June 10, 2025 • 28 mins
Another week closer to Steelers football - and this week, it’s a big one. With Aaron Rodgers signing with the Steelers for the season, hear from your new quarterback and Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin, as mandatory minicamp gets underway.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Irish airline aer Lingus will proudly serve as the presenting
partner of Steelers Ireland twenty twenty five. Airlingus's growth in
North America continues in twenty twenty five as the airline
prepares to fly to two new US destinations, Nashville and Indianapolis,
using its new Airbus eight three twenty one xl or aircraft.
This brings the number of transatlantic routes operated by the
(00:21):
airline from Dublin, Shannon and Manchester to twenty four. Steelers
fans traveling to Ireland for the big game can enjoy
a relaxing journey when they fly.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
With air Lingus. Air Lingus, You're very welcome, Hey, everybody.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Welcome into the Irish Tears podcast presented by er Lingus
and Novelwik Closer to Steelers Football and another week closer
to the twenty twenty five NFL Dublin Game. And on
that note, Steelers Nation, it's time to take flight with
aer Lingus, an official airline partner of the Pittsburgh Staters
and a founding partner of Steelers Ireland. There's never been
(01:03):
a better time to book your trip to Dublin with
nineteen North American gateways, including flights from nearby Cleveland. Get
ready for warm Irish hospitality and plenty of room on
board for your terrible style, whether it's a game day
or a getaway. Erlingus looks forward to saying you're very
welcome to the players and fans of the Pittsburgh Stedars.
(01:24):
You can book now at erlingus dot com and on that, folks,
what a podcast we have in store for you today.
You know, let's just cut around the bush straight up.
The biggest news. And I'm sure you've all seen it
over the last few days. It's been talked about in
the media unofficially officially for days and weeks now before
(01:45):
it was announced. Obviously one of the hottest rumors of
the offseason has now been confirmed. A former Green Bay
Packers Super Bowl champion and former New York Jets quarterback
Aaron Rodgers' future Hall of Famer no doubt is and
has signed with the Pittsburgh Staters on a one year
deal to play for the Pittsburgh Steeters this season as
(02:07):
a starting quarterback. As coach Tomlin mentioned earlier on for
the twenty twenty five NFL season, we will see Aaron
Rodgers play in Dublin Touchwood of course in September against
the Minnesota Vikings. What a great signing for this team.
You know, a guy in terms of experience, he's been there,
he's done that, and now tinierly lock and load with
(02:28):
this offense to see how we can get on this year.
I'm really delighted to say we've got a great show
coming up today. We have got, like the host of
the Steelers Audio Network covers Michael pursuit of joining us
in a few moments before we do that, let's hear
first off from coach Mike Dumblin after the signing of
Aaron Rodgers and also as well, coach Tomlin talks about
(02:50):
mini camp which has just started this week Managory mini
camp starting earlier today. Here's coach Tomlin on the Irish
Theaters podcast.
Speaker 4 (02:58):
It's another step, another step closer to a football like environment.
The days are a little bit longer, not only in
terms of us being in the building, but the length
of practice. Just we're at that stage where we get
opportunity to continue to work on our football conditioning and
display it. Present some more challenging schematics in all three
(03:19):
phases and just really a little bit more formal work,
and so from a competitive standpoint, it's a fun environment.
And we had a really good day and I look
forward us getting back out and doing similar things tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Questions.
Speaker 4 (03:35):
No, certainly we'd like him to be here, but certainly
not surprised by where we are. We've expressed a desire
to get the business done. He has as well, and
so we'll continue to work. We've been here before.
Speaker 5 (03:49):
What is there concern about his future?
Speaker 6 (03:52):
No, your advance, notice that you work.
Speaker 4 (03:55):
Whatever communication transfers between he and I will remain there.
Speaker 5 (04:00):
Why quick is the arab roddy vers feed.
Speaker 6 (04:02):
In your eyes?
Speaker 4 (04:04):
I mean, read his resume. We're excited about him being here.
He's excited about being here. But we'll make no bold predictions.
We're just gonna roll our sleeves up and go to
work and let let our efforts do to talking Mike,
he said that.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
You wanted him to just the invidual stuff as he
earned the offense.
Speaker 7 (04:21):
What what went into that and seen?
Speaker 4 (04:24):
I'll be really straightforward with you, Junie reps or a
heck of a lot more important for a guy like
Will Howard at this stage of his career than the
guy who's been doing it for twenty years, and so
whatever snaps he gets, you take away from a guy
like will Hire Howard, and we're trying to get this
collective ready for training camp.
Speaker 7 (04:43):
Like you said, I think the league meeting or comfortable
being uncomforting in terms of the ways for Aaron making
decisions I found uncomfortable. Was it really or did you
kind of know you did to this time?
Speaker 4 (04:53):
It wasn't for me.
Speaker 7 (04:56):
Envision a quarterback competition this summer.
Speaker 6 (04:58):
I don't.
Speaker 5 (04:59):
I'll bet if going to be the Azure. You're sorry
he did at the age you.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
Again, as I said, you know, physical repetitions in June
for a guy with twenty years experience is not that significant.
It's very significant for a guy with no.
Speaker 6 (05:15):
Snaps last year.
Speaker 5 (05:18):
These guys and his staff and.
Speaker 4 (05:20):
I trust that whatever issues or you know, learning curve
things that he needs to get through will be handled
during the during the down period of summer. For sure.
Speaker 6 (05:29):
Like Baron said, he appreciated the way you communicated with
them through his person and stuff.
Speaker 4 (05:33):
What allowed you that patience to Betty can go through
that stuff while you didn't have most bring We've both
been in our roles a long time and and so
there's personal comfort and security in that, and maybe we
could relate on that level in the past when.
Speaker 7 (05:47):
You had Russell Wilson here, his readers shut in his
better and experience was a big reason why you brought
the building. What does Aaron bring in that regard?
Speaker 4 (05:55):
Read his resume.
Speaker 6 (05:58):
Anyone else bet it all?
Speaker 5 (06:00):
I said, Derrick Harmon's a starter. Now how you view.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
We'll sort out all of that to visit the labor
and rolls and depth chart things when we get to
real football. Right now, it's just football, Like.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
Kosamo on the Irish Titters podcast presented by Ireland Gauz.
I know there's one guy you want to hear from, folks.
Here he is for the first time on this podcast
talking as the quarterback all the Pittsburgh Steters. It's Aaron
Rodgers practice.
Speaker 6 (06:27):
It was good. Good to be out here with you guys.
Still learning the offense, but good to be u good
to be in aw jersey and cleets again.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
How long will take get acclimated?
Speaker 1 (06:37):
You think?
Speaker 6 (06:40):
I mean that's all those are two different things. The offense. Uh,
it's a lot of the similar terms from the Shanaan offense.
So I got a lot of stuff already booked. There's
a couple of new words and different things formationally, but
I haven't figured out, you know, in a couple of weeks.
Probably you've visited.
