August 1, 2026 • 47 mins
Max and Rob break down the tight end room and Max chats with Michael McQuaid of Steelers Nation Ireland.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
This is live coverage of the twenty twenty six Steelers
training Camp on the Steelers Audio Network, presented by bud Light,
Easy to Drink, Easy to Enjoy, and brought to you
in part by Pennsylvania one Call Systems Dial eight one
one before You dig SNT Bank People Forward Banking by
(00:22):
kalucy Chevrolet, serving the Pittsburgh area for over one hundred
and eight years. Clearview Federal Credit Union. For every touchdown
the Black and Gold Score in twenty twenty six, Clearview
will donate five hundred dollars to the Light of Life
Mission Listen CLEARVIEWFCU dot org and by iron Workers Local
Union Number three. We don't go to the office, we
(00:45):
build it.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
We're trying to ascertain with Justin Norvin. But I said, yes,
you failed the stat bank. Oh yeah, yeah right there,
right there, yeah, yeah right. I could have a little
bit of a The only time I saw a CDC
in concert, I saw him with a song with Paul Alexander.
(01:15):
We were at work and we were that was in
our still in our suit and tie days and we
were at Ducane Profession University in our suit and time,
and they were playing over at the arena. We were
in the basketball games. We left the basketball game, hustled down,
didn't miss any of the concert, didn't really oh, this
(01:35):
had to be twenty ten or something. Didn't really know
what to expect at a c DC. You know, they
they give off this image of being this kind of
sloppy party band. I mean, their lead singer died, you know,
Bond Scott, I think, drinking too much or whatever.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
So they were incredible, unbelievably tight and just I mean,
I'm a I'm a fan of a c DC's always
been a fan of a c DC.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
But you never know what you're gonna see from somebody live.
Some day, you see somebody live in concert and you're like,
it's a bit of a disappointed.
Speaker 4 (02:07):
Yeah, the studio album absolutely well, I think a lot
of And then you know, normally we get usually a
preseason game or two where at PNC Park, Right, they
have kind of that kind of ode to the eighties
type of bands that come in and play and play there,
so you know, you kind of see some of the
remnants of the fans of those bands looks worse, but
(02:29):
the band is amazing, Right, I come around out there
and yeah, I'm the same thing I'm a fan.
Speaker 5 (02:34):
You know.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
T and T was was probably the song that played
in high.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
School in the genez That was the that was the
ultimate lifting song, along with like Metallica and of course
you're throwing like Thunderstruck.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
And Back in Black.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
Yeah, Back in Black is is still one of those
down dann own Yeah, you know, and and even well
and also the iron Man, right, iron Man, the Flash
iron Man, Well, no, no, no, I'm saying the movie iron Man.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Okay, totally.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
They played a c DC throughout that and kind of
gave them a little resurgence because everything was kind of
a c DC themed. On the first Robert Downey Junior,
John Favreau U Crack at the MCU they played the
A C D C was the theme there.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
So my wife found somehow an old video. Okay, we'll
get back to foot on a minute, but yeah, you
found an old video of Bond Scott singing I was
it was. He was in a band, in Australian band,
of course, and they did an R and B cover
and he was the lead singer. And you know this
(03:35):
guy who sang T kind of had a sweet voice.
You look at him like, oh, it's clearly Bond Scott.
I was like dance like a voice of It was
like you look at will Farell Stepper. It was like
mixed between Fergie and Jesus.
Speaker 4 (03:49):
Yeah, where's this angelic voice that you hear this kind
of raspy, loud, tweaking voice in ac DC.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Yeah, it might have been. It must have been right
before he ate a cart and a sandpaper. So, you know,
we we talked about this just at the end of
the last segment when you're wrapping up the Ring of Honor,
that we wanted to talk about the tight end position.
And so let's hear first Mike McCarthy talking about Robert
(04:16):
Tanyan from this morning's press conference, a guy who played
for Mike McCarthy and with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay
at the tight end position. What tracking you to Tanyan
to bring him?
Speaker 6 (04:26):
How's he How's he helps some of the young quarterbacks?
He seems to be a security blend with them already.
Speaker 7 (04:31):
Roberts a hell of a player. You know, just haven't
been around him as a rookie, so and just I've
always watched his career, you know, after my time with
him in Green Bay. But you know, he's you know
he had it right away. You know, a very instinctive player.
You know, he's very very natural in the past game.
You can see the particularly how he attacks them. You know,
the middle reads, the post routes, you know, the alley routes,
(04:54):
and and you know so much of that is uh
is about, you know, the timing, the body, the body language,
you know, in tune with the clock of the quarterback.
So no, I think we're extremely fortunate to have Robert here, Bobby.
I think the guys like to call him, but he's
you know, he's a really good fit for how we.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Want to play. And that's the big question, how do
you want to play? So last year three tight end sets,
four tight end sets, I believe more, you know, Matt
Williamson's always very good at these kind of things. More
three tight end sets, I believe than any team in
the NFL.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
Yeah, we led the way in thirteen personnel. And I
think for Robert Tanyan, he has a place in this offense.
Right If you are going to run the football, if
you are going to be physical at the point, you're
going to need that veteran. And this is a guy
Mike McCarthy drafted in Green Bay. Of course, you know,
left the team the year after, but like you said,
played with Aaron Rodgers for a number of years after
(05:56):
going into his ninth season here in the NFL, and.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
He just brings that sturdy, veteran presence in that room.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
I know, listen, I know Pat Friedland's been here five
years going on year six, right, deren Old Washington has
now been here going on his third year. But Robert
Tynan's going on his ninth year. And he is a
football player, and you need those professional guys scattered throughout
your team, and he's another guy that can kind of
read through the minutia. He's been through a Mike McCarthy
(06:25):
training camp, He's played with Aaron, so he.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Has familiarity with Aaron.
Speaker 4 (06:30):
And I want to say, I want to say, I
think his last year there up in Green Bay Aaron
or one of Aaron's.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
MVP seasons.
Speaker 4 (06:38):
You know, Robert Tanian had fifty two catches and eleven
touchdowns with Aaron. So this is a guy who is
a legitimate red zone threat. Maybe not as much as
he was in that year now because he's years older,
had a couple of injuries, but he has that on
his resume he's done it, so maybe he could bring
(06:58):
along even more a Darnel Washington. Maybe he can help
refine a Pat Friarm with a little bit more and
it brings another veteran into that room and gives that
room a little bit more meatiness to that to that
position group and one that you know looks you know
for Allington's purpose is it's a deep group. I mean,
I think we have what seven tight ends on the
(07:18):
roster right now, so we have a lot of guys there,
but he's one that looks like a guy that fills
in and if you because you're going to carry three
tight ends because you're gonna run in a minimum two
tight ends sets, so you're always gonna need that third guy.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
And I think he just he fits thing good with that.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
You know, he gives you the John new Smith experience level,
but I think he has a little bit more gridience
because I think he's a better you know, down blocker
in a three point stance, so he gives you nice
edge presents for your tackles, but can also run the
entire route tree.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
So you know what happened last year with the four
tight ends, that's not gonna happen this year, I don't.
So two guys are gone and by the way, so
eleven personnel, which it would be one tight end. Mike
McCarthy's last year in Dallas, I think they ran in
something like seventy percent of the time, up among the most,
maybe the most, but up among the most in the NFL.
(08:10):
Of the Steelers did it, I think maybe the.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
Least last year, I think thirty percent something like that.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
I think, very very low.
Speaker 4 (08:17):
It was like us in like Seattle, yeah, or like
the bottom of it was it was an eleven personnel.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
Yeah, it was very low. So and I don't I
don't know the exact figures, but it's it's clearly, you know,
a complete and different change. So you wonder, well, how
are this Steelers going to value the tight end position? Right?
You have Pat Fryerman who was signed to a contract
extension before Mike McCarthy got here, but it's a contract
extension was really underutilized compared to what he had in
(08:45):
his first several seasons. You could pretty much, you know,
know that the male is going to be delivered, right, Yeah,
you know it's gonna snow around around Christmas and Pat
firom was gonna have sixty catches, right, Well, that didn't
happen last year. No, it didn't. So I think that
you know, how is this position going to be valued? Well,
you don't know. And then they signed Darnolt Washington to
(09:07):
extend to a contract extension. You say, wait a minute, now, okay,
so what does that mean? And don't I don't know?
First of all, what do you think that means? Don't
mean anything other than you just signed a good football
player and you know you're gonna have two tight ends
and they're gonna use utilize them. There's gonna be some
twelve personnel stuff out there, for sure.
Speaker 4 (09:27):
Yeah, I think you have to say it's going to
be more twelve personnel over thirteen for sure.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
And I don't sure.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
And I don't think you get to the amount of
eleven as he did down in Dallas because I think
your division also dictates what you can and can't do.
And in Dallas, when you look at the NFC East,
it is a lot more spread, It is a lot
more differing style of guys where you need to deploy
three wide receivers around the field because you have such
(09:55):
a good pass rush and the defensive Lineman and the
NFC East.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
I think when you come to the AFC North, you
know you you got.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
To be able to run that football, right, and twelve
personnel is your best way of getting that.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
And I mean we got to fullback on the roster.
Speaker 4 (10:06):
So does that look like twenty one personnel over twelve
which means two backs, one tight end, right, But and
twelve personnel one tight end to one running back, two
tight ends, so you know how you get to that,
I think is another way. But you always got to
have a third in that case, if you're going to
use a lot of two tight end sets, you need
to have a third.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
One available to you. So that's why I think you
keep three.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
But I don't see thirteen personnel being a primary running
group or anything like we ran thirteen out of almost
necessity to be able to move the football. Yes, whereas
I don't think that's going to be a problem here
when you look at the line and you look at
the growth of this and also the emphasis on offense.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
And look at the receiver core you have now as
opposed to a year ago, Yeah, completely different. You don't
spend a you know, you don't trade for Michael Pittman
and then spend a second round pick on Jeremy Bernard
and still have Roman Wilson and think we're going to
run a lot of thirteen personnel exactly. So you know,
again we're using a lot of tominisms until we get
our full range of mccarthyisms, yes, but still working on those.
(11:04):
You know, if you have red paint, paint the barn red.
So you know, I think that Arthur Smith wanted to
play that big personnel, but they also they also went
with what they had. So but then in the off
season Johnny Smith gone, Connor Hayward gone. Those are other
two tight ends and Connor more of an H back
type of guy, could play some in line, but you
(11:25):
really wanted him more of an H back, or maybe
somebody wanted him wing in motion, right field, right, those
sort of things, and you've got to You've drafted a
full back and Rithy Nykowski who might be able to
take some of that role. But you know, you go
from well, we're not going to run a lot of
thirteen personnel. By the same token, you're not going to
(11:45):
have two tight ends on your roster. You're going to
have three tight ends on your roster, and I don't
think they'll have four. I think they'll have three. So
you know, you're looking at young guys like JJ Galbreth
who turned some heads last year in camp with his
pass catching ability. You bring in jaem Bell, you're bringing
Lake McCree. Then you're bringing Robert Tanyan, and I think
the feeling is barring injury. Aha, that's the guy.
Speaker 4 (12:07):
Well, and you brought him in at mini camp, so
he wasn't there in OTAs, he wasn't here early free agency.
This was kind of like we looked at what we
had and we needed more. So, yeah, you're right, you think, okay,
if all works out, he stays healthy, things go as planned,
that you add a Robert Tanyanto this group, and that
(12:28):
was the missing piece to round out the tight end
pie of the equation.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
Right, and then the other guys maybe, you know, barring
injury again, it's always the caveat of barring injury. You know,
can find themselves maybe in developmental roles. By themselves on
the practice squad. We can make a decent living and
pretty solid living and also develop, yeah, develop into a
player that you know, maybe you're the next Dylan Cook.
Maybe you know, James Pierre is a little different. A
(12:55):
veteran guy went in the practice squad, but you know
those are those are and I would think that that
would have to be some motivation and sending for you. Yes,
you're gonna be disappointed if you don't make this roster.
