Chris Hoke: I Naturally Want To See The Patriots Punished
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) – Former Steelers defensive lineman Chris Hoke joined "The Fan Morning Show" on Tuesday to talk about the team with their 2015 season opener just two days away, and to discuss a special event that he will be a part of.
Hoke believes the Steelers' defense is going to be a work in progress.
"It hasn't been a shining preseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense," Hoke said. "It's not the defense of the 2000's, or the (19)70's, but they're a work in progress. I see some positive signs. Some young guys on the D-line are playing good football. I see an old man in James Harrison who still can get it done and can still rush the passer with a great pass rush move. You've got inside linebacker depth that no team in the NFL has right now. I think where we've got to work and continue to grind is on the back end of the defense. You've got some guys that have just got to continue to get better, have got to continue to learn the defense, and that's, I think, what the struggle is right now."
Hoke explained that one of the biggest challenges for a young defense is making sure that everyone can take care of their assignments.
"What happens a lot of times is that guys- proven guys, been-there-done-that guys- are playing in a defense with a lot of young guys, they feel that they've got to do more than their job," Hoke said. "And what happens is when you try to do your job and somebody else's job, no job gets done. And so really, just keep hitting on these guys and hammering their heads- just do your job, and we're going to be okay."
Hoke was also asked for his reaction to Tom Brady's four-game suspension being overturned and the whole Deflategate scandal in general. Hoke said that it's difficult for him not to be biased about the whole fiasco.
"Well, you're asking a guy who played against Tom Brady when that whole Spygate thing went down," Hoke said. "I played in that [2004] AFC Championship Game, and I played in all those games where Spygate played a part - a big part - of them winning those games, and so you're asking a guy that's pretty biased, who thinks that everything in the kitchen sink should be thrown at those guys anytime there's mention of cheating."
Hoke also promoted Rocky Bleier's one-man show "The Play: with Rocky Bleier," which Hoke is an executive producer for. The one-time event will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Heinz Hall, and will feature Bleier offering a poignant glimpse into his incredible multi-faceted life.
Earlier that day, Bleier will be roasted by former Steelers teammates at a luncheon at Heinz Field from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event will feature Terry Bradshaw, Joe Greene, Franco Harris, Mel Blount and Lynn Swann sharing memories.
Tickets for both events are available at HeinzHall.org. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation.
The interview can be heard here: