December 1, 2025 • 32 mins
Mark takes your calls on the 15 to hear your Steelers angst. Matt Williamson joins the show to talk Steelers Bills
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
We got calls on the fifteens. Next eight three three
four one two WXDX. Give me your angst, give me
your quarterback stuff. Give me you're tired, you're poor, you're
hunting masses yearning to breathe. Three that number again, eight
three three four one two WXDX.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Do you get that they suck yet? I'm not sure
you do.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
I think if they win Sunny at Baltimore, which they
could because Baltimore sucks too, you're gonna think that all
is well and they could beat anybody because the AFC
is such a bad conference.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
But they suck.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
It's amazing how little it takes to make the Steelers fold,
like the beginning of that third quarter yesterday. It's amazing
how really bad that defense is. And they got their
two takeaways, but it didn't matter. What was invisible. Cam
was invisible, Ramsey was no hero. All the big money
bozos were no shows. That defense was supposed to be historic,
(01:07):
and now it's stealing money and owes everybody an apology,
an apology, Senator, No, seriously, these guys wanted more money,
make more than Garrett feed my family.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Not being paid commensurate with.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
What I contribute blah blah blah, and now they blow goats.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
I mean, Cam Hayward should apologize to all of you. TJ.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
Watson apologized to all of you. I'm sorry, I'm getting
paid too much.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
I suck. I've let you down. I've let the city down.
I've let my family down.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
I haven't let the Mark Madden show down because just
like Joe Donardo, Mark said it would.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
I love mister Donardo, I miss him so much.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
I we can take all of the young guys in
the media and.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
That would come out wrong if I said what I'm thinking. Uh,
what do you guys make of all this? Seriously?
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Tom w have gotta go, but he won't. Con gotta go,
but he won't. Rogers shouldn't play, but he will. The
offense won't change, the defense won't change. There might be
a token whatever done. But maybe this isn't any longer
about being unwilling to change. Perhaps it's more likely about
(02:28):
the Tom and all of them they don't know what
to do then again, and not rolling out just the
fact that the Steelers would always rather lose and be
right than win and be wrong.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
You know what I mean?
Speaker 1 (02:44):
They would rather stick with their method because it's the
Steeler way, and it's their idea, and we're gonna do
what we do and make the other team stop us.
Guess what, they're stopping you. They're not really stopping you.
They're pissing all over you. Maybe that's what you like.
Who knows what people do in the ivest in their
own homes? What do they call that? A what was
the Beatles song Golden Slumbers? No, that's not it anyway.
(03:09):
I hate all of it. I hate the offensive play calling,
like asking Rudolph to throw a tricky pass almost as
soon as he enters the game every time.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Although Mason screwed the poots there.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
And you run on third and nine and get eight,
you one on fourth and two, don't make it. But
the biggest problem with the offense is the abject lack
of identity. And let's not forget that's not a great
Buffalo team and one that's badly injured right now, banged up.
On Sunday Night Football, the halftime dudes were saying, how
surprising this wasn't the part.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Of the Steelers.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
Oh it wasn't, not even a little bit. If you
think what happened yesterday was surprising, you just ain't been
paying attention. Roderick joneses out for the season with a
bad neck. I'm not sure it matters, but you got
to decide whether or not to pick up his option
that fifture on the rookie contract before next season, and
(04:07):
if you don't, if you let him go, that's on
the Steelers, not Jones, because the Steelers have mangled Jones's
use and development since day one. Steelers just don't know
what they're doing. Don't know what they're doing. Our buddy,
Logan Cooley of West Smiflin and the Utah Mammoth absorbed
(04:27):
a hard knee on knee hits dude from Saint Louis
got ejected. It was dirty, but it looks like Logan
avoided serious injury. And here's hoping he's not out long
if at all, because he is red hot, very good start.
I'm hoping he makes the US Olympic team. If he don't,
that will be to their detriments. Logan's the best. All
(04:47):
the coolies and Moonies love all those guys out there
in West Smiflin. We'll talk about delaye Kiffin mess at
some point, him leaving Ole Miss for LSU. Now before
the playoffs and wanting to finish there at Ole Miss
when that makes zero sense. Just kiff and grandstanding and
try to take the coordinators with him now, but all
(05:10):
Miss gave him both the rays and the defensive coordinator
is now the head coach, not interim, but the head
coach moving forward. Way ain't Kiffin is everything that's wrong
with college football, that old situation. He had a contract
with Old Miss through twenty thirty one, and he can
just walk. At least now the kids can walk too.
(05:32):
But the college football is just ft, no loyalty, no identity.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
It is why I don't watch.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Somebody asked me, who thinks do you think Texas should be.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
In the playoff? I go, why do you? What do
you mean?
Speaker 1 (05:47):
He goes, well they beat Texas A, and m I go, okay,
Texas A and they were doing pretty good, right, people go,
how can you not follow this? You do this for living?
I go, I do what I want for a living.
And I don't want to watch that because the ruined
it up. Next calls on the fifteens, get your calls
in now eight three, three, four, one two ninety nine
thirty nine.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
It's thanks for calling the exit. One oh five nine. Okay,
I think I got it right.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
It's the sports talk segment that's a new sensation. It's
the radio craze that's sweeping the nation. It is calls
on the fifteens, which we don't have a sponsor for.
By the way, besides sucking and losing, the Steelers are
terrible to watch. No fun, my babe, no fun, and
(06:38):
I know don to doll. They're talking about the need
to fire Tomlin. I don't indulge that because it's just
not gonna happen. I would prefer that you all concentrate
on something that you can directly influence and accomplish, like
ruining the draft by channing fire Tomlin at it and
booing renegade at all games. Moving forward, okay, let's go
(07:01):
to Joel. Hello, Joel, you're on with Mark to eat
you can eat you a.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
Hey.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
Now that we're seeing it all play out, I wanted
to get your updated ranking on these three stupid Steeler
moments now the current TJ. Watt extension, drafting of Kenny
Pickett or trading.
Speaker 5 (07:25):
For Maka Fitzpatrick so we could go eight to eight.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
All of them hurt the team immeasurably. Some moving forward.
I think the most damaging was the Kenny Pickett draft
in the first round when no other team would have
because quarterback is the key to every football team and
they still haven't solved that problem and set themselves back
at least five years.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Due to that.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Pick number two would be the Minkett trade for the
same reason that might have kept them from getting Justin
Herbert and uh TJ. Watson close third though, because there's
no way to move on from it. And the funny
part is they didn't force TJ to play the last
year of his deal and then franchise them after that
(08:13):
because they didn't want the situation with him to be
acrimonious at the end. But now he's playing so bad
there's no doubt it will be acrimonious at the end,
although to release him would cost them just a ton
of dead money if they do it anytime in the
next couple of years.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Let's go to Dave. Dave ask you're.
Speaker 6 (08:31):
All with Mark, Thanks super genius. I just want to
know if the Steelers lose to Baltimore this week, will
you bring back the countdown clock?
Speaker 7 (08:43):
No?
Speaker 2 (08:43):
Because I jinxed the losing season for Tomlin by doing
it the last time.
Speaker 8 (08:46):
So no, okay, no, I might.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
If they would lose, if they would get to six
and eight by losing the next two.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
I would consider it.
