Game Balls and Goats (Jag's Game) Week #11

[EzraTank]

Game ball: Team.

Goats: Slow start, running game, play calls!

[BlackAndGold]

Last time a starting safety duo intercept two passes each?

[fansince'76]

Dong win! :chuckle:

[Fire Goodell]

Run blocking is downright bad. At this point I wouldn't mind if they just adopted a west coast offense and just ran it occasionally to keep the defense off balance

[NCSteeler]

Game ball, WR room

Goats, running game hard to fault the line too much cause they are mostly keeping Ben clean, but damn we need some run blocking. A blocking TE, more Watt idk what the answer is.

Missing Munch

Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk

[RunNGun]

Gameballs...Defense and Diontae. Ravens lose.

Goats...playcalling and Mason Rudolph.

10-0 is 10-0. We definitely should have put 30 points on the board, but we got out of the game mostly healthy. Hopefully Juju's injury is minor. Onto the Ratbirds!

[pepsyman1]

Missing Munch

Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk

THIS ^^^^. I said it weeks ago.

[st33lersguy]

Game Goat (get it out of the way): 1st quarter performance. Looked like the start of your typical Tomlin egglay

Game Ball: Team performance the rest of the way. Really nice to see blowout wins in back-back weeks. Special game balls to Diontae Johnson for a dozen receptions and over 100 yards and both starting safeties with 2 INTs a piece.

[fansince'76]

:rolleyes:

Team looks like shit early = Tomlin's fault.

Team plays well the rest of the way = players did it all.

Typical...

[polamalubeast]

Game Goat (get it out of the way): 1st quarter performance. Looked like the start of your typical Tomlin egglay

Game Ball: Team performance the rest of the way. Really nice to see blowout wins in back-back weeks. Special game balls to Diontae Johnson for a dozen receptions and over 100 yards and both starting safeties with 2 INTs a piece.

Do you blame Tomlin for the first miss FG of the season of Boswell in the first quarter?

[oneforthetoe]

Game ball Team taking care of bidness.

Goat. I guess the slow start, but the Jags aren't a Mac team so.....

I won't put the running game in the goat category. Honestly, we had 107 yards. Conner had 80 some (25 on 1 carry?) . At this point if we can run for 100 yards against anybody I"ll take it.

[86WARD]

Game Balls - Safeties and defense, Ben, Diontae Johnson

Goats - play-calling and run blocking. Both have been pretty terrible. These guys should’ve put up another 21 points if not for some crap play calls. Who runs a draw on 2nd &12...knowing that the play isn’t successful...ever...

[Shoes]

Do you blame Tomlin for the first miss FG of the season of Boswell in the first quarter?

That miss was on Canady imo, he's had his share of low snaps this year.

[Craic]

OFFENSE:

Game Balls: None.

Goats: None.

This felt like just a day at the office for the offense. There was nothing spectacular. Ben's throws felt more on target throughout the game, which was a good sign. But only RR McCloud, Conner, and Schuster caught an above average number of balls tossed to them, and the first two were mainly short throws and catches, if I remember correctly.

HM: Conner. Almost had 100 yards and may have if they kept him in the game.

DEFENSE:

Game Balls: DBs. All the way around. Every person receiving the ball had less than a fifty percent reception rate except for three players who caught a total of 5 passes for 18 yards. But a special shoutout to Fitzpatrick and Edmunds with two INTs each.

HM: Coaches. When you hold an NFL QB to 12.3 QBR and ESPN RTG of 15.5 (Last year, Mason and Devlin had a QBR of 82/71 respectively, and a ESPN RTG of 36.8/30.6 respectively), you're doing something right. Two weeks ago, he had a 90.2 and 80.1. And, on top of that, the Steelers held the rushing to 73 yards.
__________________________
Concerns
I do have a concern however. Despite Conner having 89 yards, why are we still trying to run outside the tackles? Why are we trying to force feed runs when they're not working? I understand wearing teams down. But that's not working. Two many 3rd and longs today because they tried different running plays. Of course, if there ever was a game to do so and try to get the running game on track, this would've been the one to do it in.

