November 6, 2025 • 46 mins
Rob and Max discuss the AFC matchups for this coming weekend, as well as news and notes around the National Football League and the Steelers.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
This is in the Locker Room with King and Starks
on Steelers Nation Radio, presented by your neighborhood Forward Store.
The F one fifty is the official truck of the
Pittsburgh Steelers and by Steelers Pro Shop. Get it direct
from the team at the Steelers Pro Shop at shop
dot Steelers dot com.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
All right, normally I have a little bit more energy
for the Power Hour number two here, but I just
learned of some news that just.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Came across my way. You know, apparently the news dropped
about an hour ago, but I just wanted to take
a second and just have a moment of silence. Young
man by the name of Marshawn neelan current player for
the Dallas Cowboys, a defensive end. And if you're wondering
who that is, he's who blocked a punt in Monday
Night Football and scored a touchdown for the Dallas Cowboys.
(01:04):
Like that's so the second year guy draft in the
second round of last year's draft. So I just want
to take a moment of silent, moment of silence to
to just, you know, think of the passing of a
young man who had a very bright future and you
know that that life has now been drastically cut short,
and I just wanted to take a second, So I'm
gonna give us a second real fast, Okay, all right,
(01:35):
Sorry to bring down the temperature and the mood. We're
excited about Sunday night, you know, football against the Chargers.
But you know that that's something you see something like
that a young man and we don't know any details
behind it, just know that he passed and was confirmed
by the Dallas Cowboys. I just you know, your heart
breaks a little bit to hear that type of news.
(01:57):
And I'm not going to speculate about what it could
have been or anything. I'll let I'll let you know,
the family and everybody else.
Speaker 4 (02:05):
Deal with that, and we'll we'll talk.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
You know, we'll find out as everybody else does. But
that was just shocking news. You know. One of my
friends was a coach at Western Michigan, and uh so
hearing that news just sad.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
You know.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
I just watched I just watched that film and was
talking about the Dallas Cowboys and the Cardinals games just
yesterday on Ron Wolfley's show out here in Arizona.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
So just a little bit of a gut punch, you know.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
I'm already dealing with my issues from yesterday as well
as we as we talked about on the show, Rob,
I don't think you knew, but my uncle passed away.
So it's like, so you're like, you're kind of in this.
I'm already in that, you know, that kind of headspace.
So hearing that is just, you know, just just adds
to the list. So I appreciate you allowing me to
(02:50):
give that moment of silence. You know, it's just kind
of dealing with the grief in the morning process. It's just,
you know, it's just another thing, and you know, you know,
prayers and good olenses to the family, to his friends
and teammates and everybody out there that knew him. Uh,
all right, let's let let's let's let's let's turn it
back in the boxes and to you and your family
(03:11):
as well. Yeah, no, I I I appreciate it, Rob.
It's just yeah, you know, it's one of those things.
I mean, it is one of those things. Right. It's
a guarantee you know that you know, if you live
this life, there will be there will be some death
surrounded by it, you know, as you go through this life.
And the only guarantee in life right is death and taxes.
Of course you had to be of age to pay taxes.
(03:31):
But you know that that's just yeah, never easy, never easy.
And I grew up at a funeral home. I'm you know,
I'm a funeral director's kid, you know, come from a
long line of funeral directors. And my family, you know,
a close relationship obviously with the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary
Sciences out here in Pittsburgh as well. And yeah, when
(03:54):
you see, when you hear those type of things, you know,
I just have to take a pause because you know,
any any death, I know, you know, is always unexpected.
But then especially at that age, at that point, that's
that's the other part that just kind of just makes
you pause. It makes you appreciate the things.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
It does.
Speaker 5 (04:16):
And a reminder to you know, love your friends, love
your neighbors, love your family.
Speaker 6 (04:23):
You know, overlook any.
Speaker 5 (04:25):
Differences you might have with people, or celebrate those differences
you have with people. Remember, right, we're all we're all mortal, man,
We're all going to the same place when when this ends,
you know, this life.
Speaker 6 (04:37):
We could talk about it. We could talk about their.
Speaker 5 (04:39):
Other beliefs of what might happen or might not happen
after it, but while we're here, man enjoy each other's company,
love each other, and you know, we'll if if we
find out more information, we will pass it on about
the about the the death of Marshawn Neeland, twenty four
year old second round pick of the Cowboys a year ago.
We saw him last year at Akroscher Stadium when the
(05:02):
Cowboys came to town. So sad news for sure.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
Max.
Speaker 5 (05:06):
We do obviously have a job to do and we
do have a team to get ready for, and that
team is the Chargers, and the Chargers their formidable opponent.
They've had a very interesting season. You know, I'm through
four games, by the way, so I've seen their first
three games where they look like juggernauts, and then just
kind of a mistake laden game against an energetic Giants
(05:29):
team that had Jackson start Dart making his first start.
Speaker 6 (05:32):
They lost that game.
Speaker 5 (05:34):
You know, they've they've they kind of went in a
little bit of a tailspin. But now they've sort of
rallied themselves back. As we look at the Chargers, just
an overview, this is a very good, very solid football
team that has dealt with a ton of injuries, but
has continued to progress and progress.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Well, no, they have indeed, and you know this has
been one that you know, the present a challenge. They're
a physical, running the football team. They pride themselves and
being opportunistic defense. You know, I called this game a
mirror game last year. I say it was like looking
(06:12):
in the mirror, you know, at both of these teams.
And I still believe very similarly, there's a team that
looks at themselves in the in the mirror and says, Okay,
that team looks like us, you know, and a lot
a lot of respects as far as how tenacious they are,
you know, what skills they possess on one side of
the ball, and the intent and philosophy.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
On the other side of the ball.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
And you know, I feel like this is this is
a team that you know, outside of the injuries to
tackle uh, you know, models themselves as being right there
with you know, in the same echelon as the Pittsburgh Steelers,
and this is going to be a war of attrition.
I mean, as a team that wants to run the
ball effectively, use to play action, stretch the field with
their tight ends and their receivers, I feel like the
(06:57):
same thing can be said for for our squad, right,
you know how we want we want to run the
ball effectively and stretch the ball with our tight ends,
use some play action.
Speaker 4 (07:05):
And and and and make it a tough day.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
I think the one thing that we kind of you know,
have have going for us is we have a lot
more depth at the tight end position and depth at
the running back position that they don't possess right now.
But when we started the season, you would argue, I
mean that was a very talented running back backfield and
you know they they they had they had a depth
at at tight end, right. You know, no, Will Disley
kind of hurts that. But Aronde gatst And has really
(07:30):
emerged as their lead pass catching tight end on that
squad of you throwing Keenan Allen and Quintin Johnston in
the mix, and you've got three very capable receivers down
the field. Now you know depth, you got Kamanie Vidal
and you know insert name here essentially running back by
committee back there.
Speaker 4 (07:47):
So you know, that's one of the things.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
It's tough whether it's you know, whether it's going to
be Jared Patterson or do they activate the rookie ofmar
Johnson that that's going to be remaining to be seen.
But this is a team you know that you and
they also use defensive lineman slash full back slash Patrick
Workard clone esque or the poor man's Patrick Ricard and
Scott Mattlocke that runs that fullback for them. So I mean,
(08:12):
you have a lot of different things that they like
to do, and I just I see mirror images of
ourselves in them. And that's that's what's going to be
really interesting about this matchup, just like we saw.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
A year ago.
Speaker 5 (08:24):
You know, I agree with all those things, and I
do think you can probably you know, draw something of
a line from you know, the Steelers the Ravens trying
to emulate what the Steelers do in AFC North Football.
When they joined the division, I think they saw a
team that had success playing a certain style of football
and I think they wanted to emulate that. And when
(08:46):
you talk about stability, the Ravens are one of the
most stable franchises, from the front office to the coaching
staff to the style of football that they want to play.
Alamar's different than maybe some of the other guys they've
had at the quarterback position, different than most anybody at
the quarterback position, but it's still founded in the principles
and fundamentals of playing aggressive, physical football on both sides
(09:09):
of the ball. And now you have his brother coaching
for the Chargers. And we talked about this last year
getting ready for the game last year. The Chargers are
they're kind of an AFC North football team playing in
the AFC West.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
Yeah, no, I think that.
Speaker 3 (09:25):
You know, when you look at it's a Harbaugh Harba
on each coast of the NFL, right one on the
Atlantic coast, the other one on the Pacific coast. And
you know Greg Roman Red Rover, Red Rovers, and Baltimore
Ravens on over. You know, Greg Roman comes over from Baltimore.
I don't know if there was a brother to brother swap,
(09:46):
if they you know, if they flipped a coin at
Thanksgiving or something, I don't know, you know, to get
him over there.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
But you see a lot.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
Of those principles and a lot of those philosophies translating
over And you know, we could argue, you know, which
came first, Jim or John as far as you know
how their their their mindsets and and and style of coaching.
But apparently it works well, with Greg Roman, he's happy
either way, and he's he's now done it for both
and you know, rare man to say that he's coached
(10:16):
for both of those guys in an elevated position, and
you see.
Speaker 4 (10:19):
A lot of those principles brought over.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
Now. You know, I think for Greg Roman, I think
he works better with a Justin Herbert type than Lamar
Jackson type. And that's been apparent. I mean, you talk
about an LA Chargers team that's tie for third and
and and uh no, sorry, sorry, that was a defense.
I apologize. You know that lee that actually is tied
for fifth in total yards in the lead in the league,
(10:43):
they're first and leading the NFL. And third down percentage
of completions forty nine point two percent and just under
three hundred and seventy five yards of total offense, you know,
passing yards their eighth fourth downs they're ninth in the
league and converge into seventy percent.
Speaker 4 (11:01):
You know.
Speaker 3 (11:02):
So you see a lot of those elements and you know,
rushings top ten. So there's a lot of things that
correlate and translate over for them, and it's it's going
to be a heck of a challenge and I look
forward to it, you know, because I think for the
Steelers and how our defense is played. You know, obviously
(11:22):
the numbers are going to be skewed, and you know we.
Speaker 4 (11:25):
Haven't their best.
Speaker 3 (11:26):
But the problem is teams have to play us. And
we just saw the league's number one offense last week
and you saw what they did to them. So they
tend to bring the play down of those players in
a good way and they limit a lot of what
they want to do. But it all starts with stopping
the run and limited limiting their third down conversions. Because
(11:49):
they run the ball so effectively, they're usually always in
third and short, third to medium at the most, hence
why their third down completion percentage is so high. So
you've got to limit yet limit those first and second
down run plays to put them in those third and lungs.
And I think they can become more pedestrian in in
that essence. But this is this is what you want
(12:10):
to see. You want these challenges because these challenges prepare
you for later in the year, and this would be
a great precursor before we play the Ravens. Honestly, to
play the Chargers and to to you know, to see
how they're going to play, and I'm just really interested
in how this defense response. Like Jerry Dulac said, it's
(12:30):
a great, great first act, but what does the encore
look like?
Speaker 4 (12:33):
What's the follow up?
