Drive9.25.26Hr2: 5 Star Friday

0:00So we heard Amanda is off to school? Yeah, big step. More independent. She's not going to call every week asking for more money for books, is she? With smart start banking from S&T Bank, she gets budgeting tools, scholarship opportunities, and can send money using Zell. Wow. I guess college is about getting smarter, right? Give them financial independence and yourself peace of mind. Stop by your local branch. Call 835-2265 or visit STbank.com to send money with Zell. Both parties must have an eligible checking or savings account, terms and conditions apply. S&T Bank, member FDIC. Good afternoon, Steeler Nation.

1:01It's the drive on the Steelers audio network fired up here on a Friday as we get ready to rock and roll into a big football weekend, Wetshuler and Matt Williamson with you here. Well, Matt, I should say for the next two hours, but if you want the full show today, you're going to have to be locking into the podcast or the YouTube page because... Fill me in. I don't get it. 530, the Steelers Hall of Honor, dinner starts. Ah, yes. You're going to be there, right? I'm going to be there with Mike Pursuda. Nice. So, if you are someone who just listens to Matt and I on SNR proper, you know, on the stream or on the website, wherever the case may be, at 530, it's going to get turned over into the Steelers Hall of Honor, dinner. Well, that's cool. Which is, yeah. I don't mind getting dinged for that. We're going to talk to Kevin Colbert and the Wouffle family and a lot of fun stuff, but just wanted to give everyone a heads up that if you want the full gambit podcast or YouTube today for this Friday show. Okay. Unless you're listening to the screen and the loop on SNR. Yeah, and then they're all be on that right. And then if you want to get alive, okay? I'll be fine and normal. Roger.

2:01Okay. Because it is a big night tonight because it is the Steelers annual Hall of Honor dinner. JT Thomas, Kevin Colbert and our guy Craig Wouffle, all officially coming in. That's awesome. Okay. Very Steelers Hall of Honor. This evening Pursuda and I will have a short little broadcast from down there at the facility as we'll kind of tee that whole thing. Is that what you're doing from? It's from the South side. It's from the, it's from Axure Stadium. Oh, okay. Yep. Yep. Yep. I mean, I've got my suit hanging up over there. Yeah. That I've got a change in two later on and we'll rock and roll and we're going to have a big Friday that's going to lead into a big football weekend and Matt. This is a big one for week three, man. This is about. It is all of a sudden. Yeah. And don't get me wrong. If the Steelers go out there and they play great and they win, that doesn't mean that it's going to be smooth sailing. No, I said like, oh, don't worry anymore, but right. If the Steelers go out there on Sunday and they struggle that doesn't mean that they're going to go for in 13 this year and stink up the joint. But this is, this is a big early season test here on Sunday at home against a division foe. It is. I think it'll be very telling, especially for, well, both sides, but I was thinking about

3:05especially for the defense because I'm, I think all of us are really high on the defense, really excited about the defense. I think Patrick Graham's done wonderful things, but you did play Cooper Rush and an AJ Brown list Patriots. Sure. This is different. This is not Cooper Rush and they do have Chase and Hagen. So I mean, just even from a passing perspective, your, your, your facing is stuff of challenges you're going to get in the league as opposed to, you know, getting some favors. The other side of the ball, I don't think the Falcons D lines particularly good. I do think the Patriots interior is very, very good, very good, but this one's good across the board. You know, we know the Steelers are aligned has not thrived to this portion of the, the portion of the season. If they play like they have, they're going to get whipped up on pretty good. They're going to have to play better up front to win this game. It's, I think they're capable. I think they're capable. I think that's where it starts. Yeah. And Matt, I think we might see a little bit of a line change on the right side of that offensive line. Sure getting that feeling, isn't it? They've just getting that feeling could be, could be completely wrong.

