1 00:00:03,800 --> 00:00:07,039 Speaker 1: This is the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson 2 00:00:07,520 --> 00:00:10,559 Speaker 1: on your seven home of the Black and Gold s 3 00:00:10,720 --> 00:01:08,399 Speaker 1: n R Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome to the Drive here 4 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:12,240 Speaker 1: with Matt Williamson and Matt. It's a Thursday here in Pittsburgh. 5 00:01:12,280 --> 00:01:15,480 Speaker 1: The Steelers putting out their practice report for today and 6 00:01:15,640 --> 00:01:20,440 Speaker 1: well Kenny Pickett limited again today. We also had the 7 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:23,959 Speaker 1: opportunity to talk to Matt Canada earlier and he was 8 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:27,959 Speaker 1: asked obviously a lot of questions about the quarterback situation 9 00:01:28,800 --> 00:01:36,000 Speaker 1: and um, kind of as I thought, um, you get 10 00:01:36,560 --> 00:01:40,800 Speaker 1: Mason Rudolph some snaps this week, because well, Mason Rudolph 11 00:01:40,840 --> 00:01:44,759 Speaker 1: hasn't gotten any snaps at all in the offense this year, uh, 12 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:47,320 Speaker 1: you know, being the number three quarterback, hasn't seen any 13 00:01:47,319 --> 00:01:50,680 Speaker 1: playing time. And as as Canada said today, look, if 14 00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:52,680 Speaker 1: we get into a situation like we had last week 15 00:01:52,680 --> 00:01:54,880 Speaker 1: where the quarterback gets hurt five snaps into the game, 16 00:01:55,600 --> 00:01:58,240 Speaker 1: it's important kind of a big deal if your your backup, 17 00:01:58,320 --> 00:02:01,240 Speaker 1: who in this case would be Mason r off has 18 00:02:01,360 --> 00:02:04,440 Speaker 1: some kind of hasn't didn't take his last snap in 19 00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:09,160 Speaker 1: our offense back in August, right, So reading between the lines, 20 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:11,480 Speaker 1: it seems like the controversy is over. You know that 21 00:02:11,600 --> 00:02:15,280 Speaker 1: Picket's probably not gonna play, Robinsky is probably going to start. 22 00:02:15,639 --> 00:02:18,080 Speaker 1: Rudolph is then the two and then your point is 23 00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:20,839 Speaker 1: extremely valid of I think what people lost their mind 24 00:02:20,880 --> 00:02:24,360 Speaker 1: over yesterday is he's taking fifty of the starting snaps. 25 00:02:24,400 --> 00:02:27,080 Speaker 1: Did anyone actually chart that? Or no? I mean, I 26 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:30,360 Speaker 1: mean And the key here is to your point is 27 00:02:31,160 --> 00:02:34,800 Speaker 1: the last real practice the Mason Rudolph has had as 28 00:02:34,960 --> 00:02:38,079 Speaker 1: the Steelers starting quarterback, as as the backup or the 29 00:02:38,120 --> 00:02:41,560 Speaker 1: backup like with the offense game plan or not even 30 00:02:41,600 --> 00:02:44,120 Speaker 1: game plan, I mean with with the the offense. Running 31 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:49,840 Speaker 1: Steeler stuff was in Latrobe three months ago, right right, 32 00:02:49,919 --> 00:02:52,840 Speaker 1: So you gotta get him ready. Yeah, it makes all 33 00:02:52,880 --> 00:02:55,000 Speaker 1: the sense in the world. His entire season has been 34 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:59,600 Speaker 1: spent running stuff off the other team's right and mental 35 00:02:59,639 --> 00:03:01,680 Speaker 1: work in the in the position room. Right now, I'm 36 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:04,480 Speaker 1: in with the team. So to be fair to Mason Rudolph, 37 00:03:04,480 --> 00:03:07,680 Speaker 1: and hey, let's let's say, you know, Mitch Robiski goes 38 00:03:07,680 --> 00:03:09,679 Speaker 1: out there in throws two interceptions in the first half. Again, 39 00:03:09,760 --> 00:03:11,520 Speaker 1: he might have a short he might they might be 40 00:03:11,560 --> 00:03:14,440 Speaker 1: a shortly. So yeah, you better have Kenny, You better 41 00:03:14,440 --> 00:03:17,519 Speaker 1: have Mason, Rudolph ready to go. Yeah, absolutely, I mean 42 00:03:18,440 --> 00:03:21,200 Speaker 1: any number two has to be coaching male practice. If 43 00:03:21,200 --> 00:03:24,160 Speaker 1: he didn't write, right, I mean, imagine all you people 44 00:03:24,160 --> 00:03:26,399 Speaker 1: that are critical of Tomlin this week about why would 45 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:29,640 Speaker 1: he even consider this. Let's say Mitch gets hurt on 46 00:03:29,720 --> 00:03:34,280 Speaker 1: the first series, Rudolph comes in stinks, and they interview 47 00:03:34,360 --> 00:03:36,160 Speaker 1: him after and like, well, I didn't practice at all? 48 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:40,920 Speaker 1: What I didn't get any snaps. I didn't get any 49 00:03:40,920 --> 00:03:44,040 Speaker 1: snaps this week. I haven't practiced in months. Oh well, 50 00:03:44,080 --> 00:03:47,080 Speaker 1: that makes sense, Mason. Thanks. And then and then everyone 51 00:03:47,160 --> 00:03:49,120 Speaker 1: killed Tomlin for it, like what are you doing? Because 52 00:03:49,120 --> 00:03:52,680 Speaker 1: that would be terrible, that would be again coaching practice. 