Offensive Tackle Wanted!
by Steel34D on Sep 26, 2011 12:59 AM EDT
Email
Print
Well it is Sunday Night and like many others in Steeler Nation I have just finished watching the Steelers beat the Colts in a very sloppy performance. Before I start with the negatives I'll give some positives.
Against a rookie OT in Anthony Castanzo and filling in for Brett Keisel, Evander "Ziggy" Hood looked good. He was pushing Castanzo back nearly all game and to my recollection hurried the Colts QB more than nearly any other player on the defense. Hood looked ready to start though I need to mention again this was against a rookie OT.
It may have not counted because an offensive holding penalty but backed up against the endzone our first round draft pick stuffed Joseph Addai behind the line of scrimmage in a pure display of dominance. However the Colts LG held Casey Hampton and the Heyward's play was lost from the stat sheet for ever.
Sixth consecutive 100 yard game dating back to the last 3 regular season games last year. Today he had 5 receptions for 144 yards and a TD. That's 28.8 yards a reception. We all laughed when he said he wanted to go for 2000 yards, but maybe that's possible he averaging 125.66 a game after 3 games that puts him on pace for ~2010 yards after 16 games. Its hard but he can only get better if Ben gets time. The combination of Ben to Wallace looks scary at times and Wallace is the real deal!
The Rest of the Young Money Crew-
Brown had 4 receptions for 75 yards and Sanders 2 for 21. They looked in the first quarter as dangerous as we had hoped for I can't imagine what it would be like if Ben got time.
The Negatives:
The Running Game-
How on Earth we couldn't run the ball on an undersized Colts defense is beyond me. It started with bad play calling by Arian. He tried to go to the outside early which is this defense's strength. Maybe he thought Freeney and Mathis would be to focused on the pass I don't know. Then Legursky proved he is outmatch at guard. I like the guy he is a fan favorite but also a liability. Scott was man handled again, he had multiple penalties (could have been a couple more) and couldn't push Freeney off the line.Foster looks better than Legs in pass blocking but does have any pop off the line in his run blocking. Pouncey had his struggles that were only magnified when he tried to pass the DT off to the guard and the guard doesn't pick up the DT. Gilbert actually didn't look to horrible in the run.
The Pass Blocking-
I will start this by stating Freeney and Mathis are both multiple Pro Bowler who are great at rushing the passer and even better when their is no running game. Scott was man-handled by Freeney who was playing at like 85%, Gilbert was struggling as expected against Mathis. Legursky was destroyed by Nevis and Johnson and Kemo who is not known for his pass blocking was beat a lot as well. Pouncey did decent but well below his standards. Ben was sacked 3 times hit a lot more.
The Run Defense-
The Colts had 22 rushes for 97 yards and a TD. Not what the Steelers defensive standard are and it looked more one sided then that . James was clearly getting better but is far off from 100%. Aaron Smith was once again high a majority of the game and the defense had no answer for the cut blocking on Hampton again. James Farrior and Aaron Smith is also starting to show their age ran out of their water from the fountain of youth.
The Pass Rush-
Yes James Harrison was not close to 100% and had a sack but he was going against a rookie LT. I'm not even going to talk about Harrison but more about Woodley. Woodley didn't reach the QB all game. Sure he has 2 sacks already this season but I am on the record saying he looks heavy and slow. I was one of those guys who said sign Timmons over Woodley but I didn't think the drop off of Woodley would happen this fast. Harrison needs to get to 100% fast.
The Injuries-
This is the main reason for the title of the article. It started this preseason when the Steelers cut both their starting OTs from last year and their main back up OT in Tony Hills. Then Willie Colon went down in the first game. Now in this game Gilbert went out with a shoulder, Legs went out with a more serious shoulder injury and Scott went down with what looked like could be a high ankle sprain. The Steelers then had to play and injured Gilbert at LT for the rest of the game because they had no other linemen dressed. Basically I expect either Starks' or Flozell's phone will be ringing tomorrow. If you can play offensive tackle or guard and feel you are good enough to block NFL D-linemen you might want to give Kevin Colbert they need healthy bodies bad.
