1 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:06,519 Speaker 1: At least. He's The Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson, 2 00:00:08,320 --> 00:00:16,479 Speaker 1: home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome 3 00:00:16,480 --> 00:00:19,200 Speaker 1: to the Drive. I'm Dale Ally here with Matt Williamson. 4 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:21,239 Speaker 1: And it's a day before the game. We don't typically 5 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:23,360 Speaker 1: get to do a show the day before a game. 6 00:00:24,120 --> 00:00:27,479 Speaker 1: I guess that's true. Usually what's a week before and yeah, 7 00:00:28,160 --> 00:00:29,640 Speaker 1: or it's a Monday night game, we don't do a 8 00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:32,760 Speaker 1: show that Monday. So Thursday night games off for us 9 00:00:32,760 --> 00:00:35,920 Speaker 1: an opportunity need to talk well all about the game 10 00:00:35,960 --> 00:00:38,920 Speaker 1: the day before the game. Yeah, unfortunately, that's our This 11 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:40,839 Speaker 1: is our last show of the week though, so we 12 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:44,560 Speaker 1: won't be recapping until Monday. But um, you'll have articles 13 00:00:44,560 --> 00:00:46,080 Speaker 1: out and I'll have articles out so you can get 14 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:49,080 Speaker 1: ours both on the pregame show tomorrow. That's true. That's 15 00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:50,519 Speaker 1: true as well. And I'm gonna do a couple of 16 00:00:50,560 --> 00:00:53,199 Speaker 1: local local radio hits too. I'll be on stand Friday, 17 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:56,480 Speaker 1: but I'll miss you. Happy travels. You're hitting and heading 18 00:00:56,480 --> 00:00:58,160 Speaker 1: out of Sous. We're done here. I understand it's ten 19 00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:02,560 Speaker 1: degrees here, I'm sure is Yeah, not exactly. Couldn't go 20 00:01:02,680 --> 00:01:07,800 Speaker 1: to Minneapolis in September? Perfect perfect season. Again, that's a 21 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:10,039 Speaker 1: perfect time. Hey. I spent a week there for the 22 00:01:10,080 --> 00:01:11,720 Speaker 1: Super Bowl a couple of years ago, and it was 23 00:01:12,240 --> 00:01:16,120 Speaker 1: not the best. Negative temperature is the entire week, so 24 00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:18,119 Speaker 1: you know, you just kind of didn't leave the hotel. 25 00:01:18,160 --> 00:01:21,880 Speaker 1: And they're good about can everything's kind of connected though, 26 00:01:21,880 --> 00:01:23,200 Speaker 1: I mean, you can stay out of the weather, and 27 00:01:23,480 --> 00:01:26,240 Speaker 1: they did the entire thing. Well when you're down the 28 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:28,960 Speaker 1: mall or whatever. Everything at the super Bowl was at 29 00:01:28,959 --> 00:01:32,640 Speaker 1: the Mall of America. In our hotel, the media Hotel, 30 00:01:32,760 --> 00:01:34,760 Speaker 1: one of them, anyways, was next to the going where 31 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:37,360 Speaker 1: I was staying at. It was next to the Mall 32 00:01:37,400 --> 00:01:41,040 Speaker 1: of America like quarter of a mile away because they 33 00:01:41,080 --> 00:01:43,720 Speaker 1: had buses going constantly back and forth. So it wasn't 34 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:46,199 Speaker 1: too bad. But I will I went from my hotel 35 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:47,960 Speaker 1: to the Mall of America. I'm back in my hotel. 36 00:01:47,960 --> 00:01:50,640 Speaker 1: I didn't go anywhere rolling around town. Yeah no, you 37 00:01:50,680 --> 00:01:54,040 Speaker 1: didn't go for a Walkie didn't go downtown. But downtown Minneapolis, 38 00:01:54,080 --> 00:01:57,840 Speaker 1: they do have walkways everywhere. That's what I thought. That's 39 00:01:57,880 --> 00:02:00,600 Speaker 1: kind of like right right right every It was flat 40 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:02,560 Speaker 1: and connected and you don't have to think it might 41 00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:04,840 Speaker 1: be where in Indianapolis got the idea because the first 42 00:02:04,880 --> 00:02:08,720 Speaker 1: place I ever saw it was Minneapolis. Got got don't 43 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:11,520 Speaker 1: want to go outside? And I made I did make 44 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:13,600 Speaker 1: the mistake the first day I was in Minneapolis for 45 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:16,000 Speaker 1: the super Bowl, because again I was a quarter mile 46 00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:18,400 Speaker 1: away from the Mall of America, which doesn't sound like 47 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:22,120 Speaker 1: much unless it's minus two out. I'm a hearty young guy. 48 00:02:22,639 --> 00:02:25,480 Speaker 1: I'll walk over the exercise. There were no busses out there. Way. 49 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:26,840 Speaker 1: I'm like, I gotta get I'm gonna get over there, 50 00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:29,080 Speaker 1: pick up my credentials and get ready to go for 51 00:02:29,120 --> 00:02:31,800 Speaker 1: the week. And I walked over. It was about a 52 00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:34,280 Speaker 1: maybe a five minute while a little maybe a little 53 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:35,679 Speaker 1: bit longer because I had to step over all the 54 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:39,080 Speaker 1: ice and everything. Um, but people were looking at me 55 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:41,919 Speaker 1: like I was insane. We don't do that around here. 56 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:49,960 Speaker 1: A way to die, Yeah, I imagine, Um there's any 57 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:52,440 Speaker 1: people that they find frozen and snow drifts up there 58 00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:55,480 Speaker 1: and yeah, it looked like winter Nicholson and the shining 59 00:02:58,520 --> 00:03:03,720 Speaker 1: page of Yeah. Anyway, So Steelers injury report out today, 60 00:03:03,800 --> 00:03:07,840 Speaker 1: No surprises on their Joe Hayden out with the foot injury. Uh, 61 00:03:07,880 --> 00:03:09,880 Speaker 1: there's a chance he comes back next week when he 62 00:03:09,919 --> 00:03:13,160 Speaker 1: had the Titans. If this wasn't a short week, maybe 63 00:03:13,160 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 1: he would have a short week, which isn't great against Jefferson. 64 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:20,280 Speaker 1: I mean, but I am excited about Witherspoon a little bit. Yeah, 65 00:03:20,320 --> 00:03:22,080 Speaker 1: I mean I want to see you know, it's this 66 00:03:22,160 --> 00:03:25,720 Speaker 1: is a good chance for Witherspoon. Uh, He's he signed 67 00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:27,919 Speaker 1: a one chance for him, a one year, four million 68 00:03:27,919 --> 00:03:30,360 Speaker 1: dollar deal with it with the Seahawks to leave as 69 00:03:30,360 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 1: a he was a restrictive free agent, so I mean 70 00:03:33,520 --> 00:03:36,839 Speaker 1: there was some you know, they wanted him. Yeah, yeah, 71 00:03:36,920 --> 00:03:39,600 Speaker 1: he's made some money. I mean yeah, um, so it's 72 00:03:39,640 --> 00:03:43,120 Speaker 1: a one year, four million dollar deal. Um, you know, 73 00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:45,320 Speaker 1: I would think, you know, this is a nice chance 74 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:47,520 Speaker 1: for him to get get his feet under him, show 75 00:03:47,600 --> 00:03:50,440 Speaker 1: the Steelers what he can do and the rest of 76 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:52,000 Speaker 1: the league. But I would think that you know, he 77 00:03:52,040 --> 00:03:55,640 Speaker 1: would probably having already changed teams once and seen that 78 00:03:55,880 --> 00:03:57,840 Speaker 1: well that didn't work out so well I ended up 79 00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:00,280 Speaker 1: getting traded, that maybe he would look at it and go, yeah, 80 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:02,120 Speaker 1: I think I'll just stay here. Well, I think it 81 00:04:02,200 --> 00:04:04,760 Speaker 1: made an attractive spot for him. I mean, assuming they 82 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:06,840 Speaker 1: want him and he likes the system and all that, 83 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:12,480 Speaker 1: and that Hayden isn't gonna be here forever, thirty years old, 84 00:04:12,440 --> 00:04:15,000 Speaker 1: and one of the contract extension in the in the preseason, 85 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:16,760 Speaker 1: they said no, we're not going to do that, which 86 00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:19,600 Speaker 1: I think was smart business. So there's a need there 87 00:04:20,200 --> 00:04:24,680 Speaker 1: either short term or for extended stretch. And unfortunately this 88 00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:26,840 Speaker 1: is how the league works. I mean, there was a 89 00:04:26,920 --> 00:04:29,599 Speaker 1: chance that Witherspoon could have gone all year without really 90 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:32,400 Speaker 1: ever getting a chance to show his stuff. But Pierre, 91 00:04:32,680 --> 00:04:34,640 Speaker 1: I don't say failed, but you know, I mean he 92 00:04:34,760 --> 00:04:36,960 Speaker 1: replaced two weeks ago. People were still wondering, you know, 93 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:39,880 Speaker 1: did the Steelers waste a draft pick there? Do they 94 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:42,919 Speaker 1: feel that way after? After you know, Sunday's game, you know, 95 00:04:42,920 --> 00:04:45,239 Speaker 1: when he played a key role in winning that game. 96 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:49,160 Speaker 1: I mean the past breakup he had on Andrews, uh 97 00:04:49,279 --> 00:04:52,920 Speaker 1: down the middle, down the scene. If he doesn't get there, 98 00:04:53,720 --> 00:04:57,839 Speaker 1: that might be a touchdown. It might be mean Andrews 99 00:04:57,880 --> 00:05:00,880 Speaker 1: was in stride. Witherspoon came over the top and could 100 00:05:00,880 --> 00:05:03,040 Speaker 1: have had to pick, but at least he knocked it away. Yeah, right, 101 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:06,920 Speaker 1: good play. Um was I canna say on that? Oh? 102 00:05:07,000 --> 00:05:10,680 Speaker 1: Some of these corners not named Sutton and Hayden, you know, Millette, 103 00:05:10,839 --> 00:05:14,719 Speaker 1: Pierre I wouldn't lump Lane in there. They flashed throughout 104 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:16,520 Speaker 1: the year. You know, I want to see laying on 105 00:05:16,520 --> 00:05:18,040 Speaker 1: the field last week though, we'll see if you get 106 00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:20,560 Speaker 1: tomorrow in the dime. But I want to see consistency. 