Ben 5 to

[Slapstick]

Couldn’t have been that good. They had 14 catches between them for 200+ yards...

[papillon]

Couldn’t have been that good. They had 14 catches between them for 200+ yards...

Except for JuJu's one big play and AB's TD, the other catches were rather insignificant, Ben threw for over 300 yards as well, big deal, he played poorly. I didn't think the WRs in general were on their A game today, Ward did a Helluva job on AB, particularly in the 4th quarter when Ben was going to him nearly every play. AB was targeted 16 times today, catching 9 for 93 yards, that's good coverage, a 10 yard per catch average on AB, a team will take that all day.

Pappy

[feltdizz]

16 targets? Makes you wonder if Ben missed other guys because he was forcing it to AB.

[Ernie]

The defense played good today, but I'm still not a fan of Bud Dupree, Taylor juked him a couple times to buy time, he was pushed past the QB a few times, and lost contain by getting up-field too quickly on a couple runs, I wish the Steelers had something a little better. To be fair, he made some good plays today as well, but it makes me nuts when I see an OLB get upfield and all the tackle has to do is give him one push and he's out of the play unless the QB runs back into him (which happened today once or twice).

Pappy

Bud had a solid game today. 5 tackles, a sack... and was providing pressure on several occasions.

[papillon]

16 targets? Makes you wonder if Ben missed other guys because he was forcing it to AB.

What I'm wondering is did he try forcing it to AB because his other security blanket is still holdout? As well as Conner played, Ben probably isn't as comfortable with him as he is with Bell. Even though the ill-advised lateral to Conner as he was being sacked reminded me of something he would do with Bell, Conner isn't the security blanket that Bell is/was.

Pappy

[Ernie]

16 targets? Makes you wonder if Ben missed other guys because he was forcing it to AB.

I've been wondering that myself for years.

[Steelhere10]

Bud had a solid game today. 5 tackles, a sack... and was providing pressure on several occasions.

Some fans judge players before the game even star.
Bud stats
5 tackles 4 solo
1 sack one strip sack taken away because of penalties
Two Qb pressures
Two pass defense
Hey not my stats but ESPN stats.

[papillon]

Bud had a solid game today. 5 tackles, a sack... and was providing pressure on several occasions.

And was run out of the play a few times, juked out of a sack a couplke times and pushed past the pocket a few times, far better than last year, but you need your OLBs to be in front of the QB, not behind them, unless you're James Harrison and you dip so low and get leverage to get directly behind the QB and strip-sack him, Bud isn't there yet. Once the OLB is past the QB that whole side of the field is open for a run or an easy passing lane. Like I said though, it's far better than last year.

Pappy

[Jooser]

OL let Ben down but then again, not sure if Ben held on too long on those hits.

.

THIS. Ben held the ball for way too long and forced a lot of throws. This was a throwback to the BA days of gunslinging. Gone today was the check down for the most part, but it was a rare event, not part of the game plan. Ben took a lot of hits too because he held the ball a long time, looking for the down field play. I don't know if this is indicative of what we will see all season, but I hope it is not. Ben is older and won't hold up to the pounding.

[Ernie]

What I'm wondering is did he try forcing it to AB because his other security blanket is still holdout? As well as Conner played, Ben probably isn't as comfortable with him as he is with Bell. Even though the ill-advised lateral to Conner as he was being sacked reminded me of something he would do with Bell, Conner isn't the security blanket that Bell is/was.

Pappy

Conner actually stayed in on Pass Pro quite a bit this game (in which he did a good job). Ben did go to him (Safety valve) on a few occasions (and was effective). Naturally it'll take them a few games to get in sync...

[Ernie]

And was run out of the play a few times, juked out of a sack a couplke times and pushed past the pocket a few times, far better than last year, but you need your OLBs to be in front of the QB, not behind them, unless you're James Harrison and you dip so low and get leverage to get directly behind the QB and strip-sack him, Bud isn't there yet. Once the OLB is past the QB that whole side of the field is open for a run or an easy passing lane. Like I said though, it's far better than last year.

Pappy

if you've ever played on a field like that.. under those conditions... you'd know how easy it is to lose your balance... how hard it is to cut and shift... it's like playing on roller skates.

[papillon]

Conner actually stayed in on Pass Pro quite a bit this game (in which he did a good job). Ben did go to him (Safety valve) on a few occasions (and was effective). Naturally it'll take them a few games to get in sync...

You're absolutely right, but its one game, Bell and Ben have a years of history, Conner will need to continue to play at this level consistently, obviously, he isn't getting 190 total yards every game but consistency in pass protect, in hitting the hole, in being the good outlet when Ben is in trouble and a willing receiver will go a long away, great start for him.

Pappy

[Ernie]

and I don't think anyone claimed Bud to "Be there yet"... I'm just saying he had a solid game lol

[papillon]

and I don't think anyone claimed Bud to "Be there yet"... I'm just saying he had a solid game lol

OK, I can agree to that without reservation, he did have a solid game.

Pappy

[Ernie]

You're absolutely right, but its one game, Bell and Ben have a years of history, Conner will need to continue to play at this level consistently, obviously, he isn't getting 190 total yards every game but consistency in pass protect, in hitting the hole, in being the good outlet when Ben is in trouble and a willing receiver will go a long away, great start for him.

Pappy

agreed. heck of a start for him overall.