October 2, 201115 yr Watching the first quarter come to an end has me reflecting on the state of my favorite team. And here's what I fear is about to come to fruition. 1. The Steelers are aging in positions that they have backups who are on the verge of being able to replace them, however, they have overextended themselves on some guaranteed money that will be hard to eat for the foreseeable future. Farrior, Smith, etc. 2. The offensive line woes are remarkable. While it's been an issue, it's not something that has been as evident and pressing as it has this season. Injury, and poor performance by kids who've been drafted in the first 3 rounds. While the Steelers have been stellar with their first rounders (Pouncey, Timmons, Hampton, Polomalu, and the list goes on) It's the other guys in early rounds who haven't been what they should have been. 3. While the first round guys have been good, I can't begin to say how disappointing Mendenhall is. I know he had solid #'s last season, but he's the softest guy when there's contact that I can recall playing the position in Pittsburgh. 4. Corner is a really glaring issue when you can't get to the QB with pressure. Ike Taylor is probowl caliber and would have made his share if he could simply catch the football. Worst hands in the league, but has the ability to shut down the oppositions best receiver often. As I type this, Andre Johnson has 2 catches for 10 yards in a half of football. 5. If the defensive line can't manage to stay in their lanes, stop creating gaps, the Steelers will end their streak of leading the league in rush defense. Bottom line, I've watched this team for 40 years. What's coming, much to the pleasure of many posters here, is a swoon for the Steelers that will last for a couple of seasons I'm afraid. They don't make any FA splashes and I don't suppose that will change in order for them to fix any OL holes. And they're providentially hindered financially to do so if they so wished. They will try to fix it through the draft and their M.O. is to wait on guys to develop. Problem is that there are too many holes to wait that long and expect any resemblance of the team that has been in P'burgh for the last decade.
October 2, 201115 yr I can't disagree with all of your points, especially about Mendenhall. I've felt this way about him for a while now.
October 2, 201115 yr I think the defensive line is the big concern. Three of their top 4 guys are 34 or older. They are getting pushed around this year. Throw out the game against a terrible Seahawks team and the trio of Indy, Houston, and Baltimore has 87 rush attempts for 447 yards (5.1 ypc) and 3 TD. And, you may as well credit Schaub's TD pass to the run game today. I think the opening drive of the game today says it all... 19 plays (12 runs, 7 pass) - 10:55 When is the last time a team pulled off a drive like that against Pittsburgh? If it had just been one game, it would be different. When Indy had some legit success running the ball, the red flags went up. The upside for Pitt is that the schedule isn't that bad this year.
October 2, 201115 yr I think the defensive line is the big concern. Three of their top 4 guys are 34 or older. They are getting pushed around this year. Throw out the game against a terrible Seahawks team and the trio of Indy, Houston, and Baltimore has 87 rush attempts for 447 yards (5.1 ypc) and 3 TD. And, you may as well credit Schaub's TD pass to the run game today. I think the opening drive of the game today says it all... 19 plays (12 runs, 7 pass) - 10:55 When is the last time a team pulled off a drive like that against Pittsburgh? If it had just been one game, it would be different. When Indy had some legit success running the ball, the red flags went up. The upside for Pitt is that the schedule isn't that bad this year. More good points, especially during the game against the Colts.
October 2, 201115 yr I should also say that I wouldn't write off the possibility of the defense simply playing better. There are valid reasons to be concerned, but I don't think anyone would be surprised if the Steelers run defense played better going forward.
October 2, 201115 yr I love my boy Schue who is a big steerlers fan,and I respect all of the steeler fans on BGP,but I hope that the steelers have issues all season long.As a Bengals fan I've had issues for a long long long time...
October 2, 201115 yr Ben is getting too immobile in the pocket. His forte was getting out of trouble and making big play. He's not doing that now.
October 3, 201115 yr ^ I disagree. He did that quite a few times today, but that line is so awful, he's under pressure every single drop back. He can't escape every time.
October 3, 201115 yr Author Ben is getting too immobile in the pocket. His forte was getting out of trouble and making big play. He's not doing that now. ^ I disagree. He did that quite a few times today, but that line is so awful, he's under pressure every single drop back. He can't escape every time.Fellas the problem is multi-faceted. Here's my take: 1. You could instantly see an improvement in the run game when Mendenhall went to the sideline. Again, not the style runner that the Steelers need to employ. 2. Some of this goes back to the OC Bruce Arians. The combo of Ben and Arians and their play selection when there is less than 10yds to go, why in the wide,wide, world of sports is Ben in a 7step drop or a 3step drop from shotgun when he has 2 seconds to let it go? Not one adjustment to a slant route. Not one WR screen. And the hot routes were missed all day. 3. Ben needs to take off a bit more. Regardless if he has any big gainers it would at a minimum keep the LB's in the box a bit more on passing downs. Lots of areas of concern. And coupled with the fact that the Texans donated 3 touchdowns due to penalties, the Steelers were lucky not to give up 30 today.
October 3, 201115 yr The Steelers need to find a replacement for Jonathon Scott. He is awful. He's going to get Ben hurt one day. Oh...wait...... Put me in the 'Rashard Mendenhall is hugely disappointing' camp. I am not a Steelers fan. Just casual observations from an NFL fan.
October 3, 201115 yr Author The Steelers need to find a replacement for Jonathon Scott. He is awful. He's going to get Ben hurt one day. Oh...wait...... Put me in the 'Rashard Mendenhall is hugely disappointing' camp. I am not a Steelers fan. Just casual observations from an NFL fan. Jonathan Scott didn't play yesterday. Trai Essex played LT. Ramon Foster RG and Gilbert the rookie from Florida RT. He got abused, so did Essex. I can't wait for Scott to get back.
October 3, 201115 yr Author Steelers will find a way to win the next 2 at home, then drop the following 3.
October 3, 201115 yr Jonathan Scott didn't play yesterday. Trai Essex played LT. Ramon Foster RG and Gilbert the rookie from Florida RT. He got abused, so did Essex. I can't wait for Scott to get back. Is Essex #78? The same one Freeney abused the week before? I thought that was Scott. My fault. I figured #78 was getting abused by Freeney because it's Freeney but #78 looked even worse yesterday. Gotta get him off the field.
October 3, 201115 yr Steelers will find a way to win the next 2 at home, then drop the following 3. I hope not. Fear the Hasselbeck.
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.