Botox Cosmetic, Atabotulinum Toxin A, FDA approved for over 20 years.
So, talk to your specialist to see if Botox Cosmetic is right for you. For full prescribing information, including boxed warning, visit BotoxCosmetic.com or call 877-351-0300. Remember to ask for Botox Cosmetic by name. To see for yourself and learn more, visit BotoxCosmetic.com. That's BotoxCosmetic.com.
College football is off and running, and no one has the sport locked down, quite like the Cover 3 podcast, part of the CBS Sports Podcast Network. Join me, Chip Patterson, along with Tom Fernelli, Danny Connell, and Bud Elliott five days a week as we get you set for each weekend with breakdowns and best bets. Then recap all the action on Saturday night and tell you what you need to know about the rankings and more. Follow. And listen to the Cover 3 podcast on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts.
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At checkethos.com. Not available in all States. Hey, we talked about the football games that are upcoming this Sunday. We talked about the baseball game that's going on right now. The Seattle Mariners currently lead Toronto 1-0 in the fourth inning.
But we opened up the show. by giving you a recap on what was deemed the icy hot bowl.
Okay, we saw 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers, we saw a 40-year-old Joe Flacco. They actually lit it up last night. It was a rather entertaining game. And so the Steelers continue to move on here in the season. Aaron Rodgers not happy about a few things that took place in the game outside of being tackled by one of his own linemen, and then also a flea flicker where the flea was not flicked.
Joining us right now to talk about the Steelers so far. What we've seen is someone based in Pittsburgh doing all things NFL Sports for the Associated Press. Welcome to the show, Will Graves. Will, thank you for the time. Thanks, man.
Thanks for having me. No doubt about it. I guess one of my first questions, and I thought about this in watching the game yesterday: the Steelers, this was their first prime time game. I said to myself, Their defensive backs cannot be this damn bad. I get it that the Bengal have one of the best combos, if not the best wide receiver combo in a game.
What's up with that secondary? The irony of all this is the Steelers were very explicit in the offseason. And the moves they made to revamp the secondary that it was designed specifically to try to handle the bangle. Like they were very. Mike Common was very candid about that.
You know, they got they brought in Jalen Ramsey, they brought in Darius Flay, you know. And the idea was, well, you know, Jalen's got the size to kind of match up with both T. Higgins again with uh Um with with Jamar Chase and And look, they've been good at times this season. They were really good on Sunday against the Browns.
Now it was the Browns with a rookie quarterback, but a rookie quarterback that also threw the ball fifty two times. and had little success, right? Um but man, it looked like Uh it looked like a seven on seven out there. And it like varsity versus JV when the Bengals were on the field. Like it just.
I I was surprised at how easy it was for Flacco. I didn't I expected him to be competent, but I was not I was stunned at how easy I mean, he's been in town five minutes. And you could not tell. I mean, it was a It was impressive. And look, you mentioned it was on prime time.
I think this is people's first chance to really look at the Steelers this year and figure out Is this team like are have they are they ready to take a step forward after being that ten and seven out in the first round team for basically the last seven, eight years? And it's it's hard to make an argument that they look any different Just based on kind of what we saw last night. Like, I've seen it, like, I've covered them, right?
So I've seen them through six games, but This was a chance to make at least a little bit of a statement. A win would have been a statement, and instead it was like, Can't do you trust them in the big spot? Maybe not yet. Yeah, well, whoa, I can tell you one thing that has been different, and this is the fact that we do not get weekly interviews, reports, and viral clips. From Aaron Rodgers on Pat McAfee's show.
How quiet have things been? Thank God for that, by the way. Thank God for that.
Well, I well wh who are you telling? But how quiet have things actually been? I mean, from a national standpoint, it's been very quiet, but from a local perspective, has it just been like surprisingly quiet? Yeah, I think we're all sort of surprised. I didn't know him.
in Pittsburgh for fourteen years. And a lot of big personalities have come through that room in the time that I've been you know, covering the team and uh you know he All of the outside stuff Um, you know, sort of it's it's kind of just about football. With this guy, and at least at this point in his career, I think he's really sort of leaning into the idea that this is his last. This is his last year, and he kind of wants it to be a more of a sort of a peer experience. I'm very I mean, I think all of us on the beat were terrified that he's going to go on McAfee on Tuesdays and then when he meets with us on Wednesday and Thursdays, we're going to spend half of our time with him at saying Well you said I'll McAfee X, Y and Z, right?
