what needs to change, and how

No amount of cape wearing Dupree romance fiction will change the fact that the Steelers defense did what they have been doing all year. Just missing the turnover or a Minkah stop to seal the game. A. Smith had one of his better games.

 

Somebody explain to me the purpose of signing Derrick Watt again? It's like Colbert gave Tomlin a new toy and Tomlin just went ok thanks throw it in the pile, maybe I'll play with it.

Just a complete waste.

 

Tomlin's trying to corner the market on Watts. Edmunds will be next.

 

Many articles stating the WFT's D knew what was coming and this got me thinking when I heard that before. My memory is fading and no surprise that WE knew opposing D's were aware last year with our limited O. However within the last couple of years in important games I am sure we heard the same type of reporting, that the O was simply to predictable. This the situation we are in, with no running game, no real long ball threat, the D sits and waits like sharks on a feeding frenzy.

The problem is not even a willingness to change as much as not having the persons to enact that change. I agree with the OP's assessment and those things may help and actually work, but the O line is still horrible for the run, and our RB's are just not that good.

 

Watt whiffed badly on a 4th & 1. Tomlin might be privy to his progress when not on the injured list.

 

Maybe having one more playmaker helps create that turnover. Dupree does have a couple of forced fumbles, and more pressure can lead to interceptions. Please don't misrepresent my posts like that again. It takes the discussion in an unproductive direction. I get it. You refuse to accept that Dupree has become an impact player. That I do see it is not romance fiction.

 

Take it the way you will Scribe, hard to argue against facts. What you see Dupree doing in what if scenarios has no bearing on what happens. Still dreaming up AB contributions that will never exist?

 

Agreed. Watt has been useless on offense. He is a bust. I don't think that is the fault of how he is being used. He isn't getting the job done even when they do play him.

 

My argument is based on the facts. It is based on the impact Dupree has had all season. With Dupree in the lineup, they got eight sacks from the edge rusher on the weak side. Without him, they got none. With Dupree, they had the league leader in quarterback pressures from the weak side. Without him, the only time they got pressure from that spot was a double-blitz of Spillane and Hilton early in the game.

Drawing in irrelevant arguments like Brown is just more evidence that your argument has failed.

 

This is how a more sophisticated Pimply Dan would have said it 15 years ago.

 

He has. I think most of it though is due to the impact of watt on the opposite side but Dupree still has been balling. He is missed.

 

I don't want to say this because it sounds stupid, but it sounds like they only signed Derrick because he is a Watt.

 

Bud is a massive loss IMO. I can’t imagine why anybody would argue otherwise but we are all entitled to our opinions. He did benefit from Watt, Tuitt and Heyward alongside him but so what, he was still productive.

Highsmith has potential but the drop off from Bud right now given where they are in their respective careers is steep and it hurts the Steelers a lot imo. What a pity for Bud and the team.

 

The other way the absence of Dupree showed up Monday was the communication issues on defense. The unit was missing four starters by the end of the night. That unit had mostly been able to work together since the loss of Bush.; The exception was getting Hilton back into the mix. That cohesion was lost with four new starters by the end of the game and it showed.

 

I'll see your Ron Erhardt, and raise you a Joe Walton and a Ray Sherman.

 

My argument has been that the loss will not be as significant as people are fearing. The Steelers will have their 50+ sack machine with Highsmith or whomever mans rolb. Losing Dupree is not Humpty Dumpty for this defense, not with their scheme. Bush going down hurt has had an impact on the running game, not having Dupree will have an impact but the Steelers will find the sacks, qb pressures. His importance to what this defense can accomplish is way down the list imo.

 

It sounds like Watt hasn't been healthy enough to mesh with our spectacular attempts at running the football. Hard to use him when on the injured list or when the team likes 5 wide to pick up a yard.

 

They will still get sacks, pressures, and quarterback hits, but they will not get as many as they would have had with Dupree. That is the part you are missing. We already saw it against Washington. The opportunity for more pressure on Smith was there, but Highsmith wasn't able to take advantage. Hopefully, he gets better, but for one game, his results as a pass rusher were poor.

 

I like winning streaks very much

 

That wasn't code breaking that was cliff notes being handed out as study aides. Heckbteams don't even have to run blitz just count to four and the line will open pathes for you straight to their back. Same on defense too, they come in wanting to be their own man but by the 2nd half its lets find the soft zone coverage in the middle between Williams and Edmunds all day.

 

In theory, sure. I guess this was a game that Dupree makes the difference. No holes in that argument.

 

Ron knew how to set up a screen pass, thing of beauty.

 

The only thing stopping any of that from working effectively is Ben having to be under center more than he is comfortable with at the moment. I agree with all of it too btw. Some of the few times Watt has been in to lead block I saw he have to bail on the designed play because either Chuks didn't seal his man to the inside, Ebron missed his block or the pulling guard chose the wrong man. A one point during Mondays game Fieler pulled to the right, the back followed him and then Fieler stopped did engage the block and Bostic(pretty sure it was him) slid around him and tackled the RB for minimal gain.

Ebron I think in order to avoid it being a huge tell is kept out there because he is a threat when he holds on to the ball but also as to not give away run or pass by swapping out he and Mac. But he is so poor at blocking it is the reverse.

 

Why,simple he signed on the dotted line.The whole problem is the offensive play calling needs a kick in the balls!Conner is no Jerome Bettis,he is the best we have.We have some of the fastest receivers in the NFL,use them!For Watt,use him old Steeler way,pound the ball!Give him a chance.I was pissed off at the loss too.Horrible play calling on both sides of the ball.Live and learn,they will rebound!I know this team can win the superbowl!The offense and defense coaches should go back to the film room and look at Bill Cowers play calling!These two coaches we have dont know Steeler football!Learn it or leave!One Todd Haily is enough!For all those steeler players I believe in you!Been a steeler fan since 1975.Play like there is no tomorrow,Remember Believe!Win or loose,still a fan till I die!