Steelers’ Defense Sees Red Meat vs. Dillon Gabriel? | Plan to Help Broderick Jones vs. Myles Garrett

Steelers’ Defense Sees Red Meat vs. Dillon Gabriel? | Plan to Help Broderick Jones vs. Myles Garrett

It’s crossover Thursday here on the Lockdown Podcast Network. Locked on Steelers meets locked on Browns. Let’s get into it. [Music] You are locked on NFL Crossover, part of the Locked On Network, your team every day. Hello and welcome to Crossover Thursday here on the Locked Podcast Network. I’m Chris Carter of Locked On Steelers here with Spencer German of Locked On Browns and we’re here getting you ready for Steelers Browns this Sunday 1 PM in Pittsburgh. As always, Crossover Thursday is brought to you by Prize Picks. Download the Prize Picks app today. Use code locked on NFL to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup. Spencer, there’s a lot of talk right now about quarterbacks. Aaron Rogers being new in Pittsburgh. That’s that’s kind of still people still adjusting to what that means. But man, when we talk about quarterback shakeups, Cleveland has taken that to the nth degree in this this season. Dylan Gabriel getting his first start uh against the Vikings last week and then uh trading away Joe Flacco. Uh if it’s it’s so crazy because you know in Pittsburgh I as a writer I was so looking forward to the Kenny Picket game where he was going to get to lead the Browns against the Steelers. that never even comes to fruition. He’s somewhere completely else. What’s been your read as far as how Dylan Gabriel handled his first game and how he’s looking heading into this week? You know what’s interesting? You bring up the Kenny Picket thing. What’s funny about that is uh kind of looking back on this, I almost feel like the Browns really wanted Picket to be the guy who emerged at the end of training camp as the the starter for them and that Flaco was kind of like the, you know, break glass in case of emergency option. and they ended up kind of having to break the glass because of emergency when Kenny Picket went down week one of training camp with the hamstring issue that basically kept him from getting meaningful reps until basically the last week of the preseason. By then they needed a decision to be made. So, um it’s kind of funny you say that because I think a lot of people felt that could have been how this season started and it wasn’t. And it it’s gone so poorly since since then that you know four weeks in they’re making a quarterback change to to Dylan Gabriel. He makes his first start last week. Now, uh, this week they trade Joe Flaccco, who was now their backup and was still a captain on this team and and brought a sense of leadership that they they appreciated. Um, but I I I can say this, like it’s it’s interesting, too, because Stfansky told us on Wednesday that even he was basically caught off guard by this. Like they were not expecting to move Joe Flacco. That wasn’t really in the plan. And then the Bengals the Bengals called up because they were so desperate and said, “Hey, here’s what we’ll give you. Like, let’s make this thing happen.” They really wanted Joe. And so they they got it done. And so yeah, that that basically makes it like where Dylan Gabriel is is sort of center stage here in Cleveland and and it’s now all eyes on him for the rest of the season to see what he can do and and if he can can be a quality starter for this team. Um with Shador sort of lurking in the background and people ready to see him at some point as well. And you know, I I think his first game I I called it solid. I also said I thought it was intriguing enough that Browns fans should should want more and should be excited to see more from him. Um, but it all kind of centers around how much more Kevin Sansky’s willing to give him in this offense. And I don’t know that that’s going to be uh like I I think the conservative game plan you saw in week one or sorry, not week one, in his first start is going to be similar to what you see here against the Steelers because that Steelers defense is obviously very, very good. And I don’t think Kevin wants to put Dylan in a spot going to Pittsburgh where this team hasn’t won since 2003 in the regular season um to, you know, make any big mistakes or really, you know, mess up an opportunity for the Browns offense. So, I think they’re going to probably play it pretty safe. But I do think there is some intrigue into what Dylan kind of continues to do after getting this first start under his belt. Certainly. I I think that’s definitely a big part of it. uh against the Vikings. He went 19 of 33 for 190 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions. Protecting the football was definitely a priority. Took two sacks. But, you know, I looked at it and like, look, a lot of there weren’t a lot of like, hey, young young buck, show us the big arm, you know, throwing deep down the field into, you know, splitting the cover two was a lot more like, hey, take the smart reads here. We’re trying to set you up because the Vikings themselves are an aggressive defense. The Steelers just saw that the week before. Um, and so I think it’s interesting to see that. What’s the what’s the temperament around Shador Sanders, too? And I know lockdown Steelers fans are like, “Chris, get to the Steelers.” But, uh, Shador Sanders was