September 9, 2025 • 24 mins
Tom Opferman and Bob Labriola return for Asked and Answered, their first edition of the regular season, as the two talk Steelers win over Jets and Labs answers questions from Steelers Nation.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
This is Asked and Answered questions with Tom Upperman and
Steelers Digest editor Bob Labriola.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Now, Labs, I know we haven't done Asked and Answered
in quite a while, but we did do a basically
daily show during training camp, the Training Camp Report, and
we talked a lot about Aaron Rodgers and the quarterback
play that we were wondering that the Steelers were going
to get this year. And you oftentimes theorized that this
is going to be the best quarterback play that the
Steelers have seen since Old Number seven was the quarterback.
(00:31):
And after one game, you couldn't have been more right,
because the last quarterback to throw for four touchdown passes
in a game was Old Number seven Ben Roethlisberger. What
a debut for Rogers and what a win in Week one.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Yeah, and you know a lot of the you know
post game statistics, you know, people do the deep dives
on a lot of this stuff. And that was the
twenty eighth game and Aaron Rodgers career where he threw
four or more touchdown passes with zero interceptions. He's tied
(01:07):
with Tom Brady for the most of those in the
history of the league. So you know, the whole narrative
of you know, he's going to be rusty, and I
wish there were a lot of other position groups that
were as rusty as Rogers was Sunday in New York.
(01:32):
So I don't have any fears about him, you know.
The only fear I have is is he going to
be kept healthy by? You know, an offensive line that
I thought did not excel in any aspect of their performance.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
I completely agree with that four sacks is too many
sacks for your forty one year old quarterback. He was
the third most sacked quarterback around the NFL in Week one.
Didn't affect him in that game, though, Labs, and the
statistical output is very impressive. Four touchdowns, no interceptions is
elite stuff. You noted in your right up of the
game in awarding him Player of the Game. He was
(02:19):
perfect in the red zone two and that's elite quarterback
play is coming away from the red zone with touchdowns
with Rogers did each and every time. But the other
thing about Rogers in that game that was so impressive
to me, Labs, was the poise and the command that
he had of the offense. The Steelers were chasing that
game in several different points and they never really blinked
(02:41):
to steal autominism right.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
And you know, there were just a lot of little
things no, that Aaron Rodgers did, Like, for example, the Jets,
they were trying to match and follow Sauce Gardner on
DK Metcalf, now Metcalf his numbers. He was at four catches.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
For I think it was eighty three yards.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Eighty three yards okay, no, but what this this is
gonna be my point. Three of those catches for all
but eleven of those yards came when Sauce wasn't on him.
So what what I'm saying is is that Rogers, that's
also veteran big time quarterback play. When their best defensive
(03:32):
back is not on your best receiver, I'm going to
him every time. And that's what he did. Uh, that's
the kind of stuff that I think, Uh, you know,
that's big time quarterback play as well. Calvin Austen, he
had a pretty good game. And I have to agree
with Aaron Rodgers about that pass interference. Yes, a couple
(03:57):
of plays before Boswell's field goal, that pass interference.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
I think that was more egregious than the one they
called a couple of plays prior on Calvin Austin.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Maybe, so you know there's that too. I I like
the fact that, you know, Rogers took a shot there
and he had it, he had it, he had it,
you know, make the call because it was a penalty,
and I know that, you know, there are sometimes that
officials don't want to impact the outcome of the game
(04:28):
too much. But when it's a penalty, it's a penalty.
It's right in front of you. You got to call
it or you know, turn in your stripes. So yeah,
there wasn't anything about Aaron Rodgers quarterback play that I
have an issue with. And you know that, you know,
you mentioned that the last time the Steelers had a
(04:49):
four touchdown game from a quarterback was Ben Roethlisberger. But
I would be willing to bet that it wasn't with
no interceptions, and the thing was.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Well, you know, he was fours.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Okay. The other couple of other things that Rogers did,
first possession touchdown right down the field, answering the Jets
field goal. Yes, uh, you know, these are the kinds
of things that you know we mentioned perfect in the
red zone. They didn't have to settle for any field goals,
(05:26):
short field goals, uh, you know, when you win the
game by two points, you know, every every every, every
level of that is significant. And yeah, so I don't
have any problems with the quarterback play. Now I'm starting
to be maybe thinking that, you know, maybe we want
to run this back next year to the same way.
