June 16, 2025 • 34 mins
Matt and Dale continue their defensive position ranking discussion, focusing now on the rankings for cornerbacks and safeties.
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
At least is the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt
Williamson on your twenty four to seven Home of the
Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Then we are back on Dale Lollie here with the
Matt Williamson and we're taking a look here at the
Steelers defensive rankings on Pro Football Focus. Some of the
individual players we see what we're represented so far, a
good representation. We're like at cornerback now, Okay, and this
(00:37):
one might surprise some people.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Okay, I think people look at corner like it's a weakness,
and hey, I wouldn't mind add another, but let's let's
go through it.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Guess what, Yeah, they got two guys on this. Yeah. Yeah.
So at thirty two, according to Pro Football Focus, is
to Ron Bland of the Cowboys.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Okay, we talked about those Cowboy guys a lot, very
hit or miss, big plays, risk takers. I'm sure that
they're coached that way to some regard. Yeah, but he's
not physically overwhelming or anything. He's all right.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Thirty one Kamari Lassiter with the Texans.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
I wasn't huge on him coming out of school. I
mean I kind of fell victim to average testing numbers
and being you know, Georgia had such a great front
and made his life a little easier. He's been quite
good though, glue guy tough. I like the Texans defensive
makeup a lot.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Thirty is Kenny Moore with the Colts.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
We had the same conversation with like Buckner and some
of these dudes that have just lasted and are quality players.
And probably over the last five years, he's been as
good as any pure slot out there. And he can
play outside, but ideally he's a slot. And like we
walk around Indy at the Combine and he's on a billboard,
you know, like he's loved in that town, you know.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Twenty nine Byron Murphy Junior with the Vikings.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
I might even have him higher. I mean, he's a
little bit of a one year wonder, but they were
big on bringing him back. I mean, he was certainly
a target for me for the Steelers when free agency
opened it. I'd have been interested. Now he would have
screwed up your comp game a lot. Yeah, and he
doesn't look like Minnesota was letting him go anywhere. But
he's a good player.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Twenty eight Jordan Lewis with the Jaguars now.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
He's another one that's been a quality slot, tough guy
going back to those Michigan days. You know, those guys
aren't easy to find.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Twenty seven Tyson Campbell, also with the Jaguars.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
He's another one I think could really go up. I mean,
he's had a hard he's been inconsistencies, and he has
him be on the field a ton, but he's got
a lot of a trade. I don't know how much
Hunter will play opposite him, but he doesn't get tested
a ton because the other guys have been bad.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Twenty six Joey Porter Junior. Last year he was thirty
two on this list.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
I would think I'd still have him higher. I mean, yes,
he travels with one's a fair amount more than a
lot of the names on this list. He's also got
a lot of really good traits improving.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
His Advanced Pro Football Focus advanced coverage grade is twenty
first over his first two seasons.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
Okay, I don't know the difference in Advance.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
His overall coverage rate gets banned a little bit because
of the penalties.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Oh okay, okay, yeah, I guess you got to factor
that in.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
But when you start looking at the actual.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
Coverage, yeah, Yeah, it's really how hard he is to beat. Yeah,
I would definitely have him higher. I don't know he's
ever going to be Rod Woodson in the run game,
you know, but I mean I think he gives you enough.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Twenty five j C. Horn with the Panthers.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
It's another guy that could be a top five to
six seven guy, but there's been a lot of inconsistencies
unfortunately for them. Like their best guys are Derrek Brown,
j C. Horn on a defense that had nothing last
year and they can't keep the guys on the field,
but they gave him money.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Twenty four AJ Drell.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
I would think i'd have him higher too. He's got
a high quality career with the worst pass rush ever.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Yeah. Twenty three denomen Or Leanor with the forty nine Ers.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
Fine, I'm taking Porter. I'm taking three or four of
those names over him.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Twenty two Garrett Williams with the Cardinals.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Okay, I mean we talked about him a lot coming
out of school. Wanted to draft him, like, yeah, yeah,
take him. I mean we mocked him in our many
many mocks. He ended up in a stealer uniform a lot.
If people't remember he was Syracuse guy that basically had
the red shirt. I mean, he was damaged goods coming out.
But he's the perfect example of why you wait. Unfortunately
(04:54):
in this league, though the first year you don't get
much out of him. You only get him for four
so pretty soon it's like, we gotta expend this guy.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Now, you know, twenty one Darius Slay, I think.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
He's still there. I mean, history's not kind to over
thirty corners. But if you're just judging what he is,
he's on this list all day long. Yeah, and man
coverage guy bet around the block, gets his hands on
football's a lot. We talked about this down the practice fields.
(05:27):
Don't just think he's Patrick Peterson part two, No, I
mean he's better at the stage when he became a Steeler.
He was a much better player than when Peterson became
a Steeler.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
Twenty is Tron Johnson with the Bills another slot?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Yeah? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Is it? They're almost two different worlds, That's what I'm
gonna say. Yeah, asking we're comparing a slot in an
outside corner.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Right all right, especially if you're pretty exclusive at Yeah,
and as people I think know the Bills lot, they
live in Nickel So he plays a ton of snaps right.
He's really valuable to them, and maybe they wouldn't play
in as much Nickel if it wasn't for him, But
I might. I'm a problem with him being there, but
it is kind of two different worlds.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Yeah. Nineteen is Trey Walling with the.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
Seahawks, burst on the scene, extreme length, super fast. Maybe
a step backwards in year two could get it back though.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Eighteen Carlton Davis the Patriots.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Another guy that's made some money over the years. Long
press corner seven eight to be matches with Gonzales. That's
a pretty good grill.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
Yeah, Jamel Dean with.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
The Okay, Yeah, they're about the same. They're all great
number two's. If you could manage that, if you ask
them to be true ones, you might be out here.
You know. That's why I think Porter should be higher.
I think he can be a one.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Yeah. Sixteen is Quenya Mitchell.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Too low, pretty darn good as a rookie. They only
have one interception, though really not in a regular season.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Ok.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
I guess the Gene will be ahead of them.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
Yeah, maybe I don't know. I mean again, Oranges, Neither
one of them took the ball away, right, and they
sure played with a lot of leads.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Yeah. Fifteen is Sharvarius Ward.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Here's another one like Leonor that people might not know
a lot about, but good careers. Yeah, I mean I
don't think they're special, but yeah, he's making a good
buck now too.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Fifteen is Jalen Ramsey with the Dolphins. He's asked to do.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
So much, and he's a lot bigger and more gifted
than a lot of these guys. He's almost just like
a defensive peace, which kind of the gene is too.
At this point, I don't know where i'd rank Ramsey.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Thirteen is Christian Isalez.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
He could be two or three in my opinion. I
think he's been really impressive, but missed a lot of
time last year. Not much of a tackler either.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Yeah. Twelve is Devin Witherspoon.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
Nasty, he does it all more of a slot but
does it all really good player too.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
Oh I was wrong?
Speaker 3 (08:03):
Is on there is eleven? Okay, eleven might be a bit. Yeah,
I was just saying these last couple of names. I'm
taking Ramsey over the gene at this stage of the game.
I'm taking yeah, yeah, yeah, they're a little more established. Hey,
we love the Gene Degene. If you rewind two off
seasons ago, he was one of our favorites, as was Mitchell.
He's a really good player. But might get a little
(08:24):
too excited about him.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Tens Denzel Award.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
It's had a high quality career too. He's been high pick,
somewhat expensive at this point, but he's been one of
the success stories for the Browns without question.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Nine Gayr Alexander.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
Maybe maybe right when he's on the field. Yes, he's
just on the field that much. And he's a free
agent as we speak.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
He doesn't played a full season.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
I think he's played is it that long? I think
he's been seven games each of the last two years too.
