Yeah.

Um, I, I think Dowdle can at least give him those breathers and can be a good running back while doing it.

I mean, people can forget about how Rico Dowdle's a tough in-between-the-tackles runner, and what he did in Carolina last year, really when he went on that hot streak, um, where I think he amassed over 500 rushing yards over three weeks, which is just the type of player he can be.

He's a bell cow type of back that gets better as you go along.

Now, listen, I think, you know, there should be, like, a 70/30 split probably.

That's most what-- That's of what most featured backs do nowadays.

You think about, like, the Jahmyr Gibbs', the Bijan Robinsons.

Uh, do, do you feel more confident in Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Brock Hoffman being up for that task than you did, uh, before the Cincinnati game? And will McCormick be up to his old tricks again on the interior dealing with a, a big fella in there?

Mm-hmm

... sack production.

Um, but without Derek Harmon, you know, they are thinner on the interior defensive line, so they don't have as much pass rush depth.

They have more run defense depth this year because Gabriel Rubio came in.

But I do think that they need to figure out how to marry the pass rush and the secondary together.

But right now, uh, it's hard to not play anything other than zone coverage with how injured your secondary is.

You know, with Jamel Dean hurt, J- Desha- Deshaun Elliott still working his way back.

I agree

What do you think about the state of the Pittsburgh offense now one quarter of the way through the NFL season?

Yeah, I think you kinda mentioned it.

I, I feel like they're kinda still in denial about what they do best.

Uh, go under center, playing heavier personnels I think would be a big thing for them.

They've been really good under center.

Their passing game, Alan, under center has been insanely explosive.

I mean, they have been averaging over nine yards per play, uh, on passes under center.

What is the, the key for them to being able to do that?

What do you think about the state of the Pittsburgh offense now one quarter of the way through the NFL season?

Yeah, I think you kind of mentioned it.

I, I feel like they're kind of still in denial about what they do best.

Uh, go under center, playing heavier personnels I think would be a big thing for them.

They've been really good under center.

Their passing game, Alan, under center has been insanely explosive.

I mean, they have been averaging over nine yards per play, uh, on passes under center.

Is that basically the way this game goes, where if the Steelers can stop Jonathan Taylor without Harmon, they ought to find a way to win this game, and if they can't, how-- what is the, the key for them to being able to do that?

What is the big disconnect here between the Steelers from using things that they're good at more often and going away from things they're bad at more often?

Yeah, it's crazy.

I mean, 6.8 yards per play from under center.

It's second best in the league, only behind the Kansas City Chiefs.

And as you said, on first down, only 47.7% of the time they're under center.

That's 30th in the league.

And it's just not good enough.

It's going to make their job so much easier because defenses can't focus on them as much.

But, you know, I think to go back to like, it's not just about how they look, right? Like, do the Steelers need to re-examine the way they do business in the wake of this? Is there a lesson to be learned from the Steelers to say, how do we not let this happen again?

Well, I think there's a few things.

One, I don't really understand what the not negotiating and season rule does anymore for them.

It painted them into a corner here.

It kind of took away their leverage.

If they were still negotiating with Joey, I feel like they'd have a point of leverage to still kind of work with, right? They're like, oh, we could get this done.

And I'm not sure that relationship would have totally gone off the deep end right when it didn't get done because of that.

This feels like a game the Steelers kind of need to win now.

i don't think anybody at this point should be particularly surprised that this was the ending for the steelers and joey porter jr uh but it still uh feels like the big news of the day and obviously uh people want to know about the return nick what was your initial reaction when you saw this trade late last night

not surprised that it happened i was a little surprised that the destination was Dallas just because I think maybe of my preconceived notions about Christian Parker's defense.

I think it's actually a better fit now that I've studied it a little more, but I do think the Steelers and this was just, it was leading to this.

Like this was going to happen.

I didn't know if it was going to happen before the game or during the week after I felt like it was happening soon though.

And this had reached a breaking point.

I think the moment, uh, that he just sat out in week one.

But, you know, I think to go back to like, it's not just about how they look, right? Like, do the Steelers need to re-examine the way they do business in the wake of this? Is there a lesson to be learned from the Steelers to say, how do we not let this happen again?

Um, it- has that been confirmed? Where are we at with this, and how nice will it be to be able to move on from this saga?

Yeah, that is happening.

And I mean, what a long, winding saga that I'm glad is over now.

This back injury that seemingly is not actually a back injury has been winding since July when he was placed on the physically unable to perform list.

Uh, this is a wild situation, Tom, because I just can't believe a kid that grew up around the Steelers, his dad played there, he literally was a ball boy for them when he was, you know, in elementary school, um, and basically had a, a f- almost a fairytale dream kind of come true.

This came, happened, and, and this came all around, and all of a sudden now he's traded.

Basically didn't want to be with the Steelers anymore.

