December 16, 2022 • 22 mins
Stan discusses the quarterback guessing game everyone in town has been playing all week regarding who will start between Mitch Trubisky or Mason Rudolph. Stan is then joined by Joe Rutter to discuss how Carolina's running offense could spell trouble yet again for the Steelers defense.
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
The only way I can keep taking being a part
of it. And if they do that can play down
the thread and say, hey, look, you know we made
a mistake. We would like you to come back if
bet the number two here, this is safran On Steelers.
Welcome to all in Steelers Nation, and welcome to the
savrant On Steelers podcast. Thanks for finding us again. I
(00:22):
hope you're enjoying the Steelers only content we post up
twice per week through the Steeler season. If you enjoy
what we're putting out, I hope you are. Please let
your friends and family and neighbors and anybody else you
can think of let them know. All they have to
do is go to Steelers dot com to find our podcast,
Savant Steelers. That's the name, and of course the Steelers
(00:46):
are the subject. Interesting game coming up on Sunday. I
think it's kind of ironic that both teams have the
identical records of five and eight. The difference is one
is very much in playoff contention, the other is not.
(01:07):
I think that's a fair assessment of the Steelers situation
both five and eight, but the big difference becomes geographical.
Where are both teams placed the NFC South is one
of the worst divisions we've seen in quite some time.
It is entirely possible that a team could when it's
(01:28):
happened before, it's entirely possible that that division could be
one with a five hundred or less than five hundred record,
But the Carolina Panthers are still very much involved. Tampa
Bay leads the division, but there's some five team as
(01:48):
well at six and seven, and by the end of
Sunday's games, Carolina could be tied for first place with
the record of six and eight. M so two teams
that have been mediocre at best. On being kind, the
(02:10):
differences in the level of expectation certainly no one, but
maybe some did. I did not. I did not anticipate
they'd be five and eight at this point. I thought
they'd be a fringe wild card contender, and maybe mathematically
(02:30):
technically they still are. But losing to Baltimore changed to
me the entire dynamic. So the expectation for the Steelers,
while not high, we're higher than what we've seen on
the record at five and eight. If you go to Carolina,
(02:54):
I can't imagine that they're thrilled to be five and eight,
But then again, that pretty much exceeds what their expectations,
at least preseason might have been. Now, at that point,
you knew they were gonna have quarterback issues. You know,
whoever won the quarterback job, either Sam Donald or Baker
(03:15):
Mayfield or any of the others that they've tried, that
was gonna be a problem. But they still add arguably
one of the best all round players in the NFL
and Christian McCaffrey. And I don't know that anyone anticipated
that they would trade him to the forty niners as
part of a rebuild strategy to get better draft picks,
(03:37):
which they've gotten. And yet even having done that, here
they are, and it is kind of stilted a bit
because that awful division there five and eight, But they're
still in contention, so maybe they're viewing this is a
better than expected season. That being the case, one can
(04:02):
certainly expect the Carolina Panthers to go all out Sunday.
They're very much alive and have a lot to gain
with a win, and in their case, they would appear
unless they win out, which is doubtful that winning the
(04:24):
division is their only path to the playoffs. Too many
other good teams in the NFC will gobble up the
remaining wild card spots. What's the attitude for the Steelers? Like,
what's it going to be now? Players want to win,
they want to play hard. There's a lot of pride.
(04:46):
You don't get to be at that level unless you're
a very prideful individual. You're just you're just not getting there.
I'm not gonna happen for you. There's something more that's
inside an athlete. You go in wanting to do your best,
(05:11):
but sometimes you just don't feel it. The terms teams
come out flat and they may have great practices all
week long and figure they're ready to go, but it's
(05:32):
not quite the same as necessary to win and to
play well. I think we can put away the notion
that losing the game would be beneficial to their draft status,
and maybe you as a fan feel that way. Maybe
(05:53):
deep down inside Steelers management feels that way. You want
to win every game, but in this case, there is
an upside to losing a game. Again, the players don't
care about next year's draft. They are more concerned about
(06:14):
how it affects them individually, their contract, their livelihood. Are
they gonna be in Pittsburgh if they're gonna be cut,
contracts not renewed. They need to play well because other
teams will see the tape on what they did when
(06:35):
it's still mattered. And maybe that's even a better barometer.