Speaker 3 (12:34):
You know, just like when I get an appetizer, like
the appetisers great at a new restaurant, how's entre going
to taste? And that's what That's what you're kind of
We're kind of salivating for the next opportunity for them
to prove. We got one course, you know, in a
three game win streak where they absolutely dominated, and now
we had a two game loll Now it's back. Show
me what the next phase looks like for this team.
(12:55):
As you have adjusted, You've added new wrinkles into the defense,
You've had some new position player positioning swaps. So let's
see how that works out for another game. Look great,
once caught them off guard, but now they have game tape.
How are you going to react? That's that's what I'm feeling.
Speaker 5 (13:13):
Well, I think one of the things Max that the
Steelers did really well in the first half. It's tempting
to say, hey, they did a great job against the
run against Green Bay. Well they did for a half
and they did overall on Jacobs. They didn't do a
great job in Emmanuel Wilson. And you know, we talked about,
(13:35):
you know, the twenty straight completions that Love threw, you know, successfully,
and obviously a completion is a successful throw, right, But yeah,
I think that you know, they got away from stopping
and running the second half of that game, and they
didn't stop the run effectively against Cincinnati. I think the
temptation is to look, you know, and again, these are
(13:59):
big picture things. Will dive into more than minutia later
in the program and certainly coming up tomorrow. But I
mean it's tempting to say, Man, Herbert's really good. And
by the way, Herbert's really good. I mean he is rangy,
he's fast, he will get out of the pocket. He
will knock you down if you come up with and
you don't have full intent as a linebacker or as
(14:20):
a linebacker or a corner coming up to make a
stop defensive back, he will bowl you over and then
he will run away from you. He's an exceptional running threat.
He's got a cannon for an arm. He's a terrific thrower,
and he's got a really good cast of guys, I
think that. You know, when you look at the receiving corps,
Alad McConkey a very fine second year receiver. You have
(14:44):
Keenan Allen Quinton Johnston, who is a guy that they
spent a high draft pick on a couple of years ago.
He is starting to blossom. They spent a second round
pick this year again on Trey Harris. So you know,
you go Johnson in the first round in twenty three,
You come back to McConkey in the second round last year.
You know, add Trey Harris in the second round this year.
(15:06):
And it's tempting to say, hey, stop that passing. If
you mentioned Gadsden, he's been terrific for them as a
receiving tight end. But you also have to stop this
running game. They will continue to run the ball. And
if they run the ball, that's going to open up
their passing game and it's going to open up a
can of worms that the Seelers don't want.
Speaker 6 (15:24):
To have to deal with.
Speaker 4 (15:26):
No, you don't.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
So I mean, just like last week, make a decision
to eliminate one thing and do just that. Force this
game into a one dimensional game, and then when you
get there, you've got to perform. You got them right
where you want them, so make sure you make them
pay in those opportunities. And so that's going to be
the challenge because unlike Daniel Jones, justin Herbert, like you said,
(15:49):
it's bona fide, and I mean that meeting that. He's
a guy who's very skilled. I mean, he is a
really good quarterback. He's seen a lot of football, he
knows a lot of fun ball, and he won't mind
getting into a shootout in the air if necessary, and
he has the weapons to do it. So if you're
going to eliminate the run, make sure you are prepared
(16:11):
for the passing assault that's going to come right after that.
Speaker 5 (16:15):
For sure, he is, you know, and again, like you said,
a more proven track record than Daniel Jones. Daniel Jones
doing a great story this year, no doubt. And we're
not trying to take anything away from Daniel Jones. But
if you lined up thirty two executives in the NFL
and said hey, before the season started, who.
Speaker 6 (16:34):
Do you want?
Speaker 5 (16:35):
You want Herbert or you want Jones, I think it
would have been thirty two to nothing. Now maybe Daniel
Jones has changed the mind. Maybe he's changed the mind
this year. But man, Herbert is, he's an elite talent.
This guy is elite and if you leave everything open
to him run and pass, well, we saw what that
(16:55):
looked like. We saw what it happened, what it looked
like in Cincinnati, and we saw what it looked like
in the second half with Love.
Speaker 6 (17:03):
And the Green Bay Packers.
Speaker 5 (17:05):
They had the full arsenal open doom and the Steelers
couldn't stop him. I really think as tempting as this
is to say, you gotta limit Herbert, sure you do.
You can't allow him to have every option open. You
can't allow them to just run the football at you.
Speaker 3 (17:22):
Well, and let me let me just paint this picture
for you in case, in case you need an additional
understanding out there stealing nation of who justin Herbert is.
Let's just run through the list. So last year he
put up the league's best touchdown at interception ratio in
twenty twenty four. And do you know he was behind
(17:47):
Aaron Rodgers in twenty eighteen for the season for best
season of touchdown to.
Speaker 5 (17:53):
Oh, best of all time? I think you meant behind
last year best of all time?
Speaker 4 (17:56):
Yeah, best of all time?
Speaker 3 (17:57):
He was the best last year in the league, but
second best all time in NFL history. He has the
NFL record for passing yards and completions in his first
five years at quarterback, the best in his first five years,
and that was over twenty one thousand yards and over
(18:19):
nineteen hundred and almost nineteen hundred and forty five completions.
I mean, he was over well over nineteen hundred. He's
the fourth youngest quarterback to reach one hundred passing touchdowns,
behind Dan Marino, Patrick Mahomes, and Deshaun Watson. He was
the NFL's Rookie of the Year and in that rookie year,
he threw a rookie record thirty one passing touchdowns. That's
(18:41):
that's who Justin Herbert is. So that's the challenge that
you're facing. So when you do decide to shut something down,
make sure you know what door you're opening when you
close another one.
Speaker 6 (18:52):
So sure then, by the way, be prepared.
Speaker 5 (18:54):
I believe he's on pace to break the most artage
ever for a passer through his first six seasons.
Speaker 6 (19:02):
So he just, barring injury, if he's.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
Done it for five years, why not tackle on another
one for six years?
Speaker 5 (19:08):
He's going to surpass everybody in that list is as
you would expect, some of the all time greats. So yeah,
he's a formidable challenge for sure. The Chargers are a
formidable challenge. We also have some AFC action that we
want to delve into as we continue to look at
the matchups against the Chargers, what makes them a tough
opponent and some big games coming up, a big game
coming up tonight in the NFL that could have implications
(19:31):
not only in the AFC West and the importance of
the game for the Chargers, but also in the larger
playoff picture, which we will get to when we continue.
In the Locker Room presented by your Neighborhood Ford Store
and the Studi's Pro Shop on Steelers Nation Radio, a
part of the Steelers Audio network.
Speaker 1 (19:52):
Is in the Locker Room with Kenyon Starks on Steelers
Nation Radio presented by your Neighborhood Forward Still 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 5 (20:13):
And thank you for being with us on this Thursday afternoon,
and we're going to take a brief aside from our
preparation for Sunday Night's game, to bring you this AFC
preview presented by UPMC. UPMC, of course, is the official
healthcare provider of the Pittsburgh Steelers. So Thursday night action
(20:36):
Denver Broncos at home. They are favored by eight and
a half points against the Raiders tonight.
Speaker 6 (20:42):
That is, of course the first order of business.
Speaker 5 (20:44):
And you know, the Raiders showing some life last week,
and you know, unfortunately they fall for unfortunately for them,
they fall short in overtime. But they are they are
a team that's going to try to get in there,
and you know, they're trying to build something here under
Pete Carroll. And may me give the Broncos a bit
of a tussle your thoughts tonight on Sunday Night Football.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
Yeah, no, I mean the Broncos are are are churning
here and that's one of the concerns. Like you said,
the Raiders had showed some times of life. You know,
it's a team that's really it's not it's not really
a great team, but they are, they are working on
they're working.
Speaker 4 (21:25):
On getting better.
Speaker 3 (21:26):
I just you know, for I look at it and
I'm just trying to see how they could, how they
could really stop this general. This defense for the for
the Denver Broncos is elite, and they are they are
some some some certified dudes over there. I mean when
you look at Zach Allen and you look at Nick
Benito leading the edge rush there for them, this is
(21:48):
a team that's super aggressive. I had them earlier this year.
I watched them beat the Eagles. You know, look dead
in the water for about for about two and a
half quarters, almost three quarters, and they came alive in
the end to beat the Eagles, who were kind of
in flux as a team. But they put you in
those positions, bo necks. And the year two has been
everything as advertised and the reason why Sean Payton went
(22:11):
and got him. He's turned out to be that type
of leader. He's tough, he's gritty, and he never quits.
So it's going to be very interesting to see the Raiders,
and knowing that they're leading the AFC West right now
and this is a division game, I don't expect any
break pads or any break lights to be shown. I
feel like it's all gassed tonight for the Broncos.
Speaker 6 (22:32):
Yeah, I think you're absolutely right.
Speaker 5 (22:34):
They've won six in a row and they are tied
for the longest winning streak in the NFL with the
New England Patriots. You've also won six games in a row.
So the DEVER is becoming a very very formidable team.
And I don't know if they're sneaking up on people,
but you know, we haven't seen them at the top
of those too many power rankings, and.
Speaker 6 (22:56):
It feels like they're gonna have something to say.
Speaker 5 (22:57):
About that about who goes weird, who wins the division,
who wins the conference.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
Yeah, yeah, I mean it's it's gonna it's gonna be
a arms race. I mean the AFC West, I mean
outside of Las Vegas, I mean is a very hotly contested, uh,
you know division race. And when you think about yes,
the Broncos are leading, and more so because the record,
because technically had the head they've lost to the to
the Los Angeles Chargers, but their records better. That's the
(23:25):
only reason why they're ahead. But you know, division record wise,
that's why this is huge for the Chargers to get
back in this race and they're right behind them. I mean,
it's a half a game distance between the two teams.
You the Chargers need this, the Broncos need this, and
they need to start stacking w's in the in the
(23:45):
division record rankings, because you know, if you're the if
the La Chargers are sitting at three and oh they
haven't lost a division game, they played them three straight
games in a row to start the season, So then
when you talk about just keeping pace with that, you
know they're hoping to overtake that lead. I'm sure they
would love month nothing more than have the Raiders beat
the Broncos and make it clear. But you know, this
Broncos team has a lot to play for and it's
(24:05):
a prideful unit over there.
Speaker 5 (24:07):
Falcons at the Colts the This is the Berlin game
as the the overseas games continue the International.
Speaker 3 (24:19):
Eastern Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah, oh nine and a half.
Speaker 5 (24:25):
So nin kickoff, that's six thirty in LA. I don't
know as I'll be up at the beginning of that game.
Speaker 6 (24:33):
Probably I can.
Speaker 3 (24:34):
Tell you that I will pleasantly be sleep at six
thirty am.
Speaker 5 (24:38):
Possibility, Yeah, that that's on. Maybe that's even early for
me to get to the gym at the hotel. I
don't know if I'll have that game on at the gym.
Speaker 6 (24:47):
That might be the.
Speaker 5 (24:48):
Hey hotel, laid back on my pillow, turn on the
remote and just.
Speaker 3 (24:54):
Turn it on and just have it on the night before,
like the station, and then you'll wake up to it.
Speaker 4 (25:00):
That's about That's.
Speaker 3 (25:01):
The only way I would catch that way. It will
not be intentional, I promise you.
