September 12, 2024 • 44 mins
Mike Prisuta, Matt Williamson, and the Factor Back Merril Hoge preview the Steelers’ week two challenge in Denver against the Broncos.
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Speaker 1 (00:08):
Welcome to the Steelers Preview Show on wdv E Pittsburgh,
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here are your hosts, Merril Hodge, Matt Williamson and Mike Persuda.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Good evening, Welcome to another edition of Steelers Preview right
here on the Steelers flagship one of two point five
DVE and the Steelers Audio Network. Mike Persuda and Matt
Williamson with you tonight to get you ready for the
Steelers in the Broncos Sunday in Denver. Merril Hodge, our
factor back will belong as he always is, to kind
of change the field position by just grinding out one six,
(00:52):
seven eight yard run after another until he shoves the
football into the end zone.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
All right, And I think this game is going to
be a lot like that, and it's just get back
to basics. Don't beat yourself and hand the ball off
and off a lot. Yeah, if you liked the Atlanta game.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Yeah, and I'm not saying you did, but if you did. Although, Matt,
some developments on the South side today which may push
this one even more toward looking more like Steelers Falcons
than I don't know. Was that Rams Chiefs a couple
of years ago, seventies. I don't think we're not gonna
see that. But quarterback Russell Wilson limited with the CAF
(01:28):
for a second consecutive day. Dan Moore junior ankle, didn't
practice yesterday, full participant today. Also Noah Isaac Say Mohler
for the second consecutive day. Roman Wilson a full participant.
The rookie has been trying to get over an ankle
injury since the first day in pads back at Saint
(01:48):
Vincent College. Wilson was limited Wednesday, full participant Thursday. So
maybe he gets himself into the mix. But the quarterback
position is what everybody is focused on. Justin Field's got
to start last Sunday in Atlanta. Mike Tomlins said on
Tuesday that they were preparing Justin Fields to be the
starter and then you know, participation would be the guide thereafter.
(02:10):
After that second consecutive limited performance in practice today, Russell
Wilson did not sound like a guy who was anticipating playing.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
You know, this is, you know, the last game of
the season kind of thing, or one of those kind
of games. You know, we're definitely going, you know, I
think I think right now, I want to go, but
we also too wanted to be smart.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Too as well. Yeah, it's not the last game of
the season, it's not a playoff game. It's weak two.
I don't think he's playing.
Speaker 5 (02:34):
I don't either.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
I'm sure he'd love to play against his old team
and all that, and that's wonderful, but I don't think
you push it. I'm sure there's a lot of people
out there that think Fields is the better quarterback right
now because they haven't seen hardly anyth from Wilson.
Speaker 5 (02:47):
I'm not in that camp at all.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
Not either.
Speaker 5 (02:48):
Yeah, I'm not even close.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
I don't think it's close. Yeah, I don't think it's
a tough decision me either.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
And even just to use the Atlanta game as sort
of a reference, they got to the red zone a
few times. You know, you ransom plays in the red zone,
didn't no touchdown passes, you know, I mean, I'm really
harping on this touchdown pass thing this year. I mean,
I think Wilson throws touchdown passes and Steeler quarterbacks of
yesteryear do not.
Speaker 5 (03:12):
And I also saw some mister two years.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
Yeah, And I've seen some procedural things I didn't love either.
Early in that game, a fumbled snap, some some guys
didn't look like they knew where they were going where
Wilson and his experience has a lot of value for
that kind of stuff.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
On the other side of that coin, Matt, Yeah, one
of my most significant takeaways from watching the rest of
the league throughout Week one. Kirk Cousins, I don't think
he's right yet, Nope. And Aaron Rodgers coming off with
significant injury where he missed almost the entire season. He
didn't look real mobile to me.
Speaker 5 (03:50):
And they're not the youngest of guys.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
If you're a move quarterback, you had better be able
to move.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Yeah, And back to Wilson real quick, you know, And
I know Wilson.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Wilson falls in that category. Yes, yes, And there's a
play action bootleg offense now, yes.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
And the other thing with Wilson is he's short and
moving within the pocket are short, little abrupt movements you know,
like a boxer in a ring, finding throwing lanes. And
he's always been really good at it. But he's also
been really mobile, like a Kyler Murray. I mean, so
even if he's not going to run, he needs mobility
(04:24):
within the pocket to find those lanes to.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
At least extend and then makes or wait till the
end of the game when he has to run, and
then run because he can still do that, but right
now he can't.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Like back to Cousins, I didn't think Cousins could protect
himself in the pocket very well.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
You know, I didn't even notice this watching the game,
but there's been some video, uh surfacing since then. He's
throwing everything off his front foot.
Speaker 5 (04:45):
Yeah, he's really favoring it.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
And he was not accurate.
Speaker 5 (04:48):
No, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
I mean a couple of picks could have had a
couple more.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
Wilson's the same draft class as Cousins. Like why push it?
You know, right, get him?
Speaker 5 (04:55):
Get him right, because you can win games of fields
at right tackle.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Number one on pick Troy Utan, who confirmed that he
worked with the Ones for the second consecutive day today.
After doing so, he sounded like a guy who is
anticipating a start none Julie sitting stone until till Sunday,
you know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
But it's an opportunity, you know, hopefully, hopefully I'm gonna
go out there and try and take advantage of it
and then you know, never look back.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
You know, they've they've been eager to play him since
the preseason games arrived, and they wanted to start him
in the second game, but he got hurt in the first.
Apparently he's healthy, so apparently he's going in. Apparently.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
I loved him coming out of school. Why was shocked
he was there in the first round when they picked.
All the stuff I saw from him in camp was
really encouraging. They seem to be super high on him,
so this is really exciting. I think his rookie line
mate Frasier has passed every test in glowing fashion. But okay,
if he's gonna be the right tackle, who's on the left?
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Well clad, Yeah, because I spoke with Spencer Anderson about
that today, Anderson filling in for saying mollow what left guard?
And he sounded like a guy who was expecting Dan
Moore Junior to be on his left. He think's gonna
be to your left this summit.
Speaker 5 (06:12):
I'm not sure.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
I don't know I would have owned Dan, but you know,
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
I would assume Dan, but I don't know. He doesn't
know because it's not his call. Sure, but when he
says I would assume Dan.
Speaker 5 (06:22):
I mean Dan's a starting left tackle right.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
So looks like Broderick Jones at least temporarily might be
the odd guy.
Speaker 5 (06:29):
Out, which I do think there's an elbow issue with.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Him, potentially possibly. None of this is coming from Mount Tomlin,
but I got you right. Sometimes the players know.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
And I saw the injury happen and he's wearing a
brace on his elbow. I mean, I'm not saying that's
might we see a sixth offensive lineman out there, and
as opposed to a fourth tight end or a third
tight end.
Speaker 5 (06:48):
Maybe I kind of think it's a good problem to have.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
And I know a lot of people are really down
on Dan Moore, like these two first rounders should be
the starters for the next decade, and they might be
before long.
Speaker 5 (06:59):
Don't get me wrong.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Rather, Moore played really well, and as Dale and I
always talk about on the drive, you're allowed to get better,
get better. I think he's you know, trimmed his body
a little bit.
Speaker 5 (07:09):
I think he looks better. I think he's one of
the more improved players on the team.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
I think the other thing to consider is that Broderick
Jones was a young first round draft.
Speaker 5 (07:18):
Pick, very inexperienced first.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Round draft pick. And Omar Cohn, the general manager, has
sat on a couple occasions. We drafted Broderick Jones to
be a left tackle. Now, he did very well on
the right last year. I thought the line got instantly
better when he began starting, No doubt that's when they
started having success. But Omark kind of doubled down on
that back in training camp, but added, I'm not saying
(07:41):
when it's gonna happen coma what year.
Speaker 5 (07:45):
Not today, tomorrow?
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Now, you know, maybe it's week three,
and maybe it's next season. I don't know, maybe it's
sometime in between. But we do know Dan Moore's contract
is expiring after this year. He's probably not a guy
the Steelers are going to resign given.
Speaker 5 (08:01):
What they just drafted. But for now, you.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Got him, and he started a lot of games for them,
and and oh, by the way, they've won the majority
of those games.
Speaker 5 (08:09):
Yeah, and to no fault of his own, Jones has
been asked.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
To play right, left, right, left, right, left, and he
was a very raw player coming out of Georgia without
a ton of experience. Maybe a couple of weeks or
a whole season of just focusing on left behind more
makes him a better player in the long run. And
I think, you know, he's very, very talented. I don't
think they're down on him. I mean, I just think
it's three guys, two yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
For the Denver Broncos, second straight day of non participation
for seventh round rookie wide receiver Devon vell A. He
was actually the leading receiver in the Seattle game. He's
their starting slot Denver losing twenty six to twenty for Openers.
Offensive tackle Garrett Bowles calf upgraded from limited today from
(08:57):
did not practice yesterday. Josh Reynolds wide receiver Achilles upgraded
from did not practice to limited today. Center Luke Wattenberg
ankle upgraded from did not practice to limited today. So
it sounds as if those guys are working their way
toward playing, But.
Speaker 5 (09:14):
You don't love that. It's two receivers and two alignment
though from them.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
You know you do not, so keep an eye on
all of this stuff. Tomorrow, both teams will practice again,
and maybe we'll get a little bit more of a
definitive picture as to who's going to play and where
and when and who isn't. Steelers Previews brought to you
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(09:38):
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(10:00):
don't want to keep it here when we come back.
Speaker 5 (10:02):
The Factor back.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Merril Hodge joins the show with Matt Williamson. I'm Mike Pursuita.
You're listening the Steelers Preview right here in the Steelers
Flagship one or two point five DVE and the Steelers
Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Back to the Steelers Preview show on DVE.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Welcome back, Mike Pursuda and Matt Williamson getting you ready
for the Steelers and the Broncos Sunday in Denver time
down to welcome our factor back. We always make sure
Merl Hodge gets his carries and gets his touches on
this show. It's never going to be a situation like
the Ravens against the Chiefs last year in the Big
(10:39):
Game when they gave the ball to running back six
times and they lost seventeen.
Speaker 5 (10:44):
To time Mary or feed the bellcount.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
Now you're getting about forty five carries a week, brother,
which is maybe something Denver sho I considered last week.
Speaker 6 (10:51):
Right, right, really, that's a really good point.
Speaker 4 (10:55):
Because people don't know. Soon the show's over. I'm start
complaining to management. I didn't get enough.
Speaker 6 (11:00):
I didn't get enough.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Question, Well, let's shut let's get to the running game eventually,
and what Denver's gonna do. But I wanted to start
with TJ. Watt because this is I've been doing this
a long time. I started covering the Steelers late in
the nineteen eighty six season, and I've been doing it
every year for somebody since. And TJ. Watt coming off
(11:23):
the edge, I don't know that I've seen this before
to the naked eye, it looked like he encroached and
they should have taken that sack strip fumble recovery off
the board.
Speaker 5 (11:33):
And then I went back frame by frame.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
I had to go merrill to be sure, but after
having done so, I'm sure he was good and that
was an unjust penalty. I talked to Alex Highsmith today.
He said the one against him was unjust.
Speaker 5 (11:47):
What do you do about this?
