November 3, 2025 • 35 mins
Mark is joined this hour by our football guru Matt Williamson, breaking down the Steelers big win over the Colts.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
This is the Mark Maddon Show. Colored lights can hypnotize
sparkles someone else's eyes.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Oh woman, just stay away. Eh.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Saw Bachman Turner Overdrive last night, Randy Botman doing a
lot of guests who it was just great. When I
was in seventh grade, that's the first time I wrote
a school bus seventh grade. From grades one through six,
I walked to and from Reserve Tonsip Elementary School. Seventh
grade we went to Millville Junior High. That was in
the early days of the Shaler School District merger. And
(00:32):
I remember very distinctly that Bachmanturner Overdrive had this huge
album out then. I want to say it was the
not Fragile album with taking Care of Business and you
Ain't Seen Nothing Yet. And our bus driver had that
in the eight track back and forth every day for
(00:53):
I don't know how long, and it was great. It's
great songs and seeing bto last night really brought back
those memories. Very good show. Pac Toss at the Palace
Theater in Greensburg. Went to this distillery on the corner beforehand.
They had blueberry whiskey. I wish I remember the name
of the place. I'll I'll get it and maybe say
it later, But blueberry whiskey that's usually trying too hard.
(01:17):
This Blueberry risky was was right on the money. So
a good time was had by all. A good time
was had by the Steelers yesterday. If you want to
talk Steelers, dial four one two. Damn it, why do
we have the area code in the middle of our number.
It's eight three three four one two wxdx eight three
(01:39):
three four one two w xdx. There were two under
the radar things I want to note about that Steelers
defensive effort. Well, actually more than that, I mean not
that this is under the radar bit them having that
four to three look and sometimes it's three inside back
(01:59):
or some times it's three edge guys. I thought that
went a long way toward confusing the Colts and containing
Jonathan Taylor. We're gonna have our football guru, Matt Williamson
on at the bottom of the hour and he'll drill
deep helping us figure that out. Because I know what
I saw. I'm not sure exactly what it did, neither
or you. Matt Williamson. He gonna be sure and he
(02:21):
gonna tell us. But as far as the under the
radar stuff, the Steelers had their hands up on the
pass rush and batted some balls away like the Peyton
Wilson play. On that Sawyer pick, Cam Hayward batted a
couple balls down and talk of the devil. Secondly, the
rookie Jack Sawyer, the modern day warrior, who got that pick.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
He's very useful.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Especially I'm thinking when the Steelers give that four to three,
Look why because he's an edge, he's a legit outside
back or two if you want to nitpick between the two,
and he's big enough for like I said, to play
in that kind of four to three look. So, uh,
excellent stuff by the Steelers, excellent stuff by that defense.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
But can they keep it up? Eight one to three?
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Al right?
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Eight one three eight three to three. Why couldn't we
just have kept the old number A three three four
one two wxdx Uh. Tom and I talked a bit
about the World Series before. Here's my World Series commentary.
It wasn't the best World Series ever. That's recency bias.
But it was real good. Home one in the ninth
to tie it, Home one in the eleventh to win it.
(03:38):
Fat dude hits into a double play to end it. Uh,
that's good.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Cinema.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
It's fun to see an entire country's hopes get crushed, and.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
It's even more fun when that country is Canada.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Uh, let's do it again in the spring with all
the Canadian teams in the NHL. Yamamoto was amazing three
to zero in the World Series one Game six and
one Game seven on consecutive days, stole the spotlight from Otani.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
LA has now won twice in a row.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
With MLB's biggest payroll this year, they're the third biggest
in baseball.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Last year.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
That doesn't mean everything, but it don't mean nothing. Toronto
was not a poverty underdog. Toronto's payroll was two hundred
and fifty five mil, seventh in MLB LA's payroll. Like
I said, three hundred and fifty mil just just absurd.
The cry is getting louder for a salary cap. MLB
(04:41):
has one more year on its current CBA. And the
weird thing is, like Tom and I were talking about,
the rich teams want a cap and the poor teams don't.
The rinch teams want spending reeled back in and they
want cost certainty. The poor teams don't want a cap
four and to have to spend two. That cap for
that's a bizarro world cap for feud, But it's.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
One hundred percent true. It was a great World Series.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
I was hoping LA would trade for schemes in the
middle of extra innings and trot him out there.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
But someday.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
People say that baseball's flawed, huge ratings, great World Series,
number two market in America against an entire country. I
read somewhere that Fox Sports, because the series went seven games,
generated three hundred and thirty million in in game revenue
(05:39):
three hundred and thirty million. So if you think the
sport's broken, that's only cause you live in Pittsburgh and
nobody gives a freak about the Pirates. Heck, nobody gives
a friing about I mean, what would you have wanted
the series to be in the interest of fairness Cleveland
and Milwaukee. Nobody cares about Cleveland and Milwaukee. They don't
even in Cleveland and Milwaukee, they don't care all that. No,
(05:59):
in Milwaukee they do. In Cleveland they do. But fam
FM and FU because Pittsburgh don't count. The Savannah Bananas
op through the Pirates in the pirates own ballpark.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
The Savannah Bananas caught more than the Pirates.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
The number to call again eight three to three, four
one two WSDX Pitt one Yahoo at Stanford thirty five
to twenty.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Pitt is seven and two. I'm not excited.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
It's a kind of weak acc type of seven and two.
And they did lose the West Virginny and they did
blow it against Louisville. Pitt was sloppy. Four turnovers at Stanford.
This messer schmid kid at quarterback. He's pretty good. Wait
wait Heinkel does that sound right?
Speaker 4 (06:49):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (06:49):
Heinchel, Henchel, he's good. I guess two picks. Wake me
when they're in the a SEC championship game. If indeed
they are, I guess it's not a possible right for
them to make it, but I don't care. Penn State
got killed at Ohio State, so the coaching change really helped.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
A three three four one two w XDX. We got
Matt Williams and don't miss that.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
He's gonna break down what the Steelers did with the
three inside backers and sometimes the three outside backers and
Ramsey at safety. It's smart Man show one O five
to nine. I had a couple of tweets yesterday and
today about how I think Danny Smith is a clown,
(07:35):
the Steeler special teams coach. He just bugs me, and
he's on TV too much because he's a clown. That's
what gets him on TV. And I got a bunch
of tweets and even an email. I have one guy
that sends me really nasty email saying and the guy,
the email guy said, I don't know why I listened
to you. You're making fun of a Steeler legend. Okay,
Danny Smith's not a Steeler legend. He's a special teams
(07:57):
coach and really more of a mascot than anything. And
if he does a great job, then how come the
coach converted a fake punt yesterday? Easiest pie? But uh,
if you like him, that's okay. If he does a
good job, that's okay. He just bugs me. And as
far as threatening to not listen to my show, as
(08:18):
I keep saying, there's never been a better time to
not listen. From here on, this show is just for
me what I like, and I'm going to say what
I will, and come to think of it, that's how
it's always been.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
I'm just more open about it now.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
This is Kyle Brant on Good Morning Football. About the
Steelers being headed to a familiar destination.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
The Steelers.
Speaker 4 (08:39):
I am always so amused by the nuclear magnetic attraction.
The Steelers have the ten and seven.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
They will get there.
Speaker 4 (08:45):
If they start zero to seven, they're gonna go win
ten in a row. If they start ten and zher,
they're gonna lose.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
Seven in a row.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
I promise you. This was the perfect Steelers game in
which written him off. This is Tomlin's first losing season.
This this, this, and they come out and have him
really impressive win in front of the home crowd. The
Steelers will get there.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
You know it.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
I know it.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
No matter how they have to do it, they will
be in the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
That's pretty good. Nuclear magnetic attraction unquote. I love it.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
But brand presents that like it's good. I think it's
bad because I want more. You want more, at least
you should. You shouldn't want a division title. Maybe ten
and seven gets that. Probably you shouldn't want a playoff win.
