How demoralizing is it on defense when you have an offense that's been turning the ball over as much as it's been through these first three games?

Our job as a defense is to go on the field whenever our job is aligned to go on the field, whether it be after a touchdown, a turnover, A punt, wherever they put the ball down, that's our job to go on the field and get the drive stopped and to get off the field without allowing points.

So we don't point fingers.

We know as a team, we all have to be better, all 53 of us collectively and individually for that matter.

So we got a big challenge for us this weekend, a team that we're very familiar with, but they're also familiar with us.

So it's going to be a great challenge.

It's something you got that you feel like you guys need to do more of.

No, absolutely not.

How demoralizing is it on defense when you have an offense that's been turning the ball over as much as it's been through these first three games?

Our job as a defense is to go on the field whenever our job is aligned to go on the field, whether it be after a touchdown, a turnover, A punt, wherever they put the ball down, that's our job to go on the field and get the drive stopped and to get off the field without allowing points.

So we don't point fingers.

We know as a team, we all have to be better, all 53 of us collectively and individually for that matter.

So we got a big challenge for us this weekend, a team that we're very familiar with, but they're also familiar with us.

So it's going to be a great challenge.

It's something you got that you feel like you guys need to do more of.

No, absolutely not.

SundayHow demoralizing is it on defense when you have an offense that's been turning the ball over as much as it's been these, through these first three games?

Our job as a, a defense is to go on the field whenever we're...

Our job is a line to go on the field, um, whether it be after a touchdown, a turnover, a punt, wherever they put the ball down, that's our job to go on the field and get the dri- drive stopped, and to get off the field without allowing points.

So we don't point fingers.

We, we know as a team we all have to do better, all 53 of us collectively, uh, and individually for that matter.

So, um, we got a big challenge for us this weekend, a team that we're very familiar with, but they're also fam- familiar with us, so it's gonna be a great challenge.

Uh, w- what was your reaction to Drake's comments, and how does his shoulder look to you in practice?

Yeah, I, I love Drake.

How demoralizing is it on defense when you have an offense that's been turning the ball over as much as it's been these, through these first three games?

Our job as a defense is to go on the field whenever we're... our job is aligned to go on the field, um, whether it be after a touchdown, a turnover, a punt.

Wherever they put the ball down, that's our job to go on the field and get the dri- drive stopped and to get off the field without allowing points.

So we don't point fingers.

We, we know as a team, we all have to do better, all 53 of us collectively, uh, and individually for that matter.

So, um, we got a big challenge for us this weekend, a team that we're very familiar with, but they're also fam- familiar with us, so it's gonna be a great challenge.

Uh, w- what was your reaction to Drake's comments, and how does his shoulder look to you in practice?

Yeah, I, I love Drake.

How demoralizing is it on defense when you have an offense that's been turning the ball over as much as it's been these, through these first three games?

Our job as a, a defense is to go on the field whenever we're... our job is aligned to go on the field, um, whether it be after a touchdown, a turnover, a punt, wherever they put the ball down, that's our job to go on the field and get the dri- drive stopped and to get off the field without allowing points.

So we don't point fingers.

We, we know as a team, we all have to do better, all 53 of us collectively, uh, and individually for that matter.

So, um, we got a big challenge for us this weekend.

A team that we're very familiar with, but they're also fam- familiar with us, so it's gonna be a great challenge.

Uh, w- what was your reaction to Drake's comments, and how does his shoulder look to you in practice?

Yeah.

How demoralizing is it on defense when you have an offense that's been turning the ball over as much as it's been these, through these first three games?

Our job as a, a defense is to go on the field whenever we're-- our job is aligned to go on the field, um, whether it be after a touchdown, a turnover, a punt, wherever they put the ball down, that's our job to go on the field and get the dri- drive stopped and to get off the field without allowing points.

So we don't point fingers.

We, we know as a team, we all have to do better, all 53 of us collectively, uh, and individually for that matter.

So, um, we got a big challenge for us this weekend.

A team that we're very familiar with, but they're also fam- familiar with us, so it's gonna be a great challenge.

Uh, w- what was your reaction to Drake's comments, and how does his shoulder look to you in practice?

Yeah, I, I love Drake.

As somebody who's out there tackling on a consistent basis, how do you feel like, What can help you out when it comes to tackling, or just players in general, when you're not able to hit as much or tackle as much or you don't play in preseason games? What are some of the things that you can really work on so there won't be so many missed tackles early in the season?