27 comments
|
Add comment
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
May I be the first to eat Crow
I stated that Torrey Smith was going to be a bust pre-draft and post-draft. After a 4 reception 144 yard and 3 TD performance I ‘ll admit he probably won’t be a bust. However it was against the Rams and he does have a long way to go.
would like to see him repeat the performance against better CBs and double coverage
James Harrison~ "We are not trying to hit nobody hard. We don't want to get fined" *blank stare* /end sarcasm.
by H-burgSTEELfanatic on Sep 26, 2011 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Thats a BIG Gamble.....
Double teaming Torrey Smith is a dangerous move. That free’s up either Boldin or the young TE Dickson. As a Steeler fan, it is obvious what single coverage on Boldin can result in. The scary thought for us is, who covers who in the next match up? Ike might be tho only one with enough speed to cover Torrey, but that leaves a brutal matchup of Boldin vs. McFadden/Gay/Lewis. AND it makes me even more sick that they can give Flacco the time to get that ball down the field.
by BiggiePauls on Sep 26, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Harrison
I think he’s getting closer to 100%. I’d put him at 75-80% right now. He abused Dallas Clark in the run game, and the strip sack was vintage Harrison. This is big, because I know I like many others in Steeler Nation were wondering if Deebo would ever be able to return to top form. I think based on the progression he’s made each week, he may be back on that level by midseason, barring any setbacks or assaults on the commissioner.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Sep 26, 2011 1:04 AM EDT reply actions
I was tempted to put James in the positives
Each week I have seen more and more “vintage Harrison plays”this is a good sign. It mean he is getting stronger and getting is stamina back I think he’ll be back to form around week 10.
Max starks...
…still was having neck problems and was way over weight at latrobe; he probobly don’t get a call. From what I read and hear, Flozell’s price won’t come down and we are up against the cap; he probobly don’t get a call. All you “Steeler fans” complaining have to deal with what we have. In this day and age, you can’t have elite players at every position, the cap simply won’t allow it.
Lets not forget, Freeney and Mathis aren’t scrubs either, they are both perenial pro bowlers and all pros. They have a habit of making the Sx4 (sack strip scoop score), in fact they have done it the most since they entered the NFL.
People need to find someone to bitch about, if its not Will Gay, its Bryant McFadden. And now the new fall guy is Jon Scott. Regardless of the score, we went to a hostile environment and came out with a win. Ugly or not, the outcome is the same. At the end of week 3, us, Baltimore and Cleveland are all 2 – 1.
I am not saying we need to bring in guys because of the lack of talent or mass hysteria
But rather because of injury, Gilbert looks like it will be fine, but I’ll bet John Scott has some type of ankle sprain at minimum. Legursky’s didn’t look good. That means they will need to bring in a body or bring up a PS player.
Lets not forget, Freeney and Mathis aren’t scrubs either, they are both perenial pro bowlers and all pros.
Read the first sentence about pass blocking I stated this already.
Secondly I was hating on Scott before it was mainstream. All kidding aside yes Scott is below average but I understand the cap and why the team didn’t bring back Starks. .
And finally insinuating that I am not a Steelers fan because I hold every Steelers player to coach Tomlin’s motto “The standard is the standard” is very a very flawed statement. There is also a difference between complaining and stating the facts. The facts are that Freeney and Mathis destroyed our protection schemes and Nevis and Johnson push back our running game. This is not play that lived up to the standard I believe the Steelers hold for their offensive linemen. It doesn’t matter if they played “perennial pro bowlers and all pros” because the “standard is the standard.”
