1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:03,000 Speaker 1: Back on the drive here on a Thursday with plenty 2 00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:05,640 Speaker 1: to get to with our good friend Chris Hallick, of course, 3 00:00:05,640 --> 00:00:10,000 Speaker 1: covers the Steelers for dk Pittsburgh Sports. Chris, thank you 4 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:12,120 Speaker 1: for taking the time. Let's jump right into it, because 5 00:00:12,440 --> 00:00:16,160 Speaker 1: a lot of raven stuff, injury stuff that we want 6 00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:19,880 Speaker 1: to discuss with you, and let's begin there. We saw 7 00:00:19,920 --> 00:00:22,960 Speaker 1: that TJ. Watt was a limited practice participant on Wednesday. 8 00:00:24,280 --> 00:00:27,000 Speaker 1: How are you feeling about his status for Sunday's winner, 9 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:28,600 Speaker 1: take all game against Baltimore. 10 00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:33,480 Speaker 2: I'm currently of the mentality when it comes to TJ. 11 00:00:33,640 --> 00:00:38,040 Speaker 2: Watt that I'm remaining with the status quo until I 12 00:00:38,120 --> 00:00:41,400 Speaker 2: see something different. And the reason for that is just 13 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:45,240 Speaker 2: because this is not some sort of you know, tough 14 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:48,839 Speaker 2: through it injury like you know, a sprained ankle or 15 00:00:48,880 --> 00:00:52,360 Speaker 2: a pulled hamstring or something along those lines, where you 16 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 2: can get shot up and you can, you know, get 17 00:00:54,760 --> 00:00:57,000 Speaker 2: whatever done and you can just be mentally tough and 18 00:00:57,080 --> 00:01:00,520 Speaker 2: work through it. This is a completely different situation. We're 19 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:03,600 Speaker 2: talking about a partially collapsed lung that he that he's 20 00:01:03,640 --> 00:01:06,440 Speaker 2: dealing with, that he's recovering from. That's a little bit 21 00:01:06,440 --> 00:01:08,720 Speaker 2: more unpredictable, and there's no way that you can just 22 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:12,080 Speaker 2: tough through you know, recovering from a surgery like that. 23 00:01:12,319 --> 00:01:19,319 Speaker 2: So uh yeah, I now I'm definitely more optimistic heading 24 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:23,160 Speaker 2: into uh, you know what what Friday's final report will show, 25 00:01:23,880 --> 00:01:25,760 Speaker 2: given the fact that he you know, did return to 26 00:01:25,760 --> 00:01:29,040 Speaker 2: practice last week that he's you know, continue to be limited, 27 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:33,479 Speaker 2: I'd like to see a full participant at some point 28 00:01:33,600 --> 00:01:36,880 Speaker 2: before Uh. If that doesn't happen, I don't feel good 29 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 2: about it, But I'm just I'm I remain a little 30 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:44,400 Speaker 2: skeptical that it's just a foregone conclusion that he's going 31 00:01:44,440 --> 00:01:46,240 Speaker 2: to play, because this is just not something you can 32 00:01:46,360 --> 00:01:49,040 Speaker 2: just again you can just tough through it and play it. Look, 33 00:01:49,360 --> 00:01:51,760 Speaker 2: this is a completely different situation. It's just not like 34 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:56,200 Speaker 2: playing through you know, various banged up type stuff that 35 00:01:56,240 --> 00:01:57,920 Speaker 2: you that players deal with throughout the season. 