1 00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:03,120 Speaker 1: Life's and adventure and it's waiting. Hi. This is Merril 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:05,920 Speaker 1: Hodge at S ANDT Bank. They know lives for the living. 3 00:00:06,040 --> 00:00:08,280 Speaker 1: That's why S and T Bank offers solutions to help 4 00:00:08,320 --> 00:00:10,240 Speaker 1: you get the most out of it, whether you're investing 5 00:00:10,240 --> 00:00:12,719 Speaker 1: in your home, planning for the future, are just making 6 00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:15,040 Speaker 1: the most of every day. St D Bank is here 7 00:00:15,080 --> 00:00:17,600 Speaker 1: to help learn how SMT Bank can help you live 8 00:00:17,600 --> 00:00:20,599 Speaker 1: the life you want at st bank dot com. Member 9 00:00:20,640 --> 00:00:22,479 Speaker 1: f D I C. S and D Bank was ranked 10 00:00:22,520 --> 00:00:26,000 Speaker 1: number one in customer satisfaction with retail banking and Pennsylvania 11 00:00:26,040 --> 00:00:29,120 Speaker 1: by j D Power for JD Power two Award Information 12 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:37,560 Speaker 1: Visit JD power dot com Slash Awards. Is The Drive 13 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:41,720 Speaker 1: with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson on your home of 14 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:47,480 Speaker 1: the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome to the Drive. 15 00:00:47,560 --> 00:00:50,680 Speaker 1: I'm Dale Lollly here with Matt Williamson and Uh after 16 00:00:51,120 --> 00:00:53,200 Speaker 1: not being able to do our show on Monday because 17 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:55,560 Speaker 1: I was in West Palm Beach and Matt was back 18 00:00:55,560 --> 00:00:58,960 Speaker 1: here in Pittsburgh suffering through the snow, I am back 19 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:00,960 Speaker 1: in Pittsburgh and I brought the good weather with me. 20 00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:05,640 Speaker 1: It's bus get the seventy today. Uh pretty much what 21 00:01:05,720 --> 00:01:09,000 Speaker 1: I left in Florida, and uh, well there was lots 22 00:01:09,040 --> 00:01:12,720 Speaker 1: to talk about coming out of those owners meetings. Uh. 23 00:01:12,800 --> 00:01:15,800 Speaker 1: First of all, the league passing the overtime rule for 24 00:01:15,880 --> 00:01:19,640 Speaker 1: the playoffs. That will know, you won't see what happened 25 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:22,720 Speaker 1: last year with the the Chiefs get winning the toss 26 00:01:22,720 --> 00:01:25,000 Speaker 1: in overtime and going down and scoring type shown and 27 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:27,880 Speaker 1: the game was over. Um, that won't happen again. The 28 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:30,400 Speaker 1: other the Bills would now get the football in that situation. 29 00:01:31,160 --> 00:01:37,080 Speaker 1: More importantly, though, the Steelers making some news down there. Um, 30 00:01:37,200 --> 00:01:40,200 Speaker 1: Mike Tomlin saying and telling Missy Matthews on Steelers dot 31 00:01:40,280 --> 00:01:43,800 Speaker 1: Com after he was asking a lot about obviously quarterback 32 00:01:43,880 --> 00:01:48,080 Speaker 1: position Mitch Drobiski when we sat down with him, Uh, 33 00:01:48,120 --> 00:01:52,440 Speaker 1: he told Missy Matthews that the Steelers will probably draft 34 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:55,240 Speaker 1: a quarterback in the in this draft, or take a 35 00:01:55,320 --> 00:01:57,920 Speaker 1: quarterback in this draft. Now, a lot of people are 36 00:01:57,960 --> 00:02:01,080 Speaker 1: taking that to mean in the first round. That's not 37 00:02:01,120 --> 00:02:04,960 Speaker 1: necessarily the case. Yeah. I don't know what to make 38 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:09,000 Speaker 1: of those comments, because frankly, they don't have a ton 39 00:02:09,040 --> 00:02:13,280 Speaker 1: of picks, and if they a dozen picks, sure take 40 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:15,760 Speaker 1: a flyer on a quarterback no matter what. I just 41 00:02:15,760 --> 00:02:18,280 Speaker 1: think there's other spots that need addressed, and that includes 42 00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:22,520 Speaker 1: seventh rounders. And there's a seventh rounder, a sixth rounder 43 00:02:22,639 --> 00:02:26,520 Speaker 1: better than Haskins. I doubt it, you know, let alone Rudolph. 