Quick post game thoughts

[steeler_george]

1) Glad we lost and will face the Browns, but it will be a different game next week, expect more running by the Browns.
2) Left game relative injury free.
3) Mason took a big step forward, no he isn't the answer post Ben, but looked more confident and decisive.
4) The DL looked great, especially the depth. Wormley, Mondeuax (sp).
5) OLA is not the answer, I think Elliot and Marsh leaped over him as the 3rd OLB, especially elliot ... he was active.
6) No droppsies...
7) Jet sweeps although they were not working, I think they kept D honest...
8) Our OL starts off really slow, Dotson looks the real deal. AV ... I wonder if Feiler is healthy next week ( move to RT?)
9) Our running game, life from McFArland, Snell is not the answer, Conner played well.
10) Is Dobbs our missing component in short yardage ala Brisett in indy, Hill in NO.

Bonus: Love the vertical offense , and Claypool needs more attempts.

[steeler_george]

extra Bonus: I want to throw up seeing LB cover WR... But not bad game by LB over all.

Is Speilen available? End of Marcus experiment.

[Northern_Blitz]

1) Glad we lost and will face the Browns, but it will be a different game next week, expect more running by the Browns.
2) Left game relative injury free.
3) Mason took a big step forward, no he isn't the answer post Ben, but looked more confident and decisive.
4) The DL looked great, especially the depth. Wormley, Mondeuax (sp).
5) OLA is not the answer, I think Elliot and Marsh leaped over him as the 3rd OLB, especially elliot ... he was active.
6) No droppsies...
7) Jet sweeps although they were not working, I think they kept D honest...
8) Our OL starts off really slow, Dotson looks the real deal. AV ... I wonder if Feiler is healthy next week ( move to RT?)
9) Our running game, life from McFArland, Snell is not the answer, Conner played well.
10) Is Dobbs our missing component in short yardage ala Brisett in indy, Hill in NO.

Bonus: Love the vertical offense , and Claypool needs more attempts.

I didn't get to see the game because it wasn't on there.

Glad that they used Dobbs a bit in short yardage. Should at least give teams another thing to think about.

Sounds like Mason played OK, which is more than what I was expecting.

[NorthCoast]

1) Glad we lost and will face the Browns, but it will be a different game next week, expect more running by the Browns. Yep, they limited Chubbs carries in the 2nd half. They won't show this mercy next week. But the Steelers held them under 200 yds rushing (40+ from Mayfield) which considering who was playing on defense I think that's a victory.
2) Left game relative injury freew Only guy I saw go down was M Allen; not sure if he made his way back in. Claypool also dinged but stayed in.
3) Mason took a big step forward, no he isn't the answer post Ben, but looked more confident and decisive. Seemed to play with confidence, which given the OL that's a big deal.
4) The DL looked great, especially the depth. Wormley, Mondeuax (sp). Mondeaux was shamelessly held a couple of times. If the refs call a legitimate game they probably get a couple more sacks.
5) OLA is not the answer, I think Elliot and Marsh leaped over him as the 3rd OLB, especially elliot ... he was active not sure...didn't see much special but also didn't see major mistakes.
6) No droppsies... there were a few but again refs were blind to DPI this game
7) Jet sweeps although they were not working, I think they kept D honest...
8) Our OL starts off really slow, Dotson looks the real deal. AV ... I wonder if Feiler is healthy next week ( move to RT?) AV is clearly struggling. Not sure if he has a nagging injury or has just reached his NFL career limit. OL x 2 or 3 in the draft next year.
9) Our running game, life from McFArland, Snell is not the answer, Conner played well. Conner was frustrating to watch. He doesn't have the burst. He continues to dance at LOS before hitting a hole. Yes, the OL sucks at blocking but I'm not convinced Conner (or any Steeler RB) has that vision for soft spots in the line.
10) Is Dobbs our missing component in short yardage ala Brisett in indy, Hill in NO. Like this add by Fichnter. And they had a first down on the opening series so there is that.

Bonus: Love the vertical offense , and Claypool needs more attempts.​see my thoughts

[Moonie]

I'm so glad we rested a lot of key players. We avoided key injuries (see what happened to, e.g., Mike Evans in Tampa). We got a lot of people some decent game experience against our next opponent, and we saw some decent play too. The game provided knowledge and confidence for next week. Like the OP said above, maybe we even have some confidence trying some new plays with Dobbs, if we want to change things up.