You know, No, you wouldn't rather be on the practice
squad than the fifty three. Maybe rather be on the
practice squad than have a real job, first of all.
(13:16):
And secondly, that practice squad job could turn into you
being the next Dylan Cook, or you being the next
James Pierre, or an injury happens and you have to
get elevated.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
You're already in the system, and then maybe when you
get up you don't move back. That's right, right, So
I mean you just need to create the pathway in
the avenue, right, And I think that's how you kind
of have to look at it at positions like this
where it's a very niche position. Right, there's only three
guys that are going to be on this roster and
there's seven guys in the room. You know, it's like,
(13:47):
you know, you say, don't count the numbers, just play
your game, But at some point you have to be. Okay,
can I be the next Robert Tanya next year?
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Right? Can that third tight end?
Speaker 4 (13:58):
Or can I be a guy that compliments Pat Fryarmouth
or Darnell Washington?
Speaker 2 (14:03):
Right? Can my skills grow a little bit more?
Speaker 4 (14:05):
Maybe I need to do a little bit more BLOCKI
or maybe I need to get a little bit better
at my route tree and understanding those complications that.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
Come with it.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
But there's gonna be something that you can glean that
you can do better. And I'd rather do it better
sitting on a practice squad in the classroom every day
with everybody versus trying to figure it out at home
and having, like you said, having.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
A clock in every day. Well, the other thing is too,
is that, I mean, take it one step further. If
you're out on this field, you can be the next
James Harrison. You can be the next Willie Parker. You
can be a guy where're like, Okay, you're making the roster.
And of course took James a while, but you're making
the roster because we are you know, we have left
(14:48):
ourselves open to keeping those kinds of players. We talked
about this yesterday that the the you know, you don't
have to play CYA. When you're the Steelers, you don't
have to go to the coaching staff and say, hey, listen, no,
he spent a high draft pick in this kid. Can
you keep him around a little bit? And look, you
always drafted somebody because you believe in him. But maybe
(15:10):
you just the coach who's hired by that gentlem manager says,
okay that for optics, we'll keep that guy, will carry
that guy. And now maybe that undrafted guy doesn't get
the opportunity. I mean, think about we're talking about Hall
of Honor, you know, think about Willie Parker, right, he
didn't really get the opportunity in North Carolina, and now
he's an undrafted guy on another team. Is he squeezed
off the roster perhaps as opposed to being a Hall
(15:32):
of Honor member like he is and his super Bowl
hero like he is his rookie year, right, he was,
because look who you had in the backfield. You had
jer Own Bettis, you brought over a Duce Daly, and
then you still also had oh gosh from Georgia, one
of my teammates.
Speaker 4 (15:48):
Ron Haynes, that was already on there, and we still
carried a fullback. So yeah, Dan Kreider, so righter does
the fifth back fit in this he was on practice squad.
And then what happens the next next year, Hey, we
bring jer own back, but Jerome's not going to be
the feature back because he's older and.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
We need to take some of them.
Speaker 4 (16:06):
Let's see what this young, really really fast kid can
do from North Carolina that was at the end of
the bench.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
He becomes, like you said, the longest rush in Super
Bowl history.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
From the line of scrimmage right in Willie Parker and
he becomes a folk here in a legend here in
at Western pas he helps the Steelers get.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
One for the thumb like that.
Speaker 4 (16:27):
But because he was willing to sit there and say
I could sit back and learn, I'm gonna wait for
my opportunity and just continue to chop wood. Your number
gets called, like you said, Dylan Cook is a more
contemporary version of that as well. And even you know,
to put it in a in another sense, a Spencer
Anderson who came in here as a tackle but was like,
(16:47):
I just want to get on the field and sat
back and first year was really just trying to learn
all these differences, like trying to play four different positions.
And then last year comes in, Hey, by the way,
can you snap as well?
Speaker 2 (16:59):
Oh yeah, I can do that. I can do whatever
you tell. Seventh round draft choice Rights becomes.
Speaker 4 (17:03):
A swing guy and a Swiss Army knife and now
comes here this year, starting for competing for a starting job.
Speaker 2 (17:11):
And it's got to make you hungry if you are
this year's late round draft choice, if you are Eli
Heidenreich or Robert Spears Jennings or Gabriel Rubio or one
of these guys. To know, hey, listen, the door is
left open for players to succeed. And look other organizations.
I'm not saying the Steelers are the only organization this is,
(17:33):
but the Steelers do this, and you know what that does.
That makes you a better organization, That's what it does well.
Speaker 4 (17:39):
And it puts you in a position where you can
keep talent exactly and you can grow talent and groom
guys and you're not worried about free agency every single year.
I've got to go pull the best player, what's the
most shocking name, and make the biggest blockburster deal or trade.
It's no we got guys in our farm, right, and
(18:02):
we'll just go a little bit sidetracked with baseball references, right,
I would rather pull a guy up from our system
in triple A, double A or single A, right, right,
versus going and trading for somebody in another system and
then bringing them over.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
So I think that's where you kind of look at it.
Speaker 4 (18:17):
You want to keep as much homegrown talent, drafted talent,
curated talent within your in your system so that you
can grow them in your culture, then your philosophy so
when their name is called, they're ready to step on
the field and go one hundred percent.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
So we're going to dive a little more into the
tight end situation. I think that some of these discussions
are certainly worth having so that fans understand, you know,
the way this is operating and the way this is
being done, and the opportunities that are available for these
players out here. We're going to talk a little bit
more about that tight end position. More things Steer. There's
from beautiful Saint Vincent College Training Camp continuing in the
locker room here with Max Stark to myself, Rob King
(18:55):
on this year, there's audio Network.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
This is live Cobray Jump dot Com. Twenty six Steelers
Training Camp or the Steelers Audio Network presented by bud Light,
Easy to Drink, easy to enjoy, and brought to you
in part by your neighborhood, Ford Store Creator, Pittsburgh Community
Food Bank, First National Bank. Let's Get Started Member FDIC
(19:19):
West Shore Home Remodeling Reimagine by Leecom Digital, Donz Appliances
Visit Donzappliances dot Com guaranteed lowest prices, free next day delivery,
CGR Wholesale and by Hassa's Steak and Seahouse. Hass Is
his hospitality.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
And welcome back. Inside the locker room from Saint Vincent
College and the trop chuck An Oldfield all cleaned up
and ready to go for practice tomorrow. You know, it's
it's interesting like when you get here early, you see
everybody preparing the feel and the players come on of
course are the main event, and then they leave. Then
if you but he's still working man, they're still putting
(20:02):
their time in. They're cleaning up the cones over here.
And the different things that are utilized during practice, yardage markers.
Yardage markers all have to come up and be taken in.
So we're talking about the tight end position. And you know,
I do think that one of the things that's really
interesting is how they're going to utilize Darnell and Pat Fryrenmouth.
(20:24):
You know, we made the point yet and I think
Robert Tanyan we all agree, or you and I agree,
that he could step in and do a very credible
job for you. You know, there's guys that could step
in and you can kind of get through the rest
of the game with him. He's more than that, you know,
he's not just a guy. Well, we got to put
him out there fingers crossed. You know, it's better than
he can do something. It's better than going over to
(20:47):
the defensive coach and saying, hey, you got anybody here
that played tight end in college. You know, you know
you don't have to do that. You feel good about
what he can do to help you win a game.
But I do think that in a lot of ways,
and it sounds crass, but it really it just makes
sense to follow follow the money, follow what follow the
(21:12):
draft picks. Follow the money that tells you, you know,
follow a trade acquisition, that tells you what a what
an organization thinks about a player. They think he's worth
excellent amount of money, and therefore you would expect him
to be used accordingly. Well, you have a coach now
who's probably going to use more twelve personnel maybe than
(21:34):
he has in the past, but not as much as
maybe another coat now it remains to be seen. Yeah,
but we know nothing yet, right right till the early days,
you got to follow the money for two tight ends, right,
so it'll be very interesting. I don't know how they're
going to divvy up the snaps. Well, I think, like
you said, twelve.
Speaker 4 (21:50):
Personnel gives you an even snap count, right, right, they're
both on the field, they're both on either side, or
even if you deploy them in doubles and run a
twins with him of some of some sort. But I
think what you have to look at is matchup basis. Right,
Maybe you're a little more Darnel Washington front side at
(22:15):
the point of tacking divisional play, and maybe you use
Pat Friremouth more on the backside or split out, and
then when you get to teams that are pretty balanced,
maybe you have both of them in line and it
can be interchangeable and then maybe one you know, based
on a play, one has the matchup advantage over the other. Right,
(22:35):
I find very few guys that that Darneld Washington is
not overmatch, you.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
Know, in a lot of situations.
Speaker 4 (22:42):
But I think but it could be a speed thing, right,
it could be a speed thing that, Okay, we can't
really use Darnell as much, then kind of some some
hook and curl stuff.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
In the middle of the field along the hashes.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
Maybe this is more Pat Friarmouth game because he's the
quicker of the two tight ends, and we want to
utilize stuff more in the middle of the field. And
maybe we reserved Darnell from more of your red zone
packages right where he's that tall, lengthy target that can
just go bowling for buzzards right once he gets the
ball in his hands. So I think it's just a
cool thing that I don't think it's going to be equal,
(23:14):
but I think it's going to be similar, and that
they're looking for the mashup matchup disadvantage on the other team.
Who can I put that can match up better with
this linebacker that'll be carrying him, or this nickel that
drops down, or this dollar safety like a bunch of
you know, every defense has a different name for these guys.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
Maybe he can, maybe he can beat up this rover.
So I think that's kind of how you have to
look at it.
Speaker 4 (23:38):
And Robert Tanya is kind of a nice hybrid between
both Pat Fryarmouth and Darneld Washington where accomplished blocker, willing blocker,
but also has a resume of catching the football and
knows how to deploy.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
I was gonna ask you if you think it's fair
to say, for fans who haven't seen him play don't
know a lot about him, that he's sort of in
between those guys, And you just said, you know, that's
what you think he is.
Speaker 4 (23:59):
That's what I think he is. I mean because I
watched Tanya in play in Green Bay. I had a
whole bunch of Green Bay games early in my career
as a broadcaster, and so I got to watch Tanya,
and Tanyan is one of those guys where he was
just right at that same time with Travis Kelce and
George Kittle and all those guys where you could line
him up in the slot and he didn't have to
(24:20):
be truly in line, but he could play in line.
He was kind of one of those He was in
that kind of genesis era of the flex tight end, so.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
He fits into that kind of style of play right.
And then you know, one of the things about any
position group is that, well, not offensive line, you're gonna
run five out there. But when you talk about tight
end receiver, sometimes you talk about sub packages on defense,
who are our best guys? And then maybe that dictates
a little bit of usage as well. So in the
(24:50):
past you might in the past the Sooners have been
searching for a second wide receiver. Yeah, they've got one.
Michael Pittman's gonna play. You know, Michael Pittman's a good play.
He's on the field. He's on the field, on the field.
You know you're gonna see DK Metcalf on the field. Now,
are they gonna be on there for every snap?
Speaker 5 (25:06):
No?
Speaker 2 (25:07):
Are they gonna get a lot of snaps? Yes, they're
gonna get a lot of snaps. Then you spend a
second round pick on Jeremy Bernard. Now, I don't know
how much this staff feels like that's a projection pick
as opposed to a now pick. Hey, we think this
guy's gonna be terrific, but we're gonna bring him along
slowly or whether hey, he's ready to go. Now, I
think there was a there was there was some now
(25:28):
thoughts about him coming out of college. He's pretty polished,
he's pretty physical, he'll do some things that you like. Now.
And then there's Roman Wilson, right, So you know, here's
a guy.
