Okorafor Benched For Naughty Words

[ol skool]

Chuks is about as meh as meh can be. At his salary he’s a goner. Expect OC and OT with two of the top four picks next draft.

I'll say it again: It's easy to play GM and find a RT and C in the draft and imagine them starting day one. I do it all the time. Hell, we do mocks with the goal in mind of fixing all of a team's problems in one draft.

It's more likely, however, that we'd grab either a RT or C in FA and use an early pick on the remaining position.

I just don't see any way we'd trot out an OL in 2024 where our LT, RT, and the C have a combined one year of NFL experience.

Given Chuks will be gone and Moore can't play RT (wasn't he drafted with swing tackle in mind?) I'd lean to a veteran C in FA and use the 1st or 2nd round pick on a RT who could start day one.

I wasn’t trying to imply those positions would necessarily be starters right away. Moore will likely be back and possibly extended. Dan and Jones would be the starters at tackle, with a draft pick backing them up. If a center is drafted in the first or second then perhaps he starts but the Steelers always plug the holes in free agency just in case.

Starting to get the feeling that the draft goes DL, CB, OT, OC in some order with the first four picks.

You could be right. Safety is a glaring need, as well. Don't be surprised if we take one in the first.

[jeemie]

So he was apparently benched for saying what we all feel.

Better to take knees the rest of the way in the Jax game rather than run the same plays over and over.

Within earshot of Tomlin.

So instead of taking those words to heart, Tomlin benched him.

That sounds about right…

[Smashmouth21]

So he was apparently benched for saying what we all feel.

Better to take knees the rest of the way in the Jax game rather than run the same plays over and over.

Within earshot of Tomlin.

So instead of taking those words to heart, Tomlin benched him.

That sounds about right…

You don’t want quitters on your team. Period. You also want to get your first round pick on the field. Truth or pretext, either way sounds like the right call to me.

[jeemie]

So he was apparently benched for saying what we all feel.

Better to take knees the rest of the way in the Jax game rather than run the same plays over and over.

Within earshot of Tomlin.

So instead of taking those words to heart, Tomlin benched him.

That sounds about right…

You don’t want quitters on your team. Period. You also want to get your first round pick on the field. Truth or pretext, either way sounds like the right call to me.

Oh no doubt I think we proved Chuks should be on the bench.

But those weren’t the words of a quitter.

Those were the words of a frustrated player who questioned authority within authority’s earshot.

Multiple ways that could be handled without benching him.

Especially when the results bear out what he said.

[Deebo]

So he was apparently benched for saying what we all feel.

Better to take knees the rest of the way in the Jax game rather than run the same plays over and over.

Within earshot of Tomlin.

So instead of taking those words to heart, Tomlin benched him.

That sounds about right…

You don’t want quitters on your team. Period. You also want to get your first round pick on the field. Truth or pretext, either way sounds like the right call to me.

Can't disagree any more with this.
The means matter just as much as the results. If you want to argue that he shouldn't be questioning authority and he got punished for it, it's a fair counterpoint

But if this was just a way to get him to the bench, then it's a silly way to arrive at that conclusion. It should be performance based and anyone could see that Jones is the best Tackle on the team.

What message does that send to Jones: the only way you get to start is if someone runs their mouth and not based on my OWN performance? That's asinine

[Smashmouth21]

So he was apparently benched for saying what we all feel.

Better to take knees the rest of the way in the Jax game rather than run the same plays over and over.

Within earshot of Tomlin.

So instead of taking those words to heart, Tomlin benched him.

That sounds about right…

You don’t want quitters on your team. Period. You also want to get your first round pick on the field. Truth or pretext, either way sounds like the right call to me.

Can't disagree any more with this.
The means matter just as much as the results. If you want to argue that he shouldn't be questioning authority and he got punished for it, it's a fair counterpoint

But if this was just a way to get him to the bench, then it's a silly way to arrive at that conclusion. It should be performance based and anyone could see that Jones is the best Tackle on the team.

What message does that send to Jones: the only way you get to start is if someone runs their mouth and not based on my OWN performance? That's asinine

I think we are in agreement. I’m just saying it’s the right call. Some have speculated it’s pretext. We will never know.

