First 8-0 start in steelers history!

[polamalubeast]

And Tomlin tie Marty Schottenheimer for the most season to start a career without a losing season with 14!

[pczach]

People bitch about the way they win games. There's a reason they have never gone 8-0 in the history of the franchise until today.

It's not easy to win games in the NFL. Everyone of the other teams they claim are better than the Steelers have already lost at least one game.

Enjoy the victory!

[HollywoodSteel]

I wish I could feel better about it.

This team really needs to learn how to play a complete game against someone. I can’t even say we’re the worst 8-0 team in history because we are super talented.

I’m not trying to be pessimistic but I wonder how much better we could be if we could really see the best version of this team every week.

[Hawkman]

I wish I could feel better about it.

This team really needs to learn how to play a complete game against someone. I can’t even say we’re the worst 8-0 team in history because we are super talented.

I’m not trying to be pessimistic but I wonder how much better we could be if we could really see the best version of this team every week.

I’m really not trying to rag on what you said, but how often does any team get the best of everyone. I think it’s a statement on this team that we are balanced enough, for one group to pick up the others. I love the fact that Ben hung in there after banging his knee up to lead a touchdown drive. Too many great moments to harp on the shitty ones. Berry’s punting was outstanding. Averaging 50+ yards and hit a 62 yarder......I’m just enjoying being 8-0...three straight on the road. Time to go home and beat the Bungles.

[Dwinsgames]

In spite of Randy .....


Ben is without a doubt the best OC this team has

how about Mason 2-3 ..... 3 yards and a floater he was lucky wasn't picked off ...

we need a backup QB still

[tube517]

Gutsy win. Now time to adjust my BP meds :old: :chuckle:

[st33lersguy]

I wish I could feel better about it.

This team really needs to learn how to play a complete game against someone. I can’t even say we’re the worst 8-0 team in history because we are super talented.

I’m not trying to be pessimistic but I wonder how much better we could be if we could really see the best version of this team every week.

Well they're certainly the most poorly coached 8-0 team in history. I'd call Fichtner, Butler, and Smith the 3 stooges but that's probably an insult to the stooges. I'd feel better about 8-0 if this team didn't seem destined for a flameout early in the playoffs. Somehow I doubt that teams with championship aspirations would go down to the wire against Jeff Driscoll AND Garrett Gilbert

[Hawkman]

Gutsy win. Now time to adjust my BP meds :old: :chuckle:

I took a double dose this morning. Spent the first half visiting with my 85 year old mom, and she was cussing more at the tv than I was. :chuckle:

[fansince'76]

Well they're certainly the most poorly coached 8-0 team in history.

This again? Christ, give it a rest.

[st33lersguy]

This again? Christ, give it a rest.

If only you were 10% as tired of Patriot-fan trolls

[Hawkman]

This again? Christ, give it a rest.

Amen!

[fansince'76]

If only you were 10% as tired of Patriot-fan trolls

:yawn:

[tube517]

I took a double dose this morning. Spent the first half visiting with my 85 year old mom, and she was cussing more at the tv than I was. :chuckle:

My throat got scratchy after jumping around and yelling after Minkah's pick in the end zone. :lol:

[fansince'76]

I wish I could feel better about it.

This team really needs to learn how to play a complete game against someone. I can’t even say we’re the worst 8-0 team in history because we are super talented.

I’m not trying to be pessimistic but I wonder how much better we could be if we could really see the best version of this team every week.

I think close to a solid month's worth of road games (with 2 of those games against top-flight AFC competition) has had something to do with it too. Thanks again, Titans. /sarcasm

[polamalubeast]

This again? Christ, give it a rest.

Yeah,before the Cowboys game,the steelers had won 3 games in a row against 3 teams with a winning record,2 of those are 6-2 right now....It was predictable that the steelers were going to be flat today .... Disappointing, but understandable after 3 huge wins .... The chiefs won only 33-31 against a 3-6 team ....The Titans were horrible last week against the Bengals

BTW,It's always scary for me to play against a QB without an NFL tape.

[fansince'76]

The chiefs won only 33-31 against a 3-6 team...

At HOME, no less.

[Hawkman]

Yeah,before the Cowboys game,the steelers had won 3 games in a row against 3 teams with a winning record,2 of those are 6-2 right now....It was predictable that the steelers were going to be flat today .... Disappointing, but understandable after 3 huge wins .... The chiefs won only 33-31 against a 3-6 team ....The Titans were horrible last week against the Bengals

BTW,It's always scary for me to play against a QB without an NFL tape.

Gilbert looked pretty comfortable out there. They ended up with a pretty good game plan. They knew our defense was going to key on Elliott and the running game, so what do they do....they throw it. They pulled out all the stops, including the razzle-dazzle on the punt return and we still prevailed.

[86WARD]

That was a terrible outing as far as the Steelers go. I think we all expected a lot more out of that team especially because it was such a mismatch on paper.

How ever, this was their third road game and it was a classic trap situation. The only thing I can say is it may not have been pretty but it’s a win and good teams find ways to win those games.

[Hawkman]

That was a terrible outing as far as the Steelers go. I think we all expected a lot more out of that team especially because it was such a mismatch on paper.

How ever, this was their third road game and it was a classic trap situation. The only thing I can say is it may not have been pretty but it’s a win and good teams find ways to win those games.

EXACTLY!

[Dissolv]

Worst team to go 8-0 in the history of football? Maybe. But........

https://pics.me.me/you-are-without-doubt-the-worst-pirate-ive-ever-heard-4512478.png

[Craic]

At HOME, no less.

