Hampton watch

[GodfatherofSoul]

I've been hearing a lot that he's dropped off and I have to admit I've been focusing elsewhere on D. Has anyone been watching him closely enough to give some info on how he's doing? Any examples of plays that show how he's playing?

[GBMelBlount]

GodFatherOfSoul

Any examples of plays that show how (Hamptons's) playing?

Here ya go....don't blink!

[GBMelBlount]

[GBMelBlount]

[GBMelBlount]

[slippy]

he's been playing on roller skates. when mclendon is in i actually notice the D line.

[vader29]

[Psycho Ward 86]

he's been playing on roller skates. when mclendon is in i actually notice the D line.

[st33lersguy]

Hampton has played as well as Albert Haynesworth when he was a Redskin. Hampton has literally done nothing all year

[steelreserve]

[SteelGhost]

I think he won't be playing with the Steelers in 2013.

[Count Steeler]

I think he won't be playing with the Steelers in 2013.

Problem is, he hasn't played this year either.

[SteelGhost]

Problem is, he hasn't played this year either.

Yep, you're right Count It's becoming painful to watch him lined up in some plays

[zulater]

As coach Noll would say. Time to get on with your life's work Big Snack.

[st33lersguy]

Casey Hampton has been as useful as Joe Biden's brain

[Chidi29]

I still think if you want to talk about one guy struggling vs the run, it's Keisel. And no one has talked about him.

[Steeldude]

I still think if you want to talk about one guy struggling vs the run, it's Keisel. And no one has talked about him.

I have mentioned it for the last few seasons(if not more), but I didn't press it because there are so many short-tempered fans here.

[Steeldude]

Problem is, he hasn't played this year either.

Or the last few. I really thought they would make Mclendon the starter. I feel if the Steelers keep losing they should start Heyward, C. Allen and Mclendon or at least feed them a lot more minutes.

It's pathetic when coaches are afraid to bench veterans.

[zulater]

I still think if you want to talk about one guy struggling vs the run, it's Keisel. And no one has talked about him.

Keisel isn't even as close to bad as Hampton's been. You watch the games, look a little harder. Every play Hampton is being handled one on one by a center or guard with no difficulty. He's turned in whatever direction they need to turn him, be it run, pass, whatever. If the other team is running the hole goes past Hampton more often than not. And as opposed to his prime days when he occupied two blockers, or if blocked by one man would ram that guard or center right into the designated hole. Now, he's handled as easily as a 3 legged blind puppy.

Keisel has gotten good penetration and influenced plays in every game. He's got several good qb pressures, a tackle for a loss, and maintained gap control like he's supposed to as often as not, if not moreso.

That's not saying Keisel's game hasn't slipped considerably so far this season. It has. But the difference is he at least still has shown some evidence of having a game. Where Big Snack is showing virtually nil.

[plenewken]

Is he playing?

[steelpride12]

A lot of the D line has disappeared not just Hampton. Am I supporting and backing him, no, but Keisel and even Ziggy Hood have not played up to their potential.

[Chidi29]

Keisel isn't even as close to bad as Hampton's been. You watch the games, look a little harder. Every play Hampton is being handled one on one by a center or guard with no difficulty. He's turned in whatever direction they need to turn him, be it run, pass, whatever. If the other team is running the hole goes past Hampton more often than not. And as opposed to his prime days when he occupied two blockers, or if blocked by one man would ram that guard or center right into the designated hole. Now, he's handled as easily as a 3 legged blind puppy.

Keisel has gotten good penetration and influenced plays in every game. He's got several good qb pressures, a tackle for a loss, and maintained gap control like he's supposed to as often as not, if not moreso.

That's not saying Keisel's game hasn't slipped considerably so far this season. It has. But the difference is he at least still has shown some evidence of having a game. Where Big Snack is showing virtually nil.

I'm looking and watching it, trust me.

And to be clear, I never said Keisel was the worst of the three. But we aren't that surprised that Hampton dropped off. What I am surprised by is the struggles the Beard has seemed to have had. Hampton as a big body has been facing a lot of ZBS that he isn't as equipped to hold up against. So him struggling vs stretch plays isn't a huge shock. It's more alarming if Keisel does it. Granted, Hampton struggled badly against Nick Mangold so I'm not absolving Hamp. But the issues run deeper than him.

[zulater]

I'm looking and watching it, trust me.

