September 4, 2025 • 28 mins
We are so back, Steeler Nation! Ahead of Week 1, Steelers legend Merril Hoge joined Michael from Dublin to talk about his time with the Black and Gold. Also, Michael gives his keys to the game on Sunday against the New York Jets, before hearing from Yahya Black, Darius Slay, Troy Fautanu, and Alex Highsmith.
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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.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
This brings the number.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Of transatlantic routes 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.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
With air Lingus. Air Lingus, You're very welcome, everybody.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
You're very welcome to the Irish Theeeters Podcast presented by Erlingus.
Here we go, folks, here we go. What's week one
of the season. Can you hear the excitement in my voice?
It's going to be hard for me to calm down
here because I'm I know, I'm like a lot of
NFL fans across Ireland. Here, across the island of Ireland,
in the UK and Europe and around the world. We
are so so back. The Steelers play a football game
(01:04):
that means something this weekend, but Steelers Nation before that,
it is time to take flight with aer Lingus and
official airline partner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the founding
partner of Steelers Ireland. There's never been a better time
to book your trip to Dublin. With nineteen North American gateways,
including flights from nearby Cleveland, you can get ready for
(01:24):
warm Irish hospitality and plenty of room on board for
your customized Irish Terrible tyle, whether it's game there or
a getaway. Airlinkness looks forward to saying you're very welcome
to the players and fans of the Pittsburgh Steeters. You
can book now on airlingus dot com and folks, we
are so here. It's going to be Steelers, It's gonna
be Jets on Sunday, and we're going to talk about
(01:47):
that in a second. Some huge news on this week
one preview podcast, Folks, we are so backed. Steelers Nation
is coming to Dublin. If you haven't seen the announcement,
the Steelers are going to make history obviously in a
few weeks, hosting the first ever that regular season game
in Ireland. When Epheus the Minnesotavikings at Dublin's iconic historic
Crow Park on Sunday, September the twentieth, and to mark
(02:09):
the occasion, the Steelers are going to roll out what
is known as a Blockbuster, a week of black and
Gold celebrations. Folks check out Steelers Ireland across social media
for this. We're going to have appearances from Steelters legends
at a tailgate with the unique Irish twist, including flag
football clinics. Official Steeters merch Max Starks is going to
(02:30):
be touring Ireland to soak up the atmosphere and handout
iconic Terrible Tiles. It's going to be incredible and folks,
Fitzsimon's Bar in Temple Bar is going to be the
official Steeters Pub. But as a fan of the NFL
first and foremost, I had a chance today to go
to something very very special, the Steelers Pro Shop, which
is launched in Dublin City Center on forty Clardon Street. Folks,
(02:54):
it's going to remain open not just for the game,
but throughout the season. I picked up a couple of
Terrible Tiles miss today and actually really decently priced as well. Folks,
get down check it out, because if you're in around
the area, I would recommend you check it out now
before the whole thing does kick off. Loved it today.
Check it out. There's a real sense of excitement in
(03:16):
the air. There is a real sense of this is
very special. And I actually wasn't just at the pro
Shop today. I was at an event in Kingsburg Community
College in Dublin with the NFL and one of you,
a real real legend was there for the Pittsburgh Staters
in Meryl Hodge and obviously MARYL. Hodge, a real legend
(03:40):
for the Staters team twenty one years working in media
as well. Before we look at the Week one game
against the Jets, let's hear from Meryl, who joined us
today on the Irishooters Podcast presented by our Lingus. Irish
Theaters Podcast presented by ur Lingus. Delighted to be here
with a guy who has done the black and gold.
We're in Dublin, We're in Kingsley Community College for an
(04:02):
NFL flag event. Merrill Hodge, Maryland, You're very very welcome.
What's the crack Heighten.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
I'm doing great, bro, Just feel like I'm versions of
Pittsburgh here.
Speaker 5 (04:11):
Yes, very cool. It's very awesome feelings.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
You still this morning and spoke to kids in the
Assembly hall have been playing football.
Speaker 5 (04:18):
I've been.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
I've been very, very lucky to do this podcast for
two or three years and obviously work with his theaters.
I live up north. That got me when you were
talking about mister Rooney, talked to us about what he
meant to you and the relationship you had with him.
Speaker 4 (04:29):
You know, I think anybody the knew mister Rooney. It
didn't matter what the environment was. He just he was
a special man and it just couldn't help. But when
I got on stage and I see all those kids,
I'm like, oh my gosh, his.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Vision, yeah, of what he wanted to do here.
Speaker 5 (04:46):
You know, it's really come to light.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
You know, I mean not just the game, but kids
playing flag football, you know, kids playing flag football and
loving flag football and wanting to build on that game.
Just is what's gonna make the vision grow is these kids.
And for him to start that and see that, he'd
just be so happy.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
What was it like playing for the theaters, actually running
night on to that field.
Speaker 4 (05:12):
Well, I mean I told the kids that in there,
the Pittsburgh Steelers are my favorite team as a kid.
When i'm I see these kids are twelve years old,
I'd be sitting there twelve years old, going, oh my gosh,
that's my favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. So to get
drafted by the Steelers. And this is actually within the
first few days of getting drafted. Okay, all I'd ever
done is watch them win Super Bowls in my pajamas
(05:35):
on Sunday. Okay, So now I walk in the locker room.
The first I sit in my locker, Tony Precis, the
equipment manager, came over and asked me whose locker that was,
and I thought I'd sat in the wrong locker. So
I looked up and I saw my name up there,
so I said, what's mine? He said, no, it's Frankel
Harris's Oh okay, so sitting there, and then Donnie Shell
(05:57):
comes in and sits next to me, so he's my
high locker. Shortly after that, like here comes me and
Joe Green walking in. Who's our defensive line coach at
the time. My roommate was Mike Webster. Our first meeting
was with the chief, which is mister Yes, mister Rooney's
(06:18):
dad and really the guy of the founding father, you know,
of building, of where the Steelers are and who they
are today. And the chief was a wonderful man. And
Chuck Noll I.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Was gonna ask you about him because he obviously had
him as a coach.
Speaker 5 (06:36):
What was he like?
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Because you hear from different players different.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
He's not the greatest man I've ever met. And I
here's what I'd give myself some credit. I was twenty
one years old and I knew this. I would probably
never come across another man like that in my life,
and I have not.
Speaker 5 (06:52):
He was He wasn't just a great coach. He was
a great leader.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
He's a great mentor, he's a great challenger. And you
talk about true, I mean integrity. He coached with integrity,
he lived with integrity, he modeled integrity. And I've just
I've learned so much from him and so glad that
I got to play for a guy like that, because
(07:16):
he did so many things for your life's work for me.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
And Week one coming up the Steters Jets, Well, what's
your thoughts with a team this season? Like you obviously
you're working with ESPN, You're still still involved very happily
in the league.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Well, this is gonna this is actually what I'm gonna
say next is probably not that far off of a
lot of teams because there's not I know of no
team that can win without it. But let's talk about
the two things that are most important to win consistently
in the NFL. And this is historically true. These two
(07:49):
stats are the only things that matter in football. Or
one stat you gotta win the turnover battle every Sunday.
That right there gives you your margin of air wins
losses right there if you can predict that. But if
you don't turn it over, man advantage you. Then if
you can control the tempo of our game. And by
controlling the temple of the game. There's two implement or
(08:11):
too many things you got to implement that people talk about,
and I think that they are always said, and you
know it passes over people's heads, but the importance of it,
the ability to stop the run and be able to run, yeah,
allows you to control the temple of the game. So
if you can win in those two areas, you have
a chance to a ninety nine percent chance of winning
(08:33):
each and every Sunday. And so in the first week matchup,
do the Jets want justin fields. Do they want justin
fields to throw it forty five times a game? I
think every football fan knows that's not going to happen.