Speaker 9 (08:58):
Well, that's fair.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Yet go to Jake and Myrtle Beach. Jake, you're on
with Mark.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
Mark.
Speaker 8 (09:05):
I just want to lay out how stupid the Steelers
short sightedness is. I'll do this quick. Last year, after
the Ravens playoff loss, they fixated on the run defense,
even though there were much larger issues. They drafted a
first round line and they just short up the defensive line.
They said, as long as we get our run defense right,
we're gonna do better. Well, not only is the long
(09:25):
term issues not obviously played out, but even now, the
run defense sucks. The one thing they fixated on stupidly
sucks two hundred and fifty yards yesterday and no effort
guys complaining. I like the short sightedness, and I always had.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
Always hesitate to criticize effort because they're just not very
good on defense.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
They can't tackle.
Speaker 1 (09:46):
Like you heard what what Cook said the Baltimore the
Buffalo running back. He said, we knew their corners couldn't tackle,
so we just kept running at them.
Speaker 8 (09:56):
Y'all want to not say effort is because Cam's complaining
about after the game about that's not effort.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
That's attitude.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
That's attitude, that's pettiness, But it's not effort.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
I think those guys try. I just think they suck.
Speaker 8 (10:10):
And that's the issue of the short sighting this. You won't.
You said, we've got to fix our run defense.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
But let me let me tell you Cam Hayward bitching
about a quarterback bullying him, which is essentially what he did.
He got bullied by a quarterback. And Patrick Queen bitching
because of what a guy with two Super Bowl rings
said is so revelatory when it comes to the pettiness
and the culture of that very flawed Steelers locker. And
let's go to Scoots, Coot, Charlman.
Speaker 10 (10:35):
Mark, Hey, how cathartic was it to see? I think
the crowd finally had its watershed moment and broke because
I never thought i'd see fire Tom on chance in
the middle of the season. How beautiful was that?
Speaker 1 (10:50):
So you're saying the crowds water broke, yes, Well, I
think it's important to note that even had their waterloo.
Speaker 10 (11:00):
Okay, I think the majority Pittsburgh fans finally are past.
Now it's over fifty percent, and I and you'll appreciate this.
What the fans need to do is, yeah, you can
do the draft and whatnot, but they need to start
getting violent and destroy the stadium like I.
Speaker 1 (11:14):
No, no, no, no, no, goodbye goodbye. No no, no,
absolutely not. I would never encourage that. But uh, but
as far as ruining the draft and going there and
chanting fire Tomlin every chance you can and getting it
on national TV when it's supposed to be Art Rooney's big,
uh momentous occasion he finally got the draft in Pittsburgh
(11:37):
to ruin that would be a legitimate reflection of Steeler
fan dissatisfaction. But you won't do it. You don't have
the balls and your mark. She'll go there and do
exactly what they want you to do.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
How's this go? Can I get the rhythm right my mind?
At Waterloo? Napoleon did surrender?
Speaker 1 (12:03):
Oh yeah, And I have met my destiny in quite
a similar way.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Here's here's a prescient line.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
History book on the shelf is always repeating it saved
and boy with the Steelers the last nine years, it
sure has Jude, what's going on?
Speaker 5 (12:26):
Mark, I really can't stand this Steelers team. I think
gutless is the perfect word that you said to describe
the team and the head coach. I think my dream
scenario would be if Miles Garrett breaks TJ. Watts sack
record Week seventeen at Cleveland, and if Cleveland somehow beat
the Steelers to clinch coach T's first losing season, or.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
To knock them, or to eliminate them mathematically from playoff contention,
that too.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Let me tell you. Let me tell you what I
would add to that.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
If I could not only Garrett breaking TJ sack record,
but Shador throws for three hundred and fifty yards and
three touchdowns, that.
Speaker 8 (13:06):
Would be nice.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
Oh when you knew me, dning, can you hear me?
S O s. Let's go to Steve Hey, Mark, how
you doing good?
Speaker 10 (13:22):
So we're beating up on him today?
Speaker 8 (13:24):
But that's okay?
Speaker 7 (13:26):
Is it not just downright embarrassing that, you know, after PJ.
Watt boohoot all summer about his contract and you know,
chasing after what Miles Garrett caught. You know, Miles Garrett's
playing on up, He's playing on a sinking ship anyway.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
Actually he didn't boo who about the contract all summer.
They got that wrapped up in relatively short order with
the minimum of boo hooing. It was Cam who led
the league in boo hooing. What's embarrassing is that what
demanded more than Garrett and now Garrett's not playing him badly?
Speaker 7 (13:56):
Yeah, and again on an already sinking ship. I mean,
it's the Cleveland Browns, but I mean, that's watched the
first jersey I bought with my own money, and it's
it's just it's pretty sad to see.
Speaker 8 (14:06):
Well.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
I like when people make fun of the Browns and
make fun of Garrett for sticking with the Browns, but
he's won more playoff games than TJ Watt has.
Speaker 7 (14:15):
I mean, hey, facts are facts. I don't want to
tell you on that.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
Yeah, thank you for the call.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
Oh cameo request twenty four hours. That's big money. Don't forget.
I'll be at Pittsburgh Brewing Company and Creighton tonight to
watch the Penguins game right off through twenty eight biggest
big screen TV ever. Come and win babbleheads. I got bobbleheads,
(14:43):
lots of bibbleheads up next Matt Williams in one oh
five to nine, It's.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
The Exes Kick Ass Christmas Show with highly Suspect Tuesday,
Emmer Nights at Stay Je Get your tickets now at
WXDX dot com. Okay, highly suspects with flight attendance Tisnes,
(15:15):
He's injury the Jolly Party rocking something. It's the x
IS kick Ass Christmas Show from one oh five to nine.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
D X tis this season he's a component of any
nice state. Thank you for making my day. Yeah what
you said, d X At one oh five nine.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
Steelers with uh, I think their worst performance of the
year and in recent memory. Yesterday joining me not to
talk about it. The former pro and college football Scott
He is our football guru. Matt Williamson. Matt, that was
about as bad as it gets, wasn't it? Not least
how they one hundred percent disintegrated in the third quarter.
Speaker 9 (15:57):
Thousand and I agree with you. That was definitely their
worst showing of the year, maybe with the exception of
the playoff loss in Baltimore, the worst showing in recent memory.
And it's really hard to find things they did well
or even into individual players that had you know, at
(16:18):
least a positive game.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
Should Roders be playing he seems to be limited and
tentative with that broken wrist.
Speaker 9 (16:28):
That's a really tough question because I had a good
conversation with Mike Pursudo on another show about this, you know,
and he was a big believer that the running game
suffers a great deal if he can't be behind center,
you know.
Speaker 2 (16:40):
Or I think so too.
Speaker 1 (16:42):
It takes a lot of pages out of the playbook
and eliminates play.
