December 15, 2025 • 39 mins
Alan joins Mark at the top of the hour to add to the Steelers conversation, the old 29er at the bottom of the hour to chat Penguins, and Ask Mark Anything,
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Sure.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
I mean now he covers the Steelers for Pittsburgh Steelers
Now always a pleasure to talk to Alan Saunders. Alan,
how can the Steelers get their running game going again?
Is that even a big concern to them? And how
important is that they do it tonight?
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Well?
Speaker 1 (00:17):
I think it's a concern to them always. It's sort
of part of their DNA that they want to have,
And I think it's a big concern tonight because Miami
Dolphins are not very good at stopping it. They are
four point eight yards to carry against. With their defense,
they play a lot of Cover two, so they really
they have a light box. They're they're not gonna let
(00:38):
the Steelers do what they did last week, which was
throw the ball down the field. Running is the only alternative? Really?
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Uh yeah, I totally agree. I think they give up
on it too early. Is that the Rogers influence? I
think he just wants to throw five yard routes.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
It could be, It could be. It could be Arthur Smith.
I mean, I know he likes to run the ball
as well, but I also think sometimes he has a
tendency to just get a little bit too too cute,
too clever, you know, try to do what the other
guy isn't expecting you to do, as opposed to just
doing what the situation calls for and what you're good at.
(01:17):
I will say this second half of the Baltimore game,
without Darnell Washington and with Dylan Cook in there at
left tackle, I didn't necessarily think they had the personnel
to run very well. They will get Washington back this week.
Cook is still going to be in there at left tackle.
He's not a big, wide body guy. He was a
quarterback when he first got to college. A really fun
(01:39):
story for him to get his first NFL start, But
I don't think he's nearly as good as a run
blocker as he is a pass blocker.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
I will say this though, I don't think the Steelers
have been noticeably worse at left tackle, and that's going
from their first string to second string to third string.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
Another four string. I guess you got to give credit.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Maybe to Washington playing maybe, but I think more so
to Siamalo at left guard.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
I think Samalo has played his best ball these last
couple of weeks. I do think we've seen fewer really
explosive runs to the left side without Jones in there.
I'm not sure that teams have picked up on that necessarily. Necessarily,
I think Faltan who has been run blocking a little
bit better on the right side as well. And I
think you've got to give some credit to Pat Meyer.
(02:24):
I think people have been down on him because of
the lack of development of Broader Jones. But on the
flip side of that, they had to play Ryan McCollum
a few games last year down to their fourth option
at left tackle. Right now, he seems to be getting
other guys ready to go.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
Has the Washington experiment worked.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
I think it's taken Mouth and John Who out of
anything meaningful.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
I just don't like it.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
I think John Who's part of the arrangement has been
the part that's really been the piece that doesn't seem
to fit now. I don't know that they thought that
they were gonna use Washington as much as they've ended
up using him when they got him. But now it
seems like they've got three guys that they would like
to all be out of the field at the same time,
and that's just not possible. And it doesn't seem like
(03:20):
there's enough to go around for Farmuth, who is one
of their better offensive players. I feel like he's being
kind of unfairly pushed to the side. He's been a
pretty professional about it. Haven't heard him complaining about it,
at least publicly, But I mean, if I was him,
I'd be pretty hot at my usage to this point
this season. Although having said that, this is a Cover
(03:43):
two team very similar to the Cincinnati Bengals, and we've
seen how he's attacked them in the past, so maybe
this is the week they finally get him going.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
How much is the absence of wat hurt, not least
against the run, where like Matt Williamson just got done
talking about Alan, he's probably underrated, probably very good.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
I think that's the biggest drop off her Big is
a really good pass rusher. He's a smaller guy than
what is shorter, He's a little bit easier to solo
block against the run. And then I think the second
part of that is, you know they've been running that
three outside linebacker together package to really you know, punish
teams that get in third and long against them. That'll
(04:22):
be a lot less effective. And then just the depths.
You know, even Watt is playing eighty percent of the time,
you don't want an edge rusher playing every snap. The
ability to go to her Big as the first guy
off the bench is a huge advantage for the Steelers
that they're not going to have this week.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
We're talking to Alan Saunders of Pittsburgh Steelers now Here
on the Mark Madden Show.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
It seems like the Steelers.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Need to shut down Miami's run game with the A train,
and they got good backups too, and put the game
into his hands. Is that easier said than Don Allen?
Speaker 1 (04:59):
Well, Well, nobody's been able to do it the last
four weeks against the Dolphins, that's for sure. I kind
of think the Steelers can do that. We saw him
do it against the Colts. We saw him do it
against the Packers. And yeah, they've had trouble with the
running game in the last couple of weeks, but that's
also been running teams that also have running quarterbacks. It's
different to say you're gonna stop Dereck Henry when you
(05:20):
also have to deal with Lamar running and Lamar throwing.
I think this is a pretty one dimensional offense this
last few weeks. With Tyreek Hill out, the receivers aren't
that scary. I'm agreeing. I think the Steelers game plan
Cannon should be stop a chan make to throw the ball,
and especially considering his struggles and cold weather over the
(05:42):
course of his career, I think that's the Steelers should
feel like that's the winning blueprint.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
The Miami defense has been real good lately. What's been
the catalyst there? And how good has Nika been? He's
playing a lot of slot, isn't he.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
It's funny that he initially asked for a trade for
Miami because he didn't want to play in the slot,
and he goes back to I mean, and that's where
they put them again. It's working really well. They don't
give up big plays, they keep a lid on it.
They make you be effective and efficient down the field.
You can run on them. They don't have overwhelming personnel
really at any position. Sits a lot of zone, tackle
(06:18):
the catch, give up the underneath stuff, but keep it short.
It's really incumbent on an offense to be efficient and
not do things self inflicted, to put themselves behind the sticks,
because that's where they can really get you.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
How much influence does Rogers have on this offense, not
just scheme but personnel. I look at THELAN getting a helmet,
MBS getting helmet.
Speaker 4 (06:42):
Roman Wilson not getting a helmet.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Washington's staying in there, and I'm not sure how much
is Smith and how much is Rogers.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
How much conflict there is there.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
I don't see a lot of conflict between Smith and Rogers.
I do think there's an influence in the sense that
you're probably more likely to get the most out of
Aaron Rodgers by having guys who can think the game
at the same level as him in there with him.
That to me, is his best asset. I think that's
(07:12):
what he's been the best at for the Steelers this year,
So it makes sense to have other guys out there
that are also thinking the game in a high level.
I think a lot of people have highlighted some plays
of Roman Wilson, for example, like getting open and Rogers
not seeing him, and if that's not where Rogers is
expecting him to be, it doesn't matter if Wilson's open
or not, he's not going to find him. The ability
(07:34):
to have guys on the same page, but they're not
going to be a great passing offense, I think that's
probably getting the most out of what they have.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
I've been asking this question for a couple of weeks alan,
has it been worth it bringing Rodgers to Pittsburgh is
what he ultimately reaps and what he's done so far
worth Like basically, I don't want to say wasting another year,
but it's a forty two year old quarterback. I mean,
when do they ever move forward? And are the achieving
enough to justify not?
Speaker 1 (08:03):
I don't think they're achieving much, but I look at
the alternatives and it's hard to come up with one
that's better. You know, they guess they could have drafted
Jackson Dart. He's had an okay season for the Giants.
I don't think he looks to be on the precipice
of stardom or anything like that. You know, I think
(08:24):
the NFL is in a real quarterback conundrum here. A
lot of the guys coming out of college do not
seem ready. The failure rate on even high first round
picks is really high. I think this weekend, a team
deciding that a forty four year old who hasn't played
in four years was their best option and it looking
like that was correct is a real indictment of the
(08:46):
quarterback position around football. And so it's really hard for
me to say, oh, stupid of the Steelers to go
with Aaron Rodgers.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
This year, the deep balls came out at Baltimore almost
out of nowhere, Allen, Will that continued tonight against Miami
or will the weather preclude that?
Speaker 1 (09:02):
I don't think it will. I think a combination of
the weather and the fact that Miami is just going
to back up those safeties and give those corners as
much help as they can. It's gonna have to be underneath.
I think it'll be more Adam feel and more Pat
Friarmouth than it will be deep balls of DK metcalf.
Speaker 4 (09:18):
Uh who is the better coach?
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Uh?
Speaker 2 (09:20):
I find Tom Win grotesquely overrated. I find McDaniel kind
of quaintly underrated. He's like crucified for being an analytics geek.
But I look at how he's made this team better.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
You know, there was a point earlier this year where
I was nearly certain that McDaniel was gonna get fired.
Speaker 4 (09:38):
I think he was nearly certain as well, Allan.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Yeah, I mean that not only were the results not there,
but just the body language of the players and him
seemed defeated. And I really think he deserves a lot
of credit for reinventing himself what this team is about.
They're winning with defense in the running game, which is
not what I would have every affected for a McDaniel
(10:01):
led team coming into this year. I think he saved
his job, and then some I think he's done a
really nice job compared to Tomlin. I don't know. Tomlin's
been doing it a lot longer. I think that's really
really difficult and of itself, I don't think I would
say that one team going into the game tonight has
a big coaching advantage though, and I certainly would have
(10:22):
a few weeks ago.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
How big is this game?