Now there's been weirdness too, and I think he's a
we'll call him a big personality. And him and the
Packers didn't seem to get along.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
But because he never plays, Yeah, and I.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
Think he doesn't play because they don't like him. And
remember he did the weird coin flit thing. And I
mean you'd have to manage him. But when he's out there,
he covers people.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Eight Christian Benford with the.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Bills, maybe the most unknown, really good corner. I mean
he was not a high Most of these guys are
high picks. Yeah, you know, and he's really really important
to those guys. You should know him. I mean he's
one of the most foundational Bills players.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
Seven Marlon Humphrey, he's another.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
He's like ward to me. You know, AFC north dude
all day long. That's really had a good career. I
assume he won't be on there, but I think Wiggins
will be on that list next year. And he's more.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
I don't think he will. He won't tackle he does.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
That's a good point anybody. He's not an AFC nor
you know, banger. He's a pure outside type dude. I'm
a fan. But I think they're hoping He.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
And Humphrey couldn't be any different, couldn't.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
Be any more different, right, right, right, They're very different. Yes, Yes,
Six is dj Reid. Okay, see might be a little high. Yeah,
I mean he's always been Robin to the sauce gardener.
He's got paid a lot.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
He's good.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
I don't know that I'm taking him over like Jayleen Ramsey. Yeah,
you know.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Five Derek Stingley, he could.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
Push for one. I mean he was drafted ahead of
Sauce as he was one of those dudes that you
know because of COVID all his stuff was as an
eighteen year old, like Penn, a soul and he's been
pretty awesome.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
That twelve picks last two years.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Wow, I know it's that many.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
Four Jalen Johnson, Okay, he was a.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Big name that hit free agency. I would take Stingley
over him. I mean I think he's a B plus
top ten guy.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
Three is Trump mcduffy.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
Okay, they ask a lot of him too. I mean
he'd be a real favorite around here. Nasty blitzer leader,
not the most gifted, but he can do a lot
for you to is Patrick certain one, Sauce Gardner. I'd
have Certain over I think Certain is a clear one. Yeah,
and I like Gardner too, but I didn't think he
(11:33):
was great this past year. So much more as ass
to Certain. I mean defensive player of the year, right,
I mean I think he's a clear one.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
But once again, Steelers ad two defensive tackles. Yeah, three
outside linebackers, an inside.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
Packer, two corners. Yeah. Well look at the same Let
me come back, and they're gonna have at least one.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
They're gonna have one he might have two.
Speaker 3 (11:57):
Yeah, they might.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
So let's say look at that when we come back.
He is thean Matt Williamson. I'm Dale Lollie. You're listening
to the Drive. You're on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
At least he is the Drive with Dale Lolly and
Matt Williamson on your twenty four to seven home of
the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
And we are back. I'm Dale Lolli. He is the
Matt Williamson and taking a look here at the Pro
Football focused defensive rankings in vision. Yeah, two defensive linemen, yes,
three outside blind backers.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
Draft picks of those positions, by the way, yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
Uh two cornerbacks. Let's take a look at safety.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Now, no one's on there. Yeah, might be all lower
and I was fearing that. Yeah, but we'll get to it. Yeah,
we'll get to it.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
So at thirty two, they have Kobe Bryant of the Seahawks.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
Okay, this is another position like off the ball linebacker,
not that we have to buzz through it. Yeah, but
I bet the bottom ten are okay, starters, Yeah, I
mean like they're not game changers. It's not like the
bottom ten edge rushers that whoa this guy's a problem. Yeah,
it's there are more good safeties I think than there
(13:30):
have been in recent years, but the middle of the
road guys are pretty blow.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
Thirty one is Nick Cross of the Colts.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
Okay, he had a lot of ability coming out, but
he doesn't change games.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Thirty Josh Mantellis of the Vikings.
Speaker 3 (13:46):
That one I'll have an argument with because I bet
if you would coach Flores in here, he'd be like,
that's one of my most valuable guys. He is super
duper smart, he's has good size. They do about a
million different things with him, and he's kind of a
master of I would say master of a jack of
all trades, master of none, but he might be a
(14:08):
master of all. I mean he just does everything really
really well. Yeah. Good Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
Twenty nine to Shaun Elliott of the Steelers.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
He should be in the top thirty two. I mean,
as I was thinking about it, I just took a
call between segments and thinking, these bottom ten aren't gonna
be that impressive. You can't tell me thirty two safeties
had a better year or that he's really good last Yeah,
it was really good last year. Yeah, And this is
more of a training camp conversation. But I might call
his agent and be like, we don't really want him
(14:36):
to be a free agent after the year, you know.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Twenty eight tra Von morg Time.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
I'm a fan. He's a what he's a panther now Righteah?
They paid for him. Yeah, he was like one of
the top safeties in the class. That he came out
in early second round pick kind of shocked the Raiders
let him go. Their secondary is not very good.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
Yeah. Twenty seven Harrison Smith, the Vikings still showing up
on there. Yeah, I think that might be a little.
Speaker 3 (15:04):
Maybe it's a lifetime achievement or right, there were a
couple d linemen that sort of fit that bill. He'll
be on Hall of Fame ballots. I don't think he
gets in, and some of the safeties that got in recently, though,
I haven't been blown away with awesome career. I mean again,
if this was Viking's Nation radio people be like, that's
too low. He's on our waves, you know. But I
think he was even contemplating retirement and I don't think
(15:25):
you get a lot more out of him.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Twenty six Cameron Curl with the Rams.
Speaker 3 (15:32):
Okay, I did a good year for Washington two years ago,
the Rams paid him quality player, But I think I
take Elliot over twenty five.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
Jalen Thompson with the Cardinals.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
Okay, this Cardinal defense, it was only what two years ago? Goes, Yeah,
they used to have nothing. He used to be Buddha
Baker and a bunch of people know he's ever heard of.
Now they have ten d linemen and a couple of
defensive backs. And what if Will Johnson turns into something
like I kind of like what they're building on defense.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
Twenty four Ronnie Hickman with the Browns to Sean Elliss
of the Needle for man Seah.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Probably two or three of these guys have me too, right,
He's not bad. It's just that I can't believe he's
in the top thirty two.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
Twenty three Julian Blackman.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
He's Someboddy we've always kind of liked. Yeah, it seems
like every year. Maybe it's a character or learning thing.
I don't know, I'm just making stuff up. I mean,
but you would think a team would scoop him up
a week into free agency, not three months into free agency.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
Twenty two, don't Noah Halfanga Now.
Speaker 3 (16:42):
Toroncos makes a lot of plays. Long term durability would
really scare me. I mean, he throws his body around
a lot and has already been hurt. But middle of
the field, old school strong safety.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Twenty one Jalen Petree with detections.
Speaker 3 (16:59):
It might be a little. I think he missed time
last year. Yeah, okay, so maybe this is not this
is the bylow portion of his career because tough slot
plays a run again. I have a lot of respect
for the Texans. D two.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
Twenty Cameron Kinchins with the Rams.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
I didn't expect him to do as well as he
did coming out of the gates, and they seem to
be really high on him.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
Yeah. Nineteen Jimmy Ward with the Texans.
Speaker 3 (17:27):
Okay, he's like the definition of a coach on the field.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (17:33):
I mean he's been in like the Niner system forever.
I'm sure he's like a huge locker room leader, been
around the block ten, twelve years, whatever. But he's got
to be declining by now.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Yeah, eighteen.
Speaker 3 (17:46):
Like I think Petrie's better than he is.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
Yeah, I do too. Kevin Byered with the Bears.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
His best days are gone, but he had some good days.
He took the ball away a lot he was another
one that so many safeties will be on free agencies
for a while. Yeah, Justin Simmons or you know, some
of these guys just hang out there for a while.
Seventeen Malee Cooker with the Cowboys, Okay, never really turned
into what I thought he might. I mean, isn't he
(18:12):
from up near ear Ear somewhere in PA? Superstar recruit Newcastle? Okay,
I think that is it? Yeah, and he's been fine.
I mean again, I don't know that he's noticeably better
than Elliott or a couple of other names on the list.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (18:27):
Sixteen I knew he's low, but that's criminal, way too low.