Basically, the decision to rest people will be vindicated by this time next Sunday, and all of you who criticized the decision will be totally humiliated. You should just start trying to walk your statements back now, or flat out pre-apologize for being so wrong. It's your only hope of avoiding ridicule.

[feltdizz]

Mason played well but he still frustrates
me with poor footwork in the pocket. Why does he wait to long to move off a spot?

[NorthCoast]

Forgot that VWill got hurt and didn't return in the second half... maybe precautionary though.

[Chucktownsteeler]

Maybe we can bring Dobbs in on 3rd and short and MR in on 3rd and long.

[Northern_Blitz]

Maybe we can bring Dobbs in on 3rd and short and MR in on 3rd and long.

I assume that you're joking.

But this comment got me thinking about my comment above re: Dobbs being on tape running a bit.

It only helps if he's dressed. And he probably won't be.

[Chucktownsteeler]

I assume that you're joking.

But this comment got me thinking about my comment above re: Dobbs being on tape running a bit.

It only helps if he's dressed. And he probably won't be.

A little tongue in cheek, yes. But is was nice seeing MR push the ball downfield yesterday.

I just read were Tomlin admitted to limiting CC snap counts to avoid him from hitting the "rookie wall". I wonder if Tomlin was limiting Ben's downfield throws to save his arm for the playoffs.

Time will tell.

[Eich]

I wonder if Tomlin was limiting Ben's downfield throws to save his arm for the playoffs.

Time will tell.

And time is UP!! It's time to throw the kitchen sink at opposing defenses. I really hope we're not disappointed Sunday night.

[Northern_Blitz]

A little tongue in cheek, yes. But is was nice seeing MR push the ball downfield yesterday.

I just read were Tomlin admitted to limiting CC snap counts to avoid him from hitting the "rookie wall". I wonder if Tomlin was limiting Ben's downfield throws to save his arm for the playoffs.

Time will tell.

Maybe. But why not go all out against the Bengals to seal the division and then rest more in the two games after that?

I think it's just that Ben (and Fitchner) are stubbornly attached to the idea of the pass behind the line offense and want to show that it works.

But it doesn't. At least at the beginning of games.

It seems very odd to me that our offensive game plans and execution are so bad at the beginning of games, but then we do seem able to adjust toward the end of games (even the end of the Cincy game was OK).

I think they really, really want the dink-and-dunk offense to work. And it will be awesome as long as they sprinkle in some deep passes.

I'm hoping that Ben can be accurate on the deep ball in the playoffs. Because I believe that being able to hit a deep pass early will totally change how defenses have to play us.

And I think teams will be reluctant to drop guys deep against us after seeing how doing so almost ended the Colts season. If I was an opposing coach, I think I'd force the Steelers to beat me consistently with the deep ball. I think I'd play guys up for the whole game (or at least until I get burned multiple times deep). Because we seem to be so inept against it.

[Steel Maniac]

Show and tell time the next two games.

[NorthCoast]

No one commented on the Davis/Buggs dustup on the sideline. Tomlin dismissed it as two guys competing to win. I guess he should just make sure they know who the opponent is :p

[NorthCoast]

O. Vernon out for season; torn Achilles. That's a pretty huge hit for their defensive line.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I just read were Tomlin admitted to limiting CC snap counts to avoid him from hitting the "rookie wall". I wonder if Tomlin was limiting Ben's downfield throws to save his arm for the playoffs.

Yes, Tomlin mentioned limiting Claypool at his PC a few weeks ago.

Also, I believe that Ben has been limited, but I've been going on the assumption that it is Ben himself doing so to avoid getting hit. Hopefully what he showed last week in waiting longer for receivers to open up, and willing to plant his feet to make throws is the Ben we can look forward to seeing going forward.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

But it doesn't. At least at the beginning of games.

It seems very odd to me that our offensive game plans and execution are so bad at the beginning of games, but then we do seem able to adjust toward the end of games (even the end of the Cincy game was OK).

If I had more time I would look further into this, but it seems like the Steelers O is nearly unstoppable in the second half when the Steelers are playing from behind, but a 3-and-out machine in the second half with the lead.

Maybe we need to get someone to go hijack the scoreboard control room and keep the clock in the third Q and the Steelers down 14. The you will see fireworks all game long.

