The Porch is LIVE in Pittsburgh - There's A QB Problem

Steve: yet. Not yet. Yes, there we go. We are live. We are live.
Marc: Live and we're live. Have a chance at the playoffs. Can you believe it, Steve?

Steve: I cannot believe that the Steelers, after all they have been through, still have a chance at the playoffs. Actually, a half decent chance at the playoffs to the way I read it. I mean, I think you have a different take on that.

Marc: Well, I don't know. I mean, I mean, in some respects, the the worst part of the scenario is they lost to Jacksonville, the Texans and the Colts. So the head to head doesn't work out well for them there. But that doesn't necessarily mean anything, because as I understand it, if the Steelers win, and Buffalo loses, they're in. Right.

Steve: Right.

Marc: That's one way in. So and that's look, that's possible. I don't I don't think Buffalo's going to lose. But Miami just did get shellacked and they just lost Chubb, their best pass rusher. Right. And, you know, I kind of look at I kind of look at Miami and think like, you know, is that team real or not? You know what I mean? They're kind of like a fraud type team in my mind. So it's I think Buffalo is going to win that game, but they might not. I mean, I certainly say it's a 50 50.

Steve: Yeah, I agree. And the other thing is, if if Jacksonville loses, it's possible they get in just by Jacksonville losing also.

Marc: Right.

Steve: And I think now, I mean, Jacksonville is playing the Titans, and that's not very encouraging, but.

Marc: Right. And it looks like Trevor Lawrence is going to play this week. You know, I think that I would think that they would win that game, but I don't know. Maybe not. I mean, you know, the Titans always play people tough. You know, variable always has his team competing, right?

Steve: So and I don't think I don't think as far as a draft position goes, they improve their their position much if they win or they lose. So I think they're going to go out there to play. They're not just going to tank it.

Marc: Well, and I've also heard that they might be looking at this as like this is the final goodbye game for Derek Henry. Uh, okay. And so they want to give him a lot of carries and, you know, hopefully get a couple touchdowns kind of in his sendoff game. They're playing in Tennessee, right?

Steve: Yeah. It's in Tennessee. Yeah. So that makes sense. I mean, so there, there could be something that comes from that hard to say. You never can tell with these last games of the year. I mean, even, you know, Pittsburgh, clearly everybody knows they're playing Baltimore. I mean, are they going to even play Lamar Jackson?

Marc: I mean, I don't I don't think so. I don't think so. But then at the same time, you know, Baltimore is so good that, you know, they might still put up a good game even with, you know, half backups.

Steve: Yeah, that's absolutely possible. Hey, before we continue this conversation, we have to say that the technical director, Chris, is out ill tonight. He is under the weather. Very much under the weather. So we're coming to you a day late and an hour early. Actually a little bit more than an hour early hour and a half early And the reason that is is because I of course want to watch the hockey game at 7 Actually, it's a 730 start tonight. It must they must be playing on TNT or ESPN plus or something like that so that gives me a half an hour to prepare for the for the big hockey game tonight against Washington and so yeah, so just because the technical directors out you know we're on a weird time doesn't mean you can't get your comments in so you know leave us a comment we're here we're gonna be going over the- We're going to be going over the Pittsburgh Steelers first and then, you know, we'll hit some hockey later. Glad you'll be watching along with me, Brad. You know, the Penguins are definitely cruising and we'll talk about that later in the show. But for now, what we're doing is we're we're checking out the Steelers situation. Speaking of the Steelers situation, Mark, what is going on with the quarterback position?

Marc: Well, I'll tell you what. So we've had some interesting reports out there. We've had reports that Kenny Pickett was none too pleased about being named the backup. There was some report out there that said that he was so distressed by that, that he said, I'm not dressing, which is very odd. I mean, I have to say, like Kenny Pickett to me seems like a good soldier type. He really does. Um, he did come out today and adamantly deny that he did that, but you have to wonder, you know, he was cleared to play. So why wouldn't he be dressed even as a third emergency quarterback? It doesn't really make any sense.

Steve: Yeah, that's why I kind of give the the report a little bit of credence, just because it doesn't make sense for him not to dress right. I mean, if he's healthy and I'm assuming he was healthy, he was cleared to play on Monday. I doubt he had a setback because his injury isn't like a concussion related thing where it's like, eh, You know, they revaluated him later in the week and he wasn't good. You know, I heard some other things today that said, you know, they just didn't feel comfortable enough with him because it was such a short time period. Like this week made more sense because it was more in the time period for that surgery where you're fully healed. I don't know if I believe that, to be honest with you, but the reality is Tomlin looked at the situation. He said, why would I switch out Mason Rudolph with Kenny Pickett? Because Mason's seems like he's got full complement of everything in the offense. He knows it all. Why would he why would he go back to somebody who basically is not really even practice much? And maybe it maybe is a little gimpy in a situation where you absolutely have to win the game. It just didn't make sense either way. You know, I I'm with you. I feel a little surprised if if Kenny Kenny Pickett thinks he deserves the starting job, because if he's watched these last two games, he knows. That Mason Rudolph looks and the statistics prove it out that he is the better quarterback.

Marc: Right. And he's I saw a stat today that over the last two weeks since Rudolph's been in there, the Steelers have led the league. They were first in 25 plus yard completions.

Steve: Yeah, I mean, Rudolph has got a strong enough arm. He's not afraid to kick it down the field. And clearly, I mean, Pickett is or Pickens is his number one go to guy and he should be. He's the best talent on the team. I mean, Deontay Johnson should always be thought of as a third, you know, a third a third option. I don't know what's going on with the tight end position. Muth seems invisible out there. I have no idea what that's about. Hey, Kyle, welcome to the porch. Yeah, Chris is a little under the weather. I guess, you know, maybe a little too much New Year's Eve partying.

Marc: Too much time with the Diva.

