May 6, 2025 • 24 mins
Michael reflects on the NFL Draft and recent happenings for Steelers fans in Ireland, including the first ever Draft Party on the island of Ireland with Mark Hogan of Pro Football Ireland, as we get closer to the 2025 NFL Schedule Release.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Irish airline aer Lingus will proudly serve as the presenting
partner of Steelers Ireland twenty twenty five. Airlingus's growth in
North America continues in twenty twenty five as the airline
prepares to fly to two new US destinations, Nashville and Indianapolis,
using its new Airbus eight three twenty one xl or aircraft.
This brings the number of transatlantic routes operated by the
(00:21):
airline from Dublin, Shannon and Manchester to twenty four. Steelers
fans traveling to Ireland for the big game can enjoy
a relaxing journey when they fly with air Lingus. Air Lingus,
You're very welcome.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Hey, everybody, Welcome into the Irish Steers Podcast presented by
aer Lingus. An our week closer to the NFL season
and good to drop in just after the twenty twenty
five NFL Draft, which took place just before last week
in Green Bay, Wisconsin. A very eventful draft as always
for the Pittsburgh Steeters and it's great to chat to
use again. As of right now, we are just over
(01:02):
one week from the official schedule for the twenty twenty
five NFL season being Announcetam. We'll definitely talk about that there.
I actually have a co host today, my partner from
Profoble Ireland is joining me because I want to talk
through a couple of things that we worked on together
with the Staeters over the last couple of weeks. So
Mark Cogan, you're very welcome to make your d beyond
this podcast.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
How are you doing? Pifield?
Speaker 4 (01:23):
Hello, Michael? Do I have to treat you differently now
that we're under the Steelers banner here orsch just like
a Robow but island.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
We can still have the crack. I have to say
I love this podcast because we get the deep dive
into a team. And when we're talking about the Steelers,
let's firstly before we talk about the different names and
the different guys that we were able to draft over
the last couple of weeks. We both had the opportunity
to present or co hosts at the Steelers Draft party
presented by Erlingus, which took place in Cole Park. Hundreds
(01:52):
of fans attended the third day of the NFL Draft,
the first ever event that took place on the island
of Ireland, officially with an NFL team for the draft
Margant was good to see as a fan. First and
foremost high cool was that event in Crooker last week.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
It was really interesting, so I hope obviously people listening
were there in attendance, but I didn't actually know what
to expect going into it because it was day three
of the draft and a lot of people that are
the most passionate are going to be going to that
know that Day three in the draft is definitely you
know where swings are being taken on players unless you're
watching college. So I didn't really know what we were
going to get by going to Throw Park. And it
(02:31):
was an absolutely amazing event, Like it was so fun
and you and I were remarking it was a year
to the day that we'd traveled down to Kerry to
see Pauty Clifford make the Steelers first ever pick on
the island of Ireland, and that same day the Jags
and the Jets also made picks in Ireland. But the
Steelers then were able to back it up, and just
how far we've come in the last year that that
(02:53):
was able to happen and crow Park that you had
Bret Keyser there, the Beard, like that was the investment
from the Steelers team is class.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
It was a really really cool event and just a
big thanks to everybody that showed out.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
I thought it was really really cool.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
To see Tom McCormick as well to make the pick
from Green Bell. We had the chance to chat to Tom.
A you may have seen over the Steelers Ireland socials
over the last few days. That's Steelars big guy Cam
Heyward's been in Dublin. He was over doing his own
podcast and he also had the chance to go to
cook Park at the weekend and it was just really
(03:28):
full circle cool seeing Tom make the pick and then
meet Calm the week after. He's definitely excited to get over,
isn't he He's he's pretty excited.
Speaker 4 (03:37):
But this is the thing, like I said this on
stage and crowd park. What a time to be a
Steelers fan in Ireland because when you were started the podcast,
now it's like which direction do you want to go in? First?
Tom McCormick making a draft pick in Irish he was
an ascale get Like what I texted him shortly after
he made it, Like he said his wife was the
one that got the pronunciation right from to say it right,
(03:59):
but his son's then I actually I didn't watch Tom
on screen so much as watching his son there and
I thinking, how remarkable is that the NFL for years
seemed so far away from Ireland and now it's like
this guy has a son that I'm looking at and
Tom's on stage with Brett there and it's like even
that day, like whenever about how you were going to
(04:20):
shape this podcast, because there's so much going on that day,
I was like, what's the heighlight. Is it going to
be that people are going to meet Brett? Is it
going to be the draft pick from Crow Park? Is
it going to be Tom making the draft pick. It's like,
there was so much going on, and yeah, I just
I suppose we're so lucky that it's gone on. And
look we're burying Cam Hayward. Cam Hayward came to Dublin
completely unannounced that he just says, look, I'm doing my podcast.
(04:42):
It's like, wait, Cam Heyward's doing his podcast, or day
or Mann's in the middle of Dublin. Now I know
the time, didn't see a lot of people, and as
some people did fly out of work to try and
meet him, he was fought at various different events. Obviously
he was at that Leinster game, which somehow they throw
it around. Will need a whole Rugby podcast to go
into the art mentality now. But Cam Hayward comes there.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Well, Cam was great crack Gret Grid to meet him.
I know, we both had a chance to meet him,
and he had a chance to meet a number of people.
You're you're sitting there, but at the time three o'clock
on a Friday, twenty four hours notice Steelers Nation still
shows up, which is really really cool.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Let's say what the thing with Cam Hayward was that
I found really interested. It's like he was letting loose,
like he said on his own podcast. I'm sure a
lot of people have listened to it. It came out
on the Tuesday. Like he was saying it. He's like, look,
I am on a trip now that I can enjoy Dublin.
He said, next time I come, it's going to be
a business trip. And I think he was basically because
(05:35):
I was really shocked by his personality. I was like,
this guy is the most down to earth. No, he
just any American that you meet in Dublin that's just
enjoying themselves. That was exactly what Cam Hayward was. The
podcast was supposed to start at three o'clre o clock.
