1 00:00:03,640 --> 00:00:06,880 Speaker 1: This is the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson 2 00:00:07,320 --> 00:00:12,440 Speaker 1: on Home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. 3 00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:25,200 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Drive. I'm Dale Lolly. He is Matt Williamson. 4 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:28,160 Speaker 1: It is a Thursday here in Pittsburgh as the Steelers 5 00:00:28,320 --> 00:00:32,160 Speaker 1: prepared to go face the Baltimore Ravens in the rematch 6 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:35,839 Speaker 1: from three weeks ago down in Baltimore. This will be 7 00:00:35,920 --> 00:00:39,760 Speaker 1: a night game. Um, obviously a lot on the line 8 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:41,080 Speaker 1: for the Steelers. I thought we had a lot of 9 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:43,879 Speaker 1: a lot of ground the cover today, Matt. One thing 10 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:47,360 Speaker 1: I didn't want to talk about here first today however, Well, 11 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:50,360 Speaker 1: first of all, Lamar Jackson didn't practice again the day. 12 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:54,120 Speaker 1: That's not happening yet. He's not playing. But I do 13 00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:56,760 Speaker 1: want to talk about this. I saw this on Football Outsiders. 14 00:00:57,240 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 1: They picked they're all rookie team. Okay, they did with 15 00:01:02,760 --> 00:01:07,479 Speaker 1: two games remaining, Yeah, somethings could happen, sure, but let's 16 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:10,000 Speaker 1: go through it. Yeah, let's let's go through perminent people here, 17 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:12,839 Speaker 1: and you know we're gonna be rooting against the Jets. 18 00:01:12,880 --> 00:01:15,119 Speaker 1: They got some guys. They got some guys, right, right, 19 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:17,880 Speaker 1: So I'm paying Rudy for Seattle. They got some guys, 20 00:01:18,400 --> 00:01:20,880 Speaker 1: let's go through a quarterback. Now, this is done by 21 00:01:21,440 --> 00:01:24,680 Speaker 1: Brian Knowles. I don't know Brian. I don't know him, 22 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:27,679 Speaker 1: but I've seen many of his articles and I've don't 23 00:01:27,720 --> 00:01:30,520 Speaker 1: hesitate to click on. Okay, he's good. Yeah, so a 24 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:35,680 Speaker 1: quarterback his often his rookie quarterback on his the All 25 00:01:35,760 --> 00:01:39,760 Speaker 1: Rookie team. Yeah, I got a problem with that. I 26 00:01:39,760 --> 00:01:42,399 Speaker 1: mean just the body of work. I mean, was he 27 00:01:42,560 --> 00:01:44,840 Speaker 1: has it been three games? I think he started three games. 28 00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:48,000 Speaker 1: He started three Yeah, that's not quite enough for me. 29 00:01:48,720 --> 00:01:51,560 Speaker 1: I mean, if Pickett was horrendous, I mean, if he 30 00:01:51,600 --> 00:01:56,360 Speaker 1: was Zack Wilson bad, I'll listen to that, but pick 31 00:01:56,440 --> 00:01:58,080 Speaker 1: It has a lot more to go. I'm gonna go 32 00:01:58,160 --> 00:02:02,560 Speaker 1: back to what I've said all along here about Kenny Pickett, 33 00:02:03,080 --> 00:02:05,480 Speaker 1: because every time I mentioned Kenny Pickett and I tweet 34 00:02:05,520 --> 00:02:07,240 Speaker 1: out a story that I write on Steelers dot Com 35 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:10,160 Speaker 1: about Kenny Pickett, immediately in the replies, well, he doesn't 36 00:02:10,160 --> 00:02:14,200 Speaker 1: throw any touchdown passes. So let's take the three rushing 37 00:02:14,240 --> 00:02:17,200 Speaker 1: touchdowns he has and add those to his to his 38 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:22,080 Speaker 1: passing touchdown to do people then feel differently about it 39 00:02:22,120 --> 00:02:25,040 Speaker 1: if he has eight touchdown passes instead of five. I 40 00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:28,760 Speaker 1: think some of that fantasy driven. I think, are you 41 00:02:28,760 --> 00:02:31,480 Speaker 1: winning games right right right? You're moving to football? Do 42 00:02:31,520 --> 00:02:35,400 Speaker 1: you look like you belong? I mean, I think pickets 43 00:02:35,760 --> 00:02:39,280 Speaker 1: passing most tests as there's things he needs to work on, absolutely. 44 00:02:39,320 --> 00:02:41,320 Speaker 1: I mean I was doing some picke at work last night. 45 00:02:41,560 --> 00:02:43,720 Speaker 1: It's a couple of concerning things. But I think every 46 00:02:43,800 --> 00:02:46,799 Speaker 1: day we get a conversation with Tim Ben's and Tom Offerman. 