1 00:00:01,200 --> 00:00:04,800 Speaker 1: Your tunes about Drive on Home of the Black and 2 00:00:04,880 --> 00:00:35,599 Speaker 1: Goal Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome back to the Drive. I'm 3 00:00:35,640 --> 00:00:38,400 Speaker 1: Bail Lolly here with Matt Williamson, and the Steelers are 4 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:41,479 Speaker 1: back at training camp. It's not at St. Vincent College. 5 00:00:41,479 --> 00:00:43,760 Speaker 1: It is, of course, at the they started out. The 6 00:00:43,760 --> 00:00:45,879 Speaker 1: first couple of days here of conditioning will be at 7 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:49,560 Speaker 1: the south side of the up M. C rooney Sports Complex. Uh, Matt, 8 00:00:49,560 --> 00:00:52,680 Speaker 1: we heard from Mike Tomlin yesterday after practice. I wanted 9 00:00:52,720 --> 00:00:54,800 Speaker 1: to play that back. Lots of stuff to get through here, 10 00:00:55,080 --> 00:00:57,480 Speaker 1: but no players on the pulp. I guess that's a 11 00:00:57,480 --> 00:00:58,959 Speaker 1: good start. You know, you're seeing a lot of those 12 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:01,760 Speaker 1: blurbs around the league. I think the Cowboys had six 13 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:04,320 Speaker 1: or seven guys that that opened on the pup. I 14 00:01:04,319 --> 00:01:05,840 Speaker 1: haven't seen the whole list yet, but I've seen a 15 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:08,200 Speaker 1: couple of the big names. Michael Thomas was a huge one. 16 00:01:08,319 --> 00:01:10,360 Speaker 1: That's a bigger deal. But like sa Juan Barkley and 17 00:01:10,360 --> 00:01:11,920 Speaker 1: a lot of these guys are starting on the pup 18 00:01:11,959 --> 00:01:15,280 Speaker 1: as it happens every year, so starting fresh with injuries 19 00:01:15,280 --> 00:01:17,959 Speaker 1: is great. Yeah. So let's hear from Mike Tomlin what 20 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:20,560 Speaker 1: he had to say on Thursday after the Steelers had 21 00:01:20,560 --> 00:01:30,279 Speaker 1: gotten done in practice. Wow, we had great weather today. 22 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:33,319 Speaker 1: Great day to get started. You know, guys, no bold 23 00:01:33,360 --> 00:01:36,120 Speaker 1: predictions from me. Um, I guess I'll just open it 24 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:38,399 Speaker 1: up for questions. Talk to me. What do you see 25 00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:42,640 Speaker 1: from Trey Turner? And UM, you know he's got a 26 00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:45,760 Speaker 1: good demeanor. Um, he's a quick study. UM, he's a 27 00:01:45,840 --> 00:01:48,680 Speaker 1: he's a professional. He's been around. But you know, much 28 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:55,040 Speaker 1: too early to tell, you know, just a one day sample, guys, Michael, None, guys, 29 00:01:55,200 --> 00:01:58,840 Speaker 1: small samples that you get a Melvin and ground what 30 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:00,800 Speaker 1: looking about him? I need you guys want to go 31 00:02:00,880 --> 00:02:02,960 Speaker 1: out and drab him, bring him in. We've seen him 32 00:02:03,000 --> 00:02:05,200 Speaker 1: a lot over the years, you know, respectful of his 33 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:07,280 Speaker 1: of his work, body of work. But not only that. 34 00:02:07,320 --> 00:02:08,920 Speaker 1: We were familiar with him in the draft. You know, 35 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:11,160 Speaker 1: he's one of those guys that fit the profile. We 36 00:02:11,280 --> 00:02:13,840 Speaker 1: studied him and got to know him through the draft process, 37 00:02:13,880 --> 00:02:16,200 Speaker 1: and usually those are the guys that we end up 38 00:02:16,200 --> 00:02:19,200 Speaker 1: doubling back to and having an interest in when they're 39 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:22,760 Speaker 1: available in free agency. So it makes the process an 40 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:25,560 Speaker 1: easy one. Um. Also at the opportunity, I think in 41 00:02:25,639 --> 00:02:28,320 Speaker 1: seven team when we coached the Pro Bowl, we had 42 00:02:28,360 --> 00:02:30,720 Speaker 1: him down in Orlando and it really got to know 43 00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:33,400 Speaker 1: him something in that setting as well. So, um, we 44 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:35,679 Speaker 1: felt really comfortable that he's gonna be an easy fit. 45 00:02:36,280 --> 00:02:38,480 Speaker 1: Um as a man and as a player. You didn't 46 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:40,320 Speaker 1: hesitate to tell Kendath Green, I need to right in 47 00:02:40,320 --> 00:02:43,640 Speaker 1: the house. He looked in again a one day sample. 48 00:02:43,680 --> 00:02:45,600 Speaker 1: I mean, you know we can we can write a 49 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:48,440 Speaker 1: story if we want, um, but we thought it was important. Man, 50 00:02:48,480 --> 00:02:50,880 Speaker 1: those guys that we're trying to get get starts in 51 00:02:50,919 --> 00:02:53,280 Speaker 1: the Hall of Fame game, to get as much work 52 00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:56,200 Speaker 1: as we can. There's no indication of where they are 53 00:02:56,240 --> 00:02:58,519 Speaker 1: in terms of their career. You can label him a 54 00:02:58,600 --> 00:03:00,680 Speaker 1: starter if you choose he is. He's a starter for 55 00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:03,560 Speaker 1: the Hall of Fame game. If that means anything. What 56 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:07,799 Speaker 1: about no, No, we were taking care of him. Um, 57 00:03:07,840 --> 00:03:09,440 Speaker 1: he got a day or two, he should be fine. 58 00:03:09,480 --> 00:03:12,080 Speaker 1: I think he Um, you know, tweak a little something, 59 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:14,600 Speaker 1: but it's not in anything of any concern whatsoever to 60 00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:17,679 Speaker 1: be honest with you. For a big picturestandpoint, Um, we're 61 00:03:17,800 --> 00:03:20,880 Speaker 1: kind of sass and many hunt mushing Man. Both guys 62 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:22,720 Speaker 1: have worked. That tells off Man is great to see 63 00:03:22,800 --> 00:03:25,440 Speaker 1: him back out here and working. Um, we'll just continue 64 00:03:25,480 --> 00:03:28,399 Speaker 1: to be thoughtful of the reps that we give them. Uh. 65 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 1: Today was a big day for them to get back 66 00:03:30,160 --> 00:03:32,320 Speaker 1: out and put jersey on and be and put jerseys 67 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:34,680 Speaker 1: on to be with their teammates. But we'll be thoughtful 68 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 1: about it through the journey and and and have good 69 00:03:37,400 --> 00:03:40,240 Speaker 1: days and continually to push them forward. Towards September twelve, 70 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:43,760 Speaker 1: did you anticipate Vincer's Vince's retirements and and then maybe 71 00:03:43,760 --> 00:03:46,120 Speaker 1: talk about what he's meant to stay all over the year. No, 72 00:03:46,240 --> 00:03:49,600 Speaker 1: I did not, Um, But Man, Vince is just a 73 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:53,920 Speaker 1: quality man first and quality football player second. Um Man, 74 00:03:54,000 --> 00:03:56,320 Speaker 1: his passion for the game, the spirit in which he 75 00:03:56,360 --> 00:03:59,080 Speaker 1: went about what he did. Um. It's a loss for us, 76 00:03:59,400 --> 00:04:02,480 Speaker 1: for sure, but that's the game. We respect the game 77 00:04:02,520 --> 00:04:04,760 Speaker 1: in that way. We wish him nothing but the best 78 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:08,240 Speaker 1: in terms of how he moves forward. Um. But we're appreciative. 