1 00:00:03,920 --> 00:00:07,200 Speaker 1: This is the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson 2 00:00:07,640 --> 00:00:09,840 Speaker 1: on your twenty four to seven home of the Black 3 00:00:09,880 --> 00:00:12,680 Speaker 1: and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. 4 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:19,760 Speaker 2: Welcome back to the Drive on the Steelers Audio Network 5 00:00:19,800 --> 00:00:22,480 Speaker 2: alongside Matt Williamson and filling in for Dale Lolly, I'm 6 00:00:22,560 --> 00:00:27,520 Speaker 2: rob king. Congratulations to the Lolly family on their younger, sorry, 7 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:31,440 Speaker 2: their elder son, Yes, getting married today. Yeah, congratulations, good stuff. 8 00:00:31,480 --> 00:00:34,040 Speaker 2: That's why I'm in and happy, of course to be 9 00:00:34,120 --> 00:00:37,600 Speaker 2: here talking Steelers football with Matt Williams. And Matt we 10 00:00:37,640 --> 00:00:41,040 Speaker 2: really haven't gotten that much into the game, you know 11 00:00:41,080 --> 00:00:45,159 Speaker 2: what we talked? Yeah, and witch up, Yeah, agree. We 12 00:00:45,200 --> 00:00:48,559 Speaker 2: talk about the Steelers quarterback position and one of the 13 00:00:48,600 --> 00:00:52,400 Speaker 2: things that concerns me. I look at the raw numbers again, Hey, 14 00:00:52,960 --> 00:00:56,240 Speaker 2: Russell Wilson threw twice as many touchdown passes as the 15 00:00:56,280 --> 00:01:00,000 Speaker 2: three Steelers quarterbacks combined last year. That's a nice factor, right, 16 00:01:00,600 --> 00:01:03,600 Speaker 2: But the Steelers did not get sacked last year. They 17 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:08,399 Speaker 2: did not have negative They were very good at protecting 18 00:01:08,400 --> 00:01:12,399 Speaker 2: the quarterback but also scheming around the quarterback, and I. 19 00:01:12,319 --> 00:01:15,280 Speaker 3: Can think they kept a tight leash on those three. 20 00:01:14,160 --> 00:01:16,440 Speaker 2: Yes, you know absolutely. 21 00:01:16,720 --> 00:01:18,720 Speaker 3: I mean the numbers of the last three years of 22 00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:20,959 Speaker 3: when the Steelers win, the turner of a battle versus 23 00:01:21,000 --> 00:01:22,480 Speaker 3: lose is mind boggling. 24 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:24,959 Speaker 2: Right. And of course, if you're giving up sacks, the 25 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:27,319 Speaker 2: ability to give up strip sacks, if you're giving up pressure, 26 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:29,480 Speaker 2: the rush throws that lead to turnovers. We'll get to 27 00:01:29,520 --> 00:01:31,200 Speaker 2: the turnover margin in a moment. But if they want 28 00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:33,720 Speaker 2: to ask you about this sack thing, now, I will 29 00:01:33,720 --> 00:01:36,080 Speaker 2: say this, when you go against the falcon scene, that's 30 00:01:36,160 --> 00:01:39,319 Speaker 2: not very good. They definitely improved it getting after the 31 00:01:39,319 --> 00:01:42,680 Speaker 2: passer last year. However, they've got a new defensive staff. 32 00:01:43,840 --> 00:01:46,280 Speaker 2: They got a new defensive coordinator and Jimmy Lake. They 33 00:01:46,280 --> 00:01:48,600 Speaker 2: don't have Bud Dupree, they don't have Khalayis Campbell. Those 34 00:01:48,600 --> 00:01:50,600 Speaker 2: guys are gone. They did bring in Matthew Judon. 35 00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:52,120 Speaker 3: I think it's better than both those guys. 36 00:01:52,160 --> 00:01:55,160 Speaker 2: Right, if he's healthy. Yeah, he's coming off a big injury, 37 00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:58,240 Speaker 2: but not young. He's not young. When he's healthy, he's 38 00:01:58,280 --> 00:02:03,640 Speaker 2: a force. He's an upper echelon pass rusher. But that's 39 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:07,160 Speaker 2: mostly it when it comes to their pass rush. I 40 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:10,040 Speaker 2: mean they have guys that concern me. I think Grady Jarrett. 41 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:11,880 Speaker 3: He's on the back nine. 42 00:02:12,080 --> 00:02:14,840 Speaker 2: Begin consider him like a kind of a poor man's 43 00:02:14,960 --> 00:02:17,440 Speaker 2: Cam Hayward. I don't mean their version. Yeah, he's he's 44 00:02:17,440 --> 00:02:18,919 Speaker 2: out and he even wears ninety seven. 45 00:02:20,240 --> 00:02:22,520 Speaker 3: Ninety seven might hang in the rafter someday in Atlanta, 46 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:24,040 Speaker 3: but he's stocking the hall of a. 47 00:02:25,320 --> 00:02:28,600 Speaker 2: Right, Yeah, really really nice player. But he's more of 48 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 2: a five to six sack guy, and they've switched to 49 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:33,160 Speaker 2: a three to four so you want to doesn't. 50 00:02:32,919 --> 00:02:36,359 Speaker 3: Fit that well, right, right? But how much inside and yeah, 51 00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:36,560 Speaker 3: you know? 52 00:02:36,639 --> 00:02:40,240 Speaker 2: Yeah right? So Judon is the big guy for me, 53 00:02:41,400 --> 00:02:44,640 Speaker 2: But it's not as much about that as it is 54 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:50,440 Speaker 2: about the two most are certainly up there. I don't 55 00:02:50,440 --> 00:02:52,720 Speaker 2: know if they were one and two and being sacked, 56 00:02:52,760 --> 00:02:55,079 Speaker 2: but they were way up there. Fields and Wilson. Now 57 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:58,200 Speaker 2: not as good a team, not as good an offensive line, 58 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:02,280 Speaker 2: not as good a players around them as they're going 59 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 2: to have in Pittsburgh. However, I do think getting rid 60 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:09,680 Speaker 2: of the ball quicker is going to be one of 61 00:03:09,680 --> 00:03:12,640 Speaker 2: those things that it's hard to It's kind of hard 62 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:15,000 Speaker 2: to say, well this is going to happen or how 63 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:16,959 Speaker 2: do we until we actually see it. But I think 64 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:17,960 Speaker 2: that's a big factor. 65 00:03:18,000 --> 00:03:22,040 Speaker 3: Matt so last two years in Denver and Fields his 66 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:24,920 Speaker 3: whole career. I don't think either one's pass protection has 67 00:03:24,960 --> 00:03:28,440 Speaker 3: been particularly good right And I also think by nature 68 00:03:29,040 --> 00:03:32,280 Speaker 3: that developed as younger human beings, especially for Wilson because 69 00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:35,320 Speaker 3: he's older. They're so athletic. A lot of those guys 70 00:03:35,400 --> 00:03:38,000 Speaker 3: will hold the ball longer. Lamar was this way, you know, 71 00:03:38,080 --> 00:03:40,440 Speaker 3: because they can make people miss they when it extend plays. 72 00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:45,839 Speaker 3: They've both had very high time to throws. That's where 73 00:03:45,840 --> 00:03:49,160 Speaker 3: I think the coaching staff Smith Tomlin might butt heads 74 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:52,680 Speaker 3: with these quarterbacks because you gotta get it out, you know, 75 00:03:52,760 --> 00:03:54,480 Speaker 3: Like that was a big thing I watched in camp 76 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:56,960 Speaker 3: with Fields when there's no pass rush, Like, don't be 77 00:03:56,960 --> 00:03:59,480 Speaker 3: patting it back there, I mean, get it out, get 78 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:03,160 Speaker 3: it out, because that's one of the detriments they're gonna 79 00:04:03,200 --> 00:04:06,040 Speaker 3: take sacks. I kind of think Wilson at this stage 80 00:04:06,160 --> 00:04:10,200 Speaker 3: probably is who he is. And Fields I have not 81 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:14,680 Speaker 3: seen a pension to be a great anticipatory thrower. I 82 00:04:14,680 --> 00:04:17,880 Speaker 3: mean he's a pat the ball, see him come open 83 00:04:17,880 --> 00:04:20,440 Speaker 3: and drill it in there, which works great when you're 84 00:04:20,480 --> 00:04:23,920 Speaker 3: the best athlete on the field protected by NFL lineman 85 00:04:24,160 --> 00:04:27,440 Speaker 3: at Ohio State throwing to Smith the jigba and the lave. 86 00:04:27,680 --> 00:04:29,680 Speaker 3: And you know that's great because and you have a 87 00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:32,599 Speaker 3: huge arm, you could drive it into tight quarters too, 88 00:04:33,160 --> 00:04:35,160 Speaker 3: and the guy that comes free might not even get 89 00:04:35,160 --> 00:04:38,280 Speaker 3: you on the ground. Doesn't work here. So those are 90 00:04:38,360 --> 00:04:40,360 Speaker 3: the two things that those are the big things that 91 00:04:40,920 --> 00:04:44,120 Speaker 3: worry me about them because I've said this for a 92 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:47,720 Speaker 3: thousand years. Sacks are as much a quarterback stat as 93 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:50,640 Speaker 3: a protection stat. You know, Peyton Manning didn't take sacks 94 00:04:50,640 --> 00:04:52,440 Speaker 3: because he knew where the rush was, ball comes out, 95 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:54,520 Speaker 3: you know what I mean. And I do think the 96 00:04:54,560 --> 00:04:56,960 Speaker 3: protection is going to be a work in progress. I 97 00:04:56,960 --> 00:04:59,400 Speaker 3: mean that O line is a work in progress. To me, 98 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:02,200 Speaker 3: I'm excited about what it'll be in the end. But 99 00:05:02,240 --> 00:05:05,480 Speaker 3: I don't love that their most veteran, smartest leader isn't 100 00:05:05,480 --> 00:05:07,400 Speaker 3: in this game. You know what I mean. It left 101 00:05:07,400 --> 00:05:10,839 Speaker 3: guard and you're been shuffling guys in a rookie center, 102 00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:12,680 Speaker 3: who I love. But he's a rookie center on the 103 00:05:12,760 --> 00:05:15,200 Speaker 3: road for the first game. But to your point about 104 00:05:15,200 --> 00:05:18,479 Speaker 3: the Falcons, they've been looking for pass rush forever. They've 105 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:21,559 Speaker 3: been a double digit sack guy in like one hundred years. 