Steve: Yep. I think I think I think I think he can't make it to the porch tonight. And honestly, we don't want his germs on the porch. We're glad we're glad that he's taken the night off. Steeler freak brings up a good point about Pickett. You know, if the issue happened, we'll know when they approach Pickett in the offseason. And that's absolutely true. You know, if if if it's true that the Steelers somehow back into the playoffs, whether through winning or losing and some other teams losing, No matter what happens in the playoffs, if they make the playoffs, you got to figure they're going to give Rudolph a chance at giving him the keys to the kingdom, as they say, and letting him at least battle for that starting position with a healthy Kenny Pickett. Don't you think, Mark?

Marc: Oh, absolutely. I mean, you know, the the thing that I think I've watched over the past couple of weeks that really separates Rudolph from Pickett Is Rudolph has the courage to stay in the pocket? Yeah. You know, he stays in the pocket. He knows he's going to get hit hard. And yet he waits the last minute to release the ball. And he seems to know where the receivers are supposed to be down the field. And he's delivering the ball to them. You know, that's the thing that I think Kenny Pickett really struggled with, you know, whether it's footwork, whether it's just feeling like he has to escape too soon. Yeah. Just not having maybe like the presence in the pocket to step up in the pocket. Agreed. Things of that sort. And I think that's why you're getting such better play from Rudolph at this point. You know, I mean, really, I've always considered that Rudolph and Pickett are, you know, really, they're pretty comparable if you were to evaluate them on a draft board. It's just one guy was picked in the first round and one guy was picked in the third. So you always give that guy you picked in the first round the keys until they can't run the car anymore.

Steve: Right. And what's really interesting too, if you think about it, They both were picked as the alternative to Ben, right? So it's just that, to your point, Rudolph has been jerked around so much, and Steelers Freak brings this up too. Mason may get a better deal with another team. Mason hasn't been treated the best in Pittsburgh. He hasn't been treated great at all in Pittsburgh, Steelers Freak. Because if you think about it, even when Ben did get injured that year before, you know, a couple of years before he retired, everybody was like, oh, good. At least we get to see what Mason Rudolph could do. And when Mason Rudolph struggled at first, actually not as bad as I don't think as Kenny Pickett, he had he had a short leash like they were. They didn't leave him in there nearly as long as they let Ken. Big Ken in there, you know, and I think that's unfortunate because we may have missed out on some some some really good Some good years because if he really truly think about it, this is still Canada's offense, right? Everybody hated this offense at the beginning of the year still hated it when when when Big Ken was running it and And, you know, I know that Canada's no longer making the plays. Clearly, he got fired. But, I mean, it's still the same schemes. So, you know, this is what I wanted to see from Big Ken after Canada got fired. I wanted to see him go out there and chuck it and, you know, get 250, 300 yards. Actually, I believe I said at the beginning of the season, The Steelers' season will hinge upon Kenny Pickett throwing for two touchdowns in more than five or six games and occasionally a three or four touchdown performance. He hasn't done any of that, but Rudolph in the last two games has nearly done that. in two games in a two game sample. So I think they absolutely will have to do something to address that. I still don't know how many other teams will be interested in Rudolph, but I wouldn't be. Yeah, Rudolph. I wouldn't be surprised, though, if another team just comes in just to jack up the rate for the Steelers so they gotta pay him. And by the way, we're not even talking about Trubisky and clearly we shouldn't be talking about Trubisky. But I forget, is he even signed for next year? I don't think he is. And clearly they can just cut him.

Marc: I think he is. I think he's a two year deal, but they can cut him and not have much of a salary issue.

Steve: Right. So, I mean, they just cut they just cut him. And I mean, he's making 10, 12 million. Right. So, I mean, they can easily afford to give Rudolph a two year deal at five million and still be a better backup if that's the way the competition, you know, you know, works out.

Marc: Yeah, I think, I think in other kind of interesting piece to this is, um, you know, why did it take so long to go from Trubisky to Rudolph?

Steve: Well, I think, you know, that answer.

Marc: No, I mean, do you think it's, do you think that Tomlin just for one reason or another, outside of the fact that he's playing really well now and they're winning games, just kind of just isn't a Rudolph fan.

Steve: Uh, no, I think it's because Trubisky made too many mistakes. You know the way Tomlin is, he's risk averse. So anytime you turn over the ball or you're throwing it in the risky situations, like when you throw, when you see Rudolph throw the ball, he's not really throwing it in the situations where it looks like it could be interception. He's always giving, he's always giving the receiver a chance to make the play. When, when, when Trubisky would throw it, he just throws it up, man. He doesn't give a shit. He just would throw it up. And I think that's the, I think, honestly, I think that's the real reason, um, the, the switch, because I don't, and maybe their talent level is similar, but I think it's just the risk factor with Tomlet. He hates turnovers. He hates turnovers from the quarterback position more than anything. I, and, and I think that's really what it comes down to. And Rudolph hasn't shown that yet. Now we, I think we have to pump the brakes. As we like to say on the porch, we need to pump the brakes, right? Because they, I mean, Rudolph played against probably two pretty terrible defenses. Let's face it. Cincinnati's not a good defense and they played them at home. And Seattle's defense, dude, they started Devin Bush. We wouldn't even take him back. We wouldn't even take him back with all the linebacker issues that we've had. The Seattle Seahawks are starting that guy, you know? So I think we need to think about this in the terms of how it's playing out. Rudolph really got a good deal by playing against those two teams.

Marc: He did. And I think if you look at some of the other guys who've come in and played really well, the longer they've played, the more they've fallen apart. Like you're like you're Jake Browning in Cincinnati. Right. Like you're like you're Dobbs.

Steve: Yeah.

