O LINE O LINE O LINE

[tango_mike]

The O line must (again) be remade. Frazier is a keeper…….and that’s it! Maybe McCormick develops too. But, Moore is a goner, and Broderick may not even make the team when Fautanu gets back. He is flat abysmal. One of the worst I’ve seen. Simply cannot pass block. The MUST sign a vet LT, and draft/sign a starting guard.

Same with the D line. Get rid of Ogunjobi, Montraveous and Loudermilk. Rebuild these lines! I’d put all the money in the offseason there. Draft a RB late, and a WR early.

[StillerDownSouth]

Won’t matter who they sign or draft if they don’t fix the coaching, from top to bottom, time to clean house. Coaches are responsible for developing players and putting them in the right/correct positions to maximize their talents.

[LakecrestSteeler]

Ray Fitapaldo:
Coaching

Arthur Smith’s penchant for playing Patterson is bordering on weird. He sent Patterson onto the field on 3rd-and-3 late in the second quarter and called a running play for him. Unsurprisingly, it gained only a yard. With a chance to score before halftime and either take the lead or cut the deficit to three, the best he could come up with was a third-down run to his oldest and slowest running back.

Yes, the offensive line didn’t block it well, but the point is Smith has to have a better play to call there at such an important juncture of the game. Then in the third quarter, Smith takes Warren out of the game two plays after he had a 21-yard catch to the Kansas City 17-yard line. Smith calls a screen to Harris that only gained 5 yards. Once again, the offensive line (Moore) didn’t execute the block, but Warren is more adept at making defenders miss and might have broken a big play.

How much of the offense’s inconsistencies can be pinned on the lack of rhythm with the constant changing of personnel? Smith needs to keep his best players on the field more often. Mike Tomlin’s defense was just as bad. They leave players wide open all over the field. Travis Kelce caught a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter without a defender within 5 yards of him. It happens week after week after week. Players are missing assignments, but the fact that it’s a weekly occurrence makes it a coaching problem. They are failing to fix major issues.

You know what else is a major issue? The way Tomlin’s teams start games. The Steelers have been outscored 30-3 in the first quarter during this three-game losing streak. Tomlin is fond of saying it’s more about how you finish. No, it’s not. Starts matter, and Tomlin looks like he’s losing his team as the postseason approaches.

Grade: F

[SteelerDayTrader]

Frazier is too small and fat to be an effective center in Pittsburgh

Yet another guy they reached on rather than merely going BPA for a bad team with needs everywhere

[Orangesteel]

Arthur Smith is a goddamn idiot

Period

[alancac98]

Won’t matter who they sign or draft if they don’t fix the coaching, from top to bottom, time to clean house. Coaches are responsible for developing players and putting them in the right/correct positions to maximize their talents.

Coaches need to be teachers. It appears that the Steeler coaches say do this instead of teaching when, why, how, and what to do if...! It almost like they come from college and are put on the field, slapped on the ass, and told "Go get 'um". Austin sucks as a DC, but the entire secondary is such disarray, it's absolutely embarrassing, should particularly be for a HC who used to be a DB coach!

[zeke5123]

Wilson didn’t help by not stepping into the pocket.

[Deebo]

Ray Fitapaldo:
Coaching

Arthur Smith’s penchant for playing Patterson is bordering on weird. He sent Patterson onto the field on 3rd-and-3 late in the second quarter and called a running play for him. Unsurprisingly, it gained only a yard. With a chance to score before halftime and either take the lead or cut the deficit to three, the best he could come up with was a third-down run to his oldest and slowest running back.

Yes, the offensive line didn’t block it well, but the point is Smith has to have a better play to call there at such an important juncture of the game. Then in the third quarter, Smith takes Warren out of the game two plays after he had a 21-yard catch to the Kansas City 17-yard line. Smith calls a screen to Harris that only gained 5 yards. Once again, the offensive line (Moore) didn’t execute the block, but Warren is more adept at making defenders miss and might have broken a big play.

How much of the offense’s inconsistencies can be pinned on the lack of rhythm with the constant changing of personnel? Smith needs to keep his best players on the field more often. Mike Tomlin’s defense was just as bad. They leave players wide open all over the field. Travis Kelce caught a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter without a defender within 5 yards of him. It happens week after week after week. Players are missing assignments, but the fact that it’s a weekly occurrence makes it a coaching problem. They are failing to fix major issues.

You know what else is a major issue? The way Tomlin’s teams start games. The Steelers have been outscored 30-3 in the first quarter during this three-game losing streak. Tomlin is fond of saying it’s more about how you finish. No, it’s not. Starts matter, and Tomlin looks like he’s losing his team as the postseason approaches.

Grade: F

It was that sequence where I just stopped watching the game.

I don't mind the call IF you plan to go for it on 4th down.

