What the heck is a “slobberknocker?” In football terms, it’s a hit that, well, knocks the slobber right out of the other player’s mouth. I’ll be posing six hard-hitting questions to BTSC fans every game-day morning during the 2018 regular season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers hit the road again later today, tangling with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. It’s an opportunity for the Steelers to redeem themselves following a tough loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at home. BTSC fans will watch every move and hold the Steelers accountable because they’re not your run-of-the-mill Steelers’ fans, but a cut above. They crave more in-depth commentary.
Q1: Tight end Travis Kelce tormented the Steelers defense last week — what adjustments will the defense have to make to hold O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate in check? Will the defense be able to accomplish this?
Q2: Right tackle Marcus Gilbert is a game-time decision — should he be held out so he’s not a liability or does further damage?
Q3: Are you comfortable offensive tackle Matt Feiler can fill in for an injured Gilbert?
A: You will eat your wings and drink your beer with a smile knowing he will do his job.
B: You will fidget all day and worry.
C: Feiler starting gives you flashbacks of former Steeler, Mike Adams.
Q4: How confident are you with either Coty Sensabaugh or Cameron Sutton replacing a struggling Artie Burns? Is Burns being made the scapegoat or is he the issue with the defense?
Q5: Which Tampa Bay wideout worries you more, DeSean Jackson (9-275-3) or Mike Evans (17-230-2)? What is your prediction for their stat lines?
Q6: Do you blame the defensive issues on the scheme or the personnel on the field? What can the Steelers do to energize this defense?
The demoralizing loss at the hands of the Chiefs has Black-and-gold fans wondering if the team’s championship hopes are over already. A Week-3 win would go a long way to squash such pessimistic talk. Fourteen more games remain in the season, but every loss matters. The Steelers need to take the season week to week, and the first hurdle to doing so is to beat the Buccaneers. Will the Steelers be able to answer the above questions positively?