44 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:32,639 Speaker 1: So do I believe, Coach? No, I don't. I mean, 45 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:35,000 Speaker 1: it's smoke screen season. Here's the thing that you and 46 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:39,840 Speaker 1: I do more mock drafts pretty regularly. And while the 47 00:02:39,880 --> 00:02:44,320 Speaker 1: Steelers don't have extra picks, they have seven maybe seven? Yeah, 48 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:48,320 Speaker 1: and I know now you know they there's reports that 49 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:55,360 Speaker 1: they're going to sign Gerard Avery, another linebacker. They've they've 50 00:02:55,360 --> 00:03:00,640 Speaker 1: signed now seven outside free agents, okay, and once that, 51 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:03,720 Speaker 1: once that signing becomes official, they've added seven guys this 52 00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:07,760 Speaker 1: offseason to their team. And when you start looking at 53 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:11,720 Speaker 1: the at the draft and you get into those later rounds, 54 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:15,160 Speaker 1: it's tough when you start looking at positions like, Okay, 55 00:03:15,240 --> 00:03:17,480 Speaker 1: if I take Ah, I'm just gonna throw a position 56 00:03:17,480 --> 00:03:21,200 Speaker 1: out there. If I take an outside linebacker here, is 57 00:03:21,240 --> 00:03:24,600 Speaker 1: he gonna make this team right better than Taco or 58 00:03:25,840 --> 00:03:28,520 Speaker 1: and and so that's the that's the situation you run into. 59 00:03:28,760 --> 00:03:32,639 Speaker 1: They're going to take four quarterbacks training camp. Yeah, no, 60 00:03:32,800 --> 00:03:35,560 Speaker 1: I get that, And so why not bring one in 61 00:03:35,560 --> 00:03:37,680 Speaker 1: that you want. Hey, we like this guy, you know, 62 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:40,320 Speaker 1: we think he's got some talent. Why not bring him 63 00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:42,000 Speaker 1: in to see if something, you know, maybe he turns 64 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:46,320 Speaker 1: into something and maybe it's the guy from Brown and 65 00:03:46,400 --> 00:03:48,800 Speaker 1: the IVY League. That's a lot like Taysom Hill and 66 00:03:48,880 --> 00:03:52,200 Speaker 1: he could be uh special team or a gadget guy whatever. 67 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:56,640 Speaker 1: There's nothing like they're not married to Dwayne Haskins. He's 68 00:03:56,880 --> 00:03:59,120 Speaker 1: he's got a one year deal for two point five 69 00:03:59,160 --> 00:04:02,120 Speaker 1: million dollars. That's not that's you know, they could they 70 00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:04,320 Speaker 1: could trade you know, they could trade Mason Rudolph for 71 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:05,640 Speaker 1: all we know. You know, there's there's a lot of 72 00:04:05,680 --> 00:04:07,920 Speaker 1: a lot of things there that could happen. And this 73 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:10,840 Speaker 1: this quarterback if they if they do draft when at 74 00:04:10,880 --> 00:04:14,240 Speaker 1: some point depending on where they draft him, could you know, 75 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:17,440 Speaker 1: could change that. Yeah, And you and I have done 76 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:21,600 Speaker 1: mocks usually when we trade down at some point where 77 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:24,400 Speaker 1: those last picks are hard to find a position, you know. 78 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:27,120 Speaker 1: I mean that to your point, like, well, maybe they 79 00:04:27,120 --> 00:04:30,880 Speaker 1: could grab some kind of hundred ninety pounds scat back 80 00:04:30,960 --> 00:04:32,880 Speaker 1: running back. Does that mean easy to make the team? 81 00:04:32,920 --> 00:04:34,560 Speaker 1: I mean, is he gonna beat up any stew if 82 00:04:34,560 --> 00:04:36,800 Speaker 1: he can't help on special teams or you know that 83 00:04:36,920 --> 00:04:38,920 Speaker 1: it kind of reminds me of the harvn pick at 84 00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:41,800 Speaker 1: punter last year, like, well, at least there's an easy 85 00:04:42,040 --> 00:04:44,680 Speaker 1: path to him making the team. They're not gonna draft 86 00:04:44,680 --> 00:04:46,279 Speaker 1: a putter, They're not gonna draft a kicker or a 87 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:49,400 Speaker 1: long snapper, I'm sure. So a late round quarterback, I 88 00:04:49,400 --> 00:04:52,320 Speaker 1: guess makes as much sense as any who knows maybe 89 00:04:52,360 --> 00:04:55,400 Speaker 1: you have the next Dak Prescott or whatever. But I 90 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:58,840 Speaker 1: also think that there's a reasonably good chance that one 91 00:04:58,920 --> 00:05:01,720 Speaker 1: of their first two x is a quarterback. And again 92 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:04,560 Speaker 1: that doesn't mean trading the farm to go get Willis. 93 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:08,560 Speaker 1: But the second round to me is pretty appealing, especially 94 00:05:08,560 --> 00:05:11,840 Speaker 1: if Ridder's there. Yeah, and that's what you don't know, 95 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:17,480 Speaker 1: you know, it's you know, Mike Tomlin could very well 96 00:05:17,640 --> 00:05:21,279 Speaker 1: just as easily said well, we're probably going to bring 97 00:05:21,279 --> 00:05:25,960 Speaker 1: in a rookie quarterback this year, and he would be correct, like, 98 00:05:26,080 --> 00:05:28,159 Speaker 1: because they're going to bring in at least at the 99 00:05:28,279 --> 00:05:31,600 Speaker 1: very least a camp arm, right right, right, right, So 100 00:05:31,960 --> 00:05:35,400 Speaker 1: have the camp arm. But you know, so you know 