1 00:00:04,160 --> 00:00:07,760 Speaker 1: He's the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson on 2 00:00:09,119 --> 00:00:29,640 Speaker 1: Home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome 3 00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:32,520 Speaker 1: to the Drive. I'm Dale Lolly here with Matt Williamson. 4 00:00:32,880 --> 00:00:35,600 Speaker 1: It's a lovely Wednesday here in Pittsburgh. That means the 5 00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:38,880 Speaker 1: Steelers are back on the practice field. And uh, well, 6 00:00:39,200 --> 00:00:45,000 Speaker 1: I'm I'm on the COVID nineteen list, so we're we're 7 00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:48,640 Speaker 1: doing this. I'm remote and Madison Studio, and so if 8 00:00:48,680 --> 00:00:51,720 Speaker 1: it's not a little differently, that's why. Because we can't 9 00:00:51,720 --> 00:00:55,440 Speaker 1: see each other here with us, bear with us. I'm already, 10 00:00:55,520 --> 00:00:58,960 Speaker 1: Uh you know, I'm I'm just I'm lost without seeing 11 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:00,520 Speaker 1: Matt here. I don't, I don't. I don't know what's 12 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:03,160 Speaker 1: going on. But I'm not gonna see you for a 13 00:01:03,240 --> 00:01:06,399 Speaker 1: long time. Yeah, I noticed our last show this week. 14 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:09,400 Speaker 1: Of course, because of Christmas. We will be back on Monday. 15 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:13,040 Speaker 1: Hopefully I'll be back in studio Monday. We'll see about that. 16 00:01:13,680 --> 00:01:16,080 Speaker 1: But the Steelers in the meantime have a big game 17 00:01:16,360 --> 00:01:20,360 Speaker 1: this week against the Indianapolis Colts. Again, much like the 18 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:23,320 Speaker 1: case was last week. A win would clinch the a 19 00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:26,440 Speaker 1: f C North Championship for the for the Steelers, or 20 00:01:26,480 --> 00:01:30,360 Speaker 1: a Cleveland loss. That's not gonna happen. Uh. You know, 21 00:01:30,360 --> 00:01:33,240 Speaker 1: the Browns are playing the Jets, who just placed their 22 00:01:33,280 --> 00:01:36,280 Speaker 1: best player Quinn and Williams on i R for the 23 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:39,479 Speaker 1: rest of the season. So uh, the Steelers gonna take 24 00:01:39,480 --> 00:01:43,040 Speaker 1: care of business on their own. Yeah, they do. And frankly, 25 00:01:43,080 --> 00:01:45,560 Speaker 1: they just need to start playing better football and you know, 26 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:49,320 Speaker 1: not even worry about clinton of division and you know, 27 00:01:49,360 --> 00:01:51,920 Speaker 1: public perception and just get back to doing what they've 28 00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:54,440 Speaker 1: done well for much of the year. Starts at the 29 00:01:54,520 --> 00:01:58,160 Speaker 1: quarterback position. I do think the two guys coming back, 30 00:01:58,200 --> 00:02:01,000 Speaker 1: well maybe you know more than me, but Williams and 31 00:02:01,160 --> 00:02:03,640 Speaker 1: dots and kept coming Dotson coming back I think will 32 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:08,120 Speaker 1: be major helps. Not that those guys are John Hannah 33 00:02:08,120 --> 00:02:10,520 Speaker 1: and Dick buck giess, but those have been two holes 34 00:02:10,560 --> 00:02:13,720 Speaker 1: in this lineup on both sides of the ball. Yeah, 35 00:02:13,720 --> 00:02:15,760 Speaker 1: I mean, those are those are two big guys to 36 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:19,000 Speaker 1: get back at this point. Um, you know, they had 37 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:21,400 Speaker 1: kind of reached a tipping point to a certain degree 38 00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:24,520 Speaker 1: with some of the injuries. I mean, you know, okay, 39 00:02:24,600 --> 00:02:28,360 Speaker 1: Vince Williams by himself doesn't necessarily change the defense, but 40 00:02:28,440 --> 00:02:32,480 Speaker 1: when when it's Bud Dupree Devin Bush and Vince Williams 41 00:02:32,480 --> 00:02:33,920 Speaker 1: who are out there are not out there. And then 42 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:36,640 Speaker 1: you had Joe Hayden to the mix against the uh, 43 00:02:36,680 --> 00:02:40,440 Speaker 1: the Bills. It shouldn't be all that surprising that the Bills. Yeah, 44 00:02:40,560 --> 00:02:42,560 Speaker 1: that the that the Bills moved to football a little bit, 45 00:02:42,600 --> 00:02:47,040 Speaker 1: you know last week, Um, ste you know, no James Conner. Uh. 46 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:50,720 Speaker 1: You know you're missing dots and you're missing Filer. Uh. 47 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:53,720 Speaker 1: So you're playing you know, somebody at a guard who 48 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:57,720 Speaker 1: quite frankly, you know, may not be an NFL player. Uh. 49 00:02:57,760 --> 00:02:59,400 Speaker 1: And then you add in the mixes on on what 50 00:02:59,440 --> 00:03:02,000 Speaker 1: you're missing on defense, it does kind of add up 51 00:03:02,680 --> 00:03:05,120 Speaker 1: to you know, perhaps you know, you can call playing 52 00:03:05,200 --> 00:03:09,120 Speaker 1: down to an opponent, but when you're missing that many guys. 53 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:11,920 Speaker 1: And this is not to excuse the loss of the Bengals. 54 00:03:11,919 --> 00:03:16,839 Speaker 1: That loss is inexcusable, but your your margin for error 55 00:03:16,960 --> 00:03:19,480 Speaker 1: is much less than it was before you didn't have 56 00:03:19,520 --> 00:03:22,080 Speaker 1: all those guys right right, And there's certainly were some 57 00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:24,600 Speaker 1: holes in the lineup. In the lineup. It looks like 58 00:03:24,639 --> 00:03:27,760 Speaker 1: that's going to get corrected, you know, to some degree, 59 00:03:27,919 --> 00:03:30,680 Speaker 1: and hopefully that nothing else, you know, no other leaks 60 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 1: spring out. Um, But they just need to play better. 61 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:35,920 Speaker 1: I mean, there's there's been a lot of problems with 62 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:39,960 Speaker 1: this offense over the last month or so, and it 63 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:42,760 Speaker 1: shocks me to say this, but the most recent problem 64 00:03:42,920 --> 00:03:44,560 Speaker 1: and as big a problem as we've seen as a 65 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:49,080 Speaker 1: quarterback play, and um, it can Ben bounce back. Absolutely, 66 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:52,120 Speaker 1: I mean, if anyone can bounce back that, that's the guy. 67 00:03:52,240 --> 00:03:54,360 Speaker 1: And um, you know, I guess he talked to you 68 00:03:54,360 --> 00:03:56,280 Speaker 1: guys today. I'm sure he's not thrilled with I was 69 00:03:56,320 --> 00:03:59,280 Speaker 1: playing either. No, in fact, he said he played he's 70 00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:03,480 Speaker 1: been playing like who uh So, I'm gonna give you. 71 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:06,480 Speaker 1: I'm gonna give you four quarterbacks here, Matt. I'm not 72 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:09,280 Speaker 1: gonna tell you who they are, but these are all 73 00:04:09,360 --> 00:04:12,280 Speaker 1: guys who either this is either their age thirty eight 74 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:17,960 Speaker 1: season or a two thousand nineteen season. That might give 75 00:04:18,080 --> 00:04:19,960 Speaker 1: that might give one of them away. But quarterback A 76 00:04:19,960 --> 00:04:24,039 Speaker 1: at age thirty eight, No, these are guys. These are 77 00:04:24,080 --> 00:04:27,400 Speaker 1: all recent guys. Okay. Quarterback A at age thirty eight 78 00:04:27,440 --> 00:04:31,680 Speaker 1: had thirty six touchdown passes in nine interceptions in September, 79 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:35,760 Speaker 1: October and November of this season. Not this season, but 80 00:04:36,160 --> 00:04:39,200 Speaker 1: the season and when he was thirty eight in December, 81 00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:45,160 Speaker 1: he had three touchdowns and six interceptions. Quarterback B h 82 00:04:46,080 --> 00:04:49,000 Speaker 1: This in two thousand nineteen completed sixty four point seven 83 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:53,800 Speaker 1: percent of his passes with thirteen touchdowns, throwing for two thousand, 84 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:57,640 Speaker 1: two hundred and fifty one yards in UH in the 85 00:04:57,720 --> 00:05:02,120 Speaker 1: month of September November. I'm sorry, that was his first 86 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:06,840 Speaker 1: eight starts. First eight starts in November and December. Over 87 00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:09,719 Speaker 1: his final eight starts, he completed fifty seven point five 88 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:13,159 Speaker 1: percent of his passes for just eight hundred and six yards, 89 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:18,279 Speaker 1: so for four fifty yards less and UH eight percentage 90 00:05:18,320 --> 00:05:22,960 Speaker 1: point difference in completion percentage. Quarterback ce at age thirty 91 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:25,799 Speaker 1: eight completed sixty five point eight percent of his passes 92 00:05:25,839 --> 00:05:29,560 Speaker 1: in September for twud five yards with eight touchdown passes 93 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:32,839 Speaker 1: in two interceptions. That's a passerading of ninety seven point three. 94 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:36,280 Speaker 1: In December of that same year, he completed sixty two 95 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:39,760 Speaker 1: point five percent of his passes for seven hundred forty 96 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:42,800 Speaker 1: three yards, again almost five hundred yards less, was six 97 00:05:42,839 --> 00:05:47,600 Speaker 1: touchdowns and five interceptions. He started four games in both months. 98 00:05:48,480 --> 00:05:51,520 Speaker 1: In Quarterback d at age thirty eight completed sixty six 99 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:54,680 Speaker 1: point nine percent of his passes for seven hundred and 100 00:05:54,720 --> 00:05:58,320 Speaker 1: seventy seven yards, seven touchdowns with one interception in three 101 00:05:58,320 --> 00:06:01,719 Speaker 1: games in September, a passer rating of one oh five 102 00:06:01,760 --> 00:06:05,839 Speaker 1: point two. In December, he completed sixty one point five 103 00:06:05,880 --> 00:06:10,279 Speaker 1: percent of his passes for eight yards, six touchdown passes, 104 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:14,040 Speaker 1: five interceptions. That's over four games and it's a passer 105 00:06:14,120 --> 00:06:18,720 Speaker 1: rating of seventy four point four. Mmkay quarterback and that 106 00:06:19,720 --> 00:06:23,120 Speaker 1: quarterback A was Peyton Manning in his year thirty eight season. 107 00:06:24,320 --> 00:06:28,800 Speaker 1: Quarterback B was Tom Brady last season, Quarterback SEA was 108 00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:32,640 Speaker 1: Brett Farve in his year thirty eight season. And quarterback 109 00:06:32,720 --> 00:06:35,440 Speaker 1: D has Ben Roethlisberger. Now, I figured one had to 110 00:06:35,480 --> 00:06:37,359 Speaker 1: be Ben and those other ones making awful lot of 111 00:06:37,400 --> 00:06:40,560 Speaker 1: sense as well. And this is something we talked about 112 00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:44,080 Speaker 1: and sort of warned our listeners about when all the 113 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:47,640 Speaker 1: reports were man Ben looks great. He's throwing really well, 114 00:06:47,880 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 1: lots of optimism, and we've often said, you know, Brady 115 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:56,279 Speaker 1: last year, Breeze last year, we're not the same this 116 00:06:56,320 --> 00:06:58,560 Speaker 1: time time. You know, this time of year, as they 117 00:06:58,600 --> 00:07:02,159 Speaker 1: were the first ten well weeks of the season, and 118 00:07:02,480 --> 00:07:05,480 Speaker 1: obviously for Breeze, I looked at Breeze last year is 119 00:07:05,480 --> 00:07:08,320 Speaker 1: a little bit different because if you remember, he missed 120 00:07:08,320 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 1: a four game stretch in the middle of the season, 121 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:13,320 Speaker 1: so his numbers there was no drop off. When he 122 00:07:13,360 --> 00:07:16,120 Speaker 1: came to December for Breeze last year, I thought his 123 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:18,680 Speaker 1: play dropped off. I don't know the number, but yes, 124 00:07:18,760 --> 00:07:20,560 Speaker 1: I mean, if you're looking at just at his play 125 00:07:20,600 --> 00:07:23,120 Speaker 1: on the field, he was not the same player, but 126 00:07:23,200 --> 00:07:25,680 Speaker 1: his numbers were almost identical. That makes sense. He also 127 00:07:25,760 --> 00:07:28,200 Speaker 1: plays in the dome and doesn't deal with the elements, right, 128 00:07:28,280 --> 00:07:30,600 Speaker 1: and that that's why I picked these four guys. You know, 129 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:33,200 Speaker 1: the year that I'm talking about here. With Manning, he 130 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:38,040 Speaker 1: was with Denver, so he was playing outside. Five was 131 00:07:38,040 --> 00:07:39,760 Speaker 1: still with the Packers. That that was his last year 132 00:07:39,800 --> 00:07:42,680 Speaker 1: with the Packers. And obviously that was Brady last year 133 00:07:42,800 --> 00:07:45,480 Speaker 1: with the with the Patriots. So these are all four 134 00:07:45,760 --> 00:07:48,880 Speaker 1: outdoor quarterbacks. I didn't look at like Matt Ryan or 135 00:07:48,960 --> 00:07:51,600 Speaker 1: some of these other guys that do play in domes um, 136 00:07:51,640 --> 00:07:55,040 Speaker 1: even though that could certainly you know that Matt Ryan 137 00:07:55,080 --> 00:07:57,200 Speaker 1: this year, if you watch him try to play, uh, 138 00:07:57,320 --> 00:08:01,320 Speaker 1: it's not the same player. Yeah, that's great. My My 139 00:08:01,320 --> 00:08:03,560 Speaker 1: my thing here is is that people are saying Roethlisberger 140 00:08:03,600 --> 00:08:07,240 Speaker 1: needs to retire he's he's awful. He's got thirty touchdown 141 00:08:07,280 --> 00:08:11,960 Speaker 1: passes and thirty passing yards this season. He's not horrible. 142 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:14,440 Speaker 1: He's not been horrible all year long. So to say 143 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:18,480 Speaker 1: that you that he needs to retire, to me is silly. No. 144 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:22,680 Speaker 1: I think that's a massive overreacted action to some poor play. Um. 145 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:24,320 Speaker 1: I mean, like we were talking about before though, I 146 00:08:24,320 --> 00:08:27,920 Speaker 1: mean we were worried that the longevity, the marathon of 147 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:31,280 Speaker 1: the season. I think that's when age starts to pop up, 148 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:33,680 Speaker 1: or you know, even before we saw this from Ben, 149 00:08:33,760 --> 00:08:36,080 Speaker 1: that was my worry, not boy, will he play well 150 00:08:36,160 --> 00:08:38,480 Speaker 1: up until Halloween? What will he be able to do 151 00:08:38,520 --> 00:08:42,600 Speaker 1: it for sixteen plus games? And that doesn't mean that 152 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:46,000 Speaker 1: you know, hey, we're right, he's done. Forget about it. 153 00:08:46,040 --> 00:08:48,080 Speaker 1: I mean, he's never gonna throw play well again the 154 00:08:48,080 --> 00:08:50,120 Speaker 1: rest of this year. And I think he's just going 155 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:54,280 Speaker 1: through a difficult stretch. And you mentioned his confidence yesterday. 156 00:08:54,360 --> 00:08:55,880 Speaker 1: I thought that was a good way of looking at it, 157 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:59,880 Speaker 1: because he doesn't. He doesn't look like he's is comfortable 158 00:09:00,240 --> 00:09:03,360 Speaker 1: and is confident delivering the football. Is we're so accustomed 159 00:09:03,360 --> 00:09:08,319 Speaker 1: and being Yeah, and you know, I think, um, you know, 160 00:09:08,360 --> 00:09:10,560 Speaker 1: I've seen the comment well, he looks like Peyton Manning 161 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:13,800 Speaker 1: in his last year. That's not even Peyton Manning had 162 00:09:13,880 --> 00:09:17,600 Speaker 1: nine touchdown passes and seventeen interceptions in his last year. 163 00:09:18,040 --> 00:09:21,240 Speaker 1: He was done. I mean, yeah, he couldn't eat there, 164 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:25,040 Speaker 1: he couldn't throw up without being intercepted. I mean that 165 00:09:25,200 --> 00:09:28,240 Speaker 1: that he just was not a good player. Um, So 166 00:09:28,600 --> 00:09:31,640 Speaker 1: then is not that right now? You know, he's still 167 00:09:31,640 --> 00:09:36,080 Speaker 1: capable of doing some things. And I'll say this, They're 168 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:40,160 Speaker 1: playing this weekend against the Indianapolis Colts. The guy on 169 00:09:40,200 --> 00:09:43,720 Speaker 1: the other side of the field is thirty nine years old, 170 00:09:45,800 --> 00:09:48,520 Speaker 1: you know. So, yeah, he's played in the Dome all 171 00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:50,920 Speaker 1: season long. So if we think that that, you know, 172 00:09:50,960 --> 00:09:53,480 Speaker 1: the weather is going to affect Ben late in the year, 173 00:09:53,880 --> 00:09:55,679 Speaker 1: do we also then think that it's going to affect 174 00:09:55,679 --> 00:09:59,120 Speaker 1: Philip Rivers late in the year. Yeah, And I just 175 00:09:59,200 --> 00:10:02,000 Speaker 1: think it's more the rigors of the season. I think 176 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:04,600 Speaker 1: the weather plays into it. Rivers was never a great 177 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:07,240 Speaker 1: bad weather quarterback anyways, and was fortunate enough to play 178 00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:10,560 Speaker 1: in San Diego most of his career, which is helpful. Um, 179 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:13,160 Speaker 1: but maybe he is ready to hit a wall as well, 180 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:16,000 Speaker 1: you know, I mean, he doesn't move particularly well. He 181 00:10:16,080 --> 00:10:18,480 Speaker 1: hasn't taken much of a beating, but neither has Ben. 182 00:10:18,559 --> 00:10:20,600 Speaker 1: Ben hasn't gotten hit very much this year, I mean 183 00:10:20,600 --> 00:10:24,080 Speaker 1: by NFL quarterback standards. And I just think it's the 184 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:26,600 Speaker 1: longevity of the season. I mean just going to work, 185 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:29,760 Speaker 1: work weeks time and time again and keeping yourself in 186 