1 00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:04,720 Speaker 1: Your tunes about Drive, home of the Black and Goals 2 00:00:04,720 --> 00:00:15,319 Speaker 1: Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome back to the Drive. I'm Dale 3 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:17,799 Speaker 1: Lally here with Matt Williamson, and we're pleased to be 4 00:00:17,880 --> 00:00:20,520 Speaker 1: joined at this time as we are every Wednesday, by 5 00:00:20,520 --> 00:00:24,400 Speaker 1: the esteemed editor of Steelers Digest and Steelers dot Com, 6 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:27,120 Speaker 1: Bob Labriola. How you doing, Labs? You down off the 7 00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:29,600 Speaker 1: ledge yet? Well? I was just gonna ask you, guys, 8 00:00:29,640 --> 00:00:32,519 Speaker 1: if you're doing this from a remote at the allegend 9 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:34,640 Speaker 1: there at the fort Decane Bridge or not? Are you 10 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:38,160 Speaker 1: waiting for the next one at the fans Shure seemed 11 00:00:38,200 --> 00:00:42,040 Speaker 1: to be headed to the edge. Yeah, well, I think 12 00:00:42,080 --> 00:00:46,960 Speaker 1: most of them were there about on Sunday. Yeah, no doubt. 13 00:00:47,159 --> 00:00:51,320 Speaker 1: It's certainly a disappointing loss, but again one in in 14 00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:55,600 Speaker 1: in seventeen games this season. Um, Steelers get another opportunity 15 00:00:55,680 --> 00:00:59,640 Speaker 1: this week to uh to bounce back. UM. I thought 16 00:01:00,480 --> 00:01:03,280 Speaker 1: there were some positives offensively to take out of that. 17 00:01:03,320 --> 00:01:05,680 Speaker 1: And I know I'm always a glass half full guy, 18 00:01:05,720 --> 00:01:10,160 Speaker 1: but Bob, I thought that seeing Friar, Muth and Nause 19 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:13,800 Speaker 1: Harris utilized in the passing game in the second half 20 00:01:13,800 --> 00:01:19,880 Speaker 1: a little bit more was a step in the right direction. Yeah, 21 00:01:19,920 --> 00:01:24,480 Speaker 1: I'm not gonna argue with that. I just, uh, I 22 00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:27,760 Speaker 1: don't know. It's hard for me to It's hard for 23 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:31,479 Speaker 1: me to look back on that game with a lot 24 00:01:31,520 --> 00:01:35,959 Speaker 1: of glass half full thought. Um. I don't know that 25 00:01:36,040 --> 00:01:43,120 Speaker 1: I'm suicidal or anything, but you know, it just it. Um, 26 00:01:43,160 --> 00:01:46,319 Speaker 1: I don't know. I I especially offensively, I didn't see 27 00:01:46,360 --> 00:01:50,080 Speaker 1: a whole lot. Um. You know, maybe there was an 28 00:01:50,160 --> 00:01:52,960 Speaker 1: individual improvement or two. And you mentioned two of the 29 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:55,440 Speaker 1: guys who you know you could point to I think 30 00:01:55,440 --> 00:01:58,000 Speaker 1: and you know, make a legitimate case that they were 31 00:01:58,560 --> 00:02:02,160 Speaker 1: better than they were the preview this week and being 32 00:02:02,160 --> 00:02:04,880 Speaker 1: in their both rookies and all of that stuff. I 33 00:02:05,000 --> 00:02:07,960 Speaker 1: think that you know, hopes are high for them to 34 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:12,440 Speaker 1: continue on this path throughout the season. But you know, 35 00:02:12,480 --> 00:02:16,280 Speaker 1: the run pass ratio is still bad. Um. You know 36 00:02:16,320 --> 00:02:19,799 Speaker 1: you take away Nause's to fourteen yard runs. I mean 37 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:24,480 Speaker 1: in the running game was zero, I think. Um. And 38 00:02:24,720 --> 00:02:27,600 Speaker 1: you know I was talking to Mike Pursudo about this. Um. 39 00:02:27,639 --> 00:02:33,239 Speaker 1: You know a lot of postgame speculation angst from the fans, etcetera. 40 00:02:33,400 --> 00:02:38,280 Speaker 1: Was the fourth and one from the Steelers thirty four 41 00:02:38,360 --> 00:02:40,239 Speaker 1: yard line in the fourth quarter, I think was eight 42 00:02:40,280 --> 00:02:43,880 Speaker 1: minutes left or something. UM and Mike Tomlin elected the punt. 43 00:02:44,919 --> 00:02:48,560 Speaker 1: UM And you know, Mike and I were going back 44 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:50,760 Speaker 1: and forth with it, and we ended up agreeing that 45 00:02:51,520 --> 00:02:54,120 Speaker 1: the punt was probably the way to go, even though 46 00:02:54,200 --> 00:02:57,959 Speaker 1: I will admit that as Friar Muth was getting tackled 47 00:02:58,360 --> 00:03:00,959 Speaker 1: a yards show short of the first down on third 48 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:05,000 Speaker 1: and six after that reception, my immediate thought was you 49 00:03:05,080 --> 00:03:08,760 Speaker 1: gotta go for it here. But then, you know, as 50 00:03:09,160 --> 00:03:12,240 Speaker 1: as the players unpiled a little bit, I started thinking, well, 51 00:03:12,280 --> 00:03:15,040 Speaker 1: what am I going to call? Not only that, but 52 00:03:15,080 --> 00:03:17,760 Speaker 1: if you don't get it, get there in field goal range. 