Winners & Losers: Steelers vs. Bucs Breakdown

Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to the Underground, The steel City Underground, the black
and gold standard for Pittsburgh Steelers coverage. Now here's your hoes.
Joe Kuzma, Hello.

Speaker 2 (00:16):
Everyone, and welcome to another edition of the steel City
Underground podcast. My name is Joe Kuzma. Welcome to this
special edition where I'm flying solo without some of my
usual help here, and that's just because I wanted to
throw in a really quick postgame episode following the Pittsburgh
Steelers loss in air quotes here seventeen fourteen at home

(00:36):
to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Win is a loss, a
win in preseason or win is a win is a win?
Try saying that again and at rhymes with the Steelers
win a preseason game. You're going to have winners and
losers across this this exercise. We're out of training camp.
Now you have the joint practices and your main evaluation

(01:00):
is now like just three preseason games, and especially the
Steelers are looking at some of these battles at the
bottom portion of the what will be the fifty three
man roster. Brian and I are probably going to look
at this later this week ahead of the game in
Carolina on Thursday as a preview for that game Who's
on the hot seat, But there are some definite winners
and losers that I wanted to point out ahead of that,

(01:22):
just as an introduction to this episode. We were a
little caught off guard too that the Steelers didn't trot
out like Aaron Rodgers or DK Metcalf or anybody of
significance like your mein big time star players that were
acquired or have been playing on this team like TJ Watt.
Big time player just landed a big bag of cash, right,

(01:44):
But it does give us an opportunity to see some
of the younger players. It wasn't the most exciting game.
It was actually quite bland throughout. And I mean I
wouldn't blame most of the uns if you didn't even
pay attention in the second half. Who are some of
these people? Is what you're probably thinking. But no, DK Metcalf,
no Jalen Ramsey, no Patrick Queen, no Aaron Rodgers, didn't
even have ben' scronnik, Will Howard who we want to

(02:05):
see out of Ohio State, the rookie still nursing a
hand injury, Calvin Austen in that battle for wide receiver
two don't get to see him either. He's a bit
dinged up. Darius Slay veteran, didn't play. Joey Porter didn't play,
Deshaun Elliott, Corey Thrice did not play, Jalen Warren, Dante Kent,

(02:26):
who desperately needs to get on the field, one of
the late round draft picks, somebody else I'm going to
talk about later in the show. As far as the
winners and losers, Alex high Smith, Ryan McCollum, Calvin Anderson,
let's see notables, Isaac sa Molo, John new Smith, Pat
Friar me with TJ. Watt, and of course Cam Hayward. Yeah,
that's a big, big, big, big number of players that

(02:51):
you did not get out there on the field, and
there was opportunities for some other players as part of that.
So I would like two without further ado. I'm gonna
keep this one a little short because again it's a
post game for preseason. Let's talk about the offense of
winners and unfortunately don't even have a graphic. I don't

(03:12):
even know how this is possible. Probably the biggest winner
of the evening, who everyone's talking about, targeted four times
to catch his seventy two yards with a forty two
yard long and then you know thirty plus on the
other crosser was Roman Wilson. Finally, you know, we sound
vindicated for as dumb as we've sound over the last
few weeks. And I apologize technical whatever Windows eleven here,

(03:35):
my operating system cranked up my mic volume to one
hundred percent, so I apologize if I was spiking and
screaming into people's ears. Brian had crickets in his office
that he finally got rid of with the ultra sonic whatever.
It's just been absolute madness, and then there's madness here
Roumin Wilson. We've been talking about this guy. You know,
he didn't get to play last year. You didn't even
get to play in the preseason last year, so you

(03:56):
didn't get to see the speed, you didn't get to
see the physicality. That's going to be a hell of
a player. It's going to make everyone forget about all
of this stupid. In fact, it already has all the
stupid media talk about trade for this guy or that
guy that might be available as a wide receiver to
the guy from the forty nine ers. I forgot who
it was, Juwan Jennings. I think who cares? Who cares
Terry McLaurin, who's now, you know, thirty years old, great

