Game Balls and Goats

[Rotorhead]

Balls - Najee, Jets and the defense

Goats - Game Day thread towards the end, Coaching in general this game and Penalties

[RunNGun]

Balls - Najee, Jets and the defense

Goats - Game Day thread towards the end, Coaching in general this game and Penalties

I was only giving you shit at the end for supporting Ben if that's what you were referring to.

Gameballs: Defense was awesome today. They bent, but never broke. Najee was an animal. Did a lot with a little, but the Oline is improving. They opened up some nice holes. I also thought the jet motion was extremely effective today. Pat Freiermuth had his coming out game today. Hopefully, he continues to showcase what he can do. I'll throw Ben in there too...he did just enough to not lose this game.

Goat...the fake field goal was a terrible play call. It would have made sense if this team was out of the hunt, but in that situation it didn't make sense.

[Rotorhead]

I was only giving you shit at the end for supporting Ben if that's what you were referring to.

Gameballs: Defense was awesome today. They bent, but never broke. Najee was an animal. Did a lot with a little, but the Oline is improving. They opened up some nice holes. I also thought the jet motion was extremely effective today. Pat Freiermuth had his coming out game today. Hopefully, he continues to showcase what he can do. I'll throw Ben in there too...he did just enough to not lose this game.

Goat...the fake field goal was a terrible play call. It would have made sense if this team was out of the hunt, but in that situation it didn't make sense.

Nah, I meant the “who’s in charge” arguments were just dumb. I didn’t mind the fake FG call, just a crappy outcome. But I see your point.

[Craic]

Game Ball
Najee. I like this kid's drive.
Defense.

HM: offensive line on rushing. Think about this for a second, the O Line opened holes against the second best D and a very strong D line. Sure, they're still a work in progress, but I am starting to like this work.

Goats
Luck. No, not Andrew, he's no longer playing. Just bad luck that led to Bosworth being out of the game. And no, I don't blame the coaches for that.

[Edman]

Game ball:

Ben pulled it together and played decent in the second half.

Najee Harris, health aside, will be a franchise RB.

Pat Freiermuth is a monster, Gentry is developing into a solid #2 TE.

Defense solidifying to stop Chubb.

Game goat:

Mike Tomlin for the stupid fake field goal call. Even if it worked, it was stupid in context.

[Mojouw]

Gentry is starting to look like a player who was really negatively impacted by the lack of a traditional off-season last year. He seems to be taking a big leap forward this season. And Year 3 is often when TEs start to "figure it out". They have gained NFL bodies and NFL level technique.

I am really high on Gentry being a second TE here for the next several years. I think he was open enough on the missed TD throw in the first half.

[Steeler-in-west]

Gameball to the defense, PF, Najee, Ben and the o line. Ben’s looking better with more time. He moves like an old man but his reads and decisions are looking better.

Goat to Tomlin and the coaching staff for the stupid trick play that almost got boz killed. ( I couldn’t watch the game so I didn’t even know boz was out till later). I still don’t like the trickery there. To me, you do that when your confident in your offense not when your offense struggles to score points. You don’t risk squandering hard fought field position and points on trickery.

[DesertSteel]

Gameballs to........

Ben (the old/new Ben)
Najee - he lacks speed but has everything else
Muth - he's the real
TJ - per normal
Defense - stopping the run and making Baker look like... Baker
O-line - I like what I saw today

Goats...

I was going to give it to Tomlin for the stupid fake, but on second thought, if it wasn't for not having a kicker in the second half we probably would have been playing for FGs on those two touchdowns. So I'm letting him off the hook. But he was on the hook for a long time during that second half!

[HollywoodSteel]

The results of the fake FG obviously sucked, but I can't see how you can anticipate a (non called) roughing the passer on any play.

[DesertSteel]

In the bliss of the win I almost forgot to give a goat nod to bush for being out of position to make that tackle. This is something that keeps coming up with 55.

What exactly does he do well?

[teegre]

In the bliss of the win I almost forgot to give a goat nod to bush for being out of position to make that tackle. This is something that keeps coming up with 55.

What exactly does he do well?

