September 11, 2025 • 44 mins
The Preview trio of Mike Prisuta, Matt Williamson, and Merril Hoge discuss what to expect from the Steelers' home opener on Sunday against Seattle after a victory for the black and gold to kickoff the season.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the Steelers Preview show on WDVE Pittsburgh, brought
to you.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
By your neighborhood Ford Store.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
The F one fifty is the official truck of the
Pittsburgh Steelers by Brian Patton and Associates. It's all about
the benefits and by the Steelers Pro Shop. Get it
to wreck from the team at shop dot Steelers dot com.
And now here are your hosts, Merril Hodge, Matt Williamson
and Mike Persuda.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Good evening and welcome to another edition of Steelers Preview
right here on the Steelers Slagship one of two point
five DVE and Steelers Nation Radio. Mike Persuda, along with
Matt Williamson, our factor back Meryl Hodge, who was unavoidably
detained in Ireland last week, will be along this week.
So Meryl getting back in the game as we get
(00:44):
you ready for the Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Matt mixed bag in the Swampson, Jersey last Sunday. The
object of the exercise is to win the game. They
did that. They made a lot of clutch plays in
all three phases. In the last five minutes of the game,
he said, for that to win it. But a lot
(01:08):
of down by down basis not so great. A lot
of stuff I thought that, well, this just isn't sustainable
right right.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
The lines of scrimmage were major concerns, and there's always
going to be a ripple effect when you lose the
big man battle. Now it's a lot more palatable when
you leave with a win, you know, the week goes
a lot better. But unsustainable is a good way of
looking at it. You can't consistently be that poor in
the run game and have no run game to lean
(01:38):
on and questionable protection even though the ball's coming out quick.
But the quarterback's fun. Wow is he he's real fun?
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Yeah? Yeah? And Calvin Austin for one week at least,
is a viable number two NFL wide receiver.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Yeah, that part looks good.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
That's in the plus column. And defensively, they got together
when they had to three and out in a four
and out sandwiching. Chris Boswell's field goal, including the third
down that they had to stop, was a Reid option
from Justin Fields, which was giving them fits all day.
He had to walking touchdown unopposed to give the Jets
(02:15):
the lead in the fourth quarter, but they got them
on the ground, they got the ball back and got
it done.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
So, as you said, there were some clutch plays from
all three phases and that goes a long way in
a close game obviously.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
And that stuff I think, you know a lot of
talk about that this week on the south side. I
think that stuff is sustainable because the ability to rise
up is being attributed by a lot of the parties involved,
players and coaches as a reflection of a veteran team.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Said they've done it their whole careers, and including the
head coach. You know, close games, No, there's an art
that knowing how to win in this league.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Didn't panic, Oh my god, what are we're doing. We
can't stop this, We can't do that now. I just
keep banging, keep banging itong game and right find a
way they did. So want to know. Getting ready to
host the one Seattle Seahawks Steeles practice report today no
Joey Porter Junior for a second consecutive day. Mike Tomlin
had said he was optimistic about Porter at the outside
(03:09):
of this well on Tuesday that's looking iffy. But their
secondary depth this year.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
I don't think this is the worst game ever to
not have porter if this was a year ago. But oh,
it doesn't matter who you're playing. But Smith and Jigba
is clearly i mean, to an obscene level in week
one the focus of this passing game. I think Cooper
cups basically shot to be honest with you, and he
kind of lives in the slot. And then outside of that,
(03:37):
there isn't a whole lot else to get excited about
in the receiver front. That if Ramsey does a lot
of battle with Smith and Jigba or eliminates Cup from
the slot and Smith and Jiggib will go outside down
more than ever, he's still sligh. I mean, if Eccles,
(03:57):
I've been saying this all week, if Eccles is your
four corner, we haven't seen that kind of depth of
corner here since the seventies.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
Yeah, he's a good player. He's a good player, and
he bashed up all three spots he helped Sunday against
the Jets. No question to your point about Smith. The
Jigma being targeted at a scene amounts nuts thirteen targets
against forty nine ers. In Seattle's opener, he caught nine
for one hundred and twenty four yards. The rest of
the Seahawks eligibles were targeted nine times. Yeah, and they
(04:27):
made seven catches for twenty six yards.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Just under sixty percent of the time the ball came
out of Darnold's hands, it went to the same guy.
I've seen that insane Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
In a while. Deshaun Elliott no practice, but he's not
gonna play. Nick Herbig upgraded from limited to full. He
looks ready to go. I think he was ready to
go last week with Mike Tomlins habit historically is to
give guys an extra week just so these things don't linger.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
And you know, such a run heavy team, run bash guy.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
You know. Everything else looking promising for the Steelers. Seattle's
got some uncertainty in the secondary, including safety nick Emon Woory,
the highly regarded second round pick out of South Carolina
who can do a lot of different things in the secondary.
He only played four snaps against San Francisco and Devin
(05:17):
Weatherspoon showed up with a knee. He played the entirety
of the game against the Niners. But he's a very
good player, real good corner. Yeah, and I think an
Woory I loved his potential. Oh yeah, and I think
they have high hopes for him. You can do a
lot of different stuff with him. We'll see what Seattle
has in the secondary. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
I really like their defense overall, though a defensive minded
head coach comes over from Baltimore. This is another really
stiff test for the Steeler offense.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
What gets your attention regarding that Seattle defense.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
Really well coached. I think it's a deep secondary that
maybe we'll be get get tested. I think their pass
rushers are not household names, but are really really good players.
Williams had a Cam Hayward like late surgeony. Yes, really
really good. Murphy, the first round pick, is one of
my favorite breakout candidates and people don't know the names
(06:11):
like Boy Mafey and Derek Hall. They're a nightmare off
the edge. I mean, Trent Williams is like the best
left tackle I've seen in the last twenty years. He
had his hands full with Mafey in Week one in
a big way. They created a lot of pressure and
that defense was on the field a ton. I mean,
Seattle's offense is a totally different story. They are working progress,
(06:31):
but Seattle only held the ball for twenty two minutes
in that game. I mean, the defense was on the
field a lot and kept it very close.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
So another guy I really like. It's number thirteen, the
middle linebacker Ernest Jones. Yeah. Yeah, started out with the
Rams weird path, spent a little time in Tennessee, got
traded to Seattle last year and a lot of talking
Seattle about how once he arrived that really helps solidify
that defense.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Yeah, he's the leader.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
He's doing that guy, he doesn't come off the field.
He made a high pointed on a Tampa two drop.
You know that inside guy's got to get deep into
safeties of playing deep. It was a really good interception.
And he's also a physical thumper.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (07:12):
He didn't hit McCaffrey, but the Niners bigger back number three,
Brian Robinson, they had they had a collision in the
hole and noticeable. Jones can run, he can catch, he
can tackle, and he can hit.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Yeah, and he will be out there every snap. As
you mentioned, he runs a show. I said it at
the time on different forums. I don't understand what. Why
do the Rams move on from? Why the Titans move
on from? He's an upper tier linebacker. But they got
a lot of dudes on defense.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
Corners. We talked about Witherspoon. Uh, you know, if he's
out there, he's really good.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Yeah, mostly slot though, I mean he'll play outside when
there's only two. But he is a nightmare versus ron
and throws his body around. Really good player.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
The guy on the other side, Trek Woolen, fascinating guy.
Uh six' four to and he can run like the. Wind,
yeah he's a really good. Player except at crunch time
against The, niners he didn't have a great. Day he
gave up a deep ball in single coverage and then
there was a fifty to fifty ball that brought party
just kind of threw desperation like into the end zone
(08:17):
and a tight end by the name Of Jake tong
just came down with. It kittleby it. Hurt, yeah Outfought
woolen for the. BALL i, mean he had two chances
to make plays with the game on the, line and
he was unable to make.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Them, yeah but he's a specimen And i'm, Curious, well
they want him on dkay a lot because Like Sauce,
gardner he has the, height length speed to actually MATCH Dk.
Metcalf there aren't many that can say That wolan was,
really really good as a rookie last year was kind
of inconsistent this this game one wasn't great for, him
(08:48):
but the other player, Too job is a really good corner.
Too he played extremely well in this.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
Game, yeah he's the guy that comes in when they
go to the. Nickels, yeah and then he played.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
Yeah wethersmand goes to the. Inside safeties are, good but
they played pretty.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
DEEP i, thought maybe a little conservatively, so and That
kittle had four catches before he got hurt in the second.
Quarter the outstanding tight end for The. Niners BUT i
think you could throw under in front of those.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
GUYS i think. SO i could see The steelers tight
ends being big backers in this game.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
If you can get it Over, jokes because that's a
good point because he dropped pretty. Well, yeah, Offensively, matt
this is a team that.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
Uh boiled a different.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Story last. Year they were three wide and chuck it
all over the yard and they hardly ever ran the.
Ball and now they line up a full Back Robbie
oots From, alabama all six three two and seventy four pounds.
Up they have two good, Backs charbonneau And Kenneth. Walker
the third.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
Light on pass catchers other THAN js n.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
Because maybe that's why they're trying to run the. Ball,
yes and With, darnold they didn't bring him in to
Be Patrick. Mahomes they brought him in to be a
point guard slash game. Manager AND i don't say. THAT
i don't think game managers is a, criticism not a negative,
connotation because it's a hard thing to be good.
Speaker 5 (10:01):
At.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Yeah, yeah and they wont. Him brady was a game.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
Manager they want him to turn it, over distribute, it
make sure they're in the right Play and he did
pretty well until the very end of the game When
seattle's inside the ten yard line had a chance to
win it and the right Tackle Abraham lucas got shoved
Into donald By Nick. Bosa, yeah, sack, strip, fumble recovery ball.
(10:24):
Game and For Sam, donald that's three losses in a.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
Row.
Speaker 3 (10:27):
Now he got off to that white hot run With
minnesota all the way up until when the division title
was on the line against The, lions and then The vikings.
Lost then they played in the playoffs against The, rams
The vikings. Lost now they lost their home.
Speaker 5 (10:40):
Opener to The.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
Niners.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Yeah, NOW i don't Think donald all of a sudden
has turned into A. PUMPKIN i think he's AN nfl,
starter but he's clearly influenced by pressure more than the great.
Ones and the offensive line is very much a work in.
Progress cross the left. TACKLE i like quite a Bit,
zabel their first round pick is the left. Guard and
(11:03):
just a, Note i've been thrown out there all, week
including the first. Game The steelers' first opponents all drafted
an offensive lineman in the first round because they need.
Help And zabel looks like a. Keeper but from center
to right tackle is highly. Questionable AND. Tj watt hasn't
had a sack in five games going back to you,
know including the playoff. GAME i think he's long overdue
(11:27):
to do Some Nick bosa stuff that we saw last.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
Week that was a fantastic. Game, yeah by. Both when
we come, back we'll welcome our factor. Back Merril hodge
to the program for the first time this. Year of,
Course merril was In ireland last. Week he, thought you, know,
hey playing the game In ireland because season's gonna, Start
and then he got, There he's, like where's, everybody what's going?
On But meryl will be with us and with us
(11:50):
the rest of the. Year you can get up with
the latest game day necessities at the Official steelers Pro.
Shops get the latest sideline of perrel, Jerseys Terrible, talles authentic,
memorabilia and custom exclusives you can only find directly from the.
Team visit one of The Official steelers pro shops located
At Akroscher, stadium The Grove City Premium, mountlets or The Tanger.
Outlets you can also gear up online at shop Dot
(12:11):
steelers dot. Com get it direct from the team at
The Steelers pro shop At steelers at shop Dot steelers dot.
