Change your season win total prediction in here!!!

[papillon]

there were guys I never seen before in defense. Who is the new number 8?

Isn't that Karl Joseph that they brought in and put on the PS?

Pappy

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

If I would have asked you prior to the season starting to name the top 6 defenders on this team, 5 of those 6 did not play last night. I love the "next man up" and "any given Sunday" stuff just like everyone else, but while the defense did not play well, it is hard to say that they played much below expectations against an explosive Charger offense. Just because you see 11 guys on the field dressed in black and gold does not mean that that team is the Pittsburgh Steelers.

[NorthCoast]

If I would have asked you prior to the season starting to name the top 6 defenders on this team, 5 of those 6 did not play last night. I love the "next man up" and "any given Sunday" stuff just like everyone else, but while the defense did not play well, it is hard to say that they played much below expectations against an explosive Charger offense. Just because you see 11 guys on the field dressed in black and gold does not mean that that team is the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Truth. That's why I don't buy the underperforming talented team argument. Just look at last night's starting roster.

[feltdizz]

If I would have asked you prior to the season starting to name the top 6 defenders on this team, 5 of those 6 did not play last night. I love the "next man up" and "any given Sunday" stuff just like everyone else, but while the defense did not play well, it is hard to say that they played much below expectations against an explosive Charger offense. Just because you see 11 guys on the field dressed in black and gold does not mean that that team is the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Seems like Watt and Haden always miss the same games.

no Fitz either.. surprised we were able to hang and almost pulled off the W

[Buzz]

Seems like Watt and Haden always miss the same games.

no Fitz either.. surprised we were able to hang and almost pulled off the W

I was shocked that we actually were in the lead with 3 minutes and change left.

If only we'd been able to generate a running attack and could've picked up a couple of first downs and chewed up some clock before kicking the FG. As much as the Chargers were thrashing our D last night, I knew that we'd left them with way too much time.

[papillon]

I was shocked that we actually were in the lead with 3 minutes and change left.

If only we'd been able to generate a running attack and could've picked up a couple of first downs and chewed up some clock before kicking the FG. As much as the Chargers were thrashing our D last night, I knew that we'd left them with way too much time.

I was actually happy that there was a blown coverage. Ben got the ball with just over 2 minutes, more than enough time for him but the offensive line didn't give him a chance.

Pappy

[Northern_Blitz]

If I would have asked you prior to the season starting to name the top 6 defenders on this team, 5 of those 6 did not play last night. I love the "next man up" and "any given Sunday" stuff just like everyone else, but while the defense did not play well, it is hard to say that they played much below expectations against an explosive Charger offense. Just because you see 11 guys on the field dressed in black and gold does not mean that that team is the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Yep. That attitude is about culture and motivating players not to give up on games when big names are out.

But anyone who doesn't think the drop off is significant from TJ to the "who is that player" is kidding themselves.

Just like losing Shazier and replacing him with Spence.

Or losing Bell and replacing him with Old Man Williams (35 yards in AFCC vs. Pats) or Todmann & Toussant the year before.

Or losing AB and replacing him with Sammie Coates (same year as the Toddmann/Toussant year).

Or losing Ben and replacing him with Mason/Duck.

Talent matters. And even if it didn't in the absolute sense (and it does), having a big cap hit player unavailable means that you're essentially spending under the cap by a significant margin when a big name is out.

[Buzz]

Yep. That attitude is about culture and motivating players not to give up on games when big names are out.

But anyone who doesn't think the drop off is significant from TJ to the "who is that player" is kidding themselves.

Just like losing Shazier and replacing him with Spence.

Or losing Bell and replacing him with Old Man Williams (35 yards in AFCC vs. Pats) or Todmann & Toussant the year before.

Or losing AB and replacing him with Sammie Coates (same year as the Toddmann/Toussant year).

Or losing Ben and replacing him with Mason/Duck.