101 00:05:35,520 --> 00:05:37,560 Speaker 1: that that's all part of the equation there, you know, 102 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:40,800 Speaker 1: I just don't I don't know that. I that I 103 00:05:40,839 --> 00:05:43,239 Speaker 1: think that, you know, maybe they feel like they can. 104 00:05:43,600 --> 00:05:46,320 Speaker 1: I don't know if they could get anything in a 105 00:05:46,360 --> 00:05:49,360 Speaker 1: trade for Mason Rudolph. That's what I was just about 106 00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:53,080 Speaker 1: to say, was I mean, I'm really tinfoil hatting it here. 107 00:05:53,120 --> 00:05:57,360 Speaker 1: But if they know deep down the Colts will give 108 00:05:57,440 --> 00:06:00,599 Speaker 1: him a fifth for r Rutolf and they think we're 109 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:03,440 Speaker 1: probably gonna make that trade, well then you better draft one, 110 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:05,599 Speaker 1: you know what I mean. He doesn't fit the style 111 00:06:05,680 --> 00:06:08,920 Speaker 1: we wanted the position anymore. Nothing against Mason. We want 112 00:06:08,920 --> 00:06:12,600 Speaker 1: guys that can run, or someone's still interested in Haskins. 113 00:06:12,680 --> 00:06:14,799 Speaker 1: We designed them to a one year deal. But there's 114 00:06:14,839 --> 00:06:16,880 Speaker 1: Team X out there that will give you a fifth 115 00:06:16,880 --> 00:06:20,080 Speaker 1: forum we don't would rather use that pick on a rookie, 116 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:23,800 Speaker 1: you know, Okay? I buy that. Yeah, And again, you 117 00:06:23,839 --> 00:06:25,840 Speaker 1: don't know how the draft is going to go. So 118 00:06:26,480 --> 00:06:28,800 Speaker 1: I didn't look at that as as being anything that 119 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:33,920 Speaker 1: it was too crazy. I will say this, They both 120 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:38,280 Speaker 1: Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin said that none of the 121 00:06:38,320 --> 00:06:41,880 Speaker 1: free agent moves that they've made would preclude them from 122 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:45,520 Speaker 1: taking another player at any of those positions. And I 123 00:06:45,560 --> 00:06:50,080 Speaker 1: thought even interior offensive line, Yeah, that's the one that 124 00:06:50,120 --> 00:06:51,960 Speaker 1: would be that that would be one. I'm like, Okay, 125 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:54,320 Speaker 1: you've got Can I ask Mike about this? I said, 126 00:06:54,320 --> 00:06:57,240 Speaker 1: you've got You basically now have four guys were starting 127 00:06:57,279 --> 00:07:00,240 Speaker 1: experience more than that really with Laglu and hassa hour, 128 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:04,240 Speaker 1: but you've you've you now have got four guys who 129 00:07:04,240 --> 00:07:07,680 Speaker 1: have for three spots. For three spots, I mean that 130 00:07:07,800 --> 00:07:11,800 Speaker 1: are front liners something. Again, they're not Webster in Hannah 131 00:07:11,840 --> 00:07:15,520 Speaker 1: and you know, Larry Allen, you know, but they're brought 132 00:07:15,560 --> 00:07:17,440 Speaker 1: here to play, you know. I mean they're gonna they're 133 00:07:17,440 --> 00:07:21,320 Speaker 1: going to make the team. Um. But I guess it's 134 00:07:21,320 --> 00:07:24,320 Speaker 1: the same argument if the six or seventh round rolls 135 00:07:24,360 --> 00:07:27,760 Speaker 1: around in a six to three and five pound interior, 136 00:07:27,800 --> 00:07:32,000 Speaker 1: your dude, that's tough as nails is sitting there draft them, 137 00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:36,360 Speaker 1: you know. But just yeah, I've been shocked. He's a 138 00:07:36,360 --> 00:07:39,640 Speaker 1: premium resource on an interior offensive. I would be as well, 139 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:43,880 Speaker 1: because again, you start getting into numbers there, and you know, 140 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:46,960 Speaker 1: if if if you assume all four of those interior 141 00:07:46,960 --> 00:07:50,240 Speaker 1: alignement that we mentioned make the team and you and 142 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:53,880 Speaker 1: you also have three offensive tackles maybe four if your 143 00:07:54,000 --> 00:07:56,200 Speaker 1: draft one that but that already puts you at eight 144 00:07:56,200 --> 00:07:59,520 Speaker 1: offensive linemen. I mean you're keeping ten at most, and 145 00:07:59,520 --> 00:08:03,280 Speaker 1: that's most and Hasson Howers of the world and guys 146 00:08:03,360 --> 00:08:07,920 Speaker 1: that are shown they can play. Yeah, yeah, right. The 147 00:08:08,000 --> 00:08:11,240 Speaker 1: one thing Kevin Colbert also talked about, Uh, you know 148 00:08:11,240 --> 00:08:14,360 Speaker 1: how that the team has twenty four of its twenty 149 00:08:14,400 --> 00:08:18,360 Speaker 1: five starting spots are filled with somebody who's an NFL 150 00:08:18,440 --> 00:08:21,520 Speaker 1: caliber starter. Okay, I assume strong safety is the strong 151 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:24,640 Speaker 1: safety is the one that isn't. Yeah, so they don't 152 00:08:24,640 --> 00:08:28,160 Speaker 1: have anybody in their roster who they consider a starting 153 00:08:28,200 --> 00:08:30,960 Speaker 1: strong safety. And I know they've re signed Miles killer 154 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 1: Brew Um he started games in the NFL, But you 155 00:08:34,440 --> 00:08:37,040 Speaker 1: don't want to line up with Miles Killerbrew. I was 156 00:08:37,080 --> 00:08:40,240 Speaker 1: almost Stan Savern the other day and he mentioned Trey Norwood, 157 00:08:40,240 --> 00:08:42,240 Speaker 1: and I'm like, I've had that thrown at me a 158 00:08:42,280 --> 00:08:45,079 Speaker 1: more than one occasion. And while I like Trey Norwood 159 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:49,240 Speaker 1: as a player, he's not a strong safety. No. If 160 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:53,520 Speaker 1: the defense is remaining the same style as they've played 161 00:08:53,559 --> 00:08:56,400 Speaker 1: for many years and they want a traditional strong and safety, 162 00:08:56,400 --> 00:09:00,040 Speaker 1: it's not Norwood. I think Norwood's a very important and 163 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:02,679 Speaker 1: I'm putting us in quote defensive back. You know you're 164 00:09:02,720 --> 00:09:06,240 Speaker 1: happy he's here. I expect him to play snaps in 165 00:09:06,320 --> 00:09:08,600 Speaker 1: every game. I don't think that they have a problem 166 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:11,680 Speaker 1: putting him on the field. But is he you know, 167 00:09:12,080 --> 00:09:14,440 Speaker 1: Edmunds let alone Paul of course not. You know, it's 168 00:09:14,480 --> 00:09:17,200 Speaker 1: not his style of play. Yeah. So that's the one 169 00:09:17,240 --> 00:09:19,599 Speaker 1: that they're going to fill at some point here, I 170 00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:23,920 Speaker 1: would think before the draft. I think the fact that 171 00:09:23,920 --> 00:09:27,280 Speaker 1: that they don't And he also Kevin Colbert also said, 172 00:09:27,760 --> 00:09:29,920 Speaker 1: you know, we're talking about their signings, and all their 173 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:32,880 Speaker 1: signings were guys, who are its? Robiskie as the oldest 174 00:09:32,880 --> 00:09:36,760 Speaker 1: at seven, which for a quarterback. Yeah, which for a 175 00:09:36,840 --> 00:09:40,240 Speaker 1: quarterback is see young. Everybody else was twenty from between 176 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:42,880 Speaker 1: twenty four and twenty six years old, coming off a 177 00:09:42,960 --> 00:09:47,160 Speaker 1: first contract. Those kind of signings. People who are an accident, Yeah, 178 00:09:47,200 --> 00:09:49,000 Speaker 1: people who think the Steelers are gonna run out and 179 00:09:49,000 --> 00:09:54,720 Speaker 1: sign Tyremm math Owl who's thirty years old. Uh. Life 180 00:09:54,760 --> 00:09:57,320 Speaker 1: and adventure and it's waiting. Hi. This is Merril Hodge 181 00:09:57,440 --> 00:09:59,720 Speaker 1: at S and T Bank. They know life's for the living. 182 00:09:59,800 --> 00:10:02,080 Speaker 1: That why S and T Bank offers solutions to help 183 00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:04,000 Speaker 1: you get the most out of it, whether you're investing 184 00:10:04,040 --> 00:10:06,480 Speaker 1: in your home, planning for the future are just making 185 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:08,839 Speaker 1: the most of every day. St d Bank is here 186 00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:11,400 Speaker 1: to help learn how snt bank can help you live 187 00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:14,360 Speaker 1: the life you want at st bank dot com. Member 188 00:10:14,440 --> 00:10:16,560 Speaker 1: fd I c S and D Bank was ranked number 189 00:10:16,600 --> 00:10:19,960 Speaker 1: one in customer satisfaction with retail banking and Pennsylvania by 190 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:23,520 Speaker 1: JD Power for JD Power two Award Information. Visit JD 191 00:10:23,559 --> 00:10:28,600 Speaker 1: power dot Com Slash Awards and make him their strong safety. 192 00:10:28,840 --> 00:10:32,040 Speaker 1: It's just not gonna happen. He's also not a traditional 193 00:10:32,080 --> 00:10:36,040 Speaker 1: Steelers strong safety. Um, it wouldn't shock me if they 194 00:10:36,160 --> 00:10:41,600 Speaker 1: add some thirty two year olds between now and the 195 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:45,840 Speaker 1: opening day or before camp opens in an ingram you know, 196 00:10:45,960 --> 00:10:50,240 Speaker 1: trade turner, short of man right bargain been shopping. You're 197 00:10:50,240 --> 00:10:53,360 Speaker 1: not gonna pay premium price for those guys. So no, no, 198 00:10:53,480 --> 00:10:57,000 Speaker 1: I mean, I'm talking you know league minimum one year deals, 199 00:10:57,400 --> 00:10:59,800 Speaker 1: high character guys that you could get on the cheap 200 00:11:00,040 --> 00:11:03,440 Speaker 1: and have value. Still. UM, I would argue with Kevin 201 00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:08,319 Speaker 1: though that it's not like the third receiver is a 202 00:11:08,360 --> 00:11:10,080 Speaker 1: starter for me, and they don't have a third receiver 203 00:11:10,200 --> 00:11:12,760 Speaker 1: right now either. I mean, well, they don't run out 204 00:11:12,760 --> 00:11:15,319 Speaker 1: there with two backs and one tight end and two receivers. 