(04:17):
wide receiver, but not somebody that the Steelers need to
be paying an additional thirty million a year When you
got Rumin Wilson, I think Kelvin Austen will still be
a great option and another winner in this group, believe
it or not. Brandon Johnson. He's six' to, Two he's
got some size that some of the Other steelers receivers don't.
Have and it's really starting to make, me you, know

(04:38):
wonder where his role might. BE i was thinking more
or less practice, squad but now more and more That
i'm thinking about. It and of, Course Brandon johnson with
d one, touchdown, catch three catches sixteen yards and you
see him celebrating here with some of the Other steelers,
OFFENSE i think he might have a spot on this.
Roster And i'll talk about. That maybe DO i Have

(05:01):
let me see WHO i have in the. LOSERS i
did Put Robert woods and The losers BECAUSE i really
don't know Where Robert woods ends. Up and this is
gonna be part Of brian AND i talk about the
fifty three man roster and who's gonna make. It SO
i don't want to get to in, depth but just
keep an eye On Brandon johnson because he's a bigger.
Guy he's gonna be maybe a red zone. Target he
also made a tackle on special. Teams he's doing some.

(05:25):
Stuff he's doing some really good stuff that's gonna get
him into the. Conversation Whereas Robert woods is already a.
Veteran he's kind of. There but, yeah he's just kind of.
There it does he just get passed by maybe a
few of the younger. Players don't Forget Ben skronick who
did not play in this. Game Scotty miller who. Did
he's still making a case for a spot on this.
Roster Rock, TAYLOR i Think Rock. Taylor the needle went

(05:48):
up a little bit For taylor in this. Game it
would have been even more maybe if he had caught
the touchdown pass just a little bit outside of his.
Fingertips the quarterbacking leaves a little to be. Desired that'll
be discussed a little bit later as. Well and then
of Course Caleb. Johnson, finally this is what they wanted to,
see and some people thought that maybe it didn't bode

(06:10):
well For johnson that he had played so. Much he
had eleven carries in this. Game this is what he.
Needed he needs a confidence. Boost he had fifty yards
a four and a half average per, carry fourteen yards
on the one big long. Play you're finally seeing the
things that a lot of us have been talking about
when we saw him in training. Camp and he also
had to catch for nine yards as well in this.

(06:32):
One So Caleb johnson also needle stock. Rising Broderick jones
looks a little more comfortable in the left tackle. Position
not a whole lot to maybe evaluate With Broderick jones
in this game as much as you know you might
want to evaluate, usually but with offensive, linemen and that's

(06:55):
kind of the. Case jones played ten, snaps looked. Comfortable
that offensive LINE i thought was doing pretty. SOLID i
would like to see a little, more BUT i don't
know that we're gonna get. More they had the joint
practices and they had, decided, well we saw enough Of Aaron,
rodgers we saw enough of you, know all of the
other veteran. Players why risk and put them out there for?

(07:16):
Injury and that's you, know the injury. Bug jalen McMillan
Tampa bay gets just up. Ended was that One? Thornhill
or was That Chuck? Clerk but he gets upended on
that one. Play oh It's Darryl. Porter MAYBE i should
Put Darryl porter in my list of defensive, players BUT i.
DIDN'T i didn't get to defensive players. Yet But i'll

(07:37):
tell you who's all. THERE i might have to throw
them in. There i've got a lot of winners and,
losers stock rising and whatnot with these. Players But Broderick jones,
helping you, know lead the way with the run, game
help him, block you look more. Comfortable it was only ten,
SNAPS i, know but he's supposed to be natural as
a left. Tackle let's get to our defensive winners before

(07:57):
we get to some of the losers here and of
course mentioning a few of these players. Already Derek carmon
is the one guy that really stands out in this,
game right because he gets the. Sack and that's what
everybody wants to. See they want to see the vanity,
statistics they want to see the big. Plays they want
to see the first round pick look like a menace out.

