February 4, 2025 • 23 mins
Labs and Tom talk about the Super Bowl and then get into this week's questions.
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
This is asked and answered question with Tom Upperman and
Steelers Digest editor Bob Labriola.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Super Bowl Week is here, the game will be played
on Sunday and labs. If you're a Pittsburgher, you're kind
of stuck between a rock and a hard place, because
I think everybody in this country outside of Kansas City, Missouri,
is not very fond of those Kansas City Chiefs right now.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
But on the other hand, you've got.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Those Eagles from the Philadelphia or the city of Philadelphia,
and we're not too fond of that city either here
in this city. So this is a tough one as
far as rooting interests are concerned. Or do you have
a pretty clear idea of who you're going to be
pulling for?
Speaker 1 (00:40):
H Well, I mean I know who I'm pulling against.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
I mean, that's a better way to put it.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Yeah, I'm I don't I'm not buying the whole Roger
Goodell thing that the Chiefs don't get any preferential treatment
from officials. I don't think that it's on purpose. I
really do know. I'm not saying that you know that
there's a hidden agenda where the games are fixed or
any of that. Stuff. I'm just saying that. You know,
(01:11):
Patrick Mahomes is, you know, he's turned into the whiny
entitled that Tom Brady was. Well he still may be,
but he doesn't play anymore. So yeah, so yeah, I'm sorry.
I just I just can't. I can't go there. So
(01:34):
uh yeah, anybody but the Chiefs. It's been anybody, well
was It's always anybody but the Ravens. That's first. Then
after that it's it was anybody but the Chiefs. So yeah,
I don't. I don't have the anti Philadelphia thing going
for me as much as other Pittsburgh people might, and
(01:56):
I understand why they might, but it's not that it's
not that deep rooted for me.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
I agree with you labs.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
You know, I'm not above getting into a nice cross
state rivalry with our brothers from Philadelphia.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Don't get me wrong, But I really don't have any
hatred towards the Eagles.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Like Steelers play them once every four years, maybe a
little bit more frequently now because of that extra NFC
opponent they've added on with the extra week in the season,
But there's nothing about the Eagles that really bothers me.
So I don't want to say I'm pooling for Philadelphia,
but I like the way you put it. I'm pulling
against Kansas City as well. But as far as the
game is concerned, Labs, this should be a pretty good
(02:35):
football game. Don't you think The line is minus one
and a half for Kansas City?
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Really close?
Speaker 2 (02:39):
And I think these are two very great football teams.
We should have a We should have an entertaining Sunday night.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
I hope. So, you know, that's always the thing to me.
I mean, I want the game to be good, good
enough to watch to keep me awake, you know, through
the whole thing. It starts at six point thirty, so
you know, if it's if it's a bad game or
a boring game. You know, the remote is too easy
to just click the off button. But yeah, yeah, I
(03:09):
always hope for, you know, an entertaining game, because it's
the last one for a while, a good while. I'm
not a UFL guy. I'm not an XFL guy or
whatever those leagues are called. I'm not someone who watches
combine drills on TV, you know, any of that stuff.
So this is it for me. This is my football
(03:31):
fix for a while. And so yeah, I would like
to see a good competitive game and the Chiefs lose.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Well, from your lips to God's ears, let's hope that
it comes to fruition. We've got a ton of questions
to get to on today's edition of Asked and Answered,
So let's start with Henry Stricken from Fairport, Ohio, specifically,
with Justin Fields in mind, what does the contract process
look like? Do all meetings in both the player and
his agent, what representatives from the Steelers are there?
Speaker 3 (04:04):
And how many meetings can it take?
Speaker 1 (04:07):
Okay, this is I'm gonna speak in generalities because you know,
there could be some variances, you know, in specific cases,
but generally the conversations are between the player's agent and
in this specific case with the Steelers Omark on the GM.
I'm sure the agent is in communication with his client
(04:30):
and Omar is in communication with team president. Aren't Rooney
the second? You know, in terms of how things are going,
whether there are any issues, how the issues may be
wanted to be resolved, and you know, you just kind
of go from there. How many meetings does it take?
