My thoughts on preseason wk 2

You notice the Trubisky haters are quiet after the game against the Bills

 

I really think Canada is going to surprise Steelers fans with calling a much-improved offense this season, I expect more passes over the middle, and deep passing plays.

 

He isn't in the Army either but he sure is a knife through the heart of the other team.

 

One thought about Nick Herbig…

His height/size was viewed as a negative coming out, but the way he’s able to dip under these 6,5” OTs could actually be an advantage. He’s like a mini-version of TJ Watt. Strong, quick, agile, creates leverage and has multiple moves. Very excited about this kid!

 

I still go around "hating" on him as much as ever though it's not hate. I view him as competent but not measuring up to the next-man-up standard. And I can never tell whether that's on Trubisky or just the fact that they're not giving him any big stuff to do. I want him and Rudolph both to be like Charlie Batch and they come in, but they just groom both of them to be Landry Lones.

 

When not and

 

Yeah and I saw some of that last night, which I've been waiting to see, which was the Connor TD where he lined him up at H-back, as he did so much with Jaylen Samuels at Syracuse. That's going to be a big jammer for opponents to defend.

 

Edited... I think the two are going to be an incredible combo this season

 

And sending Olszewski short across the middle on option plays, shades of Hines Ward.

 

I think both backup Qbs looked bad against the Bills. Both almost threw ints, both threw passes I don't know who they were throwing at, and one scored a td after the Bills D gave them 7 trys at the end zone....after having almost thrown a int into double coverage. I'm not happy about either backup right now. If You seen differently....I'd like You to explain.

 

Late!!.... again. Was working on some back end stuff but much of it is now clear.



Top Ten Thoughts!


1.) Both 1st Team Units are ready for the season. I know that Tomlin stated he will want another extended look come next week but this team appears ready to go. Even if it is Preseason, both 1s look ready as all hell to knock someone's teeth in.


2.) Jaylen Warren isn't just clearly doing all he can to earn more playing time. I believe Jaylen Warren is making it so that he earns the starting spot away from Najee Harris. I do understand that Harris was on a very limited pitch count but Warren's Preseason thus far has clearly outshined his fellow teammates.


3.) Kendrick's gotta go. No seriously, part ways with his ass come the end of the final game against the Falcons. Never mind that though, let this be a reminder to Mike Tomlin and a stern warning to both Omar Kahn and Andy Weidl; pick players with accumulated experience when selecting players; doubly so Offensive Lineman. DO NOT let Spencer Anderson suffer the same fate if he is the primary backup to Mason Cole.


4.) Calvin Austin the Third. That is how I will officially type his name from here on out. Dude's earned it. Not only that, he also needs to see more time as a Kick Returner as his juice as a Punt Returner is electric.


5.) Dan Moore Jr. may have the starting Left Tackle spot all but locked up. My major concern heading into the season was how well Dan Moore Jr. would improve. As I have been on record, both Offensive and Defensive Line Players take two to three years to develop as the finite details of those positions are far more nuanced in the NFL than in college. Athleticism was never Moore's problem. The finer points were.... well, that and not having a consistent presence in an Offensive Line Coach. With Pat Meyer in his second season being Moore's teacher along with Moore's own self improvement, Moore has now shown me he is a rock solid Blindside Protector. Is he a Pro Bowl player?! Very doubtful but so long as he is Steady Eddie.... it doesn't honestly matter.


6.) Joey Porter couldn't have asked for a better coming out party. Even though he gave up two receptions total but with one INT and no major gaffes.... dude has been everything I thought he would be. If anything, just two receptions?! Only one allowed against Stefon Diggs?! Have yourself a night Rookie!! Ready up for the finale!!


7.) Nick Herbig isn't just pushing to merely be a Special Teams Demon. Herbig, at this point, has to be in consideration for the third wheel in the EDGE Rotation. Granted, Markus Golden has looked extremely well himself but he is not producing the level of splash that Herbig is. For that matter, Herbig's promise is simply too big to ignore at this point. One more stellar performance ought to do it.


8.) PH3 and Boz are both back but doubly so in Boz's case. Any notion that Boz simply didn't have it anymore can now be quickly thrown to the wayside. Boz is still that dude when it comes to Field Goals. As for Pres, much more consistent this season; a lot more. Should he carry this into the Regular Season, Pittsburgh could field its best Special Teams Unit in quite some time.