Com Meryl hodge on the, way so keep it here
With Matt. Williamson I'm Mike. Pursuda you're listing The Steelers
preview brought to you by your Neighborhood ford. Store THE
f one fifty is the official truck of The Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
Steelers back to The Steelers preview show ON.
Speaker 3 (12:34):
Dv welcome Back Mike pursuda And Matt williamson with you
getting you ready for The steelers and The Seattle. Seahawks
sunday At akrosher and now gone but not. Forgotten last,
week a week late but better late than.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
Never back at, It let's go tied up.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
Last week with responsibilities that even superseded his responsibilities with this.
Show but with us, tonight our factor Back Merril, Hodge,
merrill welcome back to the.
Speaker 6 (13:01):
Program one of my funnest shows of the. Year right,
Here i'm sorry missed week. ONE i was over there
waiting for kickoff for The Minnesota Little Early, steelers and.
Speaker 5 (13:12):
YEAH i, WAS i was a few thirty days off.
Speaker 3 (13:17):
Late right? Right Is ireland ready for these invasions Stealer nation? Mail?
Speaker 6 (13:22):
Actually you know, What, actually you, know we lost a
youth football program and this is really kind of the
vision of The chief and Mister, rooney and it's Really
art And dan that now are are finishing the vision and,
that you, know it really kind of hit me WHEN
i was over there introducing this to these. Kids you,
know it's like one hundred and forty twelve year olds and.
(13:45):
Awesome WHEN i walked on stage AND i had had,
This we'd have a lot of preps before, there SO
i had a bunch of information and as soon AS
i got on, STAGE i was, like oh, my it
just hit me and my, MAN i used to be
twelve AND i WAS i was wearing my, pajamas sitting
on a couch watching The Pittsburgh steelers When Super, Bowls i'm, like,
(14:07):
YEAH i got. It with these, Kids i'm, like oh my,
gosh this is your first experience at playing a version of,
football and like they were so, excited you, know to.
Speaker 5 (14:17):
Play they were so excited to try.
Speaker 6 (14:18):
It And i'm, like oh my, gosh that's what it's,
about you. Know AND i REALLY i really thought of
Mister rooney and the and the chief was around WHEN
i was, drafted and just their ability to take that
sport back and give them an opportunity to experience it
and play and enjoy, it and how it was. EMBRACED
i was just really it was actually a, special special
(14:41):
couple a couple of DAYS i had, there and then
The steelers opened their pro, shop which is the only
one in the history where they have a pro shop year.
Round you, know games In london they will open a pro.
Shop teams will that play there for a, week but that's.
It The steelers have one there all season. Long it
(15:01):
was a really, cool cool, PLACE i, mean Downtown.
Speaker 5 (15:03):
Dublin it was just just.
Speaker 6 (15:05):
Awesome it was a fast forty eight hours and of
COURSE i played golf and got rained. On you just
have to throw that out. THERE i yet to play
over there and not get rained, On SO i don't
know how they created that game over. There i'm gonna
tell you, what how do you have they had four
straight days no? Rain decided this a good? Idea i'd
like to see. It i'd like to see.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
It i'd like to find a guy who decided it
was a good, idea BECAUSE i have my own that
usually just WHEN i, play and THEN i look forward
to playing again and THEN i get out there with.
Speaker 5 (15:33):
It what AM i going with?
Speaker 3 (15:35):
You speaking of what AM i? Doing? Uh watch That
Steelers jets. Game let's just say THAT i thought The
steelers would run the ball, BETTER i thought they would protect,
better and UH i thought The jets would not run
nearly as well as they. Did uh what? What what's
the big? Uh headline making? Development based on what we
(15:57):
saw In jersey Last?
Speaker 6 (15:58):
Sunday, WELL i think the ladder was less of a
surprise because they have The jets have a really good running.
Speaker 5 (16:07):
Attack their all these lines really, Good their backs are.
Speaker 6 (16:09):
GOOD i mean they got some they, like they got
dynamic power and they're good at. It so that's not
that taken back by WHAT i was taken back was
how they dominated the interior linemen of that.
Speaker 5 (16:22):
DEFENSE i mean, everybody and.
Speaker 6 (16:24):
There's not one's no sense of just pointing out one.
Guy it was everybody from nose to both both. Ends
you no matter where they, played there was nose tackles.
Speaker 5 (16:34):
Ends it's just just. MOLDEL i mean literally just pushed them.
Around AND i was, like, gosh. DANG i MEAN i
did not expect.
Speaker 6 (16:42):
That and it happened consistently throughout the, game which is
is somewhat.
Speaker 5 (16:48):
Concerning you.
Speaker 6 (16:49):
Know it wasn't like they just had. Moments it was
it was bad and then. Offensive the off the LINE i.
WAS i was more surprised just the overall debacle OF
i mean actually the first play of the. GAME i
MEAN i think everybody could accounted for giving up a,
sack like except the center and right guard because they were.
(17:11):
Doublee you, know everybody that was singled up basically got
BEAT i mean. Quickly and let's say when you don't
play that, well you, know it's just hard to win
in this. LEAGUE i, mean thank goodness they got the,
turnover because that was the. Difference they don't get the,
turnover then they don't win that.
Speaker 5 (17:30):
Game BECAUSE i go.
Speaker 6 (17:32):
Back to the two things we'll probably talk about every
single matchup because it is the most critical components to
win consistently in THE, nfl because you've got to control
the temple to do.
Speaker 5 (17:42):
That that means you control the line of.
Speaker 6 (17:43):
Scrimmage you, know you don't let them run the ball on,
you and you run the ball on, them and then
you control the, environment you dictate you. Become that's how
you controlled the temple of the game and.
Speaker 5 (17:53):
What you've got to do to win, consistently and then
you win the turnover.
Speaker 6 (17:56):
Battle, okay so they didn't do the, first but they
did the, second and that second can end up being
enough and then it then it really come down to
like the quarterback play.
Speaker 5 (18:06):
Is you, know He's Aaron.
Speaker 6 (18:08):
JUST i, mean it's kind of a no, brainer but
he's just you see why he's he's, elite he'll be
A hall Of famer and he can make a lot
of big time differences in a. Game but he's not
gonna be able to do that each and every. WEEK i,
mean you JUST i go back to the turn. Over
the turner was the key, anyway even though he played really,
Well DoPT Linden or defensive. Line that turnover on the
kickoff team won the game for. Him they do not
(18:30):
get that the guy not win that, game no.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Question Then bod's hitting a sixty yard it doesn't hurt,
either no.
Speaker 6 (18:35):
Doubt, yeah, yeah, YEAH i, mean, yeah you have the
special teams, play you, know that's the other, component you,
know completely.
Speaker 3 (18:40):
TRUE i gotta be honest with, you, guys THOUGH i
expected him to hit. That, OH i, mean it's that's
the REGARD i have for.
Speaker 6 (18:46):
Him, yeah, yeah WELL i think THAT'S i think that's
how everybody, feels you. KNOW i Mean i'll talk to
guys that you, know Like ben played with, him And
ben was, like oh, man he walked down the. Field
you know that there's when you have a kicker like
that that you, like BECAUSE i felt like that With Gary,
Anderson Like Gary, anderson like when he walked.
Speaker 5 (19:04):
Down in the filmy, off this is.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
Done this is.
Speaker 6 (19:06):
Done you, know when you have that type of confidence
and a, kicker then you know that's a that's a
big that's a big, weapon as we all. Know but,
YES i think that was obviously critical. Too but that
turnover was is if you want to, say what is
the difference in the.
Speaker 5 (19:22):
Game you, know it's it's, that but they're gonna have to.
Play you, know this team that they're going to see
is not much different.
Speaker 6 (19:30):
EXCEPT i think the quarter where the quarterback is better
as a. Passer but there's a chemistry that they do
not have that that is lacking right now that you,
know they're getting them probably at the right, time but
they won't do the same. THING i think they might
be even slightly better up front than The jets a
little bit in some.
Speaker 2 (19:49):
Areas, defensively you're, talking, yeah, YEAH i would say the
LINES i don't think are, closed BUT i think.
Speaker 6 (19:56):
Really, yeah, yeah, yeah they do some things, offensively, know
their offensive lines not quite the same as what they just.
Speaker 5 (20:04):
Experienced but let me tell you, This i'm just going
to go from a player.
Speaker 6 (20:08):
Perspective i'll watch the tape on The Pittsburgh steelers And
i'm playing. THEM i am getting excited about playing. Them
i'm excited about playing.
Speaker 5 (20:17):
Them i'm just, like you, know from how we're gonna
run on, them what they're how they they did not. Defend,
NOW i go back to WHAT i say all the.
Speaker 6 (20:27):
Time you, KNOW i never underestimated professional after they've been,
embarrassed you know that that's when you find out truly
about what they're made. Of that being, said though we're
going to test. It we're gonna and we feel excited
that we can move through some of the same.
Speaker 5 (20:40):
Things you, Know so that's what.
Speaker 6 (20:44):
Happens you know that once you show a, deficiency it
just gets. Attacked they keep, attacking and then the only
way you close out that deficiency is you do it
for about an entire month to five weeks where it's
not showing up on tape when they're getting ready to
get care for. You that's about the only time that
you don't Get you're not gonna see every, week but
they're gonna see a lot of things that they saw last,
(21:05):
week and we'll see if they're better at.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
IT i wanted to mention some of THE d linemen
that were out there. MOST i, MEAN i Expect Cam
hayward to play better going. FORWARD i don't think this
is the beginning of the end or anything like, that
BUT i more and more have more and. MORE i
have a problem With benton as a nose as a run,
defender AND i think Louder milk shouldn't be out there by.
Design but really those two seem to be going backwards
(21:29):
a lot in this.
Speaker 6 (21:30):
GAME i hate to agree with, You, YEAH i just
BECAUSE i JUST i was just a fan of when
he came out and and they listen his job HIS.
Speaker 5 (21:42):
I tell this all all the. TIME i Don't mike
probably stick of hearing.
Speaker 6 (21:46):
It but like WHEN i worked on the match of
showing AT, espn you, Know i'd like to always call
ahead when The steelers are gonna play this. One their
defense is really really, GOOD i, mean one of the
best in.
Speaker 5 (21:55):
Football and they played a three to four better than.
Speaker 6 (21:57):
Anybody and you, had you, Know troy Pall mall making,
plays you Had Joey porter making. PLAYS i, mean all
these second level guys creating the headlines in the big.
Plays and EVERYBODY i would, Call i'd ask them about,
that like how are you going to handle? That and they're,
like every one of them almost not the exact, same
but all like PARAPHRASE a going with.
Speaker 5 (22:19):
Those, Guys they're not the.
Speaker 6 (22:21):
Problem it's the three people they have in the dirt
that we have to occupy five and six people to
that are the.
Speaker 5 (22:28):
Problem we cannot move their, nose we can't.
Speaker 6 (22:31):
Move neither one of their ends unless we put two
people on. Them, okay well we don't have and we
don't play with twenty two people.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
And no one blocks them or you know, right yeah,
YEAH i was like so so like so.
Speaker 6 (22:46):
That being, said like so WHEN i see the first
play of the game and they Double tory double team
then and he's literally seven yards and on the OTHER
i mean back in the backfield in linebackers, Laps i'm,
like oh my, gosh they. Can't you can't play at
three or four like. That that guy can't get he
just can't get whipped like. That it's just you can't
(23:09):
function defensively if that's going to. Happen and you, know
to your, Point cam was the same. Way he was
not a, factor and everybody else are rotated.