That's criminal. He's almost like their pouncy where like. I'm
not sure how they grade him, but it never works
in his favor for grades. I don't get that at all.
I think he's closer to one.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
Let's look at these guys ahead of them. Fifteen read
read blanket Ship.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
Come on, come on, he's a fine player. I don't
think blanket Ship would even start here. No, you know, right,
he'd be a depth guy and he'd have great safety room.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
But you know, fourteen Justin Reid with the Saints, he's good.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
I mean he's a plus starter. He's not a great player.
Minca is a great play.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Yeah. Thirteen C. J.
Speaker 3 (19:19):
Gardner Johnson with the Mercenary.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
He's so good nobody wants all right.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
Nobody wants to be a round him for one thing.
He's kind of a lunatic mercenary. I always think he's
like that third line, like Matthew Barnaby with the pens
that is jabbing people with sticks. And you know you
love him if he's on your team. He hate the
play he does teammates, he does his own teammates. I mean,
he's not a better player than Manka. Of course.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
Twelve Jibril Peppers with the Patriots.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Belichick started to get a lot out of him. He
was a really high pick. Remember he was up for
like highmend consideration late Bloomer. I'm fine with him being
on the list, But again I think goes Am saying
almost all these dudes should not be head of MACA.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
Eleven Julian Love with the Seahawks.
Speaker 3 (20:06):
He's another one that does never gets the money in respect.
He's a good player, right, He makes like four or
five million a year and gives you about ten million
a year. Worth of production.
Speaker 2 (20:15):
Ten Javon Holland with the Giants.
Speaker 3 (20:20):
We quote Greg co Sell a lot, and he, like
all of us, repeats himself on the air a lot,
depending on what for him you're on. And I've heard
him say five to seven times that, in his opinion,
the only true what's the baseball term? Five tool players
at safety are Holland and Menca.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
Yeah, you know, too low.
Speaker 3 (20:44):
They're both too low. Yeah, I mean whatever you want
to do, single high, you know, man coverage, play the run,
blitz with all the tools those two have, both have
them all.
Speaker 2 (20:52):
Nine Brandon Jones with the Broncos.
Speaker 3 (20:57):
He's a nice story. He's a nice story, A special player, right,
I mean they led the league in sacks. He's fifteen.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
His Budda Baker with the Cardinals.
Speaker 3 (21:08):
That's too low for him too, in my opinion, he
had nothing around him. Him and Minka could be one.
Speaker 2 (21:15):
Seven Derwin James with the Chargers.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
I think Harball was really good for him, and injuries
have obviously been something that's held him back. He's as
freaky as anybody here, and they had him do more
of the Hamilton stuff, you know, which I think is
a good fit for him. Six Kirby Joseph with the
Lions one year or so. One year, all right, that's
(21:40):
not enough a good story. I mean he's a late pick.
The man. They are thrilled with him, but he should
be eight.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
Ten, five. Brian Branch with the Lions.
Speaker 3 (21:50):
Mad an argument for one there, like yeah, yeah, I
mean he's a little different than these guys. I mean
he's very slot capable. Four ants, one winfield with the passion.
I think he had a pretty banged up season. Yeah,
but really really good too. I mean there's six or
seven high quality safeties and Minca is definitely one of them.
(22:12):
Three Jesse Bates sure takes the ball away. You fear
him in the deep middle, no question.
Speaker 2 (22:19):
Two Xavier McKinney.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
Yeah, I thought Green Bay was a little crazy for
the money they gave him. But he had an awesome
year and he was good with the Giants. And he's
a physical player too. That's a little high, but it's
he's one of the better ones. And one col Hamilton, Okay,
I mean mac I should be no worse in eight,
(22:43):
no worse in eight, probably no worse than five. Yeah,
you know what I mean. And I'll be shocked if
he's not in the top five a year from now.
I'm fine with Hamilton as one. I'm sitting here thinking
who would I put it one? Bhuda Baker be in
my conversation, Minca would too. But Hamilton's ascending and has
a lot of traits. I'm not going to fight you
(23:03):
on that.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
No, no, not at all.
Speaker 3 (23:04):
And he he kind of stopped the flooding, you know,
the damn broke in that defense and moving him around
was a big reason why they got things back on
track last year.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
Yeah. So there it is. Steelers well represented.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
Extremely, maybe more than anybody. Yeah, Like if we added
up all thirty two times six positions or whatever it was,
who was the most. I'm sure the Eagles are, maybe not.
I mean, Eagles have d Lineman, but they don't have
a lot of other stuff. Yeah, I mean have a
lot of names. Steelers have a lot of names of names, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
A lot of names.
Speaker 3 (23:41):
Backups, yeah, or a backup, you know. And they drafted
first round guy into it, you know. Yeah, it should
be a great defense. That's just that's the idea, right
because even so, let's say Wilson or Queen gets hurt
or haven't forbidden Minka or Elliott gets hurt. You're not
bad that all of a sudden, right, you know, if
(24:02):
Cam were to miss three weeks, I wouldn't think your
d line's bad. Lot were to miss three weeks. I
don't think your edge rushers are bad. Corner is the one.
I won't say that on defense. You know, if Porter
or Sleigh were to miss time, then I think you
have a pretty clear eleventh guy out of eleven. I mean,
if you're ranking everybody on the field, my worst player
(24:23):
would probably be that guy. But who's your worst player
right this minute, when they're out healthy?
Speaker 2 (24:29):
I think you can ask that a little bit.
Speaker 3 (24:31):
No question, no question, right, I mean, if Minka is
on that side of the field or whatever. I wonder,
do we think Eccles is the starting slot today or
is that you think that's a camp to be determined. Yeah,
And in Nickel, I think that's your weakest position. I
mean the eleven that are going to be out there,
(24:54):
But that's also not a hard place to matter to
help either linebacker, help safety, help pass ra you know,
and Bishops it's gonna be in your two. I expect
them to be a little better too.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
So those are the pro football focus rankings.
Speaker 3 (25:08):
Let's Meca is the only one I'd say that they
were too rough on. Yeah, you know, maybe Porter.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
Let's talk a little bit more about this when we
come back. He's Matt Williamson. I am Dale Lollie. Listening
to the drive. You're on the Steelers Audio Network. Eventually
my voice is gonna come back.
Speaker 3 (25:28):
I'm hoping it's better it was last week.
Speaker 2 (25:31):
Yeah, let's let's get to a break. We'll be back
with more right after this.
Speaker 1 (25:39):
This is the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson
on your twenty four to seven Home of the Black
and Gold Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (25:57):
And we are back. I'm Dale Lollie. He is he
Matt Williamson.
Speaker 3 (26:03):
And you're almost through it, dude.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
Yeah. We went through those Football Focus rankings, and Matt,
before we did that, you said top eight for.
Speaker 3 (26:16):
The Conservative I said top five. Yeah. Maybe I think it.
Speaker 2 (26:21):
Has to be top five.
Speaker 3 (26:24):
I don't think one is out of the question. I
don't think so, right, I mean, I think that has
to be the way you look at this thing, is
it's gonna be the goal. Yeah, I mean defensive meeting room,
everyone should looking around each other, especially after the final
rosters made and be like, we should be the best
defensive league guys. Yeah, and there's no reason why we shouldn't.
I mean our offense doesn't help us. I don't care,
you know, I mean we should be at the top.
(26:47):
I mean there's some good ones. Denver, I thought's a
great defense. I think Houston's coming along strong.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
They're ten guys on that list.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
Ten guys. Okay, they've had two safeties. And again that's
not even including the first round pick or a Thornhill
or Moilsome or Wilson, some of those guys sending next
year right, right or right. And again, I think they're
coverages will change more. I think they'll be a little
(27:14):
more blitz heavy, just for mix it up. I've been saying,
and I know we've talked about this, but another huge
goal I have for this team is there's no reason
you shouldn't be top two or three in sacks. Again,
and I know the ball comes out fast and all
those things, but I want quarterbacks on their back. I mean,
(27:36):
even if Rogers is as good as he can be,
he's probably not as good as Burrow. He's probably not
as good as Alan, He's probably not as good as Lamar.
