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My view on the Steelers moving forward

Discussion in 'Steelers Talk' started by numbah58, Sep 17, 2013.

  1. numbah58

    numbah58 Staff Member Mod Team

    1,856
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    Oct 16, 2011
    I'll be the first to admit that the Steelers have looked pretty bad from preseason game #1 to the present. No wins and not much to be encouraged about for any in the immediate future. Our offense is a shell of it's former self and let's be honest, they weren't world beaters before. The defense limits the damage pretty darn well but can't get to the QB or force turnovers.
    On the bright side, our OL DID play better last night and we were a few plays away from a winning performance IMO. I like the infusion of youth in our defense. I think it could benefit some of the "older" guys by bringing energy and enthusiasm as well as having to coach-up these "rooks". JJ needs to play exclusively as our ROLB and I think Vince Williams will play with more certainty and bring a physical presence with more game experience. He looked like a deer in headlights at times but was near the ball a lot. I expect his game tape to get better quickly as he settles into his role. I like where we're headed on that side of the ball.
    Our ST's was vastly improved to anything I've witnessed over the last several years. I'm encouraged about that.
    On the Offensive side of the ball, I expect this offensive line to gel and Velasco's experience to be a big part of that. He played well last night IMO. We need to get Moye and Wheaton more snaps. I like Moye on the outside and think he should see an increase in his workload. Our running game, oh man the running game. I'm going to say this. You can't run the football with 3 guys that shouldn't even be in the league. Yes we've had some big issues running the football but what I saw last night was RB after RB miss the cutback, be late getting the ball where it needed to go or simply not have the vision needed to run in the NFL. I don't think it was on the O-line last night. We're missing a blue-chip RB for the moment and rumor has it that we may have one on the mend. I think Bell is the X factor for this season. If he's what we hope he is then we could turn this around pretty quickly. Let's hope for a healthy return sooner than later.
    I expect us to play better as the season moves forward and to make a run at the playoffs. This team has talent and with this "youth movement", it could instill some energy and enthusiasm that's very much needed IMO. I think the future looks good for the Pittsburgh Steelers. There may be some bumps moving forward with some of these young guys but I like the direction that the organization is taking.

    Thoughts?
     
    numbah58, Sep 17, 2013
    numbah58, Sep 17, 2013
    #1
  2. shaner82

    shaner82 Well-Known Member

    11,348
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    Oct 16, 2011
    You're putting a lot of faith in a rookie RB that has 4 career carries. If you're expecting him to single-handedly improve our offence, well I think you're in for a rude awakening. We have more problems than just crappy RB's. It would be nice if a rookie RB could have that much effect on the team, but it's just not realistic.

    I think Bell is in for a miserable year when he does get healthy, because he's going to have nowhere to go
     
    shaner82, Sep 17, 2013
    shaner82, Sep 17, 2013
    #2
  3. numbah58

    numbah58 Staff Member Mod Team

    1,856
    29
    Oct 16, 2011
    You can ride the OL if you want but they weren't the issue last night. If Bell doesn't have more talent than the 3 we're trotting out there then we made a terrible mistake taking him in the 2nd round. I expect him to be a big upgrade in the run game.
     
    numbah58, Sep 17, 2013
    numbah58, Sep 17, 2013
    #3
  4. lovembig

    lovembig Well-Known Member

    1,197
    4
    Oct 30, 2011
    i will start by saying that i love AB and Sanders, but the fact that they are #1 & #2 on the depth chart is terrible. they dont have a #1 wr right now. they are both small possession type wrs. Ben gets a lot of heat, but he has no receivers that he can trust to just throw the ball to knowing they will come down with the catch. they need to get Moye and Wheaton into the game and see what they can do. they already payed AB big money and i hope they dont do the same with Sanders. i do like Sanders, but not as a #2 guy. i think AB and Sanders should be fighting for the #3 receiver spot and on most good teams thats what they would be doing.

    the rb situation is even worse. Dwyer, Redman and Jones are all decent backs, but behind their oline they have zero chance. a lot of people around here are hoping Bell is the savior, but i dont see it. he has 4 NFL carries and hes been pretty brittle so far. the real problem is the oline. if they can ever get that fixed, i think they have decent enough rbs.

    the defense. oh the defense. i know this is the side of the ball that can do no wrong in most peoples eyes. to me they are OK, but nothing great. they dont get to the qb. 1 sack in 2 games and they dont force turnovers. 0 in 2 games. this is not just them off to a slow start. this is a trend that goes back to last season. they are just good enough to keep other teams from pouring it on, but they have no play makers.

    last night the defense batted a few passes into the air. when you watch the Bears for instance, when a ball is tipped into the air that defense is swarming that ball and they usually come away with it. when you watch the Steelers and the ball is tipped into the air most of the defenders have no idea where the ball is and it usually hits the ground. they have no ball hawks.

    i think Haley has done a terrible job with this offense and i know the Rooneys dont usually fire guys during the season, but i think changes need to be made and they need to be made quickly. this season is not over yet, but this team is facing an 0-4 start. time to make some changes.
     
    lovembig, Sep 17, 2013
    lovembig, Sep 17, 2013
    #4
  5. steelers5859

    steelers5859 Well-Known Member

    2,882
    68
    Oct 23, 2011
    The OL was the issue last night. When you can't run the ball, Ben running for his life, Adams getting lifted off the ground, DeCastro block with his back turn toward Atkins and Gilbert getting push back into Ben lap I think the OL was the issue. Yeah it was other factors but this group is the worst we've had in a long long time.

    the defense doesn't get pass because they are not creating turnovers. And it's not there fault it's the defensive mind set of the defensive coordnator. "Tackle the catch" and "don't get beat deep". How about "strip the ball" and attack the ball" "look for the ball" and "hit the ball so it comes out".
     
    steelers5859, Sep 17, 2013
    steelers5859, Sep 17, 2013
    #5

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