October 30, 2025 • 45 mins
Max and Rob are joined by Gerry Dulac to further discuss the Kyle Duggar addition and other Steelers notes.
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
This is given 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 we thank you very much for being with us
on this Thursday, as the Steelers getting set to take
on the Indianapolis Colts, the best team in football, the
most explosive offense in football. We have our own explosive
gentleman who's going to be part of the Super Bowl
forty celebration, the starting right tackle on that Super Bowl
forty team for the Steelers, and that is Maximilian of
(00:49):
Eisna Stalks, the fourth How are you, Max?
Speaker 3 (00:52):
We went we went full legal today, Yeah, I mean yeah,
just all out there, all out there right. Governments are official.
Uh now I'm doing good. I'm doing good, Ginger.
Speaker 4 (01:05):
Uh you know, just uh just.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Getting getting getting closer. We are getting one less sleep
away from game day Sunday. And you know, obviously since
last time we were on these airwaves, some things have changed, yea,
so hopefully you know you feel better about that it's official,
so uh, you know, just kind of looking at what
(01:31):
that you know, what that kind of world looks like,
and how do you get a guy up to speed
and what impact can that be? I mean, you know
there's a lot of questions, good questions, you know, they're
left to be had, and I think that's where I
kind of you know, just kind of thinking about you know,
postulating over it yesterday and you know, rolling it around
(01:51):
and the and the old Gord up here and uh
and and looking at how the system works versus you know,
what can a certain player bring to the table.
Speaker 4 (01:59):
So so you.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
Know, it's it's pretty it's pretty cool to be on
that kind of a day later, I know, people were
floating other ideas and everything else around. So it's it's
it's it's a good feeling to have good nervous energy.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Yeah, you were talking about Kyle Duggar, yes, correct. Okay,
just just to be clear, So we went over a
little bit yesterday. But I guess it is a good question, Max.
I mean, this is a this is a starting NFL safety.
This is a guy that the Steelers gave or the
Patriots gave a lot of money to now. We had
to report yesterday that we told you about that Ian
(02:35):
Rappapore reporting that Steelers were able to get out of
the last couple of years of the deal that he signed,
which is a big four year I believe it was
fifty eight million dollar deal a couple of years ago.
For those who are, you know, potentially looking forward to
whether the Steelers would make any more trades next Tuesday
and what happens when Deshaun Elliott gets back in the fold,
(02:58):
because they play their both really strong safeties. Is the
forte for both of those guys, So this would not
affect that because the Patriots are picking up a lot
of the contract and the Steelers are out of the
next two seasons of the deal. So that's one thing
for those of you that like to play GM at home,
keep that in mind. The other thing for me is, Okay,
(03:21):
this is a guy who just didn't fit in with
that system. He wouldn't be the first guy who was just,
for whatever reason, second year of the deal just kind
of on the decline. But he also wouldn't be the
first guy who just needed to get somewhere else and
play for a different coach to rEFInd his game. I
have a hard time believing, at age twenty nine, for
(03:43):
a guy who started every game last year and began
the season as a starter, that there's been some kind
of recession in his game that's not going to allow
him to perform at a pretty good level here for
the Steelers.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Max.
Speaker 4 (03:55):
Yeah, No, I'm in the same boat with you, King here.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
I don't see how that's a negative to get a
guy who's game ready, so to speak, as far as
playtime endurance, you know, tackling ability. He's not rusty, he's
not off the couch. It's gonna be just a terminology
thing for him. And you know, I mean and also
(04:19):
you know, I would think being as uh as smart
as this young man is, you know, in his sixth
year in the league, he's played in eighty one games.
I mean, I would say it start at sixty nine
of those. So when you think of that, that that's
a lot of experience to have. And I feel like
he kind of comes in as a guy ready to
(04:41):
put his hand in the pile and you know, point shoot, click, boom,
and you know, and I think hopefully we'll hear from
Jim Wexle or maybe somebody else out there you know,
has the Jabrill Pepper's sounder. I'm sure when locker room
interviews were opened yesterday, he got a out of attention.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
I'm sure Jabrill probably wasn't used to that. Probably most
diney gun since he's been here. Well, actually, I take
that back.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
Probably the penalty, he probably got a little bit of attention.
Even though that was an effort thing. I still feel
like that was such a ticky tag penalty.
Speaker 5 (05:14):
Oh I believe.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Yeah, this special team folks, they did not think much
of that. Call it, but yeah, they were pissed, but yeah,
they they didn't think that was a back a block
in the back at all.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
Oh, absolutely not. Neither one. We didn't think it was
a block in the back.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
So I was just trying to figure out how how
the guy with the vertical stripes thought differently.
Speaker 4 (05:33):
But I digress.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Uh, But yeah, I would imagine that's that. I mean,
we now have both former starting safeties twenty twenty four season,
uh from the New England Patriots now on our roster.
So it's gonna be interesting to see how they put
them in the fold. And you know, also the question
is you know who who's slated first? Is it Pepper's
(05:57):
or is it Dougger that's gonna get more reps out
the gate because technically Jabrill's been here longer and you know,
Kyle's been here less. But it is an interesting prospect
to think which of those guys you know, will play
opposite Juan Thornhill and you know, and where does Chuck
(06:18):
Clark's reps go into this since he's obviously been the
most experienced outside of Thornhill in the in the safety position.
And we have to remember, once again, we don't have
a Miles Killerbrew.
Speaker 4 (06:30):
So this Kyle Dugger.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Trade, I think, kind of fills that role of where
Miles Killerbrew was on the roster. So it is there's
there's a lot of like moving parts that I'm mentally
trying to justify and trying to reconcile and trying to
put away in my head on how this all works.
So but it's an interesting problem to have, right Kinger.
(06:56):
I mean, most teams just elevate from their practice squad
and then you just kind of deal with it. But
the Steelers went out and sought to improve, and improve
they did by going and getting a starting already playing
safety in this league. You know, I know, his role
has been diminished over time with the Patriots, but still
(07:17):
at the same time playing participates and has not been
a healthy scratch. Definitely was a healthy scratch against us.
So it's a it's a good it's a good problem
to have.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Well, you know, when you look at you compare him
to Jabrill Peppers, right, so you know, Peppers is a
little bit olderre not significantly old. They're half a year old.
We're doing that half a year thing last year?
Speaker 4 (07:45):
Are are we at elementary school?
Speaker 3 (07:47):
I mean, my daughter's sixth grade class does that. I'm
just getting you know, I'm eleven and a half.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Okay, that well, that's that's cute. It's Waverley getting cupcakes today.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Waverley got chocolate cake.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Okay, she school, so okay, very very nice, very yeah.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
So that so that is that is her thing.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
But yeah, but no, uh, you know, Quincy is great.
You know, they they still do that.
Speaker 5 (08:18):
That's the best.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
As we were saying yesterday, we believe people should always
celebrate their birthdays. You know, you get over and you're like, God,
you should always celebrate your birthday. By the way, Uh,
you know, Dougger is not even half a year younger
than Peppers. So now having said that, uh, they're all
And I think part of the reason we did not
(08:41):
see a lot of Deshaun Elliott and you're bringing up
a really good point, or we did not see a
lot of Jabille Peppers is because he's a strong safety.
And you have a strong safety who you just gave
a contract extension too, who's playing great football for you,
and that's to Shawn Elliott. Now Elliott is hurt, You're
bringing Douggar, who's another strong safety. You're right, it'll be
(09:02):
interesting to see who gets those reps. And by the way,
we're very happy to be joined by Jerry Dulac coming
up in about eight minutes or so, so Jerry will
kind of go over that with us and what he's
hearing and who he thinks is going to be implemented
and put in that spot. One other thing, just for fans,
and I'd like to hear you clarify, Max, is that
(09:23):
people talk about or talked about Deshaun Elliott being a
hub of communication. So what does that mean from the
safety spot, Because he's not wearing the green dot, right,
he's not calling the plays out there defensively. Who is
he communicating with and can you really expect a new
guy like Douger. Let's say Dugger is the guy who
comes in and is playing strong safety. You can't really
(09:47):
expect him to be that hub of communication on a
short period of time, can you.
Speaker 6 (09:53):
No?
Speaker 3 (09:54):
I mean I don't think you necessarily can. But you
want to see what the capacity is, right, That's what
you got to see. You got to see that there
is a skill set there. And I'm sure there's been
some opportunities where they've kind of put him through the
paces just to see because you do have.
Speaker 4 (10:15):
To or is it one?
Speaker 3 (10:16):
Is one now the hub of communication? Or was it
Chuck Clark, like when Chuck would come in? Is is
that who? So that would be something I would be
I would probably be pressed and I'll probably mention to
Jerry dou Lac to see if they have that question
or hey, maybe there's a new newsy question to ask
for our for our good friend Jerry dou Lac when
he talks to the coordinators. Because I think that that
(10:39):
that is one that you want to figure out. Who
has the capability of being that hub of communication?
Speaker 2 (10:48):
I mean I would think familiarity. So so okay, let me.
Let me backtrack. Then let's say a Kyle Duger. Let's
say Kyle Dugger comes in and we'll talk about this
with Jerry again in a minute. But let's say Kyle
Dugger comes in and he is that guy, right, he
is the guy that's they they expect. Okay, Doug or
you're out there. You're gonna play as much as you
can possibly handle. Because it's not again from a physical standpoint,
(11:11):
because he has been playing, but from a you know,
an understanding of the defense capacity and you know, working
together as a cohesive unit in that backfield point of view.
Speaker 5 (11:23):
So you know, you get him, you bring him in here.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
How much time does he need to be able to
play significant snaps? Is it too much to ask a
guy coming in at the safety position to get a
lot of snaps in week one half week one? And
and or should we expect to see, you know, just
kind of getting his feet wet in a bigger role
next week if their plan is in fact to have
(11:50):
him play a significant role.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
No, you trade it for him.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
So it's like, hey, when you trade somebody mid season
in I mean, look at Joe Flacco.
