1 00:00:04,200 --> 00:00:07,520 Speaker 1: He's the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson on 2 00:00:07,680 --> 00:00:10,160 Speaker 1: your twenty four seventh home of the Black and Gold 3 00:00:10,520 --> 00:00:22,120 Speaker 1: SNR Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome to the Drive. I'm Dale Lollly. 4 00:00:22,239 --> 00:00:26,040 Speaker 1: He is Matt Williamson, and it is a Monday. You're 5 00:00:26,079 --> 00:00:28,880 Speaker 1: in Pittsburgh and Matt hard hard as it is to believe, 6 00:00:30,320 --> 00:00:32,440 Speaker 1: last week at this time was the opening of the 7 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:37,199 Speaker 1: legal tampering period in the NFL. One week. All the 8 00:00:37,200 --> 00:00:39,400 Speaker 1: things that have happened around the league since then, then, 9 00:00:39,440 --> 00:00:42,080 Speaker 1: all the free agents that are now found homes and 10 00:00:42,560 --> 00:00:45,120 Speaker 1: all the mock drafts we could tear up because you know, 11 00:00:45,240 --> 00:00:48,000 Speaker 1: they signed somebody that position or whatever. We're a big 12 00:00:48,040 --> 00:00:50,479 Speaker 1: trade that went through or what have you. I mean, 13 00:00:50,760 --> 00:00:52,440 Speaker 1: you know, we're still waiting to see what happens with 14 00:00:52,479 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 1: Aaron Rodgers. Although I don't think there's people're talking about that, true, 15 00:00:57,360 --> 00:01:00,480 Speaker 1: we haven't talked a ton about that one, Matt. People 16 00:01:00,520 --> 00:01:03,120 Speaker 1: are talking about this like the Jets have some kind 17 00:01:03,120 --> 00:01:08,040 Speaker 1: of leverage over Green Bay right now, right they really don't. Yeah, 18 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:09,720 Speaker 1: I don't. I don't see that at all. Like the 19 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:13,000 Speaker 1: actually the Packers have the leverage because at this point, 20 00:01:14,640 --> 00:01:19,400 Speaker 1: all the quarterbacks have gone in free agency. Jets quarterbacks, 21 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:22,360 Speaker 1: and the Jets have the thirteenth pick in the draft, 22 00:01:22,400 --> 00:01:24,400 Speaker 1: which means they probably aren't going to get one of 23 00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:26,560 Speaker 1: the top quarterbacks in this draft unless they want to, 24 00:01:26,880 --> 00:01:30,080 Speaker 1: you know, move Earth and Sky to to to go 25 00:01:30,160 --> 00:01:34,440 Speaker 1: up and get one, or sign Lamar Jackson. They could. 26 00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:37,680 Speaker 1: I mean, that's a totally different system in term. I 27 00:01:37,720 --> 00:01:42,520 Speaker 1: mean they hired a very Aaron Rodgers friendly offensive coordinator, 28 00:01:42,680 --> 00:01:45,840 Speaker 1: not by accident, of course, and everybody could adjust. I 29 00:01:45,840 --> 00:01:49,200 Speaker 1: guess Lamar could end up in Green in New York, 30 00:01:49,320 --> 00:01:52,120 Speaker 1: but that wasn't at all their plan. I mean they're 31 00:01:52,120 --> 00:01:54,320 Speaker 1: assuming it's going to be Rogers, and that's how they've 32 00:01:54,360 --> 00:01:59,200 Speaker 1: structured their team and Lazard and um. The other misconception 33 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:02,560 Speaker 1: here too is I don't think Rogers has a no 34 00:02:02,640 --> 00:02:06,240 Speaker 1: trade content. You know, if somebody else, if Atlanta called 35 00:02:06,280 --> 00:02:08,799 Speaker 1: him and said we want Rogers, so we could move him, 36 00:02:08,840 --> 00:02:11,880 Speaker 1: he could always he could retire. Yeah, that's his that's 37 00:02:11,919 --> 00:02:13,880 Speaker 1: his trump card at this point, because he's made to 38 00:02:13,919 --> 00:02:16,799 Speaker 1: get jillion dollars. Yeah, but there's and you don't need 39 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:18,600 Speaker 1: a whole lot of money if you're gonna go lock 40 00:02:18,639 --> 00:02:24,400 Speaker 1: yourself in a dark room and you know, said Kumbayati, yourself, right, 41 00:02:25,280 --> 00:02:28,160 Speaker 1: you can be fine and you know after his football 42 00:02:28,200 --> 00:02:31,160 Speaker 1: life is over. Um, but there's a big I mean, 43 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:33,079 Speaker 1: he's getting a huge contract this year that he'd be 44 00:02:33,160 --> 00:02:35,040 Speaker 1: leaving on the table. He said he wants to play, 45 00:02:35,080 --> 00:02:37,880 Speaker 1: whether you know, who knows how valuable that is at 46 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:41,880 Speaker 1: this point. And my bet is the sticking point is 47 00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:44,800 Speaker 1: that first round pick. I mean, I've talked about this 48 00:02:44,840 --> 00:02:49,919 Speaker 1: a lot on other airwaves. If I'm the Jets, I'm 49 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:53,679 Speaker 1: giving you this year's too, and a conditional pick next year, 50 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:55,600 Speaker 1: just because I don't know if Rogers is going to 51 00:02:55,680 --> 00:02:58,440 Speaker 1: retire after the year. I mean, you would need you 52 00:02:58,440 --> 00:03:00,920 Speaker 1: would need assurances from him he's going to want to 53 00:03:00,960 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 1: come back. But again he's he's going to be a 54 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:07,120 Speaker 1: forty year old football player, exactly