53 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:22,560 Speaker 1: I understand, I understand that, UM. But what I'm saying though, 54 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:28,440 Speaker 1: is is that even though UM, I think that going 55 00:03:28,560 --> 00:03:32,320 Speaker 1: for it was the way to go, way to approach 56 00:03:32,360 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 1: the situation, the fact that there wasn't anything apparent that 57 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:40,840 Speaker 1: you could call and have a remote bit of confidence 58 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:45,440 Speaker 1: in it working makes you punt because, as you said, 59 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:47,680 Speaker 1: then if you don't get it, the game's over there 60 00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:50,360 Speaker 1: there in field goal range. If the league goes from 61 00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:53,280 Speaker 1: the deficit from the Steelers standpoint goes from nine to 62 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:57,920 Speaker 1: twelve and you need two touchdowns. Um. But I mean 63 00:03:57,960 --> 00:04:01,400 Speaker 1: that that to me, is a pretty serious indictment. I 64 00:04:01,440 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 1: think that in that situation, Um, there's really nothing that 65 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:14,160 Speaker 1: came to my mind anyway, right this is you know, 66 00:04:14,240 --> 00:04:19,599 Speaker 1: give it to Jerome not you know, or throw it 67 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:24,040 Speaker 1: to a b you know, I mean or Heath. Um. 68 00:04:24,080 --> 00:04:27,520 Speaker 1: There just didn't seem to be And I'm not I'm 69 00:04:27,520 --> 00:04:31,000 Speaker 1: not saying that the personnel necessarily is lacking. May sound 70 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:33,479 Speaker 1: that way based on you know, I was pointing to 71 00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:38,640 Speaker 1: some individuals, Um, but the offense at this point, I mean, 72 00:04:38,720 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 1: I don't know, I don't know what what its identity is. 73 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:47,360 Speaker 1: Is there an identity? Is there a go to saying 74 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:51,279 Speaker 1: aspect player, um that you that you can turn to 75 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:56,600 Speaker 1: in a difficult situation. Uh? And um, I was hoping. 76 00:04:56,640 --> 00:04:58,919 Speaker 1: I have to be honest, I wasn't saying I was 77 00:04:58,960 --> 00:05:02,960 Speaker 1: expecting it to look like uh, I don't know Harry 78 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:06,320 Speaker 1: core yell or anything. But I also didn't think that 79 00:05:06,680 --> 00:05:10,680 Speaker 1: after two full games, um, I would be looking at 80 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:13,800 Speaker 1: it and with this much bewilderment. Let me put it 81 00:05:13,880 --> 00:05:16,240 Speaker 1: that way. Yeah, it's all well said, and you know, 82 00:05:16,320 --> 00:05:18,000 Speaker 1: just take a couple of steps back there. You know, 83 00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:21,800 Speaker 1: Dale brought up Friar Muth and Harris and you know, 84 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:25,120 Speaker 1: in general, the Steelers are playing a lot of rookies, 85 00:05:25,360 --> 00:05:28,000 Speaker 1: and with the exception of Ben, they're a very young 86 00:05:28,160 --> 00:05:32,359 Speaker 1: football team right now. And that's not to excuse what's happened, 87 00:05:32,400 --> 00:05:33,680 Speaker 1: you know. I mean, you gotta go out there. If 88 00:05:33,680 --> 00:05:36,000 Speaker 1: you're between the white lines, it's you know, go, go go. 89 00:05:36,080 --> 00:05:39,600 Speaker 1: But you know we were talking the last segment. I 90 00:05:39,640 --> 00:05:42,400 Speaker 1: respect Cincinnati to some degree, but if you see it 91 00:05:42,440 --> 00:05:45,159 Speaker 1: again this week, I've had about enough, you know what 92 00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:47,840 Speaker 1: I mean, Like you guys, this is the third game together. 93 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:50,400 Speaker 1: It's a lot of the same people. I'm done with 94 00:05:50,440 --> 00:05:55,040 Speaker 1: the excuses after after this week. Yeah, I've been done. 95 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:58,279 Speaker 1: I mean I've done pretty much. With eight minutes left 96 00:05:58,279 --> 00:06:01,400 Speaker 1: in the fourth quarter, no, as I was sitting there, 97 00:06:01,400 --> 00:06:04,960 Speaker 1: really and I'm thinking if if I was wearing the 98 00:06:05,000 --> 00:06:07,920 Speaker 1: headset and the head coach said to me, Okay, we're 99 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:10,839 Speaker 1: going for it, and I had to call it play 100 00:06:10,839 --> 00:06:15,360 Speaker 1: in thirty seconds, no way, there's no way. I don't 101 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:16,600 Speaker 1: even know if I could have done it after a 102 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:22,760 Speaker 1: time out and an extra long commercial break, because yeah, 103 00:06:21,400 --> 00:06:26,880 Speaker 1: I just I just don't know that or I just 104 00:06:26,920 --> 00:06:28,839 Speaker 1: don't know what I would call because I just haven't 105 00:06:28,880 --> 00:06:32,080 Speaker 1: seen anything you know that I that I would feel 106 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:35,160 Speaker 1: comfortable hanging my hat on or putting the game on 107 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:37,800 Speaker 1: the line in that situation. Because Dale, I agree with you, 108 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:40,600 Speaker 1: if you don't get it, they kick a field goal 109 00:06:40,640 --> 00:06:43,599 Speaker 1: pretty much after run, you know, running a couple of 110 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:46,479 Speaker 1: minutes more off the clock, and so then in six 111 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:50,080 Speaker 1: minutes or maybe even less, when you're down two touchdowns, 112 00:06:50,120 --> 00:06:54,599 Speaker 1: which based on what I had seen offensively and then defensively, 113 00:06:54,720 --> 00:06:58,240 Speaker 1: kind of, um, you just don't think that there's that 114 00:06:58,360 --> 00:07:01,839 Speaker 1: it's possible to come back from that. So um, yeah, 115 00:07:01,880 --> 00:07:07,240 Speaker 1: I again a little disappointed in what we've seen from 116 00:07:07,279 --> 00:07:10,240 Speaker 1: the offense, what we haven't seen maybe more accurately from 117 00:07:10,240 --> 00:07:13,560 Speaker 1: the offense through two games. Yeah, I agree. I did 118 00:07:14,360 --> 00:07:17,120 Speaker 1: just really dislike however, like I had a lot of 119 00:07:17,120 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 1: people throw this in my face because I I said 120 00:07:19,360 --> 00:07:21,920 Speaker 1: I would have punted. They're not necessarily for the reasons 121 00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:24,240 Speaker 1: that you did, but you're true and thirty four and 122 00:07:24,280 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 1: there's more than eight minutes left. It turned out not 123 00:07:26,680 --> 00:07:30,440 Speaker 1: hurting them. They it took two minutes off the clock. 124 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:34,280 Speaker 1: But then people when Hardball did it that night, people 125 00:07:34,320 --> 00:07:36,320 Speaker 1: came back at me, Well, see Hardball, he did look 126 00:07:36,320 --> 00:07:38,360 Speaker 1: he asked his quarterback if he wanted to go, and 127 00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:41,640 Speaker 1: he just said hard Ba asked Lamar Jackson if he 128 00:07:41,680 --> 00:07:44,239 Speaker 1: wanted to go, knowing what Lamar Jackson was going to say, 129 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:46,880 Speaker 1: that's almost like a scripted thing. Yeah, you think Lamars 130 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:48,560 Speaker 1: will be like, no, of course he's gonna say yes. 131 00:07:48,600 --> 00:07:51,600 Speaker 1: You know, by the way, Hardpo has Lamar Jackson the best, 132 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:54,680 Speaker 1: not just the best running quarterback in today's game, but 133 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:57,560 Speaker 1: maybe of all time. Stopping him on fourth and one 134 00:07:57,640 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 1: isn't like yeah, I just harn. I mean that was 135 00:08:02,040 --> 00:08:04,880 Speaker 1: all for the TV cam. I mean that was I 136 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:09,000 Speaker 1: don't believe for one second that there was he had 137 00:08:09,080 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 1: any interest and what Lamar Jackson responded to that, How 138 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:17,720 Speaker 1: do we even know with Lamar jack lam Yeah, because 139 00:08:17,880 --> 00:08:21,400 Speaker 1: there was no camera on him, Lamar Jackson and so 140 00:08:21,480 --> 00:08:25,040 Speaker 1: you only have um the Ravens words for it. Um 141 00:08:25,400 --> 00:08:29,200 Speaker 1: no thanks. Um. So you know again, I think that 142 00:08:29,200 --> 00:08:34,079 Speaker 1: that was all theatrical. That was one of those, um, 143 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:38,079 Speaker 1: you know, typical hardball kind of things. Uh. So I 144 00:08:38,120 --> 00:08:41,680 Speaker 1: don't I don't put any stock in that in any way. UM. 145 00:08:41,800 --> 00:08:44,959 Speaker 1: I don't think that he he said that for any 146 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:48,480 Speaker 1: other reason, but effect. I don't think Um Lamar Jackson's 147 00:08:48,760 --> 00:08:53,319 Speaker 1: response would have mattered. I don't think Harba was interested one. 148 00:08:53,520 --> 00:08:56,520 Speaker 1: Mark Jackson's response was, I mean it's like asking a 149 00:08:56,520 --> 00:09:05,240 Speaker 1: little kid. Um you were right, Um, so yeah, I don't. 150 00:09:05,080 --> 00:09:09,679 Speaker 1: That to me is you know, beyond meaningless and one 151 00:09:09,720 --> 00:09:16,200 Speaker 1: has nothing to do with the other, right, Bob. The 152 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:21,240 Speaker 1: Hall of Fame. Uh, finalists are out here, the nominees issue, No, 153 00:09:22,880 --> 00:09:28,280 Speaker 1: the nominees, yes, Uh Hinds word on there once again. Um, 154 00:09:28,480 --> 00:09:31,920 Speaker 1: he's Miller on there and Casey Hampton on there. Anybody 155 00:09:31,960 --> 00:09:37,120 Speaker 1: have a shot of getting to the final fifteen this year? Well, 156 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:40,680 Speaker 