May 13, 2025 • 25 mins
Labs and Tom talk about the Steelers Dublin game, rookie camp and more before getting to this week’s questions
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
This is asked and answered questions with Tom Uperman and
Steelers Digest editor Bob Labriola.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Well, we've known for quite some time now that the
Steelers will be playing an international game in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
They will be going to Dublin, Ireland.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
What we did not know is the time, the date,
and the opponent, But that has revealed itself this morning.
It'll be against the Minnesota Vikings week four, September twenty eighth,
and the kickoff is at nine to thirty a m.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Eastern time.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
So, young, young Thomas, what time you have to be
a work that day.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
I'm gonna have to be here at like five point
thirty six in the morning. It's gonna be a surreal feeling,
no doubt. It's also kind of surreal, Labs that we've
come full circle as far as the opponent is concerned,
because the last time the Steelers hopped overseas was against
the Vikings in London.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Yeah, and you know, I there was a lot of
interweb speculation that the opponent was going to be the Packers.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
I never thought that that was going to, you know,
be the case. I didn't think that it was going
to be a Division team, and I didn't think it
was going to be green Bay because you know, the
NFL has some leeway in, you know, allowing teams to
(01:32):
quote unquote protect you know, certain home games, and because
you know, the Steelers as a home team, as the
home team, have to give up one of their home games.
And you know, the Packers regardless of you know, whether
when Aaron Rodgers signs, because I do believe that's going
to happen. You know, the Packers are a marquee opponent,
(01:55):
just because they're a marquee franchise, and so I always
kind of thought that Steelers would kind of want to
protect that Green Bay game and have it in Pittsburgh,
you know, just as you know, something for their season
ticket holders, because again, because they're the home team, you
have to give up a home game, so you know,
(02:18):
And it turned out to be the Vikings. Not that
they're chop Liver or anything, but they don't have the
Marquis umph factor. I don't think that a game against
Green Bay does. So it doesn't surprise me that it
was the Vikings because, as I said, I didn't believe
it was going to be a division game, and you know,
(02:38):
the Packers I just thought there would be a protected
team or the Steelers would ask maybe that it's somebody
other than them, So it'd being the Vikings doesn't surprise me.
But you know, don't be out late September twenty seventh.
I don't want to. I don't want you in there,
you know, with red eyes and stuff.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
What if I just never go to sleep?
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Well, there you go. You push the right push all
the right buttons.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Yeah, right.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
One thing I will say about the opponent too, is look,
sometimes when teams go internationally, the opponents aren't exactly the best.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
The teams aren't quality.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Maybe the brands are good, but they're not currently playing
good football. This is not the case. You've got a
great brand, maybe the brand with the Steelers, and then
you've got a team in the Vikings that won fourteen
games last year. I know they're moving on from Sam
Donald and breaking in JJ McCarthy, but this is a
great matchup for Dublin to get two playoff teams who
have aspirations to get back to the playoffs this year.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
Well, and how about the Vikings too. I was watching
because all of this, you know, we're taping this on
May thirteenth. All of the You know, the NFL has
been kind of releasing its schedule in bits and pieces
this week, with the big reveal Wednesday at eight o'clock
in the evening, and so NFL Network this morning was
(04:01):
doing the International Games. The Vikings have back to back
international games but in different countries. The Steelers in Dublin
on September twenty eighth, and then the next week. I
maybe it's I don't know who they're playing. I don't
(04:24):
think it's Jacksonville. Oh it's the Brown in London. Is
it London? It's in London, yes, And so I mean,
how about that little travel because you're not coming home.
