Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Five nine Penguins at Minnesota tonight. It's the call of
the wild. You can hear the call of the game
here on one oh five nine. The x jording me
now in studio to discuss he covers the Penguins for
the Athletic. He is Josh, Joey Josh, what is the
most surprising thing to you about the Penguins so far
(00:21):
this year?
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Oh, that's a good question.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
I guess I would have to start with the goaltending
Mark Tristan Jarry, who we are going to see tonight
in Minnesota, has very good career numbers in that building.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
By the way, he's been good and.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
We certainly couldn't say that last season at the end
of the year he looked better for sure, But when
the guy gets sent to Wilkesbury twice in a season,
you don't expect him to start the season in the
manner that he has. And as for she Lovs, if
we can ignore the shootouts, which we can't, he's actually
been very good. He stole the Penguins a point in
Philly the other night.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
He's been the better of the two, except he's been
offling the shootouts could be I mean, he absolutely stole
a point for them and filled but I thought they
had one of the worst games of the season.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Did not look good playing on the second end of
the back to back. That's what he does, though. He's
one of those guys who will steal you games. Penguins
haven't had a goalie like that really since Flurry. Just
stylistically she loves will have some off nights too, but
that's always been the mo with him. He will steal
you games on occasion, and that's one thing you really
have never been able to say about Jari. So the
goaltending has really been impressive. Obviously, they've played better hockey
(01:24):
all the way around, but they weren't always bad. Last season,
their goaltending just literally killed them so much, especially at
the beginning of games. You know, if you're dealing with that,
it doesn't really matter what the rest of your team
is doing.
Speaker 4 (01:36):
Oh, She'll loves a good fit.
Speaker 1 (01:37):
If he could win, you know, a medal at the
Worlds for Latvia, he can do okay playing behind Sidney Crosby.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
I would say the most surprising thing is Gino's.
Speaker 1 (01:47):
Whole line, him and the big guys, not just the
Geno's producing. And is you know, right near the league
leading points and leads the league and helpers.
Speaker 4 (01:55):
But then he's a good fit with Braso and Mantham.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Well Braso in particular.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
This guy's putting up better than a point per game,
and no, he's not going to keep up that pace,
I don't think. But I will say none of the
goals have been fluky, like the guy's got a pair
of hands, mark, he really does.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
He has scored a couple of beautiful goals.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
He's got a pair of hands.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
In tight He's not going to be defenseman one on one,
but he can fake out the goalie.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
No, that's right.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
He's not going to create a ton of offense on
his own, but he just makes so many plays with
the size in his hands. And it's clear to me
that Mantha and malcan have some chemistry. We'll see if
Gino can keep this up. He did this in October
last season. I don't know if he has eighty two
games in him like this. I doubt he does, but
I'm not going to count the guy out. He's a
Hall of Fame player. Mantha is the interesting one though.
(02:41):
He yeah, and he's just so big and he's always
had a world of talent, and he's been a perfectly
good NHL player. He never became the star in Detroit
that so many people thought he would, but he and
Malcan have some serious chemistry. And if they're going to
keep getting production like that from that line, you kind
of no sid's gonna produce five on five And then
(03:02):
all of a sudden you look at the Penguins as
a whole, and that kind of changes the picture a
little bit. If that line keeps playing the way it does,
they've been great.
Speaker 4 (03:09):
I think it's just a simple formula.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Those guys drive the debt and play good don Low
and it creates space for Gino.
Speaker 4 (03:15):
I'm not sure it's.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
An ideal fit in the neutral zone, but they've kept
thinking simple in the neutral zone.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
It's probably not to Gino's credit, with the exception of Philly,
where he didn't play very well either. He has cracked
down on some of the bad habits the last couple
of years as he has aged. He might not be
the explosive offensive player or the goal scorer that he
once was, but he's still clearly is a brilliant puck
distributor and he's not making the killer mistakes the turnovers
(03:40):
that we have seen on occasion from him over the years.
I just see chemistry and it's one of the biggest
lines in the NHL. And I you know, seriously, the
Penguins haven't had that even in their great years, their
Cup years. They were never a big team and sometimes
big teams would give them trouble. It's nice that they
actually have that element now.
Speaker 5 (03:57):
Well.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
Yeah, the Penguins have been easy to play against for
a number of years, Yes, but sid's never easy to
play against it. The line that size, just by its
composition isn't easy to play against either. I'm also surprised
by Shay and Watherspoon as top Pier defenseman on the
left side because they're not that, but they're at least
not embarrassing themselves.
Speaker 3 (04:16):
People have asked me why the Penguins look so much
better this season, and honestly, it's easy to point to
the coach, but I look at what Kyle Dubas did
this summer and how many positions he upgraded on this team,
whether it be Brazo and Mantha we already talked about them.
