November 11, 2025 • 47 mins
Matt and Wes discuss all the latest from Mike Tomlin's Tuesday press conference. They also get into their Tuesday Rewind with final observations from LA.
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Your tunes about Drive on your twenty four to seven
home of the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Good afternoon, Steelers Nation. It's the Drive on the Steelers
Audio Network. West Huuler and Matt Williamson with you here
for the next two hours on a Tuesday, And as always,
we have got plenty to get to. We're gonna have
our Tuesday rewind some final thoughts and additional observations from
the Steelers twenty five. A part of me the Chargers
twenty five the Steelers ten.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Was that the final score. Did I just mess that up? No?
That was the final twenty five to ten. We will
do our Fantasy Football Focus today.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
I would get it wrong all the time, Like the
day after. I never remember the score. I just did
know the feeling.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
And I usually have the rock score up the day
after just to make sure I don't mess it up.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Tuesday rewind Fantasy Football Focus, power rankings, all that good stuff.
We're gonna talk to Chris Adanski here in about ten
to fifteen minutes, get all the latest from the South
Side from him. But Matt, where we start, as always,
Mike Tomlin his weekly Tuesday.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Press conference, and.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Obviously there's there's a weekly ebb and flow to his
press conference. He talks about the previous game, updates on
any injuries, and then previews the upcome for the Steelers,
and he highlighted three areas that he felt were key
in the Steelers loss to the Chargers. Matt the first
repeated failure on offense on third downs coupled with a
(01:50):
lack of splash to overcome it.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
So Tuesday morning is Matt stats. Yes, it is. The
bulk of it. I would say sixty percent of it
happens between when I wake up up from when I
in the morning, and then I'll do a bunch of
night too. But over the last three games, they are
miserable on third downs. If you combine the three games,
I mean it's really really poor. I mean it's like
(02:13):
it's fourteen percent or something like that, and accenuated by
this past week obviously, right, I mean, that's we're gonna
I'm gonna go back to time possession over and over
and over and over. And that's just one more you know,
cause of the symptoms, you know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
It absolutely is no doubt nine games in now, Like
I was talking about this with Jerry Dulac when we
were doing the Tomlin Recap show, the Press Conference recap show.
Nine games in now, like these are even more than trends.
Oh yeah, these are what you are. It is what
you are. And you are a team that has been
out snapped in all nine games. You're a team that
(02:51):
has been out possessed an eight of nine games. Yeah,
that is the boogeyman in the room right now.
Speaker 4 (02:58):
The battles isn't who you are. There's the Borough era,
there's a Brownie where there's the Flacco era. You know,
like last year I broke the Steeler season into three eras.
After I was done, there was justin fields good d Russ,
you know, and it was real distinct then like EPA
was drastically different on all those lines. Steelers are though,
(03:20):
this is who you are. Yes, yeah, I mean, this
is who you are. And of course you get better
and worse, but this is who you are. These are
not just like oh that was kind of a flash
in the pan, or boy you ran into one good
defense or you know, you know, this is what you are.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Absolutely second thing was losing the time of possession battle,
creating limited chances for Jalen Warren and the defense wearing
down over the course of the game. This is Matt
once again going to the doctor and rattling off all
your symptoms. Yeah, and it's all related to the same
root cause.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Can you tell me those again? The Warren one.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Creating limited chance, so losing the time of possession battle
that created limited chances for Jalen Warren and also wore
the defense down over the course of the game.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
Yeah, no question again. It so much of it can
just be umbulled with time and possession, you know. I
mean that is to me, is the huge thing. But
these are the next step down of why you're losing
time and possession. So let's start with Warren. Tim Ben's
texted me this morning and asked some of the people
(04:18):
think I know every answered every question. He's like, is
it true that Jalen Warren didn't play.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
Oracle football here in Western Pennsylvania.
Speaker 4 (04:25):
Susday morning, I'm doing mat status. Let me alone. But
he asked, he is is it true that Jalen Warren
didn't play one snap on third down? And I think
he's correct. I try. I think I saw that yesterday
and I didn't jot it down. But when he said
it it triggered. I'm like, I think I read that
(04:46):
and meant to come back to it and didn't, so
I couldn't one hundred percent verify for him, and I
was looking around and I was busy doing other stuff.
But I'm not cool with that. I mean, I know,
Gainwell out snapped him in the game, and they got
into third down hurry up mode quicker than I would
of or away from Warren in any way, shape or form.
I can't even write a scenario why Gainwell should have
(05:08):
more snaps than Warren if everybody's healthy. Yes, because it's
not like he's a bad third down back either.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
I mean, I mean, he's the only scenario that should
happen is when you were in Dublin and you had
no Jalen Warren.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
Of course, you know, right then you hand it to
the guy, you know, to the number two. But another
thing I dug up this morning too, yards per route run.
I mean, obviously just a receiving stat. Warren's third amongst
all running backs in the league, and every year he's
top five. He's let's not forget that, he's an awesome
receiver and better in protection. So even if you do
(05:41):
get into a hurry up, third down, throw throw throw mode.
I'm fine mixing in gainwell then, but not outstapping Warren.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Jagewell should have a role in that regard because he's
good there.
Speaker 4 (05:52):
Too, exactly. That's what all he can, that's all he does.
But not one or the other. Right now, if some
of that is the game is out of reach, we
want to save Warren. That garbage signs different, that's totally different.
But him not playing on third downs or him not
getting enough in the passing game worries me. And the
(06:14):
other thing is another thing I just stug up this morning.
Over the last three games, the Steelers are at the
top of the league. I'm not sure where exactly they rank,
but it's about two thirds of their snaps or passes.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
That's a lot.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
They're tenth, and so Cincinnati's number one in terms of
run pass ratio and it's by a bunch, makes sense.
And then it's some bad teams like the Titans that
are always losing, you know, but the Steelers are tenth.
That's not how they want to play. That's for the season.
And then the football database site that I go to
also says your last three so they're also like ten
(06:50):
percent higher over your last three than being tenth on
the season in terms of passing the most, not running
the most.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Which again is a signess when you consider the first
of those third games was the Green Bay Packers. Yeah,
where they had eighty one rush yards after thirty minutes.
Eighty one yards at.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
The half, right, right, right, that's a great point, right,
and then the second half you just didn't.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
Just three carries in the second half.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
Right. So again, all of this is under the time
of possession umbrella. But if you throw like crazy, you're
gonna have bad time possession. Oh, by the way, the
Bengals are terrible in time of possession. I think they're
the only team worse off the top of my head,
because they throw like crazy and their defense is terrible,
you know. So there are ways to help, I mean
(07:35):
better on third downs, you know. Maybe Warren should be
out there more than gain well in every game of course,
less passing. I tell you what, the running game was
getting better.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
More on that.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
I want to expand on that at the bottom of
the hour when we do our Tuesday rewind, because.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
Yes, I have some stuff on that too.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
Yes, I want to get more into that.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
I want to dig more into what Tomlins said.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Correct, correct, but say bookmark that one for about twenty
thirty minutes from now.
Speaker 4 (08:03):
Well, we'll talk about it all week. It's really relevant
against the Bengals.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
Third thing from Mike Toman was just quite simply, I'm
sure everyone agrees with this one, expected this one. When
you lose a turnover battle three to nothing, you're not
putting yourself in a position to succeed.
Speaker 4 (08:16):
I mean, history is really obvious with the Steelers in turnover.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Battle, absolutely, especially recent History. Also said that you know,
he did appreciate another stable performance from Jalen Ramsey and
Kyle Duggar. Sounds like Jalen Ramsey's gonna stay there. And again,
I don't know if they have a ton of options
at this point in that regard Matt because they're so
banged up now at cornerback.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
Say what's the corner situation?
Speaker 2 (08:43):
And with that, here's what we here's what we were
updated on. With injuries, Cole Holcomb and Jabrol Peppers limited
to start the week, but it does sound like Cole
Holcomb will finally be back in the mix after dealing
with that illness.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
This could be rewind stuff too, but I'm about done
with Harrison as that was a cute four to three
package and all that, but he doesn't run.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
Well, it's funny you mentioned that. My might all right teaser.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
My two Tuesday rewind observations were centered around the run
game and Peyton Wilson. Really, okay, we'll get there about good,
we'll get theirreed about twenty thirty minutes. Optimistic about Isaac
Samalu being able to return this week, which is massive.
That's probably the most important of all of these, right.
Scotty Miller finally cleared to practice with that broken finger,
(09:28):
so after missing two weeks of practice, he'll return to
practice this week. Darius Slay's still in the concussion protocol.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
Yeah, Slay was the one I was worried about.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
So sounds like good news for Isaac Samalu, optimistic news
for say Malou.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
Maybe not so great with Sleigh.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
In today's NFL rarely are you back anymore the week
after a concussion. It's just the percentages are way down
than they were five, ten years ago, even two three
years ago, so.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
Which is probably a good thing.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
Yeah, on the whole, right, right right, I'm sure you
can still yer concussion protocol in a week. But it
happens for whatever reason, much less now than it used to.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
Yes, yes it does, Yes it does. And I think
there's rhyme to that reason. It's something that we're more
in tune to and uh and noticing. But yes, certainly
something to keep an eye on. That's kind of the
latest injury update there.
Speaker 4 (10:17):
Well, no, this will also be a Tuesday Rerune type
of thing too, just I don't want to forget two
games in a row now that Pierre got thrown thrown
in the action and I thought he played well.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Tom we talked about that as well, so that he
was that they were never gets.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
Conference before we sit down. Yes, I learned with everybody else.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
I think that there's some some quiet confidence that he's
going to be all right amongst that group. He also
mentioned they have released one Thornhill and brought back undrafted
free agent Sebastian Castro, who we saw out in the
drugs grabbed them. Yeah, yes, and I I like bringing
him back into the fold. I don't know how much
he's going to offer you down the stretch this season,
(10:55):
but he was one of those guys that we talked about, like,
I hope he's in camp next year, you know, like
j All Breath, some of these guys that we had
talked about, probably not gonna make the roster, but I
hope he's back in camp with the team next year.
Speaker 4 (11:05):
Even when they signed him, he was the priority free
agent we knew the best, yes, you know, like I
was like, oh, I thought he'd go in the fifth
or sixth round. You know, yes he didn't.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
You know, good special teams background.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
That's what I was gonna say is thorn Hill doesn't
bring much on special teams. That that moves scream special
teams to me. Yes, And it also screams that Ramsey.
Now I'm just thinking about it. Ramsey's probably not moving
for free safety anytime soon, because every other safety they
have is a strong Pepper's, Doug or Clark. Nobody else
can play deep middle. Thorn Hill was the only other one.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Like we said a couple of weeks ago, you got
a lot of left shoes but not a right shoe.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
Yeah, yeah, one.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
A lot of right gloves, but you need some more
left gloves, and so yeah, I think that that's almost
by necessity at this point as well. Yeah, sounds like
it talk about all these things and more with our
buddy Chris Adamski when we return on the other side,
Well shooler Matt Williamson, just getting started. It's the Drive
on Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
Your tunes about Drive on your twenty four to seven
home of the Black and Goal. Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Back on the Drive here on a Tuesday recapping, of course,
the weekly Mike Tomlin press conference. Joining us now to
continue the conversation, covers the Steelers for the trip, of course,
the co host of the Steelers Blitz with our buddy
Tom Opferman, He's the second most famous Mars High School grad.
Here on the Steelers Audio Network. It's our buddy Chris A. Damski.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
Buzz.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
Thank you for taking the time as always, and uh,
you know, Matt and I have kind of spent a
lot of time in the you know, the last twenty
four hours this year talking about where things went wrong
on Sunday night.
Speaker 3 (13:01):
The issues.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
They they have issues, and they are many, as tounchyok,
as tounch Yokin would have said, But in your mind,
is there something at the forefront? Is was it the quarterback?