I can't believe you. But you know, like the Jaguars
have played back to back games in London, but that's
(04:47):
they're they're in the same you know, you're staying in
the same place. And exactly again, it's it's not people
need to understand that it may be close London to
Dublin geographically, but it is a different country. So anything
you know you're doing in terms of you know, wanting
(05:10):
to set up don't I won't say camp, but you know,
put up stakes to have practice and you know, all
that kind of stuff you have to consider, you know,
two different countries, two different laws, sets of laws, you know,
all that kind of stuff. I mean, it's you know,
the language is the same at least, but I can
(05:34):
imagine that's a little bit of a logistical challenge for
the Vikings organization.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
September twenty eighth, the Sunday slate of Week four kicks
off with a nine to thirty am game between the
Vikings and Steelers at Dublin. I'm sure we'll have a
lot of questions that might come in over the next
couple weeks about the international game, and we'll get more
to that, but before we get to this week's patch
of questions, Labs, the other thing that happened in Steelers
Nation over the weekend was Rookie Mini Camp. And it
wasn't just some of the guys that were drafted by
(06:02):
the Steelers that signed some contracts with that team. There
were some non draftees who were invited to Rookie Minnie
Camp who walked away with a contract as well.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Yeah, Rookie mini camp, you know, is what what I
would compare it to is this if the goal is
to you know, win an Olympic medal, in track. Rookie
mini camp is watching that person take their first steps
(06:32):
learn how to walk. It's necessary, certainly, and there are
things to be learned from it, but the significance of
it in the in the big picture, you know, isn't
that great. And so you know what rookie mini camp
was last Friday, Saturday, Sunday, no pads, you know, and
(06:59):
it's it's bare football in shorts because you know these
guys are at least you know football and shorts OTA's
and that most of those guys are veterans. You know,
they've they've been around. These were, uh, there were the
draft picks were all there, The undrafted rookies, guys signed
after the draft were all there. But the bulk of
(07:22):
it were tryout people. You know, some there were a
few handful of guys who had some NFL experience, and
you're allowed, i think four players with some NFL experience
on your as a tryout people, as long as they're
not signed anywhere obviously, and then the other people were undrafted, unsigned,
(07:45):
you know, guys on the street. And so when you're
watching it Friday, especially Friday in the morning, you know
a lot of things where you know, not lined upright correctly,
I mean bad snaps, guys going the wrong way. I mean,
(08:06):
you know, this is very As I mentioned, this is
very fundamental stuff. And what they're really trying to do
is for the coaches, you're trying to figure out how
these guys learn. Some people are good at it just
from a you can show it in a meeting room
and then they were able to implement it on the field.
(08:27):
Other guys need to see it in the meeting room
and then rep it a few times physically on the
field before you know, they get a good sense of
what to do, where to go. And then there was
also a lot of that too. You know, where's the
equipment room, where's the training room, where's the cafeteria, you know,
(08:49):
all that kind of stuff at the upmc ROO any
sports complex that you know you're going to need to
know it has to be, you know, second nature. Once this,
you know, ramps up here at the end of May
with OTAs. But okay, so when it was all over,
the Steelers signed three tryout guys, two running backs Max
(09:17):
Hurlman and Trey Sermon, and offensive tackle Gareth Warren. Those
guys now were added to the ninety million roster and
they'll get well, provided that they continue to progress. They
will be at Saint Vincent College in late July when
training camp opens. You know there's there's no guarantee. I mean,
(09:37):
you sign a tryout guy, uh, this weekend, this past weekend.
That doesn't mean you know he's got a dorm room
in Rooney Hall guaranteed to him come late July. I
mean he could get cut too. So just to go
over some of these guys. Max Hurlman, he played four
(09:58):
seasons at Colegate and then went to know her name
for his last season. This guy is a very very
versatile player and smart. One of the reasons I think
that those are the reasons that made him attractive because
a call during college at Notre Dame, he played some
(10:18):
he was able to line up a wide receiver, running back,
he can return punts. He's a special teams guy, and
so he's a valuable guy to have on your ninety
man roster when you go to camp, because there are
going to be days, maybe a series of days, where
you know there's some nagging injuries to people at different
positions and they're unable to practice, and but you need
(10:42):
so many guys at these positions to conduct the practice
and this guy Harlaman, he can he can do that.
He doesn't need a lot of learning. So he could
take reps at wide receiver on Tuesday, then reps at
running back on Wednesday. Uh, and then every time there's
(11:04):
a special team session, you know, he can jump in
there and you know, perform a role there. So that's
that's that was his value. Trey Sermon. He's from Ohio State.
He was actually a number three pick by the forty
nine ers in twenty twenty one, so he had he
(11:25):
has forty two games of NFL experience. He's a guy
who takes the place of Aaron Shamplin, who was an
undrafted guy last year. You know, did some things at camp,
spent time on the practice squad. Then from there he'd
like yo yo back and forth to the game day roster,
(11:46):
as that happens now in the NFL. So again, I mean,
he's not pushing Jayalen Warren and Caleb Johnson for playing time,
slash a roster spot or anything, but you know he's
another guy that has He's been there, done that guy
(12:06):
to a certain extent. So he's on the roster. And
then Gareth Warren played at Lindenwood University. I don't even
no offense. I don't have any idea what level of
football that is or you know what that means. But
he's six y six three and thirty three pounds, so
(12:30):
when the offense would kind of gather in a huddle,
it was pretty easy to figure out which one he was,
just when they're standing there, because he's a head taller
than everybody else. So we'll see, you know how that
how that works out. But those are the three guys
who ended up with contracts after rookie Mini Camp.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
Well, let's get to this week's patch of questions. We
have our first one coming in from Scott Randall.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
He writes from Conway, South Carolina. Let's bypass the quarterback
situation until it's really solved. I want to know how
the offensive line will look and how Troy Feltanu is healing.