[NCSteeler]

OFFENSE:

Game Balls: None.

Goats: None.

This felt like just a day at the office for the offense. There was nothing spectacular. Ben's throws felt more on target throughout the game, which was a good sign. But only RR McCloud, Conner, and Schuster caught an above average number of balls tossed to them, and the first two were mainly short throws and catches, if I remember correctly.

HM: Conner. Almost had 100 yards and may have if they kept him in the game.

DEFENSE:

Game Balls: DBs. All the way around. Every person receiving the ball had less than a fifty percent reception rate except for three players who caught a total of 5 passes for 18 yards. But a special shoutout to Fitzpatrick and Edmunds with two INTs each.

HM: Coaches. When you hold an NFL QB to 12.3 QBR and ESPN RTG of 15.5 (Last year, Mason and Devlin had a QBR of 82/71 respectively, and a ESPN RTG of 36.8/30.6 respectively), you're doing something right. Two weeks ago, he had a 90.2 and 80.1. And, on top of that, the Steelers held the rushing to 73 yards.
__________________________
Concerns
I do have a concern however. Despite Conner having 89 yards, why are we still trying to run outside the tackles? Why are we trying to force feed runs when they're not working? I understand wearing teams down. But that's not working. Two many 3rd and longs today because they tried different running plays. Of course, if there ever was a game to do so and try to get the running game on track, this would've been the one to do it in.So Diontae didn't catch an unusual number if balls? Lol

Anyhow I was hoping once we got up they would use this as a chance to work on the run game

Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk

[EzraTank]

Do you blame Tomlin for the first miss FG of the season of Boswell in the first quarter?

I blame that on the shitty snap because that's why he missed.

[DesertSteel]

Diontae has a chance to be special. His arrow is pointing way up. I love the INTs from the safeties.

27-3 win on the road in a trap game and some people can only complain.

[Born2Steel]

Game Ball to James Conner. 13 carries for 89 yards, and 3 receptions for 10 yards. Total 16 touches for 99 yards.

Game Ball to Minkah and Terrell. 2 INTs each. That ends 4 drives.

Game Ball to the front 7 defensively. 16 tackles with 2 sacks.

Game Ball to the WR room. 29 receptions for 257 yards and 2 TDs.

Game Ball to Jordan Berry. 5 punts for a 43 yard average and dropping 2 inside the 20.

Game Ball to Ray-Ray for being the Swiss Army Knife today. 1 rush for 3 yards, 4 receptions for 20 yards, and 3 punt returns for 19 yards.

Game Ball to Big Ben. 32 of 46 passing with 2 TDs.

It takes a team to win any game.

[Istina]

Game Balls: Johnson, Ben, Edmunds and Fitzpatrick
Goats: Decision to run a play rather than take 3 points with 9 seconds before halftime after being gifted an opportunity to add points and receiving the 2nd half kickoff, whoever called 46 pass plays today

Istina

[Craic]

So Diontae didn't catch an unusual number if balls? Lol

Anyhow I was hoping once we got up they would use this as a chance to work on the run game

Sent from my moto x4 using Tapatalk

No, he didn't. LOL.

He caught 12 balls on 16 targets. That's a 75 percent rate. It's good, and much better than last week where he was just above .500. But for game balls, I'm looking at 80 percent or better. For instance, against Dallas, JuJu had 6 receptions on 7 targets. Game before that, Juju had 7/8 and Ebron had 4/5. Gameballs for Wide Receivers (and TEs playing like them) are for players who go above and beyond—who, for some reason in a game, become almost a sure thing or explode for big numbers after a catch. Diontae was 12 for 16, 111 yards. Very solid work, but the total body of work beyond the stats just didn't garner a game ball from me.

But sure, I'll at least add him to the list of players who caught and above-average number of balls thrown.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

:rolleyes:

Team looks like shit early = Tomlin's fault.

