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When will Tomlin give rookie Matt Thomas a chance?

The problem for Thomas was Fort is healthy and appears to be getting it in the defensive scheme. While Fort is a touch less athletic he must be more reliable in his positioning/assignments within the D, his coverage has been above the line making Thomas the odd man out as Dirty Red provides more value on the ST coverage units. With a hopefully promising pass rusher returning Thomas becomes the odd man out in the numbers game.

And suggesting his play based on a few preseason snaps vs the future burger flippers squad suggests he is better than Williams/Bostic is a bit more than a stretch. Thomas equals future potential based on his athletic abilities, but obviously he hasn't quite picked it up yet and hopefully he makes the PS to get a bit more time to try.
 
Ike Kelly said:
All good points, which I don’t refute. But as I commented, he was brought in for stuffing the run and having a solid tackler with the unit. His coverage limitations are recognized, which is why he is always replaced in sub packages on obvious passing downs. Sometimes you have to give credit to the offense when they find a mismatch. But, no doubt in coverage he is limited. They knew that when they signed him. Hence the plan to have a big coverage safety to replace him on passing situations.

The statement about him leading in tackles was meant to emphasize he’s doing it while only being a 2 down player. So it’s the efficiency when he’s playing on run downs. Williams should be leading by far.

I only asserted he was a good pick up to settle down the run defense and bring it back to a strength of the unit, which has always been the number 1 goal of the defense. Stop the run, force passing situations.

I read the beat writers and watch all the games. I don’t always agree with what they say either. But they do have more insight and accessibility than the national writers and to that I give them more credibility.

Kudos to you in the gripe about the network telecast. Totally ridiculous and pissed me off as well. In this day and age the networks don’t have to worry about another Heidi incident and get their switchboard lit up. If you are showing a national game, why would preempt it with a non national one?
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Sorry, I was trying to reply to this on Saturday, but was having laptop issues.

I agree that the Steelers brought Bostic in to help solidify the run defense. I mentioned before that I thought he'd done a good job at stopping the run in earlier games this season, but that wasn't the case against the Broncos -- he sucked against both the run and pass. When Bostic's a liability in each of those areas, and he can't help on special teams, his "efficiency" is worth next to nothing.

Yeah, it seems to happen a lot when the Steelers have late games. At least when I'm at home I can watch the beginning on the Game Mix from DirecTv, but I was at my dad's last week. Really annoying to have to miss anything at all, really, especially for the end of a garbage game nobody cares about.


**Notes on the Chargers game**

Maybe the coaches were seeing some of the same things I did regarding Bostic, because Fort played a bunch more snaps this week. Of course, when any of these Steelers inside linebackers are basically on their own trying to cover Keenan Allen, which seemed to be happening during a large portion of the game, I have no idea what they were thinking with the defensive game plan.

Incredibly, they had Bostic out there for the 3rd-and-4 from the 34 with a minute left in the game...and predictably, Allen had about 5 yards of easy separation for the 11-yard gain which put the Chargers in great position to kick the game-winning field goal.

Maddening to watch.
 
On the 3rd and 4, Hilton should have been manned up with Allen.
 
But wait, Coach is smarter than all the other 31 HC and GMs!!!! Thomas is the next Harrison type savior at ILB, OLB, P and LS.

Again, and again your “opinionated” player observations are “ahem” laughable.

He cleared waivers without a sniff and made the PS. Genius.


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Ike Kelly said:
But wait, Coach is smarter than all the other 31 HC and GMs!!!! Thomas is the next Harrison type savior at ILB, OLB, P and LS.

Again, and again your “opinionated” player observations are “ahem” laughable.

He cleared waivers without a sniff and made the PS. Genius.


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To be fair, a lot of teams didn't think Harrison could play either
 
Ike Kelly said:
But wait, Coach is smarter than all the other 31 HC and GMs!!!! Thomas is the next Harrison type savior at ILB, OLB, P and LS.

