August 2, 2025 • 40 mins
Labs and Tom talk about the Steelers practice plan for today, hear Pat Freiermuth's thoughts on Friday Night Lights and talk to former Steeler Trai Essex.
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Iheartradios Live coverage OB twenty twenty five. Steelers Training Camp
is presented by FedEx where Now meets Next and also
brought to you by CGR Wholesale Roofing and Siding Supply Center,
by Tons Appliances, by Always Safe Flagging and Traffic Control
by Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, by Schneider Downs, by
(00:26):
Has's Steak and Seahouse, by your Neighborhood Forward Store, by
Castle Rock, by Clearview Federal Credit Union, and by us Steel.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Tom Off from Men and Bob Labriola on the Training
Camp Report Labs has the practice script for today had
a little foreshadowing. We talked about backs on backers to
end the last hour and it's going to be the
running backs revenge today.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Yes it is.
Speaker 4 (00:54):
After seven shots, it'll be tight ends against the running
backs pass. So yeah that this is h Kenneth Gainwell,
Caleb Johnson, uh, Jalen Warren. Uh time for a little
getback maybe so you know, we'll see how that works out.
(01:15):
Guys like and again I'm not you know Malik Harrison
who's been a pretty regular uh standout slash winner in
the backs on backers pass rush, who knows maybe his
reps against Caleb Johnson might end up a little differently.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Right, But he's been at as advertised tom Elie Harrison
coming in just a big time thumper in the run game.
Speaker 4 (01:42):
Yes, absolutely, and he's a physical presence presence I really
you know, we were talking about the defensive line, uh
and how it has viewed. Some of the top people
on the on the depth chart there inside linebackers to
me are are really really, really interesting. I mean, you
(02:03):
have your starters Peyton Wilson and Patrick Queen, you have
Cole Holcombe, you have let me get my list here,
Swa Can, Malik Harrison, Mark Robinson. You know these are
guys Carson Brunner. You know, remember it was it a
(02:27):
couple of years ago the Steelers lost Kwan, Alexander and
someone else in there, signing practice squad.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
Guys Martinez off the street right.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
And putting them, putting them in the starting lineup.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Miles Jack was like on the count retired and came.
Speaker 4 (02:42):
Right talking about coming out of retirement. He literally got
up off the couch right and and had to play
right away. So yeah, the situation there, that's another position
I think that is really deep and has depth of talent,
and so you know, when we're talking about the offense
(03:07):
having struggles against the defense, you know, these are the
kinds of things I think that you have to take
into consideration. But anyway, after backs on backers pass, you know,
this is another interesting drill.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
I think.
Speaker 4 (03:23):
It's it's a wide receiver versus defensive back drill, but
it's three on two, which means three defensive backs have
to cover two receivers in an area of the field
where you know you have to be passing them off. Yeah,
so that that's a communications skill thing for the defense
(03:48):
and for the offense. It's you know, can you get
away from what might be a double team on you
or not necessarily a double team, but one guy's covering
you with his help over the top. So that's interesting.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
Then we have.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
Tackle football, which won't be tackle football, but you get
the idea. And then the end of the practice is
always an eleven on eleven thing. It's going to be
team red zone, which means you put the ball at
the fifteen yard line and you know, offense versus defense
(04:27):
eleven on eleven.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Of course, as we mentioned before, it will be all
padless today. Though, so as Lap said, the tackle drill
won't be tackle football, but still you'll you'll get some
good action today with that practice script if you're heading
up and back to the backs on backers pass when
I'm looking forward, you know, we look forward to some
of the running backs and Caleb Johnson in particular, when
it was the traditional backs on backers and this one
(04:51):
the person that I'm looking forward to seeing some reps
and get tested a bit as Peyton Wilson, because I
think that that can really be maybe the part of
his game that can reach a level that a lot
of people notice is him and coverage. He's got a
lot of speed and he's shown an ability last year
to make plays on the ball too in that aspect.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
Yeah, and you know that Peyton Wilson's ability, let me
say this, he I believe that he has a good
skill set for that aspect of inside linebacker play. But
how quickly he becomes really proficient, I think is going
(05:32):
to chart the course of his career. You know, if
it takes him, for example, into his third season before
he's really good at it, it's going to be a
whole lot different than if he's good at it right now,
because then as he progresses through his rookie contract, he
(05:53):
will have more years under his belt of good NFL
starting calum Or play as a two way inside linebacker,
So then that just increases his value. So again, these
a lot of these things. You know you're you're watching
them for now, but they also have an impact on
(06:15):
the very near future for a lot of these guys.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
Well, it's funny that you said it that way. It's
a great transition speaking of the very near future. I
wanted to touch on this before we wraps up our
first segment. We are a week away officially from the
first preseason game for the Steelers. Steelers go to Jacksonville
to start the preseason schedule and take on the Jags Labs.
Is there anything different with the vibes that practice this
(06:39):
week leading into Jacksonville more of like a game week
kind of preparation thing or is it just the usual
training camp and then Friday comes and it's like we
got to go to Jacksonville.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
Now, Well, let me say this, there's no game planning
that's going to go on. I mean, like during the
regular season, there will be days devoted to a certain
side of the ball for the Steelers going against what
that particular opponent typically does so on defensive day. For
(07:08):
the Steelers, say it's against the Jets, because that's the opener.
The coaches would have cards with the Jets, with the scouts,
the scouting has determined or some of the Jets tendencies,
some of the plays that they have been scouted to run,
the personnel that they use within those plays, and you know,
(07:31):
your scout team will run what the card says and
then the defense has to react to it. Well, there's
none of that for a preseason game. There's no game
plan made, there's no specific scouting of the opponent. You know,
there's not going to be a whole lot of time
spent on I'm just you know what Trevor Lawrence likes
(07:52):
to do picking out a name. But what there is
going to be there will be some things worked on,
getting in and out of the huddle, getting on and
off the sideline, things that to this point of a
training camp really don't matter because there's not clocks running.
(08:14):
There's not i mean play clocks. There's not play clocks running,
and there's not an opponent that is trying to take
advantage if you are bad at something. You know, if
the wrong personnel group goes out for a snap on
defense in training camp, well, the offense waits until they
get their people out there before they go on with
(08:35):
the next play. In a game, even a preseason game,
that's not the case. So they will work on some
of that kind of stuff, but there will be no
scouting or game planning or that kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Now, even though there won't be any you know, scouting,
game planning that stuff for some certain players on this roster,
maybe further down on the depth chart, who might be
on the chopping block when this is all wrapped up
at the end of the preseason. They got to get
down to fifty three guys. You know, this week might
be a little bit extra important. Show a little something
to the coaches when the pads are on, when the
pads aren't on, show a little something to them. That
(09:08):
could be the difference between getting in the third quarter
or waiting until the end of that fourth quarter, or
maybe not getting in at all.
Speaker 4 (09:14):
You know, yes, exactly, you want to be in a
first preseason game. If you are, you know, someone who
is on the roster bubble or not even that high
up on the depth chart. You're trying to maybe work
your way up to getting on the roster bubble. Yes,
(09:35):
you want to get in as early as possible, because
that would indicate the level of competition that you're going
against and also, excuse me, the level of ability that
you have been showing. You know to this part in
the training camp process. You know there's first team, second team,
(09:56):
third team right now because you have ninety players. So
if you're third team, you want to try and get
up to second team to play with the second team
people on your team and play against the second team
people on the opposing team, because once you get to
fifty three, there is no third team. So if you're
(10:18):
stuck on the third team for you know, through these
preseason games, that doesn't bear bode very well for you
because there is no third team during the regular season. So, yes,
you are correct. You want to try and I won't
say impress, but show that you know you are doing
(10:41):
well enough in a lot of the different things, the
physical aspects of it, the understanding of it, all of
that kind of thing, so that you can maybe be
moved up in terms of when you get on the field.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
Mike Tomlin will have a press conference on Thursday of
this coming week and he will clue us in to
you know, the actives and the inactives, and that's when
we'll know, you know, the first teamers that probably won't
play in this game, and Labs, I'm not you know,
I know you don't. We don't have to speculate on
this too much. But one thing that I'm really curious
about as we work our way through these preseason games
is what the plan's going to be for number eight.
(11:16):
And I'm assuming that number eight is gonna have a
little bit of input in that too, maybe not the
final say, but at least something that the coaching staff
and Tomlin will keep an ear open for and what
he wants to do, what'll help him guest get prepped
for the season. But boy, that's really such a tough
line that they're gonna have to walk over these three games,
isn't it. You don't want the forty two year old
quarterback who had a really bad injury just two years
(11:37):
ago having any kind of setback in games that don't
matter at all. Well, at the same time, you want
to see him out there in a game setting, I think,
against another team with his new team, with this new offense,
and get a couple of reps under his belt before
it's Live Bullets Week one.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
Yeah, I.