Speaker 9 (16:45):
Action, correct, right, And again they've been getting away from
play action, which is a whole different conversation that I
disagree with. But man, every little glimpse we see of
Rudolph has gets worse and worse too. I mean, so,
I think there's an argument that maybe they beat the
Bears with Rogers because of his mental acumen, and they
(17:09):
wouldn't have aligned wrong late in the game, and maybe
he completes one deep ball that Rudolph doesn't. But does
that mean that he should be out there? I mean,
that's a really tough question to me, because he hasn't
played well in what three or four games? I mean,
so is he a declining player or is he dealing
(17:31):
with things around him that are bringing him down, and
then Rudolph comes in for just a few snaps and
throws a terrible pick, you know. I mean so, in
terms of.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
What's afflicting Rogers, I think it's all of the above.
I think he's kind of wearying as he gets deep
into the season because he's old. Obviously he's hurt. I
think he's discouraged by the situation. I think he's having
trouble hiding that. And while I do agree that Mason,
you know, gives you every reason to pull him almost
every time, I mean, plays the way he's used, gotta
(18:03):
have him walking on eggshells. I mean, if the same
standard was applied to every player as with Rudolph, the
minute you screw up, you're out of there even once
that that's just not a way to coach for me.
Speaker 9 (18:16):
I hear what you're saying too. And I think he's
a quality too. And people got a little ahead of
themselves with you know, Oh, he can hold down the
fort for a month or two or whatever, and they
definitely coach differently when he's in there. They coach him
up much more like he's Duck Hodges than Ben Roethlisberger,
that's for sure. And that's probably a little unfair to Mason.
(18:39):
The man life of the back of quarterback in this
league just isn't friendly.
Speaker 8 (18:43):
No, it's not.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
But I think it's worse for him because they don't
chaste Rudolph even a little bit.
Speaker 9 (18:50):
And that's very evident, and it's very evident, and I'm
sure well, of course his teammates know it then too,
which doesn't help the confidence overall, you know what I
mean as a title wave effect.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
Now, Rogers talked about his receivers running the right route
on checkdowns single dot John Husmith for not in particular,
and I get it, and I understand his frustration. But
if they're not on the same page in week thirteen, whose.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Fault is that?
Speaker 9 (19:18):
Yeah, that's a great question too. And on that specific play,
and I know we're not talking about just one play.
I watched it several times and it looks like Rudolph
just isn't really or John hu just isn't really paying attention,
and he's looking down at his feet when Rudolph's given
hand signals, so he just doesn't see it. And I
(19:39):
could see where that would be remarkably frustrating for Rogers
because if he runs an in route instead of an
out route. They probably have a touchdown there and maybe
the game goes different. Probably not, but you would think
that everybody would be on page with these things. Certainly
by now, nobody's new around here anymore. I think it's
(19:59):
a great question, and one we wouldn't know unless we
were inside the walls. But why isn't everybody able to
figure out hand signals and things that aren't that hard
to figure out anymore?
Speaker 1 (20:09):
Why is Firemuth being absolutely ignored the supposed to be
a number one tight end in this league, not just
with the Steelers. You know, a guy considered near the
top of the position, he got the cash and now
he's just on the painal mind list.
Speaker 9 (20:25):
Yeah, that's really high on my list of frustrations, to
be honest with you. So I think I could make
a pretty strong argument that their two best pass catchers
are dk Metcalf and Pat Fryarmth. I mean, we could
fight about it, but I'm pretty close to being right
on that.
Speaker 2 (20:42):
I don't disagree.
Speaker 9 (20:44):
Yeah, friar Mouth runs nine routes yesterday, nine routes. Now
I realized didn't run a lot of plays, and Dk
Metcalf's average depth of target was under five yards. So
if these are your only we know you're not loaded
with weapons. And I'm not implying that they're Randy Moss
and Rob Gronkowski, But if that's all you got and
(21:07):
you're not using them or using them properly, why see,
it's pretty obvious to see the problem here, right.
Speaker 1 (21:14):
No, No, I totally agree, and that begs the bigger question,
what is their offensive identity after thirteen weeks?
Speaker 9 (21:22):
Yeah, that I don't know anymore. I mean I used
to think, Wow, they're really trending towards running the football
well controlled passing game with some deep shots, which also
frustrates me. But you know, the running game should be
the foundation of the offense. We know that it's designed
to be a very tight end heavy offense, but they
(21:45):
don't throw to the middle of the field very much,
and they're best receiving tight end runs nine routes in
the game. And frankly, the usage of Metcalf makes me
crazy too, because he's not a short area guy. His
his average steff the target has to be amongst the
highest in the league, as it was in Seattle. So
(22:05):
are you you know what is your identity? Are you
maximizing the talents that you do have. And I think
both those answers are negative.
Speaker 1 (22:16):
We're talking Abott Williams and our football grew were brought
toast by the Steelers Pro Shop. Get it direct from
the team at shop dot Steelers dot com.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
Why is the defense that bad? Because it obviously should
not be.
Speaker 9 (22:27):
No, it should not be, and this is what you
asked me. But if one of the two units is
going to improve and be above average, I think it
would be the defense, just because we've seen many more
glimpse of it, and I think they have better football players.
(22:48):
But it boggles my mind that I know Harmon was
out and many of the runs were in his direction,
but that should not be enough to be the difference
between a really good run defense in one week in
Chicago to a miserable run defense against the Bills both
very good run stuffing or what running offenses. So it's
(23:09):
just a massive inconsistency to me. The biggest problem with
the team, though, is time of possession, no question, and
they both sides the ball deserve equal amount of blame
for that. And this probably doesn't startle anybody, but go ahead.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
No, that forty two to eighteen margin. That's the biggest
I can remember. And it literally makes that game impossible
to win.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
Doesn't it.
Speaker 9 (23:35):
Yes, I mean unless you happen to score on defense
and kick off return things that don't take any time.
It's the only way you can win that game. Fluky stuff,
fick sixes, things like that.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
And they never score a strike on offense.
Speaker 9 (23:49):
And I say they have no explosiveness on offense. I mean,
if you were mediocre in time of possession but at
least explosive like the Cults are that way, well then
you're fine.
Speaker 5 (23:59):
You know.
Speaker 9 (24:00):
So the way they're built, they have to be a
sustaining offense and they aren't. And they have to be
a defense that will occasionally get three and outs and stops,
and they're not. But here's where I'm going with it is,
you know, you ask if the defense can ever be good.
They can't be if they're playing that many snaps. So
the defense has played one hundred and fifty nine more
(24:21):
snaps than the offense. That's almost like them playing three
more games than the offense. I mean that that's unsustainable.
It's unbelievable. And in a way, they're lucky that they
don't have six starters hurt. I mean, Harmon's out, Elliott's out.
But if you play that much football, guys are going
(24:42):
to go down. And as a result, as of right
now they play tonight, the Giants are the only team
in the league allowing more points in the fourth quarter,
So all of a sudden, you come out of the
the the halftime. Steelers offense has gotten trendous in the
third quarter for whatever reason, and then the defense is
(25:03):
on the field the entire second half. And even if
they're playing well, they're just out there too much. I mean,
to me, that's the biggest problem. But there's so many
reasons for the problem of time of possession.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
Here's the craziest part to me. They're six and six,
tied for first place, still in it. It's incredible because
they're so bad right now, but it's all still in
their hands.
Speaker 9 (25:28):
It's still in their hands. Like if they were in
the NFC West, it would be over, you know, but
it's still in their hands. Baltimore, if this was a
Baltimore radio station, they would be equally as upset right now.
