1 00:00:04,120 --> 00:00:07,440 Speaker 1: This is the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson 2 00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:12,959 Speaker 1: on Home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. 3 00:00:39,720 --> 00:00:45,840 Speaker 1: Welcome to The Drive, belief Stealer, Nation's most popular podcast. 4 00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:47,920 Speaker 1: I would hope, so, I would hope. So I'm Dale 5 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:50,720 Speaker 1: Lilli Hero by the Minute, Yeah, with Matt Williamson. When 6 00:00:50,800 --> 00:00:54,080 Speaker 1: people can hear it. Sometimes there's issues with that sometimes, 7 00:00:54,120 --> 00:00:57,640 Speaker 1: but hopefully you're all hearing us here. We are live today, uh, 8 00:00:57,760 --> 00:01:01,080 Speaker 1: in the s n R Studio, green re Hill. But 9 00:01:02,560 --> 00:01:05,120 Speaker 1: Camp starts this week. Yeah, it's right around the corner here. 10 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:07,319 Speaker 1: I'm pretty schecked up, you know. I mean, obviously Steelers 11 00:01:07,319 --> 00:01:10,560 Speaker 1: and Cowboys are first um Hall of Fame game Hall 12 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:12,880 Speaker 1: of Fame games soon. I mean to me, that's almost 13 00:01:12,880 --> 00:01:15,840 Speaker 1: more startling than Camp starting over two weeks. Yeah, I 14 00:01:15,840 --> 00:01:18,280 Speaker 1: mean it would be a game in pads hitting each other, 15 00:01:18,680 --> 00:01:20,360 Speaker 1: and you're not gonna see all the stars in that one, 16 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:22,720 Speaker 1: but there's tons of players I can't wait to watch. Yeah, 17 00:01:22,720 --> 00:01:24,119 Speaker 1: I mean, there's gonna be a lot of young guys 18 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:26,600 Speaker 1: playing in the in those games. I would imagine you're 19 00:01:26,600 --> 00:01:28,480 Speaker 1: gonna get to see a lot of Dayne Haskins and 20 00:01:28,880 --> 00:01:31,360 Speaker 1: absolutely the quarterbacks are gonna be fun this preseason. I 21 00:01:31,360 --> 00:01:34,280 Speaker 1: mean even Dabbs, you know. And it's not like there's 22 00:01:34,319 --> 00:01:36,640 Speaker 1: not a throwaway guy there isn't. Yeah, I mean they're 23 00:01:36,640 --> 00:01:39,480 Speaker 1: they're all guys with the NFL experience, which won't be 24 00:01:39,520 --> 00:01:42,200 Speaker 1: the case in a lot of camps around No, you know, 25 00:01:42,640 --> 00:01:44,240 Speaker 1: we went we went over that a few weeks ago, 26 00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:46,640 Speaker 1: that some of the backup quarterback situations in the league. 27 00:01:47,240 --> 00:01:48,920 Speaker 1: And it's not there's some teams that would kill for 28 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:51,400 Speaker 1: some guys with some NFL experience obviously, but no, I 29 00:01:51,400 --> 00:01:55,200 Speaker 1: think all four guys should be able to look capable, 30 00:01:55,320 --> 00:01:57,240 Speaker 1: you know. I mean, they're not gonna have great supporting 31 00:01:57,280 --> 00:02:00,400 Speaker 1: casts every snap of the preseason, but they should know 32 00:02:00,400 --> 00:02:02,880 Speaker 1: where to go with the football, and they have traits 33 00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:04,480 Speaker 1: and you know, I think they'll be fun to watch. 34 00:02:04,480 --> 00:02:06,200 Speaker 1: Would be one of the best things about the preseason. Yeah, 35 00:02:06,200 --> 00:02:09,200 Speaker 1: it should be interesting. Certainly, a lot of good camp 36 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:13,040 Speaker 1: battles to uh that we'll talk about maybe Wednesday show 37 00:02:13,040 --> 00:02:17,440 Speaker 1: will do at yea. But as we get closer to this, 38 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:21,840 Speaker 1: the Steelers today, according to a multiple reports, hosting Melvin 39 00:02:21,960 --> 00:02:25,480 Speaker 1: Ingram kicking kicking the tires on him. He's a guy 40 00:02:25,560 --> 00:02:28,000 Speaker 1: coming off of a major knee injury last year that 41 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:30,799 Speaker 1: that put him on I R twice. Um, didn't have 42 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:34,160 Speaker 1: a sack in seven games, had ten tackles in seven games. Yeah, 43 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 1: very good career. Yeah. Um, he has visited other teams, 44 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:42,440 Speaker 1: which makes you wonder about medical as well as what 45 00:02:42,600 --> 00:02:44,480 Speaker 1: is he asking contract wise. I mean you and I 46 00:02:44,480 --> 00:02:46,640 Speaker 1: were talking off the air and you mentioned he was 47 00:02:46,639 --> 00:02:49,280 Speaker 1: making fourteen million last and a fourteen million dollar based 48 00:02:49,280 --> 00:02:51,799 Speaker 1: salary last year and held out because he wanted more. 49 00:02:52,160 --> 00:02:54,080 Speaker 1: That was just one year ago, yea, and he had 50 00:02:54,440 --> 00:02:57,600 Speaker 1: a rough year. Um. I think he's still a very 51 00:02:57,600 --> 00:03:01,240 Speaker 1: good player and would be very useful in a rotation. 52 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:03,880 Speaker 1: I don't think you would, you know, plug him in 53 00:03:03,919 --> 00:03:06,680 Speaker 1: as the starter every down guy on the right side. 54 00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:09,520 Speaker 1: I think it'd be more of a move him around 55 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:12,840 Speaker 1: a little bit. And that he has a history despite 56 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:16,040 Speaker 1: only being I don't know to fifty TI whatever he is, 57 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:20,680 Speaker 1: he's been productive from a defensive tackle alignment on throwing 58 00:03:20,720 --> 00:03:23,440 Speaker 1: downs too. And you know, the Steelers have some interior 59 00:03:23,480 --> 00:03:27,240 Speaker 1: guys that don't fisten from from Ian Rappaport, the Steelers 60 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:34,240 Speaker 1: are signing breaking news. Um. Yeah, I preferred him to Houston, 61 00:03:34,240 --> 00:03:36,560 Speaker 1: who they had also been ktting Justin Houston, who they 62 00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:38,920 Speaker 1: had also been rumored to be kicking the tires on 63 00:03:39,680 --> 00:03:43,360 Speaker 1: so as always saying, I mean he's a high, high 64 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:47,360 Speaker 1: quality third guy. I think he's a high quality too, 65 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:50,560 Speaker 1: which doesn't mean that you know, the young popp all 66 00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:52,120 Speaker 1: of a sudden is the three. I just think you 67 00:03:52,240 --> 00:03:55,600 Speaker 1: keep that a rotation going. And with all respect to TJ, 68 00:03:55,760 --> 00:03:58,200 Speaker 1: as much as he as great as he