December 12, 2024 • 43 mins
The battle of Pennsylvania is this Sunday between two playoff bound teams. Mike Prisuta, Matt Williamson, and Merril Hoge prepare you for the matchup between the Steelers and Eagles.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the Steelers Preview show on WDVE Pittsburgh, brought
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and by the Steelers Pro Shop. Get it to wreck
from the team at shop dot Steelers dot com. And
now here are your hosts, Merril Hodge, Matt Williamson and
(00:21):
Mike Persuda.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Good evening and welcome to another edition of Steelers Preview
right here on your Steelers flagship one of two point
five DVE and the Steelers Audio Network. Mike Persuda and
Matt Williamson with you, Merril Hodge. Our factor back will
be along directly as we set the table for Steelers
at the Eagles on Sunday in South Philly. Matt. When
(00:44):
the schedule came out, everybody looked at the back half
and said, boy, that's going to be difficult. Then as
the season began to play out, everybody thought, well, maybe
the hard part starts a week earlier than we thought,
because Washington's pretty good. Yeah, Now they get to the
middle of the hard part and this is the really
hard part because it's not just three really good teams
(01:05):
in the Eagles, the Ravens and Chiefs in succession. It's
a Sunday, Saturday, Wednesday deal.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Brutal.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
I was talking about this on the DV Morning Show today.
I would have much preferred, just from a learning about
the Steelers standpoint, that these were normal week kind of.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
Yeah, exactly, And to be Frank Tomlin's history on real
short weeks isn't great. When you give them extra time,
it's phenomenal, you know, Monday nights and things like that. Now,
who knows. I mean, they're small samples with that, but
it's gonna be tough to judge how these three games go.
I don't know. I mean, maybe they show us a
ton and win two of them and go into Philly
(01:44):
and are highly competitive. I don't know. But this game
coming up is a really difficult task.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
I would concur Yeah, you're throwing the anticipated unavailability at
George Pickens and brutal. I'm not seeing a path to
victory at least, not many.
Speaker 4 (01:58):
Not many. The Eagles are loaded with talent, they've kind
of figured things out. They're kind of interesting to me
because you know, We've been talking Browns a lot the
last couple of weeks. Well, Brown's post Winston is a
lot different than Brown's all year. Steelers post Wilson is
a lot different than previously. And these guys they figured
(02:20):
it out early because post by they barely throw the ball.
They rarely throw the ball in the second half. There's
hardly any turnovers. You know, those first couple of games,
they were a little more Hurts reliant, he's throwing picks,
they're using their great receivers and their great receivers. But
ever since they just keep winning and handing the ball
(02:41):
to Barkley and figuring out a defense with some young
guys on the back end.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
You know, to your point. At two and two through
four games, yeah bye, was week five, Philadelphia was running
the ball forty five percent of the time. Since then
nine to zero, running it sixty two percent of the time.
Speaker 4 (02:58):
Yeah, and he's in the last couple of games has
been even heavier. I mean, it's crazy turnovers.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Philadelphia was minus six at two and two. Eagles are
plus ten through the last nine games, which again they've
won all nine of those games, and defensively they picked
it up as well. Sacks They had six sacks in
the first four games a buck fifty per one and
a half sacks a game. In the last nine they
(03:23):
have thirty one sacks, which is more than three game.
Speaker 4 (03:25):
Yeah, so they're night and day. They they went to
the buy and said, let's take things off. Hurtz plate
put it on Saquon's and he had all yeah, it's
worked out really well. Yeah, now they're really hard to
play against. They're healthy too.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Let's start things off, as we always do, by taking
a look at today's practice participation reports Philadelphia. Everybody is
a full participant today except for safety Sydney Brown, knee
was limited.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
He's their third guy anyway, not a key guy.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
The Steelers are not so fortunate. Things looking a little
ominous to Shaun Elliott. Safety Hamstring has not practiced this
week thanks defensive tackle Larry Ogunjoby groin has not practiced
this week. George Pickens hasn't practiced this week, but I
don't think anybody's.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
Expecting him to play. One bit of good news.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Two straight days of full participation for Montravius Adams. I
think that's I would expect to come off the reserve
injured list.
Speaker 4 (04:25):
Yeah, I think that's particularly big with the Ogunjobi news,
and that's how I would handle it. I don't know
if they'll do the same, but all right, Adams, you're
now our starting nose. Benton You're gonna be Oguin Joby,
and when we're a nickel, it's Benton next to Hayward.
I'm assuming Ogunjoby doesn't go or is limited. I mean
he missed, only played like ten snaps in that game
before getting injured. So it's a good time to get
(04:46):
Adams back. I'm an Adams fan me too. Yeah, that
just does an underrated guy, not.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
That he's a star, but he's a do your job
kind of guy. Yeah, you can count on him to
do what's expected. Absolutely, he plays hard and he plays well.
Speaker 4 (04:59):
This one's going leave a mark.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
This is a really good football they really are. And
you mentioned how they've turned it over to Barkley since thereby,
I would argue that Jalen Hurts is the biggest question
mark on this team right now.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
Yeah, like in terms of Super Bowl as questions. Yeah right, I.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Feel funny saying that, but I'm checking my notes from
the Carolina game. Looks a little slow, a little hesitant.
Speaker 4 (05:24):
He does not play fast.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
He's managing the game, not aggressively seeking victory to use dominism. Now,
he's not turning the ball over and his rushing is
still very effective, phenomenal, very effective. But in that nine
game winning streak, he has accounted for twenty three touchdowns
either passing or rushing, and he's turned it over twice.
Speaker 4 (05:46):
Yeah, that's the difference the formula.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
He took for one hundred and eight yards against Carolina.
That's a Kenny Pickett game. Yeah, but Kenny Pickett wasn't
given you two passing TVs and one rushing TV.
Speaker 4 (05:56):
Right, And he's got aj Brown and DeVante Smith, you know,
and it's Dallas Goddard. I mean like they have they
don't really have personnel weaknesses. But I do think Hurts
in some ways is being figured out. You know that.
To me, that's one thing that the Steelers do match
up well with him is I think there is good
or better than every defense in the league with their
(06:17):
pass rush plan. I think they're in a boa constrictor
him in the pocket and make him uncomfortable. And he
holds the ball a long time. Yeah, and doesn't for
a lot of those guys that have the real high
time to throws. They're converting explosives. Well he's not. I mean,
they're not converting many twenty plus yard completions. He has
a real bad habit, like Baker Mayfield used to of
(06:39):
when times are tough, he always rolls right right to
the TJ Watt. Everyone on the planet knows that, now
you know. So, Yes, he's a great runner and the
tush push and all that stuff, but he's not a
quick processor Carvey up type of player.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Next ten Stat's had some great numbers on that this week.
Over the last month, twenty two point two percent of
his dropbacks have lasted four plus seconds.
Speaker 4 (07:03):
It's a really which is an eternety.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
It's an eternity, right, yeah, now you think, okay, clearly
by then Brown's getting open or Smith's getting open. Somebody's
getting open.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
Now.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Forty one point four percent of those plays have resulted
in a throwaway, a sack, or a scramble.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
It's just hold pat and the ball, yeah, yeah, what
do I do? Yeah? Or dropping your eyes you know,
not seeing the open dudes.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Two point two percent of those throws have gone for
twenty or more yards down the field.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
It's remarkably low number. You can see why AJ Brown
is a little fed up even though they keep winning.
You know, I mean he's it's not like he's not
getting open. Oh it's phenomenal, Carolina.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
The second or third play of the game, he was
opened down to see him and Heart's just checked it down,
just checked it down.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
And I wonder how they're coaching them. I mean almost
feels kind of stealer ask of don't turn it over,
don't turn it over.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
You know, it's funny. We've talked about this for two years,
and I always coaching is obviously a factor, but I
always blame the quarterback ultimately, because he's the guy with
the ball in his hand.
Speaker 4 (08:02):
If a guy's open, thrown to him, and yeah, right.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
You know the coach told you to check it down
and you complete a forty five yard ball, he's not gonna.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
Yell at you, right, especially you know what the play's designed.
If you first read is Brown, he's open, throw it
to him, right, you know, you know what's need to
do to win. I always liked Jalen Hurts, but he
seems to be regressing. I love his toughness and everybody
thinks he's an A plus dude. And I'm sure he is,
but he's not a quick processor and he's not playing
at a high level right now. However, we've been on
(08:32):
the air here for almost ten minutes and we're harping
on like the only question mark on the team, like
everything else is really good.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
And maybe you know the tight end situation with Dallas Goddard.
Speaker 4 (08:43):
Out with the knee injury, right, but they don't throw anyway.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
They got a guy, yeah, yeah, but they are they're loaded. Boy,
there's players on this roster and defensively they have a
great ability. I love their linebacker, nic the Kobe Dean
and Zach Bond.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
Zach Bond is like my new fair player.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
There every down players and their sideline the sideline and
they're coverage down the field and pressure of the quarterback
in the pot. There's just really good football players.
Speaker 4 (09:13):
The two corners they drafted are really fun too.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
You know, we've done so much stuff on various forums
about the draft, and I remember when Jordan Davis came out.
Everybody was drooling about Jordan Davis and saying, but wait,
there's a guy coming out next year from Georgia who's
gonna be even better. Jaylen Carter and they have them
both and he's way better.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
I mean, like, I think he's right there with like
Cam Hayward and Chris Jones and Dexter Lawrence is like
he might win Defensive Player of the Year awards going forward.
Like I think he's gonna be one of the best
players in the league and is already knocking on the
door that way.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
Yeah, those corners, those corners you referenced Quinn and Mitchell.
He's the starting right corner. I thought he was the
best corner coming out.
Speaker 5 (09:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Yeah, And Cooper Dejane from I was the nickel nasty.
You would think you would take two rookies in your
secondary you got a problem, But they don't.
Speaker 4 (10:05):
They don't. They don't. They upgraded dramatically. The back seven
they drafted drastically upgraded. It's a really good defense.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
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Speaker 3 (10:29):
Is It.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
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Speaker 4 (10:39):
When we come back, little Birdie told me you like
authentic memorabilia. I love will come to Christmas season, Matt.
The only thing, the only thing I like better than
memorabilia is authentic, authentic. When we come back, our Factor back,
Merril Hodgs. It doesn't come more authentic than Merrill.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
So keep it here with Matt Williamson, Mike Persuda, and
this is Steelers Preview right here on your Steelers Flagship
one or two point five d V and the Steelers
Audio Network.
Speaker 4 (11:07):
Back to the Steelers Preview show on DV.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
Welcome back to the preview. Mike Pursuita and Matt Williamson
with you, getting you ready for the Steelers and the
Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday time. Now to welcome our
factor back in the Star of our show, Meryl Hodge
to the program, Meryl, how are you tonight?
