Byron Leftwich - Knee Injury (1 Viewer)

[Evilgrin 72]

The problem with your theory is that Dixon's mobility forces the defense to account for him. It's not as simple as stacking 8-9 in the box on every down and playing man on the receivers and forcing Dixon to beat you down the field. You don't dedicate (at least one) spy to shadow him when he rolls out (which he does on almost every snap) and you're going to watch him saw off 7-15 yards a play on the ground by turning the bootleg upfield and then stepping out of bounds.Defenses are pretty much going to have to play Mendenhall and the Steelers running game straight - hope they can win their individual matchups, keep Dixon bottled up. Easier said than done. However, if you can achieve this, then you've got the Steelers right where you want them, forcing Dixon to make reads and throw the ball down the field. You cover the short stuff well and the offense will stall or turn the ball over.

Put down the terrible towel and natty ice. Dixon is not an NFL caliber QB and not nearly the running threat you are implying.

I don't think Dixon is an NFL-starter caliber QB and I never said so. In fact, I've been clearly calling for Leftwich to be the starter since jumpstreet. However, I'm not implying anything regarding the threat of Dixon as a runner. It's all on tape, and I'm not overstating it a bit.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Small sample size to be sure, but between last regular season and this preseason, Dixon is 17-118-1 as a rusher. 7 yards a carry is a rushing threat, no matter how much you want to think otherwise. His throwing is the issue, not his running.

 

[ImTheScientist]

The problem with your theory is that Dixon's mobility forces the defense to account for him. It's not as simple as stacking 8-9 in the box on every down and playing man on the receivers and forcing Dixon to beat you down the field. You don't dedicate (at least one) spy to shadow him when he rolls out (which he does on almost every snap) and you're going to watch him saw off 7-15 yards a play on the ground by turning the bootleg upfield and then stepping out of bounds.

Defenses are pretty much going to have to play Mendenhall and the Steelers running game straight - hope they can win their individual matchups, keep Dixon bottled up. Easier said than done. However, if you can achieve this, then you've got the Steelers right where you want them, forcing Dixon to make reads and throw the ball down the field. You cover the short stuff well and the offense will stall or turn the ball over.

Put down the terrible towel and natty ice. Dixon is not an NFL caliber QB and not nearly the running threat you are implying.

You can insult us if you want but the Natty Ice comment was a low blow. At least make it an Iron City...

Sorry, it was the first cost effective alcoholic beverage that came to mind. Im not familiar with Iron City, but it looks interesting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_City_Brewing_Company

 

[Evilgrin 72]

The problem with your theory is that Dixon's mobility forces the defense to account for him. It's not as simple as stacking 8-9 in the box on every down and playing man on the receivers and forcing Dixon to beat you down the field. You don't dedicate (at least one) spy to shadow him when he rolls out (which he does on almost every snap) and you're going to watch him saw off 7-15 yards a play on the ground by turning the bootleg upfield and then stepping out of bounds.

Defenses are pretty much going to have to play Mendenhall and the Steelers running game straight - hope they can win their individual matchups, keep Dixon bottled up. Easier said than done. However, if you can achieve this, then you've got the Steelers right where you want them, forcing Dixon to make reads and throw the ball down the field. You cover the short stuff well and the offense will stall or turn the ball over.

Put down the terrible towel and natty ice. Dixon is not an NFL caliber QB and not nearly the running threat you are implying.

You can insult us if you want but the Natty Ice comment was a low blow. At least make it an Iron City...

Sorry, it was the first cost effective alcoholic beverage that came to mind. Im not familiar with Iron City, but it looks interesting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_City_Brewing_Company

It's not.......................... what's the word I'm looking for?Good.

 

[SWC]

Natty Ice is the Dennis Dixon of beers.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Natty Ice is the Dennis Dixon of beers.

 

[Grahamburn]

Other than the fact that there are plenty of Steeler fans being perfectly objective here, that Flozell is a better run blocker than Colon (who is not the best run blocker on the line,) that the OL you'll see on the field didn't get Leftwich killed, the fact that Ward is/was their top receiving threat, not Holmes, and that the "key on Mendenhall" theory is completely incorrect, I'd agree with you. So, do you really want to put your gold star on this, or are you just trying to bait Steeler fans? I hope the latter.