00:10:29,800 --> 00:10:33,720 Speaker 1: shape and all the bumps and bruises, and um, I 187 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:38,080 Speaker 1: just think it's a long marathon on these older guys. Yeah, 188 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:40,040 Speaker 1: I agree, and I so I you know, I think 189 00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:43,280 Speaker 1: the people talking about, well, Ben needs he needs to retire, 190 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:47,000 Speaker 1: he's done. He's just saying it up. No. Um, you know, 191 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:49,960 Speaker 1: I mentioned in my in my tenth thoughts after setting 192 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:53,840 Speaker 1: his game on the game on Thesburg Sports, and I've 193 00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:56,520 Speaker 1: talked about this all season. They need to figure out 194 00:10:56,559 --> 00:11:00,520 Speaker 1: something to lower that cap hit for next year. He's gonna, 195 00:11:00,520 --> 00:11:02,120 Speaker 1: you know, he's going to be back. So you look 196 00:11:02,160 --> 00:11:04,319 Speaker 1: at it and you say, okay, his base salary is 197 00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:06,440 Speaker 1: four million dollars next year, not much you can do 198 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:08,839 Speaker 1: about that. That's that's they can lower that to to, 199 00:11:09,240 --> 00:11:11,920 Speaker 1: you know, extend him and lower that to like one 200 00:11:11,960 --> 00:11:14,679 Speaker 1: point five million, But that's not gonna that doesn't touch 201 00:11:15,200 --> 00:11:18,199 Speaker 1: the forty you know, forty one five million dollar cap 202 00:11:18,320 --> 00:11:20,680 Speaker 1: hit that it is. It's got a fifteen million dollar 203 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:25,360 Speaker 1: roster bonus. Let's also do um you know, so that's 204 00:11:25,440 --> 00:11:27,480 Speaker 1: that's where you could make some you know, make some 205 00:11:27,559 --> 00:11:30,000 Speaker 1: hay with that thing. But you know it's it's forty 206 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:32,520 Speaker 1: one point five million, and people were they're paying him 207 00:11:32,520 --> 00:11:34,679 Speaker 1: way too much money next year. That's not what they're 208 00:11:34,720 --> 00:11:38,120 Speaker 1: paying him, folks. His payout next year is nineteen million 209 00:11:38,160 --> 00:11:43,880 Speaker 1: dollars um. You know, that's the going rate for an 210 00:11:43,920 --> 00:11:48,320 Speaker 1: average quarterback in today's NFL. Oh yeah, I mean Teddy 211 00:11:48,360 --> 00:11:53,160 Speaker 1: Bridgewater is making eighteen. I mean Cousins is making thirty one. 212 00:11:53,440 --> 00:11:55,040 Speaker 1: You know, Like I had this conversation, I forget who 213 00:11:55,080 --> 00:11:56,680 Speaker 1: I was talking to, and I looked up just a 214 00:11:56,720 --> 00:11:59,640 Speaker 1: couple couple of guys that have left the team and 215 00:11:59,720 --> 00:12:01,800 Speaker 1: hit the open market and what they're getting that are 216 00:12:02,480 --> 00:12:05,800 Speaker 1: average at best. And I mean that's the going rate, 217 00:12:06,320 --> 00:12:07,760 Speaker 1: you know, I mean, what do you think that's gonna 218 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:10,360 Speaker 1: make whenever he signs in a month or whatever, He's 219 00:12:10,360 --> 00:12:12,800 Speaker 1: gonna make forty you know. I mean even if you 220 00:12:12,840 --> 00:12:16,280 Speaker 1: have thirty invested in a quarterback, that's not unheard of, 221 00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:19,160 Speaker 1: that's not insane by nowadays, standards. I mean, that's that's 222 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:23,959 Speaker 1: Kirk Cousins money. Yeah. And you know, so Roethlisberger is 223 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:28,000 Speaker 1: forty one to five million dollar cap hit is not 224 00:12:28,360 --> 00:12:31,640 Speaker 1: because of anything Roethlisberger did. It's because the team chose 225 00:12:31,679 --> 00:12:34,880 Speaker 1: to restructure him, you know, in the spring. Now, maybe 226 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:37,920 Speaker 1: you know, maybe that was a bad decision. We'll find out, 227 00:12:38,840 --> 00:12:41,720 Speaker 1: but you know, I think that they did that thinking, Okay, 228 00:12:41,760 --> 00:12:44,680 Speaker 1: he's gonna be fine, all the reports are are good 229 00:12:44,720 --> 00:12:47,360 Speaker 1: on him, and we're going to extend him. Uh, you know, 230 00:12:47,400 --> 00:12:51,600 Speaker 1: maybe add another year or two to that contract. We'll see. Um. 231 00:12:51,640 --> 00:12:55,520 Speaker 1: You know, yeah, it's a forty one point five million 232 00:12:55,559 --> 00:12:58,080 Speaker 1: dollar hit, but that doesn't mean he's being paid forty 233 00:12:58,120 --> 00:13:02,760 Speaker 1: one point five million dollars one. He's essentially a nineteen 234 00:13:02,800 --> 00:13:06,199 Speaker 1: million dollar quarterback in one Now, you did give him, 235 00:13:06,240 --> 00:13:07,679 Speaker 1: you know, some of that is is twelve and a 236 00:13:07,720 --> 00:13:09,600 Speaker 1: half million of that is signing bonus. You can say, well, 237 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:12,280 Speaker 1: he's a thirty one and a half million dollar quarterback. Again, 238 00:13:12,640 --> 00:13:15,280 Speaker 1: that's the going rate for a quarterback who's starting thirty 239 00:13:15,320 --> 00:13:19,880 Speaker 1: touchdown passes with passing yards with two games left. No, 240 00:13:20,360 --> 00:13:23,200 Speaker 1: it's not outlandish for what the league is right now, 241 00:13:23,679 --> 00:13:26,720 Speaker 1: and especially you know, someone with his pedigree, and there's 242 00:13:26,760 --> 00:13:30,400 Speaker 1: been many times a season he's carried the offense to absolutely. 243 00:13:30,679 --> 00:13:32,880 Speaker 1: I mean, if we operate under the assumption that he's 244 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:34,600 Speaker 1: gonna come back next year, he's gonna be the Stealers 245 00:13:34,600 --> 00:13:36,839 Speaker 1: starting quarterback. I mean, I think that's safe. That's gonna 246 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:40,360 Speaker 1: one more year is going to occur. You do think 247 00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:44,920 Speaker 1: they can restructure him to some degree though, right, Yeah, 248 00:13:44,960 --> 00:13:47,000 Speaker 1: I mean I think that they can do something there. 249 00:13:47,040 --> 00:13:50,319 Speaker 1: You know, whether you know, if they add another year, um, 250 00:13:50,360 --> 00:13:54,520 Speaker 1: you know, if they you know, maybe maybe they talked 251 00:13:54,520 --> 00:13:56,600 Speaker 1: to him about that, you know that that roster bonus 252 00:13:56,679 --> 00:13:58,240 Speaker 1: or something like that, Hey Ben, you're not you know 253 00:13:58,440 --> 00:14:00,440 Speaker 1: that guy anymore? Can we lower that a little bit? 254 00:14:00,440 --> 00:14:02,640 Speaker 1: And maybe he does that to give them a little 255 00:14:02,679 --> 00:14:04,360 Speaker 1: bit of cap. Really, I don't know, there's there's all 256 00:14:04,480 --> 00:14:07,400 Speaker 1: kinds of things that they can do there. But you know, 257 00:14:08,080 --> 00:14:11,280 Speaker 1: the people thinking that he's making forty one five million 258 00:14:11,320 --> 00:14:15,439 Speaker 1: dollars next year, that's not the case. Um. And quite frankly, 259 00:14:15,480 --> 00:14:20,239 Speaker 1: you don't have you don't have a option releasing him. 260 00:14:20,280 --> 00:14:22,960 Speaker 1: Just you know, there's still twenty two point two five 261 00:14:23,000 --> 00:14:26,720 Speaker 1: million dollars in dead cap space. You save nineteen million dollars, 262 00:14:26,760 --> 00:14:29,720 Speaker 1: and as we just said, nineteen million dollars doesn't get 263 00:14:29,760 --> 00:14:34,240 Speaker 1: you a viable replacement for Ben Roethlisberger. No, No, I 264 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:36,760 Speaker 1: mean unless you think, unless you think Teddy Bridgewater is 265 00:14:36,800 --> 00:14:39,600 Speaker 1: a viable replacement, right, I mean you could do something 266 00:14:39,800 --> 00:14:42,120 Speaker 1: like I mean, if you were to go down that road, 267 00:14:42,680 --> 00:14:46,160 Speaker 1: you could trade for a Donald or an existing contract possibly, 268 00:14:46,240 --> 00:14:48,040 Speaker 1: but then you've got to pay them a year from 269 00:14:48,080 --> 00:14:50,000 Speaker 1: that hour or whatever to I mean, maybe you could 270 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:51,640 Speaker 1: buy a little time, but that doesn't mean to get 271 00:14:51,640 --> 00:14:55,320 Speaker 1: better at the position. Um. You know when we talk 272 00:14:55,400 --> 00:14:58,760 Speaker 1: big picture like this, so I think you know we're 273 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:00,320 Speaker 1: not sitting next to each other as usual. Well, but 274 00:15:00,360 --> 00:15:03,640 Speaker 1: my hunches, you're an agreement that job number one this 275 00:15:03,800 --> 00:15:07,000 Speaker 1: offseason is going to be take pressure off Ben, if 276 00:15:07,040 --> 00:15:11,200 Speaker 1: that means lineman, running backs, whatever. I think they need 277 00:15:11,240 --> 00:15:14,920 Speaker 1: to prepare for life without him and prepare for life 278 00:15:14,960 --> 00:15:18,200 Speaker 1: with the older version of him that isn't gonna be 279 00:15:18,320 --> 00:15:22,800 Speaker 1: the locomotive anymore. Yeah, I absolutely believe. I believe that's 280 00:15:22,800 --> 00:15:24,880 Speaker 1: the case. And and uh, you know, we can talk 281 00:15:24,880 --> 00:15:26,880 Speaker 1: a little bit more about that with bet with Bob 282 00:15:26,960 --> 00:15:29,880 Speaker 1: Labriola will have him on next um when we get 283 00:15:29,960 --> 00:15:32,360 Speaker 1: him on the on the air here. But I don't 284 00:15:32,360 --> 00:15:36,480 Speaker 1: think Roethlisberger is washed up by any stretch of the imagination. 285 00:15:36,520 --> 00:15:39,880 Speaker 1: I think this is just what happens to uh, you know, 286 00:15:39,880 --> 00:15:42,440 Speaker 1: your older quarterbacks as they as they continue to age, 287 00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:45,200 Speaker 1: and you know, I think they can fix that, as 288 00:15:45,240 --> 00:15:47,720 Speaker 1: you said, by perhaps taking a little more of the 289 00:15:47,720 --> 00:15:50,400 Speaker 1: pressure off of him, be that with the running game, 290 00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:53,160 Speaker 1: be that with um you know, better offensive line play. 291 00:15:53,800 --> 00:15:55,440 Speaker 1: But we'll talk about that with Bob when we come 292 00:15:55,480 --> 00:15:58,320 Speaker 1: back right after this. He is Matt Williamson. I'm Dale Lally. 293 00:15:58,400 --> 00:16:02,720 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Drive on Steelers Nation Radio, your 294 00:16:02,760 --> 00:16:06,400 Speaker 1: tunes about Drive on Home of the Black and Goal 295 00:16:06,520 --> 00:16:48,480 Speaker 1: Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome back to the Drive. I'm Dale 296 00:16:48,520 --> 00:16:50,880 Speaker 1: Lally here with Matt Williamson, and we're pleased to be 297 00:16:50,960 --> 00:16:54,120 Speaker 1: joined now as we are every Wednesday by our own 298 00:16:54,240 --> 00:16:57,120 Speaker 1: local grinch. That would be Bob Labriola, editor of a 299 00:16:57,200 --> 00:17:00,840 Speaker 1: Steelers digestion Steelers dot Com. Bob, how are you? If 300 00:17:00,840 --> 00:17:03,240 Speaker 1: you think I'm sorry now, you should see me about 301 00:17:05,240 --> 00:17:16,680 Speaker 1: midnight on Tuesday. You were half time halftime on Monday night. Yeah. Yeah, 302 00:17:16,680 --> 00:17:20,200 Speaker 1: that was one of the worst um performances I'd seen 303 00:17:20,280 --> 00:17:24,320 Speaker 1: from Ben Roethlisberger in his seventeen seasons. That first half 304 00:17:24,440 --> 00:17:30,440 Speaker 1: was just atrocious. And you can lay the blame anywhere 305 00:17:30,480 --> 00:17:32,119 Speaker 1: you want to do it, but it has to start 306 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:37,760 Speaker 1: to me with the quarterbacks play, particularly in that game. Yeah, 307 00:17:37,760 --> 00:17:40,440 Speaker 1: I mean he was he was not. Um. You know, 308 00:17:40,600 --> 00:17:42,800 Speaker 1: I was thinking that you were saying that, and because 309 00:17:42,840 --> 00:17:45,159 Speaker 1: I was thinking about this as what was happening to 310 00:17:45,280 --> 00:17:48,880 Speaker 1: I honestly can't remember him ever being that bad. Um. 311 00:17:49,119 --> 00:17:53,840 Speaker 1: It was the five interception game against Jacksonville, but that 312 00:17:53,960 --> 00:17:57,960 Speaker 1: seemed to be mean, seemed to me to be more about, 313 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:03,920 Speaker 1: you know, um bad. The Jaguars were making good plays. 314 00:18:04,400 --> 00:18:07,000 Speaker 1: Yeah there was some of that too, but you know, 315 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:10,520 Speaker 1: Monday night, it just it seemed like, you know, he 316 00:18:10,600 --> 00:18:15,320 Speaker 1: had lost it, um, and you saw some of it 317 00:18:15,400 --> 00:18:19,720 Speaker 1: come back in the second half. But you know, you 318 00:18:19,800 --> 00:18:24,439 Speaker 1: stay um about you know, placed in blame. Um. You know, 319 00:18:24,480 --> 00:18:26,600 Speaker 1: I I can, I can give you a short list 320 00:18:26,640 --> 00:18:31,159 Speaker 1: if you'd like, besides him, because you could you you 321 00:18:31,280 --> 00:18:37,000 Speaker 1: explain to me how Wilber, Marshall and Notice wasn't oh no, no, Um, 322 00:18:37,080 --> 00:18:41,040 Speaker 1: Sam Hubbard and Carl lost and combined for eight hits 323 00:18:41,080 --> 00:18:46,560 Speaker 1: in a sack. Um. Uh. You know, it's just Uh, 324 00:18:47,000 --> 00:18:51,679 Speaker 1: the tackles, we can certainly go there. Um. So I 325 00:18:51,760 --> 00:18:56,639 Speaker 1: thought that it was it was a team effort, stink job. Um, 326 00:18:56,680 --> 00:18:59,600 Speaker 1: But I don't believe that the Steelers will ever be 327 00:18:59,640 --> 00:19:03,640 Speaker 1: able to win a game against anyone if the quarterback 328 00:19:03,680 --> 00:19:06,720 Speaker 1: doesn't play better than that. No, I think you're right, Bob. 329 00:19:06,760 --> 00:19:09,320 Speaker 1: And we had a really good conversation yesterday on the 330 00:19:09,320 --> 00:19:13,120 Speaker 1: show because Dale went and did he went quarter by 331 00:19:13,240 --> 00:19:17,320 Speaker 1: quarter with Ben's production this year, just his numbers, and 332 00:19:17,520 --> 00:19:23,439 Speaker 1: it's alarming how poor his first quarters are. And the 333 00:19:23,480 --> 00:19:26,000 Speaker 1: slow start. Even when he was playing well, he'd rebound 334 00:19:26,040 --> 00:19:27,439 Speaker 1: and you know, you get over it and not that 335 00:19:27,480 --> 00:19:31,360 Speaker 1: big a deal. But the slow start thing has me baffled. 336 00:19:31,560 --> 00:19:33,879 Speaker 1: I mean, you have any theories or ideas on that, 337 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:37,960 Speaker 1: do not? I mean, and and I also though, don't 338 00:19:38,040 --> 00:19:42,440 Speaker 1: think that him throwing eight passes on a Wednesday practice 339 00:19:43,119 --> 00:19:47,600 Speaker 1: is going to change that. You know. I I kind 340 00:19:47,640 --> 00:19:53,400 Speaker 1: of think that it's wise not to have him overdoing 341 00:19:53,440 --> 00:19:59,480 Speaker 1: it during the week, um, because I I just think 342 00:19:59,480 --> 00:20:03,680 Speaker 1: there are only so many throws in an arm and um, 343 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:07,200 Speaker 1: you know, on a Wednesday, especially in December. I mean, 344 00:20:07,280 --> 00:20:11,240 Speaker 1: I can't be convinced that it is necessary for a 345 00:20:11,320 --> 00:20:15,200 Speaker 1: quarterback who has started every game he has to practice 346 00:20:15,240 --> 00:20:18,160 Speaker 1: on Wednesday for his timing with the receivers who haven't 347 00:20:18,240 --> 00:20:22,160 Speaker 1: changed all year. I mean, you know, I can see 348 00:20:22,160 --> 00:20:24,439 Speaker 1: that if you'd go a couple of weeks where he 349 00:20:24,480 --> 00:20:27,560 Speaker 1: didn't practice at all and played in the game, then yeah, 350 00:20:27,560 --> 00:20:31,000 Speaker 1: then there's some of that. I could be sold on that, 351 00:20:31,560 --> 00:20:35,679 Speaker 1: But missing one day and it being so far away 352 00:20:35,720 --> 00:20:38,639 Speaker 1: from the the the upcoming game that it's going to 353 00:20:38,720 --> 00:20:41,960 Speaker 1: impact the timing just doesn't make any sense to me. 354 00:20:42,080 --> 00:20:44,840 Speaker 1: Maybe I'm wrong, but just doesn't make any sense to me. 355 00:20:45,280 --> 00:20:51,320 Speaker 1: So yeah, I don't get it. Um and I I 356 00:20:51,760 --> 00:20:55,160 Speaker 1: just again, they can't beat anybody if he plays like that. 357 00:20:55,240 --> 00:21:00,080 Speaker 1: But nobody can convince me it's all his fault. No, 358 00:21:00,200 --> 00:21:02,480 Speaker 1: I I hear you on that, Bob. And I also 359 00:21:02,600 --> 00:21:05,560 Speaker 1: don't think that there's a there's this narrative out there 360 00:21:05,600 --> 00:21:08,280 Speaker 1: now that he's just done. Uh. The Steelers should move 361 00:21:08,320 --> 00:21:10,920 Speaker 1: on from him and be done with it. And he 362 00:21:10,960 --> 00:21:18,000 Speaker 1: can't play. Quarterbacks who have passing yards and thirty touchdown 363 00:21:18,040 --> 00:21:24,440 Speaker 1: passes with two games to go aren't done right. Uh? 364 00:21:27,280 --> 00:21:30,360 Speaker 1: You know again, going back to the who else can 365 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:35,600 Speaker 1: we blame? Um? You know, the two outside linebackers were 366 00:21:35,640 --> 00:21:40,600 Speaker 1: sure coming down hard on those um um read option 367 00:21:40,680 --> 00:21:44,600 Speaker 1: plays again and again and again. You know that going 368 00:21:44,640 --> 00:21:48,680 Speaker 1: to stop that made me a little crazy. I mean, Finley, 369 00:21:48,760 --> 00:21:52,320 Speaker 1: by no means is a dangerous running quarterback. He's certainly 370 00:21:52,359 --> 00:21:56,359 Speaker 1: not a shred of what Lamar was. But once you 371 00:21:56,520 --> 00:22:00,720 Speaker 1: saw the read option twice in that game, I would 372 00:22:00,760 --> 00:22:04,600 Speaker 1: just think that they're so not dangerous doing other things 373 00:22:04,680 --> 00:22:07,480 Speaker 1: that you would have to be very aware of him 374 00:22:07,520 --> 00:22:13,200 Speaker 1: holding it and that well or you know, and and 375 00:22:13,240 --> 00:22:16,760 Speaker 1: this is to me too, and and I mean no disrespect, 376 00:22:17,440 --> 00:22:22,159 Speaker 1: but for a guy who is being considered as a 377 00:22:22,240 --> 00:22:26,120 Speaker 1: legitimate defensive player of the year, does he even need 378 00:22:26,160 --> 00:22:31,359 Speaker 1: to be told by a coach to quit doing that? No, 379 00:22:31,440 --> 00:22:34,879 Speaker 1: I'm not even blaming coaching. I'm just saying, well, I'm 380 00:22:34,920 --> 00:22:37,680 Speaker 1: not saying you are. I'm just you know, I'm I'm agreeing, 381 00:22:37,680 --> 00:22:41,600 Speaker 1: we're just commiserating on the on the same issue. I mean, 382 00:22:41,960 --> 00:22:46,800 Speaker 1: at what point, you know? And it all goes back 383 00:22:46,840 --> 00:22:49,520 Speaker 1: to me that the stars gonna play like stars. And 384 00:22:49,560 --> 00:22:52,359 Speaker 1: that's one of the things about it. I mean, not 385 00:22:52,480 --> 00:22:55,320 Speaker 1: only should he have not done t J Watt not 386 00:22:55,400 --> 00:22:58,200 Speaker 1: done that anymore, but he should have been up Alex 387 00:22:58,240 --> 00:23:04,639 Speaker 1: Heismiths hind Quarters screaming at him about it. There, So 388 00:23:04,880 --> 00:23:11,040 Speaker 1: come on, right, Uh So you know, I don't I 389 00:23:11,080 --> 00:23:14,880 Speaker 1: don't know. I just I don't get it. I did 390 00:23:14,960 --> 00:23:19,359 Speaker 1: believe to some degree that the previous week's game against 391 00:23:19,440 --> 00:23:23,800 Speaker 1: Buffalo that you know, any any NFL rosster reaches a 392 00:23:23,840 --> 00:23:27,200 Speaker 1: critical mass where you know, you you just can't have 393 00:23:27,240 --> 00:23:30,240 Speaker 1: any more injuries. You just can't. I mean, as I've 394 00:23:30,280 --> 00:23:33,560 Speaker 1: said that the next man up thing, that's that's the 395 00:23:33,640 --> 00:23:37,240 Speaker 1: thing that the coach has to say to his team. Uh, 396 00:23:37,280 --> 00:23:39,399 Speaker 1: and to make the guy that he's putting in the 397 00:23:39,440 --> 00:23:41,959 Speaker 1: game believe and to make the other guys on the 398 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:44,719 Speaker 1: field believing the guy that is going into the game believe. 