Why that's that's not his strength or his forte What
is their strength? They're good, good offensive line, they got
good backs, and their quarterback strength is running the ball. Okay,
(08:54):
our quarterback is obviously superior. However, just because he's superior
doesn't mean you throw it at forty five times. Yes,
you know they haven't even played together, so you don't
really know how that chemistry will come. So our ability
to run the football effectively and be dominant in that aspect.
If we are there, then Aaron Rodgers will be the
elite guy he is. But if you're sitting there going
(09:15):
forty five times a game, you gotta throw the ball
more likely you're probably gonna Probably you're struggling.
Speaker 5 (09:20):
If that's what you have to do.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
We will see what happens. Thank you. If your analysis are
just finally, what does it mean to have this team
come to Dublin leak four? It's pretty cool, isn't it.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
We all to go back to, you know, some of
the vision of mister Rooney and that one right there
is going to be like his Super Bowl to see.
I mean he'd be looking on he would let he's
going to be looking down because I said, if he's
looking down and watching that game, because that that's something
that just watching these kids here in this assembly and
the excitement of flag football and the excitement for you know,
(09:49):
the Steelers and the Vikings to come over here and play,
and his vision years and years decades ago and it's
coming to fruition.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
Thank you for having you done for the game here, Marl.
Really appreciate you coming on the podcast. I'm going to
chat to you against it well.
Speaker 5 (10:03):
Thank you brother.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
Great deal from Earl on the Irish Eavers podcast presented
by Erlingus. And we have a football game coming up
this weekend, Steelers heading over to met Life to face
the Jets and for NFL fans across Ireland, this game
is on sky Sports NFL. It's not just on sky
Sports NFL. I can tell you my friend, our friend,
Neil Reynolds and the team are heading over to MetLife Stadium.
(10:28):
Neil flies out on Friday morning with the team. They're
going to be live from met Life Stadium for this game.
And look before we go, we're going to have a
full team back in the podcast next week. But my
keys to the game we all know about Justin Fields.
I had the chance to meet Justin Fields throughout the
summer and when I asked him about this game, he
looked at me smiled. He's ready to go, folks. He
wants to win this game, and we need to be
(10:50):
able to contain him.
Speaker 6 (10:51):
Well.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
We know him well. He's not the most prolific passer
in the NFL, but we know the ground is where
he can do really, really well. He averages six shards
percari over his career so far, and if we can
make him through the ball, I think we're going to
be in good ship. So that's one key to the
game for me. Got to keep an eye on Guart
Wilson unbelievable past cut. He's an unbelievable pass catcher. But
(11:15):
we know that that wide receiving core for the Jets
doesn't have too much going past them. And for us,
we need to run the ball. We need to find
a way to get Jialen warn involved early and often
we know na he's not here anymore. And I want
to see Caleb Johnson. I want to see what we
can do with different guys, and I know when we
have Aaron Rodgers coming in, one of the keys to
the game as well is to be getting that ball
(11:36):
down the field. We've got to let Aran Rodgers play
to his maximum standard. And remember as well, yes we're
going up against Justin Fields. Yes we're run up against
the guy that's been with the Steelers roster before, but
Aaron Rodgers will want to prove a point in Matt
Life Stadium in Week one. It's one of the main
games in the early window, and we know that he's
(11:58):
one to go. We know that he is one to
have to go into the stadium and put a performance
against his old team. Now on that side of the ball,
on the other side of the ball, on the defense,
this defense needs to really put a marker on this week.
We've got to get pressure on fields. We've got to
make big plays. We know TJ is back. We want
(12:18):
to see turnovers, we want to see dominance on the
on the field because the longer we can keep Aaron
Rodgers out there and the less time that the Jets
have on the field means we can get more points
on the board. It's really really important that this can
happen and ma, I'm just so excited to see this
defense on the field this weekend. Just before we go
here on the Irish Theaters Podcast, Let's hear from a
(12:39):
few players ahead of this game. Let's hear from Yeah
How Black obviously recently drafted announced in Dublin, Darius Slay,
Troy Fantona, and Alex Heismith here on the Irish Theaters Podcast,
presented by Earning.
Speaker 6 (12:51):
With the emotion like, you're heading into your first NFL game?
What are the nerves are the generals like right now?
Speaker 7 (12:56):
Oh, be honest with you, is just I'd probably come
game day a little more butterflies, but right now it's
just practicing.
Speaker 5 (13:02):
You know, I'm getting it right.
Speaker 6 (13:03):
What is the D line hoping to show here in
the first game, especially given you have such a mobile
quarterback in Justin Beals cross the line it starts.
Speaker 7 (13:11):
Up front, so you know, I just want to show
dominance and that that we're here.
Speaker 5 (13:15):
What do you take from the preseason?
Speaker 7 (13:17):
What do you take for those.
Speaker 5 (13:18):
I've been saying that they're opportunities.
Speaker 7 (13:21):
You know, I got to got to show a little
bit of my skill set and really just starting to
work on my craft.
Speaker 8 (13:25):
Did he give you answers for more confidence or police
looking toward this level?
Speaker 5 (13:31):
I had the confidence.
Speaker 7 (13:32):
I mean I was brought in for a reason and
you know, confidence is there. You can't let it, can't
let it lack.
Speaker 6 (13:38):
What kind of challenge is the Jets run games specifically
with just the tandem of backs they have no call
it is that part of the this week, I feel
like I have a hurdle of them.
Speaker 5 (13:48):
A lot of specifics from anybody this week.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
You guys trying to not give any bulletin boar material or.
Speaker 5 (13:53):
Hey you got it?
Speaker 9 (13:56):
How much do you know of the last two games
or two Lester gave last year? They played Blood of
Russian Yorks again obviously they dropped you and there and
he signed to find a cup d Lineman, how much
are you aware of.
Speaker 10 (14:09):
That run defense and the proud the pride of the
stopping in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 5 (14:13):
Over the year.
Speaker 9 (14:14):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (14:14):
You hear from the Vets all the time that it
starts where we are, you know, hands in the dirt,
and really the dominance that they show and really starting
to gain that that knowledge that they're they're really impressing
on the guys that came here.
Speaker 5 (14:30):
Do you have your work shirt ready for tomorrow. They
could you about that tradition?
Speaker 6 (14:34):
Yet?
Speaker 5 (14:35):
What the collared shirts? No that is you got me?
Didn't hear anything about that one? Why did you switch numbers?
College number?
Speaker 3 (14:42):
Why not?
Speaker 6 (14:46):
Do you anticipate having maybe a bigger role on Sunday
just because Derek's out and hurt Cam's kind of up
in the air.
Speaker 3 (14:53):
I mean, what do you kind of anticipate about how
much you could be in the game.
Speaker 7 (14:58):
Just get the rest when you when you have the chance,
when you're out there, you play to your best ability,
to your nickname.
Speaker 5 (15:05):
Do you thinke sexy? What do you think? What the words?
I like it?
Speaker 11 (15:10):
I like it?
Speaker 12 (15:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (15:11):
What's the anticipation excitement level to get out there Sunday
hit someone in a different jersey?
Speaker 10 (15:16):
Uh?
Speaker 5 (15:17):
It would be great, man.
Speaker 13 (15:17):
I'm looking forward to I always looking forward to the
start of the season. Saw another great opportunity to go
out here and uh, you know, add to your your
resume as a player and uh another chance to go
out here and uh attack what you do. Teammates and
you know, the guys that you go in the world with.
Finally that's going to count against the record.
Speaker 5 (15:35):
So uh so gonna be fun.
Speaker 6 (15:37):
What makes the TV group so special in your eyes?
Speaker 5 (15:39):
Uh, just a good group of men. You know a
lot of guys just have fun and genie like being
around each other.
Speaker 3 (15:44):
Uh.
Speaker 13 (15:44):
So that's the big issue. That's the big part about
it is the fact that the guys like to hang. Uh,
we get to know each other a lot better.
Speaker 11 (15:51):
Is Uh.
