TODAY…………….it begins

[SteelerSask2]

As a former Tomlin critic, I gotta disagree with this

Change for the sake of change alone is below the standards of this franchise.

Should we be patient early in the season? Yes

Should McCarthy get credit if the team has a better year than Tomlin last year? Yes. Then does McCarthy get a mulligan year to stink it up because it’s his first year? Absolutely not

McCarthy is too experienced to get or want a Mulligan. If they are healthy at Key positions I expect 10 plus wins and look like a bonafide playoff contender that could be a tough out.

 

[bermudasteel]

I knew someone would respond with this. "no losing seasons" isn't proficient coaching either. Only winning SBs is, really. Not a change Shades would do it again. So, we move on to something different. I'm good with the change, no matter the outcome. It will be preferable to me.

I'm ok too, Hugh, just being the word police...

 

[bermudasteel]

Change has to start somewhere, even if from rock bottom.

However, I don’t see the new change becoming rock-bottom.

I see a 9-8 to 13-4 season coming along this year.

I also don’t see Aaa-Ron playing the full season, wether age related type play or injury, he will sit some.

One more thing, I see our offense ranked 12th in the league when all is said and done.

Bonus vision— TJ double digits in sacks, Cam 6 or less, defense finishes ranked 17 to 14 overall.






Salute the nation

You can't see **** behind that new gal of yours...

 

[bermudasteel]

Change has to start somewhere, even if from rock bottom.

However, I don’t see the new change becoming rock-bottom.

I see a 9-8 to 13-4 season coming along this year.

I also don’t see Aaa-Ron playing the full season, wether age related type play or injury, he will sit some.

One more thing, I see our offense ranked 12th in the league when all is said and done.

Bonus vision— TJ double digits in sacks, Cam 6 or less, defense finishes ranked 17 to 14 overall.






Salute the nation

You can't see **** behind that new gal of yours...

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Change has to start somewhere, even if from rock bottom.

However, I don’t see the new change becoming rock-bottom.

I see a 9-8 to 13-4 season coming along this year.

I also don’t see Aaa-Ron playing the full season, wether age related type play or injury, he will sit some.

One more thing, I see our offense ranked 12th in the league when all is said and done.

Bonus vision— TJ double digits in sacks, Cam 6 or less, defense finishes ranked 17 to 14 overall.






Salute the nation

Anything less than top 10 is a massive fail for the defense.

I’ll go out on a limb and predict the defense is assisted by a more relevant offensive unit and at least flirts with top 5 in a couple/few meaningful statistical categories.

If they are in that 14-17 range they really need to stop all defensive spending and just move guys on bigger contracts cuz they get paid way too much for anything less than being dominant.

I’d take 12th for the offense, no way the D should be lower ranked than the offense imo.

Maybe Aaron will give us those old man missed games early and a young buck can steal the show making a very difficult decision for MM, now that would be a dreamy season.

I wanna QB controversy not involving our favorite reindeer.

 

[Djfan]

Respectfully, @Djfan, I hear what you're saying. But to witness a 1-16 outcome would be hard for me (and the vast majority of Steeler fans) to take. That is historically bad.

McCarthy is going to have many of the same players as Tomlin did last season. What's most interesting to me is how these guys perform under the new regime. I'm expecting them to be better.

I get it. Truthfully, I was using hyperbole. I have doubts that we get anywhere near 1-16. I was just so done with the Tomlin way that I will be happy with different, even not happy different.

It's not like we hired AOC to be our coach, anyway. MM has some knowledge, passion, etc. It will be OK. We might even go 9-8, but doing so differently will be preferable to me. It will feel like building, not stuck in a rut.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Anything less than top 10 is a massive fail for the defense.

I’ll go out on a limb and predict the defense is assisted by a more relevant offensive unit and at least flirts with top 5 in a couple/few meaningful statistical categories.

If they are in that 14-17 range they really need to stop all defensive spending and just move guys on bigger contracts cuz they get paid way too much for anything less than being dominant.

I’d take 12th for the offense, no way the D should be lower ranked than the offense imo.

Maybe Aaron will give us those old man missed games early and a young buck can steal the show making a very difficult decision for MM, now that would be a dreamy season.

I wanna QB controversy not involving our favorite reindeer.

Believe me, I’d be more than happy with a top 5 defense.

I currently don’t see it because I’m taking into account the time needed to gel and be able to handle the huge change of the new scheme. I think they were ranked 25or 26th last season so I felt maybe stepping up 10 spots would be formative.

As for their ranking being in-line with the pay, that has been a good question for 5 yrs now…………..

