Early impressions...

[steelmann58]

why would the dumbfuck not use Ridley at all this game what was he trying to show bell something?

[W&M_Steeler]

why would the dumbfuck not use Ridley at all this game what was he trying to show bell something?

Because Tomlin has a moronic, mystifying philosophy of never rotating backs during games unless there's an injury.

[LakecrestSteeler]

why would the dumbfuck not use Ridley at all this game what was he trying to show bell something?

I thought that too. I think that was big collective Steeler FU to Bell!

You expend a lot of extra energy in those conditions. Should have even put Switzer in for a series or two with some RPOs and reverses.

It was our first real preaseason game! We will be just fine.

[Orangesteel]

Very very clear that after Conner fumble he was running to not fumble. Not his fault but they really needed to use multiple backs today.

Tomlin sucks.

[LakecrestSteeler]

Jesse James is still a liability. He is reliable, but runs with an aircraft carrier anchor behind him. He just can’t get downfield! No YAK as mentioned 100 times on this board.

Trade Bell to the Eagles and get one of their TEs PLEASE!

[955876]

why would the dumbfuck not use Ridley at all this game what was he trying to show bell something?

Because Tomlin has a moronic, mystifying philosophy of never rotating backs during games unless there's an injury.

Except for the obligatory third series of game week in and week out where he would do so.

Guy is a dumbfuck.

[Steelafan77]

@Teresa_Varley
Antonio Brown eclipsed 10,000 career receiving yards today.

'I have to thank Ben for that. It’s about the chemistry, the uniqueness of us being together. I am fortunate I have been able to work with one of the greatest of all time.' - @AB84 https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1038941283111317504

Awesome. I guess something positive to take away from this disappointment. Congratulations AB....

@LedyardNFLDraft
New NFL season, but Rodney Harrison still the worst analyst on TV https://twitter.com/LedyardNFLDraft/sta ... 7670717440

Love it!

[stillcajun]

Ryan Switzer was impressive as the return man.

Averaged 23 yards a kick return and 11 yards a punt return. Had a long punt return of 22 yards and a long kick return of 28 yards. Even when there did not seem to be any blocking or room, he was able to use his quickness and moves to create yards.

James Conner. I said this week that James Conner would fumble at some point, no back is perfect in this regard, but they really got too conservative and predictable late in the game and made it easier for the Browns to tee off and swarm to Conner.

And as I have been pointing out all summer, Bell is a fumbler, has fumbled 7 times in his last 24 games, so don't sit here and tell me that Conner should be more like Bell because Bell never fumbles, yada, yada, yada.

In his first career start, his first time taking the bulk of the touches, he had what 36 touches?

31 carries, 135 yards, 4.4 per carry, 2 TDs, he did have a long play of 22 yards for a TD. Had 5 catches for 57 yards, 11.4 yards per carry, with a long catches of 19 and 15 yards.

The experiment to switch Dupree and Watt seems to be a resounding success. Dupree looks more natural from that ROLB spot, he was playing fast, using his speed to pressure the QB, had a couple instances where he stripped the ball out only to have it be recovered by the Browns. Watt had what, 3 sacks? And he was very slippery and was able to stuff the run, penetrate and cause runs for no gain and for loss. It also appeared that he was the one that blocked the FG.

Sean Davis. I don't know but to me he looked mighty fine back there. He was quick, he put himself in position to make plays on the ball, when he came up to make a tackle, he was secure and made good open field tackles. He had one INT called back and then made a good play to catch the one punt that did look to me like it did glance that Browns player's helmet.

Davis just has the prototypical size, speed and length to be that centerfielder who can get you 5-6-7 INTs on the backend.

Hilton had a few bad moments guarding Landry but also held his own and made plays as well.