Agree Steel34D
I understand your point, and did not construe it as complaining. Plain and simple, we are thin on the OL at the moment and might need to add depth. Furthermore, coming out of training camp, it would have been silly to not give the in-house guys their shot, but after watching for a few weeks, conclusions can begin to be drawn about whether they are up to the task.
After the initial angst about the multiple injuries last night, I looked at our line and realized: LT- Gilbert, LG- Kemo, C- Pouncey, RG- Foster, and RT- Essex. Other than Essex, this has the makings of the line that quite a few of us have wanted after Foster’s solid play last week. Add in Adams or Starks at RT, if possible, and I would be quite pleased with that line… at least until the all get injured in Week 4.
"It's football the way it's meant to be played. That's who Pittsburgh is, and that's who Pittsburgh has always been."
-- so says Rex Ryan.
Insinuating?
I never saw any insinuation that you were not a Steelers fan in his statement. I did see him insinuate you were being whiny which has nothing to do with with whether you are a fan or not.
"Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity." Jack Layton (R.I.P.)
"My city's still breathing (but barely it's true) through buildings gone missing like teeth. The sidewalks are watching me think about you, all sparkled with broken glass. I'm back with scars to show. Back with the streets I know. They never take me anywhere but here. " John K Samson (Left and Leaving)
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Sep 26, 2011 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Ah
I just assumed he was annoyed by all the poorly thought out three line posts that have gone up since the game. This post doesn’t fall into that category as, imo anyway, you have put thought and effort into your post.
"Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity." Jack Layton (R.I.P.)
"My city's still breathing (but barely it's true) through buildings gone missing like teeth. The sidewalks are watching me think about you, all sparkled with broken glass. I'm back with scars to show. Back with the streets I know. They never take me anywhere but here. " John K Samson (Left and Leaving)
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Sep 26, 2011 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Your right...
I’m sure Mike Tomlin went in the locker room and said “Guys no need to watch game film from tonight cause we won and that’s all that matters. See you next Sunday to do this again in Houston.”
They absolutely have plenty to work on in the coming week,
but you talk like we lost and we didn’t. Every game present new challanges for our coaches. With a good week of prep, we’ll be ready to play. The standard will be the same, a winning proformance, whether it be convincing or ugly.
you talk like we lost…
First Sentence
Well it is Sunday Night and like many others in Steeler Nation I have just finished watching the Steelers beat the Colts in a very sloppy performance.
Then I go on to positives of the game after negatives then mention injuries
This is the main reason for the title of the article… had no other linemen dressed…If you can play offensive tackle or guard and feel you are good enough to block NFL D-linemen you might want to give Kevin Colbert they need healthy bodies bad.
Sound to me like I gave a balanced account of both good and bad and then talked about injuries which I am concern about. What part did I act as if we lost?
Your right,
Not nessesarily you, but there are plenty of people bitching about a win. Remember when a said “Steeler Fans”? Those would be the poeple who weren’t happy after last weeks victory or this weeks. A win is a win is a win. Style points don’t help the teams record at the end of the year. The bitching and moaning and kicking and screaming is getting old in a very young season. ..
by HardPunkKore on Sep 26, 2011 3:17 AM EDT up reply actions
the only counter to that is
this was a bad performance against a bad team…there is cause for concern, because our guys play against a MUCH better Texans team next week, and if these rookie mistakes keep happening (and what evidence do we have to think otherwise?) we are in for a long season
I like to see the Steelers win
Better team that they are given credit for being
The Indy defence played like the game meant something to them. Their offence retrenched and redefined themselves as a running team. I think the Colts (prior to Collins injury) could beat more than a couple of NFL teams even without Manning. Since no one knows what Painter will be capable of doing once he gets to practice with the main team, we don’t know how the Colts will do for the remainder of the season. I don’t expect them to make the playoffs but if they keep playing as hard as they did last night, there will be more than one team wishing they prepared harder for playing them.
"Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity." Jack Layton (R.I.P.)