Watherspoon a very clear upgrade. For whatever reason, this is
a guy who has fit In has played very well
with Carlson. The analytics people always loved Watherspoon for whatever reason.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
I don't always.
Speaker 3 (04:40):
Agree with them, but maybe they were right about him.
He had the one mistake in Anaheim when he shot
the puck over the glass cost the Penguins a game.
The way he bounced back, He's played his best hockey
since then. That tells me something about him. He has
fit into the system and Shae. I always call Shay
the latter day Chadrowheedle. I don't mean that as an insult.
He might be gonna give you a lot offensively, but boy,
(05:01):
he has been solid as a rockin and those two
guys play with Carlson and Latang, who let's be honest,
they're gonna have their good knights and they're gonna have
their bad nights. And when they have their bad knights,
those two have been holding down the fort so far.
That's a very real thing.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
Plushy, don't look goofy in his helmet. Ruedy did he
had like that great kazoo thing going. I'm not sure
what to say about Sid. I'm not surprised he's playing great.
I'm also not sure Hollander is the guy on that
wing with raquelat how do you think Raquel's done there?
And who's gonna settle in at that spot to Rax
gets back.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Yeah, I think that's a problem because I like Hallander.
I think he's a really good bottom six guy. I
I haven't really liked the fit. I did not like
how Villy coyven and looked with Sid the first couple
of games.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
But I think you got to go back to that.
I just don't think Sid wants to. And I don't
know that.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
At some point Covenant hasn't looked good though I don't
he was great. They send him down to Wilkesbury eleven
points in six games dominated but he hasn't looked comfortable
to me. I don't know that there are any solutions
on the roster. The only name that pops the mind
is young mister Kendall. I would love to see it
at some point, But then again, he looks so comfortable
in that third line center role right now, and he's
(06:07):
been so effective for the Penguins, and.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Muse isn't making the third line play like a third line.
It's not Chip and Chase. He's having those guys play.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
That is correct and So Kendall has been such of
a benefit for the Penguins. You know, how it is
it what's more important on Sid's winger or the third
line center. You could make an argument for either, But
what happens to the third line if Kendall goes up there?
You want Tommy Novak is your third line center, because
what I've seen from him, I don't.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
I don't want him as my third line winger with Kindle.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
Right, that's a real issue, and that's what happens. You
only have a certain amount of depth. One name to
keep in mind, not necessarily with Sid, but a guy
who can make this team better.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Rucker mcgroarty's going to be.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
Back at some point in the next month, I would think,
and that certainly gives them more depth.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
If you're talking about it, I'd.
Speaker 4 (06:51):
Put McGroarty with the Kindle and on the Kid line.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
So what I I love that idea.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
In fact that my point is it will just make
them a deeper hockey team. You don't just replace Riquel though,
that's a thirty five goal scorer who knows how to
play with Sid, who's pretty good on the power play.
That that's a pretty damaging loss. I don't think people
wanted to focus on him because the Penguins are playing
so well right now, they're gonna miss him at some point.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
We're talking to Josh Jowey.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
This segment brought to twist by eighty four lumber Dynasty,
partner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. You mentioned now Gino's not
making as many errors playing under views.
Speaker 4 (07:23):
I don't think Eric Carlson is either.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
I think he's still hap hazard sometimes, but he's making
less egregious mistakes.
Speaker 4 (07:30):
And I actually saw.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
Him a couple games back get upset when he made
a mistake, which usually it's case Sara Sarab.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Yeah, in Philly, he broke a stick over the crossbow.
Speaker 4 (07:39):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
They didn't even score on that play.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
He just knew he screwed up so bad that I
think he was upset with himself, which was good to see.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
He's been really good. He has.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
He did not have a good knight in Philly, but
that was his first really bad game of the year,
so I'll give him a mulligan on that one. He's
almost a point per game. I think he has nine
assists in eleven games. Hasn't scored a goal yet, but
we know that will come with him. You're right, he's
not making the catastrophic errors that were so clear in
his game last season. And I will say this for him.
(08:06):
I'm not trying to make excuses, but he didn't have
training camp last year. He was hurt, and he was
so horrible in October November last year. I think he's
one of those guys who probably needs training camp. He
looked better all through camp, and I think this coaching
staff is just working for him. I don't think he
was a big Mike Sullivan fan. In fact, I know
he wasn't. I don't think he was a big Todd
Rarden fan before that. I think he's a hard guy
to coach. For whatever reason, he's clicking with these guys
(08:29):
right now, and that that's only going to help the
Penguins cause.
Speaker 4 (08:32):
By the way, Quick Selly thing New York's bombing.
Speaker 5 (08:35):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (08:36):
Do you feel like he's gonna f up the Olympics too?
Speaker 1 (08:38):
I feel like he's gonna pick the wrong Guy's gonna
stick with the old hands, gonna pick guys like Patrick
Kane over Logan Cooley, and they're gonna lose to Canada again.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
Well, if he does that, they're in deep trouble because no, no,
not only will he do that, the hockey media will
think it's the right.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
Pick, but he'll get destroyed in the aftermath. He will.
