My thoughts on preseason wk 1

1. I like the way the offense consistently attacked the middle of the field

2. I'll chalk it down to rust, but we definitely need to clean up the penalties and get more disciplined

3. All 3 qb's moved the ball, but Mason Rudolph is definitely the odd man out... hope we can get something for him instead of losing him for nothing

4. This o-line is looking like a really good crew from top to bottom

5. The defense has a chance to be special

6. The CB rm may be the deepest in the league

7. Not sure how lew nichols didn't get snatched from us last yr., but I really don't see him lasting with us this yr being stashed.... the kid is for real

8. There will be tough decisions to make at a few positions

 

I agree with most of this but I thought the O-line was a mess. Troy and Broderick looked like bad rookies.

Special teams was a disaster!

The D presented interesting looks and schemes which is a God-send from previous years.

RB is a tougher decision than QB except that QB is 100 times more important.

 

Agreed on the oline...but I didn't pick up on Broderick looking as bad as Troy did? Is a positive that he took the snaps he did coming back from injury at least.

 

# 2 is the answer to that

 

I don't agree that Mason is definitely the odd man out. Although trading him is the move I want them to make.

Rooney's prime directive is make the playoffs (or at least don't play meaningless regular season games).

Mason coming in and looking like a pro, completing almost every pass and running the O well is exactly what Rooney will want in a backup. Especially since he was playing against the best players GB put on the field.

The young guys did well, but the Steelers aren't prone to overreacting based on small sample sizes (to their credit).

Right after the game, the thing I was thinking was "I want to see Allar play early to see what he looks like against better competition".

But this morning, I think it's probably more important to see Howard play against better defenders. Allar's going to make the team anyway. The real two-dogs-one-bone situation is Mason vs Howard. And I think it's less of a competition (which I think Mason wins because he's an experienced vet). It's more of a Howard vs. expectations for a back up. And I hope we give him a chance to demonstrate his ability against the best defenders that other teams are willing to play in the preseason.

Re: OL. I'm waiting to see if people review the all-22 here (do they have all-22 film for preseason games?). I'd like to hear about Cook and Jones in particular. And hopefully Max can play next week.

 

Rust can explain pre-snap pen

Not sure, constant late hits and holding on returns is something these guys have known since the age of 8. It looks like special teams has failed with discipline thus far in training camp.

Pre-snap penalties are simply jitters and inexperience.

 

He did play all or most of the game and I was really happy to see that but he got beat several times by guys who may not make the GB team.

 

Well Bags is gone. Now the middle of the field is open for business. Amazing what a real offensive system looks like...

 

I'm sure this was in the preseason game thread, but how about that screen! Gave me all the feels.

 

I agree but because of "Run it Back" Rooney II who i'm sure will nudge McCarthy to keep Mason due to his being a vet.

Its early for the two young QB's who both played exceptionally well especially Allar. Although Allar who was hand picked by McCarthy has a roster spot.

I don't see Mason getting much play on the trade market.

 

Special teams is a complete tear down and rebuild. Most of the guys know Danny Smith's way and have to forget everything he taught them in favor of the new way. I think there will continue to be growing pains.

 

Lew Nichols is clearly the 3rd best RB on the roster and Eli is more versatile than Johnson. I just don't see Kaleb making the team. What a swing and a miss he was by being picked in the 3rd round just last year.

 

I'm sure that is absolute fact but again, late hits and holding on returns is not something that changes from one coach to another

 

Yes the rookie Qbs looked good but this is still preseason. Its very different from the real game when starters are going 100 percent.

Mason is the only guy under 40 with any real game experience when the “bullets are real” they should keep him, he played well yesterday.

 

Must say, it was odd not seeing Mike T. on the sidelines.

 

All one has to consider is his play away from the team...... how was he when given the chance with other teams....
Keeping someone simply for their veteran status isn't exactly conducive to success

 

If by odd, you mean refreshing, I agree!! LOL

 

he played on a lousy Titans team. Every Qb looked bad on that team. He played well coming off the bench for us. Well see, 2 more pre season games.

 

Being a packers game he seemed to be on the wrong sideline

 

I thought all 3 QBs played well. And I know it was against the other team's scrubs but Allar stood out among the group. His play surprised me. He was decisive. Quick decisions. And effortless throws. And athletic. He certainly has ALL the physical tools you want in a franchise QB. As long as he has the mental will and drive to win.

Mason is an ok vet backup. But I just don't see anything to get excited about. He's not what I'd call a mobile QB. Everything just looks and feels a little slower to me when he's playing. But he probably won't make the mistakes a rookie would make.

If this was my team, Mason would be gone and I'd be doing everything I could to see which rookie is better. And yes, Howard is still essentially a rookie, even if not by definition.

 

1.) Young QBs looked the part last night. Drew needed it the most given what he has went through. One game down and two to go.

2.) Lewis Nichols played well. Looking forward to more.

3.) Danny Crossman has his work cut out for him for the remainder of the Preseason.

4.) Jamin Davis true home is at ILB. Way too stiff at EDGE.

5.) Troy Fautanu has been a penalty machine all Training Camp. That bled into Game 1. Has to lock in for Game 2.

6.) Cook cannot handle speed to power; an observation I correctly made last season and continues to hold weight today.

7.) Daylen Everette started slow but locked in quickly. Definitely looking forward to more from him.

8.) Asante Samuel Jr's performance shouldn't surprise anyone. What will be surprising is if he is the team's best Corner by seasons end.

9.) Derrick Harmon was stout in the running game but way too quiet in the passing game. Yahya Black needs to improve his leverage but his power and strength are legitimate weapons.

10.) I had Germie Bernard and Robert Spears Jennings ranked way above the national average. Last night was confirmation from what I saw on tape from both. Jennings still needs to improve his Play Recognition in Zone but his run support is a legitimate weapon.

 

Titans offense was a poor man's Matt Canada offense with a weak line and weaker WRs. If McCarthy determines that Howard is better than Cooper Rush, and if the Steelers need Mason's $4 million for the Porter, Jr. extension, only then can I see Rudolph being cut.

 

Steelers are searching for another DB. For my money, Isaiah Pola Mao makes too much sense. Super versatile but a weapon as a Big Nickel along with being a solid Strong Safety. I wouldn't mind inquiring about him.


Agreed about Eli. A shame for I had him rated a lot higher than most people did; a 5th Round Grade for me. That said, him sticking on the Practice Squad and learning more about an NFL Offense like double M will do him good for the future.