36 00:01:58,480 --> 00:02:00,440 Speaker 3: So of course we didn't have a drive yesterday, but 37 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:02,640 Speaker 3: we I think we've talked about this on Tuesday, Wes 38 00:02:02,720 --> 00:02:06,080 Speaker 3: and I that if what is on a true pitch 39 00:02:06,120 --> 00:02:09,960 Speaker 3: County he addresses he plays, gonna use him sparingly. I mean, 40 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:12,120 Speaker 3: it's one of the best pass rushers ever, but I 41 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:14,119 Speaker 3: would use him on early downs, you know, I mean 42 00:02:14,280 --> 00:02:17,280 Speaker 3: especially against this opponent. I think his run defense, I 43 00:02:17,320 --> 00:02:19,600 Speaker 3: want him out there on first down maybe more than 44 00:02:20,120 --> 00:02:22,400 Speaker 3: third and eight, especially as well as Herbig and Heismith 45 00:02:22,400 --> 00:02:22,840 Speaker 3: they're playing. 46 00:02:23,919 --> 00:02:26,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, I think one of the one of the 47 00:02:26,160 --> 00:02:29,800 Speaker 2: ways that this defense has been successful, especially here in 48 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:32,919 Speaker 2: recent weeks, is that they have been a lot better 49 00:02:32,960 --> 00:02:36,880 Speaker 2: on first and second down. They forcing opposing offenses to 50 00:02:36,919 --> 00:02:39,120 Speaker 2: get into more third and long situations. A while the 51 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:42,160 Speaker 2: defense hasn't always been great this season in terms of 52 00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:44,880 Speaker 2: stopping those third and wongs, that's still something you aim 53 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:49,240 Speaker 2: for the defenses to force offenses into third and eight, third, nine, 54 00:02:49,600 --> 00:02:52,119 Speaker 2: and ten instead of you know, third three, third and two. 55 00:02:52,800 --> 00:02:55,880 Speaker 2: So yeah, I would I would like to see something 56 00:02:55,919 --> 00:02:57,959 Speaker 2: like that too that I think. That's why usually I 57 00:02:58,000 --> 00:03:00,359 Speaker 2: don't have numbers to back this up, but just off 58 00:03:00,360 --> 00:03:03,519 Speaker 2: of watching, that's why I think the Steelers like to 59 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:06,680 Speaker 2: blitz a little more often on like second down, because 60 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:09,760 Speaker 2: they prefer to get to get offenses into that third 61 00:03:09,760 --> 00:03:13,240 Speaker 2: and long situation. So yeah, I could see something like that. 62 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:15,400 Speaker 2: Then just hey, it's third and seven, we have to 63 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:18,679 Speaker 2: get after Lamar or whoever's back there, and you know, 64 00:03:18,760 --> 00:03:21,000 Speaker 2: let's just let's just put TG out there, No, No, 65 00:03:21,040 --> 00:03:24,080 Speaker 2: I mean Herbig's a good pass rusher, high Smith's playing. 66 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:27,920 Speaker 2: He's on a heater right now, So yeah, I could 67 00:03:27,919 --> 00:03:28,800 Speaker 2: see something like that. 68 00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:32,680 Speaker 1: Chris, I want to ask you, you know that this 69 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:34,160 Speaker 1: is another one of those kind of boots on the 70 00:03:34,200 --> 00:03:36,000 Speaker 1: ground and you're around the team and in the locker 71 00:03:36,080 --> 00:03:40,200 Speaker 1: room and those type of things. This could be the 72 00:03:40,240 --> 00:03:43,360 Speaker 1: final time Aaron Rodgers takes an NFL field, And even 73 00:03:43,360 --> 00:03:45,720 Speaker 1: if the Steelers are victorious on Sunday, he could be 74 00:03:45,760 --> 00:03:49,240 Speaker 1: coming down the home stretch of his career here as well. 75 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:51,680 Speaker 1: That I think is something we won't have clarity on 76 00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:54,400 Speaker 1: for a little while. He rightfully, so, I'm sure we'll 77 00:03:54,440 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 1: take some time after the season, regardless of when it 78 00:03:57,160 --> 00:03:59,640 Speaker 1: ends to to decide