107 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:22,680 Speaker 1: I want to see, you know, two good games in 108 00:05:22,680 --> 00:05:25,200 Speaker 1: a row, that type of thing, show me that maybe 109 00:05:25,200 --> 00:05:27,520 Speaker 1: you can be a starter or a borderline starter, or 110 00:05:27,560 --> 00:05:29,200 Speaker 1: a nickel or a dime or a part of the 111 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:31,800 Speaker 1: in the in the mix. Yeah. And Jefferson is gonna 112 00:05:31,839 --> 00:05:35,360 Speaker 1: be the heck of a test. Yeah. Uh So then 113 00:05:35,400 --> 00:05:38,159 Speaker 1: it's b J. Finney is out with the back injury. 114 00:05:38,200 --> 00:05:40,440 Speaker 1: He's for that in the game on Sunday. And then 115 00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:43,680 Speaker 1: Isaiah Bugs, who was also along with Hayden out for 116 00:05:43,720 --> 00:05:47,320 Speaker 1: that game. Uh that mention Roberts Blaine, he's out there, 117 00:05:47,320 --> 00:05:50,840 Speaker 1: you go, but that those four have been ruled out already. Yes, 118 00:05:51,520 --> 00:05:52,919 Speaker 1: and they're not gonna make the trip. I mean we 119 00:05:52,960 --> 00:05:55,600 Speaker 1: know they're out. Yeah, they are out on the Vikings 120 00:05:55,600 --> 00:05:57,560 Speaker 1: side of thing before we do. Can I one of 121 00:05:57,560 --> 00:06:00,480 Speaker 1: a couple of things by the Bugs thing doesn't unfortunately 122 00:06:00,520 --> 00:06:03,880 Speaker 1: matter as much either because there's a replacement against the Bengals, 123 00:06:04,000 --> 00:06:05,400 Speaker 1: right right. I mean, he's been kind of in the 124 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:08,360 Speaker 1: doghouse or hurt for a couple of weeks. Now, Splaine's 125 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:12,440 Speaker 1: interesting just considering how Bush and Schoberger playing, especially Bush, 126 00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 1: I think Splaine would be playing snaps. I don't know 127 00:06:15,680 --> 00:06:19,799 Speaker 1: and what capacity he snaps when he was in a dime, 128 00:06:19,960 --> 00:06:21,400 Speaker 1: But it looked like he was in the verge of 129 00:06:21,440 --> 00:06:24,040 Speaker 1: replacing Bush when he got hurt. And I guess my 130 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:28,600 Speaker 1: question though, is who's the left guard? Okay having good 131 00:06:28,680 --> 00:06:30,960 Speaker 1: It's just like the Weatherspoon situation, like see if you 132 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:32,520 Speaker 1: can do it two weeks in a row. I mean 133 00:06:32,520 --> 00:06:35,520 Speaker 1: that's what I was open to the the answer. Yeah. For 134 00:06:35,560 --> 00:06:39,640 Speaker 1: the Vikings, Adam Finland is out, Christian Derri saw their 135 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:44,600 Speaker 1: rookie left tackle is out. Dalvin Cook listed as questionable. 136 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:47,960 Speaker 1: We were talking about that before the show started. Um, 137 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:52,880 Speaker 1: I think that he dislocated his shoulder two weeks ago, 138 00:06:52,920 --> 00:06:55,920 Speaker 1: two games ago, one game. He's got hurt ten days ago. 139 00:06:57,000 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 1: Today he went through that they had walked through practices, 140 00:07:00,120 --> 00:07:02,640 Speaker 1: much like the Steelers. Um, you're not going to test 141 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:05,839 Speaker 1: your shoulder and a walk through. No, he's not lowering 142 00:07:05,839 --> 00:07:08,000 Speaker 1: his shoulder and driving. Now he's the I doubt he 143 00:07:08,040 --> 00:07:10,680 Speaker 1: plays And that sounds like gamesmanship to me, you know, 144 00:07:11,040 --> 00:07:13,680 Speaker 1: and Madison is good. I mean he's not Dalvin Cook 145 00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:18,120 Speaker 1: if you are, but Madison's good. Darrisaw is a big loss. Yeah, 146 00:07:18,280 --> 00:07:20,040 Speaker 1: but they had the bump a guard out to tackle 147 00:07:20,200 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 1: and it wasn't pretty. Yeah. Linebacker Blake Lynch is questionable 148 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:28,480 Speaker 1: and safety camera buying him is questionable. So that's Lynch 149 00:07:28,560 --> 00:07:31,680 Speaker 1: played a lot because Bar and Kendricks were out. So 150 00:07:31,880 --> 00:07:33,880 Speaker 1: it looks like those two are set to play from 151 00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:36,320 Speaker 1: what I understand. Yeah, that's that's a big help for them. 152 00:07:36,400 --> 00:07:39,880 Speaker 1: And we'll see. If you know, with Bar, particularly he's 153 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:43,480 Speaker 1: coming back off a hamstring. Um, it can be a 154 00:07:43,480 --> 00:07:47,239 Speaker 1: little tricky as we saw Monday night with with Damien Harris. 