exactly. It could end 55 00:03:07,160 --> 00:03:10,760 Speaker 1: at anytime. They could end at anytime, you're right. And meanwhile, 56 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:13,480 Speaker 1: though only one of these two teams has a quarterback 57 00:03:14,240 --> 00:03:19,440 Speaker 1: not named Aaron Rodgers. Yes, but love and at least 58 00:03:19,480 --> 00:03:21,800 Speaker 1: have a guy when they can line up and play today, 59 00:03:21,840 --> 00:03:25,040 Speaker 1: the Jets can't. Right, That's the that's the you know, 60 00:03:25,080 --> 00:03:27,160 Speaker 1: the the sticking point in all those The Jets have 61 00:03:27,240 --> 00:03:31,240 Speaker 1: the leverage. No, they don't don't have a quarterback. Well, 62 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:33,640 Speaker 1: and the longer it goes, and what's probably gone long 63 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:36,800 Speaker 1: enough for that that there's no Jimmy, there's no car, 64 00:03:37,040 --> 00:03:39,800 Speaker 1: there's you have one option and now you're in trouble 65 00:03:39,960 --> 00:03:43,119 Speaker 1: if you're there. What they should do is open negotiations 66 00:03:43,760 --> 00:03:47,040 Speaker 1: with Lamar Jackson, even if they don't intend to sign him. 67 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:50,240 Speaker 1: At least have that smoke screen out there. But hey, 68 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:54,000 Speaker 1: we're hey, Lamar, you want to talk? What's Lamar gonna say? No? Right? No, 69 00:03:54,080 --> 00:03:55,680 Speaker 1: I mean that's not a bad point. I mean, even 70 00:03:55,720 --> 00:03:58,960 Speaker 1: if it doesn't happen. Or boy, the Jets are in 71 00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:01,760 Speaker 1: talks with the Cardinals for the third you know, they 72 00:04:01,840 --> 00:04:04,040 Speaker 1: give the Rams a call. Hey, you know, what's what 73 00:04:04,080 --> 00:04:06,800 Speaker 1: would it take to get Stafford? Not much, not only 74 00:04:06,960 --> 00:04:09,480 Speaker 1: to get to be expensive to get him at all. 75 00:04:09,520 --> 00:04:12,000 Speaker 1: Then you would be forcing the hands of the of 76 00:04:12,120 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 1: the Packers like, Okay, we gotta we gotta to accept 77 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:16,880 Speaker 1: what's on the table here. We're gonna get stuck with 78 00:04:17,200 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 1: holding stuck with Aaron Rodgers. Does seems like the Jets 79 00:04:21,960 --> 00:04:26,040 Speaker 1: have told the world and its Rodgers or bust. Yeah, 80 00:04:26,080 --> 00:04:27,800 Speaker 1: and Rogers did tell the world I'm playing for the 81 00:04:27,880 --> 00:04:30,680 Speaker 1: Jets next year. Well you're not. They're not your employer 82 00:04:30,720 --> 00:04:33,200 Speaker 1: at the moment, Aaron. You can say anything you want, 83 00:04:33,279 --> 00:04:35,360 Speaker 1: but they're not going to just cut you and you're 84 00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:39,159 Speaker 1: just gonna mosey to New York. Yeah. So it's just 85 00:04:39,200 --> 00:04:44,960 Speaker 1: a fascinating situation. Um, speaking of fascinating situations, Matt, and 86 00:04:45,320 --> 00:04:49,400 Speaker 1: this is what they call a segue in the radio business. 87 00:04:50,279 --> 00:04:55,279 Speaker 1: Steelers on Sunday or Saturday night, I should say, created 88 00:04:55,279 --> 00:04:58,120 Speaker 1: a little bit of a fascinating situation on their offensive line. 89 00:04:58,160 --> 00:05:01,840 Speaker 1: But the uh signing of Isaac Samal, who hasn't been 90 00:05:01,880 --> 00:05:05,400 Speaker 1: announced yet by the team, but he has tweeted out 91 00:05:05,440 --> 00:05:09,279 Speaker 1: that he is joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, And well, that's 92 00:05:09,279 --> 00:05:11,520 Speaker 1: just a matter of waiting for the paperwork to come 93 00:05:11,520 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 1: through for the team. You know. I think we all 94 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:17,760 Speaker 1: assumed when they signed Nate Herbig that well, he's going 95 00:05:17,800 --> 00:05:21,800 Speaker 1: to compete at left guard with Kevin Dotson. Yeah, And 96 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:24,360 Speaker 1: well they get somebody who's not going to be competing 97 00:05:24,360 --> 00:05:27,240 Speaker 1: with Kevin Dotson at left guard. He's gonna be the 98 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:30,680 Speaker 1: left guard. He's gonna be the left guard. I really 99 00:05:30,680 --> 00:05:33,800 Speaker 1: like the signing. I mean, because he didn't do it 100 00:05:33,880 --> 00:05:36,520 Speaker 1: the day, first day or two, which was one week ago, 101 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:38,839 Speaker 1: which is how we opened the show. You know, when 102 00:05:38,880 --> 00:05:42,120 Speaker 1: things were crazy. So I think you get things a 103 00:05:42,160 --> 00:05:45,720 Speaker 1: little bit more on your terms. There's familiarity there through 104 00:05:45,800 --> 00:05:48,479 Speaker 1: the Whiteal connection, of course, but I mean they might 105 00:05:48,520 --> 00:05:50,800 Speaker 1: have been interested no matter what. He's a really good player. 106 00:05:50,839 --> 00:05:55,480 Speaker 1: He's a second or at alternate pro bowler guard. He's 107 00:05:55,960 --> 00:05:59,000 Speaker 1: so I think he's a pure guard that can do 108 00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:01,520 Speaker 1: other things and is being brought here to be a guard. 