 510 00:26:21,560 --> 00:26:25,200 Speaker 1: should be. Uh And this this metrics says no, the 511 00:26:25,200 --> 00:26:27,720 Speaker 1: Titans at point three. Yeah, I think they're gonna go backwards. 512 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:29,639 Speaker 1: They may have a decent record because they're in a 513 00:26:29,640 --> 00:26:32,479 Speaker 1: bad division wins, but I don't think they're a really 514 00:26:32,480 --> 00:26:35,280 Speaker 1: good football team. And then seventeen is the Vikings at 515 00:26:35,320 --> 00:26:39,280 Speaker 1: point three. I think they could be. I mean, their 516 00:26:39,320 --> 00:26:41,720 Speaker 1: offense was really really good last year. This might not 517 00:26:41,840 --> 00:26:43,760 Speaker 1: have a great line and they added to two good 518 00:26:43,760 --> 00:26:46,440 Speaker 1: linemen and free agency or in the draft. I think 519 00:26:46,520 --> 00:26:49,200 Speaker 1: Zamber will get the defense back to average. So that's 520 00:26:49,200 --> 00:26:52,080 Speaker 1: your top seventeen teams. And they're saying that that's those 521 00:26:52,080 --> 00:26:53,960 Speaker 1: are the only teams that are in the positive right now, 522 00:26:54,119 --> 00:26:58,040 Speaker 1: above average the below average teams. This is another team 523 00:26:58,080 --> 00:27:00,400 Speaker 1: that people are ranking in their power rank. He's ahead 524 00:27:00,400 --> 00:27:03,480 Speaker 1: of the Steelers. I've seen a lot Miami minus point 525 00:27:03,520 --> 00:27:05,520 Speaker 1: three the last power ranks I did. I got all 526 00:27:05,640 --> 00:27:07,720 Speaker 1: kinds of a I'm not ready to crown the Dolphins. 527 00:27:07,760 --> 00:27:10,480 Speaker 1: Is they're really good? Yeah? I mean everyone thought I 528 00:27:10,560 --> 00:27:12,920 Speaker 1: underrated them and I had them in like nineteen something 529 00:27:12,960 --> 00:27:14,719 Speaker 1: like that, which is where they should be. I think 530 00:27:14,760 --> 00:27:16,800 Speaker 1: they're a work in progress. I like what they're doing. 531 00:27:17,280 --> 00:27:20,000 Speaker 1: They're not there yet. I think they're a year uh 532 00:27:20,480 --> 00:27:22,680 Speaker 1: year improved from the They're like the Jets, but a 533 00:27:22,760 --> 00:27:26,080 Speaker 1: year earlier to us, started like six career games, let's 534 00:27:26,080 --> 00:27:29,840 Speaker 1: not you know. And that's the quarterback quitions number nineteen. 535 00:27:29,920 --> 00:27:32,399 Speaker 1: This is another team that people were ranking ahead of 536 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:34,199 Speaker 1: the Steelers. This name. They were on the list. We 537 00:27:34,240 --> 00:27:37,239 Speaker 1: just talked about the Patriots minus point four. I can 538 00:27:37,320 --> 00:27:39,439 Speaker 1: make an argument both ways. I think that's where they 539 00:27:39,440 --> 00:27:42,360 Speaker 1: belong because last year, if we were doing a similar 540 00:27:42,400 --> 00:27:45,680 Speaker 1: thing based on our feelings about them going into the season, 541 00:27:45,720 --> 00:27:48,680 Speaker 1: we both thought that they would struggle. Yea, and during 542 00:27:48,720 --> 00:27:51,240 Speaker 1: the season you're like, well, they're probably like the best 543 00:27:51,240 --> 00:27:53,959 Speaker 1: team in the league. Oh yeah, but they won seven 544 00:27:54,000 --> 00:27:57,600 Speaker 1: games and what was all saidden despite having massive flaws. 545 00:27:58,119 --> 00:28:01,199 Speaker 1: I still think they have flaws. I can belichick a 546 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:04,040 Speaker 1: lot of kudos though how much they do with that. 547 00:28:04,119 --> 00:28:07,520 Speaker 1: But I think they're probably the same tier as the Steelers, 548 00:28:07,520 --> 00:28:09,600 Speaker 1: and I take them both over the Colts and Titans. 