79 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:10,640 Speaker 1: We're appreciative of the work in service that he gave 80 00:04:10,720 --> 00:04:12,440 Speaker 1: us eight plus years. How do you feel a bunch 81 00:04:12,440 --> 00:04:16,920 Speaker 1: of inside linebacker death after? I feel great today as 82 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:19,800 Speaker 1: day one. You know, we hadn't suffered aniutrition. We hadn't 83 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:22,200 Speaker 1: made any mistakes that make you feel bad, you know, 84 00:04:22,320 --> 00:04:24,520 Speaker 1: this thing is a process, and so you know, I 85 00:04:24,560 --> 00:04:26,599 Speaker 1: won't have a lot of strong feelings about any of 86 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:29,680 Speaker 1: the circumstances today. It's just much too early in the journey. 87 00:04:29,880 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 1: And guys also released did since the last time we 88 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:34,320 Speaker 1: talked to you how we're all transpired? There? Did that 89 00:04:34,440 --> 00:04:36,279 Speaker 1: catch you off guard at all? It was just you know, 90 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:39,120 Speaker 1: health related and we we we did the things that 91 00:04:39,160 --> 00:04:40,840 Speaker 1: we had to do. I know we released the statement 92 00:04:40,880 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 1: regarding and I know he's spoken on it, so I 93 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:44,200 Speaker 1: don't have a lot to add. It was really pretty 94 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:46,760 Speaker 1: cut and dry. Like most Tunch teams, don't replace the 95 00:04:46,760 --> 00:04:49,480 Speaker 1: whole line. You know, different guys in different spots and 96 00:04:49,640 --> 00:04:52,440 Speaker 1: have a new coach. Pretty gig typical. There's something in 97 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:55,240 Speaker 1: particularly you believe you guys can pull at all, you know. 98 00:04:55,320 --> 00:04:56,880 Speaker 1: I mean, we don't have a bar set real high. 99 00:04:56,920 --> 00:04:59,240 Speaker 1: We were last in the league in Russian, so um, 100 00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:01,040 Speaker 1: we got no where to go but up from from 101 00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:03,840 Speaker 1: certain aspects of that. It's not something that we fear. No. 102 00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:06,120 Speaker 1: I think we'll see about the read too much for 103 00:05:06,160 --> 00:05:08,520 Speaker 1: twenty five just slot die today and seeing a kind 104 00:05:08,520 --> 00:05:13,080 Speaker 1: of one exactly what you said, you know, Um, you'll 105 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:15,760 Speaker 1: probably get the starting Canton and you can write a 106 00:05:15,760 --> 00:05:19,000 Speaker 1: story about that all the year. And it's the first 107 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:21,360 Speaker 1: time we had to learn all new verbiage, all new 108 00:05:21,440 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 1: formations on that process. What does that revealed about him? 109 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:28,680 Speaker 1: What you think it's It's not all new verbiage, all 110 00:05:28,760 --> 00:05:31,560 Speaker 1: new concepts. It's not. It's really not. Matt's done a 111 00:05:31,560 --> 00:05:34,920 Speaker 1: really good job, a thoughtful job of of easing the transition. 112 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:37,279 Speaker 1: Sure there's some new things, and sure there's some new words, 113 00:05:37,400 --> 00:05:40,640 Speaker 1: but it's not it's not a blank slate. And Ben's 114 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:42,440 Speaker 1: been on the job long enough where I don't want 115 00:05:42,440 --> 00:05:45,560 Speaker 1: to make that the same something significant when you know 116 00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:48,760 Speaker 1: it's an adjustment. But by the time we're able to play, 117 00:05:48,960 --> 00:05:52,839 Speaker 1: I doubt it's gonna be anything of any significance. Hookie 118 00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:55,320 Speaker 1: center to make the calls that come first over the 119 00:05:55,360 --> 00:05:58,440 Speaker 1: physical card or how does that usually work out? You know? Um, 120 00:05:58,640 --> 00:06:01,040 Speaker 1: these guys come to work man, um, you know, particularly 121 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:03,080 Speaker 1: when they've been exposed to some of the things that 122 00:06:03,120 --> 00:06:05,400 Speaker 1: he's been exposed to. Man, he's played Big ten football, 123 00:06:05,480 --> 00:06:09,000 Speaker 1: he's been in some some circumstances and so um, you know, 124 00:06:09,040 --> 00:06:12,400 Speaker 1: we'll see what what what the process does to him. 125 00:06:12,440 --> 00:06:15,360 Speaker 1: But not a bad issue or a a bad start from 126 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:18,240 Speaker 1: today's perspective at all. You know, um, this is our 127 00:06:18,279 --> 00:06:20,680 Speaker 1: first day working in passing the training camp like setting. 128 00:06:20,960 --> 00:06:23,279 Speaker 1: But we've been working extremely hard man, dating back to 129 00:06:23,279 --> 00:06:26,640 Speaker 1: the spring since we acquired them, classrooms, zooms and so forth, 130 00:06:26,680 --> 00:06:28,720 Speaker 1: and so he just had an opportunity to show some 131 00:06:28,760 --> 00:06:33,200 Speaker 1: of that today couple of hours. So that depending on 132 00:06:33,400 --> 00:06:36,040 Speaker 1: COVID and the one of those like on DOCTA players, 133 00:06:36,440 --> 00:06:39,080 Speaker 1: if the game is canceled because of those players, can 134 00:06:39,080 --> 00:06:40,880 Speaker 1: we be more things like that? And you guys just 135 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 1: felt about just how much importance it is for you 136 00:06:43,680 --> 00:06:47,159 Speaker 1: guys to have the players that you were comfortably Just 137 00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:51,479 Speaker 1: what does that do for you guys? We just checked 138 00:06:51,480 --> 00:06:53,520 Speaker 1: that box. We really kind of moved on, to be 139 00:06:53,600 --> 00:06:55,839 Speaker 1: honest with you, and that's why we weren't to be 140 00:06:55,880 --> 00:06:58,400 Speaker 1: so pro active about addressing it. So we're not spending 141 00:06:58,400 --> 00:07:00,719 Speaker 1: a whole bunch of time thinking our talking about it. 142 00:07:00,960 --> 00:07:03,280 Speaker 1: Uh So it's it's a non issue for us, thankfully 143 00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:06,279 Speaker 1: due to the efforts and willingness of our guys and so, 144 00:07:06,400 --> 00:07:09,600 Speaker 1: um we're focused on the football. Like three times, only 145 00:07:09,680 --> 00:07:11,920 Speaker 1: three times in the last thirty years has a team 146 00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:14,400 Speaker 1: started five new guys in five new spots on the 147 00:07:14,440 --> 00:07:17,840 Speaker 1: offensive line. Once the team won games, and once the 148 00:07:17,840 --> 00:07:22,720 Speaker 1: team one of other games, what has to happen the 149 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:26,040 Speaker 1: chemistry and that you know, I don't worry about how 150 00:07:26,080 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 1: you lead into that. UM. We're just you know, we're 151 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:32,560 Speaker 1: we're here working. We got capable guys. UM. You know, 152 00:07:32,680 --> 00:07:35,160 Speaker 1: there's an expectation here that those guys are going to deliver. 