Again, and again your “opinionated” player observations are “ahem” laughable.

He cleared waivers without a sniff and made the PS. Genius.


Sent from my iPhone using Steeler Nation mobile app
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You did not reply to my draft vs the Steelers, and I think you know why. At least the coaches caught up and are playing Fort a bit more. I've been asking to see that for several games, but covering a receiver with a linebacker is crap even you agree on. We've got dumb coaches Ike.

As for Thomas cut, lot a of guys were cut. Brian Allen should have been cut instead. But ignore the rest of what I said and pick on a cut player who's a back up if it makes you feel better because lord knows you need a win in these debates.
 
Coach said:
You did not reply to my draft vs the Steelers, and I think you know why. At least the coaches caught up and are playing Fort a bit more. I've been asking to see that for several games, but covering a receiver with a linebacker is crap even you agree on. We've got dumb coaches Ike.

As for Thomas cut, lot a of guys were cut. Brian Allen should have been cut instead. But ignore the rest of what I said and pick on a cut player who's a back up if it makes you feel better because lord knows you need a win in these debates.
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Coach...your BS has no boundaries. You were panting and heaving Thomas to start for either Williams or Bostic OVER Fort. So don’t try to fool yourself in thinking “I’ve been asking to see” Fort in coverage for several games.

Ignore the rest of what you said? Dear Lord, look at the title of this thread that YOU created. You’ve been asking for Thomas since preseason.


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Ike Kelly said:
Coach...your BS has no boundaries. You were panting and heaving Thomas to start for either Williams or Bostic OVER Fort. So don’t try to fool yourself in thinking “I’ve been asking to see” Fort in coverage for several games.

Ignore the rest of what you said? Dear Lord, look at the title of this thread that YOU created. You’ve been asking for Thomas since preseason.

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Click to expand...


The title of the thread is When will Tomlin give rookie Matt Thomas a chance? It does not say start him.

I wanted Thomas on the field for situational football as he's athletic, tall, fast and can cover with blitzing options. We saw this in the pre-season, including time with the 1st unit.

Where did I say start him over Bostic or Williams, I think your talking out of your rear end again, show me those words.

I noticed you are avoiding the other coaching threads liked the plague. Gee, I wonder why.
 
Sorry bogged down at work. Did he clear waivers?
 
I don't know much about the kid. I'm not even sure how to pronounce his name.
 
Coach said:
The title of the thread is When will Tomlin give rookie Matt Thomas a chance? It does not say start him.

I wanted Thomas on the field for situational football as he's athletic, tall, fast and can cover with blitzing options. We saw this in the pre-season, including time with the 1st unit.

Where did I say start him over Bostic or Williams, I think your talking out of your rear end again, show me those words.

I noticed you are avoiding the other coaching threads liked the plague. Gee, I wonder why.
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Oh now you say you wanted Thomas for "situational" football. Another change in narrative to your agenda. No wonder Coolie just let the Oliver thread speak for itself, you change your tune more often than Bell did. Lets see......here is a clip from the Board just last month. My point emphasized.

Coach said:
When was the last time the defense or special teams won a game for the Steelers?

Not one of the starting give Offensive lineman is doing better this season. They are all underachieving. Alejandro Villanueva has been particularly poor. I have not*seen many pulling plays, wasn't that a strength? Too often Conner is meet by a defender at the line of scrimmage.

The Defensive line has been even worse. Heyward's play has really tailed off. Tuitt, is vastly overpaid. Hargrave an interchangeable piece at best.

It might be time to bench Edmunds. He has a lot to learn. Out of position, and not the most reliable tackler. I'm starting to worry a little about this draft pick. Start Morgan Burnett.

This rush three and drop off for coverage does not work, as the three-man line seldom generates a pass rush, and most of the guy can not cover. Take this out of the playbook.

Our team speed on defense sucks. None of our DB's are 4.40 or better guys and it shows. Matt Thomas needs to play. His speed and coverage is badly needed on a terrible underneath coverage. Bench either Williams or Bostic. Speaking of team speed, we don't have that guy at receiver anymore either.....