Speaker 4 (12:02):
Let let's let's just let's just let's just make a comparison.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
Yeah, right, right, Joe Flacco was traded on you know,
was traded on a Wednesday and started Thursday and continue
to start after that. So I don't think it's necessarily
unheard of, nor is it far fetched. But you know,
you can only do as much as you can with
(12:25):
a team that's had some communication issues and has talked
about those communication issues. It's viable, it's viable to ask
that question. But that's why you put them through the paces.
In practice, you try and put as many situations simulated
in a practice format to get it done. Then you
kind of then whatever you don't get in physical reps,
you have to get in mental reps in in the classroom. Right,
(12:49):
you got to go through the simulation calls with the
entire defense in in the in the big meeting room,
You've got you've got to You've gotta also then when
you're in the safety room, you've got to also use
a secondary system of getting him through the calls, making
sure he understands it, making sure that everybody else in
the room here's how he communicates. Right, you have to
(13:11):
understand kind of what your buddy is thinking, and that
course and that's every position group, right, that's every position
group that has something to do. You know, linebackers, how
they communicate with the D line the outside backers to
the initial safety and secondary calls about who's out there,
and then work from there. What your sub language is
(13:33):
outside of that, The unit language is also important outside
of the overall side of the ball language big green
dot view or quarterback view. Right, you have to understand
how there's a running back communicate with it. How do
the receivers communicate with the QB right that each side
has their own little nuances, a niche, you know, type
(13:57):
of communication systems, the line, how you communicate from center
to tackles, and then what how do the guards dissiminate
that information from the centers? Uh, you know, all of
these things play into it. And the environmental factor right
at home games is defense that has to deal with
with the noise. You know, in away games, offense has
to deal with those noises. So you kind of go
(14:19):
through all those simulations as much as you can. You
try and mock them up and try and get them
to a comfort level that they feel good with. But yeah,
and then the physical just takes over after that, you know,
how much you can rep terms, how fast you can go, because,
like I said, you're always striving for reaction, not thinking.
(14:39):
You know, the thinking is done before you get to
the game field. Thinking is done at the practice field.
Thinking is done in the press and the practice facilities.
Thinking is done at home while you're starting studying tape,
while you're while you're writing plays down and however you
use your notebooks.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
Now that's where the thinking is done.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
When you get to the field, it's it's pure is
pure reaction. It's pure you know, you know, Seaball hit
ball so to speak, type type of mentality, even though
there is a certain level of thinking involved, right, but
you want when that ball snapped, it's a reaction. That's
that's what every player is striving for when you get
(15:18):
into game time situations.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
So we are going to talk with Jerry Duvac coming
up next. He's gonna tell us what he thinks about
Kyle Dugger and this acquisition and about the game coming
up on Thursdays, we get ready for another division leader
coming into town, that is the Indianapolis Colts, and Jerry
will join us when we continue next in the locker room,
presented by our Neighborhood Ford Store and this year's Pro
(15:40):
Shop on Steers Nation Radio, a part of the Steelers
Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (15:50):
This is in the locker Room with kingon Starks on
Steelers Nation Radio, presented by your neighborhood Ford Store. 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 4 (16:10):
Who me.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
Who you?
Speaker 2 (16:13):
We need a cool breeze blowing through this show and
we got it right now. Jerry Dulac joining us, Presented
by our neighborhood Forge Store. The F one fifty is
the official truck at the Pittsburgh Steelers Emotions Running Hot
Max starts You're ready to be cooled down by Jerry Doulac.
Speaker 5 (16:33):
Max.
Speaker 4 (16:35):
We all know I'm here you.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
Hot, Hi, Jerry, Jerry Apparently apparently, apparently they they have
given me a job that was not mine, but now mine.
Jerry Dulac has brought to us by bella note uh Petzia.
So Jerry, I do not have to read because Rob
(17:00):
had to read. But yeah, here we go.
Speaker 5 (17:02):
Oh no, that's coming to are you? You're talking about
part two of the.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
Read yeah, yeah, yeah, part two of the read.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
Yes, well, we were gonna space it out dramatic effect.
Speaker 6 (17:10):
Like the Steeler deep you look like the Steeler defense
you too? You better get better?
Speaker 3 (17:15):
Yeah, yeah, tell the communication has to be at a
higher level here.
Speaker 6 (17:20):
The communication breakdown?
Speaker 5 (17:23):
All right?
Speaker 4 (17:24):
Yeah, yeah, yeah? Where's our cal duggar? At uh? Is
he here to communicate to the secondary.
Speaker 5 (17:29):
Now, Jerry?
Speaker 6 (17:31):
Do you know?
Speaker 5 (17:32):
But go ahead? When do you think about the dugger?
Speaker 2 (17:35):
And we're gonna get Don't worry which dramatic effect, Jerry, That's.
Speaker 5 (17:38):
All it is.
Speaker 6 (17:39):
I'm just I'm just gonna tell you. I'm going to
apologize in advance because not only does Pitt share acts
Acrossure Stadium with the Steelers, and they share, you know,
the building here on the south side, they're also sharing
my broadcast location, which annoys the heck out of me.
So I have to go find a quiet area to
(17:59):
do my a bit with you two.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
Yeah, I see.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
Are you on the move or are you saying you've
already done that or you need to stop hang up
and go do that?
Speaker 6 (18:09):
No? No, I'm good right now.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
Okay, fine, okay, all right, Jerry, what do you think
of the Kyle dugger pick up and how do you
think he will be utilized? Did they trade for him
to be the starter and if so, what do you
expect to be or even if not, what do you
expect his role to be now? And what is his
(18:33):
capacity for playing in a new system being picked up
in the middle of the week.
Speaker 6 (18:39):
Well, I don't understand some of the angst that, you know,
what the public is displaying over the pickup one. I mean,
he's a you know, he's a fine player, is a
decent player. They had one. They had to pick him
up after the injury to Deshaun Ellie. If Deshaun Elliott's healthy,
they don't make this deal. And what did they give up?
(19:02):
You know, he'll be here on for you know, for
eleven games, maybe if I get to the postseason, maybe more.
But that's all he is. And but they obviously feel
he's probably better than what they have as the backup,
you know, when you see the way the secondary has
been playing. I didn't have a problem with the deal.
(19:25):
And like I said, you're giving up the six, you're
getting a seventh in return. You could easily make another
deal to swap that back. They had to make the
deal because of the injury to Deshaun Elliet, so I
had no problem with it. He still hasn't been here
to practice, and so I would imagine maybe that's today,
which I don't know what that means for Sunday's game,
(19:45):
but we'll see.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
And Jerry, you know, obviously this was this was something
that was that was floated and then of course confirmed.
Speaker 4 (19:55):
I mean, do you feel like there's still something else in.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
The work for the Steelers as we as we kind
of get near this trade deadline? Because I was I
have to ask you that question because it will have
passed by the next time we get here, so you know,
I know it's a little bit far in advance, but
is do you feel there's anything else to be done
by the Steelers before we get to this trade deadline?
Speaker 6 (20:21):
I really don't, Max. Of course, I learned a long
time ago to never say never after they lost, after
they lost on two or the other night to the Packers.
Had they beat the Packers and had if they would
beat the Occults this week and get the six and two,
(20:42):
then I think it would have been more likely for
them to make a trade. They would be more inclined
to make a deal as opposed to if they lose
these two and are four and four, they will be
less inclined to make a deal. And the point being
that if they get the six and two, if they
would which of course they won't. Okay, maybe if there's
a weakness, we're going to go strengthen it. And and
(21:07):
you know, because we think we're in the hunt as
one of the better teams in the league. But if
you know, I don't see that happening. Now. You know,
they signed a safety. They're going to add h Marquezvalde
Scantling to the practice squad next week. That at least
is the plan. And so they're not going to go
(21:29):
out and deal for a wide receiver. They're not going
to give up more draft picks. They're not going to
you know, they don't want to spend money. They you know,
Scantling is the type of guy they would bring in
like a Mike Williams. So no, I don't expect them
to do anything. But that's not to say that they won't.
Where else would they go that they would even think
they need help, And so they're not going to do
(21:51):
it on the defensive line. And even with a wide receiver,
the way they run their offense. With all the different
players and four tight ends, where are they going to
use them. Mike Williams averaged nineteen snaps a game last year,
and he was more in need last year than I
think a receiver is this year. He played nineteen snaps
a game, and so I wouldn't expect anybody they bring
(22:11):
in a sucket to go out and get us some
high priced receiver. At this point, they have that with
DK Metcalf. Now DK Metcalf gets injured Sunday knock on wood,
whole different story, But I don't expect anything to happen.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
So Jerry, and by the way, again trying to space
this out for dramatic effect. Jerry's brought to you by
Bellae in the strip two dour and fifty cent bud
Light sixteen ounce drafts for all Steelers games. Sounds like
a pretty nice place to go, Jerry. Dulac is always
a pretty nice place to go for great information. Jerry,
(22:44):
did they pick up Douggar to be the guy at
strong safety until Deshaun Elliott returns.
Speaker 6 (22:51):
Yes, that's the reason why they brought that, why they
made the deal, and you know he's he's probably you know,
based on what we've seen, I would I would guess
that he is he is better than what they have
and that's probably an easy assumption to make based on
what we have seen. So and again, you give up
(23:13):
very little to get him, and we'll we'll see. You know,
he fell out out of favor with Mike Rabel in
New England. That was apparent. It's a guy who started
a lot of games. You know, he's been in productive
safety and in talking to even Calvin Austin, who has
played against him, when he heard about the deal, he thought,
(23:35):
he said, Wow, isn't he one of their better players?
