August 8, 2026 • 44 mins
Rob and Max continue to go over the all decade teams and who may end up in Canton as well as preview tonight's practice.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
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Speaker 2 (00:36):
We don't go to the office.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
We build it.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Side our number two here inside the locker room, and
we are continuing our discussion here because the Steelers have
Saturday night lights at Latrove Memorial Stadium this evening six
to eight pm down in the center of the city,
and of course a high light every year since the nineties.
(01:03):
Bill Kauer was one of the guys that I believe
first started the Saturday the Friday night lights to kind
of get that high school feel. We've now adjusted it
and moved it to a Saturday, but still the same
nostalgia and feel of bringing the Steelers into the community
literally there's fan fast and activities going on around the
practice ahead of it. Alumni are there doing autographs and
(01:26):
there's activations and of course culminating in the team heading
over and practicing on good old high school football field there.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
So it's a fun time.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
Another another very highly competitive practice, full pad, so looking
forward to that. So we don't have any practice notes
to really get to.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
I mean, coordinators, I believe spoke a.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Little while ago, but that's why we're having this fun
conversation on the heels of my travels to the the
actually the pilgrimage. The pilgrimage travel to the hallowed grounds
that are the National Football Pro Football Hall of Fame
in Canton, Ohio, and I'm saying that there's a water
(02:08):
park style like hotel being built right in front of
the Hall of Fame to try and track more kids,
as though you needed more kids to come there. But
you know this this week, every single year, this is
this is the site. This is this is the precipice
that we sit on for the upcoming regular season. So
we're going back and deep diving into in not in,
(02:33):
I think is the best way of putting it. What
do you say, Rob and not in. I think it
is a good segment in not In.
Speaker 4 (02:39):
And this all comes from us sort of saying that
we felt we were talking about the Hall of Fame
because Max was going there, and our discussion about whether
if you made the All Decade team, and both of
us were clearly thinking, and we're trying not to revise it,
clearly thinking that first team All Pro, first Team All
(03:00):
Decade team get you in the Hall of Fame. That
should be enough to get you in the Hall of Fame.
We understand guys step between the cracks. Cam Hayward is
one of those guys that didn't make the twenty tens,
and unless he has another All Pro year the year
or two and plays a few more years, probably won't
make it at the end of the next decade. It's
gonna be it's gonna be tough because he straddled those
(03:24):
decades in the course of his crime, and so that's
gonna happen to guys. But our sense is that if
you were this dominant for ten years, that doesn't mean
you're the best in your time. Again, Cam was a
better player in my opinion than Gino Atkins, right, who
was on the All Decade Team. He's gonna be a
better player if he doesn't make the All Decade team
(03:44):
in the twenty twenties, He's gonna be better than a
player on that team too, And it's prime, but his
prime doesn't fit snugly into that decade. He will be
the he will be the on the downside of good
time of poor timing. Right, that'll be the only thing
that's gonna keep them off those things and in my opinion,
out of the Hall of Fame. Although again, let's keep going, Cam,
(04:06):
keep building that case. It's okay with that.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
Nothing wrong with good old ingenuity and try hard.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
Yeah, keep going. Two more All Pros, another All Pro,
you know, and two more Pro Bowls, another All Pro
one and it's a shoeing, So okay. So here's where
we're going to meet our first hiccup, and that is
the fullback position, which largely no longer exists in the NFL.
So you have Lorenzo Neil, terrific fullback. Tony Richardson was
(04:33):
First Team two. You know, Lorenzo was a four time
first team Pro Bowler. I just don't think that that. Again,
we talk about the position. Why do fan of Can
Hutchison have to wait so long because tackles go in first.
Quarterbacks going first, receivers go in first, running backs going first,
Corners going first. If you're safety, unless you're Troy Polamalo,
(04:55):
you might have to wait. If you're a guard, you
might have to wait. If you're center, you might have
to wait. It's just the nature of the position. If
you're the pullback, I think, and you're a prototypical fullback, listen,
you love to have the renal on your team. I
just don't think that makes the Hall of Fame. I
don't think he's going to get in the Hall of Fame.
Mac he's not in. I don't think he's going to
get it.
Speaker 3 (05:15):
Yeah, No, it's a devaluing of that position, right, he's
I think he's a decade too late. I think if
you look in nineties and eighties when a fullback was
a prominent position, kind of like the nose tackle, Like
a nose tackle is one that it's an important position
on the team. It allows for the guys behind them
(05:35):
to get those opportunities to be great and be successful.
Like you think about more linebackers are in, Well, it's
because of a dominant nose tackle. Usually that's how you
make those plays to get into those positions to be successful.
And then like that, a fullback as well, like a
fullback is essentially a sixth offensive lineman. He just isn't
tall enough. And you know, and that's one of those
(05:58):
where the stats just are aren't going to be on
your side. And this is you know, stats tell a
story for a lot of this and and how you
get into the Hall of Fame and how you get
the nods. It's a numbers game, and fullbecks just frankly
don't get numbers, and there's no tangible way of really
tracking their stats, you know, without it being kind of subjective.
(06:19):
And that's where you run into that gray area. So
you're right, both those guys excellent, love Nilo, but yeah, yeah,
you know, Lorenzo's not going to get in. And like
you said, Tony Richardson also definitely if Lorenzo doesn't get in,
he's a first team member.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Yeah, Richardson's not getting in either.
Speaker 4 (06:35):
Okay, So let's continue on, and and I think that
we're going to run into it a whole stretch of
guys who are in the Hall of Fame. Receiver one,
Marvin Harrison, Randy Moss, Hall of Famers, no doubt about it.
Team two tall Owens, Hall of Fame, Tory Holt not
in the Hall of Fame.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Should be in the Hall of Fame, but not in
the Hall of Fame.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
Okay, okay, a lot of pro. Again, it's hard to
be All Pro when you're going up against Randy Moss,
Marvin Harrison, karall Owens. It's hard. Isaac Bruce on his
own team and it's hard to be. I mean, he
led the league in receptions once and receiving yards a
(07:20):
couple of times. Very very good player. I think maybe eventually.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Yeah, one of these years you'll get it.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Yeah, I think he's gonna be one of those kind
of guys.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Max.
Speaker 4 (07:32):
But again, sticking with our All Pro one theme, he's
not in All Pro one. He's not in the Hall
of Fame, and so let's move on tight end Tony
Gonzales in second team, Antonio Gates in. Two phenomenal players,
no questions about that.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
First team went and at the time when they went
in they were both number one all time and catches,
receptions and touchdowns both of them, So they led the
league that Now, obviously, since Travis Kelcey is broken, that
record whatever, but at the time when they're logged in
best overall statistics at their position. So I just want
to make sure we clarify that.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
Yeah, and we're talking about eras of football, Max, And
you know, where does the modern era begin? And it's
it's difficult to pinpoint. You know, you say the Hall
of Fame era, but you know, at six one, two
fifty again I brought up this point, Fuzzy Thurston pulls
around around to the edge and he's leading Jim Taylor
or Paul Horning on that bonded packer suite and he
(08:33):
runs into TJ.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
Watt.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
Well, he wasn't running into edge defenders that big, you
know what I mean, It just wasn't. And and that's
you know, even a decade later, Fuzzy's running into Lawrence Taylor.
I just don't know as that goes really well. Now, again,
they were lighter, quicker guards. You know, that's the kind
of player Chuck Nole wanted to. But the point is
(08:55):
that I think that Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates, Uh,
you know, you talk about prototypes, there's the prototype for
the modern tight end right there. To me, those two
guys Dallas and Gates. I don't think they redefine, they
redefined the position. Right. The modern era of the tight
end begins with those guys. The modern air of the
(09:15):
pass rusher might begin with Lawrence Taylor. Right, So you
may be going back to the early eighties. I think
the modern tight end is that late nineties, early two thousands. Uh,
it's Gonzales and Gates.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Yep.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
Yeah, they paved the They paved the way for what
we consider or what we demand.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
A tight end to do.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
Okay, on we go tackle Jonathan Ogden.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
I mean, yeah, no, let's let's get all of my
idols out of the way.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
Yeah, he might be you know, somebody's holding the chair
for him. Probably at that innercase.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
I would say he is an inner. He is an
inner sanctum offensive lineman.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
Yes, yes, he was phenomenal. Walter Jones outstanding, He's in
the Hall of Fame. Willie Rope, Orlando Pace. You know
those guys were were second team all decade, you know, Uh,
Orlando Pace was. That's interesting because to me, I mean
(10:16):
he was. He was also a top of the scale
type of offensive lineman. But it's hard to and he
made three All Pro ones, but man, it is hard
to make all pro ones when Jonathan Ogden to Hagan
those trophies and now you're competing with everybody else, you know. Yeah,
I mean, uh, but but he's he's in the Hall
of Fame Great Players, So all of the tackles are in,
(10:37):
all of the guards are in. Alan Fanica, Steve Hutchinson,
Larry Allen, will Shields all in the Hall of Fame.
Uh Center, Kevin Maway, he's in the Hall of Fame.
Allen Krutz. Olin Kreutz is not in the Hall of Fame.
I don't think he's gonna make the Hall of Fame
at the center position.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
Yeah, Olin, you know, obviously, if I had a pick
between the two, I'd probably picked Olin over Vin Mawai.
