1 00:00:03,960 --> 00:00:07,320 Speaker 1: He's the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson on 2 00:00:08,680 --> 00:00:22,279 Speaker 1: Home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. Welcome 3 00:00:22,360 --> 00:00:25,440 Speaker 1: to the Drive. I'm Dale LOLLI he is Matt Williamson, 4 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: and it's a Wednesday here in Pittsburgh. The Steelers taking 5 00:00:29,080 --> 00:00:33,240 Speaker 1: to the practice field today to begin preparation for their 6 00:00:33,320 --> 00:00:36,839 Speaker 1: one o'clock game on Sunday against the Cleveland Bronze. But 7 00:00:36,880 --> 00:00:40,240 Speaker 1: there were a couple of awards announced today. Matt Kenny 8 00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:42,960 Speaker 1: Pickett wins the h the Joe Green Great Performance Award 9 00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:45,479 Speaker 1: as the team's Rookie of the Year. And I've been 10 00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:47,720 Speaker 1: lobbying for him for maybe NFL Rookie of the Year. 11 00:00:47,800 --> 00:00:49,720 Speaker 1: I think he should be in a conversation, especially if 12 00:00:49,760 --> 00:00:52,320 Speaker 1: they went on Sunday, Yeah, and get into the playoffs. 13 00:00:53,080 --> 00:00:54,920 Speaker 1: One of those things they can control. One they can't. 14 00:00:54,960 --> 00:00:57,280 Speaker 1: But it was sure go a long way resume building 15 00:00:57,360 --> 00:00:59,320 Speaker 1: that you took a two and six team to the playoffs. 16 00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:02,760 Speaker 1: You know, it's pretty pretty good. Uh. The other one 17 00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:06,440 Speaker 1: was Mason cole wins the Chief Award. That is for 18 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:09,800 Speaker 1: the guy who is the most cooperative with the media. 19 00:01:10,080 --> 00:01:13,880 Speaker 1: And it's a good if you're yeah, okay, I didn't 20 00:01:13,880 --> 00:01:17,360 Speaker 1: know if you still did. Yeah. Um, but if your 21 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:19,399 Speaker 1: center is winning an award like that, that's not a 22 00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:23,040 Speaker 1: bad thing. It's a great thing. Yeah. I want to vocal, smart, 23 00:01:23,280 --> 00:01:27,679 Speaker 1: well spoken center to me. Physical traits for a center 24 00:01:27,800 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 1: our secondary, you know, I mean I I think toughness, leadership, 25 00:01:31,160 --> 00:01:34,520 Speaker 1: ability to call play, you know, Traine protections, all those 26 00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:37,600 Speaker 1: things is very, very appealing from that position, and those 27 00:01:37,600 --> 00:01:40,440 Speaker 1: guys last a long time. I have my doubts about Cole. 28 00:01:41,160 --> 00:01:43,559 Speaker 1: I mean, I'm not saying they should never draft another center, 29 00:01:43,600 --> 00:01:46,400 Speaker 1: that he's pouncy and you know DERMANI rolled into one. 30 00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 1: But he's clearly been a successful free agent signing. Yeah, 31 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:51,919 Speaker 1: and there's no question about that, especially when you consider 32 00:01:51,960 --> 00:01:54,400 Speaker 1: what you have invested in him. He's an NFL center. 33 00:01:55,240 --> 00:01:59,040 Speaker 1: He is an NFL center and uh, you know, I 34 00:01:59,320 --> 00:02:02,480 Speaker 1: think kind of a glue kind of guy. Yeah, and 35 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:04,760 Speaker 1: you've spoken to much more than I have. I mean, 36 00:02:04,800 --> 00:02:07,520 Speaker 1: that's great that he does win that award. Is good 37 00:02:07,560 --> 00:02:10,240 Speaker 1: with you guys. I'm sure he's good with his teammates, 38 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:12,639 Speaker 1: good with the young quarterback. You know. That's good stuff. Yeah, 39 00:02:12,639 --> 00:02:15,560 Speaker 1: that's great. And that offensive line is a group I 40 00:02:15,919 --> 00:02:19,480 Speaker 1: think really uh communicates well and I think that goes 41 00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:22,520 Speaker 1: a long way. Continuity is unbelievably important, and they've been 42 00:02:22,600 --> 00:02:25,840 Speaker 1: very fortunate with that. They're a bunch of young, bright guys. 43 00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:28,880 Speaker 1: Um absolutely, I don't look at any of those guys 44 00:02:28,919 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 1: to say, well, he's probably the weak link in terms 45 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:33,720 Speaker 1: of the mental aspect of the game. They're all, you know, 46 00:02:33,720 --> 00:02:36,840 Speaker 1: they're all very bright guys. I don't know any of them, 47 00:02:36,840 --> 00:02:39,040 Speaker 1: and I'm not calling any of them dumb or geniuses 48 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:42,960 Speaker 1: to be Dotson is the most inconsistent to me. You know, 49 00:02:43,080 --> 00:02:45,560 Speaker 1: his highs are, whoa, this is really good, but then 50 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:47,760 Speaker 1: they'll have a game it's like what was that? You 51 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:50,720 Speaker 1: know what I mean. So he's the small school guy 52 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:52,799 Speaker 1: that yeah, right, right right. And he hasn't playing a 53 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:54,920 Speaker 1: ton either. It's not like he started every game of 54 00:02:54,919 --> 00:02:58,640 Speaker 1: his career. But he's the one that's I'm not I 55 00:02:58,639 --> 00:03:01,520 Speaker 1: think his range of outcomes is the greatest. It's what 56 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:04,200 Speaker 1: you don't want. You want to consistency, you know. So 57 00:03:04,800 --> 00:03:07,680 Speaker 1: I hear what you're saying. Looking at the Steelers injury 58 00:03:07,680 --> 00:03:12,799 Speaker 1: report today and this is not uh nothing crazy on here. 59 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:15,720 Speaker 1: Uh Deante Johnson with the hip injury did not practice. 