Or Mahomes. I mean the guys that you're really competing
with in the nobody is so those guys need to
be on their back, you know what I mean, A
lot right run the better, which helps the defense sure,
(27:58):
and possessed the ball, which jumps the.
Speaker 2 (28:00):
Defense, and the defense needs to win of those matchups.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
Yes, And frankly, I don't mind if you allow a
big player too, because you're being a little more aggressive
on defense. But if burrows slow to get up a bunch,
I'm not saying be dirty. This is just football. Hit quarterbacks,
you know, I mean, ball comes out quick. I'm still
gonna put you on your butt.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
You know.
Speaker 3 (28:21):
I mean they were high and like quarterback hits and hurries,
but they weren't high in sacks. Right, it'll come.
Speaker 2 (28:27):
It's because it all came out so fast.
Speaker 3 (28:28):
It did. It did, especially late in the year.
Speaker 2 (28:31):
Nobody feared the offense.
Speaker 3 (28:32):
No, he feared the offense, and I'm throwing him under
the bus. But a second corner was hurting in terms
of versatility, and especially those last.
Speaker 2 (28:42):
Five games they had guys in and that lineup on
defense especially.
Speaker 3 (28:47):
Yea, And if I were to do anything else on defense,
I'd want to just get one more corner so you
don't get in that situation again. Just keep an eye
open for anyone. I'm not necessarily even saying Ramsey or
jar and that would be wow, and I'd be super greedy.
And it should be the best defense in the league.
Get those guys, you know.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
But I just don't know what you would do with
the guy like Slay on the bench.
Speaker 3 (29:10):
That's the thing. I mean, right, Ramsey's a slot that
could do a bunch, And but you don't need a
rotation at corner. Yeah, you know, yeah, I mean it
could just be Trice being better or you know, because
eventually your depth there is probably going to get tested
through the course of the Yeah. Yeah, and I thought
they were a corner short in terms of doing a
(29:31):
variety of scheming things.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
You know.
Speaker 3 (29:34):
And but I mean we're nitpicking. I mean again, so
many of those names are on that list and high
on that list too. It should be a great defense.
Speaker 2 (29:43):
It should be a great defense, not a good or
you know.
Speaker 3 (29:47):
Worn down or can't stop the run against the Ravens.
I mean, it should be a great defense.
Speaker 2 (29:51):
The other thing that I think's gonna help his defense,
and I know it's kind of in the again, the Margins,
Cameron's Nstin's a weapon.
Speaker 3 (30:01):
Oh yeah, yeah, Weightman was a nice find. Yeah, I
mean they were fortunate as could be to get Johnson's
a stud. Yeah. Yeah, just field positions a little better,
three yards better field position per game type of thing.
I mean, you know, or per or over the course
of a game, the ten yards different field position. Because
your punters one of the best in the league. Yeah,
(30:23):
I haven't thought about this a lot, but there's probably
no reason they shouldn't be the best kicker punter combination
in the league.
Speaker 2 (30:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (30:33):
Yeah, I mean I don't know. I'll be honest, I
don't know kickers and punters very well. Maybe there's someone
I'm not thinking of that's great, but's no kicking competition, right,
I don't know if Dallas has an awesome punter. If
they do, then maybe they're that team. But it's not
the Ravens anymore. That used to be them used to be, right,
and that was a huge weapon for them, exactly. Yeah. Yeah,
just gonna say what a weapon that was. Yeah, Baltimore
(30:56):
a difference. Yeah, Steelers have that now, they do they do?
I mean, and we know Danny's a really good special
teams coordinator. They're going to block a kick or two
that most teams don't. I think the returners are fine, yeah,
you know. I mean, I don't know that they're the
best in the league or anything like that, but I
don't think them think they're being their liabilities. And I
also think they're reliable, which is huge, especially as a
(31:17):
punt return over. Yeah, you gotta be able to catch
the ball first, and I think they get that. What
do we think the kickoff return situation will be? Probably
gain well, gain well maybe Johnson, Okay, yeah, I guess
that's a possibility. Yeah, yeah, it's fine. Yeah, yeah, yeah,
that'll work. They always gonna have a core group of
(31:38):
special teamers. That seems like a strong group as usual,
led by Killer Brew and Nol Harrison and some of
these other guys. So in the margins again, should be
a strength of the team.
Speaker 2 (31:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (31:48):
Yeah. And if you can come close to leading the
league in sacks, which you have the players to do,
they get to get fifty plus, they get fifty plus.
That's a great way of putting it. And maybe doesn't
have to be number one, right, you know, but be
you gotta be in that top ten, Yes, in that
top five. Yeah, any quarterbacks on their back, and that's
not asking too much.
Speaker 2 (32:06):
No.
Speaker 3 (32:06):
Again, I've had a couple of little, big goals. It
shouldn't be little goals, but they seem little like go
from four to one to four to three rush in
the football. I'm not asking a lot. I'm not asking
to be number one in the league. Yeah, you're saying
for eight, right, all right, I'm not saying you can
get a whole half, you know, three quarters of a
yard more. I mean, I'm just talking about point two
and over the course of seventeen games, I remember you
(32:28):
figuring it out, like how much more that matters, and
what a ripple effect it has for the defense that
could then stay fresher and then maybe lead the league
in sacks, you know what I mean. Yeah, let's they
haven't played with a lot of leads.
Speaker 2 (32:39):
They have not. Yeah, you know, I look for them,
especially early in the year, that could happen.
Speaker 3 (32:47):
Yeah, And obviously the defensive front is probably the strength
of the team. I mean, it's as good as any
out there. But if you can get a little lot
of Sawyer in black and some of those guys that
are better than the dudes you played with last year.
You know, like when you are resting the cams and
Watts and high Smith's not that you're not going to
(33:08):
lose something. Of course you're going to lose something. Yeah,
they're superstars. But if they're like the next Turbic where
you're putting them out there for twenty snaps a game,
but they probably deserve thirdy or forty, it's kind of exciting. Yeah. Absolutely, Yeah,
that's why I think.
Speaker 2 (33:24):
You know, again, I'm watching a defense work during mini
camp and I'm like, this could be really good.
Speaker 3 (33:30):
This could be really good.
Speaker 2 (33:31):
Right, they got depth, Ye, they got stars.
Speaker 3 (33:34):
We mentioned Queen. I mean I would he's another one.
Not that I expect him to be better in year two.
He kind of has to be, yeah, you know, and
he's certainly cable. He's asking about crazy things.
Speaker 2 (33:45):
You know.
Speaker 3 (33:45):
I'm gonna ask for a seventh round pick to be
your best player. I'm asking for a good player to
be a little better than he was that year. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (33:52):
Absolutely, I'm expecting that.
Speaker 3 (33:54):
Absolutely. But man, good stuff, Man, good conversation today. Yeah,
back Wednesday, Right.
Speaker 2 (34:00):
We are back Wednesday. From my voice is a little
more back.
Speaker 3 (34:04):
At I'll take a lot, but uh, maybe we'll twitter
it up.
Speaker 2 (34:09):
One of these days too, maybe Wednesdays since we don't
have our Thursdays anymore. But uh, for my partner Matt
Williamson for CG, woefully you're on site keeping us on
the air, I'm Dale Lully. We thank you for listening
to this edition of the Drive on the Steelers Audio Network.
At least is the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt
Williamson on your twenty four to seven Home of the
Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Then we are back on Dale Lollie here with the
Matt Williamson and we're taking a look here at the
Steelers defensive rankings on Pro Football Focus. Some of the
individual players we see what we're represented so far, a
good representation. We're like at cornerback now, Okay, and this
(00:37):
one might surprise some people.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Okay, I think people look at corner like it's a weakness,
and hey, I wouldn't mind add another, but let's let's
go through it.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Guess what, Yeah, they got two guys on this. Yeah. Yeah.