106 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:24,320 Speaker 3: The year TJ. Watt won Defensive Player of the Year, 107 00:05:24,360 --> 00:05:27,480 Speaker 3: he had more sacks than the Falcons, Like this has 108 00:05:27,520 --> 00:05:29,920 Speaker 3: been a problem for a long time. Yeah, And I 109 00:05:29,960 --> 00:05:31,440 Speaker 3: don't think it's fixed all of a sudden. 110 00:05:31,520 --> 00:05:33,120 Speaker 2: No, I don't think it's fixed either. I don't think 111 00:05:33,120 --> 00:05:37,120 Speaker 2: they have the personnel for that. I think that in 112 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:40,359 Speaker 2: I think that the biggest And we'll talk about the 113 00:05:40,400 --> 00:05:42,400 Speaker 2: Falcons in a moment, but I. 114 00:05:42,320 --> 00:05:43,440 Speaker 3: Don't love their front seven. 115 00:05:43,920 --> 00:05:48,080 Speaker 2: No, No, I think that. Okay, so let's let's go 116 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:49,520 Speaker 2: ahead and talk about their defense. I was going to 117 00:05:49,560 --> 00:05:52,080 Speaker 2: talk about how Cousins is going to help their offense, 118 00:05:52,120 --> 00:05:55,800 Speaker 2: and the expectation is that he's going to raise up 119 00:05:56,040 --> 00:05:57,960 Speaker 2: the level of everybody around him, which I think is 120 00:05:58,200 --> 00:05:59,440 Speaker 2: a reasonable expectation. 121 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:02,880 Speaker 3: Along those lines, I think the Falcons had noticeably worse 122 00:06:02,960 --> 00:06:05,479 Speaker 3: quarterblack player than the Steelers last year. Oh, everybody wants 123 00:06:05,480 --> 00:06:09,120 Speaker 3: to kill Arthur Smith. The accuracy of that group was 124 00:06:09,200 --> 00:06:12,600 Speaker 3: so bad. Right, So that's rhetoric a cut from the 125 00:06:12,920 --> 00:06:13,960 Speaker 3: from the Cardinals this year. 126 00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:18,400 Speaker 2: I mean, I'm sure, Uh, I should I'm sure, But 127 00:06:18,440 --> 00:06:24,000 Speaker 2: I would guess that Arthur Smith would be like, uh. 128 00:06:23,320 --> 00:06:26,760 Speaker 3: Kirk Cousins. Yeah, I wouldn't mind Kirk Cousins, right, Thanks 129 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:29,239 Speaker 3: a lot. Appreciated the shell of Matt Ryan. 130 00:06:30,600 --> 00:06:35,359 Speaker 2: Yeah, right, excuse me. So I think that when I 131 00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:39,160 Speaker 2: look at the when I look at the the Falcons defense, 132 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:42,040 Speaker 2: and I look at the Falcons team in general, I 133 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:45,280 Speaker 2: think they they have a lot of solid football players. 134 00:06:45,440 --> 00:06:48,480 Speaker 2: They've got some really good football players. The corner Torell 135 00:06:49,760 --> 00:06:52,960 Speaker 2: you know you Yeah, Simmons Now, Simmons and Bates's good. 136 00:06:53,279 --> 00:06:56,239 Speaker 2: Is there a better tandem at safety in the NFL? 137 00:06:56,279 --> 00:06:58,880 Speaker 2: I mean, that's a really really well could be number one. 138 00:06:59,040 --> 00:07:01,039 Speaker 2: So I think they've got the pieces, and you know, 139 00:07:01,080 --> 00:07:03,080 Speaker 2: a lot of the pieces in place. I think that 140 00:07:03,440 --> 00:07:05,360 Speaker 2: if you gave him truth serum, they'd say, look, we 141 00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 2: need we need another big disruptor in the passing game. 142 00:07:10,560 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 3: That's why people are so harsh on the Pennox pick, 143 00:07:13,560 --> 00:07:15,440 Speaker 3: Like you had any defensive player you wanted. 144 00:07:15,440 --> 00:07:18,600 Speaker 2: Right, Yeah, so you have Judan now, and Judan should 145 00:07:18,600 --> 00:07:21,080 Speaker 2: help if he's healthy. Right, if he's healthy, he's going 146 00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:21,680 Speaker 2: to help a ton. 147 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:24,160 Speaker 3: I think he's really good. But I think he's closer 148 00:07:24,160 --> 00:07:26,640 Speaker 3: to High Smith than what But that doesn't mean he's 149 00:07:26,680 --> 00:07:29,520 Speaker 3: not helpful, right, I mean it's not Smith's really good. 150 00:07:29,640 --> 00:07:32,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, and Ebikadie and some of the other guys they 151 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:35,640 Speaker 2: haven't really gotten that next pass rusher that now again, 152 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:39,160 Speaker 2: they haven't had a judan that a team absolutely has 153 00:07:39,240 --> 00:07:41,600 Speaker 2: to pay attention to. 154 00:07:41,960 --> 00:07:44,080 Speaker 3: And the epiqueties of the world are allowed to get better, 155 00:07:44,240 --> 00:07:47,560 Speaker 3: right and draft guys, you know for sure. 156 00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:50,360 Speaker 2: So you know when you look at so when you 157 00:07:50,400 --> 00:07:54,120 Speaker 2: look at uh and I'm gonna I'm gonna digress for 158 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:57,680 Speaker 2: a moment. But when you look at player capability, right, 159 00:07:57,720 --> 00:08:01,800 Speaker 2: what who's a number corner that can slide to a 160 00:08:01,840 --> 00:08:05,320 Speaker 2: number one corner? So for example, Cam Sutton, you know 161 00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:07,680 Speaker 2: Detroit wants him to be the number one corner. Well 162 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:10,160 Speaker 2: maybe he's miscast as your number one corner, but he's 163 00:08:10,320 --> 00:08:14,560 Speaker 2: really really good at something else. You not every team 164 00:08:14,640 --> 00:08:18,040 Speaker 2: has a luxury of having an Alex Highsmith, right, So 165 00:08:18,320 --> 00:08:21,400 Speaker 2: high Smith, when Watt went down, high Smith had what 166 00:08:21,520 --> 00:08:24,160 Speaker 2: he had fourteen and a half sacks, right, he became 167 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:28,400 Speaker 2: an elite guy. It's not his fault that TJ. Smith 168 00:08:28,400 --> 00:08:30,760 Speaker 2: hogs all this or TJ Watt hogs all the sacks. 169 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:33,000 Speaker 2: You know, TJ doesn't want to give anybody else, and 170 00:08:33,040 --> 00:08:36,760 Speaker 2: he says he wants them all for himself, which is wonderful. 171 00:08:37,160 --> 00:08:39,440 Speaker 3: And everybody wins. You know, High Smith gets more one 172 00:08:39,440 --> 00:08:40,119 Speaker 3: on ones. 173 00:08:40,559 --> 00:08:44,880 Speaker 2: But high Smith still shows the capability of being able 174 00:08:44,920 --> 00:08:47,160 Speaker 2: to elevate and be the guy he can stay you 175 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:50,120 Speaker 2: need him to be. Well. I don't think Atlanta has anybody. 176 00:08:49,800 --> 00:08:51,920 Speaker 3: Close like that. I mean, Judun's the only one that 177 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:53,920 Speaker 3: thinks a good player no matter what the situation is 178 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:56,200 Speaker 3: or whatever, right even in a whole front seven. I 179 00:08:56,240 --> 00:08:58,600 Speaker 3: mean Jerry used to be that guy. Last year showed 180 00:08:58,640 --> 00:08:59,440 Speaker 3: he's not anymore. 181 00:08:59,559 --> 00:09:03,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, So I think they have, like they have solid 182 00:09:03,040 --> 00:09:05,880 Speaker 2: middle linebacker play and three guys that they like. I 183 00:09:05,880 --> 00:09:07,440 Speaker 2: don't know whether Lamban's going to be able to play 184 00:09:07,440 --> 00:09:09,079 Speaker 2: for them. It sounds like he's been digged up a 185 00:09:09,120 --> 00:09:12,400 Speaker 2: little bit. But they have good, solid linebackers. They've got 186 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:17,120 Speaker 2: a very good secondary. They have like solid rotational guys, 187 00:09:17,480 --> 00:09:19,680 Speaker 2: you know, guys that intrigue, like so we have we 188 00:09:19,760 --> 00:09:24,200 Speaker 2: have Leal, they have Taekwon ta Kwan Graham. Can he 189 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:26,320 Speaker 2: be a guy that can step up? So you know, 190 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:27,679 Speaker 2: they've got guys like this. 191 00:09:27,760 --> 00:09:30,280 Speaker 3: Is Falcons Nation Radio. They're excited about him, but we 192 00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:32,199 Speaker 3: don't know anything about it, right those guys. 193 00:09:32,080 --> 00:09:34,079 Speaker 2: Right right right. So but I look at the defense 194 00:09:34,120 --> 00:09:39,880 Speaker 2: and I think, if you don't get sacked, right, if 195 00:09:39,920 --> 00:09:43,640 Speaker 2: you don't turn the ball over, I think you should 196 00:09:43,679 --> 00:09:47,920 Speaker 2: be able to move the ball effectively enough against this defense. 