Yep. How many times have the Patriots* barely pulled out wins in games that they should have blown out opponents? How about the Ravens? Watch any game any week, and see the same thing. Titans? Lost to the 2-5 Bungles last week. Packers? Lost to the 2-5 Vikings last week. Bucs? Pulled out a two point win against the 1-7 Giants last week.

But I guess that "Tomlin's a bad coach" narrative just won't end. If he's guilty of one thing, it's being too loyal to his assistants. But with the way the Steelers like stability, that may not even be a bad think except on special teams.

[Hawkman]

Yep. How many times have the Patriots* barely pulled out wins in games that they should have blown out opponents? How about the Ravens? Watch any game any week, and see the same thing. Titans? Lost to the 2-5 Bungles last week. Packers? Lost to the 2-5 Vikings last week. Bucs? Pulled out a two point win against the 1-7 Giants last week.

But I guess that "Tomlin's a bad coach" narrative just won't end. If he's guilty of one thing, it's being too loyal to his assistants. But with the way the Steelers like stability, that may not even be a bad think except on special teams.

Well, and honestly, up until today, ST hasn’t been an issue and almost a strength. We fixed the punter problem, by bringing Berry back.....I know I know, but he has been solid upon his return. Boz has been solid. I love Ray-Ray. I don’t care one way or the other about Smith, but just make sure what you’re getting is better than what you had....ie..Berry/Colquit

[Rotorhead]

It was to be expected they would come out flat I suppose, it sucks, but as stated several times, we just went through a pretty brutal stretch and we were not so good. But looking around the league today, almost all the top teams struggled today. 8-0, next week at home against a rejuvenated Bungles team, got keep the focus!

[Fire Goodell]

I'm not going to complain about them not playing up to their highest level. I don't know what it is, but every week after Ravens week they come out flat

[Hawkman]

How is this for unusual, Boz has missed 3 XPs, but as a result of the “do over” today, he is perfect on FGs and has a new franchise record at 59 yards. Strange season.

[HollywoodSteel]

I’m really not trying to rag on what you said, but how often does any team get the best of everyone. I think it’s a statement on this team that we are balanced enough, for one group to pick up the others. I love the fact that Ben hung in there after banging his knee up to lead a touchdown drive. Too many great moments to harp on the shitty ones. Berry’s punting was outstanding. Averaging 50+ yards and hit a 62 yarder......I’m just enjoying being 8-0...three straight on the road. Time to go home and beat the Bungles.

I don’t disagree with anything you say, but the attitude of “we’re 8-0 and that’s all that matters” isn’t any more useful than “we suck, Fire everyone!”

It’s no different than when we rightfully see potential problems with the Ravens even when they blow out so many regular season games. We point out the potential problems they will face in the playoffs.

Winning specific games is nice but it’s NOT everything and there are potential problems we might face by leaving so little cushion and so little room to bad luck or great plays by the opposition.

I’m happy we can be flawed with the win, but we can and should discuss what our problems are.

[Hawkman]

I don’t disagree with anything you say, but the attitude of “we’re 8-0 and that’s all that matters” isn’t any more useful than “we suck, Fire everyone!”

It’s no different than when we rightfully see potential problems with the Ravens even when they blow out so many regular season games. We point out the potential problems they will face in the playoffs.

Winning specific games is nice but it’s NOT everything and there are potential problems we might face by leaving so little cushion and so little room to bad luck or great plays by the opposition.

I’m happy we can be flawed with the win, but we can and should discuss what our problems are.

I guess a lot of that is me as a fan......what I get out of each and every one of these guys, is , “we can and need to be better”. Even the young guys. Claypool was piss a number of times....and he’s been at this a total of 16 weeks. What I saw this afternoon.....no one is taking their assignments lightly.....they may miss them, but never because of apathy.

- - - Updated - - -


I guess a lot of that is me as a fan......what I get out of each and every one of these guys, is , “we can and need to be better”. Even the young guys. Claypool was piss a number of times....and he’s been at this a total of 16 weeks. What I saw this afternoon.....no one is taking their assignments lightly.....they may miss them, but never because of apathy.


.....but we are 8-0 :thumbsup:

[HollywoodSteel]

I guess a lot of that is me as a fan......what I get out of each and every one of these guys, is , “we can and need to be better”. Even the young guys. Claypool was piss a number of times....and he’s been at this a total of 16 weeks. What I saw this afternoon.....no one is taking their assignments lightly.....they may miss them, but never because of apathy.

- - - Updated - - -




.....but we are 8-0 :thumbsup:

Believe me, I’m thrilled that we’re 8-0 and I’m fine with living in that emotion.

At the same time, when we’re losing for most of the game to a 5th string QB and a defense that routinely gives up 40 points a game to teams we rightfully consider our inferior, I was imagining pulling out a win with some luck and late game heroics, and then having to hear Tomlin saying some shit like “style points don’t matter.” Yes, they fucking DO matter, because if you play out that scenario 100 times against better teams than that, all those 3 and outs and getting outplayed most of the game will result in losses.

What matters is winning the Super Bowl. That’s it, and we will not get there by playing this badly against most teams. We just won’t.

They should honestly be embarrassed by not being able to play a complete game against bad teams. They should focus on WHY that happened and not revel in the fact that it worked out.

I’ll be happy with results only when I see them hoisting the Lombardi. Then I won’t care about style points, but until then ALL POINTS matter. We have possibly a more complete roster than any team in football. Not soundly outperforming vastly less talented teams means some people are doing their jobs badly and being okay with that could cost us dearly if it’s forefront on the entire team’s and coaching staff’s minds.

