Positive Threads

[fritzthecat]

i'm sorry i just can't

[Scunge]

I am excited about the Linebacker group from top to bottom.

TJ Watt
Alex Highsmith
Nick Herbig
Jack Sawyer

Patrick Queen
Payton Wilson
Malik Harrison
Cole Holcomb

4 deep inside and out. The holdovers, Mark Robinson and Jeremiah Moon are in a fight with Carson Bruener. It was a lock that he would be drafted by the Steelers, this is what they do, but Carson actually isn't just a crappy nepotism pick. The kid might actually be a good prospect as that 9th linebacker/special teams player. Over 300 tackles at Washington, 5 INTs, 9 passes defensed, 4 forced fumbles. I like that 4.58 speed and he seems to have a knack of being in position to make plays. He turns 24 soon so he is maxed out physically and played a mature game in college, but I think it will translate to the NFL game. The joke is that he is learning to long snap, but I think he can be a core special teams player easily. With Robinson being in the last year of his rookie deal, if it is at all even or close I see the Steelers keeping Bruener over Robinson.

I am excited that we may actually be more effective against the run this year. Derrick Harmon will be great starting opposite of Cam, but I thought the signing of Daniel Ekuale was a wise move. For NE last season he put together a complete season of starting and had 52 tackles. More of a classic Steeler two gap DE, which will help defend the run, Larry O was more of a penetrator, trying to shoot in quickly and disrupt the run but I think his body can't cash that check now and it led to many big gashes in the run game last season. Ekuale can line up at DE, DT or even NT I think and really help in the rotation.

Jack Sawyer can rotate in on early run downs for Watt and Highsmith and has more size and a better anchor to defend the run over Herbig. When it is obvious passing situations Herbig is the better choice to sub in.

With the signing of Juan Thornhill they have a quality 3rd safety and that might allow them to play Deshon Elliott close to the line of scrimmage and that will help against the run. Speaking of Thornhill, the Browns can make many players look bad, so maybe a fresh start with the Steelers will help him return to form. Even if he is starting to lose speed, he came into the NFL running a 4.42 with a 44 inch vertical, he has to be an improvement over Damonte Kazee.

I am not going to make excuses for Teryl Austin. I think he needs to be replaced. The defense is stale, predictable and he has managed to make Watt and Fitzpatrick easy for teams to game plan against. If a team knows Watt is not going to move around the defense, is going to line up in the same spot for 60 plays, then they can come up with a game plan to chip him to death, with the RT, and a TE, or a RB, etc. It is maddening. I think Austin has to feel like his job is at stake and that he has to bring some sizzle this year to defense.

How to do it? Well, Donte Jackson was okay last year but he really did not give them the bookend press CB that they needed. If Slay is able to come in and pair with Porter and they are able to be those physical, press CBs, then QBs aren't going to be able to easily complete passes in 2 seconds anymore. Why am I confident that Austin will trust Slay or know how to use him properly? Well, Austin was his Defensive Coordinator when he and Slay were in Detroit. Slay had his first Pro Bowl, 8 INT season with Austin as his DC back in 2017. Then that brings back the blitz too. You have two ILBs with unbelievable speed and quickness in Queen and Wilson. This team, this defense has had great pass rushing ILBs over the years and we used to blitz them effectively over the years.

James Farrior had seasons of 6.5, 6 sacks. Lawrence Timmons had 4 seasons with at least 5 sacks. Vince Williams had 8 sacks in 2017.

This defense should be back as the NFL sack leader with 65-70 sacks, and the blitz has to come back in a big way, the ILBs have to unleashed as they were in the past, no reason that the ILBs can't account for 10 sacks per year instead of the 2 sacks they managed last year.

On offense I want to see Arthur Smith get the running game going, a real, legitimate running game. What we have been doing the past 10-12 years hasn't been good enough. Even with Bell, he was such a unicorn, with his style that called for the O-line to hold blocks longer than they should, it was weird. It wasn't this physical run game at all, you have to go back to the days of Staley/Parker/Mendenhal where we were trying to be physical and set a tone.

So, last year Smith comes in and there are a lot of misfits, players that don't fit, young players green, an O-line barely assembled but not really ready yet. It takes time for players to learn, grow. Some players may not work out, some pieces may be added later.

