1 00:00:03,880 --> 00:00:07,240 Speaker 1: Please. He's the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson 2 00:00:07,640 --> 00:00:12,799 Speaker 1: on Home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. 3 00:00:21,160 --> 00:00:23,960 Speaker 1: Welcome back to the Drive on Steelers Nation Radio. I'm 4 00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:27,040 Speaker 1: Dale Lolly here with Matt Williamson and we are pleased 5 00:00:27,040 --> 00:00:30,000 Speaker 1: to be joined now by uh. Well, I'm not gonna 6 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 1: say he's the newest member of the Steelers because he's 7 00:00:32,760 --> 00:00:34,280 Speaker 1: been with the Steelers, but he's been one of the 8 00:00:34,320 --> 00:00:38,360 Speaker 1: big free agent signings in this offseason as we've now 9 00:00:38,479 --> 00:00:41,479 Speaker 1: know it, and that would be uh, starting offensive tackles, 10 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:45,839 Speaker 1: Zach Banner, Zach, how are you doing? Dall? Matt? Thank 11 00:00:45,880 --> 00:00:48,360 Speaker 1: you guys for having me. Man, this is awesome, really 12 00:00:48,360 --> 00:00:51,720 Speaker 1: excited and honestly, I had a really good workout today 13 00:00:51,800 --> 00:00:57,760 Speaker 1: and life is good. Man. The sun's out in Pittsburgh. Yeah, 14 00:00:58,000 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 1: no kidding, Uh you mention and you're working out, and 15 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:03,320 Speaker 1: I know a lot of fans are are interested to 16 00:01:03,360 --> 00:01:06,280 Speaker 1: know where you're at in your rehab. Of course going 17 00:01:06,360 --> 00:01:08,080 Speaker 1: down you went down with that A C. L. Tare 18 00:01:08,440 --> 00:01:13,640 Speaker 1: It's been what seven months now, Yeah, we're looking just 19 00:01:13,680 --> 00:01:17,800 Speaker 1: so you guys know, had a conversation. This is you know, 20 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:22,440 Speaker 1: this is more of a hey, general understanding high hopes 21 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:25,760 Speaker 1: as long as everything keeps going well as it's going. 22 00:01:25,840 --> 00:01:29,520 Speaker 1: I mean, looking back, I've been running, I've been uh, 23 00:01:29,760 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 1: start cutting soon, started doing things soon. I've been already 24 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:37,640 Speaker 1: doing football specific movements. UM, strengthening to the knee, putting, 25 00:01:37,880 --> 00:01:41,560 Speaker 1: strengthening the muscles around the knee. Everything has been going 26 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:46,320 Speaker 1: really really well. Um. Got double checked during free agency 27 00:01:46,600 --> 00:01:49,200 Speaker 1: by a second opinion out on the West coast and 28 00:01:50,440 --> 00:01:54,120 Speaker 1: very very high profiled doctor who you know, felt my 29 00:01:54,200 --> 00:01:57,200 Speaker 1: knee and moved it in certain different ways and looked 30 00:01:57,200 --> 00:01:59,120 Speaker 1: at it into Zack, this doesn't feel like a six 31 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:00,880 Speaker 1: month me, just feel like a nine month and you 32 00:02:00,960 --> 00:02:03,040 Speaker 1: just keep doing what you're doing. But at the same time, 33 00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:05,360 Speaker 1: we have to be smart about the joint and we 34 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:08,519 Speaker 1: have to be smart about the medical side about it 35 00:02:08,560 --> 00:02:12,480 Speaker 1: and let that let that new joint and everything mature. Um. 36 00:02:12,520 --> 00:02:17,680 Speaker 1: But we're looking at being fully back and nine weeks today. 37 00:02:18,320 --> 00:02:20,640 Speaker 1: That's that's great news for not for just for you, 38 00:02:20,720 --> 00:02:24,200 Speaker 1: but for the Steelers as well. Uh. Sounds like assuming 39 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:26,519 Speaker 1: that we have some kind of mini camp this year, 40 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:31,640 Speaker 1: you could partake m exactly. So that's the plan and 41 00:02:32,600 --> 00:02:35,120 Speaker 1: just staying optimistic from there. But let's say we get 42 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:37,560 Speaker 1: there from nine weeks from now, right, Like you said, 43 00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:41,640 Speaker 1: that's mini Campum, it's easily around there. Um if things 44 00:02:41,720 --> 00:02:44,120 Speaker 1: just I don't want to say, look south, or things 45 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:46,920 Speaker 1: slow down or we need a couple more weeks. The 46 00:02:46,919 --> 00:02:49,760 Speaker 1: biggest thing is being ready to produce during camp and 47 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:52,960 Speaker 1: during the season, you know what I mean. And it 48 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:55,919 Speaker 1: feels it feels really good because I've been feeling the 49 00:02:56,040 --> 00:03:00,320 Speaker 1: love and feeling the no the welcomeness is really isn't 50 00:03:00,320 --> 00:03:02,799 Speaker 1: really a word, but you know what I'm trying to say, Um, 51 00:03:03,160 --> 00:03:05,959 Speaker 1: arms wide open with the facility for a year or 52 00:03:05,960 --> 00:03:09,280 Speaker 1: two now, UM, the support from the coaching staff for 53 00:03:09,360 --> 00:03:12,120 Speaker 1: a year or two