1 00:00:05,160 --> 00:00:07,840 Speaker 1: Your tunes about Drive on your twenty four to seven 2 00:00:07,880 --> 00:00:22,520 Speaker 1: home of the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio. 3 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:26,239 Speaker 2: Good afternoon, Steelers Nation. It's the Drive on the Steelers 4 00:00:26,280 --> 00:00:28,800 Speaker 2: Audio Network. Wes Shooler and Matt Williamson with you here 5 00:00:28,960 --> 00:00:31,640 Speaker 2: on the four. I should say, the next two hours 6 00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:36,920 Speaker 2: on a Mike Tomlin Tuesday Matt our first, uh, Mike 7 00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:40,600 Speaker 2: Tomlin weekly press conference here in two weeks, since, of course, 8 00:00:40,640 --> 00:00:44,640 Speaker 2: there was not one last week with the Steelers bye week. 9 00:00:45,080 --> 00:00:47,879 Speaker 2: And I think a lot of pertinent information today, particularly 10 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:50,360 Speaker 2: on the injury front, particularly when you consider that they 11 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:53,560 Speaker 2: had a Monday practice in the books already. 12 00:00:54,120 --> 00:00:55,440 Speaker 3: Odd Tuesday press conference. 13 00:00:55,480 --> 00:00:58,800 Speaker 2: Odd Tuesday press conference. But I think you can deduce 14 00:00:58,840 --> 00:01:01,320 Speaker 2: a little bit more from the injury report when they've 15 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:04,200 Speaker 2: had that practice in the books and in an extra 16 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:07,360 Speaker 2: kind of week to evaluate. And so here's the latest 17 00:01:07,920 --> 00:01:11,520 Speaker 2: Joe tom reminder. Yesterday, Joey Porter Junior Alex high Smith 18 00:01:11,560 --> 00:01:13,880 Speaker 2: both talked about how they were getting ready for Sunday, 19 00:01:13,920 --> 00:01:18,000 Speaker 2: feeling good for Sunday. That's nothing official, obviously, but in 20 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:20,400 Speaker 2: their minds kind of gearing up and hopeful that it 21 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:23,800 Speaker 2: would be available on Sunday. Mike Tomlin said that the 22 00:01:23,959 --> 00:01:27,959 Speaker 2: arrow is pointed up for all of Joey Porter Junior, 23 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:30,600 Speaker 2: Alex high Smith, and Jalen Warren. 24 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:33,559 Speaker 3: Good, very good. 25 00:01:33,680 --> 00:01:36,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think especially for Porter and for Warren. We 26 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:39,720 Speaker 2: knew that they were game time decisions in Dublin. You 27 00:01:39,760 --> 00:01:42,520 Speaker 2: have an extra bye week now, two weeks removed from that. 28 00:01:43,160 --> 00:01:45,399 Speaker 2: We won't know until we know, but both of those 29 00:01:45,400 --> 00:01:49,520 Speaker 2: guys practicing, both of those guys speaking positively, it sounds 30 00:01:49,560 --> 00:01:52,640 Speaker 2: like sounds real promising for those two and for Alex 31 00:01:52,680 --> 00:01:53,440 Speaker 2: high Smith as well. 32 00:01:53,560 --> 00:01:57,120 Speaker 3: Okay, great. I was asked on different show Mark maddenas 33 00:01:57,240 --> 00:01:59,680 Speaker 3: made you know or were you shocked that high Smith 34 00:01:59,760 --> 00:02:03,960 Speaker 3: was inserted right back with the ones. Not shocked. I 35 00:02:04,040 --> 00:02:06,520 Speaker 3: am curious how that plays out. But that's an abundance 36 00:02:06,560 --> 00:02:08,400 Speaker 3: of Richard's there. You know. We'll talk about that throughout 37 00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:12,760 Speaker 3: the week. I'm sure we have a not spoken about 38 00:02:12,800 --> 00:02:15,960 Speaker 3: Austin or Ramsey. I don't think this is the worst 39 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:19,079 Speaker 3: week to be without Ramsey, especially if you get Porter back. 40 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:22,320 Speaker 3: I mean, they don't throw to the receivers about the 41 00:02:22,400 --> 00:02:25,040 Speaker 3: least in the league, especially with Gabriel back there. 42 00:02:24,919 --> 00:02:26,800 Speaker 2: And when they do it's the tight ends that they're targeting. 43 00:02:27,080 --> 00:02:32,400 Speaker 3: They don't really go outside that much, so it'd be 44 00:02:32,520 --> 00:02:36,160 Speaker 3: more safety linebacker centric in terms of coverage, although Ramsey 45 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:38,600 Speaker 3: does do some middle of the field stuff and a 46 00:02:38,600 --> 00:02:40,920 Speaker 3: lot of stuff was with Flacko, who's not even there anymore. 47 00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:42,200 Speaker 3: It's a couple of minutes ago. 48 00:02:43,320 --> 00:02:44,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, we'll talk about that too. 49 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:44,560 Speaker 4: Yeah. 50 00:02:44,560 --> 00:02:47,160 Speaker 3: I think that's interesting as could be. And Warren you 51 00:02:47,240 --> 00:02:50,480 Speaker 3: love having back Like I don't think there's a sentiment 52 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:53,440 Speaker 3: out there that boy Gainwell was awesome. Just give him 53 00:02:53,480 --> 00:02:55,560 Speaker 3: the job, you know, he's your number one now. I 54 00:02:55,600 --> 00:02:57,320 Speaker 3: hope people don't see it that way. It was a 55 00:02:57,360 --> 00:03:01,280 Speaker 3: really good performance spot duty, but I don't think that's 56 00:03:01,320 --> 00:03:02,960 Speaker 3: what you want out of Gainbow at all. I mean, 57 00:03:02,960 --> 00:03:04,920 Speaker 3: you want Warren to be getting those touches. 58 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:08,240 Speaker 2: Yes, completely agree, And then you hope you get Warren 59 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:12,080 Speaker 2: going like we saw in bursts. Yeah, you continue to 60 00:03:12,120 --> 00:03:14,920 Speaker 2: get what you saw from Kenneth Gainwell Dublin and then 61 00:03:14,919 --> 00:03:16,360 Speaker 2: all of a sudden you're cooking with fire. 62 00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:16,800 Speaker 4: Yeah. 63 00:03:16,880 --> 00:03:20,840 Speaker 3: I mean you definitely have way more confidence in you know, 64 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:24,960 Speaker 3: knowledge of Gainwell now than you did before. Dublin. Absolutely right, 65 00:03:25,120 --> 00:03:27,280 Speaker 3: absolutely is great. Okay, Now I feel a little bit better, 66 00:03:27,360 --> 00:03:28,959 Speaker 3: you know, and you get your your number one. 67 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:31,160 Speaker 2: Back exactly right, and you get Jayalen Warren back, and 68 00:03:31,200 --> 00:03:33,560 Speaker 2: he does Jalen Warren things, and I think we'd be 69 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:35,960 Speaker 2: feeling as confident as we've been in a while in 70 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:39,960 Speaker 2: that in that room, in that position. Group doesn't sound 71 00:03:40,000 --> 00:03:43,200 Speaker 2: as great. No surprise here for Jalen Ramsey with the 72 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:46,600 Speaker 2: hamstring and Calvin Austin with the shoulder. Mike Tomlin said 73 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:51,040 Speaker 2: that they may be included in some practice preparation this week, 74 00:03:51,600 --> 00:03:55,000 Speaker 2: but that they will be limited early in the week, 75 00:03:55,440 --> 00:03:57,920 Speaker 2: so not the same kind of I'm encouraged. The arrow 76 00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 2: is pointing up with those two, which again I don't 77 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:02,040 Speaker 2: think is surprising. 78 00:04:02,200 --> 00:04:05,200 Speaker 3: No, And again I don't think this is a game 79 00:04:05,240 --> 00:04:08,520 Speaker 3: you have to rush them back, particularly Ramsey with Porter 80 00:04:08,640 --> 00:04:11,200 Speaker 3: coming back, although Ramsey does a lot of different things. 81 00:04:13,040 --> 00:04:16,279 Speaker 3: My concern when we broke here yesterday was I wonder 82 00:04:16,320 --> 00:04:18,080 Speaker 3: if either one of these guys would be an IR guy. 83 00:04:18,600 --> 00:04:21,839 Speaker 3: Then Austin in particular, just the reports after the game 84 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:24,800 Speaker 3: seemed a little great as a little more pessimistic than 85 00:04:24,839 --> 00:04:28,640 Speaker 3: the Ramsey ones. I would think that move would have 86 00:04:28,640 --> 00:04:32,600 Speaker 3: been made by now though, so probably not go either 87 00:04:32,640 --> 00:04:35,280 Speaker 3: one going to IR. So in a way you can 88 00:04:35,279 --> 00:04:37,520 Speaker 3: summack it. That's what everyone has injuries of time here, 89 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:37,720 Speaker 3: you know. 90 00:04:37,760 --> 00:04:40,200 Speaker 2: And I think if you remember, if you recall in 91 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:43,080 Speaker 2: the you know, throughout the month of September, in these 92 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:47,039 Speaker 2: Tuesday press conferences, Mike Tomlin was pretty quick to rule 93 00:04:47,080 --> 00:04:50,160 Speaker 2: out Deshaun Elliott and Alex Higsmith. Right. It was kind 94 00:04:50,160 --> 00:04:51,640 Speaker 2: of like when he would give his injury, he'd be like, 95 00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:54,520 Speaker 2: you could consider those two out. The fact that he 96 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:57,080 Speaker 2: didn't do that with Ramsey and Calvin Austin at least 97 00:04:57,080 --> 00:04:59,200 Speaker 2: makes me a little more optimistic that it might not 98 00:04:59,320 --> 00:05:01,400 Speaker 2: be as long a terms we all feared. 99 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:04,240 Speaker 3: It's just this game. Yeah, yeah, okay, and it's like 100 00:05:04,279 --> 00:05:05,320 Speaker 3: all right, and we'll see. 101 00:05:05,120 --> 00:05:08,120 Speaker 2: What the holl the week goes, right, right, right? 