(09:33):
But what if the Steelers win the AFC North and
Buffalo and Kansas City are both wild cards, which could
easily happen. Yesterday was a great win. I'm fired up,
but more exemplary of the Steelers inconsistency than anything else,
And Kyle Brandt's right. I think, like Keith thinks, it's
(09:54):
all headed to the same place. But hey, if you
want to convince me it could be better, could go better,
that they could win a playoff game and then some
that's simple. Go out to Los Angeles and beat the Chargers.
River Hawns with a playoff win Saturday night, zero zero
(10:16):
against Hartford after one hundred and twenty minutes, but Pittsburgh
advances past Hartford on pks and because the number one
seed got upset, the River Hawns host Detroit in a
conference semifinal this Saturday, so up the Hounds. It was
a good time at high Mark, good time at Anfield.
On Saturday, Liverpool breaks their four game Premier League losing
(10:39):
streak with a two zero win against Villa. Tomorrow's show
will be with distraction. I think it's safe to say
because Liverpool play Real Madrid in Champions League action. And
I went to the North Hills High school football game
Friday night at Bethel Park. North Hill's got beat their
(11:01):
seasons over. But uh, I like that team. It's a
good group, always one hundred percent effort, they play hard.
It's a young team and I think it's gonna be
better next year. So up the Indians. Good job by
the kids.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
All right?
Speaker 1 (11:17):
Up next, I can't wait for this. Our football guru
Matt Williamson is gonna drill down on the Steelers in
that four to three look, the occasional use of three
edge guys, the occasional use of three inside backers, and
Jalen Ramsey it's safety. Did it succeed and should it continue?
(11:40):
That's Matt Williamson. Next here on one oh five ninety X.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
It's The Woody Show Weekday morning six. Get enough.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
If you're Pittsburgh Steelers, then check out the latest podcast
from Steeles.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
It's a super genius Mark Mad the cream comes to
the top. I feel like I'm just bubbling over.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
You went a pants by on the air that I wasn't.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Who told you the exit? One oh five nine? Wow.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
We got a lot to talk about today with our
football guru pro in college Scott Matt Williamson.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
You hear him on Steelers Nation Audio.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
Matt, what did the Steelers do on defense with that
kind of four to three look?
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Who was involved in doing what?
Speaker 3 (12:23):
Yeah, that's definitely a new wrinkle and an interesting one.
And I'm basically what they did was it was a
basically a true four to three stack like you used
to see all the time. And the three was not
a Herbig or a Watt or a high Smith. It
was an off the ball linebacker. And I found it
(12:44):
kind of curious. I'm like, Holcome's out for this game.
He's your third best guy, and Harrison's coming back. What's
the logic? I mean, is Harrison so great he has
to see the field? Like I've kind of lobbyed with Herbig,
you know, you change your your personnel usage And the
answer is no. But what they were doing behind the
four to three I think was really interesting too in
(13:06):
that they played a lot a lot more too high safeties. Looks.
You know, they're at the top of the league in
single high safety. You know, think about minca and center field. Well,
in this game they played a lot more too high safeties.
And where I'm going with this, and I'm sure this
is the logic behind it is Harrison's a big body dude.
(13:28):
He doesn't run real well, but he's kind of your
land and Roberts run thumper between the tackle, you know,
big guy that if they're going to play too high,
they're going to have a big run stuffer to deal
with the Taylor problem. And it worked really well. I
think it's an interesting wrinkley, be honest, I give the
coaching staff credit. I mean, like everyone, I don't think
(13:51):
you know the criticism of Tomlin and the coaching staff.
Are they willing to change things up? Well they did
in this game for sure.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
No, no question. So that is they contained Taylor through
that formation.
Speaker 3 (14:03):
Yeah, somewhat, And they also got away from Taylor more
than I would have. And you know, frankly, the Cam
Haywards of the world and everybody involved played the run
better as they did in the first half against Josh
Jacobs too, you know, so, but that was one of
the wrinkles that certainly was helpful.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
I thought the tackling was really clean too. I thought
that was one reason they kind of contained Taylor, which
it ain't always been.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
That's a great call because there's been two or three
games the Bengal game early in the season when the
tackling has been really poor, like bottom of the league,
and that's a huge difference when their run defense is
good and bad.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
Of course, now we also saw some formations where they
used basically three edge guys, including when TJ. Watt was
not there, they went with Sawyer and her Big and Highsmith.
Though what was that all about?
Speaker 3 (14:55):
Yeah, And I don't have a great logic behind that either,
but I do think that there were changing things. Not
that necessarily for the sake of change. That sounds like
a bad way of looking at it, but I think
that they realized, Man, this is such a stiff test.
I mean, I still think it's the best offense in
the league that they faced yesterday, and certainly was coming
(15:16):
into the game that Stichen has really had Tomlin's number
wherever they've matched up. That we have to do things different.
And again I think that they looked in the mirror
and said, as a coaching staff, we're gonna have to
look at this team different. We're gonna have to look
at this defense different. And you know, the safety situation
was up in the up in the air a great deal.
(15:37):
I thought Dougar and Ramsey were really good pairing and
maybe should just be the safeties going forward. I gotta
give that some more thought. And I also thought Tomlin
went forward on fourth down more coached a little more aggressive,
realize this is not a game that's probably going to
be played in the teams or the twenties, So more wrinkles,
I thought, you know, set the Colts back a little bit.
Speaker 1 (15:59):
Jack is useful in situations like we're describing because he's
kind of a hybrid. You know, he's big enough to
line up inside if you want him. He gives you
a different look. He's an edge rusher, but more of
an outside linebacker too, if there's a distinction to be
made there.
Speaker 3 (16:15):
Yeah, one thousand percent. And I didn't really of all
the draft picks, that's the one I liked the least
at the time and didn't see coming the most at
the time. But I think if you go back exactly frankly,
like exactly one year when they traded for Preston Smith,
real similar styles. I mean, they're both real big edge
(16:36):
guys that can reduce down inside. They're not real bendy,
They're not like a herbig speedball off the edge. But
I do think that their presence is important, especially like
when you're playing the Ravens and Patrick Riccard and the
Jonathan Taylor's of the world that are physical and some
of these good lines like the Colts, so I didn't
(16:56):
understand the pick when they made it, but it's started
to add up pretty quick afterwards.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
Now, you mentioned Ramsey and Dugger at safety, and I
like those two guys back there too. Should Ramsey stay
at safety period and should Dougger keep starting?
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Yes on Dougger, because well, I'm also still really intrigued
with Peppers. To be honest with you, I think Clark
is terrible and can't run anymore. Thorne and thorn Hill
that I just don't think they trust at all. He
makes too many mistakes and I just don't think they
trust him. So I am still interested in Peppers, which
(17:33):
is something we haven't got to see much of lately.
But I think you have to at least run it
back for the short term because it was so stabilizing.
I mean, Ramsey's ability to do so many things is
on display. Dougger didn't hurt you, played a ton of snaps,
made some plays stood out, and I thought in a
good way all in all. My hesitation to saying Ramsey
(17:56):
should stay at safety, though, is are you good enough
at You were for this day, but are you for
the rest of the way. I don't know, but it
could be subject to change, you know, you don't have
to be married to it.
Speaker 1 (18:09):
In the middle of all the ex's and o's talk, Matt,
I thought the Steelers defense did real good against the
real good Colts offensive line, and I think part of
that seemed to be they just kept their hands up.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Look how many batted balls yesterday.