But Kevin Mwai takes the first team nod. I just
thought Olin Crutz. I mean we learned our silent snap
count because of Olin Krutz and what he developed in Chicago. Yes, interesting,
Like we watched the Chicago phil after we lost to
(11:15):
the Indianapolis Colts in five of the regular season that
following week, we had to put in a silent count
like that was the reason why and who do we
look to we looked at Olin Crutz in the Chicago
Bears for how they ran their count and that's how
and that's how we developed our silent count system.
Speaker 4 (11:30):
So that is absolutely so I.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Did behind the mask type of look there.
Speaker 4 (11:37):
I love that, man, My football keep them just went
through the roof. Man, that is just very very cool.
I had no idea, no idea that that was the case.
And uh, you know again, you just look at the
Pro Bowl and all throw nods. Uh you know, maybe
somewhere down the line somebody will re look at the
center position. But you know, let's get Markue's pounty in
(11:58):
their first in my opinion, Dan, just look at the
number decade team.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
Yeah exactly.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
But look how long it took Dermondi Dawson to get
into the Hall of Fame as well. So yeah, I
don't think Marquise waits as long as as as Dirt does.
But but it's still still that that's how tough it is,
that that's what you're battling.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
It is.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
Okay, so we have the defense to get to We
got to get hustling, Max, because yeah, I want to
go away. I gotta take a break. We gotta take
a break.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Oh man, I'm like Ricky, Bobby, I want to go fast.
I want to.
Speaker 4 (12:33):
I want to ask you about the scrimmage of what's
going on tonight and what you're expecting to see and
all that other stuff. Okay, so we're gonna dash through
the defense, or maybe we'll reverse it. Maybe maybe we'll
you know what, that's what. We'll go to the scrimmage
and if we don't, we'll we'll dash through the Tens
defense if we have to. I think our point has
been made. We've got to further drive it home. But
(12:53):
let's talk about the Steelers and what you're expecting to
see tonight when we continue in the locker room here
on the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
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(13:48):
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Speaker 3 (13:56):
All right, we are back inside the locker room segment
number two, our number two here, and we would be
remissed if we did.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
Not address the.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
Friday night on Saturday lights event. But you know, this
is more because in the past, it's been a scrimmage
rob and it's been like the full field, like first
team goes up against first first team offensive vers first
team defense.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
You marched out if you.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
Kind of go through plays and drives has been one
of the key moments. And then you add in the
elemental side of it. You know, we're gonna see you know,
those third down package pass under pressure so to speak.
In the past, you also had you know, two minute
drills worked in there, so you had kind of the
flow of a game worked in because this was kind
(14:47):
of like the dress rehearsal before you get to the
first preseason game, and obviously that first preseason game Thursday
night and after sure against.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
The Green Bay Packers.
Speaker 3 (14:56):
So I'm very interested to see how this is gonna go.
You always had a backs on back tight ends on
d ns O line versus D line, like you had
these one ones and he had the one.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
On one, uh well not one on one but.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
Seven on seven, competitive middle of the field type of deal.
So I'm interested to see how it's going to be
scripted this evening for Mike McCarthy since he kind of
does things a little bit differently, but that's been what
it has been in the past, and just kind of
anticipating what's going to be this current iteration of Friday
(15:30):
Night Lights. It's already on a different day, so Saturday
Night Lights. But you know that that's one of the
things that has us I kind of intrigued thus far
because you know, Mike pursuita asked backs on backers do
you like it?
Speaker 2 (15:44):
I'm a fan.
Speaker 3 (15:44):
I'm a fan, but he hasn't done it yet, so
you wonder when that's I shouldn't say when, but if
if that will actually happen in camp and will it
concur or conclude this evening. So a lot to kind
of anticipate getting ready and tonight. What are some of
the things you're thinking about?
Speaker 4 (16:03):
Yeah, I'm eager to see if you know, usually somebody
who would come out of this Max as Wow, he
kind of put a stamp on what we've sort of seen. Now.
We learned earlier that Maxahonachor is not going to be
taking place part of this. Well, the word was probably
(16:24):
won't see him through Monday, right, So that there's a
guy that I think a lot of fans really wanted
to see. You know, what is he going to be
able to bring to the table? You know?
Speaker 2 (16:35):
Right?
Speaker 4 (16:36):
I think probably for me because I'm more concerned with
the right now, I understand people are really gonna want
to be looking at the quarterback position. I get that.
I'm more interested in the wide receiver position. I'm more
interested in you know, how is how is that looking
(16:57):
right now? How are these guys jiving with with with
Aaron Rodgers or they melding together? You know? I think
that Aaron you know, look, I think Aaron does things
very deliberately. Right, he's targeting ticket dk Metcalf. Then he's
been targeting you know, there's a we talked about this
the other there's a Pat Pryarmouth day. There's been a
(17:17):
lot of Roman Wilson stuff. Is he going to emerge
that number three receiver because you know, look, they're all
I don't want to say that they're all one type
of receiver because DK is a big guy with speed.
Hitman's a big guy with great ability to use his
body and pick up first downs and make the tough catches.
(17:38):
Jeremy Bernard I think, is a little more probably in
that mold, not as big, but you know, he's the
second round pick. Roman Wilson's the one guy is a
little bit different to me, Slighter, maybe a little more
explosive as far as quick getting in and out of
you know cuts. I think DK probably still has the
best top end speed of the group, So he's interesting
(17:59):
to me because you know he can I think the
students will definitely be able to bludgeon team. Think about
my goodness, if you come out there and it's Darnel Washington,
it's and it's DK Metcalf and you know Pittman is
your wide receivers. That is just a large group of
human beings. But you know, prior Muth has been very
(18:20):
good in the slot as an h back guy. There's
a lot of different things they can do. It doesn't
have to be three receivers. But if it's going to
be three receivers, if it's going to be make up
some ground, I think this would be a nice practice
for Roman Wilson to show everybody what he can do.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
Now, I'm right there with you, and I think that's
really what the key is here.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
It's Roman, what can you do?
Speaker 4 (18:45):
Like?
Speaker 2 (18:46):
You know, are you going to take that next step?
Speaker 3 (18:47):
Are you going to be the guy that everybody can
depend on in that slot position to kind of take
over and have a Calvin Austin esque type of role
on this team?
Speaker 2 (18:58):
And what does that look like? Does that mean.
Speaker 3 (19:02):
You know, for what you can bring to the table,
or is it we got to look at another direction
because I think this is that kind of pivotal year
for Roman to take, to take the jump, to take
the leap for the next phase of his career.
Speaker 4 (19:19):
It's almost now or never. Really, it truly is for him.
I mean there and with the Steers. Look, I still
think Roman Wilson could be an NFL receiver. I just
hope it's with the Steelers. I think that if it
doesn't happen after this year and you're bringing another quarterback,
I get that, until that's always new life, but it
would feel like, Okay, the team is moving on from
(19:43):
him and so and again Aaron Rodgers says, this is
going to be it. Maybe he has a great rapport
with the next quarterback in the future. I don't want
to completely close the chapter if it doesn't happen now,
but now would be an awfully good time for him
to integrate himself and be part of it. And I
just think that he can be an explosive element. I mean,
(20:06):
you know, the students have a very physical offense. You know,
they've got a physical offensive line that they've invested in.
They've got physical big wide receivers, They've got running backs
can who can play with a physical style. You know,
we've seen Jalen Warren show some game breaking ability, and
I think that they believe that if they get him
(20:27):
back to shorter stints, that they're going to see more
of that game breaking ability. Again, I'm on the fence
about that. Part of me wants to see him get
twenty two carries and see what happens. That's not gonna
happen unless there's an injury. You know, Doubtell is going
to be is going to be taking a lot of
those A lot of those thumper type of things. Are
both guys are three down backs. Jalens an outstanding blocker.
(20:51):
As we know, both guys can receive the football. I
think Jalen's got that a little bit of that that
game breaker to him, and of course DK does with this,
but I think, you know, that would be if Roman
Wilson could bring an element that that the offense could use.
And so that's why I think my biggest attention will
be what is he going to accomplish tonight? And then
(21:14):
I guess on the defensive side of the ball. You know,
I would like to see the continued progression of UH
And I say progression like a Sante. Samuel's a rookie.
He's not, but he's coming back from a serious injury
and from surgery and it's basically been he got I
think he got into a little bit of action last year.
It's basically been you know, two years since he's played.
(21:36):
I'd like to see what he could do out there
because if he continues and he has drawn rave reviews
from Mike McCarthy going back to the OTAs, I mean,
what a find that would be. We have seen this
the other struggle to get a second corner opposite of
Joey Porter Jr. Well they got that guy with Jamel
Dean now to be able to throw a third guy
(21:59):
out there they're on the outside and go back to
the old, the other way of doing things where Dale,
when Evertt becomes a guy that you can you can
take your time with, you know, knock on what all
all things are many equal on the injury front, and
bring him along at a at a suitable pace and
not have to rush him into action, you know, all though,
for all those reasons, Sante Samuel to me is a
(22:22):
guy I'm really as his camp goes on, I'm really
intrigued about what he can do because I think he
can be valuable now and I think he can be
valuable in the future. And that's the same way I
feel about Roman Wilson. He can be valuable now and
he can be valuable for the foreseeable future. How about you, Max,
here are some guys you're looking at, well.
Speaker 3 (22:40):
I mean I'm looking at you know, I'm really looking
at that that right side, Like you said, no, Maxianachure.