47 00:02:46,919 --> 00:02:49,679 Speaker 1: Last night is kind of came to the conclusion that 48 00:02:50,600 --> 00:02:54,400 Speaker 1: unlike most rookies, you're not seeing two steps forward, seven 49 00:02:54,440 --> 00:02:57,280 Speaker 1: steps back, you know another. We haven't seen any of 50 00:02:57,280 --> 00:02:59,520 Speaker 1: the oh my god games right right right. I mean 51 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:01,679 Speaker 1: there's things to work on, of course you knew that. 52 00:03:01,880 --> 00:03:06,400 Speaker 1: But it's been baby steps, a nice steady climb, getting better, 53 00:03:06,440 --> 00:03:09,160 Speaker 1: getting better, And I think that's kind of rare for rookies, 54 00:03:09,200 --> 00:03:11,840 Speaker 1: and mostly mostly it's a roller coaster, yeah. I mean, 55 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:15,160 Speaker 1: typically a lot of times you see a rookie step 56 00:03:15,200 --> 00:03:18,960 Speaker 1: in and just light the world on fire, um and 57 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:22,440 Speaker 1: then and then come crashing back down, or you see 58 00:03:22,480 --> 00:03:26,200 Speaker 1: them struggle mightily and then they you know, they either 59 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:28,360 Speaker 1: get it or they don't get it. You don't typically 60 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:32,160 Speaker 1: see the middle of the road like Okay, looks doesn't 61 00:03:32,160 --> 00:03:34,120 Speaker 1: look out of place, getting a little better to get 62 00:03:34,120 --> 00:03:36,200 Speaker 1: a little bit. It's a very Mac Jones like year 63 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:39,000 Speaker 1: from a year ago, it is, except he hasn't hit 64 00:03:39,040 --> 00:03:42,200 Speaker 1: the wall like about this time last year, where I 65 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:44,520 Speaker 1: think Kenny's getting a little better, a little better. Yeah, 66 00:03:44,760 --> 00:03:48,320 Speaker 1: so I'm not buying that at all. Good for you, Brock, 67 00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:51,960 Speaker 1: I mean, you've done some really good things. But I 68 00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:54,080 Speaker 1: just think that's an error as I As I said, 69 00:03:54,120 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 1: if if let's let's say Kenny Pickett goes out and 70 00:03:56,200 --> 00:03:58,680 Speaker 1: wins The's last two games, he'll finish with a seven 71 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:02,240 Speaker 1: and five record as a starter, right, Um, he'll have 72 00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:05,000 Speaker 1: led fourth quarter comebacks, last game drive, you know, game 73 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:08,200 Speaker 1: winning drives, things that you would expect to see out 74 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:11,480 Speaker 1: of a fourth or fifty year quarterback. He's the only 75 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 1: one in this rookie class that I can pretty much 76 00:04:13,880 --> 00:04:16,320 Speaker 1: promise will be an opening day starter next year. Yes, 77 00:04:16,640 --> 00:04:20,360 Speaker 1: I mean, and that's not even the slightest bit profound. Yeah, No, 78 00:04:20,800 --> 00:04:22,600 Speaker 1: it's like that's like fact, you know, Like I mean, 79 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:25,359 Speaker 1: of course, something weird could happen, but that's pretty much fact, 80 00:04:26,640 --> 00:04:28,760 Speaker 1: you know. I just I can't go that far with 81 00:04:28,760 --> 00:04:31,920 Speaker 1: with Brock. Party, Brock Party is a great story. He's 82 00:04:31,960 --> 00:04:34,560 Speaker 1: fantastic and it's not just the system or all that 83 00:04:34,920 --> 00:04:37,880 Speaker 1: he's playing very well, but three games, it's three games 84 00:04:38,880 --> 00:04:44,279 Speaker 1: at running back. He is going, I got go Walker. 85 00:04:44,960 --> 00:04:48,720 Speaker 1: That's who he's going with, Kenneth Walker. Um Pierce has 86 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:51,320 Speaker 1: been Damian Pierce has been good, but obviously he missed 87 00:04:51,320 --> 00:04:54,240 Speaker 1: a lot of time. Brian Robinson's worthy of a mentioned there. 88 00:04:54,520 --> 00:04:57,600 Speaker 1: People forget he's a rookie and he's been good. He 89 00:04:57,680 --> 00:05:00,960 Speaker 1: missed some time too, or actually his kiss Tyler Algier. 90 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:05,520 Speaker 1: That's not bad. I mean, if you consider recent developments, 91 00:05:05,560 --> 00:05:09,120 Speaker 1: he hasn't missed any time Walker has. Walker wasn't even 92 00:05:09,200 --> 00:05:11,240 Speaker 1: started right off the bat, not that Alagier was, But 93 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:14,200 Speaker 1: I get it. That's not a bad call. Yeah, he's 94 00:05:14,240 --> 00:05:16,560 Speaker 1: gett not earn forty four yards from scrimmage, which I mean, 95 00:05:16,560 --> 00:05:19,000 Speaker 1: he's taken over the number one job. I mean, like 96 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:21,000 Speaker 1: I bet he's their opening day starter next year. Yeah, 97 00:05:21,000 --> 00:05:27,280 Speaker 1: he has moved past Cordarrel Patterson, which absolutely wide receiver. 