August 6, 2025 • 46 mins
Matt and Wes give their final thoughts on practice, give a listen to Aaron Rodgers' comments to the media, and talk news around the league.
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Iheartradios Live coverage Job not twenty twenty five Steelers Training Camp.
He's presented by Fadex where now meets Next and also
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(00:27):
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and by US Steel.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Rolling along here on this Wednesday afternoon practice is the
afternoon approaches the evening. We Shooler and Matt Williamson with
you here on Steelers Radio. It's the bonus hour of
the drop here as we are in what is probably
the final minutes practice here, we got a little seven
on seven action going on in front of us. Matt
as a looks like the Austin King the Rhone.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
If you will yep, I read on eighteen yard yep,
eighteen yards, eighteen yards an inn here as we will
keep you keep you posted with everything that's going on
at the end of a practice.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
As another good day of work for the Steelers here today,
another active day, another high energy day, and coming down
the home stretch here is Aaron Rodgers will break the
huddle and he gets the snap and he's looking left
across the middle of the field, well covered by the defense.
He'll roll out and just kind of throw this one away.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
Yeah, realize, I'm really realized.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Yeah, I'm not gonna have this much time in an
actual game setting. And so he just throws that one away,
well covered by the defense.
Speaker 4 (01:44):
It was exactly what you're looking for from the defense there,
and Rogers are smart enough that's not to hold it
for ten seconds and make them covered.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
You know, certainly, certainly, we'll bring you a couple more
of these reps here. We'll get back to some tweets.
We've got some new Aaron Rodgers speaking right before practice.
We just got that audio as well too, that we're
gonna play some for you in this hour, so plenty
to get to Washington Metcalf and Scotty Miller outright, and
(02:12):
now Washington will move in motion. Aaron Rodgers takes the snap,
he's looking that way, fires for Roman Wilson and broke
it up nicely by Brandon Eckles. Although Roman Wilson is
saying he was on his back holding them in that.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
One, he might have a case on that one.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Calling for the flag there. But Tarah Austin, Uh, well,
I don't know. Ta maybe might be an agreeing with
him in the back of this. At first I thought
t A was saying no, but it looked more like
he was like, yeah, you know, it's a little handsy
on that one. Is he is?
Speaker 1 (02:40):
He?
Speaker 2 (02:41):
You know, has has a word or two with Brandon
Eckles about that rep the first team staying out here
Pat Fryremouth checking in now to be part of this drill.
The offense will now take the ball at the six
yard line, working in towards the end zone here.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
I wonder how they figure that out. It's a good question, Yeah,
I mean.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Just different situational stuff.
Speaker 4 (03:01):
I'm sure I'm in different play calls I want to
use from here. I mean, I'm sure it's a play
caller conversation between defense coordinator offense coordinator. Like, man, I
don't know what to do in this gray area of
what defense I want to put out there. Don't play
zoned plan or boy, I signed up a room for
me to run this route combination. But let's let's test
(03:22):
it and good showing specific play you want to on tape,
right yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Yeah, Yeah, absolutely good showing for the defense there.
Speaker 4 (03:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
In that period, let's get back. We'll kind of bob
and weed between the tweets and what's going on here
on the field to close down practice. Matt me tweets
us and says, I feel that the window for general
manager Omar Khan to get a wide receiver two has
closed unless it ends up being a big trade. That
being said, are we in the same boat as last year?
(03:51):
Are we situated better? And number two, what's your go
to order at basking Robins.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
I'm not sure if my basketing Robin's one.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
I haven't been to a basket Robinson a long time. Yeah,
but I mean I'm all good with ice cream and yoga,
frozen yogurt and any of that stuff. It's all good
to me. I like a little chocolate peanut butter is
always good. Little strawberry is always good.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
I have been saying I've been hitting the ice cream
bar at the cafeteria here more than I probably should
after lunch before our show. It's a nice little end
to a nice little lunch action there. Any berry ice
cream is hard for me to say no too, But
there's not much I don't like in the ice cream world.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
I'm with you on that same boat as last year,
better situated, I would say, I would say slightly better situation.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
Yeah, but it's familiar. Yeah, I mean there's one big dog.
I think Metcalf's a little more trustworthy than Pickings in
all phases of football playerdom. I think at this point Wilson,
well not Wilson Austin is more trustworthy than he was
one year ago. And again he was a crossroads player
(04:54):
for me then. But you're sort of in the same neighborhood.
I mean, you're still shopping in the same I don't
know that the windows changed just because Keenan Allen gets signed.
I don't know if that changes things. I mean, I
still think McLaurin could get moved. I don't know if
that's gonna be a Steeler move. I mean that's a
huge move. But a Christian Kirk, a Romeo Daub, somebody
(05:16):
like that could be on the move, especially when you
get closer to cut down day and realize you know
where these teams are at. So these things don't have
to happen overnight, you know, no.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
They don't. But I do also understand the kind of
looking at it as I've seen this fish before.
Speaker 4 (05:31):
You know, yeah, I do too.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
It feels like a similar situation. I totally get that.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
I mean, the the ayuk PTSD is real.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Notel no doubt. Steel a Nation nine twenty tweets us
and says, which rookie is standing out the most and why? Also,
today's my ninth wedding anniversary. My wife loves chardonay. Do
you have any recommendations?
Speaker 4 (05:49):
I can't help you on that. I'm not a white
wine dude, do you have any I am.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Not a white I'm a I'm a cabernet guy and
that's about it.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
I like dark red.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Yeah, I'll do a mall Becker a Merle from time
to time, but I'm a cab guy. So whatever she.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
Likes, I mean to make her happy on your ninth
vers exactly.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Right, exactly right, and happy anniversary is my wife and
I just celebrated our ninth about a week ago. Oh wow,
Which rookie is standing out the most and why? I
mean it's got to be Derek.
Speaker 4 (06:15):
Harmon, right, Yeah, I think that's safe. Right. I mean,
he's running with the wow hanging fruit.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
He's a wine pick and you didn't have a second round.
Speaker 4 (06:22):
He's been highly disruptive, just like he was in college.
I think, you you know, sometimes you don't know what
you buy in the draft or recruiting or whatever. But
I think him being here, that's what I paid for.
That's what I bought, and that's what I got. You know,
that's great. Totally, Yeah, totally.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Let's see here a couple more tweets that we can
get to. Jeff tweets and says, on a scale of
one to ten, concern level for Broderick Jones five.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
I was gonna say, I I there is there's certainly
concern there because he needs to be your franchise left tackle.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
Yeah, consistency, I need to see more, but trustworthiness.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
But I were not really going to determine that until September.
Even if he was here at camp looking great and
whipping everybody's butt and you know, staying healthy and all
those things, we still aren't going to know until the
bullets really start flying in September. I think about a
five is fair.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
I'm excited to watch joint practice with him. I mean,
that's a totally I don't know how many preseason reps
will get them some and I'm definitely gonna put value
in those, but I can't say my opinion has changed
drastically of them since the end of the season.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Yeah, I agree.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
I bet he's comfortable being on the left side exclusively.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
I think so too. And you know, having that veteran
say Imlu next to him will certainly help.
Speaker 4 (07:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Yeah, but this is one of those things we're going
to really start.
Speaker 4 (07:40):
Judging, implying these out of the woods that they're fine there.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Yeah, right, right, this is something we're going to really
start judging when we get to uh, when we get
to met Life Stadium, Yes, about a month from now.
Speaker 4 (07:51):
Yeah, and Jets have some good as rushers.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
We'll see that they sure do, they sure do. Uh
Swing State Sampson wants to know a little projecting here,
bye week eight. Is Jaalen Warren broken out and keeping
the starting running back job or will Caleb Johnson have
taken the job by then?
Speaker 4 (08:06):
Hmm.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
It's a good timeline.
Speaker 4 (08:07):
Yeah, it's a good timeline because I think Warren's gonna
be the feature back for a while. Eight. Maybe it's
fifty to fiftyish by then. That's not a knock on
Warren or a knock on Johnson. I just think it's
kind of Warren's gonna be tough to unseat from a
trustworthy as standpoint, a protection standpoint. But I don't think
they want to overwork them either.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Yeah, yeah, I think I don't know.
Speaker 4 (08:31):
That Johnson will ever become the clear lead dog this year.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
I'm optimistic that he I'm like cautiously optimistic that he
will because I think that would be a good sign
for the offense.
Speaker 4 (08:43):
But yeah, I think big Warren guy.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
I think I think Jalen Warren's been been primed for
this opportunity for the last couple of years. Uh Ben
tweets and says, is it better to have more versatile
offensive or defensive personnel? What is more challenging to prepare for?
When is the season starts in tendency's form? Good question.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
I would say defensive, I guess just because you see
such a variety of offenses, and that's part of the
Ramsey trade. To me, that a lot of pieces that
can do a lot of things. But it's obviously a
Steeler trend to get more versatile on both sides of
the ball, and that Fitzpatrick Ramsey Smith trade just screams it.
I mean, they got two really versatile pieces on each
(09:25):
side of the ball, and that's where the league's going.
You know that you need to be able to make
in game adjustments. You gotta make week to week two
adjustments you get to the playoffs. You gotta be able
to attack whatever the weaknesses of these really high end
teams are, and you have to have guys that can
do it. But I guess i'd say defense just to
be a little more malleable on the fly. Yeah, yeah,
(09:46):
I don't want to be making a lot of substitutions.
It wasn't long ago that the Steelers were at the
bottom of the league in their usage of nickel. They
were either in base or they were either in dime.
They rarely had five defensive backs in the field. They
had four to six, and they got to the point
where they were either a little too light or a
(10:07):
little too slow, you know. And I think that's where
you don't want to be. And I think that they're
drifting away from that. Not drifting, they're running away from
that a big way. That was a couple of years ago.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
Completely agree, Completely agree. As it looks like we're gonna
have a little team period action here to close down
this practice. I believe so that one's checking in for
the offense and for the defense, and so we will
bring you this action here on what could likely be
the final portion of practice. Aaron Rodgers will break the huddle.
(10:37):
Offense is going to start at the twenty yard line
first and ten. Here as Darnel Washington.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
Moves a motion man.
Speaker 2 (10:44):
They have had him in motion a lot. Yeah, and
it's gonna be a quick hitter to Kenneth gain Well
on a little wide receiver bubble screen and he's a
with him. Yeah, he's able to matriculate his way downfield nicely.
Make a couple guys miss and let's see here, it
looks like they'll give I was trying to see what
they were gonna do.
Speaker 4 (11:01):
Backter that Warren Johnson conversation. I don't know game Well
is going over anytime soon either.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
The lot absolutely, they certainly have. And he's you want
to talk about versatile, he's versatile man. He can absolutely
line up in a lot of different ways.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
Another when the left side of the line's coming out, Yeah,
just they get something up their sleeves.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
There's one one rep there for Roger Jones and say
them all before cooking and.
Speaker 4 (11:25):
Soon check totally new line change on the left side.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
Pitch to the left to Caleb Johnson. Had a little
bit of room there that was like a second and
short would have picked up the first down.
Speaker 4 (11:33):
Probably.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
We'll see here where they spot this.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
There they've been watching, you know, running with the ones.
Yeah's I can see what they like. He's not super powerful,
but he moves well. He stays in good body position.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
They need to. They need to get him all the
work they can at this point. That's that's for sure.
As as they need they need some depth pieces, they
need some guys they trust there in that offensive line group.
So first down preseason, absolutely, absolutely first down for the
offense still Aaron Rodgers. He's got Jalen Warren in the backfield,
(12:09):
DK Metcalf, Ben Skronik, and Roman Wilson the wide receivers.
As Rogers is looking, he's gonna throw one loft one
nicely for Roman Wilson over the head of Harris.
