August 18, 2024 • 20 mins
The Steelers fell short on Saturday night against the Buffalo Bills in their second preseason game. Michael and Dave look back on the encounter and hear from Mike Tomlin, Russell Wilson and Nate Herbig. Do get involved and use the hashtag #SteelersIreland to let us know questions this preseason! You can watch the Steelers final preseason game against the Detroit Lions this Satuday on Virgin Media Two and also listen on OTB Radio.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
Head folks, Welcome into the Irish Steelers Podcast, the podcast
for Pittsburgh Steeters fans on the Island. Barlin, Michael McQuaid
delighted to be joined by Dave McKee. Dave, how were
doing another week of preseason Diamond, We're getting closer.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
II Field been good, Mike, Yeah, that's up basically cutting
down the days in the weeks now. Obviously last night
was another opportunity to watch them and you know, sort
of get a good sense of what was going on.
But no, I'm sort of like yourself of this rate.
We'll get the next couple of weeks down and before
you know it's where we watched the Staters football regular season.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
So it makes it so much easier when you see
a big slaunching matches pop up on the telecast, which
was on Virgin Media, so shout out to them. The
second of Fleet preseason games on Virgin Media last night,
and and the last one against the Lions I believe
is all next week. We'll talk about that in a bit.
Jimmy is not here my electric folks. My WiFi was
not working this morning, so apology to shout out the
(01:00):
Jimmy as well. Have obviously breaking the down Steelers losing
a preseason game against the Bills nine to three, falling
to zero and two in the preseason, the Bills actually
improved the one on one. Have you any immediate takeaways
from that?
Speaker 2 (01:16):
You know, it wasn't a great performance less you know,
there's no point in painting it over. I mean, an
opportunity to watch the Steelers and an occasion is great,
but that game was nothing the head home about. You know,
it's a game that will fade quickly into the best
as far as I'm concerned. And to be fair of
the Bills, you know their past Russ is no choke.
It was good to see, you know, a few old
faces on the other side, Mitch Trubscue, but all honestly
(01:37):
make gets. It was one I was struggling to stay
up for. Good to see Russell Wilson and the Black
and Gold. Eight out of ten, forty seven yards, no touchdowns,
no pecks. Pretty ovious performance. But it doesn't doesn't have
to be great for you know, for our first time
in pods. Got to say a bit more. Justin Phils
lapping for seventeen ninety two yards. Had a big game
on the ground as well, of course, we knowbody brings
to the table, he's gonna he's gonna bring a lot
(01:58):
of scrambling and outside the pot. Had one really nice
completion I think where he skipped, you know, the sack
found desk with Patrick on the key completion on third down.
Shout out to my guy neck Kurbig as well came
up with a sack on on Metsch as well. We
all know how early in the game. We all know
how much I love neck Krbig. You know he's already
asking for licendary status in Petsburgh as far as I'm concerned.
But overall, Michael, it's it's hard the right home and anything,
(02:21):
and I'm just waiting for week one at this rice.
Of course, we've got one more week against the Detroit Lance,
you know, a team that I'm pecking't actually to do
the Super Bowl this year, albeit to hope we're We're
going to be a team that'll that will play them
and hopefully beat them, but at least well we'll get
a chance to score with another top class opponents. So
roll on next week and you know, if we if
we win, great, If not, you know, we I think
(02:42):
we finished the pre season three and oh, last year
and we didn't win the Super Bowl. So it doesn't
mean of course it means something. It's a big getting
the medicine, the Hank, but it doesn't mean anything realistically.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Absolutely, and look sort of going on Nick, her big need,
her big, it seems is going to be had for
a while. So you know, obviously with him the best.
Were you to see Nick Helples like your game last night.
I am very much as well in the camp of
you know, it's a preseason, it's not the super Bowl.
Obviously you want to get every rap under you and
get as much experience as you can. But at the
end of the day, this is the team that's learning.
And I've seen some things this morning where people are
(03:14):
talking about the offense with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson.
I guess we'll talk about in a few minutes. And
before we do that, let's hear from coach Mike Pomlin.
After yesterday's result.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
You know, still not what we're looking for. It was
better in some areas, but still JV and too many others.
An area of improvement I thought was net punting. The
field position component of play got flipped this time around.
We're much better in this game than we were in
the last one. Still not winning enough possession downs on offense,
(03:47):
particularly early in an effort to establish rhythm and gain
plays and develop personality and so forth. When you're not
winning possession downs at the early portions of the game,
all of those things really get steamy. Included in that,
but also separate from that. I just thought we did
we didn't do a good enough job of protecting the quarterback.
We got to do a better job in past protection
(04:08):
than we did, not only in possession downs, but just
in general. And I was really upfront with the group
about it in that regard that can't be a problem
for us. We got to be better than we were
tonight in that area. On defense, particularly in the second half,
I thought our young people wore down some. They were
able to control the game and minimize our opportunities because
(04:30):
they were running the football. Some our secondary people in
the in the crack replaced gaps and so forth. You
don't have a chance to have really good run defense
unless your secondary people are really on it. I thought,
I thought we had a lot of area for improvement,
particularly in the second half, in terms of some of
those things. And that's why their run total was what
it was and and really limited some of our possession
(04:52):
opportunities in the second half. But we'll meet tomorrow, man,
we'll comb through it in great detail. That's just a
need your assessment of some things. From a health standpoint.
