February 20, 2025 • 17 mins
We are only a week away from the 2025 NFL Combine! This week, Michael is joined by the Voice of the Steelers Rob King, who handles play-by-play duties on the Steelers game broadcasts. Rob returns to the podcast to talk about the season that was, his urge to visit Ireland - and the exciting news that the Steelers will play in Ireland later this year.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Irish airline air Lingus will proudly serve as the presenting
partner of Steelers Ireland twenty twenty five. Airlingus's growth in
North America continues in twenty twenty five as the airline
prepares to fly to two new US destinations, Nashville and Indianapolis,
using its new Airbus eight three twenty one xl or aircraft.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
This brings the number.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Of transatlantic routes operated by the airline from Dublin, Shannon
and Manchester to twenty four. Steelers fans traveling to Ireland
for the Big Game can enjoy a relaxing journey when
they fly.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
With air Lingus. Air Lingus, You're very welcome, everybody.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Welcome into the Irish Steelers Podcast presented by air Lingus
as we started into the depths of this twenty twenty
five NFL offseason. Delighted to be here, Michael mcquid with
you this week as we're actually a week out from
the NFL combine. I'm gonna be able to next week
and looking forward to some Steels content out there. Irish
(01:01):
airline Erlingus has just announced plans to become an official
airline partner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a founding partner
of Steeters Ireland, aerling Is will be welcoming the Steels
and all of Steelers' Nation to Dublin this autumn for
what's said to be a fantastic NFL showdown for listeners
outside of Ireland. You can book your flight to Dublin
now at aerlingus dot com to make sure you don't
(01:22):
miss out on any of the action. For now, we've
got a great guest on today's podcast. We have got
the Voice of the Steelers, Rob King on the Irish
Sitters Podcast. Okay, we're rolling in to this off season
post super Bowl, our first post super Bowl podcast on
the Irish Theaters podcast. NFL Combine coming up next week.
(01:44):
We've got a guy who who we've had on last
season play by player, Voice of the Steelers, Rob King. Rob,
as we said, Falsh, welcome back in. How are you
doing money good?
Speaker 4 (01:56):
I'm doing great, Michael. Thank you very much for having
me on. Appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
We're joking of off camera and that day. The furvist
you've got since is still new Gring so hopefully lands
ahead to get maybe a bit further and Orfic you're
around the island a bit more.
Speaker 4 (02:12):
Yeah, yeah, I'd love it. I mean I've been I've
been out west to Galway and then up north of
Galway and some of the islands out there, and I've
been to the southeast or southwest and around, but I
haven't been up to the Northern Park, so I need
to get up there and eventually would like to get
up there with my golf clubs, because you've got some
of the greatest golf courses in the world right there.
Speaker 5 (02:32):
The Oakland in royal Port, Russia this year as well.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
It's funny because as good as it is rob On,
people in Ireland listening to this will know we have
not seen the sun for over ten days. It's been
clouds here, so you're definitely picking a better time during
the year if you do get over.
Speaker 5 (02:49):
But yeah, it's it's very overcast.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
Especially it's like I don't think I haven't seen the
suns in the Super Bowl, which is even more money.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
Oh that gets a little old after a while, but yeah,
it's understood. Hopefully they're hopefully it'll be nice and sunny
whenever they're going to play this game.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
We have the chance to see you or hear you
as well on televisions on Virgin Media when the preseason
was on television over here in August, and for yourself,
that was awesome to see, especially when you chop with
somebody and then see them with TV. You know, we're
sitting here weeks after you've completed your first year as
the Playboy advice of the Staters. It's one thing to
(03:23):
ask someone how did you find the first year? But
I think anybody working into the game and any fun
watching the game that was It's a long season.
Speaker 5 (03:31):
There's there's a lot going on as well.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
How did you find it where you saw that the
season obviously came to his natural land.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Yeah, especially the way it did when the team started
ten and three. I thought we were going to have
a longer run in the playoffs, and then obviously the
way the season ended and then onto the playoffs as
a disappointing finish. But it was a it was a
lot of fun and they gave us a lot to
get excited about during that ten and three start. And
you know, I enjoyed everything about the job. I enjoyed
(04:00):
the process. I enjoy I mean I've told this to people.
I enjoy memorizing rosters. I enjoy watching tape. I enjoyed
talking to players and coaches, and I enjoy the you know,
the the wonderful people we have, not only you know,
the broadcast crew, the folks behind the scenes as well.