4:08Mm hmm. Could be some smoke screen stuff there, but I'm hoping for it just because my love for on a chore and I want to see them. I want that to start now. No doubt. And I think you and I have discussed this too, but if you're not going to make any changes to the offensive line now, it's probably week five before you can, you wouldn't do it before the Browns game. That's for sure. This is without any practice. This upcoming week, you're going to spend Monday recovering and going over the film and all that stuff. And Tuesday, you're getting ready for the Browns and Wednesday, you're busing to Cleveland. Yeah. So I mean, I guess you could do it the long week after the Browns. You absolutely could, but still that's two game difference. But it's, it's almost like a like a pooper get off the pot moment and that we're going now because I can't imagine that they would make that change on a three day week. The only reason why I think that they should consider not is there's been enough change with the O line and the continuity clearly is an issue with blitz pickup stunts, things like that. One thing I'm not defending this O line, but I mentioned it on Monday.

5:08When you watch the five of them isolated, you know, one on one matchups, except for Anderson who suffered an injury in that game, by the way, let's not let's be honest with it. What happened there? It wasn't as bad as it looks, but collectively it was in terms of where's this blitz coming from or stunts or passing things off, which I think continuity would go a long way to help iron out. You're not going to get them all fixed and their defense coordinator deserves some credit to for dialing up the right stuff. Absolutely. You know, switching who's out there is not going to help continuity. I'm still in favor of the move. Of course, because I want to honor George career start now. We have an agenda. You especially have an agenda and that's been to get Mad Max on the field as soon as possible. And this is, I don't know. I'm sure some people would look at it and they would say, maybe this isn't the matchup to get Max out there with how good that front four has been, but it's I never look at it

6:08that way. It's the national football league. I talked, you know, I make this reference probably a dozen times a year. It's not Ohio State versus Akron. No. So even if it's the quote unquote worst defense of front in the NFL, whoever that may be, they're going to have that might have been Atlanta might have been. Right. They're still going to have some talented guys. Yeah, there's still a third round pick a fourth round pick. The best guy on Oregon's front. $20 million. Yeah, exactly. It's just not maybe Miles Garrett and Mike Parsons. Right. Right. So I'm fired up, Matt. It's a, like I said, I rarely look at that even with like when they make quarterback changes. Oh, this game's too hard. Well, this game's too hard. This is right. They're all hard. They're exactly right. As, as last night might have proven as the right to go into Lambo and just, just stop a mud hole in the Packers chest. I don't know if the Packers are getting any better either. I mean, Parsons comes back, but they got fundamental problems. Matt, I'm very nervous about my pick of the LA Chargers winning the AFC West. I'm blaming with their next seven games. I'm feeling very good though about both of our picks for the Packers to finish dead last

7:10in the NFC North. I'm kind of proud of us for that. I feel very confident about that. I do as well because the, oh my goodness. It's as you and I like to say sometimes it might be getting early late up there in Green Bay. So it is such a week to week league. And I don't know. This feels, this feels like the week to make some changes on that off. It's getting late early. Right. No, not getting early late. Dang it. You're right. We've done that a couple times throughout the last week or two. Yeah. I always mess that up. TV's, TV's point at me. I'm not guilty as charged. It's getting late early. I was sitting there going, which one's not early late. That would make any sense. It's getting late early there in Green Bay. And you know what? I, at the same time though, the three games into the season and they could turn things around. They're just so banged up and they're missing so many key players. They said no running game. I think they have the worst offensive line league. I mean, it's just, they put so much on love shorters. I mean, that doesn't go well. It looks like last night. Exactly. Right. A big one Sunday on the North Shore that we are, of course, in full anticipation of.

8:11We will have five star Friday today. We'll give all of our predictions. We're going to talk to missing. Pretty good Slated Games across the league. Yeah. Slated Games. I'm looking forward to it. Huge, huge weekend of football in the collegiate landscape and the NFL landscape over the next few days here that we're always fired up and excited about. And yeah, man, I tell you what, might not be many of them with more on the line than Steelers and Bangalore Sunday, one o'clock at Acro sure stadium there on the North Shore for an early season AFC North matchup. Something we haven't seen a ton of lately, by the way, it feels like these have always been in the back half of the season. Yeah, that's true. Early, I guess sometimes there's like a Cincinnati game. Like one. There's one and then all of the others around the holidays, but you're going to get to back to back. Yeah, you're going to get to here in the span of what, five days. Yeah. So you better, you basically have to get what? I hate half to it in September. But if you lose, you draw both these, if you're one in three with two losses in the division who losses in the division conference, three in the AFC, right.