1: let me say, let I do believe that. Um, I 157 00:09:40,760 --> 00:09:43,880 Speaker 1: need to say this. Maybe you've got guys have already 158 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:49,000 Speaker 1: touched on it. But in order to give myself some 159 00:09:49,120 --> 00:09:51,599 Speaker 1: comfort here in answering this, the way I'm going to 160 00:09:51,679 --> 00:09:54,560 Speaker 1: answer it. Um nominees. I mean you just call up 161 00:09:54,559 --> 00:09:56,319 Speaker 1: the whole of Fame and say I want to nominate, 162 00:09:56,960 --> 00:10:03,000 Speaker 1: um Richard Huntley, and Richard Huntley is nominated. I mean, 163 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:06,839 Speaker 1: that's that's all that it is. That that's that's where 164 00:10:06,880 --> 00:10:11,200 Speaker 1: we are right now. Anybody can call and nominate anybody, 165 00:10:11,800 --> 00:10:18,280 Speaker 1: and so he being nominated, UM means nothing nothing, Um, 166 00:10:18,360 --> 00:10:22,160 Speaker 1: So okay, now let's get to your question. Um. Hey, 167 00:10:22,240 --> 00:10:25,320 Speaker 1: I love Keith Miller. You know, Casey Hampton to a 168 00:10:25,440 --> 00:10:29,719 Speaker 1: good player, good teammate, good guy in the locker room, 169 00:10:29,720 --> 00:10:31,600 Speaker 1: all that stuff. Neither one of those guys are Hall 170 00:10:31,640 --> 00:10:36,160 Speaker 1: of Fame worthy. They're just not. I mean, um, They're 171 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:38,080 Speaker 1: both gonna end up in the Hall of Honor. I 172 00:10:38,080 --> 00:10:41,559 Speaker 1: mean I I feel very very confident about that. Uh. 173 00:10:41,640 --> 00:10:47,080 Speaker 1: Two times Super Bowl champions, UH, players who will be 174 00:10:47,240 --> 00:10:51,840 Speaker 1: revered by the Steelers organization and Steelers fans as long 175 00:10:51,880 --> 00:10:56,240 Speaker 1: as this uh this team has a charter and all 176 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:58,040 Speaker 1: of that stuff. But I mean Hall of Fame, I 177 00:10:58,080 --> 00:11:01,880 Speaker 1: mean that that's just absurd. I mean, um, it just 178 00:11:02,120 --> 00:11:06,760 Speaker 1: is Casey Hampton again. And I hate doing this because 179 00:11:06,960 --> 00:11:10,920 Speaker 1: it always comes across as kind of cutting down his career, 180 00:11:11,559 --> 00:11:13,320 Speaker 1: and that's not what I mean. But I'm just trying 181 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:18,600 Speaker 1: to explain the difference between Hall of Fame caliber and or, 182 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:20,800 Speaker 1: as some guy always refers to what he had, he 183 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:23,720 Speaker 1: does his own little the Hall of very Good. I 184 00:11:23,720 --> 00:11:25,400 Speaker 1: think both of those guys would be in the Hall 185 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:28,000 Speaker 1: of very Good. But Casey Hampton came off the field 186 00:11:28,000 --> 00:11:32,760 Speaker 1: on third downs. Sure, you know what I mean. Um, 187 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:37,360 Speaker 1: and and Heath Miller. I don't. I may be wrong. 188 00:11:37,480 --> 00:11:39,960 Speaker 1: He may have led the Steelers in receiving one year, 189 00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:43,000 Speaker 1: the Steelers in receiving, which is not not to be 190 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:47,360 Speaker 1: confused with leaving the league in receiving, and his team 191 00:11:47,440 --> 00:11:54,040 Speaker 1: m v P. I think in Gates and Witten and 192 00:11:54,640 --> 00:11:58,880 Speaker 1: I mean, just um, what's his name, Kelsey? You know 193 00:11:58,960 --> 00:12:01,800 Speaker 1: he has more catches in a month and in some 194 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:05,800 Speaker 1: season that he did. And that's I mean. And again 195 00:12:05,840 --> 00:12:09,320 Speaker 1: I'm not um, I'm not the meaning Heath Miller's career. 196 00:12:09,360 --> 00:12:12,040 Speaker 1: I'm just telling you that when those guys get in 197 00:12:12,040 --> 00:12:16,400 Speaker 1: their room and start talking about these players, um, the statistics, 198 00:12:17,360 --> 00:12:20,920 Speaker 1: you just you can't get to the final fifteen with 199 00:12:21,559 --> 00:12:26,040 Speaker 1: those kinds of statistics that that Casey Hampton and and 200 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:29,720 Speaker 1: Heath Miller would put forth there to the group. And 201 00:12:29,920 --> 00:12:32,800 Speaker 1: there's not enough people who have seen them play enough 202 00:12:32,880 --> 00:12:37,199 Speaker 1: to really have any kind of um in depth knowledge 203 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:41,400 Speaker 1: of the nuances that they were able to bring to 204 00:12:41,440 --> 00:12:44,400 Speaker 1: either the Steelers defense with the offense with in the 205 00:12:44,440 --> 00:12:47,480 Speaker 1: case of Heith Miller, the fact that he was very 206 00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:50,080 Speaker 1: likely the best two way tight end in the league 207 00:12:50,360 --> 00:12:54,000 Speaker 1: during his era. But you don't get credit for blocking 208 00:12:54,080 --> 00:13:01,000 Speaker 1: for running place. I mean right, yeah, exact um so 209 00:13:01,960 --> 00:13:06,360 Speaker 1: um yeah, Hines has hinz has some of the stats, 210 00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:10,920 Speaker 1: you know, the thousand catches, Super Bowl m v p UM, 211 00:13:11,040 --> 00:13:14,400 Speaker 1: some of the gaudy little bobbles that I think you 212 00:13:14,520 --> 00:13:17,160 Speaker 1: need to you know, work your way through the early 213 00:13:17,240 --> 00:13:22,079 Speaker 1: rounds of voting. You know, I think Hines Ward deserves 214 00:13:22,080 --> 00:13:23,800 Speaker 1: to be in the Hall of Fame based on some 215 00:13:23,880 --> 00:13:27,760 Speaker 1: of the other people who have been elected. I don't 216 00:13:27,760 --> 00:13:29,560 Speaker 1: know if this is gonna be his year or not. 217 00:13:29,880 --> 00:13:32,200 Speaker 1: I really, I really don't. I just know that it 218 00:13:32,280 --> 00:13:34,800 Speaker 1: seems to be getting more and more difficult for receivers 219 00:13:35,559 --> 00:13:40,240 Speaker 1: um to crack, uh, crack through the gates, because you know, 220 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:44,520 Speaker 1: passing stats are just they're just it's it's like fantasy football, 221 00:13:44,640 --> 00:13:47,640 Speaker 1: it's video game stats at this point. Yes, now it's 222 00:13:47,679 --> 00:13:50,640 Speaker 1: gonna be seventeen games, which is going to infulate them 223 00:13:50,679 --> 00:13:53,280 Speaker 1: even more. Uh. And the way the ball is thrown 224 00:13:53,280 --> 00:13:56,320 Speaker 1: all around, I mean, the way that the rules continue 225 00:13:56,360 --> 00:13:59,439 Speaker 1: to be um made and then remade, and then the 226 00:13:59,480 --> 00:14:03,640 Speaker 1: way the game is officiated. Uh, it's it's it's almost 227 00:14:03,800 --> 00:14:07,360 Speaker 1: stupid not to be throwing the ball a lot because 228 00:14:07,360 --> 00:14:11,280 Speaker 1: it's just easier, and they don't call holding as much 229 00:14:11,280 --> 00:14:15,200 Speaker 1: as they used to. Uh, that much more likely to 230 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:19,600 Speaker 1: get a Tiki tech illegal contact penalty or path deep 231 00:14:19,680 --> 00:14:24,920 Speaker 1: deep defensive pass interference. Um. So you know, throwing the 232 00:14:24,960 --> 00:14:30,040 Speaker 1: ball is mandatory in the NFL in this era. So 233 00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:33,320 Speaker 1: it's making easy it's making it more difficult for receivers. 234 00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:40,040 Speaker 1: Their statistics are um up here watered down and you 235 00:14:40,080 --> 00:14:44,040 Speaker 1: know again, but um, I would, I would if you're 236 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:47,360 Speaker 1: asking me if who has a chance among those three guys, 237 00:14:47,640 --> 00:14:53,200 Speaker 1: the only one I would pick a Shignceward because sorry, 238 00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:56,640 Speaker 1: go ahead, okay, I'll give it to you real quick. 239 00:14:56,840 --> 00:15:00,480 Speaker 1: There's a difference between deserving to get in and being elected. Sure, 240 00:15:00,680 --> 00:15:03,640 Speaker 1: our guest is Bob Labriola, editor of Steelers Digestive Steelers 241 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:07,720 Speaker 1: dot com. Uh. And I'll say this, Bob um Peter 242 00:15:07,840 --> 00:15:10,560 Speaker 1: King is gonna start pounding the drum again for Steve Tasker. 243 00:15:12,320 --> 00:15:17,240 Speaker 1: And if Steve Tasker ever ever makes the Final fifteen, 244 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:20,720 Speaker 1: they should just close the Hall of Fame. I don't 245 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:23,800 Speaker 1: care if he's the greatest special teams player in the 246 00:15:23,920 --> 00:15:26,600 Speaker 1: history of special teams. You know who else was a 247 00:15:26,640 --> 00:15:31,640 Speaker 1: really good special teams player? Hines Ward was a really 248 00:15:31,640 --> 00:15:33,920 Speaker 1: good special teams player the one year that the Steelers 249 00:15:33,920 --> 00:15:36,680 Speaker 1: had him do it, and then he became too valuable 250 00:15:36,760 --> 00:15:39,000 Speaker 1: to put out there on special teams because he was 251 00:15:39,040 --> 00:15:42,680 Speaker 1: the leading receiver on his team. Steve Tasker was never 252 00:15:42,720 --> 00:15:47,800 Speaker 1: that on any of his teams. You know, I and 253 00:15:47,840 --> 00:15:50,320 Speaker 1: I would extend it Dale. I would have never voted 254 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:52,440 Speaker 1: for Ray Guy. I would have never ever for a punter. 255 00:15:52,760 --> 00:15:54,800 Speaker 1: I would have never voted for Ray Guy or any 256 00:15:54,800 --> 00:15:58,120 Speaker 1: punter ever. It's the same like the Adam Vinatieri stuff 257 00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:00,120 Speaker 1: comes up all the time. Oh, he's an automatic Hall 258 00:16:00,200 --> 00:16:03,800 Speaker 1: of Famer. I'm sorry, he's a kicker. He plays six 259 00:16:03,800 --> 00:16:06,000 Speaker 1: snaps a game. How do you tell a guy like 260 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:09,840 Speaker 1: a Ronde Barber was a finalist this year, or Hinzward 261 00:16:09,880 --> 00:16:12,360 Speaker 1: or Alan Fanica. Yeah, we're gonna put this kicker in. 262 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:14,960 Speaker 1: But you guys who played, you know, a hundred and 263 00:16:14,960 --> 00:16:18,240 Speaker 1: seventies five thousand snaps in your careers, you don't get 264 00:16:18,240 --> 00:16:20,480 