Steelers/Bucs: My two and a half Nichols.

[slashsteel]

* Well skip to my Lew..is Nichols trying to stick or what?

* A reminder that turnovers still often sway outcomes. Each QB thought enough to put their hand in the pile. Although Skylar‘s wasn’t on him.

* Roman Wilson continues to stack plays and the light is starting to come on.

* Harmon gets his first sack , although not official. Still that arrow is pointing up. He looked like a bulldozer on that play. Safe to say there is nothing wrong with his bull rush.

* Kaleb with some nice runs and a healthy 4.5 average per carry. Johnson is settling in after a rough first outing. (that’s what she said) This is more indicative of his capable.

* Scotty doesn’t know Scotty doesn’t know, don’t tell Scotty… well perhaps he does know that he is all but a lock for the 4th or 5th receiver roster spot? Which number in the pecking order ? I don’t know

* Brandon Johnson - the kid just makes plays. Another sleeper to make the roster… if the team doesn’t add another WR post cutdowns.

* Holcomb and Harrison: The depth at ILBer is solid.



Feel free to add your own game thoughts, the more the merrier.

 

[SteelerFan448]

QB play settled more toward the norm tonight.

Wilson, Miller, and Johnson, agreed, they looked good. Roc Taylor was up and down. His positives were pretty basic plays, but his misses showed zero awareness of tracking the ball on what could've been big plays. Hurleman had a rough day.

I thought the starting OL was solid. Not much effort by the coaching staff to establish the running game. I honestly don't think they put enough effort to do so in training camp either, which is why the team struggles in this area. At least that's my assessment watching this team prep in recent years versus years they were an effective running team.

Johnson improved as the game went along and Nichols played quite well. The types of plays he made stood out, even though it was against lesser competition.

Harmon and Benton are a nice duo already showing improvement working together. The run defense has been real nice.

The backup ILB duo of Holcomb and Harrison played very well. One of the greatest cover ILBs on earth struggled tracking the ball twice in coverage, both completions in which he probably could've made plays.

Jack Sawyer is going to need to get a bit stronger or more explosive before he can become a decent pass rush threat, as well as some set of moves, which we all knew. I do like the effort, but he's going to need awhile to develop in this area.

Overall, it's tough to take too much away from any of these games because there are way too many key players sitting.

 

[DesertSteel]

Kaleb looked good against 4th stringers. There's something about his running style and frame that leave me questioning if he'll stack up against the varsity.

 

[slashsteel]

Kaleb looked good against 4th stringers. There's something about his running style and frame that leave me questioning if he'll stack up against the varsity.

I dunno. I took it as two fold. That he was just finding his footing and still is, and that the first team run blocking needs work.

Most of that starting Oline played all but one G and there didn’t seem to be much running room for any RB early.

I think as he gets more comfy he will stack up fine against varsity. That varsity will of course have to do their part and be run blocking proficient.

I was mulling this over prior to the game and was thinking with the talent acquired (DK and Jonnu) that we might see the teams strength be in the passing game as our Ts are very pass block athletic capable. So we could see the pass setting the team up to run efficiently.

Hopefully along they way they stand on their own two legs and become a strength.

 

[slashsteel]

QB play settled more toward the norm tonight.

Wilson, Miller, and Johnson, agreed, they looked good. Roc Taylor was up and down. His positives were pretty basic plays, but his misses showed zero awareness of tracking the ball on what could've been big plays. Hurleman had a rough day.

I thought the starting OL was solid. Not much effort by the coaching staff to establish the running game. I honestly don't think they put enough effort to do so in training camp either, which is why the team struggles in this area. At least that's my assessment watching this team prep in recent years versus years they were an effective running team.

Johnson improved as the game went along and Nichols played quite well. The types of plays he made stood out, even though it was against lesser competition.

Harmon and Benton are a nice duo already showing improvement working together. The run defense has been real nice.

