October 6, 2025 • 30 mins
Mark talks about some Penguins this hour, James Franklin speaks and gives his excuses on what happened against UCLA. Matt Williamson joins the show to talk about the Steelers
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
This is the Mark Mannon Show.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Pensrit MSG tomorrow the world's most famous arena in New York,
eight pm against the Rangers season opener.
Speaker 3 (00:08):
Here.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
All the action here on the X Hockey Nights Show
from six till seven. Penguins pre game from seven to
eight and come what's the game with me at the
Pittsburgh Brewing Company in Creighton. That's right off for twenty
eight the biggest big screen TV in time, and give
me an icy light.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Game starts at eight pm.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Gonna be given away a lot of stuff, including a
Penguins jersey and the USA Hockey jersey. Be there at
seven pm to register to win. You got to be
excited about about register to win. Everybody wants something free
and I'm gonna give it to you.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
I'd like your.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Reaction to the cuts and to the keeps dial. Now
that's a three three four one two w XDX. I
look at the Penguins now and I see a non
playoff team. But I think about the Penguins future and
I see a start off. It's been in Brunick and
a star goaltender and morishoff and a potential Genslin Clevenon
(01:05):
Kendle is amazing At eighteen, I see a team headed
in the right direction. I've seen far worse in the past,
like eighty three, eighty four the tank for Lebeu, but
I've seen stuff just about is worse. I know what
no hope looks like, I know what no future looks like,
(01:25):
and it don't look like this.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
So once again, Donaly in eight three three four one
two w XDX.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
I will say every night you're gonna root for them
to win as a fan on the night. The biggest
thing they have to accomplish this year is to get
a top five pick in that draft. Get balls in
the lottery for McKenna, because the one thing they lack
in the system is a star caliber forward prospect.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
Kendall gonna be pretty good.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
He ain't gonna be what's available in the top five
picks draft, I don't think. Speaking of which, Gavin McKenna,
the uber kid with Penn State Hockey, the number one
pick in next year's draft. He made his college debut
over the weekend two wins for Penn State at Arizona State,
who were a pretty good hockey team, but Kenna had
(02:19):
two primary assists. On Friday, Penn State's first two goals
of the year in fact, so he announced his presence
with authority. Then he scored the game winning goal late
on Saturday, Arizona State holds their three fingers up the
forks thing. McKenna's skated, the student section did forks down
after taking off a glove. They ever give him a
(02:39):
hard time, So that's okay. Now. McKenna dominated, but not
absurdly so, not like he did in junior A last
year at sixteen. And that's why moving to college hockey
was a good move for McKenna and why Brunick might
not be served returning to junior A. It's the same
bruni can't go to Call but he can't he's ineligible
(03:04):
because he's under contract to the Penguins. But McKenna is
one hundred percent, absolutely the real And after Penn State
football lost to UCLA on Saturday, maybe Penn State's.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Just a hockey school now.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
During the pregame show, we talked about Penn State firing
James Franklin. Well, that was a good segue. I didn't
even realize I did that when I wrote this crap down.
But he signed through twenty thirty one at eight point
five million. Dollars per year and his buyot figures fifty
six million, so they're not going to fire him right now.
And like Tom and I discussed, firing a football coach
(03:45):
in mid season, never seems to work, never seems to help,
except with UCLA, I guess, because they fired their coach
and then beat Penn State again. I feel like Franklin
can save himself by beating Ohio State in Indiana by
winning out. But if you lose, I feel like either
one of those games, you're definitely done. I'm not sure
(04:07):
there's anything you can do to save his job after
that loss. Just think about Loud. That's the worst loss
in Penn State program history. It's the first time a
top ten team lost to an zero to four team ever,
and that's a long time. But I think he's going
to finish the season. I do, And if it were
my decision, I would have him finished the season. We
(04:31):
got a great show planning for today. I would say
that even if it wasn't true. But we got Matt Williamson,
our football guru, at the bottom of this hour, and
Chris Latang and the Penguins joins me at four o'clock.
Little talk about the opening of hockey season. I'd like
to wish a happy birthday yesterday to Mary Lemieux, the
(04:52):
Big six to zero for the Big six to six,
the founder of the Feast and the most important figure
in Pittsburgh sports history, no doubt about him. I'd be
in Kansas City with the Penguins. Also born on that
day noted author Tom McMillan of the Gettysburg mcmillans, and
also Josh Showey's mom. And also over the weekend the
(05:14):
sad anniversary for me, the date Brian Pillman, my close
friend from wrestling, passed away. We lost a lot of talent,
a lot of energy when Brian left us way too soon.
And speaking selfishly, I'm assuming he'd be mostly retired from
wrestling now, which would mean he'd call this show all
(05:35):
the time, like he'd be in the creative element of it,
I think. But like back when he would just call
the show like I did, like and he would want
me to yell at his wife, I want you to
tell my wife, and the stuff he wanted me to
tell her, I couldn't tell her. I can't even talk
about it now, you could Dan a little bit, so
(05:55):
so I missed Brian a great deal, no question. Uh,
like I said that number again, eight three three four
one two w XDX. By the way, the Steelers have
opened up his four and a half point favorites at
home against Cleveland. Uh, that sounds about right. This game
(06:18):
scares me more than it should. I see Cleveland improving.
They could have beat Minnesota. I might bet Cleveland to cover,
but certainly not to win unless they do. We're also
gonna talk later, but we talked a little bit earlier
that De Mercado, they running back for Arizona, dropped the
ball before the goal line, which is a trend in
the NFL.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
And I wouldn't wonder why, but I know why. It's
because they're stupid. One oh five ninety X.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Good mace is always a component of any nice day.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
Thank you for making my day.
Speaker 5 (06:49):
Yeah, what you said the ex at one o five nine.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
We almost have too much material today's show.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
But certainly, Penn State losing to UCLA the first time
a top ten team has ever lost to a zero
and four team, and Penn State's now dropped all the
way out of top twenty five. And you have to
say that James Franklin's job as head coach at Penn
State isn't jeopardale though I don't think so right now.
I wouldn't see the good and getting rid of him
(07:22):
at mid season. But talk of the devil. Here's James
Franklin to Penn State coach making excuses for the inexcusable
that lost to UCLA.
Speaker 5 (07:34):
Obviously, we did not handle last week's loss.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
Well, we also lost some players in.
Speaker 5 (07:42):
That game during the week and then everything else, everything else, travel,
everything else, did not come out with the right energy
to start the game, and before you know it, obviously
they get a down drive an on sides kick, and
(08:02):
now you're fighting. They gained confidence and we're fighting for
the next three quarters.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Okay, first off, dummy, Losing to a top flight team
like Oregon should in no way trickle down to how
badly Penn State played at UCLA, and nobody cares about
the injuries, nobody cares about the travel. If UCLA got
momentum and confidence, it's because Penn State came on flat
(08:31):
and uninspired. Franklin talked about not having the right energy, Well,
whose fault is that? That's directly traceable to the head coach.