Speaker 3 (18:22):
Yeah, and even just looking at the numbers over the
last two or three years, they're far and away the
best team at batting passes at the line of scrimmage.
And that can't be a fluke to me anymore. Cam
Hayward's is the best in the league since JJ Watt retired.
I always wonder if JJ taught something to Cam after
he hung them up. Who knows, But I do think
(18:45):
that's a huge component of it. But they won one
on mone matchups a lot. I mean, that is definitely
a top three or four offensive line that they faced.
Cam Hayward once again got the better of Nelson pretty repeatedly.
The edge I thought really won their battles against the tackles,
against the run and the pass. So yeah, I mean
(19:06):
the defensive line Harmon played a really good game Benton
as well. I think it's in a good place now
after a rough start of the season, so we knew
at least, I mean, I think we've had faith that
the defensive line was going to be the strength of
the defense, and they've had their ups and downs throughout
the year, but I really thought that they showed how
(19:27):
good they can be. And I want to give high
Smith's credit too, because his ankle was pretty bad from
what I was sold, and he went right back out
there and had a fantastic game.
Speaker 1 (19:35):
Yeah, that was his best game of the season, I thought,
And I thought it was Peyton Wilson's best NFL game ever.
I was shocked by the amount of athleticism he displayed.
He's kind of a meat and potatoes guy, but boy,
that leaped to back the ball to Jack Sawyer and
you know, his pick and some of the tackles he made.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
He was everywhere.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
Yeah, And it's funny because you know, I take notes
after the game and just things to talk about during
the week, and Benton Harmon and especially Teyton Wilson, I
just put down, are in really good spots of their development.
You know that they're coming along well, you're seeing obvious progress.
I would like to see Wilson and queen be guys
(20:16):
that just never leave the field. I mean, to me,
Wilson might be the best off the ball linebacker they have.
He's very athletic. He's got a weird body type. He's
kind of tall and short arms and doesn't take on blocks. Great,
but that's not uncommon in today's league. Really good in coverage,
So I think Wilson's ascending rapidly.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
We're talking to Matt Williamson, our football gurer. He's brought
to us by the Steelers Pro Shop. Get it direct
from the team at shop dot Steelers dot com. Matt,
I felt like TJ. Wat stripsack won the game. Reverse
the momentum. If Indy goes in and scores there and
makes it fourteen nothing, boy, I wonder yeah.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
And I gotta be honest, I was quite worried how
the game began, you know, in general, and that Watt play,
along with the obviously the gifts that they got of
the botched punt, the muff was really helpful. But I
can't stress enough. And hey, I've had my doubts too,
But I mean, the guys that you're paying, the guys
(21:18):
are invested in. The leaders on defense really showed up
in timely manners against a high, high quality opponent and
that watt play, as you mentioned, is dead on. And
you know the example of that.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
The Steelers had five takeaways against New England and six yesterday.
But I feel like the defense made more plays yesterday,
if that makes sense. There was more taking than there
was giving. I thought New England committed giveaways.
Speaker 3 (21:45):
Yeah, that's funny because I mentioned the same thing on
the Drive just a couple of months ago we were recording,
and I thought, man, yes, they took advantage of Patriot mistakes.
You know, that's a young team where this game they
caused the mistakes. You know, they dictated it except for
the muff. You know.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
Now, why did the Steelers running game fizzle?
Speaker 1 (22:06):
That's one thing in this game I thought they could
very likely con on and it didn't do much.
Speaker 3 (22:12):
Yeah, and it's real easy to sit here on Monday
and be like, everything's roses. The team's great, But there
were some offensive things that went backwards, and I thought
the running game was at the top of that list.
And if we kind of go back chronologically, they didn't
do anything on the ground the second half against Green Bay,
mostly because they didn't try. I think, which I had
(22:32):
a real problem with at the time. So I'm not
concerned about I mean, progress is linear on these things,
because I do think the running game has been strongly
trending the right direction over the last month or so.
But this will be a critical week to say are
they a good running team or not? Because I was underwhelmed,
to say the least, and I thought the line played well.
(22:54):
I don't think it was Warren's fault. I don't think
it was a Lion's fault. But I don't have a
great reason why they didn't run the ball better.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
Yeah, they just seem to pull out of the running
game too early and fairly consistently. You know, they always
emphasize it, but seem to have a lack of faith
in it.
Speaker 3 (23:10):
Yes, and I think we're all Aaron Rodgers fans and
I'm not bashing the guy at all.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
Of course me too.
Speaker 3 (23:16):
But we can't right, I mean, everybody's we can't forget
that he has so much freedom at the line of scrimmage.
And we'll never know this answer, but I'm pretty certain
that Arthur Smith wants to run the football. What is
certain that Rogers wants to run the football?
Speaker 2 (23:35):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (23:36):
Well, right, you can't certainly fault Rogers for the results
he's produced and certainly the confidence he's imbued the entire
platoon with. And staying with that, I thought Rogers was
very good, not great. The numbers weren't terrific, but he's
so precise at the moment of truth that twenty seven
points coming off turnovers, and afterward he said it's not enough,
and I like him setting the bar high.
Speaker 3 (23:57):
Yeah, I love that he said that. You know, you know,
we got a lot of the defense set us up,
and yes, we put the ball in the end zone,
which is amazing in itself. I mean, Rogers already has
the most touchdown passes by a Steeler quarterback since Ben's
last year. And it's not I mean we just hit
in November. I mean, he has more more passing touchdowns
(24:20):
than any of those guys did in a season here,
And you're right. I mean, he has such a head
for the game. You could tell the respect that all
of his teammates have for him. And they listen to
him and they jump and they say how high whenever
he asks to ask him to jump, And the skills
are still there. I mean more and more, I know,
(24:40):
we can talk about this stuff in the offseason, but
I sure wouldn't mind if he considered coming back for
another year.
Speaker 1 (24:49):
You you made a couple of references to not getting
too giddy over this win, and I agree. I think
it's a great win, but I still think there's a
lot to be done, especially in terms of proving their consistency,
at least on defense. I mean, I mean, Matt, they
got not gained by over one hundred yards, got six takeaways,
and still won by just seven. I'm not sure what's
(25:09):
hidden in those facts, but there's something there.
Speaker 3 (25:13):
Oh, no doubt. I mean, now, I will say usually
when that's happened this year or facsimiles of the Steeler
defense is pretty poor on a play by play basis,
and I thought that this was the best that the
defense has played down after down. And yes, the splash
that they created was super impactful, but it wasn't the
(25:35):
whole story. There's been a lot of these games where man,
they're just people are moving the ball left and right
on these guys Steelers just got squeaked by because of
their splash. Now, some of the yardage was garbage time.
I mean, there was a lot of passing yards to
Pittman in particular late in the game against you know,
prevent defenses and whatnot. But no, you're right. I mean
(25:56):
you can make the argument still as well as the
defense played on a play by play basis, that the
Colts were the better team down in and down out.
I mean, like the Colts were really good on third
and fourth downs. And frankly, I'm not trying to harp
on the negatives at all because I am really encouraged
by this game top to bottom. But it was a
(26:17):
pretty underwhelming offensive performance by the Steelers.
Speaker 1 (26:20):
Yeah, Like I said, if it wasn't for Rogers's opportunism
and his precision at the moment of truth, like, there
were a lot of other like kind of shaky moments.
I mean, like like we've talked about the lack of
a running game, and Rogers's numbers were not overwhelming, and
that begs the question.
Speaker 3 (26:37):
What it also wasn't a great wide receiver game. I mean,
the wide receivers in general weren't very exciting.
Speaker 2 (26:41):
That Once again, great minds thinking of life.
Speaker 1 (26:43):
I was about to ask, why is DK metcalf so
a uninvolved be unimpressive?