399 00:23:45,280 --> 00:23:48,240 Speaker 1: But you and it's the NFL. I mean, you're fifth 400 00:23:48,280 --> 00:23:50,960 Speaker 1: inside linebacker. It's not as good as your starters. He's 401 00:23:51,000 --> 00:23:59,360 Speaker 1: just not. Um, it was essentially your fifth safety or 402 00:23:59,400 --> 00:24:05,359 Speaker 1: your left guard. Yeah, left guard playing Um, you know, 403 00:24:05,400 --> 00:24:10,840 Speaker 1: a marginal college center at guard. Um. How much are 404 00:24:10,880 --> 00:24:13,080 Speaker 1: Haws and Allen? They may need to get on with 405 00:24:13,160 --> 00:24:15,480 Speaker 1: their life's work. I mean, I'm not sure they're NFL players. 406 00:24:16,480 --> 00:24:21,760 Speaker 1: There you go so um anyway, but you know, against 407 00:24:21,760 --> 00:24:26,960 Speaker 1: the Bengals, I just I don't know. Um, now, let 408 00:24:26,960 --> 00:24:30,159 Speaker 1: me say this, and maybe I'm just whistling past the graveyard. 409 00:24:30,200 --> 00:24:36,120 Speaker 1: Who knows. It wouldn't surprise me if they beat Indianapolis. Yeah, yeah, 410 00:24:36,160 --> 00:24:38,200 Speaker 1: I hear you. I mean you know it's it's it's 411 00:24:38,600 --> 00:24:42,159 Speaker 1: I I can't and maybe maybe this is me and 412 00:24:42,240 --> 00:24:44,920 Speaker 1: I don't root for anything, but I will root for this. 413 00:24:45,520 --> 00:24:49,640 Speaker 1: The NFL not flexing the game against the Browns because 414 00:24:49,680 --> 00:24:53,520 Speaker 1: it's for the North championship. Oh yeah, you could write 415 00:24:53,520 --> 00:24:56,439 Speaker 1: that down if if the Steelers do not beat Indianapolis 416 00:24:56,960 --> 00:25:00,399 Speaker 1: and the Browns do the expected and crushed. But Jets, 417 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:04,040 Speaker 1: I'd bet anything you want to bet that that's the 418 00:25:04,280 --> 00:25:07,440 Speaker 1: thirty game week I have not a doubt in my mind. 419 00:25:08,359 --> 00:25:10,480 Speaker 1: I hadn't thought of it. That's money in the bank. 420 00:25:12,200 --> 00:25:14,480 Speaker 1: So I mean, you know, that's that's where my rooting 421 00:25:14,520 --> 00:25:17,600 Speaker 1: interests lie with this whole thing. Um, you know what 422 00:25:17,720 --> 00:25:20,439 Speaker 1: makes it easiest for me, uh, you know on a 423 00:25:20,480 --> 00:25:24,760 Speaker 1: given weekend. Um, but you know, at this point, this 424 00:25:24,800 --> 00:25:29,800 Speaker 1: team needs to win just to kind of write the ship. Yeah, 425 00:25:30,160 --> 00:25:33,560 Speaker 1: and uh, you know there are there are scenarios where 426 00:25:34,240 --> 00:25:41,640 Speaker 1: that Cleveland Pittsburgh could be back to back weeks two. Yeah, yeah. 427 00:25:41,720 --> 00:25:45,680 Speaker 1: I mean that's from the playoffs based on UM and 428 00:25:45,960 --> 00:25:48,640 Speaker 1: I wouldn't be surprised at all off NBC already isn't 429 00:25:48,640 --> 00:25:51,000 Speaker 1: in Roger's era and saying you owe us one from 430 00:25:51,000 --> 00:25:56,480 Speaker 1: Thanksgiving Night because the Steelers move the needle for them. 431 00:25:57,359 --> 00:26:01,840 Speaker 1: They do, I mean they're um Steelers ratings fund UH 432 00:26:02,040 --> 00:26:07,280 Speaker 1: Sunday Night Football are among the best that program UH 433 00:26:07,359 --> 00:26:12,520 Speaker 1: does within the category. You know, even when you know 434 00:26:12,520 --> 00:26:15,919 Speaker 1: and it's just a regular game, and this for the 435 00:26:16,600 --> 00:26:22,200 Speaker 1: the division championship and it being Pittsburgh Cleveland, which um, 436 00:26:22,240 --> 00:26:26,399 Speaker 1: you know there's some hate there. I just I cannot 437 00:26:26,440 --> 00:26:29,080 Speaker 1: imagine a realistic scenario. I mean I looked it up. 438 00:26:29,560 --> 00:26:34,399 Speaker 1: The only other the only other possibilities are there's a 439 00:26:34,640 --> 00:26:39,720 Speaker 1: well it's all division games, so there would be Arizona 440 00:26:39,760 --> 00:26:44,200 Speaker 1: in the Rams NFC West. And you know the only 441 00:26:44,240 --> 00:26:49,000 Speaker 1: problem is if it was um, you know it's Washington Philadelphia, 442 00:26:49,119 --> 00:26:52,480 Speaker 1: so that's in the A NFC East. That's the first 443 00:26:52,520 --> 00:26:57,240 Speaker 1: and fourth team, and then New York Giants in Dallas. 444 00:26:57,359 --> 00:27:00,399 Speaker 1: You know Dallas is or no, Dallas is on the 445 00:27:00,440 --> 00:27:04,639 Speaker 1: Giants I think whatever one of them is maybe half 446 00:27:04,640 --> 00:27:09,760 Speaker 1: a game ahead of Philadelphia. And so that's really not that. Um, 447 00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:12,280 Speaker 1: but who knows. Maybe, based on what happens this weekend, 448 00:27:13,119 --> 00:27:16,280 Speaker 1: an an NFC East game could end up being the 449 00:27:16,320 --> 00:27:19,679 Speaker 1: winner wins that division, the loser is out, which is 450 00:27:19,720 --> 00:27:23,119 Speaker 1: what the NFL wants the most out of that last 451 00:27:23,760 --> 00:27:27,160 Speaker 1: or in that in that time slot on the final 452 00:27:27,200 --> 00:27:32,520 Speaker 1: regular season Sunday. Amazingly, on Monday night, not everything was horrible. 453 00:27:32,920 --> 00:27:36,000 Speaker 1: I thought the running game showing a little bit of life, 454 00:27:36,760 --> 00:27:38,920 Speaker 1: was promising. I thought the offensive line got off the 455 00:27:38,960 --> 00:27:42,080 Speaker 1: ball a little better in the run game. And Snow 456 00:27:43,080 --> 00:27:44,399 Speaker 1: I mean say, if you want about him, but he 457 00:27:44,480 --> 00:27:46,520 Speaker 1: runs hard. I mean that no one in the backfield 458 00:27:46,520 --> 00:27:50,640 Speaker 1: has jews. Do you think that they can have a 459 00:27:50,840 --> 00:27:56,520 Speaker 1: you know, a mediocre to below average not horrible running game. Um, 460 00:27:56,560 --> 00:28:03,720 Speaker 1: you mean the rest of this yeah? Um yeah, depending 461 00:28:03,760 --> 00:28:07,120 Speaker 1: you know, I also think though that it has you know, 462 00:28:07,640 --> 00:28:11,320 Speaker 1: the degree of difficulty can't be real high either, And 463 00:28:11,400 --> 00:28:14,800 Speaker 1: by that I mean not against a defense that is 464 00:28:14,920 --> 00:28:18,440 Speaker 1: high ranked highly in the league. Against the run. You 465 00:28:18,520 --> 00:28:22,639 Speaker 1: need you need some natural Um, they're they're gonna need 466 00:28:22,680 --> 00:28:25,960 Speaker 1: some natural help that you you know, you have to 467 00:28:25,960 --> 00:28:28,359 Speaker 1: get from the opponent. In terms of them not being 468 00:28:30,080 --> 00:28:33,120 Speaker 1: at the at the among the best in the league 469 00:28:33,160 --> 00:28:35,840 Speaker 1: at that. Uh. You know, and and Benny snow is 470 00:28:35,880 --> 00:28:40,720 Speaker 1: that he's he's a finisher. Uh, he's got no real Uh, 471 00:28:40,720 --> 00:28:43,680 Speaker 1: he's just a guy. Outside of that, I believe at 472 00:28:43,680 --> 00:28:47,040 Speaker 1: the position, he's not a threat as a receiver. He's 473 00:28:47,120 --> 00:28:53,280 Speaker 1: not an especially accomplished past protector on third downs. Um, 474 00:28:53,320 --> 00:28:57,440 Speaker 1: he's willing. I don't know how good at it he is. UM, 475 00:28:58,440 --> 00:29:00,520 Speaker 1: But yeah, I mean, if there's some coming off the 476 00:29:00,520 --> 00:29:04,320 Speaker 1: ball and you get thoughts in back, um, because this 477 00:29:04,360 --> 00:29:07,200 Speaker 1: is what I would do. I mean, and I and 478 00:29:07,280 --> 00:29:12,200 Speaker 1: doing a lot of these changes is probably counterproductive. Um, 479 00:29:12,240 --> 00:29:15,640 Speaker 1: but my understanding is they have a chance of getting 480 00:29:15,640 --> 00:29:18,800 Speaker 1: Filer back. Uh, it's not for the Browns game, then 481 00:29:19,160 --> 00:29:22,320 Speaker 1: possibly for the playoffs. I put him back at right 482 00:29:22,360 --> 00:29:26,240 Speaker 1: tackle and put thoughts in the card. Um. What I 483 00:29:26,320 --> 00:29:28,560 Speaker 1: like about that is because then I would trot out 484 00:29:28,640 --> 00:29:33,080 Speaker 1: Chooks as a sixth offensive lineman and never see Hawkins again, right, 485 00:29:33,600 --> 00:29:41,240 Speaker 1: because he's awesome. And um, and this is what I 486 00:29:41,320 --> 00:29:44,720 Speaker 1: was gonna say, the Castro has to be injured. Yeah, 487 00:29:44,720 --> 00:29:47,840 Speaker 1: there's something going on there without questions. If people want 488 00:29:47,840 --> 00:29:50,400 Speaker 1: to look at Ben and say he's done, well, I'm 489 00:29:50,440 --> 00:29:55,800 Speaker 1: not seeing a whole lot much different at right guard. Um, 490 00:29:55,840 --> 00:29:57,800 Speaker 1: And I don't think anybody makes his career is over 491 00:29:58,040 --> 00:30:02,959 Speaker 1: or boy, I don't think. I don't. I think that 492 00:30:03,040 --> 00:30:07,560 Speaker 1: he's playing at less than even you know, normal percentage 493 00:30:07,600 --> 00:30:10,640 Speaker 1: for this time of the year for an interior offensive 494 00:30:10,680 --> 00:30:12,920 Speaker 1: line in the NFL. You know, I won't even insult 495 00:30:12,960 --> 00:30:15,280 Speaker 1: any of our intelligence by saying he's not under percent 496 00:30:15,720 --> 00:30:18,360 Speaker 1: because you know, as Ben said or whoever said, there's 497 00:30:18,400 --> 00:30:21,480 Speaker 1: no such thing as that, not in this league, not 498 00:30:21,560 --> 00:30:24,480 Speaker 1: at this time of the year. But the Castro is 499 00:30:24,560 --> 00:30:30,040 Speaker 1: even I believe, um, or I hope, I hope to 500 00:30:30,080 --> 00:30:33,840 Speaker 1: believe that he is less than even what he would 501 00:30:33,880 --> 00:30:38,800 Speaker 1: normally be, because I mean, he just doesn't look like 502 00:30:39,000 --> 00:30:46,760 Speaker 1: he has always looked. UM. So there's that too, yeah, 503 00:30:46,760 --> 00:30:50,040 Speaker 1: I mean it's yeah, it's a myriad of problems for them. 504 00:30:50,040 --> 00:30:53,400 Speaker 1: I think left tackle is a problem as well. Um, 505 00:30:53,600 --> 00:30:55,560 Speaker 1: But that's been kind of the case all year. I 506 00:30:55,560 --> 00:30:58,720 Speaker 1: don't you know. I was told in training camp that, 507 00:30:59,040 --> 00:31:01,040 Speaker 1: you know, a core form banner where they're two best 508 00:31:01,080 --> 00:31:03,920 Speaker 1: tackles in camp. Um, And I thought, well, that's just 509 00:31:04,000 --> 00:31:06,480 Speaker 1: kind of you know, Alice just kind of cruising through 510 00:31:06,600 --> 00:31:08,440 Speaker 1: training camp right now, and those two are fighting for 511 00:31:08,480 --> 00:31:10,880 Speaker 1: a job, so they came in in great shape. But 512 00:31:11,840 --> 00:31:13,760 Speaker 1: it is what it is. I mean, he's just not 513 00:31:14,000 --> 00:31:17,360 Speaker 1: playing up to his level of previous play. People are 514 00:31:17,360 --> 00:31:20,040 Speaker 1: going through him with power more than I remember too, 515 00:31:20,480 --> 00:31:23,720 Speaker 1: you know, like his he doesn't play with the exact 516 00:31:23,800 --> 00:31:26,680 Speaker 1: same leverage, and he's so tall that's always a challenge 517 00:31:26,720 --> 00:31:29,240 Speaker 1: for him. But I don't remember people going up the 518 00:31:29,280 --> 00:31:32,760 Speaker 1: middle of him as often as he has lately. Yeah, 519 00:31:32,480 --> 00:31:35,840 Speaker 1: he always seemed to be really good at um and 520 00:31:35,840 --> 00:31:39,160 Speaker 1: and touncher wolf could could use the correct term for this, 521 00:31:39,600 --> 00:31:41,880 Speaker 1: but you know how he would knock the past rusher's 522 00:31:41,960 --> 00:31:47,480 Speaker 1: arms down and then just bury him, um because you know, 523 00:31:47,520 --> 00:31:49,720 Speaker 1: once you knock the guy's arms down, he's kind of 524 00:31:50,320 --> 00:31:53,240 Speaker 1: bleeding a little forward. He doesn't have the typical power. 525 00:31:53,880 --> 00:31:58,040 Speaker 1: But you know, alvil in Uava has fashioned himself a 526 00:31:58,120 --> 00:32:01,760 Speaker 1: very nice career, and I think the Dealers did pretty 527 00:32:01,760 --> 00:32:04,240 Speaker 1: well for a guy they you know, picked off the 528 00:32:04,240 --> 00:32:08,280 Speaker 1: other team's sideline. Um. And you know they they had 529 00:32:08,280 --> 00:32:12,360 Speaker 1: a functional, uh quality NFL starting left tackle for a 530 00:32:12,360 --> 00:32:15,200 Speaker 1: few years. Um. But he's not a Hall of Fame 531 00:32:15,280 --> 00:32:18,720 Speaker 1: player or you know any of that, and that, you know, 532 00:32:18,880 --> 00:32:21,200 Speaker 1: that's just that's just what it is. I mean it's 533 00:32:21,240 --> 00:32:24,440 Speaker 1: not being really critical. I don't think it's just kind 534 00:32:24,480 --> 00:32:29,480 Speaker 1: of assessing the situation. And you know, I would imagine 535 00:32:30,200 --> 00:32:32,840 Speaker 1: that and I think we may have talked about this 536 00:32:32,960 --> 00:32:36,040 Speaker 1: on this show. Um, this is I would think this 537 00:32:36,120 --> 00:32:39,200 Speaker 1: is it for al um in terms of his contract 538 00:32:39,320 --> 00:32:43,239 Speaker 1: is up. Um. I really believe that he can do 539 00:32:43,320 --> 00:32:46,440 Speaker 1: great things with his life. He could. You know, he 540 00:32:46,440 --> 00:32:49,320 Speaker 1: has served his country already. He might you know, be 541 00:32:49,440 --> 00:32:54,480 Speaker 1: able to serve his country or serve humanity or whatever 542 00:32:55,200 --> 00:32:59,520 Speaker 1: in different ways moving forward. Uh, and maybe it's time, 543 00:32:59,560 --> 00:33:01,200 Speaker 1: you know, it's no let's say, to get on with 544 00:33:01,320 --> 00:33:05,840 Speaker 1: your life's worked and uh, you know, kudos to hell 545 00:33:05,920 --> 00:33:09,200 Speaker 1: and all of that. I mean, he's made some nice money. 546 00:33:09,600 --> 00:33:12,240 Speaker 1: You never have to work again if he doesn't want to. 547 00:33:12,320 --> 00:33:14,000 Speaker 1: But I don't think that's the kind of guy he is. 548 00:33:14,440 --> 00:33:18,960 Speaker 1: And um, but you know a lot of these things, 549 00:33:18,960 --> 00:33:22,800 Speaker 1: I mean, the string has run out on a lot 550 00:33:22,800 --> 00:33:26,600 Speaker 1: of this stuff. Um. And you know that's the the 551 00:33:26,680 --> 00:33:29,680 Speaker 1: offensive line is one of those areas. Uh. You know, 552 00:33:29,720 --> 00:33:34,600 Speaker 1: I thought Ramon played a year or too too long. Um. 553 00:33:34,680 --> 00:33:40,040 Speaker 1: You know, I think this should be hours last season. Um. 554 00:33:40,200 --> 00:33:42,360 Speaker 1: We'll have to see how it works out, though, you're right. 555 00:33:42,360 --> 00:33:44,880 Speaker 1: I mean there the team is playing with house money 556 00:33:44,920 --> 00:33:48,200 Speaker 1: with him, but they need a succession plan too, and 557 00:33:48,240 --> 00:33:51,000 Speaker 1: maybe that is Banner and Chokes next year, or Banner 558 00:33:51,000 --> 00:33:53,000 Speaker 1: and Feiler, you know, a second round pick in our 559 00:33:53,000 --> 00:33:55,880 Speaker 1: first round pick. But I tend to agree I'm not 560 00:33:55,880 --> 00:34:00,160 Speaker 1: sure that he'll be in pads anywhere next year. Yeah. 561 00:34:00,200 --> 00:34:02,680 Speaker 1: And in the way I look at the Steelers running 562 00:34:02,720 --> 00:34:06,880 Speaker 1: game is, um, you know your Thursday and Friday picks 563 00:34:07,480 --> 00:34:11,240 Speaker 1: should be offensive lineman. If let's just pretend the goal 564 00:34:11,320 --> 00:34:15,960 Speaker 1: of the draft is to rejuvenate the running game. Um, 565 00:34:16,000 --> 00:34:19,360 Speaker 1: you know, I'm picking offensive lineman with those first picksure, 566 00:34:19,440 --> 00:34:21,239 Speaker 1: I think you can get a good running back, a 567 00:34:21,360 --> 00:34:24,239 Speaker 1: decent running back in the fourth round to pick one, 568 00:34:24,400 --> 00:34:27,719 Speaker 1: you know, high enough for whatever. That guy from Jacksonville, 569 00:34:27,920 --> 00:34:33,640 Speaker 1: he wasn't even drafted, Um and that and that's now. Uh, 570 00:34:33,680 --> 00:34:36,360 Speaker 1: you know, I don't see any need to pick J. K. 571 00:34:36,600 --> 00:34:40,320 Speaker 1: Dobbins or or Jonathan Taylor or guys in that spot 572 00:34:40,800 --> 00:34:43,040 Speaker 1: where those guys were picked. I just I just don't 573 00:34:43,040 --> 00:34:45,279 Speaker 1: think it's necessary. And I think if you have a 574 00:34:45,320 --> 00:34:50,440 Speaker 1: good enough offensive line, um, I'd rather have to excuse me, 575 00:34:50,480 --> 00:34:54,439 Speaker 1: I'd rather have the really good lineman helping the back 576 00:34:54,480 --> 00:34:57,600 Speaker 1: look made me better than he was drafted as opposed 577 00:34:57,640 --> 00:35:00,120 Speaker 1: to the other way around. The other thing about at 578 00:35:00,239 --> 00:35:04,520 Speaker 1: is the worst position to be in is going outside 579 00:35:04,560 --> 00:35:08,000 Speaker 1: the organization for lineman, because I mean it's just bad 580 00:35:08,040 --> 00:35:10,520 Speaker 1: business to try to grab one from another team too. 581 00:35:10,520 --> 00:35:15,040 Speaker 1: I mean it's too expensive. Yeah, it's crazy, um, And 582 00:35:15,160 --> 00:35:17,719 Speaker 1: that's you know, that's there. There's a there's a few 583 00:35:17,719 --> 00:35:21,040 Speaker 1: things that are you know, too expensive lineman or too 584 00:35:21,080 --> 00:35:24,359 Speaker 1: expensive offensive lineman, or too expensive doing that that that way. 585 00:35:24,680 --> 00:35:27,480 Speaker 1: Pass rushers are too expensive doing it that way, and 586 00:35:27,680 --> 00:35:33,120 Speaker 1: any kind of um uh takeaway making plays on the ball. 587 00:35:33,200 --> 00:35:36,880 Speaker 1: Defensive player is too expensive that way. Those are guys 588 00:35:36,880 --> 00:35:40,600 Speaker 1: you have to draft and develop yourself. And and you 589 00:35:40,600 --> 00:35:46,839 Speaker 1: didn't even mention quarterback there. And that's maybe you have 590 00:35:47,000 --> 00:35:51,520 Speaker 1: to say that, um, but I would hope not, because yes, 591 00:35:51,680 --> 00:35:55,600 Speaker 1: that's that's that's crazy to even think of. You know, 592 00:35:55,640 --> 00:35:58,440 Speaker 1: for every gym Plunkett, who's the only guy I can 593 00:35:58,520 --> 00:36:05,560 Speaker 1: think of who is a quality UM championship winning uh 594 00:36:05,760 --> 00:36:10,120 Speaker 1: reach read, I don't know who else there is who 595 00:36:10,200 --> 00:36:13,640 Speaker 1: is there has ever been? You know lately, Um, you 596 00:36:13,920 --> 00:36:16,520 Speaker 1: go to France Arkanson and you know some of those 597 00:36:16,560 --> 00:36:19,480 Speaker 1: people back when the game, when the business of the 598 00:36:19,520 --> 00:36:24,160 Speaker 1: game was totally different. Um, but in terms of the 599 00:36:24,200 --> 00:36:27,440 Speaker 1: business of the game now, um, you know, I just 600 00:36:27,520 --> 00:36:30,560 Speaker 1: I just yeah, you have to draft your own. And 601 00:36:30,600 --> 00:36:35,560 Speaker 1: I also think it's it's ridiculously crazy slash stupid. The 602 00:36:35,680 --> 00:36:38,640 Speaker 1: whole will get him and set him on the bench 603 00:36:38,680 --> 00:36:41,880 Speaker 1: a couple of years. We can learn from whosever the 604 00:36:41,960 --> 00:36:45,439 Speaker 1: starter is. Get that. I'm thinking a guy and he's 605 00:36:45,440 --> 00:36:48,399 Speaker 1: going on the field because I want him. I want 606 00:36:48,400 --> 00:36:52,120 Speaker 1: to have as much time on the clock of him 607 00:36:52,160 --> 00:36:56,120 Speaker 1: on his rookie contract as I can, because that's when 608 00:36:56,160 --> 00:36:59,360 Speaker 1: you can make hay with some of the other positions 609 00:36:59,440 --> 00:37:03,600 Speaker 1: and having some money to spend and build a roster 610 00:37:03,760 --> 00:37:06,440 Speaker 1: and all that stuff. Because once you find a quarterback 611 00:37:06,840 --> 00:37:10,760 Speaker 1: and you've got to start paying him, you're gonna have problems. 