Marc: But you know, he hasn't lasted. So a lot of these guys who are coming in, you know, they They spark for a game or two and then they sort of regress back to the to the mean a little bit. But yeah, but but you know, I do. I do feel good about Rudolph. I just sort of feel like Rudolph is one of these guys who, you know, he's been in a system for several years. He knows exactly what's supposed to be done. He knows the system. I think he kind of had, has an approach where he's just like, Hey, look, you know, if I ever, if I ever get a chance to get back in a game, you know, I'm, I'm just going to sling it. Yeah. And that's what he's doing. And it's, and it's working. I also think he, I also think he plays with passion and I think that it rubs off on the teammates. You know, I think, I think when, and. I don't know that this is all Kenny Pickett's fault, because I do think that, you know, Tomlin has basically coached Kenny Pickett to be, you know, no turnovers and don't make any mistakes. Right. But, but at the same time, I think, you know, when you play like that, I think it makes a whole team, you know, play in a nutshell. And Rudolph's just kind of out there saying, like, hey, let's sling it around. Let's let's let's be aggressive and see if we can make big plays.

Steve: Yeah. And that's what that's what Tim is saying. The whole team has played better. And if you look at their you look at their running back production the last two the last two weeks, they've really been able to run the ball better. And I think that's that's that's probably because they've been able to throw the ball better. So they can't line up as many people in the box. And honestly, you know, this two back situation has worked out great for the Steelers this year. I know, you know, the technical director will say Jalen Warren is, you know, the better running back. And I think he is, honestly. But I think that between those two guys, they, um, They don't get tired, they're not getting injured, and they have different running styles, but not dissimilar enough that the running schemes have to be terribly different. And let's face it, I beat this drum for this rookie all year long, and I'm so glad he's in there as a starting rookie. right tackle right now, but Broderick Jones has made a big difference for this offensive line. The guy is just an absolute beast. And when it comes to, you know, running the ball, he, he clearly opens wide, big holes that weren't there early in the season. And I think, I think that's making a big difference. And honestly, I think the whole offensive line, cause let's face it, they revamped the line again this year. So I think it took them the better part of the season to start playing like the line. We thought they were going to be because earlier in the season, we thought they were actually worse, but clearly now they're, they're playing very well together as a unit.

Marc: Yeah, for sure, for sure. I don't really, I still don't like the center. Like I, I feel Mason Cole has to go.

Steve: I feel like that should be something they address in the, in the first or second round of the draft. Yeah.

Marc: Like that, that's your second round pick, pick a center.

Steve: You know, I agree. Yeah, he's terrible. He turned out to be absolutely, you know, Scott, our buddy Scott, he he hates Mason Cole. He hates him so bad. He's like, they should just cut him now. Yeah, yeah.

Marc: But yeah, you know, and actually, you know, it's nice to see the past couple of weeks to it's been nice to see Najee running. Um, more like he should, you know, like, you know, less, you know, he's been more decisive going right into a hole or trying to create a hole by running people over. Um, and you know, no more, I haven't seen him, you know, do a hurdle in a couple of weeks, you know what I mean?

Steve: Right.

Marc: Like he's just running people over and using a stiff arm to throw someone down. And so, um, he's been real effective and, you know, Jalen Warren is just, you know, he's just kind of like lightning out there. Um, and plays really physical actually for a smaller back, I have to say, I mean,

Steve: You know, he's really good. The one thing about Jalen Warren that has impressed me this year, his ability to hold on to the ball. I always thought that, you know, the more touches that guy would get, he would be a liability when it comes to turning over the ball. And he hasn't done that. So, you know, kudos to Warren for either working on that or recognizing that as something that he needs to continue to do. I think that's very important for this team. You know, one other thing that I heard today, which makes a lot of sense now, I guess the offensive line coach had have team meetings with the running backs. So basically the running backs and and the offensive line would work together on talking about the blocking schemes. To me, it seems like that should have been something they should have been doing all year long. When I heard that just recently, within the past several weeks, they started doing that, I'm thinking to myself, no wonder why everybody says the Steelers need more coaching. And when, when you don't have good coaches or any coaches for that matter, that are calling these meetings to say, Hey, offensive line, tell the, tell the running backs how you're going to block this scheme so that they know what to look for. And if things go bad, where to make the cut back, or, you know, maybe to make an adjustment so that, you know, you're not losing five yards, which is what they used to do all the time at the beginning of the season.

Marc: Yeah. You know, a lot of teams, they have like a, a, um, a running back coordinator, like a run, a run running, uh, was a running backs coach, not a run backs coach, but a run game coordinator and run game coordinator. Yeah. And like a pass game coordinator as well, you know? So that's the idea. I think that job is supposed to kind of merge the two together, but if the sealers don't have that, then somebody has got to take on both roles.

Steve: Yeah. And maybe that's what's happening. But so honestly, you know, we didn't talk about this yet, but we probably should just throw it in there. Well, how do you feel about Tomlin having another plus 500 season?

Marc: I have to tell you, it's it's it's truly amazing. I mean, because it seems like it seems like Something always sort of saves his skin on this, doesn't it?

Steve: I mean, I mean, every year, dude, around the last three or four games every year.

Marc: I mean, think about it like they just come off those, you know, back to back losses at home to two win teams. And it looks like this is finally it. They're going to lose out. And then all of a sudden, Mason Rudolph comes in and it's like a completely different football team.

Steve: You know what I mean? He's definitely going to get it. But after they lost that, too, it was like, God, if they could lose to those two, they could probably lose out if if things went really bad. But you're right. They turn it around. They find the right quarterback and they turn it around. But just think about that, you know, and I know the Eagles just lost to the Cardinals and the Cardinals. The Cardinals clearly have something going on offensively now.

Marc: I mean, well, they are. I mean, I don't think they'd be a two in team if Kyler Murray was their quarterback the whole year.