197 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:51,079 Speaker 3: I think the sack thing is huge because that worries 198 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:52,119 Speaker 3: me overall. 199 00:09:52,720 --> 00:09:54,880 Speaker 2: My number one concern about that, And everyone talks about 200 00:09:54,880 --> 00:09:59,719 Speaker 2: the second receiver. I think I think getting sacked is 201 00:09:59,760 --> 00:10:02,720 Speaker 2: probab probably my biggest offensive concern for the seam more 202 00:10:02,800 --> 00:10:04,640 Speaker 2: than who's your number two receiver? 203 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:07,000 Speaker 3: And frankly, in this game, if we get back on 204 00:10:07,040 --> 00:10:09,640 Speaker 3: Monday and you and I and Wolf do a Monday show, 205 00:10:09,760 --> 00:10:12,840 Speaker 3: like if it's like and Steelers or sacks six. 206 00:10:12,720 --> 00:10:14,880 Speaker 2: Times, I'm like, right, oh no, yeah, yeah, that's. 207 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:18,520 Speaker 3: What happens when they play right, good pass rushers, right, 208 00:10:18,559 --> 00:10:20,920 Speaker 3: that would really worry me. I don't know that Atlanta 209 00:10:20,960 --> 00:10:23,640 Speaker 3: can take advantage of the O line injuries and quarterback 210 00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:27,240 Speaker 3: holding the ball and just overall rustiness of a new 211 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:31,080 Speaker 3: offense or not. But I would also think if I'm 212 00:10:31,120 --> 00:10:33,920 Speaker 3: Atlanta's defense coordinator, maybe I'm blitzing a little more because 213 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:37,560 Speaker 3: I'd love my safeties. Terrell I think is gonna probably 214 00:10:37,600 --> 00:10:39,760 Speaker 3: follow Pickens. I mean, I think that's so, and I 215 00:10:39,800 --> 00:10:41,040 Speaker 3: think Porter will follow London. 216 00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:43,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, Terrell is one of the few guys that like 217 00:10:43,120 --> 00:10:46,079 Speaker 2: Joey Porter follows guys around the feat it follows the 218 00:10:46,160 --> 00:10:48,200 Speaker 2: number one. Yeah, he follows a number one guy usually. 219 00:10:48,320 --> 00:10:50,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, new defense coordinator. That's why we don't know a 220 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:52,559 Speaker 3: Zach one. But I assume you don't give him that 221 00:10:52,640 --> 00:10:53,760 Speaker 3: kind of money not to you know. 222 00:10:54,000 --> 00:10:57,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, right, So, and I'm chomping at the bit to 223 00:10:57,080 --> 00:10:59,920 Speaker 2: talk about the Falcons offense, but we'll get to that. 224 00:11:00,440 --> 00:11:02,199 Speaker 2: We will still get to that in a moment. I 225 00:11:02,520 --> 00:11:07,160 Speaker 2: don't think that, you know, Arthur Smith was asked about 226 00:11:07,160 --> 00:11:10,600 Speaker 2: this a bunch. I don't think to Steerers showed really 227 00:11:10,760 --> 00:11:13,920 Speaker 2: much of anything in the preseason that's going to resemble 228 00:11:14,360 --> 00:11:15,760 Speaker 2: what they're going to try to do offense. 229 00:11:16,040 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 3: No, I don't either. I think watching training camp practices 230 00:11:20,480 --> 00:11:24,040 Speaker 3: was a lot different than watching preseason games in terms 231 00:11:24,040 --> 00:11:29,360 Speaker 3: of scheme, the way they ran the ball, different blocking angles, 232 00:11:29,440 --> 00:11:32,960 Speaker 3: pre snap motion personnel was kind of the same. Yeah, 233 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:34,199 Speaker 3: there's a lot of tight ends on the field and 234 00:11:34,240 --> 00:11:38,120 Speaker 3: stuff like that. But I think they were kindergarten through 235 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:41,199 Speaker 3: second grade, and we're gonna see the high school curriculum, 236 00:11:41,240 --> 00:11:41,800 Speaker 3: you know what I mean. 237 00:11:42,040 --> 00:11:45,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think that I'll be very interested to see 238 00:11:46,240 --> 00:11:50,719 Speaker 2: so when you're preparing for this team. 239 00:11:50,679 --> 00:11:52,000 Speaker 3: And Arthur knows them pretty well. 240 00:11:52,080 --> 00:11:54,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, he knows the first amount. Right, when you're preparing 241 00:11:54,640 --> 00:11:56,560 Speaker 2: for this team, you know Raheem Morris has got his 242 00:11:56,600 --> 00:11:59,960 Speaker 2: defensive background, and he was the coordinator for the Ram 243 00:12:00,160 --> 00:12:02,480 Speaker 2: last year and he's been a head coach before, So 244 00:12:02,520 --> 00:12:05,160 Speaker 2: you're looking at stuff that he's done in the past. 245 00:12:05,280 --> 00:12:08,160 Speaker 2: You're looking at what the Rams did last year, You're 246 00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:11,640 Speaker 2: looking at the Falcons personnel. It's a very interesting game 247 00:12:12,040 --> 00:12:14,120 Speaker 2: to try to prepare for. And you're right, Arthur Spark 248 00:12:14,240 --> 00:12:17,360 Speaker 2: is going to know the personnel out there. I mean, 249 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:20,520 Speaker 2: if I'm preparing for the Steelers, If you're preparing for 250 00:12:20,559 --> 00:12:24,800 Speaker 2: the Steelers, aren't you thinking, Okay, let's put Tebrell on Pickens, 251 00:12:25,160 --> 00:12:28,880 Speaker 2: right and let's crowd the line of scrimmage? Oh? 252 00:12:28,920 --> 00:12:31,040 Speaker 3: I think so? Yeah, I'm in a huge key on 253 00:12:31,080 --> 00:12:33,080 Speaker 3: this side of the ball. To me that we had 254 00:12:33,280 --> 00:12:36,480 Speaker 3: touched on but haven't dug into, is if the Steelers 255 00:12:36,520 --> 00:12:40,199 Speaker 3: can get thirty rushing attempts and just keep back I 256 00:12:40,280 --> 00:12:43,199 Speaker 3: mean two yards, three yards, eight yards, you know what 257 00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:45,360 Speaker 3: I mean? Like, you know they're going to stay dedicated 258 00:12:45,400 --> 00:12:47,160 Speaker 3: to run. That's going to be the foundation of what 259 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:49,960 Speaker 3: they do. I just hope it's not fourteen nothing at 260 00:12:50,000 --> 00:12:51,120 Speaker 3: the half and you can't do that, you know what, 261 00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:52,840 Speaker 3: I right, and I'd be shocked, But it could happen. 262 00:12:52,840 --> 00:12:54,200 Speaker 3: Who knows. They maybe they return a kick for a 263 00:12:54,200 --> 00:12:57,160 Speaker 3: touchdown or you know, pickslakes or something. But I would 264 00:12:57,160 --> 00:13:01,760 Speaker 3: imagine late in the game, the Steelers running game could 265 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:02,400 Speaker 3: rule the day. 266 00:13:02,920 --> 00:13:04,640 Speaker 2: Right. They would be nice to see, and I think 267 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:07,280 Speaker 2: that's the formula that they want. I loved what Andy 268 00:13:07,320 --> 00:13:10,400 Speaker 2: Whidel said about, you know, toughness up front and that 269 00:13:10,480 --> 00:13:13,840 Speaker 2: travels well, right, like you see Miami. I scored seventy 270 00:13:14,000 --> 00:13:16,679 Speaker 2: points in September in Miami or whatever. 271 00:13:17,160 --> 00:13:18,320 Speaker 3: Saying yeah, let's let's see. 272 00:13:18,320 --> 00:13:20,760 Speaker 2: You know, do you have the offensive line. I don't 273 00:13:20,760 --> 00:13:23,360 Speaker 2: think Miami does have the offensive line to be able 274 00:13:23,400 --> 00:13:28,439 Speaker 2: to play Northeast football when you're getting ready for the playoffs, 275 00:13:28,480 --> 00:13:30,640 Speaker 2: you're trying to get it into the playoffs, you're trying 276 00:13:30,640 --> 00:13:33,800 Speaker 2: to battle for a seed. Those things, the Steelers offensive 277 00:13:33,840 --> 00:13:36,360 Speaker 2: line and defensive line, where they've been putting their resources 278 00:13:37,320 --> 00:13:42,080 Speaker 2: into those things travel well. It doesn't matter where you're playing. 279 00:13:42,120 --> 00:13:43,880 Speaker 2: You can be playing in a dome, you can be 280 00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:45,760 Speaker 2: playing in the heat, you can be playing in the 281 00:13:45,760 --> 00:13:47,839 Speaker 2: cold if you can the other team. 282 00:13:48,200 --> 00:13:49,920 Speaker 3: Exactly yeah, exactly right. 