THE GOOD: The Steelers get the win and move to 2-1 on the pre-season. The Steelers never trailed in the game. After surrendering 51 points at Green Bay, the Steelers give up only 6 points. The Steelers Defense had 5 QB sacks and 2 INT Boz was 3/3 FG and 1/1 XP THE BAD: in-game injuries to Marcus Tucker (ankle), James Washington (oblique) and Jesse James (back contusion). THE UGLY: A solid win in the "warm up for the regular season" game so no ugly from me. Attached Files:
Although the Titties were shut down for most of the game, especially vs the 1s, the defense did give up some ridiculously big plays. On 3 separate occasions, the Steelers let their opponent wriggle off the hook on 2nd or 3rd and LONG. One was a 33yd gainer on something like 3rd and 15. Marcus Allen and Matakevich got burned a few times too. Overall, the team played well, as the score indicated.
Feeling better about the defense. It was just the Titans, though. I hope the D can stay healthy as my perception is they are not too deep. Hope the oblique injury to Washington is as much a non-factor and precautionary as he said. Same with James' back contusion. We need these guys to be healthy. 2 weeks for them to get 100% for the season opener.
I believe Munchack deserves a shout out here. Even the oline men that won’t make the team look pretty good. Two UFAs will make our 53 man roster on defense. Both may actually get some playing time.
If you missed the game yesterday, you can see it on Reddit for free and without any bullshit ads, etc.
I finally feel comfortable with our RBs behind Bell. I think that our oline is the secrete to our running success anyways because of Munchack.
After watching the first half I came away a bit relieved with Bostic and Williams at ILB. Definitely not the greatest strength on the defense, but wasn’t as bad as I feared. Give Bostic a little time to get comfortable and he’ll be alright.
James Connor is progressing. I especially liked the quick receptions. Stephon Tuitt is for real. So fortunate to have him bookend Cam Heyward. JuJu showed well.
I've not taken the time to circumnavigate the statistical world of whose got the better Oline,but I thought I read the Titan line was supposed to be special. all the more reason to say "Stephon Tuitt is for real. So fortunate to have him bookend Cam Heyward." If these guys have one of those special, little to no injury years simultaneously, our defense will be monstrous. also, as we saw in youtube on Mathew Thomas earlier, he appears to be the one I thought Edmunds / Allen might be (still could, even on the field at the same time)... that flash in the middle of the defense that can cover and still hit like the proverbial hammer. Thomas seems very much for real the leader of the pack for that specialty position and i think that makes them keep 5 @ ILB.
When they brought Thomas in with the first team on obvious passing downs that was a pretty good sign he had locked up a roster spot. He is still very raw and he hasn't showcased the ability to read and react yet but he could play a role while learning (hopefully). And he certainly could be a big help on special teams. The guy I'm intrigued by is Ola Adeniyi. I've seem some call him a roster lock while others have him on the outside. It will be interesting to see what happens.
As I mentioned on another thread Tuitt and Heyward both have to have monster seasons to make up for the deficiencies of the LBs. Can’t get too excited just yet on the defense, I don’t care how good Titans OL is supposed to be, the QB behind them is average at best. That offense is averaging 12 points per game in the preseason.
The guy I'm intrigued by is Ola Adeniyi Me too. We had this guy pegged from the git and he hasn't disappointed. It's actually possible our LB situation has gone from painful to more rewarding with the influx of two rookies in Adeniyi and Thomas. I just think (yeah that's dangerous) I can see that young blood finding time on the field getting better each game... our defense with Edmunds, Allen, TJ, Bud, Bostic communicating better and possibly filling Dback positions with Adeniyi and Thomas in front of Edmunds and Allen... I think Butler might have a lot of options for how he wants to fill the defensive ranks out on every play and IMO we have a pretty good group of seasoned and rookie guys to respond to his defensive play calling.