(04:51):
And it's oh and it's done over the phone. If
I didn't say that already, there's no way of predicting
how many uh, you know, we we we're talking about
Henry's specific question is about Justin Fields. Okay, quarterback, you know,
it takes as much as many meetings as it takes,
(05:12):
you know, with a with a backup, you know, and
I don't want to take shots at anybody, but if
you know, if you're an unrestricted free agent who's just
a special teams guy or a backup, you know, it
might be one phone conversation. One of the two sides
may say, you know, this is what we can do, right,
(05:32):
But I would imagine there's going to be some back
and forth with the quarterbacks with Justin Fields in mind
based on the question. And you know they have until
the legal tampering period opens March tenth. It's exclusive negotiating time.
And I'm sure that you know it'll uh it'll as
(05:55):
I said, it'll take as long as it takes.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
But it's good to have that advantage with these two quarterbacks.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
It's not a great quarterback market as far as free
agency is concerned, LABS, you might actually have two of
the better options in house, and you get that advantage
of exclusive negotiations between now in March tenth, so you know,
I'm sure the Steelers are exercising that.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
Mark Rice from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
If the Steelers are interested in resigning Russell Wilson or
Justin Fields, what is taking this long to sign one
of them? Very appropriate question, Mark, Wow, it's almost like
I have the script in front of me.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
I could lead right into that.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
Yeah, I mean, this is the kind of stuff that
just makes me crazy. What's taking so long? I mean
it I don't know who the Steelers are going to
end up resigning, but either one of those guys, Russell
Wilson or Justin Fields. You're talking about a multi year,
multi million dollar contract. You know, what's taking so long?
(06:54):
I mean, as I mentioned, the Steelers have exclusive negotiating
rights with all their own players until the start of
the legal tampering period, which is on March tenth. Today,
as we tape this, it's February fourth. You know, the season.
There is more time between now and the start of
(07:16):
the legal tampering period than there has passed since the
end of the season until now. You know, do you
think the agents are just going to jump at the
first offer? I mean, if if it was your agent,
would you want that? Or maybe The idea is the
(07:38):
Steelers should just start out with a ridiculously high number,
you know, and commit the cardinal sin and negotiate against
yourself just to get it over with, so that, you know,
Mark in Las Vegas wouldn't think it was taking too long.
I mean, you know, come on, this is what's taking
so long. Next question to quote to quote the great
(08:03):
Bill Belichick.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
Next question Larry lash from turnum Pa.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
How much has Russell Wilson said to make on the
open market as an unrestricted free agent? I saw Justin
Fields is around six point four million a year. But
is Russell's age playing a factor on his next price tag?
Speaker 1 (08:19):
I think my age is playing a factor. And you
know my patience for these kinds of questions. You know,
there are no such numbers.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
Well, the good news last the off season just started, so.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
We're just sitting under the good news. Is that what
you said, there are no such numbers for what Russell
Wilson and or Justin Fields are set to make on
the open market, or let me put it this way,
at least no such numbers that have any basis in fact.
I mean, what Larry is talking about is he is
(08:50):
what he is seeing is clickbait. Stay away from the clickbait.
Pretend clickbait is like POI and IVY. Don't go there,
don't go there.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Dan Cliff from North Chill, North Chili, New York. Going
into the off season with a team that clearly needs
help along the defensive line and at wide receiver, as
well as starters at running back and quarterback for next season,
how does the Stealers stand with salary cap space?
Speaker 1 (09:22):
Yeah, this is salary cap space. Everyone is interested in that,
as am I. But it's you know, without and you know,
I mean you don't get this kind of detail, but
without getting it specifically from the team. It's a lot
of uh estimates, you know. And there's a couple of
(09:45):
websites on that I use that others use that are
pretty good websites spot track dot com, s p O
t R A C dot com. Uh, they're good with
this kind of stuff. They currently list the Steelers is
having forty three point three million dollars in cap space.
(10:05):
Over the cap dot Com. Another good website list the
Steelers is having forty point five million dollars in salary
cap space. But over the cap dot com goes the
next step in saying that the Steelers have thirty seven
point three million dollars in effective cap space, which the
website defines as the space a team will have after
(10:29):
signing at least fifty one players, and it's projected rookie
class to its roster. So you know, they're they're in
the area somewhere there, I mean, and they're there. Let
me say this too. There are also some avenues available
to them that they have not exercised to create more
(10:51):
cap space. So you know, I'm not I don't know
exactly what the number is, but I do believe that
the Steeler Two things. I do believe that the Steelers
will not be having to cut anyone when a new
league year is about to start to get in compliance
with whatever the new salary cap is, because that's another thing.