Speaker 6 (25:38):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (25:39):
I think I've mentioned this before. You know, last last
couple of years, we've been talking about a lot about
contested catches, and and that's great. You know, I like
contested catches, you know what, I also like uncontested catches
where guys are open. You know that means that means
you shook a guy out of the right. I kind
of want wiggle. I want I like uncontested catch and
and I think of the group, Roman Wilson is probably,
(26:02):
you know, for that quick little ability to maybe cause
some separation. You know, Mike McCarthy talks about two point
three seconds. He's you know, I think DK metcalf can
use his speed, but also his size. Pittman can use
his size and is savvy. I think Bernard's more that
size savvy kind of I don't want to take away
their athleticism any of these guys, but the guy with
(26:22):
the most potential for a little wiggle, it's probably Roman Wilson, right.
Wilson and Kayden Legion probably. Yeah, that's right. There's a
value one two right there. Yeah, that are wiggles.
Speaker 4 (26:32):
And I think it really comes down to big trips
little trips, right if I want to have if I
go line up Jerom Hubernard, Michael Pittman, and DK Metcalf
as my eleven personnel, You're like, holy crap, we don't
have enough.
Speaker 2 (26:45):
Height right for three of these guys.
Speaker 6 (26:47):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
But if I line up Roman Wilson's like, do I
have enough speed in the slot?
Speaker 4 (26:50):
It's exactly right? Can I take it advantage of that?
If I have Kayden legion in the slot? Like, can
I take advantage of the speed burst? Can I get
those quick crossers? Can I get those behind the line
of scrimmage motions that then allow you to kind of
lose a guy and then he can burn down down
the scene or the hash and make a play like.
Those are the things that I think having the option
(27:11):
to and I think that's what this wide receiving group
presents as options. Yes, I can mix and match based
on my personnel, a matchup that will give us an
advantage somehow.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
And the other thing I like about it is again
to be the to be mildly contrarion, but hopefully the
same way about or you know, a contested uncontested is
that sometimes it's just okay to say, Okay, we're gonna
we're gonna run big personnelity guys. Okay, well then we'll
put our big personnel. Guess you're a big personnel because
we think our guys are better. Yeah, because we have
Pittman and we have Metcalfine, we have Bernard, and we
(27:44):
want to have big guys, right, yeah, so we'll go
we'll go big on big, sure, or we'll go a
little on big, and so it doesn't have to be
so match up oriented. You know, when you think about
the history of the game, and this is one of
the things that I love. The different trends are so fascinating. Right,
So you get you know, you get the fun bunch
and you get these small receivers and you're out there
(28:04):
and the big defensive backs you know, they that you
have in there to stop it, and they can't keep
up with them, right, so what are you doing? So
you get little, you get smaller, quicker defensive backs, and
then some other team goes you know, there's a lot
of small, quick defensive backs. How about if we go
with really big wide receivers, you know, box them out
and then they now they're overpowering those guys. Now, how
do you how do you counter back as a as
(28:26):
a defense? And same thing with you know, I think
you have to give some credit to the Ravens, right,
you get a lot of the league's dealers are not
among them, but a lot of league are going for smaller,
quicker pass rushers and lighter, lighter into into your linebackers
to run out there and cover those quick running backs.
And so the Ravens just say, okay, well, then let's
(28:46):
just go really big and ram Derrick Henry down at
your two hundred and thirty five pound inside linebackers. See
how much they like that?
Speaker 4 (28:53):
Come to third or fourth quarter, third fourth quarter when
he when he's getting stronger, right, what are you.
Speaker 2 (28:58):
Going to do? And who was it that? And so
a lot of teams then try to counter it. Was
a couple of years ago in the playoffs, somebody came
out with a base defense that had seven defensive backs
and you're thinking, is that gonna work against that big
and they were too quick for him, and they just
shut down Lamar in that running game. So there's another
way you counterbounds. It is one of the fascinating things
(29:21):
the trends, but also the matchups and how are we
going to attack it? And I think the Steelers have
clearly have more talent at the receiver position, more ways
it can attack, and that could certainly affect the tight
end position, which also has some of those capabilities. With
the three guys were projecting or going to be on
this roster. Yeah, no, I think you're absolutely right.
Speaker 4 (29:42):
And it was a they call it quarter personnel when
you go seven defensive backs. Yeah, because you had Nickel
diam quarters seven, and there are teams because you did.
You did have some teams who do have those hybrid
starbackers right right where he's still a defensive back when
he plays in the box, right, it's that extra safety
type of dude, and they'll use that as their four
(30:04):
to two Nickel as their base personnel, but he plays
a third linebacking position.
Speaker 2 (30:09):
So there's a lot of different ways to get to it.
Speaker 4 (30:11):
But you're right, I mean, you know, how do you
match up? But you want all those options, so I
can you know, it's just like going to a buffet.
I just want everything presented and I'll tell you if
I want the car of roast beef, right, if I
want the prime rib?
Speaker 2 (30:24):
Or do I want fried chicken today? Right? Or do
I want the salmon like I want?
Speaker 4 (30:28):
Just but give me all three options, right, don't tell
me we're just we're just having chicken for dinner.
Speaker 2 (30:33):
Right. I want to know can I mix and match
my plate? That's what you want. You want this smorgas
board of options.
Speaker 4 (30:39):
So you're trying to find the best players that can
give you that versatility throughout the season.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
And then what you also want on defense, just to
use the defensive side of the ball is when you
have Mel Blunt, or you have Joe Green, or you
have TJ. Watt. The great players Okay, yeah, I'm stronger
than your August and I'm quicker than your quickest and
so you don't have to You're not suffing anybody out.
(31:05):
And no matter what you try, they got the answer
because they're singularly great players.
Speaker 4 (31:12):
Yeah, they're just excellent at what they do, not good,
not great, they are excellent.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
We're gonna go with smaller defensive backs. Not you, Mel,
You're still out. No, No, melw stay out there. You
don't count.
Speaker 4 (31:25):
I'm talking about the rest of the team. Hey, we're
gonna we're gonna go to a small defensive line. Not you, Joe,
that's right, that you Joe, that's right, Not you skinny
in your mind, that's right, that's exactly just in your mind.
Speaker 2 (31:36):
All fun stuff. So no practice tomorrow. Back with well
you're still here, Max. I will be stepping aside for
the last segment of this show, but Max will carry
on carrying the torch for the locker room. Thank you, Max.
That's right. There's only one can do, Max, Max Travel.
Max has raised his arm, right arm up in the air.
For those of you listening on radio, the lady radio
(31:58):
type of torch. Carry on alright, Olympic tours, don't know Max,
Thanks my friend, talk to you on Monday. Thank you
for listening. But continue to listen please because there's still more. Now,
one more segment, still one more segment to come in
the locker room here on the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (32:13):
This is live coverage of the twenty twenty six Steelers
Training Camp or the Steelers Audio Network, presented by bud Light,
Easy to Drink, Easy.
Speaker 2 (32:24):
To Enjoy, and brought to you in part by.
Speaker 1 (32:26):
Clearview Federal Credit Union for every touchdown the Black and
Gold score. In twenty twenty six, Clearview will donate five
hundred dollars to the Light of Life mission. Visit CLEARVIEWFCU
dot org. Easy home mixteriors, fast, reliable and affordable Schneider
Downs discover the value of big thinking with a personal focus.
(32:49):
US steel Mine melted and made in the USA, your
neighborhood Forward Store and by the Steelers Pro Shop visitshop
dot Steelers dot com.
Speaker 4 (33:02):
All right back inside the locker room here. Max Stark's
still on the airways. Rob King has departed, but I
went and got a little luck of the Irish for
this last segment. Here we got Mick McQuaid, of course
everything Steelers and everything in Ireland, and he has the
Steelers Ireland podcast, correct the Irish Irish Steelers Podcast. And
(33:24):
I just I always, I always want to add more
letters to it than it than it needs.
Speaker 2 (33:28):
But no joining us.
Speaker 4 (33:29):
And you've been here now a couple of days up
at training camp here and just kind of give me
your thoughts, man, you know, coming up here to Saint Facs.
You've made it here a couple of times. Just what
does it mean to come back every year? Every year
and just you know, see this new crop of Steelers.
Speaker 5 (33:44):
You know, I knows is coming on in a few
minutes on the channel. But I was sort of saying,
I'd love to go back here before practice Annas in
August because it's just so fun. There's a really, really
good vibe here. I went to a Seahawks and Niners,
both l A clubs over the last so it's been
a bit of a busy schedule. But when you see
the difference here on the camaraderie and the fact that
(34:05):
like for example, the other day, Justin Herbert gets in
the car, Who's home Mafia Stafford who these guys are
locked in their income together, they're building the bond. I
don't think you can put a price on that. And
then you see, like I was talking to a family
today that I haven't made it as theaters game in
four or five years. They flew in for this just
to see their players. Yeah, and that's very very different. Yes,
we were talking yesterday. It's gonna be on the podcastinga
(34:26):
but the community element of Irish sport, it's very different.
But it's also so similar as well, and it's awesome.
On like I would day I would stay here all
somewhere if it could. You know, I actually would.
Speaker 6 (34:36):
It's it's phenomenal.
Speaker 4 (34:38):
Yeah, yeah, no, what we definitely don't want your wife
being said like he's having all this fun in America.
But I think that's the other thing that's kind of
like you said, it's a community type.
Speaker 2 (34:49):
Of aspect, right.
Speaker 4 (34:50):
I mean, you know we're here on a Saturday and
the hills are full of fans, and the players are
taking the time afterwards to do autographs, and like you said,
some of your main stars getting the car and leave,
Like Aaron Rodgers is not getting his car and leave,
He's walking up the hill to Rooney Hall to get
in his dorm room.
Speaker 2 (35:08):
Yeah, it's just a different aspect.
Speaker 4 (35:11):
And you know you were around yesterday and you got
so you know, you got some good interviews that are
gonna be on the pod and everything. But what do
you think about as far as like the access to players.
I think that's also another thing that kind of ingratiates
players into the community. They're they're about to play for
having that type of access. What does that mean for
your fan base?
Speaker 5 (35:30):
I think I think the access is big, Like like
we literally just came off there now talking to Keanudventon
on Nick Herbig as well. We had well with pet
and Wilson yesterday as well on Patrick Queen. I'm actually
getting to talk to them a wee bit about like
you know, the Dublin game last year, but also you know,
traveling internationally the pros and cons, but that again as well,
you know fans in Ireland, you know Steeters fans and
(35:52):
even just general NFL funds that want to learn more
about the sport, discussing the fucked up there's not just
a new head coach, but really a new regime here
and what are the differences between incomes, because that's one
thing that people have told me about. You know, the
times are different, the regimes are different, but one thing
does stay to see them a couple of years coming
here and you're talking about the access. When you see
those players walk down those steps and you see the kids' faces,
(36:14):
it's it's something very very special and honestly the genuine
you know, care to the players. How there's not there's
not one player I've seen the last couple of days
it doesn't want to be here. They're locked in and
they know they're making a difference as well, but the
access has been created and walked past us more than
seeing coach mccarfrey and he was all smiles and that's cool,
that's crazy. I live in the middle of nowhere and
the side of farm, so like you've actually come in
(36:36):
here and do that.
Speaker 6 (36:36):
It's it's it's incredible.
Speaker 2 (36:38):
No, that is awesome. Well, and talking about Ireland, I mean,
you know.
Speaker 4 (36:42):
We're a little less than a year removed from that.
Speaker 2 (36:46):
I know, I know.
Speaker 4 (36:47):
It's like it's like we have to take like a
collective moment of silence. And she had, she had a
tear drop because that was such a phenomenal trip. And
when you think about the Steelers hadn't been abroad since
twenty thirteen, and then you get your next international opportunity
is of all countries, like the ownership, like their home
(37:09):
country and the connection that they have to Ireland, and
then to bring a game there, and I know you
worked tirelessly for years trying to lobby and trying to
get that game there, and then it finally comes there
and it was a phenomenal week. It was a phenomenal week.
