Spilane

its all speculation, pulling for UG III

 

tear me apart if yinz wish but here goes... Bush, although he had time to make the jump (unfortunate injury in tow) wasn't setting the barn ablaze year 2 so to speak himself in regards to expectations in the system athletic as he has been. There is above the line talent and there is football acumen. Spillane may not be the freak athlete in a whole 2 weeks worth of tape but he's game. Players make plays (VW) for example... They just fill their role! We've had good 40 times with bush and or shazier but the dreaded TEs and WR match ups continue to negate their speed... Have for years nothing new it's the system more than anything in my opinion. Dirty red physically never did what we've seen in 2 weeks nor could he accomplish what some speedster blue chips all the same.

Supposedly we just picked up via trade Avery Williamson from the Jets which I'm not opposed too more concerned about the trenches at the current.

 

Williamson is more than depth. He's a legit starter. Not a big play kind of guy but he's a sideline to sideline LB and a tackling machine. Also solid in pass coverage. High motor and plays really aggressive. Spillane's lack of speed and slow reaction was on full display today. They ran that college power sweep a bunch today and we couldn't stop it. NFL LB's should easily blow that play up but Spillane could not get to the outside and was eaten up by blockers quickly.

Spillane is a serviceable back up but he's an issue that teams will target. The Ravens were going after him today for a reason. Luckily their QB is horrible.

I would assume Williamson will be splitting time with Spillane for a couple weeks but I think he's a huge upgrade. I've read his biggest weakness is being overly aggressive at times and losing his gap. He's mediocre in pass protection but was not long ago considered one of the best run stopping ILB's in the league. Dick Lebeau loved him. He lost last season to injury but looks like he's coming back quickly on a horrible jets team. I'm thinking of him as a faster Vince Williams.

 

Welcome to Pittsburgh Williamson

 

One time Cam and Vince Switched off...When the RB lined up wide...

Cam kicked Vince out to #1 and Cam took the number 2 , which was Sneed I think

 

It looked to me that the D was totally gassed in the first half at times. They showed TJ between plays sucking wind like there was no tomorrow and I'd imagine this was due to the Offense not being able to do anything in the first half. Not sure what the TOP was for both teams in the 1st half but i'd wager that it was way lopsided in favor of the Rats to the point that it impacted overall speed of the players getting to where they needed to go. As am example, after the Rats got the ball back after the pick 6, and a piss poor call on 3rd down giving them a 1st, Ben was on the sideline for about 20 minutes until he was able to get in for the 1st time. It wasn't that much better until the 2nd half.

 

Hey MadtownDruankard.

I hope all is well in your World. All is good here. I do not think you and I have conversed lately.

Anyone that has read my posts over the summer and preseason know that I stated that this is the most "complete" Steelers’ team that I have seen in a long time. With that said, it is always contingent on players staying healthy. We lost Bush unfortunately and yes Spillane has played admirably. What he lacks in athleticism he makes up for in heart and grit. Good for him. A true Steelers’ prototype up and down.

I have heard a lot about Avery Williamson. Good for him, the Team and the Front Office. I would bet Spillane will still get some snaps still. He has earned them. Must have a healthy Heyward and Alaalu. We know how this goes. And it is not as simple as the “Next man up” mantra. For Bush and Spillane situation, okay. However, too many times to that “well” and the depletion on the starting line-ups will eventually rear its ugly head. We have to have Heyward and Alualu back and as soon as possible. It is imperative that their services are available.


STEELWINDS The East Side Kid

 

Williams could go back to the bench once AW gets up to speed and that wouldn't bother me a bit. We dump on skill and but he had 11 tackles in that game and a pick 6. Vince 5 tackles and 3 of those were assists and have up 6 in pass coverage. Where was our run stuffer in this one? Spillane flat out, out plays vince. I will say Vince is having a decent season so far but pretty average of below in most games. Up was a pretty low bar.

 

He is a pleasant surprise! Keep up the great work!

 

I was surprised to hear that Spillane was fined $4k for the hit on Henry. 10% of his game check. Slowing it down I see that he lowered his head.

 

https://triblive.com/sports/steeler...ert-spillane-slow-can-avery-williamson-cover/

Despite the big play last week, Spillane has not been good in coverage. I know people here like to rip Bush for his coverage, but he was much better in that area.

Williamson isn't very good in coverage, either, but he is good in pursuit. That lateral movement in run defense is one of Bush's strengths. It is a weakness for both Williams and Spillane. That may be where Williamson's primary value lies. Spillane is a hammer, but the Ravens were taking advantage of the lack of lateral mobility by the Steelers' inside linebackers last week. Spillane is just too similar to Williams.

To be fair, this is less of an issue against most opponents than it was against the Ravens. Most teams aren't going to have that kind of success running off tackle and outside because Watt and Dupree are going to blow those plays up much of the time. They were too focused on Jackson, which opened up those running lanes for Baltimore's backs.