Speaker 2 (11:48):
If you're an edge rusher, I mean, if you don't
have a franchise quarterback, the next best thing is a
guy who can blow up a franchise quarterback, unless they
don't let him blow up the franchise quarterback.
Speaker 3 (11:57):
And Wat's game was as good as I've seen. The
defensive player and from any team in a long time was.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
Well, yeah, I'm glad we talked about him, because you know,
I knew that was going to be highlighted and talked
about because it's an emphasis. But I would tell you
this here, here's what's the luxury that I have. You know,
when the game's over, I go watch Cape on so
I can watch you know, a play could take me
three minutes to digest from all If you want to
watch all the different angles and different concepts and what's
(12:25):
going on.
Speaker 6 (12:25):
Who's really playing well?
Speaker 4 (12:26):
And I'll tell you this, like the one thing that
I'd love about TJ. Watt the most, it is not
the plays that we're going to talk about, but I
will talk about those specific things and how you handle that.
Is that how he plays when he's not having a sack,
or when he's not disrupting, or when the plays going
away from him, That to me is the measure of
(12:49):
a great football player. Let's say, what is the sack record?
Is it twenty what two? Do something like that? Is
something or somewhere like twenty five points?
Speaker 6 (12:58):
That's whatever it is.
Speaker 4 (12:59):
Okay, TJ. Watt will play like eighteen hundred plays. Think
about this, any sat any guy who gets that record
will play some eighteen hundred places or should play some
eighteen hundred plays.
Speaker 6 (13:09):
Roughly around there.
Speaker 4 (13:10):
We'll say, we'll just say make for even math for
my first grade math, and this helps me two thousand plays. Okay,
So what are you doing with the other nineteen ninety
some left place in the game?
Speaker 6 (13:24):
Did that matter?
Speaker 4 (13:24):
So that's like, that's a big deal. That guy plays
every play. He does all the things that you need
to do to help keep a defense be effective, not
just disrupting, not just making big plays. But he does
all the other things. You know, he's he's disciplined on
the backside. You know he's got contained on the front side.
I mean he's taken people on in the proper manner
(13:47):
where his GAP's got to be. Like, that's to me,
what makes TJ. Watt a truly unique and special player.
And then he makes those disruptive plays that we're talking about. Okay,
here's how I handle it. If I'm a coach, I'd
walk into into him in high schol I'd say, we're
not changing anything. Okay, we got to be a little more.
Let's try to be a little more. Do not turn
(14:09):
your motor down. Do not create doubt in your mind.
You keep playing in the manner in what you're playing.
Speaker 6 (14:16):
I just don't.
Speaker 4 (14:17):
The last thing I'd want to create for my players
is doubt. I don't want to do that. And make
sure that they know that I've got we got your bag,
I got your back, and what you're doing is how
we need to play. Let's keep playing like that. Now.
Then when I goes over to those officials and I
get to the league and tell them get their act together,
I said, and defend my player.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
So he faced the first time play caller, a new
head coach, Sean Payton's at least been around the block.
Speaker 5 (14:45):
I mean, would you think the.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
Blocos are going to help more better than Atlanta did
with what.
Speaker 5 (14:53):
Was better?
Speaker 4 (14:55):
If Sean, you know that, if they don't want trouble,
you know, and they had some problems Seattle. Here's the
first thing that I think that you're gonna see. You're
not going to see the boneck do at forty two times.
It's gotta believe that that ain't gonna happen. You're just
not gonna do that. You're gonna You're gonna tell you
guys right now. That's gonna be a fistfied at the fifty.
(15:17):
And the first thing we're gonna do is we're gonna
we're not gonna commit to it. We're gonna do it
consistently and be very good at it. And then when
we do throw the football, we are going to protect
our guys. We're not gonna let those edge guys disrupt
our game. And we do that by formation. You can
do that by play calling. You know, you're just you
got to block people eventually, but you can do some
(15:39):
things from a play calling and a formation perspective that
helps you with that, you.
Speaker 6 (15:45):
Know, and I would like move your quarterback and you.
Speaker 4 (15:47):
Know, run action and max protection and then eat or
type of throws which canna help you. You can't necessarily
live just well, I shouldn't say that. I do think
you can live on that. You know, if you if
you run the ball effectively, you control the environment, then
you can do those run actions and the either ors
(16:08):
and the half field reads. You can be very productive,
even have a very good offense. I mean, at the
end of the day, that's what the Steelers are doing.
Speaker 5 (16:14):
Yeah, I was gonna ask you at all, that's.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
Yeah, that's why I think, you know, this could be
a very similar type of game plan. To be honest
with you.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Merril, just to clear up the lingering doubt. Michael Strahan
twenty two and a half sacks in twenty every one. TJ.
Watt twenty two and a half sacks in twenty twenty one.
That's the gonna fit. That's the official record. A guy
from the Lions by the name al Bubba Baker had
twenty three in nineteen seventy eight, but sacks wasn't an
(16:44):
official stat until nineteen eighty two.
Speaker 5 (16:46):
I wasn't aware of that part.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
Yeah, public Baker, I know who he is. You can
play a little bit. Oh yeah, yeah, you know you could,
Thanks Lapper. I get where you're coming from. On Denver. Uh,
the way too many passes for a quarterback with times
looked very confused and at other times was just throwing
it where you're not gonna get away with throwing it.
But one thing I thought, based on the way the
(17:09):
Steelers played someday in Atlanta, I thought their defensive line
in particular and their defensive front in general had a
really good game. I thought Atlanta's offensive line is pretty good,
and the Steelers defensive line I thought gradually took that over.
Denver has an expensive offensive line, but it's just another game.
The Steelers can win up front, or at least dictate
up front.
Speaker 4 (17:31):
Well. But if they play like they did, look it's
gonna be the week or two, so we're gonna finally
bring it out. Never undervestimated professional week two to get there. Yeah,
I tell you the week too, because you had to
have Week one to see who was to be embarrassed
and you're like, I don't you know. Sometimes it's like
I don't really think that's how fast they are. And
(17:54):
they've been humiliated and embarrassed, and that's always a danger sign,
you know. I just don't assume that's how they're gonna play.
And they were embarrassed, especially from a passing perspective, they
just got I mean mauled on the edges. Like, oh,
I think was doing the morning show and I'm watching
the tackless in the tackle change place. I'm like, I
(18:15):
don't remember seeing him get hurt, and uh, Mike, he
said he did get hurt.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
But I'm like to deal with a calf.
Speaker 5 (18:24):
Limited.
Speaker 4 (18:25):
You deal with a lot of things practice today for
what ye Well, he means, you know what, he may
stay limited because what he starts watching tad because like
Geez prom.
Speaker 6 (18:37):
In Seattle, I don't want to say, I don't want to.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
Do that at home. My calf is going to be
hurt at week three.
Speaker 3 (18:42):
Anyway, that he said they have a ton too, Yeah.
Speaker 6 (18:48):
I mean, so they just had you know.
Speaker 4 (18:51):
They got they got bull bull rust. They you know,
they didn't hold they didn't. Another thing I always look
forward to is are your tackles aware, meaning you know
when you do overload pressures, you know you can bring
four guys. I mean, that's considered a pressure if you
overload it. You know, even though you technically have five
guys blocking, let's say your back and everybody gets out,
(19:13):
so at least have five offensive line blocking, they bring
four guys if you overload it properly. What you're doing
is you're you're you're you're challenging tackles to see things
that they're not used to, because you know there's they're
radius is like like I imagine umbrella. It's kind of
like scope. Like they don't look outside that. They don't
get outside the numbers and show down the field. They
(19:35):
just see within that rainbow area. And so if you
come from outside that rainbow, they don't identify it. And
they didn't do that. Shadow did that to them quite
a bit and got some people that were free. And
I always show that because I like the Steelers do
that really well. You know, there's some stuff that they
do and even if they're an opponent and that's not
something you do, and you see that they struggle with it,
you better do it. You better do it because they
(19:57):
struggle with it, see if that they can hand So
there's a couple of issues that they have that they
need to clean up. Just the individual one on one
was a problem, and then recognizing the outside perimeter people
that they were bringing when they were overload and they
didn't see that either when they should haven't handled it
with the offensive linement that they had, But they didn't
(20:17):
do that and do a very good job of that either.
So Steers will capitalize on all of that and see
if they've they've worked on it.
Speaker 3 (20:24):
Mary, you touched a little bit on what the Steelers
are doing offensively, schematically and frankly an obscene A really
high percentage of rollouts thirteen personnel with three tight ends
on the field play action, I.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
Mean fourteen personnel.
Speaker 5 (20:39):
There's a little bit of fourteen I mean that that
causes time outs.
Speaker 3 (20:42):
I mean, would you expect more of the same if
fields as a quarterback or either way, I would.
Speaker 6 (20:47):
I guess there's no reason there was.
Speaker 4 (20:49):
Here's here's how I would look at as a coach. Okay,
there wasn't enough monumental growth there to expand. Okay, in fact,
within what we did, we to a lot of opportunities,
like justin justin missed a couple of throws where there
could have been bigger plays than he than he did.
And this actually I know it's the preseason. It's actually
been a little bit of his problem. What I have
(21:13):
always sided with and given him the benefit of the doubt.
The kid has new learning every year. Okay, this is
his fourth offensive coordinator in his fourth year.
Speaker 6 (21:23):
Okay, I can't.
Speaker 4 (21:24):
I don't know. I remember having me, I remember having
a ah. I remember when after Tom Moore left and
we had a new core and like just the transformation
and the new learning.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
And all that one transition to Joe Walton.
Speaker 4 (21:41):
Yes, yes, I.
Speaker 6 (21:42):
Don't even go there. I did. I get I get
highs when I think that's.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
When he brought in the phone book for the playbook.
Speaker 4 (21:49):
Oh CNB. Somebody goes in most and everybody switches positions, like,
oh my god, we'd pray in the huddle. Sometimes Bubby
doesn't even call them motion. He's like, we're not gonna
do motion because that's gonna mess everybody up. Anyway, I
feel the fans can maybe have it a little bit
understand like it was a very complicated. It was just
(22:10):
like you were always shinking like you could never play
there's nothing instinctive that you can do. Uh, And so
I kind of give him a doubt when you know,
I don't see this anticipation you would like to see.
You know, there's not an anticipation to a lot of
his throws and the require that you know that they
require the balls to beyond its way before the just
(22:33):
getting out of the break, you know, versus you can't
let him get in, get out of the break and
then throw. It's too late and he misses some of
those throws.
Speaker 6 (22:42):
And he's done that a lot in his in his career.
Speaker 4 (22:46):
That's not that's not saying he won't get to where
he gets comfortable enough to know that and feel that better.
There's your growth that there's one area of growth that
I think you can expect to see if justin he
keeps playing that you would like to see in your offense.
If you can do that, that adds another layer to it,
that that will add explosive plays, because you know, I
think I think if I remember right, they had a
(23:07):
big chunk play on a run, a big chunk play
on a pass. I had the two chunk plays. And conceptually,
how you think about this? I used to talk about it.
Anytime you get a chunk play, you know, twenty yards
in a running game, thirty or forty in a passing
game like that's that's an opportunity for a touchdown.
