November 24, 2025 • 34 mins
Mark talks more Steelers loss to the Bears, takes your calls on the 15, and is joined by Matt Williamson to break down the Steelers loss.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
This is the Mark Mann Show.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
River Hans Top of the Egg, River Hans, Riverhuns, top
of the EUE, Liverpool three nil losers at home to
the nineteenth place team. Somebody came up to me. I
was at Shiloh Playton Port for a River Hans watch
party Saturday. It went great, great place up there, and
the guy came up to me from behind when UH
(00:27):
Liverpool had just conceded the third goal to Forest and
he said, how's it going big sexy? And rather than explode,
I just kind of grimaced and said, it's not going
real good.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Any hoodles, you can call now.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Next segment calls on the fifteenth, which is so fetch
a three three four one two wxdx U. Miles Garrett
is going to break TJ watch single season sack record.
Garrett already has eighteen. Watt had twenty two and a
half a couple years back when he said it he's
invisible now. He had the script and Sacho jerk it
(01:03):
over that for a while. They lost. And when Garrett
does break TJ Watt's single season sack record, I will
celebrate on the show. If Miles Garrett wants to come
on the show, I would be more than happy to
have him because TJ. Watt is meathead, Jim teacher whiner,
made a big deal out of getting paid more than
(01:23):
Miles Garrett, and now he is okay, if you want
paid more than Miles Garrett, be better than Miles Garrett's
and he's not even close. I know a lot of
you out there idolized TJ. Watt, and that says a
lot about him, about the Steelers and about you. Did
you idolize a guy who is the poster boy for
(01:44):
the Steelers underachieving as a team. He's been great his
whole time here, but he can't get the team to
do anything. Cam Hayward can't get the team to do anything.
DK brought him in, gave him a ton of money,
can't get the team to do anything. The big money bozo,
that's who's letting y'all down, Not Mason Rudolph. That number again,
(02:06):
eighty three to three, four one two wxdx. Here's the
hidden value from yesterday's game at Chicago. If you want
to take something.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
To get away from it, here goes.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Rogers will benefit by the game off at forty one
and hurt Grandpas sitting out getting out of Harm's way.
That's a good thing, whether inadvertently or not, it's a solid,
big picture move.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
We saw that bracelet Rogers war.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
It looked big and clumsy and convinced me Rogers did
the right thing by not playing. And I believe it's
a hunch, but I believe that decision was made by him. Now,
if you knew Rogers playing meant winning yesterday, you would
have taken that risk that he doesn't get hurt worse.
And I would liked to have seen him out there
(02:58):
for those last two possessions. That was Rogers time. But
I'm not one hundred percent sure Rogers wins yesterday because
the cowardly offensive game plan would still be there and
the bad coaching and the defense would still suck. Although
Rogers would have caught that illegal formation. That said, he
would not have scrambled for twenty two yards like Mason
(03:18):
Rudolph did.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
Everything is nuts so about the NFL.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Like we've been talking about, Pickens was so good for
Dallas yesterday, Kansas City won, but is still not in
a playoff spot. New England's ten and two Shador wins
his first start played. Okay, did not get a game ball,
not because he's black, but because he's not.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
White, a night kid.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Because the notion that people don't want a black quarterback
to succeed in the league that has sixteen starting black
quarterbacks is absurd. The notion that Kevin Stefanski, the Cleveland coach,
doesn't want Shador to succeed when he's coaching for his job,
that also is absurd. So your calls in, where are
(04:01):
the Steelers headed? How do you see this team right now?
Was it Rudolph's fault? I blame the defense, I blame
tom in eight three three, four to one two WSDX.
It's all happening. The NFL is just so fetch. What
if the Steelers beat Buffalo, they beat New England Indy
and let me tell you they're not better than New
England and Indy.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Well, Indy, I don't know. Maybe Dandy Dimes is fading.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
How about New England would be eleven and one if
they beat the Steelers, and New England should have They
gave the game away with all those takeaways the Steelers got.
Penguins only got one point out of four. On the weekend,
Dan Muse flipped out and should Penguins look like they're
in trouble. I could be wrong, but I'm not bad
(04:48):
body language. Players playing bad you know, you know they
played bad hockey at inopportune times, like that overtime loss
to Seattle on Saturday. The Penguins dominated overtime but couldn't score.
Seattle came down kind of a mess shot and Morishoff
couldn't make the stop. They watched eight of eleven. They
(05:08):
got some loser points mixed in there. But like I said,
bad body language, definitely in a funk, and Muse was
pissed afterwards, should have been, and I like to hear it. So,
like I said, get your calls in now eight three, three,
four one two wxdx. We got some crazy ass sound
(05:29):
about the Steelers, that defense, how they can't put sixty
minutes together, how they can't play well on both sides
of the ball in the same game. The national media
is finally figuring the Steelers out, I think. But all
it takes is beating Buffalo for everyone to be fooled again,
(05:50):
and probably locally.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Too, although maybe not, maybe not. I don't know. No,
you're stupid. You'll get fooled again.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
You'll get fooled as many times as DVE plays won't
get fooled again on.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
Their playlist, and that's a lot too. I'm starting to.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Think that Cam Hayward won't get his okie dope bonuses.
Starting to think that a sac and a half in
eleven games, starting to think that he better be content
with the tens of millions that he's already got. You know,
here's the saddest part of all from yesterday or funniest,
depends on your point of view. Uh, the Steelers should
have won that game. It was right there to win.
(06:28):
Caleb Williams had a bad first half. Chicago was missing
its three best linebackers, which of course was the Steelers'
coup to never throw in the middle of the field.
The game was there to win, and the Steelers didn't.
The Steelers didn't. I hate the defense, hate them, hate them.
(06:49):
If you're on that defense, I hate you. Maybe not Ramsey,
although Ramsey missed the tackle, made some bad Yeah yeah, Jalen,
No offense got a lumpy and hate you as well. Uh,
Bear's got fourteen points off turnovers, and yeah that's on Rudolph.
He made both toneovers, picking a fumble. But the defense
is allowed to make a stop. You know when I
saw somebody tweet at the end of the game. Can't
(07:11):
blame the defense. They got to stop and got the Steelers.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
The ball back late. Rudolph couldn't convert. Yeah, he couldn't go.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
The length of the field in like in like ninety
seconds with no time odds. Unbelievable. He couldn't do that.
What a bunch of marks you are? Okay, get your
calls in now. And I have been showing a lot
of contempt for the audience today. And if you don't call,
I won't blame you, and I will eviserate you if
you're stupid.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
Just fair warning. One oh five ninety X every weekday
at ten am, he.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Pulled Mark you are super genius.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
I know the ex at one five nine.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
It's the segment everybody's talking about. Calls on the fifteens.
We do it at three fifteen and four fifteen because
the people want to talk to the super genius. Somebody
should sponsor because it is so fetch. Let's go to
John and Waynesburg. John, you're on with double M cool.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Hey, mark ersos just wanted to say thanks.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Early during the show.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
I've loved it for years.
Speaker 5 (08:12):
I wanted to say yeah, do you think part of
the Steelers problem is that.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
They paid everybody, and no one steels very incentivized to
work anymore, and they just kind of coast through the season.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
No, I don't think they're coasting at all. I just
don't think they're very good. I think they paid guys
when they're not no good no more. I think they
paid TJ. Watt for what he used to be. I
think they paid Cam Hayward for what he used to be.
Although to be fair, Cam did have an All Pro
season just last year, but I think that turned out
to be a last gasp, but not a new beginning.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
I think it's just an old team.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
I think that's the biggest problem is that a lot
of their their quality players are past their prime.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
Thanks Mark, thank you. Let's go to Scooch at Hope
Well Scooch. You're all with double M.