Speaker 4 (08:54):
There's a lot I know I intend to.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
There's a lot of pressure.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
And again I root for Canada if that makes me patriotic,
but I rod for sid that's fair.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
The pressure on Mike Sullivan is real. Boy doesn't it
mirror Dan Biosma when he coached the Olympics in twenty fourteen,
when when all of a sudden his reputation was starting
to take a bit of a hit. Now he's coaching
the Olympics and they have a lot of talent, but
if they don't do well, I think that's going to
impact Sullivan's legacy a lot.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
I really everybody buried.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Bosma after and he's never been the same.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
So he got jobs after that, but boy, he has
never been viewed in the same way since Sullivan, I
think for a time was on a Hall of Fame trajectory.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
He got two Stanley Cups.
Speaker 3 (09:30):
If he got a gold medal in the Olympics, boy,
that changes everything for Sally.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
Patrick Kane makes that team and Logan Cooley doesn't will
it will be emblematic of them taking the wrong approach,
which I'm absolutely certain they will. Don't forget they didn't
beat Canada. Okay, they had a good tournament. They did not.
Speaker 2 (09:45):
Beat Canada when it mattered, they didn't.
Speaker 4 (09:48):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
They beat him in the round. Robin Kendall is playing
his tenth game tonight. That seems to indicate he's here
for the season, because that kicks his contract in the
first year. What's Brunic's status, Josh?
Speaker 4 (09:59):
Is he playing? Do we know that yet? Because he
doesn't seem a lock to stay.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Does he looks like he's not playing tonight?
Speaker 3 (10:05):
And let's be honest, the level of his play has
dropped quite a bit in his last couple of outings.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
Now, is that because he looks like he's all over
the place?
Speaker 4 (10:12):
I can't put my finger on it.
Speaker 2 (10:14):
It does.
Speaker 3 (10:14):
You can see when you watch him play, you see
the physical talent. It's very clear. He's an unbelievable skater.
And I thought his first three or four games really good.
He's dropped off quite a bit. I've talked with people
in the organization, people on the coaching staff as recently
as a week ago, like they all really want him
to stay. They just feel like it's best for him
just to stay with them. They can coach him through
(10:35):
this and he's gonna take some lumps, but I agree
with that, and they just love the talent so much.
I'm curious, though, when you keep seeing him as a
healthy scratch, which we might see again tonight in Minnesota,
that tells me they're teetering. Maybe they're not sure what
to do. Kendall, he's a different story. He took off
in the second week of camp and he never looked back.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
He was great on the show. I asked him a
favorite soccer team was. He didn't have one, but we
had to pick one. He'd picked Juventus, which was important
to pick a team I didn't hate.
Speaker 4 (11:02):
You know, I'm not.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Sure I'm embracing the Penguins yet Josh as a nailed
on playoff contender.
Speaker 4 (11:07):
But I will say this, the Eastern Conference sucks.
Speaker 2 (11:10):
It's really even they're good teams.
Speaker 4 (11:12):
They're good teams. I don't trust they're good teams. Are
they're hurt or I.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Watched the Maple Leafs for about ten minutes last night.
They looked awful, like there's something wrong with that team.
Florida obviously is still Florida, but they're backed up. They're
not the same obviously without Barkov and Kachuk. You look
around the East, I mean that there is a limited
amount of teams that you would say, yeah, they could
be a Stanley Cup contender. There will be some highly
mediocre teams I think that make the playoffs this season,
(11:38):
and the Penguins strictly based on mathematics, like, given their start,
they're probably gonna hang around if they go five hundred
the rest of the year.
Speaker 1 (11:47):
That Thanksgiving thing, Yeah, if you're in the playoffs at Thanksgiving,
you almost like what ninety three percent I think making.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
We're less than four weeks away now, right or four
weeks away, so.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
That don't even though I in a in a vacuum,
I'd much rather get early.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
Pick.
Speaker 1 (12:01):
Yes, but this is what's best for business, so I
can live with it, Josh, pick your Eastern Conference winner,
because here's what I said a bit earlier. Toronto should,
but I know they won't. Right, Carolina is shoe, but
I know they won't. Montreal is not ready yet. Tampa
doesn't look good and they're old. Florida's too beat up.
I mean who's gonna win the conference?
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Well, there's one team. You didn't mention that.
Speaker 3 (12:23):
I really like Jersey. Yeah, I think the Devils are interesting.
Speaker 4 (12:26):
I don't trust their goaltending.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
I don't either. You know who I pick, and this
was after the injuries.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
You know who I picked. The we had the athletic
we had to pick the East. You know who I picked.
I picked Florida and I know they're banged up. I
know Kachuck's going to be back. I wonder with us
they have a little bit of Chuck get.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
Hurt again, probably at the Olympics. He may probably because
he comes back too early.