I go, well, I think he was. So you know,
I I don't know that anything has has ampered his
play other than whatever it is that Mike Rabel was
not uh you know, was nod ingamored with him, and
you know, apparently it was no secret in New England
(23:56):
that he was probably going to be dealt before the
Tradeline trade deadline.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
Sure enough you was, yeah, No, I mean that that
that that is that is gonna be intriguing, Uh, Jerry,
I know you know you're meeting with the coordinators after this.
I mean, is there any plan to kind of talk
with them as far as about what that communication looks like.
(24:21):
You know, how does that impact Jabril Preppers role since.
Speaker 4 (24:25):
Obviously he's here a little bit longer.
Speaker 3 (24:26):
You know, if we go through the seniority system of
safeties right now, obviously it sits Wan Thornhill, Chuck Clark,
Jabril Peppers, now Kyle Duggar. I mean, is there a
question about how that rotation looks in that absence since
now we have new pieces since the last time U
(24:47):
Deshaun was injured, is is that is that in the cards?
You think to get that kind of answer out there
from Terrell Austin.
Speaker 6 (24:53):
Yeah, yeah, with that question, and you're talking about you know,
here they bring in Jabril Preppers and and really he's
played very little for the most part. And I don't
know how much that's going to change with Kyle Duggar.
I'm going to guess maybe maybe it will change it
he will play more while Deshaun Elliott is out. I
think the good news with Deshaun Elliott. You know, we
(25:14):
heard Mike Tomlins say he hyper extended his knees. There's
no ligament damage in his knee, which is the good news.
I think what's happening with the hyper extension is it's
affecting his hamstring as well. But the injury is bad
enough that they put him on injured reserve, and so
that's at least a four game injury for sure. I
think they believe, the Steelers do that he can return.
(25:40):
But you know, players get second opinions all the time.
You know, their agents want them to get a second opinion.
And I don't know what that second opinion was. Maybe
they don't share the same belief. So we'll see how
long he's going to be out. But you know, look,
I mean, look, they're all new pieces from last year
back there safety and two of them more frequently. So yeah,
(26:03):
it's a big concern for them.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
You know, Jerry, we saw Corey Trice returning to practice
and he's out there practicing with the team. Had a
hamstring injury, another one unfortunately that's been an issue for Corey.
It looked like he was, you know, we had the
interception last year in Denver, and it looked like he was,
you know, pushing his way.
Speaker 5 (26:24):
Toward a larger role.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
He got the sense that they felt like Corey Trice
could be a starting cornerback in the league.
Speaker 5 (26:30):
He's young.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
You know, we've seen the secondary habits issues. You know,
when people see someone running away from somebody, they instantly
think speed.
Speaker 5 (26:39):
It could be speed.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
It could also be guys who are just fatigued, could
be guys are out of position. Whatever the reason, Trice
I think is an interesting and intriguing guy because maybe
he gets an opportunity to show enough that the students
feel comfortable with him, you know, moving forward. But he's
got to stay healthy. Do you get the sense that
he's going to get an opportunity if he's healthy to
(27:02):
get out in the field and play.
Speaker 6 (27:05):
Well, Rob you said a couple of operative words there,
and one of them will show them. And that's the problem.
What they think and what they have seen are two
different things because he's been hurt so much, and you know,
you hate the jinx the guy, but that's what he
has to prove. They like him, they've always liked them.
He has the length, he has the speed, but he
(27:28):
hasn't had the opportunity to stay healthy enough to convince
them that what they think they see they see, you
know about him, that they actually see it on the field.
So you know, Brandon Echols has played a little bit more.
We saw, you know, for Darius Slay the other day,
and so you have, you know, three guys in front
of them. But I think when the opportunity comes, I
(27:49):
don't think he's going to displace any of them as
a starting unit, but you might see him be used
maybe more in the sub packages. But the key for him,
you know, the poor guy, he just has to stay
healthy and he's been unable to do it. But Rob,
they just they they really like him. They just haven't
been able to see enough of them on the field
(28:10):
to convince them, Hey, this guy, this guy's pretty good.
They think he is, but he needs to show him
by staying healthy.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
I just want to follow up on that Max quickly
here because it reminds me a little bit different obviously
different circumstances, but you know, you get a little look
at Spencer Anderson in the jumbo package. He's taken some
snaps and when Cimal has been banged up a little bit.
But I think they're trying to, you know, assess Obviously
you're trying to win games now, but you're also trying
to you know, there's a scouting department and within the
(28:39):
team trying to assess whether these guys can fill larger
roles in the future. Can Spencer Anderson, you know, if
Ciamalo leaves via free agency after the season, be your
starting left guard. I think they would at least like
to get a look or hoping to get a look.
Like you said that, maybe Corey Trice can play a
larger role next year again if he can stay healthy.
Speaker 6 (28:59):
Yeah, yeah, and you're right, And that's just it. You know,
they're gonna they're going to face a decision. Well, you know,
do we want to keep signing him, signing him to
a one year deal? Is he willing to do that?
And maybe he is, but you're only going to do
that so long because at some point, you know, if
he comes back and he plays a couple of games
and gets hurt again, well you know, it's hard to
(29:21):
sign a guy who's hurt all the time, unfortunately for him.
But we'll see, we'll see, and that, yes, that is
part of it, uh, you know, convincing them that, look,
you know, during the offseason, let's bring this guy back
for another year. It's not going to be any multi
year deal, but that's gonna be That's all part of it.
And so uh, you know, and that's kind of what
you know, obviously to a different degree, is going on
(29:43):
with Will Howard. They want to see something from Will Howard.
They get to see it in practice. You know, he's
back there running the scout team, and so that's good.
I mean, you know, they haven't seen him in a game,
and they're not going to see him in a game
knock on wood. That'll be a problem if they do.
But you know that that they would like to just
see some type of development from him, so next year
(30:04):
they can also make some other decisions as to what
they want to do with that position.
Speaker 3 (30:11):
No, it's I mean this this is the gamesmanship, right,
This is the this is the chest part of the game.
This is the part that not a lot of people
get to, or I should say, I shouldn't even say
get to. Not a lot of people get to think
about that aspect of it. Jerry that you know, how
in the middle of the regular season, can you think
about next year?
Speaker 4 (30:30):
Well, you're always thinking about next year. You always think
about the next year. You always have to.
Speaker 3 (30:33):
Think ahead of everything because the season gets on you.
And if you wait till you know, near deadlines, that's
that's when you're caught you know, you're caught looking as
opposed to reacting, and uh, you know, the Steeler's front
offices has been anything but complacent at any point, you know,
(30:55):
as we kind of look at this Colts game, Jerry,
you know, and and the problem that they present offensively.
You know what is kind of your sense when you
look at kind of some of the pass rush issues
that that have that have crept in the last couple
of weeks. Obviously in the two losses, you haven't seen
great pressure on either quarterbacks, whether it's Cincinnati or Green Bay.
(31:21):
Has there been any any talks or any any sentiments
about what the defensive line is kind of doing. Is
there a rotation that needs to be uncovered, Is there
a guy that needs to be elevated that's been a
healthy scratch? Have you heard anything along those lines as
far as it effects the pass rusher of this defense?
Speaker 6 (31:39):
Yeah? Yeah, I think losing Daniel Aqualley is you're going
to move somebody up automatically, but not you know, whether
it's it's Logan Lee or whatever the case may be,
but it's not going to be anything that drastically affects
what they do. I don't think there's any question Max.
It has to start with number ninety. I mean, that's
his job, that's what he's paid to do, and there
needs to be more pressure off the edge. You know,
(32:01):
they had those back to back games with twelve sacks
and thirty quarterback hits. That's a ton of quarterback hits.
Thirty and we haven't seen that the past two games. Now,
you can make the excuse or they want to make
the excuse that the Bengals were Max protecting and Joe
Flacco gets the ball like quick. I don't think that
was what was happening in Green Bay. No sacks and
(32:22):
of course a couple that with no turnovers and then
some of the poor tackling, and not to mention, you know,
my colleague Ray Fittipaldo just pointed up to me a
little bit earlier that the Packers, you know, they had
three hundred and sixty yards passing. Two hundred and forty
four of those yards were after were yak yards yards
after the catch two hundred and forty four aut of
(32:44):
three sixty, which means nobody is around those receivers once
they catch the ball, they have the opportunity to make
some yards and that's been a big problem as well
in the secondary. But I mean the lack of pressure
to me to be I don't want to you know,
I never use the word alarming six and seven games
into the season, but it has to be something that
(33:06):
gets their attention and something that definitely needs to change
because that's what that's what you know, that's basically what
This defense is built on pressure and takeaways. And you
can't go into a game saying, Okay, we're going to
get four takeaways. As you know, Max, you can't plan
for that. Can't plan for sack either, but you have
to be able to generate pressure.
Speaker 5 (33:26):
Jerry Doulac.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
Cool breeze of Jerry Doulac blowing into the locker room,
brightening up our day. Jerry, thank you very much, my friend,
see a little bit on the south side.
Speaker 6 (33:36):
You got it, Rob, I'll see you later, Max, I'll
see you a Sunday at the Ballyard.
Speaker 3 (33:41):
I will see you at the Ballyard, Jerry. Indeed, And
of course remember Jerry is brought to you by Bellonote
in the strip two fifty butt like sixteen hours draft
for all Steelers games.
Speaker 4 (33:52):
We don't get to do that. We got to work.
Speaker 2 (33:54):
No, we don't and we get to get Bellonote mentioned
a couple of times, so Bell, yeah, you have to it,
can't you know what? Because a two dollars and fifty
cent bud Light sixteen hours draft is worth saying twice?
Speaker 4 (34:05):
I guess right, yeah, yes it is. Yes, Yes, you
are correct.
Speaker 2 (34:09):
Jerry Dolack our buddy joining us and giving us some insight.
You know, sounds like Dugger is gonna be the guy
that they're gonna, you know, turn to to be the
starter once he's up.
Speaker 5 (34:19):
The speed hasn't showed up a practice. Hopefully he will
be there today.