155 00:07:47,480 --> 00:07:49,520 Speaker 1: You know, he breaks it out and he would have 156 00:07:49,560 --> 00:07:51,360 Speaker 1: had a longer run, and all of a sudden he starts, 157 00:07:51,800 --> 00:07:54,800 Speaker 1: you know, limping up the sideline. Um, that definitely could 158 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 1: be a tested out before the game thing, and then 159 00:07:57,280 --> 00:07:59,240 Speaker 1: you know, maybe the first quarter you don't see him anymore. 160 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:00,800 Speaker 1: I mean it's just on the way those things go, 161 00:08:00,960 --> 00:08:03,440 Speaker 1: especially on not a lot of time since the injury. 162 00:08:03,880 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 1: We don't typically do this with teams that Obviously a 163 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:10,200 Speaker 1: lot of Steeler fans know the Vikings are a team 164 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:14,360 Speaker 1: that well, you may not get to see a lot of, right, 165 00:08:14,360 --> 00:08:16,920 Speaker 1: So let's go. Let's go over there, roster. We haven't 166 00:08:16,960 --> 00:08:19,800 Speaker 1: done the running backs, would you take we haven't done 167 00:08:19,840 --> 00:08:23,520 Speaker 1: that trick. It amazed me when I did the season 168 00:08:23,840 --> 00:08:27,920 Speaker 1: series history. He seems haven't played played very much. They've 169 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:29,720 Speaker 1: been around a long time, they have played very much. 170 00:08:29,800 --> 00:08:33,920 Speaker 1: This will only be Ben Roethlisberger's second, second, yes, second 171 00:08:33,960 --> 00:08:37,880 Speaker 1: trip to Minnesota because if you remember when they played 172 00:08:37,880 --> 00:08:40,760 Speaker 1: in two thousand thirteen, even though the Vikings were the 173 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:45,720 Speaker 1: home team, it was in London. Okay, yeah, so he's 174 00:08:45,720 --> 00:08:50,199 Speaker 1: never been to this stadium. Um, yeah, uh So we'll 175 00:08:50,200 --> 00:08:53,160 Speaker 1: start at the wide receiver position. Obviously, feeling is out. 176 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:58,119 Speaker 1: That leaves Justin Jefferson, K j Osborne, dj D D Westbrook, 177 00:08:58,679 --> 00:09:03,960 Speaker 1: uh Emir Mark Smith Marsette and Dan Chrissenna. Smith mars 178 00:09:04,000 --> 00:09:06,559 Speaker 1: said somebody I kind of have hoped for. I liked 179 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:10,400 Speaker 1: him coming out of the draft. Big, fast, guy, tough. Um, 180 00:09:10,520 --> 00:09:14,920 Speaker 1: Jefferson's a total superstar if theeland were healthy. I give 181 00:09:14,920 --> 00:09:16,640 Speaker 1: the nod to the Vike Yeah. I mean they're they're 182 00:09:16,640 --> 00:09:18,560 Speaker 1: one of the best starting duos in me. Yeah, and 183 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:20,560 Speaker 1: I've said this a lot this week, and you know, 184 00:09:20,600 --> 00:09:24,120 Speaker 1: I host that Dynasty podcast justin Jefferson is the number 185 00:09:24,160 --> 00:09:28,240 Speaker 1: one Dynasty wide receiver, you know. And frankly, if I 186 00:09:28,280 --> 00:09:30,800 Speaker 1: was building a team right now around around one receiver, 187 00:09:31,440 --> 00:09:33,960 Speaker 1: I'd take him over a J. Brown. There two guys 188 00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:36,840 Speaker 1: in the league right now averaging a hundred yards receiving. 189 00:09:37,480 --> 00:09:42,560 Speaker 1: Cooper Cup has one, Jefferson's two. Yeah. Is that enough 190 00:09:42,600 --> 00:09:46,280 Speaker 1: to give them the edge of wide receiver? Because don't 191 00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:48,959 Speaker 1: say Johnson is a star. He's a star, right, I mean, 192 00:09:48,960 --> 00:09:51,400 Speaker 1: he's a wide receiver one, and there's might in the 193 00:09:51,400 --> 00:09:57,160 Speaker 1: world he might be the most under rated star receiver 194 00:09:57,240 --> 00:09:59,640 Speaker 1: in the league. How many touchdowns is does Johnson have? 195 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:06,439 Speaker 1: He's up to fish six and Jefferson has seven. Yeah, right, 196 00:10:06,480 --> 00:10:10,400 Speaker 1: I mean I'm just wondering why is he underrated? You know, 197 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:14,200 Speaker 1: because I was thinking through fantasy lens that he hasn't 198 00:10:14,240 --> 00:10:17,280 Speaker 1: he needs. He needs eight five yards I think this 199 00:10:17,320 --> 00:10:19,400 Speaker 1: week to go over a thousand for the year. He's 200 00:10:19,400 --> 00:10:21,760 Speaker 1: never been over a thousand yards. He's never had a 201 00:10:21,800 --> 00:10:23,719 Speaker 1: hundred catches. So I think some of that, some of 202 00:10:23,760 --> 00:10:26,400 Speaker 1: the milestone stuff. Yeah, you know, he also was the 203 00:10:26,440 --> 00:10:29,160 Speaker 1: first thing sometimes it takes a little while till people 204 00:10:29,200 --> 00:10:32,720 Speaker 1: realize how good. You know, Terry McLaurin was second in 205 00:10:32,760 --> 00:10:35,800 Speaker 1: the league and targets per game. He's as consistent as 206 00:10:35,800 --> 00:10:38,600 Speaker 1: any target monster in the league. He's like you just 207 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:40,680 Speaker 1: pencil it in. Yeah, I don't know that he's on 208 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:43,839 Speaker 1: Jefferson's tier, but he's definitely the one behind him, you know, 209 00:10:43,880 --> 00:10:45,360 Speaker 1: I mean he's on the next tier there. I mean, 210 00:10:45,440 --> 00:10:48,360 Speaker 1: Jefferson might be all by himself on that tier, right exactly. 