Chase Claypools first NFL catch EVER!

Love him or hate him, he did get the most from this circus.

He should get credit for this rather than blame.

 

Hope to see Primus (Claypool) gets some snaps tomorrow.

 

Hey STEELWINDS

I think a 24pt a game offense will be enough with this year's defense.
Ben needs to play intelligently. Turtle when needed, don't go stat padding for himself or his receivers, stay in one piece. This defense can help him like his SB defense did.

 

What fun would that be?...

 

I think Claypool gets his first TD this week.

 

Hey Roonatic.

Kind of a long post for the morning but hey it is game day so.... let's go!

Actually, I was going to say twenty-five points but that thirty point per game statement constantly echoes in my ears. I really like this Defense a lot. I know we did a great job against the run the other night against the Giants. Given that, you may recall awhile back my advocating for a Casey Hampton prototype NT. I still would like to see that. I was hoping that we were going to go after Poe. Staying on the NT subject for a minute here, what do you know about the rookie Carlos Davis? He would seem to fit the prototype of sorts which I am looking for in our NT. Any thoughts?

Quick Bio point on Davis as you may know I am a Track & Field Coach and I like the versatility of athletic abilities with our players: He captured the Missouri H.S. State Championship Track & Field titles in 2015 for shot put and discus. Also excelled at the Collegiate level.

I believe this is the most complete Defense that we have fielded in a while. Historically, the Secondary has been the "weak spot". I think that this area has been addressed big time with the acquisitions of Haden, Nelson, and Fitzpatrick. Edmunds, as we know, is not there yet. I am pulling for the young man big time. He has all of the athletic tools as we know, however the transfer onto the field has not taken place yet. If it does, then I say "Watch out". This can truly be a shut-down Defense.

I realize that in most game situations there has to be a trade off of sorts. Against the Giants we opted to shut down the run and we did a great job. However, this was at the expense of giving up some passing plays. I am not exactly sure of the statistics but I read/heard that we gave up some unacceptable 3rd down pass plays. I am not sure who/what is to "blame" for that.

I am not sure why some on here are bashing Nelson for giving up a TD the other day. Ok, it happens. He gave up one all of last season I believe. Maybe he has now fulfilled his quota for the season and he is good to go (smile). I think we are very fortunate to have gotten him. He did not get much recognition last season given how outstanding he played. Let him give up a TD and some are all over him. Not fair at all! Another issue that I brought up a while ago, as did others, is the construction of our secondary. Yes, we seem to be pretty good at drafting WRs but underachieving at drafting secondary personnel for whatever reason.

The statistics as I recall were something like the drafting of a total of fourteen secondary personnel under the Tomlin administration and all with the exception of Keenan Lewis, were "flops". That is totally unacceptable. I am not putting all of the blame on Tomlin but he does have a say in these matters and YES (not shouting at you Roonatic) his background is that of a Secondary Specialist of sorts. Someone once argued that with me here. I did my digging of resume work and yes it goes all the way back to his first internship coaching jobs. In the hierarchy of specialties or at least experience, the Secondary is Tomlin's forte.

My suggestion has been, and some may not like it, seek out proven players from other teams and go after them. That is what we did with Haden, Nelson and Fitzpatrick and it has worked out well. No shame in admitting what needs to be done. A good administrator, one who wants respect, admits his/her shortcomings. Otherwise, find better scouting personnel to rectify this abysmal recruiting record of Secondary personnel. This has go on for way too long.


Okay, well have a great day and as always, Go Steelers!


STEELWINDS The East Side Kid

 

Props to Claypool. Kid looks like the real deal.

 

he should get more snaps, maybe a little less 2 tight end set and more 4 receiver sets as thats when he plays.