And just kind of talk about your experience, like you said,
you always come here to see the Steelers. Now, the
(37:29):
Steelers came to see you essentially and to see the
people of Ireland. How how was that for you guys?
And and there's kind of that week leading up to
the game.
Speaker 5 (37:38):
Well, there's sources are in the kit, your change in
your name to Maxo Starks.
Speaker 6 (37:41):
Yeah, for the next game in the future.
Speaker 2 (37:43):
It's definitely working on Theirth certificate right now.
Speaker 5 (37:46):
And do you know what like, Look, I appreciate what
you're saying there, but I would say I was a
speckle of help in comparison to the loss Roney for
what heatl and not just for football, but for so
many relations between the US and Ireland as well across
the island of Ireland. But you know, when you actually
come here this year, when it's been done, when it's
been said and done, I think you appreciate a lot more.
(38:07):
I know we met up with the draft for a
very briefly, but it does hit you here when you
know he meets you know, mister Rooney or Don Rooney
and you speak to them, and the genuine care they
have for the island is it is just phenomenal. But
the week itself was I mean, how do you even
begin to like I think it was was it that
the Patriots was the game before having so I remember
(38:27):
watching that game and at the very very end, I
was like, well the next game is Ireland, Baby, here
we go. And like you imagine people like obviously that
are listening are obviously you know, mostly US based listening
to this. You imagine if you're hopping on a plane
to London for years. I'm not look, it's great, don't
get me wrong, but then you can hop on the
train and drive done. You're going to a game in
like on your island and in in your country, and
(38:50):
it's special. And I know you've probably seen more of
Ireland than I have. But this terrible tiles, which we'll
talk about in the weeks.
Speaker 2 (38:56):
Second, but the.
Speaker 5 (38:59):
You know hit me probably before the games started, but
that morning when people were walking down the Jones Road
to that stadium was very special. And I think it
was whenever I'm sure people listening will remember the giant
toile came up.
Speaker 6 (39:11):
Yeah, yeah, there was.
Speaker 5 (39:12):
A couple of teardrop shed at that moment, but that, man,
it was awesome. And you know, obviously we all wanted
to be the Steelers, but you get it back man,
find a way. Let's just play a game there every year,
and we'll just find a way financially subse. Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 4 (39:26):
Just be like the Jacksonville Jaguars, Like you have to
go to they have to go to London every we
just have to go to Ireland every year, or at
least every year we have an extra home game, right,
I'd definitely be up to that.
Speaker 5 (39:36):
I would be the man we having the flag at
the airport to get boy nice. Even at the airport
there was like five hundred people we hitten in the
arrivals and obviously the guys could often up the bus,
but I mean you were down at the training that
they had on the friday. Yeah, I've never seen as
many journalists at an NFL conference, and I know that
the NFL would say this as well. Easily the most
(39:57):
successful international game they've had in maybe twenty thirty years.
Speaker 6 (40:00):
So easily phenomenal on day.
Speaker 5 (40:02):
You know, you're obviously gonna spear had the return locks
I'm here.
Speaker 8 (40:04):
Yeah, No, I've definitely already put in my request, like, hey, guys,
if if I had, if I had any vote, which
I don't, I'm picking Ireland over all the countries.
Speaker 5 (40:16):
I mean like I mean maybe you did, and maybe
you give them the wrong city and you give them
the French city instead. I think I think a lot
of European finds are very very happy and honestly surprise
in a positive way that we're getting the naber Johans
look to see like Aaron Rodgers I fault when he
was in the press conference last year. That would be
his lost international one. Yeah, I'm we nicely in new
element to the Steeters franchise come over and play in
(40:36):
an our historic game and it's it's only ninety minutes whatever.
People alarm them in the UK, So it's awesome.
Speaker 4 (40:41):
There's a quick, quick, little fright flight there across the
pond and uh. And I think that's the other thing
is that you know the Steelers are now opening markets
internationally because like you said, you bring the first, we
bring the first game that's been done in Ireland, Germany
and in Germany, and then now we're doing a game
in Paris, like opening that market.
Speaker 2 (41:01):
Up even though we're they're away team.
Speaker 4 (41:03):
But it's like now we need the Steelers there like
like they they their fans carry like like we actually
have that following that is already in Europe, but we
also bring the American fans over to Europe.
Speaker 5 (41:15):
I think, like it's something that I mentioned there to
Nick Herbig that I was over in the Ordans on Weddnesday,
I nearly died and the heath as an Irishman, that's
a different.
Speaker 2 (41:23):
Conversation, that's different humidity when you.
Speaker 6 (41:25):
Talk to them.
Speaker 5 (41:26):
Obviously he wasn't speaking to Missus Benson, but you knew
the pride that they have in their team and the
connection that they have to that country. Like I said
to Nick Herbig, what an opportunity we have here to
go win and win that game because they have to
win that game.
Speaker 2 (41:40):
Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah, almost like.
Speaker 4 (41:41):
The French creole and everything, like the French culture and
the Florida ls that are all around that city, and
that attachment, like you said, it's it has an attachment
to that country that's synonymous. But once again, the real
black and gold versus the fake black and gold. I
think it's also cool. So technically, if you're wearing black
and gold and that get you're good for either side.
It's just what tint of gold are you wearing on
(42:03):
game day?
Speaker 6 (42:03):
It's a horrible situation for me. Because the proof is
the Steelers.
Speaker 5 (42:06):
Are playing in Paris, which is fantastic, but the Steans
could have an Irish kicker on as well.
Speaker 2 (42:10):
So it's like, well, you know what, what he can
he could score points.
Speaker 6 (42:13):
He just can't win exactly.
Speaker 5 (42:15):
And if he's scoring points, and then the Steels scoring
touchdown in squad.
Speaker 6 (42:17):
But I mean I can like, I mean, I can
count to tan in French.
Speaker 5 (42:20):
And I know you're starting to, you know, practice your
franis yeahuz on the team, Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (42:26):
Yeah, exactly. That's all I got.
Speaker 6 (42:28):
That's all I got for You're a mess.
Speaker 2 (42:29):
But my friends and then and then way way you
said that we we, yeah, party, it is not we,
even though it's oh u I you would think.
Speaker 6 (42:37):
It would be, it would be we.
Speaker 5 (42:39):
It's gonna be Like the funny thing is that game
is gonna fly in and you sort of think to
yourself and you look at our schedule like that is
gonna be crucial, And it's different this year. There's no
body week after that now. So it's it's a big,
big situation. But it's Look, it's the way that the
NFL is going. The teams are gonna be playing every year.
The Niniers are playing twice what Mexico, Australia.
Speaker 2 (42:57):
Australia and Mexico.
Speaker 4 (42:59):
Like, I mean, how further apart talking about markets and
just distance, are you going to.
Speaker 2 (43:03):
Play two international games? It's just it's crazy.
Speaker 4 (43:06):
But I think that's what the NFL wants, right. They
want to get to this eighteenth game schedule and they
want one game for every team, every team to at
least play a game overseas every year. Like that's what
the international expansion is. And like I said, having all
these markets available is nice. And like I said, if
we can plant the Steelers slag in Ireland, is that
(43:27):
that's our official home game international? You know, every year
we had that extra home game would be a pretty
fantastic thing to have.
Speaker 5 (43:36):
For anybody that's listening to this as maybe going to
Dublin on some point over the season.
Speaker 6 (43:40):
Cany's Public, Kennedy's Yes, the station is. And I know
we've met in there a couple of times.
Speaker 4 (43:44):
Listen, you were wearing the Miami Vice all white suit
there in there. Yes, yes, I remember that as I'm
behind the bar porn pints, I am.
Speaker 5 (43:53):
I am glad to believe that, especially if the vast
majority of the early games are going to be all
in that bar for any sea there's funds that are
in ourt. Wow, sometimes it is difficult to fight, like
there's bars that have all the games. But Doxy watched
your teams have done. I know the Broncos game is
at a very suitable time for us as well. So
if you're over in Ireland, it feel free to say
hello and it'll be fun this season.
Speaker 4 (44:10):
Yeah, that's that's that is going to be a great time.
And and I'm just so excited, you know, because I
think we've had watched parties over the years, and I
think that becomes more of a norm that we will
have watch parties. And now we have kind of a
home base right with Kennedy's. And I'm sure there's other
places that would love to have it, but Kennedy's is
one of our official Steeler bars over in Dublin, and
(44:32):
it's just it's just so much fun, like to think
about this. And that's the other thing I love is
that this is now becoming not just a national game
like we say the NFL the National Football League, but
it really is feeling more like the International Football League
and bringing American football to so many different markets and
there's so many fans that are there and well receiving
(44:53):
the game of football.
Speaker 2 (44:54):
I mean, when I went around the island for that week,
you know, we.
Speaker 4 (44:57):
Also passed out flag football kits, yes, sir, well just
to get the international planks. Is now an international Olympic sport.
You know, just think about how far we've come that
flag is now an internationally competitive sport on the world
stage at the Olympics.
Speaker 5 (45:13):
I think it's it's obviously a game ginger here for
young kids with a stasially young girls in the US
size sport, and obviously women as well. I think in Europe.
It really does introduce funds to the sport at a
very very young age, which is crucial. And to see,
like look, just to see it with my eyes first
than this is not prdic To actually stand there and
see the Steelers create all these different tournaments across the
(45:34):
island north, south, east west phenomenal And it was Stashal
like Jerome badis is up at one and I think
we think we got the bus side and he was
he was not shocked, but I think he was just
so pleased that he could see the growth from when
he played previously to.
Speaker 4 (45:48):
Now, yeah, he was there in that exhibition game back
in ninety seven to then see where it's at now,
you know, almost thirty years later. Like that, this is
just the norm versus an outlier. It is pretty fantastic
and and I'm excited. I mean, I'm excited for the
opportunity of this game to grow and like you said,
you know, as a father of two little girls, to
(46:10):
know that they have a place in football, it's a
specially and now becomes a more inclusive sport because of that.
So it's awesome. We got a lot of stuff coming ahead,
and of course I will, I will see you. We
will be sharing croissants and back gets.
Speaker 6 (46:24):
By your begette. I hear you're gonna go on aget.
Speaker 4 (46:27):
Yeah, I'm gonna do a baget tour at a couple
of blingeries and then I'm gonna have a beret. I mean,
you know, I'm just gonna'm fully inundate myself in the
Parisian culture.
Speaker 6 (46:35):
Marseille Leon nice yea.
Speaker 4 (46:39):
I love Bordeaux wines, so Dunkirk Il de France, you know, Disneyland, Paris.
I mean, wherever I need to go, I will, I
will be there the entire time.
Speaker 6 (46:50):
I'm just gonna say it.
Speaker 5 (46:50):
I have a feeling that you're gonna find a way
to get to Disneyland the Joy not wake for a
couple of.
Speaker 2 (46:54):
Ours, So absolutely already know the train route.
Speaker 5 (46:58):
Just think, just finally think when they plays and not
seeing hum that's going to be so strange but also
so cool for an NFL game. So I know Steelers
finds listening in the US are going to hot to
get up a little bit early. Yeah, definitely, we're all
toast to the bloody man right that morning when they
win again.
Speaker 4 (47:12):
Absolutely hair of the Dog. Never heard anybody. Well, thank
you Mick for joining us on this last segment. Really appreciated.
Then thank you all to Steelers Nation for listening to
inside the locker room here at training camp at Saint
Vincent College out in Lake Trow, Pennsylvania. We will be
on Monday. We're not on Tomorrow, off day for everybody,
(47:33):
so we'll be back on Pad's Day as we celebrate
the clapping of pads on the field on this next show.