The worst part of this game for me is Big Ben. I know people want him to play for 5 seasons, that we have the best chance to be competitive and win a Super Bowl but man, these games are becoming more and more frequent aren't they? You know what I am talking about, the bad Ben that just turns the ball over way too much, regardless of whether it is his fault or not. There were a number of other plays where he takes too many chances, like him about to get sacked and then he hands it off to Conner at the very last instant. He is lucky that was not a turnover. I have seen other HOF QBs, looking at you Brett Farve, that just become a little to frenetic, and desperate with the ball, too antsy.

You have to be better than this Ben, I just wish you would distribute the football and quit forcing the issue. Still forcing the ball to Brown too much in critical situations, need to start trusting and relying on your other options.

Bostic, I thought played reasonably well today, Vince Williams, I just really noticed him and his lack of speed not able to make plays that required him to sprint out to the sidelines. Also I noticed some big runs that started with him being the first man sliding off the tackle.

I will think of more but right now those are the main thoughts that I have

Great analysis Scunge

I thought our secondary was pretty good today. The change for Davis and having a healthy Hilton and a competent safety in Burnett are great for this team. Sutton was a little off but redeemed himself w/ the int in OT to help save the "tie". Burns was decent but still has too much punk kid in him and his 30yds in penalties helped them score their 1st points after having them backed up in their own EZ.

When we look back at this season we'll see that the addition of Switzer was what we've been needing for a long time in the field position battle. He's going to give us 2-3 TDs this year.

Flip a coin on the Ben vs. Tomlin debate. I believe that Ben's problem is that he's the old guy that thinks he can still do the things that he used to when he was younger but doesn't realize that he can't. Maybe he plays himself back into that and this is just a result of lack of game play (rust) or we're really seeing the downside of his career. Here's to hoping this is rust or the Rudolph/Dobbs era might be sooner rather than later.

Tomlin, Tomlin, Tomlin (smh). Tomlin goes a long way to making things way harder than he needs to. He had his offense, that had not played much all preseason, finally clicking on all cylinders and what does he do? He flattened the tires on the car. He sucked all the momentum out of the team 3 mins into the 3rd and then he wanted them to flip the switch back on, in inclement weather no less, and begin playing like a high-powered O again. This has really never happen in the era of football. That's why the majority of teams that do it are running clock out within the last 3-4 mins w/ the opposing team sucking wind and having a 3 score lead.
Tomllin hasn't learned yet to put teams away and destroy their will. If he wants to be considered in the same coaching veins of some of the greats then he needs to understand this concept.

[Obviously]

why would the dumbfuck not use Ridley at all this game what was he trying to show bell something?

Because Tomlin has a moronic, mystifying philosophy of never rotating backs during games unless there's an injury.

Why LaGarrette Blount was disgruntled and left town.

[FortyThree]

Davis was very good.

So glad JJ Wilcox didn't beat him out for a roster spot like he was supposed to.

[zeke5123]

Well, at least we settled the Haley Tomlin debate.

[W&M_Steeler]

Well, at least we settled the Haley Tomlin debate.

What's the final verdict? They both suck?

[stillcajun]

Can we have another punter competition between Matt Wile and Berry? Did Wile get scurvy or something because Berry really was poor today. That last punt was his best and would've had a big return if not for Peppers brain fart.

[steelmann58]

Yes Berry has not gotten any better think they kept the wrong guy.

[Jobu]

Can we have another punter competition between Matt Wile and Berry? Did Wile get scurvy or something because Berry really was poor today. That last punt was his best and would've had a big return if not for Peppers brain fart.

You’ll have to check with the Vikings...the now employ Wile’s services.

[Orangesteel]

Berry has two speeds:

1. Dead shank that you can see the moment he kicks it. It usually starts off in the direction of the camera.

2. Line drive tighter spiral that Ben throws right to the guy fielding the punt. No direction, nothing.

He’s brutal.

[Scunge]

The worst thing about Berry? If we had went with Wile we might have saved as much as $1.45 million. Look it up Berry was given a $1.907 million one year deal, Wile was under contract for just $555,000.

