September 12, 2025 • 40 mins
Matt and Wes preview the Steelers clash with Seattle. They are joined by Missi Matthews to help set the stage for the home opener.
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
Your Tune's about Drive on your twenty four to seven
home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Good afternoon, Steelers Nation, and Happy Friday. It's the Drive
on the Steelers Audio Network. West Shooler and Matt Williamson
with you here as we get ready for Steelers and Seahawks.
It's the home opener Sunday, one o'clock on the North
Shore at Akershuer Stadium.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Matt, how we doing, how we feeling?
Speaker 4 (00:47):
Real good, beautiful day out there. I'm ready for game day.
I saw a good one last night. Not much more
to add now, ro Man. I think that's in the
heart of the season. We are certainly getting into it.
It's gonna be I think, another beautiful weekend here in
Pittsburgh where we've had great weather already this week. If
you're seems like, yeah, some of the sixty seven ish
thousand that's going to be in attendance on Sunday, I
(01:09):
think you're in for a fun afternoon out there in
the elements or the lack thereof. And it'll be a
big week across the NFL here in Week two, another
big slate of games that we'll get to on the
show today we'll talk to Missy Matthews about, you know,
about fifteen twenty minutes from now, get her thoughts as
she'll be patrolling the sidelines. But matt I just kind
(01:31):
of wanted to start big picture with you here before
we get going, or as we get going, maybe I
should say, and how do the Steelers get this run
game going?
Speaker 2 (01:39):
I know that's a Listen, there's a lot of layers
to this, right if they could get that run game going,
particularly right out of the shoot, what that would mean
for Aaron Rodgers in the past game, what it would
mean against the Seattle defense that has a stout front
but it's pretty banged up on the back end. Now
we'll get to that exact report here as well today,
but just thirty thousand foot view, how do we get
(02:00):
this run game going? Because that feels like a really
big element of Sunday's coming.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
It feels like a real crucial part for the rest
of the year. I mean, it's early to get ahead yourself.
You know, if you don't get a run game going,
this is gonna be an uphill climb. But it's gonna
be an uphill climb if you don't get a running
game going. And I have some answers for how can
they stop the run better, how can they get more sacks?
How can their protection improve? I don't have great answers
(02:25):
for this though. I mean, I think they kind of
are what they are, and that they're a zone outside
running team. Then I absolutely think there's truth. I'm not
saying that there's no hope for I mean, oh, forget
about it, this season over, But I mean I think
that there is truth to running. Games don't mature overnight.
(02:47):
I mean the physicality of it all, and it's gonna
take some time. You gotta they say pound the rock
for a reason. You gotta keep swinging that swell sledgehammer
before the rock breaks. But I don't see like major changes,
Like I'm not gonna say, make Caleb Johnson the future
bash or I mean, I'd like to see more Darnell
(03:08):
Washington snaps. I mean, I think that maybe they regret
that in terms of helping Broderick in protection as well
as just getting him out there secure in the edge
on the outside zone, just because he's such a force.
But other than that, I think it's just going to
be a patience thing. I think it's going to be
Rogers getting you in the right place pre snap, which
(03:30):
I am. That's the part I'm confident about, you know.
I think he'll do.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
That, you know, I think everybody should be confident about that.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
I to me, there's a kind of a weird chicken
or egg thing going on, right, Like what came first
the chicken of the egg? Do you need to continue
to have success in the past game to set up
the run or do you need to establish the run
so that you can continue to have success in the
past game, right, Because I think we're all very encouraged
from what we saw by Aaron Rodgers this past Sunday.
(03:59):
But I also think we don't want him to have
to do that sixteen more times.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
Yeah, And I also think that I have more I
hope it's not the latter. I hope that you need
the run game in order to have a successful pass game,
you know, because I'm more confident in Rogers and his
pass catchers and his protection than I am who they're
handing it to and who's blocking, and the consistency of
(04:24):
the run game. I keep coming back to the yards
per carry. I mean, I gotta be over four at least,
at least I know we were shooting for over four
to one all off season. I want it like four
three four four, But I mean after he'd last week
get them at least around four, you know, I mean,
come on, stay ahead, the change a little bit.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
And it could be a growing process. Let's see it be.
It doesn't have to be four point going to happen over.
It's not going to happen overnight. But you've got it,
and I know you have done a good job of
laying this out too. Like progress is not always linear,
of course. I think you saw that a little bit
with the Washington commanders last time, talking about that you
can take five steps. You can take five steps four
then two steps back. Doesn't mean you still haven't.
Speaker 4 (05:02):
Improved, yes, but the ship's still going right.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Progression is not always linearar You're not always climbing. Sometimes
you are gonna gonna have step backs or maybe take
a little step back. I know that progression is not
going to be linear in the run game, but you
need it's time to see some of the steps forward
one thousand percent.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
And Jets are a good front. Seattle is a good front.
They are You're gonna face a lot of good fronts.
I mean that's you're in the NFL. I mean, this
is not gonna be easy. So one note then, I
don't have a real strong take on it. But I
think they're happy with their ballcarriers. And I say this
because money talks, resources talk. All three of those guys,
(05:41):
one you used a third round pick on one, you
went out and got gain Well and Tomlin mentioned him
by name after the press conference or after the game
in week one. And the other guy you just extended.
So all those dudes you just put resources into. Now
they could be like, wish I didn't use a third
round pick on Caleb Johnson. I mean there's you know,
buyer's remortional angels, Why we give why do we get
(06:02):
WARRN extension? What were we thinking? But in the very
recent memory, they just put stuff into these three. Now
I'm not saying they're Franco and lev Bell combined. I
don't think it's a great backfield, but I think the
ball carriers are good enough.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
I think they're certainly better than what they showed Sunday
at MetLife Stadium.
Speaker 4 (06:19):
Yeah, that's a good way of putting it.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
And and and that to me needs to I just
what the exact numbers look like I just I want
us to come in here on Monday to do a
show and feel better about the run game. I don't
know if I exactly have the parameters for that right now.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
Yeah, I don't know what that number is or feeling.
It's more of a feeling, it's.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
It's it's more of a feel like I'll know it
when I see it type thing. And I think that
that's I think that's a reasonable starting point to improve
here in week number two in the run game. And
another part of that, Matt, is how much play action
we saw Sunday against the Jets. How successful that play
action was Sunday against the Jets. I want that to
(06:58):
continue a a a run game that defenses. I'm not
even saying the defense has to fear the run game.
Just a run game that they.
Speaker 4 (07:05):
Have to respect, respect and honor.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
Goes a long way in that regard to it.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
It does it does? I mean, I half believe them.
There's a lot of studies out there that even if
you don't run the ball, great, you still play action
is still highly effective. And I'll concede, yes, using it
is helpful no matter what. And the numbers basically say
the yards for play play action across the league are
better than without. Okay, I'm on board with that, but
(07:33):
there's some human nature too. I mean, if you're looking
in there's Derrick Henry or Jerome when he's just dashing you,
you're gonna step up a little bit as a linebacker.
You're just gonna I can't one hundred percent believe that,
oh garbage running game play action is gonna tear people up.
I'm not on board with that, even though I am
a numbers.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Guy, particularly in the second half, when you're a little
bit more winded, you're not quite sharp mentally, you're not.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Tackling this back all day long, and it's getting old, right.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
One hundred per and so that that to me is
kind of again that whole ecosystem.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
That works together that we talked about this with Labs
a little bit yesterday.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
Like it.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
It is not going to be a finished product anywhere close.
We might even be getting into October and closer to
Halloween before we start to feel that it's where it
needs to be. But I want to see it take
a noticeable step forward. I want to see some progression
this week, a baby.
Speaker 4 (08:25):
Step forward this week. I think would make me happy.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Would make me happy, because, as you mentioned too, this
is a this is not a schlub defense that they're
going up again.
Speaker 4 (08:32):
Yeah they can.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
If they can have success in the run game against Seattle,
that I think would bode well for how we feel
about their success in the run game going forward.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
And I don't need to tell our listeners this. I mean,
there's obviously way more benefits than just it helps play action.
I mean obviously, I mean I keep coming back to
Seattle having twenty two minutes of time possession, you know,
like you can keep those guys off field. It's not
that their offense is super dangerous, but they're they are
not a inning eating offense by any stretch. They have
(09:01):
their own issues. They couldn't really run the ball either.
If you're just the maybe I'd even put it this,
you know, like if they just were the better in
this case, because I thought the opposite last week. If
they're just the better running team in this game, I'll
take that as a team win because that means on
defense was a little better too.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
I think that is another one of those kind of
what exactly that looks like with the numbers look like.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
I'm not sure for interpretation. Yeah, yeah, I don't want
to average two point something yards for Carrie anymore.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
But you know, if at four o'clock on Sunday we're
saying the Steelers ran the ball more successfully than Seattle,
did I really like our chances to be saying that
the Steelers are two to zero as well.
Speaker 4 (09:38):
Yes, all that stuff being said, some of our goals
for the year starting faster, first quarter differential, sack differential.
The one I'm most worried about is getting the running
game back up, you know, because I think we were
shooting for four to two, four to three, whatever, you know,
get to twentieth in yards for Carrie. They're not going
(10:00):
to have a quarterback that runs for ever a.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
Big game justin fields things.
Speaker 4 (10:04):
No, you lose that aspect of it. And I just
said the ball carriers are fine, but they're not Pro bowlers,
you know. And I don't know that any of them
are going to get you the eighty yarders to boost
that up. I'm not saying it can't happen, but it's
gonna take time. I mean to me, that's of all
the goals that we set in the offseason and discussed
over and over that's the one I'm least confident they hit.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
If you were yes, no doubt, you know, without a question.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
And I I think that that would be pretty unanimous
across the board if we were to pull people in
that regardless. Yeah, I know, the sack numbers weren't there
for the Steelers last week. That's also probably, other than
Lamar Jackson, the most mobile quarterback they're going to see
the rest of the year.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
And I also did some more homework on that too.