Speaker 5 (23:18):
Through they're not a.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
Factor i've been asked a bunch this. Week you, know
you worried About queen And. Wilson i'm, like they didn't play,
great but their teammates are in their lap the whole.
Speaker 5 (23:28):
Game everybody's. Listen i'm telling you. This you, KNOW i
don't even want to use him BECAUSE i, mean he
he's he's a great.
Speaker 6 (23:37):
Linebacker WELL i will use it because let me tell
you this that their defensive line was. Superior he was
an absolute. Menace when they weren't, superior he was just
a really good.
Speaker 5 (23:49):
Linebacker and That's Ray. LEWIS i, mean when they had
that that, Defense.
Speaker 4 (23:53):
Adams and, DUDE i Mean, RAY i mean in a
way IN La i'm Not i'm not minimizing it at
all because you don't get that cat black.
Speaker 5 (24:05):
Block it is.
Speaker 6 (24:06):
OVER i, mean he would just wreck you in every.
Way he's still gonna make noise if you can try
to get somebody on. Him and you don't do a
good job up, front but you couldn't do anything because
those guys are so good up, front you.
Speaker 5 (24:18):
Know Uh so it's just those linebackers depend on those,
guys you.
Speaker 6 (24:24):
Know and SO i, say, like you usually don't talk about,
him you don't even hear about him because they're doing
all this work that goes unnoticed because they don't make the,
tackles you, know you, know they don't make the. Sacks you,
know they don't have they're not in the. Backfield they're
occupying the. Players so those other guys can make the.
Speaker 5 (24:42):
Plays so.
Speaker 6 (24:45):
It'll be interesting to see this. Week you, Know i've
always felt, that you, know you don't really know who
you got for a. Month so but this will be
a good test because this is what. Happens you, know
once you do do expose, yourself they're Gonna you're gonna get.
Speaker 5 (24:58):
It and this team's geared to do. That you, know
they want they need to play the same way to
win and they know that.
Speaker 3 (25:07):
And all they want to do is run the.
Speaker 5 (25:09):
Ball, yeah, Yeah i'll tell you. This i'll tell you
last year, though you, know the quarterback was. Different you,
Know smith was.
Speaker 6 (25:15):
THERE i there were times where you're like they lost their.
Identity you, know they weren't committed to. Run there was
a lot of Games you're, like what are they?
Speaker 2 (25:23):
DOING i thought that coordinator is in over his? Head
but a college guy turned out.
Speaker 6 (25:27):
That you, know you could tell, it you could tell.
It BUT i don't think that they're over. THERE i
think that they've rectified that and they're, like you, know
we're gonna. Come and they got two really good. Runners you,
KNOW i like twenty six better than a kid From Michigan.
State let me, charbon, Charbon.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
Maryland did you ever score five touchdowns in one football?
Speaker 5 (25:55):
Game? Uh, no in college or THE? Nfl, COLLEGE i don't.
THINK i think his most ever scored was.
Speaker 3 (26:06):
Four, Yeah Kenth walker scored. Five so let's quell that
discussion right. Now BUT i wanted to ask, you in
all seriousness about the offensive side for The steelers. Now Arthur,
smith he spoke. Today the coordinators always talk On, thursdays
and he said he came out and he wanted to be.
Aggressive you, know this is the guy who said we
didn't bring In Aaron rodgers AND Dk metcalf to run the,
wishbone and he wanted to attack down, field and the
(26:28):
protection soon dictated that that was not going to. Happen
do you roll the dice that it was first game
stuff and they're all better this, week or do you
Take Darnell washington and say you are now joined at
the hip With Broderick joes and we're not giving up
three sacks from that spot again in four, overall and
(26:49):
we'll work, around you, know keeping an extra guy or
two In.
Speaker 5 (26:55):
WELL i think every game is going to be a
touchy philly. Situation but they. Did they. Here here's what
happens when you have you, know your your left tackle
is is a real.
Speaker 6 (27:07):
Fundamentally he's just he's just he's not, sound you, know
he just He's what's what's kind of crazy is there's
moments where you watch, it there's what he does things,
Right you're, like holy, calfy just do that more consistently
because he has such a dynamic. Feet but every player
this this includes, Quarterbacks this includes running, Backs this includes
offensive glimb and defensive line and, linebackers wide, receivers every,
(27:31):
SPORT i, mean every. Position and then in, football this
is where you. Start feet hips to. Hands the better
you are feet hips to, hands the better you have
you are as a, blocker a, tackler a, runner a,
receiver a.
Speaker 5 (27:44):
Thrower. Period that is how this game is. Played it's
how it will always be.
Speaker 6 (27:48):
Played and his, feet hips and, hands he's just so,
upright and he's he's he has no, leverage he's not
he doesn't have a good.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
Base so he's married.
Speaker 5 (28:02):
And never his hands are lazy into the.
Speaker 6 (28:05):
Side, listen one of those greatest, sayings first contact. Wins
first contact.
Speaker 5 (28:12):
Wins it's. True so your second, coin you, are it is,
over especially in that.
Speaker 6 (28:17):
Position and he constantly loses that, battle you, know and
his feet are clearly good. Enough but because he's so
upright and he's so out of position and there's no. Leverage,
well people will spin move on, him double, moving, swimming
stun inside and he can't, react you, know like the right.
Speaker 5 (28:40):
Tackle both of them get beat on the very first.
Speaker 6 (28:42):
Play what was interesting about the Right fatanu later in the,
game there wasn't as many issues late third quarter and
in the fourth quarter because he's so fundamentally, Sound like
if you watch him feet hips the hands, man he's,
square his base is, strong he strikes shoe, first his
hands are in great, position like he gives. Himself he's
(29:04):
got this foundation to be successful with because he plays
with it every time and it's. Consistent doesn't mean he's
gonna win all the time because obviously you got to beat.
Speaker 5 (29:13):
Right off the. Bat but he had less and less issues.
Speaker 6 (29:16):
The longer the game, went Whereas broader just kept having
issues because you're always going to have issues if you
keep playing like.
Speaker 5 (29:24):
That, now, people, well why are they coaching like? That,
okay this is WHERE i get coach has all the,
power no.
Speaker 6 (29:28):
Control you can teach and harp things all you. Want
once they step inside the white, lines it's it's on.
Speaker 5 (29:34):
You you.
Speaker 6 (29:35):
Know and if you like he's just that's gonna have
to get better for, him or you're going to have
to put you, know people over there to.
Speaker 5 (29:43):
Help all the. Time and once you do, that, well
you just handicapped. Yourself you.
Speaker 6 (29:47):
Know it's like going to a fistfight with one of
your hands tied behind your. Back you, know just like
we are limited because we kind of protect you, know
we got to help out, somebody and you know the.
Player you just think you take ownership and, Go, OKAY
i can't do that to the. Team you, know you
got your left side that was supposed to clear up.
Everything not if you're not fundamentally, sound it doesn't clear
(30:10):
things up for. You but you, know hopefully he, can
he can work hard at that and develop, that because
that's where it all. Starts he would be fundamentally sound and.
Better he would have less the. Issues but because he
plays the way he, plays he just he puts. Himself
and listen WHEN i talk about targeting. Things, okay every
team is studying every one of those, players and they're
(30:33):
looking at that guy and they're, like we're going at.
Speaker 5 (30:35):
Him you're gonna go at. Him they're gonna keep going at.
Speaker 6 (30:37):
Him going at, him and going at him relentlessly until
he really shows that he can withstand, it and you know,
what you ain't coming over here like this is a locked.
Door you know this is you can't do it over here.
Anymore they'll have that problem till that he can prove.
Speaker 3 (30:52):
That, Well. Merril hopefully next week we're talking about how
he took Strides Broderick jones did toward fixing. It we'll
see one way or the. Other great stuff is always
enjoyed your return to the. Program we'll talk to you
next week Before Steelers.
Speaker 5 (31:06):
Patriots you got boys Love, It Gohot steelers AND Dve Baby.
Speaker 3 (31:12):
Our Factor Back Merril. Hodge Steelers preview presented by your
Neighborhood Forge. Story THE f one fifty is the official
truck of The Pittsburgh. Steelers back for one more segment
to wrap things up With Matt williamson And Mike. Persuda
you're listening To steelers preview On Steelers Nation radio And
Steelers flagship one to two point FIVE.
Speaker 2 (31:33):
Dve back to The Steelers preview show ON, dve.
Speaker 3 (31:40):
How Daren Meryl hodge suggests That sharbono.
Speaker 2 (31:43):
Is better Than walker Or sharbona for that, matter but him,
too one of those. GUYS i if you just did
that get under your skin or?
Speaker 5 (31:51):
What?
Speaker 3 (31:51):
YEAH i PROBABLY i Prefer walker. TOO i just little little.
SIDELIGHT i don't know if people care about this or,
not but it's my, show SO i can bring it
on WHAT i want. To twenty twenty, One, Yeah michigan
And Michigan state are playing In Spartan. Stateium they're both,
Undefeated they're both ranked in the top.
Speaker 2 (32:07):
TEN i think we heard the story last year when
The steelers Play.
Speaker 3 (32:10):
Seattle that was the game That Kenneth walker had The
Al bundy plus one nice five touchdowns in one football.
Speaker 2 (32:17):
GAME i don't know why that was off like a
fifty to fifty split last. WEEK i charbon d is
a really good, backup BUT i think is a tremendous ball.
Speaker 3 (32:24):
Career he, is but he just he wasn't going early
and they went wanted it what With, charbony neither one
did much and then they kind of went To walker
late but couldn't get the game over the finish. LINE
a couple of things that interested, Me. MATT i think
This seattle offense is pretty. Basic you Mentioned, smith the
jig was the guy who's going to be thrown.
Speaker 2 (32:43):
Out its crazy.
Speaker 3 (32:44):
They're going to try to run the. Ball they have
a quarterback who is admittedly trying to be a point,
guard not at all, pro but some wrinkles one of.
Them they put In Jaln milroe for one play against The.
NINERS A millroeck.
Speaker 2 (32:57):
Kind of excited me coming Out. Obama you think they
did that just to.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
Get The steelers to worry about. It they ran one
play early in the game and then we didn't see
him agatin in the rest of the.
Speaker 2 (33:05):
Game, yes because then you got to SPEND x amount
of time in practice this week thinking about, it you.
Know and remember this head coach was the defense coordinator
for The. Ravens, Yes, lamar you, know And steeler familiarity
probably has an idea of How tomlin And crewe do.
Things that being, said IF i Was, SEATTLE i would
have a Mill road package every.
Speaker 3 (33:24):
Week. YEAH i, MEAN i think he's A lamar like,
runner AND i think that's kind of an aggressive you,
know let's push the push the pedal a little. Bit, yeah,
yeah what we can. Create seattle went for fourth and
three from The San francisco four early in the second
quarter down seven to, nothing ended up getting A dpi
out of, it but went for it and ran a
really interesting play in the fourth. Quarter on the third and,
(33:48):
Eighteen darnold threw a short pass over the middle To
smith the, jig but he caught it and threw a
lateral but it was an overhand halfway across the, field bullet.
Danger it was a, yeah he was trying to Hit
charbonnet nice and he missed, him so bowling out about.
Speaker 2 (34:05):
It it was just you, know backwards ended up.
Speaker 3 (34:07):
Punting but it was really it looked like one of
those plays you try at the end when you're, desperate
you're trying to but they pulled it out in a
non traditional. Situation so that was a little bit coloring
outside the. Lines, yeah it makes.