Speaker 5 (08:58):
What an absolute clown show this organization has become. They
think they're so high and mighty. They have a forty
one year old quarterback that's probably coming back next year
because they don't know what to do. They got thirty
four year old Darius Slay who's constantly hurt. They trade
Nko for Jami Ramsey, who's supposed to be your lockdown corner,
who's thinking so bad they move him to safety, your
(09:19):
Turnstiles playing an offensive tackle. You give a linebacker in
his thirties forty one million dollars a year, so you
can rub it in mouth Garett's face that we have
a higher paid player than you. They are an absolute disgrace.
They think that their they're mediocrity, massive, consistency, common who
should have went after the Browns playoff loss? They are
an absolute this straight.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Did you write that down? Because that was very well
delivered and complete and correct.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
He hung up.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Wow, drop the mic. Uh yeah, what that guy said.
And it's not gonna get fixed. It is mediocrity, masters, consistency,
or stability, or whatever word they want to use to
conceal the fact that the hypocychcloid is a flawed logo.
Now let's go to James in Sarasota. James, you're all
(10:13):
with Mark.
Speaker 6 (10:16):
Hey, Mark, good to hear from you, see you call
you hey. I think the biggest mystery dealing with probably
the Steelers offenses. And if you can back me up
on this, maybe look it up. You've got John hu
Smith you've got Friar Move and you've got Washington. Washington
is an absolute beast, a real danger. He can block,
(10:38):
he can catch, he can.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Do it all.
Speaker 6 (10:40):
You've got Friar Moves, who.
Speaker 7 (10:42):
Probably has the best hands on the team. It's always
scoring a touchdown with limited attempts. And then you've got
John Whu Smith who can't do any of it, but
yet he gets the most targets in the most playing time.
Speaker 6 (10:54):
Can you please.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
Explain, you know, I think Smith's a good tight end.
I think all of the tight ends have been misused,
even Darnell Washington, who had that viral clip a week
ago and he broke all those tackles, but I think
only got two passes yesterday. And it also I agree
with the tight ends not being used properly. I've been
(11:14):
saying for weeks that the tight ends were not be forced.
They were supposed to be when they assemble what was
thought to be a very diverse and talented group. And
I want to add too, that not throwing to the
middle of the field. Look at that touchdown you mentioned
with Firemouth. That was a great throw in the middle
of the field where Rudolph had the patience to wait
for coverage to clear. There's just so much wrong with
(11:37):
this team, and most of it is wrong in the
name of cowardice and being scared of your own shadow
with your offensive game plan.
Speaker 7 (11:48):
In last question, do you think the pro I know
the Tomlin disdained, but is there I mean, Arthur Smith.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
I'm just are you impressed? I'm not impressed, and thank you.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
I think when it absolutely positively has to be somewhere overnight.
Smith will get it to you a week and a
half later. I hope somebody got that. Let's go to
Nate and hope. Well, Nate, you're on a double.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
M Hey Mark, how you doing today?
Speaker 1 (12:14):
Great?
Speaker 3 (12:16):
Hey?
Speaker 4 (12:17):
The reason I was calling. Did you see how the
Steelers lost their last time out at the end of
that series with Pierre. The CBS showed a cliff that
were walking off the field. He bumped into somebody walking
off to the bear sideline, fell and laid down and
that's how they lost that last time out. That was unreal.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
Yeah. Are you blaming the rest for the loss? Though?
Speaker 4 (12:41):
Now I'm blaming Pierre, Well, not for the loss, but
I mean that time out would have came in handy
on that last try.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Yeah, I mean he would not like, would not have
won them the game.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
No, but it.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
Usually your calls are pretty good. But that's nitpicky pitoy stuff.
Let's go to Malone in Fox Chapel. Malone, you're on
with double m.
Speaker 5 (13:05):
How about this prediction when when the Steelers play Cleveland,
Miles Garrett is one sat away from the record and
Aaron Rodgers pulled the farm and lays down and get
him the record.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
I don't think Garrett would do that, and I don't
think Brett Farr should have done that to give Strahan
the record. But yeah, that's pretty funny. And what if
Garrett is in position to break the record down? That
would be hilarious to do it in front of his
big rival and the guy who insisted he get paid
a million more than Garrett. And now it's just a
fraction of what Garrett is. He's not a pimple on
(13:38):
Garrett's ass.
Speaker 5 (13:40):
Yeah, and then we could start calling Watt Gastonoe and
really complete the cycle.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
He's better than Gaston. Oh, thank you for the call.
Then again, Gastono, he had a good career. Uh yeah,
that would be beautiful. If Garrett broke the record playing
against Watt, I would dance like, well, I'd dance like
somebody somewhere. Uh.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
What a great segment of calls on the fifteen.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
Uh, there's only one word I can use to describe,
and that word is fetch up. Next, we're talking about Williamson,
our football guru, the pro and College Scott Just around
the corner on one O five to nine.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
It's The Footy Show weekday mornings at six.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
Listen to the AX at home, at work, anytime on
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Speaker 3 (14:22):
One The X is this season.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
When you're in the mood for holiday music, Hallween Chris,
listen live with the iHeartRadio app and on fits first.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
Number one Christmas music station, not Eve four point five
three WS.
Speaker 1 (14:43):
This is Doug Gotlib. Here's what's trending from the iHeart
Sports Network, presented by Matthews, Wahlanker and Waterproofing.
Speaker 8 (14:49):
It is Week twelve of the NFL season, set to
wrap up tonight with a Panthers taking on the forty
nine Ers on Monday Night. Football Steelers coach Mike Tomlin
says Aaron Rodgers should play next week against Buffalo. Sat
out the loss of Chicago yesterday with his fractured wrists
and TJ Watt pass big brother JJ on the NFL's
all time sacks list when he recorded his one hundred
(15:09):
and fifteenth takedown of his career against the Bear Sunday.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
I'm Scott David said, if you're selling your home and
have a wet basement or cracks in your walls, call
Matthews wall anchor to make sure your foundation is on
solid ground. I was a super genius alpical with white
guy on the radio. I think I'm the coolest guy period.
But what's up DX at one five nine?
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Interesting note on Twitter from Joe Rudder of the trip
Steelers have come out of the locker room after halftime.
Getting the ball first five times in their first series
has resulted in four punts in interception, which might be.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
Why they blow out a halftime leads joining me now
to talk football.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
There's nobody better than the former pro in college scout.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
He's our football guru, Matt Williamson.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
Matt, I gotta ask him about a few moments, specifically
on fourth to nine, right at the two minute mark yesterday,
the Steelers had the ball, Tom Wood punted.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
Good move or bad move in that specific timeframe.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
Yeah, I'm not avoiding your question, mark, But I was
really really torn on that one too. I thought it
was a coin flip. Now, I'm sure the numbers, the
analytics would tell you to always go for it, but
I don't know what the answer was in terms of
play calling and all those type of things. I'm not
going to crush them for that one, but I really
(16:28):
do see both sides.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Would you have tried the sixty four yard field goal
with Boswell at the death?
Speaker 1 (16:35):
Would that have been a better bet than what they tried?
Speaker 3 (16:38):
Yes? Now, I don't feel one thousand percent strong about it,
and he probably misses it, but I would have just
trusted one of my absolute best players more so than
a backup quarterback, and the way the offense and especially
the passing game was playing, and maybe Boz just tells
him I got no chance, but it wasn't windy, and
(17:00):
in this in today's kicking world, those things are happening
more and more frequently. I think I would have given
that a shot.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
On that illegal formation, Matt didn't negated Rudolph's big run.
