1 00:00:06,040 --> 00:00:20,239 Speaker 1: Yeah, welcome to the drive. I'm Dale Ali do with 2 00:00:20,440 --> 00:00:23,880 Speaker 1: Matt Williamson. It is a well, it's a Tuesday. That 3 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:29,000 Speaker 1: feels like a Wednesday. Uh, tomorrow will feel like a Saturday, 4 00:00:29,640 --> 00:00:32,880 Speaker 1: and Thursday the steelers of a game. Yeah, right around 5 00:00:32,880 --> 00:00:35,680 Speaker 1: the corner, man. Can't, can't dwell on the past in 6 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:37,519 Speaker 1: this league. Gotta get moving and then you get nice 7 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:41,360 Speaker 1: still break after that. There's no dwelling to be done here. UH, steelers, 8 00:00:41,360 --> 00:00:45,360 Speaker 1: of course, playing Thursday night in Cleveland. Uh. Surprisingly enough, Matt, 9 00:00:45,440 --> 00:00:47,839 Speaker 1: that line has moved to the latest I saw was 10 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:50,519 Speaker 1: the steelers now five and a half point underdogs in 11 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:54,320 Speaker 1: that game. Once again, I'm not seeing that big of 12 00:00:54,360 --> 00:00:56,560 Speaker 1: a I don't get it. I mean we harped on 13 00:00:56,640 --> 00:00:59,440 Speaker 1: that last week and the Patriots end of covering. They 14 00:00:59,480 --> 00:01:01,600 Speaker 1: were very key to do. I get it, but I 15 00:01:01,680 --> 00:01:05,199 Speaker 1: mean we were wrong. There's facts here. I still don't 16 00:01:05,240 --> 00:01:07,520 Speaker 1: understand it. I'M gonna die on that island on this 17 00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:09,520 Speaker 1: one too, and it's up to five, five and a 18 00:01:09,560 --> 00:01:12,680 Speaker 1: half some places. From what I've seen. I just don't 19 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:14,200 Speaker 1: think the browns. I'M gonna say the same thing I 20 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:16,360 Speaker 1: said last week when the browns were giving six and 21 00:01:16,400 --> 00:01:18,880 Speaker 1: a half to the jets. The browns shouldn't be getting 22 00:01:18,920 --> 00:01:21,039 Speaker 1: that many points to anybody, anybody, right. I mean their 23 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:25,440 Speaker 1: styles play, their defense isn't particularly good. Um, I know 24 00:01:25,520 --> 00:01:27,640 Speaker 1: the steelers just lost the Patriots. They might lose on 25 00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:31,240 Speaker 1: Thursday in Cleveland, but if you asked me if the Patriots, 26 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:34,080 Speaker 1: browns and steelers played a round robin tournament, I think 27 00:01:34,120 --> 00:01:37,479 Speaker 1: I picked Pittsburgh. Yeah, we really do, and they all 28 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:39,880 Speaker 1: have issues, don't get me wrong, but I still think 29 00:01:39,880 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 1: they're better than this team and the team they just 30 00:01:41,680 --> 00:01:44,600 Speaker 1: lost to. Yeah, the thing that I keep looking at, 31 00:01:44,640 --> 00:01:48,360 Speaker 1: and we spoke to a Mr Rbisky and Matt Canada today. Um, 32 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:51,160 Speaker 1: you know, the both of them saying, Hey, look, we 33 00:01:51,240 --> 00:01:56,040 Speaker 1: gotta take more shots. We had the openings are there. Trabish. 34 00:01:56,040 --> 00:01:59,240 Speaker 1: She said, look, the opportunities are there. For whatever reason 35 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:01,320 Speaker 1: I just haven't in them. I think he's gonna be 36 00:02:01,360 --> 00:02:03,840 Speaker 1: more cognizant of that this week. And I look at 37 00:02:03,960 --> 00:02:07,440 Speaker 1: what the browns have allowed to opposing wide receivers in 38 00:02:07,520 --> 00:02:11,280 Speaker 1: two games. Twenty three catches, which isn't bad. No, not 39 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:14,200 Speaker 1: all at all. Right, four hundred yards and four touchdowns, 40 00:02:14,320 --> 00:02:16,920 Speaker 1: which is bad. which is bad? They've also allowed two 41 00:02:17,320 --> 00:02:20,600 Speaker 1: yard receivers and Davis had eight five or something in 42 00:02:20,639 --> 00:02:25,000 Speaker 1: that game too, so close to three. Um. They're explosive, 43 00:02:25,360 --> 00:02:27,760 Speaker 1: you know. Twenty Yard gains are more. I think they're 44 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:29,800 Speaker 1: given up more yardage than anyone in the League in 45 00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:34,400 Speaker 1: terms of explosive play yardage. Um. So if you're not 46 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:37,720 Speaker 1: gonna do it now, then I can't have any sympathy 47 00:02:37,720 --> 00:02:40,119 Speaker 1: for you steelers. And the other thing I saw today 48 00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:42,640 Speaker 1: I was looking at Mr Bisky's uh, you know, the 49 00:02:42,720 --> 00:02:45,120 Speaker 1: chart of all his passes and all that, and it 50 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:46,840 Speaker 1: kind of stood out to me. I think he threw 51 00:02:46,960 --> 00:02:49,840 Speaker 1: thirty three passes, but only five of them were between 52 00:02:49,840 --> 00:02:52,720 Speaker 1: the numbers too. Like when you say take shots, I 53 00:02:52,720 --> 00:02:55,880 Speaker 1: don't need load up. Throw at sixty yards down the field, 54 00:02:55,919 --> 00:02:57,720 Speaker 1: as far as you can and hope someone runs under it. 55 00:02:57,760 --> 00:03:01,800 Speaker 1: I mean I'm talking fifteen, twenty, five range was intermediate, 56 00:03:01,840 --> 00:03:04,239 Speaker 1: middle of field. Yeah, drive the ball down the field. 