November 26, 2025 • 46 mins
Max and Rob discuss the week ahead for the Steelers after the injury news from Mike Tomlin's weekly press conference. The guys then take calls from members of Steelers Nation to discuss what they are thankful for, and a favorite Thanksgiving dish as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches.
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
This is in the Locker Room with King and Starks
on Steelers Nation Radio, presented by your neighborhood Forward Store.
The F one fifty is the official truck of the
Pittsburgh Steelers and by Steelers Pro Shop. Get it direct
from the team at the Steelers Pro Shop at shop
dot Steelers dot com.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
And thanks very much for being with us in the
locker room on this day before Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving to
you all, Happy Thanksgiving the Max Starks, Happy Thanksgiving to everybody.
We're going to be taking your phone calls a little
bit later on in the program and asking you about
what you're thankful for. I think that's a tradition, Max,
and your favorite of course, your favorite Thanksgiving feast as well.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
But that is a tradition here in the locker room,
is it not.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
It is a time honored tradition here in the locker room,
one that predates my self elf, and that, of course,
we would argue, is of the greatest of traditions for
one of the greatest holidays in and of itself. You know,
giving thanks and what you're thankful for, both personally and
(01:17):
you know, futally, is very very seminal and central to
the ethos.
Speaker 5 (01:24):
Of this show.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Yep uh.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
It is central to the ethos of this show, which
is communal. We're in the locker room together, you, me,
and millions of Steelers fans crammed right in there, Max.
Speaker 5 (01:39):
Very very cozy, very cozy.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
I think I would disappear into the crowd, but you
would still be visible.
Speaker 5 (01:45):
Max. Yeah, I don't do.
Speaker 4 (01:51):
That, That is true. I'm not I'm not. I'm not
good as aware as Waldo character, but you know I'm
good at the car like Carbon san diegoing a couple
of things, you know, like hey, where's Max?
Speaker 5 (02:05):
Aha?
Speaker 4 (02:06):
You know, you know, can't guess where he's at, But
I mean once you know where, he's a pretty easier spots.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
Easy in a spot. We like that.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Yeah, so Max, I've spent some time watching some tape
and getting ready for this Bills game. Before we get
to that, there were some big injury news pertaining to
this Bills game from the Steelers side. Now keep in
mind as we talk about these injuries, the Bills have
been decimated by injuries on their defense. They've got a
(02:34):
lot of guys that are hurt, a lot of regulars
who are out who might be back for the playoffs
if they get there, some of them are done for
the year, so the Bills are not going to have
a whole lot of sympathy. But there was some major
injury news, and let's begin with left tackle Broderick Jones.
Your thoughts on what you've seen from Broderick and what's
(02:57):
going to happen now that he has been ruled out
of Sunday's game.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
Man, Yeah, that's a tough one. I mean, Broderick, you've seen.
Speaker 5 (03:07):
Growth and spurts of.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
Some really great left tackle play, and you know, and
the unfortunate nature of the injury. Now we don't know
what extent. We just knew it was in the neck area.
That could be stinger, that could be her neiated disc
a lot of different things. But you know, that continuity
(03:31):
with the offensive line. You know, he has been a
steadying force over there. He's been He's been there every
snap up until he got injured. And even with the
rotation inside of left guard with three different guys playing
and or starting at that position next to him, a
little confusing. He's young, you know when when that happened initially,
(03:57):
but then I saw you know that that third take,
the third experience and you know, I felt like I
was like, man, he did a great job. I'm like,
I would actually let him drive my car to the
grocery store and back.
Speaker 5 (04:11):
But you know, just watching his progression was.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
It was, it was, it was. It was tough, but
it was a progression. It wasn't a regression, it wasn't
a stagnancy. He was actually getting better every time he
stepped out there. And that's what I appreciate. A guy
who's humble enough to understand, I don't know what I
don't know, and I need help. And I thought that
was that was something that I thought was really key
(04:37):
with with projects. So you hate you're gonna lose him.
As a guy who's had a lot of neck injuries,
I understand. I understand what happens when you have that
swan like neck. Rob just just a perfect you know,
a perfect neck for for for wearing gold chains and stuff.
Now we present well because there's no cluttering of the chin,
(04:59):
you know.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Oh yes, oh absolutely yeah. I think about that all
the time.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
So would the guests would be Calvin Anderson, who they
signed to a two year deal in the offseason, but
they also picked up Andrews Pete and it could be
either one of those guys starting at left tackle. Either way,
you have a veteran with starting experience going against probably
on that side, Joey Bosa. You know, Greg Russeau's a
(05:23):
fine pass rusher. They have Espanessa who's a fine pass
rusher off the edge. So you know, if you're looking
at one area in which they have a little bit
of star power the Bills on defense, with all the
injuries they've been playing through, it is with those two
edge rushers Bosa and Russo in particular, so veteran guys
stepping in.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
I don't think you were really ever.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
In this situation in your career, Max, But what does
it take for a guy to get ready to play
at left tackle knowing that he's going to be going
against probably Joey Bosa on that left side.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
Just practice, right, I mean practice mental and physical reps.
You know, you need to take the extra sets after practice.
You know, you need to work with Isaac to see
where his stance is in alignment with yours and make
sure that you feel comfortable coming out of that stance
however that's configured with your lower body. You know, those
(06:19):
are those are the things. And then of course, you
know you need to watch the tendencies. First thing I
always say is, you know how a guy lines up
on first down will tell me what what what I
can almost expect on third down. So then you watch
the second down guy, you watch the third down guy.
What did they pick up between the two? Compare contrast,
and just go about your business of preparing for this game.
Speaker 5 (06:41):
And it's just it's more it's more.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Of a guarantee or an opportunity to start and not
just given.
Speaker 5 (06:47):
A title to start.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
And I think that's that's what's going to really help
out either Calvin or Andres getting ready for this process
because they.
Speaker 5 (06:55):
Are wildly vets. But that left tackle that.
Speaker 4 (06:57):
Island is so lonely, so low rob so lowly out there.
So you've got to have some confidence, especially going up
against you know, a guy like Joey Bosa and like Epanessa,
like Rousseau, however they rotate over there. You've got to
be the same guy every time. And I'm not saying
(07:20):
you need to go take the fight to them every time,
but you need to have a measured response to their advances,
right you need to know what what what to anticipate. Now,
I always talk about foot alignment. How's a foot aligned?
Then how is a hand line?
Speaker 5 (07:34):
Are we on?
Speaker 4 (07:34):
Are they on a tilt? Are they on a head up?
Or are they on a sprinter stance? Like, all of
these things are little keys that you can put into
your your little memory bank and you can file it
and collate and sort it.
Speaker 5 (07:49):
By using the coin method.
Speaker 4 (07:51):
But it's it's gonna take it's gonna take a lot
of work and effort. Because Joey Bosa, just like his
brother relentless, he's bigger, he's stronger. That swat move is
is a thing of legend, so you want to avoid
that part at all costs.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
And then the other news Derek Carmon out, so both
injuries coming in the trench as Harmon will not be
available to try to slow down James Cook Josh Allen
in a very potent rushing attack from the.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
Bills, very very much so, indeed, I mean, it's it's
gonna be uh, it's gonna be.
Speaker 5 (08:27):
A good challenge.
Speaker 4 (08:28):
I mean, we we did okay a week ago against
Chicago or four days ago, three days ago, we got
a retool, but I didn't see creativity. I've got to
see some creativity. Rob because obvious the teams were starting
to get a bead on the Malik Harrison line up.
(08:51):
They're getting to bead on our cover three. We've got
to we've got to figure out how can we get
to it.
Speaker 5 (09:00):
More efficiently and a little more slyly.
Speaker 4 (09:06):
That's where I think we now got to get creative again.
Like we did for the initial adjustment to bring in fifty,
we've now got to figure out a new way.
Speaker 5 (09:16):
Does it have to be fifty? Now? We did, of
course at a defensive lineman.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
So you wonder how fast he'll be up to speed
or if you're going to just bring up Logan Lee
in that moment or at me woe to fill the
void Proder Martin Roads. I'm sorry, I forgot it. Got
seventy eight, Yeah, number seventy eight.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
Forgot why black get a lot of snaps?
Speaker 4 (09:48):
Well why a will get enough? But remember why it
was also getting snaps already, So I'm.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Just wondering, will he get yeah?
Speaker 4 (09:54):
Yeah, and then the course you don't know why why
you should definitely yeah, he should.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
Get harmon And now somebody's getting ya snaps.
Speaker 4 (10:04):
Yeah, yeah, that'll be the question, because I mean, you know,
ya was brought in more nose like since the quality's injury,
so Ya was doing more kind of Keanu backup role work.
So I wonder if you do try and slide him
to the outside and now you put him with Keanu
(10:24):
and Cam or do you try and say, now we
want to keep Ya in the interior and then maybe
that's Ota Maywell or Logan Lee that then become the
guys that get there are Project Martin Rohades, Roger Martin Rose,
I believe is more de tackle, more interior, so he
might he might. If Ya slides out, then Projeck Martin
(10:45):
Rose would slide in as the interior guy that rotates.
Speaker 5 (10:49):
If that's the case. If it's Project Martin Rose, if.
Speaker 4 (10:51):
It's Logan Lee and Ota Maywell they play more of
Derek's position, then you expect them to slide into that
or some other way. But yeah, why you Black definitely
could slide in and get some of those harm and
snaps with Keanu in there. Yeah, there's a lot of
ways they could potentially deploy it to fill that void
(11:14):
and that production.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Without trying to minimize either injury. Is the mentality just
next man up, let's go, because there's a lot of
teams facing a lot of injuries right now in the NFL,
as certainly as we as we always say, nobody's going
to be sympathy for this teelers. But I mean, what
is sort of the mental attitude and approach here.
Speaker 4 (11:37):
Oh, just like we talk about what injuries, they happen
in practice, move the drill up ten yards, next play.
Speaker 5 (11:45):
It is a next man up mentality. It is a.
Speaker 4 (11:50):
Opportunity for somebody else. And you can't you can't cry
over this spilled milk. You can't try and you know
figure out Oh man, well hopefully they'll take it easy.
You know, you can't plan that way. A team is
looking at that and now guess what they want to
exploit it because now they know you're vulnerable and you
(12:14):
have to act like nothing is wrong, like this was.
Speaker 5 (12:17):
The plan all the way. Guys, this is the plan,
you know, And the play of the guys has to
match that.
Speaker 4 (12:24):
The intensity this week in practice has to be intent
It has to be on top of and it has
to be deliberate, and the intentionality of it has to
be there. And guys got to realize, man, this is
an opportunity for me. This isn't a consolation. This is
an opportunity. My dream was to come to the NFL
(12:47):
and play, right, That's what every guy's dream is in
that locker room is and they see it to fruition.