It's obviously a combination of a lot of things. But
what was kind of the biggest sin? Was it the
quarterback play? Was it the offensive line? Was it the
the failure to convert on third downs? Was it the
defense not having any splash, any turnovers, any takeaways. Is
(13:26):
there something at the forefront of your mind that was
the biggest issue, the biggest concern from Sunday Night's loss
at SOFI Stadium.
Speaker 5 (13:34):
Yeah, you know, obviously a lot of those things can contribute.
I even asked Mike Tomlin today about the process versus
results of the splash plays on defense to takeaways. Did
you watch the tape and you know they got their
hands up on some passes? They obviously got five stacks?
Is like you would think that sometimes the quarterback will
fumble those or make a bad decision or something. Was
it just you tip your cap to the chargers on
(13:54):
like the Colts the week before, things like that. So
I crossed that off the list, I would say, I didn't,
you know, the defense, I think there is a truth
to they sort of worn down and obviously they were
good in the first half, and I think that they
were they were good enough from what you It's it's
funny Tom and I two weeks ago spend maybe two
whole segments saying, you know, for for especially fifty years,
(14:15):
this this organization is build an identity of defense. I't
needs to be the offense now to carry the team.
And then all of a sudden two weeks later we're like, okay,
we need the defense to carry the team, kind of
like flip the fip flipped all the way back again.
But but to answer your question, was I mean, I
think it is as simple as you know. I think
even with the way that game played at the quarterback
was if Rogers is really good, I think they have
(14:36):
a chance to win that game. We look at the
combination of just specific misplays and bad decision on the
on the on the first interception or.
Speaker 4 (14:43):
Either bad decision or execution or.
Speaker 5 (14:44):
Both on that one, and then even the play that
now John who could make that catch, of course, but
he didn't because the throw wasn't very good. You know,
there's little isolated plays like that that if these throws
weren't whatever reason, he was off and you give him
the benefit of the doubt this point and say it
was just a one off, and you know, he's been
good for the Steelers. If you want to take the
pessimist point of view. I think, you know, he's been
(15:07):
his his worst three game stretches his last three games,
and two you know, subpar games. Probably, so you could
say the arrow trajectory's pointing down. I guess if you
want to go that way. But I'm still willing to
give him the benefit of the doubt here and say, Okay,
you know he's he's going to be better. He's been
better on Hole and there's no time to you know,
panic about it yet or anything. But yeah, i'd say
(15:29):
watching that game that the quarterback player was the number
one reason why they weren't very competitive in it. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (15:34):
I tend to agree, And Chris, I was about to
ask you something different. I'll get back to it. But
you mentioned Johnny Smith. Do you agree that he's been
pretty underwhelming. I thought it'd be a lot more productive. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (15:46):
Actually just had Tim Ben's podcast and we just had
a thing on that. Yeah, it's probably you know, we
were all kind of sold from Mike Tomlin on Down
and Pat fired me was gushed about him and judged
by his production last year with Myami that you know
that he's going to be this total weapon down the seam.
He's going to make these plays and they don't even
running round to them that way, really don't even try.
(16:07):
And in that sense, he had the mean the supple
supple pass touchdown in week one, and you know, I'm
not kind of you struggle to find plays he's made, period,
and for a guy who you know, they I don't
know how much you know, he was kind of I
don't want to say throwing, because obviously he was a
Pro Bowl player, but how much the impetus of that
trade was to get him more so than Ramsey, but
he still was acquired that way, and the game of
(16:28):
raise after they got him based off of what he
wanted and stuff and deliberately said what he did last year.
But yeah, in terms of this season, he would certainly
put him right in number three in terms of playmaking
by the by the tight end corps, but behind Darnell
Washington and triarm Youth and and you know, and that's
even kind of trending downward too. So and of course
(16:50):
he had a high profile dropped to start two weeks
the first play two weeks ago, and I don't want
to kill him for not making that catch, but you know,
you know, again, if you're supposed to be one of
your dynamic play makers who makes that that you know,
leaping catch. It might be a different game against the
Chargers even for that matter. So yeah, I don't think
it's unfair to characterize it that way to this point.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
No, Chris Jalen Warren has been I think one of
their lone productive playmakers these last couple of weeks while
the offense has been struggling. Matt and I kind of
said yesterday, he's done a lot of you know, taking
lemons and making lemonade, taking chicken scratch and making chicken salad,
but not a ton of third down usage for him
(17:29):
Sunday night against the Chargers. I believe that was something
that that Mike Tomlin addressed earlier at his press conference today.
Or you think that there's needs to be an onus
to keep him on the field more on third downs
or is it you know you got to keep him
fresh and monitor his usage.
Speaker 5 (17:48):
Yeah, you said not a lot of for third down here?
There was zero snaps zero Yeah sense that? Yeah, Yeah,
he did not used at all, which is sor I
mean it was it was curious in terms of that's
what he was, that's how he made a name for
himself the NFL was being the third nine back over
the past the previous two season, three seasons even for
for Najee Harris, and I get the Gainwell was kind
(18:10):
of brought in. That's that's what his that's what his
entire resume has been at this point, a very for
a very good team, the third down back. So I
get it. But now we have sample sizes where Gainwell
played the whole game. What in Dublin right, and he
was a he could play In other words, if you
the company line to this point from Tomlin is that
their explanation is that Warren can't play every step. Okay, yes,
(18:33):
we understand that. I understand that. So you need to
so this is the way to naturally keep him on
the field first and second down. But they're not running
very much, the Steelers. They're they're low in the league
in terms of first down run percentage this season, they're
in the in the twenties. So they're not using them
up on first down in that sense. And then he
didn't play a snap at all on third down. There.
I feel like it would be better off to see
(18:56):
uh game will plays an entire series, let's say, right,
like kind of like cayleb John and did and get
game all involved that way, and let's let Jaylen Warren
stay in the field for a whole series. You know,
if you get the twelve players or whatever, may take
them month. I get it, don't, But to me, that
would make because Warren out of the backfield in terms
of breaking tackles, making people miss is you know, it's
not exactly he's one of the better ones in the
(19:17):
league or he's up there and on your team too,
in terms of making a play, especially even even third
and long where you're probably not gonna get it, but
you know you give it to him. Maybe he makes
a guy miss or something, and you know, third and
eight or something could happen. So I don't know if
that will change going forward against Cincinnati here, but I
certainly think that's that's an area that the Steelers couldn't
because I mean, Warren, I think has been their most
(19:38):
consistent offensive player all season when he's be healthy. To
be honest with you.
Speaker 4 (19:41):
Couldn't be more. And I think you have to ride him.
Wes and I were talking through it's a minor move,
but they swap out thorn Hill's gone bring back Castro
and just talking through it in the first segment. It
made me think of two things. Is first, I think
you upgraded on special teams, and Billaboo Killerbrew being out
I think has something to do with that. And then
(20:04):
I just kind of reading in the tea leaves thought
all the other safeties besides Ramsey are strong types now,
you know, so it sure seems like Ramsey isn't going
anywhere from free safety.
Speaker 5 (20:18):
Yeah, A couple of things on that. The first of
your ladder point there. Yeah, judging by the way tomlin
A talked about in pretty definitive terms, he didn't commit
to it, of course, for the rest of the season.
He had really countered ironclad commit to He's never gonna
do that, but he did. He mcgwell have his way
and during his open remarks to say how house happy
he's been with the way the safety has been stabilized
(20:39):
with Douger and uh with Doug and Ramsey back there
by the way, if ponne Hills catching strays, I feel
like all all press conference he said something, we've really
struggled Locky in that area. He said it'll be there.
And then later on I asked about the the transaction
on Monday the year reference yesterday that you mentioned. He
said Porne Hills play was not off the snuff, So yeah,
there was a lot of uh activity. Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly.
(21:04):
But but it's but and then the other aspect of
that is in terms of keeping Ramsey at safety, is
he tom and gushed about James Pierre. He went on
with a real long answer talking about how much he
likes James Pierre. We know Danny Smith loves James Pierre
on the special teams unit. So yeah, now that all
being said, we'll see what's going on with Slays this week.
(21:24):
And then a concussion. I guess you don't know, especially
we sit here on Tuesday. But Cincinnati, especially judging by
what happened only what it was that twenty twenty six
days ago, it's not exactly the best matchup at all
to be tinkering with your you know, or or not
breaking in. It's not like Pierres a rookie or something.
But putting a new starter out there at outside corner
with one of one of them is gonna have to
(21:45):
be on Jamar chase of that game. And you know
another one of of course, I T Higgins. So that's
that's something to watch this week at least. But yeah,
it certainly seems like they weren't gonna do it, but
this way if slays not if Slay is out or
it looks like Stay might certainly looks like Stay might
be out if they're keeping a Ramsey at safety. Now
at this point, you know, seems like, you know, I
never know what happens with injury and whatever else might happen.
(22:06):
It seems like that's going to be the permanent move
now the rest of the season. Chris A.
Speaker 2 (22:10):
Damski with us here on the drive, Uh buzz. Maybe
a little pessimistic on Darius Slay's potential availability for Sunday,
but sounding like better news for Isaac Saamalu.
Speaker 5 (22:24):
Yeah, that that sounded like, you know, I kind of
got the impression last week that it might be one
of those things like, you know what he's keep Remember
he played two games in a row and left in
the fourth quarter and then he did badly practice in
the middle. I think that was their templay. Okay, let's
keep him off is well, it's not his feep, you know,
keep you know, don't put any uh you know, it's pectorial.
So but you know what I'm saying. Okay, what's keep
with limiting his damage is limiting his reps. So we
(22:47):
keep him healthy, and then he misses another we have
to leave another game. I think the idea was lasting.
You know what, what's just shut him down for a week,
which just rep all week with mentor Anderson and Pete
and let's go out and play a game and then
we'll get him back next week and run this back again.
And the way he talked this week, I want to
use the word optimistic. I think about it. And he'll
return to practice for almost certainly, and well, you know,
(23:07):
I'm sure we'll be limited probably on Wednesday. But he
did one limit of practice all uh two weeks ago
the whole week, two d nps and one limited, so
he's enough of a veteran he's a need all the
practice time. But yeah, I would say it looks at
this point for sure that's trending up to get to
say I'm all the bactic on Sunday.
Speaker 4 (23:23):
Also looks like there's a good chance Cole Holcombe is back.
Do you think that's probably the end of Malie Harrison's
defensive snaps?
Speaker 5 (23:34):
Yeah, I don't know. I'm probably more polish on Harrison
than than most are a lot of people, I mean
all the people. The matter of course will be you know,
Tara Lustin and Mike Thumbin and what they do there.
That'll be interesting to see, if you know, they need
a week to get and hold him. They're worried about.
Although he's not gonna play every snap anyway, he probably
gonna play a dozen or so, probably in his role
(23:55):
or as it is so, and I guess the matchup
against the Bengals doesn't exactly scream Malik Harrison deployment either,
so you have that going for you. I was surprised
that Peyton Wilson, what do you play a boy? Sixty
of the snaps against the Chargers. I thought you were
kind of attending about to the point where he was
going to be in every down. Guy. I thought they might,
(24:17):
especially if the game he had against the Colts, that
it might be him and Queen out there, you know,
if not one hundred percent from Wilson elite, you know,
up there in ninety percent range. And he played a
lot less than I thought. Maybe I thought maybe he
had got to that level, and so I think they'll
probably see what whatever the illness was had him out
of the conditioning here for a week. But you're right
and more talk it through and think about it, especially
(24:39):
the Bengals the mashup. It's it's not the it's not
the run thumping team that that Harrison.
Speaker 4 (24:43):
Was brought in for.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
Really buzz.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
Speaking of the Bengals, last one I've got for you,
how do you expect things to go against Joe Flacco
and Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, I mean, Jamar Chase
and t Higgins.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
Uh this this this time around at Acrocure Stadium.
