Steelers vs. Buccaneers, Preseason Week 1: Knee-Jerk Reactions to the Steelers 30-28 win over Tampa

Here we go! Our first look of the new-attitude Pittsburgh Steelers. No they did not rebuild, but they are starting life without two-thirds of the Killer Bs. There’s a different brand of swagger and a desire to prove from a lot of these guys and I can not wait.

Nonetheless, a simple reminder, a knee jerk reaction is an immediate and unthinking, emotional reaction. It’s basically shooting first and apologizing later. I can safely say that’s a true definition of your’s truly and a good lot of Steeler Nation. Here’s my real-time reactions during the Steelers’ first battle of the new season.

Quarter 1

• To quote the great boxing ref, Mills Lane, Lets get it on!
• Bennie Snell Football includes special teams action. Nice.
• Devin Bush involved early.
• Seems focused.
• Another Bush tackle.
• Going after Layne a lot. Playing off the ball and giving too much of a cushion.
• Nice to see Byron Sandwich
• Ola was held there. Bit really got in there.
• I know this is preseason, not loving the start and the long drive though.
• A couple of Kam Kelly sightings.
• Horrible missed tackle on that TD by Layne. He totally whiffed. Rough start for the Spartan.
• 7-0. Bahhhhhhhhhhhh!
• Let’s see if Dobbs and Co. can answer.
• Sorry Bob Pompeani. I will miss “the Unicorn” this fall on CBS.
• Holding on a kickoff. Is this 2018?
• Nice ball from Dobbs. Nice protection and great catch by Washington over a good Vernon Hargreaves.
• I'm excited to see Diontae Spencer.
• Don’t give up sacks!
• Bad pass by Dobbs. Too short of a drive.
• I almost named my son Bobo Wilson.
• Not a bad punt by Berry.
• Roughing the passer,,,,rough indeed.
• Devin Bush justifies the trade right there. He is all over the place. Huge 4th down stop.

Quarter 2

• Third and 22. I’m not liking this.
• Dobbs to JWash. Huuuuuuge!
• Dobbs for 36. His feet do make sadifference.
• I’ll take the FG.
• Finally forcing a punt. Lucky they aren’t down more.
• Mason Time. Here we go.
• Rudolph is looking pretty solid,
• Big rip from Jaylen for 22.
• Gotta get in the end zone.
• Yesssss!
• Cowboy connection. Washington came to play. 10-7.
• Dirty Red not done yet,
• Nice to see Buggs on the stat sheet. Let’s convert this.
• Gotta take advantage.
• Cmon Mason!
• Lets get the three.
• 47-yarder. Is Boswell better?
• Lets shut-em down.
• 55-yarder, that’s a good kick from the TB rook.
• 13-10. I’ll take it.
• Ten tackles. Bush is for real

Quarter 3

• BSJ turned nothing into five.
• No. 24 is a load!
• Nice escape, but Hassenhauer with the hold.
• Berryman with the big boot.
• Nice coverage by Spillane.
• Defense is flying. Spillane again.
• Spencer got just ten, but looks like he could break one.
• Johnny Holton is electric. It’s ashame he didn’t get in.
• Zach Gentry, at 6’8”, is the only guy that could have nabbed that one. Rudy owes the rookie a steak.
• Dirty Red is answering the critics.
• Time for Duck Dynasty.
• Nobody is helping out Hodges. Two catchable and nicely-thrown balls.
• I questioned whether Ola could do anything other than rush the passer. Good coverage there.
• Locke lookin’ suspect on this series.
• Tuzar Skipper. Love that guy. Just missed a sack.
• Should’ve been a flag.
• Yep. It is.
• Spillane is struggling in coverage now.
• Good hole. Layne needed to make that tackle though.
• Will we have one overturned?
• Hassenhauer is hurting himself.
• Hodges is coming alive.
• Snell Yeah!!!!
• End of quarter and looking good.

Quarter 4

• Nice athletic drive by Hodges. This team has QBs.
• Tevin Jones got great separation on the TD.
• Gotta practice challenges. Don’t know if this is winnable though.
• Not lovin’ the judgement to throw the flag.
• Layne is getting plenty of action, but his struggle is real.
• The calendar doesn’t say June 14. But it sure feels like flag day.
• Tuzar looked dominant on that sack. Love it.
• That was a sweet punt return by Spencer. That dude has wicked speed.
• Trey Edmunds is running for his life.
• Ugly pass by Devlin. Got away with one there. Should have been picked.
• Got away with a grounding too. Lucky Woods was in the area.
• Matt Wright getting a chance at three.
• Power in that kick.
• Marcus Allen is omnipresent.
• Ulysses Gilbert saved six with a nice tackle.
• J.T. Jones with a bad penalty .
• Mondeaux with a big tackle.
• That was a tough catch and tough to defend.
• Ulysses with the key pick on the 2PC.
• Kevin Rader with a bad fumble there. Can’t go that.
• Ulysses has some moves. Good pressure.
• Fourth Down. Let’s end this here.
• Maybe not.
• Ulysses Gilbert is a big deal. Nice.
• Gotta just fall on the ball. That could cost you.
• i get it. But I wish Arians would give it a rest.
• I’m confused.
• Griffin is tearing up the Steelers’ secondary.
• Gilbert again.
• Marcellus Branch could get nailed on that tackle. I hate that call.
• Branch with the big breakup.
• Not making this easy. Drayvon Askew-Henry with the hold.
• Short. Is the ball loose?
• Oh man.
• Thank you. Huge stop. I think it’s over.
• Good win and thanks for not going to OT.

I just shot first and I’ll apologize later. Now time to watch it again and see what really happened. Make sure you get your voice heard in the comments below.