53 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:55,280 Speaker 1: That that would be the that's that's kind of the 54 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:59,200 Speaker 1: definition of such. That's why you practice. It is kind 55 00:03:59,240 --> 00:04:02,440 Speaker 1: of a big deal. H Looking at the rest of 56 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:07,680 Speaker 1: the Steelers, Josh jack Josh Jackson with an ankle injury 57 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:10,560 Speaker 1: did not practice today. They moved indoors today, so I 58 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:12,760 Speaker 1: don't know if that had played any factor. And some 59 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:15,640 Speaker 1: of these guys not practicing or not, Maybe an ankle 60 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:19,120 Speaker 1: guy would be different, you know, right, Johnson practiced yesterday 61 00:04:19,120 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 1: but didn't practice today because of a hip I wonder 62 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:24,200 Speaker 1: if that it would be something you don't want him 63 00:04:24,200 --> 00:04:27,200 Speaker 1: in there running on the harder turf and you know, 64 00:04:27,279 --> 00:04:31,240 Speaker 1: aggravating that more. Cam Sutton was back, he is at neck, 65 00:04:33,320 --> 00:04:36,720 Speaker 1: didn't he was limited yesterday, was full today. Uh Nagi 66 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:41,080 Speaker 1: Harris also full today after being a d MP yesterday. 67 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:43,520 Speaker 1: Have a lot of concerns with those guys. Yeah, you're 68 00:04:43,520 --> 00:04:47,200 Speaker 1: not really concerned about the aunt either, right, No, Yeah, Um, 69 00:04:47,279 --> 00:04:50,920 Speaker 1: Miles Jack with the groin injury did not practice that 70 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:56,920 Speaker 1: one was a little more that counts have been going down. Um. 71 00:04:56,960 --> 00:04:59,200 Speaker 1: I know he has a somewhat of a need that's 72 00:04:59,320 --> 00:05:01,559 Speaker 1: been around as life and now I'll give something else. 73 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:06,799 Speaker 1: It's a little just raising an eyebrow. Yeah. Pat Firearmouth 74 00:05:06,839 --> 00:05:09,080 Speaker 1: with the foot did not practice that one. Doesn't surprise 75 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:12,479 Speaker 1: me at all. Again, you're indoors. He's got a foot issue. Um, 76 00:05:12,680 --> 00:05:15,760 Speaker 1: no reason to stress that out now. I would expect 77 00:05:15,800 --> 00:05:18,200 Speaker 1: him to at least be limited tomorrow and then be 78 00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:20,680 Speaker 1: ready to go on Sunday. Cam Heyward was given a 79 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:22,800 Speaker 1: day off for rest and then Larry Ogunjobi with that 80 00:05:22,920 --> 00:05:25,760 Speaker 1: toe did not practice again today. Again, that's been a 81 00:05:25,839 --> 00:05:27,680 Speaker 1: kind of an ongoing thing the last few weeks. Where 82 00:05:27,680 --> 00:05:31,679 Speaker 1: he doesn't practice, doesn't practice, then practices Friday in place. Yeah, 83 00:05:31,839 --> 00:05:33,839 Speaker 1: he's a tough eval. I mean because I think that 84 00:05:33,880 --> 00:05:36,240 Speaker 1: there's been something for quite a while there with him. 85 00:05:36,279 --> 00:05:39,599 Speaker 1: I mean we've have we seen a true healthy Ogan 86 00:05:39,680 --> 00:05:42,120 Speaker 1: Joby and a Steeler stretch. Yeah, I don't think so. 87 00:05:42,200 --> 00:05:43,719 Speaker 1: I mean even when they signed him, he was coming 88 00:05:43,760 --> 00:05:45,520 Speaker 1: off an injury and you know, it took a little 89 00:05:45,520 --> 00:05:48,239 Speaker 1: while and get acclimated, and so he's a tough eval 90 00:05:48,360 --> 00:05:50,479 Speaker 1: for the off season. I mean, I assume he'll play 91 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:53,200 Speaker 1: in this game. He's gonna need to. I mean, in 92 00:05:53,240 --> 00:05:57,200 Speaker 1: this game, you're gonna big people on the field a lot. Yeah, 93 00:05:57,240 --> 00:06:00,240 Speaker 1: I mean they love in fact, you might need yeah, 94 00:06:01,480 --> 00:06:04,720 Speaker 1: six defensive lineman at the same time, right, I guess 95 00:06:04,760 --> 00:06:07,240 Speaker 1: the Arby's pack you're you're gonna be playing, you know, 96 00:06:07,560 --> 00:06:10,920 Speaker 1: is Tarall Austin called it? Said today? Uh, they'll play 97 00:06:10,920 --> 00:06:13,240 Speaker 1: goal line in the middle of the field exactly. I mean, 98 00:06:13,279 --> 00:06:15,359 Speaker 1: there's no mystery to this team at all. Because they 99 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:18,080 Speaker 1: have a pretty deep offensive line. They can only really 100 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:20,599 Speaker 1: play it one way. They'll often bring in a sixth, 101 00:06:20,920 --> 00:06:23,920 Speaker 1: sometimes they'll bring in a seventh, sometimes they bring in 102 00:06:23,920 --> 00:06:27,200 Speaker 1: an eight. That's the Rby pack and in those packages, 103 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:30,320 Speaker 1: I mean you're you're gonna play goal line defense exactly right. 104 00:06:30,400 --> 00:06:33,080 Speaker 1: I mean you'll maybe a corner on the field maybe. 