Speaker 4 (25:00):
Think they're gonna make some kind of adjustment, right, not
gonna just run back the same game plan. Yeah?
Speaker 5 (25:05):
Yeah, Well, I mean you obviously have an adjustment. You
have two different safeties, two new safeties or two players
you know, certainly a new player overall. So I'm sure
that's what they're hoping. And I agree with Tomlin that
it's that has been their best safety play they've gotten.
I do kind of wonder again if it's it's Pierre
is going to be I'm sure they won't won't be
playing press man. They won't be, you know, playing that
(25:28):
against them, and they got to make some adjustment and
it's wild like Chase has more unless it changed this week.
Leading into the last week, Chase has more targets than
the entire Steelers wide receiver corps has.
Speaker 2 (25:38):
Wow.
Speaker 6 (25:39):
Blows my mouth in terms of in terms of that's
a stat right, I think he has fifty five targets
since Flacco showed up, which is only three games.
Speaker 5 (25:53):
Wow. That Yeah, that's crazy that neighborhood. Well, like I said,
we know what we like. I said, we all saw
this movie just three weeks, so I certainly I don't know.
I don't want to give away you guys assume you
make score predictions, but I'm assume it's not going to
be the old sixteen thirteen. Probably, Yeah, I think I
think pretty much Steelers regardless of every game the Bengals play,
(26:14):
ends up being what forty five to forty three or whatever.
So it'll maybe it'll be fun to watch on Sunday
at least everybody for sure.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
Could be another track meet, certainly, and hopefully we'll see
Aaron Rodgers shake off some of that that rust or
those cobwebs that we've seen over the last couple of
weeks against a Bengals defense that is always ripe for
the picking Chris Danski. Make sure you're checking out his
work in the trip of course listening to him and
our guy Tom at noon on the Steelers Blitz on
the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 3 (26:42):
Buzz, thanks for the time as always, man, and we'll
talk to you soon.
Speaker 5 (26:45):
Aw was a pleasure, guys, talk to you.
Speaker 3 (26:47):
Then there he.
Speaker 2 (26:48):
Goes the second most famous Mars grad on the Steelers
Audio Network.
Speaker 4 (26:53):
How about it?
Speaker 2 (26:54):
Tom, also the second most famous Libo grat the Steelers
Audio Network.
Speaker 4 (26:58):
Kind of funny that that combiny is in two different shows.
Speaker 3 (27:01):
It is hilarious.
Speaker 4 (27:02):
That's pretty good.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
That needs to be a new Every show on the
Steelers Audio Network needs to at least have a Lebo
grad or a Mars grad for from now until perpetuity.
Speaker 4 (27:13):
Yeah, I tell you what, man, it maybe having different
safety situations, maybe yeah, maybe it's it's better than it was.
Speaker 3 (27:22):
But I'm already I'm already a little worried about it.
You're already a little worried about it.
Speaker 4 (27:25):
I think Chase is going to get a lot of targets.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
It's like, you know, Paul Skeens is going to throw
one hundred and two mile an hour fastballs.
Speaker 3 (27:33):
You know it's coming, but that doesn't make it any
easier to deal with, right, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (27:35):
Exactly, exactly. Sometimes these guys are that good.
Speaker 3 (27:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
Absolutely don't think there's any chance that Joe Burrow is
gonna play, but that's obviously something will continue to think.
Speaker 4 (27:43):
He said this morning he's shooting for Thanksgiving.
Speaker 3 (27:46):
Is oh, so that would have him out two more.
Speaker 4 (27:49):
This is windows just opened yesterday, so yeah, I mean
it doesn't sound like there's any chance this week.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
Okay, so certainly something will keep an eye on the
injury reports, of course as we roll along later in
the weeks. But when we return hit is time for
the Tuesday rewind. We've got observations and they are not
pretty for.
Speaker 4 (28:09):
The most part. I mean, it wasn't a pretty game.
Speaker 3 (28:11):
It wasn't a pretty game. It makes it hard to
have pretty automot making sure.
Speaker 4 (28:15):
You though, Pierre was better than people think, and yeah,
safeties are better than people think. We've already covered that
stuff though, I mean, there were some good stuff.
Speaker 2 (28:20):
Yeah, let's do some Tuesday rewhy when we come back
on the other side, we'll kind of final thoughts and
observations from Chargers twenty five Steelers ten before we start
to turn.
Speaker 3 (28:30):
The page and look ahead.
Speaker 2 (28:31):
Well, Shuler, Matt Williamson, it does the drive on Steelers
Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network, your.
Speaker 1 (28:43):
Tunes about drive on your twenty four to seven home
of the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (29:03):
Bottom half of our number one on a Tuesday, and
that means something around here. Of course, it is time
for our Tuesday rewind. It's a simple concept. Monday nights,
Matt and I go back and rewatch the Steelers previous game.
We share additional observations and thoughts that we didn't get
to on kind of Mondays. Just download instant.
Speaker 4 (29:25):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, shoot, marinate a little bit too exactly right.
Speaker 3 (29:30):
Speaking of simmer and Marinate and I made some excellent
corn showder last night. Man. Yeah, little little bacon shudder, cheese.
It's soup season. You a soup guy.
Speaker 4 (29:39):
Oh, big soup guy, big super Steelers soup. Uh.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
Can I tell you that I still have? It was
from Sports Illustrated for Kids. You remember Sports Illustrated for Kids. Yeah,
that was like my jam when I was.
Speaker 3 (29:55):
A kid, Like that was like my grandparents. That was
part of my Christmas gift every year is they renew
my subscriptions.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
Illustrated for Kids. John Elway's Hamburger soup is in there. Wow,
it's delightful. I still have it in our little recipe book.
Speaker 3 (30:11):
It's so good.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
I'm gonna have to make that at some point. That's
before before the season is over. But yeah, it is
soup season and I'm excited about that. But it is Tuesday.
Speaker 3 (30:20):
Rewind here today, Matt Weach have a couple that we
want to get to. Do you want to start? Do
you want to jump into the because we've kind of
teased it a little bit.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
You want to jump into the Peyton Wilson and the
Malik Harrison And yeah, I just my observation was just
they were taking Peyton Wilson off the field too much.
Speaker 4 (30:35):
I think that's true.
Speaker 2 (30:36):
I think he's been one of the brighter spots of
the defense this season, and I understand it worked in
a way against the Colts. Don't get me wrong, but
I just I don't sixty percent of the snaps whatever
it was that he was on the field. I want
Peyton Wilson closer to ninety percent of the snaps on
the field. I don't want him on the sideline that often.
Speaker 3 (30:55):
So.
Speaker 4 (30:57):
I agree. Now I'm gonna counter it a little. I'm
sure their logic is he's just not a big time
take on run defender.
Speaker 3 (31:07):
Old school.
Speaker 4 (31:10):
Style, right right, right, you know, I mean he's a
run and hit guy more than a take on old
school dude. However, that's what the whole position is around
the league, now, I mean, and I understand stopping the
runs important, and he's not a bad run defender. He's
defends it differently than Harrison or whomever, which obviously he's
not type right. He's got a strange body type, to
(31:32):
be honest with you. He's got a high waist, he's
got short arms, he's six three or six four or whatever.
Doesn't look like both linebackers, No, he doesn't. Now, I
only think of this, so pull back curtain and I
do Matt stats. The Special Teams bullets are the hardest
ones that come up with because there's not that much
to talk about new week the week in the Special
(31:52):
teams world.
Speaker 3 (31:53):
And usually I have like two Boz finally missed one,
Right's right?
Speaker 4 (31:56):
I mean? Then I usually have like two or three
or maybe four bullet points, depending if I can find
something interesting. Sometimes only one. But when I'm struggling, and
I couldn't come up with much For the Bengals. I
go back at every periodically and I just go, these
are the Steelers special teams snap leaders. He's near the top.
People don't think about that. It's a good point. It
(32:18):
takes a lot out of your body. I mean those
are big collisions and a.
Speaker 2 (32:22):
Lot of sprint. You know, your yeah, forty sixty yards downfield.
Speaker 4 (32:26):
So if you just covered a punt or a kickoff,
do you really want to cover Christian McCaffrey out of
the backfield and that's play? Yeah, right, right right, So
I wonder if that's a factor. I also think that
this is just a hunch, but I do think since
the Killer Brew injury and this Castro move and sermon
and these guys being elevated, I think they're trying to
(32:47):
figure out their special team snaps a little bit more totally.
So maybe they'll take some away from Wilson because they're
playing defense.
Speaker 3 (32:54):
That's right, yeah, process by you.
Speaker 4 (32:56):
I'm just wondering if that's in the mix, because I mean,
that's the kind of if people don't think about, but
organizations do. So yeah, I'm on board with that. I
think he's one of their best eleven defensive players clearly,
if not their top six or seven.
Speaker 3 (33:09):
You know, right, Yeah, I think he might even be
in the top half of that of that best eleven.
Speaker 4 (33:14):
I would even be open to making him the green
dot never leave the field player. And I think Queen
gets too much of a bum wrap around here for
whatever reason, because they signed him from outside the organization.
People are hard on big frigates their money, that it's
their money. Yeah, but I would be open to the
idea of Wilson also being the green dot never leave
(33:34):
the field guy and Queen plays seventy. Yeah, that could
happen next year or or soon. I don't know.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
I certainly think it's a possibility. I think he's been
one of the bright spots on that defense this season. Yeah,
but your special team's point is well taken. He can't
play every defensive snap and then run down a bunch
of kickoffs and a handful of defense special team snaps.
You do have to give him some blow in some
type of way you want to stick on the defensive side.
You mentioned you had some James Pierre thoughts.
Speaker 4 (34:04):
Yeah, I don't know much else other than I think
he's playing the best football of his career. And I'm
glad that Tomlin mentioned it that I'm not crazy, you
know that watching his tape, it's better than it's ever been.
I think they trust him more on defense, more than
they ever did. I don't think he's challenging slagh for
a job, but I think they're closer to people think. Yes,
(34:25):
I mean, wheneverybody's healthy.
Speaker 2 (34:26):
I mean, a solid performance on Sunday might go right
in that. In that regard for Pierre, especially considering that
the competition he's going to have to go up against. Yeah,
spinning the block offensive side of the football, So unless
there was anything else you wanted to.
Speaker 4 (34:43):
Do, that side I think is pretty safe because in
a lot of it we've also touched on safety plays better,
Pierre is better. Benton and company did a lot of
damage to a really bad O line. You know, I
think we know those things, you know.
Speaker 5 (34:57):
All right?
Speaker 2 (34:57):
Offense, I've got one that kind of relates to the
trenches and Jalen Warren a little bit. I've got one
that's more of a bigger picture observation where you want
to go here? What do you want to All right,
let's start with this one because this isn't something we
really We didn't mention it all yesterday and haven't yet today.
Speaker 3 (35:16):
One of my.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
There concerns with this offense, we've talked about them. Yeah, protection,
run game, time of possession, Aaron Rodgers performance as of late,
wide receiver performance, tight end performance as of late, all
these things that we've discussed. One thing that we haven't
talked about. Red zone success for this offense is suddenly
very fleeting. It was great for first half of the season,
(35:39):
literally best in the National Football League. And that's important
for an offense that isn't getting down there a ton.
They weren't getting there a lot, but when they were,
they were making hay. Now they're not getting there a lot,
and they're not making any hay. That to me is
a is aye. Maybe you could even call it a
secondary concern because a lot of these things work in tandem.
(36:00):
You're not running the ball successfully when you're not getting
good play from Aaron Rodgers. Of course you're not going
to get to the red zone. You're going to struggle
more when you do.
Speaker 4 (36:07):
All this stuff goes hand in hand. That's what the
sport's about. It's not like a your eighth hitters not hitting.
