Christopher Carter's Steelers and Pitt chat: 11.09.26
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Christopher Carter
2:21
Not as tightly as I used to back when I had less responsibilities here. It does seem Rasheem Biles is proving to be the truth when I’ve seen him. Francis Brewu was injured for the big game this weekend but I think he’s acquitted himself well.
2:23
I do think it’s cool to see Ty Dieffenbach doing well. Was a young backup who did nothing wrong and was just in a tough spot. Went to Cal Poly, then landed with a talented program and is making the most out of his situation right now. Good for him. Sometimes there isn’t a bad guy in a situation, and I don’t think there was one here
PAtoNC
2:23
While they have only played 3 games, what is your current assessment of the Pitt Men's basketball team?
Christopher Carter
2:30
I think this is a team that can be on the buble and push its way into the tournament.

The last two contests were games I think last year's team folds away. Against Buffalo, they played terrible in the first half and had to rally, and they did. It took leadership and resilience.

Last night, they faced a top 100 Kenpom team on a neutral floor and outplayed them. And did so with their top players being in foul trouble most of the game.

Chase Foster looks like he's got a very high ceiling and is starting with a solid floor. Baye Ndongo looks like he's exactly who they'd hoped he would be and Naithan George has been good outside of the foul trouble.

Biggest thing is they need 2 shooters to emerge. Jonathan Powell was that in game 1. A'lahn Sumler was that in game 3. If those guys can be shooters from the outside, George a good facilitator, Bethea and Foster attack the rim, while Ndongo/Souare/Mighty being good bigs, I like their chances to be one of Jeff Capel's better teams and be in bubble consideration.
Uncle Leo
2:31
Hello! Optimism for Pitt bball or was the level of competition so low that we should just be happy that we have three wins and enjoy the fall weather? Thanks
Christopher Carter
2:35
Hello!

They haven't faced anyone super tough yet, but KenPom has them ranked at 61 right now with Penn State at 96. If that would hold when the NET rankings get released, that would count as a quad 2 win.

Long way to go, but I think Pitt fans should be encouraged by this group. If nothing else, they've showed potential with talents in different areas and the ability to battle and be resilient.

Just don't let anyone say, "Pitt is back," and they should be fine. lol
Here We Go
2:35
Afternoon, Chris!  What are you hearing on the trade front?  I do not expect any big splashes, but any chance the Steelers pick up someone? If so, on what side of the ball?
Christopher Carter
2:36
All I've heard is that they're kicking the tires on lower level trades, nothing blockbuster. Think more Josh Downs and Dontayvion Wicks than Brian Thomas Jr. or someone with a bigger name.
Mike from Erie,PA
2:36
Chris, are we finally seeing the fruits of Omar‘s drafting ?  some things take a while to develop, and it does look promising. Thx
Christopher Carter
2:37
I think so. Linemen usually take longer to develop. Cam Heyward didn't become a regular dominant force until about 4-5 years in, and not an elite force until later than that.

DeCastro took some years to grow into this role too. Now, you've seen Keeanu Benton, Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick each turning a corner. Troy Fautanu could be next, which would be huge. Let Derrick Harmona and Yahya Black continue that trend and the Steelers could be in a great position in a year or two.
Ryan
2:38
Hi Chris.  I think this team can go to the super bowl with all of the injuries on the other teams.  What say you?
Christopher Carter
2:40
I think that's where I'll draw the line on the Steelers fans' hype. They're good, and a playoff team. But this is where I saw them being before the season when I predicted them to go 11-6.

I still don't think they'll win the big game in an AFC championship game against a Jaguars/Bills type of opponent. But I do think there are a few teams they'd match up well with. For example, the way these Chiefs are playing right now leaning so much on Kenneth Walker, I think that's something they'd be able to defend a lot better than the Tyreek Hill-Travis Kelce-Patrick Mahomes all in their primes days.
Sam
2:40
Are any WR on Steelers' roster, even when healthy,  good enough to allow DK to get open enough to have a high-powered offense during the playoffs.
Christopher Carter
2:41
I think it's less about the other WRs and more about what the offense does with everyone else. Feed the TEs more, keep running the ball, and DK Metcalf will get his 1-on-1s.

Of course, he'll also need to catch it when they do give him those opportunities.
Jr
2:41
Chris: was encouraged by the performance of Pitt’s hoop team last night. What say you?
Christopher Carter
2:43
I thought it was a good sign they were able to play on a neutral court and control most of the second half.