This is exactly what I'm talking about. Reading your post it's like you're saying "losing Santonio won't hurt us, we're the Steelers!" "Our right tackle is out for the year?! No big deal, we'll sign someone that just got cut. He'll be a better player for the Steelers!" "The defense can't key on our best offensive player! Our 3rd string QB can scramble!" It's obnoxious.

Some o-line analysis. Pittsburgh Steelers

This is what they had to say about Flozell.

This change makes sense because last year, at 34 years old, Adams was in the bottom five at his position in sacks allowed and penalties. However, he was still amongst the best in run blocking and this could hurt the Cowboys running game in 2010.

He very well may be an upgrade as a run blocker, but he's atrocious as a pass blocker, puts the offense in a hole with penalties, and he's a year older. Dennis Dixon isn't playing in the Pac-10 here. He's not going to be able to run ever play, and if he does there are going to be alot of defenders around the line of scrimmage looking to hurt him. You've already admitted that DD is a poor passer. Is the opposing defense going to be unaware of this fact?

1,167 yards is > than 1,248 yards? Santonio is going to be a big loss. There are going to be alot of bodies clogging the middle of the field where Hines likes to work. The line isn't going to hold up long enough for Wallace to get deep. Roethlisberger has masked the shortcomings of this line for some time now. Maybe they get better when he's back, but that's week six. He's not permitted to work with the team until his suspension is over. Are we expecting the rust to just fall off when he returns?

I'm not biased in any way here. This is just what I see, and the fact that Steeler fans ignore it is what bothers me. If I'm a defensive coordinator putting together a game plan to play the Steelers, Rashard Mendenhall is the only player that scares me. Every team's strategy is going to be geared to making Dennis Dixon and these receivers beat them. I don't see how they'll be successful.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Other than the fact that there are plenty of Steeler fans being perfectly objective here, that Flozell is a better run blocker than Colon (who is not the best run blocker on the line,) that the OL you'll see on the field didn't get Leftwich killed, the fact that Ward is/was their top receiving threat, not Holmes, and that the "key on Mendenhall" theory is completely incorrect, I'd agree with you. So, do you really want to put your gold star on this, or are you just trying to bait Steeler fans? I hope the latter.

This is exactly what I'm talking about. Reading your post it's like you're saying "losing Santonio won't hurt us, we're the Steelers!" "Our right tackle is out for the year?! No big deal, we'll sign someone that just got cut. He'll be a better player for the Steelers!" "The defense can't key on our best offensive player! Our 3rd string QB can scramble!" It's obnoxious.

Some o-line analysis. Pittsburgh Steelers

This is what they had to say about Flozell.

This change makes sense because last year, at 34 years old, Adams was in the bottom five at his position in sacks allowed and penalties. However, he was still amongst the best in run blocking and this could hurt the Cowboys running game in 2010.

He very well may be an upgrade as a run blocker, but he's atrocious as a pass blocker, puts the offense in a hole with penalties, and he's a year older. Dennis Dixon isn't playing in the Pac-10 here. He's not going to be able to run ever play, and if he does there are going to be alot of defenders around the line of scrimmage looking to hurt him. You've already admitted that DD is a poor passer. Is the opposing defense going to be unaware of this fact?

1,167 yards is > than 1,248 yards? Santonio is going to be a big loss. There are going to be alot of bodies clogging the middle of the field where Hines likes to work. The line isn't going to hold up long enough for Wallace to get deep. Roethlisberger has masked the shortcomings of this line for some time now. Maybe they get better when he's back, but that's week six. He's not permitted to work with the team until his suspension is over. Are we expecting the rust to just fall off when he returns?

I'm not biased in any way here. This is just what I see, and the fact that Steeler fans ignore it is what bothers me. If I'm a defensive coordinator putting together a game plan to play the Steelers, Rashard Mendenhall is the only player that scares me. Every team's strategy is going to be geared to making Dennis Dixon and these receivers beat them. I don't see how they'll be successful.