Speaker 5 (11:27):
I'm really good. That's a that's a stretch, though, the Star.
That's a little a little bit of a stretch.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Well, I didn't say we were a good team. I
just said you were the star of our team. So
you know, doesn't mean.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
No, we love You're not too shabby.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
We love you, Meryl. You know, Hey, there's a lot
to unpack with this game, but I wanted to, uh,
to start things off tonight. I want you to take
me into the locker room more than the film room.
And the reason I want you to do that is
I had a conversation with Broderick Joe today along with
a couple other members of our esteemed media here in Pittsburgh,
(12:04):
and he was talking about Russell Wilson with reverence I'm
gonna say, and he mentioned that all he's ever had
here in Pittsburgh are young quarterbacks, unproven quarterbacks, and Russell
has such a been there, done that guy. And he
said when he talks, people listen. And it occurred to
(12:25):
me that, hey, this team's been without that for.
Speaker 5 (12:27):
A long time.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Sure, And b this is the time of the year
when that stuff really shows up, isn't it. They're getting
ready to go into this awful Butcher Gauntlet's stretch of games.
And you know, Russe is clapping his hands, he's got
a smile on his face, and he's saying follow me, fellas.
I mean, how real is that kind of stuff?
Speaker 5 (12:45):
Meryl? I think it's especial for young players. You're talking
to a second year player, you know. I go, I
just reflect back on my second year when I was
still now, I was much more seasoned. I knew what
to expect, and I was so much better myself year.
And I've always thought every player is better in their
second year, you know, because they've they've got, they've done,
(13:07):
they went through that year of the unknown and new
learning and everything's new and understanding everything, but still young,
you know, and so for him to see the experience,
what is there probably about eight to nine years difference
with those two guys, you know, an playing experience, playing experience,
(13:27):
you know, at least yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, Well I'll
well listen, I lived in my rookie year. I listened
to Mike Webster all the time. I remember we're in Arizona,
where Arizona, we're getting throttled, and they really kind of
took all the starters off the field, and I was
(13:50):
in the huddle and there was one guy who didn't
leave the hull, and it was Mike Webster. He's like,
I ain't leaving the huddle. He goes, I'm finishing. I
start this stuff. I finished this stuff. He's talking about this.
He goes, Guys, I don't know when the game's overs
when I'll leave this field. He goes, here's what we're
gonna do. Because all of us were very young, okay,
very very little experience. Okay, I was in my second here,
(14:12):
and he said, here's what we're gonna do. Okay, and
this is what you have to do in this league.
We're gonna take.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
This ball and we're gonna drive it down the field
and we're going to score.
Speaker 5 (14:19):
Okay, that's our job, and that's what we're supposed to
do until that clock is zero. Do you understand, man,
I'm telling you about that. Ho is like yes, sir,
oh yeah, absolutely. And what do we do? We went
eighty yards and squared a touchdown. It was the best
drive that we had. Actually, I think a week later
I become the starter in the on the team for
the next almost ten years.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
And that lesson that experience right there and.
Speaker 5 (14:43):
What he said, and he was not he was the
only guy that left the field too. He was not
leaving the field. And I've never forgot that lesson. You know,
I don't leave until the game's over. I was like,
of all the guys that could have left the field,
it was Mike Webstern. So yes, there's great value on that.
Speaker 3 (15:01):
There's extraordinary lessons.
Speaker 5 (15:04):
And and I plot brought Jones for being smart enough.
I don't like to applauding myself for being smart enough.
You know, you know that type of wisdom because listen,
everybody who's young and don you.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
Know, twenty one, twenty two years old, you know you
reflect back gang, you know.
Speaker 5 (15:18):
I mean I was glad I was smart enough to
realize the wisdom around you, you know, I mean, you know,
part of the the battle is knowing you know who
to ask for advice, you know, and then the other
part is listening it and applying it and stop blotting
for that. And you know, hopefully now you're gonna you know,
he can take that and you know, become a better
(15:39):
player for it.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
So I can't remember last time or if Saquon Barkley's
ever faced the Steelers, but the three of us have
been doing the show now for quite a few years.
He did with the Giants, didn't dosh okay, But Merril,
you brought him up a few times just off hand,
you know, and I get the feeling that you he's
your favorite one out there at the moment.
Speaker 5 (16:01):
He's the best pure runner. He's just the best pure runner.
And when I say pure runner, he has a pro
style element to him. So let me give you, you know,
for people that are listening, like what I mean by
you see, NFL football is different than college football just
because of the field, you know, and most people go,
what do I mean?
Speaker 3 (16:20):
Field is different?
Speaker 5 (16:20):
Okay? Well, the difference on an NFL field in a
college field are the hash marks.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
Okay, hash marks.
Speaker 5 (16:26):
They're wider, and that's why the college game is played
on the perimeter and about ninety percent of the time,
my guy's bear a near guy And there's not a
lot of scheming that goes along with college football to
the degree that goes on the NFL. Now, when you
get to the NFL, man hash marks move to the
middle and you play in the middle, and that means
you must be a more decisive runner, and your instincts
(16:49):
and your abilities to run the football in the NFL
have to be heightened. In nineteen like if you had
two lines speed line and equipments line, you could only
pick one, and you wanted to pick the best line
to help you play in the National Football League from
a runner's perspective, really all perspectives quite awesome, or all positions.
You would pick a quickness line you because the ability
(17:11):
to start, stop, and redirect is the most important aspect
in being able to.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
Run successfully and consistently in the NFL.
Speaker 5 (17:19):
And now he got in both lines because he's got
speed too, so you know he hits. Yeah. I was
just watching him today actually, and it's just that that
truth about when he goes away, you know he's gonna
come back to you. There's a great chance of coming
back to you. Don't just because he leaves, he doesn't
mean you can vacate your responsibility and not stay on
(17:40):
the back side, because he could come back there, especially
if the point of attack hasn't won. Now keep in mind,
if there's a crack there, he hits it, which is
about what I love about it.
Speaker 3 (17:48):
So he'd get you two in three puff yards.
Speaker 5 (17:51):
He's not just the home run guy. You'm not just
sitting there looking like Barry Sanders in his greatness, I
mean as great as he was man he put in Detroit,
he put to Troy. They were in second cam a
lot because he would dance so much sometimes that you know,
you would lose yard each you know, versus get two
or three yards that were there, you know, and Saeguan
(18:13):
very seldom loses yards for you. Oftentimes he's gaining them.
And if you fall asleep at all, he's going to
hit a home run on you. And that's a fact.
And listen, everybody in those defensive meetings know that you
know it's gone over and this needs to be one
of the most buttoned up gap responsibility games that that
(18:35):
they've had. You know, to this point, you just can't
miss a gap, and you got to be where you
need to be, not where he is, where you need
to because guess what, when he goes away. I keep
saying it, there's a good chance he's coming back to you.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
Don't be ready, Matt.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
To answer your question before you follow up.
Speaker 1 (18:52):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
September fourteenth, twenty twenty, Saquon Barkley played against the Steelers
as a member of the New York Football Giants and
carried fifteen.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
New York It was that was a Monday night game,
wasn't it.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
You got me there with Barkley actually know Barkley carried
fifteen times for six yards.
Speaker 4 (19:14):
Okay, I'm gonna I'm gonna go.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Out on a limb and say, if he gets six
yards on.
Speaker 4 (19:17):
Fifteen it, I bet his blockings better than around the game.
But I'm sorry, real quick, merrill. I have the theory
that great, great running backs are like great guitar players,
Like I can hear Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, Eric
Clapton play for thirty seconds and be like, Oh, that's Clapton,
that's Jimmy Hendrix. And I think you could put all
the running backs in those ugly Penn State uniforms and
(19:40):
not have any name or numbers on their back and
be like, that's Peyton, that's Dickerson, that's Barkley.
Speaker 5 (19:47):
Yeah, yeah, he's special. I've told this several times when
he was coming out.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
You know, I get a lot of people who will call.
Speaker 5 (19:54):
Me and go, hey, what do you think about you
know A And people would literally call me about and go,
you know, I just don't see it, and I don't
see what I don't see. I don't see you know,
you know, is he special? I said, you may never
see a guy like you see a guy like this
every ten years and a guy like this, you know, fifteen,
(20:17):
you know, he's he's everything that you would want in
a runner, that you would desire and run. And if
somebody's town like, well he's not powerful, like well, that's
actually they're strong and powerful, okay, you know, Like there,
Henry is powerful.
Speaker 3 (20:33):
You know, he just you know, and he is.
Speaker 5 (20:35):
Going north south and this dude is strong and don't
and he is so dynamic laterally vertically. He doesn't need power.
He just needs strengths because oftentimes you're just not going
to get a good hit on him. You know, you're
not going to get a good angle. That's why it's
probably most important that you tackle in this game. And
(20:56):
I use that word very seldom when I watch tape now.
And when we were players, in our running back meeting,
we would actually look for part of the category we're
looking for a defense. Are they hitters?
Speaker 3 (21:08):
Are they tacklers?
Speaker 5 (21:09):
And I will tell you this, if you're a tackler,
you got a better chance of you know, not allowing
him to.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
Get big plays than if you're a hitter. If you're
a hitter, you can kiss it goodbye.
Speaker 5 (21:19):
And he would bust two or three on you, you know,
and then that's that's why it's so important to be
good at tackling and practice that practice that those techniques,
because if you don't man this guy, he's just he's
a dangerous man.
Speaker 2 (21:35):
So, Maro, here's my concern about Saquon Barkley.
Speaker 5 (21:39):
Sunday.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
The Eagles run a ton of three wide receiver sets,
and they still run Barkley out of three wide receiver sets. Yeah,
I don't think Pittsburgh can play the nickel and stop
Saquon Barkley. But I'm not sure if they play the
bass they can stop A. J. Brown On to Smiths.
So what you're you're the decordinator, you're Tarrell Austin. How
(22:05):
are you deploying the guys uh to try to keep
a lit on the number twenty six?
Speaker 5 (22:11):
Well, you know, before I get to that, you know,
Caroline actually did a really good job, you know, and
I believe most of the time they matched up, you know,
the the base of the nickel in there, but they
were really good on the back end of the passing game,
you know, from his own demand concept. Now, I know
the question is, you know, how do you handle their
(22:32):
running the game? What kind of people do you want
on the field. You know that's gonna It's not just
a J. Brown because Nickel or regular, you can handle
a J. Brown if you want to out of that
those those people. You know, you got other guys that
you're a little bit concerned on. And let's go to
take on Barkley. You know, that's another thing that I
think he's misleading on him as you know, he can
(22:52):
hurt you in the passing game. You know, they'll dump
the ball to him. You know, I think i'd start
out three odd matchup personnel wise, I'd start off like that. Yeah, yeah,
I would. You know, here's what you know, here's what
Philadelphia does it will do is they have a They
(23:15):
run the counter very well. They run inside zone, outside zone,
and pitch. It depends on what they think you're good
at or you're weak at, and that's what they'll catch
your weakness first. So let's just say it's the perimeter. Okay,
so let's all using giants for example. Okay, that's a
divisional role opplling up for them. Can they start perimeter
stuff first? Just because they're so good in the middle,
(23:36):
and they didn't. They actually struggled with that. You know,
they got a few runs, but not very much. But
they stayed at it and they chipped with at them,
and then then they came out at the middle and
attacked them, you know, right at them, and that's when
they got their big runs. You know, that's kind of
the danger with him. They got a bunch of ways.