So for Rob King, for Mick McQuaid jumping in with us,
and of course for all of our guys. They are
back in the studio you've been listening to inside the
Locker Room here on the Steelers' audio network in Steelers
Nation Radio
This is live coverage of the twenty twenty six Steelers
training Camp on the Steelers Audio Network, presented by bud Light,
Easy to Drink, Easy to Enjoy, and brought to you
in part by Pennsylvania one Call Systems Dial eight one
one before You dig SNT Bank People Forward Banking by
(00:22):
kalucy Chevrolet, serving the Pittsburgh area for over one hundred
and eight years. Clearview Federal Credit Union. For every touchdown
the Black and Gold Score in twenty twenty six, Clearview
will donate five hundred dollars to the Light of Life
Mission Listen CLEARVIEWFCU dot org and by iron Workers Local
Union Number three. We don't go to the office, we
(00:45):
build it.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
We're trying to ascertain with Justin Norvin. But I said, yes,
you failed the stat bank. Oh yeah, yeah right there,
right there, yeah, yeah right. I could have a little
bit of a The only time I saw a CDC
in concert, I saw him with a song with Paul Alexander.
(01:15):
We were at work and we were that was in
our still in our suit and tie days and we
were at Ducane Profession University in our suit and time,
and they were playing over at the arena. We were
in the basketball games. We left the basketball game, hustled down,
didn't miss any of the concert, didn't really oh, this
(01:35):
had to be twenty ten or something. Didn't really know
what to expect at a c DC. You know, they
they give off this image of being this kind of
sloppy party band. I mean, their lead singer died, you know,
Bond Scott, I think, drinking too much or whatever.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
So they were incredible, unbelievably tight and just I mean,
I'm a I'm a fan of a c DC's always
been a fan of a c DC.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
But you never know what you're gonna see from somebody live.
Some day, you see somebody live in concert and you're like,
it's a bit of a disappointed.
Speaker 4 (02:07):
Yeah, the studio album absolutely well, I think a lot
of And then you know, normally we get usually a
preseason game or two where at PNC Park, Right, they
have kind of that kind of ode to the eighties
type of bands that come in and play and play there,
so you know, you kind of see some of the
remnants of the fans of those bands looks worse, but
(02:29):
the band is amazing, Right, I come around out there
and yeah, I'm the same thing I'm a fan.
Speaker 5 (02:34):
You know.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
T and T was was probably the song that played
in high.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
School in the genez That was the that was the
ultimate lifting song, along with like Metallica and of course
you're throwing like Thunderstruck.
Speaker 2 (02:43):
And Back in Black.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
Yeah, Back in Black is is still one of those
down dann own Yeah, you know, and and even well
and also the iron Man, right, iron Man, the Flash
iron Man, Well, no, no, no, I'm saying the movie iron Man.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Okay, totally.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
They played a c DC throughout that and kind of
gave them a little resurgence because everything was kind of
a c DC themed. On the first Robert Downey Junior,
John Favreau U Crack at the MCU they played the
A C D C was the theme there.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
So my wife found somehow an old video. Okay, we'll
get back to foot on a minute, but yeah, you
found an old video of Bond Scott singing I was
it was. He was in a band, in Australian band,
of course, and they did an R and B cover
and he was the lead singer. And you know this
(03:35):
guy who sang T kind of had a sweet voice.
You look at him like, oh, it's clearly Bond Scott.
I was like dance like a voice of It was
like you look at will Farell Stepper. It was like
mixed between Fergie and Jesus.
Speaker 4 (03:49):
Yeah, where's this angelic voice that you hear this kind
of raspy, loud, tweaking voice in ac DC.
Speaker 2 (03:56):
Yeah, it might have been. It must have been right
before he ate a cart and a sandpaper. So, you know,
we we talked about this just at the end of
the last segment when you're wrapping up the Ring of Honor,
that we wanted to talk about the tight end position.
And so let's hear first Mike McCarthy talking about Robert
(04:16):
Tanyan from this morning's press conference, a guy who played
for Mike McCarthy and with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay
at the tight end position. What tracking you to Tanyan
to bring him?
Speaker 6 (04:26):
How's he How's he helps some of the young quarterbacks?
He seems to be a security blend with them already.
Speaker 7 (04:31):
Roberts a hell of a player. You know, just haven't
been around him as a rookie, so and just I've
always watched his career, you know, after my time with
him in Green Bay. But you know, he's you know
he had it right away. You know, a very instinctive player.
You know, he's very very natural in the past game.
You can see the particularly how he attacks them. You know,
the middle reads, the post routes, you know, the alley routes,
(04:54):
and and you know so much of that is uh
is about, you know, the timing, the body, the body language,
you know, in tune with the clock of the quarterback.
So no, I think we're extremely fortunate to have Robert here, Bobby.
I think the guys like to call him, but he's
you know, he's a really good fit for how we.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Want to play. And that's the big question, how do
you want to play? So last year three tight end sets,
four tight end sets, I believe more, you know, Matt
Williamson's always very good at these kind of things. More
three tight end sets, I believe than any team in
the NFL.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
Yeah, we led the way in thirteen personnel. And I
think for Robert Tanyan, he has a place in this offense.
Right If you are going to run the football, if
you are going to be physical at the point, you're
going to need that veteran. And this is a guy
Mike McCarthy drafted in Green Bay. Of course, you know,
left the team the year after, but like you said,
played with Aaron Rodgers for a number of years after
(05:56):
going into his ninth season here in the NFL, and.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
He just brings that sturdy, veteran presence in that room.
Speaker 4 (06:03):
I know, listen, I know Pat Friedland's been here five
years going on year six, right, deren Old Washington has
now been here going on his third year. But Robert
Tynan's going on his ninth year. And he is a
football player, and you need those professional guys scattered throughout
your team, and he's another guy that can kind of
read through the minutia. He's been through a Mike McCarthy
(06:25):
training camp, He's played with Aaron, so he.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Has familiarity with Aaron.
Speaker 4 (06:30):
And I want to say, I want to say, I
think his last year there up in Green Bay Aaron
or one of Aaron's.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
MVP seasons.
Speaker 4 (06:38):
You know, Robert Tanian had fifty two catches and eleven
touchdowns with Aaron. So this is a guy who is
a legitimate red zone threat. Maybe not as much as
he was in that year now because he's years older,
had a couple of injuries, but he has that on
his resume he's done it, so maybe he could bring
(06:58):
along even more a Darnel Washington. Maybe he can help
refine a Pat Friarm with a little bit more and
it brings another veteran into that room and gives that
room a little bit more meatiness to that to that
position group and one that you know looks you know
for Allington's purpose is it's a deep group. I mean,
I think we have what seven tight ends on the
(07:18):
roster right now, so we have a lot of guys there,
but he's one that looks like a guy that fills
in and if you because you're going to carry three
tight ends because you're gonna run in a minimum two
tight ends sets, so you're always gonna need that third guy.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
And I think he just he fits thing good with that.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
You know, he gives you the John new Smith experience level,
but I think he has a little bit more gridience
because I think he's a better you know, down blocker
in a three point stance, so he gives you nice
edge presents for your tackles, but can also run the
entire route tree.
Speaker 2 (07:49):
So you know what happened last year with the four
tight ends, that's not gonna happen this year, I don't.
So two guys are gone and by the way, so
eleven personnel, which it would be one tight end. Mike
McCarthy's last year in Dallas, I think they ran in
something like seventy percent of the time, up among the most,
maybe the most, but up among the most in the NFL.
(08:10):
Of the Steelers did it, I think maybe the.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
Least last year, I think thirty percent something like that.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
I think, very very low.
Speaker 4 (08:17):
It was like us in like Seattle, yeah, or like
the bottom of it was it was an eleven personnel.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
Yeah, it was very low. So and I don't I
don't know the exact figures, but it's it's clearly, you know,
a complete and different change. So you wonder, well, how
are this Steelers going to value the tight end position? Right?
You have Pat Fryerman who was signed to a contract
extension before Mike McCarthy got here, but it's a contract
extension was really underutilized compared to what he had in
(08:45):
his first several seasons. You could pretty much, you know,
know that the male is going to be delivered, right, Yeah,
you know it's gonna snow around around Christmas and Pat
firom was gonna have sixty catches, right, Well, that didn't
happen last year. No, it didn't. So I think that
you know, how is this position going to be valued? Well,
you don't know. And then they signed Darnolt Washington to
(09:07):
extend to a contract extension. You say, wait a minute, now, okay,
so what does that mean? And don't I don't know?
First of all, what do you think that means? Don't
mean anything other than you just signed a good football
player and you know you're gonna have two tight ends
and they're gonna use utilize them. There's gonna be some
twelve personnel stuff out there, for sure.
Speaker 4 (09:27):
Yeah, I think you have to say it's going to
be more twelve personnel over thirteen for sure.
Speaker 2 (09:33):
And I don't sure.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
And I don't think you get to the amount of
eleven as he did down in Dallas because I think
your division also dictates what you can and can't do.
And in Dallas, when you look at the NFC East,
it is a lot more spread, It is a lot
more differing style of guys where you need to deploy
three wide receivers around the field because you have such
(09:55):
a good pass rush and the defensive Lineman and the
NFC East.
Speaker 2 (09:58):
I think when you come to the AFC North, you
know you you got.
Speaker 4 (10:00):
To be able to run that football, right, and twelve
personnel is your best way of getting that.
Speaker 2 (10:04):
And I mean we got to fullback on the roster.
Speaker 4 (10:06):
So does that look like twenty one personnel over twelve
which means two backs, one tight end, right, But and
twelve personnel one tight end to one running back, two
tight ends, so you know how you get to that,
I think is another way. But you always got to
have a third in that case, if you're going to
use a lot of two tight end sets, you need
to have a third.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
One available to you. So that's why I think you
keep three.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
But I don't see thirteen personnel being a primary running
group or anything like we ran thirteen out of almost
necessity to be able to move the football. Yes, whereas
I don't think that's going to be a problem here
when you look at the line and you look at
the growth of this and also the emphasis on offense.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
And look at the receiver core you have now as
opposed to a year ago, Yeah, completely different. You don't
spend a you know, you don't trade for Michael Pittman
and then spend a second round pick on Jeremy Bernard
and still have Roman Wilson and think we're going to
run a lot of thirteen personnel exactly. So you know,
again we're using a lot of tominisms until we get
our full range of mccarthyisms, yes, but still working on those.
(11:04):
You know, if you have red paint, paint the barn red.
So you know, I think that Arthur Smith wanted to
play that big personnel, but they also they also went
with what they had. So but then in the off
season Johnny Smith gone, Connor Hayward gone. Those are other
two tight ends and Connor more of an H back
type of guy, could play some in line, but you
(11:25):
really wanted him more of an H back, or maybe
somebody wanted him wing in motion, right field, right, those
sort of things, and you've got to You've drafted a
full back and Rithy Nykowski who might be able to
take some of that role. But you know, you go
from well, we're not going to run a lot of
thirteen personnel. By the same token, you're not going to
(11:45):
have two tight ends on your roster. You're going to
have three tight ends on your roster, and I don't
think they'll have four. I think they'll have three. So
you know, you're looking at young guys like JJ Galbreth
who turned some heads last year in camp with his
pass catching ability. You bring in jaem Bell, you're bringing
Lake McCree. Then you're bringing Robert Tanyan, and I think
the feeling is barring injury. Aha, that's the guy.
Speaker 4 (12:07):
Well, and you brought him in at mini camp, so
he wasn't there in OTAs, he wasn't here early free agency.
This was kind of like we looked at what we
had and we needed more. So, yeah, you're right, you think, okay,
if all works out, he stays healthy, things go as planned,
that you add a Robert Tanyanto this group, and that
(12:28):
was the missing piece to round out the tight end
pie of the equation.
Speaker 2 (12:34):
Right, and then the other guys maybe, you know, barring
injury again, it's always the caveat of barring injury. You know,
can find themselves maybe in developmental roles. By themselves on
the practice squad. We can make a decent living and
pretty solid living and also develop, yeah, develop into a
player that you know, maybe you're the next Dylan Cook.
Maybe you know, James Pierre is a little different. A
(12:55):
veteran guy went in the practice squad, but you know
those are those are and I would think that that
would have to be some motivation and sending for you. Yes,
you're gonna be disappointed if you don't make this roster.