I can't help how you read my posts, dude. You see it the way you want to see it. I never said Santonio's loss was a non-factor, I said Ward was and is the #1 target in the passing game. That's a fact. Anything else you read into it is on you. I also never said Flozell was a good pass blocker, he's awful. I said he's an upgrade in run blocking to Colon, which is, again, true. This entire discussion started based on how Mendenhall would fare in week 1. My contention is that he'll do better than anticipated because the run blocking is improved, A FACT YOU JUST CONCEDED. So, how exactly, does Flozell's pass blocking enter the conversation at all? Stop putting words in my mouth and actually read what I'm saying. I love how you completely ignore the fact that I also diagrammed exactly how Dixon can be stopped and simply focused on my assertion that he's a running threat. Convenient. We'll see what's what when the season starts, but for now, I'm confident I know 10 times more about the Steelers' offense and how it can succeed than you do.And further, why the hell do you care if Steeler fans DO see their team through rose colored glasses? Does it bother you because you can't? The bottom line is that the reason a lot of Steeler fans may come off like their team is plug and play is because it HAS been in most cases for many, many years. Unlike the Buccaneers, the Steelers almost never suck. 8-8 and just missing the playoffs is a down year in Pittsburgh, not 4-12 and a top 3 draft pick. Sorry your team bites, but when you're a Steeler fan, your first instinct isn't to predict doom and destruction when a player or even a few players get hurt. If our optimism bugs you, here's an idea... stay the hell out of Steelers-related threads ! Then you won't have to see it. But don't come in here and piss on our carpet and expect to get away with it. Some of the things you're saying are true and legit, and some are off-base. Rather than listening to those with more expertise on this specific subject and learning something, you'd rather be confrontational, twist people's words and create straw man arguments. My advice : stop this, and learn from it.

 

[LTF]

Come on.. How many Steeler threads are there on this forum? I've given my opinion on Mendenhall in his player spotlight because there were a bunch of delusional, biased, and subjective fan boys in there saying he'll have 1,800 yards and 15 TDs. I've made one comment about his prospects here, and another in the Flozell Adams thread regarding Mendenhall getting hit in the backfield, which I expect alot of. I'm more down on the Steelers' offense as a unit than Mendenhall himself.I find it disturbing that Steeler fans can't give an objective assessment of their team on a fantasy forum where the less informed may be looking for advice.Pittsburgh's starting QB for the first four games has had a grand total of 27 pass attempts in his NFL career, the offensive line already got the backup killed, their best run blocker has been lost for the season who's been subsequently replaced by 35 year old Flozell Adams, and the best receiving threat from 2009 plays in New York now.It's amazing how you guys just think they can turn and hand it to Mendenhall 25 times a game and ignore the other problems with the offense. Here's a tip... The defense knows the o-line can't pass block, they know the QB has only started one NFL game, and they know that there aren't any real threats in the passing game. What player do you think they're going to key on?!Rant over, back to Byron.

Other than the fact that there are plenty of Steeler fans being perfectly objective here, that Flozell is a better run blocker than Colon (who is not the best run blocker on the line,) that the OL you'll see on the field didn't get Leftwich killed, the fact that Ward is/was their top receiving threat, not Holmes, and that the "key on Mendenhall" theory is completely incorrect, I'd agree with you. So, do you really want to put your gold star on this, or are you just trying to bait Steeler fans? I hope the latter.