(05:50):
But again, it's a long season. You know. I criticize
people for going off the deep end after one game,
so one on one, I don't want to do what
I criticize.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
No, but I know where you're coming from because he
clearly still has the skill set to play at a
high level in this league. I think it really comes
down to health and how his durability still is at
forty one years old to hold up in a long
seventeen game season. One thing I wanted to touch on
as well. You mentioned the opening drive touchdown. They didn't
do that all of last season. You have to go
back to that game against the Bengals with Mason Rudolph
(06:24):
on December twenty third in twenty twenty three for their
last opening drive touchdown. So it's been a while. But
the other thing that I loved in this game labs
when Kenneth Gainwell forces the turnover on the kickoff and
Ben Scaronic recovers the football. Two plays later, Rogers finds
the end zone with Calvin Austin. How many times last
year after big turnovers labs did they have to settle
(06:45):
for field goals the offense couldn't have that quick strike
capitalized with a big touchdown.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Yeah again, these are all these are all examples of
big time NFL quarterback play. It's and uh he got
rid of the ball quickly, he spread the ball around.
You know, I don't know that this you know, number
two wide receiver issue is going to be as significant
(07:17):
of a of a negative factor for the Steelers with
this guy as the quarterback, because well, he not only elevates,
but he sees the whole field. I mean, you can't
cover everybody. You can't cover everybody, and if you give
him time, he will find the weak link in your
coverage to a player on his team who can make
(07:41):
a play.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Now, Rogers was certainly the star of the show. He
was Steelers guide just player of the game.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
You know what.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
He was Tom Offerman's player of the game too. I'll officially,
well that's all that matters.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
And he gets a significant financial award for the Tom Offerman.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
To Sizzlers, so hopefully me and Rogers will meet there soon.
It wasn't all good, though, Labs. The defensive side of
the ball, particularly stopping the run, really struggled. Now with
that unit, there's so much pedigree and accomplishment that I
think it's very foolish to panic now after just one game.
(08:20):
But that was a continuation of the trend that ended
last year with that poor run defense. So a little bit.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Concerning Yeah, Derek Harmon, get well soon.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Amen. Do you think that it's a little to rely
on a rookie though to come in or is he
maybe kind of that rookie?
Speaker 1 (08:39):
I mean, I'm all for playing the best people, and
I don't think anything that we saw a training camp
or through the preseason and then what we just saw
in the opener when he's not there, that he's not
one of the best guys I'm playing him. No, I
was a little I was disappointed in Keanu Benton again.
(09:02):
But this interior line play thing, you know, I need
to talk to somebody who knows something about it before,
you know, I want to say too much, but it
just seemed to me and I'm watching it on TV too,
so let's get that out there, full disclosure. I looked
like he was getting pushed around, you know. And here's
here's here's one more thing. Let me say this, the
(09:24):
Jets are not going to be as bad as everybody thinks.
Aaron Glenn is going to turn out to be a
pretty good head coach.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
They seemed like a more serious operation, didn't they.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
Yes, they did. They didn't do any slappy Jets stuff,
and so you know there's some of that too, But
you know, you get a win in the opener, uh,
you know, And and move on to the next thing.
Hope that Deshaun Elliott is not injured badly. Hope that
Derek Harmon makes that quick trip to Lord's, dips himself
(09:57):
in that healing water and he's back sooner than later.
And you know, now it's Seahawks.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
Well, before we get to the questions, Labs, we would
be remiss not to bring up the serial killer Chris Boswell.
What a nickname, What a nickname that coach Tomlin dubbed
him after the game at the podium. He is a
serial killer, Labs. I mean that pulse rate never rises.
That sixty yard field goal was easy, and you know,
I was sitting back here producing the radio broadcast, the
(10:26):
game feed, and I almost had to force myself to
be nervous. Like I was, like, I'm more calm than
I should be for my team's kicker going out there
for a sixty yard game winner. But that's just who
Boswell is. He's given us so much confidence.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Yeah, I mean in his you know, the serial killer
thing too. I mean, I don't know, have you seen
there's already designs on social media for T shirts?
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Oh yeah, of course, I'm sure the Strip District is
cashing in big time.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
But you know, some of his numbers, you know, are
just ridiculous. Forty five of fifty four in his career
from fifty plus yards. Okay, since the start of the
twenty twenty one season, thirty six of forty two for
fifty plus yards. You know, it's they. I have heard
(11:20):
and read that Boswell doesn't even look towards Tomlin once
they cross the fifty yard line. If it's four down,
he's heading out onto the field. And if you don't
want him out there, you call him back, but he's
just ready to go.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Tomlin say all the time, I'd rather say Well than Sickham, right.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
Yeah right, and let me And you know, and people
often people often make fun of me when I talk
about the punter and I say, how he holds for
Boswell is a big part of whether he has a
job or not. You know, people don't think that they
can get somebody else to hold well. You start looking
(11:59):
at these numbers that this kicker is putting up, and
if he would say this guy, I don't like him
as a holder. Do you think how many sixty yard
punts make up for a bad hold on a game
winning field goal at the end, there's not enough.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
I don't think that exists.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
So, you know, one of the things about Corliss Weightman
that I've found very interesting was that when Weightman came
to the Steelers, he had never held for a place
kicker before and Boswell trained him. So the only way
Corless Weightman knows how to hold is the way Boswell
(12:46):
likes it. And if you don't think that that was
a factor, and I'm not saying Cameron Johnston was a
bad holder, but if you don't think the fact that
your kicker trained this punter how to hold for him
and he is he has totally confident in him in
that part of the you know, the the mechanism that
(13:09):
you need during that play. Don't tell me that's not
a factor. If they're if they're close, that's a factor.
