Game Balls, Game Goats & FU's............................vs Titans

[stillwright]

I'm pretty much at the point where I'm expecting the OL to be a weakness as long as Tomlin remains the coach.

Almost literally the only good years of OL play under Tomlin were those with Munchak as OL coach. Every other year, even in the years they went to the Super Bowl, it wasn't good.

Tons and tons of cap space this coming offseason. We easily could revamp our OL. Draft Pickett in round one. Sit him behind Rudy for a year while our new OL gels. SB in a 3 year window then. Make it all happen Tombert!!!

 

[SteelerFan448]

If we're being technical (i.e. factual/honest), the OL/Rushing rankings fell each year after Munch's first year. So, for all the Munch love, what did he actually accomplish?

Steelers were in the top 10 in both points and yards during Munchak's tenure with the Steelers. Under Tomlin, they only had one other top-10 finish. That was in points in 2007.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

Steelers were in the top 10 in both points and yards during Munchak's tenure with the Steelers. Under Tomlin, they only had one other top-10 finish. That was in points in 2007.

Points and total yards? OC gets credit for those. Munchak wasn't the OC.

But, in 2014 (Munch's 1st year with the Steelers), they ranked 16th in rushing yards per game. In 2015, they ranked 14th (but averaged a yard less per game than the prior year. Not a big drop off). In 2016 they rose to 8th. 2017 saw the beginning of the fall. They ranked 22nd. 2018, 31st. 2019, 29th and Munch bounced. Not saying the fall was Munchak. Age, OC, RB talent all played a part in it. But, I do get tired of the whole false story line that we were always a good rushing attack when Munch was here.

Sacks allowed: 2014 (33), 2015 (33), 2016 (21), 2017 (24), 2018 (24), 2019 (32). Again, there was a 2 to 3 year period where they were excellent and then they fell back to the same levels that they were at before Munch arrived. The line aged. There were injuries. I get all that. But, folks saying the Steelers line was always stellar under Munch are not dealing with reality.

* This year's line could only wish to play at the level that any of the Munch coached lines played at. So, there is that in Munch's favor. But, I don't think he could get much out of this group. Not saying Klemm should stay either. He clearly hasn't gotten ANYTHING out of them.

 

[SteelerSask2]

I give a FU to Tomlin for his clock management at the end of the first half and to Fitzpatrick for his soft and half-assed tackling. He could have prevented the fourth and one conversion on the final Titans drive if he was willing to make a big hit.

What the **** do you watch bro. If you can go back and watch it again. Minkah is playing MLB from 12 yards off the line of scrimmage because the ILB are refusing to play. What do some of you watch.

 

[slashsteel]

What the **** do you watch bro. If you can go back and watch it again. Minkah is playing MLB from 12 yards off the line of scrimmage because the ILB are refusing to play. What do some of you watch.

Not to mention he had what like a dozen tackles?

 

[stillwright]

What the **** do you watch bro. If you can go back and watch it again. Minkah is playing MLB from 12 yards off the line of scrimmage because the ILB are refusing to play. What do some of you watch.

Fitz's tackle was soft.

 

[SteelerFan448]

What the **** do you watch bro. If you can go back and watch it again. Minkah is playing MLB from 12 yards off the line of scrimmage because the ILB are refusing to play. What do some of you watch.

Seriously. Minkah can't even play his position because he continually has to bail out the guys in front of him. In just 13 games, he's already surpassed his career high in tackles by 17 (depending on which site you look at, it could be more). He also has 9 more solo tackles than his career high (from last season).

 

[SteelerSask2]

Fitz's tackle was soft.

He is a DB. It's a 230 lb back with a head of steam. C'mon. How about an ILB sticks his nose in. ONCE.

 

[SteelerSask2]

After the game Tomlin said he didn't use timeouts because he was singularly focused on stopping Tennessee's drive and that he hoped the press of time wouldake it more difficult for them to score. You gotta be ****** kidding me. And then he takes the TO on 4th down so that they can run a kickoff out and possibly fumble or turn the ball over. He is just unbelievable.

 

[Steelworth]

Fitzpatrick for his soft and half-assed tackling. He could have prevented the fourth and one conversion on the final Titans drive if he was willing to make a big hit.

It's confirmed, you're a ******* moron.

 

[Cras108er]

An FU to the refs and the guy that targeted Muuth. That dude should have been thrown out of the game. He lowered his head, led with it and launched into Muuth. It was a textbook targetting play and the booth should have called it and had him tossed. That's why they are supposed to have the booth review the plays. Hopefully, the Rooney's will say something to the league but I am sure they don't have the balls.

I have always believed that if you cause a concussion with an illegal hit, then you should receive a 15 yard penalty AND be disqualified for the same amount of time that player is out. Why should a team benefit from a dirty play?

 

[CoolieMan]

Not to mention he had what like a dozen tackles?

i think it was 14

 

[CoolieMan]

He is a DB. It's a 230 lb back with a head of steam. C'mon. How about an ILB sticks his nose in. ONCE.