Speaker 6 (23:23):
And they didn't.
Speaker 4 (23:24):
Finish any of those drives with that, and that will
be another area that you got to grow, you know,
So you can grow with with just the concepts that
they're doing right now, which is actually what you need
to do with who they have in all these positions
and all the new learning. You know, where they're gonna
be week fifteen, it's gonna be a lot different. But
now if they keep growing. But as far as this
(23:46):
week goes, I don't think you do anything other than
grow a little bit upon the things you missed in
this game, which could be the ultimate difference in the game.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
Did you like the decision to go for four down
instead of kicking what looked like a layup field goal
but you also knew that Scotty Miller was your holder
at that point?
Speaker 5 (24:08):
Was you have taken a three and gone up eight?
Speaker 2 (24:10):
Or do you like that they went for it and
just hope they execute it better next time?
Speaker 5 (24:13):
It seemed clunky?
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (24:15):
Yeah, yeah, Well you know they there's just watching them
start the game off, You're like, did any of these
guys practice? I mean it's like you fumble a snap,
you don't even know who's lining up where. And I
keep in mind these are all scripted plays too. These
are like you know, two quarters deep in your columns
(24:36):
and plays out there. I mean, you wanking this over
and over, problems, you did this on and you messed
this all up. So that wasn't I mean right, there
was like that trouble they start out. But to answered
question on the on the fort, that all starts with
the minds that you've treated with your team. You know,
(24:58):
those those decisions have already been in training camp. This
is what we're gonna do in these moments, and this
is how we're gonna hand in this expectation.
Speaker 6 (25:05):
So shocked, you know.
Speaker 4 (25:11):
So my perspective on is that is how you have
prepared this team. We're gonna do these type of things
in this game. We're gonna finish the game, We're gonna
get the first. Then we're not gonna trust the field goal.
To your point, when we got actually backups now being
in critical spots that can be jeopardize, let's go finish
this game's get the first down and move forward, you know,
(25:32):
and then the first down. You know, that's that's that's
that's troublesome. That's not what That's not what you gotta do.
Speaker 6 (25:39):
If you're gonna if.
Speaker 4 (25:39):
You're the championship, you have to do those things. I
like the mindset of it. Obviously, the execution just didn't follow.
Speaker 6 (25:46):
Merril.
Speaker 3 (25:47):
Where are you at on Zach Frasier? I might be
getting ahead of myself, but I look at him and say,
he's already at least an NFL average starting center, which
is a massive compliment and maybe even better.
Speaker 4 (25:58):
Yeah, you know, you know a mess Rgin One thing
I remember watching him. He's just a maller man and
then he malls you and he yeah, he just he
just there's a box area that just that's it. That's
just domain, and you're not gonna mess with it. And
I love that about you know, those type of time
(26:20):
because I understand from running back perspective, you know, when
you know you have you have dogs like that up front,
you're just like Chief, you played like that. You want
to compliment that, you want to put him. In the
first preseason games he stood out fisted to me, like,
you know, you know, he's he'll probably start, you know,
(26:40):
week eight, and if you already starting eight, now, what
are you waiting for a week eight?
Speaker 2 (26:48):
What do you what?
Speaker 4 (26:49):
I'm like, if he's going to start week eight, what
the heck's wrong off week one?
Speaker 6 (26:53):
That's like anyway, So it worked out right, because you're right, he.
Speaker 4 (26:56):
Was the best even in preseason, he was the best
in the in the reps that he got, he was
clearly the best. Like just from a competition aspect, the
competitive aspect, you'd be nuts not to have started.
Speaker 5 (27:08):
Him, Meryl.
Speaker 2 (27:11):
A couple of things stood out to me regarding Denver's defense.
One was the cornerback Patrick Sartan, who's very good and
he just got paid and he deserves it.
Speaker 5 (27:20):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
The other is that I thought in the first half
of that Seattle game, the Broncos front was really active.
They ended up in this game nine tackles for a loss,
seven quarterback hits. Those are both high numbers, a couple
of sacks. But in the second half Seattle came out
Apparently all they did at halftime was talk about we're
gonna stop screwing up and start running the football, and
(27:42):
they just gave it to Kenneth Walker, and all of
a sudden it was there, what changed and what was
effective in the second half in that Seattle running game.
Speaker 5 (27:50):
It helps me to stopped taking safeties too.
Speaker 4 (27:56):
You know. Watching the watch point expect, I was like,
I don't even know why you're trying to throw it.
I mean that from the very first half of the game,
it was like holy talent there they had. It was
absolutely like a jump break, you know, and then their
ability to run like well, like I don't know why
(28:18):
you call it past play you they did that during
that was actually you could see that during the initial
part of the game. And obviously that's what halftime is about.
Good coaches make good adjustments and.
Speaker 6 (28:29):
They come in.
Speaker 4 (28:30):
That's why now you always get Dick Hope was one
of the best half time coaches ever. He'd come in
and I'm like, man, you could feel like he was
out there with us because he's right because.
Speaker 6 (28:38):
The promplex, because I knew it was.
Speaker 4 (28:40):
Needs to be done, and he changes need to be
playing made and he'd come in and work them out.
I'm like, Okay, I know, but that's I mean, that's
why people look at whats have to do all activity
they have to say. I mean, you know, you guys
got to keep I'm gonna go back to or you
know that the run defense, don't think for a second
(29:01):
that you know that's not going to be punned up too.
We'll give you business like could they complicate you or
give you some pass formations and they're throwing the football
in a way that threatens you.
Speaker 6 (29:13):
So there will be.
Speaker 4 (29:14):
A commitment to that box, you know, and the buttoned
up details to your run is going to be a
lot different. And then he saw in Seattle that'll be
a lot better. But you still have to challenge that
and you have to break that down. It may not
have to third or four quarterby, you have to. You
have to have a relentless commitment to it.
Speaker 3 (29:33):
So there were two new defensive standouts in this game,
Jackson and Elliott that I thought played really well. They
made big plays. But one other defensive edition, Patrick Queen,
I thought had a rough first outing. Did you watch
much of them?
Speaker 4 (29:47):
Yeah, you know, it's just short of funny that you
said that, you know, when you I kind of had
this type of experience when I went went to Chicago.
You know, expectations are dang, you know, you leave a system,
you leave a group of guys, and you come over
and everybody expects you to be just like that. There's
(30:09):
a problem. You don't have those other ten guys with you.
You don't have the same system idea. And it's in
the way patrickmc teen has new learning. You know, it's
just new learning and and and that can that can
affect that will affect any type of player and any player.
And you know, it's just gonna take him a while
to get I think his real feeling and footers for
(30:32):
for what what the Steelers do versus what the Ravens did. Yeah,
the part and the coach and you know, the coaching aspect.
You got to feel to feel for him too, you know,
coaches have to a lot of them the most favorable.
Yes they are, you know, and that's that's not easy.
Speaker 6 (30:47):
Even though he's.
Speaker 4 (30:48):
Players that people assume like, well, I play in the NFL,
nobody's doing right now. That's kind of true. But there
is new learning play a new learning for him. You know.
Speaker 2 (30:55):
We've got to call about that on the post game
show and somebody was saying they were very underwhelmed with
Patrick Queen. My response was, they gave up two hundred
and twenty yards ten points, and he was on the
field every down, right, I mean, at the very least
he did his one eleven.
Speaker 5 (31:13):
They also didn't run between the tackles like at all.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
Yeah at him.
Speaker 5 (31:16):
You know, Uh, Meryl lest.
Speaker 6 (31:18):
They right, You're right.
Speaker 4 (31:20):
The hedge rush. Their hedge runs were there, but most successful.
Speaker 5 (31:24):
Meryl lest thing for you.
Speaker 2 (31:25):
We've touched on this a couple of times already, but
just to clarify, we're expecting another really low scoring game
and this is not the week to open up the
offense and show what Justin Fields can do, what Arthur
Smith can do.
Speaker 5 (31:37):
This is very.
Speaker 2 (31:38):
Similar to Atlanta. Go in there, grind it out and
get out of dodge with a w.
Speaker 3 (31:42):
And maybe not throw the ball. Ever, by the signs
of what you were saying, just handed off.
Speaker 4 (31:47):
Yeah, well you know what, like listen, Justin Field is
not ready to expand it.
Speaker 6 (31:51):
That's not good for his development.
Speaker 4 (31:53):
You know.
Speaker 6 (31:54):
Can he do some things?
Speaker 4 (31:55):
I mean there's moments that you got to do that,
but that's not what If you really want to develop
Justin Field, you stay with what you're doing. Honestly, I
use this example all of the time. Okay, I think
it's one of the best ways to develop, and I
think it's one of the best ways to throw the
football and be effected as an offense. Now I take
I give you an example of twenty fourteen. The New
(32:16):
England Patriots had just got whipped by the Kansasity Chiefs
on a Monday night game. Tom Brady was in the
pocket and he was flinching all over the place. He
didn't know what was coming his way. Cincinnati's coming to
the Patriots Week five, I believe it was. They're four
to zero. I'm watching you all four games for Cincinnati,
all four games to the Patriots, and I was just like,
there is no way, I mean, there is zero chance
(32:40):
the Patriots can beat Cincinnati. I just based on how
they were doing.
Speaker 6 (32:43):
It, and they're how they're playing both well.
Speaker 4 (32:46):
They come out in the game. There's a Sunday night
game too, by the way, and the Patriots come out
with two tight ends, two backs, one wide receiver. I
formation Brady under center, and they ran the football and
they did run action play either or throws.
Speaker 6 (33:01):
For Tom Braid.
Speaker 4 (33:01):
Okay, greatest quarterback in NFL history. He's played well into
a decade, decade into his career, okay, so very well experienced. Okay,
and they literally did that for a month until they
reset their offense, and then they expanded from that and
built from that. They won the Super Bowl that year.
And yes, yeah, I'm just telling you that fundamentally, functionally,
(33:26):
that is one of the best ways to play offense.
Do I think you have to have phases off that
absolutely to be a champion. But at the end of
the day, if you really want to have success and
and be in every game, you play like that, you
do those type of things and you're really good at him.
It is hard to find. That is why the Ravens
honestly are in every time and they're a good football team.
(33:46):
Now they're getting a little more expansive, but they only
get in trouble when they make Lamar play quarterback. Yeah,
you know, in a true drop back setting.
Speaker 2 (33:53):
The only other The other thing to add would be,
you don't have to win a championship Sunday. You just
got to beat the Broncos in Denver. Meryl, great stuff.
Uh love that as always. We'll look forward to doing
it again next week before the Steelers.
Speaker 4 (34:06):
Chargers, you got a guys, always the best you guys,
the best.
Speaker 2 (34:11):
Meryl Hodge right here on Steelers Preview. We've got some
more to get to, so keep it here with Matt Williamson.
I'm Mike Persuda. You're listening to Steelers Preview right here
on your Steelers flagship one or two points in the
Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 5 (34:24):
Back to the Steelers Preview show on DV.
Speaker 2 (34:31):
Welcome back to the preview Mike Pursuita and Matt Williamson.
My god, I feel like I need a standing gate
count when we get done talking to Merrill.
Speaker 5 (34:38):
Yeah, just keep feeding on the rock man like a
half tired eye of defense.
Speaker 2 (34:42):
Some gatorade up in here. What to Expect is brought
to you by Brian Patton and associates. It's all about
the benefits. Took kind of a deep dive into this
last week, Matt, and I'm gonna do the same thing
because here's what I expect it away, and it's gonna
take me a while to get here, but hear me out.
Bon Nicks was terrible throwing the football against the Seattle
(35:05):
Seahawks for openers. On his first two interceptions, he retreated,
stared down Courtland Sutton threw off his back foot in
the coverage and got it picked. On the second one.
It was a fake toss left, bootleg right, and as
he's throwing the football, the color commentator on the CBS broadcast,
Adam archer Letta, screamed, oh, no, clear as a bell
(35:31):
because he threw it in the triple coverage and that
got picked. He could have thrown a couple of other
interceptions that just didn't happen for whatever reason. One of
the comments that Arceletta made late in the game, and
I agreed with him, was I'm surprised he didn't run more.
Speaker 5 (35:46):
He's a good runner. He's a very good Yeah, he's
a tough kid.
Speaker 2 (35:49):
He had five carries for thirty five yards and a touchdown.
Twenty seven of those yards came on the Broncos final drive.
They were down by two scores, and then he got
him in the end zone north of the two minute
warning and actually had a chance to get the ball
back and maybe steal the game at the end, but
they couldn't stop Seattle. But given that he seemed so
(36:09):
confused throwing it, given that he seemed so inaccurate throwing it, Yeah,
and given it, he's a pretty good runner. Oh and
throw this on top of the pile as well. Archiletta
said that during the production meeting with Sean Payton, the
Broncos head coach, you know this announce that they get
to sit down with h they have coffee, and they
talk like their best friends. According to Sean Payton, he
(36:32):
wants bow Knicks to be quote unstructured at times, play
a little backyard football. Sometimes they don't want to quote
put him in a box. Okay, given all that, I
expect streetball from bon Knicks drop back one read ain't there. Okay,
let's go try to make a play with my legs.
Speaker 5 (36:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (36:50):
I think that's not a bad observation at all. And
Knicks started more games than any quarterback in NCAA history,
And I think people expect them to come in and
be super mature. And I got this, but that Raven's
former Ravens staff in Seattle throws a lot at you.
Seattle's a really hard place to play his first ever start,
(37:11):
I would think Nix is going to be a more
comfortable player. I mean he's nowhere to go but up.
To be honest with.
Speaker 2 (37:17):
You can only make your first start one yeah.
Speaker 3 (37:18):
Yeah, I mean Peyton's gonna know him better he's gonna
know Peyton better.
Speaker 5 (37:22):
I like this.
Speaker 3 (37:23):
I don't like that I do have the freedom to
run more. Maybe I will do exactly what you said.
But the defense he's about to face is also a
lot better than the one he facing Seattle too.
Speaker 2 (37:33):
So you think he's running the ball, I think.
Speaker 3 (37:36):
He's gonna get hit a lot, either in behind the
line of scrimmage or in front.
Speaker 2 (37:40):
Of think this one comes down to who has more
rushing yards justin fields or bow Nicks.
Speaker 4 (37:44):
No.
Speaker 3 (37:44):
I just think it comes down to the Steelers not
beating themselves. I mean, I think this is one of
those true games where do you expect them to No,
but Field scares me a little bit. I mean, he's
thrown a lot of picks.
Speaker 5 (37:56):
What to expect, what.
Speaker 3 (37:57):
To expect segment. So no, I'm gonna pick the Steelers
to win. But I don't think they're going to throw
for five touchdowns or anything.
Speaker 2 (38:02):
Yeah, right, thirteen to three might be yeah, I got Yeah,
that was what to expect. Brought to you by Brian
Patton Associates. It's all about the benefits. Here's another observation
about the Broncos. I know it is the first game,
but this really raised some red flags to me. It's
the second year of Sean Payton now in Denver, so
they ought to have some stuff smoothed out. But in
(38:24):
the first half of that game at Seattle, Denver took
over at the Seattle twenty following an interception and kicked
a field goal. Denver took over at the Seattle nine
following the recovery of a muff punt and kicked a
field goal. Denver had another drive that reached the Seattle
twenty two. It was one of a few good drives
of Broncos put together, and that ended on the interception forced.
(38:46):
The first interception forced to Courtland Sutton, the one he
threw off his back foot. They targeted Sutton twelve times. Yeah,
very good receiver.
Speaker 4 (38:55):
No.
Speaker 2 (38:55):
I like Sutton's four catches for thirty eight yards and
two of the ones he didn't catch gout picked.
Speaker 5 (39:01):
Yeah, And that's reporters gonna.
Speaker 2 (39:03):
Be yeah, And so I mean that's losing football. Then
late in the game, Seattle took it over in the
third quarter and into the fourth and the Broncos put
a drive together, scored, kicked off. Seattle gets the ball
back just north of the two minute warnings. So Denver's
trying to stop them and take their timeouts and get
a shot at the last minute drive to steal the game.
(39:23):
Third and eleven from the Seattle twenty nine with a
minute fifty four left off side Denver. Third and eleven,
you're getting off the field here, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 5 (39:33):
Now it's third and six.
Speaker 2 (39:34):
And they ran like a couple of competing shallow crosses
and they were able to get Tyler Lockett free. You know,
Certain is covering metcalf, so they threw it to the
to the guy who wasn't being covered by Certain and
Lockham made a catch it. But that was like those
early moments and that late moment chances to really grab
(39:55):
the game, and Denver just kept not grabbing it.
Speaker 4 (39:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (40:00):
One thing he didn't mention, which is real bizarre. Five
times in the history of the NFL has a team
gotten two safeties and not one. You know, like they
give you two points for safeties and they give you
the ball back, you know, like you talk about, you know,
two beneficial things that happened with safeties. They're just not
(40:20):
a very talented team, you know, like I look at
their defense, certain who's phenomenal. I think he's the best
corner in the league, and he's gonna be on Pickings
and Porters gonna be on Sutton. But he's the only
first round pick on the entire defense. Like, there's no
pedigree there. I mean, I do like their defensive front, but.
Speaker 2 (40:37):
I think the edge guys are pretty good to the
lineman battle.
Speaker 5 (40:41):
Yeah, I mean they Denver played.
Speaker 2 (40:42):
On Seattle side of the line of scrimmers for the
first two quarters.
Speaker 5 (40:45):
Seattle looked like they were a new head coach too.
Speaker 2 (40:47):
For the Yeah, yeah, I think they hit the snooze
button when the alarm went off and it was still groggy.
But yeah, there's not a lot that scares there. And
on the offensive side when they weren't turning it over possessions,
Matt seven of them ended in three and out, I know,
and which that's the one thing I thought the Steelers did,
you know. I had a lot of people tell me
(41:09):
about the Steelers. Falcons just looked like last year, less
than three hundred yards and no Touchdow.
Speaker 5 (41:13):
I don't think look at anything like last year.
Speaker 2 (41:15):
The results was the production was similar, but the periodic
shots that the Steelers took while still protecting the ball
and at least possessing it and moving it a little
bit before getting rid of it on first downs. Yeah,
I mean that was pretty good. You can't have seven
to three and.
Speaker 3 (41:31):
Outs, No, And every time Nicks through past ten yards
it was a disaster.
Speaker 2 (41:35):
Two picks.
Speaker 3 (41:36):
It's almost always the Sutton downfield. And I don't have
the numbers in front of me, but it's hard to
throw for as few yards as he did with that
many attempts. I mean it was like three yards in attempt.
I mean, really really bad and nothing after the catch.
Not a lot of dynamic playmakers. Meryll mentioned. I mean
their line that they've invested heavily in isn't really living
(41:59):
up to the building, you know. I mean it's an
okay offensive line, but they got a lot invested in
their own line and it's average, you know, especially in
this day only if.
Speaker 2 (42:07):
You consider seventeen million to Guarrett Bowles the left tackle,
twelve point eight seventy five million to Ben Powers of
the left guard, eighteen million the Quinn Miners the right guard,
and seventeen and a half million to Mike mcglinchy the
right tackle, and I.
Speaker 5 (42:21):
Think their center situation is the worse in the league.
Speaker 2 (42:23):
Luke Wattenberg.
Speaker 5 (42:24):
He was on this on the injury report today.
Speaker 2 (42:27):
Thirty year pro first time starter Lloyd Cushionberry has been
the center in Denver.
Speaker 5 (42:33):
To Titan though.
Speaker 2 (42:34):
Wattenburg fifth round pick in twenty twenty two out of Washington,
or as we'd like to say around here, Washington Washington.
Speaker 3 (42:41):
So he's in the deal with Benton, and I mean,
their O line's not bad, but they've invested heavily in it,
and I just don't think they're getting banged for their buck.
Bulls at left tackles one of the more overrated players
in the league in my opinion.
Speaker 2 (42:51):
Yeah, it gets a lot of penalties and I'm kind
of with Meryll that the calf might be uh maybe
other heel right, he's at Heigtsmith alone.
Speaker 5 (43:00):
I mean a lot.
Speaker 3 (43:01):
I think that fair One thing I want to throw
out while we're talking about the front. Everyone knows how
well watt played, but I hope everyone realizes Cam Hayward
was dominant this game too. I mean, he looked like
the player pre injury and I'm sitting there and watching him, going, wow,
they got him on the cheap.
Speaker 4 (43:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (43:18):
A couple of days ago, one was worried about the
contract like he was.
Speaker 2 (43:20):
Oh Man thought he could jug pretty good. You know,
they only just marvel ly out five snaps. Yeah, but
that's what happens when you possess the ball. Yeah, Your
horses can run and then they can take a break,
and then they can run some more.
Speaker 3 (43:32):
And to me, that's the biggest opponent to me in
this week is is the altitude and Denver's lifetime record
in September at home is unbelievably good. But the Steelers
are so deep they should be able to keep a
rotation going a couple, you know, win the first down battles,
you know, get off the field.
Speaker 5 (43:53):
To me, they're the much better team here.
Speaker 2 (43:55):
I think it's a tough place to win Denver, but
that's usually because they've had pretty good teams something to
do with this traditionally. I don't think it's gonna be
that tough this Sunday. That's gonna do it for us.
Thanks to Merrill for joining us as he always does.
Thanks to Justin Miller for keeping everything up and running
here in studio.
Speaker 6 (44:12):
Matt.
Speaker 2 (44:12):
Let's do this again next Thursday before the Steelers welcome Chargers.
Speaker 4 (44:16):
Right.
Speaker 2 (44:17):
University of Michigan Film School Graduate I'm in until then
for Matt Williams and I'm Mike Pursuda. Thanks for finding us,
whenever and however you found us. This has been Steelers
Preview right here on your Steelers flagship one of two
point five dve E and the Steelers Audio Network. Good night, everybody,
Welcome to the Steelers Preview Show on wdv E Pittsburgh,
brought to you by your neighborhood Ford Store. The F
one fifty is the official truck of the Pittsburgh Steelers
by Brian Patton and Associates. It's all about the benefits
and by the Steelers Pro Shop. Get it direct from
the team at shop dot Steelers dot com. And now
here are your hosts, Merril Hodge, Matt Williamson and Mike Persuda.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Good evening, Welcome to another edition of Steelers Preview right
here on the Steelers flagship one of two point five
DVE and the Steelers Audio Network. Mike Persuda and Matt
Williamson with you tonight to get you ready for the
Steelers in the Broncos Sunday in Denver. Merril Hodge, our
factor back will belong as he always is, to kind
of change the field position by just grinding out one six,
(00:52):
seven eight yard run after another until he shoves the
football into the end zone.