102 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:12,440 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, who knows. Interesting, I will say, just considering 103 00:05:12,520 --> 00:05:15,880 Speaker 3: the opponent when you hear hear these things, it's really 104 00:05:15,920 --> 00:05:18,520 Speaker 3: hard to run on the Browns, really really hard to 105 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:23,680 Speaker 3: run brown So I would Austin being out doesn't make 106 00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:25,760 Speaker 3: me super happy. That doesn't make me super happy because 107 00:05:25,760 --> 00:05:27,600 Speaker 3: someone's gonna have to step up. I mean, you can't 108 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:29,320 Speaker 3: just throw the tight ends in Metcalf only. 109 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:32,200 Speaker 2: No, absolutely, and that is something we'll we'll talk we 110 00:05:32,320 --> 00:05:34,800 Speaker 2: We got to talk plenty this week about what your 111 00:05:34,839 --> 00:05:39,880 Speaker 2: snap you know, kind of count division, how you're going 112 00:05:39,920 --> 00:05:43,240 Speaker 2: to divide those up between Watt, Herbig and high Smith 113 00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:46,560 Speaker 2: and even Sawyer in the conversation as well too. Uh 114 00:05:46,560 --> 00:05:48,960 Speaker 2: And then obviously we'll talk plenty about what to do 115 00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 2: in the absence of Calvin Austin. Is it Scotty Miller 116 00:05:51,360 --> 00:05:54,279 Speaker 2: plugging in? Is it Roman Wilson? What's that look like? 117 00:05:54,320 --> 00:05:55,840 Speaker 2: We will get into all of that as we roll 118 00:05:55,880 --> 00:05:56,679 Speaker 2: along this week. 119 00:05:56,839 --> 00:05:59,159 Speaker 3: And maybe much like Game Well, one of them really 120 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:00,680 Speaker 3: takes a ball and runs with you know, which would 121 00:06:00,680 --> 00:06:03,159 Speaker 3: be great, Yeah, yeah, kind of makes an opportunity. 122 00:06:02,760 --> 00:06:06,880 Speaker 2: For you and surprises you. And could we see some 123 00:06:07,160 --> 00:06:12,440 Speaker 2: Roman Wilson, you know, sink or swim type usage. We'll 124 00:06:12,440 --> 00:06:14,200 Speaker 2: get into all that. That's something we'll ask our buddy 125 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:16,800 Speaker 2: Chris Hallick about here in just uh in just a 126 00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:20,240 Speaker 2: few minutes before we do that, though, Matt, the kind 127 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:23,080 Speaker 2: of uh. I guess news of the day that you 128 00:06:23,240 --> 00:06:27,719 Speaker 2: just referenced the Bengals traded for Joe Flacco. Yes, that 129 00:06:28,120 --> 00:06:32,279 Speaker 2: Joe Flacco on his way throughout the state of Ohio. 130 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:34,279 Speaker 2: I guess from Northeast Ohio. 131 00:06:34,120 --> 00:06:37,200 Speaker 3: Through Division West he's got three of the four themes 132 00:06:37,240 --> 00:06:40,000 Speaker 3: checked off, trying to collect the start his career with me. 133 00:06:40,640 --> 00:06:44,880 Speaker 2: That's right, the VHS tape believer in Joe Flacco, U 134 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:48,960 Speaker 2: Joe Flacco and a sixth round pick to Cincinnati for 135 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:52,440 Speaker 2: a fifth round pick. So old Joe Flacco. 136 00:06:52,760 --> 00:06:56,200 Speaker 3: He's reported to all four facilities. Check that. 137 00:06:57,440 --> 00:07:02,040 Speaker 2: Guess time pit that is that is hilarious. 138 00:07:01,600 --> 00:07:02,960 Speaker 3: H So I want to get to that in a 139 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:05,359 Speaker 3: different segment. I know we got to talk to Chris soon, Yes, 140 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:08,360 Speaker 3: but we did a lot of stuff around the division, 141 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:10,640 Speaker 3: around the league. You know, obviously the Steelers on a vibe, 142 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:12,960 Speaker 3: and I probably it's probably worth a whole segment to 143 00:07:13,080 --> 00:07:15,760 Speaker 3: go back to that. Then there's some divisional stuff I 144 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:17,400 Speaker 3: saw today which is kind of crazy too. 145 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:19,120 Speaker 2: We'll get into all of that as. 146 00:07:19,080 --> 00:07:20,360 Speaker 3: Ravens also made a signing too. 147 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:23,240 Speaker 2: Yes, they did so some moving and shaking in the division, 148 00:07:24,120 --> 00:07:27,840 Speaker 2: both in the in the in the trade department and 149 00:07:27,880 --> 00:07:30,080 Speaker 2: in the in the free agency department. We'll get into 150 00:07:30,160 --> 00:07:32,480 Speaker 2: all of that as we roll along. Our buddy Chris 151 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:35,400 Speaker 2: Hallick from the South Side with all the latest on 152 00:07:35,640 --> 00:07:37,760 Speaker 2: the Mike Tomlin press conference and some more of these 153 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:40,360 Speaker 2: injuries and the Steelers just getting back to things here 154 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:43,280 Speaker 2: after the bye week and getting ready for the Cleveland Browns. 155 00:07:43,280 --> 00:07:45,040 Speaker 2: We'll talk to our buddy Chris when we return. On 156 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:47,880 Speaker 2: the other side, West Shooler Matt Williamson. It is the 157 00:07:47,960 --> 00:07:51,440 Speaker 2: Drive on Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network. 158 00:07:58,440 --> 00:08:01,400 Speaker 1: Your tunes about Drive. You're twenty four to seven home 159 00:08:01,440 --> 00:08:18,920 Speaker 1: of the black and Goal. Steelers Nation Radio. 160 00:08:23,120 --> 00:08:26,080 Speaker 2: Back on the Drive here on a Tuesday, Mike Tomlin's 161 00:08:26,120 --> 00:08:29,400 Speaker 2: weekly press conference in the books. Plenty to discuss from that, 162 00:08:29,960 --> 00:08:31,920 Speaker 2: and of course, as it relates to the Steelers getting 163 00:08:31,960 --> 00:08:35,080 Speaker 2: ready for their first AFC North clash this weekend at 164 00:08:35,080 --> 00:08:38,720 Speaker 2: home Sunday one pm at Acressure against the now Joe 165 00:08:38,760 --> 00:08:42,520 Speaker 2: Flaccoless Cleveland Browns joining us to discuss. It's our buddy 166 00:08:42,520 --> 00:08:45,800 Speaker 2: from dk Pittsburgh Sports, Chris Hallick. Chris, thank you for 167 00:08:45,880 --> 00:08:48,520 Speaker 2: taking the time as always, partner, and let's get right 168 00:08:48,559 --> 00:08:53,880 Speaker 2: into it here. Plenty of injury updates today from Mike Tomlin. 169 00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:58,720 Speaker 2: More optimistic as it relates to Joey Porter Junior, Jalen 170 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:03,199 Speaker 2: Warren and Alex Smith. Let's start with those three. You 171 00:09:03,280 --> 00:09:07,080 Speaker 2: expect all of those three or any of those three? 172 00:09:07,400 --> 00:09:08,800 Speaker 2: What do you kind of I know it's still early 173 00:09:08,840 --> 00:09:11,559 Speaker 2: in the week here, but predict for their status for Sunday. 174 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:18,360 Speaker 5: I really think Porter and Warren are pretty good. I 175 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:20,880 Speaker 5: mean Porter himself even said like I'm good to go. 176 00:09:22,840 --> 00:09:24,240 Speaker 4: I would put. 177 00:09:24,120 --> 00:09:28,559 Speaker 5: Porter in like ninety five percent, and then Warren maybe 178 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:31,600 Speaker 5: like a little less. I mean, he was really close 179 00:09:31,640 --> 00:09:33,600 Speaker 5: to playing and they really kind of held him out 180 00:09:34,040 --> 00:09:37,360 Speaker 5: at a caution in the Dublin game. He's had another 181 00:09:37,400 --> 00:09:40,680 Speaker 5: week to rest, he was on the field for practice 182 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:45,160 Speaker 5: yesterday during their bonus day. So I would think Warren 183 00:09:46,160 --> 00:09:49,920 Speaker 5: is a pretty near lot to play. High Smith is. 184 00:09:50,360 --> 00:09:54,079 Speaker 5: He's pretty optimistic, and I think there's plenty of reasons 185 00:09:54,080 --> 00:09:59,120 Speaker 5: for optimism for him to play. I'm I don't think 186 00:09:59,200 --> 00:10:01,880 Speaker 5: it's going to be will go, and I don't see 187 00:10:01,920 --> 00:10:04,679 Speaker 5: the reason why you would need to. With the way 188 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:08,960 Speaker 5: Nick Herbig is playing, there's no real real need to rush. 189 00:10:09,080 --> 00:10:12,360 Speaker 5: When you're about to play thirteen games straight without a break, 190 00:10:13,640 --> 00:10:16,880 Speaker 5: probably a pretty good just time to let him kind 191 00:10:16,880 --> 00:10:18,959 Speaker 5: of ease his way back in, while Nick Krviig is 192 00:10:18,960 --> 00:10:21,199 Speaker 5: playing at such a high level. So I think all 193 00:10:21,280 --> 00:10:23,680 Speaker 5: three guys have to stand a really good chance of 194 00:10:23,720 --> 00:10:27,760 Speaker 5: playing on Sunday. Though to varying degrees of how much 195 00:10:28,040 --> 00:10:29,320 Speaker 5: each guy will participate. 196 00:10:29,920 --> 00:10:33,680 Speaker 3: Christ you mess mentioned the Monday bonus practice after the bye. 197 00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:36,520 Speaker 3: How do they usually handle that? Is it a pretty 198 00:10:36,559 --> 00:10:39,200 Speaker 3: intense or is it a walk through tempo? 199 00:10:39,440 --> 00:10:39,520 Speaker 2: Like? 200 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:41,680 Speaker 3: How do they handle that? In general? 201 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:47,240 Speaker 5: It's definitely not walked through. Even Mike Tomlin today said 202 00:10:48,120 --> 00:10:51,360 Speaker 5: they really focused on like conditioning and things like that. 203 00:10:52,200 --> 00:10:55,720 Speaker 5: But you know, they tend to do a number of things. 