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Like, I know Miami has to win to stay mathematically
and and so it's literally bigger for them. But I
feel if the Steelers lose, they put themselves right back
in the hole they were in.
Speaker 4 (10:38):
And I found out earlier it.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Was pointed out that in Vegas the Ravens are now
again favored to win the division.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
Not that that means anything, but it doesn't mean nothing either.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
Right now, the Steelers are in a situation where if
they just take care of business they're in. They should
beat Miami at home, they should beat the Brown and
it's hard to imagine the Ravens running the table to
pass them if that happens, and so if they lose
this game to the Dolphins, now you either have to
go on the road and beat the Lions, which I
(11:12):
wouldn't expect, or then you get you give Baltimore a
chance on the field in week eighteen. Right now they
can take that away from them, and I think that's
really big. You don't want the Ravens to come into
Pittsburgh in week eighteen with a chance to win the division,
especially when you can prevent it just by taking care
(11:32):
of business on your own. I think that makes this
a really big game for the Steelers.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
No question. Alan, thank you so much for the input.
Enjoy the game tonight.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
Thanks Mark.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
That's Alan Saunders. Check out his work at Pittsburgh Steelers.
Now get your calls in about any of that, because
it's calls on the fifteens. We got Phil Board talking
hockey at the bottom of they are. We can talk
hockey with you if you like, but get the calls
in now eight three, three, four, one two w xdx.
It's the Mark Madden showing one ZHO five nine. I've
(12:01):
been talking about TJ.
Speaker 4 (12:02):
Watt. I think it's very likely he sues the Steelers over.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
This dry needling that collapses laun You look at JJ
having made the only thing resembling an official statement and
the Steelers being mum on it. It all strikes me
as being kind of potentially litigious. Right now, it's time
for calls on the fifteens, brought to us by Bette Parks.
(12:27):
We'll get to that in just a little bit, but
let's go to Kevin and Carnegie.
Speaker 4 (12:31):
Kevin, you're all with Mark.
Speaker 3 (12:34):
What up? Super g.
Speaker 5 (12:39):
This might be trivial, but third period yesterday or in
the game, I was student the game, Utah tizes up
three three right, damn use challenges. They clearly passed the
puss is clearly passed Mershav before any contact was initiated.
What do you do in challenging that?
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Okay, let me play Devil's advocate. If it were up
to me, I would not have challenged. I get why
he did it, though I don't think it was totally
a stupid move. I don't think the puck was clearly
past Morrishov. I think there was some contact right as
I do think the contact might have been initiated by
Ryan Graves kind of steering the Utah player into Morrishov.
(13:24):
But at that point are at that point, I can't
say it's a bad move because if you get the call,
you stave off something terrible happening, which is them time
the game in so little time after the third period
had started with the Penguins leading three to nil.
Speaker 4 (13:41):
I know what you mean.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Though they conceded a power play in uts scored on
the power play, so I would not have done it,
and it worked out in calamitous fashion. But I understand why,
And I don't think it was a hopeless challenge.
Speaker 5 (13:57):
Hopeless maybe not, but you got away to pros and
call in. The calling was going back on the PK
after you know, just the air was just sucked out
of the building when they tied it.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
I gotta be honest if that, no matter how that
goal stood, Utah was going to win the game, whether
they would not have challenged, whether they did challenge and
it failed. Me let up a power play goal the Penguins.
As soon as that goal went in, heck, as soon
it was three to one, I was in the press
box telling people that I thought the Penguins would lose.
In fact, rob between periods and I should have got
(14:28):
a bet down. I really should have got a bet down.
I was talking to Nick Oulchik, Edzo's kid, who's an
announcer for Utah, talking to Matt McConnell. He was in
town two, the former Penguins guy, a couple of great guys,
and I told Nick, I go, Nick, go back on
the air and say that the Penguins are gonna win,
because they are.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
It just feels so rotten. And I gotta be honest.
The bigger the lead entering the third, the more scared
I am.
Speaker 5 (14:55):
I agree your sweet about the tension in the building.
It could have been rung more true.
Speaker 4 (15:00):
So no question, thank you for the call. I see
you shiver with anticipm.
Speaker 3 (15:10):
Patient.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
Let's go to Chuck in Florida. Chuck your own with Mark.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
What man? What up? Chuck?
Speaker 1 (15:19):
Hey?
Speaker 6 (15:20):
So both games Saturday and Sunday, I left my house
when it was five to one and I got to
a bar up the street from me and it was
five five five, And then I left Yesterday it was
a streen up and it was four three when I
got to another place. I didn't see the calamity. You
and that guy were just talking. I think I got
(15:40):
up most of what happened, But what was the breakdown?
Speaker 5 (15:43):
What what happened?
Speaker 4 (15:45):
They just shot and scored.
Speaker 1 (15:47):
End.
Speaker 4 (15:48):
Oh story. The Penguins just can't hold a lead.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
They get like, even before the other team starts to push,
they get squeaky bum you know what I mean. It's
every time they they bring a lead in to the
third until they somehow hold it, it's squeaky bum time.
And I'm not sure that's going to change anytime soon.
I can top that story, Chuck. By the way, and
I forgot to say this on the air for some reason,
(16:12):
when they blew that lead to Anaheim. When Anaheim squirre
with point one second left, remember that Carlson with the
own goal. Okay, When I got on the elevator to
go down to the lower level to leave, you.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
Want to go to the locker room first.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
When I got on the elevator, there were nine seconds
left and the puck was behind Anaheim's net. When I
got off the elevator, they were lining up to play overtime,
and I'm like, what the freak happened?
Speaker 4 (16:39):
Why are they lining up?
Speaker 1 (16:41):
But there you go with the immaculate reception.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
Yeah, I wouldn't quite compare it to that but it
was something and it continues to be.
Speaker 4 (16:51):
Thank you for the call.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
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(18:09):
called one eight hundred Gambler Up. Next, gonna talk hockey
with the two times Stanley Cup champion, the old two
Niner Phil Bork on one oh five nine. Penguin fans,
we are living in interesting times joining me now. He
won two Stanley Cups with the team. You see him
now on TV broadcasts and hear him on radio broadcasts.
It's a pleasure to talk to the old two niner,
(18:31):
Phil Bork. Borky, how did the Penguin stuff choking? Forgive
the verbians, but that's what it is, and I don't
know how you stop it.
Speaker 3 (18:40):
Yeah, good afternoon, Doublem. Good to be on with you.
It really is good to be on with you, because
we are the penguinees, right. We do not do anything
like anybody else in the league. We have incredible highs,
but we's all also had incredible lows. And you and
I have both witnessed a lot of it, right, and
we're kind of in one of those moments right now.
Now whether it's this five game homestand or the way
(19:04):
the Penguins are losing games. And to get to your question,
I think it has to come player to player. I
think that Dan Muse has probably said everything that he
needs to say to whether it's prepare or motivate. And really,
when it comes to motivate, he shouldn't have to motivate
NHL players. He's here the coach motivated players, so the
(19:26):
motivation parts shouldn't be there. But the mindset and the
confidence seems to be waning whenever that first goal goes in,
when they do so many incredible things, and that's why,
as much as it's just so much negativity surrounding the Penguins,
I don't think we can just look the other way
of all the good things they've done to get these leads.
(19:47):
But you're right, at the end of the day, you've
lost not only four straight of a five game homestand
you've also lost five straight. If you go back to
that ugly game against the Toronto Maple Leafs where they
handed you you're you know what. So a lot has
to change here, and I think number one, it's it's mindset.
Number two, it's it's you know, the leaders challenging each
(20:09):
other in that locker room. I always found that the
best teams I was on that that the leadership group
with you know, somebody would stand up with somebody would
be you know, the Kevin Stevens or the Brian Trochi
that would challenge each other where it wasn't it was
from the heart. You know, it's because you wanted to
win so damn bad, and that when it came from
another player instead of a coach, it always meant more.
Speaker 2 (20:31):
I have a hard time analyzing the goaltending's role in
all this.
Speaker 4 (20:34):
I look at yesterday.
Speaker 2 (20:36):
I thought Marishoff played a great first forty minutes, and
I know he faced a lot of pressure in the third,
but he's still allot four goals in seven minutes. And
I don't care if you're out there by yourself and
they have a machine gun.
Speaker 4 (20:46):
That's just too many goals against You got to.
Speaker 3 (20:48):
Make a say, I can't disagree with you, and you're right.
I mean that was I mean, he had me out
of my seat three or four times in that first
forty minutes that you're talking about. It was the quickness
and the positioning and just the acrobatics and the athleticism
from Sergey Marischaff was was remarkable. And you're right when
I think when Cartoni kind of put that one in
(21:11):
off of the back of his heel, you know, I
think everybody thought like, oh, he's human, you know, like
like that that one is one where he got a
little bit outside his net and couldn't get back fast enough.
And I'm with you too, I mean, even with she lost,
I mean it's it's you know, at some point it's
not bad luck anymore, right, at some point you do
(21:32):
need to make those that one extra save. And I
think all the goaltenders, you know, whoever it is, and
I don't know Stuart Skinner, but you know the little
bit that i've seen him interview that he's one of
those guys that when he is interviewed, and whether it's
a bad goal or a bad game, but just own it, right,
just own it. I mean that's if you don't and
if there's any finger pointing at all, that isn't right
(21:54):
to yourself, and you know, you lose some respect in
the room. But I think that you know, whether it's
she lost Marischav or Skinner in the net, I think
at the end of the day that you can say
he could have had or should have had this one.