And they're Kansas City and some of these other teams
that are perennial winners if.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
It's a Cincinnati radio station, they're saying, if Burrow hadn't
been hurt, would be in first place.
Speaker 9 (25:51):
Yeah, or if they traded for Flacco two weeks earlier
in the round or whatever. You know, it really is
that close and it sounds nuts. But the Bank could
still win this division. I mean, if you look at
their their schedule, they're probably favored in most games with Burrow,
they're playing the best of the three. I don't know
what to make of it, and I'll be honest, the
(26:13):
entire AFC to me, is really horrible, and that does
an excuse where the Steelers are at. Their problems are
their own, but the whole conference and division is a disaster.
Speaker 1 (26:25):
Well, I ask you this every week, Well what can
they change? What would you change? Because it seems like
despite everything going wrong, Matt, that they don't really want
to change anything.
Speaker 9 (26:36):
I know, and it's easier said than done because game
script can screw you up. But I really think they
have to run the ball a higher percentage of the time.
I mean, I think you have to start there, like
Mike Pursuda and.
Speaker 2 (26:50):
I do a thing as they do.
Speaker 9 (26:54):
You're right, I mean that's step one of helping the
time of possession problem like this joke, like you go
to the doctor and be like, hey, doc, you know
my time of possession hurts, and he'd be like, well,
because you don't run the ball well enough. You know,
like there's symptoms. And then how do I cure those symptoms?
Where I think you start by running the football? And
(27:15):
I mentioned I do a Thursday night show with Merril
Hodge and Meryl anytime things are going wrong. And this
goes back to Chuck Nole and the way that Meryll
learned football is you start with, all right, let's tear
this thing back to its studs, and what are our
two or three best running plays, whatever they are, much
(27:36):
like Buffalo yesterday where they ran the same play a
million times. Let's just practice these two or three plays
to no end and get ten percent better at outside
zone or whatever ones you pick, and just start there
and stick with it, because to me, that's step number
one is they throw the ball too much and then
(27:57):
all of a sudden you're behind the chains and where
where they throw the ball is very predictable. It's always
actor behind the line of scrimmage or an occasional deep
ball down the sideline.
Speaker 1 (28:08):
Well, now they go to Baltimore and the Ravens, like
we just discussed, aren't pretty good either.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
What's wrong with Baltimore.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
It seems like Lamar is one hundred percent and it
seems like and this is abstract map, but it seems
like they've lost their mojo, just like the Steelers a lot.
Speaker 9 (28:24):
Yeah, they were my Super Bowl pick and I thought, boy,
they're loaded. Lamar's awesome, And I still think Lamar is awesome,
but you're one hundred percent right. He is playing with
a bad wheel. I mean, he doesn't run hardly at
all right now. It also compromises his accuracy because he's
got this bad hamstring. I think it is his base
isn't as good as it used to be. But what
(28:45):
I was wrong about them in the preseason when I
picked them is they have fundamental issues before even Lamar
got hurt. Their pass rush is very poor, they don't
have pass rushers. Their offensive line is well belowdge. So
those things were the problem early in the season. They
remain the problem. And Superman's on Superman right now, so
(29:08):
nobody's elevating things now. They did win five in a
row before this week, and you know, and in somewhat
impressive fashion. But they definitely are not that team that
steam rolled the Steelers in the playoffs. And who knows.
I mean, obviously there's a Tomlin parallel here, but when
a coach has been there that long, a lot of
(29:29):
the guys have heard the same message over and over,
you know.
Speaker 1 (29:32):
Oh, and both Tom and Harbaugh. I mean they kind
of coach outdated. They're stuck in defense and running, except
the Steelers aren't stuck in running anymore.
Speaker 9 (29:43):
To a lot of direasy. Yeah, I mean, well, the
certain parallel is neither one is an innovative offensive mind
there you go. Yeah, well, how.
Speaker 2 (29:52):
Do you think this game is going to go?
Speaker 1 (29:53):
I mean, I you know, you know what to be
hilarious on every level if the Steers could find a
way to win it, and then the usual suspects would
all talk about how the AFC is terrible and the
Steelers could beat anybody in the playoff game, and maybe
that even be right.
Speaker 9 (30:10):
And they might even be right, you know, Mahomes doesn't
even go to the playoffs or you know, I mean,
they might even be right. The funniest thing which could
actually happen is Tomlin's streak could end. They could end
up with like an eight and nine win team, win
the division, and win a playoff game, so we could
(30:30):
stop talking about his streak and we could stop talking
about playoff losses.
Speaker 2 (30:34):
Disagree, disagree.
Speaker 1 (30:35):
If they go wight nine to win a playoff game,
that's nine and nine. Oh wait, then they'd have to
lose the next one. Okay, losing season.
Speaker 2 (30:44):
There you go. Yeah, I just so much about this season.
Speaker 1 (30:47):
Like do you ever run out of stuff to say?
I mean, my god, Matt, they were booing renegades.
Speaker 8 (30:53):
I know.
Speaker 9 (30:55):
I'll be honest, This has been my hardest game to
analyze on a Monday, because I feel like everyone listening
could do my job right now because it was so
obvious what the problems were.
Speaker 2 (31:05):
Oh, I know.
Speaker 1 (31:06):
When I wrote my column for the Trib it went
like eight inches over what I usually write because I
just kept going there was so much to criticize.
Speaker 9 (31:15):
Yeah right, I mean, but there's not much to analyze.
I mean, they were bad at everything except for maybe
past defense, which didn't matter at all because Buffalo never
had to throw the ball.
Speaker 1 (31:25):
The main reason I'd go to Rudolph instead of Rogers,
which I know is tough to do because they're evident
lack of faith and trust in Rudolph. I just don't
think a one armed old man who looked like he
was in a bus stop when he was on the
bench yesterday just hoping the weather would get warmer.
Speaker 2 (31:42):
He's not going to bail them out.
Speaker 1 (31:43):
I gave him credit for trying his best in a
difficult situation, but we know this situation can't be what
he bargained for.
Speaker 9 (31:52):
I'm sure all of that stuff is true. I'm sure
I still think he gives you the best chance to win,
and that's still the goal here are you know they
are six and six. But a big thing I've been
saying today and again this is very obvious analysis. When
you watch Rogers at this age on the same field
as Josh Allen, who people just bounce off of and
(32:15):
whenever he needs it, he can pick up ten yards
of his legs, you realize what you're up against, you know.
Speaker 1 (32:20):
Yeah, no question about that, because Josh Allen won't even
that great yesterday, but every play he had to make.
Speaker 9 (32:26):
He did, Yeah, and again he just it just stresses
to me how badly the next quarterback has to be
an athlete.
Speaker 1 (32:35):
Yeah, we'll see about that. Matt, great stuff. As always,
I appreciate the insight. We'll do it again next week.
