Steelers Eagles things that interest me

[FC]

-Steelers offensive line and Tight Ends against the Eagles front 7.

The Eagles have a very athletic talented front seven...The Steelers offensive line is a major question. The Steelers offense will go as far as this offensive line carries them. I expect the Steelers to get destroyed at the point of attack tonight. The Eagles are fast and athletic all over the front seven...I don't like nor do I trust a single starting offensive linemen on the Steelers roster.

-The Steelers No huddle....I believe the Steelers no huddle will be ineffective because the Steelers will be mostly 3 and out...If you can't protect the quarterback or get 1st downs the no huddle really sucks.

-The Steelers receivers against a very average Eagles back end...If the Steelers manage to protect Ben I expect the Steelers light up the Eagles defensive backs. I expect Ben gets hammered a few times and the Steelers decide to concentrate on the run game.

-The Steelers special teams units against the Eagles special teams units...When you look at depth talent and conditioning you have to expect the Eagles to control the Special teams

-The Steelers defense against Kelly's offense....The Steelers have been humiliated against the spread option since the Tebow debacle in the playoffs.

-The Steelers corners against the Eagles receivers who are all healthy....Should be a quality test. The Eagles are very average at receiver...The Steelers corners are hit and miss

-The Eagles offensive line against the Steelers defensive line...I am not sure if the Eagles will play Lane Johnson...Regardless the Steelers front seven must show up.

-Shady McCoy against the Steelers poor tackling defense....Timmons Shazier TP Mitchell combined for 10 miss tackles last game...That can't happen this week

-Will the Steelers starting OLB's once again by MIA?

I think this is the game the Steelers season and lack of talent are exposed...I stand by my 6 wins 3rd in the AFC prediction

[Legacy User]

The point about the spread offense intrigues me.

Up tempo offense I'm betting will cause us fits.

[steelclan]

Vin Curry.

[Smashmouth21]

Will Shazier come crashing down to earth or will his sideline-to-sideline speed pay dividends against an uptempo spread that has traditionally flustered this defense?

[Steelperch]

This is the sort of game Ryan Shazier was drafted for. Tonight should go a long way towards telling his story.

I expect the Steelers offense will be very successful using their no huddle and quick strike attack and will also run effectively out of those sets. I expect them (O-line in particular) to get no credit after the game and people here will point to it being a preseason game, vanilla defense, and mediocre defense opponent.

[FC]

and people here will point to it being a preseason game, vanilla defense, and mediocre defense opponent.

[Steelafan77]

The OLine and how well they protect Ben against that Eagles defense is of great interest. I think they are put to the test early and often. The run game if attempted will also be dependant upon the OLine and their success or failure.

The DLine is in about the same boat as the OLine. How well they can stop the run and pass rush will be tested early and often. I expect a better performance out of Mitchell than what I saw in his debut. Better tackling is mandatory for the likes of McCoy and Phillies skill players.

ST's needs to come out and make a damned statement (dominate) early and stay consistent within that statement (dominate).

Like to see some guys on the roster bubble step up and create a difficult process for the staff where cuts/releases are concerned. Tuesday the roster goes from 90 to 75. Try to be that someone left standing, SBI.

[Legacy User]

-Can Shazier duplicate his performance from last week?

-Will the NT's perform well enough to calm the boards anxiety regarding run defense?

-Will Jarvis look good rushing the passer?

-Will Bryant get any snaps with Ben?

-Will Mitchell make his presence felt in a positive way?

-Will Landry Jones shit himself?

-Will Sharknado knock someone the fuck out?

-Will the O-line block?

-Will Wing continue to suck?

-How often will we throw down field?

-How soon into the game will Philly cheese steaks and Primanti Bros sandwiches be mentioned?

[FC]

Mike Tomlin's plan is to play both Bell, Blount tonight. Jobs decided tonight; whole team shouldn't suffer. +Not a knee-jerk kind of guy

[steelclan]

Mike Tomlin's plan is to play both Bell, Blount tonight. Jobs decided tonight; whole team shouldn't suffer. +Not a knee-jerk kind of guy

Obviously.

[Thrillsseeker]

-Can Shazier duplicate his performance from last week?

