1 00:00:03,840 --> 00:00:07,200 Speaker 1: He's the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson on 2 00:00:08,560 --> 00:00:27,560 Speaker 1: Home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome 3 00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:30,720 Speaker 1: to the Drive. I'm Dale Lolly here with Matt Williamson. 4 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:33,840 Speaker 1: It's a Thursday here in Pittsburgh. The Steelers getting ready 5 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:37,920 Speaker 1: to play the Buffalo Bills in UH in Buffalo on 6 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:39,959 Speaker 1: some I want to say Ralph Wilson Stadium. I don't 7 00:00:39,960 --> 00:00:43,479 Speaker 1: think it's Ralph Wilson Stadium anymore. It's some of these places. 8 00:00:43,760 --> 00:00:47,960 Speaker 1: That's just what you call him. It's the same, okay whatever. 9 00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:52,920 Speaker 1: Um Anyways, So the Steelers injury report coming out for 10 00:00:53,159 --> 00:00:57,240 Speaker 1: today just released a little bit ago. Uh. Deante Johnson 11 00:00:57,240 --> 00:01:00,000 Speaker 1: added with a hip issue that's not expected the whole 12 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:03,800 Speaker 1: him back at all. Mason, Yeah, he was limited today. 13 00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:08,399 Speaker 1: Mason Cole limited with a foot issue that was new today. Yeah, 14 00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:12,400 Speaker 1: both expected to play. Cam Sutton with the groin and 15 00:01:12,440 --> 00:01:16,479 Speaker 1: hamstring limited, Levi Wallace with the foot limited, throughout Edmonds 16 00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:20,080 Speaker 1: with a concussion limited, Makeing Fitzpatrick with a knee limited. Uh, 17 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:22,760 Speaker 1: Chris Warmly with an ankle limited, Cam Heyward with the 18 00:01:22,800 --> 00:01:25,640 Speaker 1: ankle elbow limited. But all those guys trending in the 19 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:28,959 Speaker 1: right direction and then of course a Kello Weatherspoon with 20 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:31,800 Speaker 1: the hamstring did not practice. The only Steeler to not 21 00:01:31,880 --> 00:01:33,800 Speaker 1: practice today. He's the one we know is going to 22 00:01:33,840 --> 00:01:36,080 Speaker 1: be out. Yeah, and the other ones sounds like you'd 23 00:01:36,120 --> 00:01:39,160 Speaker 1: be a little bit surprising if they missed Edmonds. Is 24 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:42,200 Speaker 1: you know that concussions you never know. You haven't heard 25 00:01:42,200 --> 00:01:44,720 Speaker 1: of being setbacks. No, you don't. It's hard to say, Oh, 26 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:48,160 Speaker 1: he'll be fine, right, Yeah, you just don't know. On 27 00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:50,720 Speaker 1: the Bill's side of things, their injury list is still 28 00:01:50,960 --> 00:01:55,360 Speaker 1: pretty extensive. Christian Benford with the hand cornerback, did not 29 00:01:55,440 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 1: practice for the second consecutive Obviously, crowd are still out. 30 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:01,760 Speaker 1: Gave dave Us was a full participant today. I wanted 31 00:02:01,760 --> 00:02:06,640 Speaker 1: to talk about him. Uh Tremaine Edmonds with the hamstring 32 00:02:06,720 --> 00:02:09,200 Speaker 1: did not practice, second day in row. That doesn't look 33 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:11,720 Speaker 1: good for them. Uh de Kuan Jones was back, but 34 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:15,320 Speaker 1: Dawson Knox was not with foot hamstring for him. Jake 35 00:02:15,400 --> 00:02:18,600 Speaker 1: Kummero with the ankle did not practice again. Uh Kim 36 00:02:18,680 --> 00:02:22,000 Speaker 1: Lewis with forearm and knee did practice. He's a cornerback. 37 00:02:22,360 --> 00:02:25,280 Speaker 1: Isaiah McKenzie with their concussion on their side of things, 38 00:02:25,320 --> 00:02:29,280 Speaker 1: was limited today again. That's the step that you gotta take. Yeah, 39 00:02:29,360 --> 00:02:33,519 Speaker 1: Von Miller back, Mitch Morris their center back. Uh, Justin 40 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:35,520 Speaker 1: Murray one of another one of their offensive lineman with 41 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:38,000 Speaker 1: the foot was a limited participant, as was At Oliver 42 00:02:38,520 --> 00:02:41,960 Speaker 1: and Jordan Phillips with the hamstring. Jordan Poyer did not 43 00:02:42,040 --> 00:02:45,240 Speaker 1: practice for the second consecutive day. He's dealing with that 44 00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:49,080 Speaker 1: ribby only remaining like leader of the secondary stable part 45 00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:53,280 Speaker 1: of their veter So that's big, that's a that's a 46 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:57,000 Speaker 1: long list. Um, sounds like they're more banged up than 47 00:02:57,000 --> 00:02:59,280 Speaker 1: the Steelers, you know, I mean, and some of those 48 00:02:59,320 --> 00:03:01,840 Speaker 1: and probably have less chance to practice than some of 49 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:06,240 Speaker 1: the guys who mentioned for Pittsburgh, namely knocks Um who 50 00:03:06,320 --> 00:03:08,239 Speaker 1: was the other one. I thought that was a little surprising. 