I know it's early, but I'm very curious as to
where they may put him.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
Let me start with this, Scott, you're you're very much
in danger of getting thrown out of Steelers Nation if
you're willing to bypass the quarterback situation.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
At least labs at least made us aware that was.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
Yes, okay, well, and we're just kidding Scott. We would
never be in you. But at this point in the offseason,
there's no question Troy Filetano is going to be healthy
enough to participate in on field sessions. You know, certainly
that's all subject to how those things evolve and stuff.
(13:48):
And there's also no question that he's going to be
put at right tackle. He's going to be at right tackle.
Broderick Jones is at left tackle. And the plan, you know,
if everything goes according to plan, is to have those
two at those positions as the starters when the season opens,
most likely now, since the NFL is announcing all these
(14:11):
games the Sunday after Labor Day.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Jay Bishop from Enid, Oklahoma. If Mason Rudolph is the starter,
has a great season and wins one or two games
as the starting quarterback in the playoffs, would that make
it a sure thing? He would probably be offered a
multi season contract by the Steelers for the future.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
You know, Jay, I don't believe in sure things. You know,
death and taxes are about the only things that are
sure in my life anyway. But let me say this too,
Aaron Rodgers is going to sign. I mean, I don't
have any inside information on that. I'm just telling people
what I think. But I really believe that that is
(14:58):
going to happen. And so and if Aaron Rodgers signs,
you know, he's not signing to go to camp to
be in competition for a job. I'm not saying that
he's you know, guaranteed the starter for the balance you know,
(15:20):
of the regular season or anything. But you know, barring injury,
if Aaron Rodgers signs, he's going to be the starter
on opening day. So I'm just throwing that out there
just to try and I don't know, maybe bring a
(15:41):
little clarity to this situation. Uh. I think that the
Steelers know more about it than has been reported by
that I mean, the situation, what the situation is, and
I don't think Aaron Rodgers is all that uncertain about
(16:04):
it as is reported. So as I said, this is
just my impression of where things stand and how they're
probably going to work out. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
I have the same impression too. It's just a matter
of when it actually happens. But I do, like you,
believe it will happen.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
David Hayes from Heartsell Alabama TJ Watt is in his thirties,
while his time with Steelers has flown by I think
he wants to finish his career as a Steeler. I
know TJ will have to get a large chunk of
our salary cap, but this should not affect signing a
fourth quarterback to the ninety man roster, right.
Speaker 1 (16:42):
Yes, correct, the Steelers have situated themselves in good enough
position with a salary cap to be able to do
both contract extension with TJ. Watt and adding a fourth
quarterback to the roster. And you know, certainly there are
reports or whatever of how much cap money they have
(17:04):
as of this podcast, but there are also other things
that are available to them within the rules of that
to create more cap money so cap space. So yes,
there will not be a problem for a TJ. Watt
extension and for a signing of a fourth quarterback.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
Brendan Camilary from Palm Bay, Florida with a third round
pick in the recent draft being Caleb Johnson. Do you
see him being the clearcut starter at running back over
Jalen Warren. I'd imagine Johnson is going to be the
three down back with his skill set being very similar
to what Naji Harris was for us.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
Yeah, I'm gonna have to use a Lee Corso line.
Not so fast, my friend. You know, I don't think
it's very prudent to discount Jalen Warren and what he
can do and what he's willing to do to be
in every day back in the NFL now, and in
(18:06):
a situation where like this one, who's with a rookie
Caleb Johnson coming into the NFL and he's competing for
playing time and touches with a three year veteran, And
I'm going to give you some Jalen Warren's stats now,
Guys average four point eight yards as a runner. He
has one hundred and twenty seven catches that have produced
(18:26):
forty nine first downs as a receiver, and we've seen
him being a willing and accomplished blocker in pass protection,
so you know, that allows the coaches to have confidence
in him out there in third down situations. So, you know,
I don't know what kind of blocker Caleb Johnson is.