Speaker 1: to go in. This guy played eight eight snaps a game. See. 265 00:16:20,520 --> 00:16:23,440 Speaker 1: I think it's two different conversations though, Like Justin Tucker 266 00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:25,560 Speaker 1: to me is a Hall of Famer. But if it 267 00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:28,040 Speaker 1: means Alan Fanica doesn't get in that year, then he 268 00:16:28,120 --> 00:16:30,000 Speaker 1: isn't then he because they're always is gonna you know, 269 00:16:30,040 --> 00:16:32,320 Speaker 1: there's always going to be that argument. I care if 270 00:16:32,360 --> 00:16:35,960 Speaker 1: you're the best kicker of your of your era, Um, 271 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:38,400 Speaker 1: I'm sorry, you're on the field six or seven times 272 00:16:38,440 --> 00:16:41,560 Speaker 1: a game. That's not enough. Hester's up this year too. Yeah, 273 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:43,560 Speaker 1: what makes him better than the best long snapper of 274 00:16:43,600 --> 00:16:50,160 Speaker 1: all time? Um? You know? Yeah? And returning I would 275 00:16:50,240 --> 00:16:53,400 Speaker 1: say I would get some consideration, but you'd also have 276 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:55,400 Speaker 1: to be a position player. You gotta play some kind 277 00:16:55,440 --> 00:17:00,400 Speaker 1: of positions. Is gonna be an interesting one to me? Yeah? Um, 278 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:03,400 Speaker 1: well you know, yeah, I see, And let me let 279 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:06,879 Speaker 1: me just you know, disqualify myself immediately. And this I 280 00:17:06,880 --> 00:17:09,000 Speaker 1: don't know enough about him as a player. What the 281 00:17:09,119 --> 00:17:16,440 Speaker 1: what position? What they he's like cor Darrell Patterson, there's 282 00:17:16,440 --> 00:17:18,399 Speaker 1: now a running back and give him in the rounds 283 00:17:18,640 --> 00:17:23,240 Speaker 1: and he was a returner, but maybe the best one ever. Yeah. 284 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:27,280 Speaker 1: Um and certainly you know, impact the game, and um, 285 00:17:27,320 --> 00:17:30,119 Speaker 1: you know, deserves a nice salary and you know, go 286 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:31,960 Speaker 1: to the Pro Bowl a couple of times, but yeah, 287 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:34,480 Speaker 1: hall of fame to me, I you know those that 288 00:17:34,920 --> 00:17:40,560 Speaker 1: specialization to that degree, um, is it's just not it's 289 00:17:40,600 --> 00:17:44,840 Speaker 1: just not worthy and you know what you said, Matt Um. Yeah, 290 00:17:44,880 --> 00:17:46,720 Speaker 1: he's a Hall of Famer, but if he's going to 291 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:50,000 Speaker 1: take a spot away from a real player position player, 292 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:52,560 Speaker 1: then he doesn't deserve to go in. Well that's that's 293 00:17:52,600 --> 00:17:55,680 Speaker 1: the way it's set up. So that's going to happen 294 00:17:55,720 --> 00:17:58,560 Speaker 1: all the time if he gets in and somebody else 295 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:02,359 Speaker 1: does not. Um. And so that's why I'm sorry. I 296 00:18:02,440 --> 00:18:07,720 Speaker 1: just I couldn't vote for a pure, pure special teams 297 00:18:07,800 --> 00:18:11,680 Speaker 1: player unless the guy was you know, a dynamic returner 298 00:18:11,800 --> 00:18:16,040 Speaker 1: and a coverage guy and you know some other things. Um. 299 00:18:16,200 --> 00:18:18,400 Speaker 1: But yeah, no, I wouldn't vote for Steve task or either. 300 00:18:19,119 --> 00:18:21,000 Speaker 1: I didn't plan talking Hall of Fame with you lads. 301 00:18:21,040 --> 00:18:22,840 Speaker 1: I'm enjoying it, you know. Just to take a step 302 00:18:22,880 --> 00:18:26,960 Speaker 1: back though, Vince Wilforks is up this year, and it's 303 00:18:27,000 --> 00:18:30,240 Speaker 1: similar to the Hampton conversation, but he has more jewelry 304 00:18:30,320 --> 00:18:33,600 Speaker 1: and a little bit better known. What are your thoughts there? 305 00:18:33,720 --> 00:18:36,600 Speaker 1: And you too, love what what? What? What kind of 306 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:40,840 Speaker 1: staff does he have? There's none, there's none. But then 307 00:18:41,480 --> 00:18:44,080 Speaker 1: you know, because I'll tell you what the problem is. 308 00:18:44,119 --> 00:18:49,160 Speaker 1: To me, too too much uh Um is given too 309 00:18:49,200 --> 00:18:52,199 Speaker 1: much credence, has given the guys who are on television, 310 00:18:52,680 --> 00:18:56,080 Speaker 1: oh yeah, or in the media that are still relevant. 