Official Preseason Game 3 thread. Titans Vs. Steelers

When guys are playing right now really doesn't mean much outside of the lines and the key starters.

I'd also argue that Fort should be playing good in preseason against backups. He's going into his 6th year. his 4th with the Steelers.

Matakevich is just entering his 3rd year and his second year he was playing hurt. He also had a solid game. That was a tough pass to defend to the TE anyway.

Thomas, as we all know, is a rookie with great measurables that should translate well "if" he can get the technique and mental aspect down. There's a reason he was undrafted. We can all hope he's that diamond in the rough, that can step up the first year and make an impact sooner rather than later. I don't think he makes it to the practice squad with what he's putting on tape though.

 

If I’m calling the shots Fort and Thomas are making the 53 and Matakevich is gone.
Of course I’m solely basing this on what I’ve seen on tv which is only a very small part of evaluating a player.

 

I checked the stats. DHB had zero catches. We’re they using him as a decoy or did he play safety?

 

And Dupree had one tackle. Also a decoy?

 

I agree.

People get emotional about certain players; not saying that is the case in arguments I have seen that are pro Dirty Red. He plays hard, he works hard, but I think he is simply not athletic enough. Hard work and dedication can only take a player so far. I hope I'm wrong, because I like the kid, but I think we've seen the best we are going to see out of #44.

 

Dupree's only hope is to become a effective "slash" LB . He isn't a legitimate pass rusher at this point and I don't know if he ever will be. I've been clearly more impressed from what I've seen from Adams and OA and even Huguenin especially considering their lack of experience. Dupree's future beyond this season is in serious doubt considering his contract status.

 

If I had to guess now, they will keep four inside linebackers. That means at least one out of Thomas and Fort makes the team.

Matakevich is far enough into his career that he should be playing well against backups, too, but he really didn't. If they feel like Matakevich really does have that much more of a grasp of the defense than the others and that is a priority in a reserve, then I'm sure he will make the team. I'm just not sure how much evidence we really have of that grasp of the defense. What we have is a lot of film showing Matakevich being too slow to get the job done. We also have Thomas getting a lot more playing time early in the game yesterday, which suggests that he has moved ahead of Matakevich on the depth chart.

Matakevich was the worst of the three yesterday. That much was clear.