(18:48):
I'm not trying to imply that he isn't willing to
do that or try to do that, but there is
there is more to that than just you know, get
in front of the guy and blocking him. I mean
you have to recognize and quickly where the pressure's coming
from and get yourself over there in time to deliver
(19:12):
the block. I mean there are complex blitzes. Teams will,
you know, disguise things and fake things, and you know,
if a running back takes like one half step in
the wrong direction thinking where the blitz is coming from
and it's coming from the other side, you're too late
and the quarterback may get his head taken off. So
(19:34):
let's not I'm not trying to run down Caleb Johnson
by any means, but I also don't want to underestimate
Jalen Warren.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
And I think it's fair to point out too that
Iowa passed the ball a total of five times last
season during Caleb.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Johnson's last year there.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
So it's a little bit of a jump up in
the NFL as far as pass protection is concerned.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
I'm kidding, of course, I think it was six. Yeah,
not like to pass the ball.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
Paul Pish from Kiowa Island, South Carolina ken undrafted free
agents who signed with the team be traded. For example,
Ben Sauls was an excellent college kicker. I was surprised
he went undrafted Steeers signed him, but the Steelers have
Chris Boswell. Is it a savvy move that could result
in more draft capital in twenty twenty six?
Speaker 1 (20:20):
I almost had let you answer this, since you're the pit.
Speaker 3 (20:22):
Exer, big Ben sauce guy.
Speaker 1 (20:25):
Yes, you know, you could look at it and say that,
you know, Ben Sauls is going to end up losing
out Chris Boswell, which is I think highly likely. Yes,
But and so then also you could project it as
(20:47):
why would Ben Sall sign with the Steelers? Looking at
the situation, Here's this is my take on that Ben
SAAL's signs with the Steelers because he knows that he's
going to get a lot of exposure because the team
is not going to be working Boswell h too much
(21:11):
at training camp nor in the preseason. So Ben sols
is going to get a lot of you know, NFL reps,
and he's going to get a lot of NFL exposure.
So you know, it's it's unusual, No, I won't say unusual.
It's difficult for a college kicker to come to the
(21:33):
NFL and make a roster as a rookie. Usually, you
know Boswell for example, didn't. You know, you don't get
drafted by a team usually and make the roster you know,
as the team's placekicker. I love when people say the
starting place kicker, like there's actually more than one, which
(21:55):
there isn't. So there's that, and you know, the Steelers.
It's a good move for the Steelers because Ben Sauls
is an accomplished, competent guy, and so they're going to
be able to use him at training camp, use him
in the preseason, and get the good kind of reps
(22:15):
and those kind of things that they need to develop
the rest of the special teams around the place kicker. Okay,
all that said, I think we both feel that, you know,
when roster cuts are made down to fifty three, Chris
Boswell will be the kicker and Ben Saals will be waived. Now,
if you're an NFL team looking for a kicker and
(22:38):
you've watched this guy, you know, through the preseason, and
you think, you know, we like him, we want to
bring him aboard, you know that he's going to get
cut and so why would you give up a draft pick?
And if you do, if they do, it's just a
(22:58):
it would probably be you know, a conditional seventh based
on the guy making the whatever or you know whatever.
Speaker 3 (23:07):
Yea, so.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
Yeah, So again I'm not ruling it out. And Omar Cohen,
the general manager, has said when the phone rings, he
will listen. Uh so if there is an offer for him.
And it seems that you know, things are working the
way we all expect them to work, and Boswell is
fine and having a good summer and all of that stuff,
sure trade them, but I don't know what you can get.
(23:33):
And and really more than that, I don't know that
there's gonna be a whole lot of interest in making
a trade for a guy that you know is going
to get cut.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
And our final question today comes from a very appropriate place.
Owen Oka from Kilkenny, Ireland asks our OTA is the
only cure for mock draft withdrawal symptom asking for an
unrecognizable friend I saw in the mirror earlier.
Speaker 1 (24:03):
Sorry to break the news to you, Owen, but next
time you see your friend in that mirror, warn him
that there are already twenty twenty six mark drafts out there.
So you know, as I've said, off and stay off
social media if you really want to avoid that kind
of stuff. And now you can start making your plans
(24:27):
for September twenty eighth. Yes, you can talking by your
time that way, maybe that's.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
When the Steelers will be in Dublin taking on the
Minnesota Vikings. We found out that little nugget about the
schedule this morning Tuesday, May thirteenth. The entire schedule is
revealed tomorrow Wednesday night, so we will know week one
through week eighteen, not the times necessarily the flexing that
happens later in the year, but we'll know the order
of opponents for the Steelers for twenty twenty five.
Speaker 3 (24:54):
You can start making some of those travel.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
Plans for Bob Labriola. I'm Tom Opferman As always, thanks
for giving us a lit listen. We'll be back next week,
maybe talking about that full schedule, maybe we'll have some
quarterback news, and then OTAs will be kicking off right
around the corner as well. So the off season is
getting into full gear and we're always going to be
here to answer your questions on askedon answered
This is asked and answered questions with Tom Uperman and
Steelers Digest editor Bob Labriola.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Well, we've known for quite some time now that the
Steelers will be playing an international game in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
They will be going to Dublin, Ireland.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
What we did not know is the time, the date,
and the opponent, But that has revealed itself this morning.
