December 8, 2025 • 36 mins
Mark continues talking Steelers with Trai Essex, Ask Mark Anything!
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Get your calls in now for calls at the fifteens.
Eight three three four one two wxdx. That's eight three
three four one two wxdx.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
By the way, Lamar Jackson sucks.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
He looks rattled and shaky and maybe past his prime
despite being Shia thirty. He makes the occasional play, but
that's it. His two minute drill at the end was
all yackety sacks and stuff. He's three and five on
his career against the Steelers. Like I said, I used
to not buy into the Steelers got Lamar's number, but
(00:42):
clearly they know.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
What to do against him.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
They've got two sacks, five quarterback hits and contained them.
That's all of the above when you're trying to defend
Lamar Jackson. Two sacks, five quarterback kits and containing him.
He had the one touchdown run, but didn't do much
with his legs, didn't do much getting outside the pocket.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
That is all of the above.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
I didn't get scratching Roman Wilson, so Theland and MVSCA
get helmets. Didn't get it at all. The Steelers hate
young guys. They just want to get old older, oldest.
If Wilson isn't good enough. Well, you drafted him and
you developed him or didn't. But like I said, old, older, oldest,
(01:27):
theland caught a pass.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Huzzah.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
I do want to talk about the I want your
input on the College Football Playoff because Notre Dame didn't
get screwed.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
They're just not good enough. They're nothing special.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
Nobody cares about them except for the Notre Dame fanatics,
and there aren't nearly as many of them as there
used to be. If they would have joined the conference,
maybe they would have got the benefit of the that
they somehow think the ACC screwed them. I don't possibly
see how, but Notre Dame should just shut the frig up,
shove about a thousand communion wafers in your mouth, and
keep quiet. Have a little bit sacramental wine too. But
(02:06):
if you want to react to that, feel free. I
give the Texas fans credit. The Texan Texas could have
easily been in there as much as Notre Dame, and
I don't think James Madison and.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Too Lane should be in there.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
But that's what the playoff wants to give, that illusion
that you can get the big upset like you do
in the NCAA basketball tournament, of course, ignoring that basketball
and football and the magnitude of such an upset like
you get in basketball just can't happen in football. So
your reaction to that a three three four one two WSDX,
(02:43):
or you can react to the absurd pirate BS. I
wish I could say the S word, because that's the
only way to describe this is BS. The Pirates are
getting headlines because they made reportedly a four year offer
to Kyle Schwarber, the free agent fat guy, four years
over one hundred million. Hey, I'm not trying to believe
(03:04):
that offer was made, and b it's not near enough
to get schwar But you got to offer him to
give him to Pittsburgh. You'd have to pay him like
at least thirty million a year over six years. It's
one hundred and eighty million to make sure, probably over
two hundred million over six years. So it's more bucco
BS just absolute crap designed to give the impression they
(03:26):
want to improve the team. But oh, poor us, We're
a small market. Even when we offer that, we can't
get the guy. By the way, DK Metcalf spent the
night in a Baltimore hospital he had a.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
Tummy a co apparently.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
Actually, it's probably because he finally gave birth to a
good game and had postpartum depression. Oh, we have some
calls coming in. Let's let's jump in early for calls
on the fifteen. Let's go to Newman.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
Hello Newman, Hello Jay, some too Penguin's questions. If that's okay?
Speaker 3 (03:58):
It is.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
All right.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
So first of all, so you know this is pertaining
to both of them are pertaining actually the Stars game.
So if I'm head coach, my team is up a
goal and they I used to puck and can't change.
With three minutes to go and the opposing team pulls
a goalie, I'm calling time out. Let's say you about that?
Speaker 3 (04:19):
Yeah, I would too.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Part of me says there might be a loop pool
where you can't, because otherwise why wouldn't.
Speaker 4 (04:25):
He Yeah, I mean no, but there wouldn't be a
little pool when you can't.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
You can't differentiate in time of game or where the
other team pulls the goalie. So yeah, he absolutely should
have there. I think Music has done a good job
mark my words. Though Newman there's some potential for him
to screw up some decisions coming up for example, Raquel's
do back in what two or three weeks? If he
takes Kindle off the first power plan puts Quel on it,
(04:54):
I will jump through the ceiling of PPG paints Arena.
Speaker 3 (04:59):
I Barry Hill like a dead dog.
Speaker 4 (05:03):
That would feel like a very late stage Sullivan type
of a move.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
I ain't cutting it out. So the Yeah, what's another question?
Speaker 4 (05:12):
And so so last night Jari held the stars the
two goals, which should be enough to win a hockey
game more often than not, right, and he put up
a wall in overtime but got no help on the
other end of the ice, and then depends again can't
score a single goal in the shootout. So my question is,
you know, we've seen Jari let the team down plenty
(05:32):
of times. Was this the worst that the team has
ever let Jari down that you can recall?
Speaker 3 (05:37):
I know about the worst. But maybe here's the thing.
Pegs aren't that good.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
I mean they like, like I said, does that say
something Newman when they played about as well as they
can and they're only one point safe in the playoffs?
Speaker 4 (05:55):
Yeah? I think I think that's what we're going to
be in force for the rest of the season.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
I mean it just I think that's what we're in
for for Lucky.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
I could see us, like in a month, being ten
points off and I hope not, but but it might happen.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
Well, I mean, what we really need is the goaltending
to hold up. And it's it's a bummer because you know,
you'd like to see Jerry build momentum off performances like
last night, but it's tough to do in the game.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Man, No, I disagree.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
I think he definitely takes momentum off last night's performance.
And I would think that he will get to start
U tomorrow night at home against Anaheim simply because you
don't want to return home and not play the hot goalie, right,
So I think I think he will bring momentum. I
I don't think that guarantees him playing well given his
(06:45):
consistency of play, especially since he came back from injury.
I'm just amazed, and I'll be blunt. I don't believe
he'll keep it up. I could be wrong, but I'm not.
Thank you for the call.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Okay, get some calls in now for calls on the fifteens.
It is so fetch if you think it's fetch style.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Now A three three, four one two, ninety nine, thirty nine,
It's Smart Man Show one oh five to nine. They
come to iHeartRadio, Altar Ego Corny twenty.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Great to hear from the lady callers.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
DX at one five. Time for calls on the fifteens
eight three, three, four to one two WXDX get your
calls in now. I've not been very positive about the
Steelers beating Baltimore because I just don't think it established
anything other than.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
Baltimore is worse than that?
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Are they in control of the AFC North Well, Baltimore
plays a much uh tougher schedule than the Steelers moving forward,
but uh, the Steelers are only up by game, and
the two teams do play again week eighteen at Akroshore,
and I think we've seen enough from the Steelers, given
(07:57):
their inconsistency over the last decade, to know that things
are far from a short But in terms of what
I did like about the Steelers win yesterday, I thought
Aaron Rodgers was very good.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
I thought he showed more than Guyle for a change.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
I thought he dusted off the deep ball through a
couple of real nice passes to Metcalf, had that discount
double check touchdown run, which I still can't believe. If
I'm him, I'm just not running the ball under any circumstances.
But he did what he had to. Again, DK had
a good day, but I traced that to Rogers. I
(08:34):
traced that to the offensive play calling being willing finally
to throw some deep balls and open up the field.
Although I still don't think they used the middle nearly enough.
I hope big fatso Mount Washington is hurt for a while.
I mean, I don't want him to suffer. He's can cussed,
(08:56):
but I want Friarmouth and John who in there. They're
the real Tights, and I want the ball in the
middle more. It goes to show you how little faith
I have in the Steelers right now that I started
off intending to say what I thought went right yesterday,
and I immediately went to what went wrong and what
they have to do different.
Speaker 3 (09:17):
But they still do have to do better, They still
do have to do different.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
I was impressed how the injured guys, the guys feeling
in for injuries like co Holcom Pepper's Clark, the guys
on the O line.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
I was impressed with how they did.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
We'll talk about that with Trey Essex the O line
guys in just a few moments. We talked earlier in
at length about how the Steelers defense put pressure on Lamar,
got hits on Lamar, but also contained Lamar, which is
a pretty good combination.