9:12All your loss in the AFC. That is a top. It's just math I'm talking about. It starts to feel late early, earlier early. Yeah, I got it right. I got it right that time. Didn't I? It's closing time already. I said my first beer. Oh, man. This is why we love it though. This is why the NFL is so great is because it's only week three and there are already very there's some consequences. There's some consequences. I mean, how confident would you be if you're the bangle and you're three and oh, I mean, the Ravens could easily lose a cowboy. If the stabilization radio, we're like, what an opportunity. What an opportunity. You can go into Pittsburgh. You can get that win on the road. You can drop them down a peg. You can get another AFC win. All that stuff. That's more loses in Brazil when all of a sudden it's like it's sailing. Yeah, absolutely. So that, I mean, hey, that is life in the National Football League. It's such a week to week league. Every game feels like it's got a real magnitude to it, but I think especially this one for a September clash between two AFC North rivals. Matt, let's get to our first break a little bit of a shorter start here on this Friday,

10:13but that's because we're going to talk to the queen of the sideline. Missy Matthews when we returned. She's been on the sideline for a lot of these AFC North battles. She'll help us paint the picture as we get ready for Steelers and Bengals on Sunday. Cooler Anne Williamson just getting started here. It's the drive. Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network. And now a word from our sponsor, Bud Light. There's nothing better than the clean crisp. There's nothing better than the clean crisp. What if we just got out of here and grab some Bud lights? The man, we're on air for four more hours. I'll figure it out. Sounds good to me. I'm going to do anything for the clean crisp taste of Bud Light. Stock up now. Bud Light. Easy to drink, easy to enjoy. Enjoy responsibly, copyright 2026 and has a Bush Bud Light beer St. Louis Missouri. I used to have cable internet, but I'm a 100% kind of fan. So I switched to Verizon Fios. It's 100% fiber internet that's super reliable. So I streamed 100% at the NFL draft live with ultra low lag.

11:15And after what went down in the first round, still getting video calls from my best friend Rubbing it in that he called all the pics. I told you they were building their own line. I win the bet. 100% fiber internet with Verizon Fios because when it comes to your team, it's 100% or nothing. Call 1-8-3-3 Verizon to switch today. Get that hotdog, costume ready. Bra. You're tuned to the drive on your 24-7 home of the Black & Gold Steelers Nation Radio. It really starts to feel like a Friday when you hear that bounce and you know what that means. We are going to the phone lines to talk to our friend, the Queen of the sideline Steelers sideline reporter, Missy Matthews. Missy, thank you for taking the time here on a Friday. As always, it's a it's a big one on Sunday.

12:17It's a still only week three, but it feels like there is a lot on the line. You have been on the sideline for many of these important AFC North clashes. I got to imagine it feels a little different down there when it's the Ravens, when it's the Browns and like on this Sunday when it's the Bengals. Oh yeah, yeah. I would definitely put the you know the Ravens and the Bengals in a higher up category than the Browns. But it's true. You kind of feel it and you know who sometimes you know the main big energy characters are when these two teams are going to clash. Everybody knows how much a slice to talk. Remember some things that maybe or maybe didn't happen last year at Echershirt Stadium. So yeah, it's always exciting and it is week three, but it is a big deal because the Bengals haven't lost yet and you don't want them to be three and oh and then you start this like you know game where you're looking at the schedule. Okay, where where when's going to pick up how will we get close to them.

13:19So you don't you don't want to do that just yet. It's still long season. A lot of things can change as we know, but yeah, needless to say you want to come out of the gate swinging for shoulder. So Missy, this is by no means an indictment on the new coaching staff. They've only coached two games here, but just doesn't just feel like the type of game Mike Tomlin would win. You know, division game at home, everyone's counting out. They would block a punt in the fourth quarter or something goofy to win. 15. 19, you know. Oh, thanks, Matt. You know, pitch homecoming this week. Yeah, I was with my friends tonight. So you're just like, you're starting my Friday off right. Perfect. It's okay. Kind of. Sorry. Yeah. I'll hang on to last year. I didn't pull that out in a while. Well, hang on to last year. Yeah. No, but I agree with you. I do feel like it was like being a home underdog under coach. I was like, I'm really excited. I was really excited. It's been like Matt like. Oh, boy. We're bringing. Let's go.