is, he 69 00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:00,560 Speaker 1: doesn't play every snap of every game, is not and 70 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:04,320 Speaker 1: that you know, I get it. It's a position that 71 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:11,320 Speaker 1: you you needed some Uh, you keep a strength of strength. Oh. 72 00:04:12,040 --> 00:04:13,760 Speaker 1: I mean they've led the league in sacks each of 73 00:04:13,760 --> 00:04:17,480 Speaker 1: the last four years. Uh, it's been. There's a good 74 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:19,680 Speaker 1: chance they're gonna lead in the league in sacks for 75 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:24,520 Speaker 1: a fifth straight years. And I think he'll play plenty 76 00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:28,800 Speaker 1: even without injuries. There's a lot of injury protection built 77 00:04:28,839 --> 00:04:31,200 Speaker 1: in there too. I mean, your edge guys were unproven 78 00:04:31,240 --> 00:04:34,400 Speaker 1: beside the top two. I don't think by any stretch 79 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:38,200 Speaker 1: this is a a knock on high Tower though, no, 80 00:04:38,240 --> 00:04:39,640 Speaker 1: I know, I don't take it that way. I don't 81 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:41,240 Speaker 1: think so. I think you're just looking at the big 82 00:04:41,279 --> 00:04:43,599 Speaker 1: picture here and saying, Okay, we gotta you gotta do 83 00:04:43,720 --> 00:04:47,240 Speaker 1: something here. I probably would have waited unless he had, 84 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:49,640 Speaker 1: you know, another offer on the table. It was that 85 00:04:49,760 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 1: was out there. Uh, just for the fact that what 86 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:55,440 Speaker 1: we talked about before that. Okay, you spend some of 87 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:56,640 Speaker 1: that money in him, and I don't know what the 88 00:04:56,880 --> 00:05:02,480 Speaker 1: contracts is just brokenestly, right, um, but you spent some 89 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 1: of what you had available. Now what happens if a 90 00:05:07,880 --> 00:05:10,800 Speaker 1: cornerback goes down, you need to go get a cornerback 91 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:13,640 Speaker 1: or Joe Hayden gets cut. You around the league too, 92 00:05:14,120 --> 00:05:16,400 Speaker 1: You mean you still have some flexibility though, Yeah, and 93 00:05:16,480 --> 00:05:18,160 Speaker 1: they could even restructure a guy if they had to. 94 00:05:18,279 --> 00:05:21,120 Speaker 1: But I'm sure they could do one to do um. 95 00:05:21,680 --> 00:05:23,719 Speaker 1: I assume it's a one year deal. I mean, I 96 00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:26,159 Speaker 1: guess it's a possibility that it's a two year deal, 97 00:05:26,279 --> 00:05:30,120 Speaker 1: but your doctors had to sign off on it. So 98 00:05:31,160 --> 00:05:33,599 Speaker 1: I'm sure he's over the knee injury and maybe that 99 00:05:33,640 --> 00:05:35,960 Speaker 1: was a sticking point of why he didn't sign earlier. 100 00:05:36,360 --> 00:05:41,039 Speaker 1: But in terms of usage, if he plays the snaps, 101 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:45,800 Speaker 1: you know, assuming everyone around him stays mostly healthy, including 102 00:05:45,880 --> 00:05:48,680 Speaker 1: some on the interior to and you hate to take 103 00:05:48,760 --> 00:05:51,200 Speaker 1: cam and to it off the field, but he can't 104 00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:53,520 Speaker 1: play him every snap either, you know, but I mean 105 00:05:53,560 --> 00:05:55,480 Speaker 1: on third and eight, he could go inside with high 106 00:05:55,480 --> 00:05:58,160 Speaker 1: tower and watt outside him, like a NASCAR type package. 107 00:05:58,200 --> 00:06:01,040 Speaker 1: So I like it. He's dropped into coverage at times. 108 00:06:01,080 --> 00:06:03,039 Speaker 1: You're not gonna do a lot of that. Not the 109 00:06:03,080 --> 00:06:05,440 Speaker 1: way that the Steelers asked their guy. You know, he's 110 00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:09,800 Speaker 1: more of a straight yeah, leverage type guy. He's not 111 00:06:09,880 --> 00:06:14,520 Speaker 1: super tall and long, but he's a really good leverage player. Um, 112 00:06:14,640 --> 00:06:18,839 Speaker 1: he's a fluid athlete, good combine guy. I mean, he's 113 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:22,520 Speaker 1: a great pedigree. I mean, and even healthy last year 114 00:06:22,640 --> 00:06:25,160 Speaker 1: he was a good football player. I mean, it's not 115 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:29,560 Speaker 1: a Jason oh way that they were paying sixty He 116 00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:34,280 Speaker 1: counted sixteen million dollars against the Charger's salary cap last year, right, 117 00:06:34,320 --> 00:06:36,479 Speaker 1: I mean, I mean he's a star. Yeah, and has 118 00:06:36,480 --> 00:06:38,400 Speaker 1: been to a couple of Pro Bowls. He's you know, 119 00:06:38,440 --> 00:06:41,599 Speaker 1: he's done some stuff in the league. So interesting signing. 120 00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:44,960 Speaker 1: I like it. You know, you just you wonder. You 121 00:06:45,040 --> 00:06:46,839 Speaker 1: gotta think that defensive front now is as good as 122 00:06:46,880 --> 00:06:49,240 Speaker 1: any of the league if it wasn't already. Yeah, and 123 00:06:49,279 --> 00:06:51,840 Speaker 1: again I think you're you're you're keeping a strength of 124 00:06:51,920 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 1: strength here. Does this change. I don't know how much 125 00:06:56,400 --> 00:06:59,719 Speaker 1: special teams will play, but but you have Highsmith available 126 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:02,120 Speaker 1: to Yeah, that was the question I had. Okay, you 127 00:07:02,160 --> 00:07:05,120 Speaker 1: want your backup linebackers be able to play special team, 128 00:07:05,240 --> 00:07:07,280 Speaker 1: right right? Well now do you say, Okay, well, we're 129 00:07:07,279 --> 00:07:10,680 Speaker 1: gonna Alex you're the starter in in quotations, and maybe 130 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:17,280 Speaker 1: you're gonna play the snaps. But yeah, because you're good 131 00:07:17,280 --> 00:07:19,200 Speaker 1: at it. Yeah, yeah, I guess that helps in that 132 00:07:19,240 --> 00:07:22,520 Speaker 1: regard to Yeah. So, um, I guess it's not the 133 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:24,760 Speaker 1: best news for marsh and those type of dudes. I mean, 134 00:07:24,760 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 1: there might be there's one less roster spot to fight for, 135 00:07:27,560 --> 00:07:30,720 Speaker 1: but that's fine. I mean some of those guys are 136 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:33,880 Speaker 1: also practice squad eligible. No, it makes a lot of 137 00:07:33,880 --> 00:07:36,040 Speaker 1: sense to me. I'm excited actually go back and watch 138 00:07:36,120 --> 00:07:38,560 Speaker 1: more of his tape from a year ago, because I 139 00:07:38,560 --> 00:07:41,080 Speaker 1: remember him being pretty darn good still. I mean, just 140 00:07:41,360 --> 00:07:43,640 Speaker 1: injuries have derailed him, and he's had injuries throughout his 141 00:07:43,680 --> 00:07:48,080 Speaker 1: career too. Yeah. Um, but I believe he's one sax short. 