The Terrible Podcast — Steelers Vs. Falcons Preview, Status Of Tagovailoa, Week 1 Picks & More

0:00Welcome to the Terrible Clockcast with your host from Steeler's Depot dot com. When you can find all your latest and greatest dealers news. It's Dave Bryan and Alex Kuzorov. Always Lynn talking Steeler's and now here's Dave and Alex. Welcome to the Terrible Podcast season 17 episode 21. He's Dave Brian. I'm Alex Kuzorov. Steeler's Depot dot com. Thanks for being back with us this Friday. Steeler's station day 48 hours until the Pittsburgh Steeler season gets underway game to the NFL took place last night in Melbourne. Australia the Rams losing that one is miles Garrett puts up a goose egg in a clear convincing 49 is victory. So Pittsburgh will try to follow in those San Francisco footsteps for the weekend got a great guest later today.

1:00Daniel Flake who covers the Falcons for the Atlanta Journal Constitution got a great preview ahead. I'm sure you and I Dave's maker picks for this game. So Dave, how you doing? All right, happy Friday and happy first Friday of the 2026 NFL season. And as you mentioned already two games played at this point. And man, what a what a bit of a shocker there on last night on Thursday night between the the Rams and the 49ers 49ers. Handle them easily and they got a lot of injury news already in the NFL coming out of the first couple of games. See what happened to Sam Darnold early in that game on Wednesday night with the hip injury and AJ Brown, which obviously the Steaters will play the Patriots in week two. And it doesn't sound like he's going to be available because of a high ankle sprain in that game. And they were already without what Travianne Henderson who will be watching heading into week two.

2:00So we're not even we're not even to the Steaters week one game here. And a lot has happened that and really some things that could potentially you know, shake up the Steaters 2026 season. And on top of all that couple of storylines heading into Friday morning with the Atlanta Falcons in a situation with two and oblique injury. And we're also sitting and waiting to see what happens with Joey Porter Jr. with the Steelers and even his ramp up process might be ramped up a little bit more. But I think Friday's going to be a very interesting day to see how they ultimately list him on the injury report, assuming no deal gets done before the end of practice or before that. So and then on top of everything else we got a great interview with Daniel Flick of the Atlanta Journal Constitution help get us ready for the Falcons. Steaters game on Sunday. So what an opening there. Let's get at it. Let's start with the health of both teams beginning with the Pittsburgh Steelers and as far as things go even for week one pretty clean for the Steelers.

3:05And we lose the Friday report to final one not released by the time Dave and I record this. It may be up by the time people listen to this, but on Wednesday and Thursday only one player listed that was cornerback. Joey Porter Jr. limited with the back injury reporters noting that Wednesday he did very little on Thursday during the open media portion, which is just individual and stretch line not team. They said he did a little bit more, but still was obviously limited to get that designation. So a lot of factors here is there a real back injuries. So I'll just cover for the contract that seems more the latter might be caught if he continues to be adamant he's ramping up would not offer any sort of color on is this guy going to play do expect to the play other than saying all the guys practicing their Pittsburgh exacting as if they are going to play. He's preparing as such but good news beyond Porter that Michael Pittman Jr. D. K. Metcansch, Juan Briskers, the fashion Joseph Day, Raleigh Naukowski, not even on the report. They'll all be available for this game same with Maxi Hornets. You're obviously so overall Pittsburgh in a good place. Yeah, they are and there are a lot better place than the Atlanta Falcons are right now as we already had high live in there without their top two pass rushers. One is on the on the suspended list and the other one is on I are there. So and then that on top of it.

4:21Why don't you take us through what happened with to on Thursday. Yeah, there's some news here. He was officially listed as limited yesterday as to a tongue of I low suffered an oblique injury officially from the team. There's a really good video from Reggie Chapman Jr. A local Falcons and Atlanta reporter who captured video of the moment that to a went down to a pass and immediately sort of grab his back and then went down again team calling it in oblique injury to a dough with back spasms early in training camp missed a week and Cooper rush speaking to reporters saying he took all the first team reps yesterday. Yesterday, so the Friday report will be obviously very critical for his status and who's going to start in this game could to end the week questionable because this can get kicked in the weekend. We're not quite sure, but if Pittsburgh does face Cooper rush will be a name of my car. He knows extremely well. He coached them all five years in Dallas and started I think 14 games for back out boys rushers really terrible in Baltimore last year, probably a bad scheme fit though. So still unclear who the Falcons will start.

5:23And as we talk to Daniel Flick later in the show reminds me of the 2024 opener were 72 hours was a Thursday before the opener against the Falcons Russell Wilson has an aggravation of that calf injury and Pittsburgh has to pivot to Justin Fields. The Falcons may have to do the same on their end this weekend. And even though they have Jawan Taylor with a knee and Zadaria Smith with a shoulder showed up on your injury report is did not participate. People will hear later on in the show when we talk to Daniel Flick that that was planned with both those two. So obviously it seems like the name to watch that everybody will be watching will be the situation with two later on on Friday when the practice reports and the injury reports come out. Do you feel better or worse if two of starts this game or sits it out because some fans will say invite to a break. Let's get him healthy. Wanna play him. He obviously struggled against Pittsburgh last year. He had a pretty bumpy preseason. Some will say having to face the back up quarterback. A guy you weren't preparing for maybe a little bit less sundown to the players, even though of course he's really well known to Mike McCarthy. Is it almost a blessing in disguise for the Falcons of two of Camp Le.

6:33I don't look at it that way that this is still a guy that started into it started and got a lot of wins in the NFL. So look, I don't wish injury on anybody. I just think from a competitive balance standpoint. Side of me, I hope to a place in this because I want to see how this how the Steelers can potentially handle him and that running game there. But I think it heavily shifts in the Steelers favor. And with obvious reasons if Cooper rush has to play this game. Yeah, I think people forget how bad rush was last year. And again, maybe it was just a poor scheme fit replacing Lamar Jackson in Baltimore. But he threw three picks and two stars and after a touchdown pass and they had to pivot away from him pretty quickly and go to see punley. So obviously two has his struggles. And I think regardless of the quarterback who plays though, the goal remains the same takeaway. They're big three. Beijon Robinson stopped the run. Kyle Fitz and Drake London in the past game. No matter what the situation is, two and rush are similar quarterbacks. It's more quick game short game. They're not going to push the ball downfield, you know, two substantially. So the plan shouldn't change. But it's always stop. You're preparing for one guy. Now you're not sure Falcons are in that boat, which team response of that better. Well, I think have the advantage in this game.

7:47I don't want to get too far deep into the analysis and give away everything. Obviously in the interview with Daniel Flickin all there. But he did bring up a good point there that, you know, you know, how do you have to flip? Do you have to flip stuff because you're going because you've mostly have worked with two left handed quarterbacks in in, in, in two and, and Michael pinnocks and then you're, you're way deep into the, or, you know, into the week of working with two of them. And all of a sudden you've got right handed quarterback and Cooper rush coming in. And, and, you know, how do you go about flipping? Do you know, and I think Daniel said that it's one of the questions that are probably going to hit on again with potential. I guess to fans, he is speaking with the media today. So it's just not so easy of just bringing in a backup, but especially one that is a right handed after you, you know, probably most of your game plan is working off of the left handed quarterback. So it's interesting thing to, you know, kind of a side side bar storyline looking at going into this game.

8:49Right. It's a great point because this whole Falcons offense was built around left handed passes. I think there's four on rosters active rosters or injured reserve in the NFL and two of them are in Atlanta and two in, in, in Penox. And so you have to flip that Alex Heismat talked about his rush play may be different now potentially being the blindside guy for right handed quarterback like rush starts this game. And so how Heismat rush is he can take some more chances. You know, that can change things, of course, which way you boot, you know, it's too a, you know, expect more boots to the left, the arm side of its rush more to the conventional right side. So there's all those differences to spin of the football. All those things can change a little bit. So still uncertain who's going to start don't know Friday will completely illuminate that or not. But I the video was interesting of two are going down because it looked pretty bad at first. Then he got up. He was jogging and seemed unattended to by trainers. But yet he did not throw a single pass to rest of practice according to Falcons reporters. And if he can't get that hip rotation to be able to throw the football truly hard to play. So we'll see where this thing goes.

9:50Yeah, some are already wondering if this is a conspiracy theory behind all this to kind of throw the Steelers off. I don't know. I doubt that. But maybe in today's social media world anything anytime, anytime anything like you know, it happens. Anything you already always got to conspiracy theory is coming out and say, oh, what's going on here? But well, you know, all we can do is sit here and watch to see what transpires through the Falcons Friday practice. And I'm sure, at least through the open media portion of the beat writers will be reporting what to is doing or not doing. And then you can't hide the injury report. So we'll see what that says. A couple of other notes on the injury front Billy Bowman Jr. might be one real injury situation to watch. He was limited as he works back from as a key. Lee's injury suffered last year. So we'll see what his status is. He could potentially be in the slot. If not, maybe the first strouter the second round. I'm rickiae should say Ivey on. To think I'll sacrifice branch with a hamstring injury could be a name to watch for the final report. If to a cannot play in assuming Cooper rush starts, we believe the backup would then be Jack Strandy rookie undrafted free agent out of Minnesota state.

11:05More ad who really drew a lot of buzz this summer with his strong play. We talked about it. The Falcons are one of those other teams that kept for proto backs. And maybe that's coming in handy right now because Michael panic's junior despite. Being part of that competition in the summer told Kevin Zafansky he was not ready to play. And so I doubt he'd be the backup in this one. So a rookie maybe once in a while if rush gets a nod. Yeah, you might not you might think twice about knocking Cooper rush out this game way that Jack Strandy that guy's going to be you only live once if he somehow find his way to get into this game. And he did have a. Yo for as far as preseason goes he had a fantastic preseason. It sounds like a lot of the fan bases is high on him here as well too. So at worst he's going to be in uniform right. So even if it said dressed as the emergency third quarterback on the inactive list there. So yeah, I maybe that's that scares me more than either Cooper or to a appearing in this game because you got a small sample size on strand who lit it up into preseason.