Speaker 2 (36:12):
Well, it's a whole ecosystem, you know, complimentary football. All
these things are in the same kind of sphere and
the same kind of ecosystem. The red zone success that
felt like it was a real strength for this team
for a while, seems like it's going in the opposite
direction that it's like very fleeting over the last few weeks. Yeah,
it's good getting there much and when they do, they're
not having success.
Speaker 4 (36:33):
Emily often top of talk about you know, hidden yardage
and turnovers and time of possessions and even like sack
differential and explosive differential and stuff that we've talked about
more and more. But sometimes you also got to be like,
like Tomlin said, better on third downs, better on red zone.
I mean, those are two areas I look at every
week in the staff at who's good and bad on
(36:55):
third downs? And red zone?
Speaker 3 (36:56):
Key indicator every week.
Speaker 4 (36:58):
Yeah, this has been going on since I've known anything
about football, you do. I mean, these are old school
stats that are still very relevant. First off, an observation
I have is I have a new respect and I
definitely underrated the Chargers front seven. Yeah, it's way better
than I thought I thought Khalil Mack was playing Hurt caledwell,
(37:21):
the rookie nose tackle type, along with guys like Hand
that no one's ever heard of or pretty darn good
players already. They throw that three package of three outside
linebackers with Tuy and o Way now along with Mac
on the field together, that's a pretty darn good group,
especially against the pass.
Speaker 3 (37:41):
Bud getting a handful of snaps.
Speaker 4 (37:43):
Yeah, I mean, if that's your fourth dude, it's pretty good.
Pretty nice. That's pretty nice. And he's not the player
he was when he left here, but he's still a
high quality depth piece for sure. Would throw him in
there ten to fifteen snaps a game. So I do
want to give the on these Tuesday sessions. If the
opponent deserves more credit, you gotta you gotta throw that
stuff out there, and really the best way, And we
(38:06):
said this going in. I mean their pass defense is great,
to run defense is bad, which goes back to why
don't you run the ball more? You know why it's
still still at such a high percentage of pass That
makes less and less sense to me seeing how the
game went. A concern I have is it's Rogers, but
(38:28):
it's also the passing game where they're very very low
in play action percentage still, and we know it's a
lot of shotgun, but you can still run play action
and there's studies that it doesn't matter how well you
run the ball. Play action still, Yes, they play action
is still the.
Speaker 3 (38:46):
Same notes, and I used to argue about that all
the time.
Speaker 4 (38:49):
I don't believe it. I mean, I think there.
Speaker 3 (38:51):
Doesn't either, But I'm like, listen, the numbers are the numbers.
There's there's lies, there's statistics.
Speaker 4 (38:56):
So I believe both of you, I guess. So side note,
I believe when you use play action it helps you
no matter what basically you know.
Speaker 3 (39:04):
And it's gonna be a lot val regardless.
Speaker 4 (39:06):
Yes, but I definitely think that motes a linebacker would
know the difference when Derek Henry's running down your.
Speaker 2 (39:15):
Throat, I and no doubt about it as opposed to
you know, Joe blow average running back.
Speaker 4 (39:20):
Yeah, when gainwell reor Warren's getting two yards of carry
as opposed to when Henry's in his prime, just smash
it and you got to tackle that to every time.
So I definitely think that some of those stats lie
a little bit. But I definitely think it's also more
beneficial to use. But there at the bottom of the
league now there's only three or four offenses using play
action less. And where I'm going with this, though, is
(39:43):
the route concepts within without play action. I have no
data to support this, but so many of the non
play action throws from Rogers are predetermined at the line
of scrimmage, which he's great at. But they're almost all boom.
I mean they're all the real quick.
Speaker 3 (40:03):
Stuff out in one and a half seconds, yes.
Speaker 4 (40:05):
And sideway stuff or boom just getting this guy's hands,
and the play action stuff is the longer, developing, go
through my reads quarterbacks right right right, He's doing a
lot of wonderful quarterback stuff before the snap, but not
(40:25):
a lot after. Yes, and we opened the show of
you are what you are at this point, defenses now
know this stuff one thousand percent.
Speaker 2 (40:35):
You know absolutely you can get away with it for
a couple of weeks maybe ye, yeah, But these defensive
coordinators are millionaires too.
Speaker 4 (40:42):
And like you mentioned, Bud Bud is I mean, he's
an edge guy's two hundred and seventy pounds. We've seen
Bud Debreez, a big human being. He's dropping into throwing
lanes and non play action situations, knowing that the quick
hitters are coming.
Speaker 3 (40:53):
You know, yep, it was all right there on film. Yeah,
and it worked out very well for the Chargers.
Speaker 2 (41:00):
Last one I've got, Matt is just this is I
will put my hand up and I will say, if
it worked, we're singing the praises.
Speaker 3 (41:07):
If it doesn't, you're second guessing it. It's one of
those things. That's one of these coaching life in the
National Football League.
Speaker 2 (41:13):
And I do give the Steelers credit for we slam.
In particular, this coaching staff often we I'm going the
general Steeler fan medium you and I for being too static.
Just do what you do and stick to it. Okay,
don't be stubborn, try something different. But hindsight is twenty twenty.
(41:34):
I didn't understand the revolving door at left guard.
Speaker 4 (41:36):
I know.
Speaker 3 (41:38):
Yeah, you start with Andre's Pede at left guard.
Speaker 2 (41:40):
You bump Anderson out, you get a procedure penalty on
Pete on the very first snap of the game, before
even anything had happened. It backs you up on your
very first series, you go three and out. I think
that was part of the issue with establishing the run.
Speaker 3 (41:53):
I just I understand that.
Speaker 4 (41:57):
He's much of the year too. It's not like, boy,
this guy's so good, we have to.
Speaker 3 (42:00):
Get exactly you know, exactly right.
Speaker 2 (42:04):
I just again, if it would have worked out, we'd
be sitting here these last two shows singing the praises.
And they tried something different and it worked, and the
Chargers weren't ready for it. But it wasn't working, and
they continued to try and shuffle around too many parts there.
Speaker 3 (42:19):
I just felt like part of.
Speaker 4 (42:20):
The line is all about continuity, all about connuity and rhythm,
and they just with that revolving guard at left door.
Speaker 2 (42:25):
They never established any of it Sunday night, and it
started right from Jump Street on the very first play
of the game, because that ends up being a twelve
yard run on the first play of the game, were
singing a difference. I'm not naive enough to not admit that.
But in hindsight, when you watch it on film, it
looks pretty jumbled, it looks pretty confused. It looks like
a lack of continuity.
Speaker 4 (42:45):
So, just like our Peyton Wilson conversation, I'm going at
least gonna try to rebut it a little. Absolutely. First
of all, you mentioned that first play of the game,
Chargers kicked the ball out of bounds, and I know.
Speaker 3 (42:57):
This is at least going to be a field goal.
On the worst case.
Speaker 4 (43:00):
You pick up a first down, almost nullifies that right
off the bat, Like, what are we doing here? You
know they just gave you a gift. It had nothing
to do with you. They blasted out of bound start
to forty. I mean, it's such an advantage nowadays.
Speaker 3 (43:12):
Get two first downs and you're in bas territory.
Speaker 4 (43:14):
I'm with you on terms of the left guard situation.
Speaker 2 (43:18):
Now.
Speaker 4 (43:20):
What we didn't mention is I seem all who doesn't play.
I don't want jumbo corn beef whatever to go away, though,
absolutely want more.
Speaker 3 (43:29):
I want it to be more.
Speaker 4 (43:29):
Probably, Yeah, it needs to be a staple, or it
needs to be an every down. We're gonna do it
every or in every week thing, no matter what agreed.
I think we talked about this. Max Starks taught me this.
I didn't realize that the substitution rule. The substitution rule.
I'm not sure if we went into the detail about
it yesterday or not. I don't think we did. But
I was on a lot of different outlets and one
(43:51):
of them I did, and I couldn't remember. So if
you're a tackle eligible, you know, like you have to
if you if somebody numbers reporting, if you have to
report eligible, you cannot stay in the game the next snap.
Speaker 3 (44:06):
At a different position as a non eligible.
Speaker 4 (44:08):
Yes, you know what I mean. So you.
Speaker 2 (44:12):
Can't go from the extra offensive lineman right back into
the starting left guard correct on back to back snaps.
Speaker 4 (44:18):
I didn't.
Speaker 3 (44:21):
I didn't know that until like a week or two ago.
Max told me.
Speaker 4 (44:24):
Something the announcement, same thing, you know, right, But Max
obviously would So that's a little weird in itself. So
there's a handful of snaps where Anderson's not on the
field and Pete is, even though you'd prefer Anderson on
the field because of what you did. Now my my
other cart counter argument against you, but I do agree
(44:44):
with you as a yes or no statement. I think
Pete only played ten snaps or eight snaps. It it's
not a ton. But still, so what's the answer, I
guess is the next question? I see them all who
can't play this week? What do you do for Jumbo?
Speaker 3 (45:02):
I don't know, but I think I'm leaving peace to
do that. I think I'm leaving Anderson at guard.
Speaker 4 (45:06):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, you know I kind of think I
am too.
Speaker 3 (45:09):
I just I don't want to again, it's all I
don't like moving. No, lineman, you talk, you talk to.
Speaker 2 (45:13):
The tounches in the Wolfs of the World, which you
and I were privileged to do every day for a decade,
and they tell you it's all about continuity. It's five
fingers on a fist. Yeah, you know, like that's an
offensive line. And I just particularly for a unit that
is so young and inexperienced. Yeah, you take you take
Saamalu out of that, and he's.
Speaker 4 (45:32):
The new piece, you know. I mean it's like as
and Anderson need to be there every down too, or.
Speaker 2 (45:36):
You know, Broderick and Fraser have twenty some starts in
their NFL careers. The rest of those guys are still
very very light in the wallet in that regard. I
just again, I am willing to hand up. If it
would have worked, we would have spent I spent ten
minutes yesterday singing their praises. I tried something different, and
we accuse him of being too static and they and
(45:58):
they got aggressive and it paid off. But yeah, I
just I want to see them continue to use that
corn beef like you mentioned, but I don't want it.
You got to find a way to do it without
a revolving door at left guard.
Speaker 4 (46:09):
So we've had this conversation with with Chris Hallick and
I think some of the other beat guys over the
last two weeks, knowing that samal who's been dealing with
stuff and it's been thrown out there that you could
do it that way. Or Calvin Anderson can just be
the sixth guy now because I guess he's done a
little bit of it. I don't think he's done a
ton because he hasn't seen the field that.
Speaker 3 (46:27):
Much, but he has played a lot of different positions
throughout his career.
Speaker 4 (46:29):
Yeah, he's a persatile guy, So maybe that's the answer.
Or Pete who's also played tackle, I mean, came in
the league as a first und tackle. Maybe he's just
trusted him enough to start him at left guard. Yeah,
and maybe maybe we'll never have talked about it again
and see them all who plays, but that would be
the ideal situation. Yeah. So I just don't know what
the answer is, but I'm with you. There's a reason
(46:50):
that the largest human beings on a football field are
the only ones that don't rotate out? Yes, can we
think they would get the most tired. But the tackle
d linemen are rotating in and out. But left guards
and centers and right tackles.
Speaker 2 (47:04):
Aren't you know there's rhyme to that reason. Yeah, Williamson
Hour in the books, another hour ago. When we return
on the other side, we'll start with a little fantasy
football focus. As we're getting closer and closer to playoff time,
the road is narrowing in your fantasy football leagues. We'll
get into some waiver wire conversation to start Hour number two.
West Shuler, Matt Williamson. It is the Drive on Steelers
(47:26):
Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.
