Godsbrother
Footballguy
Agree 100%. The Steeler should use the draft and substantial cap space they have to build a decent offensive line and get help at ILB and defensive line. Don't bother with a QB until that is done.
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2023 Pittsburgh Steelers. Banged up team loses to Buffalo. Looking ahead to 2024 now (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Godsbrother
- Start date
Agree 100%. The Steeler should use the draft and substantial cap space they have to build a decent offensive line and get help at ILB and defensive line. Don't bother with a QB until that is done.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
This quote by Tomlin….lmfao
he's got a dry wit, I’ll say that.
—————————————————-
Mike Tomlin on Chase Claypool's suggestion they should play music and make practice more fun:
"Claypool plays wide out and I'll let him do that. I'll formulate the practice approach and I think that division of labor is appropriate."
he's got a dry wit, I’ll say that.
—————————————————-
Mike Tomlin on Chase Claypool's suggestion they should play music and make practice more fun:
"Claypool plays wide out and I'll let him do that. I'll formulate the practice approach and I think that division of labor is appropriate."
steelers1080
Footballguy
Yeah, they need to rebuild/strengthen the trenches, but that is what they've tried to do recently. Heyward, Alualu, and Tuitt are a very solid D-line, just not healthy and on the field. Watt and Highsmith have been great when healthy. The O-line has 2 rookies and a 2nd year player starting which is very rare and if they can improve with more experience that could turn out well, though our RT/RG situation is weak, and Green has not impressed at C so far.
The biggest priorities IMO are ILB, SS, CB, OG, DL, and QB. I think C is a need as well, just from seeing Green get walked back into the QB or throwing the ball over the QB's head, but he could improve. DL is just because I think Tuitt is definitely gone after 1 more year, and Alualu probably is as well (both their contracts end after the 2022 season).
steelers1080
Footballguy
Ok, but what he's been doing isn't working. Our tackling is horrendous, players are often out of position, and players keep dropping passes (or throwing inaccurate passes). Claypool's suggestion might sound silly, but he's not the first player to suggest that practices need to change.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
FWIW....I'd wager Rudolph probably has wet dreams of being "mediocre."
I think Haskins has probably shown next to zero in practices, or he'd have likely got a little bit of run(even if just a series or some scripted plays) during the game Ben missed. Tomlin loves him his Buckeyes though, so who knows.
Honestly, I wouldn't be opposed to them giving Haskins a shot over Rudolph if things go utterly sideways the next few weeks....but then remind myself it just won't matter behind that line. He'll look bad. Real bad.
Hell, Ben knows what he's dealing with, regardless of the loss of arm strength, and realizes he has to get that ball out in .2 seconds and HE looks godawful behind that line. Brady would likely be on his a$$ 8 drop backs out of 10 behind this crew. A QB change ain't saving the disaster this O has become. It's mostly the line.
I think Haskins has probably shown next to zero in practices, or he'd have likely got a little bit of run(even if just a series or some scripted plays) during the game Ben missed. Tomlin loves him his Buckeyes though, so who knows.
Honestly, I wouldn't be opposed to them giving Haskins a shot over Rudolph if things go utterly sideways the next few weeks....but then remind myself it just won't matter behind that line. He'll look bad. Real bad.
Hell, Ben knows what he's dealing with, regardless of the loss of arm strength, and realizes he has to get that ball out in .2 seconds and HE looks godawful behind that line. Brady would likely be on his a$$ 8 drop backs out of 10 behind this crew. A QB change ain't saving the disaster this O has become. It's mostly the line.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Yes and we knew going in was going to be rough but the hope was they would get better as they developed a little chemistry and for a short time, it looked like it was, at least a bit. Unfortunately a string of injuries (what are we down to a third or fourth string OT?), some regression and fatigue and you are now left with this mess.
The funny thing is that as bad as they are (and they are truly awful), the biggest problem now is the defensive line and inside linebacker play. When you can't stop the run, can't generate pressure and can't cover there isn't a whole lot you can do.