612 00:37:11,040 --> 00:37:15,919 Speaker 1: You're in cap jail. Yeah, I agree, And and uh, 613 00:37:16,160 --> 00:37:18,239 Speaker 1: you know, we're talking about this season like it's over. 614 00:37:18,480 --> 00:37:25,520 Speaker 1: Obviously it is not, but to a certain degree. But 615 00:37:25,719 --> 00:37:27,760 Speaker 1: I still think this is a team that can recover 616 00:37:28,280 --> 00:37:31,439 Speaker 1: and do some things. Um, you know, we'll see if 617 00:37:31,440 --> 00:37:35,400 Speaker 1: that happens. You know, if if they win on Sunday, 618 00:37:35,719 --> 00:37:41,120 Speaker 1: it changes the entire narrative about what's left with this season. Absolutely, 619 00:37:41,480 --> 00:37:44,600 Speaker 1: and I excuse me, I believe it would also change 620 00:37:45,680 --> 00:37:48,280 Speaker 1: how they what they view when they look in the mirror. 621 00:37:49,239 --> 00:37:54,680 Speaker 1: Sure they feed themselves. Yeah, the quality win at a 622 00:37:54,760 --> 00:37:58,160 Speaker 1: time when it's quality win against an opponent that has 623 00:37:58,200 --> 00:38:02,080 Speaker 1: a lot to play for uh tenant four team, and 624 00:38:02,719 --> 00:38:06,520 Speaker 1: when you know they're there, you've already been given the 625 00:38:06,600 --> 00:38:13,600 Speaker 1: last right yourself. Um So, but I don't know. I 626 00:38:13,880 --> 00:38:19,360 Speaker 1: I have to be honest, I don't see them being 627 00:38:19,400 --> 00:38:23,239 Speaker 1: able to fix what ails them in the amount of 628 00:38:23,280 --> 00:38:26,960 Speaker 1: time that they have to get it fixed. Let's say 629 00:38:26,960 --> 00:38:31,040 Speaker 1: they get a personality and the personnel at their disposal 630 00:38:31,120 --> 00:38:33,799 Speaker 1: to make it work. Let's say they squeak out to win. 631 00:38:34,000 --> 00:38:36,600 Speaker 1: Maybe they score three touchdowns on defense. So I don't 632 00:38:36,600 --> 00:38:38,439 Speaker 1: care how ugly it is if they happen to win 633 00:38:38,600 --> 00:38:42,680 Speaker 1: this weekend, and hopefully we can have this conversation next Wednesday. 634 00:38:42,960 --> 00:38:46,480 Speaker 1: I would sit everybody in week seventeen, would you, well, 635 00:38:46,520 --> 00:38:48,480 Speaker 1: as many as you can. Yeah, you know it's not 636 00:38:48,640 --> 00:38:51,520 Speaker 1: it's not like a college team, um, where you have 637 00:38:51,640 --> 00:38:55,200 Speaker 1: nine guys in uniform on the sideline. But yeah, yes, 638 00:38:55,840 --> 00:39:02,799 Speaker 1: um definitely I would. I would rest as many would 639 00:39:02,840 --> 00:39:08,959 Speaker 1: not play, would not play um uh, Manka, would not play, Cam, 640 00:39:08,960 --> 00:39:12,440 Speaker 1: would not play who it hasn't played in a few weeks, 641 00:39:12,440 --> 00:39:16,000 Speaker 1: So I was gonna play him or not? Um what 642 00:39:16,160 --> 00:39:22,640 Speaker 1: I would not play? H the Castro right, all those 643 00:39:22,719 --> 00:39:28,200 Speaker 1: kinds of guys. Um, but yeah, there's there's I wouldn't care. 644 00:39:29,160 --> 00:39:36,760 Speaker 1: Uh if losing to the Browns puts them in the playoffs. Know, Um, 645 00:39:36,800 --> 00:39:40,400 Speaker 1: I'll tell you what. I would rather brownsh than the Ravens, 646 00:39:41,239 --> 00:39:44,200 Speaker 1: without question. I'd rather see the Browns in the playoffs 647 00:39:44,239 --> 00:39:49,920 Speaker 1: in the Ravens, right, Yeah, yeah, he is Bob Labriola, 648 00:39:50,000 --> 00:39:53,200 Speaker 1: editor of Steeler's digestion Steelers dot Com, grinching it up 649 00:39:53,239 --> 00:39:57,600 Speaker 1: for us as as as expected. Uh, but Bob, we 650 00:39:57,680 --> 00:40:00,840 Speaker 1: do want to wish you a merry Christmas. That's why 651 00:40:00,920 --> 00:40:05,160 Speaker 1: that's true. This is very true. But merry Christmas, Bob 652 00:40:05,200 --> 00:40:08,960 Speaker 1: will We'll see you on Sunday, and uh maybe we'll 653 00:40:09,400 --> 00:40:11,920 Speaker 1: get you a chance to talk to you again next Wednesday. 654 00:40:12,200 --> 00:40:14,880 Speaker 1: Maybe you'll be in a little bit better mood than 655 00:40:15,400 --> 00:40:18,600 Speaker 1: you are this week. But he's Matt Williamson. I'm Dale Lallie. 656 00:40:18,600 --> 00:40:21,120 Speaker 1: You're listening to the drive here on Steelers Nation Radio. 657 00:40:21,239 --> 00:40:23,759 Speaker 1: We're gonna take a break. We'll be right back after this. 658 00:40:25,320 --> 00:40:29,280 Speaker 1: Your tunes about Drive home of the Black and Goals 659 00:40:29,360 --> 00:40:55,239 Speaker 1: Steelers Nation Radio. We are back, um Dale Lallie here 660 00:40:55,320 --> 00:40:57,680 Speaker 1: with Matt Williamson. You're listening to the Drive here on 661 00:40:57,800 --> 00:41:01,000 Speaker 1: Steelers Nation Radio. The Steelers are he seeing their injury 662 00:41:01,000 --> 00:41:04,880 Speaker 1: report for their first day of practice UH today against 663 00:41:04,920 --> 00:41:08,960 Speaker 1: the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. UH. Ben Roethlisberger not practicing. 664 00:41:09,320 --> 00:41:12,240 Speaker 1: Marcus Allen with that stinger that he just he suffered 665 00:41:12,440 --> 00:41:16,160 Speaker 1: in the game against the Bengals did not practice day 666 00:41:16,160 --> 00:41:19,080 Speaker 1: to arrest that shoulder. James Conner a full participant. Derek 667 00:41:19,160 --> 00:41:22,920 Speaker 1: Watt was a full participant as well. That the coming 668 00:41:22,920 --> 00:41:25,839 Speaker 1: off that concussion. He's still in concussion protocol, but we'll 669 00:41:25,840 --> 00:41:29,160 Speaker 1: see where that goes. Um Ulysses Gilbert with an ankle, 670 00:41:29,520 --> 00:41:32,479 Speaker 1: Kevin Dotson with the shoulder was a full participant. Um 671 00:41:32,600 --> 00:41:35,560 Speaker 1: Eric Ebron with the back, stefonto It with the back, 672 00:41:36,000 --> 00:41:39,400 Speaker 1: and Ola Denny with a shoulder did not practice. But 673 00:41:39,719 --> 00:41:43,719 Speaker 1: the Steelers also got bud Dupree back. Um, sorry, not 674 00:41:43,800 --> 00:41:47,279 Speaker 1: bud Dupre that would be a big deal. Vince Vince 675 00:41:47,320 --> 00:41:50,879 Speaker 1: Williams was back today as well for the Steelers. So, uh, 676 00:41:51,200 --> 00:41:54,680 Speaker 1: they're getting a little bit more healthy. Uh, getting Kevin 677 00:41:54,719 --> 00:41:57,800 Speaker 1: Dotson back, getting James Conner back, and getting Vince Williams 678 00:41:57,800 --> 00:42:00,520 Speaker 1: back kind of a big deal, huge deal. I think 679 00:42:00,520 --> 00:42:04,440 Speaker 1: that's all very encouraging news. And I'm happy that that 680 00:42:04,840 --> 00:42:08,080 Speaker 1: Watt is not more serious and he's in concussion protocol. 681 00:42:08,200 --> 00:42:10,160 Speaker 1: But at least that's going well. That was a scary 682 00:42:10,200 --> 00:42:13,759 Speaker 1: thing to watch. Um. I know Connor is probably the 683 00:42:13,760 --> 00:42:16,839 Speaker 1: best player of those three coming back, but to me, 684 00:42:17,920 --> 00:42:21,280 Speaker 1: I'm more excited about getting dots in and Vince Williams 685 00:42:21,280 --> 00:42:24,120 Speaker 1: back considering what you had to play with in their absence. 686 00:42:24,160 --> 00:42:28,839 Speaker 1: You know, just getting NFL starting caliber quality players at 687 00:42:28,880 --> 00:42:33,120 Speaker 1: those two spots I think can really pay off. Yeah, 688 00:42:33,160 --> 00:42:35,240 Speaker 1: I think so as well. And it has a trickle 689 00:42:35,320 --> 00:42:38,120 Speaker 1: down effect across the rest of the roster. You know, 690 00:42:38,160 --> 00:42:39,840 Speaker 1: you're not now you're those guys can go back to 691 00:42:39,880 --> 00:42:42,800 Speaker 1: playing their their roles and put you know, the guys 692 00:42:42,800 --> 00:42:44,920 Speaker 1: that you expected to be out there back on the field. 693 00:42:45,120 --> 00:42:47,480 Speaker 1: Yeah right. I mean that doesn't mean Vince Williams and 694 00:42:47,480 --> 00:42:50,719 Speaker 1: Williamson have to play every snap and be every down players, 695 00:42:50,760 --> 00:42:54,040 Speaker 1: but they'll they'll play a lot together. They're gonna recognize 696 00:42:54,080 --> 00:42:57,200 Speaker 1: things a lot better. They're gonna communicate a lot better. Um. 697 00:42:57,640 --> 00:43:01,839 Speaker 1: I think Williams ability just to read runs and you know, 698 00:43:01,920 --> 00:43:04,799 Speaker 1: all the diagnosis stuff has been missing quite a bit. 699 00:43:05,280 --> 00:43:07,480 Speaker 1: But you can still trot some guys out there in 700 00:43:07,560 --> 00:43:10,480 Speaker 1: some package and dime and all that tough you know 701 00:43:10,560 --> 00:43:13,280 Speaker 1: type of thing too. But it's obvious in this game 702 00:43:13,320 --> 00:43:16,680 Speaker 1: that there are players that aren't sixty minute men, you 703 00:43:16,719 --> 00:43:18,360 Speaker 1: know what I mean. Like, there's there's guys that have 704 00:43:18,440 --> 00:43:20,839 Speaker 1: a role, they have a niche, they're good for ten 705 00:43:20,880 --> 00:43:24,520 Speaker 1: to twelve plays a game, and when you ask them 706 00:43:24,520 --> 00:43:29,120 Speaker 1: to do everything, it's a problem. Yeah, less, it's definitely 707 00:43:29,120 --> 00:43:32,360 Speaker 1: more in many of those cases. And so you know 708 00:43:32,440 --> 00:43:35,120 Speaker 1: you want, uh, you know, your best guys out there, 709 00:43:35,200 --> 00:43:37,640 Speaker 1: especially at this time of year. Um. You know, we'll 710 00:43:37,680 --> 00:43:40,480 Speaker 1: see if that pays off for the Steelers with a victory, 711 00:43:40,520 --> 00:43:43,759 Speaker 1: I expect them to at least be more competitive this week. 712 00:43:43,800 --> 00:43:45,560 Speaker 1: I expect this to be a you know, they're at 713 00:43:45,600 --> 00:43:49,399 Speaker 1: home and they've been embarrassed now three weeks in a row, 714 00:43:50,000 --> 00:43:52,239 Speaker 1: and you know, we can talk about everything that went 715 00:43:52,280 --> 00:43:55,760 Speaker 1: wrong in those games. Um, but this is a proud 716 00:43:55,800 --> 00:43:57,880 Speaker 1: team with a lot of veteran players on it, and 717 00:43:57,880 --> 00:43:59,440 Speaker 1: I expect them to show up and play a strong 718 00:43:59,480 --> 00:44:03,279 Speaker 1: game on side day. I'm not as optimistic because just 719 00:44:03,360 --> 00:44:06,400 Speaker 1: the taste in my mouth of how this offense is 720 00:44:06,760 --> 00:44:08,480 Speaker 1: what I don't expect is I don't expect the game 721 00:44:08,560 --> 00:44:11,600 Speaker 1: like what they had in Cincinnati in terms of emotion 722 00:44:11,800 --> 00:44:17,160 Speaker 1: and mistakes. Just pay Yeah, agree with that. And I 723 00:44:17,200 --> 00:44:19,399 Speaker 1: also think if you are an optimist and you look 724 00:44:19,400 --> 00:44:23,920 Speaker 1: at the at the offense and say, Okay, they showed 725 00:44:23,960 --> 00:44:26,760 Speaker 1: us they can run the ball. Okay this past week. 726 00:44:27,239 --> 00:44:30,800 Speaker 1: The receivers all god open and didn't drop passes this 727 00:44:30,960 --> 00:44:34,839 Speaker 1: past week. If Ben plays even like he did two, three, 728 00:44:34,960 --> 00:44:38,440 Speaker 1: four weeks ago and gets a moderate or amount of 729 00:44:38,480 --> 00:44:41,640 Speaker 1: help from that running game and receivers just doing their 730 00:44:41,719 --> 00:44:45,040 Speaker 1: job and catching the ball that the good throws, this 731 00:44:45,120 --> 00:44:47,000 Speaker 1: offense is going to move the ball, you know. I mean, 732 00:44:48,239 --> 00:44:51,520 Speaker 1: if you get an anchor in any of those respects, 733 00:44:51,560 --> 00:44:54,560 Speaker 1: Ben plays well, but there's ten drops, or there's zero 734 00:44:54,680 --> 00:44:57,719 Speaker 1: running game, or the quarterback hurts you bad. I mean, 735 00:44:57,760 --> 00:45:00,879 Speaker 1: we've seen enough glimpses over the last month, even when 736 00:45:00,920 --> 00:45:04,080 Speaker 1: times were bad, that if they all can just bring 737 00:45:04,160 --> 00:45:06,799 Speaker 1: their B minus game or the C plus game, the 738 00:45:06,880 --> 00:45:11,120 Speaker 1: offense will click enough. Yeah, I think that's the you know. 739 00:45:11,360 --> 00:45:15,279 Speaker 1: Roethlisberger talked about that today. Actually, Um, you know because 740 00:45:15,280 --> 00:45:18,319 Speaker 1: I asked him, I said, you know, what's is it 741 00:45:18,400 --> 00:45:20,440 Speaker 1: just you or is there other other you know, there 742 00:45:20,440 --> 00:45:22,160 Speaker 1: are a number of issues here. What's going on? Is 743 00:45:22,200 --> 00:45:24,200 Speaker 1: it coaching? Is it what? You know? What what what's 744 00:45:24,239 --> 00:45:27,120 Speaker 1: the reason for the slow starts in particular? And he said, 745 00:45:27,160 --> 00:45:29,479 Speaker 1: you know, it's just been a myriad of things, whether 746 00:45:29,520 --> 00:45:31,920 Speaker 1: it be the drops this week, or him not playing 747 00:45:31,920 --> 00:45:34,239 Speaker 1: well the next week, or you know, the line not 748 00:45:34,400 --> 00:45:36,879 Speaker 1: playing well and you know that week. Um, so it's 749 00:45:36,920 --> 00:45:38,520 Speaker 1: you know, it's not they just need to get everything 750 00:45:38,520 --> 00:45:42,080 Speaker 1: together and that. Brian Baldinger put out a good video 751 00:45:43,040 --> 00:45:47,120 Speaker 1: um yesterday of the Steeler's offense where you know, if 752 00:45:47,160 --> 00:45:49,520 Speaker 1: you look at some of these plays and he broke 753 00:45:49,560 --> 00:45:52,960 Speaker 1: it down like the screen to Ray Ray McLeod, that 754 00:45:53,040 --> 00:45:55,120 Speaker 1: might have been a touchdown if Alville in the wave 755 00:45:55,160 --> 00:45:59,080 Speaker 1: it gets out and makes his block. It was there. Um, 756 00:45:59,120 --> 00:46:01,200 Speaker 1: you know, the middle of the was wide open, and 757 00:46:01,200 --> 00:46:03,880 Speaker 1: that's that's your best that's your punt returner with the 758 00:46:03,920 --> 00:46:06,160 Speaker 1: ball in his hands. And when he caught the football 759 00:46:06,600 --> 00:46:08,759 Speaker 1: there was nobody within five yards of him, but then 760 00:46:09,000 --> 00:46:11,799 Speaker 1: filling the wave of misses his block, and you know, 761 00:46:11,840 --> 00:46:14,759 Speaker 1: it turns into a negative, a negative play and he 762 00:46:14,920 --> 00:46:17,480 Speaker 1: just missed a block. He took a bad angle on it. Um, 763 00:46:17,520 --> 00:46:20,919 Speaker 1: you know, it's just slights here and there. Yeah, one 764 00:46:20,960 --> 00:46:22,920 Speaker 1: link in the chain blows the whole thing up. So 765 00:46:23,320 --> 00:46:26,040 Speaker 1: you know, it's it's it's fixable. And I think that's 766 00:46:26,040 --> 00:46:28,560 Speaker 1: why Mike Tomlin has not, you know, lost his mind 767 00:46:28,640 --> 00:46:31,040 Speaker 1: over this stuff. These these are things that are that 768 00:46:31,080 --> 00:46:33,960 Speaker 1: are fixable. Uh, they just need to do it. Yeah. 769 00:46:34,440 --> 00:46:36,440 Speaker 1: A couple of things too, like you even mentioned yesterday, 770 00:46:36,480 --> 00:46:39,440 Speaker 1: and I agree with it. Early in the game, Deante 771 00:46:39,520 --> 00:46:42,279 Speaker 1: Johnson's going on that crossing route in kind of the 772 00:46:42,280 --> 00:46:45,320 Speaker 1: intermediate level, Ben just misses him. I mean, the play 773 00:46:45,320 --> 00:46:49,359 Speaker 1: design was perfect, he was wide open, and the throw 774 00:46:49,400 --> 00:46:50,960 Speaker 1: held you back. I mean there was protected, there was 775 00:46:51,000 --> 00:46:52,959 Speaker 1: everything but the throw. I mean, And there's so many 776 00:46:53,000 --> 00:46:56,200 Speaker 1: plays like that this past game. Unfortunately too many of 777 00:46:56,200 --> 00:46:59,719 Speaker 1: them were the throw. But I also think, you know, 778 00:46:59,760 --> 00:47:03,560 Speaker 1: back of the Bend conversation, we weren't really saying this 779 00:47:03,600 --> 00:47:06,760 Speaker 1: guy was done and can't play and shouldn't come back 780 00:47:06,800 --> 00:47:09,480 Speaker 1: and all these things that Stealer Nation has taken this 781 00:47:09,640 --> 00:47:12,080 Speaker 1: to even a week ago. I mean, he played a 782 00:47:12,200 --> 00:47:15,279 Speaker 1: very bad game, but you know, we were blaming the 783 00:47:15,320 --> 00:47:18,040 Speaker 1: drops before that, we were blaming the lack of running game. 784 00:47:18,280 --> 00:47:20,480 Speaker 1: He was throwing the ball pretty well these past couple 785 00:47:20,520 --> 00:47:23,640 Speaker 1: of weeks, even though you know, just I mean, if 786 00:47:23,640 --> 00:47:25,799 Speaker 1: we if you just isolate this game, you say that 787 00:47:25,880 --> 00:47:28,640 Speaker 1: was terrible. But going into that game, we weren't having 788 00:47:28,640 --> 00:47:31,680 Speaker 1: the conversation of boy Ben's terrible. They got you know, 789 00:47:31,719 --> 00:47:33,160 Speaker 1: you can't win with that guy, you know. I mean, 790 00:47:33,160 --> 00:47:36,880 Speaker 1: it's one bad game really for him. Yeah, I agree, 791 00:47:36,880 --> 00:47:39,480 Speaker 1: And so I think, you know, that's why I think 792 00:47:39,480 --> 00:47:41,279 Speaker 1: they will bounce back a little bit. I'm not saying 793 00:47:41,280 --> 00:47:43,439 Speaker 1: they win the game, but they're not going to play 794 00:47:43,520 --> 00:47:45,560 Speaker 1: like they did there. I think, you know, there's too 795 00:47:45,600 --> 00:47:48,000 Speaker 1: many guys who are too proud on this team for 796 00:47:48,080 --> 00:47:49,799 Speaker 1: that to be for this will be the way that 797 00:47:49,840 --> 00:47:53,120 Speaker 1: they you know, finish off this season. Um, you know, 798 00:47:53,400 --> 00:47:55,239 Speaker 1: maybe they don't win another game, I don't know, but 799 00:47:55,280 --> 00:47:57,040 Speaker 1: I don't expect them to go out and play badly. 800 00:47:57,360 --> 00:47:59,360 Speaker 1: I expect the other team to have to beat them, 801 00:47:59,360 --> 00:48:01,720 Speaker 1: not for them to beat themselves like which is exactly 802 00:48:01,800 --> 00:48:04,520 Speaker 1: what happened against the Bengals. They lost that game more 803 00:48:04,560 --> 00:48:07,640 Speaker 1: than Sincinnati won it. And the last note on Bead, 804 00:48:07,719 --> 00:48:08,880 Speaker 1: I know we're kind of up against it here a 805 00:48:08,920 --> 00:48:12,520 Speaker 1: little bit, but you know, because of his age, the 806 00:48:12,560 --> 00:48:16,280 Speaker 1: obvious conversation is is he done, Oh, he's done, He's shot. 807 00:48:17,120 --> 00:48:19,720 Speaker 1: Russell Wilson's going through a slump right now. Kyler Murray 808 00:48:19,760 --> 00:48:22,240 Speaker 1: had four bad games in a row up until last week. 809 00:48:22,320 --> 00:48:24,759 Speaker 1: You know, like Baker had a stretch of four to 810 00:48:24,840 --> 00:48:27,319 Speaker 1: six weeks where he was a subpar player, and now 811 00:48:27,360 --> 00:48:29,920 Speaker 1: he looks better. You know, like it's not uncommon for 812 00:48:29,960 --> 00:48:33,319 Speaker 1: a quarterback to have a couple of bad games. No, 813 00:48:33,360 --> 00:48:35,319 Speaker 1: I agree, and and you know he just needs to 814 00:48:35,920 --> 00:48:38,319 Speaker 1: They can't afford for him to do that the way 815 00:48:38,320 --> 00:48:41,160 Speaker 1: that their offense is currently. Yeah, it's just the way 816 00:48:41,160 --> 00:48:44,120 Speaker 1: that their offense is constituted. He is Matt Williamson. I'm 817 00:48:44,200 --> 00:48:46,640 Speaker 1: Dale Lally. You're listening to the Drive here on Steelers 818 00:48:46,680 --> 00:48:48,680 Speaker 1: Nation Radio. We're gonna take a break. When we come back, 819 00:48:49,080 --> 00:48:51,360 Speaker 1: it's going to be time for the Fantasy Football Focus. 