So at thirty two, according to Pro Football Focus, is
to Ron Bland of the Cowboys.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
Okay, we talked about those Cowboy guys a lot, very
hit or miss, big plays, risk takers. I'm sure that
they're coached that way to some regard. Yeah, but he's
not physically overwhelming or anything. He's all right.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
Thirty one Kamari Lassiter with the Texans.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
I wasn't huge on him coming out of school. I
mean I kind of fell victim to average testing numbers
and being you know, Georgia had such a great front
and made his life a little easier. He's been quite
good though, glue guy tough. I like the Texans defensive
makeup a lot.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Thirty is Kenny Moore with the Colts.
Speaker 3 (01:34):
We had the same conversation with like Buckner and some
of these dudes that have just lasted and are quality players.
And probably over the last five years, he's been as
good as any pure slot out there. And he can
play outside, but ideally he's a slot. And like we
walk around Indy at the Combine and he's on a billboard,
you know, like he's loved in that town, you know.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Twenty nine Byron Murphy Junior with the Vikings.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
I might even have him higher. I mean, he's a
little bit of a one year wonder, but they were
big on bringing him back. I mean, he was certainly
a target for me for the Steelers when free agency
opened it. I'd have been interested. Now he would have
screwed up your comp game a lot. Yeah, and he
doesn't look like Minnesota was letting him go anywhere. But
he's a good player.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Twenty eight Jordan Lewis with the Jaguars now.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
He's another one that's been a quality slot, tough guy
going back to those Michigan days. You know, those guys
aren't easy to find.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Twenty seven Tyson Campbell, also with the Jaguars.
Speaker 3 (02:38):
He's another one I think could really go up. I mean,
he's had a hard he's been inconsistencies, and he has
him be on the field a ton, but he's got
a lot of a trade. I don't know how much
Hunter will play opposite him, but he doesn't get tested
a ton because the other guys have been bad.
Speaker 2 (02:53):
Twenty six Joey Porter Junior. Last year he was thirty
two on this list.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
I would think I'd still have him higher. I mean, yes,
he travels with one's a fair amount more than a
lot of the names on this list. He's also got
a lot of really good traits improving.
Speaker 2 (03:14):
His Advanced Pro Football Focus advanced coverage grade is twenty
first over his first two seasons.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
Okay, I don't know the difference in Advance.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
His overall coverage rate gets banned a little bit because
of the penalties.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Oh okay, okay, yeah, I guess you got to factor
that in.
Speaker 2 (03:33):
But when you start looking at the actual.
Speaker 3 (03:36):
Coverage, yeah, Yeah, it's really how hard he is to beat. Yeah,
I would definitely have him higher. I don't know he's
ever going to be Rod Woodson in the run game,
you know, but I mean I think he gives you enough.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Twenty five j C. Horn with the Panthers.
Speaker 3 (03:51):
It's another guy that could be a top five to
six seven guy, but there's been a lot of inconsistencies
unfortunately for them. Like their best guys are Derrek Brown,
j C. Horn on a defense that had nothing last
year and they can't keep the guys on the field,
but they gave him money.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Twenty four AJ Drell.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
I would think i'd have him higher too. He's got
a high quality career with the worst pass rush ever.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Yeah. Twenty three denomen Or Leanor with the forty nine Ers.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
Fine, I'm taking Porter. I'm taking three or four of
those names over him.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Twenty two Garrett Williams with the Cardinals.
Speaker 3 (04:32):
Okay, I mean we talked about him a lot coming
out of school. Wanted to draft him, like, yeah, yeah,
take him. I mean we mocked him in our many
many mocks. He ended up in a stealer uniform a lot.
If people't remember he was Syracuse guy that basically had
the red shirt. I mean, he was damaged goods coming out.
But he's the perfect example of why you wait. Unfortunately
(04:54):
in this league, though the first year you don't get
much out of him. You only get him for four
so pretty soon it's like, we gotta expend this guy.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Now, you know, twenty one Darius Slay, I think.
Speaker 3 (05:07):
He's still there. I mean, history's not kind to over
thirty corners. But if you're just judging what he is,
he's on this list all day long. Yeah, and man
coverage guy bet around the block, gets his hands on
football's a lot. We talked about this down the practice fields.
(05:27):
Don't just think he's Patrick Peterson part two, No, I
mean he's better at the stage when he became a Steeler.
He was a much better player than when Peterson became
a Steeler.
Speaker 2 (05:35):
Twenty is Tron Johnson with the Bills another slot?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Yeah? Yeah?
Speaker 2 (05:40):
Is it? They're almost two different worlds, That's what I'm
gonna say. Yeah, asking we're comparing a slot in an
outside corner.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Right all right, especially if you're pretty exclusive at Yeah,
and as people I think know the Bills lot, they
live in Nickel So he plays a ton of snaps right.
He's really valuable to them, and maybe they wouldn't play
in as much Nickel if it wasn't for him, But
I might. I'm a problem with him being there, but
it is kind of two different worlds.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Yeah. Nineteen is Trey Walling with the.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
Seahawks, burst on the scene, extreme length, super fast. Maybe
a step backwards in year two could get it back though.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Eighteen Carlton Davis the Patriots.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
Another guy that's made some money over the years. Long
press corner seven eight to be matches with Gonzales. That's
a pretty good grill.
Speaker 2 (06:30):
Yeah, Jamel Dean with.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
The Okay, Yeah, they're about the same. They're all great
number two's. If you could manage that, if you ask
them to be true ones, you might be out here.
You know. That's why I think Porter should be higher.
I think he can be a one.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Yeah. Sixteen is Quenya Mitchell.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Too low, pretty darn good as a rookie. They only
have one interception, though really not in a regular season.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Ok.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
I guess the Gene will be ahead of them.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (07:02):
Yeah, maybe I don't know. I mean again, Oranges, Neither
one of them took the ball away, right, and they
sure played with a lot of leads.
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Yeah. Fifteen is Sharvarius Ward.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Here's another one like Leonor that people might not know
a lot about, but good careers. Yeah, I mean I
don't think they're special, but yeah, he's making a good
buck now too.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
Fifteen is Jalen Ramsey with the Dolphins. He's asked to do.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
So much, and he's a lot bigger and more gifted
than a lot of these guys. He's almost just like
a defensive peace, which kind of the gene is too.
At this point, I don't know where i'd rank Ramsey.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Thirteen is Christian Isalez.
Speaker 3 (07:46):
He could be two or three in my opinion. I
think he's been really impressive, but missed a lot of
time last year. Not much of a tackler either.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Yeah. Twelve is Devin Witherspoon.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
Nasty, he does it all more of a slot but
does it all really good player too.
Speaker 2 (08:01):
Oh I was wrong?
Speaker 3 (08:03):
Is on there is eleven? Okay, eleven might be a bit. Yeah,
I was just saying these last couple of names. I'm
taking Ramsey over the gene at this stage of the game.
I'm taking yeah, yeah, yeah, they're a little more established. Hey,
we love the Gene Degene. If you rewind two off
seasons ago, he was one of our favorites, as was Mitchell.
He's a really good player. But might get a little
(08:24):
too excited about him.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
Tens Denzel Award.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
It's had a high quality career too. He's been high pick,
somewhat expensive at this point, but he's been one of
the success stories for the Browns without question.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Nine Gayr Alexander.
Speaker 3 (08:41):
Maybe maybe right when he's on the field. Yes, he's
just on the field that much. And he's a free
agent as we speak.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
He doesn't played a full season.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
I think he's played is it that long? I think
he's been seven games each of the last two years too.
Now there's been weirdness too, and I think he's a
we'll call him a big personality. And him and the
Packers didn't seem to get along.
Speaker 2 (09:03):
But because he never plays, Yeah, and I.