That might be the determining factor if they're really that close.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
No doubt. Weightman also had some nice boomers in the
punting game on Sunday against the Jets. Let's get to
our questions. Our first one comes from Jim Glunt from Edgewood,
New Mexico. Will Howard was put on IR with a
broken finger. Presumably at some point during the season. He'll
be ready to come back when that happens. Are there
any projections yet as to what will happen with the
quarterback room?
Speaker 1 (13:41):
So I can see that even though there is no
starting quarterback issue to deal with, there are still quarterback
issues to deal with. Course, you know, the mistake here,
in my opinion, is treating this hypothetical situation in a
way that suggests that Will high Howard is the starting quarterback,
(14:02):
or at the very least a quarterback that the Steelers
are counting on to play regular season snaps in twenty
twenty five. That's not the case. So I don't know
what's going to happen it'll play out when it does,
if it's if it's necessary. I can't. I'm not trying
(14:22):
to rip Will Howard or anything or his future, but
I mean there's I don't think there is a back
burner farther than what Will Howard is on right now
in terms of when are we bringing him back from IR.
I just I cannot imagine that anybody's thinking about that
right now.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
Well, Matthew Barrish is he has another IR related question
with Will Howard. He's writing in from Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
Being on IR, is Will Howard allowed to attend meetings,
to be at practices or at games on the sideline
during the season, or other things that may prove useful
to him a year from now at training camp.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
Well, okay, and this is not just Will Howard. This
is all players on IR. Okay, there are the players
on IR. They can attend meetings with the rest of
the team, but when it comes to on field activity,
they are limited to rehab off to the side, so
(15:22):
you know, they're not throwing with the other players. You know,
since it's a quarterback, he's not playing catch with Calvin
Austin during special teams period. That kind of stuff. So okay,
so he's allowed to rehab on the field off to
(15:43):
the side. You can attend meetings and then attending games.
You know, the thing about attending games now is is
that the NFL has very strict numbers limitations on the
number of people, not players, total people allow in the
bench area, and you know with medical personnel security, you know,
(16:07):
all of that kind of stuff. I T people because
of the use of the iPads and or the Microsoft
Touch whatever they're those tablets that you're using, the helmet communicators,
you've got to have it people down in there. You've
got to have a specific purpose to be in the
bench area during an NFL game. And the Steelers all
(16:28):
teams they have to, you know, count it up. And
so I are guys, you know that would be the
fourth quarterback in this particular instance. I don't know that
that's a very high priority.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
Should we go with the Will Howard Hatrick here? Sid
Hearth absolutely thought cod from McDonald Pennsylvania. I know this
is a dumb question. Well, thank you, said Hearth for
establishing that early. But do you think Will Howard could
be the starting quarterback next season or are we more
likely to draft a quarterback in the first round of
the twenty twenty sixteen draft, which of course is in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
What I really believe, and again I said this earlier.
I'm not trying to disparage Will Howard, but if the
Steelers really thought that he was going to be was
capable of being their starting quarterback in twenty twenty six,
then they wouldn't have waited till the sixth round to
draft him in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Pretty sound logic as far as I'm concerned. Mike Roby
from Tiltonsville, Ohio, It's hard to win in the NFL,
and it was great to get the win over the Jets.
If the Steelers have any chance of winning a playoff game,
it stands to reason that number eight must stay healthy.
With that being said, do you see anyway Darnell Washington
is giving a chance at left tackle?
Speaker 1 (17:51):
I just you know, we talked about this during training camp.
I guess this is just something that's not going to
go away for a while either. But I don't think
fans have any idea how unrealistic that suggestion is. You know,
switching positions in football at the highest level of the
sport is so difficult. I mean, there's mental things that
(18:14):
are different from offensive tackle to tight end in terms of,
you know, the defense assignments, you know, recognition, all of
that kind of stuff, the physical demands of learning all
new technique and then being able to commit it to
muscle memory so that you're doing it instantly against the
best pass rushers on the planet. You know. And then
(18:39):
you know, this is not a video game. You don't
just you know, program the joysticker however it works to
change it to the offensive line from tight end or
what however maden works. And pardon me for being an
old man and not understanding video games.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
You kind of got it. You were right around the ballpark.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
Actually, okay, athletic skills are not interchangeable. Just because you
can do this doesn't mean you can do that. And
you're asking this guy to make this switch during a
regular season. I mean, there's no technique work there aren't.