Maybe you go into a game where the team doesn't
benefit from winning, but you still play well. That says
a lot about the player's character. It's a little bit
premature to be talking about who should be arrested. Young
(06:59):
player is playing. There's still four games to go, and
I would expect that that being the case, that you're
gonna see all the starters, and I think you will
see that until such time as it becomes obvious that
(07:24):
there are no playoffs. In other words, that will mean
mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, and that may not come
even after this week or next when they play the
Raiders on Saturday night. So if you followed Mike Tomlin,
I think you get an idea of how he's gonna
play it. He's gonna play it like it was the
(07:48):
Super Bowl. But what will that look like? We're joining
out by Joe Rutter. Joe has covered the Steelers for
a long time for the Pitch RG Tribune to view
does a great job being the beat man for the
trip covering the Steelers. This game has a lot of
meaning really for Carolina because of the numbers. I just stated, Uh,
(08:11):
the Steelers, not so much. You're around the team, is
there any vibe you get on how they're approaching this
game and how do you think Tomlin will play it
in terms of, you know, not sitting regulars, but mixing
in younger players to begin getting a view or is
it too early for that with four games remaining. I
don't think it is too early for that, but I
(08:32):
don't think they're going in with that mentality to rail,
Austin dismissed that rather decisively yesterday whether it was time
to start playing some young guys. He said, their goal
is to still win, um, but I think they're gonna
have to play some younger guys. Miles Jack has a
practice so far this week, and he was walking very
genuinely through the locker room yesterday, so I'd be surprised
(08:53):
if he's able to play some Maybe you've gotta Mark
Robinson gets a helmet for the second time this year. Uh,
to Marvin Leawl, you know they're gonna want to see
what he can do, and along with us. They a
louder milky on that couch side with the Chris Warnley injury.
So I think they're gonna play these guys more out
of necessity rather than, hey, let's you know, look towards
next season. Is that really just um, you know, a
(09:15):
matter of semantics. Um, it's something they want to do
but can't say they will because they don't want to
appear like they're giving up on the season. We're giving
up on any one game, Yeah, exactly, you know, and
they can frame it that way to make it look like,
you know that this this is what they have at
their disposal, So they have to play these guys. But
I think realistically, you're gonna have to, you know, look
(09:36):
towards next season, and that's something really might Common hasn't
had to do. I think he's had one meaningless game
in his career here. Uh you know, you know, I
don't think for his well, maybe he is trying to
you know, still go for the you know, the winning season,
which you know is unlikely. But yeah, I mean, I
think they have to recognize the fact that they've got
to get some of these younger guys in there and
(09:57):
start playing and maybe you see more Connor Hayward on offense. Um,
you know, I don't know what you know, fIF Jalen Warren,
you know, gets more of a fifty fifty split with
Naji Harris. Um. You know. Then I think when Kenny
pick it's cleared, I think they're gonna have to go
back to him and you know, finish off the season
to you know, keep his development on track. Would you
(10:17):
be surprised if anyone other than Mitch Robinski is the
starting quarterback Sunday? I would be mildly surprised if it
is Mason's golf. I mean, I think for all, you know,
the all the talk that has you know, surrounded it
this week, and Mason Rudolph is you know, you know,
he's gotten more snaps with the ones. I mean, I
think as soon as they started splitting these snaps up,
(10:39):
I think that was a sign that Mr. Or Kenny Pickett,
you know, they're gonna set him out this week and
give him another week to heal up. And you know,
and the explanation Matt Cannada gave us doesn't make sense
that you know, if something happened and he has to
turn the mazing runoff, you don't want him to go
in without having any reps with the ones. So I
think they were splitting it up this week to get
him ready. Um, not necessarily maybe to start, but in case,
(11:02):
you know Mr Krbisky has a bad performance or you know,
there is another injury in this game. Yeah, it is interesting. Um,
you know, how how long of a leash with Trobinsky get? Um?
You know, the one thing about him, uh, the interception,
of course stands out, and that's like a big wall.
Do you never get a chance to peak beyond that wall?
But he did move the team. But I'm wondering your
(11:24):
thoughts on how long a leash if Tomlin really wants
to win this game, if if Robinsky starts and isn't
playing well, um, if he doesn't bringing Rudolph to yank
um um, But what benefit really is that? Well, I
mean I think I guess the only benefit would be
that you've got two quarterbacks out there that really aren't
a part of your future. And he's still trieding to
(11:46):
win games. So if Mr Krbisky isn't doing it, then
you know he you know he hadn't. I don't think
you have any problem going off, you know at a
halftime situation, or you know, there's simile series where Mr.
Kropisky just doesn't playing well. I mean, I know, I
know he still wants to win too, even though it
probably be in the long term best interest for the
team to get a higher draft pick. But I don't
think they think that way. So I think if they're
(12:07):
going to go in with two veteran quarterbacks, he's going
to use them at every whatever way he thinks that.