Speaker 5 (25:04):
Steelers Nation, So the Falcon's looking to bounce back, right,
you know, all of a sudden, you know that the
headlines are, you know, did the Steelers expose something in
the Colts?
Speaker 4 (25:14):
Right?
Speaker 5 (25:15):
Which is kind of a backhanded, you know, compliment to
the Steelers, right, you know, well, they're not that good.
They must have exposed a weakness. They must have found something.
They didn't just beat them, they exposed a weakness. Well,
the Colts will try to cover over whatever weakness they have.
They're looking for a bounce back game.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
Oh they got nass Gardner, so oh yeah apparently yeah yeah,
So I mean they obviously are thinking about their weaknesses
and try and trying to build those up. Hence the
trade deadline.
Speaker 5 (25:41):
So you know, uh, the Cowboys a little bit baffling
with the big payment for Quinn Williams, and they're going
to try to, you know, obviously build their defense around him,
keep him long term. They they see a guy that
can be a pillar on that defense, and you could
see what the Jets are trying to do. Look, we're
a bad team. Let's get cap space, let's get draft picks.
(26:04):
You know, you hate to trade great young players, but
you know there's a time to go to maybe just
go all in on rebuilding and trying to get that
quarterback for the future. And I think the Jets are
at that point. You know, they lost Elijah Vera Tucker
before the season opener, and I think that they've got
a lot of pieces in place for a good offensive line.
You know, you think about that the Jets' perspective on
(26:27):
these trades. And we'll talk about Sauce and what he
can mean for the Colts, but when you think about
the Jets perspective, I think that they're signaling that they're
going to try to get a franchise quarterback in this draft.
They've got a pretty good offensive line, they've got a
number one receiver, they have a very good stable of
running backs. You know, they've if Justin Fields is your
(26:49):
backup or needs to start the season for you, that
allows you to maybe bring along a quarterback more slowly.
I think that they've offensively positioned themselves where with a
good draft choice or two along the offensive line, maybe
go out and I don't know, get a tight end
or whatever whatever you feel like your need is on offense.
I'm not gonna pretend I know everything about the Jets
(27:10):
roster here, you know, two and a half months after
they played the Steelers. But it's interesting where they position themselves.
And you know, we talk about how hard it is
for a young quarterback to come into a terrible situation.
Well you get vera Tucker back, Maybe you spend another
you know, you got Membo on the offensive line as
a top draft choice this year, Maybe you spend another
(27:31):
one there and get a you know, with one of
those other first round picks you have there. They've you know,
I have to say, I kind of applaud what they're doing.
And you know, you don't rip down people. The Steelers
need to tank. You don't rip down a ten and
seven football team. When you're as bad as the Jets
have been. Go ahead, man, rip it down to the
studs and and understand that you have some pieces still
(27:53):
in place to try to maybe rebound quickly or do
you see it differently? Do you see what the Jets
did different.
Speaker 4 (28:02):
H the Jets and un less unless.
Speaker 3 (28:04):
The front office has changed, I don't know if I
trust the Jets.
Speaker 4 (28:08):
I mean, I will say this.
Speaker 6 (28:09):
That is the other problem.
Speaker 4 (28:10):
Yeah, that's the other problem.
Speaker 3 (28:12):
But I mean, but I think you are giving Aaron
Glenn every opportunity to be successful. I think that's what
it was, what it really boils down to. You're seeing
a legit opportunity for Aaron Glenn to build this team
in his own image, and we're gonna see.
Speaker 4 (28:27):
How he does. Right, you know who?
Speaker 3 (28:29):
You pick a quarterback and listen, the Jets have had
a very checkered pass with picking quarterbacks, especially first round quarterbacks.
I mean, just look at the last two that they've drafted, right,
They're not even on the roster anymore. I don't even
know where Zach Wilson is. So that just lets you
know even further how how bad that is. And you
and you offloaded Sam Darnold, who seems to be flourishing
in his second act. You know, yes, it was a
(28:52):
little a little rough down there in Carolina, but Minnesota
and what he's doing now in Seattle. I mean that
that that if that's not a reclamation project and a
feel good h you know, underdog story. I think you know,
I don't know what is in a lot of those respects.
And and then you try and then you tried the
transitioning thing you went with, You tried to go with
(29:13):
Aaron Rodgers to uh to take out your first round
pick and Zach Wilson. Zach Wilson ends up having to
play another year. Doesn't look great. Aaron's now Pittsburgh Steeler.
And now you've read Roverd. We essentially read Roverd with
the New York Jets on quarterbacks and it has worked
out great for us and has not worked out so
great for them. What he Johnson even came out talking about,
(29:35):
you know, the benching of him and Tyrod Taylor was
gonna start until he gets injured and then he comes
back and then end up went.
Speaker 4 (29:41):
You know, it's like all these different emotions.
Speaker 3 (29:43):
I mean, it's a it's a it's a NonStop soap
opera over there and uh in in the Meadowlands area
of New Jersey. So you know, I don't I don't
know if I put that much faith in them just
because history tells me to think differently. But I will
say this, Aaron Glenn's getting every opportunity to change that
and break that cur that curse over there or that
(30:03):
cycle for them and do something a different way.
Speaker 4 (30:07):
And they have.
Speaker 3 (30:08):
Plenty of picks to do it. I mean, you're talking
about five first round picks over the next two years.
That's that's a haul and a half. And then we
even get to the other draft picks. They have, yeah,
compensatory picks that are going to come of it because
of these moves. So you know, I look at that
and I say that that's a team that that's positioning
themselves to be a chess master on the on the
draft board and move up and down as they please
(30:30):
and switch and bait and do everything that they want
to get the pieces that they need to be a
competitive football team in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 5 (30:38):
But to your point, if they're playing chess, they don't.
You don't want them showing up in the park at
the checkers board, you know what I mean?
Speaker 3 (30:43):
And that's no, no hey. And then it is his
own special timer. He sits right next to the board
and you've been playing a casual game this guy wants
to play speed chess.
Speaker 6 (30:51):
Yeah you know, yeah, not good, now what you want?
Speaker 5 (30:55):
So does Sauce Gardner Does he move the needle that
much for the Colts? I mean, he's a terrific player,
terrific player. Is that what the Colts needed? Does that
move the needle for them? Look, they're like, hey, man,
let's go. We have been you know, nine and eight
and eight and nine the last two years. We are
(31:16):
rolling right now. We feel good about our team, feel
good about our offense. We are a Sauce Gardener away
from being a legitimate AFC contender. And listen, with their record,
you could have labeled them that before the trade. Does
this move the needle and do anything for them in
that regard?
Speaker 3 (31:37):
I think I think it does for the Colts because
we have to remember this team was ravaged with injuries
at the secondary, you know, and that has not been
a secret over the last couple of weeks. And I
think it just got exploited a lot more against the Steelers,
and I think they want to They want to shore
up that position at least try and get one position
locked down. So you bring in Sauce, a guy even
(32:00):
though he comes in ranked as the twenty second best
cornerback by PFF, which PFF.
Speaker 4 (32:05):
Is more like, you know.
Speaker 5 (32:07):
Yeah, forget if anyways, if I put it that way, yeah.
Speaker 4 (32:12):
Exactly, Yeah, yeah, it is the easiest way.
Speaker 3 (32:16):
But teams don't throw towards him, right, I mean, and
and that's what you want, you know, you want to
be able to funnel things in the opposite direction. So
if I could lock down or take away a team's
number one receiver with him, that makes our job a
lot easier. Now we can dedicate ten other resources elsewhere.
And I think that's you know, that's been kind of
their issue. You know, they can't the zone just doesn't
(32:37):
work for them, So you need a man corner.
Speaker 4 (32:39):
I think he. I think he.
Speaker 3 (32:40):
I think he boosts and elevates their defense by being
added to that to that group.
Speaker 5 (32:45):
Okay, So I agree with you. They're they're they're interesting,
and they're going for it. And so yeahs turns out
they're all in for this year. They're all in for
this year. They're like, hey, to ride the lightning baby.
Gave up a lot to get him, but he is
a great player Bills and Dolphins. You wouldn't expect anything
crazy there. I wouldn't think the Ravens and the Vikings.
(33:07):
The Ravens at the Vikings. This is obviously a huge game, right, yeah, yeah,
let's go. JJ agreed. You know, they needed him the
different shade. They needed that win the Vikings and the
(33:28):
Ravens need every win they can get. You know, it
is I believe, and we said it at one in
five that the Ravens are still contenders at one and five,
but they can't. When you're one in five, you cannot
afford too many stumbles. You can't put yourself or don't
want to put yourself in a position where you basically
(33:48):
have to win out or maybe lose one more game
to try to go win the AFC North. So this
is a huge game for them, a game with tons
of implications and one that I can't wait to see
for that reason. And then for sheer uh, where do
we stand. Let's get out the measuring tape. Another one
(34:08):
o'clock game. The Patriots at seven and two, six game
winning streak at the Buccaneers six and two. We saw
one power ranking that had the Buccaneers, I believe is
the number one team in the NFL.
Speaker 6 (34:20):
H did we now? I'm not sure about that, but
certainly way up there. So your thoughts.
Speaker 5 (34:25):
Quickly on those two teams, those two games Ravens Vikings, Patriots, Buccaneers.
Speaker 4 (34:31):
Well, I think you already know where I'm at with
the Ravens Vikings.
Speaker 6 (34:33):
I mean, yeah, yeah, J J.
Speaker 3 (34:34):
McCarthy and I you know, I'm now summoning, summoning the
uh the football spirit of my uncle Joey there in
the ring of honor there and then say, hopefully that
looms large for them and they can they can come
up with a victory.
Speaker 4 (34:50):
The other one was but Bill's Dolphins.
Speaker 5 (34:53):
Forget we just we're brushing past that one. Bill's at
the Dolphins. O.
Speaker 6 (34:57):
Patriots, Patriots at the Buccaneer Paige.
Speaker 4 (35:01):
That's good, That's it could be a good one.
Speaker 5 (35:03):
There's three games, in my opinion, there's three games of
the day kind of contenders. There is the Patriots and
the Buccaneers. There's the Steelers and the Chargers. There's the
Eagles and the Packers on Monday night.
Speaker 3 (35:15):
Yeah, yeah, those those are the three headliners. And and
for this being the first of that of that triple
tier assault you're talking about great on great you know,
the Patriots number one, you know, They've already beaten Buffalo
in Buffalo, so that tall task has been has been accomplished.
And you're leading first to the AFC, so you're going
(35:36):
against the NFC South leader and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
So you know, anytime you get tops of divisions head
to head, regardless of conference, it's going to be some fireworks.
Speaker 4 (35:46):
And you know, Mike.
Speaker 3 (35:47):
Rabele has the Patriots cooking, so glad that.
Speaker 4 (35:49):
They are they are.
Speaker 3 (35:50):
They are a notch in our belt already and that
we did not have to see them later, but who knows,
we might have to see them later later, not just later,
but later, later.
Speaker 5 (35:59):
Later, later works for me. Browns and Jets, Yeah, we're
not even. We're not going to waste any time.