It's just, uh, it was just a wonderful season.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
We hobnestly had to wait a little while for the
home opener this year. We had a couple of games
on the road. When did it hit you in a
good way that you know, this was your gig? And
did it hit you for the first home opener or
was it the preseason whenever you have, mister riny besides you,
how did you how did you find it?
Speaker 5 (04:39):
And when did it hit you?
Speaker 4 (04:41):
Actually it was longer than that. I mean, it was enjoyable,
and it kind of you know, you know, it's interesting.
My wife asked me, you know, when I got the job,
She's like, you know, what, when do you need to
start like exhibiting this you know, you've got the Steelers
job kind of thing. And I think, you know, they
cou'd probably a guy thing. It's like, hey, I gotta
get to work at of ll sleeves. Let's go. And
(05:04):
and so I was doing a lot of that certainly
enjoying the process, having a blast. You know. But when
I walked into the booth in Cleveland for that Thursday
night game, you know, the snow globe game, uh, I
think that's kind of when it really hit me. I
was like, wow, this is uh, this is great. And
so ever since then, you just you know, I was
(05:25):
already happy. You You couldn't wipe the smile off my face.
I mean, it's just been it's just been such a
wonderful experience.
Speaker 5 (05:33):
You're you're, you're keeping that lightly.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
I remember watching the build up to that Thursday night
game at one o'clock in the morning here that was
cold month like that.
Speaker 5 (05:41):
That was cool.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
And I know you guys are the windows, but that's
still cold, you know nothing, that's yeah.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
Yeah, we we we were all the windows up, just
so you know. Now Max Starks and Missy Matthews are
down on the field and they're bundled up and they
are walking around a little bit. It's certainly colder for them.
But we a wolf and I have the windows open.
You just can't feel the game unless you can hear
the crowd and the elements. You know, you need to
(06:08):
feel all that stuff. Sometimes the booth gets hot more
often than not. It gets cold sometimes, you know. I
can't remember which game we were. I think it was
Baltimore where the windows was like, you know, a little above,
a little below, and the open part was in the middle.
So it took me here to your waist, your cold,
your feet were warm, you know. But you can't you
(06:29):
can't do the game unless you're feeling the elements and
feeling what the fans are feeling, feeling what the players
are feeling. But having said that, a little tougher on
Max and Missy being down there in the field in
a game like that.
Speaker 5 (06:40):
I can imagine one.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
And it's funny you mentioned that, and when Tam and
flee situation. A lot of ups, a lot of dins
this season, and I have the chance, I just miss you.
Speaker 5 (06:52):
I was the game of Christmas Day.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
The atmosphere for me was a special regardless a result,
it really really is something else before you this season?
Do you have like a fever giy fever player that
you commented it on.
Speaker 4 (07:04):
So now, first of all, you've got to you gotta
contact me next time you come. Man, come on Christmas Day.
I'd have been.
Speaker 5 (07:12):
There.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
You know, they're at the they were at the game,
I was working, and I would have loved to see
you next time. Okay, next time, let me know and
I'll see when I'll see you when we're in Ireland.
You know, I think probably uh, you know, there there
are a few of them that stick out the uh.
The game against Washington was a terrific game, and that
throw down the sideline from Russell Wilson uh to Mike
(07:35):
Williams for the touchdown. You know, you're you're thinking they're
gonna kind of inst their way and try to maybe
get his score, and all of a sudden boom, there's
the long touchdown pass to put this teethers up and
then of course to see this defense had to hold.
The Cincinnati game was a marvelous shootout, lots of fun.
The one in Cincinnati which is Steelers one, and then
the first game against the Ravens that win and then
(07:56):
holding off on a two point conversion. It's hard to
separate those. I think we're we're the most fun. I mean,
the Cincinnati game was just NonStop, so that was fun too.
But the Commander's game is a great game and the
raven so it would be hard to pick. Could be
like picking my favorite child. It would be hard to
pick my favorite among those. But I enjoyed all three
for sure, and I enjoyed the whole season.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
And they allow our big moments to come as well,
not just in twenty five, but done the stretches as well.
I actually run in the Wolf on the All Choans
on Christmas Day, so definitely next time.
Speaker 5 (08:27):
What was it like working with him this season?