Speaker 13 (15:51):
I'm always a guy that's more bigger than football. You know,
I'm more of like trying to build bond, trying to
be a you know, I had to extend my family
and you know, these are great group of men. So I'm
appreciative of them guys. So looking forward to just you know,
sharing a field with him too.
Speaker 6 (16:05):
What's the biggest challenge with this Jets offense?
Speaker 5 (16:07):
Uh?
Speaker 13 (16:08):
Right, the biggest challenge right now basically is trying to
understand them. You know, new staff, new everything, so uh,
seeing how it's going to attack us. So we got
to I mean, of course you got your ideas of
what they are capable of doing, but of course you're
going into a little blinded.
Speaker 5 (16:21):
But uh, it's just fun.
Speaker 13 (16:22):
So at the end of the day, man, they put
the ball down, if you will compete play ball, you know,
justin what he's capable of doing. You know, I played
against him while he was in Chicago as a young kid.
Great talent, tremendous talent. You know, he does great job
with his legs. So uh, you know, I know for
a fact, make sure you gotta contain it. It doesn't matter.
Shout out to Joey. You know what I'm saying, Joey
to goat.
Speaker 5 (16:42):
Rich Man? Richman?
Speaker 6 (16:44):
What up?
Speaker 8 (16:44):
Want you guys itching to kind of get out there
with just a series in the preseason.
Speaker 13 (16:49):
Now you guys get man, it's fun, Like I like
what the season get here because it's it started going
by fast.
Speaker 5 (16:55):
Uh it is.
Speaker 13 (16:57):
It's always a purpose to you know, to play this
game as and just football. But in training camp, of
course you see every day every day going to eat
your guy. But now every time you get rewarded to
show what you're worth, your work has put in to
go against another opponent and you know, and go out
and compete.
Speaker 5 (17:11):
So that's the main job is go compete, have fun
and try to get wins. He said, you guys like
to hang the dbs.
Speaker 8 (17:16):
What do you guys do when you're not hanging in
the locker room?
Speaker 5 (17:19):
Is there? Oh man? We're going to We're going to
the Shan house to night. You know what I'm saying,
to watch the game tonight. Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah yeah.
Speaker 13 (17:25):
I've told everybody to be at his house to night.
He knows it though, and I said, make sure you
ask some good food. So go kick it, watch the
game and hang out for a little bit.
Speaker 14 (17:33):
Man.
Speaker 13 (17:33):
Just you know, like I said, it's always bigger than football.
You know, I know, this game, you know, help feed
our families and everything, and uh, but to have a
great relationship on and off the field, it's always a
great blessing because it just shows how tight you are
on the field.
Speaker 6 (17:46):
So it's it gonna be like for you tonight to
watch that game, banner raising ceremonial.
Speaker 5 (17:50):
It gonna be crazy. He can be lit.
Speaker 6 (17:52):
Man.
Speaker 5 (17:53):
You know, I'm thankful I'm at the day.
Speaker 13 (17:54):
But of course, you know, as a player that you know,
contribute to help win that Super Bowl, it'd be nice
to see it just fall down and then I just
magically appear back here, you know what I'm saying. But
you know that's not possible. But man, I'm just and
I'm so thankful for that organization as a you know, uh,
the Lger organization hit me, you know, uh win the championship.
They put me in a lot of great positions to
(18:16):
be successful in the championship. So I'm always will be
thankful for the affiliate. And uh yeah, man, you know
so I still don't like the Cowboys either, So it's
still cool. We're still cool with that.
Speaker 5 (18:24):
You wear your Super Bowl ring tonight you watching the game?
Speaker 13 (18:27):
Remind them I lowkey when as the banner going down,
I low key already got my ring ready just to
put on my finger. I might shed a little tear
and then I'm back to reality.
Speaker 10 (18:37):
When people talk about run defense, they usually don't think
they tag TI tackles whatever, don't think of the secondary personally.
You take pride in that aspect of the game, and
as the secondary, how can that help with great man?
Speaker 13 (18:48):
Because one thing I do understand, I've been playing with
TA for a long time, you know, definitely when I
was in Detroit and a lot of dcs, I had
believe as and to be a great run defense, you
gotta have great corners that could tackle.
Speaker 5 (18:59):
And thankfully I'm a like and you know I'm a
good tackle.
Speaker 13 (19:03):
I'm gonna say here saying saying I'm like a Shawn
Ellie just want to take folk's head off every play.
Speaker 5 (19:07):
But I can get a guy down easily, you know
what I'm saying.
Speaker 13 (19:10):
So, but uh, that's the strength of about being a
great run defense is the fact that your corns can tackle.
And uh, you know that's a big burden on me,
So I don't like to be the eyeball, so I
make sure I'm prepare to ready to tackle.
Speaker 8 (19:22):
Well, they talked about not knowing what they're gonna do
that and how how's long two different guys you have
in your secondary? If you guys so many different options,
is the way you can play a team. Like some
some units they can only play one way because that's
all the guys they have. But for you guys, really
they're trying to figure out what they do is important
because you got a lot of different options.
Speaker 13 (19:41):
Yeah, I mean that's a that's a beautiful just having
a you know, tremendous back end of the guys or
the guys that's very versatile here, Like you know, of
course Ramsey he's a guy that's very versatile, that can
play anywhere on and off the field. So uh, you know,
the Shawn he could play that I've not seeing him
back in his days plays a dime package as middle linebacker, Like,
we don't know. That's the good thing about our beauty
is the fact that we are very versatile and uh,
(20:01):
and we both all like a lot of smart guys.
Speaker 6 (20:04):
You know.
Speaker 13 (20:04):
These guys can play multiple positions and so they could
tell you how smart and intelligence they are.
Speaker 5 (20:08):
So uh, that's.
Speaker 13 (20:09):
The beauty of it, man. So we're gonna continue to
keep trying to use that as a strength, you know,
and keep going.
Speaker 8 (20:14):
Tom talks about the importance not beating yourselves up, like
not beating each other, Mike, Tom talk about the important
stuff like just beating yourself and then playing clean and
everything like that.
Speaker 5 (20:23):
Communication before this guy is a big part of that.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
How do you feel like you guys are clicking when
it comes to communicating before your snap and practice.
Speaker 13 (20:31):
Going and oh great, man, that's the that's the biggest
thing for sure, is communication. Making sure everyone's on the
same pace, because if we all say the same thing,
we could be wrong, but if we're all wrong together,
it is right. So that's the that's the main issue
we go I mean, the main thing we go by
with in the defense of just making sure we're all
on the same pace so our guys can play faster,
because if somebody't on the same page, they be slow.
Speaker 5 (20:50):
We don't like that.
Speaker 13 (20:50):
Because I'm on the back end. I need a TJ
to get that fast. I need him to know what
he's doing right now.
Speaker 5 (20:57):
Today, this week I mean last year.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
Obviously we know the injury.
Speaker 5 (21:02):
When you look at this weekend, is it kind of
like a do over?
Speaker 9 (21:04):
They get started on the good way?
Speaker 14 (21:06):
And I wouldn't say so, no, really an extra like
just can't wait?
Speaker 5 (21:14):
Oh yeah, and that yeah, that part, yeah for sure.
Speaker 14 (21:17):
I mean, only playing one game, it's tough, but yeah,
I'm just I've been so ready, putting everything into my preparation,
knowing that once I get there on Sunday, I'll be
ready to go.
Speaker 12 (21:31):
Where do you feel most at home with your skills?
Like it's sort of like when something that's the most
instinctual part of your game.
Speaker 5 (21:36):
Is it when you're blocking in space or run blocking?
Is it protect? I think he's being out of space.
Speaker 14 (21:40):
I mean whether that's run or pass or screens or
stuff like that.
Speaker 5 (21:45):
Something about the space.