now. Um, it's gradually built up 54 00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:15,240 Speaker 1: more and more. So having that love on paper now, 55 00:03:15,919 --> 00:03:19,760 Speaker 1: UM kind of just allows me to settle down, stay 56 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:22,120 Speaker 1: out here for the rest of the off season, and 57 00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:26,600 Speaker 1: just kind of just move in the direction of focusing 58 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:28,840 Speaker 1: on myself and picking up the guys around us because 59 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:30,280 Speaker 1: we need to work, you know what I mean. And 60 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:34,080 Speaker 1: it's really about the team. It's not about me, and 61 00:03:34,360 --> 00:03:36,440 Speaker 1: I need to be ready to produce for my team. 62 00:03:36,600 --> 00:03:39,760 Speaker 1: So how that works is staying on track with everything 63 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:42,840 Speaker 1: I'm doing, being optimistic about you know, being a couple 64 00:03:42,880 --> 00:03:47,000 Speaker 1: of months out. But at the same time, the best 65 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:49,280 Speaker 1: thing I can do is protecting myself and keep doing 66 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:55,840 Speaker 1: what I'm doing. Say, Mark's penency has retired, alvil and 67 00:03:55,960 --> 00:03:58,839 Speaker 1: Ueva probably won't be back with the team. I mean 68 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:01,240 Speaker 1: most likely, who knows, Stranger things have happened. But I'm 69 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:04,720 Speaker 1: just curious what kind of affect did those two men 70 00:04:04,880 --> 00:04:07,040 Speaker 1: have on you on the field, off the field. In 71 00:04:07,080 --> 00:04:11,080 Speaker 1: ther line room, there were big presences. Yeah, I'm just 72 00:04:11,080 --> 00:04:15,640 Speaker 1: gonna be real man like pounce from a leader's standpoint, 73 00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:20,960 Speaker 1: but also like a work standpoint, like Pouncy and I 74 00:04:21,040 --> 00:04:24,680 Speaker 1: UM alongside with a couple of other consistent guys like 75 00:04:24,760 --> 00:04:28,919 Speaker 1: Jordan Dangerfield UM, are usually the first three in the 76 00:04:28,960 --> 00:04:32,200 Speaker 1: building in the morning. UM. And that's not too like, 77 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:35,480 Speaker 1: that's not too like, you know, crap on other people's 78 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:38,200 Speaker 1: work ethic, because when we're we get in there early, 79 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:40,680 Speaker 1: that just means we get out earlier later, if that 80 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:42,880 Speaker 1: makes sense. So there's guys who like to get their 81 00:04:42,920 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 1: workouts in the afternoon, but being there with him in 82 00:04:46,440 --> 00:04:50,520 Speaker 1: the morning and like feeding off that vibe and energy. 83 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:54,919 Speaker 1: That energy is a work energy and it's not so 84 00:04:55,000 --> 00:04:57,600 Speaker 1: much about a vocal. Does that make sense? And what 85 00:04:57,640 --> 00:05:00,880 Speaker 1: he says, it's what he does and I've learned that 86 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:04,920 Speaker 1: from him. So putting that, putting that energy and time 87 00:05:04,960 --> 00:05:08,320 Speaker 1: into work and living at the facility has taught me 88 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:11,479 Speaker 1: to not only take my game to the next level, 89 00:05:11,560 --> 00:05:14,919 Speaker 1: but adopt that mid year VET type leadership to where 90 00:05:15,279 --> 00:05:17,599 Speaker 1: let other people feed off your energy while they see 91 00:05:17,640 --> 00:05:19,240 Speaker 1: you work. And you guys know me, I mean, I 92 00:05:19,240 --> 00:05:21,640 Speaker 1: am a little bit more vocal than others, but it's 93 00:05:21,640 --> 00:05:25,640 Speaker 1: not so much about you know, correcting people are changing things. 94 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:28,600 Speaker 1: It's it's about being the energizer bunny for the not 95 00:05:28,640 --> 00:05:30,440 Speaker 1: only the offensive line, but for the team. And then 96 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:32,920 Speaker 1: you talk about Al I would have to say from 97 00:05:32,920 --> 00:05:36,080 Speaker 1: the tackle standpoint, um, a lot of individual work without 98 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:39,120 Speaker 1: mentor to me, especially him being a big guy just 99 00:05:39,240 --> 00:05:43,320 Speaker 1: like me. But also other life things, man, like reading 100 00:05:43,320 --> 00:05:46,800 Speaker 1: a lot, and like educating myself and my you know, 101 00:05:46,839 --> 00:05:50,120 Speaker 1: taking pride in reading news and and and having a 102 00:05:50,200 --> 00:05:54,480 Speaker 1: life outside of football that supports football. If that makes sense. 