a guy that Mike Tomlin praised a lot going into the draft class, as I told him on the show, that was a smoke screen. But last week, you had him like like pantomimeing answers or whatever, like like mouththing out answers. And, you know, with the Dylan Gabriel starter announcement being, how has he been since? Have you guys talked to him? I know you were in that scrum where he wasn’t really talking but moving his mouth. Yeah. So, I think it’s important for people to recognize like what that was all about because even in the moment I think we were all kind of caught off guard like oh okay like this is how he’s handling this and and I think it was easy to sort of equate it back to oh you know this is how he’s handling answering questions about the quarterback change instead. I I think we all came to realize pretty quickly after that that he was basically doing that in response to it started I think from Rex Ryan’s comments last week on ESPN. I think it also extended to others who of him this season and and made comments about why is this guy even talking? Why is he even being given the platform? The Browns aren’t handling this like all these different things. I think that was basically his way of saying listen people think I’m talking too much so I’m just not going to talk. Now he could have just told us he wasn’t going to talk obviously. Uh, but I do think like that was one of the reasons why I I I I understand where people are coming from when they saw that and like I can understand where he’s coming from with making that his response to some of the criticism out there, but I can also understand where people probably saw that and said this is why he fell in the draft and and why teams maybe weren’t interested in him because they think that there’s just this extra sideshow that goes into all this. Um, from my perspective, I think it was fine that we were talking to a third string quarterback who’s also a rookie in this class. exactly who with the other quarterback that was was basically getting the starting job at this point and that everybody I think consensusly understands like probably is more talented than where he was drafted. And so yeah, like there’s there’s an interesting story there to me which is why I was even part of that scar first place. Um but yeah, like I I think Shure is really talented and I I I I think the Browns right now are sort of reserved in putting him out there. Kevin Stfansky on on Wednesday and talking about who’s going to be the backup quarterback now. Not really committal to to the Shidor Sanders. On the on the unofficial depth chart, it’s Shador Sanders, but um he said he had to sort of wait till the week plays out. There’s Barely Zappy on the practice squad who they could elevate and then to the active roster and then make the back of quarterback. So, they have some options there. But, it really doesn’t sound like it’s one of those situations where it was less about what Kevin Stfensky did say and and more about what he didn’t say. And the fact that he wasn’t willing to say, “Yeah, Shador is our backup.” I think speaks to where they think he’s at and how they’re trying to, you know, prioritize his development that maybe in that process, they don’t think he’s quite ready yet. So, I do think he plays at some point this season, but as as far as like will he be on the field this weekend, I I don’t know that he’s even going to be the guy who’s a play away from starting or from playing. So, it’s an interesting dynamic there. Everyone’s really chomping at the bit to see him, but I I don’t know. I think it’s still going to be a while yet till we do. Um, I’m definitely interested from your perspective, Chris, because we know one of the most, as we talk about quarterbacks, like one of the most polarizing quarterback situations this entire season year was Aaron Rodgers. How long it took him to finally sign and now that he’s finally in the building, I think the Steelers offense has has had a little bit of juice to it with with Aaron Rogers under center, but also um you know, he’s still an older quarterback and he’s not quite the same player that he used to be. So, what are the early returns from your perspective on on Aaron Rogers? Aaron Rogers as a as a guy when the Steelers were first even flirting with him. I could tell you Steelers fans were up in my mentions being like, “No, don’t break. You don’t get this guy.” Even I was thinking like, I don’t know, man. All the sideshow stuff, the the Pat McAfee show, the the comments, and you know, the he go on, you know, Joe Rogan and make comments about vaccines and all those types of things. It it brought serious questions and it was like, man, is he going to bring that here? You saw him, you know, kind of dismissing Robert Salah on the sideline when he was with the Jets and there was a lot of questions, man. Is he going to want to run the show? Is he going to come in and say, “All right, now you got to go get Randle Cobb, Alan Lazard, call up Jordy Nelson, see if he’s doing anything.” But none of that has transpired for for the Steelers. He’s come in, he’s he’s been a leader, but he’s been the sort of leader that doesn’t assume that he runs everything. That he he kind of he says, “Hey, I’m going to do what I need to do to make sure the offense is working, but he’s not trying to overstep