Talent matters. And even if it didn't in the absolute sense (and it does), having a big cap hit player unavailable means that you're essentially spending under the cap by a significant margin when a big name is out.

Which goes back to the discussion we had before giving TJ the big new contract -- are you better off signing that one mega-superstar, or would it be smarter to spread that money to pay for, say, 3 very good players plus a couple of solid depth pieces instead?

[brothervad]

Which goes back to the discussion we had before giving TJ the big new contract -- are you better off signing that one mega-superstar, or would it be smarter to spread that money to pay for, say, 3 very good players plus a couple of solid depth pieces instead?

Depth is definitely a huge problem and the dropoff is significant. But misses have hurt as well - Edmunds/Bush you just can't have those types of misses and no depth. I go back and forth on this question myself. You see how much of a difference maker TJ is...frankly all 4 losses can be directly pointed at his absence or recovery (he did not look anywhere near 100% playing Greenbay).

The fact is you needed some extraordinary big plays from those aforementioned #1's last night...and they just aren't up to the task.

Brothervad

[NorthCoast]

Depth is definitely a huge problem and the dropoff is significant. But misses have hurt as well - Edmunds/Bush you just can't have those types of misses and no depth. I go back and forth on this question myself. You see how much of a difference maker TJ is...frankly all 4 losses can be directly pointed at his absence or recovery (he did not look anywhere near 100% playing Greenbay).

The fact is you needed some extraordinary big plays from those aforementioned #1's last night...and they just aren't up to the task.

Brothervad

So you are saying Archibong playing on DL was a drop off?? You might ask, WHO?.... exactly.

[Northern_Blitz]

Which goes back to the discussion we had before giving TJ the big new contract -- are you better off signing that one mega-superstar, or would it be smarter to spread that money to pay for, say, 3 very good players plus a couple of solid depth pieces instead?

Yep.

This is the downside of having huge contracts.

But I still think it's important to have game breaking players. And that's what TJ is when he's on the field.

Hopefully he can stay healthy for the majority of the contract.

He's putting up DPOY numbers even though he's missed games this year.

I'd rather have 1 TJ (and 1 Highsmith as the other starter) than 2 Bud Duprees (and 1 Highsmith in rotation). And I think Bud is better than he's playing this year. But he's probably the level of player that you don't want to spend big money on (top 10ish guy).

TJ's a top 3-ish guy (i.e. elite). And I think that's where you want to use your cap dollars. I want elite guys who make lots of money plus dirt cheap guys on rookie contracts (who are hopefully somewhere close to league average). Then fill in the open spots with cheap vets with question marks (but try to get a few of them and hope one works out).

[hawaiiansteel]

So you are saying Archibong playing on DL was a drop off?? You might ask, WHO?.... exactly.

at one time we had Archibong, Delontae Scott, Henry Mondeaux and Derrek Tuszka in our front 7.

can't win with those guys playing, that's for sure.

[feltdizz]

Which goes back to the discussion we had before giving TJ the big new contract -- are you better off signing that one mega-superstar, or would it be smarter to spread that money to pay for, say, 3 very good players plus a couple of solid depth pieces instead?

Every time I bring it up Watt comes back and plays awesome..

but it still hurts to have so much invested in one guy

[Northern_Blitz]

Every time I bring it up Watt comes back and plays awesome..

but it still hurts to have so much invested in one guy

FWIW, his cap hit this year isn't actually that big at $8.1M.

It's the next 4 years where it will be $31M (next year) then 3 years between $27M and $28.2M.

But I'm sure those numbers will change because we'll restructure.

[Eich]

at one time we had Archibong, Delontae Scott, Henry Mondeaux and Derrek Tuszka in our front 7.

can't win with those guys playing, that's for sure.

If we had to field last night's defense the rest of the way, I don't see another win in the schedule. Maybe the Clowns if they continue to implode:

Bengals
Ravens
Vikings
Titans
Chiefs
Browns
Ravens

We need guys getting healthy. Quick.