And their quarterbacks are runner too, Let's not forget that.
See that's another part of this equation that you got
(23:58):
to be thinking about too. Cat can take the ball
and they just actually do design runs for him too,
they just call runs.
Speaker 3 (24:06):
So you know, he's a he's a problem child.
Speaker 5 (24:08):
I mean, the Carolina Panthers made one mistake and they
they they gave him an escape route.
Speaker 3 (24:16):
Vertically.
Speaker 5 (24:17):
I mean, they just gave it to him, and he
had the biggest run the game, The biggest play the
game was with these legs. That was the biggest to me,
that changed. That was the biggest playing the entire game.
And the biggest difference.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
Well that in the one leg it dropped that would
have won the game.
Speaker 5 (24:34):
Yeah, I mean yeah, I mean yeah, that could have
been a difference there too. But that run, you know,
to that point they had, they did a really good
job on their back end where there's manners own their
doubles where they got them. You know, listen, they got
to run the football. The better they run the football,
the better their quarterback is. The worst they run the football,
(24:56):
the worst their quarterback y is.
Speaker 4 (24:58):
They don't put everything on it shoulders as a passer.
Speaker 3 (25:02):
They already learned that lesson.
Speaker 5 (25:03):
Yeah, they thought if they wont Super Bowl, let's do that,
and they got They got exposed for that pretty quick.
That's why the went and got stake on.
Speaker 4 (25:09):
So Meryl, I think they have the best pair of
offensive tackles in the league. And do you do you
think they leave Lane Johnson alone on what.
Speaker 5 (25:19):
Well, let's be times. I think that they'll trust that.
Speaker 4 (25:22):
Mm hmmm.
Speaker 5 (25:23):
I think it could made a mistake. But I mean
that's based on the evidence that you have at this point.
You can see why they would do it. They didn't
play very well against Carolina Pants.
Speaker 4 (25:34):
No they didn't.
Speaker 5 (25:34):
You know, they were they were walking around.
Speaker 3 (25:36):
They weren't like sleepwalking. And their defensive line wasn't very
good either, And I just.
Speaker 5 (25:41):
That bothers me because they have a bad week and
then they turn it on the next week. You know,
that's you know, their defensive line was not the same
defensive line that's actually definitely got some of the big
problem offense. I mean, as a team is that defensive
front that goes a defensive lineman.
Speaker 3 (25:57):
Sometimes they play and sometimes they don't play.
Speaker 4 (26:00):
It's not as good as it has been with the
Fletcher Coxes of the world and Hard Graves and.
Speaker 5 (26:05):
Very true, very true.
Speaker 4 (26:07):
Well, yeah, effort, I mean I love Carton effort.
Speaker 5 (26:10):
Efforts not great, yeah, but just yeah, before the overall
effort that you see, it's so inconsistent. It wasn't very
good last week, and you know, you never know, they won,
so they could be very compleate, still stay very complacent.
You know. It's when they actually have lost that they've
wrapped it up. I can't remember where they lost it.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
They may have lost to last almost Tampa in September.
Speaker 4 (26:30):
Last week seemed kind of plashed down after beating the Ravens.
Speaker 5 (26:34):
Yeah, yeah, I agree, But what was their first thought?
Speaker 3 (26:38):
Didn't didn't losh Eton beat in?
Speaker 2 (26:40):
I think they lost really early on they were two
and two and now they're eleven and two.
Speaker 4 (26:45):
Yeah, the early by they lost.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
To Atlanta twenty two to twenty one in week two
and at Tampa thirty three to sixteen in Week four.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
Okay, well it was one of their losses.
Speaker 5 (26:56):
The next week they went into the Saints and one
even contests like whole week Cow. These were in the
same cats I just saw last week with different dudes.
So that's the only concerned that you have. That being said, yeah,
they won, so I just I think it's a chance
they could kind of play the same way.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
To be honest with you, what do you think Pittsburgh
can do differently without George Pickens that it didn't do
in the Cleveland game. I know, they got twenty seven points,
but three short fields and I didn't see a lot
of fluidity and rhythm and anything out of that offense.
That led me to believe they can do very much
against a good team without Pickings.
Speaker 4 (27:35):
I wasn't super impressed with the rounds either.
Speaker 5 (27:38):
Yeah, well, I mean, and that was actually I like
that they were able to do a bunch of things differently,
and they you know, it almost looked like, you know,
I'm not they didn't do this. They were just they
were picking things. You know, there wasn't a there wasn't
a conceptual building up of they of how they usually
do some things which can vote well to a team
(28:00):
that you can still win like that, you know, you
be an NFL team like that says you got different
ways to win. And I that's how I viewed that. Now,
with the guys that they have here, I still think
there's plenty of ways you're tied in and be a
little that are a little moral focus in this one.
You know, your running game is is training though. That's
(28:20):
that right there is yours your deal. You know.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
Caroline actually ran the ball fairly well.
Speaker 2 (28:25):
On them, and they weren't great, but they kept pounding.
Speaker 5 (28:28):
Yeah, they and they got chunks. You know, they're they're
getting four and seven. Man, those are those are great
runs because you're second and six, your second and five,
and you're third and two and your third and three.
You know that that's where you gotta you gotta manage.
You got to be able to stay keep yourself in
the game, you know so, and I think they have
(28:49):
that that ability. You know, I think I mentioned on
the Morning show they had the biggest run on now
you had was a they it was it was a
man blocking scheme. But you know they kind of tracked
the two tackles and then they released everybody else that
was uncovered to get to the second level and create
all these running lanes, and I was like, oh my gosh,
that's beautiful. Never saw it again, you know now, you know, listen,
(29:14):
that's all. There's a whole reason means for that, you know.
So that's why I'm going back to how they won,
you know, and how they call called the game. You know,
every scenario is different. Where they are in the field
matters and what you're calling. I get all that. I
just I just they just did it so well. You know,
I would think maybe you see a little bit more
of that because they've got to be really good on
(29:34):
the ground, they really do. They have to control the
temple in this one. That's the importance is anything in
this game? They do that when they finished driving and
Russell going back to you know, what he does give
you with all the experience is that you can create
a little different packages and add things to your staples
and feel comfortable that you can execute him because of
his experience.
Speaker 4 (29:55):
So the last thing I got for you is opposing
offensive coordinators are attacking the e defense out of eleven
personnel at the highest rate in the league. That's what
they're choosing to do against the Eagles. I don't understand why,
and I can't imagine the Seelers take anything close to
the same approach. I would think you're gonna be tight
ends all over the place.
Speaker 3 (30:16):
I agree, you know, I listen.
Speaker 5 (30:18):
I think that at this point of the season, you
always take a little bit of the things they've struggled
with and apply to your game plan.
Speaker 3 (30:27):
You're crazy not to.
Speaker 5 (30:29):
But still, at the end of the day, eighty.
Speaker 3 (30:31):
Percent of your game plan is what you've been doing
all year, and that's what you really got to do.
Speaker 5 (30:34):
Well, that's what you gotta trust. I mean, you know
these little wrinkles here and there. I you know those
are awesome and you know how important they are, and
they could be the difference of the game. You know,
a little wrinkle, But you know what you're gonna doing
all year. You're not changing. Centain of what you do
is not changing. You just got to do it really,
(30:55):
really well and do it better and make sure that
that is your foundation of your of your game. That
they can't stop bat you know, or if they are
able to stop some of it, they can't stop at all.
And they have problems with something, So I think they
will take some of that, but that's not That's not
how they're gonna win the game.
Speaker 3 (31:14):
It's going to be eighty percent they've been doing all
year to this point.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
Meryl, lest thing I have for you, we did not
see justin fields in the uh you know, field specialty
stuff in the Cleveland game. I don't think they really
needed it. I think they're gonna need it against Philly.
I think you got to throw these guys at curveball
every once in a while. Uh, do you expect to
see number two at some point or points?
Speaker 5 (31:37):
Yeah, there's there's a you know, there's a there's a
there's a wrinkle that you know, he he can bring
every week, you know, And so yes, I think that
you when you go on the road, I think there's
a better chance for you to you know, be thinking
outside the box a little bit, you know, and maybe
finding some things that they don't handle very well that
(31:59):
he posed. But I wouldn't be surprised of that too.
And I agree with you that that that that's probably
a discussion every week. You know, what kind of package?
Is there a package that they're vulnerable with if we
put him out there? You know, because you know they're
prepared for something. We gotta prepare for him to come
out there, and this is probably what they're preparing for.
(32:19):
So let's try to do this with you. This is
this would be a game to do it that you
know you could you could probably use it with out
of George Pickens. Those are the type of things that
that you that you that you probably need that goff set.
You know what he doesn't does for you on the game.
Speaker 2 (32:34):
In the game, Meryl, great stuff. You never go wrong
with a Mike Webster story or a Chuck Moles story.
Speaker 5 (32:40):
I just want to know I could live with that, brother.
Speaker 4 (32:44):
Thanks all.
Speaker 2 (32:45):
We'll talk to you next week before the Ravens game.
Speaker 3 (32:47):
Right you get you guys.
Speaker 2 (32:49):
That was Meryl Hodge our factor back as we continue
get you ready for the Steelers and the Eagles on
Sunday in South Philadelphia. One more segment to go, so
keep it here with Williamson on Mike Persuda. You're listening
to Steelers Preview right here on your Steelers flagship one
of two point five DVE and the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 4 (33:09):
Back to the Steelers Preview show on DVE.
Speaker 2 (33:15):
Welcome back Mike Pursuda and Matt Williamson. With you here
for our third and final segment. I love when Merrill
tells those old stories.
Speaker 4 (33:24):
The Webby stuff's great, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (33:26):
Chuck Noll or something from that era, because you know,
it's funny.
Speaker 4 (33:31):
Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (33:32):
The seventies were revered for so long and then they've
had a second Super Bowl era not as successful.
Speaker 4 (33:39):
But you know, sure they went four and six years,
but right.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
Got to two and got one two and got to
another one in a relatively short period of time. But
that seventies era is still mystical to me. It's just
me too, there's something about it.