Right :doh: My daughter (10) asked, “Why did 55 run past the guy with the ball???”

[The Bark]

Balls: Tough one. Muth impresses me and did since day one. It's no wonder Ben was clamoring him to get more involved with the offense. He's like human flypaper out there.

Goats: I can't fault Tomlin for the fake FG. The defense, at times, just looks like they're watching target practice (I'm speaking of the secondary.) It seems like people are always open, but then a play somehow gets made to stop the drives. So, I don't know. I'm going to go with Tony Romo and Jim Nance. For being commentators, their lack of comment regarding the helmet to face mask of Boswell was mind-boggling. Absolutely ridiculous it happened in the first place, but seriously left me wondering what game they were watching.

[Mojouw]

Right :doh: My daughter (10) asked, “Why did 55 run past the guy with the ball???”

He has zero feel for the game. Ignore the ball carrier for a second. The play is flowing towards the sideline. Bush should both know AND see that MF is outside of him and ready to turn the ball carrier back inside. So WHY THE HELL IS BUSH RUNNING TO GET OUTSIDE THE RB?

It makes no sense unless your an idiot. Bush is an idiot.

[teegre]

He has zero feel for the game. Ignore the ball carrier for a second. The play is flowing towards the sideline. Bush should both know AND see that MF is outside of him and ready to turn the ball carrier back inside. So WHY THE HELL IS BUSH RUNNING TO GET OUTSIDE THE RB?

It makes no sense unless your an idiot. Bush is an idiot.

That’s almost exactly what I told my daughter. Really. :lol:

[HollywoodSteel]

He has zero feel for the game. Ignore the ball carrier for a second. The play is flowing towards the sideline. Bush should both know AND see that MF is outside of him and ready to turn the ball carrier back inside. So WHY THE HELL IS BUSH RUNNING TO GET OUTSIDE THE RB?

It makes no sense unless your an idiot. Bush is an idiot.

I'm going to be an optimist like I was with Bud. He's physically talented and I believe he has a good work ethic. The mental aspect of the game doesn't come naturally to him like it does with a TJ or Minkah, but when it all comes together I think Bush will be impressive... and it will obviously be a contract year.

[teegre]

Balls: Tough one. Muth impresses me and did since day one. It's no wonder Ben was clamoring him to get more involved with the offense. He's like human flypaper out there.

Goats: I can't fault Tomlin for the fake FG. The defense, at times, just looks like they're watching target practice (I'm speaking of the secondary.) It seems like people are always open, but then a play somehow gets made to stop the drives. So, I don't know. I'm going to go with Tony Romo and Jim Nance. For being commentators, their lack of comment regarding the helmet to face mask of Boswell was mind-boggling. Absolutely ridiculous it happened in the first place, but seriously left me wondering what game they were watching.

It’s like Romo had things planned to say, mostly about Myles Garrett… and no matter what actually transpired, he went with his scripted lines.

TD by Freiermuth: If Ben had held the ball a little longer, Myles Garrett would have added a tombstone to his cemetery.

Big run by Harris: They ran away from Myles Garrett… because, he has a cemetery on his front lawn.

Fake FG: Why would you do that when you know that Myles Garrett has a cemetery on his front lawn!?!

[teegre]

I'm going to be an optimist like I was with Bud. He's physically talented and I believe he has a good work ethic. The mental aspect of the game doesn't come naturally to him like it does with a TJ or Minkah, but when it all comes together I think Bush will be impressive... and it will obviously be a contract year.

2023 season stats:

150 tackles
23 TFLs
8 forced fumbles
6 sacks
3 INTs

[HollywoodSteel]

2023 season stats:

150 tackles
23 TFLs
8 forced fumbles
6 sacks
3 INTs

Looks like a Ray Lewis season. I’ll take it.

[Mojouw]

I'm going to be an optimist like I was with Bud. He's physically talented and I believe he has a good work ethic. The mental aspect of the game doesn't come naturally to him like it does with a TJ or Minkah, but when it all comes together I think Bush will be impressive... and it will obviously be a contract year.

