Metcalf, Freiermuth, Highsmith, Wilson Media Availabilities (Dec. 3) | Pittsburgh Steelers

Metcalf, Freiermuth, Highsmith, Wilson Media Availabilities (Dec. 3) | Pittsburgh Steelers

DK, when you watch the film on Monday with the whole team, was it tough to watch? You learn anything from that? How was it? Uh yeah, it was bad uh looking at it uh from our perspective. Uh well, number one, we got to keep our defense off the field. They can’t be on the field for 40 40 plus minutes and expect them, you know, to to stop uh anybody cuz you know, we got to hold up our end of the bargain. Uh and that’s putting points on the board and uh maintaining the ball to where you know, they they can go out there get three and outs and we can get the ball back and put points on the board. So, uh, we just got to do a better job at at doing that. How do you guys go about ironing out the inconsistencies from week to week? It’s good game, bad game, good game, bad game. How do you guys approach? Uh, just looking ourselves in the mirror and just um just telling ourselves we haven’t done what we need to do uh this whole season in my opinion. Uh, I think we we’ve letting a lot of bad mistakes uh get covered up by our defensive five turnovers or defense is always bail bailing inside the game. So, um, we’ve been doing it all year, so we just got to clean it up. How much did that playoff loss last year kind of stick with you through the offseason and just me personally or the team? You personally? Yeah, it sucked. Um, I mean last year was obviously my rookie year. We started 10 and three. So I was like, “Wow, the NFL was pretty fun, you know, and then what did we lose?” Like five straight at the end. So not only that playoff loss, but just in the way that the year ended last year, we obviously wanted to come out this year and not let that happen. And obviously towards the end of the season this year we’re trying not to let that happen again. We want to be on a steady progress rather than last year how we kind of degressed throughout the season. So you talked about you talked about riding high and now this year you’re six and six. Baltimore six and six. You both are dealing with some frustrations. Do you feel like part of this the team that wins this game is going to be the one that’s sort of able to overcome that and and hit the hit with the the right mindset? Yeah, of course. I mean, it’s kind of funny cuz around here it’s it’s obviously the the energy is not low and stuff, but we lost some games that we definitely shouldn’t have lost, but we still control our own destiny, like you said. Um, we still have a chance to have home playoff games, win this division, and uh that’s kind of what’s on our mind. And, uh, this Sunday is obviously one of the biggest tests for that. So, Alex, have you guys have you guys revisited that the film this week? Yeah, we’ve watched some of it. Um, you know, because it is recent season. it’s in the it’s in the past year or so and so we know that uh um like I said we we still take things from that game and um find out ways we we can be better uh from that game but obviously I think it just starts with the mindset of going in and just you know hoping the man in front of you even making plays. Does it does it sting any any less 10 months later? I mean it still sucks. I mean just like like you said to finish the way we did last year in in that venue um you know allowed 300 rushing yards is truly is unacceptable. And so um you know that’s something I think that’s fueling us for this week. But in the day, we just we’re still first in the we’re still tied for first in the ASC North. So, we got to go out there and um play because the division’s on the line. So, we got to play like it. Before those last two games, you’ve done really well against the Ravens and Lamar. Is there a feeling that there’s something that you can get back to that you had before? Yeah. I mean, I think we have a good game plan going into this week. And so, obviously, you know, um we’re we we’re going to change some things that we did last year because obviously they had 300 rushing yards against us. So, um, I think we got a good game game plan to go into this week. I just think it’s about the mentality going in and welcome the man in front of you. When you look back, when you what what is it that you guys channeled against rushing offense like the Colts, which one of the best running backs and offensive lines in football versus, you know, a game like the Bills where it just didn’t get put all together? Yeah, I mean, I think um, you know, we were um, you look you look at those two films, you look at uh, the difference in them. Like I said, it’s just I think we just did a better job of um whing blocks, making tackles, being gap sound, and everyone just doing their job and trusting the guy beside you to do their job. And so I think that’s what it’s about. We all just got to trust each other. We’re going to do do our job and then go make the play. Do you get the sense that the team that the urgency is kind of picking up a little bit now that you guys are about to head into the home stretch for the playoffs? Yeah, I mean, we’ve known that the urgency’s about to pick up, should pick up a couple weeks ago, but uh we understand what’s ahead of us and uh looking forward to competing in Baltimore. What does adding another pass catcher to this group do? I mean, is it something that can jump start you guys at this point in the season? Yeah, I mean, obviously, um you know, just met him say the first time. Um you know, obviously had a hell of a career in the NFL and anyone that can bring in help us win games, um it’s much appreciated. Pat, you got the Ravens obviously big rivalry. What stands out? What makes this rivalry special? Uh just all the history in it. Um it’s definitely my favorite game to play in. Um and obviously with the recent uh history with losing to the wild card in Baltimore and um there’s a lot of urgency in this game and um we’re excited for it. How much is that game been a talking point throughout the offseason just knowing what a bad taste it kind of left in in your mouth? Uh I mean we really talked about it that much. Um just kind of moving forward. Um, obviously, you know, we got to watch the film from see what they did last year against us and, um, yeah, we don’t really talk about that much. It’s obviously it’s a new year and you’re looking forward to to Sunday. Last year, notwithstanding, you guys have had some success down there. What have kind of been the key to winning down there? What have you done well this? Not turning the ball over. Um, playing efficient on offense, staying on the field, um, not going three and out, and, uh, you know, getting to the second level in the run game. um putting hats on broke one and and Kyle Aaron talked about practice. What do you guys need to do starting today to kind of help yourselves turn this around? Uh just be on the same page and um you know understand the little details that we just talked about in meetings and uh be able to um you know put that on the field. When Aaron was asked about being on the same page, you said one thing that would help would be all the pass catchers coming to meetings, coming to film review sessions. Have there been issues getting all the guys together at the same time to to have those sessions? No, I mean everyone shows up and everyone um you know contributes in a positive manner. Um I think he was just more so talking about being on the same page with signals and stuff. Um we don’t have a an issue with guys not showing up. We just got to be on the same page with him and what he sees and um being able to be on the same page. Pat, I know you’re a team first guy, but is it hard to have games in which you only have 17 snaps and you don’t get any targets at all? I mean, yeah. I mean, obviously it’s it’s frustrating, but at the end of the day, um I have complete faith in in Arthur and um we have a good relationship and understanding what his thoughts were for the game plan and um you don’t lose too much sleep over it. Just got to be able to understand my role and hopefully it changes going forward and um you know, we just got to be able to go out there and just do what’s asked of me. Did you guys get together last night for Aeron’s birthday? Anything? Uh I don’t know. It’s up to you guys to figure that out. What do you get a 42-year-old quarterback who, you know, has been in the league for two decades, can, you know, has everything he wants kind of thing? You get a group gift. What do you do for that? Birthday cake. Nothing.

DK Metcalf, Pat Freiermuth, Alex Highsmith, and Payton Wilson spoke to the media on Wednesday, December 3 ahead of the Steelers Week 14 game against the Ravens

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