Your tunes about Drive on your twenty four to seven
home of the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Good afternoon, Steelers Nation. It's the Drive on the Steelers
Audio Network. West Huuler and Matt Williamson with you here
for the next two hours on a Tuesday, And as always,
we have got plenty to get to. We're gonna have
our Tuesday rewind some final thoughts and additional observations from
the Steelers twenty five. A part of me the Chargers
twenty five the Steelers ten.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
Was that the final score. Did I just mess that up? No?
That was the final twenty five to ten. We will
do our Fantasy Football Focus today.
Speaker 4 (00:59):
I would get it wrong all the time, Like the
day after. I never remember the score. I just did
know the feeling.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
And I usually have the rock score up the day
after just to make sure I don't mess it up.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Tuesday rewind Fantasy Football Focus, power rankings, all that good stuff.
We're gonna talk to Chris Adanski here in about ten
to fifteen minutes, get all the latest from the South
Side from him. But Matt, where we start, as always,
Mike Tomlin his weekly Tuesday.
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Press conference, and.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Obviously there's there's a weekly ebb and flow to his
press conference. He talks about the previous game, updates on
any injuries, and then previews the upcome for the Steelers,
and he highlighted three areas that he felt were key
in the Steelers loss to the Chargers. Matt the first
repeated failure on offense on third downs coupled with a
(01:50):
lack of splash to overcome it.
Speaker 4 (01:52):
So Tuesday morning is Matt stats. Yes, it is. The
bulk of it. I would say sixty percent of it
happens between when I wake up up from when I
in the morning, and then I'll do a bunch of
night too. But over the last three games, they are
miserable on third downs. If you combine the three games,
I mean it's really really poor. I mean it's like
(02:13):
it's fourteen percent or something like that, and accenuated by
this past week obviously, right, I mean, that's we're gonna
I'm gonna go back to time possession over and over
and over and over. And that's just one more you know,
cause of the symptoms, you know what I mean.
Speaker 2 (02:30):
It absolutely is no doubt nine games in now, Like
I was talking about this with Jerry Dulac when we
were doing the Tomlin Recap show, the Press Conference recap show.
Nine games in now, like these are even more than trends.
Oh yeah, these are what you are. It is what
you are. And you are a team that has been
out snapped in all nine games. You're a team that
(02:51):
has been out possessed an eight of nine games. Yeah,
that is the boogeyman in the room right now.
Speaker 4 (02:58):
The battles isn't who you are. There's the Borough era,
there's a Brownie where there's the Flacco era. You know,
like last year I broke the Steeler season into three eras.
After I was done, there was justin fields good d Russ,
you know, and it was real distinct then like EPA
was drastically different on all those lines. Steelers are though,
(03:20):
this is who you are. Yes, yeah, I mean, this
is who you are. And of course you get better
and worse, but this is who you are. These are
not just like oh that was kind of a flash
in the pan, or boy you ran into one good
defense or you know, you know, this is what you are.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Absolutely second thing was losing the time of possession battle,
creating limited chances for Jalen Warren and the defense wearing
down over the course of the game. This is Matt
once again going to the doctor and rattling off all
your symptoms. Yeah, and it's all related to the same
root cause.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
Can you tell me those again? The Warren one.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
Creating limited chance, so losing the time of possession battle
that created limited chances for Jalen Warren and also wore
the defense down over the course of the game.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
Yeah, no question again. It so much of it can
just be umbulled with time and possession, you know. I
mean that is to me, is the huge thing. But
these are the next step down of why you're losing
time and possession. So let's start with Warren. Tim Ben's
texted me this morning and asked some of the people
(04:18):
think I know every answered every question. He's like, is
it true that Jalen Warren didn't play.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
Oracle football here in Western Pennsylvania.
Speaker 4 (04:25):
Susday morning, I'm doing mat status. Let me alone. But
he asked, he is is it true that Jalen Warren
didn't play one snap on third down? And I think
he's correct. I try. I think I saw that yesterday
and I didn't jot it down. But when he said
it it triggered. I'm like, I think I read that
(04:46):
and meant to come back to it and didn't, so
I couldn't one hundred percent verify for him, and I
was looking around and I was busy doing other stuff.
But I'm not cool with that. I mean, I know,
Gainwell out snapped him in the game, and they got
into third down hurry up mode quicker than I would
of or away from Warren in any way, shape or form.
I can't even write a scenario why Gainwell should have
(05:08):
more snaps than Warren if everybody's healthy. Yes, because it's
not like he's a bad third down back either.
Speaker 2 (05:13):
I mean, I mean, he's the only scenario that should
happen is when you were in Dublin and you had
no Jalen Warren.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
Of course, you know, right then you hand it to
the guy, you know, to the number two. But another
thing I dug up this morning too, yards per route run.
I mean, obviously just a receiving stat. Warren's third amongst
all running backs in the league, and every year he's
top five. He's let's not forget that, he's an awesome
receiver and better in protection. So even if you do
(05:41):
get into a hurry up, third down, throw throw throw mode.
I'm fine mixing in gainwell then, but not outstapping Warren.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Jagewell should have a role in that regard because he's
good there.
Speaker 4 (05:52):
Too, exactly. That's what all he can, that's all he does.
But not one or the other. Right now, if some
of that is the game is out of reach, we
want to save Warren. That garbage signs different, that's totally different.
But him not playing on third downs or him not
getting enough in the passing game worries me. And the
(06:14):
other thing is another thing I just stug up this morning.
Over the last three games, the Steelers are at the
top of the league. I'm not sure where exactly they rank,
but it's about two thirds of their snaps or passes.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
That's a lot.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
They're tenth, and so Cincinnati's number one in terms of
run pass ratio and it's by a bunch, makes sense.
And then it's some bad teams like the Titans that
are always losing, you know, but the Steelers are tenth.
That's not how they want to play. That's for the season.
And then the football database site that I go to
also says your last three so they're also like ten
(06:50):
percent higher over your last three than being tenth on
the season in terms of passing the most, not running
the most.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Which again is a signess when you consider the first
of those third games was the Green Bay Packers. Yeah,
where they had eighty one rush yards after thirty minutes.
Eighty one yards at.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
The half, right, right, right, that's a great point, right,
and then the second half you just didn't.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
Just three carries in the second half.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
Right. So again, all of this is under the time
of possession umbrella. But if you throw like crazy, you're
gonna have bad time possession. Oh, by the way, the
Bengals are terrible in time of possession. I think they're
the only team worse off the top of my head,
because they throw like crazy and their defense is terrible,
you know. So there are ways to help, I mean
(07:35):
better on third downs, you know. Maybe Warren should be
out there more than gain well in every game of course,
less passing. I tell you what, the running game was
getting better.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
More on that.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
I want to expand on that at the bottom of
the hour when we do our Tuesday rewind, because.
Speaker 4 (07:53):
Yes, I have some stuff on that too.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
Yes, I want to get more into that.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
I want to dig more into what Tomlins said.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Correct, correct, but say bookmark that one for about twenty
thirty minutes from now.
Speaker 4 (08:03):
Well, we'll talk about it all week. It's really relevant
against the Bengals.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
Third thing from Mike Toman was just quite simply, I'm
sure everyone agrees with this one, expected this one. When
you lose a turnover battle three to nothing, you're not
putting yourself in a position to succeed.
Speaker 4 (08:16):
I mean, history is really obvious with the Steelers in turnover.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Battle, absolutely, especially recent History. Also said that you know,
he did appreciate another stable performance from Jalen Ramsey and
Kyle Duggar. Sounds like Jalen Ramsey's gonna stay there. And again,
I don't know if they have a ton of options
at this point in that regard Matt because they're so
banged up now at cornerback.
Speaker 4 (08:42):
Say what's the corner situation?
Speaker 2 (08:43):
And with that, here's what we here's what we were
updated on. With injuries, Cole Holcomb and Jabrol Peppers limited
to start the week, but it does sound like Cole
Holcomb will finally be back in the mix after dealing
with that illness.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
This could be rewind stuff too, but I'm about done
with Harrison as that was a cute four to three
package and all that, but he doesn't run.
Speaker 3 (09:03):
Well, it's funny you mentioned that. My might all right teaser.
Speaker 2 (09:07):
My two Tuesday rewind observations were centered around the run
game and Peyton Wilson. Really, okay, we'll get there about good,
we'll get theirreed about twenty thirty minutes. Optimistic about Isaac
Samalu being able to return this week, which is massive.
That's probably the most important of all of these, right.
Scotty Miller finally cleared to practice with that broken finger,
(09:28):
so after missing two weeks of practice, he'll return to
practice this week. Darius Slay's still in the concussion protocol.
Speaker 4 (09:34):
Yeah, Slay was the one I was worried about.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
So sounds like good news for Isaac Samalu, optimistic news
for say Malou.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
Maybe not so great with Sleigh.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
In today's NFL rarely are you back anymore the week
after a concussion. It's just the percentages are way down
than they were five, ten years ago, even two three
years ago, so.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
Which is probably a good thing.
Speaker 4 (09:56):
Yeah, on the whole, right, right right, I'm sure you
can still yer concussion protocol in a week. But it
happens for whatever reason, much less now than it used to.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
Yes, yes it does, Yes it does. And I think
there's rhyme to that reason. It's something that we're more
in tune to and uh and noticing. But yes, certainly
something to keep an eye on. That's kind of the
latest injury update there.
Speaker 4 (10:17):
Well, no, this will also be a Tuesday Rerune type
of thing too, just I don't want to forget two
games in a row now that Pierre got thrown thrown
in the action and I thought he played well.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
Tom we talked about that as well, so that he
was that they were never gets.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
Conference before we sit down. Yes, I learned with everybody else.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
I think that there's some some quiet confidence that he's
going to be all right amongst that group. He also
mentioned they have released one Thornhill and brought back undrafted
free agent Sebastian Castro, who we saw out in the
drugs grabbed them. Yeah, yes, and I I like bringing
him back into the fold. I don't know how much
he's going to offer you down the stretch this season,
(10:55):
but he was one of those guys that we talked about, like,
I hope he's in camp next year, you know, like
j All Breath, some of these guys that we had
talked about, probably not gonna make the roster, but I
hope he's back in camp with the team next year.
Speaker 4 (11:05):
Even when they signed him, he was the priority free
agent we knew the best, yes, you know, like I
was like, oh, I thought he'd go in the fifth
or sixth round. You know, yes he didn't.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
You know, good special teams background.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
That's what I was gonna say is thorn Hill doesn't
bring much on special teams. That that moves scream special
teams to me. Yes, And it also screams that Ramsey.
Now I'm just thinking about it. Ramsey's probably not moving
for free safety anytime soon, because every other safety they
have is a strong Pepper's, Doug or Clark. Nobody else
can play deep middle. Thorn Hill was the only other one.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Like we said a couple of weeks ago, you got
a lot of left shoes but not a right shoe.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
Yeah, yeah, one.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
A lot of right gloves, but you need some more
left gloves, and so yeah, I think that that's almost
by necessity at this point as well. Yeah, sounds like
it talk about all these things and more with our
buddy Chris Adamski when we return on the other side,
Well shooler Matt Williamson, just getting started. It's the Drive
on Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (12:03):
Your tunes about Drive on your twenty four to seven
home of the Black and Goal. Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Back on the Drive here on a Tuesday recapping, of course,
the weekly Mike Tomlin press conference. Joining us now to
continue the conversation, covers the Steelers for the trip, of course,
the co host of the Steelers Blitz with our buddy
Tom Opferman, He's the second most famous Mars High School grad.
Here on the Steelers Audio Network. It's our buddy Chris A. Damski.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
Buzz.
Speaker 2 (12:48):
Thank you for taking the time as always, and uh,
you know, Matt and I have kind of spent a
lot of time in the you know, the last twenty
four hours this year talking about where things went wrong
on Sunday night.
Speaker 3 (13:01):
The issues.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
They they have issues, and they are many, as tounchyok,
as tounch Yokin would have said, But in your mind,
is there something at the forefront? Is was it the quarterback?