Speaker 4 (12:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
And I'll tell you what, Roman Wilson, good job to
kind of wiggle free there and find some space.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
Turned into a little bit of a scramble drill.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
A little bit of a scramble drill, but Rogers finding
just enough uh, just enough space there too, said.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
Real nice.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
Uh, here's one for you. Rob tweets us and says,
I think Mason McCormick is a huge variable for this
season that isn't being discussed. Can he make a jump
this year? Does he have an above average ceiling or
are his traits limited? Good question.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
I don't think he's super limited, So nerd alert when
you One of the most valuable combine drills for interior
linemen is the short shuttle. And I forget what the
number is off the top of my head or remembered
in draft season, but whatever it is, it's four to
three or whatever. It is a very very high percentage
(13:18):
of those guys that were under the threshold that are
really really good in the short shuttle have turned into
high quality pros. And you might not think that, but
there's so much of pass protection is recovery. I'm leaning
this way and I gotta adjust or I'm going to
the second level, and I have taded a linebacker that's
(13:39):
eighty pounds less than me and a much more athletic
than me. How do I change direction? Hit that moving target?
And McCormick hit he's below the magic number and it's
not a high percentage of guys make it. Now, that's
not the only reason I think that he's gonna make it,
don't get me wrong, but it works in his favor
because I do think he has a little bit of
(13:59):
stiff to him, but he does change direction well. Where
I'm going with this is he's a plus athlete for
the position all in all, and therefore I think his
ceiling is high. To answer this question, it's not best
in the league high, but I mean I think it's
a plus starter level high. And I take that all
day long, and I think that he's on that path.
(14:20):
His some of his rookie year was rocky, and I
think he'd be the first even admit it. And I
think there is an interview out there late in the
year that he was feeling the rookie wall from playing
that much football or never having done that before. And
even like the level of play that he was at
in college. Wasn't Ohio State the long playoff run. You know,
(14:41):
he never played close to the amount of games.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
Jack sixty times, you know, high quality Big ten.
Speaker 4 (14:48):
Or these Georgia guys or whatever. You know. So I
think his rookie year was a success, and I expect
his second year to be better, and if it is,
he will be a quality starting right art. I think
that's that's my expectation.
Speaker 2 (15:02):
I think that's a good way to put it. I do.
I do think that's a good way to put it.
As a team period, ongoing in front of us, looks
like the ones are gonna check back in, so we'll
go back to some play by play coverage here. You know,
we got Rob Kings sitting to our right. Tell him
I'm coming for his job here.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
Oh yeah, he's.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
Been stealing my public address duties here on campus. Haven't
been able to give my PSA's today because Kinger's been
doing them. So you know what, I'm gonna steal his
play by play gig.
Speaker 4 (15:28):
There you go.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
You're gonna be Max Starks here. Where's our where's our?
Ramone Foster down on the sideline for our sideline reporting?
H Tom Arfin there talking to Aaron Rodgers is the
first team offense gets ready to break the huddle. TJ.
Watt checking in for the defense as most of the
ones out there that are active today in practice, looks
like uh single high safety look for the defense. Here's
(15:54):
Aaron Rodgers takes the shotgun snap quick care over the
middle of the DK Metcalf.
Speaker 4 (15:57):
That's when they did spread the field horizontally white a
bit and get Metcalf a lot of space to operate.
Is the second guy.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
Looks like they're hurry, hurry up here. So that's a
first down about an eleven yard game for the offense.
They'll reset the sticks Fraser quickly getting that ball back
to Rogers trying to go over the medal again in
a miscommunication. There is under pressure too, under pressure miscommunication
with Pat Fryarmouth and one Thornhill.
Speaker 4 (16:21):
Why are you Black's implying that he got a piece
of that?
Speaker 2 (16:24):
I think he might.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
He keeps doing this move right.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
The deflection signal for that came out weird, and one
Thornhill almost like I don't know, like a like a
center field or diving for a for a plot. Pop
Fly is able to get his hands underneath that one.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
But you had another deflection by the defensive line. That's
this group is good at that.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
They really are. And Aaron Rodgers frustrated and it looks
like that's going to be it for the first team
after just two reps there.
Speaker 4 (16:51):
I'm sure I'd love to do more, but yeah, hey,
don't turn it over.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Don't turn it over. And Rogers is talking with voice
and some frustrations with Arthur Smith over there. He's look
at that huddle like I think he wanted to take
a couple more reps.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
Yeah, but I'm not done with two snaps. They were
humming there for a minute.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
They were, They absolutely were, and got up to the
line of scrimmage and got that next play in. But hey, man,
that you're right that Steelers defensive line and Carl Dunbar,
their fearless leader. They have certainly had great culture, a
great mindset of getting hands and fingertips on that football
at the line of scrimmage.
Speaker 4 (17:23):
And Clark got his hands on that one too. It's
a as a past defense.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
He sure did. We'll stay here, maybe for another couple
of reps of the second team before we get to break.
Mason Rudolph has it in the shotgun. He's looking over
the middle, brought in by Connor Hayward before he's immediately
wrapped up by definite A first down. Good enough for
a first down is the offense will move quickly here
defense looking to get reset and on the same page
snap his back. Mason Rudolph gonna get rid of that one.
(17:50):
That's a nice I think that might have been a
sack situation if I right.
Speaker 4 (17:58):
Tackle may have moved the little early too.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
Yeah, I think I think our Sawyer Jones might have
moved just a hair early and Sawyer was able to
kind of get some pressure on Mason Rudolph but still
let him get rid of that.
Speaker 4 (18:10):
Fo calling that a catch and did a nice job
getting feed in there.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
He did do a nice job getting his feet and
Mason's gonna go back that way again Johnson and Johnson
with a nice one handed grab. He's having.
Speaker 4 (18:21):
Johnson gonna be one of those guys in preseason that's
you know, five for sixty five touchdown.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
You know, if you're Mike Pursuda and you have a
gambling addiction that you know needs needs fed even during.
Speaker 4 (18:33):
The preseason, needs scratching.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
I think I think some some uh some Johnson props
there might not be a bad way to go.
Speaker 4 (18:40):
Yeah. I know some folks that do pretty well with
like preseason fantasy and preseason props on some of these guys,
and I think there's profit to be made there if
you know a team and be like, man, he's been
good in practice, he's gonna get It's all about how
Oernen reps you're gonna get totally, you know, right right totally,
if you're gonna get a big share of that pie
in the preseason that can I'm sure Johnson's over undertotal
(19:01):
was not gigantic on catches and receptions, but he does
something every practice. He's one of those guys.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
He sure does, he sure does, and he's starting to
make a name for himself out here. I'll see if
I can find any early early early indicators from that.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
I know you can put like preseason DFS lineups in
and absolutely yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
Yeah, listen, Matt in twenty twenty five, in today's age,
you could find anything to gamble on if you want to,
that's for sure. Let's see here, I'm not seeing individual
props for the game yet. There's you know, there's a line,
you know who's playing exactly right, and so no, there's
game lines and you know first half and their first
quarter and all that stuff and winning margins, but nothing.
Speaker 4 (19:41):
For the Steelers are a dog in Jacksonville too.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
They are two and a half point dog. So Uh.
Speaker 4 (19:47):
I don't know enough about betting and preseason betting in particular,
but I would imagine most home teams are favored.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
I think so. I think that that would make sense.
Speaker 4 (19:55):
Does that imply they expect Lawrence to play a little,
because I don't think anyone thinks Rogers playing. No.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
I would agree, gonna be about a thirty nine forty
yard field goal here for Ben Saws to score some
points for the offense. Although I think did Mike Tomlin
just take a time out to maybe ice the kicker out?
Speaker 4 (20:15):
I don't know what is playing.
Speaker 2 (20:16):
Oh no, we got a helicopter flying overhead. I think
that might depend. Well, that might depend what it was.
That the helicopter was a low to the field there.
I think that's what the coach was looking up at it.
I think he was like, let's wait till this helicopter
comes zooming by before we attempt this field goal? All right,
Ben Saws from thirty nine yards? That was that thing was, man,
You could see the shadow all over the field there.
(20:37):
That was a low flying helicopter. As the snap is up,
snap is good and Sauls drills it for the offense
to get some points.
Speaker 4 (20:44):
There we are very close to an airport as we.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
Are right across the street. Be it for practice.
Speaker 4 (20:50):
I think are not happy that this we got two plays? Yep, Hey,
I think you know that's the way it works.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
That's the way it works. Absolutely better not the way
that they wanted to end it, but better week here
so far for the offense.
Speaker 4 (21:04):
Yeah, especially the top dogs Rogers in particular. But yeah,
I'm a little more encouraged. I think things are starting
to gel. And folks, we warned you. I mean, it
takes a while for the offense, especially with this many
new parts. I mean, I can't stress this enough. They're
the only team in the league that is guaranteed to
have a new leading passer, rusher, and receiver. I mean
that's rare, it's only guaranteed, guaranteed. Yeah, that is definitely
(21:26):
going to happen, no matter who gets hurt between now
and when.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
You know, when we did that at the first week
of camp, when we were talking about that, I think,
what just twelve or thirteen teams that has happened eight
seventy eight. So a long law doesn't happen, a period
doesn't happen often, So it's gonna take some time. But
we're starting to see it all come together. Here another
practice in the Books for the Steelers. Give you some
final thoughts on that. Maybe get to some more of your
(21:50):
tweaks as well too. Also hear what Aaron Rodgers had
to say today when we returned so plenty in our
final two segments. As we roll along here in the
bonus hour of the drive, practice and the Books, It's
all part of our ongoing training Camp coverage West U Learn.
Matt Williamson with you here on Steelers Nation Radio on
the Steelers Audio.
Speaker 1 (22:07):
Network, Iheartradios Live Coverage I'm about twenty twenty five.
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Speaker 2 (22:44):
Practicing the Books for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here on a
great day for it on a Wednesday. Yeah, really, this
week's been awesome weather. It's been so great now doubt, doubt,
a lot of a lot of rain, a lot of
thunder and lightning and extreme heat there in the first
kind of week and a half or so of camp.
But this week's been awesome. It's been it's been in
the seventies, it's been sonny and.
Speaker 4 (23:05):
Uh, fields are still in nice shape and yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
Good shape. A lot of good work that's been happening
out here, without a doubt, uh this week so far,
and of course at the forefront of a lot of
that has been Aaron Rodgers. Absolutely a little frustrated with
the way the practice ended today, but I think I
think he's turned a.
Speaker 6 (23:21):
Little bit of a corner last couple of days. Very
good way to put crisp. He's been crisp, he's been sharp.
Him and DK metcalf, you know, feel like they're starting
to come together and gel on the same page. And
so before today's practice.
Speaker 4 (23:35):
A couple.
Speaker 2 (23:38):
As a John new Smith is down there working the
jugs machine as usual, no doubt, but Aaron Rodgers, just
before practice, so what about four hours ago, took some
time to meet with the media and talk about his
experience in camp to this point. Some of those things
that Matt and I touched on this offense starting to
gel and come together. Here's what QB Won had to
(24:00):
say this afternoon.
Speaker 7 (24:02):
I don't I wouldn't say it was ever fuzzy. I
might have said the image was fuzzy. But the players
are rolling off good and I feel good about the offense,
much better than last week.
Speaker 4 (24:14):
Mike said he thought you were in command yesterday two minute.
Would you have a silver feeling?
Speaker 8 (24:18):
Yeah, we just got to get the rest back out
there so we'd get that call.
Speaker 6 (24:21):
Did yesterday feel like things were clicking a little bit
more for the offense, like maybe that was a moment
where the peat was kind of turning?
Speaker 8 (24:28):
Well, I mean, I think we've we've been clicking the.
Speaker 7 (24:30):
Last three or four days much better. Our defense, you know,
it's obviously we added a lot of pieces to it.
Always early in camp with the Pats go on, the
defense seems to have the upper edge, and then the
second week it starts to turn a little bit.
Speaker 8 (24:45):
So I feel like we've been playing better the last
week and a half.
Speaker 7 (24:49):
Roman said that he really appreciated like working with you
and learning and how to get.
Speaker 4 (24:53):
Better with you.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
What if you see in him is just how he
works and working to get better with you get the beat.
Speaker 8 (24:58):
I would say, Roman, just like uh and really all
our guys they really care about it.
Speaker 1 (25:03):
You know.
Speaker 7 (25:03):
I noticed that when they came out to out West,
just to see their their attention to detail and and
their willingness to learn. So Roe, you know, I just
gotta get a row out of his head a little bit,
you know, cause I think he's he's he's such a
good kid. He cares so much about whether it's my
approval or he's doing it right. And he just gotta
(25:24):
trust himself because he's so damn talented. You know, the
more he can play free and not not think out there,
the better he's gonna play. So the more he can
just trust what he's got and then just go out.