Speaker 4 (11:55):
Let me say this, I would be surprised if Aaron
Rodgers plays in the first preseason game.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
Yeah, I think I agree with that one first one
for sure, But.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
I don't think it's necessary. Getting him some reps is
one thing. Getting him some reps in every game, every
preseason game, to me, is not necessary.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
And if you know you have to play.
Speaker 4 (12:20):
A game against the Jets where you have to you're
not highly efficient on offense, that's fine with me because
I think you know, you don't want to be operating
on all cylinders the first week of September. That's not necessary.
It's just not And what you may have to do
(12:41):
to be operating on all cylinders the first week of September,
I think is highly risky. So you know, let's be honest.
If there are a lot of players I think on
the Steelers roster that this team cannot afford to lose
to injury, and Aaron Rodgers is on that leg, I
mean I don't give I don't care how many people
(13:04):
we can argue are on that list, but his name
is on it, So uh yeah, I'm not playing him
in this preseason opener. I don't think it's necessary. I
just don't.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
We'll talk a lot more about that as this week unfolds.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
We've got smart playing Cam Hayward either, right, J Watt?
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Yeah, I mean we can go down the list. Like
you said, there's a lot of names on it, but
we'll find out. Like I said, when Tomlin speaks in
his post or post in his press conference before the
Jacksonville game, he'll officially give us active.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
Let me throw another thing, yeah, will come this week.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
Because there is a preseason game, the PR department has
to do a press release in advance of every game
that has played preseason, regular season, postseason. Included in that
press release, by NFL rule, is a depth truck.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
Oh yes, I'm so glad you were in mind to
me of this. Such a big day when the first
official Steeler's depth chart is published.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
So yeah, that's gonna be. That's gonna come out, and.
Speaker 4 (14:10):
You know, anybody wants to take that really seriously, I
would caution against it, but have at it. I could
pretty much give you the depth chart right now, just
based on you know, the criteria that are used for that.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Those kinds of things but that's going to have to
happen as well.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
Love to look forward to this week as we march
our way towards Jacksonville in that first preseason game of
the twenty twenty five season, when Labs and I come back.
There's still a couple of things I wanted to touch
on with practice from Friday Night Lights, someone had his redemption,
or maybe that's a harsh way of putting It makes
it seem like he was really struggling his first time out.
But improvement in backs on backers from a certain rookie.
(14:55):
We'll get into that. We'll hear from Pat Fryermuth some
of the thoughts he had about practice, and ray Essex
going to join us. Before the end of the hour.
It's Tom op Famen and Bob Labriola on the Training
Camp Report, Fox Sports Pittsburgh nine seventy AM and the
Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
Iheartradios. Live coverage of twenty twenty five Steelers training Camp
is presented by fadex where Now meets Next and also
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by Tom's Appliances, by Always Safe Flagging and Traffic Control
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(15:38):
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Castle Rock, by Clearview Federal Credit Union, and by US steel.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
Labs. You noted before the first padded practice of training
camp a few days back when Backson Backers was introduced
to this twenty twenty five session of camp, and Caleb
Johnson was somebody that you were really looking forward to seeing,
and I think all of Steeler Nation was looking forward
to seeing this rookie running back and how he's going
to do pass blocking. Underwhelming, I think is an appropriate
(16:10):
way to put it, but that's normal for rookies to
kind of have that welcome to the NFL moment. You're
gonna have a lot of those throughout your rookie season,
but maybe that's the first one that he had. I
was pleased to see that the reporting from Friday Night
Lights was Caleb Johnson was noticeably better, and I think
that's also what you want to see out of your rookies.
Says Okay, you had that kind of punch in the
mouth moment. What are you going to do when you respond?
(16:30):
And he responded, well.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
Yes, he was much more engaged. Not that by engaged,
you know, you used the boxing thing. You know, he
was counter punching. He threw some punches, you know, the
first time it seemed like he was just taking punches,
(16:52):
trying to defend himself by you know, not taking hits night.
He was delivering some blows in the process of defending
himself as well. So, yes, it was a step forward.
I think it was better. I don't think it's good
(17:12):
enough though, in terms of what regular season football demands
in that area. But again, in a matter of forty
eight hours, yeah, Wednesday to Friday, forty eight hours, he
showed improvement. And you know, there was a lot of
support for him from his team, from his fellow running backs,
(17:37):
you know, from his teammates on that side of the drill,
from running backs coach at He Faulkner. You know, I
think that what that showed me was there likely was
some discussion coaching trying to you know, pump him up
(17:59):
from what was, let's be honest, a disappointing performance in
his first go round into something that was much better
in his second.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
And I know that there's a big spotlight on this
aspect of his game, because this is the thing that
can keep some rookie running backs off the field in
the NFL is how they can contribute in the passing game,
especially in pass protection. But you know, you also have
to have some excitement for seeing this young man run
now that you're starting to get into some more padded practices,
seeing him out there in the open field, in the
athleticism that he can bring to the table, because let's
(18:31):
not forget that's the main reason why you drafted him,
not to be pass protecting Aaron Rodgers, even though he
has to do that.
Speaker 4 (18:37):
Yes, I mean, I think the first time we see
Caleb Johnson, you know, get through the line of scrimmage,
maybe run over the first defender he meets, most likely
a linebacker, or not necessarily run him over, but break
that tackle and then run away from a defensive back
who's coming over to help. Yeah, I think that in
(19:00):
terms of you know, his backs on backers performance in
the first go round, all will be forgiven because, yes,
you're correct, why he was brought here primarily was to
juice the running game and provide the Steelers running backs
or running game with the kind of running back who
(19:23):
can turn out a number of those fifteen to twenty
three twenty five yard runs. Chunk plays in the running
game are very helpful for an offense, and a guy
who can deliver them, you know, is sought after. Caleb
Johnson certainly seems to be that kind of guy. He
has that kind of skill set. He showed that at
(19:45):
Iowa against some defenses that were stacked specifically.
Speaker 3 (19:50):
To stop him.
Speaker 4 (19:52):
So yeah, when he can he can run the football
in the first couple of runs he breaks off. Yes,
as I said, all will be forgiven.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
We're gonna hear from Pat Freyermouth and what he thought
about Friday night lights in just a little bit. But
before we do, Labs, I also saw that during the
team run that they did during practice yesterday, the offense
had a little bit better of a go at it there.
But you presumer noted two tackles for a loss that
the defense was managed to have and it was Cole
Hulkom who he labeled as one and the other guy
(20:24):
was Echu Lioda. And I wanted to highlight this because
you pointed Leoda out. I think a couple of training
camp reports back is just someone to maybe put on
your radar. Keep that name in the back of your head. Now,
all of a sudden, I see him showing up here
on this practice report, making a good play, trending towards
potentially hearing mister Liota called a time or two against Jacksonville,
which would be great for him.
Speaker 4 (20:45):
Yes, the guy has shown he flashes. And by that
what I mean is, you know, as you're just watching practice,
you'll see someone you know dart through your field of vision.
Speaker 3 (20:58):
Who is that?
Speaker 4 (21:00):
A lot of times it's number fifty three in gold
So you know again he's a guy to watch. And
Cole Holcombe we talked about in terms of the depth
inside linebacker. Cole Holcombe was signed as an unrestricted free
agent not this past offseason, well two of a couple
(21:21):
of off seasons ago, to kind of be the first
of the new breed of Steelers inside linebackers, a guy
who could play both, who was stout against the run
and could play against the pass. He sustained that ugly
knee injury in November of his first season with the Steelers,
(21:43):
rehabbed pretty much through all of last year and this offseason,
and has not been limited at all at this training camp.
He has not missed a practice he has not missed
a drill. So again, when we were talking talking about
the depth of talent that the Steelers have and inside
(22:03):
linebacker Cole Holcomb is a big part of that.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Pat Firemus caught up with the media following Friday Night
Lights practice. Let's hear what Pat had to say about
the festivities.
Speaker 5 (22:16):
Yeah, it's awesome. I mean, this is by far the
biggest I've seen it since I've been here, and it
was just awesome to see the fans and it can't
get to juiced uff for the season.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
So I'm excited talk about the biggest.
Speaker 5 (22:28):
Oh, like just in general, Oh, just like driving in,
everyone was packed out on the streets. You know, I
saw people tail get at the house over there, jumping in,
like sitting in the pool watching us, like it was
cool and like everyone out here, it was just an
awesome experience. And you know, expect nothing less from Steelers fans.