[hawaiiansteel]

No one commented on the Davis/Buggs dustup on the sideline. Tomlin dismissed it as two guys competing to win. I guess he should just make sure they know who the opponent is :p


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po62nHu2BjI

[pittpete]

Forgot that VWill got hurt and didn't return in the second half... maybe precautionary though.

Vince played in the second half;)

[Northern_Blitz]

If I had more time I would look further into this, but it seems like the Steelers O is nearly unstoppable in the second half when the Steelers are playing from behind, but a 3-and-out machine in the second half with the lead.

Maybe we need to get someone to go hijack the scoreboard control room and keep the clock in the third Q and the Steelers down 14. The you will see fireworks all game long.

It's almost like we're stubbornly trying to make the ~ 100% pass behind the line thing work.

And it fails everytime now that teams are on to it.

But we do seem to adjust well in 2nd halfs.

[NorthCoast]

Vince played in the second half;)missed that, thanks. good news.

[NorthCoast]

It's almost like we're stubbornly trying to make the ~ 100% pass behind the line thing work.

And it fails everytime now that teams are on to it.

But we do seem to adjust well in 2nd halfs.And every time McCloud is out there, that is the pass he is getting. Pretty straightforward to defense.

[flippy]

If I had more time I would look further into this, but it seems like the Steelers O is nearly unstoppable in the second half when the Steelers are playing from behind, but a 3-and-out machine in the second half with the lead.

Maybe we need to get someone to go hijack the scoreboard control room and keep the clock in the third Q and the Steelers down 14. The you will see fireworks all game long.


Wonder how much this is attributable to the defenses we see as a result? Do teams back off the tight coverage to kill the quick slants to avoid giving up a big play for example?

[NorthCoast]

I know this sounds like a bad porno but it's worth a look:
https://steelersdepot.com/2021/01/film-room-chase-claypools-squirt-release/

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Wonder how much this is attributable to the defenses we see as a result? Do teams back off the tight coverage to kill the quick slants to avoid giving up a big play for example?

Just a guess that it is more likely due to Ben's willingness to hold onto the ball to let the play develop as opposed to the D. He seems to force the ball out quickly while he can, regardless of what the D is doing. My hope is that he has done this to save his body for the playoffs. Just speculation but I hope I'm right.

[Northern_Blitz]

I know this sounds like a bad porno but it's worth a look:
https://steelersdepot.com/2021/01/film-room-chase-claypools-squirt-release/

That's cool thanks!

[NorthCoast]

It's almost like we're stubbornly trying to make the ~ 100% pass behind the line thing work.

And it fails everytime now that teams are on to it.

But we do seem to adjust well in 2nd halfs.I was curious so I checked into it:

% of Total Pass Attempts BLOS:

Herbert - 19%
Rodgers - 19%
Murray - 18%
Rivers - 18%
Roethlisberger - 16%
Mahomes - 16%

These teams have wide differences in success rates. And this directly ties back to OL and blocking.

[Captain Lemming]

I was curious so I checked into it:

% of Total Pass Attempts BLOS:

Herbert - 19%
Rodgers - 19%
Murray - 18%
Rivers - 18%
Roethlisberger - 16%
Mahomes - 16%

These teams have wide differences in success rates. And this directly ties back to OL and blocking.

I think the difference is that we pass a ton just beyond the LOS too. Other teams excel in screen passes. But that is just part of a mix of all distances.

Teams can defend us tight when we go for entire quarters or even halves without a 10 yard in the air completion.

[Captain Lemming]

A little tongue in cheek, yes. But is was nice seeing MR push the ball downfield yesterday.

I just read were Tomlin admitted to limiting CC snap counts to avoid him from hitting the "rookie wall". I wonder if Tomlin was limiting Ben's downfield throws to save his arm for the playoffs.

Time will tell.

I feel this is EXACTLY the case. I have the feeling we are going to the kid in a major way.

[Northern_Blitz]

I was curious so I checked into it:

% of Total Pass Attempts BLOS:

Herbert - 19%
Rodgers - 19%
Murray - 18%
Rivers - 18%
Roethlisberger - 16%
Mahomes - 16%

These teams have wide differences in success rates. And this directly ties back to OL and blocking.

Thanks North! You always come in with great info.

I would have guess that we'd be higher than this (especially higher than Mahomes).