But, uh, yeah, how do you, how do you look at the Browns?

Um, e- has that been confirmed? Where are we at with this, and how nice will it be to be able to move on from this saga?

Yeah, that is happening.

And I mean, what a long, winding saga that I'm glad is over now.

This back injury that seemingly is not actually a back injury has been winding since July when he was placed on the physically unable to perform list.

Uh, this is a wild situation, Tom, because I just can't believe a kid that grew up around the Steelers, his dad played there.

He literally was a ball boy for them when he was, you know, in elementary school.

Um, and basically had a, a f- almost a fairytale dream kind of come true.

But, uh, yeah, how do you, how do you look at the Browns?

But yeah, I'm curious how that side looks and how Graham's doing with that.

Yeah, it's actually been different.

I mean, they run a lot of the same stuff, but it's styled up.

So their country cover three spot drop zones now cover three match zones.

So they're actually matching it and doing stuff like that.

They're running a lot more two high shells now.

They're kind of playing their base out of too high and then rotating down to cover three or wherever they will play quarters.

But these tight ends are playing such a role that it's hard to keep them off the field, right?

Do you foresee them missing most of these guys Thursday? And if they are, what do you do as far as a lineup?

Well, I mean, playing through a broken wrist is certainly something Jalen Ramsey will do.

I kind of believe he's going to play.

He is wired that way.

And I think, you know, if you can function with it, he made eight tackles and a broken wrist on Sunday.

If he does it again, great for him.

He's tough as nails.

Do you buy into these rumors? And if you do, what's the actual price you think that they'll get? Not the price they should get, but the price you think they would get.

Now, going into this game, I guess, like, your high-level overview, like, what do you kind of expect that the Steelers are going to try to do on both sides of the ball? And just, you know, maybe your own keys to the game when you look at this matchup.

Well, defensively, I mean, T.J. Watt straight up said it today.

They want to make the Bengals one-dimensional.

Whatever that is, it's probably because last year when they really got got by the Bengals in that Thursday night game, it started because Chase Brown hit them early and then they had to worry about him and then also worry about Chase and Higgins.

And that really hurt them in that game.

And so I think at the very least, they want to make sure that they know their pass rushing Joe Burrow.

They don't want Chase Brown to be able to run the football.

It's just what's going to happen over the years with the offense line just not being the typical Steelers line.

Why has their running game fallen off a cliff from where it was last year?

It's interesting.

For one, I mean, they have switched the pieces around, so that is different, right? Anderson's now actually a guard, and Cook's on the other side, and they switched out Tanu McCormick, so it's a little just different there.

They look like they're playing as five individuals rather than one unit.

That, to me, is the biggest takeaway.

Every time I see them try to do a zone run, which is all timing-based, the combo block and footwork are not in sync with one another.

They're not hip-to-hip trying to climb to the second level.

I can promise you, Nick, is cohesiveness a real issue? And is this fix going to solve what the problem is for the Steelers offensive line?

Why has their running game fallen off a cliff from where it was last year?

It's interesting.

For one, I mean, they have switched the pieces around, so that is different, right? Anderson's now actually a guard, and Cook's on the other side, and they switched out Tano McCormick, so it's a little just different there.

They look like they're playing as five individuals rather than one unit.

That, to me, is the biggest takeaway.

Every time I see them try to do a zone run, which is all timing-based, the combo block and footwork are not in sync with one another.

They're not hip-to-hip trying to climb to the second level.

I can promise you, Nick, is cohesiveness a real issue? And is this fix going to solve what the problem is for the Steelers offensive line?

And Robert Tanyan ain't a really bad third one either.

No, he's not.

And you have a fullback who I think is a useful player.

I like Riley Nowakowski.

So you can run 22 personnel if you want to.

I don't care.

But this team needs to be under center.

I thought this week that didn't happen, and that came back to bite them.

Considering how week one went, I'm not so sure.

Yeah, I mean, I think this game has slop fest written all over it.

That's what I think.

I mean, just think about it, man.

I mean, this is a defensive-oriented football team that the Steelers are going to face in the New England Patriots.

They just lost A.J. Brown.

I don't really think that there's a big-time formula that I see that the Patriots are going to shred the Steelers' defense and this is going to be some blowout.

And obviously, you know, one of the best corners in the league on the other side in Christian Gonzalez, the ability to take away whoever they want, whenever they want, basically really makes living and dying on the pass a difficult proposition, I think.

Considering how week one went, I'm not so sure.

Yeah, I mean, I think this game has slop fest written all over it.

That's what I think.

I mean, just think about it, man.

I mean, this is a defensive-oriented football team that the Steelers are going to face in the New England Patriots.

They just lost A.J. Brown.

I don't really think that there's a big-time formula that I see that the Patriots are going to shred the Steelers' defense and this is going to be some blowout.