Speaker 3 (26:51):
Well, I would have not had a great answer for
you up until just recently. And I can't confirm this.
I was not on the sideline, but I was told
by multiple sources that he much liked Hulcombe and Pepper's
as was dealing with a pretty strong illness, that he
(27:11):
was just kind of out there in a decoy manner
for this game and was getting ivs and getting a
lot of attention, and that could add up. But I mean,
if you asked me this a week ago, I would say,
I really like Metcalf. I think it was a good trade.
I have no problem with the contract. But I described
him a lot this past week before knowing about the
(27:32):
illness against the Colts, as he seems like a B
plus as opposed to an anus. That there's been three,
like two plays a game where he could make it,
but he doesn't. You know, Turner rips the ball away
from him against the Bengals. Now, I will say, to
his credit, as quote number one wide receivers go, his
(27:56):
targets per game are remarkably low. I mean, he's still
only getting the ball around his way four and five
times a game, and I think that needs to change
when the illness goes away.
Speaker 1 (28:07):
And that begs this question I'm not anti Darnell Washington.
I think they overrate and overuse him. I mean, Rogers
clearly loves him.
Speaker 3 (28:17):
I love him too, though, I just I love him as.
Speaker 1 (28:20):
A blocker, but I don't I mean and him being
like I mean john and Smith has disappeared.
Speaker 3 (28:27):
Johnny Smith has disappeared down a little shock that he's
as underwhelming as he is. I love Washington because defensive
coordinators hate playing against unicorns. It's really hard to prepare
for those players. Now, I think you can make an
argument that maybe they're trying to feature him in the
in the passing game more than they should. I'll buy that,
(28:50):
but I definitely think they're a better team when he's
on the field overall.
Speaker 1 (28:57):
Talk about the matchup against the Chargers. I've seen them
play probably a couple games all the way through parts
of others, and I think they're good. But they're kind
of up and down, just like the Steelers, aren't.
Speaker 3 (29:08):
They they are, and so much of it is just
dependent on the health of their offensive line, and the
Steelers are getting them at a really good time. When
Rashaun Slater is a big time offensive tackle who was
lost in the preseason. He's done but when Alt is in,
(29:28):
they can kind of live with that Slater injury. When
he's out, it's a disaster. And that's exactly what happened yesterday.
Tennessee's probably the worst pass rushing team in the league,
and after Alt's injury, Herbert was under duress, like every
snap that they dropped back. And I'm a huge Herbert fan.
And they have a really good, deep group of weapons too,
(29:51):
much like the Packers and Colts, and I'll be honest,
I kind of like the defense. But the Harbought, the
team that Harboughts took over a few years ago needed
a lot and they're probably step six of ten in
terms of their total revamping of the roster. But they
got Herbert and that makes a lot of problems go away.
(30:13):
But I think you're getting them at a really good
time just because of the Alt injury.
Speaker 1 (30:18):
Well yeah, the all injury dually noted and that is
a big loss for them and a big thing that's gonna,
you know, really hurt Herbert, as we saw already. But
like when I look at the Chargers except for Herbert,
who I love, there's not a lot I love. There's
a lot I like, but I'm not sure I get past,
like on a lot of it, does that make sense?
Speaker 3 (30:40):
I'm I understand with you, Like who are you really
afraid of? Or who are real difference makers? You know,
Khalil Mack's good at this stage of his career, but
he ain't what he used to be. I mentioned that
they're pass catchers collectively or probably a lot better than
people think. The tackles were supposed to be the strength
of the team, and that's what they're built around, but
they're not there, you know. And the defense Derwyn James
(31:03):
and some other guys are good players, and it's a
good scheme, but it's not like man Michah Parsons is
coming to town.
Speaker 1 (31:11):
If the Steelers win this one, and we all play
the what if game and examine the standings probably more
than we should this early in the season, Matt. But
I have thought the Ravens could catch the Steelers by
December seventh, the day that will live an infamy when
they play each other. But now I'm thinking the Steelers
might be able to hold them off longer than that.
Speaker 3 (31:31):
Yeah, I really thought going into yesterday that the division
was in trouble, you know that. I thought they're gonna
lose the Colts and then maybe have a four game
losing streak against the Chargers. But I didn't see the
Colts win coming. And I think some things happened to
the Chargers and name of the Alt injury that really
hinders their chances of winning that game. I'm sure there'd
(31:52):
be a lot of stew Fans in attendance that if
you can get this win, just the math of it
all doesn't really work in the Ravens favor.
Speaker 1 (32:02):
And I think there's on going to be one team
making it out of the division.
Speaker 2 (32:06):
What say you?
Speaker 1 (32:07):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (32:07):
I one agree, And I mean I think the Patriots
and Bills are locks. I think at least two, maybe
three are coming out of the West, and right now
the Jags would be in if the season's over. So yeah,
I think it's almost a lock that there's only one
North team going.
Speaker 1 (32:21):
You know, you know what to be I don't want
to say funny, Matt, but it would be typical of
maybe the Steelers not winning a playoff game for the
past seven years. What if the Steelers win the division
and the Bills and Chiefs are both wild cards.
Speaker 3 (32:34):
Yeah, that's not crazy talk. I mean, there's a really
good chance that one or two of the division leaders
will be an underdog in wildcard weekend.
Speaker 1 (32:45):
Finally, Matt, this is more of a general question, but
it's something to bugs me that the Jags kicker kicked
the sixty eight yard field goal yesterday. Why are field
goals so much easier to make from distance?
Speaker 2 (32:56):
And is that good or bad for football? Because I
don't like it.
Speaker 3 (33:00):
This is actually a long conversation that I'd love to have.
But I did a little bit of research on this,
and there's a couple of articles now that the kicking
balls are different. Now there's a new rule that nobody's
talking about, that the teams can doctor up the kicking
balls more than they used to do. They used to
come right out of the package and be like kicking
(33:22):
a rock. And I also think they're rounder than they
used to be because the league wants more points. And frankly,
the kickers are way better than they used to be too.
I mean, I think that there's more private trainers, you know,
things of that nature. That's you know, the top guys
are so much better than they've ever been. I mean,
the bar is higher, but there's an I urge people
(33:43):
to do a little bit of research on it, because
it'd be a much longer conversation. But there was a
rule in terms of the kicking balls and what the
teams are allowed to do to docor them up. That
is definitely paying off.
Speaker 2 (33:57):
Yeah, I'll give them kicking balls. I hate it.
Speaker 1 (33:59):
I'd take the goal us off the friggin' field. Matt,
great stuff as always.
Speaker 2 (34:02):
We'll do it again next week, all right, man, that's
the great Matt Williamson boy.
Speaker 1 (34:07):
A lot of insight there, Matt brought to us by
the Steelers Pro shop. Get it direct from the team
at shop dot Steelers dot com. Uh, we got Phil
Borg joining me for hockey talk at four thirty. You
don't forget. The Penguins play at Toronto tonight. Here all
the action right here on the X and come watch
the game with me at Pittsburgh Brewing Company in Creighton.
(34:28):
It's right off through twenty eight. I'm giving away a
bunch of bobbleheads Lemieux, Crosby, Malkin Latang, come and get them.
That's tonight at the Pittsburgh Brewing Company in Creighton. What
oh five ninety X Tonight's it's the Penns against the
Maple Leafs.
Speaker 5 (34:46):
Game time is seven thirty. Our coverage starts at six thirty.
Listen to every game and the best Pens coverage on
your home of the Pittsburgh Penguins five nine X.
Speaker 2 (34:57):
At three six five is paying out before the final whistle.