105 00:06:33,279 --> 00:06:36,839 Speaker 1: What's interesting to me, they've got eight and a quarterback 106 00:06:38,560 --> 00:06:41,480 Speaker 1: that's ten. You might only have one receiver and let 107 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 1: me tremble with him. Is it gonna be d J Moore? 108 00:06:43,680 --> 00:06:45,640 Speaker 1: Like at least one guy? So who is it? Is 109 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:49,440 Speaker 1: it gonna be a fullback? So they can bring Derek 110 00:06:49,480 --> 00:06:52,640 Speaker 1: Brown in mash you even more? You know? So, yeah, 111 00:06:52,680 --> 00:06:55,560 Speaker 1: that that's an interesting situation. Who's that eleventh guy in 112 00:06:55,640 --> 00:06:58,919 Speaker 1: the Rby package? We have the meat? Yeah, right, So 113 00:06:58,960 --> 00:07:01,360 Speaker 1: there's not a lot of mystery at this team. Looking 114 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:05,320 Speaker 1: at the Panthers injury report, linebacker Brandon Smith did not 115 00:07:05,360 --> 00:07:10,400 Speaker 1: practice again today. He's got an ankle. UH. Linebacker Joel 116 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:14,680 Speaker 1: iron Boweenier Yeah, yeah, depth guy with the shoulder. He 117 00:07:14,720 --> 00:07:17,360 Speaker 1: was a full participant today. Corey Littleton and one of 118 00:07:17,400 --> 00:07:20,960 Speaker 1: their outside backers limited again today with a an ankle. 119 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:24,360 Speaker 1: D J. Moore with the ankle a full participant. Laviska 120 00:07:24,440 --> 00:07:27,360 Speaker 1: Chanant with the shoulder a limited participant in the Xavier 121 00:07:27,480 --> 00:07:31,200 Speaker 1: Woods UH safety with the ankle injury was limited for 122 00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:33,400 Speaker 1: the second consecutive day, so they're not in too bad 123 00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:35,840 Speaker 1: of shape all in all. Yeah, they got their guys. 124 00:07:36,960 --> 00:07:39,520 Speaker 1: Watching last week's game, I thought d J. Moore might 125 00:07:39,560 --> 00:07:41,520 Speaker 1: not be around for this one, but it sounds like 126 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:44,440 Speaker 1: he's good to go. The rest of them aren't all 127 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:46,440 Speaker 1: that consequential to me, to be honest with them, and 128 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:49,160 Speaker 1: they have all their linemen. I think it's a really 129 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:52,000 Speaker 1: tough matchup for the Steelers. I think it is. I 130 00:07:52,400 --> 00:07:55,280 Speaker 1: do think that you know, if you stop the run, 131 00:07:55,760 --> 00:07:58,160 Speaker 1: and again when I say stopped the run, they're gonna 132 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:00,800 Speaker 1: get a yard. Yeah, they're going to get their hundred 133 00:08:00,880 --> 00:08:03,520 Speaker 1: yards by stopping the run. Maybe you give up two 134 00:08:03,560 --> 00:08:08,080 Speaker 1: first dounds, but but then you get a run stop 135 00:08:08,480 --> 00:08:11,000 Speaker 1: that puts them behind. The change makes it a second 136 00:08:11,160 --> 00:08:14,000 Speaker 1: and eleven, and then they get four yards and it's 137 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:15,960 Speaker 1: so then it's third and seven, and that's where you 138 00:08:15,960 --> 00:08:18,920 Speaker 1: stop the Carolina Panthers. That's what I say is I'm 139 00:08:19,240 --> 00:08:21,800 Speaker 1: so so worried about what are the final run numbers 140 00:08:21,920 --> 00:08:25,280 Speaker 1: or yards per carry? I almost might just chart how 141 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:27,200 Speaker 1: many third and longs did you get him into the 142 00:08:27,200 --> 00:08:29,680 Speaker 1: course of the the and they still might run a 143 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:32,600 Speaker 1: draw and they still might but I want this team, 144 00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:34,880 Speaker 1: you know, I want this team in third and five 145 00:08:35,040 --> 00:08:39,360 Speaker 1: or longer time. If you can something like that, if 146 00:08:39,400 --> 00:08:41,000 Speaker 1: you can do that, you're going to you're going to 147 00:08:41,160 --> 00:08:43,640 Speaker 1: have success. Again, that's really not what they want to be, 148 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:46,360 Speaker 1: you know, with any which way, shape or form um. 149 00:08:46,400 --> 00:08:48,120 Speaker 1: The reason I think it's a hard game, though, is 150 00:08:49,400 --> 00:08:51,360 Speaker 1: we know the steel run defense has struggled, and I 151 00:08:51,360 --> 00:08:54,080 Speaker 1: think three really physical games in a row, this one 152 00:08:54,120 --> 00:08:58,800 Speaker 1: on the road against massive run teams might be even 153 00:08:58,880 --> 00:09:00,760 Speaker 1: more challenging each time. You know what I mean, because 154 00:09:00,760 --> 00:09:02,480 Speaker 1: you just did it last time, you did it this time. 155 00:09:03,000 --> 00:09:06,800 Speaker 1: And we've seen the Steelers not have great success quote 156 00:09:06,840 --> 00:09:11,720 Speaker 1: stopping the run. But I also think defensively, this team 157 00:09:11,880 --> 00:09:14,880 Speaker 1: is better when they don't