Speaker 8 (25:35):
And react, the better he's gonna play. Karon, what what
he fights you most about?
Speaker 2 (25:39):
Playing in the genre, It's.
Speaker 7 (25:42):
Been the relationship with with Arthur, you know, to have
a guy that, uh we say yesterday for like uh
two and a half hours, you know, just talk and
ball and it's not all like X's knows it's you know,
it's storytelling from time to time. But he's he's not
a rigid guy at all, you know, so anything that
ideas that I have or ideas that you know, some
(26:04):
of the receivers are given to me.
Speaker 8 (26:05):
To give to him.
Speaker 7 (26:07):
You know, everything is taken into consideration, which I really appreciated,
and uh, and we're installing it. I mean the last
few days we've installed stuff that I've gone back and
looked at from the past or other guys have had,
you know, similar ideas.
Speaker 8 (26:21):
Because we have a little open form in my room.
Speaker 7 (26:23):
Anytime you want to come in and suggest something or
get on the same page about something, let me know
because I'll I'll take it right to art. But I'm
just really enjoying him a lot as persons and just
the way he leads in front of the room.
Speaker 8 (26:35):
And it's been, uh been a lot of fun. So
um any advice too.
Speaker 7 (26:40):
Well, now that he's kind of losing an opportunity to
preseason most likely and working as a doctor.
Speaker 8 (26:44):
And injury, uh yeah, I mean it sucks.
Speaker 7 (26:47):
It sucks for him for sure, but uh, because he
had such a nice camp as a young player and
then watching him in mini camp and just seeing his
you know, I'll come in of the offense and the uh.
But this year is is a growth here, right, I
it's a year to uh, to watch and learn and
obviously better himself.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
Uh.
Speaker 8 (27:06):
This will just be a minor setback for him, you know.
Speaker 4 (27:08):
Uh, it would have.
Speaker 7 (27:09):
Been great to see him get some live reps in
the preseason, but uh, I'm not sure when he's gonna
be back. Hopefully he's back in time to to take
maybe the second or third game. But either way, you know,
this is a year for him to grow and learn
and get his body the way he wants to get
him and get ready to to be the guy for.
Speaker 8 (27:25):
A long time.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
Aaron, would you want some reps in preseason?
Speaker 8 (27:28):
Is it something that you think of personal.
Speaker 4 (27:30):
Value for you with with the new team.
Speaker 7 (27:33):
Yeah, I mean that's interesting conversation. I think, Uh, Mike
and I have that at some point. I'm not I
don't think it's in the plan for me to play
this week, but uh, whatever Mike wants to do, I'm
fully on board. Who wants me to go out there
and play, I'll play.
Speaker 4 (27:47):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (27:48):
If not, then I won't. I've said a lot, you know,
with all due respect, then I can say whatever I want.
Preseason football is not necessarily real football, uh, because the
defenses just don't do a whole lot, and the offenses
don't either. So you go out there with a very
limited playbook against the defenses playing one eye zone, one
I man or two I zone and there's not much pressure.
(28:10):
There's oftentimes communication between the coaches about hey, we're not
gonna pressure this week, or hey we need to see
a little bit of pressure. It's really about the operation now,
that is where you can actually gain something when the
preseason is you got forty seconds, right, there's a play
clock out here, but it's not always adhere to.
Speaker 8 (28:28):
So you have forty.
Speaker 7 (28:29):
Seconds to call the play, they get the last scrimmage,
they get us in the right situation and to go
out and do it. And I think there's something to
be gained for that. But as opposed to kind of
when I got in the league, I would say there's
less schematic stuff that you're gonna see in the regular season.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
Do you feel like you're at it the kind of
rebuilding process that the receivers and what goes into that
book on and off.
Speaker 4 (28:49):
Of the field.
Speaker 7 (28:50):
Yeah, I mean there's a conversation I think is the
most portant thing. So talking through every issue arts done
a nice job of allowing me to take some time
in some of the meetings to kind of go through.
Speaker 8 (29:01):
The film with the guys.
Speaker 7 (29:02):
And they all have position coaches, which is important to
get coached up by the position coach. But uh, you know,
as parents, right, sometimes you tell your kid a bunch
of stuff and they only get it when somebody else
says it and you're over there like I've been saying.
Speaker 8 (29:16):
This forever, that's kind of out.
Speaker 7 (29:17):
As for a position coach sometimes or they tell them
the right thing all the time, but it might not
be until they are for me or hear from the
park or it actually kicks in. And that's just the
nature of life and in our business. So it's good
for me to speak up from time to time. And
also you pull them aside and block room and pull
them side on the field, and then you've got to
open for him in my room or or one of
their rooms after practice.
Speaker 4 (29:38):
Aaron, when you try to go to Wolfing on that
play or.
Speaker 8 (29:41):
Did that cover tick tick that where you throw them the ball,
It's like that was a cover coverage dictated that one.
Speaker 6 (29:49):
Yeah, you're getting preseason football, isn't the old football?
Speaker 2 (29:54):
Are you able to kind of supplement that with the
joint practices. Does that is that more of a benefit
than preseason football.
Speaker 7 (30:00):
Yes, I believe so for the for the first team,
because teams are especially most of the joint practices, I
would say, you're not gonna play that team in the
regular season, so they're less worried about showing things that
they want to work on. And even though they're usually
are cameras there and it's filmed, they're less skiddish about
running the stuff they've been running off camp that they're
(30:22):
gonna try and do in the regular season against another
team that you're not gonna play in the regular season.
So I find I've found those beneficial as long as
there's not a lot of fights.
Speaker 8 (30:32):
I think they're they're a good work day for the.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
First for the first team, two more guys, two more,
you're getting the right.
Speaker 4 (30:38):
A lot of work this camp.
Speaker 7 (30:39):
As far as the reps, I think you've only had
one day off when you feel you're getting what you need.
Speaker 8 (30:45):
I love that one day off, Thank you Mike for
that one.
Speaker 7 (30:49):
But we really got two days off if you look
at it, because we got rained out that one day
and did a walk through.
Speaker 8 (30:54):
So I feel good.
Speaker 7 (30:55):
You know, I'm not begging for.
Speaker 8 (30:57):
For off days, but anytime Mike wants.
Speaker 7 (31:00):
To lighten my load, I won't.
Speaker 8 (31:01):
I won't complain.
Speaker 2 (31:02):
Last one guy's good.
Speaker 4 (31:04):
Aaron.
Speaker 2 (31:04):
You mentioned that you open your door for your teammates.
Have you seen a lot of guys take advantage of
that and feel comfortable coming to you with with questions?
Speaker 4 (31:12):
Yeah, I have, I have.
Speaker 7 (31:13):
I think that's an important part of it, just letting
those guys know that there's no dictatorship here. It's not
arts dictatorship or mine. It's we want to talk about
all the issues and all the things you're seeing, and
whether it's a text message or come into my room
and having a conversation like those are invaluable times to
get on the same page with the guys because when
I'm out there, I don't want anything to be left unsaid.
(31:35):
So I'd rather hit it on the front end and
if then something comes happen, in practice, hit on the
back end instead of trusting, you know, get to get
figured out on its own. So it's been it's been
a good process for us. Ben is the one that
comes in the most. He doesn't really knock anymore, but
that's Ben's personality.
Speaker 4 (31:55):
The opportunity for.
Speaker 2 (31:57):
I enjoyed listener to that guy talk, Paul.
Speaker 4 (31:59):
Yeah, Aaron rod pretty media savvy, and he was a
little bit about the game and been around the block.
And nothing's taking that guy by storm, to say the least.
It's so poised and deliberate and impressive and impressive to
see him walk around campus, walk around the cafeteria. How
he ends himself on the field, and I think the
results on the field have been better. They certainly are
(32:19):
going the right way.
Speaker 2 (32:20):
And you know, maybe that's one of those things along
the lines too of you know, listen, Aaron Rodgers is
in a you know, fresh off the lot ferrari anymore.
Speaker 4 (32:29):
No, not at all, right.
Speaker 2 (32:30):
Right, maybe maybe like a you know, like maybe like
a classic kind of a sports car, muscle car. He
just needs a few miles to get going, you know,
burn off some of the.
Speaker 4 (32:39):
Classic seventies vets.
Speaker 2 (32:40):
Exactly exactly right, and you got to burn off some
of the old uh, some of the old oil there
before you before you can really get the thing going.
Speaker 4 (32:48):
But yeah, and while we were playing that, he was
holding court in the back of the end zone too,
with a bunch of people around him. I assume he
was signing and chatting with people.
Speaker 2 (32:55):
Yeah, he's still out here now talking with somebody on
the far sideline.
Speaker 4 (32:59):
Oh, yeah, I'm sure that is.
Speaker 2 (33:01):
Yeah, I'm not sure who he's chatting with over there,
but looks like somebody important.
Speaker 4 (33:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (33:05):
Roman Wilson working the jugs machine here, as are a
couple of the other wide receivers on the near side.
As things are getting a little quiet here. Practice in
the books now for about twenty minutes or so, and
most of the Steelers have exited the field. I see
Pat Fryarmouth still down there talking to some members of
(33:25):
the media as well too. Like we said, some of
the wide receivers working on some jugs machines. But that
will do it for this day of work for the
Pittsburgh Steelers. And again, I know we've said this a
few times, but I think people kind of jump in
and out throughout our coverage throughout the day. Two good
practices so far this week, Matt, and I think it's
really been encouraging to see the offense start to find
(33:45):
their groove a little bit.
Speaker 4 (33:46):
Yeah. Again, I think the timing and the passing game
is really showing up. There's a lot less palms in
the air, don't know where to be or what are
you supposed to do? And I think they're starting to
whip into shape a little bit. I think the line
has been much better better, I mean against a formidable
defensive front. The tight ends have been strong every step
of the way. It's hard to judge the running backs.
(34:08):
We were asked recently about the wide receiver position. I
think it's far from perfect, but the non Metcalf wide
receivers I would say have improved as a group as well.
Speaker 2 (34:17):
Completely agree, completely agree. I'm feeling better about the wide receivers.
I'm feeling better about the offensive line. I'm feeling better
about the quarterback.
Speaker 4 (34:25):
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I wish Howard was going to be
in the preseason game.
Speaker 2 (34:28):
Totally, and Mike Tomlin confirmed broken finger, he's gonna be
week the week. He'll at least be out for now. Yeah, Okay,
will not need surgery, which is good news.
Speaker 4 (34:36):
Okay, this rowing hand I think it is.
Speaker 2 (34:39):
Yes, is great, pinky for Will Howard out this week
and his week the week. Mike Toman also said Calvin
Austin should be perking up soon.
Speaker 4 (34:49):
Nice to have here tomorrow. YEP. I wonder what the
did not participate list will look like tomorrow, he said.
Speaker 2 (34:55):
Derek Harmon is banged up, but doesn't seem like it's significant.
Older guys were just being rested.
Speaker 4 (35:01):
Will Ramsey's nothing even those two days.
Speaker 2 (35:03):
In a row. Will Howard is out and his week
the week with a pinky, and Calvin Austin should be
perking up soon.
Speaker 4 (35:09):
Okay. I don't know why, but I think this is
the one that I think we just won't see.
Speaker 2 (35:12):
For a while. Yes, I would, I would agree with people.
Speaker 4 (35:14):
Were asking abou him at this point.
Speaker 2 (35:15):
Yeah, no doubt, no doubt. But that's kind of some
of the housekeeping there for you. In terms of Mike
Tomlin's post practice remarks, reminder he will.
Speaker 8 (35:25):
Will have a.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
Full throttle, full fledged press conference tomorrow at noon talking
about that preseason and Jackson.
Speaker 4 (35:32):
I'll do something to chat about to before practice gets
really rolling.
Speaker 2 (35:35):
Absolutely will, absolutely will. So we got one more segment
to get to when we return. On the other side,
we will put a bow on this thing, cross our teas,
dot our eyes as we drive off of another day
of a practice coverage. Here Wes Huler, Matt Williams, and
it is a special edition of The Drive. It's all
happening on Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio.