820 00:48:51,480 --> 00:48:59,440 Speaker 1: We'll do that right after this. He's the Drive with 821 00:48:59,680 --> 00:49:04,080 Speaker 1: Dale Ally and Matt Williamson on of the Black and 822 00:49:04,120 --> 00:49:29,759 Speaker 1: Gold Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome back up, Dale Ally here 823 00:49:29,840 --> 00:49:33,360 Speaker 1: with Matt Williamson. It's time for the Fantasy football focus 824 00:49:33,400 --> 00:49:34,960 Speaker 1: here on the Drive. But we'll run you through some 825 00:49:35,000 --> 00:49:37,200 Speaker 1: of this injury report here real quick. Here are guys 826 00:49:37,320 --> 00:49:39,759 Speaker 1: who practice and did not practice, because this is our 827 00:49:39,840 --> 00:49:43,360 Speaker 1: last show for the week. And don't forget Uh, there's 828 00:49:43,400 --> 00:49:46,000 Speaker 1: a Friday night game this week. No no game on 829 00:49:46,080 --> 00:49:50,120 Speaker 1: Christmas Eve. There's also three Saturday games this week, a 830 00:49:50,120 --> 00:49:52,640 Speaker 1: little bonus coverage for the NFL, and then of course 831 00:49:52,680 --> 00:49:55,879 Speaker 1: your regular Sunday schedule and a Monday game, so plenty too. 832 00:49:55,880 --> 00:49:57,480 Speaker 1: Well look forward to. Good luck to you if you're 833 00:49:57,480 --> 00:50:01,160 Speaker 1: in your championship week or your semifinals. Uh. The Dolphins 834 00:50:01,239 --> 00:50:05,920 Speaker 1: today activated Miles Gaskin off the reserve COVID nineteam list. Um. 835 00:50:06,000 --> 00:50:08,160 Speaker 1: That's good news for Gascon owners who have been kind 836 00:50:08,160 --> 00:50:11,719 Speaker 1: of waiting on him. He probably steps back in to 837 00:50:11,880 --> 00:50:15,439 Speaker 1: the starting lineup, Matt. I assume. So, I mean, they're 838 00:50:15,440 --> 00:50:17,520 Speaker 1: they've used so many running backs this year, but I 839 00:50:17,520 --> 00:50:20,320 Speaker 1: think it's pretty cool. It's hard, yeah, but when he's healthy, 840 00:50:20,480 --> 00:50:22,920 Speaker 1: it seems like it's his job. When it's not, I 841 00:50:22,960 --> 00:50:26,000 Speaker 1: think it gets cloudy. And their running game has been 842 00:50:26,040 --> 00:50:27,799 Speaker 1: really bad this year, but they ran for like two 843 00:50:27,880 --> 00:50:29,800 Speaker 1: or fifty yards against the Patriots, and they have the 844 00:50:29,880 --> 00:50:33,160 Speaker 1: Raiders this week. I mean, that's a great back. He 845 00:50:33,280 --> 00:50:36,520 Speaker 1: also catches the ball better than the other guys as well. Um. 846 00:50:36,600 --> 00:50:39,400 Speaker 1: Jamal Williams with a quad injury did not practice today 847 00:50:39,400 --> 00:50:42,319 Speaker 1: for the Packers. Usually don't wouldn't mention make mention of that, 848 00:50:42,360 --> 00:50:45,320 Speaker 1: but I mean it's almost a sixties forty split usually 849 00:50:45,480 --> 00:50:48,840 Speaker 1: between him and Aaron Jones. So, um, perhaps a j. 850 00:50:49,000 --> 00:50:50,759 Speaker 1: Dillon gets some run this week, or maybe they just 851 00:50:50,840 --> 00:50:53,319 Speaker 1: lean more on Jones. Yeah, I'm sure Dillon will get 852 00:50:53,360 --> 00:50:55,920 Speaker 1: some touches, but he's been very unimpressive when he has 853 00:50:56,040 --> 00:50:59,879 Speaker 1: this year. That game has a massive over under. It's 854 00:50:59,880 --> 00:51:03,600 Speaker 1: a terrible Titans defense. I was hearing today that they're 855 00:51:03,600 --> 00:51:05,520 Speaker 1: supposed to be a lot of wind in that game. 856 00:51:05,760 --> 00:51:09,920 Speaker 1: I mean, Jones might be the running back one this week. Yeah, 857 00:51:10,360 --> 00:51:16,879 Speaker 1: if he's not, Derrick Henry's the green bait efense. Terry McLaurin. Yeah, 858 00:51:16,960 --> 00:51:19,920 Speaker 1: Terry McLaurin, with an ankle injury, did not practice on Wednesday. 859 00:51:19,960 --> 00:51:22,680 Speaker 1: Keep an eye on that obviously. Uh, this good news 860 00:51:22,680 --> 00:51:27,320 Speaker 1: for Antonio Gibson owners. He was limited um at practice today, 861 00:51:27,360 --> 00:51:30,239 Speaker 1: so he's trending in the right direction. Uh. They play 862 00:51:30,320 --> 00:51:32,560 Speaker 1: Carolina this week, which will be a great matchup to 863 00:51:32,560 --> 00:51:35,279 Speaker 1: get Antonio Gibson back, and we'd like to have him 864 00:51:35,280 --> 00:51:38,880 Speaker 1: available for that one. Uh Tyreek Hill Gibson. I just 865 00:51:38,960 --> 00:51:40,919 Speaker 1: want to throw this out there that I don't think 866 00:51:40,920 --> 00:51:44,719 Speaker 1: people realize his value to the Washington football team, Like 867 00:51:44,800 --> 00:51:48,320 Speaker 1: he's clearly their number one and we'd be talking about 868 00:51:48,400 --> 00:51:51,479 Speaker 1: him like we're talking about Acres and Dobbins and these 869 00:51:51,520 --> 00:51:53,439 Speaker 1: guys if he would have got it hurt when he did. 870 00:51:53,520 --> 00:51:56,799 Speaker 1: I mean, mckissic and Barber are not obstacles for him 871 00:51:56,840 --> 00:51:59,520 Speaker 1: if he's healthy. No, not at all, not at all. 872 00:51:59,560 --> 00:52:02,080 Speaker 1: You're right. Uh, Tyreek Hill with a hamstring did not 873 00:52:02,120 --> 00:52:06,480 Speaker 1: practice today, so that's certainly something to keep an eye on. Um, 874 00:52:06,520 --> 00:52:11,080 Speaker 1: they're playing Atlanta this week. My god, Uh, Tyreek Hill 875 00:52:11,080 --> 00:52:14,480 Speaker 1: could feast, but maybe you know, they've got everything wrapped up. 876 00:52:14,520 --> 00:52:17,480 Speaker 1: Maybe they decided to sit him at this point. Um 877 00:52:17,840 --> 00:52:21,080 Speaker 1: My thought was, grab Hardman, why you can, because it's 878 00:52:21,080 --> 00:52:23,680 Speaker 1: a great matchup, And if if I'm the Chiefs, I 879 00:52:23,719 --> 00:52:26,120 Speaker 1: would not hesitate to sit Hill. I mean, you'll probably 880 00:52:26,120 --> 00:52:27,799 Speaker 1: get the one seed no matter what, You're probably win 881 00:52:27,880 --> 00:52:30,080 Speaker 1: that game. No matter. They're already down Edwards Hilaire at 882 00:52:30,080 --> 00:52:32,799 Speaker 1: this point. He's not going to play this week. So again, 883 00:52:32,840 --> 00:52:35,319 Speaker 1: we talked about Levy on Bell earlier this week. Yeah, 884 00:52:35,360 --> 00:52:37,160 Speaker 1: I could go ahead and go with some of the backups. 885 00:52:37,280 --> 00:52:40,319 Speaker 1: Christian McCaffrey doubtful to play this week against Washington, No 886 00:52:40,400 --> 00:52:43,799 Speaker 1: surprise there. Ezekiel Elliott said he's back on track to 887 00:52:43,800 --> 00:52:47,439 Speaker 1: play in Week sixteen against the Eagles. I guess that's 888 00:52:47,480 --> 00:52:50,759 Speaker 1: good news. But Pollard has a lot more juice right 889 00:52:50,760 --> 00:52:54,200 Speaker 1: now than Elliott. I mean, Paullard's a very good football player. 890 00:52:54,239 --> 00:52:56,680 Speaker 1: Can he handle a workload like Elliot week after week 891 00:52:56,719 --> 00:53:00,719 Speaker 1: after week? Probably not. But let's say you have them 892 00:53:00,760 --> 00:53:02,879 Speaker 1: both and you handcuffed, you know, Zeke with a lake 893 00:53:02,960 --> 00:53:05,839 Speaker 1: pick and Pollard. I think I'd rather Zeke be out 894 00:53:05,880 --> 00:53:09,319 Speaker 1: and start Pollard. Yeah, I don't. I don't disagree with that. 895 00:53:09,600 --> 00:53:13,040 Speaker 1: Daniel Jones practiced on Wednesday. It looks like he's going 896 00:53:13,080 --> 00:53:17,359 Speaker 1: to play this week against the Ravens. Yeah. I heard that, 897 00:53:17,480 --> 00:53:21,040 Speaker 1: and I assume they think he's healthy enough to move around. 898 00:53:21,080 --> 00:53:24,200 Speaker 1: That offense has been pretty darn bad. I don't know 899 00:53:24,239 --> 00:53:27,320 Speaker 1: if there's any fantasy gold to mine against the Ravens 900 00:53:27,600 --> 00:53:30,800 Speaker 1: in that offense. Yeah, despite, I mean the the Ravens 901 00:53:30,840 --> 00:53:32,839 Speaker 1: have given some stuff up in their secondaries a little 902 00:53:32,880 --> 00:53:37,360 Speaker 1: beaten up. But um, yeah, I don't know. Philip Lindsay 903 00:53:37,360 --> 00:53:39,600 Speaker 1: with the hip did not practice on Wednesday. That's good 904 00:53:39,640 --> 00:53:43,000 Speaker 1: news from Melvin Gordon owners who were sitting there with him. Gordon, 905 00:53:43,040 --> 00:53:45,680 Speaker 1: of course, gout had had a nice week last week. 906 00:53:46,000 --> 00:53:48,040 Speaker 1: He's had a nice year. I know he's not a 907 00:53:48,120 --> 00:53:51,120 Speaker 1: sexy guy. You know, no one was doing cartwheels when 908 00:53:51,120 --> 00:53:53,040 Speaker 1: they stuck that sticker up on the board when they 909 00:53:53,120 --> 00:53:55,640 Speaker 1: drafted him. But he's had a quality year. He's been 910 00:53:55,680 --> 00:53:58,720 Speaker 1: worth his money at his new home, and without Lindsay, 911 00:53:58,800 --> 00:54:04,200 Speaker 1: he might be a running back one. Yeah, I agree. Um, 912 00:54:04,400 --> 00:54:07,319 Speaker 1: Julio Jones at the hamstring did not practice today, No 913 00:54:07,480 --> 00:54:11,399 Speaker 1: surprise there. I would not count on Julio Jones this week. Um, 914 00:54:11,440 --> 00:54:15,280 Speaker 1: they may just shut him down. Uh. The Denver Broncos 915 00:54:15,320 --> 00:54:18,959 Speaker 1: activated place kicker Brandon McManus off the COVID reserve list, 916 00:54:19,000 --> 00:54:21,480 Speaker 1: So he's back. If you've been sitting on him, or 917 00:54:21,520 --> 00:54:23,520 Speaker 1: you maybe need a kicker this week. He's never a 918 00:54:23,560 --> 00:54:28,120 Speaker 1: bad uh a bad option. Yeah. Uh. Stefon Diggs, According 919 00:54:28,160 --> 00:54:32,440 Speaker 1: to Sean McDermott took part in today's practice for buff Buffalo. 920 00:54:32,560 --> 00:54:35,680 Speaker 1: That's good news for Stefon Diggs owners for sure, because 921 00:54:35,680 --> 00:54:39,960 Speaker 1: there were some questions there. Uh. James Robinson, Um, they 922 00:54:40,000 --> 00:54:42,200 Speaker 1: planned to test the ankle in practice this week. I 923 00:54:42,200 --> 00:54:44,320 Speaker 1: don't expect him to play. I think they get a 924 00:54:44,320 --> 00:54:46,239 Speaker 1: look long term with this kid. I mean, he's he's 925 00:54:46,280 --> 00:54:48,840 Speaker 1: dealing with a high ankle sprain. I get it because 926 00:54:48,840 --> 00:54:50,919 Speaker 1: he's an undrafted guy. He wants to show how tough 927 00:54:50,960 --> 00:54:53,120 Speaker 1: he is. But at some point the head coach has 928 00:54:53,160 --> 00:54:56,160 Speaker 1: to step in and say, hey, James, you've shown us 929 00:54:56,160 --> 00:54:58,040 Speaker 1: what you can do. You've got a spot on the 930 00:54:58,120 --> 00:55:00,799 Speaker 1: roster next year. You've got nothing to prove. Yeah, you're 931 00:55:00,840 --> 00:55:03,560 Speaker 1: past that. You know you're You're one of our foundational pieces. 932 00:55:03,560 --> 00:55:06,520 Speaker 1: At this point, I firmly believe that he'll be the 933 00:55:06,520 --> 00:55:08,399 Speaker 1: Week one starter for him. Like, I don't think they'll 934 00:55:08,400 --> 00:55:13,279 Speaker 1: be looking outside the organization at least this year. I agree, Yeah, 935 00:55:13,360 --> 00:55:16,880 Speaker 1: I agree. Uh. Chase Edmonds with a ankle and knee injury, 936 00:55:16,880 --> 00:55:20,040 Speaker 1: did not practice. Uh Deebo Samuel's it sounds like they're 937 00:55:20,040 --> 00:55:24,439 Speaker 1: shutting him down as well for the season. Um, real quick, 938 00:55:24,680 --> 00:55:28,560 Speaker 1: the same thing. Drake left the game and Edmonds end 939 00:55:28,640 --> 00:55:31,360 Speaker 1: upbout touching him last week. But I've heard no news 940 00:55:31,360 --> 00:55:34,160 Speaker 1: about Drake, so I'm not a d percent sure that 941 00:55:34,200 --> 00:55:37,760 Speaker 1: either one of those guys is healthy. Yeah, I agree. 942 00:55:37,960 --> 00:55:40,400 Speaker 1: I think they're you know, kind of limping to the 943 00:55:40,400 --> 00:55:43,760 Speaker 1: finish finish line as well. Looking at this week's games. 944 00:55:43,840 --> 00:55:48,359 Speaker 1: The Friday game is Vikings at Saints. That's a four 945 00:55:48,440 --> 00:55:50,439 Speaker 1: thirty starter in that game as well, So don't forget 946 00:55:50,480 --> 00:55:52,960 Speaker 1: to put your line up in on Christmas Day while 947 00:55:52,960 --> 00:55:54,839 Speaker 1: you're opening gifts and everything, because that game is going 948 00:55:54,880 --> 00:56:00,799 Speaker 1: to start early. We're not gonna have Michael Thomas. I'm 949 00:56:00,840 --> 00:56:03,600 Speaker 1: gonna think that Breeze is a little better. You know, 950 00:56:03,600 --> 00:56:05,719 Speaker 1: I don't like using things like rust, but boy, he 951 00:56:05,800 --> 00:56:07,880 Speaker 1: was really bad. I mean, I'm betting I thought he 952 00:56:07,960 --> 00:56:11,080 Speaker 1: got better in the second half. Agreed. You mentioned Emmanuel 953 00:56:11,120 --> 00:56:14,080 Speaker 1: Sanders you can throw on the Vikings defense. Yes, I 954 00:56:14,520 --> 00:56:17,880 Speaker 1: think Emmanuel Sanders and Cook are both really good starts. 955 00:56:18,000 --> 00:56:20,719 Speaker 1: You know, we mentioned potential running back ones. I think 956 00:56:20,760 --> 00:56:23,440 Speaker 1: Kamara could be that guy. His numbers with Breeze starting 957 00:56:23,440 --> 00:56:28,239 Speaker 1: are always way better, and he's there, he's the best player. Yeah, 958 00:56:28,400 --> 00:56:34,200 Speaker 1: and I think, you know, I think the defense um 959 00:56:34,520 --> 00:56:37,480 Speaker 1: is going to give the Vikings problems. Like this is 960 00:56:37,480 --> 00:56:39,960 Speaker 1: not a great Dalvin Cook week. No, I mean, I'm 961 00:56:40,000 --> 00:56:42,560 Speaker 1: sure he got your to your super Bowl. You're gonna 962 00:56:42,560 --> 00:56:45,040 Speaker 1: play him. That same with Theeling, that same with Jefferson. 963 00:56:45,440 --> 00:56:47,600 Speaker 1: Just don't expect one of those thirty point games. I mean, 964 00:56:47,640 --> 00:56:49,640 Speaker 1: if he gets if he gets you twenty in this one, 965 00:56:49,640 --> 00:56:52,560 Speaker 1: that's a good game. Agreed. Agreed. You know Jefferson returns home. 966 00:56:52,640 --> 00:56:55,680 Speaker 1: But still, this is not a cousin start game if 967 00:56:55,680 --> 00:56:59,839 Speaker 1: you're torn between two mediocre quarterbacks or you're streaming, uh 968 00:57:00,040 --> 00:57:01,800 Speaker 1: Saints the I mean, I know, at the end of 969 00:57:01,840 --> 00:57:04,000 Speaker 1: the day, they let up a fair amount of points 970 00:57:04,000 --> 00:57:06,280 Speaker 1: to the Chiefs, but they did more than their share. 971 00:57:06,320 --> 00:57:07,799 Speaker 1: They were just on the field. They kept a minute 972 00:57:07,840 --> 00:57:11,719 Speaker 1: early when when Brees was just awful killing the team. Yeah. 973 00:57:12,760 --> 00:57:17,480 Speaker 1: Uh Saturday games one o'clock Buccaneers at Lions. Why don't 974 00:57:17,520 --> 00:57:24,000 Speaker 1: Lions keep getting these premium Uh? Right? And they're Detroit's 975 00:57:24,160 --> 00:57:28,200 Speaker 1: entire coaching staff is on the COVID list essentially. Yeah, 976 00:57:29,520 --> 00:57:31,880 Speaker 1: it may be a player and may Matthew Stafford may 977 00:57:31,880 --> 00:57:34,560 Speaker 1: be running everything for this game. And he sat out 978 00:57:34,560 --> 00:57:36,840 Speaker 1: the end of last game. I mean he's still nursing something. 979 00:57:36,880 --> 00:57:40,240 Speaker 1: How much you're gonna force him out there? Um, Swift 980 00:57:40,360 --> 00:57:42,920 Speaker 1: is really the only one I'm really interested. I guess Hawkinson. 981 00:57:43,680 --> 00:57:48,960 Speaker 1: Um but Marvin Jones, you know, I mean he's averaging 982 00:57:49,040 --> 00:57:51,040 Speaker 1: I've read this just the other day. He's he's averaging 983 00:57:51,160 --> 00:57:54,880 Speaker 1: like sixteen or seventeen Fantasy points a game when Holidays out. 984 00:57:54,960 --> 00:57:59,280 Speaker 1: I mean he's a sneaky starter. Yeah yeah, And you 985 00:57:59,320 --> 00:58:01,400 Speaker 1: know the Buccaneers defense has not been nearly as good 986 00:58:01,400 --> 00:58:04,920 Speaker 1: as it was early in the season. Um. Yeah, you 987 00:58:04,920 --> 00:58:06,320 Speaker 1: know you're gonna start your you know, you know who 988 00:58:06,400 --> 00:58:08,920 Speaker 1: to start for the Bucks. There's no surprises there. Uh, 989 00:58:09,200 --> 00:58:11,120 Speaker 1: it just comes down to the running back situation. Is 990 00:58:11,200 --> 00:58:14,200 Speaker 1: Ronald Jones back this week? Uh? You know is four? 991 00:58:14,240 --> 00:58:16,120 Speaker 1: And if it's four Net again four. Nette was not 992 00:58:16,320 --> 00:58:19,960 Speaker 1: great last week and what should have been a smash situation. 993 00:58:20,000 --> 00:58:23,920 Speaker 1: He did enough because he scored, but really they did not. 994 00:58:24,240 --> 00:58:28,040 Speaker 1: They fell behind and through like crazy. Yeah, I don't 995 00:58:28,040 --> 00:58:30,440 Speaker 1: expect I mean this is running game wise, this is 996 00:58:30,480 --> 00:58:33,680 Speaker 1: a great matchup if Jones is out though, I'm starting 997 00:58:33,680 --> 00:58:37,080 Speaker 1: for net Yeah yeah, I mean they will not struggle 998 00:58:37,160 --> 00:58:40,200 Speaker 1: running the football against the Lions. That will not happen. 999 00:58:41,280 --> 00:58:47,640 Speaker 1: The fourth problem, would you start it though? Um? Probably 1000 00:58:47,680 --> 00:58:50,160 Speaker 1: because I probably did. Wouldn't have you know, if you've 1001 00:58:50,240 --> 00:58:52,520 Speaker 1: ridden them this all season long, I don't know if 1002 00:58:52,520 --> 00:58:56,760 Speaker 1: they've been one of my top picks in DFS. Uh. 1003 00:58:56,760 --> 00:59:00,000 Speaker 1: San Francisco and the four thirty game is San Francis, 1004 00:59:00,080 --> 00:59:03,200 Speaker 1: USCO against the Cardinals. Uh. This is a weird one 1005 00:59:03,240 --> 00:59:06,280 Speaker 1: because San Francisco has played his last two home games 1006 00:59:06,320 --> 00:59:10,040 Speaker 1: in Arizona, right right, so they're really doing This is 1007 00:59:10,120 --> 00:59:12,280 Speaker 1: really a home game for them. They haven't gone anywhere. 1008 00:59:12,640 --> 00:59:16,520 Speaker 1: Nobody there's they're they're stationed. They're stationed right now in Arizona. 1009 00:59:17,560 --> 00:59:20,760 Speaker 1: They just picked up Josh Rosen. Um. I don't think Mullins. 1010 00:59:21,000 --> 00:59:25,280 Speaker 1: They're a mess. The Cardinals defense. The Cardinals defense would 1011 00:59:25,280 --> 00:59:27,960 Speaker 1: be a one I would stream and that's another great defense. 