Yeah, it really all comes down to footwork, being great with your feet, winning to the spot in a great football position.

when you, when you're in a great football position, you're going to give yourself every opportunity to make a play on the ball carrier.

Um, and that's, that's really at the end of the day, what's most important when it comes to tackling being in great position on the ball carrier and, uh, getting off blocks and playing great team defense.

And I think we did a great job this off season, working all the drills necessary to prepare you for games.

And, uh, We just got to continue throughout every season, get better every week tackling.

We want our missed tackles to go down every week throughout the season.

How difficult is that to do and to be able to make sure that you're not doing that as a player?

As somebody who's out there tackling on a consistent basis, how do you feel like What can help you out when it comes to tackling, or just players in general, when you're not able to hit as much or tackle as much or you don't play in preseason games? What are some of the things that you can really work on so there won't be so many missed tackles early in the season?

Yeah, it really all comes down to footwork, being great with your feet, winning to the spot in a great football position.

when you, when you're in a great football position, you're going to give yourself every opportunity to make a play on the ball carrier.

Um, and that's, that's really at the end of the day, what's most important when it comes to tackling being in great position on the ball carrier and, uh, getting off blocks and playing great team defense.

And I think we did a great job this off season, working all the drills necessary to prepare you for games.

And, uh, We just got to continue throughout every season, get better every week tackling.

We want our missed tackles to go down every week throughout the season.

How difficult is that to do and to be able to make sure that you're not doing that as a player?

And so how important is that you as a defense, especially the linebackers and secondary, when you get those chances to be able to take advantage and create those turnovers? Oh,

it's vital.

It's huge.

You know, we want to score on defense.

And when the ball comes out quick, we've got to identify early in the down.

Is this a quick game? Is the ball coming out now? Can our D-line get their hands up, maybe bat one in the air for us? um is it drop back pass we got to get a great rush into the middle of the pocket and get some more depth as a linebacker um is this a play action shot so i think identifying what they're doing early in the down really understand what formations are giving us will give us the best keys to help us go play fast

How difficult is that to do and to be able to make sure that you're not doing that as a player?

um yeah i mean that's our job we we get knocked down we we throw interceptions we miss tackles our job is the next play to get out there and to make it right and respond and no matter how long we play in this league we're going to continue to fail but at the end of the day we just got to keep getting back up and making the next play make the next play we know these games can be anywhere from 50 to 75 to 80 snaps long so just Keep playing and realize that when you're on the field, you're giving yourself an opportunity to make that next play.

And so how important is that you as a defense, especially the linebackers and secondary, when you get those chances to be able to take advantage and create those turnovers? Oh,

it's vital.

It's huge.

You know, we want to score on defense.

And when the ball comes out quick, we've got to identify early in the down.

Is this a quick game? Is the ball coming out now? Can our D-line get their hands up, maybe bat one in the air for us? Is it drop back pass? We got to get a great rush into the middle of the pocket and get some more depth as a linebacker.

Is this a play action shot? So I think identifying what they're doing early in the down, really understand what formations they're giving us will give us the best keys to help us go play fast.

How difficult is that to do and to be able to make sure that you're not doing that as a player?

so there won't be so many missed tackles early in the season?

Yeah, it really all comes down to footwork, being great with your feet, uh, winning to the spot and a great football position.

When you, when you're in a great football position, you're gonna give yourself every opportunity to make a play on the ball carrier.

Um, and that's, that's really, at the end of the day, what's most important when it comes to tackling, being in great position on the ball carrier and, uh, getting off blocks and playing great team defense.

And I think we did a great job this off-season working all the drills necessary to prepare you for games, and, uh, we just got to continue throughout every season, get better every week tackling.

We want our missed tackles to go down every week throughout the season.

Randy Westbrook, managing attorney.

Um, yeah, I mean, that's our job.

How much of the Steelers were you able to watch yesterday, and just what'd you take away from that game?

Uh, well, we've watched the film since the game came out, and, uh, it's gonna be an exciting match up.

Yeah, Aaron Rodgers obviously, what is he in his 23rd year, 22nd year? Uh, still got it.

Still can sling the ball from sideline to sideline, 50 yards down the field.

Quick trigger.

Uh, his mobeli- mobility seem to be better than it was last year.

Um, so he's gonna be a fun challenge for us this weekend.

Coming into the season, do you guys feel like you picked up right where you're at the defense from the Super Bowl, or do you feel like you're kind of rebuilding where you were?