the leadership of guys like Cam Hayward, TJ Watt, guys that have that have been around the been around the Steelers.” And he’s also he like hasn’t made any Pat McAfee show appearances. He hasn’t said anything that controversial. Uh and so that’s I think has been welcome for the Steelers. And he’s also he’s been efficient. The Steelers have the eighth best red zone offense. And a lot of it is because Aaron Rogers has made good decisions in the red zone. Um, and so I I look at that and I think, man, this is a chance for the for the Steelers uh to to finally get some coherent quarterback play uh with with the way that he’s playing right now because I think that that’s where uh that’s that’s where the Steelers have been lacking is that they haven’t had uh just consistent coherent quarterback play from a from from anyone. And right now Aaron Rogers, he’s averaging two touchdown passes a game. So, the Steelers, they haven’t had, you know, efficiency there. Whether it’s been Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kenny Picket, Mason Rudolph, uh, Duck Hodgeges, you know, it it’s it’s been a minute since the days of Ben Rothosberger and not even old man Ben Rothosberger. So, I think that’s been present there. I just think Spencer, it’s going to be really interesting for how Kevin Stfansky wants to protect his quarterback because everyone knows Mike Tommen and the Steelers and his time playing with the Steelers, they are 26 and six when they face rookie quarterbacks. So, Dylan Gabriel going in there and if Shador Sanders has to go in there, um I I think we’re and we’re going to talk about the pass rush next, but I think that that’s going to be a big part of this is Kevin Stfansky needs to find ways to protect uh Dylan Gabriel from from from getting into tr the trouble the Steelers try to scheme up with their defense. Yeah, I think I think you’re 100% right. Um you know, Dylan Gabriel protecting the football. I think honestly of all the things that went right for Dylan Gabriel last week, I think that’s the number one most important thing to Kevin Stfansky. And I think that was seen in how they how he called that game for Dylan Gabriel. The play calls they were sort of executing, what he was asking him to do in the offense. They were he heavily relying on the run game, which I think is also going to be a factor this weekend in Pittsburgh. So yeah, there’s there’s I I think that conservative approach is is is going to be similar to what we see because I think the most important thing to Kevin Stfansky and he knows his offense right now is a mess. Haven’t scored uh they they they’ve gone 10 straight games without scoring 20 or more points. That’s like the third longest streak tied for the third longest streak since 2000 for teams that that haven’t been able to do accomplish that feat. Um, so they’re sort of, you know, on unchartered territory here, but I think he understands like because of how bad the offense is, we cannot afford to turn the football over. And so I have to make sure that Dylan’s making the right choices, being smart with the football. So I I think that was a positive from last week. I think it would also be a positive if they can do that against Pittsburgh, but I also think you’re going to have to score more than they have to this point to try to beat the Steelers team. And I know we’ll we’ll see we we’ll talk about the uh how the defense has kind of come into play in this one obviously coming up. That’s coming up next here on Crossover Thursday here on the Lockdown Podcast Network. Locked on Steelers meets locked on Browns. Stick with us. We’ll be right back. But first, want to remind you this show is brought to you by Mazda. Mazda crafts cars for those who do more than simply move. Mazda delivers confidence with every ride with more IHS top safety pick awards than anyone else. You can feel Japanese craftsmanship in every detail. From the metallic accents to available Napa leather upholstery with all-wheel drive standard in every crossover SUV, you can drive with confidence through almost any season. Like the players that they sweat through every detail because when you make every move count, impossible becomes irrelevant. Mazda move and be moved. back here on crossover Thursday here on the locked on podcast network. Chris Carter, Spencer German, locked on Steelers, locked on Browns. Spencer, let’s talk about the pass rush in this game, which it is the top thing to talk about when these two team play together as it has been since 2017 when they when both teams added you know who. The Browns drafted Miles Garrett first overall. The Steelers went and got TJ Watt 30th overall. And the two have been just head-to-head competing as two of the as the two best edge rushers in football for the past what’s it now? Eight years. It’s kind of wild that it’s been this long. Nine years, however long it’s been. But um right now both guys I think you know Miles Garrett came out on fire. Uh TJ Watt came out a little bit slower. I think it was it was less TJ Watt teams are triple teaming him. The Steelers were trying to key up how to get him more isolated looks. Uh but now he has he has been doing that both both guys up there as far as sack production th this year. What have you seen from how the Browns have approached their pass rush this year? Because