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The Steelers took to the Queen City on Thursday Night with a final chance to take a long look at guys on the bubble and to get some key players more polish without getting hurt. The bottom line...they looked really bad. For the first time this preseason, I disliked more things than I liked. It was dreadful. But it was Preseason No. 4, so gotta take a good bit of it with a grain of salt.
For some reason, I’ve been given the responsibility to rate the performance of the squad. It’s not easy, but I’ll give it a whirl. Despite my less than prestigious BTSC teaching certificate, I have to issue the necessary disclaimer. You know the story; of course, I’m not a football coach, or a teacher, but I play one in blogs and podcasts. All week, I found myself noticing just how equal in talent the two teams actually are and that will show. Then the game happened and judgments abound.
Grading games is an extremely difficult and somewhat thankless task. While the coaches’ grades, of course, are what counts the most, the media and fans can’t help but evaluate as well. The preseason is even tougher. All letter grades are simply based on the eye test of somebody watching at home. In this case, it’s my doofus opinion.
So let’s take a look at BTSC’s early perceptions:
Offense: C-
Week 4 is a lower grade of football and Josh Dobbs epitomized that fact. He can make Impact plays with his leg, but he’s a thermostat as a passer. Mason Rudolph won the night, while the clock struck midnight on Duck Dynasty. The running game was pitiful. Maybe Benny Snell Football is nothing but good advertising. Trey Edmunds did nothing to shine either. The offensive line was a sieve and Johnny Holton was the best of the receivers, including JWash on this night.
Poll
What grade do you think the offense deserves after the 25-19 loss in Carolina?
This poll is closed
-
0%
A
(1 vote) -
4%
B
(44 votes) -
36%
C
(382 votes) -
51%
D
(531 votes) -
7%
F
(81 votes)
Defense: C-
Guys like Tuzar Skipper, Jayrone Elliott, UG3, Cam Sutton, Henry Mondeaux and Marcellus Branch made waves, but the defense on o this very night was a tough watch. I thought this wasn’t the best showcase for Devin Bush either. But nonetheless, I still am confident about this unit.
Poll
What grade do you think the defense earned after the loss to Carolina?
This poll is closed
-
0%
A
(5 votes) -
17%
B
(171 votes) -
52%
C
(512 votes) -
25%
D
(255 votes) -
3%
F
(38 votes)
Special Teams: C
Matthew Wright blew his audition with misses. Nothing else was overly glaring. But props to Ian Berryman. I think he can hook on somewhere, maybe In Pittsburgh.
Poll
How do you grade the Steelers’ Special Teams after the loss in Carolina?
This poll is closed
-
1%
A
(13 votes) -
16%
B
(143 votes) -
51%
C
(442 votes) -
24%
D
(212 votes) -
5%
F
(51 votes)
Overall: C-
This game was far from an indicator of what the Steelers will look like in the regular season. Guys like Rudolph, Holton, Skipper and Gilbert looked the best, while guys with limited possibility struggled. Just know that the next game to be graded...counts big time.
Poll
What overall grade would you pin on the Steelers after the 25-19 loss to the Carolina Panthers?
This poll is closed
-
0%
A
(5 votes) -
3%
B
(31 votes) -
49%
C
(403 votes) -
42%
D
(343 votes) -
4%
F
(34 votes)
Valedictorian: Tuzar Skipper and Mason Rudolph
Honor Roll: Johnny Holton, Henry Mondeaux, Ulysses Gilbert III, Ian Berryman, Cam Sutton, Marcellus Branch, Sutton Smith. Jayrone Elliott
Needs Improvement: Too many to mention
Now it is your turn to play teacher. Use the polls and the comments section below. We can compare notes in the teachers lounge.