You know, he can be the Carolina Panthers. You know,
you look looking ahead a little bit past this game
and even the rest of the season. We know that
Mason Rudolph is gonna be gone. He's an honest, good
free agent. I don't know what the market will be,
but I don't know. I don't I don't know if
he's better maybe maybe not. I'm sure he's uh resents
(12:31):
the fact he never really got an opportunity. Um, but
is there any reason to think that Trabscue does have
a your remaining on his contract, assuming the Steelers would
want him, that he would be accepting of in a
backup role to Ken he Picktt next year. I I
don't think. I don't think that happening. I mean, he
(12:53):
he's you know, he could go eight million dollars next year,
which I don't know if the Steelers want to pay
that much for a backup. I mean, you wouldn't have
to pay the starter much because he's stilling contract. But
I think if the team is looking up a great
another areas, you can cut that salary down. Um. Now,
the only way I could see Mason not being a
part of this is if they do let him play
down the stretch and say, hey, look, you know we
(13:15):
we made a mistake. We would like you to come
back and be the number two here. But I don't
know if that bridge has maybe been barred with him
that he might want a fresh start elsewhere. That would
be the only unlikeliest of scenarios I could see playing
out where Mason Rudolph could come back. But I think
you know the way it's going right now. You're gonna
have Kenny Pickett next year, and you know two other
quarterbacks that we you know, we don't know who their
(13:37):
identities are. Maybe you want the late round draft pick
and the other's a veteran that's been bouncing around for
a while. Yeah, that sure seems to be Um, you
know that way? Um, I'm wondering how. I mean, they're
committed to Kenny Pick, there's no question about that. UM.
I wonder if they'll do the same thing they've done
(13:57):
with other veterans, you know, leaving with free agent opportunities,
um and pretty much saying, you know, go out there,
see what is available, you know, see what the market
will bear, but keep us in mind if you don't
get an offer that you like and that you know.
For Terrell Edmonds was is an example of that. Devin
Bush might be an example of that. And I'm wondering
(14:19):
how they handle that with Rudolph. But I also wonder
if Rudolph feels you never gave me a chance, I'm
not coming back here, well, you know, and if Mason
Rudolf does feel that way, and we don't know, he's
been very he's kept it very close to the vets,
He's been very professional about this. If he does feel
that way, I wouldn't blame him in the least. And
I could see him wanting to go just to an
entirely different scenario where he has a chance to just
(14:41):
you know, maybe compete for the backup role or or
somehow he'd be given a shot. You know, maybe with
a team like a Carolina that you know has a
has an uncertain quarterback situation for the future, to get
a chance to play there. Um yeah, I I just
you know, I would see it very unlikely. And this
some kind of signs this year last four games that
that they they would play him to show him. Hey, look,
(15:03):
you know, you know we need a number two next year.
You know we still once you here. But again, I
just think that's highly unlikely. Do you think that Ms
Robinsky has bad feelings about the way he's been treated? Uh,
you know, maybe in his mind yank prematurely um and
you know, never against the Jets and it was early.
(15:25):
You know, he comes back and he helps them win
to beat Tampa Bay. Uh, now they have to turn
to him. Now, if they were to start Rudolph, that'd
be the final nail on the coffin. Do you think
that comes into play? Do you think that Robinsky Harbor? Oh, yeah, definitely,
I would think so. And and again if they turned
to Mason Rudolph at some point and what they did,
(15:45):
that would be the nail when the coffin for him.
But you know, and I think it goes back to
to you know, Kenny Pickett had that Cancutch, Mims Robinsky
came in, helped them win. Now they're going on the
road next week, and you know, Kenny pick it was
clear took all the snaps and went in there. Well,
I think the same thing would have been to do
is let you know, miss Drabinsky play in that game
down in Miami. But that didn't happen. And I'm thinking,
if I'm miss Robinsky, Wow, what do I gotta do,
(16:07):
you know, to get back in here? And it turned out,
you know, with another injury the Kenny Pickett that allowed
him to do so. And you know, I think he
probably feels was taken out of the game prematurely. Was
you know, was brought in with certain promises and you
know that people I feels with Steelers didn't live up
to him. You know, I'm I'm wondering if that isn't
the uh, not the beginning nor the end, but the
(16:30):
continuation of a long term trend. There have been veterans
who have come in here and sometimes I discounted players.