Schobert is 2nd on the team in tackles.....right behind Fitzpatrick

 

[SteelerSask2]

Schobert is 2nd on the team in tackles.....right behind Fitzpatrick

It is virtually impossible for one of your inside linebackers to not be a leading tackler on your team. And the fact that the safety has more tackles really says it all.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

Tons and tons of cap space this coming offseason. We easily could revamp our OL. Draft Pickett in round one. Sit him behind Rudy for a year while our new OL gels. SB in a 3 year window then. Make it all happen Tombert!!!

Colbert is leaving when ben does. So..

 

[Troglodyte]

What the **** do you watch bro. If you can go back and watch it again. Minkah is playing MLB from 12 yards off the line of scrimmage because the ILB are refusing to play. What do some of you watch.

I watch Fitzpatrick make a lot of soft tackles by grabbing the ball carrier high and then using the ball carriers momentum to fling him forward for an extra couple yard gain. On the 4th and 1, he had a perfect opportunity to make a big hit and stop the runners forward progress, instead he pulled the runner down while looking over at the first down marker as if he was hoping he was doing enough to make a play. He wasn’t.

Had it been Fitzpatrick, instead of Haden, making the final tackle, I’m thinking the Titans get the first down easily.

 

[Troglodyte]

He is a DB. It's a 230 lb back with a head of steam. C'mon. How about an ILB sticks his nose in. ONCE.

The ILB ineptness has nothing to do with Fitzpatrick’s tackling. Donnie Shell was a lot smaller than Earl Campbell, it didn’t stop him from making a big hit.

 

[SteelerSask2]

The ILB ineptness has nothing to do with Fitzpatrick’s tackling. Donnie Shell was a lot smaller than Earl Campbell, it didn’t stop him from making a big hit.

The defense is layered. The quality of play by the interior lineman has effect on the linebackers. The play of the linebackers has effect on the safeties. As a tackler you get the guy to the ground period. So you can pick and chose a tackle (which was important I will grant that). But he is the leading tackler on the team. Not even his partner who is the strong safety and should theoretically get more opportunities. With the piss poor interior lineman and the even worse linebackers you better be damn happy Fitzpatrick tackles the way he does or more of the every other play 10-15 yard runs would be home runs.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Really, really believing Canada is out thinking himself, and not opposing defenses. I’m not even putting blame on Klemm. When Najee produces on the ground, its when the plays are north/south and down hill. Just moving bodies forward gains yards. These sweeps, pitch outs and wide guard pulls outside of the tackles plays aren’t fooling any DC. Use the run game offense Bettis ran in. That is how Najee will showcases his power and decision making to get additional yards. It also will open up play action, even in Ben’s Pistol formation.

THIS, make it as siple as possible which would be straight ahead blocking. We have done that (this year) and it had great results. O'h Canada isn't tricking anyone except himself and screwing BEN Roethlisberger as he is shouldering Canada's blame.




Salute the nation

 

[Drink IRON City]

The defense is layered. The quality of play by the interior lineman has effect on the linebackers. The play of the linebackers has effect on the safeties. As a tackler you get the guy to the ground period. So you can pick and chose a tackle (which was important I will grant that). But he is the leading tackler on the team. Not even his partner who is the strong safety and should theoretically get more opportunities. With the piss poor interior lineman and the even worse linebackers you better be damn happy Fitzpatrick tackles the way he does or more of the every other play 10-15 yard runs would be home runs.

Well said and pretty obvious as to where your out come arrives. 100% correct and thanks for all your insightful post(s).

Fitzpatric is all pro for a reason due to his play which includes his tackling ability. His range of coverage which includes putting him in the right spot to make tackles as well.




Salute the nation

 

[Drink IRON City]

Week in, week out another ******* HEART ATTACK GAME but I'll take it! To see the Titans in the pre-game out on the field stomping all over the Steelers team logo at the 50 yd line just pissed me off to no end! Glad to see the Steelers not blow a plus 4 Turnover differential and hold on to win this game in the end. A few quick thoughts.....our Steelers Offensive Line is Absolutely ATTROCIOUS! At some point Adrian Klemm needs to start being held responsible for the lack of improvement in both run blocking and pass protection.....after 14 games I still see no improvement from the O-line. Klemm needs to start being held accountable for how Abysmal this O-line truly is. Tom Brady & Emmit Smith would look like **** behind this O-line. Congratulations in order for TJ Watt for setting the Steelers single season sack record with another 1.5 sacks today giving him 17.5 sacks for the season. Defensively Minkah Fitzpatrick is turning into a field general on the back end plus he's doing a very good job in run support out there....something severely lacking from our ILB's Bush & Schobert. Defensively the Steelers Defense stepped up with 4 big turnovers that were the difference in this ballgame. I just would have liked to see the Steelers Offense been able to turn those into 7 points instead of settling for 3. The Steelers didn't do much in the way of offense this game as no players really stood out on the offensive side of the football but they did just enough to come away with the win. Onto Kansas City! I hope everyone can see that Big Ben is not the problem on this offense! Mean Joe Green stated earlier this week that Big Ben can still sling it and is playing at a high level and Mean Joe is 100% correct! I for one hope this is not Ben's last season. One final note congratulations to Dionte Johnson on his first 1,000 receving season.