Jalen Warren had a hamstring in game. I don't know
the extent of it. He'll be evaluated. I'll have more
information for you obviously over the next couple of days.
(05:13):
Peyton Wilson was being treated for a concussion. Anthony Everett
had a hamstring as well some other bumps and bruises.
But I think in most instances those guys return to play.
But again, I'll have more detail for you next time
we come together around the health of some people's kind
of limited opportunities.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
And it's a pre season, but would you like to
see your first team offense producing points?
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Absolutely? You know, in order to do that, you gotta
win possession downs, and we're just not winning enough of
those right now. And so you know that problem.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Lingers coach Tomlin on the Iris Hitters podcast, And do
you before you listen to some of the players' reactions
to the scheme, you know this is a team and
I really like our quarterback the minute. In terms of
that combination of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields as the
top two there, I like the fact that they are
there and they're going to grow this season. We know
(06:09):
the story, but now it's been told so many times
that Russell Wilson comes out of Denver, improved in his
last season in Denver and now has in my opinion,
an opportunity of a lifetime in Pittsburgh. And then Justin Fields,
a guy in my opinion that was not respected no
of Chicago, now has that opportunity as well. They've got
a brand new See, it's gonna take time to bet
in like we're talking about potentially, you know, you're seeing
(06:31):
reports of them scrapping the preseason entirely and focusing them
more on scrimmages and team and teams in different camps. Well,
last night, in my opinion, it was an example of
why you need the preseason. You need these guys to
go out and get represent you know, certainly for me,
I agree that of course you want to see and
improving on the offense. You want to see the offense
work better, but it's gonna take time. I'd much rather
(06:54):
get a win week one than worry about week two
or weeks three preseason. For me right now, it's see
these guys, see these players, see what they have to offer,
and then you know, anything else the buonuts.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
No, you're you're spot on. I mean I was. I
was sort of reading some of the comments this morning
as well, and you know, there's a lot of over exaggeration.
But as you say, we've got a new offensive coordinator,
he's still sort of embedding himself into that position offensively.
You know that with the schemes and stuff like that,
you'll expect, you know, justin Field and Russell Wilson when
the regular season comes, they're going to be well under
(07:25):
their progressions as well. And it's gonna be one of
those where they don't have to They're gonna have to adopt
it the same as anything. You know, you're gonna have
to adopt these changes. But I'm going to sort of
just back up everything you said there. You know, the
preseason is just an important time where you get obviously
the new guys in the roster coming in playing their
own snops as well. It's it's not a time to
sort of over exaggerate and you know, panic And as
(07:46):
I said there a couple of minutes ago, we get
finished three and over the preseason. Last year, we came
out of preseason thinking we're the best team in the world,
you know, the greatest team ever, and it just doesn't
work like that. So I'm just gonna yeah, next who
knows next time. But and yeah, Rome wasn't building the
day that. I was saying like, it's it's going to
take time for this to work out, and yeah, that's
(08:08):
preseason is important. I'm just going to back you up
on that one as well. You know, they're talking about
scrapping the preseason, but actually, I don't want to see that.
I think it's important that we get guys in early
and obviously getting their game time before for that week one.
So I don't know, I really know what they would
fill that void with. I don't know if you have
any opinions in that, like what what do you think
they would even fill it with.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
I see and this is just our sort of talk.
It's it's obviously not official, but you see it on
various different shows during the week where they're talking about maybe,
you know, changing up the preseason, and I guess team
scrimmage is a big one we've seen this week with
the Bills and seems to be you know, good feedback
coming out of that from from both sides that they
really enjoyed their time there. That's not something that happens
(08:46):
with the Stags year on year deal. And you know,
it's if it's going to become the new norm where
you are getting those guys to visit and you're you know,
you're you're looking at those different reps, they become key
and they almost turn into like a mini preseason by themselves. Look,
we all just want to see more football and not
the thing before we talk about the QBS very quickly
that's here from Russellosi.
Speaker 5 (09:06):
Well, we always want to win. I mean, I think
that's the you know, that's our mission every time. Obviously
we didn't get to do it tonight. You know, it
was good to be in the black and gold, you know,
just to have the honor to wear the jersey and
to be out there with with with with our teammates. Man,
it's just it's a blessing for sure, you know. And
just to be in the stadium again and playing, putting
my cleats on it and getting ready to go but
(09:28):
we always want to be able to step on the
fielding on the white lines and find a way to win.
We didn't get to do that tonight.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
I know it's limited opportunities and it's just a preseason,
but would you like to see the first team offense
score more points because you have I don't think you
have in two games.
Speaker 5 (09:42):
Yeah, I mean, I think I think for us, you
know today, you know, we just stayed on schedule. I
think the biggest thing is staying on schedule. We had
too many I think we had too many third and longs,
you know, you know in the first two drives, you know,
in particular, and we did some good things on offense,
you know, but at the same time, we just got
to give ourselves the best chance possible to be successful.
(10:03):
And that's that's uh, third and shorts and third and mediums,
and we you know, we we converted you know in
one you know, one of those you know later in
the in the in the first second quarter or whatever
it was. And Van did a good job sitting over
the middle. But I think I think the best thing
we can do is it put our heads down and
keep getting to work.
Speaker 6 (10:20):
I know it may not have been obviously, danversall that
you are looking for, But for you in the first half,
were the thing that you didn't like in positives?