Speaker 4 (33:51):
Part of it's because I was born in seventy three,
so like since I could crawl, they were everything.
Speaker 2 (33:57):
You know, what took is brought to you by Brian
Patton and associates. It's all about the benefits and Matt
we talked extensive with Merrill about the Eagles running out
of three wide receivers and the you know, the challenges
that's going to present. What do you play the bass
and not worry about the past. Do you played the
nickel and try to cover them both and maybe get
(34:17):
run on like their nickel does sometimes. Yeah, But what
I expect is they're going to have another problem, and
that's when Pittsburgh has the ball.
Speaker 4 (34:26):
This Philadelphia defensive.
Speaker 2 (34:28):
Front, to me, that's not the ball worries me more.
I really like Zach Frasier's trajectory. I really like Mason
McCormick's trajectory. I really like Broderick Jones trajectory. Okay, I'm
big on all three of those guys. Sure, I think
they're all going to be fixtures on this offensive line,
but I don't think they're ready for a front that's
going to show you four man fronts, five man fronts,
(34:49):
and six man fronts, and it's populated with the quality
of players that the Eagles are going to run out
there on Sunday. I think the steel has got a
problem when they have the ball.
Speaker 4 (34:57):
I do too, and I just think I don't have
the firepower either. Like Friarmuth has gotten a little more
involved each to the last couple of weeks. I'm a
big Warren fan. I'm sure they're going to try to
run the ball like crazy and bludging this team and
win the time possession battle. I just don't know where
the explosive playmakers are, and I do think they're big
(35:17):
people are at a disadvantage. I mean, Carter to me
is a special player.
Speaker 2 (35:22):
I really like Josh Sweat one of the edges. Yeah yeah,
I really like Nolan Smith, the other edge guys. Sweats
number nineteen, Smith is number three. We've talked about the linebackers,
what they can do and not as deep up front,
but still pretty pretty good.
Speaker 4 (35:35):
Absolutely, And the Steelers hired Andy Whitel for a reason
because he comes from this organization and it's all about
big people in Philadelphia. And then they've sprinkled the cherries
on top this year with the Corners, and you know,
they go and get fixing the linebacker position. So I
love how they're constructed. So that's what to expect. The
(35:56):
Steel's going to have a hard time blocking these guys.
They are no no doubt about that.
Speaker 2 (36:01):
What to expect is brought to you by Brian Patton
and associates. It's all about the benefits. So what do
you do? Carolina Meryl talked about this a little bit,
slowing the game down. You know, the Eagles only had
nine possessions and one of them was a one play
kneel down after Carolina's last drive came up short. And
by the way, Bryce Young threw a pill to Xavier's
(36:24):
legat and it should have been the touchdown to put
Carolina ahead with forty six seconds left, and he dropped it.
Speaker 4 (36:30):
I think Young was a better quarterback that game.
Speaker 2 (36:32):
He was really good.
Speaker 4 (36:33):
He was really good, and Edie Urch wasn't.
Speaker 2 (36:35):
He was really good getting away from pressure.
Speaker 4 (36:38):
Yes, that's gonna be huge.
Speaker 2 (36:39):
So you know we've seen enough of Russell Wilson by now.
Are you comfortable he's not going to break contain and
run thirty five yards the way Jalen Hurts does. But
can he buy himself enough time because as we just
talked about it and what we expect, they're gonna have a hard
time blocking these guys.
Speaker 4 (36:57):
Yeah, no question, it's going to be difficult. I do
think Wilson's knowledge and experience and where the rush is
coming from, where the danger is is really important. And
you might know this better than me. If not, don't
worry about it. But I guess he was talking this
week about he has gone against Vic Fangio quite a bit.
(37:17):
I mean, I think when they were with the Niners,
and he has a familiarity with this defensive coordinator and
should sprinkle in some good news everyone knows they're losing
streak in Philadelphia, but Wilson beats these guys for whatever reason.
I mean he's six and oh. At least that's something six.
Speaker 2 (37:33):
And oh with Seattle four and oh in Philadelphia. He
was talking today. You know, little of this was pandering.
Oh the Eagles are great, they do this, they do that. Sure,
it's gonna be a tough environment. Fans are gonna be
into it. Blah blah blah. And I said, are you
aware that you're six and oh against them and four
o there? And he looked at me and said, I'm.
Speaker 4 (37:52):
Aware, I'm aware. Okay to where it answers.
Speaker 2 (37:55):
But again, this is becoming this season of Russell Wilson
is yeah, yeah, well we're you know, it was all
theory in the spring, right, was he done dirty in
Denver or was he washed?
Speaker 4 (38:05):
This is the web becover.
Speaker 2 (38:06):
Then then he comes here and he looks good in
No Tas and it's all new enthusiasm and veteran leaders
been there, done that guy that you know, they're out
of the swamp of maybe and they got they got
an established quarterback. Then camp he's hurt and he doesn't
play at the start of the season, uh, and so
the questions arise again it's just really the guy. I
think by now this is really the guy. Oh yeah,
(38:28):
And I think starting Sunday until as long as they're playing,
they're gonna lean on this guy.
Speaker 4 (38:35):
And they're gonna have to. I mean, it's gonna be
a stressful eleven days here. This is gonna be a
stressful road trip in itself. They have a normal prep
week for it. And along those lines, like even us
at camp and being closed to the team, it's like, oh,
he's really impressive. They're responding to him. But is he
still good? You know, we didn't. We didn't get a
chance to really even see him for a while. I mean,
(38:56):
he looked good, you know. But now he's playing the
game at a high level, I mean, geting ahead of ourselves.
But I think he'll be the quarterback next year. I
mean I think that's makes all the sense in the world.
But man, I wish they George Pickens.
Speaker 2 (39:10):
Yeah, it's a tough one. What would you do there?
Because one thing that bothered me, but the way I get,
you know, next man up and don't overreact and trust
the backups and all that. But what's starting to drive
me a little crazy is the way Arthur Smith keeps
deploying his receivers as if they're interchangeable. You know, you
(39:31):
see a bunch of different combinations of three, You see
a bunch of different combinations of two. What I would
do without Pickens? And nobody's asking me, But I got
I gotta show. Yeah, I can say it. I'm playing
Mike Williams and Calvin Austin almost every snap, just the
way the Eagles play AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith almost
(39:54):
every snap. If that costs me a little bit in
wide receiver blocking Becausecronic's not out there, Okay.
Speaker 4 (40:01):
So be it.
Speaker 2 (40:02):
I'm going to live with that. Yeah, I think you
have to have the threat of the past at least
out there to have any chance to get anything done.
Speaker 4 (40:09):
Yeah, the other guys are fine, but I don't think
anybody's worried about them when they're out. I mean, right,
I applaud like Alan Robinson all over again, you know.
Speaker 2 (40:17):
Like Mike Tom and I plugged their professionalism and the
work ethic, and their willingness to stick their hand in
the pile, and their their preparedness and all that. Man,
when you got Scronic and Van Jefferson and Scotty Miller
on the field. Is your three wide receivers, who's going
to make a play?
Speaker 4 (40:35):
I always say this, and I said it a bunch
about Alan Robinson. I said it all the time about
Gunner Olszewsky, like the opponent says, thanks, yeah, I appreciate
you putting them on the field. I know they're scrappy
and they may block me more than the other dude,
but thanks yeah.
Speaker 2 (40:48):
And I'm trying to lift those guys are who they are.
You can't.
Speaker 4 (40:53):
Be something they're not right.
Speaker 2 (40:55):
If you're you know, you got Mike Williams for reason
if you're ever going.
Speaker 4 (40:58):
To get anything out of them.
Speaker 2 (41:01):
And Calvin Austin has proven to be a playmaker with
Russell Wilson. Now, they were not on the same page
in that Cleveland game. I don't know if Foston still
had some lingering had a good year though he was
coming off a concussion. But you know, send Williams down
the sideline and send Austin on a shallow cross and
keep warning in the block and see if you can
hit one of those two guys when you need a play.
Speaker 4 (41:23):
But I'm not putting a third receiver out very often.
And I don't think they will, you know. I mean,
there's they're just really light at that position right now.
But I like your suggestion just stick with these two,
you know, the start of that conversation, as you mentioned,
it's like when you have two quarterbacks you have none. Well,
when you have five receivers for three spots or two spots,
you might have none.
Speaker 2 (41:41):
You know, one other thing we should mention before we
get out of here and met they're facing another broken kicker.
Speaker 4 (41:47):
Jake Ellens. Yeah, it's one advantage who used to be one.
Speaker 2 (41:49):
Of the best in the business has not made a
fifty yard field goal this season.
Speaker 4 (41:54):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (41:54):
This is the year from Way Downtown Bank and he
has not hit from fifty. He missed from fifty two
against Carolina. He's eighteen of twenty four on the year,
which in this day and age is a poor vent
zero for five from fifty or more. Last year seven
of eight.
Speaker 4 (42:11):
I don't see a lot of pass the victory. But
the obvious one is win a turnover battle they miss
a kick or two. Boz is perfect. Winning the margins, yes, absolutely,
and fun. I don't think you're just gonna out execute them.
Snap after snap will figure it out. In the fourth quarter. Yeah,
you get a bounce, you know, I mean, that's muddy
(42:31):
it up. First one to seventeen wins, then you're in it.
But if it's the if it's the Bengals, the old days,
the old days, Yeah, and this team's good at that.
Speaker 2 (42:40):
The stuff we thought they had risen above.
Speaker 4 (42:42):
But yeah, but if it's the Bengals, first one to
thirty five, you're not gonna be the first one to
thirty five.
Speaker 2 (42:46):
No, No, that's uh, that's gonna do it for us.
Thanks to Merril Hodge for joining us as he always does.
Thanks to Justin Miller, who was back on the job
keeping things running smoothly here in the studio. Matt will
do this again next Thursday, a week for Thursday because
the Ravens games on Saturday. Then it's gonna get a
little funky, a little goofy for Christmas week. As soon
(43:09):
as we figure out what we're doing and when, I'll
let everybody know. Until then, thanks for finding us, however,
and wherever you found us on Mike. Pursuit of this
has been Steelers Preview right here on your Steelers flagship
one of two point five DVE and the Steelers Audio Network,
good night everybody,
Welcome to the Steelers Preview show on WDVE Pittsburgh, brought
to you by your neighborhood Ford Store. The F one
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by Brian Patton and Associates. It's all about the benefits
and by the Steelers Pro Shop. Get it to wreck
from the team at shop dot Steelers dot com. And
now here are your hosts, Merril Hodge, Matt Williamson and
(00:21):
Mike Persuda.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Good evening and welcome to another edition of Steelers Preview
right here on your Steelers flagship one of two point
five DVE and the Steelers Audio Network. Mike Persuda and
Matt Williamson with you, Merril Hodge. Our factor back will
be along directly as we set the table for Steelers
at the Eagles on Sunday in South Philly. Matt. When
(00:44):
the schedule came out, everybody looked at the back half
and said, boy, that's going to be difficult. Then as
the season began to play out, everybody thought, well, maybe
the hard part starts a week earlier than we thought,
because Washington's pretty good. Yeah, Now they get to the
middle of the hard part and this is the really
hard part because it's not just three really good teams
(01:05):
in the Eagles, the Ravens and Chiefs in succession. It's
a Sunday, Saturday, Wednesday deal.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
Brutal.