That's Matt Williamson, and he's right about the quarterback. I
just don't think they're gonna get it right, because they
never get quarterback right. Tomlin ain't ever. Matt bront Is
by the Steelers Pro Shop Shop dot Steelers dot com
one O five ninety x
We got calls on the fifteens. Next eight three three
four one two WXDX. Give me your angst, give me
your quarterback stuff. Give me you're tired, you're poor, you're
hunting masses yearning to breathe. Three that number again, eight
three three four one two WXDX.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Do you get that they suck yet? I'm not sure
you do.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
I think if they win Sunny at Baltimore, which they
could because Baltimore sucks too, you're gonna think that all
is well and they could beat anybody because the AFC
is such a bad conference.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
But they suck.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
It's amazing how little it takes to make the Steelers fold,
like the beginning of that third quarter yesterday. It's amazing
how really bad that defense is. And they got their
two takeaways, but it didn't matter. What was invisible. Cam
was invisible, Ramsey was no hero. All the big money
bozos were no shows. That defense was supposed to be historic,
(01:07):
and now it's stealing money and owes everybody an apology,
an apology, Senator, No, seriously, these guys wanted more money,
make more than Garrett feed my family.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Not being paid commensurate with.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
What I contribute blah blah blah, and now they blow goats.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
I mean, Cam Hayward should apologize to all of you. TJ.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
Watson apologized to all of you. I'm sorry, I'm getting
paid too much.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
I suck. I've let you down. I've let the city down.
I've let my family down.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
I haven't let the Mark Madden show down because just
like Joe Donardo, Mark said it would.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
I love mister Donardo, I miss him so much.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
I we can take all of the young guys in
the media and.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
That would come out wrong if I said what I'm thinking. Uh,
what do you guys make of all this? Seriously?
Speaker 1 (02:07):
Tom w have gotta go, but he won't. Con gotta go,
but he won't. Rogers shouldn't play, but he will. The
offense won't change, the defense won't change. There might be
a token whatever done. But maybe this isn't any longer
about being unwilling to change. Perhaps it's more likely about
(02:28):
the Tom and all of them they don't know what
to do then again, and not rolling out just the
fact that the Steelers would always rather lose and be
right than win and be wrong.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
You know what I mean?
Speaker 1 (02:44):
They would rather stick with their method because it's the
Steeler way, and it's their idea, and we're gonna do
what we do and make the other team stop us.
Guess what, they're stopping you. They're not really stopping you.
They're pissing all over you. Maybe that's what you like.
Who knows what people do in the ivest in their
own homes? What do they call that? A what was
the Beatles song Golden Slumbers? No, that's not it anyway.
(03:09):
I hate all of it. I hate the offensive play calling,
like asking Rudolph to throw a tricky pass almost as
soon as he enters the game every time.
Speaker 2 (03:18):
Although Mason screwed the poots there.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
And you run on third and nine and get eight,
you one on fourth and two, don't make it. But
the biggest problem with the offense is the abject lack
of identity. And let's not forget that's not a great
Buffalo team and one that's badly injured right now, banged up.
On Sunday Night Football, the halftime dudes were saying, how
surprising this wasn't the part.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Of the Steelers.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
Oh it wasn't, not even a little bit. If you
think what happened yesterday was surprising, you just ain't been
paying attention. Roderick joneses out for the season with a
bad neck. I'm not sure it matters, but you got
to decide whether or not to pick up his option
that fifture on the rookie contract before next season, and
(04:07):
if you don't, if you let him go, that's on
the Steelers, not Jones, because the Steelers have mangled Jones's
use and development since day one. Steelers just don't know
what they're doing. Don't know what they're doing. Our buddy,
Logan Cooley of West Smiflin and the Utah Mammoth absorbed
(04:27):
a hard knee on knee hits dude from Saint Louis
got ejected. It was dirty, but it looks like Logan
avoided serious injury. And here's hoping he's not out long
if at all, because he is red hot, very good start.
I'm hoping he makes the US Olympic team. If he don't,
that will be to their detriments. Logan's the best. All
(04:47):
the coolies and Moonies love all those guys out there
in West Smiflin. We'll talk about delaye Kiffin mess at
some point, him leaving Ole Miss for LSU. Now before
the playoffs and wanting to finish there at Ole Miss
when that makes zero sense. Just kiff and grandstanding and
try to take the coordinators with him now, but all
(05:10):
Miss gave him both the rays and the defensive coordinator
is now the head coach, not interim, but the head
coach moving forward. Way ain't Kiffin is everything that's wrong
with college football, that old situation. He had a contract
with Old Miss through twenty thirty one, and he can
just walk. At least now the kids can walk too.
(05:32):
But the college football is just ft, no loyalty, no identity.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
It is why I don't watch.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Somebody asked me, who thinks do you think Texas should be.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
In the playoff? I go, why do you? What do
you mean?
Speaker 1 (05:47):
He goes, well they beat Texas A, and m I go, okay,
Texas A and they were doing pretty good, right, people go,
how can you not follow this? You do this for living?
I go, I do what I want for a living.
And I don't want to watch that because the ruined
it up. Next calls on the fifteens, get your calls
in now eight three, three, four, one two ninety nine
thirty nine.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
It's thanks for calling the exit. One oh five nine. Okay,
I think I got it right.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
It's the sports talk segment that's a new sensation. It's
the radio craze that's sweeping the nation. It is calls
on the fifteens, which we don't have a sponsor for.
By the way, besides sucking and losing, the Steelers are
terrible to watch. No fun, my babe, no fun, and
(06:38):
I know don to doll. They're talking about the need
to fire Tomlin. I don't indulge that because it's just
not gonna happen. I would prefer that you all concentrate
on something that you can directly influence and accomplish, like
ruining the draft by channing fire Tomlin at it and
booing renegade at all games. Moving forward, okay, let's go
(07:01):
to Joel. Hello, Joel, you're on with Mark to eat
you can eat you a.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
Hey.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
Now that we're seeing it all play out, I wanted
to get your updated ranking on these three stupid Steeler
moments now the current TJ. Watt extension, drafting of Kenny
Pickett or trading.
Speaker 5 (07:25):
For Maka Fitzpatrick so we could go eight to eight.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
All of them hurt the team immeasurably. Some moving forward.
I think the most damaging was the Kenny Pickett draft
in the first round when no other team would have
because quarterback is the key to every football team and
they still haven't solved that problem and set themselves back
at least five years.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Due to that.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Pick number two would be the Minkett trade for the
same reason that might have kept them from getting Justin
Herbert and uh TJ. Watson close third though, because there's
no way to move on from it. And the funny
part is they didn't force TJ to play the last
year of his deal and then franchise them after that
(08:13):
because they didn't want the situation with him to be
acrimonious at the end. But now he's playing so bad
there's no doubt it will be acrimonious at the end,
although to release him would cost them just a ton
of dead money if they do it anytime in the
next couple of years.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Let's go to Dave. Dave ask you're.
Speaker 6 (08:31):
All with Mark, Thanks super genius. I just want to
know if the Steelers lose to Baltimore this week, will
you bring back the countdown clock?
Speaker 7 (08:43):
No?
Speaker 2 (08:43):
Because I jinxed the losing season for Tomlin by doing
it the last time.
Speaker 8 (08:46):
So no, okay, no, I might.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
If they would lose, if they would get to six
and eight by losing the next two.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
I would consider it.
Speaker 9 (08:58):
Well, that's fair.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
Yet go to Jake and Myrtle Beach. Jake, you're on
with Mark.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
Mark.