60 00:03:15,720 --> 00:03:20,000 Speaker 1: That's nothing new. He's train nor Norwood with the hamstring, 61 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:22,200 Speaker 1: didn't practice. Was he an active last week? He was 62 00:03:22,200 --> 00:03:24,760 Speaker 1: an act And if he plays or doesn't play, it's 63 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:27,760 Speaker 1: not a game, not a deal breaker. I'm not saying 64 00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:30,440 Speaker 1: his second season has been a bust, but I thought 65 00:03:30,440 --> 00:03:32,320 Speaker 1: he'd be a little more in the mix right now, 66 00:03:32,360 --> 00:03:34,640 Speaker 1: and especially with Casey around too though. I mean, he 67 00:03:34,680 --> 00:03:38,400 Speaker 1: got bumped and okay, you know, we'll see. Um. Naji 68 00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:40,960 Speaker 1: Harris was given the day off as a day of rest. 69 00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:45,480 Speaker 1: Um that's well deserved, I say. I think I bet 70 00:03:45,480 --> 00:03:46,920 Speaker 1: he has some bumps and bruises that are feel a 71 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:48,520 Speaker 1: little better with, you know, putting his feet up for 72 00:03:48,560 --> 00:03:50,800 Speaker 1: a day. Yeah. Arthur Milette with an illness did not 73 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:53,720 Speaker 1: practice that that that doesn't see a big deal, uh 74 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:56,960 Speaker 1: make of Fitzpatrick with that ankle. Mike Tomlins said yesterday 75 00:03:57,000 --> 00:03:58,760 Speaker 1: that he might be slowed early in the week because 76 00:03:58,760 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 1: of that, But it's Wednesday. He came back and played 77 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:04,120 Speaker 1: in the game with that. James Pierre, by yeah, James 78 00:04:04,120 --> 00:04:07,680 Speaker 1: Pierre with the concussion was a full participant. Good. So 79 00:04:07,800 --> 00:04:09,560 Speaker 1: that's a good sign for him. I think this has 80 00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:11,600 Speaker 1: been a really successful year for him to Yeah, I 81 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:13,280 Speaker 1: think saying, boy, plug him in and he should be 82 00:04:13,320 --> 00:04:15,480 Speaker 1: a starter next year. But if he gets to start 83 00:04:15,520 --> 00:04:20,120 Speaker 1: five games, he's a valuable cheap and young, and you know, right, 84 00:04:20,320 --> 00:04:23,479 Speaker 1: I think he valuable and special teams and very very 85 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:25,920 Speaker 1: valuable on special teams. What was a two thousand one 86 00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:28,000 Speaker 1: They kind of threw him in as a starter, which 87 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:33,640 Speaker 1: last season? Yes, two right, okay, No, this is twenty two, 88 00:04:34,800 --> 00:04:37,279 Speaker 1: said two thousand one. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, he's not 89 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:43,560 Speaker 1: last right, yeah, keep you on the straight and arrow there. 90 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:47,240 Speaker 1: Miles Jack with the groin injury, did not practice again. 91 00:04:47,279 --> 00:04:50,280 Speaker 1: Mike Tomlin said that that would be a situation where 92 00:04:51,160 --> 00:04:53,080 Speaker 1: he'd be slowed early in a week. I mean, I 93 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:55,159 Speaker 1: have a problem with with him and Bush at this moment, 94 00:04:55,200 --> 00:04:57,240 Speaker 1: and it just seems like they're in the doghouse and 95 00:04:57,960 --> 00:05:01,160 Speaker 1: jack availability is not his best trade, you know. I mean, 96 00:05:01,440 --> 00:05:04,600 Speaker 1: I know it's only Wednesday, but he hasn't been out 97 00:05:04,640 --> 00:05:08,120 Speaker 1: there a lot lately. No, he's not. Kevin Dotson, the 98 00:05:08,160 --> 00:05:10,560 Speaker 1: aforementioned Kevin Dowson, dealing with a little bit of a 99 00:05:10,560 --> 00:05:13,600 Speaker 1: shoulder did not practice. But I don't think I'm yeah, 100 00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:15,599 Speaker 1: he's playing same thing with Larry Ogan JOEBI with that 101 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:19,760 Speaker 1: toe that's been Yeah, that's been over the last month 102 00:05:19,960 --> 00:05:23,960 Speaker 1: basically for those two guys um hanging on game day. Yeah, 103 00:05:24,120 --> 00:05:28,720 Speaker 1: I got to questions about that one last last Friday. Well, 104 00:05:28,760 --> 00:05:31,120 Speaker 1: if the Steelers don't have Ogan Joebi, I'm like were 105 00:05:32,200 --> 00:05:35,680 Speaker 1: any other He's done this every week and he plays 106 00:05:35,680 --> 00:05:38,880 Speaker 1: not a new injury. It's just probably some of these 107 00:05:38,920 --> 00:05:42,839 Speaker 1: guys too, is you know better than me the across 108 00:05:42,920 --> 00:05:45,160 Speaker 1: the league. There's gonna be a million blurbs on your phone. 