Speaker 7 (06:57):
Here over seventy days ago. What made now the right
It's been a little bit mad now the right time
to sign a deal here.
Speaker 5 (07:06):
You know.
Speaker 6 (07:06):
I was dealing with a lot of things in my
personal life, and some things improved a little bit where
I felt like I could fully be all in here
with the guys. I had great conversation with Mike throughout
the entire process and Omar. But it's good to get
that done and get behind us. Khy Was the Steelers
the right fit for you? You know? I think it
(07:27):
starts with Mike Tomblin and then I've been a fan
of his for a long time.
Speaker 8 (07:31):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (07:31):
There's a few iconic franchises in the NFL. I played
for one of them for eighteen years. This is another
one of those.
Speaker 7 (07:39):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (07:39):
There's something special about obviously, this this area. So many
great quarterbacks are from Pittsburgh. I feel like Pittsburgh has
been a part of my career from the beginning, playing
for Mike McCarthy for thirteen years, Having Tom Clements for
Tommy Clements to been on old you are as my
quarterback Coast Forever, Dom Caper's, Kevin Green, Darren Perry, Ben McAdoo,
(08:04):
Frank Signetti, uh Luke getsy. I don't want to forget
anybody but a lot of injurs in my life.
Speaker 7 (08:11):
You would say, get to a week ahead of the draft,
you were leading all open, including retiring, How tar cut
wasn't in your mind as you went through the process.
Speaker 6 (08:19):
That was going and playing. I wouldn't say it was
super clear cut. I didn't want to short change the guys,
uh and be you know, sign but be elsewhere mentally
or physically, so until I could be here uh and
be all in. You know, I needed to take care
of my business. To me, I'm gonna keep that between
(08:41):
me and the guys.
Speaker 8 (08:42):
Kim Heyb talked podcast is wondering about how important would
be this morning, Well, yes, this morning, but he talked
about the leadership you ring the operative side of the
ball and how that will be very important. What come
of how about your that with the conversation first time
as came up, What you can be as a leader, Well, I.
Speaker 6 (08:59):
Think I just want to be a servant leader here
and just pass on the knowledge that I have with
twenty years the experience, and just try and fit in
with the guys, get to know them, let them get
to know me, and just enjoy the process. You know,
this is everything's new. It's like the first day of school.
I don't know a lot of guys' names. They don't
have names on the back of the jerseys here, they
don't have names on the doors and the meeting rooms.
(09:20):
I literally walk out of locker room lost, try and
grab somebody, Hey, where am I going? But I'll get
the feel of it, and I'm excited about making this home.
Speaker 5 (09:28):
Here point of life. Why why do you still want? Yeah?
Speaker 6 (09:33):
I mean, I think that's what it is like. I
don't I don't need it for my ego. I don't
need it to keep playing. A lot of decisions that
I've made over my career and life from strictly the ego,
even if they turn out well, are always unfulfilling. But
the decisions made from the soul are usually pretty fulfilling.
(09:54):
So this was a decision that was best for my soul,
and I felt like being here with Coach T and
the guys. They got here and the opportunity here was
the best for me and and I'm excited to be here.
Speaker 7 (10:05):
Aaron. Is it different physically being almost two years out
from the Achilles as it was opposed to one?
Speaker 6 (10:11):
Yeah, I mean I'm forty one, so body feels different
than it did at twenty five. But I feel better.
I feel good. Last year, you know, I worked really hard.
It was a tough couple of years getting hurt and
then rehabbing for a year to get back. But I
feel good, Aaron.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
Kind of along those lines, I have to do play
things unfolded last year.
Speaker 8 (10:28):
What do you feel like is different about this organization
and about you physically mentally?
Speaker 1 (10:32):
That will need more success here.
Speaker 6 (10:35):
I'm just gonna talk about these guys. I like the
opportunity here. I like to feel with the guys. I
like how Mike t has been in the meetings. Tom
Arthur and I known each other since two thousand and six.
He was in my quarterback room our first off season together.
Still has the prettiest drop I've ever seen. So good
to see him. Arthur, I've known for a number of years. Obviously,
(10:55):
everybody in the Shannan Tree is close enjoyed our commerces
over the last few months, and and and one on
one times we've had in the meeting rooms looking at
film and talking about the offense.
Speaker 5 (11:06):
Makes you feel that way, Why do you say, what?
What has he kind of showed you?
Speaker 2 (11:11):
Rubbed off on you?
Speaker 5 (11:12):
Bro?
Speaker 6 (11:12):
I mean we have some We've had some great conversations,
and I just appreciated the way that that he treated
me throughout the process.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
What do you know the Pat Barny's game, they so
decided to work with them.
Speaker 6 (11:23):
Sters DK has been blowing me up for a while.
You know, we we got to get together out West.
But uh, I've gone against him a number of times.
He's big, athletic, uh fast, got great hands ball skills.
But the thing that that really excites me the most
is his character. I think he's a high character guy.
(11:45):
You know, I was teasing the first conversation we had.
He said, yes, sir, like ten times. I said, is
that because I'm forty one? He said, no, that's how
I talk. So I just I like I like his
whole his whole personality and his approach and the way
he is on the field, his professionalism. Pat been blowing
me up mostly on d MS and on on on
the GRAM. But I've had respect for his game for
(12:08):
a while too. He was just teasing me about two
minute starters there at the end. But I like I
like the opportunity to work with all the guys in
the tight end room, and there's a lot of guys
with different skill set. I told Darnell today, I haven't
had a tight end like him since Mercedes and Mercedes
all time great. Uh, Darnell is like a young Mercedes,
(12:29):
able to do things in the passing game, dominate the
line of scrimmage. Connor had a really nice day to
day out that making plays. So there's a lot of
a lot of guys in that room with with great
skill sets.
Speaker 7 (12:40):
And just be having another workout with any of the
guys between now.
Speaker 6 (12:44):
And training camp, I do. I just gotta get him.
I gotta try and convince him to come out to Malibu, California.
It's gonna be a tough sell. I think, tough sell.
I did, Yeah, I did. I did. Meaning your meeting
here earlier in the year.
Speaker 7 (13:01):
Did you leave with any material just to study what
they do or anything like that.
Speaker 6 (13:06):
No, I just got in my Malibu and took off.
Speaker 7 (13:11):
Process this off season. How Center made you have an organization.
Was he a weighing all your options or he decided
if you were the turn of the season the Sibo
really you know the joys.
Speaker 6 (13:24):
Uh you know, I mean I think there was conversations
with other organizations for sure, but uh again the rapport
that that fell in between me and Mike, uh made
it to where as I was going through my personal stuff. Uh,
there wasn't any other option for me, it was here
and I play India documentary.
Speaker 7 (13:44):
You said you're at the coin your career.
Speaker 8 (13:45):
You don't put you to creep and even anyone but yourself.
Speaker 3 (13:48):
What do you want to food to yourself this year?