57 00:03:04,440 --> 00:03:07,079 Speaker 1: That's where it got. That's where a wide receiver or 58 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:10,560 Speaker 1: tight end can catch the ball and get yack exactly. 59 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:13,440 Speaker 1: You know, you don't often see, uh, you know, a 60 00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:16,160 Speaker 1: six yard pass turned into a fifty yard play in 61 00:03:16,200 --> 00:03:18,440 Speaker 1: the NFL. The guy that the guys in the defense 62 00:03:18,480 --> 00:03:21,400 Speaker 1: are too fast. Yeah, they are Um. You know, last week, 63 00:03:21,800 --> 00:03:24,040 Speaker 1: especially early in the game, you know you were there. 64 00:03:24,080 --> 00:03:28,000 Speaker 1: I watched a lot of it on coach's tape. A 65 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:30,440 Speaker 1: lot of single high safety from the Patriots, you know, 66 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:33,240 Speaker 1: kind of begging you to try that, and they didn't 67 00:03:33,280 --> 00:03:36,240 Speaker 1: let it fly and you could see. I'm not speaking 68 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:39,120 Speaker 1: for pickens or any of the receivers, but there was 69 00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:41,760 Speaker 1: open receivers. You know, you gotta let those ones fly 70 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:44,520 Speaker 1: and if not, then you've got a problem. There were 71 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:46,880 Speaker 1: a couple of times that deante Johnson in particular was 72 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:50,000 Speaker 1: kind of a little frustrating. A little frustrated gesture to 73 00:03:50,120 --> 00:03:54,040 Speaker 1: the sidelines. No, he was unbelievable in that game. Yeah, 74 00:03:54,040 --> 00:03:56,160 Speaker 1: in different circumstances he could have two yards. You have 75 00:03:56,160 --> 00:03:59,080 Speaker 1: been Steffon Diggs last night right. One point in clarification 76 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:01,200 Speaker 1: I just wanted to put out there. I did say 77 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:04,080 Speaker 1: in the show yesterday the steelers are traveling up the 78 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:07,840 Speaker 1: day of the game. That's not completely true. The team 79 00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:12,440 Speaker 1: and the players are going up tomorrow. Tomorrow, the support 80 00:04:12,520 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 1: staff is going up the next day. They didn't have enough. 81 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:18,160 Speaker 1: There weren't enough hotel rooms up. There Forel together. I'm 82 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:20,080 Speaker 1: sure the coach as well as well. But yeah, okay, 83 00:04:20,200 --> 00:04:22,080 Speaker 1: so it's it's a little, a little different. They were 84 00:04:22,080 --> 00:04:23,880 Speaker 1: gonna you know, it would have had to have two 85 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:27,159 Speaker 1: different hotel, everybody two different hotels because of the lack 86 00:04:27,240 --> 00:04:31,599 Speaker 1: of rooms there. So, UM, yeah, this Cleveland. Uh, you know, 87 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:34,359 Speaker 1: they just and when you think about the quarterbacks that 88 00:04:34,440 --> 00:04:39,680 Speaker 1: they faced, they make Mayfield and Flacco, uh, and they've 89 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:43,000 Speaker 1: gotten torched right, right, you know there there the defense 90 00:04:43,040 --> 00:04:46,520 Speaker 1: has been problematic and it's gonna probably be less healthy 91 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:49,200 Speaker 1: for this game, much more so. Yeah, right, I mean 92 00:04:49,240 --> 00:04:51,200 Speaker 1: some of the health stuff coming out of Cleveland isn't 93 00:04:51,200 --> 00:04:54,520 Speaker 1: super promising for a Tuesday on a Thursday game both 94 00:04:54,560 --> 00:04:59,120 Speaker 1: sides of the ball. Um, and as great as Garrett is, 95 00:04:59,160 --> 00:05:01,360 Speaker 1: he's like water and these guys he's used to doubles. 