283 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:53,200 Speaker 2: So well, that's some of the offense. I still feel 284 00:13:53,240 --> 00:13:54,880 Speaker 2: like we have more offense to talk about. We're certainly 285 00:13:54,880 --> 00:13:57,480 Speaker 2: going to talk about the Falcons offense, which I find 286 00:13:57,559 --> 00:13:59,920 Speaker 2: extremely intriguing. That's when we continue on the drug. 287 00:14:00,160 --> 00:14:02,440 Speaker 3: We're on this side of the ball. I think we're 288 00:14:02,440 --> 00:14:04,840 Speaker 3: gonna see a lot more Friar Mooth than we have too. 289 00:14:05,280 --> 00:14:08,080 Speaker 3: Like I'm not saying he's Kyle Pitts, but I think 290 00:14:08,080 --> 00:14:10,600 Speaker 3: they've been kind of keeping him in bubble wrap a 291 00:14:10,640 --> 00:14:12,880 Speaker 3: little bit. I think there's more plans for Friar Mooth 292 00:14:12,960 --> 00:14:13,920 Speaker 3: than we've seen. 293 00:14:14,040 --> 00:14:17,600 Speaker 2: I think I would not be if you told me 294 00:14:18,400 --> 00:14:22,880 Speaker 2: he's gonna have sixty five catches and Darnell Washington's gonna 295 00:14:22,920 --> 00:14:25,320 Speaker 2: have twenty five catches, I'd take it. I would not 296 00:14:25,400 --> 00:14:26,000 Speaker 2: be surprised. 297 00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:27,920 Speaker 3: That's a lot for Washington. 298 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:30,320 Speaker 2: I know, yeah, I know, but I think they're gonna 299 00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:30,760 Speaker 2: get him. 300 00:14:30,880 --> 00:14:32,120 Speaker 3: He's gonna be on the field all the time. 301 00:14:32,160 --> 00:14:37,120 Speaker 2: That's one point five receptions per game. Okay, I could 302 00:14:37,120 --> 00:14:39,440 Speaker 2: break it down like that, right, I could see that happening. 303 00:14:39,520 --> 00:14:41,560 Speaker 3: I think Washington plays like eighty percent of the snaps. 304 00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:43,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, he played a ton of snaps and had always 305 00:14:43,720 --> 00:14:46,520 Speaker 2: very very few targets last year, I know. And you 306 00:14:46,560 --> 00:14:49,600 Speaker 2: can't tip your hand like that constantly. 307 00:14:49,760 --> 00:14:51,800 Speaker 3: You can't make him a tackle right right. 308 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:54,000 Speaker 2: And by the way, okay, so now we're going down 309 00:14:54,040 --> 00:14:57,440 Speaker 2: this road you talk about tipping the hand and sorry, Brian, 310 00:14:57,440 --> 00:15:00,560 Speaker 2: Brian Lamartine is running things here, light here, He's going good. 311 00:15:01,280 --> 00:15:05,120 Speaker 2: That's great, that's tremendous. So I was watching uh second 312 00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:09,440 Speaker 2: play the game Falcons or Lions and Steelers. They threw 313 00:15:09,440 --> 00:15:12,760 Speaker 2: a little screen pass out the Pickens, and Pickens initially 314 00:15:12,840 --> 00:15:16,240 Speaker 2: ran for a first down and then they said he 315 00:15:16,440 --> 00:15:18,200 Speaker 2: his elbow touched the ground and they called it a six. 316 00:15:19,600 --> 00:15:23,560 Speaker 2: Very early in the game, Calvin Austin was blocking Is 317 00:15:23,720 --> 00:15:30,120 Speaker 2: sang Bassie for the Lions and getting the job done right. So, 318 00:15:30,840 --> 00:15:33,640 Speaker 2: you know, you always think he's so small, and you 319 00:15:33,680 --> 00:15:35,600 Speaker 2: know when he's in there, it's got to be a 320 00:15:35,640 --> 00:15:38,480 Speaker 2: gadget play. And it kind of was always a gadget play. 321 00:15:38,680 --> 00:15:41,320 Speaker 2: And you know, I'm not saying he's gonna he's gonna 322 00:15:41,640 --> 00:15:44,960 Speaker 2: put Justin Simmons on his back or just his back, 323 00:15:45,160 --> 00:15:48,200 Speaker 2: as long as he's willing, willing, and feisty, just willing. 324 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:51,320 Speaker 2: Get part of that willingness. Yeah, just get in the water, 325 00:15:51,960 --> 00:15:53,800 Speaker 2: get in their grill, and just you know, make it 326 00:15:53,840 --> 00:15:58,280 Speaker 2: difficult because those guys don't want to be blocked either. No, 327 00:15:58,360 --> 00:16:00,880 Speaker 2: I can't forget that. They don't want to be blockable. 328 00:16:00,840 --> 00:16:02,200 Speaker 3: We'll talk about this on the other side of but 329 00:16:02,240 --> 00:16:04,360 Speaker 3: I mean, like, I'm worried about the Steelers Nickel because 330 00:16:04,360 --> 00:16:06,360 Speaker 3: they're gonna run Bijon at him, you know, like make 331 00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:07,800 Speaker 3: him tackle. You know, we'll talk about that on the 332 00:16:07,840 --> 00:16:13,520 Speaker 3: other side of Last note too, you mentioned the Pickens thing. 333 00:16:13,840 --> 00:16:15,720 Speaker 3: I wanted to throw this out there too, because Pickens 334 00:16:15,760 --> 00:16:17,840 Speaker 3: played very few snaps in the preseason, right, some of 335 00:16:17,840 --> 00:16:20,760 Speaker 3: those games are six snaps as long as Wilson was 336 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:23,400 Speaker 3: in or whatever. But boy did they get him a 337 00:16:23,400 --> 00:16:27,080 Speaker 3: ball schemed up when he was out there, Like they 338 00:16:27,120 --> 00:16:29,880 Speaker 3: have plans for that, dude. Like I think the one 339 00:16:29,920 --> 00:16:34,000 Speaker 3: game he played played six snaps, ran four routes, was 340 00:16:34,040 --> 00:16:35,960 Speaker 3: targeted on two of the four routes, you know, like 341 00:16:36,120 --> 00:16:37,680 Speaker 3: designed picking touches. 342 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:41,320 Speaker 2: He's a very talented guy, very talented guy. 343 00:16:41,320 --> 00:16:42,800 Speaker 3: They have more in store for him, I think. 344 00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:45,080 Speaker 2: Okay, so now we're going to take that break. He's 345 00:16:45,080 --> 00:16:47,040 Speaker 2: Matt Williams and I'm Rob King. You're listening to the 346 00:16:47,160 --> 00:16:49,880 Speaker 2: Drive unless you have anything else to say that'll do. Okay, 347 00:16:49,920 --> 00:16:56,800 Speaker 2: You're listening to the Drive on Steeler's Audio Network. 348 00:16:56,840 --> 00:17:00,320 Speaker 1: He's the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson on 349 00:17:00,360 --> 00:17:02,480 Speaker 1: your twenty four to seven home of the Black and 350 00:17:02,560 --> 00:17:05,280 Speaker 1: Gold Steelers Nation Radio. 351 00:17:09,880 --> 00:17:12,440 Speaker 2: Welcome back to the Drive on Steelers of these Steelers 352 00:17:12,480 --> 00:17:15,000 Speaker 2: Audio Network alongside Matt Williams and I'm Rob King filling 353 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:18,199 Speaker 2: in for Dale Lolly on the Drive today. So we 354 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:20,680 Speaker 2: talked a little bit about the Steelers offense. I want 355 00:17:20,680 --> 00:17:26,679 Speaker 2: to talk about this Falcons offense because they don't have 356 00:17:26,800 --> 00:17:29,840 Speaker 2: great depth. In fact, they have zero four depth. They 357 00:17:29,840 --> 00:17:34,360 Speaker 2: have crossed the quarterback depth. Yeah, but they're starting eleven 358 00:17:35,160 --> 00:17:36,119 Speaker 2: is really good. 359 00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:38,120 Speaker 3: I think they're starting ten is really good. 360 00:17:38,880 --> 00:17:40,320 Speaker 2: Are you taking Mooney out of the equation? 361 00:17:40,480 --> 00:17:44,800 Speaker 3: No, whoever, whoever the next the second tight end or 362 00:17:44,840 --> 00:17:47,359 Speaker 3: the third receiver. Okay, if they're going to live in 363 00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:48,680 Speaker 3: eleven like we think. 364 00:17:48,560 --> 00:17:49,520 Speaker 2: Oh, I see what you're saying. 365 00:17:49,600 --> 00:17:51,359 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think they have ten really good starts. 366 00:17:51,400 --> 00:17:54,280 Speaker 2: Right, Okay, I agree with you there. Rondell Moore got hurt, right, 367 00:17:54,320 --> 00:17:58,000 Speaker 2: I agree with you, yes, And I have my questions 368 00:17:58,000 --> 00:17:59,400 Speaker 2: about Mooney me too. 369 00:17:59,560 --> 00:18:00,840 Speaker 3: So he's really a three. 370 00:18:01,119 --> 00:18:03,399 Speaker 2: Darnell Mooney was a guy that three years ago in 371 00:18:03,480 --> 00:18:06,359 Speaker 2: Chicago had a very nice season, fifth round draft choice, 372 00:18:06,640 --> 00:18:09,639 Speaker 2: and then since then, if you add up his numbers, 373 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:10,920 Speaker 2: they don't even add up to what he did a 374 00:18:10,960 --> 00:18:13,080 Speaker 2: couple of years ago. Is eighty catches something on those 375 00:18:13,080 --> 00:18:14,480 Speaker 2: I think he had a thousand yard season. 376 00:18:15,280 --> 00:18:19,359 Speaker 3: So the league figured him out. You have some tels 377 00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:20,600 Speaker 3: or something we don't know about. 378 00:18:20,359 --> 00:18:22,920 Speaker 2: It is he To me, he's kind of a Van 379 00:18:23,040 --> 00:18:25,720 Speaker 2: Jefferson type, right, Yeah, he had a good year, had 380 00:18:25,720 --> 00:18:29,400 Speaker 2: some promise. Jefferson was actually a second round pick. Jefferson 381 00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:33,119 Speaker 2: got hurt. He got replaced by Poka Nakua's life in 382 00:18:33,160 --> 00:18:35,800 Speaker 2: the NFL. That's the way. Mike Tomlin talked about that 383 00:18:35,840 --> 00:18:40,080 Speaker 2: the other day. He said, the minute you draft somebody, 384 00:18:40,560 --> 00:18:43,440 Speaker 2: you're trying to draft somebody else to take that person's place. Yeah, 385 00:18:43,480 --> 00:18:45,360 Speaker 2: that's just life in the NFL. That's just the way 386 00:18:45,400 --> 00:18:49,800 Speaker 2: it is, right right right. So, I mean, they have 387 00:18:49,840 --> 00:18:57,240 Speaker 2: a very strong offensive line with continuity. They've been around. 