Good point. The physical tools are there. He did beat the RB and MF to the spot.

[HollywoodSteel]

Good point. The physical tools are there. He did beat the RB and MF to the spot.

I mean, I do remember having these same conversations about Bud Dupree. I’m definitely not sure about any specific player, but I tend to be optimistic about players with the physical tools as long as they have a great attitude and work ethic. Then, if they have good coaching and good players around them they tend to improve. Also why I kept the faith with Edmonds. I think the longer he stays with Minkah, the better he’ll get at the mental stuff.

[DesertSteel]

I'm going to be an optimist like I was with Bud. He's physically talented and I believe he has a good work ethic. The mental aspect of the game doesn't come naturally to him like it does with a TJ or Minkah, but when it all comes together I think Bush will be impressive... and it will obviously be a contract year.
I think his athletic ability is overrated to boot. Bud was a freak. Bush is not.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

So the O line isnt terrible? Najee can do some math? and Rookie TE's can make significant contributions in the NFL? Who knew.

Good, tough and a bit ugly of a win on the road in a hostile environment.

[that1guy]

The utter stupidity by whoever called the fake field goal is maddening, why risk injury to the most consistent offensive producer? Hopefully Boz is fine and doesn't miss considerable time. On the plus side Najee is everything and more the Steelers hoped he would be.

[Rotorhead]

The utter stupidity by whoever called the fake field goal is maddening, why risk injury to the most consistent offensive producer? Hopefully Boz is fine and doesn't miss considerable time. On the plus side Najee is everything and more the Steelers hoped he would be.

99 times out of 100 the kicker isn’t touched, in fact, if Boz throws to an open Muth, Muth probably fights for a TD. Just a bad luck play by Boz.

[Steel Peon]

I didn't read the thread yet so forgive me if I repeat anyone or if it seems like all I do is complain...

Negatives:

First, I'd like to know how the fuck a flag was NOT thrown as Jordan Eliot went helmet to helmet on Chris Boswell far after he'd thrown the fucking ball?! Just the helmet to helmet should've been enough to draw a flag, let alone the fact that the hit was late as hell. As always, the refs do wtfever they want. If this was fucking Tom fucking Brady that fucking got fucking hit like that you can fucking bet every fucking ref in the place would've let a fucking flag fly.......... Ok, now that I've got that out of my system...

Speaking of which, it looked to me when Mayfield got wrapped up from behind by Watt and a minor collision ensued that no flag was necessary, but as usual a bs flag was thrown.

Also, Dionte can get grabbed all day and ridden around like he's wearing the defender like a coat, but all it takes from the defender is to turn his head at the last possible instant, probably never even laying eyes on the ball itself, for no flag to be thrown.

I hate these jet sweeps using WRs as RBs, because that's what we have RBs for, but fortunately Claypool had enough brains to realize the only WR that could ever survive collisions with DBs and walk away with the DB in worse shape was Hines Ward, and he's not him so he WISELY fell down just before the LOS, and before making contact. Congrats to Claypool for knowing a dumb play when he's in one.

Speaking of which, Claypool is great... Just wanted to say that... But he seems to have limited spatial awareness, and can make the most pedestrian catches look very difficult, because he's almost always 2-3 feet away from where the ball is heading. Even when the ball's heading straight at him, he looks surprised that the ball has just appeared out of thin air in front of him, and desperately grabs at it for dear life. That said, I have no fears he anywhere close to being Mike Wallace, who was only rivaled by Ike Taylor in his inability to catch balls thrown directly to him.

I noticed the Browns HC calling time-outs before the 2-min warning, while the Steelers possessed the ball BEFORE the first half. Why did he do this? Because he realized that we could eat the clock away, score, and then receive the kick-off immediately to start the 2nd half, so he needed to give his offense a chance to possess the ball before the half, and wasn't worried if we would score or not, which is what a HC should do, which is something Tomlin has failed to do on 3 separate occasions this season so far, taking 2-3 time-outs into the locker room with him at the half, never to be seen again, when he could've used them to give his offense another chance at scoring before kicking the ball away. Will Mike ever get smarter about when to call a time-out? 14 years into this job without improvement means it'll never change.