96 00:05:01,360 --> 00:05:03,600 Speaker 1: Don't get me wrong, and that's not a new phenomenon 97 00:05:03,680 --> 00:05:05,600 Speaker 1: for him. But you know, and I was digging into 98 00:05:05,640 --> 00:05:09,080 Speaker 1: the steelers o line today and we talked about slowly yesterday, 99 00:05:09,120 --> 00:05:11,040 Speaker 1: like I'm gonna be very critical if they leave more 100 00:05:11,120 --> 00:05:14,440 Speaker 1: on an island. Ever with him, this is this one. 101 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:17,320 Speaker 1: This one was really miles Garrett and the pips. Yeah, right, 102 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:21,240 Speaker 1: and I don't even know if they're the pips, backup 103 00:05:21,320 --> 00:05:24,560 Speaker 1: dudes and no names and young guys that are unproven, 104 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:26,960 Speaker 1: as well as Jukes is playing again. Folks, I think 105 00:05:27,040 --> 00:05:29,280 Speaker 1: Jukes is good, believe it or not. I'm leaving him 106 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:31,200 Speaker 1: on island all day. And they happen more, I mean 107 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:33,600 Speaker 1: unless Garrett lines up on Jukes, I would imagine. I 108 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:35,040 Speaker 1: mean they've done this in the past where they moved 109 00:05:35,040 --> 00:05:38,159 Speaker 1: Garrett around on their defensive line. If I'm the Browns, 110 00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:39,960 Speaker 1: I probably do that more in this game so the 111 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:43,320 Speaker 1: steelers can't zero in on him. At the same time, 112 00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:45,560 Speaker 1: he's on the injury list with a neck injury. He 113 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:47,960 Speaker 1: didn't practice in full today. Already missed. Yeah, he didn't 114 00:05:47,960 --> 00:05:51,159 Speaker 1: practice him full today. We saw him last year play 115 00:05:51,279 --> 00:05:53,839 Speaker 1: in that second game against the steelers with a groin 116 00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:57,000 Speaker 1: injury and he was not a factor at all of himself. Right, 117 00:05:57,040 --> 00:05:59,359 Speaker 1: he should have probably even been out there. Yeah, and 118 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:00,960 Speaker 1: I don't know in this case if he should be 119 00:06:00,960 --> 00:06:03,480 Speaker 1: out there. I don't know what the what the situation is. 120 00:06:03,839 --> 00:06:08,440 Speaker 1: Never sounds good, doesn't sound good. Yeah, yeah, uh. You 121 00:06:08,440 --> 00:06:10,599 Speaker 1: know some of the other guys that are out. Not 122 00:06:10,680 --> 00:06:13,120 Speaker 1: only did is clowney out of this game, they placed 123 00:06:13,120 --> 00:06:16,680 Speaker 1: the Chase Winovich on I R as well, a lot 124 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:20,800 Speaker 1: of run. Yeah, played quite a bit and you're not signing, 125 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:23,920 Speaker 1: you know, anybody of note on a short week to 126 00:06:24,000 --> 00:06:26,119 Speaker 1: come in and help out. So I mean you're looking 127 00:06:26,160 --> 00:06:28,279 Speaker 1: at I'm sure they bump up someone from the practice 128 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:31,080 Speaker 1: squad or whatever, but yeah, you know, uh, you know, 129 00:06:31,160 --> 00:06:33,760 Speaker 1: you're you're looking here then at Alex Wright, who was 130 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:36,719 Speaker 1: a third round draft pick this year, considered a raw player. 131 00:06:36,760 --> 00:06:38,919 Speaker 1: I mean, I can't say I studied his preseason tape, 132 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:40,680 Speaker 1: but he wasn't a he's kind of a work in 133 00:06:40,720 --> 00:06:43,520 Speaker 1: progress guy coming out of school. You know. Um, you know, 134 00:06:43,600 --> 00:06:47,360 Speaker 1: so that that's that situation. We mentioned those defensive tackles, 135 00:06:47,400 --> 00:06:50,599 Speaker 1: that tavn Bryant and Jordan Elliott are the starters and 136 00:06:50,760 --> 00:06:54,960 Speaker 1: they're just kind of right. Yeah, he's supposed to play 137 00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:57,919 Speaker 1: this week. We'll see. They almost have to because the 138 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:00,719 Speaker 1: other injuries many bodies up front of it get. I 139 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:04,240 Speaker 1: mean I wrote an article today for dk s, Pittsburgh 140 00:07:04,240 --> 00:07:07,880 Speaker 1: sports about the steeler o line, and you guys know 141 00:07:07,960 --> 00:07:11,240 Speaker 1: I'm not the biggest pro football focus guy or ESPN 142 00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:14,440 Speaker 1: pass rush wind rate guy. I mean stats for o 143 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:16,760 Speaker 1: line to me are sort of to be taken with 144 00:07:16,800 --> 00:07:19,280 Speaker 1: a grain of salt, but I did reference them for 145 00:07:19,280 --> 00:07:22,400 Speaker 1: the article and frankly, I was blown away. I mean 146 00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 1: as high as chokes and both guards are ranked by 147 00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:31,000 Speaker 1: both ESPN and pro football focus. Probably isn't an accident 148 00:07:31,040 --> 00:07:33,800 Speaker 1: and I think it would startle steeler fans to hear this. 149 00:07:34,360 --> 00:07:36,320 Speaker 1: And I don't know that more and Cole or junk, 150 00:07:36,480 --> 00:07:39,000 Speaker 1: but I really do think they have three guys now 151 