Speaker 14 (21:48):
Helps me for some reason, I don't know, just coming
from an offense and college where that's all we did,
past block screens, all that type of stuff, and then
kind of integrated into this offense where we're running the
ball up but also knowing that I have the skill
set to block out in space, whether that's on past
blocking or anything like that.
Speaker 5 (22:08):
So I would say that, how excited do you put
that on tape?
Speaker 8 (22:11):
You didn't do a whole bunch of that in the
preseason by design, of course.
Speaker 14 (22:16):
I mean it's a regular season playbooks wide open, So
I mean I'm excited to finally be able to run
a lot of the plays that we've been practicing.
Speaker 8 (22:24):
So yeah, is it any different blocking for right handed
quarterbacks and that right tackle when you played with Pennix
for so long at Washington?
Speaker 2 (22:32):
Is that any different for how you approach.
Speaker 5 (22:34):
It or No, not at all.
Speaker 14 (22:37):
I got to block the guy regardless of what side
I'm on, if the quarterback can see him, if he can't.
My job is to make sure that I'm in front
of my guy and keep his space between him and
in the quarterback.
Speaker 5 (22:48):
So I don't think so.
Speaker 3 (22:50):
You mentioned things he likes to do.
Speaker 8 (22:52):
How much is his skill set putting stress on the
edge guy?
Speaker 5 (22:56):
Specifically?
Speaker 11 (22:56):
It is first step.
Speaker 5 (22:58):
Yeah, it's Creasey.
Speaker 11 (22:59):
He's kind of can get to the cross uniquely. You know,
he's definitely one of, uh one of the best in
the league when it comes you know, getting out of
the pocket and making plays and in the run game.
And so we just know that we got to be
disciplined in our rush lanes because you know, whenever he
finds those downhill escape plans, so you know, he's gone,
he's out of there. And so we just can't you know,
we obviously we can't rush scared. We got to be
(23:20):
a continue to rush every single snap, but we just
got to be disciplined in our rush lanes and the
games that we run. So we just can't be rushing
high or rushing in front of him. He's gonna he
can see and then get out of there. So I
think we just it comes down to us being disciplined
in our rush lanes.
Speaker 5 (23:34):
He said, it's unique.
Speaker 3 (23:35):
How different is it from the way Lamar is.
Speaker 11 (23:37):
As a runner? Yeah, I mean two or three times
in a year and every but similar. So you know,
like I said, we get that experience again Lamar gets
La Marsh. I think it definitely help us. Oh this
wee against Justin.
Speaker 12 (23:45):
Not to give away the game plan, but you have
to maybe think about him as run first kind of guy.
Do you have to kind of spy him?
Speaker 11 (23:51):
I mean, I think there's definitely that is. His running
ability definitely adds, you know, a unique aspect to the
game plan. And just like we're talking about with with Lamar,
you know, we have certain schematics around that, and so
I know we're gonna have to do do that as well.
And so just because he's very dangerous with his legs
and so we just got to make sure he doesn't
get out of the pocket. So that's what it would be.
Speaker 12 (24:12):
You played him last year. But can you take anything
away from that game last year at all? Or is
it totally different you kind of like rip everything up.
Speaker 11 (24:19):
You're talking about the.
Speaker 12 (24:20):
Jets just general the offense.
Speaker 11 (24:22):
Yeah, yeah, I mean I think you know, it's a
little bit different of a offense. I know they got
new coordinators there now from last year. Obviously a lot
of new personnel go from Aaron to Justin and so
I think we've just been watching some Detroit film as well,
because that's where the coordinator came from. And so we
just got to do what we do we just got
to handle us and go out there and play fast. Ultimately,
(24:42):
you know, we decided to outcome with the game by
how we make plays.
Speaker 12 (24:45):
You're anxious to finally this thing started here.
Speaker 11 (24:48):
I'm very excited. So I'm very excited. I can't wait.
Speaker 6 (24:50):
With so many changes on defense in so many additions,
what are you guys hoping the identity of this defense
is this year? Any change anything different from last year?
Speaker 10 (24:57):
Yeah?
Speaker 11 (24:57):
I mean I think just for us as a defense,
obviously we got to play fast and physical. But for us,
I think it just comes down to communication, and that
starts in the week one. We're playing great of the defense,
we're communicating well, and so I think it just starts
here in practice. You know, we got to have that
communication locked down so that when we're out there on Sunday,
we're not guessing, we're not playing slow, We're communicating and
we're playing fast.
Speaker 6 (25:16):
Do you feel like that's improved over the course of
training camp.
Speaker 11 (25:18):
Yeah, absolutely, especially you know with the new guys who
are coming in. I mean, obviously, you know, when guys
first get here, you know they still want to the
defense though, are in the culture, and so but as
time has passed, you know, all the new guys who've
come in, all the rookies had done a good job
of just buying into our culture and really our communication
has only got better since training camp started.
Speaker 8 (25:34):
It was Mike through it all there during the summer
that this defense has a chance to the expression as
a player.
Speaker 5 (25:39):
Do you enjoy having those expectations, you know, rest upon you.
Speaker 3 (25:43):
On your shore?
Speaker 11 (25:43):
Yeah, mean absolutely. I think we just got to go
out there and deliver. And we know we have a
bunch of great players on this defense. You know, a
bunch of guys who are able to make a lot
of players, and so we also have a lot of
depth in all positions as well, and so I think
just overall is a defense. We just got to go
out there and just do what we do and let's
go out there and make plays, play fast, play physical,
communicate well and so ultimately the results of in of themselves.
Speaker 5 (26:05):
Can you do that as a method for him putting
that out.
Speaker 11 (26:07):
Yeah, I mean on time that we, like I said,
I know we've got the players to do it. So
we just got to go up there and uh play
like with the best defensive league.
Speaker 3 (26:13):
Think about the two backs, talk about justin lot would go.
Speaker 5 (26:16):
To the Deer Reps.
Speaker 11 (26:17):
Yeah, I mean it's it's very unique. It's kind the
same thing that you see in Detroit on that they
have with it gives the Montgomery. But you know, b
Reese Hall's really good running backs. It was Braylen Allen,
but you know, you kind of have a unique personality
about their game. You know, Briess Hall is more of
a perimeter guy and you know Raylan's more of a
downhill guy. So I think, you know, whenever those guys
are in, it's I think, you know, just trying to
(26:37):
see what type of run they're going to have, Uh,
depending on the back. I think it's what we're game
playing around. And so I know both those guys are
good backs, and so we just ultimately, I think the
main game part the game playing stopping then we got
stop the run, and so I always got to get
out there, and uh, once we stop the run, then
we can get some pass you get out to.
Speaker 12 (26:53):
Justin is cam to this defense and you worried at
all that he might not play.
Speaker 11 (26:58):
I mean, he's he's our leader, and so I'm confident
that he's going to play, and so he's he's an
all program for us. And so, like I said, I'm
confident that he's going to play because we all know
the type of player he is and what he needs
our defense, and so from coffee that he'll play.
Speaker 12 (27:12):
Has that situation been a distraction at all for you
guys preparing for this.
Speaker 11 (27:15):
I think so, like I said, because he's been out there,
I'm still practicing with us as well, still getting reps
and stuff, and so you know, we know that the.
Speaker 3 (27:25):
Great podcast this week. Great to hear from Marlo, great
to hear from the guys. Week ones. On top of baby,
We're ready to go. We're under three weeks out on
Sunday from this NFL game in Dublin, and we need
the Steelers to start well to get that one on
the board. Let's go, Folks. Enjoy the game on Sunday
wherever you're watching it. Remember you can watch the sky
Sports NFL, but you can also listen to the game
(27:45):
on OTB Sports Radio if you are out in the bout. Folks,
whatever you do, hope you have a good weekend and
sit there, lie back and smile and enjoy the fact
that the NFL is back.
Speaker 1 (28:10):
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 excel Or aircraft.
This brings the number of transatlantic routes operated by the
(28:31):
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 air Lingus.