Steve: No, no, I don't think they would either. That's that's absolutely true, because the guy is definitely competitor. There's no doubt about that. He makes that whole team better. And, you know, that McBride is is is a tight end is clearly better than Travis Kelsey right now. Um, so I think in, in Connor's having a phenomenal second half of the season, you know, Connor never plays a full season. He can't, he, I think it's in his contract. Like I have to take four or five games off in the middle of the season on order to play the rest of the games. But when he comes back, he's very healthy. And I think he does take a lot of pride in knowing that he's a veteran running back now, and he's basically just playing for pride now. He's not playing for prestige or even a chance at the playoffs at this point. So I don't want to minimize that. And the reason I say that is, if they win those two games, You're talking about them already being in the playoffs, right? And and thinking about, you know, who they're going to have to play, probably at home, you know, against, you know, either Buffalo or Miami, maybe, you know, whoever wins this game. Or better yet, maybe, you know, maybe who knows? I mean, I don't know what happens with the Browns, by the way. I don't even know if I want to talk about the Browns because I don't think they're a very good team, but let's just say they have the same record as the Browns and they're tied. So I don't know. I don't know who that tiebreaker would go to. My point is. We would be talking about the playoffs already. We wouldn't have to be hoping that, you know, Buffalo loses or Jacksonville loses and, you know, maybe Denver beats, uh, Las Vegas Raiders. And, you know, we're watching the Sunday night game, uh, to see who we get to play against, but I don't think anybody's excited about playing Buffalo or Miami. No, no.

Marc: I mean, no, I don't think so either. I mean, look, when you have to play on the road in the playoffs, it's it's tough. You know, it's tough. And especially if you're not a team that was supposed to be, you know, a one through a three seed. But then, you know, you kind of stumbled and fell on hard times, but you've got a lot of talent. It's just tough. I mean, You know, any anybody that gets in the playoffs at this point is good. And, you know, the vast majority of those teams are going to have a really good home record.

Steve: By the way, by the way, if the Bills lose and Jacksonville lose, I think we get to play at Kansas City. So that would be the that would that would be the consolation prize.

Marc: To be honest, I, you know, of all the teams that they could play in the playoffs, that might be the best the best option.

Steve: Yeah, I agree. I would, I wouldn't, I would feel much more confident. And I know Kansas city's probably undefeated at home with my homes is quarterback. I get it. Right. He's Patrick Mahomes, but this year he's not the Patrick Mahomes of, of yesteryear. And that's funny to say, cause the guy's only been in the league for what? Five years. Yeah, but but it's true.

Marc: I mean, look, I mean, it's it's no different for him than anybody else. I mean, you know, if you don't have weapons, you don't have weapons. I mean, and they really do not have they barely have one decent receiver. You know, that rice guy who's yeah, right. Rishi rice. Right. Right. Right. I mean, that's basically what they got at receiver. And for whatever reason, you know, thank you, Taylor Swift. Jason Kelsey is not playing very well this year.

Steve: Well, neither is Travis Kelsey. So both of the Kelly. Oh, yes. Yes. Travis is who I met. I, I know what you meant. I was just trying to save you there, Mark. Um, yeah. So, um, yeah, don't, I know it in, in the fantasy playoffs. He got me a total of like nine total points. So yeah. So I had that going on. Um, but this isn't about me. So what do you think of this week? You think, uh, Steelers can pull one out in Baltimore?

Marc: Well, um, I don't know.

Steve: What will it take for them to pull it out in Baltimore? Let's, let's play, let's play that game.

Marc: Well, you know, I have to say this, this one is really got me, um, confused, you know, because, because on one hand, you know, you say to yourself, if their best players aren't playing,

Steve: And with the history of this, by the way, I think it'll only be Lamar Jackson in Odell Beckham. I don't think it's necessarily their best players, but I think you'll see Zave Flowers out there.

Marc: Well, but, you know, like you could have what, like maybe they said Roquan Smith, you know, or I don't think so.

Steve: You know, I think I think those guys want to play. I think Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen, I think they want to get out there and knock some heads, honestly. Well.

Marc: Boy, I mean, And who's the bad guy? Is it like Tyler Huntley or something?

Steve: Yeah, somebody like that. Right.

Marc: Yeah. I don't know, man. For some reason, for some reason, I kind of have this strange feeling like like that they're going to lose. I don't I don't think I don't think I don't think they're going to lose. badly by any stretch. I actually think like Mason Rudolph will play really well, but I think it might be one of those games where they just like they lose by like a last second, you know, field goal. You know, I think, I think

Steve: I think they're best. I think their best chance at winning is is to go out there and score often and early to the point where to the point where Baltimore is like, eh, we don't need to win this game. There's there's no sense in trying to win this game. You know what I mean? So if you're up by let's just in in in the in in the fantasy world that I'm living in, let's say the Steelers are up by 10 or 14 points at half rate. Right. I think that's the that's the road to victory. I think if Baltimore comes out and you know, and I do think that most of their players are going to play and they come out and they score 21 points real quick against us and Um, the Steelers defense looks terrible and maybe Mason Rudolph regresses to the mean, which it means, you know, he throws an interception or get sacked and has a fumble. Um, then I think, then I think it's going to be a hard road. Um, but the Steelers are going to play 60 minutes. I can promise you that, you know, so, um, and this offense now probably has a better chance at doing that. I don't know that Baltimore wants the Steelers in the playoffs, be honest with you. You know, well, wouldn't you, wouldn't you rather the Steelers, wouldn't you rather the Steelers be in then say Buffalo and Miami?

Marc: Yeah. I mean, I don't know.

Steve: I mean, that's the way it works. If the Steelers lose, if it's the Steelers lose, then I think that Buffalo Miami game doesn't matter. It's just the seating. They're both going to be in it. Right. Right.