00:07:39,040 --> 00:07:43,000 Speaker 1: that are quality, if not better, starters. You know, I 152 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:46,120 Speaker 1: mean like chucks is like the fourth ranked tank tackle 153 00:07:46,160 --> 00:07:48,480 Speaker 1: by pro football focus and is in the top ten 154 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:52,480 Speaker 1: and win rate for ESPN. And maybe that quite doesn't 155 00:07:52,640 --> 00:07:56,200 Speaker 1: translate to tape, but if you watch the tape you 156 00:07:56,240 --> 00:07:58,720 Speaker 1: would watch those three and say, oh, they're good players, 157 00:07:59,040 --> 00:08:01,440 Speaker 1: that's fine. Like nobody seems to think that around here. 158 00:08:01,880 --> 00:08:04,760 Speaker 1: And Mike, where I'm going with this is Garrett. The 159 00:08:05,000 --> 00:08:08,680 Speaker 1: pips stink, you know. They should have their way with 160 00:08:08,720 --> 00:08:11,600 Speaker 1: that defensive front, even with miles. Yeah, I'll be surprised 161 00:08:11,600 --> 00:08:13,960 Speaker 1: if the steelers don't run the ball effectively in this game. 162 00:08:14,480 --> 00:08:17,560 Speaker 1: To your point, I'm looking here at football outsiders offensive 163 00:08:17,600 --> 00:08:22,080 Speaker 1: line rankings. Uh, they have the steelers. That's because that's 164 00:08:22,120 --> 00:08:24,559 Speaker 1: the adjusted line yards, but some of that is because 165 00:08:24,600 --> 00:08:27,920 Speaker 1: they've checked down so much. A quarterback. You know, that 166 00:08:27,960 --> 00:08:30,520 Speaker 1: would make some sense, because if you're I mean it's 167 00:08:30,840 --> 00:08:33,160 Speaker 1: they're talking about the yardage. Yeah, that doesn't know. Kay, 168 00:08:33,200 --> 00:08:35,040 Speaker 1: that's a different way of looking at it, because here's 169 00:08:35,040 --> 00:08:38,079 Speaker 1: the blocking hasn't been great, folks. I don't mean that necessarily, 170 00:08:38,120 --> 00:08:40,120 Speaker 1: but the line is a whole is better than anything. 171 00:08:40,280 --> 00:08:44,679 Speaker 1: They're averaging three point seven five running backyards, which is 172 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:49,440 Speaker 1: fourth worst. But but again, I don't know that that's 173 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:55,040 Speaker 1: necessarily on the on the offensive lineman themselves. Um. Well, 174 00:08:55,040 --> 00:08:57,640 Speaker 1: the other thing I cited in the article, and it's 175 00:08:57,679 --> 00:08:59,760 Speaker 1: one of the things I really try to stress, is, 176 00:09:00,480 --> 00:09:03,040 Speaker 1: especially in these small sample sizes, we're not talking about 177 00:09:03,080 --> 00:09:09,600 Speaker 1: sixteen games, seventeen games. The Patriots and the Bengals, more 178 00:09:09,640 --> 00:09:11,560 Speaker 1: so than most teams in the League, with a four 179 00:09:11,600 --> 00:09:14,520 Speaker 1: man front, or whatever front you mean, three, four, four, three, 180 00:09:14,559 --> 00:09:19,840 Speaker 1: I don't care anymore. Have big, Mauling, slow footed defensive 181 00:09:19,880 --> 00:09:23,280 Speaker 1: tackles like they are harder teams to move in terms 182 00:09:23,360 --> 00:09:27,040 Speaker 1: of their overall physicality. They have big power ends that 183 00:09:27,080 --> 00:09:30,199 Speaker 1: are to seventy that are old school for three guys. 184 00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:35,160 Speaker 1: So most teams they face including the Browns, don't play 185 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:38,640 Speaker 1: defense that way, you know, they don't have seven hundred 186 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:41,720 Speaker 1: pounds of defensive tackle on the field with Lawrence guy 187 00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:45,400 Speaker 1: and reader and dudes like that and six, five, six 188 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:49,920 Speaker 1: seventy pounds edges, you know. So you've gotta pay attention 189 00:09:49,920 --> 00:09:52,080 Speaker 1: to who you play against, and the two teams they 190 00:09:52,120 --> 00:09:55,640 Speaker 1: did play against were very beefy. What to say that? Yeah, 191 00:09:57,000 --> 00:10:01,600 Speaker 1: Alex Wright, the WHO will be stepping in, uh, presumably 192 00:10:01,640 --> 00:10:06,360 Speaker 1: for funny. Yeah, six, five to seventy, one like that 193 00:10:06,559 --> 00:10:08,559 Speaker 1: kind of end the one. Yeah, the big, big body 194 00:10:08,600 --> 00:10:12,960 Speaker 1: guys looking here at the at the landsier line right 195 00:10:13,040 --> 00:10:15,520 Speaker 1: up on him. On NFL DOT COM prior to the draft, 196 00:10:16,120 --> 00:10:19,840 Speaker 1: gave him a grade of six. Traits to be traits 197 00:10:19,840 --> 00:10:22,960 Speaker 1: are talented to be an above average backup. Yeah, well, 198 00:10:22,960 --> 00:10:25,599 Speaker 1: that doesn't translate to starting in your rookie year, in 199 00:10:25,920 --> 00:10:28,480 Speaker 1: week three of your year. I'm just curious. What was 200 00:10:28,480 --> 00:10:30,680 Speaker 1: his combined numbers? That's always on that. He only did fifty. 201 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:32,319 Speaker 1: He did fifteen on the bench press. He didn't do 202 00:10:32,360 --> 00:10:37,280 Speaker 1: anything else. Um, yeah, I remember they made the picking. 