12:07All right Dave. So the good news is from Pittsburgh's perspective and even if like okay to go back to Porter. I guess just to go through that one more time. Obviously still waiting on the contract situation. No real developments there in terms of media reports where I'll just sort of waiting even if Porter does play be it just decides to play or he gets a contract. It's hard to see him playing every single snap in this game. I think you're going to probably have to rotate things just from a football conditioning and ready to standpoint and probably would split snaps with the saute. Samuels juniors that's maybe even the quote unquote best case reporter this week but still waiting on a contract and we're getting getting down to the literal final hours but as I tweeted yesterday. I'm sure you mentioned it before today Pittsburgh has a history of getting these deals done very last second in 2024 Pat fry mood signed his deal two days before the season last year Kim Haywood. I think was Saturday evening. We heard about that rise incentive late and deal getting done in 2021. Walk on his deal done three days before the year started to look at stuff on to it Cortes Allen trade Paul Maulou there are still many examples of that but we are certainly getting getting down to the wire here.

13:12Yeah I think even yesterday there was a couple of reports of the Dallas Cowboys getting a couple of guys done so the closer you get the deadline spur action and. You know at least we know there's a hard line in the sand when it comes to the stevers point of view being the start of the season as we talk the other day is it technically midnight Sunday morning is it does it roll all the way up until game time we can't really have an answer to that there but it is down to the needy greedy I still in my heart of hearts Alex. I think they get this done whether it be close to close to midnight on on Sunday it just it makes too much sense to get this done I think the status have heavy leverage hand at this point and we just we'll just start counting down these final hours here and yeah you're right you know assuming that Joey Porter junior does not get this deal done before practice starts we imagine he's going to his ramp up the day.

14:20He's ramp up ramp up portion will continue to ramp up to whatever degree but within that at that point or even at this point right now with two practices over with now it's hard to imagine even if Joey Porter junior does play in this game with a new contract or or not a new contract. He's not going to play 100% of the snaps it's hard to imagine that happening yeah I'm way through there so let's give our final prediction on that front does a deal with Porter get done before kickoff 1 p.m. on Sunday I'm going to say yes and I'm going to say right around the something that maybe has him coming in at the third highest paid corner back in the league when you look at both the average yearly value and and cash flow through release the first two or three years or I I think that it is going to be a good deal. It gets done I think give me the number on the average yearly value what would that look like and I used to top three so that I've seen puts it in that well above 30 million range but what's the number if you just have to predict it.

15:26I would say 31.2 million. Okay the number in my head was out going to be about 31 as well so I also yes I think it does get done I know it's been a long process and there's no momentum reportedly towards the deal right now but as you said as everyone says deadlines for action and I think something will get done I think ultimately let's bring once Porter to remain a stealer and Porter wants to remain a stealer so when those two things happen usually a deal does does occur. Yeah and you know at least at this point we don't know formal informal whatever you know the two sides are obviously talking at this point and roll back to what Omar Khan said a couple of weeks ago Joey knows how we feel about him and we want him to be a steeter for life and it's just pot a lot of posh ring going on right now so we're we're within I guess we're well within 48 hours at this point right. Pretty much all right Dave let's let's turn our view towards the length of Falcons and Pittsburgh's week one opponent let's have a let's turn it to a great interview with Daniel Flick who covers the Falcons for the Atlanta journal constitution you can you follow him on Twitter at by Daniel Flick let's take a pause and come back with Daniel.

16:42Okay welcome back to the terrible podcast it is Friday it is week one of the NFL season it is the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at Acro sure stadium and with it being Friday everybody knows what that means once the season gets underway we like to have a beat right on who covers the opposing team and with it being the Atlanta Falcons this week in week one we're pleased to welcome to the Atlanta Falcons. So we're pleased to welcome to the show one Daniel Flick and Daniel covers the Atlanta Falcons for the Atlanta journal constitution sort of the first time on a beat he covered the Falcons a couple of years ago on to beat there for a limited time while he was in school as well too you can follow Daniel on Twitter slash X at by Daniel Flick so with that Daniel first time or welcome to the terrible podcast with David Alex happy Friday.

17:42Yeah I apologize. All right Daniel let's you know kind of interesting Thursday there in Atlanta with a quarterback situation with two I don't want to kind of you I guess elephant in a room story if you will I don't know how much you have learned since you yesterday afternoon look like it might a bit and back related but the Falcons added two to the injury report with an oblique injury listed to him as a limited practice participant the lines went crazy I think it moved two points. And the steers favorite favorite you know favorite that time there what's the latest on to a heading into Friday morning here and what's your feelings about the situation about Cooper rush maybe starting. Yeah so I think the most interesting thing that they came out yesterday was the fact that their their open locker room was initially supposed to open it to 45 I believe I might be off by an hour on that but it was supposed to I think it was around two 45. And we didn't hear the final whistle from practice until a little bit after three or like right around three which means and in theory if there's a locker was going to open at 245 practice I would end like 24 so their practice ran.

18:51Right 20 minutes longer than it was expected to originally which you put two and two together with two gets hurt very early on in practice you put Cooper rush out there he gets he hadn't run much with the ones like he did a two minute drill the first week of training cab. When he was still like a weekend of being with the team so you don't really know much of anything and then he gets thrown out there so then the last month month and a half he hasn't done anything like he's done all he's only worked with like the tunes three is whatever he hasn't worked with the one so their practice when extremely long yesterday which one could certainly assume is. Oh this guy might actually start let's try to get him as many reps at these guys he can put him in as many spots and try to learn and rep as many plays as he can with the ones so that's kind of my read on it I think there's a real chance Cooper starts I think we're going to learn a lot more about to this afternoon if he practices the extent to which he practices because there's a chance it was a complete chance it was just like a little spasms right like it's a complete chance that it's just a phasm and he missed time early in training camp the first three or four practice.

19:53The camp because of a back spasm and he said by like day two or three that it really wasn't bad he could have played but they were early in camps there's no real reason to rush it right so the their their old deal was all about longevity so now that it's about to be week one I don't think they'd have that much patience with it so I still think there's a good chance to a place but at the same token we don't really know we're going to know a lot more here in a couple hours and I think you know but I will say that them going along with the team and I think I'm going to do it. I think we're looking for something that they're going to do. I'm going to go ahead and play with the team and I think that's a good thing about the team and I think we're going to see them all together and I think they're going to do it. I think what they're doing with their practice yesterday implied to me that they think there is a real chance that rush left play whether whether he knew the guy or whether they think it might flare up again with to a game. I think they're kind of preparing for it all right what obviously one's a left hand quarterback ones are right handed quarterback. has to get into this game. And I think you wrote on A.J. on the A.J.C. as well that I think Cooper's still living out of a hotel

20:56and still trying to get himself settled into Atlanta overall. Yeah, he is. So when he first got here, he pulled us his first day that he packed a week's worth of clothes that he'd go from there. So I asked him yesterday if he was a little bit more acquainted by now, he was like, well, I've got two weeks to close now in a car full of crap and I'm living in a hotel. So I guess he's marginally more acquainted. But yeah, no, he... What Cooper showed in the preseason, frankly, wasn't a whole lot different than what to a show. It was a lot of quick underneath. Aficionate, like what Cooper did against the Colts in his quarter and a half was... I think it was 10 of 11 passing. He was very accurate and very efficient and very in rhythm. You kind of know what you're going to get with him, right? I mean, he's a guy who started, I think, 16 NFL games. He's 97 as a starter. He's won games, he's played in a lot of games. So he's kind of an ideal backup, which is why he's on the team. Now, I don't really think inherently that a lot offensively

21:56with them. And the thing I find interesting and we plan to ask you about this later, the Falcon Scoging staff had a conversation back at the spring about, hey, do we just flip all of our passing concepts? Because in their eyes, you're either going to start two or Michael Penix and you've got two lefties. So it's like, do we just turn all of our normal passing concepts and flip them back? We never, Tommy resprought this up a couple weeks ago and we never, he said he forgot the answer. Either he forgot it or he just didn't want to tell it. So we're not sure. I'm sure he just didn't want to tell it. I can't imagine he just completely forgot the answer of that feeling of the important thing to know. But so I would imagine that, yes, we will ask about that later. And in the case that they did entirely flip it, now you're in a sense where you've got a right-handed quarterback through a ton of his progression with the lefty playbook, really. So that would be the main thing. And again, that could be nothing. It could be they kept the playbook to save. We'll find out later. It's just this was kind of a bit of an uncharted waters that none of us really expected to be having this conversation

22:57head into week one. Reminds us of 2024 when Pittsburgh was going to start Russell Wilson against Atlanta. He gets that calf injury. They got to pivot the field. So that shoes on the other foot. Daniel, to look at the rest of the offense, Bejohn Robinson, everyone knows he's a star. Everyone knows him. Pittsburgh. That's the number one guy to start containing. Is there anything about his game that people don't realize that makes him so good? Any underappreciated part of his game? My question basically is this is guy that's lived up with the hype as a top 10 pick for running back hard to do. What makes him so good? It's a great question. I think collectively with Bejohn, that everybody can see him with the ball and say, as and how special he is. You can see that part of it. The part about Bejohn that I think is collectively unharrowed. He just got named, the team captain last week, very first time in his career, very much an ascending leader and evolving leader. And I don't think enough people fully realize that he is like an A plus character guy. Like he is legitimately one of the best people in this locker room here. Maybe the best like pure person in this locker.

23:58And this is a high character locker. There's a ton of good dudes in this organization. Bejohn is just an incredibly special dude. And then you kind of look at him. And I mean, he's built like an alien. I mean, he's shredded and you just look at his shoulders. And this guy's got just really, really broad, thick shoulders. And he's just a powerful dude and he's fast and explosive. And he's got so much wiggle and he's instinctive. And he's got great vision. And he can see things and he can make guys miss just an incredibly high rate. He is just an incredibly gifted dude. And I think I tell people it's all the time that for a special of a player as he is, I think he might be like an even more special human. So that's the thing I don't know that enough people get to see of Bejohn, because they all just, you know, you see this all-world talent and this elite running back. And there's usually a bit of a stigma around elite offensive weapons about their character and maybe a diva, whatever it may be. I know it's more of a wide out deal, but he is an incredible, incredible human being.