Speaker 6 (13:51):
I said it in my documentary. Uh, I just want
that fun. I want to enjoy the game. The game's
give me a ton mum. It's hard to think of
anything in my life that's positive. It wasn't impacted by
directly or indirectly by playing this game. So I just
want to give love back to the game, enjoy it,
pass on my noledge to my teammates, and uh, you know,
(14:14):
try and find find ways to help lead the team.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
Good to hear Aran Rodgers for the first time on
the Irish Theeeters Podcast presented by Ironings.
Speaker 5 (14:25):
Let's break this down.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Let's look at different aspects of this offseason with this
week's guests. Delighted to bring a guy in from the
Staters Audio Network on the guy that obviously has covered
the team for decades, works with the Steers local radio
partner as well. Mike Pursuita joins us on the Irish
Steters Podcast. Okay, as we get into mini coount with
the Pittsburgh Steters, we're delighted to welcome a guy who
(14:47):
is a big fixture on the sports scene in Pittsburgh,
a guy that's covered the team for decades.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
He's also a sports director at.
Speaker 3 (14:54):
Steeters ocal radio partner w DVE, but also is the
host of the Staters pre and put Scheme shows on
the Theaters Audio Network. I delighted to welcome and Mike
Pursuda to the Irish Theaters Podcast presented by Arling. It's Mike,
A big, big welcome, first time in the podcast. How
are you doing, man.
Speaker 5 (15:10):
I'm doing great. I really appreciate you guys having me on.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
Mike, you definitely picked the best time to come on.
This is the first podcast we've had since the Big
News has dropped with sitting just a few days ago
and seen the news at the end of last week
about the quarterback situation, and I was, yes, not too surprised,
but still shocked that's happening, because it's now in it's
a reality, and Aaron Rodgers to the Pittsburgh Steters. He'll
be our quarterback, hopefully on the field in Dublin later
(15:38):
on this year. What's your thoughts on the move and
how has it been like since the news came out.
It's towards the end last week.
Speaker 5 (15:45):
It's been interesting.
Speaker 9 (15:46):
I think most people in the Pittsburgh area, definitely in
the local media, we've all kind of been under the
assumption this was going to happen for two and a
half months now and it wasn't official, But everybody's just
fact that it was mostly a done deal. It seemed
to get a lot more airtime in the United States
(16:08):
national shows and whatnot, people debating it.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
I mean, I think he was their best option. I
think it's worth a shot.
Speaker 9 (16:16):
You never can guarantee anything, particularly in the NFL, but
you're bringing in a guy who's won a Super Bowl,
You're bringing in a guy who's been a four time
MVD and the best part from the Steelers perspective, I
don't think they need that guy. I think they need
a guy that's able to run the offense and use
his experience and it just makes the right play at
(16:36):
the right time and hoping that leads to them trusting
Rogers allowing him to use his experience as spit a
critical time.
Speaker 3 (16:44):
What's the faults like if you had the chance to
job to any players or so I know there was
a facility or a golf classic yesterday, it seems to
be really a high optimism, a very very good mood
in Pennslvanna at the moment.
Speaker 9 (16:56):
Oh, it's there's an excite, but I think the people
that see it for the football side, you can't help
but be excited because of his long resume and his
experience and his accomplishments. As we're recording this will kind
of between sessions here the first day of mandatory mini camp.
(17:17):
We've talked to several of the players, Aaron Rodgers, who's
going to talk later today, but especially the young guys here.
They grew up vitalizing this guy. Now he's their teammate.
There's kind of a buzz, there's national media coverage. Some
of the national media outlets here in America have descended
upon Pittsburgh to cover the first day of mandatory venteran
(17:38):
mini camp. I can assure you that almost never happens,
and I can assure you Aaron Rodgers is the reason
that happened this time.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
You obviously worked with the Theeters Audio network for games.
What's I like working for the theaters on? How long
have you worked there? And when did it hit to you?
I guess that you worked for the organization in a
good way.
Speaker 9 (18:00):
It's been a number of years. I've I've been covering
the Steelers for one media outlet or a number or
another since late in the nineteen eighty six seas in
the last three games in nineteen eighty six, I was
in newspapers. Then I do radio in Pittsburgh, and I've
worked for the Steelers probably for about a decade, doing
writing for Steelers dot Com and kind of internet shows
(18:23):
and Steelers dot Com shows, Steelers Nation Radio. There's a
lot to do for that. It's a lot of fun.
I kind of always wanted to cover pro football when
I was growing up, and I've been lucky enough to
be able to do it.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
Let's look at somebody transactions. Me and I guess before
Rogers has come in here. It's something that we've spoke
got sort of a length of different people that I've
come on this podcast over the last few weeks from
the combines in the draft. Mike, you know, the one
thing that I find from speaking to a few Steeters
fans actually last weekend when it was out, was the
situation of running back when you've not goed Geelan Moore
(18:59):
and leading in terms of their run game bringing in
a guy like Kilob Johnson, do you like where this
run game is now? A minus?
Speaker 5 (19:05):
Nagy.
Speaker 9 (19:08):
I am one of the bigger Calem Johnson fans on
the planet. And hey, I thought Najie Harris was a
good player. Still think he's a good player. I thought
he was a hard worker. I thought he was a
guy who cared. You know, the offensive line was transitioning
during his time here. The quarterback situation was unsettled. He
had he had to be stacked against him to a degree.
(19:29):
I think Caleb Johnson is a faster version of Najie Harris,
and he's stepping into a much better situation. I think
the offensive line is much more secure and established. Uh,
they're better at wide receiver. I think they should be
better at quarterback. I think Caleb Johnson is gonna flourish
both running the ball and being utilized as a pass
(19:51):
catcher out of the backfield. I am this is an
old cuche on this side of the pond. But whenever
a team drafts a player, they say, oh, I couldn't
believe he was still available. Honest to god, I couldn't
believe he was still available in the third round. Really,
I'm not kid. And it was a great selection.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
I thought we had a great day on the third
day of the draft. We had Brett keeslover in Dublin
doing a big draft party and really good sort of
feedback from from people over here Steelers Nation, in Europe
as well as Ireland. On that draft you sort of
mentioned the wide receiver corps there obviously.
Speaker 5 (20:23):
Bringing DK in.
Speaker 3 (20:24):
When you bring a guy of that, you know, notability
for a started guy that we can now sort of
say on this podcast we've seen obviously he's worked out
with Aaron Rodgers over the last few weeks and months,
and guys that you can just slot in. Would you
like to see an other veteran white that come in
towards the end of the preseason, or are you happy
with what we had if that was If that was
what we had going into the Week one game against
(20:46):
the Jets, No.
Speaker 9 (20:47):
I'd like to see another very good one come in,
you know, somebody to play off a metcap.
Speaker 5 (20:53):
Personally, I was a little disappointed they didn't keep George Pickens.
Speaker 9 (20:56):
I thought that could have been a pretty lethal one
two punch outside, particularly with the guy such as Aaron
Rodgers throwing the ball. But they just as clearly had
their reasons why they wanted to move him.
Speaker 5 (21:06):
But there's a lot of rumblings back here.