203 00:10:37,840 --> 00:10:39,760 Speaker 1: I thought he'd go a little later. You know, his 204 00:10:40,040 --> 00:10:43,719 Speaker 1: comp was his Taco Charlton. We saw Talco, Charlton last year. 205 00:10:44,559 --> 00:10:48,360 Speaker 1: Tall rangey should get pushed, pushed out of the way, 206 00:10:49,480 --> 00:10:53,120 Speaker 1: Um said Lances. He's a developmental defensive end who's growing 207 00:10:53,160 --> 00:10:56,960 Speaker 1: into his body and position. Look Right. Well, look, would 208 00:10:57,000 --> 00:11:00,240 Speaker 1: likely look much different in pads within a couple of years. Well, 209 00:11:00,240 --> 00:11:02,280 Speaker 1: we're not in in a couple of years. He has 210 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:04,800 Speaker 1: to play this week. No, the way that they're with, 211 00:11:04,880 --> 00:11:06,520 Speaker 1: the way they're set up. Again, I didn't love to 212 00:11:06,559 --> 00:11:10,559 Speaker 1: pick when it happened, but I did understand that they 213 00:11:10,960 --> 00:11:13,920 Speaker 1: he was a draft pick for tomorrow. He's a developmental player. 214 00:11:14,160 --> 00:11:17,600 Speaker 1: We got myles Garrett, we got clowney. Ininividual factor in here. 215 00:11:17,960 --> 00:11:21,079 Speaker 1: You're our four. Hit the weights, eat a bunch of steaks, 216 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:23,520 Speaker 1: you know. But now two and three are gone. Are 217 00:11:23,559 --> 00:11:26,520 Speaker 1: Done right, right, and clowney probably hasn't learned term mix. 218 00:11:26,600 --> 00:11:29,360 Speaker 1: Maybe you can be his replacement next year, but not 219 00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:31,679 Speaker 1: this year, you know. Yeah, I mean he almost has 220 00:11:31,720 --> 00:11:33,200 Speaker 1: to be. They took him in the third round this 221 00:11:33,320 --> 00:11:36,000 Speaker 1: year and they don't have a lot of draft picks 222 00:11:36,080 --> 00:11:38,839 Speaker 1: or cap space next year. They need this guy to develop. 223 00:11:38,880 --> 00:11:41,559 Speaker 1: They knew these things are on the horizon, but they 224 00:11:42,480 --> 00:11:45,080 Speaker 1: they're thinking that's that's next year, not three games in 225 00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:49,400 Speaker 1: the season exactly. Know, the NFL is cruel and, as 226 00:11:49,440 --> 00:11:52,679 Speaker 1: Mike Tomm and often says, you know nobody's going to 227 00:11:52,720 --> 00:11:55,280 Speaker 1: be upset over your issue, you know, over your problems 228 00:11:55,360 --> 00:11:57,959 Speaker 1: and they're gonna be happy you have them. The steelers 229 00:11:57,960 --> 00:11:59,600 Speaker 1: are going to be happy that that the browns are 230 00:11:59,640 --> 00:12:02,240 Speaker 1: having the issues up front on the other side of 231 00:12:02,280 --> 00:12:08,320 Speaker 1: the line. Uh Conklin didn't start, didn't practice today. BATONIO 232 00:12:08,400 --> 00:12:11,920 Speaker 1: didn't tactice today. So they're basically the entire right side 233 00:12:11,920 --> 00:12:14,040 Speaker 1: of their line because they got a new center as well. 234 00:12:15,280 --> 00:12:19,160 Speaker 1: Is and so if batonio doesn't play that's huge because 235 00:12:19,160 --> 00:12:23,000 Speaker 1: he lines up opposite Larry Ogunjobi, who they've gone at 236 00:12:23,080 --> 00:12:25,240 Speaker 1: after each other, in fact this as well as Games, 237 00:12:25,400 --> 00:12:29,600 Speaker 1: several times, obviously, and I would assume if he doesn't play, 238 00:12:29,679 --> 00:12:33,520 Speaker 1: last week it was James Hudson for Conklin again, one 239 00:12:33,559 --> 00:12:36,320 Speaker 1: of those developmental guys. Yeah, you and I liked him 240 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:39,439 Speaker 1: coming out of school. was maybe a future tackle. He's 241 00:12:39,440 --> 00:12:42,200 Speaker 1: an athlete. My guests would be that would they would 242 00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:45,080 Speaker 1: move Michael Don over to from backup center to guard. 243 00:12:46,520 --> 00:12:49,440 Speaker 1: I think Hubbard's either on, I are Chris Hubbard, or 244 00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:52,360 Speaker 1: he's out of the equation. I know that I'm injury, 245 00:12:52,440 --> 00:12:54,520 Speaker 1: but it was always the beauty M is. He could 246 00:12:54,559 --> 00:12:56,200 Speaker 1: be your six guy at least, and he's out of 247 00:12:56,200 --> 00:12:58,120 Speaker 1: the man and they don't have him. So that right 248 00:12:58,160 --> 00:13:02,960 Speaker 1: side of their line would be problematic, unfortunately. That would 249 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:05,240 Speaker 1: be great if the steelers had t j watt, but 250 00:13:05,400 --> 00:13:07,560 Speaker 1: no doubt, but they don't. Still, I mean their front 251 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:09,720 Speaker 1: is still I mean would you? Would you? Would you 252 00:13:09,720 --> 00:13:13,880 Speaker 1: throw highsmith over there for some reps against Hudson? Yeah, maybe. 