Now you have to go and earn it. Now you
have to go. And you are the first option. You
are the guy that everybody's depending on because you're the
next guy in there, new man up, right, And so
(13:09):
we need to see that intentionality and hopefully guys.
Speaker 5 (13:12):
Take that as an opportunity. Yeah, there's an opening. There's
an opening.
Speaker 3 (13:17):
That's right, Yep, that's right.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
Uh, and they're you know, like you said, uh, you know,
opportunity and you know this is why you have depth.
And you know, you know, again, nobody's got twenty two
all pros starting and you know another thirty one all
pros behind them, right that nobody has that, nobody has
fifty three All pros in their roster just doesn't exist.
(13:43):
And so you have to have good players. We've we've
talked about the team's depth. I think if things remain
the same and uh, you know, I don't believe you're
you're going to be out classed in a game because
the next guys up aren't good enough.
Speaker 5 (14:01):
Now.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
The defensive line was a big issue we saw last
year at the end of last year stopping a run.
Speaker 3 (14:07):
And the big additions were Harmon.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Black and a Qualite, who, by the way, just received
a suspension, So aquality got hurt, right, Harmon is now hurt,
and so now you do have to you know, Otomy Wall.
Speaker 3 (14:19):
Was brought into ad to add depth as well.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
You know, there's a couple of positions in which you
know your your depth is seriously being tested. We've seen
it tested at the safety position. We've seen it tested
a little at the corner position, and now I think notably,
we're seeing it, you know, tested at a defensive line
position in which you're facing two of the top rushing
teams in the NFL. Three really of course, they were
(14:42):
healthy last week, mostly without a quality for the Bears game.
They're a top rushing team. Bill's game, They're a top
rushing team. Ravens game coming up, they're a top rushing team.
Speaker 4 (14:57):
This is the NFL. This, this is the NFL. That's
that's all I have to say. Because you already faced
the top rushing team in the Colts, You've already faced
the top rushing team Uh, in the Packers, you've already
faced the top you know rushing team that was in
the Chargers, you've already I mean.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
So the Jets that didn't go that's the NFL, the Jets,
the Jets.
Speaker 4 (15:22):
But at the beginning of the year, right, I mean,
they've already faced these guys. It's just it's rotating on
who's turn, who's up next, you know, for a lot of.
Speaker 5 (15:31):
These and.
Speaker 4 (15:33):
That's just what the nature of this game is. That's
what it dictates. All the teams we're going to see
have great running backs. Great running backs have re emerged
this season in the NFL, and this is something that
week to week is going to be one of the issues. Now,
the issue here is if you do try and stop
(15:54):
the run, which is which is James Cook and Josh Allen,
you still got to deal with Josh Allen as a
as a passer of the football, right, Making them one
dimensional isn't necessarily gonna truly hurt them, and they've got
the weapons around them to be successful when they have.
Speaker 5 (16:18):
Been on point.
Speaker 4 (16:19):
You've seen balance from this offense. When it hasn't been
on point is an imbalance, right, And whether it's been
we're gonna get after Josh Allen. He's not as elusive
as he used to be. He's not Caleb Williams, you know,
but he is more of a threat to run than
Caleb Williams is. And you know, you can't rush past.
(16:44):
I said that. I believe I said that in our
in our opening last week against the Bears, and what
happened the pass rush, rush past, a rush past Caleb
Williams and guess what he took off a run because
he had a between the B and C gap between
the guard and the tackle on either side. If that
(17:07):
defender does not rush at depth and then push in
to squeeze, you're going to have a problem. And so
that's going to be a key this week. Can you
learn from your mistake?
Speaker 5 (17:20):
You know?
Speaker 4 (17:21):
And I think also with the with the optimism that
we get Hi Smith back.
Speaker 5 (17:25):
He's a guy that understands that very well.
Speaker 4 (17:27):
And so I am going to be happy if Alex
is back in this lineup to help some of that.
And I think that stems the tide, especially for the
void that was left by Derek Harmon, because that's what
ya Black excels at heels it squeezing down the pocket
creating vertical push against you know, the opposing offensive lineman,
(17:51):
especially at the guard position. But you can't allow this
guy to You can't rush wild. You can't say, oh,
I'm trying to jump the snapcount. I'm going to beat
him around the edge and short in the corner, and
it's gonna be all great, Everything is hunky dory.
Speaker 5 (18:04):
Nope, not right.
Speaker 4 (18:06):
You've got to get to depth as edge guys, and
then press inwards as the interior three or two. I've
got to now create that compression of the pocket. That's
when he gets frustrated. When Josh Allen starts to get
hit repeatedly. Might not be a sack, but if he
gets hit repeatedly, guess what, feathers are ruffled. Feathers are
(18:28):
ruffled in that moment, and that's when you start to
get the mistakes. And that's when you start seeing a
team that has suffered, you know, their own losing streak,
their own losses. You know, we're sitting there in the
same boat, and this is now a monoy mono good
versus good. We know what each side has and you
(18:50):
got to figure out a way to be one step
and one play and one point better.
Speaker 5 (18:55):
Than what they have on that side of the ball.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
It is a it's it's hard to overstate just how
important this game is for both teams. And again, good
on good coming up on Sunday. Can't wait much to
get to Jerry Dulax going to join us. We're gonna
be taking your phone calls coming up as well at
the in the second hour, we'll be taking those phone
(19:20):
calls to get in unless Max should we should we
open it up sooner?
Speaker 3 (19:23):
What do you think, my friend?
Speaker 4 (19:26):
I mean, you know we got Jerry right now. Do
you want to open it right before? On the last
segment of this hour.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
We have Jerry. Yeah, we have Jerry's Jerry's.
Speaker 5 (19:34):
Gonna come on.
Speaker 4 (19:35):
He's coming at the top of the hour. Yeah, we'll
take phone calls next. Okay, that's good.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:38):
Our number store one two nine, one one three, one six.
Want to remind you before we go to break that
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Speaker 3 (19:55):
Visit one of the.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
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Speaker 1 (20:20):
This is in the Locker Room with King and Starts
on Steelers Nation Radio presented by your neighborhood Forward Store.
The F one fifty is the official truck of the
Pittsburgh Steelers and by Steelers Pro Shop. Get it direct
from the team at the Steelers Pro Shop at shop
dot Steelers dot com.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
And we thank you for being with us on this
day before Thanksgiving and a tradition here in the locker room,
certainly predating my arrival in the at locker room as
a host, and that is, you know, Thanksgiving. What are
you thankful for? And what is your favorite meal into
the meal that you're going to be attacking tomorrow when
(21:03):
you sit down hopefully with loved ones. Let's get to
the phone lines. And talk to Greg and Richmond. Richmond. Yeah,
Greg and Richmond. How you doing today?
Speaker 3 (21:13):
Greg? Hey, good morning guys, Good morning, Happy Thanksgiving to you,
Thanks to you and all thank you.
Speaker 6 (21:21):
I have a quick question and then I'll tell you
what I'm thankful for. My question was your last comment Max,
You said about the the guys rushing the quarterback and
then pushing.
Speaker 7 (21:34):
Inward on that last game.
Speaker 8 (21:36):
Uh?
Speaker 7 (21:36):
You called it?
Speaker 9 (21:37):
Uh?
Speaker 6 (21:38):
And and we didn't do it?
Speaker 3 (21:40):
Is that on?
Speaker 6 (21:41):
Why would if you knew it and the fans knew it?
Why winn the coaches install that to the players that
this is what's gonna happen, but they they didn't do it.
Speaker 10 (21:49):
Is that on town?
Speaker 6 (21:50):
Or is that on the deep of the coordinator?
Speaker 3 (21:52):
Who is that on?
Speaker 5 (21:54):
Well? That's also on the players to also understand what
they're doing. You know.
Speaker 4 (21:58):
I think that's the biggest thing, Greg, is that you know,
you get that sometimes when there's an adjustment to your
style of play, you have to be more conscious and
more intentional when you do it. You know, I take
this from my perspective's offensive line. But if I know
that if I'm stepping on outside zone and I'm I'm
the open side tackle, like I can't just throw my
(22:19):
head to the outside and expect the guy to follow it, right.
I have to play up and end and edge that
head outside to force that guy to go into his nature.
The natural thing for a guy playing defensive end is
contained on a run play.
Speaker 3 (22:33):
But when I'm the.
Speaker 4 (22:34):
Open side guy and I don't have a tight end there,
it makes it a lot tougher because my margin of
error is a lot smaller because I know that guard
and that center are probably working that noseguard who might
be in the a gap, and so now I create
a wider gap. So I can't just go blindly to
the outside because that guy can take the inside half
(22:56):
of me. So if I'm TJ Watt, if I'm Nick
Herbig and I'm so used to, I can bend the
corner and get to a tighter angle.
Speaker 5 (23:05):
I'm thinking that my way.
Speaker 4 (23:07):
Is better more often than not, when it's like you
have to kind of relay that. Like so Coach Denzel,
the outside linebackers say, hey, do not rush at this depth.
Do not take your normal passers angle. You have to
take a tighter angle. This is going to be more
bull rush than coming underneath with a rip and a
(23:27):
dip move right, or I can't just vacate a gap
if I have contained, I can't because the guy over
overseets to the outside. I can't take that easier path
because there's a greater penalty for it. So there's there's
a certain level of the coach getting them ready, the
(23:47):
position coach, defensive coordinator calling the play. That might signal that,
but it ultimately comes down to the player's execution of
that play and understanding that Hey, i've gotta I've got
to I've got a trick this guy. I can't contain
or I can't just rush at this guy because the
athleticism and the mobility dictates that much. So that's why
(24:10):
I say it's it's a lot more on the player
because everybody knows it and everybody feels that you have
to fight your nature of what's presented to you when
the offensive lineman is out there getting into a into
a pass set mode.
Speaker 3 (24:24):
I appreciate that.
Speaker 5 (24:25):
I appreciate that makes you right, That makes sense?
Speaker 2 (24:28):
Okay, So now, and yes, what I was gonna say,
follow up, what do you thankful fur?
Speaker 3 (24:33):
And uh? And what's your favorite part of the meal?
Speaker 6 (24:37):
I am thankful for I would diagnosed with prostect canceled
about eight weeks ago.
Speaker 3 (24:41):
I caught it early.
Speaker 6 (24:43):
Uh, they took out the prostate. I'll canceled free. So
I'm thankful for that.
Speaker 4 (24:47):
Yes, God bless Yes, awesome, awesome, thank you very much.
Speaker 6 (24:52):
And my favorite part of the of Thanksgiving probably had
to be the the three chiese mac and cheese.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
That's some good stuff there, my friend, love language right there.
Thank you very much. Happy Thanksgiving to you, my friend.