Remember when the Steelers were disgusted with the O-line 14-15 years ago and decided to do something about it??

Remember Mike Adams was a 2nd round pick that didn't work out in that 2012 draft. But David Decastro was the first rounder that year and Kelvin Beachum was the 7th rounder in that same class. 3 O-linemen and 1 flamed out.

But the previous year in 2011 they drafted Marcus Gilbert in the 2nd round, in 2010 they drafted Pouncy in the first round. Ramon Foster was an UDFA in 2009

Now flashforward to today and the Steelers the past couple years have drafted two first rounders, a 2nd rounder and a 4th rounder. Chances are pretty good that NOT all four will work out, one will probably bust, due to injury, not a fit, etc. Maybe that is Broderick Jones, maybe it is someone else. But just like back in the early 2010s, the Steelers will find that Kelvin Beachum, that Ramon Foster, that Alejandro Villanueva that offsets the occasional high draft pick misfire. But building that quality offensive line does not happen overnight, takes multiple years.

Me. I see too many people not patient enough. Take the time to look over former Steelers teams and see how it took time to build an offensive line, a defensive line, Outside Linebackers, a Secondary, a WR group. I appreciate the team building, the nuances of it.

[955876]

I’m looking forward to another season of Casper the Friendly Ghost playing centerfield.

Hopefully one day it gets revealed if Minkah has literally fallen off a cliff or if his massive decline has a a result of Jibba’s “coaching”.

I’m assuming the latter.

[Scunge]

Clayton Eckert over at Steeler Depot has a timely article on Minkah that people should read.

The brief synopsis is that Fitzpatrick had 82 snaps over the deep middle, which was 2nd most in the NFL and he was only targeted 5 times. Of those 5 targets QBs had a completion percentage of 20% and a passer rating of 3.3. So, QBs only completed one deep pass in the 82 times that Minkah lined up deep middle.

That may be the good of what Minkah did last season but there was a lot of bad as well and in the past two years I have seen miscommunication issues between Minkah and the other members of the defense. In my opinion he was trying to do too much in covering the misadventures of his teammates.

The bringing back of Terrell Edmunds, of Cam Sutton, the revolving door of slot CBs, the revolving door of a starting CB opposite of Porter, trying to find ILBs that can do better in coverage. Austin has been over-extending Minkah as a band-aid, trying to cover this cut, this wound, this broken part of the defense.

I admit it has been frustrating to watch us waste good prime years of Minkah this way. With Slay as that opposite CB now, with Thornhill as that 3rd Safety, with Queen and Wilson now entering year two in the defense, with Bishop and Echols bringing better play in the slot, I think that Austin/Tomlin should now be free to let Fitz make more splash plays.

[Steeldrama]

Speaking of the burnt toast that is the Steelers secondary

Where are we on Joey jr?

I thought he sucked last year but I admittedly no longer hang on every play.

Steelers reportedly turned down multiple offers for that 33rd picks.

Not looking like a smart decision (but they would’ve bungled the extra picks anyway).

Hope JPJ isn’t another in what is becoming a long line of early picks not panning out

[Scunge]

I think Joey has been fine but here is a game, match the production to the player.

The players are the 6 Pro Bowl players at CB in the AFC the past two seasons, Pat Surtain, Sauce Gardner, Denzel Ward, Jalen Ramsey, Derek Stingley and Marlon Humphrey and then we add the 6 Pro Bowl players for the NFC the past two years, DaRon Bland, Charvarius Ward, Jaylon Johnson, Devon Witherspoon, Byron Murphy and Jaycee Horn and then we add Joey Porter for comparison. Porter has been a starter for two NFL years and why not compare him to the players that have made the Pro Bowl

13 Players, which player did what below?

1) 16 games started, targeted 77 times, gave up 42 completions for 716 yards, 4 TDs given up, 2 INTs, 17 yards per completion, 92.8 passer rating

2) 17 games started, 71 targets, 44 completions, for 462 yards, 3 TDs given up, 2 INTs, 10.5 yards per completion, 83.2 passer rating.

