Some Love for Alex Highsmith

[franco32]

Bud was a big loss. And, in the first half yesterday, he seemed even more of a loss. Highsmith was not doing well setting the edge. (Although Taylor is a stud and was sometimes cutting inside him.)

But, I don't know what happened to Highsmith in the second half. Yes, he was going again a backup....but Highsmith really turned it on. It seemed he was hurrying Rivers on almost every throw. He had bull rushes, speed rushes, spin moves. His pressures forced the INT late in the game as well as the incompletion on 4th down.

Great game kid. Makes me feel a lot better in case we lose Dupree. Colbert looks like he nailed another pick.

[TTP]

Bud was a big loss. And, in the first half yesterday, he seemed even more of a loss. Highsmith was not doing well setting the edge. (Although Taylor is a stud and was sometimes cutting inside him.)

But, I don't know what happened to Highsmith in the second half. Yes, he was going again a backup....but Highsmith really turned it on. It seemed he was hurrying Rivers on almost every throw. He had bull rushes, speed rushes, spin moves. His pressures forced the INT late in the game as well as the incompletion on 4th down.

Great game kid. Makes me feel a lot better in case we lose Dupree. Colbert looks like he nailed another pick.

He was getting held a lot too. Uncalled, of course.

I noticed that late the game, the Colts were giving TJ a lot of attention. He was doubled or chipped on almost every snap. That left Highsmith 1-on-1 with the back-up LT. And, he delivered, getting a ton of pressure on Rivers.

Claypool and Highsmith were great draft picks.

[blu]

The 2020 draft was the Steelers best since the early 70's especially if you count Minkah for round 1. It's something for Colbert that a team that not too many years ago was struggling with linebacking after the terrible injury now has them even coming up the wazoo. If Dupree is too expensive, it may be best to use take the compensation 3rd round pick. Can we really afford both TJ & Bud?

[bradshaw2ben]

I'm a little more concerned about Highsmith's run recognition but he did play very well in the second half.

[Jizz Mop]

I'm a little more concerned about Highsmith's run recognition but he did play very well in the second half.

Yep....learning on the job but out of position on many running plays

Hopefully that comes w reps

[Greeksteel]

I'm a little more concerned about Highsmith's run recognition but he did play very well in the second half.

agreed

[SteelerDayTrader]

I'm a little more concerned about Highsmith's run recognition but he did play very well in the second half.

[SteelerDayTrader]

I hope he does well

But yesterday he was mostly playing against a 3rd stringer

[Stallworth16]

I’m a Highsmith believer. The way to measure Highsmith is against Bud’s rookie year. And even then Highsmith only has 3 starts and has been pretty good.

Highsmith has plenty of upside and it will come with experience.

[K_C_]

I hope he does well

But yesterday he was mostly playing against a 3rd stringer

Yep.

Highsmith might end up a great player.

He was fine yesterday and definitely created pressure the entire second half, but that was against a dude who will likely be shift manager at Subway in the next few weeks.

Until yesterday, the Dupree loss looked to be beyond massive.

If Highsmith can play the way he played yesterday going forward, then we should be in good shape defensively.

If he can't......Ben and the offense can't only put up a 20+ spot on the board and expect to win.

We're gonna need 30 to 35 points come playoff time.

[955876]

Going to need those 30-35 points to win an AFCCG and/or SB regardless of how Highsmith plays IMO.

KC scored 51, 35, and 31 points last postseason.

While past performance is not indicative of future results, we all know that offense can explode at any moment.

We can’t continue to think 1 yard crossers on 3rd & 10 is winning football. Especially against the teams that can pick up chunks of yards at will sometimes.

[franco32]

Another great week for Highsmith. He made Wills look silly at times and was strong in the run game as well. I'm thrilled to see him this polished this early in his career.

If we are going to slow down some of those big offenses in the playoffs we need pressure for both sides. I'm not saying he's better than Bud yet. But, he is certainly much more advanced in his rookie year than Bud was. His dip move, bull rush, and spin move are all pretty nasty for a young kid.

Credit again to Colbert for this find.

[StillerDownSouth]

Now if we can get some Playoff Woodley performances from him that would be great.