98 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:30,120 Speaker 1: He said, we really don't have to debate it. It's 99 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:35,880 Speaker 1: Garrett Wilson and Chris Alavy. That's true. However, I forget 100 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:38,520 Speaker 1: who I even saw this from Actually he also has. 101 00:05:38,600 --> 00:05:41,960 Speaker 1: Christian Watson has been on fire since week ten. I 102 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:44,640 Speaker 1: mean he really has. He would be third or fourth 103 00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:48,720 Speaker 1: for me. But I forgot who said this because something 104 00:05:49,480 --> 00:05:52,400 Speaker 1: that I thought was profound was if you look at 105 00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:55,520 Speaker 1: the rookie receivers this year, and Drake London is the 106 00:05:55,520 --> 00:05:59,880 Speaker 1: one that really comes to mind. He's producing more prepared 107 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:02,520 Speaker 1: attempt for his team. They just never ever throw them 108 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:05,120 Speaker 1: the ball, right, Like that's not his fault. I mean 109 00:06:05,160 --> 00:06:08,360 Speaker 1: he's come on strong. I mean they have like I 110 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:12,080 Speaker 1: want to say, like two attempts on the Jets. I mean, 111 00:06:12,160 --> 00:06:14,599 Speaker 1: so you're gonna put up better number your quarterback throws 112 00:06:14,680 --> 00:06:17,640 Speaker 1: two hundred more times. Yeah, London's third in the class 113 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:21,080 Speaker 1: with sixty one receptions. I mean he has sixty one 114 00:06:22,960 --> 00:06:25,640 Speaker 1: for Atlanta. For Atlanta and was pretty quiet for a 115 00:06:25,680 --> 00:06:27,800 Speaker 1: good stretch there, and he's been picking it up with Ritter. 116 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:30,520 Speaker 1: He has forty more targets than any other Falcons receiver. 117 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:34,159 Speaker 1: I mean that adds up to I mean Ritter has 118 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:35,800 Speaker 1: really been feeding on the ball. He would be my three. 119 00:06:35,880 --> 00:06:37,640 Speaker 1: I mean I think the top two are pretty set, 120 00:06:37,760 --> 00:06:40,320 Speaker 1: but he would be my three. Doesn't throw the ball 121 00:06:40,360 --> 00:06:42,919 Speaker 1: he's put up numbers, um, and I know, you know 122 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:46,080 Speaker 1: people are gonna say, well, George Pickens, Well he hasn't 123 00:06:46,120 --> 00:06:49,120 Speaker 1: gotten He's had the wild plays and he's you know, 124 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:51,360 Speaker 1: made plays whenever he's gotten the chance. He just has. 125 00:06:52,360 --> 00:06:54,520 Speaker 1: He has two other guys on his own team that 126 00:06:55,080 --> 00:06:57,039 Speaker 1: demand the football. I mean he'd be fifth or six 127 00:06:57,080 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 1: on the list. Yeah, but he's not a bad rookie 128 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:02,400 Speaker 1: for him. But I mean it doesn't even it's not 129 00:07:02,520 --> 00:07:05,520 Speaker 1: even necessarily who's the better player is you know who 130 00:07:05,600 --> 00:07:09,360 Speaker 1: has the resume? You know? And Wilson's star. I think 131 00:07:09,400 --> 00:07:12,720 Speaker 1: the lave as a star, you know, a tight end, 132 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:17,880 Speaker 1: the rookie leader in d y a R. What is 133 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 1: the defensive yards against above above replacement? Yeah? Is your boy? Yeah? 134 00:07:26,920 --> 00:07:29,680 Speaker 1: I mean really bad class. I mean Tramian Bride was 135 00:07:29,720 --> 00:07:32,880 Speaker 1: the first one. He went late. I'm just trying. I 136 00:07:32,920 --> 00:07:35,160 Speaker 1: was trying to think, is there any I went the 137 00:07:35,240 --> 00:07:37,880 Speaker 1: Giants guy? Yeah, he missed so many times, a lot 138 00:07:37,920 --> 00:07:41,120 Speaker 1: of times too a bad eye injury. Um, it has 139 00:07:41,160 --> 00:07:43,320 Speaker 1: to be chick, I guess immediate least coming on a 140 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:47,040 Speaker 1: little bit. There's been some guys who have moments. Yeah, 141 00:07:47,160 --> 00:07:51,680 Speaker 1: Denver and tampaver Down a little bit right. Not a 142 00:07:51,760 --> 00:07:57,160 Speaker 1: good group, it really isn't it. Tackle He's gonna tease 143 00:07:57,240 --> 00:08:01,440 Speaker 1: his I'm gonna I'm gonna take Abraham Lucas over Charles Cross. Okay. 144 00:08:01,600 --> 00:08:04,040 Speaker 1: I mean I haven't studied both, but okay, that's at 145 00:08:04,080 --> 00:08:07,280 Speaker 1: one spot. And then he's Tyler Smith is the other one. 146 00:08:07,800 --> 00:08:09,520 Speaker 1: That made sense to me too. I mean because he 147 00:08:09,640 --> 00:08:13,800 Speaker 1: was not the left tackle originally, Tyron Smith got hurt. 148 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:16,880 Speaker 1: They put Tyler Smith in there, and Dallas we're talking about. 