He's trying to argue with a guy (me) who has watched every single play of every single Steelers game going back to 2002. And he's trying to tell me who the best o-linemen on my team was (it wasn't Willie Colon, I and many others would argue Max Starks especially when you consider the level of competition each went against). Is trying to tell me that the Steelers have no threats in the receiving game even though they're returning a sophomore receiver who was the best big play receiver in the entire NFL last season and led the league in yards per catch as a rookie, or had a tight end who caught over 80% of his targets which led the entire NFL and was a top five tight end in yards after the catch as well. Is trying to convince me that the Steelers are doomed even though they have a detailed history of players filling in (much like New England) and stepping up into roles when established starters are hurt/traded/lost to FA, and are returning two of the best four to five players on their team (Troy Polamalu and Aaron Smith). The guys cookie cutter "analysis" is laughably bad, and is made worse by his condescending attitude. First of all, he doesn't even address the fact that Justin Hartwig, one of the league's worst starting centers last season, has been replaced by Maurkice Pouncey. It's incredibly rare for a rookie to start in the Steelers system (Pouncey is the first since Heath Miller in 2005), and he's looked EXCELLENT in the preseason so far. Physically been dominant, hasn't been overwhelmed with his assignments, looks like a pro bowler in the making. Gil Brandt (what does he know? hah) said before the draft that Pouncey was possibly the best center prospect to come out this decade. Think about that for a second. Yet Grahamburn doesn't even give as much as a simple mention of Pouncey, or how Mendenhall has looked the last two games running up the middle with Pouncey as the starting anchor (he didn't take over full first team duties until the third preseason game). Doesn't even mention the fact that Flozell Adams might have an easier time pass blocking on the right side, especially in sets with a tight end in to chip, or that he's easily a better run blocker than Colon was. Go look at a site like Steelers Depot who has taken the time to grade out every linemen and see how Adams has looked the past couple of weeks. Furthermore, arguing with preseason stats in and of itself is absolutely absurd, especially since the starting line didn't even get set until week 3 of the preseason. Look at Mendenhall's stats from last preseason (which were bad) in comparison to when he got his first start in San Diego. In 2005, the first team offense of the Steelers didn't even score a single touchdown the entire preseason. They came out the first week of the season and Roethlisberger only finished with a perfect QB rating, and the Steelers dismantled the Titans in a blowout. I don't care what other people are arguing about Mendenhall. Grahamburn creating strawman arguments has nothing to do with what I'm saying. I'm not on here pounding away at Mendenhall running for 1,800 yards and 15+ TDs or some nonsense. But he is a quite capable back. He will get a lot more work on third down this year because he's the best third down back on the roster. And the Steelers do have potential to be a better running team this season while upgrading center and right tackle in that regard. He acts like the rushing offense is going collapse with the box stacked against Dennis Dixon... he should go watch a replay of the game in Baltimore last year in Dixon's first start against the Ravens. The new dynamic he added to this offense led to zero sacks and with a simplified game plan up front and a clear identity in what they wanted to do Mendenhall ran for the most yards at the highest YPC than any other Steelers running back had against the Ravens since Jerome Bettis in 2004. But Grahamburn wouldn't know about any of that, he just reads off preseason stat sheets and forms hard line opinions based on what he reads on the internet. He'd rather belittle Steelers fans as being ignorant kool aid drinkers while touting himself as some perfectly unbiased observer (and, given the poor attitude and volatility his arguments quickly end up being, there's more emotion and personal biases in his ramblings than he'd ever care to admit).

 

[Joe Bryant]

Small sample size to be sure, but between last regular season and this preseason, Dixon is 17-118-1 as a rusher. 7 yards a carry is a rushing threat, no matter how much you want to think otherwise. His throwing is the issue, not his running.

Sure. Do you think some don't agree with this?J

 

[Grahamburn]

Steeler fans. Lighten up guys.

LTF: Everything you just wrote doesn't really change the outlook of the Steeler's offense. You think they'll be good. I think they'll be bad. It's your prerogative to pound out as many paragraphs as you want about how they'll be successful. It's mine to call you out on it when I think you're overstating their abilities to move the ball and score points. I didn't think I was being condescending or belittling in any way other than stating that I think you're biased in your opinions. You can sugarcoat it all you want, but Dennis Dixon is the starting QB for 4 weeks, the offensive line is one of the worst in the league, and Santonio plays for another team now.

Best of luck to you this season.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Small sample size to be sure, but between last regular season and this preseason, Dixon is 17-118-1 as a rusher. 7 yards a carry is a rushing threat, no matter how much you want to think otherwise. His throwing is the issue, not his running.

