2015 Preseason: Steelers vs. Jaguars - Winners and Losers

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

[url]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2015-nfl-preseason-steelers-jaguars-news-opinion-matchups-tickets/2015/8/14/9158281/2015-preseason-steelers-vs-jaguars-winners-and-losers[/url]

Of those who were labeled winners, it is guys who we are counting on: Starting O, Shazier, Hartley, Deebo.

Of those labeled the losers, most are fringe guys who we don't really know or care about: BW Webb, Jones, Phillips, Boyd.

To me, much more important to see good play from Ryan Shazier than disappointing play from BW Webb.

[Discipline of Steel]

I read AV wasnt particularly spectacular this time around.

[Iron City Inc.]

Webb is on the bubble to make this team. He imho is behind 22,28,25,41 and 24. With Golson likely landing on the pup he has a shot but if Golson was healthy and we cut to 53 today Webb would be looking at the PS.

[Chucktownsteeler]

I for one am not sold on Hartley. I think we need less field goals first, but a kicker that can boom the ball out of the end zone. How many times did we see the Jags take a short kick-off to the 30 or 35 yard line. Conversely the Jags kicker never let Dri Archer touch the ball on kick-offs.

[Slapstick]

In preseason, Tomlin often wants his kickoffs to be returnable so that the coverage teams can get some reps and they can evaluate decent ST guys. If the Jags want to go out of their way to avoid practicing live KO return coverage, more power to them.

[papillon]

In preseason, Tomlin often wants his kickoffs to be returnable so that the coverage teams can get some reps and they can evaluate decent ST guys. If the Jags want to go out of their way to avoid practicing live KO return coverage, more power to them.

I agree, it helps the coaches determine who the last players on the roster will be and, ideally, if you can count on your coverage teams you would want the kick about 4, 5 or 6 yards deep in the end zone, deep enough to make getting past the 20 difficult (if you cover well), but not so deep that the return man will automatically take knee. If you can cover teams can take advantage of the kickoff to cause poor field position or cause a turnover, I wouldn't just bomb it out of the endzone.

Pappy

[NorthCoast]

In preseason, Tomlin often wants his kickoffs to be returnable so that the coverage teams can get some reps and they can evaluate decent ST guys. If the Jags want to go out of their way to avoid practicing live KO return coverage, more power to them.

Sure about that?

Average starting position on Hartley kickoffs is the 30 yd line over his career. Yes, special teams defense plays a part but if he gets it out of the end zone they become a non-factor. Add that Steelers special teams the last few years has been less than stellar should cause at least some consternation.

[Slapstick]

Sure about that?

Average starting position on Hartley kickoffs is the 30 yd line over his career. Yes, special teams defense plays a part but if he gets it out of the end zone they become a non-factor. Add that Steelers special teams the last few years has been less than stellar should cause at least some consternation.

Am I sure that Tomlin wants to evaluate kickoff return coverage in live game situations? Yes. In the AFC North it gets more difficult to boom kickoffs out of the EZ in the winter months. In the AFC South, it's nice and warm comparatively speaking.

[Mr.wizard]

In preseason, Tomlin often wants his kickoffs to be returnable so that the coverage teams can get some reps and they can evaluate decent ST guys. If the Jags want to go out of their way to avoid practicing live KO return coverage, more power to them.

I'm sure this is the case, just not sure if Hartley could consistently kick touchbacks even if he wanted to. Speaking of evaluating kick coverage though, they haven't been really good in that department, only good news is they haven't given up a td yet.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

I'm sure this is the case, just not sure if Hartley could consistently kick touchbacks even if he wanted to.

Yep. Got to be a concern.