You know, No, you wouldn't rather be on the practice
squad than the fifty three. Maybe rather be on the
practice squad than have a real job, first of all.
(13:16):
And secondly, that practice squad job could turn into you
being the next Dylan Cook, or you being the next
James Pierre, or an injury happens and you have to
get elevated.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
You're already in the system, and then maybe when you
get up you don't move back. That's right, right, So
I mean you just need to create the pathway in
the avenue, right, And I think that's how you kind
of have to look at it at positions like this
where it's a very niche position. Right, there's only three
guys that are going to be on this roster and
there's seven guys in the room. You know, it's like,
(13:47):
you know, you say, don't count the numbers, just play
your game, But at some point you have to be. Okay,
can I be the next Robert Tanya next year?
Speaker 2 (13:57):
Right? Can that third tight end?
Speaker 4 (13:58):
Or can I be a guy that compliments Pat Fryarmouth
or Darnell Washington?
Speaker 2 (14:03):
Right? Can my skills grow a little bit more?
Speaker 4 (14:05):
Maybe I need to do a little bit more BLOCKI
or maybe I need to get a little bit better
at my route tree and understanding those complications that.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
Come with it.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
But there's gonna be something that you can glean that
you can do better. And I'd rather do it better
sitting on a practice squad in the classroom every day
with everybody versus trying to figure it out at home
and having, like you said, having.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
A clock in every day. Well, the other thing is too,
is that, I mean, take it one step further. If
you're out on this field, you can be the next
James Harrison. You can be the next Willie Parker. You
can be a guy where're like, Okay, you're making the roster.
And of course took James a while, but you're making
the roster because we are you know, we have left
(14:48):
ourselves open to keeping those kinds of players. We talked
about this yesterday that the the you know, you don't
have to play CYA. When you're the Steelers, you don't
have to go to the coaching staff and say, hey, listen, no,
he spent a high draft pick in this kid. Can
you keep him around a little bit? And look, you
always drafted somebody because you believe in him. But maybe
(15:10):
you just the coach who's hired by that gentlem manager says,
okay that for optics, we'll keep that guy, will carry
that guy. And now maybe that undrafted guy doesn't get
the opportunity. I mean, think about we're talking about Hall
of Honor, you know, think about Willie Parker, right, he
didn't really get the opportunity in North Carolina, and now
he's an undrafted guy on another team. Is he squeezed
off the roster perhaps as opposed to being a Hall
(15:32):
of Honor member like he is and his super Bowl
hero like he is his rookie year, right, he was,
because look who you had in the backfield. You had
jer Own Bettis, you brought over a Duce Daly, and
then you still also had oh gosh from Georgia, one
of my teammates.
Speaker 4 (15:48):
Ron Haynes, that was already on there, and we still
carried a fullback. So yeah, Dan Kreider, so righter does
the fifth back fit in this he was on practice squad.
And then what happens the next next year, Hey, we
bring jer own back, but Jerome's not going to be
the feature back because he's older and.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
We need to take some of them.
Speaker 4 (16:06):
Let's see what this young, really really fast kid can
do from North Carolina that was at the end of
the bench.
Speaker 2 (16:12):
He becomes, like you said, the longest rush in Super
Bowl history.
Speaker 4 (16:16):
From the line of scrimmage right in Willie Parker and
he becomes a folk here in a legend here in
at Western pas he helps the Steelers get.
Speaker 2 (16:24):
One for the thumb like that.
Speaker 4 (16:27):
But because he was willing to sit there and say
I could sit back and learn, I'm gonna wait for
my opportunity and just continue to chop wood. Your number
gets called, like you said, Dylan Cook is a more
contemporary version of that as well. And even you know,
to put it in a in another sense, a Spencer
Anderson who came in here as a tackle but was like,
(16:47):
I just want to get on the field and sat
back and first year was really just trying to learn
all these differences, like trying to play four different positions.
And then last year comes in, Hey, by the way,
can you snap as well?
Speaker 2 (16:59):
Oh yeah, I can do that. I can do whatever
you tell. Seventh round draft choice Rights becomes.
Speaker 4 (17:03):
A swing guy and a Swiss Army knife and now
comes here this year, starting for competing for a starting job.
Speaker 2 (17:11):
And it's got to make you hungry if you are
this year's late round draft choice, if you are Eli
Heidenreich or Robert Spears Jennings or Gabriel Rubio or one
of these guys. To know, hey, listen, the door is
left open for players to succeed. And look other organizations.
I'm not saying the Steelers are the only organization this is,
(17:33):
but the Steelers do this, and you know what that does.
That makes you a better organization, That's what it does well.
Speaker 4 (17:39):
And it puts you in a position where you can
keep talent exactly and you can grow talent and groom
guys and you're not worried about free agency every single year.
I've got to go pull the best player, what's the
most shocking name, and make the biggest blockburster deal or trade.
It's no we got guys in our farm, right, and
(18:02):
we'll just go a little bit sidetracked with baseball references, right,
I would rather pull a guy up from our system
in triple A, double A or single A, right, right,
versus going and trading for somebody in another system and
then bringing them over.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
So I think that's where you kind of look at it.
Speaker 4 (18:17):
You want to keep as much homegrown talent, drafted talent,
curated talent within your in your system so that you
can grow them in your culture, then your philosophy so
when their name is called, they're ready to step on
the field and go one hundred percent.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
So we're going to dive a little more into the
tight end situation. I think that some of these discussions
are certainly worth having so that fans understand, you know,
the way this is operating and the way this is
being done, and the opportunities that are available for these
players out here. We're going to talk a little bit
more about that tight end position. More things Steer. There's
from beautiful Saint Vincent College Training Camp continuing in the
locker room here with Max Stark to myself, Rob King
(18:55):
on this year, there's audio Network.
Speaker 1 (18:57):
This is live Cobray Jump dot Com. Twenty six Steelers
Training Camp or the Steelers Audio Network presented by bud Light,
Easy to Drink, easy to enjoy, and brought to you
in part by your neighborhood, Ford Store Creator, Pittsburgh Community
Food Bank, First National Bank. Let's Get Started Member FDIC
(19:19):
West Shore Home Remodeling Reimagine by Leecom Digital, Donz Appliances
Visit Donzappliances dot Com guaranteed lowest prices, free next day delivery,
CGR Wholesale and by Hassa's Steak and Seahouse. Hass Is
his hospitality.
Speaker 2 (19:42):
And welcome back. Inside the locker room from Saint Vincent
College and the trop chuck An Oldfield all cleaned up
and ready to go for practice tomorrow. You know, it's
it's interesting like when you get here early, you see
everybody preparing the feel and the players come on of
course are the main event, and then they leave. Then
if you but he's still working man, they're still putting
(20:02):
their time in. They're cleaning up the cones over here.
And the different things that are utilized during practice, yardage markers.
Yardage markers all have to come up and be taken in.
So we're talking about the tight end position. And you know,
I do think that one of the things that's really
interesting is how they're going to utilize Darnell and Pat Fryrenmouth.
(20:24):
You know, we made the point yet and I think
Robert Tanyan we all agree, or you and I agree,
that he could step in and do a very credible
job for you. You know, there's guys that could step
in and you can kind of get through the rest
of the game with him. He's more than that, you know,
he's not just a guy. Well, we got to put
him out there fingers crossed. You know, it's better than
he can do something. It's better than going over to
(20:47):
the defensive coach and saying, hey, you got anybody here
that played tight end in college. You know, you know
you don't have to do that. You feel good about
what he can do to help you win a game.
But I do think that in a lot of ways,
and it sounds crass, but it really it just makes
sense to follow follow the money, follow what follow the
(21:12):
draft picks. Follow the money that tells you, you know,
follow a trade acquisition, that tells you what a what
an organization thinks about a player. They think he's worth
excellent amount of money, and therefore you would expect him
to be used accordingly. Well, you have a coach now
who's probably going to use more twelve personnel maybe than
(21:34):
he has in the past, but not as much as
maybe another coat now it remains to be seen. Yeah,
but we know nothing yet, right right till the early days,
you got to follow the money for two tight ends, right,
so it'll be very interesting. I don't know how they're
going to divvy up the snaps. Well, I think, like
you said, twelve.
Speaker 4 (21:50):
Personnel gives you an even snap count, right, right, they're
both on the field, they're both on either side, or
even if you deploy them in doubles and run a
twins with him of some of some sort. But I
think what you have to look at is matchup basis. Right,
Maybe you're a little more Darnel Washington front side at
(22:15):
the point of tacking divisional play, and maybe you use
Pat Friremouth more on the backside or split out, and
then when you get to teams that are pretty balanced,
maybe you have both of them in line and it
can be interchangeable and then maybe one you know, based
on a play, one has the matchup advantage over the other. Right,
(22:35):
I find very few guys that that Darneld Washington is
not overmatch, you.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
Know, in a lot of situations.
Speaker 4 (22:42):
But I think but it could be a speed thing, right,
it could be a speed thing that, Okay, we can't
really use Darnell as much, then kind of some some
hook and curl stuff.
Speaker 2 (22:50):
In the middle of the field along the hashes.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
Maybe this is more Pat Friarmouth game because he's the
quicker of the two tight ends, and we want to
utilize stuff more in the middle of the field. And
maybe we reserved Darnell from more of your red zone
packages right where he's that tall, lengthy target that can
just go bowling for buzzards right once he gets the
ball in his hands. So I think it's just a
cool thing that I don't think it's going to be equal,
(23:14):
but I think it's going to be similar, and that
they're looking for the mashup matchup disadvantage on the other team.
Who can I put that can match up better with
this linebacker that'll be carrying him, or this nickel that
drops down, or this dollar safety like a bunch of
you know, every defense has a different name for these guys.
Speaker 2 (23:34):
Maybe he can, maybe he can beat up this rover.
So I think that's kind of how you have to
look at it.
Speaker 4 (23:38):
And Robert Tanya is kind of a nice hybrid between
both Pat Fryarmouth and Darneld Washington where accomplished blocker, willing blocker,
but also has a resume of catching the football and
knows how to deploy.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
I was gonna ask you if you think it's fair
to say, for fans who haven't seen him play don't
know a lot about him, that he's sort of in
between those guys, And you just said, you know, that's
what you think he is.
Speaker 4 (23:59):
That's what I think he is. I mean because I
watched Tanya in play in Green Bay. I had a
whole bunch of Green Bay games early in my career
as a broadcaster, and so I got to watch Tanya,
and Tanyan is one of those guys where he was
just right at that same time with Travis Kelce and
George Kittle and all those guys where you could line
him up in the slot and he didn't have to
(24:20):
be truly in line, but he could play in line.
He was kind of one of those He was in
that kind of genesis era of the flex tight end, so.
Speaker 2 (24:29):
He fits into that kind of style of play right.
And then you know, one of the things about any
position group is that, well, not offensive line, you're gonna
run five out there. But when you talk about tight
end receiver, sometimes you talk about sub packages on defense,
who are our best guys? And then maybe that dictates
a little bit of usage as well. So in the
(24:50):
past you might in the past the Sooners have been
searching for a second wide receiver. Yeah, they've got one.
Michael Pittman's gonna play. You know, Michael Pittman's a good play.
He's on the field. He's on the field, on the field.
You know you're gonna see DK Metcalf on the field. Now,
are they gonna be on there for every snap?
Speaker 5 (25:06):
No?
Speaker 2 (25:07):
Are they gonna get a lot of snaps? Yes, they're
gonna get a lot of snaps. Then you spend a
second round pick on Jeremy Bernard. Now, I don't know
how much this staff feels like that's a projection pick
as opposed to a now pick. Hey, we think this
guy's gonna be terrific, but we're gonna bring him along
slowly or whether hey, he's ready to go. Now, I
think there was a there was there was some now
(25:28):
thoughts about him coming out of college. He's pretty polished,
he's pretty physical, he'll do some things that you like. Now.
And then there's Roman Wilson, right, So you know, here's
a guy.