They do this every year, stay with all kinds of mediocre players and backups and guys at the end of the roster when they should cut their asses and save some money.

Anybody catch the penalty by Darius Heyward Bey that backed us up on the one very good Switzer punt return? How does that happen Bey? You have one damn job, you are supposed to be our 'best' special teams player and you get flagged for holding. This happens more than you realize with Bey, he is not the difference maker that some paint him out to be, he is really over rated as a special teams player. He makes $1.2 million. Again, you can't replace him with a young hungry WR that is only making the minimum of $555,000?

You replace Berry and Bey and go with youth and you just saved $2.1 million.

[Legacy User]

When you look at Ben's decision making, he looks desperate.

He used to be a gunslinger. He used to put games on his shoulders and will us into victories. When things broke down, there was excitement because he just seemed capable of delivering. I think he believed he was capable.

But now he doesn't seem to scramble to extend plays, he just scrambles.

He's always held the ball too long, but he either got sacked or pulled off some amazing Houdini act. Now it seems like he's paralyzed, by fear or confusion. And now, he either gets sacked or forces something to AB.

He is not a confident qb. He has no rapport with his wr's.

Now maybe some of that is due to a lack of preparation during the preseason. And if so, that might work itself out a bit. But more than likely, Ben is just not the same, mentally or physically.

[stillthere]

Reality is that Ben still plays like he’s a 24 year old kid rather than a 15 year vet.

I honestly really won't criticize that. 1 horrid decision, and 2 picks that weren't his fault. Should have had another but every QB gets away with one of those every game.

No, I'm more concerned that Ben had 4-5 chances to win/ice that game and he didn't get it done. Again, I blame this all on the offense not being ready to ball Wk1. But we've never seen Ben shoot blanks like that for over a quarter with a W on the line.

No internal clock. Holding the ball and taking sacks/getting stripped. Flicking it to his RB while taking a sack in a mob of people. Throwing into triple coverage.

Young gunslinger Ben would pull shit out of his ass. We haven’t seen that guy for years.

My point is the guy just refuses to realize that he who makes fewer mistakes has the greater chance of winning.

Browns could likely have started the waterboy at QB and had him play a cleaner game that our guy did today.

I have seen other coaches pull this move on us more than once Ryan fucking Mallet in Baltimore was pathetic. Chicago last season was pathetic. Shit Kizer last season was pathetic. Tomlin is the king of losing to shit QB's with struggling teams and somehow shows up against good teams and wins those games at a high clip. Is that just the amount of detail they put in the week of or the mental make up of the team? Someone needs to figure it out and start bottling that shit for weeks we play the Blaine Gabberts and Colt McCoys of the world.

[jebrick]

That's what happens when the head coach decides to sit the starting offence nearly all preseason. No other team that I saw had their starting QB and offence on the field for only 1 quarter of a game. That is not gonna get it done when you need the team to gel from the onset of the season. This offence played this game like it was a preseason game and it showed.

Catch-22. Playing the starters more and then having a major injury could have ruined the season and not just a game.

I think more of this is on the CBA limiting practices. There is not a single coach out there that likes it and you can look at the downturn of play to that point.

[jeemie]

The worst thing about Berry? If we had went with Wile we might have saved as much as $1.45 million. Look it up Berry was given a $1.907 million one year deal, Wile was under contract for just $555,000.

They do this every year, stay with all kinds of mediocre players and backups and guys at the end of the roster when they should cut their asses and save some money.

Anybody catch the penalty by Darius Heyward Bey that backed us up on the one very good Switzer punt return? How does that happen Bey? You have one damn job, you are supposed to be our 'best' special teams player and you get flagged for holding. This happens more than you realize with Bey, he is not the difference maker that some paint him out to be, he is really over rated as a special teams player. He makes $1.2 million. Again, you can't replace him with a young hungry WR that is only making the minimum of $555,000?

You replace Berry and Bey and go with youth and you just saved $2.1 million.