153 00:07:35,200 --> 00:07:36,600 Speaker 1: To be quite honest with you, I'm not gonna be 154 00:07:36,680 --> 00:07:38,680 Speaker 1: surprised when they do. As a matter of fact, we 155 00:07:38,720 --> 00:07:42,000 Speaker 1: expect them to. And so you know, you can write 156 00:07:42,040 --> 00:07:44,000 Speaker 1: a rag of the richest tale if you so choose, 157 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:46,640 Speaker 1: like we're starting at ground zero in the basement, if 158 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:49,720 Speaker 1: you will, UM, But we don't see it that way, UM, 159 00:07:49,760 --> 00:07:52,560 Speaker 1: And we definitely don't expect our results UM to be 160 00:07:52,640 --> 00:07:54,960 Speaker 1: elementary along those lines, how much has it helped to 161 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:56,840 Speaker 1: have the extra week of training camp when you are 162 00:07:56,920 --> 00:07:59,720 Speaker 1: potentially having five new guys in five essentially you know, 163 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:03,800 Speaker 1: big picture, you know, it's it's probably not really significant. UM. 164 00:08:03,840 --> 00:08:05,960 Speaker 1: Today it is because we're one of two teams working, 165 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:08,120 Speaker 1: so we're excited about it. T J is going into 166 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:09,920 Speaker 1: the last year of his deals. Sometimes guys like that 167 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:11,880 Speaker 1: will say out a little bit or maybe not even 168 00:08:11,920 --> 00:08:13,120 Speaker 1: come right away. What does it say to you that 169 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:16,760 Speaker 1: he's here? Just make that certa understand it's not that's game. 170 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:18,920 Speaker 1: It doesn't tell me anything that I didn't already know 171 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:20,640 Speaker 1: about t J. Watt. You know, what can you say 172 00:08:20,680 --> 00:08:23,280 Speaker 1: about him that hadn't been said. I'm sure that process 173 00:08:23,280 --> 00:08:25,760 Speaker 1: will run its course and we'll have something to report. 174 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:28,840 Speaker 1: Two practices. There are not being much of teams that 175 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:30,960 Speaker 1: just said you know, threading them off or anything. Yep, 176 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:34,600 Speaker 1: exactly and at early, but how do you read because 177 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:38,640 Speaker 1: you're in the rep sipasque with ingrampside, you know, it's 178 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:40,880 Speaker 1: really much too early. Right now, we're just teaching them 179 00:08:40,880 --> 00:08:42,960 Speaker 1: and seeing how quickly he can learn, and that's probably 180 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:45,319 Speaker 1: gonna dictate reps. What we don't want to do is 181 00:08:45,360 --> 00:08:48,880 Speaker 1: waste game reps on anyone. So his level of preparedness, 182 00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:52,679 Speaker 1: his ability to execute detail, particularly the early stages of development, 183 00:08:53,080 --> 00:08:55,600 Speaker 1: is going to determine how much he participates or when 184 00:08:55,640 --> 00:08:59,359 Speaker 1: he participates. You do have much of relationship with Trade Turning. 185 00:08:59,600 --> 00:09:02,640 Speaker 1: He brought I mean nothing more than a mutual respect 186 00:09:02,640 --> 00:09:05,160 Speaker 1: and a nod. You know, we had a preseason relationship 187 00:09:05,200 --> 00:09:07,640 Speaker 1: with those guys. Annually when he was in Carolina and said, 188 00:09:07,679 --> 00:09:09,560 Speaker 1: you get an opportunity to get to know the guys 189 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:13,440 Speaker 1: and particularly the significant guys. Um, there's a guy that's 190 00:09:13,440 --> 00:09:16,120 Speaker 1: played a lot of ball. You guys know it. Perennially. 191 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:18,360 Speaker 1: We're at the L s U Pro Day and so 192 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:20,760 Speaker 1: we probably had some exposures to him from that standpoint too. 193 00:09:22,080 --> 00:09:25,120 Speaker 1: That was Mike Tomlin Thursday, after the Steelers came off 194 00:09:25,120 --> 00:09:28,920 Speaker 1: the field after their first practice of the training camp. 195 00:09:29,480 --> 00:09:32,440 Speaker 1: As you heard him say, and nobody, uh, nobody's starting 196 00:09:32,440 --> 00:09:34,319 Speaker 1: on the pup list. They had a few players that 197 00:09:34,360 --> 00:09:37,120 Speaker 1: didn't practice yesterday, TJ one among them. He practiced, but 198 00:09:37,240 --> 00:09:40,079 Speaker 1: not in the team portion, doing some drills and those 199 00:09:40,120 --> 00:09:42,280 Speaker 1: kind of things. Same thing with stuff onto it and 200 00:09:42,360 --> 00:09:46,280 Speaker 1: Kevin Dotson. Yeah, there's not much to worry about with 201 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:49,480 Speaker 1: Tomlin saying that, you know, none of those are are 202 00:09:49,600 --> 00:09:52,640 Speaker 1: long term things are just uh, you know, maintenance stuff 203 00:09:52,720 --> 00:09:57,400 Speaker 1: or in Dodson's case, he tweaked something leads me to yeah, 204 00:09:57,600 --> 00:10:00,880 Speaker 1: but leads me to uh. The next next thing here 205 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:04,679 Speaker 1: is that ESPN has a list that's coming from Pro 206 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:10,800 Speaker 1: Football Focus ranking the NFL second year breakout Canada's fifteen 207 00:10:10,840 --> 00:10:13,599 Speaker 1: players who could become stars. Yeah, yeah, I read this. 208 00:10:13,640 --> 00:10:15,880 Speaker 1: I thought it was pretty good. Uh. One of the 209 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:17,880 Speaker 1: guys on the face of the guy that wrote it. 210 00:10:17,880 --> 00:10:19,760 Speaker 1: But I've I've read him before and I think he's 211 00:10:20,120 --> 00:10:22,960 Speaker 1: kind of up and commorade knows the stuff. Number eight 212 00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:26,679 Speaker 1: on the list Kevin Dotson. Yeah, some interesting numbers. There's 213 00:10:26,840 --> 00:10:30,680 Speaker 1: uh for interesting status here from Kevin Dotson. Since two 214 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:34,760 Speaker 1: thousand fifteen, no rookie guard has notched a higher pass 215 00:10:34,800 --> 00:10:39,640 Speaker 1: blockingradean Dotson's seven point to mark from and he was 216 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:41,400 Speaker 1: known as a masher more. I mean, if you just 217 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:43,920 Speaker 1: know his profile coming out of school, well on that 218 00:10:44,040 --> 00:10:47,040 Speaker 1: same token, Uh, Dotson's rookie stats are out of this world. 219 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:50,239 Speaker 1: He led the NFL and pass blocking great among guards, 220 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:53,400 Speaker 1: allowing zero sax, zero hits on the quarterback, and a 221 00:10:53,520 --> 00:11:00,120 Speaker 1: point five percent pressure rate. Uh. He also is a, 222 00:11:00,120 --> 00:11:02,720 Speaker 1: as you said, a ridiculous run blocker. I mean that 223 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:06,800 Speaker 1: was his fortakes, you know, finisher, those type of things. 