Whose fault is that? Who needs to see that and
correct it or call it time out? Well?
Speaker 3 (17:16):
I found it really interesting because I'm sure a lot
of listeners did that. Rogers saw it immediately, you know,
from the sidelines, he's losing his mind screaming about it,
and I'm sure if he's the quarterback, it doesn't happen.
I would imagine it's on Rudolph more than anybody because
he has to be in charge of everything. But he's
got a lot on his plate now. Nobody should line
(17:38):
up illegally. I mean, all parties involved should know the
rules and understand that that's an issue. But I bet
with Rogers it doesn't happen.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
The Steelers defense on thirty one points and three hundred
and twenty eight yards, but got two takeaways and one
of those resulted in a touchdown? Is that a good
or bad performance by the defense?
Speaker 3 (18:02):
This game's so weird because everything dealing with running the
football I thought was highly successful on both sides of
the ball for the Steelers, and pretty much everything surrounding
passing the football I thought was a failure by the Steelers.
So going into the game, they're facing a really good
(18:23):
and emerging Bears offense and a bad Bears defense, and
I think clearly the goal was shut down the Bears really,
really impressive running game, So they achieved that and kind
of like when they limited Josh Jacobs or did a
really good John against Jonathan Taylor, or took away Jamar
(18:44):
Chase in the second game a great deal. So they
did the hard things. But what's mind boggling or just
frustrating is simple zone coverages in things that we've seen
over and over be issues remained to be issues. So
I guess I give the defense a C you know, overall,
(19:06):
which you know, considering the opponent and considering the goals
coming in. But man, it's still a lot of yardage
to give up, and that happens every game, and.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
Considering the personnel and the price tag, A SEE isn't
good enough either. What specifically frustrated you the most about
that defense.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
Well, we saw the DJ Moore touchdown that was far
too easy. We saw too much middle of the field
passing being highly available. I don't think goal number one
was to rush the quarterback, and you know, they kind
of treated him like Lamar a little bit, where we
want to keep him in the pocket. The pressure we
(19:47):
get on him is great. He's not the most accurate quarterback,
and a lot of that played out well because he
isn't the most accurate quarterback and he missed some throws,
but it felt like the only time they stopped them,
especially through the air, it was when Caleb Williams missthrows.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Yeah, and they gave him some easy throws too.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Like the thing that was most visible on the network feed,
Matt was they were playing like so soft, like nine
yards off and they just kept throwing five and six sharp.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
Passes a one thousand percent, and too many of them
were on third and critical down and distances. There's a
couple of clips you can find all over the internet
now where it's third and five and it looks like
they're playing it like it's a third and ten situation.
You know, things like that where it's just too easy
of receptions. So yeah, I mean a lot of their
(20:42):
zone coverage stuff is problematic and has been all year.
But they also don't really have the horses to play
a lot of man.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
How are Whatt and Hayward playing.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
And I'm not saying that by criticism of them, but
they're just buried statistically, They're way down the leader board.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
They are, and I think they're playing a lot defensive players.
I don't cite their numbers a lot. Of course, he
loves great sack stats, and they don't really exist for
these guys compared to their past. But I think both
have been really good players, to be honest with you.
But it's more the little things like taking on double teams,
playing the run, tackling things of that nature. And they
(21:24):
both get a lot of attention. Still by no means
I think either is the problem, and I don't think
either is a obvious declining player. Hayward in particular, does
so much of the dirty work in an impressive fashion,
but there are a lot of times, especially just watching
on TV at first blush, where you don't feel their impact.
Speaker 1 (21:48):
I agree with half of that.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
Hayward, I feel you because he's not a staddy type
of guy, never has been. When he gets a lot
of sacks, it's more organic. But what I mean, you
paid him more than Garret. Look what he's doing. Look
what Garrett's doing?
Speaker 3 (22:03):
Oh right, right? And people around here send me all
kinds of nasty messages because Garrett's clearly.
Speaker 1 (22:11):
Oh gee, I wonder what that's like.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
I was gonna say, maybe you've been down that road before, right,
But I've been getting this for two or three years
that when you compare the two of them, frankly, it
isn't really close. And I don't even mean that as
a knock on what But Garrett gets better every year
and is going to go down as one of the
best defensive ends that ever lived. And I don't know
(22:35):
why both can't be true. I mean, Watt's still a
good player. Garrett's better. Garrett's better than everyone. He might
be the best football player walking the earth right now.
And I know that makes me unpopular, but oh well, we're.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
Talking about Williamson.
Speaker 2 (22:49):
Brought to list by the Steelers Pro Shop Get it
direct from the team at shop dot Steelers dot com.
How Rudolph play the game plan certainly wasn't very courageous.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
I thought he kind of did what was there. Mostly.
Speaker 3 (23:02):
I'd probably be a little harder on him than that,
because they left a lot of plays on the field,
especially the few times they did push the ball down
the field. Right, So I thought he was efficient and
did the easy stuff well real well. But I also thought, hey,
I need to throw make two more throws and you did,
(23:23):
and that's not that much to ask.
Speaker 1 (23:25):
Oh no, that's fair.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
Now, the running game was very good, as we talked about.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
But in an odd way, did that prove that running
the ball isn't enough, especially in today's league.
Speaker 1 (23:37):
This league's not about long drives.
Speaker 2 (23:39):
Now, I'm going to contradict myself by saying I thought
they dumped out of the running game late, a little
too early.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
I did too, Now, I thought they could have played
with more urgency on those final couple drives coming from
behind him, and they were long, sustained drives that you
know didn't But they're not strike offense, especially the way
that they're playing.
Speaker 1 (24:02):
Yeah, sometimes don't you got to be?
Speaker 2 (24:05):
You all? You got to be?
Speaker 3 (24:05):
To me, that's their biggest problem throughout the course of
the season is they allow way more explosive plays than
they create, especially in the passing game. Is kind of
the nuts and bolts of their problem. Now we can
figure out why, and there's a lot of reasons for it.
But I'm very optimistic that the things I'm happiest about
(24:26):
are the offensive line from top to bottom, which I
think is really in a good place right now and
played really really well, and more the running game in general.
The backs and the running game in general, I thought
was a really promising day for them. Now, one of
them was kind of a goofy play on the fake
push push, you know, and that'sw some of the stats
(24:47):
a little, but consistently, over and over, they were very
successful on the ground.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
Once again, the tight ends weren't a big factor, and
once again DK Metcaltain too much. But I was talking
with tom My producer a bit earlier, and we kind
of think that the reason the tight ends aren't a
factor is because if the game plans refusal to throw
to the middle of the field, do you think that's correct.
Speaker 3 (25:12):
I think there's a lot to do with it. I mean,
which to me is, if you're going to be so
tight and centric with your team build, you have to
throw to the middle of the field. Now, yeah, I
mean I think that's cut and dry, especially with a
bunch of backup linebackers on the field. Now, I'm sure
you know what we're missing with that short statement is
(25:34):
the Bears are the scariest team in the league in
terms of taking the football away and most bad things slash,
you know, giveaways, happen in the middle of the field.
So I'm sure in a very conservative nature they stressed
can't turn the ball over. We're going to avoid the
middle of the field, and then you get the backup
(25:55):
quarterback and that probably was exemplified. But if your guys
on the outside aren't ball winners, and that includes metcalf,
I mean that these guys are not George Pickens making
plays outside the numbers on deep balls, and the other
two are very small and they play small in the
balls in the air, then what's the answer for where
(26:16):
the big plays come in the passing game or the
consistent plays come in the passing game? And they really
don't have those answers right now.