Marc: Yeah. I don't know. I mean, To be honest, I don't think that Harbaugh is really thinking about whether or not the Steelers make it. I mean, I know there's sort of like a level of hate there. Yeah, I think he's really thinking about that. I think he's thinking, I've got the number one seed and I want to make sure that Lamar is healthy and I want to make sure that most of my star players are healthy. So I do think you're right in that if the Steelers can put up a 10 to 14 point lead by half, then it makes sense kind of mid game for the Ravens to say, this isn't that important. You know, let's take Roquan Smith out. Let's take, you know, Marlon Humphrey out, you know, you know, let's take a few good players out. And then I think that obviously increases the chances that the Steelers will win. But I think if you go to halftime and it's like a tie score or if the Ravens are up a little bit, You know, I think they maybe try to stretch it, you know, to maybe like through the third quarter before they pull anybody, you know, that that kind of thing. So I don't know. I mean, it's I think you've got the right path to victory. But these games are kind of the games where it's like you don't know what to expect. I mean, yeah, I I've been impressed with what the the Steelers have done the last two weeks. And I'm just I just sort of am in that kind of is it too good to be true? Yeah. You know, is it too good to be true? Like, can this can this happen three weeks in a row?

Steve: Yeah, I agree with you just because I think Baltimore and I've been saying this for a while. In fact, I predicted Baltimore that that that take the division. I didn't predict them to be the number one seed, but I definitely saw this Baltimore team as a team throughout the last three years who have found a way to overcome Um, terrible injuries, mostly in the running back position and in the wide receiver position, they've never really had anybody. I think last year they got Odell Beckham and, but I really thought that save flowers was going to be a really good pickup for them. And let's face it, a healthy Lamar Jackson makes all the difference to this team. And I, I don't, I don't see Lamar Jackson playing at all. They're not even going to suit him up. That would just not make any sense. He knows what he needs to do. He's healthy. He's done his job. Let him sit two weeks. He's going to be a madman when he gets back. I don't think there's any rust on that guy, to be honest with you. I do agree with what Steelers Freak said, though, that the Steelers will need another balanced offensive attack. And I do think it's going to have to be Mason opening up with the running game, because I do believe that Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith are going to play. So they're going to make it really difficult to run the ball. And Baltimore does like the blitz. So it'll be really interesting to see how they mix it up so that they can keep that blitz at bay. And I think that's the path to victory. I agree with you, though. I'm extremely nervous about this game. Games against Baltimore always go down to the wire. How many games have been less than three points? Probably six of the last eight. So I don't see this one any differently. And clearly, you wouldn't want to bet against Tucker kicking a game-winning field goal. and then again, you wouldn't want to bet against Boz either. I think the weather's not going to be great either, so I think that actually may benefit the Steelers because Baltimore can really score a lot of points in a hurry.

Marc: Yeah, I also think that this will be the first real test secondary wise for Rudolph. Because, you know, you got Kyle Hamilton lurking out there. You got Marlon Humphrey out there. You got some guys who can break on the ball and intercept. Um, so it's going to be more of a challenge, uh, this week, but then again, you know, maybe Kyle Hamilton doesn't suit up because he got a little banged up in the last game.

Steve: Maybe he might be, he might be a guy they would sit because he has been hurt and he probably does need the rest. I wouldn't be surprised to see him sit. Um, but you know, speaking of, of, of player sitting, uh, what is, what is going on with our secondary? It's a mess. Yeah, you got Patrick Peterson playing the safety position because I actually think that's a good move though.

Marc: Remember I mentioned that earlier this year?

Steve: Yeah, no, you did. And I agree with you because I was like, I think that's a great idea because I wanted to get JP junior in there as quickly as possible. Same as I wanted Broderick Jones on the offensive side and they finally got him in and that's worked out really well. Um, but I don't think mink is going to play. I, he hasn't practiced since his, since his hand injury. Um, and, and he's, he's, he's just doesn't seem healthy at all.

Marc: No. Yeah. So there, I mean, look, they're, they're obviously a little weak in the linebacker and, and the, uh, secondary.

Steve: Yeah.

Marc: So, you know, that's, that's tough. And, you know, look, the, I mean, the Ravens do have a lot of guys. I mean, like even even their third and fourth guys, like you're like Rashad Bateman. It's pretty good. Yeah, he is good. You know, they've got Aguilar. He's not.

Steve: I was going to say they got your buddy Aguilar. Right.

Marc: You know, he's, you know, so they've you know, and, you know, and then. Well, this is the team that has, is this the team that has likely.

Steve: Yeah, they got likely because Andrews went down.

Marc: Yeah. So Andrews goes down and who fricking can believe it. They got somebody who's just as good.

Steve: Yeah. I think he had three, he had three touchdown passes against Miami last week. Yeah. I mean, it's insane.

Marc: It's insane. So yeah. You know, they, they got good players everywhere.

Steve: Um, you know, I think a team like that, and this is, I think the way the Steelers used to think about the tight end position, they value that position ever since they, they've had Mark Andrews there and they know he's getting up in age. Um, that's what the Steelers didn't do with Heath. They didn't, they didn't plan out when to do it. And when they got Friar Muth, to me, it was a bit of a stretch because I think it was a second or third round pick for him. And I think it's just, that's just too high, you know, any, any, any tight end, you pick up that, that high, you know, if he plays really well, he's playing to the norm. I think what Baltimore did was they, they scout, they go out and they scout tight ends and they're like, we can turn this guy into a tight end, you know, like an Antonio Gates, who was a basketball player of all things, you know, and, and, um, and it works and, and you get them cheap and you have a succession plan. If you're, if you're a guy like Andrews, you know, like he did went down. And it didn't slow that team down at all. And that's really smart. I hate to say that because I hate Baltimore. You know how much I hate Baltimore, but I think, I think when it comes to succession planning in positions, they do a much better job of it.

