Time to talk Tampa Bay

[Legacy User]

Since our resident pre-game guy is AWOL, I'll kick off discussions of this weeks game. I'm not going to do 20 hours of research and write a book like he did, but we'll see where it goes.

First, we all saw them get spanked on TNF by the ATL on the road in a short week. Now they've had 10 days to regroup. Classic trap game for the Steelers IMO.

Doug Martin, Gerald McCoy, and rookie TE Austin Sefarian-Jenkins all practiced fully on Wednesday. All were out in the ATL route they suffered. McCoy is possibly best 3 technique in pro football right now. Michael Johnson, yes the $40M Michael Johnson who couldn't start for Bengals is premier pass rusher. Still not doing drills rehabbing an ankle. On the other side, Adrian Clayborne on IR.

They have a decent set of LB's in Mason Foster, and 2 former Big 10 players in Levonte David and Jonathan Casillas. Foster has been hurt and Dane Fletcher of NE Patriot ST's has been starting. Their secondary looks decent on paper with Altuerran Verner replacing Revis and Jon Banks Ole Miss is the one who gets picked on on the other side. Big time physical safeties in Dashon Goldson and Mark Barron.

Its the kind of front you'd expect Pouncey to dominate playing uncovered against a classic over front. He's athletic enough to chase down the speedy LB's in the passing game and I like my chances with DeCastro playing against Gerald McCoy who may have a cast on his hand. Expect the safeties up in the run game even though Lovie is a cover 2 guy. Steelers will need to run them out of cover 2 before taking their shots downfield, if ReTodd will take a shot downfield. Not so sure that phony screen game will work vs these speedy LB's.

On offense, Josh McKown heads to the bench with an injury and 8 foot tall Mike Glennon regains his starting spot. Wasn't terrible last year, but the offense was simplified. And I mean Jeff Fischer simplified. Dumbed down to read a single defender. Nonetheless, he did establish chemistry with Vincent Jackson. RB Bobby Rainey fumbled 3 times last week so I'm sure they're glad to get the 5 tool Muscle Hampster back. If they get the run game going, Glennon has a big time arm and can push the ball downfield.

Strength of their OL is the left side with Logan Mankins and former Bengal Anthony Collins. From what I've seen they like to run a lot of weak side misdirection and counters. Expect more of the same while they test the gap integrity and backside contain of first time starter Sean Spence. Other than that, Mike Evans from A&M has been a bit of a slow starter so far and has looked lost at times. Rookie Robert Herron has some giddy up as WR3.

The big thing hurting that offense is OC and play caller Jeff Tedford sidelined indefinately recovering from heart surgery. 33 year old Marcus Arroyo (who?) is calling plays on his own for the first time. And they are struggling.

TB is 0-3 for a reason. But like I said, classic trap game. Steelers coming off a big win, TB getting 10 days to get healthy and regroup from that embarrassent while Steelers lick their wounds from losing 3 defensive starters

[Legacy User]

Although I'm extremely confident about this one, you are right. This is a trap game. This is the type of match up that we sometimes shit the bed.

Can't have that happen. This is an easy part of the schedule....and as we saw last year, one more win and we punched our ticket. Easy match ups must become wins. Looking at you Mike Tomlin


I hope they leave Wallace in for another week to see if they are in fact better minus Ramon. Besides, what kind of name is Ramon? No way it's been approved by Ron

[Legacy User]

Although I'm extremely confident about this one, you are right. This is a trap game. This is the type of match up that we sometimes shit the bed.

We'll win, but it'll be in doubt until later in the 4th quarter than you'd like. Wait for it.

[lifelongsteel]

Thanks IC.

Definite spoiler alert - if we can lose to the raiders at home and chargers with 5 backup OL we can lose to the Bucs. They are coming off an ass-whoopin and 10 days rest.

I sense that this will be close going into the fourth and we'll get a couple late TD's, including a Blount force TD drive, to pull away.

It would be refreshing if this team could dominate from the get to, just don't see it happening.

[Legacy User]

Although I'm extremely confident about this one, you are right. This is a trap game. This is the type of match up that we sometimes shit the bed.

We'll win, but it'll be in doubt until later in the 4th quarter than you'd like. Wait for it.

Fuck. I hope not. That Carolina game was one of the most enjoyable games I've watched in a while. Although the game got tight a few times in 2nd half...we made a big play to allow me stop biting my nails....

It's nice to enjoy rather than ENDURE a Steelers game. Hoping for an ass kicking.

[Legacy User]

Thanks IC.

Definite spoiler alert - if we can lose to the raiders at home and chargers with 5 backup OL we can lose to the Bucs. They are coming off an ass-whoopin and 10 days rest.