Speaker 2 (26:23):
This feels like a bad loss, Matt, even though it
was non conference, even though it was non division. You
look at the AFC, the AFC North Baltimore one. Everything
good the Steelers had going for him in the standings
just vanished in the wink of one loss.
Speaker 3 (26:39):
Yeah, I agree, you know, And going into the game,
I thought, you know, this could be a really good
and I don't take these statement back, but when everyone's
asking it's just a good time to sit rogers, let
them get healthy, I thought, yes, you know, it's an
NFC game. Mathematically, it doesn't hurt you as bad if
you lose it. I'm sure all of Rodgers other ailments
(27:01):
which every football player has, let alone, a forty one
year old will be happy with the week off. But
you're right, it kind of felt like all the play
techtonics of the AFC went against them. You know, Kansas
City's looking good, Jacksonville starting to win games. The Ravens won,
you know, I mean over and over and over. It's like, ooh,
(27:22):
you're in a lot worse situation than you were two
days ago.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
I too think it was the best thing to sit
Rogers night. I think hunch he probably made that decision
and for the better. That said, do you think they
win that game with Rogers at quarterback?
Speaker 3 (27:38):
Yes? I think it was close enough that he could
be the difference. However, if he played like he did
against Chargers, he answers no, But I definitely think his
brain would have been useful. And I definitely think one
or two deep shots gets completed and that might have
been enough.
Speaker 2 (27:59):
But don't they I'm gonna throw more deep shots regardless
of who's in there.
Speaker 3 (28:04):
I think they need to do more intermediate passing. I mean,
I go balls down on the sidelines to me are fine,
But I just don't know who's good at him on
this team. Now, from a receiver standpoint, it's not Metcalf
unless he runs past people. To me, that's more of
a Pickens type thing. But yes, I absolutely think they
have to. It's not the way you phrased the question.
(28:26):
But less short passing, reliant.
Speaker 1 (28:31):
Yeah, and more middle of the field.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
They're just so much I'd like to overhaul about their
passing game. And you mentioned George Pickens, and he's certainly
a big topic on today's show because of how great
he's been playing for Dallas, not least yesterday and they
went over Philadelphia.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
But I'm also.
Speaker 2 (28:46):
Convinced that they kept Pickens, that he would have just
been wasted in this offense.
Speaker 1 (28:51):
They didn't change him for him last year.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
They wouldn't change him for him this year, wouldn't mad
that Metcalf's on the other side, he's just not a
guy cut out for this offense for him and now, honestly.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
I think he's a head case. But I totally understand
why he's happier there and was unhappy here.
Speaker 3 (29:08):
Oh I do too, I do too. I mean, I
think there's a lot of layers to that conversation. Is
if I was his agent or an advisor in any way,
I would say, George, never leave Dallas. This is the
absolute perfect place on the planet for you for many reasons. Ownership, quarterback,
style of play, ceedee lamb, all these things, and yes,
(29:31):
he would not be having a All Pro season in
my opinion. With the other thing too, is Pickings has
gotten better every year he's coming to the league, so
this year going from where he was last year, So
now isn't that surprising. He might be the most talented
player in the league. And he's not a work ethic problem. Now.
(29:52):
The one thing I'll fight you on, though, is the
deep balls that they're attempting. He comes down with a
couple of them where these guys don't, you know, no question, I'd.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
Never argue that with you. I mean, look at that
pick Rudolph threw right away. I don't absolve Rudolph for
blame for that early pick, Matt, but Metcalf almost made
no effort to try to come down with it, let
alone even break up the play.
Speaker 3 (30:16):
Yeah, and I think Metcalf's a good player.
Speaker 1 (30:18):
He really is.
Speaker 2 (30:20):
But I do too, But like you said frequently, he's
not good in combat catches exactly.
Speaker 3 (30:25):
And I don't understand why everyone doesn't knows about him.
He never was in Seattle. He wins with size and speed, well,
he wins his speed and separation, you know, where throwing
up jump balls for him is not going to go well.
He just doesn't do that well. And just because he's big,
I think there's this misconception about that. And he is
(30:48):
a good player, but he can't be the one that
always has to deal with all the added coverage. Once
in a while, he needs a hand. He needs a
Tyler Lockett in his prime with a Smith Nijigba, you know,
coming into his own to really and that's not unusual
for most good receivers, you know, like if Yes T.
Higgins to do this role, it wouldn't be as good.
Speaker 8 (31:08):
You know.
Speaker 3 (31:09):
It's just they're treating him like he's better than he is.
Speaker 2 (31:12):
I think where's Buffalo at They're not very good except
quarterback and running back.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
That's how I see him.
Speaker 4 (31:19):
I do too.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
I think they're one of the most overrated rosters in
the league. It's an aggressive front office that's trying to
maximize the Josh Allen window, and they keep making all
these big moves, trading for von Miller, trading for Amari
Cooper and nothing gets better. I mean, they drafted defensive
line like crazy. This year, they drafted defense like crazy.
(31:40):
It's still a very underperforming defense. Their run defense isn't
very good. They're good up the middle. On offense, they're
o line, they're running back. As you said, Allen's a
total superstar. But as much as any team in the league,
they are so reliant on their best player to be
the best player on the field, and he usually is,
(32:01):
but only eight out of ten times, which is remarkable
in its own own way.
Speaker 2 (32:05):
You know, it's a long way to go, Matt, But
if you had to pick right now, will the Steelers
make the playoffs, win the division where they going to
wind up?
Speaker 3 (32:13):
I lean towards they will not do either, And a
lot of it's just because of the way the AFC
went last this last week or so, and there is
a lot to play out, And frankly, I'm not that
impressed with Baltimore. They're winning, but Lamar doesn't look like
himself and some of their issues that were happening early
in the season aren't any better. But I still think
(32:35):
they should be the leader right now to win the
division and then all of a sudden though. Those seven
spots dry up pretty quick in the AFC. I mean,
New England's going, Denver's going, Indy's going. If Baltimore wins
the North, you don't have tie breakers against the Chargers. Yeah,
I think the Chiefs are going to get in. I
think Buffalo's going to get in. Doesn't really leave you much.
Speaker 1 (32:58):
Yeah, I feel the same way.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
I mean, things could if they beat Buffalo, things changed
right back.
Speaker 1 (33:03):
But I'm not sure. Oh, I'm not sure that's gonna happen.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
Matt.
Speaker 1 (33:06):
There's always great stuff, fantastic insight. We'll do it again.
Speaker 3 (33:09):
Next week, all right, Mark, I think they need to
win one of these next two.
Speaker 2 (33:13):
I think it would be better if they won both.
But you know, sure, if my aunt had you know
what should be my uncle? That is Matt Williamson. Brought
to us by the Steelers Pro Shop shop dot Steelers
dot com. Up next, we got some interesting sound from
o Cho Sinko and Shannon Sharp about Shador Sanders winning
(33:35):
his first start with Cleveland and not getting the game
ball one oh five nine the.
Speaker 9 (33:38):
X Wednesday Night, the Pens go head to head against
the Sabers. Game time is seven our coverage starts at
six here every game, and the best coverage right here
on your Home of the Pens oh five nine d X.