149 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:19,040 Speaker 1: I'm not everyone right doesn't know the lineman. But now 150 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:21,400 Speaker 1: the Tyrone Smiths back. He's been on a left tackle 151 00:08:21,440 --> 00:08:23,480 Speaker 1: for twelve years or whatever. They said, hey, Tyron, you're 152 00:08:23,480 --> 00:08:24,920 Speaker 1: going to the right side because we're not gonna mess 153 00:08:24,960 --> 00:08:27,840 Speaker 1: with the rookies. So they're very happy with him. And 154 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:29,800 Speaker 1: he's not taking the holding calls like he did like 155 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:33,480 Speaker 1: crazy in college. And you know, Um at guard it's 156 00:08:33,520 --> 00:08:38,400 Speaker 1: a little more what you'd expect Zion Johnson um. And 157 00:08:38,480 --> 00:08:41,959 Speaker 1: in ed Ingram with Minnesota, he's been really bad. Yeah, 158 00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 1: I'm not buying that one. Yeah, I don't know how 159 00:08:44,920 --> 00:08:47,800 Speaker 1: how Green's done with Houston. I mean, he was the 160 00:08:47,880 --> 00:08:49,880 Speaker 1: highest drafted guard. It was him in his eye on 161 00:08:50,040 --> 00:08:52,520 Speaker 1: him and Cole Strange, and Strange has been very good, 162 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:55,560 Speaker 1: has he What I've seen, their whole line has been junk. 163 00:08:55,679 --> 00:08:58,800 Speaker 1: It's been the line has been bad lately. What I've 164 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:01,600 Speaker 1: watched the Strange I was in what I've seen of Ingram, 165 00:09:01,679 --> 00:09:04,680 Speaker 1: I have not I think guards one of their biggest 166 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:08,720 Speaker 1: in needs uh center, he is Tyler Linderbaum. And then 167 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:11,000 Speaker 1: that line starting to play quite well, and he seemed 168 00:09:11,000 --> 00:09:12,520 Speaker 1: to hit his stride a little bit. And we'll see 169 00:09:12,520 --> 00:09:15,959 Speaker 1: if h Mr Linderbaum has his uh such as good 170 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:19,200 Speaker 1: a day this week before, I would expect the Steelers 171 00:09:19,240 --> 00:09:22,160 Speaker 1: to attack him a little differently, much better defensive class 172 00:09:22,280 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 1: and rookie than offensive. Yeah, this is this is a 173 00:09:24,920 --> 00:09:28,680 Speaker 1: little bit more uh so in edge rusher it's Aidan 174 00:09:28,760 --> 00:09:35,000 Speaker 1: Hutchinson uh and Cavon Thibodeaux. That's that's as chalky as chokab. Yeah, 175 00:09:35,120 --> 00:09:36,760 Speaker 1: I mean, well, Walker was the first pick. I mean 176 00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:39,840 Speaker 1: he could kind of play all over the place. Thibodeau's 177 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:44,080 Speaker 1: starting to really come on. Hutchinson. They I'm coming out 178 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:46,000 Speaker 1: a three point stands from you know, like the first 179 00:09:46,040 --> 00:09:47,480 Speaker 1: half of the season. I guess he's a lot more 180 00:09:47,520 --> 00:09:49,520 Speaker 1: comfortable out of the two and he's been a lot better. 181 00:09:50,280 --> 00:09:52,520 Speaker 1: Um yeah, they're building blocks, but I don't know if 182 00:09:52,520 --> 00:09:56,440 Speaker 1: any of them are superstars. Yeah. Uh, Interior defensive lineman, 183 00:09:56,480 --> 00:10:00,480 Speaker 1: he's got Jordan Davis and Met Henningson. Who's Matt Hennington 184 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 1: Denverse six round draft pick? Okay, they don't stop to 185 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:08,360 Speaker 1: run at all. Nor Jordan Davis is a spot player too. 186 00:10:08,840 --> 00:10:11,040 Speaker 1: Like I'm racking my rain a little bit here. Who 187 00:10:11,080 --> 00:10:13,760 Speaker 1: are the other I mean, it's not the Packers Georgia, dude, 188 00:10:13,840 --> 00:10:16,520 Speaker 1: it's been a it's a pretty light group. Yeah, I 189 00:10:16,559 --> 00:10:19,439 Speaker 1: mean it wasn't a great group if you remember, and 190 00:10:19,520 --> 00:10:21,959 Speaker 1: got half really Hydra the to Georgia guys with a 191 00:10:22,000 --> 00:10:23,959 Speaker 1: two high pick and then it was quiet after that 192 00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:27,440 Speaker 1: and DeVante Watts not been playing no, and that defense 193 00:10:27,480 --> 00:10:31,280 Speaker 1: is bad too. Yeah, that's a tough group to pick from. Linebacker, 194 00:10:32,160 --> 00:10:36,240 Speaker 1: he's got Kuay Walker Malcolm Rodriguez. Quay hasn't been bad. 195 00:10:36,760 --> 00:10:39,439 Speaker 1: I mean he's starting to play more and more. Um L, 196 00:10:39,559 --> 00:10:42,320 Speaker 1: people watched Hard Knocks Rodriguez they were calling him Rodrigo 197 00:10:42,480 --> 00:10:45,840 Speaker 1: or something whatever, But he's kind of a short, stumpy playmaker. 