Speaker 4 (08:30):
He's the best. I mean, he and I had worked
together for I don't know, maybe ten years, Michael doing
high school football game. So high school football is very
big in western Pennsylvania, very big in Pittsburgh, and so
we would carry it at the TV station for which
I work. We would carry a game of the week
and Wolf. So Wolf and I work together. We'd known
(08:52):
each other a little before then, but that's our friendship
really started there. And he's just a wonderful guy to
work with. You know, no ego, lots of energy, great insight.
I mean, I don't know what more you can ask
out of somebody. And by the way, I would say
the same thing about Max and Missy. You know, all
(09:13):
anybody cares about on that crew is putting forth the
best product available and sometimes you get people that you
know want to get their thing in or their sticking
or whatever. There's none of that, you know, Missy is
is constantly updating us on stuff.
Speaker 5 (09:27):
You know.
Speaker 4 (09:27):
I think other people would say, well, I'm only gonna
update you when I'm on the air. Missy's constantly updating
us behind the scenes. She's great, the whole, the whole crew.
Obviously I work most closely with Wolf, but I work
you know, we're in constant communication and they're they're just
the whole crew is terrific. Wolf's the blast. So to
answer your question, he's just he what you hear in
(09:48):
the air, that's him in real life. There's not a
phony bone in his body.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
He is.
Speaker 5 (09:53):
He's all Wolf.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
He's the best I can I can attest to what
you said about Missy because I wanted to say hello
to or A on the sideline. I could see she's
shotting to you guys two and a half hours before
carack offs, so we can definitely test that. Look, let's
sort of fast forward tonight. NFL combines next week. I'm
actually there's a few of us heading out to Indianapolis
next week, really really excited to see some of the
talent that's coming into this draft. How would you analyze
(10:17):
as somebody that's off was the being at each game
and seeing every every snap from the Steelers team in
twenty twenty four. How would you analyze where we are currently?
Is there any certain development that you'd like to see
over the next few months or any sort of positional
improvement or are you very much a guy that's sort
of wait and see and trust in the process.
Speaker 4 (10:34):
Well, so, first of all, I'll see you in Indianapolis, right,
if you're gonna be there, let's come on now, let's
do it, right.
Speaker 5 (10:40):
I will see you on Friday, my friend.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
Okay, fantastic. Well I'll be there Monday, So I'll see
you there and we'll look forward to Monday through Friday.
Now you say this Friday or next Friday.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Friday week and for people listening and hoping to have
a little Steelers podcast from Indianapolis, So the day before
the quarterback workouts, which is next suspect Friday, we'll.
Speaker 4 (11:01):
See you there and that would be that would be
wonderful if we could get together. So, you know, I
think that what we saw down the stretch, a lot
of it was, you know, first they have to figure
out the quarterback situation. As as we're speaking now, I
don't you know, they haven't made a decision yet whether
they're going to go internal or whether they're going to
(11:22):
go external. That's the big story that we're all waiting for, obviously.
And you know, as you see down the stretch, as
the path gets narrower, as Mike Tomlin likes to say,
you usually end up with an elite quarterback leading the way.
And you know, Jalen Hurts, maybe he's a little below
that elite level. But that then brings you to the
next subject is how much the Eagles just dominated in
(11:44):
the trenches. And this too, there's spent a lot of
time on the offensive line. In in recent draft, they
did draft Keanu Betton in the second round, but I
believe that they will probably go in that direction because
that's what they want to do, what we saw in Philadelphia.
You know, if you have big, strong guys up front,
Yes you need skill players, I understand that, but that
(12:05):
plays well no matter the conditions. You know, you get rainy,
snowy conditions, maybe the passing game isn't that effective. Well,
big guys, you know, running over other big guys works
and no matter what weather it is. So I think
that's gonna be a point of emphasis. You know, they
need to get a wide receiver, you know, I would
they're they're gonna have. They have to address the running
back situation. They haven't closed the door Najie Harris coming
(12:27):
back for another season or perhaps beyond. Jalen Warrens are
restricted free agent. So I think, in no particular order,
the biggest priorities are probably certainly figuring out quarterback, defensive line.
And I don't know whether they'll by the way draft
the quarterback you talking about the combines, They may they
may address that before we get to the combines, the
(12:48):
quarterback situation, but I think they're looking at d line.
It's supposed to be a very very deep running back draft,
not quite as deep. I don't think in wide receivers.