24:59So he is the total package, man. What about the offensive line? What's your assessment of the guys up front? Chris Lindstrom still going strong at right guard? Have they replaced Drew Daumann at center two years ago? What's kind of the center outlook for 2026? Yeah, so Ryan Newsville playing center, he was there starting center last year as well. So he's back, so they returned four of their five starters with Matthews, Matthew Bergeron, Ryan Newsville, Chris Lindstrom, and then at right tap, you get to Juan Taylor and he started 11 games in seven years of the NFL. He is replacing technically Caleb McGarry, technically Elijah Wilkinson. It would have been Caleb Spot if he wanted to play, but you retired, got hurt around a year ago, actually missed all last year. They put Elijah Wilkinson at right tackle. He left this spring for Arizona. So the interesting thing about you on Taylor, I think, is he missed first two and a half weeks of training camp. And so he did all the mental reps, all the walkthroughs, stuff. You don't really worry about the other four.

26:00It's just if you have a lefty quarterback, right tackle is your blind side. The other four have played the other, you're the new guy. So I think collectively, Juan Taylor, the offensive line won't really with Juan Taylor, like it's not like he's the driving factor there, but I do think he might be the most important presence just for the sense of where he's aligning. And also, the blocking hasn't really been the issue with Juan Taylor. If you look at it since 2021, Juan is the most penalized player in the NFL. And it's not close. He's at 74, the next close to players at 56. They get as a sizable margin. And he played one quarter in the preseason in Miami and got caught for two false start. So that's your concern there. And Atlanta has a tremendous line coach in Callahan, who has been around, everyone knows about Callahan, been around for decades. He is tremendous. And Atlanta's hope is that you get a guy like that. You can hopefully coach some of those things out. Maybe it was just a little bit of a jitter thing for Juan. He hadn't played since last November. You hope you can clean it up.

27:01But that's kind of the one question, Mark. I think if you look at their front, is how does Juan Taylor hold up and get you avoid some of those drive-recking penalties that have kind of plagued him throughout his career? Before we go over to the defensive side of football, you'd have to think even prior to the latest on two and all that the game plan within this one was going to be to lean heavily on B. Jean Robinson and the other Robinson in the backfield. As you mentioned, they're great offense line coach Bill Callahan coming over there, reputable history he has there. And then obviously getting the ball out probably quick from the quarterback's hands to the weapons like Kyle Pits and Drake London. I think it's easy for most to think, especially in an opener here. And with Stephanski coming in, that would be the game plan. Now that to even if he plays, that's going to be accelerated with the ball coming out quick you would think and probably even a little bit more emphasis on the running game, right?

28:01Yeah, and that's kind of the deal at Tommy Ries mentioned yesterday that kind of is actually what two has always been is his average release time is like two and a half seconds usually from when he takes the snap to an inside of his hand and that's kind of just him. So even if he plays, especially if Cooper Rush plays, I do think the ball becoming out quick and they didn't really ball down, feeling a whole lot in training camp either. I thought Pennix did, but he also didn't do a ton of team stuff either. So it's a little bit easier for him to try to take those shots and kind of adopt a top down mentality when you're not facing a real past rush, right? So it's going to be, I don't know how explosive their passing game will be. I don't, I really don't. I think a lot of what it will be, it'll be quick hitters, it'll be a lot of try to hit like one then and Zacchaeus, those kind of guys a little bit over the middle. I think Kyle Pits will be heavily involved. I think you'll see a lot of screens and I think you'll see a lot of play action bootleg things or they try to get the ball out quick. And I would expect, I've told people this a lot this year. I think it'll be a big run after catch here for Kyle Pits.

29:01They're going to try to find ways to put the ball in his hands and let him work. I think Zacchaeus branch very similar deal. You'll get a couple scurrying or hand around or whatever. I think that'll kind of be the way they try to win and then hope that, hope you get enough of the run game. And they've talked about it that they feel like their run game last year didn't really have all the answers. And they think this year with Callihan coming in, Mary's Kevin Stepanski, they think that they've got all the answers now where any concept, any scheme they're going up against, you have enough run concepts where you can counter out of it and have a beater. So they're very excited about their run game and they've got a very tall test this weekend to kind of see how it plays out. All right, our defense, they retain Jeff Olbrick as defensive coordinator over there. And you know, an unfortunate situation with both their edge rushers over there and James Pierce missing the opener because of suspension and Jalen Walker due to injury over there. They've been kind of scrambling to get that edge situation.

30:03Kind of interesting to see how they're going to be able to get pressure, but I think if you look back, at least we got a history with Olbrick and Atlanta last year, they were a heavy, heavy blitzing team. And you can't really pull a lot out of preseason, really much of anything out of preseason, but it feels like they're going to have to get, you know, using four in the past rush just feels like it probably's not going to be enough. So are you expecting multiple different kind of blitzes out of Olbrick or different ways to kind of scheme this up to get more pressure due to them not having their top two past rushers here? Yeah, so let me ask you guys a question here. So Atlanta last year had 57 sacks, a team record that I think second in the NFL. Take a guess percentage wise, how many of those sacks are back this year? How many times? The percentage of those sacks that are back. Take a guess at how many of those sacks are back on the active roster right? Yeah, in terms of Walker and Pierce being out,

31:04it's probably a third maybe. Under, it's 28%. Wow. Wow. They return 20, yeah. So, yeah, it's really, it's an entirely new group. So I asked Jeff Olbrick about it yesterday. So hey, do you last two you guys were blitz heavy, but as the year went on, their blitz rates dropped a little bit. They were heavier, you know, the first half of the year and then as Walker came on, as Pierce came on, as they saw young guys take steps forward, they were able to get pressure more with four. And so he thinks that they won't really know until they get into the season, but he doesn't want to active blitz. Now, if you look at who they have, I think he's gonna be forced into having two blitz. So that's the kind of part of it. They're, they're edge room. I mean, you look at Zadaria Smith and he just turned 34 earlier this week. He thinks he can play a while longer and he didn't start playing football until he was a senior in high school. So in his eyes, he's still relatively young in the game. He's got a lot of life in his legs. And he's at 70 and a half sacks right now and he wants to get to 100. So unless he has the best year of pass rushers ever had, he's probably gonna play at least a couple more years.

32:06Yeah. So at least that's what he wants to do anyways. And so that's, you know, if you can, I don't think you can expect him to be what he once was in 2019, 2021, or he's a pretty annual pro-bola. But you've got to hope that you at least get to five or six. And then, you know, you look at Ebu Com who was led the Colts and sacks and 23 tours of Kiles and 24. He said he's always been told you're two back from your Kiles tears when you're usually strong, yes, and you get back to being who you were, but he's also 31 right now. So then you kind of think about, okay, can he be the guy that he wasn't his prime? Then they're gonna have to, I think, be a lot. They're interior defensive line. They're gonna be where a lot of their pressure will come from, I think, and even that, I mean, they've done a lot of looks and camp when they're walking linebackers up, putting them over guards, putting them over tackles, putting them pretty much anywhere, a lot of agat pressure with linebackers, blitz, and a lot of mug looks like they've been doing everything. So I think they're gonna blitz a ton. They're gonna blitz their corners, they're gonna blitz their linebackers or blitzers. If you, if you, if they're gonna blitz from everywhere,

33:06I think they're gonna end up being probably, especially the first half of the year until Pierce comes back probably the highest heaviest blitz rate team in the league. That'd be my assumption. I mean, they were stuck in last year. I think before they went away from it, they were leading it. So yeah, I would expect a lot of, a lot of sim pressures coming, coming on Sunday. Just one quick follow up, Daniel, is there areas with going in the play? He was a DNP yesterday with a shoulder injury. Is that just veteran maintenance or is there a concern he may miss this game? Yeah, no, it was all pre-planned. That was their deal. They had that one all, all planned out in advance. Got you. To look at the second area, no AJ Tarell in top corner for a long time. What about the rest of the secondary, the cornerback remember, particular Mike Hughes? They draft Avery and Tarell, AJ's brother, a really cool story there. Is he gonna have a role out of the gate? Avery on will be their starting nickel. Is the assumption that's, if it's a, it's a, it's a, it's got an interesting conversation. So the entirety of training camp,

34:06we didn't see Billy Bowman, and he makes the active roster, and now he's practicing. And so Billy, he towards the killings last November. I don't think Billy will play. He said he's ready to play. I think they might give him a couple more weeks, but we'll see. If Billy plays, I'm not really sure how, little factor. And that's another one of those big question marks and questions we'll ask today. But Avery on as things stand is expected to be the starting nickel. He was the BD outside corner. He had a good camp. Got beaten the pre-season opener against the Broncos and a lot of fans are, I think Mike Hughes collectively is very underrated here. He's done a very good job playing as a corner too for two years now heading to year three. And he kind of gets a lot of unnecessary, eight in my personal opinion. I think he does a great job. But yeah, no, I mean, you gotta look at their back end. Lots and bates might be the best tandem in the entire league. If not the best thing, the thing to probably top three, top five. Because I think what Jesse Bates has done, he really is an entire career. He's an incredible ball hockey playmaker,

35:07great leader. He's kind of the man, right? And then you look at Xavier Watts and he gets five in receptions last year finishes fourth in the rookie of the year race. Like great young talent. And they're very similar and they're very close. And they can, the unique thing about them is that they can communicate with each other without having to even talk. Like they just know how to the other things. So they have a very, very, very good tandem back there that I think is probably the strength of their team. It's, the back end as a collective is their strongest group, I think. I mean, you kind of look at their weapons. You take the weapons in a vacuum of Kyle Drake, Buzon, that's probably your strongest, but it not just turns into a strict position group. That back end is really good, man. Yeah. And Aaron Rogers talked about it, got to be accurate with throwing those guys because they are ball hawks. My last question for you, Daniel, then let's finish things out. It'll kind of make it a two-parter. What is a successful year for Atlanta? For instance, it's one exactly seven or eight games in five straight seasons. You do have optimism, Matt Ryan comes back, Ian Cunningham joins.