198 00:10:46,480 --> 00:10:50,079 Speaker 1: That's not a great group either. Now, cornerback, that's a 199 00:10:50,120 --> 00:10:53,880 Speaker 1: great group, Sauce Gardner for obvious reasons. He's been good, 200 00:10:54,240 --> 00:10:58,920 Speaker 1: Tarik Woolen, and then Miami's cater Cohu. Yeah, he's kind 201 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:01,680 Speaker 1: of come out of nowhere with with injuries. Top two 202 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:04,880 Speaker 1: our physical freaks. You know, Stingley hasn't played enough to 203 00:11:04,920 --> 00:11:06,960 Speaker 1: be in the conversations a little bit, but he has 204 00:11:07,000 --> 00:11:09,839 Speaker 1: not played hardly at all lately. It's a good group. Yeah, 205 00:11:09,880 --> 00:11:12,600 Speaker 1: I got no no qualms with that safety. Will see 206 00:11:12,800 --> 00:11:15,679 Speaker 1: one of those guys this week. Kyle Hamilton's Can you 207 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:19,320 Speaker 1: really consider him a safety though he doesn't play safety? 208 00:11:19,480 --> 00:11:23,920 Speaker 1: Not anymore? He was an interesting pick because they had um, 209 00:11:24,360 --> 00:11:26,280 Speaker 1: But just because he has he yes beside his name 210 00:11:26,360 --> 00:11:28,400 Speaker 1: doesn't make him a safety. There are other guys who 211 00:11:28,440 --> 00:11:31,480 Speaker 1: are troops who are playing safety. I would have to 212 00:11:31,520 --> 00:11:34,880 Speaker 1: look up his alignment chart, but I can promise you 213 00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:38,199 Speaker 1: to your point, a very very very high percentage of 214 00:11:38,280 --> 00:11:40,120 Speaker 1: them now are as a slop owner. Yeah, I mean 215 00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:43,480 Speaker 1: he's just a king sized slot. Um do they play 216 00:11:43,559 --> 00:11:47,000 Speaker 1: three safeties a lot with him being the slot? He 217 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:50,360 Speaker 1: also has Kirby Joseph. I guess he's been fine. Yeah, 218 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:54,559 Speaker 1: not great. Oh, and all this rookie class compared to 219 00:11:54,640 --> 00:11:57,520 Speaker 1: most years, there's not stud after stud after stud. There's 220 00:11:57,559 --> 00:12:00,280 Speaker 1: a bunch of guys who are good. Yeah, and I 221 00:12:00,320 --> 00:12:03,120 Speaker 1: don't think either one of us adored this draft class anyways. Yeah, 222 00:12:03,640 --> 00:12:06,760 Speaker 1: there wasn't a quarterback at one thought in the top five. Um, 223 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:11,719 Speaker 1: I honestly think Hutchinson or Walker would probably go the 224 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:13,679 Speaker 1: year before they were in this year's draft. They're not 225 00:12:13,760 --> 00:12:17,199 Speaker 1: even in consideration. Yeah, absolutely, I mean, so it was 226 00:12:17,280 --> 00:12:24,679 Speaker 1: not a star studded draft. A kicker, Cameron Dickericker the 227 00:12:24,800 --> 00:12:27,640 Speaker 1: kicker is a rookie. He's been good. I'll kick cade 228 00:12:27,800 --> 00:12:32,720 Speaker 1: York of the one are the brownies? Yeah, okay, they 229 00:12:32,800 --> 00:12:34,360 Speaker 1: drafted him for he was the first one draft. He's 230 00:12:34,400 --> 00:12:38,599 Speaker 1: twenty three or thirty one this year, York. I know 231 00:12:38,679 --> 00:12:44,640 Speaker 1: they're not Dickers eighteen nineteen two, multiple teams. Yeah, so 232 00:12:44,800 --> 00:12:49,760 Speaker 1: Dicker the kickers probably won himself a job for a while. Yeah. 233 00:12:50,840 --> 00:12:54,920 Speaker 1: At punter Ryan Stonehouse from the did you see the 234 00:12:55,360 --> 00:12:58,360 Speaker 1: note in the stats package this week? He's on pace 235 00:12:58,480 --> 00:13:02,839 Speaker 1: to have the highest punting average in NFL history for 236 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:06,720 Speaker 1: any for anybody severaging fifty three point four yards at kick. Wow, 237 00:13:07,080 --> 00:13:08,920 Speaker 1: I must have overlooked at it. I was really focused 238 00:13:08,920 --> 00:13:12,760 Speaker 1: on the Steelers. The record at a fifty one point 239 00:13:12,800 --> 00:13:17,560 Speaker 1: four is held by Sammy Bah Sammy Right, all right, 240 00:13:17,640 --> 00:13:20,880 Speaker 1: that's a long time ago. Wow, good for him. I mean, 241 00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:23,640 Speaker 1: that's a nice pick. Anyone says you shouldn't draft a putter. 