Speaker 1 (35:53):
Network, iHeart Radio's live coverage OB twenty twenty five Steelers
Training Camp is presented by Fadex where Now meets Next
and also brought to you by CGR Wholesale Roofing and
Sighting Supply Center, by Tom's Appliances, by Always Safe Flagging
(36:16):
and Traffic Control by Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, by
Schneider Downs, by Hassa's Steak and Seahouse, by your Neighborhood
Forward Store, by Castle Rock, by Clearview Federal Credit Union,
and by US Steel.
Speaker 2 (36:33):
Final segment here from practice on a Wednesday, as campus
is UH is coming to a close and getting quiet.
A couple of guys still working on the jocks machines.
A couple dudes out there, Tristan Thompsons, Skyler Thompson.
Speaker 4 (36:48):
I'm done being nice about that now. He's QB three
for come on, come on.
Speaker 2 (36:53):
Dude, Gosh almost made it.
Speaker 6 (36:55):
Will say his name a lot, Skylar Skyli Skylarkyl, and
I will be think of breaking back.
Speaker 2 (37:03):
But who's Walter White?
Speaker 4 (37:04):
Then?
Speaker 2 (37:04):
Out here? Where's Jesse Pinkman? I am a bad with
first names in general, as Skyler. Thompson goes over to
sign some autographs. Look at Skyler signing all those autographs.
Speaker 4 (37:13):
Look at that Skyler right.
Speaker 2 (37:17):
Just a couple of minutes ago, speaking to the media,
some of the players down around us, one Thornhill said,
and I quote, I think we have a chance to
be the best defensive all time, seriously, and quote WHOA.
I would just take being as good as like the
two thousand and five or two thousand and eight Steelers
defense would be fine with sure, It would be fine
with me.
Speaker 4 (37:33):
Any of the steel Curtain would be okay by me too,
you know, I mean, top ten defense of all time.
I would probably take at this point tech I'm just
best defense in the league.
Speaker 2 (37:42):
Just best defense in the league this year would be fantastic.
Speaker 4 (37:45):
Now best defense of all times a little insane, but
I love that feeling, that vibe, and I definitely think
that they are having those kind of talks inside the walls.
Speaker 2 (37:54):
And that they know the expectations are high.
Speaker 4 (37:56):
Yeah, and I don't think I wouldn't say this fight
in me in it. I don't think being the number
one defense in the league is impossible or in or
a crazy thought. Yep, Yeah, I mean I think there's
five or six defenses floating around that could be, no
doubt the best one out there, and they're on the
short and this is one of them.
Speaker 2 (38:14):
Yeah, And I know listen motes and I get questions
about this kind of stuff a lot, and I think
it's because, like we're both in our thirties and a
little bit younger. Yeah, yeah, Madden ranking stuff like every
every year when that stuff comes out, like someone.
Speaker 4 (38:27):
Will just assume people take that as GOSF.
Speaker 2 (38:28):
And they'll be like, Miles Garrett's a ninety nine overall, TJ.
Watson ninety seven overall. What do you guys think about that?
It's a video game? Yeah, I like the video game,
but it.
Speaker 4 (38:37):
Sounds like it's an advanced one, like they don't just
pull it out of the totally.
Speaker 2 (38:40):
Yeah, Steelers are the number one rated defense and bad
in the show?
Speaker 4 (38:42):
Are they really?
Speaker 1 (38:43):
Yep?
Speaker 2 (38:43):
Okay, Ravens are up there, Broncos are.
Speaker 4 (38:45):
Up there in my short list, yep, But Houston Steelers are.
Speaker 8 (38:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (38:50):
Houston was on the list. Eagles was on the listening
Chiefs were in the top ten as well too. Yeah,
it doesn't chock me, but yeah, Steelers were the number
one overall the defense. Uh Mark tweets us and says,
I I mean to ask you, guys, should we can
be should we be concerned about the lack of live
work and the running game so far in camp For
an offense predicated on the run, they sure don't seem
to be working on it too much. It's hard fair question,
(39:12):
but it's also a fair question, not just as easy
as like, let's let's line up and you know, run
seven or correct.
Speaker 4 (39:22):
Should we be concerned? No, because I do think there
will be a lot of live bullet running game work
to come. Yes, some tomorrow, a lot in the joint practice,
a ton in three preseason games, so let's hold off
on that. It's I understand the question too. I mean
(39:43):
it's a run first team. You got to stress to run.
It's just not how the CBA is designed either. I mean,
there's that acclimation period you can work on run fits
and things like that, but run game is a physical
nature that you're not even allowed to do. We did
lose a padded practice to rain. I mean, who's to
say how much they would have done there? But I
(40:05):
get the question, but let's not overreact. There's there's still
a lot of run stuff to see. Let's see how
they run the ball in Jacksonville, you know, to be
a good start.
Speaker 2 (40:15):
But I think it's a fair question.
Speaker 4 (40:16):
It is a fair question.
Speaker 2 (40:17):
Fair question. I get we still got a couple of
weeks in that process.
Speaker 4 (40:20):
We do.
Speaker 2 (40:21):
We didn't do an around the league segment today, but.
Speaker 4 (40:23):
Interesting there many news I didn't see much.
Speaker 2 (40:25):
Not really Okay, pretty quiet day today, But Joseph wants
to know from you. Fantasy football question. I'm in a
keeper league and I can either keep Jaden Daniels or
Justin Herbert. Who would you bet on to have a
better season? And for context, past touchdowns are worth six
points in this league.
Speaker 4 (40:42):
Okay, I'm a huge Herbert fan, but this is an
easy one. It's Daniels. Yeah. Like I do a lot
of dynasty work where you keep quarterbacks forever, I mean
if you draft them in a rookie draft, even forever,
and the two highest ranked one ones in dynasty, which
I agree with our Josh Allen is won. J Daniels
is too. Lamar three. It hurts his four, but they're
(41:03):
the top four guys in redraft. Uh. For the future,
I think the Washington offense should be even better, they
invested heavily in their own line. If they Kate McLaurin,
you had debo to the mix as well. Daniels blew
my doors off in terms.
Speaker 2 (41:18):
Of very impressed with him last year.
Speaker 4 (41:20):
Yeah, and I liked them coming out of the LSU,
But now I love him, you know, I mean he
he is obviously a phenomenal athlete that goes out saying
but his poise and nothing's too big for him. They
got a star there, and it does. It wouldn't blow
me away much like Stroud a year ago, who was
also second pick and was you know, blow your door
(41:41):
off that the league might catch up a little bit
on fire. Yeah.
Speaker 8 (41:44):
Two.
Speaker 4 (41:45):
I mean there's three defensive coordinators the NFC spending a
lot of time breaking down his tape. Right now, I'm
gonna make him do different things, so it might not
be as good. And Herbert's great, But in terms of
like keepers and things like that, the only guy I
would even consider trading the Angels four is probably Allen
or maybe Lamar.
Speaker 2 (42:02):
Yeah, one of those guys that you know is putting
right right right a year after year after year.
Speaker 4 (42:07):
And if you guys ever want to shoot fantasy questions,
we can it's starting to be a heavy fantasy season.
Speaker 2 (42:10):
Yeah, no, we're coming up on fantasy draft seats. In fact,
got mina, I think two weeks from today. Okay, Lemu
sixty seven, I think he's one. You might be one
off there, but Lemu sixty seven. He's going with that,
tweets us and says offensive line their performance and their
lack of quality depth. Is that going to be an
achilles heel for the Steelers this season? Could be I'm
(42:31):
not there yet, but it could be. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (42:33):
I mean if I wrote I was creative writing major,
and I always do this, Like if I wrote a
story for my professors back in the day of how
things went sideways for the season, that would be high
on my list of you know, an O line injury
or two. Jones takes a step backwards. See Jamal lou
takes a step backwards at his age. No one on
(42:54):
the of the two's really steps up. I think that's
a very believable story.
Speaker 2 (42:59):
Maybe Fraser in Falton, who were good but they're not
all pro right.
Speaker 4 (43:02):
Okay, like they're about where they were or whatever. An
injury or two. But I'm also more encouraged by the
two's now than I was a couple of days ago too.
You know, Cook seems to be getting more looks. Spencer
Anderson I think is reliable. I think McCollum's an OK
two Now. I wish they had last year's OH line depth,
(43:23):
but that was kind of uncanny and it definitely worries me.
So yeah, I mean again, there's the wide receiver position
in O line or two that could make things more difficult.
Speaker 2 (43:37):
You know, no question, last one is going to go
to Scott and you kind of touched on this at
the start of the show, but that was almost three
hours ago.
Speaker 4 (43:45):
For a while now, so with.
Speaker 2 (43:47):
Will Howard out, does it make sense to bring in
another camp arm seems a little late to be helpful.
We know that Skyler Skyler will will now play a ton,
but any new arm might help you continue to evaluate
your depth offensive lines as well.
Speaker 4 (44:03):
What was Tomlin's wording, as you see out.
Speaker 2 (44:05):
Week the week week to week, no surgery.
Speaker 4 (44:09):
Okay, I guess that makes it kind of tough, you know, like,
if you told me he's gonna be out a week now,
just live with what you got. If you told me
he's gonna be out the rest of the preseason. I
think you go get somebody. I don't know who those
names are, to be honest with you. I mean, they
don't have to be huge names.
Speaker 2 (44:27):
To be fair. If they bring in another arm here
in the next day or two, that might tell us
that they're leaning a couple more weeks with Will Howard.
Speaker 4 (44:34):
That would one or two he's not playing in the
preseason if they were to sign someone the next day
or three.
Speaker 2 (44:40):
Sometimes you just got to read the tea leaves.
Speaker 4 (44:42):
Yeah, this is a tough one too, because ideally you'd
love a young type of dude, but they're all tied
up at the moment. I'm not trading for a quarterback,
that's for sure. I'm not giving you anything for a
quarterback at this point because it's not gonna be a
long term injury.
Speaker 2 (44:56):
And as you mentioned, a lot of the kind of
veteran guys that you might even can that are adding
at this point have just been nabbed in the last
day or two, you know, Teddy Bridgewater.
Speaker 4 (45:05):
Yeah, and those guys come in competing for twos too. Like,
I don't need any heat on Rudolph. He didn't do
anything wrong. I'm very happy with that. Your boy Skyler,
I think has shown that he can execute an offense.
I mean, maybe we'll watch the first preseason game be like, oh,
I can't get anything done with him. Maybe we have
to go get somebody. But I think you give him
(45:26):
the benefit of the doubt, at least in Jacksonville.
Speaker 2 (45:29):
I think so too. I think that's a good kind
of game plan for this week and then reevaluate Will
Howard in a few days and go from there.
Speaker 4 (45:36):
Yeah. Yeah, And they know better than we do. Is
week to week mean he's not playing the preseason or
maybe in preseason two he'll be all right because it.
Speaker 2 (45:45):
Is maybe there's some hope that they could get him
into that a pinky game.
Speaker 4 (45:48):
Yeah, I mean, if I'm sitting there looking at my hand,
like if I had to have one damaged from the
throwing hand, that would be it. But it's easy for
me to say too, it's not my pinky totally.
Speaker 2 (45:56):
Totally. That will do it for today's program, Good show, Matt,
good stuff. One more tomorrow before we have a few
days off for that preseason game. But of course you
know that we still have plenty more left on this
training camp plate. But that will be it for today.
Our coverage will resume tomorrow morning at ten am in
the locker room with King and Starks as they will
(46:17):
set the stage for another day here on the campus
of Saint Vincent College. Big thanks to our guy Justin
for producing it for us back at the ranch, and
thanks to each and every one of Yin's who decided
to tweet us. And thanks to my guy Skyler for
still being down on the end zone signing autographs for
all the kids around there here still on campus. For
Matt Williamson, I'm wes Ueler. Take care everybody. We'll talk
(46:39):
to you soon. As always, you know where to find us.
It's on your twenty four to seven home of the
Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.
Iheartradios Live coverage Job not twenty twenty five Steelers Training Camp.
He's presented by Fadex where now meets Next and also
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(00:27):
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and by US Steel.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
Rolling along here on this Wednesday afternoon practice is the
afternoon approaches the evening. We Shooler and Matt Williamson with
you here on Steelers Radio. It's the bonus hour of
the drop here as we are in what is probably
the final minutes practice here, we got a little seven
on seven action going on in front of us. Matt
as a looks like the Austin King the Rhone.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
If you will yep, I read on eighteen yard yep,
eighteen yards, eighteen yards an inn here as we will
keep you keep you posted with everything that's going on
at the end of a practice.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
As another good day of work for the Steelers here today,
another active day, another high energy day, and coming down
the home stretch here is Aaron Rodgers will break the
huddle and he gets the snap and he's looking left
across the middle of the field, well covered by the defense.
He'll roll out and just kind of throw this one away.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
Yeah, realize, I'm really realized.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Yeah, I'm not gonna have this much time in an
actual game setting. And so he just throws that one away,
well covered by the defense.
Speaker 4 (01:44):
It was exactly what you're looking for from the defense there,
and Rogers are smart enough that's not to hold it
for ten seconds and make them covered.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
You know, certainly, certainly, we'll bring you a couple more
of these reps here. We'll get back to some tweets.
We've got some new Aaron Rodgers speaking right before practice.
We just got that audio as well too, that we're
gonna play some for you in this hour, so plenty
to get to Washington Metcalf and Scotty Miller outright, and
(02:12):
now Washington will move in motion. Aaron Rodgers takes the snap,
he's looking that way, fires for Roman Wilson and broke
it up nicely by Brandon Eckles. Although Roman Wilson is
saying he was on his back holding them in that.
Speaker 4 (02:23):
One, he might have a case on that one.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Calling for the flag there. But Tarah Austin, Uh, well,
I don't know. Ta maybe might be an agreeing with
him in the back of this. At first I thought
t A was saying no, but it looked more like
he was like, yeah, you know, it's a little handsy
on that one. Is he is?
Speaker 1 (02:40):
He?
Speaker 2 (02:41):
You know, has has a word or two with Brandon
Eckles about that rep the first team staying out here
Pat Fryremouth checking in now to be part of this drill.
The offense will now take the ball at the six
yard line, working in towards the end zone here.
Speaker 4 (02:56):
I wonder how they figure that out. It's a good question, Yeah,
I mean.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Just different situational stuff.
Speaker 4 (03:01):
I'm sure I'm in different play calls I want to
use from here. I mean, I'm sure it's a play
caller conversation between defense coordinator offense coordinator. Like, man, I
don't know what to do in this gray area of
what defense I want to put out there. Don't play
zoned plan or boy, I signed up a room for
me to run this route combination. But let's let's test
(03:22):
it and good showing specific play you want to on tape,
right yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:27):
Yeah, Yeah, absolutely good showing for the defense there.
Speaker 4 (03:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
In that period, let's get back. We'll kind of bob
and weed between the tweets and what's going on here
on the field to close down practice. Matt me tweets
us and says, I feel that the window for general
manager Omar Khan to get a wide receiver two has
closed unless it ends up being a big trade. That
being said, are we in the same boat as last year?
(03:51):
Are we situated better? And number two, what's your go
to order at basking Robins.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
I'm not sure if my basketing Robin's one.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
I haven't been to a basket Robinson a long time. Yeah,
but I mean I'm all good with ice cream and yoga,
frozen yogurt and any of that stuff. It's all good
to me. I like a little chocolate peanut butter is
always good. Little strawberry is always good.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
I have been saying I've been hitting the ice cream
bar at the cafeteria here more than I probably should
after lunch before our show. It's a nice little end
to a nice little lunch action there. Any berry ice
cream is hard for me to say no too, But
there's not much I don't like in the ice cream world.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
I'm with you on that same boat as last year,
better situated, I would say, I would say slightly better situation.
Speaker 4 (04:33):
Yeah, but it's familiar. Yeah, I mean there's one big dog.
I think Metcalf's a little more trustworthy than Pickings in
all phases of football playerdom. I think at this point Wilson,
well not Wilson Austin is more trustworthy than he was
one year ago. And again he was a crossroads player
(04:54):
for me then. But you're sort of in the same neighborhood.
I mean, you're still shopping in the same I don't
know that the windows changed just because Keenan Allen gets signed.
I don't know if that changes things. I mean, I
still think McLaurin could get moved. I don't know if
that's gonna be a Steeler move. I mean that's a
huge move. But a Christian Kirk, a Romeo Daub, somebody
(05:16):
like that could be on the move, especially when you
get closer to cut down day and realize you know
where these teams are at. So these things don't have
to happen overnight, you know, no.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
They don't. But I do also understand the kind of
looking at it as I've seen this fish before.
Speaker 4 (05:31):
You know, yeah, I do too.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
It feels like a similar situation. I totally get that.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
I mean, the the ayuk PTSD is real.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Notel no doubt. Steel a Nation nine twenty tweets us
and says, which rookie is standing out the most and why? Also,
today's my ninth wedding anniversary. My wife loves chardonay. Do
you have any recommendations?
Speaker 4 (05:49):
I can't help you on that. I'm not a white
wine dude, do you have any I am.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Not a white I'm a I'm a cabernet guy and
that's about it.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
I like dark red.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Yeah, I'll do a mall Becker a Merle from time
to time, but I'm a cab guy. So whatever she.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
Likes, I mean to make her happy on your ninth
vers exactly.
Speaker 2 (06:05):
Right, exactly right, and happy anniversary is my wife and
I just celebrated our ninth about a week ago. Oh wow,
Which rookie is standing out the most and why? I
mean it's got to be Derek.
Speaker 4 (06:15):
Harmon, right, Yeah, I think that's safe. Right. I mean,
he's running with the wow hanging fruit.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
He's a wine pick and you didn't have a second round.
Speaker 4 (06:22):
He's been highly disruptive, just like he was in college.
I think, you you know, sometimes you don't know what
you buy in the draft or recruiting or whatever. But
I think him being here, that's what I paid for.
That's what I bought, and that's what I got. You know,
that's great. Totally, Yeah, totally.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Let's see here a couple more tweets that we can
get to. Jeff tweets and says, on a scale of
one to ten, concern level for Broderick Jones five.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
I was gonna say, I I there is there's certainly
concern there because he needs to be your franchise left tackle.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
Yeah, consistency, I need to see more, but trustworthiness.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
But I were not really going to determine that until September.
Even if he was here at camp looking great and
whipping everybody's butt and you know, staying healthy and all
those things, we still aren't going to know until the
bullets really start flying in September. I think about a
five is fair.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
I'm excited to watch joint practice with him. I mean,
that's a totally I don't know how many preseason reps
will get them some and I'm definitely gonna put value
in those, but I can't say my opinion has changed
drastically of them since the end of the season.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Yeah, I agree.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
I bet he's comfortable being on the left side exclusively.
Speaker 2 (07:34):
I think so too. And you know, having that veteran
say Imlu next to him will certainly help.
Speaker 4 (07:38):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
Yeah, but this is one of those things we're going
to really start.
Speaker 4 (07:40):
Judging, implying these out of the woods that they're fine there.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Yeah, right, right, this is something we're going to really
start judging when we get to uh, when we get
to met Life Stadium, Yes, about a month from now.
Speaker 4 (07:51):
Yeah, and Jets have some good as rushers.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
We'll see that they sure do, they sure do. Uh
Swing State Sampson wants to know a little projecting here,
bye week eight. Is Jaalen Warren broken out and keeping
the starting running back job or will Caleb Johnson have
taken the job by then?
Speaker 4 (08:06):
Hmm.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
It's a good timeline.
Speaker 4 (08:07):
Yeah, it's a good timeline because I think Warren's gonna
be the feature back for a while. Eight. Maybe it's
fifty to fiftyish by then. That's not a knock on
Warren or a knock on Johnson. I just think it's
kind of Warren's gonna be tough to unseat from a
trustworthy as standpoint, a protection standpoint. But I don't think
they want to overwork them either.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Yeah, yeah, I think I don't know.
Speaker 4 (08:31):
That Johnson will ever become the clear lead dog this year.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
I'm optimistic that he I'm like cautiously optimistic that he
will because I think that would be a good sign
for the offense.
Speaker 4 (08:43):
But yeah, I think big Warren guy.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
I think I think Jalen Warren's been been primed for
this opportunity for the last couple of years. Uh Ben
tweets and says, is it better to have more versatile
offensive or defensive personnel? What is more challenging to prepare for?
When is the season starts in tendency's form? Good question.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
I would say defensive, I guess just because you see
such a variety of offenses, and that's part of the
Ramsey trade. To me, that a lot of pieces that
can do a lot of things. But it's obviously a
Steeler trend to get more versatile on both sides of
the ball, and that Fitzpatrick Ramsey Smith trade just screams it.
I mean, they got two really versatile pieces on each
(09:25):
side of the ball, and that's where the league's going.
You know that you need to be able to make
in game adjustments. You gotta make week to week two
adjustments you get to the playoffs. You gotta be able
to attack whatever the weaknesses of these really high end
teams are, and you have to have guys that can
do it. But I guess i'd say defense just to
be a little more malleable on the fly. Yeah, yeah,
(09:46):
I don't want to be making a lot of substitutions.
It wasn't long ago that the Steelers were at the
bottom of the league in their usage of nickel. They
were either in base or they were either in dime.
They rarely had five defensive backs in the field. They
had four to six, and they got to the point
where they were either a little too light or a
(10:07):
little too slow, you know. And I think that's where
you don't want to be. And I think that they're
drifting away from that. Not drifting, they're running away from
that a big way. That was a couple of years ago.
Speaker 2 (10:16):
Completely agree, Completely agree. As it looks like we're gonna
have a little team period action here to close down
this practice. I believe so that one's checking in for
the offense and for the defense, and so we will
bring you this action here on what could likely be
the final portion of practice. Aaron Rodgers will break the huddle.
(10:37):
Offense is going to start at the twenty yard line
first and ten. Here as Darnel Washington.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
Moves a motion man.
Speaker 2 (10:44):
They have had him in motion a lot. Yeah, and
it's gonna be a quick hitter to Kenneth gain Well
on a little wide receiver bubble screen and he's a
with him. Yeah, he's able to matriculate his way downfield nicely.
Make a couple guys miss and let's see here, it
looks like they'll give I was trying to see what
they were gonna do.
Speaker 4 (11:01):
Backter that Warren Johnson conversation. I don't know game Well
is going over anytime soon either.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
The lot absolutely, they certainly have. And he's you want
to talk about versatile, he's versatile man. He can absolutely
line up in a lot of different ways.
Speaker 4 (11:14):
Another when the left side of the line's coming out, Yeah,
just they get something up their sleeves.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
There's one one rep there for Roger Jones and say
them all before cooking and.
Speaker 4 (11:25):
Soon check totally new line change on the left side.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
Pitch to the left to Caleb Johnson. Had a little
bit of room there that was like a second and
short would have picked up the first down.
Speaker 4 (11:33):
Probably.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
We'll see here where they spot this.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
There they've been watching, you know, running with the ones.
Yeah's I can see what they like. He's not super powerful,
but he moves well. He stays in good body position.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
They need to. They need to get him all the
work they can at this point. That's that's for sure.
As as they need they need some depth pieces, they
need some guys they trust there in that offensive line group.
So first down preseason, absolutely, absolutely first down for the
offense still Aaron Rodgers. He's got Jalen Warren in the backfield,
(12:09):
DK Metcalf, Ben Skronik, and Roman Wilson the wide receivers.
As Rogers is looking, he's gonna throw one loft one
nicely for Roman Wilson over the head of Harris.
Speaker 4 (12:24):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
And I'll tell you what, Roman Wilson, good job to
kind of wiggle free there and find some space.
Speaker 4 (12:29):
Turned into a little bit of a scramble drill.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
A little bit of a scramble drill, but Rogers finding
just enough uh, just enough space there too, said.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
Real nice.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
Uh, here's one for you. Rob tweets us and says,
I think Mason McCormick is a huge variable for this
season that isn't being discussed. Can he make a jump
this year? Does he have an above average ceiling or
are his traits limited? Good question.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
I don't think he's super limited, So nerd alert when
you One of the most valuable combine drills for interior
linemen is the short shuttle. And I forget what the
number is off the top of my head or remembered
in draft season, but whatever it is, it's four to
three or whatever. It is a very very high percentage
(13:18):
of those guys that were under the threshold that are
really really good in the short shuttle have turned into
high quality pros. And you might not think that, but
there's so much of pass protection is recovery. I'm leaning
this way and I gotta adjust or I'm going to
the second level, and I have taded a linebacker that's
(13:39):
eighty pounds less than me and a much more athletic
than me. How do I change direction? Hit that moving target?