109 00:06:01,640 --> 00:06:04,799 Speaker 1: I mean, to be the left guard. But he's not 110 00:06:05,839 --> 00:06:08,599 Speaker 1: like Herbig's a bigger masher than him. I mean in 111 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:11,719 Speaker 1: terms of their body types. He's not three to fifty. 112 00:06:11,839 --> 00:06:15,080 Speaker 1: He's not three thirty. He's a little longer. He's got 113 00:06:15,080 --> 00:06:18,719 Speaker 1: long arms. He's almost six to four. He's leaner. I've 114 00:06:18,720 --> 00:06:24,160 Speaker 1: seen many people just rave about his intelligence in football acumen. Well, 115 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:27,919 Speaker 1: he comes from a football family. His dad is the 116 00:06:28,040 --> 00:06:31,920 Speaker 1: defensive line coach at San Jose State. Yeah, his sister 117 00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:36,159 Speaker 1: works as a believe she's in pro scouting with the 118 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:38,920 Speaker 1: forty nine ers. Oh, I didn't know that. He's got 119 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:41,440 Speaker 1: a brother that's now playing in college. I believe it. 120 00:06:41,960 --> 00:06:44,039 Speaker 1: I want to say Oregon State or San Jose State 121 00:06:44,040 --> 00:06:47,640 Speaker 1: one of those schools, and another brother who's also like this. 122 00:06:47,640 --> 00:06:51,040 Speaker 1: This is a football family. I mean, yeah, every one 123 00:06:51,040 --> 00:06:53,720 Speaker 1: of his brothers and sisters works in football, as does 124 00:06:53,760 --> 00:06:56,560 Speaker 1: his father. Wow, I knew his father. I didn't really 125 00:06:56,560 --> 00:06:58,960 Speaker 1: realize all the sibling things. That's great, I mean because 126 00:06:59,560 --> 00:07:01,240 Speaker 1: so where I was going with this is I think 127 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:02,919 Speaker 1: he is the left guard. I'm not trying to like 128 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:06,000 Speaker 1: throw things out there. He has played some snaps at center, 129 00:07:06,040 --> 00:07:12,680 Speaker 1: he's played some snaps at tackle, but I wonder I'm trying. 130 00:07:12,840 --> 00:07:15,000 Speaker 1: I'm trying to make this not sound controversial because I 131 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:17,920 Speaker 1: think he's the left guard. But he would never get 132 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:20,280 Speaker 1: a shot to play center at Philly because they Kelsey. 133 00:07:21,760 --> 00:07:26,200 Speaker 1: He never play tackle because his freshman year at Oregon 134 00:07:26,320 --> 00:07:30,320 Speaker 1: State he became the first starting center as a true 135 00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:34,360 Speaker 1: freshman at Oregon State since the seventies, right right, twenty 136 00:07:34,360 --> 00:07:36,360 Speaker 1: plus years he and he was that guy. So he 137 00:07:36,480 --> 00:07:39,040 Speaker 1: you know, he could do that. It's not something he 138 00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:41,680 Speaker 1: just does on the side. He's been a center, But 139 00:07:41,840 --> 00:07:43,640 Speaker 1: that's kind of what I was implying, Like, I know, 140 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:45,559 Speaker 1: he doesn't have a ton of NFL snaps at center, 141 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:48,000 Speaker 1: but maybe a year from now, you have a great 142 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:50,400 Speaker 1: guard and he could be your center or whatever. I 143 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:54,640 Speaker 1: just think the interior versatility they have now is immens Yeah. 144 00:07:55,000 --> 00:07:57,800 Speaker 1: You get the same thing with James Daniels, right. You know. 145 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:01,600 Speaker 1: The other thing is stood out to me about samlu 146 00:08:02,520 --> 00:08:06,240 Speaker 1: if you look at his agility testing, the phenomenal Yeah, 147 00:08:06,280 --> 00:08:08,480 Speaker 1: I mean they were outstanding. They were like, he moves 148 00:08:08,520 --> 00:08:11,520 Speaker 1: like a much much smaller man when it comes to 149 00:08:11,560 --> 00:08:14,080 Speaker 1: the three cones and those kind of things. Then you 150 00:08:14,160 --> 00:08:16,080 Speaker 1: see it in his highlightings too. I mean he hits 151 00:08:16,120 --> 00:08:19,760 Speaker 1: moving targets. He's really good in space. And I'm on 152 00:08:19,920 --> 00:08:23,840 Speaker 1: saying he's a left tackle, but really, from the way 153 00:08:23,880 --> 00:08:28,280 Speaker 1: he's built, he's more tackle less than Scronsky. I mean, 154 00:08:28,320 --> 00:08:31,760 Speaker 1: he's got longer arms, he's about the same height, he's 155 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:34,560 Speaker 1: more agile, you know, So I just think he's a 156 00:08:34,600 --> 00:08:37,400 Speaker 1: really good lineman. Yeah. I think that's what they were 157 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:40,480 Speaker 1: looking to add is just you know, continue to add 158 00:08:40,480 --> 00:08:42,679 Speaker 1: as many of those guys as you can and then 159 00:08:43,160 --> 00:08:46,640 Speaker 1: see where you know, where everything lands when when it's 160 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:51,480 Speaker 1: all said and done. Obviously, now they have five interior 161 00:08:51,480 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 1: offensive lineman with real