224 00:11:07,600 --> 00:11:10,520 Speaker 1: I'm not discrediting the pass blocking numbers because they're exceptional. 225 00:11:10,559 --> 00:11:13,840 Speaker 1: I mean, you're the best. It helps a little bit 226 00:11:13,840 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 1: that the ball came out as fast and sacks are 227 00:11:16,280 --> 00:11:20,280 Speaker 1: also a Roethlisberger number as well. But if that's the 228 00:11:20,280 --> 00:11:22,559 Speaker 1: thing you were most concerned about coming out of school, 229 00:11:22,600 --> 00:11:24,400 Speaker 1: we're gonna have to teach him pass blocking things. Will 230 00:11:24,440 --> 00:11:26,800 Speaker 1: he passed that with flying color? You know that. And 231 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:33,600 Speaker 1: to your point, people are downgrading this offensive line. Well there, 232 00:11:33,679 --> 00:11:35,600 Speaker 1: you know, Ben Roethlisberg is gonna get hit a lot 233 00:11:36,800 --> 00:11:40,360 Speaker 1: sacks or quarterbacks that no, Yeah, without question, Ben Roethlisberger 234 00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:42,280 Speaker 1: is not going to allow himself to get hit. He's 235 00:11:42,280 --> 00:11:44,960 Speaker 1: gonna get the ball out of his hands. And honestly, 236 00:11:45,040 --> 00:11:47,720 Speaker 1: that doesn't mean that there are entirely a short passing 237 00:11:47,800 --> 00:11:51,160 Speaker 1: you know, but to keep Friarmouth in the block or not, 238 00:11:51,400 --> 00:11:53,800 Speaker 1: he has that capability to do that. He's not. This 239 00:11:53,880 --> 00:11:56,160 Speaker 1: is not two thousand and nine where roethlis You know, 240 00:11:56,240 --> 00:11:59,240 Speaker 1: they're running an offense where everything's down the field, but 241 00:11:59,720 --> 00:12:02,760 Speaker 1: you do have guys down the field. But no, they 242 00:12:02,760 --> 00:12:05,600 Speaker 1: can attack at all levels. You know. Adding naj Harris 243 00:12:05,640 --> 00:12:09,760 Speaker 1: to the equation gives them another receiving threat in the 244 00:12:09,800 --> 00:12:13,040 Speaker 1: short end. Who's Oh, by the way, if you do 245 00:12:13,160 --> 00:12:14,880 Speaker 1: dump it off to him short, he's gonna break a 246 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:17,120 Speaker 1: tackle and turn that that four yard game into a 247 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:19,240 Speaker 1: twelve yard game. Him in space a little bit and 248 00:12:19,320 --> 00:12:22,640 Speaker 1: easy throw Um. This is a good list that you mentioned, 249 00:12:22,640 --> 00:12:27,440 Speaker 1: but I also often referenced Football Outsiders Almanac. At the 250 00:12:27,559 --> 00:12:29,760 Speaker 1: end of the almanac, one of my favorite things that 251 00:12:29,800 --> 00:12:33,280 Speaker 1: they do every year is they pick twenty five I 252 00:12:33,320 --> 00:12:36,559 Speaker 1: think names that are similar, but they have different criteria. 253 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:39,920 Speaker 1: It's guys we've seen in the pros that have under 254 00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:43,440 Speaker 1: four or five hundred snaps to their name that could 255 00:12:43,480 --> 00:12:47,200 Speaker 1: be big jump guys this past this upcoming year. And 256 00:12:47,360 --> 00:12:49,840 Speaker 1: Dotson was very high, Highsmith was as well. I mean, 257 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:52,000 Speaker 1: there's there's a couple of people in division Matta boot 258 00:12:52,000 --> 00:12:53,520 Speaker 1: Gay and you know some of these guys, but the 259 00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:56,400 Speaker 1: Steelers had two in the top seven or eight. You 260 00:12:56,440 --> 00:13:00,199 Speaker 1: know that the people that studied every snap or high 261 00:13:00,200 --> 00:13:03,680 Speaker 1: and these guys you could also probably include at this 262 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:07,000 Speaker 1: point in his career, Zach Banner. Yeah, like that. He 263 00:13:07,040 --> 00:13:13,640 Speaker 1: hasn't played. It's not his whole career, for his whole career, Okay. 264 00:13:14,120 --> 00:13:17,679 Speaker 1: And again they show with their money and him winning 265 00:13:17,679 --> 00:13:20,280 Speaker 1: the job last year that they're excited about him. I 266 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:23,240 Speaker 1: don't want to say they're even like cautiously optimistic about him. 267 00:13:23,240 --> 00:13:25,959 Speaker 1: I think they're excited about what Banner can do. So 268 00:13:26,040 --> 00:13:30,280 Speaker 1: he's another one. Um, and again, I've been on the 269 00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:34,520 Speaker 1: national media side, and it's hard to know every offensive 270 00:13:34,559 --> 00:13:36,160 Speaker 1: line in the league like the back of your hand, 271 00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:38,439 Speaker 1: you know. I mean, he's played, he's actually played three 272 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:43,400 Speaker 1: career snaps. But I do think the line collectively is 273 00:13:43,520 --> 00:13:48,080 Speaker 1: more unknown than it is terrible. But as we heard 274 00:13:48,120 --> 00:13:54,120 Speaker 1: Mike Tomlins say, there the bar set pretty low for expectations. Yeah, 275 00:13:54,160 --> 00:13:57,120 Speaker 1: they expect you know, probably not. Look, look, we were 276 00:13:57,200 --> 00:14:01,520 Speaker 1: last in the league last year in rushing. Don't don't 277 00:14:01,520 --> 00:14:03,880 Speaker 1: be last. There's nowhere to go but up. But as 278 00:14:03,880 --> 00:14:07,040 Speaker 1: he also said that to your point though, he said, 279 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:10,680 Speaker 1: we don't look at them that way. We have expectations 280 00:14:10,679 --> 00:14:12,520 Speaker 1: for these guys to go out and perform. Well, then 281 00:14:12,559 --> 00:14:14,840 Speaker 1: you've seen Adrian Clement action. It doesn't sound like he 282 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:17,079 Speaker 1: treats them that way at all. You know, he plays 283 00:14:17,200 --> 00:14:19,880 Speaker 1: with a real edge to him. You know that we 284 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:21,680 Speaker 1: are great. Get used to it. That's how we do 285 00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:24,280 Speaker 1: things around here. We'll get rid of you, you know. No, 286 00:14:24,560 --> 00:14:27,240 Speaker 1: I think there's I think there's more room for optimism 287 00:14:27,240 --> 00:14:30,240 Speaker 1: with that unit than most people realize or want to 288 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:32,720 Speaker 1: give them credit. I think people look at signings like that. 289 00:14:32,880 --> 00:14:36,160 Speaker 1: They signed Chaz Green earlier this week ingle while he 290 00:14:36,200 --> 00:14:40,080 Speaker 1: stinks and you know, he make the team, right, That's 291 00:14:40,080 --> 00:14:42,440 Speaker 1: the thing. They didn't sign him because they're signing him 292 00:14:42,520 --> 00:14:44,800 Speaker 1: Chas Green to start because they don't like Banner or 293 00:14:44,920 --> 00:14:47,400 Speaker 1: Choops or one of They were going to Dron Jones, 294 00:14:47,400 --> 00:14:51,880 Speaker 1: who they released Chas Green to pick up. Wasn't going 295 00:14:51,920 --> 00:14:57,160 Speaker 1: to make this team. Ron Jones got in trouble. He 296 00:14:57,200 --> 00:15:00,480 Speaker 1: had he had a domestic violence issue that that charges 297 00:15:00,520 --> 00:15:03,720 Speaker 1: came down in early July, so they had a ross 298 