109 00:05:45,200 --> 00:05:47,040 Speaker 1: This guy is gonna get off season surgery. And they 110 00:05:47,240 --> 00:05:48,919 Speaker 1: play in the last eight games, and you know, I 111 00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:51,600 Speaker 1: mean those guys are all of them are banged up, 112 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:54,040 Speaker 1: but some of them are really fighting real things. You know, 113 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:58,680 Speaker 1: why did he practice on Wednesday? But you have no idea. Well, 114 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:02,560 Speaker 1: looking at the Browns in your reports, Joel Botonio did 115 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:05,440 Speaker 1: not practice. That's considered a day of rest. Same thing 116 00:06:05,480 --> 00:06:11,480 Speaker 1: with Genevian Clowney h Jack Conklin is dealing with an ankle. 117 00:06:11,520 --> 00:06:14,760 Speaker 1: He left the game last though he didn't finish the game, didn't. Yeah, 118 00:06:15,160 --> 00:06:17,680 Speaker 1: that's getting to be an issue with him getting out 119 00:06:17,680 --> 00:06:19,360 Speaker 1: of the lineup. But they just give him a new contract. 120 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:22,680 Speaker 1: Did ye thought? I saw that and I was like, oh, 121 00:06:22,760 --> 00:06:24,080 Speaker 1: I don't know if that's what I'll be putting my 122 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:26,320 Speaker 1: money on a cash trap team. I know he's a tackle, 123 00:06:26,440 --> 00:06:29,040 Speaker 1: but their ability was my thought and age, and he's 124 00:06:29,080 --> 00:06:31,600 Speaker 1: not the most limber guy to begin with. Yeah, Amari 125 00:06:31,680 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 1: Cooper dealing with a hip, did not practice. Myles Garrett 126 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:39,520 Speaker 1: was given the day off for rest. Um none other 127 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:42,560 Speaker 1: sounds serious, but they're all big name guys. Johnson, Um, 128 00:06:42,640 --> 00:06:46,920 Speaker 1: what's the hex Johnson's name? Running back? Um? Oh, yeah, yeah, 129 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:50,120 Speaker 1: they just have d Johnson here. But anyways, he is 130 00:06:50,120 --> 00:06:53,800 Speaker 1: dealing with a shoulder and did not practice, and then dearness, 131 00:06:53,839 --> 00:06:56,520 Speaker 1: that's it. And then Denzel Ward with a shoulder did 132 00:06:56,520 --> 00:06:58,880 Speaker 1: not practice. Yeah, they're big names on there, and I'm 133 00:06:58,880 --> 00:07:01,200 Speaker 1: sure they're getting a day arrest. Yeah, some of them 134 00:07:01,200 --> 00:07:05,640 Speaker 1: injury related. Some of the injury related. Example, Ward sounds 135 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:07,599 Speaker 1: like he has something real. I mean, that could be 136 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:11,520 Speaker 1: an Ogan Joe by Deonte situation on Wednesday, and I 137 00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:13,720 Speaker 1: know they want to knock off the Steelers. What are 138 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:15,720 Speaker 1: you playing him? I mean, what do you have the game? 139 00:07:16,040 --> 00:07:19,440 Speaker 1: You have? An expensive corner gets something. He's he's gonna 140 00:07:19,480 --> 00:07:21,720 Speaker 1: get offseason surgery because he's got you know, he's got 141 00:07:21,720 --> 00:07:24,040 Speaker 1: a torn labor m or something. I guess here's a 142 00:07:24,040 --> 00:07:25,840 Speaker 1: better way to phrase in it. If the Steelers were 143 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:28,760 Speaker 1: out and the Browns were in, if the tables were turned, 144 00:07:28,960 --> 00:07:31,120 Speaker 1: do you think you play ogan job who's been fighting 145 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:34,120 Speaker 1: this this toe every day, or you'll leave it up 146 00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:37,080 Speaker 1: to him, or you know, you know what, do you what? 147 00:07:37,120 --> 00:07:40,400 Speaker 1: Do you have the game right right? Or if you're 148 00:07:40,440 --> 00:07:42,360 Speaker 1: the player and you start playing the game, do you 149 00:07:42,680 --> 00:07:45,200 Speaker 1: you know that's the other thing too. Halfway through the 150 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:48,800 Speaker 1: first quarter and you're like, you know what, yeah, yeah, 151 00:07:49,080 --> 00:07:51,080 Speaker 1: like we got we got plans to go to Disney 152 00:07:51,080 --> 00:07:53,080 Speaker 1: World three weeks. I don't know. You were saying, I'm 153 00:07:53,080 --> 00:07:56,000 Speaker 1: not dealing with this. Then your referenced coach Toma with 154 00:07:56,040 --> 00:08:01,960 Speaker 1: that too, along the lines of I mean, you know, 155 00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:05,400 Speaker 1: you have the desire, you want to play football again, 156 00:08:06,480 --> 00:08:09,880 Speaker 1: but there's also smarts here too. You know, some of 157 00:08:09,880 --> 00:08:12,040 