Speaker 3 (12:44):
Zeno will make a move. He won't replace Barkov. There
is a chance Barkoff could be back at some point
during the playoffs. By the way, I just until somebody
beats them, I will pick them. I realize they're wounded.
I just think the East stinks that bad. I still
think there's a chance they could do it.
Speaker 1 (12:59):
I'm rooting for a Eastern Conference final between Carolina and
Toronto because then somebody would have to win it, and
I've been somehow then find a way to.
Speaker 3 (13:06):
Not the disparity between the TV ratings in Canada and
the United States would be like nothing we've ever seen
if that happen.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
But I would still pick Carolina now.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
And the weird part is with so many teams gonna
be in the Eastern Conference race the.
Speaker 4 (13:18):
Whole way, I mean the whole way.
Speaker 1 (13:20):
Yeah, there probably won't be any big deals made, no,
and I mean teams will try, but you know, teams
never trade guys if they're still in.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
It, right And people have asked me many times already,
like if the Penguins keep this up, let's do, what's
gonna do? And my answer is absolutely nothing. Probably won't
be a buyer, and he shouldn't be. I think if
they listen, if they go on some Cinderella run and
somehow make the playoffs, I'm not gonna bash.
Speaker 2 (13:44):
Them for that. That's great, okay.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
And for Dubas, it's fine so long as you don't
give up any of your assets for the future, and
I know that he won't. That you're not gonna get
Gavin McKenna, that's what that means, but you probably weren't anyway.
Maybe some of these young guys are just better than
we thought. I think that's something we're to learn. But
there's no way Dubis will be a buyer. I don't
know how many teams will be buyers because there's not
really going to be any sellers, and that makes it
hard to be a buyer when there's no sellers.
Speaker 4 (14:09):
Who do you like tonight?
Speaker 1 (14:09):
Minnesota is off to kind of a well, a bad
start really, three wins and eight losses, including three loser points.
They got capras Off. I think he's overpaid and overrated,
but still very good. They got our old prospect, Gustafson
and goal.
Speaker 4 (14:22):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (14:23):
I don't like their team as much as some. No,
this could be a good night for the Penguins. Sid
always plays well there. He likes to see his old
chattick but Saint Mary's chattock buddies. He always plays well
in that building. Tristan Jerry always plays well in that building.
Minnesota's given up the fourth most goals in the NHL
so far. They've been really bad defensively. That this could
be a nice matchup for the Penguins. But I will
say Penguins haven't really played well in about a week.
(14:45):
They're still getting points, which is a credit to them.
They haven't really played a good game since the Vancouver game.
More than a week ago.
Speaker 1 (14:50):
Yeah, and at some point soon they're gonna get dropped
on their head. Yes, maybe just not tonight. You can
feel it coming Winnipeg. Probably maybe at Toronto Monday, one
of those too. They don't play well in either of
those buildings.
Speaker 3 (14:59):
What if they blew Toronto because Toronto, like like you said,
might be a night after the Blue jay has won
the World Series. Maybe they won't care. But I hope,
uh mister Dubis is on that trip. If indeed that
is the case.
Speaker 4 (15:09):
I hope it's the night after the Blue Jays blow
the World Series X.
Speaker 6 (15:14):
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Speaker 4 (17:04):
He calls it a mismatch, and that's like the one
of the greatest mismatches of the week.
Speaker 7 (17:10):
And they got to be licking their chops getting ready
to play this defense. One thing we talked great length
about the offensive line of the Colts. If you go
back and watch that tape, there are some giant holes.
It's amazing how well that offensive line's playing. The Steelers
don't rush the passer very well either. I think Spiken's
calling great games. Jonathan Taylor is the MVP right now,
(17:31):
by the way. I know you won't win it because
quarterbacks win that award, but he was the Patrick Bombs Award. Yeah,
he would be the MVP right now. I think the
Colts can win there and put a number on the
Steelers defense. The Steelers defense showed me nothing the last
couple of weeks.
Speaker 4 (17:45):
That Colts O line is great. The guard Quenton Nelson
so good.
Speaker 1 (17:51):
He gonna be matched up against Cam Hayward and Nelson
will wear Cam's tired old ass to frig out. The
Colts could win by thirty, maybe more, and yet the
culture only favored by three.
Speaker 4 (18:09):
And it makes me wonder.
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Always great to talk to, Jerry Dulac. Jerry, this game
seems like a pretty big hill to climb. Indianapolis an
offensive juggernaut and this Shane Steichen. Boy, he's done some job,
hasn't he coaching the Colts.
