Game Balls, Game Goats & FU's..............week 15................vs Dolphins......

[Chicoman]

I gotta say I didn't have this performance on my Bingo Card tonight. This was the most complete team performance of the season against a much improved Dolphins team in recent weeks. Everything tonight worked. Offensively tonight we saw the Steelers throw more passes over the middle of the football field than they have in the previous 13 games combined. I'm wondering if this is a watershed moment for Mike Tomlin.....much the same way Bill Cowher allowed Ben to sling the football early in Ben's career and play to win instead of trying to run out the clock. Steelers offense struggled in the first half but scored on their last drive before halftime. Rogers came out in the second half and looked like he was 10 years younger tonight as he took command of the offense with quick throws over the middle of the field leading the Steelers on four straight scoring drives including the last drive of the first half. I can only hope Rogers still has that fight in him come playoff time. Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren started slow but they got the running game going (32 carries 135 yds) and that seemed to open up the passing game more for Rogers and the Steelers. It was nice seeing MVS get involved in the offense too with a TD reception.

Defensively the Steelers were able to make the Dolphins one dimensional by keeping their running game in check (16 carries for 64 yds) especially in the second half as they held the Dolphins to -20 yards in the 3rd Quarter. Without a running game for the Phins you really see how awful Tua is at QB. Three sacks and 1 INT by the Defense tonight....Assante Samuel Jr's 1st INT as a Steeler. All without their star player on Defense TJ Watt!

When it comes to special teams....all I gotta say is I can't remember a time when we had a superstar Punter on this roster. Waitman tonight was one special teams play by Ben Skowronek from averaging 41 yds per punt! NOT GOOD!

After tonight I'm happy but I'm not sure what the hell to think about this team. This was the first game all season the Steelers had more plays from scrimmage in a game than their opponents. Have the additions of Assante Samuel Jr, Marques Valdez Scantling & Adam Theilin helped this team? I will say tonight I was pleasantly surprised to see the Steelers go 4 wide out there with 4 Wide Receivers on the playfield....that might be the first time we've seen that all season! It's usually at least 2 or 3 TE's when the Steelers go spread formation out there.....which is just silly!

After a performance like today I'll be interested to see how they perform this coming Sunday on the road against the Detroit Lions.....who are in a must win situation. I know people say they don't need to win that game but yes they need to win every game....because if they can get to Week 18 and it's a meaningless game vs the Rats....it would be nice to rest some starters going into the playoffs. We've gone from chants to FIRE Tomlin 2 weeks ago after that Bills debacle to looking like a possible playoff team. Onto Detroit! I hope we can get through that game injury free.....I hate games on artificial turf......damn **** needs to be banned!



Per Mike Tomlin's Post Game:
Isaac Seumalo - Tricep injury being evaluated
Nick Herbig - Hamstring injury being evaluated

Game Balls:
Aaron Rogers - 23 for 27 224 yds 2 TD's......He looked very good tonight....almost like he did in his prime
Kenneth Gainwell - 13 carries 80 yds, 7 rec 46 yds
Cam Heyward - 5 tackles, 1 sack......he had great pressure and penetration on almost every snap
Dylan Cook - In his first NFL start this kid went up against Bradley Chubb and he did pretty damn good against a guy with a non-stop motor. If he does this against Garrett....kiss Broderick Jones Goodbye!
Patrick Queen - 10 tackles tonight.....really helped stop the Dolphins from getting the run game going

Game Goats:
None

FU's:
None

 

[SteelerSask2]

Cook, Gainwell, Rodgers best game as a Stiller, the Dline as a whole (Did they move on from Benton to the kid with the Nigerian name). The DBs as a whole. I agree big difference btw this and premium pass rushers he will face next two weeks but even a good week, I'd rather go with a scrapler like Cook then Peat.

 

[steelcan58]

I'd say Rodgers has finally taken control over the offense from Smith and Tomlin. The game plan, play calling and personnel was completely different than what we usually see from those two numbskulls.

 

[insaniti]

Cook, Gainwell, Rodgers best game as a Stiller, the Dline as a whole (Did they move on from Benton to the kid with the Nigerian name). The DBs as a whole. I agree big difference btw this and premium pass rushers he will face next two weeks but even a good week, I'd rather go with a scrapler like Cook then Peat.

93, Esezi Otomewo has been filling in for Harmon. And the last two weeks, he's played very well.
94, Yahya Black has been seeing more time at NT when Benton isn't on the field.

​

 

[SteelerSask2]

93, Esezi Otomewo has been filling in for Harmon. And the last two weeks, he's played very well.
94, Yahya Black has been seeing more time at NT when Benton isn't on the field.