But at the end of the day, I still think
the guys in front of him going to play a
lot better in that type of situational hockey.
Speaker 2 (22:12):
Is Dan muse culpable in this? I mean I wouldn't
fire him, but like there's some decisions he's made that
that had been set well with me, like using Tanger
and Carlson together righty, righty in key situations, and then
I think he's relying too much in the old guys
San Jose came back using their kids.
Speaker 4 (22:28):
I'd have had my kids out there defending.
Speaker 3 (22:32):
Yeah, I mean I cautioned myself, and I'm with you too, Mark.
I mean, I'm not saying that what you're saying doesn't
hold water, but I think he is. I think he's
blamed himself, probably more than anybody else.
Speaker 4 (22:47):
No question. No, you can see that after the game.
Speaker 3 (22:51):
Yeah, yeah, you can. You can tell this this hurts
him to the core. And you could see the little
bit of bloodshot eyes too, And you know he's not
sleeping good at night because he's he's probably done everything
he's ever done in the past, and it's worked to
fix anything close to this, And you could tell he
just can't believe he was sitting there yesterday twenty four
hours after the San Jose game, but he was, and
(23:12):
so everybody's looking at him because he's the general, right,
That's what you're paid for, is to fix these types
of problems. So again, you know, maybe it's sitting down,
sitting with sitting and saying, you know, listen, I need
you to go in there. I need whoever is that
voice in the room, because you don't need me anymore.
I've said everything, I've shown you video over and over
and over again. You gotta start challenging each other in
(23:33):
that room. But I think I like that he said,
it's on me. It's on me to be better as
a head coach. It's on me to fix this. That's
what you want to hear from your leader.
Speaker 4 (23:45):
I mentioned the kids a moment ago. I can't blame
the kids.
Speaker 2 (23:47):
I think McGroarty and kindall have picked it up a
lot the past couple of games, and now they're starting
to score, which had been lacking. I kind of smirked
when a lot of people said that they were the
Penguin's best line, but for a while they never scored.
Speaker 4 (23:58):
I mean, I get it, but you gotta score.
Speaker 3 (24:03):
I'll disagree with you a little bit. And the reason
being is I think that the first Billy Covens game
is dropped off.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
No, no, he's one of the three that I yeah,
I can't defend.
Speaker 3 (24:16):
Okay, so let's let's put that on on the back shelf. Okay,
if we agree with that, that Billy coven has got
to be better. I love the breakaway goal, the confidence
by Ben Kendall, and you're right, Ben Kndles been really,
really good. It's it's tough to knock him at all.
But I look at those two games where Rutgor Mcrody
was out there and lost his man. You know, once
in the Santos A game on I think it was
(24:38):
the fourth goal the game, or maybe the fifth goal
one the one or two, he just completely lost his man.
And then even in the last game, when Nate Schmid
came down the left wing, he completely lost him. You know,
those are those are huge moments in the game. The
last one, it's yeah, that and the last one you
cannot everybody had probably pretty much a man on man situation,
(25:00):
and the one breakdown was retor loss. Smith coming in
from the left point position. It cannot happen. Considering you
have to rust as a smart kid. He had to
realize read the room. We've had breakdowns before, We've had
shortcomings before, we've blown leads before, and you don't want
to be that guy, and he was that guy. It
can't happen again. And he'll figure it out. I mean,
he'll hopefully he's better for it. And sometimes you got
(25:22):
to learn that way, the real hard way. We you know,
it's not just the tip of your finger touches the stove.
The whole hand has to touch it sometimes for you
to really feel the burn. And Rutger's smart guy, and
hopefully it won't happen again. But those are the little
things that happens to the Penguins right now that can't happen.
They can't be individual breakdowns. And you know, listen, it's easy.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
There is a breakdown. They wind up in our net
without exception.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
I know.
Speaker 3 (25:46):
But here here, let me finish my thought, mark, and
I'm gonna give you kind of the old player in
me a little bit, okay, if you allow me that
I was in these moments and the one thing that
went through my brain is don't be the guy that
lets your team in down. I always, at the end
of the game, I wanted to be able to look
my teammates in the eye and say, I gave you
everything I had and I made sure I had my
(26:07):
guy in those key situations. And if you take that
kind of responsibility, you know, and I never wanted to
like have to look at Mario in the eye and say,
you know, think I let him down in one of
those situations. So as you kind of all take down
upon yourself that you don't want to let the guys
sitting down sitting next to you let him down. You
want to be able to look him in the eye
at the end of the game and feel like you've
(26:28):
got the best of me tonight. And I don't think
enough guys can say that.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
We're talking to Phil Boork here on the X in
that vain BORKI A lot of fans are blaming Eric
Carlson in particular Chris Latang and want to you know,
bench him, shoot him, trade him, whatever.
Speaker 4 (26:43):
I just feel like they both got to play better.
Speaker 2 (26:45):
Nobody who put in there in their place is gonna
do better. Like no offense to Jack Say and Ivany,
but He's just not those just guys just got to
play better and they got to play tighter. They they
don't understand it's not ten years ago. They're not that
player anymore, especially Chris.
Speaker 3 (26:59):
Yeah, this is the first thing I would say, and
I'd say in a very respectful way, because they deserve
the respect that all they've done. And I know it's
all about the now and and you know what have
you done for me lately? But Crystal Tang has to
stop being on the ice for goals against and and
he has to be able to stop the two on
one pass, passes through him, passes around him. It's got
(27:19):
to stop. Enough is enough. He's too good of a defenseman.
Stop being on the ice for important goals against. You're
you're a leader. You'res just as important as this team
as Sidney Crosby. So many players on this team look
up to you. Your head coach completely has your ass,
and when you're not playing your best. Dan Muse completely
went to bat the other day when some people very
(27:40):
poignantly put him on the hot seat about Crystal Tang's play.
Stop being on the ice for so many goals against
and for Eric Carlson. He's been significantly better, so good
this year. But also don't do the old one step forward,
two steps back. You know, we do one really good thing,
but then two things that cost your team and the
puck ends up in the net. So tomorrow night against Edmonton,
(28:01):
for Kryst Lokang and Eric Carlson, see if you can
go a whole game without being on the ice for
a goal against, that would be a really good start,
as well as all the other great things you do,
because you are a leader on this team. And not
only do the fans look at you two as well
as Sid and Rusty and all the other leaders and Raquel,
all those other leaders, but specifically those two because they're
supposed to be our two best defensemen and they're just
(28:24):
on the ice for too many goals against.
Speaker 4 (28:28):
Is this a playoff team?
Speaker 2 (28:30):
I mean, how would you handle it if you're Dubis,
you know, making roster decisions. I mean, we're not anywhere
close to the trade Dan, you know what I mean?
Speaker 3 (28:38):
Yeah, I do know what you mean, and I just
don't think. I know that the things are starting to
unravel here a little bit after eight two and two,
and I think it's actually a day in October. We're
at number one in the league, and we're all like
getting with excited, like oh man, what's going you know?
But then you go four, five and three in October
and now you've come down to earth a little bit
more and you're on the outside looking in right now.
(28:59):
But I still I still look at the way this
team is designed and and you know, I know injuries
have played a role here, and you are noticing without
it's Kenny Malkin in there, there is a dip in
that two C and as well as Gino's been playing.
But if you're asking me to kind of put the
GM hat on just for about ten seconds, I'm still
(29:19):
going for it. I'm still looking every single day, who
can I bring in, who can I how can I
make this team better? Because I still believe that this team,
if they can resemble anything like we saw in October,
and why not they can just all of a sudden
forget how to play and they're doing a one to eighty.
They got to get back to playing that way and
playing that stingy defensive hockey and turning defense into into
(29:41):
offense and keeping the puck out of your net and
playing as a five man unit. All those things they
did in October. It's kind of gone by the wayside.
They got to get back to that. And I do
believe they're a playoff team. And I don't think anybody
in the Eastern Conference wants to play the Penns in
the first round that they get there.
Speaker 2 (29:56):
I'm not sure about that, but I will say I
would operate into the something that can make the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (30:01):
But there's an expiration date on it.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
You can't throw good after bad, you know, after a
certain point.
Speaker 3 (30:07):
Yeah, fair enough.
Speaker 2 (30:09):
Now, what's your take on Edmonton because they've you know,
not been great right now they have one six out
of ten.
Speaker 4 (30:16):
But I watch them on TV.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
They're they're looking like a team with a double post
Stanley Cup Final loss hangover. So I wonder where they're at,
how much jar is gonna help? And frankly, right now,
where McDavid's at, although he's been hot.
Speaker 3 (30:29):
Lately, Yeah, I mean, it's still McDavid in dry style
right then there's a big drop off after that on
you know, you have Ryan Husen Hopkins and you have himman,
You've got other guys can put the puck on the net,
but it's it's a two headed monster. And if you
can shut those two down and really isolate those two
and dare the other guys to beat you. I like
your chances. It's gonna be really fun. It's gonna be interesting.
