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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 07.25.25
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Christopher Carter
10:07
Alright! Let's get this started!
It’s Already Been Gotten Into
10:07
Chris, very important question. Did St. Vincent’s finally get AC in the dorm rooms we saw a big fan in your last podcast! No, seriously,
Christopher Carter
10:07
HA! That's an AirBnb setup. Reporters don't get to stay in dorms anymore. Sad I missed those days because there are PLENTY of stories from experienced reporters over the years lol
It’s Already Been Gotten Into
10:07
sorry actual question cut off when are the pads coming on? The Steelers better find out real quick if Jones has the juice to protect the ol hipster’s blindside!!!!
Christopher Carter
10:08
Tuesday! Four practices without pads then pads go on then!
It’s Already Been Gotten Into
10:08
Does Jalen Ramsey have the same swagger and cockiness of his Jags’ days? It seems his trash talk has subsided with age.
Christopher Carter
10:18
I think it's still there but he's more mature with it. (Also sorry for delay, AirBnB wifi went down for a few minutes there)
Rob
10:18
If the Steelers do get the elusive playoff win, do you see them still drafting a first round QB or trying another vet at QB?
Christopher Carter
10:18
I think that'll depend on who's available. If they see a guy they think is the future, they'll put everything into getting him.
Gracie Lou
10:20
That beautiful time of year when football starts in earnest!  Do the players new and vets go through the fitness exam or test and how serious do coaches take the results?
Christopher Carter
10:20
I think the oldest vets get to sit out if they've proven themselves. But most people go through it.
It’s Already Been Gotten Into
10:20
Any plans to move the time of practices due to the oppressive heat?
Christopher Carter
10:21
Nope. I think Tomlin prefers the heat. Adds to the testing of their conditioning and pressure
Stash
10:21
Hello, your odds that BJ turns out to be the answer at LT? I'm thinking around 51%, being generous. Your thoughts, if any?
Christopher Carter
10:22
I see it more like a 66%. I'm admittedly higher on him because of his build and I really think it'll come to fruition once he gets settled there.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
10:22
Rodgers mentioned that 6–8 teams are projected Super Bowl contenders and sometimes 10–12. He put the Steelers in that 10–12 range. Do you agree with him? That doesn’t sound real promising, but it’s probably a reality.
Christopher Carter
10:23
I'd need to see teams play off course, but I could see the Steelers as a top 5-6 team in the AFC which would put them right around that range. It's also where they've been 4 out of the last 5 years.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
10:23
Not to be a pessimist, but what would it take for Rodgers to get benched and how long into the season before you pull the plug if things aren’t going well? Do you wave him at that point or do you allow him to be the back up?
Christopher Carter
10:24
I think it would have to be Phil Jurkovec 2023 levels before he would get benched. Not sure what would follow as I think if he stinks this is his last stop. Peyton Manning once took a seat for the Broncos and came back to help them win the Super Bowl.  So, maybe he'd take it on the chin. Tough to tell.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
10:24
Will the Steelers rotate the inside and outside linebackers a little more than last year to try to keep players fresh and hopefully injury free towards the end of the year?
Christopher Carter
10:24
I think there will be a healthier rotation there as both groups look deeper. ILBs especially. Holcomb and Harrison as backups is a luxury IMO. Herbig and Sawyer could be a nice calvary off the edge too.
Rocky Mountain Yunzer
10:24
Chris - thanks for your time and your sharp insight.
Christopher Carter
10:25
Thanks for being here! These are hella fun!
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
10:25
Since Rodgers really has no game experience with the Steelers, do you allow him to play more in the preseason or just do the usual one series in one of the games?
Christopher Carter
10:25
I don't think you'll see him more than a drive or two. They're going to get things ironed out a bunch over these next three weeks.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
10:25
Did the Steelers do enough in the off-season to make the run defense more competitive against the ravens and other run heavy teams?
Christopher Carter
10:26
Depends on how good these guys pan out. Liked what I saw of Derrick Harmon yesterday--even if it was without pads. If he and Ekuale mesh well with Heyward and Benton, watch out. This unit could take a major step up.
Rocky Mountain Yunzer
10:26
Chris - thanks for your time and your wise insight.  My question is about the Offensive Line - are they doing anything different or special to try to maximize the chances that the Offensive Line is successful this year?  Seems to me that if the Offensive Line turns out to be a B+/A-, then the offense can control the ball and score more points, which in turns helps the defense stay fresh and put other teams into obvious passing situations, which leads to more turnovers, etc.
Christopher Carter
10:27
I think the new and different thing is going to be finally seeing Broderick Jones at LT and Troy Fautanu at RT. Both are huge pieces to making this thing work. If they play well, you'll see them hit that B+/A- range.
Whos Your Daddy
10:27
Good morning, hope all is well with you and yours!  Once again MT is talking about the heat and humidity making his team better on the first day of training camp.  Why doesn’t anybody ever call him out on such idiotic sayings.  He is suppose to be one of the business leaders of a multi billion dollar industry so why not act like it!  These stupid sayings of his has grown tiresome to say the least. Words don’t win playoff games nor does the heat at training camp.  What say you?
Christopher Carter
10:28
Good morning and same to you!

That's ... not something stupid? The more difficult conditions add to the strain of the work right now. It's like running with a weighted vest on but natural conditions. Maybe I'm missing something here but that's something a lot of coaches have done over the course of history in football.
KinVA
10:28
I'm being very optimistic, but I believe if everything falls into place this season, the Steelers could surprise lots of folks and make a run in the playoff. The O-line has to jell and the defense has to mesh together and avoid injuries. What do you think?
Christopher Carter
10:29
I do think this team not only makes the playoffs but could be dangerous if healthy and going against the right team. But they've also had some of the worst injury luck over the past 11 or so years when it comes to playoffs, so we'll see.
marty
10:29
I know this isn't Earth shattering, but who designed those ridiculous looking throwback uniforms? As great as the Steeler uni's have been over the years, why would they resort to this.  I guess they think they can make a few extra bucks selling these.
Christopher Carter
10:30
HA! I agree with you that those throwbacks are terrible. I get honoring the past, but there's plenty of other BETTER ways to honor them. I really think the throwback all-white unis of the 70s would look amazing.

Yellow helmet is cool though.
MD Mike
10:30
First pass of first practice intercepted.  There clearly are only two logical conclusions to make of it:  1. The offense is going to be so horrible that 0-17 is inevitable.  2. The defense is going to be so superior that 17-0 is a certainty.  So which is it?
Christopher Carter
10:32
HA. Ya'll got the jokes going today I see. As Ray and I discuss on the morning North Shore Drive pod today, defense often wins early in camp because that's easier to put together right now. I wouldn't read into it too much.

The biggest things about training camp is just logging how everyone does each day and then stacking the notes at the end. Don't lean too much into one moment or another.
John
10:32
Chris, did anyone look noticably different physically?
Christopher Carter
10:32
Keeanu Benton looks like he's yoked up. Broderick Jones didn't look great in pass pro, but you can tell he's a step quicker with the weight he's lost.
John
10:32
Is practicing during the hottest time of the day wise? Dehydration leads to injury.
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