Check out put three six fives onable
This is the Mark Maddon Show. Colored lights can hypnotize
sparkles someone else's eyes.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Oh woman, just stay away. Eh.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Saw Bachman Turner Overdrive last night, Randy Botman doing a
lot of guests who it was just great. When I
was in seventh grade, that's the first time I wrote
a school bus seventh grade. From grades one through six,
I walked to and from Reserve Tonsip Elementary School. Seventh
grade we went to Millville Junior High. That was in
the early days of the Shaler School District merger. And
(00:32):
I remember very distinctly that Bachmanturner Overdrive had this huge
album out then. I want to say it was the
not Fragile album with taking Care of Business and you
Ain't Seen Nothing Yet. And our bus driver had that
in the eight track back and forth every day for
(00:53):
I don't know how long, and it was great. It's
great songs and seeing bto last night really brought back
those memories. Very good show. Pac Toss at the Palace
Theater in Greensburg. Went to this distillery on the corner beforehand.
They had blueberry whiskey. I wish I remember the name
of the place. I'll I'll get it and maybe say
it later, But blueberry whiskey that's usually trying too hard.
(01:17):
This Blueberry risky was was right on the money. So
a good time was had by all. A good time
was had by the Steelers yesterday. If you want to
talk Steelers, dial four one two. Damn it, why do
we have the area code in the middle of our number.
It's eight three three four one two wxdx eight three
(01:39):
three four one two w xdx. There were two under
the radar things I want to note about that Steelers
defensive effort. Well, actually more than that, I mean not
that this is under the radar bit them having that
four to three look and sometimes it's three inside back
(01:59):
or some times it's three edge guys. I thought that
went a long way toward confusing the Colts and containing
Jonathan Taylor. We're gonna have our football guru, Matt Williamson
on at the bottom of the hour and he'll drill
deep helping us figure that out. Because I know what
I saw. I'm not sure exactly what it did, neither
or you. Matt Williamson. He gonna be sure and he
(02:21):
gonna tell us. But as far as the under the
radar stuff, the Steelers had their hands up on the
pass rush and batted some balls away like the Peyton
Wilson play. On that Sawyer pick, Cam Hayward batted a
couple balls down and talk of the devil. Secondly, the
rookie Jack Sawyer, the modern day warrior, who got that pick.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
He's very useful.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Especially I'm thinking when the Steelers give that four to three,
Look why because he's an edge, he's a legit outside
back or two if you want to nitpick between the two,
and he's big enough for like I said, to play
in that kind of four to three look. So, uh,
excellent stuff by the Steelers, excellent stuff by that defense.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
But can they keep it up? Eight one to three?
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Al right?
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Eight one three eight three to three. Why couldn't we
just have kept the old number A three three four
one two wxdx Uh. Tom and I talked a bit
about the World Series before. Here's my World Series commentary.
It wasn't the best World Series ever. That's recency bias.
But it was real good. Home one in the ninth
to tie it, Home one in the eleventh to win it.
(03:38):
Fat dude hits into a double play to end it. Uh,
that's good.
Speaker 2 (03:44):
Cinema.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
It's fun to see an entire country's hopes get crushed, and.
Speaker 2 (03:49):
It's even more fun when that country is Canada.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Uh, let's do it again in the spring with all
the Canadian teams in the NHL. Yamamoto was amazing three
to zero in the World Series one Game six and
one Game seven on consecutive days, stole the spotlight from Otani.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
LA has now won twice in a row.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
With MLB's biggest payroll this year, they're the third biggest
in baseball.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Last year.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
That doesn't mean everything, but it don't mean nothing. Toronto
was not a poverty underdog. Toronto's payroll was two hundred
and fifty five mil, seventh in MLB LA's payroll. Like
I said, three hundred and fifty mil just just absurd.
The cry is getting louder for a salary cap. MLB
(04:41):
has one more year on its current CBA. And the
weird thing is, like Tom and I were talking about,
the rich teams want a cap and the poor teams don't.
The rinch teams want spending reeled back in and they
want cost certainty. The poor teams don't want a cap
four and to have to spend two. That cap for
that's a bizarro world cap for feud, But it's.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
One hundred percent true. It was a great World Series.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
I was hoping LA would trade for schemes in the
middle of extra innings and trot him out there.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
But someday.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
People say that baseball's flawed, huge ratings, great World Series,
number two market in America against an entire country. I
read somewhere that Fox Sports, because the series went seven games,
generated three hundred and thirty million in in game revenue
(05:39):
three hundred and thirty million. So if you think the
sport's broken, that's only cause you live in Pittsburgh and
nobody gives a freak about the Pirates. Heck, nobody gives
a friing about I mean, what would you have wanted
the series to be in the interest of fairness Cleveland
and Milwaukee. Nobody cares about Cleveland and Milwaukee. They don't
even in Cleveland and Milwaukee, they don't care all that. No,
(05:59):
in Milwaukee they do. In Cleveland they do. But fam
FM and FU because Pittsburgh don't count. The Savannah Bananas
op through the Pirates in the pirates own ballpark.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
The Savannah Bananas caught more than the Pirates.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
The number to call again eight three to three, four
one two WSDX Pitt one Yahoo at Stanford thirty five
to twenty.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Pitt is seven and two. I'm not excited.
Speaker 1 (06:28):
It's a kind of weak acc type of seven and two.
And they did lose the West Virginny and they did
blow it against Louisville. Pitt was sloppy. Four turnovers at Stanford.
This messer schmid kid at quarterback. He's pretty good. Wait
wait Heinkel does that sound right?
Speaker 4 (06:49):
Oh?
Speaker 1 (06:49):
Heinchel, Henchel, he's good. I guess two picks. Wake me
when they're in the a SEC championship game. If indeed
they are, I guess it's not a possible right for
them to make it, but I don't care. Penn State
got killed at Ohio State, so the coaching change really helped.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
A three three four one two w XDX. We got
Matt Williams and don't miss that.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
He's gonna break down what the Steelers did with the
three inside backers and sometimes the three outside backers and
Ramsey at safety. It's smart Man show one O five
to nine. I had a couple of tweets yesterday and
today about how I think Danny Smith is a clown,
(07:35):
the Steeler special teams coach. He just bugs me, and
he's on TV too much because he's a clown. That's
what gets him on TV. And I got a bunch
of tweets and even an email. I have one guy
that sends me really nasty email saying and the guy,
the email guy said, I don't know why I listened
to you. You're making fun of a Steeler legend. Okay,
Danny Smith's not a Steeler legend. He's a special teams
(07:57):
coach and really more of a mascot than anything. And
if he does a great job, then how come the
coach converted a fake punt yesterday? Easiest pie? But uh,
if you like him, that's okay. If he does a
good job, that's okay. He just bugs me. And as
far as threatening to not listen to my show, as
(08:18):
I keep saying, there's never been a better time to
not listen. From here on, this show is just for
me what I like, and I'm going to say what
I will, and come to think of it, that's how
it's always been.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
I'm just more open about it now.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
Uh.
Speaker 1 (08:31):
This is Kyle Brant on Good Morning Football. About the
Steelers being headed to a familiar destination.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
The Steelers.
Speaker 4 (08:39):
I am always so amused by the nuclear magnetic attraction.
The Steelers have the ten and seven.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
They will get there.
Speaker 4 (08:45):
If they start zero to seven, they're gonna go win
ten in a row. If they start ten and zher,
they're gonna lose.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
Seven in a row.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
I promise you. This was the perfect Steelers game in
which written him off. This is Tomlin's first losing season.
This this, this, and they come out and have him
really impressive win in front of the home crowd. The
Steelers will get there.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
You know it.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
I know it.
Speaker 4 (09:04):
No matter how they have to do it, they will
be in the playoffs.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
That's pretty good. Nuclear magnetic attraction unquote. I love it.