Speaker 3 (09:51):
It's exactly what you want to do. So the Steelers
got lucky.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
They got all those calls, but they gave themselves a
chance to get lucky. And of course we're talking about
the college football Playoff. Although I don't give a rats
ass ain't. Nobody didn't make it would have a chance
to legitimately win, a legitimate chance to win. Rather Notre
Dame would not have a legitimate chance to win. And
(10:17):
Notre Dame, if they wanted to make it, should have
won one more game. All they had to do was
win one more game. I think if they would have
beat Pitt like a hundred, like Nardoozi told them they
ought to do, maybe they would have made it.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
As well.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
We're also talking about the absolute lie that is the
Pirate's chances of getting Kyle Schwarber. Here's where I screw
myself kind of, except I don't care. I would rather
tell the truth on this show than get listeners for
lying and certainly get callers for lying. I know Don
the dog they're talking about. Can the Pirates get Swarp
(10:50):
or could it happen? I'll bet anybody out there ten
thousand against my hundred. Excuse me, against your hundred. The
Pirates don't get Kyle Schwarber. It's just a total fabrication.
But people, man, they're dumb. So there's the topics. Also,
(11:11):
the penguins in the shootout. Do they need to start
trying the kids? I think so let's go to Eric. Eric,
you're all with Mark.
Speaker 5 (11:18):
Hey, double M.
Speaker 6 (11:19):
I just soon Danny could talk about this.
Speaker 7 (11:20):
I apologize that. What are your thoughts on the Matt
Campbell hiring at Penn State.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
I think that's a pretty good hire given the circumstance
they were in, thought you. We talked about it briefly Friday,
but it's certainly worth discussion today. I like his resume.
I don't think he's a superstar coach, but I don't
think a superstar coach is with Penn State needs. I
think they had close to that in Franklin. And while
I would not have fired him, if they're dissatisfied with him,
(11:47):
then it was.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
A good idea to not go out and get a
carbon copy.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
I don't see the big deal in keeping Terry Smith
beyond playcating the players who are still there now will
be more likely to stay. I'm glad they didn't hire
Terry Smith as the head coach. I think that would
have been just a terrible move. But I'm glad for
him and just for the situation in general that he's staying.
But but, but your original question, Matt Campbell's a real.
Speaker 3 (12:11):
Good higher all right, thank you for your much thank you. Yeah,
I don't think Penn State went wrong there even a
little bit.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
Up next, Trey Essex, former super Bowl champ two time,
two time, one oh five nine The X the only
show weekday mornings at six wherever you are and totally
free on the iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 8 (12:33):
Isn't it great show?
Speaker 3 (12:35):
When you got a young trophy white?
Speaker 1 (12:37):
Oh's money to I can't even quote the big o'bowski right, goodbye.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
The ex.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
Steelers with a much needed win at Baltimore are not
quite sure how impressive it was, joining me now to
talk about it. The two times super Bowl champion always
great to talk to. Former Steelers lineman Trey Essex Trey.
There were lots of injuries on that O line. Who
came through when the trenches filling in and maybe shuffled.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Around you asking me who came in?
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Yeah, anybody? Anybody who you thought stood out on the
old line?
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Oh, Isaac and Model was having a great year. I
mean the whole Old line I thought played better than
what stats would indicate only seventeen carriage for thirty four yards.
After watching film, I thought they actually blocked halfway decent
in the run game, They're just it just wasn't any
consistency in the play calling in my opinion, and the
(13:31):
toss play. Everybody knows it's happening when Spencer goes in motion.
We're running toss more times than not, and so I
think defenses have gotten hit to that. But to answer
your question, I thought Dylan Cook came in and did
a really good job for Pete. I thought Pete was
struggling a little bit, and that game had a falls
star had a holding call, and I think Isaac C.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
Model did a.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Wonderful job covering up for some of the mishaps that
he had. And then Dylan Cook came in for the
last sixteen or seventeen plays and they let tackle spot.
But left tackle is the only position that we've had
people consistently heard at and it's only been happening the
last couple of weeks.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
Well, you're right on about the predictability of the play
calling in the running game, and they got to fix
that trade because I don't think that's a terrible running team.
I just think it has trouble getting from point A
to point B, like you said, because of the predictability.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
It's predictable, it's inconsistent, and a lot of people don't
understand that. When you play old line, you got to
get into a rhythm, just like quarterbacks need to get
into a rhythm throwing the ball. They had those short,
quick screen passes to get the timing going for for
a quarterback. The same thing applies to O line and
running backs. If you don't run enough of the same
(14:41):
plays consistently throughout the game, you aren't on the same page.
The holes aren't being seen by the running back as
clear the old line doesn't know the running back is
going to be really supposed to.
Speaker 6 (14:52):
Be all the time.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
You got to run consistently and Baltimore run the ball
forty one times Pittsburg ran at seventeen times. Obviously, the
passing game works for us in a big way, but
we got to get that running game going if we're
going to do anything these last four games.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
Well, like you said, and you could expand on it,
if you could, please Tray, There's a fine line between
predictability and consistency, isn't there?
Speaker 2 (15:14):
And Buffalo was predictable as all could be last week.
He ran two plays over and over again, but they
ran them and they ran them well. And you can
do that. You can be predictable if you have the
right personnel and if you're doing the plays that fit
your scheme.
Speaker 3 (15:33):
We don't.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
I can't tell you which run play our offensive line
runs the best. Honestly, Arthur Smith loves the toss play.
He's loved it ever since he's been here. But we
don't run that play consistently, and especially when Darnel Washington
isn't in there, and we kept on going back to it,
and so you have to find a bread and butter
play for us. When I played, we ran twenty two
and twenty three double whenever we needed two, three or
(15:55):
four yards. We haven't found that, and for whatever reason,
Arthur Smith does not like to run the ball in
the interior to O line very often. And when we
do rent the toss, we don't have anything to play
off of it. We're not countering against it, we don't
have anything to pair with it, even in the play
action game. So it just it befuddles me my Northwestern
ward of the day that we can't figure out what
(16:18):
to do offensively in a run game on a consistent basis.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
Now, the Steelers got three big calls that all went
their way. Now I'm not saying they were bad calls,
but it's very rare when three calls like that all
go one team's way.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
Which is the calls did you think was the shakiest.
Speaker 2 (16:36):
It just read online that the NFL admitted that they
were wrong on the field goal that ended up giving
us an extra possession and automate we scored a touchdown.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
Right the personal file against Coots the long.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
Snapper correct and even in real time, I didn't see
a penalty that was called. And hey, as a fan
of the team and as a former player, I was like, hey,
sometimes you get it coming your way. We don't get
those calls very often. It doesn't seem like and especially
three in one game, and especially against the rival. I
can understand why Baltimore might took a little salty today
because it definitely felt like everything was going against them.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
What about the containment of Lamar Jackson.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
I used to think it was kind of a little
bsy to say the Steelers had Lamar's number, but I
think they probably do. Like yesterday was the ideal game.
You got two sacks, five QB hits, but you contain
them too.
Speaker 3 (17:25):
How they do that.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Well? I think he's a little compromised. I think everybody
can look at him and see that the explosion isn't
all the way there, but it starts with coverage. Honestly,
I thought this was the stickiest the secondary has played
all year long. There are a couple of breakdowns, there
were some wide open throws, and some boys in the
zones whenever he ran it, But by and large, I
(17:48):
thought the defense the secondary had their best game of
the year. And I thought that aided and keeping Lamar
Jackson holding the ball, and our defens of Milne did
a good job staying in their lanes when they were
rush Lamar, not giving him any holes to escape out
of those And so that's The big thing when you're
paying a guy like Lamar, who's one of the elite
runners in this league, you can't always go after the sack.
(18:11):
You can't always go what looks like a clear lane
to the quarterback. You have to stay in your lane,
got to stay contained and make him hold the ball
and then eventually he'll come to you.
Speaker 3 (18:22):
What about you mentioned the secondary had good coverage. I agree.
Speaker 1 (18:25):
They had a lot of guys in there who ain't necessarily,
you know, played in a while, like Chuck Clark or
Bill Peppers, and Pierre and Eccles have been in there
quite a bit.
Speaker 3 (18:33):
But boy, they're playing great, ain't they.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Yeah, Pierre and Eckles. Eckles kind of set it all
off for the defense with his sack and early breakup.
And I think because jp J gets a lot of
the penalties, people aren't recognizing how good he's actually playing
this year. Yes, there's some boneheaded penalties that he gets
out there, and it's frustrating they'll get me wrong, especially
(18:57):
when two of them I think happened on the same drive.
But outside of that, he is playing some outstanding coverage.
I think his stats when he's targeted, he's one of
the best dvs in the game, and obviously Pierre is
coming in and really he's making himself some money this year.
It's really good to see with all the years that
he's spent being a backup and on special teams, to
him emerge and be a big playmaker for this secondary.
(19:21):
Tudos to him, and it's coming at the right time.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
Aim in all that training. I want to stick with
JPJ for a second because I'm with you. I don't
mind the occasional flag. I don't mind that he's handsy.