103 00:05:54,480 --> 00:05:56,760 Speaker 1: And look, honestly, since we're giving shout outs, let's talk 104 00:05:56,800 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 1: about the other two vets that have given me, you know, 105 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:04,000 Speaker 1: huge wisdom on and off the field. Is Ramon Foster obviously, 106 00:06:04,200 --> 00:06:07,920 Speaker 1: Like he's just like when he left, that kind of 107 00:06:08,320 --> 00:06:11,960 Speaker 1: took the other half of the spirit of the room. 108 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:13,960 Speaker 1: Does that make sense? Like he I brought in one 109 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:17,080 Speaker 1: half and he brought in the other, and we were, 110 00:06:17,240 --> 00:06:19,360 Speaker 1: you know, just two vocal, big guys that like to 111 00:06:19,680 --> 00:06:22,680 Speaker 1: have fun and build relationships. I mean, he's the one 112 00:06:22,800 --> 00:06:26,279 Speaker 1: that taught me to believe in myself because as you 113 00:06:26,279 --> 00:06:28,520 Speaker 1: guys know, you've been here in Pittsburgh a very long time. 114 00:06:28,880 --> 00:06:31,520 Speaker 1: He was able to do that for so many years, 115 00:06:31,600 --> 00:06:35,640 Speaker 1: and and believe in the like believe in what I 116 00:06:35,680 --> 00:06:37,320 Speaker 1: want to believe in them, you know what I mean, 117 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:42,000 Speaker 1: And believe in building Zack Banner and and how does 118 00:06:42,040 --> 00:06:45,080 Speaker 1: that help the Pittsburgh Steelers. And that's what his character 119 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:47,159 Speaker 1: was there for so long. In the last but not 120 00:06:47,320 --> 00:06:50,159 Speaker 1: least is Double D David de Castro, who I was 121 00:06:50,200 --> 00:06:53,800 Speaker 1: optimistic while playing you know, next to um this last 122 00:06:53,839 --> 00:06:55,680 Speaker 1: year until I got hurt and things like that. But 123 00:06:55,880 --> 00:07:00,600 Speaker 1: Double D is Double D. Kind of the thing that 124 00:07:00,640 --> 00:07:05,160 Speaker 1: he's taught me the most is really just like staying 125 00:07:05,240 --> 00:07:08,880 Speaker 1: the path of like not diverting myself. Like you can't 126 00:07:08,880 --> 00:07:12,080 Speaker 1: get Double D to get a long interview like I 127 00:07:12,080 --> 00:07:14,480 Speaker 1: don't know you guys, like when's the last time Double 128 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:15,800 Speaker 1: D was on the radio? You know what I mean. 129 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:17,360 Speaker 1: I don't want to crap on him. That's just not 130 00:07:17,440 --> 00:07:21,080 Speaker 1: his style, Like he sticks to that. So I asked 131 00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:22,800 Speaker 1: him all the time, like, hey, man, do you think, 132 00:07:22,800 --> 00:07:24,360 Speaker 1: like what do you think about this? He's like, Bro, 133 00:07:24,440 --> 00:07:27,600 Speaker 1: if you love it, do it. That was probably those 134 00:07:27,640 --> 00:07:31,800 Speaker 1: four right there. Um are just probably the biggest mentors 135 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:35,120 Speaker 1: I've had on this team. And you just mentioned guys 136 00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:38,520 Speaker 1: that had been here for a long time. Uh, when 137 00:07:38,520 --> 00:07:42,640 Speaker 1: you first got to Pittsburgh, did you foresee a day 138 00:07:42,800 --> 00:07:46,120 Speaker 1: where you would be resigning a big contract like this. 139 00:07:46,200 --> 00:07:48,320 Speaker 1: I mean you would you were a guy that that 140 00:07:48,400 --> 00:07:52,560 Speaker 1: had kicked around a little bit. M Yeah, No. How 141 00:07:52,720 --> 00:07:58,720 Speaker 1: I feel about this contract is not only like I'm floating, 142 00:07:58,720 --> 00:08:01,360 Speaker 1: man like sometimes like I out of like his last 143 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:04,160 Speaker 1: couple of days. I'm not gonna say I've been acting different, 144 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:07,040 Speaker 1: but where I've just kind of been going to work, 145 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:10,280 Speaker 1: working out, going to rehab, checking in with the guys 146 00:08:10,320 --> 00:08:12,240 Speaker 1: that are there, but like really kind of sticking to 147 00:08:12,320 --> 00:08:15,800 Speaker 1: myself with a couple of tweet tier there. But I 148 00:08:15,920 --> 00:08:19,880 Speaker 1: just it seems unreal right now. But at the same time, 149 00:08:20,120 --> 00:08:23,560 Speaker 1: I'm just gonna be honest, like this isn't the end dream, 150 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:28,640 Speaker 1: you know. Um, Like like I said, Super Bowls, um 151 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:32,720 Speaker 1: cow Bowls for individual things like being a top tackle 152 00:08:32,720 --> 00:08:34,640 Speaker 1: in the NFL is a dream of mine. But it's 153 00:08:34,679 --> 00:08:37,839 Speaker 1: gonna take work. I gotta beat this injury. I gotta 154 00:08:37,800 --> 00:08:40,079 Speaker 1: I gotta get my game right. I gotta put stuff 155 00:08:40,080 --> 00:08:43,040 Speaker 1: on film. I gotta evaluate myself and change my game. 156 00:08:43,080 --> 00:08:45,520 Speaker 1: It's a work in progress. But at the same time, 157 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:49,000 Speaker 1: to answer your question, like, did I ever dream about 158 00:08:49,080 --> 00:08:51,880 Speaker 1: this happening with the Steelers. I did when coach he 159 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:54,960 Speaker 1: brought it up after my first year here in the 160 00:08:55,000 --> 00:08:56,640 Speaker 1: middle of the season, you know, when he was talking 161 00:08:56,720 --> 00:08:59,360 Speaker 1: about make yourself a guy here. And then I came 162 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:02,560 Speaker 1: back and play jumbo tight end all that next season. 