"My city's still breathing (but barely it's true) through buildings gone missing like teeth. The sidewalks are watching me think about you, all sparkled with broken glass. I'm back with scars to show. Back with the streets I know. They never take me anywhere but here. " John K Samson (Left and Leaving)
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Sep 26, 2011 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree...
Mike Tomlin post game: "We’re not going to make excuses for how we played.That guy is on the field, he is capable of playing….We just want to try to get out of stadiums with wins, particularly road stadiums and AFC ones. " Tomlin emphasizes both points of playing better but in the end it is all about the win.
Woodley was in the backfield quite often.
Not to mention the fact that he (like Harrison, I’m sure) was held several times, which isn’t surprising.
No problem with Gilbert, big problem with Scott
I thought Gilbert played pretty well. The one sack/fumble he gave up was entirely Ben’s fault. Gilbert took Mathis way out of the play and Ben held the ball too long and then didn’t protect it when he decided to run. He didn’t get great push in the run game, but I thought he performed ok against a tough test.
Scott, on the other hand, looked BAD. He may very well be the worst starting LT in the league. He got beaten like a drum and just about got Ben killed on the sack/fumble, then didn’t react to the ball coming out. Stupid, stupid. He was constantly beaten during the game and got zero push in the running game. If he doesn’t raise his game, he’s going to cause Ben to get hurt for an extended period of time. He’s quickly taking over the place of Willie Gay as the most disliked Steeler simply for his constant poor performances.
As for the other linemen:
Legs looked small and weak. He didn’t get much push at all off the line. I know the guy is a fan favorite and all, but I think he’s better suited to being a backup.
Kemo didn’t get much run push and again looked slow pass blocking. I really think Foster is our best LG.
Pouncey had probably the best performance on the line, but even he was pretty mediocre.
another positive
Ike Taylor had another great game against the elite Reggie Wayne. Its crazy to think Ike Taylor is still improving after all these years. Earn that money!
James Harrison~ "We are not trying to hit nobody hard. We don't want to get fined" *blank stare* /end sarcasm.
by H-burgSTEELfanatic on Sep 26, 2011 10:46 AM EDT reply actions
Also Polamalu looks so very close to back to normal
He was swarming the ball all over the place and pretty much won us the game.
James Harrison~ "We are not trying to hit nobody hard. We don't want to get fined" *blank stare* /end sarcasm.
by H-burgSTEELfanatic on Sep 26, 2011 10:52 AM EDT reply actions
I would take a look at any rookie FA that were passed over
by any team, bring them in and see if anyone is serviceable, or practice squad worth at least.
Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all
I thought the should have run the middle more
teh Colts are quick to theoutside and Mendy never could get around…I didn’t undersatdn why the waited til the last drive to try the middle.
Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all
One of the reasons
That neither the quick slant passes from the bunch formation, nor the running game took off is this: The offensive formations they lined up in made it WAY too obvious what plays they were about to run. On easily 15 plays Sunday night, I looked up from my couch pre-snap, saw their alignment, and called out correctly where the ball was going.
If I can do this, I am sure NFL defensive players and defensive coordinators can too. Arians needs to look up subtlety in the dictionary, and then start using it. It’s a LOT easier to shut down an NFL offense when you know where the ball is about to go.
"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will
Something to say? Choose one of these options to log in.
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
"Thoughtful discussion with a sense of history."
Art Rooney Jr.
"Level-headed thinking." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Related FanPosts on Behind the Steel Curtain
Related FanShots on Behind the Steel Curtain
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Former high-school star Brian Banks does serious time on trumped-up charge, now hopes for an NFL shot
- Former ‘idiot kicker’ Mike Vanderjagt in trouble after accosting junior-high heckler
- Adrian Peterson blows teammates away in footraces; appears to be on the mend
- UPDATE: Charlie Sheen didn’t buy Lawrence Taylor’s Super Bowl ring
- Alex Smith gets blown up by Jon Beason over Cam Newton comments