As I mentioned, it's the first time ever, and that's
a long time too. First time a top ten team
ever lost to an owned fourteen ever to me. For
(08:53):
James Franklin to keep his job, like I said, he's
got to win out beat Ohio State and Indiana because that,
to UCLA is a fireable offense.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
By itself.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
As I mentioned a moment ago the Steelers, I'll get
your calls in now. I keep forgetting to plug the
new number eight three three, four, one thirty nine. Get
your calls in now. Although we do have Matt Williamson
at the bottom of the hour. I like the show
with minimal time for you to call because I think
most of you were stupid. As I mentioned, the Steelers
(09:27):
are four and a half point favorites at bet Parks
to be Cleveland at Acress or Sunday.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
I'll be at Big Fellas in Cannonsburg for that game.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Be sure to catch me there. That's a happening place, boy, nuts.
The Steelers will beat the Cleveland Bronze on Sunday. But
the Cleveland Brons are better coached than the Steelers. And
I'm not just saying that because Kevin Stefanski is a
two time NFL Coach of the year. I'm saying because
the Brons know how to get better. Whether they ever
(09:57):
get good enough, that's another debate. But the Brons is
starting five rookies, a bunch of rookies sub in our buddy,
not McMillan. He's up there in the defensive backfield the bitkit.
The Brons want to improve, and Stefanski will take risk
to do so. Judkins is off the good started running
(10:21):
back second round pick from Ohio State one hundred and
ten yards yesterday in the lost of Minnesota. Dylan Gabriel
is in a quarterback now. He looked okay in his
NFL debut yesterday. Mason Graham, their first round pick out
of Michigan, jumps right in and starts at defensive tackle.
Although you got Harmon doing that here too in Pittsburgh.
(10:43):
But mostly when you compare that to the Steelers that
confidence in talented rookies. The Steelers have taken Caleb Johnson
and Roman Wilson their last two third round picks and
put them on the side of pilk Cartons. And why
so Kenneth Gainwell and Jalen Warren could start at running back.
(11:06):
Gainewell had four starts in four years before this year.
Warren had no starts in three seasons, but their veterans
kind of second string veterans, and the Steelers brought and
Broderick Jones and ruined him, drafted him in the first
round and ruined him, moved him the right tackle, made
(11:28):
him a swing tackle, did the dozy doe positionally, which
I think messed him up mentally and certainly confidence wise.
And why do they do it? So Dan Moore junior,
a slug could keep playing. A veteran keep playing and
keep sucking. And if Johnson Wilson Jones aren't good enough,
(11:48):
and I hear some Steelers stooge media say.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
That, well, just not good enough. What they're supposed to do.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
Well.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
If they're just not good enough to draft better players.
If they're not good enough, that doesn't speak well. If
the Steelers drafting and developing. If Stefanski coached these Steelers,
that team could really go places. The Steelers might win
the division this year and might win a playoff game
under Tomlin. But Tomlin and the organization are clueless, and
(12:17):
part of it is no risk, it, no biscuit.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
The Steelers settle for the Mushi middle.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
Having a non losing season the Steelers almost always play
it safe with veterans that there are exceptions, like na
Gie Harris Harmon this year, but they are exceptions, and
they imagine their method to be a lot more complicated
than it is. I think it's one of the easiest
(12:45):
ways to play football. It's Neanderthal, it's prehistoric, it's Pop
Warner stuff their scheme.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
If not for.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
What they lost in the Watson trade, all them first
round picks, the Bronze would be better than the Steelers
in no time at all, and I'm not sure it
won't happen anyway.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
Let's go real quick to Dennis. Dennis, what's up, hey.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
Mark, how you doing great?
Speaker 4 (13:10):
Real quick question?
Speaker 5 (13:11):
In college coaches contracts, for the reasons they can get fired,
is losing a certain amount?
Speaker 4 (13:18):
Do they put those sort of clauses in there?
Speaker 1 (13:21):
I would dot that very much.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
I think they would get win bonuses if anything, and
probably not even that.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
No, I don't think so.
Speaker 4 (13:29):
Which you'd think they would put that in there protect
their downside.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
It's gonna cost a lot of money to get rid
of Franklin, but I think at the end of this
year it's gonna be a tough choice.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
But let's let's see how the rest of the season goes.
Speaker 2 (13:40):
But like I said, losing the UCLA is a fireable
offense in and of itself. And if they fired him now,
I don't think it would help, but I wouldn't blame him.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
Matt Williams The next one oh five to nine, the
only show weekday mornings at six wherever you are and.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Totally free on the iHeartRadio app one.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Here's what's trending from the Iheartsports Network, presented by Matthews,
Wallanker and Waterproofing.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
We'll start with football, where Week five of the NFL
season will wrap up tonight. It's an AFC clash between
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jags on
Monday Night Football. With their bye weekend the books, the
Steelers are now preparing to host rookie quarterback Dylan Gabriel
and the Browns that one Sunday, and the Pucks about
to drop on the NHL season. Penguins will visit former
boss Mike Sullivan and the Rangers. It's Tomorrow night. I'm
(14:27):
Scott David said.
Speaker 1 (14:28):
If you're selling your home and have a wet basement
or cracks in your walls. Call Matthews because it's true.
It's damn true.
Speaker 4 (14:35):
Hey, Mark, love the show. Thank you for making my day.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Yeah, the exit one oh five nine.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
Steelers hosting Cleveland on Sunday. They're a four and a
half point favorite. Joining me out to talk about that
game and about the NFL, it's our football guru pro
and college Scott Matt Williamson. Matt, like I said, Steelers
play Cleveland, is it just mearors Cleveland getting better?
Speaker 1 (14:58):
I felt like they could have beaten a Sody yesterday.
Speaker 4 (15:01):
Yeah, one hundred percent agree. And I think there's actually
some reason for optimism in Cleveland. I mean, they have
played the most rookie snaps of any team in the league.
I don't know what to think of Gabriel after one shouting,
but he didn't, you know, look terrible. And a lot
of their rookie class is playing well. They have a
(15:22):
really really good defense. And I was talking about this
on the drive earlier today that considering where the division
is right now, I actually think the Browns are the
second best team right this minute in the division.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
I agree, right the second, I think they're number two
behind the Steelers. You didn't mention Judkins at running back,
but he's doing well carrying the ball, and it makes
me wonder if Caleb Johnson should get more carries for
the Steelers. It's not like Johnson sitting behind Franco and Rocky,
is it.
Speaker 4 (15:52):
No, that's true, and I'll be honest. I mean, when
I did the pregame show in Dublin, as soon as
he was announced that Warren was inactive, I thought, maybe
they'll just take Caleb Johnson and give them twenty carries
and throw them in the deep end and see how
it goes. Because I didn't think gain Well getting that
kind of workload made much sense. Now that sounds foolish.