(11:14):
The league hasn't set that number yet. So saying how
much cap space the Steelers have is an estimate based on,
first of all, what they believe that the NFL is
going to set the twenty twenty five salary cap limit
at in the first place. So there's that. The other thing,
as I said, that Steelers won't have to cut anyone,
(11:37):
and I think that they will have enough available cap
space and or the ability to create additional cap space
to make any of the kinds of moves that they
would be considering this offseason.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Keith Miller from Canton, North Carolina. It's never too early
for fans to start preparing for the draft. Lord knows
I have Keith, please explain how can pen sory picks
are awarded or for lost free agents?
Speaker 1 (12:04):
Okay, now this is I'm gonna give you some of
the parameters that are used. I mean, this is not
a specific you know, compensatory draft picks. You know, figuring
that out. It's not like figuring out tie breakers where
you know, you can actually look it up and there's
a definite procedure and numbers that you you know, throw
(12:28):
into the calculator and whatever and you come up with
the right answer. But these are some of the guidelines
that are used. Okay, under the under the formula for
compensatory draft picks, a team losing more or better compensatory
free agents than it acquires in a previous year is
(12:50):
eligible is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks. Now you
know that's quoted from the actual NFL policy, And as
you could tell by listening to me read it, it
should certainly sounds like it was written by lawyers, which
you know, that's all part of it. Compensatory free agents.
(13:12):
Compensatory free agents, in other words, the players who go
into the formula that determine the compensatory draft picks. Those
those players are determined by another formula that's based on salary,
playing time, and any postseason honors. Okay, this formula was
developed by the NFL Management Console. Not every free agent
(13:37):
lost or signed by a team is covered by this formula.
Clubs that suffer a net loss of compensatory free agents
during the prior free agent signing period are eligible to
receive a corresponding number, of course, compensatory selections. So it's complicated.
(13:58):
There are going, Keith, you are going to see or
be exposed to, forecasts of who will be receiving what
in terms of compensatory picks. But I can tell you,
in talking with people who worked in the Steelers organization,
(14:20):
high up in the player player personnel department, you never
know for sure. You you think some things, you hope
some things, but until the league comes out with these
specific picks awards, however you want to describe it, you know,
(14:44):
It's kind of like, you know, watching the Academy Awards.
You gotta wait for the person to open the envelope
and read what's on the card. Then you know what
you have or what you didn't get.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
Bill Maloney from Chevy Chase, Maryland, I've you've various and
conflicting accounts of when the Steelers draft in twenty twenty
five on having the twenty first overall selection in round one.
Speaker 3 (15:06):
How many picks do they have? Now?
Speaker 1 (15:09):
Okay, as Bill mentioned, the Steelers draft twenty first overall
in the first round. In total picks, the Steelers have
seven over the course of the seven rounds. Those picks breakdown.
They have one pick in each of the first five rounds,
nothing in round six, two picks in round seven. Now,
(15:31):
once compensatory picks are awarded, you know the draft slots
will then be determined because you know, they throw in
compensatory picks at the end of rounds, starting in round three,
so you know when you're picking in the fourth round
or the fifth round is going to be what it
is now is you know, not what it's going to
(15:51):
end up being when the drafting is actually done, because
the compensatory picks haven't been awarded yet, and they will move,
you know, the the swats around a little bit so,
but that's the general situation. Seven picks one in each
of the first five rounds two in the last round.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
Jim Medorma from Fort Lauderder, Florida. I know the NFL
didn't recognize sack statistics until nineteen eighty two, but is
there any way for someone to be able to view
films from those games to determine how many sacks Elsie
Green would had in his career?
Speaker 1 (16:28):
Okay, back in the past. You know, I don't know
exactly when it happened. The Steelers did a research project
on the sack totals prior to nineteen eighty two. Okay, now,
prior to nineteen eighty two. The Steelers' version is that
Elsie Green would had seventy three and a half sacks
(16:49):
that still has him ranked fifth on the franchise's all
time list in the category. Joe Green was determined to
have sixty six sacks that ranks him sixth on the
franchise's all time list. Now, there are other websites. Again,
these are just research projects and estimated totals. There are
(17:12):
other there are some websites that have different numbers than
the ones I just I just mentioned, but these are
the Steelers' numbers, and so they're the ones that you know,
I go with. In terms of records sacks in a game,
(17:33):
Joe green still holds the franchise record for saxon a
game with five that came against the Oilers in Houston
on December tenth, nineteen seventy two. Greenwood's four and a
half against Cleveland on November twenty fifth, nineteen seventy nine
has him tied for second in franchise history. In terms
of most sacks in a game. He's tied with Chad Brown.