This new “change-scheme” will be a thing ahead of what we have seen the last decade=+, and to us it will look very formidable. To the rest of the NFL it will be work as normal, stuff they have seen from the other 31 teams on a weekly basis.

I have very high optimistic expectations and would love a top ranked defense with some of that NASTINESS that was once associated to the Pittsburgh Steelers of the past.!!!




Salute the nation

 

[Drink IRON City]

I get it. Truthfully, I was using hyperbole. I have doubts that we get anywhere near 1-16. I was just so done with the Tomlin way that I will be happy with different, even not happy different.

It's not like we hired AOC to be our coach, anyway. MM has some knowledge, passion, etc. It will be OK. We might even go 9-8, but doing so differently will be preferable to me. It will feel like building, not stuck in a rut.

I hope there is a lot of room on this boat because there are a lot of fans, including myself, who will gladly hop aboard.




Salute the nation

 

[ZonaBurgh]

20-0

 

[Coryea]

Wasn't thrilled about the McCarthy, but Tomlin being gone makes my day. It was past due for Tomlin to move on. I'm excited to see the different scheme, culture and every thing that comes with it. I'm not really happy Rodgers is back, it's just kicking the can down the road another year, we aren't contending with Rodgers, and next year being a possible good year for QB's in the draft, we may end this season with two young QB's we don't know much about. Tomlin being gone is enough to keep me excited to see the change.

 

[Avoid_Lloyd]

Wasn't thrilled about the McCarthy, but Tomlin being gone makes my day. It was past due for Tomlin to move on. I'm excited to see the different scheme, culture and every thing that comes with it. I'm not really happy Rodgers is back, it's just kicking the can down the road another year, we aren't contending with Rodgers, and next year being a possible good year for QB's in the draft, we may end this season with two young QB's we don't know much about. Tomlin being gone is enough to keep me excited to see the change.

DK the journalist said per McCarthy Rudolph is the #2 to start camp and Howard and Allar will share #3 reps.

DK is also saying Howard has to prove he’s ready to win a game week 1 or he’s cut/traded and Rudolph is the #2. Allar is going nowhere due to his 3rd round pick

I’m starting to think McCarthy did his homework and decided Howard isn’t going to be the long term solution and that’s why Allar was drafted. It’s not a popular opinion amongst Steeler Nation but things look kinda bleak for Howard being kept based on the signals I’m seeing. It’s a long camp tho

 

[Djfan]

DK the journalist said per McCarthy Rudolph is the #2 to start camp and Howard and Allar will share #3 reps.

DK is also saying Howard has to prove he’s ready to win a game week 1 or he’s cut/traded and Rudolph is the #2. Allar is going nowhere due to his 3rd pick

I’m starting to think McCarthy did his homework and decided Howard isn’t going to be the long term solution and that’s why Allar was drafted. It’s not a popular opinion amongst Steeler Nation but things look kinda bleak for Howard being kept based on the signals I’m seeing. It’s a long camp tho

This makes the most sense to me. Rudolph has a lot of experience. You keep guys like that.

 

[xjx]

Rogers could get hurt on snap #1 in the first game. Rudolph could get hurt on snap #2 in the first game. That's the only way the young guns get any playing time.

Preseason games will probably see Rudolph get one series, then they will hand it off to Howard. Allar will get a few snaps in the 4th quarter.

 

[Avoid_Lloyd]

This makes the most sense to me. Rudolph has a lot of experience. You keep guys like that.

Howard and his accomplishments in college excite me way more than Mason.

But I think they want a vet at the #2.

Also McCarthy does know QB coaching, if he lets Howard go then I’m sure it’s because he’s made his evaluation of him and doesn’t see him as the answer long term

 

[slashsteel]

So from all the reports what I see day 1:

1. Holcomb with an early nod over Wilson.
2. WR Brandon Smith shined in limited play.
3. Allar had an up and down day. Good and bad not unexpected.
4. The D looks a little more on the same page of being able to communicate- a welcomed change.
5 . The second and third WR had on the same page hiccups.
6. Broderick starts at 2nd team LT ( looks a little smaller to me)
7. They are easing Elliot back into shape.
8. Asante looks like a valuable depth piece and the rookie at the same position still looks capable.
9. Savage had a nice play on the ball.
10. Surprised to see Day not start out at NT.
11. Surprised to see Dunker still get some T looks.
12. Howard looked decent in his stint of play.

PUPs are a nothing burger with the exception of Kent. When you are a bubble player you want to be able to participate. Old saying is you can’t make the team from the hot tub. (Or something along these lines)

 

[TDX27]

I think it would suck if they kept Rudolph and cut Howard without giving him a chance. The kid is a football junkie and has the "it" factor of being a winner in the biggest games, while Allar does not. He has the better arm, but that is it. I was a Rudolph fan when he came out of college, but they need to move on already. Go with the old man for one more year and keep the 2 young guys to battle it out. I couldn't care less about a .500 record. We've been there and done that long enough.