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Dizzy
Footballguy
Claypool's comments came off to me as, "Yeah, we're soft... but I think we can be even softer"
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Minkah and Heyward are not suggesting that they play music. Seems like they are suggesting the opposite.
steelers1080
Footballguy
And Tomlin's comments came off as "Get off my lawn!"...
Players like Juju and Claypool are going to be more common, not less common, as time goes on. Players that care about their social media presence and want football to be enjoyable. Players like Heyward, Minkah, and Watt who take the game seriously and have the traditional Steelers attitude will likely become more rare as new draft classes join the NFL.
Dismissing players while belittling them, or blaming them for a losing streak (Juju dancing last year) is not going to be a path toward success. The coach might not relate with how they handle things or their view points, but a coach should adapt and be able to mold all the different personalities into a successful team. IMO old school thinking will probably alienate some younger players.
The idea that music could turn this team into a winning team is dumb, but brushing off ideas and belittling suggestions is a great way to stagnate. The team is losing and looks terrible, Tomlin should be taking suggestions because the current state is untenable. Why not use music to simulate crowd noise/distractions during two minute drills in practice? There's ways his weird suggestion could have been turned into something positive instead of my way or the highway.
steelers1080
Footballguy
It does seem like they both want the team to practice harder, not sure if they're the exception or the norm for the current Steelers team.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Things like Claypool's comments would be non-stories if the team were winning.
Dizzy
Footballguy
If Claypool thinks practice could be enhanced by music and dancing... maybe save that BS for media day prior to the Super Bowl when goofiness is embraced, or while you team is WINNING. That is not a thing to discuss coming off a 41-10 sweeping from a divisional opponent.
Next you will have players fighting over the playlist. Why not make it part of the routine... it will be fun... instead of film study, maybe take two hours to come with a playlist that can be inspiring and unoffensive for all. And don't forget the dancing... very important as well because even though this is your JOB, it should also be FUN.
steelers1080
Footballguy
They play a game for a living lol. It's their job and they work very hard, but it's not weird to think their work experience might be different from a regular person. An article from 2014 said that 16 teams use music during practice so it's not like it's some crazy suggestion to add music. Also, I work a desk job and plenty of my coworkers listen to music while they work at their JOB.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
The big question is how will they do against Lamar Jackson this week?
Godsbrother
Footballguy
If I am the Ravens I come into the game planning to throw less than 20 times. Why bother putting it in the air when you can get 5-8 per carry?
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
Yeah, but have you seen the Ravens RBs?Godsbrother said:
Godsbrother
Footballguy
The Steelers activated receiver Ray-Ray McCloud from the Reserve/COVID List on Wednesday. McCloud was placed on the list on Nov. 23.
Offensive lineman Joe Haeg was placed on the Reserve/COVID List. Haeg has played in eight games this season, starting one.
JT Watt was placed on the Reserve/COVID List on Monday, making his participation in Week 13's game against the Ravens very doubtful.
Offensive lineman Joe Haeg was placed on the Reserve/COVID List. Haeg has played in eight games this season, starting one.
JT Watt was placed on the Reserve/COVID List on Monday, making his participation in Week 13's game against the Ravens very doubtful.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Steelers add ILB Robert Spillane to the Reserve/COVID list. He was unlikely to play this week anyway due to a knee injury but it is one more piece of bad news for a Steelers team that seemingly has been cursed.
Steelers4Life
Footballguy
It's not COVID or bad luck this year. It's not any one player's fault or one unit's fault either.
The team isn't very good. It never was, and and never was going to be in 2021.
A stationary, limited QB behind a young and crappy offensive line was never going to lead to a lot points being scored or sustained drives, and while the defensive line would've been better if healthy, the linebackers are bad and the secondary isn't good enough if the front seven doesn't generate pressure. There's no quality depth either.
And while Tomlin will always have his supporters because of his early coaching career run with Cowher's core of talent, he's better at giving headline quotes than he is at in-game decision making. His name is way better than his performance. He's still the coach who's had little playoff success for a decade despite plenty of talent and a HOF QB, and is about to miss the playoffs for the 3rd time in 4 years. The last two times they've been to the playoffs since 2016, it's been two embarrassing home losses while giving up over 90 points, but at least we don't have to worry about that happening this year... it's time to admit that the product the Steelers are running out there right now is getting embarrassing and there needs to be some accountability for why.