3) 17 games started, 88 targets, 62 completions, for 653 yards, 4 TDs given up, 0 INTs, 10.5 yards per completion, 106.9 passer rating.

4) 7 games started, 51 targets, 31 completions, for 328 yards, 4 TDs given up, 0 INTs, 10.6 yards per completion, 105.7 passer rating.

5) 12 games started, 52 targets, 32 completions, for 389 yards, 5 TDs given up, 0 INTs, 12.2 yards per completion, 116.6 passer rating.

6) 16 games started, 86 targets, 54 completions, for 684 yards, 0 TDs given up, 1 INT, 12.7 yards per completion, 82.7 passer rating.

7) 15 games started, 58 targets, 33 completions, for 541 yards, 1 TD given up, 1 INT, 16.4 yards per completion, 86.9 passer rating.

8) 16 games started, 96 targets, 58 completions, for 556 yards, 3 TDs given up, 6 INTs, 9.6 yards per completion, 60.9 passer rating.

9) 17 game started, 119 targets, 78 completions, for 852 yards, 4 TDs given up, 6 INTs, 10.9 yards per completion, 76.7 passer rating.

10) 17 games started, 85 targets, 40 completions, for 382 yards, 4 TDs given up, 5 INTs, 9.6 yards per completion, 51.2 passer rating.

11) 16 games started, 62 targets, 38 completions, for 326 yards, 2 TDs given up, 4 INTs, 8.6 yards per completion, 58.9 passer rating.

12) 17 games started, 77 targets, 41 completions, for 474 yards, 6 TDs given up, 1 INT, 11.6 yards per completion, 92.7 passer rating.

13) 17 game started, 56 targets, 37 completions, for 517 yards, 2 TDs given up, 2 INTs, 14.0 yards per completion, 92.6 passer rating.

What player did what this past 2024 season?

[tbsteel]

Speaking of the burnt toast that is the Steelers secondary

Where are we on Joey jr?

I thought he sucked last year but I admittedly no longer hang on every play.

Steelers reportedly turned down multiple offers for that 33rd picks.

Not looking like a smart decision (but they would’ve bungled the extra picks anyway).

Hope JPJ isn’t another in what is becoming a long line of early picks not panning out

I think it was just a classic sophomore letdown. He's a good corner but had some ups and downs last year. I think he'll be fine long-term for us. Sort of reminds me of Ike Taylor... Taylor flashing his talent early, then having some struggles, and then putting together a fine career. I think that's what will happen to Joey.

[.Kodiak]

Who are the plus FAs or trades PIT has actually added under Tomlin?

Minkah, his first year, until they coached him down with scheme and technique. Anyone else?

Ideally, you find players who were poorly coached or in the wrong scheme and transform them into a plus player, Right? Of course, we know why that can't and won't happen with Tomlin.

[tbsteel]

You all want positive?

I positively guarantee I will be loudly rooting for losses this year. Huge, ugly, embarrassing losses. Each and every week.

And f it, injuries too. I want it all.

Every time there is a pick six, a hamstring pull, a lost fumble, a sprained ankle, a third and short where we get blown the fuck up, a nasty concussion over the middle where one of our guys is convulsing on the ground with chunks of vomit leaking out of the side of their mouth, my pants will be down around my ankles and I'll be touching myself. My lust will not and cannot be satiated. I'm getting turned on just thinking about it.

And if you like the sound of that, PM me and I'll link you to my OnlyFans where you can see a whole lot more. I'll be putting a Terrible Towel in places you can't even imagine.

[SteelerDayTrader]

Lololz

[Scunge]

1) 16 games started, targeted 77 times, gave up 42 completions for 716 yards, 4 TDs given up, 2 INTs, 17 yards per completion, 92.8 passer rating (D Ward)

2) 17 games started, 71 targets, 44 completions, for 462 yards, 3 TDs given up, 2 INTs, 10.5 yards per completion, 83.2 passer rating. (Ramsey)

3) 17 games started, 88 targets, 62 completions, for 653 yards, 4 TDs given up, 0 INTs, 10.5 yards per completion, 106.9 passer rating. (Witherspoon)

4) 7 games started, 51 targets, 31 completions, for 328 yards, 4 TDs given up, 0 INTs, 10.6 yards per completion, 105.7 passer rating (Bland)