142 00:07:48,120 --> 00:07:50,240 Speaker 1: I'm calling up his stance. Are one sax short or 143 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:55,560 Speaker 1: fifty in his career? Um, it sounds about right. I mean, 144 00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:58,120 Speaker 1: he came in the league eight years ago, seven years ago, 145 00:07:58,160 --> 00:08:02,840 Speaker 1: something like that. Yeah. Yeah, uh, he came in. His 146 00:08:02,880 --> 00:08:05,480 Speaker 1: first season was two thousand twelve. Actually he was twice 147 00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:08,400 Speaker 1: so he's thirty played. He was thirty one last year's 148 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:10,800 Speaker 1: we'll be thirty two this year. Forty nine career sacks. 149 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:12,880 Speaker 1: She's had a couple of double digit sack He's had 150 00:08:12,880 --> 00:08:16,520 Speaker 1: some big years. Um. But from a two thousand fifteen 151 00:08:16,600 --> 00:08:19,960 Speaker 1: through two thousand nineteen, ten and a half, eight, ten 152 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:22,560 Speaker 1: and a half, seven and seven, there was at one 153 00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:25,760 Speaker 1: point where he and Bosa were considered the top duo 154 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:29,080 Speaker 1: in the league. And even before botha it wasn't like 155 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:31,880 Speaker 1: he became Robbin. Well he kind of, I mean, both 156 00:08:31,960 --> 00:08:34,800 Speaker 1: is a better player, so he became Robin when when 157 00:08:34,840 --> 00:08:38,000 Speaker 1: Bosa arrived as Batman as a top five pick. But 158 00:08:38,559 --> 00:08:41,160 Speaker 1: Ingram stood on his own well before that. I mean, 159 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 1: he was a star in the making. And then they 160 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:45,480 Speaker 1: got the you know, a stud on the other side, 161 00:08:45,960 --> 00:08:48,120 Speaker 1: and they were a lethal combination. I mean it was 162 00:08:48,280 --> 00:08:52,000 Speaker 1: a good group for sure. Yeah, so it's gonna be interesting. 163 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:53,800 Speaker 1: We'll see how, you know, how this works out, but 164 00:08:55,600 --> 00:08:58,520 Speaker 1: certainly alleviates one of the issues that you know, you 165 00:08:58,520 --> 00:09:00,120 Speaker 1: you looked at and said, Okay, who's the who the 166 00:09:00,200 --> 00:09:02,920 Speaker 1: number three or where's your outside linebacker depth? I mean, 167 00:09:02,960 --> 00:09:06,760 Speaker 1: heaven forbid, you know t J would get hurt, but 168 00:09:06,840 --> 00:09:09,320 Speaker 1: you could withstand it. Now now you've got a better chance. Yea, 169 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:12,760 Speaker 1: this is you know, this goes to you know, when 170 00:09:13,000 --> 00:09:16,120 Speaker 1: a lot of people say, well, the Steelers lost Bud Dupree. Uh, 171 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:17,640 Speaker 1: they're not gonna be as good this year because they 172 00:09:17,679 --> 00:09:19,760 Speaker 1: lost Bud Dupree. I'm not sure who's a better player 173 00:09:19,800 --> 00:09:23,640 Speaker 1: to pre r Ingram. It's questionable. I'd rather have but 174 00:09:23,800 --> 00:09:26,960 Speaker 1: I'd rather have Bud right now. But over the course 175 00:09:26,960 --> 00:09:29,400 Speaker 1: of age, but over the course of their careers and 176 00:09:29,400 --> 00:09:31,200 Speaker 1: what you're gonna you know, we'll see what they ask 177 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:35,240 Speaker 1: Ingram to do. Um. You know again, you're coming into play, Robin, 178 00:09:35,280 --> 00:09:38,240 Speaker 1: You're not coming into play Batman. Tennessee signed Bud dupre 179 00:09:38,320 --> 00:09:40,760 Speaker 1: To to be batman for big, big money. It's like 180 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:43,560 Speaker 1: bringing George Clooney in, you know, right, it's a totally 181 00:09:43,600 --> 00:09:46,240 Speaker 1: different world. I mean, you you wait and you get 182 00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:48,440 Speaker 1: the guy at your cost. I assume we have not 183 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:51,360 Speaker 1: seen the contract. Um, But again, no, I think this 184 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:53,640 Speaker 1: is a good move. And again you said to several 185 00:09:53,679 --> 00:09:56,480 Speaker 1: times keeping a strength of strength I think is really 186 00:09:56,520 --> 00:10:00,079 Speaker 1: important here and that if the pass rush were to 187 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:05,640 Speaker 1: take a noticeable step backwards this this season could go 188 00:10:05,679 --> 00:10:07,240 Speaker 1: hey wire a little bit. I mean, that's been the 189 00:10:07,280 --> 00:10:09,960 Speaker 1: constant and that's the thing that's you don't see that happening. 190 00:10:10,120 --> 00:10:14,280 Speaker 1: I didn't see it happening. Regardless, they still got they 191 00:10:14,320 --> 00:10:17,000 Speaker 1: still have quality pass rush front. Too many to to 192 00:10:17,040 --> 00:10:19,520 Speaker 1: afford to just to fall off. I mean, a bad 193 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:23,800 Speaker 1: season for them in the sack categories would have been 194 00:10:23,840 --> 00:10:28,040 Speaker 1: them finishing fifth in sacks unless catastrophic injury. Right, but 195 00:10:28,120 --> 00:10:30,480 Speaker 1: even Tyson and Loua lou Pack pushes the pocket a 196 00:10:30,480 --> 00:10:34,000 Speaker 1: little bit and they schemed things up. Yeah, and they're 197 00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:37,320 Speaker 1: not gonna stop blitzing, and so they're gonna get after quarterback. 198 00:10:37,400 --> 00:10:41,680 Speaker 1: The other thing that this does, um one of the 199 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:46,959 Speaker 1: reasons why they could, I think afford to maybe let 200 00:10:46,960 --> 00:10:51,040 Speaker 1: Steven Nelson go was the fact that they know they 201 00:10:51,040 --> 00:10:54,920 Speaker 1: have that pass rush you cover is long without question. 