so are you a believer yet?

[birtikidis]

Pouncey has been down right RIDICULOUS.
you believe? he makes everyone around him better.

[Jooser]

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p262/jooser73/believe.jpg

[Crash]

Um, except for three runs in two games the running game has been blah.

Too much running inside. Not enough outside pitches.

[birtikidis]

Um, except for three runs in two games the running game has been blah.

Too much running inside. Not enough outside pitches.
I agree crash, but you have to take into account the fact that all 9 offensive lineman had to play today, and we didn't even have starks. DD was much less effective than anyone expected in the atlanta game. he is a huge upgrade over hartwig.
think about it this way, once ben gets back and there is a legit threat of pass, how much will our run game open up?

[Crash]

It's just like last season. Everything is inside minus the sucker draw off tackle.

They need to remove Spaeth, use a three WR set as their base and spread these teams out and loosen the 8 man fronts.

[Stewie]

I LOVE the sucker draw. I remember when John Jackson used to do it to perfection. He'd fake a half step in, allow the DE to go up field on the outside, then a gentle shove as the RB went upfield inside. Bew-tee-full!!!!

[Oviedo]

I believe. I was wrong about Pouncey. he is as good as advertised and I'm glad I was wrong.

Other things I believe:

1. Timmons is a monster. The guy is all over the place and I think has like over 20 solo tackles in two games. Don't even notice whether or not there is another ILB on the field. Farrior's drop in production is noticeable.

2. We need Ben back and it is now clear what a difference maker a franchise QB is and why they are worth every penny they get. Dixon can barely keep his seat warm and we just have to hope he doesn't lose a game for us.

3. If this defense can stay healthy they could rival 2008.

4. Starks is much better and a much bigger stabilizing influence on the OL than anyone give him credit for.

5. Wallace has a ways to go before he is a true #1 receiver.

6. Finally, I believe there is no way that ARE has any business returning punts. What skills he may have once had have left him. Put Brown and/or Sanders back there.

[SteelAbility]

Pouncey vs. Iupati debate anyone??? :stirpot :P

[Notleadpoisoned]

2. We need Ben back and it is now clear what a difference maker a franchise QB is and why they are worth every penny they get. Dixon can barely keep his seat warm and we just have to hope he doesn't lose a game for us.


Yeah, let's just put to rest all of this moronic speculation about if the Steelers go 4-0 will Ben get his job back? If they do go 4-0 it will be because of the defense and a committment to the running game, not because of stellar QB play from the 3 headed monster.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Don't guage the OL as a whole at all through the first 4 games. If you want to break down individual efforts, that will be more productive. If you haven't watched the first two games and can see why I say this, than you are a Steelers fan who isn't really familiar with the game of football. Not said to insult anyone, just the facts. Anyone of us could be a DC for the opposing team and game plan against the Steelers while Ben is away. I consider the OL play very productive given the situation they are up against. The Steelers are facing defensive fronts that are +2 against the Steelers blocking schemes. We won't see that through the whole game when Ben is back there. BA will use the arm of BB to back them out of it.

Through 2 games:
Appreciate Starks more.
Kemo is a force on the move.
Pouncey is a stud. Only one more test I need to see and that is Ngata.
Essex is coming along. Happy with his run blocking but need to move his feet in pass pro.
Adams is a dominant run blocker. Is coming along at RT in pass pro.

Steelers have quality depth on the OL. Yes, I am saying this even with the lack of production of the offense through the first two games. Rotating 3 OTs to keep them hydrated and still being able to have some success is unreal. Scott & Hills had their bad moments but I am very happy with what I saw. OTs need snaps in a game to learn tendancies and I was impressed with the limited work of Hills on the left side and when Scott jumped to the right in rotation. Scott isn't Starks but he is serviceable as a back-up on the left. Legursky also played well when Essex went down. That was a talented set of 8 DL the Steelers saw all day in rotation.

While we are talking about lineman, I want to jump to the other side of the ball. The 6 in rotation were highly productive. 2nd line had no drop off. They always should get their due. Don't look at the roster for McClendon's real measurements. I always wondered why they saw a 280 NT as a keeper. Here the kid is 6'4" 310 and strong. Held his own. Opened my eyes some after seeing him in game. Good value for a PS player.

[Oviedo]

Don't guage the OL as a whole at all through the first 4 games. If you want to break down individual efforts, that will be more productive. If you haven't watched the first two games and can see why I say this, than you are a Steelers fan who isn't really familiar with the game of football. Not said to insult anyone, just the facts. Anyone of us could be a DC for the opposing team and game plan against the Steelers while Ben is away. I consider the OL play very productive given the situation they are up against. The Steelers are facing defensive fronts that are +2 against the Steelers blocking schemes. We won't see that through the whole game when Ben is back there. BA will use the arm of BB to back them out of it.