204 00:10:55,800 --> 00:10:58,800 Speaker 5: I don't think it's one thing every single time they 205 00:10:58,840 --> 00:10:59,600 Speaker 5: have a bonus day. 206 00:11:00,320 --> 00:11:01,839 Speaker 4: Sometimes they will kind of. 207 00:11:01,760 --> 00:11:04,880 Speaker 5: Get to work early on the schematics. Other times they 208 00:11:04,920 --> 00:11:08,760 Speaker 5: will do like like Tomlin said today, they'll do more 209 00:11:10,200 --> 00:11:14,560 Speaker 5: things to really put the focus on keeping conditioning up 210 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:16,800 Speaker 5: and making sure that they're in football sheet getting ready 211 00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:20,200 Speaker 5: for a week, especially if it's a game like Sunday's 212 00:11:20,240 --> 00:11:22,520 Speaker 5: will be against Cleveland, it's the AFC, nor if it's 213 00:11:22,520 --> 00:11:25,040 Speaker 5: gonna be physical. I want to make sure guys are 214 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:29,280 Speaker 5: are ready, like physically prepared for the game. So they 215 00:11:29,320 --> 00:11:31,079 Speaker 5: do a number of different things. Sometimes they do a 216 00:11:31,120 --> 00:11:34,720 Speaker 5: little bit of everything. I definitely think that schematics definitely 217 00:11:34,760 --> 00:11:37,760 Speaker 5: played a role into the practice, though they won't truly 218 00:11:37,880 --> 00:11:39,440 Speaker 5: dive into that until Wednesday. 219 00:11:39,800 --> 00:11:42,120 Speaker 3: So I'm curious just along those lines, if sometimes they 220 00:11:42,120 --> 00:11:46,000 Speaker 3: do a mini install, coaches have a week off, their 221 00:11:46,280 --> 00:11:49,000 Speaker 3: their gears are turning, we're gonna throw this into the playbook. 222 00:11:49,040 --> 00:11:50,920 Speaker 3: You know, maybe they come back and at a wrinkle. 223 00:11:51,000 --> 00:11:55,280 Speaker 5: You know, Oh, I definitely. I think it's it's always 224 00:11:55,480 --> 00:11:58,959 Speaker 5: a time to take advantage of the extra work, and 225 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:02,040 Speaker 5: it doesn't necessarily have to be for just the preparation 226 00:12:02,160 --> 00:12:04,439 Speaker 5: for that opponent. But yeah, it could be something, Hey, 227 00:12:04,559 --> 00:12:07,320 Speaker 5: you know, we like what we're doing out of this personnel, 228 00:12:07,440 --> 00:12:11,320 Speaker 5: Let's add another wrinkle to that. Let's add another little 229 00:12:11,320 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 5: element to that. How can we best utilized you know, 230 00:12:14,520 --> 00:12:16,319 Speaker 5: for example, sewers or a third in the league and 231 00:12:16,360 --> 00:12:19,400 Speaker 5: twelve personnelities, Maybe there's another way they want to use 232 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:21,760 Speaker 5: tight ends, which is another way they want to run 233 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:24,400 Speaker 5: the ball out of that personal whatever it is, that's 234 00:12:24,440 --> 00:12:26,600 Speaker 5: another time in which they can try to work on 235 00:12:26,640 --> 00:12:27,240 Speaker 5: that kind of stuff. 236 00:12:28,120 --> 00:12:33,920 Speaker 2: Chris, Obviously, heading into this weekend, it seems rather unlikely, 237 00:12:34,120 --> 00:12:37,120 Speaker 2: not officially ruled out, but I think rather unlikely that 238 00:12:37,160 --> 00:12:40,720 Speaker 2: we're going to see Calvin Austin at home against the Browns. 239 00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:43,760 Speaker 2: What's that game plan? Kind of like this week How 240 00:12:43,800 --> 00:12:46,959 Speaker 2: do you go about trying to fill his role? Is 241 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:49,320 Speaker 2: it as simple as turning to the veterans Scottie Miller? 242 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:51,880 Speaker 2: Is it time to do some sink or swim type 243 00:12:51,880 --> 00:12:54,880 Speaker 2: stuff with Roman Wilson and finally, you know, give him 244 00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:57,640 Speaker 2: a larger portion on his plate. How do you think 245 00:12:57,640 --> 00:13:00,520 Speaker 2: they go about replacing Calvin Austin this week? 246 00:13:01,679 --> 00:13:04,200 Speaker 5: Well, the first the first thing is Mike Comlin didn't 247 00:13:04,200 --> 00:13:08,480 Speaker 5: completely rule out. I did not yet, So there is 248 00:13:08,559 --> 00:13:12,439 Speaker 5: a chance, albeit it's probably very unlikely, but there is 249 00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:15,360 Speaker 5: a chance that he could play for me. I wouldn't 250 00:13:15,400 --> 00:13:18,679 Speaker 5: rush him back again. You're about to play thirteen straight games. 251 00:13:19,640 --> 00:13:21,600 Speaker 5: You don't want to lose receiver. Yeah, you have the 252 00:13:21,640 --> 00:13:22,880 Speaker 5: trade deadline coming up. 253 00:13:22,840 --> 00:13:24,920 Speaker 4: In a few weeks, uh, in which you. 254 00:13:24,840 --> 00:13:28,199 Speaker 5: Could possibly, you know, find a team that's gonna be selling, 255 00:13:28,320 --> 00:13:31,280 Speaker 5: you know, to grab a receiver. But you'd still rather 256 00:13:31,360 --> 00:13:34,960 Speaker 5: have Calvin Austin than not have them, whether you add 257 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:38,920 Speaker 5: another receiver down the road or not. But in terms 258 00:13:38,920 --> 00:13:42,240 Speaker 5: of this week, if Calvin can't go, if they're gonna 259 00:13:42,280 --> 00:13:45,640 Speaker 5: lean on Scotty Miller and Roman Wilson, it's not just 260 00:13:45,679 --> 00:13:49,000 Speaker 5: gonna be one guy, uh and the main and there 261 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:50,880 Speaker 5: are a number of ways. You cancel that. Yes, you 262 00:13:50,920 --> 00:13:53,640 Speaker 5: can't utilize the tight ends a little bit more. You 263 00:13:53,640 --> 00:13:56,040 Speaker 5: can run a little bit more twelve personnel, But there 264 00:13:56,080 --> 00:13:58,680 Speaker 5: are also things that Calvin Austin does the tight ends 265 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:02,480 Speaker 5: can't do, and me that's speed. And the good thing 266 00:14:02,559 --> 00:14:05,600 Speaker 5: is both Scotty Miller and Roman Wilson are very good runners, 267 00:14:05,640 --> 00:14:08,840 Speaker 5: and they can utilize their speed quite a bit to 268 00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:11,839 Speaker 5: help either stretch the defense. The Browns were on a 269 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:14,040 Speaker 5: lot of single high so maybe they can try to 270 00:14:14,080 --> 00:14:16,880 Speaker 5: take some more shots downfield, and having speed is a 271 00:14:16,880 --> 00:14:20,120 Speaker 5: good part of that. You know, that could also clear 272 00:14:20,200 --> 00:14:22,680 Speaker 5: some space for TK Metcalf or even some of the 273 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:25,080 Speaker 5: other guys underneath. Whether it be a running back or 274 00:14:25,080 --> 00:14:28,200 Speaker 5: a tight end, they're gonna have to utilize both Scotty Miller. 275 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:30,720 Speaker 5: And the good thing is Scotty Miller's a trusted veteran receiver. 276 00:14:31,920 --> 00:14:32,120 Speaker 4: You know. 277 00:14:32,520 --> 00:14:33,800 Speaker 5: Aaron Rodgers has a good. 278 00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:34,480 Speaker 4: Things to say about him. 279 00:14:34,560 --> 00:14:36,880 Speaker 5: Tom Brady had good things to say about him when 280 00:14:36,880 --> 00:14:38,600 Speaker 5: Scotty was in Tampa Bay, and. 281 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:39,440 Speaker 4: Then Roman Wilson. 282 00:14:39,480 --> 00:14:41,360 Speaker 5: I mean, yeah, I think at some point you got 283 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:44,040 Speaker 5: to rip the band aid off and kind of cut 284 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:45,920 Speaker 5: him loose and let him go see what happens, and 285 00:14:46,480 --> 00:14:49,200 Speaker 5: you'd like for that to work out because this is 286 00:14:49,240 --> 00:14:51,960 Speaker 5: a pretty pivotal game. I understand the Browns are one 287 00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:55,000 Speaker 5: and four, but this is an AFC North matchup. Stuarts 288 00:14:55,040 --> 00:14:59,320 Speaker 5: have a grand opportunity to get an early stranglehold on 289 00:14:59,360 --> 00:14:59,880 Speaker 5: the division. 290 00:15:00,040 --> 00:15:02,040 Speaker 4: And you know you want to win the game. 291 00:15:01,880 --> 00:15:03,840 Speaker 5: No matter what, but you really love to be able 292 00:15:03,880 --> 00:15:06,560 Speaker 5: to win the game and also to get Roman and 293 00:15:06,560 --> 00:15:09,000 Speaker 5: Wilson involved so you could really start to see what 294 00:15:09,000 --> 00:15:09,520 Speaker 5: you have there. 295 00:15:10,160 --> 00:15:12,960 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm gonna stick with this this topic here because 296 00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:16,440 Speaker 3: I do think Austin is a significant loss if he 297 00:15:16,480 --> 00:15:18,840 Speaker 3: can't go. Because you said a lot of single high 298 00:15:18,920 --> 00:15:21,600 Speaker 3: they're really really hard to run on. I would think 299 00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:25,200 Speaker 3: this could be a matchup where you do take shots, 300 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:28,240 Speaker 3: you know, if you can max protect. But my question 301 00:15:28,320 --> 00:15:32,080 Speaker 3: for you is in two receiver sets, do you think 302 00:15:32,120 --> 00:15:37,120 Speaker 3: they trust Roman Wilson to be an outside player? I mean, 303 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:41,080 Speaker 3: he's maybe trust isn't the right word yet, you. 304 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:44,200 Speaker 5: Know, yeah, maybe maybe not trust, But I you know, 305 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:47,440 Speaker 5: whenever you know Tomlin was asked about it today, you 306 00:15:47,480 --> 00:15:49,320 Speaker 5: know it's not like this because when you look at 307 00:15:49,320 --> 00:15:52,640 Speaker 5: the snap counts between like DK Metcalta, and Calvin Austin. 308 00:15:52,760 --> 00:15:58,000 Speaker 5: They both like significantly outsnap Roman Wilson and Scotty Miller. 