311 00:18:56,960 --> 00:19:01,720 Speaker 1: Because someone actually said to me, told me this, and 312 00:19:01,840 --> 00:19:04,439 Speaker 1: I will never reveal who it was. But in the 313 00:19:04,520 --> 00:19:08,199 Speaker 1: conversation about John Madden, one of the people in the 314 00:19:08,280 --> 00:19:10,239 Speaker 1: room when he was you know, at the last at 315 00:19:10,240 --> 00:19:12,640 Speaker 1: the end when they bring up the name and they're 316 00:19:12,640 --> 00:19:16,159 Speaker 1: debating him, brought up, well, you know we should consider 317 00:19:16,200 --> 00:19:18,920 Speaker 1: him too, because you know that video game is named 318 00:19:18,960 --> 00:19:23,520 Speaker 1: after him, which influence that the league. You know, Steve Sables, 319 00:19:23,560 --> 00:19:26,520 Speaker 1: the Sables are in. But that's not I'm with you, 320 00:19:26,600 --> 00:19:30,240 Speaker 1: that's a contributor. That's yeah Madden when as a coach, 321 00:19:30,480 --> 00:19:33,239 Speaker 1: a coach, the video game doesn't get you in as 322 00:19:33,280 --> 00:19:36,600 Speaker 1: the coach, you know, being on the set for one 323 00:19:36,640 --> 00:19:41,720 Speaker 1: of the national um pregame shows doesn't get you in 324 00:19:41,760 --> 00:19:43,880 Speaker 1: the Hall of thing. It's still a Bow argument, Bob, 325 00:19:43,920 --> 00:19:47,760 Speaker 1: because when when Dick Lebow went in, when they voted 326 00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:49,959 Speaker 1: on him, they weren't allowed to consider what he had 327 00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:53,200 Speaker 1: done as a coach. His insistant coach like, oh, he 328 00:19:53,240 --> 00:19:55,560 Speaker 1: can't take that into consideration. This is just about him 329 00:19:55,600 --> 00:19:58,120 Speaker 1: the player. Well, if that's the case, and you can't 330 00:19:58,160 --> 00:20:01,040 Speaker 1: consider what John Madden all he on Monday Night football 331 00:20:01,119 --> 00:20:03,200 Speaker 1: those years. I don't care. And I'm not taking any 332 00:20:03,240 --> 00:20:05,320 Speaker 1: away from Bill Coward, but I'm sure it's helped him 333 00:20:05,320 --> 00:20:07,720 Speaker 1: and Jimmy Johnson's case. There you see their face every 334 00:20:07,720 --> 00:20:11,000 Speaker 1: they're more relevant. You see them all the time, absolutely right, right, 335 00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:15,760 Speaker 1: you know, and um so, but anyway, and and and 336 00:20:15,880 --> 00:20:19,800 Speaker 1: really deal and when they say, you know, it's like 337 00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:22,040 Speaker 1: being on a jewelry in the courtroom, and they say 338 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:28,639 Speaker 1: during disregard that last remark, Yeah right, no, it's the 339 00:20:28,720 --> 00:20:32,520 Speaker 1: genie is out of the bottle. YEA. So well, I 340 00:20:32,600 --> 00:20:34,639 Speaker 1: I you know, I I was in that meeting two 341 00:20:34,760 --> 00:20:38,280 Speaker 1: years ago, Bob, and some of these defensive linemen came 342 00:20:38,400 --> 00:20:42,440 Speaker 1: up to your point, Richard Seymour and the guy for 343 00:20:43,080 --> 00:20:46,840 Speaker 1: Bryant Young we're both finalists. And when you mentioned their 344 00:20:46,920 --> 00:20:49,479 Speaker 1: stats as compared to some of the other guys, it's like, well, 345 00:20:49,520 --> 00:20:53,280 Speaker 1: they're defensive tackles, so you know, they got fifty sacks. Yes, 346 00:20:53,359 --> 00:20:56,440 Speaker 1: they were great players, they were dominant players. But and 347 00:20:56,680 --> 00:20:58,560 Speaker 1: they won rings and did all that stuff, but they 348 00:20:58,560 --> 00:21:00,960 Speaker 1: don't on the stats. It's a hard argument. Yeah, I 349 00:21:01,000 --> 00:21:03,639 Speaker 1: mean Court has Kennedy's then I mean he doesn't know stats. 350 00:21:03,960 --> 00:21:07,080 Speaker 1: I mean he was, you know, I don't know. I 351 00:21:07,320 --> 00:21:09,440 Speaker 1: think Vince Wilfork's a Hall of Fame playe player, but 352 00:21:10,720 --> 00:21:12,080 Speaker 1: I wouldn't want to make the case for I don't 353 00:21:12,080 --> 00:21:14,119 Speaker 1: want to be his lawyer. A tough one, tough one 354 00:21:14,359 --> 00:21:16,399 Speaker 1: to make on that. You know. I'll go back to 355 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:20,800 Speaker 1: what Ray Borges said, who's the the presenter for the Patriots? 356 00:21:20,880 --> 00:21:24,840 Speaker 1: And he was presenting um Richard Seymour, And he said, 357 00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:28,920 Speaker 1: we're supposed to believe that those three Patriots championship teams 358 00:21:29,040 --> 00:21:33,840 Speaker 1: from the the the early two thousand's was Tom Brady, 359 00:21:33,920 --> 00:21:35,919 Speaker 1: Bill Belichick and a bunch of slapp. He's out there 360 00:21:36,000 --> 00:21:38,679 Speaker 1: running around because the only one, the only other one 361 00:21:38,680 --> 00:21:41,080 Speaker 1: who's in the Hall of Fame is Ty Law and 362 00:21:41,160 --> 00:21:44,840 Speaker 1: that's it. Well, yeah, Ray, that's kind of you know, 363 00:21:45,240 --> 00:21:47,159 Speaker 1: it's not exactly the Super Steelers where they ran the 364 00:21:47,200 --> 00:21:50,760 Speaker 1: same team back every year year after year. It's kind 365 00:21:50,760 --> 00:21:53,360 Speaker 1: of the you know, the the quote unquote Patriot way 366 00:21:53,440 --> 00:21:55,720 Speaker 1: is hurting him in that situation. Trade Richard Seymour's prime. 