Speaker 2 (34:19):
Me think that the head coach is willing to do
those things a lot of the like the defensive minded
young head coaches are going to play, it you, know
paint by.
Speaker 3 (34:27):
Numbers and yet fourth and one from The San francisco
nineteen yard, line three twenty four left in the, game
it's ten to, ten and they kicked the field goal
which got him the. Lead, yeah but not. Enough, Yeah
niners ended up countering that field goal with a.
Speaker 2 (34:44):
Touchdown, Okay, yeah So i'm sure that was scrutinized On
monday And seattle aggressive but not not whenever.
Speaker 3 (34:52):
It was committed to. Aggressive it's a little.
Speaker 2 (34:54):
Different to be aggressive early in the game than really
when the chips are.
Speaker 3 (34:57):
DOWN i wonder if to rethink, that uh shett All
so blocked the field goal in that. Game, Yeah San
francisco cut their kicker the day. After, yeah missed the
next point and blocked the field. Goal you Mentioned seawks
only had the ball twenty two minutes and. Change that's
that's why it was as close as it. Was, yeah it,
was and so you, Know San francisco had some. Injuries
(35:19):
it was a very close, game rivalry.
Speaker 2 (35:21):
Game, again WHEN i look At, seattle there's so much
change on, OFFENSE i, Mean Gone, lockett Metcalf gino the offensive,
coordinator some linemen fan the number one tight. END i,
mean so they're really a work in progress on offense.
Speaker 3 (35:38):
And trying to become a totally, different totally.
Speaker 2 (35:41):
Different AND i understand. That BUT i think this defense
is one of the best in the. League they get after.
It they, yeah they, will they.
Speaker 3 (35:51):
WILL i thought those four guys up, Front, Reed, Murphy,
lawrence And, williams they can get.
Speaker 2 (35:58):
Pressure they can get pressure and their power or for,
players some of those guys has been around the that
whole crew has been around the. BLOCK I mafe And
hall are very very good edge benders, too And, murphy
the first round, PICK i, think is going to be
an excellent.
Speaker 3 (36:14):
Player so this is a team that can get pressure with.
Four they also like they'd like to show, blitz pack
the box and then back people. Off but rush A
dB is one of the. Four you know that that's
kind of a trend simulated pressures and, yeah, yeah but
you don't. Know it's still four, guys but you don't
know which flour it is and from. Where but they
(36:35):
will also bring they will they will about blitzing.
Speaker 2 (36:39):
AGAIN i, mean this is where The. RAVENS i, mean
this is a lot Of ravens defensive stuff we've seen
over the last couple of.
Speaker 3 (36:45):
Years.
Speaker 2 (36:46):
Now i'm not sure what his status, is but n
you are A i think they want him to be Their,
hamilton you, know like their big, safety do it all.
Guy it would be a big deal if he's not in,
there but he's still a rookie and they're deep across the.
BOARD i think the secondaries. Strong you mentioned the linebacker,
situation and they throw a lot at you. Mentally BUT
i will, say AND i wanted to bring this up
(37:06):
more With, merrill but WE i, mean only so many
minutes in the. Day rogers above the neck was really
impressive to me in this. Game, YEAH i think we
got exactly what The steelers Want Aaron rodgers to.
Speaker 5 (37:20):
Be.
Speaker 3 (37:20):
YEAH i, KNOW i Said Arthur smith wanted to tack
down field a little. More but what we talked about
in the preseason the yak from players such AS Dk
metcalf And Calvin austin.
Speaker 2 (37:32):
One hundred and seventy one yards after catch on The,
steelers and this Is.
Speaker 3 (37:36):
Rogers getting the ball where it needs to be so
they can catch it and keep running as supposed to
stop and reach or jump or.
Speaker 2 (37:42):
Yards after to catch as much a quarterbacks as. Anything, yeah,
yeah AND.
Speaker 3 (37:45):
I thought he was really good that. Way they had
four different guys catch a touchdown pass AND Dk metcalf wasn't.
Speaker 2 (37:52):
One it was one of. Them even the opening, DRIVE
i think five guys caught the, ball you, KNOW i,
mean he's just gonna in that. Game i'm certain We're
i'm not gonna throw At, sauce but everyone else we
like Bothro i'm gonna throw the open dude and just
try to stay away from. Sauce this group of cover
guys is a lot different where there's not one. Star
(38:12):
BUT i don't see as many weaknesses, either you know
WHAT i, mean.
Speaker 3 (38:15):
Eight for ten for seventy one yards and three touchdowns
on play action and they couldn't run the.
Speaker 2 (38:20):
Ball, yeah And rogers didn't used to be a play action.
GUY i, MEAN i think him And smith had a.
CONVERSATION i don't knows for, sure but When rogers visited
here a month before he officially signed or, WHATEVER i
bet they sat there and chatted X as and o's
how can we marriage The Arthur smith world to The
Aaron rodgers. World, well we'd like to do a lot
(38:41):
of play Action, AARON i really haven't done, that but
at my stage of my, CAREER i think it'd be.
Helpful and he bought.
Speaker 3 (38:47):
It you, KNOW i think he can still do. IT
i mean he's he's clearly effective enough to bootleg and
still act a lot of that accurate throwing on the.
Run you know he's not gonna run away from free.
RUSHERS i mean that's, No he's not gonna break tackles
in the breaks, down he's gonna get. Sacked he's gonna get,
sacked right why they got to protect. Them but the
other thing that really all came out quick and did
(39:08):
not attempt a deep, pass which is BY nfl standards
twenty plus air. Yard Right, AGAIN i don't think he's
brought here to be the mad. BOMBER i think he's
here to activate the, offense, yes and get everybody involved
and move the ball and score points and check check check.
Speaker 2 (39:24):
Check SO i put the twenty yard thing out On,
twitter and of Course twitter Thinks i'm like Destroying rogers
are being mean to, Him, like, no that was good game.
Management that's what the defense gave. You he set people
up after the, catch and, frankly there was a bunch
of passes that were like. NINETEEN i, mean you, know
it's a kind of an arbitrary, number but there was
a lot right around twenty.
Speaker 3 (39:44):
Well and they also got the on the winning field goal.
Drive they got A dpi On. AUSTIN i can't remember
how long that, was but it was relatively longer right right,
Right and then they had the deep ball down the other,
sideline Which rogers is convinced should have BEEN dpi don't
the third down disagree with, them and d V e
rules Analyst Geen sterotory didn't disagree with. Either so there's.
Speaker 6 (40:05):
That.
Speaker 2 (40:06):
OKAY i did a show At Tim ben's last, night
and he was the first even say. This he's, LIKE i,
know it's the short guy defending the short, guy but
being that small sometimes you don't get the DPIs because
it just looked like the guy is so much bigger
than he. Looked you kind of get. Overshadowed, yeah.
Speaker 3 (40:21):
Overlooked let's talk About darn a little bit more before
we get out of. HERE i don't dislike him when
he was a part of this potential quarterback carousel and you,
know should The steelers go After steelers were at least
talking about. IT i look at him as a guy
(40:42):
who can do a lot of, things but he doesn't
have a wow type of element to his. Game, NO
i understand why he's a high, pick like he doesn't
have a, superpower. RIGHT i think he's.
Speaker 2 (40:52):
Really good at a lot of. Things he's been highly
inconsistent throughout his, career AND i think it is kind
of a cut to just say Justin jefferson and O'Connell
and The vikings turned him in to a good. Player
he played really. Well he threw a lot of really
good deep, balls doesn't handle pressure. GREAT i don't know
exactly What seattle, bought. THOUGH i, MEAN i need to
(41:16):
see this thing off the lot for a couple more
weeks to see what exactly he is in this.
Speaker 3 (41:20):
Environment it strikes me as a car you, see and you, think,
MAN i kind of like, it but not at that.
Speaker 2 (41:25):
Price it seems a little. Pricey, yeah, right right, RIGHT
i better get a warranty on. THAT i can live with, it,
right all, right maybe molrose the. Warranty i'd better not
make the investment required to drive, it. Right kind of
shocked they went away From, gino WHO i think is
quite a good. Player you, KNOW i Think donold he
can throw on the. Run he'll throw in the tight
windows if he has to to make a, play. Right
(41:46):
but essentially you're talking about, that you, know Did minnesota make?
Him this was a The fox.
Speaker 3 (41:51):
Broadcast Joe davis And Greg olsen were the, announcers AND
i assume they got this stuff from the production meetings
that they do with the players just before the. Broadcast but,
uh according to those. Guys darnold, credits believe it or,
Not Kyle shanahan And Brock purdy for styling him that.
Year he's spent that one year there backing up into The,
(42:12):
vikings AND.
Speaker 2 (42:13):
I remember at the time he even, SAID i want
to go there to, learn AND i know my career
is not going WHERE i want to.
Speaker 3 (42:18):
Be what he said was he'd learned not to try
to do too much all the. Time he always did
too take what the game.
Speaker 2 (42:23):
Gives he was always the five star AT, Usc i'm
the best player on the, field and now he's reeled
it in and it's been a great career move for.
Speaker 3 (42:30):
Him so we got A seahawks team of potential but
with some, uh some. Issues we got A steelers team
of potential with some. Issues it's Still september. Football, Yeah
seattle was great on the road last, year really on
the seven to one up On, yeah what do you
see happen in The Sundayed, acterssure.
Speaker 5 (42:47):
Man.
Speaker 2 (42:49):
WHAT i thought was going to happen last. WEEK i
picked The steelers to win The jets game seventeen, sixteen
And i'm going to stick with it. AGAIN i do
not think all of a sudden it's gonna The steelers
are going to be in thirty forty point. GAMES i
just don't see it that. Way seattle's defense worries the
heck out of, me especially the way The steelers running
game didn't really. Exist BUT i Think steeers win a close.
Speaker 3 (43:11):
One i'm with, you AND i, think particularly with. STYLE
i think you know a lot of times we talk
about an offensive, coordinator do they, Think, okay our defense
is up against it this, week we're gonna have to
score some. Points you gotta Be Joe burrow thirty, eight thirty,
five not thirteen.
Speaker 2 (43:25):
Ten sure you play them different than you Play, yeah this, ONE.
Speaker 3 (43:27):
I don't Think seattle's gonna put up.
Speaker 2 (43:29):
Forty, no AND i didn't think that last, week BUT
i really be. SHOCKED i want to.
Speaker 3 (43:33):
Try to control the, ball work on my running. Game,
yeah make it, ugly do what you gotta do to protect,
it and maybe win field position and Let boswell kick
from sixty if he has.
Speaker 2 (43:44):
To and As merrill always says and said half an
hour ago or, whatever don't don't discredit a proud defense
or a professional, who LIKE i Bet Cam hayward plays
pretty well in This we see that's.
Speaker 3 (44:01):
Gonna do it for, Us thanks for tuning, In thanks
To justin for keeping everything rocking and rolling behind the.
Board we'll do it again next week Before Steelers. Patriots until,
then For Matt williamson And Mike, persuda this has Been Steeler's,
preview presented by your Neighborhood Ford. Store THE f one
fifty is the official truck of The Pittsburgh. Steelers we'll
see you next week right here On Steelers Nation radio
(44:23):
and Your steelers flagship one of two point five DVE.
E Good, night, everyone
Welcome to the Steelers Preview show on WDVE Pittsburgh, brought
to you.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
By your neighborhood Ford Store.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
The F one fifty is the official truck of the
Pittsburgh Steelers by Brian Patton and Associates. It's all about
the benefits and by the Steelers Pro Shop. Get it
to wreck from the team at shop dot Steelers dot com.