Speaker 2 (01:11):
I was talking about this on the DV Morning Show today.
I would have much preferred, just from a learning about
the Steelers standpoint, that these were normal week kind of.
Speaker 4 (01:22):
Yeah, exactly, And to be Frank Tomlin's history on real
short weeks isn't great. When you give them extra time,
it's phenomenal, you know, Monday nights and things like that. Now,
who knows. I mean, they're small samples with that, but
it's gonna be tough to judge how these three games go.
I don't know. I mean, maybe they show us a
ton and win two of them and go into Philly
(01:44):
and are highly competitive. I don't know. But this game
coming up is a really difficult task.
Speaker 2 (01:49):
I would concur Yeah, you're throwing the anticipated unavailability at
George Pickens and brutal. I'm not seeing a path to
victory at least, not many.
Speaker 4 (01:58):
Not many. The Eagles are loaded with talent, they've kind
of figured things out. They're kind of interesting to me
because you know, We've been talking Browns a lot the
last couple of weeks. Well, Brown's post Winston is a
lot different than Brown's all year. Steelers post Wilson is
a lot different than previously. And these guys they figured
(02:20):
it out early because post by they barely throw the ball.
They rarely throw the ball in the second half. There's
hardly any turnovers. You know, those first couple of games,
they were a little more Hurts reliant, he's throwing picks,
they're using their great receivers and their great receivers. But
ever since they just keep winning and handing the ball
(02:41):
to Barkley and figuring out a defense with some young
guys on the back end.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
You know, to your point. At two and two through
four games, yeah bye, was week five, Philadelphia was running
the ball forty five percent of the time. Since then
nine to zero, running it sixty two percent of the time.
Speaker 4 (02:58):
Yeah, and he's in the last couple of games has
been even heavier. I mean, it's crazy turnovers.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Philadelphia was minus six at two and two. Eagles are
plus ten through the last nine games, which again they've
won all nine of those games, and defensively they picked
it up as well. Sacks They had six sacks in
the first four games a buck fifty per one and
a half sacks a game. In the last nine they
(03:23):
have thirty one sacks, which is more than three game.
Speaker 4 (03:25):
Yeah, so they're night and day. They they went to
the buy and said, let's take things off. Hurtz plate
put it on Saquon's and he had all yeah, it's
worked out really well. Yeah, now they're really hard to
play against. They're healthy too.
Speaker 2 (03:38):
Let's start things off, as we always do, by taking
a look at today's practice participation reports Philadelphia. Everybody is
a full participant today except for safety Sydney Brown, knee
was limited.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
He's their third guy anyway, not a key guy.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
The Steelers are not so fortunate. Things looking a little
ominous to Shaun Elliott. Safety Hamstring has not practiced this
week thanks defensive tackle Larry Ogunjoby groin has not practiced
this week. George Pickens hasn't practiced this week, but I
don't think anybody's.
Speaker 4 (04:13):
Expecting him to play. One bit of good news.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Two straight days of full participation for Montravius Adams. I
think that's I would expect to come off the reserve
injured list.
Speaker 4 (04:25):
Yeah, I think that's particularly big with the Ogunjobi news,
and that's how I would handle it. I don't know
if they'll do the same, but all right, Adams, you're
now our starting nose. Benton You're gonna be Oguin Joby,
and when we're a nickel, it's Benton next to Hayward.
I'm assuming Ogunjoby doesn't go or is limited. I mean
he missed, only played like ten snaps in that game
before getting injured. So it's a good time to get
(04:46):
Adams back. I'm an Adams fan me too. Yeah, that
just does an underrated guy, not.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
That he's a star, but he's a do your job
kind of guy. Yeah, you can count on him to
do what's expected. Absolutely, he plays hard and he plays well.
Speaker 4 (04:59):
This one's going leave a mark.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
This is a really good football they really are. And
you mentioned how they've turned it over to Barkley since thereby,
I would argue that Jalen Hurts is the biggest question
mark on this team right now.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
Yeah, like in terms of Super Bowl as questions. Yeah right, I.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
Feel funny saying that, but I'm checking my notes from
the Carolina game. Looks a little slow, a little hesitant.
Speaker 4 (05:24):
He does not play fast.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
He's managing the game, not aggressively seeking victory to use dominism. Now,
he's not turning the ball over and his rushing is
still very effective, phenomenal, very effective. But in that nine
game winning streak, he has accounted for twenty three touchdowns
either passing or rushing, and he's turned it over twice.
Speaker 4 (05:46):
Yeah, that's the difference the formula.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
He took for one hundred and eight yards against Carolina.
That's a Kenny Pickett game. Yeah, but Kenny Pickett wasn't
given you two passing TVs and one rushing TV.
Speaker 4 (05:56):
Right, And he's got aj Brown and DeVante Smith, you know,
and it's Dallas Goddard. I mean like they have they
don't really have personnel weaknesses. But I do think Hurts
in some ways is being figured out. You know that.
To me, that's one thing that the Steelers do match
up well with him is I think there is good
or better than every defense in the league with their
(06:17):
pass rush plan. I think they're in a boa constrictor
him in the pocket and make him uncomfortable. And he
holds the ball a long time. Yeah, and doesn't for
a lot of those guys that have the real high
time to throws. They're converting explosives. Well he's not. I mean,
they're not converting many twenty plus yard completions. He has
a real bad habit, like Baker Mayfield used to of
(06:39):
when times are tough, he always rolls right right to
the TJ Watt. Everyone on the planet knows that, now
you know. So, Yes, he's a great runner and the
tush push and all that stuff, but he's not a
quick processor Carvey up type of player.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Next ten Stat's had some great numbers on that this week.
Over the last month, twenty two point two percent of
his dropbacks have lasted four plus seconds.
Speaker 4 (07:03):
It's a really which is an eternety.
Speaker 2 (07:04):
It's an eternity, right, yeah, now you think, okay, clearly
by then Brown's getting open or Smith's getting open. Somebody's
getting open.
Speaker 4 (07:11):
Now.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
Forty one point four percent of those plays have resulted
in a throwaway, a sack, or a scramble.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
It's just hold pat and the ball, yeah, yeah, what
do I do? Yeah? Or dropping your eyes you know,
not seeing the open dudes.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Two point two percent of those throws have gone for
twenty or more yards down the field.
Speaker 4 (07:31):
It's remarkably low number. You can see why AJ Brown
is a little fed up even though they keep winning.
You know, I mean he's it's not like he's not
getting open. Oh it's phenomenal, Carolina.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
The second or third play of the game, he was
opened down to see him and Heart's just checked it down,
just checked it down.
Speaker 4 (07:46):
And I wonder how they're coaching them. I mean almost
feels kind of stealer ask of don't turn it over,
don't turn it over.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
You know, it's funny. We've talked about this for two years,
and I always coaching is obviously a factor, but I
always blame the quarterback ultimately, because he's the guy with
the ball in his hand.
Speaker 4 (08:02):
If a guy's open, thrown to him, and yeah, right.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
You know the coach told you to check it down
and you complete a forty five yard ball, he's not gonna.
Speaker 4 (08:09):
Yell at you, right, especially you know what the play's designed.
If you first read is Brown, he's open, throw it
to him, right, you know, you know what's need to
do to win. I always liked Jalen Hurts, but he
seems to be regressing. I love his toughness and everybody
thinks he's an A plus dude. And I'm sure he is,
but he's not a quick processor and he's not playing
at a high level right now. However, we've been on
(08:32):
the air here for almost ten minutes and we're harping
on like the only question mark on the team, like
everything else is really good.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
And maybe you know the tight end situation with Dallas Goddard.
Speaker 4 (08:43):
Out with the knee injury, right, but they don't throw anyway.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
They got a guy, yeah, yeah, but they are they're loaded. Boy,
there's players on this roster and defensively they have a
great ability. I love their linebacker, nic the Kobe Dean
and Zach Bond.
Speaker 4 (09:03):
Zach Bond is like my new fair player.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
There every down players and their sideline the sideline and
they're coverage down the field and pressure of the quarterback
in the pot. There's just really good football players.
Speaker 4 (09:13):
The two corners they drafted are really fun too.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
You know, we've done so much stuff on various forums
about the draft, and I remember when Jordan Davis came out.
Everybody was drooling about Jordan Davis and saying, but wait,
there's a guy coming out next year from Georgia who's
gonna be even better. Jaylen Carter and they have them
both and he's way better.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
I mean, like, I think he's right there with like
Cam Hayward and Chris Jones and Dexter Lawrence is like
he might win Defensive Player of the Year awards going forward.
Like I think he's gonna be one of the best
players in the league and is already knocking on the
door that way.
Speaker 2 (09:46):
Yeah, those corners, those corners you referenced Quinn and Mitchell.
He's the starting right corner. I thought he was the
best corner coming out.
Speaker 5 (09:55):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
Yeah, And Cooper Dejane from I was the nickel nasty.
You would think you would take two rookies in your
secondary you got a problem, But they don't.
Speaker 4 (10:05):
They don't. They don't. They upgraded dramatically. The back seven
they drafted drastically upgraded. It's a really good defense.
Speaker 2 (10:12):
Steel's previous brought to you in part by the Steelers
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Speaker 3 (10:29):
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Speaker 2 (10:29):
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Speaker 4 (10:39):
When we come back, little Birdie told me you like
authentic memorabilia. I love will come to Christmas season, Matt.
The only thing, the only thing I like better than
memorabilia is authentic, authentic. When we come back, our Factor back,
Merril Hodgs. It doesn't come more authentic than Merrill.
Speaker 2 (10:56):
So keep it here with Matt Williamson, Mike Persuda, and
this is Steelers Preview right here on your Steelers Flagship
one or two point five d V and the Steelers
Audio Network.
Speaker 4 (11:07):
Back to the Steelers Preview show on DV.
Speaker 2 (11:11):
Welcome back to the preview. Mike Pursuita and Matt Williamson
with you, getting you ready for the Steelers and the
Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday time. Now to welcome our
factor back in the Star of our show, Meryl Hodge
to the program, Meryl, how are you tonight?