Now does Proderick Jones take the next step? Can he
can he assume that role and kind of get himself
into this contest and and make it a three way
go Dylan Cook, Maxianachure, and Broderick Jones at the right
tackle position.
Speaker 2 (23:00):
I want to see. I want to see what Kayden
Weed you can do.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
He's the number one kicked punt returner, right, how does
he look not only as a returner, but how does
he look? Haws he figure into the wide receiver position
as well, and how does that look? And then of
course the running backs, right, Caleb Johnson, Lou Nichols, Travis
Homer and company. Travis Homer getting a couple more opportunities,
you know, to really do some stuff with with with
(23:25):
the third squad, and Caleb Johnson trying to make a
tryd to make a case for himself as well. So
I'm gonna be looking for that. And then also, Carson
Bruner is your number two linebacker. Malik Harrison is behind,
said Carson Bruner. So how does that inside linebacker competition
look and who can do more at that position to
kind of steal their way into that top four of
(23:47):
the linebacking crew.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
So those are some of some of the other ones.
Speaker 3 (23:51):
I think I'm right there with you on the rest
of these battles, you know, at the wide receiver position
with Roman Wilson, want to see how he takes the
next step as well. But I think that's a really
big one. And then I want to see I want
to see these big boys up front. I want to
see Sebastian, Joseph Day, you know, Gabe Rubio, how they
look y a black as as that kind of nose guy,
(24:13):
and seeing how they kind of insert themselves into this
as they take the next step, and then how it
translates to a stadium.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
So I'm all over the board with you.
Speaker 3 (24:22):
I think there's a lot of guys that are intriguing
and a lot of battles that are on that second
line level that I want to see come to fruition,
like who can do it and who.
Speaker 4 (24:30):
Can I think you bring up all really really great
points in it, and it underscores just how many interesting
battles there are on a team in which, you know,
I really like their roster. I really like their roster
one through fifty three, one through fifty eight. I think
they've just done a very very nice job of building
(24:52):
this roster out of adding to depth. But you're right,
I mean, think about it. Look Caleb Johnson. I mean,
the perception isn't We're not I'm not in the room
with the coaches. I don't know what they're saying, but
certainly the perception is that Caleb Johnson, a third round
pick from a year ago, is fighting to make a roster.
I mean, how many teams around the league can say that?
(25:13):
Not many? And I think you've identified a lot of
the other battles that are important. What's happening at that
at that inside linebacker off the ball linebacker position. You know,
can Carson Bruner become more than a special teams guy?
And you know, is you know, is this new system
going to help guys? Let's not forget too. You know,
we talked a little bit about and I think Cayden Wegen,
(25:36):
you know, I've been talking about playmakers on the offensive side.
Match you know, Leegian is they drafted him to be
a playmaker. And it's harder from that punt return game.
It's harder from that kickoff return game. I mean, what
are you gonna get? You hope you get a touchdown
out of that, you know somewhere along the line to
get you greedy, But can you pick up you know,
(25:58):
can you be one of the leading punt returners kick
returners in the league. To get you into that field
position again, I cite my our friend Matt Williamson about,
you know, some of the things that he brings up
with kick returns and how important they are and how
you know, if you can get it to a certain
part of the field. You know, averages say you're gonna score,
you're gonna come away with points on a drive, right,
(26:18):
and what that point differential is from from a few
yards and a kickoff return. So Leegian is a guy
that they're hoping can be a game breaker without you know,
necessarily being a guy who's gonna get a ton of
offense steps, but he may get some snaps too, which
would be interesting to see how they can feature him
in there in that sort of turp en' roll that
(26:39):
we saw down in Dallas as a as a guy
that can you know, can help you in a number
of different ways and hopefully make some places for you.
So I'm glad you brought him up because I think
he's an important guy for them. But you're right, you
know where where are the depth chart is gonna shake out?
And we've talked a lot about the offense, and I
think rightfully so, because a lot of people were wondering
about that. But then the defense, and you know, we
(27:02):
talk about the new scheme. Because Mike McCarthy is the
head coach, he's gonna put in his offensive scheme. You've
got a brand new defensive coordinator, Patrick Graham, and it's
been exciting to watch for me Mac in practice, these
guys standing up and moving around and disguising blitzes and
and doing things we haven't really seen the Steelers do
(27:22):
in the past. And what can this mean for the Steelers?
And who's best at communicating all these things? Is there
a player out there who just can't seem to grasp it, well,
he's got to go. Is there a player that this
is going to free up and he's gonna move up
the depth chart? It is that that side of the ball.
We we I think a lot of people are focusing
(27:44):
more of Mike McCarthy because he's the head coach and
he runs the offense. But that defense, Max, it is
going to be very very interesting to see what they're
able to do.
Speaker 3 (27:54):
Yeah, Now, I'm right there with you because I think
you have to you have to give them that that
that credence. You have to give them that room because
it's very important. It's very important to see how it
all shakes out. And and you know, there's still plenty
of questions left to be answered. And I think that's why,
(28:16):
you know, scrimmages like this kind of allow you to
separate a little bit and create create a better idea
of what that depth chart looks like for this team.
Is is seeing, hey, who is going to be that too?
Because as we get to this, and we talked to
Omar Khan right yesterday, he talked about he's excited these
(28:37):
three these three preseason games matter and how you advance
from one to two and two to three, you know,
that help that that develops the back half of your
roster and that key positions and and do you take
one extra dB versus you know, one extra you know
linebacker in that moment, or do you take the extra
running back that's also competing against that dB and that linebacker?
Speaker 2 (29:01):
Tight end? How does he fit into this?
Speaker 3 (29:04):
Do you keep an extra tight end or an extra
you know, D lineman or outside line back? Like there's
so many questions and and things are built off of
each other. When you get to that way outside of
your front line starting twenty five as I like to
call it, because you know, specialists are people too, So
there's three of those. But yeh, you're you're eleven offense,
you're eleven defense, and your three specialists. Who's behind that?
(29:27):
That's that matters? And how is it distrue to how
do you how do you disseminate into the play share
within the given mechanics of a game? You know, who's
the first guy off the bench at D line, who's
the first guy off the bench on the offense and
the offensive line?
Speaker 2 (29:43):
You know who's your who's your who's your who's your
third back?
Speaker 3 (29:46):
If one of them goes down mid game and has
to pick up that payload of opportunity? Are we a
twelve heavy team? So now that third tight end is
going to get more work than when we're an eleven
formation team from game to game. That matters. So all
these different things all it's an intricate web that is
weaved by you know, the scouts, the GMS, and of
(30:08):
course the coaches with the personnel and what you can do?
What can you show me? Right, We're not from Missouri,
but tonight we're gonna be in the show me state,
you know, and lessen the trope memorial, What can you
show me to differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack.
Speaker 4 (30:24):
So true, And again, I think you bring up such
a great point because if you are the sixth receiver,
or the third or fourth running back, or the tenth
offensive lineman or the full back, all four of those
guys you know, might be competing for one spot on offense. Again,
(30:44):
it might not be if you're not one of the top.
Say let's say you know they're gonna just again a match.
We're dreaming you're gonna we're daydreaming you're gonna keep ten
offensive linemen. Okay, well, uh, you know, is that tenth
offensive lineman better than we we're just talking about to
the Hall of Fame? What's a guard worth versus a
safety versus a wide receiver? And the perception of those things.
(31:05):
You know, who's better the sixth wide receiver or the
or the tenth offensive lineman or the full back or
the you know, you want to keep a running back.
By the way, who do you think you can slide
onto the practice squad? You know, those are part of
a part of things. But right now you're a player
You don't want to be thinking practice squad. You want
to be thinking active roster. And this is an opportunity
(31:28):
to show everybody what you can do.
Speaker 3 (31:30):
Yes, this is going to the flea market and showing
your wares off right, what can we sell here today? No, boy,
you need this grinder right here. I'm telling you this
thing has worked excellent over the years for me.
Speaker 2 (31:45):
You know you should definitely buy this.
Speaker 3 (31:47):
You know you're going you're going to get into those situations,
and that's what this is. You are auditioning for all
thirty two teams when you step on that field for
preseason work, and how how do you fare in those moments?
That's going to be the key metric there.
Speaker 4 (32:05):
And this is the first step toward the first step,
which is that preseason game coming up Thursday against Green Bay.
More of that of course coming up on Monday and Tuesday,
as Max and I will continue in the locker room.
We're going to continue in the locker room by taking
one very rapid dash down the twenty ten all defensive team,
(32:25):
because that's all we have time for is a quick dash.
But there's some fascinating names on here, and some guys
who aren't in the Hall of Fame. Do they belong
in the Hall of Fame. We are going to talk
that over with Max Tarchigan. Here's opinions when we continue
in the locker room. Here on the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (32:43):
Is live coverage ob Dot twenty 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 Pennsylvania One Call Systems, Dial Before You Dig,
SNT Bank People Forward Banking by Kalucy Chevrolet, serving the
(33:06):
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 build it.
Speaker 2 (33:29):
Well.
Speaker 3 (33:30):
We're not only building offices like some of our steam sponsors.
We're also building rosters and building cases for the Hall
of Fame. And we're gonna get to the defensive portion
of the two thousands, All Decades team. As we wrap
up the show today and before we turn it over
(33:50):
to our buddies at the drive, Matt Williamson and Wesley Euler.