One call that could have maybe gone the other way could have cost us the game. McCarthy not being a total conservative idiot could have cost us the game.

Leaving the game up to factors like that against the piece of shit Cowboys is unacceptable.

If we keep doing this it WILL hurt us and you won’t be happy when it happens against the fucking Ravens in the playoffs and that douchebag Harbaugh is the one saying “good thing style points don’t matter to the Steelers. Ha ha!”

[Mojouw]

Deep ball accuracy or lack thereof is the cause and solution to what ails the offense. Cowboys played a single deep safety most of the second half and they couldn't be made to pay for it down the field outside the numbers. Until the Steelers can correct that, this is what every games gonna look like. No running room because of all the defenders rolled up. And "throw short and hope someone runs long" on offense. It can work, but you have no margin for error.

At some point the conversation needs to shift from "coaching" to a QB that's isn't accurate over 15 yards and a LG and C that aren't consistently making their blocks. Throw in a few blown blocks by the TE on the backside and, again, you leave no margin for error.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I'm not going to complain about them not playing up to their highest level. I don't know what it is, but every week after Ravens week they come out flat

Ryan Clark said that Steelers-Ravens game is like a heavyweight fight. Lots of preparation for it and lots of hits taken, which normally means the following week most guys are still beat up and fatigued. Ravens didnt look good in Indy to start the day either.

[teegre]

Worst team to go 8-0 in the history of football? Maybe. But........

https://pics.me.me/you-are-without-doubt-the-worst-pirate-ive-ever-heard-4512478.png
This about sums it up. :nod:

[polamalubeast]

1325782839389016065

[teegre]

1325782839389016065

2004: Steelers obliterated everyone... lost in the playoffs

2005: Steelers eked out wins... win the Super Bowl

I’m not saying there aren’t things that need to be corrected (see: gameballs/goats), but sometimes learning how to win close games is a skill set. It’s sort of like the idea behind “The Million Dollar Mind”... a book that discusses how a ton of Fortine 500 CEOs have learning disabilities. “Struggling” to succeed to part of why they turn out to be successful (they’ve learned how to succeed despite any shortcomings / they see momentary failures as part of the learning process).

SUMMATION:
We are 8-0... with not only “room to improve”, but the skill set of “finding a way to win” when we aren’t at our best.

[tube517]

2007 Cheats** barely beat AJ Feeley/Eagles and Kyle Boller/Ratbirds. Two scrubs.

Not saying we shouldn't be doing better but we lose some of these games in previous years.

[fansince'76]

1262789756922081287

:jerkit: :flipoff:

[Hawkman]

1262789756922081287

:jerkit: :flipoff:

I love watching that clip once in a while, just to remind me of what an idiot he is.

[st33lersguy]

2004: Steelers obliterated everyone... lost in the playoffs

2005: Steelers eked out wins... win the Super Bowl

I’m not saying there aren’t things that need to be corrected (see: gameballs/goats), but sometimes learning how to win close games is a skill set. It’s sort of like the idea behind “The Million Dollar Mind”... a book that discusses how a ton of Fortine 500 CEOs have learning disabilities. “Struggling” to succeed to part of why they turn out to be successful (they’ve learned how to succeed despite any shortcomings / they see momentary failures as part of the learning process).

SUMMATION:
We are 8-0... with not only “room to improve”, but the skill set of “finding a way to win” when we aren’t at our best.

Actually 2005 team had more double digit victories, more victories by 17 or more points and a better point differential in the regular season. 08 team also had more wins by at least 17 and a better point differential

[tube517]

1262789756922081287

:jerkit: :flipoff:

This fool said Super Bowl XL was null and void and didn't count to him. Ever since then, never watched him again. He's "null and void" to me.

[polamalubeast]

Actually 2005 team had more double digit victories, more victories by 17 or more points and a better point differential in the regular season. 08 team also had more wins by at least 17 and a better point differential

what about the 2015 Broncos vs 2019 Ravens....Sometimes this is very important to be battle-tested in the regular season and they won 3 games in a row against team with a winning record before the Dallas game....The 2004 steelers had trailed for only 10 minutes 36 seconds at home in the regular season!

1281628810484633603

[ETL]

I think Dobbs should be ahead of Rudolph. I know what we got with Rudolph. I want to see what Dobbs can do

[Fire Goodell]

I think Dobbs should be ahead of Rudolph. I know what we got with Rudolph. I want to see what Dobbs can do

Dobbs seems to be more involved with talking to Ben about what he sees on the defense. The kid definitely has the brains to be a good QB, but I'm always nervous about his accuracy throwing the ball. If anything his athleticism can create plays.

[st33lersguy]

what about the 2015 Broncos vs 2019 Ravens....Sometimes this is very important to be battle-tested in the regular season and they won 3 games in a row against team with a winning record before the Dallas game....The 2004 steelers had trailed for only 10 minutes 36 seconds at home in the regular season!

1281628810484633603

There is a difference between being battle tested and scraping by every single week mostly against bad and mediocre teams. Teams who do the latter tend to not go anywhere in the postseason

[Fire Goodell]

Being the last undefeated team, the Steelers have a bullseye on their head. It's like being the defending champion, you're going to get 120% effort from anyone you face. No easy games from here on out, I don't care who it is.

[polamalubeast]

There is a difference between being battle tested and scraping by every single week mostly against bad and mediocre teams. Teams who do the latter tend to not go anywhere in the postseason

I've seen a team win a super bowl by losing to Rex Grossman twice in a season....Or another team losing against Charlie Batch and a very mediocre steelers team.