Last edited by Coach; 10-01-2018 at 08:10 AM.
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Bench Williams and Bostic......Thomas needs to play because "his speed and coverage is badly needed on terrible underneath coverage"(sic). Lets forget about your ranting why LB's are covering WRs....even though you implied Thomas was needed for said coverage.

OL line underachieving, AV ""has been particularly poor"..."might be time to bench Edmunds"....Heyward play has tailed off, Hargrave 'interchangable".Tuit overpaid.....All just a month ago, you made these remarks......still stand by them? Tuit been injured. Hargrave and Cam only have 12.5 sacks between them. Edmunds is 3rd in solo tackles. And the biggest whopper of BS.....OL is underachieving.

Yeah.....we will leave it at that. This just by taking a couple of minutes on the search function. You are what you are......don't deny it. Clown.

How am I avoiding? I responded to your own simpleton post in one of the first threads about the SD game and poor second half coaching performance. Why would I need to add to the plethora threads already on the subject? Unlike you I don't need constant attention on this message board, much less be a freeloader non-contrib who creates threads just to see his name. Gee I guess that's explains your wonderment. You are a legend in your own mind. You go on ahead and waste your time pumping up a current fringe player, who is now on the Psquad. Let the adults talk. Your intellectual property doesn't allow you to discuss rationally the majority of the football topics on this board.
 
I will say when they do draft a ILBer high they better make sure he is coverage capable if they are going to stick with the same tarded *** scheme.

Who knows if Thomas will develop, but apparently he just isn't showing enough

now.
 
Ike Kelly said:
Bench Williams and Bostic......Thomas needs to play because "his speed and coverage is badly needed on terrible underneath coverage"(sic). Lets forget about your ranting why LB's are covering WRs....even though you implied Thomas was needed for said coverage.

How am I avoiding? I responded to your own simpleton post in one of the first threads about the SD game and poor second half coaching performance. Why would I need to add to the plethora threads already on the subject? Unlike you I don't need constant attention on this message board, much less be a freeloader non-contrib who creates threads just to see his name. Gee I guess that's explains your wonderment. You are a legend in your own mind. You go on ahead and waste your time pumping up a current fringe player, who is now on the Psquad. Let the adults talk. Your intellectual property doesn't allow you to discuss rationally the majority of the football topics on this board.
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I never said START THOMAS you fool, I was talking about playing him on passing downs, as he would be an upgrade over Williams or Bostic and mentioned. " his speed and coverage is badly needed on terrible underneath coverage" Ya think? Our coaches finally figured that out, well sort of as Fort is playing more. They still are dumb enough to put Linebackers on Wide Receivers.

You're a Tomlin dude, and avoid defending him in many threads started by other posters because its clear as day he's not very good.

As for me, you sure like to follow and bump my threads.
 
When will Tomlin give rookie Matt Thoams a chance?

Coach said:
I never said START THOMAS you fool, I was talking about playing him on passing downs, as he would be an upgrade over Williams or Bostic and mentioned. " his speed and coverage is badly needed on terrible underneath coverage" Ya think? Our coaches finally figured that out, well sort of as Fort is playing more. They still are dumb enough to put Linebackers on Wide Receivers.

You're a Tomlin dude, and avoid defending him in many threads started by other posters because its clear as day he's not very good.

As for me, you sure like to follow and bump my threads.
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Nimrod.....

Your own words

“I was talking about playing him on passing downs..”, ...to “upgrade over Williams or Bostic”...”Our coaches finally figured that out, well sort of as Fort is playing more. They still are dumb enough to put Linebackers on Wide Receivers.”

You wanted to put Thomas, a ILB, on passing downs, yet flame the coaches for putting a ILB on coverage to a WR. You are to stupid to even recognize you contradicting yourself in the same paragraph. Whatever degree you received, if any, your comp professors didn’t do a good job.