Speaker 2 (33:55):
Rob, go ahead, let's fire off.
Speaker 3 (33:56):
Let's do it.
Speaker 2 (33:58):
Rapid firewater cooler.
Speaker 4 (34:00):
Rapid fire. Here we go. Defense, So, by the way,
all of our first teamers except full back the run
j O'Neil, Sorry, the runs are you're a great fullback.
We have as Hall of famers and most of the
mariority in the Hall of Fame. Okay, So defense, first
team defensive end is stray Hand and Freemy. They're in
the Hall of Fame. Correct, second team or Taylor and
Peppers they're also in the Hall of Fame. So no
(34:21):
case needs to be made for the defensive tackle. Seymour
and Sap are your first team defensive tackles. They are
in the Hall of Fame. Correct, No problems there, right, yes, Now,
Leroy Glover and Kevin Williams are your second teamers. Neither
(34:41):
is in the Hall of Fame.
Speaker 3 (34:44):
Don't think they will even though Larroy's that le Roy
was a hell of hell of a guy. And Kevin
Williams as well. He's a part of the Williams Brothers.
As you will remember in Minnesota Vikings Lore him and
Pat Williams.
Speaker 2 (34:56):
Kevin Williams and Pat Williams were they were they were
were low.
Speaker 3 (35:00):
There were load going against those guys in an era
where big bodies in the middle was was was a thing,
It was a real thing.
Speaker 4 (35:07):
So Kevin Williams interesting, He's an interesting guy to me.
Defensive tackle again, put up some really big sack numbers
early in his career when he was at defensive end.
They kicked him inside. The sack numbers dwindled a little bit.
He has sixty three sacks for his career, but I
mean he was a five time first team All Pro. Yeah,
(35:32):
that's man, six time Pro Bowl. I think he's one
of those guys that the Veterans Committee might take a
long look at and say, well, wait a minute, man,
maybe this guy, maybe we've been under selling what this
guy's capable of doing.
Speaker 3 (35:49):
Yeah, and I think it's gonna get tougher for Kevin
just because we see the numbers. Right, Just think about
like a geno Atkins, right, like yeah, like that's you're you're, you're,
you're You're now getting into an era where d tackles
are asked to do more. Aaron Donald's right, those are
now the prototypes volunteer not as big, you know.
Speaker 2 (36:10):
Whereas you started getting smaller. I mean, he did it
for his.
Speaker 3 (36:14):
Size at a very high clip. But like you said,
you know, now we're gonna get into an era where
if he gets into the finals in a normal way,
he's probably not gonna make it because the numbers dictate
differently now because the the stats are gonna be overriding.
And like you said, it's gonna be a second look
type of deal later in his career when he's a
(36:35):
when he's a senior on the veterans side of it,
that's when it'll start to play a bigger role as
far as looking at just snapshot, how was he in
this time period, given how the game was played, did
he dominate? And and you'll get a yes from almost everybody,
but it is gonna take that second look because you're
gonna get these first ballot guys who are gonna have higher,
(36:56):
higher statistical numbers.
Speaker 4 (36:59):
Okay, so here you're linebackers, are you ready? Ray Lewis
Hall of Fame First team, per Lacker first Team Hall
of Fame, Derek Brooks first Team Hall of Fame, Zach
Thomas second Team, Hall of Fame, Good Marcus Ware second
team Hall of Fame, Joey Porter second team, not in
the Hall of Fame.
Speaker 3 (37:21):
He's one that I think, you know, when you think
about the era and what he meant, he's a guy
that should get a significant look. I think his might
be more press related when it comes to that. I
think we'll have another guy up on this list that'll
also not benefit from press related issues because you also
(37:43):
have to think the prestigious you gotta be good on
and off the field, and I think that's the only
thing that really holds Joey back. But I think that's
something that with time, he could be another guy that
you can go back and compare his numbers just apples
to apples without having the recency bias of what off
the field might have looked like. Because I think Joey
deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. He was
(38:04):
a leader, He was feared as a defender, and people
did not want to go up against him and listen,
and we call them the Hawaiian tropic abs that he
would have pre game and he would intimidate. He just
stalked the sideline. He just stalked the middle of the field.
That's the reason why it's no longer at the fifty
yard line where everybody gets fifty eight fifty yards each
(38:27):
or forty nine and zero point nine to nine. It's
now at the forty eight yard line. There's now that
four yard kind of buffer zone, you know, the free
trade zone that you're not allowed to walk in because
of Joey Porter. So you're changing rules and you're also
being a dominant player. Those things all way into it
as well.
Speaker 4 (38:47):
So he's by the way, you know, four time First
Team or four time Pro Bowl, one time All Pro.
So those numbers, someone's gonna have to say, listen, it
goes beyond the numbers Joey Porter, because otherwise, again you
worry about those guys as the year ago, as the
years go on. Unless players are looked at differently, Hey, listen, uh,
(39:08):
you know these metrics say he was actually a better
player than he was given credit for in his heyday.
That's gonna be you know, someone's gonna have to stump
for him, I think because he has fewer All pros
and and and Pro Bowls and some of the other
guys who also aren't in corner Charles Woodson, Champ Bailey,
First Teams they're in second teams, ty Law Rendez Barber,
(39:31):
they're in. That's what you'd expect from that position. First
team Ed Reid and Brian Dawkins at the safety position. Uh,
they're in. Troy Polamalo is uh is Again, I think
because he was a he was a straddler, right, he
(39:52):
did not make the first team, did not make the
first team all decade because of you know that oh
four or sort of being his first year, and and
you know that's that's unfortunately that's the way it goes, right,
that's you know, you get you find yourself in that
position in which your prime straddled the two decades. And
(40:15):
so but he's in the Hall of Fame where he
obviously belongs. Darren Sharper not in the Hall of Fame.
Don't know if Darren's gonna.
Speaker 2 (40:23):
Make it, No, not.
Speaker 3 (40:25):
Once again, he's another one where we talk about the
off the field also muddies some of some of the
achievements on the field.
Speaker 4 (40:35):
Darren Sharper, sec I just mentioned him. I'm sorry. Adam
Vin Terry just went in right, okay in.
Speaker 3 (40:44):
In NFL history, the most accurate one now and the
leader of all points score overall. He has more points
even than Tom Brady.
Speaker 4 (40:54):
When you get into punter, kicker, punt returner, full back,
you know, kick returner, it's hard, right, those are those
are the first team guys. That was the caveat we
didn't have yesterday because I don't think we really thought
it through. Our feeling was if you're a first team
All Decade performer, you belong in the Hall of Fame.
(41:18):
And I again, uh, you know, Leckler is the first
team punter, Brian Mormon is the second team punter. Dante
Hall how about this, Dante Hall was the first team
punt returner, Devin Hester was the second team punt returner.
But again Devin another one of those straddle guys straddle
in the decades. Then Joe Cribbs at the kick returner,
(41:39):
Dante Hall at the kick returner. So Dante Hall punt returner,
one kick returner, two of those returners only and the
punters only. Devin Hester is in the Hall of Fame.
So I think Max that we the point is proven,
right if I think it's basically if you went through
all the all decade teams, you would find that the
(42:00):
guys who are first Team All Decade are pretty much
in the Hall of Fame. There might be an exception
or two. If you're the second team all decade, you
probably got a fifty to fifty shot. I can't specifically
say the odds, but somewhere in that neighborhood of getting
in the Hall of Fame. So I feel Max, I
(42:20):
feel vindicated. I feel like we were accurate that if
you're if you're a first team All Decade Hall of Famer,
you're in the Hall of Fame. You belong in the
Hall of Fame. You should be in the Hall of Fame.
And frankly, you probably are in the Hall of Fame.
Speaker 3 (42:33):
Yeah, exactly, exactly, and you know, as a matter of time,
and we talked about the very few exceptions are devalued
positions or ones that you can't really quantify in tangible
situations like Loredn's O'Neill and Lika Shane Leckler and like
you said, Dante Hall, you know, I mean, yes, they
had numbers, but you know, you have to be literally
(42:56):
the most exceptional person at the position to get a
show at some of those.
Speaker 4 (43:02):
Max, as always my friend, enjoyed spending time with you.
I'm glad you had a great experience in the Hall
of Fame. It's awesome when you have a chance to
be part of something like that, it is just really special. Thanks.
I look forward to talking to you on Monday. We'll
start looking forward to this. We got this game coming
up on Thursday. Max, here we go.
Speaker 3 (43:21):
He first dress rehearsal, cannot wait for the regular season.
Preseason is upon us, and like I said, it got
kicked off with the Hall of Fame. We were treated
to a very awesome you know, first game debuts for
a lot of rookies. So I expect that train to
keep coming and now swing at the Steelers stop.
Speaker 4 (43:42):
Yeah, it's all gonna be great, my friend, it's all
gonna be great to get to get started, to get
into it. Our thanks to Ed Troup for filling in
for a little while. Justin Miller at our controls in
the iHeart Studio. We thank Justin as always, and thank
you of course for listening for Max Starks, I'm Rob king.
Thanks for being with us in the locker room here
on the Steelers Audio Network.
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 Klusy Chevrolet, serving the
Pittsburgh area for over one hundred and eight years. Clearview
(00:20):
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
and by iron Workers Local Union number three.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
We don't go to the office.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
We build it.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Side our number two here inside the locker room, and
we are continuing our discussion here because the Steelers have
Saturday night lights at Latrove Memorial Stadium this evening six
to eight pm down in the center of the city,
and of course a high light every year since the nineties.