NFL starting experience. This probably all 162 00:09:00,480 --> 00:09:03,720 Speaker 1: you can pretty much pencil or right, Kendrick Green, at 163 00:09:03,760 --> 00:09:07,560 Speaker 1: that experiment is over, I would think he probably ends 164 00:09:07,640 --> 00:09:10,080 Speaker 1: up getting released after this. You know, at some point 165 00:09:10,120 --> 00:09:13,480 Speaker 1: during training camp. He keep these guys around through training camp, 166 00:09:13,960 --> 00:09:17,680 Speaker 1: but I would believe that come cut down times in 167 00:09:17,720 --> 00:09:20,360 Speaker 1: the NFL, or even early in training camp, if somebody 168 00:09:20,360 --> 00:09:24,120 Speaker 1: has injuries, Steeler's phone is going to be ring. I 169 00:09:24,120 --> 00:09:27,199 Speaker 1: would think so. And I don't have a problem with 170 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:30,160 Speaker 1: Kevin Dotson, but he obviously he's the one that stands 171 00:09:30,160 --> 00:09:34,600 Speaker 1: out as the one that is most likely to go. Yeah, 172 00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:37,360 Speaker 1: he's got one year left on his contract. He's you know, 173 00:09:37,400 --> 00:09:40,560 Speaker 1: he's already, he's twenty six. I think he's a little 174 00:09:40,559 --> 00:09:43,480 Speaker 1: older than people maybe believe, you know, no, because he 175 00:09:43,800 --> 00:09:45,640 Speaker 1: came here as a rookie, but he was he was 176 00:09:45,679 --> 00:09:49,000 Speaker 1: a bit older as a rookie, you know. So I 177 00:09:49,040 --> 00:09:53,440 Speaker 1: think they've decided, hey, we're we're not gonna continue down 178 00:09:53,480 --> 00:09:57,520 Speaker 1: this road with him. The mistakes are you know, the 179 00:09:57,559 --> 00:10:00,320 Speaker 1: mental mistakes, the physical mistakes, whatever you want to call them, 180 00:10:01,120 --> 00:10:03,680 Speaker 1: are just too great. We're gonna We're gonna line up 181 00:10:03,679 --> 00:10:08,360 Speaker 1: with two guys in some Malo and Daniels with Mason 182 00:10:08,400 --> 00:10:11,040 Speaker 1: Cole and on the center. I would I would guess 183 00:10:11,960 --> 00:10:15,920 Speaker 1: that now you've got a You've got a nice interior 184 00:10:16,400 --> 00:10:19,480 Speaker 1: part of your offensive line that I mean if if 185 00:10:19,480 --> 00:10:22,480 Speaker 1: you're looking just at that part of the line. Yeah, yeah, 186 00:10:23,280 --> 00:10:26,520 Speaker 1: probably a top ten unit in the NFL on the interior, 187 00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:29,839 Speaker 1: I think so. Yeah. I mean it's just one of 188 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:33,839 Speaker 1: the better guard tandems out there, and Cole more than 189 00:10:34,080 --> 00:10:36,440 Speaker 1: proved themselves last year. I mean it's a good trio 190 00:10:36,600 --> 00:10:39,480 Speaker 1: for sure, with depth, I mean, with really good depth 191 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:43,160 Speaker 1: on the interior. I mean five starters. Now, it doesn't 192 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:46,280 Speaker 1: mean Dotson has to go. I mean no, you can 193 00:10:46,360 --> 00:10:49,120 Speaker 1: hold onto him. I mean he's a minimal cap hit. Yeah, 194 00:10:49,120 --> 00:10:53,200 Speaker 1: it doesn't cost you much, right, So and you know 195 00:10:53,280 --> 00:10:56,040 Speaker 1: Sam Malow has also played some right tackle in his career, 196 00:10:56,400 --> 00:10:58,600 Speaker 1: Yes he has, Yeah, heyes, And again I think he 197 00:10:58,679 --> 00:11:02,199 Speaker 1: has tackle agility and length and those things as well. 198 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:06,600 Speaker 1: So again, just grab good lineman. I know we both 199 00:11:06,679 --> 00:11:11,040 Speaker 1: like Tipman and Michael Schmidts and those guys, but I 200 00:11:11,080 --> 00:11:13,480 Speaker 1: would think you got to be done on the interior. Yeah, 201 00:11:13,559 --> 00:11:15,360 Speaker 1: I mean, I I you know, I think with the 202 00:11:15,400 --> 00:11:17,959 Speaker 1: money that you've spent there, the guys that you've acquired, 203 00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:23,120 Speaker 1: you're probably not in that market this year. Just unless 204 00:11:23,120 --> 00:11:25,480 Speaker 1: it's late, unless you know it's a you know, a 205 00:11:25,520 --> 00:11:27,840 Speaker 1: seventh round guard that you can maybe stash on your 206 00:11:28,040 --> 00:11:30,880 Speaker 1: on your practice squad for a year, you know, something 207 00:11:30,920 --> 00:11:33,920 Speaker 1: like that. That's but probably early in the draft that 208 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:36,120 Speaker 1: that's probably the case that you're not going to be 209 00:11:36,360 --> 00:11:39,240 Speaker 1: shopping in that market. And again it checks off another 210 00:11:39,280 --> 00:11:41,000 Speaker 1: thing that you're not going to be in the market 211 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:43,880 Speaker 1: for come draft time. Yeah, I mean, I just think 212 00:11:43,880 --> 00:11:47,000 Speaker 1: of this line. If you have exactly what you have 213 00:11:47,240 --> 00:11:51,520 Speaker 1: and maybe a second or third round tackle, you're swimming 214 00:11:51,559 --> 00:11:55,760 Speaker 1: and resources. Yeah, yeah, really are or even you know again, 215 00:11:55,800 --> 00:11:58,200 Speaker 1: even if you if you you get shut out in 216 00:11:58,200 --> 00:12:01,000 Speaker 1: the draft and you bring back Matt Feiler, yeah, yea, yeah, 217 00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:03,839 Speaker 1: you're