I notice Wile had a 36.0 average yersterday but did not look up the context to see if he was doing a lot of punting from short fields.

He did have a long of 55.

And in preseason, and even in his short stint in the NFL previously, he had very good hang times. He had the second longest hang time of the preseason.

Why would we want that, though, when we can have Jordan Berry?

[jeemie]

I liked Bruce Arians as an analyst. I thought he was pretty good.

[Havoc]

When you look at Ben's decision making, he looks desperate.

He used to be a gunslinger. He used to put games on his shoulders and will us into victories. When things broke down, there was excitement because he just seemed capable of delivering. I think he believed he was capable.

But now he doesn't seem to scramble to extend plays, he just scrambles.

He's always held the ball too long, but he either got sacked or pulled off some amazing Houdini act. Now it seems like he's paralyzed, by fear or confusion. And now, he either gets sacked or forces something to AB.

He is not a confident qb. He has no rapport with his wr's.

Now maybe some of that is due to a lack of preparation during the preseason. And if so, that might work itself out a bit. But more than likely, Ben is just not the same, mentally or physically.

I think we had rusty Ben yesterday. I expect him to be playing at a high level probably at about the mid point of the season when Tomlin pulls his conservative head out of his ass (like he did last year)

[Donnie Brasco]

When you look at Ben's decision making, he looks desperate.

He used to be a gunslinger. He used to put games on his shoulders and will us into victories. When things broke down, there was excitement because he just seemed capable of delivering. I think he believed he was capable.

But now he doesn't seem to scramble to extend plays, he just scrambles.

He's always held the ball too long, but he either got sacked or pulled off some amazing Houdini act. Now it seems like he's paralyzed, by fear or confusion. And now, he either gets sacked or forces something to AB.

He is not a confident qb. He has no rapport with his wr's.

Now maybe some of that is due to a lack of preparation during the preseason. And if so, that might work itself out a bit. But more than likely, Ben is just not the same, mentally or physically.

I think we had rusty Ben yesterday. I expect him to be playing at a high level probably at about the mid point of the season when Tomlin pulls his conservative head out of his ass (like he did last year)

Ben played like Deshone Kizer yesterday

[Legacy User]

where the fuck was our no 2 draft pick Washington?

[Minkah'n History]

My early impression is that Joe Haden is a waste of money.

The guy will be out for half the year now with a hammy, then he’ll come back and get another soft tissue.

[Louis Lipps Service]

where the fuck was our no 2 draft pick Washington?

He was nursing an injury throughout the week and was only practicing with the scout team. He ended up being healthy enough to play, but wasn't in the game plan.

[Nick79]

Ryan Switzer was impressive as the return man.

Averaged 23 yards a kick return and 11 yards a punt return. Had a long punt return of 22 yards and a long kick return of 28 yards. Even when there did not seem to be any blocking or room, he was able to use his quickness and moves to create yards.

Love that guy! I was excited when we got him! I was at a game in Heinz Field where he ran back two punts over 80 yards to beat Pitt 34-27, I hated him then, love having him now. He returned a punt for a TD 83 yards for the Cowboys last year and 7 in college for UNC. Plus, I think he can play at WR too.Just has the knack for returning kicks.

[Legacy User]

Maybe Berry was just rusty yesterday.

Heck if it's a good enough excuse for the qb, why not the P.

Same goes for Boz, who was hooking left on all his PAT's and obviously the FG attempt in OT.

[stillcajun]

Maybe Berry was just rusty yesterday.

Heck if it's a good enough excuse for the qb, why not the P.

Same goes for Boz, who was hooking left on all his PAT's and obviously the FG attempt in OT.

Maybe you're right if we didn't have tons of game tape and preseason games to look @ for Berry. This has been an ongoing thing for a few years now with him. He is what he is.

Good point on Boz though. It was almost like he was trying to adjust to the rain/wind but every PAT was careening to the left. I wasn't happy that they went with that kick at that spot.