(17:56):
And since Chad Brown did it in nineteen ninety six
against the Bengals, that's you know, that's an NFL recognized number.
Four and a half. So you know that's where we
are with with that another estimated sack total. You know
(18:17):
L C. Green woo four sex in Super Bowl ten,
which was in nineteen seventy five. You know, I saw
that game. I remember that game. They couldn't block him.
Roger Staubach was running for his life. Greenwood had a
great game. Now, maybe that's one of the things that's
(18:38):
helping keep green Wood out of the Hall of Fame.
Those kinds of performances in games that are not officially
recognized by the NFL. But you know that's that's just
speculation on my part.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
And our final question today comes from Jed Smart from Eustace, Florida,
A question about Pro Bowl pay.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
TJ.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
Watt was selected to this your Pro Bowl and for
whatever reason about out. I understand he's still credited with
being selected, But does he or others who get replaced
get paid for being selected.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
No, Well, when it comes to the Pro Bowl, you
have to play to get paid. If forever whatever reason,
an individual does not participate. For example, all of the
Chiefs and Eagles players who were voted in and they
cannot participate because they are going to play a little
(19:34):
more important game here in a few days, are actually
going to play an actual game here in a few
days instead of flag football. You got to play to
get paid. So, in the case of TJ. Watt, because
that was the question, TJ. Watt did not participate, he
does not get paid. The person, the player who ended
(19:58):
up filling his spot, gets paid for the Pro Bowl.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
I have a feeling that's a paycheck t J. Watt's
going to be able to live without. I don't think
he's gonna be stressing too much over that one.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
Fair Yeah, I mean who does. Maybe Saquon Barkley and
Mahomes feel the same way, Chris Jones.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
You know, well, speaking of the Super Bowl Labs, one
last thing we got to touch on the spread. That's
the most important part of a game like this, especially
when the Steelers aren't participating.
Speaker 3 (20:26):
So you just go with a classic that. I'm just
really simple.
Speaker 2 (20:29):
I need to have wings, some blue cheese, appetizers, a
couple of dips, and of course beer.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
Well, the wings, they're gonna be made at home because
gonna I like that, got a new air fryer and yeah,
gonna make the wings. And the wife needs the buffalo sauce,
so and I'm fine with that. She makes the sauce
(20:57):
for the wings, and so there will be wings. There
will be some dip, you know, nothing, nothing exotic. The
other thing that's a little unique to our intimate Super
Bowl gathering of two the dessert. Yes, now this is
(21:19):
another This is another thing that's my wife. I won't
say she invented it, but she introduced me to it
and I love it. Okay. You buy pretzels, you know,
from the store, the waffle kind, you know, the squares.
Speaker 3 (21:37):
Yeah, okay.
Speaker 1 (21:39):
And then you know what rollo candy is, yep, okay.
So you take a rollo and wrap it. You put
the rollo on the waffle pretzel. You put it in
the oven just so it melts a little bit, you know,
and then kind of squish it down, coffuses it. Yeah,
(22:02):
there you go. It's like candy, and they're they're very
easy to eat a lot of in the short period
of time. Finger food, yes, and the beverage. You know.
I'm not a beer guy, but that's okay. I respect beer.
(22:22):
I'll have to see, you know how how I feel
with that, because again, I don't want to get put
myself in a position where I'm odd and off.
Speaker 2 (22:34):
Fair Enough, you got to be able to stay awake
for that game. I love your calling dessert though it
was sounded like a very interesting dessert. I would be
interested in trying that. But just dessert in general is
such a big deal because you need that, you know,
cookie ice cream, something different from all of the wings
in Buffalo and spice that you're eating throughout the game.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
Right if if the if the fried food or you know,
whatever wings are are hardly healthy wings and dip and
all that stuff. You know, if that doesn't kill you,
then you got to have the.
Speaker 3 (23:07):
Sugar to finish the job.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
Yeah, to make sure. Yep, just in case.