I think, you know, everyone has a lot of high
(22:49):
expectations for us, and we do as well. And I
think we had a lot of big time players in
our team, and I think everyone's excited to see how
obviously with Aaron coming in and dk and and Jalen
and Johnny, We're just seeing how we're all clicking together.
And we got a lot of exciting things on the
team right now and a lot of a lot of
exciting times ahead. So we're looking forward to that and
I think the fans feel that as well. He was
(23:10):
he was asking me today like what to expect and
all that, and I was like, dude, it's literally like
going to play for like a state championship out of
high school. And you know, he was like, all right, cool,
and then he came and he was like, this is awesome.
So he loved it and it was just great to
be a part of that. I'm sure he appreciated it,
you know, being later in his career, just kind of
experiencing that, and I think he's been loving it so far.
Speaker 6 (23:28):
Continue Ah, South, playing with you guys extra shit, be something.
Speaker 1 (23:32):
Just to kind of like show up.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
Yeah, yeah, for sure.
Speaker 5 (23:34):
Obviously. You know, we practiced in front of fans like
every single day in camp, but you know, here, it's
like an extra juice. Once the music turned on, everyone
was dancing.
Speaker 3 (23:42):
I was loving it. I was dancing.
Speaker 5 (23:43):
It was it was great, It was it was awesome.
Speaker 3 (23:45):
You guys went up a minutes on there.
Speaker 5 (23:50):
Oh yeah, you know, obviously we didn't execute how we
wanted to, but you know, we got to continue to
build on that. It was our first two minute all
of camp, and so you know, obviously we were should
ended differently, but you know, we're we're working towards you know,
the end goal of week one and being able to
ext you and then so there's gonna be some ups
and downs and we'll get corrected. So we've always been
pretty good.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
A two minutes.
Speaker 5 (24:12):
Yeah, we're coming together for sure. You know, I think
you see a daily improvement and there's gonna be ups
and downs and all that that comes with it. And
it's been great. I mean, it's just been it's been
cool to learn from Aeron. I think everyone's appreciated it.
It's been a grind to get on the same page
with everyone, but you can see it starting to progress
and starting to get there, and that's the exciting part
about camp. We have what two more weeks, three more
(24:34):
weeks in games and we then we're ready to go,
and so I think we're all getting getting there to
the point where you know, we're getting on the same
page and it's and it's feeling fun.
Speaker 2 (24:42):
Steelers tight End Pat Friyarmouth with the media following Friday
Night Lights practice. When we come back on the Training
Camp Report, there's always former Steelers hanging around at practice,
and today Trey Essex is going to join us for
the final segment of the show, So stick right here.
You're listening to Fox Sports Pittsburgh nine seventy AM and
the Steelers Audio.
Speaker 1 (25:00):
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Training Camp is presented by Fadex where Now meets Next
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(25:23):
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Speaker 2 (25:35):
Back on the Training Camp Report with Tom Aframan and
Bob Labriola, please to be joined now by former Steeler
and two time Super Bowl champion Trey Essex, who's hanging
out around practice today. Trey, thanks so much for giving
us some time.
Speaker 4 (25:47):
Oh, no problem, it feels good to be home, okay, Trey.
I want to first set this up for the listeners.
You started your college career at Northwestern as a tight end,
right name to the Big Ten All Freshman team at
that position. Then you were moved from tight end to
offensive tackle before your sophomore season. Okay, so we're at
(26:09):
Friday Night lights last time, we're watching backs on backers
and I was standing in the area with you and
Max Starks. Okay, so one of the stands out, one
of the standouts I think for the offense we would
all agree, was starring l Washington, Yes, a tight end.
What did you think of his performance in that drill?
Let's start with that. He's a man. He is a man.
(26:31):
I knew he was a big guy. I live in
Georgia now and so I knew about him at UGA,
but seeing him in person was just different. He is
the biggest tight end I've ever seen in my life,
and he puts it to good use because he likes
to get physical, and it showed in that drill yesterday.
He was able to get after.
Speaker 6 (26:50):
It a couple of times and he was probably he
probably performed better than anybody else in that drill.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
So it was good to see that man do it.
So you mentioned how big he is.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
I mean, is he just bigger than people and he
uses that or you know, his technique, his foot usage,
I mean, you know the offensive lineman always can break
that down.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
Helped me out with his.
Speaker 6 (27:09):
Fans were great, and he knows how to use his size.
And see a lot of people, a lot of tight ends,
even when they're his size and they're tall, they don't
know how to bend their knees quite right in order
to stop a bull rush or outside rush.
Speaker 3 (27:20):
But he does. He's very agile.
Speaker 6 (27:24):
And he has great feet, and he uses his hands properly,
and he knows that he's big enough to stop a
bull rush and he uses that to his advantage.
Speaker 3 (27:31):
So it was good. He honestly, he looked like.
Speaker 6 (27:35):
A tackle out there blocking those d ns, and so
it was good to see that we got that type
of physicality at the tight end position.
Speaker 4 (27:40):
So, okay, you're leading me right into my next question.
One of the early guests we had in this segment
when training camp started was Larry Brown, who won two
Super Bowl rings in the seventies as a tight end
and two Super Bowl rings in the seventies as an
offensive tackle. You think Tharneld Washington could make that move.
Speaker 3 (28:00):
He could.
Speaker 6 (28:01):
I think if there's anybody that could, he definitely could.
He obviously likes to do it. He doesn't mind putting
his head in a fan at all. And he showed
that he could do it at a high level. He's
blocking dns. He's not just outside the linebackers that he
was doing that against. He was doing that against two
hundred and sixty two hundred and seventy pounds dns. That
he's actually bigger than It's rare that you see a
tight end is bigger than a defensive it. That's usually
you usually call him tackles as what you usually do.
(28:23):
And so but if anybody could do it, he could.
Speaker 4 (28:25):
So let's just pretend for a minute that the Steelers
want him to make that move, and Darnell Washington was
receptive to that kind of thing, what kind of what
would be a reasonable amount of time for him to
be able to make that transition? Now, because we are
at the NFL level, this isn't no, this isn't right.
(28:45):
So I don't think you could say, gee, Darnell, it's Tuesday,
we need you at tackle on Sunday, and he could do.
Speaker 6 (28:53):
That see, he probably could do it for a game,
but the second game he would get exposed, like he
probably just on a whim going there and just be physical,
especially if the coaches calling plays.
Speaker 3 (29:05):
That would limit some.
Speaker 6 (29:06):
Of his exposure because of the lack of practice or technique,
but he would have a tough time lasting the whole
season doing it. He would need a complete offseason and
revamping of technique.
Speaker 3 (29:20):
Because he's still a tight end. He's still too square.
Speaker 6 (29:22):
He doesn't know how to play with a staggered that
the tackles play with, and so there would be a
learning curve definitely.
Speaker 4 (29:28):
So a few years ago, the Steelers traded up in
the draft. You mentioned you're from Georgia seeing the Bulldogs
a lot, and he was a george guy. Broderick Jones.
He has now been moved to left tackle for this season.
It's I think one of the critical situations we're looking
(29:48):
at in terms of training camp in the preseason, how
that offensive line is going to come together. And one
of the issues are I think the two tackles Broderick Jones,
who's now being moved from right to left going to
to his third season, and Troy Foltano, another the number
one pick. I was going to be a right tackle,
but he missed most of last season with an injury.
(30:10):
What do you think of Roderick Jones? What do you
know about him? What would you forecast for him this season?
Speaker 6 (30:18):
This is a big year for him and I don't
think there's any question This team is gonna go as
the old line goes. And right now, if I had
to judge it, they are behind every other position group
and that's to be expected. They're young with some new
pieces in there. Like you said, Troy hasn't been playing
and Broadley just switched from right to left tackle, where
he hasn't played since UGA, and so he has some
(30:39):
work to do. He has to his imperative that he
gets out on the practice field. He's missed some time already,
He's missing team periods as he switches. He can't afford
to miss much more time and or if he wants
to have the type of year that he needs to have.
And so he is a physical specimen. I love how
athletic he is. I love his footwork. He has to
(31:00):
probably use his hands and be more accurate as punches.
Sometimes there's some technique issues that I'm sure Coach Meyer
is working with them on but he has the athletic
and the disposition to do it. It's just he has
to be on the field. You can't make the club
or make the club and the tub as they say.
Speaker 4 (31:16):
So you played both or both sides of the offensive line,
some left and some right. Is that a big deal
moving from one to the other or I guess it
depends on the person. I don't think it should be
for somebody like Broderick because he's such an athlete, and
when you are picked that high in the draft, there's
certain expectations that come with it.