But as soon as Tomlin punted, the game was over. Living in his fears yet again.

[jebrick]

I give Frazier and McCormick passes at this time of year. McCormick was not expected to play as he needed more strength. Frazier has been doing a good job as a rookie.

They got Patterson several years too late. Slower than Najee is not a good thing. Why they have him back on kickoffs vs Austin at this point in the season is beyond me. Yes he WAS one of the best return men in the NFL. Now it looks like he has had too many Christmas hams.

[franco32]

Broderick Jones entered yesterday's game with 10 sacks allowed and 10 penalties on the year. He's was abysmal again yesterday. He's one of the worst RTs in all of football. What a massive swing and a miss that pick was.

I think we have go into next year again trying to address OT because you can't simply HOPE Fautanu is going to be healthy and never have issues again.

[DumlinBumlinStumlin]

Broderick Jones entered yesterday's game with 10 sacks allowed and 10 penalties on the year. He's was abysmal again yesterday. He's one of the worst RTs in all of football. What a massive swing and a miss that pick was.

I think we have go into next year again trying to address OT because you can't simply HOPE Fautanu is going to be healthy and never have issues again.

Would he suck this bad with a competent Football coaching staff?? I would like to say no he would not. The entire team is rudderless

Perch called it 4 weeks ago. Steelers Superbowl accomplished. They value the $$ and the semblance of normalcy (which most of us see as insanity/incompetence), but it's the business model they seem to want to snow over the fanbase with.

Yes, Piratesque operating FO

[Deebo]

Broderick Jones entered yesterday's game with 10 sacks allowed and 10 penalties on the year. He's was abysmal again yesterday. He's one of the worst RTs in all of football. What a massive swing and a miss that pick was.

I think we have go into next year again trying to address OT because you can't simply HOPE Fautanu is going to be healthy and never have issues again.

They have two options

1. Resign Moore and run it back

2. Hope Faunt recovers and they sign a FA swing tackle in case he doesn't

I think Jones survives another year. Wonder if he wouldn't be better at RG?

[RealSwiss]

Won’t matter who they sign or draft if they don’t fix the coaching, from top to bottom, time to clean house. Coaches are responsible for developing players and putting them in the right/correct positions to maximize their talents.

Coaches need to be teachers. It appears that the Steeler coaches say do this instead of teaching when, why, how, and what to do if...! It almost like they come from college and are put on the field, slapped on the ass, and told "Go get 'um". Austin sucks as a DC, but the entire secondary is such disarray, it's absolutely embarrassing, should particularly be for a HC who used to be a DB coach!

Ive had a similar feeling about what Ive seen from Pittsburgh coaching. The constant excuses about "execution" while simultaneously showing considerable lack of strategic planning and thinking always bother me. Expecting linebackers to cover elite receivers is not an execution problem.

[Obviously]

Frazier is too small and fat to be an effective center in Pittsburgh

Yet another guy they reached on rather than merely going BPA for a bad team with needs everywhere

You've despised Frazier from the get-go. You had one of your patented hissy fits when they drafted him because he is white and from West Virginia. He's the only decent piece on the fucking on-line. Trust you to single out the only guy who isn't the problem. One of the very few things you're good at.

[SteelerDayTrader]

Frazier is too small and fat to be an effective center in Pittsburgh

Yet another guy they reached on rather than merely going BPA for a bad team with needs everywhere

You've despised Frazier from the get-go. You had one of your patented hissy fits when they drafted him because he is white and from West Virginia. He's the only decent piece on the fucking on-line. Trust you to single out the only guy who isn't the problem. One of the very few things you're good at.

Can’t win pounding the rock with a marshmallow man at the pivot

I have zero problem with players who you win with

I dont want lesser talent filling key positions on my team

Bryce Foster is about as white redneck as it gets

I’d be real happy if the Steelers could get him in the draft

McCormick is a solid player. Can’t get whiter or rednecker


Frazier is always gonna have problems in Pittsburgh

If Chan Gailey or Bruce Arians comes back maybe he’d be passable

[Steelafan77]

Ive had a similar feeling about what Ive seen from Pittsburgh coaching. The constant excuses about "execution" while simultaneously showing considerable lack of strategic planning and thinking always bother me. Expecting linebackers to cover elite receivers is not an execution problem.

Afraid this has been a Scripted Steelers Staple for decades. Why the better QB led teams were always able to make the defense their bitch.

The patented zone defense is an absolute abortion and consistently picked apart for decades. Even through the Ben led SB era.

For as much as we complain about the offensive incompetence the defensive side is usually nothing more than paper tigers.

As we’ve seen real time for 3 weeks this team is woefully overmatched and easily overwhelmed by more talented football strategists.

Until there is a change with their coaching staff and philosophy we are prisoners of this annual disappointment and embarrassment.

Go Steelers!