51 00:03:09,240 --> 00:03:12,960 Speaker 1: Not forget enough thought. Oh Edmunds, they're they're Edmonds. Are 52 00:03:13,040 --> 00:03:16,679 Speaker 1: not our Edmonds? There Edmonds. Um, they missed two straight practices. 53 00:03:16,720 --> 00:03:19,079 Speaker 1: That's not great news. Those guys play like every snap, right, 54 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:22,200 Speaker 1: that's a big deal for them. Uh. Speaking of injuries, 55 00:03:24,080 --> 00:03:26,040 Speaker 1: of course, t J. Watt still out for the Steelers. 56 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:30,080 Speaker 1: The Steelers now oh and seven the last two years 57 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:34,480 Speaker 1: without t J. Watt. Um, there I get some stats 58 00:03:34,520 --> 00:03:38,440 Speaker 1: here on the Steelers defense with him without t J. 59 00:03:38,680 --> 00:03:42,640 Speaker 1: Watch there the last two years. Yeah, since yeah, over 60 00:03:42,680 --> 00:03:45,120 Speaker 1: the last two years, um, when he's not been on 61 00:03:45,160 --> 00:03:48,080 Speaker 1: the field. Uh, they're blitz rate with him is twenty 62 00:03:48,120 --> 00:03:50,880 Speaker 1: two point one percent. Without him, it's twenty seven point 63 00:03:50,960 --> 00:03:53,840 Speaker 1: five percent. They have to they have to blitz more 64 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:57,720 Speaker 1: to get pressure. And yet the quarterback pressure rate with 65 00:03:57,800 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 1: what is thirty point five percent without twenty one point 66 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:03,880 Speaker 1: one even with more blitz with more blitzing less. Yeah, 67 00:04:04,040 --> 00:04:07,440 Speaker 1: the sac rate nine point nine percent with what, which 68 00:04:07,480 --> 00:04:10,440 Speaker 1: is really good, really good buffaloes are like over ten 69 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:13,440 Speaker 1: right now, which is rare. Yeah, without him, it's six 70 00:04:13,480 --> 00:04:18,040 Speaker 1: point one, which is average. H but that's a monster 71 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:20,160 Speaker 1: jump and you're still blitzing more. Keep coming back, that 72 00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:24,080 Speaker 1: might pass, right. The completion percentage with what sixty one 73 00:04:25,480 --> 00:04:28,520 Speaker 1: without him? Sixty four point five percent doesn't sound like 74 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:32,600 Speaker 1: a lot, but you throw passes a game, and it's 75 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:34,880 Speaker 1: a couple of extra completions right right, right, that's a 76 00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:36,960 Speaker 1: bunch of first downs, it's a bunch of yardage. The 77 00:04:37,000 --> 00:04:40,800 Speaker 1: passer rating with what eight one point one without him? 78 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:47,120 Speaker 1: Point one? Okay, these are pretty obvious. Yeah, people say, 79 00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:50,320 Speaker 1: well it can't be just just missing him again. He 80 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:54,240 Speaker 1: is a top top ten player in the league who 81 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:58,120 Speaker 1: demands if you're not gonna double team him, he's gonna 82 00:04:58,120 --> 00:04:59,839 Speaker 1: wreck your game. And even if you do double team 83 00:04:59,880 --> 00:05:02,599 Speaker 1: and he may still impacts, and then everyone else doesn't 84 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:04,120 Speaker 1: have as good of advantage. I mean, it's it's a 85 00:05:04,160 --> 00:05:07,920 Speaker 1: massive ripple down effect the blitzings of a perfect example, 86 00:05:08,480 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 1: it's a lot harder to complete, you know, complete passes 87 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:12,920 Speaker 1: when six men or in seven men are in coverage 88 00:05:12,960 --> 00:05:15,560 Speaker 1: is opposed to set six, and you know you can 89 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:17,960 Speaker 1: even drop eight at times with him, and things like that. 90 00:05:18,080 --> 00:05:21,080 Speaker 1: I mean, the ripple effect is massive. I give Highsmith 91 00:05:21,120 --> 00:05:23,000 Speaker 1: all the credit in the world. People are on him. 92 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:25,200 Speaker 1: Why does he finish his sacks? He's been pretty darn 93 00:05:25,279 --> 00:05:30,480 Speaker 1: good hard league in sacks. I don't want to hear it. 94 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:33,479 Speaker 1: I want to find somebody. Might somebody else to get 95 00:05:34,080 --> 00:05:36,159 Speaker 1: Nobody else in a team has more than one. Yeah, 96 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:39,520 Speaker 1: I don't know who else besides Highsmith's playing as well 97 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:44,000 Speaker 1: or better without walked is but yeah, right, But other 98 00:05:44,040 --> 00:05:46,040 Speaker 1: than that, I don't know who's playing better. I mean, 99 00:05:46,080 --> 00:05:48,919 Speaker 1: not many. And against just