Speaker 4 (36:07):
Yeah, keep going.
Speaker 5 (36:08):
Jaguars Texans another one, the Jaguars at the Texans, and
the Jaguars have got to be feeling pretty good about themselves.
They've had an up and down season and this won't
be easy going against the Texans. The Texans are a
slight underdog in this game, but they're at home. You know,
there's another team that's absolutely desperate. You know, they did
(36:31):
not expect to be three and five. I think in
the small handful of teams that are the biggest disappointments
in the NFL, they would at this point of the season,
they would have to be right there, possibly even number
one in the list. The Jaguars, meanwhile, are thinking, hey, listen,
Falcons have been another one of those disappointing teams, and
maybe we start to get the Colts moving backward. But
(36:52):
either way, if you're the Jaguars, regardless of what happens
in London, whether you're keeping pace or trying to pull
up another within a game of the Colts, that's a
big game for them and not easy when they're going
on the road against the Texans team that you know,
they've got to be feeling the pressure of now or never.
Speaker 3 (37:11):
Yeah, I mean it's got it's got to be now, uh,
because you can't follow any more games behind. We talked
about the Ravens earlier about being having to be perfect.
You've got you you you have to be stellar, sterling,
beyond beyond fault perfect to get back into this race
because it is imperative and this year, of all years,
(37:32):
right Rob, we've just seed so much uncertainty with all
of the league. I mean, anytime we talked about this, right,
getting number one on the Power Ranking seems to be
like like like the gift and the curse, right, It's
a gift to a bit of what you've done, but
a curse because of what you have to deal with
a head right cover sports back, Yeah right, yeah, so yeah,
(37:55):
I mean the cover and the cover of Madden as well,
Like you don't want you know you you don't. It's like,
oh man, great for the Oh god, now now I'm
gonna get injured. How am I gonna get injured this time?
And so yeah, it's definitely one that they have to
be on their p's and q's and they got to
play perfect.
Speaker 5 (38:11):
And speaking of injuries, no CJ. Stroud as he is
out with an injury.
Speaker 3 (38:15):
Davis Davis mill for Houston, So no off line still
that that that that's one where they should have had
a casket for the old line outside of their stadium,
you know what I'm saying, Like the Steelers defense one,
I'm like, come on this extreme, but Houston, Yeah, they
need they need like five caskets out there because they
(38:36):
don't have anybody at any position that that gives me
any great confidence. And like I said, it's it's tough
for them and for Jacksonville. This is you have you
have to climb back of this contest because, like you said,
the Colts have created such an edge on you. You've got
to be You've got to be good. You don't have
to be great. You just got to be good, Trevor Lawrence.
You just have to be good. Jacksonville Jaguars, you don't
(38:56):
have to be great.
Speaker 4 (38:58):
But the Yeah, the Texas, they have to be great.
Speaker 3 (39:00):
And they're going in, you know, without their starting quarterback,
which you would say he's he's one of the difference
him and Will Anderson in the face of that franchise,
and so we don't have him. A lot more falls
on on Will Anderson in that defense, who's been absolutely
lights out stellar.
Speaker 4 (39:16):
But they need some help. I mean, the funny thing was,
you know, I don't know if.
Speaker 3 (39:20):
You saw that going around the Chase Brown talking about
the Bageles defense from the Chicago game.
Speaker 4 (39:26):
Yeah, if I'm Will Anderson, I'm like, I'm doing the reverse.
Speaker 3 (39:31):
Just score a point, Just put points on the board.
That's all we Need's points we have to rest. Just
give us a lead.
Speaker 4 (39:40):
At some point.
Speaker 5 (39:42):
Well, we'll see what Davis mill is not going to
be easy taking on Jacksonville. That's our AFC preview presented
by UPMC, the official health care provider and health plan
to the Pittsburgh Steelers. And again that begins tonight on
Thursday Night Football. Gear up with the latest game data necessities.
Hit the official Steelers Pro shops. Get the latest sidelin peril, jerseys,
terrible towels, authentic memorabilia and custom exclusives you can only
(40:04):
find directly from the team. Visit one of the official
Steelers Pro shops located at Akroscher Stadium, Grove City Premium Outlets,
or Tanger Outlets, or gear up online at shop dot
Steelers dot com. Get it direct from the team at
the Steers Pro Shop at Shop dot Steelers dot com.
We will be back with some final thoughts on this
episode in the Locker Room presented by our neighborhood Ford
(40:26):
Store and the Students Pro Shop on Steelers Nation Radio,
a part of the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (40:38):
This is in the Locker Room with King and Starks
on Steelers Nation Radio, presented by your neighborhood Ford 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 3 (41:00):
All right back inside the locker room here, I was
actually giving King, you're funny enough. I was actually giving
a dramatic pause because I was just waiting for King.
Speaker 4 (41:09):
I felt like, I felt like, yeah, you are you
are you are you?
Speaker 3 (41:13):
Are you?
Speaker 4 (41:13):
Hey?
Speaker 6 (41:13):
Justin Mikes, you're hot guys. You guys are in it together.
Speaker 4 (41:17):
Yeah, you're in it together.
Speaker 3 (41:19):
I just wanted to see it. I mean, listen, you
had a day off.
Speaker 4 (41:22):
I didn't know.
Speaker 3 (41:22):
I was like, you know, maybe maybe maybe he was
gonna he was gonna revert back.
Speaker 4 (41:26):
I was.
Speaker 3 (41:26):
I was like, I was gonna give him a second
and then step in. But you did not buy the bait.
Oh my goodness, great job, there came Padre. It's so good,
so good, But we're gonna go ahead.
Speaker 6 (41:39):
Vis the second.
Speaker 3 (41:40):
It's the bell lap, Oh, the sweetest sound in all
the sports radio, because that lets you know it is
it is time to go forging.
Speaker 4 (41:50):
It's time to go.
Speaker 3 (41:50):
Hunting for that for that food and those rations, those
portions with those morsels, whatever it is that suits your fancy.
On this lovely third day, I mean yesterday, Wes treated
us to what he was going to do. He Wes
had made himself a lasagna soup that he had made,
so he shared that with us. And yeah, so like
(42:12):
ground ground turkey and ground pork in there. He did
a nice thick tomato sauce. He used some uh some
uh some was it buffalata noodles, which I thought buffalata
was a sandwich, but I guess apparently that's noodles. He
told me so, and he did that, and then of
course we opened the phone lines for the first time
yesterday Kinger and Uh. We had we had a caller.
(42:35):
We had Tyler from UH from Wisconsin. He yeah, he
did a smoked three bean white chicken chili uh that
he was so happy to share with us that he
was going into UH for his lunch hour.
Speaker 4 (42:49):
So it was a soup day yesterday.
Speaker 3 (42:51):
I had. I had shrimp gumbo. So I was proud
of myself for having that. So so yeah, so, so
of the things that you did miss yesterday, that was
that was one of them that you did miss for
the for the bell lap here. So I wanted to
make sure I share that with you, and you know,
maybe maybe I get some soupspiration to some people out there,
(43:12):
because uh, you know, I'm I'm a soup guy. I am,
I'm a heavy soup guy. Listen, if I if I,
if I could, if I can dunk it in broth,
we're doing it. I think I might go do a
Ti dumpling soup today. I'm not gonna lie and I'm.
Speaker 6 (43:26):
Feeling I will tell you that.
Speaker 5 (43:27):
On Thursdays, I go I leave directly to go to
the Steelers facility on the South Side to shoot the
matchup with Matt Williamson and Missy. Matthews begin to talk
about the the open on Sunday with Missy get some
of her ideas.
Speaker 6 (43:43):
But usually I walk into the.
Speaker 5 (43:45):
Steelers lunch room and there's time for a quick something
to eat, and it is almost always a bowl of
soup because there's soups and chili's and steels.
Speaker 6 (43:55):
All the food. They do a great job.
Speaker 5 (43:57):
They are phenomenal, and so I will normal normally sit
down across from Matt Williamson and I will have a
bowl of soup and I will have a couple of
ice coffees that I don't need because they come out
of that coffee machine and.
Speaker 3 (44:12):
Comes out of like a tap.
Speaker 4 (44:14):
It is.
Speaker 6 (44:14):
I'm one of those guys.
Speaker 5 (44:16):
It comes out of a tap where if you say,
would you like a cup of coffee?
Speaker 6 (44:20):
Uh, you know, I don't care where.
Speaker 5 (44:21):
I am, would you Yes, the answer is yes, I
would like a cup of coffee.
Speaker 6 (44:25):
I don't know why.
Speaker 5 (44:26):
Probably I could probably, I could probably go a little
less in that department, Max. But there you have it.
If it's offered up, I'm ready.
Speaker 6 (44:34):
I'm willing. And then and then it's and then it.
Speaker 5 (44:40):
Hits just as we're as we're taping the as we're
taping the matchup.
Speaker 6 (44:45):
So if anybody else turn the micro.
Speaker 5 (44:49):
Watch, yeah, well, if anybody sees like my left hand twitching,
that's what it is.
Speaker 6 (44:54):
It's not soup. It's that extra caffeine. So look for
that in the matchup show.
Speaker 3 (45:00):
Like good, it's too good, too good. Yeah, I'll do
a great job on on the Masters Show. I love
watching that. And of course you know Matt with his
Matt stats.
Speaker 4 (45:06):
Yes, always.
Speaker 5 (45:09):
The knowledge bombs. I am a print out guy. Like
everything you've seen my charts, I'm gonna write my charts.
I don't like things printed out. I'm a tactile learner,
you know, I like to. So I print out Matt's
stats and then I go through and I circle him,
and it's a it's kind.
Speaker 6 (45:23):
Of a little day of football excitement.
Speaker 4 (45:25):
You know.
Speaker 5 (45:25):
Maybe we'll maybe we'll bring some of those like tomorrow
to like tomorrow Max, some of them.
Speaker 3 (45:30):
You know, I believe we should. I believe we should,
and you you know, and then we're also with you know,
with our sideline extraordinaiy uh, Missy Matthews as well, and
the Missy stats. You know, the miss and the Missy
notes are always good. So a combination of Matt stats,
Missy notes, it's gonna be it's gonna be a fun
filled Friday as well.
Speaker 5 (45:50):
That it is, and we're gonna delve into some of
the matchups and we got to spend some time. Remind
me if I if I forget, I can't imagine I
would Derwin James, you know, just watching the tape of him,
I mean, he he is uh remember he missed that
season with an injury. Man, he is a great player
and uh a guy you everybody out there is really
(46:10):
going to want to keep an eye on. So that
is coming up tomorrow. That'll do it for today's show.
I want to thank Justin Miller the controls in our
Heart studio. Max Starks, my friend. Look forward to talking
to you tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (46:24):
Hey, look forward to it as well, Bud. And yeah, yeah,
you have to give us a superport too. You know
what the options were tomorrow is.
Speaker 6 (46:29):
I will, I will?
Speaker 5 (46:31):
He is, Max Starks, I'm Rob King. We thank you
for being one of us in the Locker Room, presented
by your neighborhood Ford Store in the Steelers Pro Shop
on Steelers Nation Radio, a part of the Steelers Audio Network.