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:05,800 Speaker 1: spot open, they had a roster spot. They didn't cut 299 00:15:05,840 --> 00:15:09,240 Speaker 1: him right away because they were on vacation. Okay, okay, 300 00:15:09,440 --> 00:15:11,760 Speaker 1: because these people are real human beings. But he was 301 00:15:11,800 --> 00:15:13,960 Speaker 1: not going to be on the roster. Okay, they knew 302 00:15:13,960 --> 00:15:17,320 Speaker 1: that a week ago. So Chazz Green essentially replaces Jeron Jones, 303 00:15:17,360 --> 00:15:19,080 Speaker 1: who really had no chance to make the team. You're 304 00:15:19,120 --> 00:15:21,640 Speaker 1: just looking for a body, and I guess Jazz Green 305 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:23,480 Speaker 1: eats a little more of your cap space because he's 306 00:15:23,480 --> 00:15:26,120 Speaker 1: a veteran, but I'm sure roster and only if he 307 00:15:26,160 --> 00:15:28,720 Speaker 1: makes the roster, and then you have a useful player, 308 00:15:28,840 --> 00:15:32,160 Speaker 1: you know, I mean, And unfortunately, an injury or two 309 00:15:32,160 --> 00:15:35,080 Speaker 1: is gonna happen in preseason and you know, the best 310 00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:38,520 Speaker 1: nine or ten right now might not be available. You 311 00:15:38,560 --> 00:15:40,600 Speaker 1: maybe only eight or nine of them are. And you 312 00:15:40,640 --> 00:15:42,600 Speaker 1: look at Green and say, he can get me out 313 00:15:42,600 --> 00:15:46,640 Speaker 1: of a game. Okay, good, right, You know I don't 314 00:15:46,840 --> 00:15:48,640 Speaker 1: I don't read too much into that. I know people 315 00:15:48,840 --> 00:15:52,280 Speaker 1: he's you know, he was awful, and I heard that yesterday. 316 00:15:51,520 --> 00:15:54,760 Speaker 1: I talked to somebody in Indianapolis and they said, he's 317 00:15:54,800 --> 00:15:58,120 Speaker 1: just terrible. It's fine, You're not gonna play him, right right, 318 00:15:58,120 --> 00:15:59,800 Speaker 1: They're not counting on he's gonna be playing, you know, 319 00:15:59,800 --> 00:16:04,160 Speaker 1: in third quarter of preseason games. That's when he's right. 320 00:16:04,200 --> 00:16:07,400 Speaker 1: He'll be probably with the twos in the preseason maybe 321 00:16:07,400 --> 00:16:10,520 Speaker 1: there maybe the threes. Yeah, yeah, right. And they do 322 00:16:10,600 --> 00:16:13,120 Speaker 1: have a lot of able bodies online. Do you know 323 00:16:13,160 --> 00:16:15,080 Speaker 1: if he has any guard flexibility? I don't think he 324 00:16:15,200 --> 00:16:17,080 Speaker 1: don't think he does. I think he's gonna tackle over 325 00:16:17,120 --> 00:16:19,000 Speaker 1: the course of his career. That doesn't mean he can't 326 00:16:19,000 --> 00:16:22,040 Speaker 1: play no, right, right, more I think about it, they 327 00:16:22,040 --> 00:16:26,000 Speaker 1: have less flexibility than usual. I mean the guards are guards. 328 00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:28,920 Speaker 1: The tackles or tackles, which isn't that big of it 329 00:16:28,960 --> 00:16:33,840 Speaker 1: doesn't bother me because you've got guys like like Coward 330 00:16:33,840 --> 00:16:37,320 Speaker 1: and Finney, who can play multiple spots on the interior. Yeah, 331 00:16:37,520 --> 00:16:40,360 Speaker 1: you know, even Green can play guard or center. You 332 00:16:40,400 --> 00:16:43,040 Speaker 1: hope he never plays guards, but he could. You know, Um, 333 00:16:43,080 --> 00:16:44,960 Speaker 1: you know you're not gonna play hassa our guard, but 334 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:49,480 Speaker 1: he has you know, so they've got some flexible tackle. 335 00:16:49,960 --> 00:16:53,000 Speaker 1: Hag is a tackle can do? I view him more 336 00:16:53,040 --> 00:16:55,760 Speaker 1: as a tackle. His body types more tackle is. He 337 00:16:55,800 --> 00:17:00,280 Speaker 1: doesn't look like Dots. You know, he's right, Um, but 338 00:17:00,280 --> 00:17:02,240 Speaker 1: they're gonna have a lot of movement based you know 339 00:17:02,800 --> 00:17:05,920 Speaker 1: stuff as well. Do you think, um, what's his face? 340 00:17:05,920 --> 00:17:08,600 Speaker 1: The rookie at A and M and more more? He 341 00:17:08,640 --> 00:17:10,720 Speaker 1: came to A and M as a guard and then 342 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:13,680 Speaker 1: to tackle. I wonder if he could do both. I'm 343 00:17:13,720 --> 00:17:15,840 Speaker 1: just thinking, if they hit a string of injuries, you 344 00:17:15,880 --> 00:17:18,160 Speaker 1: can play tackle in the NFL. You can play guard. Yeah, 345 00:17:18,280 --> 00:17:21,280 Speaker 1: I think they're gonna leave him a tackle and if 346 00:17:21,440 --> 00:17:23,880 Speaker 1: three guards get hurt, maybe he or he's so impressive, 347 00:17:23,920 --> 00:17:25,960 Speaker 1: you gotta get him on the field, you know, because 348 00:17:26,720 --> 00:17:28,680 Speaker 1: I'm just equated the Dots in like, but I think 349 00:17:28,680 --> 00:17:31,200 Speaker 1: their guards. I mean, you've got Trede Turner, You've got 350 00:17:31,359 --> 00:17:35,439 Speaker 1: Kevin Dotson, Okay, yeah, right, you know you got a 351 00:17:35,440 --> 00:17:37,800 Speaker 1: five time pro bowler and a guy who everybody is 352 00:17:37,840 --> 00:17:40,960 Speaker 1: on everybody's breakout candidate list. At the other guard spot, 353 00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:43,040 Speaker 1: you might be pretty good there. Yeah, I mean, even 354 00:17:43,040 --> 00:17:44,919 Speaker 1: with the castro gone, I have more faith in the 355 00:17:44,920 --> 00:17:47,920 Speaker 1: starting guards than the starting tackles right this minute. Yeah, 356 00:17:47,920 --> 00:17:51,000 Speaker 1: they've got you know, Turner himself has more experience. Now. 357 00:17:51,000 --> 00:17:53,720 Speaker 1: He didn't play well with the Chargers last year, but 358 00:17:53,760 --> 00:17:55,680 Speaker 1: who did. Yeah, as I say, that doesn't bother me 359 00:17:55,720 --> 00:17:57,760 Speaker 1: that much, you know. But where I was going with 360 00:17:57,800 --> 00:17:59,920 Speaker 1: that is though a year ago, you and I sitting 361 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:01,960 Speaker 1: here saying, well, they don't need dots in this year. 362 00:18:02,560 --> 00:18:05,520 Speaker 1: Things can change quick and if Moore is really good, 363 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:08,840 Speaker 1: maybe he finds his way on the field. First is 364 00:18:08,880 --> 00:18:11,560 Speaker 1: at six though lineman. Then Dotson gets hurt and he's 365 00:18:11,600 --> 00:18:13,440 Speaker 1: a left guard, you know what I mean? A difference 366 00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:16,320 Speaker 1: to me, though he's gonna necessarily red shirt. Last year 367 00:18:16,680 --> 00:18:21,160 Speaker 1: you had any an older line, an older offensive line. 368 00:18:21,840 --> 00:18:24,680 Speaker 1: Even Matt Fyler was you know, new to the lineup. 369 00:18:24,680 --> 00:18:29,000 Speaker 1: But he's twenty nine, you know. So the more snaps 370 00:18:29,040 --> 00:18:32,720 Speaker 1: these guys play in terms of their their career, the 371 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:34,520 Speaker 1: more likely you are to get hurt. Now you've got 372 00:18:34,520 --> 00:18:37,680 Speaker 1: a bunch of young guys in there, probably a little 373 00:18:37,760 --> 00:18:41,280 Speaker 1: less likely to get probably coming off an injuries, you know, 374 00:18:41,320 --> 00:18:45,040 Speaker 1: injuries happening. It happened to anybody. The Steelers are less 375 00:18:45,080 --> 00:18:48,160 Speaker 1: likely to do this than other teams. But when you're 376 00:18:48,240 --> 00:18:52,720 Speaker 1: an established pouncey to castro Villa in the WUAVA, it's 377 00:18:52,760 --> 00:18:55,520 Speaker 1: hard to bench those guys for performance, I mean, and 378 00:18:55,520 --> 00:18:58,080 Speaker 1: it's not even necessarily the best thing for the team. 379 00:18:58,160 --> 00:19:00,639 Speaker 1: With all respect to Ramon Foster at the he probably 380 00:19:00,680 --> 00:19:02,280 Speaker 1: should have got benched, you know what I mean, But 381 00:19:03,200 --> 00:19:06,240 Speaker 1: it doesn't send the right message the locker locker room leaders. 