(08:21):
There And Harmon sawi ad game for what he. Played
he ends up with one solo, tackle two. Assisted he
also had the sack which is quarterback hit tackle for,
loss all registering on the stat sheet for when he.
Played but that bull rush was just it was very,
impressive let's admit. It and if you're paying close enough
of attention to, that he was in on a lot of,

(08:44):
plays played about thirty five percent of the game in this.
One So Derek carmon is one of my winners in this.
Game there's some guys that look better than others at.
Times one of my other winners was Ku. Leota he
got some significant playing. Time that's going to make you

(09:04):
think about maybe some of the outside linebacker. Depth it's
at least going to give him some consideration as maybe
a practice squad player if he's able to stick, around
because there's just there's not a lot of spots in this.
Team but he had four combined, tackles two of those
for a loss and a hit on a. Quarterback that's saying, something,
Right he's doing a little more Than Jack. Sawyer i'm

(09:26):
not going to Call Jack sawyer a loser in this,
game and it's just a. Rookie So Jack sawyer was
somebody that we were absolutely looking for more out of
and then another, Winner Brandon, eckles who if you were
watching The Kitty KA Cbs pittsburgh Feed channel, two WHICH
i know a lot, of it's probably. Did you probably
didn't get The Tampa Bay bucks end of this like

(09:47):
sometimes you. Do it's a different twenty. Six it's Not Rod,
woodson it's Not Le'Veon. Bell Brandon, eckles, though is Not Brandon.
Nichols Bob pompiani was confusing him or getting him mixed
up With. Nichols Lou, nichols the running back who had
a nice but not ENOUGH i think on this, deep
deep depth chart to stand. Out But ecles on the other,
hand on a deep depth chart with No Corey, Trice

(10:09):
he's out, there he's. Playing he's been playing some. Slot
you don't need him With Jalen ramsey playing, slot but
he's playing on the outside and showing that he is
versatile and they can move him. Around he may become
the top backup corner on this. Team another guy THAT
i DEFINITELY i had high hopes for in coming off
of this. Injury, preseason they talked about him a lot

(10:31):
on the, broadcast and That's Cole. Holcomb And holkam is
a guy that's flying around the. Field and With Peyton
wilson getting beat, by was It Bucky? IRVING i think
it Was Bucky irving who caught the one touchdown. Pass
they can get his head around great. Coverage just got
to get your head, around and that's you, know it's
a second your. Player but you Got Cole holcomb who
basically didn't play at all last year coming back from
a major. Injury man he's flying, Around he's a hawk

(10:52):
to the. BALL i think his stock is definitely pointed.
Upward if you're talking about The Pittsburgh steelers and some
of the guys that are going to earn a position
on his fifty three man, roster he could have very
easily just folded like a, chair never to be heard from.
Again And i'm kind Of i'm really. Glad i'm really
happy for him because he took a pay cut in

(11:13):
order to prove a. Point he may actually carve out
some playing. Time, Well, wilson it's a nice it's a
nice luxury to. Have you can never have too many inside.
Linebackers SO i don't want to get too far ahead
of myself with, that but you, know hats off To
Cole holcom is great seeing him out there. Again this
is a Great this is A cinderella. Story this is
a comeback player type of story if there ever was,

(11:36):
one one more major. Winner And i'm trying to see
IF i can find a graphic or an image for,
him BUT i don't Think i'm going. To and It's Chuck,
clark a veteran player that was brought in as training
camp already. STARTED i Think Chuck, clark just by his,
play is playing time and just as savvy over some
players Like Sebastian. Castro for. Example castro plays twenty nine

(12:01):
snaps in this, game but none of this is really
standing out even against some of THE jv type. Players
he may be more practice. Squad where we were originally,
thinking is camp broke who or some of the guys
that are at the bottom half that could really surprise.
Us be some type of camp, phenoms be some sleeper,
picks And castro just hasn't worked out that. Way they
bring In, clark And clark is H he's played very,

(12:23):
well and it's another guy that's coming off of you,
know he had a serious injury that's set back his.
Career he's also lining up in the slot. Too he's
sliding up like as a. Dinebacker so they've got a
lot of, versatility AND i think that is going to
it's gonna bode well For clark in making this final
roster and also contributing for The steelers this. Season, now of, course,