[HollywoodSteel]

Being the last undefeated team, the Steelers have a bullseye on their head. It's like being the defending champion, you're going to get 120% effort from anyone you face. No easy games from here on out, I don't care who it is.

I know this is probably true to a certain extent but I’ll never truly understand it. If a bad team can play SO much better than normal against a great team, why don’t always play like that? They should be just as interested in beating every team

[Fire Goodell]

I know this is probably true to a certain extent but I’ll never truly understand it. If a bad team can play SO much better than normal against a great team, why don’t always play like that? They should be just as interested in beating every team

It's human psychology imo. For instance, fans are a lot more energized for a game against the ravens or high stakes game. I'm sure to some extent, it affects the players' psyche too. Sure, they're professionals but also human

[polamalubeast]

It would be a concern if the steelers would not have won against a good team this year, but that is not the case since they beat two very solid 6-2 team in the ravens and the titans....The chiefs also had not very impressive games like against a Depleted Pats team and the 2-6 Chargers and 3-6 Panthers ... Games that you are flat can happen for every team, especially after 2-3 big wins.... The Ravens were awful yesterday in the first half against the Colts, they were lucky not to be behind 17-0 after 30 minutes.

[steel striker]

I don't think there are any super teams out there and, man I'm glad the Steelers have pulled out the last three games. Yesterday that was the Cowboys Super Bowl but, the Steelers found a way to win. Big stops from the defense when we had to have it and, Ben playing great when he needs to. Like mentioned above when Ben takes over the play calling it's money for the Steelers. Strange day for Boswell kudos for the 59 yarder.

[polamalubeast]

1325856241353191430

[polamalubeast]

1325913554763964416

[Hawkman]

1325913554763964416

Shouldn’t it be WARY?:rofl2:and Cowterd is still an ass.

[bendsteel]

Idiot! Be "WEARY" of the Steelers? Does he mean WARY or LEARY, cause weary makes no sense. He says they make great TV. Dude just babbles.

[polamalubeast]

He said the same thing about the lakers in the NBA before the Playoffs....

[Hawkman]

Idiot! Be "WEARY" of the Steelers? Does he mean WARY or LEARY, cause weary makes no sense. He says they make great TV. Dude just babbles.

....and Cowterd is all on the Andy Reed bandwagon. I guess he forgets all the years Reed was coaching the Eagles and those talent rich teams.

[polamalubeast]

1298680835835490304

[pczach]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EroyjPcw3sg

[HollywoodSteel]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EroyjPcw3sg

Wooly of the Steelers despite 8-0 start.

Steelers they do get wooly...

[HollywoodSteel]

1325913554763964416


He’s such a dipshit. Did he not see every other good team struggle? Who doesn’t fall into this category for him?

The Bucs lost. The Seahawks lost. The Chiefs won by fewer points than the Steelers did.

And he has it absolutely backwards. The Ravens are really the team that’s built for the regular season and not for the playoffs where they might get behind. Blowing teams out in the regular season doesn’t prepare you for the playoffs. Coming back and winning from any possible situation does.

It’s weird, every once in awhile Cowherd says some intelligent things, but never about the Steelers. He always gets everything about the Steelers backwards.

[fansince'76]

There is a difference between being battle tested and scraping by every single week mostly against bad and mediocre teams. Teams who do the latter tend to not go anywhere in the postseason

Yeah? So what happened to the 2019 Ravens and their huge point differential?

[Edman]

The '19 Ravens won a ton of blowouts but still got crushed by a 9-7 Titans team at home in the playoffs.

[86WARD]

Just a couple quick hits:


Big Ben and Peyton Manning are the only two players to win 8 straight games in three separate decades.

Ben registered his 68th 300-yard passing game which is a franchise record and eclipsed Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino for sixth in NFL history.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201112/537aeec69f87f53748147e4592568f09.jpg

[lipps83]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201112/537aeec69f87f53748147e4592568f09.jpg

The only way this would be accurate is if they are including Brady's rookie year that he never played a down in and the Patriots were 5-11.

[86WARD]

The only way this would be accurate is if they are including Brady's rookie year that he never played a down in and the Patriots were 5-11.

2000. They went 5-11. Brady played in one game.

[HollywoodSteel]

The only way this would be accurate is if they are including Brady's rookie year that he never played a down in and the Patriots were 5-11.

I must be wrong, but for some reason I thought the Steelers had a losing season in 2006. I guess I’m just remembering it as a let down year after the Super Bowl.

[st33lersguy]

I must be wrong, but for some reason I thought the Steelers had a losing season in 2006. I guess I’m just remembering it as a let down year after the Super Bowl.

Oddly enough though, Ben finished with a losing record as a starter (7-8). Charlie Batch won the opener that year. Cowher made a big mistake that year rushing Ben back with the reliable Batch at QB

[Six Rings]

OFFENSE:

QB Grade A-. Without Ben this is a 500 football team. Ben has been playing very well, limiting turnovers and getting hot when we need him. He has 18 touchchdowns and just 4 interceptions. To nitpick, he starts slowly at times and has had too many low throws or off-target throws early in games. If Rudy enters the game, we are in big trouble. Getting a better back up should be a medium level need in 2021.


RB Grade B. Conner is what he is at this point, a solid back who follows his blockers well and runs hard. He has been reliable, productive near the goal line, and has not had fumble issues. h drawbacks are he too predictable and not fast enough to feature outside the tackles.

McFarland brings rare acceleration to the hole and very good speed, but he's not good at following his blockers, and IMO goes down too easily. Moves are okay. I don't think the Steelers are using him correctly.

Snell is your typical short-yardage guy, but he's nothing special in any area of the game.