Speaker 2 (34:22):
I'm heading down there a little bit myself to go
check out practice and see if he's there.
Speaker 5 (34:27):
So we want to remind you. Also, you can gear
up at the.
Speaker 2 (34:30):
Latest game data, sassities at the official Steelers pro shops.
Speaker 5 (34:34):
Get the latest side that apparel.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
Jersey's Terrible towels, authentic memorabilia, and custom exclusives you can
only find directly from the team. Visit one of the
official Studers pro shops located at Akraschure Stadium, Grove City
Premium Outlets, or Tang Route Lets, or gear up online
at shop dot Steelers dot com. Get it direct from
the team at Steelers Pro Shop at Shop dot Steelers
(34:56):
dot com. Back with much more in the Locker Room
presented by your neighbors Ford Store and the Steelers Pro
Shop on Steelers Nation Radio, a part of the Steelers
Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (35:09):
This is in the Locker Room with King and 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
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Speaker 2 (35:30):
And welcome back to the Locker Room, hour number one
on this Thursday, as we really start to dive into
the matchups this weekend, and I just you know, we've
been talking about to Shaun Elliott and by extension, you
know sort of mentioned Cory Price is back at practice,
and you know you bring in Kyle Dugger, and you know,
(35:51):
by extension we're sort of talking about injuries, right, and
you know we I think we've identified to Sean as
a guy that was very difficult to replace because you
can't have you know, no team has unbelievable depth at
every position you try. I think the students had very
good depth in camp, and I think that they've that's
(36:12):
shown in various spots of their team. But Deshaun was,
excuse me, a difficult guy to leave lose via injury.
But I also want to point out that that is
no excuse, nor the Steers trying to make it an excuse.
And you only have to look at this week's opponent, Indianapolis,
who started the year with Charvarius Ward as a starting corner,
(36:36):
Jalen Jones is a starting corner and Xavian Howard as
the number one corner coming off the bench. Ward's been
out with an injury. Jones is out with an injury.
Howard struggled so much that he retired. I think that's
why he was retired. He after four games. He was
having some struggles. Regardless he retired. You go out and
sign Mike Hilton, that doesn't work out, so he's gone.
(37:01):
Then you have an injury at your starting linebacker position.
Two of your top three linebackers. Jalen Carly's out with
an injury, Joe Batchie the veteran guy. He comes in,
he gets a foot injury. He's waved and released injured.
So and they're seven and one. So I guess the
point is Max that even though you know, I'm not
(37:22):
saying the Steelers are saying woe is me, in fact,
they're not saying woe is me. Mike Tomin always talks
about next man up mentality. I just want to make
sure fans aren't saying woe is me either, because injuries happen,
and frankly, if you're looking at the Steelers, you have
to say they've been you know, knock on wood relatively,
(37:43):
you know, unscathed. I mean, yeah, you lost Elliott and
that hurts, but that can't be an excuse. The next
guy up has to be able to do something. You
have to be able to design Schiens schemes. If you
have a player that you don't think is up to
the snuff of the guy he's replacing. Whatever the case
may be, however, you need to navigate that. You need
(38:05):
to navigate it. And we're not trying to make excuses
here with the in the injury column, nor are the
Stealers now.
Speaker 4 (38:12):
I mean, you can't cry over spilled milk.
Speaker 3 (38:16):
You have to be able to move forward, and you
have to be able to have a next man up mentality.
Speaker 4 (38:22):
I mean that's just how this league is.
Speaker 3 (38:25):
And you know, that's how opportunities are given, as how
opportunities are secured. Is there happens to be unfortunate events
or issues that happen, and you have to be able
to deal with those things. And the teams who are
better suited, better equipped however you want to look at it.
Speaker 4 (38:49):
That's what that's what you have to be prepared for.
You can't sit there.
Speaker 3 (38:53):
And and you know, and and be you know, be
looking over your shoulder or wondering what if and how.
Speaker 4 (39:00):
Does this not work for us? You can't do that.
Speaker 3 (39:02):
I mean that this league, this league does not demand.
This league demands that you give your top effort and
when you're and when your number is called, you answer
that bell. You don't think twice about, oh man, well
you know if we would have done this or maybe
this guy would have been help Like you could play
that game at the end of the season, right, you can,
(39:24):
you can do that, but but not in the midst
of the season. No, I mean, that's how that's how
jobs earned. I mean, prime example, just from personal experience.
Kinger two thousand and eight. I am a backup tackle.
I'm a backup left tackle in fact, no longer a
(39:46):
right tackle on the team. You know, I was a
swing I was a technically, I was a swing tackle,
and I was playing right and left and you know,
however I needed to go in jumbo tight end all
these other things. Right, I was on goal line defense.
I was on field goal block and.
Speaker 4 (40:03):
All these other new assignments.
Speaker 3 (40:05):
You know, Marvel Smith goes down week five, I mean,
Marvel Smith, Pro Bowl, Pro Bowl talent, you know, multi
year starter in this league, and he goes down, and
guess who has to go into left tackle? Yours truly,
and this is my first time having the opportunity to
see extended time at left tackle. Mind you started over
(40:25):
thirty games at right tackle this by this time.
Speaker 4 (40:29):
So it was.
Speaker 5 (40:33):
Awkward.
Speaker 4 (40:33):
You know.
Speaker 3 (40:34):
Teams were like, hey man, you know, hey, we're in trouble.
In the week before that, we lost Kendall Simmons and
Darneld Stapleton had to go in a right guard, you know,
rookie Rutgers, right, you know, and so you know, there
was no woe is me in that moment. It was, Hey,
opportunity presented itself.
Speaker 4 (40:52):
What are you going to do with it? What are
you going to do?
Speaker 3 (40:54):
With this new challenge that's been afforded to you, and
you know, you just you grab the bull by the
horns and you hop on and you try and stand
on for your eight seconds, right, you know, I mean
that's that's just how it is. And you know, fortunately
for us, right, you know, not having a woe is
me mentality led to us doing something special. It was
(41:16):
less than ideal to lose two starting veteran offensive linemen
you know that were that were starters in the previous
Super Bowl appearance. You know, to lose them, right, you know,
the first third of the season, that's not ideal, that's
not what's in the stars. And we end up we
(41:37):
end up taking that all the way to the end
because everybody else also, you know, kept doing their job
and we stepped in and we did our job, nothing more,
nothing less. We did what was required and it yielded success.
So you know, there there is that, and then there's
countless other ones that we could point to. But speaking
(41:57):
from my own personal experience, I think that's what makes
this unique personal. But also unless you know it can
be done like it's not we're not asking far fetched
things of this team. We're not asking for some type
of miracle. In fact, there's no miracle once you get
(42:17):
to this level. There's there there's a degree of luck,
but there's no miracles. And that's what you have to
be able to see and that's what guys have to
be able to react to and assess, is what am
I now going to do to put my hand on
the pile to earn this victory for my team? Uh,
from week from week to week until the goal is
(42:39):
met at the end of the season or we run
out of opportunities to prove it.
Speaker 2 (42:44):
So, uh, yeah, there's you know, the Steelers have got
to find a way here. They've got to find a
way to stop what is the most explosive offense in football.
A team again that has been able to overcome some
injuries on the defensive side. And you know they have
lou Anorama, who we know well from his time in Cincinnati,
(43:06):
and he will try to confuse and baffle Aaron Rodgers
and Arthur Smith. He does a lot of interesting things.
You know, probably just about halfway through my tape sessions, Max,
and there's some there's some interesting things to discuss with
what they do defensively. But they're going to try to
(43:27):
they're going to try to do some things to confuse
the Steelers, certainly. I don't know how you think of
low and his defensive coordinator. I don't know what you
you know, if there's one certain thing that comes to
mind when you think about him. But they have done
a lot of moving guys around, and we've seen, you know,
Mike Hilton be a blitzer. He's obviously not not there
(43:47):
right now, but you know Kenny Moore has been blitzing
out of the cornerback spot. I mean they'll do a
lot of different things.
Speaker 3 (43:53):
Yes, edge pressure as overload pressure as we call it.
Right now, you're trying to you're trying to overload a
side and bring a guy an extra guy to a side, and.
Speaker 4 (44:06):
The biggest thing.
Speaker 3 (44:06):
Is gonna be how your running backs respond. Like that's
really where because you're not going to fool erin right
if you're not going to confuse, surprise or throw something
new at Aaron Rodgers, it's gonna be the support around him.
I feel like the offensive line will be steady. They'll
handle most of the box things, but you know they
have some spot drop stuff with their d linemen, so
(44:27):
the lineman cannot get enamored.
Speaker 5 (44:29):
With a guy.
Speaker 3 (44:30):
You have to be able to be flexible and work
in space and you know, kind of have a whole
one to eighty perception about the field. But it's really
going to come down to how your tight ends and
how your running backs really handle the overload pressure. That's
really what lou Ana Romo's signature is. Like you said,
you're talking corner blitz, you're talking safety blitz, you're talking
(44:52):
nickel blitz off the address to say slot blitz off
the edge.
Speaker 4 (44:57):
Along with your normal pressures on the interior.
Speaker 2 (45:00):
You know, there's there's a.
Speaker 3 (45:01):
Lot of twisting and a lot of slanting in this defense.
So that's how you that's how you also achieve that
accelerated pressure. So that that's going to be really the
biggest challenge. It's auxiliary support in the blocking game. Who's
who's number six and who's number seven In the blocking scheme,
those guys are the guys that are trying to affect
and they're trying to find the crack in the armor
(45:22):
to uh to try and get through. So that's what
you can expect early often frequently, that's just what lou
Anarumo does.
Speaker 2 (45:31):
So we're going to talk much more about that, the
challenges that this Colts defense provides, and especially of course,
the challenge that the.
Speaker 5 (45:38):
Colts offense provides.