fine. Yeah, you know, I mean someone like that, 218 00:12:03,960 --> 00:12:06,400 Speaker 1: you know, a journey have been you know that, someone 219 00:12:06,480 --> 00:12:08,960 Speaker 1: that's played. Yeah, right, so they're gonna add a tackle 220 00:12:09,280 --> 00:12:11,880 Speaker 1: and I think they'll be it. Yeah, I think so. 221 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:15,160 Speaker 1: And so I again, and I've been saying this for 222 00:12:15,160 --> 00:12:17,040 Speaker 1: a while, beating this rum. This is going to be 223 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:21,000 Speaker 1: a defensive draft. I agreat. I agreat. I mean to 224 00:12:21,080 --> 00:12:24,160 Speaker 1: be honest of in terms of primary needs, well not 225 00:12:24,160 --> 00:12:27,640 Speaker 1: even primary needs, but positions I would consider in the 226 00:12:27,679 --> 00:12:32,400 Speaker 1: top three rounds, i'd consider a tackle. You know, I'm 227 00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:35,280 Speaker 1: infatuated with a tight end. But other than that, I 228 00:12:35,320 --> 00:12:38,120 Speaker 1: think it's defense, defense, defense, and those two positions have 229 00:12:38,200 --> 00:12:40,440 Speaker 1: to fall right for you. And if they don't get them, 230 00:12:40,440 --> 00:12:43,400 Speaker 1: you don't get them, you know. Yeah, yeah, yeah, you 231 00:12:43,400 --> 00:12:44,880 Speaker 1: can kind of let the board come to you and 232 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:47,199 Speaker 1: if if if one of those top three tackles is 233 00:12:47,280 --> 00:12:50,120 Speaker 1: sitting there, okay, you can take them. Sure, unless you 234 00:12:50,200 --> 00:12:54,560 Speaker 1: got somebody defensively who you have graded higher. Right, I'm 235 00:12:54,559 --> 00:12:57,560 Speaker 1: not even I'm leading more and more not towards tackle 236 00:12:57,600 --> 00:12:59,640 Speaker 1: in the first round. I'm thinking maybe like the wad 237 00:12:59,720 --> 00:13:02,600 Speaker 1: Joe at thirty two or something you're on at forty 238 00:13:02,679 --> 00:13:04,599 Speaker 1: nine or something like that. Yeah, I got along with 239 00:13:04,679 --> 00:13:06,760 Speaker 1: those lines, you know, and those guys might be thinking, 240 00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:11,200 Speaker 1: you know, those guys are worth a second round pick, 241 00:13:11,720 --> 00:13:14,480 Speaker 1: absolutely absolutely. They don't know now, they could be your 242 00:13:14,480 --> 00:13:17,600 Speaker 1: sixth offensive lineman. You know, it's pretty clear they're gonna 243 00:13:17,679 --> 00:13:19,440 Speaker 1: run the ball up the middle. I think, by the 244 00:13:19,440 --> 00:13:22,120 Speaker 1: way I would say so, I would think that that's 245 00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:26,920 Speaker 1: the plan is to run the football. And I so 246 00:13:26,960 --> 00:13:29,880 Speaker 1: I've seen you know, some people talking about that on 247 00:13:30,040 --> 00:13:32,160 Speaker 1: social media. The Steelers are going to go out and 248 00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:35,000 Speaker 1: try to run the ball in a in a passing league. 249 00:13:35,679 --> 00:13:37,920 Speaker 1: Are these people paying any attention to what's going on 250 00:13:37,960 --> 00:13:43,040 Speaker 1: in the NFL? Right now? Right? I mean, teams are 251 00:13:43,080 --> 00:13:46,839 Speaker 1: running the football. Teams ran the football last year, Well, 252 00:13:46,840 --> 00:13:49,880 Speaker 1: then they've run it and since in a decade. I 253 00:13:49,920 --> 00:13:53,199 Speaker 1: mean example, Sean Payton's considered one of the best offensive 254 00:13:53,200 --> 00:13:55,720 Speaker 1: minds in the last twenty years. He gets to Denver, 255 00:13:55,800 --> 00:13:58,760 Speaker 1: he gets a runblocking offensive tackle, runblocking guard right off 256 00:13:58,760 --> 00:14:02,880 Speaker 1: the bat, and Wilson's struggling but not home. You know 257 00:14:02,920 --> 00:14:04,280 Speaker 1: what I mean. I mean, you can't the sity around 258 00:14:04,320 --> 00:14:05,880 Speaker 1: the ball more this year? Well, that's the thing I mean. 259 00:14:05,960 --> 00:14:07,880 Speaker 1: So you look at it and you say, okay, what's 260 00:14:07,920 --> 00:14:11,160 Speaker 1: the best way We'll say my homes because they just 261 00:14:11,160 --> 00:14:12,840 Speaker 1: won the Super Bowl. What's the best way to beat 262 00:14:12,840 --> 00:14:15,960 Speaker 1: the beat the Chiefs? You keep my home standing on 263 00:14:15,960 --> 00:14:19,440 Speaker 1: the sideline, absolutely, and you run the ball down their throat. 264 00:14:19,520 --> 00:14:22,080 Speaker 1: You know, you put together these these long drives and 265 00:14:22,120 --> 00:14:24,480 Speaker 1: then you hope, you know, you hope he makes a 266 00:14:24,520 --> 00:14:26,640 Speaker 1: mistake at some point, or you hope your defense gets 267 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:30,440 Speaker 1: to stop. So you build your defense up to where 268 00:14:30,480 --> 00:14:32,880 Speaker 1: you can get stops, and you you and you want 269 00:14:32,880 --> 00:14:38,000 Speaker 1: to run the football. That formula A has been around 270 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:41,560 Speaker 1: since since the start a football, and there's a reason 271 00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:44,800 Speaker 1: it's been around since the start a football because it wins. 272 00:14:44,920 --> 00:14:47,960 Speaker 1: It works. Yeah, and everyone knows. I'm as big an 273 00:14:47,960 --> 00:14:51,760 Speaker 1: analytics believer as anyone, But I can't wait to see 274 00:14:51,760 --> 00:14:54,920 Speaker 1: when the real analytics folks dig into run verse pass 275 00:14:55,120 --> 00:14:58,680 Speaker 1: this offseason, because this was a strange year in the NFL, 276 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:01,000 Speaker 1: and a lot of it was because the styles of defenses. 