Speaker 6 (31:35):
I think if you've had off seasons to work on stuff.
So I know he's played right tackle for two years.
It's not like it is riding the bike. But there
are some things that even if you played the position before,
you got to get reused to them again. And as
critical a position as left tackle is, you want to
fine tune those specific things in order to have success,
(31:56):
especially with who we have at quarterback going into the season.
Speaker 3 (31:59):
So it's for me.
Speaker 6 (32:01):
It initially moving from left to right, because I had
never played right tackle, it was tough, but once I
got the swing of things, it wasn't nothing to switch
between them in a pinch.
Speaker 4 (32:09):
So twenty twenty five is the twentieth anniversary of the
two thousand and five Steelers. So that's the team that
won Super Bowl forty. I've already had Charlie Batch and
Jeff Hardings and Mike Logan on this show in this segment,
and they all said that that was the closest team
they ever played on. You were a rookie that year,
(32:32):
would you agree with that?
Speaker 3 (32:33):
And want I do?
Speaker 6 (32:34):
And you can kind of as a testament to how
close some of us are, Like a lot of us
still stay in contact. Max is my brother from another
I still talk and converse with Marvell and Kendo and
Alan Fanica and Jeff whenever I get up here. And
so just from an old line perspective, coming in as
a rookie from Northwestern and coming to a team that
(32:55):
had I mean, my best year at Northwestern was sixty seven,
and then coming to a team in Pittsburgh that has
these expectations and knowing we had to go through in
order to make it to where we went to. There
had to be a certain level of chemistry that we
had to have, and that kind of permeated not only
throughout that year, but into our lives later on, and
(33:16):
so yeah, you could tell it's a testament how close
we are now. We were even much more closer in
two thousand and five.
Speaker 4 (33:22):
So a lot of them talked about the selfness selflessness
of those players, a lot of the individuals when you're
actually a player, and part of that, what does selflessness
selflessness mean and how does it manifest itself.
Speaker 6 (33:36):
It's guys willing to help you, not know, not necessarily
just worried about their position and their job, but them
taking the time to understand and help you if you're
having an issue with something or if they see something
that needs to be addressed, them taking you to the side.
For me, Aaron Smith was that person. Keemo von Laffin
was that person. Even if the voice you guys like
(33:56):
Joey Porter, James Harrison, those guys all took the time
to help out a young rookie offensive lineman from Northwestern
if they saw something that wasn't quite right or they
did an't think it was gonna help me or the
team order offensive line in that and so the selflessness
that it took for the other side of the ball
when they had their own assignments and their own things
to worry about to help an offensive lineman like me.
That's just one example.
Speaker 4 (34:18):
The starting quarterback in Pittsburgh throughout your time with the
Steelers was Ben Roethlisberger. Yes, sir, okay. So his style
of play, never giving up on a play and bouncing
around and all that kind of stuff. Was that did
that make it easier or tougher on the offensive lineman?
Speaker 3 (34:37):
And I think you know it was very stressful. We
knew if we did our job, and we did it
a little.
Speaker 6 (34:47):
Bit longer than most offensive linemen has to have to
do it, that Ben was probably gonna do something special.
Speaker 3 (34:53):
It would be one thing if he was.
Speaker 6 (34:54):
Doing that and then throwing interceptions or taking Anita sacks.
He was doing that and also helping us out when
we would mess up a block. He would shake that
guy off and make us it look a lot better.
So there was some give and take there. But blocking
with Ben was an adventure. Don't get me wrong, because
he liked to extend plays. He liked to make big
plays down the field. But we knew what we had
to do going into the any given week, and we
(35:15):
knew if we did it and we hung onto our block,
that second longer something good was going to happen.
Speaker 4 (35:19):
Did you have to like eyes in the back of
your head and know where he was all the time,
because wouldn't where he was impact the way you're rushed.
The guy you were blocking might be moving.
Speaker 6 (35:29):
Yeah, so you've started to learn how to read there
the defensive lineman eyes. Obviously couldn't turn around and look
at Ben and see where he was, or you had
to really have some deep peripheral vision. But we got
really good at reading the defensive lineman's eyes as they
were trying to track Ben down.
Speaker 4 (35:46):
So during that season, it wasn't It was by no
means an easy one or one that you know, the
team constantly improved from the start to the finish. You know,
you barely made the right So was it? What do
you remember a regular season game that, Wow, this this
(36:07):
this was the most important game that we won. This
was the most important game that we played. We really
turned a corner in this particular game.
Speaker 6 (36:16):
It was that week of practice after the coach game,
after we had lost to them in the RCA Dome
on Monday night. On Monday night, coach Kyward came in
and said that we're gonna see those guys again. And
mind you, we're sitting seventy five I think at that
point some six seventy six, and so.
Speaker 3 (36:35):
No seventy five because we ended eleven and five.
Speaker 6 (36:38):
That year, because we had to win six in a
row at that point in order to even get into
the to get that sixth seed. So that Indianapolis game
sticks out a lot. And then after that, that snow
game versus the Bears, when JB had his snow tires on. Yeah,
it kind of felt mystical in a sense. I know, uh,
it sounds kind of corny or whatever, but there was
(36:59):
something about that snow coming down, seeing Jerome go through
Lance Briggs and Irlacker going into the end zone that
touchdown and how it was captured. Uh, you kind of
knew something was special was gonna happen that year.
Speaker 4 (37:13):
So you mentioned Jerome Bettis, that was the whole He
was the rallying point, get the bust back to Detroit
the rematch. You also mentioned Bill Kower, Sam We're gonna
see them again, Okay, that happened the visional round. Where
were you when the fumble happened? And how happy were
you that Ben made the tackle? And I'd like you
(37:36):
to clarify one thing for me. Jeremy Tooman often says
he he could have made that tackle. I don't think
he had a chance. I think had a chance. He
had a slight Kendall was trying his heart out. Kendam
was gonna give it his all. But it was such
a quick such a rollercoaster of emotions and such a
(37:58):
little bit of a time frame. We had all the
moment and we had just drove down and we handed
it to our closer.
Speaker 3 (38:04):
We thought we were golden. He had I had never.
Speaker 6 (38:08):
Seen him fumbled like that, and so I think it
was Gary Brackett found him in the hole, Nick Harper
and Nick Harper wh hicked up the ball. You know
the story about it. So I want all that stuff
just happening and just and so it was.
Speaker 3 (38:25):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (38:25):
We were in goal line too, the worst obviously, the
worst formation you could be in for that type of
thing to happen.
Speaker 3 (38:32):
And so.
Speaker 6 (38:35):
I don't even think I was It was such a
hard place to be emotionally because I was happy. I
was like, we got this in the bag, and then
all of a sudden, oh no, And then in my
head so many thoughts I was like, is JB gonna
be next.
Speaker 3 (38:46):
Ernest Biner, Like, is this career going to end like this?
Speaker 2 (38:48):
No?
Speaker 6 (38:49):
Uh Ben saved him and so I'm glad that happened.
My goodness. Okay, so we'll get you out of here
on this. And just a quick answer if you could.
You mentioned Max Starks as your brother. You went to
Northwestern in the Big Ten. Max likes to walk around
training camp with his Florida Gators shirts on Big Ten
or SEC? Which is the better conference when it comes
(39:12):
to turning out NFL players.
Speaker 3 (39:16):
I'm biased.
Speaker 6 (39:17):
I'm gonna say Big Ten, even though SEC might have
the numbers right now, it's gonna come back around to
the Big.
Speaker 3 (39:22):
Ten, guarantee you.
Speaker 2 (39:24):
Trey, thanks so much for hanging out with us for
these past fifteen minutes. It was awesome stuff. Enjoy your
time up there at practice today, all right, appreciate it.
That's Trey Essex, two time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers.
Great reminiscing with him, and that's gonna do it for
us here on the training camp report. Steelers practice is
just about to get underway. It as a padless practice
today and then labs and I will be back again
tomorrow at noon with another edition of the Training Camp
(39:47):
Report before Steelers practice on Sunday. The Drive is Up Next.
Matt Williamson and Wes Euler will take you through Steelers
practice on Fox Sports Pittsburgh nine seventy am and the
Steelers Audio Network ZO
Iheartradios Live coverage OB twenty twenty five. Steelers Training Camp
is presented by FedEx where Now meets Next and also
brought to you by CGR Wholesale Roofing and Siding Supply Center,
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by Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, by Schneider Downs, by
(00:26):
Has's Steak and Seahouse, by your Neighborhood Forward Store, by
Castle Rock, by Clearview Federal Credit Union, and by us Steel.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Tom Off from Men and Bob Labriola on the Training
Camp Report Labs has the practice script for today had
a little foreshadowing. We talked about backs on backers to
end the last hour and it's going to be the
running backs revenge today.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Yes it is.