 

[Badcat]

I think it would suck if they kept Rudolph and cut Howard without giving him a chance. The kid is a football junkie and has the "it" factor of being a winner in the biggest games, while Allar does not. He has the better arm, but that is it. I was a Rudolph fan when he came out of college, but they need to move on already. Go with the old man for one more year and keep the 2 young guys to battle it out. I couldn't care less about a .500 record. We've been there and done that long enough.

I'm kind of with you on this as I think Howard can be a very good QB given time. But he had a full year to learn the offense (Mcarthy expressed using similar terminology to ease the learning curve) and we'll get to see a lot of he brings to the table with the three preseason games from a mental and physical stand point.

 

[Avoid_Lloyd]

So from all the reports what I see day 1:

1. Holcomb with an early nod over Wilson.
2. WR Brandon Smith shined in limited play.
3. Allar had an up and down day. Good and bad not unexpected.
4. The D looks a little more on the same page of being able to communicate- a welcomed change.
5 . The second and third WR had on the same page hiccups.
6. Broderick starts at 2nd team LT ( looks a little smaller to me)
7. They are easing Elliot back into shape.
8. Asante looks like a valuable depth piece and the rookie at the same position still looks capable.
9. Savage had a nice play on the ball.
10. Surprised to see Day not start out at NT.
11. Surprised to see Dunker still get some T looks.
12. Howard looked decent in his stint of play.

PUPs are a nothing burger with the exception of Kent. When you are a bubble player you want to be able to participate. Old saying is you can’t make the team from the hot tub. (Or something along these lines)

I’m just happy for Jones as a human being that he’s out there, that injury sounds like no joke.

Not sure if he will live up his draft pick here, but I can tell in his reactions to plays and body language he cares

 

[slashsteel]

I’m just happy for Jones as a human being that he’s out there, that injury sounds like no joke.

Not sure if he will live up his draft pick here, but I can tell in his reactions to plays and body language he cares

True and it sure doesn’t hurt to have T depth. It is a long season you want some available options..

 

[Drink IRON City]

Howard and his accomplishments in college excite me way more than Mason.

But I think they want a vet at the #2.

Also McCarthy does know QB coaching, if he lets Howard go then I’m sure it’s because he’s made his evaluation of him and doesn’t see him as the answer long term

Bingo, Howard is a 2nd year QB who has zero NFL experience, that already puts him behind.

Mason has game wins / experience / proven he can play. It will take an un-seating to move him out.

That's what camp battles are for and makes it exciting for us fans.




Salute the nation

 

[Drink IRON City]

So from all the reports what I see day 1:

1. Holcomb with an early nod over Wilson.
2. WR Brandon Smith shined in limited play.
3. Allar had an up and down day. Good and bad not unexpected.

I did notice his throws a little more "frozen" rope than what Will or even Aaron's looked like.
Arm strength is a real thing.

4. The D looks a little more on the same page of being able to communicate- a welcomed change.
5 . The second and third WR had on the same page hiccups.
6. Broderick starts at 2nd team LT ( looks a little smaller to me)

I noticed that too and I think it is that he is in better shape and speedier frootwork.
He has to show a reason for them to keep him on the rooster, maybe he re-dedicated to that fact.

7. They are easing Elliot back into shape.
8. Asante looks like a valuable depth piece and the rookie at the same position still looks capable.
9. Savage had a nice play on the ball.
10. Surprised to see Day not start out at NT.
11. Surprised to see Dunker still get some T looks.

I didn't see this but am sure they are looking to best fit.
Not surprised but still pretty sure guard will be his destination.

12. Howard looked decent in his stint of play.

PUPs are a nothing burger with the exception of Kent. When you are a bubble player you want to be able to participate. Old saying is you can’t make the team from the hot tub. (Or something along these lines)

Great post slash !!!




Salute the nation

 

[xjx]

There is a lot of " testing " and experimenting going on. Gotta get a look see.

 

[Drink IRON City]

There is a lot of " testing " and experimenting going on. Gotta get a look see.

Glad to see you weren't headed back to the lab........................



Salute the nation

 

[Confluence]

Glad to see you weren't headed back to the lab........................



Salute the nation

Maybe they will do that stuff on the field, during practice, group meetings, film study, game planning etc. like other professional teams.

 

[ZonaBurgh]

There is a lot of " testing " and experimenting going on. Gotta get a look see.

So, are you saying that the lab isn't closed?