The team isn't very good. It never was, and and never was going to be in 2021.
A stationary, limited QB behind a young and crappy offensive line was never going to lead to a lot points being scored or sustained drives, and while the defensive line would've been better if healthy, the linebackers are bad and the secondary isn't good enough if the front seven doesn't generate pressure. There's no quality depth either.
And while Tomlin will always have his supporters because of his early coaching career run with Cowher's core of talent, he's better at giving headline quotes than he is at in-game decision making. His name is way better than his performance. He's still the coach who's had little playoff success for a decade despite plenty of talent and a HOF QB, and is about to miss the playoffs for the 3rd time in 4 years. The last two times they've been to the playoffs since 2016, it's been two embarrassing home losses while giving up over 90 points, but at least we don't have to worry about that happening this year... it's time to admit that the product the Steelers are running out there right now is getting embarrassing and there needs to be some accountability for why.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Steelers4Life said:
They are starting 4 rookies on Offense and have had to pillage practice squads on defense all season.
Edmonds is a bust. Bush is not fully recovered from his ACL. Watt has been in and out of the lineup and we gave up OLB depth. Haden has been out and not as good. They really miss Mike Hilton. D-Line is decimated and can't keep blockers off of the LBs. Vince Williams retiring hurt the run stopping -- it was not replaced.
The Defense was supposed to carry this team, and they are getting destroyed and are thin everywhere right now.
steelers1080
Footballguy
I saw an article recently that ILBs with torn ACLs usually never recover to what they once were. Kwon Alexander is one of the recent examples, but also Jaylon Smith. Both were amazing talents and post-ACL have been mediocre at best. Bush didn't have great football instincts, but he was able to make up for some of that by being lightning fast, which he no longer is. Hopefully within the next 2-3 drafts and free agency periods we can replace both ILBs, SS, DL, NT, CB because unfortunately we'll need new pieces there in short order.
We have a great OLB, great FS with 1 year left on contract, great DL who is over 30, great WR who sometimes has the drops and only 1 year left on contract, and some potentially solid rookies. It's going to be a rough couple years rebuilding unless we somehow luck into a great QB who can hide all the weaknesses while the team retools. At this point, I think even if we had a great QB, they would be hard pressed to overcome all the other weaknesses (and stay healthy behind our line).
Steelers4Life
Footballguy
Yep. The offense was always going to be limited by poor OL play and Ben's limitations. That's certainly not unexpected.
Sure, the defense could've been better if healthy. But in the end, aside from Watt, Heyward, and Minka, the defense lacks both playmakers and quality depth, and it's too much to expect those three to overcome deficiencies everywhere else every week.
This defense was never going to be good enough to carry this team as a contender and the coaching is nowhere near good enough to overcome an overall lack of talent. I think some people expect them to be good and improve just because it's the Steelers. But this team isn't good, isn't deep, and isn't particularly close to fixing either of those issues. I expect more of the same moving forward, and I expect Tomlin to continue provide his headline making quotes while botching in-game decisions and living off of successes that are becoming a distant memory. The more the roster has turned over since 2010, the less successful he's been.
Not optimistic at all about the next few years at least.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Heyward did not practice today due to illness . . . .
Steeler
Footballguy
L. Jackson is going to run wild on the Steelers - over 100 yards for sure. The only way the Steelers can limit Lamar is by forcing him to hand off on option plays by overplaying him. Otherwise, he's going to smash them. In addition to not playing very well, and tackling poorly, the Steelers are decimated by injuries.Yeah, but have you seen the Ravens RBs?