Speaker 3 (00:57):
All right, And I think this game is going to
be a lot like that, and it's just get back
to basics. Don't beat yourself and hand the ball off
and off a lot. Yeah, if you liked the Atlanta game.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Yeah, and I'm not saying you did, but if you did. Although, Matt,
some developments on the South side today which may push
this one even more toward looking more like Steelers Falcons
than I don't know. Was that Rams Chiefs a couple
of years ago, seventies. I don't think we're not gonna
see that. But quarterback Russell Wilson limited with the CAF
(01:28):
for a second consecutive day. Dan Moore junior ankle, didn't
practice yesterday, full participant today. Also Noah Isaac Say Mohler
for the second consecutive day. Roman Wilson a full participant.
The rookie has been trying to get over an ankle
injury since the first day in pads back at Saint
(01:48):
Vincent College. Wilson was limited Wednesday, full participant Thursday. So
maybe he gets himself into the mix. But the quarterback
position is what everybody is focused on. Justin Field's got
to start last Sunday in Atlanta. Mike Tomlins said on
Tuesday that they were preparing Justin Fields to be the
starter and then you know, participation would be the guide thereafter.
(02:10):
After that second consecutive limited performance in practice today, Russell
Wilson did not sound like a guy who was anticipating playing.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
You know, this is, you know, the last game of
the season kind of thing, or one of those kind
of games. You know, we're definitely going, you know, I
think I think right now, I want to go, but
we also too wanted to be smart.
Speaker 2 (02:27):
Too as well. Yeah, it's not the last game of
the season, it's not a playoff game. It's weak two.
I don't think he's playing.
Speaker 5 (02:34):
I don't either.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
I'm sure he'd love to play against his old team
and all that, and that's wonderful, but I don't think
you push it. I'm sure there's a lot of people
out there that think Fields is the better quarterback right
now because they haven't seen hardly anyth from Wilson.
Speaker 5 (02:47):
I'm not in that camp at all.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
Not either.
Speaker 5 (02:48):
Yeah, I'm not even close.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
I don't think it's close. Yeah, I don't think it's
a tough decision me either.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
And even just to use the Atlanta game as sort
of a reference, they got to the red zone a
few times. You know, you ransom plays in the red zone,
didn't no touchdown passes, you know, I mean, I'm really
harping on this touchdown pass thing this year. I mean,
I think Wilson throws touchdown passes and Steeler quarterbacks of
yesteryear do not.
Speaker 5 (03:12):
And I also saw some mister two years.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
Yeah, And I've seen some procedural things I didn't love either.
Early in that game, a fumbled snap, some some guys
didn't look like they knew where they were going where
Wilson and his experience has a lot of value for
that kind of stuff.
Speaker 2 (03:28):
On the other side of that coin, Matt, Yeah, one
of my most significant takeaways from watching the rest of
the league throughout Week one. Kirk Cousins, I don't think
he's right yet, Nope. And Aaron Rodgers coming off with
significant injury where he missed almost the entire season. He
didn't look real mobile to me.
Speaker 5 (03:50):
And they're not the youngest of guys.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
If you're a move quarterback, you had better be able
to move.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Yeah, And back to Wilson real quick, you know, And
I know Wilson.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
Wilson falls in that category. Yes, yes, And there's a
play action bootleg offense now, yes.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
And the other thing with Wilson is he's short and
moving within the pocket are short, little abrupt movements you know,
like a boxer in a ring, finding throwing lanes. And
he's always been really good at it. But he's also
been really mobile, like a Kyler Murray. I mean, so
even if he's not going to run, he needs mobility
(04:24):
within the pocket to find those lanes to.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
At least extend and then makes or wait till the
end of the game when he has to run, and
then run because he can still do that, but right
now he can't.
Speaker 3 (04:34):
Like back to Cousins, I didn't think Cousins could protect
himself in the pocket very well.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
You know, I didn't even notice this watching the game,
but there's been some video, uh surfacing since then. He's
throwing everything off his front foot.
Speaker 5 (04:45):
Yeah, he's really favoring it.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
And he was not accurate.
Speaker 5 (04:48):
No, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
I mean a couple of picks could have had a
couple more.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
Wilson's the same draft class as Cousins. Like why push it?
You know, right, get him?
Speaker 5 (04:55):
Get him right, because you can win games of fields
at right tackle.
Speaker 2 (04:59):
Number one on pick Troy Utan, who confirmed that he
worked with the Ones for the second consecutive day today.
After doing so, he sounded like a guy who is
anticipating a start none Julie sitting stone until till Sunday,
you know what I mean.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
But it's an opportunity, you know, hopefully, hopefully I'm gonna
go out there and try and take advantage of it
and then you know, never look back.
Speaker 2 (05:22):
You know, they've they've been eager to play him since
the preseason games arrived, and they wanted to start him
in the second game, but he got hurt in the first.
Apparently he's healthy, so apparently he's going in. Apparently.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
I loved him coming out of school. Why was shocked
he was there in the first round when they picked.
All the stuff I saw from him in camp was
really encouraging. They seem to be super high on him,
so this is really exciting. I think his rookie line
mate Frasier has passed every test in glowing fashion. But okay,
if he's gonna be the right tackle, who's on the left?
Speaker 2 (05:54):
Well clad, Yeah, because I spoke with Spencer Anderson about
that today, Anderson filling in for saying mollow what left guard?
And he sounded like a guy who was expecting Dan
Moore Junior to be on his left. He think's gonna
be to your left this summit.
Speaker 5 (06:12):
I'm not sure.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
I don't know I would have owned Dan, but you know,
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
I would assume Dan, but I don't know. He doesn't
know because it's not his call. Sure, but when he
says I would assume Dan.
Speaker 5 (06:22):
I mean Dan's a starting left tackle right.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
So looks like Broderick Jones at least temporarily might be
the odd guy.
Speaker 5 (06:29):
Out, which I do think there's an elbow issue with.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Him, potentially possibly. None of this is coming from Mount Tomlin,
but I got you right. Sometimes the players know.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
And I saw the injury happen and he's wearing a
brace on his elbow. I mean, I'm not saying that's
might we see a sixth offensive lineman out there, and
as opposed to a fourth tight end or a third
tight end.
Speaker 5 (06:48):
Maybe I kind of think it's a good problem to have.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
And I know a lot of people are really down
on Dan Moore, like these two first rounders should be
the starters for the next decade, and they might be
before long.
Speaker 5 (06:59):
Don't get me wrong.
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Rather, Moore played really well, and as Dale and I
always talk about on the drive, you're allowed to get better,
get better. I think he's you know, trimmed his body
a little bit.
Speaker 5 (07:09):
I think he looks better. I think he's one of
the more improved players on the team.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
I think the other thing to consider is that Broderick
Jones was a young first round draft.
Speaker 5 (07:18):
Pick, very inexperienced first.
Speaker 2 (07:20):
Round draft pick. And Omar Cohn, the general manager, has
sat on a couple occasions. We drafted Broderick Jones to
be a left tackle. Now, he did very well on
the right last year. I thought the line got instantly
better when he began starting, No doubt that's when they
started having success. But Omark kind of doubled down on
that back in training camp, but added, I'm not saying
(07:41):
when it's gonna happen coma what year.
Speaker 5 (07:45):
Not today, tomorrow?
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Now, you know, maybe it's week three,
and maybe it's next season. I don't know, maybe it's
sometime in between. But we do know Dan Moore's contract
is expiring after this year. He's probably not a guy
the Steelers are going to resign given.
Speaker 5 (08:01):
What they just drafted. But for now, you.
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Got him, and he started a lot of games for them,
and and oh, by the way, they've won the majority
of those games.
Speaker 5 (08:09):
Yeah, and to no fault of his own, Jones has
been asked.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
To play right, left, right, left, right, left, and he
was a very raw player coming out of Georgia without
a ton of experience. Maybe a couple of weeks or
a whole season of just focusing on left behind more
makes him a better player in the long run. And
I think, you know, he's very, very talented. I don't
think they're down on him. I mean, I just think
it's three guys, two yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
For the Denver Broncos, second straight day of non participation
for seventh round rookie wide receiver Devon vell A. He
was actually the leading receiver in the Seattle game. He's
their starting slot Denver losing twenty six to twenty for Openers.
Offensive tackle Garrett Bowles calf upgraded from limited today from
(08:57):
did not practice yesterday. Josh Reynolds wide receiver Achilles upgraded
from did not practice to limited today. Center Luke Wattenberg
ankle upgraded from did not practice to limited today. So
it sounds as if those guys are working their way
toward playing, But.
Speaker 5 (09:14):
You don't love that. It's two receivers and two alignment
though from them.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
You know you do not, so keep an eye on
all of this stuff. Tomorrow, both teams will practice again,
and maybe we'll get a little bit more of a
definitive picture as to who's going to play and where
and when and who isn't. Steelers Previews brought to you
in part by the Steelers Pro Shop. Gear up with
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(09:38):
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dot com. We are just getting warmed up, so you
(10:00):
don't want to keep it here when we come back.
Speaker 5 (10:02):
The Factor back.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Merril Hodge joins the show with Matt Williamson. I'm Mike Pursuita.
You're listening the Steelers Preview right here in the Steelers
Flagship one or two point five DVE and the Steelers
Audio Network.
Speaker 1 (10:14):
Back to the Steelers Preview show on DVE.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Welcome back, Mike Pursuda and Matt Williamson getting you ready
for the Steelers and the Broncos Sunday in Denver time
down to welcome our factor back. We always make sure
Merl Hodge gets his carries and gets his touches on
this show. It's never going to be a situation like
the Ravens against the Chiefs last year in the Big
(10:39):
Game when they gave the ball to running back six
times and they lost seventeen.
Speaker 5 (10:44):
To time Mary or feed the bellcount.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
Now you're getting about forty five carries a week, brother,
which is maybe something Denver sho I considered last week.
Speaker 6 (10:51):
Right, right, really, that's a really good point.
Speaker 4 (10:55):
Because people don't know. Soon the show's over. I'm start
complaining to management. I didn't get enough.
Speaker 6 (11:00):
I didn't get enough.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
Question, Well, let's shut let's get to the running game eventually,
and what Denver's gonna do. But I wanted to start
with TJ. Watt because this is I've been doing this
a long time. I started covering the Steelers late in
the nineteen eighty six season, and I've been doing it
every year for somebody since. And TJ. Watt coming off
(11:23):
the edge, I don't know that I've seen this before
to the naked eye, it looked like he encroached and
they should have taken that sack strip fumble recovery off
the board.
Speaker 5 (11:33):
And then I went back frame by frame.