202 00:10:55,720 --> 00:10:57,720 Speaker 1: To kind of tease it, We're having Aaron shots on 203 00:10:57,840 --> 00:11:03,319 Speaker 1: from Football Siders uh here today and I don't know 204 00:11:03,360 --> 00:11:04,959 Speaker 1: if we'll get to it, but I definitely want to 205 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:08,840 Speaker 1: ask him his thoughts on the value of coverage diverse 206 00:11:08,920 --> 00:11:12,080 Speaker 1: pass rush because a lot of the analytics people believe 207 00:11:12,120 --> 00:11:15,599 Speaker 1: coverage is more important. I'm not convinced. I mean, I 208 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:19,120 Speaker 1: just think that there's great value and having great players 209 00:11:19,160 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 1: on the line of scrimmage that are several feet away 210 00:11:22,360 --> 00:11:25,120 Speaker 1: from the quarterback that impact the game is in the 211 00:11:25,200 --> 00:11:28,240 Speaker 1: run game as well. Um, And I think the Steelers 212 00:11:28,240 --> 00:11:31,360 Speaker 1: absolutely are in that corner, you know. I mean, like 213 00:11:31,480 --> 00:11:34,640 Speaker 1: they're not gonna let the front fall apart. And that's 214 00:11:34,679 --> 00:11:36,679 Speaker 1: for sure. I'm not gonna keep investing in and keep 215 00:11:36,679 --> 00:11:40,600 Speaker 1: investing in it. Yeah. So it's interesting that And we'll 216 00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:43,560 Speaker 1: have to ask Aaron about this. Uh, just curious what 217 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:46,160 Speaker 1: their thoughts are on it, you know. But now I 218 00:11:46,240 --> 00:11:48,240 Speaker 1: like to signing quite a bit, and I was kind 219 00:11:48,240 --> 00:11:53,600 Speaker 1: of hoping they would do it. Um, But we'll see. Yeah, 220 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:56,000 Speaker 1: so a little breaking news around. I'm a little I'm 221 00:11:56,000 --> 00:11:58,959 Speaker 1: actually kind of surprised that they you know a lot 222 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:01,400 Speaker 1: of times just when the steel there's due bringing a 223 00:12:01,520 --> 00:12:04,880 Speaker 1: veteran free agent, they will try to get him signed 224 00:12:05,200 --> 00:12:07,880 Speaker 1: that day. But we've seen some other guys come in. 225 00:12:08,040 --> 00:12:09,920 Speaker 1: Lee Cooker comes to mind. Yeah, there's been a few 226 00:12:12,360 --> 00:12:15,079 Speaker 1: medic You want to check out the medicals and and 227 00:12:15,160 --> 00:12:17,079 Speaker 1: you know, maybe something checks out, maybe it doesn't. You 228 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:19,120 Speaker 1: don't know. And for a guy like this in a 229 00:12:19,160 --> 00:12:23,160 Speaker 1: situation like guess, as you mentioned he held out last 230 00:12:23,240 --> 00:12:27,320 Speaker 1: year with a fourteen million dollar salary. The Chargers also 231 00:12:27,360 --> 00:12:29,520 Speaker 1: aren't the easiest team to deal with, you know, like 232 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:31,959 Speaker 1: both the held out as a rookie, and you know 233 00:12:32,559 --> 00:12:36,040 Speaker 1: they don't have the the greatest track record of doing 234 00:12:36,120 --> 00:12:39,880 Speaker 1: deals smoothly or like other teams. Yeah, not to you know, 235 00:12:40,160 --> 00:12:42,400 Speaker 1: everyone good for him and held out to get everything 236 00:12:42,440 --> 00:12:46,000 Speaker 1: you possibly can. Um, he's good versa run. He's not 237 00:12:46,559 --> 00:12:48,320 Speaker 1: probably gonna be asked to do a ton of that. 238 00:12:48,400 --> 00:12:50,520 Speaker 1: He obviously has a lot of experience set in the edge. 239 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:54,839 Speaker 1: And again he's a he's a stronger, shorter leverage player. Um, 240 00:12:55,559 --> 00:12:57,640 Speaker 1: he can drop into coverage. But he's here to rush 241 00:12:57,640 --> 00:12:59,520 Speaker 1: the passer. I mean, and I think he could do it, 242 00:12:59,559 --> 00:13:02,440 Speaker 1: probably left the right and on the interior, all up 243 00:13:02,440 --> 00:13:05,000 Speaker 1: and down the line. But you know that that's Um. 244 00:13:05,040 --> 00:13:07,360 Speaker 1: You know the thing that the Steelers also drafted Quincy 245 00:13:07,400 --> 00:13:10,439 Speaker 1: rochet Uh in the sixth round this year. Um, you 246 00:13:10,480 --> 00:13:13,600 Speaker 1: wonder what that means for him. Um, you're gonna keep 247 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:18,400 Speaker 1: four four, maybe five you know, I think, yeah, depending 248 00:13:18,440 --> 00:13:21,320 Speaker 1: on special teams. In the course, again, Ingram's not going 249 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:22,920 Speaker 1: to give you any special teams. You didn't get a 250 00:13:22,960 --> 00:13:25,960 Speaker 1: special teams. No, You've got a small special team's boost, yeah, 251 00:13:26,000 --> 00:13:29,240 Speaker 1: but not much. You know, marsh is gonna have to 252 00:13:29,240 --> 00:13:31,959 Speaker 1: make the team as specifically as a great special team 253 00:13:32,000 --> 00:13:35,080 Speaker 1: is gonna have to kind of been his. Yea, without question. 254 00:13:35,559 --> 00:13:37,120 Speaker 1: I mean, you know, it's better than I do. But 255 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:41,840 Speaker 1: I would say they probably keep four core special teamers 256 00:13:41,840 --> 00:13:44,880 Speaker 1: that have maybe five that are on every phase that 257 00:13:44,960 --> 00:13:47,080 Speaker 1: Danny Smith can count on that Hey, they're not gonna 258 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:49,839 Speaker 1: get cut in week six because we needed running back 259 00:13:49,960 --> 00:13:52,280 Speaker 1: or something like that. So Marshall have to be one 260 00:13:52,280 --> 00:13:54,400 Speaker 1: of those guys, I mean, and so he'll be fighting 261 00:13:55,240 --> 00:13:58,600 Speaker 1: fullbacks and backup receivers and linebackers and things like that 262 00:13:58,679 --> 00:14:03,360 Speaker 1: to be a core special Yeah. Um, you know it's 263 00:14:03,400 --> 00:14:05,640 Speaker 1: so it's it's an interesting move. We'll see how this 264 00:14:05,679 --> 00:14:07,439 Speaker 1: works out. We'll see what the money comes in at. 265 00:14:08,280 --> 00:14:12,320 Speaker 1: But the Steelers had thirteen million dollars um going into 266 00:14:12,920 --> 00:14:16,720 Speaker 1: this signing quitting the spot track, so um, they had 267 00:14:16,720 --> 00:14:19,080 Speaker 1: a little cash to play with. It makes me, it 268 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:22,680 Speaker 1: does make me. I don't want to say concerned. Here's 269 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:25,960 Speaker 1: the thing, Kevin Colbert always likes to go into a 270 00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:30,600 Speaker 1: season with enough money available to have to be able 271 00:14:30,640 --> 00:14:32,600 Speaker 1: to make ten moves over the course of a season. 