388 00:18:57,359 --> 00:18:59,760 Speaker 2: Four of the five starters have been there for several years. 389 00:18:59,760 --> 00:19:02,399 Speaker 3: And then don't miss time and Linster is great and 390 00:19:02,840 --> 00:19:04,760 Speaker 3: it's one of the best five lines in the league 391 00:19:04,800 --> 00:19:06,240 Speaker 3: for sure, especially in the run game. 392 00:19:06,320 --> 00:19:10,000 Speaker 2: I agree, So what does that do against one of 393 00:19:10,040 --> 00:19:12,400 Speaker 2: the Steelers great strengths, which is their front five. 394 00:19:13,760 --> 00:19:16,960 Speaker 3: I think that favors the Steelers, not by leaps and bounds. 395 00:19:17,160 --> 00:19:19,760 Speaker 3: But I'm going to say that every week about the Steelers. Right, 396 00:19:20,440 --> 00:19:24,280 Speaker 3: So if we break down their offensive line, McGary the 397 00:19:24,359 --> 00:19:26,399 Speaker 3: right tackle, and they've invested in these These are a 398 00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:28,439 Speaker 3: lot of first round picks and they've lived up to it. 399 00:19:28,520 --> 00:19:32,159 Speaker 3: McGary's a good right tackle, but they help him a lot, 400 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:35,680 Speaker 3: especially in protection. He's a mauler in the run game. 401 00:19:36,080 --> 00:19:39,040 Speaker 3: He's in GA TJ, you know what I mean. And 402 00:19:39,680 --> 00:19:42,359 Speaker 3: Pitts is not a good helper. Bijon is such a 403 00:19:42,359 --> 00:19:44,600 Speaker 3: good receiver day and I had a really good conversation 404 00:19:44,600 --> 00:19:46,639 Speaker 3: about this yesterday, Like, if they're gonna live in eleven, 405 00:19:47,119 --> 00:19:48,760 Speaker 3: I don't know how they're going to help their offensive 406 00:19:48,760 --> 00:19:52,199 Speaker 3: line very much in protection because I'm not leaving Pits in. 407 00:19:52,320 --> 00:19:54,719 Speaker 3: He never even lines up in line anyways. He's closer 408 00:19:54,720 --> 00:19:57,240 Speaker 3: to receiver than a tight end. And if I'm keeping 409 00:19:57,240 --> 00:20:00,959 Speaker 3: Bijon in the block, every passing down great. I mean 410 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:02,679 Speaker 3: the Steeler should be thrilled with that. He's such a 411 00:20:02,680 --> 00:20:06,920 Speaker 3: good receiver. So anyway, I think Watt has a massive advantage, 412 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:10,080 Speaker 3: especially in the past game against McGarry. Lynch from the 413 00:20:10,160 --> 00:20:11,840 Speaker 3: right guard is yeah. 414 00:20:11,960 --> 00:20:14,600 Speaker 2: Let me let me ask you a question. Is it 415 00:20:14,920 --> 00:20:21,560 Speaker 2: possible that they're eleven personnel? What would include Warner as 416 00:20:21,560 --> 00:20:24,119 Speaker 2: their tight end? He's a blocking tight end maybe and 417 00:20:24,280 --> 00:20:27,760 Speaker 2: Pits split out? I mean, who would you rather have? So, 418 00:20:27,960 --> 00:20:31,000 Speaker 2: if you assume that you have Drake London, super talented 419 00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:35,359 Speaker 2: guy Darnel Mooney as your two top receivers, would you 420 00:20:35,440 --> 00:20:40,440 Speaker 2: rather have Kyle Pitts on the field, or Ray Ray McCloud. 421 00:20:40,040 --> 00:20:43,240 Speaker 3: On the field or Warner McLeod. 422 00:20:42,920 --> 00:20:46,439 Speaker 2: I'm saying, yeah, yeah, yeah, right, right right, But I mean, 423 00:20:46,680 --> 00:20:48,679 Speaker 2: right if you if you split Pits out wide and 424 00:20:48,680 --> 00:20:51,480 Speaker 2: put Warner, who's a better blocker, as your tight end, 425 00:20:51,760 --> 00:20:52,600 Speaker 2: I just wonder if that. 426 00:20:52,760 --> 00:20:55,240 Speaker 3: Especially since his front and you have I also think 427 00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:57,840 Speaker 3: he matches up well with Mooney because Mooney's more of 428 00:20:57,880 --> 00:21:01,240 Speaker 3: a speed exactly. You're not asking action to go against 429 00:21:01,240 --> 00:21:03,000 Speaker 3: a Drake London body type. 430 00:21:02,800 --> 00:21:05,680 Speaker 2: Right, And then you have Deshaun Elliott freeing up Who's 431 00:21:05,920 --> 00:21:09,800 Speaker 2: I think is a I think I was very excited 432 00:21:09,840 --> 00:21:12,840 Speaker 2: when they signed him. I think he's a good football player, 433 00:21:13,200 --> 00:21:17,840 Speaker 2: and I think when we're doing taping our show for this, 434 00:21:17,880 --> 00:21:21,600 Speaker 2: see there's the matchup, I think he could have a 435 00:21:21,680 --> 00:21:27,879 Speaker 2: similar effect on Minka that Ryan Clark had on Troy Palamolo. 436 00:21:27,960 --> 00:21:30,760 Speaker 2: Fills with all the gaps, right, A player good enough 437 00:21:30,800 --> 00:21:34,120 Speaker 2: to hold his own and to help a superstar reach 438 00:21:34,160 --> 00:21:35,640 Speaker 2: his full potential as a superstar. 439 00:21:35,800 --> 00:21:38,800 Speaker 3: Okay, Yeah, I like what you're saying. And the more 440 00:21:38,840 --> 00:21:42,119 Speaker 3: we talk through this, if they agree with us and 441 00:21:42,160 --> 00:21:45,479 Speaker 3: they put the blocking tight end on the field, I 442 00:21:45,600 --> 00:21:49,600 Speaker 3: like the combination of safeties versus pits and linebacker helped too, 443 00:21:49,880 --> 00:21:53,000 Speaker 3: you know, as opposed to somebody's got to guard Ray 444 00:21:53,080 --> 00:21:56,240 Speaker 3: Ray and maybe that's the nickel corner. I don't think 445 00:21:56,240 --> 00:21:58,680 Speaker 3: the nickel corner even comes on the field. If they're 446 00:21:58,680 --> 00:22:03,000 Speaker 3: going to be it's London Mooney Bijon blocking tight end, right, 447 00:22:03,200 --> 00:22:03,800 Speaker 3: and that's. 448 00:22:03,560 --> 00:22:06,000 Speaker 2: Great, right, And if it's Bishop against Ray Ray Ray 449 00:22:06,080 --> 00:22:08,040 Speaker 2: Ray's best season as a receiver was here when he 450 00:22:08,080 --> 00:22:08,800 Speaker 2: was with the Steelers. 451 00:22:08,960 --> 00:22:11,080 Speaker 3: If Rairay Beach is Ray Ray Beach, right, you know 452 00:22:11,119 --> 00:22:11,480 Speaker 3: what I mean? 453 00:22:11,600 --> 00:22:11,679 Speaker 2: Like? 454 00:22:12,080 --> 00:22:15,000 Speaker 3: Right is he gonna get eight for one three touchdowns, 455 00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:15,520 Speaker 3: I don't think. 456 00:22:15,560 --> 00:22:19,400 Speaker 2: So we're not having this discussion on Monday. And then 457 00:22:19,480 --> 00:22:22,320 Speaker 2: when I look at I think and and in the 458 00:22:22,359 --> 00:22:26,440 Speaker 2: matchup yesterday, you're when we're discussing this and the key 459 00:22:26,520 --> 00:22:32,600 Speaker 2: matchups offense versus defense. You had the inside linebackers, and 460 00:22:33,040 --> 00:22:35,679 Speaker 2: I think Landon Roberts uh is a nice player. You 461 00:22:35,720 --> 00:22:37,800 Speaker 2: have Peyton Wilson with that great speed, and of course 462 00:22:37,840 --> 00:22:41,399 Speaker 2: Patrick Queen yeah, uh you know. I saved him for 463 00:22:41,520 --> 00:22:44,840 Speaker 2: last for reasons because he's just a great player. So 464 00:22:45,560 --> 00:22:49,160 Speaker 2: that's going to be interesting in them trying to corral 465 00:22:50,000 --> 00:22:53,600 Speaker 2: Bijon Robinson. So I have to say I didn't watch 466 00:22:54,520 --> 00:22:57,240 Speaker 2: a ton of Falcon football last year, so I've been 467 00:22:57,280 --> 00:22:58,400 Speaker 2: watching some tape. 468 00:22:59,280 --> 00:23:00,640 Speaker 3: He's so good. 469 00:23:02,359 --> 00:23:06,159 Speaker 2: Man, I mean, you know, uh, you know, I was 470 00:23:06,200 --> 00:23:10,720 Speaker 2: just watching. I watched one drive of a first half 471 00:23:11,280 --> 00:23:13,439 Speaker 2: and he gets to pass out in the flat and 472 00:23:13,520 --> 00:23:17,960 Speaker 2: somebody comes flying up and it is the easiest stiff 473 00:23:18,080 --> 00:23:21,040 Speaker 2: arm into the face and that guy going face first 474 00:23:21,080 --> 00:23:24,359 Speaker 2: into the grass and Bijon just loping around him. Just 475 00:23:24,400 --> 00:23:31,520 Speaker 2: boop down, you go face first. He's about that, and 476 00:23:31,760 --> 00:23:34,560 Speaker 2: just the fact that I have no idea what his 477 00:23:34,600 --> 00:23:37,399 Speaker 2: forty time is it's good. But when he hits the hole, 478 00:23:37,560 --> 00:23:42,280 Speaker 2: it's like, you know, hit the whole glide sideways past 479 00:23:42,320 --> 00:23:46,359 Speaker 2: somebody and you're like, wait, did he just gain six yards? Comman, 480 00:23:47,040 --> 00:23:51,800 Speaker 2: it looks like a yard and he's man, and he's 481 00:23:51,840 --> 00:23:56,280 Speaker 2: a terrific receiver. He is. I can see now why 482 00:23:56,760 --> 00:23:59,080 Speaker 2: in all these fantasy the experts like b John Robinson, 483 00:23:59,119 --> 00:24:02,440 Speaker 2: he's it could be the number one running back. Wow. Yea, 484 00:24:02,680 --> 00:24:06,000 Speaker 2: he is very, very impressive. 485 00:24:05,640 --> 00:24:08,200 Speaker 3: Very impressive. You know, like I get the whole logic 486 00:24:08,240 --> 00:24:10,240 Speaker 3: of never draft a running back in the first round 487 00:24:10,280 --> 00:24:17,000 Speaker 3: the NFL draft. I'll tak him, I agree. However, him 488 00:24:17,240 --> 00:24:19,120 Speaker 3: is not a bad Yeah, I was thinking him. 489 00:24:19,400 --> 00:24:20,800 Speaker 2: I totally, totally. 