Speaker 5 (10:27):
Yeah, I thought I was trying to play in rhythm,
trying to get the ball out when we could, and
then and then uh, also just trying to hang in
there and the third down, like I mentioned earlier, the
van you know, those those plays, he did a good job.
GP did a really good job in his choice route.
We thought he was in on that go ball. You know, Uh,
that was a sweet catch, but you know, I thought
he'd double toe taped that one. But you know, I
(10:49):
think I think the best thing that we can do
is you know, the best part about you know, it's
in my thirteenth year, you know, and every preseason is different.
You know, it's as high, there's lows, there's you know,
you have great practices, which we have a lot of.
We've had a lot of lows. Guys have been working
their tails off every day. We had a great practice
on Thursday whenever it was So there're a lot of
(11:10):
good that goes unseen sometimes and there's some things that
we also have to fix and get right. And so
that's the diligence that we have to have. We have
a sense of urgency, you know, every week, every every
day you step into the into the building, every day
you step into the white lines. And that's what we're
gonna do.
Speaker 7 (11:27):
The biggest thing that's getting in the way right now,
it's just it's just the chemistry. And you guys have
a lot of guys on rookie contracts on the offense
and in trying to get you guys together. You think
that's the biggest impediment right now.
Speaker 5 (11:39):
No, I don't. I don't think.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (11:41):
I think the best thing we can do is just
stay on schedule. Yeah, I think that's the biggest ants.
That's football, no matter you know, if you have you know,
all vets and all you know, all rookies. I think
just think that the reality is that you got to
stay on schedule in this game, you know, And that's
that's the biggest thing. You don't want to be in
third and longs, you know, from for a good amount
of the game. So we just got to do that
better and I think we'll give ourselves a better chance.
Speaker 7 (12:02):
We said in the locker room that you got to
feel like you guys are making really good progress right now.
Do you agree with that assessment.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
From I do?
Speaker 5 (12:09):
I mean, I just, you know, the practices, the things
that we do, the extra work the guys, the amount
of time guys are spending. You know, it's I'm really
excited about this football team. I really am. I just
you know, you can't blank and I you know at
uh you know, you know, they all matter, They all matter,
They always matter. Every game matters, every time you know,
(12:30):
the balls kicked off, it matters. But also understand, you know,
to to process, to understand what we're doing really really well,
and then continue to do those things, and then the
things we're not not doing so well, let's fix them
and then and then then then you give yourselves the
best chance. But you can't run from uh, you know,
fixing the little details and and so you know work.
We're closer than we know. I think, you know, to
(12:51):
be honest with you, I think that uh, you know,
I just I really love the work ethic of the
guys that we have. You know you mentioned Pat Fryermouth.
I mean just the detail that he puts into it.
GP obviously such a special player. Calvin Van has really
risen up to the casion on love Scotty Miller. Obviously,
our backs or physicals can be you know. And I
(13:12):
think I think of our offensive line. You know, we're
young but talented, and I think that's a that's a
great thing to have. So guys have a one two
and we have that, and then obviously we have a
great defense. So I think that the best thing that
we can do is look at the film, study it.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
You know.
Speaker 5 (13:25):
I'm just grateful to you know, every time I get
to play this game. Man, there's just so much gratitude
and enjoy, you know.
Speaker 4 (13:31):
For me.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
Russell Wilson on the Irish Theaters podcast. One of the
biggest takeaways for me, Dave is obviously Wilson had that
slight injury just before training comes starting at He injured
his cough, I believe. And the biggest takeaway from me,
well eighty percent the completion we had last night. Anyway
you look at it in terms of the stots, but
he said he felt graty, felt strong, and he feels
(13:55):
like he sort of got past that injury immediately. When
you're looking at a situation when you the game in
two or three weeks time, that's what Staters Nation wants
to hear and we hope to see, you know, depending
on whether they play next week or not. You know,
a bit of movement there in terms of starting. It'll
be interesting to see what happens.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
Just on Russ as well. I've sort of been following
his Instagram stories as well. He's putting in the arts
and training ground, you can see it, and he does.
He looks he looks a lot better this year than
he did last year, you know, at the stage of
sect then a year older. So I'm really excited to
see how he goes. You know, I think there is
already talk about potentially. I mean, it just shows how
really over exaggerating sports fans are. You know, they'll see
(14:34):
thing and they'll just say, oh, we need to change it.
And I'm already seeing people saying, look, Justin Fields needs
to be the number one. I still have Russ down
as my number one going in the week one. I
think we still need to give him a chance. Albeit,
you know, Justin Fields has been impressing, but I'm liking
how he's looking so far. As I say, it's going
to take a bit of time for him to adjust
to the offense. We've got a couple of key targets
(14:56):
as well that are coming back, you know, a couple
of injuries from from the offseason as well. So I'm
just I'm ready just to see a bit, you know,
I'm ready to say that out like in competitive football,
That's what I'm ready to say. So we can just
get this week, you know, put this week in the
in the back window and the in the backside, and
I think after next week, you know, we'll know fully
(15:17):
now where we are and what we are and who knows,
you know, what what happens with you know, free agency.
You know, there's a lot of talk about that, but
we've just got a sort of knuckle down and deal
with the guys we've got.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
I will tell in terms of all that stuff, we've
seen coach Thomland talk about the need for protecting the
quarterback better and now something that's going to take time,
hopefully over the next few weeks. So we get ironed
out and fully gone there and let's see what happens.