36:07I got a buddy. I think it's a good fan that was very happy to see Terry Foughten-O-Go and have kind of a fresh look for this front office. So is there optimism and is a successful year? Playoff, is it just progress? What does it look like? It's a really good question. I'm honestly, I think a successful year probably is playoffs, yes, because you've got to eventually have to make it, right? I mean, you haven't made it since 2017. Like you have to eventually, you have to do it. And I think we're kind of at a point here, when I talk to fans, when I see fans on the line, like people get, I think there's right for Atlanta win. And that's kind of part of it is, I don't think at this point that you sell people on hope and patience. I mean, it's kind of the same thing that's been sold around here since 2018. So people get tired of buying that. And I think collectively, the worst outcome this year is that they do what they've done the last five. You win seven or eight games again. You're probably not making the playoffs. You're not great. You're probably not in position to draft one of those elite quarterbacks next year.

37:09So I think a successful year, frankly, is being on either end of the pendulum. Either you surprise a lot of people and you end up winning nine 10 games and you're in the playoffs, you win the South, or you're just not very good at all. And you win four or five games and you're picking top five and you have a chance to draft a quarterback. So, and either way, I think in that case, you feel confident going to the next year if you have your quarterback answer because if you win 10 games this year, then you'd like to think your quarterbacks on your roster. And if you win three or four games, five games, whatever you gotta be confident, you probably don't have to have fun your roster. So, a successful year, I'm not even sure I'd put a win number on it. I think it's legitimately just knowing your quarterback solution because it's been, they've had two quarterbacks, they have played at least two quarterbacks, like I had at least two quarterbacks start a game every season since 2021, or 22, I'm sorry, since 22. So, you just can't win as an organization like that when it's not injury-related. All of those were, far from Pentex last year, they were all performance-related. So, you gotta find an answer. I really think that's what it comes down to.

38:10It's you gotta leave this year knowing if you've got a quarterback or not. Daniel, I had this Falcons team going eight and nine this year. And by the way, I have the state is going nine and eight. So, I don't know what your prediction is for the season. Is that a fair assessment there? Yeah, so kind of, I wanted to play off my last point of what I think would be a worst-case scenario. I had it land on going seven and 10. Part of that, you look at the roster. I mean, they have a tough schedule too. And their roster is gonna get better as the year goes on when you get pure-spack. I think, and can you get their front is still so new. I think the more that they blend, they should be better defensively. And I'm intrigued just to do the progress there. I'm intrigued to see how the quarterback position plays out. But I also think it's a real, they're first 10 weeks or rough. And you end that stretch. You go week nine, you're in Madrid playing the bangles. I've heard Joe Burrow talking very optimistically this year and allegedly more optimistically than he ever has before, which I, that's a little bit scarier for the rest of the league, I think. But then you look outside of it and like,

39:11you go to Madrid and you come back, who's waiting for your week 10s to teach the Patrick Mahomes? Like, I mean, that's a tough one, right? So, there's a real chance that you go into the bi-week and you're like three and seven, two and eight. And, you know, the year can spiral from there. I think seven and 10 is a reasonable bet because I think this organization has been so steady around that work that it's kind of a good fallback option. But it also wouldn't shock me if this ends up being, I think the floor for this team is probably lower than it is for most around the league just because we don't really don't know how the quarterback position will play out here. So, it'll be super interesting to kind of watch it. But I mean, there is a wide range of outcomes. I don't think anybody here really knows what they have quite yet. All right, Daniel, this is a part of the interview where we ask for your final score prediction for the game here. Steelers are currently on draft games, five and a half point favorites on this one. And obviously that line move substantially on the two of news coming from Thursday there.

40:12What is your score prediction for this game? And after you give that to the pub folks, what they can find from you over at the Atlanta Journal Constitution going into the weekend? Yeah, so I would say where I'm at right now, score wise, I'll go Steelers 21, Falcon 13. I think that's a reasonable number. Kind of depends a little bit on who the quarterback is, of course, but I honestly think there's a, the over under that I would set for Atlanta's point total going in is around 10 and a half. And that changes a little bit again with who plays quarterback, but Pittsburgh's past rush is so good. If he plays, if he really healthy, if not, you've got Cooper Rush, like I said, we'd be going into that game with really two practices of reps with the ones. It's a hard situation. So I guess we'll see, but Atlanta's got a big, big task ahead, I think. And then as for our coverage, I had a profile run this morning on Kyle Pits that I thought turned out really well. I've got to talk to Kyle for 25 minutes

41:14about everything from the way that he's perceived to is upbringing to how much he enjoys being a dad and it's just a really neat look. Because I think a lot of people know about Kyle being an incredible talent. And he is a unicorn. He is and people know the unicorn, they don't know Kyle Pits. That was our headline. And it was a really neat look. I really enjoyed getting the no more back Kyle and really good dude, really, really good dude. Yeah, that was kind of our main rollout. I did six interviews on it, maybe seven or eight actually. And it turned out, I turned out pretty well, I think. So I'm very excited for all of our readers to see that, plug it online this morning and open it up. It's a free article to read. So all you have to do is create a free AJC account and you can read it. So I thought it turned out well and hopefully can spread a bit of awareness. Cause I think Kyle was a little bit of an inaccurately perceived or inaccurately painted individual. Well, Daniel, we certainly will follow you work the rest

42:16of those this weekend and on through the season, especially on Twitter slash X at by Daniel Flick. And Daniel, we hope you have a great trip up to Pittsburgh and we appreciate having you as a first time guest on the terrible podcast with Dave and Alex. So have a great weekend, enjoy the game and we'll talk to you hopefully down the road. I appreciate you guys. And welcome back to the terrible podcast. Our special thanks to Daniel Flick for taking the time speaking with us and it was a busy man. And Thursday made his life even busy with all the two news. And so I know it's done a lot. I think Steve was media over the last 24 hours. So appreciate him carving out some time again. Follow him on Twitter at by Daniel Flick and follow his work at the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Yeah, absolutely. Our first timer as we mentioned there and what a young up and comeer really impressed by him is preparation. I think too he was with sports illustrated before going

43:16to the Atlanta Journal Constitution and kind of fresh out of college and I think even chronicle the the Indiana season last year as well too there. So enjoyed having him on and hopefully down the road. I guess what another another four years from now next time potentially the Steelers play the Falcons we'll have him on again. All right, good deal market in the calendars. All right, Dave let you and I preview this game. Steelers Falcon Sunday, one PM Eastern time Acro sure stadium the rare home season opener for the Steelers last time that happened. It didn't go so well in 2023. So hoping for better forciens against an NFC foe this time around Atlanta with their own new head coach, although one very familiar to Steelers fans in Kevin's to fansky after six years with the Cleveland Browns looking at this Falcons offense. Obviously the quarterback situation remains murky no matter who starts this game, but beyond that what is the key for Pittsburgh defense to contain a minimized his Falcons offensive attack? Yeah, regardless of the quarterback here, it's not easy.

44:18I mean, it's not hard to to to to preview this one when it comes to the Falcon side of things here. Yeah, you got to stop the running game. The two headed the Robinson combo there obviously with Beijan getting the most of it there. You got to shut down this running game and with Kevin's to fansky. Look, it's hard to prep for week one games in general. But when you have a new head coach coming in there, I think it's easier to kind of preview the Falcons from the defensive side of football in a week one matchup because of all Obrick being the carryover defense coordinator from last year there. When you look at the offensive side of football with Calla Ann coming in, obviously, it's to fansky coming over there. It's a little bit harder. You know, obviously you have the two of factor involved here, but you got to you got to shut down the big three overall there and it starts with you have to think that they're going to lean heavily on Beijan not only in the running game, but this is a guy that out in space screens getting the ball to

45:18him in the open field. That's got to be the Falcons primary, you know, schematic goal in this game. If they can get the football in his hands, you know, 25 to 30 times a game here, it probably means that good things are happened with them offensively. And then you know, they've got a couple of weapons over there, obviously in tight end Kyle pits and Drake London are two portions of that offense that you would expect the ball to have to flow through. I think goes without saying that regardless of who the quarterback is in this game, the ball is going to be outwick. So you got to be ready for that. I don't think that we're going to see too many deep shots down the field, but if to look at me to a to a can still sling it, you know, pretty good. Overall there, but will he have the time and the protection to get that done? So I think you got to control B. John Robinson and the other Robinson when he's in the game on the ground, which is easier said and done, even though

46:19when it when you know it's coming. And then obviously the quick game and as Daniel mentioned, I think you could see a lot of screens, a lot of quick hitters within this one as well too. And you got to limit the yards after the catch there, regardless of the quarterback. B. John Robinson coming off of back to back 1400 yard rushing seasons. And so a big time threat. It's for did contain him in that 2024 season opener, but he really broke out on the other side of that game and has become a star NFL back ever since. So certainly a Cleveland flare, which you would expect coming with the fancy coming over from the Browns multiple tight ends zone heavy scheme. Though they're run zone away too. Don't always run to the strength. They're going to try to run away, get numbers advantage and have Robinson win either one on one matchup to just have things even to that side and let him go out there and make a place. So defending the zone run game, even you know, away from you to the field side, especially, I think it's going to be pretty critical in this one in the past game. As you said, the top two guys pits in London, big guys, strong guys, guys can do damage post catch really think how it's juniors going to have a

47:23really big year here day for you. So guy that even in preseason action, not the preseason action matters much for a guy like him who watched that dolphins game getting the ball in space on his bunches and crossing their outs and his ability after the catch is really impressive. So who draws the matchup on pits, especially in those critical moments? Is it going to be a linebacker? Is it going to be Jalen Ramsey? Is it going to be heck of joy, poor junior place? Could he potentially get on Kyle pits? Obviously, London's a guy you got to worry about too. But I think matching up on pits, having a good plan frame will be really key in this game. And he's the kind of tied in. He's like, he's like a wide receiver to place tied in, right? So and they can utilize him out wide. They can utilize him attached. They can utilize him kind of in an in an H back roll or just kind of a short split from detached. So there's a lot of different ways. So it's all going to depend on where he lines up. I think if he lines up out wide, whatever cornerback is on that side is going to grab him.