If you look at the amount of plays he makes
based on being handsy, being tight, being that man demand guy,
I think it outweighs the occasional penalty, don't you.
Speaker 2 (19:41):
I do, and awesome not only the players that he makes,
it's the plays that don't even go in his direction
because he's there and he has such tight coverage on
his receiver. And so yes, I think you do take
the bad with the good because there's so much good
that he's putting on film right now. I'm not gonna
lie because it seems like all his penalties come at
(20:02):
the worst absolute times. Because the last one, even though
it was a little ticky tack on that slant. It
was on third and five, and that extended their driving.
I think they ended up scoring on that jar. So
it's a little cringe when he does it. But at
the same time, if you take the whole pitcher into account,
there's not too many DD's playing better than him.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
Talking to Trey Essex here on the X up, what
about Rogers, I thought that was his best game of
the year, Like we talked about, it kind of broke
DK open a little bit.
Speaker 3 (20:30):
What made his game better yesterday?
Speaker 1 (20:33):
I thought he just looked comfortable with the wrist after
not last week.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
Yeah, and he looked fearless. He looked like he was
just playing football. Those first three quarters were great and
it was good to get the game open early. I
think we started each half out with a big play.
The DK first offensive play fifty something yards, and I
think the first offense player the second half, which I've
(21:01):
been on it me and Charlie on our podcast, we've
been talking about how horrible we've been coming out of
the third quarter like it's been. I would love to
see the numbers on that. I think we're probably the
worst third quarter team in the league based on how
we've come out and turned the ball over and just
not done anything of significant. But this quarter we did.
This third quarter we did. And I gotta even give
(21:21):
a shout out to the old line again because on
that play in the second half where he threw it
a forty one yard of DK, he had eight seconds
to throw the ball. Almost eight seconds to throw the ball.
The protection was that good. Another clean sheet for those guys.
I think only one or two quarterback kids. And we
ran the ball a lot more than we passed it,
or we passed it a lot more than we ran.
(21:41):
So it was good to see those guys protect the
way they did. But yeah, a rob played great. I
am a little skeptical that fourth quarter was atrocious on
offense and it's something that they definitely need to address.
Speaker 9 (21:54):
Well.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
Though in the fourth quarter they just ran and hit
on offense. They just wanted to, you know, punt the
ball and not make a mistake and what the defense
win it. And you know, don't get me wrong, the
defense did come through in this instance, however, by the
skin of their teeth.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
But that's a dangerous.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Game, it is. And we had I can't remember exact score,
but I feel like we had a two score League
going into the fourth quarter, and Mark, we had three drives,
not three drives total, and we had nine plays, so
we had three three and outs in the fourth quarter exactly,
only three total yards in the fourth quarter. And so
(22:27):
the defense when when they're having to stay on the
field and do these lawn drives that Baltimore is doing
as they're trying to mount to come back, what you
do have to I don't want to say play prevent
the entire defense, but you do give up some yards
in order not to give up the big play as
you're playing against the clock as well. But the author
(22:48):
sounds are saying that too. We have to maintain drives.
You have to get at least one first down in
the fourth quarter to help this defense out, and they
didn't do that.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
Now, how firm is their grip on the division now?
Speaker 3 (23:02):
And they're only one game up.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
I know Baltimore plays a much tougher schedule than the Steelers,
but I'm already worried about this Miami game tray because
they've won four straight. They're six and seven, that's just
one game behind the Steelers, and they have been running
the ball like.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
Crazy, and we've given up two hundred yards plus two
weeks in a row a Chaine is terrifying. And not
only are we giving up those yards, it seems to
every game we're giving up some sort of chunk run
play that completely changes the tie that Mitchell I can't
(23:37):
pronounce this first name or whatever ran for fifty five
yesterday the week before. James Cook had the big players
when we're going against his natty Chase Brown had both
games had a long run to set off the second half.
So and a chain is nothing but a big play
weighing to happen every time he touches the ball. So
it is absolutely terrifying. And then we go getst another
one and Jamior Gibbs in Detroit his big playability. So
(24:01):
the work is cut out for us. This division is
not by any means settled. We're only one loss away
from being outside the playoffs once again, maybe two losses.
I think we gotta want to have leon on Baltimore
with that win. So yeah, they still don't have any
room for air. And to be honest, as a fan
(24:22):
and a former player, I'm still not truly confident that
we can take the division until we can strain some
of these performances together.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
No I agree, And never mind the division trade, what
about the conference? I mean, every time I think a
team's good, they're not anymore if somebody gets hurt.
Speaker 9 (24:36):
Look at Indy, right and yeah, me and Charlie talking
about that. Daniel Jones, I feel sorry for him because
he seemed to have a resurgent year. He was out
there playing in the contract year on a broken leg,
doing whatever he could.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
And now the.
Speaker 2 (24:53):
Coach don't They don't look like a very strong team
with Houston coming on the way they hand Kansas City
on Sunday night and the way New England is looking
right now, Yeah, they look like the strongest teams in
the AFC. But like you, like you mentioned week to week,
you don't know. The AFC is such a flippy floppy
conference this year. You don't know who's going to be
(25:16):
standing at the end of this.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
Yeah, and like and then you start thinking about potential
matchups in the wildcard round for the Steelers. Maybe it's
too early to do that, but they just lost to
Buffalo Big at Akershure. You know a week ago, Houston
looks like they have the best defense in football and
it's getting better. I mean, I don't know, is there
any team you would prefer to play if you can
get that home matchup in the wildcard round.
Speaker 2 (25:39):
That's tough to say. Honestly, I would want to go
with a team that I'm more familiar with, a divisional opponent,
maybe Baltimore.
Speaker 1 (25:47):
Yeah, but but but but if they make the wild
card trade, they're not going to be the top seed,
you know what I mean. I think whoever wins the
AFC CenTra is going to be the four seed for
the for the wildcard round.
Speaker 4 (25:59):
It tough.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
I mean, if let's say who's leading the AFT West
right now, Denver, right, so maybe the Chargers might be
number one.
Speaker 3 (26:07):
I wouldn't liked playing the Chargers.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
I wouldn't I wouldn't mind playing the Chargers.
Speaker 1 (26:10):
And I wouldn't mind playing Jacksonville if they would, say,
finished second in that division behind Houston.
Speaker 2 (26:16):
Jacksonville scares me. Jacksonville for whatever reason, if they got
to come to Pittsburgh, they've done it before and they
put up some points on us before. So it's just
Jacksonville has always had a weird matchup with Pittsburgh. I
know I lost to him at least once, maybe twice
in the playoffs during my career. So yeah, I mean
that was some time ago, Mark, but still they do
(26:39):
give me a little pause. But if all the teams
that are going to be in the playoffs and then
the playoff pitcher, those are the two that would probably
be the best matchup for us.
Speaker 1 (26:47):
Now, before we let you go, Tray, if you talked
to your guy Patrick Queen, lately, you guys had a
skirmish on Twitter since we last spoke.
Speaker 2 (26:54):
No, I think the beef has cooled down a little bit.
He made some big plays on Sunday. I know he
he was self critical because I know he gave up
their first stchoun because he was supposed to spy Lamar and.
Speaker 8 (27:06):
He ended up green dogging.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
But I mean, like I mentioned last week, I want
him to succeed and play well because that's the best
case narrator all of us.
Speaker 1 (27:16):
I know you do betray let me, let me, let
me bear my soul here a little bit. And I
did last week too. I mean to say that you
were backup, dude, you started in the Super Bowl, you
won two rings.
Speaker 3 (27:26):
I don't need to hear that from a guy who
ain't got no rings. I just don't.
Speaker 2 (27:31):
Hey, people are gonna say what they want to say.
I came at him and he thought to need to
come back at me. More power to him. I can
take it. I was a backup. I'll say it on
some great teams got carried by some great players. I
have no shame in that whatsoever. So fine, I don't.
I don't care how to make Pro Bowl or All Pro.
But I got two rings to show for it, and
I'm happy. But he's allowed to say what he wants
to say. He was upset after that loss with his performance,
(27:54):
so more power to him.
Speaker 1 (27:55):
Spoken like a man with a Northwestern education. Trade great
stuff as always, and we'll do it again soon.
Speaker 8 (28:01):
Appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (28:02):
Mark, have a good one.
Speaker 1 (28:03):
That's the great tree Essex love talking to Trait right
now it's time to talk well. I want your calls
for as Mark anything right now at eight three, three
four one two WXDX. Call now and ask Mark anything.