Speaker 5 (11:27):
I'm really good. That's a that's a stretch, though, the Star.
That's a little a little bit of a stretch.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Well, I didn't say we were a good team. I
just said you were the star of our team. So
you know, doesn't mean.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
No, we love You're not too shabby.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
We love you, Meryl. You know, Hey, there's a lot
to unpack with this game, but I wanted to, uh,
to start things off tonight. I want you to take
me into the locker room more than the film room.
And the reason I want you to do that is
I had a conversation with Broderick Joe today along with
a couple other members of our esteemed media here in Pittsburgh,
(12:04):
and he was talking about Russell Wilson with reverence I'm
gonna say, and he mentioned that all he's ever had
here in Pittsburgh are young quarterbacks, unproven quarterbacks, and Russell
has such a been there, done that guy. And he
said when he talks, people listen. And it occurred to
(12:25):
me that, hey, this team's been without that for.
Speaker 5 (12:27):
A long time.
Speaker 2 (12:28):
Sure, And b this is the time of the year
when that stuff really shows up, isn't it. They're getting
ready to go into this awful Butcher Gauntlet's stretch of games.
And you know, Russe is clapping his hands, he's got
a smile on his face, and he's saying follow me, fellas.
I mean, how real is that kind of stuff?
Speaker 5 (12:45):
Meryl? I think it's especial for young players. You're talking
to a second year player, you know. I go, I
just reflect back on my second year when I was
still now, I was much more seasoned. I knew what
to expect, and I was so much better myself year.
And I've always thought every player is better in their
second year, you know, because they've they've got, they've done,
(13:07):
they went through that year of the unknown and new
learning and everything's new and understanding everything, but still young,
you know, and so for him to see the experience,
what is there probably about eight to nine years difference
with those two guys, you know, an playing experience, playing experience,
(13:27):
you know, at least yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, Well I'll
well listen, I lived in my rookie year. I listened
to Mike Webster all the time. I remember we're in Arizona,
where Arizona, we're getting throttled, and they really kind of
took all the starters off the field, and I was
(13:50):
in the huddle and there was one guy who didn't
leave the hull, and it was Mike Webster. He's like,
I ain't leaving the huddle. He goes, I'm finishing. I
start this stuff. I finished this stuff. He's talking about this.
He goes, Guys, I don't know when the game's overs
when I'll leave this field. He goes, here's what we're
gonna do. Because all of us were very young, okay,
very very little experience. Okay, I was in my second here,
(14:12):
and he said, here's what we're gonna do. Okay, and
this is what you have to do in this league.
We're gonna take.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
This ball and we're gonna drive it down the field
and we're going to score.
Speaker 5 (14:19):
Okay, that's our job, and that's what we're supposed to
do until that clock is zero. Do you understand, man,
I'm telling you about that. Ho is like yes, sir,
oh yeah, absolutely. And what do we do? We went
eighty yards and squared a touchdown. It was the best
drive that we had. Actually, I think a week later
I become the starter in the on the team for
the next almost ten years.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
And that lesson that experience right there and.
Speaker 5 (14:43):
What he said, and he was not he was the
only guy that left the field too. He was not
leaving the field. And I've never forgot that lesson. You know,
I don't leave until the game's over. I was like,
of all the guys that could have left the field,
it was Mike Webstern. So yes, there's great value on that.
Speaker 3 (15:01):
There's extraordinary lessons.
Speaker 5 (15:04):
And and I plot brought Jones for being smart enough.
I don't like to applauding myself for being smart enough.
You know, you know that type of wisdom because listen,
everybody who's young and don you.
Speaker 3 (15:14):
Know, twenty one, twenty two years old, you know you
reflect back gang, you know.
Speaker 5 (15:18):
I mean I was glad I was smart enough to
realize the wisdom around you, you know, I mean, you know,
part of the the battle is knowing you know who
to ask for advice, you know, and then the other
part is listening it and applying it and stop blotting
for that. And you know, hopefully now you're gonna you know,
he can take that and you know, become a better
(15:39):
player for it.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
So I can't remember last time or if Saquon Barkley's
ever faced the Steelers, but the three of us have
been doing the show now for quite a few years.
He did with the Giants, didn't dosh okay, But Merril,
you brought him up a few times just off hand,
you know, and I get the feeling that you he's
your favorite one out there at the moment.
Speaker 5 (16:01):
He's the best pure runner. He's just the best pure runner.
And when I say pure runner, he has a pro
style element to him. So let me give you, you know,
for people that are listening, like what I mean by
you see, NFL football is different than college football just
because of the field, you know, and most people go,
what do I mean?
Speaker 3 (16:20):
Field is different?
Speaker 5 (16:20):
Okay? Well, the difference on an NFL field in a
college field are the hash marks.
Speaker 3 (16:25):
Okay, hash marks.
Speaker 5 (16:26):
They're wider, and that's why the college game is played
on the perimeter and about ninety percent of the time,
my guy's bear a near guy And there's not a
lot of scheming that goes along with college football to
the degree that goes on the NFL. Now, when you
get to the NFL, man hash marks move to the
middle and you play in the middle, and that means
you must be a more decisive runner, and your instincts
(16:49):
and your abilities to run the football in the NFL
have to be heightened. In nineteen like if you had
two lines speed line and equipments line, you could only
pick one, and you wanted to pick the best line
to help you play in the National Football League from
a runner's perspective, really all perspectives quite awesome, or all positions.
You would pick a quickness line you because the ability
(17:11):
to start, stop, and redirect is the most important aspect
in being able to.
Speaker 3 (17:16):
Run successfully and consistently in the NFL.
Speaker 5 (17:19):
And now he got in both lines because he's got
speed too, so you know he hits. Yeah. I was
just watching him today actually, and it's just that that
truth about when he goes away, you know he's gonna
come back to you. There's a great chance of coming
back to you. Don't just because he leaves, he doesn't
mean you can vacate your responsibility and not stay on
(17:40):
the back side, because he could come back there, especially
if the point of attack hasn't won. Now keep in mind,
if there's a crack there, he hits it, which is
about what I love about it.
Speaker 3 (17:48):
So he'd get you two in three puff yards.
Speaker 5 (17:51):
He's not just the home run guy. You'm not just
sitting there looking like Barry Sanders in his greatness, I
mean as great as he was man he put in Detroit,
he put to Troy. They were in second cam a
lot because he would dance so much sometimes that you know,
you would lose yard each you know, versus get two
or three yards that were there, you know, and Saeguan
(18:13):
very seldom loses yards for you. Oftentimes he's gaining them.
And if you fall asleep at all, he's going to
hit a home run on you. And that's a fact.
And listen, everybody in those defensive meetings know that you
know it's gone over and this needs to be one
of the most buttoned up gap responsibility games that that
(18:35):
they've had. You know, to this point, you just can't
miss a gap, and you got to be where you
need to be, not where he is, where you need
to because guess what, when he goes away. I keep
saying it, there's a good chance he's coming back to you.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
Don't be ready, Matt.
Speaker 2 (18:49):
To answer your question before you follow up.
Speaker 1 (18:52):
Uh.
Speaker 2 (18:52):
September fourteenth, twenty twenty, Saquon Barkley played against the Steelers
as a member of the New York Football Giants and
carried fifteen.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
New York It was that was a Monday night game,
wasn't it.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
You got me there with Barkley actually know Barkley carried
fifteen times for six yards.
Speaker 4 (19:14):
Okay, I'm gonna I'm gonna go.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Out on a limb and say, if he gets six
yards on.
Speaker 4 (19:17):
Fifteen it, I bet his blockings better than around the game.
But I'm sorry, real quick, merrill. I have the theory
that great, great running backs are like great guitar players,
Like I can hear Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, Eric
Clapton play for thirty seconds and be like, Oh, that's Clapton,
that's Jimmy Hendrix. And I think you could put all
the running backs in those ugly Penn State uniforms and
(19:40):
not have any name or numbers on their back and
be like, that's Peyton, that's Dickerson, that's Barkley.
Speaker 5 (19:47):
Yeah, yeah, he's special. I've told this several times when
he was coming out.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
You know, I get a lot of people who will call.
Speaker 5 (19:54):
Me and go, hey, what do you think about you
know A And people would literally call me about and go,
you know, I just don't see it, and I don't
see what I don't see. I don't see you know,
you know, is he special? I said, you may never
see a guy like you see a guy like this
every ten years and a guy like this, you know, fifteen,
(20:17):
you know, he's he's everything that you would want in
a runner, that you would desire and run. And if
somebody's town like, well he's not powerful, like well, that's
actually they're strong and powerful, okay, you know, Like there,
Henry is powerful.
Speaker 3 (20:33):
You know, he just you know, and he is.
Speaker 5 (20:35):
Going north south and this dude is strong and don't
and he is so dynamic laterally vertically. He doesn't need power.
He just needs strengths because oftentimes you're just not going
to get a good hit on him. You know, you're
not going to get a good angle. That's why it's
probably most important that you tackle in this game. And
(20:56):
I use that word very seldom when I watch tape now.
And when we were players, in our running back meeting,
we would actually look for part of the category we're
looking for a defense. Are they hitters?
Speaker 3 (21:08):
Are they tacklers?
Speaker 5 (21:09):
And I will tell you this, if you're a tackler,
you got a better chance of you know, not allowing
him to.
Speaker 3 (21:15):
Get big plays than if you're a hitter. If you're
a hitter, you can kiss it goodbye.
Speaker 5 (21:19):
And he would bust two or three on you, you know,
and then that's that's why it's so important to be
good at tackling and practice that practice that those techniques,
because if you don't man this guy, he's just he's
a dangerous man.
Speaker 2 (21:35):
So, Maro, here's my concern about Saquon Barkley.
Speaker 5 (21:39):
Sunday.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
The Eagles run a ton of three wide receiver sets,
and they still run Barkley out of three wide receiver sets. Yeah,
I don't think Pittsburgh can play the nickel and stop
Saquon Barkley. But I'm not sure if they play the
bass they can stop A. J. Brown On to Smiths.
So what you're you're the decordinator, you're Tarrell Austin. How
(22:05):
are you deploying the guys uh to try to keep
a lit on the number twenty six?