They may address that in free agency, and obviously see
what they do in free agency will impact what direction
they would go in the draft. But I think those
are the biggest needs for the team.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
I think Rob for a lot of Europeans listening and
a lot of guys that maybe we've a lot of
new listeners, and you're very very welcome that have seen
the recent news about Europe and you're all very very welcome.
We do have a long offseason. The good thing for
us is we have a lot to talk about it
and you've just mentioned a number of things there. So
it's going to be a really interesting few weeks and
months and obviously looking forward to seeing you at the
Combine next week. Just you know, we have to touch
(13:29):
on the news leading into that. We all know what's happening.
The Steers are coming to Dublin later on this year.
Dates time opponent will be announced later on this year.
But Rob to go into your second year to have
a chance not just to call an international game, but
to call the first ever game regular season game in Ireland.
And as that somebody that's been the cool park many times,
(13:50):
I can tell you it's gonna be really really special.
When did you or I'll not ask when, but what
was your thoughts whenever you find out that the team
we're to go, Because it's really really exciting and I
think I speak for a lot of people over here.
It's got the favorite pitch and we're sitting in w A.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
Yeah, it's it's really really exciting. I mean, obviously the
Steelers have the great connection with mister Rooney being the ambassador,
you know, and the Rooney name. Obviously. I'm half Irish myself.
I've been to Ireland a couple of times and love
the country, loved the people, love the passion. I can't
(14:30):
I can't wait. I mean, I just I can't wait
for the game. I just think it's gonna be an
absolute spectacle. I suspect that the the Irish people, you know.
And I was over there. I watched a little. I
watched the Gaelic football game. I was way back Leith
and Mouth, I think, where the team's playing for the championship,
and I was watching on TV. And I believe, as
(14:51):
I recall, a fan jumped onto the field and maybe
took a swing at one of the officials. So you
could see the passion from the Irish and uh and
you have to give me a crash course, by the way,
and Gaelic football when I see you, I'd like to
learn more about the sport. But I think that the
passion is obvious. And to be over there and to
(15:11):
see the game, the great game of football spreading, and
to be able to be there in Ireland for the
first one there let's go, man, I can't wait for it.
Speaker 5 (15:20):
It's very special because you think goals.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
I think overall when I had the chance to go
to the first game in Germany, and obviously Tom Brady
was right, this is the same level for me. It's
not more of the family's connection and it's so exciting
the scene. What's going to happen over the next few
weeks and months as we get closer to this And
just second last question for me, what's the mood like
in Pittsburgh. It seems like there's not just excitement in Ireland,
but a lot of people are you know, it seems
(15:44):
very very excited to get over which I think is
pretty special as well.
Speaker 4 (15:48):
There's no question. I mean I've already had it people
asking me, hey can you get tickets?
Speaker 3 (15:52):
I have no idea.
Speaker 4 (15:54):
By the way, so for my friends it might be
watching this in the States, I don't know. And you
know a lot of fans of friends of mine are already, uh,
you know, they're already thinking about, hey, we should go
over there. And you know, for people that have never
been there, this is a good reason excuse me be made,
but a good reason to go to Ireland. For those
that have been to Ireland, you know, I've heard people say, man,
(16:16):
we could get to the game and we could play
some golf before and some golf after, because of course
Ireland's got all those great golf courses. So yeah, there's
a lot of people for a lot of reasons, whether
it's just for fun, whether it's for the game, whether
it's for making an extended vacation out of it. From
the Pittsburgh area, who are really excited about it.
Speaker 3 (16:34):
For anybody listening to this, NFL dot com, slash Dublin
for Updatesman tickets, go and seal from our end, really
excited Rob, not just for that, but really excited for
the next few weeks, next few months, looking forward to
hopefully seeing it in Indianapolis next week.
Speaker 5 (16:48):
It's a quick week for us.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
I'm not gonna lie, but we'll definitely do our best
to say hi and thank you for your support. Hope
you get a bit a chance to I hope you
get a chance to relax a little bit this off season.
For sure, we'll have you on again, very verysdon, thank you,
very mus your time.
Speaker 4 (17:00):
Thank you, Michael, really appreciate it. Thanks for having me on.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
Irish Airline air 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
(17:26):
airline from Dublin, Shannon and Manchester.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
To twenty four.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Steelers fans traveling to Ireland for the Big Game can
enjoy a relaxing journey when they fly with air Lingus.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
Air Lingus, You're very welcome.
