1 00:00:03,960 --> 00:00:07,240 Speaker 1: This is the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson 2 00:00:07,640 --> 00:00:12,799 Speaker 1: on Home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. 3 00:00:21,200 --> 00:00:24,560 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Drive. I'm Dale Ally here with Matt Williamson. 4 00:00:24,640 --> 00:00:30,120 Speaker 1: It is a chilly Wednesday here. Um, Mike Thoma taking 5 00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:33,639 Speaker 1: the Steelers indoors today to practice and cranking the heat 6 00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:36,839 Speaker 1: up in the indoor facility two into the eighties so 7 00:00:36,880 --> 00:00:40,800 Speaker 1: that we could use some radio booth here. For some 8 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:43,080 Speaker 1: reason we get this one that's just like ice cold. 9 00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:45,479 Speaker 1: Ye today it's particularly chilly. You have a winner jacket 10 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:47,599 Speaker 1: on and I have a like a zipup fletchrick. Yeah, 11 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:51,040 Speaker 1: I'm starting. We may see dead people or the ice King. 12 00:00:51,120 --> 00:00:54,080 Speaker 1: May the night King may come walking by here and 13 00:00:55,000 --> 00:01:02,440 Speaker 1: turn us both to uh frost. But the Steelers are 14 00:01:02,480 --> 00:01:06,160 Speaker 1: getting ready for their matchup on Sunday in Miami against 15 00:01:06,200 --> 00:01:11,080 Speaker 1: the Dolphins. Uh. Steelers won seven of the last nine 16 00:01:11,120 --> 00:01:15,319 Speaker 1: games against Miami, that includes the playoffs, of course. Um, 17 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:17,880 Speaker 1: it's been a real streaky series, it has been. Yeah, 18 00:01:18,560 --> 00:01:21,679 Speaker 1: Tomlin's five and two against him, he is, and they've 19 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:25,920 Speaker 1: done They've done well. Uh. This will be Miami's first 20 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:31,760 Speaker 1: Sunday night game since two thousand seventeen. Wow. You would 21 00:01:31,760 --> 00:01:34,600 Speaker 1: think they would schedule more night games in Miami. In Miami, 22 00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:36,840 Speaker 1: I mean a little easier on the opponent, especially the 23 00:01:36,920 --> 00:01:39,399 Speaker 1: first two months of the season or so. I guess. 24 00:01:39,440 --> 00:01:41,000 Speaker 1: I guess a lot of that's just because they've been 25 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:43,840 Speaker 1: really down, you know, taken for TOA and trade and 26 00:01:43,880 --> 00:01:47,000 Speaker 1: Mica and all those, you know aspects of it. I'm 27 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 1: curious what the Floras effect of this game is, you know, 28 00:01:49,720 --> 00:01:53,200 Speaker 1: I mean there for people don't know, they kept someone 29 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:56,600 Speaker 1: from Flora as a staff as the defensive coordinator. It's 30 00:01:56,680 --> 00:02:00,280 Speaker 1: his defense they're running, um and his familiarity has to 31 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 1: be beneficial here too. Yeah. Um, you know, you know 32 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:06,720 Speaker 1: what the best ways are to beat your defense, I 33 00:02:06,760 --> 00:02:09,560 Speaker 1: mean yeah, yeah, yeah, and game planning against two uh 34 00:02:09,600 --> 00:02:10,880 Speaker 1: and you know all those guys, I mean, you know 35 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 1: this team pretty extremely well. Yeah, this could be one 36 00:02:13,320 --> 00:02:15,080 Speaker 1: of those games where you know that I know that, 37 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:18,320 Speaker 1: you know that he knows that you know, um, and 38 00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:20,360 Speaker 1: so maybe they try to do something a little different 39 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:23,160 Speaker 1: than than what they really wasn't in the mix. And 40 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:26,560 Speaker 1: the offense is different, I mean just defensively for the Dolphins, 41 00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:29,960 Speaker 1: because it is Flores's system. What are their checks and 42 00:02:30,000 --> 00:02:32,519 Speaker 1: what do they you know in this situation they like 43 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:34,280 Speaker 1: to go to cover too or the kind of stuff 44 00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:36,000 Speaker 1: we're gonna mix it up. We're gonna be a little 45 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:40,120 Speaker 1: thoughtfully non rhythmic as Mike tom nice, nicely done, or 46 00:02:40,840 --> 00:02:42,480 Speaker 1: what's your own big I mean, he definitely will know 47 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:45,200 Speaker 1: what's this guy's weakness. What's this guy's weakness. I mean 48 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:47,720 Speaker 1: he's bad a man coverage VERSU backs downfield. You know, 49 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:49,600 Speaker 1: let's do that a little bit, you know, so I 50 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:52,160 Speaker 1: would assume they'll have some flora's, we'll have some input 51 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:56,120 Speaker 1: on the offensive scheme to stealers. If the Dolphins lose 52 00:02:56,200 --> 00:02:59,720 Speaker 1: this game, they become just a twelve team. Since a 53 00:02:59,800 --> 00:03:03,000 Speaker 1: night teen seventy NFL a f L merger. To start 54 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:06,120 Speaker 1: the season three and oh and then lose their next 55 00:03:06,160 --> 00:03:08,680 Speaker 1: four straight, you think that'd be a little more common. 