Pittsburgh Steelers vs Cleveland Browns

[RuthlessBurgher]

Makes perfect sense, and when you look at it that may, it stings a bit more.

Going a bit further, if not Nix, Phillip Gaines was the next pick. Donte Moncrief was also in there. Any of those three would look awfully nice in black and gold.

Ryan Shazier-Stephon Tuitt-Louis Nix-Dri Archer-Martavis Bryant.

Ryan Shazier-Stephon Tuitt-Phillip Gaines-Dri Archer-Martavis Bryant.

Ryan Shazier-Stephon Tuitt-Donte Moncrief-Dri Archer-Pierre Desir.

All of those options look pretty good to me in my crazy mind circus.

[RobinCole]

Polamalu has a runny nose? Benched by mid-season? Dayum.

[Shawn]

Polamalu has a runny nose? Benched by mid-season? Dayum.

Troy in coverage is really bad. Has anyone else seen what I seen? I have been calling it for a couple seasons. It's not that the guy can't tackle or make a play...but he looks like he is running through molasses when trying to cover these young WRs. I think the Shark is ready...and it saddens me to say because Troy is one of my favorite (if not my favorite) Steeler of all times. He is a liability in coverage.

[Tomlinator]

Troy in coverage is really bad. Has anyone else seen what I seen? I have been calling it for a couple seasons. It's not that the guy can't tackle or make a play...but he looks like he is running through molasses when trying to cover these young WRs. I think the Shark is ready...and it saddens me to say because Troy is one of my favorite (if not my favorite) Steeler of all times. He is a liability in coverage.

Are you saying he's turned into...Lee Flowers?

[Shawn]

Are you saying he's turned into...Lee Flowers?

I think that is a fair assessment. At this point Troy is a shell of his former self. He still has that ability to make some head turning plays with a hit here, a pick there...but asking him to cover a slot is like asking Oveido to stop talking about the Steelers converting to the 4-3...it isn't going to happen.

[Tomlinator]

I think that is a fair assessment. At this point Troy is a shell of his former self. He still has that ability to make some head turning plays with a hit here, a pick there...but asking him to cover a slot is like asking Oveido to stop talking about the Steelers converting to the 4-3...it isn't going to happen.

After watching Troy this preseason, I regretfully agree that his coverage ability has declined. Maybe he used his "vanilla" speed in preseason games to disguise his true capabilities.

[WVSteelerfan]

Homer alert! Are you kidding? The Steelers probably are a bottom 5 CB team, and Mike Mitchell looked lost in the preseason. The 2ndary will have to be bailed out by a pass rush that hasn't been seen lately, either.

At *least* for this category you seemed to consider who the position was matching up with, instead of comparing Ben vs. Hoyer, for example. Speaking of which, Hoyer will undoubtedly be helped by throwing to wide open receivers as our CBs play 10-yard cushions, while Ben will have to face tight man coverage from superior players.

In THIS matchup, the comparison of the defensive backfields was made considering the WR's they would be facing. I interpreted the thought as: the superiority of our receivers over Cleveland's receivers would make a more favorable situation for our secondary giving them the advantage for this game. I don't think it was a direct comparison based on individual abilities. I think we all know how that plays out.

[WVSteelerfan]

I hope I'm wrong, but I don't see our running game doing a lot in this one. I'm just not comfortable with our run blocking at all. Early screens to slow down their front seven would be beneficial. I do think that our backs can and will make an impact catching the ball in the passing game. We're gonna need to use some bunch formations and get some rubs on their DB's to clear some routes. If we can take their TE out of this game and limit their run game on early downs, we may get to the QB a few times. Hopefully, if Johnny Hype gets on the field, they'll straight up spy him with Shazier to eleminate his running. Steelers 27-13.

[Shawn]

BTW: I give Ike Taylor a 50/50 shot at finishing the season as a starter.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I don't think Troy, even in his superhero heyday, was ever really a quality man cover safety. His closing speed in zone coverage was always remarkable (he's obviously slowed down as he ages, as we all have), but he was never a guy you wanted to man up on someone. Although he does guess wrong every now and then, his football intincts will not fade, and he can still make you say "wow" at times, even if he misses tackles at other times.

[papillon]

BTW: I give Ike Taylor a 50/50 shot at finishing the season as a starter.

Even with his declining skills I don't see a CB behind him that is better. I'll put this at 95/5 he retains the starting position all year, barring injury of course. There just isn't anyone behind him that Lebeau will trust at CB.

Pappy

[Shawn]

Even with his declining skills I don't see a CB behind him that is better. I'll put this at 95/5 he retains the starting position all year, barring injury of course. There just isn't anyone behind him that Lebeau will trust at CB.

Pappy

You probably have a point. But, if it gets ugly enough I wouldn't be shocked if LeBeau goes with Gay on the outside with the Shark in the slot.

[papillon]

You probably have a point. But, if it gets ugly enough I wouldn't be shocked if LeBeau goes with Gay on the outside with the Shark in the slot.

I hadn't thought of that possibility, I don't know how ugly, ugly would have to be, but it certainly isn't out of the question should Ike just become too old, too fast.

Pappy

[feltdizz]

I don't think Troy, even in his superhero heyday, was ever really a quality man cover safety. His closing speed in zone coverage was always remarkable (he's obviously slowed down as he ages, as we all have), but he was never a guy you wanted to man up on someone. Although he does guess wrong every now and then, his football intincts will not fade, and he can still make you say "wow" at times, even if he misses tackles at other times.

True... he will probably be the only DB with multiple INT's this year.

[Shawn]

I hadn't thought of that possibility, I don't know how ugly, ugly would have to be, but it certainly isn't out of the question should Ike just become too old, too fast.

Pappy

Ike looked really bad at times not only in the preseason games but from reports out of camp. We are talking undrafted rookies getting the best of him. I agree I don't know how bad is bad enough...but I am convinced that this is Ike's last season.