Speaker 1 (09:13):
But brand presents that like it's good. I think it's
bad because I want more. You want more, at least
you should. You shouldn't want a division title. Maybe ten
and seven gets that. Probably you shouldn't want a playoff win.
(09:33):
But what if the Steelers win the AFC North and
Buffalo and Kansas City are both wild cards, which could
easily happen. Yesterday was a great win. I'm fired up,
but more exemplary of the Steelers inconsistency than anything else,
And Kyle Brandt's right. I think, like Keith thinks, it's
(09:54):
all headed to the same place. But hey, if you
want to convince me it could be better, could go better,
that they could win a playoff game and then some
that's simple. Go out to Los Angeles and beat the Chargers.
River Hawns with a playoff win Saturday night, zero zero
(10:16):
against Hartford after one hundred and twenty minutes, but Pittsburgh
advances past Hartford on pks and because the number one
seed got upset, the River Hawns host Detroit in a
conference semifinal this Saturday, so up the Hounds. It was
a good time at high Mark, good time at Anfield.
On Saturday, Liverpool breaks their four game Premier League losing
(10:39):
streak with a two zero win against Villa. Tomorrow's show
will be with distraction. I think it's safe to say
because Liverpool play Real Madrid in Champions League action. And
I went to the North Hills High school football game
Friday night at Bethel Park. North Hill's got beat their
(11:01):
seasons over. But uh, I like that team. It's a
good group, always one hundred percent effort, they play hard.
It's a young team and I think it's gonna be
better next year. So up the Indians. Good job by
the kids.
Speaker 2 (11:16):
All right?
Speaker 1 (11:17):
Up next, I can't wait for this. Our football guru
Matt Williamson is gonna drill down on the Steelers in
that four to three look, the occasional use of three
edge guys, the occasional use of three inside backers, and
Jalen Ramsey it's safety. Did it succeed and should it continue?
(11:40):
That's Matt Williamson. Next here on one oh five ninety X.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
It's The Woody Show Weekday morning six. Get enough.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
If you're Pittsburgh Steelers, then check out the latest podcast
from Steeles.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
It's a super genius Mark Mad the cream comes to
the top. I feel like I'm just bubbling over.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
You went a pants by on the air that I wasn't.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
Who told you the exit? One oh five nine? Wow.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
We got a lot to talk about today with our
football guru pro in college Scott Matt Williamson.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
You hear him on Steelers Nation Audio.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
Matt, what did the Steelers do on defense with that
kind of four to three look?
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Who was involved in doing what?
Speaker 3 (12:23):
Yeah, that's definitely a new wrinkle and an interesting one.
And I'm basically what they did was it was a
basically a true four to three stack like you used
to see all the time. And the three was not
a Herbig or a Watt or a high Smith. It
was an off the ball linebacker. And I found it
(12:44):
kind of curious. I'm like, Holcome's out for this game.
He's your third best guy, and Harrison's coming back. What's
the logic? I mean, is Harrison so great he has
to see the field? Like I've kind of lobbyed with Herbig,
you know, you change your your personnel usage And the
answer is no. But what they were doing behind the
four to three I think was really interesting too in
(13:06):
that they played a lot a lot more too high safeties. Looks.
You know, they're at the top of the league in
single high safety. You know, think about minca and center field. Well,
in this game they played a lot more too high safeties.
And where I'm going with this, and I'm sure this
is the logic behind it is Harrison's a big body dude.
(13:28):
He doesn't run real well, but he's kind of your
land and Roberts run thumper between the tackle, you know,
big guy that if they're going to play too high,
they're going to have a big run stuffer to deal
with the Taylor problem. And it worked really well. I
think it's an interesting wrinkley, be honest, I give the
coaching staff credit. I mean, like everyone, I don't think
(13:51):
you know the criticism of Tomlin and the coaching staff.
Are they willing to change things up? Well they did
in this game for sure.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
No, no question. So that is they contained Taylor through
that formation.
Speaker 3 (14:03):
Yeah, somewhat, And they also got away from Taylor more
than I would have. And you know, frankly, the Cam
Haywards of the world and everybody involved played the run
better as they did in the first half against Josh
Jacobs too, you know, so, but that was one of
the wrinkles that certainly was helpful.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
I thought the tackling was really clean too. I thought
that was one reason they kind of contained Taylor, which
it ain't always been.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
That's a great call because there's been two or three
games the Bengal game early in the season when the
tackling has been really poor, like bottom of the league,
and that's a huge difference when their run defense is
good and bad.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
Of course, now we also saw some formations where they
used basically three edge guys, including when TJ. Watt was
not there, they went with Sawyer and her Big and Highsmith.
Though what was that all about?
Speaker 3 (14:55):
Yeah, And I don't have a great logic behind that either,
but I do think that there were changing things. Not
that necessarily for the sake of change. That sounds like
a bad way of looking at it, but I think
that they realized, Man, this is such a stiff test.
I mean, I still think it's the best offense in
the league that they faced yesterday, and certainly was coming
(15:16):
into the game that Stichen has really had Tomlin's number
wherever they've matched up. That we have to do things different.
And again I think that they looked in the mirror
and said, as a coaching staff, we're gonna have to
look at this team different. We're gonna have to look
at this defense different. And you know, the safety situation
was up in the up in the air a great deal.
(15:37):
I thought Dougar and Ramsey were really good pairing and
maybe should just be the safeties going forward. I gotta
give that some more thought. And I also thought Tomlin
went forward on fourth down more coached a little more aggressive,
realize this is not a game that's probably going to
be played in the teams or the twenties, So more wrinkles,
I thought, you know, set the Colts back a little bit.
Speaker 1 (15:59):
Jack is useful in situations like we're describing because he's
kind of a hybrid. You know, he's big enough to
line up inside if you want him. He gives you
a different look. He's an edge rusher, but more of
an outside linebacker too, if there's a distinction to be
made there.
Speaker 3 (16:15):
Yeah, one thousand percent. And I didn't really of all
the draft picks, that's the one I liked the least
at the time and didn't see coming the most at
the time. But I think if you go back exactly frankly,
like exactly one year when they traded for Preston Smith,
real similar styles. I mean, they're both real big edge
(16:36):
guys that can reduce down inside. They're not real bendy,
They're not like a herbig speedball off the edge. But
I do think that their presence is important, especially like
when you're playing the Ravens and Patrick Riccard and the
Jonathan Taylor's of the world that are physical and some
of these good lines like the Colts, so I didn't
(16:56):
understand the pick when they made it, but it's started
to add up pretty quick afterwards.
Speaker 1 (17:01):
Now, you mentioned Ramsey and Dugger at safety, and I
like those two guys back there too. Should Ramsey stay
at safety period and should Dougger keep starting?
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Yes on Dougger, because well, I'm also still really intrigued
with Peppers. To be honest with you, I think Clark
is terrible and can't run anymore. Thorne and thorn Hill
that I just don't think they trust at all. He
makes too many mistakes and I just don't think they
trust him. So I am still interested in Peppers, which
(17:33):
is something we haven't got to see much of lately.
But I think you have to at least run it
back for the short term because it was so stabilizing.
I mean, Ramsey's ability to do so many things is
on display. Dougger didn't hurt you, played a ton of snaps,
made some plays stood out, and I thought in a
good way all in all. My hesitation to saying Ramsey
(17:56):
should stay at safety, though, is are you good enough
at You were for this day, but are you for
the rest of the way. I don't know, but it
could be subject to change, you know, you don't have
to be married to it.
Speaker 1 (18:09):
In the middle of all the ex's and o's talk, Matt,
I thought the Steelers defense did real good against the
real good Colts offensive line, and I think part of
that seemed to be they just kept their hands up.