Speaker 5 (22:11):
Well, you know, before I get to that, you know,
Caroline actually did a really good job, you know, and
I believe most of the time they matched up, you know,
the the base of the nickel in there, but they
were really good on the back end of the passing game,
you know, from his own demand concept. Now, I know
the question is, you know, how do you handle their
(22:32):
running the game? What kind of people do you want
on the field. You know that's gonna It's not just
a J. Brown because Nickel or regular, you can handle
a J. Brown if you want to out of that
those those people. You know, you got other guys that
you're a little bit concerned on. And let's go to
take on Barkley. You know, that's another thing that I
think he's misleading on him as you know, he can
(22:52):
hurt you in the passing game. You know, they'll dump
the ball to him. You know, I think i'd start
out three odd matchup personnel wise, I'd start off like that. Yeah, yeah,
I would. You know, here's what you know, here's what
Philadelphia does it will do is they have a They
(23:15):
run the counter very well. They run inside zone, outside zone,
and pitch. It depends on what they think you're good
at or you're weak at, and that's what they'll catch
your weakness first. So let's just say it's the perimeter. Okay,
so let's all using giants for example. Okay, that's a
divisional role opplling up for them. Can they start perimeter
stuff first? Just because they're so good in the middle,
(23:36):
and they didn't. They actually struggled with that. You know,
they got a few runs, but not very much. But
they stayed at it and they chipped with at them,
and then then they came out at the middle and
attacked them, you know, right at them, and that's when
they got their big runs. You know, that's kind of
the danger with him. They got a bunch of ways.
And their quarterbacks are runner too, Let's not forget that.
See that's another part of this equation that you got
(23:58):
to be thinking about too. Cat can take the ball
and they just actually do design runs for him too,
they just call runs.
Speaker 3 (24:06):
So you know, he's a he's a problem child.
Speaker 5 (24:08):
I mean, the Carolina Panthers made one mistake and they
they they gave him an escape route.
Speaker 3 (24:16):
Vertically.
Speaker 5 (24:17):
I mean, they just gave it to him, and he
had the biggest run the game, The biggest play the
game was with these legs. That was the biggest to me,
that changed. That was the biggest playing the entire game.
And the biggest difference.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
Well that in the one leg it dropped that would
have won the game.
Speaker 5 (24:34):
Yeah, I mean yeah, I mean yeah, that could have
been a difference there too. But that run, you know,
to that point they had, they did a really good
job on their back end where there's manners own their
doubles where they got them. You know, listen, they got
to run the football. The better they run the football,
the better their quarterback is. The worst they run the football,
(24:56):
the worst their quarterback y is.
Speaker 4 (24:58):
They don't put everything on it shoulders as a passer.
Speaker 3 (25:02):
They already learned that lesson.
Speaker 5 (25:03):
Yeah, they thought if they wont Super Bowl, let's do that,
and they got They got exposed for that pretty quick.
That's why the went and got stake on.
Speaker 4 (25:09):
So Meryl, I think they have the best pair of
offensive tackles in the league. And do you do you
think they leave Lane Johnson alone on what.
Speaker 5 (25:19):
Well, let's be times. I think that they'll trust that.
Speaker 4 (25:22):
Mm hmmm.
Speaker 5 (25:23):
I think it could made a mistake. But I mean
that's based on the evidence that you have at this point.
You can see why they would do it. They didn't
play very well against Carolina Pants.
Speaker 4 (25:34):
No they didn't.
Speaker 5 (25:34):
You know, they were they were walking around.
Speaker 3 (25:36):
They weren't like sleepwalking. And their defensive line wasn't very
good either, And I just.
Speaker 5 (25:41):
That bothers me because they have a bad week and
then they turn it on the next week. You know,
that's you know, their defensive line was not the same
defensive line that's actually definitely got some of the big
problem offense. I mean, as a team is that defensive
front that goes a defensive lineman.
Speaker 3 (25:57):
Sometimes they play and sometimes they don't play.
Speaker 4 (26:00):
It's not as good as it has been with the
Fletcher Coxes of the world and Hard Graves and.
Speaker 5 (26:05):
Very true, very true.
Speaker 4 (26:07):
Well, yeah, effort, I mean I love Carton effort.
Speaker 5 (26:10):
Efforts not great, yeah, but just yeah, before the overall
effort that you see, it's so inconsistent. It wasn't very
good last week, and you know, you never know, they won,
so they could be very compleate, still stay very complacent.
You know. It's when they actually have lost that they've
wrapped it up. I can't remember where they lost it.
Speaker 2 (26:26):
They may have lost to last almost Tampa in September.
Speaker 4 (26:30):
Last week seemed kind of plashed down after beating the Ravens.
Speaker 5 (26:34):
Yeah, yeah, I agree, But what was their first thought?
Speaker 3 (26:38):
Didn't didn't losh Eton beat in?
Speaker 2 (26:40):
I think they lost really early on they were two
and two and now they're eleven and two.
Speaker 4 (26:45):
Yeah, the early by they lost.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
To Atlanta twenty two to twenty one in week two
and at Tampa thirty three to sixteen in Week four.
Speaker 3 (26:54):
Okay, well it was one of their losses.
Speaker 5 (26:56):
The next week they went into the Saints and one
even contests like whole week Cow. These were in the
same cats I just saw last week with different dudes.
So that's the only concerned that you have. That being said, yeah,
they won, so I just I think it's a chance
they could kind of play the same way.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
To be honest with you, what do you think Pittsburgh
can do differently without George Pickens that it didn't do
in the Cleveland game. I know, they got twenty seven points,
but three short fields and I didn't see a lot
of fluidity and rhythm and anything out of that offense.
That led me to believe they can do very much
against a good team without Pickings.
Speaker 4 (27:35):
I wasn't super impressed with the rounds either.
Speaker 5 (27:38):
Yeah, well, I mean, and that was actually I like
that they were able to do a bunch of things differently,
and they you know, it almost looked like, you know,
I'm not they didn't do this. They were just they
were picking things. You know, there wasn't a there wasn't
a conceptual building up of they of how they usually
do some things which can vote well to a team
(28:00):
that you can still win like that, you know, you
be an NFL team like that says you got different
ways to win. And I that's how I viewed that. Now,
with the guys that they have here, I still think
there's plenty of ways you're tied in and be a
little that are a little moral focus in this one.
You know, your running game is is training though. That's
(28:20):
that right there is yours your deal. You know.
Speaker 3 (28:23):
Caroline actually ran the ball fairly well.
Speaker 2 (28:25):
On them, and they weren't great, but they kept pounding.
Speaker 5 (28:28):
Yeah, they and they got chunks. You know, they're they're
getting four and seven. Man, those are those are great
runs because you're second and six, your second and five,
and you're third and two and your third and three.
You know that that's where you gotta you gotta manage.
You got to be able to stay keep yourself in
the game, you know so, and I think they have
(28:49):
that that ability. You know, I think I mentioned on
the Morning show they had the biggest run on now
you had was a they it was it was a
man blocking scheme. But you know they kind of tracked
the two tackles and then they released everybody else that
was uncovered to get to the second level and create
all these running lanes, and I was like, oh my gosh,
that's beautiful. Never saw it again, you know now, you know, listen,
(29:14):
that's all. There's a whole reason means for that, you know.
So that's why I'm going back to how they won,
you know, and how they call called the game. You know,
every scenario is different. Where they are in the field
matters and what you're calling. I get all that. I
just I just they just did it so well. You know,
I would think maybe you see a little bit more
of that because they've got to be really good on
(29:34):
the ground, they really do. They have to control the
temple in this one. That's the importance is anything in
this game? They do that when they finished driving and
Russell going back to you know, what he does give
you with all the experience is that you can create
a little different packages and add things to your staples
and feel comfortable that you can execute him because of
his experience.
Speaker 4 (29:55):
So the last thing I got for you is opposing
offensive coordinators are attacking the e defense out of eleven
personnel at the highest rate in the league. That's what
they're choosing to do against the Eagles. I don't understand why,
and I can't imagine the Seelers take anything close to
the same approach. I would think you're gonna be tight
ends all over the place.
Speaker 3 (30:16):
I agree, you know, I listen.
Speaker 5 (30:18):
I think that at this point of the season, you
always take a little bit of the things they've struggled
with and apply to your game plan.
Speaker 3 (30:27):
You're crazy not to.
Speaker 5 (30:29):
But still, at the end of the day, eighty.
Speaker 3 (30:31):
Percent of your game plan is what you've been doing
all year, and that's what you really got to do.
Speaker 5 (30:34):
Well, that's what you gotta trust. I mean, you know
these little wrinkles here and there. I you know those
are awesome and you know how important they are, and
they could be the difference of the game. You know,
a little wrinkle, But you know what you're gonna doing
all year. You're not changing. Centain of what you do
is not changing. You just got to do it really,
(30:55):
really well and do it better and make sure that
that is your foundation of your of your game. That
they can't stop bat you know, or if they are
able to stop some of it, they can't stop at all.
And they have problems with something, So I think they
will take some of that, but that's not That's not
how they're gonna win the game.
Speaker 3 (31:14):
It's going to be eighty percent they've been doing all
year to this point.
Speaker 2 (31:18):
Meryl, lest thing I have for you, we did not
see justin fields in the uh you know, field specialty
stuff in the Cleveland game. I don't think they really
needed it. I think they're gonna need it against Philly.
I think you got to throw these guys at curveball
every once in a while. Uh, do you expect to
see number two at some point or points?
Speaker 5 (31:37):
Yeah, there's there's a you know, there's a there's a
there's a wrinkle that you know, he he can bring
every week, you know, And so yes, I think that
you when you go on the road, I think there's
a better chance for you to you know, be thinking
outside the box a little bit, you know, and maybe
finding some things that they don't handle very well that
(31:59):
he posed. But I wouldn't be surprised of that too.
And I agree with you that that that that's probably
a discussion every week. You know, what kind of package?
Is there a package that they're vulnerable with if we
put him out there? You know, because you know they're
prepared for something. We gotta prepare for him to come
out there, and this is probably what they're preparing for.
(32:19):
So let's try to do this with you. This is
this would be a game to do it that you
know you could you could probably use it with out
of George Pickens. Those are the type of things that
that you that you that you probably need that goff set.
You know what he doesn't does for you on the game.
Speaker 2 (32:34):
In the game, Meryl, great stuff. You never go wrong
with a Mike Webster story or a Chuck Moles story.
Speaker 5 (32:40):
I just want to know I could live with that, brother.
Speaker 4 (32:44):
Thanks all.
Speaker 2 (32:45):
We'll talk to you next week before the Ravens game.
Speaker 3 (32:47):
Right you get you guys.
Speaker 2 (32:49):
That was Meryl Hodge our factor back as we continue
get you ready for the Steelers and the Eagles on
Sunday in South Philadelphia. One more segment to go, so
keep it here with Williamson on Mike Persuda. You're listening
to Steelers Preview right here on your Steelers flagship one
of two point five DVE and the Steelers Audio Network.
Speaker 4 (33:09):
Back to the Steelers Preview show on DVE.
Speaker 2 (33:15):
Welcome back Mike Pursuda and Matt Williamson. With you here
for our third and final segment. I love when Merrill
tells those old stories.
Speaker 4 (33:24):
The Webby stuff's great, Yeah.
