2 weeks to plan

[Stosh-67]

I am not sure how many folks here had the Steelers at 3-1 into the bye week.

The Steelers were out played in 3 of their first 4 games,
with big turnovers helping get us three wins.
They are 2nd in the NFL with a +7 turnover ratio. ( Jags an amazing +9, have not played great and are also 3-1)

It took the OL until week 4 to start looking like an NFL Oline.
Sans that first play of the game with miss-communication in leaving a NT unblocked, which resulted in AA getting clobbered.
The run game finally making some strides.

So what will we look like coming out of the bye.
We have the Browns at home and Cincy on the road.
Two teams that are a combined -10 in turnover ratio.
Old Joe Flacco, unless they make a change and No Joe Burrow.

The positives;
No season ending injuries thru the first 4 weeks, which is tuff to do as players no longer get the in game reps from pre-season.
Just look around the league at how many were lost for the season.

We may be at full strength, getting Highsmith and Porter back. Waiting on CA3 news. Ramsey fake news hamstring?

The Steelers should be favored in both.
The Steelers fans should fill half of the Cincy stadium.

2 more weeks for thee OL to gel. Work things out.
2 weeks to get the other WRs introduced to the 2025 game plan and season.

We need to win these next 2 game and get to 5-1, before the schedule gets tuff.
Packers, Colts, Chargers, Bears, Bills Ravens....sandwiched around Cincy at home.

[K_C_]

Dulac tweeted that both Jalen Ramsey (hamstring) and Calvin Austin III (shoulder) will miss "at least several games."

We all know Roman Wilson will have to step up and Skowronek will keep seeing snaps but what do we do now at corner and safety?

Are JPJ and Cory Trice going to be back soon? Will Beanie or Donte Kent be elevated?

Are we going to make any trades?

[lifelongsteel]

Gotta keep Wilson healthy to field those onsides kicks. I think we'll see a lot of Slowronek. tbh i like the guy a lot. Seems to make plays every week, whether it's a key block or a special teams play. You know he will force a fumble on a punt any game now. Perfect WR5 who just happens to be our WR3. Now WR2.

The Wilson situation is just bizarre. Can the kid play or no? If so it's inexplicable that he's getting less snaps than Scotty Miller. If no they should have acquired a capable guy at some point in the offseason.

I'm also confused re: Muth. I really thought that with Rodgers quick delivery and willingness to hit tight windows over the middle that Muth would eat this year.

[Deebo]

Would not surprise me to win these next 2 games.
But then the schedule gets more difficult.

People want to piss all over the Ravens and their bad start, but look at who they played? Murderer's Row (no pun intended).

We'll still get to 9/10 wins and get boatraced in the playoffs like always. I've seen this movie too many times.

[Ice]

I'm going to agree that it's a familiar film, but the QB play has been better than anything we've seen for awhile, and the defense is showing signs of life, as is the OL and running game. Injuries really starting to mount at DB, though, as I thought Ramsey was looking pretty good up until this point. Not world-beating, but solid vet showing up when the chips were down. Porter should be back, so there's that. I was encouraged by the D-line play on Sunday, though they were certainly taking advantage of some Vikings injury woes. All in all, cautiously optimistic, but definitely need to find a way against the Browns and Bungles. The Browns game honestly concerns me more, though sans Ramsey, I suppose Cincy's WR/TE group should have me worried, too.

[Orangesteel]

Roman Wilson was a terrible draft pick. Time to move on. Trade Highsmith for a 2/3 WR; ask Rodgers who he wants.

[Deebo]

I'm going to agree that it's a familiar film, but the QB play has been better than anything we've seen for awhile, and the defense is showing signs of life, as is the OL and running game. Injuries really starting to mount at DB, though, as I thought Ramsey was looking pretty good up until this point. Not world-beating, but solid vet showing up when the chips were down. Porter should be back, so there's that. I was encouraged by the D-line play on Sunday, though they were certainly taking advantage of some Vikings injury woes. All in all, cautiously optimistic, but definitely need to find a way against the Browns and Bungles. The Browns game honestly concerns me more, though sans Ramsey, I suppose Cincy's WR/TE group should have me worried, too.

QB Play - sure this is Ben in 2000 and 2021. Quick throws because the Oline can't hold up and ARods deep ball is gone. Let's revisit this in week 8 when ARod wants to punch all these fuckers in the dick because he's getting killed.
Oline- this is the 1st game we've been able to effectively run the ball. 3 games prior were not good
Dline- see above. 1st game where we could say "yes, we stopped the run". But they were down 3 starting OLinemen so context is critical.

[Deebo]

Roman Wilson was a terrible draft pick. Time to move on. Trade Highsmith for a 2/3 WR; ask Rodgers who he wants.

I'd argue it's an "Incomplete" grade due to lack of opportunities.
Need to see more of him before I'm ready to denounce the pick

[Stosh-67]

ARod wants to punch all these fuckers

Wonder what he was thinking with the back and forth power struggle with Tomlin on FG or go for it?

And what was he thinking when the play call to run on 4th and goal at the 3.

Did he say "eff-it" I'll run this stupit play call.

[Ice]

Roman Wilson was a terrible draft pick. Time to move on. Trade Highsmith for a 2/3 WR; ask Rodgers who he wants.

Long season, and being 3 deep with quality EDGE is one of the few depth pluses we have. Add into that the fact that Watt's not exactly looking 100% already and I think I err on the side of standing pat on Highsmith.

[K_C_]

Roman Wilson was a terrible draft pick. Time to move on. Trade Highsmith for a 2/3 WR; ask Rodgers who he wants.