Steelers blitzed more than you thought in that game, and
they brought six. That's the thing they've been doing last
year too, is when they blitzed, they don't bring five
nearly as much as most defenses. When they blitz, they
blitz big. But I also think they blitzed for different
reasons too, and they were probably regret it because fields
(11:03):
made him pay. But I think they were pretty focused
on keeping him in the pocket and not scrambling. It's
different ways to like mush rush type, yeah, I mean,
and still just to operate because if you look at
all of his rushing yards, almost all of them are
off designed runs. They're not scrambles, you know, And he
was not beating people from the pocket when he was
(11:25):
here or with the Bears, and to his credit, he
got better at it and had a good game at
his best game, And I think they wanted to make
him do quarterback stuff. So I'm not saying they could
have had more sacks, but I think if they rush differently,
especially a guy like darn Old, who's a good athlete
but nothing like that, you probably put the quarterback on
the ground more. Plus I thought Fields did a really
(11:46):
good job of alluding when they did get near him.
He was really tough to get on the ground, really
tough to get on.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
I know we talked about this on Monday, but there
was a couple of times that I felt TJ Alex
Patrick queen and they read what he was doing part
they could not have read and broken on the play better.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
But he just beat him.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
But he was just the better.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
He's just the better. He's just he's just so shifty,
so quick. Yeah, you give him an inch, he's going
to take a mile in the run game there. So yeah,
they will not have that threat with Sam Darnold this week.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
That is that is good athlete. He was a high pick.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
I mean, he's not going to be the statue of
liberty back there in the pocket.
Speaker 4 (12:19):
But he moves better than Rogers or Flacco at their ages.
But I mean, he's nothing like these runners like that.
And you also get her big back most likely, who's
a really good pass rusher, very.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
Good, very good.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Matt taking a look, because obviously, with the time change difference,
we did not get the Seattle Seahawks ye injury report
until we were way off, when we were way off,
because those usually typically come out around four or five,
and if you're going West Coast time four or five,
that's seven or eight our time. Obviously if you're if
you're doing the map there. Not good for the Seattle
(12:53):
Seahawks to say, I don't.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
Think it is secondary.
Speaker 2 (12:55):
They could be without three of their top six defensive backs.
Speaker 4 (12:59):
Let's talk about that.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Devin Witherspoon did not participate in practice Thursday or Wednesday.
Both did not practice Wednesday or thirty. Julian Love, let's start.
Speaker 4 (13:11):
Let's just go one by one real quick. Witherspoon's a really,
really good player. He was like the fifth or sixth
pick in the draft despite being kind of an undersized
corner because he is nasty and he runs well when
he throws his body around, and these teams, including the Steelers,
that are valuing slot corners, whether it's a Brian Branch
or a dejene or Ramsey, he's right in that mold
(13:34):
and really really good at it. And when they're in
two corners, he's an outside guy with Rike Wolan, who
they're not saying anything good about Rereke Woland. But if
Wollan Wolland had tough game in week one, the other
two corners had really nice games, job especially, but Wolan
had a really tough game in Week one, blew some
assignments from what I understand, and I think the head
(13:57):
coach basically said, we're not real thrilled with this, but
if there's corner injuries, doesn't make your thrilled or not.
He'sa be out there right. Yeah, that is a big
ripple effect. He's definitely one of their best players.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
Witherspoon did not practice Wednesday, did not practice Thursday. Witherspoon
and not much better for their safeties. Julian Love. He
was limited on Wednesday and then did not practice on Thursdays,
a terrible which is always a terrible sign.
Speaker 4 (14:23):
And it brings it up all the times like if
you go backwards Wednesday to Thursday or Thursday to Friday,
not good percentage is a really bad you play not good.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
And then Nick even worry h has been listed as
out week to week and is still not practiced.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
Yet this week.
Speaker 4 (14:38):
I never thought he really hadn't He was.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
The one that it felt like he was.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
He was.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
They haven't officially ruled him out, but that he didn't
have much of a chance, like you said so against touch.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
On those two real quick. Love's just a really good
all around safety, Like he's a starter all day long,
like an Elliott level safety. Like you're really happy with him.
Every one of the team thinks he's a good player.
He's not a star, he's not going to Canton, but
he doesn't have discernible weakness.
Speaker 3 (15:03):
He's on an NFL field, he's a starter.
Speaker 4 (15:05):
On just about most teams, you know what I mean.
And men Wari is really interesting to me because first
of all, he's two and twenty pounds and it's an
obscene tester at the at the combine. I mean, he's
a rare size speed freak that we can't forget that
Their head coach was defensive coordinator Baltimore. They see Kyle
Hamilton stuff in him. They traded up to get early
(15:29):
in the second round. They had to go o line
in their first round because it was such a disaster,
and then the coach got, I really want that shiny
little object, you know? Can we trade up in the
second round?
Speaker 3 (15:39):
Like, all right, go get the first round picks for
the team, second for me.
Speaker 4 (15:42):
Yeah, I need one of those toys, like a Kyle
Hamilton type. Can he be it? Maybe? You know, But
he's a rookie though too. He hasn't played it.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
And doesn't sound like he's going to make his debut
this Sunday in Pittsburgh. So that's the latest on the
Seattle Seahawks. Some significant apps is put.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
They potentially play more eleven so that they have to
keep defensive backs on the field a high percentage.
Speaker 3 (16:05):
It's an interesting strategy.
Speaker 4 (16:06):
Does Reaman Wilson get more run? Especially if you're not
running the ball?
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Well, you know what I mean, that's where it starts.
Speaker 4 (16:12):
Yeah, if you run the ball, well, keep run the ball.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
If you run the ball, well, keep running the ball,
and then you know, maybe hit him with some of
that stuff. Once you think you got them right where
you want them right, right, but if you're not running
the ball, well, if you've got.
Speaker 4 (16:23):
Two point two seven's deep and good real good.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
Well, we'll talk about that maybe at the bottom of
this hour when we start to get into some of
our matchup stuff. If you're if you're at halftime and
you're running for two point two yards a clip like
you were through thirty minutes, it met life.
Speaker 4 (16:37):
Yeah, I might get roaming Wilson out.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
There there wide and right right, yeah, go go go
be the offensive coordinator at the lone of scrimmage.
Speaker 4 (16:46):
And then we saw Rogers fine matchups to his advantage,
and I thought, when not knowing injury reports stuff like
as soon as that game ended, I'm like, they don't
have as many guys to pick on. They don't have sauce,
but there's not many guys to pick on. Well, now
they might be guys pick on, right, all right, Right.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
It'll be very interesting to see how that all plays out.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
It's safety. Maybe that's a John you thing.
Speaker 3 (17:06):
Maybe oh, now you're speaking my language.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
We'll talk about all this and more when we return
on the other side with our friend Missy Matthews, Steelers
sideline reporter. We'll get her thoughts on Steelers Seahawks. The
home opener Sunday, one o'clock at Akroscher Stadium. It's the
Drive West Shouler Matt Williamson on Steelers Nation Radio on
the Steelers Audio Network, your tunes.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
About Drive on your twenty four to seven home of
the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
It's a Friday here on the Drive, and that means
a couple things. First and foremost, our good friend, the
Queen of the Steelers sideline, Missy Matthews, going to join
us on the phone lines here as we talk a
little Steelers and Seahawks.
Speaker 3 (18:14):
What's up, Missy? How we doing?
Speaker 5 (18:16):
It's great?
Speaker 4 (18:17):
How are you? Couldn't be better?
Speaker 3 (18:19):
Couldn't be better?
Speaker 2 (18:19):
In fact, Missy, I am better now than I anticipate
I will be tomorrow evening when the backyard brawl concludes.
Speaker 3 (18:27):
But I'm sure you'll give me plenty of grief, rightfully,
So about that on Sunday.
Speaker 5 (18:32):
I'm sure we'll talk about it a lot.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
Well, miss Missy. Let's jump into the.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
Sunday game on the radar here for everybody in the
Steel City, of course. The opener, Steelers and Seattle one
o'clock at Akroscher stadium has sounded like good news for
Nick Herbig and his availability, maybe not so great for
Joey Porter Junior and his status.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
What do you expect for those two on Sunday?
Speaker 5 (19:00):
Yeah, I mean two days of not practicing for Joey
on Wednesday and Thursday, so waiting to see, you know,
the injury designation. It's usually the status report will come
out a little bit later because you're dealing with Seattle,
different time zone, which just stinks. You know, it's sound
only Coach Homlin was a little bit optimistic earlier in
the week, but you know, the hamstring injury, which is
(19:23):
what Nick was dealing with. He got hurt in that
home preseason game and he's just getting back this week.
So hopefully it doesn't take as long for Joey, but
I don't anticipate him being out there this week.
Speaker 4 (19:37):
So Missy always like to pick your brain on Fridays
about how the sidelines were and during the game and
things like that. Of the previous one and there's only
been one, but there's a lot of new faces and
prominent names on this team that weren't on the team
in twenty twenty four. Rogers Metcalf Ramsey sleigh on and on.
Could you feel a real different vibe on Sunday?
Speaker 5 (20:01):
I mean it is crazy, like there's twelve new quote unquote,
you know, not rookies, so we'll say like veteran players
who never played in the Steelers' uniform until that game,
and then for rookies got a chance to play in
a regular season game. So that's a lot of new.