Speaker 8 (09:05):
I just want to lay out how stupid the Steelers
short sightedness is. I'll do this quick. Last year, after
the Ravens playoff loss, they fixated on the run defense,
even though there were much larger issues. They drafted a
first round line and they just short up the defensive line.
They said, as long as we get our run defense right,
we're gonna do better. Well, not only is the long
(09:25):
term issues not obviously played out, but even now, the
run defense sucks. The one thing they fixated on stupidly
sucks two hundred and fifty yards yesterday and no effort
guys complaining. I like the short sightedness, and I always had.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
Always hesitate to criticize effort because they're just not very
good on defense.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
They can't tackle.
Speaker 1 (09:46):
Like you heard what what Cook said the Baltimore the
Buffalo running back. He said, we knew their corners couldn't tackle,
so we just kept running at them.
Speaker 8 (09:56):
Y'all want to not say effort is because Cam's complaining
about after the game about that's not effort.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
That's attitude.
Speaker 1 (10:03):
That's attitude, that's pettiness, But it's not effort.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
I think those guys try. I just think they suck.
Speaker 8 (10:10):
And that's the issue of the short sighting this. You won't.
You said, we've got to fix our run defense.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
But let me let me tell you Cam Hayward bitching
about a quarterback bullying him, which is essentially what he did.
He got bullied by a quarterback. And Patrick Queen bitching
because of what a guy with two Super Bowl rings
said is so revelatory when it comes to the pettiness
and the culture of that very flawed Steelers locker. And
let's go to Scoots, Coot, Charlman.
Speaker 10 (10:35):
Mark, Hey, how cathartic was it to see? I think
the crowd finally had its watershed moment and broke because
I never thought i'd see fire Tom on chance in
the middle of the season. How beautiful was that?
Speaker 1 (10:50):
So you're saying the crowds water broke, yes, Well, I
think it's important to note that even had their waterloo.
Speaker 10 (11:00):
Okay, I think the majority Pittsburgh fans finally are past.
Now it's over fifty percent, and I and you'll appreciate this.
What the fans need to do is, yeah, you can
do the draft and whatnot, but they need to start
getting violent and destroy the stadium like I.
Speaker 1 (11:14):
No, no, no, no, no, goodbye goodbye. No no, no,
absolutely not. I would never encourage that. But uh, but
as far as ruining the draft and going there and
chanting fire Tomlin every chance you can and getting it
on national TV when it's supposed to be Art Rooney's big,
uh momentous occasion he finally got the draft in Pittsburgh
(11:37):
to ruin that would be a legitimate reflection of Steeler
fan dissatisfaction. But you won't do it. You don't have
the balls and your mark. She'll go there and do
exactly what they want you to do.
Speaker 2 (11:55):
How's this go? Can I get the rhythm right my mind?
At Waterloo? Napoleon did surrender?
Speaker 1 (12:03):
Oh yeah, And I have met my destiny in quite
a similar way.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Here's here's a prescient line.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
History book on the shelf is always repeating it saved
and boy with the Steelers the last nine years, it
sure has Jude, what's going on?
Speaker 5 (12:26):
Mark, I really can't stand this Steelers team. I think
gutless is the perfect word that you said to describe
the team and the head coach. I think my dream
scenario would be if Miles Garrett breaks TJ. Watts sack
record Week seventeen at Cleveland, and if Cleveland somehow beat
the Steelers to clinch coach T's first losing season, or.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
To knock them, or to eliminate them mathematically from playoff contention,
that too.
Speaker 2 (12:53):
Let me tell you. Let me tell you what I
would add to that.
Speaker 1 (12:55):
If I could not only Garrett breaking TJ sack record,
but Shador throws for three hundred and fifty yards and
three touchdowns, that.
Speaker 8 (13:06):
Would be nice.
Speaker 2 (13:09):
Oh when you knew me, dning, can you hear me?
S O s. Let's go to Steve Hey, Mark, how
you doing good?
Speaker 10 (13:22):
So we're beating up on him today?
Speaker 8 (13:24):
But that's okay?
Speaker 7 (13:26):
Is it not just downright embarrassing that, you know, after PJ.
Watt boohoot all summer about his contract and you know,
chasing after what Miles Garrett caught. You know, Miles Garrett's
playing on up, He's playing on a sinking ship anyway.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
Actually he didn't boo who about the contract all summer.
They got that wrapped up in relatively short order with
the minimum of boo hooing. It was Cam who led
the league in boo hooing. What's embarrassing is that what
demanded more than Garrett and now Garrett's not playing him badly?
Speaker 7 (13:56):
Yeah, and again on an already sinking ship. I mean,
it's the Cleveland Browns, but I mean, that's watched the
first jersey I bought with my own money, and it's
it's just it's pretty sad to see.
Speaker 8 (14:06):
Well.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
I like when people make fun of the Browns and
make fun of Garrett for sticking with the Browns, but
he's won more playoff games than TJ Watt has.
Speaker 7 (14:15):
I mean, hey, facts are facts. I don't want to
tell you on that.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
Yeah, thank you for the call.
Speaker 1 (14:22):
When you're gone, how can I even try to go on?
Oh cameo request twenty four hours. That's big money. Don't forget.
I'll be at Pittsburgh Brewing Company and Creighton tonight to
watch the Penguins game right off through twenty eight biggest
big screen TV ever. Come and win babbleheads. I got bobbleheads,
(14:43):
lots of bibbleheads up next Matt Williams in one oh
five to nine, It's.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
The Exes Kick Ass Christmas Show with highly Suspect Tuesday,
Emmer Nights at Stay Je Get your tickets now at
WXDX dot com. Okay, highly suspects with flight attendance Tisnes,
(15:15):
He's injury the Jolly Party rocking something. It's the x
IS kick Ass Christmas Show from one oh five to nine.
Speaker 2 (15:23):
D X tis this season he's a component of any
nice state. Thank you for making my day. Yeah what
you said, d X At one oh five nine.
Speaker 1 (15:37):
Steelers with uh, I think their worst performance of the
year and in recent memory. Yesterday joining me not to
talk about it. The former pro and college football Scott
He is our football guru. Matt Williamson. Matt, that was
about as bad as it gets, wasn't it? Not least
how they one hundred percent disintegrated in the third quarter.
Speaker 9 (15:57):
Thousand and I agree with you. That was definitely their
worst showing of the year, maybe with the exception of
the playoff loss in Baltimore, the worst showing in recent memory.
And it's really hard to find things they did well
or even into individual players that had you know, at
(16:18):
least a positive game.
Speaker 1 (16:21):
Should Roders be playing he seems to be limited and
tentative with that broken wrist.
Speaker 9 (16:28):
That's a really tough question because I had a good
conversation with Mike Pursudo on another show about this, you know,
and he was a big believer that the running game
suffers a great deal if he can't be behind center,
you know.
Speaker 2 (16:40):
Or I think so too.
Speaker 1 (16:42):
It takes a lot of pages out of the playbook
and eliminates play.