Speaker 1: the guys are free agents, but I mean more than that, 158 00:08:12,120 --> 00:08:14,920 Speaker 1: it's like, well, we want you back to be next year. 159 00:08:14,920 --> 00:08:17,080 Speaker 1: You're under contract. Win this thing next year, it's gonna 160 00:08:17,080 --> 00:08:19,360 Speaker 1: look a lot different. We're eliminated now, but Oaks are high, 161 00:08:19,360 --> 00:08:22,440 Speaker 1: you know, yeah, absolutely, so we'll see where this goes 162 00:08:22,640 --> 00:08:26,280 Speaker 1: the remainder of the week. Um, you know, in terms 163 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:30,160 Speaker 1: of what's going on with the Damar Hamlin situation. The 164 00:08:30,240 --> 00:08:35,280 Speaker 1: league just announced today that the Ravens and Bengals will 165 00:08:35,280 --> 00:08:38,600 Speaker 1: now play at one o'clock on Sunday. That was up 166 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:40,000 Speaker 1: in the air if you remember when we went over 167 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:42,240 Speaker 1: the schedule was one or one or four? Five will 168 00:08:42,240 --> 00:08:45,080 Speaker 1: Now they've announced that as a one o'clock start. There's 169 00:08:45,080 --> 00:08:48,040 Speaker 1: still some thought out there that is the league gonna 170 00:08:48,040 --> 00:08:50,120 Speaker 1: make the Bills play? Is the league gonna want the 171 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:53,760 Speaker 1: Bills to play this week? This week at all? I 172 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:55,920 Speaker 1: assume that was happening, no matter. Yeah, now the Bills 173 00:08:55,920 --> 00:09:01,600 Speaker 1: had a walk through today, but Hamlin is still uh 174 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:05,960 Speaker 1: the news is better, but he's still in critical condition. 175 00:09:06,480 --> 00:09:08,240 Speaker 1: I mean, you'd like to have if you're if you're 176 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:10,120 Speaker 1: the Bills, you'd like to at least have a feeling 177 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:13,640 Speaker 1: like by Friday that Okay, he's he's gonna get he's 178 00:09:13,640 --> 00:09:16,880 Speaker 1: gonna get through this. It's you know, maybe you know, 179 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:20,480 Speaker 1: whether he plays football ever again or not. His secondary 180 00:09:21,520 --> 00:09:24,000 Speaker 1: is this is he gonna live? You know? That's the 181 00:09:24,679 --> 00:09:27,160 Speaker 1: that's the main concern. I don't mean to sound harsh, 182 00:09:27,280 --> 00:09:29,959 Speaker 1: but the Bills are playing this week. I think I 183 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:33,280 Speaker 1: would think so, Like, there was never a question. And 184 00:09:33,360 --> 00:09:36,200 Speaker 1: again I don't mean to sound callous here, but when 185 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:38,360 Speaker 1: the Steelers, when Ryan Shay's ear got hurt, there was 186 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:40,600 Speaker 1: never a question where the Steelers gonna play next week. 187 00:09:40,679 --> 00:09:42,400 Speaker 1: There was never a question or they going to finish 188 00:09:42,440 --> 00:09:45,199 Speaker 1: that game. They finished the game that night. I mean, 189 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:47,280 Speaker 1: it's never happened in any injury I've ever seen, you know, 190 00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:50,280 Speaker 1: I mean all those things, I mean, everyone always finished 191 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:52,480 Speaker 1: the game. I can't remember any game that's everyone canceled 192 00:09:52,520 --> 00:09:55,160 Speaker 1: midway through, not making light of the subject, or I 193 00:09:55,240 --> 00:09:58,320 Speaker 1: understand that the young man. The young man was was 194 00:09:58,400 --> 00:10:00,520 Speaker 1: dead on the field, was was did not have a 195 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:05,000 Speaker 1: pill or heartbeat. It's still unprecedented, right, And so you know, 196 00:10:05,120 --> 00:10:09,880 Speaker 1: people who want immediate answers from the league on this, 197 00:10:10,720 --> 00:10:13,120 Speaker 1: Like I heard somebody calling to a show and he said, 198 00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:15,719 Speaker 1: the league has to have contingency plans for this, not 199 00:10:15,760 --> 00:10:18,160 Speaker 1: this one. You can't have contingency plans for There's a 200 00:10:18,200 --> 00:10:21,520 Speaker 1: million different things that can happen. I mean, there's guidelines, 201 00:10:21,559 --> 00:10:23,760 Speaker 1: I'm sure, and you know this is how we tend 202 00:10:23,800 --> 00:10:27,440 Speaker 1: to handle similar situations, you know, I mean they never 203 00:10:27,520 --> 00:10:30,800 Speaker 1: contingency plan for nine on one. Right, there's things that 204 00:10:30,880 --> 00:10:34,120 Speaker 1: happened that you can't possibly make a judgment call here. 205 00:10:34,559 --> 00:10:37,720 Speaker 1: You can't possibly guess what's going to happen. Well, this 206 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:40,080 Speaker 1: guy's gonna you know. But I can't imagine the Bills 207 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:41,800 Speaker 1: would go two games in two weeks in a row 208 00:10:41,880 --> 00:10:45,160 Speaker 1: without playing a football game that mattered. Yeah, and if 209 00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:47,839 Speaker 1: that's