163 00:09:02,679 --> 00:09:05,079 Speaker 1: And then I came back and you know, started the 164 00:09:05,120 --> 00:09:08,679 Speaker 1: season after that. I I feel the progressions in my game, 165 00:09:09,320 --> 00:09:12,280 Speaker 1: and that humbles me enough to keep working towards that 166 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:15,800 Speaker 1: goal of Like like I said, I idolized how Pounce 167 00:09:15,880 --> 00:09:21,080 Speaker 1: comes in and people feed off of his his work 168 00:09:21,160 --> 00:09:24,040 Speaker 1: ethic and his effort and his passion for the game. 169 00:09:24,640 --> 00:09:28,000 Speaker 1: I did not see myself obviously when I was going 170 00:09:28,040 --> 00:09:30,640 Speaker 1: from team to team of doing that in the Pittsburgh 171 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:35,079 Speaker 1: Steeler uniform. But I've always told myself waking up, going 172 00:09:35,120 --> 00:09:39,280 Speaker 1: to work out early in the morning, losing weight, eating right, 173 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:41,559 Speaker 1: doing all that things, and all those things to help 174 00:09:42,000 --> 00:09:46,960 Speaker 1: rebuild my career. I will say that those things in 175 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:50,920 Speaker 1: itself have I've always dreamed about this, I just didn't 176 00:09:50,960 --> 00:09:53,480 Speaker 1: dream about it in the Pittsburgh Steeler any form. Our 177 00:09:53,520 --> 00:09:58,880 Speaker 1: guest Zach Banner as course Steelers offensive tackle Zack. When 178 00:09:58,880 --> 00:10:01,280 Speaker 1: you come to the Steelers work inanization and you're an 179 00:10:01,280 --> 00:10:04,880 Speaker 1: offensive lineman, you mentioned some of those guys, uh, you know, 180 00:10:05,040 --> 00:10:08,440 Speaker 1: Vermon Foster, Matt Feiler. These are guys who are undrafted 181 00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:11,120 Speaker 1: and and work their way into a starting position. Is 182 00:10:11,160 --> 00:10:14,440 Speaker 1: that Is that something that you know coming into this organization, 183 00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:16,840 Speaker 1: you look and go, Okay, they don't seem to care 184 00:10:16,920 --> 00:10:19,480 Speaker 1: where they get these guys from. They just want to 185 00:10:19,920 --> 00:10:22,960 Speaker 1: They just put the best five guys on the field. Yeah, 186 00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:25,880 Speaker 1: and that's a that's that's That's the first thing coach 187 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:27,559 Speaker 1: told me when we first got here. I know you've 188 00:10:27,559 --> 00:10:30,480 Speaker 1: probably heard him say that before and his interviews. We 189 00:10:30,600 --> 00:10:33,640 Speaker 1: don't care where you came from, you know that, Like, 190 00:10:33,960 --> 00:10:36,040 Speaker 1: we don't care how you got here. We just care 191 00:10:36,040 --> 00:10:37,960 Speaker 1: about you being here and how you can help us. 192 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:40,559 Speaker 1: You know, that's the typical thing. I've kind of been 193 00:10:40,600 --> 00:10:43,600 Speaker 1: living by that motto, but also just kind of learning 194 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:47,200 Speaker 1: from my past mistakes. Man, Like some of some of 195 00:10:47,200 --> 00:10:50,880 Speaker 1: my biggest regrets are in college, not getting not getting 196 00:10:50,920 --> 00:10:53,920 Speaker 1: you know, my bene eating and the way problem handled 197 00:10:53,920 --> 00:10:55,840 Speaker 1: because I knew I could have been a higher draft pick, 198 00:10:55,880 --> 00:10:58,280 Speaker 1: and Coach t has told me that many times in 199 00:10:58,320 --> 00:11:01,319 Speaker 1: the early stages of being here a couple of years ago. 200 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:03,760 Speaker 1: He's like, I needs you to stop or you know, 201 00:11:03,840 --> 00:11:05,880 Speaker 1: it's not like I talked about it, but it was 202 00:11:05,920 --> 00:11:07,760 Speaker 1: his way of motivation. He would tell me he said, 203 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:09,080 Speaker 1: you would have been he said, he said, you would 204 00:11:09,080 --> 00:11:11,199 Speaker 1: have been a top a top round pick if you 205 00:11:11,320 --> 00:11:14,040 Speaker 1: got you got your your crap together. But now you do. 206 00:11:14,160 --> 00:11:16,079 Speaker 1: So don't live in the past, you know what I mean, 207 00:11:16,120 --> 00:11:18,439 Speaker 1: Live in the now. That's the biggest thing that I've 208 00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:21,680 Speaker 1: learned from this team and other inspirational guys like Matt 209 00:11:21,720 --> 00:11:23,520 Speaker 1: you know when we lost them just now, like that 210 00:11:23,600 --> 00:11:26,439 Speaker 1: was probably the closest friend I had on the offensive line. 211 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:31,400 Speaker 1: Um him and shoots like it. I'm happy for the 212 00:11:31,440 --> 00:11:34,040 Speaker 1: guy but at the same time, like that life changing 213 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:39,120 Speaker 1: money in whatever form that is individually that that like this, 214 00:11:39,360 --> 00:11:42,760 Speaker 1: I'm very very grateful for this contract, I really am, 215 