(16:13):
I shouldn't admit those things because they only needed them
really for one game. And then there's the buy and
it sounds like Warren is on at least on pace
to get back in the mix. But I can pretty
much promise you at some point this year they're gonna
have to at least turn to Johnson in some capacity,
and it'd be nice to know what you have in
the guy.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
See.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
I don't understand the attachment to Gainwell and Warren. Neither
was a proven starter during their entire combined NFL ten
years before, and again I look at Judkins, I look
at Johnson being a better fit for that offense than
two third dombacks. I just don't see the logic in
the Steelers approach.
Speaker 4 (16:54):
I hear what you're saying, and I wonder if it's
just an indictment on Johnson, you know, like if what
they've seen.
Speaker 2 (17:02):
Awful early to conclude that Matt, what's that awful.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
Early to conclude that.
Speaker 4 (17:07):
Yeah, And I'm not saying he's a bust. He stinks
he's never going to be any good. But the thing
that always there's two things that keep rookie, you know,
good running backs off the field is either they struggle
in protection or they fumble a lot, or you can't
be relied on in those capacities. And I just wonder
if they don't trust them in protection because at Iowa
(17:28):
he did very very little of it, and like backs
on backers and things like that, where he was overwhelmed.
But I'm not sure how else you figure it out.
I Mean, he's a negma to me because I do
like the player, I like the draft pick, but for
him to be successful, he needs a lot of carries.
He needs a lot of snaps, But how do you
give that to him now, not knowing where he is,
(17:51):
you know, and you don't need him right this minute.
Speaker 1 (17:53):
Yeah, but maybe you do, Matt.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
It's like the bronze playing rookies, no riskt no biscuit.
They're taking chances to try to get now they're in
a different situation.
Speaker 1 (18:01):
I guess with the much younger team.
Speaker 4 (18:05):
That's the thing is. I mean, the Browns goals are
I mean after the Watching trade, They've had like no
draft picks for three years in a row until this one,
so they finally have a young base to start growing
on and they don't have Kem Hayward and Watt and
Rogers and all these older guys that they are trying
to win now. But your points valid on Johnson. I mean,
(18:25):
the bottom line is you just wish you knew more
pretty well into October now, and you know basically the
same thing you do when you drafted the.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
Guy, Matt. The Steelers should be Cleveland. I think it'll
be tight and I think they'll win. And the Steelers
Joseph Darnell Washington, tight end and the extra line than
with Spencer Anderson.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
I think that's going to contain Miles Garrett.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
Minnesota did that sum too yesterday to a degree, and
Garrett's instinct is to go way wide when he's lined
up wide.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
I'm not sure he has a change up when he
lines up there.
Speaker 4 (18:59):
I'll say about Garrett, he's playing better now than he
ever has, which is an amazing accomplishment. He wasn't phenomenal
in London, but up until that game, he's been far
and away the best defensive player in the league.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
No question.
Speaker 4 (19:12):
They they have a great defense, and they'll move them around.
But I'm with you. I think in a game like this,
which I do expect to be closer than people think,
and I have some you know, good vibes coming out
of Cleveland that I would do everything possible just to
be super physical. Employ that sixth offensive line Washington package,
(19:33):
see what they can do about it. Because they want
to play a nickel a lot. They're not going to
be a nickel against that big of a beefy set.
And if you can have that many big bodies, especially
on Garrett's side, it makes all the sense in the
world to me.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
With this group, it is very uh Germaine to do
that in this game.
Speaker 1 (19:52):
I agree, Yeah, but.
Speaker 4 (19:55):
Her too. I mean, if Austin's heard, maybe have one
one receiver on the field to hype percent of the time.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
But that said, and agreed upon, friar Mouth and John
and were disappearing. I did not see that coming.
Speaker 4 (20:08):
I didn't either, And I think friar Mouth blowing the
field goal protection assignment and put him in the doghouse.
But still his usage over the last basically during the
Arthur Smith era isn't a resounding, you know, vote of
confidence that they love the guy. I mean, he's a
(20:29):
below average blocker, a good player, but not a special player.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
They shouldn't have kept him, Matt, they shouldn't have kept
him at that price. Same with high Smith.
Speaker 4 (20:37):
Really, I wonder if both those guys could be had
in trade in the off season. I mean, not now,
not before the deadline. John, who I don't know what
to think of. I still have high hopes for him
as a mismatch receiver, and he hasn't been here long
enough for me to really write his book. I think
that the Austin injury might open up some more opportunities
(20:59):
for him to make you run fifteen more routes than
he did.
Speaker 1 (21:04):
Now, what about Roman Wilson, who can't get on the field.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
He's not backing up Swan and Stalwarth, He's backing up
Schronic and Miller at this point.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
Yeah, and when Austin got injured, it was pretty close
to a one for one replacement in Dublin of Miller
just being the backup. Miller just became Austin, which I
didn't think was a resounding you go to conference for
Wilson either. However, I think they view Wilson as only
a slot So if there's only two receivers on the
(21:35):
field and he's not an outside guy, and they rarely
used three receivers against the Vikings, so I leaned towards
he's disappointing. I mean because, like you said, the people
ahead of him on the depth chart just aren't great.
But he also just doesn't His usage isn't great for
(21:56):
this offense because they're never in three y.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
Now four games in. Is the O line any better?
Speaker 2 (22:03):
Do you see anything tangible you can cite Matt or
is it just strengthen numbers with Washington and Anderson.
Speaker 4 (22:11):
I would say the starting five had their best day
in the last game, so that's encouraging. I think both
tackles have been up and down and a little more
disappointing than I had hoped, although I think Broderick's straightening
things out, and I do have a lot of confidence
(22:31):
at Falton, Who's going to be a really, really good
player the interior. I was hoping Fraser would even be
a little more dominant at this point. He's still good,
but he's not looking like the best center in the league.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
He has some trouble with Snarks, doesn't he. With the shotgun.
Speaker 4 (22:47):
That's always an issue. I mean, I do that show
with Wes Yueler, who's a massive WBU fan, and he
said Fraser three or four times a year WBU would
botch a shotgun snap. That might just be something get
used to with them now. I also think the running
game got a little more diverse, you know. I think
that they started calling a wider variety of run plays.
(23:09):
So that, to me is helpful because I think Arthur
Smith was way too married to the outside zone.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
We're talking to our football Grouu, Matt Williamson, and he's
brought to us by the Steelers Pro Shop Get it
direct from the team at shop dot Steelers dot com.
Matt are the Steelers now heavy favorites doing the AFC North.
The bookies don't think so, but I feel like ten
and seven now would be a lock to win it.
And they're still going to play six division games against
teams that look pretty much terrible.
Speaker 4 (23:37):
I'm a little baffled that the Ravens are still the
favorite in Vegas.
Speaker 1 (23:43):
I think it's what happened last year.