You don't have to say sometimes they make up slights
that really aren't they're they're really not real or um
they're more imagined. But you know, you know, Melvin Ingram
came in here once upon a time, James Harrison um
(16:51):
going back with Garrett Blunt. I'm wondering if this isn't
a practice that the Steelers have engaged in. Well, well,
you know, you'll do this, and we'll have you do
at and then as time goes on, and I don't
blame him for this, but the player feels like he
was lied to. Yeah, I can see that being a
you know, a postility and players read. You know, people
(17:11):
reach things different ways. You know, one thing can be
said to them, they interpreted as they when they have
their you know, the team maybe intended to be to
be the truth in that, and you know, things do
get misconstruction here. You know, Melbourne Ingram is just the
most recent example of that. And yeah, and in a
way that could be hard to bring it to get
free agents to come in, but you know, and then again,
(17:33):
the Steelers do have a fairly good reputation, uh, you
know bringing these type of players, you know, other type
of players that you got, you know, to Miles, Jack
Hillario and Job could have come in and you know
handed what you know, they were promised. So but yeah,
you know it. It's a little bit of a trend
here that that has been going on for a little while.
And in my comment, Ogan job he's gotten a lot
(17:53):
of starts when he's been healthy. He came here in
a one year's deal. Uh do you see him coming
back here? I don't. I don't think so. I think
at this point the Steelers need to get younger and
better on the defensive line. I imagine they draft somebody
first second round there and and you know, see what
they've got with these younger guys. Uh, you know really,
I mean Larry Ognjobie has done fine, but he has
(18:14):
been banged up a lot. You know, came here coming
off a pretty significant injury. Um. I think maybe he
sink he might be one of those guys they leave
the door open and say, hey, if you don't get
anything out there, you know, look to come back here,
because they are gonna have guys leaving Chris formerly the
end of his deal. Uh Tyson a little loose, probably
at the end of his career. Um, so they're gonna
have some openings on the defensive line. Um. You know,
(18:37):
for the kind of money that you know, Larry Ognjobie
might want to get out there. I mean, he had
a chance to get a huge contract before he didn't
fail as physical. Maybe he thinks he can parlay that
into something bigger on the open market, you know, in
the street, you know, in this year, and and the
other thing to look at too is they've got to
make some decisions in the secondary with you know, they
want to bring a Tello Witherspoon back. William Jackson still
(18:57):
on the roster. He'll make eight million next year. I
think Bill came the training camp to see what he has.
I don't expect him to pay him that kind of money.
You have to Levi Wallace, who's also one a two
year deal camp. Slapton is going to be a free agent.
So you know, there's a lot of factors that play
on this defense with some of their older players. By
the way, just a couple of moments ago, Mike Tomlins
(19:18):
addressed the media and Kenny Pickett is officially listed as doubtful,
which is probably coach where he's not playing, and Tomlin
said they'll announce the starting quarterback tomorrow. So um uh,
why tomorrow, I don't know. Uh, maybe to give Carolina,
you know, some question marks. So there's that Um, just
(19:41):
looking ahead and I hate to get involved in this.
It's just too early. Um, you know, we got all
the way until May to worry about it. But you
mentioned the secondary. Um, I have no idea, you know,
the talent level in college at which position, what's strong,
what is not. But clearly offensive line is an area.
But I'm wondering if they draft highly enough Joe, if
(20:05):
they don't seek a stud cover corner that would be
one of their needs. I mean that's been an issue.
It's been a big issue this year, um, which is
why I think maybe like a guy like James Pierre, Hey,
maybe you give it, you know, the last few games
of the year to get along and look at him
to see what he has, because they're gonna have some
openings there in the secondary next year. Um. Yeah, I
(20:25):
mean it's it's gonna be you know, I think a
lot of the defenses and I think you have a
lot of holes to feel for next season, and as
well as the offensive line. I think, you know, you
look at those three positions and that's probably where they
have to target their first two or three picks, yep,
which all should behind some of the how high they
are might be well determined a great deal by what
(20:47):
happens Sunday in Carolina. Joe, enjoy your trip down there.
Also enjoy your the pizza for lunch. I will do that.
I'm gonna be heading out the door any moment now,
so gonna go right to the first pizza place I see.
All right, Well, try to make a calli Ante since
they're one of our sponsors. It's seriously, Joe, thanks for
(21:09):
being here anytime. Are deep Thanks to Joe Runner for
taking the time to be with us on this Sabrann Sports,
Uh Savant and Steelers accuse me. I'll get the Savanns
post Formentalilly Joe Runner of the trip. You can read
him online um and check them out on Twitter at
trip Joe Rutter speaking to Sabrann on Sports. That's the
(21:33):
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(21:56):
available at Steelers dot com. Thanks for being with today
for severn On Steelers.