You know, this is a regular season. You go from
(19:16):
one week to the next preparing for the upcoming opponent,
trying to win a game. They're not working with people
on you know, skill sets and that kind of stuff.
I mean, you're so this is this is different. This
is a different time of the year. This is not real.
Stop thinking about this. This is not happening. This would
(19:37):
be something even in the unlikely event that they would
even try this, it would have to be you'd have
to give the guy an entire off season, and I
mean an entire off season to start working at this
and you know, getting his mind right and redoing his
body and all of that kind of stuff. This is
just stop with this, people, I mean, just stop.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
It reminds me of I don't know if you've seen
the movie Moneyball Labs, but there is a scene when
Brad Pitt as Billy Bean and Ron Washington, the manager
for the Rangers. At one point, his character is trying
to recruit Scott Hadiburg to play first base, and Scott
Haddeburg has only ever played catcher in his career, and
Billy Bean says, don't worry about planned first base. It's
(20:21):
really not that hard, tell him Wash, and Ron Washington goes,
it's extremely difficult. It's how I view this. Fans just
think that you can make this switch easy and it's
not that hard. It's probably one of the most difficult
things in the world. Then there's a line later in
the movie where the manager's like first base is like
the moon to Hatdiburg right now, like you just can't
do this stuff. Darnell's been a tight end basically his
(20:41):
entire life.
Speaker 1 (20:41):
Almost yeah, probably has been. And again you're asking a
guy to make the change at the highest level of
competition against the best pass rushers in the league. I mean, seriously,
I just don't understand how any one can think that
could work.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
Ryan Hopper from Seattle, Washington, look out, Ryan, little enemy
territory this week? Do you know if the Steelers are
planning to wear their regular throwbacks in Colour Rush uniforms
this season?
Speaker 1 (21:15):
Okay, the Steelers twenty twenty five throwback uniform that's going
to feature a jersey that's an homage to the one
Warrn in the franchise is inaugural season of nineteen thirty three.
That'll go along with beige pants and a gold Matt
helmet that they're wearing that for the game against the Packers.
(21:37):
I don't love the date of it, but that's a Sunday.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
Night Gamenday night.
Speaker 1 (21:41):
Yeah. Color Rush is scheduled for December fifteenth, Monday night
game against Miami Dolphins at Akershuer Stadium. Now, just to
just to there is no such thing as regular throwbacks.
I mean, I don't even know what Ryan's refirm to
regular throwbacks. Throwbacks change every few years, so I mean
(22:07):
maybe Bryan has a particularly favorite throwback, yeah, but regular,
I don't know what regular would mean.
Speaker 2 (22:14):
Our final question today comes from Jay Draggart from West
des Moines, Iowa. I saw during the Iowa State Kansas
State game in Dublin a couple of weeks ago that
ISU brought two five hundred pounds of snacks and one
eight hundred pounds of gatorade with them. Is there a
favorite American food that the Steelers will be bringing. Do
(22:35):
the players get to make special requests of the food
services team to make sure they have that wall in Ireland?
And do the players get their own hotel rooms or
do they have to double up?
Speaker 1 (22:47):
Okay, all due respect to the football program at Iowa State,
I'm sure there's you know, that's that's a very first
class operation, but that's college set up for an international game,
and what the NFL does for an international game night
(23:08):
and day. You know, the the NFL takes this over,
you know, the Steelers will be doing a lot of
things to give it, you know, a Pittsburgh home game flavor.
But make no mistake, when they play, Renegade is up
to because the NFL is going to be controlling the scoreboard,
(23:30):
and they're going to be controlling the music, and they're
gonna be controlling all of that stuff. They're controlling the tickets.
This is you know, this is uh, this is an
NFL production, and so I don't think there's gonna be
any scrimping in terms of hydration or nutrition or comfort
(23:53):
for the players on the team's taking part. I mean,
this is this is going to be a first class
n F operation, super Bowl esque in terms of the
food and the you know, you can have enough gate
rate on the sideline and what flavors it is and
(24:13):
you know, all of that stuff. So you just can't
compare the two things. It's it's you just can't.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
Only a few weeks away until the Steelers head over
to Ireland to take on the Vikings, but we got
some business to attend to before then, the most notably
this Sunday at one o'clock, the home opener at Akroshur Stadium,
the Seattle Seahawks coming to town to take on your
one to zero Pittsburgh Steelers. Thanks for giving us a
listen today. Get your questions into Labs now you hear
them on a future edition. We'll be back next Tuesday
(24:44):
for Bob Labrielle. I'm Tom Opferman and this has been
asked and answered
This is Asked and Answered questions with Tom Upperman and
Steelers Digest editor Bob Labriola.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
Now, Labs, I know we haven't done Asked and Answered
in quite a while, but we did do a basically
daily show during training camp, the Training Camp Report, and
we talked a lot about Aaron Rodgers and the quarterback
play that we were wondering that the Steelers were going
to get this year. And you oftentimes theorized that this
is going to be the best quarterback play that the
Steelers have seen since Old Number seven was the quarterback.