Speaker 4 (23:45):
Matt, I get it, I get it, but I mean,
they're in such a hole right now. And here's what
the Ravens have in store. They got to play the
Rams this upcoming week, which I assume they'll be a
ten point dog because Lamar is not playing a lot
of those guys that they were missing aren't there, probably
not going to come back. Maybe a few do. But
(24:05):
then they go into a buy, which is going to
be so needed for them, and the rest of their
schedule is pretty soft if you look at the Ravens
schedule post by and obviously it heats up in a
wrong way for the Steelers, but still, I mean, if
the Steelers win four division games, which seems like almost
like a lock at this point, if not more, how
(24:28):
do they not win the division? From where they're sitting now.
Speaker 2 (24:31):
Yeah, I totally agree, And I wonder too if it's
not too early to think about the number one seed
in the AFC, because you don't have to be the
best team to get it. And right now the Stanley's
reflect the possibility and they play Buffalo at Aquashore on
November thirties.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
What if it's in play then?
Speaker 4 (24:51):
Yeah, I hadn't thought of that angle. That was a
little more ambitious than I was even going to go.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
Oh, I'm probably full of crap, but the mathematics dictated
something least possible.
Speaker 4 (24:59):
No, you're not wrong, and especially with the Bills losing
last night. Like to me, the Bills had a stranglehold
on that number one season until last now, I hope,
until last night. But they're still probably gonna win their
division with ease hear to any other team in the AFC.
I am a little curious to see what Kansas City
looks like tonight, though, too. I have a feeling they're
(25:21):
about to erupt.
Speaker 1 (25:23):
Yeah, I don't know. I think Jacksonville looks pretty good.
Speaker 2 (25:25):
Jacksonville finally, after years of not they played with a
little bit of edge.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
So I don't know. I think that game's up for grabs.
Speaker 4 (25:32):
Yeah, me too, But I do think Kansas City could
end up being fourteen and three when it's all said
and done, and do what they always do.
Speaker 1 (25:40):
Yeah, I don't see it, but tonight we'll tell a tale.
Are there are there?
Speaker 2 (25:44):
Like?
Speaker 1 (25:45):
That brings up this question?
Speaker 2 (25:46):
Are there are any great teams in the AFC besides Buffalo?
The LA charters have flashed back into their pan. I
certainly don't believe in Indie just yet. It feels like
the conference is up for grabs because of Baltimore being
in such decline.
Speaker 4 (26:00):
One thousand percent. And I'm with you on the Chargers.
I think the beginning of the end is near. Their
offensive line just keeps losing a guy every week, and
Herbert's just under way too much stress and pressure. Right now,
we actually went through the AFC, And who would you
say is definitively better than the Steelers right now? I
still would say that the Chiefs and Bills to me,
(26:22):
probably Indie and Denver maybe you know, And then after
that and I'm not sure that the Steelers could hang
with Indie or Denver.
Speaker 2 (26:30):
Well, we talk about the top seed. I think the
Steelers are in good shape to get like the three seed.
Speaker 4 (26:36):
Yes, yes, I mean the fact that they're going back
to what we talked about before, that they're not the
odds on you know, division winner champions for Vegas is
odd to me because that gets you probably the three
seed if you win a division.
Speaker 2 (26:54):
Now, yeah, I totally agree that if you want to
win a playoff game, if that's the big priority, which
it is, you don't want to play that roulette by
having an away game in the wild card. You got
to give yourself better right now.
Speaker 4 (27:08):
I don't love that the Steelers have such an early buy,
you know. I mean it's rosy right now and early October,
and we're getting all these reports that Porter and high
Smith and Warren should all be back, and that's great.
But come week twelve, if you're riddled by injuries and
you're an older team and the meat or your schedule
(27:29):
is there, we may have a real different tune. I'm
predicting it.
Speaker 2 (27:32):
If it's early for a team like this, Matt, it's
like that buy never happened.
Speaker 4 (27:37):
Right exactly. I mean, is Cam Hayward going to be
thrilled today to buy you know, two months from now?
I mean, that's gonna be water on the bridge.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
Matt that it's surprise you that a practice today high
Smith went right back running with the first team. Because
I'm liking her Big, I don't think you should start.
But I'm liking Jack Sawyer too.
Speaker 4 (27:54):
Yeah. To me, Sawyer is not even in the conversation
with those guys.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
No, no, not not to start, but I don't mind
him getting snaps.
Speaker 4 (28:01):
No, And he's been a little better and more useful
than I expected. And I would assume he still is
in the mix to some degree. Boy, I'm blown away
by Herbig though. I mean, every time he gets an opportunity,
he thrives. And I know this might be blasphemous, but
Herbig might be their best pass rusher.
Speaker 1 (28:19):
Period on the whole teeth he might be so.
Speaker 4 (28:21):
Far he's that effective. And you know, getting ahead of
ourselves a little. The Browns left tackle situation, it's hideous.
I mean, that's the weakest spot probably on their entire
team as left tackle.
Speaker 2 (28:35):
Well, I'm sure you were where a Matt in the business,
we've chosen getting ahead of ourselves is the best thing
we can do.
Speaker 1 (28:42):
What do they do now in the defensive back that
without Ramsey?
Speaker 2 (28:45):
Because I think they have adequate depth but he's the
Swiss army knife, and I think he kind of dials
back their defensive playbooks.
Speaker 4 (28:51):
Some a little bit. I mean that was the beauty
of trading for him, as it really opened the defensive
playbook heavily right exact order will come back. I mean,
this week, it doesn't bother me a ton because rookie quarterback.
If you watch how they played, almost everything went to
the tight ends. But two weeks from now you get Cincinnati,
(29:12):
and I know that they're a train wreck and they
look worse than the Ravens possibly, but they have two
big time receivers, and I would sure like Ramsey in
that mix, because, no matter what, Chase and Higgins are
really valuable. I think getting quarterback to counteract losing Ramsey
it makes you pretty decent. And the safeties are in
a little bit better spot than they've been. I think
(29:32):
Eccles is a quality player. Yes, now, Ramsey's their best
defensive back and it'll certainly be missed, but I would
think against these upcoming opponents, it won't sting me it
too bad.
Speaker 2 (29:42):
Finally, Matt Let's cut right to the Chase. Is there
any way they lose to Cleveland at home? We both
said a lot of good things about Cleveland during this segment,
but I mean, come on, you gotta beat them.
Speaker 4 (29:55):
I think there's a chance in a thirty to nine
type of game, because I really do think Browns defense
is in contention for best in the league, and if
it becomes a rock fight, maybe, But I also think
it really hurts the Browns to be coming overseas right
into a road game without a buye. I mean, that
has to really take a toll after yet another tough loss.
(30:18):
I'm definitely picking the Steelers, but I would probably take
the plus four and a half.
Speaker 2 (30:24):
I'll go one step further. I'm pretty sure I am
taking the plus four and a half.
Speaker 1 (30:28):
Matt, great stuff. I appreciate taking a time. Fantastic insight,
all right, but take care. That's Matt Williamson, our football guru.
Up next.
This is the Mark Mannon Show.
Speaker 2 (00:02):
Pensrit MSG tomorrow the world's most famous arena in New York,
eight pm against the Rangers season opener.