And now here are your hosts, Merril Hodge, Matt Williamson
and Mike Persuda.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Good evening and welcome to another edition of Steelers Preview
right here on the Steelers Slagship one of two point
five DVE and Steelers Nation Radio. Mike Persuda, along with
Matt Williamson, our factor back Meryl Hodge, who was unavoidably
detained in Ireland last week, will be along this week.
So Meryl getting back in the game as we get
(00:44):
you ready for the Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Matt mixed bag in the Swampson, Jersey last Sunday. The
object of the exercise is to win the game. They
did that. They made a lot of clutch plays in
all three phases. In the last five minutes of the game,
he said, for that to win it. But a lot
(01:08):
of down by down basis not so great. A lot
of stuff I thought that, well, this just isn't sustainable
right right.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
The lines of scrimmage were major concerns, and there's always
going to be a ripple effect when you lose the
big man battle. Now it's a lot more palatable when
you leave with a win, you know, the week goes
a lot better. But unsustainable is a good way of
looking at it. You can't consistently be that poor in
the run game and have no run game to lean
(01:38):
on and questionable protection even though the ball's coming out quick.
But the quarterback's fun. Wow is he he's real fun?
Speaker 3 (01:47):
Yeah? Yeah? And Calvin Austin for one week at least,
is a viable number two NFL wide receiver.
Speaker 2 (01:53):
Yeah, that part looks good.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
That's in the plus column. And defensively, they got together
when they had to three and out in a four
and out sandwiching. Chris Boswell's field goal, including the third
down that they had to stop, was a Reid option
from Justin Fields, which was giving them fits all day.
He had to walking touchdown unopposed to give the Jets
(02:15):
the lead in the fourth quarter, but they got them
on the ground, they got the ball back and got
it done.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
So, as you said, there were some clutch plays from
all three phases and that goes a long way in
a close game obviously.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
And that stuff I think, you know a lot of
talk about that this week on the south side. I
think that stuff is sustainable because the ability to rise
up is being attributed by a lot of the parties involved,
players and coaches as a reflection of a veteran team.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
Said they've done it their whole careers, and including the
head coach. You know, close games, No, there's an art
that knowing how to win in this league.
Speaker 3 (02:48):
Didn't panic, Oh my god, what are we're doing. We
can't stop this, We can't do that now. I just
keep banging, keep banging itong game and right find a
way they did. So want to know. Getting ready to
host the one Seattle Seahawks Steeles practice report today no
Joey Porter Junior for a second consecutive day. Mike Tomlin
had said he was optimistic about Porter at the outside
(03:09):
of this well on Tuesday that's looking iffy. But their
secondary depth this year.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
I don't think this is the worst game ever to
not have porter if this was a year ago. But oh,
it doesn't matter who you're playing. But Smith and Jigba
is clearly i mean, to an obscene level in week
one the focus of this passing game. I think Cooper
cups basically shot to be honest with you, and he
kind of lives in the slot. And then outside of that,
(03:37):
there isn't a whole lot else to get excited about
in the receiver front. That if Ramsey does a lot
of battle with Smith and Jigba or eliminates Cup from
the slot and Smith and Jiggib will go outside down
more than ever, he's still sligh. I mean, if Eccles,
(03:57):
I've been saying this all week, if Eccles is your
four corner, we haven't seen that kind of depth of
corner here since the seventies.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
Yeah, he's a good player. He's a good player, and
he bashed up all three spots he helped Sunday against
the Jets. No question to your point about Smith. The
Jigma being targeted at a scene amounts nuts thirteen targets
against forty nine ers. In Seattle's opener, he caught nine
for one hundred and twenty four yards. The rest of
the Seahawks eligibles were targeted nine times. Yeah, and they
(04:27):
made seven catches for twenty six yards.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Just under sixty percent of the time the ball came
out of Darnold's hands, it went to the same guy.
I've seen that insane Yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
In a while. Deshaun Elliott no practice, but he's not
gonna play. Nick Herbig upgraded from limited to full. He
looks ready to go. I think he was ready to
go last week with Mike Tomlins habit historically is to
give guys an extra week just so these things don't linger.
Speaker 2 (04:53):
And you know, such a run heavy team, run bash guy.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
You know. Everything else looking promising for the Steelers. Seattle's
got some uncertainty in the secondary, including safety nick Emon Woory,
the highly regarded second round pick out of South Carolina
who can do a lot of different things in the secondary.
He only played four snaps against San Francisco and Devin
(05:17):
Weatherspoon showed up with a knee. He played the entirety
of the game against the Niners. But he's a very
good player, real good corner. Yeah, and I think an
Woory I loved his potential. Oh yeah, and I think
they have high hopes for him. You can do a
lot of different stuff with him. We'll see what Seattle
has in the secondary. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
I really like their defense overall, though a defensive minded
head coach comes over from Baltimore. This is another really
stiff test for the Steeler offense.
Speaker 3 (05:45):
What gets your attention regarding that Seattle defense.
Speaker 2 (05:49):
Really well coached. I think it's a deep secondary that
maybe we'll be get get tested. I think their pass
rushers are not household names, but are really really good players.
Williams had a Cam Hayward like late surgeony. Yes, really
really good. Murphy, the first round pick, is one of
my favorite breakout candidates and people don't know the names
(06:11):
like Boy Mafey and Derek Hall. They're a nightmare off
the edge. I mean, Trent Williams is like the best
left tackle I've seen in the last twenty years. He
had his hands full with Mafey in Week one in
a big way. They created a lot of pressure and
that defense was on the field a ton. I mean,
Seattle's offense is a totally different story. They are working progress,
(06:31):
but Seattle only held the ball for twenty two minutes
in that game. I mean, the defense was on the
field a lot and kept it very close.
Speaker 3 (06:38):
So another guy I really like. It's number thirteen, the
middle linebacker Ernest Jones. Yeah. Yeah, started out with the
Rams weird path, spent a little time in Tennessee, got
traded to Seattle last year and a lot of talking
Seattle about how once he arrived that really helps solidify
that defense.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Yeah, he's the leader.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
He's doing that guy, he doesn't come off the field.
He made a high pointed on a Tampa two drop.
You know that inside guy's got to get deep into
safeties of playing deep. It was a really good interception.
And he's also a physical thumper.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (07:12):
He didn't hit McCaffrey, but the Niners bigger back number three,
Brian Robinson, they had they had a collision in the
hole and noticeable. Jones can run, he can catch, he
can tackle, and he can hit.
Speaker 2 (07:26):
Yeah, and he will be out there every snap. As
you mentioned, he runs a show. I said it at
the time on different forums. I don't understand what. Why
do the Rams move on from? Why the Titans move
on from? He's an upper tier linebacker. But they got
a lot of dudes on defense.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
Corners. We talked about Witherspoon. Uh, you know, if he's
out there, he's really good.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Yeah, mostly slot though, I mean he'll play outside when
there's only two. But he is a nightmare versus ron
and throws his body around. Really good player.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
The guy on the other side, Trek Woolen, fascinating guy.
Uh six' four to and he can run like the. Wind,
yeah he's a really good. Player except at crunch time
against The, niners he didn't have a great. Day he
gave up a deep ball in single coverage and then
there was a fifty to fifty ball that brought party
just kind of threw desperation like into the end zone
(08:17):
and a tight end by the name Of Jake tong
just came down with. It kittleby it. Hurt, yeah Outfought
woolen for the. BALL i, mean he had two chances
to make plays with the game on the, line and
he was unable to make.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Them, yeah but he's a specimen And i'm, Curious, well
they want him on dkay a lot because Like Sauce,
gardner he has the, height length speed to actually MATCH Dk.
Metcalf there aren't many that can say That wolan was,
really really good as a rookie last year was kind
of inconsistent this this game one wasn't great for, him
(08:48):
but the other player, Too job is a really good corner.
Too he played extremely well in this.
Speaker 3 (08:53):
Game, yeah he's the guy that comes in when they
go to the. Nickels, yeah and then he played.
Speaker 2 (08:57):
Yeah wethersmand goes to the. Inside safeties are, good but
they played pretty.
Speaker 3 (09:01):
DEEP i, thought maybe a little conservatively, so and That
kittle had four catches before he got hurt in the second.
Quarter the outstanding tight end for The. Niners BUT i
think you could throw under in front of those.
Speaker 2 (09:11):
GUYS i think. SO i could see The steelers tight
ends being big backers in this game.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
If you can get it Over, jokes because that's a
good point because he dropped pretty. Well, yeah, Offensively, matt
this is a team that.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
Uh boiled a different.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
Story last. Year they were three wide and chuck it
all over the yard and they hardly ever ran the.
Ball and now they line up a full Back Robbie
oots From, alabama all six three two and seventy four pounds.
Up they have two good, Backs charbonneau And Kenneth. Walker
the third.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
Light on pass catchers other THAN js n.
Speaker 3 (09:43):
Because maybe that's why they're trying to run the. Ball,
yes and With, darnold they didn't bring him in to
Be Patrick. Mahomes they brought him in to be a
point guard slash game. Manager AND i don't say. THAT
i don't think game managers is a, criticism not a negative,
connotation because it's a hard thing to be good.
Speaker 5 (10:01):
At.
Speaker 2 (10:01):
Yeah, yeah and they wont. Him brady was a game.
Speaker 3 (10:03):
Manager they want him to turn it, over distribute, it
make sure they're in the right Play and he did
pretty well until the very end of the game When
seattle's inside the ten yard line had a chance to
win it and the right Tackle Abraham lucas got shoved
Into donald By Nick. Bosa, yeah, sack, strip, fumble recovery ball.
(10:24):
Game and For Sam, donald that's three losses in a.
Speaker 5 (10:27):
Row.
Speaker 3 (10:27):
Now he got off to that white hot run With
minnesota all the way up until when the division title
was on the line against The, lions and then The vikings.
Lost then they played in the playoffs against The, rams
The vikings. Lost now they lost their home.
Speaker 5 (10:40):
Opener to The.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
Niners.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
Yeah, NOW i don't Think donald all of a sudden
has turned into A. PUMPKIN i think he's AN nfl,
starter but he's clearly influenced by pressure more than the great.
Ones and the offensive line is very much a work in.
Progress cross the left. TACKLE i like quite a Bit,
zabel their first round pick is the left. Guard and
(11:03):
just a, Note i've been thrown out there all, week
including the first. Game The steelers' first opponents all drafted
an offensive lineman in the first round because they need.
Help And zabel looks like a. Keeper but from center
to right tackle is highly. Questionable AND. Tj watt hasn't
had a sack in five games going back to you,
know including the playoff. GAME i think he's long overdue
(11:27):
to do Some Nick bosa stuff that we saw last.
Speaker 3 (11:29):
Week that was a fantastic. Game, yeah by. Both when
we come, back we'll welcome our factor. Back Merril hodge
to the program for the first time this. Year of,
Course merril was In ireland last. Week he, thought you, know,
hey playing the game In ireland because season's gonna, Start
and then he got, There he's, like where's, everybody what's going?
On But meryl will be with us and with us
(11:50):
the rest of the. Year you can get up with
the latest game day necessities at the Official steelers Pro.
Shops get the latest sideline of perrel, Jerseys Terrible, talles authentic,
memorabilia and custom exclusives you can only find directly from the.
Team visit one of The Official steelers pro shops located
At Akroscher, stadium The Grove City Premium, mountlets or The Tanger.