have their biggest people on 158 00:09:14,960 --> 00:09:18,079 Speaker 1: the field, you know, like Warmley's injury, I didn't think 159 00:09:18,120 --> 00:09:20,000 Speaker 1: much of. I'm like a Lee Allen Wilmo get to 160 00:09:20,040 --> 00:09:23,200 Speaker 1: bump great, you like that Warmly against eight offensive linemen, 161 00:09:23,640 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 1: you know what I mean, Like all of a sudden 162 00:09:25,720 --> 00:09:29,520 Speaker 1: and that means more spillane, That means more both the 163 00:09:29,600 --> 00:09:32,240 Speaker 1: nose tackles, you know, like guys that should be playing 164 00:09:32,320 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 1: ten snaps might be playing twenty five again and the 165 00:09:35,640 --> 00:09:39,000 Speaker 1: Wallace's and k zs that are one of your best 166 00:09:39,000 --> 00:09:41,280 Speaker 1: eleven might be on the sideline. Here's what we don't 167 00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:46,160 Speaker 1: know about this Carolina Panthers team. Will they much like 168 00:09:46,240 --> 00:09:49,000 Speaker 1: the Atlanta team has done this year? If they get 169 00:09:49,040 --> 00:09:51,920 Speaker 1: down two touchdowns? What will they do? What will they do? 170 00:09:51,960 --> 00:09:53,679 Speaker 1: Will they get out of what they like to do 171 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:55,880 Speaker 1: or will they continue to do that? We don't know 172 00:09:55,920 --> 00:09:58,839 Speaker 1: that about them. Per se, Hey, Sam brings us back? 173 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:00,760 Speaker 1: Or is it going to be we need a quick 174 00:10:00,800 --> 00:10:05,080 Speaker 1: score here? Yeah? I bet Dayless lean towards run, run, run, 175 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:08,240 Speaker 1: But can the Steelers get up to scores? Like? I 176 00:10:08,240 --> 00:10:10,680 Speaker 1: don't like how their defense sets up against the Steelers 177 00:10:10,679 --> 00:10:13,960 Speaker 1: at all. I mean I look at this defense and think, boy, 178 00:10:13,960 --> 00:10:18,360 Speaker 1: they're really weak at the slot. There other pass rushers 179 00:10:18,400 --> 00:10:23,440 Speaker 1: besides Burns aren't so great. But like their friar mooth people, 180 00:10:24,040 --> 00:10:28,760 Speaker 1: um chin. Both those linebackers are really good. I really 181 00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 1: like they're outside corners. Well, those are the three best 182 00:10:31,800 --> 00:10:34,800 Speaker 1: weapons of Steelers have. And I think Derrick Brown's a 183 00:10:34,920 --> 00:10:38,760 Speaker 1: real problem for Mason Cole stylistically. And I think Brown's 184 00:10:38,760 --> 00:10:41,120 Speaker 1: a much better player than people realize. And I think 185 00:10:41,120 --> 00:10:44,880 Speaker 1: Brian Burns versus more is the biggest mismatch on the field. Yeah, 186 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:47,199 Speaker 1: you know, I just think it's not a great matchup 187 00:10:47,240 --> 00:10:50,040 Speaker 1: for the Steelers. I do think, you know, just looking 188 00:10:50,080 --> 00:10:54,760 Speaker 1: at this Panthers team, that you can run at them 189 00:10:54,760 --> 00:10:58,720 Speaker 1: a little bit. Controlling Brown is the key. Another thing 190 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:00,600 Speaker 1: they do while you while you look at that up 191 00:11:00,720 --> 00:11:04,800 Speaker 1: is on third downs they play with three defensive ends 192 00:11:04,800 --> 00:11:07,560 Speaker 1: in Brown, like he's the only big people on the field. 193 00:11:07,600 --> 00:11:10,240 Speaker 1: And they're not thirting ones of course, but I mean 194 00:11:10,280 --> 00:11:13,600 Speaker 1: like passing downs. They like to bring in Haines as 195 00:11:13,640 --> 00:11:16,800 Speaker 1: like a NASCAR package, but with one dump truck on there, 196 00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:20,000 Speaker 1: you know, And I think maybe you can have success 197 00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:23,400 Speaker 1: against that run the ball. Despite their heavy run numbers 198 00:11:23,520 --> 00:11:27,600 Speaker 1: this year, they're allowing a hundred almost a hundred thirty 199 00:11:27,640 --> 00:11:29,839 Speaker 1: yards rushing per game, yes, four and a half of 200 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:32,800 Speaker 1: yards per carry per game. And that's after playing that 201 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:36,560 Speaker 1: Seattle team that had no running running game, right right, Yeah, Um, 202 00:11:36,640 --> 00:11:38,480 Speaker 1: so I do think that you can run the ball 203 00:11:38,559 --> 00:11:40,520 Speaker 1: and run the ball effectively against these guys. So if 204 00:11:40,520 --> 00:11:43,520 Speaker 1: you I mean, just looking at it here, Cleveland ran 205 00:11:43,559 --> 00:11:46,120 Speaker 1: for two seventeen against him. Yeah, I would think that 206 00:11:46,240 --> 00:11:48,880 Speaker 1: is the game plan. Is Nase's gonna get a lot 207 00:11:48,920 --> 00:11:51,800 Speaker 1: of touches. Yeah. The forty nine is ran for one three. 208 00:11:51,920 --> 00:11:54,480 Speaker 1: The Falcons ran for one sixty seven. The Bengals ran 209 00:11:54,559 --> 00:11:57,000 Speaker 1: forty one. And they can do it anyway they want, 210 00:11:57,040 --> 00:12:00,800 Speaker 1: And that was their game plan one hundred and thirty eight. 