367 00:21:56,040 --> 00:22:00,879 Speaker 1: Ernie Adams put him in because without him, all the 368 00:22:01,080 --> 00:22:04,480 Speaker 1: all of the the spine that Belichick did wouldn't have work. 369 00:22:04,840 --> 00:22:09,360 Speaker 1: I know where you were going with that, Bob, Bob, 370 00:22:09,400 --> 00:22:12,280 Speaker 1: how much fear of the Bengals do you have a lot? 371 00:22:14,040 --> 00:22:18,359 Speaker 1: I really think that, Um, the Bengals, there's blood in 372 00:22:18,359 --> 00:22:21,480 Speaker 1: the water. I mean, the Bengals smell the blood. I mean, 373 00:22:21,920 --> 00:22:24,760 Speaker 1: you know, there were there were some sometimes, you know, 374 00:22:24,840 --> 00:22:27,320 Speaker 1: in different era and a previous era where you know, 375 00:22:27,359 --> 00:22:30,480 Speaker 1: the Bengals actually did pretty well at hines Field against 376 00:22:30,480 --> 00:22:33,080 Speaker 1: the Steelers. They never did very well against the Steelers 377 00:22:33,200 --> 00:22:36,280 Speaker 1: at Paul Brown Stadium, but they always would give him 378 00:22:36,320 --> 00:22:39,600 Speaker 1: a hard time. Won some games at hines Field, you know, 379 00:22:39,640 --> 00:22:46,199 Speaker 1: against some good Steelers team, oh five right, So, um, 380 00:22:46,600 --> 00:22:49,520 Speaker 1: you know, I I think that you know, they got 381 00:22:49,560 --> 00:22:54,200 Speaker 1: a new regime, Zach Taylor. I think that, you know, 382 00:22:54,280 --> 00:22:58,560 Speaker 1: the Bengals are gonna come in with the mindset of 383 00:22:58,640 --> 00:23:00,080 Speaker 1: they don't really have a whole lot to loose, as 384 00:23:00,080 --> 00:23:03,000 Speaker 1: everybody thinks they're gonna finish last in the division. Um, 385 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:06,600 Speaker 1: you know, they're they're just remembered as being the Bungles 386 00:23:07,119 --> 00:23:09,440 Speaker 1: and so hey, the heck with it, let's let's embrace 387 00:23:09,560 --> 00:23:12,440 Speaker 1: it and uh, you know, just play loosen and go 388 00:23:12,640 --> 00:23:16,879 Speaker 1: after it. And to me, the Steelers again, uh, be 389 00:23:17,080 --> 00:23:20,720 Speaker 1: beyond the injuries. Uh, you know, there there's there's some 390 00:23:20,960 --> 00:23:25,120 Speaker 1: very very difficult, um things that they're trying to work through. 391 00:23:25,680 --> 00:23:29,840 Speaker 1: And if you go into that game against that Bengals 392 00:23:29,960 --> 00:23:34,320 Speaker 1: offense without t. J. Watt, Alex high Smith, Joe Hayden 393 00:23:34,359 --> 00:23:38,280 Speaker 1: and Devin Bush, and if if if Steelers fans think that, 394 00:23:38,680 --> 00:23:40,560 Speaker 1: you know, it's gonna be an easy day. They're gonna 395 00:23:40,640 --> 00:23:43,800 Speaker 1: you know, get after the quarterback and to be able 396 00:23:43,840 --> 00:23:47,320 Speaker 1: to cover Jamaar Chase and Tyler Boyd and um, you 397 00:23:47,400 --> 00:23:50,399 Speaker 1: know all of that deal with Joe Mixon. That's delusional. 398 00:23:50,960 --> 00:23:54,960 Speaker 1: It is, Um, you know, you can't lose. Let me 399 00:23:55,040 --> 00:23:58,240 Speaker 1: put it this way, the Steelers cannot lose the caliber 400 00:23:58,359 --> 00:24:01,280 Speaker 1: of the players that I just mentioned and just pick 401 00:24:01,320 --> 00:24:03,560 Speaker 1: it right up where they left off. I mean, I 402 00:24:03,720 --> 00:24:06,320 Speaker 1: get the whole you know, the standard is the standard 403 00:24:06,440 --> 00:24:09,160 Speaker 1: and next man up. That's the coach tells the players, 404 00:24:09,480 --> 00:24:11,639 Speaker 1: you know, trying to get them to believe that. But 405 00:24:11,720 --> 00:24:17,280 Speaker 1: I mean that's not really true. That many guys right 406 00:24:17,320 --> 00:24:21,520 Speaker 1: over that good. I mean he just uh because really 407 00:24:21,680 --> 00:24:25,280 Speaker 1: James Pierre nice player. He's a complimentary guy. Um, he 408 00:24:25,400 --> 00:24:28,639 Speaker 1: might be pretty good when he's playing with what and 409 00:24:29,040 --> 00:24:32,280 Speaker 1: Bush and Hayden, but when he's out there by himself. 410 00:24:33,160 --> 00:24:36,480 Speaker 1: He's James Pierre. Uh, and again I'm not trying to 411 00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:39,439 Speaker 1: you know, to mean him, but he's just not at 412 00:24:39,480 --> 00:24:43,600 Speaker 1: that level yet. All that money, right, that's why you 413 00:24:43,640 --> 00:24:45,840 Speaker 1: give what all that money. That's why Hayden is still 414 00:24:45,840 --> 00:24:48,120 Speaker 1: a number one cornerback and what is he thirty two? 415 00:24:48,800 --> 00:24:50,800 Speaker 1: That's why you trade up ten spots in the first 416 00:24:50,880 --> 00:24:54,200 Speaker 1: round for Devin Bush. I mean, these guys, you know, 417 00:24:54,480 --> 00:24:59,040 Speaker 1: are um what they are because of their unique skill set, 418 00:24:59,160 --> 00:25:03,600 Speaker 1: and you just cannot subtract them, especially in groups, from 419 00:25:03,640 --> 00:25:06,639 Speaker 1: a lineup and expect that lineup not to show the 420 00:25:06,680 --> 00:25:10,320 Speaker 1: effects of their absence. Yeah. Absolutely, But well, Bob, that's 421 00:25:10,320 --> 00:25:12,200 Speaker 1: going to do it for our half hour. Obviously, we 422 00:25:12,280 --> 00:25:14,000 Speaker 1: could sit here and talk to you all night, but 423 00:25:14,040 --> 00:25:16,120 Speaker 1: we're gonna let you go so you can get home 424 00:25:16,200 --> 00:25:18,119 Speaker 1: and uh put your feet up a little bit and 425 00:25:18,600 --> 00:25:23,639 Speaker 1: living your fears. So that was Bob Labriola, editor of 426 00:25:23,680 --> 00:25:26,840 Speaker 1: Steelers Digest and Steelers dot Com. I'm Dale Lali here 427 00:25:26,880 --> 00:25:29,240 Speaker 1: with Matt Williamson. You're listening to the Drive here on 428 00:25:29,320 --> 00:25:32,119 Speaker 1: Steelers Nation Radio. We'll be back with more right after this. 429 00:25:32,600 --> 00:25:35,280 Speaker 1: You're listening to the official voice of Black and Gold 430 00:25:35,400 --> 00:25:38,040 Speaker 1: Nation for Love and Black and Gold s Nr.