205 00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:17,959 Speaker 1: I think people are sleeping on Anthony Miller a little bit. 206 00:11:18,760 --> 00:11:20,760 Speaker 1: That's an interesting one. We have not talked about him enough, 207 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:23,600 Speaker 1: but I hear you. I mean he had he had 208 00:11:23,640 --> 00:11:26,960 Speaker 1: to back to back seasons with more than fifty catches 209 00:11:27,360 --> 00:11:29,440 Speaker 1: and his court with with when his quarterback was Mr 210 00:11:29,520 --> 00:11:33,560 Speaker 1: Dbisky in Chicago, he has he has an obvious rapport 211 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:37,080 Speaker 1: with Mitch Drabinsky right right. And he's a slot and 212 00:11:37,120 --> 00:11:41,560 Speaker 1: he's a slot, and he's he's bigger than Ray Ray McLeod. Oh, yeah, 213 00:11:41,559 --> 00:11:45,000 Speaker 1: he's different, and you know there's a little more shiftiness there. 214 00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:48,320 Speaker 1: I think he's an NFL receiver. He's an NFL receiver. 215 00:11:48,440 --> 00:11:52,440 Speaker 1: I wish I had a better feel for why he 216 00:11:52,520 --> 00:11:56,360 Speaker 1: left Chicago and why he left Houston and strange circumstances. 217 00:11:56,520 --> 00:11:58,800 Speaker 1: I heard the situation in Chicago was it was a 218 00:11:58,880 --> 00:12:02,800 Speaker 1: disagreement with the coaching staff. I was about to say, 219 00:12:02,880 --> 00:12:06,560 Speaker 1: neither one of those were the pillars of stability in 220 00:12:06,600 --> 00:12:09,640 Speaker 1: the NFL in terms of franchises. Though he didn't leave 221 00:12:09,679 --> 00:12:13,320 Speaker 1: the Packers and Patriots, you know, so maybe he would 222 00:12:13,320 --> 00:12:15,760 Speaker 1: give the player the benefit of the doubting that one. Yeah, 223 00:12:15,800 --> 00:12:19,880 Speaker 1: I will say that, like his first week of Steeler practices. Um, 224 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:23,600 Speaker 1: we're not great last year. Um, you know he was. 225 00:12:23,679 --> 00:12:27,520 Speaker 1: He was going through some drops and things of that nature. Um, 226 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:29,560 Speaker 1: which is kind of understandable. You know, you get thrown 227 00:12:29,640 --> 00:12:32,400 Speaker 1: right into it and okay, go out there and you know, 228 00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:36,440 Speaker 1: learn this offense and you're learning a new offense. And 229 00:12:36,480 --> 00:12:38,640 Speaker 1: then you go to practice and you're learning or you're 230 00:12:38,679 --> 00:12:41,760 Speaker 1: running what's on the call sheets because you're running with 231 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:44,480 Speaker 1: the scout team at that point. So I got to 232 00:12:44,520 --> 00:12:48,520 Speaker 1: imagine his head was swimming quite a bit. And yeah, 233 00:12:48,600 --> 00:12:50,840 Speaker 1: and he got he got better and better and better 234 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:53,240 Speaker 1: as the season went on. Um, So I saw him 235 00:12:53,240 --> 00:12:55,880 Speaker 1: make more play So I think there's still more meat 236 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:58,240 Speaker 1: on the bunner. Again, he's a young player and as 237 00:12:58,280 --> 00:13:01,960 Speaker 1: a former brought it up there. Yeah, he's a pedigree guy. 238 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:04,800 Speaker 1: His coach likes to say he's had success in this league. 239 00:13:04,840 --> 00:13:08,400 Speaker 1: As you mentioned, Um, I don't know that either one 240 00:13:08,440 --> 00:13:10,480 Speaker 1: of us are ready to say he's guaranteed to make 241 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:13,600 Speaker 1: the team. But they're off season moves, as we always say, 242 00:13:13,640 --> 00:13:16,160 Speaker 1: tell us what they think of their team and whatnot. 243 00:13:16,559 --> 00:13:18,920 Speaker 1: And I still think they could add two receivers, but 244 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:21,360 Speaker 1: that still would only bump him to the fifth at 245 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:25,160 Speaker 1: worst and could possibly be three or your best slot option. 246 00:13:25,520 --> 00:13:31,000 Speaker 1: Or let's say they draft the George Pickens or Jamison Williams, 247 00:13:31,040 --> 00:13:34,000 Speaker 1: you know, someone that's not real slot ish Miller might 248 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:37,320 Speaker 1: be your opening day slot. Yeah. Now, Mike Tomlin did 249 00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:40,280 Speaker 1: say that you know, they they would like to add 250 00:13:40,440 --> 00:13:45,720 Speaker 1: you know, another receiver obviously, uh and probably to uh. 251 00:13:45,840 --> 00:13:49,360 Speaker 1: You know, that's something that they'll be looking at. UM. 252 00:13:49,400 --> 00:13:51,920 Speaker 1: But the in the meantime, they did sign Gerard Avery, 253 00:13:51,960 --> 00:13:55,400 Speaker 1: which was kind of surprising. UM. I liked him a 254 00:13:55,400 --> 00:13:59,280 Speaker 1: lot coming out of Memphis, and you know, he was 255 00:13:59,559 --> 00:14:03,640 Speaker 1: he played inside linebacker at Memphis. UM that he played 256 00:14:03,679 --> 00:14:06,280 Speaker 1: with with the Eagles last year that the Browns took 257 00:14:06,320 --> 00:14:09,360 Speaker 1: him in the fifth round and then traded him to 258 00:14:09,400 --> 00:14:12,679 Speaker 1: the Eagles for a fourth round pick. He started, He 259 00:14:12,679 --> 00:14:15,320 Speaker 1: started twelve games last year for the Eagles, I know, 260 00:14:15,800 --> 00:14:19,720 Speaker 1: And what I liked about him as a draft prospect 261 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:23,840 Speaker 1: was he was a very good tester. UM. And he 262 00:14:24,080 --> 00:14:26,280 Speaker 1: is one of the few guys people think that this 263 00:14:26,360 --> 00:14:30,400 Speaker 1: is like common that in a typical three four was 264 00:14:30,680 --> 00:14:33,760 Speaker 1: an inside and an outside. Like at the Senior Bowl 265 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:36,800 Speaker 1: he stood up on the Yeah. Yeah, and he's not 266 00:14:36,920 --> 00:14:40,120 Speaker 1: six five and doesn't look like the Marcus ware. But 267 00:14:40,400 --> 00:14:42,800 Speaker 1: Steelers don't care if their edge guys are shorter. You know, 268 00:14:42,840 --> 00:14:47,440 Speaker 1: if you're compact and strong. He's fast. Um, he's played, 269 00:14:47,640 --> 00:14:50,680 Speaker 1: he's been listed as a d N and as a 270 00:14:50,800 --> 00:14:54,400 Speaker 1: true linebacker. Uh. You know, our our body, Arthur Moats 271 00:14:54,480 --> 00:14:56,280 Speaker 1: did some of that stuff in his career. I mean, 272 00:14:56,360 --> 00:14:58,640 Speaker 1: James Ferrier or Timmins has did some of that stuff 273 00:14:58,640 --> 00:15:01,600 Speaker 1: in his career. Ideally, I you know, you could look 274 00:15:01,640 --> 00:15:04,320 Speaker 1: at him and say he's the true tweeterer. You know, 275 00:15:04,360 --> 00:15:07,560 Speaker 1: he's a jack of all trades, master of none, or 276 00:15:08,120 --> 00:15:09,600 Speaker 1: he can get me out of the game at both 277 00:15:09,640 --> 00:15:12,920 Speaker 1: spots and be a key special teamer. Or maybe they 278 00:15:12,960 --> 00:15:14,520 Speaker 1: just see him as one or the other. You may 279 00:15:14,640 --> 00:15:16,320 Speaker 1: That's why I was meaning to ask you. I mean, 280 00:15:16,360 --> 00:15:17,640 Speaker 1: I want to ask you that on Monday. Do they 281 00:15:17,680 --> 00:15:20,200 Speaker 1: think he's a off the ball linebacker or do they 282 00:15:20,240 --> 00:15:22,880 Speaker 1: think he's an edge pass rusher or but I think 283 00:15:22,880 --> 00:15:24,720 Speaker 1: he could be both. I think he could be the 284 00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:28,760 Speaker 1: new version of Vince Williams, A bigger, a bigger, faster 285 00:15:28,960 --> 00:15:32,160 Speaker 1: version of Vince Williams. That Okay, he's he goes he 286 00:15:32,200 --> 00:15:36,000 Speaker 1: goes to the inside linebacker meeting rooms, but he's also 287 00:15:36,080 --> 00:15:38,360 Speaker 1: can play as some outside backer for you. And it's 288 00:15:38,400 --> 00:15:43,200 Speaker 1: interesting that they made that move. It's a very the 289 00:15:43,240 --> 00:15:47,360 Speaker 1: Patriots type guys like that. Yeah, and who's the Who's 290 00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:51,160 Speaker 1: Who's now the Steelers linebacker coach, well, Brian Floris, So 291 00:15:51,480 --> 00:15:53,440 Speaker 1: you know you are you are you bringing in some 292 00:15:53,520 --> 00:15:56,000 Speaker 1: guys that, hey, we could we could put four backers 293 00:15:56,000 --> 00:15:58,000 Speaker 1: on the field, but you don't know who's coming from where. 294 00:15:59,200 --> 00:16:01,160 Speaker 1: I thought the same thing. That's a good point. I 295 00:16:01,200 --> 00:16:03,400 Speaker 1: hadn't even thought of the Patriot connection, but you know, 296 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:05,800 Speaker 1: I was just thinking of Floras do a lot of 297 00:16:05,840 --> 00:16:08,560 Speaker 1: things for me. And one week you're gonna play off 298 00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:10,840 Speaker 1: the ball and drop into coverage. One week you're gonna 299 00:16:10,840 --> 00:16:13,480 Speaker 1: line up next outside t J. Watt and take on 300 00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:16,440 Speaker 1: running back after running back or you know, so I 301 00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:20,040 Speaker 1: do think that's interesting. And in a Kevin Colbert like fashion, 302 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:22,960 Speaker 1: Now do you look at it and say, Okay, my 303 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:29,200 Speaker 1: inside meeting room is Bush, Blane, Jack Johnson, and Avery. 304 00:16:29,360 --> 00:16:32,040 Speaker 1: I could easily be done there and unless somebody the 305 00:16:32,080 --> 00:16:35,360 Speaker 1: door off in the draft, or my outside room is 306 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:41,000 Speaker 1: you know, the starters Taco and Toushka and not on 307 00:16:41,040 --> 00:16:46,120 Speaker 1: a contract. He's afraid, he's uh so Avery could be 308 00:16:46,160 --> 00:16:49,080 Speaker 1: there too. Um, you could still draft one, but it 309 00:16:49,120 --> 00:16:51,840 Speaker 1: doesn't it doesn't mean you have to draft one again. 