a ripple effect, everyone's jobs 100 00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:51,960 Speaker 1: becomes harder. He's a number one. You know, there aren't 101 00:05:51,960 --> 00:05:53,799 Speaker 1: many of those players in the league where the offensive 102 00:05:53,800 --> 00:05:56,200 Speaker 1: coordinator loses sleep all week. You know, it's like game 103 00:05:56,200 --> 00:05:58,159 Speaker 1: plan against Tyreek Hill, you know, like, how do we 104 00:05:58,360 --> 00:06:02,320 Speaker 1: stop this guy? It's really yard. Uh. You sent me 105 00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:06,360 Speaker 1: your STAF package for Steelers dot Com last night or yesterday. Um, 106 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:08,480 Speaker 1: I edited that and it'll go up on the site 107 00:06:08,520 --> 00:06:12,640 Speaker 1: here on the next day or so. The lots in there, 108 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:16,520 Speaker 1: and you made note that the Bills, I believe, attempt 109 00:06:16,600 --> 00:06:21,599 Speaker 1: the fewest for the most passes of ten or fewer 110 00:06:21,680 --> 00:06:24,120 Speaker 1: yards in the league. I think everyone has a misnome 111 00:06:24,200 --> 00:06:27,640 Speaker 1: or big arm strong quarterback chucking it all over the place. 112 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:29,840 Speaker 1: And I don't have the numbers in front of me, 113 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:34,000 Speaker 1: but the percentage or number of passes over twenty yards 114 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:36,520 Speaker 1: is very low compared to the rest of the league. 115 00:06:36,839 --> 00:06:39,640 Speaker 1: And it was last year too, and it's and there's 116 00:06:39,640 --> 00:06:41,640 Speaker 1: a lot of different ways of skin of cat Um 117 00:06:41,680 --> 00:06:43,960 Speaker 1: and to your point, to a high percentage of their 118 00:06:43,960 --> 00:06:46,279 Speaker 1: throws are also within ten yards. I mean, if you 119 00:06:46,360 --> 00:06:50,479 Speaker 1: use those two barriers, so sure they throw deep, but 120 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:53,760 Speaker 1: it's not a staple of what you would like. You 121 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:56,560 Speaker 1: would think. You always think Josh Allen breaks the pocket, 122 00:06:56,560 --> 00:06:59,200 Speaker 1: whips his thing seventy yards downfield, and he can do that. 123 00:06:59,360 --> 00:07:02,760 Speaker 1: He did that in week one this year's so I 124 00:07:02,800 --> 00:07:05,560 Speaker 1: got this this coming from NFL stats dot com. Here 125 00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:11,480 Speaker 1: are their NFL stats so um week one and one 126 00:07:11,520 --> 00:07:13,760 Speaker 1: playoffs and then through week two. This is up to 127 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:17,080 Speaker 1: week two. He had a completion percentage of seventy seven 128 00:07:17,080 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 1: point five and averaged on those pass passing cloys of 129 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:25,960 Speaker 1: ten plus yard or his ten plus are yards nineteen 130 00:07:25,960 --> 00:07:28,720 Speaker 1: point four yards per attempt. So he was that was 131 00:07:28,760 --> 00:07:31,520 Speaker 1: per attempt. He was completing a bunch of those. Uh. 132 00:07:31,520 --> 00:07:35,120 Speaker 1: He had thirteen touchdowns, one interception, passer rating of one 133 00:07:35,240 --> 00:07:40,840 Speaker 1: forty seven point nine. Good. Yeah, the last the last 134 00:07:40,840 --> 00:07:45,280 Speaker 1: two weeks, UH, completing forty eight percent of those passes, 135 00:07:46,240 --> 00:07:49,320 Speaker 1: averaging eight point three yards per tempt. He's not He's 136 00:07:49,320 --> 00:07:52,000 Speaker 1: completing a very low percentage of them. So therefore, the 137 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:55,720 Speaker 1: the average per attempt comes down no touchdowns, no interceptions, 138 00:07:55,720 --> 00:07:58,120 Speaker 1: a passer rating of seventy six point six on those. 139 00:07:58,400 --> 00:08:02,160 Speaker 1: I bring that up. You mentioned we talked a little 140 00:08:02,160 --> 00:08:05,440 Speaker 1: bit about Gabe Davis yesterday. He's the deep guy. He's 141 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:07,280 Speaker 1: the deep guy. I mean right here, he's the big 142 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:09,320 Speaker 1: down the field receiver and they haven't been able to 143 00:08:09,360 --> 00:08:11,840 Speaker 1: get him involved the last a couple of weeks. And 144 00:08:11,880 --> 00:08:13,880 Speaker 1: that doesn't mean he can't. I mean, I think a 145 00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:17,920 Speaker 1: lot of people watch that playoff game. He scored four touchdowns. 