(12:45):
unfortunately oh special teams, winners it's got to go along
with the special team. Loser, unfortunately the special team. Loser
christian koons it's only he's only losing, here folks because
he got, hurt and a feel for him BECAUSE i
don't know the severity of the. Injury and it's not
like teams carry multiple long. Snappers it's a guy that
it's very often an undrafted type. Player when you're talking

(13:06):
about long, snappers there's only like usually thirty two of them.
Around the guy that was formerly of The, PATRIOTS i
forget his name now Is. Arrington he could maybe be
back if he hasn't joined another roster, yet depending on
the severity of coots in short week. Too, Right But
Logan lee is the winner here Because Logan lee for,
me has been a virtual where's this guy? Been you,

(13:27):
know he's another guy that missed a lot of time last,
Year Like Roman, wilson you hadn't seen. Him you usually
don't know who the emergency long snapper. IS i think
at one Time Heith miller might have been an emergency long.
SNAPPER i Know James harrison, was and he ACTUALLY i
think did this in a game one. Time But Logan
lee comes out there and it was pretty much. UNDETECTABLE

(13:47):
a great job For Danny, smith a special teams coach
for The Pittsburgh, steelers and getting some of these guys
prepped in emergency type break glass. Situations just, phenomenal, right just.
Phenomenal so let's jump over to some of my some
of the offensive. Losers, unfortunately jumping around on the. Roster

(14:09):
you had some of the darlings from the previous, week
Like Max harlman for, example And Max hrlman just he
did you, know he did have like A i think
he fell on the ball for the one fubble, recovery
but he was targeted multiple times in this. Game was
left pretty much off of the stat sheet. Entirely three,

(14:31):
targets didn't catch any of. Them not going to say
all the passes were great or, anything but it was
a very thin margin as to WHERE i thought he's a,
receiver he's a running. Back maybe he's another H bac
type and that kind of leads me to MAYBE i
really want to Put Connor hayward on a hot. Seat
but he is not a loser from this game, Necessarily Logan,
woodside he comes out all the quarterbacks through an, Interception

(14:54):
But Logan, woodside you have an opportunity to quote win this,
game And Logan woodside gave it. Up he only completed
forty four point four percent of his, passes four of
nine for forty five yards five yards per, attempt took
sack as. Well he had a twenty point four. RATING
i don't think anybody. THOUGHT i don't think anybody even

(15:15):
thinks That Skyler thompson's going to necessarily earn a roster
spot unless the injury To Will howard is something a
little more lingering and The steelers, LIKE. Hm you, Know
Skyler thompson still was ten to fifteen in this, game
one hundred and thirteen. Yards he had the one, interceptions no.
Touchdown they didn't quite light it up like the previous,
week but still showed that he you, know he may
be capable of at least holding a clipboard in The

(15:37):
National Football, league even if it isn't for The Pittsburgh.
Steelers But Logan woodside didn't put anything on tape that
was necessarily positive that would give anybody like real pause to, Think,
okay here's a guy that maybe we. Overlooked maybe this
is somebody that we Could another team might be sniffing
around deep on their bench and need somebody for quarter.

(16:00):
Depth hell, no, MAN i think clock might be. TICKING
i know he was a Former Arthur smith. Guy so
a lot of this terminology and stuff from the offense
carries over when you need somebody in a pinch for the.
Preseason that's about Where Logan woodside. Falls Tray sermon another name,
here AND i Know Tray sermon runs in for the.
Touchdown but three attempts four yards one point three per attempt.

(16:24):
There you know he was targeted. Twice he caught one
ball for four. Yards not the kind of standout PERFORMANCE
i really need From Tray sermon to stand out from
A canneff, game, well to stand out From Lou, nichols
who was running, fierce who was running, hard so you
get the vanity. TOUCHDOWN i Think sermon is another bubble,
player BUT i don't necessarily know that his stock, increased

(16:48):
and it doesn't. Increase you're not a big winner from this,
game and you got to go into maybe the loser. Category.
UNFORTUNATELY i hate to say, that but when you Have Caleb,
johnson you Have Jalen warren all, ready there's two running back.
Spots The steelers sometimes have only kept two running backs
in previous seasons when trimming for their fifty three man.