All right, thank you? Uh okay, so let's get to
Wan in South Carolina. Wan, thanks very much for being
with one locker room.
Speaker 10 (25:21):
There.
Speaker 3 (25:22):
Good. How are you today?
Speaker 5 (25:23):
One?
Speaker 3 (25:27):
Yes, sir, yeah, we got we.
Speaker 5 (25:29):
Got you now already.
Speaker 11 (25:36):
Let's see Hi.
Speaker 9 (25:42):
Having a.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
So we're having some trouble one, I'm sorry. Try to
call us back if you can. Having some trouble we
had we had this yesterday with a couple of callers,
some celfhone land line.
Speaker 5 (25:57):
I know, old school, old school, go rotary, even if
that's it seem.
Speaker 3 (26:03):
Uh so Max.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
The other news, the injury news, is that it seems
very likely that Aaron Rodgers is gonna play.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
So I think that is you know that.
Speaker 2 (26:17):
So you're losing two you're getting one back. I think
that is something that obviously, you know, I think Mason
Rudolph did a fine job, but Rudolph's uh, Rodgers is
your number one and he's back and ready to go.
Speaker 5 (26:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (26:35):
No, I mean, you know, we heard Mike Toman talk
about the aggressive nature that he appreciated of Aaron trying
to get back, but.
Speaker 5 (26:42):
The prudency, but the prudency.
Speaker 4 (26:45):
Behind it was let him rest another week because we
need him for these next six games. We didn't need
him for, you know, just one game at potentially making
it worse. So give him another week to heal. And
we've got to make this push. I mean, let's just
let's just put it frankly out there. We need the
next four out of the six. We need the ten wins,
(27:08):
right and however you get those four out of the six,
you got to hit it because it's not it's not
an easy road, but it starts with this week. It
starts going one to oh this week and stopping the
losing trend and being back on the winning train. You've
got to make sure that you that you're trying to
go one to oh, so have have having Aaron back there.
(27:32):
You know, gives us a great chance, a greater opportunity
to be successful. So happy to have number eight back in,
back in jersey, back in uniform, and potentially back under center.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
So I totally agreed, and we could talk more about that,
and certainly with Jerry Dulac coming up, he's going to
be joining us at eleven o'clock.
Speaker 3 (27:52):
But I have to say, uh uh elmore. Leonard great writer,
he wrote uh part of the series.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
Well, he wrote the books that my probably one of
my favorite TV series of all time, Justified is based upon.
Speaker 3 (28:07):
And he also wrote get.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
Shorty, whose character is Chilly from Miami. If I'm not mistaken,
I'm pretty sure it's Chilly from Miami, and.
Speaker 3 (28:16):
We have Chili from Miami. I'm with us right now, Chilli.
How you doing?
Speaker 9 (28:20):
I'm great? How are you guys?
Speaker 3 (28:22):
Great? Thank you doing good?
Speaker 9 (28:24):
So I am most grateful this Thanksgiving for you too,
because I always listen to the games. I've done that
for years. I wrote an article on fans Sided last
year about walking through Central Park, this crazy guy listening
to these Steelers games. And I am so grateful for
this broadcast team. And I'm not going to criticize your
(28:46):
predecessors or anything, but Rob, your play by play is
very fantasic. It's very visual. I can see it and
then max times in with the analysis for what just
happened on the play, why it worked, why failed, and
together it presents a very very vivid portrait. I don't
feel like I'm missing anything by not watching the game
(29:07):
on TV, and I just I just hope you're getting
the appreciation you deserve, because man, it's a really good
experience for me and brand at the games could be
a little better, but I really appreciate your broadcast.
Speaker 3 (29:20):
Well, well, thank you.
Speaker 5 (29:21):
I appreciate you, appreciate.
Speaker 3 (29:25):
Thank you very much, Shelley, that's super nice. Thank you
very much.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
We have a ball bringing you the game, and we
honor those who've come before us and love those who've
come before us, and we understand that. You know, when
you work for this is true a lot of play
by play guys, but when you work for an organization
like the Steelers, you are merely the steward of that position.
That's the point that was made by Jim Rooney in
his book. So you know, look, they've only had what
(29:53):
three coaches since Chuck Noll, So if you're the coach,
you're the steward for the next coach. If you're the quarterback,
you're the steward for the next quarterback. If you're a
you know, a player, a coach, an administrator, a broadcaster,
you are part of something that's larger than you. And
and simply understanding that you were a steward for the
for the next generation, and to do your job and
to do it as well as you can. That's and
(30:15):
and you know, hopefully people enjoy it. And thank you
very much, Chili. I appreciate it.
Speaker 9 (30:20):
No, thank you very much, fellas, I really do enjoy
the broadcast. Thank you so much for your excellent work.
Speaker 11 (30:25):
And Happy Thanksgiving.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
Wait a minute, one more question. Are you still there, Chili? Yeah,
what's your favor what's your favorite Thanksgiving food?
Speaker 9 (30:35):
That's a really tough one one. I'm going to break
the bank on this. We're not having turkey this year.
We're having plant barman.
Speaker 5 (30:45):
Nice, all right, Okay, that creativity?
Speaker 3 (30:51):
All right?
Speaker 2 (30:52):
Hey, enjoy that egg playing farmer John my friend, and
thank you very much for calling nothing wrong with that.
And happy Thanksgiving to your chili, all right, take care,
appreciate I know we have one on the line, but
we need to take a quick break. We're gonna do
that now, back with more of your phone calls. Four
one two nine one nine one three one six when
we continue in the Locker Room presented by your neighborhood
(31:12):
Ford Store and the steer This Pro Shop and stee
This Nation Radio a part of the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (31:20):
This is in the Locker Room with Kingon Starks on
Steelers Nation Radio, presented by your neighborhood Ford Store. The
F one P fifty is the official truck of the
Pittsburgh Steelers and by Steelers Pro Shop. Get it direct
from the team at the Steelers Pro Shop at shop
dot Steelers dot com.
Speaker 2 (31:41):
And with you on this day before Thanksgiving, and thankful to.
Speaker 5 (31:44):
Have you with us.
Speaker 3 (31:45):
Jerry Tulac is going to be joining.
Speaker 2 (31:46):
Us in just a little bit at the top of
the hour to talk about the Steelers and the bills.
We are asking you a tradition here in the locker
room four one two nine one nine one three one.
Speaker 3 (31:58):
Six to hell listen.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
I have a steuige question, of course, obviously, but also
what are you thankful for? And what is your favorite
Thanksgiving food? So back to one had some technical difficulties
with one before back of the line. Now one, thanks
for being with us, Happy Thanksgiving.
Speaker 11 (32:14):
A happy Thanksgiving to you God, he tell the Grimlins
they got to go. Now we gotta do something Thanksgiving.
Speaker 10 (32:22):
For sure.
Speaker 5 (32:25):
That I have three bars.
Speaker 11 (32:31):
Say Happy Thanksgiving to you guys, Happy Thanksgiving to stealing nation.
And what I'm thankful for is thankful for my family,
thankful for loving to see another year, health, and just
thankful for everything in general and life that's coming along.
And for question for a favorite dish, Max, you know,
all from the South, So I'm going with the colors.
Speaker 3 (32:53):
Nice, oh, col of greens.
Speaker 5 (32:55):
Nothing wrong with that? Now? Is it mixed with any
mustard in there? Or any turn up? Or is it
just right up Collins?
Speaker 11 (33:01):
It doesn't matter to me. Londs is not, Lonalds is good.
I don't care.
Speaker 7 (33:05):
You can do it whatever you.
Speaker 5 (33:06):
Want to it. There we go, Hey, ain nothing wrong
with that?
Speaker 4 (33:11):
That is that is definitely a favorite dish here also
in Stark's household as well, so I could appreciate that.
Speaker 5 (33:18):
All right, what are we most thankful for?
Speaker 3 (33:19):
One? Family?
Speaker 7 (33:23):
Family?
Speaker 11 (33:23):
Family, yeah, family, yeah, and you And I'm thankful. I'm
thankful for you guys, because you guys do a wonderful job.
Like the caller said before, y'all do a wonderful job.
And I'm wanted Max. You know me, I'm one of
the original or Jesus of the show. I don't be
listening to all the outside crap and it's all coming
from you guys and Jerry, I don't. I don't listen
to none of that crap Man.
Speaker 3 (33:46):
Good Man.
Speaker 2 (33:46):
No, we appreciate it, good Man for doing so, and
and thank you very much. Appreciate it. Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Appreciate it Thanksgiving Yeah uh so uh. Being from the
North collar was never a part of my traditional feast.
I will say this, I do enjoy it. But it
can't They can't be soggy, Max, I think sogy just
(34:08):
really you can say that about most vegetables, right, you can't.
Speaker 5 (34:11):
Soggy's out Yeah, yeah, no, soggy's out there.
Speaker 4 (34:15):
There's a certain balance and the certain firmness that you need.
And that's why that's why I always ask, because sometimes
you have to. You know, when you get the mix
of greens, it creates a better tenderness because you do
have the varying levels and if you don't get your
collars perfect. You know, a turn up and a mustard
(34:36):
helps kind of kind of kind of ease the balance
of it, because you know, collars are the ones that
you really really have to cook down right. They're probably
the most firm of those, closer to kale than the spinach,
right right, So you know you've got to break it
down enough. And how you cut your greens also matters,
(34:56):
you know, if you're going more ribbon style or you
go in the square where you kind of cut into
a thicker leaf type of type of deal. Like it's
a whole process. I mean, I remember, you know, I
used to have that distinct responsibility with my grandma in
the kitchen and my great grandmother. You know, how you
wash your greens, how you cut your greens, and at
(35:18):
what point you insert those greens.
Speaker 5 (35:20):
And how long do you let them sit. That's a
huge thing.
Speaker 4 (35:25):
Later in life, my dad, who had his own recipe
which thankfully he passed that down, I was able to
actually crack the coat on that one. Him and my
uncle Willard or two other guys that are actually I
still call my uncle Willard about my greens, Like when
I'm when I'm cooking greens. I call my uncle Willard,
and we talked through just the finite nature of it, obviously,
(35:49):
all all visual elements. It's not it's not like, hey,
you need to put exactly thirty two ounces of this
liquid in here or exactly three point to tablespoon scar Now.
It's it's a dash and taste, it's a ceasing, it's
a feel thing. But yeah, Kyler green is very, very
one of one of my favorite dishes all time.
Speaker 3 (36:11):
Do you like to cook?
Speaker 9 (36:13):
I do.
Speaker 5 (36:14):
I do enjoy cooking when I have the time. I
love to do it.
Speaker 9 (36:17):
You know.