[stillthere]

Dulac says outburst was about the same run plays being called.

And Dejan said it was because Chuks openly expressed that the Steelers should kneel out the final minute or so in the loss to the Jags.
https://dkpittsburghsports.com/2023/11/ ... lin-nfl-dk

Well, it shouldn't: Okorafor's a good player, a good teammate, a good guy. Who, I'm told by multiple locker-room sources, made a mistake near the end of the 20-10 loss to the Jaguars at Acrisure Stadium in remarking, apparently within earshot of Tomlin, that the offense should simply kneel out the remainder of the clock rather than continuing to run plays.

I heard DK mention this and Ramon Foster added that if you are not putting your hand in the pile to help win that you don't have a place in the locker room. What did Tomlin used to say about AB? I will deal with it until I have to replace you.

[bradshaw2ben]

Hey, their head coach set the tone by quitting in not one, but two playoff games. Versus Cleveland he chose to punt from the opponent's side of the 50 and also on 4th and 1 near midfield. He did something similar in the second half vs Jacksonville.

That to me is worse than being frustrated and saying they should take a knee.

[Jizz Mop]

Tomlin is a cunt

I realize “cunt” is a trademark of KC

I hope he is ok w my usage

[franco32]

The bigger problem is that Chuks should have been replaced a long time ago. He's a JAG who is terrible at run blocking. Yet we paid the man. He'd be a great backup in the league but shouldn't start.

Can we have more shitty players talk about kneeling?

[RemoAZ]

Opposing defense calling out the plays the last few years. Many media people calling out the coaching. Former players saying the offensive concepts are too "basic" and same plays are run over and over. Last year Muth said they can't audible. This year a starter says they should just kneel rather than run the same shitty plays. Another player that was on the team during preseason pointing out how much more complex and detailed the Green Bay and Buffalo playbooks are. How big does this story have to get before the Rooney's have to do something to save face?

[ol skool]

Opposing defense calling out the plays the last few years. Many media people calling out the coaching. Former players saying the offensive concepts are too "basic" and same plays are run over and over. Last year Muth said they can't audible. This year a starter says they should just kneel rather than run the same shitty plays. Another player that was on the team during preseason pointing out how much more complex and detailed the Green Bay and Buffalo playbooks are. How big does this story have to get before the Rooney's have to do something to save face?

Let this put to rest the claim I heard (here and elsewhere) that Canada’s system is predicated on Brian Daboll’s offense in Buffalo.

https://steelersdepot.com/2023/11/forme ... o-packers/

[RemoAZ]

Opposing defense calling out the plays the last few years. Many media people calling out the coaching. Former players saying the offensive concepts are too "basic" and same plays are run over and over. Last year Muth said they can't audible. This year a starter says they should just kneel rather than run the same shitty plays. Another player that was on the team during preseason pointing out how much more complex and detailed the Green Bay and Buffalo playbooks are. How big does this story have to get before the Rooney's have to do something to save face?

Let this put to rest the claim I heard (here and elsewhere) that Canada’s system is predicated on Brian Daboll’s offense in Buffalo.

https://steelersdepot.com/2023/11/forme ... o-packers/

Yeah that's the latest article I read. Crazy how Tomlin continues to allow his team to run an offense anyone with any kind of legitimate knowledge says is far inferior to a real NFL offense.

[SteelerDayTrader]

I suspect Chuks comments aren’t genuinely the driving force here. Just convenient in that they provide a reason on the surface

[Mick]

I mean if you want your players to have any trade value, publicizing that you are benching them because they are terrible at football seems a bad idea.

[Mick]

Midseason coverage data update.

https://twitter.com/arjunmenon100/statu ... 01/photo/1

So the steelers are still the worst offense in the league at creating open receivers, but not by a big margin anymore. Probably DJ getting open now that he’s healthy is helping.

But to be fair to canada, we’ve played like 4 of the top 5 coverage teams and only 1 team in the bottom 16.

[tbsteel]

I suspect Chuks comments aren’t genuinely the driving force here. Just convenient in that they provide a reason on the surface

.