56 00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:12,680 Speaker 1: Bad injury happens, whatever, What's I mean? You don't see 57 00:03:13,400 --> 00:03:16,040 Speaker 1: it's difficult to go three and oh, and it's harder 58 00:03:16,080 --> 00:03:18,960 Speaker 1: than people think. Yeah, it doesn't sound like much, but 59 00:03:19,480 --> 00:03:21,600 Speaker 1: and I think like of them go to the playoffs 60 00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:24,600 Speaker 1: teams that do. Of the teams that that start three 61 00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:27,919 Speaker 1: and o and then lose their next four, only one 62 00:03:27,960 --> 00:03:31,919 Speaker 1: of them made the playoffs. How many teams was it? Again? Wow? 63 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:34,280 Speaker 1: I bet a lot of them were how we lost 64 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:36,160 Speaker 1: our quarterback after the third week or whatever. He has 65 00:03:36,200 --> 00:03:39,600 Speaker 1: something big that was hard to overcome. Um. So it's 66 00:03:39,640 --> 00:03:45,760 Speaker 1: interesting the Dolphins with Towah eleven and six without two 67 00:03:45,760 --> 00:03:49,560 Speaker 1: O one and five. Okay, points per game is twenty 68 00:03:49,560 --> 00:03:52,600 Speaker 1: one point two with two a eight teen point seven 69 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:55,720 Speaker 1: without him, And he really wasn't that great, right, I 70 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:59,240 Speaker 1: mean they started this season unbelievably hot. Um, I'm a 71 00:03:59,240 --> 00:04:02,920 Speaker 1: little shocked at that different you know during his career, well, 72 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:05,120 Speaker 1: I mean, who's the backup last year? You know that 73 00:04:05,120 --> 00:04:08,040 Speaker 1: that matters too. They went and got teddy for a reason, 74 00:04:08,360 --> 00:04:11,120 Speaker 1: you know, right. And then here's the biggest difference to me, 75 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:15,200 Speaker 1: because the yardage is it's about nineteen yards difference in 76 00:04:15,240 --> 00:04:19,320 Speaker 1: addition to the three points uh third down percentage with 77 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:21,800 Speaker 1: two or forty one point five without him thirty six 78 00:04:21,800 --> 00:04:24,840 Speaker 1: point four, so about five percentage points there that I 79 00:04:24,839 --> 00:04:26,320 Speaker 1: don't know if you caught this my stack pack. But 80 00:04:26,360 --> 00:04:29,080 Speaker 1: this year it's even more dramatical. It's much more dramatic 81 00:04:29,120 --> 00:04:32,160 Speaker 1: than that. I mean, it's in favor of him. He's 82 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:35,960 Speaker 1: been outstanding this year. I mean, and he fits the 83 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:39,080 Speaker 1: system well. And I do think he benefits from Hill 84 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:41,640 Speaker 1: and Waddle in the system more than the other way around. 85 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:44,840 Speaker 1: I Mean, he's not Josh Allen or Lamar Jack Singham 86 00:04:44,880 --> 00:04:48,000 Speaker 1: putting everyone on his shoulders. But he's been unbelievably efficient, 87 00:04:48,440 --> 00:04:52,280 Speaker 1: including third downs, including red zone. Um, they don't run 88 00:04:52,279 --> 00:04:56,080 Speaker 1: the ball much. You know, they're unable to run the ball. 89 00:04:56,200 --> 00:04:58,560 Speaker 1: And I think it's that's a lot of it. Yeah, Um, 90 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:02,680 Speaker 1: you know, so it's a situation ation that. Um, they 91 00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:04,920 Speaker 1: put a lot on his plate. They went out and 92 00:05:04,960 --> 00:05:06,880 Speaker 1: got him. They went out and got him. You know, 93 00:05:06,920 --> 00:05:10,000 Speaker 1: the receiver's the last two years to do that. But 94 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:12,560 Speaker 1: the peripheral guys aren't in the write home. I mean, 95 00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:16,440 Speaker 1: it's those two takes. It's a funnel guys. Yeah, and 96 00:05:16,520 --> 00:05:19,080 Speaker 1: I'm not sure if I'm curious about his practice participation 97 00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:22,160 Speaker 1: throughout the week, he's not. Yeah, I didn't see anything 98 00:05:22,360 --> 00:05:26,320 Speaker 1: injury designation for him early in the week. That doesn't 99 00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:28,760 Speaker 1: mean he's going to you know, once they start practicing. 