Speaker 4 (36:18):
I think that's something where you know, it's you know,
and I'm trying to figure out how to how to
how to put this Like you know when you talk
about like affection for others, right, or how you how
you tell people that you care about them, you love them,
you appreciate them. I feel like cooking is a is
(36:39):
another language to show that, right when you are saying
I'm going to take my time to create something or
to produce something for your enjoyment and for your health
as well, right because I mean food is sustenance, food
is life, and I feel like it's it's almost like
a love language, right when when when you cook a
great meal or you cook a great dish, and the
(37:01):
thoughtfulness behind it and the fact that people want you
to cook, you know, it's something I take pride in that,
and I try and present that. So it's almost like
telling somebody I love you without saying I love you
when you do, you know, agree to do a meal.
But I've always enjoyed it because I hung out in
the kitchen as a kid. Obviously, look at my size,
I'm not a guy that missed a lot of meals
(37:21):
back in the day. So I wanted I obviously wanted
to know how that process happened, how that works. So
I hung out with, you know, my grandmother, I hung
out with my mom, hung out with my auntie's and
especially this time of year was always the greatest time.
Speaker 3 (37:35):
You know.
Speaker 4 (37:35):
Normally you get that many women in one kitchen and
it is hilarious, you know, because everybody has their way
and you just sit back and you just watch, I mean,
you know, and you just you just absorb everything. You
are there to listen. You are not there to partake.
There is too much estrogen to try and cut through
with your little bit of testosterone. As a singular male
(37:57):
in that in that environment. But I also learned a
lot for my dad loved to cook. My uncles loved
to cook. Like I said, I call my uncle Willard
all the time, Uncle Willard. I remember back when we
played and my tea bas can vouch for this.
Speaker 5 (38:08):
My uncle Willard.
Speaker 4 (38:09):
If we played in Cincinnati, my uncle Willard was bringing
some food over for the for the offensive line, right
he was. He was going to come in and bring
him and bring ribs. He was going to smoke some meat,
some salmon something, and we were gonna have that during
the pregame meal. And he just he loved doing that.
That was just a passion of his. And I think
that's where I kind of get it from that side
(38:30):
of the family. Like they just love you know, browner
Ben just love to cook. So I was like, hey,
fall right in line. I feel like I'm a right
in lockstep with my predecessors.
Speaker 3 (38:41):
Yep. I also enjoyed cooking. Well you talk about a
little later on, Oh you're going out to dinner, I
am this year.
Speaker 4 (38:48):
Yeah, okay, it's easier, it's easier. This is this is
what the first year we have not hosts. I actually
have friends texting me, I was like, nah, we can't schedule.
It's too tight. And this time of year gets a
little bit tougher with all the college games, all of
the pro games that we got Thursday Friday, and.
Speaker 5 (39:03):
You know travel.
Speaker 4 (39:05):
So this was like, Okay, my wife, My wife's don't
call this weekend, so I have to you know, we
we had to make that executive decision that we're going
to attend a meal as opposed to preparing the meal.
Speaker 3 (39:17):
If you are preparing, what are you?
Speaker 5 (39:20):
Are you?
Speaker 3 (39:21):
Is your wife take care of this? Are you in
the kitchen helping out? What are you? What are you
doing on Thanksgiving?
Speaker 4 (39:26):
I'm just a sous chef chef Thanksgiving. That that that
is that is Ti tit Tiffany's holiday things chopping out
of the way and Christmas are those are her too?
And so I just hey, hey, what do you need
me to measure how you need me to crush up
some on us before the pea campie?
Speaker 5 (39:42):
Cool?
Speaker 4 (39:43):
You need me to grate some cheese for the mac
and cheese, which, by the way, on the Steelers website
they do have Charlie bats a Famous Mac and Cheese
or Charlie's Famous Mac and cheese as he will tell
you to see shress and cheese and actually puts it
in the oven.
Speaker 5 (39:58):
But it's a great one. I I can tell you firsthand.
Speaker 4 (40:02):
I have enjoyed that mac and cheese for many years
back when we used to play early on.
Speaker 5 (40:07):
That's where I went for Thanksgiving.
Speaker 4 (40:09):
So Tasha Batch's mac and cheese and also you know,
Herkala greens were on point back of.
Speaker 5 (40:15):
The day and it's still it's still special. And like
I said, she she opened up some of the secrets.
She didn't give.
Speaker 4 (40:21):
She didn't give all the secrets, but she gave a
good amouse. So it's a good little watch. If you
guys get a chance to catch it on Steelers.
Speaker 2 (40:26):
Dot com, definitely do that. And by the way, you know,
it reminds me so my my grandmother. I'm a stuffing
and gravy guy on Thanksgiving.
Speaker 3 (40:36):
That's what I make.
Speaker 2 (40:37):
Yeah, okay, there it is my But my grandmother is
German and she didn't She was a terrific cook and
didn't write anything down. So we would go to her
house as kids and it was goose. You know, you
had mashed potatoes, but you had goose. She also had
red cabbage, uh, and she never wrote anything down. So
and my my friend Jack Becker has has family from Italy,
(40:57):
and he said, you know, they're all women are sitting
around the pot kind of like what you're talking about.
Nothing written down. That's the way my grandmother cooked. That's
the way his grandmother's cooked. And they, you know, they
always say how much you know, oh, just a little bit,
you know, and they and they they, you know, so
they what does that mean? Just just a little bit,
you know, and they throw it. No, no, too much,
too much, too much? Yeah, so you just you're right,
(41:20):
it has to be you feel.
Speaker 3 (41:23):
You gotta feel it.
Speaker 2 (41:24):
That just cracked me up there, No a little bit,
no too much, too much. So anyway we have we
have cr on the line. See our Happy Thanksgiving. Thanks
for being with us in the locker room.
Speaker 8 (41:35):
Happy Thanksgiving, guys. I really really appreciate, appreciate you guys.
You guys are awesome. As a matter of fact, what
I'm going to be thankful for is very emotional in
a sense. First, I want to be thankful for the many,
many years I've had the opportunity to listen to inside
the locker room with our brothers, Touch and Wolf rest
(41:55):
in peace. Also thankful being to listen to out line
back to author motes on the video. And then of
course there's always Chris Carter and uh, of course the
one and only number seveny eight offensive tack on Max Starks.
And then we got somebody named CJ. With you guys
will talk about a lot CJ's in the background. Without
(42:17):
c J, most of the time, you guys wouldn't have
a show. And of course there's the late great uh
Gary Dulik Uh and of course the West Virginia Grad,
the wild wild West West Western Euler.
Speaker 5 (42:31):
And uh.
Speaker 8 (42:33):
That I'm I'm grateful for. Without you guys, I wouldn't
be able to uh, to know what's going on, to
be informed, to feel like we're family.
Speaker 3 (42:43):
Uh.
Speaker 8 (42:43):
You guys are just awesome and I appreciate that so much. Man,
That's what I'm thankful for.
Speaker 3 (42:48):
Thank you very that's super nice. You say, much appreciated. Uh.
How about a favorite Thanksgiving meal?
Speaker 7 (42:58):
Whatever is on the table. Hey, if I had here,
if wolf was here.
Speaker 5 (43:09):
He would back me up, he would No, wolf Man
was definitely in the same vein.
Speaker 2 (43:16):
Yeah, I think that for most guys, And I don't
know if this is true for women. My my wife
does not love Thanksgiving meal, but I think for most
guys it might be our favorite meal of the year.
Speaker 3 (43:31):
I don't know that's going some Am I wrong on that?
Speaker 10 (43:35):
I don't know, man, It's well, you know what sitting
there eating, Well, what it is the meal is messed
up because you'd be they'd be cooking and you'd be
eating all day watching the man come on.
Speaker 7 (43:48):
You already.
Speaker 3 (43:50):
That's so true man, that but you know what, you
find room for it. You know, listen, you.
Speaker 2 (43:57):
People talk about the you know, the the discipline to
push away that food and just eat the right amount.
What about the discipline it takes to keep eating when
you're not even remotely hungry?
Speaker 3 (44:11):
What about that discipline? That's a discipline I'm leaning into tomorrow.
Speaker 7 (44:16):
Is that discipline or is that habit?
Speaker 3 (44:21):
I don't think anybody would say to argue.
Speaker 5 (44:23):
You could argue. You could argue gluttony as well.
Speaker 4 (44:25):
I mean, but I think you're say it's commitment, commitment,
That's what it is. It's commitment to the cause.
Speaker 5 (44:33):
That's that's that's.
Speaker 3 (44:35):
Right.
Speaker 8 (44:37):
I like that commitment.
Speaker 7 (44:38):
You guys sound like you have plenty of practice.
Speaker 3 (44:41):
Oh yes, oh.
Speaker 4 (44:42):
Yes, yeah, I have lied to myself on many occasions.
Don't worry about this food for several.
Speaker 7 (44:48):
Days and you know what, but here's the deal.
Speaker 8 (44:51):
You start talking about food, man, And right now I'm
getting me mostly because I'm thinking about I'm thinking about
Wolf because this this would really be his time because
he you know, he he was ended this so much, man,
and I really I really miss him, man, I really
really miss him. Uh he was he was just awesome.
Speaker 7 (45:10):
Man.
Speaker 8 (45:10):
And when whom the coach was together, it was it
was even better. So, uh, hey, guys, I gotta thank
you so much for all that. Uh, I appreciate everything.
I'm gonna be at the game this weekend at hops
Hop Smith and Chicago.
Speaker 5 (45:23):
It was fun.
Speaker 8 (45:24):
Last week we had the players that showed up for
for the rally and we just had a great time.
Speaker 9 (45:30):
Man.
Speaker 3 (45:31):
I'm glad to hear that you get out the.
Speaker 7 (45:34):
Way because I know other people.
Speaker 10 (45:35):
Hey, and one you need to give me a call.
Speaker 5 (45:37):
One.
Speaker 10 (45:38):
I missed your brother.
Speaker 3 (45:39):
In the meantime, thank you and happy thanksgimmy. Do you
see are appreciate it.
Speaker 7 (45:45):
In the meantime and it between time here we go, still.
Speaker 3 (45:49):
Here we go. Oh man, that's a that's a great
call right there. Thank you very much for that call.
We're gonna step aside, take a break.
Speaker 2 (45:59):
We'll be taking more of your phone calls four one
two nine one nine one three one six.
Speaker 3 (46:03):
Of course Steelers questions. What are you thankful for? What's
your favorite food?
Speaker 2 (46:07):
Up next, the Great Jerry Doulac joins us when we
continue in the locker room, presented by our neighborhood. Ford
joins to this pro shop on Steelers Nation Radio, a
part of the Steelers Audio Network.
This is in the Locker Room with King and Starks
on Steelers Nation Radio, presented by your neighborhood Forward Store.
The F one fifty is the official truck of the
Pittsburgh Steelers and by Steelers Pro Shop. Get it direct
from the team at the Steelers Pro Shop at shop
dot Steelers dot com.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
And thanks very much for being with us in the
locker room on this day before Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving to
you all, Happy Thanksgiving the Max Starks, Happy Thanksgiving to everybody.
