1 00:00:04,200 --> 00:00:07,520 Speaker 1: He's the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson on 2 00:00:07,680 --> 00:00:10,160 Speaker 1: your twenty four seventh home of the Black and Gold 3 00:00:10,520 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: SNR Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome to the Drive behind Dale Wally. 4 00:00:15,800 --> 00:00:20,160 Speaker 1: He is Matt Williamson. We are back from Phoenix and well, Matt, 5 00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 1: we're back from Phoenix and weather here it's not nearly 6 00:00:23,800 --> 00:00:26,759 Speaker 1: as nice as it was in Phoenix. A little different. 7 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:29,520 Speaker 1: Amazing what a four or five hour plane ride? Who 8 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:32,479 Speaker 1: can get your geography wise? And weather was a little different. 9 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:35,000 Speaker 1: And funny. I was telling the fan, They're like, oh, 10 00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:36,920 Speaker 1: were you in the pool and all that. I'm like, no, 11 00:00:37,120 --> 00:00:39,240 Speaker 1: but I remember you. And I got in an Uber 12 00:00:40,080 --> 00:00:42,440 Speaker 1: and our Uber driver was like, you guys must be 13 00:00:42,479 --> 00:00:44,960 Speaker 1: from the North. I'm like, why, yeah, we are. He's like, 14 00:00:45,120 --> 00:00:49,880 Speaker 1: you've shorts on? This is you know it's chilly. It 15 00:00:49,920 --> 00:00:53,520 Speaker 1: was not chilly at all. No, No, not so much. Yeah, 16 00:00:53,680 --> 00:00:57,200 Speaker 1: very nice. Uh got some some good work done down there, 17 00:00:57,400 --> 00:00:59,600 Speaker 1: and uh, well we're back and we'll get some good 18 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:04,320 Speaker 1: work done here. Absolutely, give me an extra one this week. Absolutely, 19 00:01:04,360 --> 00:01:08,640 Speaker 1: So I thought we'd dive in while we're in route 20 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:12,160 Speaker 1: back to Pittsburgh. Yesterday the Steelers were busy. Yeah, they 21 00:01:12,200 --> 00:01:13,959 Speaker 1: were while we were in the air, while we were 22 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:16,520 Speaker 1: in the air. Now, nothing has been officially announced as 23 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:19,759 Speaker 1: of yet, but it looks like they've come to terms 24 00:01:19,959 --> 00:01:23,119 Speaker 1: with safety key On and Neil a former Pro Bowl player, 25 00:01:23,600 --> 00:01:28,959 Speaker 1: and then Brandon free Hoko defensive tackle with the Chargers, 26 00:01:29,480 --> 00:01:33,400 Speaker 1: and again filling up the needs here. Matt, Yeah, and 27 00:01:33,480 --> 00:01:35,080 Speaker 1: I think that's what it is. I mean, it's kind 28 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:39,240 Speaker 1: of I don't say filler, but these are important roster 29 00:01:39,360 --> 00:01:42,319 Speaker 1: spots that don't like move the needle and aren't you know, 30 00:01:42,520 --> 00:01:46,480 Speaker 1: huge moves. But they're nice bargains for guys. I think 31 00:01:46,480 --> 00:01:48,559 Speaker 1: that you know what you're getting. They have an NFL 32 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:52,960 Speaker 1: track record and pick one. It's like buy one or 33 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:56,160 Speaker 1: the other. Let's talk about Neil first, because he's obviously 34 00:01:56,200 --> 00:01:59,960 Speaker 1: I think the name more people will recognize. He's played 35 00:02:00,200 --> 00:02:03,480 Speaker 1: box safety, played some linebacker. I looked up his stats 36 00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:07,720 Speaker 1: last night, and for example, when they played the Ravens 37 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:09,960 Speaker 1: last year, they being he played in Tampa Bay last year. 38 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:14,160 Speaker 1: Oh okay, when Tampa Bay played the Ravens, he lined 39 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:17,040 Speaker 1: in the slot for thirty snaps in that game. I 40 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:21,280 Speaker 1: wonder why, right, right, right, right? So Edmonds has done 41 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:23,520 Speaker 1: those things as well. You know. I mean he will 42 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:26,880 Speaker 1: line in the slot, particularly against tight ends, man or zone. 43 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:31,000 Speaker 1: I think Neil can do those things. Former first round pick, 44 00:02:31,160 --> 00:02:34,160 Speaker 1: big bodied guy, been around the block, never really fulfilled 45 00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:38,880 Speaker 1: the first round promise. Of course, I don't know if 46 00:02:38,880 --> 00:02:40,680 Speaker 1: you agree with this or not. So this is how 47 00:02:40,720 --> 00:02:43,320 Speaker 1: I've been kind of summing him up is I don't 48 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:47,680 Speaker 1: see him as a direct replacement for Edmonds, but I 49 00:02:47,720 --> 00:02:51,080 Speaker 1: think he's a massive upgrade over Marcus Allen, who played 50 00:02:51,120 --> 00:02:54,880 Speaker 1: more linebacker than Edmunds. And those lines are a little blurry, 51 00:02:55,240 --> 00:02:57,680 Speaker 1: but I think he's somewhere in between. Like if you 52 00:02:57,680 --> 00:03:02,400 Speaker 1: can turn Alan in and Neil and a fourth round 53 