211 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:50,240 Speaker 1: I mean that's a high praise. But the rest of 212 00:10:50,280 --> 00:10:53,240 Speaker 1: their receivers, they're not as good as Claypool and the rest. Yeah, 213 00:10:53,280 --> 00:10:56,000 Speaker 1: you know, I mean he's been for that point. Johnson 214 00:10:56,040 --> 00:10:58,440 Speaker 1: is better than the oh yeah, yeah, yeah, I mean 215 00:10:58,520 --> 00:11:00,520 Speaker 1: we were ranked. I don't know who's better at feeling 216 00:11:00,559 --> 00:11:02,360 Speaker 1: at Claypool at this stage of their career. That would 217 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:08,480 Speaker 1: be that would be so different. Yah. Um, let's look 218 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:13,000 Speaker 1: at the offensive lines. Okay, So Derris saws out last 219 00:11:13,000 --> 00:11:15,160 Speaker 1: week they moved has been hurt their great a lot. Yeah, 220 00:11:15,559 --> 00:11:18,199 Speaker 1: last week they bumped was it Mason cole over to 221 00:11:18,480 --> 00:11:20,840 Speaker 1: I'm not sure it was a guard who really had 222 00:11:20,880 --> 00:11:22,880 Speaker 1: a tough time and I didn't recognize I thought it 223 00:11:22,920 --> 00:11:24,920 Speaker 1: was Mason Cole that they bumped you might be right 224 00:11:24,960 --> 00:11:30,600 Speaker 1: to left tackle. Um, not good, It's really bad. It 225 00:11:30,640 --> 00:11:35,080 Speaker 1: was against Harris the Dolphin's former first round pick, who 226 00:11:35,320 --> 00:11:37,480 Speaker 1: really washed out there and he's been okay for lines. 227 00:11:37,559 --> 00:11:38,839 Speaker 1: We had two sacks and it could have been a 228 00:11:38,920 --> 00:11:42,160 Speaker 1: lot worse. Yeah. I mean, frankly, i'd rather high Smit 229 00:11:42,240 --> 00:11:45,000 Speaker 1: is better than Harris. Yeah you know, yeah, yeah. You 230 00:11:45,080 --> 00:11:49,400 Speaker 1: got Ezra Cleveland at left guard, UM, Garrett Bradbury at center, 231 00:11:50,080 --> 00:11:54,280 Speaker 1: UM only udo he's played a ton of snaps this year, 232 00:11:54,920 --> 00:11:57,679 Speaker 1: kind of by default. I mean the particularly well, why 233 00:11:57,800 --> 00:12:00,120 Speaker 1: Davis is on the bench they drafted him to he's 234 00:12:00,160 --> 00:12:04,840 Speaker 1: not ready yet. And then Brian O'Neill right tackle. He's there, Yeah, 235 00:12:05,040 --> 00:12:06,520 Speaker 1: and there saw looked like he was going in that 236 00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:10,080 Speaker 1: direction to um. Theissaw can kind of fit any scheme. 237 00:12:10,480 --> 00:12:13,560 Speaker 1: But these guys are mobile, like Ezra Cleveland ran a 238 00:12:13,720 --> 00:12:16,199 Speaker 1: four eight and O'Neil is a former tight end that 239 00:12:16,320 --> 00:12:18,120 Speaker 1: ran a four eight or four nine or whatever. Like. 240 00:12:18,160 --> 00:12:21,800 Speaker 1: These guys aren't massive people. Movers. Fit's what they want 241 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:23,200 Speaker 1: to do. They want to get out of the edge, 242 00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:25,600 Speaker 1: and the center is the same way. Former first round 243 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:29,960 Speaker 1: pick who can run in his athletic but without there, Saw, 244 00:12:31,160 --> 00:12:33,160 Speaker 1: I don't like which the which side I'm taking here? 245 00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:35,839 Speaker 1: I mean we're also talking about the glue as the 246 00:12:35,920 --> 00:12:39,320 Speaker 1: left guard. Then it's true, you know right, I think 247 00:12:39,400 --> 00:12:42,960 Speaker 1: I go bikes. Let me look at the football outsiders, 248 00:12:43,000 --> 00:12:44,840 Speaker 1: D D O A stuff you're real quick and see 249 00:12:44,840 --> 00:12:46,760 Speaker 1: what where what they had where it will pop up? 250 00:12:46,840 --> 00:12:49,640 Speaker 1: Is they're terrible in short yardage? Yeah, yeah, they can't 251 00:12:49,840 --> 00:12:52,600 Speaker 1: every time they try to. That's not their style. They 252 00:12:52,600 --> 00:12:54,040 Speaker 1: can't pound it in from the one of them. They 253 00:12:54,080 --> 00:12:57,400 Speaker 1: have seven rushing touchdowns some season with two pretty good backs, 254 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:01,040 Speaker 1: like they can't. Oh yeah, they they're not people movers 255 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:05,000 Speaker 1: or short yardage type guys. The Vikings offensive line ranks 256 00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:10,320 Speaker 1: twenty six in the league over all. The Steelers are 257 00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:15,320 Speaker 1: twenty eight. But Derris Saw his loss is bigger than 258 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:18,079 Speaker 1: you know, the left guard situation. To me, I mean, 259 00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:21,160 Speaker 1: it's it's I'm still gonna go bikes. It's close, it's 260 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:25,040 Speaker 1: not it's not a it's not a neither one stellar 261 00:13:25,120 --> 00:13:28,040 Speaker 1: At the moment. The Steelers line certainly played better than 262 00:13:28,080 --> 00:13:31,360 Speaker 1: their line did last week, though yes didn't allow sack 263 00:13:31,440 --> 00:13:33,360 Speaker 1: last week, their line played very very well against it 264 00:13:33,400 --> 00:13:35,600 Speaker 1: against a Ravens team that just stares blitches at you 265 00:13:35,679 --> 00:13:39,920 Speaker 1: left and right right