253 00:13:13,920 --> 00:13:16,360 Speaker 1: I mean they've switched those guys. I mean especially last 254 00:13:16,400 --> 00:13:19,760 Speaker 1: week when they were mixing, mixing up that defensive line. Yeah, maybe, 255 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:22,240 Speaker 1: I have no problem with that at all. It seemed 256 00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:23,960 Speaker 1: like when they put a big body there, I'd have 257 00:13:23,960 --> 00:13:25,920 Speaker 1: to double check, but it seemed like that was usually 258 00:13:25,920 --> 00:13:29,280 Speaker 1: the left end, if it was hayward, wormly Leale. I 259 00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:31,440 Speaker 1: don't remember them lining up on the right as often 260 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:33,480 Speaker 1: they did a few times when they wanted to throw 261 00:13:33,520 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 1: a different look at the left defensive left. Okay, yeah, maybe. 262 00:13:38,440 --> 00:13:40,959 Speaker 1: I mean he's your best edge pass rusher. If you 263 00:13:41,000 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 1: can get a Matta. See, if you see if the 264 00:13:42,960 --> 00:13:45,960 Speaker 1: young guy can handle the speed rush. Yeah, Um, the 265 00:13:46,040 --> 00:13:48,080 Speaker 1: joke who plays every snap for them, a tight end, 266 00:13:48,120 --> 00:13:51,080 Speaker 1: but he's not a gentry like helping guy and Jesse 267 00:13:51,200 --> 00:13:52,680 Speaker 1: James Out. It was kind of that guy. That's the 268 00:13:52,679 --> 00:13:54,600 Speaker 1: other thing there. You know they they're not down to 269 00:13:54,640 --> 00:13:57,360 Speaker 1: two tight ends on their roster. UH, and they've been 270 00:13:57,400 --> 00:13:59,960 Speaker 1: at a three tight end team a lot in the past. Yeah, 271 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:01,800 Speaker 1: I think that must be a thing of the past. 272 00:14:02,120 --> 00:14:05,319 Speaker 1: But they're kind of looking for a fifth guy. To 273 00:14:05,400 --> 00:14:08,080 Speaker 1: your point, they really don't have a true blocking tight end. No, 274 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:12,160 Speaker 1: they don't. Um, what's his face? The young guy, Harrison Bryant, 275 00:14:12,400 --> 00:14:17,440 Speaker 1: is much more is James. You know, Um, Chubb and 276 00:14:17,480 --> 00:14:20,160 Speaker 1: hunt are fine in protection. But it's funny. I hadn't 277 00:14:20,160 --> 00:14:22,640 Speaker 1: really thought of it from that angle. But you put 278 00:14:22,680 --> 00:14:24,240 Speaker 1: you know, how much often have we talked about you 279 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:26,000 Speaker 1: put your five skill guys out there. You can mix 280 00:14:26,040 --> 00:14:29,560 Speaker 1: and match them. Well, it's always cooper, it's always people's Jones, 281 00:14:29,760 --> 00:14:31,520 Speaker 1: it's always in the joke Wu. Those guys are in 282 00:14:31,640 --> 00:14:33,800 Speaker 1: one of those backs and one of the backs and 283 00:14:33,840 --> 00:14:36,400 Speaker 1: those the backs are splitting like fifty fifty, even though 284 00:14:36,440 --> 00:14:39,960 Speaker 1: Chubbs are more productive. Even the catches are about and 285 00:14:40,160 --> 00:14:42,760 Speaker 1: those other three that I mentioned, the Joeku Cooper People's 286 00:14:42,840 --> 00:14:48,240 Speaker 1: Jones are like snap share, but that's only four. The 287 00:14:48,280 --> 00:14:51,520 Speaker 1: other guy is just kind of yeah, Mitchell Schwartz really 288 00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:57,120 Speaker 1: hasn't turned into anything and the rookie ball is a 289 00:14:57,200 --> 00:15:00,800 Speaker 1: ball or bell from, yeah, from, he gets in there 290 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:04,280 Speaker 1: some once in a while. They get the second tight 291 00:15:04,440 --> 00:15:09,040 Speaker 1: end in. But they really have four starting skill guys. Yeah, five, 292 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:11,520 Speaker 1: you know that deserve to play, right. You know, most 293 00:15:11,520 --> 00:15:14,160 Speaker 1: teams have seven. and honestly, if you looked at those 294 00:15:14,280 --> 00:15:19,240 Speaker 1: four skill guys, I mean other than the running backs, 295 00:15:19,240 --> 00:15:21,600 Speaker 1: would any of them play for the steelers? I mean 296 00:15:21,640 --> 00:15:23,600 Speaker 1: cooper is a good player. He's a good player, but 297 00:15:23,720 --> 00:15:25,800 Speaker 1: I wouldn't even trade playpool for him straight up there. Right, 298 00:15:25,840 --> 00:15:27,560 Speaker 1: that's what I'm saying. I mean he would be down 299 00:15:27,680 --> 00:15:30,440 Speaker 1: the down the pecking order. Right. I like the joke. 300 00:15:30,480 --> 00:15:33,880 Speaker 1: Who I mean? I think he's a top. I don't 301 00:15:33,880 --> 00:15:37,120 Speaker 1: like as much like fire movies, movie. I mean Chub 302 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:39,040 Speaker 1: is a special player in my opinion, but as a 303 00:15:39,080 --> 00:15:42,080 Speaker 1: ball carrier, if you're talking receiver, he's a dump off 304 00:15:42,080 --> 00:15:44,280 Speaker 1: type guy. I mean again, if you only have four 305 00:15:44,320 --> 00:15:47,880 Speaker 1: weapons out there, that's remarkably like for today's yeah, I 306 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:50,520 Speaker 1: mean Jones is sort of unproven to they're they're big. 307 00:15:51,160 --> 00:15:53,880 Speaker 1: The big advantage that the browns have on the steelers 308 00:15:53,880 --> 00:15:57,840 Speaker 