Team plays well the rest of the way = players did it all.

Typical...
:rofl: So true.

Also, nobody wants to mention Ben missing Claypool early on by throwing the deep ball over his outside shoulder, instead of inside for a TD. or missing Johnson on a 3rd down slant that would have moved the chains. Lots of fingers to point one way and not other ways.

Not a crisp performance at all, buy nothing like the Dallas game. Winning ugly still counts as a win. Also better to be playing your best football in January instead of Nov.

[Rotorhead]

:rofl: So true.

Also, nobody wants to mention Ben missing Claypool early on by throwing the deep ball over his outside shoulder, instead of inside for a TD. or missing Johnson on a 3rd down slant that would have moved the chains. Lots of fingers to point one way and not other ways.

Not a crisp performance at all, buy nothing like the Dallas game. Winning ugly still counts as a win. Also better to be playing your best football in January instead of Nov.

Winning Ugly? I think we were resting guys as soon as we got a decent lead, Conner out early, rotating out the LBs and DL earlier than usual. We won handily and cruised to an easy win today.

[Fire Goodell]

Diontae has a chance to be special. His arrow is pointing way up. I love the INTs from the safeties.

27-3 win on the road in a trap game and some people can only complain.

James Conner didn't run for 400 yards and they didn't win by 70 pts. Dong win

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Winning Ugly? I think we were resting guys as soon as we got a decent lead, Conner out early, rotating out the LBs and DL earlier than usual. We won handily and cruised to an easy win today.

Have you watched the game yet? Steelers didnt convert a lot of 3rd downs (7 for 17) and often punted or had to settle for FG attempts against a really bad Jags team with a QB that we couldnt pick out of a lineup. I know people want to give Ben an MVP trophy, but an 89.7 passer rating against that 1 win Jags team and a 17-3 lead after 3 quarters isnt exactly impressive, nor efficient.

[polamalubeast]

That miss was on Canady imo, he's had his share of low snaps this year.

I agree on this but this is still not the fault on Tomlin for this play!

[Shoes]

I agree on this but this is still not the fault on Tomlin for this play!


Agreed

[Shoes]

any news on Joe Haden?

[polamalubeast]

any news on Joe Haden?

He is fine

[pczach]

Have you watched the game yet? Steelers didnt convert a lot of 3rd downs (7 for 17) and often punted or had to settle for FG attempts against a really bad Jags team with a QB that we couldnt pick out of a lineup. I know people want to give Ben an MVP trophy, but an 89.7 passer rating against that 1 win Jags team and a 17-3 lead after 3 quarters isnt exactly impressive, nor efficient.


No doubt that they didn't have their best stuff going for most of the game. That's what makes it impressive that they still roll a team on the road by 3+ scores.

They have much to work on, but they are still winning comfortably while also getting backup players some playing time. Those backups are logging quality snaps and playing well. That added depth and experience is encouraging that they can withstand some injuries or have another player to turn to in a big spot without the level of concern that there would have been over the last several years.

The aren't digging deep into the playbook in many of these games. They aren't showing everything they have or doing everything they can do IMO. They may be saving some wrinkles and play design in later games and the playoffs when they really need it.

The offensive line is becoming a worry to me with some bad run blocking. They also need to get some TE's healthy to help with that, but I also think that the play calling hasn't always been complementary so far. If Fichtner is going to keep using jet sweeps and jet sweep motion, he needs to also complement that with runs between the tackles to take advantage of the motion to get the defense to take a half step or hesitation to give your blockers an advantage to get winning position on some run plays. I don't understand some of the calls in the running game from a situational standpoint and a complementary play calling standpoint. They aren't helping the players at all with some of this stuff or putting them in the best position to succeed at times.

I'm hoping they figure some of this stuff out.

[teegre]

COACHES:
On the Jags’ first series, it seemed like the Steelers were rushing 7. Luton took advantage of this a couple of times by hitting an open receiver for 15-18 yards a pop. Bingo!!!.. the Jags open up with a FG.