We're going to be taking your phone calls a little
bit later on in the program and asking you about
what you're thankful for. I think that's a tradition, Max,
and your favorite of course, your favorite Thanksgiving feast as well.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
But that is a tradition here in the locker room,
is it not.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
It is a time honored tradition here in the locker room,
one that predates my self elf, and that, of course,
we would argue, is of the greatest of traditions for
one of the greatest holidays in and of itself. You know,
giving thanks and what you're thankful for, both personally and
(01:17):
you know, futally, is very very seminal and central to
the ethos.
Speaker 5 (01:24):
Of this show.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Yep uh.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
It is central to the ethos of this show, which
is communal. We're in the locker room together, you, me,
and millions of Steelers fans crammed right in there, Max.
Speaker 5 (01:39):
Very very cozy, very cozy.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
I think I would disappear into the crowd, but you
would still be visible.
Speaker 5 (01:45):
Max. Yeah, I don't do.
Speaker 4 (01:51):
That, That is true. I'm not I'm not. I'm not
good as aware as Waldo character, but you know I'm
good at the car like Carbon san diegoing a couple
of things, you know, like hey, where's Max?
Speaker 5 (02:05):
Aha?
Speaker 4 (02:06):
You know, you know, can't guess where he's at, But
I mean once you know where, he's a pretty easier spots.
Speaker 3 (02:12):
Easy in a spot. We like that.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Yeah, so Max, I've spent some time watching some tape
and getting ready for this Bills game. Before we get
to that, there were some big injury news pertaining to
this Bills game from the Steelers side. Now keep in
mind as we talk about these injuries, the Bills have
been decimated by injuries on their defense. They've got a
(02:34):
lot of guys that are hurt, a lot of regulars
who are out who might be back for the playoffs
if they get there, some of them are done for
the year, so the Bills are not going to have
a whole lot of sympathy. But there was some major
injury news, and let's begin with left tackle Broderick Jones.
Your thoughts on what you've seen from Broderick and what's
(02:57):
going to happen now that he has been ruled out
of Sunday's game.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
Man, Yeah, that's a tough one. I mean, Broderick, you've seen.
Speaker 5 (03:07):
Growth and spurts of.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
Some really great left tackle play, and you know, and
the unfortunate nature of the injury. Now we don't know
what extent. We just knew it was in the neck area.
That could be stinger, that could be her neiated disc
a lot of different things. But you know, that continuity
(03:31):
with the offensive line. You know, he has been a
steadying force over there. He's been He's been there every
snap up until he got injured. And even with the
rotation inside of left guard with three different guys playing
and or starting at that position next to him, a
little confusing. He's young, you know when when that happened initially,
(03:57):
but then I saw you know that that third take,
the third experience and you know, I felt like I
was like, man, he did a great job. I'm like,
I would actually let him drive my car to the
grocery store and back.
Speaker 5 (04:11):
But you know, just watching his progression was.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
It was, it was, it was. It was tough, but
it was a progression. It wasn't a regression, it wasn't
a stagnancy. He was actually getting better every time he
stepped out there. And that's what I appreciate. A guy
who's humble enough to understand, I don't know what I
don't know, and I need help. And I thought that
was that was something that I thought was really key
(04:37):
with with projects. So you hate you're gonna lose him.
As a guy who's had a lot of neck injuries,
I understand. I understand what happens when you have that
swan like neck. Rob just just a perfect you know,
a perfect neck for for for wearing gold chains and stuff.
Now we present well because there's no cluttering of the chin,
(04:59):
you know.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Oh yes, oh absolutely yeah. I think about that all
the time.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
So would the guests would be Calvin Anderson, who they
signed to a two year deal in the offseason, but
they also picked up Andrews Pete and it could be
either one of those guys starting at left tackle. Either way,
you have a veteran with starting experience going against probably
on that side, Joey Bosa. You know, Greg Russeau's a
(05:23):
fine pass rusher. They have Espanessa who's a fine pass
rusher off the edge. So you know, if you're looking
at one area in which they have a little bit
of star power the Bills on defense, with all the
injuries they've been playing through, it is with those two
edge rushers Bosa and Russo in particular, so veteran guys
stepping in.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
I don't think you were really ever.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
In this situation in your career, Max, But what does
it take for a guy to get ready to play
at left tackle knowing that he's going to be going
against probably Joey Bosa on that left side.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
Just practice, right, I mean practice mental and physical reps.
You know, you need to take the extra sets after practice.
You know, you need to work with Isaac to see
where his stance is in alignment with yours and make
sure that you feel comfortable coming out of that stance
however that's configured with your lower body. You know, those
(06:19):
are those are the things. And then of course, you
know you need to watch the tendencies. First thing I
always say is, you know how a guy lines up
on first down will tell me what what what I
can almost expect on third down. So then you watch
the second down guy, you watch the third down guy.
What did they pick up between the two? Compare contrast,
and just go about your business of preparing for this game.
Speaker 5 (06:41):
And it's just it's more it's more.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Of a guarantee or an opportunity to start and not
just given.
Speaker 5 (06:47):
A title to start.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
And I think that's that's what's going to really help
out either Calvin or Andres getting ready for this process
because they.
Speaker 5 (06:55):
Are wildly vets. But that left tackle that.
Speaker 4 (06:57):
Island is so lonely, so low rob so lowly out there.
So you've got to have some confidence, especially going up
against you know, a guy like Joey Bosa and like Epanessa,
like Rousseau, however they rotate over there. You've got to
be the same guy every time. And I'm not saying
(07:20):
you need to go take the fight to them every time,
but you need to have a measured response to their advances,
right you need to know what what what to anticipate. Now,
I always talk about foot alignment. How's a foot aligned?
Then how is a hand line?
Speaker 5 (07:34):
Are we on?
Speaker 4 (07:34):
Are they on a tilt? Are they on a head up?
Or are they on a sprinter stance? Like, all of
these things are little keys that you can put into
your your little memory bank and you can file it
and collate and sort it.
Speaker 5 (07:49):
By using the coin method.
Speaker 4 (07:51):
But it's it's gonna take it's gonna take a lot
of work and effort. Because Joey Bosa, just like his
brother relentless, he's bigger, he's stronger. That swat move is
is a thing of legend, so you want to avoid
that part at all costs.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
And then the other news Derek Carmon out, so both
injuries coming in the trench as Harmon will not be
available to try to slow down James Cook Josh Allen
in a very potent rushing attack from the.
Speaker 4 (08:20):
Bills, very very much so, indeed, I mean, it's it's
gonna be uh, it's gonna be.
Speaker 5 (08:27):
A good challenge.
Speaker 4 (08:28):
I mean, we we did okay a week ago against
Chicago or four days ago, three days ago, we got
a retool, but I didn't see creativity. I've got to
see some creativity. Rob because obvious the teams were starting
to get a bead on the Malik Harrison line up.
(08:51):
They're getting to bead on our cover three. We've got
to we've got to figure out how can we get
to it.
Speaker 5 (09:00):
More efficiently and a little more slyly.
Speaker 4 (09:06):
That's where I think we now got to get creative again.
Like we did for the initial adjustment to bring in fifty,
we've now got to figure out a new way.
Speaker 5 (09:16):
Does it have to be fifty? Now? We did, of
course at a defensive lineman.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
So you wonder how fast he'll be up to speed
or if you're going to just bring up Logan Lee
in that moment or at me woe to fill the
void Proder Martin Roads. I'm sorry, I forgot it. Got
seventy eight, Yeah, number seventy eight.
Speaker 3 (09:44):
Forgot why black get a lot of snaps?
Speaker 4 (09:48):
Well why a will get enough? But remember why it
was also getting snaps already, So I'm.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Just wondering, will he get yeah?
Speaker 4 (09:54):
Yeah, and then the course you don't know why why
you should definitely yeah, he should.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
Get harmon And now somebody's getting ya snaps.
Speaker 4 (10:04):
Yeah, yeah, that'll be the question, because I mean, you know,
ya was brought in more nose like since the quality's injury,
so Ya was doing more kind of Keanu backup role work.
So I wonder if you do try and slide him
to the outside and now you put him with Keanu
(10:24):
and Cam or do you try and say, now we
want to keep Ya in the interior and then maybe
that's Ota Maywell or Logan Lee that then become the
guys that get there are Project Martin Rohades, Roger Martin Rose,
I believe is more de tackle, more interior, so he
might he might. If Ya slides out, then Projeck Martin
(10:45):
Rose would slide in as the interior guy that rotates.
Speaker 5 (10:49):
If that's the case. If it's Project Martin Rose, if.
Speaker 4 (10:51):
It's Logan Lee and Ota Maywell they play more of
Derek's position, then you expect them to slide into that
or some other way. But yeah, why you Black definitely
could slide in and get some of those harm and
snaps with Keanu in there. Yeah, there's a lot of
ways they could potentially deploy it to fill that void
(11:14):
and that production.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Without trying to minimize either injury. Is the mentality just
next man up, let's go, because there's a lot of
teams facing a lot of injuries right now in the NFL,
as certainly as we as we always say, nobody's going
to be sympathy for this teelers. But I mean, what
is sort of the mental attitude and approach here.
Speaker 4 (11:37):
Oh, just like we talk about what injuries, they happen
in practice, move the drill up ten yards, next play.
Speaker 5 (11:45):
It is a next man up mentality. It is a.
Speaker 4 (11:50):
Opportunity for somebody else. And you can't you can't cry
over this spilled milk. You can't try and you know
figure out Oh man, well hopefully they'll take it easy.
You know, you can't plan that way. A team is
looking at that and now guess what they want to
exploit it because now they know you're vulnerable and you
(12:14):
have to act like nothing is wrong, like this was.
Speaker 5 (12:17):
The plan all the way. Guys, this is the plan,
you know, And the play of the guys has to
match that.
Speaker 4 (12:24):
The intensity this week in practice has to be intent
It has to be on top of and it has
to be deliberate, and the intentionality of it has to
be there. And guys got to realize, man, this is
an opportunity for me. This isn't a consolation. This is
an opportunity. My dream was to come to the NFL
(12:47):
and play, right, That's what every guy's dream is in
that locker room is and they see it to fruition.
Now you have to go and earn it. Now you
have to go. And you are the first option. You
are the guy that everybody's depending on because you're the
next guy in there, new man up, right, And so
(13:09):
we need to see that intentionality and hopefully guys.
Speaker 5 (13:12):
Take that as an opportunity. Yeah, there's an opening. There's
an opening.
Speaker 3 (13:17):
That's right, Yep, that's right.
Speaker 2 (13:21):
Uh, and they're you know, like you said, uh, you know,
opportunity and you know this is why you have depth.