Outlets you can also gear up online at shop Dot
(12:11):
steelers dot. Com get it direct from the team at
The Steelers pro shop At steelers at shop Dot steelers dot.
Com Meryl hodge on the, way so keep it here
With Matt. Williamson I'm Mike. Pursuda you're listing The Steelers
preview brought to you by your Neighborhood ford. Store THE
f one fifty is the official truck of The Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
Steelers back to The Steelers preview show ON.
Speaker 3 (12:34):
Dv welcome Back Mike pursuda And Matt williamson with you
getting you ready for The steelers and The Seattle. Seahawks
sunday At akrosher and now gone but not. Forgotten last,
week a week late but better late than.
Speaker 2 (12:50):
Never back at, It let's go tied up.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
Last week with responsibilities that even superseded his responsibilities with this.
Show but with us, tonight our factor Back Merril, Hodge,
merrill welcome back to the.
Speaker 6 (13:01):
Program one of my funnest shows of the. Year right,
Here i'm sorry missed week. ONE i was over there
waiting for kickoff for The Minnesota Little Early, steelers and.
Speaker 5 (13:12):
YEAH i, WAS i was a few thirty days off.
Speaker 3 (13:17):
Late right? Right Is ireland ready for these invasions Stealer nation? Mail?
Speaker 6 (13:22):
Actually you know, What, actually you, know we lost a
youth football program and this is really kind of the
vision of The chief and Mister, rooney and it's Really
art And dan that now are are finishing the vision and,
that you, know it really kind of hit me WHEN
i was over there introducing this to these. Kids you,
know it's like one hundred and forty twelve year olds and.
(13:45):
Awesome WHEN i walked on stage AND i had had,
This we'd have a lot of preps before, there SO
i had a bunch of information and as soon AS
i got on, STAGE i was, like oh, my it
just hit me and my, MAN i used to be
twelve AND i WAS i was wearing my, pajamas sitting
on a couch watching The Pittsburgh steelers When Super, Bowls i'm, like,
(14:07):
YEAH i got. It with these, Kids i'm, like oh my,
gosh this is your first experience at playing a version of,
football and like they were so, excited you, know to.
Speaker 5 (14:17):
Play they were so excited to try.
Speaker 6 (14:18):
It And i'm, like oh my, gosh that's what it's,
about you. Know AND i REALLY i really thought of
Mister rooney and the and the chief was around WHEN
i was, drafted and just their ability to take that
sport back and give them an opportunity to experience it
and play and enjoy, it and how it was. EMBRACED
i was just really it was actually a, special special
(14:41):
couple a couple of DAYS i had, there and then
The steelers opened their pro, shop which is the only
one in the history where they have a pro shop year.
Round you, know games In london they will open a pro.
Shop teams will that play there for a, week but that's.
It The steelers have one there all season. Long it
(15:01):
was a really, cool cool, PLACE i, mean Downtown.
Speaker 5 (15:03):
Dublin it was just just.
Speaker 6 (15:05):
Awesome it was a fast forty eight hours and of
COURSE i played golf and got rained. On you just
have to throw that out. THERE i yet to play
over there and not get rained, On SO i don't
know how they created that game over. There i'm gonna
tell you, what how do you have they had four
straight days no? Rain decided this a good? Idea i'd
like to see. It i'd like to see.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
It i'd like to find a guy who decided it
was a good, idea BECAUSE i have my own that
usually just WHEN i, play and THEN i look forward
to playing again and THEN i get out there with.
Speaker 5 (15:33):
It what AM i going with?
Speaker 3 (15:35):
You speaking of what AM i? Doing? Uh watch That
Steelers jets. Game let's just say THAT i thought The
steelers would run the ball, BETTER i thought they would protect,
better and UH i thought The jets would not run
nearly as well as they. Did uh what? What what's
the big? Uh headline making? Development based on what we
(15:57):
saw In jersey Last?
Speaker 6 (15:58):
Sunday, WELL i think the ladder was less of a
surprise because they have The jets have a really good running.
Speaker 5 (16:07):
Attack their all these lines really, Good their backs are.
Speaker 6 (16:09):
GOOD i mean they got some they, like they got
dynamic power and they're good at. It so that's not
that taken back by WHAT i was taken back was
how they dominated the interior linemen of that.
Speaker 5 (16:22):
DEFENSE i mean, everybody and.
Speaker 6 (16:24):
There's not one's no sense of just pointing out one.
Guy it was everybody from nose to both both. Ends
you no matter where they, played there was nose tackles.
Speaker 5 (16:34):
Ends it's just just. MOLDEL i mean literally just pushed them.
Around AND i was, like, gosh. DANG i MEAN i
did not expect.
Speaker 6 (16:42):
That and it happened consistently throughout the, game which is
is somewhat.
Speaker 5 (16:48):
Concerning you.
Speaker 6 (16:49):
Know it wasn't like they just had. Moments it was
it was bad and then. Offensive the off the LINE i.
WAS i was more surprised just the overall debacle OF
i mean actually the first play of the. GAME i
MEAN i think everybody could accounted for giving up a,
sack like except the center and right guard because they were.
(17:11):
Doublee you, know everybody that was singled up basically got
BEAT i mean. Quickly and let's say when you don't
play that, well you, know it's just hard to win
in this. LEAGUE i, mean thank goodness they got the,
turnover because that was the. Difference they don't get the,
turnover then they don't win that.
Speaker 5 (17:30):
Game BECAUSE i go.
Speaker 6 (17:32):
Back to the two things we'll probably talk about every
single matchup because it is the most critical components to
win consistently in THE, nfl because you've got to control
the temple to do.
Speaker 5 (17:42):
That that means you control the line of.
Speaker 6 (17:43):
Scrimmage you, know you don't let them run the ball on,
you and you run the ball on, them and then
you control the, environment you dictate you. Become that's how
you controlled the temple of the game and.
Speaker 5 (17:53):
What you've got to do to win, consistently and then
you win the turnover.
Speaker 6 (17:56):
Battle, okay so they didn't do the, first but they
did the, second and that second can end up being
enough and then it then it really come down to
like the quarterback play.
Speaker 5 (18:06):
Is you, know He's Aaron.
Speaker 6 (18:08):
JUST i, mean it's kind of a no, brainer but
he's just you see why he's he's, elite he'll be
A hall Of famer and he can make a lot
of big time differences in a. Game but he's not
gonna be able to do that each and every. WEEK i,
mean you JUST i go back to the turn. Over
the turner was the key, anyway even though he played really,
Well DoPT Linden or defensive. Line that turnover on the
kickoff team won the game for. Him they do not
(18:30):
get that the guy not win that, game no.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Question Then bod's hitting a sixty yard it doesn't hurt,
either no.
Speaker 6 (18:35):
Doubt, yeah, yeah, YEAH i, mean, yeah you have the
special teams, play you, know that's the other, component you,
know completely.
Speaker 3 (18:40):
TRUE i gotta be honest with, you, guys THOUGH i
expected him to hit. That, OH i, mean it's that's
the REGARD i have for.
Speaker 6 (18:46):
Him, yeah, yeah WELL i think THAT'S i think that's
how everybody, feels you. KNOW i Mean i'll talk to
guys that you, know Like ben played with, him And
ben was, like oh, man he walked down the. Field
you know that there's when you have a kicker like
that that you, like BECAUSE i felt like that With Gary,
Anderson Like Gary, anderson like when he walked.
Speaker 5 (19:04):
Down in the filmy, off this is.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
Done this is.
Speaker 6 (19:06):
Done you, know when you have that type of confidence
and a, kicker then you know that's a that's a
big that's a big, weapon as we all. Know but,
YES i think that was obviously critical. Too but that
turnover was is if you want to, say what is
the difference in the.
Speaker 5 (19:22):
Game you, know it's it's, that but they're gonna have to.
Play you, know this team that they're going to see
is not much different.
Speaker 6 (19:30):
EXCEPT i think the quarter where the quarterback is better
as a. Passer but there's a chemistry that they do
not have that that is lacking right now that you,
know they're getting them probably at the right, time but
they won't do the same. THING i think they might
be even slightly better up front than The jets a
little bit in some.
Speaker 2 (19:49):
Areas, defensively you're, talking, yeah, YEAH i would say the
LINES i don't think are, closed BUT i think.
Speaker 6 (19:56):
Really, yeah, yeah, yeah they do some things, offensively, know
their offensive lines not quite the same as what they just.
Speaker 5 (20:04):
Experienced but let me tell you, This i'm just going
to go from a player.
Speaker 6 (20:08):
Perspective i'll watch the tape on The Pittsburgh steelers And
i'm playing. THEM i am getting excited about playing. Them
i'm excited about playing.
Speaker 5 (20:17):
Them i'm just, like you, know from how we're gonna
run on, them what they're how they they did not. Defend,
NOW i go back to WHAT i say all the.
Speaker 6 (20:27):
Time you, KNOW i never underestimated professional after they've been,
embarrassed you know that that's when you find out truly
about what they're made. Of that being, said though we're
going to test. It we're gonna and we feel excited
that we can move through some of the same.
Speaker 5 (20:40):
Things you, Know so that's what.
Speaker 6 (20:44):
Happens you know that once you show a, deficiency it
just gets. Attacked they keep, attacking and then the only
way you close out that deficiency is you do it
for about an entire month to five weeks where it's
not showing up on tape when they're getting ready to
get care for. You that's about the only time that
you don't Get you're not gonna see every, week but
they're gonna see a lot of things that they saw last,
(21:05):
week and we'll see if they're better at.
Speaker 2 (21:07):
IT i wanted to mention some of THE d linemen
that were out there. MOST i, MEAN i Expect Cam
hayward to play better going. FORWARD i don't think this
is the beginning of the end or anything like, that
BUT i more and more have more and. MORE i
have a problem With benton as a nose as a run,
defender AND i think Louder milk shouldn't be out there by.
Design but really those two seem to be going backwards
(21:29):
a lot in this.
Speaker 6 (21:30):
GAME i hate to agree with, You, YEAH i just
BECAUSE i JUST i was just a fan of when
he came out and and they listen his job HIS.
Speaker 5 (21:42):
I tell this all all the. TIME i Don't mike
probably stick of hearing.
Speaker 6 (21:46):
It but like WHEN i worked on the match of
showing AT, espn you, Know i'd like to always call
ahead when The steelers are gonna play this. One their
defense is really really, GOOD i, mean one of the
best in.
Speaker 5 (21:55):
Football and they played a three to four better than.
Speaker 6 (21:57):
Anybody and you, had you, Know troy Pall mall making,
plays you Had Joey porter making. PLAYS i, mean all
these second level guys creating the headlines in the big.
Plays and EVERYBODY i would, Call i'd ask them about,
that like how are you going to handle? That and they're,
like every one of them almost not the exact, same
but all like PARAPHRASE a going with.
Speaker 5 (22:19):
Those, Guys they're not the.
Speaker 6 (22:21):
Problem it's the three people they have in the dirt
that we have to occupy five and six people to
that are the.
Speaker 5 (22:28):
Problem we cannot move their, nose we can't.
Speaker 6 (22:31):
Move neither one of their ends unless we put two
people on. Them, okay well we don't have and we
don't play with twenty two people.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
And no one blocks them or you know, right yeah,
YEAH i was like so so like so.
