Quick Hitters from Our first Preseason game

I thought Lewis looked better than last year. He still has work to do on coverage, but his technique was better, and he tackled well this year. Dwyer on the other hand seemed to take a step back. The blocking wasn’t good, but he didn’t run with the power that he flashed last year.

I focused a lot on T. Hills against Orapko at LT and he did a good job. He also played well when he went to RG. J. Scott and Colon looked excellent during the little time they were in the game. Chris Scott had some good and bad moments. He look fine in the run game, but he did look confuse on a few of the twists, one ending up with Byron Leftwich getting sacked.

Marcus Gilbert looked like this was his first game. But you can tell he is a pretty strong dude because once he got his hands on someone, they didn’t go anywhere. I actually thought the play from LT’s last night overall was a positive.

I am still not impressed with our CB coverage. The only CB that played press last night was Crezdon Butler and then he did something to his quad. Donovan Warren and Keenan Lewis gave up so much cushion that it was just basically pitch and catch for the Skins all night. Here’s hoping that C. Brown, C. Allen and BMac can jump in and do better than what we saw last night. William Gay is still pretty bad.

On the flip side, Antonio Brown is pretty damn good. He and Wallace can take it to the house at anytime. With the signing of Cotchery and the way that A. Battle played last night, I don’t see him making this team. If you are not going to get anything more from for your 6th WR spot, you might as well give that job to Grisham or A. Robinson.

The Eagles will be a good test for our OL and secondary next week. It sucks to hear about Ike’s injury, but you only need him for the 1st game of the regular season. He can play with a light cast because he isn’t catching the ball anyways. Sooner or later, the Steelers have to get some corners with speed who can make plays on the ball.

NT Anthony Gray flashed some, but he still got moved off the line a little too much for a Steelers NT. I think that is more of a technique thing than it is a lack of physical skills. A year on the practice squad would do him good. However. C. Bryant, Tunch Ilkin’s ‘camp phenom’ played like he has an outside chance of being the 7th DL if they keep 7. He was quick, disruptive, used his hands well and was in the backfield a lot.

Can’t wait to see Timmons and Sly at ILB together running that fire X blitz. Jason Worilds looked bad. That is why Tomlin left him in the game for so long.

I was a little disgusted with his play. But, on closer observation, I noticed that he was getting very weak snaps from the Maceli, the center. This can throw off your timing. Also he had poor blocking from the line and constantly had to instruct them. A missed block from the fullback Clay caused him to be sacked. Hope that he will be in the game a lot earlier against Philly. Also thought that Lefty played lackadaisical. He did show a very strong arm and reason why he is the #2 QB. Am kind of hoping that they cut Charlie and put him on Staff. Hope we use Ben on just 1 series against Philly and ditto with Troy, Hines and Mendy. Would also like to see Anthony Gray get in the game a lot earlier. McRae showed some promise as a receiver and a willingness to mix it up on ST’s. All in all I wasn’t disappointed. Because to me, preseason games are for the veterans to get in one series and then let the rookies and second year non starters to get some game experience. I will agree with Coach Tomlin, that the guys need to play with more purpose. Time is running out for some of them.

Memo knows the system. IF we are going to keep him, then let him rest and give the above mentioned RB’s more snaps. Redman is a STUD.

I have been following him since he was omitted in the draft. We need someone young to be the replacement for Casey. Hope Gray will get in much earlier against Philly and get as lot of minutes. I want to see all of our rookies get a chance to see if they have something to contribute to us being the best team in the NFL.

The steel curtain was a little rusty last night!

Period. Donovan Warren can be kept on the practice squad as a safety with some CB skills (just not CB speed). Everyone says that it is the scheme that requires our DB’s to play 8 to 10 yards off the line of scrimmage, but I also think the confidence of the CB plays into this as well. Ike and McFadden don’t give up the cushion that Warren and Lewis were giving up the other night and that’s because they both are comfortable with the D and know their assignments.

I like the way Butler played some press on his man but that is because he knows that he has the speed to turn and run with the WR. I don’t think K. Lewis has that confidence. As disappointed as I was with the secondary, the defensive line youngsters were an encouragement as well as some of the offensive line. Corbin Bryant and Heyward were very active.

Lastly, I think is the year that I might consider keeping 8 LBs and keeping K Swayze as my kickoff specialist. I think him putting it ten yards in the endzone every kickoff would have more impact than a 9th LB on this team that you could probably stash on the practice squad. I just don’t think that Suisham has the leg to consistently put it deep into the endzone and our kickoff and punt coverage did not look good. Maybe ILB Mario Harvey can help to change that, but until he does, I’d serious consider keeping the kickoff specialist. Thoughts?

His blocking looked terrible all game and he was constantly in the way or missing the key rusher. On Lord Redman’s TD, the aforementioned Redman had to basically spin out of DJ’s way.