And to be clear, I never said Keisel was the worst of the three. But we aren't that surprised that Hampton dropped off. What I am surprised by is the struggles the Beard has seemed to have had. Hampton as a big body has been facing a lot of ZBS that he isn't as equipped to hold up against. So him struggling vs stretch plays isn't a huge shock. It's more alarming if Keisel does it. Granted, Hampton struggled badly against Nick Mangold so I'm not absolving Hamp. But the issues run deeper than him.

The difference being, Keisel is showing occasional flashes of competence. Though he's far from being what he was only a year ago.

Hampton on the other hand doesn't even look like he belongs in the league at the moment. I hope he improves.

[Steeldude]

I seriously doubt Hampton improves. His lack of push and lateral movement has been painful to watch over the past few seasons. The only reason I feel he is starting is because Tomlin doesn't have the balls to bench him. I see a lot more effort and ability from Mclendon.

As for Kiesel, hasn't he always struggled or at least the weakest of the 3(Hampton/Smith) vs the run? I can't recall Kiesel ever being overly effective against the run. IMO, it was due to his lack of weight.

The deal with Hood is his transition from a 3-technique to a 5. Aaron Smith was very, very good at the 5.

I hear fans asking about changing to a 4-3. Well, that's easier said than done, but it is something the Steelers should look into. They will most likely keep the 3-4, but perhaps they should sprinkle in a 4-3 from time to time.

[GBMelBlount]

Or the last few. I really thought they would make Mclendon the starter. I feel if the Steelers keep losing they should start Heyward, C. Allen and Mclendon or at least feed them a lot more minutes.

It's pathetic when coaches are afraid to bench veterans.

Agreed.

They had better start tweaking this defense and fast....

If we keep hemmorhaging losses without seeing any attempt at significant personnel adjustments the responsibility for the losses falls largely on the shoulders of the coaches imo.

[XxKnightxX]

Hampton Watch update : He just ordered 30 mac n cheese poppers from Sheetz. And took a bag of chips.

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2

[GodfatherofSoul]

I seriously doubt Hampton improves. His lack of push and lateral movement has been painful to watch over the past few seasons. The only reason I feel he is starting is because Tomlin doesn't have the balls to bench him. I see a lot more effort and ability from Mclendon.

As for Kiesel, hasn't he always struggled or at least the weakest of the 3(Hampton/Smith) vs the run? I can't recall Kiesel ever being overly effective against the run. IMO, it was due to his lack of weight.

The deal with Hood is his transition from a 3-technique to a 5. Aaron Smith was very, very good at the 5.

I hear fans asking about changing to a 4-3. Well, that's easier said than done, but it is something the Steelers should look into. They will most likely keep the 3-4, but perhaps they should sprinkle in a 4-3 from time to time.

How are they going to switch to a 4-3 when they've got a subpar d-line with only 3 on the field?

[steelreserve]

How are they going to switch to a 4-3 when they've got a subpar d-line with only 3 on the field?

Because a lot of people feel like the younger linemen we have are OK, just struggling in the role of a 3-4 lineman. Which makes sense, since I believe Hood and Heyward were 4-3 defensive tackles in college and now we're trying to convert them to 3-4 DEs, which has accomplished exactly dick.

It's also worth mentioning that we don't have 4 good linebackers to run a 3-4, especially 4 healthy ones. Woodley was also a 4-3 DE in college, and at this point he could probably help us in a lot of ways in that scheme.

[zulater]

4th quarter, about 10.40ish to go. Titans ball first and ten at the 50, they run Johnson around right end. McClendon blows up the center, laterally pursues the play, and he along with Worldis make the stop for a 2 yard gain. Next play Timmons gets his inteception.

Anyway the best play by a nose tackle all game, maybe all season. How they can justify playing Hampton over McClendon is beyond me?

So getting back to the game. Steelers score the fg to go up by 7, Sushi kicks off for a touchback, the Titans first and 10 from their 20. Guess who's back at nose tackle? If you guessed 98 you'd be right. Completely runs himself out of the play, Johnson goes streaking through the middle for an 11 yard gain. Nice move Lebeau!

A couple plays later, McClendon is back in the game again finally. First and 10 Titans 45. McClendon blows up the center, penetrates into the backfield takes out the fullback, changes the path Johnson wanted to take, right into the hands of Timmons. 2 yard gain. Next play McClendon's gone from the game again.

Hampton played 5 more downs on the series. McClendon didn't see the field again.

[Steeldude]

How they can justify playing Hampton over McClendon is beyond me?

He's starting because he is a veteran and Tomlin doesn't have the guts to bench him. That's my take on it.