The backup ILB duo of Holcomb and Harrison played very well. One of the greatest cover ILBs on earth struggled tracking the ball twice in coverage, both completions in which he probably could've made plays.

Jack Sawyer is going to need to get a bit stronger or more explosive before he can become a decent pass rush threat, as well as some set of moves, which we all knew. I do like the effort, but he's going to need awhile to develop in this area.

Overall, it's tough to take too much away from any of these games because there are way too many key players sitting.

The game left me pondering two things, as you are right two games with so many players sitting is hard to gauge.

1 Is Wilson pushing for the spot opposite DK? It isn’t like Austin has brought a lot of confidence to that position. For me he has seemed better suited inside.

2 is Holcomb playing his way into staring opposite Patrick Q? I know they like Payton’s range but they originally picked up Cole to start. You have three dogs, two bones.

 

[slashsteel]

Oh another nugget I read was Wilson was playing against their top corner Jamel Dean. That makes me all warm and fuzzy preseason or not…

 

[xjx]

I thought Rudolphs porn mustache was ugly. His wife let's him leave the house looking like that?

 

[slashsteel]

I thought Rudolphs porn mustache was ugly. His wife let's him leave the house looking like that?

Porn stashes aren’t IN?

Man and here I was contemplating one.

Back to the drawing board…

 

[Fiji Mariner]

One of the greatest cover ILBs on earth struggled tracking the ball twice in coverage, both completions in which he probably could've made plays.

Couldn’t help but notice that too, spot on with Sawyer too.

 

[slashsteel]

Couldn’t help but notice that too, spot on with Sawyer too.

Yeah he was in position to prevent that TD he just lost track of the ball. Sigh… our own private Cast Away.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

The game left me pondering two things, as you are right two games with so many players sitting is hard to gauge.

1 Is Wilson pushing for the spot opposite DK? It isn’t like Austin has brought a lot of confidence to that position. For me he has seemed better suited inside.

2 is Holcomb playing his way into staring opposite Patrick Q? I know they like Payton’s range but they originally picked up Cole to start. You have three dogs, two bones.

1) It seems he may be, if backups are making plays with him he could be dangerous with a more accurate better field reading QB that throws guys open. Hope he stays healthy and shows out…that would be a great pleasant surprise.

2) Hope so, he seems like the more complete player and Payton seems more like a coverage down sub (provided he gets back to being one of the best on earth-which he was not last night). Payton’s run D is suspect.

Extra credit: Can I get some change for a wooden Nichol? He is showing nicely and seems to be pushing to make them keep him as a 4th RB. We could just cut 83’s legacy spot to make room for him if he keeps showing out.

 

[slashsteel]

Extra credit: Can I get some change for a wooden Nichol? He is showing nicely and seems to be pushing to make them keep him as a 4th RB. We could just cut 83’s legacy spot to make room for him if he keeps showing out.

Let go of a bloodline , first Derek and and now now this…



To be honest Gainwell hasn’t sat-well with me. He looks like he is on the decline.

I am not down on him as much as Woods, but my confidence is waning.

i am all for some fresh legs.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Let go of a bloodline , first Derek and and now now this…



To be honest Gainwell hasn’t sat-well with me. He looks like he is on the decline.

I am not down on him as much as Woods, but my confidence is waning.

i am all for some fresh legs.

It’s really hard to evaluate the RBs in preseason unless they just shine. Lew has been shining.

I give Gainwell an INC at this point. 2 rushes is hardly enough to know what he’s got imo.

 

[slashsteel]

It’s really hard to evaluate the RBs in preseason unless they just shine. Lew has been shining.

I give Gainwell an INC at this point. 2 rushes is hardly enough to know what he’s got imo.

Yeah Gainwell did look ok as a WR in camp and carried slightly over a 4 yard per carry average. Not as doom as that game looked. Lew showed TD capable in camp too so I am hoping they find a way to keep him…

 

[Hypocycloids]

* Well skip to my Lew..is Nichols trying to stick or what?