I sense that this will be close going into the fourth and we'll get a couple late TD's, including a Blount force TD drive, to pull away.

It would be refreshing if this team could dominate from the get to, just don't see it happening.

The Chargers game you reference has now made me worry about this one. Fuck.

[swissvale72]

Good work, IC.

Won't be a blowout, but I bet we're lighting up the victory cigar, or whatever the fuck we do, early to mid 4Q.

[Legacy User]

I could easily see us losing this game. Everyone likes to hope we've turned the corner, but the trend with Tomlin is for us to be an up and down team.

If Tampa comes out pissed and focused, I think there's a decent chance we lose.

[Nick79]

It would be something to actually see a blowout when you expect one. Psychologically, don't they think winning easy and running up the score is a mental boost? If you see you are able, why would you let up? I'd like to see that, but I expect they typical "play down to the level of the competition" game. Maybe 21-17, with a scare at the end. Typical of what we get in this situation.

[Steelafan77]

I'm going to be looking at the DLine for extreme pass rush pressure this week. Glennon isn't as mobile as Newton and with the jolly green giants they have for WR's the secondary is going to need all the help they can get. Stop the bucs from scoring is going to be the critical part IMO.

Not too concerned about the Offense. I think they start off slow as per their standard and about mid second quarter find their groove. It will be very interesting to see how their quick LB'ers match up against the Steelers run game. Perhaps we get to see a return of Archer and he smokes dudes.

Agree with the comment about Foster's return. I don't believe its a coincidence the run game and pass blocking was solid last week with Wallace in at LG. I bet even if Foster isn't fully healed he'll get the start over Doc. It will be telling how well the run/pass blocking looks. Hopefully there's no drop off at all, SBI.

[Legacy User]

We opened up as an 8 point favorite...where is the line now? If you will.

[Legacy User]

Although I'm extremely confident about this one, you are right. This is a trap game. This is the type of match up that we sometimes shit the bed.

We'll win, but it'll be in doubt until later in the 4th quarter than you'd like. Wait for it.

Fuck. I hope not. That Carolina game was one of the most enjoyable games I've watched in a while. Although the game got tight a few times in 2nd half...we made a big play to allow me stop biting my nails....

It's nice to enjoy rather than ENDURE a Steelers game. Hoping for an ass kicking.

I'd love to be dead wrong, but I feel like I've seen this movie one too many times.

[rooneytunes]

20-10 us. Swisher Sweet with about a 42 yarder at the 8:00 minute mark or so of the 4th to make it a two score game. Troy with the dagger int as they are driving down the field to make it closer and this board is flipping the fuck out. Then sweet relief.

[Legacy User]

In ESPN's latest power rankings, TB is ranked 31st, and our next opponent after that, Jax, is currently ranked 32nd. We have to take full advantage of this schedule.

To not would be criminal....if you will.

[955876]

These next two weeks will show if this team is pulling itself up or the same lame ass team that lost to Tebow then went 8-8 two years in a row.

After Sunday I think the needle is pointing up. As long as they keep up the intensity they brought in NC we should be 4-1 heading into a tough Cleveland rematch.

[Legacy User]

These next two weeks will show if this team is pulling itself up or the same lame ass team that lost to Tebow then went 8-8 two years in a row.

After Sunday I think the needle is pointing up. As long as they keep up the intensity they brought in NC we should be 4-1 heading into a tough Cleveland rematch.

I agree. Sooooo tired of playing down to opposition. would like to see sound football. Hard hits, few mistakes.

[Legacy User]

These next two weeks will show if this team is pulling itself up or the same lame ass team that lost to Tebow then went 8-8 two years in a row.

After Sunday I think the needle is pointing up. As long as they keep up the intensity they brought in NC we should be 4-1 heading into a tough Cleveland rematch.

I agree. Sooooo tired of playing down to opposition. would like to see sound football. Hard hits, few mistakes.

No turnovers vs Carolina....plus 2 for the game, AND we score off both...one directly on the botched punt return.

I think there's a connection. But that's just me.

[Defense]

Thanks IC.


Funny you mentioned trap game, my thoughts as well when doing my STOSH picks.

Ultimately, I don't think it is - at least not in comparison to mid-season trap games.
I think TB is really that bad, back up QB playing and in our house.

Our boys are not going to rest on a 1 game streak this early in the year, and they know there so proof and improvement needed
on both ends of the ball.

Offense and defense will both play a solid game, hell... I am hoping that Ben gets pulled early with the lead we have.

[COR-TEN]

This game isn't going to be a cakewalk, but I think everybody knows that. It's either a nail biter or a blow out. Both ways. It will define this team. Yes, I know. it's only the 4th game...

When is the prediction thread coming?