The only way I can keep taking being a part
of it. And if they do that can play down
the thread and say, hey, look, you know we made
a mistake. We would like you to come back if
bet the number two here, this is safran On Steelers.
Welcome to all in Steelers Nation, and welcome to the
savrant On Steelers podcast. Thanks for finding us again. I
(00:22):
hope you're enjoying the Steelers only content we post up
twice per week through the Steeler season. If you enjoy
what we're putting out, I hope you are. Please let
your friends and family and neighbors and anybody else you
can think of let them know. All they have to
do is go to Steelers dot com to find our podcast,
Savant Steelers. That's the name, and of course the Steelers
(00:46):
are the subject. Interesting game coming up on Sunday. I
think it's kind of ironic that both teams have the
identical records of five and eight. The difference is one
is very much in playoff contention, the other is not.
(01:07):
I think that's a fair assessment of the Steelers situation
both five and eight, but the big difference becomes geographical.
Where are both teams placed the NFC South is one
of the worst divisions we've seen in quite some time.
It is entirely possible that a team could when it's
(01:28):
happened before, it's entirely possible that that division could be
one with a five hundred or less than five hundred record,
But the Carolina Panthers are still very much involved. Tampa
Bay leads the division, but there's some five team as
(01:48):
well at six and seven, and by the end of
Sunday's games, Carolina could be tied for first place with
the record of six and eight. M so two teams
that have been mediocre at best. On being kind, the
(02:10):
differences in the level of expectation certainly no one, but
maybe some did. I did not. I did not anticipate
they'd be five and eight at this point. I thought
they'd be a fringe wild card contender, and maybe mathematically
(02:30):
technically they still are. But losing to Baltimore changed to
me the entire dynamic. So the expectation for the Steelers,
while not high, we're higher than what we've seen on
the record at five and eight. If you go to Carolina,
(02:54):
I can't imagine that they're thrilled to be five and eight,
But then again, that pretty much exceeds what their expectations,
at least preseason might have been. Now, at that point,
you knew they were gonna have quarterback issues. You know,
whoever won the quarterback job, either Sam Donald or Baker
(03:15):
Mayfield or any of the others that they've tried, that
was gonna be a problem. But they still add arguably
one of the best all round players in the NFL
and Christian McCaffrey. And I don't know that anyone anticipated
that they would trade him to the forty niners as
part of a rebuild strategy to get better draft picks,
(03:37):
which they've gotten. And yet even having done that, here
they are, and it is kind of stilted a bit
because that awful division there five and eight, But they're
still in contention, so maybe they're viewing this is a
better than expected season. That being the case, one can
(04:02):
certainly expect the Carolina Panthers to go all out Sunday.
They're very much alive and have a lot to gain
with a win, and in their case, they would appear
unless they win out, which is doubtful that winning the
(04:24):
division is their only path to the playoffs. Too many
other good teams in the NFC will gobble up the
remaining wild card spots. What's the attitude for the Steelers? Like,
what's it going to be now? Players want to win,
they want to play hard. There's a lot of pride.
(04:46):
You don't get to be at that level unless you're
a very prideful individual. You're just you're just not getting there.
I'm not gonna happen for you. There's something more that's
inside an athlete. You go in wanting to do your best,
(05:11):
but sometimes you just don't feel it. The terms teams
come out flat and they may have great practices all
week long and figure they're ready to go, but it's
(05:32):
not quite the same as necessary to win and to
play well. I think we can put away the notion
that losing the game would be beneficial to their draft status,
and maybe you as a fan feel that way. Maybe
(05:53):
deep down inside Steelers management feels that way. You want
to win every game, but in this case, there is
an upside to losing a game. Again, the players don't
care about next year's draft. They are more concerned about
(06:14):
how it affects them individually, their contract, their livelihood. Are
they gonna be in Pittsburgh if they're gonna be cut,
contracts not renewed. They need to play well because other
teams will see the tape on what they did when
(06:35):
it's still mattered. And maybe that's even a better barometer.