I think it was ten past or a quarter past
because he was talking to a father and so on,
just like literally for what what was that you saw
about ten minutes he was stalking to a father and so.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Very very genuine, like very red green.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
Really nice guy and just enjoying it and being himself.
He's very friendly. If you followed along on Instagram throughout
the week, he was meeting fans, left Friends Center. My
brother saw him on the street and was after missing
and he said that again the same thing. It was
just a child, not a toddler, but a young kid
or whatever. I don't know how they like. This is
the level of growth, Michael, that kids that are seven
(06:18):
or eight are able to recognize Cam Hayward now in
this country like one next flosion. The sport is that.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
It's really really cool and from sort of having the
chance to shot to him and get to know him
on on Friday, it was this week, genuine guy and
always really excited not just for the Dublin game, for
the season coming up. We're gonna talk more about the
schedule next week. And wanted to let the NFL Draft
breathe for a few days, not gonna light, flew across
the Transatlantic continent and was wrecked. Done the party great time,
(06:50):
and needed to digest the draft for a few days.
But for the Steers it was a really, really interesting shraft.
The team had seven selections in the draft, leaning heavily
overall on the defensive side of the ball. With five selections.
They started things off by getting Derek Harmon, who's a
defensive tackle from Oregon in the first round, before going
in the third round for Caleb Johnson from Iowa. It
(07:12):
was back to defense for those next two picks. Jack
Sawyer for Ohio State national champion linebacker in the fourth
round and they pick the Bret Keston med in Dublin
Yaha Black went in the fifth. In the sixth and
seventh Will hired Tom McCormick made that selection, which really
cool obviously Ohio state national champion quarterback in case you
don't watch your college football. And then wrapping things up,
(07:34):
they got two guys a Washington linebacker Carson Brunner and
Central Michigan quarterback Donte Kent. Before we talk about these picks,
we had the chance to hear from Steiers GM Omar
Khan and Staters head coach Mike Tommell about the selections
and his fault on.
Speaker 5 (07:49):
The NFL Draft. Can't say enough about how the draft
went for us. Really feel like we're a better football
team today than we were before the draft started. On Thursday,
I said we filled several needs and uh, you know,
I think the term was used a couple of days
ago about Steelers DNA, and I think when you guys
get to know these guys, you'll you'll realize that these
(08:09):
guys have Steelers DNA. But again, I think I'm excited.
Can't say nothing. I just want to send a quick
shout out to everybody that was involved, from our scouts,
our coaches, and the support staff here, because there's a
lot goes into this and things went really well for
us this weekend and that's a credit to them and
everything they do for us.
Speaker 6 (08:29):
Biken look like a big emphasis on the fixing the
defensive front and some getting some big body guys including
Sawyer on yet.
Speaker 7 (08:36):
Yeah, I would certainly agree with that, but it goes
beyond the defensive front. We wanted to retool physicality in
all areas, and including in that discussion is the use
of the second round pick to acquire DK Metcalf. Although
he's a receiver, I think he fits the bill in
terms of uh physicality and size, and so that definitely
was an agenda of ours this weekend.
Speaker 6 (08:58):
When did you really starts to like Will Howard and
what do you show you down to stretch.
Speaker 8 (09:02):
In the playoffs?
Speaker 7 (09:03):
I think, like a lot of people, how he responded
to that adversity at the end of their regular season
and and the leadership and playmaking that he displayed throughout
the playoffs was really attractive. And it's really what the
NFL football is about. There's gonna be some adversity. How
you respond to it defines you and your football team,
(09:25):
particularly from the quarterback position.
Speaker 5 (09:28):
About the way Jack Sawyer responded to that as well,
being kind of the heartbeat of that team, I guess,
and the.
Speaker 7 (09:34):
Leader at love Jack Sawyer. It's easy to love not
only in terms of his resume, but his relationship with
the game, his approach to football business, how he is
viewed and received by his teammates. As Omar mentioned, a
lot of these guys represent Steller DNA, and I think
that's really indicative of of Jack Sawyer. Like I'm sorry
(10:00):
or you know, great story obviously for he and his family.
But as I told him when we had him on
the phone, we're on the phone with him because of
the merits of his resume and the things that he
did at you Dub. You know, over one hundred tackles
this year as a start inside linebacker, displaying great instincts,
(10:21):
and in twenty two and twenty three he had double
digit special teams tackles for his football team, and so
it is a worthy resume. It's just an awesome side note.
You know that his father is a Steeler and got
drafted by his organization I think thirty thirty years ago. Well, well,
the other.
Speaker 6 (10:38):
Player that is, like Sawyer where outside linebacker was not
a desperate need for you, but you felt like he
was a really good player for the slot. How do
you balance those things and where you decide it's okay
to pull the trigger on a guy who you think
is talented even if it's not a huge need.
Speaker 5 (10:54):
Yet I think you said, you know, based on how
we had him graded, and we spent a lot of
time with him. Uh, he he just you know, he
fits here, and it's just it made sense. But we
had a really good grade on him, and it was
hard to pass up at that point some.
Speaker 6 (11:08):
Significant free agent assets towards the secondary went back to
the secondary Lake with Can from Central Michigan. How's he
been into your mix?
Speaker 8 (11:18):
And how do you feel about the depth that I
was second corner?
Speaker 7 (11:21):
You know, he has a Swiss Army knife skill set.
He's capable of playing inside and out. He also added
to his resume this year by proving to be a
very capable punt returner. And I think that's you know,
things that are attractive to you later in the draft
of guy that that has versatility in his game, and
(11:43):
so we're excited about putting him in the mix.
Speaker 6 (11:46):
Big ten products.
Speaker 8 (11:48):
What is it about the brand of football that they play,
the style that fits with this organization.
Speaker 7 (11:53):
I don't know if that was an agenda. I just
think that there's a lot of teams in a Big
ten now, just like there's a lot of teams in
the SEC. I mean, how many teams are there in
the Big Ten? So that's that's probably the you know,
the safe assumption there.