This is in the Locker Room with King and Starks
on Steelers Nation Radio, presented by your neighborhood Forward Store.
The F one fifty is the official truck of the
Pittsburgh Steelers and by Steelers Pro Shop. Get it direct
from the team at the Steelers Pro Shop at shop
dot Steelers dot com.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
All right, normally I have a little bit more energy
for the Power Hour number two here, but I just
learned of some news that just.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Came across my way. You know, apparently the news dropped
about an hour ago, but I just wanted to take
a second and just have a moment of silence. Young
man by the name of Marshawn neelan current player for
the Dallas Cowboys, a defensive end. And if you're wondering
who that is, he's who blocked a punt in Monday
Night Football and scored a touchdown for the Dallas Cowboys.
(01:04):
Like that's so the second year guy draft in the
second round of last year's draft. So I just want
to take a moment of silent, moment of silence to
to just, you know, think of the passing of a
young man who had a very bright future and you
know that that life has now been drastically cut short,
and I just wanted to take a second, So I'm
gonna give us a second real fast, Okay, all right,
(01:35):
Sorry to bring down the temperature and the mood. We're
excited about Sunday night, you know, football against the Chargers.
But you know that that's something you see something like
that a young man and we don't know any details
behind it, just know that he passed and was confirmed
by the Dallas Cowboys. I just you know, your heart
breaks a little bit to hear that type of news.
(01:57):
And I'm not going to speculate about what it could
have been or anything. I'll let I'll let you know,
the family and everybody else.
Speaker 4 (02:05):
Deal with that, and we'll we'll talk.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
You know, we'll find out as everybody else does. But
that was just shocking news. You know. One of my
friends was a coach at Western Michigan, and uh so
hearing that news just sad.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
You know.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
I just watched I just watched that film and was
talking about the Dallas Cowboys and the Cardinals games just
yesterday on Ron Wolfley's show out here in Arizona.
Speaker 4 (02:26):
So just a little bit of a gut punch, you know.
Speaker 3 (02:28):
I'm already dealing with my issues from yesterday as well
as we as we talked about on the show, Rob,
I don't think you knew, but my uncle passed away.
So it's like, so you're like, you're kind of in this.
I'm already in that, you know, that kind of headspace.
So hearing that is just, you know, just just adds
to the list. So I appreciate you allowing me to
(02:50):
give that moment of silence. You know, it's just kind
of dealing with the grief in the morning process. It's just,
you know, it's just another thing, and you know, you know,
prayers and good olenses to the family, to his friends
and teammates and everybody out there that knew him. Uh,
all right, let's let let's let's let's let's turn it
back in the boxes and to you and your family
(03:11):
as well. Yeah, no, I I I appreciate it, Rob.
It's just yeah, you know, it's one of those things.
I mean, it is one of those things. Right. It's
a guarantee you know that you know, if you live
this life, there will be there will be some death
surrounded by it, you know, as you go through this life.
And the only guarantee in life right is death and taxes.
Of course you had to be of age to pay taxes.
(03:31):
But you know that that's just yeah, never easy, never easy.
And I grew up at a funeral home. I'm you know,
I'm a funeral director's kid, you know, come from a
long line of funeral directors. And my family, you know,
a close relationship obviously with the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary
Sciences out here in Pittsburgh as well. And yeah, when
(03:54):
you see, when you hear those type of things, you know,
I just have to take a pause because you know,
any any death, I know, you know, is always unexpected.
But then especially at that age, at that point, that's
that's the other part that just kind of just makes
you pause. It makes you appreciate the things.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
It does.
Speaker 5 (04:16):
And a reminder to you know, love your friends, love
your neighbors, love your family.
Speaker 6 (04:23):
You know, overlook any.
Speaker 5 (04:25):
Differences you might have with people, or celebrate those differences
you have with people. Remember, right, we're all we're all mortal, man,
We're all going to the same place when when this ends,
you know, this life.
Speaker 6 (04:37):
We could talk about it. We could talk about their.
Speaker 5 (04:39):
Other beliefs of what might happen or might not happen
after it, but while we're here, man enjoy each other's company,
love each other, and you know, we'll if if we
find out more information, we will pass it on about
the about the the death of Marshawn Neeland, twenty four
year old second round pick of the Cowboys a year ago.
We saw him last year at Akroscher Stadium when the
(05:02):
Cowboys came to town. So sad news for sure.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
Max.
Speaker 5 (05:06):
We do obviously have a job to do and we
do have a team to get ready for, and that
team is the Chargers, and the Chargers their formidable opponent.
They've had a very interesting season. You know, I'm through
four games, by the way, so I've seen their first
three games where they look like juggernauts, and then just
kind of a mistake laden game against an energetic Giants
(05:29):
team that had Jackson start Dart making his first start.
Speaker 6 (05:32):
They lost that game.
Speaker 5 (05:34):
You know, they've they've they kind of went in a
little bit of a tailspin. But now they've sort of
rallied themselves back. As we look at the Chargers, just
an overview, this is a very good, very solid football
team that has dealt with a ton of injuries, but
has continued to progress and progress.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Well, no, they have indeed, and you know this has
been one that you know, the present a challenge. They're
a physical, running the football team. They pride themselves and
being opportunistic defense. You know, I called this game a
mirror game last year. I say it was like looking
(06:12):
in the mirror, you know, at both of these teams.
And I still believe very similarly, there's a team that
looks at themselves in the in the mirror and says, Okay,
that team looks like us, you know, and a lot
a lot of respects as far as how tenacious they are,
you know, what skills they possess on one side of
the ball, and the intent and philosophy.
Speaker 4 (06:33):
On the other side of the ball.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
And you know, I feel like this is this is
a team that you know, outside of the injuries to
tackle uh, you know, models themselves as being right there
with you know, in the same echelon as the Pittsburgh Steelers,
and this is going to be a war of attrition.
I mean, as a team that wants to run the
ball effectively, use to play action, stretch the field with
their tight ends and their receivers, I feel like the
(06:57):
same thing can be said for for our squad, right,
you know how we want we want to run the
ball effectively and stretch the ball with our tight ends,
use some play action.
Speaker 4 (07:05):
And and and and make it a tough day.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
I think the one thing that we kind of you know,
have have going for us is we have a lot
more depth at the tight end position and depth at
the running back position that they don't possess right now.
But when we started the season, you would argue, I
mean that was a very talented running back backfield and
you know they they they had they had a depth
at at tight end, right. You know, no, Will Disley
kind of hurts that. But Aronde gatst And has really
(07:30):
emerged as their lead pass catching tight end on that
squad of you throwing Keenan Allen and Quintin Johnston in
the mix, and you've got three very capable receivers down
the field. Now you know depth, you got Kamanie Vidal
and you know insert name here essentially running back by
committee back there.
Speaker 4 (07:47):
So you know, that's one of the things.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
It's tough whether it's you know, whether it's going to
be Jared Patterson or do they activate the rookie ofmar
Johnson that that's going to be remaining to be seen.
But this is a team you know that you and
they also use defensive lineman slash full back slash Patrick
Workard clone esque or the poor man's Patrick Ricard and
Scott Mattlocke that runs that fullback for them. So I mean,
(08:12):
you have a lot of different things that they like
to do, and I just I see mirror images of
ourselves in them. And that's that's what's going to be
really interesting about this matchup, just like we saw.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
A year ago.
Speaker 5 (08:24):
You know, I agree with all those things, and I
do think you can probably you know, draw something of
a line from you know, the Steelers the Ravens trying
to emulate what the Steelers do in AFC North Football.
When they joined the division, I think they saw a
team that had success playing a certain style of football
and I think they wanted to emulate that. And when
(08:46):
you talk about stability, the Ravens are one of the
most stable franchises, from the front office to the coaching
staff to the style of football that they want to play.
Alamar's different than maybe some of the other guys they've
had at the quarterback position, different than most anybody at
the quarterback position, but it's still founded in the principles
and fundamentals of playing aggressive, physical football on both sides
(09:09):
of the ball. And now you have his brother coaching
for the Chargers. And we talked about this last year
getting ready for the game last year. The Chargers are
they're kind of an AFC North football team playing in
the AFC West.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
Yeah, no, I think that.
Speaker 3 (09:25):
You know, when you look at it's a Harbaugh Harba
on each coast of the NFL, right one on the
Atlantic coast, the other one on the Pacific coast. And
you know Greg Roman Red Rover, Red Rovers, and Baltimore
Ravens on over. You know, Greg Roman comes over from Baltimore.
I don't know if there was a brother to brother swap,
(09:46):
if they you know, if they flipped a coin at
Thanksgiving or something, I don't know, you know, to get
him over there.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
But you see a lot.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
Of those principles and a lot of those philosophies translating
over And you know, we could argue, you know, which
came first, Jim or John as far as you know
how their their their mindsets and and and style of coaching.
But apparently it works well, with Greg Roman, he's happy
either way, and he's he's now done it for both
and you know, rare man to say that he's coached
(10:16):
for both of those guys in an elevated position, and
you see.
Speaker 4 (10:19):
A lot of those principles brought over.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
Now. You know, I think for Greg Roman, I think
he works better with a Justin Herbert type than Lamar
Jackson type. And that's been apparent. I mean, you talk
about an LA Chargers team that's tie for third and
and and uh no, sorry, sorry, that was a defense.
I apologize. You know that lee that actually is tied
for fifth in total yards in the lead in the league,
(10:43):
they're first and leading the NFL. And third down percentage
of completions forty nine point two percent and just under
three hundred and seventy five yards of total offense, you know,
passing yards their eighth fourth downs they're ninth in the
league and converge into seventy percent.
Speaker 4 (11:01):
You know.
Speaker 3 (11:02):
So you see a lot of those elements and you know,
rushings top ten. So there's a lot of things that
correlate and translate over for them, and it's it's going
to be a heck of a challenge and I look
forward to it, you know, because I think for the
Steelers and how our defense is played. You know, obviously
(11:22):
the numbers are going to be skewed, and you know we.
Speaker 4 (11:25):
Haven't their best.
Speaker 3 (11:26):
But the problem is teams have to play us. And
we just saw the league's number one offense last week
and you saw what they did to them. So they
tend to bring the play down of those players in
a good way and they limit a lot of what
they want to do. But it all starts with stopping
the run and limited limiting their third down conversions. Because
(11:49):
they run the ball so effectively, they're usually always in
third and short, third to medium at the most, hence
why their third down completion percentage is so high. So
you've got to limit yet limit those first and second
down run plays to put them in those third and lungs.
And I think they can become more pedestrian in in
that essence. But this is this is what you want
(12:10):
to see. You want these challenges because these challenges prepare
you for later in the year, and this would be
a great precursor before we play the Ravens. Honestly, to
play the Chargers and to to you know, to see
how they're going to play, and I'm just really interested
in how this defense response. Like Jerry Dulac said, it's
(12:30):
a great, great first act, but what does the encore
look like?
Speaker 4 (12:33):
What's the follow up?
Speaker 3 (12:34):
You know, just like when I get an appetizer, like
the appetisers great at a new restaurant, how's entre going
to taste? And that's what That's what you're kind of
We're kind of salivating for the next opportunity for them
to prove. We got one course, you know, in a
three game win streak where they absolutely dominated, and now
we had a two game loll Now it's back. Show
me what the next phase looks like for this team.