211 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:02,880 Speaker 1: In the rematch with the Falcons, the Ravens got one 212 00:12:02,920 --> 00:12:06,480 Speaker 1: fifteen on them. Was that the mixing five touchdown game? Yeah, 213 00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:09,680 Speaker 1: that was against That was against these guys. The Broncos 214 00:12:09,679 --> 00:12:13,080 Speaker 1: got one one against him. They don't do anything. So 215 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:16,240 Speaker 1: I do think you could run the ball effectively against 216 00:12:16,320 --> 00:12:20,760 Speaker 1: these guys, especially because you have the outside threats. Oh yeah. 217 00:12:20,840 --> 00:12:22,640 Speaker 1: What I want to see is they'll they'll have J. C. 218 00:12:22,800 --> 00:12:26,040 Speaker 1: Horn follow I say he is a following guy. I 219 00:12:26,080 --> 00:12:27,720 Speaker 1: think that. I think if I were them, I would 220 00:12:27,760 --> 00:12:29,679 Speaker 1: put him on Pickens. I think he matches up well 221 00:12:29,679 --> 00:12:33,480 Speaker 1: with Pickens. I like both their outside corners a lot 222 00:12:33,520 --> 00:12:35,320 Speaker 1: that I do. Yeah, I mean, I think they got 223 00:12:35,320 --> 00:12:38,760 Speaker 1: a steal in that Henderson trade. They're both extremely talented. 224 00:12:38,840 --> 00:12:41,120 Speaker 1: Horns the better player and he's the one that follows 225 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:45,320 Speaker 1: the ones like he followed Sutton recently. You know, I 226 00:12:45,480 --> 00:12:47,640 Speaker 1: was a bigger receiver, and I think you put him 227 00:12:47,679 --> 00:12:51,520 Speaker 1: on the downfield guy, and I was I was assuming 228 00:12:51,520 --> 00:12:54,320 Speaker 1: it would be Deonte because most people treat him as 229 00:12:54,360 --> 00:12:59,120 Speaker 1: the one a little bit more in recent weeks. Yeah, 230 00:12:59,120 --> 00:13:01,120 Speaker 1: there is a changing And then I thought, well, maybe 231 00:13:01,160 --> 00:13:03,080 Speaker 1: they just don't follow this game. They just left and 232 00:13:03,160 --> 00:13:05,959 Speaker 1: right it and keep it easy, which I think it's 233 00:13:05,960 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 1: the key to the game. Though. Yeah, I do. I 234 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:11,200 Speaker 1: do too, and I think I like, uh, I like 235 00:13:11,280 --> 00:13:15,720 Speaker 1: Deante Johnson's matchup against any of those guys with Yeah. Yeah, 236 00:13:15,880 --> 00:13:18,760 Speaker 1: it's a little smaller, you know, race car type guy. Yeah, 237 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:22,520 Speaker 1: first round pick type, body types six one, long arms, 238 00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:24,800 Speaker 1: four four flat, those type of dudes. I mean, which 239 00:13:25,240 --> 00:13:29,160 Speaker 1: that's all good, but yeah, that's one of the things 240 00:13:29,200 --> 00:13:32,280 Speaker 1: that makes Deante Johnson so dangerous is that he's shiftier 241 00:13:32,360 --> 00:13:35,319 Speaker 1: and can beat that. Yeah, I see, I see what 242 00:13:35,320 --> 00:13:38,240 Speaker 1: you're saying there. I just assumed Horn would follow Deonte, 243 00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:40,880 Speaker 1: but maybe that's not the case. But it was one 244 00:13:40,880 --> 00:13:42,440 Speaker 1: of my keys of the game. I mean, yeah, that 245 00:13:42,559 --> 00:13:44,200 Speaker 1: will be one of the interesting things to keep an 246 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:47,520 Speaker 1: eye on here. Um. I mean, if I were them, 247 00:13:47,559 --> 00:13:50,200 Speaker 1: that's what I would do, just because I think Horns 248 00:13:50,200 --> 00:13:52,240 Speaker 1: a physical player and I'm gonna beat Pickings up a 249 00:13:52,280 --> 00:13:54,400 Speaker 1: little bit and see how he handles it. He's a 250 00:13:54,480 --> 00:13:56,800 Speaker 1: year older in the league and kind of has a 251 00:13:56,840 --> 00:14:00,120 Speaker 1: little bit more Tricks's probably faced George Pickings too, and 252 00:14:00,160 --> 00:14:02,360 Speaker 1: how to say, they must have a familiarity together to 253 00:14:02,600 --> 00:14:04,360 Speaker 1: I mean, they're about the same age in the SEC, 254 00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:08,160 Speaker 1: and they're both stars that they've crossed passed without a doubt. 255 00:14:08,280 --> 00:14:11,400 Speaker 1: And it probably many passing camps and things like that 256 00:14:11,440 --> 00:14:15,679 Speaker 1: as well, you know, I mean they know who Yeah, yeah, that. 257 00:14:15,840 --> 00:14:18,040 Speaker 1: This's just funny how that works with some of those guys. 258 00:14:18,440 --> 00:14:20,160 Speaker 1: I can't remember trying to think of who it was 259 00:14:20,240 --> 00:14:24,600 Speaker 1: now and it didn't matter who you brought up to him. 260 00:14:24,640 --> 00:14:27,680 Speaker 1: He knew that guy. Uh, trying to think of who 261 00:14:27,880 --> 00:14:30,640 Speaker 1: it was a stealer from five or six maybe a 262 00:14:30,640 --> 00:14:33,320 Speaker 1: little bit longer than that. These off seasons, they're all 263 00:14:33,480 --> 00:14:36,480 Speaker 1: they share agents and they're all texting each other. It 264 00:14:36,560 --> 00:14:38,920 Speaker 1: might have been Plexico Burst, like we knew everybody in 265 00:14:38,960 --> 00:14:41,720 Speaker 1: the league, everybody, Like I remember him when he was sixteen, 266 00:14:42,600 --> 00:14:44,200 Speaker 1: Like I saw him by this guy. We went to 267 00:14:44,240 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 1: the same passing camp. That guy we know we worked 268 00:14:47,280 --> 00:14:50,080 Speaker 1: out in the off season. Like he just knew everybody. 