- Thread starter
- #1
ATL96Steeler
Well-Known Member
I've said before I'm not shocked the team is 0-4, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't surprised. I am surprised.
I've watched every game twice, except the MIN game...my 4 game observation/grade.
OFC...F...it's too easy to point to the OL, but everyone knows Ben brings some sacks on himself. Injury to Spaeth really exposed Paulson as a oneway player...D. Johnson I think can fill the Spaeth role. Turnovers have flat out killed them, and most of them are on Ben.
Now...the positives, Heath has looked good in his work load thus far...played 50+ snaps in the MIN game...now maybe Tomlin/Haley have finally come to grips that Dwyer and Redman are not good options behind this OL...Bell & F. Jones should be the go forward ball carriers. Sanders #s are down there with many of the top #3 WRs...MIN showed the OFC is coming around. With Miller & Bell getting more touch, could be a decent 12 game stretch...but, this is still a concern for me.
DEF...D...ranked 11th doesn't tell the whole story. Giving up way too many yds on the ground...also missing tackles and being out of position @ FS has caused some long runs. The lack of turnovers is concerning...the DL pressure has been there at times (CIN game they got good pressure most of the game), other times almost non existent. Further proof that it's a team game, the edge guys got upfield pressure against MIN but the interior guys had no push and Cassel had a good pocket to step up and buy time. Made the whole DL look crappy.
The zone blitz is not doing it and it really hasn't for a while. To get more pressure, I think LeBeau is going to need to gamble more with LB/S/CB overload type pressure...allow Allen & Taylor to play some bump-n-run with 1 high S. More risky, but gotta start getting some more heat on the QB.
ST...C...not hurting them nor are they making a huge difference in field position.
Coaching... D...I'm not sure how you coach a team through turnovers, but Tomlin has to be on Ben about ball security, reducing negative plays. OL play overall will improve just on experience @ LT...this change should shake up the team on some level also. Tomlin needs to continue that...Golden is the backup FS, but I'm expecting to see more of Shamarko Thomas @ FS if Clark's play does not improve immediately.
I've watched every game twice, except the MIN game...my 4 game observation/grade.
OFC...F...it's too easy to point to the OL, but everyone knows Ben brings some sacks on himself. Injury to Spaeth really exposed Paulson as a oneway player...D. Johnson I think can fill the Spaeth role. Turnovers have flat out killed them, and most of them are on Ben.
Now...the positives, Heath has looked good in his work load thus far...played 50+ snaps in the MIN game...now maybe Tomlin/Haley have finally come to grips that Dwyer and Redman are not good options behind this OL...Bell & F. Jones should be the go forward ball carriers. Sanders #s are down there with many of the top #3 WRs...MIN showed the OFC is coming around. With Miller & Bell getting more touch, could be a decent 12 game stretch...but, this is still a concern for me.
DEF...D...ranked 11th doesn't tell the whole story. Giving up way too many yds on the ground...also missing tackles and being out of position @ FS has caused some long runs. The lack of turnovers is concerning...the DL pressure has been there at times (CIN game they got good pressure most of the game), other times almost non existent. Further proof that it's a team game, the edge guys got upfield pressure against MIN but the interior guys had no push and Cassel had a good pocket to step up and buy time. Made the whole DL look crappy.
The zone blitz is not doing it and it really hasn't for a while. To get more pressure, I think LeBeau is going to need to gamble more with LB/S/CB overload type pressure...allow Allen & Taylor to play some bump-n-run with 1 high S. More risky, but gotta start getting some more heat on the QB.
ST...C...not hurting them nor are they making a huge difference in field position.
Coaching... D...I'm not sure how you coach a team through turnovers, but Tomlin has to be on Ben about ball security, reducing negative plays. OL play overall will improve just on experience @ LT...this change should shake up the team on some level also. Tomlin needs to continue that...Golden is the backup FS, but I'm expecting to see more of Shamarko Thomas @ FS if Clark's play does not improve immediately.