100 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:32,599 Speaker 1: It's just yeah, it's a shoulder. Um. But he played 101 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:36,200 Speaker 1: through it, so there was no injury designation anywhere. But 102 00:05:36,279 --> 00:05:39,520 Speaker 1: he will see if he's you know, mrs practice time 103 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:42,720 Speaker 1: or anything like that. Um, I mean everyone would love 104 00:05:42,760 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 1: to have those receivers. But if I were them, what 105 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:47,080 Speaker 1: are my off says and priorities would be. I don't 106 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:50,840 Speaker 1: want to be quite this reliant on these two Lamborghinis. Yeah. Well, 107 00:05:50,839 --> 00:05:54,200 Speaker 1: here's the difference this year, Matt so this year three 108 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:57,360 Speaker 1: and oh with him, oh and three without him, although 109 00:05:57,400 --> 00:06:00,120 Speaker 1: that doesn't count, he did start that third game or 110 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:03,120 Speaker 1: the fourth game. Yet he got hurt points per game 111 00:06:03,440 --> 00:06:05,600 Speaker 1: in which he started and finished the game twenty seven 112 00:06:05,640 --> 00:06:07,800 Speaker 1: point seven the first three games versus the next three 113 00:06:07,839 --> 00:06:13,120 Speaker 1: years without him, It's been sixteen points the last three games. Uh. Giveaways, 114 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:15,120 Speaker 1: this is where it really gets ugly. Two in the 115 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:18,719 Speaker 1: first three games, seven in the last three. Yeah, I 116 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:21,520 Speaker 1: can see that. And then the not all Skyler Thompson 117 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:26,560 Speaker 1: just yeah, the quarterbacks haven't been the issue. They've not 118 00:06:26,600 --> 00:06:29,880 Speaker 1: been turning the football one interception, and they've had some 119 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:34,359 Speaker 1: fumbles because their offensive line has not been good. But 120 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:37,200 Speaker 1: then the third down percentage conversions to your point earlier, 121 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:40,640 Speaker 1: forty eight point five percent in those first three games, 122 00:06:41,440 --> 00:06:44,239 Speaker 1: eight point six in the last three. That's huge. Twenty 123 00:06:45,040 --> 00:06:48,120 Speaker 1: point six percent conversion made on third downs over the course, 124 00:06:48,160 --> 00:06:51,039 Speaker 1: but season would easily be the worst in the league. 125 00:06:50,920 --> 00:06:53,960 Speaker 1: Yeah by far. Yeah, you can't. You can't survive that way. No, 126 00:06:54,200 --> 00:06:56,839 Speaker 1: I mean, being under thirty percent on those is almost 127 00:06:56,920 --> 00:07:00,560 Speaker 1: unheard of. I mean, they have some disturbing trends that 128 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:02,520 Speaker 1: don't have anything to do with two uh. I mean, 129 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:08,960 Speaker 1: namely penalties, turnovers, offensive line play. Um. There's some things 130 00:07:09,000 --> 00:07:12,200 Speaker 1: about the defense too that I'm not very impressed with. 131 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:15,040 Speaker 1: You know, if we talked about it yesterday, Zavin Howard, 132 00:07:15,360 --> 00:07:18,240 Speaker 1: the past defense as a whole isn't great. There's no 133 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:22,880 Speaker 1: dominant or you know, star pass rusher, you know, I 134 00:07:22,920 --> 00:07:25,840 Speaker 1: mean so, and they don't run the ball, you know. 135 00:07:25,600 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 1: And they're an interesting team because I have respect for 136 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:32,880 Speaker 1: what this new coaching staff is doing offensively, and boy, 137 00:07:32,920 --> 00:07:34,960 Speaker 1: it was humming when they were healthy and had their 138 00:07:35,040 --> 00:07:38,120 Speaker 1: quarterback that they designed the offense around. But it's been 139 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:40,880 Speaker 1: messy ever since. And the penalties in particular, I mean 140 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:44,200 Speaker 1: yards I think in penalties the last two weeks. I mean, 141 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:46,600 Speaker 1: you just can't win that way. Like you mentioned, you 142 00:07:46,600 --> 00:07:50,800 Speaker 1: know yesterday that you you were studying the Vikes Dolphins game, 143 00:07:51,640 --> 00:07:53,640 Speaker 1: Miami might have been the better team. You know. I mean, 144 00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:57,160 Speaker 1: I don't know. The Minnesota fans are thrilled about getting 145 00:07:57,200 --> 00:07:59,920 Speaker 1: that win, but they just kept shooting themselves in the foot. 146 00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:02,320 Speaker 1: And I brought this up a couple of times too. 147 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:04,600 Speaker 1: I mean, they're like the worst team in the league 148 00:08:04,880 --> 00:08:07,760 Speaker 1: special teams wise, they get nothing from their return games. 149 00:08:07,760 --> 00:08:11,680 Speaker 1: They allow a lot of big returns, so there's a 150 00:08:11,760 --> 00:08:17,000 Speaker 1: lot of hidden yardage here where they're a problem. Yeah. Um, yeah, 151 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:20,800 Speaker 1: that you mentioned the special teams. Uh what thirty second? 