272 00:14:33,480 --> 00:14:36,080 Speaker 1: That's what their analytics tell them, that the average season, 273 00:14:36,080 --> 00:14:38,560 Speaker 1: you're gonna make ten roster moves, some smaller than others, 274 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:43,080 Speaker 1: something bigger, you know. So the thing is that the 275 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:45,880 Speaker 1: average salaries have gone up because of the new cb A. 276 00:14:47,080 --> 00:14:50,080 Speaker 1: So it used to be, you know, he wanted to 277 00:14:50,080 --> 00:14:52,320 Speaker 1: go into a into an off season a few years ago, 278 00:14:52,360 --> 00:14:55,160 Speaker 1: it was three million dollars, and then then it jumped 279 00:14:55,200 --> 00:14:57,840 Speaker 1: up to five million dollars because you know, the salaries 280 00:14:57,840 --> 00:14:59,520 Speaker 1: are more well now, you probably want to go into 281 00:14:59,680 --> 00:15:03,240 Speaker 1: the the season with six million dollars makes sense. And 282 00:15:03,240 --> 00:15:06,200 Speaker 1: it's also an extra game one more week that you 283 00:15:06,280 --> 00:15:09,240 Speaker 1: need to make a move. So yeah, I mean, they're 284 00:15:09,280 --> 00:15:12,560 Speaker 1: they're fortunate they have it. I'm curious again, I assume 285 00:15:12,640 --> 00:15:14,440 Speaker 1: it's gonna be a one year deal, but if it's 286 00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:18,080 Speaker 1: a two year deal, it certainly takes you outside linebacker 287 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:21,600 Speaker 1: out of the equation for offseason needs. Um, I was 288 00:15:21,640 --> 00:15:25,320 Speaker 1: just doing a little snooping around and you and I 289 00:15:25,360 --> 00:15:27,600 Speaker 1: can both take or leave pro Football Focus, but they 290 00:15:27,600 --> 00:15:30,400 Speaker 1: did have something about Ingram. They wrote an article when 291 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:34,200 Speaker 1: free agency work, you know, opened saying here's a handful 292 00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:38,080 Speaker 1: of guys that could be misvalued based on their sack 293 00:15:38,120 --> 00:15:41,880 Speaker 1: totals last year and because he had zero, and Ingram's 294 00:15:41,920 --> 00:15:44,560 Speaker 1: the poster boy, you know, I mean, they talked. They 295 00:15:44,560 --> 00:15:48,040 Speaker 1: said he had two D nineteen pass rushing snaps last year, 296 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:50,680 Speaker 1: which is a low number because he got injured, you know, 297 00:15:51,040 --> 00:15:55,160 Speaker 1: but he had twenty eight pressures and two D nineteen snaps. Now, 298 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:59,120 Speaker 1: I'm not sure exactly who's defining the pressure, but he 299 00:15:59,160 --> 00:16:02,720 Speaker 1: didn't disappear by any means. When he was healthy. He 300 00:16:02,760 --> 00:16:05,600 Speaker 1: was affecting the football game at a high percentage of 301 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:08,240 Speaker 1: the time. I mean, that's a high percentage of pressures 302 00:16:08,280 --> 00:16:10,000 Speaker 1: on pass rush snaps. And some of those are on 303 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:12,040 Speaker 1: first and ten. They're not all third and eight, you know. 304 00:16:12,160 --> 00:16:14,960 Speaker 1: So and the tape shows that. I mean, he's a 305 00:16:14,960 --> 00:16:20,320 Speaker 1: good player. Yeah, um, so interesting move. It is kind 306 00:16:20,320 --> 00:16:22,440 Speaker 1: of caught us off track here. We were talking about 307 00:16:22,480 --> 00:16:25,160 Speaker 1: you know, we were playing on just kind of chatting 308 00:16:25,160 --> 00:16:27,560 Speaker 1: about Ingram and be kind of an interesting guy to 309 00:16:27,640 --> 00:16:31,400 Speaker 1: kick the tires on and boom, it happens while we're alive. Yeah, 310 00:16:31,400 --> 00:16:33,640 Speaker 1: it doesn't often happen like that's the way it worked 311 00:16:33,640 --> 00:16:37,680 Speaker 1: out today. Um, does this change anything on your overall 312 00:16:37,720 --> 00:16:43,320 Speaker 1: outlook for the Steelers this year? I mean little things 313 00:16:43,440 --> 00:16:46,960 Speaker 1: like I'm moving the fantasy defense up a little bit. 314 00:16:47,560 --> 00:16:51,040 Speaker 1: I think they might be the best pass rushing team 315 00:16:51,040 --> 00:16:53,800 Speaker 1: in the league. Where I thought Washington might steal that 316 00:16:53,880 --> 00:16:58,200 Speaker 1: off him this year, I again, no offense to Bud 317 00:16:59,280 --> 00:17:01,880 Speaker 1: Ingram might be a better pass rusher right now. I mean, 318 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:05,960 Speaker 1: I think their pass rush front five, well even including 319 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:10,240 Speaker 1: the blitzing linebackers pushing in Williams in particular, really has 320 00:17:10,240 --> 00:17:12,000 Speaker 1: the chance to be better than last year. You know, 321 00:17:12,040 --> 00:17:15,280 Speaker 1: we we've talked about this week or two ago. What 322 00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:17,520 Speaker 1: if two it takes a little step forward, you know, 323 00:17:17,600 --> 00:17:21,800 Speaker 1: I mean, uh, you don't. You're not counting on the youngster, 324 00:17:22,040 --> 00:17:24,439 Speaker 1: you know, but even if he looks like he can 325 00:17:24,480 --> 00:17:29,440 Speaker 1: continue to beat one on one blocks, You've got three 326 00:17:29,520 --> 00:17:33,880 Speaker 1: interior and three outside guys that are all high quality players. 327 00:17:33,920 --> 00:17:36,760 Speaker 1: You know, you're seeing these lists on Profitball Focus and 328 00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:39,879 Speaker 1: ESPN best players of their position, and a couple of 329 00:17:39,880 --> 00:17:42,280 Speaker 1: them have mentioned a Lulu. You know you're gonna have 330 00:17:42,560 --> 00:17:45,399 Speaker 1: five of those guys that are listed in including a 331 00:17:45,680 --> 00:17:47,679 Speaker 1: young guy that looks like an up and comer that 332 00:17:47,720 --> 00:17:49,679 Speaker 1: they have a lot of faith. Then yeah, so I 333 00:17:49,720 --> 00:17:55,960 Speaker 1: like it. Yeah, interesting uh interesting development one that uh, 334 00:17:56,240 --> 00:17:59,000 Speaker 1: you know, I'll be interested now to see, you know. 335 00:17:59,040 --> 00:18:03,080 Speaker 1: I just I just wrote at their secondary yesterday on 336 00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:08,920 Speaker 1: d K Pittsburgh sports dot com about the depth of 337 00:18:08,960 --> 00:18:10,919 Speaker 1: the position. And I think they've got a lot of 338 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:14,240 Speaker 1: different pieces in the secondary, some of them unproved, A 339 00:18:14,240 --> 00:18:15,760 Speaker 1: lot of them are unproved, a lot of names that 340 00:18:15,800 --> 00:18:18,240 Speaker 1: everyone out there listening isn't doing jumping gas. And I 341 00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:23,960 Speaker 1: think nationally there maybe not recognized as recognizable. But I 342 00:18:24,040 --> 00:18:26,680 Speaker 1: felt a little, you know, after taking a good hard 343 00:18:26,680 --> 00:18:29,080 Speaker 1: look at that, I felt better about their safety depth. 