(30:51):
Now all the talent on the ice tomorrow night. You
know Sid versus McDavid. You got dry Style going for
his one thousandth point. You got Sid hunting down, you know,
Mario for all time nine points. And then on top
of that, you got I think that that Stuart Skinner's
going to be in goal. I think he's he's been
cleared to customs and immigration. And then you get Jari
versus Stuart Skinner. I'll tell you what, man, it's you.
(31:12):
If you're just looking at one game to go to,
that's the one to go to Tomorrow night. Because there's
just so many storylines.
Speaker 2 (31:19):
Well, I mean, the big story is Sid's gonna catch
Mario for career points. He's just two points away. I
kind of feel that that's being underplayed a bit, not
least locally, because that's a huge deal.
Speaker 4 (31:29):
You got.
Speaker 2 (31:30):
You got the two greatest players in franchise history, two
of the greatest five players in hockey history, and they're
very nearly tied in points with one passing the other.
Speaker 3 (31:40):
Okay, let me let me flip it. If if McDavid
starts to catch Gretzky in points, do you think it
would be a big deal here in Pittsburgh. No, No,
that's you know what I mean. So it's a big
deal for us just because we know that of the
significance and there's there's still a lot of people that
are going to pay games that went to Penguin Games
(32:01):
and Mario played and right, and now that that that
torch has been passed, that you know, and we can
still feel it. We still feel what Mario did in
the city. There's still a lot of people and so
to know there's another one that's gonna catch We didn't
think there'd ever be another player to catch Mario's number there,
and it looks like it is going to be Sid.
So yeah, you know how Sid's just like Mario. They
(32:24):
have this way of rising to the moment. Right just
when you think, oh man two points against Edmonton and
Tristan Jarry, Mario did it, and you have a funny
feeling and say, they'll do it.
Speaker 2 (32:34):
Tomorrow night, Porky, great stuff. As always, I will see
at the game tomorrow night.
Speaker 3 (32:40):
Look forward to a double I'm enjoyed that time together.
This was good hockey talk.
Speaker 2 (32:44):
That's the old two nineer from sports and at Pittsburgh
and the Pittsburgh Radio Network. Now it's time to ask
Mark anything.
Speaker 4 (32:49):
Dial now.
Speaker 2 (32:52):
Eight three three four one two w xdx eight three
three four one two w xdx, or you can leave
a talk back via the microphone and icon it the
iHeartMedia app.
Speaker 4 (33:01):
It's the Mark Madden Show one oh five nine, ass
Mark anything.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
Brock towist by People's Natural Gas Peoples in this sense
Utilities Company, Safe Reliable natural Gas Energy, People's Hyphengas dot Com.
Let's go to Jude jud drone with double M.
Speaker 4 (33:19):
Good day, I said, good day.
Speaker 7 (33:23):
I just uh, I was really sad to hear about
the passing of Rob Reiner. And one of my favorite
movies is I don't know if you've seen it Misery
with Kathy Bates and James conn the kind.
Speaker 4 (33:32):
Of course of course I have.
Speaker 2 (33:34):
I've seen nearly all of Rob Reiner's work, and uh,
I eulogized him at show's beginning. I just think it's
utterly tragic, and uh, some things have been said since
then that I'm biting my tongue on and may not
bite forever. I talked about it on Twitter, you know
what I mean, And it's just I don't know why
we can't just mourn.
Speaker 4 (33:53):
Rob Reiner.
Speaker 7 (33:56):
Agreed, Yeah, I just think we should pay tribute to
him at this point. And and you know, I thought
it was pretty pretty cool too, how he was influential
in keeping Seinfeld on the air as part of his.
Speaker 4 (34:07):
Production company Castle Rocks.
Speaker 7 (34:08):
So that's kind of like an unsung almost you know,
other part of his life.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
It's not surprising because Rob Reiner had unrivaled comedic acumen
and not only could he produce great stuff and do
great acting like in Wolfe of Wall Street and Spinal Tap,
but he knew what would work and invariably it did.
(34:33):
Part of that, I would think, being part of that,
I think was from being Carl Reiner's son. Thank you
for the calling, Rob Reiner or rip I am going
to touch base on this. The president, who was the
least presidential person ever, let alone to be president, said
that Rob Reiner his wife died of Trump derangement syndrome,
when in fact they were murdered.
Speaker 4 (34:54):
Uh, when Charlie Kirk got killed.
Speaker 2 (34:58):
Rob Reiner, who lowed Charlie Kirk's politics, went on Piers
Morgan Show and said, this shouldn't happen to anybody.
Speaker 4 (35:04):
So that's the difference between the two people.
Speaker 2 (35:07):
What a regrettable choice we've made for president, an utterly
regrettable choice, just a terrible.
Speaker 4 (35:13):
Human being without any shred of decency.
Speaker 2 (35:15):
And if that makes you don't want to listen to
me gfy on your way out the door, I said,
I wasn't gonna say that, but I'm glad I did.
Speaker 4 (35:23):
Let's go to Alan Allen, ask Mark anything.
Speaker 3 (35:28):
Hey, Mark betterhead coach Mike Tomlin or Jimmy mcintee's.
Speaker 4 (35:33):
From the replacements.
Speaker 2 (35:35):
I think Jimmy mcginney made more of what he had
than Tomlin typically does.
Speaker 4 (35:38):
Don't you?
Speaker 1 (35:41):
Absolutely thank you for the call.
Speaker 2 (35:45):
Get some more calls in uh A three three four
one two wxdx. Uh This game tonight, twenty two straight
Monday night wins at home is amazing. I just hope
the hidden vigorous doesn't figure in, you know, the law.
Longer than something happens, the closer it is to not.
That is just an incredible friggin' number.
Speaker 4 (36:08):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (36:09):
I like how everybody's trying to act like Adam Thielen
and MVS are somehow going to make a difference with
the Steelers now that they've been anointed by Aaron Rodgers
at the expense certainly of Roman Wilson and probably some
other receivers too. I see where Thieling and MVS have
been staying late to quote unquote get up to speed. Well,
(36:32):
that should really open up that Steelers offense. But how
much speed can those two fossils get up to? But
their stats don't matter. We're told, no catches, no problem.
Let's go to a talkback.
Speaker 8 (36:46):
Super genius Eric and Toledo. Hey, I wasn't they call
in on Friday when you guys were talking about the
top sports center anchors. But this goes way back, But
what did you ever think of Bob Lee and Charlie Steiner?
I always thought Bob Lee.
Speaker 2 (36:59):
Was I love I loved both of them. I don't
have Charlie Steiner in my top list.
Speaker 4 (37:05):
Bob Lee.
Speaker 2 (37:06):
I thought of him more as the host of Outside
the Lines, which is exactly the kind of program ESPN
used to excel at and should be doing, as opposed
to the embrace debate crap they do for ratings. Let's
go to Mike and Lawrenceville. Mike ask Mark anything.
Speaker 1 (37:26):
Hey, Mark, thanks for making my call right on. I
just wanted to know if you Saturday Night's main event,
and if you did, what did you think of tapping out?
Speaker 6 (37:35):
No?
Speaker 2 (37:36):
I really don't watch wrestling anymore. I find it mostly
boring and without stories.
Speaker 1 (37:40):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (37:41):
I have no problem with seeing the tapping out though
he's on his way out. Why would the guy win
his last match when he's not going to be on
TV moving forward? You get more money out of Gunther
having tapped him, like he's ended some other careers. So
I think it was in keeping with what they've done
and with what should be done in wrestling. You look
at sting in aew he won his last twenty six matches.
(38:03):
He was twenty six to oh Now, a lot of
those were tag matches, and I have nothing but respect
for Steve Bordon, who I worked with obviously, But.
Speaker 4 (38:10):
What good did that do anybody?
Speaker 2 (38:12):
So I I I mean, I didn't see the match,
but that's the I'm not sure exactly what finish I
would have gone with, but it certainly would not have
been seen A beating Gunther.
Speaker 1 (38:23):
Yeah, I think it was just to him tapping out.
Speaker 5 (38:25):
That has everybody up in arms.
Speaker 4 (38:27):
Yeah, well they'll get over it. It's only fake wrestling,
you know.
Speaker 2 (38:29):
Let's go to David David Askmark anything, David, you're on
the air.
Speaker 4 (38:39):
Okay, that's good enough. We'll get David some other time.
Speaker 2 (38:44):
Eight three three four one two WXDX eight three three
four one two WXDX Steelers Tonight, No TJ.
Speaker 1 (38:53):
Watt.
Speaker 2 (38:53):
Matt Williamson with a great point earlier, and we're going
to replay that interview in a little bit about how TJ.
Watt has become really good at stopping the run and
especially the way the Dolphins choose to run the ball.
So that's going to make tonight's game all that more
interesting his absence. But I think Jack Sawyer against the run.
He's not gonna do what Watt did, but I think
he's good enough. The guy have to worry about against
(39:15):
the run is Herbig, who's gotten better at it. He's
primarily a pass rusher. High Smith a little bit of both.
Watt certainly a little bit of both, but unavailable, and
I'm told he's going to be out for the season
with that lung thing. I've never heard of dry k needling.
Dry humping yes, but not dry needling.
Speaker 4 (39:36):
One, five, nine x
Sure.
Speaker 2 (00:01):
I mean now he covers the Steelers for Pittsburgh Steelers
Now always a pleasure to talk to Alan Saunders. Alan,
how can the Steelers get their running game going again?