(12:55):
As you have adjusted, You've added new wrinkles into the defense,
You've had some new position player positioning swaps. So let's
see how that works out for another game. Look great,
once caught them off guard, but now they have game tape.
How are you going to react? That's that's what I'm feeling.
Speaker 5 (13:13):
Well, I think one of the things Max that the
Steelers did really well in the first half. It's tempting
to say, hey, they did a great job against the
run against Green Bay. Well they did for a half
and they did overall on Jacobs. They didn't do a
great job in Emmanuel Wilson. And you know, we talked about,
(13:35):
you know, the twenty straight completions that Love threw, you know, successfully,
and obviously a completion is a successful throw, right, But yeah,
I think that you know, they got away from stopping
and running the second half of that game, and they
didn't stop the run effectively against Cincinnati. I think the
temptation is to look, you know, and again, these are
(13:59):
big picture things. Will dive into more than minutia later
in the program and certainly coming up tomorrow. But I
mean it's tempting to say, Man, Herbert's really good. And
by the way, Herbert's really good. I mean he is rangy,
he's fast, he will get out of the pocket. He
will knock you down if you come up with and
you don't have full intent as a linebacker or as
(14:20):
a linebacker or a corner coming up to make a
stop defensive back, he will bowl you over and then
he will run away from you. He's an exceptional running threat.
He's got a cannon for an arm. He's a terrific thrower,
and he's got a really good cast of guys, I
think that. You know, when you look at the receiving corps,
Alad McConkey a very fine second year receiver. You have
(14:44):
Keenan Allen Quinton Johnston, who is a guy that they
spent a high draft pick on a couple of years ago.
He is starting to blossom. They spent a second round
pick this year again on Trey Harris. So you know,
you go Johnson in the first round in twenty three,
You come back to McConkey in the second round last year.
You know, add Trey Harris in the second round this year.
(15:06):
And it's tempting to say, hey, stop that passing. If
you mentioned Gadsden, he's been terrific for them as a
receiving tight end. But you also have to stop this
running game. They will continue to run the ball. And
if they run the ball, that's going to open up
their passing game and it's going to open up a
can of worms that the Seelers don't want.
Speaker 6 (15:24):
To have to deal with.
Speaker 4 (15:26):
No, you don't.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
So I mean, just like last week, make a decision
to eliminate one thing and do just that. Force this
game into a one dimensional game, and then when you
get there, you've got to perform. You got them right
where you want them, so make sure you make them
pay in those opportunities. And so that's going to be
the challenge because unlike Daniel Jones, justin Herbert, like you said,
(15:49):
it's bona fide, and I mean that meeting that. He's
a guy who's very skilled. I mean, he is a
really good quarterback. He's seen a lot of football, he
knows a lot of fun ball, and he won't mind
getting into a shootout in the air if necessary, and
he has the weapons to do it. So if you're
going to eliminate the run, make sure you are prepared
(16:11):
for the passing assault that's going to come right after that.
Speaker 5 (16:15):
For sure, he is, you know, and again, like you said,
a more proven track record than Daniel Jones. Daniel Jones
doing a great story this year, no doubt. And we're
not trying to take anything away from Daniel Jones. But
if you lined up thirty two executives in the NFL
and said hey, before the season started, who.
Speaker 6 (16:34):
Do you want?
Speaker 5 (16:35):
You want Herbert or you want Jones, I think it
would have been thirty two to nothing. Now maybe Daniel
Jones has changed the mind. Maybe he's changed the mind
this year. But man, Herbert is, he's an elite talent.
This guy is elite and if you leave everything open
to him run and pass, well, we saw what that
(16:55):
looked like. We saw what it happened, what it looked
like in Cincinnati, and we saw what it looked like
in the second half with Love.
Speaker 6 (17:03):
And the Green Bay Packers.
Speaker 5 (17:05):
They had the full arsenal open doom and the Steelers
couldn't stop him. I really think as tempting as this
is to say, you gotta limit Herbert, sure you do.
You can't allow him to have every option open. You
can't allow them to just run the football at you.
Speaker 3 (17:22):
Well, and let me let me just paint this picture
for you in case, in case you need an additional
understanding out there stealing nation of who justin Herbert is.
Let's just run through the list. So last year he
put up the league's best touchdown at interception ratio in
twenty twenty four. And do you know he was behind
(17:47):
Aaron Rodgers in twenty eighteen for the season for best
season of touchdown to.
Speaker 5 (17:53):
Oh, best of all time? I think you meant behind
last year best of all time?
Speaker 4 (17:56):
Yeah, best of all time?
Speaker 3 (17:57):
He was the best last year in the league, but
second best all time in NFL history. He has the
NFL record for passing yards and completions in his first
five years at quarterback, the best in his first five years,
and that was over twenty one thousand yards and over
(18:19):
nineteen hundred and almost nineteen hundred and forty five completions.
I mean, he was over well over nineteen hundred. He's
the fourth youngest quarterback to reach one hundred passing touchdowns,
behind Dan Marino, Patrick Mahomes, and Deshaun Watson. He was
the NFL's Rookie of the Year and in that rookie year,
he threw a rookie record thirty one passing touchdowns. That's
(18:41):
that's who Justin Herbert is. So that's the challenge that
you're facing. So when you do decide to shut something down,
make sure you know what door you're opening when you
close another one.
Speaker 6 (18:52):
So sure then, by the way, be prepared.
Speaker 5 (18:54):
I believe he's on pace to break the most artage
ever for a passer through his first six seasons.
Speaker 6 (19:02):
So he just, barring injury, if he's.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
Done it for five years, why not tackle on another
one for six years?
Speaker 5 (19:08):
He's going to surpass everybody in that list is as
you would expect, some of the all time greats. So yeah,
he's a formidable challenge for sure. The Chargers are a
formidable challenge. We also have some AFC action that we
want to delve into as we continue to look at
the matchups against the Chargers, what makes them a tough
opponent and some big games coming up, a big game
coming up tonight in the NFL that could have implications
(19:31):
not only in the AFC West and the importance of
the game for the Chargers, but also in the larger
playoff picture, which we will get to when we continue.
In the Locker Room presented by your Neighborhood Ford Store
and the Studi's Pro Shop on Steelers Nation Radio, a
part of the Steelers Audio network.
Speaker 1 (19:52):
Is in the Locker Room with Kenyon Starks on Steelers
Nation Radio presented by your Neighborhood Forward Still 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 5 (20:13):
And thank you for being with us on this Thursday afternoon,
and we're going to take a brief aside from our
preparation for Sunday Night's game, to bring you this AFC
preview presented by UPMC. UPMC, of course, is the official
healthcare provider of the Pittsburgh Steelers. So Thursday night action
(20:36):
Denver Broncos at home. They are favored by eight and
a half points against the Raiders tonight.
Speaker 6 (20:42):
That is, of course the first order of business.
Speaker 5 (20:44):
And you know, the Raiders showing some life last week,
and you know, unfortunately they fall for unfortunately for them,
they fall short in overtime. But they are they are
a team that's going to try to get in there,
and you know, they're trying to build something here under
Pete Carroll. And may me give the Broncos a bit
of a tussle your thoughts tonight on Sunday Night Football.
Speaker 3 (21:05):
Yeah, no, I mean the Broncos are are are churning
here and that's one of the concerns. Like you said,
the Raiders had showed some times of life. You know,
it's a team that's really it's not it's not really
a great team, but they are, they are working on
they're working.
Speaker 4 (21:25):
On getting better.
Speaker 3 (21:26):
I just you know, for I look at it and
I'm just trying to see how they could, how they
could really stop this general. This defense for the for
the Denver Broncos is elite, and they are they are
some some some certified dudes over there. I mean when
you look at Zach Allen and you look at Nick
Benito leading the edge rush there for them, this is
(21:48):
a team that's super aggressive. I had them earlier this year.
I watched them beat the Eagles. You know, look dead
in the water for about for about two and a
half quarters, almost three quarters, and they came alive in
the end to beat the Eagles, who were kind of
in flux as a team. But they put you in
those positions, bo necks. And the year two has been
everything as advertised and the reason why Sean Payton went
(22:11):
and got him. He's turned out to be that type
of leader. He's tough, he's gritty, and he never quits.
So it's going to be very interesting to see the Raiders,
and knowing that they're leading the AFC West right now
and this is a division game, I don't expect any
break pads or any break lights to be shown. I
feel like it's all gassed tonight for the Broncos.
Speaker 6 (22:32):
Yeah, I think you're absolutely right.
Speaker 5 (22:34):
They've won six in a row and they are tied
for the longest winning streak in the NFL with the
New England Patriots. You've also won six games in a row.
So the DEVER is becoming a very very formidable team.
And I don't know if they're sneaking up on people,
but you know, we haven't seen them at the top
of those too many power rankings, and.
Speaker 6 (22:56):
It feels like they're gonna have something to say.
Speaker 5 (22:57):
About that about who goes weird, who wins the division,
who wins the conference.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
Yeah, yeah, I mean it's it's gonna it's gonna be
a arms race. I mean the AFC West, I mean
outside of Las Vegas, I mean is a very hotly contested, uh,
you know division race. And when you think about yes,
the Broncos are leading, and more so because the record,
because technically had the head they've lost to the to
the Los Angeles Chargers, but their records better. That's the
(23:25):
only reason why they're ahead. But you know, division record wise,
that's why this is huge for the Chargers to get
back in this race and they're right behind them. I mean,
it's a half a game distance between the two teams.
You the Chargers need this, the Broncos need this, and
they need to start stacking w's in the in the
(23:45):
division record rankings, because you know, if you're the if
the La Chargers are sitting at three and oh they
haven't lost a division game, they played them three straight
games in a row to start the season, So then
when you talk about just keeping pace with that, you
know they're hoping to overtake that lead. I'm sure they
would love month nothing more than have the Raiders beat
the Broncos and make it clear. But you know, this
Broncos team has a lot to play for and it's
(24:05):
a prideful unit over there.
Speaker 5 (24:07):
Falcons at the Colts the This is the Berlin game
as the the overseas games continue the International.
Speaker 3 (24:19):
Eastern Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah, oh nine and a half.
Speaker 5 (24:25):
So nin kickoff, that's six thirty in LA. I don't
know as I'll be up at the beginning of that game.
Speaker 6 (24:33):
Probably I can.
Speaker 3 (24:34):
Tell you that I will pleasantly be sleep at six
thirty am.
Speaker 5 (24:38):
Possibility, Yeah, that that's on. Maybe that's even early for
me to get to the gym at the hotel. I
don't know if I'll have that game on at the gym.
Speaker 6 (24:47):
That might be the.
Speaker 5 (24:48):
Hey hotel, laid back on my pillow, turn on the
remote and just.
Speaker 3 (24:54):
Turn it on and just have it on the night before,
like the station, and then you'll wake up to it.
Speaker 4 (25:00):
That's about That's.
Speaker 3 (25:01):
The only way I would catch that way. It will
not be intentional, I promise you.