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:06,200 Speaker 1: safety who turns into the Edmonds type or whomever, I 54 00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:08,320 Speaker 1: think you're better at the position than you were. I 55 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:10,360 Speaker 1: think he's all part of He's not the answer, but 56 00:03:10,400 --> 00:03:14,080 Speaker 1: he's part of the equation. Yeah, you know, maybe maybe 57 00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:16,160 Speaker 1: he only plays ten snaps a game, but they're ten 58 00:03:16,200 --> 00:03:19,400 Speaker 1: important snaps. And I think it's very like you mentioned 59 00:03:19,440 --> 00:03:21,600 Speaker 1: with the Ravens, depends who you're playing, you know, like 60 00:03:22,360 --> 00:03:25,160 Speaker 1: if it's a spread them out team, maybe you take 61 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:28,440 Speaker 1: Roberts off the field. In Neil's next to Holcomb, Well 62 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:30,400 Speaker 1: you got a lot faster and a lot more coverage. 63 00:03:30,520 --> 00:03:33,640 Speaker 1: You know, abilities there if you're playing the Ravens, maybe 64 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:36,000 Speaker 1: he's banging andrews at the line of scrimmage and then 65 00:03:36,040 --> 00:03:39,920 Speaker 1: passing them off to Minka or Kaz downfield or blitzing 66 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:42,160 Speaker 1: here and there. So it's just a different piece than 67 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:46,160 Speaker 1: what you've had. Yeah, you know in Tampa last year 68 00:03:46,200 --> 00:03:50,839 Speaker 1: as well, he played almost as much deep safety as 69 00:03:50,880 --> 00:03:53,720 Speaker 1: he did in the box, I know, because they play 70 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:56,880 Speaker 1: that covered. They played more of that cover too. Like, 71 00:03:57,040 --> 00:03:59,080 Speaker 1: I don't think you want him as single high no, 72 00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:01,920 Speaker 1: you know, ever, I don't want to play in man 73 00:04:02,040 --> 00:04:05,600 Speaker 1: coverage against Keenan Allen in the slot, you know, but 74 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:08,240 Speaker 1: you know, too high. He can do it, He's done 75 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:10,200 Speaker 1: it a lot in his career, but I think he's 76 00:04:10,320 --> 00:04:13,800 Speaker 1: better closer to the line of scrimmage. Yeah, yeah, again, 77 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:17,040 Speaker 1: part of the equation played some special teams last year 78 00:04:17,080 --> 00:04:20,200 Speaker 1: for the Buccaneers as well. Has some familiarity with Kaz 79 00:04:20,400 --> 00:04:23,640 Speaker 1: as well, because they were both in Dallas two years ago. Oh, 80 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:25,680 Speaker 1: I didn't tune two together on that. Yeah, so they 81 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:28,120 Speaker 1: you know, they've they've worked together in the past. So 82 00:04:28,520 --> 00:04:32,200 Speaker 1: I think the plan is perhaps you know, playing Kaz 83 00:04:32,400 --> 00:04:35,920 Speaker 1: and Minca Fitzpatrick at the same time to go to 84 00:04:36,040 --> 00:04:41,200 Speaker 1: more of a true doesn't matter which one's free interchangeable. 85 00:04:41,279 --> 00:04:44,160 Speaker 1: They're interchangeable. But there are going to be times when 86 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:46,960 Speaker 1: you want a true strong as well. And you know 87 00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:50,320 Speaker 1: that's what Keyan O'Neill can do for you. One hundred 88 00:04:50,560 --> 00:04:55,360 Speaker 1: agree And do you feel stronger that they will draft 89 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:59,160 Speaker 1: one now? Like I think they're another safety will probably 90 00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:02,040 Speaker 1: come in this draft class. And to be honest, even 91 00:05:02,120 --> 00:05:04,960 Speaker 1: before this signing, I was starting to warm up to 92 00:05:05,080 --> 00:05:09,400 Speaker 1: that third fourth round neighborhood of safeties in this class, 93 00:05:09,480 --> 00:05:11,960 Speaker 1: you know that aren't superstars but could come in and 94 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:15,320 Speaker 1: be cheap labor for four plus years, maybe special team 95 00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:19,880 Speaker 1: or developmental guys, the next to monte k Z. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. 96 00:05:19,880 --> 00:05:22,440 Speaker 1: I mean whether they're two twenty or one ninety or 97 00:05:22,520 --> 00:05:25,080 Speaker 1: somewhere in between. I do think you could add a 98 00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:28,400 Speaker 1: safety in this class and really round that room out. Yeah, 99 00:05:28,440 --> 00:05:30,560 Speaker 1: I think you know, if to me, I want that 100 00:05:30,680 --> 00:05:35,400 Speaker 1: guy to be slot capable. Um, you know, I'd like 101 00:05:35,480 --> 00:05:36,880 Speaker 1: him to be able to drop down and play in 102 00:05:36,920 --> 00:05:39,000 Speaker 1: the slot. But if he could play you know, deep 103 00:05:39,080 --> 00:05:42,360 Speaker 1: middle as well, you know, single high, that's okay. I 104 00:05:42,520 --> 00:05:45,200 Speaker 1: like that too, And that's just where the game's going. 