146 00:08:18,000 --> 00:08:20,480 Speaker 1: This is the next great receiver in the league. I've 147 00:08:20,520 --> 00:08:22,360 Speaker 1: never been super impressed with him. I mean, that was 148 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:25,280 Speaker 1: a great game, and you know, playing with a great quarterback. Yeah, 149 00:08:25,400 --> 00:08:28,480 Speaker 1: and he's the number two there, I get that, um 150 00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:32,400 Speaker 1: but there. I'm not saying the Steelers are gonna beat him, 151 00:08:32,440 --> 00:08:34,360 Speaker 1: I mean by any means. But the more I dig 152 00:08:34,360 --> 00:08:38,960 Speaker 1: into their offense, it's Diggs and Alan and they're searching 153 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:41,680 Speaker 1: for everything else, you know, Like it wouldn't shock me 154 00:08:41,720 --> 00:08:45,120 Speaker 1: if they end up offering Odella contract or even doing 155 00:08:45,160 --> 00:08:48,120 Speaker 1: something crazy like making a trade for sa Kwan or 156 00:08:48,200 --> 00:08:52,199 Speaker 1: McCaffrey or something like that. They need somebody else. Knox 157 00:08:52,280 --> 00:08:54,280 Speaker 1: looks like he's gonna be out. He's really just a 158 00:08:54,320 --> 00:08:57,960 Speaker 1: guy anyway, Gabe gave. Davis has not been the robin 159 00:08:58,040 --> 00:09:01,480 Speaker 1: two digs, you know the way that they anticipated. He 160 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:03,280 Speaker 1: did have some act goal and he missed one game, 161 00:09:04,120 --> 00:09:07,079 Speaker 1: but he's out there equal snaps two digs and gets 162 00:09:07,080 --> 00:09:09,560 Speaker 1: like two targets a game. You're not getting open? How 163 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:13,560 Speaker 1: about this the last of this season. Thus far, the 164 00:09:13,600 --> 00:09:16,440 Speaker 1: Steelers on passes ten or more yards down the field 165 00:09:17,600 --> 00:09:20,080 Speaker 1: our fourth in the NFL, allowing a fifty five point 166 00:09:20,120 --> 00:09:25,720 Speaker 1: six passer rating defensive Yeah. Um. Also, Alan ranks second 167 00:09:25,760 --> 00:09:28,120 Speaker 1: in the NFL with a one twenty one point nine 168 00:09:28,160 --> 00:09:30,839 Speaker 1: percent passer or one point twenty one point nine passer 169 00:09:30,920 --> 00:09:33,640 Speaker 1: rating went outside the pocket this season. The only guy 170 00:09:33,679 --> 00:09:36,319 Speaker 1: who's been better has been Joe Burrow one point six. 171 00:09:36,880 --> 00:09:41,760 Speaker 1: He also has fifteen touchdown passes since two thousand one, 172 00:09:42,040 --> 00:09:44,319 Speaker 1: which is four more than any other quarterback in that 173 00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:48,600 Speaker 1: period when he's outside the pocket. In two the Steelers 174 00:09:48,679 --> 00:09:53,520 Speaker 1: ranked top five and completions their fourth yards uh fifty 175 00:09:53,600 --> 00:09:56,280 Speaker 1: nine and touchdowns and are pass rating of just forty 176 00:09:56,360 --> 00:09:59,760 Speaker 1: four point six on passes thrown from outside the pocket. 177 00:10:00,280 --> 00:10:04,360 Speaker 1: They've been pretty good when when quarterback gets out on 178 00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:09,520 Speaker 1: the edge of limiting the damage there. Yeah, And it's funny. 179 00:10:09,559 --> 00:10:13,000 Speaker 1: I did a short podcast today just talking about some 180 00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:16,440 Speaker 1: keys to the game for me, and you know, stopping 181 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:19,240 Speaker 1: Alan is pretty close to impossible. I mean, it's a brutal, 182 00:10:19,240 --> 00:10:23,000 Speaker 1: brutal chore and a couple of things I brought up 183 00:10:23,040 --> 00:10:29,720 Speaker 1: were you want the pass rush. It's less important first 184 00:10:29,760 --> 00:10:32,559 Speaker 1: you know Alan than the Lamar or Hurts or a 185 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:35,240 Speaker 1: guy like that, But you really want him in the pocket. 186 00:10:35,440 --> 00:10:37,640 Speaker 1: I mean, you need to have a controlled pass rush. 187 00:10:37,679 --> 00:10:40,560 Speaker 1: You don't want him breaking contain and then you're chasing him. 188 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:44,040 Speaker 1: You do only want him to be a pretty stationary target. 189 00:10:44,160 --> 00:10:45,640 Speaker 1: And he's hard enough to get on the ground as 190 00:10:45,679 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 1: it is. And yeah, he can carve you up from 191 00:10:47,760 --> 00:10:49,960 Speaker 1: the park pocket too, but you don't want him break 192 00:10:50,000 --> 00:10:53,319 Speaker 1: and contain and improvising. That's when things go go awry, 193 00:10:53,480 --> 00:10:56,160 Speaker 1: to say the least. And back to your point about Davis. 194 00:10:57,240 --> 00:11:00,720 Speaker 1: The biggest thing I stressed on that podcast. And and 195 00:11:00,200 --> 00:11:02,720 Speaker 1: it doesn't mean you still even win the game against 196 00:11:02,760 --> 00:11:05,240 Speaker 1: These guys are a great football team. But I wouldn't 197 00:11:05,280 --> 00:11:07,960 Speaker 1: let Diggs beat me. And no matter what I mean, 198 00:11:08,360 --> 00:11:10,719 Speaker 1: they're not gonna have a corner, you know, shadow him 199 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:13,960 Speaker 1: or anything, but his side would be really lean to 200 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:16,840 Speaker 1: And if they nickel and dime, he was single, tarry 201 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:21,000 Speaker 1: and shakier and Davis or Davis even gets behind you, 202 00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:25,880 Speaker 1: I'll sleep okay at night, but I want to take away. Yeah, 203 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:27,760 Speaker 1: and we saw it last year how he can take 204 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:29,920 Speaker 1: over a game. I