Speaker 3 (09:07):
Think he doesn't play because they don't like him. And
remember he did the weird coin flit thing. And I
mean you'd have to manage him. But when he's out there,
he covers people.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Eight Christian Benford with the.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Bills, maybe the most unknown, really good corner. I mean
he was not a high Most of these guys are
high picks. Yeah, you know, and he's really really important
to those guys. You should know him. I mean he's
one of the most foundational Bills players.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
Seven Marlon Humphrey, he's another.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
He's like ward to me. You know, AFC north dude
all day long. That's really had a good career. I
assume he won't be on there, but I think Wiggins
will be on that list next year. And he's more.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
I don't think he will. He won't tackle he does.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
That's a good point anybody. He's not an AFC nor
you know, banger. He's a pure outside type dude. I'm
a fan. But I think they're hoping He.
Speaker 2 (10:09):
And Humphrey couldn't be any different, couldn't.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
Be any more different, right, right, right, They're very different. Yes, Yes,
Six is dj Reid. Okay, see might be a little high. Yeah,
I mean he's always been Robin to the sauce gardener.
He's got paid a lot.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
He's good.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
I don't know that I'm taking him over like Jayleen Ramsey. Yeah,
you know.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
Five Derek Stingley, he could.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
Push for one. I mean he was drafted ahead of
Sauce as he was one of those dudes that you
know because of COVID all his stuff was as an
eighteen year old, like Penn, a soul and he's been
pretty awesome.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
That twelve picks last two years.
Speaker 3 (10:56):
Wow, I know it's that many.
Speaker 2 (10:59):
Four Jalen Johnson, Okay, he was a.
Speaker 3 (11:04):
Big name that hit free agency. I would take Stingley
over him. I mean I think he's a B plus
top ten guy.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
Three is Trump mcduffy.
Speaker 3 (11:13):
Okay, they ask a lot of him too. I mean
he'd be a real favorite around here. Nasty blitzer leader,
not the most gifted, but he can do a lot
for you to is Patrick certain one, Sauce Gardner. I'd
have Certain over I think Certain is a clear one. Yeah,
and I like Gardner too, but I didn't think he
(11:33):
was great this past year. So much more as ass
to Certain. I mean defensive player of the year, right,
I mean I think he's a clear one.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
But once again, Steelers ad two defensive tackles. Yeah, three
outside linebackers, an inside.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
Packer, two corners. Yeah. Well look at the same Let
me come back, and they're gonna have at least one.
Speaker 2 (11:56):
They're gonna have one he might have two.
Speaker 3 (11:57):
Yeah, they might.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
So let's say look at that when we come back.
He is thean Matt Williamson. I'm Dale Lollie. You're listening
to the Drive. You're on Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
At least he is the Drive with Dale Lolly and
Matt Williamson on your twenty four to seven home of
the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (12:26):
And we are back. I'm Dale Lolli. He is the
Matt Williamson and taking a look here at the Pro
Football focused defensive rankings in vision. Yeah, two defensive linemen, yes,
three outside blind backers.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
Draft picks of those positions, by the way, yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
Uh two cornerbacks. Let's take a look at safety.
Speaker 3 (12:56):
Now, no one's on there. Yeah, might be all lower
and I was fearing that. Yeah, but we'll get to it. Yeah,
we'll get to it.
Speaker 2 (13:06):
So at thirty two, they have Kobe Bryant of the Seahawks.
Speaker 3 (13:10):
Okay, this is another position like off the ball linebacker,
not that we have to buzz through it. Yeah, but
I bet the bottom ten are okay, starters, Yeah, I
mean like they're not game changers. It's not like the
bottom ten edge rushers that whoa this guy's a problem. Yeah,
it's there are more good safeties I think than there
(13:30):
have been in recent years, but the middle of the
road guys are pretty blow.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
Thirty one is Nick Cross of the Colts.
Speaker 3 (13:38):
Okay, he had a lot of ability coming out, but
he doesn't change games.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
Thirty Josh Mantellis of the Vikings.
Speaker 3 (13:46):
That one I'll have an argument with because I bet
if you would coach Flores in here, he'd be like,
that's one of my most valuable guys. He is super
duper smart, he's has good size. They do about a
million different things with him, and he's kind of a
master of I would say master of a jack of
all trades, master of none, but he might be a
(14:08):
master of all. I mean he just does everything really
really well. Yeah. Good Yeah.
Speaker 2 (14:13):
Twenty nine to Shaun Elliott of the Steelers.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
He should be in the top thirty two. I mean,
as I was thinking about it, I just took a
call between segments and thinking, these bottom ten aren't gonna
be that impressive. You can't tell me thirty two safeties
had a better year or that he's really good last Yeah,
it was really good last year. Yeah, And this is
more of a training camp conversation. But I might call
his agent and be like, we don't really want him
(14:36):
to be a free agent after the year, you know.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Twenty eight tra Von morg Time.
Speaker 3 (14:42):
I'm a fan. He's a what he's a panther now Righteah?
They paid for him. Yeah, he was like one of
the top safeties in the class. That he came out
in early second round pick kind of shocked the Raiders
let him go. Their secondary is not very good.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
Yeah. Twenty seven Harrison Smith, the Vikings still showing up
on there. Yeah, I think that might be a little.
Speaker 3 (15:04):
Maybe it's a lifetime achievement or right, there were a
couple d linemen that sort of fit that bill. He'll
be on Hall of Fame ballots. I don't think he
gets in, and some of the safeties that got in recently, though,
I haven't been blown away with awesome career. I mean again,
if this was Viking's Nation radio people be like, that's
too low. He's on our waves, you know. But I
think he was even contemplating retirement and I don't think
(15:25):
you get a lot more out of him.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
Twenty six Cameron Curl with the Rams.
Speaker 3 (15:32):
Okay, I did a good year for Washington two years ago,
the Rams paid him quality player, But I think I
take Elliot over twenty five.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
Jalen Thompson with the Cardinals.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
Okay, this Cardinal defense, it was only what two years ago? Goes, Yeah,
they used to have nothing. He used to be Buddha
Baker and a bunch of people know he's ever heard of.
Now they have ten d linemen and a couple of
defensive backs. And what if Will Johnson turns into something
like I kind of like what they're building on defense.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
Twenty four Ronnie Hickman with the Browns to Sean Elliss
of the Needle for man Seah.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Probably two or three of these guys have me too, right,
He's not bad. It's just that I can't believe he's
in the top thirty two.
Speaker 2 (16:20):
Twenty three Julian Blackman.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
He's Someboddy we've always kind of liked. Yeah, it seems
like every year. Maybe it's a character or learning thing.
I don't know, I'm just making stuff up. I mean,
but you would think a team would scoop him up
a week into free agency, not three months into free agency.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
Twenty two, don't Noah Halfanga Now.
Speaker 3 (16:42):
Toroncos makes a lot of plays. Long term durability would
really scare me. I mean, he throws his body around
a lot and has already been hurt. But middle of
the field, old school strong safety.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Twenty one Jalen Petree with detections.
Speaker 3 (16:59):
It might be a little. I think he missed time
last year. Yeah, okay, so maybe this is not this
is the bylow portion of his career because tough slot
plays a run again. I have a lot of respect
for the Texans. D two.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
Twenty Cameron Kinchins with the Rams.
Speaker 3 (17:17):
I didn't expect him to do as well as he
did coming out of the gates, and they seem to
be really high on him.
Speaker 2 (17:22):
Yeah. Nineteen Jimmy Ward with the Texans.
Speaker 3 (17:27):
Okay, he's like the definition of a coach on the field.
Speaker 2 (17:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (17:33):
I mean he's been in like the Niner system forever.
I'm sure he's like a huge locker room leader, been
around the block ten, twelve years, whatever. But he's got
to be declining by now.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
Yeah, eighteen.
Speaker 3 (17:46):
Like I think Petrie's better than he is.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
Yeah, I do too. Kevin Byered with the Bears.
Speaker 3 (17:52):
His best days are gone, but he had some good days.
He took the ball away a lot he was another
one that so many safeties will be on free agencies
for a while. Yeah, Justin Simmons or you know, some
of these guys just hang out there for a while.