382 00:19:06,320 --> 00:19:09,480 Speaker 1: And you know, but now if Banner is not good 383 00:19:09,720 --> 00:19:13,680 Speaker 1: and more is Yeah, you know what I mean. I'm 384 00:19:13,720 --> 00:19:16,560 Speaker 1: not worried about hurting feelings or sending messages in the 385 00:19:16,600 --> 00:19:20,560 Speaker 1: locker room. Chokes can't cut it. Find give someone else 386 00:19:20,560 --> 00:19:23,400 Speaker 1: with you shot. Yeah, So yeah, there is a little 387 00:19:23,440 --> 00:19:26,200 Speaker 1: bit of that as well. You can make those changes 388 00:19:26,240 --> 00:19:28,200 Speaker 1: a lot easier. And I know, like even last year, 389 00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:30,840 Speaker 1: a lot of people Dotson should start when he started 390 00:19:30,840 --> 00:19:38,320 Speaker 1: in place a filer, But that's a tough move. You know. Again, 391 00:19:38,359 --> 00:19:40,840 Speaker 1: as you said, upsets the apple cart in the locker room. 392 00:19:41,000 --> 00:19:43,960 Speaker 1: These are human beings, I mean, you asked. It's like 393 00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:47,080 Speaker 1: knocking out the You know, you're fighting the champ. You've 394 00:19:47,119 --> 00:19:50,240 Speaker 1: got to knock the champ out. You're gotta be not 395 00:19:50,359 --> 00:19:53,560 Speaker 1: just as good as you gotta be head and shoulders above. 396 00:19:54,119 --> 00:19:57,600 Speaker 1: You're not going to change. You're not gonna win on points. 397 00:19:58,200 --> 00:20:02,520 Speaker 1: And that's worthy, especially they're where there's a lot of 398 00:20:02,560 --> 00:20:06,679 Speaker 1: alpha males and big, strong human beings and continuity so important. 399 00:20:07,280 --> 00:20:11,560 Speaker 1: If you're gonna bench a pouncy still gonna happen. It 400 00:20:11,600 --> 00:20:13,800 Speaker 1: doesn't happen. It doesn't happen, right, you know, at the 401 00:20:13,880 --> 00:20:15,880 Speaker 1: end of the day, the coaches sit down and go, yeah, 402 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:17,440 Speaker 1: but we've won a lot of games with this guy. 403 00:20:17,720 --> 00:20:19,560 Speaker 1: We know what he is. If we go with the 404 00:20:19,640 --> 00:20:22,920 Speaker 1: young guy here, we don't have that track record to 405 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:24,920 Speaker 1: fall back on. You know, what's he gonna do when 406 00:20:24,920 --> 00:20:27,119 Speaker 1: we're you know, we're playing in December against the Ravens. 407 00:20:27,760 --> 00:20:29,439 Speaker 1: We want a lot of fights with this guy. You know, 408 00:20:29,480 --> 00:20:31,639 Speaker 1: I can't imagine put him on the bench, and then 409 00:20:31,680 --> 00:20:33,560 Speaker 1: the rest of the team looks around like man Pounce 410 00:20:33,560 --> 00:20:37,520 Speaker 1: isn't even in the field, you know, And so there 411 00:20:37,560 --> 00:20:40,240 Speaker 1: will be more I don't want to say competent. I 412 00:20:40,320 --> 00:20:42,879 Speaker 1: guess they'll be more competition, but they'll be shorter leashes. 413 00:20:42,880 --> 00:20:45,000 Speaker 1: I would think too, Yeah, you know, yeah, because I 414 00:20:45,040 --> 00:20:47,920 Speaker 1: mean they've got bodies there. They've got guys that that's 415 00:20:47,920 --> 00:20:50,080 Speaker 1: not an accident. And that got back to them signing 416 00:20:50,560 --> 00:20:54,240 Speaker 1: Chas Green. It's almost it's almost a Bills like situation 417 00:20:54,280 --> 00:20:55,880 Speaker 1: with the Bills did a couple of years ago where 418 00:20:55,920 --> 00:20:58,080 Speaker 1: you bring in a whole bunch of guys who have 419 00:20:58,440 --> 00:21:01,520 Speaker 1: NFL experience, maybe not great, and they have word you know, right, 420 00:21:01,600 --> 00:21:03,720 Speaker 1: hag and but you find the top five and you 421 00:21:03,720 --> 00:21:05,720 Speaker 1: put him on the field and it was pretty good, 422 00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:08,760 Speaker 1: and your backup five's okay, then yeah, you know, and again, 423 00:21:08,920 --> 00:21:10,280 Speaker 1: you know, we keep bringing this up, but I think 424 00:21:10,280 --> 00:21:15,320 Speaker 1: it's really important that Rudolph and Haskins they should have 425 00:21:15,480 --> 00:21:18,040 Speaker 1: decent lines blocking for them in this preseason and you 426 00:21:18,040 --> 00:21:20,920 Speaker 1: can really get a look where if they're running around 427 00:21:20,920 --> 00:21:22,240 Speaker 1: for their life and they're not the most movable to 428 00:21:22,240 --> 00:21:25,639 Speaker 1: begin with, it's hard to che the judge who's that 429 00:21:25,720 --> 00:21:28,120 Speaker 1: six receiver when the quarterback can't get rid of the football. 430 00:21:28,760 --> 00:21:31,440 Speaker 1: The other thing that the Bills did blocking the whole time, 431 00:21:31,760 --> 00:21:33,359 Speaker 1: you know, the other thing that the Bills did a 432 00:21:33,359 --> 00:21:34,879 Speaker 1: couple of years ago when they signed him, was at 433 00:21:34,920 --> 00:21:38,520 Speaker 1: eight guys, eight offensive lineman who had none of the 434 00:21:38,560 --> 00:21:41,800 Speaker 1: more stars. They traded a couple of those guys right 435 00:21:41,800 --> 00:21:45,640 Speaker 1: before the season started. Yeah, I mean, these guysn't have value. 436 00:21:45,040 --> 00:21:48,639 Speaker 1: They've played NFL snaps and you're looking around the league 437 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:50,560 Speaker 1: and if I'm a team, okay, i know who my 438 00:21:50,600 --> 00:21:53,720 Speaker 1: five starters are, but my backups are junk and then 439 00:21:53,720 --> 00:21:55,240 Speaker 1: none of these guys have ever played a snap in 440 00:21:55,280 --> 00:21:57,720 Speaker 1: the NFL. Oh wait, the Steelers have this guy. He's 441 00:21:57,760 --> 00:22:00,520 Speaker 1: not a star, but he started ten games that right 442 00:22:00,520 --> 00:22:03,879 Speaker 1: tackle and it's in one other dude to make the team. 443 00:22:03,960 --> 00:22:05,560 Speaker 1: I'll give you a sex six or bound pick for 444 00:22:05,680 --> 00:22:08,320 Speaker 1: him or something like that, you know. Yeah, so again, 445 00:22:08,359 --> 00:22:11,159 Speaker 1: I would rather have a great starting five, of course, 446 00:22:11,680 --> 00:22:14,480 Speaker 1: and I definitely think the Steelers starting O line is 447 00:22:14,480 --> 00:22:16,120 Speaker 1: in the bottom third in the league. I'm not gonna 448 00:22:16,160 --> 00:22:18,080 Speaker 1: candy code ude. I'm not sure it'll even get better 449 00:22:18,119 --> 00:22:20,480 Speaker 1: than that, even if, but there's there's there is potential 450 00:22:20,520 --> 00:22:22,480 Speaker 1: to get better, Whereas if you brought the same guys 451 00:22:22,520 --> 00:22:24,680 Speaker 1: back from last year, it's probably just the potential to 452 00:22:24,720 --> 00:22:27,879 Speaker 1: get better wasn't wasn't there. It's a depreciating asset, you know, 453 00:22:28,160 --> 00:22:30,760 Speaker 1: and it just wasn't worth what it was before. But 454 00:22:30,800 --> 00:22:33,240 Speaker 1: I do think the Steelers second line will be better 455 00:22:33,280 --> 00:22:35,960 Speaker 1: than average. Yeah, you know, but you might have to 456 00:22:35,960 --> 00:22:37,760 Speaker 1: call on at some point during the year, you know, 457 00:22:37,920 --> 00:22:41,080 Speaker 1: but we'll see. Yeah, they drop off from if you 458 00:22:41,080 --> 00:22:42,800 Speaker 1: can look at it either way, they drop off from 459 00:22:42,800 --> 