Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 07.09.26
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Christopher Carter
1:34
Thanks for being here!

Funny, we actually did this for the Wednesday North Shore Drive podcast!

It's important to note that both of those quarterbacks won with different teams -- even though it's the same franchise. (It IS weird that all three of the Broncos' Super Bowl wins come with old QBs).

Elway's Broncos that won the Super Bowl weren't with him being the driving force, but he was still a big factor. Terrell Davis changed everything for that team. The two years they won it all he had 1,750 yards and 2,008 yards and led the NFL in rushing touchdowns both years. Heck, he was league MVP in 1998.

Manning's Broncos were very different. While he did have some super seasons when he was healthy with 55 passing TDs, he was a shell of himself the Super Bowl year and won primarily because of an elite defense.

I don't think Rodgers has the elite defense or the superstar back to carry him. But I do think the Steelers have a balanced enough roster to be good. Just not elite in those ways.
JK Stillers Lifer
1:37
Hi Chris - Thanks for the chats and all your excellent coverage and work!  I always enjoy your analyses and insights!
Oops, hit send too soon.  My question: I really loved the Payton Wilson pick when we selcted him and I envision him becoming a special player for the Steelers.  How do you view him, and do you think his ceiling could possibly be elite NFL ILB?  He's such a freaky and instinctive athlete, so I'm thinking if he can take his run support and 'in the box' type of skills to the next level (get stronger), he could end up being a rare find and a team leader kind of player.  Agree, disagree, thoughts?  Thanks!
Christopher Carter
1:38
Thanks JK!

I don't know about elite, but I think Payton Wilson can be a higher level LB than he has been. He has the athleticism and the size, he just needs to be better at shedding blocks and sticking to the run. I think if he gets that part of his game down, he'll also be more confident in coverage and he'll come along well.

He also told us he had to learn more of the defense. He admitted to us back in OTAs that the last two years he primarily just knew what he was supposed to do, and this year he'll know what everyone was supposed to do and help Patrick Queen as a green dot.
West Coast Danno
1:39
Dude, I love love love all your hard work and the insightful PPG Steelers coverage… seriously you da man. Thanks & Keep it up! Peace.
Christopher Carter
1:39
Thanks WCD!
TomB
1:41
Appreciate your time and insights! Can you predict where the 4 Steeler QBs will be on NFL season opening day? Thanks C.C.
Christopher Carter
1:43
If I had to guess right now:

Rodgers (starter)
Rudolpph (backup)
Allar (backup)

Howard (traded).

I think there's a chance the Steelers try to pump up Howard a bit to a team that might need QB depth this preseason/season. Rudolph could also be on the move if they prefer Howard. But I just think Howard's the one with the burden of proof to show he belongs more than Rudolph.
Scott via Louisville
1:43
As a wanna be golfer, my swing thoughts can overwhelm me. Do offensive lineman suffer similarly. Do some just use natural ability, strength and speed but not technic or do they have to to be successful.
Christopher Carter
1:45
I think all athletes deal with this in some way.

For some people, size, speed, strength or explosiveness might come naturally to them and they just don't need to push as hard to get it.

In high school, guys with those talents stand out right away and are tough players. In college, more of those guys develop enough skills to balance with their natural gifts.

But in the NFL, everyone's either big, fast, explosive, and/or technically sound. Someone might be able to lean on that a bit to get them started, but the pros make you refine your game so that you have to win with multiple factors.
Buffalo Bob
1:46
Hey Chris,  we’ve heard much about McCarthy’ 55 touch strategy, although it seems like an objective not often fulfilled.  This presumably requires long drives not big plays.  What is the necessary 1st down completion percentage needed to make this work, and doesn’t it make it harder to complete passes on subsequent downs if they are constantly behind the sticks?
Christopher Carter
1:57
Very glad you asked this!

You're right about the 55 touch thing being more of a goal than a strategy that must be achieved.

When I looked back at the last three teams to be #1 in scoring, none of them averaged 55 touches per game. The Lions of 2024 were thee closest at 54.4, but the Rams this year were at 50.6 and McCarthy's Cowboys of 2023 were 52.3.

That meant I had to look at what could play a factor into HOW they achieved getting more touches -- which of course was extending drives.

And the key factor I saw tied to that was NET passing yards per first down attempt. Both the Rams and the Lions the last two years averaged more than 9 yards per first down passing attempt and were among the best in the NFL.

It's less about a completion rate, and more about the average yards tied to those efforts. And it wasn't just those teams, the Seahawks last year, as well as the Patriots were all top 3 last year, and that played a big factor in their success.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
1:58
This summer feels very much similar to last summer with a lot of hope, but it petered out pretty quickly when the season started. How will this year be any different with Rodgers being limited with his mobility due to his age. I know additions like Pittman and Dean will help but is the team that much better than last year truthfully?
Christopher Carter
2:01
I wouldn't say last year petered out too quickly considering the 4-1 start and winning the division with multiple strong wins along the way. But the way I do think it could be different is because of a more developed offensive line, Pittman being a key asset on early down passing and Dean balancing the outside CB play with Porter at a high level.

If the positives of last year hold and are compounded by those factors and growth of the younger players on the roster, I do think this team will be better than last year.
Alright, gotta get to other assignments. Thanks everyone for being here! Enjoy the weekend! Be on the lookout for more work soon!
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