and think about that and see 79 00:03:59,680 --> 00:04:02,280 Speaker 1: how was Bodie feels and all those things. But do 80 00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:05,640 Speaker 1: you sense any kind of like hey around the Steelers' 81 00:04:05,680 --> 00:04:08,880 Speaker 1: locker room. This guy's a legend. This could be it 82 00:04:09,000 --> 00:04:10,800 Speaker 1: for him. We can't let him go out like this 83 00:04:10,920 --> 00:04:12,839 Speaker 1: like we have to at least get to the postseason 84 00:04:12,880 --> 00:04:15,240 Speaker 1: and and and give this guy one last opportunity at 85 00:04:15,240 --> 00:04:18,200 Speaker 1: the dance if this is you know, his final run 86 00:04:19,000 --> 00:04:19,680 Speaker 1: and Chris, real. 87 00:04:19,640 --> 00:04:22,400 Speaker 3: Quick just interject, Yeah, no one's even incited this, but 88 00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:25,320 Speaker 3: it could be Cam Hayward's last game. Yeah, I mean 89 00:04:25,440 --> 00:04:27,719 Speaker 3: like there's a lot of guys retire at the end 90 00:04:27,720 --> 00:04:28,719 Speaker 3: of it's seasons, you know. 91 00:04:29,680 --> 00:04:33,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, I don't get the I don't get the sense 92 00:04:33,160 --> 00:04:36,719 Speaker 2: that there that this that the team is looking for 93 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:40,120 Speaker 2: extra motivation. Okay, you know, it's like, Okay, let's win 94 00:04:40,160 --> 00:04:43,000 Speaker 2: for Aaron, or let's win for Cam, or win for TJ. 95 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:46,080 Speaker 2: Or they're playing for a division crown. 96 00:04:46,200 --> 00:04:47,320 Speaker 1: They've got enough motivation. 97 00:04:47,680 --> 00:04:51,440 Speaker 2: That's that's motivation enough for them, man. And that's usually 98 00:04:51,560 --> 00:04:53,640 Speaker 2: when when when you're talking with players, whether it's on 99 00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:57,320 Speaker 2: the record, off the record, that's typically been just the 100 00:04:57,839 --> 00:05:02,919 Speaker 2: overall been the overall consensus feeling is, hey, you know, 101 00:05:03,040 --> 00:05:05,800 Speaker 2: we got a we win. We're not only in the playoffs, 102 00:05:05,800 --> 00:05:09,160 Speaker 2: but we got ourselves a home playoff team, and that's 103 00:05:09,600 --> 00:05:13,240 Speaker 2: that's the motivation right now. So and and probably that's 104 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:16,680 Speaker 2: the mentality you would want your players to have, like 105 00:05:16,760 --> 00:05:18,600 Speaker 2: you would want the Steelers players to have, because if 106 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:20,839 Speaker 2: they're looking for extra motivation, like, why the heck are 107 00:05:20,920 --> 00:05:23,640 Speaker 2: you not motivated enough? Just by the fact that listen, 108 00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:25,440 Speaker 2: this is a this is pretty much a playoff game, 109 00:05:25,440 --> 00:05:27,960 Speaker 2: that should be the motivating factor. And so that's that's 110 00:05:28,040 --> 00:05:36,000 Speaker 2: you're embarrassed. Yeah, No, And Aaron, Aaron, he was kind 111 00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:38,160 Speaker 2: of asked about like he usually don't have a lot 112 00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:40,000 Speaker 2: of back to back you know, what what do you 113 00:05:40,080 --> 00:05:43,039 Speaker 2: do to uh, to bounce back from those you know 114 00:05:43,080 --> 00:05:44,800 Speaker 2: games typically he goes, Yeah, if you look out in 115 00:05:44,839 --> 00:05:46,359 Speaker 2: my career, I don't have a lot of back to 116 00:05:46,400 --> 00:05:51,080 Speaker 2: back stinkers. So kind of you know, Aaron knows who 117 00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:54,359 Speaker 2: he is, so it's gonna be it's gonna be interesting 118 00:05:54,360 --> 00:05:56,320 Speaker 2: to see how Aaron plays, you know, just given the 119 00:05:56,320 --> 00:05:59,800 Speaker 2: fact that, yeah, he wasn't very good against