There was a really great play in the fourth quarter
when fields had a lot of pressure, find the way
to get out of the pocket, make a run and
get a pass down the field. It'll be interesting to
(15:49):
see how that develops over time, but I think a
bottle like that is healthy. You've got a Super Bowl champion,
albeit a few years ago. Now when Russell Wilson, a
guy that is determined justin fields, is probably one of
the most motivated guys in this league in terms of
where he is right now, he's probably watching Killer Williams
in Chicago's thinking of himself. I'm as good as, if
not better than that. So I can't wait to see
(16:09):
what's gonna happen. Just before we go there, let's hear
from your guy to Herbert.
Speaker 4 (16:14):
Said one does that show that the body? Then when
coach Commins says the strength of the back is the
back because you finished off what it looked like LARRYO
and Key maybe it started.
Speaker 6 (16:23):
Yeah, I mean LARRYO got there first, and then I
was there next, and he was starting to slip out
a little, and then Keanu came over the top and
finished some Uh. So I think that's just a perfect
picture of what we are in Pittsburgh. We're striving to
be and that's collective that's aiming to do something great here.
Speaker 7 (16:40):
Technical rookie, last year, you had several different moves. You
seem like you could talk through them and think through
them a lot. What things are you able to see
now this year that you maybe didn't see the last year.
Speaker 6 (16:49):
Yeah, I think just recognizing like alignments and pre snap things, uh,
you know, stuff I wasn't keen to h last year.
And I think that just uh that's coaching and being
around guys like TJ Alex, you know, and seeing how
they go about their business and just trying to take
mental notes of that day.
Speaker 1 (17:07):
Marcus Golden was was here and that he's out already.
Speaker 7 (17:10):
I mean, how ready do you feel to step into
that role, especially knowing that there's all a kind of
experience even behind.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
You at this point.
Speaker 6 (17:16):
Yeah, I mean I think there there's never gonna be
a true time when you're like okay, like I'm ready,
Like I mean, it's when the lights come on, you
gotta show up, So you just gotta stay ready so
you don't got to get ready.
Speaker 4 (17:28):
Tomlin gave you what mister Herbig to night as you
came off the field.
Speaker 6 (17:32):
Yeah, that's probably like top five best feelings in the world,
I'd say.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
After two games. So it's the feeling from the defensive
side of how you guys an execute.
Speaker 6 (17:42):
There's a lot of lot of good stuff on tape,
a lot of stuff that we need to clean up,
you know, uh, need to be better on the on
the edges, need to be better at tackling, wrapping up,
getting the whole gang to the ball. So there's obviously
ups and downs, but not like we're we're trending.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Good to hear from her, big deal of like every
time you hear that month speaking most of a smile
on your face.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
Yeah, of course, of course, Mac, he's he's one of
a kind already, and he's following TJ. If t J
wats footsteps. I can tell came up with a big
sack last night. I think it was maybe a bit
more motivated because he was playing a quarterback and we
sacked him probably a lot and and and and OTAs
and stuff last year. So yeah, I'm buzzing for him.
(18:26):
Hopefully it gets a bit of a bit of a
better opportunity this year. I mean, who knows, with injuries
and stuff. Injuries happen in this league, and if it does,
I know he'll definitely stop up. So yeah, it's it's
it's it's good to hear from him, And of course
I'm sure he's chomping at the bit for a week
one as well at this threat.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
And definitely a more you know, it's it's a full
on schedule in that second half as well, so I'm
sure there may be opportunities firms, So we will see
what happens there in that sense. Just before we go
the game next week, we will try and get a
podcast in the middle of the week, so to do
that as a your questions, use hashtag Steeters Ireland or
shout out to one of us in social media with
questions and we'll be sure to get the more on
that MIDWEK podcast and Saturday six o'clock Ireland Virgin Media
(19:04):
to OTB Radio head to Detroit, first away trip of
this season, final preseason game. Again it's a Lion's team.
The third game is always a bit different there and
we don't really know what to expect at this point,
come in a week beforehand. What would you like to
see generally in terms of that last game for me
is just get the reps, get everybody out healthy, and
(19:25):
then take that two weeks.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
Absolutely, get get everybody out healthy. And I said it
last week and I've said it again. That's the most
important thing of course, getting competitive snaps is good, but
we've got to get everybody out half. Hi mean, the
last thing you want is a key injury in week
three of the preseason. You're sort of thinking yourself, you know,
I don't really I don't really see many of the
stars getting much more attention to it. But yeah, I'm
(19:48):
that's what I want to see. No injuries, a bit
maybe a bit more you know, offensive creativity. You know,
Arthur Schmith, he's got two weeks now to look at
us and and hopefully drop something new, whether it comes
or not. I mean, just the offensive line maybe wasn't
including last week. Last week, I hadn't said that the
Bill's pass rush is pretty serious. So that's what I
want to say. I just want to see a bit
(20:09):
more you know, aggression maybe you know, on not offensive line.
But as I said, the main thing is no injuries,
and if we go into Week one injury free, ready
to travel to Atlanta and hopefully get the win. That's
the main thing. So that's really what I want to say.