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or Maryland. Gambling problem call one eight hundred gambler. Call
now and ask Mark anything A three three four one
two w xdx A three three four one two w
xd x or leave a talkback via the microphone icon
at the iHeartMedia app.
Speaker 3 (29:26):
Super genius Mark Madden.
Speaker 1 (29:28):
Now, Marky, Hi buddy?
Speaker 3 (29:32):
What if they were assless chaps? Would that help it all?
Speaker 4 (29:34):
If they want d X at one oh five nine.
Speaker 1 (29:39):
Time to ask Mark anything but to aspy People's natural gas, safe,
reliable natural gas energy.
Speaker 3 (29:45):
That's Peopleshypengas dot com. But go to Roddington Roddington as
Mark Anything super G canet you a.
Speaker 5 (29:57):
Hey, Mark, after his big time touchdown pass yesterday, do
you think the Steeler and pitt fanboys are ready to
hop back on the Doctor Kenneth's Picket bandwagon?
Speaker 3 (30:07):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (30:07):
What he Let's see it says here eight for eleven
ninety seven yards one touchdown.
Speaker 3 (30:13):
I don't know. Does that prolong his stay in the league?
Speaker 1 (30:15):
Does that give him another year's backup with Las Vegas?
Speaker 3 (30:18):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (30:19):
I would have figured he was ufl material not too
distant future.
Speaker 5 (30:25):
Hey, I'll tell you what I think the Steelers quarterback
room the future should be Doctor kenneths Picket Senior, Eli
Holstein and Mason Hide schools keep drafting every quarterback.
Speaker 1 (30:35):
Now you're talking, Let's go to Donnie in Washington. Donnie
ask Mark anything?
Speaker 6 (30:40):
Hey, Mark, I just wanted to get your opinion soda
trend and have you ever had a dirty soda?
Speaker 3 (30:47):
What is a dirty soda? I have never heard of that.
Speaker 6 (30:51):
It's basically a Utah thing that was started by the
Mormons since they're not allowed to drink coffee. Can basically
date your favorite, mostly doctor pepper, and you put a
flavored syrup in it and creamer and it just picks
it up like a's a nice coffee.
Speaker 1 (31:09):
To say I'm not interested would be in an understatement.
Let's go to Greg, Greg gas Mark anything good day?
I said, good day?
Speaker 5 (31:20):
Say Mark?
Speaker 10 (31:20):
With the Steelers fans and the media reacting to Tomlins's
latest game win against the Ravens. Will anything change and
that's getting better or close to the playoffs game, let
alone a wild card? I am skeptical.
Speaker 5 (31:35):
How about you?
Speaker 1 (31:37):
I think they have a real good chance to win
the division, if only because Baltimore is not very good either,
and the Steelers now have a lead. They beat him
head to head, although they do have to play them
again in week eighteen, and the Steelers have a much
easier schedule moving forward than the Ravens do.
Speaker 3 (31:53):
Is it a lock?
Speaker 8 (31:54):
No?
Speaker 3 (31:54):
Hell no, it's not even close to the lock.
Speaker 1 (31:56):
But I think the Steelers aren't a pretty advantageous position,
which could all disappear if they lose to Miami, which
they could, Miami having won four straight and having a
real good running.
Speaker 10 (32:05):
Game, right because Tomlin's doing to play down to easy
teams and he always ends up fumbling it.
Speaker 4 (32:13):
So I'm just concerned.
Speaker 10 (32:14):
Thank you for the call.
Speaker 3 (32:15):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (32:15):
If they think Miami's an easy team, they're not looking
at the standings. Miami is exactly one game behind the Steelers.
Steelers seven and six, Miami six and seven.
Speaker 3 (32:24):
Uh, let's go to Marty. Marty ask Mark anything?
Speaker 10 (32:30):
Hey, Mark, I just was wondering, what do you think
the chances are are of Tomlin getting throwed out.
Speaker 2 (32:38):
Or the Pirates winning having a wining season.
Speaker 1 (32:44):
Yeah, Tomlin's going to coach the Steelers as long as
he wants to, So I would say the chances of
the Pirates having a winning season, while not good odds
or astronomically, better than tom Win getting throwed out. As
you said, let's go to Dick in Churchill. Dick ask
Mark anything.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 11 (33:01):
I was curious if you saw your favorite gym teachers
performance last night.
Speaker 5 (33:06):
Travis Kelce.
Speaker 11 (33:07):
He had one catch for eight yards, a drop that
led to an interception, and then two drops on the
final drive on back to back plays that were right
in his chest, and I think it's time to retire.
Speaker 1 (33:19):
Well, No, he's definitely washed up. He's old, he's had
a Hall of Fame career, though. I can't be too critical,
but I didn't expect a good year from him this year.
I didn't expect Kansas City to make the playoffs this year,
and they're not going to. They've played too many extra
playoff games, the equivalent of a full extra season in
the last what five or six years. But he's a
great tight end. The local gym teacher had zero sacks,
(33:42):
So there you go. Not a great day for Jim Teachers,
although he was part of the containment of Lamar Jackson.
Speaker 3 (33:48):
Let's go to a talkback super g.
Speaker 1 (33:52):
I'm sorry to say, I don't care if Jori's been
playing good for two months.
Speaker 8 (33:57):
He still gots to go.
Speaker 9 (33:59):
Go.
Speaker 3 (34:00):
That suck as gots to go.
Speaker 1 (34:02):
Yeah, very poor James Franco imitation from This is the End. Yeah,
you can't destroy the locker room. You can't destroy the team.
Haven't got off to a good start by trading a
guy who's largely responsible for it.
Speaker 3 (34:15):
Can't do it, just absolutely can't do it. You can
revisit it, but you can't do it.
Speaker 4 (34:19):
Now.
Speaker 3 (34:21):
Let's go to Ken and Beaver.
Speaker 7 (34:22):
Connie Ken, Well, mister Madden, thank you for the video,
chet birthday gift.
Speaker 3 (34:30):
And the cameo. Yeah, glad to get paid for it.
What else you got?
Speaker 4 (34:35):
Yeah? Oh?
Speaker 7 (34:36):
A quick question about the Steelers. Can they doug ten
and seven and win the division?
Speaker 3 (34:42):
I think nine and might win the division?
Speaker 7 (34:45):
I think you're right, sir, because it's a mediocre division.
Speaker 4 (34:48):
Honestly, just there.
Speaker 1 (34:50):
I think they're unlikely to go ten and seven, although
maybe if they win two of the next three, which
they should, and then you play Baltimore in a game
that's meaningless to both teams, then again, I can't imagine
that's I think Baltimore is gonna go into that last
game with some mathematical chance.
Speaker 3 (35:06):
Who knows, maybe they stumble between now and then.
Speaker 1 (35:08):
But the Steelers I think I think nine and eight's
probably more likely.
Speaker 3 (35:14):
Let's go to David.
Speaker 4 (35:16):
Hey, Mark, I know I'm trying to like coach Tomlin.
What's up with him blowing that kiss last night? Did
you see that on TV? When he blew the kiss
to the cameras well?
Speaker 1 (35:25):
I'm not trying to like him, but he won the game.
He can do whatever he wants. Let's go to a talkback.
Speaker 8 (35:29):
Mark, do you think it might take Harball being fired
for coach t to also get fired? And moreover, who
do you see as the best and worst opponent if
the Steelers sneak in the playoffs?
Speaker 1 (35:43):
First of all, you talk like a jerk off, second off,
best and worst opponent, They wouldn't beat Buffalo, they wouldn't
beat Houston because of that defense. That have a chance
against LA maybe against Jacksonville in the first round.
Speaker 3 (35:59):
In terms of.
Speaker 1 (36:01):
Harbaugh and Tomlin both get I mean that one has
no bearing on the other.
Speaker 3 (36:04):
They're not.
Speaker 1 (36:05):
I don't know how many times I have to say
they're not getting rid of Tomlin, but they're just not.
They're absolutely one hundred percent not getting rid of Tomlin,
no matter what happens between now and season's end.
Speaker 3 (36:14):
No matter what happens, let's go to a talkback.
Speaker 2 (36:17):
Mark, do you think you'll ever reconcile with the nature boy?
Speaker 1 (36:22):
No, you can still get your calls in eight three, three,
four one two wxdx.
Speaker 3 (36:31):
Actually
Get your calls in now for calls at the fifteens.
Eight three three four one two wxdx. That's eight three
three four one two wxdx.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
By the way, Lamar Jackson sucks.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
He looks rattled and shaky and maybe past his prime
despite being Shia thirty. He makes the occasional play, but
that's it. His two minute drill at the end was
all yackety sacks and stuff. He's three and five on
his career against the Steelers. Like I said, I used
to not buy into the Steelers got Lamar's number, but
(00:42):
clearly they know.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
What to do against him.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
They've got two sacks, five quarterback hits and contained them.