5) 12 games started, 52 targets, 32 completions, for 389 yards, 5 TDs given up, 0 INTs, 12.2 yards per completion, 116.6 passer rating (C Ward)

6) 16 games started, 86 targets, 54 completions, for 684 yards, 0 TDs given up, 1 INT, 12.7 yards per completion, 82.7 passer rating. (Porter)

7) 15 games started, 58 targets, 33 completions, for 541 yards, 1 TD given up, 1 INT, 16.4 yards per completion, 86.9 passer rating. (Gardner)

8) 16 games started, 96 targets, 58 completions, for 556 yards, 3 TDs given up, 6 INTs, 9.6 yards per completion, 60.9 passer rating (Humphrey)

9) 17 game started, 119 targets, 78 completions, for 852 yards, 4 TDs given up, 6 INTs, 10.9 yards per completion, 76.7 passer rating (Murphy)

10) 17 games started, 85 targets, 40 completions, for 382 yards, 4 TDs given up, 5 INTs, 9.6 yards per completion, 51.2 passer rating (Stingley)

11) 16 games started, 62 targets, 38 completions, for 326 yards, 2 TDs given up, 4 INTs, 8.6 yards per completion, 58.9 passer rating. (Surtain)

12) 17 games started, 77 targets, 41 completions, for 474 yards, 6 TDs given up, 1 INT, 11.6 yards per completion, 92.7 passer rating (Horn)

13) 17 game started, 56 targets, 37 completions, for 517 yards, 2 TDs given up, 2 INTs, 14.0 yards per completion, 92.6 passer rating (Johnson)

Joey Porter was #6 in that list. I don't think he had a sophomore slump at all, or a down year. Often times they do match him up on the opponent't best WR, you will see him on the right side, on the left side, etc. Many CBs on that list won't travel, won't match up, they have things streamlined for them, simplified to where they stick to one side and that is it.

People want to criticize Porter for lack of INTs, I am okay with that as long as he isn't giving up a bunch of TDs. Look at Devon Witherspoon, drafted earlier than Porter in their draft class.
Witherspoon went 5th overall, he has 1 INT and is credited with giving up 9 TDs in his first two seasons, both Pro Bowl years. When QBs targeted him this past year they had a QB rating of 106.9. Witherspoon had a missed tackle rate of 13.2% his first two seasons, 27 missed tackles.

Joey went 32nd overall, he has 2 INTs and is credited with giving up 1 TD, did not make the Pro Bowl yet. When QBs targeted him this past year they had a QB rating of 82.7. Porter had a missed tackle rate of 8.9% his first two seasons, 11 missed tackles.

Why aren't people calling out Seattle for Witherspoon being a draft bust?? How is he making the Pro Bowl??

[CKSteeler]

I'm fine with Porter. He'd look a lot better if there was anything else at corner worth a damn.

[steelmann58]

I agree the best group is the LB. The Wr Group is a question mark as well as they say that other CB to team with JPJ. I think thornhill will be a good add. I am concerned with Jones.

[bradshaw2ben]

I am excited about the Linebacker group from top to bottom.
Patrick Queen
Payton Wilson
Malik Harrison
Cole Holcomb
Carson Breuner

I mean, the talent level top to bottom is very nice. The problem isn't the talent or the depth, it's utilization/horse-picking.

Queen is not great in coverage as the Mack, is not great against the run as the buck., and is a good blitzer. Unfortunately, they have him wearing the green dot, on the field for every down playing in front of better LBs, and never blitz him.

WHEN Holcomb was the Mack, he was better than Queen in every way. If he's not 100, he's not 100 but if he's healthy, he must play over or alongside Queen.

Losing Elandon Roberts is not going to help the run defense at all--he was their best LB vs the run.

I think they will be vulnerable as long as Patrick Queen is "THE" guy and not just one of the guys.

I want to see this staff use all the bullets in the gun and give the green. dot to the guy best suited to be on the field on passing downs/3rd downs. If they can adjust to that, then the personnel is good enough to work.