Speaker 2 (28:40):
Air Lingus, You're very welcome.
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.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
This brings the number.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Of transatlantic routes 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.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
With air Lingus. Air Lingus, You're very welcome, everybody.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
You're very welcome to the Irish Theeeters Podcast presented by Erlingus.
Here we go, folks, here we go. What's week one
of the season. Can you hear the excitement in my voice?
It's going to be hard for me to calm down
here because I'm I know, I'm like a lot of
NFL fans across Ireland. Here, across the island of Ireland,
in the UK and Europe and around the world. We
are so so back. The Steelers play a football game
(01:04):
that means something this weekend, but Steelers Nation before that,
it is time to take flight with aer Lingus and
official airline partner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the founding
partner of Steelers Ireland. There's never been a better time
to book your trip to Dublin. With nineteen North American gateways,
including flights from nearby Cleveland, you can get ready for
(01:24):
warm Irish hospitality and plenty of room on board for
your customized Irish Terrible tyle, whether it's game there or
a getaway. Airlinkness looks forward to saying you're very welcome
to the players and fans of the Pittsburgh Steeters. You
can book now on airlingus dot com and folks, we
are so here. It's going to be Steelers, It's gonna
be Jets on Sunday, and we're going to talk about
(01:47):
that in a second. Some huge news on this week
one preview podcast, Folks, we are so backed. Steelers Nation
is coming to Dublin. If you haven't seen the announcement,
the Steelers are going to make history obviously in a
few weeks, hosting the first ever that regular season game
in Ireland. When Epheus the Minnesotavikings at Dublin's iconic historic
Crow Park on Sunday, September the twentieth, and to mark
(02:09):
the occasion, the Steelers are going to roll out what
is known as a Blockbuster, a week of black and
Gold celebrations. Folks check out Steelers Ireland across social media
for this. We're going to have appearances from Steelters legends
at a tailgate with the unique Irish twist, including flag
football clinics. Official Steeters merch Max Starks is going to
(02:30):
be touring Ireland to soak up the atmosphere and handout
iconic Terrible Tiles. It's going to be incredible and folks,
Fitzsimon's Bar in Temple Bar is going to be the
official Steeters Pub. But as a fan of the NFL
first and foremost, I had a chance today to go
to something very very special, the Steelers Pro Shop, which
is launched in Dublin City Center on forty Clardon Street. Folks,
(02:54):
it's going to remain open not just for the game,
but throughout the season. I picked up a couple of
Terrible Tiles miss today and actually really decently priced as well. Folks,
get down check it out, because if you're in around
the area, I would recommend you check it out now
before the whole thing does kick off. Loved it today.
Check it out. There's a real sense of excitement in
(03:16):
the air. There is a real sense of this is
very special. And I actually wasn't just at the pro
Shop today. I was at an event in Kingsburg Community
College in Dublin with the NFL and one of you,
a real real legend was there for the Pittsburgh Staters
in Meryl Hodge and obviously MARYL. Hodge, a real legend
(03:40):
for the Staters team twenty one years working in media
as well. Before we look at the Week one game
against the Jets, let's hear from Meryl, who joined us
today on the Irishooters Podcast presented by our Lingus. Irish
Theaters Podcast presented by ur Lingus. Delighted to be here
with a guy who has done the black and gold.
We're in Dublin, We're in Kingsley Community College for an
(04:02):
NFL flag event. Merrill Hodge, Maryland, You're very very welcome.
What's the crack Heighten.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
I'm doing great, bro, Just feel like I'm versions of
Pittsburgh here.
Speaker 5 (04:11):
Yes, very cool. It's very awesome feelings.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
You still this morning and spoke to kids in the
Assembly hall have been playing football.
Speaker 5 (04:18):
I've been.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
I've been very, very lucky to do this podcast for
two or three years and obviously work with his theaters.
I live up north. That got me when you were
talking about mister Rooney, talked to us about what he
meant to you and the relationship you had with him.
Speaker 4 (04:29):
You know, I think anybody the knew mister Rooney. It
didn't matter what the environment was. He just he was
a special man and it just couldn't help. But when
I got on stage and I see all those kids,
I'm like, oh my gosh, his.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
Vision, yeah, of what he wanted to do here.
Speaker 5 (04:46):
You know, it's really come to light.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
You know, I mean not just the game, but kids
playing flag football, you know, kids playing flag football and
loving flag football and wanting to build on that game.
Just is what's gonna make the vision grow is these kids.
And for him to start that and see that, he'd
just be so happy.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
What was it like playing for the theaters, actually running
night on to that field.
Speaker 4 (05:12):
Well, I mean I told the kids that in there,
the Pittsburgh Steelers are my favorite team as a kid.
When i'm I see these kids are twelve years old,
I'd be sitting there twelve years old, going, oh my gosh,
that's my favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. So to get
drafted by the Steelers. And this is actually within the
first few days of getting drafted. Okay, all I'd ever
done is watch them win Super Bowls in my pajamas
(05:35):
on Sunday. Okay, So now I walk in the locker room.
The first I sit in my locker, Tony Precis, the
equipment manager, came over and asked me whose locker that was,
and I thought I'd sat in the wrong locker. So
I looked up and I saw my name up there,
so I said, what's mine? He said, no, it's Frankel
Harris's Oh okay, so sitting there, and then Donnie Shell
(05:57):
comes in and sits next to me, so he's my
high locker. Shortly after that, like here comes me and
Joe Green walking in. Who's our defensive line coach at
the time. My roommate was Mike Webster. Our first meeting
was with the chief, which is mister Yes, mister Rooney's
(06:18):
dad and really the guy of the founding father, you know,
of building, of where the Steelers are and who they
are today. And the chief was a wonderful man. And
Chuck Noll I.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Was gonna ask you about him because he obviously had
him as a coach.
Speaker 5 (06:36):
What was he like?
Speaker 3 (06:36):
Because you hear from different players different.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
He's not the greatest man I've ever met. And I
here's what I'd give myself some credit. I was twenty
one years old and I knew this. I would probably
never come across another man like that in my life,
and I have not.
Speaker 5 (06:52):
He was He wasn't just a great coach. He was
a great leader.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
He's a great mentor, he's a great challenger. And you
talk about true, I mean integrity. He coached with integrity,
he lived with integrity, he modeled integrity. And I've just
I've learned so much from him and so glad that
I got to play for a guy like that, because
(07:16):
he did so many things for your life's work for me.
Speaker 3 (07:19):
And Week one coming up the Steters Jets, Well, what's
your thoughts with a team this season? Like you obviously
you're working with ESPN, You're still still involved very happily
in the league.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
Well, this is gonna this is actually what I'm gonna
say next is probably not that far off of a
lot of teams because there's not I know of no
team that can win without it. But let's talk about
the two things that are most important to win consistently
in the NFL. And this is historically true. These two
(07:49):
stats are the only things that matter in football. Or
one stat you gotta win the turnover battle every Sunday.
That right there gives you your margin of air wins
losses right there if you can predict that. But if
you don't turn it over, man advantage you. Then if
you can control the tempo of our game. And by
controlling the temple of the game. There's two implement or
(08:11):
too many things you got to implement that people talk about,
and I think that they are always said, and you
know it passes over people's heads, but the importance of it,
the ability to stop the run and be able to run, yeah,
allows you to control the temple of the game. So
if you can win in those two areas, you have
a chance to a ninety nine percent chance of winning
(08:33):
each and every Sunday. And so in the first week matchup,
do the Jets want justin fields. Do they want justin
fields to throw it forty five times a game? I
think every football fan knows that's not going to happen.
Why that's that's not his strength or his forte What
is their strength? They're good, good offensive line, they got
good backs, and their quarterback strength is running the ball. Okay,
(08:54):
our quarterback is obviously superior. However, just because he's superior
doesn't mean you throw it at forty five times. Yes,
you know they haven't even played together, so you don't
really know how that chemistry will come. So our ability
to run the football effectively and be dominant in that aspect.