The FB position has made litle impact this year, but I did like our sub in Mondeaux


TE Grade B. Ebron has proven to be a very reliable receiving Tight End, a match up weapon, and a reliable target on third down. His blocking, however, is weak. McDonald who backs him up, is a very good blocker, but with the talent, the Steelers have at wide receiver, he's a bit of a forgotten man. The Steelers don't have a 3rd TE worth dressing.


WR Grade A. Ju-Ju has bounced back. With each passing game, his reliability and tough running with the football in his hands has made a difference. Claypool has monstrous talent. We see it every week, but he needs to work on constancy. The Steelers need to target him often. Johnson is a player that just ins't reliable and always seems dinged up. He can spark plays, I just don't think he's clutch enough to count on, especially on 3rd downs. Washington has proven himself to be a very good 4th WR. McCloud is too electric no to use more often in the offense. What a group!


OL: Grade B- This a unit on decline. Big AL, our only proven left tackle has become too easy to beat. Chucks has done a solid job at Right Tackle, but his push leaves a lot to be desired. Pouncey's play has been a disapotiment, his snaps are often too high / wide, and he doesn't pull the way he used to. He can be bull-rushed and doesn't exactly root out defensive tackles. A former star, now in decline. Decastro remains the shining star of the unit. He is the engine that makes the running game go. Feiler can be our most powerful blocker, at times he's very impressive. His pass blocking remains so -so. Rookie Dotson has at the very least, has proven to be capable when forced to play due to injures. Hassenauer is unproven at Center, the Steelers let Wisnewski go, so they appear to be comfortable with him. Age is catching up to this unit, a high draft pick should be spent here in 2021.

Kicker: A- Outside of a missed extra point, and an extra blocked point Boswell has been money in the bank. Last week he showed a leg I did not think he had on the franchise record 59-yard field goal. His kickoffs have been solid. He can be my wingman anytime. He's clutch.

Kick Returner. Grade A. McCloud has been sensational. What a find. 26 yards on average per kickoff, 15 yards per average on punts! It's only a matter of time until he takes one to the house.



DEFENSE:


DL: Grade A. Tuitt is a real load. A force vs. the run or pass. Tuitt is having his best season with 6 sacks and 17 QB hits after 8 game played. Heyward who plays next to him as been rather quiet by his standards. I don't know why. Alalau replaced Hargrave, but with him out Buggs is making his share of play and newcomer Mondeaux has impressed with effort. Carlos Davis did well in his rookie debut. Wormely is a non factor, With two top front line players and surprise depth, the DL has exceeded expectations though we could really use a powerful DT/NT In the middle at times to stuff the run.


LB: Grade A The Steelers play Watt and Dupree as ends for the most part, but they are listed at Linebacker. Watt is phenomenal. He's very quick off the ball and has elite hand use. He's all pro in his prime and splash play machine. Dupree is haivng a very good overall season, but he disappears in some games. Still worth his cap number for now. Bush had a hot rookie start and hasn't been as good since. He out for the year. His replacement in Spillaine already has more tackles and game-changing plays than Bush had this year despite staring two less games as of 11-12-2020. Splliane appears to be staring material. Vince Williams prodives the old school thump and lead the team in tackles. He's also quality on the middle blitz.Highsmith looks looks like a very promsing player but beyond him there was a void of depth which is why the Steelers traded for NFL veteran Avery Williamson.


DB Grade B. With the best pass rush in the NFL, it should be on the easier side to cover. Haden remins a solid #1 corner, but he's aging. Nelson isn't quite as good this year. He was been burned a bit and give up some scores. Our depth at corner is excellent. Hinton tackles and hits way above his weight class. A factor on the blitz, and a player who makes his share of plays on the ball. Sutton offers good coverage for a #4 CB. I still don't trust Layne. A safety the Steeles had a stud in Fitzpatrick. Gifted at making plays that require split-second timing, Fitz can change the momentium of games. His tackling has not been quite as good this year. Edmunds has matured into an assignment sound type of player, who's actually made a few plays a DB for a change. The depth behind the starters is very suspect. Allen and Dangerfield as speical teams guys, Our next man up here if we ever need one won't be a good story.


P: Grade B So far Berry has looked better than he ever has. Can he keep this up?


LS: Grade D. Canaday has been suspect. His snaps have been off more than once and he has allowed players to block kicks. He adds very little in coverage on special teams. Frankly, I wouldn't mind seeing him replaced ASAP. This man is on thin ice.


COACHING

Head Coach B- Lets keep it real, Ben is the reason we come back and win. 2-3 players on defense make the key stops. This is the reason we are undefeated. We win with talent, not outcoaching the other side. Tomlin's job in terms of managing time outs and red flagging official decisions are below average. His game time decisions such as when to kick need improvment and almost cost us vs. ,Dallas when he should have opted to kick the FG and go up 8 points. I hear he's in charge of the defense on 3rd down. I see too many linebakcers matched up on wide receivers. Stop it. Furhermore he has bought shame in terms of fines to the organization again. What can you say, Barry Swizer won a super bowl and was 5-2 in the playoffs. On the positive side, the players seem to like Tomlin and he has not blown any games on the road to a lesser team so far, though it has been close. His true grade will have to wait until the playoffs where he is 3-6 in his last nine tires.


OC: Grade B. To be clear, Fichtner is an upgrade over Haley, but he's far from perfect. Fichtner has a lot of talent to work with. He needs to figure out how to start faster. Take out those wide runs by Conner he's not suited for them. Try play action and screens a bit more. Figure out how to use McFarland a bit better. AKA weakside runs, counters, pithes, etc... Use your receivers to their potential. We have at least two mis-matches on the field at any given time. Exploit them. And please don't assume a 14-20 score lead is enough. Call play to win until it makes sense to milk the clock.