A'lahn Sumler stepping up was huge, and more of what I expect from him this year. Amani Mighty also looked more like what I expected to see as well.

This team still needs to learn who it really is. But I think it has the bones to be good and get to 22ish wins. Do that, and you're in the dance.
Bill in NJ
2:43
Chris, what can they do to slow the Bengals passing game a little bit? They are so explosive.
Christopher Carter
2:43
As I was saying above, I think the biggest thing is to keep two deep safeties back and discourage the deep shots. Force the dink and dunk, don't miss tackles, and force them to score from more 10-15 play drives rather than 4-7 play drives.
Takoma Tom
2:44
Can the Germ be a #1 receiver?
Christopher Carter
2:47
Maybe in some years, but I think he's more of a #2 with great YAC ability. I see his ceiling as Hines Ward, who was a #1 for a while. But he was never considered among the elite top WRs of his era with the prototype WR1s out there. I don't think he'll ever be in the Ja'Marr Chase/Justin Jefferson/Jaxon Smith-Njigba tier.

But I do think he can be in that next tier of tough grinder playmaker receivers. It's also why I think they'll be back in the WR draft market sooner rather than later.
Jr
2:47
Chris: looks like Pitt fb could finish 7-5 if it beats Cal; dont believe they will beat FSU or L’ville. Your thoughts please. Mason’s injury side tracked a potential great season.
Christopher Carter
2:48
Louisville does look like a tough ask, but I think they have a puncher's chance this weekend against Florida State.

And I agree. Mason Heintchsel being healthy probably makes them 8-1 right now and right in the mix for the college football playoffs.
Takoma Tom
2:48
Can they put DK on the practice squad for the rest of the year? If he quits the team then they can void his contract.
Christopher Carter
2:49
That's not how practice squad works. They'd have to cut him and then let him clear waivers to be picked up on the practice squad. They're stuck with paying that money.
Ryan
2:49
I say that Aaron Rogers is the mid season MVP so far because he has them 6 & 2 so far.  Who is your pick?
Christopher Carter
2:51
Absolutely not. His name is Jaylen Warren. Leads all NFL qualified running backs in yards per carry and yards per touch.
Ryan
2:53
Devin Bush has been playing outstanding since leaving the Steelers. Who do you blame for him not playing good here?
Christopher Carter
2:57
Primarily? His knee injury.

He had the most tackles in Steelers history as a rookie and had a one-handed INT of Lamar Jackson that year. He was also playing very well his second season before his knee injury took him out.

When he came back, his play style required a lot of adjustments on his part. He couldn't trust his speed or burst, and Vince Williams even noted that was his biggest problem and it would take some time for him to find his groove again. He couldn't be as aggressive as he was before, and you saw it in his lack of explosiveness on the field.

The way he was playing in his fourth year, it made sense to let him go. But now he's found his legs again and is playing very well for the Bears. Good for him, as I thought it was the right move to trade up for him when they did. The injury was one of many that derailed that era of the Steelers.
Ernie Holmes
2:57
Chris, greatly appreciate the chats and insights you provide! You're the best! I'm excited about the trajectory of the Steelers defense, though I pause when I think about what may happen against elite passers. How do you see our DBs fairing against high-end QBs/teams that abort on trying to run against us and throw it 40-50 times? Thanks!
Christopher Carter
3:01
Thanks!

I think that the key for this secondary surviving those games will be limiting their opportunities. They have to keep the explosive plays down and force the dink and dunk all the way down the field. Then they have to trust they'll take advantage of the missed throws and targets.

But, they also need the offense to do their part in limiting their opportunities. With the run game's consistent success of late, I think that's also played a big role in the defense's success over the past month. Plenty of really good defenses over the past several years had bad offenses that put them on the field alot.

Remember, the 2021-2022 Steelers had the Chiefs in the playoffs scoreless with two turnovers and a defensive TD thru 5 drives.
3:03
But the offense punted on all 5 drives, and eventually the Chiefs found their answers with their 6th drive in the second quarter. For an example, the Bengals in the Steelers' game they beat them this year didn't have their 6th drive until the fourth quarter.

Defense has been awesome, but a good run game has been a great friend for them as well.
3:05
Alright, Mike McCarthy at the podium, so I've got to switch to that. Thanks everyone for being here! Stay tuned for all our work this week.
I'll have a live game chat Sunday night for Steelers-Bengals.
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