And McCormick hit he's below the magic number and it's
not a high percentage of guys make it. Now, that's
not the only reason I think that he's gonna make it,
don't get me wrong, but it works in his favor
because I do think he has a little bit of
(13:59):
stiff to him, but he does change direction well. Where
I'm going with this is he's a plus athlete for
the position all in all, and therefore I think his
ceiling is high. To answer this question, it's not best
in the league high, but I mean I think it's
a plus starter level high. And I take that all
day long, and I think that he's on that path.
(14:20):
His some of his rookie year was rocky, and I
think he'd be the first even admit it. And I
think there is an interview out there late in the
year that he was feeling the rookie wall from playing
that much football or never having done that before. And
even like the level of play that he was at
in college. Wasn't Ohio State the long playoff run. You know,
(14:41):
he never played close to the amount of games.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
Jack sixty times, you know, high quality Big ten.
Speaker 4 (14:48):
Or these Georgia guys or whatever. You know. So I
think his rookie year was a success, and I expect
his second year to be better, and if it is,
he will be a quality starting right art. I think
that's that's my expectation.
Speaker 2 (15:02):
I think that's a good way to put it. I do.
I do think that's a good way to put it.
As a team period, ongoing in front of us, looks
like the ones are gonna check back in, so we'll
go back to some play by play coverage here. You know,
we got Rob Kings sitting to our right. Tell him
I'm coming for his job here.
Speaker 4 (15:17):
Oh yeah, he's.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
Been stealing my public address duties here on campus. Haven't
been able to give my PSA's today because Kinger's been
doing them. So you know what, I'm gonna steal his
play by play gig.
Speaker 4 (15:28):
There you go.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
You're gonna be Max Starks here. Where's our where's our?
Ramone Foster down on the sideline for our sideline reporting?
H Tom Arfin there talking to Aaron Rodgers is the
first team offense gets ready to break the huddle. TJ.
Watt checking in for the defense as most of the
ones out there that are active today in practice, looks
like uh single high safety look for the defense. Here's
(15:54):
Aaron Rodgers takes the shotgun snap quick care over the
middle of the DK Metcalf.
Speaker 4 (15:57):
That's when they did spread the field horizontally white a
bit and get Metcalf a lot of space to operate.
Is the second guy.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
Looks like they're hurry, hurry up here. So that's a
first down about an eleven yard game for the offense.
They'll reset the sticks Fraser quickly getting that ball back
to Rogers trying to go over the medal again in
a miscommunication. There is under pressure too, under pressure miscommunication
with Pat Fryarmouth and one Thornhill.
Speaker 4 (16:21):
Why are you Black's implying that he got a piece
of that?
Speaker 2 (16:24):
I think he might.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
He keeps doing this move right.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
The deflection signal for that came out weird, and one
Thornhill almost like I don't know, like a like a
center field or diving for a for a plot. Pop
Fly is able to get his hands underneath that one.
Speaker 4 (16:41):
But you had another deflection by the defensive line. That's
this group is good at that.
Speaker 2 (16:44):
They really are. And Aaron Rodgers frustrated and it looks
like that's going to be it for the first team
after just two reps there.
Speaker 4 (16:51):
I'm sure I'd love to do more, but yeah, hey,
don't turn it over.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
Don't turn it over. And Rogers is talking with voice
and some frustrations with Arthur Smith over there. He's look
at that huddle like I think he wanted to take
a couple more reps.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
Yeah, but I'm not done with two snaps. They were
humming there for a minute.
Speaker 2 (17:07):
They were, They absolutely were, and got up to the
line of scrimmage and got that next play in. But hey, man,
that you're right that Steelers defensive line and Carl Dunbar,
their fearless leader. They have certainly had great culture, a
great mindset of getting hands and fingertips on that football
at the line of scrimmage.
Speaker 4 (17:23):
And Clark got his hands on that one too. It's
a as a past defense.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
He sure did. We'll stay here, maybe for another couple
of reps of the second team before we get to break.
Mason Rudolph has it in the shotgun. He's looking over
the middle, brought in by Connor Hayward before he's immediately
wrapped up by definite A first down. Good enough for
a first down is the offense will move quickly here
defense looking to get reset and on the same page
snap his back. Mason Rudolph gonna get rid of that one.
(17:50):
That's a nice I think that might have been a
sack situation if I right.
Speaker 4 (17:58):
Tackle may have moved the little early too.
Speaker 2 (18:00):
Yeah, I think I think our Sawyer Jones might have
moved just a hair early and Sawyer was able to
kind of get some pressure on Mason Rudolph but still
let him get rid of that.
Speaker 4 (18:10):
Fo calling that a catch and did a nice job
getting feed in there.
Speaker 2 (18:13):
He did do a nice job getting his feet and
Mason's gonna go back that way again Johnson and Johnson
with a nice one handed grab. He's having.
Speaker 4 (18:21):
Johnson gonna be one of those guys in preseason that's
you know, five for sixty five touchdown.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
You know, if you're Mike Pursuda and you have a
gambling addiction that you know needs needs fed even during.
Speaker 4 (18:33):
The preseason, needs scratching.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
I think I think some some uh some Johnson props
there might not be a bad way to go.
Speaker 4 (18:40):
Yeah. I know some folks that do pretty well with
like preseason fantasy and preseason props on some of these guys,
and I think there's profit to be made there if
you know a team and be like, man, he's been
good in practice, he's gonna get It's all about how
Oernen reps you're gonna get totally, you know, right right totally,
if you're gonna get a big share of that pie
in the preseason that can I'm sure Johnson's over undertotal
(19:01):
was not gigantic on catches and receptions, but he does
something every practice. He's one of those guys.
Speaker 2 (19:05):
He sure does, he sure does, and he's starting to
make a name for himself out here. I'll see if
I can find any early early early indicators from that.
Speaker 4 (19:15):
I know you can put like preseason DFS lineups in
and absolutely yeah.
Speaker 2 (19:19):
Yeah, listen, Matt in twenty twenty five, in today's age,
you could find anything to gamble on if you want to,
that's for sure. Let's see here, I'm not seeing individual
props for the game yet. There's you know, there's a line,
you know who's playing exactly right, and so no, there's
game lines and you know first half and their first
quarter and all that stuff and winning margins, but nothing.
Speaker 4 (19:41):
For the Steelers are a dog in Jacksonville too.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
They are two and a half point dog. So Uh.
Speaker 4 (19:47):
I don't know enough about betting and preseason betting in particular,
but I would imagine most home teams are favored.
Speaker 2 (19:52):
I think so. I think that that would make sense.
Speaker 4 (19:55):
Does that imply they expect Lawrence to play a little,
because I don't think anyone thinks Rogers playing. No.
Speaker 2 (20:01):
I would agree, gonna be about a thirty nine forty
yard field goal here for Ben Saws to score some
points for the offense. Although I think did Mike Tomlin
just take a time out to maybe ice the kicker out?
Speaker 4 (20:15):
I don't know what is playing.
Speaker 2 (20:16):
Oh no, we got a helicopter flying overhead. I think
that might depend. Well, that might depend what it was.
That the helicopter was a low to the field there.
I think that's what the coach was looking up at it.
I think he was like, let's wait till this helicopter
comes zooming by before we attempt this field goal? All right,
Ben Saws from thirty nine yards? That was that thing was, man,
You could see the shadow all over the field there.
(20:37):
That was a low flying helicopter. As the snap is up,
snap is good and Sauls drills it for the offense
to get some points.
Speaker 4 (20:44):
There we are very close to an airport as we.
Speaker 2 (20:46):
Are right across the street. Be it for practice.
Speaker 4 (20:50):
I think are not happy that this we got two plays? Yep, Hey,
I think you know that's the way it works.
Speaker 2 (20:57):
That's the way it works. Absolutely better not the way
that they wanted to end it, but better week here
so far for the offense.
Speaker 4 (21:04):
Yeah, especially the top dogs Rogers in particular. But yeah,
I'm a little more encouraged. I think things are starting
to gel. And folks, we warned you. I mean, it
takes a while for the offense, especially with this many
new parts. I mean, I can't stress this enough. They're
the only team in the league that is guaranteed to
have a new leading passer, rusher, and receiver. I mean
that's rare, it's only guaranteed, guaranteed. Yeah, that is definitely
(21:26):
going to happen, no matter who gets hurt between now
and when.
Speaker 2 (21:29):
You know, when we did that at the first week
of camp, when we were talking about that, I think,
what just twelve or thirteen teams that has happened eight
seventy eight. So a long law doesn't happen, a period
doesn't happen often, So it's gonna take some time. But
we're starting to see it all come together. Here another
practice in the Books for the Steelers. Give you some
final thoughts on that. Maybe get to some more of your
(21:50):
tweaks as well too. Also hear what Aaron Rodgers had
to say today when we returned so plenty in our
final two segments. As we roll along here in the
bonus hour of the drive, practice and the Books, It's
all part of our ongoing training Camp coverage West U Learn.
Matt Williamson with you here on Steelers Nation Radio on
the Steelers Audio.
Speaker 1 (22:07):
Network, Iheartradios Live Coverage I'm about twenty twenty five.
Speaker 5 (22:14):
Steelers Training Camp is presented.
Speaker 1 (22:17):
By Badex where Now meets Next and also brought to
you by bud Light, Independence Health System, by Pennsylvania One
Call System, by Live.
Speaker 5 (22:27):
Casino, Caliente Pizza and Draft House by Tom's Appliances, South
Hills Auto, Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, Wemax Select Realty, the
Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Shop, and by US Steel.
Speaker 2 (22:44):
Practicing the Books for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here on a
great day for it on a Wednesday. Yeah, really, this
week's been awesome weather. It's been so great now doubt, doubt,
a lot of a lot of rain, a lot of
thunder and lightning and extreme heat there in the first
kind of week and a half or so of camp.
But this week's been awesome. It's been it's been in
the seventies, it's been sonny and.
Speaker 4 (23:05):
Uh, fields are still in nice shape and yeah.
Speaker 2 (23:08):
Good shape. A lot of good work that's been happening
out here, without a doubt, uh this week so far,
and of course at the forefront of a lot of
that has been Aaron Rodgers. Absolutely a little frustrated with
the way the practice ended today, but I think I
think he's turned a.
Speaker 6 (23:21):
Little bit of a corner last couple of days. Very
good way to put crisp. He's been crisp, he's been sharp.
Him and DK metcalf, you know, feel like they're starting
to come together and gel on the same page. And
so before today's practice.
Speaker 4 (23:35):
A couple.
Speaker 2 (23:38):
As a John new Smith is down there working the
jugs machine as usual, no doubt, but Aaron Rodgers, just
before practice, so what about four hours ago, took some
time to meet with the media and talk about his
experience in camp to this point. Some of those things
that Matt and I touched on this offense starting to
gel and come together. Here's what QB Won had to
(24:00):
say this afternoon.
Speaker 7 (24:02):
I don't I wouldn't say it was ever fuzzy. I
might have said the image was fuzzy. But the players
are rolling off good and I feel good about the offense,
much better than last week.
Speaker 4 (24:14):
Mike said he thought you were in command yesterday two minute.
Would you have a silver feeling?
Speaker 8 (24:18):
Yeah, we just got to get the rest back out
there so we'd get that call.
Speaker 6 (24:21):
Did yesterday feel like things were clicking a little bit
more for the offense, like maybe that was a moment
where the peat was kind of turning?
Speaker 8 (24:28):
Well, I mean, I think we've we've been clicking the.
Speaker 7 (24:30):
Last three or four days much better. Our defense, you know,
it's obviously we added a lot of pieces to it.
Always early in camp with the Pats go on, the
defense seems to have the upper edge, and then the
second week it starts to turn a little bit.
Speaker 8 (24:45):
So I feel like we've been playing better the last
week and a half.
Speaker 7 (24:49):
Roman said that he really appreciated like working with you
and learning and how to get.
Speaker 4 (24:53):
Better with you.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
What if you see in him is just how he
works and working to get better with you get the beat.
Speaker 8 (24:58):
I would say, Roman, just like uh and really all
our guys they really care about it.
Speaker 1 (25:03):
You know.