I definitely think Aaron Rodgers what you have seen at
training camp throughout the preseason, just that leader, how he
(20:24):
handles himself, how he composes an offense when things aren't
going well. That translates to the game even more so,
even just you know, the conversations you see him having
with the surface or without one after a drive with
Arthur Smith, you know, that was really cool to see
just how much they keep going back and forth and
(20:45):
looking at things and tweaking things. You know, Aaron talks
every position group on the offense. He even talks to
the defensive guys, you know when he's he's watching them
play and whatnot. And I think obviously Jalen Ramsey on
the field set the tone, but also off the field,
especially when you know Tara Austin the defensive coordinator at
one point gathered the entire defense and kind of had
(21:08):
them sit where the D line guys were and stand
around and kind of tuned them out a little bit
rightfully so, and then you know, Ramsey just kind of
continued that throughout the rest of that second half of
just rallying the troops and helping people out. So it
was definitely cool to see, as you said, like the
new faces and how they operate on a game day
and excited to see what it looks like, especially at home.
(21:32):
You know that crowd is going to be insane, the
weather is going to be literally perfect, and then oh,
of course, by the way, some of those guys on
defense will get to experience running gate for the first time.
Speaker 4 (21:43):
So I've never spoken one word to Aaron Rodgers. He
probably has no clue who I am, But I, like
everyone at camp at mini camp, every step of the way,
you're glued to the guy. You just watch them like
get like no other player on the Steelers. And my
observations then in the downtime at practice, between periods, everything
(22:04):
he seems to do is really well thought out, deliberate, engaged,
whether he's talking to a coach or coaching up a
younger player. I assume that's how he was on game
day as well.
Speaker 5 (22:19):
Oh for sure. I mean even you know, he rode
the first team buses. Three of the buses go first
and then the second three follow up as usually the
buses coach tomlins On, and he was on the first
wave of buses, you know, had his headphones in, was listening.
And then it was like the second he spotted one
of the locker room attendants for the visiting team's locker room,
(22:42):
somebody that I guess used to work for the Jets,
just like literally dropped his stuff, gave him a hug,
said hello. Then he quickly went back inside the locker room.
And then it was interesting, you know, when he came
back out, he kind of sometimes it's just him, he'll
walk around a little bit. But then he saw that
locker room attendant again and he said after the game,
he's like, hey, he used to be with the Jets.
(23:02):
This is a guy used to warm up with. And
he told me, hey, I'm not with the Jets anymore,
but I'm helping out on the visitor side today. He goes, well, great,
then let's let's catch, you know, let's throw, and he said,
it was just good to see him. That felt normal.
You're obviously back in a place that you know, well.
He spent two seasons there, whether he was on the
field or not, for all of it in the building,
(23:26):
oh for sure. And you know, especially when he was
out there for what I call the pre pre warm ups,
it's like, you can go out if you want to,
you don't have to. He always does go out there,
and just watching him from up in the press box
at that point, you just see how many people want
to go over to say hi to him. And again
it goes back to, you know, the bad rep that
(23:48):
the people have tried to make him out to be,
this bag reputation. And I can't tell you how many
people wanted to do their best to be like just
to shake his hand or say hi or give him
a hug. That we're not affiliated with.
Speaker 2 (24:01):
The Steelers, Missy another you know steeler facing his former
team storyline this Sunday. It's not on the road in
Seattle where he used to play, but DK Metcalf will
line up against his former team here in just week
number two after being traded from Seattle to Pittsburgh this offseason.
He's downplayed it he said all the right things this week,
(24:22):
as I think we would expect him to. I was
actually laughing. He was kind of ribbing our buddy Brian Baco.
DK Metcalf was. He was like, man, you keep trying
to ask me about the Seahawks, Like, what's what's going
on here? This is about us?
Speaker 4 (24:35):
But he's a real yes, sir, he is.
Speaker 2 (24:37):
He's very well spoken, very formal in his interviews. But
I think the three of us can all agree. He like,
these guys aren't robots, these guys aren't cyborgs. I don't
think he would be human if there was, even though
he does look like one. Absolutely like, these guys wouldn't
be humans if you wouldn't want to prove something to
the team that just traded you away a few months ago.
(24:58):
What's kind of the sense that you're getting from DK
metcalf in what feels like Missy a banged up Seattle
secondary where there could really be an opportunity for him
to make some plays on Sunday.
Speaker 5 (25:09):
It is really crazy when you look at their secondary
and how many guys are potentially not going to play,
which just seems to vote too well on the Steeler
side of luck for that one, But I agree DK
is a human. It's just like Aaron last week. It's
almost like the NFL knew what they were doing when
they set the schedule. But I think DK is able
(25:30):
to compartmentalize it and it isn't going to be something
that's going to be in his head. If that makes sense.
How can you not think about it? But I did
see and it was after he had already spoken to
the media earlier in the week. His first NFL touchdown
was actually in Pittsburgh. I totally forgot that that would
have been his rookie season. So hopefully his first touchdown
(25:54):
as a Steeler will also be in the same spot,
since we didn't get a chance to see him in
the end zone week one.
Speaker 4 (26:01):
How was the reception from Fields' former teammates. I assume
a lot of them were pretty excited to see Justin too.
I think he was popular when he was here.
Speaker 5 (26:10):
I mean, everybody like this is Christianist, went to go
say hi to Justin. Yes, like everybody loves Justin And
I think, you know, it was good to see. He
was definitely one of those guys that everybody loved playing
with and playing four and you saw what they were
able to do in those six games where he got
a chance to be the starter, to come to a
(26:30):
new environment after the whole debacle in Chicago, and it
felt like it was a good reset for him. But definitely,
you know, all those guys on offense especially were very
excited to see him.
Speaker 2 (26:42):
Missy Matthews, queen of the Steelers sideline kind enough to
share some over time with us here on this Friday, Missy,
great stuff, Thank you, and we will see you on Sunday.
Speaker 4 (26:53):
Perfect.
Speaker 5 (26:53):
Can't wait. Have a good one.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
Guys, you as well, Missy Matthews.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
Make sure you're checking her out on the broadcast with
Rob King and Max Starks of course one o'clock on
the Steelers Audio Network in your flagship station for the
Black and Goal w d v E. When we come
back on the other side, we'll get into a little
five star Friday start targets and matchups here on the
Drive West Hueler and Matt Williamson on Steelers Nation Radio
on the Steelers Audio Network, your tunes.
Speaker 1 (27:25):
About Drive on your twenty four to seven home of
the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 4 (27:43):
It's a five star match because.
Speaker 5 (27:45):
We're in the.
Speaker 2 (27:53):
Juxtaposition of a cool, calm and collected Troy Polamalu there
with going out of his mind to Shay Tows is
always a nice kind of Troy. It's a five star
matchup because we're in It's.
Speaker 4 (28:06):
How the locker imagine probably be with he's around there with.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
Him, right, guys, We're going to go destroy the Cincinnati
business afternoon.
Speaker 3 (28:16):
It is time for a little five Star Friday.
Speaker 2 (28:18):
It's quite simply our matchup segment and a big thanks
to Missy Matthews for joining us there as well. Make
sure you're listening to her. On the sidelines are Steelers
Audio Network broadcasts on WDVE and Steelers Audio Network. Uh
matt will be on at nine am with Tom for
the pre pre show and then the pregame show.
Speaker 3 (28:39):
Yeah, Pursuda.
Speaker 2 (28:41):
Labs and Jerry Dulac starts at eleven and then of
course kickoff with Rob King, the Kinger, Max Starks, and
Missy Matthews at one pm. For the Steelers opener, Matt
I wanted to start with something that we talked about
kind of briefly, you know, mentioned at the start of
the show at the top of the hour, and that's
the Seattle Defensive Front. Oh Steelers saw a good one
(29:03):
last week in New York. Might they be seeing a
better one against Seattle this Sunday?
Speaker 4 (29:07):
Yes, I think it is. I'll take something Dale and
I did a lot was like, if you compare the
two my first pick is Quinn Williams.
Speaker 3 (29:17):
I had a feeling that's where this was going.
Speaker 4 (29:18):
But then a lot of the new three four Seahawks,
you know, like and I really like those two edge
guys from the Jets in former first round picks, and
they caused problems Johnson and McDonald. But I think these
guys are equal. They're not as well and none of
them are really well known. They're not Miles Garrett, but
Mafey is a really good player and he gave Trent
(29:39):
Williams a lot of problems last week. Who's one of
the best left tackles I've ever seen. I know he's
up in age right. He's an all time great and
one of my old time favorite or one of my
favorite like sleeper pass rushers in the league right now
is Derek Hall. He is hot, He's like they're herbig,
you know, like when he's out there, he makes plays
all the time. I don't know if he could do
it if he played seventy snaps.
Speaker 3 (29:59):
But in the oppos why is he ripping us water
Alex Smith, who's this herbig guy?
Speaker 4 (30:05):
Yeah, and Hall's very similar and maybe he gets the
point where he isn't every down player this year and
that was fifteen sacks, Like I could see that in
his future. And then they go get a veteran who's
a lot different than those guys. Those guys are edgebender
explosive types, a little undersize, and DeMarcus Lawrence, who's been
around the block a long time. He's not as bendy
(30:27):
as he used to be, but he's powerful at the
point of attack. He's really good against a run. Old
man's strength at this point. And he's not quite Quinn Williams,
but they're Williams. Leonard had probably an equal season last year.
He kind of reminds me of Cam Hayward. I mean,
this guy's played a really long time, understands the game.
(30:50):
He was like the fourth pick in the draft. I
thought he was the best pick in the draft when
he came out way back when, and he had maybe
his best year as a pro. That's why I consider
him like Cam. They're built similar and they at this
age agent rows. Yeah, and they also have the young
pop like the Steelers and Murphy that I think has
a chance to be a star. So it's deep and
(31:12):
it's good. And darn Reid's still on this team. He's
been a successful more run stuffer guy. So I mean,
we just named six seven dudes across the front. They're
gonna stay fresh and they're gonna be good.
Speaker 2 (31:23):
And they were last week against San Francisco. A big
part of the reason why, as you mentioned, only twenty
two minutes of possession, not much going for the Seattle offense,
but they were able to hang in that game, kept.
Speaker 4 (31:33):
Them in that game right be on the field the
whole time.
