Preseason week 1 gamethread :Packers vs steelers

@Formerscribe

 

They signed another former Steelers QB in Josh Dobbs.

 

They can get rid of some cap by releasing Malik Harrison.

 

Difficult to say at this point - it will be interesting if we get to see Allar and Howard against some of the first string defenses. Both Rudolph and Howard looked pretty similar. Allar looked the most in control and impressive, but it was the second half.

I would be fine with letting Rudolph go based on last night alone, but like I say, need to see more. I agree that Howard doesn't stay here if he's put on the PS.

 

The reason to keep Mason would be if we are legit contenders and want an experienced backup. We are not so I’m fine with letting him go as long as Howard continues to play well in the next two.

 

Wasn't able to watch or hear the game (grrrr). Glad to hear Howard and Aller did well. That's exciting at this point. My real question though, is how did Eli do????

I want this kid to make it and make it big!!!

 

I heard he’s real smart like an Astronaut.

 

The thing I want them to do is to trade Mason for a late round pick and keep the young guys. Same as I wanted before this game.

For that to happen, I think Howard has to play well against good competition so they feel comfortable having him as a backup.

Hopefully Mason playing well helps his trade value too.

Would help the Steelers if there were injuries or suspensions on another team to increase demand.

I think this is more of a rebuilding / look to the medium term kind of play. And that hasn't been the Steelers MO in forever. So my guess is they keep Mason and cut one of the young QBs / try to get them to the PS.

 

Not very well.

Got in late and didn't do much.

9 carries for 21 yards. Long of 4.

He's probably a PS guy. Good story though. But you never know...there's still a bunch of preseason left.

I think it's guys like him that got hurt when the league cut the extra PS game. IMO, should have kept it and somehow put a cap on snaps across the preseason...maybe that number scales with how many regular season games you dressed for or something.

 

All I was looking for was smooth execution and signs of good coaching, win/lose or draw.


The Game:
Penalties 11-134yds. Too much. There were 5 penalties on the first unit although the holding penalty on the first TD was bogus.
Overall, a little sloppy.
Sacks 3-19. 2 sacks were on Mason. The newly align OL didn't appear to be smooth but to their credit, the first unit seemed to get better before the subs came in.
Execution. There were a couple dumb mistakes. Black ad 2 as I recall. The roughing the passer was bogus as he was trapped by a Green Bay blocker but admittingly, he did keep his hands on the QB... Still, it's a silly penalty.
The roughing the Center was questionable. I think it was more the Refs trying out that call. The defense still held GB to a FG.
Turnovers: Gotta admit, I expected a couple. They did not, though Howard tossed one that 1st team defense would have grabbed.
Run game. I was not impressed. Nichols was the better of this group. OL didn't help a lot though they did get better as the game went on.
Coaching - There was a mistake or two on ST's.. Crossman will get that right. I think overall, it seemed like the team is better coached.

My Key Players - I say as a whole, the team did well but some are noteworthy.
Bernard - Roman who? Bernard just looks like a veteran WR. This is a good draft pick.
Tonyan - He was key for Howard and that TD, he made a nice grab but needs to work on his footwork. By no means is that a ding, that was a tough catch.
Howard - He doesn't have the arm Allar has but he gets the ball in the right places. He did have a very stupid throw that luckily wasn't picked off. 1st team defenses would have though.
Allar - OK, it is against 3's. Still Allar made the right reads and was smooth. I'd like to see him get some reps with the 1's.
Mason - Mason runs hot or cold. Allar can make him expendable if continues to develop. He'll make those throws that can dazzle you but follow them up with crap.
Rubio on defense looks like a great rotational guy. His play kind of reminds me of "the beard."
Wetjen - I think he's a multitool. There's some potential there for sure. (probably make Wilson even more expendable)
Samuel - I knew he was good. I followed him as a Charger and at Florida. I was unsure if he would recover from the injury, but he is playing with fire and has been all through camp.

Edge players
Carson Bruener - I am rooting for him. 101% effort guy.
Jamin Davis - I personally watched him fail in Washington. He just never played to potential. I did see a player that I was not used to seeing. All camp he just sort of fitted in but he had a decent game. I hope this continues as his athleticism is pretty darn good.

We should get a little better picture over the next 2 games. I was not disappointed here, for a change the offense looked capable and the defense seems like it has some potential to be pretty good.

 

You would of thought

But I am still not reading much into it

 

How does it have any affect on the OL

You still have to execute the play

 

A great RB can make a mediocre line look good. Just like a bad running back can make a Good O-Line look bad.

The O-line can block perfectly, but if the RB hits the wrong hole, does not wait for the hole to open and tries to run outside too early,the running game plans are thrown right out the window. This was noted a few times in last nights game where the block was good, the running back just went to the wrong side of the block. The Troy Fauntana sack given up, was actually the RBs mistake according to Merril Hoge.

 

I made that post about halftime. Kaleb Johnson would play in last nights game when the 3rd team came on in the middle of the 3rd QTR. I did not know Kaleb Johnson had been demoted to the 3rd team.

Also, I was not impressed with Travis Homer at all running with the 1st team last night. I still like Big Lew's power running; the guy can just move the pileforward.

 

So who is the guy in red glued to Rodgers