Speaker 9 (16:45):
Action, correct, right, And again they've been getting away from
play action, which is a whole different conversation that I
disagree with. But man, every little glimpse we see of
Rudolph has gets worse and worse too. I mean, so,
I think there's an argument that maybe they beat the
Bears with Rogers because of his mental acumen, and they
(17:09):
wouldn't have aligned wrong late in the game, and maybe
he completes one deep ball that Rudolph doesn't. But does
that mean that he should be out there? I mean,
that's a really tough question to me, because he hasn't
played well in what three or four games? I mean,
so is he a declining player or is he dealing
(17:31):
with things around him that are bringing him down, and
then Rudolph comes in for just a few snaps and
throws a terrible pick, you know. I mean so, in
terms of.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
What's afflicting Rogers, I think it's all of the above.
I think he's kind of wearying as he gets deep
into the season because he's old. Obviously he's hurt. I
think he's discouraged by the situation. I think he's having
trouble hiding that. And while I do agree that Mason,
you know, gives you every reason to pull him almost
every time, I mean, plays the way he's used, gotta
(18:03):
have him walking on eggshells. I mean, if the same
standard was applied to every player as with Rudolph, the
minute you screw up, you're out of there even once
that that's just not a way to coach for me.
Speaker 9 (18:16):
I hear what you're saying too. And I think he's
a quality too. And people got a little ahead of
themselves with you know, Oh, he can hold down the
fort for a month or two or whatever, and they
definitely coach differently when he's in there. They coach him
up much more like he's Duck Hodges than Ben Roethlisberger,
that's for sure. And that's probably a little unfair to Mason.
(18:39):
The man life of the back of quarterback in this
league just isn't friendly.
Speaker 8 (18:43):
No, it's not.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
But I think it's worse for him because they don't
chaste Rudolph even a little bit.
Speaker 9 (18:50):
And that's very evident, and it's very evident, and I'm
sure well, of course his teammates know it then too,
which doesn't help the confidence overall, you know what I
mean as a title wave effect.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
Now, Rogers talked about his receivers running the right route
on checkdowns single dot John Husmith for not in particular,
and I get it, and I understand his frustration. But
if they're not on the same page in week thirteen, whose.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Fault is that?
Speaker 9 (19:18):
Yeah, that's a great question too. And on that specific play,
and I know we're not talking about just one play.
I watched it several times and it looks like Rudolph
just isn't really or John hu just isn't really paying attention,
and he's looking down at his feet when Rudolph's given
hand signals, so he just doesn't see it. And I
(19:39):
could see where that would be remarkably frustrating for Rogers
because if he runs an in route instead of an
out route. They probably have a touchdown there and maybe
the game goes different. Probably not, but you would think
that everybody would be on page with these things. Certainly
by now, nobody's new around here anymore. I think it's
(19:59):
a great question, and one we wouldn't know unless we
were inside the walls. But why isn't everybody able to
figure out hand signals and things that aren't that hard
to figure out anymore?
Speaker 1 (20:09):
Why is Firemuth being absolutely ignored the supposed to be
a number one tight end in this league, not just
with the Steelers. You know, a guy considered near the
top of the position, he got the cash and now
he's just on the painal mind list.
Speaker 9 (20:25):
Yeah, that's really high on my list of frustrations, to
be honest with you. So I think I could make
a pretty strong argument that their two best pass catchers
are dk Metcalf and Pat Fryarmth. I mean, we could
fight about it, but I'm pretty close to being right
on that.
Speaker 2 (20:42):
I don't disagree.
Speaker 9 (20:44):
Yeah, friar Mouth runs nine routes yesterday, nine routes. Now
I realized didn't run a lot of plays, and Dk
Metcalf's average depth of target was under five yards. So
if these are your only we know you're not loaded
with weapons. And I'm not implying that they're Randy Moss
and Rob Gronkowski, But if that's all you got and
(21:07):
you're not using them or using them properly, why see,
it's pretty obvious to see the problem here, right.
Speaker 1 (21:14):
No, No, I totally agree, and that begs the bigger question,
what is their offensive identity after thirteen weeks?
Speaker 9 (21:22):
Yeah, that I don't know anymore. I mean I used
to think, Wow, they're really trending towards running the football
well controlled passing game with some deep shots, which also
frustrates me. But you know, the running game should be
the foundation of the offense. We know that it's designed
to be a very tight end heavy offense, but they
(21:45):
don't throw to the middle of the field very much,
and they're best receiving tight end runs nine routes in
the game. And frankly, the usage of Metcalf makes me
crazy too, because he's not a short area guy. His
his average steff the target has to be amongst the
highest in the league, as it was in Seattle. So
(22:05):
are you you know what is your identity? Are you
maximizing the talents that you do have. And I think
both those answers are negative.
Speaker 1 (22:16):
We're talking Abott Williams and our football grew were brought
toast by the Steelers Pro Shop. Get it direct from
the team at shop dot Steelers dot com.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
Why is the defense that bad? Because it obviously should
not be.
Speaker 9 (22:27):
No, it should not be, and this is what you
asked me. But if one of the two units is
going to improve and be above average, I think it
would be the defense, just because we've seen many more
glimpse of it, and I think they have better football players.
(22:48):
But it boggles my mind that I know Harmon was
out and many of the runs were in his direction,
but that should not be enough to be the difference
between a really good run defense in one week in
Chicago to a miserable run defense against the Bills both
very good run stuffing or what running offenses. So it's
(23:09):
just a massive inconsistency to me. The biggest problem with
the team, though, is time of possession, no question, and
they both sides the ball deserve equal amount of blame
for that. And this probably doesn't startle anybody, but go ahead.
Speaker 1 (23:26):
No, that forty two to eighteen margin. That's the biggest
I can remember. And it literally makes that game impossible
to win.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
Doesn't it.
Speaker 9 (23:35):
Yes, I mean unless you happen to score on defense
and kick off return things that don't take any time.
It's the only way you can win that game. Fluky stuff,
fick sixes, things like that.
Speaker 2 (23:46):
And they never score a strike on offense.
Speaker 9 (23:49):
And I say they have no explosiveness on offense. I mean,
if you were mediocre in time of possession but at
least explosive like the Cults are that way, well then
you're fine.
Speaker 5 (23:59):
You know.
Speaker 9 (24:00):
So the way they're built, they have to be a
sustaining offense and they aren't. And they have to be
a defense that will occasionally get three and outs and stops,
and they're not. But here's where I'm going with it is,
you know, you ask if the defense can ever be good.
They can't be if they're playing that many snaps. So
the defense has played one hundred and fifty nine more
(24:21):
snaps than the offense. That's almost like them playing three
more games than the offense. I mean that that's unsustainable.
It's unbelievable. And in a way, they're lucky that they
don't have six starters hurt. I mean, Harmon's out, Elliott's out.
But if you play that much football, guys are going
(24:42):
to go down. And as a result, as of right
now they play tonight, the Giants are the only team
in the league allowing more points in the fourth quarter,
So all of a sudden, you come out of the
the the halftime. Steelers offense has gotten trendous in the
third quarter for whatever reason, and then the defense is
(25:03):
on the field the entire second half. And even if
they're playing well, they're just out there too much. I mean,
to me, that's the biggest problem. But there's so many
reasons for the problem of time of possession.
Speaker 1 (25:16):
Here's the craziest part to me. They're six and six,
tied for first place, still in it. It's incredible because
they're so bad right now, but it's all still in
their hands.