(17:08):
Roster So sermon is another guy that falls, there and
anyone else who was snapping the football not named Like
Logan lee for her log snapper or Even Zach frasier
had one that was pretty low And Mason rudolph recovered
and then through the interception the timing was. Off but
The steelers just don't HAVE i, know McCollum is is
penciled in as like a backup, center and McCollum didn't,

(17:29):
play so everybody else that they've had out, there they're
just playing different offensive linemen and throwing. IT i just
hope you don't end up in like Knock On, wood
like That Marquise pouncy situation where they had to bring
in was it For Fernando, velasquez IF i got that,
right Former Tennessee titan that came. In he wasn't even

(17:50):
on the team and all of a, sudden you, know
comes in pouncing got. HURT i was against The Green Bay. Packers,
thankfully none of these games or afternoon games. Anymore The
steelers played these home. Games they say it's too, hot
let's play seven. O'CLOCK i don't think that might be
the last time they played an afternoon preseason. Game somebody
could drop into comments and correct me If i'm, wrong
but that's the WAY i remember. It and that was
also the Game Jordy nelson got hurt for The Green

(18:12):
Bay packers back. THEN i, know eons, ago but, geez you,
know starting centers are hard enough to find, too let
alone not having any depth whatsoever maybe on the roster
with The Pittsburgh. Steelers so in putting that out, there you,
KNOW i am a little worried about some of the
depth with the offensive line and particularly at the center.

(18:34):
Position just you got to knock on. Wood somebody Like
Zach frazier is good for the long haul of the defensive.
Losers Now i'm going to jump into AND i hate
to say, it but Getting Nick krbick out there as
one of the guys who didn't end up playing in
the previous week might not have been the best. Decision
it may end up making him a loser and costing

(18:55):
him some time in the regular. SEASON i really feel
maybe he shouldn't have been out there now now that
you risk, It and you could say that about, anybody But,
HERBIG i think is a pretty big piece of the
rotation for The Pittsburgh steelers when you don't Have alex High,
smith who you, know they babied. Him he wasn't out.

(19:16):
THERE Tj. Watt they're going to continue babying him because you,
know when you're getting paid that much, money you're getting
paid more than some quarterbacks around the. League But herbig
to come out, There, yeah you want to give him
some real time. Reps let him Chase Teddy bridgewater. Around
that didn't work. OUT i Mentioned Dante kent. Earlier we don't,
know like Really Kevin austin being hurt. Too who's taking

(19:36):
the kick and punt return? Duties and If austin were
to ascend it be a wide receiver. Too Mike tomlin's
not a big fan of Sorry ron graphic there don't
have one For Dante. Kent, yes he hasn't been, playing
But Dante kent like he's got to get on the.
Field he's losing. Time he's a bottom of the draft
pick or. Selection you got to get on the, field

(19:58):
got to get on the. FIELD i don't know how
many other ways like a death only say THAT i
was looking. HERE i was trying to find Like Mark
robinson And demarvin lel and these are guys that have
been developing on the bottom parts of the. Roster And
leol's been playing outside, livebacker he's been playing defensive, end
AND i don't know that he's necessarily had a fit at.
Either and when you're playing AS jv now and you've

(20:21):
had varsity, time As Mike tomlin would, SAY i think that.
TIME i think that the clock's. Ticking he could even be.
Traded maybe somebody will sniff around and it can get
like a sixth round pick or, something BECAUSE i JUST
i don't know that he's round on this. Roster Eku,
loyota he ends up making a case for being somebody
that's on the lower edge of the lower part of

(20:42):
the depth for the edge, rushers, particularly you, know If
highsmith isn't hurt and if herbig now isn't too serious
for like a week, one you got those guys. Healthy
you got what you Got heismith in herbig and you
don't really know That leol's an edge, rusher and you've
Got Jack sawyer's. Rookie that's four of. Them sometimes they
don't even keep five all depending and if they feel

(21:04):
like there's a, Fifth leota might have passed them up.
There so it bounces you back around to the defensive.
Line and you see What Derek harmon's. Doing you see
What Wyi black's been. Doing Keno benton looked good next To.
Harmon he looked like a future. Group you Got Cam
hayward as long as he doesn't hold. Out there's not
a lot of spaces left For, leal even with special
teams for that. Matter So i'm really worried about his.