Seventeen Malee Cooker with the Cowboys, Okay, never really turned
into what I thought he might. I mean, isn't he
(18:12):
from up near ear Ear somewhere in PA? Superstar recruit Newcastle? Okay,
I think that is it? Yeah, and he's been fine.
I mean again, I don't know that he's noticeably better
than Elliott or a couple of other names on the list.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (18:27):
Sixteen I knew he's low, but that's criminal, way too low.
That's criminal. He's almost like their pouncy where like. I'm
not sure how they grade him, but it never works
in his favor for grades. I don't get that at all.
I think he's closer to one.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
Let's look at these guys ahead of them. Fifteen read
read blanket Ship.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
Come on, come on, he's a fine player. I don't
think blanket Ship would even start here. No, you know, right,
he'd be a depth guy and he'd have great safety room.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
But you know, fourteen Justin Reid with the Saints, he's good.
Speaker 3 (19:11):
I mean he's a plus starter. He's not a great player.
Minca is a great play.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Yeah. Thirteen C. J.
Speaker 3 (19:19):
Gardner Johnson with the Mercenary.
Speaker 2 (19:22):
He's so good nobody wants all right.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
Nobody wants to be a round him for one thing.
He's kind of a lunatic mercenary. I always think he's
like that third line, like Matthew Barnaby with the pens
that is jabbing people with sticks. And you know you
love him if he's on your team. He hate the
play he does teammates, he does his own teammates. I mean,
he's not a better player than Manka. Of course.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
Twelve Jibril Peppers with the Patriots.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
Belichick started to get a lot out of him. He
was a really high pick. Remember he was up for
like highmend consideration late Bloomer. I'm fine with him being
on the list, But again I think goes Am saying
almost all these dudes should not be head of MACA.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
Eleven Julian Love with the Seahawks.
Speaker 3 (20:06):
He's another one that does never gets the money in respect.
He's a good player, right, He makes like four or
five million a year and gives you about ten million
a year. Worth of production.
Speaker 2 (20:15):
Ten Javon Holland with the Giants.
Speaker 3 (20:20):
We quote Greg co Sell a lot, and he, like
all of us, repeats himself on the air a lot,
depending on what for him you're on. And I've heard
him say five to seven times that, in his opinion,
the only true what's the baseball term? Five tool players
at safety are Holland and Menca.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
Yeah, you know, too low.
Speaker 3 (20:44):
They're both too low. Yeah, I mean whatever you want
to do, single high, you know, man coverage, play the run,
blitz with all the tools those two have, both have
them all.
Speaker 2 (20:52):
Nine Brandon Jones with the Broncos.
Speaker 3 (20:57):
He's a nice story. He's a nice story, A special player, right,
I mean they led the league in sacks. He's fifteen.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
His Budda Baker with the Cardinals.
Speaker 3 (21:08):
That's too low for him too, in my opinion, he
had nothing around him. Him and Minka could be one.
Speaker 2 (21:15):
Seven Derwin James with the Chargers.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
I think Harball was really good for him, and injuries
have obviously been something that's held him back. He's as
freaky as anybody here, and they had him do more
of the Hamilton stuff, you know, which I think is
a good fit for him. Six Kirby Joseph with the
Lions one year or so. One year, all right, that's
(21:40):
not enough a good story. I mean he's a late pick.
The man. They are thrilled with him, but he should
be eight.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
Ten, five. Brian Branch with the Lions.
Speaker 3 (21:50):
Mad an argument for one there, like yeah, yeah, I
mean he's a little different than these guys. I mean
he's very slot capable. Four ants, one winfield with the passion.
I think he had a pretty banged up season. Yeah,
but really really good too. I mean there's six or
seven high quality safeties and Minca is definitely one of them.
(22:12):
Three Jesse Bates sure takes the ball away. You fear
him in the deep middle, no question.
Speaker 2 (22:19):
Two Xavier McKinney.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
Yeah, I thought Green Bay was a little crazy for
the money they gave him. But he had an awesome
year and he was good with the Giants. And he's
a physical player too. That's a little high, but it's
he's one of the better ones. And one col Hamilton, Okay,
I mean mac I should be no worse in eight,
(22:43):
no worse in eight, probably no worse than five. Yeah,
you know what I mean. And I'll be shocked if
he's not in the top five a year from now.
I'm fine with Hamilton as one. I'm sitting here thinking
who would I put it one? Bhuda Baker be in
my conversation, Minca would too. But Hamilton's ascending and has
a lot of traits. I'm not going to fight you
(23:03):
on that.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
No, no, not at all.
Speaker 3 (23:04):
And he he kind of stopped the flooding, you know,
the damn broke in that defense and moving him around
was a big reason why they got things back on
track last year.
Speaker 2 (23:14):
Yeah. So there it is. Steelers well represented.
Speaker 3 (23:20):
Extremely, maybe more than anybody. Yeah, Like if we added
up all thirty two times six positions or whatever it was,
who was the most. I'm sure the Eagles are, maybe not.
I mean, Eagles have d Lineman, but they don't have
a lot of other stuff. Yeah, I mean have a
lot of names. Steelers have a lot of names of names, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:41):
A lot of names.
Speaker 3 (23:41):
Backups, yeah, or a backup, you know. And they drafted
first round guy into it, you know. Yeah, it should
be a great defense. That's just that's the idea, right
because even so, let's say Wilson or Queen gets hurt
or haven't forbidden Minka or Elliott gets hurt. You're not
bad that all of a sudden, right, you know, if
(24:02):
Cam were to miss three weeks, I wouldn't think your
d line's bad. Lot were to miss three weeks. I
don't think your edge rushers are bad. Corner is the one.
I won't say that on defense. You know, if Porter
or Sleigh were to miss time, then I think you
have a pretty clear eleventh guy out of eleven. I mean,
if you're ranking everybody on the field, my worst player
(24:23):
would probably be that guy. But who's your worst player
right this minute, when they're out healthy?
Speaker 2 (24:29):
I think you can ask that a little bit.
Speaker 3 (24:31):
No question, no question, right, I mean, if Minka is
on that side of the field or whatever. I wonder,
do we think Eccles is the starting slot today or
is that you think that's a camp to be determined. Yeah,
And in Nickel, I think that's your weakest position. I
mean the eleven that are going to be out there,
(24:54):
But that's also not a hard place to matter to
help either linebacker, help safety, help pass ra you know,
and Bishops it's gonna be in your two. I expect
them to be a little better too.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
So those are the pro football focus rankings.
Speaker 3 (25:08):
Let's Meca is the only one I'd say that they
were too rough on. Yeah, you know, maybe Porter.
Speaker 2 (25:14):
Let's talk a little bit more about this when we
come back. He's Matt Williamson. I am Dale Lollie. Listening
to the drive. You're on the Steelers Audio Network. Eventually
my voice is gonna come back.
Speaker 3 (25:28):
I'm hoping it's better it was last week.
Speaker 2 (25:31):
Yeah, let's let's get to a break. We'll be back
with more right after this.
Speaker 1 (25:39):
This is the Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson
on your twenty four to seven Home of the Black
and Gold Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (25:57):
And we are back. I'm Dale Lollie. He is he
Matt Williamson.
Speaker 3 (26:03):
And you're almost through it, dude.
Speaker 2 (26:05):
Yeah. We went through those Football Focus rankings, and Matt,
before we did that, you said top eight for.
Speaker 3 (26:16):
The Conservative I said top five. Yeah. Maybe I think it.
Speaker 2 (26:21):
Has to be top five.
Speaker 3 (26:24):
I don't think one is out of the question. I
don't think so, right, I mean, I think that has
to be the way you look at this thing, is
it's gonna be the goal. Yeah, I mean defensive meeting room,
everyone should looking around each other, especially after the final
rosters made and be like, we should be the best
defensive league guys. Yeah, and there's no reason why we shouldn't.
I mean our offense doesn't help us. I don't care,
you know, I mean we should be at the top.