Speaker 4 (00:54):
After seven shots, it'll be tight ends against the running
backs pass. So yeah that this is h Kenneth Gainwell,
Caleb Johnson, uh, Jalen Warren. Uh time for a little
getback maybe so you know, we'll see how that works out.
(01:15):
Guys like and again I'm not you know Malik Harrison
who's been a pretty regular uh standout slash winner in
the backs on backers pass rush, who knows maybe his
reps against Caleb Johnson might end up a little differently.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Right, But he's been at as advertised tom Elie Harrison
coming in just a big time thumper in the run game.
Speaker 4 (01:42):
Yes, absolutely, and he's a physical presence presence I really
you know, we were talking about the defensive line, uh
and how it has viewed. Some of the top people
on the on the depth chart there inside linebackers to
me are are really really, really interesting. I mean, you
(02:03):
have your starters Peyton Wilson and Patrick Queen, you have
Cole Holcombe, you have let me get my list here,
Swa Can, Malik Harrison, Mark Robinson. You know these are
guys Carson Brunner. You know, remember it was it a
(02:27):
couple of years ago the Steelers lost Kwan, Alexander and
someone else in there, signing practice squad.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
Guys Martinez off the street right.
Speaker 3 (02:36):
And putting them, putting them in the starting lineup.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Miles Jack was like on the count retired and came.
Speaker 4 (02:42):
Right talking about coming out of retirement. He literally got
up off the couch right and and had to play
right away. So yeah, the situation there, that's another position
I think that is really deep and has depth of talent,
and so you know, when we're talking about the offense
(03:07):
having struggles against the defense, you know, these are the
kinds of things I think that you have to take
into consideration. But anyway, after backs on backers pass, you know,
this is another interesting drill.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
I think.
Speaker 4 (03:23):
It's it's a wide receiver versus defensive back drill, but
it's three on two, which means three defensive backs have
to cover two receivers in an area of the field
where you know you have to be passing them off. Yeah,
so that that's a communications skill thing for the defense
(03:48):
and for the offense. It's you know, can you get
away from what might be a double team on you
or not necessarily a double team, but one guy's covering
you with his help over the top. So that's interesting.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
Then we have.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
Tackle football, which won't be tackle football, but you get
the idea. And then the end of the practice is
always an eleven on eleven thing. It's going to be
team red zone, which means you put the ball at
the fifteen yard line and you know, offense versus defense
(04:27):
eleven on eleven.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Of course, as we mentioned before, it will be all
padless today. Though, so as Lap said, the tackle drill
won't be tackle football, but still you'll you'll get some
good action today with that practice script if you're heading
up and back to the backs on backers pass when
I'm looking forward, you know, we look forward to some
of the running backs and Caleb Johnson in particular, when
it was the traditional backs on backers and this one
(04:51):
the person that I'm looking forward to seeing some reps
and get tested a bit as Peyton Wilson, because I
think that that can really be maybe the part of
his game that can reach a level that a lot
of people notice is him and coverage. He's got a
lot of speed and he's shown an ability last year
to make plays on the ball too in that aspect.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
Yeah, and you know that Peyton Wilson's ability, let me
say this, he I believe that he has a good
skill set for that aspect of inside linebacker play. But
how quickly he becomes really proficient, I think is going
(05:32):
to chart the course of his career. You know, if
it takes him, for example, into his third season before
he's really good at it, it's going to be a
whole lot different than if he's good at it right now,
because then as he progresses through his rookie contract, he
(05:53):
will have more years under his belt of good NFL
starting calum Or play as a two way inside linebacker,
So then that just increases his value. So again, these
a lot of these things. You know you're you're watching
them for now, but they also have an impact on
(06:15):
the very near future for a lot of these guys.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
Well, it's funny that you said it that way. It's
a great transition speaking of the very near future. I
wanted to touch on this before we wraps up our
first segment. We are a week away officially from the
first preseason game for the Steelers. Steelers go to Jacksonville
to start the preseason schedule and take on the Jags Labs.
Is there anything different with the vibes that practice this
(06:39):
week leading into Jacksonville more of like a game week
kind of preparation thing or is it just the usual
training camp and then Friday comes and it's like we
got to go to Jacksonville.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
Now, Well, let me say this, there's no game planning
that's going to go on. I mean, like during the
regular season, there will be days devoted to a certain
side of the ball for the Steelers going against what
that particular opponent typically does so on defensive day. For
(07:08):
the Steelers, say it's against the Jets, because that's the opener.
The coaches would have cards with the Jets, with the scouts,
the scouting has determined or some of the Jets tendencies,
some of the plays that they have been scouted to run,
the personnel that they use within those plays, and you know,
(07:31):
your scout team will run what the card says and
then the defense has to react to it. Well, there's
none of that for a preseason game. There's no game
plan made, there's no specific scouting of the opponent. You know,
there's not going to be a whole lot of time
spent on I'm just you know what Trevor Lawrence likes
(07:52):
to do picking out a name. But what there is
going to be there will be some things worked on,
getting in and out of the huddle, getting on and
off the sideline, things that to this point of a
training camp really don't matter because there's not clocks running.
(08:14):
There's not i mean play clocks. There's not play clocks running,
and there's not an opponent that is trying to take
advantage if you are bad at something. You know, if
the wrong personnel group goes out for a snap on
defense in training camp, well, the offense waits until they
get their people out there before they go on with
(08:35):
the next play. In a game, even a preseason game,
that's not the case. So they will work on some
of that kind of stuff, but there will be no
scouting or game planning or that kind of thing.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Now, even though there won't be any you know, scouting,
game planning that stuff for some certain players on this roster,
maybe further down on the depth chart, who might be
on the chopping block when this is all wrapped up
at the end of the preseason. They got to get
down to fifty three guys. You know, this week might
be a little bit extra important. Show a little something
to the coaches when the pads are on, when the
pads aren't on, show a little something to them. That
(09:08):
could be the difference between getting in the third quarter
or waiting until the end of that fourth quarter, or
maybe not getting in at all.
Speaker 4 (09:14):
You know, yes, exactly, you want to be in a
first preseason game. If you are, you know, someone who
is on the roster bubble or not even that high
up on the depth chart. You're trying to maybe work
your way up to getting on the roster bubble. Yes,
(09:35):
you want to get in as early as possible, because
that would indicate the level of competition that you're going
against and also, excuse me, the level of ability that
you have been showing. You know to this part in
the training camp process. You know there's first team, second team,
(09:56):
third team right now because you have ninety players. So
if you're third team, you want to try and get
up to second team to play with the second team
people on your team and play against the second team
people on the opposing team, because once you get to
fifty three, there is no third team. So if you're
(10:18):
stuck on the third team for you know, through these
preseason games, that doesn't bear bode very well for you
because there is no third team during the regular season. So, yes,
you are correct. You want to try and I won't
say impress, but show that you know you are doing
(10:41):
well enough in a lot of the different things, the
physical aspects of it, the understanding of it, all of
that kind of thing, so that you can maybe be
moved up in terms of when you get on the field.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
Mike Tomlin will have a press conference on Thursday of
this coming week and he will clue us in to
you know, the actives and the inactives, and that's when
we'll know, you know, the first teamers that probably won't
play in this game, and Labs, I'm not you know,
I know you don't. We don't have to speculate on
this too much. But one thing that I'm really curious
about as we work our way through these preseason games
is what the plan's going to be for number eight.
(11:16):
And I'm assuming that number eight is gonna have a
little bit of input in that too, maybe not the
final say, but at least something that the coaching staff
and Tomlin will keep an ear open for and what
he wants to do, what'll help him guest get prepped
for the season. But boy, that's really such a tough
line that they're gonna have to walk over these three games,
isn't it. You don't want the forty two year old
quarterback who had a really bad injury just two years
(11:37):
ago having any kind of setback in games that don't
matter at all. Well, at the same time, you want
to see him out there in a game setting, I think,
against another team with his new team, with this new offense,
and get a couple of reps under his belt before
it's Live Bullets Week one.
Speaker 3 (11:52):
Yeah, I.
Speaker 4 (11:55):
Let me say this, I would be surprised if Aaron
Rodgers plays in the first preseason game.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
Yeah, I think I agree with that one first one
for sure, But.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
I don't think it's necessary. Getting him some reps is
one thing. Getting him some reps in every game, every
preseason game, to me, is not necessary.