490 00:24:20,880 --> 00:24:22,520 Speaker 3: I think he'll be the best back in the league. Yeah, 491 00:24:22,640 --> 00:24:25,800 Speaker 3: I mean, with all respector McCaffrey was awesome. This guy's 492 00:24:26,040 --> 00:24:28,119 Speaker 3: just this is his second year. I mean that was 493 00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:29,440 Speaker 3: a learning experience for him. 494 00:24:29,359 --> 00:24:31,400 Speaker 2: Last right year, He's so impressive. And then they have 495 00:24:32,080 --> 00:24:35,560 Speaker 2: all year our Alger behind him, Tyler Algier behind him. 496 00:24:35,800 --> 00:24:37,800 Speaker 2: He's a very good player too, So they have a 497 00:24:37,960 --> 00:24:41,440 Speaker 2: that's one of the positions where they do have good 498 00:24:41,520 --> 00:24:45,840 Speaker 2: one to two punch. Yeah, they right, the only position. 499 00:24:45,640 --> 00:24:47,760 Speaker 3: O lion is no depth. Receiver has no depth. I 500 00:24:47,760 --> 00:24:49,080 Speaker 3: don't like the backup tight ends. 501 00:24:49,280 --> 00:24:54,400 Speaker 2: So Kirk Cousins, again, this is a really good football player. Yeah, 502 00:24:54,680 --> 00:24:56,880 Speaker 2: as long as he's not in the playoffs. His record 503 00:24:56,920 --> 00:24:59,879 Speaker 2: in the playoffs is not very good. One six I think, 504 00:25:00,080 --> 00:25:03,119 Speaker 2: or one in five have been kind to me. Yeah, whatever, 505 00:25:03,280 --> 00:25:09,520 Speaker 2: not good stuff. So you know, I don't you know, 506 00:25:09,520 --> 00:25:11,520 Speaker 2: the people are making something of the fact that, you know, 507 00:25:11,560 --> 00:25:15,280 Speaker 2: Week eight he goes down with achilles and he hasn't played, 508 00:25:15,480 --> 00:25:19,679 Speaker 2: hasn't played since, didn't play in the preseason. Nobody seems 509 00:25:19,720 --> 00:25:23,840 Speaker 2: that concerned about Rogers coming back from the Aaron Rodgers. 510 00:25:24,840 --> 00:25:27,240 Speaker 3: How much as Russell Wilson played, he played the missed 511 00:25:27,280 --> 00:25:28,800 Speaker 3: the last two games and has been out with the 512 00:25:28,840 --> 00:25:30,800 Speaker 3: calf to the same draft play and these guys have 513 00:25:30,800 --> 00:25:31,360 Speaker 3: been around the block. 514 00:25:31,400 --> 00:25:33,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, how about that, the same draft got you did 515 00:25:33,440 --> 00:25:36,680 Speaker 2: a statistical break. Oh, I just revealed my source that 516 00:25:38,440 --> 00:25:41,840 Speaker 2: we haven't we haven't, we haven't enough. I have all this, 517 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:44,480 Speaker 2: look at look at all this stuff. I've look at this, Matt. 518 00:25:44,560 --> 00:25:46,639 Speaker 2: So this is on radio, so people can't see this, 519 00:25:47,320 --> 00:25:50,320 Speaker 2: But look at all the notes. I've got notes on 520 00:25:50,359 --> 00:25:52,200 Speaker 2: your notes, little stars here. 521 00:25:52,280 --> 00:25:53,200 Speaker 3: But that's well done. 522 00:25:53,240 --> 00:25:55,320 Speaker 2: Yep, right there, So that's that's fine. 523 00:25:55,080 --> 00:25:56,679 Speaker 3: To put together. By the way, I get such a 524 00:25:56,680 --> 00:25:59,240 Speaker 3: better feel for the game, yea, digging into all those 525 00:25:59,240 --> 00:26:01,240 Speaker 3: different angles. Some it doesn't matter, but a lot of 526 00:26:01,280 --> 00:26:02,960 Speaker 3: it's like, well, this is why they use them, and 527 00:26:03,000 --> 00:26:03,280 Speaker 3: you know. 528 00:26:03,359 --> 00:26:06,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, and getting to the crux of it. I mean, frankly, 529 00:26:07,440 --> 00:26:11,800 Speaker 2: you could spend twenty four to seven literally, like if 530 00:26:11,800 --> 00:26:13,760 Speaker 2: somebody gave you an a wake pill, right and you 531 00:26:13,840 --> 00:26:18,400 Speaker 2: never went to sleep, and you you know, like the 532 00:26:18,440 --> 00:26:21,000 Speaker 2: minute the football game was over you started turning your 533 00:26:21,000 --> 00:26:23,800 Speaker 2: attention to Denver. There still wouldn't be enough time, you 534 00:26:23,800 --> 00:26:28,800 Speaker 2: know what I restarted on. There's so much you can 535 00:26:28,800 --> 00:26:31,920 Speaker 2: tell me. But this is so good, so good, so 536 00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:34,280 Speaker 2: thank you for that. Now I lost my trade. Oh 537 00:26:34,320 --> 00:26:36,520 Speaker 2: it's Kirk Cousins. Yeah, same same, I would do that. 538 00:26:36,560 --> 00:26:40,680 Speaker 2: Similar numbers Russell Wilson, Similar numbers with Russell Wilson career 539 00:26:41,160 --> 00:26:43,919 Speaker 2: career wise, you know lately not the Super. 540 00:26:43,640 --> 00:26:46,440 Speaker 3: Bowl, not Super Bowl, but Cousins has been tearing it 541 00:26:46,520 --> 00:26:46,800 Speaker 3: up late. 542 00:26:46,840 --> 00:26:48,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, he has been tearing it up late. 543 00:26:48,240 --> 00:26:50,840 Speaker 3: He's playing his best ball in Minnesota. 544 00:26:50,960 --> 00:26:54,800 Speaker 2: Right with a great offensive mind. 545 00:26:55,520 --> 00:26:59,280 Speaker 3: Jefferson helps right, I see is he good. 546 00:26:59,440 --> 00:27:04,639 Speaker 2: Zach rob into now same coaching tree, right, So I 547 00:27:04,680 --> 00:27:09,840 Speaker 2: think that's something that bears mentioning that I would imagine 548 00:27:10,040 --> 00:27:12,280 Speaker 2: that Cousins is going to go and you know, all 549 00:27:12,320 --> 00:27:15,760 Speaker 2: these guys put their you know up in Minnesota, they're 550 00:27:15,800 --> 00:27:17,840 Speaker 2: going to put there. He's such a great coach. I 551 00:27:17,840 --> 00:27:20,440 Speaker 2: think they're going to put their different spin on what 552 00:27:20,480 --> 00:27:25,320 Speaker 2: they do from this La Rams sort of coaching tree 553 00:27:25,359 --> 00:27:27,440 Speaker 2: now that we're seeing spreading in the NFL. 554 00:27:27,880 --> 00:27:31,399 Speaker 3: However, they're still speaking the same language. Yeah, and I 555 00:27:31,440 --> 00:27:32,760 Speaker 3: think Chinese versatalion. 556 00:27:32,880 --> 00:27:34,919 Speaker 2: I think that helps Kirk Cousins. 557 00:27:35,040 --> 00:27:37,000 Speaker 3: You know, that's what reason he ended up there too, right. 558 00:27:37,119 --> 00:27:39,640 Speaker 2: I think there's some you know, the ability to adapt 559 00:27:39,720 --> 00:27:46,440 Speaker 2: to that and he's you know, we're expecting Russell Wilson 560 00:27:46,600 --> 00:27:50,840 Speaker 2: to elevate the quarterback play of the Pittsburgh Steelers and 561 00:27:50,880 --> 00:27:52,240 Speaker 2: that to be a factor. Now. 562 00:27:52,800 --> 00:27:54,560 Speaker 3: I don't think any team improved a quarterback more than 563 00:27:54,560 --> 00:27:55,800 Speaker 3: Atlanta though exactly. 564 00:27:55,960 --> 00:27:57,760 Speaker 2: So we're talking about we can talk about schedule and 565 00:27:57,760 --> 00:28:00,119 Speaker 2: how you know Steels have a brutal schedule and so 566 00:28:00,240 --> 00:28:02,320 Speaker 2: they could be a better team and what is the record? 567 00:28:02,520 --> 00:28:05,280 Speaker 2: You know, they might take the same record just because 568 00:28:05,320 --> 00:28:06,320 Speaker 2: the schedule is so brutal. 569 00:28:06,960 --> 00:28:09,760 Speaker 3: But I have to interject one thing. My favorite way 570 00:28:09,760 --> 00:28:14,240 Speaker 3: of analyzing future schedule is Warren Sharp came up with 571 00:28:14,280 --> 00:28:17,959 Speaker 3: this is look at the Vegas win totals. At them 572 00:28:18,000 --> 00:28:20,399 Speaker 3: all up, and you know, if you're playing teams that 573 00:28:20,400 --> 00:28:22,960 Speaker 3: they expect to win a lot of games, not last 574 00:28:23,000 --> 00:28:25,919 Speaker 3: year's win total, like the Jets aren't the same without Rogers, 575 00:28:25,960 --> 00:28:28,320 Speaker 3: you know what I mean, right, And by doing that, 576 00:28:28,560 --> 00:28:30,520 Speaker 3: the Steelers have the hardest schedule in the league and 577 00:28:30,560 --> 00:28:31,680 Speaker 3: the Falcons have the easiest. 578 00:28:31,960 --> 00:28:35,360 Speaker 2: Wow. You know, Wow, that's a great way of looking 579 00:28:35,359 --> 00:28:36,920 Speaker 2: at it. You're right, because. 580 00:28:37,040 --> 00:28:39,520 Speaker 3: Again Vegas knows stuff, right, they do. 581 00:28:40,040 --> 00:28:42,480 Speaker 2: And they're there to make money there. And I tell people, 582 00:28:42,520 --> 00:28:45,480 Speaker 2: you know, one of the reasons I don't gamble is 583 00:28:45,560 --> 00:28:48,040 Speaker 2: because there was a pile of sand and now there's 584 00:28:48,080 --> 00:28:50,800 Speaker 2: a thriving city called Las Vegas. Yes, that didn't just 585 00:28:50,880 --> 00:28:53,760 Speaker 2: happen for no reason. Right, That's just my own personal take. 586 00:28:53,760 --> 00:28:57,560 Speaker 2: Everyone's got their own thing that they do. So uh, 587 00:28:59,040 --> 00:29:05,240 Speaker 2: Cousins is of vast upgrade and he is surrounded by weapons, 588 00:29:05,560 --> 00:29:11,320 Speaker 2: I mean, pits, London and Bijon. We're all top ten 589 00:29:11,400 --> 00:29:13,960 Speaker 2: picks in the draft. Eighth overall. Were all three right? 590 00:29:14,160 --> 00:29:18,880 Speaker 2: They are very nice nuggets. Yeah, they are all super talented. 591 00:29:19,240 --> 00:29:23,440 Speaker 2: They've shown flashes of production. Drake London set the rookie 592 00:29:23,520 --> 00:29:26,800 Speaker 2: record for receptions for the Falcons. Pits his pits, Bijeon. 593 00:29:26,920 --> 00:29:31,160 Speaker 2: We've just talked longingly about him. This guy could elevate 594 00:29:31,200 --> 00:29:33,720 Speaker 2: this offense to a completely new level. 