It'll be against the Minnesota Vikings week four, September twenty eighth,
and the kickoff is at nine to thirty a m.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
Eastern time.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
So, young, young Thomas, what time you have to be
a work that day.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
I'm gonna have to be here at like five point
thirty six in the morning. It's gonna be a surreal feeling,
no doubt. It's also kind of surreal, Labs that we've
come full circle as far as the opponent is concerned,
because the last time the Steelers hopped overseas was against
the Vikings in London.
Speaker 1 (00:55):
Yeah, and you know, I there was a lot of
interweb speculation that the opponent was going to be the Packers.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (01:06):
I never thought that that was going to, you know,
be the case. I didn't think that it was going
to be a Division team, and I didn't think it
was going to be green Bay because you know, the
NFL has some leeway in, you know, allowing teams to
(01:32):
quote unquote protect you know, certain home games, and because
you know, the Steelers as a home team, as the
home team, have to give up one of their home games.
And you know, the Packers regardless of you know, whether
when Aaron Rodgers signs, because I do believe that's going
to happen. You know, the Packers are a marquee opponent,
(01:55):
just because they're a marquee franchise, and so I always
kind of thought that Steelers would kind of want to
protect that Green Bay game and have it in Pittsburgh,
you know, just as you know, something for their season
ticket holders, because again, because they're the home team, you
have to give up a home game, so you know,
(02:18):
And it turned out to be the Vikings. Not that
they're chop Liver or anything, but they don't have the
Marquis umph factor. I don't think that a game against
Green Bay does. So it doesn't surprise me that it
was the Vikings because, as I said, I didn't believe
it was going to be a division game, and you know,
(02:38):
the Packers I just thought there would be a protected
team or the Steelers would ask maybe that it's somebody
other than them, So it'd being the Vikings doesn't surprise me.
But you know, don't be out late September twenty seventh.
I don't want to. I don't want you in there,
you know, with red eyes and stuff.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
What if I just never go to sleep?
Speaker 1 (03:02):
Well, there you go. You push the right push all
the right buttons.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Yeah, right.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
One thing I will say about the opponent too, is look,
sometimes when teams go internationally, the opponents aren't exactly the best.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
The teams aren't quality.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Maybe the brands are good, but they're not currently playing
good football. This is not the case. You've got a
great brand, maybe the brand with the Steelers, and then
you've got a team in the Vikings that won fourteen
games last year. I know they're moving on from Sam
Donald and breaking in JJ McCarthy, but this is a
great matchup for Dublin to get two playoff teams who
have aspirations to get back to the playoffs this year.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
Well, and how about the Vikings too. I was watching
because all of this, you know, we're taping this on
May thirteenth. All of the You know, the NFL has
been kind of releasing its schedule in bits and pieces
this week, with the big reveal Wednesday at eight o'clock
in the evening, and so NFL Network this morning was
(04:01):
doing the International Games. The Vikings have back to back
international games but in different countries. The Steelers in Dublin
on September twenty eighth, and then the next week. I
maybe it's I don't know who they're playing. I don't
(04:24):
think it's Jacksonville. Oh it's the Brown in London. Is
it London? It's in London, yes, And so I mean,
how about that little travel because you're not coming home.
I can't believe you. But you know, like the Jaguars
have played back to back games in London, but that's
(04:47):
they're they're in the same you know, you're staying in
the same place. And exactly again, it's it's not people
need to understand that it may be close London to
Dublin geographically, but it is a different country. So anything
you know you're doing in terms of you know, wanting
(05:10):
to set up don't I won't say camp, but you know,
put up stakes to have practice and you know, all
that kind of stuff you have to consider, you know,
two different countries, two different laws, sets of laws, you know,
all that kind of stuff. I mean, it's you know,
the language is the same at least, but I can
(05:34):
imagine that's a little bit of a logistical challenge for
the Vikings organization.