right, Uh, tight end, it's Tyler Conklin, 266 00:13:40,040 --> 00:13:44,599 Speaker 1: Chris Herndon, Lukes Stoker. Yeah, it's okay. I mean, I 267 00:13:44,840 --> 00:13:46,920 Speaker 1: Smith's their starter. Who's out of sight our mind? You 268 00:13:46,920 --> 00:13:50,120 Speaker 1: get hurting preseason. I'll take Firemouth over all those guys. 269 00:13:50,440 --> 00:13:53,840 Speaker 1: I guess we can't count ebraun So it's close. But 270 00:13:54,320 --> 00:13:57,480 Speaker 1: the Steelers top heavy guy I think is clearly better 271 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:00,920 Speaker 1: than Conklin. Yeah. Um, a quarter back, it's Kirk Cousins, 272 00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:05,560 Speaker 1: Kellen Monde, Sean Mannion. I'm going bikes there. Yeah, Cousins 273 00:14:05,600 --> 00:14:07,839 Speaker 1: having his best year probably, I don't love them's been good, 274 00:14:08,120 --> 00:14:13,320 Speaker 1: but there's things that you know, he's he's all. He's 275 00:14:13,360 --> 00:14:16,079 Speaker 1: just good enough to get you beat. He pretty much is. Yeah. 276 00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:18,240 Speaker 1: I mean, he's definitely a top twenty guy, but it 277 00:14:18,280 --> 00:14:21,080 Speaker 1: will never be a top ten, you know. I mean, 278 00:14:20,840 --> 00:14:23,000 Speaker 1: if if this is a one score game in the 279 00:14:23,040 --> 00:14:26,320 Speaker 1: fourth quarter, um, and you have live betting available, you 280 00:14:26,440 --> 00:14:29,960 Speaker 1: go ahead and bet the Steelers. Yeah, I mean, and 281 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:35,280 Speaker 1: there's something to his prime time games, his spotlight. They're 282 00:14:35,320 --> 00:14:38,440 Speaker 1: all really really bad, you know, right, he's like two 283 00:14:38,480 --> 00:14:41,200 Speaker 1: and twenty or something like that, and it's remarkably bad. 284 00:14:41,440 --> 00:14:44,960 Speaker 1: Like he's so you've you've heard the whole. Do you 285 00:14:45,040 --> 00:14:47,200 Speaker 1: like that? I mean he's super high strung. I don't 286 00:14:47,200 --> 00:14:49,080 Speaker 1: know if he gets himself so worked up for those 287 00:14:49,120 --> 00:14:53,280 Speaker 1: games or what. But it's it's odd running back. They 288 00:14:53,280 --> 00:14:55,200 Speaker 1: have Dalvin well, they don't. I don't think they'll have 289 00:14:55,280 --> 00:14:58,080 Speaker 1: Dalvin Cook, but they're not counting. I don't. I'm not believed. 290 00:14:58,120 --> 00:15:01,440 Speaker 1: I don't think he plays Alexander Mattis in Canay. We'll 291 00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:04,720 Speaker 1: go to um. He's an interesting rookie. You know, he's fast, 292 00:15:04,760 --> 00:15:07,960 Speaker 1: he's good on special teams, tested well, but Harris Trump's 293 00:15:08,000 --> 00:15:09,960 Speaker 1: all those guys. Yeah, I mean I'd love to have 294 00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:13,480 Speaker 1: Madison or even the long you know, behind Madison could 295 00:15:13,480 --> 00:15:14,880 Speaker 1: start for a lot of teams in the league, I 296 00:15:14,880 --> 00:15:18,560 Speaker 1: would say, or something like that, right, I think so? Yeah? 297 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:21,280 Speaker 1: And then C J. Hamm at fullback. He also have 298 00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:23,240 Speaker 1: to include him and that you do. And they love him. 299 00:15:23,400 --> 00:15:25,080 Speaker 1: They play him a lot. He's not just a throw 300 00:15:25,080 --> 00:15:26,960 Speaker 1: and he plays a lot more than what does. Yeah, 301 00:15:27,120 --> 00:15:30,760 Speaker 1: so that's their offense. Uh. On defense, they play a 302 00:15:30,840 --> 00:15:34,960 Speaker 1: four three like Zimmer's for three double high safeties and 303 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:38,200 Speaker 1: all that good stuff. Uh, so as DJ want him 304 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:41,840 Speaker 1: at left defensive end, Michael Pierce at nose tackle. Uh, 305 00:15:42,240 --> 00:15:44,360 Speaker 1: we think Pierce is playing. I think he had jink 306 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:47,960 Speaker 1: he's back. I think he's back, Dalvin Tomlinson a defensive tackle, 307 00:15:48,400 --> 00:15:52,840 Speaker 1: and then Tayshawn Bauer at right defensive end. You you 308 00:15:52,920 --> 00:15:56,560 Speaker 1: bring Sheldon Richardson, count our Mom Watts off the bench, 309 00:15:56,680 --> 00:16:02,960 Speaker 1: and that's I mean, they want big nose tackle types 310 00:16:03,160 --> 00:16:05,120 Speaker 1: and that's what they have two of them there because 311 00:16:05,160 --> 00:16:11,120 Speaker 1: they often want just two linebackers on the field. Barn Kendricks, Um, Tomlinson, Pierce. 312 00:16:11,280 --> 00:16:14,040 Speaker 1: Those guys are all three twenty plus and space and 313 00:16:14,040 --> 00:16:16,240 Speaker 1: they get they get pressure from their edge guys. But 314 00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:21,080 Speaker 1: right it's just not happening. And even like Richardson is 315 00:16:21,160 --> 00:16:23,960 Speaker 1: kind of the true three technique, you know, former first 316 00:16:24,040 --> 00:16:26,320 Speaker 1: round pick type guy, they've been lining him up outside 317 00:16:26,360 --> 00:16:28,320 Speaker 1: because they don't have ends, and I mean it's it's 318 00:16:28,360 --> 00:16:32,360 Speaker 1: pretty bad. It's really bad. Yeah. Um Edge of the Steelers, 319 00:16:32,920 --> 00:16:37,720 Speaker 1: Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah. Uh linebacker you're looking at Um 320 00:16:37,920 --> 00:16:44,840 Speaker 1: Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks and Nick Vigil. You'll see two 321 00:16:44,880 --> 00:16:47,400 Speaker 1: linebackers on the field high high percentage of the time 322 00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:50,760 Speaker 1: and they're good too, and they're really good, two of 323 00:16:50,800 --> 00:16:53,240 Speaker 1: the better. That's one of the better duos in the league. 