mean, he's a dominant player, but 205 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:33,640 Speaker 1: I would really roll coverages Diggs direction. Yeah, they did 206 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:35,839 Speaker 1: that well to two years ago up there, if I 207 00:11:35,880 --> 00:11:39,800 Speaker 1: remember correctly, he had maybe one catch in the first half, 208 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:41,680 Speaker 1: and then they come out in the second half and like, okay, 209 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:43,320 Speaker 1: we're just gonna throw it to him. Yeah right right, 210 00:11:43,640 --> 00:11:47,000 Speaker 1: And you know, and dominic receivers get that way. So 211 00:11:47,120 --> 00:11:49,120 Speaker 1: if to cover him and you're not gonna put two 212 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:50,959 Speaker 1: guys on him like he's a punt gunner. I mean, 213 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:54,240 Speaker 1: but I would really try to limit. I would bracket 214 00:11:54,280 --> 00:11:55,720 Speaker 1: him as much as I could with them in a 215 00:11:55,760 --> 00:11:58,200 Speaker 1: big way and make over the top. You know, you 216 00:11:58,200 --> 00:11:59,520 Speaker 1: want to you want to throw into that tarry and 217 00:11:59,520 --> 00:12:01,640 Speaker 1: into that overridge. We're gonna put our best guy over 218 00:12:01,679 --> 00:12:04,040 Speaker 1: top of him, and if you throw one off, he's 219 00:12:04,040 --> 00:12:06,640 Speaker 1: gonna pick it off. Yeah, it's off target a little bit. 220 00:12:06,960 --> 00:12:09,320 Speaker 1: I sent you something for Pro Football Focus about man 221 00:12:09,440 --> 00:12:12,320 Speaker 1: versus own stuff, and teams are playing more man against 222 00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:14,839 Speaker 1: Buffalo the last couple of weeks too, and I think 223 00:12:14,880 --> 00:12:17,280 Speaker 1: that's a big reason why, Like let's at least bang 224 00:12:17,360 --> 00:12:21,000 Speaker 1: digs around maybe with a manko over the top or whatever. 225 00:12:21,280 --> 00:12:23,800 Speaker 1: And you know Gabe Davis to your point, he's not 226 00:12:23,880 --> 00:12:26,199 Speaker 1: really a man beater at this time. Yeah, and the 227 00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:27,880 Speaker 1: Steve has played a lot of man this year. They're 228 00:12:27,920 --> 00:12:29,600 Speaker 1: like fifth in the in the league in terms of 229 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:31,920 Speaker 1: how much man they've used, and they were third this 230 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:36,040 Speaker 1: past year past week. How about this stat Matt rookie 231 00:12:36,120 --> 00:12:41,079 Speaker 1: quarterbacks in their first career start against top five past 232 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:45,079 Speaker 1: defenses this since two thousand ten. Okay, so that's pretty decent. 233 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:49,319 Speaker 1: Samples six and two six. And you wouldn't think that. 234 00:12:49,400 --> 00:12:51,920 Speaker 1: You wouldn't think that. I mentioned this because the Bills 235 00:12:51,920 --> 00:12:54,240 Speaker 1: are the number one past defense in the league in 236 00:12:54,280 --> 00:12:58,160 Speaker 1: their top five all day long. Um, that's interesting, especially 237 00:12:58,160 --> 00:12:59,800 Speaker 1: if Evans is out and they have a couple of 238 00:13:00,400 --> 00:13:02,560 Speaker 1: the middle of the field might be a little more exposed. 239 00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:05,040 Speaker 1: I would stay away from power. Uh, he leads the 240 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:07,920 Speaker 1: league interception is a great player. But I do think 241 00:13:07,920 --> 00:13:10,400 Speaker 1: the secondary can be had if the protection, if the 242 00:13:10,480 --> 00:13:13,200 Speaker 1: protection holds up. Yeah, this brings me to another thing 243 00:13:13,240 --> 00:13:16,000 Speaker 1: I've been thinking about. Two is we've told you guys 244 00:13:16,040 --> 00:13:19,280 Speaker 1: this for years. I mean, Buffalo is a nickel defense. 245 00:13:19,679 --> 00:13:21,520 Speaker 1: You can come out and I mean unless you're in 246 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:24,720 Speaker 1: goal line, they're gonna be in nickel, and you can 247 00:13:24,800 --> 00:13:27,320 Speaker 1: have five receivers on the field you have zero, you're 248 00:13:27,320 --> 00:13:29,520 Speaker 1: probably gonna get nickel. You know, a very high percentage 249 00:13:29,520 --> 00:13:32,880 Speaker 1: of time. I might make this a lot gentry type 250 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:34,880 Speaker 1: of game. I've been saying that all week, Like I've 251 00:13:34,920 --> 00:13:38,320 Speaker 1: come out with three tight ends, a big package, and 252 00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:40,760 Speaker 1: just okay, if you want to stick in that, especially 253 00:13:40,760 --> 00:13:42,560 Speaker 1: if they don't have that man, say, especially if Edmans 254 00:13:42,559 --> 00:13:44,200 Speaker 1: is out of the equation and you know, you're, you know, 255 00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:46,440 Speaker 1: you're They're already down one of their top safeties, like 256 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:48,839 Speaker 1: you know, so okay, you wouldn't line up in that 257 00:13:48,920 --> 00:13:51,320 Speaker 1: nickel defense. You're gonna We're gonna make these guys come 258 00:13:51,360 --> 00:13:53,240 Speaker 1: up there. We're gonna make Poyer with his bad ribs, 259 00:13:53,440 --> 00:13:55,439 Speaker 1: come up and tackle. Yeah. Right, that's a great point. 