Speaker 3 (12:15):
And if you know you have to play.
Speaker 4 (12:20):
A game against the Jets where you have to you're
not highly efficient on offense, that's fine with me because
I think you know, you don't want to be operating
on all cylinders the first week of September. That's not necessary.
It's just not And what you may have to do
(12:41):
to be operating on all cylinders the first week of September,
I think is highly risky. So you know, let's be honest.
If there are a lot of players I think on
the Steelers roster that this team cannot afford to lose
to injury, and Aaron Rodgers is on that leg, I
mean I don't give I don't care how many people
(13:04):
we can argue are on that list, but his name
is on it, So uh yeah, I'm not playing him
in this preseason opener. I don't think it's necessary. I
just don't.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
We'll talk a lot more about that as this week unfolds.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
We've got smart playing Cam Hayward either, right, J Watt?
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Yeah, I mean we can go down the list. Like
you said, there's a lot of names on it, but
we'll find out. Like I said, when Tomlin speaks in
his post or post in his press conference before the
Jacksonville game, he'll officially give us active.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
Let me throw another thing, yeah, will come this week.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
Because there is a preseason game, the PR department has
to do a press release in advance of every game
that has played preseason, regular season, postseason. Included in that
press release, by NFL rule, is a depth truck.
Speaker 2 (13:58):
Oh yes, I'm so glad you were in mind to
me of this. Such a big day when the first
official Steeler's depth chart is published.
Speaker 3 (14:04):
So yeah, that's gonna be. That's gonna come out, and.
Speaker 4 (14:10):
You know, anybody wants to take that really seriously, I
would caution against it, but have at it. I could
pretty much give you the depth chart right now, just
based on you know, the criteria that are used for that.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Those kinds of things but that's going to have to
happen as well.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
Love to look forward to this week as we march
our way towards Jacksonville in that first preseason game of
the twenty twenty five season, when Labs and I come back.
There's still a couple of things I wanted to touch
on with practice from Friday Night Lights, someone had his redemption,
or maybe that's a harsh way of putting It makes
it seem like he was really struggling his first time out.
But improvement in backs on backers from a certain rookie.
(14:55):
We'll get into that. We'll hear from Pat Fryermuth some
of the thoughts he had about practice, and ray Essex
going to join us. Before the end of the hour.
It's Tom op Famen and Bob Labriola on the Training
Camp Report, Fox Sports Pittsburgh nine seventy AM and the
Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (15:15):
Iheartradios. Live coverage of twenty twenty five Steelers training Camp
is presented by fadex where Now meets Next and also
brought to you by CGR Wholesale Roofing and Siding Supply Center,
by Tom's Appliances, by Always Safe Flagging and Traffic Control
by Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, by Schneider Downs, by
(15:38):
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Castle Rock, by Clearview Federal Credit Union, and by US steel.
Speaker 2 (15:49):
Labs. You noted before the first padded practice of training
camp a few days back when Backson Backers was introduced
to this twenty twenty five session of camp, and Caleb
Johnson was somebody that you were really looking forward to seeing,
and I think all of Steeler Nation was looking forward
to seeing this rookie running back and how he's going
to do pass blocking. Underwhelming, I think is an appropriate
(16:10):
way to put it, but that's normal for rookies to
kind of have that welcome to the NFL moment. You're
gonna have a lot of those throughout your rookie season,
but maybe that's the first one that he had. I
was pleased to see that the reporting from Friday Night
Lights was Caleb Johnson was noticeably better, and I think
that's also what you want to see out of your rookies.
Says Okay, you had that kind of punch in the
mouth moment. What are you going to do when you respond?
(16:30):
And he responded, well.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
Yes, he was much more engaged. Not that by engaged,
you know, you used the boxing thing. You know, he
was counter punching. He threw some punches, you know, the
first time it seemed like he was just taking punches,
(16:52):
trying to defend himself by you know, not taking hits night.
He was delivering some blows in the process of defending
himself as well. So, yes, it was a step forward.
I think it was better. I don't think it's good
(17:12):
enough though, in terms of what regular season football demands
in that area. But again, in a matter of forty
eight hours, yeah, Wednesday to Friday, forty eight hours, he
showed improvement. And you know, there was a lot of
support for him from his team, from his fellow running backs,
(17:37):
you know, from his teammates on that side of the drill,
from running backs coach at He Faulkner. You know, I
think that what that showed me was there likely was
some discussion coaching trying to you know, pump him up
(17:59):
from what was, let's be honest, a disappointing performance in
his first go round into something that was much better
in his second.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
And I know that there's a big spotlight on this
aspect of his game, because this is the thing that
can keep some rookie running backs off the field in
the NFL is how they can contribute in the passing game,
especially in pass protection. But you know, you also have
to have some excitement for seeing this young man run
now that you're starting to get into some more padded practices,
seeing him out there in the open field, in the
athleticism that he can bring to the table, because let's
(18:31):
not forget that's the main reason why you drafted him,
not to be pass protecting Aaron Rodgers, even though he
has to do that.
Speaker 4 (18:37):
Yes, I mean, I think the first time we see
Caleb Johnson, you know, get through the line of scrimmage,
maybe run over the first defender he meets, most likely
a linebacker, or not necessarily run him over, but break
that tackle and then run away from a defensive back
who's coming over to help. Yeah, I think that in
(19:00):
terms of you know, his backs on backers performance in
the first go round, all will be forgiven because, yes,
you're correct, why he was brought here primarily was to
juice the running game and provide the Steelers running backs
or running game with the kind of running back who
(19:23):
can turn out a number of those fifteen to twenty
three twenty five yard runs. Chunk plays in the running
game are very helpful for an offense, and a guy
who can deliver them, you know, is sought after. Caleb
Johnson certainly seems to be that kind of guy. He
has that kind of skill set. He showed that at
(19:45):
Iowa against some defenses that were stacked specifically.
Speaker 3 (19:50):
To stop him.
Speaker 4 (19:52):
So yeah, when he can he can run the football
in the first couple of runs he breaks off. Yes,
as I said, all will be forgiven.
Speaker 2 (20:03):
We're gonna hear from Pat Freyermouth and what he thought
about Friday night lights in just a little bit. But
before we do, Labs, I also saw that during the
team run that they did during practice yesterday, the offense
had a little bit better of a go at it there.
But you presumer noted two tackles for a loss that
the defense was managed to have and it was Cole
Hulkom who he labeled as one and the other guy
(20:24):
was Echu Lioda. And I wanted to highlight this because
you pointed Leoda out. I think a couple of training
camp reports back is just someone to maybe put on
your radar. Keep that name in the back of your head. Now,
all of a sudden, I see him showing up here
on this practice report, making a good play, trending towards
potentially hearing mister Liota called a time or two against Jacksonville,
which would be great for him.
Speaker 4 (20:45):
Yes, the guy has shown he flashes. And by that
what I mean is, you know, as you're just watching practice,
you'll see someone you know dart through your field of vision.
Speaker 3 (20:58):
Who is that?
Speaker 4 (21:00):
A lot of times it's number fifty three in gold
So you know again he's a guy to watch. And
Cole Holcombe we talked about in terms of the depth
inside linebacker. Cole Holcombe was signed as an unrestricted free
agent not this past offseason, well two of a couple
(21:21):
of off seasons ago, to kind of be the first
of the new breed of Steelers inside linebackers, a guy
who could play both, who was stout against the run
and could play against the pass. He sustained that ugly
knee injury in November of his first season with the Steelers,
(21:43):
rehabbed pretty much through all of last year and this offseason,
and has not been limited at all at this training camp.
He has not missed a practice he has not missed
a drill. So again, when we were talking talking about
the depth of talent that the Steelers have and inside
(22:03):
linebacker Cole Holcomb is a big part of that.
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Pat Firemus caught up with the media following Friday Night
Lights practice. Let's hear what Pat had to say about
the festivities.
Speaker 5 (22:16):
Yeah, it's awesome. I mean, this is by far the
biggest I've seen it since I've been here, and it
was just awesome to see the fans and it can't
get to juiced uff for the season.
Speaker 2 (22:23):
So I'm excited talk about the biggest.
Speaker 5 (22:28):
Oh, like just in general, Oh, just like driving in,
everyone was packed out on the streets. You know, I
saw people tail get at the house over there, jumping in,
like sitting in the pool watching us, like it was
cool and like everyone out here, it was just an
awesome experience. And you know, expect nothing less from Steelers fans.