I'm not calling the Browns HC a genius btw, and I think he made a really bad decision towards the end of the game when deciding to attempt the 4th & 12 from the Steelers 26 yd line, having all 3 time-outs with 1:58 left in the game, down 15-10. What should he have done? I said it during the commercial break at home, that a FG here (which was VERY makeable) would get them within 3 pts of winning, and had a far more likely chance of success. If you fail to get the 1st down and turn the ball over, you have to burn through all 3 TOs and pray your Def can make a stop, which you'd have to do as well if you successfully kick the FG here. So... If you will more than likely have to call all 3 of your TOs and pray your Def can make a stop (against a team with NO kicker) then which would you rather do? Score a TD or a FG to win? He should've kicked the FG here.

Positives:

Speaking of that 4th down, Tony Romo said the smartest thing I've heard him say, which was to posit the same exact logic I was spewing about the Browns kicking that FG immediately after the commercial break, which made me smile. Thanks Tony.

Pat Freiermuth has the potential to be the greatest TE this team has ever had, and the catch he made in the back of the EZ was as difficult as catch as anyone could possibly ever make. As far as I'm concerned he's our best receiver right now, and in hindsight would've been a 1st round pick, but we stole him in the 2nd.

Speaking of our 1st round pick, Najee Harris has the potential to be the greatest RB this team has ever had, who possesses every great skill that every other Steelers RB has ever possessed. He has Bell's hands, he has Parker's speed, he has the Bus' power, he has Franco's awareness, but he might be more durable and strong than any of them have ever been, seeing as he's had the ball on nearly 50% of all offensive plays so far, and been on the field doing things almost all of the other 50%. Time will tell.

[Steeler-in-west]

The utter stupidity by whoever called the fake field goal is maddening, why risk injury to the most consistent offensive producer? Hopefully Boz is fine and doesn't miss considerable time. On the plus side Najee is everything and more the Steelers hoped he would be.

If they were preparing a fake field goal play in practice one would think that it would be the punter throwing the ball (at least he has some experience) not a fly weight Boswell. That play had stupid written all over it. Even if it were successful it’s something you don’t even think of trying again.

[Fire Goodell]

Speaking of our 1st round pick, Najee Harris has the potential to be the greatest RB this team has ever had, who possesses every great skill that every other Steelers RB has ever possessed. He has Bell's hands, he has Parker's speed, he has the Bus' power, he has Franco's awareness, but he might be more durable and strong than any of them have ever been, seeing as he's had the ball on nearly 50% of all offensive plays so far, and been on the field doing things almost all of the other 50%. Time will tell.

He's not as fast as Parker, he's about as fast as Mendenhall, but runs with the attitude and power that we all wished Mendy would have. He reminds me mostly of Marshawn Lynch but a better receiver than beastmode. They both don't look like huge guys but they're deceptively powerful, and have a combo of power and quickness which makes them pretty much a mismatch against any defender 1on1 in the open field. I don't often see Najee ever stopped by one defender, he always has to get gang tackled or slowed down by one player before another brings him down.

My game ball goes to Big Fry. That TD catch was pure beauty, he has rare body control for someone that size. Not to mention he juked a DB in the open field on his 22yd reception. This kid is going to be one of the top TEs in the league for some time. He doesn't need to be baby gronk, i'm 100% fine with "baby heath". But with that said, he looks more athletic than Miller ever was (though maybe not as powerful).

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

Goat- BM pretending to be a bad MOFU like he will win the game. Funny to see him fired up and don't do sh!t. Opps wrong forum.

[steelreserve]

Mike Tomlin for the stupid fake field goal call. Even if it worked, it was stupid in context.

I couldn't believe the call in that situation. Our defense had held them to 3 points and we were going to get the ball to start the second half. There was zero reason to try some low-percentage garbage play like that. The odds were already in our favor, just stick with what works.


Gentry is starting to look like a player who was really negatively impacted by the lack of a traditional off-season last year. He seems to be taking a big leap forward this season. And Year 3 is often when TEs start to "figure it out". They have gained NFL bodies and NFL level technique.