we know Jim Schwarz he’s an aggressive guy but right now if you look at the at the advanced numbers from from the from both teams the Steelers are blitzing like the fourth most of any team in the NFL. The Browns not blitzing as much but of course uh still getting after the quarterback. Yeah, I I would go as far as to say this. I I think just from the guys up front, the four guys that are down in the trenches for the for the Browns, if you if you take blitzing out of it, I I think the Browns have the best defensive line in football. Um, and listen, I like somebody could push back on that. I understand people might hear that, especially in Pittsburgh, and laugh and say, “Ha, it’s the Browns. Look at their record. How can you say?” No, like this defensive line is legit. And I think that’s the biggest difference this year is listen, like, yeah, Miles is Miles. he’s going to get his. He’s a tremendous player. He’s a He’s a hu future Hall of Famer. You know, you might as well the gold jacket for him. We know he’s going to the Hall of Fame. Um and the rivalry that exists between him and TJ, you know, it’s a fun sort of narrative that always comes up between these two teams, especially when you consider like this offseason they both got paid and TJ made sure to just get like 1 million more than Miles. Right. Exactly. So, like it that that definitely exists and it’s definitely sort of a fun storyline here. Um, but I like I think for the Steelers like this is more so about like how are they going to handle everybody else because you again Miles is gonna get his make his plays because he always does. Even when you chip him, you do everything. But we know the Steelers are going to throw a lot Miles Garrett’s way. My question is and that’s been I think what’s played out these first five weeks. What’s going to happen when you throw two or three guys miles away with the other guys that that that you’re trying to block? because the the the rotation of Isaiah Maguire and Alex Wright has been fantastic opposite of Miles Garrett at defensive end. Those two guys both forced fumbles last week and and uh they the Browns recovered them um in that game in in in London. Up in the middle, you you add Mason Graham via the draft. There’s some numbers that suggest like he hasn’t been quite as dominant, but I I still think like the the base is there that he is stopping run plays. He is generally pushing the pocket a lot and he is he is making his presence felt in a number of different spots. And I think the biggest one is is Malik Collins. I I was surprised like maybe not surprised because I understand like the Browns were in a certain situation this offseason where nobody was really caring about what they were doing other than the quarterback position. Um but the Malik Collins signing to me was one of the most underrated signings that went down this entire offseason. Dude was top 10 in uh pass rush win rate from the interior last season. like he’s a good player. And what’s what’s beautiful about this group is because Miles draws so much attention, it frees up everybody else to make make plays. And they finally have guys supporting Miles who can make those plays. So yeah, like I I I agree with you. It it’s the focus is always going to be on Miles. He’s a game wrecker. He can screw up any team’s game plan. But I’m curious to see how the Steelers up front handle the rest of that group because this this group absolutely can can screw up whatever plans the the Steelers have on offense single-handedly and keep this game close because of it. Steelers recognize that and while this guy’s been a starter for a couple years, this is his first year starting at left tackle. That’s Steelers starting left tackle Brick Jones. Uh a 2023 first round pick. We got a chance to ask him about Miles Garrett. Here’s how he reacted when he got asked about Miles Garrett and how he has to prepare against one of the best edge rushers in football. What does it sell? That’s the question. No, he’s just an amazing player all around. Plays the run, plays the pass, just a freak of nature. So, you know, you got to do everything you can to slow him down. Just try try and keep a lid on him, I guess, is the right way to say it. So that’s that’s the game plan and hopefully we can stick to it and execute. So Broadick Jones talking about sticking to the game plan here, but one thing the Steelers added to their game plan last week against another fourman front with the Vikings or well I guess two weeks ago now, but uh uh what they did against them was they got their tight ends to work. Uh, and he if if if you’re familiar with the Steelers tight ends, uh, if you’re not if you’re not paying attention every week, they they actually ma got Darnell Washington the most snaps of of any skilled player on the team, even more than DK Medaf because he was being used for wham blocks. He was being used to help set the edge uh, in the run game. He was being being used as extra pass protection and also two catch passes. And so I I fully anticipate the Steelers to throw extra help Bruderick Jones’s way for his first game playing left tackle against Miles Garrett and not just leave him on an island and trust that they’re going to be able to get get help elsewhere. Plus the Steelers also they’ve been throwing in their swing tackle