And obviously, you know, one of the best corners in the league on the other side in Christian Gonzalez, the ability to take away whoever they want, whenever they want, basically really makes living and dying on the pass a difficult proposition, I think.

So how have you kind of seen that relationship mature as well?

Yeah, it's definitely changed.

I mean, obviously, they came into that game wanting to push the football down the field.

And they have done that all offseason.

They have said, you know what, we get the offensive line might have some questions, but we believe in the speed of these receivers.

And then they have a really good guy underneath that can win a lot in Michael Pittman.

And so I think that's kind of what they look at.

How do you think the plan is going to look this time around? Sorry for all the

So how have you kind of seen that relationship mature as well?

Yeah, it's definitely changed.

I mean, obviously, they came into that game wanting to push the football down the field.

And they have done that all offseason.

They have said, you know what, we get the offensive line might have some questions, but we believe in the speed of these receivers.

And then they have a really good guy underneath that can win a lot in Michael Pittman.

And so I think that's kind of what they look at.

How do you think the plan is going to look this time around? Sorry for all the

But if they were to get rid of him, what is the return that you think they should be aiming for here that would be realistic?

I mean, there's two ways you can look at this.

They absolutely should get a first-round pick if draft compensation is what they want.

They, that's what they should want.

He's of the caliber of cornerback that has gone for a first-round pick.

Um, if Sauce Gardner goes for two, Joey should fetch at least one.

I don't think he'll fetch two, but one would be a reasonable ask.

What did you see was the biggest problem with that? Was it the volume that they never got to get going? Was it too much switching of the running backs, they didn't get a r- rhythm? Or is it just they didn't try this that much in the off-season, they didn't have a lot of physical practices in training camp, and they really didn't run that much in the pre-season? Is this just what happens when that d- when that's what you do in the off-season?

How do you expect the Steelers to match up, especially in terms of coverage against those three really dynamic pass-catching weapons? I think

that they have to really focus on Pitts.

I do.

And that's kind of interesting to say that because I think obviously you can't let Bijon take over the game.

But I think they're going to really rely on Kyle Pitts.

If you know Kevin Stefanski's offenses and really watched him in Cleveland, you know, you would see guys like David Njoku and others like Harold Fannin last year became real featured pieces in their quick game to try and allow these quarterbacks to stave off pass rushes and really just kind of utilize their mind.

And so Pitts is going to be a big part of that.

Can they do what they want to do and use the middle of the field, even though that's where the best part of this Atlanta pass defense lies?

Do you find that that's that puzzling, Nick, or do you think there's a method to some madness there?

Well, I think there's a few things.

I think very clearly the Steelers have wanted him to be on the practice field.

I mean, that's clear as day to me at this point.

They wanted him to practice.

So he's back.

Fowler reported that, what, last week, right? That was late last week, I believe he said that.

But even as a sense of the Steelers, like we need to protect ourselves at all times for if Joey Porter Jr. isn't available, Asante Samuel knows he can get the start and go out there.

who's always wanted to be a Steeler and has been a pretty good Steeler, I feel like there needs to be a common sense resolution that comes to fruition here.

Yeah, I mean, listen, there's clearly some difference between how Joey values himself and how the Steelers value him right now.

It's very clear.

Something is awry in the evaluation from one side or the other to where it's not meeting.

The Steelers really, we haven't seen them get into a thing like this very often under Omar Khan.

Cam last year, but that was a completely different circumstance where he wanted a raise, and it was a little bit different.

The TJ one got a little bit testy, but got done in July.

So what's your thoughts on how they've kept these guys together and what can be expected out of these young defensive linemen?

Good point

... there's still three weeks of time for Aaron Rodgers and Michael Pittman to get going, and Pitt does not seem to be very far away.

I think next week when they start to practice a little bit, uh, I think they'll practice Monday through Thursday, um, he'll be ready to go and will be in some of those team drills, and I think that will help.

I'm not super concerned about the chemistry specifically.

I think it will.

Ha- takes a little bit of time.

I think anytime you're kind of breaking in a new scheme with a bunch of new players, that sometimes does take a little bit of time.

But what did Broderick Jones say that perked up your ears when he was talking about, uh, what his, what his journey's been like?

But, uh, like, how much of an impact do you think Myles Garrett setting the NFL sacks record will help motivate T.J. Watt to an even further degree?

Well, I think that, you know, T.J. Watt is getting pushed into those uncomfortable positions.

They're moving him around the formation.

He is someone that as he ages has to change his game.

Uh, he's a lot of, he had a lot of speed when he was younger.

He's losing some explosiveness, and so naturally he's now gonna work more power, and this is what happened with J.J. too, his brother, as he got older.

I know T.J.'s been working with J.J. most of the off-season to try and kinda get more into that.

Yeah.