Speaker 2 (31:35):
Off off of that good against the run and just
pat like you mentioned, I mean, they it's almost like
line changes in their pass rush. It's it's like, hey,
as soon as you think you've got to beat on
these guys, here come two or three more guys hopping
over the boards to you know, fresh and coming after you.
Speaker 4 (31:53):
Which is extra important this time of year when nobody's
fresh and.
Speaker 2 (31:56):
Everyone's still trying to get at the football speed and
really trying to get their legs underneath them. A that's
a great point and I you know again though, that
that all goes into the Do the Steelers come out
trying to run to back that off? Yeah, they come
out trying to pass so that they can't be as
heavy in the box, and then maybe that opens up
things for the run game. I think, Matt, everybody, I
(32:21):
use this word earlier in the week. I think everybody.
And I'm guilty of this too. I throw myself into
this everybody group. We get too pedantic, we get too
hyper focused on the script for offenses coming into games.
Speaker 4 (32:34):
Right.
Speaker 2 (32:35):
It's something that we are obsessed with, and I think
part of that is because everybody knows how much of
a thing that is in the football world. And another
part of it is, I mean, the Steelers didn't have
a single first opening drive touchdown all of last year,
so home, I under it hits home.
Speaker 3 (32:51):
I understand why.
Speaker 2 (32:54):
To me, though, that script will be very interesting in
the sense of how they want to because, as you
have mentioned rightfully so as a lot of football savvy
people mention, yeah, the purpose of that script is to
go out there and score points, of course, but it's
also to figure out when we do a how are
they going to defend us when we do B, how
are they going to defend us when we do C?
How are they going to defend us? Are they going
(33:15):
to be in base? Are they going to be a nickel?
What's their personnel going to be?
Speaker 5 (33:17):
Like?
Speaker 3 (33:17):
It's as much information gathering big time as it.
Speaker 2 (33:20):
Is trying to kind of assert your will and establish
yourself at the same time. Do you have an inkling
of I would try and back off that pass rush
and maybe make the make the box a little bit lighter,
or do you do you want to come out and
go right at these guys and try and establish that
run game early.
Speaker 4 (33:41):
I don't know about opening series stuff or early versus late,
but I did just tweet this out this morning. I
was looking at personnel usage and you find a lot
of stuff on Sumer sports dot com does all the
offensive stuff, and I was fiddling with it today and
the Steelers only played a little over seven percent of
(34:01):
thirteen personnel, which I think is gonna go up drastically.
And I don't know if it's true, but when I
did a night show with Tim and Tom Benzi said
he thought Washington limped off at one point, and I
was watched on TV and I never saw it, and
his snapcount was a little lower than I thought, So
maybe there was something a little going on there. I
(34:22):
don't know, but I'm just throwing it out there. But
the fact that there was only a little over seven
percent with those three tight ends on the field, I
was a bit surprised. And I think that goes up
because I think that puts people in binds. I think
that's gonna be the Steelers identity. It's not gonna be
fifty percent, but I think it could be twenty, which
is still lead.
Speaker 3 (34:40):
To lead Bio super wide bar charging.
Speaker 4 (34:42):
Yeah, yeah, yeah. And they also, I mean you can't
not all these things can go up. But they only
did play thirty seven percent of eleven too. I mean
that's obscenely low for the league, for the league, you know,
so if you think you can protect and that's the problem,
I mean, their pass rush worries me even more than
their run stuffing because all those guys we mentioned get
(35:04):
after it. But might we see Roman Wilson more than
ten snaps? I mean I would think the answer is
probably yes.
Speaker 3 (35:11):
There's a week to see it.
Speaker 4 (35:12):
This is going to be the week for those d
back injuries, right.
Speaker 2 (35:15):
And staying with that, the defensive back injuries and potential
wide receiver usage. It's the second straight week that we have.
It's not nearly as ramped up as the opener, when
you not only had Aaron Rodgers against his former team,
but you had justin Fields against his former team as
well too. Second straight week, we kind of have that
storyline of DK metcalf is the one who is going
against his former team. So banged up secondary. As we
(35:38):
discussed in the injury report at the start of the show,
how does Seattle go about?
Speaker 3 (35:41):
You know, if we're kind of focusing on I.
Speaker 4 (35:43):
Think they're having a hard time with that. I bet yeah,
because and the way they work their corners when there's
two on the field. There's Reek Wolan, who we've mentioned
before had a rough day.
Speaker 3 (35:52):
He's had a good career, but yeah, start this year.
Speaker 4 (35:55):
And his rookie year was better than year two last year.
Last week was very up and down. But he has
the traits I mean he has. He's six'. THREE i,
mean he's a rare looking corner that can. Fly HE'S
i mean he's bigger than porter and probably. Faster he's
not as good as, football but you would think you
want your big guy on the big, guy you know
WHAT i, Mean but he's kind of the weaker. Dude
(36:18):
so when they play two, corners It's witherspoon and. Him
but as Everyone Nicol witherspoon goes from the outside in
and they bring In, job who people don't know a lot.
About but he was awesome in week, one and you
know HOW i put some stock IN pff. Stuff he
was like their number one graded, corner Where reek was
like their last rated. Corner one was like, second and
(36:40):
one was like one hundred and thirty. Fifth, NOW i
don't think the screpancy's that, big but still they don't
have him out there all the time though for a.
Reason you, know they think he's their third best. Player
but If witherspoon's, hurt you're going to have those two
out there all the. TIME i don't think he the
one's all that, Scary and as good As witherspoon is
(37:01):
in the, slot he's not going to See. Metcalf but
The steelers also don't use three three wide very, much
so they aren't going to go To nickel as. Much
you know What i'm. Saying would you put the, smaller better,
Player witherspoon or the. Talented hard to bet On woolen on,
them BUT i don't know That spoon's even going to
be in.
Speaker 2 (37:21):
It it's not looking in that.
Speaker 3 (37:24):
Regard and your.
Speaker 4 (37:25):
Safety helps not great at the.
Speaker 2 (37:27):
Moment, No and it's banged up as well, Too AND
i mean they could be Down witherspoon and both of
their at least who they projected were going to be
their starting safeties coming into this.
Speaker 3 (37:36):
Season, yeah it's not a great place.
Speaker 4 (37:38):
To, be. NO i, mean the pass rusher might make
up for, it and the ball coming out quick might
make up for it from A seattle, perspective but it
also could be that. GAME i, mean it felt like
every snap That metcalf didn't get sauce the ball went to.
Them this game might just go To metcalf every time
(37:58):
all the, time right. Right that guy can't cover.
Speaker 3 (38:02):
From boom fourteen targets for Dk.
Speaker 4 (38:04):
Rogers rogers things absolutely, Right he's.
Speaker 3 (38:07):
Not if there's water, there he'll go to the well
he wants. To and so.
Speaker 4 (38:14):
That's metcalf could have a big game.
Speaker 3 (38:16):
MORE i THINK i Think metcalf could could have a
big game. Tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (38:20):
CERTAINLY i THINK i would have thought that even if
The seattle secondary was healthier than they, are.
Speaker 4 (38:25):
Right even if it wasn't his former. Team But i'm
sure they give him the ball like the first play
of the game and he runs somebody over and you
know WHAT i. Mean, yeah there's an emotional side of it, too.
Speaker 2 (38:32):
Oh, there, absolutely, Yeah and you know we WE i
think we saw a lot of that stuff On, sunday
the emotional side of things for This steelers. Team, yeah
AND i think we will certainly see that in the
home opener AGAINST uh Against seattle and what is is
going to be a game that's gonna have a lot
of different reasons for these guys TO uh to have
(38:54):
things circled and highlighted and ready to. Go but that,
that FOR Dk metcalf feels like.
Speaker 3 (39:01):
A real.
Speaker 2 (39:02):
Opportunity he had a good day this Past sunday At MetLife,
stadium he could have a great day in his first
his first time at home At Acrescer.
Speaker 3 (39:10):
Stadium.
Speaker 4 (39:10):
Yeah and he's one of, many as people, know Prominent
steelers playing their first home game in black and.
Speaker 2 (39:16):
Goal you, know absolutely, Absolutely AND i got to Think
i'm trying to, REMEMBER i, mean this is like year
eight for me now of doing this thing and working the.
GAMES i should remember, this BUT i feel, like you,
know The steelers, do they introduce one side.
Speaker 3 (39:30):
Of the football warm ups for home.
Speaker 2 (39:33):
Games it alternates every, game but it'll TYPICALLY i feel
like at the beginning of the season start with the,
defense and then second home game it's.
Speaker 3 (39:41):
The identity and then It.
Speaker 2 (39:42):
Goesbert for the last few, years that's been where all
the money has been spent has been on The you,
know you've Got, Cam you've GOT, Tj you've got bigger
name stars on that side of the, football where you
had a lot of rookies and, young unproven guys on
the offensive. Side BUT i think they got to you
got to introduce the off to let the place go
mad For Aaron rodgers and FOR dk that big pot
(40:04):
for him against his former team in the first.
Speaker 3 (40:06):
TIME i think that would.
Speaker 4 (40:07):
Be pretty cool That matt one hour in the, books
another hour to.
Speaker 2 (40:12):
Go when we returned to start hour number, two what
do you say we kind of spin the block here
and we'll do matchups from A steelers defense Against seattle offense.
Speaker 3 (40:21):
Perspective, yep we will get.
Speaker 2 (40:22):
There to begin the second hour of the, drive It's
West uler And Matt williamson with.
Speaker 3 (40:27):
You here On Steelers Nation, radio on The Steelers Audio,
network
Your Tune's about Drive on your twenty four to seven
home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
Good afternoon, Steelers Nation, and Happy Friday. It's the Drive
on the Steelers Audio Network. West Shooler and Matt Williamson
with you here as we get ready for Steelers and Seahawks.
It's the home opener Sunday, one o'clock on the North
Shore at Akershuer Stadium.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Matt, how we doing, how we feeling?
Speaker 4 (00:47):
Real good, beautiful day out there. I'm ready for game day.
I saw a good one last night. Not much more
to add now, ro Man. I think that's in the
heart of the season. We are certainly getting into it.
It's gonna be I think, another beautiful weekend here in
Pittsburgh where we've had great weather already this week. If
you're seems like, yeah, some of the sixty seven ish
thousand that's going to be in attendance on Sunday, I
(01:09):
think you're in for a fun afternoon out there in
the elements or the lack thereof. And it'll be a
big week across the NFL here in Week two, another
big slate of games that we'll get to on the
show today we'll talk to Missy Matthews about, you know,
about fifteen twenty minutes from now, get her thoughts as
she'll be patrolling the sidelines. But matt I just kind
(01:31):
of wanted to start big picture with you here before
we get going, or as we get going, maybe I
should say, and how do the Steelers get this run
game going?
Speaker 2 (01:39):
I know that's a Listen, there's a lot of layers
to this, right if they could get that run game going,
particularly right out of the shoot, what that would mean
for Aaron Rodgers in the past game, what it would
mean against the Seattle defense that has a stout front
but it's pretty banged up on the back end. Now
we'll get to that exact report here as well today,
but just thirty thousand foot view, how do we get
(02:00):
this run game going? Because that feels like a really
big element of Sunday's coming.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
It feels like a real crucial part for the rest
of the year. I mean, it's early to get ahead yourself.
You know, if you don't get a run game going,
this is gonna be an uphill climb. But it's gonna
be an uphill climb if you don't get a running
game going. And I have some answers for how can
they stop the run better, how can they get more sacks?
How can their protection improve? I don't have great answers
(02:25):
for this though. I mean, I think they kind of
are what they are, and that they're a zone outside
running team. Then I absolutely think there's truth. I'm not
saying that there's no hope for I mean, oh, forget
about it, this season over, But I mean I think
that there is truth to running. Games don't mature overnight.
(02:47):
I mean the physicality of it all, and it's gonna
take some time. You gotta they say pound the rock
for a reason. You gotta keep swinging that swell sledgehammer
before the rock breaks. But I don't see like major changes,
Like I'm not gonna say, make Caleb Johnson the future
bash or I mean, I'd like to see more Darnell
(03:08):
Washington snaps. I mean, I think that maybe they regret
that in terms of helping Broderick in protection as well
as just getting him out there secure in the edge
on the outside zone, just because he's such a force.
But other than that, I think it's just going to
be a patience thing. I think it's going to be
Rogers getting you in the right place pre snap, which
(03:30):
I am. That's the part I'm confident about, you know.
I think he'll do.
Speaker 3 (03:33):
That, you know, I think everybody should be confident about that.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
I to me, there's a kind of a weird chicken
or egg thing going on, right, Like what came first
the chicken of the egg? Do you need to continue
to have success in the past game to set up
the run or do you need to establish the run
so that you can continue to have success in the
past game, right, Because I think we're all very encouraged
from what we saw by Aaron Rodgers this past Sunday.
(03:59):
But I also think we don't want him to have
to do that sixteen more times.
Speaker 4 (04:03):
Yeah, And I also think that I have more I
hope it's not the latter. I hope that you need
the run game in order to have a successful pass game,
you know, because I'm more confident in Rogers and his
pass catchers and his protection than I am who they're
handing it to and who's blocking, and the consistency of
(04:24):
the run game. I keep coming back to the yards
per carry. I mean, I gotta be over four at least,
at least I know we were shooting for over four
to one all off season. I want it like four
three four four, But I mean after he'd last week
get them at least around four, you know, I mean,
come on, stay ahead, the change a little bit.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
And it could be a growing process. Let's see it be.
It doesn't have to be four point going to happen over.
It's not going to happen overnight. But you've got it,
and I know you have done a good job of
laying this out too. Like progress is not always linear,
of course. I think you saw that a little bit
with the Washington commanders last time, talking about that you
can take five steps. You can take five steps four
then two steps back. Doesn't mean you still haven't.
Speaker 4 (05:02):
Improved, yes, but the ship's still going right.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Progression is not always linearar You're not always climbing. Sometimes
you are gonna gonna have step backs or maybe take
a little step back. I know that progression is not
going to be linear in the run game, but you
need it's time to see some of the steps forward
one thousand percent.
Speaker 4 (05:19):
And Jets are a good front. Seattle is a good front.
They are You're gonna face a lot of good fronts.
I mean that's you're in the NFL. I mean, this
is not gonna be easy. So one note then, I
don't have a real strong take on it. But I
think they're happy with their ballcarriers. And I say this
because money talks, resources talk. All three of those guys,
(05:41):
one you used a third round pick on one, you
went out and got gain Well and Tomlin mentioned him
by name after the press conference or after the game
in week one. And the other guy you just extended.
So all those dudes you just put resources into. Now
they could be like, wish I didn't use a third
round pick on Caleb Johnson. I mean there's you know,
buyer's remortional angels, Why we give why do we get
(06:02):
WARRN extension? What were we thinking? But in the very
recent memory, they just put stuff into these three. Now
I'm not saying they're Franco and lev Bell combined. I
don't think it's a great backfield, but I think the
ball carriers are good enough.
Speaker 3 (06:16):
I think they're certainly better than what they showed Sunday
at MetLife Stadium.
Speaker 4 (06:19):
Yeah, that's a good way of putting it.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
And and and that to me needs to I just
what the exact numbers look like I just I want
us to come in here on Monday to do a
show and feel better about the run game. I don't
know if I exactly have the parameters for that right now.
Speaker 4 (06:34):
Yeah, I don't know what that number is or feeling.
It's more of a feeling, it's.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
It's it's more of a feel like I'll know it
when I see it type thing. And I think that
that's I think that's a reasonable starting point to improve
here in week number two in the run game. And
another part of that, Matt, is how much play action
we saw Sunday against the Jets. How successful that play
action was Sunday against the Jets. I want that to
(06:58):
continue a a a run game that defenses. I'm not
even saying the defense has to fear the run game.
Just a run game that they.
Speaker 4 (07:05):
Have to respect, respect and honor.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
Goes a long way in that regard to it.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
It does it does? I mean, I half believe them.
There's a lot of studies out there that even if
you don't run the ball, great, you still play action
is still highly effective. And I'll concede, yes, using it
is helpful no matter what. And the numbers basically say
the yards for play play action across the league are
better than without. Okay, I'm on board with that, but
(07:33):
there's some human nature too. I mean, if you're looking
in there's Derrick Henry or Jerome when he's just dashing you,
you're gonna step up a little bit as a linebacker.
You're just gonna I can't one hundred percent believe that,
oh garbage running game play action is gonna tear people up.
I'm not on board with that, even though I am
a numbers.
Speaker 2 (07:51):
Guy, particularly in the second half, when you're a little
bit more winded, you're not quite sharp mentally, you're not.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Tackling this back all day long, and it's getting old, right.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
One hundred per and so that that to me is
kind of again that whole ecosystem.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
That works together that we talked about this with Labs
a little bit yesterday.
Speaker 4 (08:08):
Like it.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
It is not going to be a finished product anywhere close.
We might even be getting into October and closer to
Halloween before we start to feel that it's where it
needs to be. But I want to see it take
a noticeable step forward. I want to see some progression
this week, a baby.
Speaker 4 (08:25):
Step forward this week. I think would make me happy.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Would make me happy, because, as you mentioned too, this
is a this is not a schlub defense that they're
going up again.
Speaker 4 (08:32):
Yeah they can.
Speaker 2 (08:34):
If they can have success in the run game against Seattle,
that I think would bode well for how we feel
about their success in the run game going forward.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
And I don't need to tell our listeners this. I mean,
there's obviously way more benefits than just it helps play action.
I mean obviously, I mean I keep coming back to
Seattle having twenty two minutes of time possession, you know,
like you can keep those guys off field. It's not
that their offense is super dangerous, but they're they are
not a inning eating offense by any stretch. They have
(09:01):
their own issues. They couldn't really run the ball either.
If you're just the maybe I'd even put it this,
you know, like if they just were the better in
this case, because I thought the opposite last week. If
they're just the better running team in this game, I'll
take that as a team win because that means on
defense was a little better too.
Speaker 2 (09:19):
I think that is another one of those kind of
what exactly that looks like with the numbers look like.
Speaker 4 (09:24):
I'm not sure for interpretation. Yeah, yeah, I don't want
to average two point something yards for Carrie anymore.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
But you know, if at four o'clock on Sunday we're
saying the Steelers ran the ball more successfully than Seattle,
did I really like our chances to be saying that
the Steelers are two to zero as well.
Speaker 4 (09:38):
Yes, all that stuff being said, some of our goals
for the year starting faster, first quarter differential, sack differential.
The one I'm most worried about is getting the running
game back up, you know, because I think we were
shooting for four to two, four to three, whatever, you know,
get to twentieth in yards for Carrie. They're not going
(10:00):
to have a quarterback that runs for ever a.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
Big game justin fields things.
Speaker 4 (10:04):
No, you lose that aspect of it. And I just
said the ball carriers are fine, but they're not Pro bowlers,
you know. And I don't know that any of them
are going to get you the eighty yarders to boost
that up. I'm not saying it can't happen, but it's
gonna take time. I mean to me, that's of all
the goals that we set in the offseason and discussed
over and over that's the one I'm least confident they hit.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
If you were yes, no doubt, you know, without a question.
Speaker 2 (10:27):
And I I think that that would be pretty unanimous
across the board if we were to pull people in
that regardless. Yeah, I know, the sack numbers weren't there
for the Steelers last week. That's also probably, other than
Lamar Jackson, the most mobile quarterback they're going to see
the rest of the year.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
And I also did some more homework on that too.