Cleveland, so hey, 120 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:02,680 Speaker 2: you know, maybe he plays really well and that's enough 121 00:06:02,720 --> 00:06:03,719 Speaker 2: for the Steelers to win the game. 122 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:05,760 Speaker 3: So, speaking of that Browns game, I know you pay 123 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:09,000 Speaker 3: a lot of attention to coverages and tendencies and all 124 00:06:09,040 --> 00:06:12,280 Speaker 3: those things. How much do you expect the Ravens to 125 00:06:12,320 --> 00:06:16,440 Speaker 3: try to mimic the defensive game plan that Cleveland has 126 00:06:16,520 --> 00:06:18,520 Speaker 3: and how capable do you think they are of doing it? 127 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:23,640 Speaker 2: Well? This is what's probably one of the things I'm 128 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:26,840 Speaker 2: looking for the most going into this game, because before 129 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:29,360 Speaker 2: heading into the last matchup between these two teams, the 130 00:06:29,440 --> 00:06:33,520 Speaker 2: Ravens were among the league leaders and man coverage, single high, 131 00:06:34,160 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 2: all this stuff. Then the Steelers just tore them the threads, 132 00:06:37,800 --> 00:06:40,960 Speaker 2: I mean, especially DK Metcalf with all those passes down downfield, 133 00:06:40,960 --> 00:06:44,359 Speaker 2: the goal balls and everything. Since then, the Ravens have 134 00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:50,560 Speaker 2: actually like nearly doubled their normal zone usage over the 135 00:06:50,560 --> 00:06:54,400 Speaker 2: past three games. They have just gone to strictly more zone, 136 00:06:55,480 --> 00:06:59,560 Speaker 2: like the most that we've seen all season long for them. 137 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:03,000 Speaker 2: But they can also look on film look at what 138 00:07:03,040 --> 00:07:05,080 Speaker 2: the Browns did to them by just manning up and 139 00:07:05,120 --> 00:07:07,280 Speaker 2: be like, you know what, Yeah, this might be the 140 00:07:07,320 --> 00:07:09,240 Speaker 2: week to go back to manning up again, you know. 141 00:07:09,840 --> 00:07:12,680 Speaker 2: And I'm curiously because the zone stuff's been working for them, 142 00:07:13,560 --> 00:07:17,240 Speaker 2: they've now played themselves into this position. Not necessarily saying 143 00:07:17,240 --> 00:07:19,960 Speaker 2: that the Ravens defense did all that great against the 144 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:22,000 Speaker 2: Malik Willis and the Packers. It was just they won 145 00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:25,800 Speaker 2: that game because Derrick Henry just went berserk. But you know, 146 00:07:26,960 --> 00:07:30,800 Speaker 2: I have a hard time if I'm game planning for 147 00:07:30,840 --> 00:07:34,440 Speaker 2: the Steelers watching what the Browns did and knowing that 148 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:37,280 Speaker 2: man coverage and single high is in my wheelhouse or 149 00:07:37,320 --> 00:07:39,400 Speaker 2: something that I at least have in my playbook and 150 00:07:39,480 --> 00:07:43,200 Speaker 2: thinking I'm not gonna go right use that like that 151 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:46,080 Speaker 2: should be what the Ravens do. But if they feel 152 00:07:46,160 --> 00:07:48,400 Speaker 2: the zone stuff that's working more often, maybe they just go, hey, 153 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:50,880 Speaker 2: we're gonna go with what's working. And I think that 154 00:07:50,960 --> 00:07:53,400 Speaker 2: actually bodes well for the Steelers because they have more 155 00:07:53,440 --> 00:07:56,240 Speaker 2: guys right now that can be zone more consistently than 156 00:07:56,280 --> 00:07:57,000 Speaker 2: beating men. 157 00:07:57,760 --> 00:08:01,200 Speaker 3: I also think there's several different but they also don't 158 00:08:01,240 --> 00:08:04,160 Speaker 3: have