Speaker 6 (12:08):
How does Caleb Johnson say, with what you want to
do your heart?
Speaker 7 (12:12):
You know, just like I was talking about a physicality
and big man agenda. This is a high volume, capable
runner who was the center of his offense a lot
of NFL or Sunday like runs, if you will, meaning
he did it from the home position or the pistol
position into a lot of loaded boxes. It wasn't a
(12:33):
lot of guess work or Saturday like holes on his tape.
And that made the evaluation of fun one and the
projecting an easy one.
Speaker 8 (12:42):
I was thinking with just running back, you have a
couple five eight five nine guys in Jalen Warren and
Kenny Gainwell. Was his size six' one two hundred twenty
five pounds something that you want to round out that
room in a certain.
Speaker 7 (12:54):
Way less concerned about the measurables and really more concerned,
about you, know the play style or. Resume and certainly
he's a guy that's capable of high volume.
Speaker 8 (13:03):
Carries STEELER Da.
Speaker 5 (13:08):
You, KNOW i remember WHEN i got this, JOB i
talked about what it means to be a, steeler and you,
KNOW i could be up here for three days talking about.
IT i think when you're in this for as long
as we, are you just sort of. Know and that's
why the process of getting out there and getting to
know the guys is so important. Us you, know we
spend a lot of time on the, road at the
cut we, meet we spend a lot of time meeting
(13:28):
with guys at the, combine and, uh it goes more than.
There it's. More it's just it's more than just about
who they are as a. Player it's who they are
as a person. Too and you, know we we get
in on the road and bringing them here and the.
Combine it's just you just sort of know when you're
in this, right. COACH i, mean you just sort of.
Know you get a feel for those, guys and you,
know there's there's times we leave these dinners or these
(13:50):
meetings we're like you not not, sure but there's sometimes
when you're like that, guy he's he's one of.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
Us great to hear From Wimar khan on the Iris.
Speaker 2 (13:59):
Cate this podcast presented By Erlingus michael, mcgraid joined this
week by my co host Of Cook park In, Dublin Mark.
Cogan mark a strong draft for The steelers in the
sense of, probably AND i mean it's in a good.
Way the Most steelers, picks the Most Tomlin can, picks
we could. Get i'm really. Excited i'm pump up because
we're going to see a lot of these guys on
(14:20):
the field In dublin liter on this, year including that
sort of historic picking cook Park Yaha black in the fifth.
Front what was your fault in the draft overall in
terms of A Pittsburgh steelers.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
Perspective, yes so you obviously ran through the names before
we heard that clip, there and it was that you're
kind of forgetting that the second round pick FOR Dk
metcalf also can't be forgotten, about like you, know that's
a serious investment because that's been obviously slanted as it's
been so very. Defensive but add that, IN i think
it's a superstar draft because and like there was a
(14:53):
level of excitement When Derek carmon was there because a
lot and this is not blown, small like, genuinely going
into the, draft a lot of those analysts THAT i
would respect were saying that this is our favorite. Player
now there obviously is some issues with wave and stuff
like this THAT i don't know about to be perfect on,
it it's, like, oh there's the fluctuation. There it's like
(15:14):
those are on. Paper this guy is obviously fantastic and
it is that it's the natural, successor it seems To Cam.
Hayward so while they can have them on the field
right now together or even in a complementary, role it's
going to be beep. Up Because Mike commlin came out
and said straight away after that pick was called, in he,
said we needed to beef up the, line so we
were going and attacking a straight. Away but then it
was the obviously second round pick has been right away
(15:36):
for KM, maaca their third round pick For Caleb. Johnson
it was something THAT i said on the stage that.
Day so what he last? YEAR i think it was
over fourteen hundred yards and twenty one touchdowns on the
ground that he had in.
Speaker 3 (15:47):
College but then he.
Speaker 4 (15:49):
Is again when you're talking about, That they've just Lost
Nagie harris in free agency this. Year The, steelers over
the last number of, years it went From Leveon, Bell
Leveon bell, Goes, okay what are we want to. Do
we're gonna Go James. Connor James connor goes where we've
all Got Maggie. Harris, now it's like there's constant succession
there for the staters the last number of years that
you certainly able to trust. Them they know what they're
doing at the running back, position but it definitely helps
(16:11):
and he then is one of the first guys off the,
board you, Know.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
Yeah a guy like you sort of Mentioned nagi going.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
Out there are a lot of questions from guys even
before and during the draft party In dublin talking to
us And austin who we'd like to see go in
and go off the board for The staters in the.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
Draft to see a guy.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
That's done so much In iowa as so much in
a short college career obviously is exciting to. See thirty
five games started twenty two for The hawk, guys five
hundred and carries for nearly three thousand, yards thirty Touchdowns
for anybody who'm not sure about college football as a
pretty good dividend over such a short amount of. Time
(16:47):
twelve one hundred plus yard rushing. Games that's sixth in
the school's, history which makes me think when you get
to THESE Afc north, games he's, deep hard in the
trenches games on A thursday night In. Cleveland there In,
baltimore you got to run the. Ball this is the
guy that we can look at line MAYBE rb two
that's going to come in a lot of potential there
and he needs to have that time to obviously learn
(17:09):
and develop. More but certainly he's a guy there that's
going to make a. Difference, said do you like The
Will hard? PICK i think he can pick going.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
Forward The Will heard pick was massive Because Breck kezer
said afterwards you on stage that he wanted to call
In Will howard because that's where they wanted to. Go
but did you see the reaction from them as the
pick came. In there was A steelers contingent that was
over With brett and they they went.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
And they were all to the side watching, it like
literally watching it live as.
Speaker 4 (17:41):
They went absolutely nuts for. Him, look you're you, know
your college so fair than. Me and while there's no
point me, preaching but it seems like it was a
very popular. Pick Senior nation online is certainly happy with.