Speaker 6 (22:46):
That being, said like so WHEN i see the first
play of the game and they Double tory double team
then and he's literally seven yards and on the OTHER
i mean back in the backfield in linebackers, Laps i'm,
like oh my, gosh they. Can't you can't play at
three or four like. That that guy can't get he
just can't get whipped like. That it's just you can't
(23:09):
function defensively if that's going to. Happen and you, know
to your, Point cam was the same. Way he was
not a, factor and everybody else are rotated.
Speaker 5 (23:18):
Through they're not a.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
Factor i've been asked a bunch this. Week you, know
you worried About queen And. Wilson i'm, like they didn't play,
great but their teammates are in their lap the whole.
Speaker 5 (23:28):
Game everybody's. Listen i'm telling you. This you, KNOW i
don't even want to use him BECAUSE i, mean he
he's he's a great.
Speaker 6 (23:37):
Linebacker WELL i will use it because let me tell
you this that their defensive line was. Superior he was
an absolute. Menace when they weren't, superior he was just
a really good.
Speaker 5 (23:49):
Linebacker and That's Ray. LEWIS i, mean when they had
that that, Defense.
Speaker 4 (23:53):
Adams and, DUDE i Mean, RAY i mean in a
way IN La i'm Not i'm not minimizing it at
all because you don't get that cat black.
Speaker 5 (24:05):
Block it is.
Speaker 6 (24:06):
OVER i, mean he would just wreck you in every.
Way he's still gonna make noise if you can try
to get somebody on. Him and you don't do a
good job up, front but you couldn't do anything because
those guys are so good up, front you.
Speaker 5 (24:18):
Know Uh so it's just those linebackers depend on those,
guys you.
Speaker 6 (24:24):
Know and SO i, say, like you usually don't talk about,
him you don't even hear about him because they're doing
all this work that goes unnoticed because they don't make the,
tackles you, know you, know they don't make the. Sacks you,
know they don't have they're not in the. Backfield they're
occupying the. Players so those other guys can make the.
Speaker 5 (24:42):
Plays so.
Speaker 6 (24:45):
It'll be interesting to see this. Week you, Know i've
always felt, that you, know you don't really know who
you got for a. Month so but this will be
a good test because this is what. Happens you, know
once you do do expose, yourself they're Gonna you're gonna get.
Speaker 5 (24:58):
It and this team's geared to do. That you, know
they want they need to play the same way to
win and they know that.
Speaker 3 (25:07):
And all they want to do is run the.
Speaker 5 (25:09):
Ball, yeah, Yeah i'll tell you. This i'll tell you
last year, though you, know the quarterback was. Different you,
Know smith was.
Speaker 6 (25:15):
THERE i there were times where you're like they lost their.
Identity you, know they weren't committed to. Run there was
a lot of Games you're, like what are they?
Speaker 2 (25:23):
DOING i thought that coordinator is in over his? Head
but a college guy turned out.
Speaker 6 (25:27):
That you, know you could tell, it you could tell.
It BUT i don't think that they're over. THERE i
think that they've rectified that and they're, like you, know
we're gonna. Come and they got two really good. Runners you,
KNOW i like twenty six better than a kid From Michigan.
State let me, charbon, Charbon.
Speaker 3 (25:51):
Maryland did you ever score five touchdowns in one football?
Speaker 5 (25:55):
Game? Uh, no in college or THE? Nfl, COLLEGE i don't.
THINK i think his most ever scored was.
Speaker 3 (26:06):
Four, Yeah Kenth walker scored. Five so let's quell that
discussion right. Now BUT i wanted to ask, you in
all seriousness about the offensive side for The steelers. Now Arthur,
smith he spoke. Today the coordinators always talk On, thursdays
and he said he came out and he wanted to be.
Aggressive you, know this is the guy who said we
didn't bring In Aaron rodgers AND Dk metcalf to run the,
wishbone and he wanted to attack down, field and the
(26:28):
protection soon dictated that that was not going to. Happen
do you roll the dice that it was first game
stuff and they're all better this, week or do you
Take Darnell washington and say you are now joined at
the hip With Broderick joes and we're not giving up
three sacks from that spot again in four, overall and
(26:49):
we'll work, around you, know keeping an extra guy or
two In.
Speaker 5 (26:55):
WELL i think every game is going to be a
touchy philly. Situation but they. Did they. Here here's what
happens when you have you, know your your left tackle
is is a real.
Speaker 6 (27:07):
Fundamentally he's just he's just he's not, sound you, know
he just He's what's what's kind of crazy is there's
moments where you watch, it there's what he does things,
Right you're, like holy, calfy just do that more consistently
because he has such a dynamic. Feet but every player
this this includes, Quarterbacks this includes running, Backs this includes
offensive glimb and defensive line and, linebackers wide, receivers every,
(27:31):
SPORT i, mean every. Position and then in, football this
is where you. Start feet hips to. Hands the better
you are feet hips to, hands the better you have
you are as a, blocker a, tackler a, runner a,
receiver a.
Speaker 5 (27:44):
Thrower. Period that is how this game is. Played it's
how it will always be.
Speaker 6 (27:48):
Played and his, feet hips and, hands he's just so,
upright and he's he's he has no, leverage he's not
he doesn't have a good.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
Base so he's married.
Speaker 5 (28:02):
And never his hands are lazy into the.
Speaker 6 (28:05):
Side, listen one of those greatest, sayings first contact. Wins
first contact.
Speaker 5 (28:12):
Wins it's. True so your second, coin you, are it is,
over especially in that.
Speaker 6 (28:17):
Position and he constantly loses that, battle you, know and
his feet are clearly good. Enough but because he's so
upright and he's so out of position and there's no. Leverage,
well people will spin move on, him double, moving, swimming
stun inside and he can't, react you, know like the right.
Speaker 5 (28:40):
Tackle both of them get beat on the very first.
Speaker 6 (28:42):
Play what was interesting about the Right fatanu later in the,
game there wasn't as many issues late third quarter and
in the fourth quarter because he's so fundamentally, Sound like
if you watch him feet hips the hands, man he's,
square his base is, strong he strikes shoe, first his
hands are in great, position like he gives. Himself he's
(29:04):
got this foundation to be successful with because he plays
with it every time and it's. Consistent doesn't mean he's
gonna win all the time because obviously you got to beat.
Speaker 5 (29:13):
Right off the. Bat but he had less and less issues.
Speaker 6 (29:16):
The longer the game, went Whereas broader just kept having
issues because you're always going to have issues if you
keep playing like.
Speaker 5 (29:24):
That, now, people, well why are they coaching like? That,
okay this is WHERE i get coach has all the,
power no.
Speaker 6 (29:28):
Control you can teach and harp things all you. Want
once they step inside the white, lines it's it's on.
Speaker 5 (29:34):
You you.
Speaker 6 (29:35):
Know and if you like he's just that's gonna have
to get better for, him or you're going to have
to put you, know people over there to.
Speaker 5 (29:43):
Help all the. Time and once you do, that, well
you just handicapped. Yourself you.
Speaker 6 (29:47):
Know it's like going to a fistfight with one of
your hands tied behind your. Back you, know just like
we are limited because we kind of protect you, know
we got to help out, somebody and you know the.
Player you just think you take ownership and, Go, OKAY
i can't do that to the. Team you, know you
got your left side that was supposed to clear up.
Everything not if you're not fundamentally, sound it doesn't clear
(30:10):
things up for. You but you, know hopefully he, can
he can work hard at that and develop, that because
that's where it all. Starts he would be fundamentally sound and.
Better he would have less the. Issues but because he
plays the way he, plays he just he puts. Himself
and listen WHEN i talk about targeting. Things, okay every
team is studying every one of those, players and they're
(30:33):
looking at that guy and they're, like we're going at.
Speaker 5 (30:35):
Him you're gonna go at. Him they're gonna keep going at.
Speaker 6 (30:37):
Him going at, him and going at him relentlessly until
he really shows that he can withstand, it and you know,
what you ain't coming over here like this is a locked.
Door you know this is you can't do it over here.
Anymore they'll have that problem till that he can prove.
Speaker 3 (30:52):
That, Well. Merril hopefully next week we're talking about how
he took Strides Broderick jones did toward fixing. It we'll
see one way or the. Other great stuff is always
enjoyed your return to the. Program we'll talk to you
next week Before Steelers.
Speaker 5 (31:06):
Patriots you got boys Love, It Gohot steelers AND Dve Baby.
Speaker 3 (31:12):
Our Factor Back Merril. Hodge Steelers preview presented by your
Neighborhood Forge. Story THE f one fifty is the official
truck of The Pittsburgh. Steelers back for one more segment
to wrap things up With Matt williamson And Mike. Persuda
you're listening To steelers preview On Steelers Nation radio And
Steelers flagship one to two point FIVE.
Speaker 2 (31:33):
Dve back to The Steelers preview show ON, dve.
Speaker 3 (31:40):
How Daren Meryl hodge suggests That sharbono.
Speaker 2 (31:43):
Is better Than walker Or sharbona for that, matter but him,
too one of those. GUYS i if you just did
that get under your skin or?
Speaker 5 (31:51):
What?
Speaker 3 (31:51):
YEAH i PROBABLY i Prefer walker. TOO i just little little.
SIDELIGHT i don't know if people care about this or,
not but it's my, show SO i can bring it
on WHAT i want. To twenty twenty, One, Yeah michigan
And Michigan state are playing In Spartan. Stateium they're both,
Undefeated they're both ranked in the top.
Speaker 2 (32:07):
TEN i think we heard the story last year when
The steelers Play.
Speaker 3 (32:10):
Seattle that was the game That Kenneth walker had The
Al bundy plus one nice five touchdowns in one football.
Speaker 2 (32:17):
GAME i don't know why that was off like a
fifty to fifty split last. WEEK i charbon d is
a really good, backup BUT i think is a tremendous ball.
Speaker 3 (32:24):
Career he, is but he just he wasn't going early
and they went wanted it what With, charbony neither one
did much and then they kind of went To walker
late but couldn't get the game over the finish. LINE
a couple of things that interested, Me. MATT i think
This seattle offense is pretty. Basic you Mentioned, smith the
jig was the guy who's going to be thrown.
Speaker 2 (32:43):
Out its crazy.
Speaker 3 (32:44):
They're going to try to run the. Ball they have
a quarterback who is admittedly trying to be a point,
guard not at all, pro but some wrinkles one of.
Them they put In Jaln milroe for one play against The.
NINERS A millroeck.
Speaker 2 (32:57):
Kind of excited me coming Out. Obama you think they
did that just to.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
Get The steelers to worry about. It they ran one
play early in the game and then we didn't see
him agatin in the rest of the.
Speaker 2 (33:05):
Game, yes because then you got to SPEND x amount
of time in practice this week thinking about, it you.
Know and remember this head coach was the defense coordinator
for The. Ravens, Yes, lamar you, know And steeler familiarity
probably has an idea of How tomlin And crewe do.
Things that being, said IF i Was, SEATTLE i would
have a Mill road package every.
Speaker 3 (33:24):
Week. YEAH i, MEAN i think he's A lamar like,
runner AND i think that's kind of an aggressive you,
know let's push the push the pedal a little. Bit, yeah,
yeah what we can. Create seattle went for fourth and
three from The San francisco four early in the second
quarter down seven to, nothing ended up getting A dpi
out of, it but went for it and ran a
really interesting play in the fourth. Quarter on the third and,
(33:48):
Eighteen darnold threw a short pass over the middle To
smith the, jig but he caught it and threw a
lateral but it was an overhand halfway across the, field bullet.
Danger it was a, yeah he was trying to Hit
charbonnet nice and he missed, him so bowling out about.
Speaker 2 (34:05):
It it was just you, know backwards ended up.