Speaker 5 (25:04):
Steelers Nation, So the Falcon's looking to bounce back, right,
you know, all of a sudden, you know that the
headlines are, you know, did the Steelers expose something in
the Colts?
Speaker 4 (25:14):
Right?
Speaker 5 (25:15):
Which is kind of a backhanded, you know, compliment to
the Steelers, right, you know, well, they're not that good.
They must have exposed a weakness. They must have found something.
They didn't just beat them, they exposed a weakness. Well,
the Colts will try to cover over whatever weakness they have.
They're looking for a bounce back game.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
Oh they got nass Gardner, so oh yeah apparently yeah yeah,
So I mean they obviously are thinking about their weaknesses
and try and trying to build those up. Hence the
trade deadline.
Speaker 5 (25:41):
So you know, uh, the Cowboys a little bit baffling
with the big payment for Quinn Williams, and they're going
to try to, you know, obviously build their defense around him,
keep him long term. They they see a guy that
can be a pillar on that defense, and you could
see what the Jets are trying to do. Look, we're
a bad team. Let's get cap space, let's get draft picks.
(26:04):
You know, you hate to trade great young players, but
you know there's a time to go to maybe just
go all in on rebuilding and trying to get that
quarterback for the future. And I think the Jets are
at that point. You know, they lost Elijah Vera Tucker
before the season opener, and I think that they've got
a lot of pieces in place for a good offensive line.
You know, you think about that the Jets' perspective on
(26:27):
these trades. And we'll talk about Sauce and what he
can mean for the Colts, but when you think about
the Jets perspective, I think that they're signaling that they're
going to try to get a franchise quarterback in this draft.
They've got a pretty good offensive line, they've got a
number one receiver, they have a very good stable of
running backs. You know, they've if Justin Fields is your
(26:49):
backup or needs to start the season for you, that
allows you to maybe bring along a quarterback more slowly.
I think that they've offensively positioned themselves where with a
good draft choice or two along the offensive line, maybe
go out and I don't know, get a tight end
or whatever whatever you feel like your need is on offense.
I'm not gonna pretend I know everything about the Jets
(27:10):
roster here, you know, two and a half months after
they played the Steelers. But it's interesting where they position themselves.
And you know, we talk about how hard it is
for a young quarterback to come into a terrible situation.
Well you get vera Tucker back, Maybe you spend another
you know, you got Membo on the offensive line as
a top draft choice this year, Maybe you spend another
(27:31):
one there and get a you know, with one of
those other first round picks you have there. They've you know,
I have to say, I kind of applaud what they're doing.
And you know, you don't rip down people. The Steelers
need to tank. You don't rip down a ten and
seven football team. When you're as bad as the Jets
have been. Go ahead, man, rip it down to the
studs and and understand that you have some pieces still
(27:53):
in place to try to maybe rebound quickly or do
you see it differently? Do you see what the Jets
did different.
Speaker 4 (28:02):
H the Jets and un less unless.
Speaker 3 (28:04):
The front office has changed, I don't know if I
trust the Jets.
Speaker 4 (28:08):
I mean, I will say this.
Speaker 6 (28:09):
That is the other problem.
Speaker 4 (28:10):
Yeah, that's the other problem.
Speaker 3 (28:12):
But I mean, but I think you are giving Aaron
Glenn every opportunity to be successful. I think that's what
it was, what it really boils down to. You're seeing
a legit opportunity for Aaron Glenn to build this team
in his own image, and we're gonna see.
Speaker 4 (28:27):
How he does. Right, you know who?
Speaker 3 (28:29):
You pick a quarterback and listen, the Jets have had
a very checkered pass with picking quarterbacks, especially first round quarterbacks.
I mean, just look at the last two that they've drafted, right,
They're not even on the roster anymore. I don't even
know where Zach Wilson is. So that just lets you
know even further how how bad that is. And you
and you offloaded Sam Darnold, who seems to be flourishing
in his second act. You know, yes, it was a
(28:52):
little a little rough down there in Carolina, but Minnesota
and what he's doing now in Seattle. I mean that
that that if that's not a reclamation project and a
feel good h you know, underdog story. I think you know,
I don't know what is in a lot of those respects.
And and then you try and then you tried the
transitioning thing you went with, You tried to go with
(29:13):
Aaron Rodgers to uh to take out your first round
pick and Zach Wilson. Zach Wilson ends up having to
play another year. Doesn't look great. Aaron's now Pittsburgh Steeler.
And now you've read Roverd. We essentially read Roverd with
the New York Jets on quarterbacks and it has worked
out great for us and has not worked out so
great for them. What he Johnson even came out talking about,
(29:35):
you know, the benching of him and Tyrod Taylor was
gonna start until he gets injured and then he comes
back and then end up went.
Speaker 4 (29:41):
You know, it's like all these different emotions.
Speaker 3 (29:43):
I mean, it's a it's a it's a NonStop soap
opera over there and uh in in the Meadowlands area
of New Jersey. So you know, I don't I don't
know if I put that much faith in them just
because history tells me to think differently. But I will
say this, Aaron Glenn's getting every opportunity to change that
and break that cur that curse over there or that
(30:03):
cycle for them and do something a different way.
Speaker 4 (30:07):
And they have.
Speaker 3 (30:08):
Plenty of picks to do it. I mean, you're talking
about five first round picks over the next two years.
That's that's a haul and a half. And then we
even get to the other draft picks. They have, yeah,
compensatory picks that are going to come of it because
of these moves. So you know, I look at that
and I say that that's a team that that's positioning
themselves to be a chess master on the on the
draft board and move up and down as they please
(30:30):
and switch and bait and do everything that they want
to get the pieces that they need to be a
competitive football team in twenty twenty six.
Speaker 5 (30:38):
But to your point, if they're playing chess, they don't.
You don't want them showing up in the park at
the checkers board, you know what I mean?
Speaker 3 (30:43):
And that's no, no hey. And then it is his
own special timer. He sits right next to the board
and you've been playing a casual game this guy wants
to play speed chess.
Speaker 6 (30:51):
Yeah you know, yeah, not good, now what you want?
Speaker 5 (30:55):
So does Sauce Gardner Does he move the needle that
much for the Colts? I mean, he's a terrific player,
terrific player. Is that what the Colts needed? Does that
move the needle for them? Look, they're like, hey, man,
let's go. We have been you know, nine and eight
and eight and nine the last two years. We are
(31:16):
rolling right now. We feel good about our team, feel
good about our offense. We are a Sauce Gardener away
from being a legitimate AFC contender. And listen, with their record,
you could have labeled them that before the trade. Does
this move the needle and do anything for them in
that regard?
Speaker 3 (31:37):
I think I think it does for the Colts because
we have to remember this team was ravaged with injuries
at the secondary, you know, and that has not been
a secret over the last couple of weeks. And I
think it just got exploited a lot more against the Steelers,
and I think they want to They want to shore
up that position at least try and get one position
locked down. So you bring in Sauce, a guy even
(32:00):
though he comes in ranked as the twenty second best
cornerback by PFF, which PFF.
Speaker 4 (32:05):
Is more like, you know.
Speaker 5 (32:07):
Yeah, forget if anyways, if I put it that way, yeah.
Speaker 4 (32:12):
Exactly, Yeah, yeah, it is the easiest way.
Speaker 3 (32:16):
But teams don't throw towards him, right, I mean, and
and that's what you want, you know, you want to
be able to funnel things in the opposite direction. So
if I could lock down or take away a team's
number one receiver with him, that makes our job a
lot easier. Now we can dedicate ten other resources elsewhere.
And I think that's you know, that's been kind of
their issue. You know, they can't the zone just doesn't
(32:37):
work for them, So you need a man corner.
Speaker 4 (32:39):
I think he. I think he.
Speaker 3 (32:40):
I think he boosts and elevates their defense by being
added to that to that group.
Speaker 5 (32:45):
Okay, So I agree with you. They're they're they're interesting,
and they're going for it. And so yeahs turns out
they're all in for this year. They're all in for
this year. They're like, hey, to ride the lightning baby.
Gave up a lot to get him, but he is
a great player Bills and Dolphins. You wouldn't expect anything
crazy there. I wouldn't think the Ravens and the Vikings.
(33:07):
The Ravens at the Vikings. This is obviously a huge game, right, yeah, yeah,
let's go. JJ agreed. You know, they needed him the
different shade. They needed that win the Vikings and the
(33:28):
Ravens need every win they can get. You know, it
is I believe, and we said it at one in
five that the Ravens are still contenders at one and five,
but they can't. When you're one in five, you cannot
afford too many stumbles. You can't put yourself or don't
want to put yourself in a position where you basically
(33:48):
have to win out or maybe lose one more game
to try to go win the AFC North. So this
is a huge game for them, a game with tons
of implications and one that I can't wait to see
for that reason. And then for sheer uh, where do
we stand. Let's get out the measuring tape. Another one
(34:08):
o'clock game. The Patriots at seven and two, six game
winning streak at the Buccaneers six and two. We saw
one power ranking that had the Buccaneers, I believe is
the number one team in the NFL.
Speaker 6 (34:20):
H did we now? I'm not sure about that, but
certainly way up there. So your thoughts.
Speaker 5 (34:25):
Quickly on those two teams, those two games Ravens Vikings, Patriots, Buccaneers.
Speaker 4 (34:31):
Well, I think you already know where I'm at with
the Ravens Vikings.
Speaker 6 (34:33):
I mean, yeah, yeah, J J.
Speaker 3 (34:34):
McCarthy and I you know, I'm now summoning, summoning the
uh the football spirit of my uncle Joey there in
the ring of honor there and then say, hopefully that
looms large for them and they can they can come
up with a victory.
Speaker 4 (34:50):
The other one was but Bill's Dolphins.
Speaker 5 (34:53):
Forget we just we're brushing past that one. Bill's at
the Dolphins. O.
Speaker 6 (34:57):
Patriots, Patriots at the Buccaneer Paige.
Speaker 4 (35:01):
That's good, That's it could be a good one.
Speaker 5 (35:03):
There's three games, in my opinion, there's three games of
the day kind of contenders. There is the Patriots and
the Buccaneers. There's the Steelers and the Chargers. There's the
Eagles and the Packers on Monday night.
Speaker 3 (35:15):
Yeah, yeah, those those are the three headliners. And and
for this being the first of that of that triple
tier assault you're talking about great on great you know,
the Patriots number one, you know, They've already beaten Buffalo
in Buffalo, so that tall task has been has been accomplished.
And you're leading first to the AFC, so you're going
(35:36):
against the NFC South leader and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
So you know, anytime you get tops of divisions head
to head, regardless of conference, it's going to be some fireworks.
Speaker 4 (35:46):
And you know, Mike.
Speaker 3 (35:47):
Rabele has the Patriots cooking, so glad that.
Speaker 4 (35:49):
They are they are.
Speaker 3 (35:50):
They are a notch in our belt already and that
we did not have to see them later, but who knows,
we might have to see them later later, not just later,
but later, later.
Speaker 5 (35:59):
Later, later works for me. Browns and Jets, Yeah, we're
not even. We're not going to waste any time.
Speaker 4 (36:07):
Yeah, keep going.