Speaker 2 (05:40):
September twenty eighth, the Sunday slate of Week four kicks
off with a nine to thirty am game between the
Vikings and Steelers at Dublin. I'm sure we'll have a
lot of questions that might come in over the next
couple weeks about the international game, and we'll get more
to that, but before we get to this week's patch
of questions, Labs, the other thing that happened in Steelers
Nation over the weekend was Rookie Mini Camp. And it
wasn't just some of the guys that were drafted by
(06:02):
the Steelers that signed some contracts with that team. There
were some non draftees who were invited to Rookie Minnie
Camp who walked away with a contract as well.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Yeah, Rookie mini camp, you know, is what what I
would compare it to is this if the goal is
to you know, win an Olympic medal, in track. Rookie
mini camp is watching that person take their first steps
(06:32):
learn how to walk. It's necessary, certainly, and there are
things to be learned from it, but the significance of
it in the in the big picture, you know, isn't
that great. And so you know what rookie mini camp
was last Friday, Saturday, Sunday, no pads, you know, and
(06:59):
it's it's bare football in shorts because you know these
guys are at least you know football and shorts OTA's
and that most of those guys are veterans. You know,
they've they've been around. These were, uh, there were the
draft picks were all there, The undrafted rookies, guys signed
after the draft were all there. But the bulk of
(07:22):
it were tryout people. You know, some there were a
few handful of guys who had some NFL experience, and
you're allowed, i think four players with some NFL experience
on your as a tryout people, as long as they're
not signed anywhere obviously, and then the other people were undrafted, unsigned,
(07:45):
you know, guys on the street. And so when you're
watching it Friday, especially Friday in the morning, you know
a lot of things where you know, not lined upright correctly,
I mean bad snaps, guys going the wrong way. I mean,
(08:06):
you know, this is very As I mentioned, this is
very fundamental stuff. And what they're really trying to do
is for the coaches, you're trying to figure out how
these guys learn. Some people are good at it just
from a you can show it in a meeting room
and then they were able to implement it on the field.
(08:27):
Other guys need to see it in the meeting room
and then rep it a few times physically on the
field before you know, they get a good sense of
what to do, where to go. And then there was
also a lot of that too. You know, where's the
equipment room, where's the training room, where's the cafeteria, you know,
(08:49):
all that kind of stuff at the upmc ROO any
sports complex that you know you're going to need to
know it has to be, you know, second nature. Once this,
you know, ramps up here at the end of May
with OTAs. But okay, so when it was all over,
the Steelers signed three tryout guys, two running backs Max
(09:17):
Hurlman and Trey Sermon, and offensive tackle Gareth Warren. Those
guys now were added to the ninety million roster and
they'll get well, provided that they continue to progress. They
will be at Saint Vincent College in late July when
training camp opens. You know there's there's no guarantee. I mean,
(09:37):
you sign a tryout guy, uh, this weekend, this past weekend.
That doesn't mean you know he's got a dorm room
in Rooney Hall guaranteed to him come late July. I
mean he could get cut too. So just to go
over some of these guys. Max Hurlman, he played four
(09:58):
seasons at Colegate and then went to know her name
for his last season. This guy is a very very
versatile player and smart. One of the reasons I think
that those are the reasons that made him attractive because
a call during college at Notre Dame, he played some
(10:18):
he was able to line up a wide receiver, running back,
he can return punts. He's a special teams guy, and
so he's a valuable guy to have on your ninety
man roster when you go to camp, because there are
going to be days, maybe a series of days, where
you know there's some nagging injuries to people at different
positions and they're unable to practice, and but you need
(10:42):
so many guys at these positions to conduct the practice
and this guy Harlaman, he can he can do that.
He doesn't need a lot of learning. So he could
take reps at wide receiver on Tuesday, then reps at
running back on Wednesday. Uh, and then every time there's
(11:04):
a special team session, you know, he can jump in
there and you know, perform a role there. So that's
that's that was his value. Trey Sermon. He's from Ohio State.
He was actually a number three pick by the forty
nine ers in twenty twenty one, so he had he
(11:25):
has forty two games of NFL experience. He's a guy
who takes the place of Aaron Shamplin, who was an
undrafted guy last year. You know, did some things at camp,
spent time on the practice squad. Then from there he'd
like yo yo back and forth to the game day roster,
(11:46):
as that happens now in the NFL. So again, I mean,
he's not pushing Jayalen Warren and Caleb Johnson for playing time,
slash a roster spot or anything, but you know he's
another guy that has He's been there, done that guy
(12:06):
to a certain extent. So he's on the roster. And
then Gareth Warren played at Lindenwood University. I don't even
no offense. I don't have any idea what level of
football that is or you know what that means. But
he's six y six three and thirty three pounds, so
(12:30):
when the offense would kind of gather in a huddle,
it was pretty easy to figure out which one he was,
just when they're standing there, because he's a head taller
than everybody else. So we'll see, you know how that
how that works out. But those are the three guys
who ended up with contracts after rookie Mini Camp.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
Well, let's get to this week's patch of questions. We
have our first one coming in from Scott Randall.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
He writes from Conway, South Carolina. Let's bypass the quarterback
situation until it's really solved. I want to know how
the offensive line will look and how Troy Feltanu is healing.