Speaker 2 (45:40):
We're going to get into that when we continue in
the Locker Room, presented by our neighborhood Forge Store and
the Steers Pro Shop on Stears Nation Radio, a part
of the Steelers Audio Network.
This is given 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 we thank you very much for being with us
on this Thursday, as the Steelers getting set to take
on the Indianapolis Colts, the best team in football, the
most explosive offense in football. We have our own explosive
gentleman who's going to be part of the Super Bowl
forty celebration, the starting right tackle on that Super Bowl
forty team for the Steelers, and that is Maximilian of
(00:49):
Eisna Stalks, the fourth How are you, Max?
Speaker 3 (00:52):
We went we went full legal today, Yeah, I mean yeah,
just all out there, all out there right. Governments are official.
Uh now I'm doing good. I'm doing good, Ginger.
Speaker 4 (01:05):
Uh you know, just uh just.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
Getting getting getting closer. We are getting one less sleep
away from game day Sunday. And you know, obviously since
last time we were on these airwaves, some things have changed, yea,
so hopefully you know you feel better about that it's official,
so uh, you know, just kind of looking at what
(01:31):
that you know, what that kind of world looks like,
and how do you get a guy up to speed
and what impact can that be? I mean, you know
there's a lot of questions, good questions, you know, they're
left to be had, and I think that's where I
kind of you know, just kind of thinking about you know,
postulating over it yesterday and you know, rolling it around
(01:51):
and the and the old Gord up here and uh
and and looking at how the system works versus you know,
what can a certain player bring to the table.
Speaker 4 (01:59):
So so you.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
Know, it's it's pretty it's pretty cool to be on
that kind of a day later, I know, people were
floating other ideas and everything else around. So it's it's
it's it's a good feeling to have good nervous energy.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Yeah, you were talking about Kyle Duggar, yes, correct. Okay,
just just to be clear, So we went over a
little bit yesterday. But I guess it is a good question, Max.
I mean, this is a this is a starting NFL safety.
This is a guy that the Steelers gave or the
Patriots gave a lot of money to now. We had
to report yesterday that we told you about that Ian
(02:35):
Rappapore reporting that Steelers were able to get out of
the last couple of years of the deal that he signed,
which is a big four year I believe it was
fifty eight million dollar deal a couple of years ago.
For those who are, you know, potentially looking forward to
whether the Steelers would make any more trades next Tuesday
and what happens when Deshaun Elliott gets back in the fold,
(02:58):
because they play their both really strong safeties. Is the
forte for both of those guys, So this would not
affect that because the Patriots are picking up a lot
of the contract and the Steelers are out of the
next two seasons of the deal. So that's one thing
for those of you that like to play GM at home,
keep that in mind. The other thing for me is, Okay,
(03:21):
this is a guy who just didn't fit in with
that system. He wouldn't be the first guy who was just,
for whatever reason, second year of the deal just kind
of on the decline. But he also wouldn't be the
first guy who just needed to get somewhere else and
play for a different coach to rEFInd his game. I
have a hard time believing, at age twenty nine, for
(03:43):
a guy who started every game last year and began
the season as a starter, that there's been some kind
of recession in his game that's not going to allow
him to perform at a pretty good level here for
the Steelers.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Max.
Speaker 4 (03:55):
Yeah, No, I'm in the same boat with you, King here.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
I don't see how that's a negative to get a
guy who's game ready, so to speak, as far as
playtime endurance, you know, tackling ability. He's not rusty, he's
not off the couch. It's gonna be just a terminology
thing for him. And you know, I mean and also
(04:19):
you know, I would think being as uh as smart
as this young man is, you know, in his sixth
year in the league, he's played in eighty one games.
I mean, I would say it start at sixty nine
of those. So when you think of that, that that's
a lot of experience to have. And I feel like
he kind of comes in as a guy ready to
(04:41):
put his hand in the pile and you know, point shoot, click, boom,
and you know, and I think hopefully we'll hear from
Jim Wexle or maybe somebody else out there you know,
has the Jabrill Pepper's sounder. I'm sure when locker room
interviews were opened yesterday, he got a out of attention.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
I'm sure Jabrill probably wasn't used to that. Probably most
diney gun since he's been here. Well, actually, I take
that back.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
Probably the penalty, he probably got a little bit of attention.
Even though that was an effort thing. I still feel
like that was such a ticky tag penalty.
Speaker 5 (05:14):
Oh I believe.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Yeah, this special team folks, they did not think much
of that. Call it, but yeah, they were pissed, but yeah,
they they didn't think that was a back a block
in the back at all.
Speaker 4 (05:25):
Oh, absolutely not. Neither one. We didn't think it was
a block in the back.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
So I was just trying to figure out how how
the guy with the vertical stripes thought differently.
Speaker 4 (05:33):
But I digress.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
Uh, But yeah, I would imagine that's that. I mean,
we now have both former starting safeties twenty twenty four season,
uh from the New England Patriots now on our roster.
So it's gonna be interesting to see how they put
them in the fold. And you know, also the question
is you know who who's slated first? Is it Pepper's
(05:57):
or is it Dougger that's gonna get more reps out
the gate because technically Jabrill's been here longer and you know,
Kyle's been here less. But it is an interesting prospect
to think which of those guys you know, will play
opposite Juan Thornhill and you know, and where does Chuck
(06:18):
Clark's reps go into this since he's obviously been the
most experienced outside of Thornhill in the in the safety position.
And we have to remember, once again, we don't have
a Miles Killerbrew.
Speaker 4 (06:30):
So this Kyle Dugger.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Trade, I think, kind of fills that role of where
Miles Killerbrew was on the roster. So it is there's
there's a lot of like moving parts that I'm mentally
trying to justify and trying to reconcile and trying to
put away in my head on how this all works.
So but it's an interesting problem to have, right Kinger.
(06:56):
I mean, most teams just elevate from their practice squad
and then you just kind of deal with it. But
the Steelers went out and sought to improve, and improve
they did by going and getting a starting already playing
safety in this league. You know, I know, his role
has been diminished over time with the Patriots, but still
(07:17):
at the same time playing participates and has not been
a healthy scratch. Definitely was a healthy scratch against us.
So it's a it's a good it's a good problem
to have.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Well, you know, when you look at you compare him
to Jabrill Peppers, right, so you know, Peppers is a
little bit olderre not significantly old. They're half a year old.
We're doing that half a year thing last year?
Speaker 4 (07:45):
Are are we at elementary school?
Speaker 3 (07:47):
I mean, my daughter's sixth grade class does that. I'm
just getting you know, I'm eleven and a half.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Okay, that well, that's that's cute. It's Waverley getting cupcakes today.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Waverley got chocolate cake.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Okay, she school, so okay, very very nice, very yeah.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
So that so that is that is her thing.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
But yeah, but no, uh, you know, Quincy is great.
You know, they they still do that.
Speaker 5 (08:18):
That's the best.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
As we were saying yesterday, we believe people should always
celebrate their birthdays. You know, you get over and you're like, God,
you should always celebrate your birthday. By the way, Uh,
you know, Dougger is not even half a year younger
than Peppers. So now having said that, uh, they're all
And I think part of the reason we did not
(08:41):
see a lot of Deshaun Elliott and you're bringing up
a really good point, or we did not see a
lot of Jabille Peppers is because he's a strong safety.
And you have a strong safety who you just gave
a contract extension too, who's playing great football for you,
and that's to Shawn Elliott. Now Elliott is hurt, You're
bringing Douggar, who's another strong safety. You're right, it'll be
(09:02):
interesting to see who gets those reps. And by the way,
we're very happy to be joined by Jerry Dulac coming
up in about eight minutes or so, so Jerry will
kind of go over that with us and what he's
hearing and who he thinks is going to be implemented
and put in that spot. One other thing, just for fans,
and I'd like to hear you clarify, Max, is that
(09:23):
people talk about or talked about Deshaun Elliott being a
hub of communication. So what does that mean from the
safety spot, Because he's not wearing the green dot, right,
he's not calling the plays out there defensively. Who is
he communicating with and can you really expect a new
guy like Douger. Let's say Dugger is the guy who
comes in and is playing strong safety. You can't really
(09:47):
expect him to be that hub of communication on a
short period of time, can you.
Speaker 6 (09:53):
No?
Speaker 3 (09:54):
I mean I don't think you necessarily can. But you
want to see what the capacity is, right, That's what
you got to see. You got to see that there
is a skill set there. And I'm sure there's been
some opportunities where they've kind of put him through the
paces just to see because you do have.
Speaker 4 (10:15):
To or is it one?
Speaker 3 (10:16):
Is one now the hub of communication? Or was it
Chuck Clark, like when Chuck would come in? Is is
that who? So that would be something I would be
I would probably be pressed and I'll probably mention to
Jerry dou Lac to see if they have that question
or hey, maybe there's a new newsy question to ask
for our for our good friend Jerry dou Lac when
he talks to the coordinators. Because I think that that
(10:39):
that is one that you want to figure out. Who
has the capability of being that hub of communication?
Speaker 2 (10:48):
I mean I would think familiarity. So so okay, let me.
Let me backtrack. Then let's say a Kyle Duger. Let's
say Kyle Dugger comes in and we'll talk about this
with Jerry again in a minute. But let's say Kyle
Dugger comes in and he is that guy, right, he
is the guy that's they they expect. Okay, Doug or
you're out there. You're gonna play as much as you
can possibly handle. Because it's not again from a physical standpoint,
(11:11):
because he has been playing, but from a you know,
an understanding of the defense capacity and you know, working
together as a cohesive unit in that backfield point of view.
Speaker 5 (11:23):
So you know, you get him, you bring him in here.
Speaker 2 (11:28):
How much time does he need to be able to
play significant snaps? Is it too much to ask a
guy coming in at the safety position to get a
lot of snaps in week one half week one? And
and or should we expect to see, you know, just
kind of getting his feet wet in a bigger role
next week if their plan is in fact to have
(11:50):
him play a significant role.