Marc: Yeah. I think it's going to be really important for the Steelers to obviously get the pass rush going in this game. You know, because without without Lamar in there, you know, the escapability is going to be less, even though this Huntley can run a little bit, you know, escapability is going to be less. And, you know, you got people playing at a pretty high level right now, you know, with with TJ, with Highsmith, with her big step in here. If you can get a few turnovers because of the pass rush and that protects, you know, the linebackers and the safeties a little bit. Um, you know, that, that's going to be crucial in this game, you know, so they do need, I mean, they do need help on both sides of the ball. I mean, the area that I would be most fearful of is the Steelers linebackers and secondary, but if the defensive line can take care of that, or at least minimize that damage that they pay huge dividends to them winning this game.

Steve: I agree. I think I think T.J. 's got to have a monster game. By the way, why is he not in the discussion for defensive player of the year? He leads leads the league in sacks. He should be. He's like he's like fourth in the running now. And Myles Garrett, who has the least amount of sacks out of anybody, is like is like number one. I mean, I get Micah Parsons because he's he's a pretty special talent. And honestly, I think Max Crosby for the Raiders should be right up there, too. He's having a monster year. You know, to be honest, I mean, it seems like a popularity contest for one for for a year. Like they just pick somebody like this is Myles Garrett. Right. I equated to what they do with the Norris Trophy. They just say, oh, he's been a great defenseman all year long. Like, you know, he's going to win the Norris Trophy. And he doesn't have that much better stats than anybody. I feel like it's that way with Miles Garrett this year because the Browns are are a good team this year.

Marc: Right. That's what they're trying to do. They're trying to like they're trying to say, how did they do this without you know, how did they do this with four quarterbacks? It was Miles Garrett's year.

Steve: Yeah, you know what I mean? That's kind of what they're doing. They are. And it's just it drives me absolutely nuts. By the way, the the Steelers combination of defensive ends leads the league in in in total sacks. And Miles Garrett and the jabroni on the other side, I don't even know the guy's name. They're like fourth. They're like fourth or fifth in the league.

Marc: You know what? And here's another thing, Steven. I'd love to get your opinion on this, because it's it's one that always kind of confuses me. I would almost say that T.J. Watt is better. Much better even than the production that he puts out there, and the reason why I say that is. Very surprised that how often T.J. Watt is actually not on the field. Yeah, you know, he he gets a lot of sacks, a lot of tackles, a lot of production, and half the time and I'm watching the game and I'm like, I'm like, you know, why is he not on the field? Yeah. Maybe they're preserving him injury wise or, you know, doing a rotation. I get it. But I feel like he should be on the field more.

Steve: Do you? I've I've not. I agree with you. He's not on the field a lot. And like I can remember last year in particular when he wasn't on the field and it would be like. It would be in the third quarter. They would be winning by three points. And the other team was driving. And I'm like, where is TJ? Why is he not on the field? And you're right. Half of it is because they want to preserve him for the long term. Right. And you have to. Um, but I've never seen a statistic where, where they looked at a defensive player, total amount of, uh, snaps on the field versus production. And I bet you, and I have, I bet this is true. All the, all the, all the really good pass rushers take complete series off or like don't go in on first or second down a lot. They just, they just don't do it because it's just, it's such. There's so much violence that goes on in that position, you know, and you need you need speed and you can't always tap into that every play and go at it. You know what I mean? Yeah. So I think I think there's I think there's I think there's a lot of that. But I have I haven't I haven't seen it. But I do agree with you, like for as much as he's on the field, his production is really unbelievable. That being said, When your number and by the way, he was voted MVP for the team this week for the fourth for the fourth time in like five years. There you go. Steelers freaks is saying that TJ has the highest snap count than any other inside linebacker. Well, I don't. I don't like to call him a linebacker. A rush, a rush defender in the in the NFL, so it's rusher. So he's basically Steelers freak saying he's out there more than the other guys, and that actually. Yeah, outside linebacker got maybe maybe he's right. I don't know. I don't know. I mean, I think that's probably true because I do believe that all those guys take a lot of snaps off. And the other thing, the other thing is Micah Parsons, I think, got hurt, too. So I think he missed a couple of games. And I think this is probably an anomaly for for TJ, because he really hasn't been that hurt this year. I hope he doesn't get hurt now that I said it. But Um, he's, he's been pretty healthy and I think it's smart. I think it's really smart to, to take him out, um, more often than not because, uh, you know what happens when he's not in a lineup at all. It's bad. I don't know.

Marc: I, I just, I just always feel like, you know, I'll be sitting there and it'll be like, you know, third quarter, you know, Steelers are down by three. The other team's driving. And it's like third and seven. And I'm like, why is TJ Wilde on the sideline? Yeah. You know what I mean?

Steve: I just think once again, I think they take it. But according to Steelers Freak, and I believe in Steelers Freak, the stats say that he's out there more often than any other rush outside linebacker, whatever you want to call that position in the NFL.

Marc: We're just blindly accepting. We have faith in you, Steelers Freak.