309 00:15:58,520 --> 00:16:02,040 Speaker 5: But the reason for that is necessarily because they don't 310 00:16:02,040 --> 00:16:05,880 Speaker 5: trust Scott or Roman. It's because they're using twelve personnel 311 00:16:05,920 --> 00:16:07,600 Speaker 5: the third highest rate in the league, and they're using 312 00:16:07,840 --> 00:16:10,680 Speaker 5: thirteen personnel the third highest rate in the league. You know, 313 00:16:10,800 --> 00:16:14,600 Speaker 5: they're using eleven personnel at the lowest rate in the league, 314 00:16:14,640 --> 00:16:17,160 Speaker 5: which means they have only two receivers on the field 315 00:16:17,600 --> 00:16:19,960 Speaker 5: the majority of the time, like two thirds of the time. 316 00:16:20,680 --> 00:16:23,480 Speaker 5: So you're not going naturally, you're not going to have 317 00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:27,000 Speaker 5: a lot of statcounts for more than your top receivers. Now, 318 00:16:27,640 --> 00:16:30,720 Speaker 5: when it comes to Roman Wilson, he's equipped to do 319 00:16:30,840 --> 00:16:33,880 Speaker 5: a lot of things even in twelve personnel. He's a 320 00:16:33,880 --> 00:16:36,960 Speaker 5: good blocking receiver, not as good as spend Scronis, but 321 00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:40,880 Speaker 5: he's probably a better blocking receiver than Calvin Austin. But 322 00:16:41,880 --> 00:16:44,000 Speaker 5: this is also a good chance for them to see 323 00:16:44,160 --> 00:16:45,960 Speaker 5: what they have in him as a route runner, what 324 00:16:46,040 --> 00:16:48,440 Speaker 5: kind of separation he can get, how he can be 325 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:51,560 Speaker 5: utilized in I think the play action. The one thing 326 00:16:51,560 --> 00:16:54,840 Speaker 5: that he did really well in Michigan was being able 327 00:16:54,840 --> 00:16:57,600 Speaker 5: to run these high crossers and you know those who 328 00:16:57,640 --> 00:17:00,760 Speaker 5: pay attention to you know, Arthur Smith's background on an offense, 329 00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:05,040 Speaker 5: he likes to run those Shanahan play action concepts, you know, 330 00:17:05,280 --> 00:17:08,320 Speaker 5: and that involves the good amount of high crossers. You know, 331 00:17:08,359 --> 00:17:10,920 Speaker 5: maybe Roman Wilson can be utilized that way. 332 00:17:10,960 --> 00:17:11,840 Speaker 4: I don't know, but. 333 00:17:13,760 --> 00:17:15,639 Speaker 5: They've got, like I said, I think they got to 334 00:17:15,680 --> 00:17:17,600 Speaker 5: rip the band aid off at some point, and this 335 00:17:17,680 --> 00:17:19,560 Speaker 5: is an opportunity for them to do it without forcing 336 00:17:19,560 --> 00:17:22,520 Speaker 5: it because you know Boston's down. They need to step up. 337 00:17:22,560 --> 00:17:24,320 Speaker 5: And you know, this is a guy who's a third 338 00:17:24,400 --> 00:17:27,320 Speaker 5: round pick. You know, he looks pretty good in the preseason. 339 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:29,240 Speaker 5: They kind of see what they have. You know that 340 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:31,119 Speaker 5: this almost does have to be as Mut's kind of 341 00:17:31,119 --> 00:17:33,520 Speaker 5: put it, kind of think Chris swim with him. 342 00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:36,480 Speaker 2: A couple more minutes here with Chris Hallick on the 343 00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:40,000 Speaker 2: Drive on Steelers Nation Radio. Chris, I guess, kind of 344 00:17:40,119 --> 00:17:43,480 Speaker 2: similar conversation as it relates to offensive game plan for 345 00:17:43,520 --> 00:17:46,600 Speaker 2: this Sunday against the Browns. I don't know if any 346 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:50,919 Speaker 2: of us had Darnell Washington pacing the Steelers' skill position 347 00:17:51,040 --> 00:17:54,440 Speaker 2: players in terms of snaps on our Bengo cards heading 348 00:17:54,440 --> 00:17:56,720 Speaker 2: into Dublin. But that's the way it played out, and 349 00:17:56,800 --> 00:17:59,600 Speaker 2: I think to pretty good success as well. Do you 350 00:17:59,640 --> 00:18:03,080 Speaker 2: expect we'll see a heavy heavy dose of Mount Washington 351 00:18:03,480 --> 00:18:06,400 Speaker 2: and with that that that corn beef package with Anderson 352 00:18:06,400 --> 00:18:09,120 Speaker 2: as well too against this Browns defense. 353 00:18:08,960 --> 00:18:10,720 Speaker 3: Chris's that was something I was going to ask too, 354 00:18:10,760 --> 00:18:12,880 Speaker 3: So I just wanted to add one piece to it. 355 00:18:12,960 --> 00:18:15,600 Speaker 3: But maybe they use it on what your thoughts on 356 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:17,200 Speaker 3: if they will use it or not? But I don't 357 00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:19,600 Speaker 3: want to speak for you, but if they do, do 358 00:18:19,640 --> 00:18:23,360 Speaker 3: you think it's more protection related against Garrett as opposed 359 00:18:23,400 --> 00:18:25,760 Speaker 3: to masterface run the ball against you know, one of 360 00:18:25,760 --> 00:18:27,080 Speaker 3: the best run defenses in the league. 361 00:18:28,400 --> 00:18:32,320 Speaker 5: Well, the way Mike Tomlin put it today was you 362 00:18:32,400 --> 00:18:35,439 Speaker 5: don't use two hundred and fifty pounds tight ends to 363 00:18:35,520 --> 00:18:39,960 Speaker 5: block four three defensive ends. That's the way he put it, 364 00:18:39,960 --> 00:18:41,119 Speaker 5: and it makes a lot of sense. 365 00:18:41,320 --> 00:18:43,359 Speaker 4: I think. Another way he put it was there are 366 00:18:43,440 --> 00:18:44,600 Speaker 4: weight classes. 367 00:18:44,200 --> 00:18:48,160 Speaker 5: And combat sports for a reason, you know, and and 368 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:52,800 Speaker 5: Darnell Washington is built big enough to be able to 369 00:18:52,840 --> 00:18:55,080 Speaker 5: block some of those larger defensive ends that play in 370 00:18:55,080 --> 00:18:59,520 Speaker 5: a fourth three front, and so you know, Tomlin hasn't 371 00:18:59,560 --> 00:19:01,840 Speaker 5: been the way he put it it's been bashful about 372 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:04,359 Speaker 5: using those type of things against the four to three, 373 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:06,879 Speaker 5: So it would not surprise me if going up against 374 00:19:06,880 --> 00:19:09,439 Speaker 5: the Browns, especially when you consider the fact they do 375 00:19:09,520 --> 00:19:13,640 Speaker 5: have Miles Garrett and a really strong defensive front, that, yeah, 376 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:15,560 Speaker 5: you could see more of that, and you could see 377 00:19:15,600 --> 00:19:17,720 Speaker 5: more of it against the Bengals, who also use a 378 00:19:17,800 --> 00:19:21,119 Speaker 5: four to three front. So I don't think it's every 379 00:19:21,160 --> 00:19:23,920 Speaker 5: single time they face a team that runs out of 380 00:19:23,960 --> 00:19:26,200 Speaker 5: the four to three that you're gonna see nineteen snaps 381 00:19:26,520 --> 00:19:32,200 Speaker 5: from Spencer Anderson as a eligible receiver, while Pat Fryer 382 00:19:32,280 --> 00:19:34,960 Speaker 5: mud and John hus Smith played less than that. But 383 00:19:35,640 --> 00:19:38,119 Speaker 5: I think when it's a game in which you're trying 384 00:19:38,119 --> 00:19:41,280 Speaker 5: to number one run the football and you're also trying 385 00:19:41,320 --> 00:19:45,600 Speaker 5: to protect your quarterback, I think it's absolutely a way 386 00:19:45,640 --> 00:19:47,040 Speaker 5: to be able to do that. I don't think that's 387 00:19:47,040 --> 00:19:49,959 Speaker 5: going to be their entire offense, but I don't think 388 00:19:50,240 --> 00:19:53,159 Speaker 5: that the game against Minnesota was some sort of one 389 00:19:53,240 --> 00:19:55,639 Speaker 5: off or some sort of misnumber. I really do think 390 00:19:55,680 --> 00:19:58,960 Speaker 5: that it's going to be something that they use as 391 00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:03,879 Speaker 5: one way to attack these defensive fronts, especially a front 392 00:20:03,920 --> 00:20:06,120 Speaker 5: like Cleveland who not only is filled with a lot 393 00:20:06,160 --> 00:20:09,600 Speaker 5: of talent, but also they just load the box. They 394 00:20:09,680 --> 00:20:11,440 Speaker 5: like to load the box. They want to stop the run. 395 00:20:11,680 --> 00:20:14,520 Speaker 5: They're very good at stopping the run. So sometimes you 396 00:20:14,560 --> 00:20:17,679 Speaker 5: got to put your bigger horses out there and you know, 397 00:20:18,840 --> 00:20:20,439 Speaker 5: try to be the bully there, and you kind of 398 00:20:20,440 --> 00:20:21,720 Speaker 5: need the bodies in order to do that. 399 00:20:22,880 --> 00:20:25,280 Speaker 3: Chris, I got one more thing for you. You kind 400 00:20:25,280 --> 00:20:28,479 Speaker 3: of mentioned maybe they ease high Smith back into things, 401 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:31,000 Speaker 3: and that might be an easy way to make the 402 00:20:31,040 --> 00:20:33,720 Speaker 3: decision for us, you know, in terms of her Big 403 00:20:33,840 --> 00:20:38,880 Speaker 3: versu high Smith, Highsmith versus Herbig. But you see any 404 00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:41,359 Speaker 3: way that maybe all three of the outside linebackers are 405 00:20:41,359 --> 00:20:45,040 Speaker 3: on the field together or I just can't get over 406 00:20:46,200 --> 00:20:48,960 Speaker 3: having her Big on the bench. I mean, it's no 407 00:20:49,080 --> 00:20:51,240 Speaker 3: knock on anybody else, but he just blows me away 408 00:20:51,280 --> 00:20:52,760 Speaker 3: every time he's out there, and I think he needs 409 00:20:52,760 --> 00:20:53,640 Speaker 3: to play a lot. 410 00:20:55,760 --> 00:20:57,480 Speaker 4: Oh, I think they want him to play a lot too. 411 00:20:57,520 --> 00:20:59,199 Speaker 5: And yes, I do think there are going to be 412 00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:02,359 Speaker 5: times in which Shoe you do see all three on 413 00:21:02,400 --> 00:21:02,879 Speaker 5: the field. 414 00:21:03,080 --> 00:21:06,120 Speaker 6: Good, But I think I think the biggest thing now, 415 00:21:06,160 --> 00:21:08,960 Speaker 6: I don't think that that's going to be like ninety 416 00:21:08,960 --> 00:21:10,679 Speaker 6: percent of the time that's going to be what they do, 417 00:21:10,760 --> 00:21:14,000 Speaker 6: because that means you're leaving Peyton Wilson on the sideline sometimes, 418 00:21:14,080 --> 00:21:16,439 Speaker 6: and Peyton Wilson does some really got me shoot that 419 00:21:16,440 --> 00:21:19,800 Speaker 6: that they don't stop Jordan Addison on that blown coverage 420 00:21:19,800 --> 00:21:23,720 Speaker 6: about Peyton Wilson running a ridiculous speed and chasing him down. 421 00:21:23,760 --> 00:21:26,159 Speaker 6: You know, Peyton Wilson brings value. You're not going to 422 00:21:26,240 --> 00:21:28,040 Speaker 6: take Patrick Queen up the field because he's the green 423 00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:30,280 Speaker 6: dot guy and when he's healthy, HEA's on the field 424 00:21:30,359 --> 00:21:31,320 Speaker 6: every single snap. 425 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:34,560 Speaker 3: The three outside linebacker things easier said than done, by 426 00:21:34,600 --> 00:21:35,520 Speaker 3: the way. 427 00:21:35,760 --> 00:21:39,360 Speaker 5: Absolutely, yeah, it's not as simple as it sounds. Now 428 00:21:39,400 --> 00:21:43,879 Speaker 5: that being said, I think there's more value in having 429 00:21:43,920 --> 00:21:47,199 Speaker 5: these guys rotate with each other than trying to just 430 00:21:47,240 --> 00:21:49,520 Speaker 5: stuck this like stuff them all in the field at 431 00:21:49,520 --> 00:21:52,600 Speaker 5: the same time all the time. Because what you really 432 00:21:52,680 --> 00:21:55,320 Speaker 5: have to think about here is Number one, these are 433 00:21:55,320 --> 00:21:56,840 Speaker 5: three really good football players. 