277 00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:04,320 Speaker 1: You saw that teams like Atlanta and Chicago and the 278 00:15:04,360 --> 00:15:07,880 Speaker 1: Giants that have no talent were really competitive for much 279 00:15:07,880 --> 00:15:09,560 Speaker 1: of the year just by running the ball. I know, 280 00:15:09,760 --> 00:15:11,760 Speaker 1: all those teams had great records, one was all said 281 00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:14,880 Speaker 1: and done, but it's short. They stuck. They stuck, stayed 282 00:15:14,880 --> 00:15:17,320 Speaker 1: in games. They stayed in games and got more out 283 00:15:17,320 --> 00:15:19,080 Speaker 1: of their talent than they should have for much of 284 00:15:19,080 --> 00:15:22,360 Speaker 1: the year. And the other thing that analytics can't account 285 00:15:22,360 --> 00:15:25,240 Speaker 1: for is just the physicality of the game, which is 286 00:15:25,280 --> 00:15:28,200 Speaker 1: never going away. You know, if if you're blowing this 287 00:15:28,320 --> 00:15:32,040 Speaker 1: team off the ball and you're getting four six per carry, 288 00:15:32,080 --> 00:15:35,440 Speaker 1: but by the fourth quarter you own the game, you know, well, 289 00:15:35,480 --> 00:15:37,080 Speaker 1: I think I think a lot of it. Matt and 290 00:15:37,080 --> 00:15:39,120 Speaker 1: We've talked about this over the course of the season, 291 00:15:39,240 --> 00:15:42,320 Speaker 1: is how many teams now play nickel defense as their 292 00:15:42,360 --> 00:15:46,880 Speaker 1: base defense, right, or they've gotten the linebackers have gotten 293 00:15:46,920 --> 00:15:49,960 Speaker 1: smaller and faster, so you know, you don't have these 294 00:15:50,000 --> 00:15:53,240 Speaker 1: guys who are capable of getting coming downhill and lay 295 00:15:53,240 --> 00:15:54,800 Speaker 1: in the wood to somebody. I mean, that was everybody's 296 00:15:54,800 --> 00:15:58,440 Speaker 1: biggest complaint about Devin Bush. Well, he doesn't come downhill 297 00:15:58,440 --> 00:16:01,000 Speaker 1: and attack people. Yeah, he's a two hundred and thirty 298 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:04,440 Speaker 1: pound linebacker and that's not going to be That was 299 00:16:04,480 --> 00:16:06,200 Speaker 1: never going to be his strength. He's a sideline to 300 00:16:06,240 --> 00:16:10,640 Speaker 1: sideline guy. Well, okay, if we run the ball straight 301 00:16:10,640 --> 00:16:13,440 Speaker 1: out the sideline to sideline guys, you're probably gonna fall 302 00:16:13,480 --> 00:16:17,840 Speaker 1: forward a lot. Yeah. Yeah. And again, I mean scoring 303 00:16:17,920 --> 00:16:19,680 Speaker 1: was down a little bit this year too, so it 304 00:16:19,760 --> 00:16:22,040 Speaker 1: wasn't like now we have to throw. I mean, and 305 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:24,600 Speaker 1: I don't think anyone's implying that Kenny Pickatson can throw 306 00:16:24,640 --> 00:16:27,200 Speaker 1: the ball, right. I mean, they still may add another 307 00:16:27,240 --> 00:16:30,320 Speaker 1: pass catcher that's a weapon, you know as well. I 308 00:16:30,320 --> 00:16:31,960 Speaker 1: mean look at the I mean, look at the final 309 00:16:32,040 --> 00:16:35,480 Speaker 1: four teams in this year's Cincinnati could run the football 310 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:37,320 Speaker 1: even though you look at them and say, well, it's 311 00:16:37,400 --> 00:16:40,040 Speaker 1: Joe Burrow in the passing game. They still had, They 312 00:16:40,040 --> 00:16:43,120 Speaker 1: still had Joe Mixon, right, they still had in p Ryan. 313 00:16:43,800 --> 00:16:46,400 Speaker 1: Kansas City ran the ball more this year and played 314 00:16:46,400 --> 00:16:49,160 Speaker 1: more ball control this year than they had in previous years. 315 00:16:49,920 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 1: Same thing. Forty nine Ers Niners are a great run game, yeah, 316 00:16:53,320 --> 00:16:56,280 Speaker 1: as are as we're the Eagles, And I know the 317 00:16:56,320 --> 00:16:58,440 Speaker 1: Bills don't have a great running back, but they have 318 00:16:58,480 --> 00:17:01,920 Speaker 1: a good running game there. And I think their biggest 319 00:17:01,960 --> 00:17:04,000 Speaker 1: need right now is working on their run game. They 320 00:17:04,040 --> 00:17:07,479 Speaker 1: realize their their weaknesses. Dallas was another top team. They 321 00:17:07,560 --> 00:17:09,359 Speaker 1: run the ball well, you know, I mean it's not 322 00:17:09,440 --> 00:17:12,960 Speaker 1: like teams aren't one dimensional anymore. No, you better be, 323 00:17:13,040 --> 00:17:17,480 Speaker 1: you know, especially you know if you play in the Northeast, 324 00:17:17,640 --> 00:17:20,240 Speaker 1: we're in the AFC North. Better be able to run 325 00:17:20,280 --> 00:17:23,560 Speaker 1: the football. Yeah. Yeah, And again they're not gonna run 326 00:17:23,560 --> 00:17:26,879 Speaker 1: the ball seventy percent at the time. Oh no. They 327 00:17:26,960 --> 00:17:29,439 Speaker 1: built in the second half of the season. They're going 328 00:17:29,520 --> 00:17:31,760 Speaker 1: to continue to build off that and keep that strength 329 00:17:31,800 --> 00:17:34,480 Speaker 1: of strength. Again. You know, it goes back to their 330 00:17:34,560 --> 00:17:37,480 Speaker 