I just looked it up and the most rushing yards in a game by a QB is 173 yards... he could break that record. Someone named Godwin Igwebuike (DET RB) had a 42 yard rushing TD against the Steelers.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Godsbrother
Footballguy
A liitle bit if good news: TJ has one negative Covid test, if he tests negative again he may be cleared to take play Sunday
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Godsbrother
Footballguy
It sounds like Heyward is going to play too
TampaMike19
Footballguy
Well, I was way wrong on their D last week. But this week it looks a bit better that the "bengals are overrated." They blew their load so bad against the Steelers that they just flat out sucked today
steelers1080
Footballguy
The prediction is alive and well! (aside from the half-win against the Lions) Called a sweep against the Ravens and 4 wins in the last 8 games. We got owned by the Bengals and lost to the Chargers, but we can definitely beat the Ravens again since they just lost Humphrey, the Browns have looked terrible, the Vikings just lost to the Lions, the Titans are down their top WRs and RB, and the Chiefs have looked mediocre most weeks. It's not inconceivable that we could win 3 of our last 5 games. That puts us at 9-7-1 which may or may not be good enough to make the playoffs. It doesn't look like it will be good enough, but TBD. We could go 4-1, but if we played like we did against the Bengals we could go 0-5.
We need to keep dialing up blitzes to keep teams from having time to pick apart our linebackers and secondary. When we stopped blitzing on the Ravens final drive they were able to get chunk plays because our secondary couldn't maintain coverage. High hopes for next week.
We need to keep dialing up blitzes to keep teams from having time to pick apart our linebackers and secondary. When we stopped blitzing on the Ravens final drive they were able to get chunk plays because our secondary couldn't maintain coverage. High hopes for next week.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
I love the optimism but going on the road to play the Vikings on a short week is not going to be easy.
The Titans, even though at home, is not going to be a walk in the park and then you have to go play the Chiefs the day after Christmas.
I see the Steelers at 7-7-1 after week 16 and requiring a sweep of the Browns (@home) and Ravens (away) to make the playoffs.
crushedspirit
Footballguy
I see pretty much the same, and don't put too much stock into beating a division rival who have been living on the edge all season. Lamar was his usual overrated, and inconsistent self. We can thank him and TJ, plus a valiant effort by Ben, for yesterday's 1 point win.
Facing the Vikings on a short week is not good at all. Their offense is good, even without Thielen.
Steelers4Life
Footballguy
Funny, I'd bet that the fans of those teams are saying that the matchup against the Steelers should be a very, very winnable game... especially the Vikings at home on a short week.
They scraped by to get an ugly win vs Baltimore, but it wasn't a performance that should make anyone look at those matchups as anything better than tossups at best. I don't think the Steelers will be favored in any of them, and I think the Steelers will be fortunate to win 2 of those 5. I hope I'm wrong, because I want Ben to go out on a higher note than that.
No MN fan is saying that. The attitude here in MN is pretty poor these days, so we don't take anything for granted with this team.
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Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
So, do we think Witherspoon showed enough to stay on the field when Haden is back? Move Sutton to slot in nickel?
Or did he just have a few good plays, but Lamar and pressure allowed for some missed blown coverages?
Or did he just have a few good plays, but Lamar and pressure allowed for some missed blown coverages?
ThaPenguin
Footballguy
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Well, earlier in the year, Witherspoon was getting burnt. Maybe he is playing faster/better now, due to knowing the system. Or Lamar just is not a great passer, so mistakes were masked?
Godsbrother
Footballguy
So it looks like BJ Finney is probably not going to play on a short week. Third-stringer John Leglue came in for Finney against the Ravens and I guess will get the start.
Currently the only backup lineman they have is Zach Banner so they'll need to activate someone from the practice squad unless Joe Haeg gets activated from Covid list.
Currently the only backup lineman they have is Zach Banner so they'll need to activate someone from the practice squad unless Joe Haeg gets activated from Covid list.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Godsbrother
Footballguy
steelers1080
Footballguy
It's definitely going to be a tough game Thursday, but these teams are equally bad...
Prediction! Team with the fewest turnovers wins. Risky, I know.
Prediction! Team with the fewest turnovers wins. Risky, I know.
SeniorVBDStudent
Footballguy
When Rotoworld reports player injury status, its customary to include the nature of the injury in parenthesis following the player's name. See the following entry from today:
PIT:
Roethlisberger (old) returns to practice Tuesday
PIT:
Roethlisberger (old) returns to practice Tuesday
steelers1080
Footballguy
Looks like Dalvin Cook might play tonight. It's going to be a hard fought game I think.
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