It's obviously a combination of a lot of things. But
what was kind of the biggest sin? Was it the
quarterback play? Was it the offensive line? Was it the
the failure to convert on third downs? Was it the
defense not having any splash, any turnovers, any takeaways. Is
(13:26):
there something at the forefront of your mind that was
the biggest issue, the biggest concern from Sunday Night's loss
at SOFI Stadium.
Speaker 5 (13:34):
Yeah, you know, obviously a lot of those things can contribute.
I even asked Mike Tomlin today about the process versus
results of the splash plays on defense to takeaways. Did
you watch the tape and you know they got their
hands up on some passes? They obviously got five stacks?
Is like you would think that sometimes the quarterback will
fumble those or make a bad decision or something. Was
it just you tip your cap to the chargers on
(13:54):
like the Colts the week before, things like that. So
I crossed that off the list, I would say, I didn't,
you know, the defense, I think there is a truth
to they sort of worn down and obviously they were
good in the first half, and I think that they
were they were good enough from what you It's it's
funny Tom and I two weeks ago spend maybe two
whole segments saying, you know, for for especially fifty years,
(14:15):
this this organization is build an identity of defense. I't
needs to be the offense now to carry the team.
And then all of a sudden two weeks later we're like, okay,
we need the defense to carry the team, kind of
like flip the fip flipped all the way back again.
But but to answer your question, was I mean, I
think it is as simple as you know. I think
even with the way that game played at the quarterback
was if Rogers is really good, I think they have
(14:36):
a chance to win that game. We look at the
combination of just specific misplays and bad decision on the
on the on the first interception or.
Speaker 4 (14:43):
Either bad decision or execution or.
Speaker 5 (14:44):
Both on that one, and then even the play that
now John who could make that catch, of course, but
he didn't because the throw wasn't very good. You know,
there's little isolated plays like that that if these throws
weren't whatever reason, he was off and you give him
the benefit of the doubt this point and say it
was just a one off, and you know, he's been
good for the Steelers. If you want to take the
pessimist point of view. I think, you know, he's been
(15:07):
his his worst three game stretches his last three games,
and two you know, subpar games. Probably, so you could
say the arrow trajectory's pointing down. I guess if you
want to go that way. But I'm still willing to
give him the benefit of the doubt here and say, Okay,
you know he's he's going to be better. He's been
better on Hole and there's no time to you know,
panic about it yet or anything. But yeah, i'd say
(15:29):
watching that game that the quarterback player was the number
one reason why they weren't very competitive in it. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (15:34):
I tend to agree, And Chris, I was about to
ask you something different. I'll get back to it. But
you mentioned Johnny Smith. Do you agree that he's been
pretty underwhelming. I thought it'd be a lot more productive. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (15:46):
Actually just had Tim Ben's podcast and we just had
a thing on that. Yeah, it's probably you know, we
were all kind of sold from Mike Tomlin on Down
and Pat fired me was gushed about him and judged
by his production last year with Myami that you know
that he's going to be this total weapon down the seam.
He's going to make these plays and they don't even
running round to them that way, really don't even try.
(16:07):
And in that sense, he had the mean the supple
supple pass touchdown in week one, and you know, I'm
not kind of you struggle to find plays he's made, period,
and for a guy who you know, they I don't
know how much you know, he was kind of I
don't want to say throwing, because obviously he was a
Pro Bowl player, but how much the impetus of that
trade was to get him more so than Ramsey, but
he still was acquired that way, and the game of
(16:28):
raise after they got him based off of what he
wanted and stuff and deliberately said what he did last year.
But yeah, in terms of this season, he would certainly
put him right in number three in terms of playmaking
by the by the tight end corps, but behind Darnell
Washington and triarm Youth and and you know, and that's
even kind of trending downward too. So and of course
(16:50):
he had a high profile dropped to start two weeks
the first play two weeks ago, and I don't want
to kill him for not making that catch, but you know,
you know, again, if you're supposed to be one of
your dynamic play makers who makes that that you know,
leaping catch. It might be a different game against the
Chargers even for that matter. So yeah, I don't think
it's unfair to characterize it that way to this point.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
No, Chris Jalen Warren has been I think one of
their lone productive playmakers these last couple of weeks while
the offense has been struggling. Matt and I kind of
said yesterday, he's done a lot of you know, taking
lemons and making lemonade, taking chicken scratch and making chicken salad,
but not a ton of third down usage for him
(17:29):
Sunday night against the Chargers. I believe that was something
that that Mike Tomlin addressed earlier at his press conference today.
Or you think that there's needs to be an onus
to keep him on the field more on third downs
or is it you know you got to keep him
fresh and monitor his usage.
Speaker 5 (17:48):
Yeah, you said not a lot of for third down here?
There was zero snaps zero Yeah sense that? Yeah, Yeah,
he did not used at all, which is sor I
mean it was it was curious in terms of that's
what he was, that's how he made a name for
himself the NFL was being the third nine back over
the past the previous two season, three seasons even for
for Najee Harris, and I get the Gainwell was kind
(18:10):
of brought in. That's that's what his that's what his
entire resume has been at this point, a very for
a very good team, the third down back. So I
get it. But now we have sample sizes where Gainwell
played the whole game. What in Dublin right, and he
was a he could play In other words, if you
the company line to this point from Tomlin is that
their explanation is that Warren can't play every step. Okay, yes,
(18:33):
we understand that. I understand that. So you need to
so this is the way to naturally keep him on
the field first and second down. But they're not running
very much, the Steelers. They're they're low in the league
in terms of first down run percentage this season, they're
in the in the twenties. So they're not using them
up on first down in that sense. And then he
didn't play a snap at all on third down. There.
I feel like it would be better off to see
(18:56):
uh game will plays an entire series, let's say, right,
like kind of like cayleb John and did and get
game all involved that way, and let's let Jaylen Warren
stay in the field for a whole series. You know,
if you get the twelve players or whatever, may take
them month. I get it, don't, But to me, that
would make because Warren out of the backfield in terms
of breaking tackles, making people miss is you know, it's
not exactly he's one of the better ones in the
(19:17):
league or he's up there and on your team too,
in terms of making a play, especially even even third
and long where you're probably not gonna get it, but
you know you give it to him. Maybe he makes
a guy miss or something, and you know, third and
eight or something could happen. So I don't know if
that will change going forward against Cincinnati here, but I
certainly think that's that's an area that the Steelers couldn't
because I mean, Warren, I think has been their most
(19:38):
consistent offensive player all season when he's be healthy. To
be honest with you.
Speaker 4 (19:41):
Couldn't be more. And I think you have to ride him.
Wes and I were talking through it's a minor move,
but they swap out thorn Hill's gone bring back Castro
and just talking through it in the first segment. It
made me think of two things. Is first, I think
you upgraded on special teams, and Billaboo Killerbrew being out
I think has something to do with that. And then
(20:04):
I just kind of reading in the tea leaves thought
all the other safeties besides Ramsey are strong types now,
you know, so it sure seems like Ramsey isn't going
anywhere from free safety.
Speaker 5 (20:18):
Yeah, A couple of things on that. The first of
your ladder point there. Yeah, judging by the way tomlin
A talked about in pretty definitive terms, he didn't commit
to it, of course, for the rest of the season.
He had really countered ironclad commit to He's never gonna
do that, but he did. He mcgwell have his way
and during his open remarks to say how house happy
he's been with the way the safety has been stabilized
(20:39):
with Douger and uh with Doug and Ramsey back there
by the way, if ponne Hills catching strays, I feel
like all all press conference he said something, we've really
struggled Locky in that area. He said it'll be there.
And then later on I asked about the the transaction
on Monday the year reference yesterday that you mentioned. He
said Porne Hills play was not off the snuff, So yeah,
there was a lot of uh activity. Yeah, yeah, yeah, exactly.
(21:04):
But but it's but and then the other aspect of
that is in terms of keeping Ramsey at safety, is
he tom and gushed about James Pierre. He went on
with a real long answer talking about how much he
likes James Pierre. We know Danny Smith loves James Pierre
on the special teams unit. So yeah, now that all
being said, we'll see what's going on with Slays this week.
(21:24):
And then a concussion. I guess you don't know, especially
we sit here on Tuesday. But Cincinnati, especially judging by
what happened only what it was that twenty twenty six
days ago, it's not exactly the best matchup at all
to be tinkering with your you know, or or not
breaking in. It's not like Pierres a rookie or something.
But putting a new starter out there at outside corner
with one of one of them is gonna have to
(21:45):
be on Jamar chase of that game. And you know
another one of of course, I T Higgins. So that's
that's something to watch this week at least. But yeah,
it certainly seems like they weren't gonna do it, but
this way if slays not if Slay is out or
it looks like Stay might certainly looks like Stay might
be out if they're keeping a Ramsey at safety. Now
at this point, you know, seems like, you know, I
never know what happens with injury and whatever else might happen.
(22:06):
It seems like that's going to be the permanent move
now the rest of the season. Chris A.
Speaker 2 (22:10):
Damski with us here on the drive, Uh buzz. Maybe
a little pessimistic on Darius Slay's potential availability for Sunday,
but sounding like better news for Isaac Saamalu.
Speaker 5 (22:24):
Yeah, that that sounded like, you know, I kind of
got the impression last week that it might be one
of those things like, you know what he's keep Remember
he played two games in a row and left in
the fourth quarter and then he did badly practice in
the middle. I think that was their templay. Okay, let's
keep him off is well, it's not his feep, you know,
keep you know, don't put any uh you know, it's pectorial.
So but you know what I'm saying. Okay, what's keep
with limiting his damage is limiting his reps. So we
(22:47):
keep him healthy, and then he misses another we have
to leave another game. I think the idea was lasting.
You know what, what's just shut him down for a week,
which just rep all week with mentor Anderson and Pete
and let's go out and play a game and then
we'll get him back next week and run this back again.
And the way he talked this week, I want to
use the word optimistic. I think about it. And he'll
return to practice for almost certainly, and well, you know,
(23:07):
I'm sure we'll be limited probably on Wednesday. But he
did one limit of practice all uh two weeks ago
the whole week, two d nps and one limited, so
he's enough of a veteran he's a need all the
practice time. But yeah, I would say it looks at
this point for sure that's trending up to get to
say I'm all the bactic on Sunday.
Speaker 4 (23:23):
Also looks like there's a good chance Cole Holcombe is back.
Do you think that's probably the end of Malie Harrison's
defensive snaps?
Speaker 5 (23:34):
Yeah, I don't know. I'm probably more polish on Harrison
than than most are a lot of people, I mean
all the people. The matter of course will be you know,
Tara Lustin and Mike Thumbin and what they do there.
That'll be interesting to see, if you know, they need
a week to get and hold him. They're worried about.
Although he's not gonna play every snap anyway, he probably
gonna play a dozen or so, probably in his role
(23:55):
or as it is so, and I guess the matchup
against the Bengals doesn't exactly scream Malik Harrison deployment either,
so you have that going for you. I was surprised
that Peyton Wilson, what do you play a boy? Sixty
of the snaps against the Chargers. I thought you were
kind of attending about to the point where he was
going to be in every down. Guy. I thought they might,
(24:17):
especially if the game he had against the Colts, that
it might be him and Queen out there, you know,
if not one hundred percent from Wilson elite, you know,
up there in ninety percent range. And he played a
lot less than I thought. Maybe I thought maybe he
had got to that level, and so I think they'll
probably see what whatever the illness was had him out
of the conditioning here for a week. But you're right
and more talk it through and think about it, especially
(24:39):
the Bengals the mashup. It's it's not the it's not
the run thumping team that that Harrison.
Speaker 4 (24:43):
Was brought in for.
Speaker 3 (24:44):
Really buzz.
Speaker 2 (24:46):
Speaking of the Bengals, last one I've got for you,
how do you expect things to go against Joe Flacco
and Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, I mean, Jamar Chase
and t Higgins.