the case, then you know, do you have to 210 00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:51,080 Speaker 1: they take a forfeit? Right? And do you say, well, 211 00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:53,200 Speaker 1: the Bills, uh, you know, if that's the case, then 212 00:10:53,240 --> 00:10:55,400 Speaker 1: I guess you're not going to participate in playoffs as well, 213 00:10:55,440 --> 00:10:59,840 Speaker 1: I mean, or or just take I mean, if the 214 00:10:59,640 --> 00:11:02,720 Speaker 1: if is, if the franchise said this is too important 215 00:11:02,760 --> 00:11:05,800 Speaker 1: to us, we don't think we can play. Give us 216 00:11:05,800 --> 00:11:08,160 Speaker 1: a loss, and we'll take our chances where the Chips 217 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:10,560 Speaker 1: lie and go into the playoffs with the three seed 218 00:11:10,600 --> 00:11:12,240 Speaker 1: instead of maybe a one or two. But that's not 219 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:17,480 Speaker 1: fair to teams like the Steelers, for example, who during 220 00:11:17,520 --> 00:11:20,720 Speaker 1: that situation. I don't know what you do. I'm sure 221 00:11:20,760 --> 00:11:23,000 Speaker 1: that the league is kicking around a bunch of different ideas. 222 00:11:23,040 --> 00:11:26,120 Speaker 1: There's there's all kinds of things floating around out there. There. 223 00:11:26,160 --> 00:11:29,480 Speaker 1: There's been no definitive decision made about any of this 224 00:11:29,520 --> 00:11:32,560 Speaker 1: stuff yet. I mean, as Bengals Bills ever going to happen. 225 00:11:32,679 --> 00:11:36,720 Speaker 1: But no matter how they do this, there's going to 226 00:11:36,760 --> 00:11:38,920 Speaker 1: be somebody that's gonna be ticked off about it, of course, 227 00:11:39,160 --> 00:11:43,160 Speaker 1: And there's definitely gonna be teams like the Steelers that 228 00:11:43,240 --> 00:11:46,319 Speaker 1: need other things to happen, you know. I mean, for example, 229 00:11:46,480 --> 00:11:53,200 Speaker 1: like um Lions Packers is the last game of the weekend, Well, 230 00:11:53,440 --> 00:11:55,319 Speaker 1: it's kind of a huge advantage for the Packers that 231 00:11:55,400 --> 00:11:58,520 Speaker 1: Seattle players before that. Then you know exactly what you 232 00:11:58,559 --> 00:12:01,200 Speaker 1: need to do, right, But I would hate to be 233 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:03,719 Speaker 1: the schedule maker, let alone with this situation, I mean, 234 00:12:03,720 --> 00:12:05,959 Speaker 1: just the week eighteen schedule maker in general, which is 235 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:08,200 Speaker 1: why those are all to be determined before the season. 236 00:12:08,720 --> 00:12:11,160 Speaker 1: You know, it's kind of an advantage for teams to say, 237 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:14,000 Speaker 1: I already know Kansas City one, so why would I bother? 238 00:12:14,080 --> 00:12:17,679 Speaker 1: You know, like that doesn't necessarily help us dealers. Um 239 00:12:17,840 --> 00:12:21,320 Speaker 1: there again, if Kansas City loses on Saturday, well then 240 00:12:21,640 --> 00:12:25,960 Speaker 1: Bengals Bills or lack thereof becomes, yeah, becomes a very 241 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:28,760 Speaker 1: important game. The one thing they wait till Saturday night 242 00:12:28,800 --> 00:12:30,680 Speaker 1: to tell us if they could they have two plans 243 00:12:30,679 --> 00:12:34,320 Speaker 1: in place, one the Chiefs win and one the Chiefs lose. Possibly, Yeah, 244 00:12:34,360 --> 00:12:37,080 Speaker 1: I mean do they building those right now? And say, well, 245 00:12:37,320 --> 00:12:41,440 Speaker 1: Chiefs one? So Buffalo and since you guys only play 246 00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:44,360 Speaker 1: sixteen games this year. But the thing, the problem with 247 00:12:44,400 --> 00:12:48,880 Speaker 1: that turns into then if if Casey wins and they 248 00:12:48,920 --> 00:12:51,840 Speaker 1: go by winning percentage in Buffalo and Buffalo and Cincinnati 249 00:12:51,920 --> 00:12:55,240 Speaker 1: only play sixteen games, Kansas City would be the one seed. 250 00:12:56,520 --> 00:12:59,920 Speaker 1: Kansas didn't gain anything by winning, and thought of that, 251 00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:03,200 Speaker 1: Kansas City, Kansas City gains the one seat if if 252 00:13:03,240 --> 00:13:06,559 Speaker 1: they decided to cancel that game, whereas Kansas City lost 253 00:13:06,600 --> 00:13:10,960 Speaker 1: to both Buffalo and head to head, um, you know, 254 00:13:11,080 --> 00:13:14,440 Speaker 1: if that game is played, even if Kansas City wins 255 00:13:14,440 --> 00:13:18,440 Speaker 1: on Saturday, there's a chance that the Chiefs aren't the 256 00:13:18,520 --> 00:13:22,880 Speaker 1: number one seed. Okay, So I misunderstood that because if if, since, 257 00:13:23,120 --> 00:13:26,560 Speaker 1: if Cincinnati wins that one and beats Baltimore, they're the 258 00:13:26,559 --> 00:13:31,400 Speaker 1: one seed. If Buffalo went beats New England and beats Cincinnati, 259 00:13:31,480 --> 00:13:35,000 Speaker 1: they're the one seed. If this time last week, if 260 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:38,080 Speaker 1: Buffalo wins out there the one right, so they controlled 261 00:13:38,080 --> 00:13:42,320 Speaker 1: their probably their you know their situation, Okay, I don't 262 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:44,040 Speaker 1: envy the league at all, but I'm a little shocked 263 00:13:44,080 --> 00:13:47,120 Speaker 1: we don't