It SO i, MEAN i can only agree with them
BECAUSE i did not watch him in, college So i'm
not going to pretend THAT i. Did it seemed like
and it's it's it's definitely very.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
Interesting OBVIOUSLY i haven't miss And rudolph in there at the,
moment and he obviously has the experience behind. Him it
was interesting to see him go towards the end of
the draft and get a guy in Will hired who
for people listening and they don't have a college background national,
Champion they Played Notre dame in The College Football National
championship In, january and if anyone watched that, game the
wind That Notre dame came out and the fight and
(18:18):
iris came out at the start of that. Game they
had them down the stretch on the first couple of,
drives and Will hired came out and had one of
the performances of his, career had.
Speaker 3 (18:27):
A very good running.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Game to be fair to them now to rely on
In Ohio state for the buck, guys but he actually
started his career in college at a team that is
heading To dublin this year In Kansas, state and when
he was playing for The wildcats he won A Big
twelve title in twenty twenty, two but then going To
Ohio state was able to win it. All AND i
think when you hear Conversations mark ofv you see the
(18:53):
response and you see his reaction to being drafted on The,
saturday the fact that he's ringing THE uc and asking for.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
The playbo immediately and not on The.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
MONDAY i think sums up this sort of guy that
The steelers are going to get. Here he's going to
be a guy that's, motivated he's going to want to work,
hard and he's going to want to do his best
for the.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
Team, look, look really really strong. Draft.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Interesting now over the next few, weeks maybe pick these
guys apart and see By bett in terms of where
they're going to hoping the chat To Brett keesl over
the next few days as well for The Irish hitters.
Podcast he was absolutely fantastic In dublin as. Well, brilliant,
brindiant Crack mark if you had to give this a
draft class agreed before we get out of, here.
Speaker 4 (19:36):
Because, okay because you point me on the, spot just
Like cam he would put you on the spot when
you were on stage of them there In. Dublin and
it's like this is the balancing act because AGAIN i
don't want TO i don't want to pick the listener as,
though like, that this is the whole thing with the.
Draft it's all. Projections like you can like say the
(19:59):
forty nine or for, instance they or, look there's so
many things that could go through that they get a
player that might be considered a. Reacher, OTHERWISE i think
that The steelers are well able to, draft SO i
think that they're going to be well able to look
after their. Players so like If Derek carmon goes to different,
LIKE i think that they can get the best out
Of Derek. Carmenon he was supposed to be a stored
(20:19):
but he needs to go to the right team as.
Well don't think The Printzburgh. Steelers so it's, like as a,
RESULT i think The, Steelers i'm always going to give
them a high grade BECAUSE i trust the draft. Process
if that makes sense to. You this whole thing about
if you, look the easiest thing is to give AN
a or A. B and that's what every single whenever
you want to call them draft gurus. Did they give
everything single team AN a or A. B. Do just
(20:41):
keep people, Happy that's all it can. Be like in
terms of the grading, Process i've no idea like because
LIKE i, said, YAH i can go with your day
one and day two, picks but when it comes to
day three where that's where you're really looking for a. Start,
there the Well herd pick was extremely exciting and help
works out for. THEM i think it was very smart
BUT i Mean hill might have what that pick.
Speaker 2 (21:01):
WAS i was gonna call It irish Mal, kuiper BUT i.
Won't just rounding, up we have good jersey numbers right.
Now Derek harmon is gonna wear ninety. Nine Calib johnson
is gonna wear, Twenty Jack sawyer thirty. Three Jaha, black
who apparently set the record of sacks in his high school's,
History he's gonna go with seventy. Eighth the guy that
was announced From, Dublin Will hoard is gonna wear Eighteen
(21:23):
Carton briner forty. Four don'te kent thirty. Four let us
know your False let us know your, opinions not just
on The steeters draft over the last few, days but
also let us know if the schedule being released next,
week who would you like to see the.
Speaker 3 (21:38):
Students play In.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
Dublin you can get in touch of us using the
Hashtag Steeters ireland or connect on, X instagram or tech.
Speaker 3 (21:45):
Talk.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
Mark thank you very much for your help and your time.
Speaker 3 (21:48):
Today look forward.
Speaker 4 (21:49):
To it might be worth running. Down it might be
worth running down who those potential opponents could. Be, Like
i'm a vetabule up for you because it is go
for and. Play they can play In, dublin be The
baltimore raven, c The Cincinnati, bengals or The Cleveland. Brains
they're obviously THE Afc north. Opponents in The, seast they
could play The Buffalo bills Or Miami dolphins in THE Nfc,
North Green Bay, Packers Minnesota, vikings and they also could
(22:12):
play The Indianapolis colts Or Seattle. Seahawks there is not
a bad opponent to be picked between them with. Scenes so,
yeah it's extremely.
Speaker 3 (22:20):
So time will tell who it.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
Is looking forward the right, now the official announcement of
THE nfl schedule is later in the Evening eastern time
On may the, fourteenth that's Next. WEDNESDAY i believe we
may or may not here. Beforehand, again AS, tbc we
will HEAR i will.
Speaker 4 (22:37):
In the last number of. Years you can keep your
eyes peeled from it because they normally announced the international
maybe on The, monday, say just to get a bit of.
Excitement then they'll maybe on The, tuesday say which the
opening game is going to, be and then the whole
slade Of seders games pay attention on The. Wednesday let's.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
SEE i think right, now if you're like me and you're.
Prudent let's with the Next wednesday and see if look
if we Here, allathan do check out our, socials but
do you check Out Steeter's ireland for more when that
game is going to be, allianced because know a lot
of people are interested. In for, now for myself From,
mark thank you very much for we will.
Speaker 1 (23:08):
Chatisi Irish Airline aerlingus will proudly serve as the presenting
(23:35):
partner Of Steelers ireland twenty twenty. Five airlinus'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 airline From, Dublin shannon And manchester to twenty. Four
(23:56):
steelers fans traveling To ireland for the Big game can
enjoy our taxing journey when they fly with Their lingus Aer,
lingus you're very.