1012 00:59:28,000 --> 00:59:32,240 Speaker 1: But they should they should get some points. And there's 1013 00:59:32,240 --> 00:59:35,040 Speaker 1: some rumors that Kittle could possibly play. That sounds insane 1014 00:59:35,080 --> 00:59:36,560 Speaker 1: to me. I mean, if I was going or will 1015 00:59:36,560 --> 00:59:39,000 Speaker 1: be like, no, you're not playing. That's we're not doing that. 1016 00:59:40,040 --> 00:59:42,800 Speaker 1: Send him, sending him back to San Francisco. There's a 1017 00:59:42,840 --> 00:59:47,000 Speaker 1: plane ticket, get out of here. Auklo is a wide 1018 00:59:47,000 --> 00:59:51,840 Speaker 1: receiver one, depending on defensive for me, on who's starting 1019 00:59:51,880 --> 00:59:56,640 Speaker 1: at quarterback? Yeah. For San Francisco Mullins is out for 1020 00:59:56,640 --> 01:00:01,080 Speaker 1: the Yeah, he's okay. I don't know that there's a 1021 01:00:01,120 --> 01:00:04,560 Speaker 1: big difference between Beth heard In in Mullins. Obviously Mullins 1022 01:00:04,600 --> 01:00:10,440 Speaker 1: has more experienced, but neither one's any good. Yeah, I 1023 01:00:10,440 --> 01:00:12,600 Speaker 1: guess they'll figure out ways to get at the football 1024 01:00:13,240 --> 01:00:17,760 Speaker 1: un at the moment, Yeah, mckissic is done for the year. 1025 01:00:17,840 --> 01:00:19,280 Speaker 1: So do you know, do you do you go with 1026 01:00:19,320 --> 01:00:22,680 Speaker 1: the McKinnon here? Do you go with Jeff Wilson? I 1027 01:00:22,680 --> 01:00:25,880 Speaker 1: think Wilson's the guy. I don't Trustevin Coleman at all. 1028 01:00:26,680 --> 01:00:30,760 Speaker 1: McKinnon hasn't done much lately. Although they'll probably be coming 1029 01:00:30,800 --> 01:00:32,360 Speaker 1: from behind. I mean, I don't know if they'll win 1030 01:00:32,440 --> 01:00:34,960 Speaker 1: this game. They're not in a very good spot right now. 1031 01:00:35,200 --> 01:00:37,680 Speaker 1: They're not in a good spot at all. Uh. The 1032 01:00:37,720 --> 01:00:42,040 Speaker 1: eight fifteen game is Dolphins at Raiders. You're firing up 1033 01:00:42,080 --> 01:00:46,360 Speaker 1: that Dolphins offense. I guess just what has been atrocious defense? 1034 01:00:47,360 --> 01:00:49,920 Speaker 1: I mean I've read something today too that the Raiders 1035 01:00:51,240 --> 01:00:54,640 Speaker 1: Raiders games, compared to the other thirty one teams, average 1036 01:00:54,680 --> 01:00:57,360 Speaker 1: the most points scored, which makes sense it's a pretty 1037 01:00:57,400 --> 01:01:00,920 Speaker 1: good offense. Their defense is horrendous. In doubt, play your 1038 01:01:00,960 --> 01:01:05,880 Speaker 1: guys in a Raider game, whether they're Raiders or Raiders opponents. Parker, Okay, 1039 01:01:06,040 --> 01:01:09,960 Speaker 1: you know we mentioned Gaskin. Sure, Kaseki, Sure, assuming all 1040 01:01:10,000 --> 01:01:13,760 Speaker 1: those guys are healthy. Yeah, two is even worth the 1041 01:01:13,800 --> 01:01:17,440 Speaker 1: start this week. If you're looking at Tah or Mariota 1042 01:01:17,560 --> 01:01:21,640 Speaker 1: this week, Mariota runs more of the two. Ta does 1043 01:01:21,680 --> 01:01:27,360 Speaker 1: not run very much. I'm starting Mariota very defensive matchup though, 1044 01:01:27,720 --> 01:01:31,480 Speaker 1: it's very true. But he's got he's got much stuffered Yeah. Yeah, 1045 01:01:31,920 --> 01:01:35,040 Speaker 1: one of the clock games on god yeah, one o 1046 01:01:35,080 --> 01:01:37,000 Speaker 1: clock games on Sunday. The first one is he has 1047 01:01:37,440 --> 01:01:44,040 Speaker 1: coltson Steelers. Man, what are your feelings you're gonna start? 1048 01:01:44,320 --> 01:01:50,600 Speaker 1: You're gonna start Taylor? Uh, because he's he's on a heater. Um, 1049 01:01:50,640 --> 01:01:54,800 Speaker 1: I'm eating towards no on whenning doubt. I'm gonna say 1050 01:01:54,800 --> 01:01:59,360 Speaker 1: no on these guys. I'm starting Deonte. Yeah, he's he starts. 1051 01:01:59,360 --> 01:02:01,280 Speaker 1: I don't think I'm starting. Um, I don't think I'm 1052 01:02:01,280 --> 01:02:06,320 Speaker 1: starting Claypool. I'm not super excited about Juju, doesn't I see? 1053 01:02:06,360 --> 01:02:08,520 Speaker 1: I think Juju could do some things and this, you know, 1054 01:02:08,560 --> 01:02:11,800 Speaker 1: the Colts will play a lot they don't blitz, No, 1055 01:02:11,920 --> 01:02:14,160 Speaker 1: they don't, and they'll and they'll play just a lot 1056 01:02:14,160 --> 01:02:18,400 Speaker 1: of straight cover two. Well what's open against the cover two? 1057 01:02:19,480 --> 01:02:21,600 Speaker 1: I think there's gonna be some of that shorter stuff 1058 01:02:21,640 --> 01:02:25,560 Speaker 1: that that Juju could catch, and maybe it's seven catches 1059 01:02:25,640 --> 01:02:28,760 Speaker 1: for forty eight yards. But maybe he gets in the 1060 01:02:28,840 --> 01:02:30,800 Speaker 1: end zone as well. Maybe. I mean, he's hard to 1061 01:02:30,840 --> 01:02:32,560 Speaker 1: sit on your bench. I mean, he's probably a top 1062 01:02:32,600 --> 01:02:35,200 Speaker 1: thirty six receiver. I don't know that I'm paying for 1063 01:02:35,240 --> 01:02:36,880 Speaker 1: him in DFS. I don't know if there would be 1064 01:02:36,920 --> 01:02:39,800 Speaker 1: a lot of points in that game in general. Yeah, 1065 01:02:39,800 --> 01:02:41,560 Speaker 1: I don't think it's gonna be a high scoring game either. 1066 01:02:41,920 --> 01:02:43,640 Speaker 1: I don't. I don't want to start either quarterback in 1067 01:02:43,640 --> 01:02:47,040 Speaker 1: that game. No, I just denfinitely don't write neither one's 1068 01:02:47,080 --> 01:02:52,760 Speaker 1: gonna run for a yard? Yeah. Uh, Falcons at Chiefs. 1069 01:02:53,880 --> 01:02:56,080 Speaker 1: We talked a little bit about that one with Tyreek Hill. 1070 01:02:56,440 --> 01:02:59,800 Speaker 1: Um be careful there, No Edwards Hilaire. I think Levy 1071 01:02:59,800 --> 01:03:02,800 Speaker 1: on l as a solid start in this one. Um, 1072 01:03:02,800 --> 01:03:05,160 Speaker 1: maybe he's a running back one. Yeah, I think so too. 1073 01:03:05,240 --> 01:03:06,680 Speaker 1: He's gonna be the only show in town on a 1074 01:03:06,680 --> 01:03:09,560 Speaker 1: good offense against Yeah, he'll catch the football. He'll he'll know, 1075 01:03:10,040 --> 01:03:11,960 Speaker 1: he'll sprinkle win some of the other guys. But it's 1076 01:03:12,000 --> 01:03:14,960 Speaker 1: gonna be Levy, Levy on Bell is gonna get twenty touches. Yeah, 1077 01:03:15,240 --> 01:03:18,160 Speaker 1: I mentioned Hardman, but I wanted to mention Sammy Watkins too. 1078 01:03:18,200 --> 01:03:20,240 Speaker 1: I mean, this could be a blow up for Watkins 1079 01:03:20,280 --> 01:03:25,640 Speaker 1: if obviously Kelsey benefits greatly. Yeah, um, um, Ridley and 1080 01:03:25,720 --> 01:03:27,120 Speaker 1: Hurst are the only guys on the other side you 1081 01:03:27,120 --> 01:03:32,120 Speaker 1: can even consider. Yeah, that's it. Yeah, maybe if you're 1082 01:03:32,200 --> 01:03:35,360 Speaker 1: if you're really really hurt engage, but I mean he's 1083 01:03:35,360 --> 01:03:39,480 Speaker 1: been Okay, there's gonna be thirty six better receivers to 1084 01:03:39,520 --> 01:03:45,280 Speaker 1: start this week. Yeah, you would think Bears a Jaguars do. 1085 01:03:45,360 --> 01:03:47,960 Speaker 1: I think it's kind of this would have been this 1086 01:03:47,960 --> 01:03:50,000 Speaker 1: would have been the Nick Foles revenge game. But they're 1087 01:03:50,040 --> 01:03:52,400 Speaker 1: they're not even saying that. Jaguars aren't saying who their 1088 01:03:52,440 --> 01:03:57,320 Speaker 1: starter is gonna be. And Bears. I think Trabisky, he's 1089 01:03:57,360 --> 01:04:00,240 Speaker 1: a guy. Yeah, it Turbisky for the Bears that gonna 1090 01:04:00,240 --> 01:04:05,000 Speaker 1: get to start. Um Montgomery is a must start if 1091 01:04:05,080 --> 01:04:07,200 Speaker 1: Robinson is out. I don't know how the Jaguars moved 1092 01:04:07,240 --> 01:04:11,440 Speaker 1: to football. Oh right, I mean it was kind of 1093 01:04:11,440 --> 01:04:13,200 Speaker 1: a sneaky spot for these Bears. But the more do 1094 01:04:13,240 --> 01:04:15,080 Speaker 1: you think about the Bears, they only have two guys 1095 01:04:15,120 --> 01:04:17,919 Speaker 1: who could start. I mean Robinson on a revenge game 1096 01:04:18,600 --> 01:04:22,960 Speaker 1: and Montgomery Robisky, I don't think pretty much start. What 1097 01:04:23,000 --> 01:04:26,040 Speaker 1: about Cole Comment I kind of like him and he's 1098 01:04:26,040 --> 01:04:28,960 Speaker 1: starting to come on. That's not so bad. I mean 1099 01:04:28,960 --> 01:04:31,720 Speaker 1: the Jags are pretty I mean he might be. I 1100 01:04:31,760 --> 01:04:33,400 Speaker 1: mean I could probably go through the list and he 1101 01:04:33,480 --> 01:04:35,760 Speaker 1: might be a top twelve. He might be, you know, 1102 01:04:35,800 --> 01:04:37,720 Speaker 1: like I'm starting him. There's a lot of I mean 1103 01:04:37,760 --> 01:04:40,680 Speaker 1: like him or Haydon Hurst. I think that's a conversation, 1104 01:04:41,920 --> 01:04:45,880 Speaker 1: right right, I mean that's where the positions at Bengals 1105 01:04:45,960 --> 01:04:51,240 Speaker 1: at Texans in the game. Only their mothers will watch. 1106 01:04:52,880 --> 01:04:57,040 Speaker 1: Bernard and Johnson are starters, but there's both the starting backs, right, Yeah, 1107 01:04:57,080 --> 01:04:59,240 Speaker 1: you gotta started both backs. I mean, I don't think 1108 01:05:00,920 --> 01:05:05,600 Speaker 1: you got a shark DeShawn Watson. Uh, that's that's a must. Yeah, 1109 01:05:05,680 --> 01:05:10,640 Speaker 1: Cooks has to start. What about Kiki q T? I 1110 01:05:10,680 --> 01:05:12,640 Speaker 1: mean I think they'll move the ball a lot and 1111 01:05:12,640 --> 01:05:15,960 Speaker 1: they're actually pretty big favorites, which shocked me. Favorite like 1112 01:05:16,000 --> 01:05:20,240 Speaker 1: eight and a half. Um, Yeah, that's Houston d is 1113 01:05:20,280 --> 01:05:23,320 Speaker 1: really bad. But I still it is despite what we 1114 01:05:23,360 --> 01:05:25,320 Speaker 1: saw Monday night. I don't think since he moves the 1115 01:05:25,320 --> 01:05:29,720 Speaker 1: ball against anybody and they're not gonna throw on anybody. Yeah, 1116 01:05:29,920 --> 01:05:32,920 Speaker 1: I mean they had two they had twitter twenty yards 1117 01:05:32,960 --> 01:05:36,520 Speaker 1: on Sunday night or Monday night. They didn't move the football. 1118 01:05:36,920 --> 01:05:39,160 Speaker 1: I mean the Steelers turned to football over. They might 1119 01:05:39,200 --> 01:05:42,320 Speaker 1: get to that number again against the Texans, but I 1120 01:05:42,360 --> 01:05:46,400 Speaker 1: mean there, Yeah, I agree that will be the only 1121 01:05:46,440 --> 01:05:51,960 Speaker 1: win of Ryan Finley's career. There's a good chance Giants 1122 01:05:52,000 --> 01:05:57,640 Speaker 1: at Ravens. I don't like my giants maybe anger, Yeah, 1123 01:05:57,640 --> 01:06:00,240 Speaker 1: I don't. I'm not starting any Giants, I don't. I 1124 01:06:00,240 --> 01:06:02,280 Speaker 1: guess you're gonna start Dobbins, although I think that's a 1125 01:06:02,320 --> 01:06:05,960 Speaker 1: tough matchup. Obviously starting Lamar Mark Andrews, and that might 1126 01:06:06,000 --> 01:06:10,600 Speaker 1: be about it. Marky's Brown, I mean no, don't trust him. 1127 01:06:10,640 --> 01:06:13,840 Speaker 1: I don't trust him. I think Bradbury's will be back. Yeah, 1128 01:06:13,840 --> 01:06:17,919 Speaker 1: it's about it. Don't trust him at all. Browns and Jets, Yeah, 1129 01:06:18,040 --> 01:06:21,320 Speaker 1: Ravens will be find Browns and Jets. Browns and Jets, 1130 01:06:21,440 --> 01:06:28,480 Speaker 1: uh the usual, No Jets none, Yeah, Panthers and in Washington, 1131 01:06:28,680 --> 01:06:30,680 Speaker 1: same thing. You know who to start from these games. 1132 01:06:30,880 --> 01:06:32,720 Speaker 1: There's no surprises there with that. When you just watch 1133 01:06:32,800 --> 01:06:35,800 Speaker 1: mclaurin's a status. I expect him back. If Antonio Gibson 1134 01:06:35,840 --> 01:06:39,640 Speaker 1: his back, he's a smash start in that one. Broncos 1135 01:06:39,680 --> 01:06:44,120 Speaker 1: at Chargers, um again, same thing there at this point, folks, 1136 01:06:44,400 --> 01:06:46,600 Speaker 1: there are no surprises. I'm just gonna roll through the 1137 01:06:46,600 --> 01:06:50,040 Speaker 1: rest of these games. Broncos at Chargers, Egos at Cowboys, 1138 01:06:50,040 --> 01:06:53,640 Speaker 1: you know who to start. Rams at Seahawks, No surprises there, 1139 01:06:54,120 --> 01:06:56,200 Speaker 1: Titans at Packers. We talked a little bit about the 1140 01:06:56,280 --> 01:06:58,840 Speaker 1: running games in that game for both of those teams 1141 01:06:58,840 --> 01:07:03,080 Speaker 1: should blow up. And then Bills at Patriots, that's the 1142 01:07:03,120 --> 01:07:07,600 Speaker 1: only one that's I think it definitely trust in reserve. 1143 01:07:08,160 --> 01:07:11,800 Speaker 1: I don't know if Patriots are any opposition whatsoever, and 1144 01:07:11,880 --> 01:07:15,080 Speaker 1: the Bills want to smash the Patriots, you gotta you 1145 01:07:15,160 --> 01:07:18,720 Speaker 1: gotta just just blow him out of the water here. Um, 1146 01:07:18,760 --> 01:07:21,520 Speaker 1: you know, if if if Diggs plays, he's gonna he's great. 1147 01:07:21,720 --> 01:07:24,480 Speaker 1: What about Devin Singletary your moss in this game? If 1148 01:07:24,520 --> 01:07:26,720 Speaker 1: you're really hurting, I was thinking that, you know, I mean, 1149 01:07:26,800 --> 01:07:29,160 Speaker 1: it's I think they'll control it from the start, They'll 1150 01:07:29,160 --> 01:07:33,560 Speaker 1: win the running backs will produce more than usual. Um, 1151 01:07:33,680 --> 01:07:37,760 Speaker 1: maybe even Cole Beasley. Yeah, he's a good start, eating 1152 01:07:37,840 --> 01:07:41,400 Speaker 1: solid and don't forget about John Brown if if he's back, Uh, 1153 01:07:41,720 --> 01:07:43,400 Speaker 1: they're gonna want to try to, you know, if maybe 1154 01:07:43,400 --> 01:07:45,080 Speaker 1: force feed him and the ball a little bit, just 1155 01:07:45,120 --> 01:07:47,880 Speaker 1: to get him back into the into the mix and 1156 01:07:47,920 --> 01:07:51,680 Speaker 1: put him on tape. So that's it for this week's games. Yeah, 1157 01:07:51,680 --> 01:07:54,400 Speaker 1: that's that's the slate for this week's games. He is 1158 01:07:54,400 --> 01:07:56,720 Speaker 1: Matt Williamson. We're gonna I'm Dale Lali, We're gonna take 1159 01:07:56,720 --> 01:07:59,160 Speaker 1: a break. When we come back, we'll give you it's 1160 01:07:59,200 --> 01:08:02,680 Speaker 1: top Pretty time are our picks on Sunday Steelers Colts game. 1161 01:08:02,680 --> 01:08:04,560 Speaker 1: And I'll be honest with you, I haven't even gotten 1162 01:08:04,800 --> 01:08:06,600 Speaker 1: that far enough to think about this yet. So if 1163 01:08:06,640 --> 01:08:08,160 Speaker 1: Matt and I come up with the same score on 1164 01:08:08,200 --> 01:08:10,840 Speaker 1: this game, I'm gonna be shocked. We'll see. Right after 1165 01:08:10,880 --> 01:08:16,240 Speaker 1: this you were tuned about drive on Home of the 1166 01:08:16,360 --> 01:08:38,599 Speaker 1: Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome back. I'm Dale 1167 01:08:38,640 --> 01:08:41,200 Speaker 1: l l E here with Matt Williamson and Matt it 1168 01:08:41,360 --> 01:08:45,760 Speaker 1: is time for us to make our picks on this game. Uh. 1169 01:08:45,840 --> 01:08:51,839 Speaker 1: Surprisingly enough, the Steelers when this game opened on on Monday, 1170 01:08:52,520 --> 01:08:54,599 Speaker 1: the lines came out and the Steelers were favored by 1171 01:08:54,600 --> 01:08:57,120 Speaker 1: two and a half points before and then they went 1172 01:08:57,120 --> 01:09:01,200 Speaker 1: out Monday night. Yeah, they went out on Monday night 1173 01:09:01,360 --> 01:09:04,320 Speaker 1: and lost to the Bengals. And now they are four 1174 01:09:04,400 --> 01:09:06,559 Speaker 1: point or I'm sorry, they're one and a half point 1175 01:09:06,640 --> 01:09:11,559 Speaker 1: underdogs at home. Uh that's a four point swing. And 1176 01:09:11,600 --> 01:09:16,360 Speaker 1: there is a theory out there that when the line 1177 01:09:16,439 --> 01:09:19,760 Speaker 1: moves that that longs that bent that much. If it's 1178 01:09:19,760 --> 01:09:21,840 Speaker 1: more than I think it's more than a three point swing, 1179 01:09:22,479 --> 01:09:25,240 Speaker 1: you're supposed to go the other way on it. What 1180 01:09:25,439 --> 01:09:29,240 Speaker 1: say you? Everybody's jumping on it and overreact. Everybody's jumping 1181 01:09:29,240 --> 01:09:32,920 Speaker 1: on bait. Yeah, overreacting based on what they saw. Vegas 1182 01:09:32,920 --> 01:09:35,920 Speaker 1: said this thing. Vegas set this thing at minus two 1183 01:09:35,920 --> 01:09:38,280 Speaker 1: and a half. They don't do that to lose money. 1184 01:09:38,920 --> 01:09:41,160 Speaker 1: You know what they're doing out there though, Those big 1185 01:09:41,200 --> 01:09:44,080 Speaker 1: palaces in the desert weren't built by and losing a 1186 01:09:44,080 --> 01:09:47,680 Speaker 1: lot of ping, but losing a lot of games. I 1187 01:09:47,720 --> 01:09:51,760 Speaker 1: have mixed feelings. I mean, maybe I overreacted, but I 1188 01:09:51,760 --> 01:09:53,400 Speaker 1: thought the spread in this game was going to be 1189 01:09:53,439 --> 01:09:55,800 Speaker 1: four or five in the Colts favor, just with how 1190 01:09:55,960 --> 01:09:59,160 Speaker 1: both teams are playing right now, and the fact that 1191 01:09:59,240 --> 01:10:03,160 Speaker 1: it isn't makes me think Man Vegas thinks Tomlin's gonna 1192 01:10:03,200 --> 01:10:06,719 Speaker 1: get this thing back on track. At home quality opponent, 1193 01:10:06,920 --> 01:10:09,920 Speaker 1: playoff type team. How many games have we seen the 1194 01:10:09,960 --> 01:10:13,760 Speaker 1: Steelers win in that building that fits that that qualification. 1195 01:10:14,840 --> 01:10:17,000 Speaker 1: I'm gonna take the Colds, though I need to see 1196 01:10:17,000 --> 01:10:20,200 Speaker 1: it first before I can say the Steelers win this game. 1197 01:10:20,320 --> 01:10:28,080 Speaker 1: I have the cold. Okay, we're along the same lines here. 1198 01:10:28,120 --> 01:10:29,880 Speaker 1: I look at this Colts team and I don't know 1199 01:10:29,920 --> 01:10:33,639 Speaker 1: who they are. That's my problem here. And I'll say this, Matt. 1200 01:10:34,160 --> 01:10:36,599 Speaker 1: They've played. This will be their third road game in 1201 01:10:36,640 --> 01:10:41,439 Speaker 1: four weeks. Um, you know that's actually in a since 1202 01:10:41,520 --> 01:10:45,400 Speaker 1: the since December six. This will be their fourth, their 1203 01:10:45,439 --> 01:10:48,960 Speaker 1: third road game since the December six. That's three road 1204 01:10:49,000 --> 01:10:52,880 Speaker 1: games in in the span of twenty one days. And 1205 01:10:52,880 --> 01:10:55,000 Speaker 1: they've also played a fourth game there as well, So 1206 01:10:55,720 --> 01:10:58,120 Speaker 1: you know, I I get it. They've won three in 1207 01:10:58,120 --> 01:11:00,519 Speaker 1: a row. But they've beaten the Texans twice, and they 1208 01:11:00,560 --> 01:11:03,280 Speaker 1: beat a Raiders team that we just talked about. Um, 1209 01:11:03,840 --> 01:11:06,519 Speaker 1: can't stop anybody, and that was a close game. They 1210 01:11:06,720 --> 01:11:10,720 Speaker 1: beat the Texans on the road back on December six, 1211 01:11:12,560 --> 01:11:15,960 Speaker 1: beat the Raiders seven, But that was game was much 1212 01:11:15,960 --> 01:11:18,240 Speaker 1: closer than that. It was a three point game going 1213 01:11:18,240 --> 01:11:21,439 Speaker 1: into the fourth quarter, and they intercepted the past and 1214 01:11:21,479 --> 01:11:23,639 Speaker 1: returning for a touchdown, did all kinds of crazy stuff 1215 01:11:23,640 --> 01:11:26,320 Speaker 1: and it turned into a blowout, and then they just 1216 01:11:26,360 --> 01:11:32,280 Speaker 1: beat the Texans at home. Um. I think the Steelers 1217 01:11:32,280 --> 01:11:34,479 Speaker 1: get there. I I think they're going to play better 1218 01:11:34,520 --> 01:11:37,799 Speaker 1: in this game. Um. And I just have a feeling. 