[bradshaw2ben]

1) 16 games started, targeted 77 times, gave up 42 completions for 716 yards, 4 TDs given up, 2 INTs, 17 yards per completion, 92.8 passer rating (D Ward)

2) 17 games started, 71 targets, 44 completions, for 462 yards, 3 TDs given up, 2 INTs, 10.5 yards per completion, 83.2 passer rating. (Ramsey)

3) 17 games started, 88 targets, 62 completions, for 653 yards, 4 TDs given up, 0 INTs, 10.5 yards per completion, 106.9 passer rating. (Witherspoon)

4) 7 games started, 51 targets, 31 completions, for 328 yards, 4 TDs given up, 0 INTs, 10.6 yards per completion, 105.7 passer rating (Bland)

5) 12 games started, 52 targets, 32 completions, for 389 yards, 5 TDs given up, 0 INTs, 12.2 yards per completion, 116.6 passer rating (C Ward)

6) 16 games started, 86 targets, 54 completions, for 684 yards, 0 TDs given up, 1 INT, 12.7 yards per completion, 82.7 passer rating. (Porter)

7) 15 games started, 58 targets, 33 completions, for 541 yards, 1 TD given up, 1 INT, 16.4 yards per completion, 86.9 passer rating. (Gardner)

8) 16 games started, 96 targets, 58 completions, for 556 yards, 3 TDs given up, 6 INTs, 9.6 yards per completion, 60.9 passer rating (Humphrey)

9) 17 game started, 119 targets, 78 completions, for 852 yards, 4 TDs given up, 6 INTs, 10.9 yards per completion, 76.7 passer rating (Murphy)

10) 17 games started, 85 targets, 40 completions, for 382 yards, 4 TDs given up, 5 INTs, 9.6 yards per completion, 51.2 passer rating (Stingley)

11) 16 games started, 62 targets, 38 completions, for 326 yards, 2 TDs given up, 4 INTs, 8.6 yards per completion, 58.9 passer rating. (Surtain)

12) 17 games started, 77 targets, 41 completions, for 474 yards, 6 TDs given up, 1 INT, 11.6 yards per completion, 92.7 passer rating (Horn)

13) 17 game started, 56 targets, 37 completions, for 517 yards, 2 TDs given up, 2 INTs, 14.0 yards per completion, 92.6 passer rating (Johnson)

Joey Porter was #6 in that list. I don't think he had a sophomore slump at all, or a down year. Often times they do match him up on the opponent't best WR, you will see him on the right side, on the left side, etc. Many CBs on that list won't travel, won't match up, they have things streamlined for them, simplified to where they stick to one side and that is it.

People want to criticize Porter for lack of INTs, I am okay with that as long as he isn't giving up a bunch of TDs. Look at Devon Witherspoon, drafted earlier than Porter in their draft class.
Witherspoon went 5th overall, he has 1 INT and is credited with giving up 9 TDs in his first two seasons, both Pro Bowl years. When QBs targeted him this past year they had a QB rating of 106.9. Witherspoon had a missed tackle rate of 13.2% his first two seasons, 27 missed tackles.

Joey went 32nd overall, he has 2 INTs and is credited with giving up 1 TD, did not make the Pro Bowl yet. When QBs targeted him this past year they had a QB rating of 82.7. Porter had a missed tackle rate of 8.9% his first two seasons, 11 missed tackles.

Why aren't people calling out Seattle for Witherspoon being a draft bust?? How is he making the Pro Bowl??

Actually, my concerns with Porter are:

1. He seems to be reverting back to his college penchant for not supporting as a tackler
2. He is the most penalized defensive player in the entire NFL since he's been in the league.

[955876]

Actually, my concerns with Porter are:

1. He seems to be reverting back to his college penchant for not supporting as a tackler
2. He is the most penalized defensive player in the entire NFL since he's been in the league.

Having a former DB coach as your HC will fix all of this.

Jibbs knows that JBJ will “figure it out”…

[jebrick]

Actually, my concerns with Porter are:

1. He seems to be reverting back to his college penchant for not supporting as a tackler
2. He is the most penalized defensive player in the entire NFL since he's been in the league.

He has always been grabby in college ( due to different rules for DBs) and it is getting him and other burnt in the NFL. Thoe that can't adjust.