Is that even a big concern to them? And how
important is that they do it tonight?
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Well?
Speaker 1 (00:17):
I think it's a concern to them always. It's sort
of part of their DNA that they want to have,
And I think it's a big concern tonight because Miami
Dolphins are not very good at stopping it. They are
four point eight yards to carry against. With their defense,
they play a lot of Cover two, so they really
they have a light box. They're they're not gonna let
(00:38):
the Steelers do what they did last week, which was
throw the ball down the field. Running is the only alternative? Really?
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Uh yeah, I totally agree. I think they give up
on it too early. Is that the Rogers influence? I
think he just wants to throw five yard routes.
Speaker 1 (00:54):
It could be, It could be. It could be Arthur Smith.
I mean, I know he likes to run the ball
as well, but I also think sometimes he has a
tendency to just get a little bit too too cute,
too clever, you know, try to do what the other
guy isn't expecting you to do, as opposed to just
doing what the situation calls for and what you're good at.
(01:17):
I will say this second half of the Baltimore game,
without Darnell Washington and with Dylan Cook in there at
left tackle, I didn't necessarily think they had the personnel
to run very well. They will get Washington back this week.
Cook is still going to be in there at left tackle.
He's not a big, wide body guy. He was a
quarterback when he first got to college. A really fun
(01:39):
story for him to get his first NFL start, But
I don't think he's nearly as good as a run
blocker as he is a pass blocker.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
I will say this though, I don't think the Steelers
have been noticeably worse at left tackle, and that's going
from their first string to second string to third string.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
Another four string. I guess you got to give credit.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Maybe to Washington playing maybe, but I think more so
to Siamalo at left guard.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
I think Samalo has played his best ball these last
couple of weeks. I do think we've seen fewer really
explosive runs to the left side without Jones in there.
I'm not sure that teams have picked up on that necessarily. Necessarily,
I think Faltan who has been run blocking a little
bit better on the right side as well. And I
think you've got to give some credit to Pat Meyer.
(02:24):
I think people have been down on him because of
the lack of development of Broader Jones. But on the
flip side of that, they had to play Ryan McCollum
a few games last year down to their fourth option
at left tackle. Right now, he seems to be getting
other guys ready to go.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
Has the Washington experiment worked.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
I think it's taken Mouth and John Who out of
anything meaningful.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
I just don't like it.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
I think John Who's part of the arrangement has been
the part that's really been the piece that doesn't seem
to fit now. I don't know that they thought that
they were gonna use Washington as much as they've ended
up using him when they got him. But now it
seems like they've got three guys that they would like
to all be out of the field at the same time,
and that's just not possible. And it doesn't seem like
(03:20):
there's enough to go around for Farmuth, who is one
of their better offensive players. I feel like he's being
kind of unfairly pushed to the side. He's been a
pretty professional about it. Haven't heard him complaining about it,
at least publicly, But I mean, if I was him,
I'd be pretty hot at my usage to this point
this season. Although having said that, this is a Cover
(03:43):
two team very similar to the Cincinnati Bengals, and we've
seen how he's attacked them in the past, so maybe
this is the week they finally get him going.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
How much is the absence of wat hurt, not least
against the run, where like Matt Williamson just got done
talking about Alan, he's probably underrated, probably very good.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
I think that's the biggest drop off her Big is
a really good pass rusher. He's a smaller guy than
what is shorter, He's a little bit easier to solo
block against the run. And then I think the second
part of that is, you know they've been running that
three outside linebacker together package to really you know, punish
teams that get in third and long against them. That'll
(04:22):
be a lot less effective. And then just the depths.
You know, even Watt is playing eighty percent of the time,
you don't want an edge rusher playing every snap. The
ability to go to her Big as the first guy
off the bench is a huge advantage for the Steelers
that they're not going to have this week.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
We're talking to Alan Saunders of Pittsburgh Steelers now Here
on the Mark Madden Show.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
It seems like the Steelers.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Need to shut down Miami's run game with the A train,
and they got good backups too, and put the game
into his hands. Is that easier said than Don Allen?
Speaker 1 (04:59):
Well, Well, nobody's been able to do it the last
four weeks against the Dolphins, that's for sure. I kind
of think the Steelers can do that. We saw him
do it against the Colts. We saw him do it
against the Packers. And yeah, they've had trouble with the
running game in the last couple of weeks, but that's
also been running teams that also have running quarterbacks. It's
different to say you're gonna stop Dereck Henry when you
(05:20):
also have to deal with Lamar running and Lamar throwing.
I think this is a pretty one dimensional offense this
last few weeks. With Tyreek Hill out, the receivers aren't
that scary. I'm agreeing. I think the Steelers game plan
Cannon should be stop a chan make to throw the ball,
and especially considering his struggles and cold weather over the
(05:42):
course of his career, I think that's the Steelers should
feel like that's the winning blueprint.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
The Miami defense has been real good lately. What's been
the catalyst there? And how good has Nika been? He's
playing a lot of slot, isn't he.
Speaker 1 (05:54):
It's funny that he initially asked for a trade for
Miami because he didn't want to play in the slot,
and he goes back to I mean, and that's where
they put them again. It's working really well. They don't
give up big plays, they keep a lid on it.
They make you be effective and efficient down the field.
You can run on them. They don't have overwhelming personnel
really at any position. Sits a lot of zone, tackle
(06:18):
the catch, give up the underneath stuff, but keep it short.
It's really incumbent on an offense to be efficient and
not do things self inflicted, to put themselves behind the sticks,
because that's where they can really get you.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
How much influence does Rogers have on this offense, not
just scheme but personnel. I look at THELAN getting a helmet,
MBS getting helmet.
Speaker 4 (06:42):
Roman Wilson not getting a helmet.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Washington's staying in there, and I'm not sure how much
is Smith and how much is Rogers.
Speaker 4 (06:47):
How much conflict there is there.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
I don't see a lot of conflict between Smith and Rogers.
I do think there's an influence in the sense that
you're probably more likely to get the most out of
Aaron Rodgers by having guys who can think the game
at the same level as him in there with him.
That to me, is his best asset. I think that's
(07:12):
what he's been the best at for the Steelers this year,
So it makes sense to have other guys out there
that are also thinking the game in a high level.
I think a lot of people have highlighted some plays
of Roman Wilson, for example, like getting open and Rogers
not seeing him, and if that's not where Rogers is
expecting him to be, it doesn't matter if Wilson's open
or not, he's not going to find him. The ability
(07:34):
to have guys on the same page, but they're not
going to be a great passing offense, I think that's
probably getting the most out of what they have.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
I've been asking this question for a couple of weeks alan,
has it been worth it bringing Rodgers to Pittsburgh is
what he ultimately reaps and what he's done so far
worth Like basically, I don't want to say wasting another year,
but it's a forty two year old quarterback. I mean,
when do they ever move forward? And are the achieving
enough to justify not?
Speaker 1 (08:03):
I don't think they're achieving much, but I look at
the alternatives and it's hard to come up with one
that's better. You know, they guess they could have drafted
Jackson Dart. He's had an okay season for the Giants.
I don't think he looks to be on the precipice
of stardom or anything like that. You know, I think
(08:24):
the NFL is in a real quarterback conundrum here. A
lot of the guys coming out of college do not
seem ready. The failure rate on even high first round
picks is really high. I think this weekend, a team
deciding that a forty four year old who hasn't played
in four years was their best option and it looking
like that was correct is a real indictment of the
(08:46):
quarterback position around football. And so it's really hard for
me to say, oh, stupid of the Steelers to go
with Aaron Rodgers.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
This year, the deep balls came out at Baltimore almost
out of nowhere, Allen, Will that continued tonight against Miami
or will the weather preclude that?
Speaker 1 (09:02):
I don't think it will. I think a combination of
the weather and the fact that Miami is just going
to back up those safeties and give those corners as
much help as they can. It's gonna have to be underneath.
I think it'll be more Adam feel and more Pat
Friarmouth than it will be deep balls of DK metcalf.
Speaker 4 (09:18):
Uh who is the better coach?
Speaker 1 (09:20):
Uh?
Speaker 2 (09:20):
I find Tom Win grotesquely overrated. I find McDaniel kind
of quaintly underrated. He's like crucified for being an analytics geek.
But I look at how he's made this team better.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
You know, there was a point earlier this year where
I was nearly certain that McDaniel was gonna get fired.
Speaker 4 (09:38):
I think he was nearly certain as well, Allan.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Yeah, I mean that not only were the results not there,
but just the body language of the players and him
seemed defeated. And I really think he deserves a lot
of credit for reinventing himself what this team is about.
They're winning with defense in the running game, which is
not what I would have every affected for a McDaniel
(10:01):
led team coming into this year. I think he saved
his job, and then some I think he's done a
really nice job compared to Tomlin. I don't know. Tomlin's
been doing it a lot longer. I think that's really
really difficult and of itself, I don't think I would
say that one team going into the game tonight has
a big coaching advantage though, and I certainly would have
(10:22):
a few weeks ago.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
How big is this game?
Speaker 2 (10:27):
Like, I know Miami has to win to stay mathematically
and and so it's literally bigger for them. But I
feel if the Steelers lose, they put themselves right back
in the hole they were in.