And you know, you know, again, nobody's got twenty two
all pros starting and you know another thirty one all
pros behind them, right that nobody has that, nobody has
fifty three All pros in their roster just doesn't exist.
(13:43):
And so you have to have good players. We've we've
talked about the team's depth. I think if things remain
the same and uh, you know, I don't believe you're
you're going to be out classed in a game because
the next guys up aren't good enough.
Speaker 5 (14:01):
Now.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
The defensive line was a big issue we saw last
year at the end of last year stopping a run.
Speaker 3 (14:07):
And the big additions were Harmon.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Black and a Qualite, who, by the way, just received
a suspension, So aquality got hurt, right, Harmon is now hurt,
and so now you do have to you know, Otomy Wall.
Speaker 3 (14:19):
Was brought into ad to add depth as well.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
You know, there's a couple of positions in which you
know your your depth is seriously being tested. We've seen
it tested at the safety position. We've seen it tested
a little at the corner position, and now I think notably,
we're seeing it, you know, tested at a defensive line
position in which you're facing two of the top rushing
teams in the NFL. Three really of course, they were
(14:42):
healthy last week, mostly without a quality for the Bears game.
They're a top rushing team. Bill's game, They're a top
rushing team. Ravens game coming up, they're a top rushing team.
Speaker 4 (14:57):
This is the NFL. This, this is the NFL. That's
that's all I have to say. Because you already faced
the top rushing team in the Colts, You've already faced
the top rushing team Uh, in the Packers, you've already
faced the top you know rushing team that was in
the Chargers, you've already I mean.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
So the Jets that didn't go that's the NFL, the Jets,
the Jets.
Speaker 4 (15:22):
But at the beginning of the year, right, I mean,
they've already faced these guys. It's just it's rotating on
who's turn, who's up next, you know, for a lot of.
Speaker 5 (15:31):
These and.
Speaker 4 (15:33):
That's just what the nature of this game is. That's
what it dictates. All the teams we're going to see
have great running backs. Great running backs have re emerged
this season in the NFL, and this is something that
week to week is going to be one of the issues. Now,
the issue here is if you do try and stop
(15:54):
the run, which is which is James Cook and Josh Allen,
you still got to deal with Josh Allen as a
as a passer of the football, right, Making them one
dimensional isn't necessarily gonna truly hurt them, and they've got
the weapons around them to be successful when they have.
Speaker 5 (16:18):
Been on point.
Speaker 4 (16:19):
You've seen balance from this offense. When it hasn't been
on point is an imbalance, right, And whether it's been
we're gonna get after Josh Allen. He's not as elusive
as he used to be. He's not Caleb Williams, you know,
but he is more of a threat to run than
Caleb Williams is. And you know, you can't rush past.
(16:44):
I said that. I believe I said that in our
in our opening last week against the Bears, and what
happened the pass rush, rush past, a rush past Caleb
Williams and guess what he took off a run because
he had a between the B and C gap between
the guard and the tackle on either side. If that
(17:07):
defender does not rush at depth and then push in
to squeeze, you're going to have a problem. And so
that's going to be a key this week. Can you
learn from your mistake?
Speaker 5 (17:20):
You know?
Speaker 4 (17:21):
And I think also with the with the optimism that
we get Hi Smith back.
Speaker 5 (17:25):
He's a guy that understands that very well.
Speaker 4 (17:27):
And so I am going to be happy if Alex
is back in this lineup to help some of that.
And I think that stems the tide, especially for the
void that was left by Derek Harmon, because that's what
ya Black excels at heels it squeezing down the pocket
creating vertical push against you know, the opposing offensive lineman,
(17:51):
especially at the guard position. But you can't allow this
guy to You can't rush wild. You can't say, oh,
I'm trying to jump the snapcount. I'm going to beat
him around the edge and short in the corner, and
it's gonna be all great, Everything is hunky dory.
Speaker 5 (18:04):
Nope, not right.
Speaker 4 (18:06):
You've got to get to depth as edge guys, and
then press inwards as the interior three or two. I've
got to now create that compression of the pocket. That's
when he gets frustrated. When Josh Allen starts to get
hit repeatedly. Might not be a sack, but if he
gets hit repeatedly, guess what, feathers are ruffled. Feathers are
(18:28):
ruffled in that moment, and that's when you start to
get the mistakes. And that's when you start seeing a
team that has suffered, you know, their own losing streak,
their own losses. You know, we're sitting there in the
same boat, and this is now a monoy mono good
versus good. We know what each side has and you
(18:50):
got to figure out a way to be one step
and one play and one point better.
Speaker 5 (18:55):
Than what they have on that side of the ball.
Speaker 2 (18:59):
It is a it's it's hard to overstate just how
important this game is for both teams. And again, good
on good coming up on Sunday. Can't wait much to
get to Jerry Dulax going to join us. We're gonna
be taking your phone calls coming up as well at
the in the second hour, we'll be taking those phone
(19:20):
calls to get in unless Max should we should we
open it up sooner?
Speaker 3 (19:23):
What do you think, my friend?
Speaker 4 (19:26):
I mean, you know we got Jerry right now. Do
you want to open it right before? On the last
segment of this hour.
Speaker 3 (19:31):
We have Jerry. Yeah, we have Jerry's Jerry's.
Speaker 5 (19:34):
Gonna come on.
Speaker 4 (19:35):
He's coming at the top of the hour. Yeah, we'll
take phone calls next. Okay, that's good.
Speaker 5 (19:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:38):
Our number store one two nine, one one three, one six.
Want to remind you before we go to break that
you can gear up at the latest game the necessities
at the official Steelers pro shops. Get the latest sideline apparel, jerseys,
terrible towels, authentic memorabilium and custom exclusives you can only
find directly from the team.
Speaker 3 (19:55):
Visit one of the.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
Official Studers Pro shops located at Akroscher Stadium, Grove City
Remium out Let's or Hanger out Let's or gear up
online at shop dot Steelers dot com. Get it direct
from the team at Steelers Pro Shop at shop dot
Steelers dot com. We'll be back with more in the
Locker Room presented by your neighborhood Ford Store and the
steerersh Pro Shop on Steelers Nation Radio, a part of
the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (20:20):
This is in the Locker Room with King and Starts
on Steelers Nation Radio presented by your neighborhood Forward Store.
The F one fifty is the official truck of the
Pittsburgh Steelers and by Steelers Pro Shop. Get it direct
from the team at the Steelers Pro Shop at shop
dot Steelers dot com.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
And we thank you for being with us on this
day before Thanksgiving and a tradition here in the locker room,
certainly predating my arrival in the at locker room as
a host, and that is, you know, Thanksgiving. What are
you thankful for? And what is your favorite meal into
the meal that you're going to be attacking tomorrow when
(21:03):
you sit down hopefully with loved ones. Let's get to
the phone lines. And talk to Greg and Richmond. Richmond. Yeah,
Greg and Richmond. How you doing today?
Speaker 3 (21:13):
Greg? Hey, good morning guys, Good morning, Happy Thanksgiving to you,
Thanks to you and all thank you.
Speaker 6 (21:21):
I have a quick question and then I'll tell you
what I'm thankful for. My question was your last comment Max,
You said about the the guys rushing the quarterback and
then pushing.
Speaker 7 (21:34):
Inward on that last game.
Speaker 8 (21:36):
Uh?
Speaker 7 (21:36):
You called it?
Speaker 9 (21:37):
Uh?
Speaker 6 (21:38):
And and we didn't do it?
Speaker 3 (21:40):
Is that on?
Speaker 6 (21:41):
Why would if you knew it and the fans knew it?
Why winn the coaches install that to the players that
this is what's gonna happen, but they they didn't do it.
Speaker 10 (21:49):
Is that on town?
Speaker 6 (21:50):
Or is that on the deep of the coordinator?
Speaker 3 (21:52):
Who is that on?
Speaker 5 (21:54):
Well? That's also on the players to also understand what
they're doing. You know.
Speaker 4 (21:58):
I think that's the biggest thing, Greg, is that you know,
you get that sometimes when there's an adjustment to your
style of play, you have to be more conscious and
more intentional when you do it. You know, I take
this from my perspective's offensive line. But if I know
that if I'm stepping on outside zone and I'm I'm
the open side tackle, like I can't just throw my
(22:19):
head to the outside and expect the guy to follow it, right.
I have to play up and end and edge that
head outside to force that guy to go into his nature.
The natural thing for a guy playing defensive end is
contained on a run play.
Speaker 3 (22:33):
But when I'm the.
Speaker 4 (22:34):
Open side guy and I don't have a tight end there,
it makes it a lot tougher because my margin of
error is a lot smaller because I know that guard
and that center are probably working that noseguard who might
be in the a gap, and so now I create
a wider gap. So I can't just go blindly to
the outside because that guy can take the inside half
(22:56):
of me. So if I'm TJ Watt, if I'm Nick
Herbig and I'm so used to, I can bend the
corner and get to a tighter angle.
Speaker 5 (23:05):
I'm thinking that my way.
Speaker 4 (23:07):
Is better more often than not, when it's like you
have to kind of relay that. Like so Coach Denzel,
the outside linebackers say, hey, do not rush at this depth.
Do not take your normal passers angle. You have to
take a tighter angle. This is going to be more
bull rush than coming underneath with a rip and a
(23:27):
dip move right, or I can't just vacate a gap
if I have contained, I can't because the guy over
overseets to the outside. I can't take that easier path
because there's a greater penalty for it. So there's there's
a certain level of the coach getting them ready, the
(23:47):
position coach, defensive coordinator calling the play. That might signal that,
but it ultimately comes down to the player's execution of
that play and understanding that Hey, i've gotta I've got
to I've got a trick this guy. I can't contain
or I can't just rush at this guy because the
athleticism and the mobility dictates that much. So that's why
(24:10):
I say it's it's a lot more on the player
because everybody knows it and everybody feels that you have
to fight your nature of what's presented to you when
the offensive lineman is out there getting into a into
a pass set mode.
Speaker 3 (24:24):
I appreciate that.
Speaker 5 (24:25):
I appreciate that makes you right, That makes sense?
Speaker 2 (24:28):
Okay, So now, and yes, what I was gonna say,
follow up, what do you thankful fur?
Speaker 3 (24:33):
And uh? And what's your favorite part of the meal?
Speaker 6 (24:37):
I am thankful for I would diagnosed with prostect canceled
about eight weeks ago.
Speaker 3 (24:41):
I caught it early.
Speaker 6 (24:43):
Uh, they took out the prostate. I'll canceled free. So
I'm thankful for that.
Speaker 4 (24:47):
Yes, God bless Yes, awesome, awesome, thank you very much.
Speaker 6 (24:52):
And my favorite part of the of Thanksgiving probably had
to be the the three chiese mac and cheese.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
That's some good stuff there, my friend, love language right there.