(21:25):
Future and he's gonna be competing with Like Isaiah. Loudermolk
they brought Louder milk, back but Lodder milk's never really you,
know popped off the page. Either but he might be
a more consistent player Than. Leel so a little worried.
There And Mark robinson of, course the same kind of
deal when you've got you, Know Cole holkme flying, Around
you've Got Carson brunner flying around and playing a significant
amount of reps later in the in the, game playing special.

(21:48):
Teams he may pass or leap Frog Mark robinson as.
Well and the final guy THAT i FEEL i feel.
SLIPPING i Feel i'm slipping Because Brandon knuckles plays a little.
MORE i feel him slipping because of The Jalen ramsey.
ADDITION i feel him slipping Because Cam sutton took his
role midway through last season once he was off the suspension.

(22:11):
List i'm not SURE i got a picture For Beanie
bishop Because i'm not sure he was in anything that
was picture worthy on THE tv Frame saturday. Evening i'm,
Like i'm struggling to see Where Beanie. Bishop he had one? Tackle,
oh he did have a pass. Defense i'd Like Beanie.
BISHOP i. Didn't and this is don't get me, WRONG
i don't. THINK i Think Matt williamson and some of

(22:33):
the other guys on The steelers post game might have,
Been Mike persuda might have. Been who else was with?
Him i'm trying to think who was doing the show
last night, postgame and they said it the WAY i
was thinking about, it That Beanie bishop hasn't done anything wrong,
Necessarily he's just kind of he's just kind of, there
and he's getting passed by by so many other. People
and when you are he played nineteen snaps twenty nine

(22:56):
percent of the, game you've got some guys that are
making some. Splash LIKE i, Said Darryl, porter they're trying
to work him. Out he came out from nowhere and
may have a practice squad. Spot bishop might be relegated to.
THAT i don't know Where trice ends up. At there's
not a whole lot of. SPOTS i think me And
brian were talking about, that maybe one or two of
these three Between, Bishop trice and Then James pierre maybe

(23:20):
all the more room there is on the. Roster you've
Got Joey, Porter you've Got Jalen, ramsey you Got Darius
slay and THEN i think you Got. Eccholes there's four
corners they keep? Five do they keep? Six Is Chuck
clark factored into the safeties or JUST dB room? Overall?
Behind you know the starters who are going to be
one On thornhill And Deshaun elliott there's. Three you Got,
clark there's. Four not a lot of room left on this.

(23:42):
Roster and that's what we're going to talk about next
in closing here our next, episode, folks stay tuned middle
of the. Week Pittsburgh steelers have A thursday game this
week At. CAROLINA i don't know that we're going to
see any of the big names. Again maybe they just
throw him out there real, quick give him like a
little little. TAKE i don't. Know Maybe Mike tomlin just

(24:02):
leaves everybody. Guessing maybe they got enough out of this
joint practice to say we don't need to put these
guys out. THERE i worry about a slow, start but
the rest of the, league they're paper in some of the,
stars and they've got to do this same. Stuff you
put somebody out there and it doesn't pay, off or
you get somebody. Hurt it's a great risk that anybody
could get hurt at any. MOMENT i understand, That but

(24:22):
when the games don't count for, anything seventeen fourteen does not.
Matter it's just why why would we put them out?
There So i'm going to leave it at. That we'll
be back later this. Week check us out for The
steelers And panthers pregame. Preview we're going to look at
the fifty three man roster and make some make some,

(24:44):
recommendations make our, predictions and also we're gonna talk about
who's on the hot seat headed into that, game who
has to have a big. Performance you heard about some
of those names, already you heard about some of the,
winners some of the. Losers let's see where the momentum
carry some of these players further into that third preseason.
Game until, then, folks don't forget to, like comment and.
Subscribe my name Is Joe, kuzma and as we always

(25:04):
close out this show and encourage everyone out there to be,
Safe oh be, good and we'll catch it.

Speaker 1 (25:10):
Late we would like to thank you for listening and
remind our listeners to follow us on social media and
our website. Www dot Steel City underground dot com

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