00:22:44,439 Speaker 1: the first to second team is not as great as 460 00:22:44,960 --> 00:22:47,480 Speaker 1: it's not all that great, which is a blessing and 461 00:22:47,600 --> 00:22:51,399 Speaker 1: maybe a curse. And that's a little different. It's a 462 00:22:51,480 --> 00:22:54,160 Speaker 1: little different, right but right. You know, again, if you're 463 00:22:54,200 --> 00:22:56,680 Speaker 1: if you're you know, opposing team, you're trying to find 464 00:22:56,680 --> 00:22:59,040 Speaker 1: the weak spot. It's a little harder to do. It's 465 00:22:59,040 --> 00:23:00,480 Speaker 1: a little harder to do. You know, you get a 466 00:23:00,520 --> 00:23:03,399 Speaker 1: zero in oh, okay, who because that's what teams will do. 467 00:23:03,880 --> 00:23:08,000 Speaker 1: They'll find the you know, they'll find the overloa blitz 468 00:23:08,080 --> 00:23:10,040 Speaker 1: is to the left side if you can maybe have 469 00:23:10,080 --> 00:23:12,880 Speaker 1: problems with I mean, I'm sure they will. They're gonna 470 00:23:12,880 --> 00:23:15,280 Speaker 1: be struggles, there's no doubt in my mind. And then 471 00:23:15,320 --> 00:23:17,840 Speaker 1: they to keep friar Muth or Harrison when you really 472 00:23:17,840 --> 00:23:19,560 Speaker 1: want them out in a route or whatever, you know. 473 00:23:19,600 --> 00:23:21,359 Speaker 1: I mean, so yeah, I mean, it's it's not gonna 474 00:23:21,400 --> 00:23:24,960 Speaker 1: be easy to overcome. But really, when you talked about 475 00:23:25,040 --> 00:23:29,879 Speaker 1: like that, that Bills analogy, if any of those three 476 00:23:30,080 --> 00:23:34,520 Speaker 1: and there's probably ben More Coward Green Hag, if any 477 00:23:34,560 --> 00:23:37,600 Speaker 1: of those guys takes a step up from where they 478 00:23:37,640 --> 00:23:40,680 Speaker 1: were in a new environment and the other two are junk, 479 00:23:41,040 --> 00:23:43,240 Speaker 1: it's still a good experiment. You have nothing invested in 480 00:23:43,280 --> 00:23:47,040 Speaker 1: these guys. I mean, those three collectively didn't cost you much. 481 00:23:47,320 --> 00:23:49,679 Speaker 1: And if one of them turns out to be a player, 482 00:23:49,840 --> 00:23:52,359 Speaker 1: you're six lineman or you know, a keeper, somebody you 483 00:23:52,400 --> 00:23:55,679 Speaker 1: want to extend. It's worth it. Yeah, I mean, you know, 484 00:23:56,960 --> 00:24:00,080 Speaker 1: we'll see. They don't need to be Jonathan Hougden know, 485 00:24:00,520 --> 00:24:02,280 Speaker 1: and I don't think you know, if you look back 486 00:24:02,320 --> 00:24:04,520 Speaker 1: at that Bill's line, I'm calling it up here now, 487 00:24:04,560 --> 00:24:06,840 Speaker 1: I think it was they made all this, Moses. I 488 00:24:06,880 --> 00:24:10,400 Speaker 1: think it was interesting how they did this while you're 489 00:24:10,440 --> 00:24:14,520 Speaker 1: looking for it, because the Bills are constructed there, and 490 00:24:14,640 --> 00:24:18,160 Speaker 1: at least at that stage, the entire defense was basically drafted. 491 00:24:18,520 --> 00:24:22,520 Speaker 1: They drafted Josh Allen and then everything around him was 492 00:24:22,600 --> 00:24:25,560 Speaker 1: all veterans. So their young quarterback, they put you know, 493 00:24:25,640 --> 00:24:29,679 Speaker 1: a bunch of established John Brown's and and then traded 494 00:24:29,720 --> 00:24:33,879 Speaker 1: for digs and everywhere but the running back position. These 495 00:24:33,880 --> 00:24:36,399 Speaker 1: were the guys that they had on the interior offensive line. 496 00:24:36,440 --> 00:24:40,680 Speaker 1: It was Russell Bodine, like Bodiger. Are these all the signings. 497 00:24:41,400 --> 00:24:43,280 Speaker 1: This is everybody that they took to camp that year, 498 00:24:44,440 --> 00:24:48,960 Speaker 1: Vlad Ducas, John Feliciano, Spencer Long, Garrett mcgin Mitch Morris, 499 00:24:49,040 --> 00:24:53,359 Speaker 1: Quentin Spain, White Teller. And they didn't stick with it. 500 00:24:53,359 --> 00:24:56,720 Speaker 1: They didn't keep him right at offensive tactically a Dion Dawkins, 501 00:24:56,720 --> 00:25:01,880 Speaker 1: Cody Ford, Blake Hans, Connor McDermott, Tying Niche he's still 502 00:25:01,920 --> 00:25:07,040 Speaker 1: around the third tackle, yeah, Jeremiah Surlis and Adrian Waddle. 503 00:25:07,440 --> 00:25:10,879 Speaker 1: None of those guys except tell her Now and maybe 504 00:25:10,960 --> 00:25:16,159 Speaker 1: Quentin Spain and Feliciano. Dawkins was making big money, but 505 00:25:16,240 --> 00:25:18,040 Speaker 1: like Cody Ford was the second round pick, they weren't 506 00:25:18,040 --> 00:25:20,480 Speaker 1: at that time. No, No, he was. Morse was the 507 00:25:20,480 --> 00:25:22,800 Speaker 1: only guy that was making any money. He's not been 508 00:25:22,840 --> 00:25:25,320 Speaker 1: an awesome center, right and he's okay. There's a couple 509 00:25:25,320 --> 00:25:27,359 Speaker 1: of names on there that are interesting though, just that 510 00:25:27,440 --> 00:25:31,360 Speaker 1: didn't work out. The cost Bodine. I'm trying to think 511 00:25:31,480 --> 00:25:35,040 Speaker 1: there's like two or three others that were nice prospects 512 00:25:35,040 --> 00:25:37,520 Speaker 1: coming out of school. They didn't. They never hit in 513 00:25:37,560 --> 00:25:40,920 Speaker 1: the league. But it was the same theory of let's 514 00:25:40,920 --> 00:25:42,920 Speaker 1: bring in retreads that we might have had a decent 515 00:25:42,920 --> 00:25:45,560 Speaker 1: grade in coming out of college, and we'll invest nothing 516 00:25:45,560 --> 00:25:47,560 Speaker 1: in them. That's the key. And we'll bring him to 517 00:25:47,600 --> 00:25:51,360 Speaker 1: camp with along with twelve other guys and see who hits. 518 00:25:51,880 --> 00:25:53,639 Speaker 1: And now they have a decent line and they have 519 00:25:53,720 --> 00:25:55,880 Speaker 1: a ton invested inity. You know, they're not first round 520 00:25:55,920 --> 00:25:58,320 Speaker 1: picks across. So even a guy like Chaz Green or 521 00:25:58,400 --> 00:26:02,960 Speaker 1: Chas Yeah, Chas Green that they were the third round 522 00:26:03,000 --> 00:26:07,320 Speaker 1: draft pick y, you know, I mean, Haig's got some 523 00:26:07,400 --> 00:26:10,040 Speaker 1: ability a second or third I think he was a 524 00:26:10,119 --> 00:26:13,040 Speaker 1: Day two guy. Um. You know. So you've got a 525 00:26:13,040 --> 00:26:16,320 Speaker 1: bunch of guys there that that you probably liked coming 526 00:26:16,320 --> 00:26:18,600 Speaker 1: out of school, you know, and you can you coach 527 00:26:18,640 --> 00:26:21,000 Speaker 1: them up a little bit. You're you're running. Here's the 528 00:26:21,000 --> 00:26:26,760 Speaker 1: thing about the NFL. Guys flame out all the time 529 00:26:26,840 --> 00:26:30,760 Speaker 1: on one team, goes somewhere else and and and hit 530 00:26:31,200 --> 00:26:35,240 Speaker 1: Mike Hilton. Yeah, he was with he was with the Jaguars. 