Mid-Season...

IF we all remember, this team usually does not really get going until around games 5-8

Even with a suspect win in Tampa, keep looking forward because a lot of things can change in the positive

...but I'm worried about Boswell

 

I'm worried about the defense

 

why? can't get any worse

 

They'll find a way

 

I thought they played a good game. forced turnovers and had some pressure. They are what they are and they are not a shutdown defense. They gave the offense opportunities

 

There still giving up over 400 yards a game.. Yea the turnovers are nice but if that's what the defense is gonna be then they don't have much of a chance

 

I've noticed many defenses are terrible this year... it's not just the Steelers.

Hell... Vikings were supposed to have one of the top Ds and they got abused by the Bills and rookie QB, in their home stadium.

 

Clean up the penalties and you already have a much better D.

Of course, part of that would involve understanding the pass interference rules, and I don't think even Albert Einstein would be much help on that one...

 

Pass interference? Thigpen82, I think you mean roughing the passer rules, but I am guessing this team needs to review all the rules for penalties.

 

Dang, you're right. It's time for more coffee...

 

I told a buddy before the game that the key last night would be pressure, especially up the middle and I was pleased to see that in the first half. In my opinion, we should sell out to create pressure and if we get burned, so be it. Make the opposing QB make the perfect throw under duress. It was clear in the second half Tomlin/Butler were resigned to playing glorified prevent. We should have kept the foot on the gas. Our zone D sucks balls, it is what it is. Playing man and applying pressure will be the key to better results.

 

pressure right up the middle really helped force that Dupree pick 6. Didn't see who it was...

 

Defense, rather, cornerback is my greatest concern. We have a good one in Haden. Artie is looking more and more like a disappointment and I do not like the prospects of Coty in the slot moving forward should Hilton miss time.


Second biggest issue within the defense are the inside linebackers. Neither Williams nor Bostic are true three down linebackers who can play covergae. Why Matthew Thomas has not seen more snaps is something I have not the foggiest.

 

Nah...but more importantly....

 

I am worried about the fact we blew a 14 point lead against the Browns and almost a 20 point lead last night. So we need to now have a 30 point lead to win by a comfortable margin? Also, it seems funny to me how this team completely collapses on all phases of the game at the same time to consistently create this type of drama game in game out.

 

That was Big Dan, aka shade tree, right up the middle. Good stuff.

 

Steelers don't need to be a shut down defense, as let's face it not gonna happen, the talent level isn't there, not even close.. After 3 games we are averaging an allowed 30 points per game, we need to shave about 10 points off that average. A goal needs to being to be average 20. If we can make a team average 20, I like our chances that most times our offense is going to show up and score above that.

 

We're doomed

 

Without looking i'm gonna guess Chick.... he seemed to be getting into their backfield a bit.

There was pressure up the middle on the high-arc pass TD (to Evans?) where Sensabaugh was totally playing the man instead of the ball (had his back to the QB when that high arc launch went off.... I was SURE it would get defended but nope.... Coty looked like he was trying to take a nap on the guy's chest (evans did a decent job high pointing it though)

 

The offense just needs to score 40 points and all will be well.

 

My guess is closer to 50

 

The picks were nice to see and changed the outcome of game. One was bounced off a defenders helmet, one was the receiver pulled up or ran the wrong route and on the Dupree pick six it looked like big Dan if he didn t get to Fitz's arm he at least prevented him from following through resulting in the under throw for an easy six. They were not the classic read the play and break on the ball to steal it from the receiver, but who cares. At least two, the deflected ball in the red zone and the pick six were clearly a result of pressure.
We might not have the type of DB's other than Haden to make the play on the ball type of interceptions but pressure brings positive results. Turnovers are mistakes some forced and some not but hey we'll take it.

 

problem is good qb's wont turn over the ball so much lol, but teams with good defenses this year don't have crazy offense from what I have seen.

 

They played a good 1st half