(01:03):
Bill Kauer was one of the guys that I believe
first started the Saturday the Friday night lights to kind
of get that high school feel. We've now adjusted it
and moved it to a Saturday, but still the same
nostalgia and feel of bringing the Steelers into the community
literally there's fan fast and activities going on around the
practice ahead of it. Alumni are there doing autographs and
(01:26):
there's activations and of course culminating in the team heading
over and practicing on good old high school football field there.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
So it's a fun time.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
Another another very highly competitive practice, full pad, so looking
forward to that. So we don't have any practice notes
to really get to.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
I mean, coordinators, I believe spoke a.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Little while ago, but that's why we're having this fun
conversation on the heels of my travels to the the
actually the pilgrimage. The pilgrimage travel to the hallowed grounds
that are the National Football Pro Football Hall of Fame
in Canton, Ohio, and I'm saying that there's a water
(02:08):
park style like hotel being built right in front of
the Hall of Fame to try and track more kids,
as though you needed more kids to come there. But
you know this this week, every single year, this is
this is the site. This is this is the precipice
that we sit on for the upcoming regular season. So
we're going back and deep diving into in not in,
(02:33):
I think is the best way of putting it. What
do you say, Rob and not in. I think it
is a good segment in not In.
Speaker 4 (02:39):
And this all comes from us sort of saying that
we felt we were talking about the Hall of Fame
because Max was going there, and our discussion about whether
if you made the All Decade team, and both of
us were clearly thinking, and we're trying not to revise it,
clearly thinking that first team All Pro, first Team All
(03:00):
Decade team get you in the Hall of Fame. That
should be enough to get you in the Hall of Fame.
We understand guys step between the cracks. Cam Hayward is
one of those guys that didn't make the twenty tens,
and unless he has another All Pro year the year
or two and plays a few more years, probably won't
make it at the end of the next decade. It's
gonna be it's gonna be tough because he straddled those
(03:24):
decades in the course of his crime, and so that's
gonna happen to guys. But our sense is that if
you were this dominant for ten years, that doesn't mean
you're the best in your time. Again, Cam was a
better player in my opinion than Gino Atkins, right, who
was on the All Decade Team. He's gonna be a
better player if he doesn't make the All Decade team
(03:44):
in the twenty twenties, He's gonna be better than a
player on that team too, And it's prime, but his
prime doesn't fit snugly into that decade. He will be
the he will be the on the downside of good
time of poor timing. Right, that'll be the only thing
that's gonna keep them off those things and in my opinion,
out of the Hall of Fame. Although again, let's keep going, Cam,
(04:06):
keep building that case. It's okay with that.
Speaker 3 (04:09):
Nothing wrong with good old ingenuity and try hard.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
Yeah, keep going. Two more All Pros, another All Pro,
you know, and two more Pro Bowls, another All Pro
one and it's a shoeing, So okay. So here's where
we're going to meet our first hiccup, and that is
the fullback position, which largely no longer exists in the NFL.
So you have Lorenzo Neil, terrific fullback. Tony Richardson was
(04:33):
First Team two. You know, Lorenzo was a four time
first team Pro Bowler. I just don't think that that. Again,
we talk about the position. Why do fan of Can
Hutchison have to wait so long because tackles go in first.
Quarterbacks going first, receivers go in first, running backs going first,
Corners going first. If you're safety, unless you're Troy Polamalo,
(04:55):
you might have to wait. If you're a guard, you
might have to wait. If you're center, you might have
to wait. It's just the nature of the position. If
you're the pullback, I think, and you're a prototypical fullback, listen,
you love to have the renal on your team. I
just don't think that makes the Hall of Fame. I
don't think he's going to get in the Hall of Fame.
Mac he's not in. I don't think he's going to
get it.
Speaker 3 (05:15):
Yeah, No, it's a devaluing of that position, right, he's
I think he's a decade too late. I think if
you look in nineties and eighties when a fullback was
a prominent position, kind of like the nose tackle, Like
a nose tackle is one that it's an important position
on the team. It allows for the guys behind them
(05:35):
to get those opportunities to be great and be successful.
Like you think about more linebackers are in, Well, it's
because of a dominant nose tackle. Usually that's how you
make those plays to get into those positions to be successful.
And then like that, a fullback as well, like a
fullback is essentially a sixth offensive lineman. He just isn't
tall enough. And you know, and that's one of those
(05:58):
where the stats just are aren't going to be on
your side. And this is you know, stats tell a
story for a lot of this and and how you
get into the Hall of Fame and how you get
the nods. It's a numbers game, and fullbecks just frankly
don't get numbers, and there's no tangible way of really
tracking their stats, you know, without it being kind of subjective.
(06:19):
And that's where you run into that gray area. So
you're right, both those guys excellent, love Nilo, but yeah, yeah,
you know, Lorenzo's not going to get in. And like
you said, Tony Richardson also definitely if Lorenzo doesn't get in,
he's a first team member.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
Yeah, Richardson's not getting in either.
Speaker 4 (06:35):
Okay, So let's continue on, and and I think that
we're going to run into it a whole stretch of
guys who are in the Hall of Fame. Receiver one,
Marvin Harrison, Randy Moss, Hall of Famers, no doubt about it.
Team two tall Owens, Hall of Fame, Tory Holt not
in the Hall of Fame.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Should be in the Hall of Fame, but not in
the Hall of Fame.
Speaker 4 (06:58):
Okay, okay, a lot of pro. Again, it's hard to
be All Pro when you're going up against Randy Moss,
Marvin Harrison, karall Owens. It's hard. Isaac Bruce on his
own team and it's hard to be. I mean, he
led the league in receptions once and receiving yards a
(07:20):
couple of times. Very very good player. I think maybe eventually.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Yeah, one of these years you'll get it.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Yeah, I think he's gonna be one of those kind
of guys.
Speaker 2 (07:31):
Max.
Speaker 4 (07:32):
But again, sticking with our All Pro one theme, he's
not in All Pro one. He's not in the Hall
of Fame, and so let's move on tight end Tony
Gonzales in second team, Antonio Gates in. Two phenomenal players,
no questions about that.
Speaker 3 (07:48):
First team went and at the time when they went
in they were both number one all time and catches,
receptions and touchdowns both of them, So they led the
league that Now, obviously, since Travis Kelcey is broken, that
record whatever, but at the time when they're logged in
best overall statistics at their position. So I just want
to make sure we clarify that.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
Yeah, and we're talking about eras of football, Max, And
you know, where does the modern era begin? And it's
it's difficult to pinpoint. You know, you say the Hall
of Fame era, but you know, at six one, two
fifty again I brought up this point, Fuzzy Thurston pulls
around around to the edge and he's leading Jim Taylor
or Paul Horning on that bonded packer suite and he
(08:33):
runs into TJ.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
Watt.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
Well, he wasn't running into edge defenders that big, you
know what I mean, It just wasn't. And and that's
you know, even a decade later, Fuzzy's running into Lawrence Taylor.
I just don't know as that goes really well. Now, again,
they were lighter, quicker guards. You know, that's the kind
of player Chuck Nole wanted to. But the point is
(08:55):
that I think that Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates, Uh,
you know, you talk about prototypes, there's the prototype for
the modern tight end right there. To me, those two
guys Dallas and Gates. I don't think they redefine, they
redefined the position. Right. The modern era of the tight
end begins with those guys. The modern air of the
(09:15):
pass rusher might begin with Lawrence Taylor. Right, So you
may be going back to the early eighties. I think
the modern tight end is that late nineties, early two thousands. Uh,
it's Gonzales and Gates.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
Yep.
Speaker 3 (09:26):
Yeah, they paved the They paved the way for what
we consider or what we demand.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
A tight end to do.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
Okay, on we go tackle Jonathan Ogden.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
I mean, yeah, no, let's let's get all of my
idols out of the way.
Speaker 2 (09:41):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (09:42):
Yeah, he might be you know, somebody's holding the chair
for him. Probably at that innercase.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
I would say he is an inner. He is an
inner sanctum offensive lineman.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
Yes, yes, he was phenomenal. Walter Jones outstanding, He's in
the Hall of Fame. Willie Rope, Orlando Pace. You know
those guys were were second team all decade, you know, Uh,
Orlando Pace was. That's interesting because to me, I mean
(10:16):
he was. He was also a top of the scale
type of offensive lineman. But it's hard to and he
made three All Pro ones, but man, it is hard
to make all pro ones when Jonathan Ogden to Hagan
those trophies and now you're competing with everybody else, you know. Yeah,
I mean, uh, but but he's he's in the Hall
of Fame Great Players, So all of the tackles are in,
(10:37):
all of the guards are in. Alan Fanica, Steve Hutchinson,
Larry Allen, will Shields all in the Hall of Fame.
Uh Center, Kevin Maway, he's in the Hall of Fame.
Allen Krutz. Olin Kreutz is not in the Hall of Fame.
I don't think he's gonna make the Hall of Fame
at the center position.
Speaker 3 (10:53):
Yeah, Olin, you know, obviously, if I had a pick
between the two, I'd probably picked Olin over Vin Mawai.
