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Initial Thoughts on jets game

IMO, they needed a game with warts so they could dissect their weaknesses.

unfortunately, there were a lot of warts.

To me, the ball seems to just fly off Allar's hand - he has more of an arm than Howard, and I'm really hoping we manage to keep both. Rogers is going into his last season, Mason is on a 1 year contract and we have these two. They could push each other next season to be better - which, after last night wouldn't take much.

I thought Kaleb was done until last night. Dude looks like an NFL RB - and had a nice run on the play that was called back for holding. of course.

JPJ needs to be signed.
 
My crazy thoughts:

I realize it was a preseason game, and there’s a mix-match of players and guys that won’t even be rostered in 2 weeks, but….

This team doesn’t look great at all.

QB’s… Rodgers will be fine, Rudolph will be capable, Allar will be a work in progress, Howard needs a lot of work and game time IMO. Roman Wilson’s lack of understanding where he needs to be or route running doesn’t help his performance last night. Wilson’s only shot to make this team may be as a kick returner

Broderick Jones is what he is and I don’t think he will ever be what he was advertised as.

The starting O-Line needs to play a full half together and try to gel. Right now our O-Line looks sub par.

The defensive unit looks very promising and playing with something to prove. 100% the right decision to bring back Elandon Roberts. He plays Steelers football.

I’m not impressed with any RB at this point. Dowdle looks the best of the bunch. But the Oline can’t run block so it’s going to be hard yards this year.

I think we will have a solid group of WRs. Do we keep 6? I’m not so sure if that now.

1 more game before the real fun starts. I trust McCarthy is calling vanilla plays at this point and game 1 should be a much different style of offense.
 
Offensive line play for both teams was pretty poor. And a lot of teams are complaining about o-line play for their teams as well. I just don't think good offensive lineman get produced much in college the way the game is played. Run blocking is bad. Pass blocking is bad.

Jones did look bad, but the story is he's 15 lbs. underweight and still doesn't trust his neck surgery. He's a long way away from 100% for sure, but you think his footwork would still be decent and it was horrific as well. Not sure there's a good answer for him at this point. PUP list and maybe he can't work out, gain weight and practice. But if he is this bad, we can't really give him a roster spot either.

I know the QB of the future isn't on the roster so I could care less about Howard and Allar. They are backups at best in this league and hoping otherwise isn't logical or worth my mental energy.

But after investing so much in the trenches, the O-line is worrisome.
 
It seemed all that talk in the past about physical camps and tackling and blah, blah...the Steelers weren't anymore physical than anyone else. Sometimes less. So it seemed fine that they would run a less physical camp.

So why are all these guys hurt?
 
I'm not quite sure of what they are trying to do with the OL. Max's injury has scrambled things a bit. Broderick Jones was awful, but he is playing 15-20 lbs. lighter and with far less strength.

Mason Rudolph will make the team after tonight. Howard's arm strength looked pedestrian tonight. Drew Allar made a few terrific throws. The talent is there but he is nowhere near a start in the NFL. Of course, his receiving core dropped nearly everything and his OL had him running for his life.

Roman Wilson still not making plays and still not running very good routes. I think they need another receiver.
Running Backs will be fine when they get the OL shored up.

Can we just pencil in Elandon Roberts in as a starter now that he is back. Guy just tackles. JPJ needs signed. Very glad to have Elliot back. It will be nice to have Echols and Jalen Ramsey back in mix. Did I mention they need to sign JPJ?
 
Missed the game, but read the 2 picks by Howard lay firmly at the feet of Roman for running terrible routes. Not sure if it's true but I guess it wouldn't surprise me. Howard was playing with our 2's and 3's going against the Jets 1's and 2's. Would have liked to see more from him, but it's preseason, and he and Allar are going to make mistakes. Howard will be in the film room early and late, as he has since he got here. Hopefully, Allar does the same.

If true about Roman, Bernard may jump him for WR3. Rodgers won't throw his way if he is running bad routes. Hopefully, it's an anomaly as he was a good route runner coming out of college.

I hope they both get a lot of reps next week as well.
 
This was still nowhere near Steelers starting lineup with Rodgers, Metcalf, Pittman and the new T all missing from O and TJ, Heyward, Ramsey, Echols and JPJ all still watching on D.

I'd like to see Allar with better players -- the OL and his WRs were terrible last night -- against better players.

And maybe a series or 2 with all starters in Buf?

Did anyone study the left side of the OL last night? It seemed that most of the problems came from the right.
 
CoolieMan said:
Defense looked weak on the first drive...could not get off the field on 3rd down

Neither Howard nor Allar really stepped up. Howard's 2 picks were terrible passes. Allar was hampered by some holding calls and a lot of bad OL play.