the pass rush that the Browns do. By any threats, 159 00:08:04,280 --> 00:08:06,520 Speaker 3: they do not and they do not actually come via 160 00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:07,400 Speaker 3: blitz or you know. 161 00:08:08,280 --> 00:08:11,320 Speaker 2: Yeah. I I asked Arthur Smith about this today and 162 00:08:11,600 --> 00:08:13,640 Speaker 2: the one thing that he mentioned about that was you 163 00:08:13,640 --> 00:08:16,360 Speaker 2: don't see a lot of quarterbacks who are getting to 164 00:08:16,400 --> 00:08:19,640 Speaker 2: their second read against the Browns. You know that that 165 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:22,680 Speaker 2: just doesn't happen very very frequently. Sure, And that's a 166 00:08:22,720 --> 00:08:24,840 Speaker 2: really good point, because you will be able to get 167 00:08:24,880 --> 00:08:26,440 Speaker 2: to your second read a lot more frequently against the 168 00:08:26,480 --> 00:08:28,240 Speaker 2: Rams because the Ravens don't have a good pass running 169 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:32,200 Speaker 2: so that that that could be also be deciding like 170 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:34,400 Speaker 2: even if they decide, yeah, let's man up, let's man up, 171 00:08:34,559 --> 00:08:38,040 Speaker 2: Rogers might have more time to get through his progressions 172 00:08:38,080 --> 00:08:39,720 Speaker 2: to go from one to two to check down or 173 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:42,120 Speaker 2: one to two to three, whatever it is, and that 174 00:08:42,200 --> 00:08:45,520 Speaker 2: could that could be the difference that could between getting 175 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:48,400 Speaker 2: six points against the Browns and getting maybe twenty or 176 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:50,480 Speaker 2: twenty three against the Ravens, and that might be enough 177 00:08:50,520 --> 00:08:52,600 Speaker 2: to win if your defense can can play the way 178 00:08:52,600 --> 00:08:54,080 Speaker 2: it's been playing for the past few weeks. 179 00:08:54,720 --> 00:08:56,280 Speaker 1: Chris Alec with us here on the drive on the 180 00:08:56,280 --> 00:08:58,439 Speaker 1: Steelers Audio Network. Chris, maybe we buried the lead a 181 00:08:58,440 --> 00:09:00,880 Speaker 1: little bit. We've had you on the phone for about 182 00:09:00,920 --> 00:09:03,760 Speaker 1: ten minutes here and haven't really mentioned or talked much 183 00:09:03,800 --> 00:09:07,439 Speaker 1: about Derrick Henry. He will turn thirty two years old 184 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:12,360 Speaker 1: actually on Sunday on game Day. Aging like a fine wine, certainly, 185 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:15,520 Speaker 1: I think compared to most at his position, at his age, 186 00:09:15,880 --> 00:09:18,680 Speaker 1: and what he did last Saturday night at Lambeau was 187 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:21,840 Speaker 1: one of the better performances of his career. Four touchdowns, 188 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:26,640 Speaker 1: two hundred and sixteen yards, thirty six carries, just punishing 189 00:09:26,640 --> 00:09:30,640 Speaker 1: that Packers defense. Do you think Baltimore looks at at 190 00:09:30,720 --> 00:09:34,040 Speaker 1: and kind of like copy and paste, We're gonna same 191 00:09:34,080 --> 00:09:36,320 Speaker 1: type of thing again, you know, high twenties, low thirties 192 00:09:36,360 --> 00:09:39,120 Speaker 1: amount of carries for Derrick Henry or will they have 193 00:09:39,200 --> 00:09:43,320 Speaker 1: to you know, adapt and change the game pay and 194 00:09:43,360 --> 00:09:46,760 Speaker 1: based on this Steelers defense, how how obviously he's gonna 195 00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:49,320 Speaker 1: be a huge focal point. But just how much is 196 00:09:49,480 --> 00:09:51,520 Speaker 1: Derick Henry the real X factor in this game? 197 00:09:52,600 --> 00:09:55,760 Speaker 2: I think he is the excellent and that's I'm not 198 00:09:55,800 --> 00:09:58,760 Speaker 2: taking