Speaker 2 (18:19):
Look how many batted balls yesterday.
Speaker 3 (18:22):
Yeah, and even just looking at the numbers over the
last two or three years, they're far and away the
best team at batting passes at the line of scrimmage.
And that can't be a fluke to me anymore. Cam
Hayward's is the best in the league since JJ Watt retired.
I always wonder if JJ taught something to Cam after
he hung them up. Who knows, But I do think
(18:45):
that's a huge component of it. But they won one
on mone matchups a lot. I mean, that is definitely
a top three or four offensive line that they faced.
Cam Hayward once again got the better of Nelson pretty repeatedly.
The edge I thought really won their battles against the tackles,
against the run and the pass. So yeah, I mean
(19:06):
the defensive line Harmon played a really good game Benton
as well. I think it's in a good place now
after a rough start of the season, so we knew
at least, I mean, I think we've had faith that
the defensive line was going to be the strength of
the defense, and they've had their ups and downs throughout
the year, but I really thought that they showed how
(19:27):
good they can be. And I want to give high
Smith's credit too, because his ankle was pretty bad from
what I was sold, and he went right back out
there and had a fantastic game.
Speaker 1 (19:35):
Yeah, that was his best game of the season, I thought,
And I thought it was Peyton Wilson's best NFL game ever.
I was shocked by the amount of athleticism he displayed.
He's kind of a meat and potatoes guy, but boy,
that leaped to back the ball to Jack Sawyer and
you know, his pick and some of the tackles he made.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
He was everywhere.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
Yeah, And it's funny because you know, I take notes
after the game and just things to talk about during
the week, and Benton Harmon and especially Teyton Wilson, I
just put down, are in really good spots of their development.
You know that they're coming along well, you're seeing obvious progress.
I would like to see Wilson and queen be guys
(20:16):
that just never leave the field. I mean, to me,
Wilson might be the best off the ball linebacker they have.
He's very athletic. He's got a weird body type. He's
kind of tall and short arms and doesn't take on blocks. Great,
but that's not uncommon in today's league. Really good in coverage,
So I think Wilson's ascending rapidly.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
We're talking to Matt Williamson, our football gurer. He's brought
to us by the Steelers Pro Shop. Get it direct
from the team at shop dot Steelers dot com. Matt,
I felt like TJ. Wat stripsack won the game. Reverse
the momentum. If Indy goes in and scores there and
makes it fourteen nothing, boy, I wonder yeah.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
And I gotta be honest, I was quite worried how
the game began, you know, in general, and that Watt play,
along with the obviously the gifts that they got of
the botched punt, the muff was really helpful. But I
can't stress enough. And hey, I've had my doubts too,
But I mean, the guys that you're paying, the guys
(21:18):
are invested in. The leaders on defense really showed up
in timely manners against a high, high quality opponent and
that watt play, as you mentioned, is dead on. And
you know the example of that.
Speaker 1 (21:31):
The Steelers had five takeaways against New England and six yesterday.
But I feel like the defense made more plays yesterday,
if that makes sense. There was more taking than there
was giving. I thought New England committed giveaways.
Speaker 3 (21:45):
Yeah, that's funny because I mentioned the same thing on
the Drive just a couple of months ago we were recording,
and I thought, man, yes, they took advantage of Patriot mistakes.
You know, that's a young team where this game they
caused the mistakes. You know, they dictated it except for
the muff. You know.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
Now, why did the Steelers running game fizzle?
Speaker 1 (22:06):
That's one thing in this game I thought they could
very likely con on and it didn't do much.
Speaker 3 (22:12):
Yeah, and it's real easy to sit here on Monday
and be like, everything's roses. The team's great, But there
were some offensive things that went backwards, and I thought
the running game was at the top of that list.
And if we kind of go back chronologically, they didn't
do anything on the ground the second half against Green Bay,
mostly because they didn't try. I think, which I had
(22:32):
a real problem with at the time. So I'm not
concerned about I mean, progress is linear on these things,
because I do think the running game has been strongly
trending the right direction over the last month or so.
But this will be a critical week to say are
they a good running team or not? Because I was underwhelmed,
to say the least, and I thought the line played well.
(22:54):
I don't think it was Warren's fault. I don't think
it was a Lion's fault. But I don't have a
great reason why they didn't run the ball better.
Speaker 1 (23:00):
Yeah, they just seem to pull out of the running
game too early and fairly consistently. You know, they always
emphasize it, but seem to have a lack of faith
in it.
Speaker 3 (23:10):
Yes, and I think we're all Aaron Rodgers fans and
I'm not bashing the guy at all.
Speaker 2 (23:15):
Of course me too.
Speaker 3 (23:16):
But we can't right, I mean, everybody's we can't forget
that he has so much freedom at the line of scrimmage.
And we'll never know this answer, but I'm pretty certain
that Arthur Smith wants to run the football. What is
certain that Rogers wants to run the football?
Speaker 2 (23:35):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (23:36):
Well, right, you can't certainly fault Rogers for the results
he's produced and certainly the confidence he's imbued the entire
platoon with. And staying with that, I thought Rogers was
very good, not great. The numbers weren't terrific, but he's
so precise at the moment of truth that twenty seven
points coming off turnovers, and afterward he said it's not enough,
and I like him setting the bar high.
Speaker 3 (23:57):
Yeah, I love that he said that. You know, you know,
we got a lot of the defense set us up,
and yes, we put the ball in the end zone,
which is amazing in itself. I mean, Rogers already has
the most touchdown passes by a Steeler quarterback since Ben's
last year. And it's not I mean we just hit
in November. I mean, he has more more passing touchdowns
(24:20):
than any of those guys did in a season here,
And you're right. I mean, he has such a head
for the game. You could tell the respect that all
of his teammates have for him. And they listen to
him and they jump and they say how high whenever
he asks to ask him to jump, And the skills
are still there. I mean more and more, I know,
(24:40):
we can talk about this stuff in the offseason, but
I sure wouldn't mind if he considered coming back for
another year.
Speaker 1 (24:49):
You you made a couple of references to not getting
too giddy over this win, and I agree. I think
it's a great win, but I still think there's a
lot to be done, especially in terms of proving their consistency,
at least on defense. I mean, I mean, Matt, they
got not gained by over one hundred yards, got six takeaways,
and still won by just seven. I'm not sure what's
(25:09):
hidden in those facts, but there's something there.
Speaker 3 (25:13):
Oh, no doubt. I mean, now, I will say usually
when that's happened this year or facsimiles of the Steeler
defense is pretty poor on a play by play basis,
and I thought that this was the best that the
defense has played down after down. And yes, the splash
that they created was super impactful, but it wasn't the
(25:35):
whole story. There's been a lot of these games where man,
they're just people are moving the ball left and right
on these guys Steelers just got squeaked by because of
their splash. Now, some of the yardage was garbage time.
I mean, there was a lot of passing yards to
Pittman in particular late in the game against you know,
prevent defenses and whatnot. But no, you're right. I mean
(25:56):
you can make the argument still as well as the
defense played on a play by play basis, that the
Colts were the better team down in and down out.
I mean, like the Colts were really good on third
and fourth downs. And frankly, I'm not trying to harp
on the negatives at all because I am really encouraged
by this game top to bottom. But it was a
(26:17):
pretty underwhelming offensive performance by the Steelers.
Speaker 1 (26:20):
Yeah, Like I said, if it wasn't for Rogers's opportunism
and his precision at the moment of truth, like, there
were a lot of other like kind of shaky moments.
I mean, like like we've talked about the lack of
a running game, and Rogers's numbers were not overwhelming, and
that begs the question.
Speaker 3 (26:37):
What it also wasn't a great wide receiver game. I mean,
the wide receivers in general weren't very exciting.