Speaker 3 (00:08):
Here.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
All the action here on the X Hockey Nights Show
from six till seven. Penguins pre game from seven to
eight and come what's the game with me at the
Pittsburgh Brewing Company in Creighton. That's right off for twenty
eight the biggest big screen TV in time, and give
me an icy light.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Game starts at eight pm.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Gonna be given away a lot of stuff, including a
Penguins jersey and the USA Hockey jersey. Be there at
seven pm to register to win. You got to be
excited about about register to win. Everybody wants something free
and I'm gonna give it to you.
Speaker 1 (00:43):
I'd like your.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Reaction to the cuts and to the keeps dial. Now
that's a three three four one two w XDX. I
look at the Penguins now and I see a non
playoff team. But I think about the Penguins future and
I see a start off. It's been in Brunick and
a star goaltender and morishoff and a potential Genslin Clevenon
(01:05):
Kendle is amazing At eighteen, I see a team headed
in the right direction. I've seen far worse in the past,
like eighty three, eighty four the tank for Lebeu, but
I've seen stuff just about is worse. I know what
no hope looks like, I know what no future looks like,
(01:25):
and it don't look like this.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
So once again, Donaly in eight three three four one
two w XDX.
Speaker 2 (01:32):
I will say every night you're gonna root for them
to win as a fan on the night. The biggest
thing they have to accomplish this year is to get
a top five pick in that draft. Get balls in
the lottery for McKenna, because the one thing they lack
in the system is a star caliber forward prospect.
Speaker 1 (01:55):
Kendall gonna be pretty good.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
He ain't gonna be what's available in the top five
picks draft, I don't think. Speaking of which, Gavin McKenna,
the uber kid with Penn State Hockey, the number one
pick in next year's draft. He made his college debut
over the weekend two wins for Penn State at Arizona State,
who were a pretty good hockey team, but Kenna had
(02:19):
two primary assists. On Friday, Penn State's first two goals
of the year in fact, so he announced his presence
with authority. Then he scored the game winning goal late
on Saturday, Arizona State holds their three fingers up the
forks thing. McKenna's skated, the student section did forks down
after taking off a glove. They ever give him a
(02:39):
hard time, So that's okay. Now. McKenna dominated, but not
absurdly so, not like he did in junior A last
year at sixteen. And that's why moving to college hockey
was a good move for McKenna and why Brunick might
not be served returning to junior A. It's the same
bruni can't go to Call but he can't he's ineligible
(03:04):
because he's under contract to the Penguins. But McKenna is
one hundred percent, absolutely the real And after Penn State
football lost to UCLA on Saturday, maybe Penn State's.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Just a hockey school now.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
During the pregame show, we talked about Penn State firing
James Franklin. Well, that was a good segue. I didn't
even realize I did that when I wrote this crap down.
But he signed through twenty thirty one at eight point
five million. Dollars per year and his buyot figures fifty
six million, so they're not going to fire him right now.
And like Tom and I discussed, firing a football coach
(03:45):
in mid season, never seems to work, never seems to help,
except with UCLA, I guess, because they fired their coach
and then beat Penn State again. I feel like Franklin
can save himself by beating Ohio State in Indiana by
winning out. But if you lose, I feel like either
one of those games, you're definitely done. I'm not sure
(04:07):
there's anything you can do to save his job after
that loss. Just think about Loud. That's the worst loss
in Penn State program history. It's the first time a
top ten team lost to an zero to four team ever,
and that's a long time. But I think he's going
to finish the season. I do, And if it were
my decision, I would have him finished the season. We
(04:31):
got a great show planning for today. I would say
that even if it wasn't true. But we got Matt Williamson,
our football guru, at the bottom of this hour, and
Chris Latang and the Penguins joins me at four o'clock.
Little talk about the opening of hockey season. I'd like
to wish a happy birthday yesterday to Mary Lemieux, the
(04:52):
Big six to zero for the Big six to six,
the founder of the Feast and the most important figure
in Pittsburgh sports history, no doubt about him. I'd be
in Kansas City with the Penguins. Also born on that
day noted author Tom McMillan of the Gettysburg mcmillans, and
also Josh Showey's mom. And also over the weekend the
(05:14):
sad anniversary for me, the date Brian Pillman, my close
friend from wrestling, passed away. We lost a lot of talent,
a lot of energy when Brian left us way too soon.
And speaking selfishly, I'm assuming he'd be mostly retired from
wrestling now, which would mean he'd call this show all
(05:35):
the time, like he'd be in the creative element of it,
I think. But like back when he would just call
the show like I did, like and he would want
me to yell at his wife, I want you to
tell my wife, and the stuff he wanted me to
tell her, I couldn't tell her. I can't even talk
about it now, you could Dan a little bit, so
(05:55):
so I missed Brian a great deal, no question. Uh,
like I said that number again, eight three three four
one two w XDX. By the way, the Steelers have
opened up his four and a half point favorites at
home against Cleveland. Uh, that sounds about right. This game
(06:18):
scares me more than it should. I see Cleveland improving.
They could have beat Minnesota. I might bet Cleveland to cover,
but certainly not to win unless they do. We're also
gonna talk later, but we talked a little bit earlier
that De Mercado, they running back for Arizona, dropped the
ball before the goal line, which is a trend in
the NFL.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
And I wouldn't wonder why, but I know why. It's
because they're stupid. One oh five ninety X.
Speaker 2 (06:45):
Good mace is always a component of any nice day.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
Thank you for making my day.
Speaker 5 (06:49):
Yeah, what you said the ex at one o five nine.
Speaker 1 (06:58):
We almost have too much material today's show.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
But certainly, Penn State losing to UCLA the first time
a top ten team has ever lost to a zero
and four team, and Penn State's now dropped all the
way out of top twenty five. And you have to
say that James Franklin's job as head coach at Penn
State isn't jeopardale though I don't think so right now.
I wouldn't see the good and getting rid of him
(07:22):
at mid season. But talk of the devil. Here's James
Franklin to Penn State coach making excuses for the inexcusable
that lost to UCLA.
Speaker 5 (07:34):
Obviously, we did not handle last week's loss.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
Well, we also lost some players in.
Speaker 5 (07:42):
That game during the week and then everything else, everything else, travel,
everything else, did not come out with the right energy
to start the game, and before you know it, obviously
they get a down drive an on sides kick, and
(08:02):
now you're fighting. They gained confidence and we're fighting for
the next three quarters.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
Okay, first off, dummy, Losing to a top flight team
like Oregon should in no way trickle down to how
badly Penn State played at UCLA, and nobody cares about
the injuries, nobody cares about the travel. If UCLA got
momentum and confidence, it's because Penn State came on flat
(08:31):
and uninspired. Franklin talked about not having the right energy, Well,
whose fault is that? That's directly traceable to the head coach.