Speaker 4 (11:53):
No, you trade it for him.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
So it's like, hey, when you trade somebody mid season
in I mean, look at Joe Flacco.
Speaker 4 (12:02):
Let let's let's just let's just let's just make a comparison.
Speaker 3 (12:05):
Yeah, right, right, Joe Flacco was traded on you know,
was traded on a Wednesday and started Thursday and continue
to start after that. So I don't think it's necessarily
unheard of, nor is it far fetched. But you know,
you can only do as much as you can with
(12:25):
a team that's had some communication issues and has talked
about those communication issues. It's viable, it's viable to ask
that question. But that's why you put them through the paces.
In practice, you try and put as many situations simulated
in a practice format to get it done. Then you
kind of then whatever you don't get in physical reps,
you have to get in mental reps in in the classroom. Right,
(12:49):
you got to go through the simulation calls with the
entire defense in in the in the big meeting room,
You've got you've got to You've gotta also then when
you're in the safety room, you've got to also use
a secondary system of getting him through the calls, making
sure he understands it, making sure that everybody else in
the room here's how he communicates. Right, you have to
(13:11):
understand kind of what your buddy is thinking, and that
course and that's every position group, right, that's every position
group that has something to do. You know, linebackers, how
they communicate with the D line the outside backers to
the initial safety and secondary calls about who's out there,
and then work from there. What your sub language is
(13:33):
outside of that, The unit language is also important outside
of the overall side of the ball language big green
dot view or quarterback view. Right, you have to understand
how there's a running back communicate with it. How do
the receivers communicate with the QB right that each side
has their own little nuances, a niche, you know, type
(13:57):
of communication systems, the line, how you communicate from center
to tackles, and then what how do the guards dissiminate
that information from the centers? Uh, you know, all of
these things play into it. And the environmental factor right
at home games is defense that has to deal with
with the noise. You know, in away games, offense has
to deal with those noises. So you kind of go
(14:19):
through all those simulations as much as you can. You
try and mock them up and try and get them
to a comfort level that they feel good with. But yeah,
and then the physical just takes over after that, you know,
how much you can rep terms, how fast you can go, because,
like I said, you're always striving for reaction, not thinking.
(14:39):
You know, the thinking is done before you get to
the game field. Thinking is done at the practice field.
Thinking is done in the press and the practice facilities.
Thinking is done at home while you're starting studying tape,
while you're while you're writing plays down and however you
use your notebooks.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
Now that's where the thinking is done.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
When you get to the field, it's it's pure is
pure reaction. It's pure you know, you know, Seaball hit
ball so to speak, type type of mentality, even though
there is a certain level of thinking involved, right, but
you want when that ball snapped, it's a reaction. That's
that's what every player is striving for when you get
(15:18):
into game time situations.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
So we are going to talk with Jerry Duvac coming
up next. He's gonna tell us what he thinks about
Kyle Dugger and this acquisition and about the game coming
up on Thursdays, we get ready for another division leader
coming into town, that is the Indianapolis Colts, and Jerry
will join us when we continue next in the locker room,
presented by our Neighborhood Ford Store and this year's Pro
(15:40):
Shop on Steers Nation Radio, a part of the Steelers
Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (15:50):
This is in the locker Room with kingon Starks on
Steelers Nation Radio, presented by your neighborhood Ford Store. 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 4 (16:10):
Who me.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
Who you?
Speaker 2 (16:13):
We need a cool breeze blowing through this show and
we got it right now. Jerry Dulac joining us, Presented
by our neighborhood Forge Store. The F one fifty is
the official truck at the Pittsburgh Steelers Emotions Running Hot
Max starts You're ready to be cooled down by Jerry Doulac.
Speaker 5 (16:33):
Max.
Speaker 4 (16:35):
We all know I'm here you.
Speaker 3 (16:39):
Hot, Hi, Jerry, Jerry Apparently apparently, apparently they they have
given me a job that was not mine, but now mine.
Jerry Dulac has brought to us by bella note uh Petzia.
So Jerry, I do not have to read because Rob
(17:00):
had to read. But yeah, here we go.
Speaker 5 (17:02):
Oh no, that's coming to are you? You're talking about
part two of the.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
Read yeah, yeah, yeah, part two of the read.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
Yes, well, we were gonna space it out dramatic effect.
Speaker 6 (17:10):
Like the Steeler deep you look like the Steeler defense
you too? You better get better?
Speaker 3 (17:15):
Yeah, yeah, tell the communication has to be at a
higher level here.
Speaker 6 (17:20):
The communication breakdown?
Speaker 5 (17:23):
All right?
Speaker 4 (17:24):
Yeah, yeah, yeah? Where's our cal duggar? At uh? Is
he here to communicate to the secondary.
Speaker 5 (17:29):
Now, Jerry?
Speaker 6 (17:31):
Do you know?
Speaker 5 (17:32):
But go ahead? When do you think about the dugger?
Speaker 2 (17:35):
And we're gonna get Don't worry which dramatic effect, Jerry, That's.
Speaker 5 (17:38):
All it is.
Speaker 6 (17:39):
I'm just I'm just gonna tell you. I'm going to
apologize in advance because not only does Pitt share acts
Acrossure Stadium with the Steelers, and they share, you know,
the building here on the south side, they're also sharing
my broadcast location, which annoys the heck out of me.
So I have to go find a quiet area to
(17:59):
do my a bit with you two.
Speaker 4 (18:02):
Yeah, I see.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
Are you on the move or are you saying you've
already done that or you need to stop hang up
and go do that?
Speaker 6 (18:09):
No? No, I'm good right now.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
Okay, fine, okay, all right, Jerry, what do you think
of the Kyle dugger pick up and how do you
think he will be utilized? Did they trade for him
to be the starter and if so, what do you
expect to be or even if not, what do you
expect his role to be now? And what is his
(18:33):
capacity for playing in a new system being picked up
in the middle of the week.
Speaker 6 (18:39):
Well, I don't understand some of the angst that, you know,
what the public is displaying over the pickup one. I mean,
he's a you know, he's a fine player, is a
decent player. They had one. They had to pick him
up after the injury to Deshaun Ellie. If Deshaun Elliott's healthy,
they don't make this deal. And what did they give up?
(19:02):
You know, he'll be here on for you know, for
eleven games, maybe if I get to the postseason, maybe more.
But that's all he is. And but they obviously feel
he's probably better than what they have as the backup,
you know, when you see the way the secondary has
been playing. I didn't have a problem with the deal.
(19:25):
And like I said, you're giving up the six, you're
getting a seventh in return. You could easily make another
deal to swap that back. They had to make the
deal because of the injury to Deshaun Elliet, so I
had no problem with it. He still hasn't been here
to practice, and so I would imagine maybe that's today,
which I don't know what that means for Sunday's game,
(19:45):
but we'll see.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
And Jerry, you know, obviously this was this was something
that was that was floated and then of course confirmed.
Speaker 4 (19:55):
I mean, do you feel like there's still something else in.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
The work for the Steelers as we as we kind
of get near this trade deadline? Because I was I
have to ask you that question because it will have
passed by the next time we get here, so you know,
I know it's a little bit far in advance, but
is do you feel there's anything else to be done
by the Steelers before we get to this trade deadline?
Speaker 6 (20:21):
I really don't, Max. Of course, I learned a long
time ago to never say never after they lost, after
they lost on two or the other night to the Packers.
Had they beat the Packers and had if they would
beat the Occults this week and get the six and two,
(20:42):
then I think it would have been more likely for
them to make a trade. They would be more inclined
to make a deal as opposed to if they lose
these two and are four and four, they will be
less inclined to make a deal. And the point being
that if they get the six and two, if they
would which of course they won't. Okay, maybe if there's
a weakness, we're going to go strengthen it. And and
(21:07):
you know, because we think we're in the hunt as
one of the better teams in the league. But if
you know, I don't see that happening. Now. You know,
they signed a safety. They're going to add h Marquezvalde
Scantling to the practice squad next week. That at least
is the plan. And so they're not going to go
(21:29):
out and deal for a wide receiver. They're not going
to give up more draft picks. They're not going to
you know, they don't want to spend money. They you know,
Scantling is the type of guy they would bring in
like a Mike Williams. So no, I don't expect them
to do anything. But that's not to say that they won't.
Where else would they go that they would even think
they need help, And so they're not going to do
(21:51):
it on the defensive line. And even with a wide receiver,
the way they run their offense. With all the different
players and four tight ends, where are they going to
use them. Mike Williams averaged nineteen snaps a game last year,
and he was more in need last year than I
think a receiver is this year. He played nineteen snaps
a game, and so I wouldn't expect anybody they bring
(22:11):
in a sucket to go out and get us some
high priced receiver. At this point, they have that with
DK Metcalf. Now DK Metcalf gets injured Sunday knock on wood,
whole different story, But I don't expect anything to happen.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
So Jerry, and by the way, again trying to space
this out for dramatic effect. Jerry's brought to you by
Bellae in the strip two dour and fifty cent bud
Light sixteen ounce drafts for all Steelers games. Sounds like
a pretty nice place to go, Jerry. Dulac is always
a pretty nice place to go for great information. Jerry,
(22:44):
did they pick up Douggar to be the guy at
strong safety until Deshaun Elliott returns.
Speaker 6 (22:51):
Yes, that's the reason why they brought that, why they
made the deal, and you know he's he's probably you know,
based on what we've seen, I would I would guess
that he is he is better than what they have
and that's probably an easy assumption to make based on
what we have seen. So and again, you give up
(23:13):
very little to get him, and we'll we'll see. You know,
he fell out out of favor with Mike Rabel in
New England. That was apparent. It's a guy who started
a lot of games. You know, he's been in productive
safety and in talking to even Calvin Austin, who has
played against him, when he heard about the deal, he thought,
(23:35):
he said, Wow, isn't he one of their better players?