14:19Yeah. We're bringing our aid game. So it's kind of that weird unknown because you don't know how they're going to rebound or perform. Or whatever they're going to do. Under head coach Mike McCarthy. But this is a guy who has been a head coach. It's two other places. This isn't his first rodeo. So I feel good at least. You know, he knows kind of what buttons to push or not push or how to kind of get everybody on the same page for sure. We know a big part of this Cincinnati Bengals team is kind of that. Um, I would say three headed monster on offense, but I feel like chase Brown deserves some credit in there too. So maybe a four headed monster. But of course, burrow, Jamar chase, T Higgins, kind of being the big three. And those guys have had their moments. They've had times where they've struggled against the Steelers absolutely, but they've also had moments with a lot of success, you know, some 35, 38 type point performances. Um, those guys when that when you see, um, those Cincinnati Bengals stripes and chase and burrow and Higgins kind of makes you sit up straight in your chair and pay attention and, you know, have to suddenly.

15:21Um, just really be on your pees and cues and details when these guys come to town. Oh, yeah, for sure. I mean, it's like you know automatically one of them. Maybe both of them might score a touchdown. Um, and I think just look at what those two Whiteouts did last week against Houston. Both had 75 plus receiving yards. Um, it's not uncommon. So I do think, you know, there is something about the swagger that Joe burrow and that offense brings. But I think, you know, the thing everyone's been talking about this week because it's new. Is their defense and just how much it has improved that we have been used to from last year and even years past. And that's where you're starting to be like, OK, can I can I still talk myself into this? Why will this work is there going to be changes along the Steelers offensive line? How is that going to go against this new revamped single defense? Um, so it will be interesting to see not a shortage of story lines. That is for sure. So Missy, it sounds like there's a chance or maybe it's inevitable that there was at some point in the near future, maybe as soon as Sunday.

16:28Right side of the offensive line changes, you know, I mean, it seems like a hauntress, you know, they're trump at the bit to get him out there. Anderson struggled a little bit at right guard. Is that a move you can don't now or do you think that's the right move to do it for this game? I mean, I don't know if there's ever a good time. Yeah, especially when you're talking about, you know, even just think about what McCarty coach McCarty said after the game, like, you know, we actually in hindsight didn't get them that many reps as a unit. I guess better late than never if that's the change you want to make, but I also don't want to get into this like back and forth as like swapping players in and out of the offensive line. Throughout the season, unless, you know, got for bid barring an injury or something like that. So I guess it's basically strongly about this now then. Yeah, I guess I can don't doing it, you know, a sap and getting everyone back on the same page. And that's going to be important this week, Missy, because I think one of the real keys to this game is that Cincinnati Bengals defensive front. Not the Cincinnati defense of front that we've come accustomed to the last couple of years.

17:33In fact, they took what was probably their biggest weakness and turned it into a great strength with those four new guys that they brought in this off season. Of course, headline by Dexter Lawrence from the Giants for the 10th overall pick. Missy, if ever there was a week for the offensive line to take a step forward, this Sunday would be a great time to do so. Heck yeah, and it is crazy when you think about it and how happy Joe burrow in that offense must be like guys we've been doing so much like they were losing shootouts and like the 30s and 40s because their defense just couldn't stop other teams. But for obviously us other people in the division across the AFC it's not what you want to see, but those were some big time moves. And you know, if there are changes among the offensive line Brock Kaufman somebody who played against Dexter Lawrence before when he was with San Luis and Cleveland, but the cowboys so it's it'll be interesting to see to say the least how not only did the Steelers as coach, you said clean up their own house.