Speaker 9 (21:09):
This guy or that guy, or they're gonna trade for
this guy, they're gonna sign that guy. It stays pretty fluid,
even not just through training camp, but after the season starts,
in their injuries.
Speaker 5 (21:19):
And people see what they have and don't have.
Speaker 9 (21:22):
You might remember they acquired excuse me, Mike Williams from
the Jets last year. I would expect another set of
hands to be on the way, and I hope for
their sake it's an impact set of hand.
Speaker 3 (21:36):
Was it like working or sort of reporting for the
team at Mini comp? Because these guys have obviously come
in you go ots, which had just sort of wrapped
up Mini comp. It's funny because for a lot of
sports fans over here, the soccer season different GS seasons
don't really seem to end that much, whereas the NFL
has a pretty big off season. But now, like real
(21:56):
a City MIC, we're back into the ring of it
now because this is it. I know we're not another
couple of months side from a preseason game, but these
guys are in there getting ready and and just getting
ready to go.
Speaker 5 (22:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 9 (22:06):
It just it's uh, it's another step in the process.
You know, it's kind of a calendar that you just
do every year.
Speaker 6 (22:15):
Uh.
Speaker 9 (22:15):
You get excited about the draft to see who they're
bringing in, then you get excited about free agency, see
who they're bringing in. Then the organized team activity start
for the first one of those. Oh, it's great, the
back out there running around again. Then mini camp that's
another step up. Then we'll get to training camp. Then
we'll put the pads on in training camp. Then you'll
get to that first preseason game and you'll be very
(22:37):
excited for the first preseason game, and after that you
can't wait till the play a real game that counts
and then and then you're on your way.
Speaker 5 (22:44):
But uh, it's uh, it's a process that everybody's used to.
And one of the things.
Speaker 9 (22:49):
I enjoy about it it's the way it just slowly
but steadily ratchets up in terms of you know, people's
passion for it and people's interest in it.
Speaker 5 (22:58):
And uh, how much it gets talked about in the
market here.
Speaker 3 (23:02):
Talking to getting talking about in the market to that point,
what's the vibe like playing in Ireland? Like, you know,
it's been what twelve years since the leaders have played
there nationally they played in London. I know, mister Rooney,
the late mister Rooney would have loved to have been
to this game. How excited to you about it? But
also there seems to genuinely from speaking to guys like
Pat freronmuf over here, the guys are really excited to
(23:24):
get over a week four game. You know, you can't
get much better than that, Mike, when you're looking at
games in Berlin and Madrid in November, get in, get out,
get that buy regroup, go for the rest of the season.
A really good opportunity against the young Vikings team as well,
which is really going to try and come back from
last year where you know, they had such a good
regular season but sort of went that first week. So
(23:44):
it should be a good game.
Speaker 5 (23:46):
Oh it should be not standing game. And I think
the organization is obviously elated about it.
Speaker 9 (23:52):
You mentioned mister Rooney, and everybody feels that, you know,
in terms of the significance of it. But the fair
basically the ones I'm in contact with are just going crazy.
I got thirty relatives that want tickets. I don't think
they're all good again them, but everybody wants to go
(24:13):
to Ireland.
Speaker 5 (24:13):
Everybody.
Speaker 3 (24:15):
For people listening to this in Europe, tickets go and
seal next Tuesday, June seventeenth, So not long the wait,
not and we want to wish everybody the very very
best to look Mike, we sort of mentioned our week four. Look,
you know yourself, you're gonna have a set amount of games,
you know how the season works.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
But we're a few.
Speaker 3 (24:33):
Weeks on from that schedule. I'd love to know what
your faults on the schedule are because last year we
had a real AFC or front towards the end of
the year. It's a bit more managed this time. Is
there anything you like, is there anything you don't like?
Or you very much a sort of guy where it's
like we go here this week, we go here, this week,
we go to win a game.
Speaker 9 (24:51):
You know, I used to be And then last year
they had to play Philadelphia Baltimore in Kansas City in
the span of eleven days in Lake December, and I
just thought that was not just how condensed it was,
but the quality of opponent three weeks in a row.
You know, it might sound like an excuse, and if
(25:12):
people take it that way, there's nothing I can do
about that. But I think that genuinely took a lot
out of the team. I think if those games had
been spaced out, it might have been a different ending.
If it had been three different teams, maybe not one
of the teams that was going to go to the
super Bowl and one of the teams that was going
to win the super Bowl and.
Speaker 5 (25:31):
A really good rival. Maybe that would have worked out different.
Speaker 9 (25:34):
But you do, you know, you have to play when
they tell you to play and where they tell you
to play. But I think it's easier this year. It's
never easy, but maybe much more manageable is a better
word for it.
Speaker 3 (25:47):
Just finally, for me, Mike, as we wrap this up,
I really appreciate you coming on one thing. I did
want to manage from a guy that's been there and
seeing these guys Tree and especially over the last couple
of weeks there with the rookies and we all knew
who hired is the guy that we've picked up there
towards the end of that draft. Mason Rudolph is no
stranger to the facility. I'm thinking more so along the
(26:08):
lines of will hired. Obviously a Rudi coming into the
league a lot of experience in college football. I can't
think of a better situation than for him to sit
behind a guy like Aran Rodgers and also learn from
a guy like Mason Rudolph as well and develop in
his own time and give him that space to actually
become the player he wants to be in the league.
Speaker 5 (26:25):
Yeah, I couldn't agree with you more.
Speaker 9 (26:27):
I think one of the reasons why NFL teams have
such a hard time developing quarterbacks is they don't develop them.
There's such pressure now, particularly when these guys are drafted
in the first round and the second round they get
thrown in.
Speaker 5 (26:40):
Maybe they're thrown in before they're ready. Maybe they're thrown
in before the team is good enough and it's win
now or move on.
Speaker 9 (26:50):
And I just don't think guys get as much time
to mature as they used to. So Howard's in a
perfect spot. They won't need him to play this year.
You can watch Aaron Rodgers, one of the best to
ever do it. He can learn from Mason Rudolph. He
can get his feet on the ground. You know, it's
an intriguing pick. He's a late round pick, so don't
(27:11):
traditionally expect a whole lot out of six rounders. And
sorry for the break train going by here if you're
picking up one, but you know, welcome to Pittsburgh Audio version.
Speaker 5 (27:22):
I think Paul Howard's in a real good spot.
Speaker 9 (27:24):
It'll be interesting to see where he is three years
from now.
Speaker 3 (27:28):
Absolutely awesome. Look, Mike, I have a feeling that a
lot of guys already listened to you, But do check
out the Steelers audio and network if he can. Folks,
Mike appreciate you coming on, and I want to wish
you the very best throughout the rest of the few
weeks of Mini camp here, and no doubt we let
touch basic game before week four in Dublin.
Speaker 5 (27:44):
But for now.
Speaker 3 (27:45):
Thank you very much man for coming on.
Speaker 5 (27:46):
Oh thank you for having me any time.