Speaker 2 (23:12):
Well, enjoy the Super Bowl Chiefs and Eagles, or try
your best to enjoy it. Labs and I will be
back next week with some press questions and reaction to
the big Game. So until then, get your questions in
and maybe you'll hear them on a future edition. Before
Bob Labriola, I'm Tom out Ferman and this has been
asked then answered
This is asked and answered question with Tom Upperman and
Steelers Digest editor Bob Labriola.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Super Bowl Week is here, the game will be played
on Sunday and labs. If you're a Pittsburgher, you're kind
of stuck between a rock and a hard place, because
I think everybody in this country outside of Kansas City, Missouri,
is not very fond of those Kansas City Chiefs right now.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
But on the other hand, you've got.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Those Eagles from the Philadelphia or the city of Philadelphia,
and we're not too fond of that city either here
in this city. So this is a tough one as
far as rooting interests are concerned. Or do you have
a pretty clear idea of who you're going to be
pulling for?
Speaker 1 (00:40):
H Well, I mean I know who I'm pulling against.
Speaker 3 (00:43):
I mean, that's a better way to put it.
Speaker 1 (00:47):
Yeah, I'm I don't I'm not buying the whole Roger
Goodell thing that the Chiefs don't get any preferential treatment
from officials. I don't think that it's on purpose. I
really do know. I'm not saying that you know that
there's a hidden agenda where the games are fixed or
any of that. Stuff. I'm just saying that. You know,
(01:11):
Patrick Mahomes is, you know, he's turned into the whiny
entitled that Tom Brady was. Well he still may be,
but he doesn't play anymore. So yeah, so yeah, I'm sorry.
I just I just can't. I can't go there. So
(01:34):
uh yeah, anybody but the Chiefs. It's been anybody, well
was It's always anybody but the Ravens. That's first. Then
after that it's it was anybody but the Chiefs. So yeah,
I don't. I don't have the anti Philadelphia thing going
for me as much as other Pittsburgh people might, and
(01:56):
I understand why they might, but it's not that it's
not that deep rooted for me.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
I agree with you labs.
Speaker 2 (02:04):
You know, I'm not above getting into a nice cross
state rivalry with our brothers from Philadelphia.
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Don't get me wrong, But I really don't have any
hatred towards the Eagles.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Like Steelers play them once every four years, maybe a
little bit more frequently now because of that extra NFC
opponent they've added on with the extra week in the season,
But there's nothing about the Eagles that really bothers me.
So I don't want to say I'm pooling for Philadelphia,
but I like the way you put it. I'm pulling
against Kansas City as well. But as far as the
game is concerned, Labs, this should be a pretty good
(02:35):
football game. Don't you think The line is minus one
and a half for Kansas City?
Speaker 3 (02:38):
Really close?
Speaker 2 (02:39):
And I think these are two very great football teams.
We should have a We should have an entertaining Sunday night.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
I hope. So, you know, that's always the thing to me.
I mean, I want the game to be good, good
enough to watch to keep me awake, you know, through
the whole thing. It starts at six point thirty, so
you know, if it's if it's a bad game or
a boring game. You know, the remote is too easy
to just click the off button. But yeah, yeah, I
(03:09):
always hope for, you know, an entertaining game, because it's
the last one for a while, a good while. I'm
not a UFL guy. I'm not an XFL guy or
whatever those leagues are called. I'm not someone who watches
combine drills on TV, you know, any of that stuff.
So this is it for me. This is my football
(03:31):
fix for a while. And so yeah, I would like
to see a good competitive game and the Chiefs lose.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
Well, from your lips to God's ears, let's hope that
it comes to fruition. We've got a ton of questions
to get to on today's edition of Asked and Answered,
So let's start with Henry Stricken from Fairport, Ohio, specifically,
with Justin Fields in mind, what does the contract process
look like? Do all meetings in both the player and
his agent, what representatives from the Steelers are there?
Speaker 3 (04:04):
And how many meetings can it take?
Speaker 1 (04:07):
Okay, this is I'm gonna speak in generalities because you know,
there could be some variances, you know, in specific cases,
but generally the conversations are between the player's agent and
in this specific case with the Steelers Omark on the GM.
I'm sure the agent is in communication with his client
(04:30):
and Omar is in communication with team president. Aren't Rooney
the second? You know, in terms of how things are going,
whether there are any issues, how the issues may be
wanted to be resolved, and you know, you just kind
of go from there. How many meetings does it take?
(04:51):
And it's oh and it's done over the phone. If
I didn't say that already, there's no way of predicting
how many uh, you know, we we we're talking about
Henry's specific question is about Justin Fields. Okay, quarterback, you know,
it takes as much as many meetings as it takes,
(05:12):
you know, with a with a backup, you know, and
I don't want to take shots at anybody, but if
you know, if you're an unrestricted free agent who's just
a special teams guy or a backup, you know, it
might be one phone conversation. One of the two sides
may say, you know, this is what we can do, right,
(05:32):
But I would imagine there's going to be some back
and forth with the quarterbacks with Justin Fields in mind
based on the question. And you know they have until
the legal tampering period opens March tenth. It's exclusive negotiating time.