434 00:21:56,920 --> 00:21:57,320 Speaker 4: I mean TJ. 435 00:21:57,400 --> 00:21:59,680 Speaker 5: Watson Defensive Player of the Year should have been won 436 00:21:59,840 --> 00:22:03,080 Speaker 5: moreultiple the Best Player of the Year awards. Nick Herbig 437 00:22:03,240 --> 00:22:06,600 Speaker 5: is blossoming into a phenomenal edge rusher, and Alex Heismith 438 00:22:07,000 --> 00:22:09,920 Speaker 5: is a very very very good edge rusher, and any 439 00:22:10,000 --> 00:22:14,159 Speaker 5: team would love to have him as like their compliment 440 00:22:14,920 --> 00:22:16,679 Speaker 5: to a star edge rusher. 441 00:22:16,960 --> 00:22:18,080 Speaker 4: Any team would have that. 442 00:22:18,080 --> 00:22:20,960 Speaker 5: He would even be the best edge rusher on several 443 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:24,520 Speaker 5: teams in the league. So one way that you can 444 00:22:24,680 --> 00:22:28,160 Speaker 5: utilize that is to keep them all fresh a little 445 00:22:28,160 --> 00:22:31,800 Speaker 5: bit more and have one of those guys on the sideline. 446 00:22:31,840 --> 00:22:34,240 Speaker 5: There will be times TJ. Watt is the guy who's 447 00:22:34,240 --> 00:22:37,280 Speaker 5: on the sideline because you don't want him going to 448 00:22:37,359 --> 00:22:39,919 Speaker 5: ninety five percent of the snaps every single week. You 449 00:22:40,040 --> 00:22:43,680 Speaker 5: need this guy fresh and healthy in December and January. 450 00:22:43,960 --> 00:22:47,000 Speaker 5: You know, think about last year whenever he was playing 451 00:22:47,080 --> 00:22:51,159 Speaker 5: banged up and he was not as effective. He just 452 00:22:51,280 --> 00:22:51,919 Speaker 5: wasn't you know. 453 00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:54,160 Speaker 4: And some people are like, you know, what, where did TJ. 454 00:22:54,280 --> 00:22:54,639 Speaker 4: Watt go? 455 00:22:54,720 --> 00:22:57,280 Speaker 5: Well, he's playing in lesson one hundred percent, and maybe 456 00:22:57,520 --> 00:22:59,600 Speaker 5: he sends a much better chance of being closer to 457 00:22:59,760 --> 00:23:02,600 Speaker 5: under if you have a Nick Kirbig who can step 458 00:23:02,600 --> 00:23:04,760 Speaker 5: onto the field and instead and you don't have that 459 00:23:04,800 --> 00:23:07,200 Speaker 5: big of a drop off in production, or when Alex 460 00:23:07,240 --> 00:23:10,000 Speaker 5: Highsmith can step onto the field and you can you know, 461 00:23:10,440 --> 00:23:13,040 Speaker 5: keep Nick herbig frush because her Big hasn't been the 462 00:23:13,440 --> 00:23:16,920 Speaker 5: most healthy guy over the court over his three NFL. 463 00:23:16,640 --> 00:23:17,280 Speaker 4: Seasons, either. 464 00:23:17,400 --> 00:23:22,359 Speaker 5: So, keeping these guys healthy is paramount above everything else. 465 00:23:22,800 --> 00:23:25,639 Speaker 5: But rotation is a good way to do that. 466 00:23:25,680 --> 00:23:27,760 Speaker 4: But I do think you will see. 467 00:23:27,520 --> 00:23:29,639 Speaker 5: Every now and then, maybe it's five or six times 468 00:23:29,680 --> 00:23:32,080 Speaker 5: a game in which you see all three guys on 469 00:23:32,119 --> 00:23:34,600 Speaker 5: the field on the third down situation or any kind 470 00:23:34,600 --> 00:23:36,679 Speaker 5: of a bullet situation in which they just send the 471 00:23:36,720 --> 00:23:37,080 Speaker 5: house becau. 472 00:23:37,080 --> 00:23:38,480 Speaker 4: They're gonna put all their big guns. 473 00:23:38,280 --> 00:23:40,000 Speaker 5: Out there and they're gonna be like, Okay, we're gonna 474 00:23:40,040 --> 00:23:41,200 Speaker 5: go get the quarterback right now. 475 00:23:42,240 --> 00:23:44,399 Speaker 2: Certainly a good problem to have how to fit all 476 00:23:44,440 --> 00:23:48,320 Speaker 2: those three into the defensive puzzle. Chris Hallick, great stuff 477 00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:50,239 Speaker 2: from him, as always, make sure you're checking out all 478 00:23:50,240 --> 00:23:53,119 Speaker 2: his work DK Pittsburgh Sports. Chris, thank you for the time, buddy, 479 00:23:53,160 --> 00:23:54,000 Speaker 2: and we'll talk to you soon. 480 00:23:55,160 --> 00:23:56,280 Speaker 5: All right, Thanks for having me, guys. 481 00:23:56,320 --> 00:23:56,959 Speaker 4: I appreciate it. 482 00:23:57,280 --> 00:24:01,400 Speaker 2: There he goes Chris Halleck, great stuff. Yeah, Yeah, that's 483 00:24:01,520 --> 00:24:02,840 Speaker 2: that's just what I would like to see Matt a 484 00:24:02,840 --> 00:24:05,439 Speaker 2: couple times a game make defenses. It's kind of one 485 00:24:05,440 --> 00:24:05,560 Speaker 2: of the. 486 00:24:05,520 --> 00:24:07,199 Speaker 3: Five or six snaps. Was exactly what I was going 487 00:24:07,280 --> 00:24:07,600 Speaker 3: to say to. 488 00:24:07,840 --> 00:24:10,000 Speaker 2: One of those out Like we talk about outliers a lot, 489 00:24:10,359 --> 00:24:12,960 Speaker 2: make de or make offense as part of me prepare 490 00:24:13,040 --> 00:24:15,000 Speaker 2: for something that's a little bit of an outlier that 491 00:24:15,040 --> 00:24:16,560 Speaker 2: you're going to throw at them a couple times a 492 00:24:16,560 --> 00:24:17,240 Speaker 2: game situation. 493 00:24:17,400 --> 00:24:19,640 Speaker 3: Yeap, And we can really talk about how you really 494 00:24:19,640 --> 00:24:21,720 Speaker 3: would divvy out their snaps. But I do think he 495 00:24:21,840 --> 00:24:24,520 Speaker 3: mentioned maybe high Smith you got to ease him in, 496 00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:26,639 Speaker 3: you know, coming off the injury, So this week it 497 00:24:26,720 --> 00:24:29,720 Speaker 3: might be easier to build that puzzle than when they're 498 00:24:29,720 --> 00:24:32,520 Speaker 3: all one hundred percent, you know, fighting for time. Yeah, Alex, 499 00:24:32,520 --> 00:24:34,560 Speaker 3: we only wanted you to play twenty snaps no matter what, 500 00:24:34,760 --> 00:24:36,960 Speaker 3: you know, right, even if herbig didn't exist, Yeah, you 501 00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:37,399 Speaker 3: know what I mean? 502 00:24:37,680 --> 00:24:40,320 Speaker 2: You know, so could all fall into place on one 503 00:24:40,440 --> 00:24:43,639 Speaker 2: Sunday and hopefully you have those three healthy and rested 504 00:24:43,680 --> 00:24:45,639 Speaker 2: and good to go for the rest of the season 505 00:24:45,680 --> 00:24:49,800 Speaker 2: as well too. Certainly, Matt, no Tuesday rewind today since 506 00:24:49,840 --> 00:24:52,040 Speaker 2: we're coming off of the bye week. So I figured 507 00:24:52,080 --> 00:24:53,879 Speaker 2: in lieu of that, a lot of moving and shaking 508 00:24:53,960 --> 00:24:57,240 Speaker 2: across the AFC North, a trade between the Browns and 509 00:24:57,240 --> 00:25:00,240 Speaker 2: the Bengals. The Ravens have added a pretty signific get 510 00:25:00,320 --> 00:25:02,320 Speaker 2: name and free agency as well too. Let's get into 511 00:25:02,359 --> 00:25:04,479 Speaker 2: all that when we return on the other side. To 512 00:25:04,480 --> 00:25:06,080 Speaker 2: close down the first hour of the show. It is 513 00:25:06,119 --> 00:25:09,320 Speaker 2: the Drive West Yuler Matt Williamson, Steelers Nation Radio on 514 00:25:09,359 --> 00:25:18,840 Speaker 2: the Steelers Audio Network, your tunes. 515 00:25:18,520 --> 00:25:20,960 Speaker 1: About Drive on your twenty four to seven home of 516 00:25:21,000 --> 00:25:31,080 Speaker 1: the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. 517 00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:44,080 Speaker 2: A busy Tuesday today across the AFC North, the Browns 518 00:25:44,080 --> 00:25:47,280 Speaker 2: and the Bengals making a deal, the Ravens adding a 519 00:25:47,320 --> 00:25:51,440 Speaker 2: prominent free agent. Matt, let's start with the trade between Yeah, 520 00:25:51,440 --> 00:25:57,040 Speaker 2: it is a weird one again. Flacco and a sixth 521 00:25:57,119 --> 00:26:02,760 Speaker 2: round pick heading to to to Sense the part of 522 00:26:02,800 --> 00:26:05,400 Speaker 2: me to the Bengals and a fifth round pick going 523 00:26:05,440 --> 00:26:09,760 Speaker 2: back to Cleveland in return. I think from the Browns standpoint, 524 00:26:09,880 --> 00:26:12,520 Speaker 2: it makes plenty of sense, you know. Yeah, you got 525 00:26:12,520 --> 00:26:15,120 Speaker 2: your two young quarterbacks. 526 00:26:14,520 --> 00:26:16,240 Speaker 3: Except I'd like an adult in the room. 527 00:26:16,960 --> 00:26:17,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know what I mean. 528 00:26:18,000 --> 00:26:21,439 Speaker 3: It's a weird I can't remember a time when the 529 00:26:21,520 --> 00:26:23,440 Speaker 3: quarterback room was only two rookies. 530 00:26:23,800 --> 00:26:24,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, that is. 531 00:26:26,359 --> 00:26:30,640 Speaker 3: Right, and Joe's well, we'll talk about later. But I mean, 532 00:26:32,320 --> 00:26:34,399 Speaker 3: those are the two guys you want to play. And 533 00:26:34,440 --> 00:26:36,639 Speaker 3: so I get that. You get one obstruction out of 534 00:26:36,680 --> 00:26:40,160 Speaker 3: the way, Shador becomes the number two. Like I got 535 00:26:40,200 --> 00:26:43,119 Speaker 3: a lot of people asking me when they announced Gabriel 536 00:26:43,280 --> 00:26:45,439 Speaker 3: is the one. Oh, is it a slap in the 537 00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:48,120 Speaker 3: face that Sanders isn't a two? And I'm like no, 538 00:26:48,280 --> 00:26:53,040 Speaker 3: because especially preparing for that London game Gabriel, if you 539 00:26:53,080 --> 00:26:55,280 Speaker 3: haven't been in an NFL practice during the season, you 540 00:26:55,320 --> 00:26:58,399 Speaker 3: wouldn't think about it. But Gabriel needs every snap to 541 00:26:58,440 --> 00:27:00,879 Speaker 3: prepare for every rep. So your two has to be 542 00:27:00,920 --> 00:27:03,600 Speaker 3: a guy that's at least done it. I mean to 543 00:27:03,640 --> 00:27:07,040 Speaker 3: ask Sanders to be the two is really unfair to him. 544 00:27:07,080 --> 00:27:07,880 Speaker 2: You're giving him no work. 545 00:27:07,960 --> 00:27:09,760 Speaker 3: Yeah, We're i gonna give you any practice because we 546 00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:12,000 Speaker 3: have the other rookie ready, and if he gets hurt, 547 00:27:12,240 --> 00:27:13,879 Speaker 3: we're gonna throw you in against Flora, So who you've 548 00:27:13,920 --> 00:27:16,280 Speaker 3: never practiced against or prepared for except for the film room. 549 00:27:16,400 --> 00:27:17,520 Speaker 3: That's not fair to him at all. 550 00:27:17,640 --> 00:27:18,320 Speaker 2: It's a great point. 