Speaker 9 (27:48):
Really enjoyed it.
Speaker 1 (27:52):
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Speaker 2 (28:21):
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Irish airline aer Lingus will proudly serve as the presenting
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This brings the number of transatlantic routes operated by the
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airline from Dublin, Shannon and Manchester to twenty four. Steelers
fans traveling to Ireland for the big game can enjoy
a relaxing journey when they fly.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
With air Lingus. Air Lingus, You're very welcome, Hey, everybody.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Welcome into the Irish Tears podcast presented by er Lingus
and Novelwik Closer to Steelers Football and another week closer
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You can book now at erlingus dot com and on that, folks,
what a podcast we have in store for you today.
You know, let's just cut around the bush straight up.
The biggest news. And I'm sure you've all seen it
over the last few days. It's been talked about in
the media unofficially officially for days and weeks now before
(01:45):
it was announced. Obviously one of the hottest rumors of
the offseason has now been confirmed. A former Green Bay
Packers Super Bowl champion and former New York Jets quarterback
Aaron Rodgers' future Hall of Famer no doubt is and
has signed with the Pittsburgh Staters on a one year
deal to play for the Pittsburgh Steeters this season as
(02:07):
a starting quarterback. As coach Tomlin mentioned earlier on for
the twenty twenty five NFL season, we will see Aaron
Rodgers play in Dublin Touchwood of course in September against
the Minnesota Vikings. What a great signing for this team.
You know, a guy in terms of experience, he's been there,
he's done that, and now tinierly lock and load with
(02:28):
this offense to see how we can get on this year.
I'm really delighted to say we've got a great show
coming up today. We have got, like the host of
the Steelers Audio Network covers Michael pursuit of joining us
in a few moments before we do that, let's hear
first off from coach Mike Dumblin after the signing of
Aaron Rodgers and also as well, coach Tomlin talks about
(02:50):
mini camp which has just started this week Managory mini
camp starting earlier today. Here's coach Tomlin on the Irish
Theaters podcast.
Speaker 4 (02:58):
It's another step, another step closer to a football like environment.
The days are a little bit longer, not only in
terms of us being in the building, but the length
of practice. Just we're at that stage where we get
opportunity to continue to work on our football conditioning and
display it. Present some more challenging schematics in all three
(03:19):
phases and just really a little bit more formal work,
and so from a competitive standpoint, it's a fun environment.
And we had a really good day and I look
forward us getting back out and doing similar things tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Questions.
Speaker 4 (03:35):
No, certainly we'd like him to be here, but certainly
not surprised by where we are. We've expressed a desire
to get the business done. He has as well, and
so we'll continue to work. We've been here before.
Speaker 5 (03:49):
What is there concern about his future?
Speaker 6 (03:52):
No, your advance, notice that you work.
Speaker 4 (03:55):
Whatever communication transfers between he and I will remain there.
Speaker 5 (04:00):
Why quick is the arab roddy vers feed.
Speaker 6 (04:02):
In your eyes?
Speaker 4 (04:04):
I mean, read his resume. We're excited about him being here.
He's excited about being here. But we'll make no bold predictions.
We're just gonna roll our sleeves up and go to
work and let let our efforts do to talking Mike,
he said that.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
You wanted him to just the invidual stuff as he
earned the offense.
Speaker 7 (04:21):
What what went into that and seen?
Speaker 4 (04:24):
I'll be really straightforward with you, Junie reps or a
heck of a lot more important for a guy like
Will Howard at this stage of his career than the
guy who's been doing it for twenty years, and so
whatever snaps he gets, you take away from a guy
like will Hire Howard, and we're trying to get this
collective ready for training camp.
Speaker 7 (04:43):
Like you said, I think the league meeting or comfortable
being uncomforting in terms of the ways for Aaron making
decisions I found uncomfortable. Was it really or did you
kind of know you did to this time?
Speaker 4 (04:53):
It wasn't for me.
Speaker 7 (04:56):
Envision a quarterback competition this summer.
Speaker 6 (04:58):
I don't.
Speaker 5 (04:59):
I'll bet if going to be the Azure. You're sorry
he did at the age you.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
Again, as I said, you know, physical repetitions in June
for a guy with twenty years experience is not that significant.
It's very significant for a guy with no.
Speaker 6 (05:15):
Snaps last year.
Speaker 5 (05:18):
These guys and his staff and.
Speaker 4 (05:20):
I trust that whatever issues or you know, learning curve
things that he needs to get through will be handled
during the during the down period of summer. For sure.
Speaker 6 (05:29):
Like Baron said, he appreciated the way you communicated with
them through his person and stuff.
Speaker 4 (05:33):
What allowed you that patience to Betty can go through
that stuff while you didn't have most bring We've both
been in our roles a long time and and so
there's personal comfort and security in that, and maybe we
could relate on that level in the past when.
Speaker 7 (05:47):
You had Russell Wilson here, his readers shut in his
better and experience was a big reason why you brought
the building. What does Aaron bring in that regard?
Speaker 4 (05:55):
Read his resume.
Speaker 6 (05:58):
Anyone else bet it all?
Speaker 5 (06:00):
I said, Derrick Harmon's a starter. Now how you view.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
We'll sort out all of that to visit the labor
and rolls and depth chart things when we get to
real football. Right now, it's just football, Like.
Speaker 3 (06:12):
Kosamo on the Irish Titters podcast presented by Ireland Gauz.
I know there's one guy you want to hear from, folks.
Here he is for the first time on this podcast
talking as the quarterback all the Pittsburgh Steters. It's Aaron
Rodgers practice.
Speaker 6 (06:27):
It was good. Good to be out here with you guys.
Still learning the offense, but good to be u good
to be in aw jersey and cleets again.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
How long will take get acclimated?
Speaker 1 (06:37):
You think?
Speaker 6 (06:40):
I mean that's all those are two different things. The offense. Uh,
it's a lot of the similar terms from the Shanaan offense.
So I got a lot of stuff already booked. There's
a couple of new words and different things formationally, but
I haven't figured out, you know, in a couple of weeks.
Probably you've visited.
Speaker 7 (06:57):
Here over seventy days ago. What made now the right
It's been a little bit mad now the right time
to sign a deal here.
Speaker 5 (07:06):
You know.
Speaker 6 (07:06):
I was dealing with a lot of things in my
personal life, and some things improved a little bit where
I felt like I could fully be all in here
with the guys. I had great conversation with Mike throughout
the entire process and Omar. But it's good to get
that done and get behind us. Khy Was the Steelers
the right fit for you? You know? I think it
(07:27):
starts with Mike Tomblin and then I've been a fan
of his for a long time.
Speaker 8 (07:31):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (07:31):
There's a few iconic franchises in the NFL. I played
for one of them for eighteen years. This is another
one of those.