And I'm sure that you know it'll uh it'll as
(05:55):
I said, it'll take as long as it takes.
Speaker 3 (05:58):
But it's good to have that advantage with these two quarterbacks.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
It's not a great quarterback market as far as free
agency is concerned, LABS, you might actually have two of
the better options in house, and you get that advantage
of exclusive negotiations between now in March tenth, so you know,
I'm sure the Steelers are exercising that.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
Mark Rice from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Speaker 2 (06:18):
If the Steelers are interested in resigning Russell Wilson or
Justin Fields, what is taking this long to sign one
of them? Very appropriate question, Mark, Wow, it's almost like
I have the script in front of me.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
I could lead right into that.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
Yeah, I mean, this is the kind of stuff that
just makes me crazy. What's taking so long? I mean
it I don't know who the Steelers are going to
end up resigning, but either one of those guys, Russell
Wilson or Justin Fields. You're talking about a multi year,
multi million dollar contract. You know, what's taking so long?
(06:54):
I mean, as I mentioned, the Steelers have exclusive negotiating
rights with all their own players until the start of
the legal tampering period, which is on March tenth. Today,
as we tape this, it's February fourth. You know, the season.
There is more time between now and the start of
(07:16):
the legal tampering period than there has passed since the
end of the season until now. You know, do you
think the agents are just going to jump at the
first offer? I mean, if if it was your agent,
would you want that? Or maybe The idea is the
(07:38):
Steelers should just start out with a ridiculously high number,
you know, and commit the cardinal sin and negotiate against
yourself just to get it over with, so that, you know,
Mark in Las Vegas wouldn't think it was taking too long.
I mean, you know, come on, this is what's taking
so long. Next question to quote to quote the great
(08:03):
Bill Belichick.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
Next question Larry lash from turnum Pa.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
How much has Russell Wilson said to make on the
open market as an unrestricted free agent? I saw Justin
Fields is around six point four million a year. But
is Russell's age playing a factor on his next price tag?
Speaker 1 (08:19):
I think my age is playing a factor. And you
know my patience for these kinds of questions. You know,
there are no such numbers.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
Well, the good news last the off season just started, so.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
We're just sitting under the good news. Is that what
you said, there are no such numbers for what Russell
Wilson and or Justin Fields are set to make on
the open market, or let me put it this way,
at least no such numbers that have any basis in fact.
I mean, what Larry is talking about is he is
(08:50):
what he is seeing is clickbait. Stay away from the clickbait.
Pretend clickbait is like POI and IVY. Don't go there,
don't go there.
Speaker 2 (09:06):
Dan Cliff from North Chill, North Chili, New York. Going
into the off season with a team that clearly needs
help along the defensive line and at wide receiver, as
well as starters at running back and quarterback for next season,
how does the Stealers stand with salary cap space?
Speaker 1 (09:22):
Yeah, this is salary cap space. Everyone is interested in that,
as am I. But it's you know, without and you know,
I mean you don't get this kind of detail, but
without getting it specifically from the team. It's a lot
of uh estimates, you know. And there's a couple of
(09:45):
websites on that I use that others use that are
pretty good websites spot track dot com, s p O
t R A C dot com. Uh, they're good with
this kind of stuff. They currently list the Steelers is
having forty three point three million dollars in cap space.
(10:05):
Over the cap dot Com. Another good website list the
Steelers is having forty point five million dollars in salary
cap space. But over the cap dot com goes the
next step in saying that the Steelers have thirty seven
point three million dollars in effective cap space, which the
website defines as the space a team will have after
(10:29):
signing at least fifty one players, and it's projected rookie
class to its roster. So you know, they're they're in
the area somewhere there, I mean, and they're there. Let
me say this too. There are also some avenues available
to them that they have not exercised to create more
(10:51):
cap space. So you know, I'm not I don't know
exactly what the number is, but I do believe that
the Steeler Two things. I do believe that the Steelers
will not be having to cut anyone when a new
league year is about to start to get in compliance
with whatever the new salary cap is, because that's another thing.