-Will the NT's perform well enough to calm the boards anxiety regarding run defense?

-Will Jarvis look good rushing the passer?

-Will Bryant get any snaps with Ben?

-Will Mitchell make his presence felt in a positive way?

-Will Landry Jones shit himself?

-Will Sharknado knock someone the fuck out?

-Will the O-line block?

-Will Wing continue to suck?

-How often will we throw down field?

-How soon into the game will Philly cheese steaks and Primanti Bros sandwiches be mentioned?

I like this list a lot.

I'll ad the numerous times we'll hear about the pot bust. I'm guessing it's mentioned more than a dozen times.

[FC]

My negative tone was a direct result of the expected reaction by the Steelers to both Bell and Blount being benched.

This is the type of team that gives the Steelers fits..If the Steelers are going to be improved you we will see it tonight.

I wish the Eagles still had Jackson....I want to see the Steelers put into blender and see what happens.

I want the mentality of this team tested. I question the toughness of this team...That's not an uncommon thing. I also question the intelligence of this team on the field.... I believe that is a big problem on the horizon....Dumb soft teams finish 8-8 and miss the playoffs.

They get beat by Terelle Pryor or Brady Quinn hell they lose to Tim Tebow in the playoffs.

Maybe its back to back 8-8 seasons...I don't see the light. Before anyone puts up a Blues Bros or James Brown video...Stop it. I live 2 miles from where James Brown went postal with his angel dust and rifle....8th easiest schedule I know...They will find a way to fuck it up.

[steelclan]

-Steelers offensive line and Tight Ends against the Eagles front 7.

The Eagles have a very athletic talented front seven...The Steelers offensive line is a major question. The Steelers offense will go as far as this offensive line carries them. I expect the Steelers to get destroyed at the point of attack tonight. The Eagles are fast and athletic all over the front seven...I don't like nor do I trust a single starting offensive linemen on the Steelers roster.

-The Steelers No huddle....I believe the Steelers no huddle will be ineffective because the Steelers will be mostly 3 and out...If you can't protect the quarterback or get 1st downs the no huddle really sucks.

-The Steelers receivers against a very average Eagles back end...If the Steelers manage to protect Ben I expect the Steelers light up the Eagles defensive backs. I expect Ben gets hammered a few times and the Steelers decide to concentrate on the run game.

-The Steelers special teams units against the Eagles special teams units...When you look at depth talent and conditioning you have to expect the Eagles to control the Special teams

-The Steelers defense against Kelly's offense....The Steelers have been humiliated against the spread option since the Tebow debacle in the playoffs.

-The Steelers corners against the Eagles receivers who are all healthy....Should be a quality test. The Eagles are very average at receiver...The Steelers corners are hit and miss

-The Eagles offensive line against the Steelers defensive line...I am not sure if the Eagles will play Lane Johnson...Regardless the Steelers front seven must show up.

-Shady McCoy against the Steelers poor tackling defense....Timmons Shazier TP Mitchell combined for 10 miss tackles last game...That can't happen this week

-Will the Steelers starting OLB's once again by MIA?

I think this is the game the Steelers season and lack of talent are exposed...I stand by my 6 wins 3rd in the AFC prediction

BTW the Iggles gave up almost a full point more per game that the Steelers did on Defense. I think their front 7 is grossly overrated. They're good in pass rush when team has a nice lead, outside of that D struggles mightily. Vin Curry is the only player I truly fear. Graham is ok, Coles is getting past his sell by date. Their Lbers are meh, and their secondary is possibly one of the worst in the NFL. If PS struggle to move ball against Iggles that is not a good sign at all imho.

[steelclan]

My negative tone was a direct result of my expected reaction to both Bell and Blount being benched.

This is the type of team that gives the Steelers fits..If the Steelers are going to be improved you we will see it tonight.

I wish the Eagles still had Jackson....I want to see the Steelers put into blender and see what happens

Perhaps, but I believe Foles is a wobbly waiting to happen. He got super happy feet when he faced any pressure whatsovever last season. Without the deep threat of Jackson it will be far easier to have more players near the LOS and how will Kelly adjust to that? The match up I want to see is Shaz running with Ertz. Ertz imho is a faster/more athletic version of Pita, if Shaz can show well against him it will be a great sign going into Ravens game.