549 00:28:10,160 --> 00:28:13,400 Speaker 1: Number twenty is the Broncos at minus point six. Talked 550 00:28:13,400 --> 00:28:17,080 Speaker 1: about them earlier, and who knows the quarterbacks the problem 551 00:28:17,320 --> 00:28:19,600 Speaker 1: quarterbacks in issue way they're constructed right now. I don't 552 00:28:19,600 --> 00:28:23,000 Speaker 1: think they're a contender or a playoff contender. Twenty one 553 00:28:23,080 --> 00:28:26,600 Speaker 1: is the Falcons at minus one point three. I'm really 554 00:28:26,640 --> 00:28:28,639 Speaker 1: interested to see what they do, especially on offense, and 555 00:28:28,680 --> 00:28:30,320 Speaker 1: I think they'll light it up on offense. I so 556 00:28:30,480 --> 00:28:32,760 Speaker 1: they might. Ryan is pretty good. The defense, however, is 557 00:28:32,800 --> 00:28:35,720 Speaker 1: an issue, and they found ways to lose games last year. 558 00:28:35,920 --> 00:28:39,440 Speaker 1: It was a very charging like that. Yeah yeah. Uh. 559 00:28:39,600 --> 00:28:42,080 Speaker 1: Twenty two of the Raiders at minus one point eight. 560 00:28:43,560 --> 00:28:46,640 Speaker 1: I think that's probably where they belong. Twenty three is 561 00:28:46,760 --> 00:28:49,960 Speaker 1: Washington at minus one point nine. That was their most 562 00:28:50,000 --> 00:28:51,960 Speaker 1: improved team on the on the other list that we 563 00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:55,240 Speaker 1: look at, and they're still they won that division last division. 564 00:28:55,280 --> 00:28:57,560 Speaker 1: I mean, it was a bad division, but I would 565 00:28:57,600 --> 00:29:00,600 Speaker 1: have them their second there in the secon An NFC 566 00:29:00,680 --> 00:29:04,239 Speaker 1: East team on here behind Dallas. But I think one 567 00:29:04,280 --> 00:29:07,400 Speaker 1: of those two teams, I think, you know, both those 568 00:29:07,400 --> 00:29:10,960 Speaker 1: teams could have winning records this year. Uh. Twenty four 569 00:29:11,040 --> 00:29:13,840 Speaker 1: is the Bears at minus two point one. I'm cool 570 00:29:13,880 --> 00:29:16,840 Speaker 1: with that. I think it needs to be fields sooner 571 00:29:16,880 --> 00:29:19,960 Speaker 1: than later than. Twenty five is the Giants at minus 572 00:29:20,000 --> 00:29:22,080 Speaker 1: two point two. We talked about another team that was 573 00:29:22,120 --> 00:29:24,880 Speaker 1: on that improved list. I don't trust a quarterback at all. Yeah. 574 00:29:25,160 --> 00:29:27,920 Speaker 1: Number twenty six is the Panthers at minus two point four. 575 00:29:28,320 --> 00:29:30,720 Speaker 1: A lot of variants with that team, and a lot 576 00:29:30,720 --> 00:29:33,560 Speaker 1: of that's based on Donald. I think there is an 577 00:29:33,560 --> 00:29:37,040 Speaker 1: advantage that Donald just not being Teddy Bridgewater. Yeah, that 578 00:29:37,160 --> 00:29:41,080 Speaker 1: itself takes some chances, but then again, he'll take some chances. 579 00:29:41,440 --> 00:29:44,240 Speaker 1: The defenses are gonna make up for the poor teams. Uh. 580 00:29:45,320 --> 00:29:50,960 Speaker 1: Through thirty two it's the Eagles, the Jaguars, the Bengals, Jets, Lions, Texans. 581 00:29:51,680 --> 00:29:53,560 Speaker 1: I think the Bengals might be a little better than that. 582 00:29:54,960 --> 00:29:57,680 Speaker 1: Not much, not much would still in that list for me. 583 00:29:57,720 --> 00:29:59,600 Speaker 1: I mean, they lost their best defensive players from last 584 00:29:59,680 --> 00:30:01,800 Speaker 1: they did they did. I think the offense is a 585 00:30:01,880 --> 00:30:03,880 Speaker 1: chance to be good. I'm not quite sure what to 586 00:30:03,920 --> 00:30:06,040 Speaker 1: make of the Eagles. I don't believe in Hurts, but 587 00:30:06,600 --> 00:30:08,800 Speaker 1: I don't know if they're picking in the top five 588 00:30:08,880 --> 00:30:10,959 Speaker 1: next year. The Texans are worse than the league at 589 00:30:10,960 --> 00:30:13,680 Speaker 1: minus seven points. That's curious. Where the numbers on the 590 00:30:13,960 --> 00:30:16,640 Speaker 1: worst teams. That's pretty bad. That's bad they're gonna be. 591 00:30:16,720 --> 00:30:18,560 Speaker 1: I mean they're gonna be double digit dogs a lot, 592 00:30:18,600 --> 00:30:21,000 Speaker 1: a lot. Yeah, that's gonna do it for this segment. 593 00:30:21,040 --> 00:30:23,960 Speaker 1: So we're gonna take a break. He is Matt Williamson. 594 00:30:24,000 --> 00:30:25,800 Speaker 1: I'm Dale Lully. We want to thank Jacob Break for 595 00:30:25,880 --> 00:30:27,560 Speaker 1: keeping us on the air throughout the course of the show, 596 00:30:27,600 --> 00:30:29,440 Speaker 1: and we want to thank you for listening to this 597 00:30:29,640 --> 00:30:32,000 Speaker 1: edition of The Drive on Steelers Nation Radio.