48:23If he's in a slot, I think you'll see a little see Joey Porter junior. I don't think that you want to get in many situations where you have a line backer on him because I think that's a, you know, falls into category of advantage of Kyle pits in that area there. And I expect that you'll see them move, move them around a lot. And I think you bring up an interesting point too with, uh, just a fancy coming over from Cleveland, especially when you look at personnel usage of what Cleveland used last season, not necessarily the couple of seasons before they were heavy in 12, uh, 12 personnel grouping with the two tight ends. And remember my old buddy, Charlie Warner Alex, I do from Georgia, right? Yeah. He's, uh, he's in Atlanta along with all they got three real quality, uh, tight ends over there. Now, obviously Warner's not a huge threat in the passing game, uh, and who really hasn't lived up to kind of expectations either. But, uh, you put, uh, one of those two guys on the field, uh, along with Kyle pits and look, I think Charlie Warner is a really good blocker short

49:26arms and, and all, um, it's good to see him still in the NFL. It means he's able to feed himself, I guess at this point because of the short arms, but you don't hang around in the league as long as Charlie Warner has at this point, uh, as a, as a backup tied in if you can't block. So, uh, look for some split zone action. I think with Charlie Warner coming across to maybe get some pieces of, of, of the edge players there and I do think that you're going to see a lot of 12 personnel, uh, in this game and especially the help maybe add that extra layer protection, uh, in, in the passing game with some chips or, or just you'll keep keeping six guys in, uh, uh, in, in, in past protection there. So, uh, good tight end group overall and then obviously the, uh, wide receiver, uh, group is led by Drake London. They have Johan Dotson on the, on the roster over there as well too. And all of my Zacchaeus, uh, is a guy that seems like every time you turn on a Falcons game, he's making a big catch. Cleveland last year, number one in the NFL and 12 personnel at 41.2%.

50:28So, certainly could see that carry over to the Falcons this year. And there are some good as you said, split zone variations. Sometimes the tight end will be in, in the back field to kind of hide which way the split zone is going to go. So it's not so obvious as, as the Y off. And so it's a creative run scheme. It's a good offensive line coach, as you said, as Daniel mentioned, uh, Bill Calhane's one of the best Indiana felt they lost a good online coach and led for it was now in Baltimore, but they replaced him with a really quality one. And then it's a fan ski. They Calhane was in Baltimore. Wasn't yet. Yeah. Right. Yeah. He was there. And then he went to Tennessee with, with Brian Calhane. And, uh, now they're reunited in Atlanta. So there's a lot of continuity there on that. And things, Tom Erie's also coming over from Cleveland. So there are that whole offense is being transplanted the way the green base offense from yesterday years now in Pittsburgh in the past game. To me, a lot of crossing routes over routes. So take away those throws over the middle play inside leverage. You get a four sideline throws, whether it's two or rush, neither have a particularly great arm, make them throw some of those throws from the far hash to the sideline limits of the yak ability, they could be play inside leverage and take away some of those crossing power.

51:29And you'll have the upper hand. Uh, they're offensive line. Uh, you know, I, I think the huge question mark there. I don't know that much about Ryan newsold. They're, uh, they're center there. But I obviously know a lot about the rest of the guys on the offensive line. Jake Matthews left tackle Matthew Burder. I didn't. Burder on just get paid this off season. Uh, Chris Lindstrom at the right guard spot. Did you want Taylor comes over in as Daniel Flick said, big thing with him is, he's a guy who likes to quick start over there at that right tackle spot over there. So I imagine, um, um, Mike McCarthy will be reminding the refs ahead of time. Hey, make, you know, make sure that guy, uh, doesn't leave early over there. And, uh, Daniel already pointed out kind of the, the, the, the, the, the, or the previous penalty issues and, and some of the penalty issues already this preseason with your wine Taylor, but a good group up front. And with the question mark being Ryan Newsle at, at the center position. And I think the top battle I want to watch here when it's Falcons offense versus the most defense is Derek Carmen against Chris Lindstrom.

52:31Lachem spent a steady presence at right guard. He's made pro bowl and second team all pro each of the last four seasons. He's got great pedigree is dad played in NFL. And so he's a real, you know, rock and anchor to that right side, which is especially important because that right tackle spot sort of been in flux after Caleb McGarry got hurt and retired as Daniel talked about. So I'm going to see Harmon, you know, big year two of play that left defensive end spot. Um, can, can he win those matchups or hold the zone if he can? That's a really promising sign. You got to keep this offense regardless of the quarterback in the, uh, third and either intermediate or long situations. If you do, you could get to halftime, potentially maybe with his Falcons offense, uh, being like one of eight or nine or something on third down there. Uh, so the problem is if you, if they get in that third and short area, third and four, uh, third and three or less, obviously the run game still stays an option for them. As does the fact that you can utilize those backs out of the backfield on top of it. And make no mistake.

53:31Bejon can, can function in all aspects of this, uh, offense, uh, with the ball in his hand there. So keep them in, you know, do a good job on first, first down specifically because they're going to come out. You're going to think probably running a lot on first down type situations there and then get them in the third and long type situations and you probably got a good chance of going into the fourth quarter with them having problems converting some third downs. Yeah, it's true for any offense, but keep them off schedule. Don't let them marry the boot game and the run game. Um, that's their goal. So you can, you know, put them behind the sticks and take that away. Obviously that's going to be real advantageous for Pittsburgh. Just a couple other points. I thought they ran a really good two-minute drill against. It was the finale versus my amy. The cults think it was Miami. They ran that well, a lot of spacing concepts over the middle, pretty efficient. So I thought that was well coordinated and well coached by, by Stofansky and company. And then I would expect a lot of those chippers. So it's becoming very much in vogue where it's empty set, but you have the back out and the tight end is wings and they're chipping the edge guys. I would expect a lot of that from Atlanta and passing situations to try to slow down the

54:34rush of TJ Watts and Alex Heiss with the curb. Big so can you run some stunts and games and the Pittsburgh is in their three edge rusher package in those moments that interior guy. Most likely the curb make will have to win that rush because those edge guys are getting chipped. And so can her big beat the center or Lindstrom will be a tough matchup. That'll be really key for Pittsburgh to get pressure. And of course, if you're an empty set, deep on the line, can you win your one-on-ones, Kim Hayward over left guard, Keanu Benton, YA Black, etc. Those guys have to push the pocket. Yeah, great. All right, go into the Falcons, deep vents. And despite a new head coach, there's a lot of continuity here. They're offensively Dave Jeff Olberg. As you mentioned in the conversation with Daniel Staysland, the positional coach is state. I think the D-line coach stayed. The insulin backers coach stayed. And so there is continuity there. And Olbergs are really good DC. I think certainly the goal here is to run the ball and kind of beat up that front seven. Because in the second era, Daniel talked about the second. There's pretty strong man. That's the strongest part of this group for sure. Especially when he got Jesse Bates, the third patrol in around there. In the second area, Xavier Watts, obviously, he's got a nice history.

55:39Tarell, Bo Tarell's over there. It's a very formidable secondary overall. The big questions I think with them is obviously up front. And we already talked about the lack of edge. Even though they do have a veteran over there in, oh, what's his name? That's injured right now. That we mentioned. That Walker appears. No, no, no. Those guys are out. Who's the guy taking this place over there? It's a various myth. Yeah, that's the name that I keep forgetting over there. It's a newcomer. But he is up there in age. Look, they're going to have to figure out a way probably to manufacture pressure. I don't think they're going to have much luck Russian for in this game. And as mentioned, you go back to, at least we have the tape and the stats of Ulbrich last year in Atlanta there. They were, especially at Sardis season, a very blitz heavy team that kind of waned as the season went on there. But I just, it feels like they're going to have problems creating pressure.

56:41So I would look for a lot of different blitz type situations. As Daniel mentioned, we'll probably see a lot of SIM pressure, a lot of probably double barrel, a gap kind of looks and then air and rudges. We'll have to figure that out as to who's coming, who's not. When you get into the second level of their defense, a very underrated guy in my, my mind is divine Diablo out of Las Vegas there. That guys are very hard hitter, real distinctive guy. But I think first and foremost, the theaters will, will try to run on this defensive front. And especially with the situation with them and their edge rushes over there. They do have a big flogger in the middle there in Mason Smith, who was, what they call, high pedigree guy. They had Jervon Dexter come over during the off scene. I think we studied him both a lot coming out of what was at Florida. Over there, I imagine they'll rotate some of those guys up front there. But I would try to run and run both into the teeth of this Falcons defense.