Speaker 3 (24:57):
Uh this this this time around at Acrocure Stadium.
Speaker 4 (25:00):
Think they're gonna make some kind of adjustment, right, not
gonna just run back the same game plan. Yeah?
Speaker 5 (25:05):
Yeah, Well, I mean you obviously have an adjustment. You
have two different safeties, two new safeties or two players
you know, certainly a new player overall. So I'm sure
that's what they're hoping. And I agree with Tomlin that
it's that has been their best safety play they've gotten.
I do kind of wonder again if it's it's Pierre
is going to be I'm sure they won't won't be
playing press man. They won't be, you know, playing that
(25:28):
against them, and they got to make some adjustment and
it's wild like Chase has more unless it changed this week.
Leading into the last week, Chase has more targets than
the entire Steelers wide receiver corps has.
Speaker 2 (25:38):
Wow.
Speaker 6 (25:39):
Blows my mouth in terms of in terms of that's
a stat right, I think he has fifty five targets
since Flacco showed up, which is only three games.
Speaker 5 (25:53):
Wow. That Yeah, that's crazy that neighborhood. Well, like I said,
we know what we like. I said, we all saw
this movie just three weeks, so I certainly I don't know.
I don't want to give away you guys assume you
make score predictions, but I'm assume it's not going to
be the old sixteen thirteen. Probably, Yeah, I think I
think pretty much Steelers regardless of every game the Bengals play,
(26:14):
ends up being what forty five to forty three or whatever.
So it'll maybe it'll be fun to watch on Sunday
at least everybody for sure.
Speaker 2 (26:22):
Could be another track meet, certainly, and hopefully we'll see
Aaron Rodgers shake off some of that that rust or
those cobwebs that we've seen over the last couple of
weeks against a Bengals defense that is always ripe for
the picking Chris Danski. Make sure you're checking out his
work in the trip of course listening to him and
our guy Tom at noon on the Steelers Blitz on
the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 3 (26:42):
Buzz, thanks for the time as always, man, and we'll
talk to you soon.
Speaker 5 (26:45):
Aw was a pleasure, guys, talk to you.
Speaker 3 (26:47):
Then there he.
Speaker 2 (26:48):
Goes the second most famous Mars grad on the Steelers
Audio Network.
Speaker 4 (26:53):
How about it?
Speaker 2 (26:54):
Tom, also the second most famous Libo grat the Steelers
Audio Network.
Speaker 4 (26:58):
Kind of funny that that combiny is in two different shows.
Speaker 3 (27:01):
It is hilarious.
Speaker 4 (27:02):
That's pretty good.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
That needs to be a new Every show on the
Steelers Audio Network needs to at least have a Lebo
grad or a Mars grad for from now until perpetuity.
Speaker 4 (27:13):
Yeah, I tell you what, man, it maybe having different
safety situations, maybe yeah, maybe it's it's better than it was.
Speaker 3 (27:22):
But I'm already I'm already a little worried about it.
You're already a little worried about it.
Speaker 4 (27:25):
I think Chase is going to get a lot of targets.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
It's like, you know, Paul Skeens is going to throw
one hundred and two mile an hour fastballs.
Speaker 3 (27:33):
You know it's coming, but that doesn't make it any
easier to deal with, right, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (27:35):
Exactly, exactly. Sometimes these guys are that good.
Speaker 3 (27:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (27:38):
Absolutely don't think there's any chance that Joe Burrow is
gonna play, but that's obviously something will continue to think.
Speaker 4 (27:43):
He said this morning he's shooting for Thanksgiving.
Speaker 3 (27:46):
Is oh, so that would have him out two more.
Speaker 4 (27:49):
This is windows just opened yesterday, so yeah, I mean
it doesn't sound like there's any chance this week.
Speaker 2 (27:54):
Okay, so certainly something will keep an eye on the
injury reports, of course as we roll along later in
the weeks. But when we return hit is time for
the Tuesday rewind. We've got observations and they are not
pretty for.
Speaker 4 (28:09):
The most part. I mean, it wasn't a pretty game.
Speaker 3 (28:11):
It wasn't a pretty game. It makes it hard to
have pretty automot making sure.
Speaker 4 (28:15):
You though, Pierre was better than people think, and yeah,
safeties are better than people think. We've already covered that
stuff though, I mean, there were some good stuff.
Speaker 2 (28:20):
Yeah, let's do some Tuesday rewhy when we come back
on the other side, we'll kind of final thoughts and
observations from Chargers twenty five Steelers ten before we start
to turn.
Speaker 3 (28:30):
The page and look ahead.
Speaker 2 (28:31):
Well, Shuler, Matt Williamson, it does the drive on Steelers
Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network, your.
Speaker 1 (28:43):
Tunes about drive on your twenty four to seven home
of the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (29:03):
Bottom half of our number one on a Tuesday, and
that means something around here. Of course, it is time
for our Tuesday rewind. It's a simple concept. Monday nights,
Matt and I go back and rewatch the Steelers previous game.
We share additional observations and thoughts that we didn't get
to on kind of Mondays. Just download instant.
Speaker 4 (29:25):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, shoot, marinate a little bit too exactly right.
Speaker 3 (29:30):
Speaking of simmer and Marinate and I made some excellent
corn showder last night. Man. Yeah, little little bacon shudder, cheese.
It's soup season. You a soup guy.
Speaker 4 (29:39):
Oh, big soup guy, big super Steelers soup. Uh.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
Can I tell you that I still have? It was
from Sports Illustrated for Kids. You remember Sports Illustrated for Kids. Yeah,
that was like my jam when I was.
Speaker 3 (29:55):
A kid, Like that was like my grandparents. That was
part of my Christmas gift every year is they renew
my subscriptions.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
Illustrated for Kids. John Elway's Hamburger soup is in there. Wow,
it's delightful. I still have it in our little recipe book.
Speaker 3 (30:11):
It's so good.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
I'm gonna have to make that at some point. That's
before before the season is over. But yeah, it is
soup season and I'm excited about that. But it is Tuesday.
Speaker 3 (30:20):
Rewind here today, Matt Weach have a couple that we
want to get to. Do you want to start? Do
you want to jump into the because we've kind of
teased it a little bit.
Speaker 2 (30:27):
You want to jump into the Peyton Wilson and the
Malik Harrison And yeah, I just my observation was just
they were taking Peyton Wilson off the field too much.
Speaker 4 (30:35):
I think that's true.
Speaker 2 (30:36):
I think he's been one of the brighter spots of
the defense this season, and I understand it worked in
a way against the Colts. Don't get me wrong, but
I just I don't sixty percent of the snaps whatever
it was that he was on the field. I want
Peyton Wilson closer to ninety percent of the snaps on
the field. I don't want him on the sideline that often.
Speaker 3 (30:55):
So.
Speaker 4 (30:57):
I agree. Now I'm gonna counter it a little. I'm
sure their logic is he's just not a big time
take on run defender.
Speaker 3 (31:07):
Old school.
Speaker 4 (31:10):
Style, right right, right, you know, I mean he's a
run and hit guy more than a take on old
school dude. However, that's what the whole position is around
the league, now, I mean, and I understand stopping the
runs important, and he's not a bad run defender. He's
defends it differently than Harrison or whomever, which obviously he's
not type right. He's got a strange body type, to
(31:32):
be honest with you. He's got a high waist, he's
got short arms, he's six three or six four or whatever.
Doesn't look like both linebackers, No, he doesn't. Now, I
only think of this, so pull back curtain and I
do Matt stats. The Special Teams bullets are the hardest
ones that come up with because there's not that much
to talk about new week the week in the Special
(31:52):
teams world.
Speaker 3 (31:53):
And usually I have like two Boz finally missed one,
Right's right?
Speaker 4 (31:56):
I mean? Then I usually have like two or three
or maybe four bullet points, depending if I can find
something interesting. Sometimes only one. But when I'm struggling, and
I couldn't come up with much For the Bengals. I
go back at every periodically and I just go, these
are the Steelers special teams snap leaders. He's near the top.
People don't think about that. It's a good point. It
(32:18):
takes a lot out of your body. I mean those
are big collisions and a.
Speaker 2 (32:22):
Lot of sprint. You know, your yeah, forty sixty yards downfield.
Speaker 4 (32:26):
So if you just covered a punt or a kickoff,
do you really want to cover Christian McCaffrey out of
the backfield and that's play? Yeah, right, right right, So
I wonder if that's a factor. I also think that
this is just a hunch, but I do think since
the Killer Brew injury and this Castro move and sermon
and these guys being elevated, I think they're trying to
(32:47):
figure out their special team snaps a little bit more totally.
So maybe they'll take some away from Wilson because they're
playing defense.
Speaker 3 (32:54):
That's right, yeah, process by you.
Speaker 4 (32:56):
I'm just wondering if that's in the mix, because I mean,
that's the kind of if people don't think about, but
organizations do. So yeah, I'm on board with that. I
think he's one of their best eleven defensive players clearly,
if not their top six or seven.
Speaker 3 (33:09):
You know, right, Yeah, I think he might even be
in the top half of that of that best eleven.
Speaker 4 (33:14):
I would even be open to making him the green
dot never leave the field player. And I think Queen
gets too much of a bum wrap around here for
whatever reason, because they signed him from outside the organization.
People are hard on big frigates their money, that it's
their money. Yeah, but I would be open to the
idea of Wilson also being the green dot never leave
(33:34):
the field guy and Queen plays seventy. Yeah, that could
happen next year or or soon. I don't know.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
I certainly think it's a possibility. I think he's been
one of the bright spots on that defense this season. Yeah,
but your special team's point is well taken. He can't
play every defensive snap and then run down a bunch
of kickoffs and a handful of defense special team snaps.
You do have to give him some blow in some
type of way you want to stick on the defensive side.
You mentioned you had some James Pierre thoughts.
Speaker 4 (34:04):
Yeah, I don't know much else other than I think
he's playing the best football of his career. And I'm
glad that Tomlin mentioned it that I'm not crazy, you
know that watching his tape, it's better than it's ever been.
I think they trust him more on defense, more than
they ever did. I don't think he's challenging slagh for
a job, but I think they're closer to people think. Yes,
(34:25):
I mean, wheneverybody's healthy.
Speaker 2 (34:26):
I mean, a solid performance on Sunday might go right
in that. In that regard for Pierre, especially considering that
the competition he's going to have to go up against. Yeah,
spinning the block offensive side of the football, So unless
there was anything else you wanted to.
Speaker 4 (34:43):
Do, that side I think is pretty safe because in
a lot of it we've also touched on safety plays better,
Pierre is better. Benton and company did a lot of
damage to a really bad O line. You know, I
think we know those things, you know.
Speaker 5 (34:57):
All right?
Speaker 2 (34:57):
Offense, I've got one that kind of relates to the
trenches and Jalen Warren a little bit. I've got one
that's more of a bigger picture observation where you want
to go here? What do you want to All right,
let's start with this one because this isn't something we
really We didn't mention it all yesterday and haven't yet today.
Speaker 3 (35:16):
One of my.
Speaker 2 (35:18):
There concerns with this offense, we've talked about them. Yeah, protection,
run game, time of possession, Aaron Rodgers performance as of late,
wide receiver performance, tight end performance as of late, all
these things that we've discussed. One thing that we haven't
talked about. Red zone success for this offense is suddenly
very fleeting. It was great for first half of the season,
(35:39):
literally best in the National Football League. And that's important
for an offense that isn't getting down there a ton.
They weren't getting there a lot, but when they were,
they were making hay. Now they're not getting there a lot,
and they're not making any hay. That to me is
a is aye. Maybe you could even call it a
secondary concern because a lot of these things work in tandem.
(36:00):
You're not running the ball successfully when you're not getting
good play from Aaron Rodgers. Of course you're not going
to get to the red zone. You're going to struggle
more when you do.