310 00:16:51,840 --> 00:16:54,280 Speaker 1: You've you've kind of again checked off one of those 311 00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:57,480 Speaker 1: boxes here. If you do that guy's gonna he's gonna 312 00:16:57,520 --> 00:16:59,760 Speaker 1: be on the team. Yeah, and he's gonna be active 313 00:16:59,760 --> 00:17:02,880 Speaker 1: on and you probably keep eight on eight or nine linebackers, 314 00:17:03,440 --> 00:17:05,719 Speaker 1: so it would inside and outside. Yeah. Yeah, So when 315 00:17:05,760 --> 00:17:07,760 Speaker 1: you draft one, it's nice to have a guy who 316 00:17:07,840 --> 00:17:10,720 Speaker 1: has that dull flexibility where I'm sorry, when you when 317 00:17:10,720 --> 00:17:12,840 Speaker 1: you're putting your team together, it's nice to have that 318 00:17:12,920 --> 00:17:16,120 Speaker 1: dual flexibility of a guy who could play insider out 319 00:17:16,320 --> 00:17:20,440 Speaker 1: because it saved you a spot on game day. Yeah. 320 00:17:20,560 --> 00:17:22,680 Speaker 1: That's as I say is people don't think about these 321 00:17:22,720 --> 00:17:25,040 Speaker 1: things that all of a sudden, your roster gets pretty 322 00:17:25,080 --> 00:17:27,600 Speaker 1: small on game day. And if he can get me 323 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:31,560 Speaker 1: out of a disastrous situation where you lose one or 324 00:17:31,600 --> 00:17:33,680 Speaker 1: two players or one of the positions and he has 325 00:17:33,760 --> 00:17:36,160 Speaker 1: to just get you out of a game at a minimum, 326 00:17:36,200 --> 00:17:39,320 Speaker 1: he's gonna do that. We'll think about that. When Ryan 327 00:17:39,359 --> 00:17:44,880 Speaker 1: Shay's here got hurt in Cincinnati, Tyler Manacavi has replaced 328 00:17:44,920 --> 00:17:48,520 Speaker 1: him and then he got hurt, right right right, So 329 00:17:48,600 --> 00:17:51,400 Speaker 1: now you're down to your fourth linebacker. Yeah, you gotta 330 00:17:51,440 --> 00:17:53,560 Speaker 1: have some kind of plan there. And that's you know, 331 00:17:53,600 --> 00:17:56,600 Speaker 1: I think that's you know why why you want to 332 00:17:56,640 --> 00:17:59,000 Speaker 1: have guys like this with that kind of position flexibility. 333 00:17:59,200 --> 00:18:01,200 Speaker 1: Oh and by the ways of pretty good special teams player. 334 00:18:01,960 --> 00:18:04,280 Speaker 1: That's what I'm about to say is I jumped to 335 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:07,520 Speaker 1: the conclusion just assuming with the way he plays the 336 00:18:07,600 --> 00:18:09,520 Speaker 1: game and the way he runs that he's a very 337 00:18:09,520 --> 00:18:12,600 Speaker 1: good special teamer. But I didn't do the homework he played. 338 00:18:12,640 --> 00:18:15,560 Speaker 1: I think he played of the of the Eagles special 339 00:18:15,600 --> 00:18:18,800 Speaker 1: teams snaps last year. That's what I'm more concerned with 340 00:18:18,840 --> 00:18:21,840 Speaker 1: than special teams tackles or block kicks. You know what, 341 00:18:21,960 --> 00:18:25,640 Speaker 1: percentage core guy. Yeah, he's a core guy. So that's 342 00:18:25,640 --> 00:18:27,560 Speaker 1: another one of those. Now they have five or six 343 00:18:27,560 --> 00:18:30,920 Speaker 1: of them. That's important. It's very important. I think it's 344 00:18:30,920 --> 00:18:35,399 Speaker 1: it's it's definitely something that you know, this team, it 345 00:18:35,400 --> 00:18:38,920 Speaker 1: always gets overlooked and I know everybody wants to keep 346 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:41,360 Speaker 1: this guy and that guy, and they gotta keep ten lineman, 347 00:18:42,240 --> 00:18:44,879 Speaker 1: your ten offensive lineman. Those guys don't help you a 348 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:47,800 Speaker 1: lot on special teams. They don't run down and do anything. 349 00:18:48,119 --> 00:18:51,200 Speaker 1: If you're gonna keep. If you're gonna keep seven defensive lineman, 350 00:18:51,320 --> 00:18:53,720 Speaker 1: maybe you have somebody that goes out there who's athletic 351 00:18:53,840 --> 00:18:55,680 Speaker 1: enough to run down and cover a kick for you. 352 00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:59,199 Speaker 1: But that's outside that. That's not the norm there. You know, 353 00:18:59,240 --> 00:19:00,919 Speaker 1: you don't have a lot of Rick Caesels out there 354 00:19:01,800 --> 00:19:06,440 Speaker 1: right right right, That's not what typically happened. So that's 355 00:19:06,480 --> 00:19:08,640 Speaker 1: the beauty of a Joe Haig is. I don't need 356 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:11,800 Speaker 1: nine guys active on game day. And hopefully he's not 357 00:19:11,840 --> 00:19:14,200 Speaker 1: a starter that he could get me out of any injuries. 358 00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:18,159 Speaker 1: I can have one fewer. Dude. And you mentioned Killerbrew earlier. Okay, well, 359 00:19:18,240 --> 00:19:21,040 Speaker 1: if he's not a strong safety, people are probably going, well, 360 00:19:21,080 --> 00:19:23,320 Speaker 1: then why did they bring him back. Well, he can 361 00:19:23,320 --> 00:19:25,119 Speaker 1: get you out of a game as strong safety, but 362 00:19:25,200 --> 00:19:27,359 Speaker 1: he's gonna run down, he's gonna play every snap of 363 00:19:27,440 --> 00:19:30,920 Speaker 1: special teams. I mean, that's more valuable than some of 364 00:19:31,040 --> 00:19:34,080 Speaker 1: you know, your fifth receiver. That's what Jersey dirty absolutely. 