Irish airline air Lingus will proudly serve as the presenting
partner of Steelers Ireland twenty twenty five. Airlingus's growth in
North America continues in twenty twenty five as the airline
prepares to fly to two new US destinations, Nashville and Indianapolis,
using its new Airbus eight three twenty one xl or aircraft.
Speaker 2 (00:18):
This brings the number.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
Of transatlantic routes operated by the airline from Dublin, Shannon
and Manchester to twenty four. Steelers fans traveling to Ireland
for the Big Game can enjoy a relaxing journey when
they fly.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
With air Lingus. Air Lingus, You're very welcome, everybody.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Welcome into the Irish Steelers Podcast presented by air Lingus
as we started into the depths of this twenty twenty
five NFL offseason. Delighted to be here, Michael mcquid with
you this week as we're actually a week out from
the NFL combine. I'm gonna be able to next week
and looking forward to some Steels content out there. Irish
(01:01):
airline Erlingus has just announced plans to become an official
airline partner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a founding partner
of Steeters Ireland, aerling Is will be welcoming the Steels
and all of Steelers' Nation to Dublin this autumn for
what's said to be a fantastic NFL showdown for listeners
outside of Ireland. You can book your flight to Dublin
now at aerlingus dot com to make sure you don't
(01:22):
miss out on any of the action. For now, we've
got a great guest on today's podcast. We have got
the Voice of the Steelers, Rob King on the Irish
Sitters Podcast. Okay, we're rolling in to this off season
post super Bowl, our first post super Bowl podcast on
the Irish Theaters podcast. NFL Combine coming up next week.
(01:44):
We've got a guy who who we've had on last
season play by player, Voice of the Steelers, Rob King. Rob,
as we said, Falsh, welcome back in. How are you
doing money good?
Speaker 4 (01:56):
I'm doing great, Michael. Thank you very much for having
me on. Appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
We're joking of off camera and that day. The furvist
you've got since is still new Gring so hopefully lands
ahead to get maybe a bit further and Orfic you're
around the island a bit more.
Speaker 4 (02:12):
Yeah, yeah, I'd love it. I mean I've been I've
been out west to Galway and then up north of
Galway and some of the islands out there, and I've
been to the southeast or southwest and around, but I
haven't been up to the Northern Park, so I need
to get up there and eventually would like to get
up there with my golf clubs, because you've got some
of the greatest golf courses in the world right there.
Speaker 5 (02:32):
The Oakland in royal Port, Russia this year as well.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
It's funny because as good as it is rob On,
people in Ireland listening to this will know we have
not seen the sun for over ten days. It's been
clouds here, so you're definitely picking a better time during
the year if you do get over.
Speaker 5 (02:49):
But yeah, it's it's very overcast.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
Especially it's like I don't think I haven't seen the
suns in the Super Bowl, which is even more money.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
Oh that gets a little old after a while, but yeah,
it's understood. Hopefully they're hopefully it'll be nice and sunny
whenever they're going to play this game.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
We have the chance to see you or hear you
as well on televisions on Virgin Media when the preseason
was on television over here in August, and for yourself,
that was awesome to see, especially when you chop with
somebody and then see them with TV. You know, we're
sitting here weeks after you've completed your first year as
the Playboy advice of the Staters. It's one thing to
(03:23):
ask someone how did you find the first year? But
I think anybody working into the game and any fun
watching the game that was It's a long season.
Speaker 5 (03:31):
There's there's a lot going on as well.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
How did you find it where you saw that the
season obviously came to his natural land.
Speaker 4 (03:38):
Yeah, especially the way it did when the team started
ten and three. I thought we were going to have
a longer run in the playoffs, and then obviously the
way the season ended and then onto the playoffs as
a disappointing finish. But it was a it was a
lot of fun and they gave us a lot to
get excited about during that ten and three start. And
you know, I enjoyed everything about the job. I enjoyed
(04:00):
the process. I enjoy I mean I've told this to people.
I enjoy memorizing rosters. I enjoy watching tape. I enjoyed
talking to players and coaches, and I enjoy the you know,
the the wonderful people we have, not only you know,
the broadcast crew, the folks behind the scenes as well.
It's just, uh, it was just a wonderful season.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
We hobnestly had to wait a little while for the
home opener this year. We had a couple of games
on the road. When did it hit you in a
good way that you know, this was your gig? And
did it hit you for the first home opener or
was it the preseason whenever you have, mister riny besides you,
how did you how did you find it?