Speaker 6 (25:38):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (25:39):
I think I've mentioned this before. You know, last last
couple of years, we've been talking about a lot about
contested catches, and and that's great. You know, I like
contested catches, you know what, I also like uncontested catches
where guys are open. You know that means that means
you shook a guy out of the right. I kind
of want wiggle. I want I like uncontested catch and
and I think of the group, Roman Wilson is probably,
(26:02):
you know, for that quick little ability to maybe cause
some separation. You know, Mike McCarthy talks about two point
three seconds. He's you know, I think DK metcalf can
use his speed, but also his size. Pittman can use
his size and is savvy. I think Bernard's more that
size savvy kind of I don't want to take away
their athleticism any of these guys, but the guy with
(26:22):
the most potential for a little wiggle, it's probably Roman Wilson, right.
Wilson and Kayden Legion probably. Yeah, that's right. There's a
value one two right there. Yeah, that are wiggles.
Speaker 4 (26:32):
And I think it really comes down to big trips
little trips, right if I want to have if I
go line up Jerom Hubernard, Michael Pittman, and DK Metcalf
as my eleven personnel, You're like, holy crap, we don't
have enough.
Speaker 2 (26:45):
Height right for three of these guys.
Speaker 6 (26:47):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
But if I line up Roman Wilson's like, do I
have enough speed in the slot?
Speaker 4 (26:50):
It's exactly right? Can I take it advantage of that?
If I have Kayden legion in the slot? Like, can
I take advantage of the speed burst? Can I get
those quick crossers? Can I get those behind the line
of scrimmage motions that then allow you to kind of
lose a guy and then he can burn down down
the scene or the hash and make a play like.
Those are the things that I think having the option
(27:11):
to and I think that's what this wide receiving group
presents as options. Yes, I can mix and match based
on my personnel, a matchup that will give us an
advantage somehow.
Speaker 2 (27:22):
And the other thing I like about it is again
to be the to be mildly contrarion, but hopefully the
same way about or you know, a contested uncontested is
that sometimes it's just okay to say, Okay, we're gonna
we're gonna run big personnelity guys. Okay, well then we'll
put our big personnel. Guess you're a big personnel because
we think our guys are better. Yeah, because we have
Pittman and we have Metcalfine, we have Bernard, and we
(27:44):
want to have big guys, right, yeah, so we'll go
we'll go big on big, sure, or we'll go a
little on big, and so it doesn't have to be
so match up oriented. You know, when you think about
the history of the game, and this is one of
the things that I love. The different trends are so fascinating. Right,
So you get you know, you get the fun bunch
and you get these small receivers and you're out there
(28:04):
and the big defensive backs you know, they that you
have in there to stop it, and they can't keep
up with them, right, so what are you doing? So
you get little, you get smaller, quicker defensive backs, and
then some other team goes you know, there's a lot
of small, quick defensive backs. How about if we go
with really big wide receivers, you know, box them out
and then they now they're overpowering those guys. Now, how
do you how do you counter back as a as
(28:26):
a defense? And same thing with you know, I think
you have to give some credit to the Ravens, right,
you get a lot of the league's dealers are not
among them, but a lot of league are going for smaller,
quicker pass rushers and lighter, lighter into into your linebackers
to run out there and cover those quick running backs.
And so the Ravens just say, okay, well, then let's
(28:46):
just go really big and ram Derrick Henry down at
your two hundred and thirty five pound inside linebackers. See
how much they like that?
Speaker 4 (28:53):
Come to third or fourth quarter, third fourth quarter when
he when he's getting stronger, right, what are you.
Speaker 2 (28:58):
Going to do? And who was it that? And so
a lot of teams then try to counter it. Was
a couple of years ago in the playoffs, somebody came
out with a base defense that had seven defensive backs
and you're thinking, is that gonna work against that big
and they were too quick for him, and they just
shut down Lamar in that running game. So there's another
way you counterbounds. It is one of the fascinating things
(29:21):
the trends, but also the matchups and how are we
going to attack it? And I think the Steelers have
clearly have more talent at the receiver position, more ways
it can attack, and that could certainly affect the tight
end position, which also has some of those capabilities. With
the three guys were projecting or going to be on
this roster. Yeah, no, I think you're absolutely right.
Speaker 4 (29:42):
And it was a they call it quarter personnel when
you go seven defensive backs. Yeah, because you had Nickel
diam quarters seven, and there are teams because you did.
You did have some teams who do have those hybrid
starbackers right right where he's still a defensive back when
he plays in the box, right, it's that extra safety
type of dude, and they'll use that as their four
(30:04):
to two Nickel as their base personnel, but he plays
a third linebacking position.
Speaker 2 (30:09):
So there's a lot of different ways to get to it.
Speaker 4 (30:11):
But you're right, I mean, you know, how do you
match up? But you want all those options, so I
can you know, it's just like going to a buffet.
I just want everything presented and I'll tell you if
I want the car of roast beef, right, if I
want the prime rib?
Speaker 2 (30:24):
Or do I want fried chicken today? Right? Or do
I want the salmon like I want?
Speaker 4 (30:28):
Just but give me all three options, right, don't tell
me we're just we're just having chicken for dinner.
Speaker 2 (30:33):
Right. I want to know can I mix and match
my plate? That's what you want. You want this smorgas
board of options.
Speaker 4 (30:39):
So you're trying to find the best players that can
give you that versatility throughout the season.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
And then what you also want on defense, just to
use the defensive side of the ball is when you
have Mel Blunt, or you have Joe Green, or you
have TJ. Watt. The great players Okay, yeah, I'm stronger
than your August and I'm quicker than your quickest and
so you don't have to You're not suffing anybody out.
(31:05):
And no matter what you try, they got the answer
because they're singularly great players.
Speaker 4 (31:12):
Yeah, they're just excellent at what they do, not good,
not great, they are excellent.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
We're gonna go with smaller defensive backs. Not you, Mel,
You're still out. No, No, melw stay out there. You
don't count.
Speaker 4 (31:25):
I'm talking about the rest of the team. Hey, we're
gonna we're gonna go to a small defensive line. Not you, Joe,
that's right, that you Joe, that's right, Not you skinny
in your mind, that's right, that's exactly just in your mind.
Speaker 2 (31:36):
All fun stuff. So no practice tomorrow. Back with well
you're still here, Max. I will be stepping aside for
the last segment of this show, but Max will carry
on carrying the torch for the locker room. Thank you, Max.
That's right. There's only one can do, Max, Max Travel.
Max has raised his arm, right arm up in the air.
For those of you listening on radio, the lady radio
(31:58):
type of torch. Carry on alright, Olympic tours, don't know Max,
Thanks my friend, talk to you on Monday. Thank you
for listening. But continue to listen please because there's still more. Now,
one more segment, still one more segment to come in
the locker room here on the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (32:13):
This is live coverage of the twenty twenty six Steelers
Training Camp or the Steelers Audio Network, presented by bud Light,
Easy to Drink, Easy.
Speaker 2 (32:24):
To Enjoy, and brought to you in part by.
Speaker 1 (32:26):
Clearview Federal Credit Union for every touchdown the Black and
Gold score. In twenty twenty six, Clearview will donate five
hundred dollars to the Light of Life mission. Visit CLEARVIEWFCU
dot org. Easy home mixteriors, fast, reliable and affordable Schneider
Downs discover the value of big thinking with a personal focus.
(32:49):
US steel Mine melted and made in the USA, your
neighborhood Forward Store and by the Steelers Pro Shop visitshop
dot Steelers dot com.
Speaker 4 (33:02):
All right back inside the locker room here. Max Stark's
still on the airways. Rob King has departed, but I
went and got a little luck of the Irish for
this last segment. Here we got Mick McQuaid, of course
everything Steelers and everything in Ireland, and he has the
Steelers Ireland podcast, correct the Irish Irish Steelers Podcast. And
(33:24):
I just I always, I always want to add more
letters to it than it than it needs.
Speaker 2 (33:28):
But no joining us.
Speaker 4 (33:29):
And you've been here now a couple of days up
at training camp here and just kind of give me
your thoughts, man, you know, coming up here to Saint Facs.
You've made it here a couple of times. Just what
does it mean to come back every year? Every year
and just you know, see this new crop of Steelers.
Speaker 5 (33:44):
You know, I knows is coming on in a few
minutes on the channel. But I was sort of saying,
I'd love to go back here before practice Annas in
August because it's just so fun. There's a really, really
good vibe here. I went to a Seahawks and Niners,
both l A clubs over the last so it's been
a bit of a busy schedule. But when you see
the difference here on the camaraderie and the fact that
(34:05):
like for example, the other day, Justin Herbert gets in
the car, Who's home Mafia Stafford who these guys are
locked in their income together, they're building the bond. I
don't think you can put a price on that. And
then you see, like I was talking to a family
today that I haven't made it as theaters game in
four or five years. They flew in for this just
to see their players. Yeah, and that's very very different. Yes,
we were talking yesterday. It's gonna be on the podcastinga
(34:26):
but the community element of Irish sport, it's very different.
But it's also so similar as well, and it's awesome.
On like I would day I would stay here all
somewhere if it could. You know, I actually would.
Speaker 6 (34:36):
It's it's phenomenal.
Speaker 4 (34:38):
Yeah, yeah, no, what we definitely don't want your wife
being said like he's having all this fun in America.
But I think that's the other thing that's kind of
like you said, it's a community type.
Speaker 2 (34:49):
Of aspect, right.
Speaker 4 (34:50):
I mean, you know we're here on a Saturday and
the hills are full of fans, and the players are
taking the time afterwards to do autographs, and like you said,
some of your main stars getting the car and leave,
Like Aaron Rodgers is not getting his car and leave,
He's walking up the hill to Rooney Hall to get
in his dorm room.
Speaker 2 (35:08):
Yeah, it's just a different aspect.
Speaker 4 (35:11):
And you know you were around yesterday and you got
so you know, you got some good interviews that are
gonna be on the pod and everything. But what do
you think about as far as like the access to players.
I think that's also another thing that kind of ingratiates
players into the community. They're they're about to play for
having that type of access. What does that mean for
your fan base?
Speaker 5 (35:30):
I think I think the access is big, Like like
we literally just came off there now talking to Keanudventon
on Nick Herbig as well. We had well with pet
and Wilson yesterday as well on Patrick Queen. I'm actually
getting to talk to them a wee bit about like
you know, the Dublin game last year, but also you know,
traveling internationally the pros and cons, but that again as well,
you know fans in Ireland, you know Steeters fans and
(35:52):
even just general NFL funds that want to learn more
about the sport, discussing the fucked up there's not just
a new head coach, but really a new regime here
and what are the differences between incomes, because that's one
thing that people have told me about. You know, the
times are different, the regimes are different, but one thing
does stay to see them a couple of years coming
here and you're talking about the access. When you see
those players walk down those steps and you see the kids' faces,
(36:14):
it's it's something very very special and honestly the genuine
you know, care to the players. How there's not there's
not one player I've seen the last couple of days
it doesn't want to be here. They're locked in and
they know they're making a difference as well, but the
access has been created and walked past us more than
seeing coach mccarfrey and he was all smiles and that's cool,
that's crazy. I live in the middle of nowhere and
the side of farm, so like you've actually come in
(36:36):
here and do that.
Speaker 6 (36:36):
It's it's it's incredible.
Speaker 2 (36:38):
No, that is awesome. Well, and talking about Ireland, I mean,
you know.
Speaker 4 (36:42):
We're a little less than a year removed from that.
Speaker 2 (36:46):
I know, I know.
Speaker 4 (36:47):
It's like it's like we have to take like a
collective moment of silence. And she had, she had a
tear drop because that was such a phenomenal trip. And
when you think about the Steelers hadn't been abroad since
twenty thirteen, and then you get your next international opportunity
is of all countries, like the ownership, like their home
(37:09):
country and the connection that they have to Ireland, and
then to bring a game there, and I know you
worked tirelessly for years trying to lobby and trying to
get that game there, and then it finally comes there
and it was a phenomenal week. It was a phenomenal week.