551 00:27:18,440 --> 00:27:21,480 Speaker 3: So now you get the reps going to the right people. 552 00:27:21,600 --> 00:27:24,399 Speaker 3: Gabriel first, he's still your rookies, only played one game. 553 00:27:24,880 --> 00:27:27,040 Speaker 3: But I would like an adult in the room. From 554 00:27:27,080 --> 00:27:28,520 Speaker 3: Cleveland standpoint. 555 00:27:28,240 --> 00:27:30,960 Speaker 2: And on the sideline all that stuff. Just when Gabriel 556 00:27:31,040 --> 00:27:34,280 Speaker 2: comes back after you know, a drive, what'd you see? 557 00:27:34,359 --> 00:27:36,360 Speaker 2: What were you looking at? What were the safeties doing. 558 00:27:36,359 --> 00:27:39,439 Speaker 2: What are they trying to disguise there? I think every 559 00:27:39,520 --> 00:27:42,320 Speaker 2: quarterback likes to have a veteran that they can lean 560 00:27:42,400 --> 00:27:47,600 Speaker 2: on on the sideline. Batch Grave about Batch all the time, 561 00:27:47,640 --> 00:27:50,760 Speaker 2: and that's future Hall of Famer. Pretty soon. Here Baelisberger 562 00:27:50,800 --> 00:27:52,400 Speaker 2: in two times Super Bowl champion, not. 563 00:27:52,400 --> 00:27:55,280 Speaker 3: A rookie, A rookie in the second start, in. 564 00:27:55,200 --> 00:27:57,560 Speaker 2: A second start, trying to figure it out on an 565 00:27:57,600 --> 00:28:00,280 Speaker 2: offense in an organization that doesn't have a lot going 566 00:28:00,320 --> 00:28:03,760 Speaker 2: in their direction. Yeah, that is that is interesting. 567 00:28:04,680 --> 00:28:06,919 Speaker 3: I also find it funny from a Brown's perspective that 568 00:28:06,960 --> 00:28:09,960 Speaker 3: it wasn't long ago, just a little over a month. 569 00:28:10,560 --> 00:28:13,520 Speaker 3: What's this team doing? They have four guys pick it Flacco, 570 00:28:14,240 --> 00:28:16,000 Speaker 3: the two rookies, you know, like it's hard to get 571 00:28:16,040 --> 00:28:20,919 Speaker 3: reps for these guys. Now you're down to two a three, right, 572 00:28:21,160 --> 00:28:24,560 Speaker 3: I mean you got yeah, right, all of a sudden, 573 00:28:24,600 --> 00:28:27,240 Speaker 3: it's like we got none. Yeah, I don't know, it's 574 00:28:28,320 --> 00:28:30,679 Speaker 3: I understand what they're doing. And they did pick up 575 00:28:30,680 --> 00:28:32,720 Speaker 3: a fifth round pick, which is not nothing, you know, 576 00:28:32,840 --> 00:28:34,520 Speaker 3: so fine, they need all the drafted cap, but they 577 00:28:34,560 --> 00:28:38,320 Speaker 3: can get Let's talk about Flacco the player and the 578 00:28:38,360 --> 00:28:39,000 Speaker 3: Sincy side of it. 579 00:28:39,080 --> 00:28:41,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely, that's the more intriguing side, and he's the 580 00:28:41,960 --> 00:28:44,560 Speaker 2: one that they kind of pinpoint to go out and get. 581 00:28:45,000 --> 00:28:48,560 Speaker 3: I think, but he hasn't played well. I mean I 582 00:28:49,520 --> 00:28:52,200 Speaker 3: really dug into it because Matt stats, I'm into. You know, 583 00:28:52,760 --> 00:28:54,720 Speaker 3: it's Brown's week, so it's fitting for. 584 00:28:54,760 --> 00:28:56,480 Speaker 2: Now Thursday baby. 585 00:28:56,560 --> 00:28:59,080 Speaker 3: I mean, he's only thrown two touchdowns for the first 586 00:28:59,120 --> 00:29:01,800 Speaker 3: four games. His numbers are like the worst in the 587 00:29:01,880 --> 00:29:04,720 Speaker 3: league this year. Now, he doesn't have a great supporting 588 00:29:04,760 --> 00:29:10,239 Speaker 3: shift and everyone knows, so that's kind of intriguing. Then, 589 00:29:10,280 --> 00:29:12,120 Speaker 3: I think everyone knows I root for Joe. I've said 590 00:29:12,160 --> 00:29:15,080 Speaker 3: million times. I helped recruit him a million million years ago. 591 00:29:15,160 --> 00:29:17,680 Speaker 3: I mean he's like the last survivor of anyone I 592 00:29:17,720 --> 00:29:21,280 Speaker 3: watched in high school, but just a big time, big 593 00:29:21,320 --> 00:29:25,840 Speaker 3: time AUTUBN high school. But he had that comeback player 594 00:29:25,880 --> 00:29:29,320 Speaker 3: of the Year season with the Browns. Then he went 595 00:29:29,320 --> 00:29:31,920 Speaker 3: to the Colts and wasn't very good and it went 596 00:29:31,960 --> 00:29:35,040 Speaker 3: to the Browns this year wasn't very good, and even 597 00:29:35,080 --> 00:29:39,000 Speaker 3: that comeback of the year season, I really thought Joe 598 00:29:39,040 --> 00:29:40,760 Speaker 3: came off the couch for that year. I mean he 599 00:29:40,840 --> 00:29:42,920 Speaker 3: wasn't even like in a training camp. He'd get traded 600 00:29:42,960 --> 00:29:45,200 Speaker 3: to the Browns. He was just not a football player 601 00:29:45,400 --> 00:29:47,880 Speaker 3: till like week ten or whatever. And I thought he 602 00:29:47,960 --> 00:29:49,800 Speaker 3: just came in and said, I got nothing to lose. 603 00:29:49,800 --> 00:29:52,120 Speaker 3: I'm gonna pretend like I'm Jameis Winston and just wing 604 00:29:52,240 --> 00:29:56,160 Speaker 3: this thing all over town. Ten touchdowns, ten yeah, right, 605 00:29:56,640 --> 00:29:59,400 Speaker 3: whatever happens, right, And it really came back to bite 606 00:29:59,440 --> 00:30:02,400 Speaker 3: him in the playoff game that they lost, but before 607 00:30:02,440 --> 00:30:04,160 Speaker 3: that he kind of got away with it. He kept 608 00:30:04,280 --> 00:30:06,200 Speaker 3: flipping the coin and getting heads. You know, I'm like, 609 00:30:06,720 --> 00:30:08,520 Speaker 3: stick with it. I'm just gonna keep slinging it, you know. 610 00:30:08,560 --> 00:30:10,680 Speaker 3: But it was a tough way to live because he's 611 00:30:10,680 --> 00:30:12,920 Speaker 3: not that guy anymore, and he's not a play extender 612 00:30:13,040 --> 00:30:15,440 Speaker 3: and all those things. And I think like the chickens 613 00:30:15,480 --> 00:30:17,560 Speaker 3: have come home to roost a little bit on his style, 614 00:30:18,120 --> 00:30:23,240 Speaker 3: you know. But is he better than Browning? Maybe? I mean, 615 00:30:24,240 --> 00:30:26,920 Speaker 3: he can still throw the football really, really well. He's 616 00:30:26,920 --> 00:30:29,360 Speaker 3: got a monster arm, he's six six. Those things will 617 00:30:29,360 --> 00:30:32,560 Speaker 3: never disappear. And you could just see Chasing Higgins as 618 00:30:32,560 --> 00:30:39,000 Speaker 3: being really upset with ball placement timing. Browning was so 619 00:30:39,200 --> 00:30:42,120 Speaker 3: bad against a rush, which I don't think Black will 620 00:30:42,160 --> 00:30:44,960 Speaker 3: be any better better, No, but at least a clean 621 00:30:45,120 --> 00:30:49,240 Speaker 3: pocket open chaser Higgins. I think you get more completions 622 00:30:49,240 --> 00:30:51,520 Speaker 3: out of Joe than you have since Burrow went down. 623 00:30:52,800 --> 00:30:55,560 Speaker 3: But it's probably just shuffling chairs on the Titanic. I 624 00:30:55,600 --> 00:30:58,560 Speaker 3: mean we kind of talked about yesterday. Shouldn't you have 625 00:30:58,640 --> 00:31:00,560 Speaker 3: done this? Or Russell Wilson two weeks ago? 626 00:31:00,640 --> 00:31:01,040 Speaker 2: Weeks ago? 627 00:31:01,240 --> 00:31:04,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean this week. 628 00:31:03,920 --> 00:31:06,120 Speaker 2: A different story, right, Yeah, to play this week and 629 00:31:06,160 --> 00:31:07,960 Speaker 2: then you got a short week at home again. 630 00:31:07,760 --> 00:31:10,520 Speaker 3: It was again, right, yeah, yeah, I know who they 631 00:31:10,520 --> 00:31:12,840 Speaker 3: have this week, but I mean they can't be favored 632 00:31:12,880 --> 00:31:13,840 Speaker 3: by the way they've played. 633 00:31:14,000 --> 00:31:14,080 Speaker 4: No. 634 00:31:14,200 --> 00:31:17,280 Speaker 2: I at least they're not going down with the Titanic. 635 00:31:17,720 --> 00:31:20,480 Speaker 2: It's a good still are at least trying to make 636 00:31:20,520 --> 00:31:22,800 Speaker 2: it seem like they're doing something, trying to find some 637 00:31:22,880 --> 00:31:24,520 Speaker 2: extra life rafts for everybody. 638 00:31:24,640 --> 00:31:26,160 Speaker 3: Because we even touched on this like a week or 639 00:31:26,240 --> 00:31:28,880 Speaker 3: so ago, like should they be buyers for Wilson? I 640 00:31:28,880 --> 00:31:31,800 Speaker 3: didn't think Flacco would ever move into division. But it's 641 00:31:31,800 --> 00:31:34,200 Speaker 3: not like you're trading Burrow. I mean, the world's gonna 642 00:31:34,200 --> 00:31:40,600 Speaker 3: move on to the AFC North, sure, but the reality is 643 00:31:40,600 --> 00:31:43,040 Speaker 3: they could do both. They could buy a Flacco or 644 00:31:43,080 --> 00:31:47,040 Speaker 3: a Wilson. They bought Flacco. It's a mess. And then 645 00:31:47,080 --> 00:31:49,640 Speaker 3: you trade Henderson the trade deadline. It's not like you 646 00:31:49,640 --> 00:31:51,840 Speaker 3: have to do both, right, trade Henderson for a good 647 00:31:51,880 --> 00:31:54,720 Speaker 3: pick and you give up a bad pick for Flacco. Okay, 648 00:31:54,840 --> 00:31:57,840 Speaker 3: I mean at least it's a message to the organization 649 00:31:57,960 --> 00:31:59,480 Speaker 3: that we're not happy with how it's going. 650 00:31:59,560 --> 00:32:01,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, and we're we're not thrown in the towel on 651 00:32:02,000 --> 00:32:03,600 Speaker 2: this season in early October. 652 00:32:03,760 --> 00:32:05,800 Speaker 3: You're not that far out of first place. I mean 653 00:32:06,040 --> 00:32:07,120 Speaker 3: in the standing, which. 654 00:32:06,960 --> 00:32:08,800 Speaker 2: Is crazy to say, but yeah, you win two games 655 00:32:08,840 --> 00:32:10,080 Speaker 2: in a row and you're right back in it. 656 00:32:10,440 --> 00:32:12,960 Speaker 3: Right, So at least there's hope there. And if they 657 00:32:13,040 --> 00:32:15,040 Speaker 3: get a win this week or keep their head above 658 00:32:15,080 --> 00:32:17,480 Speaker 3: water until Joe returns, or maybe they think Joe's coming 659 00:32:17,520 --> 00:32:20,200 Speaker 3: back earlier than we think Borrow not Flaco. Yeah, yeah, 660 00:32:21,080 --> 00:32:24,680 Speaker 3: but I don't think it changes the balance power. No, 661 00:32:24,800 --> 00:32:25,800 Speaker 3: not really. 