1: and pretty much everybody is when their offensive line is healthy. Well, 309 00:15:57,880 --> 00:16:01,040 Speaker 1: if they're missing pieces off of that right. You've been 310 00:16:01,080 --> 00:16:05,040 Speaker 1: doing this a long time and I tend curiously what 311 00:16:05,080 --> 00:16:07,640 Speaker 1: your thoughts on this are. Just I don't like to 312 00:16:07,760 --> 00:16:12,760 Speaker 1: overreact to, I guess, Tuesday injury reports on a short week. 313 00:16:13,240 --> 00:16:15,440 Speaker 1: You know what I mean. It's tough. It's tough, like 314 00:16:15,480 --> 00:16:18,080 Speaker 1: they just played a game two days ago, but Tonio 315 00:16:18,160 --> 00:16:21,280 Speaker 1: didn't practice, Garrett didn't practice. If they were steelers, we 316 00:16:21,360 --> 00:16:24,960 Speaker 1: might be like, I'll be fine. Nobody out there. What 317 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:28,680 Speaker 1: they call a practice in weeks like this exactly is 318 00:16:30,200 --> 00:16:33,120 Speaker 1: you use practice, practice in air quotes. You know. They 319 00:16:33,160 --> 00:16:36,000 Speaker 1: put out. The browns put yeah, the browns put in 320 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:38,920 Speaker 1: an injury report yesterday and they didn't practice right, because 321 00:16:38,960 --> 00:16:41,600 Speaker 1: it because legal, because you have to you know. So 322 00:16:41,840 --> 00:16:44,440 Speaker 1: you know tomorrow will be a big day. Um, you know, 323 00:16:44,520 --> 00:16:47,120 Speaker 1: watch and see if those guys are on the injury list, 324 00:16:47,120 --> 00:16:50,000 Speaker 1: first of all, because that that that has changed the 325 00:16:50,080 --> 00:16:51,880 Speaker 1: last few years as well, because you used to have 326 00:16:51,920 --> 00:16:56,480 Speaker 1: the more designations. Um, you know, if any of them 327 00:16:56,480 --> 00:17:00,800 Speaker 1: are quite questionable, is really leaning towards not playing. Yeah, 328 00:17:00,840 --> 00:17:03,800 Speaker 1: that's more like the old doubtful. Yeah, and where if 329 00:17:03,800 --> 00:17:06,800 Speaker 1: he's if they're doubtful, they're not playing nor you know. 330 00:17:07,040 --> 00:17:09,919 Speaker 1: So I'm not going to overreact to batonio and Garrett 331 00:17:09,960 --> 00:17:13,399 Speaker 1: and not doing anything yet, but there's something going on. 332 00:17:13,480 --> 00:17:17,040 Speaker 1: At a minimum they're not we know that one. Yeah, 333 00:17:17,080 --> 00:17:18,760 Speaker 1: it's way too early in the season and not be 334 00:17:18,760 --> 00:17:21,760 Speaker 1: at and they have other ailments. And you right, you 335 00:17:21,800 --> 00:17:25,639 Speaker 1: know that, I think. And that's kind of situation. Unless 336 00:17:25,640 --> 00:17:28,440 Speaker 1: you look at this. Well, it's a division game. Typically 337 00:17:28,480 --> 00:17:32,400 Speaker 1: in week three, go your deal almost something. We're gonna 338 00:17:32,440 --> 00:17:35,840 Speaker 1: set you out. Yeah, we don't. We want you, you know, 339 00:17:35,840 --> 00:17:37,600 Speaker 1: we don't want you to go out there and aggravate something, 340 00:17:37,800 --> 00:17:40,960 Speaker 1: especially short week. Right. Um, I don't know if that's 341 00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:43,240 Speaker 1: the case. And I know Garrett again as as a 342 00:17:43,280 --> 00:17:47,560 Speaker 1: reference earlier, he always wants to be out there. Even 343 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:51,160 Speaker 1: if he's not a hundred percent. He can still serve 344 00:17:51,200 --> 00:17:52,840 Speaker 1: as a I mean you do still have to even 345 00:17:52,880 --> 00:17:54,600 Speaker 1: if he's on the field, you do have to double one. 346 00:17:54,800 --> 00:17:56,840 Speaker 1: I mean even if he's in the condition last year. Yeah, 347 00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:59,760 Speaker 1: you're still afraid of him. Yeah, until you until you 348 00:17:59,800 --> 00:18:02,080 Speaker 1: get to the point where you run some plays and 349 00:18:02,119 --> 00:18:04,000 Speaker 1: you're gonna leave damn more on him one on one 350 00:18:04,240 --> 00:18:06,440 Speaker 1: at times. Oh Yeah, especially the run game. And if 351 00:18:06,440 --> 00:18:08,480 Speaker 1: you if you start to see that, well, Morse handling 352 00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:11,479 Speaker 1: him pretty easily, then you okay, we can right. Then 353 00:18:11,520 --> 00:18:14,000 Speaker 1: then they got to get him off the field. It 354 00:18:14,040 --> 00:18:15,719 Speaker 1: doesn't matter who he is. Be Lwrence Taylor out there 355 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:18,119 Speaker 1: if he's and that's kind of what happened last year 356 00:18:18,119 --> 00:18:20,399 Speaker 1: in that game. Like they they started out, you know, 357 00:18:20,600 --> 00:18:22,919 Speaker 1: helping more and then by the you know, midway through 358 00:18:22,960 --> 00:18:24,800 Speaker 1: the game, we're like, okay, Morse handling him, we can 359 00:18:24,880 --> 00:18:26,520 Speaker 1: leave him out there by himself. I mean, if it 360 00:18:26,520 --> 00:18:29,240 Speaker 1: gets to that point, I'd have a hard time imagine 361 00:18:29,280 --> 00:18:31,520 Speaker 1: the seals is in this game. Yeah, I mean maybe 362 00:18:31,560 --> 00:18:33,400 Speaker 1: the offense on the other side of the ball could 363 00:18:33,400 --> 00:18:35,840 Speaker 1: be turned the ball over or whatever. They can't do 364 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:38,439 Speaker 1: then it's the first one to tend type of thing. 