[Legacy User]

This game isn't going to be a cakewalk, but I think everybody knows that. It's either a nail biter or a blow out. Both ways. It will define this team. Yes, I know. it's only the 4th game...

When is the prediction thread coming?

I predict we will get our first interception.

Put me down for Mike Mitchell as the recipient.

[V DUB]

Hoping Deebo dresses & goes 50/50 or 40/60 rotating with Moats, depending on his conditioning. Will keep them both fresh. I'd feel a TON better about Ike's injury, if Tomlin didn't shut the door on Thomas in the slot...which is baffling me.

Speedy LB's vs Bell have me licking my chops. If he's not gang tackled, he can make them over pursue with his COD...or make it look like over pursuit even if they take good angles. I think Brown is going off too. With quick hitters, it's the same story as Bell.

Forgot the Shazier injury...I actually was on record for him losing his job as a rookie...thought it was simply to early for his decent play to not be far outweighed by his head swimming. Was hoping Spence would be the guy, I'm excited to see him play a full 60, with 3 years of learning.

I don't think our injury replacement's can't be at least a wash, at the least. Ike is the biggest, with what I said above. I hate picking a big win, because more times than not I get let down. If this team expects to win, it could be close. If they come out like no teams a gimme, they should dominate.

GO STEELERS!

P.S. thanks for the pre game thread, I.C....it was the missing link on the board.

[COR-TEN]

This game isn't going to be a cakewalk, but I think everybody knows that. It's either a nail biter or a blow out. Both ways. It will define this team. Yes, I know. it's only the 4th game...

When is the prediction thread coming?

I predict we will get our first interception.

Put me down for Mike Mitchell as the recipient.

Wouldn't it be wild if Blake or Ike's replacement makes the first interception?

[bradshaw2ben]

I could easily see us losing this game. Everyone likes to hope we've turned the corner, but the trend with Tomlin is for us to be an up and down team.

If Tampa comes out pissed and focused, I think there's a decent chance we lose.

Actually, the trend under Tomlin is to be 3-1 in most quarters of the season.
17 of 28

Mike Tomlin's coached Steelers have completed 28 quarters of the regular season-- games 1-4, 5-8, 9-12, and 13-16. In his career to date, his teams have gone 3-1 or better 19 of 28 quarter-seasons, and number 20 of 29 is in the bag if the Steelers beat Tampa Bay.

That's actually pretty remarkable.

[Havoc]

Good work, IC. Enjoyed the pregame read.

Great point about their returning players. I am not counting on the tampa bay team that got demolished by the falcons.

It's a game we need to win. And as or more importantly, I'm looking for signs of more improvement in some aspect of the team.

[BethlehemSteel]

Thanks for the pre game IC

[Legacy User]

Playing at home helps Ben a lot, especially early in the game.

I think Miller will get some targets this week, particularly if Tampa is stuck with their backup Mike.

It's a trap game, but Ben's been around the block and so has Troy. If they have the team's ear, and I think they do, then practice should be crisp and we should handle this team.

We should win this one. Easily.

[Legacy User]

I'm expecting a blowout - 14 points or more. I know the Steelers can lay some eggs, and Lovie may already be coaching for his job, but I don't think they're ready. Sean Spence and James Harrison will make triumphant returns.

[Legacy User]

I don't believe this will be a "trap" game.

This team has won "one in a row". Don't believe they are full of themselves.
The defense will be juiced with return of Deebo and 3 new starters.
Munchack will not allow the O-line to play uninspired.

The NFL is tough and the Bucs may play us well, but I believe the Steeler have more talent and will wn.

[jebrick]

Thanks IC.


Funny you mentioned trap game, my thoughts as well when doing my STOSH picks.

Ultimately, I don't think it is - at least not in comparison to mid-season trap games.
I think TB is really that bad, back up QB playing and in our house.

Our boys are not going to rest on a 1 game streak this early in the year, and they know there so proof and improvement needed
on both ends of the ball.

Offense and defense will both play a solid game, hell... I am hoping that Ben gets pulled early with the lead we have.

i think Tampa is a lot better than their Thursday night game showed. The Steelers have better overall talent but still this will be a tough cover.

[Thrillsseeker]

Thanks IC.

Definite spoiler alert - if we can lose to the raiders at home and chargers with 5 backup OL we can lose to the Bucs. They are coming off an ass-whoopin and 10 days rest.

I sense that this will be close going into the fourth and we'll get a couple late TD's, including a Blount force TD drive, to pull away.

It would be refreshing if this team could dominate from the get to, just don't see it happening.

The Chargers game you reference has now made me worry about this one. Fuck.

Yes for fucks sake one of the worst if not the worst time I've ever had on a trip to the Burgh.

Fuck that game.