662 00:32:26,240 --> 00:32:28,720 Speaker 2: Let me ask you this. If you're Zach Taylor and 663 00:32:29,480 --> 00:32:32,040 Speaker 2: they come to you and they say, we've got offers 664 00:32:32,680 --> 00:32:35,320 Speaker 2: that are going to be accepted for Flacco or for 665 00:32:35,400 --> 00:32:37,280 Speaker 2: Russell Wilson, which one do you want? 666 00:32:38,400 --> 00:32:43,760 Speaker 3: Probably Wilson, I think so too. Wilson really hinders how 667 00:32:43,800 --> 00:32:48,760 Speaker 3: you have called plays outside the numbers, the inability to see. 668 00:32:48,920 --> 00:32:50,440 Speaker 3: At least he's a better act. 669 00:32:50,480 --> 00:32:53,440 Speaker 2: You can move a little bit better Flacco certainly. 670 00:32:53,280 --> 00:32:53,360 Speaker 5: And. 671 00:32:56,320 --> 00:32:58,960 Speaker 3: Higgins will go. But get it for you. Yeah, you're 672 00:32:58,960 --> 00:33:00,960 Speaker 3: not a big tight end middle of the field team 673 00:33:01,080 --> 00:33:02,720 Speaker 3: not the Chase won't go to the middle field, but 674 00:33:02,760 --> 00:33:05,440 Speaker 3: you're not. I think I'd prefer of Wilson. 675 00:33:05,760 --> 00:33:11,640 Speaker 2: I think so too. Not easy decision process, but yeah, 676 00:33:11,720 --> 00:33:13,520 Speaker 2: I think if I'm if I'm kind of split hairs, 677 00:33:13,520 --> 00:33:16,320 Speaker 2: that's the direction I would go as well, too, Matt. 678 00:33:16,760 --> 00:33:20,720 Speaker 2: Not just the Bengals in the Ravens with some noteworthy 679 00:33:21,240 --> 00:33:26,520 Speaker 2: roster movement here today. Also the Baltimore Ravens have added 680 00:33:26,600 --> 00:33:33,000 Speaker 2: Chauncey Gardner Johnson to their practice squad. Of course recently, 681 00:33:33,040 --> 00:33:36,240 Speaker 2: most recently with the Texans, had a lot of success 682 00:33:36,280 --> 00:33:39,160 Speaker 2: with the Eagles over the last few years. He's a 683 00:33:39,160 --> 00:33:41,080 Speaker 2: little bit of those He's a little bit of one 684 00:33:41,080 --> 00:33:44,040 Speaker 2: of those kind of Enigma lightning rods in the NFL. 685 00:33:44,840 --> 00:33:47,800 Speaker 2: He can definitely, I think, add some value, but he's 686 00:33:47,920 --> 00:33:50,160 Speaker 2: jumped around from team to team and hasn't always been 687 00:33:50,160 --> 00:33:53,760 Speaker 2: reported as the easiest guy to work with. Yeah, greatest 688 00:33:53,800 --> 00:33:55,920 Speaker 2: teammate in the world, I be in kind a little bit. 689 00:33:56,640 --> 00:33:59,280 Speaker 2: But Baltimore I think can obviously use some help and 690 00:33:59,440 --> 00:34:01,960 Speaker 2: certainly of a shake up right now, Yeah, what do 691 00:34:01,960 --> 00:34:03,400 Speaker 2: you think for this decision for the Ravens. 692 00:34:03,480 --> 00:34:04,960 Speaker 3: I mean, I guess in some ways, it's kind of 693 00:34:04,960 --> 00:34:07,840 Speaker 3: like Pepper's being out there, like this is a guy 694 00:34:07,880 --> 00:34:10,000 Speaker 3: that's had a good career. I haven't studied him. I 695 00:34:10,040 --> 00:34:12,600 Speaker 3: don't know if he's shot or not. I tend to 696 00:34:12,600 --> 00:34:14,839 Speaker 3: think he's probably not in the league because he doesn't 697 00:34:14,840 --> 00:34:16,680 Speaker 3: play well with others, you know. I mean it's the 698 00:34:16,719 --> 00:34:20,600 Speaker 3: biggest thing, not that he can't play anymore. And for them, 699 00:34:20,640 --> 00:34:23,920 Speaker 3: they have so many defensive back injuries. Okay, I mean 700 00:34:24,280 --> 00:34:26,840 Speaker 3: they have nothing invested in the guy. Houston still paying 701 00:34:26,920 --> 00:34:30,160 Speaker 3: them pick him up for nothing. If he's a paint 702 00:34:30,160 --> 00:34:32,080 Speaker 3: in the butter, can't play, cut him in two weeks, 703 00:34:32,160 --> 00:34:35,120 Speaker 3: you know that. So it's a minimal investment with a 704 00:34:35,200 --> 00:34:41,440 Speaker 3: decent payoff. Maybe his it's not that he doesn't play hard. 705 00:34:41,600 --> 00:34:42,680 Speaker 3: I mean, so maybe he does. 706 00:34:42,760 --> 00:34:43,960 Speaker 2: He plays like his heads on fire. 707 00:34:44,040 --> 00:34:46,960 Speaker 3: Yeah, I say, maybe his aggression, his edge, if you're 708 00:34:46,960 --> 00:34:51,360 Speaker 3: gonna be used nice words, lights a spark under this group, 709 00:34:51,400 --> 00:34:53,600 Speaker 3: and maybe you bring in a spark plug to the 710 00:34:53,640 --> 00:34:56,440 Speaker 3: locker room to just make any kind of change, you know. 711 00:34:56,640 --> 00:34:59,480 Speaker 3: But I don't think he changes the bounce power either. 712 00:35:00,360 --> 00:35:03,560 Speaker 3: You know. But I mean he's an NFL player who's 713 00:35:03,560 --> 00:35:05,880 Speaker 3: had a good career, and he's a little ahead of 714 00:35:05,880 --> 00:35:09,640 Speaker 3: his time. You know, a lot of these safeties turned 715 00:35:09,680 --> 00:35:12,520 Speaker 3: slot has just happened the last three four years. He 716 00:35:12,600 --> 00:35:15,239 Speaker 3: kind of did it for yeah, yeah, you know, put 717 00:35:15,239 --> 00:35:18,080 Speaker 3: a big safety a big slot that was a former 718 00:35:18,160 --> 00:35:21,000 Speaker 3: safety that has the de Gene types. You know, he's 719 00:35:21,040 --> 00:35:21,839 Speaker 3: done this for a long time. 720 00:35:21,880 --> 00:35:24,279 Speaker 2: I was gonna say the Eagles team that lost in 721 00:35:24,360 --> 00:35:26,600 Speaker 2: the Super Bowl three years ago to the Chiefs, he 722 00:35:26,680 --> 00:35:28,640 Speaker 2: was a massive part of that secondary yeah right r 723 00:35:28,680 --> 00:35:30,759 Speaker 2: right before they went out and got the Gene and 724 00:35:30,840 --> 00:35:33,279 Speaker 2: quinnyon Mitchell. You know, it was it was like him 725 00:35:33,480 --> 00:35:35,960 Speaker 2: and and Darius Slay and right right right and a 726 00:35:36,000 --> 00:35:37,560 Speaker 2: big I mean they went all the way to the 727 00:35:37,560 --> 00:35:40,560 Speaker 2: Super Bowl and overtime that they lost to the Chiefs 728 00:35:40,560 --> 00:35:42,600 Speaker 2: in that Super Bowl. If I'm remembering correctly, that one 729 00:35:42,640 --> 00:35:45,319 Speaker 2: goes I think you're right, Yeah, I think so so. 730 00:35:45,440 --> 00:35:46,880 Speaker 2: I mean again, he is a guy that. 731 00:35:46,960 --> 00:35:50,280 Speaker 3: Is Brandy Graham and yeah, Fletcher Cox, I mean like, yeah, yeah. 732 00:35:49,920 --> 00:35:54,120 Speaker 2: I believe that was Kelsey's last year or maybe yeah, maybe. 733 00:35:53,880 --> 00:35:57,319 Speaker 3: I think so, or maybe it was timeline better, but. 734 00:35:57,239 --> 00:36:00,840 Speaker 2: I know everything all runs together. But yeah, I he 735 00:36:00,960 --> 00:36:03,560 Speaker 2: is certainly a guy that has had success in this league. 736 00:36:04,719 --> 00:36:07,040 Speaker 2: But that's an interesting move. Maybe maybe a little desperation 737 00:36:07,080 --> 00:36:08,040 Speaker 2: there from the Ravens for. 738 00:36:08,000 --> 00:36:08,560 Speaker 3: Both of them. 739 00:36:08,680 --> 00:36:11,840 Speaker 2: They're a little bit at that point, I think, in 740 00:36:11,920 --> 00:36:12,520 Speaker 2: both parties. 741 00:36:12,760 --> 00:36:15,240 Speaker 3: And this brings me my last topic about the division 742 00:36:15,360 --> 00:36:19,200 Speaker 3: that Labs send on an email today that came directly 743 00:36:19,239 --> 00:36:19,799 Speaker 3: from the league. 744 00:36:19,840 --> 00:36:20,200 Speaker 2: I saw that. 745 00:36:20,400 --> 00:36:23,360 Speaker 3: Yeah, okay, and it was pretty shocking, to be honest 746 00:36:23,400 --> 00:36:23,640 Speaker 3: with you. 747 00:36:23,800 --> 00:36:25,520 Speaker 2: So AFC North struggles. 748 00:36:25,719 --> 00:36:27,800 Speaker 3: Yes, maybe you're looking at it, but the crux of 749 00:36:27,840 --> 00:36:31,600 Speaker 3: it is, all four AFC North teams have a negative 750 00:36:31,640 --> 00:36:34,000 Speaker 3: point differential. I think the Steelers are only minus. 751 00:36:33,719 --> 00:36:35,520 Speaker 2: Two, just minus two, and they're the best. 752 00:36:35,400 --> 00:36:38,120 Speaker 3: Of the group. But that's still rare for an entire 753 00:36:38,160 --> 00:36:40,879 Speaker 3: division to be negative. Now, there hasn't been a lot 754 00:36:40,880 --> 00:36:43,359 Speaker 3: of AFC North games yet, you know, AFC North VERSU 755 00:36:43,360 --> 00:36:46,399 Speaker 3: AFC North games as usual, they hold them till later 756 00:36:46,480 --> 00:36:49,600 Speaker 3: in the year. But you may have the numbers in 757 00:36:49,600 --> 00:36:52,200 Speaker 3: front of you, I mean, good. 758 00:36:52,080 --> 00:36:56,919 Speaker 2: Good, So yeah, since the AFC North has existed, since 759 00:36:56,960 --> 00:36:59,239 Speaker 2: the two thousand and two since the two thousand and 760 00:36:59,239 --> 00:37:07,760 Speaker 2: two divisional alignment. Yes, all teams have a negative point differential. 761 00:37:07,280 --> 00:37:09,240 Speaker 3: And if you add them up, and if you add. 762 00:37:09,120 --> 00:37:11,120 Speaker 2: Them up, it's the worst it's ever been in the 763 00:37:11,160 --> 00:37:14,040 Speaker 2: division history by thirteen points. 764 00:37:14,160 --> 00:37:14,399 Speaker 3: Yeah. 765 00:37:14,400 --> 00:37:18,120 Speaker 2: Two thousand and two was the was the worst year early. 766 00:37:17,920 --> 00:37:21,200 Speaker 3: To get into negative point differentials too. They're really terrible 767 00:37:21,239 --> 00:37:25,480 Speaker 3: teams usually by like we losing and losing and losing, right, 768 00:37:25,520 --> 00:37:25,759 Speaker 3: you know. 769 00:37:25,920 --> 00:37:29,240 Speaker 2: It's also the worst combined winning percentage in AFC North 770 00:37:29,400 --> 00:37:35,000 Speaker 2: history by a pretty significant margin point three six eight. 771 00:37:35,280 --> 00:37:35,600 Speaker 3: Yeah. 772 00:37:35,680 --> 00:37:38,279 Speaker 2: The lowest in the past was twenty sixteen when it 773 00:37:38,320 --> 00:37:40,160 Speaker 2: was point four one four. 774 00:37:40,800 --> 00:37:43,040 Speaker 3: I mean the Ravens and Steelers during that time are 775 00:37:43,080 --> 00:37:44,880 Speaker 3: almost never under five hundred. 776 00:37:45,280 --> 00:37:49,000 Speaker 2: The AFC Norths combined one negative one hundred and fifty 777 00:37:49,040 --> 00:37:51,520 Speaker 2: nine point differential is the worst of any division through 778 00:37:51,560 --> 00:37:53,600 Speaker 2: the first five weeks of the season since two thousand 779 00:37:53,640 --> 00:37:57,000 Speaker 2: and two since that realignment. Wow, that paints an ugly picture. 