have a plan yet. But it's Wednesday, late afternoon. Now. 264 00:13:47,120 --> 00:13:49,000 Speaker 1: The one thing that I did see that, you know, 265 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:53,640 Speaker 1: there's a possibility that they could play the NFC wild 266 00:13:53,679 --> 00:13:59,280 Speaker 1: card games two weekends from now, play the Bengals Bills 267 00:13:59,320 --> 00:14:03,880 Speaker 1: game that weekend, because on today's podcast, I threw it 268 00:14:03,880 --> 00:14:05,160 Speaker 1: out there off the top of my head. I'm like, 269 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:08,200 Speaker 1: why change anything in the NFC. You know, the NFC 270 00:14:08,240 --> 00:14:11,200 Speaker 1: can go exactly as their usual plan. We can have 271 00:14:11,240 --> 00:14:15,640 Speaker 1: wild card weekend, you know, as scheduled and if needed. 272 00:14:15,880 --> 00:14:19,240 Speaker 1: But what they would do they're not talking about then 273 00:14:21,520 --> 00:14:25,240 Speaker 1: having the NFC finished before with its conference championship, before 274 00:14:25,280 --> 00:14:27,800 Speaker 1: the a f C. There would then be a week. 275 00:14:27,960 --> 00:14:30,480 Speaker 1: There would then be after the after the first week 276 00:14:30,520 --> 00:14:33,000 Speaker 1: of the NFC playoffs, they would then have a buy 277 00:14:33,920 --> 00:14:36,720 Speaker 1: the AC would would catch up. Which if I'm if 278 00:14:36,720 --> 00:14:38,480 Speaker 1: I'm the number one seed in the NFC, I'm going, 279 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:42,160 Speaker 1: wait a second, what I got two weeks? But yeah, 280 00:14:42,440 --> 00:14:44,400 Speaker 1: first of all, my teams are gonna play a meaningful 281 00:14:44,440 --> 00:14:46,680 Speaker 1: game in two weeks. Secondly, the team that we're playing 282 00:14:46,680 --> 00:14:49,120 Speaker 1: now gets a week. They're getting a by and they've 283 00:14:49,160 --> 00:14:52,840 Speaker 1: been preparing for US for two weeks and they had 284 00:14:52,840 --> 00:14:54,800 Speaker 1: advanced scouts preparing for US because the knew who the 285 00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:57,440 Speaker 1: only chance to win. Or you know, I hear you 286 00:14:58,240 --> 00:15:00,320 Speaker 1: getting bad, but I mean we know the NF See, 287 00:15:00,560 --> 00:15:02,480 Speaker 1: the NFL is not going to have one game in 288 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:07,880 Speaker 1: a week. I mean, it's not good for business. No, um, 289 00:15:07,920 --> 00:15:10,800 Speaker 1: you know, so I could see that situation where the 290 00:15:10,840 --> 00:15:15,400 Speaker 1: other thing that they could do is play that game 291 00:15:15,800 --> 00:15:20,960 Speaker 1: next Thursday and then have a Monday night playoff game 292 00:15:22,520 --> 00:15:25,080 Speaker 1: on opening week. That gives you another day. But that's 293 00:15:25,080 --> 00:15:28,800 Speaker 1: still then that's not but it's but it's not fair 294 00:15:28,920 --> 00:15:32,120 Speaker 1: for whichever team loses that Like, the winner of that 295 00:15:32,160 --> 00:15:34,440 Speaker 1: game could end up with the one seats, so they 296 00:15:34,440 --> 00:15:36,760 Speaker 1: don't care. You're happy, right, but the loser of that 297 00:15:36,800 --> 00:15:39,480 Speaker 1: game was in a bind and now has to play 298 00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:42,200 Speaker 1: in four days rest and a playoff game game. Yeah, 299 00:15:42,240 --> 00:15:47,080 Speaker 1: I don't like that. That's really rough. Wow, Okay, but 300 00:15:47,160 --> 00:15:50,560 Speaker 1: I gotta think if I like the idea of the 301 00:15:50,680 --> 00:15:54,640 Speaker 1: NFC wild Card game happening, no matter what, you know, 302 00:15:55,040 --> 00:15:58,400 Speaker 1: a f C, I don't know when it gets And 303 00:15:58,440 --> 00:16:00,720 Speaker 1: I didn't thought about a buy and two for the 304 00:16:00,800 --> 00:16:03,880 Speaker 1: NFC because I was concerned about if we get down 305 00:16:03,920 --> 00:16:06,480 Speaker 1: to Super Bowl time. One super Bowl team has two weeks, 306 00:16:06,480 --> 00:16:08,760 Speaker 1: one super Bowl team has won, right, well, that what 307 00:16:08,920 --> 00:16:10,920 Speaker 1: if they do it that the way that I described, 308 00:16:10,960 --> 00:16:14,440 Speaker 1: it would eliminate the week off in between, and so 309 00:16:14,480 --> 00:16:17,280 Speaker 1: they would play both of those the conference championship games 310 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:20,600 Speaker 1: on that Sunday before the super Bowl. Right, if you're 311 00:16:20,600 --> 00:16:23,000 Speaker 1: eliminating that that off week. I've never been to a 312 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:26,320 Speaker 1: Super Bowl. Can all the media stuff and nonsense get 313 00:16:26,320 --> 00:16:28,640 Speaker 1: squeezed into a week or you just can? They did it. 314 00:16:28,720 --> 00:16:31,640 Speaker 1: They did it in two thousand one. They eliminated that 315 00:16:31,720 --> 00:16:33,640 Speaker 1: and that that was to me, that was always funny 316 00:16:33,960 --> 00:16:36,360 Speaker 1: because if you remember, the Steelers played in NFC Championship 317 00:16:36,440 --> 00:16:39,960 Speaker 1: that year two thousand and one and they played New 318 00:16:40,040 --> 00:16:45,360 Speaker 1: England and all like. So, if the Steelers had won 319 00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:49,320 Speaker 1: that game, we were leaving the next morning at like 320 00:16:49,360 --> 00:16:51,200 Speaker 1: eight o'clock in the morning to the super Bowl. To 321 00:16:51,200 --> 00:16:53,080 Speaker 1: go to the super you gotta get their media and 322 00:16:53,120 --> 00:16:59,560 Speaker 1: it was the night game. Wow, it was like eipment people. Yeah, 323 00:17:00,240 --> 00:17:03,800 Speaker 1: you had your bags packed ready to go. We win, Yeah, 324 00:17:03,840 --> 00:17:06,399 Speaker 1: we're rolling in the morning. So the New England media, 325 00:17:06,680 --> 00:17:09,840 Speaker 1: somebody and somebody in with the Patriots said, oh they 326 00:17:09,960 --> 00:17:11,680 Speaker 1: you know, the Steelers, they already had their bags packed. 