Thank you very much. Happy Thanksgiving to you, my friend.
All right, thank you? Uh okay, so let's get to
Wan in South Carolina. Wan, thanks very much for being
with one locker room.
Speaker 10 (25:21):
There.
Speaker 3 (25:22):
Good. How are you today?
Speaker 5 (25:23):
One?
Speaker 3 (25:27):
Yes, sir, yeah, we got we.
Speaker 5 (25:29):
Got you now already.
Speaker 11 (25:36):
Let's see Hi.
Speaker 9 (25:42):
Having a.
Speaker 2 (25:44):
So we're having some trouble one, I'm sorry. Try to
call us back if you can. Having some trouble we
had we had this yesterday with a couple of callers,
some celfhone land line.
Speaker 5 (25:57):
I know, old school, old school, go rotary, even if
that's it seem.
Speaker 3 (26:03):
Uh so Max.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
The other news, the injury news, is that it seems
very likely that Aaron Rodgers is gonna play.
Speaker 3 (26:14):
So I think that is you know that.
Speaker 2 (26:17):
So you're losing two you're getting one back. I think
that is something that obviously, you know, I think Mason
Rudolph did a fine job, but Rudolph's uh, Rodgers is
your number one and he's back and ready to go.
Speaker 5 (26:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (26:35):
No, I mean, you know, we heard Mike Toman talk
about the aggressive nature that he appreciated of Aaron trying
to get back, but.
Speaker 5 (26:42):
The prudency, but the prudency.
Speaker 4 (26:45):
Behind it was let him rest another week because we
need him for these next six games. We didn't need
him for, you know, just one game at potentially making
it worse. So give him another week to heal. And
we've got to make this push. I mean, let's just
let's just put it frankly out there. We need the
next four out of the six. We need the ten wins,
(27:08):
right and however you get those four out of the six,
you got to hit it because it's not it's not
an easy road, but it starts with this week. It
starts going one to oh this week and stopping the
losing trend and being back on the winning train. You've
got to make sure that you that you're trying to
go one to oh, so have have having Aaron back there.
(27:32):
You know, gives us a great chance, a greater opportunity
to be successful. So happy to have number eight back in,
back in jersey, back in uniform, and potentially back under center.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
So I totally agreed, and we could talk more about that,
and certainly with Jerry Dulac coming up, he's going to
be joining us at eleven o'clock.
Speaker 3 (27:52):
But I have to say, uh uh elmore. Leonard great writer,
he wrote uh part of the series.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
Well, he wrote the books that my probably one of
my favorite TV series of all time, Justified is based upon.
Speaker 3 (28:07):
And he also wrote get.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
Shorty, whose character is Chilly from Miami. If I'm not mistaken,
I'm pretty sure it's Chilly from Miami, and.
Speaker 3 (28:16):
We have Chili from Miami. I'm with us right now, Chilli.
How you doing?
Speaker 9 (28:20):
I'm great? How are you guys?
Speaker 3 (28:22):
Great? Thank you doing good?
Speaker 9 (28:24):
So I am most grateful this Thanksgiving for you too,
because I always listen to the games. I've done that
for years. I wrote an article on fans Sided last
year about walking through Central Park, this crazy guy listening
to these Steelers games. And I am so grateful for
this broadcast team. And I'm not going to criticize your
(28:46):
predecessors or anything, but Rob, your play by play is
very fantasic. It's very visual. I can see it and
then max times in with the analysis for what just
happened on the play, why it worked, why failed, and
together it presents a very very vivid portrait. I don't
feel like I'm missing anything by not watching the game
(29:07):
on TV, and I just I just hope you're getting
the appreciation you deserve, because man, it's a really good
experience for me and brand at the games could be
a little better, but I really appreciate your broadcast.
Speaker 3 (29:20):
Well, well, thank you.
Speaker 5 (29:21):
I appreciate you, appreciate.
Speaker 3 (29:25):
Thank you very much, Shelley, that's super nice. Thank you
very much.
Speaker 2 (29:29):
We have a ball bringing you the game, and we
honor those who've come before us and love those who've
come before us, and we understand that. You know, when
you work for this is true a lot of play
by play guys, but when you work for an organization
like the Steelers, you are merely the steward of that position.
That's the point that was made by Jim Rooney in
his book. So you know, look, they've only had what
(29:53):
three coaches since Chuck Noll, So if you're the coach,
you're the steward for the next coach. If you're the quarterback,
you're the steward for the next quarterback. If you're a
you know, a player, a coach, an administrator, a broadcaster,
you are part of something that's larger than you. And
and simply understanding that you were a steward for the
for the next generation, and to do your job and
to do it as well as you can. That's and
(30:15):
and you know, hopefully people enjoy it. And thank you
very much, Chili. I appreciate it.
Speaker 9 (30:20):
No, thank you very much, fellas, I really do enjoy
the broadcast. Thank you so much for your excellent work.
Speaker 11 (30:25):
And Happy Thanksgiving.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
Wait a minute, one more question. Are you still there, Chili? Yeah,
what's your favor what's your favorite Thanksgiving food?
Speaker 9 (30:35):
That's a really tough one one. I'm going to break
the bank on this. We're not having turkey this year.
We're having plant barman.
Speaker 5 (30:45):
Nice, all right, Okay, that creativity?
Speaker 3 (30:51):
All right?
Speaker 2 (30:52):
Hey, enjoy that egg playing farmer John my friend, and
thank you very much for calling nothing wrong with that.
And happy Thanksgiving to your chili, all right, take care,
appreciate I know we have one on the line, but
we need to take a quick break. We're gonna do
that now, back with more of your phone calls. Four
one two nine one nine one three one six when
we continue in the Locker Room presented by your neighborhood
(31:12):
Ford Store and the steer This Pro Shop and stee
This Nation Radio a part of the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (31:20):
This is in the Locker Room with Kingon Starks on
Steelers Nation Radio, presented by your neighborhood Ford Store. The
F one P fifty is the official truck of the
Pittsburgh Steelers and by Steelers Pro Shop. Get it direct
from the team at the Steelers Pro Shop at shop
dot Steelers dot com.
Speaker 2 (31:41):
And with you on this day before Thanksgiving, and thankful to.
Speaker 5 (31:44):
Have you with us.
Speaker 3 (31:45):
Jerry Tulac is going to be joining.
Speaker 2 (31:46):
Us in just a little bit at the top of
the hour to talk about the Steelers and the bills.
We are asking you a tradition here in the locker
room four one two nine one nine one three one.
Speaker 3 (31:58):
Six to hell listen.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
I have a steuige question, of course, obviously, but also
what are you thankful for? And what is your favorite
Thanksgiving food? So back to one had some technical difficulties
with one before back of the line. Now one, thanks
for being with us, Happy Thanksgiving.
Speaker 11 (32:14):
A happy Thanksgiving to you God, he tell the Grimlins
they got to go. Now we gotta do something Thanksgiving.
Speaker 10 (32:22):
For sure.
Speaker 5 (32:25):
That I have three bars.
Speaker 11 (32:31):
Say Happy Thanksgiving to you guys, Happy Thanksgiving to stealing nation.
And what I'm thankful for is thankful for my family,
thankful for loving to see another year, health, and just
thankful for everything in general and life that's coming along.
And for question for a favorite dish, Max, you know,
all from the South, So I'm going with the colors.
Speaker 3 (32:53):
Nice, oh, col of greens.
Speaker 5 (32:55):
Nothing wrong with that? Now? Is it mixed with any
mustard in there? Or any turn up? Or is it
just right up Collins?
Speaker 11 (33:01):
It doesn't matter to me. Londs is not, Lonalds is good.
I don't care.
Speaker 7 (33:05):
You can do it whatever you.
Speaker 5 (33:06):
Want to it. There we go, Hey, ain nothing wrong
with that?
Speaker 4 (33:11):
That is that is definitely a favorite dish here also
in Stark's household as well, so I could appreciate that.
Speaker 5 (33:18):
All right, what are we most thankful for?
Speaker 3 (33:19):
One? Family?
Speaker 7 (33:23):
Family?
Speaker 11 (33:23):
Family, yeah, family, yeah, and you And I'm thankful. I'm
thankful for you guys, because you guys do a wonderful job.
Like the caller said before, y'all do a wonderful job.
And I'm wanted Max. You know me, I'm one of
the original or Jesus of the show. I don't be
listening to all the outside crap and it's all coming
from you guys and Jerry, I don't. I don't listen
to none of that crap Man.
Speaker 3 (33:46):
Good Man.
Speaker 2 (33:46):
No, we appreciate it, good Man for doing so, and
and thank you very much. Appreciate it. Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Appreciate it Thanksgiving Yeah uh so uh. Being from the
North collar was never a part of my traditional feast.
I will say this, I do enjoy it. But it
can't They can't be soggy, Max, I think sogy just
(34:08):
really you can say that about most vegetables, right, you can't.
Speaker 5 (34:11):
Soggy's out Yeah, yeah, no, soggy's out there.
Speaker 4 (34:15):
There's a certain balance and the certain firmness that you need.
And that's why that's why I always ask, because sometimes
you have to. You know, when you get the mix
of greens, it creates a better tenderness because you do
have the varying levels and if you don't get your
collars perfect. You know, a turn up and a mustard
(34:36):
helps kind of kind of kind of ease the balance
of it, because you know, collars are the ones that
you really really have to cook down right. They're probably
the most firm of those, closer to kale than the spinach,
right right, So you know you've got to break it
down enough. And how you cut your greens also matters,
(34:56):
you know, if you're going more ribbon style or you
go in the square where you kind of cut into
a thicker leaf type of type of deal. Like it's
a whole process. I mean, I remember, you know, I
used to have that distinct responsibility with my grandma in
the kitchen and my great grandmother. You know, how you
wash your greens, how you cut your greens, and at
(35:18):
what point you insert those greens.
Speaker 5 (35:20):
And how long do you let them sit. That's a
huge thing.
Speaker 4 (35:25):
Later in life, my dad, who had his own recipe
which thankfully he passed that down, I was able to
actually crack the coat on that one. Him and my
uncle Willard or two other guys that are actually I
still call my uncle Willard about my greens, Like when
I'm when I'm cooking greens. I call my uncle Willard,
and we talked through just the finite nature of it, obviously,
(35:49):
all all visual elements. It's not it's not like, hey,
you need to put exactly thirty two ounces of this
liquid in here or exactly three point to tablespoon scar Now.
It's it's a dash and taste, it's a ceasing, it's
a feel thing. But yeah, Kyler green is very, very
one of one of my favorite dishes all time.
Speaker 3 (36:11):
Do you like to cook?
Speaker 9 (36:13):
I do.