(00:31):
And after one game, you couldn't have been more right,
because the last quarterback to throw for four touchdown passes
in a game was Old Number seven Ben Roethlisberger. What
a debut for Rogers and what a win in Week one.
Speaker 1 (00:44):
Yeah, and you know a lot of the you know
post game statistics, you know, people do the deep dives
on a lot of this stuff. And that was the
twenty eighth game and Aaron Rodgers career where he threw
four or more touchdown passes with zero interceptions. He's tied
(01:07):
with Tom Brady for the most of those in the
history of the league. So you know, the whole narrative
of you know, he's going to be rusty, and I
wish there were a lot of other position groups that
were as rusty as Rogers was Sunday in New York.
(01:32):
So I don't have any fears about him, you know.
The only fear I have is is he going to
be kept healthy by? You know, an offensive line that
I thought did not excel in any aspect of their performance.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
I completely agree with that four sacks is too many
sacks for your forty one year old quarterback. He was
the third most sacked quarterback around the NFL in Week one.
Didn't affect him in that game, though, Labs, and the
statistical output is very impressive. Four touchdowns, no interceptions is
elite stuff. You noted in your right up of the
game in awarding him Player of the Game. He was
(02:19):
perfect in the red zone two and that's elite quarterback
play is coming away from the red zone with touchdowns
with Rogers did each and every time. But the other
thing about Rogers in that game that was so impressive
to me, Labs, was the poise and the command that
he had of the offense. The Steelers were chasing that
game in several different points and they never really blinked
(02:41):
to steal autominism right.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
And you know, there were just a lot of little
things no, that Aaron Rodgers did, Like, for example, the Jets,
they were trying to match and follow Sauce Gardner on
DK Metcalf, now Metcalf his numbers. He was at four catches.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
For I think it was eighty three yards.
Speaker 1 (03:08):
Eighty three yards okay, no, but what this this is
gonna be my point. Three of those catches for all
but eleven of those yards came when Sauce wasn't on him.
So what what I'm saying is is that Rogers, that's
also veteran big time quarterback play. When their best defensive
(03:32):
back is not on your best receiver, I'm going to
him every time. And that's what he did. Uh, that's
the kind of stuff that I think, Uh, you know,
that's big time quarterback play as well. Calvin Austen, he
had a pretty good game. And I have to agree
with Aaron Rodgers about that pass interference. Yes, a couple
(03:57):
of plays before Boswell's field goal, that pass interference.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
I think that was more egregious than the one they
called a couple of plays prior on Calvin Austin.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Maybe, so you know there's that too. I I like
the fact that, you know, Rogers took a shot there
and he had it, he had it, he had it,
you know, make the call because it was a penalty,
and I know that, you know, there are sometimes that
officials don't want to impact the outcome of the game
(04:28):
too much. But when it's a penalty, it's a penalty.
It's right in front of you. You got to call
it or you know, turn in your stripes. So yeah,
there wasn't anything about Aaron Rodgers quarterback play that I
have an issue with. And you know that, you know,
you mentioned that the last time the Steelers had a
(04:49):
four touchdown game from a quarterback was Ben Roethlisberger. But
I would be willing to bet that it wasn't with
no interceptions, and the thing was.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Well, you know, he was fours.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Okay. The other couple of other things that Rogers did,
first possession touchdown right down the field, answering the Jets
field goal. Yes, uh, you know, these are the kinds
of things that you know we mentioned perfect in the
red zone. They didn't have to settle for any field goals,
(05:26):
short field goals, uh, you know, when you win the
game by two points, you know, every every every, every
level of that is significant. And yeah, so I don't
have any problems with the quarterback play. Now I'm starting
to be maybe thinking that, you know, maybe we want
to run this back next year to the same way.
(05:50):
But again, it's a long season. You know. I criticize
people for going off the deep end after one game,
so one on one, I don't want to do what
I criticize.
Speaker 2 (06:02):
No, but I know where you're coming from because he
clearly still has the skill set to play at a
high level in this league. I think it really comes
down to health and how his durability still is at
forty one years old to hold up in a long
seventeen game season. One thing I wanted to touch on
as well. You mentioned the opening drive touchdown. They didn't
do that all of last season. You have to go
back to that game against the Bengals with Mason Rudolph
(06:24):
on December twenty third in twenty twenty three for their
last opening drive touchdown. So it's been a while. But
the other thing that I loved in this game labs
when Kenneth Gainwell forces the turnover on the kickoff and
Ben Scaronic recovers the football. Two plays later, Rogers finds
the end zone with Calvin Austin. How many times last
year after big turnovers labs did they have to settle
(06:45):
for field goals the offense couldn't have that quick strike
capitalized with a big touchdown.