Speaker 7 (07:39):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (07:39):
There's something special about obviously, this this area. So many
great quarterbacks are from Pittsburgh. I feel like Pittsburgh has
been a part of my career from the beginning, playing
for Mike McCarthy for thirteen years, Having Tom Clements for
Tommy Clements to been on old you are as my
quarterback Coast Forever, Dom Caper's, Kevin Green, Darren Perry, Ben McAdoo,
(08:04):
Frank Signetti, uh Luke getsy. I don't want to forget
anybody but a lot of injurs in my life.
Speaker 7 (08:11):
You would say, get to a week ahead of the draft,
you were leading all open, including retiring, How tar cut
wasn't in your mind as you went through the process.
Speaker 6 (08:19):
That was going and playing. I wouldn't say it was
super clear cut. I didn't want to short change the guys,
uh and be you know, sign but be elsewhere mentally
or physically, so until I could be here uh and
be all in. You know, I needed to take care
of my business. To me, I'm gonna keep that between
(08:41):
me and the guys.
Speaker 8 (08:42):
Kim Heyb talked podcast is wondering about how important would
be this morning, Well, yes, this morning, but he talked
about the leadership you ring the operative side of the
ball and how that will be very important. What come
of how about your that with the conversation first time
as came up, What you can be as a leader, Well, I.
Speaker 6 (08:59):
Think I just want to be a servant leader here
and just pass on the knowledge that I have with
twenty years the experience, and just try and fit in
with the guys, get to know them, let them get
to know me, and just enjoy the process. You know,
this is everything's new. It's like the first day of school.
I don't know a lot of guys' names. They don't
have names on the back of the jerseys here, they
don't have names on the doors and the meeting rooms.
(09:20):
I literally walk out of locker room lost, try and
grab somebody, Hey, where am I going? But I'll get
the feel of it, and I'm excited about making this home.
Speaker 5 (09:28):
Here point of life. Why why do you still want? Yeah?
Speaker 6 (09:33):
I mean, I think that's what it is like. I
don't I don't need it for my ego. I don't
need it to keep playing. A lot of decisions that
I've made over my career and life from strictly the ego,
even if they turn out well, are always unfulfilling. But
the decisions made from the soul are usually pretty fulfilling.
(09:54):
So this was a decision that was best for my soul,
and I felt like being here with Coach T and
the guys. They got here and the opportunity here was
the best for me and and I'm excited to be here.
Speaker 7 (10:05):
Aaron. Is it different physically being almost two years out
from the Achilles as it was opposed to one?
Speaker 6 (10:11):
Yeah, I mean I'm forty one, so body feels different
than it did at twenty five. But I feel better.
I feel good. Last year, you know, I worked really hard.
It was a tough couple of years getting hurt and
then rehabbing for a year to get back. But I
feel good, Aaron.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
Kind of along those lines, I have to do play
things unfolded last year.
Speaker 8 (10:28):
What do you feel like is different about this organization
and about you physically mentally?
Speaker 1 (10:32):
That will need more success here.
Speaker 6 (10:35):
I'm just gonna talk about these guys. I like the
opportunity here. I like to feel with the guys. I
like how Mike t has been in the meetings. Tom
Arthur and I known each other since two thousand and six.
He was in my quarterback room our first off season together.
Still has the prettiest drop I've ever seen. So good
to see him. Arthur, I've known for a number of years. Obviously,
(10:55):
everybody in the Shannan Tree is close enjoyed our commerces
over the last few months, and and and one on
one times we've had in the meeting rooms looking at
film and talking about the offense.
Speaker 5 (11:06):
Makes you feel that way, Why do you say, what?
What has he kind of showed you?
Speaker 2 (11:11):
Rubbed off on you?
Speaker 5 (11:12):
Bro?
Speaker 6 (11:12):
I mean we have some We've had some great conversations,
and I just appreciated the way that that he treated
me throughout the process.
Speaker 2 (11:19):
What do you know the Pat Barny's game, they so
decided to work with them.
Speaker 6 (11:23):
Sters DK has been blowing me up for a while.
You know, we we got to get together out West.
But uh, I've gone against him a number of times.
He's big, athletic, uh fast, got great hands ball skills.
But the thing that that really excites me the most
is his character. I think he's a high character guy.
(11:45):
You know, I was teasing the first conversation we had.
He said, yes, sir, like ten times. I said, is
that because I'm forty one? He said, no, that's how
I talk. So I just I like I like his
whole his whole personality and his approach and the way
he is on the field, his professionalism. Pat been blowing
me up mostly on d MS and on on on
the GRAM. But I've had respect for his game for
(12:08):
a while too. He was just teasing me about two
minute starters there at the end. But I like I
like the opportunity to work with all the guys in
the tight end room, and there's a lot of guys
with different skill set. I told Darnell today, I haven't
had a tight end like him since Mercedes and Mercedes
all time great. Uh, Darnell is like a young Mercedes,
(12:29):
able to do things in the passing game, dominate the
line of scrimmage. Connor had a really nice day to
day out that making plays. So there's a lot of
a lot of guys in that room with with great
skill sets.
Speaker 7 (12:40):
And just be having another workout with any of the
guys between now.
Speaker 6 (12:44):
And training camp, I do. I just gotta get him.
I gotta try and convince him to come out to Malibu, California.
It's gonna be a tough sell. I think, tough sell.
I did, Yeah, I did. I did. Meaning your meeting
here earlier in the year.
Speaker 7 (13:01):
Did you leave with any material just to study what
they do or anything like that.
Speaker 6 (13:06):
No, I just got in my Malibu and took off.
Speaker 7 (13:11):
Process this off season. How Center made you have an organization.
Was he a weighing all your options or he decided
if you were the turn of the season the Sibo
really you know the joys.
Speaker 6 (13:24):
Uh you know, I mean I think there was conversations
with other organizations for sure, but uh again the rapport
that that fell in between me and Mike, uh made
it to where as I was going through my personal stuff. Uh,
there wasn't any other option for me, it was here
and I play India documentary.
Speaker 7 (13:44):
You said you're at the coin your career.
Speaker 8 (13:45):
You don't put you to creep and even anyone but yourself.
Speaker 3 (13:48):
What do you want to food to yourself this year?
Speaker 6 (13:51):
I said it in my documentary. Uh, I just want
that fun. I want to enjoy the game. The game's
give me a ton mum. It's hard to think of
anything in my life that's positive. It wasn't impacted by
directly or indirectly by playing this game. So I just
want to give love back to the game, enjoy it,
pass on my noledge to my teammates, and uh, you know,
(14:14):
try and find find ways to help lead the team.
Speaker 3 (14:21):
Good to hear Aran Rodgers for the first time on
the Irish Theeeters Podcast presented by Ironings.
Speaker 5 (14:25):
Let's break this down.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Let's look at different aspects of this offseason with this
week's guests. Delighted to bring a guy in from the
Staters Audio Network on the guy that obviously has covered
the team for decades, works with the Steers local radio
partner as well. Mike Pursuita joins us on the Irish
Steters Podcast. Okay, as we get into mini coount with
the Pittsburgh Steters, we're delighted to welcome a guy who
(14:47):
is a big fixture on the sports scene in Pittsburgh,
a guy that's covered the team for decades.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
He's also a sports director at.