327 00:17:11,760 --> 00:17:14,080 Speaker 1: I guarantee you the Patriots did as well, because you 328 00:17:14,280 --> 00:17:19,840 Speaker 1: had to because you were leaving the next morning, or 329 00:17:19,920 --> 00:17:22,200 Speaker 1: you ran home and you packed them more. You were 330 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:23,840 Speaker 1: on the road, so you already had your stuff packed. 331 00:17:23,840 --> 00:17:26,119 Speaker 1: You were just changing out some some clothes and stuff. 332 00:17:26,160 --> 00:17:30,280 Speaker 1: But but you were you were preparing for you know, hey, 333 00:17:30,280 --> 00:17:32,840 Speaker 1: if this happens, if we win this game, we gotta 334 00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:36,960 Speaker 1: be ready to go the next morning to go. Yeah, 335 00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:40,800 Speaker 1: they were, they already packed. That was complete and utter crap. 336 00:17:43,760 --> 00:17:47,119 Speaker 1: And I've done that the you know in two thousand 337 00:17:47,280 --> 00:17:50,760 Speaker 1: five when the Steelers won all their games on the road. 338 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:54,120 Speaker 1: I mean you just you just kept the bags sitting 339 00:17:54,160 --> 00:17:57,919 Speaker 1: in the bedroom and Okay, get some stuff out, you 340 00:17:57,960 --> 00:18:02,160 Speaker 1: get back on Monday, you fly out on the next one. Yeah, 341 00:18:02,920 --> 00:18:05,680 Speaker 1: you didn't. Just you just didn't the logistics of it all, 342 00:18:05,800 --> 00:18:07,800 Speaker 1: you know, like the travel and all that stuff. You know, 343 00:18:07,920 --> 00:18:09,840 Speaker 1: like this is hard and that's a huge thing to 344 00:18:10,520 --> 00:18:13,480 Speaker 1: NFL is dealing with. Now. If we make all these changes, 345 00:18:13,640 --> 00:18:14,920 Speaker 1: do I have a stadium to play? And do I 346 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:16,679 Speaker 1: have a hotel? Who do I have? You know, I 347 00:18:16,680 --> 00:18:19,399 Speaker 1: mean all this stuff, which there's so much like like 348 00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:21,640 Speaker 1: the Cincinnati the hotel. If you've gotta get you gotta 349 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:24,520 Speaker 1: get flights in, you gotta get uh you know, you 350 00:18:24,600 --> 00:18:26,400 Speaker 1: gotta get your trucks there with all of your equipment 351 00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:28,399 Speaker 1: and stuff on that, I mean all that stuff everything there, right, 352 00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:32,000 Speaker 1: I mean all those helmets s don't get there magically appear, 353 00:18:32,520 --> 00:18:34,080 Speaker 1: you know. If it's for Star Trek, we could just 354 00:18:34,160 --> 00:18:36,320 Speaker 1: beat them over, but it doesn't work that way. Yeah, 355 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:38,320 Speaker 1: all their cleats and all that kind of stuff too. 356 00:18:38,880 --> 00:18:42,960 Speaker 1: And then like Cincinnati, did they refund all those tickets? 357 00:18:43,440 --> 00:18:45,960 Speaker 1: Bet not? Or if they replay it? Is it free 358 00:18:45,960 --> 00:18:47,720 Speaker 1: if you have that stuff, you know what I mean? Yeah, 359 00:18:47,720 --> 00:18:50,280 Speaker 1: I don't know, you know, I don't know. I don't know. 360 00:18:50,320 --> 00:18:52,359 Speaker 1: It's it's it's it's crazy, I mean it really is. 361 00:18:53,240 --> 00:18:55,359 Speaker 1: But you can't plan for this stuff, of course not. 362 00:18:55,680 --> 00:18:57,840 Speaker 1: It's not like boy, it's an emergency situation. You can 363 00:18:57,880 --> 00:19:01,840 Speaker 1: have emergency like so people kill in the NFL. Well 364 00:19:01,840 --> 00:19:05,560 Speaker 1: that five minute thing, that's normal operating procedure when there's 365 00:19:05,560 --> 00:19:08,080 Speaker 1: a stoppage and play like that. Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah yeah. 366 00:19:08,359 --> 00:19:11,240 Speaker 1: So somebody obviously said, well the normal procedure here is 367 00:19:11,280 --> 00:19:13,399 Speaker 1: that that you know, the teams get ready in five minutes, 368 00:19:13,440 --> 00:19:16,880 Speaker 1: they go, and so that's what they worked under until 369 00:19:16,920 --> 00:19:19,000 Speaker 1: somebody from the league offices. Wait, wait, wait, wait, we're 370 00:19:19,000 --> 00:19:20,520 Speaker 1: not gonna do this is different, We're not going to 371 00:19:20,640 --> 00:19:23,640 Speaker 1: do that. People, Well, somebody told them that. You didn't 372 00:19:23,640 --> 00:19:25,320 Speaker 1: have to tell them that. That's going by the book, 373 00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:29,080 Speaker 1: you know. So so some you know producer on ESPN SAI, Well, 374 00:19:29,119 --> 00:19:31,200 Speaker 1: usually when this happens, they get teams get five minutes 375 00:19:31,240 --> 00:19:34,479 Speaker 1: to warm up, and then they didn't see