Speaker 5 (36:14):
I do enjoy cooking when I have the time. I
love to do it.
Speaker 9 (36:17):
You know.
Speaker 4 (36:18):
I think that's something where you know, it's you know,
and I'm trying to figure out how to how to
how to put this Like you know when you talk
about like affection for others, right, or how you how
you tell people that you care about them, you love them,
you appreciate them. I feel like cooking is a is
(36:39):
another language to show that, right when you are saying
I'm going to take my time to create something or
to produce something for your enjoyment and for your health
as well, right because I mean food is sustenance, food
is life, and I feel like it's it's almost like
a love language, right when when when you cook a
great meal or you cook a great dish, and the
(37:01):
thoughtfulness behind it and the fact that people want you
to cook, you know, it's something I take pride in that,
and I try and present that. So it's almost like
telling somebody I love you without saying I love you
when you do, you know, agree to do a meal.
But I've always enjoyed it because I hung out in
the kitchen as a kid. Obviously, look at my size,
I'm not a guy that missed a lot of meals
(37:21):
back in the day. So I wanted I obviously wanted
to know how that process happened, how that works. So
I hung out with, you know, my grandmother, I hung
out with my mom, hung out with my auntie's and
especially this time of year was always the greatest time.
Speaker 3 (37:35):
You know.
Speaker 4 (37:35):
Normally you get that many women in one kitchen and
it is hilarious, you know, because everybody has their way
and you just sit back and you just watch, I mean,
you know, and you just you just absorb everything. You
are there to listen. You are not there to partake.
There is too much estrogen to try and cut through
with your little bit of testosterone. As a singular male
(37:57):
in that in that environment. But I also learned a
lot for my dad loved to cook. My uncles loved
to cook. Like I said, I call my uncle Willard
all the time, Uncle Willard. I remember back when we
played and my tea bas can vouch for this.
Speaker 5 (38:08):
My uncle Willard.
Speaker 4 (38:09):
If we played in Cincinnati, my uncle Willard was bringing
some food over for the for the offensive line, right
he was. He was going to come in and bring
him and bring ribs. He was going to smoke some meat,
some salmon something, and we were gonna have that during
the pregame meal. And he just he loved doing that.
That was just a passion of his. And I think
that's where I kind of get it from that side
(38:30):
of the family. Like they just love you know, browner
Ben just love to cook. So I was like, hey,
fall right in line. I feel like I'm a right
in lockstep with my predecessors.
Speaker 3 (38:41):
Yep. I also enjoyed cooking. Well you talk about a
little later on, Oh you're going out to dinner, I
am this year.
Speaker 4 (38:48):
Yeah, okay, it's easier, it's easier. This is this is
what the first year we have not hosts. I actually
have friends texting me, I was like, nah, we can't schedule.
It's too tight. And this time of year gets a
little bit tougher with all the college games, all of
the pro games that we got Thursday Friday, and.
Speaker 5 (39:03):
You know travel.
Speaker 4 (39:05):
So this was like, Okay, my wife, My wife's don't
call this weekend, so I have to you know, we
we had to make that executive decision that we're going
to attend a meal as opposed to preparing the meal.
Speaker 3 (39:17):
If you are preparing, what are you?
Speaker 5 (39:20):
Are you?
Speaker 3 (39:21):
Is your wife take care of this? Are you in
the kitchen helping out? What are you? What are you
doing on Thanksgiving?
Speaker 4 (39:26):
I'm just a sous chef chef Thanksgiving. That that that
is that is Ti tit Tiffany's holiday things chopping out
of the way and Christmas are those are her too?
And so I just hey, hey, what do you need
me to measure how you need me to crush up
some on us before the pea campie?
Speaker 5 (39:42):
Cool?
Speaker 4 (39:43):
You need me to grate some cheese for the mac
and cheese, which, by the way, on the Steelers website
they do have Charlie bats a Famous Mac and Cheese
or Charlie's Famous Mac and cheese as he will tell
you to see shress and cheese and actually puts it
in the oven.
Speaker 5 (39:58):
But it's a great one. I I can tell you firsthand.
Speaker 4 (40:02):
I have enjoyed that mac and cheese for many years
back when we used to play early on.
Speaker 5 (40:07):
That's where I went for Thanksgiving.
Speaker 4 (40:09):
So Tasha Batch's mac and cheese and also you know,
Herkala greens were on point back of.
Speaker 5 (40:15):
The day and it's still it's still special. And like
I said, she she opened up some of the secrets.
She didn't give.
Speaker 4 (40:21):
She didn't give all the secrets, but she gave a
good amouse. So it's a good little watch. If you
guys get a chance to catch it on Steelers.
Speaker 2 (40:26):
Dot com, definitely do that. And by the way, you know,
it reminds me so my my grandmother. I'm a stuffing
and gravy guy on Thanksgiving.
Speaker 3 (40:36):
That's what I make.
Speaker 2 (40:37):
Yeah, okay, there it is my But my grandmother is
German and she didn't She was a terrific cook and
didn't write anything down. So we would go to her
house as kids and it was goose. You know, you
had mashed potatoes, but you had goose. She also had
red cabbage, uh, and she never wrote anything down. So
and my my friend Jack Becker has has family from Italy,
(40:57):
and he said, you know, they're all women are sitting
around the pot kind of like what you're talking about.
Nothing written down. That's the way my grandmother cooked. That's
the way his grandmother's cooked. And they, you know, they
always say how much you know, oh, just a little bit,
you know, and they and they they, you know, so
they what does that mean? Just just a little bit,
you know, and they throw it. No, no, too much,
too much, too much? Yeah, so you just you're right,
(41:20):
it has to be you feel.
Speaker 3 (41:23):
You gotta feel it.
Speaker 2 (41:24):
That just cracked me up there, No a little bit,
no too much, too much. So anyway we have we
have cr on the line. See our Happy Thanksgiving. Thanks
for being with us in the locker room.
Speaker 8 (41:35):
Happy Thanksgiving, guys. I really really appreciate, appreciate you guys.
You guys are awesome. As a matter of fact, what
I'm going to be thankful for is very emotional in
a sense. First, I want to be thankful for the many,
many years I've had the opportunity to listen to inside
the locker room with our brothers, Touch and Wolf rest
(41:55):
in peace. Also thankful being to listen to out line
back to author motes on the video. And then of
course there's always Chris Carter and uh, of course the
one and only number seveny eight offensive tack on Max Starks.
And then we got somebody named CJ. With you guys
will talk about a lot CJ's in the background. Without
(42:17):
c J, most of the time, you guys wouldn't have
a show. And of course there's the late great uh
Gary Dulik Uh and of course the West Virginia Grad,
the wild wild West West Western Euler.
Speaker 5 (42:31):
And uh.
Speaker 8 (42:33):
That I'm I'm grateful for. Without you guys, I wouldn't
be able to uh, to know what's going on, to
be informed, to feel like we're family.
Speaker 3 (42:43):
Uh.
Speaker 8 (42:43):
You guys are just awesome and I appreciate that so much. Man,
That's what I'm thankful for.
Speaker 3 (42:48):
Thank you very that's super nice. You say, much appreciated. Uh.
How about a favorite Thanksgiving meal?
Speaker 7 (42:58):
Whatever is on the table. Hey, if I had here,
if wolf was here.
Speaker 5 (43:09):
He would back me up, he would No, wolf Man
was definitely in the same vein.
Speaker 2 (43:16):
Yeah, I think that for most guys, And I don't
know if this is true for women. My my wife
does not love Thanksgiving meal, but I think for most
guys it might be our favorite meal of the year.
Speaker 3 (43:31):
I don't know that's going some Am I wrong on that?
Speaker 10 (43:35):
I don't know, man, It's well, you know what sitting
there eating, Well, what it is the meal is messed
up because you'd be they'd be cooking and you'd be
eating all day watching the man come on.
Speaker 7 (43:48):
You already.
Speaker 3 (43:50):
That's so true man, that but you know what, you
find room for it. You know, listen, you.
Speaker 2 (43:57):
People talk about the you know, the the discipline to
push away that food and just eat the right amount.
What about the discipline it takes to keep eating when
you're not even remotely hungry?
Speaker 3 (44:11):
What about that discipline? That's a discipline I'm leaning into tomorrow.
Speaker 7 (44:16):
Is that discipline or is that habit?
Speaker 3 (44:21):
I don't think anybody would say to argue.
Speaker 5 (44:23):
You could argue. You could argue gluttony as well.
Speaker 4 (44:25):
I mean, but I think you're say it's commitment, commitment,
That's what it is. It's commitment to the cause.
Speaker 5 (44:33):
That's that's that's.
Speaker 3 (44:35):
Right.
Speaker 8 (44:37):
I like that commitment.
Speaker 7 (44:38):
You guys sound like you have plenty of practice.
Speaker 3 (44:41):
Oh yes, oh.
Speaker 4 (44:42):
Yes, yeah, I have lied to myself on many occasions.
Don't worry about this food for several.
Speaker 7 (44:48):
Days and you know what, but here's the deal.
Speaker 8 (44:51):
You start talking about food, man, And right now I'm
getting me mostly because I'm thinking about I'm thinking about
Wolf because this this would really be his time because
he you know, he he was ended this so much, man,
and I really I really miss him, man, I really
really miss him. Uh he was he was just awesome.
Speaker 7 (45:10):
Man.
Speaker 8 (45:10):
And when whom the coach was together, it was it
was even better. So, uh, hey, guys, I gotta thank
you so much for all that. Uh, I appreciate everything.
I'm gonna be at the game this weekend at hops
Hop Smith and Chicago.
Speaker 5 (45:23):
It was fun.
Speaker 8 (45:24):
Last week we had the players that showed up for
for the rally and we just had a great time.
Speaker 9 (45:30):
Man.
Speaker 3 (45:31):
I'm glad to hear that you get out the.
Speaker 7 (45:34):
Way because I know other people.
Speaker 10 (45:35):
Hey, and one you need to give me a call.
Speaker 5 (45:37):
One.
Speaker 10 (45:38):
I missed your brother.
Speaker 3 (45:39):
In the meantime, thank you and happy thanksgimmy. Do you
see are appreciate it.
Speaker 7 (45:45):
In the meantime and it between time here we go, still.
Speaker 3 (45:49):
Here we go. Oh man, that's a that's a great
call right there. Thank you very much for that call.
We're gonna step aside, take a break.
Speaker 2 (45:59):
We'll be taking more of your phone calls four one
two nine one nine one three one six.
Speaker 3 (46:03):
Of course Steelers questions. What are you thankful for? What's
your favorite food?
Speaker 2 (46:07):
Up next, the Great Jerry Doulac joins us when we
continue in the locker room, presented by our neighborhood. Ford
joins to this pro shop on Steelers Nation Radio, a
part of the Steelers Audio Network.
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