But Kevin Mwai takes the first team nod. I just
thought Olin Crutz. I mean we learned our silent snap
count because of Olin Krutz and what he developed in Chicago. Yes, interesting,
Like we watched the Chicago phil after we lost to
(11:15):
the Indianapolis Colts in five of the regular season that
following week, we had to put in a silent count
like that was the reason why and who do we
look to we looked at Olin Crutz in the Chicago
Bears for how they ran their count and that's how
and that's how we developed our silent count system.
Speaker 4 (11:30):
So that is absolutely so I.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Did behind the mask type of look there.
Speaker 4 (11:37):
I love that, man, My football keep them just went
through the roof. Man, that is just very very cool.
I had no idea, no idea that that was the case.
And uh, you know again, you just look at the
Pro Bowl and all throw nods. Uh you know, maybe
somewhere down the line somebody will re look at the
center position. But you know, let's get Markue's pounty in
(11:58):
their first in my opinion, Dan, just look at the
number decade team.
Speaker 2 (12:03):
Yeah exactly.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
But look how long it took Dermondi Dawson to get
into the Hall of Fame as well. So yeah, I
don't think Marquise waits as long as as as Dirt does.
But but it's still still that that's how tough it is,
that that's what you're battling.
Speaker 1 (12:17):
It is.
Speaker 4 (12:18):
Okay, so we have the defense to get to We
got to get hustling, Max, because yeah, I want to
go away. I gotta take a break. We gotta take
a break.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Oh man, I'm like Ricky, Bobby, I want to go fast.
I want to.
Speaker 4 (12:33):
I want to ask you about the scrimmage of what's
going on tonight and what you're expecting to see and
all that other stuff. Okay, so we're gonna dash through
the defense, or maybe we'll reverse it. Maybe maybe we'll
you know what, that's what. We'll go to the scrimmage
and if we don't, we'll we'll dash through the Tens
defense if we have to. I think our point has
been made. We've got to further drive it home. But
(12:53):
let's talk about the Steelers and what you're expecting to
see tonight when we continue in the locker room here
on the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (13:01):
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(13:25):
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(13:48):
and Drafthouse.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
All right, we are back inside the locker room segment
number two, our number two here, and we would be
remissed if we did.
Speaker 2 (14:04):
Not address the.
Speaker 3 (14:08):
Friday night on Saturday lights event. But you know, this
is more because in the past, it's been a scrimmage
rob and it's been like the full field, like first
team goes up against first first team offensive vers first
team defense.
Speaker 2 (14:25):
You marched out if you.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
Kind of go through plays and drives has been one
of the key moments. And then you add in the
elemental side of it. You know, we're gonna see you know,
those third down package pass under pressure so to speak.
In the past, you also had you know, two minute
drills worked in there, so you had kind of the
flow of a game worked in because this was kind
(14:47):
of like the dress rehearsal before you get to the
first preseason game, and obviously that first preseason game Thursday
night and after sure against.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
The Green Bay Packers.
Speaker 3 (14:56):
So I'm very interested to see how this is gonna go.
You always had a backs on back tight ends on
d ns O line versus D line, like you had
these one ones and he had the one.
Speaker 2 (15:05):
On one, uh well not one on one but.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
Seven on seven, competitive middle of the field type of deal.
So I'm interested to see how it's going to be
scripted this evening for Mike McCarthy since he kind of
does things a little bit differently, but that's been what
it has been in the past, and just kind of
anticipating what's going to be this current iteration of Friday
(15:30):
Night Lights. It's already on a different day, so Saturday
Night Lights. But you know that that's one of the
things that has us I kind of intrigued thus far
because you know, Mike pursuita asked backs on backers do
you like it?
Speaker 2 (15:44):
I'm a fan.
Speaker 3 (15:44):
I'm a fan, but he hasn't done it yet, so
you wonder when that's I shouldn't say when, but if
if that will actually happen in camp and will it
concur or conclude this evening. So a lot to kind
of anticipate getting ready and tonight. What are some of
the things you're thinking about?
Speaker 4 (16:03):
Yeah, I'm eager to see if you know, usually somebody
who would come out of this Max as Wow, he
kind of put a stamp on what we've sort of seen. Now.
We learned earlier that Maxahonachor is not going to be
taking place part of this. Well, the word was probably
(16:24):
won't see him through Monday, right, So that there's a
guy that I think a lot of fans really wanted
to see. You know, what is he going to be
able to bring to the table? You know?
Speaker 2 (16:35):
Right?
Speaker 4 (16:36):
I think probably for me because I'm more concerned with
the right now, I understand people are really gonna want
to be looking at the quarterback position. I get that.
I'm more interested in the wide receiver position. I'm more
interested in you know, how is how is that looking
(16:57):
right now? How are these guys jiving with with with
Aaron Rodgers or they melding together? You know? I think
that Aaron you know, look, I think Aaron does things
very deliberately. Right, he's targeting ticket dk Metcalf. Then he's
been targeting you know, there's a we talked about this
the other there's a Pat Pryarmouth day. There's been a
(17:17):
lot of Roman Wilson stuff. Is he going to emerge
that number three receiver because you know, look, they're all
I don't want to say that they're all one type
of receiver because DK is a big guy with speed.
Hitman's a big guy with great ability to use his
body and pick up first downs and make the tough catches.
(17:38):
Jeremy Bernard I think, is a little more probably in
that mold, not as big, but you know, he's the
second round pick. Roman Wilson's the one guy is a
little bit different to me, Slighter, maybe a little more
explosive as far as quick getting in and out of
you know cuts. I think DK probably still has the
best top end speed of the group, So he's interesting
(17:59):
to me because you know he can I think the
students will definitely be able to bludgeon team. Think about
my goodness, if you come out there and it's Darnel Washington,
it's and it's DK Metcalf and you know Pittman is
your wide receivers. That is just a large group of
human beings. But you know, prior Muth has been very
(18:20):
good in the slot as an h back guy. There's
a lot of different things they can do. It doesn't
have to be three receivers. But if it's going to
be three receivers, if it's going to be make up
some ground, I think this would be a nice practice
for Roman Wilson to show everybody what he can do.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
Now, I'm right there with you, and I think that's
really what the key is here.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
It's Roman, what can you do?
Speaker 4 (18:45):
Like?
Speaker 2 (18:46):
You know, are you going to take that next step?
Speaker 3 (18:47):
Are you going to be the guy that everybody can
depend on in that slot position to kind of take
over and have a Calvin Austin esque type of role
on this team?
Speaker 2 (18:58):
And what does that look like? Does that mean.
Speaker 3 (19:02):
You know, for what you can bring to the table,
or is it we got to look at another direction
because I think this is that kind of pivotal year
for Roman to take, to take the jump, to take
the leap for the next phase of his career.
Speaker 4 (19:19):
It's almost now or never. Really, it truly is for him.
I mean there and with the Steers. Look, I still
think Roman Wilson could be an NFL receiver. I just
hope it's with the Steelers. I think that if it
doesn't happen after this year and you're bringing another quarterback,
I get that, until that's always new life, but it
would feel like, Okay, the team is moving on from
(19:43):
him and so and again Aaron Rodgers says, this is
going to be it. Maybe he has a great rapport
with the next quarterback in the future. I don't want
to completely close the chapter if it doesn't happen now,
but now would be an awfully good time for him
to integrate himself and be part of it. And I
just think that he can be an explosive element. I mean,
(20:06):
you know, the students have a very physical offense. You know,
they've got a physical offensive line that they've invested in.
They've got physical big wide receivers, They've got running backs
can who can play with a physical style. You know,
we've seen Jalen Warren show some game breaking ability, and
I think that they believe that if they get him
(20:27):
back to shorter stints, that they're going to see more
of that game breaking ability. Again, I'm on the fence
about that. Part of me wants to see him get
twenty two carries and see what happens. That's not gonna
happen unless there's an injury. You know, Doubtell is going
to be is going to be taking a lot of
those A lot of those thumper type of things. Are
both guys are three down backs. Jalens an outstanding blocker.
(20:51):
As we know, both guys can receive the football. I
think Jalen's got that a little bit of that that
game breaker to him, and of course DK does with this,
but I think, you know, that would be if Roman
Wilson could bring an element that that the offense could use.
And so that's why I think my biggest attention will
be what is he going to accomplish tonight? And then
(21:14):
I guess on the defensive side of the ball. You know,
I would like to see the continued progression of UH
And I say progression like a Sante. Samuel's a rookie.
He's not, but he's coming back from a serious injury
and from surgery and it's basically been he got I
think he got into a little bit of action last year.
It's basically been you know, two years since he's played.
(21:36):
I'd like to see what he could do out there
because if he continues and he has drawn rave reviews
from Mike McCarthy going back to the OTAs, I mean,
what a find that would be. We have seen this
the other struggle to get a second corner opposite of
Joey Porter Jr. Well they got that guy with Jamel
Dean now to be able to throw a third guy
(21:59):
out there they're on the outside and go back to
the old, the other way of doing things where Dale,
when Evertt becomes a guy that you can you can
take your time with, you know, knock on what all
all things are many equal on the injury front, and
bring him along at a at a suitable pace and
not have to rush him into action, you know, all though,
for all those reasons, Sante Samuel to me is a
(22:22):
guy I'm really as his camp goes on, I'm really
intrigued about what he can do because I think he
can be valuable now and I think he can be
valuable in the future. And that's the same way I
feel about Roman Wilson. He can be valuable now and
he can be valuable for the foreseeable future. How about you, Max,
here are some guys you're looking at, well.