Steelers blitzed more than you thought in that game, and
they brought six. That's the thing they've been doing last
year too, is when they blitzed, they don't bring five
nearly as much as most defenses. When they blitz, they
blitz big. But I also think they blitzed for different
reasons too, and they were probably regret it because fields
(11:03):
made him pay. But I think they were pretty focused
on keeping him in the pocket and not scrambling. It's
different ways to like mush rush type, yeah, I mean,
and still just to operate because if you look at
all of his rushing yards, almost all of them are
off designed runs. They're not scrambles, you know, And he
was not beating people from the pocket when he was
(11:25):
here or with the Bears, and to his credit, he
got better at it and had a good game at
his best game, And I think they wanted to make
him do quarterback stuff. So I'm not saying they could
have had more sacks, but I think if they rush differently,
especially a guy like darn Old, who's a good athlete
but nothing like that, you probably put the quarterback on
the ground more. Plus I thought Fields did a really
(11:46):
good job of alluding when they did get near him.
He was really tough to get on the ground, really
tough to get on.
Speaker 2 (11:51):
I know we talked about this on Monday, but there
was a couple of times that I felt TJ Alex
Patrick queen and they read what he was doing part
they could not have read and broken on the play better.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
But he just beat him.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
But he was just the better.
Speaker 2 (12:04):
He's just the better. He's just he's just so shifty,
so quick. Yeah, you give him an inch, he's going
to take a mile in the run game there. So yeah,
they will not have that threat with Sam Darnold this week.
Speaker 4 (12:14):
That is that is good athlete. He was a high pick.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
I mean, he's not going to be the statue of
liberty back there in the pocket.
Speaker 4 (12:19):
But he moves better than Rogers or Flacco at their ages.
But I mean, he's nothing like these runners like that.
And you also get her big back most likely, who's
a really good pass rusher, very.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
Good, very good.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
Matt taking a look, because obviously, with the time change difference,
we did not get the Seattle Seahawks ye injury report
until we were way off, when we were way off,
because those usually typically come out around four or five,
and if you're going West Coast time four or five,
that's seven or eight our time. Obviously if you're if
you're doing the map there. Not good for the Seattle
(12:53):
Seahawks to say, I don't.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
Think it is secondary.
Speaker 2 (12:55):
They could be without three of their top six defensive backs.
Speaker 4 (12:59):
Let's talk about that.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Devin Witherspoon did not participate in practice Thursday or Wednesday.
Both did not practice Wednesday or thirty. Julian Love, let's start.
Speaker 4 (13:11):
Let's just go one by one real quick. Witherspoon's a really,
really good player. He was like the fifth or sixth
pick in the draft despite being kind of an undersized
corner because he is nasty and he runs well when
he throws his body around, and these teams, including the Steelers,
that are valuing slot corners, whether it's a Brian Branch
or a dejene or Ramsey, he's right in that mold
(13:34):
and really really good at it. And when they're in
two corners, he's an outside guy with Rike Wolan, who
they're not saying anything good about Rereke Woland. But if
Wollan Wolland had tough game in week one, the other
two corners had really nice games, job especially, but Wolan
had a really tough game in Week one, blew some
assignments from what I understand, and I think the head
(13:57):
coach basically said, we're not real thrilled with this, but
if there's corner injuries, doesn't make your thrilled or not.
He'sa be out there right. Yeah, that is a big
ripple effect. He's definitely one of their best players.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
Witherspoon did not practice Wednesday, did not practice Thursday. Witherspoon
and not much better for their safeties. Julian Love. He
was limited on Wednesday and then did not practice on Thursdays,
a terrible which is always a terrible sign.
Speaker 4 (14:23):
And it brings it up all the times like if
you go backwards Wednesday to Thursday or Thursday to Friday,
not good percentage is a really bad you play not good.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
And then Nick even worry h has been listed as
out week to week and is still not practiced.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
Yet this week.
Speaker 4 (14:38):
I never thought he really hadn't He was.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
The one that it felt like he was.
Speaker 4 (14:41):
He was.
Speaker 2 (14:42):
They haven't officially ruled him out, but that he didn't
have much of a chance, like you said so against touch.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
On those two real quick. Love's just a really good
all around safety, Like he's a starter all day long,
like an Elliott level safety. Like you're really happy with him.
Every one of the team thinks he's a good player.
He's not a star, he's not going to Canton, but
he doesn't have discernible weakness.
Speaker 3 (15:03):
He's on an NFL field, he's a starter.
Speaker 4 (15:05):
On just about most teams, you know what I mean.
And men Wari is really interesting to me because first
of all, he's two and twenty pounds and it's an
obscene tester at the at the combine. I mean, he's
a rare size speed freak that we can't forget that
Their head coach was defensive coordinator Baltimore. They see Kyle
Hamilton stuff in him. They traded up to get early
(15:29):
in the second round. They had to go o line
in their first round because it was such a disaster,
and then the coach got, I really want that shiny
little object, you know? Can we trade up in the
second round?
Speaker 3 (15:39):
Like, all right, go get the first round picks for
the team, second for me.
Speaker 4 (15:42):
Yeah, I need one of those toys, like a Kyle
Hamilton type. Can he be it? Maybe? You know, But
he's a rookie though too. He hasn't played it.
Speaker 2 (15:50):
And doesn't sound like he's going to make his debut
this Sunday in Pittsburgh. So that's the latest on the
Seattle Seahawks. Some significant apps is put.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
They potentially play more eleven so that they have to
keep defensive backs on the field a high percentage.
Speaker 3 (16:05):
It's an interesting strategy.
Speaker 4 (16:06):
Does Reaman Wilson get more run? Especially if you're not
running the ball?
Speaker 3 (16:09):
Well, you know what I mean, that's where it starts.
Speaker 4 (16:12):
Yeah, if you run the ball, well, keep run the ball.
Speaker 2 (16:14):
If you run the ball, well, keep running the ball,
and then you know, maybe hit him with some of
that stuff. Once you think you got them right where
you want them right, right, but if you're not running
the ball, well, if you've got.
Speaker 4 (16:23):
Two point two seven's deep and good real good.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
Well, we'll talk about that maybe at the bottom of
this hour when we start to get into some of
our matchup stuff. If you're if you're at halftime and
you're running for two point two yards a clip like
you were through thirty minutes, it met life.
Speaker 4 (16:37):
Yeah, I might get roaming Wilson out.
Speaker 2 (16:38):
There there wide and right right, yeah, go go go
be the offensive coordinator at the lone of scrimmage.
Speaker 4 (16:46):
And then we saw Rogers fine matchups to his advantage,
and I thought, when not knowing injury reports stuff like
as soon as that game ended, I'm like, they don't
have as many guys to pick on. They don't have sauce,
but there's not many guys to pick on. Well, now
they might be guys pick on, right, all right, Right.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
It'll be very interesting to see how that all plays out.
Speaker 4 (17:05):
It's safety. Maybe that's a John you thing.
Speaker 3 (17:06):
Maybe oh, now you're speaking my language.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
We'll talk about all this and more when we return
on the other side with our friend Missy Matthews, Steelers
sideline reporter. We'll get her thoughts on Steelers Seahawks. The
home opener Sunday, one o'clock at Akroscher Stadium. It's the
Drive West Shouler Matt Williamson on Steelers Nation Radio on
the Steelers Audio Network, your tunes.
Speaker 1 (17:38):
About Drive on your twenty four to seven home of
the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 2 (17:59):
It's a Friday here on the Drive, and that means
a couple things. First and foremost, our good friend, the
Queen of the Steelers sideline, Missy Matthews, going to join
us on the phone lines here as we talk a
little Steelers and Seahawks.
Speaker 3 (18:14):
What's up, Missy? How we doing?
Speaker 5 (18:16):
It's great?
Speaker 4 (18:17):
How are you? Couldn't be better?
Speaker 3 (18:19):
Couldn't be better?
Speaker 2 (18:19):
In fact, Missy, I am better now than I anticipate
I will be tomorrow evening when the backyard brawl concludes.
Speaker 3 (18:27):
But I'm sure you'll give me plenty of grief, rightfully,
So about that on Sunday.
Speaker 5 (18:32):
I'm sure we'll talk about it a lot.
Speaker 3 (18:35):
Well, miss Missy. Let's jump into the.
Speaker 2 (18:39):
Sunday game on the radar here for everybody in the
Steel City, of course. The opener, Steelers and Seattle one
o'clock at Akroscher stadium has sounded like good news for
Nick Herbig and his availability, maybe not so great for
Joey Porter Junior and his status.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
What do you expect for those two on Sunday?
Speaker 5 (19:00):
Yeah, I mean two days of not practicing for Joey
on Wednesday and Thursday, so waiting to see, you know,
the injury designation. It's usually the status report will come
out a little bit later because you're dealing with Seattle,
different time zone, which just stinks. You know, it's sound
only Coach Homlin was a little bit optimistic earlier in
the week, but you know, the hamstring injury, which is
(19:23):
what Nick was dealing with. He got hurt in that
home preseason game and he's just getting back this week.
So hopefully it doesn't take as long for Joey, but
I don't anticipate him being out there this week.
Speaker 4 (19:37):
So Missy always like to pick your brain on Fridays
about how the sidelines were and during the game and
things like that. Of the previous one and there's only
been one, but there's a lot of new faces and
prominent names on this team that weren't on the team
in twenty twenty four. Rogers Metcalf Ramsey sleigh on and on.
Could you feel a real different vibe on Sunday?
Speaker 5 (20:01):
I mean it is crazy, like there's twelve new quote unquote,
you know, not rookies, so we'll say like veteran players
who never played in the Steelers' uniform until that game,
and then for rookies got a chance to play in
a regular season game. So that's a lot of new.