And he has not done that. He hasn't ex he hasn't explained, you know, his reasoning. He just You know. He just isn't doing it. Um And and it's and it's it's sort of refreshing.
And when you He's more approachable than I think we were led to believe. And look, I spent, I wrote a big piece before the season started. on just watch I literally was like a fly on the wall for like two weeks, just they during the locker room access that we have. literally not interviewing anybody, just watching him and so it was kind of like kinda creepy, right? But that's I was trying to get a feel for what he was and who he is.
And to be honest with you, This is a guy who likes being around football players and it doesn't matter the the pedigree. There's no heirs with him. Um he is just as happy talking to YA Black is their first or their fourth round pick defensive tackle out of Iowa. as they are as he is talking to DK Metcalf, as he is talking to TJ Watt. Um, you know, he will mess with anybody and everybody.
Um, you know, and I think to be honest with you, like the temperature in the room has been very mellow, and I think that. He's got a lot to do with that. You know, like like for and I'll give you just a quick example.
So Pat Firemuth last year was their leading receiver. They signed him into an extension before last season. to make him a top ten highest paid uh tight end in the league, right? This This year, through Sunday, he was sixth on the team in receptions. And I found him in the locker room after the Browns game, and we chatted for a few minutes.
He's like, Look, man, my time will come. It's not a big deal. Darnell Washington had a big game against the Browns. And he's like uh and it was fun to see Darnell kinda, you know get his Yeah. Get some shine, and I'll get mine when I'm ready, or when the time comes.
And obviously, look, you had a big game last night. Put that in contrast to what I've lived with in that locker room for the last most of the time I've been here. For me, Antonio Brown. Chase Claypool to um you know obviously to Deontay Johnson To George Pickens. I mean, like, the list of guys who want the ball and are cranky when they don't get it is long, right?
And it is not that way with this group. And I think that Aaron Rodgers has a lot to do with that.
Now, Will Graves is here with us, covers all things Steelers for the Associated Press in Pittsburgh. You mentioned Friar Mooth, and we saw Darnell Washington with some big catches yesterday. John New Smith, obviously, out there. You talk about DK Metcalf. What are your thoughts on this offense overall?
I mean, do they still need a little bit more balance? Not necessarily with the tight ends, but... College football is off and running, and no one has the sport locked down, quite like the Cover 3 podcast, part of the CBS Sports Podcast Network. Join me, Chip Patterson, along with Tom Fernelli, Danny Connell, and Bud Elliott five days a week as we get you set for each weekend with breakdowns and best bets. Then recap all the action on Saturday night and tell you what you need to know about the rankings and more.
Follow. And listen to the Cover 3 podcast on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. Botox Cosmetic, Autobotulinum Toxin A, FDA approved for over 20 years.
So, talk to your specialist to see if Botox Cosmetic is right for you. For full prescribing information, including boxed warning, visit BotoxCosmetic.com or call 877-351-0300. Remember to ask for Botox Cosmetic by name. To see for yourself and learn more, visit BotoxCosmetic.com. That's BotoxCosmetic.com.
At the wide receiver position.
Well, you know, there's been a I talked for a while about it, number two. It was it was that way last year. After Deontay you know, Deontay Johnson got traded Uh before last season. And it was like, there's George Pickens in the number two and He probably did, although I always considered Fryermuth sort of the number de facto number two in that system. I mean, I think When you look at the way the Rogers is spreading the ball around, I don't think they, every time a receiver looks like they want to trade, like when Terry McLaurin.
you know, was was doing his what was largely a performative holdout in Washington. Everybody's here talking about, oh, he needs to come here. I'm like, he wants to be a number one. They just paid DK Metcalf a hundred fifty million dollars. He's not coming here, right?