18:33But then how do you clean it up and prepare for what is going to be a very major test for them. So if Rico doubt okay and go do you think the organization is comfortable really making Warren a workhorse back for an entire game. I do I mean just think about the different things that Jalen Warren has done to get to where he is and how long he's stuck around. I definitely do I think even you know last year he was different than Kenny game well and Kenny game well was used in a different way. But they both still had really pretty remarkable season so I do think you know if Rico can't go and you know a toe injury he came out of the game he went back in and he came out again. I'm not sure what that's going to lead to and we get that you know infamous status report but I definitely think Jalen is one of those guys that could definitely do it and I think he would thrive in that opportunity to really get the run game going to help the offensive line and just help the offense in general move the ball.

19:34All that being said if Dowdell is inactive I would think a Lou Nichols call up is probably the right move I can't imagine hide and right or Homer trying to do the Dowdell role. No I mean you saw Travis Homer some and I think you know mainly he was called maybe for special teams last week type deal but I agree why would you not you know call him up for sure but I definitely think yeah I don't know if it's the right time for Eli hiding right in guys like that to kind of take on a meat a massive role in terms of the offense just yet. Missy Matthews with us here on the drive helping us tee up Steelers bangles of course Sunday one o'clock at Acro sure stadium missy one of the things that Matt and I discussed yesterday was just how differently the game plan looked from Patrick Graham week one verse week two that's something that we expected and kind of previewed coming into this season you know to to use a align that the former head coach would have used Patrick Graham is kind of the definition of if he's got red paint he's going to paint the barn red.

20:36If he's got if he's got green paint he's going to paint the barn green and we saw kind of the juxtaposition in the aggressive game plan against the Patriots and Drake May and not as much against Cooper rush in the Atlanta Falcons this is a Bengals team surprisingly that has been blitzed a ton despite kind of the acumen of Joe burrow he was sacked five times last week against a very good Houston defense is this a kind of big data point in and kind of you know we're going week one. By week here what we expect from Patrick Graham could this be another kind of you know what what tricks does he have in his bag tricks does he have up his sleeve for this Cincinnati offense. Heck yeah and I love seeing you know what it is week to week and just the different things that he's doing with the defense which still has a large number of the same parts right. It's a lot of the main character still and I do think you know it will be interesting to see how he defends Joe burrow I feel like even Kim Heyward was talking to see it's like you know we have to stop the run you know you have to do that because of what their wide out can do.

21:42But I still think you know it feels like their offense is humming a little bit and it's not going to be enough to just make them one dimensional because of the pieces that they have not to mention some of their tight ends as well so it'll be interesting to see you know how he makes Joe burrow uncomfortable what is you know. The the plan of Patrick Graham and who knows I mean I feel like probably by the next time we played at angles it could change again I think it's just a matter of who's available to him and then how do they best utilize. All of those guys to come up with a scheme that works so i'm definitely intrigued to see you know I would love to you watch ad was interception total. And you know get more than two that he already has against burrow so i'm here for that missy last thing I have for you is when we cover to kind of on the matchup show but would you expect this to be a somewhat tight and centric passing game for the Steelers. I do I mean why would you not do it even Pat Fryer move knew what happened last week with Dalton Sholt from the Texans and what they were able to do.

22:49And I think for the Steelers it's work now granted you can't just plan for just that I think yeah just because the offense has been so. wonky as you know I can't remember how her key jerky is what coach McCarthy said. If you think just for themselves they have to get the run game going and just like make it look like it is something and not just like. Man we're really trying to get this going and the train's not going on the track but I agree like why would you not utilize Pat Fryer move start out Washington I think those two guys have been extremely reliable and dependable for the Steelers offense. Even though they haven't been able to do a ton but those are definitely some guys that you know I think Aaron Rogers is very comfortable with and I think you know understand what this matchup is all about. Missy last one I've got for you before we let you go Friday night tonight is the Steelers annual Hall of Honor dinner and enshrinement and of course three very deserving candidates going in JT Thomas Kevin Colbert.