That's all of the above when you're trying to defend
Lamar Jackson. Two sacks, five quarterback kits and containing him.
He had the one touchdown run, but didn't do much
with his legs, didn't do much getting outside the pocket.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
That is all of the above.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
I didn't get scratching Roman Wilson, so Theland and MVSCA
get helmets. Didn't get it at all. The Steelers hate
young guys. They just want to get old older, oldest.
If Wilson isn't good enough. Well, you drafted him and
you developed him or didn't. But like I said, old, older, oldest,
(01:27):
theland caught a pass.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Huzzah.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
I do want to talk about the I want your
input on the College Football Playoff because Notre Dame didn't
get screwed.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
They're just not good enough. They're nothing special.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
Nobody cares about them except for the Notre Dame fanatics,
and there aren't nearly as many of them as there
used to be. If they would have joined the conference,
maybe they would have got the benefit of the that
they somehow think the ACC screwed them. I don't possibly
see how, but Notre Dame should just shut the frig up,
shove about a thousand communion wafers in your mouth, and
keep quiet. Have a little bit sacramental wine too. But
(02:06):
if you want to react to that, feel free. I
give the Texas fans credit. The Texan Texas could have
easily been in there as much as Notre Dame, and
I don't think James Madison and.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Too Lane should be in there.
Speaker 1 (02:20):
But that's what the playoff wants to give, that illusion
that you can get the big upset like you do
in the NCAA basketball tournament, of course, ignoring that basketball
and football and the magnitude of such an upset like
you get in basketball just can't happen in football. So
your reaction to that a three three four one two WSDX,
(02:43):
or you can react to the absurd pirate BS. I
wish I could say the S word, because that's the
only way to describe this is BS. The Pirates are
getting headlines because they made reportedly a four year offer
to Kyle Schwarber, the free agent fat guy, four years
over one hundred million. Hey, I'm not trying to believe
(03:04):
that offer was made, and b it's not near enough
to get schwar But you got to offer him to
give him to Pittsburgh. You'd have to pay him like
at least thirty million a year over six years. It's
one hundred and eighty million to make sure, probably over
two hundred million over six years. So it's more bucco
BS just absolute crap designed to give the impression they
(03:26):
want to improve the team. But oh, poor us, We're
a small market. Even when we offer that, we can't
get the guy. By the way, DK Metcalf spent the
night in a Baltimore hospital he had a.
Speaker 3 (03:39):
Tummy a co apparently.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
Actually, it's probably because he finally gave birth to a
good game and had postpartum depression. Oh, we have some
calls coming in. Let's let's jump in early for calls
on the fifteen. Let's go to Newman.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
Hello Newman, Hello Jay, some too Penguin's questions. If that's okay?
Speaker 3 (03:58):
It is.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
All right.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
So first of all, so you know this is pertaining
to both of them are pertaining actually the Stars game.
So if I'm head coach, my team is up a
goal and they I used to puck and can't change.
With three minutes to go and the opposing team pulls
a goalie, I'm calling time out. Let's say you about that?
Speaker 3 (04:19):
Yeah, I would too.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Part of me says there might be a loop pool
where you can't, because otherwise why wouldn't.
Speaker 4 (04:25):
He Yeah, I mean no, but there wouldn't be a
little pool when you can't.
Speaker 1 (04:31):
You can't differentiate in time of game or where the
other team pulls the goalie. So yeah, he absolutely should
have there. I think Music has done a good job
mark my words. Though Newman there's some potential for him
to screw up some decisions coming up for example, Raquel's
do back in what two or three weeks? If he
takes Kindle off the first power plan puts Quel on it,
(04:54):
I will jump through the ceiling of PPG paints Arena.
Speaker 3 (04:59):
I Barry Hill like a dead dog.
Speaker 4 (05:03):
That would feel like a very late stage Sullivan type
of a move.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
I ain't cutting it out. So the Yeah, what's another question?
Speaker 4 (05:12):
And so so last night Jari held the stars the
two goals, which should be enough to win a hockey
game more often than not, right, and he put up
a wall in overtime but got no help on the
other end of the ice, and then depends again can't
score a single goal in the shootout. So my question is,
you know, we've seen Jari let the team down plenty
(05:32):
of times. Was this the worst that the team has
ever let Jari down that you can recall?
Speaker 3 (05:37):
I know about the worst. But maybe here's the thing.
Pegs aren't that good.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
I mean they like, like I said, does that say
something Newman when they played about as well as they
can and they're only one point safe in the playoffs?
Speaker 4 (05:55):
Yeah? I think I think that's what we're going to
be in force for the rest of the season.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
I mean it just I think that's what we're in
for for Lucky.
Speaker 1 (06:03):
I could see us, like in a month, being ten
points off and I hope not, but but it might happen.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
Well, I mean, what we really need is the goaltending
to hold up. And it's it's a bummer because you know,
you'd like to see Jerry build momentum off performances like
last night, but it's tough to do in the game.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
Man, No, I disagree.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
I think he definitely takes momentum off last night's performance.
And I would think that he will get to start
U tomorrow night at home against Anaheim simply because you
don't want to return home and not play the hot goalie, right,
So I think I think he will bring momentum. I
I don't think that guarantees him playing well given his
(06:45):
consistency of play, especially since he came back from injury.
I'm just amazed, and I'll be blunt. I don't believe
he'll keep it up. I could be wrong, but I'm not.
Thank you for the call.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Okay, get some calls in now for calls on the fifteens.
It is so fetch if you think it's fetch style.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Now A three three, four one two, ninety nine, thirty nine,
It's Smart Man Show one oh five to nine. They
come to iHeartRadio, Altar Ego Corny twenty.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Great to hear from the lady callers.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
DX at one five. Time for calls on the fifteens
eight three, three, four to one two WXDX get your
calls in now. I've not been very positive about the
Steelers beating Baltimore because I just don't think it established
anything other than.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
Baltimore is worse than that?
Speaker 1 (07:36):
Are they in control of the AFC North Well, Baltimore
plays a much uh tougher schedule than the Steelers moving forward,
but uh, the Steelers are only up by game, and
the two teams do play again week eighteen at Akroshore,
and I think we've seen enough from the Steelers, given
(07:57):
their inconsistency over the last decade, to know that things
are far from a short But in terms of what
I did like about the Steelers win yesterday, I thought
Aaron Rodgers was very good.
Speaker 3 (08:09):
I thought he showed more than Guyle for a change.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
I thought he dusted off the deep ball through a
couple of real nice passes to Metcalf, had that discount
double check touchdown run, which I still can't believe. If
I'm him, I'm just not running the ball under any circumstances.
But he did what he had to. Again, DK had
a good day, but I traced that to Rogers. I
(08:34):
traced that to the offensive play calling being willing finally
to throw some deep balls and open up the field.
Although I still don't think they used the middle nearly enough.
I hope big fatso Mount Washington is hurt for a while.
I mean, I don't want him to suffer. He's can cussed,
(08:56):
but I want Friarmouth and John who in there. They're
the real Tights, and I want the ball in the
middle more. It goes to show you how little faith
I have in the Steelers right now that I started
off intending to say what I thought went right yesterday,
and I immediately went to what went wrong and what
they have to do different.
Speaker 3 (09:17):
But they still do have to do better, They still
do have to do different.
Speaker 1 (09:20):
I was impressed how the injured guys, the guys feeling
in for injuries like co Holcom Pepper's Clark, the guys
on the O line.
Speaker 3 (09:32):
I was impressed with how they did.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
We'll talk about that with Trey Essex the O line
guys in just a few moments. We talked earlier in
at length about how the Steelers defense put pressure on Lamar,
got hits on Lamar, but also contained Lamar, which is
a pretty good combination.
Speaker 3 (09:51):
It's exactly what you want to do. So the Steelers
got lucky.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
They got all those calls, but they gave themselves a
chance to get lucky. And of course we're talking about
the college football Playoff. Although I don't give a rats
ass ain't. Nobody didn't make it would have a chance
to legitimately win, a legitimate chance to win. Rather Notre
Dame would not have a legitimate chance to win. And
(10:17):
Notre Dame, if they wanted to make it, should have
won one more game. All they had to do was
win one more game. I think if they would have
beat Pitt like a hundred, like Nardoozi told them they
ought to do, maybe they would have made it.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
As well.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
We're also talking about the absolute lie that is the
Pirate's chances of getting Kyle Schwarber. Here's where I screw
myself kind of, except I don't care. I would rather
tell the truth on this show than get listeners for
lying and certainly get callers for lying. I know Don
the dog they're talking about. Can the Pirates get Swarp
(10:50):
or could it happen? I'll bet anybody out there ten
thousand against my hundred. Excuse me, against your hundred. The
Pirates don't get Kyle Schwarber. It's just a total fabrication.