Spencer Anderson. Uh last week he was on the field quite a bit uh or two weeks ago against the Vikings. Uh so I expect some Spencer Anderson to come over there to help against Miles Garrett. I expect Arnold Washington to come over there and help against Miles Garrett. also expect guys like Pat Frymouth, John Smith or even like a receiver like DK Medaf or Ben Scoranic to kind of help with like a chip that can help him like hey let’s knock him in the direction that we plan to kind of catch him on this play because the Steelers are well familiar with him and they’ve been going against him since 2017 and you know it’s the same thing for the Browns. They know what TJ Watt brings and I think that’s what’s going to be interesting in this game because both of these teams are right up there when it comes to pass rush production uh and in a sack percentage per drop back. The Browns have the fourth highest rate in the NFL. The Steelers have the second highest rate in total sacks per game rate right now. The Browns have the seventh highest in the NFL. The Steelers have the second highest in the NFL. So, you’re looking at these teams and that they pride themselves on getting after the quarterback. And albeit the Steelers are doing it differently this year. I think traditionally under TJ Watt for many years, especially with Terrell Austin as their defensive coordinator, the especially the last three years, they didn’t blitz. They kind of did what the Browns did. They they relied on their front four because they said, “Hey, we’re just going to beat you with these guys.” But this year, the Steelers are blitzing at at over 35% of the time. That’s the fourth highest rate in the league. And part of that was, in my opinion, because teams were just triple teaming TJ Watt every play and they’re just like, you know what, we got to cause more havoc. We can’t just rely on four guys to just win all the time. Um, and with new new guys like rookie Derek Harmon playing defensive tackle next to Cam Hayward. Uh, Nick Herbig’s been playing more in the rotation with Alex Heismith who’s expected to be back this week from his injur in injury. Um, I I think it’s going to be an interesting chess match as far as how the Steelers try to send blitzes that try to catch the rookie off guard versus the Browns trying to find ways that catch off they can they can beat a young Steelers offensive line and take an old Aaron Rogers and put him in a disadvant disadvantageous situation. Yeah, I think that’s really well said. I I will go back real quick to the Brick Jones comments because they kind of reminded me of the joint practices with the Eagles that the Browns had this summer where Jordan Milada after practice the one day he was getting absolutely schooled by Miles and a lot of like it’s joint practices. So, a lot of the stuff they were doing like they just left him on an island. They didn’t do what you would actually do in a game, right? Um but he he basically said like listen, I did my job and Miles still beat me like that. And that kind of sums up Miles Garrett in a nutshell, right? He’s the type of player that you could do everything right and it just won’t matter because he’s a freak. He’s a freak in nature. Um and so I I anticipate like you said that the Steelers will throw a lot his way. My question becomes like I said like can the other guys kind of get home after that? And I do think to your point like I know it’s so cliche to say that you know so much about football or winning a football game comes down to what happens in the trenches but I do think like the defensive lines almost will tell the story of this game. And I do think it’s it’s interesting that like you have two different dynamics at quarterbacks between these two teams. One with the Browns who are starting a rookie who hasn’t seen a lot, doesn’t have that experience, the other and Aaron Rogers who has seen a lot, but not quite as mobile as he used to be, you know, maybe lost a little bit of a step in his game. So there’s there’s sort of some different dynamics there where it’s like, well, hey, one guy’s going up against a pass rush and has to try to like track the clock and the other guy has to go up against this blitzing Steelers team and, you know, diagnose things that he probably hasn’t seen before. So which which which strategy kind of comes out victorious in a way. Um, so I think that is a fascinating way to look at it. I will say this in like the TJ Watt Miles Garrett thing. I feel like every time they play in Pittsburgh, TJ has an absolutely ridiculous game, makes some, you know, herculean pick six type play all by himself or like strip sack that leads to a touchdown and I feel like Miles kind of disappears in these games and then when it’s flipped when it’s flipped and it’s in Cleveland, Miles does his thing and and TJ maybe, you know, doesn’t do quite as well. So, I I I and and I know like there’s there’s certainly a lot of debate around TJ right now and people were bringing up numbers at the end of last season about how he kind of fell off a cliff at the end of the season and whatnot. I still think TJ Watt’s one of the best players in football. Um he’s obviously one of the best pass rushers in football and I think like Miles, he draws so much attention. You you brought it up like I think guys like Herbig I think