00:11:42,800 --> 00:11:46,640 Speaker 1: but this still is let from an individual standpoint, I 216 00:11:46,679 --> 00:11:48,880 Speaker 1: gotta prove it right, and I gotta prove it for 217 00:11:48,920 --> 00:11:52,400 Speaker 1: the next one. But that life changing money that him 218 00:11:52,440 --> 00:11:54,880 Speaker 1: and Mike Hilton and Bud Dupree and all that type 219 00:11:54,880 --> 00:11:58,160 Speaker 1: of stuff like that is obviously a dream in the 220 00:11:58,200 --> 00:12:01,760 Speaker 1: middle of my list. That actually, like individual goals and 221 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:04,640 Speaker 1: team goals like that's in the middle of my list. 222 00:12:04,640 --> 00:12:07,360 Speaker 1: It's always been a dream since I was a kid. Zack. 223 00:12:07,440 --> 00:12:09,800 Speaker 1: Last thing I have four is can you tell our 224 00:12:09,840 --> 00:12:13,120 Speaker 1: listeners a little bit about Adrian Clem, the new offensive 225 00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:18,920 Speaker 1: line coach. Absolutely, I'm I'm um in the past, Like 226 00:12:19,600 --> 00:12:24,040 Speaker 1: my development in these past two years is a huge 227 00:12:24,120 --> 00:12:28,080 Speaker 1: chunk to him because people don't understand head off intive 228 00:12:28,080 --> 00:12:31,560 Speaker 1: line coaches are really like not only are they handling 229 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:34,680 Speaker 1: the whole offensive line, but they're so deep into week 230 00:12:34,760 --> 00:12:37,760 Speaker 1: by week the scheme and the run game and the 231 00:12:37,840 --> 00:12:40,760 Speaker 1: past protections and stuff like that they don't really get 232 00:12:40,800 --> 00:12:43,280 Speaker 1: to work with developmental guys like I was when I 233 00:12:43,280 --> 00:12:48,320 Speaker 1: first got here. My individual game shoots Um Kevin Dots 234 00:12:48,320 --> 00:12:51,280 Speaker 1: and being so successful in his first year, other guys 235 00:12:51,320 --> 00:12:54,199 Speaker 1: stepping up and filling in for roles and things like that, 236 00:12:54,280 --> 00:12:58,600 Speaker 1: their development like j c Um hasan and and like 237 00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:00,679 Speaker 1: a bunch of the think time you see and you 238 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:04,720 Speaker 1: see those flashes, and also some of the consistencies of 239 00:13:05,320 --> 00:13:09,280 Speaker 1: keeping vets maintaining their game during the pounces the last 240 00:13:09,320 --> 00:13:12,320 Speaker 1: couple of years and the other guys, like a lot 241 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:15,680 Speaker 1: of that individual work came from Clinton because he was 242 00:13:15,720 --> 00:13:17,400 Speaker 1: the one that had to do that when he first 243 00:13:17,480 --> 00:13:19,880 Speaker 1: got here. Work with guys on the past, that's work 244 00:13:19,960 --> 00:13:22,600 Speaker 1: with their individual game. So that's one thing that I'm 245 00:13:22,720 --> 00:13:25,880 Speaker 1: very very excited because from a technique standpoint, he takes 246 00:13:25,920 --> 00:13:28,080 Speaker 1: a lot of pride in that. Now when it comes 247 00:13:28,160 --> 00:13:30,680 Speaker 1: to scheme and things like that, I'm excited about this 248 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:33,319 Speaker 1: whole offense. I want to kind of take the pressure 249 00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:36,000 Speaker 1: a little bit off the Clinton because that's that's Canada's 250 00:13:36,080 --> 00:13:38,920 Speaker 1: job to be able to spread it amongst Faulkner him, 251 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:42,280 Speaker 1: you know, like everybody. But when it comes down to 252 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:46,680 Speaker 1: like our offensive line needs to get better. We need 253 00:13:46,679 --> 00:13:49,040 Speaker 1: to get better, Like we know that, not only like 254 00:13:49,400 --> 00:13:52,440 Speaker 1: as individuals, but as a unit and for us to 255 00:13:52,480 --> 00:13:57,560 Speaker 1: step up, especially um this offseason and going into an 256 00:13:57,559 --> 00:13:59,800 Speaker 1: off season that might be your virtual it might not. 257 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:02,440 Speaker 1: We have no idea because of COVID and NFL p 258 00:14:02,559 --> 00:14:06,160 Speaker 1: A and NFL, but I wouldn't I wouldn't want to 259 00:14:06,160 --> 00:14:08,160 Speaker 1: go into any other offseason like this, with this kind 260 00:14:08,160 --> 00:14:10,640 Speaker 1: of challenge as a team with anybody else other than Clinton. 261 00:14:10,880 --> 00:14:13,679 Speaker 1: And that's why they did the interview process. They checked 262 00:14:13,679 --> 00:14:15,880 Speaker 1: out other coaches. You know, we met him, and we 263 00:14:15,960 --> 00:14:19,800 Speaker 1: met with people and stuff like that, and at the 264 00:14:19,880 --> 00:14:22,440 Speaker 1: end of the day, that's the decision that coach Tomlin 265 00:14:22,520 --> 00:14:30,240 Speaker 1: made and I support that. This is zach uh we Uh. 266 00:14:30,600 --> 00:14:33,120 Speaker 1: I talked to you. I believe we may have chatted 267 00:14:33,160 --> 00:14:36,640 Speaker 1: a little bit in the in in the summer, UH, 268 00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:39,320 Speaker 1: and I mentioned that I had talked to some people 269 00:14:39,320 --> 00:14:41,880 Speaker 1: within the organization and they viewed you as a potential 270 00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:45,320 