And just kind of talk about your experience, like you said,
you always come here to see the Steelers. Now, the
(37:29):
Steelers came to see you essentially and to see the
people of Ireland. How how was that for you guys?
And and there's kind of that week leading up to
the game.
Speaker 5 (37:38):
Well, there's sources are in the kit, your change in
your name to Maxo Starks.
Speaker 6 (37:41):
Yeah, for the next game in the future.
Speaker 2 (37:43):
It's definitely working on Theirth certificate right now.
Speaker 5 (37:46):
And do you know what like, Look, I appreciate what
you're saying there, but I would say I was a
speckle of help in comparison to the loss Roney for
what heatl and not just for football, but for so
many relations between the US and Ireland as well across
the island of Ireland. But you know, when you actually
come here this year, when it's been done, when it's
been said and done, I think you appreciate a lot more.
(38:07):
I know we met up with the draft for a
very briefly, but it does hit you here when you
know he meets you know, mister Rooney or Don Rooney
and you speak to them, and the genuine care they
have for the island is it is just phenomenal. But
the week itself was I mean, how do you even
begin to like I think it was was it that
the Patriots was the game before having so I remember
(38:27):
watching that game and at the very very end, I
was like, well the next game is Ireland, Baby, here
we go. And like you imagine people like obviously that
are listening are obviously you know, mostly US based listening
to this. You imagine if you're hopping on a plane
to London for years. I'm not look, it's great, don't
get me wrong, but then you can hop on the
train and drive done. You're going to a game in
like on your island and in in your country, and
(38:50):
it's special. And I know you've probably seen more of
Ireland than I have. But this terrible tiles, which we'll
talk about in the weeks.
Speaker 2 (38:56):
Second, but the.
Speaker 5 (38:59):
You know hit me probably before the games started, but
that morning when people were walking down the Jones Road
to that stadium was very special. And I think it
was whenever I'm sure people listening will remember the giant
toile came up.
Speaker 6 (39:11):
Yeah, yeah, there was.
Speaker 5 (39:12):
A couple of teardrop shed at that moment, but that, man,
it was awesome. And you know, obviously we all wanted
to be the Steelers, but you get it back man,
find a way. Let's just play a game there every year,
and we'll just find a way financially subse. Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 4 (39:26):
Just be like the Jacksonville Jaguars, Like you have to
go to they have to go to London every we
just have to go to Ireland every year, or at
least every year we have an extra home game, right,
I'd definitely be up to that.
Speaker 5 (39:36):
I would be the man we having the flag at
the airport to get boy nice. Even at the airport
there was like five hundred people we hitten in the
arrivals and obviously the guys could often up the bus,
but I mean you were down at the training that
they had on the friday. Yeah, I've never seen as
many journalists at an NFL conference, and I know that
the NFL would say this as well. Easily the most
(39:57):
successful international game they've had in maybe twenty thirty years.
Speaker 6 (40:00):
So easily phenomenal on day.
Speaker 5 (40:02):
You know, you're obviously gonna spear had the return locks
I'm here.
Speaker 8 (40:04):
Yeah, No, I've definitely already put in my request, like, hey, guys,
if if I had, if I had any vote, which
I don't, I'm picking Ireland over all the countries.
Speaker 5 (40:16):
I mean like I mean maybe you did, and maybe
you give them the wrong city and you give them
the French city instead. I think I think a lot
of European finds are very very happy and honestly surprise
in a positive way that we're getting the naber Johans
look to see like Aaron Rodgers I fault when he
was in the press conference last year. That would be
his lost international one. Yeah, I'm we nicely in new
element to the Steeters franchise come over and play in
(40:36):
an our historic game and it's it's only ninety minutes whatever.
People alarm them in the UK, So it's awesome.
Speaker 4 (40:41):
There's a quick, quick, little fright flight there across the
pond and uh. And I think that's the other thing
is that you know the Steelers are now opening markets
internationally because like you said, you bring the first, we
bring the first game that's been done in Ireland, Germany
and in Germany, and then now we're doing a game
in Paris, like opening that market.
Speaker 2 (41:01):
Up even though we're they're away team.
Speaker 4 (41:03):
But it's like now we need the Steelers there like
like they they their fans carry like like we actually
have that following that is already in Europe, but we
also bring the American fans over to Europe.
Speaker 5 (41:15):
I think, like it's something that I mentioned there to
Nick Herbig that I was over in the Ordans on Weddnesday,
I nearly died and the heath as an Irishman, that's
a different.
Speaker 2 (41:23):
Conversation, that's different humidity when you.
Speaker 6 (41:25):
Talk to them.
Speaker 5 (41:26):
Obviously he wasn't speaking to Missus Benson, but you knew
the pride that they have in their team and the
connection that they have to that country. Like I said
to Nick Herbig, what an opportunity we have here to
go win and win that game because they have to
win that game.
Speaker 2 (41:40):
Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah, almost like.
Speaker 4 (41:41):
The French creole and everything, like the French culture and
the Florida ls that are all around that city, and
that attachment, like you said, it's it has an attachment
to that country that's synonymous. But once again, the real
black and gold versus the fake black and gold. I
think it's also cool. So technically, if you're wearing black
and gold and that get you're good for either side.
It's just what tint of gold are you wearing on
(42:03):
game day?
Speaker 6 (42:03):
It's a horrible situation for me. Because the proof is
the Steelers.
Speaker 5 (42:06):
Are playing in Paris, which is fantastic, but the Steans
could have an Irish kicker on as well.
Speaker 2 (42:10):
So it's like, well, you know what, what he can
he could score points.
Speaker 6 (42:13):
He just can't win exactly.
Speaker 5 (42:15):
And if he's scoring points, and then the Steels scoring
touchdown in squad.
Speaker 6 (42:17):
But I mean I can like, I mean, I can
count to tan in French.
Speaker 5 (42:20):
And I know you're starting to, you know, practice your
franis yeahuz on the team, Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (42:26):
Yeah, exactly. That's all I got.
Speaker 6 (42:28):
That's all I got for You're a mess.
Speaker 2 (42:29):
But my friends and then and then way way you
said that we we, yeah, party, it is not we,
even though it's oh u I you would think.
Speaker 6 (42:37):
It would be, it would be we.
Speaker 5 (42:39):
It's gonna be Like the funny thing is that game
is gonna fly in and you sort of think to
yourself and you look at our schedule like that is
gonna be crucial, And it's different this year. There's no
body week after that now. So it's it's a big,
big situation. But it's Look, it's the way that the
NFL is going. The teams are gonna be playing every year.
The Niniers are playing twice what Mexico, Australia.
Speaker 2 (42:57):
Australia and Mexico.
Speaker 4 (42:59):
Like, I mean, how further apart talking about markets and
just distance, are you going to.
Speaker 2 (43:03):
Play two international games? It's just it's crazy.
Speaker 4 (43:06):
But I think that's what the NFL wants, right. They
want to get to this eighteenth game schedule and they
want one game for every team, every team to at
least play a game overseas every year. Like that's what
the international expansion is. And like I said, having all
these markets available is nice. And like I said, if
we can plant the Steelers slag in Ireland, is that
(43:27):
that's our official home game international? You know, every year
we had that extra home game would be a pretty
fantastic thing to have.
Speaker 5 (43:36):
For anybody that's listening to this as maybe going to
Dublin on some point over the season.
Speaker 6 (43:40):
Cany's Public, Kennedy's Yes, the station is. And I know
we've met in there a couple of times.
Speaker 4 (43:44):
Listen, you were wearing the Miami Vice all white suit
there in there. Yes, yes, I remember that as I'm
behind the bar porn pints, I am.
Speaker 5 (43:53):
I am glad to believe that, especially if the vast
majority of the early games are going to be all
in that bar for any sea there's funds that are
in ourt. Wow, sometimes it is difficult to fight, like
there's bars that have all the games. But Doxy watched
your teams have done. I know the Broncos game is
at a very suitable time for us as well. So
if you're over in Ireland, it feel free to say
hello and it'll be fun this season.
Speaker 4 (44:10):
Yeah, that's that's that is going to be a great time.
And and I'm just so excited, you know, because I
think we've had watched parties over the years, and I
think that becomes more of a norm that we will
have watch parties. And now we have kind of a
home base right with Kennedy's. And I'm sure there's other
places that would love to have it, but Kennedy's is
one of our official Steeler bars over in Dublin, and
(44:32):
it's just it's just so much fun, like to think
about this. And that's the other thing I love is
that this is now becoming not just a national game
like we say the NFL the National Football League, but
it really is feeling more like the International Football League
and bringing American football to so many different markets and
there's so many fans that are there and well receiving
(44:53):
the game of football.
Speaker 2 (44:54):
I mean, when I went around the island for that week,
you know, we.
Speaker 4 (44:57):
Also passed out flag football kits, yes, sir, well just
to get the international planks. Is now an international Olympic sport.
You know, just think about how far we've come that
flag is now an internationally competitive sport on the world
stage at the Olympics.
Speaker 5 (45:13):
I think it's it's obviously a game ginger here for
young kids with a stasially young girls in the US
size sport, and obviously women as well. I think in Europe.
It really does introduce funds to the sport at a
very very young age, which is crucial. And to see,
like look, just to see it with my eyes first
than this is not prdic To actually stand there and
see the Steelers create all these different tournaments across the
(45:34):
island north, south, east west phenomenal And it was Stashal
like Jerome badis is up at one and I think
we think we got the bus side and he was
he was not shocked, but I think he was just
so pleased that he could see the growth from when
he played previously to.
Speaker 4 (45:48):
Now, yeah, he was there in that exhibition game back
in ninety seven to then see where it's at now,
you know, almost thirty years later. Like that, this is
just the norm versus an outlier. It is pretty fantastic
and and I'm excited. I mean, I'm excited for the
opportunity of this game to grow and like you said,
you know, as a father of two little girls, to
(46:10):
know that they have a place in football, it's a
specially and now becomes a more inclusive sport because of that.
So it's awesome. We got a lot of stuff coming ahead,
and of course I will, I will see you. We
will be sharing croissants and back gets.
Speaker 6 (46:24):
By your begette. I hear you're gonna go on aget.
Speaker 4 (46:27):
Yeah, I'm gonna do a baget tour at a couple
of blingeries and then I'm gonna have a beret. I mean,
you know, I'm just gonna'm fully inundate myself in the
Parisian culture.
Speaker 6 (46:35):
Marseille Leon nice yea.
Speaker 4 (46:39):
I love Bordeaux wines, so Dunkirk Il de France, you know, Disneyland, Paris.
I mean, wherever I need to go, I will, I
will be there the entire time.
Speaker 6 (46:50):
I'm just gonna say it.
Speaker 5 (46:50):
I have a feeling that you're gonna find a way
to get to Disneyland the Joy not wake for a
couple of.
Speaker 2 (46:54):
Ours, So absolutely already know the train route.
Speaker 5 (46:58):
Just think, just finally think when they plays and not
seeing hum that's going to be so strange but also
so cool for an NFL game. So I know Steelers
finds listening in the US are going to hot to
get up a little bit early. Yeah, definitely, we're all
toast to the bloody man right that morning when they
win again.
Speaker 4 (47:12):
Absolutely hair of the Dog. Never heard anybody. Well, thank
you Mick for joining us on this last segment. Really appreciated.
Then thank you all to Steelers Nation for listening to
inside the locker room here at training camp at Saint
Vincent College out in Lake Trow, Pennsylvania. We will be
on Monday. We're not on Tomorrow, off day for everybody,
(47:33):
so we'll be back on Pad's Day as we celebrate
the clapping of pads on the field on this next show.
So for Rob King, for Mick McQuaid jumping in with us,
and of course for all of our guys. They are
back in the studio you've been listening to inside the
Locker Room here on the Steelers' audio network in Steelers
Nation Radio
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.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
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