Initial thoughts from Heinz....

[Chucktownsteeler]

The broadcast did not show it but they did give a mention to the class of the Steeler fans. They spoke about the crowd chanting his name and giving him a standing O as he was being carted off. As an aside, I have a good friend who is a Browns fan and we were talking yesterday afternoon. He was saying that Chubb is his favorite NFL player right now and I told him that he is the one Brown who I wish was on our side. We texted after the incident, feel really bad for Chubb.

I think Buck mentioned it.

[pfelix73]

yeah, i can't say acrisure yet. and I'm also aware my thoughts aren't worth very much - but this is more therapy for me so I can maybe get some sleep tonight.

I should spend paragraphs talking about how great the defense was tonight. The subs did a terrific job. Yeah, there was some containment issues, and clearly the stains were targeting Levi Wallace as the weak link. But 14 points off turnovers, TJ sets the franchise record AND they got that stop at the end of the game when most watching (admit it to yourselves) were wondering if we'd have enough time left on the clock to try to come back and win. Minor point and I don't know if it came through the broadcast - but when Chubbs left on the cart a large portion of the stadium was chanting his name. Mad respect for that guy and how he plays and it was nice to see our fans recognize his abilities.

But this is about therapy and facing your demons. So speaking of demonic - let's talk about the offense, shall we?

I thought the O-line was upgraded in the off season. I'm aware the Stains were using 5 D linemen and daring KP to throw - but dang. Our line was getting pushed all over the place. Najee had a few nice runs - but I think Jaylen is clearly outperforming him. Kenny was still off target on too many throws, the tight ends were a non-factor. too many false starts IMO. I think the only way to describe the offense after 2 games is an undisciplined hot mess. There were outscored by the defense and when they had to get one first down to ice the game - they had to resort to a QB sneak that fooled no one. I'd love to try to pin the blame on Canada, and i'm sure he merits quite a bit of it - but seeing what the Stains were doing, and doing so quite obviously he had no answer upon which to force Cleveland to make a change. That being said, our guys were struggling to execute most of what was called. So yeah - no easy answers there.

quick subplot. After the KP keeper and for the first time I ever recall hearing it at the stadium - a large chant of 'FIRE HEAD COACH' took hold.

Fortunately for the Steelers, the players who were great today outnumbered the players who didn't meet the standard - thus we're 1-1. Happy for the win, but nervous about Vegas next week. There's a lot of work to be done.

Oh yeah, here's hoping the Gunner O experiment has run its course.

It wasnt FIRE HEAD COACH, It was FIRE CAN A DA

[Starlifter]

It wasnt FIRE HEAD COACH, It was FIRE CAN A DA

Yeah, you missed my correction.

[Starlifter]

The broadcast did not show it but they did give a mention to the class of the Steeler fans. They spoke about the crowd chanting his name and giving him a standing O as he was being carted off. As an aside, I have a good friend who is a Browns fan and we were talking yesterday afternoon. He was saying that Chubb is his favorite NFL player right now and I told him that he is the one Brown who I wish was on our side. We texted after the incident, feel really bad for Chubb.

Was talking with a bud who’s a bungles fan and we also said similar. When steeler and bungle fans agree on a players quality - you know it’s legit.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Thought he'd be dominant from all accounts. Maybe Pat Meyer stinks.

THAT is exactly where I was going... this independent hand thing may be a failure...

[Steel Maniac]

FYI Star - you could hear the Chubb chants and both Joe & Troy mentioned it from the booth and what a classy move it was by the fans.

How does the playbook not have a single play to get 1 or 2 yards in critical situations. It is mind boggling how much of a struggle it is to get that yard.

Do not need to see any more Canada. The call for Kenny to get the 1 yard was not even pee-wee worthy. Was not even a true sneak. Started him 4 yards back. Guy is not an NFL coordinator.

On the day they put Cam on IR , they promoted WR Fitzpatrick to the 53 roster and then he was a healthy inactive. How in the world does Fedoko not get a helmet? At least see what he can do. When Adams is out there they are playing with 10. He blows.

The O-line has been a massive disappointment.

I'm hoping that we make it a focal point to get Najee (and Warren) going this game. Meaning I want to see that O-line playing better this weekend. It's a weaker opponent without a super dominant front 7. If we can run, we can take some pressure off of KP and warren could be a real weapon too out of the backfield catching the ball in space.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

• Cole - he was getting pushed back a lot; huge disappointment in my book; this is a draft need next season
• Chuks - should have sat this one out, bad start bad finish
• Moore - the stat line will probably read better than his play, he simply cannot block speed rushers
• KP - didn't exactly rise to the occasion, and you could argue he shrunk to it just like last week
• Harris - a typical Harris game, couple of nice runs mixed in with a lot of nothing
• Warren - he just looks different with the ball than Harris
• Pickens - a positive on the night; really good to see Pickett start focusing on him in this offense, still not crisp but I'll take what we could get
• Allen - he's getting more looks as a security blanket for Pickett and that's a good thing
• Canada - Browns defense did what they needed to do to disrupt the offense, Canada used a lot of motion but really there was very little misdirection plays. The impromptu cutback by Harris was the exception. When you have a defense chasing the ball like that misdirection is your friend. Execution was so off it's just hard to judge the playcalling. But this offense isn't really fooling too many people.
• Watt - what more can you say about the guy that hasn't been said? Takes games over. And for yinz whining about him taking a few plays off, you're just completely wrong. You can't play 200mph for 30 minutes. Plus Herbig gets a few valuable snaps.
• Ogunjobi - good to see him gut it out even though he's not 100%, the DL looks respectable with him in the game
• Adams - he's not an answer to any question
• Wallace - he is what I thought he was, a backup CB trying to look like a starter
• JPJ - promising looking rookie but that last play should have extended the Browns possession. If I had to make a choice between Wallace playing 10 yds off and JPJ with PI I think I would take JPJ.
• Harvin - redemption game, in a game where every single punt was critical he nailed them
• Boz - had a Boz kind of night; will need his scoring going forward since the offense can't do it
• Tomlin - the team with one of the biggest analytics departments against Tomlin's gut; the gut takes this one.

-1 for not mentioning Highsmith
Boz has us so spoiled...

[NorthCoast]

-1 for not mentioning Highsmith
Boz has us so spoiled...

Good catch and shame on me for the miss. Highsmith earned his pay on the day (as did Watt).