260 00:13:55,480 --> 00:13:56,920 Speaker 1: I didn't even think of that. And they do have 261 00:13:56,920 --> 00:13:58,599 Speaker 1: a lot of defensive injuries. I mean a lot of 262 00:13:58,600 --> 00:14:01,120 Speaker 1: these dudes will play. If you if you're gonna stay 263 00:14:01,160 --> 00:14:04,280 Speaker 1: in nickel, I'm gonna get very heavy and at least 264 00:14:04,280 --> 00:14:08,640 Speaker 1: twelve personnel or and still their pass rush worries me 265 00:14:08,760 --> 00:14:12,120 Speaker 1: much more than their secondary. I'm gonna still max protect 266 00:14:12,120 --> 00:14:16,000 Speaker 1: and take shots to Pickens and Johnson and frankly, uh, 267 00:14:16,200 --> 00:14:18,160 Speaker 1: Claypool would be the one that would suffer for me. Like, 268 00:14:18,200 --> 00:14:20,160 Speaker 1: if I'm in two receivers, I'd like to see Pickens 269 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:22,480 Speaker 1: out there, not Claypool. You might even see some more 270 00:14:22,520 --> 00:14:24,760 Speaker 1: boy Can this week out there in that package because 271 00:14:24,760 --> 00:14:27,280 Speaker 1: of his because of his size and in his blocking 272 00:14:27,400 --> 00:14:29,120 Speaker 1: yeah right, I mean he can block safety. So you're 273 00:14:29,120 --> 00:14:31,240 Speaker 1: gonna put Yeah, you're gonna put put your best blocking 274 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:33,040 Speaker 1: group out there and say, okay, you're gonna match up 275 00:14:33,080 --> 00:14:35,880 Speaker 1: with us. Uh, wouldn't wouldn't surprise me to see boy 276 00:14:35,920 --> 00:14:38,040 Speaker 1: Can get a few more staffs staff this week. I 277 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:41,120 Speaker 1: I totally understand that. I mean some of the Bill's 278 00:14:41,200 --> 00:14:44,600 Speaker 1: second half stats are bonkers. Their third quarter stats are bonkers. 279 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:48,000 Speaker 1: I really think you need to get up on them, um, 280 00:14:48,560 --> 00:14:50,920 Speaker 1: no matter what, or at least established some sort of 281 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:53,600 Speaker 1: run game going into the half, you know, because you 282 00:14:53,640 --> 00:14:57,520 Speaker 1: know history shows Baltimore in them last week they did, 283 00:14:57,560 --> 00:14:59,880 Speaker 1: they did. I think the Steelers might have some success 284 00:14:59,880 --> 00:15:01,960 Speaker 1: to in that too, especially if you're gonnaee Nicole versus 285 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:03,880 Speaker 1: Gentry and wat out there. I mean, right, you should 286 00:15:03,880 --> 00:15:06,240 Speaker 1: be able to move some bodies. Yeah, I mean I 287 00:15:06,240 --> 00:15:08,200 Speaker 1: think that's the you know, they have the number one 288 00:15:08,240 --> 00:15:13,600 Speaker 1: defense in the league obviously, uh, you know, it's a 289 00:15:13,600 --> 00:15:16,800 Speaker 1: great group. But they also quickly get the advantage of 290 00:15:17,320 --> 00:15:19,680 Speaker 1: now everybody's throwing on us where we have a lead. 291 00:15:19,840 --> 00:15:22,840 Speaker 1: I mean, Steelers d even over the years of leading 292 00:15:22,840 --> 00:15:25,200 Speaker 1: the league in sacks and all these years in a row, 293 00:15:25,560 --> 00:15:27,640 Speaker 1: hasn't played with the lead as much as great pass 294 00:15:27,720 --> 00:15:32,880 Speaker 1: rushing usually do. Yeah, that's and that's you know, I think. 295 00:15:32,880 --> 00:15:35,320 Speaker 1: So if you can do that and make those pass 296 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:40,320 Speaker 1: rushers play the run, make the von Miller's, the Gregory Russo's. Okay, 297 00:15:40,520 --> 00:15:42,760 Speaker 1: you want to you guys are Maserati's. You want to 298 00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:44,960 Speaker 1: get up field, you know, and we're gonna make let 299 00:15:45,000 --> 00:15:46,960 Speaker 1: me smash you in the face a little bit. And 300 00:15:47,040 --> 00:15:48,760 Speaker 1: of course that makes pick It's life a little easier 301 00:15:48,800 --> 00:15:52,240 Speaker 1: to be successful. Play action, you know, staying ahead of 302 00:15:52,240 --> 00:15:53,960 Speaker 1: the chains. You don't want third and eight on the 303 00:15:54,040 --> 00:15:56,400 Speaker 1: road in the rookie quarter in a loud stadium, you know, 304 00:15:56,440 --> 00:15:58,040 Speaker 1: I mean that that's exactly the thing. You do have 305 00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:02,000 Speaker 1: to stay on, Yeah, you do. And you know, hey, Nagy, 306 00:16:02,080 --> 00:16:03,320 Speaker 1: this is why we took you in the first round. 