​

Thanks. Benton just can't hold point build the wall. He gets creased and guys try to overcompensate. I dont hate Benton's inside swim against the pass.

 

[Super Dave]

Chico- Good call on the Cowher Ben analogy. One can hope.

Dylan Cook did seem to play well and the defense stopped the run. Play the players that make the plays and allow the scheme to prosper. **** pedigree. Let me rephrase that, **** PEDIGREE. Fill positions based on merit. Just because a guy was drafted in the 1st round does not automatically make him better than an undrafted Montana State Northern Light player. Ask Billy Beane.

FU- To Aikman, seriously **** Him. He whined and bitched about the Steelers win in Baltimore, which he viewed as unearned and gifted.

 

[insaniti]

Thanks. Benton just can't hold point build the wall. He gets creased and guys try to overcompensate. I dont hate Benton's inside swim against the pass.

Benton would be much better outside as a DE/DT in our system, for exactly why you said. He isn't that anchor in the middle, and will often "guess" which way the back is going and not only get himself out of position, but he'll get in others way as well...

 

[Fiji Mariner]

I'd say Rodgers has finally taken control over the offense from Smith and Tomlin. The game plan, play calling and personnel was completely different than what we usually see from those two numbskulls.

Having a couple new targets he seems to find out there (as they are location reliable) and the ability to actually spread the field for the quick passing game because of them has changed the look of the passing attack…for at least one game.

Thielen is trusted over the middle to be where he’s supposed to be which adds an element.

It’s almost like adding some receiving options opened up the passing game!

He looked pretty happy with the MVS connection

 

[Coryea]

I'd say Rodgers has finally taken control over the offense from Smith and Tomlin. The game plan, play calling and personnel was completely different than what we usually see from those two numbskulls.

maybe, but I want to see it vs a good team, Ravens defense sold out to stop the run and we caught them, we were out gained something like 200 yards to 9 in the 4th qtr there, then Miami's defense is crap and that team quit. I guess I won't get excited until we can do something vs a good team, the last good team we played embarrassed us at home.

 

[IndySteel]

Chico- Good call on the Cowher Ben analogy. One can hope.

Dylan Cook did seem to play well and the defense stopped the run. Play the players that make the plays and allow the scheme to prosper. **** pedigree. Let me rephrase that, **** PEDIGREE. Fill positions based on merit. Just because a guy was drafted in the 1st round does not automatically make him better than an undrafted Montana State Northern Light player. Ask Billy Beane.

FU- To Aikman, seriously **** Him. He whined and bitched about the Steelers win in Baltimore, which he viewed as unearned and gifted.

Yeah, F that guy. He's blatantly biased against the Steelers. It was ridiculous, all game.

 

[bermudasteel]

Having a couple new targets he seems to find out there (as they are location reliable) and the ability to actually spread the field for the quick passing game because of them has changed the look of the passing attack…for at least one game.

Thielen is trusted over the middle to be where he’s supposed to be which adds an element.

It’s almost like adding some receiving options opened up the passing game!

He looked pretty happy with the MVS connection

Fire Coach Tomlin!!!

 

[Coryea]

Fire Coach Tomlin!!!

Agreed!

 

[SteelerFan448]

Game Balls:
-Gainwell-real good last night in all phases of the game.

-Rodgers-terrific and made several big plays. The DK TD was one of his best throws of the season.

-Cook-Tough spot and he stepped up.

-Tomlin and staff-Comfortable win in a really big game.

-Ramsey and Smith-each with a big play against their former team, love to see it.

-Hall of Honor inductees. Awesome to see Farrior and others last night as well.

FUs:
-Tomlin and staff-this group still needs to go out and win a playoff game. Here until that happens.

 

[steel dino]

Tomlin is such an enigma!
To me, Tomlin‘s biggest challenge is the comfortability of his position.
It tends to make him slightly lazy and seemingly uninterested at times.
It’s results in just letting the players play and totally relying on his best players to rise to the top every game.
He tends to forget the other team has really good players also and the one advantage your guys have is devising excellent game plans and making necessary adjustments to give them that edge help them succeed.
After so many years in the same position doing the same thing over and over again, it is human nature that one tends to minimize the situation at hand and become a little lax.

If he stays focused, energized, and stays in the moment, coach Tomlin is a top five guy in league without a doubt.

 

[bermudasteel]

Agreed!

You missed the sarcasm obviously. Cut your eyelids off...