531 00:26:36,600 --> 00:26:39,000 Speaker 1: He was with the Jaguars and Patriots his rookie year. 532 00:26:40,480 --> 00:26:42,840 Speaker 1: You know, couldn't make their rock, couldn't make the Jaguars 533 00:26:42,920 --> 00:26:47,120 Speaker 1: roster bad Jaguars roster as and then couldn't stay stick 534 00:26:47,160 --> 00:26:50,600 Speaker 1: with the Patriots, who you know, could have used his 535 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:53,800 Speaker 1: skill set stigns with the Steelers. He's starting for them 536 00:26:53,800 --> 00:26:56,480 Speaker 1: the next year in the slot and teams look for 537 00:26:56,480 --> 00:26:59,840 Speaker 1: different traits obviously a different positions, but such an advantage 538 00:26:59,840 --> 00:27:02,359 Speaker 1: in trust me I've seen his first hand is having 539 00:27:02,359 --> 00:27:05,480 Speaker 1: that continuity in the front office, because I mean, I'm 540 00:27:05,480 --> 00:27:07,960 Speaker 1: totally making this up out of the blue, Joe Haig. 541 00:27:08,080 --> 00:27:10,960 Speaker 1: We have a third round grade on. He really needs 542 00:27:11,000 --> 00:27:14,680 Speaker 1: to correct this one thing, though, And the Colts draft 543 00:27:14,720 --> 00:27:16,479 Speaker 1: him and they don't see him that correct and they 544 00:27:16,480 --> 00:27:18,919 Speaker 1: don't correct it. They don't recognize it. They run a 545 00:27:18,920 --> 00:27:21,400 Speaker 1: different style of offense. You know, it's it's it's not 546 00:27:22,080 --> 00:27:26,320 Speaker 1: his skill set doesn't necessarily fit their offense, but fits ours. 547 00:27:26,600 --> 00:27:30,320 Speaker 1: It's our tyson and Lulu. I mean, okay, he you 548 00:27:30,320 --> 00:27:32,920 Speaker 1: know he's playing's gonna be Warren Sap. It's not gonna 549 00:27:32,920 --> 00:27:35,320 Speaker 1: work out playing in a fortree you know, defensive tackle 550 00:27:35,400 --> 00:27:38,359 Speaker 1: by the same you know, ziggy hood didn't work out 551 00:27:38,400 --> 00:27:41,480 Speaker 1: in the opposite here, right, it happens. Guys are a 552 00:27:41,520 --> 00:27:44,840 Speaker 1: bad fit in certain schemes. Yes, they have talent um. 553 00:27:44,880 --> 00:27:46,919 Speaker 1: Maybe it doesn't work out the way you want it to, 554 00:27:47,000 --> 00:27:49,800 Speaker 1: but they can still play if you change what they're doing. Yeah, 555 00:27:50,119 --> 00:27:55,639 Speaker 1: I'm sure. Kevin the area scout, then goes to Adrian 556 00:27:55,680 --> 00:27:58,240 Speaker 1: Clem who's new but still you know he maybe he 557 00:27:58,280 --> 00:28:00,320 Speaker 1: wasn't there when those guys came out, but that and 558 00:28:00,359 --> 00:28:02,560 Speaker 1: they tell him, and they obviously have the reports in 559 00:28:02,600 --> 00:28:05,359 Speaker 1: the system, and he's crazy if he didn't read them. 560 00:28:05,520 --> 00:28:07,560 Speaker 1: These were two things that we really were worried about 561 00:28:07,560 --> 00:28:09,679 Speaker 1: that we thought were correctable. If we didn't think they 562 00:28:09,680 --> 00:28:12,080 Speaker 1: were correctable, we weren't. He was an undrafted guy from US, 563 00:28:12,080 --> 00:28:14,280 Speaker 1: but he's a third round pick. We think he's correctable. 564 00:28:14,400 --> 00:28:17,919 Speaker 1: Might not be easy, and watching the pro tape, no 565 00:28:17,920 --> 00:28:21,520 Speaker 1: one's ever corrected the athletics. Try to work on. Yeah, okay, 566 00:28:21,600 --> 00:28:23,800 Speaker 1: we'll give a shot. Yeah, you gotta have the athletic traits. 567 00:28:23,840 --> 00:28:26,240 Speaker 1: If you don't have the athletic traits, if he can't 568 00:28:26,240 --> 00:28:28,520 Speaker 1: do it, then I'm not gonna waste my time. Coaches 569 00:28:28,560 --> 00:28:31,720 Speaker 1: only have so many hours a day. Two people forget 570 00:28:31,760 --> 00:28:34,119 Speaker 1: about those things, especially in this kind of sleep. Like 571 00:28:34,280 --> 00:28:35,919 Speaker 1: you know, right, Yeah, you get two hours on the 572 00:28:35,960 --> 00:28:38,400 Speaker 1: field with them every day, and you're trying to coach 573 00:28:38,440 --> 00:28:40,240 Speaker 1: up Kendrick Green to be your starting center. You know, 574 00:28:40,400 --> 00:28:42,360 Speaker 1: you don't have a ton of time for Chaz Green 575 00:28:42,400 --> 00:28:44,760 Speaker 1: to fix his kick slide or whatever it is. You 576 00:28:44,760 --> 00:28:46,640 Speaker 1: know what I mean. It's just a little thing. You know, 577 00:28:46,760 --> 00:28:49,480 Speaker 1: guy and guys see the game differently, Different coaches see 578 00:28:49,480 --> 00:28:52,600 Speaker 1: the game differently. I mean, that's the reality of the situation. 579 00:28:52,720 --> 00:28:55,000 Speaker 1: So it'll be interesting and it would miously be one 580 00:28:55,040 --> 00:28:56,880 Speaker 1: of the big things that we watched. But as Mike 581 00:28:56,920 --> 00:28:59,480 Speaker 1: Tomlin said, hey, the bar is not set too high. 582 00:28:59,480 --> 00:29:01,600 Speaker 1: We were last in the league in rushing last year. Yeah, 583 00:29:02,040 --> 00:29:04,840 Speaker 1: last note on that too, And I'm expecting a lot 584 00:29:04,880 --> 00:29:08,280 Speaker 1: of the Steeler beat writers we'll have some negative things 585 00:29:08,320 --> 00:29:11,840 Speaker 1: to say one on ones, things like that the guys 586 00:29:11,840 --> 00:29:14,200 Speaker 1: are blocking are better than them. You practice, You know, 587 00:29:14,400 --> 00:29:17,680 Speaker 1: you're back in the day. If you watch Jeff Hardings 588 00:29:17,680 --> 00:29:20,360 Speaker 1: and one on ones, you would have thought he was 589 00:29:20,400 --> 00:29:23,880 Speaker 1: like the fourth string center because he was a lighter guy. 590 00:29:24,080 --> 00:29:26,600 Speaker 1: Is that Hampton type guy? Yeah, he's playing. He's lining 591 00:29:26,680 --> 00:29:28,680 Speaker 1: up against Hampton, He's lining up. Chris Hoke was a 592 00:29:28,720 --> 00:29:34,200 Speaker 1: maniac on practice um, but in game days Harding's was 593 00:29:34,240 --> 00:29:36,320 Speaker 1: a Pro Bowl player. You know, he was very good. 594 00:29:36,440 --> 00:29:38,520 Speaker 1: It's the Bama thing, Like the practice is harder than 595 00:29:38,560 --> 00:29:41,280 Speaker 1: the games at times, Like, no doubt my mind, Banner 596 00:29:41,320 --> 00:29:44,480 Speaker 1: and chookes are gonna look bad on edge rush kicking things. Yeah, 597 00:29:44,680 --> 00:29:46,480 Speaker 1: you wanna be against t J. Watter line you want 598 00:29:46,480 --> 00:29:49,479 Speaker 1: to you know ingram and to it and you know 599 00:29:49,760 --> 00:29:51,360 Speaker 1: those guys are gonna make it look bad. They're gonna 600 00:29:51,360 --> 00:29:52,840 Speaker 1: lose a lot of those one on one Yeah, you know, 601 00:29:52,920 --> 00:29:55,400 Speaker 1: but that's it's okay, that's the reality. Don't overreacted within 602 00:29:55,560 --> 00:29:58,600 Speaker 1: some point, you know, right right, that's gets you better. Yeah. So, 603 00:29:58,840 --> 00:30:00,600 Speaker 1: and I just hope the fans don't have react boy 604 00:30:00,640 --> 00:30:03,440 Speaker 1: banners getting whipped every day in practice. Yeah, who's he 605 00:30:03,440 --> 00:30:06,040 Speaker 1: going up a Yeah? Yeah. I think that was one 606 00:30:06,080 --> 00:30:08,320 Speaker 1: of the things last year that they looked at and said, well, 607 00:30:08,360 --> 00:30:11,120 Speaker 1: you know, these guys are at least what's not just 608 00:30:11,160 --> 00:30:14,040 Speaker 1: destroying them snap after snap, you know, like he did 609 00:30:14,040 --> 00:30:17,280 Speaker 1: the Bengals or you know right, that's why that's why 610 00:30:17,320 --> 00:30:20,800 Speaker 1: teams double him. Yeah, I'll put a single guy over 611 00:30:20,800 --> 00:30:22,600 Speaker 1: there on t J one. So, yeah, I have at it. 612 00:30:22,720 --> 00:30:24,160 Speaker 1: He's about to make a lot of money for doing 613 00:30:24,200 --> 00:30:27,360 Speaker 1: it right, you know, so interesting. But we'll continue to 614 00:30:27,480 --> 00:30:30,800 Speaker 1: keep an eye on what's going on in camp. They'll 615 00:30:30,800 --> 00:30:33,360 Speaker 1: be going all weekend long, they'll be going, yeah, I 616 00:30:33,400 --> 00:30:35,320 Speaker 1: had nauseam here. They're just gonna roll rate with it 617 00:30:35,760 --> 00:30:38,920 Speaker 1: right into the uh, the game next to Actually, let's 618 00:30:39,040 --> 00:30:42,479 Speaker 1: less than two weeks. Hard to believe. Good stuff here 619 00:30:42,520 --> 00:30:44,920 Speaker 1: on the horizon, absolutely, but that's gonna do it for 620 00:30:44,920 --> 00:30:47,400 Speaker 1: this segment. So for my partner Matt Williamson, for Jacob 621 00:30:47,440 --> 00:30:50,000 Speaker 1: Breck here on site keeping us on the air, I'm 622 00:30:50,080 --> 00:30:52,680 Speaker 1: Dale Lolly. We thank you for listening to this edition 623 00:30:52,720 --> 00:30:55,160 Speaker 1: of the Drive on Steelers Nation Radio.