[Scunge]

Actually, my concerns with Porter are:

1. He seems to be reverting back to his college penchant for not supporting as a tackler
2. He is the most penalized defensive player in the entire NFL since he's been in the league.

For 2024 I see Porter was penalized 12 times, 3 were declined, and 2 were offsetting penalties. And that is a concern because????

Because for me that is the cost of doing business if you want a CB to be physical and aggressive in coverage. And 6 of those flags came in one game, the Cincy game, and we know the WRs that were in that game, and sometimes you do what you have to do to get the job done, we did win that game after all, 44-38. And Jamar Chase was held to 6 catches for 86 yards a TD on 9 targets and Higgins was held to 5 catches for 69 yards and a TD on 10 targets. Porter and the secondary did well enough to keep that WR duo from their usual lofty heights. Two games prior, Chase had 264 yards and the game after playing the Steelers he had 177 yards, but in this game he was held to 86 yards. Higgins the week before the Steeler game had 148 yards but then had to settle for 69 yards in this loss to the Steelers. I do remember being pissed while watching this game because in my view, if you are going to allow Chase and Higgins to be physical and hand fight down the field but then throw flags on Porter when he does the same, well, that is piss poor referees. Let them play, don't stack the deck for the offense.

Other notable CBs with high flags totals:

Patrick Surtain had 9 penalties, 1 declined.
Sauce Gardner had 9 penalties, 1 declined.

Funny about the tackling issue B2B, didn't really see what you are talking about. I saw plenty of good tackling, some clutch tackling to close out drives. I remember that Ravens game where Porter knifed in and tackled Lamar Jackson to ice the game. He did have 70 tackles, 53 solo. When you say not supporting the run what do you mean exactly?? To me I take that as a CB that avoids contact, has really, really low tackle numbers.

[bradshaw2ben]

Actually, my concerns with Porter are:

1. He seems to be reverting back to his college penchant for not supporting as a tackler
2. He is the most penalized defensive player in the entire NFL since he's been in the league.

For 2024 I see Porter was penalized 12 times, 3 were declined, and 2 were offsetting penalties. And that is a concern because????

Because for me that is the cost of doing business if you want a CB to be physical and aggressive in coverage. And 6 of those flags came in one game, the Cincy game, and we know the WRs that were in that game, and sometimes you do what you have to do to get the job done, we did win that game after all, 44-38. And Jamar Chase was held to 6 catches for 86 yards a TD on 9 targets and Higgins was held to 5 catches for 69 yards and a TD on 10 targets. Porter and the secondary did well enough to keep that WR duo from their usual lofty heights. Two games prior, Chase had 264 yards and the game after playing the Steelers he had 177 yards, but in this game he was held to 86 yards. Higgins the week before the Steeler game had 148 yards but then had to settle for 69 yards in this loss to the Steelers. I do remember being pissed while watching this game because in my view, if you are going to allow Chase and Higgins to be physical and hand fight down the field but then throw flags on Porter when he does the same, well, that is piss poor referees. Let them play, don't stack the deck for the offense.

Other notable CBs with high flags totals:

Patrick Surtain had 9 penalties, 1 declined.
Sauce Gardner had 9 penalties, 1 declined.

Funny about the tackling issue B2B, didn't really see what you are talking about. I saw plenty of good tackling, some clutch tackling to close out drives. I remember that Ravens game where Porter knifed in and tackled Lamar Jackson to ice the game. He did have 70 tackles, 53 solo. When you say not supporting the run what do you mean exactly?? To me I take that as a CB that avoids contact, has really, really low tackle numbers.

It's the accepted penalties category in which he stands out. Perhaps you're right that it comes with being a physical CB... you can see some other CBs viewed as being solid cover guys on the list... but when every one of those is a first down given up, it does have a big impact.

I thought there were a few-late season olés for Porter-- I remember talking about it on the podcast––but I may be conflating his tackling with others in the Steelers secondary who were pretty contact-averse.

[Charles Demarr]

Quinyon Mitchell should've been the first round selection in 2024.

[Scunge]

But you have to admit having 6 penalties in one game is sort of a flukey thing and diminishes that two year total somewhat and makes it not so bad in my mind.