152 00:08:21,480 --> 00:08:23,880 Speaker 1: They don't get anything in a return game. Nothing. I 153 00:08:23,920 --> 00:08:26,080 Speaker 1: mean to the point where Waddle and Tyreek are being 154 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:28,280 Speaker 1: asked to be punt returner and you would think that 155 00:08:28,320 --> 00:08:32,559 Speaker 1: those guys Tyreman correct me if I'm wrong here, but 156 00:08:32,600 --> 00:08:36,720 Speaker 1: I've seen this. Even when Tyrek Um was in Kansas City, 157 00:08:37,480 --> 00:08:39,520 Speaker 1: he would have he would sometimes go back there when 158 00:08:39,520 --> 00:08:42,640 Speaker 1: they were quote unquote looking for a spark, would do it. 159 00:08:42,880 --> 00:08:44,680 Speaker 1: I've never seen him break one. Yeah, I don't know 160 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:47,319 Speaker 1: that he's a natural return cause he's great with the 161 00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:49,640 Speaker 1: ball and hands and elusive and fast as could be. 162 00:08:49,760 --> 00:08:51,520 Speaker 1: In fact, the times that I've seen him do it, 163 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:54,400 Speaker 1: he'll do stuff like run backwards and give up yardage 164 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:57,120 Speaker 1: and get I mean Honestly, General Schefski might be a 165 00:08:57,120 --> 00:09:00,319 Speaker 1: better punt returner than him because he understands how to 166 00:09:00,440 --> 00:09:03,880 Speaker 1: get the eight yards when right right, I mean in 167 00:09:03,920 --> 00:09:07,040 Speaker 1: the open field. It's a totally different story. Like to me, 168 00:09:07,679 --> 00:09:10,160 Speaker 1: Tyreek scarier on a jet sweep than he is as 169 00:09:10,160 --> 00:09:12,600 Speaker 1: a punt returner, you know, like A B was a 170 00:09:12,720 --> 00:09:15,160 Speaker 1: natural punt returner who would be great at it no 171 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:17,280 Speaker 1: matter what. You know, he didn't use him because he's 172 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:20,200 Speaker 1: too valuable. That's not what Tyreek is with the I 173 00:09:20,200 --> 00:09:24,719 Speaker 1: can't remember want don't return punts. Itama that I don't know. 174 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:29,200 Speaker 1: And if he did, wow, because they have a million off, right, 175 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:31,400 Speaker 1: that's the other thing there. Yeah, you're gonna use that 176 00:09:31,400 --> 00:09:33,079 Speaker 1: guy to do that. So maybe he did as like 177 00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:36,120 Speaker 1: a sophomore whenever Judy and those guys were going ahead 178 00:09:36,160 --> 00:09:39,679 Speaker 1: of him, you know, right. So it's it's not ideal, 179 00:09:39,720 --> 00:09:42,520 Speaker 1: and it's something that's often overlooked, like didn't just get 180 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:44,920 Speaker 1: anybody to go back here and do that stuff? Right? 181 00:09:45,679 --> 00:09:48,200 Speaker 1: And I don't know this would be a deep dive 182 00:09:48,240 --> 00:09:51,000 Speaker 1: on the roster, but I've been harping on this this week. 183 00:09:51,080 --> 00:09:53,960 Speaker 1: I did his sort of Steeler Alive. It's really apparent 184 00:09:54,040 --> 00:10:00,200 Speaker 1: that the Steelers have six true special teamers. Benny Smell 185 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:03,360 Speaker 1: wasn't getting carries, Kilerbrew's not playing on defense, you know, 186 00:10:03,440 --> 00:10:06,200 Speaker 1: guys like that. I don't know if Miami constructed their 187 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:09,280 Speaker 1: roster that way or not, but they don't have pure returners. 188 00:10:09,360 --> 00:10:14,760 Speaker 1: I mean, they don't have the Gunalowski type. Yeah. It's weird. Yeah, 189 00:10:14,960 --> 00:10:19,880 Speaker 1: um so, Um they're an interesting team though. I mean no, 190 00:10:20,120 --> 00:10:21,400 Speaker 1: I think all of us kind of had him in 191 00:10:21,440 --> 00:10:24,280 Speaker 1: the same tier as the Steelers preseason, and they came up, 192 00:10:24,320 --> 00:10:27,160 Speaker 1: come up flying. This coach really knows what he's doing, 193 00:10:27,160 --> 00:10:30,320 Speaker 1: and they were They're right. Then they beat the Bills, 194 00:10:30,360 --> 00:10:33,240 Speaker 1: which was another weird win for them. Um, you know, 195 00:10:33,280 --> 00:10:35,120 Speaker 1: I don't think they win that game more than one. Yea. 196 00:10:35,160 --> 00:10:36,760 Speaker 1: If they don't win, they don't win that game. They're 197 00:10:36,760 --> 00:10:38,680 Speaker 1: two and four right now, right right. I mean that 198 00:10:38,720 --> 00:10:40,439 Speaker 1: they were outplayed in that game in a big way 199 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:42,960 Speaker 1: and Bills were falling over left and right. Yeah. So 200 00:10:43,040 --> 00:10:44,960 Speaker 1: I don't know what to think of this. I don't 201 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:47,360 Speaker 1: know that there. I mean again, I watched the game 202 00:10:47,360 --> 00:10:50,840 Speaker 1: against the Vikings, and you know, there were there were 203 00:10:50,880 --> 00:10:53,400 Speaker 1: things that they did well. One of them was not 204 00:10:53,440 --> 00:10:55,520 Speaker 1: putting the ball in the end zone. Yeah, I think 205 00:10:55,559 --> 00:11:00,360 Speaker 1: they struggled there. Um, you know because a they run 206 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:05,559 Speaker 1: the ball. The Wattle and and Hill are both smaller receivers. 