Speaker 1 (20:24):
I love it, And please, folks, do let us know
your thoughts, your opinions on the season this preseason, and
we will get back to you ahead of the game
next week, six o'clock Saturday against the Lions. From now,
from me and
Head folks, Welcome into the Irish Steelers Podcast, the podcast
for Pittsburgh Steeters fans on the Island. Barlin, Michael McQuaid
delighted to be joined by Dave McKee. Dave, how were
doing another week of preseason Diamond, We're getting closer.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
II Field been good, Mike, Yeah, that's up basically cutting
down the days in the weeks now. Obviously last night
was another opportunity to watch them and you know, sort
of get a good sense of what was going on.
But no, I'm sort of like yourself of this rate.
We'll get the next couple of weeks down and before
you know it's where we watched the Staters football regular season.
Speaker 1 (00:40):
So it makes it so much easier when you see
a big slaunching matches pop up on the telecast, which
was on Virgin Media, so shout out to them. The
second of Fleet preseason games on Virgin Media last night,
and and the last one against the Lions I believe
is all next week. We'll talk about that in a bit.
Jimmy is not here my electric folks. My WiFi was
not working this morning, so apology to shout out the
(01:00):
Jimmy as well. Have obviously breaking the down Steelers losing
a preseason game against the Bills nine to three, falling
to zero and two in the preseason, the Bills actually
improved the one on one. Have you any immediate takeaways
from that?
Speaker 2 (01:16):
You know, it wasn't a great performance less you know,
there's no point in painting it over. I mean, an
opportunity to watch the Steelers and an occasion is great,
but that game was nothing the head home about. You know,
it's a game that will fade quickly into the best
as far as I'm concerned. And to be fair of
the Bills, you know their past Russ is no choke.
It was good to see, you know, a few old
faces on the other side, Mitch Trubscue, but all honestly
(01:37):
make gets. It was one I was struggling to stay
up for. Good to see Russell Wilson and the Black
and Gold. Eight out of ten, forty seven yards, no touchdowns,
no pecks. Pretty ovious performance. But it doesn't doesn't have
to be great for you know, for our first time
in pods. Got to say a bit more. Justin Phils
lapping for seventeen ninety two yards. Had a big game
on the ground as well, of course, we knowbody brings
to the table, he's gonna he's gonna bring a lot
(01:58):
of scrambling and outside the pot. Had one really nice
completion I think where he skipped, you know, the sack
found desk with Patrick on the key completion on third down.
Shout out to my guy neck Kurbig as well came
up with a sack on on Metsch as well. We
all know how early in the game. We all know
how much I love neck Krbig. You know he's already
asking for licendary status in Petsburgh as far as I'm concerned.
But overall, Michael, it's it's hard the right home and anything,
(02:21):
and I'm just waiting for week one at this rice.
Of course, we've got one more week against the Detroit Lance,
you know, a team that I'm pecking't actually to do
the Super Bowl this year, albeit to hope we're We're
going to be a team that'll that will play them
and hopefully beat them, but at least well we'll get
a chance to score with another top class opponents. So
roll on next week and you know, if we if
we win, great, If not, you know, we I think
(02:42):
we finished the pre season three and oh, last year
and we didn't win the Super Bowl. So it doesn't
mean of course it means something. It's a big getting
the medicine, the Hank, but it doesn't mean anything realistically.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Absolutely, and look sort of going on Nick, her big need,
her big, it seems is going to be had for
a while. So you know, obviously with him the best.
Were you to see Nick Helples like your game last night.
I am very much as well in the camp of
you know, it's a preseason, it's not the super Bowl.
Obviously you want to get every rap under you and
get as much experience as you can. But at the
end of the day, this is the team that's learning.
And I've seen some things this morning where people are
(03:14):
talking about the offense with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson.
I guess we'll talk about in a few minutes. And
before we do that, let's hear from coach Mike Pomlin.
After yesterday's result.
Speaker 3 (03:26):
You know, still not what we're looking for. It was
better in some areas, but still JV and too many others.
An area of improvement I thought was net punting. The
field position component of play got flipped this time around.
We're much better in this game than we were in
the last one. Still not winning enough possession downs on offense,
(03:47):
particularly early in an effort to establish rhythm and gain
plays and develop personality and so forth. When you're not
winning possession downs at the early portions of the game,
all of those things really get steamy. Included in that,
but also separate from that. I just thought we did
we didn't do a good enough job of protecting the quarterback.
We got to do a better job in past protection
(04:08):
than we did, not only in possession downs, but just
in general. And I was really upfront with the group
about it in that regard that can't be a problem
for us. We got to be better than we were
tonight in that area. On defense, particularly in the second half,
I thought our young people wore down some. They were
able to control the game and minimize our opportunities because
(04:30):
they were running the football. Some our secondary people in
the in the crack replaced gaps and so forth. You
don't have a chance to have really good run defense
unless your secondary people are really on it. I thought,
I thought we had a lot of area for improvement,
particularly in the second half, in terms of some of
those things. And that's why their run total was what
it was and and really limited some of our possession
(04:52):
opportunities in the second half. But we'll meet tomorrow, man,
we'll comb through it in great detail. That's just a
need your assessment of some things. From a health standpoint.
Jalen Warren had a hamstring in game. I don't know
the extent of it. He'll be evaluated. I'll have more
information for you obviously over the next couple of days.
(05:13):
Peyton Wilson was being treated for a concussion. Anthony Everett
had a hamstring as well some other bumps and bruises.