1: their third down conversion rate last year. I mean, if 331 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:41,000 Speaker 1: you're putting Kenny Pickett consistently in third and four. Right, 332 00:17:41,040 --> 00:17:43,639 Speaker 1: I like the chances if you're putting him consistently like 333 00:17:43,680 --> 00:17:46,000 Speaker 1: he did with Ben Roethlisberger over the latter part of 334 00:17:46,040 --> 00:17:48,960 Speaker 1: his career, where it's always third and eight. No, I 335 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:52,159 Speaker 1: don't like Kenny Picketts chances in no situations right right right, 336 00:17:52,320 --> 00:17:55,520 Speaker 1: unlike any quarterbacks chances no situations. And no matter what 337 00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:59,359 Speaker 1: your philosophy is, getting better upfront on the offensive line 338 00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:02,640 Speaker 1: is never a bad idea. And I do think there's 339 00:18:02,680 --> 00:18:06,440 Speaker 1: a little bit of a misconception with samlu that he's 340 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:09,080 Speaker 1: just a run blocker. That's not the case. No, he's 341 00:18:09,320 --> 00:18:12,840 Speaker 1: very agile, he's very good in protection. Again, those long arms, 342 00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:16,000 Speaker 1: light feet, he's not a big fat guy. Yeah, I mean, 343 00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:18,600 Speaker 1: if you if you look at it, Matt James Daniels 344 00:18:18,600 --> 00:18:20,560 Speaker 1: did not give up a sack last year, but his 345 00:18:20,640 --> 00:18:23,719 Speaker 1: protection is great. His protection is great. Samlow, I believe 346 00:18:23,720 --> 00:18:25,919 Speaker 1: I looked us up and this of course according to 347 00:18:25,920 --> 00:18:28,719 Speaker 1: Pro Football Focus, but he was he was I believe, 348 00:18:28,840 --> 00:18:32,639 Speaker 1: tenth last year among guards and pass blocking and twenty 349 00:18:32,640 --> 00:18:36,760 Speaker 1: second and run blocking. So he is. He's a little 350 00:18:36,800 --> 00:18:39,720 Speaker 1: bit better in pass protection than he's good at both. 351 00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:42,640 Speaker 1: He is good at both, but he's gotten better over 352 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:45,800 Speaker 1: the course of his career at pass blocking without a doubt, 353 00:18:45,840 --> 00:18:48,800 Speaker 1: and no matter what metric you use, and I'll honestly, 354 00:18:48,800 --> 00:18:52,480 Speaker 1: I think a lot of O line metrics are. Yeah, 355 00:18:52,680 --> 00:18:55,520 Speaker 1: the difference between the fourteenth and sixteenth probably is nothing, 356 00:18:55,920 --> 00:18:58,560 Speaker 1: but even ESPN's pass block win rate and stuff is 357 00:18:58,560 --> 00:19:00,600 Speaker 1: really good for those guys. So two differ sources are 358 00:19:00,600 --> 00:19:02,399 Speaker 1: telling you the same thing. At least, you know, and 359 00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:05,560 Speaker 1: he passes the eye test, no doubt, no doubt. I mean, 360 00:19:05,560 --> 00:19:07,440 Speaker 1: he was an integral part of the best line in 361 00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:12,120 Speaker 1: the league. Yeah, so twenty nine, it's a three year deal. Um, 362 00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:14,840 Speaker 1: you know, so you're you're getting a guy on that 363 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:17,800 Speaker 1: offensive line. Um, you know, the one thing we talked 364 00:19:17,800 --> 00:19:22,560 Speaker 1: about last year with that line was youthful experience. Yeah, 365 00:19:22,640 --> 00:19:26,680 Speaker 1: well now you get some experience experience and Herbig's youthful experience. 366 00:19:26,720 --> 00:19:30,679 Speaker 1: I mean, you know, so you've you've continued that, but 367 00:19:30,720 --> 00:19:34,840 Speaker 1: you've got a little bit you go from Donson who Donson, 368 00:19:35,040 --> 00:19:37,240 Speaker 1: believe it or not, was the least experienced guy in 369 00:19:37,240 --> 00:19:40,760 Speaker 1: that line last year. Yeah, that makes sense because he 370 00:19:40,920 --> 00:19:43,159 Speaker 1: you know, he missed half of his second year. He 371 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:46,680 Speaker 1: missed basically didn't play his his rookie year all that much, 372 00:19:46,920 --> 00:19:49,720 Speaker 1: so he had less experience even than Dan Moore. So 373 00:19:49,840 --> 00:19:54,160 Speaker 1: you've you've replaced your least experienced guy in that position 374 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:57,439 Speaker 1: is now your most experienced guy. M No. That's a 375 00:19:57,440 --> 00:20:01,000 Speaker 1: good point. And they don't give out a lot of 376 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:04,080 Speaker 1: three year deals to team you know, outside the organization too. 377 00:20:04,119 --> 00:20:06,560 Speaker 1: I think that's kind of telling the other thing it does, Matt. 378 00:20:06,600 --> 00:20:10,399 Speaker 1: I think it helps Dan more sure, gives him a 379 00:20:10,440 --> 00:20:13,280 Speaker 1: guy next to him who is again that experienced guy 380 00:20:13,359 --> 00:20:16,280 Speaker 1: who can help him identify things, pick up some of 381 00:20:16,280 --> 00:20:19,159 Speaker 1: the stunts and twists and things of that nature that 382 00:20:19,800 --> 00:20:22,800 Speaker 1: you know, and just give him a guy who's lined 383 00:20:22,880 --> 00:20:24,680 Speaker 1: up