Gilbert is just terrible

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

What has changed? Coaches are the same, scheme is the same. Hint, players have changed, rules have changed.

The Steelers have been drafting speed vs strength. J Jones, R Shazier, S Thomas. Yea, the Steelers are fast on defense, just too weak to stop or tackle the other guys.

Sadly, the NFL has legislated out the kind of football that built the Steelers legacy.... bruising, hard-hitting, intimidating. A team opponents would rather have stayed home against. No longer. Can't hit the QB, can't touch the WRs. Tough to intimidate anyone with those kind of rules working against you.

I hear what you're saying, but we're not even in the same zip code as the QB, we wouldn't be in the game defensively even if it were the old rules we were playing under.

Maybe less so on the WR front, but it seemed like a lot of their crossing pattern receivers didn't have a Black and Gold jersey within 1-2 yards of them when they caught the ball.

And the run D as "almost competitive" is just insane, no matter what the rules.

My 2c ...

[BradshawsHairdresser]

I hear what you're saying, but we're not even in the same zip code as the QB, we wouldn't be in the game defensively even if it were the old rules we were playing under.

Maybe less so on the WR front, but it seemed like a lot of their crossing pattern receivers didn't have a Black and Gold jersey within 1-2 yards of them when they caught the ball.

And the run D as "almost competitive" is just insane, no matter what the rules.

My 2c ...

Your 2c is golden.

[feltdizz]

What has changed? Coaches are the same, scheme is the same. Hint, players have changed, rules have changed.

The Steelers have been drafting speed vs strength. J Jones, R Shazier, S Thomas. Yea, the Steelers are fast on defense, just too weak to stop or tackle the other guys.

Sadly, the NFL has legislated out the kind of football that built the Steelers legacy.... bruising, hard-hitting, intimidating. A team opponents would rather have stayed home against. No longer. Can't hit the QB, can't touch the WRs. Tough to intimidate anyone with those kind of rules working against you.

I live in Charlotte and get to watch the Carolina Panthers D. They are bruising and hard hitting, they intimidate, hit QB's, gang tackle and have 6 TO's in 2 games.

[Mr.wizard]

I live in Charlotte and get to watch the Carolina Panthers D. They are bruising and hard hitting, they intimidate, hit QB's, gang tackle and have 6 TO's in 2 games.

Ya them boys are nasty

[bostonsteeler]

I live in Charlotte and get to watch the Carolina Panthers D. They are bruising and hard hitting, they intimidate, hit QB's, gang tackle and have 6 TO's in 2 games.

What is your over-under for the number of times the Steelers turn the ball over on Sunday?

[Chadman]

I live in Charlotte and get to watch the Carolina Panthers D. They are bruising and hard hitting, they intimidate, hit QB's, gang tackle and have 6 TO's in 2 games.

If the Steelers want to 'make a statement'- this is the game to make it. I reckon you take Bell & Blount & beat the Hell out of their front 7. Make it a slug fest, see who is toughest. I actually think the run blocking has been pretty good with the interior OL guys creating good holes & getting to the 2nd level quite well. I say you pound it right at them, see who flinches.

As for Carolina's offense- I don't see a very strong group. 1 WR of note- a rookie. 2 RB's that are nowhere near who they used to be.

The team rides the QB. So go after him. Challenge him like they 'challenged' Tebow. Yeah, we got beat by Tebow on a big play. Big deal. I saw the 49ers beaten by big plays. I saw Seattle beaten by big plays. I didn't see them beaten by 3 yard gains on 2nd & 3rd down.

Have 1 or 2 LB's drop into zone coverage, have the Safeties play over the top, have the CB's challenge their mediocre (at this stage- Benjamin could be a monster down the road) WR's. It's time Pittsburgh remembered how to play attacking football.

How would the Steelers have played Carolina if they had Bettis & Ward? Porter & Aaron Smith & Casey Hampton?

[sick beats]

If the Steelers want to 'make a statement'- this is the game to make it. I reckon you take Bell & Blount & beat the Hell out of their front 7. Make it a slug fest, see who is toughest. I actually think the run blocking has been pretty good with the interior OL guys creating good holes & getting to the 2nd level quite well. I say you pound it right at them, see who flinches.

As for Carolina's offense- I don't see a very strong group. 1 WR of note- a rookie. 2 RB's that are nowhere near who they used to be.

The team rides the QB. So go after him. Challenge him like they 'challenged' Tebow. Yeah, we got beat by Tebow on a big play. Big deal. I saw the 49ers beaten by big plays. I saw Seattle beaten by big plays. I didn't see them beaten by 3 yard gains on 2nd & 3rd down.