Maybe you go into a game where the team doesn't
benefit from winning, but you still play well. That says
a lot about the player's character. It's a little bit
premature to be talking about who should be arrested. Young
(06:59):
player is playing. There's still four games to go, and
I would expect that that being the case, that you're
gonna see all the starters, and I think you will
see that until such time as it becomes obvious that
(07:24):
there are no playoffs. In other words, that will mean
mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, and that may not come
even after this week or next when they play the
Raiders on Saturday night. So if you followed Mike Tomlin,
I think you get an idea of how he's gonna
play it. He's gonna play it like it was the
(07:48):
Super Bowl. But what will that look like? We're joining
out by Joe Rutter. Joe has covered the Steelers for
a long time for the Pitch RG Tribune to view
does a great job being the beat man for the
trip covering the Steelers. This game has a lot of
meaning really for Carolina because of the numbers. I just stated, Uh,
(08:11):
the Steelers, not so much. You're around the team, is
there any vibe you get on how they're approaching this
game and how do you think Tomlin will play it
in terms of, you know, not sitting regulars, but mixing
in younger players to begin getting a view or is
it too early for that with four games remaining. I
don't think it is too early for that, but I
(08:32):
don't think they're going in with that mentality to rail,
Austin dismissed that rather decisively yesterday whether it was time
to start playing some young guys. He said, their goal
is to still win, um, but I think they're gonna
have to play some younger guys. Miles Jack has a
practice so far this week, and he was walking very
genuinely through the locker room yesterday, so I'd be surprised
(08:53):
if he's able to play some Maybe you've gotta Mark
Robinson gets a helmet for the second time this year. Uh,
to Marvin Leawl, you know they're gonna want to see
what he can do, and along with us. They a
louder milky on that couch side with the Chris Warnley injury.
So I think they're gonna play these guys more out
of necessity rather than, hey, let's you know, look towards
next season. Is that really just um, you know, a
(09:15):
matter of semantics. Um, it's something they want to do
but can't say they will because they don't want to
appear like they're giving up on the season. We're giving
up on any one game, Yeah, exactly, you know, and
they can frame it that way to make it look like,
you know that this this is what they have at
their disposal, So they have to play these guys. But
I think realistically, you're gonna have to, you know, look
(09:36):
towards next season, and that's something really might Common hasn't
had to do. I think he's had one meaningless game
in his career here. Uh you know, you know, I
don't think for his well, maybe he is trying to
you know, still go for the you know, the winning season,
which you know is unlikely. But yeah, I mean, I
think they have to recognize the fact that they've got
to get some of these younger guys in there and
(09:57):
start playing and maybe you see more Connor Hayward on offense. Um,
you know, I don't know what you know, fIF Jalen Warren,
you know, gets more of a fifty fifty split with
Naji Harris. Um. You know. Then I think when Kenny
pick it's cleared, I think they're gonna have to go
back to him and you know, finish off the season
to you know, keep his development on track. Would you
(10:17):
be surprised if anyone other than Mitch Robinski is the
starting quarterback Sunday? I would be mildly surprised if it
is Mason's golf. I mean, I think for all, you know,
the all the talk that has you know, surrounded it
this week, and Mason Rudolph is you know, you know,
he's gotten more snaps with the ones. I mean, I
think as soon as they started splitting these snaps up,
(10:39):
I think that was a sign that Mr. Or Kenny Pickett,
you know, they're gonna set him out this week and
give him another week to heal up. And you know,
and the explanation Matt Cannada gave us doesn't make sense
that you know, if something happened and he has to
turn the mazing runoff, you don't want him to go
in without having any reps with the ones. So I
think they were splitting it up this week to get
him ready. Um, not necessarily maybe to start, but in case,
(11:02):
you know Mr Krbisky has a bad performance or you know,
there is another injury in this game. Yeah, it is interesting. Um,
you know, how how long of a leash with Trobinsky get? Um?
You know, the one thing about him, uh, the interception,
of course stands out, and that's like a big wall.
Do you never get a chance to peak beyond that wall?
But he did move the team. But I'm wondering your
(11:24):
thoughts on how long a leash if Tomlin really wants
to win this game, if if Robinsky starts and isn't
playing well, um, if he doesn't bringing Rudolph to yank
um um, But what benefit really is that? Well, I
mean I think I guess the only benefit would be
that you've got two quarterbacks out there that really aren't
a part of your future. And he's still trieding to
(11:46):
win games. So if Mr Krbisky isn't doing it, then
you know he you know he hadn't. I don't think
you have any problem going off, you know at a
halftime situation, or you know, there's simile series where Mr.
Kropisky just doesn't playing well. I mean, I know, I
know he still wants to win too, even though it
probably be in the long term best interest for the
team to get a higher draft pick. But I don't
think they think that way. So I think if they're
(12:07):
going to go in with two veteran quarterbacks, he's going
to use them at every whatever way he thinks that.