next to him now that he can trust that, Hey, 384 00:20:24,880 --> 00:20:28,359 Speaker 1: I know he's going to do his job. And that's 385 00:20:28,400 --> 00:20:32,200 Speaker 1: a great point because you know, I mentioned a little 386 00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:36,080 Speaker 1: bit to the relationship in Philly, and after digging into 387 00:20:36,240 --> 00:20:39,760 Speaker 1: to Sayamalu more and more, and you mentioned his family 388 00:20:39,760 --> 00:20:42,040 Speaker 1: and all this stuff even adds up even more. He's 389 00:20:42,359 --> 00:20:44,600 Speaker 1: kind of a brilliant football mind, you know. I mean, 390 00:20:44,760 --> 00:20:47,280 Speaker 1: many different sources have said this guy can handle all 391 00:20:47,320 --> 00:20:48,720 Speaker 1: the line calls to be one of the best in 392 00:20:48,760 --> 00:20:50,719 Speaker 1: the leagues. But he's with an all time great, that's 393 00:20:50,720 --> 00:20:52,120 Speaker 1: going to the Hall of Fame. Next to him, say, 394 00:20:53,200 --> 00:20:55,240 Speaker 1: he's going to do it for the Eagles, you know. 395 00:20:55,760 --> 00:20:59,720 Speaker 1: And so I'm just talking mentally. But he's also learning 396 00:20:59,720 --> 00:21:02,840 Speaker 1: from the guy too too. That's a great influe. Well so, 397 00:21:02,840 --> 00:21:06,160 Speaker 1: I mean, so just the communication between him and more 398 00:21:06,359 --> 00:21:09,399 Speaker 1: and you know, handling stunts and twists and hey, this 399 00:21:09,480 --> 00:21:12,760 Speaker 1: corner's coming, this linebacker's coming. It's probably gonna be light 400 00:21:12,840 --> 00:21:14,760 Speaker 1: years better. And I don't even know if Thoughtson was 401 00:21:14,800 --> 00:21:18,560 Speaker 1: good or bad at it, but he's in it. Spience. Yeah, absolutely, 402 00:21:18,600 --> 00:21:23,040 Speaker 1: so interesting signing. Unexpected signing. I didn't you know, after again, 403 00:21:23,119 --> 00:21:25,320 Speaker 1: after they made this, Yeah, I didn't expect any other 404 00:21:25,400 --> 00:21:28,120 Speaker 1: signings on the offensive line and lo and behold there 405 00:21:28,119 --> 00:21:31,440 Speaker 1: it was. But so interesting. Hey, we're gonna take a break. 406 00:21:31,440 --> 00:21:33,960 Speaker 1: He is Matt Williamson. I am Dale, Lala. You're listening 407 00:21:33,960 --> 00:21:36,480 Speaker 1: to the drive here on Steelers Nation Radio. And just 408 00:21:36,520 --> 00:21:39,960 Speaker 1: a little a little tip for everybody next year. Next 409 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:42,199 Speaker 1: week at this time, Matt and I will be in 410 00:21:42,240 --> 00:21:46,840 Speaker 1: Phoenix for the Elague meetings. We'll be doing shows down 411 00:21:46,880 --> 00:21:50,640 Speaker 1: in Phoenix Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, And as we did 412 00:21:50,640 --> 00:21:54,000 Speaker 1: at the NFL Scouting combine on Monday and Tuesday. You'll 413 00:21:54,040 --> 00:21:56,440 Speaker 1: be able to watch the show on the Steelers YouTube channel, 414 00:21:56,480 --> 00:21:58,440 Speaker 1: so you want to check that out as well. If 415 00:21:58,440 --> 00:22:00,679 Speaker 1: you didn't get to see our shows that we're on 416 00:22:00,720 --> 00:22:02,840 Speaker 1: the YouTube channel, you can still go check those out 417 00:22:02,880 --> 00:22:07,040 Speaker 1: and on the YouTube on the Steelers broadcast page on YouTube. 418 00:22:07,080 --> 00:22:09,080 Speaker 1: So just go ahead and check those out. But we're 419 00:22:09,080 --> 00:22:12,960 Speaker 1: excited about doing that. I've done owners meetings in the past, 420 00:22:13,160 --> 00:22:14,600 Speaker 1: the league meetings in the past. This will be a 421 00:22:14,600 --> 00:22:17,080 Speaker 1: first one for Matt. So yeah, I'm pretty sad. I've 422 00:22:17,119 --> 00:22:19,879 Speaker 1: heard good things were taken him down there to the 423 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:23,919 Speaker 1: Sunny Phoenix and showing them off. We'll have lots of 424 00:22:23,960 --> 00:22:25,679 Speaker 1: good guests and all that good stuff as well, so 425 00:22:25,880 --> 00:22:27,879 Speaker 1: really looking forward to that one. There can be speedo 426 00:22:27,960 --> 00:22:29,879 Speaker 1: weather down there. I don't know if we want to 427 00:22:29,880 --> 00:22:31,159 Speaker 1: go that far, but if you want to show up 428 00:22:31,200 --> 00:22:35,120 Speaker 1: in a speedo for YouTube, well maybe yeah you can. 429 00:22:35,200 --> 00:22:36,600 Speaker 1: You can go ahead and do that. I will not 430 00:22:36,680 --> 00:22:42,080 Speaker 1: be partaking, and let me know ahead of time if 431 00:22:42,080 --> 00:22:43,600 Speaker 1: you're going to do that, Matt, because I want to 432 00:22:43,600 --> 00:22:47,679 Speaker 1: make sure that I have blinders on the We're going 433 00:22:47,680 --> 00:22:50,800 Speaker 1: to a break, but we took the kids to Jacksonville 434 00:22:50,880 --> 00:22:53,600 Speaker 1: for spring break one year, and you have to get 435 00:22:53,640 --> 00:22:56,880 Speaker 1: in the pool. Of course, you know you're the only 436 00:22:56,920 --> 00:22:59,240 Speaker 1: ones in the pool. It's like fifty five degrees. You 437 00:22:59,280 --> 00:23:02,040 Speaker 1: think it's warm, your your teeth and your your lips 438 00:23:02,040 --> 00:23:04,879 Speaker 1: are blue. You know, it's like it really isn't you know, 439 00:23:05,520 --> 00:23:07,320 Speaker 1: swimming weather. You just think it is because you're coming 440 00:23:07,320 --> 00:23:10,680 Speaker 1: from the north. Absolutely, we're gonna take a break. We'll 441 00:23:10,680 --> 00:23:11,840 Speaker 1: be right back after this.