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Are the Steelers panicking already?

WindyCitySteel

WindyCitySteel

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Two weeks in and the “historic” defense is in tatters, they’ve signed a run-stopping ILB off of a practice squad, they’re talking about Cole Holcomb playing more for Wilson, Peppers playing more at safety, and it appears they’re trying to rush back Derrick Harmon from his knee injury. Really was hoping he’d get until after the bye week to fully heal. If he aggravates it and misses more time there should be hell to pay.

This also signals that they don’t believe their vanilla schemes are the problem, but rather the personnel they were so giddy about just a few weeks ago, which of course will eventually lead to multiple blowouts by well-coached teams with similar or better talent.
 
JFC, Austin was asked why Black isn’t playing nose, said he doesn’t want to put too much on his plate even though he “can eat up two blockers”.

This is sheer stubbornness. If Benton is put on skates again today and next week, I want Austin to be fired at the bye. I know it’s Tomlin’s D, but I want his scapegoat out of the way early.
 
SteelerInLebanon said:
No I don’t think they are. Fans absolutely are and the media. It is what they do.
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The way we ended last year and after last game, you don't think there is legit cause for concern? The same trends have been going on for years. We have trench trouble on both sides of the ball. I don't think those issues magically fix themselves
 
jitter77 said:
The way we ended last year and after last game, you don't think there is legit cause for concern? The same trends have been going on for years. We have trench trouble on both sides of the ball. I don't think those issues magically fix themselves
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Yeah, but at least our offense and defense are totally predictable.
 
I dont know about rushing Harmon. Ive been talking about Holcomb tge last two weeks. Skinny looking linebackers dont get it done vs. The Run and Patrick Queen isnt exactly Levon Kirkland.
 
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jitter77 said:
The way we ended last year and after last game, you don't think there is legit cause for concern? The same trends have been going on for years. We have trench trouble on both sides of the ball. I don't think those issues magically fix themselves
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Concern? Yes. But this an almost entirely different t secondary and will have likely 2 out 3 new starters on the line as well. It takes time to gel. I am hopeful this defense will get better with time and injury recovery.
 
WindyCitySteel said:
JFC, Austin was asked why Black isn’t playing nose, said he doesn’t want to put too much on his plate even though he “can eat up two blockers”.

This is sheer stupidity. If Benton is put on skates again today and next week, I want Austin to be fired at the bye. I know it’s Tomlin’s D, but I want his scapegoat out of the way early.
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FIFY
 
SteelerInLebanon said:
Yes but all the guys starting in the secondary are new. It is a legit issue right now. In 4 weeks it better not be.
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The new faces were supposed to improve the defense, what did they do all offseason?

Meanwhile, Parsons misses the entire offseason, joins a new team just before the season kicks off and they’re moving him all over and making an impact.

Coaching matters.
 
WindyCitySteel said:
The new faces were supposed to improve the defense, what did they do all offseason?

Meanwhile, Parsons misses the entire offseason, joins a new team just before the season kicks off and they’re moving him all over and making an impact.

Coaching matters.
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They weren’t all on the team all offseason and were not all supposed to be starters. It took the Ravens half the season last year to become cohesive on defense. It is not time to panic. Yet.
 
jitter77 said:
The way we ended last year and after last game, you don't think there is legit cause for concern? The same trends have been going on for years. We have trench trouble on both sides of the ball. I don't think those issues magically fix themselves
Click to expand...

With razor thin talent margins in the NFL, you can’t just line up and consistently beat your man. On offense, no motion. On D, no disguising of blitzes or coverages, just vanilla Tampa 2.

Tomlin should be coaching a college team.
 
No. Holcomb is a good linebacker. He's healthy, why not play him? Peppers should've started last week, not sure why he didn't. Nevermind, moving train.
 
They are terrible. But, they have been missing at least 3 or 4 starters in both of the last 2 games. So, there is that. And, Harmon in his limited debut looked pretty darn good with a sack and a TFL. He and Heyward at DT with Black at NT is what the DL should shake out to be, and possibly right after the bye.
 
SteelerSask2 said:
I dont know about rushing Harmon. Ive been talking about Holcomb tge last two weeks. Skinny looking linebackers dont get it done vs. The Run and Patrick Queen isnt exactly Levon Kirkland.
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I sure don’t know the answer here Sask. in today’s NFL against the better teams any down can be a passing down,especially if you have a slower LB in that the opposing DC can exploit. Would a guy like Levon be effective in today’s game? Our nemesis for years has been the opposing TE.
I thought Queen might be the answer. I haven’t given up on him yet,but he needs to show more. I thought he had a better game yesterday. I had such high expectations when he signed. But he reminds me of Gildong. We will see.

I remember when they let Robert Spillane walk in his prime,for 3.5 million. Even though he wanted to stay. I was totally against that. But ,of course the knock on him was too slow. He was a huge part of the Raiders and now has a 11 million a year deal with NE. He’s done very well for himself.
 
It took 5 turnovers to barely beat a bad team, yeah a win is a win, but I just can't get excited until we're one of the elite teams again, I lived through the 80's just scraping by knowing you never really had a chance, this is that all over again.
 
Steelmann said:
I sure don’t know the answer here Sask. in today’s NFL against the better teams any down can be a passing down,especially if you have a slower LB in that the opposing DC can exploit. Would a guy like Levon be effective in today’s game? Our nemesis for years has been the opposing TE.
I thought Queen might be the answer. I haven’t given up on him yet,but he needs to show more. I thought he had a better game yesterday. I had such high expectations when he signed. But he reminds me of Gildong. We will see.

I remember when they let Robert Spillane walk in his prime,for 3.5 million. Even though he wanted to stay. I was totally against that. But ,of course the knock on him was too slow. He was a huge part of the Raiders and now has a 11 million a year deal with NE. He’s done very well for himself.
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Holcomb didn't look bad vs. Play pass and it wasn't much but seemed slightly better vs. Run. Play him on first and second till Wlson gets his head out of his ***.
 
SteelerSask2 said:
Holcomb didn't look bad vs. Play pass and it wasn't much but seemed slightly better vs. Run. Play him on first and second till Wlson gets his head out of his ***.
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I agree. Wilson looks lost right now. Let’s hope it’s not a trend.
 
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