You know, he can be the Carolina Panthers. You know,
you look looking ahead a little bit past this game
and even the rest of the season. We know that
Mason Rudolph is gonna be gone. He's an honest, good
free agent. I don't know what the market will be,
but I don't know. I don't I don't know if
he's better maybe maybe not. I'm sure he's uh resents
(12:31):
the fact he never really got an opportunity. Um, but
is there any reason to think that Trabscue does have
a your remaining on his contract, assuming the Steelers would
want him, that he would be accepting of in a
backup role to Ken he Picktt next year. I I
don't think. I don't think that happening. I mean, he
(12:53):
he's you know, he could go eight million dollars next year,
which I don't know if the Steelers want to pay
that much for a backup. I mean, you wouldn't have
to pay the starter much because he's stilling contract. But
I think if the team is looking up a great
another areas, you can cut that salary down. Um. Now,
the only way I could see Mason not being a
part of this is if they do let him play
down the stretch and say, hey, look, you know we
(13:15):
we made a mistake. We would like you to come
back and be the number two here. But I don't
know if that bridge has maybe been barred with him
that he might want a fresh start elsewhere. That would
be the only unlikeliest of scenarios I could see playing
out where Mason Rudolph could come back. But I think
you know the way it's going right now. You're gonna
have Kenny Pickett next year, and you know two other
quarterbacks that we you know, we don't know who their
(13:37):
identities are. Maybe you want the late round draft pick
and the other's a veteran that's been bouncing around for
a while. Yeah, that sure seems to be Um, you
know that way? Um, I'm wondering how. I mean, they're
committed to Kenny Pick, there's no question about that. UM.
I wonder if they'll do the same thing they've done
(13:57):
with other veterans, you know, leaving with free agent opportunities,
um and pretty much saying, you know, go out there,
see what is available, you know, see what the market
will bear, but keep us in mind if you don't
get an offer that you like and that you know.
For Terrell Edmonds was is an example of that. Devin
Bush might be an example of that. And I'm wondering
(14:19):
how they handle that with Rudolph. But I also wonder
if Rudolph feels you never gave me a chance, I'm
not coming back here, well, you know, and if Mason
Rudolf does feel that way, and we don't know, he's
been very he's kept it very close to the vets,
He's been very professional about this. If he does feel
that way, I wouldn't blame him in the least. And
I could see him wanting to go just to an
entirely different scenario where he has a chance to just
(14:41):
you know, maybe compete for the backup role or or
somehow he'd be given a shot. You know, maybe with
a team like a Carolina that you know has a
has an uncertain quarterback situation for the future, to get
a chance to play there. Um yeah, I I just
you know, I would see it very unlikely. And this
some kind of signs this year last four games that
that they they would play him to show him. Hey, look,
(15:03):
you know, you know we need a number two next year.
You know we still once you here. But again, I
just think that's highly unlikely. Do you think that Ms
Robinsky has bad feelings about the way he's been treated? Uh,
you know, maybe in his mind yank prematurely um and
you know, never against the Jets and it was early.
(15:25):
You know, he comes back and he helps them win
to beat Tampa Bay. Uh, now they have to turn
to him. Now, if they were to start Rudolph, that'd
be the final nail on the coffin. Do you think
that comes into play? Do you think that Robinsky Harbor? Oh, yeah, definitely,
I would think so. And and again if they turned
to Mason Rudolph at some point and what they did,
(15:45):
that would be the nail when the coffin for him.
But you know, and I think it goes back to
to you know, Kenny Pickett had that Cancutch, Mims Robinsky
came in, helped them win. Now they're going on the
road next week, and you know, Kenny pick it was
clear took all the snaps and went in there. Well,
I think the same thing would have been to do
is let you know, miss Drabinsky play in that game
down in Miami. But that didn't happen. And I'm thinking,
if I'm miss Robinsky, Wow, what do I gotta do,
(16:07):
you know, to get back in here? And it turned out,
you know, with another injury the Kenny Pickett that allowed
him to do so. And you know, I think he
probably feels was taken out of the game prematurely. Was
you know, was brought in with certain promises and you
know that people I feels with Steelers didn't live up
to him. You know, I'm I'm wondering if that isn't
the uh, not the beginning nor the end, but the
(16:30):
continuation of a long term trend. There have been veterans
who have come in here and sometimes I discounted players.