Speaker 2 (33:55):
It doesn't matter if you're running journals on the ice,
playing pickup on a Saturday
This is the Mark Mann Show.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
River Hans Top of the Egg, River Hans, Riverhuns, top
of the EUE, Liverpool three nil losers at home to
the nineteenth place team. Somebody came up to me. I
was at Shiloh Playton Port for a River Hans watch
party Saturday. It went great, great place up there, and
the guy came up to me from behind when UH
(00:27):
Liverpool had just conceded the third goal to Forest and
he said, how's it going big sexy? And rather than explode,
I just kind of grimaced and said, it's not going
real good.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Any hoodles, you can call now.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Next segment calls on the fifteenth, which is so fetch
a three three four one two wxdx U. Miles Garrett
is going to break TJ watch single season sack record.
Garrett already has eighteen. Watt had twenty two and a
half a couple years back when he said it he's
invisible now. He had the script and Sacho jerk it
(01:03):
over that for a while. They lost. And when Garrett
does break TJ Watt's single season sack record, I will
celebrate on the show. If Miles Garrett wants to come
on the show, I would be more than happy to
have him because TJ. Watt is meathead, Jim teacher whiner,
made a big deal out of getting paid more than
(01:23):
Miles Garrett, and now he is okay, if you want
paid more than Miles Garrett, be better than Miles Garrett's
and he's not even close. I know a lot of
you out there idolized TJ. Watt, and that says a
lot about him, about the Steelers and about you. Did
you idolize a guy who is the poster boy for
(01:44):
the Steelers underachieving as a team. He's been great his
whole time here, but he can't get the team to
do anything. Cam Hayward can't get the team to do anything.
DK brought him in, gave him a ton of money,
can't get the team to do anything. The big money bozo,
that's who's letting y'all down, Not Mason Rudolph. That number again,
(02:06):
eighty three to three, four one two wxdx. Here's the
hidden value from yesterday's game at Chicago. If you want
to take something.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
To get away from it, here goes.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Rogers will benefit by the game off at forty one
and hurt Grandpas sitting out getting out of Harm's way.
That's a good thing, whether inadvertently or not, it's a solid,
big picture move.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
We saw that bracelet Rogers war.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
It looked big and clumsy and convinced me Rogers did
the right thing by not playing. And I believe it's
a hunch, but I believe that decision was made by him. Now,
if you knew Rogers playing meant winning yesterday, you would
have taken that risk that he doesn't get hurt worse.
And I would liked to have seen him out there
(02:58):
for those last two possessions. That was Rogers time. But
I'm not one hundred percent sure Rogers wins yesterday because
the cowardly offensive game plan would still be there and
the bad coaching and the defense would still suck. Although
Rogers would have caught that illegal formation. That said, he
would not have scrambled for twenty two yards like Mason
(03:18):
Rudolph did.
Speaker 1 (03:20):
Everything is nuts so about the NFL.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
Like we've been talking about, Pickens was so good for
Dallas yesterday, Kansas City won, but is still not in
a playoff spot. New England's ten and two Shador wins
his first start played. Okay, did not get a game ball,
not because he's black, but because he's not.
Speaker 1 (03:39):
White, a night kid.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Because the notion that people don't want a black quarterback
to succeed in the league that has sixteen starting black
quarterbacks is absurd. The notion that Kevin Stefanski, the Cleveland coach,
doesn't want Shador to succeed when he's coaching for his job,
that also is absurd. So your calls in, where are
(04:01):
the Steelers headed? How do you see this team right now?
Was it Rudolph's fault? I blame the defense, I blame
tom in eight three three, four to one two WSDX.
It's all happening. The NFL is just so fetch. What
if the Steelers beat Buffalo, they beat New England Indy
and let me tell you they're not better than New
England and Indy.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Well, Indy, I don't know. Maybe Dandy Dimes is fading.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
How about New England would be eleven and one if
they beat the Steelers, and New England should have They
gave the game away with all those takeaways the Steelers got.
Penguins only got one point out of four. On the weekend,
Dan Muse flipped out and should Penguins look like they're
in trouble. I could be wrong, but I'm not bad
(04:48):
body language. Players playing bad you know, you know they
played bad hockey at inopportune times, like that overtime loss
to Seattle on Saturday. The Penguins dominated overtime but couldn't score.
Seattle came down kind of a mess shot and Morishoff
couldn't make the stop. They watched eight of eleven. They
(05:08):
got some loser points mixed in there. But like I said,
bad body language, definitely in a funk, and Muse was
pissed afterwards, should have been, and I like to hear it. So,
like I said, get your calls in now eight three, three,
four one two wxdx. We got some crazy ass sound
(05:29):
about the Steelers, that defense, how they can't put sixty
minutes together, how they can't play well on both sides
of the ball in the same game. The national media
is finally figuring the Steelers out, I think. But all
it takes is beating Buffalo for everyone to be fooled again,
(05:50):
and probably locally.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Too, although maybe not, maybe not. I don't know. No,
you're stupid. You'll get fooled again.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
You'll get fooled as many times as DVE plays won't
get fooled again on.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
Their playlist, and that's a lot too. I'm starting to.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Think that Cam Hayward won't get his okie dope bonuses.
Starting to think that a sac and a half in
eleven games, starting to think that he better be content
with the tens of millions that he's already got. You know,
here's the saddest part of all from yesterday or funniest,
depends on your point of view. Uh, the Steelers should
have won that game. It was right there to win.
(06:28):
Caleb Williams had a bad first half. Chicago was missing
its three best linebackers, which of course was the Steelers'
coup to never throw in the middle of the field.
The game was there to win, and the Steelers didn't.
The Steelers didn't. I hate the defense, hate them, hate them.
(06:49):
If you're on that defense, I hate you. Maybe not Ramsey,
although Ramsey missed the tackle, made some bad Yeah yeah, Jalen,
No offense got a lumpy and hate you as well. Uh,
Bear's got fourteen points off turnovers, and yeah that's on Rudolph.
He made both toneovers, picking a fumble. But the defense
is allowed to make a stop. You know when I
saw somebody tweet at the end of the game. Can't
(07:11):
blame the defense. They got to stop and got the Steelers.
Speaker 1 (07:14):
The ball back late. Rudolph couldn't convert. Yeah, he couldn't go.
Speaker 2 (07:18):
The length of the field in like in like ninety
seconds with no time odds. Unbelievable. He couldn't do that.
What a bunch of marks you are? Okay, get your
calls in now. And I have been showing a lot
of contempt for the audience today. And if you don't call,
I won't blame you, and I will eviserate you if
you're stupid.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
Just fair warning. One oh five ninety X every weekday
at ten am, he.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Pulled Mark you are super genius.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
I know the ex at one five nine.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
It's the segment everybody's talking about. Calls on the fifteens.
We do it at three fifteen and four fifteen because
the people want to talk to the super genius. Somebody
should sponsor because it is so fetch. Let's go to
John and Waynesburg. John, you're on with double M cool.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Hey, mark ersos just wanted to say thanks.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
Early during the show.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
I've loved it for years.
Speaker 5 (08:12):
I wanted to say yeah, do you think part of
the Steelers problem is that.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
They paid everybody, and no one steels very incentivized to
work anymore, and they just kind of coast through the season.
Speaker 2 (08:23):
No, I don't think they're coasting at all. I just
don't think they're very good. I think they paid guys
when they're not no good no more. I think they
paid TJ. Watt for what he used to be. I
think they paid Cam Hayward for what he used to be.
Although to be fair, Cam did have an All Pro
season just last year, but I think that turned out
to be a last gasp, but not a new beginning.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
I think it's just an old team.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
I think that's the biggest problem is that a lot
of their their quality players are past their prime.
Speaker 1 (08:52):
Thanks Mark, thank you. Let's go to Scooch at Hope
Well Scooch. You're all with double M.