Speaker 7 (25:03):
I noticed that when they came out to out West,
just to see their their attention to detail and and
their willingness to learn. So Roe, you know, I just
gotta get a row out of his head a little bit,
you know, cause I think he's he's he's such a
good kid. He cares so much about whether it's my
approval or he's doing it right. And he just gotta
(25:24):
trust himself because he's so damn talented. You know, the
more he can play free and not not think out there,
the better he's gonna play. So the more he can
just trust what he's got and then just go out.
Speaker 8 (25:35):
And react, the better he's gonna play. Karon, what what
he fights you most about?
Speaker 2 (25:39):
Playing in the genre, It's.
Speaker 7 (25:42):
Been the relationship with with Arthur, you know, to have
a guy that, uh we say yesterday for like uh
two and a half hours, you know, just talk and
ball and it's not all like X's knows it's you know,
it's storytelling from time to time. But he's he's not
a rigid guy at all, you know, so anything that
ideas that I have or ideas that you know, some
(26:04):
of the receivers are given to me.
Speaker 8 (26:05):
To give to him.
Speaker 7 (26:07):
You know, everything is taken into consideration, which I really appreciated,
and uh, and we're installing it. I mean the last
few days we've installed stuff that I've gone back and
looked at from the past or other guys have had,
you know, similar ideas.
Speaker 8 (26:21):
Because we have a little open form in my room.
Speaker 7 (26:23):
Anytime you want to come in and suggest something or
get on the same page about something, let me know
because I'll I'll take it right to art. But I'm
just really enjoying him a lot as persons and just
the way he leads in front of the room.
Speaker 8 (26:35):
And it's been, uh been a lot of fun. So
um any advice too.
Speaker 7 (26:40):
Well, now that he's kind of losing an opportunity to
preseason most likely and working as a doctor.
Speaker 8 (26:44):
And injury, uh yeah, I mean it sucks.
Speaker 7 (26:47):
It sucks for him for sure, but uh, because he
had such a nice camp as a young player and
then watching him in mini camp and just seeing his
you know, I'll come in of the offense and the uh.
But this year is is a growth here, right, I
it's a year to uh, to watch and learn and
obviously better himself.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
Uh.
Speaker 8 (27:06):
This will just be a minor setback for him, you know.
Speaker 4 (27:08):
Uh, it would have.
Speaker 7 (27:09):
Been great to see him get some live reps in
the preseason, but uh, I'm not sure when he's gonna
be back. Hopefully he's back in time to to take
maybe the second or third game. But either way, you know,
this is a year for him to grow and learn
and get his body the way he wants to get
him and get ready to to be the guy for.
Speaker 8 (27:25):
A long time.
Speaker 2 (27:26):
Aaron, would you want some reps in preseason?
Speaker 8 (27:28):
Is it something that you think of personal.
Speaker 4 (27:30):
Value for you with with the new team.
Speaker 7 (27:33):
Yeah, I mean that's interesting conversation. I think, Uh, Mike
and I have that at some point. I'm not I
don't think it's in the plan for me to play
this week, but uh, whatever Mike wants to do, I'm
fully on board. Who wants me to go out there
and play, I'll play.
Speaker 4 (27:47):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (27:48):
If not, then I won't. I've said a lot, you know,
with all due respect, then I can say whatever I want.
Preseason football is not necessarily real football, uh, because the
defenses just don't do a whole lot, and the offenses
don't either. So you go out there with a very
limited playbook against the defenses playing one eye zone, one
I man or two I zone and there's not much pressure.
(28:10):
There's oftentimes communication between the coaches about hey, we're not
gonna pressure this week, or hey we need to see
a little bit of pressure. It's really about the operation now,
that is where you can actually gain something when the
preseason is you got forty seconds, right, there's a play
clock out here, but it's not always adhere to.
Speaker 8 (28:28):
So you have forty.
Speaker 7 (28:29):
Seconds to call the play, they get the last scrimmage,
they get us in the right situation and to go
out and do it. And I think there's something to
be gained for that. But as opposed to kind of
when I got in the league, I would say there's
less schematic stuff that you're gonna see in the regular season.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
Do you feel like you're at it the kind of
rebuilding process that the receivers and what goes into that
book on and off.
Speaker 4 (28:49):
Of the field.
Speaker 7 (28:50):
Yeah, I mean there's a conversation I think is the
most portant thing. So talking through every issue arts done
a nice job of allowing me to take some time
in some of the meetings to kind of go through.
Speaker 8 (29:01):
The film with the guys.
Speaker 7 (29:02):
And they all have position coaches, which is important to
get coached up by the position coach. But uh, you know,
as parents, right, sometimes you tell your kid a bunch
of stuff and they only get it when somebody else
says it and you're over there like I've been saying.
Speaker 8 (29:16):
This forever, that's kind of out.
Speaker 7 (29:17):
As for a position coach sometimes or they tell them
the right thing all the time, but it might not
be until they are for me or hear from the
park or it actually kicks in. And that's just the
nature of life and in our business. So it's good
for me to speak up from time to time. And
also you pull them aside and block room and pull
them side on the field, and then you've got to
open for him in my room or or one of
their rooms after practice.
Speaker 4 (29:38):
Aaron, when you try to go to Wolfing on that
play or.
Speaker 8 (29:41):
Did that cover tick tick that where you throw them the ball,
It's like that was a cover coverage dictated that one.
Speaker 6 (29:49):
Yeah, you're getting preseason football, isn't the old football?
Speaker 2 (29:54):
Are you able to kind of supplement that with the
joint practices. Does that is that more of a benefit
than preseason football.
Speaker 7 (30:00):
Yes, I believe so for the for the first team,
because teams are especially most of the joint practices, I
would say, you're not gonna play that team in the
regular season, so they're less worried about showing things that
they want to work on. And even though they're usually
are cameras there and it's filmed, they're less skiddish about
running the stuff they've been running off camp that they're
(30:22):
gonna try and do in the regular season against another
team that you're not gonna play in the regular season.
So I find I've found those beneficial as long as
there's not a lot of fights.
Speaker 8 (30:32):
I think they're they're a good work day for the.
Speaker 1 (30:34):
First for the first team, two more guys, two more,
you're getting the right.
Speaker 4 (30:38):
A lot of work this camp.
Speaker 7 (30:39):
As far as the reps, I think you've only had
one day off when you feel you're getting what you need.
Speaker 8 (30:45):
I love that one day off, Thank you Mike for
that one.
Speaker 7 (30:49):
But we really got two days off if you look
at it, because we got rained out that one day
and did a walk through.
Speaker 8 (30:54):
So I feel good.
Speaker 7 (30:55):
You know, I'm not begging for.
Speaker 8 (30:57):
For off days, but anytime Mike wants.
Speaker 7 (31:00):
To lighten my load, I won't.
Speaker 8 (31:01):
I won't complain.
Speaker 2 (31:02):
Last one guy's good.
Speaker 4 (31:04):
Aaron.
Speaker 2 (31:04):
You mentioned that you open your door for your teammates.
Have you seen a lot of guys take advantage of
that and feel comfortable coming to you with with questions?
Speaker 4 (31:12):
Yeah, I have, I have.
Speaker 7 (31:13):
I think that's an important part of it, just letting
those guys know that there's no dictatorship here. It's not
arts dictatorship or mine. It's we want to talk about
all the issues and all the things you're seeing, and
whether it's a text message or come into my room
and having a conversation like those are invaluable times to
get on the same page with the guys because when
I'm out there, I don't want anything to be left unsaid.
(31:35):
So I'd rather hit it on the front end and
if then something comes happen, in practice, hit on the
back end instead of trusting, you know, get to get
figured out on its own. So it's been it's been
a good process for us. Ben is the one that
comes in the most. He doesn't really knock anymore, but
that's Ben's personality.
Speaker 4 (31:55):
The opportunity for.
Speaker 2 (31:57):
I enjoyed listener to that guy talk, Paul.
Speaker 4 (31:59):
Yeah, Aaron rod pretty media savvy, and he was a
little bit about the game and been around the block.
And nothing's taking that guy by storm, to say the least.
It's so poised and deliberate and impressive and impressive to
see him walk around campus, walk around the cafeteria. How
he ends himself on the field, and I think the
results on the field have been better. They certainly are
(32:19):
going the right way.
Speaker 2 (32:20):
And you know, maybe that's one of those things along
the lines too of you know, listen, Aaron Rodgers is
in a you know, fresh off the lot ferrari anymore.
Speaker 4 (32:29):
No, not at all, right.
Speaker 2 (32:30):
Right, maybe maybe like a you know, like maybe like
a classic kind of a sports car, muscle car. He
just needs a few miles to get going, you know,
burn off some of the.
Speaker 4 (32:39):
Classic seventies vets.
Speaker 2 (32:40):
Exactly exactly right, and you got to burn off some
of the old uh, some of the old oil there
before you before you can really get the thing going.
Speaker 4 (32:48):
But yeah, and while we were playing that, he was
holding court in the back of the end zone too,
with a bunch of people around him. I assume he
was signing and chatting with people.
Speaker 2 (32:55):
Yeah, he's still out here now talking with somebody on
the far sideline.
Speaker 4 (32:59):
Oh, yeah, I'm sure that is.
Speaker 2 (33:01):
Yeah, I'm not sure who he's chatting with over there,
but looks like somebody important.
Speaker 4 (33:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (33:05):
Roman Wilson working the jugs machine here, as are a
couple of the other wide receivers on the near side.
As things are getting a little quiet here. Practice in
the books now for about twenty minutes or so, and
most of the Steelers have exited the field. I see
Pat Fryarmouth still down there talking to some members of
(33:25):
the media as well too. Like we said, some of
the wide receivers working on some jugs machines. But that
will do it for this day of work for the
Pittsburgh Steelers. And again, I know we've said this a
few times, but I think people kind of jump in
and out throughout our coverage throughout the day. Two good
practices so far this week, Matt, and I think it's
really been encouraging to see the offense start to find
(33:45):
their groove a little bit.
Speaker 4 (33:46):
Yeah. Again, I think the timing and the passing game
is really showing up. There's a lot less palms in
the air, don't know where to be or what are
you supposed to do? And I think they're starting to
whip into shape a little bit. I think the line
has been much better better, I mean against a formidable
defensive front. The tight ends have been strong every step
of the way. It's hard to judge the running backs.
(34:08):
We were asked recently about the wide receiver position. I
think it's far from perfect, but the non Metcalf wide
receivers I would say have improved as a group as well.
Speaker 2 (34:17):
Completely agree, completely agree. I'm feeling better about the wide receivers.
I'm feeling better about the offensive line. I'm feeling better
about the quarterback.
Speaker 4 (34:25):
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I wish Howard was going to be
in the preseason game.
Speaker 2 (34:28):
Totally, and Mike Tomlin confirmed broken finger, he's gonna be
week the week. He'll at least be out for now. Yeah, Okay,
will not need surgery, which is good news.
Speaker 4 (34:36):
Okay, this rowing hand I think it is.
Speaker 2 (34:39):
Yes, is great, pinky for Will Howard out this week
and his week the week. Mike Toman also said Calvin
Austin should be perking up soon.
Speaker 4 (34:49):
Nice to have here tomorrow. YEP. I wonder what the
did not participate list will look like tomorrow, he said.
Speaker 2 (34:55):
Derek Harmon is banged up, but doesn't seem like it's significant.
Older guys were just being rested.
Speaker 4 (35:01):
Will Ramsey's nothing even those two days.
Speaker 2 (35:03):
In a row. Will Howard is out and his week
the week with a pinky, and Calvin Austin should be
perking up soon.
Speaker 4 (35:09):
Okay. I don't know why, but I think this is
the one that I think we just won't see.
Speaker 2 (35:12):
For a while. Yes, I would, I would agree with people.
Speaker 4 (35:14):
Were asking abou him at this point.
Speaker 2 (35:15):
Yeah, no doubt, no doubt. But that's kind of some
of the housekeeping there for you. In terms of Mike
Tomlin's post practice remarks, reminder he will.
Speaker 8 (35:25):
Will have a.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
Full throttle, full fledged press conference tomorrow at noon talking
about that preseason and Jackson.
Speaker 4 (35:32):
I'll do something to chat about to before practice gets
really rolling.
