What went right, what went wrong-Steelers vs NY Giants

[stillers4me]

Dri Archer....to quote Chidi "as advertised"

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[stillers4me]

I felt bad for Martavis Bryant. It certainly wasn't the way he envisioned his first game to be. He's a project...hopefully he can learn from the mistakes.


Martavis Bryant's night is over, and that's the best part of it
It's only one game.

That has to be the thought process for Pittsburgh Steelers (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/pittsburgh-steelers) WR Martavis Bryant (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/players/245352/martavis-bryant) this morning when he gets up and puts on his clothes. One game, his first game, a 20-16 pre-season loss to the New York Giants (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/new-york-giants) won't make or break him after a night where he was good at times, but not so much in others.


Bryant's night looked like this. One catch for 19 years on a 4th down play. Two pass interference penalties drawn deep downfield. Two muffed punts, one lost. One drop and one key fumble in the final two minutes that killed a potential game winning drive.

This performance won't make his highlight reel I'm sure...........

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/pittsburgh-steelers-opinions-reactions-news-updates/2014/8/10/5987785/steelers-martavis-bryant-giants-preseason-week-1-news-updates

[stillers4me]

Ups And Downs Of Preseason OpenerJim Wexell
The Steelers didn't score an offensive touchdown, and their first team was gashed by a 73-yard run, but Jim Wexell found some positives.
From the notebook of a sportswriter who can report the good news that the Steelers suffered no injuries in their preseason opener, and the bad news that ...
* The offense didn't just sputter, it gurgled.

* Not that I expected much after Ben Roethlisberger (http://pit.scout.com/a.z?s=68&p=8&c=1&nid=7827586) played his lone series and drove the Steelers 70 yards for a field goal.

* Bruce Gradkowski (http://pit.scout.com/a.z?s=68&p=8&c=1&nid=7827584) quarterbacked four series and compiled 103 yards without scoring.

* Landry Jones (http://pit.scout.com/a.z?s=68&p=8&c=1&nid=7827580) quarterbacked six series and compiled 78 yards and scored six points.

* Jones' unit converted 2 of 7 third downs, and both were via penalty. And the field-goal drives were for 1 yard and 62 yards, the latter drive thanks to a 47-yard pass interference on an underthrown deep ball.

* Jones had a chance to rally the Steelers when his fumble on a third-down scramble was negated by a defensive holding penalty, but Martavis Bryant (http://pit.scout.com/a.z?s=68&p=8&c=1&nid=7827612) fumbled after a 19-yard gain on fourth-and-6.

* Gradkowski might be able to win games in reserve with the first team. Might. But taking command of a second-team unit in preseason games appears to be out of his realm.

* Jones is showing little to nothing. The Steelers are in trouble if Roethlisberger goes down. We haven't been able to say that since he entered the league.

* We could've said it last year, in retrospect, but that's when Gradkowski was still the guy who beat the Steelers for the Oakland Raiders (http://oak.scout.com/) and Jones was a rookie fourth-round pick. But neither has gotten much better.
* I know. It's early............

read more @ http://pit.scout.com/2/1432316.html

[Shoes]

I honestly don't know what people expect from Jones or Grad, they haven't played football since last preseason for cryin out loud! As for Ben going down and the Steelers being in trouble, that could be said for any team with a top 10 QB.

[st33lersguy]

Martavis Bryant needs A LOT of work, hopefully Landry Jones never plays a down for the Steelers, and the 73 yard touchdown run is a massive concern. Like Dri Archer though

[86WARD]

I wouldn't say the 73-yard run is a massive concern. They played well after that.

[BigNastyDefense]

I am really not worried.

First off, it's preseason. Everything is plain. Nobody is showing an exotic look on either side of the ball. The most exotic thing most coaches will do this time of year is some fake punts and field goals, just to put it on film so teams at least have to THINK about it. But few teams, if any, will tip their hand to a new formation that they've been working on.

That long TD run, from the replays I have seen, it looks like Timmons was held big time on that play. Don't forget, preseason isn't just for the players, it's also for the officials. They might officiate practices through camp, but that's totally different from officiating a game. In the regular season, that may get called back (or not, depending on the crapola rating of the officials).

I don't know what anyone expects from Gradkowski or Jones. Once camp ends, they see very limited snaps. I think Gradkowski can win games if Ben goes down (which I hope he doesn't, he gives us the best chance to win). But I think Gradkowski can come in, lean on the running game, and not screw up long enough to win a game or two. If Jones had to play, we would be screwed. I don't know if he just can't make the adjustment to the NFL or if he just gets so few reps that he's unable to develop. All I know is that if he doesn't show something after this season, he might not make the 53 next season.

Bryant is a guy with RAW talent. He was a fourth round pick for a reason. Give him time, and he could develop into one heck of a receiver. But don't expect him to be Antonio Brown as a rookie. We've gotten lucky with some of these later round receiver picks. But even AB and Wallace had to develop a bit before playing significant roles in the offense. I don't expect to see Bryant on the field this season except in the redzone because he's a big target.

[Shoes]

I think Jones could be a good QB, but he just doesn't have a chance to develop. It seems to me his arm is better than Ben's or Grads….he just can't throw the ball with two or three guys hanging on him like Ben…..and neither can anyone else.

[Dwinsgames]

1st pre season game vs a team with one already under its belt , and nearly winning when most of your first unit plays just 1 series ....

why should anyone have any concerns ...

[zulater]

1st pre season game vs a team with one already under its belt , and nearly winning when most of your first unit plays just 1 series ....

why should anyone have any concerns ...

I would have liked it if they would have sent the first team offense out for another series. They really came off the ball nice and did some good things that first series. But they bogged down in the red zone. So I think I would have sent them out there to try to get it right, then retire them for the night.

[Count Steeler]

No major injuries is a big plus.
Leveon looked slippery on his 2 runs.
Ben looked young, in a good way.
Defense HAS to stop giving up home runs.
Lbers looked good.

Generally encouraging for the first pre season game.

[blackngldblood]

Sean Spence! Sean Spence! Sean Spence! I never thought he would play again. I truly thought Tomlin was blowing smoke when he said he would come back. An he played pretty dang good to boot. The ILB depth is insane!

[Moose]

Because of the past few seasons, and the terrible 0 - 4 start last year, I would have liked to see our starter's score a TD. The walking away empty from the red zone is getting habit forming. I know it's preseason, and I don't put anything into preseason except checking out the rookie's, but with the past few season and last year's start, I just wanted to see some real fire on the first series of play. Just my opinion.

[CapLovesTroyP43]

Can't agree more Moose.

[polamalubeast]

Because of the past few seasons, and the terrible 0 - 4 start last year, I would have liked to see our starter's score a TD. The walking away empty from the red zone is getting habit forming. I know it's preseason, and I don't put anything into preseason except checking out the rookie's, but with the past few season and last year's start, I just wanted to see some real fire on the first series of play. Just my opinion.

The playcalling in the red zone was awful....run,run,and a lob to Lance moore

We'll find out more on this team against the Bills and Eagles