I go, well, I think he was. So you know,
I I don't know that anything has has ampered his
play other than whatever it is that Mike Rabel was
not uh you know, was nod ingamored with him, and
you know, apparently it was no secret in New England
(23:56):
that he was probably going to be dealt before the
Tradeline trade deadline.
Speaker 3 (24:00):
Sure enough you was, yeah, No, I mean that that
that that is that is gonna be intriguing, Uh, Jerry,
I know you know you're meeting with the coordinators after this.
I mean, is there any plan to kind of talk
with them as far as about what that communication looks like.
(24:21):
You know, how does that impact Jabril Preppers role since.
Speaker 4 (24:25):
Obviously he's here a little bit longer.
Speaker 3 (24:26):
You know, if we go through the seniority system of
safeties right now, obviously it sits Wan Thornhill, Chuck Clark,
Jabril Peppers, now Kyle Duggar. I mean, is there a
question about how that rotation looks in that absence since
now we have new pieces since the last time U
(24:47):
Deshaun was injured, is is that is that in the cards?
You think to get that kind of answer out there
from Terrell Austin.
Speaker 6 (24:53):
Yeah, yeah, with that question, and you're talking about you know,
here they bring in Jabril Preppers and and really he's
played very little for the most part. And I don't
know how much that's going to change with Kyle Duggar.
I'm going to guess maybe maybe it will change it
he will play more while Deshaun Elliott is out. I
think the good news with Deshaun Elliott. You know, we
(25:14):
heard Mike Tomlins say he hyper extended his knees. There's
no ligament damage in his knee, which is the good news.
I think what's happening with the hyper extension is it's
affecting his hamstring as well. But the injury is bad
enough that they put him on injured reserve, and so
that's at least a four game injury for sure. I
think they believe, the Steelers do that he can return.
(25:40):
But you know, players get second opinions all the time.
You know, their agents want them to get a second opinion.
And I don't know what that second opinion was. Maybe
they don't share the same belief. So we'll see how
long he's going to be out. But you know, look,
I mean, look, they're all new pieces from last year
back there safety and two of them more frequently. So yeah,
(26:03):
it's a big concern for them.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
You know, Jerry, we saw Corey Trice returning to practice
and he's out there practicing with the team. Had a
hamstring injury, another one unfortunately that's been an issue for Corey.
It looked like he was, you know, we had the
interception last year in Denver, and it looked like he was,
you know, pushing his way.
Speaker 5 (26:24):
Toward a larger role.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
He got the sense that they felt like Corey Trice
could be a starting cornerback in the league.
Speaker 5 (26:30):
He's young.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
You know, we've seen the secondary habits issues. You know,
when people see someone running away from somebody, they instantly
think speed.
Speaker 5 (26:39):
It could be speed.
Speaker 2 (26:40):
It could also be guys who are just fatigued, could
be guys are out of position. Whatever the reason, Trice
I think is an interesting and intriguing guy because maybe
he gets an opportunity to show enough that the students
feel comfortable with him, you know, moving forward. But he's
got to stay healthy. Do you get the sense that
he's going to get an opportunity if he's healthy to
(27:02):
get out in the field and play.
Speaker 6 (27:05):
Well, Rob you said a couple of operative words there,
and one of them will show them. And that's the problem.
What they think and what they have seen are two
different things because he's been hurt so much, and you know,
you hate the jinx the guy, but that's what he
has to prove. They like him, they've always liked them.
He has the length, he has the speed, but he
(27:28):
hasn't had the opportunity to stay healthy enough to convince
them that what they think they see they see, you
know about him, that they actually see it on the field.
So you know, Brandon Echols has played a little bit more.
We saw, you know, for Darius Slay the other day,
and so you have, you know, three guys in front
of them. But I think when the opportunity comes, I
(27:49):
don't think he's going to displace any of them as
a starting unit, but you might see him be used
maybe more in the sub packages. But the key for him,
you know, the poor guy, he just has to stay
healthy and he's been unable to do it. But Rob,
they just they they really like him. They just haven't
been able to see enough of them on the field
(28:10):
to convince them, Hey, this guy, this guy's pretty good.
They think he is, but he needs to show him
by staying healthy.
Speaker 2 (28:17):
I just want to follow up on that Max quickly
here because it reminds me a little bit different obviously
different circumstances, but you know, you get a little look
at Spencer Anderson in the jumbo package. He's taken some
snaps and when Cimal has been banged up a little bit.
But I think they're trying to, you know, assess Obviously
you're trying to win games now, but you're also trying
to you know, there's a scouting department and within the
(28:39):
team trying to assess whether these guys can fill larger
roles in the future. Can Spencer Anderson, you know, if
Ciamalo leaves via free agency after the season, be your
starting left guard. I think they would at least like
to get a look or hoping to get a look.
Like you said that, maybe Corey Trice can play a
larger role next year again if he can stay healthy.
Speaker 6 (28:59):
Yeah, yeah, and you're right, And that's just it. You know,
they're gonna they're going to face a decision. Well, you know,
do we want to keep signing him, signing him to
a one year deal? Is he willing to do that?
And maybe he is, but you're only going to do
that so long because at some point, you know, if
he comes back and he plays a couple of games
and gets hurt again, well you know, it's hard to
(29:21):
sign a guy who's hurt all the time, unfortunately for him.
But we'll see, we'll see, and that, yes, that is
part of it, uh, you know, convincing them that, look,
you know, during the offseason, let's bring this guy back
for another year. It's not going to be any multi
year deal, but that's gonna be That's all part of it.
And so uh, you know, and that's kind of what
you know, obviously to a different degree, is going on
(29:43):
with Will Howard. They want to see something from Will Howard.
They get to see it in practice. You know, he's
back there running the scout team, and so that's good.
I mean, you know, they haven't seen him in a game,
and they're not going to see him in a game
knock on wood. That'll be a problem if they do.
But you know that that they would like to just
see some type of development from him, so next year
(30:04):
they can also make some other decisions as to what
they want to do with that position.
Speaker 3 (30:11):
No, it's I mean this this is the gamesmanship, right,
This is the this is the chest part of the game.
This is the part that not a lot of people
get to, or I should say, I shouldn't even say
get to. Not a lot of people get to think
about that aspect of it. Jerry that you know, how
in the middle of the regular season, can you think
about next year?
Speaker 4 (30:30):
Well, you're always thinking about next year. You always think
about the next year. You always have to.
Speaker 3 (30:33):
Think ahead of everything because the season gets on you.
And if you wait till you know, near deadlines, that's
that's when you're caught you know, you're caught looking as
opposed to reacting, and uh, you know, the Steeler's front
offices has been anything but complacent at any point, you know,
(30:55):
as we kind of look at this Colts game, Jerry,
you know, and and the problem that they present offensively.
You know what is kind of your sense when you
look at kind of some of the pass rush issues
that that have that have crept in the last couple
of weeks. Obviously in the two losses, you haven't seen
great pressure on either quarterbacks, whether it's Cincinnati or Green Bay.
(31:21):
Has there been any any talks or any any sentiments
about what the defensive line is kind of doing. Is
there a rotation that needs to be uncovered, Is there
a guy that needs to be elevated that's been a
healthy scratch? Have you heard anything along those lines as
far as it effects the pass rusher of this defense?
Speaker 6 (31:39):
Yeah? Yeah, I think losing Daniel Aqualley is you're going
to move somebody up automatically, but not you know, whether
it's it's Logan Lee or whatever the case may be,
but it's not going to be anything that drastically affects
what they do. I don't think there's any question Max.
It has to start with number ninety. I mean, that's
his job, that's what he's paid to do, and there
needs to be more pressure off the edge. You know,
(32:01):
they had those back to back games with twelve sacks
and thirty quarterback hits. That's a ton of quarterback hits.
Thirty and we haven't seen that the past two games. Now,
you can make the excuse or they want to make
the excuse that the Bengals were Max protecting and Joe
Flacco gets the ball like quick. I don't think that
was what was happening in Green Bay. No sacks and
(32:22):
of course a couple that with no turnovers and then
some of the poor tackling, and not to mention, you know,
my colleague Ray Fittipaldo just pointed up to me a
little bit earlier that the Packers, you know, they had
three hundred and sixty yards passing. Two hundred and forty
four of those yards were after were yak yards yards
after the catch two hundred and forty four aut of
(32:44):
three sixty, which means nobody is around those receivers once
they catch the ball, they have the opportunity to make
some yards and that's been a big problem as well
in the secondary. But I mean the lack of pressure
to me to be I don't want to you know,
I never use the word alarming six and seven games
into the season, but it has to be something that
(33:06):
gets their attention and something that definitely needs to change
because that's what that's what you know, that's basically what
This defense is built on pressure and takeaways. And you
can't go into a game saying, Okay, we're going to
get four takeaways. As you know, Max, you can't plan
for that. Can't plan for sack either, but you have
to be able to generate pressure.
Speaker 5 (33:26):
Jerry Doulac.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
Cool breeze of Jerry Doulac blowing into the locker room,
brightening up our day. Jerry, thank you very much, my friend,
see a little bit on the south side.
Speaker 6 (33:36):
You got it, Rob, I'll see you later, Max, I'll
see you a Sunday at the Ballyard.
Speaker 3 (33:41):
I will see you at the Ballyard, Jerry. Indeed, And
of course remember Jerry is brought to you by Bellonote
in the strip two fifty butt like sixteen hours draft
for all Steelers games.
Speaker 4 (33:52):
We don't get to do that. We got to work.
Speaker 2 (33:54):
No, we don't and we get to get Bellonote mentioned
a couple of times, so Bell, yeah, you have to it,
can't you know what? Because a two dollars and fifty
cent bud Light sixteen hours draft is worth saying twice?