105 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:48,120 Speaker 1: And there's several guys in those middle rounds that I like, 106 00:05:49,000 --> 00:05:51,800 Speaker 1: uh that that you mentioned, you know, starting maybe a 107 00:05:52,240 --> 00:05:55,719 Speaker 1: late round two into round four, that there's some guys 108 00:05:55,760 --> 00:05:59,640 Speaker 1: there that they can do those kind of things the 109 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:05,600 Speaker 1: same thing for me people it would be Jordan Battle, 110 00:06:05,839 --> 00:06:11,440 Speaker 1: Jay or Brown, Sydney Brown, um, Dark Tavis Martin, maybe 111 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:14,240 Speaker 1: Jamie Robinson, Jail Skinner, you know. I mean, I think 112 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:18,520 Speaker 1: there's a lot of them in that neighborhood that'll be attractive. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. 113 00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:24,800 Speaker 1: I also wonder if if perhaps much like the Patrick 114 00:06:24,880 --> 00:06:29,280 Speaker 1: Peterson's signing, they're looking at maybe killing two birds with 115 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:32,640 Speaker 1: one stone here and saying, hey, Kean and Niels played 116 00:06:32,680 --> 00:06:35,920 Speaker 1: linebacker too in his career. Yeah, yeah, Um, you know 117 00:06:36,040 --> 00:06:38,560 Speaker 1: he is he going to line up in your three 118 00:06:38,640 --> 00:06:42,920 Speaker 1: four defensive play linebacker? Probably not, but you know, if 119 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:44,640 Speaker 1: you have an injury or something, he can get you 120 00:06:44,880 --> 00:06:47,160 Speaker 1: in and out of a game doing that. Um, you know, 121 00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:48,680 Speaker 1: there's there's a lot that you can do with him. 122 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:52,640 Speaker 1: There's some position flexibility there. Correct me from wrong. Marcus 123 00:06:52,720 --> 00:06:56,000 Speaker 1: Allen was listed as a linebacker two after Yeah, when 124 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:58,160 Speaker 1: they initially drafted him. He was a safety and then 125 00:06:58,200 --> 00:07:01,000 Speaker 1: they shifted him over to the linebacker. I just think 126 00:07:01,040 --> 00:07:03,040 Speaker 1: he's a much better version of that, you know what 127 00:07:03,160 --> 00:07:06,039 Speaker 1: you wanted Allen, you know, or I'm a picking up 128 00:07:06,160 --> 00:07:09,200 Speaker 1: Marcus Allen, But down stretch there, I kind of thought 129 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:11,240 Speaker 1: he was the fifty third guy, Like if I have 130 00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:14,680 Speaker 1: two years ago, he was actually playing in their defense, right, 131 00:07:15,280 --> 00:07:18,720 Speaker 1: you know last year was not That was not the case, right, 132 00:07:18,840 --> 00:07:21,520 Speaker 1: oh Man and Kean O'Neil's or you know, Neil's not 133 00:07:21,560 --> 00:07:23,240 Speaker 1: going to be your fifty third guy. You know he's 134 00:07:23,240 --> 00:07:25,240 Speaker 1: gonna be your forty second guy or whatever. Even if 135 00:07:25,240 --> 00:07:27,000 Speaker 1: he is. You if he's your fifty third guy, you've 136 00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:29,280 Speaker 1: got a pretty good roster. You're fifty two are pretty good, 137 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:33,440 Speaker 1: right exactly. And that's what they've That's really what they've 138 00:07:33,480 --> 00:07:36,200 Speaker 1: been doing here, Matt. You know, guys signing guys, guys 139 00:07:36,280 --> 00:07:39,680 Speaker 1: signing guys like the Raven Clark or Braden Fajko. They 140 00:07:39,760 --> 00:07:43,960 Speaker 1: aren't going to move the needle. No until December when 141 00:07:44,040 --> 00:07:45,960 Speaker 1: somebody is hurt and all of a sudden, you have 142 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:47,520 Speaker 1: to put that guy in the game, and you're not 143 00:07:47,680 --> 00:07:50,000 Speaker 1: turning it over to a rookie you're turning it over 144 00:07:50,080 --> 00:07:52,880 Speaker 1: to somebody who's got starts under their belt. Yeah, or 145 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:56,520 Speaker 1: maybe the rookie goes past him, but maybe don't you know, 146 00:07:56,640 --> 00:07:58,680 Speaker 1: like you're not just banking on a rookie, you know, 147 00:07:58,880 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 1: I mean you hate to say it, but Kaz or 148 00:08:02,160 --> 00:08:03,880 Speaker 1: Manka or anybody then they get hurt in camp and 149 00:08:03,880 --> 00:08:05,320 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, it's like, boy, good to you 150 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:08,840 Speaker 1: on a kneel or know, yeah, right, no doubt, it 151 00:08:08,960 --> 00:08:12,080 Speaker 1: doesn't all fall apart. That to me, Like, you know, 152 00:08:12,440 --> 00:08:14,480 Speaker 1: when I look at and I'm just going to use 153 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:16,560 Speaker 1: this as an example right now, when I look at 154 00:08:16,600 --> 00:08:19,080 Speaker 1: the roster of the Steelers versus say, the roster of 155 00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:24,120 Speaker 1: the Browns, where the Browns have some name guys at positions, 156 00:08:24,320 --> 00:08:27,760 Speaker 1: they don't have any depth. Right, Like I was about 157 00:08:27,840 --> 00:08:29,360 Speaker 1: to say, you kind of beat me to the punch 158 00:08:29,520 --> 00:08:34,120 Speaker 1: that