If we are there, then Aaron Rodgers will be the
elite guy he is. But if you're sitting there going
(09:15):
forty five times a game, you gotta throw the ball
more likely you're probably gonna Probably you're struggling.
Speaker 5 (09:20):
If that's what you have to do.
Speaker 3 (09:22):
We will see what happens. Thank you. If your analysis are
just finally, what does it mean to have this team
come to Dublin leak four? It's pretty cool, isn't it.
Speaker 4 (09:28):
We all to go back to, you know, some of
the vision of mister Rooney and that one right there
is going to be like his Super Bowl to see.
I mean he'd be looking on he would let he's
going to be looking down because I said, if he's
looking down and watching that game, because that that's something
that just watching these kids here in this assembly and
the excitement of flag football and the excitement for you know,
(09:49):
the Steelers and the Vikings to come over here and play,
and his vision years and years decades ago and it's
coming to fruition.
Speaker 3 (09:57):
Thank you for having you done for the game here, Marl.
Really appreciate you coming on the podcast. I'm going to
chat to you against it well.
Speaker 5 (10:03):
Thank you brother.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
Great deal from Earl on the Irish Eavers podcast presented
by Erlingus. And we have a football game coming up
this weekend, Steelers heading over to met Life to face
the Jets and for NFL fans across Ireland, this game
is on sky Sports NFL. It's not just on sky
Sports NFL. I can tell you my friend, our friend,
Neil Reynolds and the team are heading over to MetLife Stadium.
(10:28):
Neil flies out on Friday morning with the team. They're
going to be live from met Life Stadium for this game.
And look before we go, we're going to have a
full team back in the podcast next week. But my
keys to the game we all know about Justin Fields.
I had the chance to meet Justin Fields throughout the
summer and when I asked him about this game, he
looked at me smiled. He's ready to go, folks. He
wants to win this game, and we need to be
(10:50):
able to contain him.
Speaker 6 (10:51):
Well.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
We know him well. He's not the most prolific passer
in the NFL, but we know the ground is where
he can do really, really well. He averages six shards
percari over his career so far, and if we can
make him through the ball, I think we're going to
be in good ship. So that's one key to the
game for me. Got to keep an eye on Guart
Wilson unbelievable past cut. He's an unbelievable pass catcher. But
(11:15):
we know that that wide receiving core for the Jets
doesn't have too much going past them. And for us,
we need to run the ball. We need to find
a way to get Jialen warn involved early and often
we know na he's not here anymore. And I want
to see Caleb Johnson. I want to see what we
can do with different guys, and I know when we
have Aaron Rodgers coming in, one of the keys to
the game as well is to be getting that ball
(11:36):
down the field. We've got to let Aran Rodgers play
to his maximum standard. And remember as well, yes we're
going up against Justin Fields. Yes we're run up against
the guy that's been with the Steelers roster before, but
Aaron Rodgers will want to prove a point in Matt
Life Stadium in Week one. It's one of the main
games in the early window, and we know that he's
(11:58):
one to go. We know that he is one to
have to go into the stadium and put a performance
against his old team. Now on that side of the ball,
on the other side of the ball, on the defense,
this defense needs to really put a marker on this week.
We've got to get pressure on fields. We've got to
make big plays. We know TJ is back. We want
(12:18):
to see turnovers, we want to see dominance on the
on the field because the longer we can keep Aaron
Rodgers out there and the less time that the Jets
have on the field means we can get more points
on the board. It's really really important that this can
happen and ma, I'm just so excited to see this
defense on the field this weekend. Just before we go
here on the Irish Theaters Podcast, Let's hear from a
(12:39):
few players ahead of this game. Let's hear from Yeah
How Black obviously recently drafted announced in Dublin, Darius Slay,
Troy Fantona, and Alex Heismith here on the Irish Theaters Podcast,
presented by Earning.
Speaker 6 (12:51):
With the emotion like, you're heading into your first NFL game?
What are the nerves are the generals like right now?
Speaker 7 (12:56):
Oh, be honest with you, is just I'd probably come
game day a little more butterflies, but right now it's
just practicing.
Speaker 5 (13:02):
You know, I'm getting it right.
Speaker 6 (13:03):
What is the D line hoping to show here in
the first game, especially given you have such a mobile
quarterback in Justin Beals cross the line it starts.
Speaker 7 (13:11):
Up front, so you know, I just want to show
dominance and that that we're here.
Speaker 5 (13:15):
What do you take from the preseason?
Speaker 7 (13:17):
What do you take for those.
Speaker 5 (13:18):
I've been saying that they're opportunities.
Speaker 7 (13:21):
You know, I got to got to show a little
bit of my skill set and really just starting to
work on my craft.
Speaker 8 (13:25):
Did he give you answers for more confidence or police
looking toward this level?
Speaker 5 (13:31):
I had the confidence.
Speaker 7 (13:32):
I mean I was brought in for a reason and
you know, confidence is there. You can't let it, can't
let it lack.
Speaker 6 (13:38):
What kind of challenge is the Jets run games specifically
with just the tandem of backs they have no call
it is that part of the this week, I feel
like I have a hurdle of them.
Speaker 5 (13:48):
A lot of specifics from anybody this week.
Speaker 2 (13:50):
You guys trying to not give any bulletin boar material or.
Speaker 5 (13:53):
Hey you got it?
Speaker 9 (13:56):
How much do you know of the last two games
or two Lester gave last year? They played Blood of
Russian Yorks again obviously they dropped you and there and
he signed to find a cup d Lineman, how much
are you aware of.
Speaker 10 (14:09):
That run defense and the proud the pride of the
stopping in Pittsburgh.
Speaker 5 (14:13):
Over the year.
Speaker 9 (14:14):
Uh.
Speaker 7 (14:14):
You hear from the Vets all the time that it
starts where we are, you know, hands in the dirt,
and really the dominance that they show and really starting
to gain that that knowledge that they're they're really impressing
on the guys that came here.
Speaker 5 (14:30):
Do you have your work shirt ready for tomorrow. They
could you about that tradition?
Speaker 6 (14:34):
Yet?
Speaker 5 (14:35):
What the collared shirts? No that is you got me?
Didn't hear anything about that one? Why did you switch numbers?
College number?
Speaker 3 (14:42):
Why not?
Speaker 6 (14:46):
Do you anticipate having maybe a bigger role on Sunday
just because Derek's out and hurt Cam's kind of up
in the air.
Speaker 3 (14:53):
I mean, what do you kind of anticipate about how
much you could be in the game.
Speaker 7 (14:58):
Just get the rest when you when you have the chance,
when you're out there, you play to your best ability,
to your nickname.
Speaker 5 (15:05):
Do you thinke sexy? What do you think? What the words?
I like it?
Speaker 11 (15:10):
I like it?
Speaker 12 (15:10):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (15:11):
What's the anticipation excitement level to get out there Sunday
hit someone in a different jersey?
Speaker 10 (15:16):
Uh?
Speaker 5 (15:17):
It would be great, man.
Speaker 13 (15:17):
I'm looking forward to I always looking forward to the
start of the season. Saw another great opportunity to go
out here and uh, you know, add to your your
resume as a player and uh another chance to go
out here and uh attack what you do. Teammates and
you know, the guys that you go in the world with.
Finally that's going to count against the record.
Speaker 5 (15:35):
So uh so gonna be fun.
Speaker 6 (15:37):
What makes the TV group so special in your eyes?
Speaker 5 (15:39):
Uh, just a good group of men. You know a
lot of guys just have fun and genie like being
around each other.
Speaker 3 (15:44):
Uh.
Speaker 13 (15:44):
So that's the big issue. That's the big part about
it is the fact that the guys like to hang. Uh,
we get to know each other a lot better.
Speaker 11 (15:51):
Is Uh.