Speaker 5 (04:39):
And when did it hit you?
Speaker 4 (04:41):
Actually it was longer than that. I mean, it was enjoyable,
and it kind of you know, you know, it's interesting.
My wife asked me, you know, when I got the job,
She's like, you know, what, when do you need to
start like exhibiting this you know, you've got the Steelers
job kind of thing. And I think, you know, they
cou'd probably a guy thing. It's like, hey, I gotta
get to work at of ll sleeves. Let's go. And
(05:04):
and so I was doing a lot of that certainly
enjoying the process, having a blast. You know. But when
I walked into the booth in Cleveland for that Thursday
night game, you know, the snow globe game, uh, I
think that's kind of when it really hit me. I
was like, wow, this is uh, this is great. And
so ever since then, you just you know, I was
(05:25):
already happy. You You couldn't wipe the smile off my face.
I mean, it's just been it's just been such a
wonderful experience.
Speaker 5 (05:33):
You're you're, you're keeping that lightly.
Speaker 3 (05:35):
I remember watching the build up to that Thursday night
game at one o'clock in the morning here that was
cold month like that.
Speaker 5 (05:41):
That was cool.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
And I know you guys are the windows, but that's
still cold, you know nothing, that's yeah.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
Yeah, we we we were all the windows up, just
so you know. Now Max Starks and Missy Matthews are
down on the field and they're bundled up and they
are walking around a little bit. It's certainly colder for them.
But we a wolf and I have the windows open.
You just can't feel the game unless you can hear
the crowd and the elements. You know, you need to
(06:08):
feel all that stuff. Sometimes the booth gets hot more
often than not. It gets cold sometimes, you know. I
can't remember which game we were. I think it was
Baltimore where the windows was like, you know, a little above,
a little below, and the open part was in the middle.
So it took me here to your waist, your cold,
your feet were warm, you know. But you can't you
(06:29):
can't do the game unless you're feeling the elements and
feeling what the fans are feeling, feeling what the players
are feeling. But having said that, a little tougher on
Max and Missy being down there in the field in
a game like that.
Speaker 5 (06:40):
I can imagine one.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
And it's funny you mentioned that, and when Tam and
flee situation. A lot of ups, a lot of dins
this season, and I have the chance, I just miss you.
Speaker 5 (06:52):
I was the game of Christmas Day.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
The atmosphere for me was a special regardless a result,
it really really is something else before you this season?
Do you have like a fever giy fever player that
you commented it on.
Speaker 4 (07:04):
So now, first of all, you've got to you gotta
contact me next time you come. Man, come on Christmas Day.
I'd have been.
Speaker 5 (07:12):
There.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
You know, they're at the they were at the game,
I was working, and I would have loved to see
you next time. Okay, next time, let me know and
I'll see when I'll see you when we're in Ireland.
You know, I think probably uh, you know, there there
are a few of them that stick out the uh.
The game against Washington was a terrific game, and that
throw down the sideline from Russell Wilson uh to Mike
(07:35):
Williams for the touchdown. You know, you're you're thinking they're
gonna kind of inst their way and try to maybe
get his score, and all of a sudden boom, there's
the long touchdown pass to put this teethers up and
then of course to see this defense had to hold.
The Cincinnati game was a marvelous shootout, lots of fun.
The one in Cincinnati which is Steelers one, and then
the first game against the Ravens that win and then
(07:56):
holding off on a two point conversion. It's hard to
separate those. I think we're we're the most fun. I mean,
the Cincinnati game was just NonStop, so that was fun too.
But the Commander's game is a great game and the
raven so it would be hard to pick. Could be
like picking my favorite child. It would be hard to
pick my favorite among those. But I enjoyed all three
for sure, and I enjoyed the whole season.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
And they allow our big moments to come as well,
not just in twenty five, but done the stretches as well.
I actually run in the Wolf on the All Choans
on Christmas Day, so definitely next time.
Speaker 5 (08:27):
What was it like working with him this season?
Speaker 4 (08:30):
He's the best. I mean, he and I had worked
together for I don't know, maybe ten years, Michael doing
high school football game. So high school football is very
big in western Pennsylvania, very big in Pittsburgh, and so
we would carry it at the TV station for which
I work. We would carry a game of the week
and Wolf. So Wolf and I work together. We'd known
(08:52):
each other a little before then, but that's our friendship
really started there. And he's just a wonderful guy to
work with. You know, no ego, lots of energy, great insight.