Uh I don't know if there's a guy out there that sort of fits. I think they can sort of make it work with what they have, to be honest with you. They had four touchdowns. Aaron Rodgers had four touchdown passes last night. And four all four went to tight end.
right, that is pretty unusual. Last against the Browns, you threw two touchdown passes, both to tight ends, right?
So Or I'm sorry, one did DK in and one did to the other tight end that didn't catch one last night, Connor Hayward. Arthur Smith's doing a pretty good job calling this offense, to be honest with you. Jalen Warren, we saw at a breakout game last night. He got paid to be. a couple of months ago to be sort of the number one, at least for now.
And he looks like it, right? I mean, I think the question about him was: can he be in every down back? And he certainly, when he's healthy, looks the part.
So I don't know if they need to go out and get Yeah.
somebody uh a a a a veteran receiver maybe that is a career fifty to seventy catch guy to sort of complement DK. I think they're sort of fine with what they have. I think they need the defense to not play like it played last night. and look a little more like the group we saw against Cleveland and against Minnesota. and against New England, uh that creates turnovers and might give up yards sometimes, but get corrects that with splash plays.
And look, they didn't get a turnover against the Browns. They didn't get a turnover last night. And I think if they even get one turn turnover last night, the game probably changed.
So all things considered, given what's been of course, they're not winning every single game. They have a record of four and two. Things have been quiet. They look like a good football team. Even with the addition of Aaron Rodgers, do you expect this team to just be the kind of same old, same old that we got?
They get into the wild card, maybe the divisional round and then they just go home.
Well, look, I mean, you know, the talk here is that look they haven't won a playoff game since the divisional round in twenty sixteen, right? That's a pretty long that's literally the longest stretch between playoff victories for the Steelers since the immaculate reception.
Okay, like they they didn't win for basically the first 30, 40 years of their Of the franchise's existence, and then basically, since the Macley reception, all they've done is won. Yeah, God rest Franco, he's not even here anymore. right, to go eight plus years without a playoff win and looked at it and have the same head coach That at the end of every season, that topic comes up. And like Mike Tomlin can't break through with this group anymore, his message is stale, whatever. Look, I think the division is there for the taking, right?
I mean, if you look at the quarterback issues, You know With the injury issues with Lamar, you know, the Ravens defense is a disaster. Yeah. Uh last night with a chance to really get screwed.
Some breathing room. Um I still think they're the class of the division now, but the schedule gets much harder. I mean, look, they got two games. They got the the Packers on Sunday night next week, and then they got the Colts at home. A game that looks a lot different than it looked when the schedule came out, right?
And then later in the season they they'll have a divisional play. They'll see the Ravens they'll see the Ravens twice, and who knows, maybe Laura's back and the Ravens kind of get together by then. They've got some other high profile teams on the schedule.
So It's going to be a challenge. I think that if they can get a home playoff game, I like their chances.
So that means they have to win. That means they have to win the division. And I think, look, they. The idea that Flacco is going to be able to replicate what he did last night enough to offset how bad that Bengals defense is is kind of hard for me. He's a pro, but y we saw it in Cleveland a couple of years ago when he got him in the playoffs.
We saw a little bit last year with a cold. That he was effective in small doses, but like I think over an extended period of time, I don't think he's going to be able to kind of. He's not going to have the 342. Every week. That's just not going to happen.
So I think that, you know, like the the division it if everybody's and the SEALs have have also been really lucky that they haven't had any major health issues yet too, right?
So I mean like everything is sort of setting up for them to This year ten and seven You know, it's going to probably be good enough to win the division where the last couple of years when they finished it with that record, they've been on the road in the playoffs, right? As sort of the last group in. I think it sets up if they can get Who knows what that wild card's going to be? I mean, it's probably going to be, I mean, if they finish with the top, you know, the worst record of the division winners, which seems possible. you know, they're gonna get probably whoever the runner up in the West is and that, you know, That could be the Chargers, that could be who they play in a few weeks.
That could be it could be the Chiefs, it could be the Broncos. That would be a pretty tough ask. But I think if they're home, I like their chances. But if they have to go on the road, I mean, look, they've they played a bunch of road games, playoff games the last six, seven years, and they all sort of end the same. The phases change, the results do not, they lose by two scores or more.
Oh boy.