365 00:18:38,520 --> 00:18:43,240 Speaker 1: But who knows? I mean, um again, I like some 366 00:18:43,280 --> 00:18:45,880 Speaker 1: of their defensive players quite a bit. You know, News 367 00:18:45,920 --> 00:18:52,320 Speaker 1: Award help it, you know, J okay, but the defense. Shockingly, 368 00:18:53,720 --> 00:18:55,800 Speaker 1: the tables have been really turned on these two teams. 369 00:18:55,800 --> 00:18:58,280 Speaker 1: They're both one in week one, lost in week two. 370 00:18:58,920 --> 00:19:01,760 Speaker 1: But once side of the ball was carrying the steelers, 371 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:04,639 Speaker 1: the defense, and the other sides carrying that for the Browns, 372 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:06,600 Speaker 1: which I didn't see coming, and I don't know that 373 00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:10,200 Speaker 1: it's as sustainable because it's been mostly the run game. Yeah, 374 00:19:10,280 --> 00:19:13,119 Speaker 1: and priscette played well this past week, but Willie again, 375 00:19:13,400 --> 00:19:15,439 Speaker 1: is he going to continue to do that? That's his 376 00:19:15,520 --> 00:19:18,760 Speaker 1: record of starters, noticeably worse than Mitches his career. You know, 377 00:19:18,760 --> 00:19:22,199 Speaker 1: he's a backup. Yeah, I think that's uh, you know, 378 00:19:22,240 --> 00:19:25,240 Speaker 1: well put and I think the more like we you know, 379 00:19:25,280 --> 00:19:28,359 Speaker 1: I did a steelers live video today and we're talking 380 00:19:28,359 --> 00:19:32,800 Speaker 1: about identities and most teams don't know their identity two 381 00:19:32,800 --> 00:19:36,680 Speaker 1: games into the season. In the chiefs, yeah, the browns 382 00:19:36,720 --> 00:19:40,119 Speaker 1: know their identity. They have to play a certain way 383 00:19:40,280 --> 00:19:42,440 Speaker 1: and they know that. The steelers are still trying to 384 00:19:42,480 --> 00:19:46,440 Speaker 1: figure out what their identity is, which again is probably 385 00:19:46,440 --> 00:19:49,000 Speaker 1: sevent the teams in the League. Yeah, I mean even 386 00:19:49,040 --> 00:19:50,320 Speaker 1: the old line. I said I did a thing on 387 00:19:50,359 --> 00:19:52,040 Speaker 1: the old line. It's like, well, we thought I was 388 00:19:52,080 --> 00:19:56,239 Speaker 1: going to start slow. Continuity Communication, well, those things are 389 00:19:56,240 --> 00:19:59,199 Speaker 1: starting to have you're seeing fewer blown assignments. You know, 390 00:19:59,560 --> 00:20:02,239 Speaker 1: that's one. Now a couple of guys are playing up 391 00:20:02,240 --> 00:20:05,439 Speaker 1: to their capabilities. That step two. I don't think it's 392 00:20:05,440 --> 00:20:07,160 Speaker 1: gonna be a top ten oh line, but I don't 393 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:08,840 Speaker 1: think it's going to be a bottom five one either, 394 00:20:09,320 --> 00:20:12,240 Speaker 1: or is anymore. Yeah, we'll see how that continues to 395 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:15,080 Speaker 1: UH transpire here. But do we know how much time 396 00:20:15,119 --> 00:20:17,680 Speaker 1: to talk about this one? For sure it's right around 397 00:20:17,680 --> 00:20:22,880 Speaker 1: the corner. Yeah, absolutely so. Well, we will get all 398 00:20:22,920 --> 00:20:24,440 Speaker 1: of our all of our good stuff out of the 399 00:20:24,480 --> 00:20:26,880 Speaker 1: way here with that one. We do have to take 400 00:20:26,880 --> 00:20:31,400 Speaker 1: a break here. Um, you can subscribe to snr's newest podcast. 401 00:20:31,400 --> 00:20:34,320 Speaker 1: The Godfather of Pittsburgh Sports is talking nothing but steelers. 402 00:20:34,320 --> 00:20:37,760 Speaker 1: It's severeign on steelers. New episodes drop every Tuesday and Thursday. 403 00:20:38,080 --> 00:20:40,960 Speaker 1: Subscribe today. It's available on the steelers mobile APP, the 404 00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:44,840 Speaker 1: I heart radio APP and wherever you get your podcasts. 405 00:20:45,200 --> 00:20:47,879 Speaker 1: He is Matt Williamson. I am Dale lolly. You're listening 406 00:20:47,920 --> 00:20:50,520 Speaker 1: to the drive here on steelers nation radio. When we 407 00:20:50,560 --> 00:20:53,360 Speaker 1: come back, Matt, even though it's a Tuesday, which which 408 00:20:53,440 --> 00:20:55,720 Speaker 1: is a Wednesday for us, which kind of a Wednesday 409 00:20:55,720 --> 00:20:58,600 Speaker 1: slash Thursday. The rest, he doesn't care about our plans. 410 00:20:58,640 --> 00:21:02,280 Speaker 1: Nobody else cares. It is power ranking games. Let's talk 411 00:21:02,320 --> 00:21:04,760 Speaker 1: about that. A lot of shake up around the league. Yeah, 412 00:21:05,960 --> 00:21:07,480 Speaker 1: one of those teams are going to end up. It 413 00:21:07,520 --> 00:21:10,520 Speaker 1: was a crazy weekend again and the first two weeks 414 00:21:10,520 --> 00:21:12,919 Speaker 1: have been been kind of nuts. So we'll take a 415 00:21:12,920 --> 00:21:15,280 Speaker 1: look at the power rankings from NFL DOT COM when 416 00:21:15,280 --> 00:21:16,800 Speaker 1: we come back right after this