This whole thing is so silly. Would it kill Tomlin to just come out and admit the truth?

"Look gang, we traded up to draft Broderick Jones in the top 15 of the draft. He's a better athlete and a better football player than Chuks, we need to get him on the field, and since Dan Moore can't play on the right side, what makes the most sense for us is putting Broderick at right tackle. We need our best 5 on the field, and Chuks isn't better than Broderick."

[SteelerDayTrader]

I suspect Chuks comments aren’t genuinely the driving force here. Just convenient in that they provide a reason on the surface

.

This whole thing is so silly. Would it kill Tomlin to just come out and admit the truth?

"Look gang, we traded up to draft Broderick Jones in the top 15 of the draft. He's a better athlete and a better football player than Chuks, we need to get him on the field, and since Dan Moore can't play on the right side, what makes the most sense for us is putting Broderick at right tackle. We need our best 5 on the field, and Chuks isn't better than Broderick."

Fair point. I do think teams and especially the Steelers have culture of vet starters getting every opportunity to keep their job

The trade value idea might have some merit too


In the end if Chuks wasn’t on thin ice starter wise I’d have a hard time believing something said in game would be a huge issue

[stillthere]

In the end if Chuks wasn’t on thin ice starter wise I’d have a hard time believing something said in game would be a huge issue

Down 10 with 30seconds I could understand kneeling it out or desiring to do so. Down 10 with 2 minutes to go I cannot agree with the idea ever.

[SteelerDayTrader]

In the end if Chuks wasn’t on thin ice starter wise I’d have a hard time believing something said in game would be a huge issue

Down 10 with 30seconds I could understand kneeling it out or desiring to do so. Down 10 with 2 minutes to go I cannot agree with the idea ever.

Yeah I agree. And I agree he should be dealt with

If he was playing well no way he gets benched for it

[tbsteel]

If he was playing well no way he gets benched for it

.

[RemoAZ]

In the end if Chuks wasn’t on thin ice starter wise I’d have a hard time believing something said in game would be a huge issue

Down 10 with 30seconds I could understand kneeling it out or desiring to do so. Down 10 with 2 minutes to go I cannot agree with the idea ever.

The point wasn't that he thought they should quit. He thought kneeling would be about as effective as the shit they were running.

[stillthere]

In the end if Chuks wasn’t on thin ice starter wise I’d have a hard time believing something said in game would be a huge issue

Down 10 with 30seconds I could understand kneeling it out or desiring to do so. Down 10 with 2 minutes to go I cannot agree with the idea ever.

The point wasn't that he thought they should quit. He thought kneeling would be about as effective as the shit they were running.

Maye he should jump into coaching. Move on with his life's work for about 13 million less dollars a year.

[955876]

The trade value idea might have some merit too

But hasn't the trade deadline already passed?

And come offseason, there is a pretty good chance Chuks gets cut given his contract and the fact he has lost his job.

So doubt there is going to be any real trade interest.

[StillerInCT]

Broderick Jones is a mover. It was a great pick. Guy is gonna be real good for a long time.

I'm really excited for Jones's final form

[R_S]

Hey, their head coach set the tone by quitting in not one, but two playoff games. Versus Cleveland he chose to punt from the opponent's side of the 50 and also on 4th and 1 near midfield. He did something similar in the second half vs Jacksonville.

That to me is worse than being frustrated and saying they should take a knee.

A fucking men!

[DP39]

The trade value idea might have some merit too

But hasn't the trade deadline already passed?

And come offseason, there is a pretty good chance Chuks gets cut given his contract and the fact he has lost his job.

So doubt there is going to be any real trade interest.

Yep. It isn't about trade value. It's all about MT not messing with another mans money. He won't do it -- even to the detriment of the team. He won't verbally "devalue" Chuks, all so he has a better chance of earning money -- even if it happen to be on another team.

When was the last time you heard MT seriously put down any players overall play ability (other than the rare, generic JV/below the line comment)? Doesn't really happen. Hell, he spends the first 5-10 minutes of every Tuesday presser basically blowing every playing (even the below average ones) of the upcoming opponent.