I definitely think Aaron Rodgers what you have seen at
training camp throughout the preseason, just that leader, how he
(20:24):
handles himself, how he composes an offense when things aren't
going well. That translates to the game even more so,
even just you know, the conversations you see him having
with the surface or without one after a drive with
Arthur Smith, you know, that was really cool to see
just how much they keep going back and forth and
(20:45):
looking at things and tweaking things. You know, Aaron talks
every position group on the offense. He even talks to
the defensive guys, you know when he's he's watching them
play and whatnot. And I think obviously Jalen Ramsey on
the field set the tone, but also off the field,
especially when you know Tara Austin the defensive coordinator at
one point gathered the entire defense and kind of had
(21:08):
them sit where the D line guys were and stand
around and kind of tuned them out a little bit
rightfully so, and then you know, Ramsey just kind of
continued that throughout the rest of that second half of
just rallying the troops and helping people out. So it
was definitely cool to see, as you said, like the
new faces and how they operate on a game day
and excited to see what it looks like, especially at home.
(21:32):
You know that crowd is going to be insane, the
weather is going to be literally perfect, and then oh,
of course, by the way, some of those guys on
defense will get to experience running gate for the first time.
Speaker 4 (21:43):
So I've never spoken one word to Aaron Rodgers. He
probably has no clue who I am, But I, like
everyone at camp at mini camp, every step of the way,
you're glued to the guy. You just watch them like
get like no other player on the Steelers. And my
observations then in the downtime at practice, between periods, everything
(22:04):
he seems to do is really well thought out, deliberate, engaged,
whether he's talking to a coach or coaching up a
younger player. I assume that's how he was on game
day as well.
Speaker 5 (22:19):
Oh for sure. I mean even you know, he rode
the first team buses. Three of the buses go first
and then the second three follow up as usually the
buses coach tomlins On, and he was on the first
wave of buses, you know, had his headphones in, was listening.
And then it was like the second he spotted one
of the locker room attendants for the visiting team's locker room,
(22:42):
somebody that I guess used to work for the Jets,
just like literally dropped his stuff, gave him a hug,
said hello. Then he quickly went back inside the locker room.
And then it was interesting, you know, when he came
back out, he kind of sometimes it's just him, he'll
walk around a little bit. But then he saw that
locker room attendant again and he said after the game,
he's like, hey, he used to be with the Jets.
(23:02):
This is a guy used to warm up with. And
he told me, hey, I'm not with the Jets anymore,
but I'm helping out on the visitor side today. He goes, well, great,
then let's let's catch, you know, let's throw, and he said,
it was just good to see him. That felt normal.
You're obviously back in a place that you know, well.
He spent two seasons there, whether he was on the
field or not, for all of it in the building,
(23:26):
oh for sure. And you know, especially when he was
out there for what I call the pre pre warm ups,
it's like, you can go out if you want to,
you don't have to. He always does go out there,
and just watching him from up in the press box
at that point, you just see how many people want
to go over to say hi to him. And again
it goes back to, you know, the bad rep that
(23:48):
the people have tried to make him out to be,
this bag reputation. And I can't tell you how many
people wanted to do their best to be like just
to shake his hand or say hi or give him
a hug. That we're not affiliated with.
Speaker 2 (24:01):
The Steelers, Missy another you know steeler facing his former
team storyline this Sunday. It's not on the road in
Seattle where he used to play, but DK Metcalf will
line up against his former team here in just week
number two after being traded from Seattle to Pittsburgh this offseason.
He's downplayed it he said all the right things this week,
(24:22):
as I think we would expect him to. I was
actually laughing. He was kind of ribbing our buddy Brian Baco.
DK Metcalf was. He was like, man, you keep trying
to ask me about the Seahawks, Like, what's what's going
on here? This is about us?
Speaker 4 (24:35):
But he's a real yes, sir, he is.
Speaker 2 (24:37):
He's very well spoken, very formal in his interviews. But
I think the three of us can all agree. He like,
these guys aren't robots, these guys aren't cyborgs. I don't
think he would be human if there was, even though
he does look like one. Absolutely like, these guys wouldn't
be humans if you wouldn't want to prove something to
the team that just traded you away a few months ago.
(24:58):
What's kind of the sense that you're getting from DK
metcalf in what feels like Missy a banged up Seattle
secondary where there could really be an opportunity for him
to make some plays on Sunday.
Speaker 5 (25:09):
It is really crazy when you look at their secondary
and how many guys are potentially not going to play,
which just seems to vote too well on the Steeler
side of luck for that one, But I agree DK
is a human. It's just like Aaron last week. It's
almost like the NFL knew what they were doing when
they set the schedule. But I think DK is able
(25:30):
to compartmentalize it and it isn't going to be something
that's going to be in his head. If that makes sense.
How can you not think about it? But I did
see and it was after he had already spoken to
the media earlier in the week. His first NFL touchdown
was actually in Pittsburgh. I totally forgot that that would
have been his rookie season. So hopefully his first touchdown
(25:54):
as a Steeler will also be in the same spot,
since we didn't get a chance to see him in
the end zone week one.
Speaker 4 (26:01):
How was the reception from Fields' former teammates. I assume
a lot of them were pretty excited to see Justin too.
I think he was popular when he was here.
Speaker 5 (26:10):
I mean, everybody like this is Christianist, went to go
say hi to Justin. Yes, like everybody loves Justin And
I think, you know, it was good to see. He
was definitely one of those guys that everybody loved playing
with and playing four and you saw what they were
able to do in those six games where he got
a chance to be the starter, to come to a
(26:30):
new environment after the whole debacle in Chicago, and it
felt like it was a good reset for him. But definitely,
you know, all those guys on offense especially were very
excited to see him.
Speaker 2 (26:42):
Missy Matthews, queen of the Steelers sideline kind enough to
share some over time with us here on this Friday, Missy,
great stuff, Thank you, and we will see you on Sunday.
Speaker 4 (26:53):
Perfect.
Speaker 5 (26:53):
Can't wait. Have a good one.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
Guys, you as well, Missy Matthews.
Speaker 2 (26:57):
Make sure you're checking her out on the broadcast with
Rob King and Max Starks of course one o'clock on
the Steelers Audio Network in your flagship station for the
Black and Goal w d v E. When we come
back on the other side, we'll get into a little
five star Friday start targets and matchups here on the
Drive West Hueler and Matt Williamson on Steelers Nation Radio
on the Steelers Audio Network, your tunes.
Speaker 1 (27:25):
About Drive on your twenty four to seven home of
the Black and Goal Steelers Nation Radio.
Speaker 4 (27:43):
It's a five star match because.
Speaker 5 (27:45):
We're in the.
Speaker 2 (27:53):
Juxtaposition of a cool, calm and collected Troy Polamalu there
with going out of his mind to Shay Tows is
always a nice kind of Troy. It's a five star
matchup because we're in It's.
Speaker 4 (28:06):
How the locker imagine probably be with he's around there with.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
Him, right, guys, We're going to go destroy the Cincinnati
business afternoon.
Speaker 3 (28:16):
It is time for a little five Star Friday.
Speaker 2 (28:18):
It's quite simply our matchup segment and a big thanks
to Missy Matthews for joining us there as well. Make
sure you're listening to her. On the sidelines are Steelers
Audio Network broadcasts on WDVE and Steelers Audio Network. Uh
matt will be on at nine am with Tom for
the pre pre show and then the pregame show.
Speaker 3 (28:39):
Yeah, Pursuda.
Speaker 2 (28:41):
Labs and Jerry Dulac starts at eleven and then of
course kickoff with Rob King, the Kinger, Max Starks, and
Missy Matthews at one pm. For the Steelers opener, Matt
I wanted to start with something that we talked about
kind of briefly, you know, mentioned at the start of
the show at the top of the hour, and that's
the Seattle Defensive Front. Oh Steelers saw a good one
(29:03):
last week in New York. Might they be seeing a
better one against Seattle this Sunday?
Speaker 4 (29:07):
Yes, I think it is. I'll take something Dale and
I did a lot was like, if you compare the
two my first pick is Quinn Williams.
Speaker 3 (29:17):
I had a feeling that's where this was going.
Speaker 4 (29:18):
But then a lot of the new three four Seahawks,
you know, like and I really like those two edge
guys from the Jets in former first round picks, and
they caused problems Johnson and McDonald. But I think these
guys are equal. They're not as well and none of
them are really well known. They're not Miles Garrett, but
Mafey is a really good player and he gave Trent
(29:39):
Williams a lot of problems last week. Who's one of
the best left tackles I've ever seen. I know he's
up in age right. He's an all time great and
one of my old time favorite or one of my
favorite like sleeper pass rushers in the league right now
is Derek Hall. He is hot, He's like they're herbig,
you know, like when he's out there, he makes plays
all the time. I don't know if he could do
it if he played seventy snaps.
Speaker 3 (29:59):
But in the oppos why is he ripping us water
Alex Smith, who's this herbig guy?
Speaker 4 (30:05):
Yeah, and Hall's very similar and maybe he gets the
point where he isn't every down player this year and
that was fifteen sacks, Like I could see that in
his future. And then they go get a veteran who's
a lot different than those guys. Those guys are edgebender
explosive types, a little undersize, and DeMarcus Lawrence, who's been
around the block a long time. He's not as bendy
(30:27):
as he used to be, but he's powerful at the
point of attack. He's really good against a run. Old
man's strength at this point. And he's not quite Quinn Williams,
but they're Williams. Leonard had probably an equal season last year.
He kind of reminds me of Cam Hayward. I mean,
this guy's played a really long time, understands the game.
(30:50):
He was like the fourth pick in the draft. I
thought he was the best pick in the draft when
he came out way back when, and he had maybe
his best year as a pro. That's why I consider
him like Cam. They're built similar and they at this
age agent rows. Yeah, and they also have the young
pop like the Steelers and Murphy that I think has
a chance to be a star. So it's deep and
(31:12):
it's good. And darn Reid's still on this team. He's
been a successful more run stuffer guy. So I mean,
we just named six seven dudes across the front. They're
gonna stay fresh and they're gonna be good.