But people, man, they're dumb. So there's the topics. Also,
(11:11):
the penguins in the shootout. Do they need to start
trying the kids? I think so let's go to Eric. Eric,
you're all with Mark.
Speaker 5 (11:18):
Hey, double M.
Speaker 6 (11:19):
I just soon Danny could talk about this.
Speaker 7 (11:20):
I apologize that. What are your thoughts on the Matt
Campbell hiring at Penn State.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
I think that's a pretty good hire given the circumstance
they were in, thought you. We talked about it briefly Friday,
but it's certainly worth discussion today. I like his resume.
I don't think he's a superstar coach, but I don't
think a superstar coach is with Penn State needs. I
think they had close to that in Franklin. And while
I would not have fired him, if they're dissatisfied with him,
(11:47):
then it was.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
A good idea to not go out and get a
carbon copy.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
I don't see the big deal in keeping Terry Smith
beyond playcating the players who are still there now will
be more likely to stay. I'm glad they didn't hire
Terry Smith as the head coach. I think that would
have been just a terrible move. But I'm glad for
him and just for the situation in general that he's staying.
But but, but your original question, Matt Campbell's a real.
Speaker 3 (12:11):
Good higher all right, thank you for your much thank you. Yeah,
I don't think Penn State went wrong there even a
little bit.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
Up next, Trey Essex, former super Bowl champ two time,
two time, one oh five nine The X the only
show weekday mornings at six wherever you are and totally
free on the iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 8 (12:33):
Isn't it great show?
Speaker 3 (12:35):
When you got a young trophy white?
Speaker 1 (12:37):
Oh's money to I can't even quote the big o'bowski right, goodbye.
Speaker 2 (12:40):
The ex.
Speaker 1 (12:43):
Steelers with a much needed win at Baltimore are not
quite sure how impressive it was, joining me now to
talk about it. The two times super Bowl champion always
great to talk to. Former Steelers lineman Trey Essex Trey.
There were lots of injuries on that O line. Who
came through when the trenches filling in and maybe shuffled.
Speaker 2 (13:03):
Around you asking me who came in?
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Yeah, anybody? Anybody who you thought stood out on the
old line?
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Oh, Isaac and Model was having a great year. I
mean the whole Old line I thought played better than
what stats would indicate only seventeen carriage for thirty four yards.
After watching film, I thought they actually blocked halfway decent
in the run game, They're just it just wasn't any
consistency in the play calling in my opinion, and the
(13:31):
toss play. Everybody knows it's happening when Spencer goes in motion.
We're running toss more times than not, and so I
think defenses have gotten hit to that. But to answer
your question, I thought Dylan Cook came in and did
a really good job for Pete. I thought Pete was
struggling a little bit, and that game had a falls
star had a holding call, and I think Isaac C.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
Model did a.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Wonderful job covering up for some of the mishaps that
he had. And then Dylan Cook came in for the
last sixteen or seventeen plays and they let tackle spot.
But left tackle is the only position that we've had
people consistently heard at and it's only been happening the
last couple of weeks.
Speaker 1 (14:07):
Well, you're right on about the predictability of the play
calling in the running game, and they got to fix
that trade because I don't think that's a terrible running team.
I just think it has trouble getting from point A
to point B, like you said, because of the predictability.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
It's predictable, it's inconsistent, and a lot of people don't
understand that. When you play old line, you got to
get into a rhythm, just like quarterbacks need to get
into a rhythm throwing the ball. They had those short,
quick screen passes to get the timing going for for
a quarterback. The same thing applies to O line and
running backs. If you don't run enough of the same
(14:41):
plays consistently throughout the game, you aren't on the same page.
The holes aren't being seen by the running back as
clear the old line doesn't know the running back is
going to be really supposed to.
Speaker 6 (14:52):
Be all the time.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
You got to run consistently and Baltimore run the ball
forty one times Pittsburg ran at seventeen times. Obviously, the
passing game works for us in a big way, but
we got to get that running game going if we're
going to do anything these last four games.
Speaker 1 (15:05):
Well, like you said, and you could expand on it,
if you could, please Tray, There's a fine line between
predictability and consistency, isn't there?
Speaker 2 (15:14):
And Buffalo was predictable as all could be last week.
He ran two plays over and over again, but they
ran them and they ran them well. And you can
do that. You can be predictable if you have the
right personnel and if you're doing the plays that fit
your scheme.
Speaker 3 (15:33):
We don't.
Speaker 2 (15:33):
I can't tell you which run play our offensive line
runs the best. Honestly, Arthur Smith loves the toss play.
He's loved it ever since he's been here. But we
don't run that play consistently, and especially when Darnel Washington
isn't in there, and we kept on going back to it,
and so you have to find a bread and butter
play for us. When I played, we ran twenty two
and twenty three double whenever we needed two, three or
(15:55):
four yards. We haven't found that, and for whatever reason,
Arthur Smith does not like to run the ball in
the interior to O line very often. And when we
do rent the toss, we don't have anything to play
off of it. We're not countering against it, we don't
have anything to pair with it, even in the play
action game. So it just it befuddles me my Northwestern
ward of the day that we can't figure out what
(16:18):
to do offensively in a run game on a consistent basis.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
Now, the Steelers got three big calls that all went
their way. Now I'm not saying they were bad calls,
but it's very rare when three calls like that all
go one team's way.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
Which is the calls did you think was the shakiest.
Speaker 2 (16:36):
It just read online that the NFL admitted that they
were wrong on the field goal that ended up giving
us an extra possession and automate we scored a touchdown.
Speaker 1 (16:46):
Right the personal file against Coots the long.
Speaker 2 (16:48):
Snapper correct and even in real time, I didn't see
a penalty that was called. And hey, as a fan
of the team and as a former player, I was like, hey,
sometimes you get it coming your way. We don't get
those calls very often. It doesn't seem like and especially
three in one game, and especially against the rival. I
can understand why Baltimore might took a little salty today
because it definitely felt like everything was going against them.
Speaker 3 (17:11):
What about the containment of Lamar Jackson.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
I used to think it was kind of a little
bsy to say the Steelers had Lamar's number, but I
think they probably do. Like yesterday was the ideal game.
You got two sacks, five QB hits, but you contain
them too.
Speaker 3 (17:25):
How they do that.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Well? I think he's a little compromised. I think everybody
can look at him and see that the explosion isn't
all the way there, but it starts with coverage. Honestly,
I thought this was the stickiest the secondary has played
all year long. There are a couple of breakdowns, there
were some wide open throws, and some boys in the
zones whenever he ran it, But by and large, I
(17:48):
thought the defense the secondary had their best game of
the year. And I thought that aided and keeping Lamar
Jackson holding the ball, and our defens of Milne did
a good job staying in their lanes when they were
rush Lamar, not giving him any holes to escape out
of those And so that's The big thing when you're
paying a guy like Lamar, who's one of the elite
runners in this league, you can't always go after the sack.
(18:11):
You can't always go what looks like a clear lane
to the quarterback. You have to stay in your lane,
got to stay contained and make him hold the ball
and then eventually he'll come to you.
Speaker 3 (18:22):
What about you mentioned the secondary had good coverage. I agree.
Speaker 1 (18:25):
They had a lot of guys in there who ain't necessarily,
you know, played in a while, like Chuck Clark or
Bill Peppers, and Pierre and Eccles have been in there
quite a bit.
Speaker 3 (18:33):
But boy, they're playing great, ain't they.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Yeah, Pierre and Eckles. Eckles kind of set it all
off for the defense with his sack and early breakup.
And I think because jp J gets a lot of
the penalties, people aren't recognizing how good he's actually playing
this year. Yes, there's some boneheaded penalties that he gets
out there, and it's frustrating they'll get me wrong, especially
(18:57):
when two of them I think happened on the same drive.
But outside of that, he is playing some outstanding coverage.
I think his stats when he's targeted, he's one of
the best dvs in the game, and obviously Pierre is
coming in and really he's making himself some money this year.
It's really good to see with all the years that
he's spent being a backup and on special teams, to
him emerge and be a big playmaker for this secondary.
(19:21):
Tudos to him, and it's coming at the right time.