my hunch is when camp breaks, the Steelers bottom 159 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:36,880 Speaker 1: ten guys will be better than they have been in 160 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:39,920 Speaker 1: recent years. But to your point was even better is 161 00:08:40,520 --> 00:08:43,080 Speaker 1: there'll be a lot better than the Browns bottom ten guys. 162 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:45,840 Speaker 1: You know what I mean? You know, seventeen game schedule, 163 00:08:45,880 --> 00:08:48,920 Speaker 1: injuries are going to happen. Injuries are gonna happen right right, 164 00:08:49,000 --> 00:08:51,440 Speaker 1: and then you infuse it with a group of draft picks, 165 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:54,720 Speaker 1: you know, so the rosters taking shape and you can 166 00:08:54,840 --> 00:08:59,000 Speaker 1: very much see the plan. Yeah, I definitely think and again, 167 00:08:59,080 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 1: this is part of the val value of having a 168 00:09:01,160 --> 00:09:04,719 Speaker 1: quarterback on his rookie deal. You're not spending twenty five 169 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:07,520 Speaker 1: to thirty five to forty five million on your quarterback room, 170 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:10,959 Speaker 1: so you can afford to bring it veteran guys who 171 00:09:11,200 --> 00:09:13,960 Speaker 1: you know, maybe they cost you one point five million 172 00:09:14,080 --> 00:09:15,920 Speaker 1: as opposed to a rookie who's going to cost you, 173 00:09:16,280 --> 00:09:19,319 Speaker 1: you know, seven hundred thousand. But you can afford to 174 00:09:19,400 --> 00:09:22,840 Speaker 1: do this and have those veteran guys at those spots 175 00:09:24,200 --> 00:09:26,640 Speaker 1: because you're not paying a quarterback and you're not signing 176 00:09:26,679 --> 00:09:30,000 Speaker 1: these guys a long term deals, so you know, you 177 00:09:30,040 --> 00:09:33,640 Speaker 1: can always continue to try to outdraft them. Yeah, there's 178 00:09:33,679 --> 00:09:35,400 Speaker 1: a bunch of birds in the hands here, you know, 179 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:40,000 Speaker 1: like kind he said, because of the not huge quarterback 180 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:43,400 Speaker 1: deal instead of going into the draft going we kind 181 00:09:43,440 --> 00:09:45,079 Speaker 1: of have to use a third or fourth round pick 182 00:09:45,120 --> 00:09:47,400 Speaker 1: on a safety and they're gonna be our third guy, 183 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:50,600 Speaker 1: and hopefully that we don't get to that, or maybe 184 00:09:50,640 --> 00:09:53,000 Speaker 1: we hit a home run where this one. It's like, 185 00:09:54,120 --> 00:09:56,120 Speaker 1: we would like to use a third or fourth round 186 00:09:56,160 --> 00:09:58,679 Speaker 1: pick on a safety and develop them because that room's 187 00:09:58,720 --> 00:10:01,679 Speaker 1: not super young at this moment, and we can bring 188 00:10:01,760 --> 00:10:04,400 Speaker 1: them along and slow as we want. But if there's 189 00:10:04,440 --> 00:10:07,400 Speaker 1: a tackle there the weadest can't pass up, we're gonna 190 00:10:07,400 --> 00:10:11,079 Speaker 1: take that guy, you know. Yeah, yeah, it's very much man. 191 00:10:11,080 --> 00:10:13,160 Speaker 1: I was thinking about this on the drive home from 192 00:10:13,160 --> 00:10:15,880 Speaker 1: the airport last night. You know, we talked about the 193 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:19,959 Speaker 1: Houston Texans two years ago where they just went out 194 00:10:19,960 --> 00:10:24,480 Speaker 1: and signed a bunch of low level free agents. They 195 00:10:24,679 --> 00:10:27,240 Speaker 1: that team knew they weren't going to be good, right, right, 196 00:10:27,320 --> 00:10:30,079 Speaker 1: But they were more competitive two years ago than anybody 197 00:10:30,160 --> 00:10:32,120 Speaker 1: thought they would be because they had a bunch of 198 00:10:32,200 --> 00:10:35,679 Speaker 1: guys on their roster who were NFL players. Maybe not stars, 199 00:10:36,040 --> 00:10:39,559 Speaker 1: but they were NFL players. Yeah, and they're cheap contracts 200 00:10:39,640 --> 00:10:41,679 Speaker 1: and they were a lot of one year deals. And 201 00:10:43,320 --> 00:10:45,720 Speaker 1: you're not comparing the Steelers situation to the Texans. I mean, 202 00:10:45,720 --> 00:10:49,120 Speaker 1: they don't know. I think that obviously the Steelers have stars, yes, 203 00:10:49,240 --> 00:10:52,600 Speaker 1: exact some positions, but I thought the logic of the Texans, 204 00:10:52,640 --> 00:10:53,959 Speaker 1: I think that's a good way of looking at it 205 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:57,240 Speaker 1: was we're really bad. We have a bad culture. You know, 206 00:10:57,360 --> 00:11:01,320 Speaker 1: we have revolving doors at the head coaching spots. People 207 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:03,920 Speaker 1: want out of here. We got to change our culture. 208 00:11:04,480 --> 00:11:07,600 Speaker 1: And so we're gonna bring in a ton of guys 209 00:11:07,679 --> 00:11:09,920 Speaker 1: that are not on their last legs, but are NFL 210 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:13,800 Speaker 1: players that can't afford to put it in neutral, you know, 211 00:11:13,880 --> 00:11:17,079 Speaker 1: that have to play hard, that are competing for spots. 