(11:14):
The league hasn't set that number yet. So saying how
much cap space the Steelers have is an estimate based on,
first of all, what they believe that the NFL is
going to set the twenty twenty five salary cap limit
at in the first place. So there's that. The other thing,
as I said, that Steelers won't have to cut anyone,
(11:37):
and I think that they will have enough available cap
space and or the ability to create additional cap space
to make any of the kinds of moves that they
would be considering this offseason.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
Keith Miller from Canton, North Carolina. It's never too early
for fans to start preparing for the draft. Lord knows
I have Keith, please explain how can pen sory picks
are awarded or for lost free agents?
Speaker 1 (12:04):
Okay, now this is I'm gonna give you some of
the parameters that are used. I mean, this is not
a specific you know, compensatory draft picks. You know, figuring
that out. It's not like figuring out tie breakers where
you know, you can actually look it up and there's
a definite procedure and numbers that you you know, throw
(12:28):
into the calculator and whatever and you come up with
the right answer. But these are some of the guidelines
that are used. Okay, under the under the formula for
compensatory draft picks, a team losing more or better compensatory
free agents than it acquires in a previous year is
(12:50):
eligible is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks. Now you
know that's quoted from the actual NFL policy, And as
you could tell by listening to me read it, it
should certainly sounds like it was written by lawyers, which
you know, that's all part of it. Compensatory free agents.
(13:12):
Compensatory free agents, in other words, the players who go
into the formula that determine the compensatory draft picks. Those
those players are determined by another formula that's based on salary,
playing time, and any postseason honors. Okay, this formula was
developed by the NFL Management Console. Not every free agent
(13:37):
lost or signed by a team is covered by this formula.
Clubs that suffer a net loss of compensatory free agents
during the prior free agent signing period are eligible to
receive a corresponding number, of course, compensatory selections. So it's complicated.
(13:58):
There are going, Keith, you are going to see or
be exposed to, forecasts of who will be receiving what
in terms of compensatory picks. But I can tell you,
in talking with people who worked in the Steelers organization,
(14:20):
high up in the player player personnel department, you never
know for sure. You you think some things, you hope
some things, but until the league comes out with these
specific picks awards, however you want to describe it, you know,
(14:44):
It's kind of like, you know, watching the Academy Awards.
You gotta wait for the person to open the envelope
and read what's on the card. Then you know what
you have or what you didn't get.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
Bill Maloney from Chevy Chase, Maryland, I've you've various and
conflicting accounts of when the Steelers draft in twenty twenty
five on having the twenty first overall selection in round one.
Speaker 3 (15:06):
How many picks do they have? Now?
Speaker 1 (15:09):
Okay, as Bill mentioned, the Steelers draft twenty first overall
in the first round. In total picks, the Steelers have
seven over the course of the seven rounds. Those picks breakdown.
They have one pick in each of the first five rounds,
nothing in round six, two picks in round seven. Now,
(15:31):
once compensatory picks are awarded, you know the draft slots
will then be determined because you know, they throw in
compensatory picks at the end of rounds, starting in round three,
so you know when you're picking in the fourth round
or the fifth round is going to be what it
is now is you know, not what it's going to
(15:51):
end up being when the drafting is actually done, because
the compensatory picks haven't been awarded yet, and they will move,
you know, the the swats around a little bit so,
but that's the general situation. Seven picks one in each
of the first five rounds two in the last round.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
Jim Medorma from Fort Lauderder, Florida. I know the NFL
didn't recognize sack statistics until nineteen eighty two, but is
there any way for someone to be able to view
films from those games to determine how many sacks Elsie
Green would had in his career?
Speaker 1 (16:28):
Okay, back in the past. You know, I don't know
exactly when it happened. The Steelers did a research project
on the sack totals prior to nineteen eighty two. Okay, now,
prior to nineteen eighty two. The Steelers' version is that
Elsie Green would had seventy three and a half sacks
(16:49):
that still has him ranked fifth on the franchise's all
time list in the category. Joe Green was determined to
have sixty six sacks that ranks him sixth on the
franchise's all time list. Now, there are other websites. Again,
these are just research projects and estimated totals. There are
(17:12):
other there are some websites that have different numbers than
the ones I just I just mentioned, but these are
the Steelers' numbers, and so they're the ones that you know,
I go with. In terms of records sacks in a game,
(17:33):
Joe green still holds the franchise record for saxon a
game with five that came against the Oilers in Houston
on December tenth, nineteen seventy two. Greenwood's four and a
half against Cleveland on November twenty fifth, nineteen seventy nine
has him tied for second in franchise history. In terms
of most sacks in a game. He's tied with Chad Brown.