Speaker 8 (20:55):
Yeah, he really has, Mark, He and Mike Brabel would
be the early candidate for Coach of the Year for sure,
and he'd probably have the just the lead by a
little bit. But you know, on paper, Mark, it's a
terrible matchup for the Steelers. Obviously. Colts come in as
a high scoring team in the league. Six of their
(21:15):
eight games they scored thirty one or more points for
the first seven games, the Steelers have allowed thirty or
more points. You know, Mark, they haven't done that in
the first seven games since two thousand and three. We
saw what they gave up in the two games, nine
hundred and twenty two yards. That's the most of their
two game stretch since nineteen eighty eight. And yeah, it's
(21:37):
a historic defense, all right, but for all the wrong reasons.
It's just, you know, their problems stopping to run, even
though they did a good job in the first half
against Green Bay. You know, you're going against the league's
leading rusher and their tight end problems. You're going against
Tyler Warren, the rookie from Penn State who leads all
tight ends in receiving yards, and they have two productive
(22:00):
wide receivers and probably this year Sam Darnold the comeback
player of the year in Daniel Jones. And so they
do little wrong and it is not a good matchup
on paper for the Steelers.
Speaker 4 (22:12):
And one thing he didn't even mention.
Speaker 1 (22:13):
They have a really good offensive line anchored by Nelson
at guard. That's going to give that Steelers up front
a hard time, isn't it.
Speaker 8 (22:21):
Yeah, you know, Quentin Nelson is like the Tom Brady
of Guards. You know, he's just a stud. He always
has been, and that whole line you know, operates around him.
And so yeah, they they have been very good. That's
why they score all those points. I know they've played
a lot of home games, but you know, yeah, it's good.
We'll see what the Steelers got, you know, mark a bit.
(22:44):
You know, I've watched a number of games over the years,
and I've seen it many times where the Steelers bounce
back after a game where a lot of people don't
give him a chance. But I thought that was going
to be last week after an embarrassing too. It's in Cincinnati,
and then they come out in the first half and
sixteen to seven. They're shutting down the run. Okay, I
(23:04):
know they had to settle for some field goals, but
they were going up and down the field. Excuse me,
up and down the field. And then it all changed
in the second half. But that's the second game in
a row. You know, the offense gave him a ten
to nothing lead in Cincinnati. Is sixteen to seven halftime
laid here. Okay, I know they're not twenty one point advantages,
but they're still you know, basically double digit leads and
(23:27):
then defense can't protect them.
Speaker 1 (23:29):
Well, in a nutshell, Jerry, what's wrong with that defense?
You could probably talk about that for hours, but give
me the abbreviated version.
Speaker 8 (23:36):
Well, Mark, I don't think there's any question. The most
concerning thing to them, if not alarming, has to be
their secondary Okay, part of that is because in the
last two games they've gotten no pressure on the quarterback.
They're getting none from the edge. Look, I didn't sit
down and break down the All twenty two film to
see how they were handling TJ. Watt, but I know
(23:58):
on several instances I watched when he was singled up,
and they're getting no production off the edge. And so
when you don't get any sacks, you know, they had
twelve in those back to back games, he had thirty
quarterback hits, which is an amazing number. And then in
the last two games they have kind of you know,
they had Keanu Benton sack of Joe Flacco on the
(24:18):
second play of the game, and then you know, I
think Cam Hayward or TJ got the other one, which
really didn't have a big factor in the game. But
two sacks in the last two games. No sacks and
no turnovers against the Packers. And you know, in addition,
in addition to allowing all those passing yards, I think
what's alarming Mark about the three hundred and sixty yards
(24:40):
by Jordan Love. Two hundred and forty four yards came.
They were yards after the catch, which means the receivers
aren't being contested. They're tackling has been abysmal, as we know,
But two hundred and forty four yards after the catch,
that's a staggering amount. And that just only points up
the problems are having in the second day.
Speaker 4 (25:00):
How could they line up different in the secondary? Though?
Speaker 1 (25:02):
Now with Elliott, I mean, Dougar's a guy, he's a
cast off.
Speaker 4 (25:06):
Maybe it'll help a little bit.
Speaker 1 (25:07):
Ben actually had a good suggestion on this podcast to
play Ramsey in the slot to cover the tight end.
Speaker 4 (25:13):
At least that would take somebody away.
Speaker 8 (25:16):
Well, I think you're gonna see different things like that.
They're gonna probably have to use Jalen Ramsey a little
bit different. You know, we already we already see them
use him, you know, in three different spots, you know,
at corner, at safety, and in the slot. So yeah,
that's not a bad suggestion, but you still have those
two outside guys, and you still have Jonathan Taylor to
(25:38):
contend with. So the problem, Mark is all the attention
that they paid to literally and figuratively to that position
during the offseason. And there's been Yeah, I know, Jay
look to his credit, Jalen Ramsey has made some plays
in those first five games. But what they brought those
guys in to do, they're not doing. And whether that's
(26:00):
the scheme and how they're using them or just their
inability to do that, you know, is a large part
of the problem. Ask to your question about Kyle Dugger,
I think he's an upgrade over what they have, which
you know, might be damning them with faint praise. You
know now that Elliott's out, and they wouldn't have made
that move if that John Elliott wasn't injured. But you know,
(26:23):
for whatever reason, he fell into disfavor with Mike Grabel,
but he had been a fairly productive and more than
productive player, you know, with the Patriots for a number
of years.