um you know Highmith who’s coming back this week. I think those guys become infinitely more important as well when you know TJ is going to draw a lot of attention. But I’m just kind of going into it assuming TJ’s going to make some miraculous play because he always seems to do that against the Browns in Pittsburgh. He c he certainly does. Um you know TJ Watt known for getting noted for getting after teams in general uh but especially is known for getting after the Cleveland Browns. I mean just well it’s a long history. I’ll say this too, the Browns offensive line now they got Jack Conklin back last week and I think that helped things but their offensive line has been a mess through these first five weeks for the most part. like a lot of miscommunications, a lot of guys just kind of getting through and when you’re I think that’s another part of this conversation because like you said, Steelers are going to blitz a lot. They’re one of the top blitzing teams in football right now. If they’re going to blitz a lot, like making sure guys are on the same page about who you’re picking up and not missing assignments and knowing like, okay, this guy’s coming in this gap, I got him. This guy’s go this guy’s faking like he’s blitzing a simulated blitz and then dropping back. They got to sort of be on their P’s and Q’s with those things. And I don’t know that I trust this group to do that. So, um, just quite yet. So, it’s it’s going to be interesting because I I that will all play into the decision-m from Dylan Gabriel. And if they can rattle this rookie quarterback, I think for sure it’s it’s a recipe for for the Steelers to win this game. Certainly can be. Uh, as it stands right now, Miles Garrett has four sacks in five games, a rate of8 sacks per game. TJ Watt, three sacks in four games, a rate of 75 sacks per game. Both still getting after it. and and even while both drawing double, triple, and sometimes even quadruple teams with double chips. It’s insane what these what teams go through to stop both of these guys. We’re going to take a quick break. When we come back, want to talk about the state of this rivalry because Aaron Rogers had some interesting comments. This will be his first foray into AFC North football. Um, and there’s some interesting tidbits to look at from what he said to where the Browns stand with Kevin Dfansky this year. We’ll explore all of that next here on Crossover Thursday here on the Locked Podcast Network. Chris Carter, Spencer German. Stick with us. be right back. But first, what I’m gonna do, this show is brought to you by Game Time. The NFL season is back, and honestly, there’s nothing better than being in the stadium surrounded by fans cheering on your team. But let’s be honest, getting tickets can be a hassle. Between cues, login screens, and prices, jumping at checkout, it’s frustrating. That’s why I use Game Time. It’s the app that gives the advantage back to the fans. 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Right now, new customers can bet just $5 on FanDuel and if your bet wins, you’ll get $300 in bonus bets to use all across the app. I love using FanDuel because it fits however you like to bet to bet. player props, building same game parlay, or even jumping in live as the action unfolds. Make it makes every game more exciting, whether you’re watching your team or just keeping an eye on your fantasy lineup. It’s quick, easy, and the best way to add a little more energy to Sundays. So, are you ready to play? Download the FanDuel app now by visiting fanduel.com to get started. That’s fuel.com to place your first $5 bet for your chance to get $300 in bonus bets only on FanDuel. We’re back here on crossover Thursday. Chris Carter of lockdown Steelers, Spencer German of Lockdown Browns. Spencer, I’m going to read out a response to a question that Aaron Rogers gave on Wednesday in the locker room. We were I was there for this and he was asked about AFC North rivalries in the league. And of course, Aaron Rogers knows plenty about rivalries with the NFC North, which is a classic division. But here’s what he said. He said, “I was asking Patrick Queen about it the other day because he’s been on both sides playing with the Ravens and now with the Steelers. In my own time in the North and the NFC, I think there’s always been a great rivalry with Chicago and Minnesota. The States kind of don’t like each other, so there was more bad blood between the fans.” Detroit, there wasn’t the same type of energy. We wanted to beat them, but there wasn’t like the hatred hatred that Wisconsin people had for Minnesota. So, just old school rivalry there. It seems like like that. It’s like that with this that that kind of rivalry is with the Browns and the hatred goes both ways between the Steelers and the Bengals and the Steelers and the Ravens. Basically kind of saying that of the three AFC, the hatred, it’s up here with the Ravens, it’s up here with the Bengals, but it’s more here with the Browns. And uh I thought that was kind of interesting. I mean, that’s just his perspective. And Patrick Queen himself just became a Steeler last year. Um I think part of it is just the history of the animosity. The Ravens and the Steelers have both top dogs. The Bengals have were always that team that kind of just hurt the Steelers right before the