Speaker 2 (35:35):
Absolutely will, absolutely will. So we got one more segment
to get to when we return. On the other side,
we will put a bow on this thing, cross our teas,
dot our eyes as we drive off of another day
of a practice coverage. Here Wes Huler, Matt Williams, and
it is a special edition of The Drive. It's all
happening on Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio.
Speaker 1 (35:53):
Network, iHeart Radio's live coverage OB twenty twenty five Steelers
Training Camp is presented by Fadex where Now meets Next
and also brought to you by CGR Wholesale Roofing and
Sighting Supply Center, by Tom's Appliances, by Always Safe Flagging
(36:16):
and Traffic Control by Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, by
Schneider Downs, by Hassa's Steak and Seahouse, by your Neighborhood
Forward Store, by Castle Rock, by Clearview Federal Credit Union,
and by US Steel.
Speaker 2 (36:33):
Final segment here from practice on a Wednesday, as campus
is UH is coming to a close and getting quiet.
A couple of guys still working on the jocks machines.
A couple dudes out there, Tristan Thompsons, Skyler Thompson.
Speaker 4 (36:48):
I'm done being nice about that now. He's QB three
for come on, come on.
Speaker 2 (36:53):
Dude, Gosh almost made it.
Speaker 6 (36:55):
Will say his name a lot, Skylar Skyli Skylarkyl, and
I will be think of breaking back.
Speaker 2 (37:03):
But who's Walter White?
Speaker 4 (37:04):
Then?
Speaker 2 (37:04):
Out here? Where's Jesse Pinkman? I am a bad with
first names in general, as Skyler. Thompson goes over to
sign some autographs. Look at Skyler signing all those autographs.
Speaker 4 (37:13):
Look at that Skyler right.
Speaker 2 (37:17):
Just a couple of minutes ago, speaking to the media,
some of the players down around us, one Thornhill said,
and I quote, I think we have a chance to
be the best defensive all time, seriously, and quote WHOA.
I would just take being as good as like the
two thousand and five or two thousand and eight Steelers
defense would be fine with sure, It would be fine
with me.
Speaker 4 (37:33):
Any of the steel Curtain would be okay by me too,
you know, I mean, top ten defense of all time.
I would probably take at this point tech I'm just
best defense in the league.
Speaker 2 (37:42):
Just best defense in the league this year would be fantastic.
Speaker 4 (37:45):
Now best defense of all times a little insane, but
I love that feeling, that vibe, and I definitely think
that they are having those kind of talks inside the walls.
Speaker 2 (37:54):
And that they know the expectations are high.
Speaker 4 (37:56):
Yeah, and I don't think I wouldn't say this fight
in me in it. I don't think being the number
one defense in the league is impossible or in or
a crazy thought. Yep, Yeah, I mean I think there's
five or six defenses floating around that could be, no
doubt the best one out there, and they're on the
short and this is one of them.
Speaker 2 (38:14):
Yeah, And I know listen motes and I get questions
about this kind of stuff a lot, and I think
it's because, like we're both in our thirties and a
little bit younger. Yeah, yeah, Madden ranking stuff like every
every year when that stuff comes out, like someone.
Speaker 4 (38:27):
Will just assume people take that as GOSF.
Speaker 2 (38:28):
And they'll be like, Miles Garrett's a ninety nine overall, TJ.
Watson ninety seven overall. What do you guys think about that?
It's a video game? Yeah, I like the video game,
but it.
Speaker 4 (38:37):
Sounds like it's an advanced one, like they don't just
pull it out of the totally.
Speaker 2 (38:40):
Yeah, Steelers are the number one rated defense and bad
in the show?
Speaker 4 (38:42):
Are they really?
Speaker 1 (38:43):
Yep?
Speaker 2 (38:43):
Okay, Ravens are up there, Broncos are.
Speaker 4 (38:45):
Up there in my short list, yep, But Houston Steelers are.
Speaker 8 (38:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (38:50):
Houston was on the list. Eagles was on the listening
Chiefs were in the top ten as well too. Yeah,
it doesn't chock me, but yeah, Steelers were the number
one overall the defense. Uh Mark tweets us and says,
I I mean to ask you, guys, should we can
be should we be concerned about the lack of live
work and the running game so far in camp For
an offense predicated on the run, they sure don't seem
to be working on it too much. It's hard fair question,
(39:12):
but it's also a fair question, not just as easy
as like, let's let's line up and you know, run
seven or correct.
Speaker 4 (39:22):
Should we be concerned? No, because I do think there
will be a lot of live bullet running game work
to come. Yes, some tomorrow, a lot in the joint practice,
a ton in three preseason games, so let's hold off
on that. It's I understand the question too. I mean
(39:43):
it's a run first team. You got to stress to run.
It's just not how the CBA is designed either. I mean,
there's that acclimation period you can work on run fits
and things like that, but run game is a physical
nature that you're not even allowed to do. We did
lose a padded practice to rain. I mean, who's to
say how much they would have done there? But I
(40:05):
get the question, but let's not overreact. There's there's still
a lot of run stuff to see. Let's see how
they run the ball in Jacksonville, you know, to be
a good start.
Speaker 2 (40:15):
But I think it's a fair question.
Speaker 4 (40:16):
It is a fair question.
Speaker 2 (40:17):
Fair question. I get we still got a couple of
weeks in that process.
Speaker 4 (40:20):
We do.
Speaker 2 (40:21):
We didn't do an around the league segment today, but.
Speaker 4 (40:23):
Interesting there many news I didn't see much.
Speaker 2 (40:25):
Not really Okay, pretty quiet day today, But Joseph wants
to know from you. Fantasy football question. I'm in a
keeper league and I can either keep Jaden Daniels or
Justin Herbert. Who would you bet on to have a
better season? And for context, past touchdowns are worth six
points in this league.
Speaker 4 (40:42):
Okay, I'm a huge Herbert fan, but this is an
easy one. It's Daniels. Yeah. Like I do a lot
of dynasty work where you keep quarterbacks forever, I mean
if you draft them in a rookie draft, even forever,
and the two highest ranked one ones in dynasty, which
I agree with our Josh Allen is won. J Daniels
is too. Lamar three. It hurts his four, but they're
(41:03):
the top four guys in redraft. Uh. For the future,
I think the Washington offense should be even better, they
invested heavily in their own line. If they Kate McLaurin,
you had debo to the mix as well. Daniels blew
my doors off in terms.
Speaker 2 (41:18):
Of very impressed with him last year.
Speaker 4 (41:20):
Yeah, and I liked them coming out of the LSU,
But now I love him, you know, I mean he
he is obviously a phenomenal athlete that goes out saying
but his poise and nothing's too big for him. They
got a star there, and it does. It wouldn't blow
me away much like Stroud a year ago, who was
also second pick and was you know, blow your door
(41:41):
off that the league might catch up a little bit
on fire. Yeah.
Speaker 8 (41:44):
Two.
Speaker 4 (41:45):
I mean there's three defensive coordinators the NFC spending a
lot of time breaking down his tape. Right now, I'm
gonna make him do different things, so it might not
be as good. And Herbert's great, But in terms of
like keepers and things like that, the only guy I
would even consider trading the Angels four is probably Allen
or maybe Lamar.
Speaker 2 (42:02):
Yeah, one of those guys that you know is putting
right right right a year after year after year.
Speaker 4 (42:07):
And if you guys ever want to shoot fantasy questions,
we can it's starting to be a heavy fantasy season.
Speaker 2 (42:10):
Yeah, no, we're coming up on fantasy draft seats. In fact,
got mina, I think two weeks from today. Okay, Lemu
sixty seven, I think he's one. You might be one
off there, but Lemu sixty seven. He's going with that,
tweets us and says offensive line their performance and their
lack of quality depth. Is that going to be an
achilles heel for the Steelers this season? Could be I'm
(42:31):
not there yet, but it could be. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (42:33):
I mean if I wrote I was creative writing major,
and I always do this, Like if I wrote a
story for my professors back in the day of how
things went sideways for the season, that would be high
on my list of you know, an O line injury
or two. Jones takes a step backwards. See Jamal lou
takes a step backwards at his age. No one on
(42:54):
the of the two's really steps up. I think that's
a very believable story.
Speaker 2 (42:59):
Maybe Fraser in Falton, who were good but they're not
all pro right.
Speaker 4 (43:02):
Okay, like they're about where they were or whatever. An
injury or two. But I'm also more encouraged by the
two's now than I was a couple of days ago too.
You know, Cook seems to be getting more looks. Spencer
Anderson I think is reliable. I think McCollum's an OK
two Now. I wish they had last year's OH line depth,
(43:23):
but that was kind of uncanny and it definitely worries me.
So yeah, I mean again, there's the wide receiver position
in O line or two that could make things more difficult.
Speaker 2 (43:37):
You know, no question, last one is going to go
to Scott and you kind of touched on this at
the start of the show, but that was almost three
hours ago.
Speaker 4 (43:45):
For a while now, so with.
Speaker 2 (43:47):
Will Howard out, does it make sense to bring in
another camp arm seems a little late to be helpful.
We know that Skyler Skyler will will now play a ton,
but any new arm might help you continue to evaluate
your depth offensive lines as well.
Speaker 4 (44:03):
What was Tomlin's wording, as you see out.
Speaker 2 (44:05):
Week the week week to week, no surgery.
Speaker 4 (44:09):
Okay, I guess that makes it kind of tough, you know, like,
if you told me he's gonna be out a week now,
just live with what you got. If you told me
he's gonna be out the rest of the preseason. I
think you go get somebody. I don't know who those
names are, to be honest with you. I mean, they
don't have to be huge names.
Speaker 2 (44:27):
To be fair. If they bring in another arm here
in the next day or two, that might tell us
that they're leaning a couple more weeks with Will Howard.
Speaker 4 (44:34):
That would one or two he's not playing in the
preseason if they were to sign someone the next day
or three.
Speaker 2 (44:40):
Sometimes you just got to read the tea leaves.
Speaker 4 (44:42):
Yeah, this is a tough one too, because ideally you'd
love a young type of dude, but they're all tied
up at the moment. I'm not trading for a quarterback,
that's for sure. I'm not giving you anything for a
quarterback at this point because it's not gonna be a
long term injury.
Speaker 2 (44:56):
And as you mentioned, a lot of the kind of
veteran guys that you might even can that are adding
at this point have just been nabbed in the last
day or two, you know, Teddy Bridgewater.
Speaker 4 (45:05):
Yeah, and those guys come in competing for twos too. Like,
I don't need any heat on Rudolph. He didn't do
anything wrong. I'm very happy with that. Your boy Skyler,
I think has shown that he can execute an offense.
I mean, maybe we'll watch the first preseason game be like, oh,
I can't get anything done with him. Maybe we have
to go get somebody. But I think you give him
(45:26):
the benefit of the doubt, at least in Jacksonville.
Speaker 2 (45:29):
I think so too. I think that's a good kind
of game plan for this week and then reevaluate Will
Howard in a few days and go from there.
Speaker 4 (45:36):
Yeah. Yeah, And they know better than we do. Is
week to week mean he's not playing the preseason or
maybe in preseason two he'll be all right because it.
Speaker 2 (45:45):
Is maybe there's some hope that they could get him
into that a pinky game.
Speaker 4 (45:48):
Yeah, I mean, if I'm sitting there looking at my hand,
like if I had to have one damaged from the
throwing hand, that would be it. But it's easy for
me to say too, it's not my pinky totally.
Speaker 2 (45:56):
Totally. That will do it for today's program, Good show, Matt,
good stuff. One more tomorrow before we have a few
days off for that preseason game. But of course you
know that we still have plenty more left on this
training camp plate. But that will be it for today.
Our coverage will resume tomorrow morning at ten am in
the locker room with King and Starks as they will
(46:17):
set the stage for another day here on the campus
of Saint Vincent College. Big thanks to our guy Justin
for producing it for us back at the ranch, and
thanks to each and every one of Yin's who decided
to tweet us. And thanks to my guy Skyler for
still being down on the end zone signing autographs for
all the kids around there here still on campus. For
Matt Williamson, I'm wes Ueler. Take care everybody. We'll talk
(46:39):
to you soon. As always, you know where to find us.
It's on your twenty four to seven home of the
Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.
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