324 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:56,440 Speaker 1: And we talked about Deonte being underrated. Kendricks to me 325 00:16:56,520 --> 00:16:58,120 Speaker 1: is one of the most underrated players in the last 326 00:16:58,120 --> 00:17:01,160 Speaker 1: ten years. I mean, he's a top five linebacker in 327 00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:03,720 Speaker 1: my opinion, but he's not far off Warner and Leonard 328 00:17:03,720 --> 00:17:05,920 Speaker 1: and those type of guys. UM big edge of the 329 00:17:06,119 --> 00:17:08,479 Speaker 1: likes and I'm assuming those guys are healthy. If not, 330 00:17:08,600 --> 00:17:10,639 Speaker 1: then no, but you know if they're playing with all 331 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:12,840 Speaker 1: back curious so that they're I mean they allow they're 332 00:17:12,840 --> 00:17:15,160 Speaker 1: actually giving up more rushing yards per game than the Steelers, 333 00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:20,200 Speaker 1: right right, those guys are good. Richardson is a guy 334 00:17:20,280 --> 00:17:22,880 Speaker 1: Michael pierces and I know they's invested in their front 335 00:17:22,920 --> 00:17:25,000 Speaker 1: seven heavily. They've been missing some of these guys have 336 00:17:25,080 --> 00:17:27,040 Speaker 1: been inno of the lineup. It's not this has been 337 00:17:27,040 --> 00:17:29,000 Speaker 1: a season long thing. Oh they went out and got 338 00:17:29,040 --> 00:17:32,880 Speaker 1: Pierce and um Hunters making big money. I know he's 339 00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:35,520 Speaker 1: not in and both linebackers are making good money. And 340 00:17:35,640 --> 00:17:37,719 Speaker 1: Richardson is not a cheap guy, you know, Like they 341 00:17:37,760 --> 00:17:41,600 Speaker 1: have invested in their front not getting much out of it. No, 342 00:17:42,119 --> 00:17:44,760 Speaker 1: at cornerback. You got Patrick Peterson on the left side, 343 00:17:44,840 --> 00:17:47,760 Speaker 1: You've got Brashod Brelan on the right. They got Cameron 344 00:17:47,840 --> 00:17:51,280 Speaker 1: Danceler there, McKenzie, Alexander, they got names. They got four. 345 00:17:51,320 --> 00:17:54,840 Speaker 1: Those four have been playing almost equal all year, and 346 00:17:54,880 --> 00:17:57,520 Speaker 1: some of that's due to injury, but mostly it's because 347 00:17:57,560 --> 00:18:01,040 Speaker 1: none of them are once. They're all just threes. Basically, 348 00:18:01,040 --> 00:18:03,240 Speaker 1: if they at twenty one touchdown passes this year, I 349 00:18:03,320 --> 00:18:06,679 Speaker 1: was like third most in the league. But no, Hayden, 350 00:18:07,280 --> 00:18:10,600 Speaker 1: who gets you nod? I think I have to give 351 00:18:10,640 --> 00:18:13,080 Speaker 1: it to the Vikes. I mean I'd take Sutton over 352 00:18:13,119 --> 00:18:16,280 Speaker 1: all those guys. Their corners are secondary. It is well 353 00:18:16,560 --> 00:18:22,720 Speaker 1: with with safety to Smithy. Yeah, they have obvious holes 354 00:18:22,800 --> 00:18:25,600 Speaker 1: and corners. Definitely. This is five years ago or even 355 00:18:25,640 --> 00:18:28,600 Speaker 1: three years ago. Oh yeah, yeah yeah, But I can't 356 00:18:28,640 --> 00:18:31,040 Speaker 1: give them the advantage. Sutton, it would have been better 357 00:18:31,040 --> 00:18:34,440 Speaker 1: than all their guys. But I don't know about the 358 00:18:34,440 --> 00:18:36,600 Speaker 1: rest of the Steelers. I mean, if we have to 359 00:18:36,600 --> 00:18:38,880 Speaker 1: give the nod one, I think I think that they're 360 00:18:38,880 --> 00:18:43,200 Speaker 1: gonna be playing. Had had the Vikings made the trade 361 00:18:43,720 --> 00:18:48,080 Speaker 1: with Seattle, um, he's probably starting right now for them. 362 00:18:48,840 --> 00:18:52,080 Speaker 1: Becaus have been bad. Oh yeah, there. Their first round 363 00:18:52,119 --> 00:18:53,600 Speaker 1: pick might be a corner, you know, like them. They 364 00:18:53,640 --> 00:18:58,960 Speaker 1: need corners. Patrick Peterson's done and expensively. Shan Brelan wasn't 365 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:02,679 Speaker 1: good when they signed him, right, I mean yeah, I mean, 366 00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:04,640 Speaker 1: I'll give it to you. I mean they but these 367 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:07,200 Speaker 1: Steelers have a lot of questions right now that that 368 00:19:08,359 --> 00:19:11,200 Speaker 1: you know, cover two of good corners are gonna you know, 369 00:19:11,240 --> 00:19:13,720 Speaker 1: you're gonna get the holes and Roethlisberger is gonna pick 370 00:19:13,720 --> 00:19:16,280 Speaker 1: that apart. I think so too. I mean, all those 371 00:19:16,280 --> 00:19:19,080 Speaker 1: corners you'd go after. None of them are shy away 372 00:19:19,080 --> 00:19:21,720 Speaker 1: guys at all, you know, at all, they're all kind 373 00:19:21,720 --> 00:19:25,480 Speaker 1: of like Anthony ever at last week that he would 374 00:19:25,480 --> 00:19:27,840 Speaker 1: play for them to you know, the blinking like de says, 375 00:19:27,880 --> 00:19:31,520 Speaker 1: throw it me on um quick Vikings note. I know 376 00:19:31,520 --> 00:19:34,760 Speaker 1: we'll talk safeties here in a second. This team has 377 00:19:35,080 --> 00:19:38,520 Speaker 1: made like I think it's like twenty three draft picks 378 00:19:38,560 --> 00:19:40,239 Speaker 1: in the last two drafts. One of them, they had 379 00:19:40,280 --> 00:19:42,639 Speaker 1: thirteen picks, Like you would think they would be deeper. 