But I think in most instances those guys return to play.
But again, I'll have more detail for you next time
we come together around the health of some people's kind
of limited opportunities.
Speaker 4 (05:34):
And it's a pre season, but would you like to
see your first team offense producing points?
Speaker 3 (05:38):
Absolutely? You know, in order to do that, you gotta
win possession downs, and we're just not winning enough of
those right now. And so you know that problem.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Lingers coach Tomlin on the Iris Hitters podcast, And do
you before you listen to some of the players' reactions
to the scheme, you know this is a team and
I really like our quarterback the minute. In terms of
that combination of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields as the
top two there, I like the fact that they are
there and they're going to grow this season. We know
(06:09):
the story, but now it's been told so many times
that Russell Wilson comes out of Denver, improved in his
last season in Denver and now has in my opinion,
an opportunity of a lifetime in Pittsburgh. And then Justin Fields,
a guy in my opinion that was not respected no
of Chicago, now has that opportunity as well. They've got
a brand new See, it's gonna take time to bet
in like we're talking about potentially, you know, you're seeing
(06:31):
reports of them scrapping the preseason entirely and focusing them
more on scrimmages and team and teams in different camps. Well,
last night, in my opinion, it was an example of
why you need the preseason. You need these guys to
go out and get represent you know, certainly for me,
I agree that of course you want to see and
improving on the offense. You want to see the offense
work better, but it's gonna take time. I'd much rather
(06:54):
get a win week one than worry about week two
or weeks three preseason. For me right now, it's see
these guys, see these players, see what they have to offer,
and then you know, anything else the buonuts.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
No, you're you're spot on. I mean I was. I
was sort of reading some of the comments this morning
as well, and you know, there's a lot of over exaggeration.
But as you say, we've got a new offensive coordinator,
he's still sort of embedding himself into that position offensively.
You know that with the schemes and stuff like that,
you'll expect, you know, justin Field and Russell Wilson when
the regular season comes, they're going to be well under
(07:25):
their progressions as well. And it's gonna be one of
those where they don't have to They're gonna have to adopt
it the same as anything. You know, you're gonna have
to adopt these changes. But I'm going to sort of
just back up everything you said there. You know, the
preseason is just an important time where you get obviously
the new guys in the roster coming in playing their
own snops as well. It's it's not a time to
sort of over exaggerate and you know, panic And as
(07:46):
I said there a couple of minutes ago, we get
finished three and over the preseason. Last year, we came
out of preseason thinking we're the best team in the world,
you know, the greatest team ever, and it just doesn't
work like that. So I'm just gonna yeah, next who
knows next time. But and yeah, Rome wasn't building the
day that. I was saying like, it's it's going to
take time for this to work out, and yeah, that's
(08:08):
preseason is important. I'm just going to back you up
on that one as well. You know, they're talking about
scrapping the preseason, but actually, I don't want to see that.
I think it's important that we get guys in early
and obviously getting their game time before for that week one.
So I don't know, I really know what they would
fill that void with. I don't know if you have
any opinions in that, like what what do you think
they would even fill it with.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
I see and this is just our sort of talk.
It's it's obviously not official, but you see it on
various different shows during the week where they're talking about maybe,
you know, changing up the preseason, and I guess team
scrimmage is a big one we've seen this week with
the Bills and seems to be you know, good feedback
coming out of that from from both sides that they
really enjoyed their time there. That's not something that happens
(08:46):
with the Stags year on year deal. And you know,
it's if it's going to become the new norm where
you are getting those guys to visit and you're you know,
you're you're looking at those different reps, they become key
and they almost turn into like a mini preseason by themselves. Look,
we all just want to see more football and not
the thing before we talk about the QBS very quickly
that's here from Russellosi.
Speaker 5 (09:06):
Well, we always want to win. I mean, I think
that's the you know, that's our mission every time. Obviously
we didn't get to do it tonight. You know, it
was good to be in the black and gold, you know,
just to have the honor to wear the jersey and
to be out there with with with with our teammates. Man,
it's just it's a blessing for sure, you know. And
just to be in the stadium again and playing, putting
my cleats on it and getting ready to go but
(09:28):
we always want to be able to step on the
fielding on the white lines and find a way to win.
We didn't get to do that tonight.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
I know it's limited opportunities and it's just a preseason,
but would you like to see the first team offense
score more points because you have I don't think you
have in two games.
Speaker 5 (09:42):
Yeah, I mean, I think I think for us, you
know today, you know, we just stayed on schedule. I
think the biggest thing is staying on schedule. We had
too many I think we had too many third and longs,
you know, you know in the first two drives, you know,
in particular, and we did some good things on offense,
you know, but at the same time, we just got
to give ourselves the best chance possible to be successful.
(10:03):
And that's that's uh, third and shorts and third and mediums,
and we you know, we we converted you know in
one you know, one of those you know later in
the in the in the first second quarter or whatever
it was. And Van did a good job sitting over
the middle. But I think I think the best thing
we can do is it put our heads down and
keep getting to work.
Speaker 6 (10:20):
I know it may not have been obviously, danversall that
you are looking for, But for you in the first half,
were the thing that you didn't like in positives?
Speaker 5 (10:27):
Yeah, I thought I was trying to play in rhythm,
trying to get the ball out when we could, and
then and then uh, also just trying to hang in
there and the third down, like I mentioned earlier, the
van you know, those those plays, he did a good job.