Speaker 3 (24:04):
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.
This brings the number of transatlantic routes operated by the
(00:21):
airline from Dublin, Shannon and Manchester to twenty four. Steelers
fans traveling to Ireland for the big game can enjoy
a relaxing journey when they fly with air Lingus. Air Lingus,
You're very welcome.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Hey, everybody, Welcome into the Irish Steers Podcast presented by
aer Lingus. An our week closer to the NFL season
and good to drop in just after the twenty twenty
five NFL Draft, which took place just before last week
in Green Bay, Wisconsin. A very eventful draft as always
for the Pittsburgh Steeters and it's great to chat to
use again. As of right now, we are just over
(01:02):
one week from the official schedule for the twenty twenty
five NFL season being Announcetam. We'll definitely talk about that there.
I actually have a co host today, my partner from
Profoble Ireland is joining me because I want to talk
through a couple of things that we worked on together
with the Staeters over the last couple of weeks. So
Mark Cogan, you're very welcome to make your d beyond
this podcast.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
How are you doing? Pifield?
Speaker 4 (01:23):
Hello, Michael? Do I have to treat you differently now
that we're under the Steelers banner here orsch just like
a Robow but island.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
We can still have the crack. I have to say
I love this podcast because we get the deep dive
into a team. And when we're talking about the Steelers,
let's firstly before we talk about the different names and
the different guys that we were able to draft over
the last couple of weeks. We both had the opportunity
to present or co hosts at the Steelers Draft party
presented by Erlingus, which took place in Cole Park. Hundreds
(01:52):
of fans attended the third day of the NFL Draft,
the first ever event that took place on the island
of Ireland, officially with an NFL team for the draft
Margant was good to see as a fan. First and
foremost high cool was that event in Crooker last week.
Speaker 4 (02:09):
It was really interesting, so I hope obviously people listening
were there in attendance, but I didn't actually know what
to expect going into it because it was day three
of the draft and a lot of people that are
the most passionate are going to be going to that
know that Day three in the draft is definitely you
know where swings are being taken on players unless you're
watching college. So I didn't really know what we were
going to get by going to Throw Park. And it
(02:31):
was an absolutely amazing event, Like it was so fun
and you and I were remarking it was a year
to the day that we'd traveled down to Kerry to
see Pauty Clifford make the Steelers first ever pick on
the island of Ireland, and that same day the Jags
and the Jets also made picks in Ireland. But the
Steelers then were able to back it up, and just
how far we've come in the last year that that
(02:53):
was able to happen and crow Park that you had
Bret Keyser there, the Beard, like that was the investment
from the Steelers team is class.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
It was a really really cool event and just a
big thanks to everybody that showed out.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
I thought it was really really cool.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
To see Tom McCormick as well to make the pick
from Green Bell. We had the chance to chat to Tom.
A you may have seen over the Steelers Ireland socials
over the last few days. That's Steelars big guy Cam
Heyward's been in Dublin. He was over doing his own
podcast and he also had the chance to go to
cook Park at the weekend and it was just really
(03:28):
full circle cool seeing Tom make the pick and then
meet Calm the week after. He's definitely excited to get over,
isn't he He's he's pretty excited.
Speaker 4 (03:37):
But this is the thing, like I said this on
stage and crowd park. What a time to be a
Steelers fan in Ireland because when you were started the podcast,
now it's like which direction do you want to go in? First?
Tom McCormick making a draft pick in Irish he was
an ascale get Like what I texted him shortly after
he made it, Like he said his wife was the
one that got the pronunciation right from to say it right,
(03:59):
but his son's then I actually I didn't watch Tom
on screen so much as watching his son there and
I thinking, how remarkable is that the NFL for years
seemed so far away from Ireland and now it's like
this guy has a son that I'm looking at and
Tom's on stage with Brett there and it's like even
that day, like whenever about how you were going to
(04:20):
shape this podcast, because there's so much going on that day,
I was like, what's the heighlight. Is it going to
be that people are going to meet Brett? Is it
going to be the draft pick from Crow Park? Is
it going to be Tom making the draft pick. It's like,
there was so much going on, and yeah, I just
I suppose we're so lucky that it's gone on. And
look we're burying Cam Hayward. Cam Hayward came to Dublin
completely unannounced that he just says, look, I'm doing my podcast.
(04:42):
It's like, wait, Cam Heyward's doing his podcast, or day
or Mann's in the middle of Dublin. Now I know
the time, didn't see a lot of people, and as
some people did fly out of work to try and
meet him, he was fought at various different events. Obviously
he was at that Leinster game, which somehow they throw
it around. Will need a whole Rugby podcast to go
into the art mentality now. But Cam Hayward comes there.
Speaker 2 (05:00):
Well, Cam was great crack Gret Grid to meet him.
I know, we both had a chance to meet him,
and he had a chance to meet a number of people.
You're you're sitting there, but at the time three o'clock
on a Friday, twenty four hours notice Steelers Nation still
shows up, which is really really cool.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Let's say what the thing with Cam Hayward was that
I found really interested. It's like he was letting loose,
like he said on his own podcast. I'm sure a
lot of people have listened to it. It came out
on the Tuesday. Like he was saying it. He's like, look,
I am on a trip now that I can enjoy Dublin.
He said, next time I come, it's going to be
a business trip. And I think he was basically because
(05:35):
I was really shocked by his personality. I was like,
this guy is the most down to earth. No, he
just any American that you meet in Dublin that's just
enjoying themselves. That was exactly what Cam Hayward was. The
podcast was supposed to start at three o'clre o clock.
I think it was ten past or a quarter past
because he was talking to a father and so on,
just like literally for what what was that you saw
about ten minutes he was stalking to a father and so.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Very very genuine, like very red green.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
Really nice guy and just enjoying it and being himself.
