The Truth.

[feltdizz]

Maybe. But it wouldn't be significantly better.

Although adding in another RB that can't get more than 4 yards per carry isn't the big solution for this team.

Lots of things wrong with this team IMO. But missing Najee isn't one of them. So far, he's earned one carry in LA. But it's probably the first time he's had a 5.0 ypc after 2 games (although he only played in one).

He and Warren are different styles. But their value is about the same.

Johnson had a massive **** up today. But he's young and has a chance to be something more. I'd like to see it before believing it though.

I don't understand why we gave Gainwell so much burn last game. The things we heard about Smith's player usage before he came here have certainly proved to be true.

Najee had an eye injury and was cleared a day before the opener. I’m sure you know that but gotta reach for something to feel better about Kaleb Johnson failing thus far. He isn’t a kick returner. He looks scared and is getting blasted fumbling and had a boneheaded play today.

Not sure how you think Warren getting more touches and Najee being our bruising back wouldn’t be better than what we have seem this far.

Also.. if Gainwell and Kaleb returning kicks is some type of bonus it just shows how bad our GM was at allocating money to the O vs the D. Its not like Johnson is flashing as a returner. We could put anyone else back there and get better results.

[LPMAN]

Remember it like it was yesterday.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Johnson had a massive **** up today. But he's young and has a chance to be something more. I'd like to see it before believing it though.

Sure he had a massive "mess" up today but the question is why? Is it on coaching or on Johnson? He doesn't have a history of returning in college, and probably doesn't have the speed and shiftiness I'd like in a returner, but I can live with that. He should have been drilled into his head over and over again as he's been learning the role. If he knows but for some reason slipped up, let it go and be pretty sure that nothing like that will happen again. We can still remember the ridiculous ST play by Gunner O, who toe tapped to keep a kickoff from going out of bounds and costing 20+ yards in field position. Not as costly as a TD, but just as stupid. However, if you are expecting a rook to do a job he has barely done through his college career, and not repeating the new kickoff rules ad nauseum, then that is on coaching and another lack of attention to detail.

[Dog chasing Cat]

An offensive line that can’t run block.

[Starlifter]

I wish it was just one thing we could point to - but there are many systemic problems, and these are problems that have existed for quite awhile. The Steelers haven't had a top 10 defense since 2020. They haven't had a top 10 offense since 2018. They have certainly had quality players in that time span. The one common thread continues to be the HC, his ego and stubborn inability to change HIS ways. The Steelers are predictable on both sides, there is nothing innovative about this team - and there hasn't been for quite awhile. I continue to hope I'm wrong - but also continue to believe a Tomlin coached team will be average, competitive but never elite.

Now, if there was one thing they could do now to fix the team - the answer to me is completely obvious. Do whatever it takes to get a quality offensive line coach asap. The O-line hasn't been effective since Munchak was allowed to leave. If the Steelers have missed on all their drafts and FA signings with the O-line, then we can't do any worse. But IF there is some talent there, we clearly don't have the right staff to develop it or use it properly.

They so desperately need an O-line that can establish a run game. That by doing so can open up the passing game. That can keep their 41 year old QB off the ground. A unit that can sustain long drives, tilt time of possession and by doing THAT, keep our defense off the field so they are rested (and not puking mid game) and are challeged with a lesser amount of plays to contend with.

There are a ton of things that need fixed - but the best and most feasible solution for what ails them currently is what I said above IMO. Fix the O-line and that will solve many problems and help mitigate and mask the problems that still remain.

But a mid-season coaching change? he's done it exactly one time in the last 19 years. No way Tomlin does it again. That would be an admission that he was wrong and I seriously doubt his ego can absorb that twice in a career.

[The Standard]

The Truth = Run to the Os left, throw some crossers, score 30 vs Steelers.

[Northern_Blitz]

Najee had an eye injury and was cleared a day before the opener. I’m sure you know that but gotta reach for something to feel better about Kaleb Johnson failing thus far. He isn’t a kick returner. He looks scared and is getting blasted fumbling and had a boneheaded play today.