Long season, and being 3 deep with quality EDGE is one of the few depth pluses we have. Add into that the fact that Watt's not exactly looking 100% already and I think I err on the side of standing pat on Highsmith.

Agree with this and I've been as hard on Highsmith as anybody. I would look to trade Highsmith near the draft if Herbig keeps balling out. At some point Herbig is going to be want to get a major raise. Highsmith has to go for that to happen.

I HAVE however seen several folks wanting Freiermuth traded and I could 100% get behind that.

Maybe Freiermuth and a 4th for Chris Olave? I'd be all over that.

We'd still have Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington and Little Heyward.

I didn't realize Freiermuth is under contract for another fucking 4 years.

That's waaaaaaaaaay the fuck too long for what he's giving the Steelers on the field. Dude looks disinterested.

[Deebo]

Roman Wilson was a terrible draft pick. Time to move on. Trade Highsmith for a 2/3 WR; ask Rodgers who he wants.

Long season, and being 3 deep with quality EDGE is one of the few depth pluses we have. Add into that the fact that Watt's not exactly looking 100% already and I think I err on the side of standing pat on Highsmith.

Agree with this and I've been as hard on Highsmith as anybody. I would look to trade Highsmith near the draft if Herbig keeps balling out. At some point Herbig is going to be want to get a major raise. Highsmith has to go for that to happen.

I HAVE however seen several folks wanting Freiermuth traded and I could 100% get behind that.

Maybe Freiermuth and a 4th for Chris Olave? I'd be all over that.

We'd still have Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington and Little Heyward.

I didn't realize Freiermuth is under contract for another fucking 4 years.

That's waaaaaaaaaay the fuck too long for what he's giving the Steelers on the field. Dude looks disinterested.

Herbig and Highsmith BOTH have injury history so I'm not ready to anoint Herbig as the starter. He's best used in packages.
And when Highsmith returns, there's little reason why Herbig can't spell Watt for longer periods of time. Also little reason why all 3 can't be on the field at the same time.

[anpsteel]

Frieremuth is the #2 receiving TE and the #2 blocking TE on this team.

I'm sure he's aware of both his status and general situation.

Unless he suddenly becomes a better receiver, he's going to find himself cut or on another team, next season. I'd imagine he's figured this out on his own.

[K_C_]

Long season, and being 3 deep with quality EDGE is one of the few depth pluses we have. Add into that the fact that Watt's not exactly looking 100% already and I think I err on the side of standing pat on Highsmith.

Agree with this and I've been as hard on Highsmith as anybody. I would look to trade Highsmith near the draft if Herbig keeps balling out. At some point Herbig is going to be want to get a major raise. Highsmith has to go for that to happen.

I HAVE however seen several folks wanting Freiermuth traded and I could 100% get behind that.

Maybe Freiermuth and a 4th for Chris Olave? I'd be all over that.

We'd still have Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington and Little Heyward.

I didn't realize Freiermuth is under contract for another fucking 4 years.

That's waaaaaaaaaay the fuck too long for what he's giving the Steelers on the field. Dude looks disinterested.

Herbig and Highsmith BOTH have injury history so I'm not ready to anoint Herbig as the starter. He's best used in packages.
And when Highsmith returns, there's little reason why Herbig can't spell Watt for longer periods of time. Also little reason why all 3 can't be on the field at the same time.

Herbig got hurt in last year's Dallas game and missed some time. Other than that, I honestly don't remember him being hurt.

Highsmith misses numerous games each year and as I have been saying for years, Highsmith is a guy that will play great 3 or 4 games per year and is invisible the rest. Absolutely invisible.

Herbig, to be frank, is a better player than Highsmith. Without a doubt the far more consistent player.

I agree with your take that we should keep all three linebackers THIS SEASON, but I would look to move on from Highsmith around the draft, while some teams still believe he has some value. If we could get a third rounder for Highsmith like we did for Pickens, I would fucking take that deal in a SECOND.

We just paid Watt massive money. Herbig will soon want a raise. A deserved raise. The odd man out is Highsmith, after this season.

[Ice]

I think they might be looking at EDGE early in next year's draft, possibly with whatever ammo is left after going out and getting the QB, though they might be able to sit right where they are and pick Allar.

Muth in a trade makes a little sense. His name recognition trumps his actual value to the team at this point, though I don't know if other teams' executives will be hoodwinked.

[Steelafan77]

Two weeks you say….

The very predictable ease into the game with the maddening usual no real game plan or creative play calling. Square peg, round hole.

Only after all his vets get ‘Vet Days Off’ especially in those closing days before game to insure heavy rust and plenty soft tissue injuries.

5-1

[Steelersfan]

I have NO idea why yinz are getting on Friermuth's case & putting him down.

I've been posting it here for years now; yinz should know by now who his TE coach is.

Alfredo Roberts has coached EVERY, EVERY, EVERY single TE he has EVER been in a locker room with down & out of the league. Friermuth is actually DESCENDING a bit slower than an Alfredo Roberts normal pace. This is the WORST position coach IN THE HISTORY of the NFL. Bar none!!! Ask 6-7, 280 lb Darnell Washington if he is being coached to succeed???

I said it before, I'll say it again; this MFg coach is so bad, his TE grandson got benched on his Pee Wee league team.

It's NOT Muth! He's just going the way of EVERY other player this useless waste of a paycheck EVER touched.

[steelmann58]

This staff is terrible it fall on MT

[steelmann58]

If they don’t come fired up after the bye it be on Tomlin again