He's very friendly. If you followed along on Instagram throughout
the week, he was meeting fans, left Friends Center. My
brother saw him on the street and was after missing
and he said that again the same thing. It was
just a child, not a toddler, but a young kid
or whatever. I don't know how they like. This is
the level of growth, Michael, that kids that are seven
(06:18):
or eight are able to recognize Cam Hayward now in
this country like one next flosion. The sport is that.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
It's really really cool and from sort of having the
chance to shot to him and get to know him
on on Friday, it was this week, genuine guy and
always really excited not just for the Dublin game, for
the season coming up. We're gonna talk more about the
schedule next week. And wanted to let the NFL Draft
breathe for a few days, not gonna light, flew across
the Transatlantic continent and was wrecked. Done the party great time,
(06:50):
and needed to digest the draft for a few days.
But for the Steers it was a really, really interesting shraft.
The team had seven selections in the draft, leaning heavily
overall on the defensive side of the ball. With five selections.
They started things off by getting Derek Harmon, who's a
defensive tackle from Oregon in the first round, before going
in the third round for Caleb Johnson from Iowa. It
(07:12):
was back to defense for those next two picks. Jack
Sawyer for Ohio State national champion linebacker in the fourth
round and they pick the Bret Keston med in Dublin
Yaha Black went in the fifth. In the sixth and
seventh Will hired Tom McCormick made that selection, which really
cool obviously Ohio state national champion quarterback in case you
don't watch your college football. And then wrapping things up,
(07:34):
they got two guys a Washington linebacker Carson Brunner and
Central Michigan quarterback Donte Kent. Before we talk about these picks,
we had the chance to hear from Steiers GM Omar
Khan and Staters head coach Mike Tommell about the selections
and his fault on.
Speaker 5 (07:49):
The NFL Draft. Can't say enough about how the draft
went for us. Really feel like we're a better football
team today than we were before the draft started. On Thursday,
I said we filled several needs and uh, you know,
I think the term was used a couple of days
ago about Steelers DNA, and I think when you guys
get to know these guys, you'll you'll realize that these
(08:09):
guys have Steelers DNA. But again, I think I'm excited.
Can't say nothing. I just want to send a quick
shout out to everybody that was involved, from our scouts,
our coaches, and the support staff here, because there's a
lot goes into this and things went really well for
us this weekend and that's a credit to them and
everything they do for us.
Speaker 6 (08:29):
Biken look like a big emphasis on the fixing the
defensive front and some getting some big body guys including
Sawyer on yet.
Speaker 7 (08:36):
Yeah, I would certainly agree with that, but it goes
beyond the defensive front. We wanted to retool physicality in
all areas, and including in that discussion is the use
of the second round pick to acquire DK Metcalf. Although
he's a receiver, I think he fits the bill in
terms of uh physicality and size, and so that definitely
was an agenda of ours this weekend.
Speaker 6 (08:58):
When did you really starts to like Will Howard and
what do you show you down to stretch.
Speaker 8 (09:02):
In the playoffs?
Speaker 7 (09:03):
I think, like a lot of people, how he responded
to that adversity at the end of their regular season
and and the leadership and playmaking that he displayed throughout
the playoffs was really attractive. And it's really what the
NFL football is about. There's gonna be some adversity. How
you respond to it defines you and your football team,
(09:25):
particularly from the quarterback position.
Speaker 5 (09:28):
About the way Jack Sawyer responded to that as well,
being kind of the heartbeat of that team, I guess,
and the.
Speaker 7 (09:34):
Leader at love Jack Sawyer. It's easy to love not
only in terms of his resume, but his relationship with
the game, his approach to football business, how he is
viewed and received by his teammates. As Omar mentioned, a
lot of these guys represent Steller DNA, and I think
that's really indicative of of Jack Sawyer. Like I'm sorry
(10:00):
or you know, great story obviously for he and his family.
But as I told him when we had him on
the phone, we're on the phone with him because of
the merits of his resume and the things that he
did at you Dub. You know, over one hundred tackles
this year as a start inside linebacker, displaying great instincts,
(10:21):
and in twenty two and twenty three he had double
digit special teams tackles for his football team, and so
it is a worthy resume. It's just an awesome side note.
You know that his father is a Steeler and got
drafted by his organization I think thirty thirty years ago. Well, well,
the other.
Speaker 6 (10:38):
Player that is, like Sawyer where outside linebacker was not
a desperate need for you, but you felt like he
was a really good player for the slot. How do
you balance those things and where you decide it's okay
to pull the trigger on a guy who you think
is talented even if it's not a huge need.
Speaker 5 (10:54):
Yet I think you said, you know, based on how
we had him graded, and we spent a lot of
time with him. Uh, he he just you know, he
fits here, and it's just it made sense. But we
had a really good grade on him, and it was
hard to pass up at that point some.
Speaker 6 (11:08):
Significant free agent assets towards the secondary went back to
the secondary Lake with Can from Central Michigan. How's he
been into your mix?
Speaker 8 (11:18):
And how do you feel about the depth that I
was second corner?
Speaker 7 (11:21):
You know, he has a Swiss Army knife skill set.
He's capable of playing inside and out. He also added
to his resume this year by proving to be a
very capable punt returner. And I think that's you know,
things that are attractive to you later in the draft
of guy that that has versatility in his game, and
(11:43):
so we're excited about putting him in the mix.
Speaker 6 (11:46):
Big ten products.
Speaker 8 (11:48):
What is it about the brand of football that they play,
the style that fits with this organization.
Speaker 7 (11:53):
I don't know if that was an agenda. I just
think that there's a lot of teams in a Big
ten now, just like there's a lot of teams in
the SEC. I mean, how many teams are there in
the Big Ten? So that's that's probably the you know,
the safe assumption there.
Speaker 6 (12:08):
How does Caleb Johnson say, with what you want to
do your heart?