269 00:14:50,760 --> 00:14:53,160 Speaker 1: Very cool. Um, what do you think about Trubisky in 270 00:14:53,160 --> 00:14:58,360 Speaker 1: this game going back to Carolina. Yeah, um, I what 271 00:14:58,480 --> 00:15:01,920 Speaker 1: I don't want to see from Robiski is him going 272 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:06,000 Speaker 1: back to playing it too safe. That's kind of what 273 00:15:06,040 --> 00:15:07,960 Speaker 1: I was going with too. Like the obvious answer is 274 00:15:07,960 --> 00:15:09,280 Speaker 1: what do you think about your bisky? We don't throw 275 00:15:09,280 --> 00:15:12,000 Speaker 1: three interceptions, But I don't also want check down, checked down, 276 00:15:12,080 --> 00:15:14,760 Speaker 1: checked out on third right either. I mean, I mean again, 277 00:15:14,880 --> 00:15:17,000 Speaker 1: I liked the way they were moving the football last week. 278 00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:18,880 Speaker 1: I guess a good defense. I think it might have 279 00:15:18,920 --> 00:15:21,880 Speaker 1: been the best movement in the efficiency of the offense. 280 00:15:23,320 --> 00:15:25,320 Speaker 1: Won three and out. Yeah, I mean, and that was 281 00:15:25,360 --> 00:15:27,840 Speaker 1: on the series of picking pick. It didn't come back 282 00:15:27,880 --> 00:15:31,640 Speaker 1: after that one. He was concussed. Okay, yeah, I know 283 00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:34,800 Speaker 1: this is a huge asterisk. But I saw her listening 284 00:15:34,800 --> 00:15:36,440 Speaker 1: to someone today. There was a national guy. It's on 285 00:15:36,440 --> 00:15:38,760 Speaker 1: a Steeler person. He's like, I was just kind of 286 00:15:38,760 --> 00:15:41,720 Speaker 1: watching the Steeler game thinking it's Trabisky good or bad. 287 00:15:41,800 --> 00:15:44,440 Speaker 1: And in my postgame podcast, I said, I don't know 288 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:46,520 Speaker 1: if I should put Mitch in the upper downs. Obviously 289 00:15:46,520 --> 00:15:48,880 Speaker 1: should put in the downs because the three interceptions was crucial. 290 00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:52,280 Speaker 1: So this guy goes, I'm gonna pull the three interceptions 291 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:54,120 Speaker 1: out of his e p A. He was like a 292 00:15:54,160 --> 00:15:56,560 Speaker 1: top five quarterback, you know what I mean. Like it 293 00:15:56,600 --> 00:15:59,880 Speaker 1: was really really good attacking. Yeah right, some great path 294 00:16:00,600 --> 00:16:02,520 Speaker 1: maybe some of the best passes we've seen from a 295 00:16:02,560 --> 00:16:05,880 Speaker 1: Steelers quarterback all year long, exactly, and aggressive. But I 296 00:16:05,880 --> 00:16:07,920 Speaker 1: mean I didn't think, boy, you got away with that one. 297 00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:11,400 Speaker 1: I mean he was, Yes, he was overly aggressive in 298 00:16:11,400 --> 00:16:13,720 Speaker 1: the whole scheme of things with those three, but I 299 00:16:13,760 --> 00:16:16,160 Speaker 1: didn't think, Wow, he got lucky. He didn't get that 300 00:16:16,200 --> 00:16:18,000 Speaker 1: one picked and that one picked and that one picked. 301 00:16:18,040 --> 00:16:21,320 Speaker 1: You know, so if he can play like that with 302 00:16:21,440 --> 00:16:25,760 Speaker 1: one turnover, you're gonna put up points. Yeah, again and again. 303 00:16:25,840 --> 00:16:28,640 Speaker 1: The key is putting up points against Don't play this 304 00:16:29,240 --> 00:16:33,600 Speaker 1: to be a seventeen sixteen game. Yeah, play this like 305 00:16:33,680 --> 00:16:35,920 Speaker 1: you Hey, we got to score in the twenties here. 306 00:16:36,240 --> 00:16:38,760 Speaker 1: Put the pressure on them because they don't want to 307 00:16:38,800 --> 00:16:41,080 Speaker 1: play that way. For sure. You've got you've got the 308 00:16:41,160 --> 00:16:43,880 Speaker 1: quarterback advantage no matter who starts. I'm getting a little 309 00:16:43,920 --> 00:16:47,160 Speaker 1: superstitious with whoever scores first wins and steeling because it's 310 00:16:47,160 --> 00:16:50,080 Speaker 1: just getting too weird, and I keep harping on it. 311 00:16:50,120 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 1: But even to that point, I think I want the ball, 312 00:16:53,560 --> 00:16:54,800 Speaker 1: you know, like if you win the coin flip, I 313 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:57,920 Speaker 1: might want the ball and say, hey, MITCHI put some points. 