I mean, I don't know what more you can ask
out of somebody. And by the way, I would say
the same thing about Max and Missy. You know, all
(09:13):
anybody cares about on that crew is putting forth the
best product available and sometimes you get people that you
know want to get their thing in or their sticking
or whatever. There's none of that, you know, Missy is
is constantly updating us on stuff.
Speaker 5 (09:27):
You know.
Speaker 4 (09:27):
I think other people would say, well, I'm only gonna
update you when I'm on the air. Missy's constantly updating
us behind the scenes. She's great, the whole, the whole crew.
Obviously I work most closely with Wolf, but I work
you know, we're in constant communication and they're they're just
the whole crew is terrific. Wolf's the blast. So to
answer your question, he's just he what you hear in
(09:48):
the air, that's him in real life. There's not a
phony bone in his body.
Speaker 1 (09:53):
He is.
Speaker 5 (09:53):
He's all Wolf.
Speaker 3 (09:54):
He's the best I can I can attest to what
you said about Missy because I wanted to say hello
to or A on the sideline. I could see she's
shotting to you guys two and a half hours before
carack offs, so we can definitely test that. Look, let's
sort of fast forward tonight. NFL combines next week. I'm
actually there's a few of us heading out to Indianapolis
next week, really really excited to see some of the
talent that's coming into this draft. How would you analyze
(10:17):
as somebody that's off was the being at each game
and seeing every every snap from the Steelers team in
twenty twenty four. How would you analyze where we are currently?
Is there any certain development that you'd like to see
over the next few months or any sort of positional
improvement or are you very much a guy that's sort
of wait and see and trust in the process.
Speaker 4 (10:34):
Well, so, first of all, I'll see you in Indianapolis, right,
if you're gonna be there, let's come on now, let's
do it, right.
Speaker 5 (10:40):
I will see you on Friday, my friend.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
Okay, fantastic. Well I'll be there Monday, So I'll see
you there and we'll look forward to Monday through Friday.
Now you say this Friday or next Friday.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Friday week and for people listening and hoping to have
a little Steelers podcast from Indianapolis, So the day before
the quarterback workouts, which is next suspect Friday, we'll.
Speaker 4 (11:01):
See you there and that would be that would be
wonderful if we could get together. So, you know, I
think that what we saw down the stretch, a lot
of it was, you know, first they have to figure
out the quarterback situation. As as we're speaking now, I
don't you know, they haven't made a decision yet whether
they're going to go internal or whether they're going to
(11:22):
go external. That's the big story that we're all waiting for, obviously.
And you know, as you see down the stretch, as
the path gets narrower, as Mike Tomlin likes to say,
you usually end up with an elite quarterback leading the way.
And you know, Jalen Hurts, maybe he's a little below
that elite level. But that then brings you to the
next subject is how much the Eagles just dominated in
(11:44):
the trenches. And this too, there's spent a lot of
time on the offensive line. In in recent draft, they
did draft Keanu Betton in the second round, but I
believe that they will probably go in that direction because
that's what they want to do, what we saw in Philadelphia.
You know, if you have big, strong guys up front,
Yes you need skill players, I understand that, but that
(12:05):
plays well no matter the conditions. You know, you get rainy,
snowy conditions, maybe the passing game isn't that effective. Well,
big guys, you know, running over other big guys works
and no matter what weather it is. So I think
that's gonna be a point of emphasis. You know, they
need to get a wide receiver, you know, I would
they're they're gonna have. They have to address the running
back situation. They haven't closed the door Najie Harris coming
(12:27):
back for another season or perhaps beyond. Jalen Warrens are
restricted free agent. So I think, in no particular order,
the biggest priorities are probably certainly figuring out quarterback, defensive line.
And I don't know whether they'll by the way draft
the quarterback you talking about the combines, They may they
may address that before we get to the combines, the
(12:48):
quarterback situation, but I think they're looking at d line.
It's supposed to be a very very deep running back draft,
not quite as deep. I don't think in wide receivers.
They may address that in free agency, and obviously see
what they do in free agency will impact what direction
they would go in the draft. But I think those
are the biggest needs for the team.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
I think Rob for a lot of Europeans listening and
a lot of guys that maybe we've a lot of
new listeners, and you're very very welcome that have seen
the recent news about Europe and you're all very very welcome.