380 00:19:42,720 --> 00:19:44,440 Speaker 1: I know a lot of those are seventh round picks 381 00:19:44,440 --> 00:19:47,600 Speaker 1: and things, but they're not very deep. And then they've 382 00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:49,960 Speaker 1: made more picks than anyone in the last two years 383 00:19:49,960 --> 00:19:53,280 Speaker 1: by Bar Yeah right. Uh, then you're looking at the 384 00:19:53,320 --> 00:19:58,560 Speaker 1: safety Harrison Smith. Um, I don't know that he's a sight. 385 00:19:58,600 --> 00:20:00,639 Speaker 1: When he used to be one of those guys it 386 00:20:00,760 --> 00:20:02,959 Speaker 1: was I'm not gonna say he was. He was an 387 00:20:03,000 --> 00:20:06,040 Speaker 1: underrated star because a little bit you knew who he was. 388 00:20:06,840 --> 00:20:09,760 Speaker 1: If he played in Dallas or something, you know, like 389 00:20:09,920 --> 00:20:12,040 Speaker 1: Green Bay, you'd heard more about him. But he was 390 00:20:12,080 --> 00:20:14,640 Speaker 1: a star at one point. And then Xavier Woods, who 391 00:20:14,640 --> 00:20:18,400 Speaker 1: they got from Dallas. Um, I'll still take Maka over 392 00:20:18,880 --> 00:20:22,080 Speaker 1: Harrison Smith. But I think Harrison Smith could be on 393 00:20:22,119 --> 00:20:25,840 Speaker 1: the All Decade team. You know, like he's he's gonna 394 00:20:25,840 --> 00:20:27,560 Speaker 1: come up for a Hall of Fame consideration. But if 395 00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:30,000 Speaker 1: you're ranking, if you're ranking, those guys won be four, 396 00:20:30,119 --> 00:20:35,159 Speaker 1: it's you Minca Smith Edmunds. Yeah yeah, so that's you 397 00:20:35,240 --> 00:20:39,360 Speaker 1: beat him twice. Yeah, So, I mean it's the bate 398 00:20:39,520 --> 00:20:41,640 Speaker 1: wasn't a landslide, not a land slide. I mean, it's 399 00:20:41,720 --> 00:20:45,399 Speaker 1: their talented football team, but they found ways to lose 400 00:20:46,240 --> 00:20:50,399 Speaker 1: time and again, repeatedly and in every week way shaping 401 00:20:50,440 --> 00:20:53,920 Speaker 1: for as much as winning games like those close games 402 00:20:53,920 --> 00:21:00,560 Speaker 1: as a skill, losing them consistently, I mean considered the 403 00:21:00,640 --> 00:21:03,720 Speaker 1: last two Steeler opponents, Like, if it's a three point 404 00:21:03,760 --> 00:21:06,639 Speaker 1: game or a one point game, do you trust Lamar 405 00:21:06,880 --> 00:21:10,159 Speaker 1: or do you trust Cousins? You know, you trust Zimmer. 406 00:21:10,160 --> 00:21:11,760 Speaker 1: And I'm not even saying Zimmer is a bad coach, 407 00:21:11,800 --> 00:21:13,800 Speaker 1: but he's the middle of the road coach, you know 408 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:18,720 Speaker 1: what I mean? Yeah? You so they're in trouble at all? 409 00:21:20,040 --> 00:21:21,680 Speaker 1: What's that? Do you think he's on the hot seat 410 00:21:21,680 --> 00:21:24,199 Speaker 1: at all? Yes? I think so too. Yeah, it's just 411 00:21:24,280 --> 00:21:26,520 Speaker 1: it's been a long time. They're spending money. I think 412 00:21:26,560 --> 00:21:28,520 Speaker 1: they expected to compete this year, and in fact, I 413 00:21:28,600 --> 00:21:31,640 Speaker 1: know they expected to expect to compete. Right's you think 414 00:21:31,720 --> 00:21:36,359 Speaker 1: Cousins could not be back? Depends on if they clean 415 00:21:36,440 --> 00:21:38,800 Speaker 1: house and get rid of the GM as well. I mean, 416 00:21:38,920 --> 00:21:40,720 Speaker 1: I don't know if you can hand it. They gave 417 00:21:40,800 --> 00:21:43,919 Speaker 1: him more money, I know, right right, Like it's fully guaranteed. 418 00:21:43,960 --> 00:21:45,840 Speaker 1: It's it's tough to move on from him. But him 419 00:21:45,840 --> 00:21:47,320 Speaker 1: and Zimmer are kind of the same to me, Like 420 00:21:47,960 --> 00:21:49,400 Speaker 1: they're gonna get you at eight and eight and nine 421 00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:51,680 Speaker 1: seven or you know, the rest of the roster better 422 00:21:51,760 --> 00:21:54,359 Speaker 1: be really good, right, Like, can they get me to 423 00:21:54,400 --> 00:21:58,280 Speaker 1: the Promised Land? Probably not? Probably not. Yeah, So anyway, 424 00:21:58,359 --> 00:22:00,199 Speaker 1: we're gonna take a break. He is Matt Williams. I 425 00:22:00,200 --> 00:22:02,280 Speaker 1: am Dale Lawley. You're listening to the Drive here on 426 00:22:02,359 --> 00:22:05,719 Speaker 1: Steelers Nation Radio. We come back, we'll be joined by 427 00:22:05,720 --> 00:22:09,440 Speaker 1: Bob Labriola, editor of Steelers Digest and Steelers dot Com. 428 00:22:09,440 --> 00:22:11,280 Speaker 1: Bob will come on chat a little bit about what 429 00:22:11,359 --> 00:22:14,040 Speaker 1: happened on Sunday against the Ravens, and we'll preview will 430 00:22:14,040 --> 00:22:17,359 Speaker 1: continue previewing this game against the Minnesota Vikings. We know 431 00:22:17,440 --> 00:22:20,080 Speaker 1: Bob is a guy who likes to live in his fears, 432 00:22:20,320 --> 00:22:22,399 Speaker 1: but he has plenty of them this week. We'll do 433 00:22:22,440 --> 00:22:24,320 Speaker 1: that when we return. Right after this on the Drive,