* A reminder that turnovers still often sway outcomes. Each QB thought enough to put their hand in the pile. Although Skylar‘s wasn’t on him.

* Roman Wilson continues to stack plays and the light is starting to come on.

* Harmon gets his first sack , although not official. Still that arrow is pointing up. He looked like a bulldozer on that play. Safe to say there is nothing wrong with his bull rush.

* Kaleb with some nice runs and a healthy 4.5 average per carry. Johnson is settling in after a rough first outing. (that’s what she said) This is more indicative of his capable.

* Scotty doesn’t know Scotty doesn’t know, don’t tell Scotty… well perhaps he does know that he is all but a lock for the 4th or 5th receiver roster spot? Which number in the pecking order ? I don’t know

* Brandon Johnson - the kid just makes plays. Another sleeper to make the roster… if the team doesn’t add another WR post cutdowns.

* Holcomb and Harrison: The depth at ILBer is solid.



Feel free to add your own game thoughts, the more the merrier.

Did Roman ever have blocking duty?

I was hoping we have the next Hines Ward!

The coaches should show Roman every highlight film of Hines blocking.

 

[madinsomniac]

My takes:
-Roman Wilson might be another in a long line of examples that what you do or dont do as a rookie is utterly meaningless... Claypool and Bryant were great...then faded quickly.. CA3 and Wilson were useless, hopefully they go in the other direction...

-Logan Lee probably earned a spot on the team today... his value was primarily as a ST player more than a DL. He has looked ok as a DL and ST guy and just showed more versatility as an emergency LS

-If we didnt have CA3 and Wilson as wrs 2 and 3, id be fine with Scotty miller as wr 4... but thats too much redundancy with small wrs

Roman wilson is listed at 5'10" and 186
CA3 at 5'9 and 162
Scottie miller at 5'9 174
Each is probably slightly embellished

Ben Skowronek at 6'3 224 is the only one close to DKs size, but he is a ST ace more than a WR.

A lot of the rest have ok abilities, but nobody has really stood out

-barring late injuries, Skylar Thompson wont make this team, but he will be a backup somewhere this year

-Lew Nichols is gonna be on the PS. They wont keep 4 rbs unless its Hurleman as a RB/Wr... they arent cutting Warren or Kaleb johnson and Gainwell has too much value on ST

-JJ Galbraeth ought to be a prime PS candidate.

-guys I was hoping to see more out of through 2 PS games:
5. Sebastian Castro- highly touted UDFA, abd he has a high tackle number both games but really hasn't had aby highlight reel splash plays a guy like him needs to distinguish himself from random vets
4. Carson Bruener. After a very active game 1, he was almost invisible today... not what you want when you are a ST ace trying to get noticed
3. Mark Robinson in a fight for his job, and he hasnt done anything to remind anyone how he forced himself on the roster in years past
2. Robert Woods- i mean has the guy even done anything yet?
1. DeMarvin Leal- what an utter disappointment. They have no idea how to use a tweener and he has been coasting all preseason...

 

[Drink IRON City]

* Well skip to my Lew..is Nichols trying to stick or what?

* A reminder that turnovers still often sway outcomes. Each QB thought enough to put their hand in the pile. Although Skylar‘s wasn’t on him.

* Roman Wilson continues to stack plays and the light is starting to come on.

* Harmon gets his first sack , although not official. Still that arrow is pointing up. He looked like a bulldozer on that play. Safe to say there is nothing wrong with his bull rush.

* Kaleb with some nice runs and a healthy 4.5 average per carry. Johnson is settling in after a rough first outing. (that’s what she said) This is more indicative of his capable.

* Scotty doesn’t know Scotty doesn’t know, don’t tell Scotty… well perhaps he does know that he is all but a lock for the 4th or 5th receiver roster spot? Which number in the pecking order ? I don’t know

* Brandon Johnson - the kid just makes plays. Another sleeper to make the roster… if the team doesn’t add another WR post cutdowns.