(26:47):
I mean there's some good ones. Denver, I thought's a
great defense. I think Houston's coming along strong.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
They're ten guys on that list.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
Ten guys. Okay, they've had two safeties. And again that's
not even including the first round pick or a Thornhill
or Moilsome or Wilson, some of those guys sending next
year right, right or right. And again, I think they're
coverages will change more. I think they'll be a little
(27:14):
more blitz heavy, just for mix it up. I've been saying,
and I know we've talked about this, but another huge
goal I have for this team is there's no reason
you shouldn't be top two or three in sacks. Again,
and I know the ball comes out fast and all
those things, but I want quarterbacks on their back. I mean,
(27:36):
even if Rogers is as good as he can be,
he's probably not as good as Burrow. He's probably not
as good as Alan, He's probably not as good as Lamar.
Or Mahomes. I mean the guys that you're really competing
with in the nobody is so those guys need to
be on their back, you know what I mean, A
lot right run the better, which helps the defense sure,
(27:58):
and possessed the ball, which jumps the.
Speaker 2 (28:00):
Defense, and the defense needs to win of those matchups.
Speaker 3 (28:06):
Yes, And frankly, I don't mind if you allow a
big player too, because you're being a little more aggressive
on defense. But if burrows slow to get up a bunch,
I'm not saying be dirty. This is just football. Hit quarterbacks,
you know, I mean, ball comes out quick. I'm still
gonna put you on your butt.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
You know.
Speaker 3 (28:21):
I mean they were high and like quarterback hits and hurries,
but they weren't high in sacks. Right, it'll come.
Speaker 2 (28:27):
It's because it all came out so fast.
Speaker 3 (28:28):
It did. It did, especially late in the year.
Speaker 2 (28:31):
Nobody feared the offense.
Speaker 3 (28:32):
No, he feared the offense, and I'm throwing him under
the bus. But a second corner was hurting in terms
of versatility, and especially those last.
Speaker 2 (28:42):
Five games they had guys in and that lineup on
defense especially.
Speaker 3 (28:47):
Yea, And if I were to do anything else on defense,
I'd want to just get one more corner so you
don't get in that situation again. Just keep an eye
open for anyone. I'm not necessarily even saying Ramsey or
jar and that would be wow, and I'd be super greedy.
And it should be the best defense in the league.
Get those guys, you know.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
But I just don't know what you would do with
the guy like Slay on the bench.
Speaker 3 (29:10):
That's the thing. I mean, right, Ramsey's a slot that
could do a bunch, And but you don't need a
rotation at corner. Yeah, you know, yeah, I mean it
could just be Trice being better or you know, because
eventually your depth there is probably going to get tested
through the course of the Yeah. Yeah, and I thought
they were a corner short in terms of doing a
(29:31):
variety of scheming things.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
You know.
Speaker 3 (29:34):
And but I mean we're nitpicking. I mean again, so
many of those names are on that list and high
on that list too. It should be a great defense.
Speaker 2 (29:43):
It should be a great defense, not a good or
you know.
Speaker 3 (29:47):
Worn down or can't stop the run against the Ravens.
I mean, it should be a great defense.
Speaker 2 (29:51):
The other thing that I think's gonna help his defense,
and I know it's kind of in the again, the Margins,
Cameron's Nstin's a weapon.
Speaker 3 (30:01):
Oh yeah, yeah, Weightman was a nice find. Yeah, I
mean they were fortunate as could be to get Johnson's
a stud. Yeah. Yeah, just field positions a little better,
three yards better field position per game type of thing.
I mean, you know, or per or over the course
of a game, the ten yards different field position. Because
your punters one of the best in the league. Yeah,
(30:23):
I haven't thought about this a lot, but there's probably
no reason they shouldn't be the best kicker punter combination
in the league.
Speaker 2 (30:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (30:33):
Yeah, I mean I don't know. I'll be honest, I
don't know kickers and punters very well. Maybe there's someone
I'm not thinking of that's great, but's no kicking competition, right,
I don't know if Dallas has an awesome punter. If
they do, then maybe they're that team. But it's not
the Ravens anymore. That used to be them used to be, right,
and that was a huge weapon for them, exactly. Yeah. Yeah,
just gonna say what a weapon that was. Yeah, Baltimore
(30:56):
a difference. Yeah, Steelers have that now, they do they do?
I mean, and we know Danny's a really good special
teams coordinator. They're going to block a kick or two
that most teams don't. I think the returners are fine, yeah,
you know. I mean, I don't know that they're the
best in the league or anything like that, but I
don't think them think they're being their liabilities. And I
also think they're reliable, which is huge, especially as a
(31:17):
punt return over. Yeah, you gotta be able to catch
the ball first, and I think they get that. What
do we think the kickoff return situation will be? Probably
gain well, gain well maybe Johnson, Okay, yeah, I guess
that's a possibility. Yeah, yeah, it's fine. Yeah, yeah, yeah,
that'll work. They always gonna have a core group of
(31:38):
special teamers. That seems like a strong group as usual,
led by Killer Brew and Nol Harrison and some of
these other guys. So in the margins again, should be
a strength of the team.
Speaker 2 (31:48):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (31:48):
Yeah. And if you can come close to leading the
league in sacks, which you have the players to do,
they get to get fifty plus, they get fifty plus.
That's a great way of putting it. And maybe doesn't
have to be number one, right, you know, but be
you gotta be in that top ten, Yes, in that
top five. Yeah, any quarterbacks on their back, and that's
not asking too much.
Speaker 2 (32:06):
No.
Speaker 3 (32:06):
Again, I've had a couple of little, big goals. It
shouldn't be little goals, but they seem little like go
from four to one to four to three rush in
the football. I'm not asking a lot. I'm not asking
to be number one in the league. Yeah, you're saying
for eight, right, all right, I'm not saying you can
get a whole half, you know, three quarters of a
yard more. I mean, I'm just talking about point two
and over the course of seventeen games, I remember you
(32:28):
figuring it out, like how much more that matters, and
what a ripple effect it has for the defense that
could then stay fresher and then maybe lead the league
in sacks, you know what I mean. Yeah, let's they
haven't played with a lot of leads.
Speaker 2 (32:39):
They have not. Yeah, you know, I look for them,
especially early in the year, that could happen.
Speaker 3 (32:47):
Yeah, And obviously the defensive front is probably the strength
of the team. I mean, it's as good as any
out there. But if you can get a little lot
of Sawyer in black and some of those guys that
are better than the dudes you played with last year.
You know, like when you are resting the cams and
Watts and high Smith's not that you're not going to
(33:08):
lose something. Of course you're going to lose something. Yeah,
they're superstars. But if they're like the next Turbic where
you're putting them out there for twenty snaps a game,
but they probably deserve thirdy or forty, it's kind of exciting. Yeah. Absolutely, Yeah,
that's why I think.
Speaker 2 (33:24):
You know, again, I'm watching a defense work during mini
camp and I'm like, this could be really good.
Speaker 3 (33:30):
This could be really good.
Speaker 2 (33:31):
Right, they got depth, Ye, they got stars.
Speaker 3 (33:34):
We mentioned Queen. I mean I would he's another one.
Not that I expect him to be better in year two.
He kind of has to be, yeah, you know, and
he's certainly cable. He's asking about crazy things.
Speaker 2 (33:45):
You know.
Speaker 3 (33:45):
I'm gonna ask for a seventh round pick to be
your best player. I'm asking for a good player to
be a little better than he was that year. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (33:52):
Absolutely, I'm expecting that.
Speaker 3 (33:54):
Absolutely. But man, good stuff, Man, good conversation today. Yeah,
back Wednesday, Right.
Speaker 2 (34:00):
We are back Wednesday. From my voice is a little
more back.
Speaker 3 (34:04):
At I'll take a lot, but uh, maybe we'll twitter
it up.
Speaker 2 (34:09):
One of these days too, maybe Wednesdays since we don't
have our Thursdays anymore. But uh, for my partner Matt
Williamson for CG, woefully you're on site keeping us on
the air, I'm Dale Lully. We thank you for listening
to this edition of the Drive on the Steelers Audio Network.
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