1219 01:11:38,560 --> 01:11:41,120 Speaker 1: Maybe it's maybe it's my hope going back to what 1220 01:11:41,160 --> 01:11:44,479 Speaker 1: we talked about with not wanting that that that Brown's 1221 01:11:44,520 --> 01:11:47,280 Speaker 1: game to get flexed into the night game. So maybe 1222 01:11:47,280 --> 01:11:49,040 Speaker 1: it is just a hope on my on my part, 1223 01:11:49,720 --> 01:11:51,920 Speaker 1: But I think the Steelers do enough in this game 1224 01:11:51,960 --> 01:11:54,160 Speaker 1: to win at twenty. Again. I go back to what 1225 01:11:54,200 --> 01:11:58,120 Speaker 1: we talked about yesterday with this Colts defense, which earlier 1226 01:11:58,120 --> 01:12:00,320 Speaker 1: in the year was oh, this this Colts defense really 1227 01:12:00,320 --> 01:12:05,559 Speaker 1: good over the last five games. Uh, it's been three 1228 01:12:05,640 --> 01:12:10,479 Speaker 1: hundred sixty seven yards four yards, three yards, four four yards, 1229 01:12:10,600 --> 01:12:14,479 Speaker 1: four twenty five yards over the last over the last 1230 01:12:14,479 --> 01:12:17,559 Speaker 1: five games. Um, if the Steelers take care of the 1231 01:12:17,560 --> 01:12:20,559 Speaker 1: football in this one, because that's been the difference for 1232 01:12:20,560 --> 01:12:24,879 Speaker 1: the Colts in those same five games. They've forced eleven 1233 01:12:24,880 --> 01:12:27,559 Speaker 1: turnovers and only turned it over three times themselves their 1234 01:12:27,640 --> 01:12:30,679 Speaker 1: number one in turnover differential. Well, what does the steel 1235 01:12:30,760 --> 01:12:33,760 Speaker 1: what what does the Steelers defense do? It takes the 1236 01:12:33,800 --> 01:12:36,599 Speaker 1: football way. Do we really think that the Steelers defense 1237 01:12:37,040 --> 01:12:38,760 Speaker 1: is going to go a second game in a row 1238 01:12:39,240 --> 01:12:41,559 Speaker 1: without turning the football over? No, I think you're a 1239 01:12:41,560 --> 01:12:44,120 Speaker 1: good point there, And to take it even a step further, 1240 01:12:45,280 --> 01:12:47,960 Speaker 1: why I almost did take Pittsburgh. The thing I'm really 1241 01:12:48,080 --> 01:12:52,160 Speaker 1: keying on here is I've been I was very skeptical 1242 01:12:52,200 --> 01:12:54,040 Speaker 1: of Rivers, and we both were. But I want to 1243 01:12:54,040 --> 01:12:56,240 Speaker 1: give him credit for the last five six weeks of 1244 01:12:56,280 --> 01:12:59,040 Speaker 1: how he's played, and he hasn't put the ball in 1245 01:12:59,120 --> 01:13:02,640 Speaker 1: harm's way. But the pass rushers coming after him or 1246 01:13:02,720 --> 01:13:06,160 Speaker 1: Tennessee in Houston and the Raiders, I mean, right, teams 1247 01:13:06,160 --> 01:13:09,559 Speaker 1: that don't do that rush like the works really if 1248 01:13:09,560 --> 01:13:11,559 Speaker 1: you look at the entire second half of them, I 1249 01:13:11,600 --> 01:13:15,200 Speaker 1: mean since since since losing to the Ravens in Week nine, 1250 01:13:16,080 --> 01:13:21,360 Speaker 1: they lost at home to Baltimore, They've played the Titans, 1251 01:13:21,600 --> 01:13:24,800 Speaker 1: they don't rush the passor they played the pack they 1252 01:13:24,880 --> 01:13:27,479 Speaker 1: played the Packers, they don't rush the passer real, well, 1253 01:13:27,520 --> 01:13:31,280 Speaker 1: they've got one guy the Titans again they lost to 1254 01:13:31,320 --> 01:13:33,760 Speaker 1: the Titans, who don't rush the passer. Real well, the 1255 01:13:33,800 --> 01:13:36,719 Speaker 1: Texans can't rush the Pastors. The Raiders don't rush the passer. 1256 01:13:36,920 --> 01:13:39,840 Speaker 1: The Texans again, they don't rush the passer. The worst 1257 01:13:39,880 --> 01:13:43,160 Speaker 1: in the league, not like some Yeah, not just bad, 1258 01:13:43,439 --> 01:13:46,240 Speaker 1: but the worst in the league. So I don't know. 1259 01:13:46,600 --> 01:13:48,719 Speaker 1: I look at this schedule for the for the Colts 1260 01:13:48,760 --> 01:13:51,160 Speaker 1: and I don't know who they are. Yeah. To be 1261 01:13:51,240 --> 01:13:54,519 Speaker 1: quite honest with you, um, you know, you could say 1262 01:13:54,560 --> 01:13:58,040 Speaker 1: the same thing about the Steelers. Uh, but that a 1263 01:13:58,160 --> 01:14:01,680 Speaker 1: FC South is just to me if you look at it. 1264 01:14:01,960 --> 01:14:04,320 Speaker 1: The a f C North teams this year against the 1265 01:14:05,040 --> 01:14:06,680 Speaker 1: the good teams in the a f C North, and 1266 01:14:06,720 --> 01:14:11,479 Speaker 1: even Cincinnati beat Tennessee this the teams, the teams from 1267 01:14:11,520 --> 01:14:16,360 Speaker 1: the North have dominated the South teams. They've been much better, 1268 01:14:16,479 --> 01:14:20,519 Speaker 1: much much more physically imposing than these teams from the 1269 01:14:20,520 --> 01:14:22,280 Speaker 1: a f C South. And I think that plays a 1270 01:14:22,320 --> 01:14:26,320 Speaker 1: factor in this one. I had the Steelers winning this. Yeah, 1271 01:14:26,400 --> 01:14:28,360 Speaker 1: you make a good point. I just wish I had 1272 01:14:28,360 --> 01:14:30,439 Speaker 1: a better taste in my mouth of the offense. And 1273 01:14:30,479 --> 01:14:32,840 Speaker 1: I think this defense I get it. I mean, hey, 1274 01:14:32,880 --> 01:14:35,919 Speaker 1: I may be out on that limb all by myself, 1275 01:14:36,680 --> 01:14:40,439 Speaker 1: but I'll go out on that limb with this team. Uh. 1276 01:14:40,880 --> 01:14:43,320 Speaker 1: I Also, I just I look at that schedule of 1277 01:14:43,360 --> 01:14:46,840 Speaker 1: who who this this Colts team has lost. Their losses 1278 01:14:46,840 --> 01:14:51,760 Speaker 1: have been the Jaguars, the Browns, the Ravens, and Titans. 1279 01:14:52,400 --> 01:14:57,320 Speaker 1: Uh their game against Cincinnati, when did they play them? Um, 1280 01:14:57,360 --> 01:15:00,800 Speaker 1: they beat the they beat the Bengals th and well 1281 01:15:01,320 --> 01:15:02,800 Speaker 1: and that was that was I mean, that was a 1282 01:15:02,800 --> 01:15:05,960 Speaker 1: tight football game. I just think that the the f 1283 01:15:06,040 --> 01:15:09,120 Speaker 1: C North teams are are so much better than the 1284 01:15:09,160 --> 01:15:12,080 Speaker 1: a f C South teams that that that plays a 1285 01:15:12,080 --> 01:15:14,439 Speaker 1: big factor for me. I just can't get over that. 1286 01:15:14,960 --> 01:15:16,960 Speaker 1: I just don't think those teams are very good. I 1287 01:15:16,960 --> 01:15:20,679 Speaker 1: think the record is built largely on the bad teams 1288 01:15:20,680 --> 01:15:23,439 Speaker 1: in their divisions twice a year. And you know those 1289 01:15:23,479 --> 01:15:25,719 Speaker 1: type of things in Houston is really bad right now too. 1290 01:15:26,320 --> 01:15:29,200 Speaker 1: Um a couple of notes, you know that I think 1291 01:15:29,280 --> 01:15:34,160 Speaker 1: their style of defense cover to zone, fast linebackers plays 1292 01:15:34,320 --> 01:15:37,280 Speaker 1: very well against the short passing game, just coming and 1293 01:15:37,280 --> 01:15:40,639 Speaker 1: playing downhill and knocking that out and steels are gonna 1294 01:15:40,640 --> 01:15:42,200 Speaker 1: have to get away from that short you know, you 1295 01:15:42,280 --> 01:15:44,360 Speaker 1: can't just totally lean on that or you're gonna see 1296 01:15:44,360 --> 01:15:47,479 Speaker 1: a lot of big collisions. At the catchpoint. But kind 1297 01:15:47,479 --> 01:15:50,880 Speaker 1: of like with Rivers, I do think the Steelers will 1298 01:15:50,880 --> 01:15:54,240 Speaker 1: pressure him, and even though he's protected the football of late, 1299 01:15:55,000 --> 01:15:57,800 Speaker 1: he hasn't been under pressure. And I think deep down 1300 01:15:58,360 --> 01:16:01,519 Speaker 1: he is a turnover guy. You know, I don't trust 1301 01:16:01,600 --> 01:16:04,360 Speaker 1: him that he's turned this corner at age thirty eight 1302 01:16:04,439 --> 01:16:06,120 Speaker 1: or thirty nine, that he's Yeah, this is a guy 1303 01:16:06,200 --> 01:16:09,200 Speaker 1: who is you know, if Rivers he's got a couple 1304 01:16:09,200 --> 01:16:13,040 Speaker 1: of twenty interception seasons, including one last year. If not 1305 01:16:13,120 --> 01:16:17,120 Speaker 1: for Marcus Mariota last or not, I'm sorry about Jamis Winston. 1306 01:16:17,439 --> 01:16:20,200 Speaker 1: If not for Jamis Winston last year, people were talking about, 1307 01:16:20,560 --> 01:16:22,439 Speaker 1: oh my god, did you see all these interceptions that 1308 01:16:22,479 --> 01:16:26,080 Speaker 1: Philip Rivers is throwing. That's who he is, That's who 1309 01:16:26,160 --> 01:16:29,120 Speaker 1: he is. So yeah, I just think the Steelers pull 1310 01:16:29,200 --> 01:16:32,000 Speaker 1: this one out and we'll see. I guess on Monday 1311 01:16:32,240 --> 01:16:34,280 Speaker 1: whether or not which one of us is right. We 1312 01:16:34,320 --> 01:16:36,920 Speaker 1: don't often go different directions on these games. When this 1313 01:16:36,960 --> 01:16:41,439 Speaker 1: one night we are so we're gonna take We'll see, ye, Yeah, 1314 01:16:41,520 --> 01:16:46,000 Speaker 1: we'll see. Yeah, we'll see. But I changed dramatically if 1315 01:16:46,040 --> 01:16:49,760 Speaker 1: you're right, yeah, and I will say this, we both 1316 01:16:49,760 --> 01:16:52,160 Speaker 1: think it's gonna be a close, slow scoring game. I 1317 01:16:52,200 --> 01:16:54,920 Speaker 1: think he's a good defenses all in all. Yeah, I 1318 01:16:54,960 --> 01:16:57,640 Speaker 1: think over all their good defenses. I don't know, you know, 1319 01:16:57,680 --> 01:17:00,240 Speaker 1: when I talk about the four plush yard game games 1320 01:17:00,240 --> 01:17:02,439 Speaker 1: that they're the Colts have given up here in the 1321 01:17:02,520 --> 01:17:05,600 Speaker 1: last month and a half. Um, can the Steelers do 1322 01:17:05,680 --> 01:17:08,360 Speaker 1: that to them? That's what I don't know. I tend 1323 01:17:08,360 --> 01:17:09,960 Speaker 1: to lean towards no, but I don't think they have 1324 01:17:10,040 --> 01:17:14,200 Speaker 1: to either. Right. So, again, I think whichever team turns 1325 01:17:14,200 --> 01:17:17,519 Speaker 1: the football over the most is it often comes down 1326 01:17:17,600 --> 01:17:19,799 Speaker 1: to in the NFL, the team that makes the fewest 1327 01:17:19,840 --> 01:17:22,439 Speaker 1: mistakes wins this When I think the Steelers just had 1328 01:17:22,479 --> 01:17:28,040 Speaker 1: their big mistake game, and I think the defense causes some. Yeah, 1329 01:17:28,080 --> 01:17:29,760 Speaker 1: I think I think they'll They'll get a couple, at 1330 01:17:29,840 --> 01:17:32,320 Speaker 1: least a couple of turnovers in this football game. Taylor 1331 01:17:32,360 --> 01:17:35,080 Speaker 1: is a fumbler to when we're talking about him pre 1332 01:17:35,120 --> 01:17:37,000 Speaker 1: you know, pre draft, he puts the ball on the 1333 01:17:37,000 --> 01:17:39,080 Speaker 1: carpet and we haven't seen a lot that that changed 1334 01:17:39,080 --> 01:17:41,320 Speaker 1: that game for them against the Ravens. You know, they 1335 01:17:41,360 --> 01:17:44,040 Speaker 1: were beating the Ravens early in that game and Taylor 1336 01:17:44,080 --> 01:17:47,240 Speaker 1: fumbled and it just changed the entire complexion of that 1337 01:17:47,240 --> 01:17:49,960 Speaker 1: football game, so we'll keep an eye on that as well, 1338 01:17:50,000 --> 01:17:52,559 Speaker 1: but we're gonna take another break. He is Matt Williamson, 1339 01:17:52,600 --> 01:17:55,400 Speaker 1: I'm Dale Lally. When we come back, we're gonna hear 1340 01:17:55,400 --> 01:17:57,679 Speaker 1: from Ben Roethlisberger. He met with the media this morning. 1341 01:17:57,640 --> 01:17:58,960 Speaker 1: I had a lot to talk about, a lot on 1342 01:17:59,040 --> 01:18:03,599 Speaker 1: his mind, and uh, well, you know, I'm sure he's 1343 01:18:03,640 --> 01:18:06,560 Speaker 1: up beating himself this week after that game against the 1344 01:18:06,600 --> 01:18:09,080 Speaker 1: Bengals last week. We'll hear what Ben had to say 1345 01:18:09,400 --> 01:18:14,880 Speaker 1: right after this your Tunes about Drive on Home of 1346 01:18:14,960 --> 01:18:36,760 Speaker 1: the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome back. I'm 1347 01:18:36,840 --> 01:18:39,240 Speaker 1: Dale Ally here with Matt william Said, and Matt, it's 1348 01:18:39,240 --> 01:18:43,040 Speaker 1: appropriate that we have an old gray beer band like 1349 01:18:43,280 --> 01:18:46,280 Speaker 1: uh Eazy Top leading us into this segment because we're 1350 01:18:46,280 --> 01:18:48,640 Speaker 1: gonna have a couple of old gray beard quarterbacks this 1351 01:18:48,680 --> 01:18:52,160 Speaker 1: week on the football field. Really are and they both 1352 01:18:52,160 --> 01:18:55,839 Speaker 1: have had amazing careers. They're both strong. In my opinion, 1353 01:18:56,000 --> 01:18:59,240 Speaker 1: I'm excited for this one. Yeah, this is when you 1354 01:18:59,280 --> 01:19:01,280 Speaker 1: look forward to this and what I'm sure Ben Roethlisberger 1355 01:19:01,320 --> 01:19:03,320 Speaker 1: is looking forward to as well, to get the bad 1356 01:19:03,360 --> 01:19:05,760 Speaker 1: taste of that last game out of his mouth. And 1357 01:19:05,800 --> 01:19:09,280 Speaker 1: we spoke to the Steelers quarterback earlier today. I wanted 1358 01:19:09,320 --> 01:19:12,440 Speaker 1: to play that back for everybody. Here's what Ben Roethlisberger 1359 01:19:12,720 --> 01:19:16,080 Speaker 1: had to say today. Been here right now. One second. 1360 01:19:16,080 --> 01:19:20,599 Speaker 1: We'll open it up for questions. First one, Dale, Lolly Dale, 1361 01:19:20,680 --> 01:19:27,200 Speaker 1: go ahead, Yeah, Ben, the the slue starts haven't just 1362 01:19:27,280 --> 01:19:29,360 Speaker 1: been over the last few weeks. It's been a kind 1363 01:19:29,360 --> 01:19:31,680 Speaker 1: of a season long problem. Is there something in there 1364 01:19:31,680 --> 01:19:34,559 Speaker 1: that you can put your finger on? Is it the script? 1365 01:19:34,680 --> 01:19:38,519 Speaker 1: Is it uh yourself? Is it just a myriad of things? What? 1366 01:19:38,640 --> 01:19:40,840 Speaker 1: What do you think is wrong with that? Yeah, it 1367 01:19:40,840 --> 01:19:42,800 Speaker 1: feels like it's something different every week, so it's hard 1368 01:19:42,800 --> 01:19:45,760 Speaker 1: to really nail down one thing. Um. But it's something 1369 01:19:45,800 --> 01:19:47,320 Speaker 1: that's very important to us and we need to get 1370 01:19:47,320 --> 01:19:53,800 Speaker 1: fixed now. Jim Coloney, Okay, So Ben, the follow up, 1371 01:19:53,800 --> 01:19:55,679 Speaker 1: I guess so that would be how does it get fixed? 1372 01:19:57,240 --> 01:19:59,720 Speaker 1: You know? We uh, you know, we all need to 1373 01:20:00,080 --> 01:20:01,640 Speaker 1: form better, and it starts with me. You know, we 1374 01:20:01,720 --> 01:20:04,479 Speaker 1: gotta complete passes, um if that's the call. If if 1375 01:20:04,479 --> 01:20:06,759 Speaker 1: it's run, then we gotta get get hats on hats 1376 01:20:06,760 --> 01:20:10,400 Speaker 1: if you will. Um. So, once again, you guys are 1377 01:20:10,439 --> 01:20:13,000 Speaker 1: asking questions. If if I had an answer to it, 1378 01:20:13,040 --> 01:20:15,800 Speaker 1: we wouldn't be having these issues so well, Um, you know, 1379 01:20:15,840 --> 01:20:17,599 Speaker 1: we can't. We can't fix anything till we get out 1380 01:20:17,600 --> 01:20:27,960 Speaker 1: there on Sunday. Really, Joe Rudder, Okay, moving on, Brooke 1381 01:20:28,000 --> 01:20:32,800 Speaker 1: Bryant shows back. We're going back to the all right, 1382 01:20:32,840 --> 01:20:36,240 Speaker 1: real quick, Joe Rudder, go ahead, Broke, you're up next. Yeah. 1383 01:20:36,320 --> 01:20:39,040 Speaker 1: Ben as the captain and the leader with is anybody 1384 01:20:39,160 --> 01:20:42,200 Speaker 1: felt the need to talk to Juju about these uh 1385 01:20:42,280 --> 01:20:45,160 Speaker 1: you know logo dances and do you think that you know, 1386 01:20:45,240 --> 01:20:47,320 Speaker 1: some others up said it could be viewed as disrespectful? 1387 01:20:47,360 --> 01:20:51,080 Speaker 1: Do you agree with that? Uh? I'm so far removed 1388 01:20:51,080 --> 01:20:54,000 Speaker 1: from social media. Um, kind of like you Dale, like 1389 01:20:54,040 --> 01:20:56,519 Speaker 1: not hitting the un mute button. Probably there for a second, 1390 01:20:56,560 --> 01:21:00,439 Speaker 1: but no, you know, so I didn't know a lot 1391 01:21:00,439 --> 01:21:03,120 Speaker 1: about until someone brought it up in might introduction. I 1392 01:21:03,160 --> 01:21:05,760 Speaker 1: don't remember when it got brought to my attention. I 1393 01:21:05,800 --> 01:21:09,080 Speaker 1: don't know a lot about it. Um. I saw maybe 1394 01:21:09,160 --> 01:21:11,960 Speaker 1: Coach said he was gonna say something Juju. So um, 1395 01:21:12,040 --> 01:21:14,160 Speaker 1: you know, I just I try to communicate with Juju, 1396 01:21:14,240 --> 01:21:16,880 Speaker 1: just like I did with everyone else, um, and and 1397 01:21:17,160 --> 01:21:19,960 Speaker 1: figure out, hey, what's going on? And uh, if he's 1398 01:21:20,000 --> 01:21:22,240 Speaker 1: not intended for something to be disrespectful then it's probably 1399 01:21:22,240 --> 01:21:27,720 Speaker 1: not good. Hey, Ben, when we talked with you last week, 1400 01:21:27,760 --> 01:21:30,400 Speaker 1: you mentioned that, yes, your elbow feels great, but there 1401 01:21:30,400 --> 01:21:33,439 Speaker 1: can be that rapid downhill, that rapid falling off the cliff, 1402 01:21:33,479 --> 01:21:35,960 Speaker 1: and you've been working to not have that happen. How 1403 01:21:35,960 --> 01:21:38,400 Speaker 1: will you know when that happens? And when you have 1404 01:21:38,479 --> 01:21:40,639 Speaker 1: a first half like the one on Monday? Is there 1405 01:21:40,680 --> 01:21:44,120 Speaker 1: any concern that you're approaching that faster than you anticipate 1406 01:21:44,160 --> 01:21:47,719 Speaker 1: in you know, I guess you're just you're feel fatigued. 1407 01:21:47,760 --> 01:21:49,920 Speaker 1: You'll feel that you're that you can't make a throw 1408 01:21:50,040 --> 01:21:54,120 Speaker 1: or or something. I don't know. I I guess that 1409 01:21:54,120 --> 01:21:55,960 Speaker 1: that's the best answer I can give you is you 1410 01:21:56,040 --> 01:21:59,040 Speaker 1: just you'll feel it um And I didn't. I haven't 1411 01:21:59,040 --> 01:22:01,080 Speaker 1: felt that yet, So I got that's a positive as well. 1412 01:22:01,439 --> 01:22:06,400 Speaker 1: Mike pursuit of Ben a couple of plays from Bengals 1413 01:22:06,479 --> 01:22:11,439 Speaker 1: game or much discussed the throw to Ebron when he 1414 01:22:11,520 --> 01:22:16,559 Speaker 1: got hurt and fumble catch play to Juju. Did you 1415 01:22:16,600 --> 01:22:20,000 Speaker 1: have Claypool deep as an option on one or both 1416 01:22:20,040 --> 01:22:22,240 Speaker 1: of those? And can you kind of run through why 1417 01:22:22,320 --> 01:22:25,400 Speaker 1: you chose to do what you did? Yeah? The one 1418 01:22:25,439 --> 01:22:28,920 Speaker 1: did Juju um? When I when I looked at Chase. Um, 1419 01:22:29,040 --> 01:22:31,040 Speaker 1: he had a guy on him. You know, within the 1420 01:22:31,080 --> 01:22:32,880 Speaker 1: first ten yards there was a guy on him. So 1421 01:22:32,920 --> 01:22:35,519 Speaker 1: I came off that read. Um, you look at the 1422 01:22:35,600 --> 01:22:37,320 Speaker 1: you look at the picture on the sideline and look 1423 01:22:37,360 --> 01:22:39,719 Speaker 1: at the film. Yes, he opened up, but that's after 1424 01:22:40,080 --> 01:22:42,160 Speaker 1: I came My eyes came off of a guy that's 1425 01:22:42,280 --> 01:22:45,240 Speaker 1: you know, got a guy on him. Um. And then 1426 01:22:45,280 --> 01:22:48,240 Speaker 1: the deep one to Ibron, same thing happened. If you 1427 01:22:48,240 --> 01:22:49,840 Speaker 1: go back and look at it. Thirty who is a 1428 01:22:49,920 --> 01:22:52,200 Speaker 1: great you know as a ball hawk and safet him. 1429 01:22:52,200 --> 01:22:54,719 Speaker 1: He's a guy that takes chances and does stuff. He's 1430 01:22:54,720 --> 01:22:56,880 Speaker 1: in the he's on Chase until he sees the ball 1431 01:22:56,880 --> 01:22:59,800 Speaker 1: come out of my hand. Um. So you know, Chase, 1432 01:23:00,000 --> 01:23:01,760 Speaker 1: but he was open. Um. But when you go back 1433 01:23:01,760 --> 01:23:03,960 Speaker 1: and look at it, you realize that the guy um 1434 01:23:04,120 --> 01:23:05,599 Speaker 1: is back to to make a play. Could you throw 1435 01:23:05,600 --> 01:23:07,360 Speaker 1: it up and it be two on one and you know, 1436 01:23:07,400 --> 01:23:10,000 Speaker 1: maybe your guy makes a play. Yeah, but you know 1437 01:23:10,040 --> 01:23:12,960 Speaker 1: you gotta take the the kind of smart throw there, 1438 01:23:13,000 --> 01:23:15,640 Speaker 1: which I thought it was a good one, but um, 1439 01:23:15,680 --> 01:23:18,280 Speaker 1: you know it's that that's looking back at it, you 1440 01:23:18,400 --> 01:23:21,000 Speaker 1: got to realize that there's guys come open once the 1441 01:23:21,000 --> 01:23:22,880 Speaker 1: ball comes out of your hand a lot, right for 1442 01:23:22,920 --> 01:23:26,559 Speaker 1: the poto that earlier in your career, you guys want 1443 01:23:26,560 --> 01:23:28,880 Speaker 1: a lot of close games like you know, sixteen, ten, 1444 01:23:29,600 --> 01:23:33,720 Speaker 1: thirteen ten, whatever. Um, you know, is there anything that 1445 01:23:33,800 --> 01:23:37,080 Speaker 1: you can draw on from those experiences? And you guys 1446 01:23:37,120 --> 01:23:42,840 Speaker 1: have to embracementality of being comfortable in low scoring games. Yeah, 1447 01:23:42,880 --> 01:23:45,400 Speaker 1: you gotta find ways to win. Good teams do it. Um. 1448 01:23:45,600 --> 01:23:47,800 Speaker 1: We we we did it even earlier this year. UM, 1449 01:23:47,840 --> 01:23:49,720 Speaker 1: but but right now we're just not doing it. And 1450 01:23:49,800 --> 01:23:53,760 Speaker 1: so we have to get back to kind of having, um, 1451 01:23:53,920 --> 01:23:56,479 Speaker 1: some sort of continuity, some sort of you know, at 1452 01:23:56,479 --> 01:23:58,320 Speaker 1: the end of those games, when when you need a 1453 01:23:58,479 --> 01:24:01,360 Speaker 1: play to be made, we all have to to be 1454 01:24:01,439 --> 01:24:03,639 Speaker 1: there to make it, whoever's numbers called, and it starts 1455 01:24:03,640 --> 01:24:08,960 Speaker 1: with me general harmor then what are the conversations like 1456 01:24:09,040 --> 01:24:12,080 Speaker 1: this week from the vets to the guys on the team. 1457 01:24:12,120 --> 01:24:14,560 Speaker 1: Do they change at all as anything different during this 1458 01:24:14,640 --> 01:24:18,679 Speaker 1: stretch here? They kind of consistent, They stay pretty consistent. 