Speaker 5 (08:58):
What an absolute clown show this organization has become. They
think they're so high and mighty. They have a forty
one year old quarterback that's probably coming back next year
because they don't know what to do. They got thirty
four year old Darius Slay who's constantly hurt. They trade
Nko for Jami Ramsey, who's supposed to be your lockdown corner,
who's thinking so bad they move him to safety, your
(09:19):
Turnstiles playing an offensive tackle. You give a linebacker in
his thirties forty one million dollars a year, so you
can rub it in mouth Garett's face that we have
a higher paid player than you. They are an absolute disgrace.
They think that their they're mediocrity, massive, consistency, common who
should have went after the Browns playoff loss? They are
an absolute this straight.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Did you write that down? Because that was very well
delivered and complete and correct.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
He hung up.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Wow, drop the mic. Uh yeah, what that guy said.
And it's not gonna get fixed. It is mediocrity, masters, consistency,
or stability, or whatever word they want to use to
conceal the fact that the hypocychcloid is a flawed logo.
Now let's go to James in Sarasota. James, you're all
(10:13):
with Mark.
Speaker 6 (10:16):
Hey, Mark, good to hear from you, see you call
you hey. I think the biggest mystery dealing with probably
the Steelers offenses. And if you can back me up
on this, maybe look it up. You've got John hu
Smith you've got Friar Move and you've got Washington. Washington
is an absolute beast, a real danger. He can block,
(10:38):
he can catch, he can.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Do it all.
Speaker 6 (10:40):
You've got Friar Moves, who.
Speaker 7 (10:42):
Probably has the best hands on the team. It's always
scoring a touchdown with limited attempts. And then you've got
John Whu Smith who can't do any of it, but
yet he gets the most targets in the most playing time.
Speaker 6 (10:54):
Can you please.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
Explain, you know, I think Smith's a good tight end.
I think all of the tight ends have been misused,
even Darnell Washington, who had that viral clip a week
ago and he broke all those tackles, but I think
only got two passes yesterday. And it also I agree
with the tight ends not being used properly. I've been
(11:14):
saying for weeks that the tight ends were not be forced.
They were supposed to be when they assemble what was
thought to be a very diverse and talented group. And
I want to add too, that not throwing to the
middle of the field. Look at that touchdown you mentioned
with Firemouth. That was a great throw in the middle
of the field where Rudolph had the patience to wait
for coverage to clear. There's just so much wrong with
(11:37):
this team, and most of it is wrong in the
name of cowardice and being scared of your own shadow
with your offensive game plan.
Speaker 7 (11:48):
In last question, do you think the pro I know
the Tomlin disdained, but is there I mean, Arthur Smith.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
I'm just are you impressed? I'm not impressed, and thank you.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
I think when it absolutely positively has to be somewhere overnight.
Smith will get it to you a week and a
half later. I hope somebody got that. Let's go to
Nate and hope. Well, Nate, you're on a double.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
M Hey Mark, how you doing today?
Speaker 1 (12:14):
Great?
Speaker 3 (12:16):
Hey?
Speaker 4 (12:17):
The reason I was calling. Did you see how the
Steelers lost their last time out at the end of
that series with Pierre. The CBS showed a cliff that
were walking off the field. He bumped into somebody walking
off to the bear sideline, fell and laid down and
that's how they lost that last time out. That was unreal.
Speaker 1 (12:37):
Yeah. Are you blaming the rest for the loss? Though?
Speaker 4 (12:41):
Now I'm blaming Pierre, Well, not for the loss, but
I mean that time out would have came in handy
on that last try.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Yeah, I mean he would not like, would not have
won them the game.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
No, but it.
Speaker 2 (12:57):
Usually your calls are pretty good. But that's nitpicky pitoy stuff.
Let's go to Malone in Fox Chapel. Malone, you're on
with double m.
Speaker 5 (13:05):
How about this prediction when when the Steelers play Cleveland,
Miles Garrett is one sat away from the record and
Aaron Rodgers pulled the farm and lays down and get
him the record.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
I don't think Garrett would do that, and I don't
think Brett Farr should have done that to give Strahan
the record. But yeah, that's pretty funny. And what if
Garrett is in position to break the record down? That
would be hilarious to do it in front of his
big rival and the guy who insisted he get paid
a million more than Garrett. And now it's just a
fraction of what Garrett is. He's not a pimple on
(13:38):
Garrett's ass.
Speaker 5 (13:40):
Yeah, and then we could start calling Watt Gastonoe and
really complete the cycle.
Speaker 2 (13:45):
He's better than Gaston. Oh, thank you for the call.
Then again, Gastono, he had a good career. Uh yeah,
that would be beautiful. If Garrett broke the record playing
against Watt, I would dance like, well, I'd dance like
somebody somewhere. Uh.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
What a great segment of calls on the fifteen.
Speaker 2 (14:05):
Uh, there's only one word I can use to describe,
and that word is fetch up. Next, we're talking about Williamson,
our football guru, the pro and College Scott Just around
the corner on one O five to nine.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
It's The Footy Show weekday mornings at six.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
Listen to the AX at home, at work, anytime on
the iHeart Radio app.
Speaker 3 (14:22):
One The X is this season.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
When you're in the mood for holiday music, Hallween Chris,
listen live with the iHeartRadio app and on fits first.
Speaker 4 (14:37):
Number one Christmas music station, not Eve four point five
three WS.
Speaker 1 (14:43):
This is Doug Gotlib. Here's what's trending from the iHeart
Sports Network, presented by Matthews, Wahlanker and Waterproofing.
Speaker 8 (14:49):
It is Week twelve of the NFL season, set to
wrap up tonight with a Panthers taking on the forty
nine Ers on Monday Night. Football Steelers coach Mike Tomlin
says Aaron Rodgers should play next week against Buffalo. Sat
out the loss of Chicago yesterday with his fractured wrists
and TJ Watt pass big brother JJ on the NFL's
all time sacks list when he recorded his one hundred
(15:09):
and fifteenth takedown of his career against the Bear Sunday.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
I'm Scott David said, if you're selling your home and
have a wet basement or cracks in your walls, call
Matthews wall anchor to make sure your foundation is on
solid ground. I was a super genius alpical with white
guy on the radio. I think I'm the coolest guy period.
But what's up DX at one five nine?
Speaker 2 (15:29):
Interesting note on Twitter from Joe Rudder of the trip
Steelers have come out of the locker room after halftime.
Getting the ball first five times in their first series
has resulted in four punts in interception, which might be.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
Why they blow out a halftime leads joining me now
to talk football.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
There's nobody better than the former pro in college scout.
Speaker 1 (15:51):
He's our football guru, Matt Williamson.
Speaker 2 (15:53):
Matt, I gotta ask him about a few moments, specifically
on fourth to nine, right at the two minute mark yesterday,
the Steelers had the ball, Tom Wood punted.
Speaker 1 (16:02):
Good move or bad move in that specific timeframe.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
Yeah, I'm not avoiding your question, mark, But I was
really really torn on that one too. I thought it
was a coin flip. Now, I'm sure the numbers, the
analytics would tell you to always go for it, but
I don't know what the answer was in terms of
play calling and all those type of things. I'm not
going to crush them for that one, but I really
(16:28):
do see both sides.
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Would you have tried the sixty four yard field goal
with Boswell at the death?
Speaker 1 (16:35):
Would that have been a better bet than what they tried?
Speaker 3 (16:38):
Yes? Now, I don't feel one thousand percent strong about it,
and he probably misses it, but I would have just
trusted one of my absolute best players more so than
a backup quarterback, and the way the offense and especially
the passing game was playing, and maybe Boz just tells
him I got no chance, but it wasn't windy, and
(17:00):
in this in today's kicking world, those things are happening
more and more frequently. I think I would have given
that a shot.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
On that illegal formation, Matt didn't negated Rudolph's big run.