playoffs with injuries uh and and got into the playoffs a little bit, but it’s only been recently that the Browns have started to bite back at the Steelers. They beat them in the playoffs and the Steelers haven’t won in Cleveland since 2021. But I do think there’s a different temperament there. What’s your read on one that comment but also this rivalry? Yeah, I I love this conversation because um like I I think people are gonna be mad, but I think Aaron Rogers is kind of right in in that it is kind of one-sided. Um listen, living in Cleveland, talking to fans, all that, like I get how it goes. You know, I also grew up in Pennsylvania for several years, so I I know how Steelers fans are and how they sort of see this. I I think a lot like to your point, I think the the rivalry the Steelers have with the Bengals and the Ravens kind of extends from listen the early 2000s when those teams would face off in layoffs and there was a lot of hard hitting and like the Vontes Perfect hit on um on Antonio Brown and the the hit on um Carson Palmer that knocks the Bengals that ruins the Bengals postseason early in the in the early 2000. Like there’s so many different stories there. The Browns and Steelers like they just don’t have those things, right? There’s the one year in 2020. And so I I do think this is like a big brother, little brother type thing where Browns fans have hated being basically just beaten up on by the the Steelers all these years. And so they want that revenge and they’re ready to sort of, you know, punch back at at at Big Brother who’s bullied them all their lives. But the Steelers don’t really see them as much of a threat at this point still because they still haven’t gotten their you know what together. Um, so and I’ve always kind of argued, I don’t know, maybe maybe I shouldn’t say this because I don’t want Browns fans to be mad, but I’ve always kind of argued that I I think the Ravens should be the team that Browns fans hate the most simply because they stole your team. That that that is the that is the original Browns, right? Like that’s the original Browns. I mean, and I get it from a geographic standpoint like Pittsburgh and Cleveland are only like two hours apart. It’s super close. Um, I also think they’re all like the other part of this too is when the Browns were gone, I know for a fact there’s a lot of people in Ohio, Northeast Ohio especially, who gravitated towards the Steelers during those couple years because they were good and the Browns weren’t. And even in the early 2000s when the Browns came back, but they were they were bad. I think a lot of people sort of stuck with that. And so there’s a lot of people in Cleveland, young people in Cleveland, who grew up Steelers fans because their parents are like, “Well, hey, I’m going to go gravitate towards this team because we don’t have a team anymore.” So, I think that plays a role in it, too. Um, but yeah, I listen, I I I think what Aaron Rogers said is probably fair in terms of his assessment, even though he’s kind of new to this situation. That doesn’t mean it like if the Browns won this game on Sunday, it would mean a lot to the fan base. Like, anytime they beat the Steelers, uh, it’s it’s a party. Like, they’re they love that. And I I I understand why. So, I’m not saying I’m not begrudging fans not to get excited if that happens, but I I do think there is like that big brother, little brother sort of thing going on here where I get where the Steelers look at the Bengals and Ravens as bigger rivals and the Browns are just kind of there, but the Browns, it’s always about chasing Pittsburgh. Yeah, it it it honestly is. I I think that’s the thing here is that like again like that that playoff win in 20 in the 2020 2021 season it was it was like the first time the Browns could really stick it to the Steelers and be like haha we we ruined your year and like you know Ben Rothosberger like you know crying on on on the bench but even with that like the next year he comes back as old man Ben and he sweeps the Browns when they’re that was supposed to be their year with Baker Mayfield and everything was supposed to happen. So, like it’s the Browns just haven’t had their chance to kind of plant their flag. And I I think that’s part of it. And uh and also the history, and I want to get your perspective on this, the history that that the Browns have of often times, and sometimes just this just happens because they they often play the Steelers at the end of the season, but they often fire their coaches after they lose to the Steelers historically. Um and I don’t think it’s going to happen this week. Kevin Stfansky, what a two-time coach of the year, has a respect there. But the Browns, I knew we all knew this was going to be a rebuilding year for them. I think a lot of people picked them to finish last in the division, but they’re one and four and there’s a lot of struggles and there’s there’s frustrations and things like that. What is the temperament around Kevin Stfansky right now when it comes to the Browns and how things have been handled and, you know, going into this game? Yeah, listen, Hugh Jackson was fired. uh he was the last coach that was fired after losing to the Steelers um back in I guess it would have been 2018 and then Freddy Kitchens ends up taking over the next year and he only