(17:56):
And since Chad Brown did it in nineteen ninety six
against the Bengals, that's you know, that's an NFL recognized number.
Four and a half. So you know that's where we
are with with that another estimated sack total. You know
(18:17):
L C. Green woo four sex in Super Bowl ten,
which was in nineteen seventy five. You know, I saw
that game. I remember that game. They couldn't block him.
Roger Staubach was running for his life. Greenwood had a
great game. Now, maybe that's one of the things that's
(18:38):
helping keep green Wood out of the Hall of Fame.
Those kinds of performances in games that are not officially
recognized by the NFL. But you know that's that's just
speculation on my part.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
And our final question today comes from Jed Smart from Eustace, Florida,
A question about Pro Bowl pay.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
TJ.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
Watt was selected to this your Pro Bowl and for
whatever reason about out. I understand he's still credited with
being selected, But does he or others who get replaced
get paid for being selected.
Speaker 1 (19:11):
No, Well, when it comes to the Pro Bowl, you
have to play to get paid. If forever whatever reason,
an individual does not participate. For example, all of the
Chiefs and Eagles players who were voted in and they
cannot participate because they are going to play a little
(19:34):
more important game here in a few days, are actually
going to play an actual game here in a few
days instead of flag football. You got to play to
get paid. So, in the case of TJ. Watt, because
that was the question, TJ. Watt did not participate, he
does not get paid. The person, the player who ended
(19:58):
up filling his spot, gets paid for the Pro Bowl.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
I have a feeling that's a paycheck t J. Watt's
going to be able to live without. I don't think
he's gonna be stressing too much over that one.
Speaker 1 (20:10):
Fair Yeah, I mean who does. Maybe Saquon Barkley and
Mahomes feel the same way, Chris Jones.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
You know, well, speaking of the Super Bowl Labs, one
last thing we got to touch on the spread. That's
the most important part of a game like this, especially
when the Steelers aren't participating.
Speaker 3 (20:26):
So you just go with a classic that. I'm just
really simple.
Speaker 2 (20:29):
I need to have wings, some blue cheese, appetizers, a
couple of dips, and of course beer.
Speaker 1 (20:37):
Well, the wings, they're gonna be made at home because
gonna I like that, got a new air fryer and yeah,
gonna make the wings. And the wife needs the buffalo sauce,
so and I'm fine with that. She makes the sauce
(20:57):
for the wings, and so there will be wings. There
will be some dip, you know, nothing, nothing exotic. The
other thing that's a little unique to our intimate Super
Bowl gathering of two the dessert. Yes, now this is
(21:19):
another This is another thing that's my wife. I won't
say she invented it, but she introduced me to it
and I love it. Okay. You buy pretzels, you know,
from the store, the waffle kind, you know, the squares.
Speaker 3 (21:37):
Yeah, okay.
Speaker 1 (21:39):
And then you know what rollo candy is, yep, okay.
So you take a rollo and wrap it. You put
the rollo on the waffle pretzel. You put it in
the oven just so it melts a little bit, you know,
and then kind of squish it down, coffuses it. Yeah,
(22:02):
there you go. It's like candy, and they're they're very
easy to eat a lot of in the short period
of time. Finger food, yes, and the beverage. You know.
I'm not a beer guy, but that's okay. I respect beer.
(22:22):
I'll have to see, you know how how I feel
with that, because again, I don't want to get put
myself in a position where I'm odd and off.
Speaker 2 (22:34):
Fair Enough, you got to be able to stay awake
for that game. I love your calling dessert though it
was sounded like a very interesting dessert. I would be
interested in trying that. But just dessert in general is
such a big deal because you need that, you know,
cookie ice cream, something different from all of the wings
in Buffalo and spice that you're eating throughout the game.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
Right if if the if the fried food or you know,
whatever wings are are hardly healthy wings and dip and
all that stuff. You know, if that doesn't kill you,
then you got to have the.
Speaker 3 (23:07):
Sugar to finish the job.
Speaker 1 (23:09):
Yeah, to make sure. Yep, just in case.
Speaker 2 (23:12):
Well, enjoy the Super Bowl Chiefs and Eagles, or try
your best to enjoy it. Labs and I will be
back next week with some press questions and reaction to
the big Game. So until then, get your questions in
and maybe you'll hear them on a future edition. Before
Bob Labriola, I'm Tom out Ferman and this has been
asked then answered
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