From that point on, the Steelers only rushed 4... but, Luton didn’t know which four. It seemed like he started hearing footsteps, and thinking he’d have those open receivers (like he did on the first series), Luton threw into a bevy of Steelers DBs. The result was 4 interceptions, which realistically could have been 9 interceptions (Bud dropped a pick-six; Sutton dropped a pick-six, Nelson dropped a pick-six, and at least two other balls were “interceptable”).

Lose the battle (give up the early FG) and win the war (INTs in droves).

FITCHNER:
I said it elsewhere, but it bears iteration: the Jags were down to 5 DBs total... yet, Fitchner continued to run the ball.

FLAGS (LACK THEREOF):
I don’t like complaining about the refs, but it seemed like the Jags DBs were extra grabby. Ebron should have had a TD, but he was mugged and also held. I saw Claypool get hit at the 10-yard mark, knocked into at the 20-yard mark, and held at the 25-yard mark... all on ONE incomplete pass.

At the end of the first half, the Jags DB (finally) got called for DPI. (It was a smart penalty, because it would have been a TD.) On the next play, Washington got re-routed (knocked over?) which led to Ben throwing an INT. Some will say it was inadvertent contact; others will say it was pass interference. Regardless, the way the refs were allowing the Jags to hold, it didn’t surprise me.

FLAGS (PART II):
The ref throwing the flag in front of JuJu as JuJu stepped... causing an injury. ARGH!!! :doh:

[Hawkman]

No doubt that they didn't have their best stuff going for most of the game. That's what makes it impressive that they still roll a team on the road by 3+ scores.

They have much to work on, but they are still winning comfortably while also getting backup players some playing time. Those backups are logging quality snaps and playing well. That added depth and experience is encouraging that they can withstand some injuries or have another player to turn to in a big spot without the level of concern that there would have been over the last several years.

The aren't digging deep into the playbook in many of these games. They aren't showing everything they have or doing everything they can do IMO. They may be saving some wrinkles and play design in later games and the playoffs when they really need it.

The offensive line is becoming a worry to me with some bad run blocking. They also need to get some TE's healthy to help with that, but I also think that the play calling hasn't always been complementary so far. If Fichtner is going to keep using jet sweeps and jet sweep motion, he needs to also complement that with runs between the tackles to take advantage of the motion to get the defense to take a half step or hesitation to give your blockers an advantage to get winning position on some run plays. I don't understand some of the calls in the running game from a situational standpoint and a complementary play calling standpoint. They aren't helping the players at all with some of this stuff or putting them in the best position to succeed at times.

I'm hoping they figure some of this stuff out.

I’m probably not as concerned about the OLine as some others here, mainly because, with the amount of balls Ben is throwing he has only been sacked 10 times and none in the last three games. That may be what their concentration is on, since our more talented weapons are the receivers. I would like to see a more consistent run game but Conners had several big running plays.........I’m amazed at how many QBs have been sacked 30+ times in 10 games......some are over 40.

[SteelMember]

Gameball to the Defense

The Goat is the ref who threw the flag Juju twisted his foot on... what's in there, ball bearings!?!

[pczach]

I’m probably not as concerned about the OLine as some others here, mainly because, with the amount of balls Ben is throwing he has only been sacked 10 times and none in the last three games. That may be what their concentration is on, since our more talented weapons are the receivers. I would like to see a more consistent run game but Conners had several big running plays.........I’m amazed at how many QBs have been sacked 30+ times in 10 games......some are over 40.



I'm not banging on the OL. They're doing well with pass protection, but Ben has helped them a lot by getting rid of the ball so quickly, and they have made the quick passing an extension of the run game.

I also think that the coaches can help this OL run block with some better play calling. That's why I bring it up in the post you quoted. If they start using some fast-hitting inside runs off of that jet sweep action, I really think it will help the OL and the entire offense. The jet sweep plays will work better. The running game in general will work better. The better running game will open up the passing game even more by bringing defenders closer to the LOS.