Speaker 4 (10:38):
And I found out earlier it.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Was pointed out that in Vegas the Ravens are now
again favored to win the division.
Speaker 4 (10:46):
Not that that means anything, but it doesn't mean nothing either.
Speaker 1 (10:51):
Right now, the Steelers are in a situation where if
they just take care of business they're in. They should
beat Miami at home, they should beat the Brown and
it's hard to imagine the Ravens running the table to
pass them if that happens, and so if they lose
this game to the Dolphins, now you either have to
go on the road and beat the Lions, which I
(11:12):
wouldn't expect, or then you get you give Baltimore a
chance on the field in week eighteen. Right now they
can take that away from them, and I think that's
really big. You don't want the Ravens to come into
Pittsburgh in week eighteen with a chance to win the division,
especially when you can prevent it just by taking care
(11:32):
of business on your own. I think that makes this
a really big game for the Steelers.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
No question. Alan, thank you so much for the input.
Enjoy the game tonight.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
Thanks Mark.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
That's Alan Saunders. Check out his work at Pittsburgh Steelers.
Now get your calls in about any of that, because
it's calls on the fifteens. We got Phil Board talking
hockey at the bottom of they are. We can talk
hockey with you if you like, but get the calls
in now eight three, three, four, one two w xdx.
It's the Mark Madden showing one ZHO five nine. I've
(12:01):
been talking about TJ.
Speaker 4 (12:02):
Watt. I think it's very likely he sues the Steelers over.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
This dry needling that collapses laun You look at JJ
having made the only thing resembling an official statement and
the Steelers being mum on it. It all strikes me
as being kind of potentially litigious. Right now, it's time
for calls on the fifteens, brought to us by Bette Parks.
(12:27):
We'll get to that in just a little bit, but
let's go to Kevin and Carnegie.
Speaker 4 (12:31):
Kevin, you're all with Mark.
Speaker 3 (12:34):
What up? Super g.
Speaker 5 (12:39):
This might be trivial, but third period yesterday or in
the game, I was student the game, Utah tizes up
three three right, damn use challenges. They clearly passed the
puss is clearly passed Mershav before any contact was initiated.
What do you do in challenging that?
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Okay, let me play Devil's advocate. If it were up
to me, I would not have challenged. I get why
he did it, though I don't think it was totally
a stupid move. I don't think the puck was clearly
past Morrishov. I think there was some contact right as
I do think the contact might have been initiated by
Ryan Graves kind of steering the Utah player into Morrishov.
(13:24):
But at that point are at that point, I can't
say it's a bad move because if you get the call,
you stave off something terrible happening, which is them time
the game in so little time after the third period
had started with the Penguins leading three to nil.
Speaker 4 (13:41):
I know what you mean.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
Though they conceded a power play in uts scored on
the power play, so I would not have done it,
and it worked out in calamitous fashion. But I understand why,
And I don't think it was a hopeless challenge.
Speaker 5 (13:57):
Hopeless maybe not, but you got away to pros and
call in. The calling was going back on the PK
after you know, just the air was just sucked out
of the building when they tied it.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
I gotta be honest if that, no matter how that
goal stood, Utah was going to win the game, whether
they would not have challenged, whether they did challenge and
it failed. Me let up a power play goal the Penguins.
As soon as that goal went in, heck, as soon
it was three to one, I was in the press
box telling people that I thought the Penguins would lose.
In fact, rob between periods and I should have got
(14:28):
a bet down. I really should have got a bet down.
I was talking to Nick Oulchik, Edzo's kid, who's an
announcer for Utah, talking to Matt McConnell. He was in
town two, the former Penguins guy, a couple of great guys,
and I told Nick, I go, Nick, go back on
the air and say that the Penguins are gonna win,
because they are.
Speaker 4 (14:46):
It just feels so rotten. And I gotta be honest.
The bigger the lead entering the third, the more scared
I am.
Speaker 5 (14:55):
I agree your sweet about the tension in the building.
It could have been rung more true.
Speaker 4 (15:00):
So no question, thank you for the call. I see
you shiver with anticipm.
Speaker 3 (15:10):
Patient.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
Let's go to Chuck in Florida. Chuck your own with Mark.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
What man? What up? Chuck?
Speaker 1 (15:19):
Hey?
Speaker 6 (15:20):
So both games Saturday and Sunday, I left my house
when it was five to one and I got to
a bar up the street from me and it was
five five five, And then I left Yesterday it was
a streen up and it was four three when I
got to another place. I didn't see the calamity. You
and that guy were just talking. I think I got
(15:40):
up most of what happened, But what was the breakdown?
Speaker 5 (15:43):
What what happened?
Speaker 4 (15:45):
They just shot and scored.
Speaker 1 (15:47):
End.
Speaker 4 (15:48):
Oh story. The Penguins just can't hold a lead.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
They get like, even before the other team starts to push,
they get squeaky bum you know what I mean. It's
every time they they bring a lead in to the
third until they somehow hold it, it's squeaky bum time.
And I'm not sure that's going to change anytime soon.
I can top that story, Chuck. By the way, and
I forgot to say this on the air for some reason,
(16:12):
when they blew that lead to Anaheim. When Anaheim squirre
with point one second left, remember that Carlson with the
own goal. Okay, When I got on the elevator to
go down to the lower level to leave, you.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
Want to go to the locker room first.
Speaker 2 (16:27):
When I got on the elevator, there were nine seconds
left and the puck was behind Anaheim's net. When I
got off the elevator, they were lining up to play overtime,
and I'm like, what the freak happened?
Speaker 4 (16:39):
Why are they lining up?
Speaker 1 (16:41):
But there you go with the immaculate reception.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
Yeah, I wouldn't quite compare it to that but it
was something and it continues to be.
Speaker 4 (16:51):
Thank you for the call.
Speaker 2 (16:53):
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(18:09):
called one eight hundred Gambler Up. Next, gonna talk hockey
with the two times Stanley Cup champion, the old two
Niner Phil Bork on one oh five nine. Penguin fans,
we are living in interesting times joining me now. He
won two Stanley Cups with the team. You see him
now on TV broadcasts and hear him on radio broadcasts.
It's a pleasure to talk to the old two niner,
(18:31):
Phil Bork. Borky, how did the Penguin stuff choking? Forgive
the verbians, but that's what it is, and I don't
know how you stop it.
Speaker 3 (18:40):
Yeah, good afternoon, Doublem. Good to be on with you.
It really is good to be on with you, because
we are the penguinees, right. We do not do anything
like anybody else in the league. We have incredible highs,
but we's all also had incredible lows. And you and
I have both witnessed a lot of it, right, and
we're kind of in one of those moments right now.
Now whether it's this five game homestand or the way
(19:04):
the Penguins are losing games. And to get to your question,
I think it has to come player to player. I
think that Dan Muse has probably said everything that he
needs to say to whether it's prepare or motivate. And really,
when it comes to motivate, he shouldn't have to motivate
NHL players. He's here the coach motivated players, so the
(19:26):
motivation parts shouldn't be there. But the mindset and the
confidence seems to be waning whenever that first goal goes in,
when they do so many incredible things, and that's why,
as much as it's just so much negativity surrounding the Penguins,
I don't think we can just look the other way
of all the good things they've done to get these leads.
(19:47):
But you're right, at the end of the day, you've
lost not only four straight of a five game homestand
you've also lost five straight. If you go back to
that ugly game against the Toronto Maple Leafs where they
handed you you're you know what. So a lot has
to change here, and I think number one, it's it's mindset.
Number two, it's it's you know, the leaders challenging each
(20:09):
other in that locker room. I always found that the
best teams I was on that that the leadership group
with you know, somebody would stand up with somebody would
be you know, the Kevin Stevens or the Brian Trochi
that would challenge each other where it wasn't it was
from the heart. You know, it's because you wanted to
win so damn bad, and that when it came from
another player instead of a coach, it always meant more.
Speaker 2 (20:31):
I have a hard time analyzing the goaltending's role in
all this.
Speaker 4 (20:34):
I look at yesterday.
Speaker 2 (20:36):
I thought Marishoff played a great first forty minutes, and
I know he faced a lot of pressure in the third,
but he's still allot four goals in seven minutes. And
I don't care if you're out there by yourself and
they have a machine gun.
Speaker 4 (20:46):
That's just too many goals against You got to.
Speaker 3 (20:48):
Make a say, I can't disagree with you, and you're right.
I mean that was I mean, he had me out
of my seat three or four times in that first
forty minutes that you're talking about. It was the quickness
and the positioning and just the acrobatics and the athleticism
from Sergey Marischaff was was remarkable. And you're right when
I think when Cartoni kind of put that one in
(21:11):
off of the back of his heel, you know, I
think everybody thought like, oh, he's human, you know, like
like that that one is one where he got a
little bit outside his net and couldn't get back fast enough.
And I'm with you too, I mean, even with she lost,
I mean it's it's you know, at some point it's
not bad luck anymore, right, at some point you do
(21:32):
need to make those that one extra save. And I
think all the goaltenders, you know, whoever it is, and
I don't know Stuart Skinner, but you know the little
bit that i've seen him interview that he's one of
those guys that when he is interviewed, and whether it's
a bad goal or a bad game, but just own it, right,
just own it. I mean that's if you don't and
if there's any finger pointing at all, that isn't right
(21:54):
to yourself, and you know, you lose some respect in
the room. But I think that you know, whether it's
she lost Marischav or Skinner in the net, I think
at the end of the day that you can say
he could have had or should have had this one.