Speaker 1 (06:51):
Yeah again, these are all these are all examples of
big time NFL quarterback play. It's and uh he got
rid of the ball quickly, he spread the ball around.
You know, I don't know that this you know, number
two wide receiver issue is going to be as significant
(07:17):
of a of a negative factor for the Steelers with
this guy as the quarterback, because well, he not only elevates,
but he sees the whole field. I mean, you can't
cover everybody. You can't cover everybody, and if you give
him time, he will find the weak link in your
coverage to a player on his team who can make
(07:41):
a play.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Now, Rogers was certainly the star of the show. He
was Steelers guide just player of the game.
Speaker 1 (07:49):
You know what.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
He was Tom Offerman's player of the game too. I'll officially,
well that's all that matters.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
And he gets a significant financial award for the Tom Offerman.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
To Sizzlers, so hopefully me and Rogers will meet there soon.
It wasn't all good, though, Labs. The defensive side of
the ball, particularly stopping the run, really struggled. Now with
that unit, there's so much pedigree and accomplishment that I
think it's very foolish to panic now after just one game.
(08:20):
But that was a continuation of the trend that ended
last year with that poor run defense. So a little bit.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Concerning Yeah, Derek Harmon, get well soon.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Amen. Do you think that it's a little to rely
on a rookie though to come in or is he
maybe kind of that rookie?
Speaker 1 (08:39):
I mean, I'm all for playing the best people, and
I don't think anything that we saw a training camp
or through the preseason and then what we just saw
in the opener when he's not there, that he's not
one of the best guys I'm playing him. No, I
was a little I was disappointed in Keanu Benton again.
(09:02):
But this interior line play thing, you know, I need
to talk to somebody who knows something about it before,
you know, I want to say too much, but it
just seemed to me and I'm watching it on TV too,
so let's get that out there, full disclosure. I looked
like he was getting pushed around, you know. And here's
here's here's one more thing. Let me say this, the
(09:24):
Jets are not going to be as bad as everybody thinks.
Aaron Glenn is going to turn out to be a
pretty good head coach.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
They seemed like a more serious operation, didn't they.
Speaker 1 (09:34):
Yes, they did. They didn't do any slappy Jets stuff,
and so you know there's some of that too, But
you know, you get a win in the opener, uh,
you know, And and move on to the next thing.
Hope that Deshaun Elliott is not injured badly. Hope that
Derek Harmon makes that quick trip to Lord's, dips himself
(09:57):
in that healing water and he's back sooner than later.
And you know, now it's Seahawks.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
Well, before we get to the questions, Labs, we would
be remiss not to bring up the serial killer Chris Boswell.
What a nickname, What a nickname that coach Tomlin dubbed
him after the game at the podium. He is a
serial killer, Labs. I mean that pulse rate never rises.
That sixty yard field goal was easy, and you know,
I was sitting back here producing the radio broadcast, the
(10:26):
game feed, and I almost had to force myself to
be nervous. Like I was, like, I'm more calm than
I should be for my team's kicker going out there
for a sixty yard game winner. But that's just who
Boswell is. He's given us so much confidence.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
Yeah, I mean in his you know, the serial killer
thing too. I mean, I don't know, have you seen
there's already designs on social media for T shirts?
Speaker 2 (10:51):
Oh yeah, of course, I'm sure the Strip District is
cashing in big time.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
But you know, some of his numbers, you know, are
just ridiculous. Forty five of fifty four in his career
from fifty plus yards. Okay, since the start of the
twenty twenty one season, thirty six of forty two for
fifty plus yards. You know, it's they. I have heard
(11:20):
and read that Boswell doesn't even look towards Tomlin once
they cross the fifty yard line. If it's four down,
he's heading out onto the field. And if you don't
want him out there, you call him back, but he's
just ready to go.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Tomlin say all the time, I'd rather say Well than Sickham, right.
Speaker 1 (11:39):
Yeah right, and let me And you know, and people
often people often make fun of me when I talk
about the punter and I say, how he holds for
Boswell is a big part of whether he has a
job or not. You know, people don't think that they
can get somebody else to hold well. You start looking
(11:59):
at these numbers that this kicker is putting up, and
if he would say this guy, I don't like him
as a holder. Do you think how many sixty yard
punts make up for a bad hold on a game
winning field goal at the end, there's not enough.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
I don't think that exists.