Speaker 4 (36:07):
All this stuff goes hand in hand. That's what the
sport's about. It's not like a your eighth hitters not hitting.
Speaker 2 (36:12):
Well, it's a whole ecosystem, you know, complimentary football. All
these things are in the same kind of sphere and
the same kind of ecosystem. The red zone success that
felt like it was a real strength for this team
for a while, seems like it's going in the opposite
direction that it's like very fleeting over the last few weeks. Yeah,
it's good getting there much and when they do, they're
not having success.
Speaker 4 (36:33):
Emily often top of talk about you know, hidden yardage
and turnovers and time of possessions and even like sack
differential and explosive differential and stuff that we've talked about
more and more. But sometimes you also got to be like,
like Tomlin said, better on third downs, better on red zone.
I mean, those are two areas I look at every
week in the staff at who's good and bad on
(36:55):
third downs? And red zone?
Speaker 3 (36:56):
Key indicator every week.
Speaker 4 (36:58):
Yeah, this has been going on since I've known anything
about football, you do. I mean, these are old school
stats that are still very relevant. First off, an observation
I have is I have a new respect and I
definitely underrated the Chargers front seven. Yeah, it's way better
than I thought I thought Khalil Mack was playing Hurt caledwell,
(37:21):
the rookie nose tackle type, along with guys like Hand
that no one's ever heard of or pretty darn good
players already. They throw that three package of three outside
linebackers with Tuy and o Way now along with Mac
on the field together, that's a pretty darn good group,
especially against the pass.
Speaker 3 (37:41):
Bud getting a handful of snaps.
Speaker 4 (37:43):
Yeah, I mean, if that's your fourth dude, it's pretty good.
Pretty nice. That's pretty nice. And he's not the player
he was when he left here, but he's still a
high quality depth piece for sure. Would throw him in
there ten to fifteen snaps a game. So I do
want to give the on these Tuesday sessions. If the
opponent deserves more credit, you gotta you gotta throw that
stuff out there, and really the best way, And we
(38:06):
said this going in. I mean their pass defense is great,
to run defense is bad, which goes back to why
don't you run the ball more? You know why it's
still still at such a high percentage of pass That
makes less and less sense to me seeing how the
game went. A concern I have is it's Rogers, but
(38:28):
it's also the passing game where they're very very low
in play action percentage still, and we know it's a
lot of shotgun, but you can still run play action
and there's studies that it doesn't matter how well you
run the ball. Play action still, Yes, they play action
is still the.
Speaker 3 (38:46):
Same notes, and I used to argue about that all
the time.
Speaker 4 (38:49):
I don't believe it. I mean, I think there.
Speaker 3 (38:51):
Doesn't either, But I'm like, listen, the numbers are the numbers.
There's there's lies, there's statistics.
Speaker 4 (38:56):
So I believe both of you, I guess. So side note,
I believe when you use play action it helps you
no matter what basically you know.
Speaker 3 (39:04):
And it's gonna be a lot val regardless.
Speaker 4 (39:06):
Yes, but I definitely think that motes a linebacker would
know the difference when Derek Henry's running down your.
Speaker 2 (39:15):
Throat, I and no doubt about it as opposed to
you know, Joe blow average running back.
Speaker 4 (39:20):
Yeah, when gainwell reor Warren's getting two yards of carry
as opposed to when Henry's in his prime, just smash
it and you got to tackle that to every time.
So I definitely think that some of those stats lie
a little bit. But I definitely think it's also more
beneficial to use. But there at the bottom of the
league now there's only three or four offenses using play
action less. And where I'm going with this, though, is
(39:43):
the route concepts within without play action. I have no
data to support this, but so many of the non
play action throws from Rogers are predetermined at the line
of scrimmage, which he's great at. But they're almost all boom.
I mean they're all the real quick.
Speaker 3 (40:03):
Stuff out in one and a half seconds, yes.
Speaker 4 (40:05):
And sideway stuff or boom just getting this guy's hands,
and the play action stuff is the longer, developing, go
through my reads quarterbacks right right right, He's doing a
lot of wonderful quarterback stuff before the snap, but not
(40:25):
a lot after. Yes, and we opened the show of
you are what you are at this point, defenses now
know this stuff one thousand percent.
Speaker 2 (40:35):
You know absolutely you can get away with it for
a couple of weeks maybe ye, yeah, But these defensive
coordinators are millionaires too.
Speaker 4 (40:42):
And like you mentioned, Bud Bud is I mean, he's
an edge guy's two hundred and seventy pounds. We've seen
Bud Debreez, a big human being. He's dropping into throwing
lanes and non play action situations, knowing that the quick
hitters are coming.
Speaker 3 (40:53):
You know, yep, it was all right there on film. Yeah,
and it worked out very well for the Chargers.
Speaker 2 (41:00):
Last one I've got, Matt is just this is I
will put my hand up and I will say, if
it worked, we're singing the praises.
Speaker 3 (41:07):
If it doesn't, you're second guessing it. It's one of
those things. That's one of these coaching life in the
National Football League.
Speaker 2 (41:13):
And I do give the Steelers credit for we slam.
In particular, this coaching staff often we I'm going the
general Steeler fan medium you and I for being too static.
Just do what you do and stick to it. Okay,
don't be stubborn, try something different. But hindsight is twenty twenty.
(41:34):
I didn't understand the revolving door at left guard.
Speaker 4 (41:36):
I know.
Speaker 3 (41:38):
Yeah, you start with Andre's Pede at left guard.
Speaker 2 (41:40):
You bump Anderson out, you get a procedure penalty on
Pete on the very first snap of the game, before
even anything had happened. It backs you up on your
very first series, you go three and out. I think
that was part of the issue with establishing the run.
Speaker 3 (41:53):
I just I understand that.
Speaker 4 (41:57):
He's much of the year too. It's not like, boy,
this guy's so good, we have to.
Speaker 3 (42:00):
Get exactly you know, exactly right.
Speaker 2 (42:04):
I just again, if it would have worked out, we'd
be sitting here these last two shows singing the praises.
And they tried something different and it worked, and the
Chargers weren't ready for it. But it wasn't working, and
they continued to try and shuffle around too many parts there.
Speaker 3 (42:19):
I just felt like part of.
Speaker 4 (42:20):
The line is all about continuity, all about connuity and rhythm,
and they just with that revolving guard at left door.
Speaker 2 (42:25):
They never established any of it Sunday night, and it
started right from Jump Street on the very first play
of the game, because that ends up being a twelve
yard run on the first play of the game, were
singing a difference. I'm not naive enough to not admit that.
But in hindsight, when you watch it on film, it
looks pretty jumbled, it looks pretty confused. It looks like
a lack of continuity.
Speaker 4 (42:45):
So, just like our Peyton Wilson conversation, I'm going at
least gonna try to rebut it a little. Absolutely. First
of all, you mentioned that first play of the game,
Chargers kicked the ball out of bounds, and I know.
Speaker 3 (42:57):
This is at least going to be a field goal.
On the worst case.
Speaker 4 (43:00):
You pick up a first down, almost nullifies that right
off the bat, Like, what are we doing here? You
know they just gave you a gift. It had nothing
to do with you. They blasted out of bound start
to forty. I mean, it's such an advantage nowadays.
Speaker 3 (43:12):
Get two first downs and you're in bas territory.
Speaker 4 (43:14):
I'm with you on terms of the left guard situation.
Speaker 2 (43:18):
Now.
Speaker 4 (43:20):
What we didn't mention is I seem all who doesn't play.
I don't want jumbo corn beef whatever to go away, though,
absolutely want more.
Speaker 3 (43:29):
I want it to be more.
Speaker 4 (43:29):
Probably, Yeah, it needs to be a staple, or it
needs to be an every down. We're gonna do it
every or in every week thing, no matter what agreed.
I think we talked about this. Max Starks taught me this.
I didn't realize that the substitution rule. The substitution rule.
I'm not sure if we went into the detail about
it yesterday or not. I don't think we did. But
I was on a lot of different outlets and one
(43:51):
of them I did, and I couldn't remember. So if
you're a tackle eligible, you know, like you have to
if you if somebody numbers reporting, if you have to
report eligible, you cannot stay in the game the next snap.
Speaker 3 (44:06):
At a different position as a non eligible.
Speaker 4 (44:08):
Yes, you know what I mean. So you.
Speaker 2 (44:12):
Can't go from the extra offensive lineman right back into
the starting left guard correct on back to back snaps.
Speaker 4 (44:18):
I didn't.
Speaker 3 (44:21):
I didn't know that until like a week or two ago.
Max told me.
Speaker 4 (44:24):
Something the announcement, same thing, you know, right, But Max
obviously would So that's a little weird in itself. So
there's a handful of snaps where Anderson's not on the
field and Pete is, even though you'd prefer Anderson on
the field because of what you did. Now my my
other cart counter argument against you, but I do agree
(44:44):
with you as a yes or no statement. I think
Pete only played ten snaps or eight snaps. It it's
not a ton. But still, so what's the answer, I
guess is the next question? I see them all who
can't play this week? What do you do for Jumbo?
Speaker 3 (45:02):
I don't know, but I think I'm leaving peace to
do that. I think I'm leaving Anderson at guard.
Speaker 4 (45:06):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, you know I kind of think I
am too.
Speaker 3 (45:09):
I just I don't want to again, it's all I
don't like moving. No, lineman, you talk, you talk to.
Speaker 2 (45:13):
The tounches in the Wolfs of the World, which you
and I were privileged to do every day for a decade,
and they tell you it's all about continuity. It's five
fingers on a fist. Yeah, you know, like that's an
offensive line. And I just particularly for a unit that
is so young and inexperienced. Yeah, you take you take
Saamalu out of that, and he's.
Speaker 4 (45:32):
The new piece, you know. I mean it's like as
and Anderson need to be there every down too, or.
Speaker 2 (45:36):
You know, Broderick and Fraser have twenty some starts in
their NFL careers. The rest of those guys are still
very very light in the wallet in that regard. I
just again, I am willing to hand up. If it
would have worked, we would have spent I spent ten
minutes yesterday singing their praises. I tried something different, and
we accuse him of being too static and they and
(45:58):
they got aggressive and it paid off. But yeah, I
just I want to see them continue to use that
corn beef like you mentioned, but I don't want it.
You got to find a way to do it without
a revolving door at left guard.
Speaker 4 (46:09):
So we've had this conversation with with Chris Hallick and
I think some of the other beat guys over the
last two weeks, knowing that samal who's been dealing with
stuff and it's been thrown out there that you could
do it that way. Or Calvin Anderson can just be
the sixth guy now because I guess he's done a
little bit of it. I don't think he's done a
ton because he hasn't seen the field that.
Speaker 3 (46:27):
Much, but he has played a lot of different positions
throughout his career.
Speaker 4 (46:29):
Yeah, he's a persatile guy, So maybe that's the answer.
Or Pete who's also played tackle, I mean, came in
the league as a first und tackle. Maybe he's just
trusted him enough to start him at left guard. Yeah,
and maybe maybe we'll never have talked about it again
and see them all who plays, but that would be
the ideal situation. Yeah. So I just don't know what
the answer is, but I'm with you. There's a reason
(46:50):
that the largest human beings on a football field are
the only ones that don't rotate out? Yes, can we
think they would get the most tired. But the tackle
d linemen are rotating in and out. But left guards
and centers and right tackles.
Speaker 2 (47:04):
Aren't you know there's rhyme to that reason. Yeah, Williamson
Hour in the books, another hour ago. When we return
on the other side, we'll start with a little fantasy
football focus. As we're getting closer and closer to playoff time,
the road is narrowing in your fantasy football leagues. We'll
get into some waiver wire conversation to start Hour number two.
West Shuler, Matt Williamson. It is the Drive on Steelers
(47:26):
Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.
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Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
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.
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.