[Mick]

Ppg isn't a great measure of D when your offense's design gives the other team as many possessions as possible.

Iggs are a decent, not great or terrible, team. They run and pass and get some stops on D. I'd like to see lance moore play this week, but mostly I'm interested in our D.

[FC]

We disagree....Which is fine.

Nick Foles well

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/pass_rating_single_season.htm

Not a bad list to be on.

I am not a huge fan of Foles. To attack motion and footwork in today's NFL is grasping at things. 3rd highest QB rating ever...He has my respect. I don't expect he repeats 119.2 anything over 100 is studly.

Best way to limit Foles...Rush the fucking passer and cover the receivers....Not exactly strengths of the Steelers.

[Legacy User]

How will Le'Doobie Brothers react to adversity?

[jeemie]

-Can Shazier duplicate his performance from last week?

-Will the NT's perform well enough to calm the boards anxiety regarding run defense?

-Will Jarvis look good rushing the passer?

-Will Bryant get any snaps with Ben?

-Will Mitchell make his presence felt in a positive way?

-Will Landry Jones shit himself?

-Will Sharknado knock someone the fuck out?

-Will the O-line block?

-Will Wing continue to suck?

-How often will we throw down field?

-How soon into the game will Philly cheese steaks and Primanti Bros sandwiches be mentioned?

How many Eagles' fans will come to the game tonight with fake joints and bongs?

[Legacy User]

-Can Shazier duplicate his performance from last week?

-Will the NT's perform well enough to calm the boards anxiety regarding run defense?

-Will Jarvis look good rushing the passer?

-Will Bryant get any snaps with Ben?

-Will Mitchell make his presence felt in a positive way?

-Will Landry Jones shit himself?

-Will Sharknado knock someone the fuck out?

-Will the O-line block?

-Will Wing continue to suck?

-How often will we throw down field?

-How soon into the game will Philly cheese steaks and Primanti Bros sandwiches be mentioned?

How many Eagles' fans will come to the game tonight with fake joints and bongs?

Fake joints for in the stadium....the real thing in the parking lot

[jeemie]

I also question the intelligence of this team on the field.... I believe that is a big problem on the horizon

I don't know about the rest of it, but this part is definitely a concern of mine.

I do find it ironic that Bill Cowher was considered a dumb jock who won by motivating his team to "play with emotion", and while his teams did do that, they were also pretty smart players, and while Mike Tomlin was touted as a very smart guy football-wise, and uses flowery words and phrases, his teams are actually populated with pretty stupid players.

I have to admit that Cowher is probably not as dumb as I thought he was, and feels like a MENSA scholar compared to Mike Tomlin.

[Gonzo]

i am interested in:

1. can we glean anything at all from how they play tonight as to whether we can expect anything other than philosophy-as-usual to start this year. i want to see a change in the aggression of the D and O;
2. can wheaton or bryant step-up to really help this rearm this year -- i don't trust Moore;
3. the run game -- do we have any chance with this OL of running effectively this year. i know -- due to ben -- we can pass if he can be protected just a little. i am not sure we can run the ball well at all.
4. the play of the D across all positions. i believe the O can be good if it is unshackled and allowed to be creative/dynamic -- this is just a choice. i am not so sure the D can be good enough no matter what -- i fear they will be taken apart by decent to good pass attacks.

[FC]

I think Bell and Blount will be fine...I think both run like bulls in a china shop.

I question players surrounding them.

I am not saying the Steelers do not have tough players. I am saying players have plenty to prove

Players like

Beachum
Pouncey
Gilbert
Wheaton
Bryant
Shazier
Tuitt
Heyward
Timmons(Playing the buck)
Jones
Mitchell

If I am going to buy in....I have to be sold....I am not sold.

I know some of you are all in....I say right on. I am not.

Toughness is not only physical...Its mental.

Playing the right gap
Taking on the block with the correct shoulder
Not chasing the ball

Its moving your feet and sticking with blocks
Its playing to the echo of the whistle.

Its form tackling and making plays.

[COR-TEN]

Toughness is not only physical...Its mental.

Totally agree. I think few on this team are mentally tough.