Speaker 2 (33:26):
Chuck Noll or something from that era, because you know,
it's funny.
Speaker 4 (33:31):
Pittsburgh.
Speaker 2 (33:32):
The seventies were revered for so long and then they've
had a second Super Bowl era not as successful.
Speaker 4 (33:39):
But you know, sure they went four and six years,
but right.
Speaker 2 (33:41):
Got to two and got one two and got to
another one in a relatively short period of time. But
that seventies era is still mystical to me. It's just
me too, there's something about it.
Speaker 4 (33:51):
Part of it's because I was born in seventy three,
so like since I could crawl, they were everything.
Speaker 2 (33:57):
You know, what took is brought to you by Brian
Patton and associates. It's all about the benefits and Matt
we talked extensive with Merrill about the Eagles running out
of three wide receivers and the you know, the challenges
that's going to present. What do you play the bass
and not worry about the past. Do you played the
nickel and try to cover them both and maybe get
(34:17):
run on like their nickel does sometimes. Yeah, But what
I expect is they're going to have another problem, and
that's when Pittsburgh has the ball.
Speaker 4 (34:26):
This Philadelphia defensive.
Speaker 2 (34:28):
Front, to me, that's not the ball worries me more.
I really like Zach Frasier's trajectory. I really like Mason
McCormick's trajectory. I really like Broderick Jones trajectory. Okay, I'm
big on all three of those guys. Sure, I think
they're all going to be fixtures on this offensive line,
but I don't think they're ready for a front that's
going to show you four man fronts, five man fronts,
(34:49):
and six man fronts, and it's populated with the quality
of players that the Eagles are going to run out
there on Sunday. I think the steel has got a
problem when they have the ball.
Speaker 4 (34:57):
I do too, and I just think I don't have
the firepower either. Like Friarmuth has gotten a little more
involved each to the last couple of weeks. I'm a
big Warren fan. I'm sure they're going to try to
run the ball like crazy and bludging this team and
win the time possession battle. I just don't know where
the explosive playmakers are, and I do think they're big
(35:17):
people are at a disadvantage. I mean, Carter to me
is a special player.
Speaker 2 (35:22):
I really like Josh Sweat one of the edges. Yeah yeah,
I really like Nolan Smith, the other edge guys. Sweats
number nineteen, Smith is number three. We've talked about the linebackers,
what they can do and not as deep up front,
but still pretty pretty good.
Speaker 4 (35:35):
Absolutely, And the Steelers hired Andy Whitel for a reason
because he comes from this organization and it's all about
big people in Philadelphia. And then they've sprinkled the cherries
on top this year with the Corners, and you know,
they go and get fixing the linebacker position. So I
love how they're constructed. So that's what to expect. The
(35:56):
Steel's going to have a hard time blocking these guys.
They are no no doubt about that.
Speaker 2 (36:01):
What to expect is brought to you by Brian Patton
and associates. It's all about the benefits. So what do
you do? Carolina Meryl talked about this a little bit,
slowing the game down. You know, the Eagles only had
nine possessions and one of them was a one play
kneel down after Carolina's last drive came up short. And
by the way, Bryce Young threw a pill to Xavier's
(36:24):
legat and it should have been the touchdown to put
Carolina ahead with forty six seconds left, and he dropped it.
Speaker 4 (36:30):
I think Young was a better quarterback that game.
Speaker 2 (36:32):
He was really good.
Speaker 4 (36:33):
He was really good, and Edie Urch wasn't.
Speaker 2 (36:35):
He was really good getting away from pressure.
Speaker 4 (36:38):
Yes, that's gonna be huge.
Speaker 2 (36:39):
So you know we've seen enough of Russell Wilson by now.
Are you comfortable he's not going to break contain and
run thirty five yards the way Jalen Hurts does. But
can he buy himself enough time because as we just
talked about it and what we expect, they're gonna have a hard
time blocking these guys.
Speaker 4 (36:57):
Yeah, no question, it's going to be difficult. I do
think Wilson's knowledge and experience and where the rush is
coming from, where the danger is is really important. And
you might know this better than me. If not, don't
worry about it. But I guess he was talking this
week about he has gone against Vic Fangio quite a bit.
(37:17):
I mean, I think when they were with the Niners,
and he has a familiarity with this defensive coordinator and
should sprinkle in some good news everyone knows they're losing
streak in Philadelphia, but Wilson beats these guys for whatever reason.
I mean he's six and oh. At least that's something six.
Speaker 2 (37:33):
And oh with Seattle four and oh in Philadelphia. He
was talking today. You know, little of this was pandering.
Oh the Eagles are great, they do this, they do that. Sure,
it's gonna be a tough environment. Fans are gonna be
into it. Blah blah blah. And I said, are you
aware that you're six and oh against them and four
o there? And he looked at me and said, I'm.
Speaker 4 (37:52):
Aware, I'm aware. Okay to where it answers.
Speaker 2 (37:55):
But again, this is becoming this season of Russell Wilson
is yeah, yeah, well we're you know, it was all
theory in the spring, right, was he done dirty in
Denver or was he washed?
Speaker 4 (38:05):
This is the web becover.
Speaker 2 (38:06):
Then then he comes here and he looks good in
No Tas and it's all new enthusiasm and veteran leaders
been there, done that guy that you know, they're out
of the swamp of maybe and they got they got
an established quarterback. Then camp he's hurt and he doesn't
play at the start of the season, uh, and so
the questions arise again it's just really the guy. I
think by now this is really the guy. Oh yeah,
(38:28):
And I think starting Sunday until as long as they're playing,
they're gonna lean on this guy.
Speaker 4 (38:35):
And they're gonna have to. I mean, it's gonna be
a stressful eleven days here. This is gonna be a
stressful road trip in itself. They have a normal prep
week for it. And along those lines, like even us
at camp and being closed to the team, it's like, oh,
he's really impressive. They're responding to him. But is he
still good? You know, we didn't. We didn't get a
chance to really even see him for a while. I mean,
(38:56):
he looked good, you know. But now he's playing the
game at a high level, I mean, geting ahead of ourselves.
But I think he'll be the quarterback next year. I
mean I think that's makes all the sense in the world.
But man, I wish they George Pickens.
Speaker 2 (39:10):
Yeah, it's a tough one. What would you do there?
Because one thing that bothered me, but the way I get,
you know, next man up and don't overreact and trust
the backups and all that. But what's starting to drive
me a little crazy is the way Arthur Smith keeps
deploying his receivers as if they're interchangeable. You know, you
(39:31):
see a bunch of different combinations of three, You see
a bunch of different combinations of two. What I would
do without Pickens? And nobody's asking me, But I got
I gotta show. Yeah, I can say it. I'm playing
Mike Williams and Calvin Austin almost every snap, just the
way the Eagles play AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith almost
(39:54):
every snap. If that costs me a little bit in
wide receiver blocking Becausecronic's not out there, Okay.
Speaker 4 (40:01):
So be it.
Speaker 2 (40:02):
I'm going to live with that. Yeah, I think you
have to have the threat of the past at least
out there to have any chance to get anything done.
Speaker 4 (40:09):
Yeah, the other guys are fine, but I don't think
anybody's worried about them when they're out. I mean, right,
I applaud like Alan Robinson all over again, you know.
Speaker 2 (40:17):
Like Mike Tom and I plugged their professionalism and the
work ethic, and their willingness to stick their hand in
the pile, and their their preparedness and all that. Man,
when you got Scronic and Van Jefferson and Scotty Miller
on the field. Is your three wide receivers, who's going
to make a play?
Speaker 4 (40:35):
I always say this, and I said it a bunch
about Alan Robinson. I said it all the time about
Gunner Olszewsky, like the opponent says, thanks, yeah, I appreciate
you putting them on the field. I know they're scrappy
and they may block me more than the other dude,
but thanks yeah.
Speaker 2 (40:48):
And I'm trying to lift those guys are who they are.
You can't.
Speaker 4 (40:53):
Be something they're not right.
Speaker 2 (40:55):
If you're you know, you got Mike Williams for reason
if you're ever going.
Speaker 4 (40:58):
To get anything out of them.
Speaker 2 (41:01):
And Calvin Austin has proven to be a playmaker with
Russell Wilson. Now, they were not on the same page
in that Cleveland game. I don't know if Foston still
had some lingering had a good year though he was
coming off a concussion. But you know, send Williams down
the sideline and send Austin on a shallow cross and
keep warning in the block and see if you can
hit one of those two guys when you need a play.
Speaker 4 (41:23):
But I'm not putting a third receiver out very often.
And I don't think they will, you know. I mean,
there's they're just really light at that position right now.
But I like your suggestion just stick with these two,
you know, the start of that conversation, as you mentioned,
it's like when you have two quarterbacks you have none. Well,
when you have five receivers for three spots or two spots,
you might have none.
Speaker 2 (41:41):
You know, one other thing we should mention before we
get out of here and met they're facing another broken kicker.
Speaker 4 (41:47):
Jake Ellens. Yeah, it's one advantage who used to be one.
Speaker 2 (41:49):
Of the best in the business has not made a
fifty yard field goal this season.
Speaker 4 (41:54):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (41:54):
This is the year from Way Downtown Bank and he
has not hit from fifty. He missed from fifty two
against Carolina. He's eighteen of twenty four on the year,
which in this day and age is a poor vent
zero for five from fifty or more. Last year seven
of eight.
Speaker 4 (42:11):
I don't see a lot of pass the victory. But
the obvious one is win a turnover battle they miss
a kick or two. Boz is perfect. Winning the margins, yes, absolutely,
and fun. I don't think you're just gonna out execute them.
Snap after snap will figure it out. In the fourth quarter. Yeah,
you get a bounce, you know, I mean, that's muddy
(42:31):
it up. First one to seventeen wins, then you're in it.
But if it's the if it's the Bengals, the old days,
the old days, Yeah, and this team's good at that.
Speaker 2 (42:40):
The stuff we thought they had risen above.
Speaker 4 (42:42):
But yeah, but if it's the Bengals, first one to
thirty five, you're not gonna be the first one to
thirty five.
Speaker 2 (42:46):
No, No, that's uh, that's gonna do it for us.
Thanks to Merril Hodge for joining us as he always does.
Thanks to Justin Miller, who was back on the job
keeping things running smoothly here in the studio. Matt will
do this again next Thursday, a week for Thursday because
the Ravens games on Saturday. Then it's gonna get a
little funky, a little goofy for Christmas week. As soon
(43:09):
as we figure out what we're doing and when, I'll
let everybody know. Until then, thanks for finding us, however,
and wherever you found us on Mike. Pursuit of this
has been Steelers Preview right here on your Steelers flagship
one of two point five DVE and the Steelers Audio Network,
good night everybody,
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