212 00:11:17,360 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 1: We're creating a lot of competition here or you know, 213 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:22,600 Speaker 1: the fourth quarter games. We're not gonna be hanging our 214 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 1: hats and not playing the hard you know, running or 215 00:11:25,679 --> 00:11:28,079 Speaker 1: you know running, you know, twelve rookies out there, and 216 00:11:28,679 --> 00:11:30,679 Speaker 1: right I don't know what they're doing. I don't know 217 00:11:30,720 --> 00:11:32,199 Speaker 1: what they're doing. And these guys have a lot to 218 00:11:32,280 --> 00:11:34,679 Speaker 1: play for and know what it takes. You know. His 219 00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:38,000 Speaker 1: coach says, they've been in NFL stadiums. You know. Yeah, 220 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:42,760 Speaker 1: I think there's something too that um with Fajko. I 221 00:11:42,880 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 1: know people are gonna look at this ago, well, he 222 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:47,319 Speaker 1: hasn't played very much, and you know, I say, I 223 00:11:47,400 --> 00:11:51,120 Speaker 1: think he's competition for Montrevius Adams. First of all. That's 224 00:11:51,160 --> 00:11:53,439 Speaker 1: what the more I think about it is that a 225 00:11:54,559 --> 00:11:58,360 Speaker 1: two dogs, one bone situation to a certain degree, because 226 00:11:58,400 --> 00:12:01,360 Speaker 1: I don't know that the Steelers at this point carry 227 00:12:01,760 --> 00:12:06,800 Speaker 1: two nose tackle types on their roster, especially because neither 228 00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:08,439 Speaker 1: one of them is going to the Pro Bowl anytime 229 00:12:08,480 --> 00:12:10,719 Speaker 1: soon or right, you're gonna get your five sacks in 230 00:12:10,800 --> 00:12:13,720 Speaker 1: a year, Yeah, you gotta have one. You gotta have one, 231 00:12:14,160 --> 00:12:16,000 Speaker 1: you know when, for when you play Cleveland or when 232 00:12:16,040 --> 00:12:17,920 Speaker 1: you play who you know, whoever. So you know, this 233 00:12:18,040 --> 00:12:21,679 Speaker 1: could be a situation where one of them gets on 234 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:24,600 Speaker 1: the active roster on opening day, the other one's going 235 00:12:24,640 --> 00:12:27,240 Speaker 1: to the practice squad, right right, right, because they both 236 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:32,280 Speaker 1: have that eligibility. And you know montrevious Adams will make 237 00:12:32,360 --> 00:12:35,120 Speaker 1: some plays here and there, but I haven't seen any 238 00:12:35,160 --> 00:12:38,920 Speaker 1: kind of consistency from him. No, I wouldn't saying, boy, 239 00:12:39,760 --> 00:12:41,320 Speaker 1: you don't want him to be your only nose that's 240 00:12:41,360 --> 00:12:43,679 Speaker 1: for sure. Right. Yeah, So you're again, you're taking two 241 00:12:43,720 --> 00:12:46,600 Speaker 1: bites out of the apple here with a similar type player. 242 00:12:46,960 --> 00:12:51,280 Speaker 1: Both of these guys were highly regarded high school guys 243 00:12:51,320 --> 00:12:54,520 Speaker 1: going into college. Yeah yeah, but because of the position 244 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:58,880 Speaker 1: they play. You know, if you're a nose tackle, you're 245 00:12:58,920 --> 00:13:02,280 Speaker 1: not You're There aren't many nose tackles out there who 246 00:13:02,880 --> 00:13:04,480 Speaker 1: you look at and go, yeah, he's going to be 247 00:13:04,520 --> 00:13:07,440 Speaker 1: on the field, or this guy's a star bro right right, 248 00:13:07,480 --> 00:13:10,520 Speaker 1: right now. These guys are pluggers and they're getting phased 249 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:12,840 Speaker 1: out in the NFL, but they're really getting phased out 250 00:13:12,840 --> 00:13:15,760 Speaker 1: of the college level too. You know, wide open. If 251 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:18,400 Speaker 1: you can't run under five ozho, I can't play defense 252 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:21,520 Speaker 1: for Texas tack or whoever. So No, I think you're right. 253 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:24,920 Speaker 1: I could see a scenario in camp where they're two 254 00:13:25,000 --> 00:13:27,400 Speaker 1: of your best six or seventy lineman and you keep 255 00:13:27,440 --> 00:13:29,959 Speaker 1: them both. But I do think it's more fighting for 256 00:13:30,080 --> 00:13:36,600 Speaker 1: a spot. And if you have tam Ogan Jobie Brossee, 257 00:13:36,840 --> 00:13:40,320 Speaker 1: you know, some highly drafted D tackle that's three hundred pounds, 258 00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:43,520 Speaker 1: not a two eighty guy, the interior D line is 259 00:13:43,559 --> 00:13:47,319 Speaker 1: gonna be just fine, right right, And that to me, 260 00:13:47,480 --> 00:13:52,720 Speaker 1: that's why Brossee is so attractive. Yeah, because he's played 261 00:13:52,760 --> 00:13:56,360 Speaker 1: to those Now, is he a traditional nose? No, Sure, 262 00:13:56,920 --> 00:14:00,079 Speaker 1: you could line up and put him at nose. You know, 263 00:14:00,160 --> 00:14:03,600 Speaker 1: if when you're playing whoever you know in your base 264 00:14:03,920 --> 00:14:07,040 Speaker 1: staffs a game against anybody, yeah, um, you know, if 265 00:14:07,080 --> 00:14:09,600 Speaker 1: it's if it's third and third and one or third 266 00:14:09,640 --> 00:14:12,439 Speaker 1: and two, maybe you go back to your traditional nose type. 267 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:14,839 Speaker 1: But you may have four you may have four down 268 00:14:14,920 --> 00:14:17,079 Speaker 1: linemen in the game too, and you're you're gonna play 269 00:14:17,120 --> 00:14:19,200 Speaker 1: that many in your goal line defense. Yeah, I mean 270 00:14:19,240 --> 00:14:22,480 Speaker 1: they that's six man front against the Ravens or even 271 00:14:22,520 --> 00:14:25,080 Speaker 1: a seven man front of times too. You know. So no, 272 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:30,360 Speaker 1: I'm with you. I mean, I'm not discounting these two signings. 