Not sure how you think Warren getting more touches and Najee being our bruising back wouldn’t be better than what we have seem this far.

Also.. if Gainwell and Kaleb returning kicks is some type of bonus it just shows how bad our GM was at allocating money to the O vs the D. Its not like Johnson is flashing as a returner. We could put anyone else back there and get better results.

I think it would be close to a push. Probably slightly better.

Again, not sure how people watch this game and think "if only we had Najee we would have won".

It's a super-odd take IMO. Adding another average RB is very far down the list of problems we need to fix on this team IMO.

[Northern_Blitz]

The Truth = Run to the Os left, throw some crossers, score 30 vs Steelers.

FWIW, I'd say run away from TJ. Per Scout's Eye, for the few snaps where TJ plays on the Os left, they run to their right.

And which it's still very far from legendary or whatever Tomlin said before the season, it's worth remembering that the D gave up 24 and not 31.

[The Standard]

And the Seahawks missed a very makeable FG.

[Dog chasing Cat]

Najee is better than the bust Kaleb Johnson.

How would we know that behind this offensive line? Either or offensive line coach is horrible (probable) or Khan doesn't know how to draft talented offensive linemen (possible) or it's both.

[LPMAN]

How would we know that behind this offensive line? Either or offensive line coach is horrible (probable) or Khan doesn't know how to draft talented offensive linemen (possible) or it's both.

Watching Johnsons tape at Iowa he went down too easily. All his best runs were huge holes, no contact.

[BURGH86STEEL]

The Truth is that this is overaction Monday. The truth is that this game "turned" and the outcome of the game was determined because of obvious mistakes made by players. On to next week folks.

The truth, coaches trust players to know the rules after they were taught. The truth, fans still lack understanding of the NFL game.

["BuzzNuter"]

Let me ask you guys, when was the last time we spent so many early round picks on Olinemen. We have spent 2 1st round picks and a 2nd and what a 3rd in the last 3 years. Our Oline looks like sh*t does it not.

How many years do you get to gel? How about our defensive backfield. When was the last time we got a good one? JPJ BUT we're not sure on him yet. It is obvious, I would say intuitively obvious that we have no idea who we are taking in the draft. It's a crap shoot. Look Mike Tomlin has resorted to picking up has beens from other teams for our defensive backfield. I don' t know who you should get but I'm sure they don't know either so pay me 250K$ a year and I will do it for a big discount.

This thing needs blown.up.and I'm sure Art II sees it. He will let the next 2 weeks play out and we will go from there. I am sure if we give up 400 yards per the next 2 weeks that Austin will be gone.

[LPMAN]

Let me ask you guys, when was the last time we spent so many early round picks on Olinemen. We have spent 2 1st round picks and a 2nd and what a 3rd in the last 3 years. Our Oline looks like sh*t does it not.

How many years do you get to gel? How about our defensive backfield. When was the last time we got a good one? JPJ BUT we're not sure on him yet. It is obvious, I would say intuitively obvious that we have no idea who we are taking in the draft. It's a crap shoot. Look Mike Tomlin has resorted to picking up has beens from other teams for our defensive backfield. I don' t know who you should get but I'm sure they don't know either so pay me 250K$ a year and I will do it for a big discount.

This thing needs blown.up.and I'm sure Art II sees it. He will let the next 2 weeks play out and we will go from there. I am sure if we give up 400 yards per the next 2 weeks that Austin will be gone.

Secondary is playing ok in my opinion. our 3-4 defense has always been susceptible to a few deep shots & short passes over the middle on our linebckers, BUT at the expense of having a stout front 7 that stopped the run almost completely.

So the problem right now is the D assembled doesnt stop runs up the middle or passes over the short middle. All our ILBS do in my opinion is stop outside runs, screens passes & rush the passer well. That's a death sentence to the entire D. You have to stop one or the other....

[WindyCitySteel]

What does Kaleb’s inability to do a job he’s not fit for (return kicks) have to do with his ability as a RB?

Just another case of Tomlin playing guys out of position.