Speaker 1 (26:37):
Why won't wat line up a different places around the line?
Speaker 4 (26:40):
Why is he reportedly resistant to that?
Speaker 1 (26:43):
Because that's a big part of the arsenals of both
Michael Parsons and of course Miles Garrett in Cleveland.
Speaker 8 (26:51):
Mark, I don't know. I don't know who said he's
resistant to that. I'm not aware that he's resistant to that.
Speaker 4 (27:00):
Well that anyway, Jerry, he's not doing it.
Speaker 8 (27:03):
That's what's going to be my point, Mark, is that
whatever the case may be, he's not getting the production.
He's not disrupting the games. Even if he doesn't get
the sack. We've seen him disrupt games in other ways,
you know, forcing the guys to make plays out of
the pocket, strip sacks or just causing fumbles, recovery's interceptions,
(27:25):
whatever the case may be. We haven't seen that from him.
But he's paid Mark, They you know, guaranteed one hundred
and eight million dollars for him to get sacks and
disrupt the backfield. And we're not seeing that. And that's
a large part, a large part of the problem that
they're having.
Speaker 4 (27:43):
Jerry, is anything going right for them?
Speaker 1 (27:45):
I certainly can't criticize Aaron Rodgers, and I think their
offensive line it's not great, but I think there's been improvement, don't.
Speaker 8 (27:51):
You, Mark. I don't think there's any question the offensive
line's been one of the strengths of the team, believe
it or not, After the first couple of weeks, they're
running the ball. Oh well, you know, Jalen Warren comes
off one hundred and twenty some yards in Cincinnati. He
has fifty yards in the first half, and you know,
they had eighty one yards rushing in the first half
and then they end up with ninety three and he
(28:13):
barely touches the ball. So, I mean the running Kenny
Gainwell had some big runs. The running game has been good.
The protection on Rogers for the most part. Now, look,
they got their sacks the other day once they took
the lead and you know, had the ten point advantage,
and then the Steelers have tried to play catch up.
But their protection has been good. The offense has been good.
(28:33):
You know, a lot of diversity. There is it high powered, no,
but it's not you know, it's not a dink and
dunk offense. And they've been able to score points. I
have very little issue with the offense. And I think
the offensive line from a protection standpoint and a run
blocking standpoint, has been very good. I mean, they get
better every game, mark and so I mean that's credit
(28:55):
to them.
Speaker 1 (28:56):
The Steelers like to try and force low scoring rock
fights on their defense. But now that this defense has
shown it can't be relied upon, shouldn't they try to
open it up offensively and try to win games like
they did last year that first game against Cincinnati, like
like thirty five, thirty three or whatever.
Speaker 8 (29:12):
Well, Mark, the basis of your question is is correct.
I mean they you know, from what we have seen
and what they have seen, they can't rely on their
defense to play that game because you know, even in
Cincinnati when the offense came back when Aaron Rodgers brought
him back twice in the fourth quarter from those two
ten point deficits, Yeah, they got off the field one
time out of the last eight drives. But even when
(29:34):
the Steelers took the lead on that long touchdown to Friarmouth,
defense came right down and let them score and they
lost the game.
Speaker 5 (29:42):
And so.
Speaker 8 (29:44):
I don't know, you know, Arthur Smith's not the type
to open it up. But I don't have any problem
with the way they've been playing offensively. But I think
we have seen now the other day a little different.
But I think because they just couldn't come back enough.
But I think we have seen that this offense is
capable of bailing out the defense, and Lord knows, and
(30:05):
until something gets right, they're going to have to continue.
Speaker 4 (30:07):
To do some Mark, is there any chance on me?
I mean there's always a chance.
Speaker 1 (30:12):
You talked about how they usually come back after being down,
but now they've been weighed down for a couple of games.
I just think this is a horrible matchup against the Colts.
Speaker 8 (30:20):
Yeah, well, I agree, Mark, And like I said, on paper,
it's as bad a matchup as you can have for
a team that's struggling in the areas that it is defensively,
going against the highest scoring team you know in the
NFL and a team that's just seven and one. You
know they're good on defense too, Mark, Hey, look we'll see.
I mean the Steelers aren't. It's not like they're the
they're the bottom feeders of the league. But they need
(30:43):
to get something right on defense and find out. You know,
it's a number of things, Marked, And and part of
that could be the guys that you brought in maybe
aren't as good as you thought they were, So you
know that that's all part of it. But whatever they're doing,
they're going to have to do something a little bit
different to change up what we've seen in the last
(31:06):
two games, which has been for their defense, extremely embarrassing.