Steve: fifth Yep. Yeah, they have been. They've been. And here's the thing, which which is crazy in the metro. There are four points separating the second place team and the second place team. Four points between those five teams. It's like forty four to forty down the line. And I think there are three teams, including the Capitals, who the Penguins play tonight. Uh at at in that in that spot So, um, and I think the the fires up there with maybe the islanders at 44 or something like that They got 43. Yeah. Yeah, so they're they're right there. They're right there in the mix with everything else Um, but I do in here, you know The one thing I wanted to look up because you know, they they have two four six seven Is that right two four six? Yeah Seven wins in their last nine games, right? That's that's pretty impressive and The in the loss was an overtime loss, right? So they got a loser point out of that one The only the only real stinker in that game was the Toronto 7-nothing ridiculousness And that was that was you know a few games back on a Saturday night, but I think the difference honestly is is Ned Alex Nedeljkovic for those of you really want to know the guy's name No, I think Ned has been he's played five of the five of these nine games So Jerry's played the other four, but he's just been so consistent. He's been so good I know he had like an 808 save percentage in that loss to Ottawa where they you know, they got the overtime They got the overtime point But other than that, I mean, he's got like save percentages of 974, 929, 929, 958. I mean, that save percentage is going to. Yeah. I mean, that's going to keep you in the game every time. And honestly, I think. And, you know, I was at the game on the New York Islanders game on on New Year's Eve and seeing him play live. That was the first time I saw him play live. And I mentioned this, by the way, if you're if you're not, you should you should stop by the porch after every Penguins game and hear my analysis of each game. I actually, when I'm live, I do an analysis at the end of each period, just because it's easier to do a minute and a half than it is to do six minutes at the end of the game. But I, and I said this in, in, in, I think maybe the second period synopsis. No, I think it was a, I think it was at the end of the game that Nadell, he looks like, you know, you know, they, they call goalies floppers, the goalies that are just like like saving it and they're like diving and their elements falling off and they're throwing their stick you know yeah he he's he has that style but i can tell you that when he does that he absolutely does it for a reason like he did this snowman move where he just kind of jumped on the puck you know they just kind of lie there stationary and like they don't move because One, you don't think they know where the puck is and they think it's underneath them and they don't want to get pushed into the goal. Well, when he did it, the puck looked like it was going in behind him and he like leaned on it and he just laid there because he saw where it was and the only way he could get there quickly was just to flop down onto the puck. Uh, and I noticed that about him, like his left, his, his lateral motion is absolutely incredible. He looks like he's out of position and then boom, he's there to make the save with the glove or, you know, with the blocker on the other side. I think he, I think he's making a really big difference, uh, for the penguins and no, I'm sorry. It's not Chad Rui.

Marc: Well, since we named Chad Ruhail our player to watch, Penguins have been playing some good hockey.

Steve: Well, I guess if you want to look at it that way, I guess we probably could, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Ruhail sit a little bit. Um, you know the one thing about the new york islanders game that was bizarre I've been a lot of hockey games right and almost always sydney crosby's out there with the first line with uh, letang and in the defensive pairing At the new york islanders game. It's like they had the fourth line out there and not only did they have the fourth line out there, but they had the game yet to start the game. Yeah. Yeah. And and then they had John Ludwig out there who's in the bottom defense pair. And I'm like. I have never seen this before. I, you know, I went to the game with my son Max and I said, Max, I was like, dude, have you ever seen, have you ever seen a game start with the penguins on their fourth line? He was like, no, we just were like, what is going on? Like it was so bizarre. And then they dropped the puck. And immediately John Ludwig drops his glove and it's a fight.

Marc: Yeah, that's what happens. I've seen the Flyers do it a couple of times.

Steve: I mean, that's the whole purpose. Yeah, the coach must have said something like, you know, we're putting out our fourth line and and Matt Martin is going to be out there just so you know, you know. They must have had some gentleman's agreement like, OK, we'll just get this out of the way. You want to show you're tough because, you know, we beat your ass and in the barn up on the island. And oh, by the way, it's not the barn anymore. They got a new facility. That's thank God they got rid of that barn. The Penguins could never win in that barn, by the way, especially playoff games. That was like the best thing that ever happened to the penguins them them moving into a new building because they could never win In that damn barn. Anyway, so that and then then matt martin proceeds to beat, uh, john Ludwig's ass He beat him up. And by the way, ludwig's a pretty good fighter. He's new at it. Yeah, you know, he actually practices Fighting in the opposite. Yeah Yeah, he took some boxing lessons. And I'm like, OK, well, Matt Martin's been in the league for a long time. He's been in a lot of fights and he just they both started swinging. And Martin must have hit him first. And that was it. And he was he went down and that was it was the end of it.

Marc: Now, from what I'm seeing, just from an outsider's point of view, it looks to me like the pens are getting some more secondary scoring than had been earlier in the year.

Steve: Yeah. I mean, Sid only really has, um, two, three goals in this win streak. And that's, that that's, that's pretty uncommon for, for the penguins. And on top of that, you know, rust has been injured, so he's not been scoring at all. By the way, they think he's going to play tonight. They might've had to make some moves to make that happen. So maybe he won't play tonight if he doesn't play tonight. Don't be surprised. It just means that they couldn't make the moves necessary to free up the cap space to get him in. But they'll make it happen for the Boston game, which is next when they play at Boston. But yeah, I mean, look, in the last games, Eller scored. Carter scored. Zahorner scored. Eller scores again, you know. Earlier in that, Harkins actually scored and Carter's scored again. So yeah, and Drew O'Connor. Drew O'Connor's been playing on the second line, so I hesitate to mention his name because I think the first two lines, whether you're third line talent, you're playing on the first or second line, it's still to me a first or second line goal.

Marc: Also, Malkin got a couple goals and he was on a very cold stream for a while.

Steve: Well, and the difference about Malkin and when Gino Machino gets going, he's so much fun to watch. But man, when he turns it off, he's got to be the most miserable hockey player on the ice. You know what I mean? Like you can see just the way he plays, like he's just not interested in skating hard, doesn't want to be out there. It's just it's just actual garbage to watch him play when he's bad. But when he when he wants to play and he plays hard, I'm telling you, there's nobody more exciting to watch than him on the ice because you don't know what the hell he's going to do. And he still has pretty good, I think he's still got pretty good energy with, um, with Riley Smith, uh, you know, who he's been playing with on that second line all year. Um, and I think, honestly, I think they, if I would, I know, I'm a big Valeri Pustanen fan. I think Pustanen, they cannot send him down. They absolutely cannot send him down. But I think that's probably what they're going to end up doing only because they've basically got a couple of free moves on him because he's so young. So they can just send him down to the minors and he doesn't have to clear waivers. I personally, and I'm sorry, and I know he's been playing, Harkin's been playing pretty well lately. Zahorna is another guy who hasn't been playing well. I'd rather see them get rid of either Hindostroza, Harkins, or Zahorna and keep Pustin in the lineup because I think, dude, he's got seven points in nine games. I think, I think, I think, um, all year, uh, so Horner has seven points in like 27 games to me. You got to keep a guy like that up. And plus he can play, he can play on the top. He can play on the top two lines. So Horner can't, I mean, he's got to play on the third line. He he's proven he can't play on the second or the first line. Um, so yeah, secondary scoring has been been up. Uh, the goaltending has been lights out. Gina's been playing great. We haven't even talked about Sid. I mean, 20 goals already before the halfway mark. Um, if this guy gets to 40 goals and, and this team, you know, ends up in the, in the playoff run. I'm sorry, but he just plays so well You know, I know he got us I know he got a stick in the face in that Islanders game and he got a he got a pretty good gash over his left eye, but Other than that, he hasn't missed any time and he looks great out there He's he's he's a battler man. You don't want to battle anybody in the corner like Sidney Crosby He hits you with those hips you're going into the first row and I think