207 00:11:05,920 --> 00:11:09,760 Speaker 1: They are very certain style obviously. Yeah, they're they're they're 208 00:11:09,760 --> 00:11:11,760 Speaker 1: the cut. They're set up to get behind you, not 209 00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:15,920 Speaker 1: necessarily right go jump all you know, be big Brandon 210 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:18,960 Speaker 1: Marshall type right now, they could use somebody like that. Sorry, 211 00:11:19,000 --> 00:11:21,679 Speaker 1: meant like even even a two way tight end. I 212 00:11:21,720 --> 00:11:24,920 Speaker 1: mean Gasecki is not a blocker that. I mean, Kittle 213 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:27,600 Speaker 1: was a foundational piece to that Niners game. If they 214 00:11:27,600 --> 00:11:31,880 Speaker 1: had fold them, they would him right he Maybe that 215 00:11:31,880 --> 00:11:33,680 Speaker 1: should be their first round pick next year, is you know, 216 00:11:33,720 --> 00:11:36,880 Speaker 1: the best tight end coming out? Somebody to help their defense. 217 00:11:37,080 --> 00:11:41,719 Speaker 1: That pass rusher would help. And the a lines problematic too. Um. 218 00:11:41,800 --> 00:11:44,200 Speaker 1: I was watching Eichenberg a little bit. The left guard 219 00:11:44,840 --> 00:11:47,000 Speaker 1: I kind of like coming out of school. He is, 220 00:11:47,200 --> 00:11:48,960 Speaker 1: he's not a guard and he's not a tackle and 221 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:51,920 Speaker 1: he might be none. Cam's going to destroy that guy. 222 00:11:52,160 --> 00:11:55,920 Speaker 1: I mean he plays high, he's not particularly strong, and 223 00:11:56,200 --> 00:11:58,800 Speaker 1: I mean with Cam's bullrush and power and what he 224 00:11:58,880 --> 00:12:02,280 Speaker 1: did last week, that's a feast there. Yeah, And I 225 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:04,200 Speaker 1: just keep you know if they want to try to 226 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:08,360 Speaker 1: double him, um, which I'm sure that they will. Yeah, 227 00:12:08,600 --> 00:12:11,040 Speaker 1: the thing that I saw time and again when I 228 00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:13,520 Speaker 1: watched them against the Vikings with every time the Vikings 229 00:12:13,559 --> 00:12:16,400 Speaker 1: ran any kind of game upfront, the guy that the 230 00:12:16,440 --> 00:12:20,079 Speaker 1: guy who was looping around never got picked up ever. 231 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:24,480 Speaker 1: I wonder, I mean, this is just speculation, but they 232 00:12:24,520 --> 00:12:27,320 Speaker 1: gave good money to Connor Williams, kind of like James 233 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:29,280 Speaker 1: Daniels money. You know, they were two of the better 234 00:12:29,320 --> 00:12:32,240 Speaker 1: guards on the free agent market. We never played center, 235 00:12:32,360 --> 00:12:34,640 Speaker 1: and they made him a center, Like does he know 236 00:12:34,679 --> 00:12:37,160 Speaker 1: any of the communications stuff and all the you know, 237 00:12:37,280 --> 00:12:40,160 Speaker 1: smart center stuff you need to know and pass this 238 00:12:40,240 --> 00:12:42,920 Speaker 1: guy off or there's a game coming, there's a stunt coming. 239 00:12:43,320 --> 00:12:45,040 Speaker 1: Is that part of the problem. Or they just haven't 240 00:12:45,080 --> 00:12:47,640 Speaker 1: played together enough. You know, Armsteads new to the team, 241 00:12:47,880 --> 00:12:50,080 Speaker 1: Ikenberg is in the new position all the time. You know, 242 00:12:50,240 --> 00:12:54,599 Speaker 1: they shuffling things around. So whatever the reason, it's problematic. 243 00:12:54,679 --> 00:12:57,400 Speaker 1: And Zadarius Smith at himself a game against US. He 244 00:12:57,440 --> 00:12:59,880 Speaker 1: had a field day. Yeah, he had a field day. 245 00:13:00,040 --> 00:13:04,679 Speaker 1: Think I saw I was like it was like nine pressures, 246 00:13:04,720 --> 00:13:07,280 Speaker 1: like seven quarterback hits and three sacks or something like that. 247 00:13:08,480 --> 00:13:10,160 Speaker 1: I mean it was just a lot of them were 248 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:12,520 Speaker 1: on loops and stunts and games and things like that, 249 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:15,200 Speaker 1: and you know it started as an edge player and 250 00:13:15,640 --> 00:13:17,839 Speaker 1: loop all the way around into the A gap and 251 00:13:17,920 --> 00:13:21,559 Speaker 1: nobody would realize here he's coming and smashing quarterbacks. And 252 00:13:21,559 --> 00:13:23,800 Speaker 1: Teddy doesn't move all that well either. He's okay, but 253 00:13:23,840 --> 00:13:26,640 Speaker 1: I mean he doesn't help things all that much. Yeah, 254 00:13:26,679 --> 00:13:30,120 Speaker 1: we have the Steelers injury report here. Uh the only 255 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:35,760 Speaker 1: person who did not practice, um were Steven Simms with 256 00:13:35,840 --> 00:13:40,040 Speaker 1: the hamstring and Larry Ogan Joebi with the knee. That 257 00:13:40,080 --> 00:13:43,560 Speaker 1: doesn't bother me. I think Ogan Joe's gonna he came back. Yeah, 258 00:13:43,679 --> 00:13:47,800 Speaker 1: he came back. If Sims doesn't play, okay, good gunner 259 00:13:47,840 --> 00:13:54,040 Speaker 1: back out. Uh so, Kenny Pickett the full participant today? Uh, 260 00:13:54,160 --> 00:14:00,720 Speaker 1: Cam Sutton Limited, A Kello Witherspoon Limited, Levi Wallace full participant, uh, 261 00:14:00,920 --> 00:14:04,600 Speaker 1: Making Fitzpatrick was limited, Miles Shack limited, Mason Cole Limited, 262 00:14:04,679 --> 00:14:09,280 Speaker 1: James Daniel Limited, uh, Pat Friarmouth full participant. Good good, 263 00:14:09,400 --> 00:14:13,679 Speaker 1: Chris Warmly limited. Okay, Um, Cole's just gonna fight this 264 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:16,000 Speaker 1: for a while. Yeah, I mean I think probably through 265 00:14:16,040 --> 00:14:18,640 Speaker 1: the bottom. Yeah, that makes sense. He's gotten through it 266 00:14:18,720 --> 00:14:20,720 Speaker 1: and so be it. I don't know how much they'll 267 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:24,000 Speaker 1: put Wilkins over him, but no matter who they play, 268 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:26,360 Speaker 1: he's not gonna have an easy time of it. You know. 269 00:14:26,360 --> 00:14:30,280 Speaker 1: It's just life is where he's at right now. Um, 270 00:14:30,280 --> 00:14:33,560 Speaker 1: no news on kzy R Watt or Austin or anything. Nothing. 