Speaker 3 (22:40):
I mean I'm looking at you know, I'm really looking
at that that right side, Like you said, no, Maxianachure.
Now does Proderick Jones take the next step? Can he
can he assume that role and kind of get himself
into this contest and and make it a three way
go Dylan Cook, Maxianachure, and Broderick Jones at the right
tackle position.
Speaker 2 (23:00):
I want to see. I want to see what Kayden
Weed you can do.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
He's the number one kicked punt returner, right, how does
he look not only as a returner, but how does
he look? Haws he figure into the wide receiver position
as well, and how does that look? And then of
course the running backs, right, Caleb Johnson, Lou Nichols, Travis
Homer and company. Travis Homer getting a couple more opportunities,
you know, to really do some stuff with with with
(23:25):
the third squad, and Caleb Johnson trying to make a
tryd to make a case for himself as well. So
I'm gonna be looking for that. And then also, Carson
Bruner is your number two linebacker. Malik Harrison is behind,
said Carson Bruner. So how does that inside linebacker competition
look and who can do more at that position to
kind of steal their way into that top four of
(23:47):
the linebacking crew.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
So those are some of some of the other ones.
Speaker 3 (23:51):
I think I'm right there with you on the rest
of these battles, you know, at the wide receiver position
with Roman Wilson, want to see how he takes the
next step as well. But I think that's a really
big one. And then I want to see I want
to see these big boys up front. I want to
see Sebastian, Joseph Day, you know, Gabe Rubio, how they
look y a black as as that kind of nose guy,
(24:13):
and seeing how they kind of insert themselves into this
as they take the next step, and then how it
translates to a stadium.
Speaker 2 (24:20):
So I'm all over the board with you.
Speaker 3 (24:22):
I think there's a lot of guys that are intriguing
and a lot of battles that are on that second
line level that I want to see come to fruition,
like who can do it and who.
Speaker 4 (24:30):
Can I think you bring up all really really great
points in it, and it underscores just how many interesting
battles there are on a team in which, you know,
I really like their roster. I really like their roster
one through fifty three, one through fifty eight. I think
they've just done a very very nice job of building
(24:52):
this roster out of adding to depth. But you're right,
I mean, think about it. Look Caleb Johnson. I mean,
the perception isn't We're not I'm not in the room
with the coaches. I don't know what they're saying, but
certainly the perception is that Caleb Johnson, a third round
pick from a year ago, is fighting to make a roster.
I mean, how many teams around the league can say that?
(25:13):
Not many? And I think you've identified a lot of
the other battles that are important. What's happening at that
at that inside linebacker off the ball linebacker position. You know,
can Carson Bruner become more than a special teams guy?
And you know, is you know, is this new system
going to help guys? Let's not forget too. You know,
we talked a little bit about and I think Cayden Wegen,
(25:36):
you know, I've been talking about playmakers on the offensive side.
Match you know, Leegian is they drafted him to be
a playmaker. And it's harder from that punt return game.
It's harder from that kickoff return game. I mean, what
are you gonna get? You hope you get a touchdown
out of that, you know somewhere along the line to
get you greedy, But can you pick up you know,
(25:58):
can you be one of the leading punt returners kick
returners in the league. To get you into that field
position again, I cite my our friend Matt Williamson about,
you know, some of the things that he brings up
with kick returns and how important they are and how
you know, if you can get it to a certain
part of the field. You know, averages say you're gonna score,
you're gonna come away with points on a drive, right,
(26:18):
and what that point differential is from from a few
yards and a kickoff return. So Leegian is a guy
that they're hoping can be a game breaker without you know,
necessarily being a guy who's gonna get a ton of
offense steps, but he may get some snaps too, which
would be interesting to see how they can feature him
in there in that sort of turp en' roll that
(26:39):
we saw down in Dallas as a as a guy
that can you know, can help you in a number
of different ways and hopefully make some places for you.
So I'm glad you brought him up because I think
he's an important guy for them. But you're right, you
know where where are the depth chart is gonna shake out?
And we've talked a lot about the offense, and I
think rightfully so, because a lot of people were wondering
about that. But then the defense, and you know, we
(27:02):
talk about the new scheme. Because Mike McCarthy is the
head coach, he's gonna put in his offensive scheme. You've
got a brand new defensive coordinator, Patrick Graham, and it's
been exciting to watch for me Mac in practice, these
guys standing up and moving around and disguising blitzes and
and doing things we haven't really seen the Steelers do
(27:22):
in the past. And what can this mean for the Steelers?
And who's best at communicating all these things? Is there
a player out there who just can't seem to grasp it, well,
he's got to go. Is there a player that this
is going to free up and he's gonna move up
the depth chart? It is that that side of the ball.
We we I think a lot of people are focusing
(27:44):
more of Mike McCarthy because he's the head coach and
he runs the offense. But that defense, Max, it is
going to be very very interesting to see what they're
able to do.
Speaker 3 (27:54):
Yeah, Now, I'm right there with you because I think
you have to you have to give them that that
that credence. You have to give them that room because
it's very important. It's very important to see how it
all shakes out. And and you know, there's still plenty
of questions left to be answered. And I think that's why,
(28:16):
you know, scrimmages like this kind of allow you to
separate a little bit and create create a better idea
of what that depth chart looks like for this team.
Is is seeing, hey, who is going to be that too?
Because as we get to this, and we talked to
Omar Khan right yesterday, he talked about he's excited these
(28:37):
three these three preseason games matter and how you advance
from one to two and two to three, you know,
that help that that develops the back half of your
roster and that key positions and and do you take
one extra dB versus you know, one extra you know
linebacker in that moment, or do you take the extra
running back that's also competing against that dB and that linebacker?
Speaker 2 (29:01):
Tight end? How does he fit into this?
Speaker 3 (29:04):
Do you keep an extra tight end or an extra
you know, D lineman or outside line back? Like there's
so many questions and and things are built off of
each other. When you get to that way outside of
your front line starting twenty five as I like to
call it, because you know, specialists are people too, So
there's three of those. But yeh, you're you're eleven offense,
you're eleven defense, and your three specialists. Who's behind that?
(29:27):
That's that matters? And how is it distrue to how
do you how do you disseminate into the play share
within the given mechanics of a game? You know, who's
the first guy off the bench at D line, who's
the first guy off the bench on the offense and
the offensive line?
Speaker 2 (29:43):
You know who's your who's your who's your who's your
third back?
Speaker 3 (29:46):
If one of them goes down mid game and has
to pick up that payload of opportunity? Are we a
twelve heavy team? So now that third tight end is
going to get more work than when we're an eleven
formation team from game to game. That matters. So all
these different things all it's an intricate web that is
weaved by you know, the scouts, the GMS, and of
(30:08):
course the coaches with the personnel and what you can do?
What can you show me? Right, We're not from Missouri,
but tonight we're gonna be in the show me state,
you know, and lessen the trope memorial, What can you
show me to differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack.
Speaker 4 (30:24):
So true, And again, I think you bring up such
a great point because if you are the sixth receiver,
or the third or fourth running back, or the tenth
offensive lineman or the full back, all four of those
guys you know, might be competing for one spot on offense. Again,
(30:44):
it might not be if you're not one of the top.
Say let's say you know they're gonna just again a match.
We're dreaming you're gonna we're daydreaming you're gonna keep ten
offensive linemen. Okay, well, uh, you know, is that tenth
offensive lineman better than we we're just talking about to
the Hall of Fame? What's a guard worth versus a
safety versus a wide receiver? And the perception of those things.
(31:05):
You know, who's better the sixth wide receiver or the
or the tenth offensive lineman or the full back or
the you know, you want to keep a running back.
By the way, who do you think you can slide
onto the practice squad? You know, those are part of
a part of things. But right now you're a player
You don't want to be thinking practice squad. You want
to be thinking active roster. And this is an opportunity
(31:28):
to show everybody what you can do.
Speaker 3 (31:30):
Yes, this is going to the flea market and showing
your wares off right, what can we sell here today? No, boy,
you need this grinder right here. I'm telling you this
thing has worked excellent over the years for me.
Speaker 2 (31:45):
You know you should definitely buy this.
Speaker 3 (31:47):
You know you're going you're going to get into those situations,
and that's what this is. You are auditioning for all
thirty two teams when you step on that field for
preseason work, and how how do you fare in those moments?
That's going to be the key metric there.
Speaker 4 (32:05):
And this is the first step toward the first step,
which is that preseason game coming up Thursday against Green Bay.
More of that of course coming up on Monday and Tuesday,
as Max and I will continue in the locker room.
We're going to continue in the locker room by taking
one very rapid dash down the twenty ten all defensive team,
(32:25):
because that's all we have time for is a quick dash.
But there's some fascinating names on here, and some guys
who aren't in the Hall of Fame. Do they belong
in the Hall of Fame. We are going to talk
that over with Max Tarchigan. Here's opinions when we continue
in the locker room. Here on the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (32:43):
Is live coverage ob Dot twenty 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 Pennsylvania One Call Systems, Dial Before You Dig,
SNT Bank People Forward Banking by Kalucy Chevrolet, serving the
(33:06):
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 build it.
Speaker 2 (33:29):
Well.
Speaker 3 (33:30):
We're not only building offices like some of our steam sponsors.