anything away from Lamar Jackson. It does look like 199 00:09:58,960 --> 00:10:01,720 Speaker 2: as of right now, there's you know, we're not certain 200 00:10:01,760 --> 00:10:03,760 Speaker 2: for sure that Lamar is definitely starting, but he was 201 00:10:03,760 --> 00:10:07,559 Speaker 2: a full participant wednesday, he's practicing again today. It looks 202 00:10:07,559 --> 00:10:09,160 Speaker 2: like Lamar is going to be coming back, but you know, 203 00:10:09,240 --> 00:10:15,240 Speaker 2: we'll see. But Derrick Henry right now is the X factor. Yeah. 204 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:18,160 Speaker 2: When he has a performance like that, I don't know 205 00:10:18,240 --> 00:10:20,760 Speaker 2: how you don't go back to him, especially when you 206 00:10:20,800 --> 00:10:23,319 Speaker 2: look at the past two games that the that the 207 00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:25,720 Speaker 2: Ravens have played against the Steelers. They had two hundred 208 00:10:25,720 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 2: and seventeen rushing yards a few weeks ago, and then 209 00:10:28,320 --> 00:10:30,240 Speaker 2: obviously you go back to that playoff game, they had 210 00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:33,280 Speaker 2: two hundred ninety nine yard two hundred ninety nine yards. 211 00:10:34,760 --> 00:10:38,160 Speaker 2: I just they have to think we're going to continue 212 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:41,240 Speaker 2: to just shove the ball down their throat and we're 213 00:10:41,240 --> 00:10:45,040 Speaker 2: gonna do it with Derrick Henry. But the Steelers are 214 00:10:45,080 --> 00:10:47,320 Speaker 2: coming off of three straight weeks in which they have 215 00:10:48,000 --> 00:10:50,760 Speaker 2: completely shut down the run. I mean they held Jamior Gibbs, 216 00:10:50,840 --> 00:10:54,439 Speaker 2: David Montgomery and the Lions rush attack to just fifteen yards. 217 00:10:55,200 --> 00:10:57,400 Speaker 2: This run defense right now is kind of feeling itself, 218 00:10:57,480 --> 00:10:59,440 Speaker 2: and they have Derek Harmon back, and we see the 219 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:01,520 Speaker 2: splits betchwe when Harmon's on the field when he's not 220 00:11:01,559 --> 00:11:05,240 Speaker 2: on the field. So that's another matchup to watch. I 221 00:11:05,520 --> 00:11:08,439 Speaker 2: think the Ravens will be going, yeah, we'll be trying 222 00:11:08,440 --> 00:11:10,320 Speaker 2: to give I mean shot the lot of time they play. 223 00:11:10,440 --> 00:11:14,000 Speaker 2: Derrick Henry had twenty five cards and it's not thirty six, 224 00:11:14,120 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 2: but twenty five is still a good amount of using 225 00:11:15,840 --> 00:11:19,760 Speaker 2: today's NFL. So now, the Steelers did a pretty good 226 00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:21,280 Speaker 2: job of keeping a cap on it. You know, he 227 00:11:21,320 --> 00:11:23,520 Speaker 2: only averaged three point eight yards for carrying that game. 228 00:11:24,120 --> 00:11:26,160 Speaker 2: So if they do that, okay, well you got to 229 00:11:26,160 --> 00:11:27,760 Speaker 2: make sure you keep a lid on Keith Mitchell, who's 230 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:29,520 Speaker 2: a good change of pace back and who can you 231 00:11:29,520 --> 00:11:31,480 Speaker 2: know he rated a lot that fifty five yard or 232 00:11:31,480 --> 00:11:34,840 Speaker 2: in that game. So it's not just Derrick Henry, but 233 00:11:35,760 --> 00:11:38,560 Speaker 2: if they keep a cap on Henry, I feel like 234 00:11:38,640 --> 00:11:42,840 Speaker 2: they stand a better chance of not getting trampled the 235 00:11:42,880 --> 00:11:45,720 Speaker 2: way that they got trampled in the playoffs last year. Like, 236 00:11:45,760 --> 00:11:47,679 Speaker 2: even though they gave up the two hundred and seventeen 237 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:50,319 Speaker 2: yards in the game a few weeks ago, I didn't 238 00:11:50,360 --> 00:11:54,320 Speaker 2: feel like that was like an overwhelming like, gosh, the 