I am really high on Gentry being a second TE here for the next several years. I think he was open enough on the missed TD throw in the first half.

I have to admit Gentry has been a huge surprise. I hated that pick about as much as it was possible for a fifth-rounder. I don't remember exactly what it was, but either there were a couple of tight ends still on the board who everyone thought were way better, or there was some other guy who had fallen incredibly far at a position we needed, like DL or DB or something. I remember cursing at my phone like, "why the hell did we use that pick to draft the sixth-best tight end still left, when we could've probably just signed him as an undrafted free agent." That was a case where I'm glad I was wrong about a pick. Although I'd rather have been wrong about Artie Burns.

[stillers4me]

Right :doh: My daughter (10) asked, “Why did 55 run past the guy with the ball???”

Seriously. Maybe he is still not fully healed? Got me because he sure showed a lot of promise before his injury. ":noidea:

- - - Updated - - -


He's not as fast as Parker, he's about as fast as Mendenhall, but runs with the attitude and power that we all wished Mendy would have. He reminds me mostly of Marshawn Lynch but a better receiver than beastmode. They both don't look like huge guys but they're deceptively powerful, and have a combo of power and quickness which makes them pretty much a mismatch against any defender 1on1 in the open field. I don't often see Najee ever stopped by one defender, he always has to get gang tackled or slowed down by one player before another brings him down.

My game ball goes to Big Fry. That TD catch was pure beauty, he has rare body control for someone that size. Not to mention he juked a DB in the open field on his 22yd reception. This kid is going to be one of the top TEs in the league for some time. He doesn't need to be baby gronk, i'm 100% fine with "baby heath". But with that said, he looks more athletic than Miller ever was (though maybe not as powerful).

Big Fry. I like it.

[teegre]

@SteelPeon Yep. DJ had his arm hooked, he was shoved before the ball got there, he was held… it is what it is. What bothered me to the nth degree, though, was when it occurred on the two-point conversion. On the previous two-point attempt, they called Green for a ticky-tack hold… but, let the CB hold, shove, and reroute DJ. Once again… I just want the refs to be consistent.

Also, Freiermuth’s TD was/is one of the best catches of the season (by any player, on any team). WOW!!! Correct me if I’m wrong, but going back to college, Muth has NEVER dropped a red-zone target. Never. We absolutely got a R1 talent in R2.

[Rotorhead]

On top of that, I love it when Muth stiff arms/shoves defenders into the ground, he is going to make some highlight reels with those. It wasn’t as good was our last TE (can’t recall his name right now) embarrassing the defender, but it is close already!

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

If they were preparing a fake field goal play in practice one would think that it would be the punter throwing the ball (at least he has some experience) not a fly weight Boswell. That play had stupid written all over it. Even if it were successful it’s something you don’t even think of trying again.Why would they ever think that Boswell could throw the football on a fake FG. Oh, wait....there is this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHozhoaGjoY

2018 Boswell TD pass on a fake FG vs Broncos. Just before half time.

[Fire Goodell]

On top of that, I love it when Muth stiff arms/shoves defenders into the ground, he is going to make some highlight reels with those. It wasn’t as good was our last TE (can’t recall his name right now) embarrassing the defender, but it is close already!

McDonald? Yeah hard to top that stiff arm that put the defender on IR but Fry is gonna have a much better career than McDonald did (barring injury). McDonald had great talent and was built like a truck but the guy couldn't catch worth a damn. Pat literally catches everything.

[Steeler-in-west]

Why would they ever think that Boswell could throw the football on a fake FG. Oh, wait....there is this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHozhoaGjoY

2018 Boswell TD pass on a fake FG vs Broncos. Just before half time.

That play was run perfectly but its still a high risk play and you saw what happens when there's any hesitancy. You've got Harvin taking snaps now anyway if they really want to run it. No reason to have Boswell running around like Joe Montana.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

That play was run perfectly but its still a high risk play and you saw what happens when there's any hesitancy. You've got Harvin taking snaps now anyway if they really want to run it. No reason to have Boswell running around like Joe Montana.