* Holcomb and Harrison: The depth at ILBer is solid.



Feel free to add your own game thoughts, the more the merrier.

Excellent post slash, thank you SIR !!!

Many here will write things off as “it’s just a pre-season game”, well to my knowledge…… we don’t have anything else to grade them by in game action.

Kaleb increased his YPC and that is significant due to the experience he is getting on field of play. The competition may not be NFL starters, but also remember you need to start somewhere. Secretariat the race horse wasn’t entered in the Kentucky (for the Kentuckian here) Derby for his first race, you build up to the competition and pre-season is that way of doing so.

Beam me up Scotty is playing his heart out, he knows this is his last ride to make the team. No riding on past principles.

Roman is big time stepping up. He is doing so that he may be the complimentary piece of the puzzle to play across from DK. Austin’s injury is Romans opportunity, like it or not.

Many other positives, and many here will show that in the discussions to follow.

Did Cameron Heyward play……?

I see he influenced our author of the thread in that slash is now asking for more $$$money$$$. Don’t fear slash, the triple pay check is in the mail and it’s a cashiers check……… good at any bank of Uganda. I thought about sending you cash but realized you’d blow it all in one spot……..

Thanks again slash, I appreciate yaz.!



Salute the nation

 

[Drink IRON City]

I thought Rudolphs porn mustache was ugly. His wife let's him leave the house looking like that?

She’s glad he has somewhere to go, her Gardener / mailman / and female pharmacist appreciate that fact as well………..





Salute the nation

 

[slashsteel]

My takes:
-Roman Wilson might be another in a long line of examples that what you do or dont do as a rookie is utterly meaningless... Claypool and Bryant were great...then faded quickly.. CA3 and Wilson were useless, hopefully they go in the other direction...

-Logan Lee probably earned a spot on the team today... his value was primarily as a ST player more than a DL. He has looked ok as a DL and ST guy and just showed more versatility as an emergency LS

-If we didnt have CA3 and Wilson as wrs 2 and 3, id be fine with Scotty miller as wr 4... but thats too much redundancy with small wrs

Roman wilson is listed at 5'10" and 186
CA3 at 5'9 and 162
Scottie miller at 5'9 174
Each is probably slightly embellished

Ben Skowronek at 6'3 224 is the only one close to DKs size, but he is a ST ace more than a WR.

A lot of the rest have ok abilities, but nobody has really stood out

-barring late injuries, Skylar Thompson wont make this team, but he will be a backup somewhere this year

-Lew Nichols is gonna be on the PS. They wont keep 4 rbs unless its Hurleman as a RB/Wr... they arent cutting Warren or Kaleb johnson and Gainwell has too much value on ST

-JJ Galbraeth ought to be a prime PS candidate.

-guys I was hoping to see more out of through 2 PS games:
5. Sebastian Castro- highly touted UDFA, abd he has a high tackle number both games but really hasn't had aby highlight reel splash plays a guy like him needs to distinguish himself from random vets
4. Carson Bruener. After a very active game 1, he was almost invisible today... not what you want when you are a ST ace trying to get noticed
3. Mark Robinson in a fight for his job, and he hasnt done anything to remind anyone how he forced himself on the roster in years past
2. Robert Woods- i mean has the guy even done anything yet?
1. DeMarvin Leal- what an utter disappointment. They have no idea how to use a tweener and he has been coasting all preseason...

Bruener had a huge amount of ST reps. So whatever his deal is they had enough of a look.

Yeah thinking Castro is probably PS.

We have a deep TE group and DK, for me the size of the WRs aren’t too important knowing they can put 2/3 TEs on the field at once.

You have room for a QB, RB , 5 Olinemen. Throw in DK that gives you 8, Jonnu 9. Muth 10. Leaves you one spot for Wilson, Austin, or Washington.
So ok with two number three receivers and one number 4. Without Jonnu coming aboard I was more concerned.