Speaker 1: left tackle candidate. Uh. Did they give you any indication 271 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:47,320 Speaker 1: when when you sign your new deal whether you be 272 00:14:47,320 --> 00:14:49,160 Speaker 1: on the right side the left side, how's that gonna 273 00:14:49,160 --> 00:14:53,480 Speaker 1: work out? Man? At the end of the day, right now, 274 00:14:54,040 --> 00:14:56,760 Speaker 1: I really don't care about which side. And No, to 275 00:14:56,760 --> 00:14:59,400 Speaker 1: answer your question, though they haven't given us any too 276 00:14:59,480 --> 00:15:02,240 Speaker 1: many direct in that, but like at the same time, 277 00:15:02,240 --> 00:15:05,360 Speaker 1: like they've had conversations about who is who and who 278 00:15:05,440 --> 00:15:08,880 Speaker 1: is that? And you know, like in protection of being 279 00:15:08,920 --> 00:15:10,800 Speaker 1: able to talk to you guys, so Burt doesn't take 280 00:15:10,800 --> 00:15:13,520 Speaker 1: away you know, I'm not allowed to discuss depth chart, 281 00:15:14,080 --> 00:15:16,760 Speaker 1: but we need to we need to acknowledge that we 282 00:15:16,840 --> 00:15:19,720 Speaker 1: have a great upcoming talent like Choops, you know what 283 00:15:19,800 --> 00:15:21,720 Speaker 1: I mean. He wants to get better, he wants to 284 00:15:21,760 --> 00:15:24,040 Speaker 1: do those type of things. And he's in there every 285 00:15:24,120 --> 00:15:27,640 Speaker 1: day with me in the in the morning, going through 286 00:15:27,680 --> 00:15:30,040 Speaker 1: the late morning and sometimes in the early afternoon. Like 287 00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:33,400 Speaker 1: we're spending many hours at the facility to you know, 288 00:15:33,480 --> 00:15:37,520 Speaker 1: developing our game, getting stronger, getting faster. Um, I'm getting healthy, 289 00:15:37,680 --> 00:15:41,480 Speaker 1: he's getting better. Um whoever we add to the tackle department, 290 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:43,280 Speaker 1: you know what I mean. And hopefully I hope Al 291 00:15:43,400 --> 00:15:46,120 Speaker 1: comes back. Um, I don't want to lose him, you 292 00:15:46,160 --> 00:15:47,720 Speaker 1: know what I mean. Like, if we're gonna be honest, 293 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:51,560 Speaker 1: that's just me publicly saying that. But like we all 294 00:15:51,640 --> 00:15:53,920 Speaker 1: understand that there's a business and we're gonna be ready 295 00:15:53,960 --> 00:15:55,920 Speaker 1: to fill in at wherever we are. And the bottom 296 00:15:55,960 --> 00:15:59,400 Speaker 1: line is I'm one of sixty four. I'm I'm one 297 00:15:59,440 --> 00:16:02,360 Speaker 1: of sixty starting tackles in this league. So with that 298 00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:04,400 Speaker 1: being said, I really don't care what side it is. 299 00:16:04,440 --> 00:16:07,000 Speaker 1: And at the end of the day, whatever side we 300 00:16:07,160 --> 00:16:10,440 Speaker 1: both you know, are are put on, or or whatever 301 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:12,800 Speaker 1: side I'm put on, I want to produce at a 302 00:16:12,920 --> 00:16:16,040 Speaker 1: high level and that's all that matters. Like if I 303 00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:18,000 Speaker 1: go to right tackle, it's not because I sucked that 304 00:16:18,120 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 1: left it's because it's it's it's just that's the way 305 00:16:21,760 --> 00:16:24,280 Speaker 1: it is. And I don't mind that at all. There's 306 00:16:24,320 --> 00:16:26,720 Speaker 1: a lot of guys who make great careers at right tackle. 307 00:16:27,160 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 1: Absolutely And one last thing here, they did get the 308 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:34,400 Speaker 1: Steelers did get your former and your former and current teammate. 309 00:16:34,520 --> 00:16:36,800 Speaker 1: You guys were teammates at SC and of course still 310 00:16:36,840 --> 00:16:40,480 Speaker 1: teammates with the Steelers. Juju Smith Schuster under contract for 311 00:16:40,600 --> 00:16:44,800 Speaker 1: the season. What does that mean for this offense? I know, 312 00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:52,560 Speaker 1: like I know that this team needed that. We needed 313 00:16:52,600 --> 00:16:56,200 Speaker 1: that because it's it's a guy in the locker room 314 00:16:56,400 --> 00:16:59,760 Speaker 1: that is also another energizer, bunny depending on how he 315 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:02,400 Speaker 1: plays in the attitude that he brings in every day, 316 00:17:02,440 --> 00:17:05,080 Speaker 1: and that's always energetic, you know what I mean, that's 317 00:17:05,119 --> 00:17:07,040 Speaker 1: always wants to produce at a high level. When he 318 00:17:07,080 --> 00:17:09,479 Speaker 1: catches the ball, he wants to run somebody over. When 319 00:17:09,520 --> 00:17:11,200 Speaker 1: he catches the ball, he wants to score, or he 320 00:17:11,240 --> 00:17:13,000 Speaker 1: wants the block. He wants to do all those types 321 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:14,959 Speaker 1: of things. And the bottom line is I know, Juju, 322 00:17:15,280 --> 00:17:17,680 Speaker 1: he wants to stay in Pittsburgh just like I do. 323 00:17:17,840 --> 00:17:19,560 Speaker 1: Like we love it here, you know what I mean, 324 00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:23,560 Speaker 1: for different reasons, both of our careers kind of. I 325 00:17:24,040 --> 00:17:26,000 Speaker 1: would have to say the best part of my career 326 00:17:26,160 --> 00:17:29,280 Speaker 1: started here in Pittsburgh because of Pittsburgh itself. And I 327 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:31,919 Speaker 1: know he feels the same exact way. Um, it's almost 328 00:17:31,920 --> 00:17:34,560 Speaker 1: as if I was like an imaginary draft pick, you 329 00:17:34,600 --> 00:17:36,560 Speaker 1: know what I mean, Because we're we're we're we're, we're 330 00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:38,480 Speaker 1: in the same class and I was drafted and I 331 00:17:38,480 --> 00:17:41,399 Speaker 1: was drafted by another team and being on active roster 332 00:17:41,520 --> 00:17:43,879 Speaker 1: the whole time. It just it feels that way. It 333 00:17:43,920 --> 00:17:46,720 Speaker 1: doesn't feel like I played anywhere else, So I wouldn't 334 00:17:46,760 --> 00:17:50,920 Speaker 1: want anybody else here, um at the wider's widers wide 335 00:17:50,960 --> 00:17:53,679 Speaker 1: receiver position to fill in for his spot, you know 336 00:17:53,680 --> 00:17:55,080 Speaker 1: what I mean. And I know that's how the rest 337 00:17:55,080 --> 00:17:57,480 Speaker 1: of the team feels. So I'm super ecstatic that he's 338 00:17:57,520 --> 00:18:02,040 Speaker 1: back my guy, my college teammate. UM, loving that he 339 00:18:02,119 --> 00:18:05,159 Speaker 1: deserves everything that he's earned and what he's going to 340 00:18:05,280 --> 00:18:08,400 Speaker 1: get to in the future. Zach, we appreciate your time. 341 00:18:08,440 --> 00:18:11,119 Speaker 1: I know you're busy. I had your workouts today. I'm 342 00:18:11,160 --> 00:18:13,280 Speaker 1: sure you've got some more stuff to get to it today. 343 00:18:13,359 --> 00:18:15,160 Speaker 1: But we do want to thank you for dropping by. 344 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:18,919 Speaker 1: That was a Steeler's offensive tackles Zach Banner, one of 345 00:18:18,920 --> 00:18:21,520 Speaker 1: their big free agent signings of this offseason. As Zach 346 00:18:21,600 --> 00:18:23,359 Speaker 1: will catch up with you again soon. Hopefully we get 347 00:18:23,359 --> 00:18:26,480 Speaker 1: to see you in person soon. Yeah, yeah, I hope 348 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:28,679 Speaker 1: so too. Man and Dylan Matt thank you guys for 349 00:18:28,720 --> 00:18:30,639 Speaker 1: having me and God bless talk to him. All right, 350 00:18:30,680 --> 00:18:32,720 Speaker 1: We'll see you. That was, of course again Zach Banner, 351 00:18:32,920 --> 00:18:37,040 Speaker 1: Steeler's offensive tackle. Uh. Good young man, and you know 352 00:18:37,200 --> 00:18:38,920 Speaker 1: he's worked hard to get to where he is at 353 00:18:39,200 --> 00:18:42,240 Speaker 1: here with the Steelers, and uh, we appreciate him dropping by. 354 00:18:42,280 --> 00:18:45,040 Speaker 1: We don't often gets players on the drive except the 355 00:18:45,080 --> 00:18:47,600 Speaker 1: training kit, training camp. We get some guys as well, 356 00:18:47,680 --> 00:18:49,840 Speaker 1: Mini camp as well. Yeah, but it's always nice to 357 00:18:49,880 --> 00:18:51,720 Speaker 1: catch up with players. Haven't gotten much of a chance 358 00:18:51,800 --> 00:18:56,920 Speaker 1: to do that in the past year because of the situation. Yeah, absolutely, 359 00:18:57,160 --> 00:18:59,320 Speaker 1: And I wanted to touch Matt on a couple of 360 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:02,280 Speaker 1: things that he's said there in terms of the where 361 00:19:02,320 --> 00:19:05,240 Speaker 1: he's at in his rehab. That's that's uh, that's a 362 00:19:05,240 --> 00:19:07,000 Speaker 1: big deal for the Steelers if he's able to be 363 00:19:07,040 --> 00:19:09,280 Speaker 1: out there for Mini camp, no question. I mean, especially 364 00:19:09,359 --> 00:19:11,800 Speaker 1: if he's gonna have to be practicing on you know, 365 00:19:11,840 --> 00:19:14,520 Speaker 1: you also mentioned the left right thing is Chokes gonna 366 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:16,080 Speaker 1: be the left, this band are gonna be the left. 367 00:19:16,080 --> 00:19:19,439 Speaker 1: Who knows, but they're very different. I mean it's you 368 00:19:19,440 --> 00:19:21,600 Speaker 1: want him to be settled in a spot as early 369 00:19:21,640 --> 00:19:23,919 Speaker 1: as possible, and his health is the obstacle there now 370 00:19:23,960 --> 00:19:26,439 Speaker 1: I mean now he's under contract. Yeah, absolutely, so if 371 00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:28,080 Speaker 1: they can get him out there for Mini camp, that 372 00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:31,479 Speaker 1: that is a big, big, big deal. And that's the 373 00:19:31,480 --> 00:19:33,760 Speaker 1: thing with a c L injuries. Now they're not the 374 00:19:34,640 --> 00:19:37,600 Speaker 1: two year process that they used to be. The Kajana Carter, 375 00:19:37,920 --> 00:19:41,800 Speaker 1: you know, things will come a long way obviously, And yeah, 376 00:19:41,800 --> 00:19:44,960 Speaker 1: it sounds very very encouraging. He's working hard. Yeah. Um. 377 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:47,840 Speaker 1: Also interesting that he noted that both he and Chukes 378 00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:50,200 Speaker 1: have been in the facility on a daily basis working 379 00:19:50,200 --> 00:19:52,720 Speaker 1: out and getting better. I know, people are looking at 380 00:19:54,200 --> 00:19:57,240 Speaker 1: Here's the thing you know I've gotten, you know a 381 00:19:57,280 --> 00:20:00,280 Speaker 1: lot of feedback on what Chukes