But at the end of the day, I still think
the guys in front of him going to play a
lot better in that type of situational hockey.
Speaker 2 (22:12):
Is Dan muse culpable in this? I mean I wouldn't
fire him, but like there's some decisions he's made that
that had been set well with me, like using Tanger
and Carlson together righty, righty in key situations, and then
I think he's relying too much in the old guys
San Jose came back using their kids.
Speaker 4 (22:28):
I'd have had my kids out there defending.
Speaker 3 (22:32):
Yeah, I mean I cautioned myself, and I'm with you too, Mark.
I mean, I'm not saying that what you're saying doesn't
hold water, but I think he is. I think he's
blamed himself, probably more than anybody else.
Speaker 4 (22:47):
No question. No, you can see that after the game.
Speaker 3 (22:51):
Yeah, yeah, you can. You can tell this this hurts
him to the core. And you could see the little
bit of bloodshot eyes too, And you know he's not
sleeping good at night because he's he's probably done everything
he's ever done in the past, and it's worked to
fix anything close to this, And you could tell he
just can't believe he was sitting there yesterday twenty four
hours after the San Jose game, but he was, and
(23:12):
so everybody's looking at him because he's the general, right,
That's what you're paid for, is to fix these types
of problems. So again, you know, maybe it's sitting down,
sitting with sitting and saying, you know, listen, I need
you to go in there. I need whoever is that
voice in the room, because you don't need me anymore.
I've said everything, I've shown you video over and over
and over again. You gotta start challenging each other in
(23:33):
that room. But I think I like that he said,
it's on me. It's on me to be better as
a head coach. It's on me to fix this. That's
what you want to hear from your leader.
Speaker 4 (23:45):
I mentioned the kids a moment ago. I can't blame
the kids.
Speaker 2 (23:47):
I think McGroarty and kindall have picked it up a
lot the past couple of games, and now they're starting
to score, which had been lacking. I kind of smirked
when a lot of people said that they were the
Penguin's best line, but for a while they never scored.
Speaker 4 (23:58):
I mean, I get it, but you gotta score.
Speaker 3 (24:03):
I'll disagree with you a little bit. And the reason
being is I think that the first Billy Covens game
is dropped off.
Speaker 2 (24:11):
No, no, he's one of the three that I yeah,
I can't defend.
Speaker 3 (24:16):
Okay, so let's let's put that on on the back shelf. Okay,
if we agree with that, that Billy coven has got
to be better. I love the breakaway goal, the confidence
by Ben Kendall, and you're right, Ben Kndles been really,
really good. It's it's tough to knock him at all.
But I look at those two games where Rutgor Mcrody
was out there and lost his man. You know, once
in the Santos A game on I think it was
(24:38):
the fourth goal the game, or maybe the fifth goal
one the one or two, he just completely lost his man.
And then even in the last game, when Nate Schmid
came down the left wing, he completely lost him. You know,
those are those are huge moments in the game. The
last one, it's yeah, that and the last one you
cannot everybody had probably pretty much a man on man situation,
(25:00):
and the one breakdown was retor loss. Smith coming in
from the left point position. It cannot happen. Considering you
have to rust as a smart kid. He had to
realize read the room. We've had breakdowns before, We've had
shortcomings before, we've blown leads before, and you don't want
to be that guy, and he was that guy. It
can't happen again. And he'll figure it out. I mean,
he'll hopefully he's better for it. And sometimes you got
(25:22):
to learn that way, the real hard way. We you know,
it's not just the tip of your finger touches the stove.
The whole hand has to touch it sometimes for you
to really feel the burn. And Rutger's smart guy, and
hopefully it won't happen again. But those are the little
things that happens to the Penguins right now that can't happen.
They can't be individual breakdowns. And you know, listen, it's easy.
Speaker 2 (25:42):
There is a breakdown. They wind up in our net
without exception.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
I know.
Speaker 3 (25:46):
But here here, let me finish my thought, mark, and
I'm gonna give you kind of the old player in
me a little bit, okay, if you allow me that
I was in these moments and the one thing that
went through my brain is don't be the guy that
lets your team in down. I always, at the end
of the game, I wanted to be able to look
my teammates in the eye and say, I gave you
everything I had and I made sure I had my
(26:07):
guy in those key situations. And if you take that
kind of responsibility, you know, and I never wanted to
like have to look at Mario in the eye and say,
you know, think I let him down in one of
those situations. So as you kind of all take down
upon yourself that you don't want to let the guys
sitting down sitting next to you let him down. You
want to be able to look him in the eye
at the end of the game and feel like you've
(26:28):
got the best of me tonight. And I don't think
enough guys can say that.
Speaker 2 (26:32):
We're talking to Phil Boork here on the X in
that vain BORKI A lot of fans are blaming Eric
Carlson in particular Chris Latang and want to you know,
bench him, shoot him, trade him, whatever.
Speaker 4 (26:43):
I just feel like they both got to play better.
Speaker 2 (26:45):
Nobody who put in there in their place is gonna
do better. Like no offense to Jack Say and Ivany,
but He's just not those just guys just got to
play better and they got to play tighter. They they
don't understand it's not ten years ago. They're not that
player anymore, especially Chris.
Speaker 3 (26:59):
Yeah, this is the first thing I would say, and
I'd say in a very respectful way, because they deserve
the respect that all they've done. And I know it's
all about the now and and you know what have
you done for me lately? But Crystal Tang has to
stop being on the ice for goals against and and
he has to be able to stop the two on
one pass, passes through him, passes around him. It's got
(27:19):
to stop. Enough is enough. He's too good of a defenseman.
Stop being on the ice for important goals against. You're
you're a leader. You'res just as important as this team
as Sidney Crosby. So many players on this team look
up to you. Your head coach completely has your ass,
and when you're not playing your best. Dan Muse completely
went to bat the other day when some people very
(27:40):
poignantly put him on the hot seat about Crystal Tang's play.
Stop being on the ice for so many goals against
and for Eric Carlson. He's been significantly better, so good
this year. But also don't do the old one step forward,
two steps back. You know, we do one really good thing,
but then two things that cost your team and the
puck ends up in the net. So tomorrow night against Edmonton,
(28:01):
for Kryst Lokang and Eric Carlson, see if you can
go a whole game without being on the ice for
a goal against, that would be a really good start,
as well as all the other great things you do,
because you are a leader on this team. And not
only do the fans look at you two as well
as Sid and Rusty and all the other leaders and Raquel,
all those other leaders, but specifically those two because they're
supposed to be our two best defensemen and they're just
(28:24):
on the ice for too many goals against.
Speaker 4 (28:28):
Is this a playoff team?
Speaker 2 (28:30):
I mean, how would you handle it if you're Dubis,
you know, making roster decisions. I mean, we're not anywhere
close to the trade Dan, you know what I mean?
Speaker 3 (28:38):
Yeah, I do know what you mean, and I just
don't think. I know that the things are starting to
unravel here a little bit after eight two and two,
and I think it's actually a day in October. We're
at number one in the league, and we're all like
getting with excited, like oh man, what's going you know?
But then you go four, five and three in October
and now you've come down to earth a little bit
more and you're on the outside looking in right now.
(28:59):
But I still I still look at the way this
team is designed and and you know, I know injuries
have played a role here, and you are noticing without
it's Kenny Malkin in there, there is a dip in
that two C and as well as Gino's been playing.
But if you're asking me to kind of put the
GM hat on just for about ten seconds, I'm still
(29:19):
going for it. I'm still looking every single day, who
can I bring in, who can I how can I
make this team better? Because I still believe that this team,
if they can resemble anything like we saw in October,
and why not they can just all of a sudden
forget how to play and they're doing a one to eighty.
They got to get back to playing that way and
playing that stingy defensive hockey and turning defense into into
(29:41):
offense and keeping the puck out of your net and
playing as a five man unit. All those things they
did in October. It's kind of gone by the wayside.
They got to get back to that. And I do
believe they're a playoff team. And I don't think anybody
in the Eastern Conference wants to play the Penns in
the first round that they get there.
Speaker 2 (29:56):
I'm not sure about that, but I will say I
would operate into the something that can make the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (30:01):
But there's an expiration date on it.
Speaker 2 (30:03):
You can't throw good after bad, you know, after a
certain point.
Speaker 3 (30:07):
Yeah, fair enough.
Speaker 2 (30:09):
Now, what's your take on Edmonton because they've you know,
not been great right now they have one six out
of ten.
Speaker 4 (30:16):
But I watch them on TV.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
They're they're looking like a team with a double post
Stanley Cup Final loss hangover. So I wonder where they're at,
how much jar is gonna help? And frankly, right now,
where McDavid's at, although he's been hot.
Speaker 3 (30:29):
Lately, Yeah, I mean, it's still McDavid in dry style
right then there's a big drop off after that on
you know, you have Ryan Husen Hopkins and you have himman,
You've got other guys can put the puck on the net,
but it's it's a two headed monster. And if you
can shut those two down and really isolate those two
and dare the other guys to beat you. I like
your chances. It's gonna be really fun. It's gonna be interesting.