1459 01:24:18,720 --> 01:24:20,719 Speaker 1: But you know, I think we had a really good 1460 01:24:21,040 --> 01:24:24,640 Speaker 1: UM offensive meeting this morning. UM just kind of did 1461 01:24:24,680 --> 01:24:28,040 Speaker 1: a players got together and we talked, and so I 1462 01:24:28,040 --> 01:24:29,720 Speaker 1: thought it was a good one. UM to just kind 1463 01:24:29,720 --> 01:24:31,320 Speaker 1: of express where we are and what we need to 1464 01:24:31,320 --> 01:24:36,200 Speaker 1: do moving forward, Will Graves. And then there was a 1465 01:24:36,240 --> 01:24:38,320 Speaker 1: report out there on Monday, you know that you were 1466 01:24:38,320 --> 01:24:40,479 Speaker 1: gonna play next year, which isn't really news because, as 1467 01:24:40,479 --> 01:24:42,240 Speaker 1: you pointed out, you always played at the end of 1468 01:24:42,280 --> 01:24:45,160 Speaker 1: your contract. At the same time, after the Buffalo game, 1469 01:24:45,200 --> 01:24:47,000 Speaker 1: you said, if I don't play goodness football, then I 1470 01:24:47,000 --> 01:24:48,639 Speaker 1: need to hang it up. I'm just sort of curious 1471 01:24:48,640 --> 01:24:51,919 Speaker 1: what metrics will you use to sort of what internal 1472 01:24:51,960 --> 01:24:53,760 Speaker 1: what I mean, what is the thought process and in 1473 01:24:54,160 --> 01:24:56,920 Speaker 1: reaching that destination whenever you might reach it, whether it's 1474 01:24:56,960 --> 01:24:59,439 Speaker 1: now or five years or now. I'll just let media 1475 01:24:59,479 --> 01:25:01,240 Speaker 1: people tell I guess, since they seem to be coming 1476 01:25:01,320 --> 01:25:03,760 Speaker 1: up with all kinds of stories out of nowhere from 1477 01:25:03,760 --> 01:25:07,080 Speaker 1: nobody at my camp or my family. So um, it's 1478 01:25:07,120 --> 01:25:09,880 Speaker 1: amazing where people get their stories to to say those things. 1479 01:25:10,040 --> 01:25:12,800 Speaker 1: So um No, truthfully, I'll just at the end of 1480 01:25:12,800 --> 01:25:14,439 Speaker 1: the season, do a lot of praying and talking to 1481 01:25:14,439 --> 01:25:16,719 Speaker 1: people I care about and uh and make the decision 1482 01:25:16,720 --> 01:25:21,200 Speaker 1: on the times, right Markboli they Ben there's a lot 1483 01:25:21,280 --> 01:25:24,040 Speaker 1: of people out there saying that you're done. It's over 1484 01:25:24,120 --> 01:25:26,160 Speaker 1: for you right now. I know you stay away from 1485 01:25:26,200 --> 01:25:29,320 Speaker 1: that type of social media stuff. But I'm sure it 1486 01:25:29,360 --> 01:25:32,160 Speaker 1: has to have a trickle down to you at some point. 1487 01:25:32,840 --> 01:25:36,400 Speaker 1: Is that motivating to you when that stuff comes out 1488 01:25:36,520 --> 01:25:39,760 Speaker 1: and they talk about you in that regards? Shoot, I 1489 01:25:39,760 --> 01:25:43,479 Speaker 1: don't blame them when you play like pooh, you should 1490 01:25:43,520 --> 01:25:46,720 Speaker 1: get talked about like that. And so, um, you know 1491 01:25:46,960 --> 01:25:48,760 Speaker 1: I need to play better. So if if I'm not 1492 01:25:48,800 --> 01:25:50,840 Speaker 1: giving them a reason to talk good, I'm giving reason 1493 01:25:50,880 --> 01:25:53,880 Speaker 1: to talk bad. So um, that's all. That's all on me. 1494 01:25:54,040 --> 01:25:56,040 Speaker 1: I need to play better. Time for a few more 1495 01:25:56,160 --> 01:26:02,320 Speaker 1: dd cake ball. Then that actually takes me someplace. Every 1496 01:26:02,360 --> 01:26:04,240 Speaker 1: single one of us is we get older, we have 1497 01:26:04,360 --> 01:26:06,760 Speaker 1: to make some sort of adjustments and whatever it is 1498 01:26:06,800 --> 01:26:10,879 Speaker 1: that we do. What has sort of that process? Obviously 1499 01:26:10,920 --> 01:26:12,320 Speaker 1: you can't do what you did it when you were 1500 01:26:12,320 --> 01:26:15,160 Speaker 1: twenty three, None of us can. What has the process 1501 01:26:15,240 --> 01:26:17,719 Speaker 1: been to sort of adjust the way you play the game? 1502 01:26:18,160 --> 01:26:21,680 Speaker 1: And what's the psychological challenge in that? Because I mean, 1503 01:26:21,720 --> 01:26:24,719 Speaker 1: for me, nobody's watching me age the way that they're watching. 1504 01:26:24,760 --> 01:26:28,120 Speaker 1: You have to make adjustments. Yeah, I mean that's that's 1505 01:26:28,160 --> 01:26:30,080 Speaker 1: the job. I guess we kind of signed up forwards 1506 01:26:30,080 --> 01:26:33,439 Speaker 1: to live under a microscope where every single thing, every step, 1507 01:26:33,520 --> 01:26:38,160 Speaker 1: every word, every throw is scrutinized really, um, and that's 1508 01:26:38,640 --> 01:26:40,599 Speaker 1: it is what it is to use a Tomlin asm 1509 01:26:40,600 --> 01:26:43,719 Speaker 1: I guess or whoever, but um, you know what it's 1510 01:26:43,760 --> 01:26:46,040 Speaker 1: at some point, if you want to play this game 1511 01:26:46,080 --> 01:26:49,280 Speaker 1: long enough, when you're when you physically can't do all 1512 01:26:49,320 --> 01:26:51,719 Speaker 1: the exact same things you you do when you're younger, 1513 01:26:51,760 --> 01:26:54,160 Speaker 1: you have to find a way to be successful and 1514 01:26:54,200 --> 01:26:56,080 Speaker 1: win in other ways. And so for me, it's trying 1515 01:26:56,120 --> 01:26:58,720 Speaker 1: to be mentally strong, trying to figure out mentally how 1516 01:26:58,720 --> 01:27:01,920 Speaker 1: can I beat a defense so or a play. And um, 1517 01:27:01,920 --> 01:27:03,559 Speaker 1: there's been times that it's been I feel like it's 1518 01:27:03,600 --> 01:27:05,519 Speaker 1: been really good. There's been times that I haven't been 1519 01:27:05,640 --> 01:27:08,439 Speaker 1: short mentally, and um, I need to get more consistent 1520 01:27:08,479 --> 01:27:11,080 Speaker 1: with my play and that's mentally and physically. And so 1521 01:27:11,800 --> 01:27:15,400 Speaker 1: I think when I play um good football mentally and physically, 1522 01:27:15,439 --> 01:27:20,760 Speaker 1: then hopefully that will trickle down to everyone else. And man, 1523 01:27:20,840 --> 01:27:23,000 Speaker 1: I know it still wasn't a hundred yard performance like 1524 01:27:23,000 --> 01:27:25,280 Speaker 1: you guys are looking for. But how beneficial was it 1525 01:27:25,360 --> 01:27:27,760 Speaker 1: to have Benny Snell rolling like he was and to 1526 01:27:27,880 --> 01:27:30,559 Speaker 1: use a little bit of play action this week? Yeah? 1527 01:27:30,560 --> 01:27:34,200 Speaker 1: I thought they brought a nice energy and nice physicality. UM, 1528 01:27:34,320 --> 01:27:37,320 Speaker 1: got some some tough yards and we needed it. UM 1529 01:27:37,640 --> 01:27:40,200 Speaker 1: also made some guys miss and and you know, got 1530 01:27:40,200 --> 01:27:43,559 Speaker 1: to the outside, so it was nice to have that. UM. 1531 01:27:44,200 --> 01:27:46,320 Speaker 1: I'm not sure what James's status is, but I know 1532 01:27:46,360 --> 01:27:50,080 Speaker 1: when he comes back, he'll be excited, chomping at the bit. Um. 1533 01:27:50,120 --> 01:27:53,439 Speaker 1: You know, and we've got a handful of capable guys 1534 01:27:53,479 --> 01:27:56,120 Speaker 1: that can can really help us win. UM, but we 1535 01:27:56,160 --> 01:27:58,280 Speaker 1: all need to put it together at the same time. 1536 01:27:58,640 --> 01:28:03,439 Speaker 1: Bryan back go hey Ben. Obviously, you guys can still 1537 01:28:03,640 --> 01:28:06,639 Speaker 1: secure a home game in the playoffs, maybe more now 1538 01:28:06,640 --> 01:28:09,800 Speaker 1: that you've played fourteen games in this environment, some on 1539 01:28:09,840 --> 01:28:12,439 Speaker 1: the road with fans, some without, some at home without fans. 1540 01:28:12,880 --> 01:28:14,639 Speaker 1: How much does it even feel like there's that same 1541 01:28:14,680 --> 01:28:19,000 Speaker 1: emphasis to try to get that home field advantage this year? Yeah, 1542 01:28:19,080 --> 01:28:22,559 Speaker 1: it's just different. It feels like it's um like everything 1543 01:28:22,680 --> 01:28:25,640 Speaker 1: is just a different year. I'm not sure, um how 1544 01:28:25,720 --> 01:28:27,800 Speaker 1: much hold field will played into it, but we'd love 1545 01:28:27,840 --> 01:28:32,519 Speaker 1: to do it. Chris and Dansky and I often say 1546 01:28:32,520 --> 01:28:34,719 Speaker 1: I write like poos. I appreciate using the word pooh. 1547 01:28:36,320 --> 01:28:39,760 Speaker 1: Um that being said, I mean you've been open. I mean, 1548 01:28:39,880 --> 01:28:41,240 Speaker 1: you know, part of it is being a leader, and 1549 01:28:41,400 --> 01:28:43,680 Speaker 1: you know you'll take responsibility when you lose. I know 1550 01:28:43,760 --> 01:28:47,320 Speaker 1: you say that, but but watching this past week's game, 1551 01:28:47,400 --> 01:28:49,360 Speaker 1: when you say that, are there things do you see? 1552 01:28:49,400 --> 01:28:52,600 Speaker 1: Do you see footwork? You see mechanics? Do you see decisions? 1553 01:28:52,600 --> 01:28:54,760 Speaker 1: Do you what? What do you think? You what is poop? 1554 01:28:54,880 --> 01:28:57,240 Speaker 1: Like I guess in your evaluation of of your own 1555 01:28:57,280 --> 01:29:00,880 Speaker 1: game right now? Well it's dad talk, right, Um, you 1556 01:29:00,920 --> 01:29:03,559 Speaker 1: know it's when you're not winning. I mean truthfully that 1557 01:29:03,600 --> 01:29:06,680 Speaker 1: at the end of the day that that's my determining 1558 01:29:06,720 --> 01:29:09,080 Speaker 1: factor of if I play well or not is are 1559 01:29:09,160 --> 01:29:11,479 Speaker 1: we winning the football game? Because that's all that matters 1560 01:29:11,520 --> 01:29:15,519 Speaker 1: to me? And so, um, you know I'm not complete 1561 01:29:15,640 --> 01:29:17,960 Speaker 1: enough passes on my getting us in the right play call, 1562 01:29:18,120 --> 01:29:21,280 Speaker 1: and I mean there's a myriad of of issues in 1563 01:29:21,360 --> 01:29:24,559 Speaker 1: my opinion, um that aren't helping us win the game. 1564 01:29:25,000 --> 01:29:26,960 Speaker 1: And it's and it could be something different all the time, 1565 01:29:27,000 --> 01:29:29,519 Speaker 1: but I just have to play well enough to help 1566 01:29:29,560 --> 01:29:31,160 Speaker 1: us win a football game because at the end of 1567 01:29:31,200 --> 01:29:33,840 Speaker 1: the day, that's all that really matters. Two more quick ones, 1568 01:29:33,880 --> 01:29:40,240 Speaker 1: indity go ahead. Been following up on what you said 1569 01:29:40,240 --> 01:29:43,360 Speaker 1: about the players only meeting. Is that something that you 1570 01:29:43,560 --> 01:29:46,920 Speaker 1: called and why can something like that be so useful 1571 01:29:46,960 --> 01:29:50,320 Speaker 1: at this point of the season. I did, and it 1572 01:29:50,400 --> 01:29:52,720 Speaker 1: had nothing to do with where we are in terms of, 1573 01:29:53,800 --> 01:29:55,720 Speaker 1: you know, losing three. It's just I feel it's that 1574 01:29:55,760 --> 01:29:59,360 Speaker 1: time of year when you know, it's it's prudent to 1575 01:29:59,400 --> 01:30:02,559 Speaker 1: have those kind of meetings when veteran guys can speak 1576 01:30:02,600 --> 01:30:05,639 Speaker 1: and talk to young guys on what to expect and um, 1577 01:30:05,800 --> 01:30:07,920 Speaker 1: you know, get ready for moving forward. The final one 1578 01:30:07,960 --> 01:30:12,320 Speaker 1: brook been going up that players only meeting. How will 1579 01:30:12,400 --> 01:30:15,120 Speaker 1: you know if if the message that you wanted to 1580 01:30:15,120 --> 01:30:18,160 Speaker 1: get across to those guys is successful, what things will 1581 01:30:18,200 --> 01:30:20,320 Speaker 1: you need to see in practice or a game or 1582 01:30:20,320 --> 01:30:24,400 Speaker 1: even in just interactions with them. Well, I'm sure that 1583 01:30:24,400 --> 01:30:26,280 Speaker 1: that this whole thing now was going to blow up. 1584 01:30:26,439 --> 01:30:29,160 Speaker 1: Steelers had players only meet And like I said, that's 1585 01:30:29,160 --> 01:30:30,960 Speaker 1: why I tried to emphasize, and this will never get 1586 01:30:31,000 --> 01:30:34,759 Speaker 1: written is it had nothing to do with the losses. 1587 01:30:34,800 --> 01:30:37,640 Speaker 1: It had everything to do with where we are and 1588 01:30:37,680 --> 01:30:40,280 Speaker 1: where we're going. We're getting ready to go into the playoffs. 1589 01:30:40,280 --> 01:30:42,400 Speaker 1: So there's there's a you know, I had the guys 1590 01:30:42,479 --> 01:30:44,439 Speaker 1: razor hand who's played in the playoff game, who hasn't, 1591 01:30:44,520 --> 01:30:46,800 Speaker 1: And it was half the guys over half the guys 1592 01:30:46,800 --> 01:30:49,000 Speaker 1: haven't played in the playoff game. So it's important that 1593 01:30:49,080 --> 01:30:52,800 Speaker 1: veteran guys and guys that have UM communicate what it's 1594 01:30:52,840 --> 01:30:56,280 Speaker 1: like and appreciate. I I hate to to throw them 1595 01:30:56,280 --> 01:30:58,120 Speaker 1: out there like that, but coach we use Mike Munchek 1596 01:30:58,160 --> 01:31:01,280 Speaker 1: as an example, a guy that UM spent thirty plus 1597 01:31:01,360 --> 01:31:03,439 Speaker 1: years in the NFL playing and coaching and only played 1598 01:31:03,479 --> 01:31:05,120 Speaker 1: in one Super Bowl or only it was only a 1599 01:31:05,120 --> 01:31:07,439 Speaker 1: part of one Super Bowl. So just one of guys 1600 01:31:07,479 --> 01:31:11,080 Speaker 1: to understand and to reiterate how important this time of 1601 01:31:11,040 --> 01:31:14,599 Speaker 1: the year is and that the playoffs aren't guaranteed anybody. UM. 1602 01:31:14,760 --> 01:31:18,080 Speaker 1: So it wasn't a player's only panic meeting. UM. Make 1603 01:31:18,120 --> 01:31:20,160 Speaker 1: sure people keep writing that that this is a meeting 1604 01:31:20,200 --> 01:31:24,320 Speaker 1: that UM we felt was necessary moving forward to going 1605 01:31:24,360 --> 01:31:27,719 Speaker 1: into the postseason. All right, thanks Ben. That was Steelers 1606 01:31:27,760 --> 01:31:32,000 Speaker 1: quarterback Ben Roethlisberger earlier today with the assembled media, including myself, 1607 01:31:32,080 --> 01:31:36,480 Speaker 1: and uh, well you heard his his very unbiased assessment 1608 01:31:36,560 --> 01:31:39,719 Speaker 1: of his play of late or at least in Sunday 1609 01:31:39,840 --> 01:31:43,640 Speaker 1: Monday Nights game. It was pooh. So I was on 1610 01:31:43,800 --> 01:31:45,439 Speaker 1: stand today and he was making jokes about it. That 1611 01:31:45,800 --> 01:31:47,240 Speaker 1: one of the words you use when you have three 1612 01:31:47,280 --> 01:31:50,760 Speaker 1: young kids at home. You know, Yeah, that's what he said, 1613 01:31:50,800 --> 01:31:54,120 Speaker 1: and you know, uh, I can't argue with it again. 1614 01:31:54,160 --> 01:31:56,640 Speaker 1: And it was we talked about throughout the show. That was, 1615 01:31:56,760 --> 01:32:00,240 Speaker 1: you know, his worst showing maybe ever. Um, you know, 1616 01:32:00,280 --> 01:32:03,760 Speaker 1: considering the opponent and everything at stake. Um, he's a 1617 01:32:03,760 --> 01:32:08,280 Speaker 1: proud guy. He's as competitive as anybody that I've known. 1618 01:32:09,160 --> 01:32:12,120 Speaker 1: And I expect him, especially with Philip Rivers standing on 1619 01:32:12,160 --> 01:32:14,439 Speaker 1: the other sideline, a guy that was drafted ahead of 1620 01:32:14,520 --> 01:32:17,559 Speaker 1: him all the way back in two thousand four, I 1621 01:32:17,560 --> 01:32:20,040 Speaker 1: expect him to come out with his best game, at 1622 01:32:20,120 --> 01:32:22,479 Speaker 1: least the best that he can play at this time, 1623 01:32:22,520 --> 01:32:24,320 Speaker 1: at this point in his career. And and you know, 1624 01:32:24,560 --> 01:32:26,920 Speaker 1: I expect him to outplay Rivers in this one. It 1625 01:32:27,000 --> 01:32:29,120 Speaker 1: sure wouldn't shock me, you know, for all those reasons 1626 01:32:29,160 --> 01:32:32,880 Speaker 1: you just mentioned, getting embarrassed by that team on Monday 1627 01:32:33,000 --> 01:32:35,800 Speaker 1: night for the whole world to see. And then not 1628 01:32:35,960 --> 01:32:40,280 Speaker 1: a rival. But you know, uh, a lot of commonality 1629 01:32:40,360 --> 01:32:42,760 Speaker 1: with you know, Rivers coming to town now, and no 1630 01:32:42,800 --> 01:32:45,160 Speaker 1: one's talking about Rivers being done. They shouldn't be talking 1631 01:32:45,160 --> 01:32:47,160 Speaker 1: about me being done. I'm gonna show the world, you know, 1632 01:32:47,160 --> 01:32:49,960 Speaker 1: I mean, I could certainly see that out of Ben. Yeah, 1633 01:32:50,000 --> 01:32:52,200 Speaker 1: don't forget. Rivers is a year older than Ben, so 1634 01:32:52,600 --> 01:32:55,200 Speaker 1: it's you know, we want to talked about quarterbacks hitting 1635 01:32:55,240 --> 01:32:57,640 Speaker 1: the wall or you know, in December. That's something to 1636 01:32:57,800 --> 01:33:00,320 Speaker 1: be considered here as well. But that is willing to 1637 01:33:00,360 --> 01:33:02,840 Speaker 1: do it for our show, and we won't be back 1638 01:33:02,920 --> 01:33:05,120 Speaker 1: until next week, so we do want to wish everybody 1639 01:33:05,160 --> 01:33:08,880 Speaker 1: out there Merry Christmas and a safe and happy uh 1640 01:33:09,000 --> 01:33:12,320 Speaker 1: holidays here. I hope everybody is well and everybody's families 1641 01:33:12,320 --> 01:33:15,160 Speaker 1: are well. Uh. Same with you guys, Matt. That's been 1642 01:33:15,439 --> 01:33:18,280 Speaker 1: a pleasure doing shows with you once again this year. 1643 01:33:18,960 --> 01:33:20,960 Speaker 1: I know we're not quite to the two New Year's yet, 1644 01:33:21,000 --> 01:33:23,720 Speaker 1: but Merry Christmas to you and your family. Same with 1645 01:33:23,920 --> 01:33:26,719 Speaker 1: Jacob here on site keeping us on the air. Jacob, 1646 01:33:26,760 --> 01:33:28,960 Speaker 1: we we wish you would marry Christmas. I had a 1647 01:33:28,960 --> 01:33:31,560 Speaker 1: gift for you. I can't give it to you today 1648 01:33:31,600 --> 01:33:36,960 Speaker 1: because well stuck. But but uh, we do wish you 1649 01:33:37,000 --> 01:33:39,320 Speaker 1: all out there and merry Christmas. I'm Dale Lally. Thanks 1650 01:33:39,320 --> 01:33:41,960 Speaker 1: for listening to this edition of the Drive on Steelers 1651 01:33:42,040 --> 01:33:42,639 Speaker 1: Nation Radio.