[Greeksteel]

big addition coming with Spillane too

[Stlcrtn1974]

bid addition coming with Spillane too

Is he for sure playing, I cant find anything about him

[Greeksteel]

bid addition coming with Spillane too

Is he for sure playing, I cant find anything about him

they havent said anything definitive yet but i'll be shocked if hes not starting vs the Browns

[stinger8]

As stated already he is significantly better than Dupree was at this stage. I don't think Highsmiths ceiling is as high as Dupree and that is why 1 was a first round choice and 1 a third round (I think?). If Highsmith does improve somewhat which I think is a foregone conclusion, he will be a very solid player and no brainer to let Dupree walk and get us a high 3rd round compensatory pick. I am looking forward to watching his development and AGAIN the Steelers appear to make another prescient pick of an OLB and develop him into a impactful NFL player.

[stillthere]

bid addition coming with Spillane too

Is he for sure playing, I cant find anything about him

I think if they absolutely needed to play him week 17 he would of played. Since we had the division wrapped up I think they just gave him the extra week off and it also allowed the other guys to get needed in game reps.

[Stosh-67]

Followed up his game vs Indy of 8 tackles, and 2 QB hits with yesterdays game in which he played a career high 97% of the defensive snaps and 7 ST snaps tagged on.

9 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QB hit. while being moved around a bit.

Rookie seasons;

Bud Dupree 16 games, 5 starts, 26 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 TFL, 6 QB hits, 1 PD, 0 INT ( 563 defensive snaps, 95 ST's snaps )
Highsmith... 16 games, 5 starts, 48 tackles, 2 sacks, 5 TFL, 6 QB hits, 1 PD, 1 INT ( 437 defensive snaps, 267 ST's snaps )
137 more defensive snaps for Dupree in their rookie seasons.

Keep in mind, Highsmith averaged only 12 defensive snaps a game for the first 12 weeks of the season. Dupree had 3X as much playing time thru his first 12 weeks, averaging 35 snaps a game on defense. So Dupree was lucky enough to get his feet wet alot earlier than AH. Highsmith was thrown right into full time duty in week 13.

Lets hope Highsmith can continue to build his game and stat sheet this Sunday, as he still has lots of work to do.

Maybe the Steelers make all the right moves and they can re-sign Bud coming off a major injury. Steeler friendly, maybe in both best interest if Bud doses not see the big offers coming off ACL.
Maybe Highsmith can play some in the middle of the field? OR Bud can play some in the middle, as he did a little during the year?

[franco32]

I don't think we'll get much of a discount with Bud. If Highsmith is good in the playoffs, I think you have to let Bud walk. I'd rather use that money elsewhere....like TE or the offensive line which has gotten old really fast. Anyone see AV yesterday?

Frankly, we need an upgrade at RB, but we SHOULD be able to get that in the draft unless Tomlin falls in love with another Snell like player.

[LakecrestSteeler]

I don't think we'll get much of a discount with Bud. If Highsmith is good in the playoffs, I think you have to let Bud walk. I'd rather use that money elsewhere....like TE or the offensive line which has gotten old really fast. Anyone see AV yesterday?

Frankly, we need an upgrade at RB, but we SHOULD be able to get that in the draft unless Tomlin falls in love with another Snell like player.

As I have said, the Spillane injury was worse than the Dupree injury.

Bud will not be back.

[tbsteel]

Bud and Hilton are 100% gone. We had our chance to sign each to long term contracts and passed when we had the chance. That's life in the NFL.

[Jobu]

Bud and Hilton are 100% gone. We had our chance to sign each to long term contracts and passed when we had the chance. That's life in the NFL.

I thought they made an effort to sign DuPree but he wanted no part of it. He’s gone...zero chance he re-signs.

Let’s be honest... Ben has one year left at most. It’s really pointless to throw money around when there is very little chance of contending. I know the Steelers FO never thinks that way, but maybe it’s time they should. Pick two or three young guys on each side of the ball to build around, and let everyone play out their current deals and walk. Restructuring a bunch of vet contracts and handing out big C2s will simply prolong the agony.