(30:51):
Now all the talent on the ice tomorrow night. You
know Sid versus McDavid. You got dry Style going for
his one thousandth point. You got Sid hunting down, you know,
Mario for all time nine points. And then on top
of that, you got I think that that Stuart Skinner's
going to be in goal. I think he's he's been
cleared to customs and immigration. And then you get Jari
versus Stuart Skinner. I'll tell you what, man, it's you.
(31:12):
If you're just looking at one game to go to,
that's the one to go to Tomorrow night. Because there's
just so many storylines.
Speaker 2 (31:19):
Well, I mean, the big story is Sid's gonna catch
Mario for career points. He's just two points away. I
kind of feel that that's being underplayed a bit, not
least locally, because that's a huge deal.
Speaker 4 (31:29):
You got.
Speaker 2 (31:30):
You got the two greatest players in franchise history, two
of the greatest five players in hockey history, and they're
very nearly tied in points with one passing the other.
Speaker 3 (31:40):
Okay, let me let me flip it. If if McDavid
starts to catch Gretzky in points, do you think it
would be a big deal here in Pittsburgh. No, No,
that's you know what I mean. So it's a big
deal for us just because we know that of the
significance and there's there's still a lot of people that
are going to pay games that went to Penguin Games
(32:01):
and Mario played and right, and now that that that
torch has been passed, that you know, and we can
still feel it. We still feel what Mario did in
the city. There's still a lot of people and so
to know there's another one that's gonna catch We didn't
think there'd ever be another player to catch Mario's number there,
and it looks like it is going to be Sid.
So yeah, you know how Sid's just like Mario. They
(32:24):
have this way of rising to the moment. Right just
when you think, oh man two points against Edmonton and
Tristan Jarry, Mario did it, and you have a funny
feeling and say, they'll do it.
Speaker 2 (32:34):
Tomorrow night, Porky, great stuff. As always, I will see
at the game tomorrow night.
Speaker 3 (32:40):
Look forward to a double I'm enjoyed that time together.
This was good hockey talk.
Speaker 2 (32:44):
That's the old two nineer from sports and at Pittsburgh
and the Pittsburgh Radio Network. Now it's time to ask
Mark anything.
Speaker 4 (32:49):
Dial now.
Speaker 2 (32:52):
Eight three three four one two w xdx eight three
three four one two w xdx, or you can leave
a talk back via the microphone and icon it the
iHeartMedia app.
Speaker 4 (33:01):
It's the Mark Madden Show one oh five nine, ass
Mark anything.
Speaker 2 (33:06):
Brock towist by People's Natural Gas Peoples in this sense
Utilities Company, Safe Reliable natural Gas Energy, People's Hyphengas dot Com.
Let's go to Jude jud drone with double M.
Speaker 4 (33:19):
Good day, I said, good day.
Speaker 7 (33:23):
I just uh, I was really sad to hear about
the passing of Rob Reiner. And one of my favorite
movies is I don't know if you've seen it Misery
with Kathy Bates and James conn the kind.
Speaker 4 (33:32):
Of course of course I have.
Speaker 2 (33:34):
I've seen nearly all of Rob Reiner's work, and uh,
I eulogized him at show's beginning. I just think it's
utterly tragic, and uh, some things have been said since
then that I'm biting my tongue on and may not
bite forever. I talked about it on Twitter, you know
what I mean, And it's just I don't know why
we can't just mourn.
Speaker 4 (33:53):
Rob Reiner.
Speaker 7 (33:56):
Agreed, Yeah, I just think we should pay tribute to
him at this point. And and you know, I thought
it was pretty pretty cool too, how he was influential
in keeping Seinfeld on the air as part of his.
Speaker 4 (34:07):
Production company Castle Rocks.
Speaker 7 (34:08):
So that's kind of like an unsung almost you know,
other part of his life.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
It's not surprising because Rob Reiner had unrivaled comedic acumen
and not only could he produce great stuff and do
great acting like in Wolfe of Wall Street and Spinal Tap,
but he knew what would work and invariably it did.
(34:33):
Part of that, I would think, being part of that,
I think was from being Carl Reiner's son. Thank you
for the calling, Rob Reiner or rip I am going
to touch base on this. The president, who was the
least presidential person ever, let alone to be president, said
that Rob Reiner his wife died of Trump derangement syndrome,
when in fact they were murdered.
Speaker 4 (34:54):
Uh, when Charlie Kirk got killed.
Speaker 2 (34:58):
Rob Reiner, who lowed Charlie Kirk's politics, went on Piers
Morgan Show and said, this shouldn't happen to anybody.
Speaker 4 (35:04):
So that's the difference between the two people.
Speaker 2 (35:07):
What a regrettable choice we've made for president, an utterly
regrettable choice, just a terrible.
Speaker 4 (35:13):
Human being without any shred of decency.
Speaker 2 (35:15):
And if that makes you don't want to listen to
me gfy on your way out the door, I said,
I wasn't gonna say that, but I'm glad I did.
Speaker 4 (35:23):
Let's go to Alan Allen, ask Mark anything.
Speaker 3 (35:28):
Hey, Mark betterhead coach Mike Tomlin or Jimmy mcintee's.
Speaker 4 (35:33):
From the replacements.
Speaker 2 (35:35):
I think Jimmy mcginney made more of what he had
than Tomlin typically does.
Speaker 4 (35:38):
Don't you?
Speaker 1 (35:41):
Absolutely thank you for the call.
Speaker 2 (35:45):
Get some more calls in uh A three three four
one two wxdx. Uh This game tonight, twenty two straight
Monday night wins at home is amazing. I just hope
the hidden vigorous doesn't figure in, you know, the law.
Longer than something happens, the closer it is to not.
That is just an incredible friggin' number.
Speaker 4 (36:08):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (36:09):
I like how everybody's trying to act like Adam Thielen
and MVS are somehow going to make a difference with
the Steelers now that they've been anointed by Aaron Rodgers
at the expense certainly of Roman Wilson and probably some
other receivers too. I see where Thieling and MVS have
been staying late to quote unquote get up to speed. Well,
(36:32):
that should really open up that Steelers offense. But how
much speed can those two fossils get up to? But
their stats don't matter. We're told, no catches, no problem.
Let's go to a talkback.
Speaker 8 (36:46):
Super genius Eric and Toledo. Hey, I wasn't they call
in on Friday when you guys were talking about the
top sports center anchors. But this goes way back, But
what did you ever think of Bob Lee and Charlie Steiner?
I always thought Bob Lee.
Speaker 2 (36:59):
Was I love I loved both of them. I don't
have Charlie Steiner in my top list.
Speaker 4 (37:05):
Bob Lee.
Speaker 2 (37:06):
I thought of him more as the host of Outside
the Lines, which is exactly the kind of program ESPN
used to excel at and should be doing, as opposed
to the embrace debate crap they do for ratings. Let's
go to Mike and Lawrenceville. Mike ask Mark anything.
Speaker 1 (37:26):
Hey, Mark, thanks for making my call right on. I
just wanted to know if you Saturday Night's main event,
and if you did, what did you think of tapping out?
Speaker 6 (37:35):
No?
Speaker 2 (37:36):
I really don't watch wrestling anymore. I find it mostly
boring and without stories.
Speaker 1 (37:40):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (37:41):
I have no problem with seeing the tapping out though
he's on his way out. Why would the guy win
his last match when he's not going to be on
TV moving forward? You get more money out of Gunther
having tapped him, like he's ended some other careers. So
I think it was in keeping with what they've done
and with what should be done in wrestling. You look
at sting in aew he won his last twenty six matches.
(38:03):
He was twenty six to oh Now, a lot of
those were tag matches, and I have nothing but respect
for Steve Bordon, who I worked with obviously, But.
Speaker 4 (38:10):
What good did that do anybody?
Speaker 2 (38:12):
So I I I mean, I didn't see the match,
but that's the I'm not sure exactly what finish I
would have gone with, but it certainly would not have
been seen A beating Gunther.
Speaker 1 (38:23):
Yeah, I think it was just to him tapping out.
Speaker 5 (38:25):
That has everybody up in arms.
Speaker 4 (38:27):
Yeah, well they'll get over it. It's only fake wrestling,
you know.
Speaker 2 (38:29):
Let's go to David David Askmark anything, David, you're on
the air.
Speaker 4 (38:39):
Okay, that's good enough. We'll get David some other time.
Speaker 2 (38:44):
Eight three three four one two WXDX eight three three
four one two WXDX Steelers Tonight, No TJ.
Speaker 1 (38:53):
Watt.
Speaker 2 (38:53):
Matt Williamson with a great point earlier, and we're going
to replay that interview in a little bit about how TJ.
Watt has become really good at stopping the run and
especially the way the Dolphins choose to run the ball.
So that's going to make tonight's game all that more
interesting his absence. But I think Jack Sawyer against the run.
He's not gonna do what Watt did, but I think
he's good enough. The guy have to worry about against
(39:15):
the run is Herbig, who's gotten better at it. He's
primarily a pass rusher. High Smith a little bit of both.
Watt certainly a little bit of both, but unavailable, and
I'm told he's going to be out for the season
with that lung thing. I've never heard of dry k needling.
Dry humping yes, but not dry needling.
Speaker 4 (39:36):
One, five, nine x
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