239 00:11:54,320 --> 00:11:56,319 Speaker 2: Steelers aren't gonna win this game. And maybe it was 240 00:11:56,360 --> 00:11:59,280 Speaker 2: just because of the way the offense is playing. Certainly 241 00:11:59,280 --> 00:12:01,080 Speaker 2: you don't want to give up many rushing yards, but 242 00:12:01,520 --> 00:12:04,240 Speaker 2: if you can keep a cap on Henry. Also, knowing 243 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:07,160 Speaker 2: Lamar is not one hundred percent, He's clearly going to 244 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:10,840 Speaker 2: be playing banged up and he's had several injuries over 245 00:12:10,880 --> 00:12:12,520 Speaker 2: the course of the season, I don't think Lamar is 246 00:12:12,559 --> 00:12:15,560 Speaker 2: the threat that he normally is in terms to run 247 00:12:15,600 --> 00:12:18,079 Speaker 2: the ball. So yeah, it's going to be sellout to 248 00:12:18,120 --> 00:12:20,599 Speaker 2: Stott Henry. Otherwise it's going to be it could be 249 00:12:20,640 --> 00:12:21,439 Speaker 2: a really long night. 250 00:12:22,360 --> 00:12:24,360 Speaker 3: So we know there's no dk Metcalf, we know there's 251 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:27,720 Speaker 3: no Darnell Washington, and this is frustrated me all year. 252 00:12:27,840 --> 00:12:31,040 Speaker 3: But and I'll be critical on Monday if they lose 253 00:12:31,200 --> 00:12:34,560 Speaker 3: and don't use Pat Fryermouth I have to think that 254 00:12:34,679 --> 00:12:37,560 Speaker 3: he's got to be featured in this game as much 255 00:12:37,600 --> 00:12:38,520 Speaker 3: as any game the season. 256 00:12:38,559 --> 00:12:44,400 Speaker 2: Basically, I would like to think, so yeah, frustrating. I'd 257 00:12:44,440 --> 00:12:48,040 Speaker 2: like to think, so yeah, it definitely is. I mean, 258 00:12:48,280 --> 00:12:50,920 Speaker 2: like I understand, you know, when they're at full strength 259 00:12:50,960 --> 00:12:53,360 Speaker 2: and they have the collection of tight ends that they have, 260 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:57,040 Speaker 2: there's only one ball to go around, you know, I 261 00:12:57,080 --> 00:12:57,480 Speaker 2: get that. 262 00:12:57,840 --> 00:13:00,760 Speaker 3: And I think Washington demand snaps because he's such a 263 00:13:00,760 --> 00:13:01,800 Speaker 3: freaking Yes. 264 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:04,880 Speaker 2: Yes, I agree with that, but what with friar Mouth 265 00:13:04,960 --> 00:13:10,120 Speaker 2: right now is arguably your best man beater? 266 00:13:10,559 --> 00:13:13,680 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it's him or game on the team 267 00:13:13,760 --> 00:13:14,160 Speaker 3: right now. 268 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:17,840 Speaker 2: Right And and so if the Ravens do come out 269 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:20,720 Speaker 2: and say, listen, we're we we are stealing the blueprint 270 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:23,840 Speaker 2: that Cleveland laid out last week and we're just gonna 271 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:27,800 Speaker 2: cover one you to death, then you gotta you gotta 272 00:13:27,920 --> 00:13:30,320 Speaker 2: use Pat. You know, you gotta use Pat. I don't 273 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:34,040 Speaker 2: know if I would trust the Ravens linebackers. Maybe Kyle Hamilton. 274 00:13:34,280 --> 00:13:36,800 Speaker 2: They stick Kyle Hamilton on friar Mouth game long, then 275 00:13:36,800 --> 00:13:40,040 Speaker 2: maybe maybe you know it won't work out, But I 276 00:13:40,480 --> 00:13:42,680 Speaker 2: doubt they would do something like that because Hamilton is 277 00:13:42,720 --> 00:13:45,960 Speaker 2: just so versatile, and they can use him in so 278 00:13:45,960 --> 00:13:48,840 Speaker 2: many different ways, and he's in all those ways. 279 00:13:50,840 --> 00:13:53,480 Speaker 3: I think should be in every snap guy, I mean, 280 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:55,600 Speaker 3: like play ninety percent of snaps. 