Speaker 7 (12:12):
You know, just like I was talking about a physicality
and big man agenda. This is a high volume, capable
runner who was the center of his offense a lot
of NFL or Sunday like runs, if you will, meaning
he did it from the home position or the pistol
position into a lot of loaded boxes. It wasn't a
(12:33):
lot of guess work or Saturday like holes on his tape.
And that made the evaluation of fun one and the
projecting an easy one.
Speaker 8 (12:42):
I was thinking with just running back, you have a
couple five eight five nine guys in Jalen Warren and
Kenny Gainwell. Was his size six' one two hundred twenty
five pounds something that you want to round out that
room in a certain.
Speaker 7 (12:54):
Way less concerned about the measurables and really more concerned,
about you, know the play style or. Resume and certainly
he's a guy that's capable of high volume.
Speaker 8 (13:03):
Carries STEELER Da.
Speaker 5 (13:08):
You, KNOW i remember WHEN i got this, JOB i
talked about what it means to be a, steeler and you,
KNOW i could be up here for three days talking about.
IT i think when you're in this for as long
as we, are you just sort of. Know and that's
why the process of getting out there and getting to
know the guys is so important. Us you, know we
spend a lot of time on the, road at the
cut we, meet we spend a lot of time meeting
(13:28):
with guys at the, combine and, uh it goes more than.
There it's. More it's just it's more than just about
who they are as a. Player it's who they are
as a person. Too and you, know we we get
in on the road and bringing them here and the.
Combine it's just you just sort of know when you're
in this, right. COACH i, mean you just sort of.
Know you get a feel for those, guys and you,
know there's there's times we leave these dinners or these
(13:50):
meetings we're like you not not, sure but there's sometimes
when you're like that, guy he's he's one of.
Speaker 3 (13:56):
Us great to hear From Wimar khan on the Iris.
Speaker 2 (13:59):
Cate this podcast presented By Erlingus michael, mcgraid joined this
week by my co host Of Cook park In, Dublin Mark.
Cogan mark a strong draft for The steelers in the
sense of, probably AND i mean it's in a good.
Way the Most steelers, picks the Most Tomlin can, picks
we could. Get i'm really. Excited i'm pump up because
we're going to see a lot of these guys on
(14:20):
the field In dublin liter on this, year including that
sort of historic picking cook Park Yaha black in the fifth.
Front what was your fault in the draft overall in
terms of A Pittsburgh steelers.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
Perspective, yes so you obviously ran through the names before
we heard that clip, there and it was that you're
kind of forgetting that the second round pick FOR Dk
metcalf also can't be forgotten, about like you, know that's
a serious investment because that's been obviously slanted as it's
been so very. Defensive but add that, IN i think
it's a superstar draft because and like there was a
(14:53):
level of excitement When Derek carmon was there because a
lot and this is not blown, small like, genuinely going
into the, draft a lot of those analysts THAT i
would respect were saying that this is our favorite. Player
now there obviously is some issues with wave and stuff
like this THAT i don't know about to be perfect on,
it it's, like, oh there's the fluctuation. There it's like
(15:14):
those are on. Paper this guy is obviously fantastic and
it is that it's the natural, successor it seems To Cam.
Hayward so while they can have them on the field
right now together or even in a complementary, role it's
going to be beep. Up Because Mike commlin came out
and said straight away after that pick was called, in he,
said we needed to beef up the, line so we
were going and attacking a straight. Away but then it
was the obviously second round pick has been right away
(15:36):
for KM, maaca their third round pick For Caleb. Johnson
it was something THAT i said on the stage that.
Day so what he last? YEAR i think it was
over fourteen hundred yards and twenty one touchdowns on the
ground that he had in.
Speaker 3 (15:47):
College but then he.
Speaker 4 (15:49):
Is again when you're talking about, That they've just Lost
Nagie harris in free agency this. Year The, steelers over
the last number of, years it went From Leveon, Bell
Leveon bell, Goes, okay what are we want to. Do
we're gonna Go James. Connor James connor goes where we've
all Got Maggie. Harris, now it's like there's constant succession
there for the staters the last number of years that
you certainly able to trust. Them they know what they're
doing at the running back, position but it definitely helps
(16:11):
and he then is one of the first guys off the,
board you, Know.
Speaker 3 (16:14):
Yeah a guy like you sort of Mentioned nagi going.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
Out there are a lot of questions from guys even
before and during the draft party In dublin talking to
us And austin who we'd like to see go in
and go off the board for The staters in the.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
Draft to see a guy.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
That's done so much In iowa as so much in
a short college career obviously is exciting to. See thirty
five games started twenty two for The hawk, guys five
hundred and carries for nearly three thousand, yards thirty Touchdowns
for anybody who'm not sure about college football as a
pretty good dividend over such a short amount of. Time
(16:47):
twelve one hundred plus yard rushing. Games that's sixth in
the school's, history which makes me think when you get
to THESE Afc north, games he's, deep hard in the
trenches games on A thursday night In. Cleveland there In,
baltimore you got to run the. Ball this is the
guy that we can look at line MAYBE rb two
that's going to come in a lot of potential there
and he needs to have that time to obviously learn
(17:09):
and develop. More but certainly he's a guy there that's
going to make a. Difference, said do you like The
Will hard? PICK i think he can pick going.
Speaker 4 (17:16):
Forward The Will heard pick was massive Because Breck kezer
said afterwards you on stage that he wanted to call
In Will howard because that's where they wanted to. Go
but did you see the reaction from them as the
pick came. In there was A steelers contingent that was
over With brett and they they went.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
And they were all to the side watching, it like
literally watching it live as.
Speaker 4 (17:41):
They went absolutely nuts for. Him, look you're you, know
your college so fair than. Me and while there's no
point me, preaching but it seems like it was a
very popular. Pick Senior nation online is certainly happy with.
It SO i, MEAN i can only agree with them
BECAUSE i did not watch him in, college So i'm
not going to pretend THAT i. Did it seemed like
and it's it's it's definitely very.