I also heard (Terrible Podcast?) that our number of deep ball attempts is higher than we might think. But I think that's because we throw so often (and I don't think they talked about it as a %). I'd also imagine that it's our deep ball completion %age that means that defenses aren't that worried about the long ball from us.

If that's true, I hope we can use it to our advantage over the playoffs.

[Steel Maniac]

Just a guess that it is more likely due to Ben's willingness to hold onto the ball to let the play develop as opposed to the D. He seems to force the ball out quickly while he can, regardless of what the D is doing. My hope is that he has done this to save his body for the playoffs. Just speculation but I hope I'm right.

It would help if they went into "hurry up" mode right off the bat. Why wait? Put some points on the board and put all the pressure on BM. Make him have to throw and make them one dimensional.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

It would help if they went into "hurry up" mode right off the bat. Why wait? Put some points on the board and put all the pressure on BM. Make him have to throw and make them one dimensional.

I've been hoping for awhile that the Steelers have been in pre-season vanilla scheming mode for some time. They showed nothing new in the hopes that they can wait until playoffs to unveil some surprises. They hit a bump along the way but it can't be that the Planet Steelers message board knows that the O is too predictable but they don't.

[Northern_Blitz]

I've been hoping for awhile that the Steelers have been in pre-season vanilla scheming mode for some time. They showed nothing new in the hopes that they can wait until playoffs to unveil some surprises. They hit a bump along the way but it can't be that the Planet Steelers message board knows that the O is too predictable but they don't.

I think they know the problems. That's why I think that there aren't any easy solutions.

[Sly]

I think they know the problems. That's why I think that there aren't any easy solutions.

But all it takes is for the QB to get hot for 4 games. It happened to Joe Flacco, a mediocre QB at best, but for 3 playoff games and Super Bowl XLVII he played at an elite level. No interceptions or fumbles and multiple TD passes. If Flacco can do it, so can Ben.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

But all it takes is for the QB to get hot for 4 games. It happened to Joe Flacco, a mediocre QB at best, but for 3 playoff games and Super Bowl XLVII he played at an elite level. No interceptions or fumbles and multiple TD passes. If Flacco can do it, so can Ben.

He may have put up elite numbers, more like he was the luckiest SOB on the planet for 3 games. :p

[hawaiiansteel]

But all it takes is for the QB to get hot for 4 games. It happened to Joe Flacco, a mediocre QB at best, but for 3 playoff games and Super Bowl XLVII he played at an elite level. No interceptions or fumbles and multiple TD passes. If Flacco can do it, so can Ben.

https://www.memesmonkey.com/images/memesmonkey/32/32e2a45279dbf01c0ec9d55e4a13f7c7.jpeg

[NorthCoast]

I think the difference is that we pass a ton just beyond the LOS too. Other teams excel in screen passes. But that is just part of a mix of all distances.

Teams can defend us tight when we go for entire quarters or even halves without a 10 yard in the air completion.Well, since you asked:

% of Total Pass Attempts 0-10 yds:



Roethlisberger
55%


Herbert
50%


Mahomes
48%


Murray
48%


Rodgers
46%


Rivers
46%

[Sly]

He may have put up elite numbers, more like he was the luckiest SOB on the planet for 3 games. :p

Luck or skill doesn't matter. What does matter is that it happens.

[Captain Lemming]

Well, since you asked:

% of Total Pass Attempts 0-10 yds:



Roethlisberger
55%


Herbert
50%


Mahomes
48%


Murray
48%


Rodgers
46%


Rivers
46%



Just as I thought.

[Steel Maniac]

I've been hoping for awhile that the Steelers have been in pre-season vanilla scheming mode for some time. They showed nothing new in the hopes that they can wait until playoffs to unveil some surprises. They hit a bump along the way but it can't be that the Planet Steelers message board knows that the O is too predictable but they don't.

Hilariously it does seem so.

[feltdizz]

Well, since you asked:

% of Total Pass Attempts 0-10 yds:



Roethlisberger
55%


Herbert
50%


Mahomes
48%


Murray
48%


Rodgers
46%


Rivers
46%




KC runs an insane amount of screens.. and they usually work.

but I think the difference is most of these same QB’s probably have better success on longer pass attempts..

then again, I wouldn’t be surprised if these last 4 weeks have clouded my memory for the whole season.