Speaker 1 (12:22):
So, you know, one of the things about Corliss Weightman
that I've found very interesting was that when Weightman came
to the Steelers, he had never held for a place
kicker before and Boswell trained him. So the only way
Corless Weightman knows how to hold is the way Boswell
(12:46):
likes it. And if you don't think that that was
a factor, and I'm not saying Cameron Johnston was a
bad holder, but if you don't think the fact that
your kicker trained this punter how to hold for him
and he is he has totally confident in him in
that part of the you know, the the mechanism that
(13:09):
you need during that play. Don't tell me that's not
a factor. If they're if they're close, that's a factor.
That might be the determining factor if they're really that close.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
No doubt. Weightman also had some nice boomers in the
punting game on Sunday against the Jets. Let's get to
our questions. Our first one comes from Jim Glunt from Edgewood,
New Mexico. Will Howard was put on IR with a
broken finger. Presumably at some point during the season. He'll
be ready to come back when that happens. Are there
any projections yet as to what will happen with the
quarterback room?
Speaker 1 (13:41):
So I can see that even though there is no
starting quarterback issue to deal with, there are still quarterback
issues to deal with. Course, you know, the mistake here,
in my opinion, is treating this hypothetical situation in a
way that suggests that Will high Howard is the starting quarterback,
(14:02):
or at the very least a quarterback that the Steelers
are counting on to play regular season snaps in twenty
twenty five. That's not the case. So I don't know
what's going to happen it'll play out when it does,
if it's if it's necessary. I can't. I'm not trying
(14:22):
to rip Will Howard or anything or his future, but
I mean there's I don't think there is a back
burner farther than what Will Howard is on right now
in terms of when are we bringing him back from IR.
I just I cannot imagine that anybody's thinking about that
right now.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
Well, Matthew Barrish is he has another IR related question
with Will Howard. He's writing in from Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
Being on IR, is Will Howard allowed to attend meetings,
to be at practices or at games on the sideline
during the season, or other things that may prove useful
to him a year from now at training camp.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
Well, okay, and this is not just Will Howard. This
is all players on IR. Okay, there are the players
on IR. They can attend meetings with the rest of
the team, but when it comes to on field activity,
they are limited to rehab off to the side, so
(15:22):
you know, they're not throwing with the other players. You know,
since it's a quarterback, he's not playing catch with Calvin
Austin during special teams period. That kind of stuff. So okay,
so he's allowed to rehab on the field off to
(15:43):
the side. You can attend meetings and then attending games.
You know, the thing about attending games now is is
that the NFL has very strict numbers limitations on the
number of people, not players, total people allow in the
bench area, and you know with medical personnel security, you know,
(16:07):
all of that kind of stuff. I T people because
of the use of the iPads and or the Microsoft
Touch whatever they're those tablets that you're using, the helmet communicators,
you've got to have it people down in there. You've
got to have a specific purpose to be in the
bench area during an NFL game. And the Steelers all
(16:28):
teams they have to, you know, count it up. And
so I are guys, you know that would be the
fourth quarterback in this particular instance. I don't know that
that's a very high priority.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
Should we go with the Will Howard Hatrick here? Sid
Hearth absolutely thought cod from McDonald Pennsylvania. I know this
is a dumb question. Well, thank you, said Hearth for
establishing that early. But do you think Will Howard could
be the starting quarterback next season or are we more
likely to draft a quarterback in the first round of
the twenty twenty sixteen draft, which of course is in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
What I really believe, and again I said this earlier.
I'm not trying to disparage Will Howard, but if the
Steelers really thought that he was going to be was
capable of being their starting quarterback in twenty twenty six,
then they wouldn't have waited till the sixth round to
draft him in twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Pretty sound logic as far as I'm concerned. Mike Roby
from Tiltonsville, Ohio, It's hard to win in the NFL,
and it was great to get the win over the Jets.
If the Steelers have any chance of winning a playoff game,
it stands to reason that number eight must stay healthy.
With that being said, do you see anyway Darnell Washington
is giving a chance at left tackle?
Speaker 1 (17:51):
I just you know, we talked about this during training camp.
I guess this is just something that's not going to
go away for a while either. But I don't think
fans have any idea how unrealistic that suggestion is. You know,
switching positions in football at the highest level of the
sport is so difficult. I mean, there's mental things that
(18:14):
are different from offensive tackle to tight end in terms of,
you know, the defense assignments, you know, recognition, all of
that kind of stuff, the physical demands of learning all
new technique and then being able to commit it to
muscle memory so that you're doing it instantly against the
best pass rushers on the planet. You know. And then
(18:39):
you know, this is not a video game. You don't
just you know, program the joysticker however it works to
change it to the offensive line from tight end or
what however maden works. And pardon me for being an
old man and not understanding video games.
Speaker 2 (18:53):
You kind of got it. You were right around the ballpark.