I do think that ALL young CBs have to take their lumps when it comes to flags, learning what they can and can't get away with. I think there is real value in scouting the ref crew for each game, know if they are flag happy and in what direction.

Some crews will be very strict in calling pass interference on the defense. Some will allow both sides to hand fight and jostle down the field.

Some crews are big about enforcing how far back the Tackles line up off the line of scrimmage, you know how they are supposed to line up with what is it, the waist of the center?? Some crews will allow the Right and Left Tackles to jump a half second before the ball is snapped.

Knowing the tendencies of the various officiating crews and preparing your players accordingly should be a part of every NFL team, I would go as far as to have some assistant or quality control coach scout the refs throughout the season.

[bradshaw2ben]

But you have to admit having 6 penalties in one game is sort of a flukey thing and diminishes that two year total somewhat and makes it not so bad in my mind.

I do think that ALL young CBs have to take their lumps when it comes to flags, learning what they can and can't get away with. I think there is real value in scouting the ref crew for each game, know if they are flag happy and in what direction.

Some crews will be very strict in calling pass interference on the defense. Some will allow both sides to hand fight and jostle down the field.

Some crews are big about enforcing how far back the Tackles line up off the line of scrimmage, you know how they are supposed to line up with what is it, the waist of the center?? Some crews will allow the Right and Left Tackles to jump a half second before the ball is snapped.

Knowing the tendencies of the various officiating crews and preparing your players accordingly should be a part of every NFL team, I would go as far as to have some assistant or quality control coach scout the refs throughout the season.

100% agree

[steelmann58]

I feel more positive if they add that number 2 WR

[BouldernBun]

I feel more positive if they add that number 2 WR

I would also but for what purpose really. AR, Mason, Will are all going to be asked to handoff monkeys that can find the sidelines once in a while. If Wilson was forbidden to audible , Tomlin will try to neuter any AR initiative also. I'd think there would be a super tight chain on Will with Tomlin drilling his take no chances approach into him. Mason already knows the drill.

[Deebo]

I feel more positive if they add that number 2 WR

I would also but for what purpose really. AR, Mason, Will are all going to be asked to handoff monkeys that can find the sidelines once in a while. If Wilson was forbidden to audible , Tomlin will try to neuter any AR initiative also. I'd think there would be a super tight chain on Will with Tomlin drilling his take no chances approach into him. Mason already knows the drill.

Yup as long as Art Smith is around, WR2 is just another blocker.

I'll ask this question: is our record the same last year whether Van Jefferson was on this roster or not?
Answer: it wouldn't have changed a damn thing. He doesn't move the needle

[anpsteel]

I feel more positive if they add that number 2 WR

I would also but for what purpose really. AR, Mason, Will are all going to be asked to handoff monkeys that can find the sidelines once in a while. If Wilson was forbidden to audible , Tomlin will try to neuter any AR initiative also. I'd think there would be a super tight chain on Will with Tomlin drilling his take no chances approach into him. Mason already knows the drill.

If Aaron Rodgers is on this team, you will see a significantly different offense

I’m not suggesting it’s going to be the next run and shoot but there’s no chance Rodgers signs if he believes he’s going to have a fully restricted offensive structure

[BouldernBun]

I feel more positive if they add that number 2 WR

I would also but for what purpose really. AR, Mason, Will are all going to be asked to handoff monkeys that can find the sidelines once in a while. If Wilson was forbidden to audible , Tomlin will try to neuter any AR initiative also. I'd think there would be a super tight chain on Will with Tomlin drilling his take no chances approach into him. Mason already knows the drill.

If Aaron Rodgers is on this team, you will see a significantly different offense

I’m not suggesting it’s going to be the next run and shoot but there’s no chance Rodgers signs if he believes he’s going to have a fully restricted offensive structure

I'd love to see significantly different! However we are talking MT. I mean last year Rodgers stats were Benish 2021. Canada is gone, but Tomlin isn't. Smith doesn't strike me as particularly imaginative even if Tomlin weren't in his ear (he is). We were crabbing about a brain dead offense 2021 and prior..I just don't have the faith,
would love to be surprised though!