As I mentioned, it's the first time ever, and that's
a long time too. First time a top ten team
ever lost to an owned fourteen ever to me. For
(08:53):
James Franklin to keep his job, like I said, he's
got to win out beat Ohio State and Indiana because that,
to UCLA is a fireable offense.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
By itself.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
As I mentioned a moment ago the Steelers, I'll get
your calls in now. I keep forgetting to plug the
new number eight three three, four, one thirty nine. Get
your calls in now. Although we do have Matt Williamson
at the bottom of the hour. I like the show
with minimal time for you to call because I think
most of you were stupid. As I mentioned, the Steelers
(09:27):
are four and a half point favorites at bet Parks
to be Cleveland at Acress or Sunday.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
I'll be at Big Fellas in Cannonsburg for that game.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Be sure to catch me there. That's a happening place, boy, nuts.
The Steelers will beat the Cleveland Bronze on Sunday. But
the Cleveland Brons are better coached than the Steelers. And
I'm not just saying that because Kevin Stefanski is a
two time NFL Coach of the year. I'm saying because
the Brons know how to get better. Whether they ever
(09:57):
get good enough, that's another debate. But the Brons is
starting five rookies, a bunch of rookies sub in our buddy,
not McMillan. He's up there in the defensive backfield the bitkit.
The Brons want to improve, and Stefanski will take risk
to do so. Judkins is off the good started running
(10:21):
back second round pick from Ohio State one hundred and
ten yards yesterday in the lost of Minnesota. Dylan Gabriel
is in a quarterback now. He looked okay in his
NFL debut yesterday. Mason Graham, their first round pick out
of Michigan, jumps right in and starts at defensive tackle.
Although you got Harmon doing that here too in Pittsburgh.
(10:43):
But mostly when you compare that to the Steelers that
confidence in talented rookies. The Steelers have taken Caleb Johnson
and Roman Wilson their last two third round picks and
put them on the side of pilk Cartons. And why
so Kenneth Gainwell and Jalen Warren could start at running back.
(11:06):
Gainewell had four starts in four years before this year.
Warren had no starts in three seasons, but their veterans
kind of second string veterans, and the Steelers brought and
Broderick Jones and ruined him, drafted him in the first
round and ruined him, moved him the right tackle, made
(11:28):
him a swing tackle, did the dozy doe positionally, which
I think messed him up mentally and certainly confidence wise.
And why do they do it? So Dan Moore junior,
a slug could keep playing. A veteran keep playing and
keep sucking. And if Johnson Wilson Jones aren't good enough,
(11:48):
and I hear some Steelers stooge media say.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
That, well, just not good enough. What they're supposed to do.
Speaker 3 (11:54):
Well.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
If they're just not good enough to draft better players.
If they're not good enough, that doesn't speak well. If
the Steelers drafting and developing. If Stefanski coached these Steelers,
that team could really go places. The Steelers might win
the division this year and might win a playoff game
under Tomlin. But Tomlin and the organization are clueless, and
(12:17):
part of it is no risk, it, no biscuit.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
The Steelers settle for the Mushi middle.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
Having a non losing season the Steelers almost always play
it safe with veterans that there are exceptions, like na
Gie Harris Harmon this year, but they are exceptions, and
they imagine their method to be a lot more complicated
than it is. I think it's one of the easiest
(12:45):
ways to play football. It's Neanderthal, it's prehistoric, it's Pop
Warner stuff their scheme.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
If not for.
Speaker 2 (12:54):
What they lost in the Watson trade, all them first
round picks, the Bronze would be better than the Steelers
in no time at all, and I'm not sure it
won't happen anyway.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
Let's go real quick to Dennis. Dennis, what's up, hey.
Speaker 2 (13:08):
Mark, how you doing great?
Speaker 4 (13:10):
Real quick question?
Speaker 5 (13:11):
In college coaches contracts, for the reasons they can get fired,
is losing a certain amount?
Speaker 4 (13:18):
Do they put those sort of clauses in there?
Speaker 1 (13:21):
I would dot that very much.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
I think they would get win bonuses if anything, and
probably not even that.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
No, I don't think so.
Speaker 4 (13:29):
Which you'd think they would put that in there protect
their downside.
Speaker 2 (13:32):
It's gonna cost a lot of money to get rid
of Franklin, but I think at the end of this
year it's gonna be a tough choice.
Speaker 1 (13:38):
But let's let's see how the rest of the season goes.
Speaker 2 (13:40):
But like I said, losing the UCLA is a fireable
offense in and of itself. And if they fired him now,
I don't think it would help, but I wouldn't blame him.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
Matt Williams The next one oh five to nine, the
only show weekday mornings at six wherever you are and.
Speaker 2 (13:56):
Totally free on the iHeartRadio app one.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
Here's what's trending from the Iheartsports Network, presented by Matthews,
Wallanker and Waterproofing.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
We'll start with football, where Week five of the NFL
season will wrap up tonight. It's an AFC clash between
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jags on
Monday Night Football. With their bye weekend the books, the
Steelers are now preparing to host rookie quarterback Dylan Gabriel
and the Browns that one Sunday, and the Pucks about
to drop on the NHL season. Penguins will visit former
boss Mike Sullivan and the Rangers. It's Tomorrow night. I'm
(14:27):
Scott David said.
Speaker 1 (14:28):
If you're selling your home and have a wet basement
or cracks in your walls. Call Matthews because it's true.
It's damn true.
Speaker 4 (14:35):
Hey, Mark, love the show. Thank you for making my day.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
Yeah, the exit one oh five nine.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
Steelers hosting Cleveland on Sunday. They're a four and a
half point favorite. Joining me out to talk about that
game and about the NFL, it's our football guru pro
and college Scott Matt Williamson. Matt, like I said, Steelers
play Cleveland, is it just mearors Cleveland getting better?
Speaker 1 (14:58):
I felt like they could have beaten a Sody yesterday.
Speaker 4 (15:01):
Yeah, one hundred percent agree. And I think there's actually
some reason for optimism in Cleveland. I mean, they have
played the most rookie snaps of any team in the league.
I don't know what to think of Gabriel after one shouting,
but he didn't, you know, look terrible. And a lot
of their rookie class is playing well. They have a
(15:22):
really really good defense. And I was talking about this
on the drive earlier today that considering where the division
is right now, I actually think the Browns are the
second best team right this minute in the division.
Speaker 2 (15:35):
I agree, right the second, I think they're number two
behind the Steelers. You didn't mention Judkins at running back,
but he's doing well carrying the ball, and it makes
me wonder if Caleb Johnson should get more carries for
the Steelers. It's not like Johnson sitting behind Franco and Rocky,
is it.
Speaker 4 (15:52):
No, that's true, and I'll be honest. I mean, when
I did the pregame show in Dublin, as soon as
he was announced that Warren was inactive, I thought, maybe
they'll just take Caleb Johnson and give them twenty carries
and throw them in the deep end and see how
it goes. Because I didn't think gain Well getting that
kind of workload made much sense. Now that sounds foolish.