57:44Up the middle and on the edges as well too. A couple of older guys out there on the edge there and certainly not their two starters. So I expect the studios to be able to run the football in this game. Yeah, I think you have to. Obviously, you're going to have to do in any situation for yourself to stay on schedule and not have to test and challenge those really talented secondary as little as possible. So I think you can manipulate and diagnose their kind of run fits and coverage as well, the way they boss and both linebackers like to have those linebackers shift it away from the tight end against single tight end sets and then shift to its multiple tight end sets of the Rogers can manipulate that and get Pittsburgh and right calls and write checks. But yeah, I think it just comes down to running your offense and you imagine that if you can get some of those blitz locks, you're going to get one-on-one coverage of the back end and can receive his win there one-on-ones. And Tarell is a really tough corner, AJ against DK Metcalfe, you mentioned that it'll be the matchup throughout the game, but can other guys win their matchups, whether that's Roman Wolson or Trevor Bernard or Michael Payton Jr. And then the tight ends in Pat Frymouth and Darnal

58:47Washington. But yeah, that's secondary. It's the biggest threat here. You know, last year, Xavier Watts is a rookie picked off five passes. That was the most by any Falcons rookies and steel on Sanders in 1989 and combined him and Bates had eight interceptions that was tied for the most by any safety duo with the Texans of Jalen Petri and and Kaelin Bullock. And so those guys are ball-hawks, Tarell is a really good player. Think back to that 24 matchup where Mike Collins-Holmacher, which is don't throw the ball near Jesse Bates, is to do everything, but don't give him a chance to make a play and they actually could have that plan and won a pretty ugly game, but won all the same. So I'm sure Pittsburgh will be more aggressive. They're going to throw it on the middle more often. And that's a good thing, but that is going to mean that those safeties are going to have chances to make some plays. All right. The good thing is, is you got a veteran quarterback who's seeing about everything in Aaron Rogers being able to diagnose that stuff was good to see them use the middle of the field more. It all be it not not with Rogers during the preseason, but I feel like we're going to have fewer conversations this year about circling the middle of the field more than eight yards

59:50down the field. I think this sets up good. We talked a lot about Pat Farramuth during the preseason, training camp on how we both expect him to have a good year. I think you could see Pat Farramuth with probably a healthy, I don't know, six, seven, eight targets in this game. And maybe somewhere in neighborhood of about 80 yards. I think that matchup with all work in Rogers is super interesting because they know each other so well from their time with the in the jets together. Even Robrick was named interim head coach after Robert Solagot fired in 2024. And so all brick knows how Rogers thinks and Rogers knows how all work thinks and that kind of chest match it to really well respect the guys will be fun to watch. I did think the Falcons took away the boot game. Well, it took away that kind of low read in the flat. And so Pittsburgh likes to do that. Then they'd be tougher to do. A Rogers will have to find his second read on that kind of crossing pattern coming across the formation. So that would be something to watch. Then kind of the last thing to note here in those obvious past situations to Falcons. And this is becoming more and more popular in the NFL. Those three by one looks where it's a four down front,

1:00:51three defense alignment or two one side with one kind of a way on backside. Get all those twists and games on those three man surfaces. And so Pittsburgh stunt pickup well and communicate and and all of that. Did you watch the one of they call it now forged in steel or whatever it's called that the steel was documentary that that aired last night? No, I haven't watched it yet. It was really interesting. And obviously usually they're not that interesting because it's still steel is media produced and they're all going to show you so much. But they really highlighted Mason McCormick and how vocal he's been. And he's really become the vocal leader. I think of that offensive line and just to hear him talking, communicate with Troy Fautani whenever there's a twist till you'll out game, game, game, there's a game of twist, a stunt being run. And so really for some McCormick's rounding in the form as a leader, which is good for a young offensive line. I know it's a very town. I know it's a very entertaining mic. The segment they had would be some recormic that they showed from a training camp as well too. No, I have to check that out there. But look, I mean, there's going to be a lot of questions about the Steelers offensive line

1:01:53particularly on the right side over there with Spencer Anderson. And we I think we both expect Dylan Cook to start this game there. And obviously you've got, uh, uh, maybe Mason McCormick and Fautani going back over to the left side. So a lot of eyes will be on. And look, you got a lot of pedigree invested into this offensive line. A lot of these guys, uh, second year we're obviously playing with Aaron Rodgers there. You expect this thing to look a lot better right out of shoot. I think Zach Frazier sets up to potentially having a pro bowl, uh, potentially all pro type season there. And I think Fauna represented himself well, uh, long one McCormick last year. So the big questions will be on that right side there, uh, of that offensive line with Anderson and Cook. Right. And I expect the Falcons that challenge it with those games and stunts probably to that side more so than Fauna McCormick just giving their talent and continuity. So Albrek knows where the weakness is and where the question marks are. And it is more on the right side than the left side. So that's my expectation for for how the single gets challenged. Uh, special teams,

1:02:55I didn't do a deep dive into that. I think Josh has something in the report there. Um, Nick Fulke, new kicker, even though he's been the league for forever. Jake Bailey, the punter. I think Danny Crossman coach Jake Bailey in Miami, I want to say. And so they got the rookie too in, uh, branch. That's, that was a pretty dynamic eye Georgia. Uh, what did Aaron Rodgers say a couple days ago, keep it even, you know, just don't make mistakes on that side of football. And obviously, he reiterated what a great clutch kicker that, uh, Chris Boswell is, uh, obviously Cameron Johnson has been putting in the NFL for quite a while. You got a veteran, uh, long snapper there as well too and Coonts there. So, and then the most exciting thing, obviously to look forward to is what can Caden, what can Caden Weijen do for you? Uh, uh, you know, looking for a pop return average of obviously greater than nine. I think that's a good target goal here. And then if they kick, you know, kickoff to them at all, can you provide a spark there? We look, uh, what the second half of

1:03:57that game against, uh, between the Rams and the 49ers, I think Debo Samuel came out with a long return right at midfield, uh, right from the, from the shoot there. And you know, we'd like to see, Caden Weijen making an immediate impact this, uh, in this game in return game in some way, shape or form, you know, the closer that, uh, I think, uh, was it him that brought it up to, obviously statistically, uh, the further that you can start drives down the field, the more successful, usually those drives end up, uh, being there. And the status draft them in the fourth round for a reason. And unfortunately, we did it while we did see, uh, fortunately, and unfortunately, while we did see it take a little bit of, you know, we had our concerns about Weijen there, uh, during the preseason, he, uh, he, he, he, punctuated at the end with a fine, fine punt return for a touchdown. And it was 99% on him in that situation there. So that's why you got him. Just hope the, the special, you know, don't let the special teams be a reason that you're

1:04:57pointing to, uh, the Falcons being in this game. Sure. I'm with you. The first match, a special team. Just the old doctor adage of first, do no harm. But I take back to week one last year. And Pittsburgh won that game. I know Rodgers do four touchdowns, but they wanted a large part, do the special teams. Chris Boswell hit from 56 and 60 to have the go ahead field goal in Pittsburgh, forced the fumble on, on kick coverage. Kenneth Gaines will pop it out and scurronic recovered in Pittsburgh squad of touchdown off of that. And so special teams was a big reason for the win last year. So that can be an asset. Then more power to him. All right, Dave, anything else to talk about in previewing this game? No, I think, uh, it's, it's a lot harder once again to preview week one game, especially when preseason tape really. It's hard, you know, it's hard to get, get a feel for things, especially when guys don't play and you're, you're into the backups and all like that. But, uh, yeah, I think we beat this one up pretty good. I think a lot of the things are pretty, pretty obvious when it comes to both sides of the football, regardless of some new coaches being on the staff and new personnel as well too. So, uh, what's next? Yeah, now the question is,

1:06:02who's the quarterback for the Falcons will be to a tongue of ILO, will it be Cooper Russian? Let me ask you just last question. Kevin Stofansky being familiar with Pittsburgh as an organization, even though the Steelers of course have a brand new coaching staff essentially to how much of an advantage is that give? Stofansky just playing against Pittsburgh twice a year for the last six years. Yeah, I think it helps because the Steelers really are, are, are kind of rooted in, you know, a few things that they like to do, especially when it comes on to defense aside of football. And yeah, they got a new defensive coordinator and Patrick Graham. Uh, but, uh, look, he, he, he, he, he knows the nameless gray faces, whether or not he'll, he'll admit it. Uh, you know, a lot of guys specifically in the front of this defense, uh, Stofansky knows, uh, well about. But even if he didn't know anything about, uh, this defense overall, uh, it, what it is going to change the fact of what they're going to try to do, I think, offensively. And that's try to establish to run. And, you know, lean heavily on B. John Rob, Robinson. Yeah, I think that's a fair assessment. I'm with

1:07:02you. There are a day before we make our picks for the Steelers Falcons game. Let's make them for the rest of the NFL schedule ahead of us. All right. Uh, looking at draft Kings here. Uh, we got the New Orleans Saints that the Detroit Lions, the Lions are seven point home favorites over the Saints in this one. Seven point favorites at Lions. Two large and the Saints have their firepower. Taua Shock had a really good end two last year. I don't know if those Saints win this game, but they at least cover. So give me New Orleans. All right. I'll take the, uh, Lions out to make a statement in game one here with the firepower with Gibbs and everybody. Uh, I like the, I like the Lions to cover this one. So I'll lay the seven. Let's move on to the Cleveland Browns at the Jacksonville Jaguars large line in this one as well too. The Jaguars at a home, uh, eight and a half, uh, laying eight and a half against the Browns. Yeah, I'll say the Jaguars are pretty high on Jackson will this year. Yeah, I, I am as well too. It's going to be interesting to see how the Browns, uh, do with watching it quarterback and just a mess over there. It feels like, uh, of the season headed

1:08:06for them. Jaguars, obviously a playoff team from last year. I'll lay the eight and a half points with you. The Chicago Bears at the Carolina Panthers. Bears favored by three on the road against Carolina. This could be a really fun matchup, even though it may not hit that way when you look at the matchup on paper, Carolina, with what they did last you with Bryce Young and of course, with Ben Johnson, do with Caleb Williams. Uh, I don't want to count out the Panthers here. I think they're, they're kind of getting slipped on to some degree, but I'll take Chicago's to. I'll take the Shag Chicago Bears of Latas three points easily in this one. The Baltimore Ravens opened up on the road against the Indianapolis Colts and the Ravens are three and a half point road favorites right now. Yeah, a lot of road favorites here. Um, you know, I like to just see me they're high thing that defense will be better. You know, I'm at a boot game. I don't know how much you'll play this week, maybe some and then ramp up his work throughout the season. Uh, you know, it's good for the Colts to the day. No Jones is back and the continuity there. Alex Pierce returning, but he may be on a snap count. He made the Ravens. Yeah, I think this one could be ugly Ravens got a fairly favorable started this season here for sure. I like them going