Speaker 3 (34:07):
Punting but it was really it looked like one of
those plays you try at the end when you're, desperate
you're trying to but they pulled it out in a
non traditional. Situation so that was a little bit coloring
outside the. Lines, yeah it makes.
Speaker 2 (34:19):
Me think that the head coach is willing to do
those things a lot of the like the defensive minded
young head coaches are going to play, it you, know
paint by.
Speaker 3 (34:27):
Numbers and yet fourth and one from The San francisco
nineteen yard, line three twenty four left in the, game
it's ten to, ten and they kicked the field goal
which got him the. Lead, yeah but not. Enough, Yeah
niners ended up countering that field goal with a.
Speaker 2 (34:44):
Touchdown, Okay, yeah So i'm sure that was scrutinized On
monday And seattle aggressive but not not whenever.
Speaker 3 (34:52):
It was committed to. Aggressive it's a little.
Speaker 2 (34:54):
Different to be aggressive early in the game than really
when the chips are.
Speaker 3 (34:57):
DOWN i wonder if to rethink, that uh shett All
so blocked the field goal in that. Game, Yeah San
francisco cut their kicker the day. After, yeah missed the
next point and blocked the field. Goal you Mentioned seawks
only had the ball twenty two minutes and. Change that's
that's why it was as close as it. Was, yeah it,
was and so you, Know San francisco had some. Injuries
(35:19):
it was a very close, game rivalry.
Speaker 2 (35:21):
Game, again WHEN i look At, seattle there's so much
change on, OFFENSE i, Mean Gone, lockett Metcalf gino the offensive,
coordinator some linemen fan the number one tight. END i,
mean so they're really a work in progress on offense.
Speaker 3 (35:38):
And trying to become a totally, different totally.
Speaker 2 (35:41):
Different AND i understand. That BUT i think this defense
is one of the best in the. League they get after.
It they, yeah they, will they.
Speaker 3 (35:51):
WILL i thought those four guys up, Front, Reed, Murphy,
lawrence And, williams they can get.
Speaker 2 (35:58):
Pressure they can get pressure and their power or for,
players some of those guys has been around the that
whole crew has been around the. BLOCK I mafe And
hall are very very good edge benders, too And, murphy
the first round, PICK i, think is going to be
an excellent.
Speaker 3 (36:14):
Player so this is a team that can get pressure with.
Four they also like they'd like to show, blitz pack
the box and then back people. Off but rush A
dB is one of the. Four you know that that's
kind of a trend simulated pressures and, yeah, yeah but
you don't. Know it's still four, guys but you don't
know which flour it is and from. Where but they
(36:35):
will also bring they will they will about blitzing.
Speaker 2 (36:39):
AGAIN i, mean this is where The. RAVENS i, mean
this is a lot Of ravens defensive stuff we've seen
over the last couple of.
Speaker 3 (36:45):
Years.
Speaker 2 (36:46):
Now i'm not sure what his status, is but n
you are A i think they want him to be Their,
hamilton you, know like their big, safety do it all.
Guy it would be a big deal if he's not in,
there but he's still a rookie and they're deep across the.
BOARD i think the secondaries. Strong you mentioned the linebacker,
situation and they throw a lot at you. Mentally BUT
i will, say AND i wanted to bring this up
(37:06):
more With, merrill but WE i, mean only so many
minutes in the. Day rogers above the neck was really
impressive to me in this. Game, YEAH i think we
got exactly what The steelers Want Aaron rodgers to.
Speaker 5 (37:20):
Be.
Speaker 3 (37:20):
YEAH i, KNOW i Said Arthur smith wanted to tack
down field a little. More but what we talked about
in the preseason the yak from players such AS Dk
metcalf And Calvin austin.
Speaker 2 (37:32):
One hundred and seventy one yards after catch on The,
steelers and this Is.
Speaker 3 (37:36):
Rogers getting the ball where it needs to be so
they can catch it and keep running as supposed to
stop and reach or jump or.
Speaker 2 (37:42):
Yards after to catch as much a quarterbacks as. Anything, yeah,
yeah AND.
Speaker 3 (37:45):
I thought he was really good that. Way they had
four different guys catch a touchdown pass AND Dk metcalf wasn't.
Speaker 2 (37:52):
One it was one of. Them even the opening, DRIVE
i think five guys caught the, ball you, KNOW i,
mean he's just gonna in that. Game i'm certain We're
i'm not gonna throw At, sauce but everyone else we
like Bothro i'm gonna throw the open dude and just
try to stay away from. Sauce this group of cover
guys is a lot different where there's not one. Star
(38:12):
BUT i don't see as many weaknesses, either you know
WHAT i, mean.
Speaker 3 (38:15):
Eight for ten for seventy one yards and three touchdowns
on play action and they couldn't run the.
Speaker 2 (38:20):
Ball, yeah And rogers didn't used to be a play action.
GUY i, MEAN i think him And smith had a.
CONVERSATION i don't knows for, sure but When rogers visited
here a month before he officially signed or, WHATEVER i
bet they sat there and chatted X as and o's
how can we marriage The Arthur smith world to The
Aaron rodgers. World, well we'd like to do a lot
(38:41):
of play Action, AARON i really haven't done, that but
at my stage of my, CAREER i think it'd be.
Helpful and he bought.
Speaker 3 (38:47):
It you, KNOW i think he can still do. IT
i mean he's he's clearly effective enough to bootleg and
still act a lot of that accurate throwing on the.
Run you know he's not gonna run away from free.
RUSHERS i mean that's, No he's not gonna break tackles
in the breaks, down he's gonna get. Sacked he's gonna get,
sacked right why they got to protect. Them but the
other thing that really all came out quick and did
(39:08):
not attempt a deep, pass which is BY nfl standards
twenty plus air. Yard Right, AGAIN i don't think he's
brought here to be the mad. BOMBER i think he's
here to activate the, offense, yes and get everybody involved
and move the ball and score points and check check check.
Speaker 2 (39:24):
Check SO i put the twenty yard thing out On,
twitter and of Course twitter Thinks i'm like Destroying rogers
are being mean to, Him, like, no that was good game.
Management that's what the defense gave. You he set people
up after the, catch and, frankly there was a bunch
of passes that were like. NINETEEN i, mean you, know
it's a kind of an arbitrary, number but there was
a lot right around twenty.
Speaker 3 (39:44):
Well and they also got the on the winning field goal.
Drive they got A dpi On. AUSTIN i can't remember
how long that, was but it was relatively longer right right,
Right and then they had the deep ball down the other,
sideline Which rogers is convinced should have BEEN dpi don't
the third down disagree with, them and d V e
rules Analyst Geen sterotory didn't disagree with. Either so there's.
Speaker 6 (40:05):
That.
Speaker 2 (40:06):
OKAY i did a show At Tim ben's last, night
and he was the first even say. This he's, LIKE i,
know it's the short guy defending the short, guy but
being that small sometimes you don't get the DPIs because
it just looked like the guy is so much bigger
than he. Looked you kind of get. Overshadowed, yeah.
Speaker 3 (40:21):
Overlooked let's talk About darn a little bit more before
we get out of. HERE i don't dislike him when
he was a part of this potential quarterback carousel and you,
know should The steelers go After steelers were at least
talking about. IT i look at him as a guy
(40:42):
who can do a lot of, things but he doesn't
have a wow type of element to his. Game, NO
i understand why he's a high, pick like he doesn't
have a, superpower. RIGHT i think he's.
Speaker 2 (40:52):
Really good at a lot of. Things he's been highly
inconsistent throughout his, career AND i think it is kind
of a cut to just say Justin jefferson and O'Connell
and The vikings turned him in to a good. Player
he played really. Well he threw a lot of really
good deep, balls doesn't handle pressure. GREAT i don't know
exactly What seattle, bought. THOUGH i, MEAN i need to
(41:16):
see this thing off the lot for a couple more
weeks to see what exactly he is in this.
Speaker 3 (41:20):
Environment it strikes me as a car you, see and you, think,
MAN i kind of like, it but not at that.
Speaker 2 (41:25):
Price it seems a little. Pricey, yeah, right right, RIGHT
i better get a warranty on. THAT i can live with, it,
right all, right maybe molrose the. Warranty i'd better not
make the investment required to drive, it. Right kind of
shocked they went away From, gino WHO i think is
quite a good. Player you, KNOW i Think donold he
can throw on the. Run he'll throw in the tight
windows if he has to to make a, play. Right
(41:46):
but essentially you're talking about, that you, know Did minnesota make?
Him this was a The fox.
Speaker 3 (41:51):
Broadcast Joe davis And Greg olsen were the, announcers AND
i assume they got this stuff from the production meetings
that they do with the players just before the. Broadcast but,
uh according to those. Guys darnold, credits believe it or,
Not Kyle shanahan And Brock purdy for styling him that.
Year he's spent that one year there backing up into The,
(42:12):
vikings AND.
Speaker 2 (42:13):
I remember at the time he even, SAID i want
to go there to, learn AND i know my career
is not going WHERE i want to.
Speaker 3 (42:18):
Be what he said was he'd learned not to try
to do too much all the. Time he always did
too take what the game.
Speaker 2 (42:23):
Gives he was always the five star AT, Usc i'm
the best player on the, field and now he's reeled
it in and it's been a great career move for.
Speaker 3 (42:30):
Him so we got A seahawks team of potential but
with some, uh some. Issues we got A steelers team
of potential with some. Issues it's Still september. Football, Yeah
seattle was great on the road last, year really on
the seven to one up On, yeah what do you
see happen in The Sundayed, acterssure.
Speaker 5 (42:47):
Man.
Speaker 2 (42:49):
WHAT i thought was going to happen last. WEEK i
picked The steelers to win The jets game seventeen, sixteen
And i'm going to stick with it. AGAIN i do
not think all of a sudden it's gonna The steelers
are going to be in thirty forty point. GAMES i
just don't see it that. Way seattle's defense worries the
heck out of, me especially the way The steelers running
game didn't really. Exist BUT i Think steeers win a close.
Speaker 3 (43:11):
One i'm with, you AND i, think particularly with. STYLE
i think you know a lot of times we talk
about an offensive, coordinator do they, Think, okay our defense
is up against it this, week we're gonna have to
score some. Points you gotta Be Joe burrow thirty, eight thirty,
five not thirteen.
Speaker 2 (43:25):
Ten sure you play them different than you Play, yeah this, ONE.
Speaker 3 (43:27):
I don't Think seattle's gonna put up.
Speaker 2 (43:29):
Forty, no AND i didn't think that last, week BUT
i really be. SHOCKED i want to.
Speaker 3 (43:33):
Try to control the, ball work on my running. Game,
yeah make it, ugly do what you gotta do to protect,
it and maybe win field position and Let boswell kick
from sixty if he has.
Speaker 2 (43:44):
To and As merrill always says and said half an
hour ago or, whatever don't don't discredit a proud defense
or a professional, who LIKE i Bet Cam hayward plays
pretty well in This we see that's.
Speaker 3 (44:01):
Gonna do it for, Us thanks for tuning, In thanks
To justin for keeping everything rocking and rolling behind the.
Board we'll do it again next week Before Steelers. Patriots until,
then For Matt williamson And Mike, persuda this has Been Steeler's,
preview presented by your Neighborhood Ford. Store THE f one
fifty is the official truck of The Pittsburgh. Steelers we'll
see you next week right here On Steelers Nation radio
(44:23):
and Your steelers flagship one of two point five DVE.
E Good, night, everyone
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