Sure. Do you think some don't agree with this?J

It would appear so.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Steeler fans. Lighten up guys.LTF: Everything you just wrote doesn't really change the outlook of the Steeler's offense. You think they'll be good. I think they'll be bad. It's your prerogative to pound out as many paragraphs as you want about how they'll be successful. It's mine to call you out on it when I think you're overstating their abilities to move the ball and score points. I didn't think I was being condescending or belittling in any way other than stating that I think you're biased in your opinions. You can sugarcoat it all you want, but Dennis Dixon is the starting QB for 4 weeks, the offensive line is one of the worst in the league, and Santonio plays for another team now.Best of luck to you this season.

Dixon being starting QB for 4 weeks = major blow. No question. Dropoff from Roethlisberger is huge.Offensive line being one of the worst in the league is simply your opinion. They're likely to be a below average pass blocking line and an above average run blocking line. I'd put them somewhere in the middle of the pack.Santonio playing for another team is true, but Wallace may yet prove to be a better receiver. They also have WAY more depth than they've had in recent years. I'd call it a near wash. If there's a negative effect on the passing offense, it will be small.

 

[Steelfan7]

Start Mendenhall week 1. He'll probably get 25 carries.

For roughly 50 yards...

Starting OL is actually run blocking very well in preseason.

 

[Steelfan7]

Steeler fans. Lighten up guys.LTF: Everything you just wrote doesn't really change the outlook of the Steeler's offense. You think they'll be good. I think they'll be bad. It's your prerogative to pound out as many paragraphs as you want about how they'll be successful. It's mine to call you out on it when I think you're overstating their abilities to move the ball and score points. I didn't think I was being condescending or belittling in any way other than stating that I think you're biased in your opinions. You can sugarcoat it all you want, but Dennis Dixon is the starting QB for 4 weeks, the offensive line is one of the worst in the league, and Santonio plays for another team now.Best of luck to you this season.

When did Holmes become the second coming of Jerry Rice? Wallace and Sanders will easily replace Holmes' production. Pouncey is a HUGE upgrade at C over Hartwig and Flo Adams is a big upgrade in the running game over Colon.

 

[Don't Noonan]

I have a feeling a lot of the Dixon bashers in this thread will be eating crow very soon. It was a blessing in disguise that Leftwich got hurt for the Steelers. Dixon is a much better QB. If the Steeler offensive cordinator ever learns how to utilize him then he will be a very good QB in this league. He is also a much better passer than many are giving him credit for. I predict he is a top 10 fantasy QB through the first 4 weeks. Book it.

 

[Steelfan7]

I have a feeling a lot of the Dixon bashers in this thread will be eating crow very soon. It was a blessing in disguise that Leftwich got hurt for the Steelers. Dixon is a much better QB. If the Steeler offensive cordinator ever learns how to utilize him then he will be a very good QB in this league. He is also a much better passer than many are giving him credit for. I predict he is a top 10 fantasy QB through the first 4 weeks. Book it.

Bruce Arians is still the Steelers OC so don't count on that happening.

 

[SWC]

I have a feeling a lot of the Dixon bashers in this thread will be eating crow very soon. It was a blessing in disguise that Leftwich got hurt for the Steelers. Dixon is a much better QB. If the Steeler offensive cordinator ever learns how to utilize him then he will be a very good QB in this league. He is also a much better passer than many are giving him credit for. I predict he is a top 10 fantasy QB through the first 4 weeks. Book it.

The best way to utilize Dennis Dixon is to have everyone else on your team be so awesomely good that you don't have to let Dennis Dixon do anyting. Maybe if you start Dennis Dixon at WR and then have him run out of bounds first thing every play, and stay there, possibly getting Gatorade for the other good players or performing cobbler shoe repair duties, then yes, he'd be awesome. If that somehow got you 100 quarterback rating points for out of bounds cobblering, then yes, he'll be a top 10 QB. So you are right and he'll probably dominate because I believe he majored in cobblering at college.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Start Mendenhall week 1. He'll probably get 25 carries.

For roughly 50 yards...

More like 125. Steelers line may be weak in pass protection, but they're enormous and have been opening some gaping holes in pre-season. I think the run blocking this year is dramatically improved.

22-120-1.Now go get your ####ing shinebox.