DC. Grade B Butler is a hard man to grade as he has a lot of talent around him and Tomlin takes over on 3rd downs. My beef with him is there are some players that rip us, and he's too slow to limit or stop it.

[polamalubeast]

OFFENSE:

QB Grade A-. Without Ben this is a 500 football team. Ben has been playing very well, limiting turnovers and getting hot when we need him. He has 18 touchchdowns and just 4 interceptions. To nitpick, he starts slowly at times and has had too many low throws or off-target throws early in games. If Rudy enters the game, we are in big trouble. Getting a better back up should be a medium level need in 2021.


RB Grade B. Conner is what he is at this point, a solid back who follows his blockers well and runs hard. He has been reliable, productive near the goal line, and has not had fumble issues. h drawbacks are he too predictable and not fast enough to feature outside the tackles.

McFarland brings rare acceleration to the hole and very good speed, but he's not good at following his blockers, and IMO goes down too easily. Moves are okay. I don't think the Steelers are using him correctly.

Snell is your typical short-yardage guy, but he's nothing special in any area of the game.

The FB position has made litle impact this year, but I did like our sub in Mondeaux


TE Grade B. Ebron has proven to be a very reliable receiving Tight End, a match up weapon, and a reliable target on third down. His blocking, however, is weak. McDonald who backs him up, is a very good blocker, but with the talent, the Steelers have at wide receiver, he's a bit of a forgotten man. The Steelers don't have a 3rd TE worth dressing.


WR Grade A. Ju-Ju has bounced back. With each passing game, his reliability and tough running with the football in his hands has made a difference. Claypool has monstrous talent. We see it every week, but he needs to work on constancy. The Steelers need to target him often. Johnson is a player that just ins't reliable and always seems dinged up. He can spark plays, I just don't think he's clutch enough to count on, especially on 3rd downs. Washington has proven himself to be a very good 4th WR. McCloud is too electric no to use more often in the offense. What a group!


OL: Grade B- This a unit on decline. Big AL, our only proven left tackle has become too easy to beat. Chucks has done a solid job at Right Tackle, but his push leaves a lot to be desired. Pouncey's play has been a disapotiment, his snaps are often too high / wide, and he doesn't pull the way he used to. He can be bull-rushed and doesn't exactly root out defensive tackles. A former star, now in decline. Decastro remains the shining star of the unit. He is the engine that makes the running game go. Feiler can be our most powerful blocker, at times he's very impressive. His pass blocking remains so -so. Rookie Dotson has at the very least, has proven to be capable when forced to play due to injures. Hassenauer is unproven at Center, the Steelers let Wisnewski go, so they appear to be comfortable with him. Age is catching up to this unit, a high draft pick should be spent here in 2021.

Kicker: A- Outside of a missed extra point, and an extra blocked point Boswell has been money in the bank. Last week he showed a leg I did not think he had on the franchise record 59-yard field goal. His kickoffs have been solid. He can be my wingman anytime. He's clutch.

Kick Returner. Grade A. McCloud has been sensational. What a find. 26 yards on average per kickoff, 15 yards per average on punts! It's only a matter of time until he takes one to the house.



DEFENSE:


DL: Grade A. Tuitt is a real load. A force vs. the run or pass. Tuitt is having his best season with 6 sacks and 17 QB hits after 8 game played. Heyward who plays next to him as been rather quiet by his standards. I don't know why. Alalau replaced Hargrave, but with him out Buggs is making his share of play and newcomer Mondeaux has impressed with effort. Carlos Davis did well in his rookie debut. Wormely is a non factor, With two top front line players and surprise depth, the DL has exceeded expectations though we could really use a powerful DT/NT In the middle at times to stuff the run.


LB: Grade A The Steelers play Watt and Dupree as ends for the most part, but they are listed at Linebacker. Watt is phenomenal. He's very quick off the ball and has elite hand use. He's all pro in his prime and splash play machine. Dupree is haivng a very good overall season, but he disappears in some games. Still worth his cap number for now. Bush had a hot rookie start and hasn't been as good since. He out for the year. His replacement in Spillaine already has more tackles and game-changing plays than Bush had this year despite staring two less games as of 11-12-2020. Splliane appears to be staring material. Vince Williams prodives the old school thump and lead the team in tackles. He's also quality on the middle blitz.Highsmith looks looks like a very promsing player but beyond him there was a void of depth which is why the Steelers traded for NFL veteran Avery Williamson.


DB Grade B. With the best pass rush in the NFL, it should be on the easier side to cover. Haden remins a solid #1 corner, but he's aging. Nelson isn't quite as good this year. He was been burned a bit and give up some scores. Our depth at corner is excellent. Hinton tackles and hits way above his weight class. A factor on the blitz, and a player who makes his share of plays on the ball. Sutton offers good coverage for a #4 CB. I still don't trust Layne. A safety the Steeles had a stud in Fitzpatrick. Gifted at making plays that require split-second timing, Fitz can change the momentium of games. His tackling has not been quite as good this year. Edmunds has matured into an assignment sound type of player, who's actually made a few plays a DB for a change. The depth behind the starters is very suspect. Allen and Dangerfield as speical teams guys, Our next man up here if we ever need one won't be a good story.


P: Grade B So far Berry has looked better than he ever has. Can he keep this up?


LS: Grade D. Canaday has been suspect. His snaps have been off more than once and he has allowed players to block kicks. He adds very little in coverage on special teams. Frankly, I wouldn't mind seeing him replaced ASAP. This man is on thin ice.


