• Please be aware we've switched the forums to their own URL. (again) You'll find the new website address to be www.steelernationforum.com Thanks
  • Please clear your private messages. Your inbox is close to being full.

Initial Thoughts on bills Game

CoolieMan

CoolieMan

Most Intelligent Poster
Moderator
Forefather
Joined
Apr 9, 2014
Messages
20,421
Reaction score
38,144
Points
113
Location
Heaven on Earth
neither howard nor allar were exceptional.

Howard benefited from a couple of bill's **** ups to get 14 points on the board, but he did make a few good plays and one god awful decisson, but it looks like the wr broke the wrong way or at least different from what howard expected.

allar throws a great slant but his deep throws have not been impressive. His one real mistake was dropped by the defender, yes the receiver stopped his route but the defender was right there and might have had a better show at the pick.

but give howard or allar DK and the starting offense and I bet they are better than rudy...trade him for a empty snack machine

the running game was OK at best but the OL is still a huge question mark.

the defense was spotty

Roberts made some good plays, they got some good presssure but the secondary was not covering anyone

wetjen may have made the team with his TD return, yes I know most of the guys on punt coverage will likely be on the sofa when the real games kick off but it still shows what he might be able todo....

nfl netowrk and the bills broadcast sucked ***.
 
1- Elandon Roberts plays big boy football. Great resign
2-Spears-Jennings comes downhill with authority himself
3-Heidenreich ran with surprising power and good effort tonight
4-Was thinking Wetjen just wasn’t an NFL returner and then he turns in play of the night
5-Really think Allar has potential with more coaching and learning. No doubt he has a rocket arm
 
Allar had some throws that had no chance of being completed. I know there was a real lack of talent out there with him, but make throws that have a chance.

Max had 2 rough plays, but he moves well and seems to stay under himself.

I don't think they were gonna ever cut Wetjen. But his return probably made everyone more comfortable with it.

Dunker I noticed getting to the second level some.

I wish they could find a spot and role for Eli. I think he'd make a play or two for them. I just don't see how. Can they get him or Nichols on the PS and one on the 53?
 
They took a veteran cautious approach this preseason so I will keep that in mind.

I thought Allar showed some good things and might have shown better with better WRs. I think he still has to work on placement in the short intermediate range.

Will disappointed me this preseason I did expect more from him. I think his arm isn’t strong enough. I am ok with whatever happens to him. I do like him though. I am more about results though and he just wasn’t good enough.

With DK and Pittman banged up we got to see more of the WR group and very underwhelming.

I think the run defense was solid through preseason I think they will show well this season.

For me RT and WR depth is the biggest question marks. The rookie might come on but with that injury I think it holds him back for a month . In the mean time a veteran RT wouldn’t hurt.

Players I am ok with sent packing:

Roman Wilson
Broderick Jones ( if they bring in a RT)


Players who I think won’t make it:

Eli. Probably a little too late for him. I think he starts out on the PS and that is ok.

Kaleb- Not enough wiggle not enough power.
 
SteelBuckeye said:
Bernard
Click to expand...
I think the rookie showed well overall. I like his physical. He will have his growing pains. Why it is critical to get a vet in to bridge the gap.

IMO with DK, Pittman, Washington and Pat you have a decent core. I like Tonyan too. I think Bernard will be a good mix in.
 
Papa Lazarou said:
Oh well... I wouldn't be surprised to see Howard go on IR now. Apparently, he is being checked out for an injury following the game.
Click to expand...
I wouldn’t be upset with that approach.
 
Initial thought: Great to see the Steelers' head coach make good use of a timeout. McCarthy gave his offense a chance to win the game by stopping the clock with over a minute left, just in case the Bills scored. How many dozens of times did we watch Tomlin let the clock bleed down in that type of situation over the years? They lost the game, but it was still refreshing to watch some common sense utilized in the clock management department.