Marc: We probably haven't done the show since LeTang had the, what was it, the five or the six assist period.

Steve: Yeah, he had five assists in one period, which was an NHL record, and six for the game, which has only been done by a handful of players in the NHL, including Gretzky and Lemieux and guys like that. Yeah, I mean, I, you know, I actually, I think people are overplaying what Latang's doing this year. He had a great game. Don't get me wrong. I, and I'm a big Chris Latang fan. I have nothing but good things to say, but I think people are trying to put him on a higher pedestal just to feed his ego a little bit since Carlson came around and, and let's face it, Carlson's been okay with the pens. You know, for what he's I think he's overpaid for for what he brings to the game, because clearly he's he can be a defensive liability. Right. But and until they can figure out how to use him on that power play, I don't know. I don't know. I don't I'm not like the guy who is sitting two rows behind me that said, You should just cut Carlson now. He's garbage. I'm thinking to myself, does this guy even know hockey? No, no, he doesn't like like he's overpaid. And, you know, and yeah, OK, he's overpaid, but that's the going price for a Norris Trophy winning defenseman. And the guy actually, you know, the guy actually has great vision on the ice. Yeah.

Marc: When you score over 100 points, that's you get paid.

Steve: Yeah. And honestly, I think he, I think he, I think he makes the breakouts different because he has the ability to just skate it out of there, you know, and, and so does letang. So anytime you're on the ice, you have the ability to skate it out of your end or pass it out of your end. That makes it hard on defenses to keep the puck in their own offensive zone. You know, if they don't, if they don't have the puck, it's hard to get the puck. when you don't know which way it's going to go. And by the way, I think that's the other thing Ned does really well. He, he doesn't, he plays the puck and he doesn't play it like Charlie Jari recklessly, you know, shooting it up the middle and all kinds of dumb stuff, or just trying to get it out of the zone by shooting it hard up the boards. He's a really good passer. Like he can pass the puck to a defenseman right on his stick. And he's the hell out of there. You know, I think that makes a big difference. Uh, you know, when people, when, when teams, and I don't know the way the capitals are going to play, I think the capitals are going to goon it up tonight, by the way. I think, I think I'm a little worried about, you know, what that means, but look, we play Washington, Boston and Buffalo and then Philadelphia. And I know Philadelphia is not the broad street bullies they used to be, but. Um, three of those four teams anyways, um, they're going to play, they're going to play a rough. So, um, I think it's going to be interesting to see, cause we haven't played against too many tough teams. The last one I would say we played against, I don't think Toronto is a tough team, but I think Tampa Bay was, and we ended up losing that game three to one. By the way, I think winning that New York Islanders game basically was a 2-1 game. The Pens haven't won a 2-1 game all season. So I think that's the important thing, to play these games really tight and just somehow either eke out the win or maybe steal a point when your goalie's not on.

Marc: Now, as the Hockey Jesus, what impact do you think your giving your blessing to the Penguins team has had this season?

Steve: Well, clearly it's gotten them to the mediocre status. Actually, it's funny because you know, I thought about this last year because last year was the first year that I did an analysis after every game and it was the first time in 16 seasons they don't make the playoffs. So I did have some trepidation coming into this year redoing it again this year, but. No, I think, I think since I've been tweeting out the analysis after the game, I think that has been what has propelled them to a winning record over the last eight because I literally started doing it. Uh, I think it was after the Philadelphia game. So there were a couple of games in there, they lost and then they, they went on a tear. They must've, they must've saw that the hockey Jesus is going to be tweeting out. They don't want to hear their names. They don't want to hear the blasphemy that happens when I talk about the power play. So I think they're playing much better because they don't want to get that analysis from the hockey Jesus that, you know, rips them a new one.

Marc: And I mean, maybe, you know, with your sermons improving, you know, it's created a bit of a turnaround here.

Steve: Well, Mark, I think that's when I would hit the music. Bam.

Marc: Yes. Thanks, everybody, for joining us.

Steve: Thanks, Mark. Good. Good talk, as always. Hopefully the technical director will be healed and healthy and he can give us the analysis of the Steelers season. Hopefully it'll be continuing next week.

Marc: You take the last words. Yeah. By the way, the technical director is already predicting the Steelers in the Super Bowl. So he's he's basically said that the Steelers have hit rock bottom. And they're going to make it to the Super Bowl within a few weeks.

Steve: Right. And they're going to get to play against the the Rams, the Rams, the Rams and the Steelers. It's a Super Bowl 14 redux.

Marc: And that is why your technical director on the season is 13 and 260.

Steve: All right, everybody come visit us on the porch. You can always catch us at theporcheslive.com, theporcheslive.com. Theporcheslive.com. That's where we are. We're here every, we'll be back on Monday, right? We'll be back on Monday. We'll be back on Monday. We'll be back on Monday. So come back at 730 and we'll talk to you then. Bye people. See ya.

Marc: All right, man, we got it in. And it's over. It's over, brother. Good show.

Steve: Good show, my friend. All right, man.

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