On the bright side the defense did well against the back ups. Queen actually made a play. Sawyer got some good pressure and Roberts was just a beast in his playing time. Nice to see him back in his #50. So glad to have him back

Tonyan looked good again and Bruener had a few nice plays himself.

none of the RBs really did a hell of a lot and our return game is still less than average.

It's the preseason but the OL really needs to get their act together and start blocking for the run and pass.

It is nice that the offense continued to make plays over the middle of the field.

Hopefully Rogers stays healthy all season...
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I thought Allar looked much better than Howard even in a bad performance. He had some guys miss some balls by not getting feet in bounds killing drives and got killed by the O-line a few times. Atleast there were a few positives.
Tonyan has impressed in the first 2 preseason games than anticipated, much more. He has looked like the sure handed guy we've needed at TE. He's flashed more than any other TE so far. Don't know if thats a positive or negative?
Kaleb looked like the Best backup RB last night, still doesn't look like an NFL RB, even against backups.
Wetjen looked decent in the return game still think Steelers should have taken Mike Washington over Wetjen. Could have used a 6-2 230lb RB with 4.3 speed. Guy looks like a steal.
 
bigben said:
I thought Allar looked much better than Howard even in a bad performance. He had some guys miss some balls by not getting feet in bounds killing drives and got killed by the O-line a few times. Atleast there were a few positives.
Tonyan has impressed in the first 2 preseason games than anticipated, much more. He has looked like the sure handed guy we've needed at TE. He's flashed more than any other TE so far. Don't know if thats a positive or negative?
Kaleb looked like the Best backup RB last night, still doesn't look like an NFL RB, even against backups.
Wetjen looked decent in the return game still think Steelers should have taken Mike Washington over Wetjen. Could have used a 6-2 230lb RB with 4.3 speed. Guy looks like a steal.
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I'll keep an eye out if there's one for Howard. Allar was better than his stats.



Good point about Tonyan, he's a legit TE3 and given his experience, he should still look solid against NFL roster players.

That Wetjen pick still drives me crazy. Too early for a specialist. I'm giving him a chance to develop as a WR because right now you would never guess he was an elite returner in college.
 
Omar10213245 said:
McCarthy sucks

Hire Tomlin

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At least with Mike, we had an idea when HELL was going to be released.!



Salute the nation
 
  1. First off, the Jets have a solid Defensive line and secondary so it really was a solid test for the Steelers O-line and WR's.
  2. That being said, the J-E-T-S disguised their coverages and confused Howard, he'll learn from this.
  3. Drew was surrounded by ****. The WR's rounding off their routes, not getting open, and when there was a window, Drew fit it in there only for the WR to drop the damn ball.
  4. Slaughter did REALLY well and flew to the ball. He's not afraid to stick RB's.
  5. Bruener did well, and I hope that he makes the practice squad
  6. Jack Sawyer is going to be a big problem for opposing offenses this season.
  7. Special teams is gonna cost the Steelers a few games. I don't know if Wetjen is that bad or the special teams around him that bad? Probably both.
  8. Glad to see more discipline and less penalties.
  9. 4th quarter, with all of the drops, I actually yelled at the Steelers for the first time in like 5 years. Am I starting to care again? Is there now hope? I surprised myself.
 
SteelerFan448 said:
I'll keep an eye out if there's one for Howard. Allar was better than his stats.



Good point about Tonyan, he's a legit TE3 and given his experience, he should still look solid against NFL roster players.

That Wetjen pick still drives me crazy. Too early for a specialist. I'm giving him a chance to develop as a WR because right now you would never guess he was an elite returner in college.
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If you go watch his college tape he was a tackle breaking machine in the return game not a shifty slippery returner like AB was.
I had serious doubts about that transferring to the NFL with everyone being bigger faster and a few steps quicker.
He did flash in the first game, ironically as a receiver. If they can scheme him into space he may work as a gadget guy but at his size he has very long odds.
 
The one thing that has continually haunted this team is poor offensive line play… Ever since Munchek left the line play has been horrible and it’s not getting better anytime soon. The problem is they drafted “tweeners” guys that aren’t very powerful or very quick. Either put guys on the line that are big and powerful and can blow holes in the defensive or get quick guys that can get outside and zone block in space and quick enough to block the fast pass rushers… our linemen can’t to neither! We’ve spent 3 number one picks on the offensive line and it’s been a disaster not counting mad max yet. Jones is about to get cut and fautanu is average at best, Cook is an undrafted free agent and he’s average at best, you don’t need to spend a #1 pick on average at best. Everything else we are doing makes NO DIFFERENT unless we get the line functional! This game is classic to the problem, the jets manhandled the starting unit as did Green Bay the week before. They need to radically rethink the line while there is time. I went to training camp and was shocked I saw no one in a big hurry in either assessing the players or the line play in particular! If the Steelers suck again it will be because of the OFFENSIVE offensive line play. Mark my words….
 