anybody warming up. 376 00:19:35,680 --> 00:19:37,639 Speaker 1: Was like, oh good, I'll get right back in there. Yeah, right, 377 00:19:37,960 --> 00:19:41,520 Speaker 1: Or when when Bain shows up and blows up, Yeah, like, 378 00:19:41,640 --> 00:19:43,000 Speaker 1: what do you need to plan for that? You know, 379 00:19:43,040 --> 00:19:50,440 Speaker 1: come on off and falling apart. But I mean you 380 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:53,040 Speaker 1: don't have a contingency plan for that. Yeah, I mean, 381 00:19:53,119 --> 00:19:55,439 Speaker 1: stuff happens and you have to adjust to it. And 382 00:19:55,440 --> 00:19:58,159 Speaker 1: that's life. And again, it's not going to be a 383 00:19:58,160 --> 00:20:01,760 Speaker 1: decision um that everybody is going to be happy with. 384 00:20:01,800 --> 00:20:04,080 Speaker 1: There's going to be somebody that's unhappy with it. But 385 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:05,960 Speaker 1: several teams are going to get the short end of 386 00:20:05,960 --> 00:20:10,600 Speaker 1: the stick in terms of everyone's compete level. Yes, you know, 387 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:12,560 Speaker 1: which is always Harry it's one of my least there 388 00:20:12,560 --> 00:20:14,200 Speaker 1: are things about the league. But I think it's better 389 00:20:14,280 --> 00:20:17,280 Speaker 1: now that seven teams go and only one team gets 390 00:20:17,280 --> 00:20:18,760 Speaker 1: to buy than it used to be. And I did 391 00:20:18,760 --> 00:20:21,000 Speaker 1: see somebody somebody through out there that you just take 392 00:20:21,040 --> 00:20:24,240 Speaker 1: eight teams to the a f C playoffs and just play. 393 00:20:24,240 --> 00:20:27,840 Speaker 1: There's there's sheel will probably get in. The Steelers would 394 00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:32,920 Speaker 1: get in as the winning in. Yeah, not the worst 395 00:20:32,920 --> 00:20:35,080 Speaker 1: thing I ever heard. Yeah, I mean I'm not even 396 00:20:35,320 --> 00:20:36,960 Speaker 1: leaning at the Steelers way. I mean they'd probably end 397 00:20:37,040 --> 00:20:40,280 Speaker 1: up going to Ksey or Buffalo or whatever whichever. That's 398 00:20:40,320 --> 00:20:44,040 Speaker 1: the luck. But hey, that's not the craziest thing. Just 399 00:20:44,160 --> 00:20:47,280 Speaker 1: no buy. So I mean that would that would work 400 00:20:47,280 --> 00:20:49,159 Speaker 1: as well? Would you have to do the same in 401 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:51,800 Speaker 1: the NFC, Like if you were the eight, I don't 402 00:20:51,800 --> 00:20:53,679 Speaker 1: think you'd have to. Would you cry about that if 403 00:20:53,720 --> 00:20:55,119 Speaker 1: you were the eight team in the NFC? Yeah, I 404 00:20:55,200 --> 00:20:59,320 Speaker 1: think you understand the the circumstances because there's things that 405 00:20:59,359 --> 00:21:02,119 Speaker 1: aren't decide. That's a different thought. Kick that around in 406 00:21:02,160 --> 00:21:04,440 Speaker 1: my noodle. But they did that, you know, if you 407 00:21:04,480 --> 00:21:09,120 Speaker 1: remember in the strike here they took eight teams back 408 00:21:09,160 --> 00:21:13,680 Speaker 1: in what was that that was half of the conference 409 00:21:13,680 --> 00:21:17,359 Speaker 1: because there just weren't enough games too to decide everything. 410 00:21:17,680 --> 00:21:20,080 Speaker 1: So there is precedent for that. What I do know 411 00:21:20,600 --> 00:21:23,320 Speaker 1: is two weekends from now there would be more than 412 00:21:23,359 --> 00:21:29,400 Speaker 1: one game. Yes that we know that, we know for sure, 413 00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:32,399 Speaker 1: no doubt. Um, we're gonna take a break. He is 414 00:21:32,440 --> 00:21:35,480 Speaker 1: Matt Williamson. I am Dale Lally. You're listening to the 415 00:21:35,600 --> 00:21:38,240 Speaker 1: drive here on Steelers Nation Radio. And Matt, did you 416 00:21:38,320 --> 00:21:41,040 Speaker 1: know you can now listen to Steelers Nation Radio anytime 417 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:43,960 Speaker 1: anywhere through your smart speaker? Did you get a smart 418 00:21:43,960 --> 00:21:46,639 Speaker 1: speaker for Christmas? No? But I think there's several around 419 00:21:46,680 --> 00:21:49,040 Speaker 1: our house, probably in the kid's rooms. Your parrot has 420 00:21:49,119 --> 00:21:54,720 Speaker 1: one in this cage, right, you say, Alexa, play Steelers 421 00:21:54,800 --> 00:21:57,600 Speaker 1: Nation Radio from my heart, and Alexa will take care 422 00:21:57,600 --> 00:21:59,720 Speaker 1: of the rest of you. Taught your parrot to say 423 00:21:59,760 --> 00:22:02,520 Speaker 1: a SA Yet he's a conyer. But Larry the bird, 424 00:22:02,560 --> 00:22:06,239 Speaker 1: by the way, he's green. He didn't say anything. Oh, 425 00:22:06,280 --> 00:22:08,920 Speaker 1: I thought he talked some of them do this one 426 00:22:09,359 --> 00:22:11,240 Speaker 1: has not. He's got a lot of personality, makes a 427 00:22:11,280 --> 00:22:13,840 Speaker 1: lot of noise. Him and my wife have conversations back 428 00:22:13,880 --> 00:22:15,960 Speaker 1: and he says goodbye when you walk out of the room. 429 00:22:16,240 --> 00:22:19,200 Speaker 1: Not in goodbye, he speaks bird. I can read, but 430 00:22:19,320 --> 00:22:21,480 Speaker 1: read and listen to bird, but I can't speak. My 431 00:22:21,560 --> 00:22:25,680 Speaker 1: wife can speak bird. With that, we are going to 432 00:22:25,800 --> 00:22:27,480 Speaker 1: take a break. We'll be back with more right after 433 00:22:27,560 --> 00:22:27,600 Speaker 1: this