344 00:18:29,640 --> 00:18:32,320 Speaker 1: Then I think a lot of fans do are you 345 00:18:32,359 --> 00:18:34,520 Speaker 1: counting kill a Brew in that mix? Are you calling him? 346 00:18:35,760 --> 00:18:37,960 Speaker 1: They look at Killer Brew as a safety. Okay, so 347 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:40,040 Speaker 1: you got Killer Brew, You've got Brooks who they like. 348 00:18:40,280 --> 00:18:43,880 Speaker 1: Brooks is the guy play safety, and so does try 349 00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:46,200 Speaker 1: They had Tray Norwood was playing a lot of safety 350 00:18:46,200 --> 00:18:51,359 Speaker 1: at training camp. Today's modern day NFL. You go four bodies, 351 00:18:51,359 --> 00:18:53,480 Speaker 1: they're including a couple that have you know, played some 352 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:56,240 Speaker 1: a lot of NFL snaps and Milette and kill a Brew. 353 00:18:56,359 --> 00:18:58,280 Speaker 1: What do you know about Milette? What are your what 354 00:18:58,280 --> 00:18:59,800 Speaker 1: are your thoughts on him? I mean, I know he's 355 00:18:59,840 --> 00:19:02,960 Speaker 1: not guaranteed a roster spot, but he's not a huge name. 356 00:19:03,000 --> 00:19:05,320 Speaker 1: But he's been the league. He's played, Yeah, he's played snaps, 357 00:19:05,320 --> 00:19:07,440 Speaker 1: and he gives you some flexibility. You know, he's plays 358 00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:09,720 Speaker 1: a slot and I say, he's also got you can 359 00:19:09,760 --> 00:19:12,160 Speaker 1: go back and play deep. Um, you know, so there's 360 00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:14,920 Speaker 1: some there's some flexibility there that I don't know that. 361 00:19:15,320 --> 00:19:17,679 Speaker 1: You're not gonna have stars everywhere. No, you're not. And 362 00:19:17,680 --> 00:19:21,040 Speaker 1: you've got two first round picks invested in that in 363 00:19:21,040 --> 00:19:23,000 Speaker 1: that position. I think it's not gonna go out and 364 00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:25,280 Speaker 1: spend big money at that position when you're already paying 365 00:19:25,280 --> 00:19:28,000 Speaker 1: your safeties big money, right, And I think that sort 366 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:32,200 Speaker 1: of overlaps to the corner situation too. Hayden's making decent money. 367 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:36,560 Speaker 1: You brought back Sutton telling him he's a starter, you know. Um, 368 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:41,600 Speaker 1: And I feel like the non brand name guys at 369 00:19:41,800 --> 00:19:46,240 Speaker 1: corner slot in particular at corner, and then those safeties 370 00:19:46,280 --> 00:19:50,560 Speaker 1: you mentioned instead of saying we're gonna go get big 371 00:19:50,640 --> 00:19:53,640 Speaker 1: name players that are big contracts. They have a lot 372 00:19:53,720 --> 00:19:56,359 Speaker 1: of guys to fight for, you know, the two dogs, 373 00:19:56,359 --> 00:19:59,360 Speaker 1: one bone, Tomlinism or whatever. You know that these guys 374 00:19:59,359 --> 00:20:01,960 Speaker 1: will battle it out. And there's a lot of versatility 375 00:20:01,960 --> 00:20:04,120 Speaker 1: in that group too, which I think is interesting. I mean, 376 00:20:04,200 --> 00:20:08,240 Speaker 1: killer Brew's nothing like Brooks or nothing like Milette or 377 00:20:08,280 --> 00:20:11,360 Speaker 1: you know. I mean, he's the He's the center where 378 00:20:11,359 --> 00:20:13,280 Speaker 1: those guys are the power forward, you know what I mean. Like, 379 00:20:13,320 --> 00:20:16,119 Speaker 1: there's a variety of different defensive backs there, and they 380 00:20:16,160 --> 00:20:17,600 Speaker 1: like to play with a lot of them on the field. 381 00:20:17,640 --> 00:20:20,520 Speaker 1: So Brooks is the one. I don't think this is 382 00:20:20,720 --> 00:20:22,919 Speaker 1: a big secret or something we can't mention now, but 383 00:20:23,720 --> 00:20:25,639 Speaker 1: I think they have plans for him, you know. I 384 00:20:25,640 --> 00:20:29,320 Speaker 1: mean he may be the starting slot. So I didn't 385 00:20:29,359 --> 00:20:31,200 Speaker 1: see him that way when they drafted him or even 386 00:20:31,240 --> 00:20:35,439 Speaker 1: consider that before. Yeah, so you know, I and you know, 387 00:20:35,440 --> 00:20:37,600 Speaker 1: they get a couple of young guys that they want 388 00:20:37,600 --> 00:20:39,680 Speaker 1: to look at in there as well that the again 389 00:20:39,720 --> 00:20:42,400 Speaker 1: Norwood can play in there. They brought in the kid 390 00:20:42,480 --> 00:20:47,080 Speaker 1: from Michigan State, right, absolutely, right, So again there's options 391 00:20:47,240 --> 00:20:49,359 Speaker 1: and you still have Pierre and Lane on the outside. 392 00:20:49,920 --> 00:20:52,760 Speaker 1: I think they're pretty confident in those two guys, it's sure. 393 00:20:52,800 --> 00:20:56,320 Speaker 1: Scene seems to me like they're looking for somebody. Went Okay, 394 00:20:56,359 --> 00:20:58,760 Speaker 1: when we go to the dime package, who can be 395 00:20:58,800 --> 00:21:01,920 Speaker 1: that other slot corner opposite? They want to find a Hilton. 396 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:05,800 Speaker 1: They want to find and you can't have just one, right, 397 00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:07,800 Speaker 1: You better have to you know. That's what Millette was 398 00:21:07,920 --> 00:21:10,639 Speaker 1: last year for the Jets. Uh he was. He was 399 00:21:10,680 --> 00:21:14,479 Speaker 1: there's number two slot guy. Yeah, and even slots and 400 00:21:14,760 --> 00:21:18,760 Speaker 1: safeties are blurrying anymore. I mean Mike Tomlin talked about 401 00:21:18,800 --> 00:21:21,800 Speaker 1: that training camp or at the mini camp. I should 402 00:21:21,800 --> 00:21:25,720 Speaker 1: say how the position, the slot cornerback position, in the 403 00:21:25,800 --> 00:21:31,480 Speaker 1: Nickels position. Uh, you better be tough, you know. And 404 00:21:31,480 --> 00:21:35,920 Speaker 1: that's what made you know, Hilton, Mike, Mike Hilton above 405 00:21:36,040 --> 00:21:39,399 Speaker 1: everything else was was tough as nails. Uh. Was he 406 00:21:39,480 --> 00:21:42,600 Speaker 1: a great cover guy, No, but he had a specific 407 00:21:42,680 --> 00:21:45,760 Speaker 1: skill set that played very nicely in the slot. His 408 00:21:45,800 --> 00:21:50,159 Speaker 1: blitzing ability, his ability to play the run, attitude, and 409 00:21:50,600 --> 00:21:52,440 Speaker 1: it didn't matter. He didn't care if he was matched 410 00:21:52,480 --> 00:21:54,960 Speaker 1: up against Travis Kelsey, you know, in the in the slot. 411 00:21:55,000 --> 00:21:57,480 Speaker 1: He was going to battle him. Um. You know that's 412 00:21:57,480 --> 00:21:59,480 Speaker 1: what you need there. That's why they're looking at a 413 00:21:59,480 --> 00:22:02,520 Speaker 1: guy like as I say, I mean that's why. I mean. 414 00:22:02,880 --> 00:22:07,520 Speaker 1: You see some bigger name guys, the Tyrone Matthews, Buddha Baker's. 415 00:22:08,119 --> 00:22:10,400 Speaker 1: You know, you could call them a safety, and sure 416 00:22:10,440 --> 00:22:13,480 Speaker 1: they could play too high or even single high at times, 417 00:22:13,520 --> 00:22:17,280 Speaker 1: but mostly