365 00:19:34,119 --> 00:19:36,399 Speaker 1: I mean when people talk about Derek Want making, what 366 00:19:36,480 --> 00:19:39,639 Speaker 1: Derek want makes, well, he never plays at fullback. I 367 00:19:39,720 --> 00:19:43,280 Speaker 1: don't think him as a fullback. He plays some fullback, 368 00:19:44,160 --> 00:19:47,000 Speaker 1: but he's a he's a special Teams captain, like he's 369 00:19:47,000 --> 00:19:52,280 Speaker 1: a core special teams game or right right? If I 370 00:19:52,320 --> 00:19:55,639 Speaker 1: mean justin Lane that got him a hat on game day. 371 00:19:55,920 --> 00:19:57,840 Speaker 1: So I'm just trying to think off top of my head. 372 00:19:57,840 --> 00:20:02,000 Speaker 1: Who's a remaining core special teamers. I would imagine will 373 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:08,560 Speaker 1: be Lane, Killer Brew, Averyplane, you would hope, but Splane 374 00:20:08,600 --> 00:20:11,479 Speaker 1: Snelled is one people don't think about, you know, So 375 00:20:11,600 --> 00:20:14,679 Speaker 1: those type of guys are never leaving the field on 376 00:20:14,760 --> 00:20:19,320 Speaker 1: a special team. You third Dance well TuS Gubby that guy. 377 00:20:19,359 --> 00:20:22,920 Speaker 1: Can Buddy Johnson be that guy when he's active? We'll see. 378 00:20:23,280 --> 00:20:25,160 Speaker 1: That's the thing to find out. Yeah, I mean, it's 379 00:20:25,160 --> 00:20:29,440 Speaker 1: all about giving yourself options and you get the other. 380 00:20:29,560 --> 00:20:31,440 Speaker 1: The other nice thing is, you know, now you take 381 00:20:32,520 --> 00:20:34,840 Speaker 1: you cut your roster to fifty three players, but those 382 00:20:34,840 --> 00:20:40,920 Speaker 1: expanded uh, the expanded rosters for the for the practice squad. 383 00:20:41,440 --> 00:20:43,880 Speaker 1: Uh you know you still you still get to carry something. 384 00:20:43,880 --> 00:20:45,960 Speaker 1: I don't think that the league is going to change 385 00:20:48,280 --> 00:20:50,800 Speaker 1: like that for the special team or for the for 386 00:20:50,800 --> 00:20:52,560 Speaker 1: the practice squad, because it just gives you so much 387 00:20:52,600 --> 00:20:55,120 Speaker 1: more flexibility and you're able to carry some of those 388 00:20:55,160 --> 00:20:59,040 Speaker 1: veteran guys on your practice squad for a rainy day, 389 00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:01,440 Speaker 1: or if you have five five players on your team 390 00:21:01,440 --> 00:21:04,639 Speaker 1: test positive. Like even just because the league is easing 391 00:21:04,720 --> 00:21:07,439 Speaker 1: up on his COVID rules doesn't mean that COVID has 392 00:21:07,480 --> 00:21:11,040 Speaker 1: gone away. No, And before I had ever even heard 393 00:21:11,040 --> 00:21:13,560 Speaker 1: of COVID, people that followed me used to make fun 394 00:21:13,560 --> 00:21:15,840 Speaker 1: of me because I would, you know, bang the drum 395 00:21:15,920 --> 00:21:17,639 Speaker 1: up and down that the league should have a minor 396 00:21:17,720 --> 00:21:20,399 Speaker 1: league system, you know, like baseball or hockey. And I 397 00:21:20,440 --> 00:21:22,399 Speaker 1: know that's easier said and done. I can sit here 398 00:21:22,400 --> 00:21:23,800 Speaker 1: in my basement and say, oh, I just want to 399 00:21:23,800 --> 00:21:26,800 Speaker 1: whip up a minor league system. But my consolation prize, 400 00:21:26,840 --> 00:21:30,159 Speaker 1: even five years ago, was just a bigger you know, 401 00:21:30,600 --> 00:21:34,280 Speaker 1: practice squads. You know, let let more guys develop, have 402 00:21:34,359 --> 00:21:36,800 Speaker 1: a quarterback on there that can throw a little bit 403 00:21:36,920 --> 00:21:40,120 Speaker 1: extra than he would have and develop them, especially offensive lineman. 404 00:21:40,600 --> 00:21:42,760 Speaker 1: So I think it's actually one of the good things 405 00:21:42,760 --> 00:21:45,520 Speaker 1: that came out of the COVID situation was they expanded 406 00:21:45,560 --> 00:21:49,640 Speaker 1: the practice squads COVID aside, why change it, I mean, 407 00:21:50,200 --> 00:21:52,040 Speaker 1: these guys have the money, and these guys aren't making 408 00:21:52,080 --> 00:21:54,439 Speaker 1: a lot of money anyway. Yeah, that's I think it 409 00:21:54,480 --> 00:21:57,280 Speaker 1: makes perfect sense. But it works out well that way. 410 00:21:57,520 --> 00:22:00,119 Speaker 1: We're gonna take a break. He is Matt Williamson. I'm Dale. 411 00:22:00,119 --> 00:22:02,560 Speaker 1: You're listening to the drive here on Steelers Nation Radio. 412 00:22:02,960 --> 00:22:06,280 Speaker 1: We'll be back with more right after this. Life and 413 00:22:06,359 --> 00:22:09,040 Speaker 1: Adventure and it's waiting. Hi. This is Merril Hodge at 414 00:22:09,160 --> 00:22:11,480 Speaker 1: S ANDT Bank, they know lives for the living. That's 415 00:22:11,480 --> 00:22:13,679 Speaker 1: why S and T Bank offers solutions to help you 416 00:22:13,720 --> 00:22:15,600 Speaker 1: get the most out of it, whether you're investing in 417 00:22:15,600 --> 00:22:18,080 Speaker 1: your home, planning for the future, are just making the 418 00:22:18,160 --> 00:22:20,320 Speaker 1: most of every day. 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