We're also building rosters and building cases for the Hall
of Fame. And we're gonna get to the defensive portion
of the two thousands, All Decades team. As we wrap
up the show today and before we turn it over
(33:50):
to our buddies at the drive, Matt Williamson and Wesley Euler.
Speaker 2 (33:55):
Rob, go ahead, let's fire off.
Speaker 3 (33:56):
Let's do it.
Speaker 2 (33:58):
Rapid firewater cooler.
Speaker 4 (34:00):
Rapid fire. Here we go. Defense, So, by the way,
all of our first teamers except full back the run
j O'Neil, Sorry, the runs are you're a great fullback.
We have as Hall of famers and most of the
mariority in the Hall of Fame. Okay, So defense, first
team defensive end is stray Hand and Freemy. They're in
the Hall of Fame. Correct, second team or Taylor and
Peppers they're also in the Hall of Fame. So no
(34:21):
case needs to be made for the defensive tackle. Seymour
and Sap are your first team defensive tackles. They are
in the Hall of Fame. Correct, No problems there, right, yes, Now,
Leroy Glover and Kevin Williams are your second teamers. Neither
(34:41):
is in the Hall of Fame.
Speaker 3 (34:44):
Don't think they will even though Larroy's that le Roy
was a hell of hell of a guy. And Kevin
Williams as well. He's a part of the Williams Brothers.
As you will remember in Minnesota Vikings Lore him and
Pat Williams.
Speaker 2 (34:56):
Kevin Williams and Pat Williams were they were they were
were low.
Speaker 3 (35:00):
There were load going against those guys in an era
where big bodies in the middle was was was a thing,
It was a real thing.
Speaker 4 (35:07):
So Kevin Williams interesting, He's an interesting guy to me.
Defensive tackle again, put up some really big sack numbers
early in his career when he was at defensive end.
They kicked him inside. The sack numbers dwindled a little bit.
He has sixty three sacks for his career, but I
mean he was a five time first team All Pro. Yeah,
(35:32):
that's man, six time Pro Bowl. I think he's one
of those guys that the Veterans Committee might take a
long look at and say, well, wait a minute, man,
maybe this guy, maybe we've been under selling what this
guy's capable of doing.
Speaker 3 (35:49):
Yeah, and I think it's gonna get tougher for Kevin
just because we see the numbers. Right, Just think about
like a geno Atkins, right, like yeah, like that's you're you're, you're,
you're You're now getting into an era where d tackles
are asked to do more. Aaron Donald's right, those are
now the prototypes volunteer not as big, you know.
Speaker 2 (36:10):
Whereas you started getting smaller. I mean, he did it
for his.
Speaker 3 (36:14):
Size at a very high clip. But like you said,
you know, now we're gonna get into an era where
if he gets into the finals in a normal way,
he's probably not gonna make it because the numbers dictate
differently now because the the stats are gonna be overriding.
And like you said, it's gonna be a second look
type of deal later in his career when he's a
(36:35):
when he's a senior on the veterans side of it,
that's when it'll start to play a bigger role as
far as looking at just snapshot, how was he in
this time period, given how the game was played, did
he dominate? And and you'll get a yes from almost everybody,
but it is gonna take that second look because you're
gonna get these first ballot guys who are gonna have higher,
(36:56):
higher statistical numbers.
Speaker 4 (36:59):
Okay, so here you're linebackers, are you ready? Ray Lewis
Hall of Fame First team, per Lacker first Team Hall
of Fame, Derek Brooks first Team Hall of Fame, Zach
Thomas second Team, Hall of Fame, Good Marcus Ware second
team Hall of Fame, Joey Porter second team, not in
the Hall of Fame.
Speaker 3 (37:21):
He's one that I think, you know, when you think
about the era and what he meant, he's a guy
that should get a significant look. I think his might
be more press related when it comes to that. I
think we'll have another guy up on this list that'll
also not benefit from press related issues because you also
(37:43):
have to think the prestigious you gotta be good on
and off the field, and I think that's the only
thing that really holds Joey back. But I think that's
something that with time, he could be another guy that
you can go back and compare his numbers just apples
to apples without having the recency bias of what off
the field might have looked like. Because I think Joey
deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. He was
(38:04):
a leader, He was feared as a defender, and people
did not want to go up against him and listen,
and we call them the Hawaiian tropic abs that he
would have pre game and he would intimidate. He just
stalked the sideline. He just stalked the middle of the field.
That's the reason why it's no longer at the fifty
yard line where everybody gets fifty eight fifty yards each
(38:27):
or forty nine and zero point nine to nine. It's
now at the forty eight yard line. There's now that
four yard kind of buffer zone, you know, the free
trade zone that you're not allowed to walk in because
of Joey Porter. So you're changing rules and you're also
being a dominant player. Those things all way into it
as well.
Speaker 4 (38:47):
So he's by the way, you know, four time First
Team or four time Pro Bowl, one time All Pro.
So those numbers, someone's gonna have to say, listen, it
goes beyond the numbers Joey Porter, because otherwise, again you
worry about those guys as the year ago, as the
years go on. Unless players are looked at differently, Hey, listen, uh,
(39:08):
you know these metrics say he was actually a better
player than he was given credit for in his heyday.
That's gonna be you know, someone's gonna have to stump
for him, I think because he has fewer All pros
and and and Pro Bowls and some of the other
guys who also aren't in corner Charles Woodson, Champ Bailey,
First Teams they're in second teams, ty Law Rendez Barber,
(39:31):
they're in. That's what you'd expect from that position. First
team Ed Reid and Brian Dawkins at the safety position. Uh,
they're in. Troy Polamalo is uh is Again, I think
because he was a he was a straddler, right, he
(39:52):
did not make the first team, did not make the
first team all decade because of you know that oh
four or sort of being his first year, and and
you know that's that's unfortunately that's the way it goes, right,
that's you know, you get you find yourself in that
position in which your prime straddled the two decades. And
(40:15):
so but he's in the Hall of Fame where he
obviously belongs. Darren Sharper not in the Hall of Fame.
Don't know if Darren's gonna.
Speaker 2 (40:23):
Make it, No, not.
Speaker 3 (40:25):
Once again, he's another one where we talk about the
off the field also muddies some of some of the
achievements on the field.
Speaker 4 (40:35):
Darren Sharper, sec I just mentioned him. I'm sorry. Adam
Vin Terry just went in right, okay in.
Speaker 3 (40:44):
In NFL history, the most accurate one now and the
leader of all points score overall. He has more points
even than Tom Brady.
Speaker 4 (40:54):
When you get into punter, kicker, punt returner, full back,
you know, kick returner, it's hard, right, those are those
are the first team guys. That was the caveat we
didn't have yesterday because I don't think we really thought
it through. Our feeling was if you're a first team
All Decade performer, you belong in the Hall of Fame.
(41:18):
And I again, uh, you know, Leckler is the first
team punter, Brian Mormon is the second team punter. Dante
Hall how about this, Dante Hall was the first team
punt returner, Devin Hester was the second team punt returner.
But again Devin another one of those straddle guys straddle
in the decades. Then Joe Cribbs at the kick returner,
(41:39):
Dante Hall at the kick returner. So Dante Hall punt returner,
one kick returner, two of those returners only and the
punters only. Devin Hester is in the Hall of Fame.
So I think Max that we the point is proven,
right if I think it's basically if you went through
all the all decade teams, you would find that the
(42:00):
guys who are first Team All Decade are pretty much
in the Hall of Fame. There might be an exception
or two. If you're the second team all decade, you
probably got a fifty to fifty shot. I can't specifically
say the odds, but somewhere in that neighborhood of getting
in the Hall of Fame. So I feel Max, I
(42:20):
feel vindicated. I feel like we were accurate that if
you're if you're a first team All Decade Hall of Famer,
you're in the Hall of Fame. You belong in the
Hall of Fame. You should be in the Hall of Fame.
And frankly, you probably are in the Hall of Fame.
Speaker 3 (42:33):
Yeah, exactly, exactly, and you know, as a matter of time,
and we talked about the very few exceptions are devalued
positions or ones that you can't really quantify in tangible
situations like Loredn's O'Neill and Lika Shane Leckler and like
you said, Dante Hall, you know, I mean, yes, they
had numbers, but you know, you have to be literally
(42:56):
the most exceptional person at the position to get a
show at some of those.
Speaker 4 (43:02):
Max, as always my friend, enjoyed spending time with you.
I'm glad you had a great experience in the Hall
of Fame. It's awesome when you have a chance to
be part of something like that, it is just really special. Thanks.
I look forward to talking to you on Monday. We'll
start looking forward to this. We got this game coming
up on Thursday. Max, here we go.
Speaker 3 (43:21):
He first dress rehearsal, cannot wait for the regular season.
Preseason is upon us, and like I said, it got
kicked off with the Hall of Fame. We were treated
to a very awesome you know, first game debuts for
a lot of rookies. So I expect that train to
keep coming and now swing at the Steelers stop.
Speaker 4 (43:42):
Yeah, it's all gonna be great, my friend, it's all
gonna be great to get to get started, to get
into it. Our thanks to Ed Troup for filling in
for a little while. Justin Miller at our controls in
the iHeart Studio. We thank Justin as always, and thank
you of course for listening for Max Starks, I'm Rob king.
Thanks for being with us in the locker room here
on the Steelers Audio Network.
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