314 00:16:58,160 --> 00:17:00,520 Speaker 1: Don't be aggressive, and you know I'm not. I'm not 315 00:17:00,520 --> 00:17:02,160 Speaker 1: gonna harness you here. If we get up and we 316 00:17:02,240 --> 00:17:04,800 Speaker 1: might reel it in a little, but go be aggressive 317 00:17:04,960 --> 00:17:06,560 Speaker 1: and if you we can get up seven nothing on 318 00:17:06,600 --> 00:17:09,439 Speaker 1: these guys or tend nothing, or I still like to 319 00:17:09,440 --> 00:17:11,040 Speaker 1: get the ball coming out of the site. I prefer 320 00:17:11,160 --> 00:17:14,200 Speaker 1: that of the time, you know what I mean by 321 00:17:14,240 --> 00:17:16,439 Speaker 1: the same token, if you if you don't win the toss, 322 00:17:17,800 --> 00:17:19,600 Speaker 1: or if you you win the toss and you give 323 00:17:19,640 --> 00:17:21,000 Speaker 1: them the ball and you go out there and shut 324 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:24,879 Speaker 1: them down and get fuel positions. Okay, now you're talking right, 325 00:17:24,920 --> 00:17:27,000 Speaker 1: all right. I mean, if you feel like defensively you 326 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:30,639 Speaker 1: can go out there and and stop these guys, which 327 00:17:31,320 --> 00:17:34,320 Speaker 1: again I I just look at their at their offense. 328 00:17:34,520 --> 00:17:36,520 Speaker 1: Did you see the first quarter fourth quarters stuff I 329 00:17:36,560 --> 00:17:39,320 Speaker 1: sent you to. It's bizarro, you know. And the Steelers 330 00:17:39,320 --> 00:17:42,399 Speaker 1: are kind of strange too, Like the Steelers allow I 331 00:17:42,400 --> 00:17:44,040 Speaker 1: think it's five point three off the top of my head, 332 00:17:44,200 --> 00:17:48,280 Speaker 1: points per first quarter, five point three points per fourth quarter, 333 00:17:48,680 --> 00:17:51,760 Speaker 1: which is really bad for first quarter defense. But really 334 00:17:51,760 --> 00:17:53,880 Speaker 1: good for fourth which just shows you how this league, 335 00:17:53,880 --> 00:17:56,960 Speaker 1: in my theory of fourth quarter defense is dead. Well, 336 00:17:57,359 --> 00:18:00,280 Speaker 1: the Panthers are the opposite. Panthers shut down up the 337 00:18:00,320 --> 00:18:02,240 Speaker 1: door on people in the first quarter and then the 338 00:18:02,240 --> 00:18:04,320 Speaker 1: first fourth quarter of their horrific But they also don't 339 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:06,399 Speaker 1: score in the and then then but they don't compliment 340 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:08,560 Speaker 1: it at all, Like there after the fourth quarter, it's 341 00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:10,720 Speaker 1: like one nothing. They're like one point three points per 342 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:12,600 Speaker 1: game in the first quarter. Yeah, I mean so like 343 00:18:12,600 --> 00:18:15,720 Speaker 1: when the first quarter ends, it's like to nothing. Yeah, 344 00:18:16,200 --> 00:18:18,560 Speaker 1: it's one thing. It's the Steelers. Nobody will ever want 345 00:18:18,600 --> 00:18:21,400 Speaker 1: to give him at Cannon the credit, but they've they've 346 00:18:21,400 --> 00:18:23,480 Speaker 1: been pretty consistent putting points on the board in their 347 00:18:23,480 --> 00:18:27,440 Speaker 1: opening drive over the last two months. Not the touchdown 348 00:18:27,480 --> 00:18:29,400 Speaker 1: every time, but they at least get a field goal 349 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:33,040 Speaker 1: on that. Yeah, they are. And that gets overlooked because 350 00:18:33,080 --> 00:18:35,280 Speaker 1: that was a big criticism. Yeah, but I hear no 351 00:18:35,280 --> 00:18:38,160 Speaker 1: one saying, oh, but that's gotten better. Yeah, nobody ever 352 00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:40,920 Speaker 1: talks about stuff like that. I think we try to 353 00:18:40,960 --> 00:18:43,439 Speaker 1: do a good job of Man. I was critical with that, 354 00:18:43,480 --> 00:18:45,560 Speaker 1: but it got better or man, I gave him a 355 00:18:45,560 --> 00:18:47,359 Speaker 1: lot of credit for that, and it's not fixed. You know, 356 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:50,440 Speaker 1: things change very fast and absolutely weak. You're let alone 357 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:53,199 Speaker 1: month to month. I mean, and I told you this, 358 00:18:53,280 --> 00:18:56,280 Speaker 1: I mean, like when I do that stat pack and 359 00:18:56,359 --> 00:18:59,080 Speaker 1: Carolina is as good example as anyone. Their offense was 360 00:18:59,200 --> 00:19:02,679 Speaker 1: so bad at like time of possession numbers was the 361 00:19:02,720 --> 00:19:06,600 Speaker 1: one that stood out like they are I think, and 362 00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:09,200 Speaker 1: time of possession. But they had the ball for thirty 363 00:19:09,280 --> 00:19:11,320 Speaker 1: nine minutes last week and over like the last three 364 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:14,480 Speaker 1: or four weeks they've had it tons. They must have 365 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:17,240 Speaker 1: been so horrific in the first month of the season, 366 00:19:17,920 --> 00:19:20,200 Speaker 1: which they were, that they still can't they go out 367 00:19:20,200 --> 00:19:21,920 Speaker 1: of that whole But they were more like this team 368 00:19:21,920 --> 00:19:24,880 Speaker 1: than that. The Steelers were very much the same way. 369 00:19:25,040 --> 00:19:27,600 Speaker 1: The first month they could the worst. Yeah, they couldn't 370 00:19:27,600 --> 00:19:30,040 Speaker 1: possess the football early in the season, and then they did. 371 00:19:30,080 --> 00:19:31,400 Speaker 1: They go out of it. Yeah, you know, I mean 372 00:19:31,560 --> 00:19:33,560 Speaker 1: in terms of the whole league, you know, the whole 373 00:19:33,640 --> 00:19:37,000 Speaker 1: season to date, it's it's yeah, it's just just a 374 00:19:37,040 --> 00:19:41,160 Speaker 1: fascinating um clash of style. It's not even a clash 375 00:19:41,200 --> 00:19:44,359 Speaker 1: of styles. It's almost the same style. I feel like 376 00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:47,480 Speaker 1: it's Groundhog week though in terms of the opponents, and 377 00:19:47,680 --> 00:19:49,840 Speaker 1: they run the ball, they round the ball, stop around, 378 00:19:49,880 --> 00:19:53,040 Speaker 1: you know, to make them throw. Yeah, it's a little crazy. 