Does it give you a little bit of – of like does it make you feel good when you look at hey we even though we lost we're still a good football team and we could if we take care of business we could possibly get back there knowing that that possibility is still on the table because of the team that you have does that cushion the blow a little bit

that's a good question and i and i feel like No, that is what it was.

And we will never be able to get that day back.

We'll never be able to change the outcome of 2026 Super Bowl.

But at the end of the day, that does infuse life knowing that you have Drake May, an elite quarterback.

To win in this league, you're going to need a quarterback.

And to play with him on a team is very exciting to me.

Where are you on NFL guys returning to play in college another year?

Does it give you a little bit of – of like does it make you feel good when you look at hey we even though we lost we're still a good football team and we could if we take care of business we could possibly get back there knowing that that possibility is still on the table because of the team that you have does that cushion the blow a little bit

that's a good question and i and i feel like No, that is what it was.

And we will never be able to get that day back.

We'll never be able to change the outcome of 2026 Super Bowl.

But at the end of the day, that does infuse life, knowing that you have Drake May, an elite quarterback.

To win in this league, you're going to need a quarterback.

And to play with him on a team is very exciting to me.

Where are you on NFL guys returning to play in college another year?

Does it give you a little bit of – of like does it make you feel good when you look at hey we even though we lost we're still a good football team and we could if we take care of business we could possibly get back there knowing that that possibility is still on the table because of the team that you have does that cushion the blow a little bit

that's a good question and i and i feel like No, that is what it was.

And we will never be able to get that day back.

We'll never be able to change the outcome of 2026 Super Bowl.

But at the end of the day, that does infuse life, knowing that you have Drake May, an elite quarterback.

To win in this league, you're going to need a quarterback.

And to play with him on a team is very exciting to me.

Where are you on NFL guys returning to play in college another year?

Will you bring up guys that are new to this team? Is there anybody that you think has really impressed you during camp that maybe we're not talking enough about?

Yeah, so many guys.

Honestly, I love my defensive front, the guys in front of me.

I'll give them a huge shout-out.

Corey Durden, Milton Williams, Christian Barmore.

I love how Gabe Ackes is on the edge.

He is a hungry young man who is going to be dominant in this league.

Do you use any of that doubt to fuel you or your teammates as you enter this season?

Will you bring up guys that are new to this team? Is there anybody that you think has really impressed you during camp that maybe we're not talking enough about?

Yeah, so many guys.

Honestly, I love my defensive front, the guys in front of me.

I'll give them a huge shout-out.

Corey Durden, Milton Williams, Christian Barmore.

I love how Gabe Ackes is on the edge.

He is a hungry young man who's going to be dominant in this league.

Do you use any of that doubt to fuel you or your teammates as you enter this season?

Will you bring up guys that are new to this team? Is there anybody that you think has really impressed you during camp that maybe we're not talking enough about?

Yeah, so many guys.

Honestly, I love my defensive front, the guys in front of me.

I'll give them a huge shout-out.

Corey Durden, Milton Williams, Christian Barmore.

I love how Gabe Ackes is on the edge.

He is a hungry young man who's going to be dominant in this league.

Do you use any of that doubt to fuel you or your teammates as you enter this season?

Is there anybody that you think has really impressed you during camp that maybe we're not talking enough about?

Yeah.

So many guys.

Uh, honestly, I love my defensive front, the guys in front of me.

I'll give them a huge shout-out.

Corey Durden, Milton Williams, Christian Barmore.

Um, I love how Gabe Akers is on the edge.

Do you use any of that doubt to fuel you or, or your teammates as you enter this season?

Make sure you keep the mic a little closer to your face.

Yeah.

That, uh... [sighs] It's hard.

It's hard when you get cut, and you spend four months at home.

You go out to LA for a tryout....

they send you home without giving you a call back.

You go out to Denver for a tryout, they send you home without getting a call back.

[chuckles]

Make sure you hit the mic a little closer to your face.

Yeah.

Uh, that, uh, it's hard.

It's hard when you get cut and you spend four months at home, you go out to LA for a tryout.They send you home without giving you a call back.

You go out to Denver for a tryout.

They send you home without getting a call back.

Go out to Pittsburgh for a tryout, and just as we're walking on the field with six inside linebackers, they sign one of 'em.

What are similarities and some differences you see between TJ Watt and, uh, Maxx Crosby?