Speaker 13 (15:51):
I'm always a guy that's more bigger than football. You know,
I'm more of like trying to build bond, trying to
be a you know, I had to extend my family
and you know, these are great group of men. So I'm
appreciative of them guys. So looking forward to just you know,
sharing a field with him too.
Speaker 6 (16:05):
What's the biggest challenge with this Jets offense?
Speaker 5 (16:07):
Uh?
Speaker 13 (16:08):
Right, the biggest challenge right now basically is trying to
understand them. You know, new staff, new everything, so uh,
seeing how it's going to attack us. So we got
to I mean, of course you got your ideas of
what they are capable of doing, but of course you're
going into a little blinded.
Speaker 5 (16:21):
But uh, it's just fun.
Speaker 13 (16:22):
So at the end of the day, man, they put
the ball down, if you will compete play ball, you know,
justin what he's capable of doing. You know, I played
against him while he was in Chicago as a young kid.
Great talent, tremendous talent. You know, he does great job
with his legs. So uh, you know, I know for
a fact, make sure you gotta contain it. It doesn't matter.
Shout out to Joey. You know what I'm saying, Joey
to goat.
Speaker 5 (16:42):
Rich Man? Richman?
Speaker 6 (16:44):
What up?
Speaker 8 (16:44):
Want you guys itching to kind of get out there
with just a series in the preseason.
Speaker 13 (16:49):
Now you guys get man, it's fun, Like I like
what the season get here because it's it started going
by fast.
Speaker 5 (16:55):
Uh it is.
Speaker 13 (16:57):
It's always a purpose to you know, to play this
game as and just football. But in training camp, of
course you see every day every day going to eat
your guy. But now every time you get rewarded to
show what you're worth, your work has put in to
go against another opponent and you know, and go out
and compete.
Speaker 5 (17:11):
So that's the main job is go compete, have fun
and try to get wins. He said, you guys like
to hang the dbs.
Speaker 8 (17:16):
What do you guys do when you're not hanging in
the locker room?
Speaker 5 (17:19):
Is there? Oh man? We're going to We're going to
the Shan house to night. You know what I'm saying,
to watch the game tonight. Yeah yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah yeah.
Speaker 13 (17:25):
I've told everybody to be at his house to night.
He knows it though, and I said, make sure you
ask some good food. So go kick it, watch the
game and hang out for a little bit.
Speaker 14 (17:33):
Man.
Speaker 13 (17:33):
Just you know, like I said, it's always bigger than football.
You know, I know, this game, you know, help feed
our families and everything, and uh, but to have a
great relationship on and off the field, it's always a
great blessing because it just shows how tight you are
on the field.
Speaker 6 (17:46):
So it's it gonna be like for you tonight to
watch that game, banner raising ceremonial.
Speaker 5 (17:50):
It gonna be crazy. He can be lit.
Speaker 6 (17:52):
Man.
Speaker 5 (17:53):
You know, I'm thankful I'm at the day.
Speaker 13 (17:54):
But of course, you know, as a player that you know,
contribute to help win that Super Bowl, it'd be nice
to see it just fall down and then I just
magically appear back here, you know what I'm saying. But
you know that's not possible. But man, I'm just and
I'm so thankful for that organization as a you know, uh,
the Lger organization hit me, you know, uh win the championship.
They put me in a lot of great positions to
(18:16):
be successful in the championship. So I'm always will be
thankful for the affiliate. And uh yeah, man, you know
so I still don't like the Cowboys either, So it's
still cool. We're still cool with that.
Speaker 5 (18:24):
You wear your Super Bowl ring tonight you watching the game?
Speaker 13 (18:27):
Remind them I lowkey when as the banner going down,
I low key already got my ring ready just to
put on my finger. I might shed a little tear
and then I'm back to reality.
Speaker 10 (18:37):
When people talk about run defense, they usually don't think
they tag TI tackles whatever, don't think of the secondary personally.
You take pride in that aspect of the game, and
as the secondary, how can that help with great man?
Speaker 13 (18:48):
Because one thing I do understand, I've been playing with
TA for a long time, you know, definitely when I
was in Detroit and a lot of dcs, I had
believe as and to be a great run defense, you
gotta have great corners that could tackle.
Speaker 5 (18:59):
And thankfully I'm a like and you know I'm a
good tackle.
Speaker 13 (19:03):
I'm gonna say here saying saying I'm like a Shawn
Ellie just want to take folk's head off every play.
Speaker 5 (19:07):
But I can get a guy down easily, you know
what I'm saying.
Speaker 13 (19:10):
So, but uh, that's the strength of about being a
great run defense is the fact that your corns can tackle.
And uh, you know that's a big burden on me,
So I don't like to be the eyeball, so I
make sure I'm prepare to ready to tackle.
Speaker 8 (19:22):
Well, they talked about not knowing what they're gonna do
that and how how's long two different guys you have
in your secondary? If you guys so many different options,
is the way you can play a team. Like some
some units they can only play one way because that's
all the guys they have. But for you guys, really
they're trying to figure out what they do is important
because you got a lot of different options.
Speaker 13 (19:41):
Yeah, I mean that's a that's a beautiful just having
a you know, tremendous back end of the guys or
the guys that's very versatile here, Like you know, of
course Ramsey he's a guy that's very versatile, that can
play anywhere on and off the field. So uh, you know,
the Shawn he could play that I've not seeing him
back in his days plays a dime package as middle linebacker, Like,
we don't know. That's the good thing about our beauty
is the fact that we are very versatile and uh,
(20:01):
and we both all like a lot of smart guys.
Speaker 6 (20:04):
You know.
Speaker 13 (20:04):
These guys can play multiple positions and so they could
tell you how smart and intelligence they are.
Speaker 5 (20:08):
So uh, that's.
Speaker 13 (20:09):
The beauty of it, man. So we're gonna continue to
keep trying to use that as a strength, you know,
and keep going.
Speaker 8 (20:14):
Tom talks about the importance not beating yourselves up, like
not beating each other, Mike, Tom talk about the important
stuff like just beating yourself and then playing clean and
everything like that.
Speaker 5 (20:23):
Communication before this guy is a big part of that.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
How do you feel like you guys are clicking when
it comes to communicating before your snap and practice.
Speaker 13 (20:31):
Going and oh great, man, that's the that's the biggest
thing for sure, is communication. Making sure everyone's on the
same pace, because if we all say the same thing,
we could be wrong, but if we're all wrong together,
it is right. So that's the that's the main issue
we go I mean, the main thing we go by
with in the defense of just making sure we're all
on the same pace so our guys can play faster,
because if somebody't on the same page, they be slow.
Speaker 5 (20:50):
We don't like that.
Speaker 13 (20:50):
Because I'm on the back end. I need a TJ
to get that fast. I need him to know what
he's doing right now.
Speaker 5 (20:57):
Today, this week I mean last year.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
Obviously we know the injury.
Speaker 5 (21:02):
When you look at this weekend, is it kind of
like a do over?
Speaker 9 (21:04):
They get started on the good way?
Speaker 14 (21:06):
And I wouldn't say so, no, really an extra like
just can't wait?
Speaker 5 (21:14):
Oh yeah, and that yeah, that part, yeah for sure.
Speaker 14 (21:17):
I mean, only playing one game, it's tough, but yeah,
I'm just I've been so ready, putting everything into my preparation,
knowing that once I get there on Sunday, I'll be
ready to go.
Speaker 12 (21:31):
Where do you feel most at home with your skills?
Like it's sort of like when something that's the most
instinctual part of your game.
Speaker 5 (21:36):
Is it when you're blocking in space or run blocking?
Is it protect? I think he's being out of space.
Speaker 14 (21:40):
I mean whether that's run or pass or screens or
stuff like that.
Speaker 5 (21:45):
Something about the space.
Speaker 14 (21:48):
Helps me for some reason, I don't know, just coming
from an offense and college where that's all we did,
past block screens, all that type of stuff, and then
kind of integrated into this offense where we're running the
ball up but also knowing that I have the skill
set to block out in space, whether that's on past
blocking or anything like that.
