Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig

The debate is over Highsmith is the better player he has missed a few games, but he has probably been their best defensive player this season.

 

That is my knock against Highsmith.
He really hasn't been as good as he was that contract year.
But I have to back off my words some, he is a very good 'complimentary' OLB.
When TJ is playing to his normal level, Highsmith can turn it up to wreck the offenses.
But he is not a spotlight player.

If Sawyer is can gain the offenses attention, Highsmith will play well.
I'm hearing TJ will still be a no-go for the finale. Not good news at all.

 

So Highsmith is the Digest Steelers player of the week?

 

If Sanders would have walked over and handed the ball to Herbig it couldn't have been easier.

 

It's true that we probably win if Herbig takes it to the house there.

But the loss is on the woeful offense IMO. And on the FO that thought having only one NFL WR for the second year in a row was a good idea. After we got screwed in basically the same manner last year (although it was GP getting hurt rather then DK being suspended).

 

Both will be invisible week 18

 

Remember when everyone wanted Herbig to start?

Adorable.

 

I don't know how or why said discussion even got traction in the first place. Alex Highsmith has been beat up all to hell for three seasons now. That said, Nick Herbig will never come close to what Highsmith offers in the run game.


Long story short?! Nick Herbig is a DPR (Designated Pass Rusher). Alex Highsmith is a true 3-4 OLB. End of discussion.

 

If Highsmith can stay healthy he is a damn good player. Herbig has dropped off second half of the season

 

I was just thinking this season when Herbig got his chance to start not much production from him, maybe earlier in the season but he hasn't done much lately.

 

Jack Sawyer, who isn't half the athlete that Nick is, has a better chance to turn into a 3-4 OLB. Right now, Jack is a DRD (Designated Run Defender). He is still working on his pass rush plan but it has gotten better.

One good Offseason and Jack can easily be a rock solid rotational piece.

 

i know herbig is far better from the right side but they played him in watts spot all day. you had two guys that are better on the right side of the defense. makes a difference.

 

There is no debate. Highsmith is a much better player. He showed it in these last three games without Watt. He has been outstanding in them. Herbig missed one and had little impact in the other two. Yes, the dropped interception is a huge mark against Herbig. He disappears a lot. The thing that makes that tolerable is his stepping up with the occasional huge play. He got an easy one and failed to take advantage. It's not fair to blame the defense for the loss Sunday, but some of it definitely falls on Herbig.

 

So far Cap’n Jack has shown to be pretty durable as well.

 

Herbig was not 100% yesterday and you could see he was a step slower, a fraction behind when analyzing plays, and catching a gift pick 6.

 

Yup. Even with the ugly whiff on a tackle in the backfield early on, Highsmith was the best player on the field for the Steelers all game long. None of their defenders has been better this past month.

 

Herbig has gone five games without getting a sack.

 

When healthy Highsmith is good. Honestly, with TJ's drop-off.

Between the four: TJ, Highsmith, Herbig, Sawyer...we can stand to lose one and still be successful.

 

LoL, I will necro post this next year about this time.
Again Highsmith shows up when Watt is not there, Yet when has he done this when Watt is there???
Which makes me believe he's not trying as hard when Watt is playing, or is it just coincidence that his only two really good years is when Watt isn't playing??

 

Nick should have not tried to catch it as the ball would have wedged into his facemask had he just let it go.

 

I’ll mark my calendar

 

Dudes around here turning on Herbig as fast as they turned on Highsmith. Fickle crowd.

 

It never takes long...

 

Jack is already a soild rotational piece. Dude make big plays.