379 00:19:53,080 --> 00:19:54,840 Speaker 1: Three in a row. I mean these might be the 380 00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:59,680 Speaker 1: three most run centric teams right now. I mean, I'm 381 00:19:59,720 --> 00:20:02,919 Speaker 1: not sure if they're top men. That the that the 382 00:20:02,920 --> 00:20:06,920 Speaker 1: Panthers random about forty six times last week a lot, 383 00:20:07,119 --> 00:20:09,280 Speaker 1: and the passes are at the line of scrimmage. I 384 00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:14,000 Speaker 1: mean they're like long handoffs. Yeah, so I look at that. 385 00:20:14,760 --> 00:20:17,879 Speaker 1: You know. The one issue is, particularly on defenses the 386 00:20:17,880 --> 00:20:20,040 Speaker 1: Steelers have had this year's is giving up the big 387 00:20:20,080 --> 00:20:24,639 Speaker 1: plays in in the passing game. I'd be shocked if 388 00:20:24,640 --> 00:20:27,200 Speaker 1: they do. That'd be shocked. They don't even take shots, right, 389 00:20:27,320 --> 00:20:29,520 Speaker 1: they don't even try. I mean they might be like, 390 00:20:29,800 --> 00:20:32,200 Speaker 1: well we need to take to do they come out 391 00:20:32,240 --> 00:20:36,360 Speaker 1: like the Falcons and say, hey, you know I can't 392 00:20:36,359 --> 00:20:39,240 Speaker 1: complete those and you know right? Yeah? Do they realize 393 00:20:39,280 --> 00:20:41,520 Speaker 1: that the Falcons didn't The Falcons didn't. I mean, the 394 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:45,760 Speaker 1: Falcons misplayed the first half, but I mean they the 395 00:20:45,800 --> 00:20:49,840 Speaker 1: hand they were dealt. They tried to overshoot, you know, Carolina, 396 00:20:49,920 --> 00:20:52,760 Speaker 1: make that excuse or not I make that same mistake 397 00:20:52,920 --> 00:20:55,359 Speaker 1: or not? Or will they take a play action shot 398 00:20:55,359 --> 00:20:57,920 Speaker 1: and hit it? Serious thing if you take that shot 399 00:20:58,000 --> 00:21:00,840 Speaker 1: and don't hit it. You give up the down. For 400 00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:02,240 Speaker 1: this team, I don't know if they can give up 401 00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:05,080 Speaker 1: a down. They can't have zero games, right, because they 402 00:21:05,080 --> 00:21:11,879 Speaker 1: don't have explosive runs. That's that everything's it's Michigan, Ohio 403 00:21:11,920 --> 00:21:14,320 Speaker 1: State in the seventies. Yeah. So you take a shot 404 00:21:14,359 --> 00:21:16,280 Speaker 1: on second and six and now it's third and six. 405 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:19,400 Speaker 1: You just lost. You can't afford to lose anything. That's 406 00:21:19,440 --> 00:21:21,880 Speaker 1: why yours. You can't get zeros. That's why you're converting. 407 00:21:21,920 --> 00:21:26,440 Speaker 1: What is it like of their third downs's point seven 408 00:21:26,440 --> 00:21:28,639 Speaker 1: percent of their third downs? I mean Steelers are like 409 00:21:28,680 --> 00:21:32,159 Speaker 1: double that, right, that's ridiculously bad, unbelievably bad. Yeah, and 410 00:21:32,200 --> 00:21:33,600 Speaker 1: you would think they're not in that many third and 411 00:21:33,680 --> 00:21:37,280 Speaker 1: longs because they do get three and four consistently. They 412 00:21:37,280 --> 00:21:39,720 Speaker 1: don't get eight nine, but they get three and four. 413 00:21:40,200 --> 00:21:44,160 Speaker 1: So it should be interesting, um, fascinated to watch. I think, 414 00:21:44,359 --> 00:21:46,199 Speaker 1: you know, if you're the Steelers, you gotta try to 415 00:21:46,240 --> 00:21:49,199 Speaker 1: put the game in Sam Donald's chance, have to have 416 00:21:49,240 --> 00:21:51,000 Speaker 1: to have to have to the other side of the 417 00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:52,520 Speaker 1: ball might worry me more though. I mean a lot 418 00:21:52,520 --> 00:21:55,000 Speaker 1: of those matchups I don't love for the Steelers, but 419 00:21:55,520 --> 00:21:58,480 Speaker 1: we'll see yeah, um yeah, I mean that's why they 420 00:21:58,480 --> 00:22:01,840 Speaker 1: play the game. Yeah. Uh. He is Matt Williamson. I 421 00:22:01,920 --> 00:22:04,159 Speaker 1: am Dale Lala. You're listening to the Drive here on 422 00:22:04,240 --> 00:22:06,720 Speaker 1: Steelers Nation Radio, and you can subscribe to S and 423 00:22:06,840 --> 00:22:09,520 Speaker 1: r's newest podcast, The Godfather of Pittsburgh Sports is talking 424 00:22:09,560 --> 00:22:13,320 Speaker 1: nothing but Steelers. It's Sovereign on Steelers. New podcast drop 425 00:22:13,359 --> 00:22:16,960 Speaker 1: every Tuesday and Thursday. Subscribe today. It's available on the 426 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:20,000 Speaker 1: Steeler's mobile app, the I Heart Radio app, and wherever 427 00:22:20,560 --> 00:22:23,760 Speaker 1: you get your podcast. We'll be back with more right 428 00:22:23,800 --> 00:22:24,199 Speaker 1: after this