Through 2 games:
Appreciate Starks more.
Kemo is a force on the move.
Pouncey is a stud. Only one more test I need to see and that is Ngata.
Essex is coming along. Happy with his run blocking but need to move his feet in pass pro.
Adams is a dominant run blocker. Is coming along at RT in pass pro.

Steelers have quality depth on the OL. Yes, I am saying this even with the lack of production of the offense through the first two games. Rotating 3 OTs to keep them hydrated and still being able to have some success is unreal. Scott & Hills had their bad moments but I am very happy with what I saw. OTs need snaps in a game to learn tendancies and I was impressed with the limited work of Hills on the left side and when Scott jumped to the right in rotation. Scott isn't Starks but he is serviceable as a back-up on the left. Legursky also played well when Essex went down. That was a talented set of 8 DL the Steelers saw all day in rotation.

While we are talking about lineman, I want to jump to the other side of the ball. The 6 in rotation were highly productive. 2nd line had no drop off. They always should get their due. Don't look at the roster for McClendon's real measurements. I always wondered why they saw a 280 NT as a keeper. Here the kid is 6'4" 310 and strong. Held his own. Opened my eyes some after seeing him in game. Good value for a PS player.

JPN--I always pay attention to what you say about the OL because you seem to have a better eye for that than the vast majority of this board. I also can't say I am as down on the OL as many seem to. I do think Essex is a problem but other than the frequent Kemo bonehead play I think the OL has done well and will just get better.

We saw yesterday why they are so high on McLendon. But the problem now is can they really try to get him back onto the PS or will he get grabbed by another team after yesterday's solid performance. That will be worth watching.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Don't guage the OL as a whole at all through the first 4 games. If you want to break down individual efforts, that will be more productive. If you haven't watched the first two games and can see why I say this, than you are a Steelers fan who isn't really familiar with the game of football. Not said to insult anyone, just the facts. Anyone of us could be a DC for the opposing team and game plan against the Steelers while Ben is away. I consider the OL play very productive given the situation they are up against. The Steelers are facing defensive fronts that are +2 against the Steelers blocking schemes. We won't see that through the whole game when Ben is back there. BA will use the arm of BB to back them out of it.

Through 2 games:
Appreciate Starks more.
Kemo is a force on the move.
Pouncey is a stud. Only one more test I need to see and that is Ngata.
Essex is coming along. Happy with his run blocking but need to move his feet in pass pro.
Adams is a dominant run blocker. Is coming along at RT in pass pro.

Steelers have quality depth on the OL. Yes, I am saying this even with the lack of production of the offense through the first two games. Rotating 3 OTs to keep them hydrated and still being able to have some success is unreal. Scott & Hills had their bad moments but I am very happy with what I saw. OTs need snaps in a game to learn tendancies and I was impressed with the limited work of Hills on the left side and when Scott jumped to the right in rotation. Scott isn't Starks but he is serviceable as a back-up on the left. Legursky also played well when Essex went down. That was a talented set of 8 DL the Steelers saw all day in rotation.

While we are talking about lineman, I want to jump to the other side of the ball. The 6 in rotation were highly productive. 2nd line had no drop off. They always should get their due. Don't look at the roster for McClendon's real measurements. I always wondered why they saw a 280 NT as a keeper. Here the kid is 6'4" 310 and strong. Held his own. Opened my eyes some after seeing him in game. Good value for a PS player.

JPN--I always pay attention to what you say about the OL because you seem to have a better eye for that than the vast majority of this board. I also can't say I am as down on the OL as many seem to. I do think Essex is a problem but other than the frequent Kemo bonehead play I think the OL has done well and will just get better.

We saw yesterday why they are so high on McLendon. But the problem now is can they really try to get him back onto the PS or will he get grabbed by another team after yesterday's solid performance. That will be worth watching.
I just hope some fans realize that what is going on in the trenches is almost as if the defense had an ear in the huddle. Everyone can clearly see the percentage increase of the Steelers in any given situation to run the ball through the first 4 games.

It was nice to see what the coaches see yesterday with McClendon. We saw what they would see everyday in practice when he lined up against the Steelers starting OL. His is clearly #3 at NT but makes you optimistic about the depth now that there is some youth. The Titans OL is highly regarded and the ILBs ran free behind the 2nd line. I was impressed. Saying that, I agree with your point. Might be a little early but true 3-4 NT are hard to find. Some injuries on other teams could have them sniffin in the Steelers talent pool.

[SteelAbility]

The ideal scenario is playing out ... we go 4-0 without Ben, but it's obvious that it's because of the D. Hence no controversy/strain decision-wise. Plus Ben comes back on a bye week - extra week of practice and we play the Browns. That gives Ben 3 weeks to acclimate before real competition. Plus, Ben will be fresh. This suspension is transforming into a blessing in disguise ... thanks to the D.