Speaker 9 (25:28):
It's still in their hands. Like if they were in
the NFC West, it would be over, you know, but
it's still in their hands. Baltimore, if this was a
Baltimore radio station, they would be equally as upset right now.
And they're Kansas City and some of these other teams
that are perennial winners if.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
It's a Cincinnati radio station, they're saying, if Burrow hadn't
been hurt, would be in first place.
Speaker 9 (25:51):
Yeah, or if they traded for Flacco two weeks earlier
in the round or whatever. You know, it really is
that close and it sounds nuts. But the Bank could
still win this division. I mean, if you look at
their their schedule, they're probably favored in most games with Burrow,
they're playing the best of the three. I don't know
what to make of it, and I'll be honest, the
(26:13):
entire AFC to me, is really horrible, and that does
an excuse where the Steelers are at. Their problems are
their own, but the whole conference and division is a disaster.
Speaker 1 (26:25):
Well, I ask you this every week, Well what can
they change? What would you change? Because it seems like
despite everything going wrong, Matt, that they don't really want
to change anything.
Speaker 9 (26:36):
I know, and it's easier said than done because game
script can screw you up. But I really think they
have to run the ball a higher percentage of the time.
I mean, I think you have to start there, like
Mike Pursuda and.
Speaker 2 (26:50):
I do a thing as they do.
Speaker 9 (26:54):
You're right, I mean that's step one of helping the
time of possession problem like this joke, like you go
to the doctor and be like, hey, doc, you know
my time of possession hurts, and he'd be like, well,
because you don't run the ball well enough. You know,
like there's symptoms. And then how do I cure those symptoms?
Where I think you start by running the football? And
(27:15):
I mentioned I do a Thursday night show with Merril
Hodge and Meryl anytime things are going wrong. And this
goes back to Chuck Nole and the way that Meryll
learned football is you start with, all right, let's tear
this thing back to its studs, and what are our
two or three best running plays, whatever they are, much
(27:36):
like Buffalo yesterday where they ran the same play a
million times. Let's just practice these two or three plays
to no end and get ten percent better at outside
zone or whatever ones you pick, and just start there
and stick with it, because to me, that's step number
one is they throw the ball too much and then
(27:57):
all of a sudden you're behind the chains and where
where they throw the ball is very predictable. It's always
actor behind the line of scrimmage or an occasional deep
ball down the sideline.
Speaker 1 (28:08):
Well, now they go to Baltimore and the Ravens, like
we just discussed, aren't pretty good either.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
What's wrong with Baltimore.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
It seems like Lamar is one hundred percent and it
seems like and this is abstract map, but it seems
like they've lost their mojo, just like the Steelers a lot.
Speaker 9 (28:24):
Yeah, they were my Super Bowl pick and I thought, boy,
they're loaded. Lamar's awesome, And I still think Lamar is awesome,
but you're one hundred percent right. He is playing with
a bad wheel. I mean, he doesn't run hardly at
all right now. It also compromises his accuracy because he's
got this bad hamstring. I think it is his base
isn't as good as it used to be. But what
(28:45):
I was wrong about them in the preseason when I
picked them is they have fundamental issues before even Lamar
got hurt. Their pass rush is very poor, they don't
have pass rushers. Their offensive line is well belowdge. So
those things were the problem early in the season. They
remain the problem. And Superman's on Superman right now, so
(29:08):
nobody's elevating things now. They did win five in a
row before this week, and you know, and in somewhat
impressive fashion. But they definitely are not that team that
steam rolled the Steelers in the playoffs. And who knows.
I mean, obviously there's a Tomlin parallel here, but when
a coach has been there that long, a lot of
(29:29):
the guys have heard the same message over and over,
you know.
Speaker 1 (29:32):
Oh, and both Tom and Harbaugh. I mean they kind
of coach outdated. They're stuck in defense and running, except
the Steelers aren't stuck in running anymore.
Speaker 9 (29:43):
To a lot of direasy. Yeah, I mean, well, the
certain parallel is neither one is an innovative offensive mind
there you go. Yeah, well, how.
Speaker 2 (29:52):
Do you think this game is going to go?
Speaker 1 (29:53):
I mean, I you know, you know what to be
hilarious on every level if the Steers could find a
way to win it, and then the usual suspects would
all talk about how the AFC is terrible and the
Steelers could beat anybody in the playoff game, and maybe
that even be right.
Speaker 9 (30:10):
And they might even be right, you know, Mahomes doesn't
even go to the playoffs or you know, I mean,
they might even be right. The funniest thing which could
actually happen is Tomlin's streak could end. They could end
up with like an eight and nine win team, win
the division, and win a playoff game, so we could
(30:30):
stop talking about his streak and we could stop talking
about playoff losses.
Speaker 2 (30:34):
Disagree, disagree.
Speaker 1 (30:35):
If they go wight nine to win a playoff game,
that's nine and nine. Oh wait, then they'd have to
lose the next one. Okay, losing season.
Speaker 2 (30:44):
There you go. Yeah, I just so much about this season.
Speaker 1 (30:47):
Like do you ever run out of stuff to say?
I mean, my god, Matt, they were booing renegades.
Speaker 8 (30:53):
I know.
Speaker 9 (30:55):
I'll be honest, This has been my hardest game to
analyze on a Monday, because I feel like everyone listening
could do my job right now because it was so
obvious what the problems were.
Speaker 2 (31:05):
Oh, I know.
Speaker 1 (31:06):
When I wrote my column for the Trib it went
like eight inches over what I usually write because I
just kept going there was so much to criticize.
Speaker 9 (31:15):
Yeah right, I mean, but there's not much to analyze.
I mean, they were bad at everything except for maybe
past defense, which didn't matter at all because Buffalo never
had to throw the ball.
Speaker 1 (31:25):
The main reason I'd go to Rudolph instead of Rogers,
which I know is tough to do because they're evident
lack of faith and trust in Rudolph. I just don't
think a one armed old man who looked like he
was in a bus stop when he was on the
bench yesterday just hoping the weather would get warmer.
Speaker 2 (31:42):
He's not going to bail them out.
Speaker 1 (31:43):
I gave him credit for trying his best in a
difficult situation, but we know this situation can't be what
he bargained for.
Speaker 9 (31:52):
I'm sure all of that stuff is true. I'm sure
I still think he gives you the best chance to win,
and that's still the goal here are you know they
are six and six. But a big thing I've been
saying today and again this is very obvious analysis. When
you watch Rogers at this age on the same field
as Josh Allen, who people just bounce off of and
(32:15):
whenever he needs it, he can pick up ten yards
of his legs, you realize what you're up against, you know.
Speaker 1 (32:20):
Yeah, no question about that, because Josh Allen won't even
that great yesterday, but every play he had to make.
Speaker 9 (32:26):
He did, Yeah, and again he just it just stresses
to me how badly the next quarterback has to be
an athlete.
Speaker 1 (32:35):
Yeah, we'll see about that. Matt, great stuff. As always,
I appreciate the insight. We'll do it again next week.
That's Matt Williamson, and he's right about the quarterback. I
just don't think they're gonna get it right, because they
never get quarterback right. Tomlin ain't ever. Matt bront Is
by the Steelers Pro Shop Shop dot Steelers dot com
one O five ninety x
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