242 00:13:24,240 --> 00:13:27,760 Speaker 1: I don't know. If if I don't watch enough Titans games, 243 00:13:27,760 --> 00:13:29,120 Speaker 1: I get they'll we'll see him tonight. Did they just 244 00:13:29,120 --> 00:13:30,560 Speaker 1: tell him just kick the ball as far as you can. 245 00:13:30,760 --> 00:13:32,760 Speaker 1: I don't know. I mean, maybe he's better than that. 246 00:13:33,440 --> 00:13:36,800 Speaker 1: Fifty fifty three point four yards. First of all, your 247 00:13:36,840 --> 00:13:39,079 Speaker 1: offense has to be pretty bad to average fifty three 248 00:13:39,120 --> 00:13:42,000 Speaker 1: point for you, you're not Yeah, you're not kicking from 249 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:43,640 Speaker 1: your own a lot of balls from your from the 250 00:13:43,679 --> 00:13:50,240 Speaker 1: opposing Yeah, fifty three point four. I knew he was 251 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:52,480 Speaker 1: doing great things, but I didn't realize it was, you know, 252 00:13:52,559 --> 00:13:55,320 Speaker 1: all time great no matter what position. I mean, he's 253 00:13:55,320 --> 00:13:58,000 Speaker 1: still just beating the record. Either he's he's gotta buy 254 00:13:58,040 --> 00:14:00,360 Speaker 1: two yards, yeah, like he could not. He could have. 255 00:14:00,480 --> 00:14:04,800 Speaker 1: He could kick ten thirty five yard punts the rest 256 00:14:04,880 --> 00:14:07,800 Speaker 1: of the season and probably still beat us. Yeah, and 257 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:11,080 Speaker 1: he's gonna find a lot tonight. Yes, he is, probably 258 00:14:11,160 --> 00:14:14,280 Speaker 1: from deep in his own end. Probably people didn't see. 259 00:14:14,320 --> 00:14:17,160 Speaker 1: It's not even gonna be Willis tonight. It is not 260 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:20,200 Speaker 1: a getting start tonight. Who has been with the Titans 261 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:23,040 Speaker 1: all of a week. Yeah. I don't know if if 262 00:14:23,400 --> 00:14:25,200 Speaker 1: if I'm right or not about this, but my take 263 00:14:25,280 --> 00:14:27,640 Speaker 1: on it was they just don't want Willis to get 264 00:14:27,680 --> 00:14:31,400 Speaker 1: hurt for next week because it's like, hey, Josh, nice 265 00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:34,000 Speaker 1: to have you. You're gonna get sacked thirty times tonight. 266 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:39,040 Speaker 1: No Derrick Henry against Michael Parsons like good luck. The 267 00:14:39,120 --> 00:14:42,040 Speaker 1: return man is in New England's Marcus Jones. Oh yeah, yeah, 268 00:14:42,240 --> 00:14:44,240 Speaker 1: he might be my slot corner too. I mean if 269 00:14:44,280 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 1: they were to take a third corner. He's explosive, good player. 270 00:14:47,360 --> 00:14:50,760 Speaker 1: He's hurt too though, Yeah right, Yeah, they get hurt 271 00:14:50,800 --> 00:14:53,200 Speaker 1: up there, which is problematic for the Steelers. He even 272 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:56,240 Speaker 1: went as far to do the coaching staffs, rookie coaches, 273 00:14:56,360 --> 00:15:00,200 Speaker 1: rookie coaches. He gives Brian Dable the nod. Okay, I 274 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:01,960 Speaker 1: guess Miami as a cause, but I would go with 275 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:04,080 Speaker 1: the ball. The ball to me is neck and neck 276 00:15:04,160 --> 00:15:10,040 Speaker 1: with Philly for a Coach of the Year. Who you know. 277 00:15:10,120 --> 00:15:14,240 Speaker 1: I've been thinking about this. Hardball has done a great 278 00:15:14,320 --> 00:15:19,040 Speaker 1: job with no passing game. I mean, um, you know, 279 00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:22,280 Speaker 1: I kicked his coverage for Carroll's they respected to be 280 00:15:22,280 --> 00:15:24,160 Speaker 1: the worst team in the league. A lot of us, 281 00:15:24,280 --> 00:15:26,560 Speaker 1: myself included, thought that have a top five pick. Yeah, 282 00:15:26,880 --> 00:15:29,120 Speaker 1: that hasn't that hasn't come to fruition. I mean, there's 283 00:15:29,160 --> 00:15:32,920 Speaker 1: been some some really good coaching jobs issue Atlanta's drastically 284 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:34,920 Speaker 1: fallen off. But I really thought they were going to 285 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:37,920 Speaker 1: pick first overall. Yeah, I mean they they certainly outplayed 286 00:15:38,000 --> 00:15:39,920 Speaker 1: where they you know, he thought they would be at 287 00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:42,600 Speaker 1: um who molst that I mentioned the other day that 288 00:15:43,800 --> 00:15:46,760 Speaker 1: since he's done nice work. Yeah, but I mean you're 289 00:15:46,800 --> 00:15:49,080 Speaker 1: talking about the defending a f C champions you would 290 00:15:49,080 --> 00:15:50,680 Speaker 1: expect them to be there. There was somebody else I 291 00:15:50,760 --> 00:15:55,520 Speaker 1: mentioned when we talked about Jacksonville. Yeah, yeah, if they 292 00:15:55,600 --> 00:15:58,480 Speaker 1: win that division, I mean they they were picking first 293 00:15:58,520 --> 00:16:02,600 Speaker 1: last