We do have a long offseason. The good thing for
us is we have a lot to talk about it
and you've just mentioned a number of things there. So
it's going to be a really interesting few weeks and
months and obviously looking forward to seeing you at the
Combine next week. Just you know, we have to touch
(13:29):
on the news leading into that. We all know what's happening.
The Steers are coming to Dublin later on this year.
Dates time opponent will be announced later on this year.
But Rob to go into your second year to have
a chance not just to call an international game, but
to call the first ever game regular season game in Ireland.
And as that somebody that's been the cool park many times,
(13:50):
I can tell you it's gonna be really really special.
When did you or I'll not ask when, but what
was your thoughts whenever you find out that the team
we're to go, Because it's really really exciting and I
think I speak for a lot of people over here.
It's got the favorite pitch and we're sitting in w A.
Speaker 4 (14:07):
Yeah, it's it's really really exciting. I mean, obviously the
Steelers have the great connection with mister Rooney being the ambassador,
you know, and the Rooney name. Obviously. I'm half Irish myself.
I've been to Ireland a couple of times and love
the country, loved the people, love the passion. I can't
(14:30):
I can't wait. I mean, I just I can't wait
for the game. I just think it's gonna be an
absolute spectacle. I suspect that the the Irish people, you know.
And I was over there. I watched a little. I
watched the Gaelic football game. I was way back Leith
and Mouth, I think, where the team's playing for the championship,
and I was watching on TV. And I believe, as
(14:51):
I recall, a fan jumped onto the field and maybe
took a swing at one of the officials. So you
could see the passion from the Irish and uh and
you have to give me a crash course, by the way,
and Gaelic football when I see you, I'd like to
learn more about the sport. But I think that the
passion is obvious. And to be over there and to
(15:11):
see the game, the great game of football spreading, and
to be able to be there in Ireland for the
first one there let's go, man, I can't wait for it.
Speaker 5 (15:20):
It's very special because you think goals.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
I think overall when I had the chance to go
to the first game in Germany, and obviously Tom Brady
was right, this is the same level for me. It's
not more of the family's connection and it's so exciting
the scene. What's going to happen over the next few
weeks and months as we get closer to this And
just second last question for me, what's the mood like
in Pittsburgh. It seems like there's not just excitement in Ireland,
but a lot of people are you know, it seems
(15:44):
very very excited to get over which I think is
pretty special as well.
Speaker 4 (15:48):
There's no question. I mean I've already had it people
asking me, hey can you get tickets?
Speaker 3 (15:52):
I have no idea.
Speaker 4 (15:54):
By the way, so for my friends it might be
watching this in the States, I don't know. And you
know a lot of fans of friends of mine are already, uh,
you know, they're already thinking about, hey, we should go
over there. And you know, for people that have never
been there, this is a good reason excuse me be made,
but a good reason to go to Ireland. For those
that have been to Ireland, you know, I've heard people say, man,
(16:16):
we could get to the game and we could play
some golf before and some golf after, because of course
Ireland's got all those great golf courses. So yeah, there's
a lot of people for a lot of reasons, whether
it's just for fun, whether it's for the game, whether
it's for making an extended vacation out of it. From
the Pittsburgh area, who are really excited about it.
Speaker 3 (16:34):
For anybody listening to this, NFL dot com, slash Dublin
for Updatesman tickets, go and seal from our end, really
excited Rob, not just for that, but really excited for
the next few weeks, next few months, looking forward to
hopefully seeing it in Indianapolis next week.
Speaker 5 (16:48):
It's a quick week for us.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
I'm not gonna lie, but we'll definitely do our best
to say hi and thank you for your support. Hope
you get a bit a chance to I hope you
get a chance to relax a little bit this off season.
For sure, we'll have you on again, very verysdon, thank you,
very mus your time.
Speaker 4 (17:00):
Thank you, Michael, really appreciate it. Thanks for having me on.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
Irish Airline air 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
(17:26):
airline from Dublin, Shannon and Manchester.
Speaker 2 (17:28):
To twenty four.
Speaker 1 (17:29):
Steelers fans traveling to Ireland for the Big Game can
enjoy a relaxing journey when they fly with air Lingus.
Speaker 2 (17:34):
Air Lingus, You're very welcome.
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