Jumping out of planes behind enemy lines is high risk, but the 82nd Airborne was still established back in WW1.

Football is similar to the military in that strategy is developed and practiced, drilled in order to achieve an objective. If you are not willing to take risk, you cannot be a Head Football Coach because the risk averse want to take what is given to them, rather than take what is wanted. Tomlin doesnt live in his fears and neither do other successful coaches and leaders.

[Steeler-in-west]

Jumping out of planes behind enemy lines is high risk, but the 82nd Airborne was still established back in WW1.

Football is similar to the military in that strategy is developed and practiced, drilled in order to achieve an objective. If you are not willing to take risk, you cannot be a Head Football Coach because the risk averse want to take what is given to them, rather than take what is wanted. Tomlin doesnt live in his fears and neither do other successful coaches and leaders.

all risks should be calculated. some risks are unnecessary, that was an unnecessary risk and dumb. Tomlin probably thinks so now too. Bet he won't try that again.

Now we may not have Boswell for next week - and with this offense we need all the help we can get.

[RunNGun]

Tomlin did take blame for that play. I'm not blaming him too much because if it worked we would all say that was one hell of a call. I still don't like it in that scenario and I don't think I could be convinced otherwise.

[HollywoodSteel]

I'm not going to be overly critical of the call, but I think it is a decent point that we have an actual QB as a holder in that situation, who also happens to be built like a tank. I've been kind of waiting to see Harvin throw the ball.

[tube517]

Jumping out of planes behind enemy lines is high risk, but the 82nd Airborne was still established back in WW1.

Football is similar to the military in that strategy is developed and practiced, drilled in order to achieve an objective. If you are not willing to take risk, you cannot be a Head Football Coach because the risk averse want to take what is given to them, rather than take what is wanted. Tomlin doesnt live in his fears and neither do other successful coaches and leaders.

I think El Gonzo has some aviator sun glasses in his pocket. :chuckle:

Now, if PH3 was the one w/the ball throwing it I would have liked it better not because he has a NT body but he has had success before (in college) throwing it.

[teegre]

As I have posted every week… Cam Heyward.

Don’t get me wrong: TJ Watt is our best player. But, the DPOY candidate on the Steelers for this season is Cam Heyward. Really. He blows up everything.

[pczach]

As I have posted every week… Cam Heyward.

Don’t get me wrong: TJ Watt is our best player. But, the DPOY candidate on the Steelers for this season is Cam Heyward. Really. He blows up everything.



He's having an incredible season.

Absolutely dominant.

[tube517]

As I have posted every week… Cam Heyward.

Don’t get me wrong: TJ Watt is our best player. But, the DPOY candidate on the Steelers for this season is Cam Heyward. Really. He blows up everything.

The Captain is always leading the way. When Tuitt went down last time, Heyward was really really good. This season he is blowing people up. He gets zero attention from the media except for maybe Baldinger.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I think El Gonzo has some aviator sun glasses in his pocket. :chuckle:

.
Why keep them in your pocket. This is such a ballin look.

https://magazine.foriowa.org/images/09_17fryHR.gif

[teegre]

The Captain is always leading the way. When Tuitt went down last time, Heyward was really really good. This season he is blowing people up. He gets zero attention from the media except for maybe Baldinger.

Baldinger broke down the back-to-back 3rd and 4th down plays in the first quarter, when the Browns could not convert. (turnover on downs)

On 3rd down, Heyward runs sideways, right past the RT… like Heyward is an OLB. Heyward chases down the RB for no gain. Incredible play for such a big man.

On 4th down, Heyward does the opposite: no speed, just power. He lifts & shoves the LT into the LG (who appeared to be pulling) knocking both of the O-linemen into the RB. The RB has to bounce it outside, where Haden (sealed the edge) and Watt (backside pursuit) tackle the RB*.

SUMMATION:
On back-to-back short-yardage plays, Heyward displayed the speed of an OLB and then the power of a NT. He’s a freak!!! He’s our DPOY!!!!!


*(Note: Bush should have made the tackle for a loss, but he looked lost. Thankfully Haden & Watt were there.)