281 00:13:56,840 --> 00:13:59,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, I would agree with that. I think he is 282 00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:04,040 Speaker 2: their best high end overall tight end. Yeah. I would 283 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:05,719 Speaker 2: like to think that a game like this, where your 284 00:14:05,960 --> 00:14:08,600 Speaker 2: your hand is being forced, you don't have Darnell Washington, 285 00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:11,680 Speaker 2: you don't have DK Metcalf, You're gonna have to lean 286 00:14:11,720 --> 00:14:14,600 Speaker 2: into it. And if he has a big game again, 287 00:14:14,679 --> 00:14:16,760 Speaker 2: that that difference. We talk about a lot of things 288 00:14:16,760 --> 00:14:18,400 Speaker 2: that could be the difference in this game. That could 289 00:14:18,400 --> 00:14:22,720 Speaker 2: be a difference because when when you're missing impactful players 290 00:14:22,760 --> 00:14:25,800 Speaker 2: like like DK Metcalf and dar'nell Washington, somebody else has 291 00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:28,120 Speaker 2: got to step up, and Pat's probably must have to 292 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:28,600 Speaker 2: be that guy. 293 00:14:29,880 --> 00:14:32,600 Speaker 1: Chris, last one I've got for you, pretty simple. Uh, 294 00:14:32,760 --> 00:14:38,120 Speaker 1: Steelers win Sunday. If Steelers lose Sunday, If. 295 00:14:39,880 --> 00:14:45,520 Speaker 2: Oh boy, the Steelers lose Sunday. If Derrick Henry goes nuts, 296 00:14:45,560 --> 00:14:50,160 Speaker 2: sure that that's that's pretty that's that's pretty self explanatory. 297 00:14:50,160 --> 00:14:52,440 Speaker 2: If they cannot stop Derrick Henry in the run game, 298 00:14:52,960 --> 00:14:57,320 Speaker 2: I don't see them winning at all. The Steelers win. 299 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:00,320 Speaker 2: I'm trying to think of the right way, like the 300 00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:05,680 Speaker 2: right angle. I'll put it this way. The Steelers win 301 00:15:05,840 --> 00:15:11,680 Speaker 2: if the Ravens decide to not steal Cleveland's blueprint, tried 302 00:15:11,680 --> 00:15:13,840 Speaker 2: to do their own thing, if they try to stick 303 00:15:13,880 --> 00:15:17,280 Speaker 2: with the things that have been working for them over 304 00:15:17,320 --> 00:15:20,200 Speaker 2: the past few weeks, I don't see that being the 305 00:15:20,200 --> 00:15:23,200 Speaker 2: best game plan. I think Aaron Rodgers would be able 306 00:15:23,200 --> 00:15:25,160 Speaker 2: to pick out a part. I think they have enough 307 00:15:25,200 --> 00:15:27,960 Speaker 2: guys that can find the spots in zone. We talk 308 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:31,400 Speaker 2: about Pat Fryronmuth. I mean, Mike Tomlin himself has called 309 00:15:31,400 --> 00:15:34,400 Speaker 2: Pat Fryarmouth a zone killer. He does know how to 310 00:15:34,400 --> 00:15:37,280 Speaker 2: find those soft spots. I think if the Ravens run 311 00:15:37,280 --> 00:15:42,200 Speaker 2: out any kind of zone more consistently than man, then 312 00:15:42,280 --> 00:15:47,520 Speaker 2: I really really think this could be. It could be 313 00:15:47,560 --> 00:15:49,120 Speaker 2: a game in which the Steelers kind of get all 314 00:15:49,160 --> 00:15:51,000 Speaker 2: the points that they that they need to win the game. 315 00:15:51,160 --> 00:15:52,800 Speaker 2: So I'll put it that way. 316 00:15:53,640 --> 00:15:54,120 Speaker 3: I like it. 317 00:15:54,240 --> 00:15:56,400 Speaker 1: I like it too, Chris Alec dude, thank you for 318 00:15:56,440 --> 00:15:59,000 Speaker 1: the time. As always, we appreciate it. Happy New Year 319 00:15:59,160 --> 00:16:00,360 Speaker 1: and we will talk to you soon. 320 00:16:01,080 --> 00:16:03,200 Speaker 2: Happy New Year to you guys. Thanks for having me there. 321 00:16:03,240 --> 00:16:05,720 Speaker 1: He goes Chris Aleck d K Pittsburgh Sports. Always fun 322 00:16:05,760 --> 00:16:09,440 Speaker 1: conversation with him, and we'll see him at the Ballyard 323 00:16:09,480 --> 00:16:10,440 Speaker 1: on Sunday night.