(16:13):
I shouldn't admit those things because they only needed them
really for one game. And then there's the buy and
it sounds like Warren is on at least on pace
to get back in the mix. But I can pretty
much promise you at some point this year they're gonna
have to at least turn to Johnson in some capacity,
and it'd be nice to know what you have in
the guy.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
See.
Speaker 2 (16:32):
I don't understand the attachment to Gainwell and Warren. Neither
was a proven starter during their entire combined NFL ten
years before, and again I look at Judkins, I look
at Johnson being a better fit for that offense than
two third dombacks. I just don't see the logic in
the Steelers approach.
Speaker 4 (16:54):
I hear what you're saying, and I wonder if it's
just an indictment on Johnson, you know, like if what
they've seen.
Speaker 2 (17:02):
Awful early to conclude that Matt, what's that awful.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
Early to conclude that.
Speaker 4 (17:07):
Yeah, And I'm not saying he's a bust. He stinks
he's never going to be any good. But the thing
that always there's two things that keep rookie, you know,
good running backs off the field is either they struggle
in protection or they fumble a lot, or you can't
be relied on in those capacities. And I just wonder
if they don't trust them in protection because at Iowa
(17:28):
he did very very little of it, and like backs
on backers and things like that, where he was overwhelmed.
But I'm not sure how else you figure it out.
I Mean, he's a negma to me because I do
like the player, I like the draft pick, but for
him to be successful, he needs a lot of carries.
He needs a lot of snaps, But how do you
give that to him now, not knowing where he is,
(17:51):
you know, and you don't need him right this minute.
Speaker 1 (17:53):
Yeah, but maybe you do, Matt.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
It's like the bronze playing rookies, no riskt no biscuit.
They're taking chances to try to get now they're in
a different situation.
Speaker 1 (18:01):
I guess with the much younger team.
Speaker 4 (18:05):
That's the thing is. I mean, the Browns goals are
I mean after the Watching trade, They've had like no
draft picks for three years in a row until this one,
so they finally have a young base to start growing
on and they don't have Kem Hayward and Watt and
Rogers and all these older guys that they are trying
to win now. But your points valid on Johnson. I mean,
(18:25):
the bottom line is you just wish you knew more
pretty well into October now, and you know basically the
same thing you do when you drafted the.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
Guy, Matt. The Steelers should be Cleveland. I think it'll
be tight and I think they'll win. And the Steelers
Joseph Darnell Washington, tight end and the extra line than
with Spencer Anderson.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
I think that's going to contain Miles Garrett.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
Minnesota did that sum too yesterday to a degree, and
Garrett's instinct is to go way wide when he's lined
up wide.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
I'm not sure he has a change up when he
lines up there.
Speaker 4 (18:59):
I'll say about Garrett, he's playing better now than he
ever has, which is an amazing accomplishment. He wasn't phenomenal
in London, but up until that game, he's been far
and away the best defensive player in the league.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
No question.
Speaker 4 (19:12):
They they have a great defense, and they'll move them around.
But I'm with you. I think in a game like this,
which I do expect to be closer than people think,
and I have some you know, good vibes coming out
of Cleveland that I would do everything possible just to
be super physical. Employ that sixth offensive line Washington package,
(19:33):
see what they can do about it. Because they want
to play a nickel a lot. They're not going to
be a nickel against that big of a beefy set.
And if you can have that many big bodies, especially
on Garrett's side, it makes all the sense in the
world to me.
Speaker 2 (19:46):
With this group, it is very uh Germaine to do
that in this game.
Speaker 1 (19:52):
I agree, Yeah, but.
Speaker 4 (19:55):
Her too. I mean, if Austin's heard, maybe have one
one receiver on the field to hype percent of the time.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
But that said, and agreed upon, friar Mouth and John
and were disappearing. I did not see that coming.
Speaker 4 (20:08):
I didn't either, And I think friar Mouth blowing the
field goal protection assignment and put him in the doghouse.
But still his usage over the last basically during the
Arthur Smith era isn't a resounding, you know, vote of
confidence that they love the guy. I mean, he's a
(20:29):
below average blocker, a good player, but not a special player.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
They shouldn't have kept him, Matt, they shouldn't have kept
him at that price. Same with high Smith.
Speaker 4 (20:37):
Really, I wonder if both those guys could be had
in trade in the off season. I mean, not now,
not before the deadline. John, who I don't know what
to think of. I still have high hopes for him
as a mismatch receiver, and he hasn't been here long
enough for me to really write his book. I think
that the Austin injury might open up some more opportunities
(20:59):
for him to make you run fifteen more routes than
he did.
Speaker 1 (21:04):
Now, what about Roman Wilson, who can't get on the field.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
He's not backing up Swan and Stalwarth, He's backing up
Schronic and Miller at this point.
Speaker 4 (21:13):
Yeah, and when Austin got injured, it was pretty close
to a one for one replacement in Dublin of Miller
just being the backup. Miller just became Austin, which I
didn't think was a resounding you go to conference for
Wilson either. However, I think they view Wilson as only
a slot So if there's only two receivers on the
(21:35):
field and he's not an outside guy, and they rarely
used three receivers against the Vikings, so I leaned towards
he's disappointing. I mean because, like you said, the people
ahead of him on the depth chart just aren't great.
But he also just doesn't His usage isn't great for
(21:56):
this offense because they're never in three y.
Speaker 1 (22:00):
Now four games in. Is the O line any better?
Speaker 2 (22:03):
Do you see anything tangible you can cite Matt or
is it just strengthen numbers with Washington and Anderson.
Speaker 4 (22:11):
I would say the starting five had their best day
in the last game, so that's encouraging. I think both
tackles have been up and down and a little more
disappointing than I had hoped, although I think Broderick's straightening
things out, and I do have a lot of confidence
(22:31):
at Falton, Who's going to be a really, really good
player the interior. I was hoping Fraser would even be
a little more dominant at this point. He's still good,
but he's not looking like the best center in the league.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
He has some trouble with Snarks, doesn't he. With the shotgun.
Speaker 4 (22:47):
That's always an issue. I mean, I do that show
with Wes Yueler, who's a massive WBU fan, and he
said Fraser three or four times a year WBU would
botch a shotgun snap. That might just be something get
used to with them now. I also think the running
game got a little more diverse, you know. I think
that they started calling a wider variety of run plays.
(23:09):
So that, to me is helpful because I think Arthur
Smith was way too married to the outside zone.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
We're talking to our football Grouu, Matt Williamson, and he's
brought to us by the Steelers Pro Shop Get it
direct from the team at shop dot Steelers dot com.
Matt are the Steelers now heavy favorites doing the AFC North.
The bookies don't think so, but I feel like ten
and seven now would be a lock to win it.
And they're still going to play six division games against
teams that look pretty much terrible.
Speaker 4 (23:37):
I'm a little baffled that the Ravens are still the
favorite in Vegas.
Speaker 1 (23:43):
I think it's what happened last year.