307 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:05,120 Speaker 1: We want you to be the most physical guy out here, 308 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:07,040 Speaker 1: and we're gonna put about a lot of big people 309 00:16:07,080 --> 00:16:10,480 Speaker 1: around you, and then we might throw screens and slow signs, 310 00:16:10,600 --> 00:16:12,720 Speaker 1: you know, and throw bombs. Well, boy, I'd like to 311 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:15,680 Speaker 1: see that some throwing throwing to the running backs will 312 00:16:15,720 --> 00:16:19,280 Speaker 1: be something that you know, I I asked Matt Canada 313 00:16:19,320 --> 00:16:22,080 Speaker 1: about it today. Uh, you know, the lack of targets 314 00:16:22,120 --> 00:16:24,680 Speaker 1: overall for the uh, for the running backs. I think 315 00:16:24,680 --> 00:16:28,600 Speaker 1: it's it's just eleven. Yeah. Nagy Harris is on pace 316 00:16:28,720 --> 00:16:31,120 Speaker 1: to catch forty two passes this year after catching seventy 317 00:16:31,160 --> 00:16:34,760 Speaker 1: five last year seventy four. Um, he said, well, you 318 00:16:34,760 --> 00:16:37,200 Speaker 1: know they've you know, they they've been helping out with 319 00:16:37,280 --> 00:16:39,640 Speaker 1: pass blocking a lot, and sometimes you're a little slower 320 00:16:39,640 --> 00:16:42,480 Speaker 1: getting out into your your route. That's all well and good. 321 00:16:42,960 --> 00:16:45,440 Speaker 1: As an offensive coordinator, you can draw some things up though, 322 00:16:45,760 --> 00:16:48,360 Speaker 1: some screen to your point, some screens and things like 323 00:16:48,440 --> 00:16:52,600 Speaker 1: that that that are specifically used to target, especially against 324 00:16:52,640 --> 00:16:55,240 Speaker 1: the defense like this that want that that that wants 325 00:16:55,240 --> 00:16:58,200 Speaker 1: to get upfield and sacked the quarterback. Yeah, I mean 326 00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:00,760 Speaker 1: use that. Let those guys come right right right. How 327 00:17:00,760 --> 00:17:02,720 Speaker 1: many times have we seen that against the Steelers over 328 00:17:02,720 --> 00:17:04,360 Speaker 1: the years, Where you okay, we're gonna let your pass 329 00:17:04,400 --> 00:17:07,119 Speaker 1: rushers come, We're gonna throw the screen over your head, right, 330 00:17:07,200 --> 00:17:09,520 Speaker 1: And that's not a super hard throw for pick it. Obviously, 331 00:17:09,600 --> 00:17:11,560 Speaker 1: it's a harder throw than people think. It's a fourth distance, 332 00:17:11,560 --> 00:17:14,040 Speaker 1: but it's a very timing rhythm throw. No, I like 333 00:17:14,119 --> 00:17:17,239 Speaker 1: that idea a lot. And again, I'm still gonna if 334 00:17:17,240 --> 00:17:19,000 Speaker 1: I'm still getting pickings one on one on any of 335 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:22,960 Speaker 1: these and on one takes shots. And you know, in 336 00:17:23,000 --> 00:17:25,040 Speaker 1: a game like this too, it wouldn't shock me if 337 00:17:25,080 --> 00:17:28,760 Speaker 1: you see a Steeler's fake punt or surprise on sides 338 00:17:29,000 --> 00:17:31,200 Speaker 1: or something like that early in the game, not when 339 00:17:31,200 --> 00:17:33,639 Speaker 1: you're forced to do that type of thing, because why not. 340 00:17:33,840 --> 00:17:35,879 Speaker 1: You know, if you could steal a possession in the 341 00:17:35,920 --> 00:17:39,639 Speaker 1: first half and go into the half pretty even, you know, 342 00:17:39,720 --> 00:17:44,520 Speaker 1: you gotta punch your chance. Yeah, And I think Friarmouth, um, 343 00:17:44,600 --> 00:17:46,760 Speaker 1: you know, in the middle of the field, especially if 344 00:17:46,840 --> 00:17:49,879 Speaker 1: Edmonds is out, can can continue to be uh, you know, 345 00:17:49,920 --> 00:17:53,600 Speaker 1: a big target. Um, you know, just continue to use 346 00:17:53,640 --> 00:17:56,080 Speaker 1: that guy because he wins those battles. He's been the 347 00:17:56,080 --> 00:18:01,520 Speaker 1: one guy, one consistent guy offensively this year. That consistent, 348 00:18:01,600 --> 00:18:03,640 Speaker 1: you know, is where he's supposed to be. At makes 349 00:18:03,680 --> 00:18:05,240 Speaker 1: the plays when you need him to make the play 350 00:18:05,760 --> 00:18:08,800 Speaker 1: um and does some spectacular on top. Yeah, keep going, 351 00:18:08,960 --> 00:18:11,760 Speaker 1: keep going to him, you know if if if he's 352 00:18:11,760 --> 00:18:15,239 Speaker 1: your your budding star. Okay, yeah, that's fine. I mean 353 00:18:15,840 --> 00:18:17,760 Speaker 1: I'll argue that there might be more than one budding 354 00:18:17,760 --> 00:18:19,879 Speaker 1: star that on that offense. You know, it could be 355 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:22,120 Speaker 1: the case. But you like this, you'd like to see 356 00:18:22,119 --> 00:18:27,240 Speaker 1: those guys? Yeah, continue, Yeah, So I get that there 357 00:18:27,280 --> 00:18:28,879 Speaker 1: are a lot of mouths to feed on the offense, 358 00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:31,800 Speaker 1: and you can't feed everybody. But if you draw some 359 00:18:31,880 --> 00:18:36,840 Speaker 1: things up, specifically four farm with four Nagy Harris out 360 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:39,760 Speaker 1: of the backfield, you can make those kind of things 361 00:18:39,760 --> 00:18:42,040 Speaker 1: you know, happen. Yeah right, I mean you're not gonna 362 00:18:42,040 --> 00:18:44,000 Speaker 1: throw it. You're not gonna have forty snaps in this game. 363 00:18:44,040 --> 00:18:48,000 Speaker 1: I mean you still have probably, you know, disperse the 364 00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:50,800 Speaker 1: ball how you want. I'm not cutting on Claypool and 365 00:18:50,880 --> 00:18:53,160 Speaker 1: I know you didn't have a great game, but somebody 366 00:18:53,200 --> 00:18:56,200 Speaker 1: has to suffer, and to me, sorry Chase, but it's 367 00:18:56,240 --> 00:18:58,800 Speaker 1: probably if it's