[steelclan]

I think Bell and Blount will be fine...I think both run like bulls in a china shop.

I question players surrounding them.

I am not saying the Steelers do not have tough players. I am saying players have plenty to prove

Players like

Beachum
Pouncey
Gilbert
Wheaton
Bryant
Shazier
Tuitt
Heyward
Timmons(Playing the buck)
Jones
Mitchell

If I am going to buy in....I have to be sold....I am not sold.

I know some of you are all in....I say right on. I am not.

Toughness is not only physical...Its mental.

Playing the right gap
Taking on the block with the correct shoulder
Not chasing the ball

Its moving your feet and sticking with blocks
Its playing to the echo of the whistle.

Its form tackling and making plays.

Im not all in or close to it. I may have a more upbeat outlook but that doesnt mean I dont see issues on the horizon for PS. I do, I will be very surprised if the first half of the season isnt a struggle. If they can get through that 1st half at 500 or better they will have a decent season. Youth at so many positions scares me, because I dont mind physical mistakes I cannot stand mental ones and that will be more evident on a team so many young players.

[Legacy User]

I agree with most of the criticisms to this point.

Needless to say I'm very impressed with Shaz's performance game 1. I don't think the questions I have regarding gap integrity and tackling will be fully answered for quite some time. I'm much more optimistic about his use in coverage then I was going into the season...provided Tomlin continues to man him up as per pick rather then play him in zone exclusively as per usual of the LBs.

I'm almost completely sold on Tuitt already. He has a very bright future imo. The physicality, the motor, to a large degree the technique is there.

I expect Mitchell to start to show up this week.

You goofy bastard theory- S Thomas at CB....

Very disappointed in Moore...he isn't much faster then Miller. I've been critical of Archers value...but I'm all for moving him into the slot right now...and Bryant to the 2 WR in the red zone.

I sit Bell and Blount...but that's another story.

Single greatest concern is the Oline.

I share FC's concern on general toughness. I agree with Jeemie on team smarts.

[Legacy User]

Are we gonna show all of our 1st 2nd 3rd 4th down and 2pt plays tonight??

That is I expect to throw the ball a lot, no need to show our whole run run pass playbook..We save that shit for the regular season lol

[Legacy User]

My negative tone was a direct result of the expected reaction by the Steelers to both Bell and Blount being benched.

This is the type of team that gives the Steelers fits..If the Steelers are going to be improved you we will see it tonight.

I wish the Eagles still had Jackson....I want to see the Steelers put into blender and see what happens.

I want the mentality of this team tested. I question the toughness of this team...That's not an uncommon thing. I also question the intelligence of this team on the field.... I believe that is a big problem on the horizon....Dumb soft teams finish 8-8 and miss the playoffs.

They get beat by Terelle Pryor or Brady Quinn hell they lose to Tim Tebow in the playoffs.

Maybe its back to back 8-8 seasons...I don't see the light. Before anyone puts up a Blues Bros or James Brown video...Stop it. I live 2 miles from where James Brown went postal with his angel dust and rifle....8th easiest schedule I know...They will find a way to fuck it up.

There were lots of reasons why this team was 8-8 -- two of them -- INJURIES -- and a serious lack of talent due to horrible drafts.

The team is healthy now, and this year and last year's drafts added a ton of talent to this team.

I expect much better results and a much better team.

Tonite (first half) will be a good test.

I don't know how the Cheech and Chong situation will affect things tonite, but i am expecting us to EXCEL.

[Legacy User]

I have no clue why anyone would expect a decline in injury rate...it's been pretty static for about the last 5 years and nothing has changed.

[Old School Steeler]

Steelers were soft brief period in the 80's. For almost 50 years I've equated Steeler football with toughness. Hated Gilbert for being soft, knocked around, folded with first punch, retreating, taking other guys out. That was then, he just signed a deal, he's an indicator to me. We're fucked if he plays like a made man and goes soft. He has to prove it.

[Legacy User]

-

.I stand by my 6 wins 3rd in the AFC prediction

FC right again --

We suck in all 3 phases --

O is the worst -
ST is next
D is tied with ST

Coaching -- we are totally outclassed by Philly

We may be taking a step BACKWARDS this year -- Didn't think that was possible.

WOW -- this could be bad