23:51And our dear brother Craig Wouffley going to be an emotional one down there tonight I know I'm going to see faith his wife we're going to see CJ one of his sons and I think this is I just think it's it's so fitting I obviously wish Wolf was was still around to get his flowers. But when you kind of think Hall of Honor and all that encompasses and all that Craig Wouffley gave to this organization and to this city. Just an incredibly fitting honor for our former colleague and our dear friend. Oh yeah I mean absolutely and you know I don't know if I made the cut but I did you know do an interview for the video production team talking about him which I kept putting off I kept saying I'll do it I'll do it next week I'll do it next week and find that they're like you have to do it like. Okay fine but I just think you know I remember when touch one in and what that meant to Wolf to see touch going afterwards and I just think you know those two guys are probably having a cigar.

24:51Having a good time right now looking down and thinking about everything that's happening and the funny stories that will be told is all you know coach power with stop by practice today he's obviously in town for the special night and. You know love Kevin Colbert can't say enough good things about him actually the originator of piece of barn red by the way. Yeah yeah yeah um he's always from somebody but Kevin brought us a Pittsburgh let me just say that so. But yeah I think for Wolf it's just it's so fitting um just so happy for like you said say the family and everybody because it wasn't. You know a Hall of Honor just player was human broadcaster friend you know somebody that we all could just sit there with for hours and never get bored and lack a lot. No doubt no doubt miss miss that guy often and certainly every Sunday when we walk into the broadcast booth and it'll be being incredible honor for him to get enshrined forever in the Steelers Hall of Honor museum tonight and then of course that ceremony at half time on Sunday.

25:56The great missy Matthews queen of the sideline kind enough to give us some of her time here on this Friday missy thank you so much and we will talk to you this weekend. Alright thanks guys have a good one there she goes. Yeah Matt I've been kind of trying to put off those emotions too like missy but I have a yeah I'm feeling at some point tonight it's just going to hit me like a sledgehammer and I'm sure Sunday it'll hit you yeah probably soon as you walk in the booth it does it still does every time we walk into the. Really yeah yeah because you know he was just he was so omnipresent yeah yeah yeah. Like it was hard to imagine the Steelers without touch it's hard to imagine the Steelers without wolf it's both of them now but it is also pretty cool that they'll both be in the Hall of Honor together very cool forever yeah yeah very very very deserving maybe we'll talk a little bit more about that swap some wolf stories. We do have some funny our guide our guide Justin of course who has produced this show in the past produces in the locker room now with Rob and Max and Willie. He went through and cut out some. Oh that we should play those some wolf is a little bit more do that when we return on the other side I got a kick out of here in the ones yesterday it just some of those some the dude just had a way with words words that he quite often invented and pulled out of the.

27:06No question but could always paint the picture with them so we've got plenty of ground still to cover here on this Friday as we yeah we'll celebrate our buddy wolf and we will continue to get ready for Steelers and Bengals this weekend a whole bunch more ahead you learn Williamson it's the drive Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers. Audio Network. And now a word from our sponsor Bud Light. There's nothing better than the clean Chris. There's nothing better than the clean Chris. What if we just got out of here and grab some Bud lights. A man we're on air for four more hours. I'll figure it out. Sounds good to me. Anything for the clean Chris tastes of Bud Light stock up now Bud Light easy to drink easy to enjoy. Enjoy responsibly copyright 2026 and has a book Bud Light beer St. Louis Missouri. I used to have cable internet but I'm a 100% kind of fan so I switched to Verizon Files is 100% fiber internet that's super reliable. So I streamed 100% of the NFL draft live with ultra low lag and after what went down in the first round still getting video calls from my best friend

28:11rubbing it in that he called all the pics. I told you they were building their own line I went bad. 100% fiber internet with Verizon Files because when it comes to your team it's 100% or nothing. Call 1-E-3-3 Verizon to switch today. Get that hot dog awesome ready. Bruh. So we heard Amanda is off to school. Yeah big step. More independent. She's not going to call every week asking for more money for books is she? With smart start banking from S&T bank she gets budgeting tools scholarship opportunities. Irkans and money using Zell. Wow. I guess college is about getting smarter right? Give them financial independence and yourself peace of mind. Stop by your local branch call 800-325-2265 or visit STBank.com to send money with Zell. Both parties must have an eligible checking or savings account terms and conditions apply S&T bank member FDIC.