271 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:36,360 Speaker 1: Nothing is it this time? Yeah? Okay, I mean, so 272 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:40,040 Speaker 1: that's obviously something that's looming. That's exciting to see those 273 00:14:40,080 --> 00:14:44,000 Speaker 1: guys back. But you know that's all good. Um, it's 274 00:14:44,040 --> 00:14:46,560 Speaker 1: something smart to say. I forget what it was. Oh, 275 00:14:46,960 --> 00:14:51,480 Speaker 1: my article for DK this week was I opened it 276 00:14:51,520 --> 00:14:53,720 Speaker 1: by saying, people ask me all week what the Steelers 277 00:14:53,720 --> 00:14:56,000 Speaker 1: need to do to beat the Brown the Buccaneers, and 278 00:14:56,520 --> 00:14:58,680 Speaker 1: I laughed and said, well, they win the turnover battle 279 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:01,760 Speaker 1: by five or two scores on special teams. But then 280 00:15:01,760 --> 00:15:03,520 Speaker 1: I got down to reality. I said, well Cam needs 281 00:15:03,520 --> 00:15:05,160 Speaker 1: to be the best player in the field. And the 282 00:15:05,760 --> 00:15:09,080 Speaker 1: articles basically about not only was Cam the best player 283 00:15:09,080 --> 00:15:11,640 Speaker 1: in the field, for his partner in crime, Ogan Jovi 284 00:15:12,280 --> 00:15:14,200 Speaker 1: wasn't far off. Yeah, he might have been number two. 285 00:15:15,200 --> 00:15:17,160 Speaker 1: And I think it's kind of a double edged sword 286 00:15:17,400 --> 00:15:21,280 Speaker 1: in that these two just played their best game. That's 287 00:15:21,480 --> 00:15:25,120 Speaker 1: phenomenal that that's the most important thing. But it feels 288 00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:28,040 Speaker 1: a little bit like the year they got beat by 289 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:31,360 Speaker 1: the Jags when they had two interior guys and the 290 00:15:31,480 --> 00:15:35,680 Speaker 1: depth isn't that. They just seem more dependent than I 291 00:15:35,720 --> 00:15:39,120 Speaker 1: wished at this point on those two. Not that Wormley 292 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:41,320 Speaker 1: is bad or louder Milk. I just don't trust the 293 00:15:41,360 --> 00:15:44,560 Speaker 1: Lulu right now. The problem probably Yeah, the problem I 294 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:48,240 Speaker 1: think becomes, don't get them overworked because you're because you 295 00:15:48,240 --> 00:15:53,800 Speaker 1: don't have what they're playing at defensive tackle, at defensive end. 296 00:15:54,720 --> 00:15:56,880 Speaker 1: So those snaps at louder Milk and there snaps at 297 00:15:57,080 --> 00:15:59,920 Speaker 1: Leo are getting in these in these games are come 298 00:16:01,600 --> 00:16:03,480 Speaker 1: as a defensive ent. Yeah, you know, if they were 299 00:16:03,480 --> 00:16:05,920 Speaker 1: getting if they were getting fifteen to twenty snaps in 300 00:16:05,720 --> 00:16:09,160 Speaker 1: the interior, he said, Okay, they're not. They're not overworking og. 301 00:16:11,160 --> 00:16:14,000 Speaker 1: And I think a couple that with a Lululu looking old, 302 00:16:14,680 --> 00:16:17,160 Speaker 1: that's not a great mix, you know, And I just 303 00:16:17,920 --> 00:16:20,200 Speaker 1: that worries me. It seems like it seems to be 304 00:16:20,240 --> 00:16:22,640 Speaker 1: a recurring trend around here, as opposed to having one 305 00:16:22,760 --> 00:16:26,040 Speaker 1: too many where I thought they did when the season started. Now, 306 00:16:26,120 --> 00:16:28,800 Speaker 1: you're a little thing I did see it in your 307 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:33,840 Speaker 1: in your stat package today, Wilkins, he's playing like ninety 308 00:16:34,040 --> 00:16:39,800 Speaker 1: whatever and still doesn't have any sacks. That's a good one. 309 00:16:40,200 --> 00:16:42,320 Speaker 1: I was just sed. So he's not coming off the 310 00:16:42,320 --> 00:16:46,680 Speaker 1: field and in passing downs ever, he's rarely coming off 311 00:16:46,720 --> 00:16:48,720 Speaker 1: the field, and he has no sex. He's done. I mean, 312 00:16:48,720 --> 00:16:50,320 Speaker 1: no one has more than two on the team. I 313 00:16:50,360 --> 00:16:53,520 Speaker 1: didn't know he had zero. I was praising the guy 314 00:16:53,600 --> 00:16:56,000 Speaker 1: because he plays in a thousand degree heat and he 315 00:16:56,040 --> 00:16:58,520 Speaker 1: never comes off the field, you know, I mean, but 316 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:01,880 Speaker 1: maybe he should. Yeah, right, would he be better served 317 00:17:01,920 --> 00:17:04,760 Speaker 1: if he if he didn't play that. But it tells 318 00:17:04,800 --> 00:17:09,560 Speaker 1: me that they don't have anybody else he Uh. I'm 319 00:17:09,600 --> 00:17:13,000 Speaker 1: not saying he's Cam Heyward, but that's what he strives 320 00:17:13,040 --> 00:17:16,280 Speaker 1: to be. Like. They're considered him like the leader. He's younger, 321 00:17:16,320 --> 