Speaker 1 (19:23):
Aim in all that training. I want to stick with
JPJ for a second because I'm with you. I don't
mind the occasional flag. I don't mind that he's handsy.
If you look at the amount of plays he makes
based on being handsy, being tight, being that man demand guy,
I think it outweighs the occasional penalty, don't you.
Speaker 2 (19:41):
I do, and awesome not only the players that he makes,
it's the plays that don't even go in his direction
because he's there and he has such tight coverage on
his receiver. And so yes, I think you do take
the bad with the good because there's so much good
that he's putting on film right now. I'm not gonna
lie because it seems like all his penalties come at
(20:02):
the worst absolute times. Because the last one, even though
it was a little ticky tack on that slant. It
was on third and five, and that extended their driving.
I think they ended up scoring on that jar. So
it's a little cringe when he does it. But at
the same time, if you take the whole pitcher into account,
there's not too many DD's playing better than him.
Speaker 1 (20:21):
Talking to Trey Essex here on the X up, what
about Rogers, I thought that was his best game of
the year, Like we talked about, it kind of broke
DK open a little bit.
Speaker 3 (20:30):
What made his game better yesterday?
Speaker 1 (20:33):
I thought he just looked comfortable with the wrist after
not last week.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
Yeah, and he looked fearless. He looked like he was
just playing football. Those first three quarters were great and
it was good to get the game open early. I
think we started each half out with a big play.
The DK first offensive play fifty something yards, and I
think the first offense player the second half, which I've
(21:01):
been on it me and Charlie on our podcast, we've
been talking about how horrible we've been coming out of
the third quarter like it's been. I would love to
see the numbers on that. I think we're probably the
worst third quarter team in the league based on how
we've come out and turned the ball over and just
not done anything of significant. But this quarter we did.
This third quarter we did. And I gotta even give
(21:21):
a shout out to the old line again because on
that play in the second half where he threw it
a forty one yard of DK, he had eight seconds
to throw the ball. Almost eight seconds to throw the ball.
The protection was that good. Another clean sheet for those guys.
I think only one or two quarterback kids. And we
ran the ball a lot more than we passed it,
or we passed it a lot more than we ran.
(21:41):
So it was good to see those guys protect the
way they did. But yeah, a rob played great. I
am a little skeptical that fourth quarter was atrocious on
offense and it's something that they definitely need to address.
Speaker 9 (21:54):
Well.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
Though in the fourth quarter they just ran and hit
on offense. They just wanted to, you know, punt the
ball and not make a mistake and what the defense
win it. And you know, don't get me wrong, the
defense did come through in this instance, however, by the
skin of their teeth.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
But that's a dangerous.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Game, it is. And we had I can't remember exact score,
but I feel like we had a two score League
going into the fourth quarter, and Mark, we had three drives,
not three drives total, and we had nine plays, so
we had three three and outs in the fourth quarter exactly,
only three total yards in the fourth quarter. And so
(22:27):
the defense when when they're having to stay on the
field and do these lawn drives that Baltimore is doing
as they're trying to mount to come back, what you
do have to I don't want to say play prevent
the entire defense, but you do give up some yards
in order not to give up the big play as
you're playing against the clock as well. But the author
(22:48):
sounds are saying that too. We have to maintain drives.
You have to get at least one first down in
the fourth quarter to help this defense out, and they
didn't do that.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
Now, how firm is their grip on the division now?
Speaker 3 (23:02):
And they're only one game up.
Speaker 1 (23:03):
I know Baltimore plays a much tougher schedule than the Steelers,
but I'm already worried about this Miami game tray because
they've won four straight. They're six and seven, that's just
one game behind the Steelers, and they have been running
the ball like.
Speaker 2 (23:16):
Crazy, and we've given up two hundred yards plus two
weeks in a row a Chaine is terrifying. And not
only are we giving up those yards, it seems to
every game we're giving up some sort of chunk run
play that completely changes the tie that Mitchell I can't
(23:37):
pronounce this first name or whatever ran for fifty five
yesterday the week before. James Cook had the big players
when we're going against his natty Chase Brown had both
games had a long run to set off the second half.
So and a chain is nothing but a big play
weighing to happen every time he touches the ball. So
it is absolutely terrifying. And then we go getst another
one and Jamior Gibbs in Detroit his big playability. So
(24:01):
the work is cut out for us. This division is
not by any means settled. We're only one loss away
from being outside the playoffs once again, maybe two losses.
I think we gotta want to have leon on Baltimore
with that win. So yeah, they still don't have any
room for air. And to be honest, as a fan
(24:22):
and a former player, I'm still not truly confident that
we can take the division until we can strain some
of these performances together.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
No I agree, And never mind the division trade, what
about the conference? I mean, every time I think a
team's good, they're not anymore if somebody gets hurt.
Speaker 9 (24:36):
Look at Indy, right and yeah, me and Charlie talking
about that. Daniel Jones, I feel sorry for him because
he seemed to have a resurgent year. He was out
there playing in the contract year on a broken leg,
doing whatever he could.
Speaker 3 (24:52):
And now the.
Speaker 2 (24:53):
Coach don't They don't look like a very strong team
with Houston coming on the way they hand Kansas City
on Sunday night and the way New England is looking
right now, Yeah, they look like the strongest teams in
the AFC. But like you, like you mentioned week to week,
you don't know. The AFC is such a flippy floppy
conference this year. You don't know who's going to be
(25:16):
standing at the end of this.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
Yeah, and like and then you start thinking about potential
matchups in the wildcard round for the Steelers. Maybe it's
too early to do that, but they just lost to
Buffalo Big at Akershure. You know a week ago, Houston
looks like they have the best defense in football and
it's getting better. I mean, I don't know, is there
any team you would prefer to play if you can
get that home matchup in the wildcard round.
Speaker 2 (25:39):
That's tough to say. Honestly, I would want to go
with a team that I'm more familiar with, a divisional opponent,
maybe Baltimore.
Speaker 1 (25:47):
Yeah, but but but but if they make the wild
card trade, they're not going to be the top seed,
you know what I mean. I think whoever wins the
AFC CenTra is going to be the four seed for
the for the wildcard round.
Speaker 4 (25:59):
It tough.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
I mean, if let's say who's leading the AFT West
right now, Denver, right, so maybe the Chargers might be
number one.
Speaker 3 (26:07):
I wouldn't liked playing the Chargers.
Speaker 2 (26:08):
I wouldn't I wouldn't mind playing the Chargers.
Speaker 1 (26:10):
And I wouldn't mind playing Jacksonville if they would, say,
finished second in that division behind Houston.
Speaker 2 (26:16):
Jacksonville scares me. Jacksonville for whatever reason, if they got
to come to Pittsburgh, they've done it before and they
put up some points on us before. So it's just
Jacksonville has always had a weird matchup with Pittsburgh. I
know I lost to him at least once, maybe twice
in the playoffs during my career. So yeah, I mean
that was some time ago, Mark, but still they do
(26:39):
give me a little pause. But if all the teams
that are going to be in the playoffs and then
the playoff pitcher, those are the two that would probably
be the best matchup for us.
Speaker 1 (26:47):
Now, before we let you go, Tray, if you talked
to your guy Patrick Queen, lately, you guys had a
skirmish on Twitter since we last spoke.
Speaker 2 (26:54):
No, I think the beef has cooled down a little bit.
He made some big plays on Sunday. I know he
he was self critical because I know he gave up
their first stchoun because he was supposed to spy Lamar and.
Speaker 8 (27:06):
He ended up green dogging.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
But I mean, like I mentioned last week, I want
him to succeed and play well because that's the best
case narrator all of us.
Speaker 1 (27:16):
I know you do betray let me, let me, let
me bear my soul here a little bit. And I
did last week too. I mean to say that you
were backup, dude, you started in the Super Bowl, you
won two rings.
Speaker 3 (27:26):
I don't need to hear that from a guy who
ain't got no rings. I just don't.
Speaker 2 (27:31):
Hey, people are gonna say what they want to say.
I came at him and he thought to need to
come back at me. More power to him. I can
take it. I was a backup. I'll say it on
some great teams got carried by some great players. I
have no shame in that whatsoever. So fine, I don't.
I don't care how to make Pro Bowl or All Pro.
But I got two rings to show for it, and
I'm happy. But he's allowed to say what he wants
to say. He was upset after that loss with his performance,
(27:54):
so more power to him.
Speaker 1 (27:55):
Spoken like a man with a Northwestern education. Trade great
stuff as always, and we'll do it again soon.
Speaker 8 (28:01):
Appreciate it.
Speaker 4 (28:02):
Mark, have a good one.