273 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:33,280 Speaker 1: And I mean this is a compliment because you can't 274 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:36,440 Speaker 1: have everything. You can't have first round picks everywhere, you 275 00:14:36,560 --> 00:14:39,720 Speaker 1: can't have big money guys everywhere. I think that they've 276 00:14:39,840 --> 00:14:43,440 Speaker 1: realized that strong safety and nose or two positions where 277 00:14:44,040 --> 00:14:45,520 Speaker 1: we're not gonna put a lot of money there. You know, 278 00:14:45,560 --> 00:14:48,280 Speaker 1: we're gonna have guys that are serviceable that to have 279 00:14:48,400 --> 00:14:52,200 Speaker 1: some versatility. They're playing hard, but they're not gonna draft 280 00:14:52,240 --> 00:14:54,200 Speaker 1: etca to go past them, you know what I mean. Yeah, 281 00:14:55,000 --> 00:14:57,240 Speaker 1: And the thing is because a most of the time 282 00:14:57,280 --> 00:14:59,240 Speaker 1: you're strong safety, he's not gonna take the ball away 283 00:14:59,280 --> 00:15:01,800 Speaker 1: a lot, right, right, because he's in coverage. He gets 284 00:15:01,840 --> 00:15:05,200 Speaker 1: us back to the quarterback. I mean, perfect example, played well, 285 00:15:05,240 --> 00:15:06,680 Speaker 1: played a lot of snaps, but there wasn't a lot 286 00:15:06,720 --> 00:15:09,800 Speaker 1: of slash there. Yeah, and your nose tackle is not 287 00:15:09,840 --> 00:15:12,680 Speaker 1: going to get you a lot of sacks, right right, right, 288 00:15:12,720 --> 00:15:15,720 Speaker 1: So you're not gonna spend money on those positions, exactly exactly. 289 00:15:16,240 --> 00:15:18,080 Speaker 1: It's all the league's all about big plays, it's all 290 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:20,840 Speaker 1: about explosion, and you're not going to get them from 291 00:15:20,880 --> 00:15:23,680 Speaker 1: those guys, you know. And hey, if Casey Hampton walked 292 00:15:23,720 --> 00:15:25,520 Speaker 1: in the door, you'd gladly take him and you'd play 293 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:28,480 Speaker 1: them more than you would Atoms or one of these dudes. 294 00:15:29,040 --> 00:15:33,320 Speaker 1: But you don't go actively using your resources on that 295 00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:36,360 Speaker 1: when you could have highsmith ors, you know, I mean, 296 00:15:36,600 --> 00:15:39,000 Speaker 1: I mean that's kind of the Jordan Davis argument from 297 00:15:39,000 --> 00:15:41,800 Speaker 1: a year ago, right right? Is he gonna be one 298 00:15:41,840 --> 00:15:44,760 Speaker 1: of your top three two? You know, he's probably not 299 00:15:44,800 --> 00:15:46,960 Speaker 1: gonna be one of your top two pass rushers. Is 300 00:15:46,960 --> 00:15:49,080 Speaker 1: he gonna even be in your top three pass rushers? 301 00:15:49,560 --> 00:15:51,800 Speaker 1: And what's funny is I feel like I learned a 302 00:15:51,880 --> 00:15:56,320 Speaker 1: lesson from that because I, like many others, were really 303 00:15:56,440 --> 00:15:59,560 Speaker 1: enamored with him and thought, wow, and I know he's 304 00:15:59,600 --> 00:16:01,880 Speaker 1: on the best the line in the league. But when 305 00:16:02,440 --> 00:16:05,040 Speaker 1: playoff team came, playoff time rolled around, he was the 306 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:09,120 Speaker 1: Eagles number five defensive tackles and he signed Joseph and 307 00:16:09,200 --> 00:16:11,400 Speaker 1: Sue and those guys, and he'll be he'll be three 308 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:14,280 Speaker 1: this year or two this year. That's not worth a 309 00:16:14,360 --> 00:16:18,600 Speaker 1: top twenty pick. No, absolutely not. I mean this has 310 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:21,680 Speaker 1: been a chicken or the egg thing. Yeah, maybe in 311 00:16:21,720 --> 00:16:23,440 Speaker 1: the last five or six years. Now, going back to 312 00:16:23,480 --> 00:16:26,080 Speaker 1: when they were, you know, drafting Javon Hargrave. Remember they 313 00:16:26,120 --> 00:16:29,080 Speaker 1: got Javon Hargrave in the third round, right right right? 314 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:31,200 Speaker 1: That says you don't draft a guy like that in 315 00:16:31,320 --> 00:16:35,080 Speaker 1: Hargrave's a better pass rusher than most of these guys 316 00:16:35,120 --> 00:16:38,520 Speaker 1: were talking about, but you don't even then. I mean 317 00:16:38,520 --> 00:16:40,760 Speaker 1: he had a million tacks and then and was yeah, right, 318 00:16:40,840 --> 00:16:44,680 Speaker 1: right right, he's explode off the ball guy. But you're 319 00:16:44,720 --> 00:16:47,440 Speaker 1: just not going to spend a high draft pick or 320 00:16:48,200 --> 00:16:51,120 Speaker 1: a lot of money on a guy who does nothing 321 00:16:51,200 --> 00:16:54,640 Speaker 1: but stop the run, right right, You got to think 322 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:58,040 Speaker 1: the ball away. You spend money on splash players. And 323 00:16:58,880 --> 00:17:02,480 Speaker 1: with all respect to Edmund and Neil and Phoko and Adams, 324 00:17:02,800 --> 00:17:07,920 