Speaker 2 (11:35):
I had to go merrill to be sure, but after
having done so, I'm sure he was good and that
was an unjust penalty. I talked to Alex Highsmith today.
He said the one against him was unjust.
Speaker 5 (11:47):
What do you do about this?
Speaker 2 (11:48):
If you're an edge rusher, I mean, if you don't
have a franchise quarterback, the next best thing is a
guy who can blow up a franchise quarterback, unless they
don't let him blow up the franchise quarterback.
Speaker 3 (11:57):
And Wat's game was as good as I've seen. The
defensive player and from any team in a long time was.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
Well, yeah, I'm glad we talked about him, because you know,
I knew that was going to be highlighted and talked
about because it's an emphasis. But I would tell you
this here, here's what's the luxury that I have. You know,
when the game's over, I go watch Cape on so
I can watch you know, a play could take me
three minutes to digest from all If you want to
watch all the different angles and different concepts and what's
(12:25):
going on.
Speaker 6 (12:25):
Who's really playing well?
Speaker 4 (12:26):
And I'll tell you this, like the one thing that
I'd love about TJ. Watt the most, it is not
the plays that we're going to talk about, but I
will talk about those specific things and how you handle that.
Is that how he plays when he's not having a sack,
or when he's not disrupting, or when the plays going
away from him, That to me is the measure of
(12:49):
a great football player. Let's say, what is the sack record?
Is it twenty what two? Do something like that? Is
something or somewhere like twenty five points?
Speaker 6 (12:58):
That's whatever it is.
Speaker 4 (12:59):
Okay, TJ. Watt will play like eighteen hundred plays. Think
about this, any sat any guy who gets that record
will play some eighteen hundred places or should play some
eighteen hundred plays.
Speaker 6 (13:09):
Roughly around there.
Speaker 4 (13:10):
We'll say, we'll just say make for even math for
my first grade math, and this helps me two thousand plays. Okay,
So what are you doing with the other nineteen ninety
some left place in the game?
Speaker 6 (13:24):
Did that matter?
Speaker 4 (13:24):
So that's like, that's a big deal. That guy plays
every play. He does all the things that you need
to do to help keep a defense be effective, not
just disrupting, not just making big plays. But he does
all the other things. You know, he's he's disciplined on
the backside. You know he's got contained on the front side.
I mean he's taken people on in the proper manner
(13:47):
where his GAP's got to be. Like, that's to me,
what makes TJ. Watt a truly unique and special player.
And then he makes those disruptive plays that we're talking about. Okay,
here's how I handle it. If I'm a coach, I'd
walk into into him in high schol I'd say, we're
not changing anything. Okay, we got to be a little more.
Let's try to be a little more. Do not turn
(14:09):
your motor down. Do not create doubt in your mind.
You keep playing in the manner in what you're playing.
Speaker 6 (14:16):
I just don't.
Speaker 4 (14:17):
The last thing I'd want to create for my players
is doubt. I don't want to do that. And make
sure that they know that I've got we got your bag,
I got your back, and what you're doing is how
we need to play. Let's keep playing like that. Now.
Then when I goes over to those officials and I
get to the league and tell them get their act together,
I said, and defend my player.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
So he faced the first time play caller, a new
head coach, Sean Payton's at least been around the block.
Speaker 5 (14:45):
I mean, would you think the.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
Blocos are going to help more better than Atlanta did
with what.
Speaker 5 (14:53):
Was better?
Speaker 4 (14:55):
If Sean, you know that, if they don't want trouble,
you know, and they had some problems Seattle. Here's the
first thing that I think that you're gonna see. You're
not going to see the boneck do at forty two times.
It's gotta believe that that ain't gonna happen. You're just
not gonna do that. You're gonna You're gonna tell you
guys right now. That's gonna be a fistfied at the fifty.
(15:17):
And the first thing we're gonna do is we're gonna
we're not gonna commit to it. We're gonna do it
consistently and be very good at it. And then when
we do throw the football, we are going to protect
our guys. We're not gonna let those edge guys disrupt
our game. And we do that by formation. You can
do that by play calling. You know, you're just you
got to block people eventually, but you can do some
(15:39):
things from a play calling and a formation perspective that
helps you with that, you.
Speaker 6 (15:45):
Know, and I would like move your quarterback and you.
Speaker 4 (15:47):
Know, run action and max protection and then eat or
type of throws which canna help you. You can't necessarily
live just well, I shouldn't say that. I do think
you can live on that. You know, if you if
you run the ball effectively, you control the environment, then
you can do those run actions and the either ors
(16:08):
and the half field reads. You can be very productive,
even have a very good offense. I mean, at the
end of the day, that's what the Steelers are doing.
Speaker 5 (16:14):
Yeah, I was gonna ask you at all, that's.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
Yeah, that's why I think, you know, this could be
a very similar type of game plan. To be honest
with you.
Speaker 2 (16:21):
Merril, just to clear up the lingering doubt. Michael Strahan
twenty two and a half sacks in twenty every one. TJ.
Watt twenty two and a half sacks in twenty twenty one.
That's the gonna fit. That's the official record. A guy
from the Lions by the name al Bubba Baker had
twenty three in nineteen seventy eight, but sacks wasn't an
(16:44):
official stat until nineteen eighty two.
Speaker 5 (16:46):
I wasn't aware of that part.
Speaker 2 (16:47):
Yeah, public Baker, I know who he is. You can
play a little bit. Oh yeah, yeah, you know you could,
Thanks Lapper. I get where you're coming from. On Denver. Uh,
the way too many passes for a quarterback with times
looked very confused and at other times was just throwing
it where you're not gonna get away with throwing it.
But one thing I thought, based on the way the
(17:09):
Steelers played someday in Atlanta, I thought their defensive line
in particular and their defensive front in general had a
really good game. I thought Atlanta's offensive line is pretty good,
and the Steelers defensive line I thought gradually took that over.
Denver has an expensive offensive line, but it's just another game.
The Steelers can win up front, or at least dictate
up front.
Speaker 4 (17:31):
Well. But if they play like they did, look it's
gonna be the week or two, so we're gonna finally
bring it out. Never undervestimated professional week two to get there. Yeah,
I tell you the week too, because you had to
have Week one to see who was to be embarrassed
and you're like, I don't you know. Sometimes it's like
I don't really think that's how fast they are. And
(17:54):
they've been humiliated and embarrassed, and that's always a danger sign,
you know. I just don't assume that's how they're gonna play.
And they were embarrassed, especially from a passing perspective, they
just got I mean mauled on the edges. Like, oh,
I think was doing the morning show and I'm watching
the tackless in the tackle change place. I'm like, I
(18:15):
don't remember seeing him get hurt, and uh, Mike, he
said he did get hurt.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
But I'm like to deal with a calf.
Speaker 5 (18:24):
Limited.
Speaker 4 (18:25):
You deal with a lot of things practice today for
what ye Well, he means, you know what, he may
stay limited because what he starts watching tad because like
Geez prom.
Speaker 6 (18:37):
In Seattle, I don't want to say, I don't want to.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
Do that at home. My calf is going to be
hurt at week three.
Speaker 3 (18:42):
Anyway, that he said they have a ton too, Yeah.
Speaker 6 (18:48):
I mean, so they just had you know.
Speaker 4 (18:51):
They got they got bull bull rust. They you know,
they didn't hold they didn't. Another thing I always look
forward to is are your tackles aware, meaning you know
when you do overload pressures, you know you can bring
four guys. I mean, that's considered a pressure if you
overload it. You know, even though you technically have five
guys blocking, let's say your back and everybody gets out,
(19:13):
so at least have five offensive line blocking, they bring
four guys if you overload it properly. What you're doing
is you're you're you're you're challenging tackles to see things
that they're not used to, because you know there's they're
radius is like like I imagine umbrella. It's kind of
like scope. Like they don't look outside that. They don't
get outside the numbers and show down the field. They
(19:35):
just see within that rainbow area. And so if you
come from outside that rainbow, they don't identify it. And
they didn't do that. Shadow did that to them quite
a bit and got some people that were free. And
I always show that because I like the Steelers do
that really well. You know, there's some stuff that they
do and even if they're an opponent and that's not
something you do, and you see that they struggle with it,
you better do it. You better do it because they
(19:57):
struggle with it, see if that they can hand So
there's a couple of issues that they have that they
need to clean up. Just the individual one on one
was a problem, and then recognizing the outside perimeter people
that they were bringing when they were overload and they
didn't see that either when they should haven't handled it
with the offensive linement that they had, But they didn't
(20:17):
do that and do a very good job of that either.
So Steers will capitalize on all of that and see
if they've they've worked on it.
Speaker 3 (20:24):
Mary, you touched a little bit on what the Steelers
are doing offensively, schematically and frankly an obscene A really
high percentage of rollouts thirteen personnel with three tight ends
on the field play action, I.
Speaker 2 (20:38):
Mean fourteen personnel.
Speaker 5 (20:39):
There's a little bit of fourteen I mean that that
causes time outs.
Speaker 3 (20:42):
I mean, would you expect more of the same if
fields as a quarterback or either way, I would.
Speaker 6 (20:47):
I guess there's no reason there was.
Speaker 4 (20:49):
Here's here's how I would look at as a coach. Okay,
there wasn't enough monumental growth there to expand. Okay, in fact,
within what we did, we to a lot of opportunities,
like justin justin missed a couple of throws where there
could have been bigger plays than he than he did.
And this actually I know it's the preseason. It's actually
been a little bit of his problem. What I have
(21:13):
always sided with and given him the benefit of the doubt.
The kid has new learning every year. Okay, this is
his fourth offensive coordinator in his fourth year.
Speaker 6 (21:23):
Okay, I can't.
Speaker 4 (21:24):
I don't know. I remember having me, I remember having
a ah. I remember when after Tom Moore left and
we had a new core and like just the transformation
and the new learning.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
And all that one transition to Joe Walton.
Speaker 4 (21:41):
Yes, yes, I.
Speaker 6 (21:42):
Don't even go there. I did. I get I get
highs when I think that's.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
When he brought in the phone book for the playbook.
Speaker 4 (21:49):
Oh CNB. Somebody goes in most and everybody switches positions, like,
oh my god, we'd pray in the huddle. Sometimes Bubby
doesn't even call them motion. He's like, we're not gonna
do motion because that's gonna mess everybody up. Anyway, I
feel the fans can maybe have it a little bit
understand like it was a very complicated. It was just
(22:10):
like you were always shinking like you could never play
there's nothing instinctive that you can do. Uh, And so
I kind of give him a doubt when you know,
I don't see this anticipation you would like to see.
You know, there's not an anticipation to a lot of
his throws and the require that you know that they
require the balls to beyond its way before the just
(22:33):
getting out of the break, you know, versus you can't
let him get in, get out of the break and
then throw. It's too late and he misses some of
those throws.
Speaker 6 (22:42):
And he's done that a lot in his in his career.
Speaker 4 (22:46):
That's not that's not saying he won't get to where
he gets comfortable enough to know that and feel that better.
There's your growth that there's one area of growth that
I think you can expect to see if justin he
keeps playing that you would like to see in your offense.