COACHING

Head Coach B- Lets keep it real, Ben is the reason we come back and win. 2-3 players on defense make the key stops. This is the reason we are undefeated. We win with talent, not outcoaching the other side. Tomlin's job in terms of managing time outs and red flagging official decisions are below average. His game time decisions such as when to kick need improvment and almost cost us vs. ,Dallas when he should have opted to kick the FG and go up 8 points. I hear he's in charge of the defense on 3rd down. I see too many linebakcers matched up on wide receivers. Stop it. Furhermore he has bought shame in terms of fines to the organization again. What can you say, Barry Swizer won a super bowl and was 5-2 in the playoffs. On the positive side, the players seem to like Tomlin and he has not blown any games on the road to a lesser team so far, though it has been close. His true grade will have to wait until the playoffs where he is 3-6 in his last nine tires.


OC: Grade B. To be clear, Fichtner is an upgrade over Haley, but he's far from perfect. Fichtner has a lot of talent to work with. He needs to figure out how to start faster. Take out those wide runs by Conner he's not suited for them. Try play action and screens a bit more. Figure out how to use McFarland a bit better. AKA weakside runs, counters, pithes, etc... Use your receivers to their potential. We have at least two mis-matches on the field at any given time. Exploit them. And please don't assume a 14-20 score lead is enough. Call play to win until it makes sense to milk the clock.

DC. Grade B Butler is a hard man to grade as he has a lot of talent around him and Tomlin takes over on 3rd downs. My beef with him is there are some players that rip us, and he's too slow to limit or stop it.

Only a B- for the front runner for the coach of the year in the NFL?...Tomlin was also 5-1 in the first 4 years in the playoffs and every HC need a very good QB to be great...Last year the steelers were in the playoffs hunt until the end with garbage play at the QB position and a very depleted offense for the second half of the season....

[Dissolv]

That is a decent breakdown but seem overly critical at points. B- for a coach that is turning in back to back Coach of the year performances (imo) is way too low. True, he is not necessarily great with in game adjustments....except you know, for the times when he chalks things up at halftime like we had reported and ignored by fans this year......but he is clearly A+++ at getting maximum performance out of his guys. We have a lot of very young WR's out there and they look like Vets. We have an aging Oline, but the scheme is working around them in the passing game, contrary to all previously inclinations that Ben has ever shown. Tomin has demonstrated a great touch as dealing with Veterans and Rookies alike, and has managed literally the most challenging personalities in the league, while still getting on field performance out of them. I'm not so sure that coaching is as much of a problem as people seem to think it is. I just think Tomlin's style is directed as getting each player to be better than the other guy, more than a total out scheme attempt. He is player focused, not anonymous X's and O's focused. And that does seem to be a viable and successful strategy, based on long term performance, and crazily enough, the 9-0 evidence we have in front of us this year.

[fansince'76]

Only a B- for the front runner for the coach of the year in the NFL?...Tomlin was also 5-1 in the first 4 years in the playoffs and every HC need a very good QB to be great...Last year the steelers were in the playoffs hunt until the end with garbage play at the QB position and a very depleted offense for the second half of the season....

Dude's a Tomlin hater. When the team wins, it's solely because of superior talent. When it loses, it's solely because of shitty coaching. :rolleyes:

Besides, he probably cribbed that screed from another board anyway. :coffee:

[polamalubeast]

Dude's a Tomlin hater.

I know!

[Hawkman]

I know!

......and it’s been so nice the last few weeks with him not around.

[polamalubeast]

Compared Tomlin with Barry Switzer is so stupid no matter what...In the fourth year,the cowboys have been 6-10 and it was over for Switzer...In the fourth year of Tomlin,the steelers have been in the super bowl despite the suspension of Roethlisberger in the first 4 games....Yes, the B's era killer was very disappointing, but the players deserve more the blame for the drama the steelers had in his years .... I mean, since his players left(Bell,Brown,Bryant,etc), the steelers have had no drama since 2019,so Tomlin can control a locker room and have a very good culture.

[FrancoLambert]

9-0 and the head coach only gets a B- :rolleyes:

I guess 7-2 would merit a C-

Tough grader :rolleyes:

[Mojouw]

Good Lord. :rolleyes:

Even before we start in on quibbling about the grades...should we deal with the errors in the basics?

The first one is free... Allen is not a safety.

If you can't get the depth chart correct, why should anyone trust your analysis? :shrug:

[teegre]

At least he didn’t cut-&-pasta parts of that from different outlets.

(He just cut-&-pasted the entire thing.)

[Hawkman]

At least he didn’t cut-&-pasta parts of that from different outlets.

(He just cut-&-pasted the entire thing.)


Go on........:heh:

[Mojouw]

At least he didn’t cut-&-pasta parts of that from different outlets.

(He just cut-&-pasted the entire thing.)

Found it. The interesting question then becomes...is it the same guy...then fine. Or is Six Rings just passing off this other person's post as his own...

[teegre]

Found it. The interesting question then becomes...is it the same guy...then fine. Or is Six Rings just passing off this other person's post as his own...

The different fonts and varied sizes of text (in some of his other posts) indicate that he’s cutting-&-pasting from multiple sources... which is not really Crash’s M.O. Crash was redundant and repetitive and redundant, but he wasn’t a plagerizer.

[fansince'76]

The different fonts and varied sizes of text (in some of his other posts) indicate that he’s cutting-&-pasting from multiple sources...