And to clarify for the mush between your ears. I’m a Steeler Football Club fan. Unlike you, I can see both sides of the picture and collate logical answers. Tomlin doesn’t need me to defend him for anything. A ridiculous statement from you (not surprisingly) as no one here has one iota of an idea what a professional HC does. Unless of course, their CV proves it. I suspect the only coaching experience you have, if any, is rec league kids. Which is admirable, but sorry that doesn’t mean anything professionally and really no more knowledgeable than anyone else here.

I don’t absolve anyone in the Steeler org of being close to perfect except maybe Dan Rooney. There is criticism for everyone, players, coaches, even KC and Omar Khan. As I said before, I already made my comments about the poor adjustments by the coaches in the second half against SD in another post. Ben needs to play better, stop with mistakes. I haven’t been avoiding any thread. Like every other team board, there are emotionally generated ebb and flow discussions. Serves me no purpose to disagree with someone’s opinion when the they have shown valid rationale to it. Agree to disagree is usually the endgame for the majority. As I’ll respect another’s opinion as long as it’s reciprocated. Arguing about the opinionated disagreement is a waste of time IMO.

You however, are a different poster. You are a clown. You have opinions which is fine, you are entitled to it. However, to challenge others to disproving your “predictions” that have no objectivity is just a narcissistic trait you use to make you feel recognized. Which you definitely are. A “look at me I made a statement! Prove me wrong!” recognition method. You demand credibility but provide nothing of substance to show for it. Inundating this board with subjective agenda driven threads by the dozens all the while refusing to be a contributor from which how Justin’s board exists. Freeloading on others contributions with your content to make worthless or repeated threads. Maybe we need a restriction for non-contributors with thread creations. IDK. If you can’t afford a subscription, I’m sure someone wouldn’t mind to spring for you. You do provide entertainment to this board. Your laughable views and observations have legendary status.

As for bumping your threads....Hahahaha, just one more trait of your narcissism. With your posts Coach you bring out the necessity to call BS. That is not a compliment. It’s to get you to realize, your opinion means no more to the majority than a nutless ape. It’s time for you to get more crayons....genius.
 
Last edited:
Ike Kelly said:
Nimrod.....

Your own words

“I was talking about playing him on passing downs..”, ...to “upgrade over Williams or Bostic”...”Our coaches finally figured that out, well sort of as Fort is playing more. They still are dumb enough to put Linebackers on Wide Receivers.”

You wanted to put Thomas, a ILB, on passing downs, yet flame the coaches for putting a ILB on coverage to a WR. You are to stupid to even recognize you contradicting yourself in the same paragraph. Whatever degree you received, if any, your comp professors didn’t do a good job.
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WFT? I said Thomas should play on passing downs. This has nothing to do with the coaches asking a linebacker to cover receivers. Zero. Why you are trying to connect who I wanted to play in passing downs with the stupidity of what the coaching staff did? You are a moron! No--A linebacker should NEVER cover a WR by design.

Yes, the coaches deserves flames for asking our linebackers to cover receivers.
 
Punxsutawney said:
To be fair, a lot of teams didn't think Harrison could play either
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To be even more fair....,right out of college Harrison wasn't ready to play in the NFL. He will admit to that himself.
 
Coach said:
WFT? I said Thomas should play on passing downs. This has nothing to do with the coaches asking a linebacker to cover receivers. Zero. Why you are trying to connect who I wanted to play in passing downs with the stupidity of what the coaching staff did? You are a moron! No--A linebacker should NEVER cover a WR by design.

Yes, the coaches deserves flames for asking our linebackers to cover receivers.
Click to expand...

So, if you say Thomas should play on passing downs, who is he going to cover? What would have been his assignment?

Also Butler already said, he guessed (wrong obviously) SD was going to run on that 3rd and 4. Which was why Bostic was in there. Fort would have been the player in Bostic’s spot, had they played the pass.

What player do you think should have been in Bostic’s place?


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