The Official Steelers Training Camp Thread 2026 the new era begins

I think the AI got you on this one...or maybe that's the joke?

Either way, I laughed.

 

Especially the stuff with no OL/DL.

But it still looks good for the O IMO.

And the placement of the ball you showed from Howard looks really good. It would be amazing for the team if he (or Allar) turns into something.

 

I just do not get the deployment of inside linebackers or 3rd and long. Last year it was an unmitigated disaster. Queen was victimized in convergence, and P. Wilson was just a little better.

Might a safety have done a better job? I tend to think they would. Situation football favors the coach who understands the game and situation.

On 3rd-and-5 or longer overall, teams run the ball only 15–20% of the time. That is. Now ask yourself who is better in coverage: a safety or a linebacker? Unless your linebacker is Ryan Shazier...
Last year under Tomlin's boobery we had a 6 foot tall, not so fast linebacker covering wide receivers and deployed on the field as the nickel and dime defender who made few plays vs the pass. Our soft middle was an open secret and easily exposed. Tight ends and wide receivers ate him alive.

Well see what type of DC coach Graham is. Right now Holcomb is our best pass defending linebacker in the early phases of camp. Maybe he should have seen the field in 2025 more often in pass situations?

 

We certainly sucked at 3rd (and 4th) down conversions last year. Odd because it just cratered from the year before. Hopefully we can get back to normal in that regard.

Interesting that you think Holcomb is the best of the three ILBs at defending passes. My guess is that he's 3rd of 3, with his strength being more run D. But who knows?