00:17:17,760 Speaker 1: he doesn't have the body of work. He does have 322 00:17:17,840 --> 00:17:20,520 Speaker 1: the Pro Bowls, you know, but that I think he's 323 00:17:20,520 --> 00:17:24,680 Speaker 1: a tone setter. But maybe it'll be smarter to say, 324 00:17:26,040 --> 00:17:28,359 Speaker 1: but you get into that situation again, if you don't 325 00:17:28,359 --> 00:17:31,199 Speaker 1: have the guys behind him, it's almost like the you know, 326 00:17:31,240 --> 00:17:34,280 Speaker 1: the the same conversation we have with Naji Harris, Well, 327 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:37,239 Speaker 1: he's our best guy. If it's third down, if it's 328 00:17:37,280 --> 00:17:39,199 Speaker 1: second down, if it's first down, it doesn't matter. If 329 00:17:39,200 --> 00:17:41,439 Speaker 1: you're that's your best guy. It's tough to tell the 330 00:17:41,480 --> 00:17:45,560 Speaker 1: coaching staff. I note this all the time. I'm watching 331 00:17:45,560 --> 00:17:50,080 Speaker 1: the Steelers play, and they'll start a series and highsmithing 332 00:17:50,200 --> 00:17:52,439 Speaker 1: Hayward aren't out there to start the series, and like 333 00:17:52,960 --> 00:17:55,040 Speaker 1: he get there was there was one series where the 334 00:17:55,240 --> 00:17:59,040 Speaker 1: Steelers had the Buccaneers lest we backed up inside to 335 00:17:59,119 --> 00:18:04,240 Speaker 1: ten and they start the series and Heyward and Highsmith 336 00:18:04,240 --> 00:18:06,680 Speaker 1: are standing on the side on them, Like, I don't 337 00:18:06,720 --> 00:18:08,119 Speaker 1: know if that's the way that I would want to 338 00:18:08,119 --> 00:18:11,000 Speaker 1: do it, you know, specially together. Yeah, right, I mean 339 00:18:11,520 --> 00:18:14,760 Speaker 1: if you include Ogan Jobie, those three are really the 340 00:18:14,800 --> 00:18:18,119 Speaker 1: foundation of your front. And it's been okay, you know, 341 00:18:18,200 --> 00:18:21,560 Speaker 1: and last week was the best it's been. But you 342 00:18:21,640 --> 00:18:24,280 Speaker 1: can't go with two of them off the field, you know, 343 00:18:24,600 --> 00:18:26,720 Speaker 1: or or you do and you pray for the best. 344 00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:29,520 Speaker 1: I mean, I don't know. It's a it's a juggling act. 345 00:18:29,920 --> 00:18:35,560 Speaker 1: I did note as well. Um, and the Steelers run defense. Uh, 346 00:18:35,720 --> 00:18:40,000 Speaker 1: while the numbers themselves don't look great, their run defense 347 00:18:40,040 --> 00:18:44,399 Speaker 1: against opposing running backs, it's actually been really good. Yeah, 348 00:18:44,440 --> 00:18:47,359 Speaker 1: And they get a ton of running. Here's the Here's 349 00:18:47,359 --> 00:18:50,560 Speaker 1: basically with the gist of that was, I think they're 350 00:18:50,560 --> 00:18:56,240 Speaker 1: either first or second in terms of running back carries against. 351 00:18:56,440 --> 00:18:59,080 Speaker 1: Like the opponents hand the ball to a running back 352 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:03,440 Speaker 1: five times a game and plus quarterback rushes or whatever else, 353 00:19:03,840 --> 00:19:05,440 Speaker 1: which is at the top of the league in terms 354 00:19:05,440 --> 00:19:09,320 Speaker 1: of usage. But they're only average in like four yards 355 00:19:09,320 --> 00:19:12,440 Speaker 1: of carry. It's really low, you know, just running backs. 356 00:19:12,680 --> 00:19:15,879 Speaker 1: And um, I think there's a misconception this week that 357 00:19:16,400 --> 00:19:18,879 Speaker 1: two as a runner. He really isn't. He isn't. No, 358 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:21,560 Speaker 1: he's he can run. I mean he'll pick up five 359 00:19:21,640 --> 00:19:24,560 Speaker 1: or six and slide or whatever. He's not a runner. Yeah, 360 00:19:24,560 --> 00:19:29,360 Speaker 1: I mean if you look at the overall points against against, 361 00:19:29,440 --> 00:19:31,919 Speaker 1: you know, in terms of or fantasy point this is 362 00:19:31,960 --> 00:19:34,760 Speaker 1: these are always fantasy stats because that's where they you know, 363 00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:38,600 Speaker 1: they come from. Um, you know. The whole crux of 364 00:19:38,600 --> 00:19:40,520 Speaker 1: it was, Yeah, you're running back will probably a lot 365 00:19:40,520 --> 00:19:43,240 Speaker 1: of carries against Steelers, but don't expect great production. Yeah. 366 00:19:43,840 --> 00:19:46,920 Speaker 1: Uh it's a hundred forty nine carries in six games. 367 00:19:46,960 --> 00:19:50,520 Speaker 1: Would you'd like to get that down? Sure? Uh, for sure. 368 00:19:50,600 --> 00:19:54,000 Speaker 1: I also think Patriots Brown's being very run heavy and 369 00:19:54,080 --> 00:19:55,919 Speaker 1: you're losing heavily to Buffalo at the end of the 370 00:19:55,920 --> 00:19:58,120 Speaker 1: game for six yards. So if you look at it 371 00:19:58,359 --> 00:20:02,000 Speaker 1: strictly from an attempts stand point, the Steelers have had 372 00:20:02,040 --> 00:20:05,040 Speaker 1: the third most running back attempts against them. I was 373 00:20:05,080 --> 00:20:08,119 Speaker 1: saying his first or second. Chicago is at one fifty seven, 374 00:20:08,160 --> 00:20:11,440 Speaker 1: Seattle's at one fifty. The Steelers are at one forty nine. 375 00:20:11,880 --> 00:20:14,600 Speaker 1: And I don't think that's a bad thing. No. I 376 00:20:14,640 --> 00:20:17,720 Speaker 1: think sometimes you dare teams to do it where they 377 00:20:17,760 --> 00:20:21,480 Speaker 1: get kind of imposing. Running backs have caught thirty passes 378 00:20:21,520 --> 00:20:23,879 Speaker 1: against them on forty four pass attempts, which is on 379 00:20:23,920 --> 00:20:26,440 Speaker 1: the high end. In fact of forty four pass attempts, 380 00:20:26,440 --> 00:20:28,680 Speaker 1: we don't know Kansas City's have given up fift receivers 381 00:20:30,560 --> 00:20:32,919 Speaker 1: this year. Yeah, and some of that who they played, 382 00:20:33,560 --> 00:20:36,720 Speaker 1: you know, gave Davis with touchdown. Is a big deal. 383 00:20:36,800 --> 00:20:38,119 Speaker 1: As we said, you know, the teams are at the 384 00:20:38,119 --> 00:20:41,280 Speaker 1: bottom of the past defense stats right now. I've all 385 00:20:41,280 --> 00:20:44,640 Speaker 1: played Josh Allen. I mean they're all six games samples. 