Speaker 5 (36:08):
Jaguars Texans another one, the Jaguars at the Texans, and
the Jaguars have got to be feeling pretty good about themselves.
They've had an up and down season and this won't
be easy going against the Texans. The Texans are a
slight underdog in this game, but they're at home. You know,
there's another team that's absolutely desperate. You know, they did
(36:31):
not expect to be three and five. I think in
the small handful of teams that are the biggest disappointments
in the NFL, they would at this point of the season,
they would have to be right there, possibly even number
one in the list. The Jaguars, meanwhile, are thinking, hey, listen,
Falcons have been another one of those disappointing teams, and
maybe we start to get the Colts moving backward. But
(36:52):
either way, if you're the Jaguars, regardless of what happens
in London, whether you're keeping pace or trying to pull
up another within a game of the Colts, that's a
big game for them and not easy when they're going
on the road against the Texans team that you know,
they've got to be feeling the pressure of now or never.
Speaker 3 (37:11):
Yeah, I mean it's got it's got to be now, uh,
because you can't follow any more games behind. We talked
about the Ravens earlier about being having to be perfect.
You've got you you you have to be stellar, sterling,
beyond beyond fault perfect to get back into this race
because it is imperative and this year, of all years,
(37:32):
right Rob, we've just seed so much uncertainty with all
of the league. I mean, anytime we talked about this, right,
getting number one on the Power Ranking seems to be
like like like the gift and the curse, right, It's
a gift to a bit of what you've done, but
a curse because of what you have to deal with
a head right cover sports back, Yeah right, yeah, so yeah,
(37:55):
I mean the cover and the cover of Madden as well,
Like you don't want you know you you don't. It's like,
oh man, great for the Oh god, now now I'm
gonna get injured. How am I gonna get injured this time?
And so yeah, it's definitely one that they have to
be on their p's and q's and they got to
play perfect.
Speaker 5 (38:11):
And speaking of injuries, no CJ. Stroud as he is
out with an injury.
Speaker 3 (38:15):
Davis Davis mill for Houston, So no off line still
that that that that's one where they should have had
a casket for the old line outside of their stadium,
you know what I'm saying, Like the Steelers defense one,
I'm like, come on this extreme, but Houston, Yeah, they
need they need like five caskets out there because they
(38:36):
don't have anybody at any position that that gives me
any great confidence. And like I said, it's it's tough
for them and for Jacksonville. This is you have you
have to climb back of this contest because, like you said,
the Colts have created such an edge on you. You've got
to be You've got to be good. You don't have
to be great. You just got to be good, Trevor Lawrence.
You just have to be good. Jacksonville Jaguars, you don't
(38:56):
have to be great.
Speaker 4 (38:58):
But the Yeah, the Texas, they have to be great.
Speaker 3 (39:00):
And they're going in, you know, without their starting quarterback,
which you would say he's he's one of the difference
him and Will Anderson in the face of that franchise,
and so we don't have him. A lot more falls
on on Will Anderson in that defense, who's been absolutely
lights out stellar.
Speaker 4 (39:16):
But they need some help. I mean, the funny thing was,
you know, I don't know if.
Speaker 3 (39:20):
You saw that going around the Chase Brown talking about
the Bageles defense from the Chicago game.
Speaker 4 (39:26):
Yeah, if I'm Will Anderson, I'm like, I'm doing the reverse.
Speaker 3 (39:31):
Just score a point, Just put points on the board.
That's all we Need's points we have to rest. Just
give us a lead.
Speaker 4 (39:40):
At some point.
Speaker 5 (39:42):
Well, we'll see what Davis mill is not going to
be easy taking on Jacksonville. That's our AFC preview presented
by UPMC, the official health care provider and health plan
to the Pittsburgh Steelers. And again that begins tonight on
Thursday Night Football. Gear up with the latest game data necessities.
Hit the official Steelers Pro shops. Get the latest sidelin peril, jerseys,
terrible towels, authentic memorabilia and custom exclusives you can only
(40:04):
find directly from the team. Visit one of the official
Steelers Pro shops located at Akroscher Stadium, Grove City Premium Outlets,
or Tanger Outlets, or gear up online at shop dot
Steelers dot com. Get it direct from the team at
the Steers Pro Shop at Shop dot Steelers dot com.
We will be back with some final thoughts on this
episode in the Locker Room presented by our neighborhood Ford
(40:26):
Store and the Students Pro Shop on Steelers Nation Radio,
a part of the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (40:38):
This is in the Locker Room with King and Starks
on Steelers Nation Radio, presented by your neighborhood Ford 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 3 (41:00):
All right back inside the locker room here, I was
actually giving King, you're funny enough. I was actually giving
a dramatic pause because I was just waiting for King.
Speaker 4 (41:09):
I felt like, I felt like, yeah, you are you
are you are you?
Speaker 3 (41:13):
Are you?
Speaker 4 (41:13):
Hey?
Speaker 6 (41:13):
Justin Mikes, you're hot guys. You guys are in it together.
Speaker 4 (41:17):
Yeah, you're in it together.
Speaker 3 (41:19):
I just wanted to see it. I mean, listen, you
had a day off.
Speaker 4 (41:22):
I didn't know.
Speaker 3 (41:22):
I was like, you know, maybe maybe maybe he was
gonna he was gonna revert back.
Speaker 4 (41:26):
I was.
Speaker 3 (41:26):
I was like, I was gonna give him a second
and then step in. But you did not buy the bait.
Oh my goodness, great job, there came Padre. It's so good,
so good, But we're gonna go ahead.
Speaker 6 (41:39):
Vis the second.
Speaker 3 (41:40):
It's the bell lap, Oh, the sweetest sound in all
the sports radio, because that lets you know it is
it is time to go forging.
Speaker 4 (41:50):
It's time to go.
Speaker 3 (41:50):
Hunting for that for that food and those rations, those
portions with those morsels, whatever it is that suits your fancy.
On this lovely third day, I mean yesterday, Wes treated
us to what he was going to do. He Wes
had made himself a lasagna soup that he had made,
so he shared that with us. And yeah, so like
(42:12):
ground ground turkey and ground pork in there. He did
a nice thick tomato sauce. He used some uh some
uh some was it buffalata noodles, which I thought buffalata
was a sandwich, but I guess apparently that's noodles. He
told me so, and he did that, and then of
course we opened the phone lines for the first time
yesterday Kinger and Uh. We had we had a caller.
(42:35):
We had Tyler from UH from Wisconsin. He yeah, he
did a smoked three bean white chicken chili uh that
he was so happy to share with us that he
was going into UH for his lunch hour.
Speaker 4 (42:49):
So it was a soup day yesterday.
Speaker 3 (42:51):
I had. I had shrimp gumbo. So I was proud
of myself for having that. So so yeah, so, so
of the things that you did miss yesterday, that was
that was one of them that you did miss for
the for the bell lap here. So I wanted to
make sure I share that with you, and you know,
maybe maybe I get some soupspiration to some people out there,
(43:12):
because uh, you know, I'm I'm a soup guy. I am,
I'm a heavy soup guy. Listen, if I if I,
if I could, if I can dunk it in broth,
we're doing it. I think I might go do a
Ti dumpling soup today. I'm not gonna lie and I'm.
Speaker 6 (43:26):
Feeling I will tell you that.
Speaker 5 (43:27):
On Thursdays, I go I leave directly to go to
the Steelers facility on the South Side to shoot the
matchup with Matt Williamson and Missy. Matthews begin to talk
about the the open on Sunday with Missy get some
of her ideas.
Speaker 6 (43:43):
But usually I walk into the.
Speaker 5 (43:45):
Steelers lunch room and there's time for a quick something
to eat, and it is almost always a bowl of
soup because there's soups and chili's and steels.
Speaker 6 (43:55):
All the food. They do a great job.
Speaker 5 (43:57):
They are phenomenal, and so I will normal normally sit
down across from Matt Williamson and I will have a
bowl of soup and I will have a couple of
ice coffees that I don't need because they come out
of that coffee machine and.
Speaker 3 (44:12):
Comes out of like a tap.
Speaker 4 (44:14):
It is.
Speaker 6 (44:14):
I'm one of those guys.
Speaker 5 (44:16):
It comes out of a tap where if you say,
would you like a cup of coffee?
Speaker 6 (44:20):
Uh, you know, I don't care where.
Speaker 5 (44:21):
I am, would you Yes, the answer is yes, I
would like a cup of coffee.
Speaker 6 (44:25):
I don't know why.
Speaker 5 (44:26):
Probably I could probably, I could probably go a little
less in that department, Max. But there you have it.
If it's offered up, I'm ready.
Speaker 6 (44:34):
I'm willing. And then and then it's and then it.
Speaker 5 (44:40):
Hits just as we're as we're taping the as we're
taping the matchup.
Speaker 6 (44:45):
So if anybody else turn the micro.
Speaker 5 (44:49):
Watch, yeah, well, if anybody sees like my left hand twitching,
that's what it is.
Speaker 6 (44:54):
It's not soup. It's that extra caffeine. So look for
that in the matchup show.
Speaker 3 (45:00):
Like good, it's too good, too good. Yeah, I'll do
a great job on on the Masters Show. I love
watching that. And of course you know Matt with his
Matt stats.
Speaker 4 (45:06):
Yes, always.
Speaker 5 (45:09):
The knowledge bombs. I am a print out guy. Like
everything you've seen my charts, I'm gonna write my charts.
I don't like things printed out. I'm a tactile learner,
you know, I like to. So I print out Matt's
stats and then I go through and I circle him,
and it's a it's kind.
Speaker 6 (45:23):
Of a little day of football excitement.
Speaker 4 (45:25):
You know.
Speaker 5 (45:25):
Maybe we'll maybe we'll bring some of those like tomorrow
to like tomorrow Max, some of them.
Speaker 3 (45:30):
You know, I believe we should. I believe we should,
and you you know, and then we're also with you know,
with our sideline extraordinaiy uh, Missy Matthews as well, and
the Missy stats. You know, the miss and the Missy
notes are always good. So a combination of Matt stats,
Missy notes, it's gonna be it's gonna be a fun
filled Friday as well.
Speaker 5 (45:50):
That it is, and we're gonna delve into some of
the matchups and we got to spend some time. Remind
me if I if I forget, I can't imagine I
would Derwin James, you know, just watching the tape of him,
I mean, he he is uh remember he missed that
season with an injury. Man, he is a great player
and uh a guy you everybody out there is really
(46:10):
going to want to keep an eye on. So that
is coming up tomorrow. That'll do it for today's show.
I want to thank Justin Miller the controls in our
Heart studio. Max Starks, my friend. Look forward to talking
to you tomorrow.
Speaker 3 (46:24):
Hey, look forward to it as well, Bud. And yeah, yeah,
you have to give us a superport too. You know
what the options were tomorrow is.
Speaker 6 (46:29):
I will, I will?
Speaker 5 (46:31):
He is, Max Starks, I'm Rob King. We thank you
for being one of us in the Locker Room, presented
by your neighborhood Ford Store in the Steelers Pro Shop
on Steelers Nation Radio, a part of the Steelers Audio Network.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com