595 00:29:33,800 --> 00:29:38,520 Speaker 3: Kirk Cousins, Yeah, I think they could be the team 596 00:29:38,560 --> 00:29:41,240 Speaker 3: you take the over with. Speaking of betting, like, I 597 00:29:41,240 --> 00:29:43,480 Speaker 3: don't love the d but I could see a lot 598 00:29:43,480 --> 00:29:47,160 Speaker 3: of points, especially against bad teams, if that holds true, 599 00:29:47,920 --> 00:29:50,440 Speaker 3: especially after Cousins gets his feet under him a little bit. 600 00:29:51,760 --> 00:29:54,000 Speaker 3: I want to throw this value too. Do you think 601 00:29:55,080 --> 00:29:58,080 Speaker 3: in an optimistic view, you could say the Steelers are 602 00:29:58,080 --> 00:30:00,200 Speaker 3: getting the Falcons at a good time. There's only three 603 00:30:00,240 --> 00:30:01,800 Speaker 3: teams in the league that have a new head coach 604 00:30:01,840 --> 00:30:02,720 Speaker 3: and a new quarterback. 605 00:30:03,000 --> 00:30:05,479 Speaker 2: That crossed my mind. 606 00:30:05,760 --> 00:30:08,320 Speaker 3: And then I said, well, last year I talked about 607 00:30:08,400 --> 00:30:10,800 Speaker 3: well Purdy's been hurt and they got them in a 608 00:30:10,800 --> 00:30:13,120 Speaker 3: good time, and then we this lights them up, you know, 609 00:30:13,120 --> 00:30:14,840 Speaker 3: I mean like he's the player no matter what. Yeah, 610 00:30:14,920 --> 00:30:16,560 Speaker 3: he gets out there, gets it, he'll be fine. 611 00:30:16,640 --> 00:30:19,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, that has crossed my mind, that could be a 612 00:30:19,880 --> 00:30:23,240 Speaker 2: good time. You know. I had a very brief discussion 613 00:30:23,280 --> 00:30:26,480 Speaker 2: I've talked with a couple of Steelers defenders and a 614 00:30:26,480 --> 00:30:33,000 Speaker 2: brief discussion yesterday with Patrick Queen about the how do 615 00:30:33,080 --> 00:30:35,440 Speaker 2: you prepare for these guys? Right, So we talked about 616 00:30:35,440 --> 00:30:38,560 Speaker 2: how do you prepare for the defense? Well, you look 617 00:30:38,560 --> 00:30:40,760 Speaker 2: at Raheem Morris, you look what the Rams have done 618 00:30:41,320 --> 00:30:44,120 Speaker 2: the offense. Now you're looking at what did the Rams 619 00:30:44,120 --> 00:30:45,719 Speaker 2: do last year? Well, he played the Rams, but what 620 00:30:45,760 --> 00:30:48,800 Speaker 2: did the Rams do last year? What has Kirk Cousins 621 00:30:48,840 --> 00:30:51,960 Speaker 2: done in Minnesota? What has Raheem Morris done as a 622 00:30:52,000 --> 00:30:52,920 Speaker 2: head coach there? 623 00:30:53,360 --> 00:30:54,720 Speaker 3: What about a vivid picture? 624 00:30:54,840 --> 00:30:58,760 Speaker 2: What does the Falcons do last year? Looking at their personnel? 625 00:30:59,120 --> 00:31:01,880 Speaker 2: So there's a lot of tape to look at. 626 00:31:01,920 --> 00:31:04,600 Speaker 3: And you're definitely saying, hey, Arthur, what does this left guard? 627 00:31:05,120 --> 00:31:08,280 Speaker 3: What the blocks doesn't he like? Or I mean right, 628 00:31:08,640 --> 00:31:10,520 Speaker 3: you get a personal scot report for some of the 629 00:31:10,560 --> 00:31:11,720 Speaker 3: returning players. 630 00:31:11,400 --> 00:31:13,920 Speaker 2: So you throw that all into a stew and he 631 00:31:14,000 --> 00:31:18,719 Speaker 2: made the point that communication, especially in the first fifteen minutes, 632 00:31:18,880 --> 00:31:24,280 Speaker 2: is going to be vital for both defenses, right, both defenses. 633 00:31:25,160 --> 00:31:26,920 Speaker 2: Going back to what you said originally at the beginning 634 00:31:26,920 --> 00:31:32,120 Speaker 2: of this program. Nobody shows anything in preseason four. 635 00:31:32,120 --> 00:31:34,120 Speaker 3: We're all just educatingly guessing. 636 00:31:34,240 --> 00:31:37,800 Speaker 2: Right, You don't exects exactly what these guys are all doing. 637 00:31:37,880 --> 00:31:41,680 Speaker 2: It's educated guesses. You don't know for sure what they're 638 00:31:41,720 --> 00:31:43,920 Speaker 2: going to do, how they're going to deploy their personnel. 639 00:31:44,200 --> 00:31:45,720 Speaker 2: Is it going to be Warner, Is it going to 640 00:31:45,720 --> 00:31:47,720 Speaker 2: be Pitts. You don't even know that, you know, no, 641 00:31:48,400 --> 00:31:50,840 Speaker 2: you know. Look, it's instructive to know that the Falcons 642 00:31:50,880 --> 00:31:53,560 Speaker 2: only kept three tight ends on their roster. The Steelers 643 00:31:53,720 --> 00:31:55,640 Speaker 2: kept four tight ends on their roster. So how are 644 00:31:55,640 --> 00:31:59,480 Speaker 2: they all going to be utilized? And I hadn't really 645 00:31:59,520 --> 00:32:04,760 Speaker 2: thought about that angle of it, but the cohesiveness within 646 00:32:04,800 --> 00:32:09,120 Speaker 2: the unit and the ability to communicate within the unit. 647 00:32:09,680 --> 00:32:12,600 Speaker 2: And so we're excited about the Steelers having new starters, 648 00:32:13,200 --> 00:32:15,600 Speaker 2: but these starters still have to get acclimated to each 649 00:32:15,640 --> 00:32:21,760 Speaker 2: other any game in which you will be any real 650 00:32:21,920 --> 00:32:24,440 Speaker 2: tape to say this is what they're gonna do. 651 00:32:24,880 --> 00:32:27,040 Speaker 3: So along those lines, I haven't thought a lot about 652 00:32:27,080 --> 00:32:29,600 Speaker 3: the communication aspect. He is brought up, which I think 653 00:32:29,680 --> 00:32:32,160 Speaker 3: is great, especially early in the game, But this is 654 00:32:32,160 --> 00:32:36,040 Speaker 3: what happens when a defense comes out there and the 655 00:32:36,080 --> 00:32:40,240 Speaker 3: offense does something they didn't practice. They have checks like 656 00:32:40,560 --> 00:32:43,400 Speaker 3: you know, blue green, whatever. They yell something out and 657 00:32:43,400 --> 00:32:46,200 Speaker 3: everyone knows, okay, we're gonna check the cover two and 658 00:32:46,240 --> 00:32:49,240 Speaker 3: then the assistant coaches in the booth go, I know 659 00:32:49,280 --> 00:32:51,520 Speaker 3: what their checks are, and so I'm gonna do the 660 00:32:51,560 --> 00:32:53,840 Speaker 3: same thing with the cover two beater mixed in. 661 00:32:54,000 --> 00:32:54,200 Speaker 2: You know. 662 00:32:55,240 --> 00:32:57,920 Speaker 3: So you can only practice so much during the week, 663 00:32:58,040 --> 00:33:00,600 Speaker 3: and there has to be a default for what we 664 00:33:01,720 --> 00:33:04,440 Speaker 3: don't know, right, and when the offensive play caller figures 665 00:33:04,440 --> 00:33:09,240 Speaker 3: that out, you're in a bind, right, you know, fun stuff. 666 00:33:09,240 --> 00:33:10,560 Speaker 3: That's why people script plays. 667 00:33:11,000 --> 00:33:13,360 Speaker 2: That's exactly right. So we still have more to come 668 00:33:13,400 --> 00:33:16,160 Speaker 2: as we get you ready for the Steelers and the 669 00:33:16,160 --> 00:33:19,080 Speaker 2: Falcons in week one down a Mercedes Benz Stadium. He's 670 00:33:19,120 --> 00:33:21,400 Speaker 2: Matt Williams and I'm Rob King filling in for Dale Lolly. 671 00:33:21,480 --> 00:33:24,040 Speaker 2: And this is the Drive on the Steelers Audio Network. 672 00:33:27,840 --> 00:33:31,160 Speaker 1: This is the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson 673 00:33:31,520 --> 00:33:33,720 Speaker 1: on your twenty four to seven home of the Black 674 00:33:33,800 --> 00:33:37,920 Speaker 1: and Gold SNR Steelers Nation Radio. 675 00:33:41,520 --> 00:33:44,160 Speaker 2: Welcome back to the Drive on the Steelers Audio Network. 676 00:33:44,200 --> 00:33:46,800 Speaker 2: Alongside Matt Williamson and filling in for Dale Lolly, I'm 677 00:33:46,880 --> 00:33:49,760 Speaker 2: rob king. I want to talk about this before the 678 00:33:49,800 --> 00:33:54,120 Speaker 2: season starts because I think it's worth noting the kickoff 679 00:33:54,200 --> 00:33:56,760 Speaker 2: rule is taking a little bit of my rob me, 680 00:33:56,800 --> 00:34:00,440 Speaker 2: a little my joy of the Steelers. Yeah yeah, but 681 00:34:00,520 --> 00:34:05,280 Speaker 2: I just think they are so improved, and to me, 682 00:34:05,400 --> 00:34:09,160 Speaker 2: it feels like the first time in a while that 683 00:34:09,239 --> 00:34:12,080 Speaker 2: I've looked at the Steelers team and thought edge to 684 00:34:12,120 --> 00:34:15,800 Speaker 2: them all across the board in special teams, in pretty 685 00:34:15,880 --> 00:34:19,759 Speaker 2: much any week, They've got an elite kicker. Cam Johnston. 686 00:34:20,719 --> 00:34:22,080 Speaker 2: You know, I've talked about this a little with you 687 00:34:22,120 --> 00:34:25,480 Speaker 2: on other programs. It's about twenty five yards per game 688 00:34:25,560 --> 00:34:29,840 Speaker 2: hidden yard difference, right, yeah, the difference between him and 689 00:34:31,719 --> 00:34:35,000 Speaker 2: har and Harvin. And again just to let people know 690 00:34:35,040 --> 00:34:36,759 Speaker 2: that haven't heard that, what we're talking about this too 691 00:34:36,800 --> 00:34:38,760 Speaker 2: is offense. I think it was twenty fifth in yards 692 00:34:38,760 --> 00:34:41,200 Speaker 2: per game last year somewhere around there, and they improved 693 00:34:41,280 --> 00:34:43,440 Speaker 2: by If you gave him that twenty five yards they 694 00:34:43,480 --> 00:34:46,600 Speaker 2: hidden you talk about, you abscribed it to their offense, 695 00:34:46,640 --> 00:34:48,319 Speaker 2: and you could subtract it from their defense. You can 696 00:34:48,360 --> 00:34:50,000 Speaker 2: do whatever you want. But if you abscribe it to 697 00:34:50,040 --> 00:34:53,080 Speaker 2: their offense, they improve into their They're inside the top 698 00:34:53,120 --> 00:34:56,120 Speaker 2: twenties an offense, they move up like six spots despite 699 00:34:56,239 --> 00:35:01,040 Speaker 2: changing your punter, So forget about quarterback. Yeah, yeah, and 700 00:35:01,120 --> 00:35:05,440 Speaker 2: your coordinator and your scheme going to I think you 701 00:35:05,480 --> 00:35:09,480 Speaker 2: had a fascinating statistic about the rankings of offensive coordinators 702 00:35:09,840 --> 00:35:13,760 Speaker 2: and where Matt Canada ranked and where Arthur Smith ranked 703 00:35:14,400 --> 00:35:17,320 Speaker 2: from year to year, and statistically it's an upgrade. 