Whose fault is that? Who needs to see that and
correct it or call it time out? Well?
Speaker 3 (17:16):
I found it really interesting because I'm sure a lot
of listeners did that. Rogers saw it immediately, you know,
from the sidelines, he's losing his mind screaming about it,
and I'm sure if he's the quarterback, it doesn't happen.
I would imagine it's on Rudolph more than anybody because
he has to be in charge of everything. But he's
got a lot on his plate now. Nobody should line
(17:38):
up illegally. I mean, all parties involved should know the
rules and understand that that's an issue. But I bet
with Rogers it doesn't happen.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
The Steelers defense on thirty one points and three hundred
and twenty eight yards, but got two takeaways and one
of those resulted in a touchdown? Is that a good
or bad performance by the defense?
Speaker 3 (18:02):
This game's so weird because everything dealing with running the
football I thought was highly successful on both sides of
the ball for the Steelers, and pretty much everything surrounding
passing the football I thought was a failure by the Steelers.
So going into the game, they're facing a really good
(18:23):
and emerging Bears offense and a bad Bears defense, and
I think clearly the goal was shut down the Bears really,
really impressive running game, So they achieved that and kind
of like when they limited Josh Jacobs or did a
really good John against Jonathan Taylor, or took away Jamar
(18:44):
Chase in the second game a great deal. So they
did the hard things. But what's mind boggling or just
frustrating is simple zone coverages in things that we've seen
over and over be issues remained to be issues. So
I guess I give the defense a C you know, overall,
(19:06):
which you know, considering the opponent and considering the goals
coming in. But man, it's still a lot of yardage
to give up, and that happens every game, and.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
Considering the personnel and the price tag, A SEE isn't
good enough either. What specifically frustrated you the most about
that defense.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
Well, we saw the DJ Moore touchdown that was far
too easy. We saw too much middle of the field
passing being highly available. I don't think goal number one
was to rush the quarterback, and you know, they kind
of treated him like Lamar a little bit, where we
want to keep him in the pocket. The pressure we
(19:47):
get on him is great. He's not the most accurate quarterback,
and a lot of that played out well because he
isn't the most accurate quarterback and he missed some throws,
but it felt like the only time they stopped them,
especially through the air, it was when Caleb Williams missthrows.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Yeah, and they gave him some easy throws too.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Like the thing that was most visible on the network feed,
Matt was they were playing like so soft, like nine
yards off and they just kept throwing five and six sharp.
Speaker 3 (20:19):
Passes a one thousand percent, and too many of them
were on third and critical down and distances. There's a
couple of clips you can find all over the internet
now where it's third and five and it looks like
they're playing it like it's a third and ten situation.
You know, things like that where it's just too easy
of receptions. So yeah, I mean a lot of their
(20:42):
zone coverage stuff is problematic and has been all year.
But they also don't really have the horses to play
a lot of man.
Speaker 1 (20:52):
How are Whatt and Hayward playing.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
And I'm not saying that by criticism of them, but
they're just buried statistically, They're way down the leader board.
Speaker 3 (21:01):
They are, and I think they're playing a lot defensive players.
I don't cite their numbers a lot. Of course, he
loves great sack stats, and they don't really exist for
these guys compared to their past. But I think both
have been really good players, to be honest with you.
But it's more the little things like taking on double teams,
playing the run, tackling things of that nature. And they
(21:24):
both get a lot of attention. Still by no means
I think either is the problem, and I don't think
either is a obvious declining player. Hayward in particular, does
so much of the dirty work in an impressive fashion,
but there are a lot of times, especially just watching
on TV at first blush, where you don't feel their impact.
Speaker 1 (21:48):
I agree with half of that.
Speaker 2 (21:50):
Hayward, I feel you because he's not a staddy type
of guy, never has been. When he gets a lot
of sacks, it's more organic. But what I mean, you
paid him more than Garret. Look what he's doing. Look
what Garrett's doing?
Speaker 3 (22:03):
Oh right, right? And people around here send me all
kinds of nasty messages because Garrett's clearly.
Speaker 1 (22:11):
Oh gee, I wonder what that's like.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
I was gonna say, maybe you've been down that road before, right,
But I've been getting this for two or three years
that when you compare the two of them, frankly, it
isn't really close. And I don't even mean that as
a knock on what But Garrett gets better every year
and is going to go down as one of the
best defensive ends that ever lived. And I don't know
(22:35):
why both can't be true. I mean, Watt's still a
good player. Garrett's better. Garrett's better than everyone. He might
be the best football player walking the earth right now.
And I know that makes me unpopular, but oh well, we're.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
Talking about Williamson.
Speaker 2 (22:49):
Brought to list by the Steelers Pro Shop Get it
direct from the team at shop dot Steelers dot com.
How Rudolph play the game plan certainly wasn't very courageous.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
I thought he kind of did what was there. Mostly.
Speaker 3 (23:02):
I'd probably be a little harder on him than that,
because they left a lot of plays on the field,
especially the few times they did push the ball down
the field. Right, So I thought he was efficient and
did the easy stuff well real well. But I also thought, hey,
I need to throw make two more throws and you did,
(23:23):
and that's not that much to ask.
Speaker 1 (23:25):
Oh no, that's fair.
Speaker 3 (23:27):
Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
Now, the running game was very good, as we talked about.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
But in an odd way, did that prove that running
the ball isn't enough, especially in today's league.
Speaker 1 (23:37):
This league's not about long drives.
Speaker 2 (23:39):
Now, I'm going to contradict myself by saying I thought
they dumped out of the running game late, a little
too early.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
I did too, Now, I thought they could have played
with more urgency on those final couple drives coming from
behind him, and they were long, sustained drives that you
know didn't But they're not strike offense, especially the way
that they're playing.
Speaker 1 (24:02):
Yeah, sometimes don't you got to be?
Speaker 2 (24:05):
You all? You got to be?
Speaker 3 (24:05):
To me, that's their biggest problem throughout the course of
the season is they allow way more explosive plays than
they create, especially in the passing game. Is kind of
the nuts and bolts of their problem. Now we can
figure out why, and there's a lot of reasons for it.
But I'm very optimistic that the things I'm happiest about
(24:26):
are the offensive line from top to bottom, which I
think is really in a good place right now and
played really really well, and more the running game in general.
The backs and the running game in general, I thought
was a really promising day for them. Now, one of
them was kind of a goofy play on the fake
push push, you know, and that'sw some of the stats
(24:47):
a little, but consistently, over and over, they were very
successful on the ground.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
Once again, the tight ends weren't a big factor, and
once again DK Metcaltain too much. But I was talking
with tom My producer a bit earlier, and we kind
of think that the reason the tight ends aren't a
factor is because if the game plans refusal to throw
to the middle of the field, do you think that's correct.
Speaker 3 (25:12):
I think there's a lot to do with it. I mean,
which to me is, if you're going to be so
tight and centric with your team build, you have to
throw to the middle of the field. Now, yeah, I
mean I think that's cut and dry, especially with a
bunch of backup linebackers on the field. Now, I'm sure
you know what we're missing with that short statement is
(25:34):
the Bears are the scariest team in the league in
terms of taking the football away and most bad things slash,
you know, giveaways, happen in the middle of the field.
So I'm sure in a very conservative nature they stressed
can't turn the ball over. We're going to avoid the
middle of the field, and then you get the backup
(25:55):
quarterback and that probably was exemplified. But if your guys
on the outside aren't ball winners, and that includes metcalf,
I mean that these guys are not George Pickens making
plays outside the numbers on deep balls, and the other
two are very small and they play small in the
balls in the air, then what's the answer for where
(26:16):
the big plays come in the passing game or the
consistent plays come in the passing game? And they really
don't have those answers right now.