Speaker 2 (17:58):
Interesting OBVIOUSLY i haven't miss And rudolph in there at the,
moment and he obviously has the experience behind. Him it
was interesting to see him go towards the end of
the draft and get a guy in Will hired who
for people listening and they don't have a college background national,
Champion they Played Notre dame in The College Football National
championship In, january and if anyone watched that, game the
wind That Notre dame came out and the fight and
(18:18):
iris came out at the start of that. Game they
had them down the stretch on the first couple of,
drives and Will hired came out and had one of
the performances of his, career had.
Speaker 3 (18:27):
A very good running.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Game to be fair to them now to rely on
In Ohio state for the buck, guys but he actually
started his career in college at a team that is
heading To dublin this year In Kansas, state and when
he was playing for The wildcats he won A Big
twelve title in twenty twenty, two but then going To
Ohio state was able to win it. All AND i
think when you hear Conversations mark ofv you see the
(18:53):
response and you see his reaction to being drafted on The,
saturday the fact that he's ringing THE uc and asking for.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
The playbo immediately and not on The.
Speaker 2 (19:01):
MONDAY i think sums up this sort of guy that
The steelers are going to get. Here he's going to
be a guy that's, motivated he's going to want to work,
hard and he's going to want to do his best
for the.
Speaker 3 (19:09):
Team, look, look really really strong. Draft.
Speaker 2 (19:12):
Interesting now over the next few, weeks maybe pick these
guys apart and see By bett in terms of where
they're going to hoping the chat To Brett keesl over
the next few days as well for The Irish hitters.
Podcast he was absolutely fantastic In dublin as. Well, brilliant,
brindiant Crack mark if you had to give this a
draft class agreed before we get out of, here.
Speaker 4 (19:36):
Because, okay because you point me on the, spot just
Like cam he would put you on the spot when
you were on stage of them there In. Dublin and
it's like this is the balancing act because AGAIN i
don't want TO i don't want to pick the listener as,
though like, that this is the whole thing with the.
Draft it's all. Projections like you can like say the
(19:59):
forty nine or for, instance they or, look there's so
many things that could go through that they get a
player that might be considered a. Reacher, OTHERWISE i think
that The steelers are well able to, draft SO i
think that they're going to be well able to look
after their. Players so like If Derek carmon goes to different,
LIKE i think that they can get the best out
Of Derek. Carmenon he was supposed to be a stored
(20:19):
but he needs to go to the right team as.
Well don't think The Printzburgh. Steelers so it's, like as a,
RESULT i think The, Steelers i'm always going to give
them a high grade BECAUSE i trust the draft. Process
if that makes sense to. You this whole thing about
if you, look the easiest thing is to give AN
a or A. B and that's what every single whenever
you want to call them draft gurus. Did they give
everything single team AN a or A. B. Do just
(20:41):
keep people, Happy that's all it can. Be like in
terms of the grading, Process i've no idea like because
LIKE i, said, YAH i can go with your day
one and day two, picks but when it comes to
day three where that's where you're really looking for a. Start,
there the Well herd pick was extremely exciting and help
works out for. THEM i think it was very smart
BUT i Mean hill might have what that pick.
Speaker 2 (21:01):
WAS i was gonna call It irish Mal, kuiper BUT i.
Won't just rounding, up we have good jersey numbers right.
Now Derek harmon is gonna wear ninety. Nine Calib johnson
is gonna wear, Twenty Jack sawyer thirty. Three Jaha, black
who apparently set the record of sacks in his high school's,
History he's gonna go with seventy. Eighth the guy that
was announced From, Dublin Will hoard is gonna wear Eighteen
(21:23):
Carton briner forty. Four don'te kent thirty. Four let us
know your False let us know your, opinions not just
on The steeters draft over the last few, days but
also let us know if the schedule being released next,
week who would you like to see the.
Speaker 3 (21:38):
Students play In.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
Dublin you can get in touch of us using the
Hashtag Steeters ireland or connect on, X instagram or tech.
Speaker 3 (21:45):
Talk.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
Mark thank you very much for your help and your time.
Speaker 3 (21:48):
Today look forward.
Speaker 4 (21:49):
To it might be worth running. Down it might be
worth running down who those potential opponents could. Be, Like
i'm a vetabule up for you because it is go
for and. Play they can play In, dublin be The
baltimore raven, c The Cincinnati, bengals or The Cleveland. Brains
they're obviously THE Afc north. Opponents in The, seast they
could play The Buffalo bills Or Miami dolphins in THE Nfc,
North Green Bay, Packers Minnesota, vikings and they also could
(22:12):
play The Indianapolis colts Or Seattle. Seahawks there is not
a bad opponent to be picked between them with. Scenes so,
yeah it's extremely.
Speaker 3 (22:20):
So time will tell who it.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
Is looking forward the right, now the official announcement of
THE nfl schedule is later in the Evening eastern time
On may the, fourteenth that's Next. WEDNESDAY i believe we
may or may not here. Beforehand, again AS, tbc we
will HEAR i will.
Speaker 4 (22:37):
In the last number of. Years you can keep your
eyes peeled from it because they normally announced the international
maybe on The, monday, say just to get a bit of.
Excitement then they'll maybe on The, tuesday say which the
opening game is going to, be and then the whole
slade Of seders games pay attention on The. Wednesday let's.
Speaker 2 (22:53):
SEE i think right, now if you're like me and you're.
Prudent let's with the Next wednesday and see if look
if we Here, allathan do check out our, socials but
do you check Out Steeter's ireland for more when that
game is going to be, allianced because know a lot
of people are interested. In for, now for myself From,
mark thank you very much for we will.
Speaker 1 (23:08):
Chatisi Irish Airline aerlingus will proudly serve as the presenting
(23:35):
partner Of Steelers ireland twenty twenty. Five airlinus'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 airline From, Dublin shannon And manchester to twenty. Four
(23:56):
steelers fans traveling To ireland for the Big game can
enjoy our taxing journey when they fly with Their lingus Aer,
lingus you're very.
Speaker 3 (24:04):
Welcome
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