Speaker 2 (31:23):
And they were last week against San Francisco. A big
part of the reason why, as you mentioned, only twenty
two minutes of possession, not much going for the Seattle offense,
but they were able to hang in that game, kept.
Speaker 4 (31:33):
Them in that game right be on the field the
whole time.
Speaker 2 (31:35):
Off off of that good against the run and just
pat like you mentioned, I mean, they it's almost like
line changes in their pass rush. It's it's like, hey,
as soon as you think you've got to beat on
these guys, here come two or three more guys hopping
over the boards to you know, fresh and coming after you.
Speaker 4 (31:53):
Which is extra important this time of year when nobody's
fresh and.
Speaker 2 (31:56):
Everyone's still trying to get at the football speed and
really trying to get their legs underneath them. A that's
a great point and I you know again though, that
that all goes into the Do the Steelers come out
trying to run to back that off? Yeah, they come
out trying to pass so that they can't be as
heavy in the box, and then maybe that opens up
things for the run game. I think, Matt, everybody, I
(32:21):
use this word earlier in the week. I think everybody.
And I'm guilty of this too. I throw myself into
this everybody group. We get too pedantic, we get too
hyper focused on the script for offenses coming into games.
Speaker 4 (32:34):
Right.
Speaker 2 (32:35):
It's something that we are obsessed with, and I think
part of that is because everybody knows how much of
a thing that is in the football world. And another
part of it is, I mean, the Steelers didn't have
a single first opening drive touchdown all of last year,
so home, I under it hits home.
Speaker 3 (32:51):
I understand why.
Speaker 2 (32:54):
To me, though, that script will be very interesting in
the sense of how they want to because, as you
have mentioned rightfully so as a lot of football savvy
people mention, yeah, the purpose of that script is to
go out there and score points, of course, but it's
also to figure out when we do a how are
they going to defend us when we do B, how
are they going to defend us when we do C?
How are they going to defend us? Are they going
(33:15):
to be in base? Are they going to be a nickel?
What's their personnel going to be?
Speaker 5 (33:17):
Like?
Speaker 3 (33:17):
It's as much information gathering big time as it.
Speaker 2 (33:20):
Is trying to kind of assert your will and establish
yourself at the same time. Do you have an inkling
of I would try and back off that pass rush
and maybe make the make the box a little bit lighter,
or do you do you want to come out and
go right at these guys and try and establish that
run game early.
Speaker 4 (33:41):
I don't know about opening series stuff or early versus late,
but I did just tweet this out this morning. I
was looking at personnel usage and you find a lot
of stuff on Sumer sports dot com does all the
offensive stuff, and I was fiddling with it today and
the Steelers only played a little over seven percent of
(34:01):
thirteen personnel, which I think is gonna go up drastically.
And I don't know if it's true, but when I
did a night show with Tim and Tom Benzi said
he thought Washington limped off at one point, and I
was watched on TV and I never saw it, and
his snapcount was a little lower than I thought, So
maybe there was something a little going on there. I
(34:22):
don't know, but I'm just throwing it out there. But
the fact that there was only a little over seven
percent with those three tight ends on the field, I
was a bit surprised. And I think that goes up
because I think that puts people in binds. I think
that's gonna be the Steelers identity. It's not gonna be
fifty percent, but I think it could be twenty, which
is still lead.
Speaker 3 (34:40):
To lead Bio super wide bar charging.
Speaker 4 (34:42):
Yeah, yeah, yeah. And they also, I mean you can't
not all these things can go up. But they only
did play thirty seven percent of eleven too. I mean
that's obscenely low for the league, for the league, you know,
so if you think you can protect and that's the problem,
I mean, their pass rush worries me even more than
their run stuffing because all those guys we mentioned get
(35:04):
after it. But might we see Roman Wilson more than
ten snaps? I mean I would think the answer is
probably yes.
Speaker 3 (35:11):
There's a week to see it.
Speaker 4 (35:12):
This is going to be the week for those d
back injuries, right.
Speaker 2 (35:15):
And staying with that, the defensive back injuries and potential
wide receiver usage. It's the second straight week that we have.
It's not nearly as ramped up as the opener, when
you not only had Aaron Rodgers against his former team,
but you had justin Fields against his former team as
well too. Second straight week, we kind of have that
storyline of DK metcalf is the one who is going
against his former team. So banged up secondary. As we
(35:38):
discussed in the injury report at the start of the show,
how does Seattle go about?
Speaker 3 (35:41):
You know, if we're kind of focusing on I.
Speaker 4 (35:43):
Think they're having a hard time with that. I bet yeah,
because and the way they work their corners when there's
two on the field. There's Reek Wolan, who we've mentioned
before had a rough day.
Speaker 3 (35:52):
He's had a good career, but yeah, start this year.
Speaker 4 (35:55):
And his rookie year was better than year two last year.
Last week was very up and down. But he has
the traits I mean he has. He's six'. THREE i,
mean he's a rare looking corner that can. Fly HE'S
i mean he's bigger than porter and probably. Faster he's
not as good as, football but you would think you
want your big guy on the big, guy you know
WHAT i, Mean but he's kind of the weaker. Dude
(36:18):
so when they play two, corners It's witherspoon and. Him
but as Everyone Nicol witherspoon goes from the outside in
and they bring In, job who people don't know a lot.
About but he was awesome in week, one and you
know HOW i put some stock IN pff. Stuff he
was like their number one graded, corner Where reek was
like their last rated. Corner one was like, second and
(36:40):
one was like one hundred and thirty. Fifth, NOW i
don't think the screpancy's that, big but still they don't
have him out there all the time though for a.
Reason you, know they think he's their third best. Player
but If witherspoon's, hurt you're going to have those two
out there all the. TIME i don't think he the
one's all that, Scary and as good As witherspoon is
(37:01):
in the, slot he's not going to See. Metcalf but
The steelers also don't use three three wide very, much
so they aren't going to go To nickel as. Much
you know What i'm. Saying would you put the, smaller better,
Player witherspoon or the. Talented hard to bet On woolen on,
them BUT i don't know That spoon's even going to
be in.
Speaker 2 (37:21):
It it's not looking in that.
Speaker 3 (37:24):
Regard and your.
Speaker 4 (37:25):
Safety helps not great at the.
Speaker 2 (37:27):
Moment, No and it's banged up as well, Too AND
i mean they could be Down witherspoon and both of
their at least who they projected were going to be
their starting safeties coming into this.
Speaker 3 (37:36):
Season, yeah it's not a great place.
Speaker 4 (37:38):
To, be. NO i, mean the pass rusher might make
up for, it and the ball coming out quick might
make up for it from A seattle, perspective but it
also could be that. GAME i, mean it felt like
every snap That metcalf didn't get sauce the ball went to.
Them this game might just go To metcalf every time
(37:58):
all the, time right. Right that guy can't cover.
Speaker 3 (38:02):
From boom fourteen targets for Dk.
Speaker 4 (38:04):
Rogers rogers things absolutely, Right he's.
Speaker 3 (38:07):
Not if there's water, there he'll go to the well
he wants. To and so.
Speaker 4 (38:14):
That's metcalf could have a big game.
Speaker 3 (38:16):
MORE i THINK i Think metcalf could could have a
big game. Tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (38:20):
CERTAINLY i THINK i would have thought that even if
The seattle secondary was healthier than they, are.
Speaker 4 (38:25):
Right even if it wasn't his former. Team But i'm
sure they give him the ball like the first play
of the game and he runs somebody over and you
know WHAT i. Mean, yeah there's an emotional side of it, too.
Speaker 2 (38:32):
Oh, there, absolutely, Yeah and you know we WE i
think we saw a lot of that stuff On, sunday
the emotional side of things for This steelers. Team, yeah
AND i think we will certainly see that in the
home opener AGAINST uh Against seattle and what is is
going to be a game that's gonna have a lot
of different reasons for these guys TO uh to have
(38:54):
things circled and highlighted and ready to. Go but that,
that FOR Dk metcalf feels like.
Speaker 3 (39:01):
A real.
Speaker 2 (39:02):
Opportunity he had a good day this Past sunday At MetLife,
stadium he could have a great day in his first
his first time at home At Acrescer.
Speaker 3 (39:10):
Stadium.
Speaker 4 (39:10):
Yeah and he's one of, many as people, know Prominent
steelers playing their first home game in black and.
Speaker 2 (39:16):
Goal you, know absolutely, Absolutely AND i got to Think
i'm trying to, REMEMBER i, mean this is like year
eight for me now of doing this thing and working the.
GAMES i should remember, this BUT i feel, like you,
know The steelers, do they introduce one side.
Speaker 3 (39:30):
Of the football warm ups for home.
Speaker 2 (39:33):
Games it alternates every, game but it'll TYPICALLY i feel
like at the beginning of the season start with the,
defense and then second home game it's.
Speaker 3 (39:41):
The identity and then It.
Speaker 2 (39:42):
Goesbert for the last few, years that's been where all
the money has been spent has been on The you,
know you've Got, Cam you've GOT, Tj you've got bigger
name stars on that side of the, football where you
had a lot of rookies and, young unproven guys on
the offensive. Side BUT i think they got to you
got to introduce the off to let the place go
mad For Aaron rodgers and FOR dk that big pot
(40:04):
for him against his former team in the first.
Speaker 3 (40:06):
TIME i think that would.
Speaker 4 (40:07):
Be pretty cool That matt one hour in the, books
another hour to.
Speaker 2 (40:12):
Go when we returned to start hour number, two what
do you say we kind of spin the block here
and we'll do matchups from A steelers defense Against seattle offense.
Speaker 3 (40:21):
Perspective, yep we will get.
Speaker 2 (40:22):
There to begin the second hour of the, drive It's
West uler And Matt williamson with.
Speaker 3 (40:27):
You here On Steelers Nation, radio on The Steelers Audio,
network
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