Speaker 1: those guys aren't splash players. Yeah. Nowhoko, if you saw 325 00:17:08,280 --> 00:17:11,080 Speaker 1: did you see the Brian Baldinger tape that he put out, 326 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:16,680 Speaker 1: It was a clip from December of last year, last season, Um, 327 00:17:16,840 --> 00:17:19,840 Speaker 1: where he put out some tape of Phoko working. He said, 328 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:23,360 Speaker 1: talked about how how much better the Chargers run defense 329 00:17:23,800 --> 00:17:27,159 Speaker 1: got when they inserted him into the starting lineup. M 330 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:29,399 Speaker 1: I could see that, and showed some you know tape 331 00:17:29,400 --> 00:17:31,960 Speaker 1: of him taking on blocks and moving you know, does 332 00:17:32,000 --> 00:17:34,560 Speaker 1: a nice job with staying on his feet and sliding 333 00:17:35,320 --> 00:17:38,840 Speaker 1: uh you know in the outside zone, stretched stuff and 334 00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:41,240 Speaker 1: things of that nature. That and then shedding and making 335 00:17:41,280 --> 00:17:44,040 Speaker 1: a tackle. I think he's a guy that's gotten better, 336 00:17:45,359 --> 00:17:46,760 Speaker 1: you know, since he came. He came into the league 337 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:49,320 Speaker 1: as a noundrafted guy again, which tells you these these 338 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:52,200 Speaker 1: guys as was you know, Mike Montravius Adams was a 339 00:17:52,280 --> 00:17:56,040 Speaker 1: third round draft pick. But you just I mean, it's 340 00:17:56,119 --> 00:17:58,360 Speaker 1: just yeah, I mean, that's the way this is. You're 341 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:01,240 Speaker 1: not going to spend premium picks on these guys. The 342 00:18:01,359 --> 00:18:04,960 Speaker 1: third's pretty high. But the Steelers didn't do it. But 343 00:18:05,080 --> 00:18:07,639 Speaker 1: they signed Adams off the practice squad of the Saints, 344 00:18:08,720 --> 00:18:12,000 Speaker 1: and Fahoko spent time on and off every year all 345 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:14,879 Speaker 1: three of his seasons. Previous years, he spent time on 346 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:17,320 Speaker 1: the Chargers practice squad, but then when it came to 347 00:18:17,560 --> 00:18:21,320 Speaker 1: crunch time, they're putting him on the field. Yeah, they 348 00:18:21,320 --> 00:18:27,040 Speaker 1: couldn't stop the run. So I think expectations they would 349 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:30,600 Speaker 1: never admit this is Fahoko is better than Adams, you 350 00:18:30,680 --> 00:18:32,400 Speaker 1: know what I mean. I think that's what you want here, 351 00:18:32,640 --> 00:18:35,600 Speaker 1: and you could live with either. I think both of 352 00:18:35,640 --> 00:18:37,720 Speaker 1: them at this point are better than what plays in 353 00:18:37,800 --> 00:18:39,879 Speaker 1: Lulu was at the end there. And you know, I 354 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:44,040 Speaker 1: think you've upgraded kind spots where but you're not going 355 00:18:44,359 --> 00:18:47,040 Speaker 1: all in on them. And I don't know if it's 356 00:18:47,040 --> 00:18:49,359 Speaker 1: a coincidence or not, but they sure seem to be 357 00:18:49,440 --> 00:18:53,240 Speaker 1: finding these fellas from the Islands that bring a lot 358 00:18:53,320 --> 00:18:56,320 Speaker 1: of passion and a lot of energy to the room too, 359 00:18:56,560 --> 00:18:58,959 Speaker 1: you know, like there's would be some fun stuff at 360 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:01,959 Speaker 1: camp with some of these dollars. I think enjoy interviewing 361 00:19:02,000 --> 00:19:05,040 Speaker 1: some of these guys, Yeah, as well as I understand it. 362 00:19:05,359 --> 00:19:08,520 Speaker 1: Isaac sam Maller's not much of a talker, right, but 363 00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:11,400 Speaker 1: I think her big is her big is. I spoke 364 00:19:11,480 --> 00:19:14,720 Speaker 1: to sam Malo's father, who's the coach at the San 365 00:19:14,840 --> 00:19:18,760 Speaker 1: Jose State defensive line coach, and he's like, yeah, Isaac's 366 00:19:18,800 --> 00:19:23,119 Speaker 1: not much of a talker, So so I get that 367 00:19:23,680 --> 00:19:28,119 Speaker 1: it looks like Fajoko has a great a great persona 368 00:19:28,160 --> 00:19:30,000 Speaker 1: as well. If you've seen the videos of hinting the 369 00:19:30,040 --> 00:19:34,359 Speaker 1: Miriorcy dance and right, yeah, but they know how to 370 00:19:34,560 --> 00:19:36,480 Speaker 1: have fun and bring some energy to the room. And 371 00:19:36,640 --> 00:19:40,160 Speaker 1: you know camp when the dog days or week twelve, 372 00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:42,240 Speaker 1: when everyone's kind of dragging a little little bit after 373 00:19:42,280 --> 00:19:44,679 Speaker 1: a two game losing three, you know, he put things up. 374 00:19:45,160 --> 00:19:47,040 Speaker 1: You know, yeah, he was actually a star. I think 375 00:19:47,119 --> 00:19:51,159 Speaker 1: of the when when they had this the Hard Knocks 376 00:19:53,240 --> 00:19:54,919 Speaker 1: with the Charger a few years ago, he was one 377 00:19:54,960 --> 00:19:57,439 Speaker 1: of the one of the featured players. Remember that, now 378 00:19:57,480 --> 00:19:59,640 Speaker 1: I think about it, I wouldn't be together on that either, 379 00:19:59,680 --> 00:20:03,840 Speaker 1: But yeah, exactly. But some fun times. But again, upgrading 380 00:20:03,880 --> 00:20:06,400 Speaker 1: your depth and then you you know, you draft again. 