was awful US year? 382 00:20:00,359 --> 00:20:03,440 Speaker 1: Chos was this who this first year as a starter? Yeah, 383 00:20:03,520 --> 00:20:06,159 Speaker 1: I thought he did fine. You know, guys are allowed 384 00:20:06,200 --> 00:20:09,040 Speaker 1: to get better without questions. I mean that was the 385 00:20:09,080 --> 00:20:10,359 Speaker 1: deal with them coming out of school too. You know, 386 00:20:10,440 --> 00:20:11,800 Speaker 1: it was gonna take a little bit of time. Yeah, 387 00:20:11,800 --> 00:20:13,800 Speaker 1: but there were people that had him highly rated in 388 00:20:13,800 --> 00:20:16,359 Speaker 1: that draft, were including our friend Tony Pauline, I might 389 00:20:16,400 --> 00:20:20,480 Speaker 1: add to. And you know it takes time. I mean 390 00:20:20,840 --> 00:20:23,199 Speaker 1: there were first and it wasn't that long ago. I 391 00:20:23,200 --> 00:20:26,000 Speaker 1: can think back. You know, Eric Fisher was considered a bust. 392 00:20:26,560 --> 00:20:28,080 Speaker 1: Now all of a sudden, Eric, you know, the Chiefs 393 00:20:28,080 --> 00:20:29,439 Speaker 1: get rid of Eric Fisher. It's like, oh my god, 394 00:20:29,480 --> 00:20:30,760 Speaker 1: what are they gonna do it? Left tackle? I mean, 395 00:20:30,800 --> 00:20:33,440 Speaker 1: look away in Bud the pre progressed year after year 396 00:20:33,480 --> 00:20:35,200 Speaker 1: after being a high pick with a lot of tools. 397 00:20:35,240 --> 00:20:36,880 Speaker 1: You know, some of these guys takes a little while. 398 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:39,960 Speaker 1: I thought he played more than fine, to be honest 399 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:42,240 Speaker 1: with you, I mean, and I think the best football's 400 00:20:42,240 --> 00:20:43,960 Speaker 1: ahead for chooks. Yeah, I think so as well. And 401 00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:46,240 Speaker 1: I think the best football's ahead for Zack Banner as well. 402 00:20:46,720 --> 00:20:48,680 Speaker 1: Uh and you heard, of course him talk about the 403 00:20:49,040 --> 00:20:52,800 Speaker 1: Steelers resigning of Juju Smith Schuster as well. Um, we 404 00:20:52,880 --> 00:20:55,800 Speaker 1: got the USC connection there. Yeah, they were teammates at 405 00:20:55,880 --> 00:20:58,720 Speaker 1: SC now continuing to be teammates here with the Steelers. 406 00:20:59,320 --> 00:21:05,760 Speaker 1: And you know, I think for that offense um in 407 00:21:05,760 --> 00:21:12,320 Speaker 1: in some ways keeping that nucleus of receivers together. Yeah, 408 00:21:12,359 --> 00:21:14,560 Speaker 1: I mean, could they have would they have been a 409 00:21:14,600 --> 00:21:17,920 Speaker 1: good offense moving forward if Juju had gone elsewhere this year? 410 00:21:17,960 --> 00:21:21,720 Speaker 1: And yeah, because Claypool play again, Claypool and Deante Johnson 411 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:25,800 Speaker 1: have aren't what they can be yet. Oh and same 412 00:21:25,840 --> 00:21:28,159 Speaker 1: with James Washington. I think I think James Washington, but 413 00:21:28,200 --> 00:21:30,720 Speaker 1: it gives a nice depth there that you know, a 414 00:21:30,880 --> 00:21:33,439 Speaker 1: heck of a four receiver said there's there's something for 415 00:21:33,480 --> 00:21:36,680 Speaker 1: the stability and the timing and the same quarterback coming back. 416 00:21:37,359 --> 00:21:38,760 Speaker 1: And in the end, I just think he was a 417 00:21:38,800 --> 00:21:42,480 Speaker 1: bargain financially, Juju. You know that that was just an 418 00:21:42,560 --> 00:21:44,679 Speaker 1: offer that they had to take. I mean, because what 419 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:47,000 Speaker 1: you're getting there is a player that's worth more than 420 00:21:47,480 --> 00:21:50,760 Speaker 1: what you're actually paying them, right, So you know, I 421 00:21:51,080 --> 00:21:53,320 Speaker 1: think when you look at it that way, Uh, you know, 422 00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:57,320 Speaker 1: the Steelers defense obviously going to undergo some changes um 423 00:21:57,440 --> 00:22:00,680 Speaker 1: this offseason, but the offense, you know, other than the 424 00:22:00,720 --> 00:22:03,520 Speaker 1: offensive line, is going to come back essentially intact. And 425 00:22:03,520 --> 00:22:05,359 Speaker 1: of course you're gonna probably add a running back to 426 00:22:05,400 --> 00:22:08,159 Speaker 1: the equation at some point, so um, it needs an 427 00:22:08,160 --> 00:22:11,320 Speaker 1: influx of talent. And they've been heavily defensive oriented in 428 00:22:11,440 --> 00:22:13,480 Speaker 1: terms of draft lately and this year it probably changed 429 00:22:13,480 --> 00:22:15,880 Speaker 1: a little bit. Yeah, probably will, but we're gonna take 430 00:22:15,880 --> 00:22:18,840 Speaker 1: a break. He is Matt Williamson. I'm Dale Lally. You've 431 00:22:18,840 --> 00:22:21,560 Speaker 1: been listening to the Drive here on Steelers Nation Radio. 432 00:22:21,600 --> 00:22:23,120 Speaker 1: We want to stop. We want to thank a Zach 433 00:22:23,200 --> 00:22:25,440 Speaker 1: Banner our special guests for stopping by and having a 434 00:22:25,520 --> 00:22:27,800 Speaker 1: chat with us there. We also want to thank Jacob 435 00:22:27,840 --> 00:22:29,800 Speaker 1: Breck for keeping us on the air and keeping Zack 436 00:22:29,880 --> 00:22:32,080 Speaker 1: on the air, which was always a plus. And we 437 00:22:32,119 --> 00:22:34,440 Speaker 1: want to thank you for listening to this edition of 438 00:22:34,480 --> 00:22:36,960 Speaker 1: the Drive on Steelers Nation Radio.