I think, you know, everyone has a lot of high
(22:49):
expectations for us, and we do as well. And I
think we had a lot of big time players in
our team, and I think everyone's excited to see how
obviously with Aaron coming in and dk and and Jalen
and Johnny, We're just seeing how we're all clicking together.
And we got a lot of exciting things on the
team right now and a lot of a lot of
exciting times ahead. So we're looking forward to that and
I think the fans feel that as well. He was
(23:10):
he was asking me today like what to expect and
all that, and I was like, dude, it's literally like
going to play for like a state championship out of
high school. And you know, he was like, all right, cool,
and then he came and he was like, this is awesome.
So he loved it and it was just great to
be a part of that. I'm sure he appreciated it,
you know, being later in his career, just kind of
experiencing that, and I think he's been loving it so far.
Speaker 6 (23:28):
Continue Ah, South, playing with you guys extra shit, be something.
Speaker 1 (23:32):
Just to kind of like show up.
Speaker 2 (23:33):
Yeah, yeah, for sure.
Speaker 5 (23:34):
Obviously. You know, we practiced in front of fans like
every single day in camp, but you know, here, it's
like an extra juice. Once the music turned on, everyone
was dancing.
Speaker 3 (23:42):
I was loving it. I was dancing.
Speaker 5 (23:43):
It was it was great, It was it was awesome.
Speaker 3 (23:45):
You guys went up a minutes on there.
Speaker 5 (23:50):
Oh yeah, you know, obviously we didn't execute how we
wanted to, but you know, we got to continue to
build on that. It was our first two minute all
of camp, and so you know, obviously we were should
ended differently, but you know, we're we're working towards you know,
the end goal of week one and being able to
ext you and then so there's gonna be some ups
and downs and we'll get corrected. So we've always been
pretty good.
Speaker 3 (24:08):
A two minutes.
Speaker 5 (24:12):
Yeah, we're coming together for sure. You know, I think
you see a daily improvement and there's gonna be ups
and downs and all that that comes with it. And
it's been great. I mean, it's just been it's been
cool to learn from Aeron. I think everyone's appreciated it.
It's been a grind to get on the same page
with everyone, but you can see it starting to progress
and starting to get there, and that's the exciting part
about camp. We have what two more weeks, three more
(24:34):
weeks in games and we then we're ready to go,
and so I think we're all getting getting there to
the point where you know, we're getting on the same
page and it's and it's feeling fun.
Speaker 2 (24:42):
Steelers tight End Pat Friyarmouth with the media following Friday
Night Lights practice. When we come back on the Training
Camp Report, there's always former Steelers hanging around at practice,
and today Trey Essex is going to join us for
the final segment of the show, So stick right here.
You're listening to Fox Sports Pittsburgh nine seventy AM and
the Steelers Audio.
Speaker 1 (25:00):
Network, Iheartradios Live coverage j'b dot twenty twenty five Steelers
Training Camp is presented by Fadex where Now meets Next
and also brought to you by bud Light, Independence Health System,
by Pennsylvania One Call System, by Live Casino, Calciente Pizza
(25:23):
and Drafthouse by Don's Appliances, South Hills Auto, Laurel, Highlands
Visitors Bureau, Wemax, Select Realty, the Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Shop,
and by us Steel.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Back on the Training Camp Report with Tom Aframan and
Bob Labriola, please to be joined now by former Steeler
and two time Super Bowl champion Trey Essex, who's hanging
out around practice today. Trey, thanks so much for giving
us some time.
Speaker 4 (25:47):
Oh, no problem, it feels good to be home, okay, Trey.
I want to first set this up for the listeners.
You started your college career at Northwestern as a tight end,
right name to the Big Ten All Freshman team at
that position. Then you were moved from tight end to
offensive tackle before your sophomore season. Okay, so we're at
(26:09):
Friday Night lights last time, we're watching backs on backers
and I was standing in the area with you and
Max Starks. Okay, so one of the stands out, one
of the standouts I think for the offense we would
all agree, was starring l Washington, Yes, a tight end.
What did you think of his performance in that drill?
Let's start with that. He's a man. He is a man.
(26:31):
I knew he was a big guy. I live in
Georgia now and so I knew about him at UGA,
but seeing him in person was just different. He is
the biggest tight end I've ever seen in my life,
and he puts it to good use because he likes
to get physical, and it showed in that drill yesterday.
He was able to get after.
Speaker 6 (26:50):
It a couple of times and he was probably he
probably performed better than anybody else in that drill.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
So it was good to see that man do it.
So you mentioned how big he is.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
I mean, is he just bigger than people and he
uses that or you know, his technique, his foot usage,
I mean, you know the offensive lineman always can break
that down.
Speaker 3 (27:08):
Helped me out with his.
Speaker 6 (27:09):
Fans were great, and he knows how to use his size.
And see a lot of people, a lot of tight ends,
even when they're his size and they're tall, they don't
know how to bend their knees quite right in order
to stop a bull rush or outside rush.
Speaker 3 (27:20):
But he does. He's very agile.
Speaker 6 (27:24):
And he has great feet, and he uses his hands properly,
and he knows that he's big enough to stop a
bull rush and he uses that to his advantage.
Speaker 3 (27:31):
So it was good. He honestly, he looked like.
Speaker 6 (27:35):
A tackle out there blocking those d ns, and so
it was good to see that we got that type
of physicality at the tight end position.
Speaker 4 (27:40):
So, okay, you're leading me right into my next question.
One of the early guests we had in this segment
when training camp started was Larry Brown, who won two
Super Bowl rings in the seventies as a tight end
and two Super Bowl rings in the seventies as an
offensive tackle. You think Tharneld Washington could make that move.
Speaker 3 (28:00):
He could.
Speaker 6 (28:01):
I think if there's anybody that could, he definitely could.
He obviously likes to do it. He doesn't mind putting
his head in a fan at all. And he showed
that he could do it at a high level. He's
blocking dns. He's not just outside the linebackers that he
was doing that against. He was doing that against two
hundred and sixty two hundred and seventy pounds dns. That
he's actually bigger than It's rare that you see a
tight end is bigger than a defensive it. That's usually
you usually call him tackles as what you usually do.
(28:23):
And so but if anybody could do it, he could.
Speaker 4 (28:25):
So let's just pretend for a minute that the Steelers
want him to make that move, and Darnell Washington was
receptive to that kind of thing, what kind of what
would be a reasonable amount of time for him to
be able to make that transition? Now, because we are
at the NFL level, this isn't no, this isn't right.
(28:45):
So I don't think you could say, gee, Darnell, it's Tuesday,
we need you at tackle on Sunday, and he could do.
Speaker 6 (28:53):
That see, he probably could do it for a game,
but the second game he would get exposed, like he
probably just on a whim going there and just be physical,
especially if the coaches calling plays.
Speaker 3 (29:05):
That would limit some.
Speaker 6 (29:06):
Of his exposure because of the lack of practice or technique,
but he would have a tough time lasting the whole
season doing it. He would need a complete offseason and
revamping of technique.
Speaker 3 (29:20):
Because he's still a tight end. He's still too square.
Speaker 6 (29:22):
He doesn't know how to play with a staggered that
the tackles play with, and so there would be a
learning curve definitely.
Speaker 4 (29:28):
So a few years ago, the Steelers traded up in
the draft. You mentioned you're from Georgia seeing the Bulldogs
a lot, and he was a george guy. Broderick Jones.
He has now been moved to left tackle for this season.
It's I think one of the critical situations we're looking
(29:48):
at in terms of training camp in the preseason, how
that offensive line is going to come together. And one
of the issues are I think the two tackles Broderick Jones,
who's now being moved from right to left going to
to his third season, and Troy Foltano, another the number
one pick. I was going to be a right tackle,
but he missed most of last season with an injury.
(30:10):
What do you think of Roderick Jones? What do you
know about him? What would you forecast for him this season?
Speaker 6 (30:18):
This is a big year for him and I don't
think there's any question This team is gonna go as
the old line goes. And right now, if I had
to judge it, they are behind every other position group
and that's to be expected. They're young with some new
pieces in there. Like you said, Troy hasn't been playing
and Broadley just switched from right to left tackle, where
he hasn't played since UGA, and so he has some
(30:39):
work to do. He has to his imperative that he
gets out on the practice field. He's missed some time already,
He's missing team periods as he switches. He can't afford
to miss much more time and or if he wants
to have the type of year that he needs to have.
And so he is a physical specimen. I love how
athletic he is. I love his footwork. He has to
(31:00):
probably use his hands and be more accurate as punches.
Sometimes there's some technique issues that I'm sure Coach Meyer
is working with them on but he has the athletic
and the disposition to do it. It's just he has
to be on the field. You can't make the club
or make the club and the tub as they say.