GP did a really good job in his choice route.
We thought he was in on that go ball. You know, Uh,
that was a sweet catch, but you know, I thought
he'd double toe taped that one. But you know, I
(10:49):
think I think the best thing that we can do
is you know, the best part about you know, it's
in my thirteenth year, you know, and every preseason is different.
You know, it's as high, there's lows, there's you know,
you have great practices, which we have a lot of.
We've had a lot of lows. Guys have been working
their tails off every day. We had a great practice
on Thursday whenever it was So there're a lot of
(11:10):
good that goes unseen sometimes and there's some things that
we also have to fix and get right. And so
that's the diligence that we have to have. We have
a sense of urgency, you know, every week, every every
day you step into the into the building, every day
you step into the white lines. And that's what we're
gonna do.
Speaker 7 (11:27):
The biggest thing that's getting in the way right now,
it's just it's just the chemistry. And you guys have
a lot of guys on rookie contracts on the offense
and in trying to get you guys together. You think
that's the biggest impediment right now.
Speaker 5 (11:39):
No, I don't. I don't think.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (11:41):
I think the best thing we can do is just
stay on schedule. Yeah, I think that's the biggest ants.
That's football, no matter you know, if you have you know,
all vets and all you know, all rookies. I think
just think that the reality is that you got to
stay on schedule in this game, you know, And that's
that's the biggest thing. You don't want to be in
third and longs, you know, from for a good amount
of the game. So we just got to do that
better and I think we'll give ourselves a better chance.
Speaker 7 (12:02):
We said in the locker room that you got to
feel like you guys are making really good progress right now.
Do you agree with that assessment.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
From I do?
Speaker 5 (12:09):
I mean, I just, you know, the practices, the things
that we do, the extra work the guys, the amount
of time guys are spending. You know, it's I'm really
excited about this football team. I really am. I just
you know, you can't blank and I you know at
uh you know, you know, they all matter, They all matter,
They always matter. Every game matters, every time you know,
(12:30):
the balls kicked off, it matters. But also understand, you know,
to to process, to understand what we're doing really really well,
and then continue to do those things, and then the
things we're not not doing so well, let's fix them
and then and then then then you give yourselves the
best chance. But you can't run from uh, you know,
fixing the little details and and so you know work.
We're closer than we know. I think, you know, to
(12:51):
be honest with you, I think that uh, you know,
I just I really love the work ethic of the
guys that we have. You know you mentioned Pat Fryermouth.
I mean just the detail that he puts into it.
GP obviously such a special player. Calvin Van has really
risen up to the casion on love Scotty Miller. Obviously,
our backs or physicals can be you know. And I
(13:12):
think I think of our offensive line. You know, we're
young but talented, and I think that's a that's a
great thing to have. So guys have a one two
and we have that, and then obviously we have a
great defense. So I think that the best thing that
we can do is look at the film, study it.
Speaker 4 (13:25):
You know.
Speaker 5 (13:25):
I'm just grateful to you know, every time I get
to play this game. Man, there's just so much gratitude
and enjoy, you know.
Speaker 4 (13:31):
For me.
Speaker 1 (13:33):
Russell Wilson on the Irish Theaters podcast. One of the
biggest takeaways for me, Dave is obviously Wilson had that
slight injury just before training comes starting at He injured
his cough, I believe. And the biggest takeaway from me,
well eighty percent the completion we had last night. Anyway
you look at it in terms of the stots, but
he said he felt graty, felt strong, and he feels
(13:55):
like he sort of got past that injury immediately. When
you're looking at a situation when you the game in
two or three weeks time, that's what Staters Nation wants
to hear and we hope to see, you know, depending
on whether they play next week or not. You know,
a bit of movement there in terms of starting. It'll
be interesting to see what happens.
Speaker 2 (14:12):
Just on Russ as well. I've sort of been following
his Instagram stories as well. He's putting in the arts
and training ground, you can see it, and he does.
He looks he looks a lot better this year than
he did last year, you know, at the stage of
sect then a year older. So I'm really excited to
see how he goes. You know, I think there is
already talk about potentially. I mean, it just shows how
really over exaggerating sports fans are. You know, they'll see
(14:34):
thing and they'll just say, oh, we need to change it.
And I'm already seeing people saying, look, Justin Fields needs
to be the number one. I still have Russ down
as my number one going in the week one. I
think we still need to give him a chance. Albeit,
you know, Justin Fields has been impressing, but I'm liking
how he's looking so far. As I say, it's going
to take a bit of time for him to adjust
to the offense. We've got a couple of key targets
(14:56):
as well that are coming back, you know, a couple
of injuries from from the offseason as well. So I'm
just I'm ready just to see a bit, you know,
I'm ready to say that out like in competitive football,
That's what I'm ready to say. So we can just
get this week, you know, put this week in the
in the back window and the in the backside, and
I think after next week, you know, we'll know fully
(15:17):
now where we are and what we are and who knows,
you know, what what happens with you know, free agency.
You know, there's a lot of talk about that, but
we've just got a sort of knuckle down and deal
with the guys we've got.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
I will tell in terms of all that stuff, we've
seen coach Thomland talk about the need for protecting the
quarterback better and now something that's going to take time,
hopefully over the next few weeks. So we get ironed
out and fully gone there and let's see what happens.