Speaker 2 (26:41):
That Once again, great minds thinking of life.
Speaker 1 (26:43):
I was about to ask, why is DK metcalf so
a uninvolved be unimpressive?
Speaker 3 (26:51):
Well, I would have not had a great answer for
you up until just recently. And I can't confirm this.
I was not on the sideline, but I was told
by multiple sources that he much liked Hulcombe and Pepper's
as was dealing with a pretty strong illness, that he
(27:11):
was just kind of out there in a decoy manner
for this game and was getting ivs and getting a
lot of attention, and that could add up. But I mean,
if you asked me this a week ago, I would say,
I really like Metcalf. I think it was a good trade.
I have no problem with the contract. But I described
him a lot this past week before knowing about the
(27:32):
illness against the Colts, as he seems like a B
plus as opposed to an anus. That there's been three,
like two plays a game where he could make it,
but he doesn't. You know, Turner rips the ball away
from him against the Bengals. Now, I will say, to
his credit, as quote number one wide receivers go, his
(27:56):
targets per game are remarkably low. I mean, he's still
only getting the ball around his way four and five
times a game, and I think that needs to change
when the illness goes away.
Speaker 1 (28:07):
And that begs this question I'm not anti Darnell Washington.
I think they overrate and overuse him. I mean, Rogers
clearly loves him.
Speaker 3 (28:17):
I love him too, though, I just I love him as.
Speaker 1 (28:20):
A blocker, but I don't I mean and him being
like I mean john and Smith has disappeared.
Speaker 3 (28:27):
Johnny Smith has disappeared down a little shock that he's
as underwhelming as he is. I love Washington because defensive
coordinators hate playing against unicorns. It's really hard to prepare
for those players. Now, I think you can make an
argument that maybe they're trying to feature him in the
in the passing game more than they should. I'll buy that,
(28:50):
but I definitely think they're a better team when he's
on the field overall.
Speaker 1 (28:57):
Talk about the matchup against the Chargers. I've seen them
play probably a couple games all the way through parts
of others, and I think they're good. But they're kind
of up and down, just like the Steelers, aren't.
Speaker 3 (29:08):
They they are, and so much of it is just
dependent on the health of their offensive line, and the
Steelers are getting them at a really good time. When
Rashaun Slater is a big time offensive tackle who was
lost in the preseason. He's done but when Alt is in,
(29:28):
they can kind of live with that Slater injury. When
he's out, it's a disaster. And that's exactly what happened yesterday.
Tennessee's probably the worst pass rushing team in the league,
and after Alt's injury, Herbert was under duress, like every
snap that they dropped back. And I'm a huge Herbert fan.
And they have a really good, deep group of weapons too,
(29:51):
much like the Packers and Colts, and I'll be honest,
I kind of like the defense. But the Harbought, the
team that Harboughts took over a few years ago needed
a lot and they're probably step six of ten in
terms of their total revamping of the roster. But they
got Herbert and that makes a lot of problems go away.
(30:13):
But I think you're getting them at a really good
time just because of the Alt injury.
Speaker 1 (30:18):
Well yeah, the all injury dually noted and that is
a big loss for them and a big thing that's gonna,
you know, really hurt Herbert, as we saw already. But
like when I look at the Chargers except for Herbert,
who I love, there's not a lot I love. There's
a lot I like, but I'm not sure I get past,
like on a lot of it, does that make sense?
Speaker 3 (30:40):
I'm I understand with you, Like who are you really
afraid of? Or who are real difference makers? You know,
Khalil Mack's good at this stage of his career, but
he ain't what he used to be. I mentioned that
they're pass catchers collectively or probably a lot better than
people think. The tackles were supposed to be the strength
of the team, and that's what they're built around, but
they're not there, you know. And the defense Derwyn James
(31:03):
and some other guys are good players, and it's a
good scheme, but it's not like man Michah Parsons is
coming to town.
Speaker 1 (31:11):
If the Steelers win this one, and we all play
the what if game and examine the standings probably more
than we should this early in the season, Matt. But
I have thought the Ravens could catch the Steelers by
December seventh, the day that will live an infamy when
they play each other. But now I'm thinking the Steelers
might be able to hold them off longer than that.
Speaker 3 (31:31):
Yeah, I really thought going into yesterday that the division
was in trouble, you know that. I thought they're gonna
lose the Colts and then maybe have a four game
losing streak against the Chargers. But I didn't see the
Colts win coming. And I think some things happened to
the Chargers and name of the Alt injury that really
hinders their chances of winning that game. I'm sure there'd
(31:52):
be a lot of stew Fans in attendance that if
you can get this win, just the math of it
all doesn't really work in the Ravens favor.
Speaker 1 (32:02):
And I think there's on going to be one team
making it out of the division.
Speaker 2 (32:06):
What say you?
Speaker 1 (32:07):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (32:07):
I one agree, And I mean I think the Patriots
and Bills are locks. I think at least two, maybe
three are coming out of the West, and right now
the Jags would be in if the season's over. So yeah,
I think it's almost a lock that there's only one
North team going.
Speaker 1 (32:21):
You know, you know what to be I don't want
to say funny, Matt, but it would be typical of
maybe the Steelers not winning a playoff game for the
past seven years. What if the Steelers win the division
and the Bills and Chiefs are both wild cards.
Speaker 3 (32:34):
Yeah, that's not crazy talk. I mean, there's a really
good chance that one or two of the division leaders
will be an underdog in wildcard weekend.
Speaker 1 (32:45):
Finally, Matt, this is more of a general question, but
it's something to bugs me that the Jags kicker kicked
the sixty eight yard field goal yesterday. Why are field
goals so much easier to make from distance?
Speaker 2 (32:56):
And is that good or bad for football? Because I
don't like it.
Speaker 3 (33:00):
This is actually a long conversation that I'd love to have.
But I did a little bit of research on this,
and there's a couple of articles now that the kicking
balls are different. Now there's a new rule that nobody's
talking about, that the teams can doctor up the kicking
balls more than they used to do. They used to
come right out of the package and be like kicking
(33:22):
a rock. And I also think they're rounder than they
used to be because the league wants more points. And frankly,
the kickers are way better than they used to be too.
I mean, I think that there's more private trainers, you know,
things of that nature. That's you know, the top guys
are so much better than they've ever been. I mean,
the bar is higher, but there's an I urge people
(33:43):
to do a little bit of research on it, because
it'd be a much longer conversation. But there was a
rule in terms of the kicking balls and what the
teams are allowed to do to docor them up. That
is definitely paying off.
Speaker 2 (33:57):
Yeah, I'll give them kicking balls. I hate it.
Speaker 1 (33:59):
I'd take the goal us off the friggin' field. Matt,
great stuff as always.
Speaker 2 (34:02):
We'll do it again next week, all right, man, that's
the great Matt Williamson boy.
Speaker 1 (34:07):
A lot of insight there, Matt brought to us by
the Steelers Pro shop. Get it direct from the team
at shop dot Steelers dot com. Uh, we got Phil
Borg joining me for hockey talk at four thirty. You
don't forget. The Penguins play at Toronto tonight. Here all
the action right here on the X and come watch
the game with me at Pittsburgh Brewing Company in Creighton.
(34:28):
It's right off through twenty eight. I'm giving away a
bunch of bobbleheads Lemieux, Crosby, Malkin Latang, come and get them.
That's tonight at the Pittsburgh Brewing Company in Creighton. What
oh five ninety X Tonight's it's the Penns against the
Maple Leafs.
Speaker 5 (34:46):
Game time is seven thirty. Our coverage starts at six thirty.
Listen to every game and the best Pens coverage on
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Speaker 2 (34:57):
At three six five is paying out before the final whistle.
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