I guess he's never learned the trick of copying and pasting into Notepad and then recopying from Notepad to nuke any text formatting and make the font styles and sizes uniform. :chuckle:


...which is not really Crash’s M.O. Crash was redundant and repetitive and redundant, but he wasn’t a plagerizer.

Didn't Crash "retire" when Haley got canned? All he ever posted about was how badly Haley sucked. :chuckle:

[Mojouw]

The different fonts and varied sizes of text (in some of his other posts) indicate that he’s cutting-&-pasting from multiple sources... which is not really Crash’s M.O. Crash was redundant and repetitive and redundant, but he wasn’t a plagerizer.

Yeah. I just saw the recent one and if he is really "Poster A" here and "Poster B " on another spot...no problem. But, like how badly is your life going if you are plagiarizing football posts across forums? I guess we should be nicer to him...that's some dangerously low self-esteem type moves.

Six Rings, sorry if I ever made you feel bad. Please take me off your "People to Kill List".

https://chumley.barstoolsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/02/080cd686188041c1-822x617.png

[Shoes]

I guess he's never learned the trick of copying and pasting into Notepad and then recopying from Notepad to nuke any text formatting and make the font styles and sizes uniform. :chuckle:



Didn't Crash "retire" when Haley got canned? All he ever posted about was how badly Haley sucked. :chuckle:

No, he's down in the soapbox posting animal pics

[tube517]

No, he's down in the soapbox posting animal pics

:lol: I thought he got booted out from this forum completely

[Craic]

COACHING

Head Coach B- Lets keep it real, Ben is the reason we come back and win. 2-3 players on defense make the key stops. This is the reason we are undefeated. We win with talent, not outcoaching the other side. Tomlin's job in terms of managing time outs and red flagging official decisions are below average. His game time decisions such as when to kick need improvment and almost cost us vs. ,Dallas when he should have opted to kick the FG and go up 8 points. I hear he's in charge of the defense on 3rd down. I see too many linebakcers matched up on wide receivers. Stop it. Furhermore he has bought shame in terms of fines to the organization again. What can you say, Barry Swizer won a super bowl and was 5-2 in the playoffs. On the positive side, the players seem to like Tomlin and he has not blown any games on the road to a lesser team so far, though it has been close. His true grade will have to wait until the playoffs where he is 3-6 in his last nine tires.

???????

Our running game, which is weak at best, gets a better grade than a coach whom the players have said comes in at half time and makes the game adjustments, once even breaking out a blackboard and chalk and going old school to make the adjustments on the fly at halftime?

You put 25-29 other coaches in this position, and we've lost at least two games, if not more. Tomlin is in charge of 3rd downs? Great! In the last three games, they've allowed a 35.56 percent conversing rate, which is good for 10th best. In the last game, they allowed a 0 percent conversion rate. Sorry, 3rd down is NOT the place to convince me Tomlin is a bad coach.

Tomlin's decision making. Kick the FG you say? Sure. Except that the field goal unit sucked that day. Try for the field goal, and there's as good or better of a chance the ball is blocked and ran back for a winning TD. Nope. That's a great call by Tomlin.

We win with talent, you say. Okay, are you going to make that same statement for Cowher? The last play where he outcoached the other side was in SuperBowl XXX with the onside kick coming out of half time. Beyond that, everyone knew the Steelers game plan every game. Predominantly run the ball. Get up by 10 points, and the run the ball even more. On defense, fire blitz. Send the blitz from some place. Almost every down. He outcoached very few coaches. Instead, he had great talented RBs and defenses and later, a QB that won the SB. So, does Cowher suck like Tomlin?

This narrative that Tomlin is a bad coach or mediocre coach is a joke. He's in his thirteenth year and has never had a losing season. He's had three 8-8 seasons if memory serves, and two of those seasons are the direct result of the Rooneys choosing to put this team into salary-cap hell in order to extend the late 00s superbowl window (a choice I agree with). The other 8-8 year came when the starting QB went out in the second game. Look across the league. How many teams go .500 or more for a season with backup QBs that are not future starting QBs or journeyman QBs who have already proven themselves as strong game managers?

[Mojouw]

Baltimore is going through a series of tough injuries and difficult losses. It is starting to fray a bit down there. QB is questioning the coaches. Players are grousing on social media. It is certainly, once again, looking like a Harbaugh coached time might be buckling a bit when faced with adversity. I realize they are 6-3 and still a potent team...but still don't think they deal with setbacks as well as the Steelers. But Harbaugh is viewed by many as a better coach.

Also, don't try and argue with him. He didn't write it. So he can't rebut anything you counter with or answer any questions until the person who did actually author the piece posts more. So maybe lurk here and see what will show up here a few days later: http://mail.steelernationforums.com/showthread.php?36052-First-half-grades/page2 (see post #27).

[polamalubeast]

Baltimore is going through a series of tough injuries and difficult losses. It is starting to fray a bit down there. QB is questioning the coaches. Players are grousing on social media. It is certainly, once again, looking like a Harbaugh coached time might be buckling a bit when faced with adversity. I realize they are 6-3 and still a potent team...but still don't think they deal with setbacks as well as the Steelers. But Harbaugh is viewed by many as a better coach.

Also, don't try and argue with him. He didn't write it. So he can't rebut anything you counter with or answer any questions until the person who did actually author the piece posts more. So maybe lurk here and see what will show up here a few days later: http://mail.steelernationforums.com/showthread.php?36052-First-half-grades/page2 (see post #27).

This is pathetic to copy the posts from other forums of others members.

[Craic]

This is pathetic to copy the posts from other forums of others members.

Yep. I mean, if someone posted something worth discussing on another forum. Great. That's not a problem. Post it with attribution. But plagiarism? C'mon man!