1:09:12on the road and covering that three and a half points along with you. Tampa Bay Buckeners. This ought to be a good one on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals. Uh, the Bengals at home, Lane three and a half points against Tampa Bay. Yeah, this would be a big test for that Bengals defense and how much they've improved. Um, give me the eights. I'll stick with it. Dave, I'll take the Bengals. Yeah, I'll take the Bengals in this one as well too. I think they at home open up with a win and cover that three and a half points there. Buffalo Bills. This should be an entertaining game going on the road against the Houston Texans. The bills are one and a half point favorites against the that good Texas defense. Yeah, it's just cool to rec play. Yeah, the Texas defense is outstanding, but if it's Josh Allen versus CJ Stroud, what a big year it is for Stroud. I'll take the bills. They're going to get Stroud extended here in the next, whatever 48 hours. I think that's what a couple of guys are keeping their eyes peeled over there. Stroud, obviously, he's got a lot to prove going into this season here based on what he did last year. Uh, the bills are just going to be too much for him overall. Uh, I respect that. I think

1:10:17this is going to be a low scoring game, but I expect the bills to cover the one and a half points Sarah, the New York Jets on the road against the Tennessee Titans, the Titans, one and a half point home favorites against J ETS Jets Jets Jets. Yeah, this one's tough. The Titans certainly looked much approved from a year ago. The roster, I think it's been overhauled and it needed to be bigger too for cam ward. Uh, my guts this Titan, so I'll take Titans. I'll take the Jets in the upset here on the code in week one. Oh, give me those one and a half points in this one. How about the Washington commanders at the Philadelphia Eagles? The Eagles are laying six on the road against the commanders. Now that lights too big for a divisional play. Give me Washington. I'll take Eagles to cover this one at home. I'll lay the six. I think this ends up being a nine point game overall. The Arizona Cardinals on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers Mike McDaniel comes in as the offensive coordinator over there. Uh, the lot of expectations, obviously once again with the

1:11:21Chargers, uh, the Cardinals not so much. The big line in this one, Chargers, nine and a half point favorites, uh, at home against the Cardinals. You know, week one is weird. I always point to the raiders beating the Patriots last year. I'm going to take the Cardinals in the upset. It's just one of those weird games. Doesn't mean the Cardinals are going to be a great team. It's mean the Chargers love a bad year, but the Chargers without their center and it just always seems to go wrong. So give me Arizona and the upset. All right. Uh, Steter fans would love that to pop up on the scoreboard here. I don't think it'll happen though. I think the Chargers handle them easily at home. I'll lay the nine and a half points there. Uh, Y'all Miami dolphins at the Las Vegas Raiders here. Uh, might look back at this one as the, uh, the winner being the loser in the, uh, draft pick category here. The Raiders at home laying three points against the dolphins. What say you? Yeah, that's going to be a fun matchup, I think. I mean, even though it doesn't look like to look like that on paper, I think you had coaches and kubiac and halffully and then new quarterbacks in their new places and will listen to Kirk cousins. Man, the air just losing Brock

1:12:23Barters is a crushing blow. Who they get getting, uh, getting involved here. I know, genty. I think he's going to play, but not 100% sure. I was a big Jeff Hathley fan. I'll ride with him for this game and give me, uh, give me the dolphins thing. All right. I'll rely on Kirk cousins in this one. I'll lay the three points with the Raiders at home to cover that three there. Green Bay Packers. How about it? How about an NFC North divisional matchup, uh, uh, uh, uh, help headline week one Packers on the road against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings are one and a half point favorites in this. Hmm. You smell a rat here, Dave. It's one of those situations. Give me green bay. Yeah, give me green bay. I smell a rat. Green Bay wins by a field goal and this one on the road. Uh, Dallas Cowboys on the road against the New York Giants. I think that press cod is prime to probably have a, uh, MVP season here. Uh, Cowboys, even though they lost a guard to injury, obviously got a few questions on that offensive line. They do have George Pickens and, uh, CD Lam over there. The Cowboys are three point road favorites. I'm going to go first. Uh,

1:13:27I'll take the Cowboys will lay to three points in this one. Yeah, I picked Dallas to win the East. I stand by that, but I'll take the Giants in this one. I just don't trust the Giants to stay healthy enough with their key guys all year with Dart and scatterbue and even neighbors. But, uh, in this game veteran coach like hard botnical, I'm ready to play. So we'll be tight game. Maybe we'll not sure the Giants will win. They'll get right there though and give me the Giants on the betting line. All right. I think that is the Sunday night game and then the Monday night game. How about an AFC West matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Denver Broncos. Uh, home's ready for this one. Uh, the Chiefs are two and a half point home favorites against Sean Peyton and company. Yeah. It's, this one's an interesting game. Of course, Denver was my super bowl team. This year, I will stick with it and go Denver. I'm not, you know what? I think Denver wins this one out right. So I'm with you. I'll take the two and a half points in this one. Broncos winning on the road in Arrowhead to start off the season on Monday night. That should be a

1:14:30fun one to watch. But before we get there to Pittsburgh Steelers, we'll host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at one o'clock Eastern time that game will be on Fox. A lot of people nationally will be able to see that on Fox as well too. The Steelers are now five and a half point home favorites. Uh, over to Falcons and, uh, less than 24 hours ago. I think this is a three and a half point game. Uh, the two, uh, situation has moved this line. What say you? Yeah. It's week one. It's just always tough to get a read. I think some of the Falcons. Falcons continuity and it's the fanski being more familiar with Pittsburgh. Certainly it is helpful. But, you know, bottom line is Pittsburgh has the better roster there at home. Uh, the past rush for the Falcons is really hurting the quarterback situation is hurting. Yeah. The past game isn't as daunting that there might be a little exploit to Steelers secondary as much as say the bangles in week three so all that to say and I know people will hate this because I'm picking the Steelers of the win which is concerning about maybe there's chances to now lose this game. But too bad. I'm taking

1:15:34Pittsburgh to win this one 30 to 20 and they finally break the first quarter drought of not scoring more than seven points in the first quarter. Pittsburgh gets off to a hot start. All right. Uh, I have to see there's obviously winning this one. I think there'll be a couple of hiccups on the offensive side of football to get things started here. I'm not going to go with your prediction of, of an open and drive touchdown or anything like that. I think the Steelers are the better team. They better win this game regardless of the quarterback situation. Uh, Mike McCarthy's first official game has had coach and it's in Pittsburgh. Uh, they don't lose this one. Do they? Uh, I had the Pittsburgh Steelers win this one 24 to 13. Okay. I like it. Uh, let's play the other, uh, chew on foot that we like to do. If Pittsburgh does lose this game, why do they lose this game? What do we talking about on Monday? Beijon, a lot of beijon, uh, unable to handle beijon, plain and simple. Beijon something like, I don't know, 150 to 180 total yards from scrimmage in this one. Not having

1:16:37an answer for beijon is why they lose this game. I'll say it's a coverage bus defensively and the Falcons defense is given Pittsburgh fits. So as Pittsburgh tries to coalesce and the Falcons are a little have a little more continuity with returning DC and, uh, the guys in the secondary and that get Pittsburgh some trouble. All right. All right, Dave. That's our pick here for week. Uh, one, I before I get to read your emails, I promise you're going to play a little, little game here in terms of just getting some random Steelers predictions from you, Dave, throughout the season. I already spoiled my answer to this one, but I'll ask it to you anyway. What week will the Steelers break their first quarter point streak if it happens at all? And again, Pittsburgh's gone 67 straight game without scoring more than seven points in the first quarter. It's historically long. It's the third longest NFL history. Pittsburgh hoping to break that sooner than later. Oh, how about, uh, okay, I'll go get some great here. Cleveland Browns week four in the, and, and, and I believe that's what the Thursday night game, right? The Thursday night road game.

1:17:42That's always terrible. Everybody, everybody's fearful of that one. I'm, I'm going to go the other direction and say that's when, when they break that one. All right. Good deal. Combined pass attempts by quarterbacks, not named Aaron Rogers this season. What will be that number? Will it be zero? Will it be? They won't be zero. And I think I expecting Aaron Rogers to miss some games. I said, uh, I will go with 99. 99. Any of those were Howard and or Aller. Well, they just be 99 from Mason Rudolf. I think some, I think some will be from Howard. Okay. I like it. Will a Steeler record an interception who is not currently on the 53 man roster, all a Kyle Dugger a year ago. That's a good one. Somebody get added and then pick off the passes. So I thought they same,

1:18:44but also had an interception last year was I'm gonna, I'm gonna say no. Okay. I'll say, I'll say, yes, I don't know why, but I'll say yes. Uh, you don't have to tell me that the week, but the number, the, the most points Pittsburgh scores in the game this year will be blank. 30, 30, 38, 38. All right. What about the fewest points they score in a game? Well, that number be 13. Okay. We know, Jalen, Warren, Rico, Dattle, the top two, when he backs, who finishes third on the team and carries. Hmm. Third, Heinrich, Luke Nichols, Legion, Rogers, technically gets carries. Wow, that is a good one. Hmm. You know the top two, who's third? All right. I want Nichols to my stat projection. Number of

1:19:44non-offensive touchdowns, the Steelers score this year. So defense, special teams, how many did they score? Not sure how many they had last year they had at least two. I'm gonna say three, three is the number that jumps in my head here. Okay. Assume the Steelers try a special team's fake this year under Danny Crossman. Will it be successful? Yes. I'm gonna say no. Well, Cameron Johnston break Bobby Joe Greens 1961 punt average record, which I don't have these exact number. I think it's like 46.9. No. No, you want to get will? No. I hope I'm gonna say yes. I'm waiting for that. I'm waiting for that for five years now. All right. My last question for you, Dave. And this is the one that you might have an easy answer, but it's just kind of fun. Which Jennings sees more snaps on their side of the ball, Dunker or Robert this year. And you think about injuries here too.

1:20:45I'll take Robert. Yeah, that's probably the they say for answer, but a couple injuries happened the offensive line and Jennings. Dunker might have to see a lot of playing time. Who scores the first touchdown of the 2006 season for the first two years? This men's caronic last year, which was not on our bingo cards will be somebody as obscure this year. You know what? Let's stick with. Let's be obscure. Riley little Kowski scores the first one off a boot play action goal line. I will go Rico Dattle. That feels fairly safe. All right. Good deal. Any other questions? That's all I had for you, Dave. Over or under 12.75 sat for TJ what in 2026. My projection of the day. I had him a dozen dead on. So I'll say under that. I will say under as well. Will TJ what lead the team in sex in 2026? Yeah. So I had my set projection leading the way. Yes. I'm going to say Nick Herbig.