Speaker 4 (31:09):
What is the morale level like?
Speaker 1 (31:11):
Because when I see guys doing interviews, especially a guy
like Cam Hayward, a perceived leader on the team, Jerry,
you know, these guys can't help but show the boo
boo face. It looks like they know what they're up
against and how much they've struggled. And I don't know
how they couldn't.
Speaker 8 (31:26):
You know, Mark, I've always over the years never tried
to read the locker room because one thing I've learned
that come Wednesday, you can't tell if they've won fifty
to nothing or lost fifty to nothing. And so part
of those those faces you might see are also look
after those last two performances and when they're interviewing defensive guys,
nobody wants to smile. Everybody wants to appear serious and
(31:50):
you know, concerned about what they're doing. But I don't
think it has any reflection on, you know, on their
attitude or approach or enthusiasm for the game. I just
think they'll probably think, look, it's no time, it's no
time for smiles and giggles. And good times when you're playing.
Speaker 5 (32:08):
Like that, Jarre.
Speaker 1 (32:10):
At one point, I thought they couldn't help it win
the division. Now I can see Baltimore with Lamar Beck
coming on. I think Cincinnati blew a golden opportunity when
they lost to the Jets.
Speaker 4 (32:19):
But how's this division going to shake down?
Speaker 1 (32:22):
And now I find it hard to think there's going
to be more than one team makes the playoffs, just
the division winner gets in.
Speaker 8 (32:29):
Well, the way it started, Mark, I agree with you
one hundred percent. I never thought Cincinnati was a serious
contender once Joe Burrow got hurt, you know, and now
Joe Flacco is probably not going to play this week.
But I've always thought only because I've seen it for
years and I know how banged up they were. I
never discount the Ravens. Hey, look they started one in five, Mark,
(32:52):
all they have to all they have to do is
go five and one and then they're back at five hundred.
And that's not much different than where the Steelers are
coming up with a tough schedule. So, you know, Mark,
the Steelers, as bad as they are, they still have
a one and a half game lead in the division.
I only say that because somebody has to get into
the postseason the division winner. So I don't care how
(33:12):
bad you are which and how bad you're playing now.
It will probably eventually catch up to you as the
season goes on. But law as you're playing terrible and
you still have a one and a half game lead
in the division, believe me, that's all they care about.
I don't want to say that's all they care about,
but that's a big component of what they're what they
care about because that means they get into the postseason
(33:33):
and they'll take their chances. Now we know what that
has shown, and we know what it'll probably be. But
somebody has to get in from the division, and right
now it would be them easily.
Speaker 4 (33:43):
Jerry, great stuff. Enjoy the game on Sunday.
Speaker 8 (33:46):
Mark and enjoy your watch party. I will see you,
my friend.
Speaker 1 (33:49):
That's Sterry Doulac, brought to us by bud Light, easy
to drink, easy to enjoy, and since Terry led me
into it. I'm at the school host Tavern and Clarage
for the Steelers and Colts on Sunday at one p
h We got a lot of hockey talk tonight the
Hockey Night Show. The game starts today Hockey Night Show,
an extra our Hockey Talk six till seven. Up next though,
(34:11):
it's Ask Mark Anything eight three three four one two
w xdx. That's eight three three four one two wxdx.
Or leave a talk back via the microphone icon at
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Speaker 7 (34:31):
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Use your free iHeartRadio.
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Icon to send your questions to the super genius instantly.
Speaker 9 (34:45):
Tonight's the Pen's face off against the Wild. Game time
is eight. Our coverage starts at seven. Listen to every
game and the best Pens coverage on your home in
the Pittsburgh Penguins one O five.
Speaker 5 (34:58):
Nine b X.
Speaker 2 (35:00):
This hour the Mark Bandon shows brought to you by
buzz Light. Probably served a Potter's Grill in Union Town,
stopping Potter's Grill and enjoyed it.
Speaker 4 (35:06):
Cream comes to the top. I feel like I'm just
bubbling over you.
Speaker 5 (35:10):
Have pants play on the air because I who told
you the exit one.
Speaker 1 (35:19):
I think the key to any appearance on my part
is to have a catchy name. So Monday night and
I'm going to watch the Penguins game at Pittsburgh Brewing
in Crayton right off for twenty eight and I'm giving
away all kinds of bobbleheads from throughout my years of
getting them and not really caring that I have them.
So lemiue Crosby, malk and Latang come and get him.
(35:40):
That's my watch party for the Penguins in Toronto. The
game starts Monday night, seven thirty. I'll be at Pittsburgh
Brewing in Crayton. It is the bubblehead giveaway bonanza. I
don't think you can go wrong with the bonanza. Okay,
And now it's time to ask Mark. Anything brought to
was by People's Natural Gas check out People's hyphen gas
(36:01):
dot com. Did I say Jerry was brought was by
bud Light, easy to drink, easy to enjoy it? Well,
I said it. Now, Uh, let's go to Joe. Joe
ask Mark anything.