Speaker 4 (31:16):
So you played both or both sides of the offensive line,
some left and some right. Is that a big deal
moving from one to the other or I guess it
depends on the person. I don't think it should be
for somebody like Broderick because he's such an athlete, and
when you are picked that high in the draft, there's
certain expectations that come with it.
Speaker 6 (31:35):
I think if you've had off seasons to work on stuff.
So I know he's played right tackle for two years.
It's not like it is riding the bike. But there
are some things that even if you played the position before,
you got to get reused to them again. And as
critical a position as left tackle is, you want to
fine tune those specific things in order to have success,
(31:56):
especially with who we have at quarterback going into the season.
Speaker 3 (31:59):
So it's for me.
Speaker 6 (32:01):
It initially moving from left to right, because I had
never played right tackle, it was tough, but once I
got the swing of things, it wasn't nothing to switch
between them in a pinch.
Speaker 4 (32:09):
So twenty twenty five is the twentieth anniversary of the
two thousand and five Steelers. So that's the team that
won Super Bowl forty. I've already had Charlie Batch and
Jeff Hardings and Mike Logan on this show in this segment,
and they all said that that was the closest team
they ever played on. You were a rookie that year,
(32:32):
would you agree with that?
Speaker 3 (32:33):
And want I do?
Speaker 6 (32:34):
And you can kind of as a testament to how
close some of us are, Like a lot of us
still stay in contact. Max is my brother from another
I still talk and converse with Marvell and Kendo and
Alan Fanica and Jeff whenever I get up here. And
so just from an old line perspective, coming in as
a rookie from Northwestern and coming to a team that
(32:55):
had I mean, my best year at Northwestern was sixty seven,
and then coming to a team in Pittsburgh that has
these expectations and knowing we had to go through in
order to make it to where we went to. There
had to be a certain level of chemistry that we
had to have, and that kind of permeated not only
throughout that year, but into our lives later on, and
(33:16):
so yeah, you could tell it's a testament how close
we are now. We were even much more closer in
two thousand and five.
Speaker 4 (33:22):
So a lot of them talked about the selfness selflessness
of those players, a lot of the individuals when you're
actually a player, and part of that, what does selflessness
selflessness mean and how does it manifest itself.
Speaker 6 (33:36):
It's guys willing to help you, not know, not necessarily
just worried about their position and their job, but them
taking the time to understand and help you if you're
having an issue with something or if they see something
that needs to be addressed, them taking you to the side.
For me, Aaron Smith was that person. Keemo von Laffin
was that person. Even if the voice you guys like
(33:56):
Joey Porter, James Harrison, those guys all took the time
to help out a young rookie offensive lineman from Northwestern
if they saw something that wasn't quite right or they
did an't think it was gonna help me or the
team order offensive line in that and so the selflessness
that it took for the other side of the ball
when they had their own assignments and their own things
to worry about to help an offensive lineman like me.
That's just one example.
Speaker 4 (34:18):
The starting quarterback in Pittsburgh throughout your time with the
Steelers was Ben Roethlisberger. Yes, sir, okay. So his style
of play, never giving up on a play and bouncing
around and all that kind of stuff. Was that did
that make it easier or tougher on the offensive lineman?
Speaker 3 (34:37):
And I think you know it was very stressful. We
knew if we did our job, and we did it
a little.
Speaker 6 (34:47):
Bit longer than most offensive linemen has to have to
do it, that Ben was probably gonna do something special.
Speaker 3 (34:53):
It would be one thing if he was.
Speaker 6 (34:54):
Doing that and then throwing interceptions or taking Anita sacks.
He was doing that and also helping us out when
we would mess up a block. He would shake that
guy off and make us it look a lot better.
So there was some give and take there. But blocking
with Ben was an adventure. Don't get me wrong, because
he liked to extend plays. He liked to make big
plays down the field. But we knew what we had
to do going into the any given week, and we
(35:15):
knew if we did it and we hung onto our block,
that second longer something good was going to happen.
Speaker 4 (35:19):
Did you have to like eyes in the back of
your head and know where he was all the time,
because wouldn't where he was impact the way you're rushed.
The guy you were blocking might be moving.
Speaker 6 (35:29):
Yeah, so you've started to learn how to read there
the defensive lineman eyes. Obviously couldn't turn around and look
at Ben and see where he was, or you had
to really have some deep peripheral vision. But we got
really good at reading the defensive lineman's eyes as they
were trying to track Ben down.
Speaker 4 (35:46):
So during that season, it wasn't It was by no
means an easy one or one that you know, the
team constantly improved from the start to the finish. You know,
you barely made the right So was it? What do
you remember a regular season game that, Wow, this this
(36:07):
this was the most important game that we won. This
was the most important game that we played. We really
turned a corner in this particular game.
Speaker 6 (36:16):
It was that week of practice after the coach game,
after we had lost to them in the RCA Dome
on Monday night. On Monday night, coach Kyward came in
and said that we're gonna see those guys again. And
mind you, we're sitting seventy five I think at that
point some six seventy six, and so.
Speaker 3 (36:35):
No seventy five because we ended eleven and five.
Speaker 6 (36:38):
That year, because we had to win six in a
row at that point in order to even get into
the to get that sixth seed. So that Indianapolis game
sticks out a lot. And then after that, that snow
game versus the Bears, when JB had his snow tires on. Yeah,
it kind of felt mystical in a sense. I know, uh,
it sounds kind of corny or whatever, but there was
(36:59):
something about that snow coming down, seeing Jerome go through
Lance Briggs and Irlacker going into the end zone that
touchdown and how it was captured. Uh, you kind of
knew something was special was gonna happen that year.
Speaker 4 (37:13):
So you mentioned Jerome Bettis, that was the whole He
was the rallying point, get the bust back to Detroit
the rematch. You also mentioned Bill Kower, Sam We're gonna
see them again, Okay, that happened the visional round. Where
were you when the fumble happened? And how happy were
you that Ben made the tackle? And I'd like you
(37:36):
to clarify one thing for me. Jeremy Tooman often says
he he could have made that tackle. I don't think
he had a chance. I think had a chance. He
had a slight Kendall was trying his heart out. Kendam
was gonna give it his all. But it was such
a quick such a rollercoaster of emotions and such a
(37:58):
little bit of a time frame. We had all the
moment and we had just drove down and we handed
it to our closer.
Speaker 3 (38:04):
We thought we were golden. He had I had never.
Speaker 6 (38:08):
Seen him fumbled like that, and so I think it
was Gary Brackett found him in the hole, Nick Harper
and Nick Harper wh hicked up the ball. You know
the story about it. So I want all that stuff
just happening and just and so it was.
Speaker 3 (38:25):
Uh.
Speaker 6 (38:25):
We were in goal line too, the worst obviously, the
worst formation you could be in for that type of
thing to happen.
Speaker 3 (38:32):
And so.
Speaker 6 (38:35):
I don't even think I was It was such a
hard place to be emotionally because I was happy. I
was like, we got this in the bag, and then
all of a sudden, oh no, And then in my
head so many thoughts I was like, is JB gonna
be next.
Speaker 3 (38:46):
Ernest Biner, Like, is this career going to end like this?
Speaker 2 (38:48):
No?
Speaker 6 (38:49):
Uh Ben saved him and so I'm glad that happened.
My goodness. Okay, so we'll get you out of here
on this. And just a quick answer if you could.
You mentioned Max Starks as your brother. You went to
Northwestern in the Big Ten. Max likes to walk around
training camp with his Florida Gators shirts on Big Ten
or SEC? Which is the better conference when it comes
(39:12):
to turning out NFL players.
Speaker 3 (39:16):
I'm biased.
Speaker 6 (39:17):
I'm gonna say Big Ten, even though SEC might have
the numbers right now, it's gonna come back around to
the Big.
Speaker 3 (39:22):
Ten, guarantee you.
Speaker 2 (39:24):
Trey, thanks so much for hanging out with us for
these past fifteen minutes. It was awesome stuff. Enjoy your
time up there at practice today, all right, appreciate it.
That's Trey Essex, two time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers.
Great reminiscing with him, and that's gonna do it for
us here on the training camp report. Steelers practice is
just about to get underway. It as a padless practice
today and then labs and I will be back again
tomorrow at noon with another edition of the Training Camp
(39:47):
Report before Steelers practice on Sunday. The Drive is Up Next.
Matt Williamson and Wes Euler will take you through Steelers
practice on Fox Sports Pittsburgh nine seventy am and the
Steelers Audio Network ZO
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