Speaker 3 (14:54):
Steeters ocal radio partner w DVE, but also is the
host of the Staters pre and put Scheme shows on
the Theaters Audio Network. I delighted to welcome and Mike
Pursuda to the Irish Theaters Podcast presented by Arling. It's Mike,
A big, big welcome, first time in the podcast. How
are you doing, man.
Speaker 5 (15:10):
I'm doing great. I really appreciate you guys having me on.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
Mike, you definitely picked the best time to come on.
This is the first podcast we've had since the Big
News has dropped with sitting just a few days ago
and seen the news at the end of last week
about the quarterback situation, and I was, yes, not too surprised,
but still shocked that's happening, because it's now in it's
a reality, and Aaron Rodgers to the Pittsburgh Steters. He'll
be our quarterback, hopefully on the field in Dublin later
(15:38):
on this year. What's your thoughts on the move and
how has it been like since the news came out.
It's towards the end last week.
Speaker 5 (15:45):
It's been interesting.
Speaker 9 (15:46):
I think most people in the Pittsburgh area, definitely in
the local media, we've all kind of been under the
assumption this was going to happen for two and a
half months now and it wasn't official, But everybody's just
fact that it was mostly a done deal. It seemed
to get a lot more airtime in the United States
(16:08):
national shows and whatnot, people debating it.
Speaker 5 (16:12):
I mean, I think he was their best option. I
think it's worth a shot.
Speaker 9 (16:16):
You never can guarantee anything, particularly in the NFL, but
you're bringing in a guy who's won a Super Bowl,
You're bringing in a guy who's been a four time
MVD and the best part from the Steelers perspective, I
don't think they need that guy. I think they need
a guy that's able to run the offense and use
his experience and it just makes the right play at
(16:36):
the right time and hoping that leads to them trusting
Rogers allowing him to use his experience as spit a
critical time.
Speaker 3 (16:44):
What's the faults like if you had the chance to
job to any players or so I know there was
a facility or a golf classic yesterday, it seems to
be really a high optimism, a very very good mood
in Pennslvanna at the moment.
Speaker 9 (16:56):
Oh, it's there's an excite, but I think the people
that see it for the football side, you can't help
but be excited because of his long resume and his
experience and his accomplishments. As we're recording this will kind
of between sessions here the first day of mandatory mini camp.
(17:17):
We've talked to several of the players, Aaron Rodgers, who's
going to talk later today, but especially the young guys here.
They grew up vitalizing this guy. Now he's their teammate.
There's kind of a buzz, there's national media coverage. Some
of the national media outlets here in America have descended
upon Pittsburgh to cover the first day of mandatory venteran
(17:38):
mini camp. I can assure you that almost never happens,
and I can assure you Aaron Rodgers is the reason
that happened this time.
Speaker 3 (17:47):
You obviously worked with the Theeters Audio network for games.
What's I like working for the theaters on? How long
have you worked there? And when did it hit to you?
I guess that you worked for the organization in a
good way.
Speaker 9 (18:00):
It's been a number of years. I've I've been covering
the Steelers for one media outlet or a number or
another since late in the nineteen eighty six seas in
the last three games in nineteen eighty six, I was
in newspapers. Then I do radio in Pittsburgh, and I've
worked for the Steelers probably for about a decade, doing
writing for Steelers dot Com and kind of internet shows
(18:23):
and Steelers dot Com shows, Steelers Nation Radio. There's a
lot to do for that. It's a lot of fun.
I kind of always wanted to cover pro football when
I was growing up, and I've been lucky enough to
be able to do it.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
Let's look at somebody transactions. Me and I guess before
Rogers has come in here. It's something that we've spoke
got sort of a length of different people that I've
come on this podcast over the last few weeks from
the combines in the draft. Mike, you know, the one
thing that I find from speaking to a few Steeters
fans actually last weekend when it was out, was the
situation of running back when you've not goed Geelan Moore
(18:59):
and leading in terms of their run game bringing in
a guy like Kilob Johnson, do you like where this
run game is now? A minus?
Speaker 5 (19:05):
Nagy.
Speaker 9 (19:08):
I am one of the bigger Calem Johnson fans on
the planet. And hey, I thought Najie Harris was a
good player. Still think he's a good player. I thought
he was a hard worker. I thought he was a
guy who cared. You know, the offensive line was transitioning
during his time here. The quarterback situation was unsettled. He
had he had to be stacked against him to a degree.
(19:29):
I think Caleb Johnson is a faster version of Najie Harris,
and he's stepping into a much better situation. I think
the offensive line is much more secure and established. Uh,
they're better at wide receiver. I think they should be
better at quarterback. I think Caleb Johnson is gonna flourish
both running the ball and being utilized as a pass
(19:51):
catcher out of the backfield. I am this is an
old cuche on this side of the pond. But whenever
a team drafts a player, they say, oh, I couldn't
believe he was still available. Honest to god, I couldn't
believe he was still available in the third round. Really,
I'm not kid. And it was a great selection.
Speaker 3 (20:07):
I thought we had a great day on the third
day of the draft. We had Brett keeslover in Dublin
doing a big draft party and really good sort of
feedback from from people over here Steelers Nation, in Europe
as well as Ireland. On that draft you sort of
mentioned the wide receiver corps there obviously.
Speaker 5 (20:23):
Bringing DK in.
Speaker 3 (20:24):
When you bring a guy of that, you know, notability
for a started guy that we can now sort of
say on this podcast we've seen obviously he's worked out
with Aaron Rodgers over the last few weeks and months,
and guys that you can just slot in. Would you
like to see an other veteran white that come in
towards the end of the preseason, or are you happy
with what we had if that was If that was
what we had going into the Week one game against
(20:46):
the Jets, No.
Speaker 9 (20:47):
I'd like to see another very good one come in,
you know, somebody to play off a metcap.
Speaker 5 (20:53):
Personally, I was a little disappointed they didn't keep George Pickens.
Speaker 9 (20:56):
I thought that could have been a pretty lethal one
two punch outside, particularly with the guy such as Aaron
Rodgers throwing the ball. But they just as clearly had
their reasons why they wanted to move him.
Speaker 5 (21:06):
But there's a lot of rumblings back here.
Speaker 9 (21:09):
This guy or that guy, or they're gonna trade for
this guy, they're gonna sign that guy. It stays pretty fluid,
even not just through training camp, but after the season starts,
in their injuries.
Speaker 5 (21:19):
And people see what they have and don't have.
Speaker 9 (21:22):
You might remember they acquired excuse me, Mike Williams from
the Jets last year. I would expect another set of
hands to be on the way, and I hope for
their sake it's an impact set of hand.
Speaker 3 (21:36):
Was it like working or sort of reporting for the
team at Mini comp? Because these guys have obviously come
in you go ots, which had just sort of wrapped
up Mini comp. It's funny because for a lot of
sports fans over here, the soccer season different GS seasons
don't really seem to end that much, whereas the NFL
has a pretty big off season. But now, like real
(21:56):
a City MIC, we're back into the ring of it
now because this is it. I know we're not another
couple of months side from a preseason game, but these
guys are in there getting ready and and just getting
ready to go.