Other thoughts:
1) Yes, Wetjen had a punt return for a touchdown, but he can't continue to run around sideways and hesitate against starting special teams players. A good coverage unit eats him alive on that play.
2) The young QBs had an up-and-down day. It is hard to truly assess Allar's performance given the level of receivers with whom he's played, but you can plainly see his arm strength. I think Howard, despite his inconsistencies, will still be scooped up by another team if he ends up on the practice squad.
3) They really appear to be playing Elandon Roberts into shape, and he has proven once again to be a capable two-down player. Not sure how he'll be incorporated into this defense, but he's a lock to make the team.
4) Max Iheanachor struggled mightily out of the gate. So much for not allowing a sack last year; he was beaten clean almost immediately. He did make a nice downfield block in space later in the game on the Heidenreich touchdown. The guy just starting practicing again a few days ago, so I guess a rough outing isn't too surprising.
5) Kaleb Johnson again did himself no favors with a sluggish 5 carries for 11 yards. He appeared to be a half-decent third round pick last year after a solid career at Iowa, but sometimes college production does not translate to the NFL. That seems to be the case here. Lew Nichols plays harder, hungrier.
 
Will took some hard hits.
He might have the JPJ ailment and have a bad back. If so put him on IR
 
diver said:
Allar had some throws that had no chance of being completed. I know there was a real lack of talent out there with him, but make throws that have a chance.

Max had 2 rough plays, but he moves well and seems to stay under himself.

I don't think they were gonna ever cut Wetjen. But his return probably made everyone more comfortable with it.

Dunker I noticed getting to the second level some.

I wish they could find a spot and role for Eli. I think he'd make a play or two for them. I just don't see how. Can they get him or Nichols on the PS and one on the 53?
Click to expand...

2nd year in a row for Nichols to be a camp/preseason darling. Almost every team in the league has 1-2 backs like Lew tho. He looked good vs some of the other scrubs ran out there, but backs are a dime a dozen. Guys like Lew aren’t even that expensive.

I’d predict Lew is easily placed to the PS if they want him there. With the lack of talent towards the back of the WR group I’d think Eli might be one of those last guys to make the cut.

That 3rd back is gonna be starving to get carries behind Dowdle/Warren unless injuries factor in.

The biggest RB question to me is if they cut bait with a 3rd round pick from last year in only his sophomore season and a very small sample size in the NFL.
 
Fiji Mariner said:
2nd year in a row for Nichols to be a camp/preseason darling. Almost every team in the league has 1-2 backs like Lew tho. He looked good vs some of the other scrubs ran out there, but backs are a dime a dozen. Guys like Lew aren’t even that expensive.

I’d predict Lew is easily placed to the PS if they want him there. With the lack of talent towards the back of the WR group I’d think Eli might be one of those last guys to make the cut.

That 3rd back is gonna be starving to get carries behind Dowdle/Warren unless injuries factor in.

The biggest RB question to me is if they cut bait with a 3rd round pick from last year in only his sophomore season and a very small sample size in the NFL.
Click to expand...
Agreed. We all like Nichols because he runs hard all the time. Unless they see something we don't in practice with Johnson I don't know how he can make it because he just doesn't seem to hit the line with as much intensity. Eli ran harder with better vision. I wonder about a guy like Max Hurleman? Maybe because he's a local kid I'm biased, but he flashes. Especially as you said with the lack of talent toward the back end of the WR room.

It's meaningless preseason, but I'm annoyed with the two young QBs. I don't understand in preseason why a young guy would waste throws. Allar just chucked it about 4 times...the 3 long throws and the last throw, and when he put that one to the the guy on 4th down in the dirt. A high school kid can make that throw. Allar has some tools, but why waste opportunities? Make competitive throws. Howard on his pick, pointing at the receiver and all that. You ain't Aaron Rodgers. You haven't earned the right to be calling someone out yet.
 
Last edited:
Papa Lazarou said:
Oh well... I wouldn't be surprised to see Howard go on IR now. Apparently, he is being checked out for an injury following the game.
Click to expand...



It’s a head injury.

The “away” announcer on XM radio were talking about it.




Salute the nation
 
My thoughts are that CMT didn't give the same courtesy to MM that Bill Cowher did to him - leaving him a good team.

The Steelers will not shine this year, IMO.
 
The guy who stood out to me the most was Eli. I hope he makes it somehow and I think he can be used in multiple ways. Wetjen is boom or bust. Plays terrible 90% of the time then pops off a big play. He runs too sideways on returns. I don't think that will fly with the 1st string special teamers. Wilson not playing was odd. If Ben is not injured I would have him and Bernard as WR#3. I think wetjen will make it because he is a rookie and has had a couple big plays. Wilson is a ? to me
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top