they're around the line of scrimmage, sometimes in 418 00:22:17,359 --> 00:22:19,800 Speaker 1: man coverage against you know the other thing that people 419 00:22:19,800 --> 00:22:21,960 Speaker 1: don't think about with that because its usually the linebacker's job. 420 00:22:22,480 --> 00:22:24,480 Speaker 1: But some of those dudes are gonna get man coverage 421 00:22:24,480 --> 00:22:28,040 Speaker 1: against Joe Mixon or Kareem Hunt or you know guys 422 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:31,320 Speaker 1: like that too. Um and I often talk about, you know, 423 00:22:31,359 --> 00:22:34,359 Speaker 1: slot receivers. They don't get bumped out of bounds by 424 00:22:34,400 --> 00:22:37,880 Speaker 1: little defensive backs. They get smashed by linebackers and lineman 425 00:22:37,920 --> 00:22:41,560 Speaker 1: well corners the same way. I mean, which would worry 426 00:22:41,600 --> 00:22:44,160 Speaker 1: me a little. I'm not bashing Hilton, but if I'm 427 00:22:44,200 --> 00:22:46,680 Speaker 1: the Bengals counting on him for a couple of years, 428 00:22:46,680 --> 00:22:49,800 Speaker 1: would worry me. At his size, because he is so 429 00:22:49,840 --> 00:22:52,960 Speaker 1: aggressive and those are his great strengths. But I don't 430 00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:56,919 Speaker 1: blame the Steelers for not investing in him because you know, 431 00:22:57,119 --> 00:22:59,520 Speaker 1: Kevin Zeitler pulls around right at you gotta take that 432 00:22:59,560 --> 00:23:05,200 Speaker 1: guy right right it's a rough gig. It very well 433 00:23:05,359 --> 00:23:08,280 Speaker 1: is and um, I can't think of many slots that 434 00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:11,359 Speaker 1: have really lasted the test of time. You got some 435 00:23:11,440 --> 00:23:13,600 Speaker 1: guys like well, I think, I think like a guy 436 00:23:13,640 --> 00:23:16,800 Speaker 1: like Marlon Humphrey is very good in the slot, but 437 00:23:16,840 --> 00:23:20,520 Speaker 1: he's an outside cornerback. He did it because what's his face? 438 00:23:20,600 --> 00:23:23,879 Speaker 1: Got hurt And they have their original plan though, is 439 00:23:23,920 --> 00:23:27,280 Speaker 1: to play the kid from his temple. Yeah, I mean 440 00:23:27,400 --> 00:23:29,720 Speaker 1: young got hurt. You can't stay healthy, right right, And 441 00:23:29,720 --> 00:23:33,760 Speaker 1: because he's small, because he's a small carterback, right right. 442 00:23:33,800 --> 00:23:36,360 Speaker 1: So the fact that Humphrey can do it and excelled 443 00:23:36,359 --> 00:23:39,800 Speaker 1: in it is wonderful. But I bet you they would 444 00:23:39,840 --> 00:23:42,399 Speaker 1: love for him to be outside much more than in. 445 00:23:42,640 --> 00:23:44,760 Speaker 1: You know, I don't know with him though, because he's 446 00:23:44,760 --> 00:23:47,440 Speaker 1: a guy you like to have around the ball all 447 00:23:47,480 --> 00:23:49,720 Speaker 1: the time. If he's really good at stripping, he's good 448 00:23:49,720 --> 00:23:52,040 Speaker 1: at stripping the ball. He's a good solid tackler. You know. 449 00:23:52,080 --> 00:23:55,320 Speaker 1: Peter's never to do inside makea Fitzpatrick has some of those. 450 00:23:55,480 --> 00:23:57,880 Speaker 1: He does. That's always a the lemma in my head, 451 00:23:58,040 --> 00:24:01,040 Speaker 1: like because boy, how I always called it the goalie. 452 00:24:01,119 --> 00:24:04,320 Speaker 1: You know that deep free safety is such a relief 453 00:24:04,400 --> 00:24:06,399 Speaker 1: to the other players on the field, and he's so 454 00:24:06,440 --> 00:24:08,679 Speaker 1: good at taking the ball away from there. You know, 455 00:24:08,680 --> 00:24:11,520 Speaker 1: I think there's a strong argument, like why flirt with that? 456 00:24:11,640 --> 00:24:15,160 Speaker 1: He's so good at it. But man, I often think 457 00:24:15,640 --> 00:24:19,640 Speaker 1: if he could play seven snaps where the defense does 458 00:24:19,760 --> 00:24:22,480 Speaker 1: or the offense doesn't know it's coming, he walks down 459 00:24:22,480 --> 00:24:24,760 Speaker 1: and plays man coverage on Mark Andrews, you know what 460 00:24:24,840 --> 00:24:27,920 Speaker 1: I mean, he doesn't do it. He did it. He 461 00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:33,480 Speaker 1: played about a hundred snaps in a slot last year. Yeah, 462 00:24:33,600 --> 00:24:35,800 Speaker 1: you knows, on what you're considering the slot, he may 463 00:24:35,840 --> 00:24:39,200 Speaker 1: walk down. But again to your point, you like him 464 00:24:39,200 --> 00:24:41,760 Speaker 1: in that deep safety spot. There's nobody can do better. Yeah, 465 00:24:41,840 --> 00:24:44,359 Speaker 1: you know, but it's nice to be able to have 466 00:24:44,400 --> 00:24:46,879 Speaker 1: that kind of flexibility every once in a while. You know, 467 00:24:46,920 --> 00:24:49,600 Speaker 1: maybe you're playing a team with uh, you know, maybe 468 00:24:49,600 --> 00:24:53,119 Speaker 1: you're playing against Travis Kelsey um. And not to mention 469 00:24:53,160 --> 00:24:55,160 Speaker 1: Minka's in the long term plans, I mean, the next 470 00:24:55,240 --> 00:24:58,440 Speaker 1: five years, they may stumble upon a free safety type 471 00:24:58,440 --> 00:25:00,760 Speaker 1: in the third round that's also really good in the 472 00:25:00,800 --> 00:25:03,199 Speaker 1: deep middle. And then you have, you know, like a 473 00:25:03,320 --> 00:25:07,159 Speaker 1: Bill's uh interchangeable safety situation. Who knows, you know, I 474 00:25:07,200 --> 00:25:09,000 Speaker 1: mean just the fact that it's in his his bag 475 00:25:09,000 --> 00:25:13,520 Speaker 1: of tricks in his toolboxes is really important. And that 476 00:25:13,560 --> 00:25:14,879 Speaker 1: was one of the beauties of them coming out of 477 00:25:14,880 --> 00:25:18,320 Speaker 1: Alabama obviously too. Yeah, and that's how that's a pretty 478 00:25:18,359 --> 00:25:22,439 Speaker 1: good shape all of a sudden. Where's the holes? I mean, 479 00:25:22,480 --> 00:25:26,720 Speaker 1: I think there's some questions, how does the linebacker rotation work? 480 00:25:26,840 --> 00:25:29,520 Speaker 1: And something. You're better off an inside linebacker that I 481 00:25:29,560 --> 00:25:33,399 Speaker 1: think than a lot of people. I think you get by. Yeah. 482 00:25:33,560 --> 00:25:35,159 Speaker 1: I mean, you've got You've got guys who've got a 483 00:25:35,160 --> 00:25:37,640 Speaker 1: lot of valuable experience last year. Are they gonna get hit? 484 00:25:37,880 --> 00:25:40,920 Speaker 1: You know, as long as Devin Bush stays healthy exactly exactly, 485 00:25:40,960 --> 00:25:43,600 Speaker 1: you're fine it inside linebacker, you're fine. I mean if 486 00:25:44,480 --> 00:25:47,000 Speaker 1: I'm not bashing on these guys, but if Spillane or 487 00:25:47,119 --> 00:25:51,440 Speaker 1: Vince Williams is your worst player in your eleven out there, 488 00:25:51,240 --> 00:25:53,720 Speaker 1: you're okay. Yeah. I mean it's not like they can't 489 00:25:53,720 --> 00:25:57,639 Speaker 1: make plays. I'm sure people will target them more often. 