If you can do that, that adds another layer to it,
that that will add explosive plays, because you know, I
think I think if I remember right, they had a
(23:07):
big chunk play on a run, a big chunk play
on a pass. I had the two chunk plays. And conceptually,
how you think about this? I used to talk about it.
Anytime you get a chunk play, you know, twenty yards
in a running game, thirty or forty in a passing
game like that's that's an opportunity for a touchdown.
Speaker 6 (23:23):
And they didn't.
Speaker 4 (23:24):
Finish any of those drives with that, and that will
be another area that you got to grow, you know,
So you can grow with with just the concepts that
they're doing right now, which is actually what you need
to do with who they have in all these positions
and all the new learning. You know, where they're gonna
be week fifteen, it's gonna be a lot different. But
now if they keep growing. But as far as this
(23:46):
week goes, I don't think you do anything other than
grow a little bit upon the things you missed in
this game, which could be the ultimate difference in the game.
Speaker 2 (23:55):
Did you like the decision to go for four down
instead of kicking what looked like a layup field goal
but you also knew that Scotty Miller was your holder
at that point?
Speaker 5 (24:08):
Was you have taken a three and gone up eight?
Speaker 2 (24:10):
Or do you like that they went for it and
just hope they execute it better next time?
Speaker 5 (24:13):
It seemed clunky?
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (24:15):
Yeah, yeah, Well you know they there's just watching them
start the game off, You're like, did any of these
guys practice? I mean it's like you fumble a snap,
you don't even know who's lining up where. And I
keep in mind these are all scripted plays too. These
are like you know, two quarters deep in your columns
(24:36):
and plays out there. I mean, you wanking this over
and over, problems, you did this on and you messed
this all up. So that wasn't I mean right, there
was like that trouble they start out. But to answered
question on the on the fort, that all starts with
the minds that you've treated with your team. You know,
(24:58):
those those decisions have already been in training camp. This
is what we're gonna do in these moments, and this
is how we're gonna hand in this expectation.
Speaker 6 (25:05):
So shocked, you know.
Speaker 4 (25:11):
So my perspective on is that is how you have
prepared this team. We're gonna do these type of things
in this game. We're gonna finish the game, We're gonna
get the first. Then we're not gonna trust the field goal.
To your point, when we got actually backups now being
in critical spots that can be jeopardize, let's go finish
this game's get the first down and move forward, you know,
(25:32):
and then the first down. You know, that's that's that's
that's troublesome. That's not what That's not what you gotta do.
Speaker 6 (25:39):
If you're gonna if.
Speaker 4 (25:39):
You're the championship, you have to do those things. I
like the mindset of it. Obviously, the execution just didn't follow.
Speaker 6 (25:46):
Merril.
Speaker 3 (25:47):
Where are you at on Zach Frasier? I might be
getting ahead of myself, but I look at him and say,
he's already at least an NFL average starting center, which
is a massive compliment and maybe even better.
Speaker 4 (25:58):
Yeah, you know, you know a mess Rgin One thing
I remember watching him. He's just a maller man and
then he malls you and he yeah, he just he
just there's a box area that just that's it. That's
just domain, and you're not gonna mess with it. And
I love that about you know, those type of time
(26:20):
because I understand from running back perspective, you know, when
you know you have you have dogs like that up front,
you're just like Chief, you played like that. You want
to compliment that, you want to put him. In the
first preseason games he stood out fisted to me, like,
you know, you know, he's he'll probably start, you know,
(26:40):
week eight, and if you already starting eight, now, what
are you waiting for a week eight?
Speaker 2 (26:48):
What do you what?
Speaker 4 (26:49):
I'm like, if he's going to start week eight, what
the heck's wrong off week one?
Speaker 6 (26:53):
That's like anyway, So it worked out right, because you're right, he.
Speaker 4 (26:56):
Was the best even in preseason, he was the best
in the in the reps that he got, he was
clearly the best. Like just from a competition aspect, the
competitive aspect, you'd be nuts not to have started.
Speaker 5 (27:08):
Him, Meryl.
Speaker 2 (27:11):
A couple of things stood out to me regarding Denver's defense.
One was the cornerback Patrick Sartan, who's very good and
he just got paid and he deserves it.
Speaker 5 (27:20):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
The other is that I thought in the first half
of that Seattle game, the Broncos front was really active.
They ended up in this game nine tackles for a loss,
seven quarterback hits. Those are both high numbers, a couple
of sacks. But in the second half Seattle came out
Apparently all they did at halftime was talk about we're
gonna stop screwing up and start running the football, and
(27:42):
they just gave it to Kenneth Walker, and all of
a sudden it was there, what changed and what was
effective in the second half in that Seattle running game.
Speaker 5 (27:50):
It helps me to stopped taking safeties too.
Speaker 4 (27:56):
You know. Watching the watch point expect, I was like,
I don't even know why you're trying to throw it.
I mean that from the very first half of the game,
it was like holy talent there they had. It was
absolutely like a jump break, you know, and then their
ability to run like well, like I don't know why
(28:18):
you call it past play you they did that during
that was actually you could see that during the initial
part of the game. And obviously that's what halftime is about.
Good coaches make good adjustments and.
Speaker 6 (28:29):
They come in.
Speaker 4 (28:30):
That's why now you always get Dick Hope was one
of the best half time coaches ever. He'd come in
and I'm like, man, you could feel like he was
out there with us because he's right because.
Speaker 6 (28:38):
The promplex, because I knew it was.
Speaker 4 (28:40):
Needs to be done, and he changes need to be
playing made and he'd come in and work them out.
I'm like, Okay, I know, but that's I mean, that's
why people look at whats have to do all activity
they have to say. I mean, you know, you guys
got to keep I'm gonna go back to or you
know that the run defense, don't think for a second
(29:01):
that you know that's not going to be punned up too.
We'll give you business like could they complicate you or
give you some pass formations and they're throwing the football
in a way that threatens you.
Speaker 6 (29:13):
So there will be.
Speaker 4 (29:14):
A commitment to that box, you know, and the buttoned
up details to your run is going to be a
lot different. And then he saw in Seattle that'll be
a lot better. But you still have to challenge that
and you have to break that down. It may not
have to third or four quarterby, you have to. You
have to have a relentless commitment to it.
Speaker 3 (29:33):
So there were two new defensive standouts in this game,
Jackson and Elliott that I thought played really well. They
made big plays. But one other defensive edition, Patrick Queen,
I thought had a rough first outing. Did you watch
much of them?
Speaker 4 (29:47):
Yeah, you know, it's just short of funny that you
said that, you know, when you I kind of had
this type of experience when I went went to Chicago.
You know, expectations are dang, you know, you leave a system,
you leave a group of guys, and you come over
and everybody expects you to be just like that. There's
(30:09):
a problem. You don't have those other ten guys with you.
You don't have the same system idea. And it's in
the way patrickmc teen has new learning. You know, it's
just new learning and and and that can that can
affect that will affect any type of player and any player.
And you know, it's just gonna take him a while
to get I think his real feeling and footers for
(30:32):
for what what the Steelers do versus what the Ravens did. Yeah,
the part and the coach and you know, the coaching aspect.
You got to feel to feel for him too, you know,
coaches have to a lot of them the most favorable.
Yes they are, you know, and that's that's not easy.
Speaker 6 (30:47):
Even though he's.
Speaker 4 (30:48):
Players that people assume like, well, I play in the NFL,
nobody's doing right now. That's kind of true. But there
is new learning play a new learning for him. You know.
Speaker 2 (30:55):
We've got to call about that on the post game
show and somebody was saying they were very underwhelmed with
Patrick Queen. My response was, they gave up two hundred
and twenty yards ten points, and he was on the
field every down, right, I mean, at the very least
he did his one eleven.
Speaker 5 (31:13):
They also didn't run between the tackles like at all.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
Yeah at him.
Speaker 5 (31:16):
You know, Uh, Meryl lest.
Speaker 6 (31:18):
They right, You're right.
Speaker 4 (31:20):
The hedge rush. Their hedge runs were there, but most successful.
Speaker 5 (31:24):
Meryl lest thing for you.
Speaker 2 (31:25):
We've touched on this a couple of times already, but
just to clarify, we're expecting another really low scoring game
and this is not the week to open up the
offense and show what Justin Fields can do, what Arthur
Smith can do.
Speaker 5 (31:37):
This is very.
Speaker 2 (31:38):
Similar to Atlanta. Go in there, grind it out and
get out of dodge with a w.
Speaker 3 (31:42):
And maybe not throw the ball. Ever, by the signs
of what you were saying, just handed off.
Speaker 4 (31:47):
Yeah, well you know what, like listen, Justin Field is
not ready to expand it.
Speaker 6 (31:51):
That's not good for his development.
Speaker 4 (31:53):
You know.
Speaker 6 (31:54):
Can he do some things?
Speaker 4 (31:55):
I mean there's moments that you got to do that,
but that's not what If you really want to develop
Justin Field, you stay with what you're doing. Honestly, I
use this example all of the time. Okay, I think
it's one of the best ways to develop, and I
think it's one of the best ways to throw the
football and be effected as an offense. Now I take
I give you an example of twenty fourteen. The New
(32:16):
England Patriots had just got whipped by the Kansasity Chiefs
on a Monday night game. Tom Brady was in the
pocket and he was flinching all over the place. He
didn't know what was coming his way. Cincinnati's coming to
the Patriots Week five, I believe it was. They're four
to zero. I'm watching you all four games for Cincinnati,
all four games to the Patriots, and I was just like,
there is no way, I mean, there is zero chance
(32:40):
the Patriots can beat Cincinnati. I just based on how
they were doing.
Speaker 6 (32:43):
It, and they're how they're playing both well.
Speaker 4 (32:46):
They come out in the game. There's a Sunday night
game too, by the way, and the Patriots come out
with two tight ends, two backs, one wide receiver. I
formation Brady under center, and they ran the football and
they did run action play either or throws.
Speaker 6 (33:01):
For Tom Braid.
Speaker 4 (33:01):
Okay, greatest quarterback in NFL history. He's played well into
a decade, decade into his career, okay, so very well experienced. Okay,
and they literally did that for a month until they
reset their offense, and then they expanded from that and
built from that. They won the Super Bowl that year.
And yes, yeah, I'm just telling you that fundamentally, functionally,
(33:26):
that is one of the best ways to play offense.
Do I think you have to have phases off that
absolutely to be a champion. But at the end of
the day, if you really want to have success and
and be in every game, you play like that, you
do those type of things and you're really good at him.
It is hard to find. That is why the Ravens
honestly are in every time and they're a good football team.
(33:46):
Now they're getting a little more expansive, but they only
get in trouble when they make Lamar play quarterback. Yeah,
you know, in a true drop back setting.
Speaker 2 (33:53):
The only other The other thing to add would be,
you don't have to win a championship Sunday. You just
got to beat the Broncos in Denver. Meryl, great stuff.
Uh love that as always. We'll look forward to doing
it again next week before the Steelers.
Speaker 4 (34:06):
Chargers, you got a guys, always the best you guys,
the best.
Speaker 2 (34:11):
Meryl Hodge right here on Steelers Preview. We've got some
more to get to, so keep it here with Matt Williamson.
I'm Mike Persuda. You're listening to Steelers Preview right here
on your Steelers flagship one or two points in the
Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 5 (34:24):
Back to the Steelers Preview show on DV.