704 00:35:18,440 --> 00:35:21,360 Speaker 3: Yeah. The coordinator thing's tough because that's someone's opinion, you 705 00:35:21,360 --> 00:35:25,319 Speaker 3: know whatever. Of course, your punting thing translates to if 706 00:35:25,360 --> 00:35:27,640 Speaker 3: you can give me twenty five yards a game, hidden yardage, 707 00:35:27,680 --> 00:35:30,120 Speaker 3: whatever yardage that goes a long way when you're playing 708 00:35:30,160 --> 00:35:32,799 Speaker 3: a bunch of one score games and down to the wire. Yeah, 709 00:35:33,120 --> 00:35:35,000 Speaker 3: And I do think they're special teams has a chance 710 00:35:35,040 --> 00:35:38,160 Speaker 3: to be very very good. They have absolutely two of 711 00:35:38,200 --> 00:35:40,839 Speaker 3: the best two core special teamers in the league. Killer 712 00:35:40,880 --> 00:35:43,040 Speaker 3: Brew's been great and now they bring Matt a caviage back. Ye. 713 00:35:43,360 --> 00:35:46,759 Speaker 3: Killed was a pro bowler, all pro Oh yeah, and 714 00:35:46,800 --> 00:35:50,960 Speaker 3: they both are considered the top ten core special teamers. 715 00:35:51,760 --> 00:35:53,920 Speaker 3: I do have some concerns though, you know, like that 716 00:35:54,080 --> 00:35:56,800 Speaker 3: punting is great, but if you don't have Boykin and 717 00:35:56,920 --> 00:36:01,600 Speaker 3: Pierre as gunners and you can't tackle anybody we'll see, 718 00:36:01,680 --> 00:36:04,440 Speaker 3: you know, like who are the gunners? I mean, I 719 00:36:04,440 --> 00:36:08,960 Speaker 3: think that's a little bit worrisome, But overall, I think 720 00:36:09,000 --> 00:36:11,000 Speaker 3: their special team is going to be quite good. 721 00:36:11,200 --> 00:36:14,600 Speaker 2: I think Johnston is good enough where if you just 722 00:36:14,760 --> 00:36:18,160 Speaker 2: came to him and said boot it as far as 723 00:36:18,160 --> 00:36:22,040 Speaker 2: you can out of bounds, that you would still be 724 00:36:22,160 --> 00:36:23,560 Speaker 2: improved in the punning. Yeah. 725 00:36:23,760 --> 00:36:25,960 Speaker 3: Yeah, put so much time on it that they're fair 726 00:36:26,040 --> 00:36:28,839 Speaker 3: catching everyone even if I lose five yards of I. 727 00:36:28,760 --> 00:36:31,160 Speaker 2: Mean, he's got the end over end kick and he's 728 00:36:31,200 --> 00:36:33,360 Speaker 2: got the spiral kick and dead. 729 00:36:33,480 --> 00:36:35,880 Speaker 3: On the two, right, I mean, yeah, he's really something. 730 00:36:36,400 --> 00:36:41,360 Speaker 2: I also think that I always felt like felt a 731 00:36:41,480 --> 00:36:45,399 Speaker 2: bunch last year, like Calvin Austin was just like one 732 00:36:45,680 --> 00:36:51,319 Speaker 2: tackle away from breaking one. Now probably every may maybe 733 00:36:51,840 --> 00:36:53,279 Speaker 2: every punt return in the league, I'd come to the 734 00:36:53,320 --> 00:36:56,279 Speaker 2: same conclusion. But I could see him breaking one. But 735 00:36:56,320 --> 00:36:59,040 Speaker 2: I will say that what we saw last night, you 736 00:36:59,120 --> 00:37:02,400 Speaker 2: more than me, is watching the watching every play of 737 00:37:02,440 --> 00:37:07,319 Speaker 2: the game, the notion that teams are just simply going 738 00:37:07,400 --> 00:37:08,960 Speaker 2: to kick it through the end zone and say we'd 739 00:37:09,040 --> 00:37:12,680 Speaker 2: rather have it at the thirty. Frankly, if I'm the 740 00:37:12,680 --> 00:37:15,920 Speaker 2: Falcons and I can and I know cord Aero Patterson. 741 00:37:16,160 --> 00:37:18,239 Speaker 2: It's just out of my last year and I'm looking 742 00:37:18,280 --> 00:37:21,520 Speaker 2: at him and Jail and Warren back there, and I'm thinking, 743 00:37:21,920 --> 00:37:24,439 Speaker 2: what are the benefits of kicking the ball of those guys. 744 00:37:24,520 --> 00:37:25,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, I wouldn't kick it. 745 00:37:25,360 --> 00:37:26,879 Speaker 2: I don't see any benefit at all. 746 00:37:27,080 --> 00:37:29,240 Speaker 3: I don't see it either. In a dome, it should 747 00:37:29,239 --> 00:37:30,600 Speaker 3: be no problem to at least kick it into the 748 00:37:30,680 --> 00:37:31,720 Speaker 3: end zone, if not farther. 749 00:37:31,880 --> 00:37:33,120 Speaker 2: Right. I suppose it's. 750 00:37:32,960 --> 00:37:33,680 Speaker 3: A good kicker too. 751 00:37:33,840 --> 00:37:38,839 Speaker 2: If you could control your kick and kick it right 752 00:37:38,840 --> 00:37:44,799 Speaker 2: around the goal line one yard deep, maybe then if 753 00:37:44,840 --> 00:37:46,880 Speaker 2: you could be that good. But a lot of kicks 754 00:37:47,000 --> 00:37:48,880 Speaker 2: are being fielded because they're trying to get into that 755 00:37:49,000 --> 00:37:51,720 Speaker 2: zone between the five and the ten and the fifteen 756 00:37:51,800 --> 00:37:53,960 Speaker 2: yard line. Well, you've already picked up five or ten 757 00:37:54,040 --> 00:37:56,080 Speaker 2: yards on your return. Yeah, you know you only have 758 00:37:56,120 --> 00:37:58,280 Speaker 2: to go fifteen yards and you're out to the twenty 759 00:37:58,280 --> 00:38:00,680 Speaker 2: five yard line twenty to get to get you to 760 00:38:00,719 --> 00:38:02,879 Speaker 2: the thirty. But I think that we're going to see 761 00:38:02,880 --> 00:38:04,919 Speaker 2: a lot of teams just saying why would I Why 762 00:38:04,960 --> 00:38:07,400 Speaker 2: would I give those guys the opportunity to change the. 763 00:38:07,400 --> 00:38:10,560 Speaker 3: Game right and make the Steelers offense beat you? 764 00:38:10,680 --> 00:38:10,839 Speaker 2: Right? 765 00:38:10,880 --> 00:38:13,120 Speaker 3: I mean it's exactly not exactly the strength of the 766 00:38:13,120 --> 00:38:13,600 Speaker 3: team lately. 767 00:38:13,719 --> 00:38:16,560 Speaker 2: Exactly. Yeah, the Falcons going to this game, if I'm 768 00:38:16,560 --> 00:38:19,840 Speaker 2: not mistaken, a slight favorite over the Steelers. 769 00:38:19,400 --> 00:38:20,680 Speaker 3: Three three and a half. I've been seeing. 770 00:38:20,719 --> 00:38:23,680 Speaker 2: We are still waiting to hear again. For those listening 771 00:38:23,680 --> 00:38:25,560 Speaker 2: to the show, we are taping this in the morning 772 00:38:25,600 --> 00:38:28,640 Speaker 2: on Friday morning, so we don't know whether Russell Wilson 773 00:38:28,719 --> 00:38:31,160 Speaker 2: is practiced with the team. Do you have a gut 774 00:38:31,200 --> 00:38:33,200 Speaker 2: feeling one way or the other about Sunday's game. 775 00:38:34,040 --> 00:38:36,160 Speaker 3: I picked the Steelers. We did it yesterday. I picked 776 00:38:36,160 --> 00:38:39,200 Speaker 3: the Steelers and win seventeen sixteen. I think it'll be close. 777 00:38:39,840 --> 00:38:43,440 Speaker 3: I think they'll be higher quality of play when Atlanta 778 00:38:43,480 --> 00:38:45,960 Speaker 3: has the ball. I think those are both strength against 779 00:38:45,960 --> 00:38:49,120 Speaker 3: strength where the other sides are trying to work things out, 780 00:38:49,160 --> 00:38:50,719 Speaker 3: and I can see it being a little uglier when 781 00:38:50,719 --> 00:38:53,719 Speaker 3: the Steelers have the ball. I have great faith though 782 00:38:53,760 --> 00:38:55,719 Speaker 3: in the Steeler defense. I think then when it's all 783 00:38:55,719 --> 00:38:56,960 Speaker 3: said and done, they rule a day. 784 00:38:57,560 --> 00:39:00,000 Speaker 2: What was your prediction of a low scoring game? Change 785 00:39:00,239 --> 00:39:02,560 Speaker 2: at all that because the offenses in the preseason were 786 00:39:02,600 --> 00:39:05,640 Speaker 2: so dreadful. Oh, they were not so dreadful. Last night 787 00:39:05,719 --> 00:39:06,920 Speaker 2: in game one in the NFL. 788 00:39:07,160 --> 00:39:09,279 Speaker 3: No, but I don't see Lamar and Mahomes out there either. 789 00:39:09,360 --> 00:39:11,880 Speaker 2: Okay, all right, so you're gonna stick with I'm giving 790 00:39:11,920 --> 00:39:13,719 Speaker 2: you a chance to amend that you're gonna stick with 791 00:39:13,719 --> 00:39:14,520 Speaker 2: seventeen sixteen. 792 00:39:14,600 --> 00:39:17,720 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm in still in that neighborhood. Okay, So that'll 793 00:39:17,760 --> 00:39:17,960 Speaker 3: do it. 794 00:39:18,280 --> 00:39:21,640 Speaker 2: Hopefully you'll listen all weekend on the Steelers Audio Network 795 00:39:21,640 --> 00:39:24,400 Speaker 2: and then tune into the game are broadcast beginning a 796 00:39:24,440 --> 00:39:26,920 Speaker 2: couple of hours before, but tune into DV four hours 797 00:39:26,920 --> 00:39:29,799 Speaker 2: before kickoff. Tim bens I'll be started on things you 798 00:39:29,800 --> 00:39:32,600 Speaker 2: and Timmy beautiful. You guys gotta get things started at 799 00:39:32,680 --> 00:39:35,160 Speaker 2: nine and then of course leading up to the game 800 00:39:35,160 --> 00:39:38,239 Speaker 2: at one o'clock on the Steelers' Audio Network. He is 801 00:39:38,280 --> 00:39:40,880 Speaker 2: Matt Williamson. I'm Rob King filling in for Dale Lolly. 802 00:39:40,960 --> 00:39:43,360 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to this edition of the Drive on 803 00:39:43,440 --> 00:39:44,640 Speaker 2: the Steelers Audio Network.