Speaker 5 (22:06):
Yeah.
Speaker 9 (22:06):
It just it's uh, it's another step in the process.
You know, it's kind of a calendar that you just
do every year.
Speaker 6 (22:15):
Uh.
Speaker 9 (22:15):
You get excited about the draft to see who they're
bringing in, then you get excited about free agency, see
who they're bringing in. Then the organized team activity start
for the first one of those. Oh, it's great, the
back out there running around again. Then mini camp that's
another step up. Then we'll get to training camp. Then
we'll put the pads on in training camp. Then you'll
get to that first preseason game and you'll be very
(22:37):
excited for the first preseason game, and after that you
can't wait till the play a real game that counts
and then and then you're on your way.
Speaker 5 (22:44):
But uh, it's uh, it's a process that everybody's used to.
And one of the things.
Speaker 9 (22:49):
I enjoy about it it's the way it just slowly
but steadily ratchets up in terms of you know, people's
passion for it and people's interest in it.
Speaker 5 (22:58):
And uh, how much it gets talked about in the
market here.
Speaker 3 (23:02):
Talking to getting talking about in the market to that point,
what's the vibe like playing in Ireland? Like, you know,
it's been what twelve years since the leaders have played
there nationally they played in London. I know, mister Rooney,
the late mister Rooney would have loved to have been
to this game. How excited to you about it? But
also there seems to genuinely from speaking to guys like
Pat freronmuf over here, the guys are really excited to
(23:24):
get over a week four game. You know, you can't
get much better than that, Mike, when you're looking at
games in Berlin and Madrid in November, get in, get out,
get that buy regroup, go for the rest of the season.
A really good opportunity against the young Vikings team as well,
which is really going to try and come back from
last year where you know, they had such a good
regular season but sort of went that first week. So
(23:44):
it should be a good game.
Speaker 5 (23:46):
Oh it should be not standing game. And I think
the organization is obviously elated about it.
Speaker 9 (23:52):
You mentioned mister Rooney, and everybody feels that, you know,
in terms of the significance of it. But the fair
basically the ones I'm in contact with are just going crazy.
I got thirty relatives that want tickets. I don't think
they're all good again them, but everybody wants to go
(24:13):
to Ireland.
Speaker 5 (24:13):
Everybody.
Speaker 3 (24:15):
For people listening to this in Europe, tickets go and
seal next Tuesday, June seventeenth, So not long the wait,
not and we want to wish everybody the very very
best to look Mike, we sort of mentioned our week four. Look,
you know yourself, you're gonna have a set amount of games,
you know how the season works.
Speaker 2 (24:32):
But we're a few.
Speaker 3 (24:33):
Weeks on from that schedule. I'd love to know what
your faults on the schedule are because last year we
had a real AFC or front towards the end of
the year. It's a bit more managed this time. Is
there anything you like, is there anything you don't like?
Or you very much a sort of guy where it's
like we go here this week, we go here, this week,
we go to win a game.
Speaker 9 (24:51):
You know, I used to be And then last year
they had to play Philadelphia Baltimore in Kansas City in
the span of eleven days in Lake December, and I
just thought that was not just how condensed it was,
but the quality of opponent three weeks in a row.
You know, it might sound like an excuse, and if
(25:12):
people take it that way, there's nothing I can do
about that. But I think that genuinely took a lot
out of the team. I think if those games had
been spaced out, it might have been a different ending.
If it had been three different teams, maybe not one
of the teams that was going to go to the
super Bowl and one of the teams that was going
to win the super Bowl and.
Speaker 5 (25:31):
A really good rival. Maybe that would have worked out different.
Speaker 9 (25:34):
But you do, you know, you have to play when
they tell you to play and where they tell you
to play. But I think it's easier this year. It's
never easy, but maybe much more manageable is a better
word for it.
Speaker 3 (25:47):
Just finally, for me, Mike, as we wrap this up,
I really appreciate you coming on one thing. I did
want to manage from a guy that's been there and
seeing these guys Tree and especially over the last couple
of weeks there with the rookies and we all knew
who hired is the guy that we've picked up there
towards the end of that draft. Mason Rudolph is no
stranger to the facility. I'm thinking more so along the
(26:08):
lines of will hired. Obviously a Rudi coming into the
league a lot of experience in college football. I can't
think of a better situation than for him to sit
behind a guy like Aran Rodgers and also learn from
a guy like Mason Rudolph as well and develop in
his own time and give him that space to actually
become the player he wants to be in the league.
Speaker 5 (26:25):
Yeah, I couldn't agree with you more.
Speaker 9 (26:27):
I think one of the reasons why NFL teams have
such a hard time developing quarterbacks is they don't develop them.
There's such pressure now, particularly when these guys are drafted
in the first round and the second round they get
thrown in.
Speaker 5 (26:40):
Maybe they're thrown in before they're ready. Maybe they're thrown
in before the team is good enough and it's win
now or move on.
Speaker 9 (26:50):
And I just don't think guys get as much time
to mature as they used to. So Howard's in a
perfect spot. They won't need him to play this year.
You can watch Aaron Rodgers, one of the best to
ever do it. He can learn from Mason Rudolph. He
can get his feet on the ground. You know, it's
an intriguing pick. He's a late round pick, so don't
(27:11):
traditionally expect a whole lot out of six rounders. And
sorry for the break train going by here if you're
picking up one, but you know, welcome to Pittsburgh Audio version.
Speaker 5 (27:22):
I think Paul Howard's in a real good spot.
Speaker 9 (27:24):
It'll be interesting to see where he is three years
from now.
Speaker 3 (27:28):
Absolutely awesome. Look, Mike, I have a feeling that a
lot of guys already listened to you, But do check
out the Steelers audio and network if he can. Folks,
Mike appreciate you coming on, and I want to wish
you the very best throughout the rest of the few
weeks of Mini camp here, and no doubt we let
touch basic game before week four in Dublin.
Speaker 5 (27:44):
But for now.
Speaker 3 (27:45):
Thank you very much man for coming on.
Speaker 5 (27:46):
Oh thank you for having me any time.
Speaker 9 (27:48):
Really enjoyed it.
Speaker 1 (27:52):
Irish airline aer Lingus will proudly sir as the presenting
partner of Steelers Ireland twenty twenty five. Air Lingus's growth
in North America continue in twenty twenty five as the
airline prepares to fly to two new US destinations, Nashville
and Indianapolis, using its new Airbus eight three twenty one
excel Or aircraft. This brings the number of transatlantic routes
(28:12):
operated by the airline from Dublin, Shannon and Manchester to
twenty four. Steelers fans traveling to Ireland for the big
Game can enjoy a relaxing journey when they fly with
their Lingus.
Speaker 2 (28:21):
Air Lingus, You're very welcome.
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