I really think DK and Jonnu is your one two punch. Muth is your 2B. Washington is a beast too.

That is 4 great sized options.

Just my take…

 

[madinsomniac]

Bruener had a huge amount of ST reps. So whatever his deal is they had enough of a look.

Yeah thinking Castro is probably PS.

We have a deep TE group and DK, for me the size of the WRs aren’t too important knowing they can put 2/3 TEs on the field at once.

You have room for a QB, RB , 5 Olinemen. Throw in DK that gives you 8, Jonnu 9. Muth 10. Leaves you one spot for Wilson, Austin, or Washington.
So ok with two number three receivers and one number 4. Without Jonnu coming aboard I was more concerned.

I really think DK and Jonnu is your one two punch. Muth is your 2B. Washington is a beast too.

That is 4 great sized options.

Just my take…

Yeah, I agree with the TEs basically being wrs in smiths O... but the thing is, if DK goes out with an injury, none of those smaller guys are gonna be able to do the downfield blocking they will need to in those single wr formations and none of the tes can really run the deep routes. I think that is why they brought Woods in, but he looks washed...

Bruener was drafted as a ST ace, and last week between ilb and st he had like 7 tackles... but this week he got snaps but didnt really show up... that ILB room is stacked... he better start showing some splash plays to dislodge Robinson or whatever S they may try to keep over him

 

[Djfan]

I thought Rudolphs porn mustache was ugly. His wife let's him leave the house looking like that?

My MIL said he looked like Freddy Mercury.

 

[slashsteel]

Yeah, I agree with the TEs basically being wrs in smiths O... but the thing is, if DK goes out with an injury, none of those smaller guys are gonna be able to do the downfield blocking they will need to in those single wr formations and none of the tes can really run the deep routes. I think that is why they brought Woods in, but he looks washed...

Bruener was drafted as a ST ace, and last week between ilb and st he had like 7 tackles... but this week he got snaps but didnt really show up... that ILB room is stacked... he better start showing some splash plays to dislodge Robinson or whatever S they may try to keep over him

Isn’t Ben and Roman known to be blocking capable? They could always go to an dink and dunk too right? Seemed to work for lady with the Bucs…

 

[SteelerFan448]

The game left me pondering two things, as you are right two games with so many players sitting is hard to gauge.

1 Is Wilson pushing for the spot opposite DK? It isn’t like Austin has brought a lot of confidence to that position. For me he has seemed better suited inside.

2 is Holcomb playing his way into staring opposite Patrick Q? I know they like Payton’s range but they originally picked up Cole to start. You have three dogs, two bones.

Both good questions.

1. Austin may have been WR2 on the depth chart, but he was never going to leave the slot role. This is where the Steelers needed to consider bringing in an outside receiver. Wilson has impressed the last two weeks and is beginning to show why the Steelers drafted him. It was also completely ridiculous how many were writing him off after a week or two of training camp.

2. Like at OLB, the Steelers have a really good problem at ILB with terrific depth. It also looks like the Steelers found a pretty good thumper to replace Roberts. Holcomb was a quality player prior to his injury and he looks to be back in form. I love the talent at both positions.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Since Cam is being a lil ***** it makes Holcomb even more valuable. The run D was much worse with him off the field last year. If Cam is a hold out it makes weak run defenders like Payton a liability, should likely give the edge to Holcomb.

Save the weak run defenders like Wilson and Herbig for known passing downs if Cam is out.

Hopefully Harmon is ready out of the gate too, he looks the part so far.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

Let go of a bloodline , first Derek and and now now this…



To be honest Gainwell hasn’t sat-well with me. He looks like he is on the decline.

I am not down on him as much as Woods, but my confidence is waning.

i am all for some fresh legs.

Gainwell was brought in for his pass catching then anything. I can’t grade him based on how he has been used in preseason.