You don't have to say sometimes they make up slights
that really aren't they're they're really not real or um
they're more imagined. But you know, you know, Melvin Ingram
came in here once upon a time, James Harrison um
(16:51):
going back with Garrett Blunt. I'm wondering if this isn't
a practice that the Steelers have engaged in. Well, well,
you know, you'll do this, and we'll have you do
at and then as time goes on, and I don't
blame him for this, but the player feels like he
was lied to. Yeah, I can see that being a
you know, a postility and players read. You know, people
(17:11):
reach things different ways. You know, one thing can be
said to them, they interpreted as they when they have
their you know, the team maybe intended to be to
be the truth in that, and you know, things do
get misconstruction here. You know, Melbourne Ingram is just the
most recent example of that. And yeah, and in a
way that could be hard to bring it to get
free agents to come in, but you know, and then again,
(17:33):
the Steelers do have a fairly good reputation, uh, you
know bringing these type of players, you know, other type
of players that you got, you know, to Miles, Jack
Hillario and Job could have come in and you know
handed what you know, they were promised. So but yeah,
you know it. It's a little bit of a trend
here that that has been going on for a little while.
And in my comment, Ogan job he's gotten a lot
(17:53):
of starts when he's been healthy. He came here in
a one year's deal. Uh do you see him coming
back here? I don't. I don't think so. I think
at this point the Steelers need to get younger and
better on the defensive line. I imagine they draft somebody
first second round there and and you know, see what
they've got with these younger guys. Uh, you know really,
I mean Larry Ognjobie has done fine, but he has
(18:14):
been banged up a lot. You know, came here coming
off a pretty significant injury. Um. I think maybe he
sink he might be one of those guys they leave
the door open and say, hey, if you don't get
anything out there, you know, look to come back here,
because they are gonna have guys leaving Chris formerly the
end of his deal. Uh Tyson a little loose, probably
at the end of his career. Um, so they're gonna
have some openings on the defensive line. Um. You know,
(18:37):
for the kind of money that you know, Larry Ognjobie
might want to get out there. I mean, he had
a chance to get a huge contract before he didn't
fail as physical. Maybe he thinks he can parlay that
into something bigger on the open market, you know, in
the street, you know, in this year, and and the
other thing to look at too is they've got to
make some decisions in the secondary with you know, they
want to bring a Tello Witherspoon back. William Jackson still
(18:57):
on the roster. He'll make eight million next year. I
think Bill came the training camp to see what he has.
I don't expect him to pay him that kind of money.
You have to Levi Wallace, who's also one a two
year deal camp. Slapton is going to be a free agent.
So you know, there's a lot of factors that play
on this defense with some of their older players. By
the way, just a couple of moments ago, Mike Tomlins
(19:18):
addressed the media and Kenny Pickett is officially listed as doubtful,
which is probably coach where he's not playing, and Tomlin
said they'll announce the starting quarterback tomorrow. So um uh,
why tomorrow, I don't know. Uh, maybe to give Carolina,
you know, some question marks. So there's that Um, just
(19:41):
looking ahead and I hate to get involved in this.
It's just too early. Um, you know, we got all
the way until May to worry about it. But you
mentioned the secondary. Um, I have no idea, you know,
the talent level in college at which position, what's strong,
what is not. But clearly offensive line is an area.
But I'm wondering if they draft highly enough Joe, if
(20:05):
they don't seek a stud cover corner that would be
one of their needs. I mean that's been an issue.
It's been a big issue this year, um, which is
why I think maybe like a guy like James Pierre, Hey,
maybe you give it, you know, the last few games
of the year to get along and look at him
to see what he has, because they're gonna have some
openings there in the secondary next year. Um. Yeah, I
(20:25):
mean it's it's gonna be you know, I think a
lot of the defenses and I think you have a
lot of holes to feel for next season, and as
well as the offensive line. I think, you know, you
look at those three positions and that's probably where they
have to target their first two or three picks, yep,
which all should behind some of the how high they
are might be well determined a great deal by what
(20:47):
happens Sunday in Carolina. Joe, enjoy your trip down there.
Also enjoy your the pizza for lunch. I will do that.
I'm gonna be heading out the door any moment now,
so gonna go right to the first pizza place I see.
All right, Well, try to make a calli Ante since
they're one of our sponsors. It's seriously, Joe, thanks for
(21:09):
being here anytime. Are deep Thanks to Joe Runner for
taking the time to be with us on this Sabrann Sports,
Uh Savant and Steelers accuse me. I'll get the Savanns
post Formentalilly Joe Runner of the trip. You can read
him online um and check them out on Twitter at
trip Joe Rutter speaking to Sabrann on Sports. That's the
(21:33):
name of my daily show on ESPN Pittsburgh. You can
get that very easily. Just download the I Heart Media app.
You can get our radio station ESPN Pittsburgh and I'm
on noon to two daily. You can get it through
the app and hear it anywhere you happen to be
in Steelers Nation Again are Steelers podcast Savann on Steelers
(21:56):
available at Steelers dot com. Thanks for being with today
for severn On Steelers.
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