381 00:20:06,440 --> 00:20:09,320 Speaker 1: They got three premium draft picks here this year, four 382 00:20:09,400 --> 00:20:12,280 Speaker 1: if you count pick eighty and in this draft, I 383 00:20:12,320 --> 00:20:15,320 Speaker 1: think you definitely do you got you got a chance 384 00:20:15,359 --> 00:20:17,800 Speaker 1: to draft at least four starters or you hope that 385 00:20:17,960 --> 00:20:20,080 Speaker 1: you hope to get more than that. But if you 386 00:20:20,200 --> 00:20:23,080 Speaker 1: get three premium players that you add to this group 387 00:20:23,160 --> 00:20:27,400 Speaker 1: that you've built a base with some of these signings 388 00:20:27,440 --> 00:20:29,840 Speaker 1: that you made, now you get guys who maybe they 389 00:20:29,960 --> 00:20:32,880 Speaker 1: maybe you overdraft some of these positions, or you outdraft 390 00:20:32,920 --> 00:20:35,280 Speaker 1: some of the positions that you've added to, or maybe 391 00:20:35,280 --> 00:20:36,639 Speaker 1: you just go into this and say, hey, we can 392 00:20:36,720 --> 00:20:40,639 Speaker 1: just take the best player, regardless of position. So about 393 00:20:40,680 --> 00:20:42,399 Speaker 1: a week ago or less, I guess. I mean, my 394 00:20:42,720 --> 00:20:44,879 Speaker 1: every day is the same since the jet lag and 395 00:20:44,880 --> 00:20:47,920 Speaker 1: all those things. But I remember saying things along the 396 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:51,720 Speaker 1: lines of, now that you sign Gentry and Clark on offense, 397 00:20:52,840 --> 00:20:54,960 Speaker 1: you can really go out there with that team. I 398 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:58,080 Speaker 1: mean you could line up and play on offense. I 399 00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:00,760 Speaker 1: think these two might do the same. Four on defense. Now, 400 00:21:00,920 --> 00:21:03,000 Speaker 1: sure you'd love an outside corner, you know. I mean 401 00:21:03,400 --> 00:21:05,760 Speaker 1: there's things you'd like, But I think you have a 402 00:21:06,760 --> 00:21:11,320 Speaker 1: competitive defense now that is about to get a use movement, 403 00:21:11,400 --> 00:21:13,800 Speaker 1: you know. Yeah, I think the one spot that you 404 00:21:13,840 --> 00:21:18,119 Speaker 1: could still add on defense is outside linebacker a third. Um. 405 00:21:18,640 --> 00:21:22,600 Speaker 1: You know, and they brought Bud Dupree in on Thursday. Uh, 406 00:21:22,840 --> 00:21:25,639 Speaker 1: he gave him the physical, make sure he's you know, healthy, 407 00:21:25,760 --> 00:21:28,240 Speaker 1: and they'll stay in touch. Uh. You know that that 408 00:21:28,359 --> 00:21:31,000 Speaker 1: signing could happen here at any point. Um. You know, 409 00:21:31,040 --> 00:21:33,600 Speaker 1: there's no real rush on that. I think Bud would 410 00:21:33,640 --> 00:21:36,119 Speaker 1: like to return. Maybe he you know, said hey, I 411 00:21:36,160 --> 00:21:37,800 Speaker 1: want to see if there's something out there in terms 412 00:21:37,840 --> 00:21:42,840 Speaker 1: of starting possibilities that doesn't Yeah you're three, you know, yeah, right, 413 00:21:42,960 --> 00:21:45,639 Speaker 1: that's that's the whole thing. And so you know, you 414 00:21:45,960 --> 00:21:48,720 Speaker 1: lay that out there for him. You know, maybe two 415 00:21:48,760 --> 00:21:52,280 Speaker 1: weeks from now he's comfortable doing that. M You know, 416 00:21:52,560 --> 00:21:55,000 Speaker 1: right right now, he's going, I just want to see 417 00:21:55,040 --> 00:21:57,399 Speaker 1: if you know, somebody else has a job for me 418 00:21:57,480 --> 00:21:59,840 Speaker 1: as a starter. Maybe you're maybe you approach at f 419 00:22:00,119 --> 00:22:02,040 Speaker 1: the draft. If you don't take one in the draft, 420 00:22:02,119 --> 00:22:06,280 Speaker 1: you say, okay, Bud Wee, we could use you here. Yeah, well, 421 00:22:06,280 --> 00:22:07,639 Speaker 1: if it gets to that point, then I think you 422 00:22:07,760 --> 00:22:09,400 Speaker 1: better add one. At this point you have a little 423 00:22:09,440 --> 00:22:12,600 Speaker 1: more leverage. That's you're right. I'm glad you brought that 424 00:22:12,680 --> 00:22:15,520 Speaker 1: up because I think that's the one thing I would 425 00:22:15,640 --> 00:22:18,160 Speaker 1: love to see. But or not. I mean, it could 426 00:22:18,160 --> 00:22:22,240 Speaker 1: be justin Houston, it could be a numerous amount of names, 427 00:22:22,760 --> 00:22:25,360 Speaker 1: but that's the one signing I would like to see 428 00:22:25,440 --> 00:22:28,720 Speaker 1: happen pre draft to really set you up to now 429 00:22:28,840 --> 00:22:31,399 Speaker 1: the team's basically complete, that you can play the Ravens 430 00:22:31,440 --> 00:22:32,879 Speaker 1: with that defense, with Bud the prix, you know what 431 00:22:32,920 --> 00:22:36,760 Speaker 1: I mean tomorrow? Yeah, right, he is Matt Williamson. I 432 00:22:36,880 --> 00:22:39,359 Speaker 1: am Dale Lally, you're listening to the drive here on 433 00:22:39,480 --> 00:22:42,600 Speaker 1: Steelers Nation Radio. We're gonna take a break, come back 434 00:22:42,640 --> 00:22:45,840 Speaker 1: with segment two. But Matt, did you know that you 435 00:22:45,920 --> 00:22:49,480 Speaker 1: can listen to Steelers Nation Radio anytime anywhere through your 436 00:22:49,520 --> 00:22:52,959 Speaker 1: smart speaker. Just say Alexa, play Steelers Nation Radio from 437 00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:55,160 Speaker 1: my heart and Alexa, we'll take care of the rest. 438 00:22:55,720 --> 00:23:00,080 Speaker 1: We'll be back with segment two right after this. Not