Speaker 5 (36:14):
Good? Mark?
Speaker 10 (36:15):
I heard you bring him this up last week about
the make a trade to Miami. My question is that trade?
Speaker 2 (36:22):
Was that trade.
Speaker 10 (36:23):
Primarily for John in Ramsey was kind of awe that.
Speaker 4 (36:27):
I don't know what it was for now, Bro.
Speaker 1 (36:29):
I thought it was a good trade at the time,
but I never thought they would underuse Johnny like they have.
He's barely contributing at all, barely targeted, that's for certain.
And he's not really a blocker. Yeah, and then and
then Ramsey, Yeah, I underestimated and so did theay what
he could still do. He just can't cover top receivers
one on one anymore, just simply cannot do it.
Speaker 10 (36:52):
Strot got to be in the spot, I'd say. But
with that trade man make it seemed like he was
the only guy. Maybe I gotta be wrong on that,
but he makes the only guy kind of remembered that
was what was kind of saying some a little bit
about the communication make us seem like he was kind
of like the sour rapple in there.
Speaker 5 (37:09):
You know.
Speaker 10 (37:09):
He kind of always thought.
Speaker 1 (37:11):
Maybe he was the one who said there was lack
of communication. Apparently he's right, because we've heard that critique
over and over again this year, And well, I don't
think Nika played well at all the last two years
and did not justify his big ticket the last two years.
Maybe he held that defense together back there more than
we thought.
Speaker 9 (37:32):
That.
Speaker 10 (37:32):
Do you think to him saying that it all might
have had any part in Tom removing him?
Speaker 4 (37:37):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (37:37):
I don't know who can tell with Tom when he
does things without rhyme nor reason. He's just terrible at
his job and even more terrible at personnel decisions.
Speaker 4 (37:46):
Let's go to JB.
Speaker 1 (37:47):
Jb ask Mark anything, Hey, good day, Serge, I said,
good day, Hey Mark.
Speaker 11 (37:54):
I know you've expressed your disdain for the Exorcist movie
and you had a lot of.
Speaker 1 (38:00):
No, no, no no. I wouldn't say that at all.
It's a great movie. I just get nightmares after I
watch it.
Speaker 11 (38:06):
Okay, okay, And then you had a lot to say
it for the jos fiftieth anniversaries. My question is what
is your all time I guess it that the Exorcist
your all time favorite horror movie, and then your favorite franchise?
Are you the best?
Speaker 4 (38:21):
The best horror movie ever is the Exorcist.
Speaker 1 (38:24):
My favorite is Jaws because it doesn't give me nightmares
because I just don't go in the water.
Speaker 11 (38:30):
As franchise, I don't really like any of.
Speaker 1 (38:33):
The franchises that much. I mean the original Halloween that
was one with Jmi Lee.
Speaker 4 (38:37):
Carteris right, Yeah, I believe so, the original what was.
Speaker 1 (38:40):
The Michael Myers One Friday The thirteenth.
Speaker 4 (38:45):
No, Michael Halloween. Yeah, so so I just don't. I don't.
Speaker 1 (38:50):
I think every one of the horror movie franchise was overdone,
went too far, don't you agree?
Speaker 11 (38:57):
Yeah, for the most part. I don't know if you
caught the TV series. Uh, the Purge was on USA?
Speaker 4 (39:02):
Oh oh wait, hold is the Purge a horror movie?
Yeah it is.
Speaker 1 (39:06):
It's more it's more social dystopia, but yeah, it's.
Speaker 4 (39:09):
A horror movie. Yeah. The Purge is my favorite franchise.
Speaker 1 (39:12):
I love the first page, loved the Second Purge, love
the Third Purge.
Speaker 4 (39:17):
The next two not so much, but they were okay.
Speaker 1 (39:19):
Yeah, I love the Purge movies and I did love
the TV franchise.
Speaker 11 (39:23):
I was gonna say, if you didn't catch that, I
thought that was really good and had a couple of seasons,
but I really enjoyed that.
Speaker 4 (39:28):
Thank you for the call.
Speaker 1 (39:29):
And by the way, my favorite scene in the Purge
franchise I couldn't even compliment it now because it was
something so like, yeah, I can't even talk about it.
Let's go to Joe, Joe, ask Mark anything, how you doing?
Speaker 4 (39:42):
Mark?
Speaker 1 (39:43):
Thanks one after you.
Speaker 4 (39:45):
And say that word and you have it for your brains.
Better call Saul.
Speaker 1 (39:50):
Let's go to Saul in the car one oh five nine.
Speaker 8 (39:54):
ROK, yeah, this is Sault su.
Speaker 4 (40:00):
Really finny. Good job. This is the Markman Show on
one oh five nine,