[anpsteel]

I would also but for what purpose really. AR, Mason, Will are all going to be asked to handoff monkeys that can find the sidelines once in a while. If Wilson was forbidden to audible , Tomlin will try to neuter any AR initiative also. I'd think there would be a super tight chain on Will with Tomlin drilling his take no chances approach into him. Mason already knows the drill.

If Aaron Rodgers is on this team, you will see a significantly different offense

I’m not suggesting it’s going to be the next run and shoot but there’s no chance Rodgers signs if he believes he’s going to have a fully restricted offensive structure

I'd love to see significantly different! However we are talking MT. I mean last year Rodgers stats were Benish 2021. Canada is gone, but Tomlin isn't. Smith doesn't strike me as particularly imaginative even if Tomlin weren't in his ear (he is). We were crabbing about a brain dead offense 2021 and prior..I just don't have the faith,
would love to be surprised though!

I know Tomlin wants to win games 16 - 13

but let’s assume they pay Rodgers some significant money ($30mil+)

If they hamstring him, and he starts bitching, (which would be a certainty under those circumstances) the team will fall apart, and the blame will fall squarely on Rogers and Tomlin

It is clear at this point Mike Tomlin is the driving force in the Steelers efforts to acquire Aaron Rodgers

I don’t think Tomlin is stupid enough to make that effort, pay that money, take that risk, and then sabotage it by keeping the clamps on Roger’s ability to run an offense

[bradshaw2ben]

If Aaron Rodgers is on this team, you will see a significantly different offense

I’m not suggesting it’s going to be the next run and shoot but there’s no chance Rodgers signs if he believes he’s going to have a fully restricted offensive structure

I'd love to see significantly different! However we are talking MT. I mean last year Rodgers stats were Benish 2021. Canada is gone, but Tomlin isn't. Smith doesn't strike me as particularly imaginative even if Tomlin weren't in his ear (he is). We were crabbing about a brain dead offense 2021 and prior..I just don't have the faith,
would love to be surprised though!

I know Tomlin wants to win games 16 - 13

but let’s assume they pay Rodgers some significant money ($30mil+)

If they hamstring him, and he starts bitching, (which would be a certainty under those circumstances) the team will fall apart, and the blame will fall squarely on Rogers and Tomlin

It is clear at this point Mike Tomlin is the driving force in the Steelers efforts to acquire Aaron Rodgers

I don’t think Tomlin is stupid enough to make that effort, pay that money, take that risk, and then sabotage it by keeping the clamps on Roger’s ability to run an offense

Except that he sees that as the way to winning, even with a vet QB with talent. He proved it with the last 5 years of Ben's career.

[anpsteel]

I'd love to see significantly different! However we are talking MT. I mean last year Rodgers stats were Benish 2021. Canada is gone, but Tomlin isn't. Smith doesn't strike me as particularly imaginative even if Tomlin weren't in his ear (he is). We were crabbing about a brain dead offense 2021 and prior..I just don't have the faith,
would love to be surprised though!

I know Tomlin wants to win games 16 - 13

but let’s assume they pay Rodgers some significant money ($30mil+)

If they hamstring him, and he starts bitching, (which would be a certainty under those circumstances) the team will fall apart, and the blame will fall squarely on Rogers and Tomlin

It is clear at this point Mike Tomlin is the driving force in the Steelers efforts to acquire Aaron Rodgers

I don’t think Tomlin is stupid enough to make that effort, pay that money, take that risk, and then sabotage it by keeping the clamps on Roger’s ability to run an offense

Except that he sees that as the way to winning, even with a vet QB with talent. He proved it with the last 5 years of Ben's career.

There is that lol

Ben was a good company man, and did what he was told, for the most part-

I'm not making that assumption with Rodgers. He'll definitely act up if he feels like he's being throttled.

HB Dive on 1st and 2nd Down, throw short of the sticks on 3rd and long- isn't going to fly if Rodgers is on the team. He'll have a fit, for certain.


The best part of this entire thing- is the likelihood that Tomlin fucks up the situation (assuming Rodgers signs).

This could lead to an implosion and fingers and toes crossed, Tomlin bearing the brunt of the blame.

Imagine signing Rodgers to a 2 or 3 year deal (for cap purposes) of $60mil+ and dopey the owl screws it up right away. So the team craters and eats the majority of the money. That might actually get him fired.