Speaker 2 (26:23):
This feels like a bad loss, Matt, even though it
was non conference, even though it was non division. You
look at the AFC, the AFC North Baltimore one. Everything
good the Steelers had going for him in the standings
just vanished in the wink of one loss.
Speaker 3 (26:39):
Yeah, I agree, you know, And going into the game,
I thought, you know, this could be a really good
and I don't take these statement back, but when everyone's
asking it's just a good time to sit rogers, let
them get healthy, I thought, yes, you know, it's an
NFC game. Mathematically, it doesn't hurt you as bad if
you lose it. I'm sure all of Rodgers other ailments
(27:01):
which every football player has, let alone, a forty one
year old will be happy with the week off. But
you're right, it kind of felt like all the play
techtonics of the AFC went against them. You know, Kansas
City's looking good, Jacksonville starting to win games. The Ravens won,
you know, I mean over and over and over. It's like, ooh,
(27:22):
you're in a lot worse situation than you were two
days ago.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
I too think it was the best thing to sit
Rogers night. I think hunch he probably made that decision
and for the better. That said, do you think they
win that game with Rogers at quarterback?
Speaker 3 (27:38):
Yes? I think it was close enough that he could
be the difference. However, if he played like he did
against Chargers, he answers no, But I definitely think his
brain would have been useful. And I definitely think one
or two deep shots gets completed and that might have
been enough.
Speaker 2 (27:59):
But don't they I'm gonna throw more deep shots regardless
of who's in there.
Speaker 3 (28:04):
I think they need to do more intermediate passing. I mean,
I go balls down on the sidelines to me are fine,
But I just don't know who's good at him on
this team. Now, from a receiver standpoint, it's not Metcalf
unless he runs past people. To me, that's more of
a Pickens type thing. But yes, I absolutely think they
have to. It's not the way you phrased the question.
(28:26):
But less short passing, reliant.
Speaker 1 (28:31):
Yeah, and more middle of the field.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
They're just so much I'd like to overhaul about their
passing game. And you mentioned George Pickens, and he's certainly
a big topic on today's show because of how great
he's been playing for Dallas, not least yesterday and they
went over Philadelphia.
Speaker 1 (28:45):
But I'm also.
Speaker 2 (28:46):
Convinced that they kept Pickens, that he would have just
been wasted in this offense.
Speaker 1 (28:51):
They didn't change him for him last year.
Speaker 2 (28:52):
They wouldn't change him for him this year, wouldn't mad
that Metcalf's on the other side, he's just not a
guy cut out for this offense for him and now, honestly.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
I think he's a head case. But I totally understand
why he's happier there and was unhappy here.
Speaker 3 (29:08):
Oh I do too, I do too. I mean, I
think there's a lot of layers to that conversation. Is
if I was his agent or an advisor in any way,
I would say, George, never leave Dallas. This is the
absolute perfect place on the planet for you for many reasons. Ownership, quarterback,
style of play, ceedee lamb, all these things, and yes,
(29:31):
he would not be having a All Pro season in
my opinion. With the other thing too, is Pickings has
gotten better every year he's coming to the league, so
this year going from where he was last year, So
now isn't that surprising. He might be the most talented
player in the league. And he's not a work ethic problem. Now.
(29:52):
The one thing I'll fight you on, though, is the
deep balls that they're attempting. He comes down with a
couple of them where these guys don't, you know, no question, I'd.
Speaker 2 (30:02):
Never argue that with you. I mean, look at that
pick Rudolph threw right away. I don't absolve Rudolph for
blame for that early pick, Matt, but Metcalf almost made
no effort to try to come down with it, let
alone even break up the play.
Speaker 3 (30:16):
Yeah, and I think Metcalf's a good player.
Speaker 1 (30:18):
He really is.
Speaker 2 (30:20):
But I do too, But like you said frequently, he's
not good in combat catches exactly.
Speaker 3 (30:25):
And I don't understand why everyone doesn't knows about him.
He never was in Seattle. He wins with size and speed, well,
he wins his speed and separation, you know, where throwing
up jump balls for him is not going to go well.
He just doesn't do that well. And just because he's big,
I think there's this misconception about that. And he is
(30:48):
a good player, but he can't be the one that
always has to deal with all the added coverage. Once
in a while, he needs a hand. He needs a
Tyler Lockett in his prime with a Smith Nijigba, you know,
coming into his own to really and that's not unusual
for most good receivers, you know, like if Yes T.
Higgins to do this role, it wouldn't be as good.
Speaker 8 (31:08):
You know.
Speaker 3 (31:09):
It's just they're treating him like he's better than he is.
Speaker 2 (31:12):
I think where's Buffalo at They're not very good except
quarterback and running back.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
That's how I see him.
Speaker 4 (31:19):
I do too.
Speaker 3 (31:20):
I think they're one of the most overrated rosters in
the league. It's an aggressive front office that's trying to
maximize the Josh Allen window, and they keep making all
these big moves, trading for von Miller, trading for Amari
Cooper and nothing gets better. I mean, they drafted defensive
line like crazy. This year, they drafted defense like crazy.
(31:40):
It's still a very underperforming defense. Their run defense isn't
very good. They're good up the middle. On offense, they're
o line, they're running back. As you said, Allen's a
total superstar. But as much as any team in the league,
they are so reliant on their best player to be
the best player on the field, and he usually is,
(32:01):
but only eight out of ten times, which is remarkable
in its own own way.
Speaker 2 (32:05):
You know, it's a long way to go, Matt, But
if you had to pick right now, will the Steelers
make the playoffs, win the division where they going to
wind up?
Speaker 3 (32:13):
I lean towards they will not do either, And a
lot of it's just because of the way the AFC
went last this last week or so, and there is
a lot to play out, And frankly, I'm not that
impressed with Baltimore. They're winning, but Lamar doesn't look like
himself and some of their issues that were happening early
in the season aren't any better. But I still think
(32:35):
they should be the leader right now to win the
division and then all of a sudden though. Those seven
spots dry up pretty quick in the AFC. I mean,
New England's going, Denver's going, Indy's going. If Baltimore wins
the North, you don't have tie breakers against the Chargers. Yeah,
I think the Chiefs are going to get in. I
think Buffalo's going to get in. Doesn't really leave you much.
Speaker 1 (32:58):
Yeah, I feel the same way.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
I mean, things could if they beat Buffalo, things changed
right back.
Speaker 1 (33:03):
But I'm not sure. Oh, I'm not sure that's gonna happen.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
Matt.
Speaker 1 (33:06):
There's always great stuff, fantastic insight. We'll do it again.
Speaker 3 (33:09):
Next week, all right, Mark, I think they need to
win one of these next two.
Speaker 2 (33:13):
I think it would be better if they won both.
But you know, sure, if my aunt had you know
what should be my uncle? That is Matt Williamson. Brought
to us by the Steelers Pro Shop shop dot Steelers
dot com. Up next, we got some interesting sound from
o Cho Sinko and Shannon Sharp about Shador Sanders winning
(33:35):
his first start with Cleveland and not getting the game
ball one oh five nine the.
Speaker 9 (33:38):
X Wednesday Night, the Pens go head to head against
the Sabers. Game time is seven our coverage starts at
six here every game, and the best coverage right here
on your Home of the Pens oh five nine d X.
Speaker 2 (33:55):
It doesn't matter if you're running journals on the ice,
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