Speaker 5 (22:08):
So I would say that, how excited do you put
that on tape?
Speaker 8 (22:11):
You didn't do a whole bunch of that in the
preseason by design, of course.
Speaker 14 (22:16):
I mean it's a regular season playbooks wide open, So
I mean I'm excited to finally be able to run
a lot of the plays that we've been practicing.
Speaker 8 (22:24):
So yeah, is it any different blocking for right handed
quarterbacks and that right tackle when you played with Pennix
for so long at Washington?
Speaker 2 (22:32):
Is that any different for how you approach.
Speaker 5 (22:34):
It or No, not at all.
Speaker 14 (22:37):
I got to block the guy regardless of what side
I'm on, if the quarterback can see him, if he can't.
My job is to make sure that I'm in front
of my guy and keep his space between him and
in the quarterback.
Speaker 5 (22:48):
So I don't think so.
Speaker 3 (22:50):
You mentioned things he likes to do.
Speaker 8 (22:52):
How much is his skill set putting stress on the
edge guy?
Speaker 5 (22:56):
Specifically?
Speaker 11 (22:56):
It is first step.
Speaker 5 (22:58):
Yeah, it's Creasey.
Speaker 11 (22:59):
He's kind of can get to the cross uniquely. You know,
he's definitely one of, uh one of the best in
the league when it comes you know, getting out of
the pocket and making plays and in the run game.
And so we just know that we got to be
disciplined in our rush lanes because you know, whenever he
finds those downhill escape plans, so you know, he's gone,
he's out of there. And so we just can't you know,
we obviously we can't rush scared. We got to be
(23:20):
a continue to rush every single snap, but we just
got to be disciplined in our rush lanes and the
games that we run. So we just can't be rushing
high or rushing in front of him. He's gonna he
can see and then get out of there. So I
think we just it comes down to us being disciplined
in our rush lanes.
Speaker 5 (23:34):
He said, it's unique.
Speaker 3 (23:35):
How different is it from the way Lamar is.
Speaker 11 (23:37):
As a runner? Yeah, I mean two or three times
in a year and every but similar. So you know,
like I said, we get that experience again Lamar gets
La Marsh. I think it definitely help us. Oh this
wee against Justin.
Speaker 12 (23:45):
Not to give away the game plan, but you have
to maybe think about him as run first kind of guy.
Do you have to kind of spy him?
Speaker 11 (23:51):
I mean, I think there's definitely that is. His running
ability definitely adds, you know, a unique aspect to the
game plan. And just like we're talking about with with Lamar,
you know, we have certain schematics around that, and so
I know we're gonna have to do do that as well.
And so just because he's very dangerous with his legs
and so we just got to make sure he doesn't
get out of the pocket. So that's what it would be.
Speaker 12 (24:12):
You played him last year. But can you take anything
away from that game last year at all? Or is
it totally different you kind of like rip everything up.
Speaker 11 (24:19):
You're talking about the.
Speaker 12 (24:20):
Jets just general the offense.
Speaker 11 (24:22):
Yeah, yeah, I mean I think you know, it's a
little bit different of a offense. I know they got
new coordinators there now from last year. Obviously a lot
of new personnel go from Aaron to Justin and so
I think we've just been watching some Detroit film as well,
because that's where the coordinator came from. And so we
just got to do what we do we just got
to handle us and go out there and play fast. Ultimately,
(24:42):
you know, we decided to outcome with the game by
how we make plays.
Speaker 12 (24:45):
You're anxious to finally this thing started here.
Speaker 11 (24:48):
I'm very excited. So I'm very excited. I can't wait.
Speaker 6 (24:50):
With so many changes on defense in so many additions,
what are you guys hoping the identity of this defense
is this year? Any change anything different from last year?
Speaker 10 (24:57):
Yeah?
Speaker 11 (24:57):
I mean I think just for us as a defense,
obviously we got to play fast and physical. But for us,
I think it just comes down to communication, and that
starts in the week one. We're playing great of the defense,
we're communicating well, and so I think it just starts
here in practice. You know, we got to have that
communication locked down so that when we're out there on Sunday,
we're not guessing, we're not playing slow, We're communicating and
we're playing fast.
Speaker 6 (25:16):
Do you feel like that's improved over the course of
training camp.
Speaker 11 (25:18):
Yeah, absolutely, especially you know with the new guys who
are coming in. I mean, obviously, you know, when guys
first get here, you know they still want to the
defense though, are in the culture, and so but as
time has passed, you know, all the new guys who've
come in, all the rookies had done a good job
of just buying into our culture and really our communication
has only got better since training camp started.
Speaker 8 (25:34):
It was Mike through it all there during the summer
that this defense has a chance to the expression as
a player.
Speaker 5 (25:39):
Do you enjoy having those expectations, you know, rest upon you.
Speaker 3 (25:43):
On your shore?
Speaker 11 (25:43):
Yeah, mean absolutely. I think we just got to go
out there and deliver. And we know we have a
bunch of great players on this defense. You know, a
bunch of guys who are able to make a lot
of players, and so we also have a lot of
depth in all positions as well, and so I think
just overall is a defense. We just got to go
out there and just do what we do and let's
go out there and make plays, play fast, play physical,
communicate well and so ultimately the results of in of themselves.
Speaker 5 (26:05):
Can you do that as a method for him putting
that out.
Speaker 11 (26:07):
Yeah, I mean on time that we, like I said,
I know we've got the players to do it. So
we just got to go up there and uh play
like with the best defensive league.
Speaker 3 (26:13):
Think about the two backs, talk about justin lot would go.
Speaker 5 (26:16):
To the Deer Reps.
Speaker 11 (26:17):
Yeah, I mean it's it's very unique. It's kind the
same thing that you see in Detroit on that they
have with it gives the Montgomery. But you know, b
Reese Hall's really good running backs. It was Braylen Allen,
but you know, you kind of have a unique personality
about their game. You know, Briess Hall is more of
a perimeter guy and you know Raylan's more of a
downhill guy. So I think, you know, whenever those guys
are in, it's I think, you know, just trying to
(26:37):
see what type of run they're going to have, Uh,
depending on the back. I think it's what we're game
playing around. And so I know both those guys are
good backs, and so we just ultimately, I think the
main game part the game playing stopping then we got
stop the run, and so I always got to get
out there, and uh, once we stop the run, then
we can get some pass you get out to.
Speaker 12 (26:53):
Justin is cam to this defense and you worried at
all that he might not play.
Speaker 11 (26:58):
I mean, he's he's our leader, and so I'm confident
that he's going to play, and so he's he's an
all program for us. And so, like I said, I'm
confident that he's going to play because we all know
the type of player he is and what he needs
our defense, and so from coffee that he'll play.
Speaker 12 (27:12):
Has that situation been a distraction at all for you
guys preparing for this.
Speaker 11 (27:15):
I think so, like I said, because he's been out there,
I'm still practicing with us as well, still getting reps
and stuff, and so you know, we know that the.
Speaker 3 (27:25):
Great podcast this week. Great to hear from Marlo, great
to hear from the guys. Week ones. On top of baby,
We're ready to go. We're under three weeks out on
Sunday from this NFL game in Dublin, and we need
the Steelers to start well to get that one on
the board. Let's go, Folks. Enjoy the game on Sunday
wherever you're watching it. Remember you can watch the sky
Sports NFL, but you can also listen to the game
(27:45):
on OTB Sports Radio if you are out in the bout. Folks,
whatever you do, hope you have a good weekend and
sit there, lie back and smile and enjoy the fact
that the NFL is back.
Speaker 1 (28:10):
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 excel Or aircraft.
This brings the number of transatlantic routes operated by the
(28:31):
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 air Lingus.
Speaker 2 (28:40):
Air Lingus, You're very welcome.
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