Have 1 or 2 LB's drop into zone coverage, have the Safeties play over the top, have the CB's challenge their mediocre (at this stage- Benjamin could be a monster down the road) WR's. It's time Pittsburgh remembered how to play attacking football.

How would the Steelers have played Carolina if they had Bettis & Ward? Porter & Aaron Smith & Casey Hampton?

Chadman, I love yea, but I can't disagree more; if Pgh tries that game plan of running a lot, they will get killed. Car. just crushes the run. Only hope is Ben going no huddle.

[sick beats]

I have not thought well of Gilbert's play. But it looks like he's our RT for the next several years, so I hope the coaches can light a fire in him and he can contribute well.

Dude, really? When will the fire hit? I think after 3 years, you know what you got. He's bad.

[Mr.wizard]

Do not try a power running game against Carolina!! We should try and spread them out to neutralize that front seven, started out with screens and draws to suck the secondary up and try to beat them with big plays down the field.

[fordfixer]

Do not try a power running game against Carolina!! We should try and spread them out to neutralize that front seven, started out with screens and draws to suck the secondary up and try to beat them with big plays down the field.

you mean like we get beat oh wait .......we get beat every way cause we can't stop the run or the pass

[Sword]

Chadman, I love yea, but I can't disagree more; if Pgh tries that game plan of running a lot, they will get killed. Car. just crushes the run. Only hope is Ben going no huddle.

I agree, we will not be able to win by running...no way no way

[RuthlessBurgher]

We resigned Gilbert and Cortez Allen for about what the ravens are paying Steve Smith and Elvis Dumervil per season. Ugh

Perhaps you forget the need to get younger...the two guys you referenced are in their 14th and 9th year in the league, respectively, while Gilbert and Allen are coming off of their 3rd year in the league.

[sick beats]

Do not try a power running game against Carolina!! We should try and spread them out to neutralize that front seven, started out with screens and draws to suck the secondary up and try to beat them with big plays down the field.

And even that might not work, but it gives us the best chance. Their rush might be so fierce that they just destroy Ben even if we spread them out some. But it's still a better bet than trying to shove the ball down their throat; we are going to lose that battle.

[sick beats]

Perhaps you forget the need to get younger...the two guys you referenced are in their 14th and 9th year in the league, respectively, while Gilbert and Allen are coming off of their 3rd year in the league.

Yes, "younger" but hopefully not "crapier." Pgh seems intent on getting "lower" price tags, while at the expense of signing good players. How many years did they keep lower rung OLmen around? Gilbert and Adams are the latest examples, but players like Willy Colon and Trai Essex were also pathetic.

[feltdizz]

If the Steelers want to 'make a statement'- this is the game to make it. I reckon you take Bell & Blount & beat the Hell out of their front 7. Make it a slug fest, see who is toughest. I actually think the run blocking has been pretty good with the interior OL guys creating good holes & getting to the 2nd level quite well. I say you pound it right at them, see who flinches.

As for Carolina's offense- I don't see a very strong group. 1 WR of note- a rookie. 2 RB's that are nowhere near who they used to be.

The team rides the QB. So go after him. Challenge him like they 'challenged' Tebow. Yeah, we got beat by Tebow on a big play. Big deal. I saw the 49ers beaten by big plays. I saw Seattle beaten by big plays. I didn't see them beaten by 3 yard gains on 2nd & 3rd down.

Have 1 or 2 LB's drop into zone coverage, have the Safeties play over the top, have the CB's challenge their mediocre (at this stage- Benjamin could be a monster down the road) WR's. It's time Pittsburgh remembered how to play attacking football.

How would the Steelers have played Carolina if they had Bettis & Ward? Porter & Aaron Smith & Casey Hampton?

You haven't watched Carolina. Kelvin Benjamin is a beast. He is the real deal, probably better than Mike Evans and honestly, he may be as good as Sammy Watkins. Dude is a freaking monster and his hands are much better than I thought.

The TE Olsen is a young Heath Miller but he is faster. Cotchery is still a chain mover and Avante is servicable.

Maybe Bell is up for the challenge but I don't think the rest of our OL is ready to line up and see who is the toughest.

IMO this is a game where Ben has to extend plays and expose the DB's. I don't see this OL protecting Ben, we have to find a rhythm that keeps the D guessing because if they know what we are doing (Kuechly always seems to know) its a wrap.

This Carolina team is everything we used to be and Cam Newton is a much better passer than he is given credit. He has a big arm just like Ben and he is HORRIBLE on touch passes underneath like Ben. He is also taking a ton of sacks instead of throwing it up into triple coverage like he did his rookie year. He is also deadly on the run and we haven't shown we can defend the read option.

If we sell out to stop the run we will get our butts whooped. They beat Detroit last week and only rushed the ball 18 times.