490 00:25:57,680 --> 00:26:00,280 Speaker 1: You know, they'll gain plan until go after those eyes. 491 00:26:00,440 --> 00:26:04,800 Speaker 1: That's fine. You're not gonna lose a game because Vince 492 00:26:04,800 --> 00:26:08,800 Speaker 1: Williams is in coverage too much. I mean, okay, you'll 493 00:26:08,840 --> 00:26:11,359 Speaker 1: scheme you'll scheme it up so that doesn't happen. He's 494 00:26:11,359 --> 00:26:14,400 Speaker 1: gonna blitz sometimes too, you know, and play the run 495 00:26:14,440 --> 00:26:16,280 Speaker 1: and you know, so I don't see that as a 496 00:26:16,280 --> 00:26:19,440 Speaker 1: big problem. Not to mention, you know, Johnson and Gilbert 497 00:26:20,320 --> 00:26:23,320 Speaker 1: maybe something, you know, just to brush them off like 498 00:26:23,359 --> 00:26:25,879 Speaker 1: they're not gonna be contributors this year, I think is 499 00:26:25,960 --> 00:26:29,000 Speaker 1: unfair as well as the Brooks is and you know, 500 00:26:29,240 --> 00:26:32,720 Speaker 1: secondary depth. I keep come back to killerbrew too, because 501 00:26:32,720 --> 00:26:35,040 Speaker 1: I haven't talked about him hardly at all, but he's 502 00:26:35,080 --> 00:26:37,000 Speaker 1: sort of all the above. I mean, I bet he 503 00:26:37,040 --> 00:26:41,480 Speaker 1: plays a fair amount. Yeah, they'll hit you, and you know, 504 00:26:41,520 --> 00:26:43,800 Speaker 1: they'll figure out ways to use him once he you know, 505 00:26:43,840 --> 00:26:46,360 Speaker 1: once he's up to speed, and you know that's that's 506 00:26:46,359 --> 00:26:48,600 Speaker 1: that's all part of this and you actually have preseason 507 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:50,959 Speaker 1: games to check this stuff out. At the last thing 508 00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:52,840 Speaker 1: I was about to say was you get to see 509 00:26:52,920 --> 00:26:54,879 Speaker 1: Ulysses Gilbert on the field. You have to see some 510 00:26:54,880 --> 00:26:58,560 Speaker 1: of these guys. They're creating competition across the board with 511 00:26:58,560 --> 00:27:00,560 Speaker 1: with every move that they may. I mean, does Buddy 512 00:27:00,640 --> 00:27:03,560 Speaker 1: Johnson push Marcus Allen off the roster? Marcus Allen played 513 00:27:03,560 --> 00:27:06,199 Speaker 1: a lot of snaps last year more so than I 514 00:27:06,200 --> 00:27:08,639 Speaker 1: think anybody would have liked. Right. I think Killer Brew's 515 00:27:08,840 --> 00:27:11,720 Speaker 1: the guy that Marcus Allen needs to worry about. There's 516 00:27:11,760 --> 00:27:15,080 Speaker 1: a direct shot at him. But even so much will 517 00:27:15,160 --> 00:27:17,400 Speaker 1: change too. I mean, having that fifth preseason game could 518 00:27:17,400 --> 00:27:20,119 Speaker 1: shake out help a lot. Unfortunately, one or two of 519 00:27:20,119 --> 00:27:21,760 Speaker 1: those guys might get hurt because they're gonna play a 520 00:27:21,800 --> 00:27:23,920 Speaker 1: lot in the preseason. But then maybe you put them 521 00:27:23,920 --> 00:27:25,359 Speaker 1: on pop for a little bit and you get to 522 00:27:25,400 --> 00:27:28,040 Speaker 1: think about them down the road. Um. I'm sure they 523 00:27:28,040 --> 00:27:31,120 Speaker 1: have a plan now that's very subject to change. That. 524 00:27:31,720 --> 00:27:35,879 Speaker 1: We want Buddy Johnson to play of the snaps, we 525 00:27:35,920 --> 00:27:39,720 Speaker 1: want Gilbert to play, you know, and as they earn 526 00:27:40,480 --> 00:27:44,320 Speaker 1: more and more playing time by their practice and game reps. 527 00:27:44,440 --> 00:27:46,639 Speaker 1: I mean, I think that might change dramatically. By the 528 00:27:47,240 --> 00:27:49,720 Speaker 1: that final preseason game, we may have a real clear 529 00:27:50,640 --> 00:27:53,280 Speaker 1: feel of who they really like. And it might not 530 00:27:53,320 --> 00:27:54,879 Speaker 1: even be a name we've mentioned yet. You know, they 531 00:27:54,920 --> 00:27:57,879 Speaker 1: got some other dudes floating around. Yeah, I agree, Um, 532 00:27:57,920 --> 00:28:02,480 Speaker 1: so they'll be Yeah, they could make other moves, you know, 533 00:28:02,520 --> 00:28:06,760 Speaker 1: they people forget that again. You got Joe Hayden. At 534 00:28:06,760 --> 00:28:09,640 Speaker 1: the end of training for example, they signed Alejandro Villain, 535 00:28:09,680 --> 00:28:13,080 Speaker 1: the Wuava at the end of a training camp. You know, 536 00:28:13,119 --> 00:28:15,679 Speaker 1: there's there's guys that you know, Mike Hilton was a 537 00:28:15,760 --> 00:28:19,440 Speaker 1: mid season signing. Yeah, things happen. They have their eyes 538 00:28:19,480 --> 00:28:22,520 Speaker 1: on a lot of players outside the organization still, and 539 00:28:22,600 --> 00:28:24,520 Speaker 1: some of them are gonna get cut or you know, 540 00:28:24,520 --> 00:28:26,320 Speaker 1: if you can throw them on your practice squad or 541 00:28:26,480 --> 00:28:28,600 Speaker 1: that's a nice thing this year with with the trade 542 00:28:28,720 --> 00:28:32,320 Speaker 1: with preseason games, Yeah, you know you're gonna actually get 543 00:28:32,359 --> 00:28:34,120 Speaker 1: to see some of these. You know, maybe that six 544 00:28:34,240 --> 00:28:37,160 Speaker 1: round draft pick doesn't work out in that place where 545 00:28:37,160 --> 00:28:40,080 Speaker 1: you bring him in here. And it's something super uncommon 546 00:28:40,120 --> 00:28:43,800 Speaker 1: even to see player for player trades either, you know, 547 00:28:43,880 --> 00:28:47,560 Speaker 1: like let's say Dabbs shows pretty well and the team 548 00:28:47,600 --> 00:28:49,880 Speaker 1: needs a two or three quarterback and they give you, 549 00:28:50,520 --> 00:28:53,360 Speaker 1: i don't know, a young player that they don't have 550 00:28:53,400 --> 00:28:56,280 Speaker 1: a spot for that you like, I mean this is 551 00:28:57,120 --> 00:28:59,640 Speaker 1: there's gonna be another name or two still added from 552 00:28:59,640 --> 00:29:02,680 Speaker 1: outside organization. Yeah, I think so as well. But hopefully 553 00:29:02,720 --> 00:29:05,160 Speaker 1: they look into a Hayden type situation. But that's kind 554 00:29:05,160 --> 00:29:09,440 Speaker 1: of rare. Yeah, that is a team in your own 555 00:29:09,440 --> 00:29:12,720 Speaker 1: division just giving hand a starter, not just a starter, 556 00:29:12,800 --> 00:29:14,640 Speaker 1: but a guy who's made the Pro Bowl, right, right, 557 00:29:14,760 --> 00:29:16,480 Speaker 1: it was one of the best players at the time too. 558 00:29:16,880 --> 00:29:20,000 Speaker 1: Browns made no sense at all. But you know, but 559 00:29:20,040 --> 00:29:23,880 Speaker 1: no big news, I guess I mean in the Steeler's patience, 560 00:29:23,920 --> 00:29:27,200 Speaker 1: I think pay off as opposed to getting an outside 561 00:29:27,240 --> 00:29:31,960 Speaker 1: linebacker similar or even Ingram two months ago. You know, 562 00:29:31,960 --> 00:29:36,240 Speaker 1: there's been a lot costlier. Yeah, right right, Um, that's 563 00:29:36,240 --> 00:29:38,360 Speaker 1: gonna do it for this segment. So for my partner 564 00:29:38,360 --> 00:29:41,400 Speaker 1: Matt Williamson for Jacob Breck here on site, I'm Dale Lali. 565 00:29:41,480 --> 00:29:43,480 Speaker 1: We thank you for listening to this edition of The 566 00:29:43,600 --> 00:29:45,960 Speaker 1: Drive on Steelers Nation Radio.