year, two year years. Yeah, no, that's not a 294 00:16:02,640 --> 00:16:06,200 Speaker 1: bad call. I think I'd go Philly. Jacksonville Giants would 295 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:08,720 Speaker 1: be my pecking order, but the Giants would be my 296 00:16:08,800 --> 00:16:13,200 Speaker 1: rookie coach of the year, uh, rookie offensive coordinator of 297 00:16:13,280 --> 00:16:15,680 Speaker 1: the year. How much I could name who those people are. 298 00:16:17,080 --> 00:16:19,040 Speaker 1: That's a really good one. He's got a lot of 299 00:16:19,040 --> 00:16:21,280 Speaker 1: a lot of good buzz. I don't think he'll get 300 00:16:21,280 --> 00:16:23,400 Speaker 1: a head coaching gig like this year, but if he 301 00:16:23,440 --> 00:16:25,320 Speaker 1: does another year like this, he's gonna be like hot 302 00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:31,000 Speaker 1: candidates absolutely. Um. And then the defensive coordinator a hero 303 00:16:31,280 --> 00:16:37,320 Speaker 1: Evere where she Denver? Oh? Yeah, yeah, okay he um 304 00:16:38,160 --> 00:16:42,920 Speaker 1: strangely is interviewing for the job. Now interview job. He's 305 00:16:42,960 --> 00:16:48,200 Speaker 1: the interim guy, right, uh no, they used the Yeah yeah, yeah. 306 00:16:48,400 --> 00:16:50,640 Speaker 1: Jerry was our special team's coach with the Browns. He's 307 00:16:50,640 --> 00:16:53,520 Speaker 1: been around a long time, was heavily respected. Um. But ever, 308 00:16:53,680 --> 00:16:58,000 Speaker 1: Oh and what's his face that they just hired? Just 309 00:16:58,120 --> 00:17:02,160 Speaker 1: fired Hackett? Yeah, best man in each other's weddings. That's 310 00:17:02,160 --> 00:17:04,760 Speaker 1: a tough that's a tough, tough little gig there, right. Yeah, 311 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:06,560 Speaker 1: And like ones in charge of the offense on the 312 00:17:06,640 --> 00:17:08,080 Speaker 1: charter of defense and one did a lot of the 313 00:17:08,160 --> 00:17:11,640 Speaker 1: drop to the other. Has to make for strange dinner 314 00:17:11,720 --> 00:17:14,280 Speaker 1: dates with the wives and what. Yeah, well, my guys 315 00:17:14,320 --> 00:17:15,879 Speaker 1: are doing their job. Why don't you guys, Hey, why 316 00:17:15,880 --> 00:17:18,359 Speaker 1: don't you pick up the check? I packing it up 317 00:17:18,359 --> 00:17:23,600 Speaker 1: for seventeen weeks. But I just thought that was interesting 318 00:17:23,720 --> 00:17:27,480 Speaker 1: that this particularly with with Kenny Pickett not getting quarterback 319 00:17:27,840 --> 00:17:31,240 Speaker 1: unfair to me. Yeah, I mean one guy's yeah, played 320 00:17:31,280 --> 00:17:33,840 Speaker 1: a lot, and the guys played very much just looked 321 00:17:33,880 --> 00:17:36,560 Speaker 1: at as a starter, not the third guy who's happened 322 00:17:36,560 --> 00:17:39,119 Speaker 1: to fallen into it. And again he's playing fine. I mean, 323 00:17:39,160 --> 00:17:42,440 Speaker 1: he's a good he's just not losing. For Yeah, he's 324 00:17:42,440 --> 00:17:46,040 Speaker 1: having a very That would be like Devlin Hodges winning 325 00:17:46,320 --> 00:17:50,920 Speaker 1: that that in Yeah, but if Devil and Hodges had 326 00:17:51,200 --> 00:17:54,119 Speaker 1: Levy on and a B and yeah, you know what 327 00:17:54,160 --> 00:17:57,840 Speaker 1: I mean, and just was put into a ideal situation. 328 00:17:59,320 --> 00:18:04,240 Speaker 1: So I hear you. But I mean there aren't that 329 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:07,560 Speaker 1: many candidates on there. To your earlier conversation, they are 330 00:18:07,640 --> 00:18:10,480 Speaker 1: better rookie of the year candidates and pick it. I 331 00:18:10,520 --> 00:18:13,040 Speaker 1: mean there any of the running backs better candidates, certainly 332 00:18:13,080 --> 00:18:17,640 Speaker 1: none the tight ends. It's quarterbacks. Quarterbacks so much more important. 333 00:18:19,080 --> 00:18:21,320 Speaker 1: That's when when those those odds came out earlier in 334 00:18:21,359 --> 00:18:23,040 Speaker 1: the weekend, I looked at and he wasn't even among 335 00:18:23,119 --> 00:18:27,639 Speaker 1: the guys in the Yeah. Again, ye could change quickly. 336 00:18:27,720 --> 00:18:31,560 Speaker 1: He beats these two teams, maybe he'll maybe it's worth 337 00:18:31,600 --> 00:18:33,919 Speaker 1: putting a buck on him right now. Perhaps, Yeah, I mean, 338 00:18:33,920 --> 00:18:35,760 Speaker 1: he's not getting the respect, but they're not making a 339 00:18:35,840 --> 00:18:37,959 Speaker 1: vote yet. Those receivers will be tough for him over 340 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:39,800 Speaker 1: They're gonna be Yeah, they're gonna be difficult. And not 341 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:44,159 Speaker 1: about it, um. But again, that position, to me is 342 00:18:44,280 --> 00:18:47,159 Speaker 1: so much more difficult to play than than any of 343 00:18:47,200 --> 00:18:50,479 Speaker 1: the other ones, to the quarterback without if That's why 344 00:18:50,520 --> 00:18:52,520 Speaker 1: the m v P Award has always given to a quarterback, 345 00:18:53,359 --> 00:18:56,040 Speaker 1: not oh this guy had this kicker had a great year. 346 00:18:56,200 --> 00:18:58,400 Speaker 1: I mean, I'm not talking on both sides of my mouth, 347 00:18:58,480 --> 00:19:00,920 Speaker 1: but I did have a problem when Mayfield got it 348 00:19:01,040 --> 00:19:04,280 Speaker 1: over Barkley because he came, he played like twelve games. 