There was a really great play in the fourth quarter
when fields had a lot of pressure, find the way
to get out of the pocket, make a run and
get a pass down the field. It'll be interesting to
(15:49):
see how that develops over time, but I think a
bottle like that is healthy. You've got a Super Bowl champion,
albeit a few years ago. Now when Russell Wilson, a
guy that is determined justin fields, is probably one of
the most motivated guys in this league in terms of
where he is right now, he's probably watching Killer Williams
in Chicago's thinking of himself. I'm as good as, if
not better than that. So I can't wait to see
(16:09):
what's gonna happen. Just before we go there, let's hear
from your guy to Herbert.
Speaker 4 (16:14):
Said one does that show that the body? Then when
coach Commins says the strength of the back is the
back because you finished off what it looked like LARRYO
and Key maybe it started.
Speaker 6 (16:23):
Yeah, I mean LARRYO got there first, and then I
was there next, and he was starting to slip out
a little, and then Keanu came over the top and
finished some Uh. So I think that's just a perfect
picture of what we are in Pittsburgh. We're striving to
be and that's collective that's aiming to do something great here.
Speaker 7 (16:40):
Technical rookie, last year, you had several different moves. You
seem like you could talk through them and think through
them a lot. What things are you able to see
now this year that you maybe didn't see the last year.
Speaker 6 (16:49):
Yeah, I think just recognizing like alignments and pre snap things, uh,
you know, stuff I wasn't keen to h last year.
And I think that just uh that's coaching and being
around guys like TJ Alex, you know, and seeing how
they go about their business and just trying to take
mental notes of that day.
Speaker 1 (17:07):
Marcus Golden was was here and that he's out already.
Speaker 7 (17:10):
I mean, how ready do you feel to step into
that role, especially knowing that there's all a kind of
experience even behind.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
You at this point.
Speaker 6 (17:16):
Yeah, I mean I think there there's never gonna be
a true time when you're like okay, like I'm ready,
Like I mean, it's when the lights come on, you
gotta show up, So you just gotta stay ready so
you don't got to get ready.
Speaker 4 (17:28):
Tomlin gave you what mister Herbig to night as you
came off the field.
Speaker 6 (17:32):
Yeah, that's probably like top five best feelings in the world,
I'd say.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
After two games. So it's the feeling from the defensive
side of how you guys an execute.
Speaker 6 (17:42):
There's a lot of lot of good stuff on tape,
a lot of stuff that we need to clean up,
you know, uh, need to be better on the on
the edges, need to be better at tackling, wrapping up,
getting the whole gang to the ball. So there's obviously
ups and downs, but not like we're we're trending.
Speaker 1 (17:59):
Good to hear from her, big deal of like every
time you hear that month speaking most of a smile
on your face.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
Yeah, of course, of course, Mac, he's he's one of
a kind already, and he's following TJ. If t J
wats footsteps. I can tell came up with a big
sack last night. I think it was maybe a bit
more motivated because he was playing a quarterback and we
sacked him probably a lot and and and and OTAs
and stuff last year. So yeah, I'm buzzing for him.
(18:26):
Hopefully it gets a bit of a bit of a
better opportunity this year. I mean, who knows, with injuries
and stuff. Injuries happen in this league, and if it does,
I know he'll definitely stop up. So yeah, it's it's
it's it's good to hear from him, And of course
I'm sure he's chomping at the bit for a week
one as well at this threat.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
And definitely a more you know, it's it's a full
on schedule in that second half as well, so I'm
sure there may be opportunities firms, So we will see
what happens there in that sense. Just before we go
the game next week, we will try and get a
podcast in the middle of the week, so to do
that as a your questions, use hashtag Steeters Ireland or
shout out to one of us in social media with
questions and we'll be sure to get the more on
that MIDWEK podcast and Saturday six o'clock Ireland Virgin Media
(19:04):
to OTB Radio head to Detroit, first away trip of
this season, final preseason game. Again it's a Lion's team.
The third game is always a bit different there and
we don't really know what to expect at this point,
come in a week beforehand. What would you like to
see generally in terms of that last game for me
is just get the reps, get everybody out healthy, and
(19:25):
then take that two weeks.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
Absolutely, get get everybody out healthy. And I said it
last week and I've said it again. That's the most
important thing of course, getting competitive snaps is good, but
we've got to get everybody out half. Hi mean, the
last thing you want is a key injury in week
three of the preseason. You're sort of thinking yourself, you know,
I don't really I don't really see many of the
stars getting much more attention to it. But yeah, I'm
(19:48):
that's what I want to see. No injuries, a bit
maybe a bit more you know, offensive creativity. You know,
Arthur Schmith, he's got two weeks now to look at
us and and hopefully drop something new, whether it comes
or not. I mean, just the offensive line maybe wasn't
including last week. Last week, I hadn't said that the
Bill's pass rush is pretty serious. So that's what I
want to say. I just want to see a bit
(20:09):
more you know, aggression maybe you know, on not offensive line.
But as I said, the main thing is no injuries,
and if we go into Week one injury free, ready
to travel to Atlanta and hopefully get the win. That's
the main thing. So that's really what I want to say.
Speaker 1 (20:24):
I love it, And please, folks, do let us know
your thoughts, your opinions on the season this preseason, and
we will get back to you ahead of the game
next week, six o'clock Saturday against the Lions. From now,
from me and
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