 

[bermudasteel]

Tomlin is such an enigma!
To me, Tomlin‘s biggest challenge is the comfortability of his position.
It tends to make him slightly lazy and seemingly uninterested at times.
It’s results in just letting the players play and totally relying on his best players to rise to the top every game.
He tends to forget the other team has really good players also and the one advantage your guys have is devising excellent game plans and making necessary adjustments to give them that edge help them succeed.
After so many years in the same position doing the same thing over and over again, it is human nature that one tends to minimize the situation at hand and become a little lax.

If he stays focused, energized, and stays in the moment, coach Tomlin is a top five guy in league without a doubt.

I'm a supporter of our HC. I do realize that a change, in the near future, is needed but I'll keep rooting for him until he's gone.

My earlier post is just to stoke the flames...

 

[Coryea]

You missed the sarcasm obviously. Cut your eyelids off...

I didn't, I knew you were being sarcastic LOL. I wasn't though.

 

[steel dino]

I'm a supporter of our HC. I do realize that a change, in the near future, is needed but I'll keep rooting for him until he's gone.

My earlier post is just to stoke the flames...

Understood, sir.
Nothing lasts forever especially a head coach in professional sports. Tomlins time is coming soon, let’s appreciate what he has and still brings to the table,and hope he serves one more good meal for us all.

 

[Coryea]

Tomlin is such an enigma!
To me, Tomlin‘s biggest challenge is the comfortability of his position.
It tends to make him slightly lazy and seemingly uninterested at times.
It’s results in just letting the players play and totally relying on his best players to rise to the top every game.
He tends to forget the other team has really good players also and the one advantage your guys have is devising excellent game plans and making necessary adjustments to give them that edge help them succeed.
After so many years in the same position doing the same thing over and over again, it is human nature that one tends to minimize the situation at hand and become a little lax.

If he stays focused, energized, and stays in the moment, coach Tomlin is a top five guy in league without a doubt.

Sorry, I can't agree, top 5, not at all. Top 5 coaches find a way to be competitive in the playoffs even if they don't have a franchise QB, they don't go almost a decade without winning a playoff game, he's won a playoff game in only 4 of his 18 seasons, that's not top 5. They just beat two defenses that have zero guys that can rush the passer, this happens every year, they win a couple games or they get of to a 10-3 start like last season, then everyone is sucked back in, "hey this team can do some damage in the playoffs" then they get smacked around by the good teams. It took a 60 yard FG and 2 dropped INT's that hit the Jets DB's right in the hands to beat the Jets, took 13 turnovers to barely beat Indy and NE, took a fluke rule to beat Baltimore, we were outgained 200+ yards to 9 or something in the 4th qtr there, and we just beat a QB and team that never win in the cold weather.

 

[SteelerFan448]

I'm a supporter of our HC. I do realize that a change, in the near future, is needed but I'll keep rooting for him until he's gone.

My earlier post is just to stoke the flames...

I’m perfectly fine with Tomlin as head coach if he hired bright coordinators. Offensive-minded HCs or defensive HCs with a really good OC are essentially for offenses and QB play. I have zero confidence that Arthur Smith could develop a young QB.

 

[Coryea]

I’m perfectly fine with Tomlin as head coach if he hired bright coordinators. Offensive-minded HCs or defensive HCs with a really good OC are essentially for offenses and QB play. I have zero confidence that Arthur Smith could develop a young QB.

But, he's never done that.

 

[Djfan]

But, he's never done that.

Right. We know what we are getting with him, and I find it subpar. Just done with him. He might be interesting in the studio as an analyst, as he is pretty verbally gifted. I just am way past ready for the next chapter. He is not anything I am excited about leading the team I love.

 

[Coryea]

Right. We know what we are getting with him, and I find it subpar. Just done with him. He might be interesting in the studio as an analyst, as he is pretty verbally gifted. I just am way past ready for the next chapter. He is not anything I am excited about leading the team I love.

exactly, I can't even get excited about a Monday Night win because of him, we've all seen what happens next.

 

[slashsteel]

exactly, I can't even get excited about a Monday Night win because of him, we've all seen what happens next.

You will have a real look at the Steelers state with a visit to Detroit. Miami was a struggling team for most of the season…

 

[Litos]

maybe, but I want to see it vs a good team, Ravens defense sold out to stop the run and we caught them, we were out gained something like 200 yards to 9 in the 4th qtr there, then Miami's defense is crap and that team quit. I guess I won't get excited until we can do something vs a good team, the last good team we played embarrassed us at home.

that dolphins 1st Half D was stout as hell. I don't think they are crap