[steelmann58]

I Like the combo of Fraizer and Masonto build out but Troy health will be the Key to this OL

[Steelafan77]

Moore, Seumalo are the weakest left side duo in the league.

Rookies at Center and RG certainly not helping. Jones? Disappointing.

Oline has to be addressed in 2025 without doubt. Dline very close but Receiver is far and away the next highest need.

Quarterback is very high on the list as are RB, Corner and Safety.

[Stillerz Bar]

Ive had a similar feeling about what Ive seen from Pittsburgh coaching. The constant excuses about "execution" while simultaneously showing considerable lack of strategic planning and thinking always bother me. Expecting linebackers to cover elite receivers is not an execution problem.

Afraid this has been a Scripted Steelers Staple for decades. Why the better QB led teams were always able to make the defense their bitch.

The patented zone defense is an absolute abortion and consistently picked apart for decades. Even through the Ben led SB era.

For as much as we complain about the offensive incompetence the defensive side is usually nothing more than paper tigers.

As we’ve seen real time for 3 weeks this team is woefully overmatched and easily overwhelmed by more talented football strategists.

Until there is a change with their coaching staff and philosophy we are prisoners of this annual disappointment and embarrassment.

Go Steelers!

Seriously, year after year we hear that the problem is execution but the press never seems to connect the dots to the start of the problem:

Poor execution is either:

A) Players who aren't talented enough to execute

or

B) Players who aren't coached well enough to execute

With that said, let's keep in mind that Tomlin:
+ Either picks or signs off on the players they sign and has the final word on who they do / don't keep.
+ Decides whether to sit or play those who don't execute properly
+ Picks the coaches who are supposed to teach the players to properly execute.

I'm of the mindset that a big part of the reason the Steelers D was so good in the early Tomlin years is because Troy did whatever he wanted on the field. That very often prevented teams from correctly scheming against our D because Troy was rarely where they thought he would be.

I actually don't dislike Tomlin but I do think he is well past his "Best if Used By" shelf life here in Da Burgh. He may do great somewhere else but I'll be shocked if he gets back to even the AFCC with the Black & Gold.

[955876]

He may do great somewhere else

I’m sure he could pull a second “Barry Switzer” like he did here.

But by “do great” do you think he will actually build a championship team and then win with it?

I don’t

But ya, he could likely cheerlead his way somewhere else that was loaded on O and D as well as chalked full of quality assistants and coordinators like he benefited from here.

He ain’t building it though. No way no how.

[PennyBacker]

The starting OL is utilizing two rookies and a 2nd year player who supposedly is playing out of position. Seeing as how games are more often than not won and lost in the trenches, and how experience in any profession is paramount, 10-6 is well above board from the OL vantage point.

There is room for improvement up front, and Troy Fautanu is still expected to be a high level contributor when he is healthy, but as rough as it has been against some of the better defensive fronts in football lately, this very young group has acquitted itself well so far this season.

[jeemie]

Ray Fitapaldo:
Coaching

Arthur Smith’s penchant for playing Patterson is bordering on weird. He sent Patterson onto the field on 3rd-and-3 late in the second quarter and called a running play for him. Unsurprisingly, it gained only a yard. With a chance to score before halftime and either take the lead or cut the deficit to three, the best he could come up with was a third-down run to his oldest and slowest running back.

Yes, the offensive line didn’t block it well, but the point is Smith has to have a better play to call there at such an important juncture of the game. Then in the third quarter, Smith takes Warren out of the game two plays after he had a 21-yard catch to the Kansas City 17-yard line. Smith calls a screen to Harris that only gained 5 yards. Once again, the offensive line (Moore) didn’t execute the block, but Warren is more adept at making defenders miss and might have broken a big play.

How much of the offense’s inconsistencies can be pinned on the lack of rhythm with the constant changing of personnel? Smith needs to keep his best players on the field more often. Mike Tomlin’s defense was just as bad. They leave players wide open all over the field. Travis Kelce caught a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter without a defender within 5 yards of him. It happens week after week after week. Players are missing assignments, but the fact that it’s a weekly occurrence makes it a coaching problem. They are failing to fix major issues.

You know what else is a major issue? The way Tomlin’s teams start games. The Steelers have been outscored 30-3 in the first quarter during this three-game losing streak. Tomlin is fond of saying it’s more about how you finish. No, it’s not. Starts matter, and Tomlin looks like he’s losing his team as the postseason approaches.

Grade: F

It was that sequence where I just stopped watching the game.

I don't mind the call IF you plan to go for it on 4th down.

But as soon as Tomlin punted, the game was over. Living in his fears yet again.

Yeah this is when I quit too.

I mentioned this very same thing to my wife and father-in-law while watching "Oh- this is a play you call when you're going for it on fourth down"...and here comes the punt team.

I then added "...unless you're Mike Tomlin...then you call this play because you're stupid".