Speaker 1 (28:03):
That's the great tree Essex love talking to Trait right
now it's time to talk well. I want your calls
for as Mark anything right now at eight three, three
four one two WXDX. Call now and ask Mark anything.
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(29:09):
or Maryland. Gambling problem call one eight hundred gambler. Call
now and ask Mark anything A three three four one
two w xdx A three three four one two w
xd x or leave a talkback via the microphone icon
at the iHeartMedia app.
Speaker 3 (29:26):
Super genius Mark Madden.
Speaker 1 (29:28):
Now, Marky, Hi buddy?
Speaker 3 (29:32):
What if they were assless chaps? Would that help it all?
Speaker 4 (29:34):
If they want d X at one oh five nine.
Speaker 1 (29:39):
Time to ask Mark anything but to aspy People's natural gas, safe,
reliable natural gas energy.
Speaker 3 (29:45):
That's Peopleshypengas dot com. But go to Roddington Roddington as
Mark Anything super G canet you a.
Speaker 5 (29:57):
Hey, Mark, after his big time touchdown pass yesterday, do
you think the Steeler and pitt fanboys are ready to
hop back on the Doctor Kenneth's Picket bandwagon?
Speaker 3 (30:07):
Yeah?
Speaker 1 (30:07):
What he Let's see it says here eight for eleven
ninety seven yards one touchdown.
Speaker 3 (30:13):
I don't know. Does that prolong his stay in the league?
Speaker 1 (30:15):
Does that give him another year's backup with Las Vegas?
Speaker 3 (30:18):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (30:19):
I would have figured he was ufl material not too
distant future.
Speaker 5 (30:25):
Hey, I'll tell you what I think the Steelers quarterback
room the future should be Doctor kenneths Picket Senior, Eli
Holstein and Mason Hide schools keep drafting every quarterback.
Speaker 1 (30:35):
Now you're talking, Let's go to Donnie in Washington. Donnie
ask Mark anything?
Speaker 6 (30:40):
Hey, Mark, I just wanted to get your opinion soda
trend and have you ever had a dirty soda?
Speaker 3 (30:47):
What is a dirty soda? I have never heard of that.
Speaker 6 (30:51):
It's basically a Utah thing that was started by the
Mormons since they're not allowed to drink coffee. Can basically
date your favorite, mostly doctor pepper, and you put a
flavored syrup in it and creamer and it just picks
it up like a's a nice coffee.
Speaker 1 (31:09):
To say I'm not interested would be in an understatement.
Let's go to Greg, Greg gas Mark anything good day?
I said, good day?
Speaker 5 (31:20):
Say Mark?
Speaker 10 (31:20):
With the Steelers fans and the media reacting to Tomlins's
latest game win against the Ravens. Will anything change and
that's getting better or close to the playoffs game, let
alone a wild card? I am skeptical.
Speaker 5 (31:35):
How about you?
Speaker 1 (31:37):
I think they have a real good chance to win
the division, if only because Baltimore is not very good either,
and the Steelers now have a lead. They beat him
head to head, although they do have to play them
again in week eighteen, and the Steelers have a much
easier schedule moving forward than the Ravens do.
Speaker 3 (31:53):
Is it a lock?
Speaker 8 (31:54):
No?
Speaker 3 (31:54):
Hell no, it's not even close to the lock.
Speaker 1 (31:56):
But I think the Steelers aren't a pretty advantageous position,
which could all disappear if they lose to Miami, which
they could, Miami having won four straight and having a
real good running.
Speaker 10 (32:05):
Game, right because Tomlin's doing to play down to easy
teams and he always ends up fumbling it.
Speaker 4 (32:13):
So I'm just concerned.
Speaker 10 (32:14):
Thank you for the call.
Speaker 3 (32:15):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (32:15):
If they think Miami's an easy team, they're not looking
at the standings. Miami is exactly one game behind the Steelers.
Steelers seven and six, Miami six and seven.
Speaker 3 (32:24):
Uh, let's go to Marty. Marty ask Mark anything?
Speaker 10 (32:30):
Hey, Mark, I just was wondering, what do you think
the chances are are of Tomlin getting throwed out.
Speaker 2 (32:38):
Or the Pirates winning having a wining season.
Speaker 1 (32:44):
Yeah, Tomlin's going to coach the Steelers as long as
he wants to, So I would say the chances of
the Pirates having a winning season, while not good odds
or astronomically, better than tom Win getting throwed out. As
you said, let's go to Dick in Churchill. Dick ask
Mark anything.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 11 (33:01):
I was curious if you saw your favorite gym teachers
performance last night.
Speaker 5 (33:06):
Travis Kelce.
Speaker 11 (33:07):
He had one catch for eight yards, a drop that
led to an interception, and then two drops on the
final drive on back to back plays that were right
in his chest, and I think it's time to retire.
Speaker 1 (33:19):
Well, No, he's definitely washed up. He's old, he's had
a Hall of Fame career, though. I can't be too critical,
but I didn't expect a good year from him this year.
I didn't expect Kansas City to make the playoffs this year,
and they're not going to. They've played too many extra
playoff games, the equivalent of a full extra season in
the last what five or six years. But he's a
great tight end. The local gym teacher had zero sacks,
(33:42):
So there you go. Not a great day for Jim Teachers,
although he was part of the containment of Lamar Jackson.
Speaker 3 (33:48):
Let's go to a talkback super g.
Speaker 1 (33:52):
I'm sorry to say, I don't care if Jori's been
playing good for two months.
Speaker 8 (33:57):
He still gots to go.
Speaker 9 (33:59):
Go.
Speaker 3 (34:00):
That suck as gots to go.
Speaker 1 (34:02):
Yeah, very poor James Franco imitation from This is the End. Yeah,
you can't destroy the locker room. You can't destroy the team.
Haven't got off to a good start by trading a
guy who's largely responsible for it.
Speaker 3 (34:15):
Can't do it, just absolutely can't do it. You can
revisit it, but you can't do it.
Speaker 4 (34:19):
Now.
Speaker 3 (34:21):
Let's go to Ken and Beaver.
Speaker 7 (34:22):
Connie Ken, Well, mister Madden, thank you for the video,
chet birthday gift.
Speaker 3 (34:30):
And the cameo. Yeah, glad to get paid for it.
What else you got?
Speaker 4 (34:35):
Yeah? Oh?
Speaker 7 (34:36):
A quick question about the Steelers. Can they doug ten
and seven and win the division?
Speaker 3 (34:42):
I think nine and might win the division?
Speaker 7 (34:45):
I think you're right, sir, because it's a mediocre division.
Speaker 4 (34:48):
Honestly, just there.
Speaker 1 (34:50):
I think they're unlikely to go ten and seven, although
maybe if they win two of the next three, which
they should, and then you play Baltimore in a game
that's meaningless to both teams, then again, I can't imagine
that's I think Baltimore is gonna go into that last
game with some mathematical chance.
Speaker 3 (35:06):
Who knows, maybe they stumble between now and then.
Speaker 1 (35:08):
But the Steelers I think I think nine and eight's
probably more likely.
Speaker 3 (35:14):
Let's go to David.
Speaker 4 (35:16):
Hey, Mark, I know I'm trying to like coach Tomlin.
What's up with him blowing that kiss last night? Did
you see that on TV? When he blew the kiss
to the cameras well?
Speaker 1 (35:25):
I'm not trying to like him, but he won the game.
He can do whatever he wants. Let's go to a talkback.
Speaker 8 (35:29):
Mark, do you think it might take Harball being fired
for coach t to also get fired? And moreover, who
do you see as the best and worst opponent if
the Steelers sneak in the playoffs?
Speaker 1 (35:43):
First of all, you talk like a jerk off, second off,
best and worst opponent, They wouldn't beat Buffalo, they wouldn't
beat Houston because of that defense. That have a chance
against LA maybe against Jacksonville in the first round.
Speaker 3 (35:59):
In terms of.
Speaker 1 (36:01):
Harbaugh and Tomlin both get I mean that one has
no bearing on the other.
Speaker 3 (36:04):
They're not.
Speaker 1 (36:05):
I don't know how many times I have to say
they're not getting rid of Tomlin, but they're just not.
They're absolutely one hundred percent not getting rid of Tomlin,
no matter what happens between now and season's end.
Speaker 3 (36:14):
No matter what happens, let's go to a talkback.
Speaker 2 (36:17):
Mark, do you think you'll ever reconcile with the nature boy?
Speaker 1 (36:22):
No, you can still get your calls in eight three, three,
four one two wxdx.
Speaker 3 (36:31):
Actually
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My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com