Well, Will, you talk about the health of this team. I mean, did anybody ask Aaron Rodgers about Broderick Jones falling on him, tackling him in celebration? Did anybody ask Aaron Rodgers about that?
Well, I mean, like, the thing is, look, Broderick, everybody loves Broderick. He is and I I mean this affectionately and he He's sort of like a big toddler, and I mean that simply from there is an innocent joy to him. when he plays football. And Aaron even said it the other day. He said it on Sunday.
I asked him. specifically about Broderick's play because they have played face Miles Garrett. And that was his first time sort of at left tackle going 1-0 with Miles, and he held his own. Miles didn't have a sack in the game. And he said, look, I love I love Roger's energy.
Sometimes he gets a little too rambunctious, and obviously but he always is one of the first ones to celebrate with me after we score. And that was literally what happened on last night. But I mean, look, the thing about Aaron is: look, you know, I was here for 10 years of Ven Rothesberger. And then was, you know, big. And for a reason.
And Aaron, look, I'm 51 years old, right? I'm I Aaron was standing next to me. He's certainly he's more he's in better shape than I am, although Not in bad shape. I'm gonna give myself a little credit here. But, like, he looks like a normal human being, right?
And you cannot like if Roderick is not a normal human being, he's six foot six or three hundred and twenty pounds. Like, You can't be hitting old men like that.
So Um, it is, I think it was just sort of a it was funny because, like, he and Larryn had talked about it a couple of days before, but. If I had to guess, that's going to be the last time anybody kind of runs into Aaron Rodgers after. any play, uh the rest was soon. Yeah, leave that old guy alone. He's kind of fragile.
Hey, last question for you quickly, Will. We're up against the break here. What is the succession plan? Are they absolutely just going to draft a quarterback regardless of what happens this season or not? I mean, they're definitely going to draft a quarterback.
It's just it's I mean, Rogers, look, I'll I'll be honest with you, you know, that passing through at the end of the game I've watched him in practice. 70 yards. He's had trouble getting the ball down the field.
Now, in the plays, I've seen him do that. He hasn't done the full. Like roll left, wind up and throw it as far as you can. He hasn't done that. I was stunned that it got to the end zone.
Um maybe there's a scenario where he You know, he has a great season and he thinks they're close and comes back for one more. But look, the plan for a while has been: let's get our guy in the draft. But you look, the class that looked awesome on paper. Two months ago, you know Maybe not now, right? They like Will Howard, the guy they got from Ohio State.
He heard his hand, he's on IR. Um you know, maybe there's a chance that he develops into something. But I would just imagine, look, the draft is here in Pittsburgh, and I believe that Omar Khan and Indy Widow, Assistant GM, will do everything they can. to trade up to whatever spot they need to trade up to to get the guy that they Want and so that they can draft some here in Pittsburgh and hopefully have a go a little bit better than the last time they drafted the guy in the first round, a guy named Kim Pickett, and that was. what, three years and four teens ago.
Yeah, well, Kenny Pickett is carrying bags right about now. Hey, Will. Thank you so much for the time, lending your expertise. Tell everybody where they can follow you and all your work with the AP. You can please go to APnews.com and go to our support section.
You'll find me there. And you can also find me on Twitter at Will Graves AP. Hey Will, great conversation. We'll catch you soon, okay? All right, appreciate it.
Thank you. College football is off and running, and no one has the sport locked down, quite like the Cover 3 podcast, part of the CBS Sports Podcast Network. Join me, Chip Patterson, along with Tom Fernelli, Danny Connell, and Bud Elliott five days a week as we get you set for each weekend with breakdowns and best bets. Then recap all the action on Saturday night and tell you what you need to know about the rankings and more. Follow.
And listen to the Cover 3 podcast on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. Botox Cosmetic, Autobotulinum Toxin A, FDA approved for over 20 years.
So, talk to your specialist to see if Botox Cosmetic is right for you. For full prescribing information, including boxed warning, visit BotoxCosmetic.com or call 877-351-0300. Remember to ask for Botox Cosmetic by name. To see for yourself and learn more, visit BotoxCosmetic.com. That's BotoxCosmetic.com.
Mm-hmm.