Speaker 2 (34:31):
Welcome back to the preview Mike Pursuita and Matt Williamson.
My god, I feel like I need a standing gate
count when we get done talking to Merrill.
Speaker 5 (34:38):
Yeah, just keep feeding on the rock man like a
half tired eye of defense.
Speaker 2 (34:42):
Some gatorade up in here. What to Expect is brought
to you by Brian Patton and associates. It's all about
the benefits. Took kind of a deep dive into this
last week, Matt, and I'm gonna do the same thing
because here's what I expect it away, and it's gonna
take me a while to get here, but hear me out.
Bon Nicks was terrible throwing the football against the Seattle
(35:05):
Seahawks for openers. On his first two interceptions, he retreated,
stared down Courtland Sutton threw off his back foot in
the coverage and got it picked. On the second one.
It was a fake toss left, bootleg right, and as
he's throwing the football, the color commentator on the CBS broadcast,
Adam archer Letta, screamed, oh, no, clear as a bell
(35:31):
because he threw it in the triple coverage and that
got picked. He could have thrown a couple of other
interceptions that just didn't happen for whatever reason. One of
the comments that Arceletta made late in the game, and
I agreed with him, was I'm surprised he didn't run more.
Speaker 5 (35:46):
He's a good runner. He's a very good Yeah, he's
a tough kid.
Speaker 2 (35:49):
He had five carries for thirty five yards and a touchdown.
Twenty seven of those yards came on the Broncos final drive.
They were down by two scores, and then he got
him in the end zone north of the two minute
warning and actually had a chance to get the ball
back and maybe steal the game at the end, but
they couldn't stop Seattle. But given that he seemed so
(36:09):
confused throwing it, given that he seemed so inaccurate throwing it, Yeah,
and given it, he's a pretty good runner. Oh and
throw this on top of the pile as well. Archiletta
said that during the production meeting with Sean Payton, the
Broncos head coach, you know this announce that they get
to sit down with h they have coffee, and they
talk like their best friends. According to Sean Payton, he
(36:32):
wants bow Knicks to be quote unstructured at times, play
a little backyard football. Sometimes they don't want to quote
put him in a box. Okay, given all that, I
expect streetball from bon Knicks drop back one read ain't there. Okay,
let's go try to make a play with my legs.
Speaker 5 (36:49):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (36:50):
I think that's not a bad observation at all. And
Knicks started more games than any quarterback in NCAA history,
And I think people expect them to come in and
be super mature. And I got this, but that Raven's
former Ravens staff in Seattle throws a lot at you.
Seattle's a really hard place to play his first ever start,
(37:11):
I would think Nix is going to be a more
comfortable player. I mean he's nowhere to go but up.
To be honest with.
Speaker 2 (37:17):
You can only make your first start one yeah.
Speaker 3 (37:18):
Yeah, I mean Peyton's gonna know him better he's gonna
know Peyton better.
Speaker 5 (37:22):
I like this.
Speaker 3 (37:23):
I don't like that I do have the freedom to
run more. Maybe I will do exactly what you said.
But the defense he's about to face is also a
lot better than the one he facing Seattle too.
Speaker 2 (37:33):
So you think he's running the ball, I think.
Speaker 3 (37:36):
He's gonna get hit a lot, either in behind the
line of scrimmage or in front.
Speaker 2 (37:40):
Of think this one comes down to who has more
rushing yards justin fields or bow Nicks.
Speaker 4 (37:44):
No.
Speaker 3 (37:44):
I just think it comes down to the Steelers not
beating themselves. I mean, I think this is one of
those true games where do you expect them to No,
but Field scares me a little bit. I mean, he's
thrown a lot of picks.
Speaker 5 (37:56):
What to expect, what.
Speaker 3 (37:57):
To expect segment. So no, I'm gonna pick the Steelers
to win. But I don't think they're going to throw
for five touchdowns or anything.
Speaker 2 (38:02):
Yeah, right, thirteen to three might be yeah, I got Yeah,
that was what to expect. Brought to you by Brian
Patton Associates. It's all about the benefits. Here's another observation
about the Broncos. I know it is the first game,
but this really raised some red flags to me. It's
the second year of Sean Payton now in Denver, so
they ought to have some stuff smoothed out. But in
(38:24):
the first half of that game at Seattle, Denver took
over at the Seattle twenty following an interception and kicked
a field goal. Denver took over at the Seattle nine
following the recovery of a muff punt and kicked a
field goal. Denver had another drive that reached the Seattle
twenty two. It was one of a few good drives
of Broncos put together, and that ended on the interception forced.
(38:46):
The first interception forced to Courtland Sutton, the one he
threw off his back foot. They targeted Sutton twelve times. Yeah,
very good receiver.
Speaker 4 (38:55):
No.
Speaker 2 (38:55):
I like Sutton's four catches for thirty eight yards and
two of the ones he didn't catch gout picked.
Speaker 5 (39:01):
Yeah, And that's reporters gonna.
Speaker 2 (39:03):
Be yeah, And so I mean that's losing football. Then
late in the game, Seattle took it over in the
third quarter and into the fourth and the Broncos put
a drive together, scored, kicked off. Seattle gets the ball
back just north of the two minute warnings. So Denver's
trying to stop them and take their timeouts and get
a shot at the last minute drive to steal the game.
(39:23):
Third and eleven from the Seattle twenty nine with a
minute fifty four left off side Denver. Third and eleven,
you're getting off the field here, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 5 (39:33):
Now it's third and six.
Speaker 2 (39:34):
And they ran like a couple of competing shallow crosses
and they were able to get Tyler Lockett free. You know,
Certain is covering metcalf, so they threw it to the
to the guy who wasn't being covered by Certain and
Lockham made a catch it. But that was like those
early moments and that late moment chances to really grab
(39:55):
the game, and Denver just kept not grabbing it.
Speaker 4 (39:59):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (40:00):
One thing he didn't mention, which is real bizarre. Five
times in the history of the NFL has a team
gotten two safeties and not one. You know, like they
give you two points for safeties and they give you
the ball back, you know, like you talk about, you know,
two beneficial things that happened with safeties. They're just not
(40:20):
a very talented team, you know, like I look at
their defense, certain who's phenomenal. I think he's the best
corner in the league, and he's gonna be on Pickings
and Porters gonna be on Sutton. But he's the only
first round pick on the entire defense. Like, there's no
pedigree there. I mean, I do like their defensive front, but.
Speaker 2 (40:37):
I think the edge guys are pretty good to the
lineman battle.
Speaker 5 (40:41):
Yeah, I mean they Denver played.
Speaker 2 (40:42):
On Seattle side of the line of scrimmers for the
first two quarters.
Speaker 5 (40:45):
Seattle looked like they were a new head coach too.
Speaker 2 (40:47):
For the Yeah, yeah, I think they hit the snooze
button when the alarm went off and it was still groggy.
But yeah, there's not a lot that scares there. And
on the offensive side when they weren't turning it over possessions,
Matt seven of them ended in three and out, I know,
and which that's the one thing I thought the Steelers did,
you know. I had a lot of people tell me
(41:09):
about the Steelers. Falcons just looked like last year, less
than three hundred yards and no Touchdow.
Speaker 5 (41:13):
I don't think look at anything like last year.
Speaker 2 (41:15):
The results was the production was similar, but the periodic
shots that the Steelers took while still protecting the ball
and at least possessing it and moving it a little
bit before getting rid of it on first downs. Yeah,
I mean that was pretty good. You can't have seven
to three and.
Speaker 3 (41:31):
Outs, No, And every time Nicks through past ten yards
it was a disaster.
Speaker 2 (41:35):
Two picks.
Speaker 3 (41:36):
It's almost always the Sutton downfield. And I don't have
the numbers in front of me, but it's hard to
throw for as few yards as he did with that
many attempts. I mean it was like three yards in attempt.
I mean, really really bad and nothing after the catch.
Not a lot of dynamic playmakers. Meryll mentioned. I mean
their line that they've invested heavily in isn't really living
(41:59):
up to the building, you know. I mean it's an
okay offensive line, but they got a lot invested in
their own line and it's average, you know, especially in
this day only if.
Speaker 2 (42:07):
You consider seventeen million to Guarrett Bowles the left tackle,
twelve point eight seventy five million to Ben Powers of
the left guard, eighteen million the Quinn Miners the right guard,
and seventeen and a half million to Mike mcglinchy the
right tackle, and I.
Speaker 5 (42:21):
Think their center situation is the worse in the league.
Speaker 2 (42:23):
Luke Wattenberg.
Speaker 5 (42:24):
He was on this on the injury report today.
Speaker 2 (42:27):
Thirty year pro first time starter Lloyd Cushionberry has been
the center in Denver.
Speaker 5 (42:33):
To Titan though.
Speaker 2 (42:34):
Wattenburg fifth round pick in twenty twenty two out of Washington,
or as we'd like to say around here, Washington Washington.
Speaker 3 (42:41):
So he's in the deal with Benton, and I mean,
their O line's not bad, but they've invested heavily in it,
and I just don't think they're getting banged for their buck.
Bulls at left tackles one of the more overrated players
in the league in my opinion.
Speaker 2 (42:51):
Yeah, it gets a lot of penalties and I'm kind
of with Meryll that the calf might be uh maybe
other heel right, he's at Heigtsmith alone.
Speaker 5 (43:00):
I mean a lot.
Speaker 3 (43:01):
I think that fair One thing I want to throw
out while we're talking about the front. Everyone knows how
well watt played, but I hope everyone realizes Cam Hayward
was dominant this game too. I mean, he looked like
the player pre injury and I'm sitting there and watching him, going, wow,
they got him on the cheap.
Speaker 4 (43:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (43:18):
A couple of days ago, one was worried about the
contract like he was.
Speaker 2 (43:20):
Oh Man thought he could jug pretty good. You know,
they only just marvel ly out five snaps. Yeah, but
that's what happens when you possess the ball. Yeah, Your
horses can run and then they can take a break,
and then they can run some more.
Speaker 3 (43:32):
And to me, that's the biggest opponent to me in
this week is is the altitude and Denver's lifetime record
in September at home is unbelievably good. But the Steelers
are so deep they should be able to keep a
rotation going a couple, you know, win the first down battles,
you know, get off the field.
Speaker 5 (43:53):
To me, they're the much better team here.
Speaker 2 (43:55):
I think it's a tough place to win Denver, but
that's usually because they've had pretty good teams something to
do with this traditionally. I don't think it's gonna be
that tough this Sunday. That's gonna do it for us.
Thanks to Merrill for joining us as he always does.
Thanks to Justin Miller for keeping everything up and running
here in studio.
Speaker 6 (44:12):
Matt.
Speaker 2 (44:12):
Let's do this again next Thursday before the Steelers welcome Chargers.
Speaker 4 (44:16):
Right.
Speaker 2 (44:17):
University of Michigan Film School Graduate I'm in until then
for Matt Williams and I'm Mike Pursuda. Thanks for finding us,
whenever and however you found us. This has been Steelers
Preview right here on your Steelers flagship one of two
point five dve E and the Steelers Audio Network. Good night, everybody,
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