I know it's early, but I'm very curious as to
where they may put him.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
Let me start with this, Scott, you're you're very much
in danger of getting thrown out of Steelers Nation if
you're willing to bypass the quarterback situation.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
At least labs at least made us aware that was.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
Yes, okay, well, and we're just kidding Scott. We would
never be in you. But at this point in the offseason,
there's no question Troy Filetano is going to be healthy
enough to participate in on field sessions. You know, certainly
that's all subject to how those things evolve and stuff.
(13:48):
And there's also no question that he's going to be
put at right tackle. He's going to be at right tackle.
Broderick Jones is at left tackle. And the plan, you know,
if everything goes according to plan, is to have those
two at those positions as the starters when the season opens,
most likely now, since the NFL is announcing all these
(14:11):
games the Sunday after Labor Day.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
Jay Bishop from Enid, Oklahoma. If Mason Rudolph is the starter,
has a great season and wins one or two games
as the starting quarterback in the playoffs, would that make
it a sure thing? He would probably be offered a
multi season contract by the Steelers for the future.
Speaker 1 (14:33):
You know, Jay, I don't believe in sure things. You know,
death and taxes are about the only things that are
sure in my life anyway. But let me say this too,
Aaron Rodgers is going to sign. I mean, I don't
have any inside information on that. I'm just telling people
what I think. But I really believe that that is
(14:58):
going to happen. And so and if Aaron Rodgers signs,
you know, he's not signing to go to camp to
be in competition for a job. I'm not saying that
he's you know, guaranteed the starter for the balance you know,
(15:20):
of the regular season or anything. But you know, barring injury,
if Aaron Rodgers signs, he's going to be the starter
on opening day. So I'm just throwing that out there
just to try and I don't know, maybe bring a
(15:41):
little clarity to this situation. Uh. I think that the
Steelers know more about it than has been reported by
that I mean, the situation, what the situation is, and
I don't think Aaron Rodgers is all that uncertain about
(16:04):
it as is reported. So as I said, this is
just my impression of where things stand and how they're
probably going to work out. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (16:16):
I have the same impression too. It's just a matter
of when it actually happens. But I do, like you,
believe it will happen.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
David Hayes from Heartsell Alabama TJ Watt is in his thirties,
while his time with Steelers has flown by I think
he wants to finish his career as a Steeler. I
know TJ will have to get a large chunk of
our salary cap, but this should not affect signing a
fourth quarterback to the ninety man roster, right.
Speaker 1 (16:42):
Yes, correct, the Steelers have situated themselves in good enough
position with a salary cap to be able to do
both contract extension with TJ. Watt and adding a fourth
quarterback to the roster. And you know, certainly there are
reports or whatever of how much cap money they have
(17:04):
as of this podcast, but there are also other things
that are available to them within the rules of that
to create more cap money so cap space. So yes,
there will not be a problem for a TJ. Watt
extension and for a signing of a fourth quarterback.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
Brendan Camilary from Palm Bay, Florida with a third round
pick in the recent draft being Caleb Johnson. Do you
see him being the clearcut starter at running back over
Jalen Warren. I'd imagine Johnson is going to be the
three down back with his skill set being very similar
to what Naji Harris was for us.
Speaker 1 (17:45):
Yeah, I'm gonna have to use a Lee Corso line.
Not so fast, my friend. You know, I don't think
it's very prudent to discount Jalen Warren and what he
can do and what he's willing to do to be
in every day back in the NFL now, and in
(18:06):
a situation where like this one, who's with a rookie
Caleb Johnson coming into the NFL and he's competing for
playing time and touches with a three year veteran, And
I'm going to give you some Jalen Warren's stats now,
Guys average four point eight yards as a runner. He
has one hundred and twenty seven catches that have produced
(18:26):
forty nine first downs as a receiver, and we've seen
him being a willing and accomplished blocker in pass protection,
so you know, that allows the coaches to have confidence
in him out there in third down situations. So, you know,
I don't know what kind of blocker Caleb Johnson is.
(18:48):
I'm not trying to imply that he isn't willing to
do that or try to do that, but there is
there is more to that than just you know, get
in front of the guy and blocking him. I mean
you have to recognize and quickly where the pressure's coming
from and get yourself over there in time to deliver
(19:12):
the block. I mean there are complex blitzes. Teams will,
you know, disguise things and fake things, and you know,
if a running back takes like one half step in
the wrong direction thinking where the blitz is coming from
and it's coming from the other side, you're too late
and the quarterback may get his head taken off. So
(19:34):
let's not I'm not trying to run down Caleb Johnson
by any means, but I also don't want to underestimate
Jalen Warren.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
And I think it's fair to point out too that
Iowa passed the ball a total of five times last
season during Caleb.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Johnson's last year there.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
So it's a little bit of a jump up in
the NFL as far as pass protection is concerned.