gets the one year and then that that paves the way for Kevin Stfansky to get hired in 2020. And you’re right like I’ve I’ve talked a lot on my podcast about how I I think in general Kevin Stfansky and Andrew Barry you could call it a pass I guess I think they’re kind of getting a mulligan for the Deshawn thing. like I think they’ll be back next year because they they I think Jimmy Hasslam wants to give them a chance to sort of fix this thing and get it right after the Desha thing. Um, but it also can’t be ignored that especially after last week. Kevin Stfansky came under a lot of fire uh in that game in London for how he sort of managed things and in the offense 10 straight games as I alluded to earlier without scoring 20 points. And he is supposed to be this great offensive coach, right? I mean, the guy that he was going against, Kevin O’Connell had Carson Wentz and three fifths of his offensive line gone and he found a way to win a game and and Kevin Stfansky just can’t seem to do that. I I get that the talent isn’t there, but at some point like you run out of excuses. You run out of places to blame. You are what your record says you are. You are what your offense says you are if you’re Kevin Sansky. So again, I I’m not saying he’s going to get fired after this week. I think that would be wildly um in irresponsible for me to say, but I can’t act like this isn’t a pretty important game in terms of like his continued assessment as the season goes on. Like if if he’s going to get fired, it probably won’t be till the end of the year. But I do think like going to Pittsburgh and if this game gets ugly, especially as this Joe Flacco trade seemed to catch everybody off guard, there was kind of a malaise in the locker room on Wednesday, like it see I don’t know if that’s like jet lag from London, like I don’t know what it is, but if they go into into Pittsburgh and they get absolutely steamrololled um and the offense continues to struggle as you as you turn to Dylan Gabriel for another game and and you’re kind of pivoting to the let’s see what these guys have these rookies have at quarterback, like it’s going to get louder and louder and louder. like it’ll be another sort of notch in the belt for is this the right guy for this team moving forward. And I I think it will start to tell more of that story. So again, I don’t think he’s getting fired, but I do think this is another important game for Stfansky if he’s going to sort of salvage this season. And even though I think he’s back next year, things can change over, you know, 12 weeks that remain in this on this schedule. And if it gets really bad or if it gets bad to worse, then like I I I I think there would be a conversation there by the time you get to the end of the season that starts on Sunday with Pittsburgh. Absolutely. Spencer, thank you so much for joining me here on Crossover Thursday here on the Locked On podcast network. Let’s let people people know where they can find you, follow you, and get more of your work. Yeah, man. Spencito on the handle there. Obviously, Lockdown Browns where you can get uh you can find it wherever you get your podcasts and at the Lockdown Bronze YouTube channel. It’s always a pleasure, Chris. I know we’ll do this again later this season. I’ll try to let you talk a little bit more on that one because I feel like I talked a little bit too much today. So, Oh, no. Trust me, I talk way too much sometimes. Anyways, I’m I’m Chris Carter of Locked On Steelers. Thank you, Spencer, for joining me here. Thank you all for joining us here on Crossover Thursday here on the Lockdown Podcast Network. You can find me on all your social media apps, Carter Critiques, whether it’s on Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok, Blue Sky, same handle everywhere, Carter Critiques. You can read my work in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette by going to post-cazette.com. And you can find me here just like you find Spencer on the Locked On podcast network on your favorite podcasting apps and on YouTube. Like this video if you enjoy it. Subscribe to this channel to get all of your locked on Browns episodes or all of your locked on Steelers episodes, however you found it. Be sure to tune in tomorrow as both give our predictions for the game and final looks heading into Steelers Browns on Sunday here on the Lockdown Podcast Network.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense has a historically great record against rookie quarterbacks and now face the Cleveland Browns’ Dillon Gabriel. Is the young quarterback making his second career start a red meat opportunity for T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and an aggressive Steelers’ defense? Christopher Carter and Spencer German discuss how Gabriel’s first start went, and what the Steelers’ plan might be disrupt his rhythm.

Then, Chris and Spencer discuss the Steelers’ offensive plan to block Myles Garrett with Broderick Jones, Darnell Washington and the Steelers’ tight ends, both to block for Jaylen Warren in the run game and to protect Aaron Rodgers.

Steelers’ Defense Sees Red Meat vs. Dillon Gabriel? | Plan to Help Broderick Jones vs. Myles Garrett https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7JorgD8nGLtvvMy1ogFetg

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