1:21:51But how many more than 12? I will say 12 for Nick Herb. Okay. All right. Good deal, Dave. Excited for the season. Start. I am too. Alex. I am too. All right. Let's uh, I think we're running a little bit long as expected here. Let's go to the email machine. I'm about a couple of these real quick here. Eric Koffer writes in what's uh, let's see. Right. If we don't sign JPJ by the time we read the message, then what's the point of con? He's not a speaker. Gay pickens up for a third time for wider and a new suit. All right. Uh, I think that's more of a comment. I don't know if that's more of a question. Uh, look, Eric, all I can say, let's see how this thing plays out with Joey Porter, Jr. by the by Sunday. That's, that's, that's, uh, it's about the best I could do there. Yeah. Pittsburgh also has to franchise tech at their disposal after the year, which I'm sure as part of their calculation and these negotiations. All right. Mark Alves. Remember him from the

1:22:55other day I asked him to get back to us on what his season prediction record is for the state. He says, I'm going with seven and 10. The shuffling line is going to take too long to come together. The bangles and Ravens will return to form and a reduction in causing turnovers will let a couple of close game slipway. He says, hopefully I'm wrong as my usual sports predictions are. So mark, thank you for getting back with us on that. Uh, Jason Chad. Well, hi, David Ongz. I hope I am reaching you before the state is officially kick off their 2026 season. Quick question. Are we overestimating Spencer Anderson as the starting right guard for 17 games? The former seventh round pick was an asset as a tackle eligible, but I worry he will be below average as a starting right guard. Jason, I mean, I don't know if Alex and I either of us have kind of overestimated. I

1:23:56have more than anything. I think just Spencer Anderson's a guy to watch on the right side of that line as we get this season underway here. I think there is a lot of questions about him. Yeah, he's played some snaps on Y'all fence of line throughout his career since he was drafted. I think overall, he's kind of held his own, but I think I don't I don't think I don't think there's a lot of people. I didn't feel like a lot of people are over estimating Spencer Anderson. I think more than anything, when it comes to Spencer Anderson, there's there's a lot of people just just kind of inquisitive of how this season goes for him. Yeah, I would say that that's a really fair assessment. I think we'll be okay. I mean, I think he's not, you know, he started for say Malu last year was just it felt almost like the Mason Rudolph of the offensive line where it's serviceable. It's not anything too crazy, but as he continues to grow, I think he talked about liking to be back on the right side. We'll see, but I don't think anyone's rating him so highly where he could be potentially overrated.

1:24:59You just hope he's not a liability. All right, Bryce is back up in here. Remember Bryce, a couple of weeks ago, we said get back with us on his weekly keys to the game during the season. Well, he has his four keys to success to a successful Steelers season. Overall, outside of injuries in the quarterback play, of course, he says the Steelers must use their deep defensive line to keep lineman off of Queen and Wilson. If you're going to play two inside linebackers like this that are similar, then you better keep them clean for the defense to maximize his potential. What do you think about his key number one there about trying their best with this defensive line group to keep Queen and Wilson as clean as possible? Sure. I agree. That's always, I think, a bit of a mission for Pittsburgh, but of course, Queen and Wilson just have to simply play better. You can't be clean all the time. You're going to have to get off a blocks and be able to be more aggressive downhill, especially for Wilson, the Queens, but he aggressive in nature. But yeah, I think that the D line, the linebacker is kind of working in tandem and making plays off of each other is

1:25:59critical, especially against Benjamin. Yeah, especially. Look, this is going to be a good test out of you know, out of the shoot here, obviously, because you expect the Falcons to try to establish a running game early and often, and they've got a good pair of backs to do it with in a good offensive line and good offensive line coach. So good test for that front front for the Steelers in week one here. Number two, motion shifts in movement. He says, Alex, I don't think I've heard you mentioned once during Trent during camp that this offense has been using motion and shifts to create space and matchups. He says, not great, Bob. If this offense remains static, then they will be a will be a definite cap on what they can do time to bring the offense into 2026. I don't think you'll see the Steelers as a very, I expect them to probably be right around middle and then leg as far as it comes with with motions and all. Yeah, I didn't get a, I didn't chart it, you know, during the year, I'll have to check our charting from Tom Meade. You're right. I mean, McCarty's

1:26:59offense is aren't super motion heavy and there's been some belief that Roger is not a huge fan of motion either. And so I don't know. It's not going to be something to lean on. I think it might finish you in kind of bottom third and motion rate. But yeah, it's a fair critique. We'll see what it looks like, but that's a fair point. He says number three, more Minnesota less old school west coast. Angelico and McCarty better marry the run and pass and lean more towards the Minnesota style offense and not shotgun heavy offense. Put this young offense alignment in more balanced situations and let them grow a very loose kind of thing. Right there. Look, I think we'll see Aaron Rodgers under center more. I think we're going to see more play action. Overall, I think, you know, look, that West Coast is the roots with McCarty and Aaron Rodgers. So I don't think you're going to get too far away from a lot of the principles that come with with West Coast. I know Aaron's not a fan of run run pass. So I expect more first down throws than we've seen probably in a long time,

1:28:05especially in first and 10 situations there. But yeah, look, I mean, they're going to they're going to have to have some semblance of a run game, obviously, to help, you know, further along, maybe some things that they want to do with play action and also, I mean, I think it goes about saying you want to run to marry and marry the run in the past. I just don't think that you're going to get away from kind of old school West Coast principles, right? Yeah, I think we'll see a blend of it all, but no matter what we predict, we'll be tracking it for sure throughout the year to see what exactly it looks like. All right. The last one he has more pattern matching and complex coverages can't just be man to man one high coverage most of the time. Got to mix it up and get the secondary disguise and play fast. They got three starting corners play like it. Look, I think you got, you know, we said this for for a while now, your leagues really become a too high league. I think you're going to see the state is a lot of too high quarters quarter quarter half those those type

1:29:07situations there. You know, you kind of limited on one side with with Jamel Dean, I think with some of the things that you want to do, do you have a true free safety that you can lean on for situations going one high? I think look, I am excited about Patrick Graham coming over. I'm excited about Patrick Graham having the level of talent that he has with his defense to work with. You're going to see some pattern matching and hopefully what I want to look for is just more than anything is what will they be kind of less predictive pre snap and and you know, with some of the rotations and all. Yeah, you're going to see some pattern matching. I think more so than the passenger gene that had a lot of the spot drop concepts that I think was is getting pretty antiquated. Remember, Patrick Graham, you know, his upbringing in the NFL was Bill Bellicicic and the Patriots and that comes from, you know, the the Ripley's Sabin matching and all the stuff they didn't cleave on the getter in the 90s. And so I think see plenty of that, but it also depends on

1:30:09just how the guys respond to that. You know, can you can you give them enough information to to work some of those more advanced concepts or if there's some communication issues or guys just haven't played as much together. Do you want to simplify things to start the year? So it's kind of a case by case basis just on on the development and the maturation of the group, but you know, it's a pretty veteran group overall. So yeah, you'll you'll see some more. I think advanced pattern matching less of less of the just kind of old school spot dropping zone coverage. Look, one of my keys to a successful stealer season and five is less four of it. Got to see the ball push down the football field. We got to see some explosive plays go up here. Yeah, and you've hopped on that a ton. That's all tying into Aaron Rogers adjusted net yards for passing attempt and then number you'll be watching like a hawk this year. Absolutely. And yeah, I think Aaron over over the years, obviously, has done a good job of protecting the football and interested to see kind of the contributions that pitman can add and and and you know, if if it's still results in DK Metcalf getting the most attention, some the balls got to be able to go to somebody else

1:31:13there. I think it's going to be interesting to watch the number three wide receiver position as we get into the season here. And if any of those guys can contribute and I think Pat Farmer's really needs a solid season for us to be talking about a potential playoff team. And it goes without saying you expect a running game to take another step forward with Rico Dotto coming in and having to pedigree in this offensive line. A lot of look, I think the defense we find overall. I'm not so much concerned about the defensive side of football. I think they're going to be better against the run this year. Hopefully the the past game defense. My main concern is can can how much better the past defense get, especially in a net yards per per average net yards from passing tips that can it get better enough to maybe offset what little growth. I think we're going to see in the offensive number. Yeah, I know we'll be tracking that. The number obvices are

1:32:15really good correlation to team success. So I think it'll probably good to go here. Dave, what was your score prediction? I just want to get from my article 24 13 was that what you said? Yeah. Okay. Teal was 24 13. Yeah, I think it could very I could hardly find anyone picking the Falcons this week, especially after the two of news. There was one Adam Kaufman from USA Today picked the Falcons that was before the two of news came out. He hasn't lent a winning 17 14, but 98% of the analysts are breaking Pittsburgh, which can be scary because oftentimes that comes back to Baitia, but we'll see what it looks like on Monday. All right. What's going on later today? The injury report, obviously, for both teams will be watching specifically on the Steeder side when it comes to how Joey Porter, Jr. is listed and what he does or doesn't do to on the other side with the Falcons and are the assistant coaches talking today, Alex for the Steelers. The offensive assistant coaches that believe are slated to speak later today. Yes. All right. So we'll be covering that on Steeder's Depot.com Alex and company already have the offensive and defensive previews of the Falcons up on the site right early Friday morning. And we will obviously have a game thread going

1:33:20on Sunday. Invite everybody to participate in and looking forward to a fun weekend and hopefully talking about a Pittsburgh Steelers win on Monday when you and I get together Alex. So in the meantime, you can follow me on Twitter slash X at Steeder's Depot. Follow Alex at Alex on the score. Cause or follow the show at terrible podcast email to show the terrible podcast at gmail.com. If you like what we're doing, want to donate Steeder's Depot.com hit the donate button. Also, if you like an ad free version of the site, Steeder's Depot.com hit that ad free button and follow directions that way. So enjoy the weekend and enjoy the game against the Falcons. And as always, thanks for listening to the terrible podcast with Dave and Alex.