Speaker 1 (18:55):
Actually, okay, athletic skills are not interchangeable. Just because you
can do this doesn't mean you can do that. And
you're asking this guy to make this switch during a
regular season. I mean, there's no technique work there aren't.
You know, this is a regular season. You go from
(19:16):
one week to the next preparing for the upcoming opponent,
trying to win a game. They're not working with people
on you know, skill sets and that kind of stuff.
I mean, you're so this is this is different. This
is a different time of the year. This is not real.
Stop thinking about this. This is not happening. This would
(19:37):
be something even in the unlikely event that they would
even try this, it would have to be you'd have
to give the guy an entire off season, and I
mean an entire off season to start working at this
and you know, getting his mind right and redoing his
body and all of that kind of stuff. This is
just stop with this, people, I mean, just stop.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
It reminds me of I don't know if you've seen
the movie Moneyball Labs, but there is a scene when
Brad Pitt as Billy Bean and Ron Washington, the manager
for the Rangers. At one point, his character is trying
to recruit Scott Hadiburg to play first base, and Scott
Haddeburg has only ever played catcher in his career, and
Billy Bean says, don't worry about planned first base. It's
(20:21):
really not that hard, tell him Wash, and Ron Washington goes,
it's extremely difficult. It's how I view this. Fans just
think that you can make this switch easy and it's
not that hard. It's probably one of the most difficult
things in the world. Then there's a line later in
the movie where the manager's like first base is like
the moon to Hatdiburg right now, like you just can't
do this stuff. Darnell's been a tight end basically his
(20:41):
entire life.
Speaker 1 (20:41):
Almost yeah, probably has been. And again you're asking a
guy to make the change at the highest level of
competition against the best pass rushers in the league. I mean, seriously,
I just don't understand how any one can think that
could work.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
Ryan Hopper from Seattle, Washington, look out, Ryan, little enemy
territory this week? Do you know if the Steelers are
planning to wear their regular throwbacks in Colour Rush uniforms
this season?
Speaker 1 (21:15):
Okay, the Steelers twenty twenty five throwback uniform that's going
to feature a jersey that's an homage to the one
Warrn in the franchise is inaugural season of nineteen thirty three.
That'll go along with beige pants and a gold Matt
helmet that they're wearing that for the game against the Packers.
(21:37):
I don't love the date of it, but that's a Sunday.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
Night Gamenday night.
Speaker 1 (21:41):
Yeah. Color Rush is scheduled for December fifteenth, Monday night
game against Miami Dolphins at Akershuer Stadium. Now, just to
just to there is no such thing as regular throwbacks.
I mean, I don't even know what Ryan's refirm to
regular throwbacks. Throwbacks change every few years, so I mean
(22:07):
maybe Bryan has a particularly favorite throwback, yeah, but regular,
I don't know what regular would mean.
Speaker 2 (22:14):
Our final question today comes from Jay Draggart from West
des Moines, Iowa. I saw during the Iowa State Kansas
State game in Dublin a couple of weeks ago that
ISU brought two five hundred pounds of snacks and one
eight hundred pounds of gatorade with them. Is there a
favorite American food that the Steelers will be bringing. Do
(22:35):
the players get to make special requests of the food
services team to make sure they have that wall in Ireland?
And do the players get their own hotel rooms or
do they have to double up?
Speaker 1 (22:47):
Okay, all due respect to the football program at Iowa State,
I'm sure there's you know, that's that's a very first
class operation, but that's college set up for an international game,
and what the NFL does for an international game night
(23:08):
and day. You know, the the NFL takes this over,
you know, the Steelers will be doing a lot of
things to give it, you know, a Pittsburgh home game flavor.
But make no mistake, when they play, Renegade is up
to because the NFL is going to be controlling the scoreboard,
(23:30):
and they're going to be controlling the music, and they're
gonna be controlling all of that stuff. They're controlling the tickets.
This is you know, this is uh, this is an
NFL production, and so I don't think there's gonna be
any scrimping in terms of hydration or nutrition or comfort
(23:53):
for the players on the team's taking part. I mean,
this is this is going to be a first class
n F operation, super Bowl esque in terms of the
food and the you know, you can have enough gate
rate on the sideline and what flavors it is and
(24:13):
you know, all of that stuff. So you just can't
compare the two things. It's it's you just can't.
Speaker 2 (24:22):
Only a few weeks away until the Steelers head over
to Ireland to take on the Vikings, but we got
some business to attend to before then, the most notably
this Sunday at one o'clock, the home opener at Akroshur Stadium,
the Seattle Seahawks coming to town to take on your
one to zero Pittsburgh Steelers. Thanks for giving us a
listen today. Get your questions into Labs now you hear
them on a future edition. We'll be back next Tuesday
(24:44):
for Bob Labrielle. I'm Tom Opferman and this has been
asked and answered
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
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
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!