780 00:37:57,280 --> 00:37:59,360 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, we've it's been kind of the topic 781 00:37:59,400 --> 00:38:01,759 Speaker 3: of the week with Steelers being on by is what 782 00:38:01,920 --> 00:38:04,439 Speaker 3: is going on with this division? And it's more than 783 00:38:04,480 --> 00:38:07,399 Speaker 3: just a Burrow and Lamar injury it is. I mean, 784 00:38:07,680 --> 00:38:08,400 Speaker 3: there's no question. 785 00:38:08,840 --> 00:38:13,239 Speaker 2: And you know what, regardless of that, regardless of how 786 00:38:13,280 --> 00:38:16,239 Speaker 2: bad the division could be or has been to this 787 00:38:16,360 --> 00:38:20,520 Speaker 2: point early, someone's still got to win it, right, and 788 00:38:20,840 --> 00:38:24,560 Speaker 2: the Steelers are in great position. You know, it's not 789 00:38:24,600 --> 00:38:26,839 Speaker 2: gonna like I still don't think this division is not 790 00:38:26,840 --> 00:38:29,120 Speaker 2: going to have a seven or eight or nine win 791 00:38:29,560 --> 00:38:32,360 Speaker 2: winner like we've seen at times in the past. I 792 00:38:32,360 --> 00:38:34,680 Speaker 2: would think someone's got to at least get to ten 793 00:38:34,760 --> 00:38:38,360 Speaker 2: I think to win this division. And hey, the Steelers 794 00:38:38,360 --> 00:38:41,960 Speaker 2: will take it good position to be in as of now, certainly. 795 00:38:42,520 --> 00:38:46,080 Speaker 2: Uh And you know what, I don't think. So we 796 00:38:46,120 --> 00:38:48,160 Speaker 2: talked about could there be three coming into this year? 797 00:38:49,080 --> 00:38:51,319 Speaker 2: Would a lot of people? Certainly if the Bengals could 798 00:38:51,360 --> 00:38:53,520 Speaker 2: just stabilize that defense, I think we could have all 799 00:38:53,600 --> 00:38:56,600 Speaker 2: easily seen three playoff teams coming into the this year. 800 00:38:57,080 --> 00:39:00,319 Speaker 2: But that certainly does not appear to be the case 801 00:39:00,400 --> 00:39:04,239 Speaker 2: at this point. Matt. Before we close down the first 802 00:39:04,320 --> 00:39:05,640 Speaker 2: hour of the show here, we do have a couple 803 00:39:05,640 --> 00:39:08,560 Speaker 2: minutes left. Wanted to get your thoughts on that crazy, 804 00:39:08,600 --> 00:39:10,799 Speaker 2: wild Monday night football game last night. 805 00:39:10,920 --> 00:39:11,399 Speaker 3: Fun game. 806 00:39:11,840 --> 00:39:14,640 Speaker 2: Chiefs jump out to a fourteen to nothing lead early 807 00:39:14,680 --> 00:39:17,839 Speaker 2: on Jags claw back and kind of win it at 808 00:39:17,840 --> 00:39:21,040 Speaker 2: the death with a last minute Trevor Lawrence scrambling touchdown 809 00:39:21,160 --> 00:39:24,600 Speaker 2: thirty one to twenty eight, and hey, don't look now, 810 00:39:24,920 --> 00:39:27,200 Speaker 2: but the Jags are four and one, the Colts are 811 00:39:27,200 --> 00:39:30,320 Speaker 2: four and one. The Texans are showing signs of life. 812 00:39:30,400 --> 00:39:34,080 Speaker 2: Maybe that AFC South ends up being the three playoff division. 813 00:39:34,160 --> 00:39:37,560 Speaker 3: And we were joking, you know, did the AFC South 814 00:39:37,560 --> 00:39:40,080 Speaker 3: and North have a freaky Friday incident there, you know, 815 00:39:40,280 --> 00:39:42,600 Speaker 3: like all of a sudden, Yeah, those they have three 816 00:39:42,680 --> 00:39:45,720 Speaker 3: good teams. Yeah, and didn't see that coming, especially the Colts. 817 00:39:46,600 --> 00:39:48,920 Speaker 3: I think the game was really interesting. It kind of 818 00:39:48,960 --> 00:39:52,000 Speaker 3: reminded me of like May versus Allen the night before, 819 00:39:52,200 --> 00:39:55,880 Speaker 3: you know, like big time quarterback that lost to a 820 00:39:55,920 --> 00:39:59,279 Speaker 3: team that's trending the right direction in their fan base. 821 00:39:59,320 --> 00:40:01,600 Speaker 3: It should be happy after the last few years not 822 00:40:01,680 --> 00:40:02,640 Speaker 3: going well for either one. 823 00:40:02,719 --> 00:40:03,759 Speaker 2: Absolutely now I. 824 00:40:03,719 --> 00:40:07,560 Speaker 3: Feel better about May being, you know, an upper tier 825 00:40:07,600 --> 00:40:10,240 Speaker 3: guy than Lawrence. But I thought it was a really 826 00:40:10,239 --> 00:40:13,960 Speaker 3: good performance by Lawrence and the whole crew overall. And 827 00:40:14,000 --> 00:40:17,200 Speaker 3: they certainly didn't die easily. I mean they battled and 828 00:40:17,200 --> 00:40:20,240 Speaker 3: battled and you love seeing that. And then that environment 829 00:40:20,320 --> 00:40:23,400 Speaker 3: that was really good for that team. But then I 830 00:40:23,440 --> 00:40:26,360 Speaker 3: want to bring this up to too, because one score games. 831 00:40:26,640 --> 00:40:29,279 Speaker 3: You know, Chiefs had that unbelievable run. They would think 832 00:40:29,280 --> 00:40:31,360 Speaker 3: it was seventeen games in a row or something bonkers 833 00:40:31,360 --> 00:40:31,719 Speaker 3: where they. 834 00:40:31,640 --> 00:40:36,960 Speaker 2: Want to game seventeen zero one score game or seventeen straight. 835 00:40:36,200 --> 00:40:40,320 Speaker 3: This year their own three. Now, now, I still believe 836 00:40:40,440 --> 00:40:42,239 Speaker 3: that they're better at it than most teams, and the 837 00:40:42,280 --> 00:40:45,279 Speaker 3: Steelers are better at it than most teams. But the 838 00:40:45,280 --> 00:40:49,400 Speaker 3: biggest thing that happened in this game wasn't like Mahomes 839 00:40:49,520 --> 00:40:51,919 Speaker 3: drilling Marqus Brown with a ball late in the game. 840 00:40:52,000 --> 00:40:54,000 Speaker 3: That wasn't great either, but there was some attention to 841 00:40:54,040 --> 00:40:56,960 Speaker 3: detail stuff that you need to win one score games. 842 00:40:57,600 --> 00:41:00,000 Speaker 3: And to me, the difference like even if you look 843 00:41:00,120 --> 00:41:03,520 Speaker 3: get time of possession, yards for play, and even just 844 00:41:03,600 --> 00:41:06,160 Speaker 3: watching the game, I thought KC was a better team. 845 00:41:06,719 --> 00:41:10,040 Speaker 3: They had thirteen penalties for like one hundred and ten yards. 846 00:41:10,320 --> 00:41:12,480 Speaker 3: That's how you lose one score games, you know. 847 00:41:12,560 --> 00:41:15,919 Speaker 2: That's exactly right. Yeah, and both teams kind of had 848 00:41:15,920 --> 00:41:22,160 Speaker 2: a goal line tight, backbreaking turnover brutal, but for Jacksonville 849 00:41:22,239 --> 00:41:24,279 Speaker 2: you take it nine to nine yards to the house. Yes, 850 00:41:25,880 --> 00:41:27,320 Speaker 2: that's again those kind. 851 00:41:27,120 --> 00:41:28,680 Speaker 3: Of massive play. 852 00:41:28,719 --> 00:41:32,080 Speaker 2: Obviously, those are the inches that normally go Kansas City's 853 00:41:32,080 --> 00:41:35,560 Speaker 2: way that certainly have not through their first handful of 854 00:41:35,560 --> 00:41:36,120 Speaker 2: games this season. 855 00:41:36,200 --> 00:41:38,719 Speaker 3: Yeah, right, So, I don't know if I feel worse 856 00:41:38,719 --> 00:41:40,200 Speaker 3: about the Chiefs. I mean I kind of look at 857 00:41:40,200 --> 00:41:43,040 Speaker 3: them and think their skill guys are starting to come around. 858 00:41:43,960 --> 00:41:46,279 Speaker 3: Race You, Rice isn't that far off of coming back in. 859 00:41:46,600 --> 00:41:48,160 Speaker 3: They could be in really good shape. But you have 860 00:41:48,200 --> 00:41:50,520 Speaker 3: to feel better about the Jags like the Patriots, you know, 861 00:41:50,840 --> 00:41:52,600 Speaker 3: you gotta be pretty happy where those teams are. 862 00:41:52,640 --> 00:41:54,359 Speaker 2: Rat tell you what, Travis Hunter is starting to look 863 00:41:54,400 --> 00:41:56,279 Speaker 2: the part. He was making some plays last night. 864 00:41:56,320 --> 00:41:57,200 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm a big fan. 865 00:41:57,400 --> 00:41:58,600 Speaker 2: He's shifty, man. 866 00:41:58,680 --> 00:41:59,480 Speaker 3: I would just play him. 867 00:42:00,280 --> 00:42:00,799 Speaker 2: I think so too. 868 00:42:01,000 --> 00:42:02,480 Speaker 3: I don't understand what they're doing. 869 00:42:02,600 --> 00:42:04,719 Speaker 2: I think he can be a top five receivers in 870 00:42:04,719 --> 00:42:07,359 Speaker 2: the league type guy. And uh, and maybe we'll get 871 00:42:07,360 --> 00:42:10,600 Speaker 2: to that point eventually. But yeah, he he certainly popped 872 00:42:10,600 --> 00:42:13,880 Speaker 2: and had some highlights last night as the Jags moved 873 00:42:13,880 --> 00:42:16,480 Speaker 2: to four and one with an impressive Monday night victory 874 00:42:16,560 --> 00:42:19,279 Speaker 2: over the Chiefs. I uh did not see that coming. 875 00:42:19,280 --> 00:42:20,960 Speaker 2: I thought they would be improved this year. I liked 876 00:42:21,080 --> 00:42:22,840 Speaker 2: him Cohen, but I didn't think they'd be four and 877 00:42:22,920 --> 00:42:23,920 Speaker 2: one out of the shoot. 878 00:42:24,160 --> 00:42:25,879 Speaker 3: I tell you they were like a nine win team, 879 00:42:26,040 --> 00:42:27,040 Speaker 3: you know, something like that. 880 00:42:27,120 --> 00:42:29,400 Speaker 2: I think we all thought AFC North is gonna be 881 00:42:29,440 --> 00:42:31,480 Speaker 2: a great race, AFC West is going to be a 882 00:42:31,480 --> 00:42:33,880 Speaker 2: great race, and they certainly still could be, but the 883 00:42:33,920 --> 00:42:35,360 Speaker 2: South might be the one to keep an eye on. 884 00:42:35,360 --> 00:42:37,680 Speaker 3: The rest of those top three teams are as even 885 00:42:37,840 --> 00:42:39,719 Speaker 3: or bunched up as any division. I would say that 886 00:42:39,800 --> 00:42:44,960 Speaker 3: the NFC West, Seattle Niners, rams An, they're gonna be 887 00:42:45,000 --> 00:42:47,920 Speaker 3: AFC North or a FC South with those three are 888 00:42:47,960 --> 00:42:48,560 Speaker 3: the tightest. 889 00:42:48,760 --> 00:42:52,800 Speaker 2: Yes, you could see it go in multiple different ways. 890 00:42:52,840 --> 00:42:54,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, there's three real contenders. 891 00:42:54,560 --> 00:42:56,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, gonna be gonna be a lot of fun to 892 00:42:56,400 --> 00:42:58,799 Speaker 2: uh to follow those ones throughout the course of the year, 893 00:42:58,800 --> 00:43:01,160 Speaker 2: which we will of course do here on the Drive. 894 00:43:01,560 --> 00:43:03,359 Speaker 2: That's an hour in the books, another hour to go, 895 00:43:03,520 --> 00:43:06,160 Speaker 2: hour number two, Fantasy Football Focus coming at you, a 896 00:43:06,640 --> 00:43:10,880 Speaker 2: weekly power rankings coming at you. Play Yeah, Power Ranking Tuesday. 897 00:43:10,960 --> 00:43:14,839 Speaker 2: As we roll along here we Shuler Matt Williamson halfway home. 898 00:43:14,920 --> 00:43:17,360 Speaker 2: It's the Drive on Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers 899 00:43:17,400 --> 00:43:18,200 Speaker 2: Audio Network.