SteelerFan448 said:
I'll keep an eye out if there's one for Howard. Allar was better than his stats.



Good point about Tonyan, he's a legit TE3 and given his experience, he should still look solid against NFL roster players.

That Wetjen pick still drives me crazy. Too early for a specialist. I'm giving him a chance to develop as a WR because right now you would never guess he was an elite returner in college.
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Nice tape on Drew! He looks like the real deal to me it’s just unfortunate that he got stuck playing with a bunch of duds.
I’m just amazed at how the ball seems to explode out of his hand. The accuracy,tight spiral and velocity are that’s natural arm talent. Ball looks like it’s shot from a cannon.
I like what I see from young Drew! Very encouraging!
 
Troglodyte said:
Allar was hampered by about 4 dropped passes.

Johnson isn’t physical enough for a big back.
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I don't understand the lack of desire to hit holes or opponents. I know it shortens careers, and probably hurts, but the other option is to wait for holes to open, and only Bell seemed to have that magic. Do your.lob or change jobs.
 
deljzc said:
Offensive line play for both teams was pretty poor. And a lot of teams are complaining about o-line play for their teams as well. I just don't think good offensive lineman get produced much in college the way the game is played. Run blocking is bad. Pass blocking is bad.

Jones did look bad, but the story is he's 15 lbs. underweight and still doesn't trust his neck surgery. He's a long way away from 100% for sure, but you think his footwork would still be decent and it was horrific as well. Not sure there's a good answer for him at this point. PUP list and maybe he can't work out, gain weight and practice. But if he is this bad, we can't really give him a roster spot either.

But after investing so much in the trenches, the O-line is worrisome.
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Offensive line takes longer.. EVERY year at every level. That said, If im Jones and i had neck surgury and couldnt lift, or make contact , im sure as hell working on footwork , technique etc.. He looks like he been playing call of duty.
 
You can't gauge much from a pre-season game from a tactical stand point but you can definitely test for strength, communication and decision making ability. The three areas that the Steelers failed at totally on offense and partially on defense last night.
Not going to harp on about the OL, everyone else has. It is a complete mess and any injuries there will cause a rapid end to any season aspirations this team thinks it has. Waiver wires will need to be heavily scoured next week for a RT who can also double as an interior road grader.
My impression is that the Jets are actually better coached than they have been in the past. They provided a good test. Their defence and run game is much improved. They may be a place to rummage around after cut down day for back up OL, DL, and RBs. Another good test comes up next week so we shall see what coaching tweaks can be made. The lack of power technique and aggression on the OL is going to be an issue all year long and Buffalo has managed to exploit this over the past several years. The main test next week will be how the OL plays. We shall see but better communication, technique and strength are required for better results.
 
SteelerSask2 said:
I guess best hope on Will Howard is he clears waivers, is a practice squad guy and improves. And Allar didn't look like they don't need to draft a qb either. Rough rough night. Couple guys looked good. Rubio was tough v. Run. Id imagine JPJ's price didn't go down. Brutal night really.
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Yup.

Unless something dramatic happens and Allar gets on the field and proves himself in the regular season, they need to draft a QB in the top 15 picks of the draft next year if the chance to do it and the right guy is there.

If the guy they draft and Allar are both great, that’s draft capital

I get the sense Howard might be cut and they can hope he might make it back to the practice squad
 
That throw by Allar, rolling to his left with pressure and slinging it 38 yards down for a perfect throw and catch, was freaking sweet. Those are the throws that make you pull for him to learn a ton this year from AR and MM. If he does, it will be hard to keep him off the field next year.
 
Avoid_Lloyd said:
Yup.

Unless something dramatic happens and Allar gets on the field and proves himself in the regular season, they need to draft a QB in the top 15 picks of the draft next year if the chance to do it and the right guy is there.

If the guy they draft and Allar are both great, that’s draft capital

I get the sense Howard might be cut and they can hope he might make it back to the practice squad
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Agree with all of this but thinking they will be 24 ish. Top 15 will be expensive.
 
I watched half the game. I just can't get into preseason football anymore. None of these games really mean ****. I'll try to watch all of the last one.

The regular season will be a different story for me.
 
Troglodyte said:
Allar was hampered by about 4 dropped passes.

Johnson isn’t physical enough for a big back.
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Not impressed by KJ either. IMO, he's got a similar running style like Warren & Dowdle. I'd rather see Nichols, a different style runner, get one of the RB slots. He brings to mind the old "mack truck" type of runner who doesn't avoid contact, and prefers north-south running.

Also, Nowakowski has impressed me in the limited touches he's gotten. I want to see more of him next preseason game. I think he's more than capable of filling in for Connor Heyward's role.
 
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