Speaker 4 (34:05):
I guess right, yeah, yes it is. Yes, Yes, you
are correct.
Speaker 2 (34:09):
Jerry Dolack our buddy joining us and giving us some insight.
You know, sounds like Dugger is gonna be the guy
that they're gonna, you know, turn to to be the
starter once he's up.
Speaker 5 (34:19):
The speed hasn't showed up a practice. Hopefully he will
be there today.
Speaker 2 (34:22):
I'm heading down there a little bit myself to go
check out practice and see if he's there.
Speaker 5 (34:27):
So we want to remind you. Also, you can gear
up at the.
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(34:56):
dot com. Back with much more in the Locker Room
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Speaker 1 (35:09):
This is in the Locker Room with King and Starks
on Steelers Nation Radio, presented by your neighborhood Ford Store.
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Speaker 2 (35:30):
And welcome back to the Locker Room, hour number one
on this Thursday, as we really start to dive into
the matchups this weekend, and I just you know, we've
been talking about to Shaun Elliott and by extension, you
know sort of mentioned Cory Price is back at practice,
and you know you bring in Kyle Dugger, and you know,
(35:51):
by extension we're sort of talking about injuries, right, and
you know we I think we've identified to Sean as
a guy that was very difficult to replace because you
can't have you know, no team has unbelievable depth at
every position you try. I think the students had very
good depth in camp, and I think that they've that's
(36:12):
shown in various spots of their team. But Deshaun was,
excuse me, a difficult guy to leave lose via injury.
But I also want to point out that that is
no excuse, nor the Steers trying to make it an excuse.
And you only have to look at this week's opponent, Indianapolis,
who started the year with Charvarius Ward as a starting corner,
(36:36):
Jalen Jones is a starting corner and Xavian Howard as
the number one corner coming off the bench. Ward's been
out with an injury. Jones is out with an injury.
Howard struggled so much that he retired. I think that's
why he was retired. He after four games. He was
having some struggles. Regardless he retired. You go out and
sign Mike Hilton, that doesn't work out, so he's gone.
(37:01):
Then you have an injury at your starting linebacker position.
Two of your top three linebackers. Jalen Carly's out with
an injury, Joe Batchie the veteran guy. He comes in,
he gets a foot injury. He's waved and released injured.
So and they're seven and one. So I guess the
point is Max that even though you know, I'm not
(37:22):
saying the Steelers are saying woe is me, in fact,
they're not saying woe is me. Mike Tomin always talks
about next man up mentality. I just want to make
sure fans aren't saying woe is me either, because injuries happen,
and frankly, if you're looking at the Steelers, you have
to say they've been you know, knock on wood relatively,
(37:43):
you know, unscathed. I mean, yeah, you lost Elliott and
that hurts, but that can't be an excuse. The next
guy up has to be able to do something. You
have to be able to design Schiens schemes. If you
have a player that you don't think is up to
the snuff of the guy he's replacing. Whatever the case
may be, however, you need to navigate that. You need
(38:05):
to navigate it. And we're not trying to make excuses
here with the in the injury column, nor are the
Stealers now.
Speaker 4 (38:12):
I mean, you can't cry over spilled milk.
Speaker 3 (38:16):
You have to be able to move forward, and you
have to be able to have a next man up mentality.
Speaker 4 (38:22):
I mean that's just how this league is.
Speaker 3 (38:25):
And you know, that's how opportunities are given, as how
opportunities are secured. Is there happens to be unfortunate events
or issues that happen, and you have to be able
to deal with those things. And the teams who are
better suited, better equipped however you want to look at it.
Speaker 4 (38:49):
That's what that's what you have to be prepared for.
You can't sit there.
Speaker 3 (38:53):
And and you know, and and be you know, be
looking over your shoulder or wondering what if and how.
Speaker 4 (39:00):
Does this not work for us? You can't do that.
Speaker 3 (39:02):
I mean that this league, this league does not demand.
This league demands that you give your top effort and
when you're and when your number is called, you answer
that bell. You don't think twice about, oh man, well
you know if we would have done this or maybe
this guy would have been help Like you could play
that game at the end of the season, right, you can,
(39:24):
you can do that, but but not in the midst
of the season. No, I mean, that's how that's how
jobs earned. I mean, prime example, just from personal experience.
Kinger two thousand and eight. I am a backup tackle.
I'm a backup left tackle in fact, no longer a
(39:46):
right tackle on the team. You know, I was a
swing I was a technically, I was a swing tackle,
and I was playing right and left and you know,
however I needed to go in jumbo tight end all
these other things. Right, I was on goal line defense.
I was on field goal block and.
Speaker 4 (40:03):
All these other new assignments.
Speaker 3 (40:05):
You know, Marvel Smith goes down week five, I mean,
Marvel Smith, Pro Bowl, Pro Bowl talent, you know, multi
year starter in this league, and he goes down, and
guess who has to go into left tackle? Yours truly,
and this is my first time having the opportunity to
see extended time at left tackle. Mind you started over
(40:25):
thirty games at right tackle this by this time.
Speaker 4 (40:29):
So it was.
Speaker 5 (40:33):
Awkward.
Speaker 4 (40:33):
You know.
Speaker 3 (40:34):
Teams were like, hey man, you know, hey, we're in trouble.
In the week before that, we lost Kendall Simmons and
Darneld Stapleton had to go in a right guard, you know,
rookie Rutgers, right, you know, and so you know, there
was no woe is me in that moment. It was, Hey,
opportunity presented itself.
Speaker 4 (40:52):
What are you going to do with it? What are
you going to do?
Speaker 3 (40:54):
With this new challenge that's been afforded to you, and
you know, you just you grab the bull by the
horns and you hop on and you try and stand
on for your eight seconds, right, you know, I mean
that's that's just how it is. And you know, fortunately
for us, right, you know, not having a woe is
me mentality led to us doing something special. It was
(41:16):
less than ideal to lose two starting veteran offensive linemen
you know that were that were starters in the previous
Super Bowl appearance. You know, to lose them, right, you know,
the first third of the season, that's not ideal, that's
not what's in the stars. And we end up we
(41:37):
end up taking that all the way to the end
because everybody else also, you know, kept doing their job
and we stepped in and we did our job, nothing more,
nothing less. We did what was required and it yielded success.
So you know, there there is that, and then there's
countless other ones that we could point to. But speaking
(41:57):
from my own personal experience, I think that's what makes
this unique personal. But also unless you know it can
be done like it's not we're not asking far fetched
things of this team. We're not asking for some type
of miracle. In fact, there's no miracle once you get
(42:17):
to this level. There's there there's a degree of luck,
but there's no miracles. And that's what you have to
be able to see and that's what guys have to
be able to react to and assess, is what am
I now going to do to put my hand on
the pile to earn this victory for my team? Uh,
from week from week to week until the goal is
(42:39):
met at the end of the season or we run
out of opportunities to prove it.
Speaker 2 (42:44):
So, uh, yeah, there's you know, the Steelers have got
to find a way here. They've got to find a
way to stop what is the most explosive offense in football.
A team again that has been able to overcome some
injuries on the defensive side. And you know they have
lou Anorama, who we know well from his time in Cincinnati,
(43:06):
and he will try to confuse and baffle Aaron Rodgers
and Arthur Smith. He does a lot of interesting things.
You know, probably just about halfway through my tape sessions, Max,
and there's some there's some interesting things to discuss with
what they do defensively. But they're going to try to
(43:27):
they're going to try to do some things to confuse
the Steelers, certainly. I don't know how you think of
low and his defensive coordinator. I don't know what you
you know, if there's one certain thing that comes to
mind when you think about him. But they have done
a lot of moving guys around, and we've seen, you know,
Mike Hilton be a blitzer. He's obviously not not there
(43:47):
right now, but you know Kenny Moore has been blitzing
out of the cornerback spot. I mean they'll do a
lot of different things.
Speaker 3 (43:53):
Yes, edge pressure as overload pressure as we call it.
Right now, you're trying to you're trying to overload a
side and bring a guy an extra guy to a side, and.
Speaker 4 (44:06):
The biggest thing.
Speaker 3 (44:06):
Is gonna be how your running backs respond. Like that's
really where because you're not going to fool erin right
if you're not going to confuse, surprise or throw something
new at Aaron Rodgers, it's gonna be the support around him.
I feel like the offensive line will be steady. They'll
handle most of the box things, but you know they
have some spot drop stuff with their d linemen, so
(44:27):
the lineman cannot get enamored.
Speaker 5 (44:29):
With a guy.
Speaker 3 (44:30):
You have to be able to be flexible and work
in space and you know, kind of have a whole
one to eighty perception about the field. But it's really
going to come down to how your tight ends and
how your running backs really handle the overload pressure. That's
really what lou Ana Romo's signature is. Like you said,
you're talking corner blitz, you're talking safety blitz, you're talking
(44:52):
nickel blitz off the address to say slot blitz off
the edge.
Speaker 4 (44:57):
Along with your normal pressures on the interior.
Speaker 2 (45:00):
You know, there's there's a.
Speaker 3 (45:01):
Lot of twisting and a lot of slanting in this defense.
So that's how you that's how you also achieve that
accelerated pressure. So that that's going to be really the
biggest challenge. It's auxiliary support in the blocking game. Who's
who's number six and who's number seven In the blocking scheme,
those guys are the guys that are trying to affect
and they're trying to find the crack in the armor
(45:22):
to uh to try and get through. So that's what
you can expect early often frequently, that's just what lou
Anarumo does.
Speaker 2 (45:31):
So we're going to talk much more about that, the
challenges that this Colts defense provides, and especially of course,
the challenge that the.
Speaker 5 (45:38):
Colts offense provides.
Speaker 2 (45:40):
We're going to get into that when we continue in
the Locker Room, presented by our neighborhood Forge Store and
the Steers Pro Shop on Stears Nation Radio, a part
of the Steelers Audio Network.
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