349 00:19:04,480 --> 00:19:07,840 Speaker 1: He was quite good, as remember, but Barkley was like 350 00:19:07,880 --> 00:19:11,560 Speaker 1: a top five running back in the league, superstar. None 351 00:19:11,600 --> 00:19:13,560 Speaker 1: of the none of the offensive players in this year's 352 00:19:13,600 --> 00:19:16,359 Speaker 1: drafter like the top five guys in the league. I mean, 353 00:19:16,440 --> 00:19:18,320 Speaker 1: maybe if Breese Hall would have played every snap and 354 00:19:18,760 --> 00:19:20,639 Speaker 1: lightened Opputi, well that to Rookie of the year, you know, 355 00:19:20,720 --> 00:19:23,119 Speaker 1: But I mean that's what Barkley was. There aren't an 356 00:19:23,160 --> 00:19:25,639 Speaker 1: those running backs this year, for sure, No, there certainly 357 00:19:25,680 --> 00:19:28,920 Speaker 1: are not. And uh well, you know, to pick will 358 00:19:28,920 --> 00:19:32,280 Speaker 1: get another opportunity to state his case this week against 359 00:19:32,320 --> 00:19:35,800 Speaker 1: the against the Baltimore Ravens. It is going to be 360 00:19:35,840 --> 00:19:39,840 Speaker 1: a tough challenge. Is Ravens defense is is playing well. Um, 361 00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:43,719 Speaker 1: but again, if you win this game in that situation, 362 00:19:44,280 --> 00:19:46,760 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, national TV. I mean he just won one 363 00:19:46,760 --> 00:19:48,720 Speaker 1: on National TV. That kind of stuff matters for awards 364 00:19:48,800 --> 00:19:51,680 Speaker 1: without a like it matters that Garrett Wilson's playing in 365 00:19:51,720 --> 00:19:54,960 Speaker 1: New York. Oh yeah, there are fifty voters for those 366 00:19:55,080 --> 00:19:58,439 Speaker 1: AP awards like that, and I will bet you dollars 367 00:19:58,520 --> 00:20:01,240 Speaker 1: to donuts that a third of them living in the 368 00:20:01,280 --> 00:20:03,840 Speaker 1: New York area, a lot more than Pittsburgh. There's none 369 00:20:03,880 --> 00:20:07,640 Speaker 1: in that's been a bone of contention for a while 370 00:20:07,720 --> 00:20:10,719 Speaker 1: now many in Seattle or New Orleans or you know right, 371 00:20:10,920 --> 00:20:14,200 Speaker 1: probably not, but yeah, that kind of high profile stuff 372 00:20:14,280 --> 00:20:17,240 Speaker 1: matters without a doubt. So when Kenny wins two primetime 373 00:20:17,280 --> 00:20:18,640 Speaker 1: games in a row, they could go a long way. 374 00:20:18,880 --> 00:20:21,200 Speaker 1: It most certainly could. And and well they need to 375 00:20:21,359 --> 00:20:24,600 Speaker 1: need to win this game, and uh, I think again 376 00:20:24,680 --> 00:20:28,680 Speaker 1: they're patient. Yeah, drives it end with kicks, aren't bad? No, 377 00:20:28,920 --> 00:20:32,240 Speaker 1: if this turns into a field goal festival, so bad, 378 00:20:32,320 --> 00:20:35,480 Speaker 1: you're in it. Yeah, because the Steelers moved the football 379 00:20:36,280 --> 00:20:39,600 Speaker 1: infinitely better overall than the Ravens did the last time 380 00:20:39,600 --> 00:20:45,000 Speaker 1: they played, you know, Baltimore, fifteen yards rushing yards. They 381 00:20:45,200 --> 00:20:47,280 Speaker 1: barely made it to a hundred to three hundred yards 382 00:20:47,320 --> 00:20:50,360 Speaker 1: of total offense. Forget Trabisky carved those guys off things 383 00:20:50,400 --> 00:20:53,280 Speaker 1: going after Humphrey and you know, attacking good corners on 384 00:20:53,359 --> 00:20:56,080 Speaker 1: the outside pickens, winning one on ones if it's not 385 00:20:56,160 --> 00:20:58,560 Speaker 1: for a block field goaling, you know, three picks a 386 00:20:58,600 --> 00:21:01,399 Speaker 1: lot different story. Throw one you were interception and they 387 00:21:01,440 --> 00:21:04,480 Speaker 1: win the game. Yeah, but Sars have stop the run better. 388 00:21:04,480 --> 00:21:07,280 Speaker 1: There's no question about that. Without they sin. Yeah. You 389 00:21:07,359 --> 00:21:10,040 Speaker 1: can subscribe to the Mike Tomlin Game Day podcast. Steelers 390 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:12,879 Speaker 1: Digest editor Bob Labriola talks with head coach Mike Tomlin 391 00:21:12,880 --> 00:21:16,440 Speaker 1: about the upcoming game. New episodes drop every game day. 392 00:21:16,440 --> 00:21:18,600 Speaker 1: They're available on the Steelers Mobile app, the I Heart 393 00:21:18,680 --> 00:21:21,600 Speaker 1: Radio app, and wherever you get your podcast. He is 394 00:21:21,680 --> 00:21:23,960 Speaker 1: Matt Williams and I am Dale Lally. You're listening to 395 00:21:24,080 --> 00:21:26,680 Speaker 1: the Drive here on Steelers Nation Radio. We'll be back 396 00:21:26,760 --> 00:21:30,240 Speaker 1: with Moore right after this. This is Black and Gold 397 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:32,119 Speaker 1: fan heaven Sen on