This team can still get much better IMO. They are keeping things pretty vanilla offensively. The defense is playing well. The backup players are getting it done on the field.

There's a lot to like about what this team is doing and the possibilities going forward.

[Squeegee Thompson]

I’m probably not as concerned about the OLine as some others here, mainly because, with the amount of balls Ben is throwing he has only been sacked 10 times and none in the last three games. That may be what their concentration is on, since our more talented weapons are the receivers. I would like to see a more consistent run game but Conners had several big running plays.........I’m amazed at how many QBs have been sacked 30+ times in 10 games......some are over 40.
Another detail that keeps getting overlooked was the TE situation yesterday. We have 3 TEs: 2 who can block, and 1 who can catch. One of the two blocking TEs was home eating chicken soup, while the other one was in the locker room before the 2nd quarter. That left only Eric "Not-exactly-a-human-bulldozer" Ebron as the only active TE for the game. Of course the run game was going to suffer. It'll look a helluva lot better when Vance returns.

Jacksonville also looked like Baltimore v2.0 with their run game yesterday. They were going against our 2's and 3's at DL and LB for much of the game - it's to be expected, and it also helped that the refs decided to call holding against JAX about as strictly as an amateur judo match.

[EzraTank]

Gameball to the Defense

The Goat is the ref who threw the flag Juju twisted his foot on... what's in there, ball bearings!?!

"Do you need a refresher course? It's all ball-bearings!"

Bonus kudos to anyone who can name the movie!

[teegre]

"Do you need a refresher course? It's all ball-bearings!"

Bonus kudos to anyone who can name the movie!

I’ll ask Dr. Rosenrosen...

[EzraTank]

I’ll ask Dr. Rosenrosen...

Can I borrow your towel, my car just hit a water buffalo?

[teegre]

Can I borrow your towel, my car just hit a water buffalo?

You using the whole fist, doc?

[Squeegee Thompson]

You using the whole fist, doc?
:violin:Stangers in the niiiight ... exchanging clothing. Strangers in my pants ...

[teegre]

:violin:Stangers in the niiiight ... exchanging clothing. Strangers in my pants ...

-Baber... isn’t there a children’s book about elephant by that name?

-I don’t know... I don’t have any.

-Children?

-Books about elephants.

[SteelMember]

Gameball to the Defense

The Goat is the ref who threw the flag Juju twisted his foot on... what's in there, ball bearings!?!

Oh, and Goat to Ian Eagle for his double down "Hasn't missed jinx" followed by his "Graphic Jinx" on Boswell's 1st FG attempt... Jagoff! :brick:



:chuckle:

[86WARD]

-Baber... isn’t there a children’s book about elephant by that name?

-I don’t know... I don’t have any.

-Children?

-Books about elephants.

Babar!

[Craic]

Another detail that keeps getting overlooked was the TE situation yesterday. We have 3 TEs: 2 who can block, and 1 who can catch. One of the two blocking TEs was home eating chicken soup, while the other one was in the locker room before the 2nd quarter. That left only Eric "Not-exactly-a-human-bulldozer" Ebron as the only active TE for the game. Of course the run game was going to suffer. It'll look a helluva lot better when Vance returns.

Jacksonville also looked like Baltimore v2.0 with their run game yesterday. They were going against our 2's and 3's at DL and LB for much of the game - it's to be expected, and it also helped that the refs decided to call holding against JAX about as strictly as an amateur judo match.

Along with that, I remember the announcers saying that Tomlin was rotating guys on the line a lot more yesterday to keep them fresh since there's a Thursday night game this week. He didn't want to wear out any of his guys. Some may say that's looking past the Jags. I disagree. That's realizing a game against a division team and perennial contender for first place in the division is more important than a game against a 1-8 team conference team.

[steel striker]

Team win defense was real good DJ a pretty big game and, Ben was good got greedy at the end of the half with the pick.