you, that's so be it. Yeah, you 368 00:18:58,880 --> 00:19:01,000 Speaker 1: gotta demand the targets, especially if a Gentry or a 369 00:19:01,040 --> 00:19:04,359 Speaker 1: Watt's gonna play more. Um, I don't think you're divulging 370 00:19:04,400 --> 00:19:06,520 Speaker 1: ay seekers if you are to ignore me. But do 371 00:19:06,560 --> 00:19:10,640 Speaker 1: you think in two receiver sets it's now pickings. Yes, 372 00:19:10,920 --> 00:19:12,840 Speaker 1: I mean I kind of hope so he's more the 373 00:19:12,840 --> 00:19:16,200 Speaker 1: outside guy anyway, you know, I mean so, And I'm 374 00:19:16,240 --> 00:19:19,720 Speaker 1: I think he's the more dynamic player. Yeah, um, you know, 375 00:19:19,920 --> 00:19:23,200 Speaker 1: and I think you know, for whatever you want to say, 376 00:19:23,200 --> 00:19:26,760 Speaker 1: he blocks, Oh, yeah, question, I will give playful credit. 377 00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:29,320 Speaker 1: He's improved in that area last year. He seemed to 378 00:19:29,320 --> 00:19:32,800 Speaker 1: carry last year. Well, I mean, if that's gonna be 379 00:19:32,800 --> 00:19:35,240 Speaker 1: your only job, that's your only job. You know, it 380 00:19:35,440 --> 00:19:38,840 Speaker 1: is what it is you're part of. I thought something 381 00:19:38,880 --> 00:19:41,480 Speaker 1: to Pickett said, um yesterday when he when he spoke 382 00:19:41,520 --> 00:19:44,080 Speaker 1: to the media, kind of resonated with me. He says, Hey, 383 00:19:44,080 --> 00:19:47,120 Speaker 1: I'm just out there. I'm one eleven, one of eleven, 384 00:19:47,320 --> 00:19:49,520 Speaker 1: and you know, if if if all of us do 385 00:19:49,640 --> 00:19:53,320 Speaker 1: our one eleven, the offense can be successful. Right right now, 386 00:19:53,359 --> 00:19:56,840 Speaker 1: the quarterbacks one eleventh is a little more important there 387 00:19:56,840 --> 00:20:00,280 Speaker 1: all n or whatever. Yeah, in the left guard, right, 388 00:20:00,560 --> 00:20:04,160 Speaker 1: but you know, don't don't ask him to do too much. 389 00:20:05,080 --> 00:20:08,400 Speaker 1: But everybody else has to do their job, right, I mean, 390 00:20:08,440 --> 00:20:12,520 Speaker 1: you're this is an uncommon, but Ben in his prime 391 00:20:12,960 --> 00:20:16,359 Speaker 1: allowed some people to get away with bad habits. Yeah, hey, Antonio, 392 00:20:16,440 --> 00:20:19,920 Speaker 1: you're not gonna block on this platow right, you know. Okay, Yeah, 393 00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:21,600 Speaker 1: you're gonna You're gonna make six plays in this game 394 00:20:21,600 --> 00:20:24,000 Speaker 1: that nobody else can, you know. I mean like, so, okay, 395 00:20:24,080 --> 00:20:26,359 Speaker 1: we'll be fine, you know, or we're more talented than 396 00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:28,480 Speaker 1: the opponent. But now it really has to be a 397 00:20:28,480 --> 00:20:31,919 Speaker 1: team effort, especially with a rookie quarterback. Yeah. And I 398 00:20:31,960 --> 00:20:34,280 Speaker 1: think that's why when you look at that status, the 399 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:36,600 Speaker 1: six and two against number one passing defense, and I 400 00:20:36,600 --> 00:20:39,280 Speaker 1: think a lot of the in a lot of those cases, 401 00:20:39,320 --> 00:20:42,760 Speaker 1: I would be willing to bet um the team that 402 00:20:42,840 --> 00:20:45,560 Speaker 1: won that are the ones that wanted came out and 403 00:20:45,680 --> 00:20:48,760 Speaker 1: ran the football effectively, and they had a very specific 404 00:20:49,520 --> 00:20:52,560 Speaker 1: plan to help out their young quarterbacks. Yeah. I thought 405 00:20:52,600 --> 00:20:55,080 Speaker 1: the same thing. This is a little bit off topic, 406 00:20:55,160 --> 00:20:58,240 Speaker 1: but it's you know, somethings are a ray of light. 407 00:20:58,359 --> 00:21:00,600 Speaker 1: I mean, I kind of think you're getting the Bills 408 00:21:00,600 --> 00:21:02,879 Speaker 1: at a good time. You mentioned all their injuries and 409 00:21:02,960 --> 00:21:06,200 Speaker 1: searching for a number two weapon. I mean that Miami 410 00:21:06,280 --> 00:21:08,080 Speaker 1: game had to take a ton out of them, and 411 00:21:08,119 --> 00:21:10,399 Speaker 1: it showed at the beginning of the Ravens game. But 412 00:21:10,480 --> 00:21:13,240 Speaker 1: that was an emotional comeback against what the world looks 413 00:21:13,280 --> 00:21:17,199 Speaker 1: as a contender in Baltimore. And next week they go 414 00:21:17,240 --> 00:21:20,120 Speaker 1: to Kansas City, and if there's such a thing as 415 00:21:20,119 --> 00:21:23,040 Speaker 1: a sandwich game, this is probably as good as it 416 00:21:23,040 --> 00:21:26,919 Speaker 1: gets that way. Yeah. Absolutely. You can subscribe to the 417 00:21:26,960 --> 00:21:31,000 Speaker 1: Mike Tomlin Game Day podcast. Steelers Digest editor Bob Labriola 418 00:21:31,240 --> 00:21:34,400 Speaker 1: talks with head coach Mike Tomlin about the upcoming Gang UH. 419 00:21:34,480 --> 00:21:37,280 Speaker 1: New episodes drop every game day and they're available on 420 00:21:37,280 --> 00:21:39,800 Speaker 1: the Steelers Mobile app, the I Heart Radio app, and 421 00:21:40,520 --> 00:21:44,200 Speaker 1: wherever you get your podcast. He is my Matt Williamson. 422 00:21:44,280 --> 00:21:46,520 Speaker 1: I am Dale Lally. You're listening to the Drive here 423 00:21:46,520 --> 00:21:49,400 Speaker 1: on Steelers Nation Radio. We'll be back with more right 424 00:21:49,440 --> 00:21:49,880 Speaker 1: after this