Speaker 3 (19:54):
I'm kidding, of course, I think it was six. Yeah,
not like to pass the ball.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
Paul Pish from Kiowa Island, South Carolina ken undrafted free
agents who signed with the team be traded. For example,
Ben Sauls was an excellent college kicker. I was surprised
he went undrafted Steeers signed him, but the Steelers have
Chris Boswell. Is it a savvy move that could result
in more draft capital in twenty twenty six?
Speaker 1 (20:20):
I almost had let you answer this, since you're the pit.
Speaker 3 (20:22):
Exer, big Ben sauce guy.
Speaker 1 (20:25):
Yes, you know, you could look at it and say that,
you know, Ben Sauls is going to end up losing
out Chris Boswell, which is I think highly likely. Yes,
But and so then also you could project it as
(20:47):
why would Ben Sall sign with the Steelers? Looking at
the situation, Here's this is my take on that Ben
SAAL's signs with the Steelers because he knows that he's
going to get a lot of exposure because the team
is not going to be working Boswell h too much
(21:11):
at training camp nor in the preseason. So Ben sols
is going to get a lot of you know, NFL reps,
and he's going to get a lot of NFL exposure.
So you know, it's it's unusual, No, I won't say unusual.
It's difficult for a college kicker to come to the
(21:33):
NFL and make a roster as a rookie. Usually, you
know Boswell for example, didn't. You know, you don't get
drafted by a team usually and make the roster you know,
as the team's placekicker. I love when people say the
starting place kicker, like there's actually more than one, which
(21:55):
there isn't. So there's that, and you know, the Steelers.
It's a good move for the Steelers because Ben Sauls
is an accomplished, competent guy, and so they're going to
be able to use him at training camp, use him
in the preseason, and get the good kind of reps
(22:15):
and those kind of things that they need to develop
the rest of the special teams around the place kicker. Okay,
all that said, I think we both feel that, you know,
when roster cuts are made down to fifty three, Chris
Boswell will be the kicker and Ben Saals will be waived. Now,
if you're an NFL team looking for a kicker and
(22:38):
you've watched this guy, you know, through the preseason, and
you think, you know, we like him, we want to
bring him aboard, you know that he's going to get
cut and so why would you give up a draft pick?
And if you do, if they do, it's just a
(22:58):
it would probably be you know, a conditional seventh based
on the guy making the whatever or you know whatever.
Speaker 3 (23:07):
Yea, so.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
Yeah, So again I'm not ruling it out. And Omar Cohen,
the general manager, has said when the phone rings, he
will listen. Uh so if there is an offer for him.
And it seems that you know, things are working the
way we all expect them to work, and Boswell is
fine and having a good summer and all of that stuff,
sure trade them, but I don't know what you can get.
(23:33):
And and really more than that, I don't know that
there's gonna be a whole lot of interest in making
a trade for a guy that you know is going
to get cut.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
And our final question today comes from a very appropriate place.
Owen Oka from Kilkenny, Ireland asks our OTA is the
only cure for mock draft withdrawal symptom asking for an
unrecognizable friend I saw in the mirror earlier.
Speaker 1 (24:03):
Sorry to break the news to you, Owen, but next
time you see your friend in that mirror, warn him
that there are already twenty twenty six mark drafts out there.
So you know, as I've said, off and stay off
social media if you really want to avoid that kind
of stuff. And now you can start making your plans
(24:27):
for September twenty eighth. Yes, you can talking by your
time that way, maybe that's.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
When the Steelers will be in Dublin taking on the
Minnesota Vikings. We found out that little nugget about the
schedule this morning Tuesday, May thirteenth. The entire schedule is
revealed tomorrow Wednesday night, so we will know week one
through week eighteen, not the times necessarily the flexing that
happens later in the year, but we'll know the order
of opponents for the Steelers for twenty twenty five.
Speaker 3 (24:54):
You can start making some of those travel.
Speaker 2 (24:55):
Plans for Bob Labriola. I'm Tom Opferman As always, thanks
for giving us a lit listen. We'll be back next week,
maybe talking about that full schedule, maybe we'll have some
quarterback news, and then OTAs will be kicking off right
around the corner as well. So the off season is
getting into full gear and we're always going to be
here to answer your questions on askedon answered
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