9.) Matt Canada.... still is a question mark but no longer the major one after that performance. Even in limited time, Kenny and the Offense made big play after big play. If not big, they capitalized. Heck, even the Second Team Offense got in on the action.... despite dealing with the likes of Kendrick Green fudging things up. Even so, could this be the Revenge Tour for Canada in 2023?! Guess we will have to wait and see.


10.) I believe it is high time I concede that Darnell Washington is still a ways away from being the guy I truly believe he can be. For me, the All Pro Promise is still very much there.. and will continue to be so for his Rookie Season. However, until he can fully grasp not just the finer points of playing Tight End in the NFL but also the speed... best to let him bide his time. I will say this brothers & sisters of TheSteelersFans; I will concede that Mt. Washington is not going to be nearly as big of a factor in this Offense as I thought he would. I am not conceding the idea though that Washington still is going to be one of the X Factors for the 2023 Steelers.

 

Herbig reminds me of August Kuechly from Carolina in terms of his motor and his attitude. You see it in his face, he loves the game and goes at it 100% every play. Gotta love that mindset, reminds me of old school players.

 

What about broderick Jones?

 

Great thoughts. With regard to no. 10, at this point Mount Washington looks like an OT running routes and catching passes. Hopefully he can develop into a viable weapon over time, but there may be a valid reason a lot of teams took him off their boards. Not giving up on him yet, but at this point the UGA duo of Washington and Jones has failed to distinguish itself. But it’s VERY early in their respective careers.

 

Agreed.


Not giving up, at all, on either. That said, as I stated in point five, not just Offensive Lineman but Tight Ends also need an acclimation period. Pat Freiermuth was about as NFL Ready as one could ever get when he came in. Brock Bowers will likely be the most ready to come into the League in some time when he declares in 2024. Regardless, both Jones and Washington's ceilings and promise are immeasurable but their readiness is still a ways off.


2024 though will likely be a literal "Lift Off!!" for both!

 

He has mass - amundo - and he takes up space - real good space. And that right there is at least half his job. I figure we' ll see a lot more push out of him in the regular season as they develop him and cut him loose to tear it up. He's not getting pushed back or beat much, and he didn't look gassed when those around him did. I think he's got the stuff to be good for the long haul

 

If I was up against Washington in the end zone I'd hold him too! Heaven forbid ya let him turn around and catch the ball. He's a freakin wall! If all they do all season is hit him in the back with the ball and draw the interference penalty he'll be well worth the money. But yeah use him on short yardage 3rd dahns 'n' touchdahn plays 'n' 2 point conversions 'n'at and see what else we can develop him for. He's gonna pull a lot of coverage wherever he goes.

 

guess he has to work on his footwork for pass protection. looking like Moore starts at LT, maybe Jones takes over sometime during the season. I hope so, for a first round pick.

 

Unfortunately.. that is what a lot of DBs and LBs will have to face when facing Mt. Washington. Dude is not just ridiculously tall but ridiculously big as well. Add in the fact he is a freak of nature and there really isn't much an opposing player can do against him.

 

I wouldn't worry about Broderick Jones too much. For that matter, expect him to still see work via heavy jumbo packages for heavy rushing. Remember what Tomlin said about Jones after the draft; a Diaper Dandy. Dude's talent, promise and potential are all incomprehensible but the skill, discipline and technique are going to be very much a work in progress. 2024 is when we should worry should any of this continue at the minimum.

 

As AQL pointed out on the game thread, Jones looked hesitant. He is very talented, but he looks like a rookie out there right now. He just isn't ready.

 

Darnell Washington is 1 inch shorter than Zach Gentry and they are both 265lbS. Gentry is not seen as such a weapon though. Hoping Washington does indeed become what many expect.

 

both stat lines looked about the same except for trubiskys short TD (good pass) Trubs was playing it very conservative with the short passing game. At least MR had a little more success attacking downfield. From what I saw in replays both looked pedestrian. I still have more faith that MR can pull out a win if need be, rather than Trubisky - he’s better at attacking downfield - and our o line will be better able to protect

 

Lot of that is just going to be learning the playbook and the system, and getting familiar with those around him. If he's as smart as they make him out to be that shouldn't be a problem. And I like depth on the line. I like it when da Stillers can keep switching fresh guys in and out while the opposition has to keep their best guys out there all the time. That stands to be a value-added feature for Jones, especially in the inevitable dink'n'dunk eat-the-clock scenarios, which I have to face are not going to go away in the near future.