DL Better Without Snack and Smith?

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Maybe it's purely coincidence...

I thought the young guys played well...We really need to find a way to have Heyward on the field more.

[Herewegosteelers!]

Re: DL Better Without Snack and Smith?

Have to at least rotate Hood, Hoke and Heyward with Hampton and Smith on the DL. Can only help the line and the Linebackers.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Re: DL Better Without Snack and Smith?

I had the feeling Smith was getting manhandled, but do we know that Snack was too?

[Snatch98]

Re: DL Better Without Snack and Smith?

I had the feeling Smith was getting manhandled, but do we know that Snack was too?

He's getting chop/cut blocked almost constantly. I don't know if the Titans were doing the same to Hoke but Hampton is getting it all the time. I'm not sold on Aaron Smith at all post injury but I've never doubted Big Snack. I think he would have had the same success today. They definitely need to rotate Hood and Heyward in because both looked very good today.

[grotonsteel]

Re: DL Better Without Snack and Smith?

I had the feeling Smith was getting manhandled, but do we know that Snack was too?

He's getting chop/cut blocked almost constantly. I don't know if the Titans were doing the same to Hoke but Hampton is getting it all the time. I'm not sold on Aaron Smith at all post injury but I've never doubted Big Snack. I think he would have had the same success today. They definitely need to rotate Hood and Heyward in because both looked very good today.

+1

I don't think Big Snack is playing that bad this season.

[SidSmythe]

Re: DL Better Without Snack and Smith?

Big Snack hasn't held his ground at all this year in the run game. He's a half step behind from what I've seen

[Pahn711]

Re: DL Better Without Snack and Smith?

I know its been awhile, but back in 2004 Hoke replaced Hampton for 10 games and their playoff run, and statistically it was reported that the Steelers run D was better with Hoke than Hampton. Thats why I figured losing Hampton for a game wouldn't be a huge dropoff in play.

[Shoe]

Re: DL Better Without Snack and Smith?

The thing with Hampton is that he thinks his job is as simple as him eating as much as he can and being as fat as possible. That may work for Wilfork or Ted Washington, but it's my opinion that isn't ideal for him. Look at Hoke. I'm sure he can also gorge himself til he's 350, but how effective would he be? Instead, he has his own level of fitness and stamina that make him the player he is.

Hampton should manage his weight better, bottom line. And frankly, after 10+ years in the league, he should have a better weight management system then just, "Eat whatever fits in my mouth".

[Pahn711]

Re: DL Better Without Snack and Smith?

Hampton should manage his weight better, bottom line. And frankly, after 10+ years in the league, he should have a better weight management system then just, "Eat whatever fits in my mouth".

Tomlin got on his case about that in training camp last year, so I have no doubt if that were truly the issue Hampton would be running wind sprints in practice all week.

[fordfixer]

Re: DL Better Without Snack and Smith?

The thing with Hampton is that he thinks his job is as simple as him eating as much as he can and being as fat as possible. That may work for Wilfork or Ted Washington, but it's my opinion that isn't ideal for him. Look at Hoke. I'm sure he can also gorge himself til he's 350, but how effective would he be? Instead, he has his own level of fitness and stamina that make him the player he is.

Hampton should manage his weight better, bottom line. And frankly, after 10+ years in the league, he should have a better weight management system then just, "Eat whatever fits in my mouth".

So maybe that is what happend to Ariens missing playbook

[steelblood]

Re: DL Better Without Snack and Smith?

Hoke was great today. He was pesky and penetrated and disrupted. He doesn't eat space like Hamp, but he pressures the QB better and pursues the play better.

Heyward pressured the QB a lot in the second half. He is by far our most athletic DL. When he figures things out and gets a little stronger. He'll be great. He must be on the field in the nickel defense.

Hood was better today. Some QB pressure and stout play against the run.

McClendon got limited snaps. I saw him get pushed around a few times. I'm not sold on him yet.

[D Rock]

Re: DL Better Without Snack and Smith?

Hampton should manage his weight better, bottom line. And frankly, after 10+ years in the league, he should have a better weight management system then just, "Eat whatever fits in my mouth".

Tomlin got on his case about that in training camp last year, so I have no doubt if that were truly the issue Hampton would be running wind sprints in practice all week.

I've actually thought a couple of times this year that Snack looks smaller than he has in past years, and thought that could be a factor in why he has been getting moved around a bit more than usual by OLinemen.

[Oviedo]

Re: DL Better Without Snack and Smith?

Big Snack hasn't held his ground at all this year in the run game. He's a half step behind from what I've seen

I've always liked Hoke because he play a different style than Hampton. Hoke always seems to be penetrating the OL while Hampton just holds in place. Not sure that Hoke sees the same number of double teams that Hampton does but his style seems to be much more disruptive. I think McLendon is more like Hoke than Hampton. I like that.

[anger 82&95]

Re: DL Better Without Snack and Smith?

The thing with Hampton is that he thinks his job is as simple as him eating as much as he can and being as fat as possible. That may work for Wilfork or Ted Washington, but it's my opinion that isn't ideal for him. Look at Hoke. I'm sure he can also gorge himself til he's 350, but how effective would he be? Instead, he has his own level of fitness and stamina that make him the player he is.

Hampton should manage his weight better, bottom line. And frankly, after 10+ years in the league, he should have a better weight management system then just, "Eat whatever fits in my mouth".

So maybe that is what happend to Ariens missing playbook

LOL. nice...

[phillyesq]

Re: DL Better Without Snack and Smith?

I've always liked Hoke because he play a different style than Hampton. Hoke always seems to be penetrating the OL while Hampton just holds in place. Not sure that Hoke sees the same number of double teams that Hampton does but his style seems to be much more disruptive. I think McLendon is more like Hoke than Hampton. I like that.

Hoke has always been more of a penetrating and disruptive type NT, and Hampton has been more of the traditional space eating 3-4 NT.

I don't think that Hampton has played poorly this year, but I really liked what Hoke brought to the table yesterday, and I'd like to continue to see him get more PT, especially in games where Hampton is having problems with the cut blocks.

I also really liked what I saw from Heyward yesterday. He's playing well in the opportunities that he's been given, and I'd imagine that he'll continue to see more time even after Aaron Smith returns.

As for Smith, unless he is drastically different on his return, I'd like to see him play a very diminished role, no more than 10-15 snaps per game.