386 00:20:44,680 --> 00:20:48,119 Speaker 1: It completely skews everything. But I mean, if there's a 387 00:20:48,160 --> 00:20:50,520 Speaker 1: position you want to you don't want to be vulnerable 388 00:20:50,560 --> 00:20:53,399 Speaker 1: at this week, it's wide receivers, you know, in the defense, 389 00:20:53,440 --> 00:20:57,359 Speaker 1: because as we've mentioned by far, I mean including to including, 390 00:20:57,440 --> 00:20:59,600 Speaker 1: I mean, Hill is the most important guy in the offense, 391 00:20:59,600 --> 00:21:02,600 Speaker 1: waddles two. But could this be another game much like 392 00:21:02,720 --> 00:21:06,080 Speaker 1: last week where you daren they're running football. I want 393 00:21:06,080 --> 00:21:08,040 Speaker 1: to have had it run the ball, I think so. Yeah. 394 00:21:08,080 --> 00:21:10,639 Speaker 1: I mean if that means playing dime when you should 395 00:21:10,640 --> 00:21:14,000 Speaker 1: play nickel or nicol, when you should play bass, or 396 00:21:14,280 --> 00:21:16,440 Speaker 1: just backing people off the line of script, then your 397 00:21:16,440 --> 00:21:19,080 Speaker 1: safeties are thirty five yards off the line of scrimmage. 398 00:21:19,080 --> 00:21:23,160 Speaker 1: All right, it's not gonna happen, right, I think that's 399 00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:28,040 Speaker 1: definitely an approach in some ways. Either Brackett, you Brackett, 400 00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:30,680 Speaker 1: both of those receivers. I don't care if they've got 401 00:21:30,880 --> 00:21:33,720 Speaker 1: three or four eligibles going out regard, it doesn't matter. 402 00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:38,360 Speaker 1: I'm bracketting those two guys and forcing the ball somewhere else. Yeah, 403 00:21:38,400 --> 00:21:41,760 Speaker 1: I mean the Cedric Wilson's and Gasecki's and Smice and 404 00:21:41,960 --> 00:21:46,040 Speaker 1: Edmonds and most dirts they beat me, I can so 405 00:21:46,240 --> 00:21:49,360 Speaker 1: be it. Yeah, they're on their on scholarship too. But 406 00:21:49,680 --> 00:21:52,160 Speaker 1: they're not special players, you know, They're just a bunch 407 00:21:52,160 --> 00:21:54,359 Speaker 1: of guys. Again, they need a third weapon, whether it's 408 00:21:54,359 --> 00:21:56,080 Speaker 1: a tight end or running back or whatever. I mean, 409 00:21:56,080 --> 00:21:58,800 Speaker 1: they're they're short. The first two are scary. The first 410 00:21:58,840 --> 00:22:04,520 Speaker 1: two are very scary. Um, but ridiculous. Yeah, but much 411 00:22:04,600 --> 00:22:08,080 Speaker 1: like Mike Evans last week, don't let that guy beat you, right, right, right, 412 00:22:08,280 --> 00:22:11,440 Speaker 1: Just don't let that guy running back carry's for net 413 00:22:11,440 --> 00:22:13,639 Speaker 1: didn't do much damage. I mean you were happy when 414 00:22:13,680 --> 00:22:15,840 Speaker 1: he handed the ball and okay, there's four yards, that's fine. Yeah, 415 00:22:15,880 --> 00:22:17,760 Speaker 1: and there were time you know, he got thirteen yard 416 00:22:17,880 --> 00:22:20,720 Speaker 1: run here, you know, Okay, you can live with those. 417 00:22:20,880 --> 00:22:23,160 Speaker 1: You can live with those, right. It doesn't it alls 418 00:22:23,160 --> 00:22:25,200 Speaker 1: have done turned into it. You know, a forty yard run. 419 00:22:25,280 --> 00:22:28,520 Speaker 1: If Waterle and Tyreek combined for too long touchdowns, you're 420 00:22:28,520 --> 00:22:31,040 Speaker 1: probably gonna lose, Right, that's what you don't want. You 421 00:22:31,040 --> 00:22:33,000 Speaker 1: can't give up the easy one. Change. You can't give 422 00:22:33,080 --> 00:22:36,879 Speaker 1: up the easy ones. It's almost like Miami's playing opposite 423 00:22:36,880 --> 00:22:38,960 Speaker 1: of what everybody else in the league is. Right now, 424 00:22:39,119 --> 00:22:42,399 Speaker 1: that kind of are right, I mean, they're okay. I'm 425 00:22:42,440 --> 00:22:44,359 Speaker 1: sure they're getting more too high shells than just about 426 00:22:44,359 --> 00:22:47,240 Speaker 1: anybody else, and they're still getting explosives. Some of it's 427 00:22:47,240 --> 00:22:49,440 Speaker 1: after the catch too. Um, I don't know if that 428 00:22:49,480 --> 00:22:52,439 Speaker 1: sustainable or not, or these guys just that special receivers. 429 00:22:52,960 --> 00:22:55,480 Speaker 1: They might be that special. I mean, Tyreek is ridiculous 430 00:22:55,560 --> 00:22:59,520 Speaker 1: right now. Yeah, subscribe now to the episodes of The Drive. 431 00:22:59,720 --> 00:23:02,480 Speaker 1: Every episode we do is available for you to download. 432 00:23:02,560 --> 00:23:04,680 Speaker 1: You can subscribe today through the Steeler's Mobile app, the 433 00:23:04,720 --> 00:23:08,280 Speaker 1: I Heart Radio app, and wherever you find your podcast. 434 00:23:08,640 --> 00:23:11,040 Speaker 1: He is Matt Williamson. I am Dale, Lala. You're listening 435 00:23:11,040 --> 00:23:13,000 Speaker 1: to The Drive on Steelers Nation Radio. We'll be back 436 00:23:13,000 --> 00:23:14,479 Speaker 1: with more right after this