Per Tomlin's Post Game
Pat Freiermuth - In the Concussion Protocol
Chris Wormley - Groin injury was able to return

Game Balls:
TJ Watt - Another 1.5 sacks today giving him 17.5 on the season and the Steelers All-Time single season sack leader
Minkah Fitzpatrick - This guy is becoming a field general of the Defense he was all over the field today....I think he had 14 tackles. INCREDIBLE!
Arthur Maulet - He makes the most of his playtime....good in run support and he forces turnovers....another forced fumble today
Joe Haden - Say no more the final play of the game....he was able to stick the WR and prevent him from advancing....it was a Game Winning Tackle. Welcome Back Joe Haden. That is how you tackle!
Isiah Loudermilk - I thought he did a very good job today working on the D-line, did a good job shedding his blockers and pressuring the QB and did a nice job making tackles. NICE GAME FOR HIM!
Chris Boswell - Clutch kicking from The Wizard of Boz. I just wish our punter was as good as The Boz!
Ben Roethlisberger - Congratulations moving into 5th All-Time in passing yards past Philip Rivers. Also had a nice QB Sneak for a TD.

Game Goats:
Offensive Line - ******* ATTROCIOUS! I don't know who's to blame but they have shown zero improvement in their ability to run block or pass block the entire season so far!
Adrian Klemm - At some point this moron needs to be held accountable! No improvement from the O-line in run blocking or pass blocking for the entire season. Yo Adrian your in the crosshairs!
Devin Bush - This guy SUCKS! Did anyone see him get knocked backwards on Tannehill's 13 yd scramble to the left side of the fieldin the 4th QTR. He and Bush hit each other and Bush got the worst of it. PATHETIC!
Chase Claypool - Practically invisible on the field today......shake the **** out of your *** and start contributing!
Matt Canada - This guy has gotta ******* go! Bring back Todd Haley! He was the best Steelers OC we've had during Ben's career.
FU's:
Pressley Harvin - This kid SUCKS ***! 2x 27 yd punts, a feeble attempt to tackle the punt returner on the 59 yd return. Any punter off the street will be better than this guy!
The Officiating - Holy **** if you thought it was bad in the first half with the no call on a handoff by Ben to Harris when Ben took 2 forearms to the throat by #90 of the Titans right in front of the officials with no Roughing the QB call. On the final play of the game it was so obvious that Joe Haden stopped the WR from reaching the line of gain....he stuck the WR so hard the guy didn't even get to the 10 yd line and the first down marker was the 9yd line. Seeing the officials spot the ball near the 9 yd line when the WR didn't even reach the 10 yd line was nauseating.....I almost had a Heart Attack watching them place the ball there. Then upon further review they didn't even move the ball back before the 10 yd line where Haden tackled him.....I thought we are going to get completely ****** by the Refs on the worst call of the season when they spotted it at the 9 1/2 yd line. One chain link shy and the Steelers came away with the stop on 4th down on one of the worst ball spots in NFL History. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. **** THAT OFFICIATING CREW! THEY WERE BEYOND AWFUL on that Ball Spot.

GREAT write up Chicoman, i really like this series of yours.


Just to add, Gentry played a pretty good game as well, nothing eye poping but he had a pretty good gain when needed.

Loudermilk had a great game as well.

Both BEN & TJ deserve an attA boy for their respective record setting perforances.





Salute the nation

 

[SteelerSask2]

Colbert is leaving when ben does. So..

My fear is they will move Kahn who is a bean counter into Colbert's position and make Tomlin in charge of all football aspects. This franchise needs a fresh set of eyes so badly.

 

[Drink IRON City]

My fear is they will move Kahn who is a bean counter into Colbert's position and make Tomlin in charge of all football aspects. This franchise needs a fresh set of eyes so badly.

To be clear

NOT

Deer in headlite eyes





Salute the nation

 

[SteelerSask2]

Well said and pretty obvious as to where your out come arrives. 100% correct and thanks for all your insightful post(s).

Fitzpatric is all pro for a reason due to his play which includes his tackling ability. His range of coverage which includes putting him in the right spot to make tackles as well.




Salute the nation

Thanks. I find you to be very insightful as well. Also if you fact check me I know my position is probably not accurate.

 

[SteelerSask2]

To be clear

NOT

Deer in headlite eyes





Salute the nation

No kidding. When Colbert leaves it seems Kahn is inevitable but I have no idea what his football chops are. He seems like a good negotiator. Though I don't agree with what the Steelers have been doing contracts lately he is only following what is asked. But assuming he isn't an NFL talent evaluator someone else would have to do that.