Speaker 4 (23:45):
Matt, I get it, I get it, but I mean,
they're in such a hole right now. And here's what
the Ravens have in store. They got to play the
Rams this upcoming week, which I assume they'll be a
ten point dog because Lamar is not playing a lot
of those guys that they were missing aren't there, probably
not going to come back. Maybe a few do. But
(24:05):
then they go into a buy, which is going to
be so needed for them, and the rest of their
schedule is pretty soft if you look at the Ravens
schedule post by and obviously it heats up in a
wrong way for the Steelers, but still, I mean, if
the Steelers win four division games, which seems like almost
like a lock at this point, if not more, how
(24:28):
do they not win the division? From where they're sitting now.
Speaker 2 (24:31):
Yeah, I totally agree, And I wonder too if it's
not too early to think about the number one seed
in the AFC, because you don't have to be the
best team to get it. And right now the Stanley's
reflect the possibility and they play Buffalo at Aquashore on
November thirties.
Speaker 1 (24:48):
What if it's in play then?
Speaker 4 (24:51):
Yeah, I hadn't thought of that angle. That was a
little more ambitious than I was even going to go.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
Oh, I'm probably full of crap, but the mathematics dictated
something least possible.
Speaker 4 (24:59):
No, you're not wrong, and especially with the Bills losing
last night. Like to me, the Bills had a stranglehold
on that number one season until last now, I hope,
until last night. But they're still probably gonna win their
division with ease hear to any other team in the AFC.
I am a little curious to see what Kansas City
looks like tonight, though, too. I have a feeling they're
(25:21):
about to erupt.
Speaker 1 (25:23):
Yeah, I don't know. I think Jacksonville looks pretty good.
Speaker 2 (25:25):
Jacksonville finally, after years of not they played with a
little bit of edge.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
So I don't know. I think that game's up for grabs.
Speaker 4 (25:32):
Yeah, me too, But I do think Kansas City could
end up being fourteen and three when it's all said
and done, and do what they always do.
Speaker 1 (25:40):
Yeah, I don't see it, but tonight we'll tell a tale.
Are there are there?
Speaker 2 (25:44):
Like?
Speaker 1 (25:45):
That brings up this question?
Speaker 2 (25:46):
Are there are any great teams in the AFC besides Buffalo?
The LA charters have flashed back into their pan. I
certainly don't believe in Indie just yet. It feels like
the conference is up for grabs because of Baltimore being
in such decline.
Speaker 4 (26:00):
One thousand percent. And I'm with you on the Chargers.
I think the beginning of the end is near. Their
offensive line just keeps losing a guy every week, and
Herbert's just under way too much stress and pressure. Right now,
we actually went through the AFC, And who would you
say is definitively better than the Steelers right now? I
still would say that the Chiefs and Bills to me,
(26:22):
probably Indie and Denver maybe you know, And then after
that and I'm not sure that the Steelers could hang
with Indie or Denver.
Speaker 2 (26:30):
Well, we talk about the top seed. I think the
Steelers are in good shape to get like the three seed.
Speaker 4 (26:36):
Yes, yes, I mean the fact that they're going back
to what we talked about before, that they're not the
odds on you know, division winner champions for Vegas is
odd to me because that gets you probably the three
seed if you win a division.
Speaker 2 (26:54):
Now, yeah, I totally agree that if you want to
win a playoff game, if that's the big priority, which
it is, you don't want to play that roulette by
having an away game in the wild card. You got
to give yourself better right now.
Speaker 4 (27:08):
I don't love that the Steelers have such an early buy,
you know. I mean it's rosy right now and early October,
and we're getting all these reports that Porter and high
Smith and Warren should all be back, and that's great.
But come week twelve, if you're riddled by injuries and
you're an older team and the meat or your schedule
(27:29):
is there, we may have a real different tune. I'm
predicting it.
Speaker 2 (27:32):
If it's early for a team like this, Matt, it's
like that buy never happened.
Speaker 4 (27:37):
Right exactly. I mean, is Cam Hayward going to be
thrilled today to buy you know, two months from now?
I mean, that's gonna be water on the bridge.
Speaker 2 (27:44):
Matt that it's surprise you that a practice today high
Smith went right back running with the first team. Because
I'm liking her Big, I don't think you should start.
But I'm liking Jack Sawyer too.
Speaker 4 (27:54):
Yeah. To me, Sawyer is not even in the conversation
with those guys.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
No, no, not not to start, but I don't mind
him getting snaps.
Speaker 4 (28:01):
No, And he's been a little better and more useful
than I expected. And I would assume he still is
in the mix to some degree. Boy, I'm blown away
by Herbig though. I mean, every time he gets an opportunity,
he thrives. And I know this might be blasphemous, but
Herbig might be their best pass rusher.
Speaker 1 (28:19):
Period on the whole teeth he might be so.
Speaker 4 (28:21):
Far he's that effective. And you know, getting ahead of
ourselves a little. The Browns left tackle situation, it's hideous.
I mean, that's the weakest spot probably on their entire
team as left tackle.
Speaker 2 (28:35):
Well, I'm sure you were where a Matt in the business,
we've chosen getting ahead of ourselves is the best thing
we can do.
Speaker 1 (28:42):
What do they do now in the defensive back that
without Ramsey?
Speaker 2 (28:45):
Because I think they have adequate depth but he's the
Swiss army knife, and I think he kind of dials
back their defensive playbooks.
Speaker 4 (28:51):
Some a little bit. I mean that was the beauty
of trading for him, as it really opened the defensive
playbook heavily right exact order will come back. I mean,
this week, it doesn't bother me a ton because rookie quarterback.
If you watch how they played, almost everything went to
the tight ends. But two weeks from now you get Cincinnati,
(29:12):
and I know that they're a train wreck and they
look worse than the Ravens possibly, but they have two
big time receivers, and I would sure like Ramsey in
that mix, because, no matter what, Chase and Higgins are
really valuable. I think getting quarterback to counteract losing Ramsey
it makes you pretty decent. And the safeties are in
a little bit better spot than they've been. I think
(29:32):
Eccles is a quality player. Yes, now, Ramsey's their best
defensive back and it'll certainly be missed, but I would
think against these upcoming opponents, it won't sting me it
too bad.
Speaker 2 (29:42):
Finally, Matt Let's cut right to the Chase. Is there
any way they lose to Cleveland at home? We both
said a lot of good things about Cleveland during this segment,
but I mean, come on, you gotta beat them.
Speaker 4 (29:55):
I think there's a chance in a thirty to nine
type of game, because I really do think Browns defense
is in contention for best in the league, and if
it becomes a rock fight, maybe, But I also think
it really hurts the Browns to be coming overseas right
into a road game without a buye. I mean, that
has to really take a toll after yet another tough loss.
(30:18):
I'm definitely picking the Steelers, but I would probably take
the plus four and a half.
Speaker 2 (30:24):
I'll go one step further. I'm pretty sure I am
taking the plus four and a half.
Speaker 1 (30:28):
Matt, great stuff. I appreciate taking a time. Fantastic insight,
all right, but take care. That's Matt Williamson, our football guru.
Up next.
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