Benton’s Talents Wasted by Tomlin

[steelhurt]

Read an interesting article by Tommy Jaggi on Steel Curtain how Tomlin is not using Benton correctly by playing him at NT rather than on the outside.
Said Tomlin did the same with Hargraves who didn’t begin to flourish until he left Tomlin and the Steelers.
These guys use their quickness and power to knife into the backfield to make plays and are not suited to play over the middle.
This writer was not very flattering of the defensive genius known as Mike Tomlin.
Also pointed out how he played Dotson out of his natural position on the OL and tried to make a center out of a guard in Kendrick Green.
Pointed out that Broderick Jones development may have been harmed by playing him out of position for two years to appease Dan Moore who wasn’t very good himself.
Gives you something to think about with Tomlin recognizing a players best position.

 

[Djfan]

Sounds like he woke up to something we all knew already.

 

[diver]

Some of that is probably true, but with Jones and Benton, when do the excuses end as well? Sometimes you have to man up and beat the guy across from you. That is also true.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

Sometimes you have to man up and beat the guy across from you. That is also true.

Or him and two others.. ?

 

[Confluence]

The good news is that soon Tomlin can play Harmon in exciting new ways, so Benton's lack of ability to play nose will matter less. I think Big Dot is the proper comp here. Let's hope someone realizes how badly the 2DL set leaves this group of talent to defend against the run.

Just kidding, it's obvious that Steeler coaches have no clue how to stop the run, regardless of talent.

Maybe James Pierre can pitch in.

 

[steelhurt]

I think it’s an indictment on Tomlin as a coach and development of players putting them in the best positions to succeed.
Tomlin’s lack of schematics, design and player position on display. With him it’s just line up and beat the man in front of you but it gets a bit more complicated in the league than just doing that.

 

[Djfan]

I think it’s an indictment on Tomlin as a coach and development of players putting them in the best positions to succeed.
Tomlin’s lack of schematics, design and player position on display. With him it’s just line up and beat the man in front of you but it gets a bit more complicated in the league than just doing that.

You nailed it. His arrogant insistence that he can just move players, and loves those "Swiss army knives" players instead of specialists, drives me nuts. What a leadership killer.

 

[Coryea]

Some of that is probably true, but with Jones and Benton, when do the excuses end as well? Sometimes you have to man up and beat the guy across from you. That is also true.

seems like this has been a problem the last 10 years(especially post season), I wonder who the constant is there???

 

[diver]

seems like this has been a problem the last 10 years(especially post season), I wonder who the constant is there???

Not arguing that. I'm saying maybe Jones and Benton just need to be better, too. They aren't just lumps of clay with no responsibility in this. But you are right in the sense that the scheme is just not getting it done and Benton isn't best suited as a nose. But does that mean you can't win your area on occasion?

 

[diver]

I think it’s an indictment on Tomlin as a coach and development of players putting them in the best positions to succeed.
Tomlin’s lack of schematics, design and player position on display. With him it’s just line up and beat the man in front of you but it gets a bit more complicated in the league than just doing that.

But at the end of the day, a lot of football is just that. Beating the man in front of you.

 

[Coryea]

Not arguing that. I'm saying maybe Jones and Benton just need to be better, too. They aren't just lumps of clay with no responsibility in this. But you are right in the sense that the scheme is just not getting it done and Benton isn't best suited as a nose. But does that mean you can't win your area on occasion?

of course you have to beat your man in front of you at some point, but when you're only using 2 DL the majority of the time, then it's easy for the offense to double one of the DL.
It's just seems like this has been an issue for along time, especially on the defensive line, now it's starting to happen on the Oline, Kendrick Green, never played center, undersized OG, and we move him to center, Dotson didn't do much here we get rid of him and he plays decent with the Rams, now we're seeing Jones and Benton struggle. Jones was a LT in college we draft him 15th then move him to RT.

 

[MT~Forged]

Not arguing that. I'm saying maybe Jones and Benton just need to be better, too. They aren't just lumps of clay with no responsibility in this. But you are right in the sense that the scheme is just not getting it done and Benton isn't best suited as a nose. But does that mean you can't win your area on occasion?

I get where you are coming from as far as the player needs to get better, but. This would be like getting mad at a player who is a CB but that MT has chosen to start as a WR. Sure the player should be expected to learn and play to the best of their ability, but they just don't have the ability to overcome the threshold.

I have said all along that Benton should be playing as a DT not as a NT. With what Black is starting to show, I am hopeful that we will see more of a traditional 3-4 with Harmon/Black/Benton

 

[steelhurt]

Idk boys I Think there’s so much to unpack here to try and explain our issues with some of these players.
Yes as Diver says you have to beat the guy in front of you which I won’t argue with that but just think there’s more to help these players that are struggling.
With Benton I just don’t think he’s a NT and he’s much more effective when you kick him outside where he can knife into the backfield and cause havoc. We have a very large man that should be our NT that needs to play. He’s a rookie but so what! If Yaya Black can play which I think he can, then play him there. You need that large body playing NT and Black fits that role perfectly.
Move Benton outside with Cam.
As for Broderick Jones, my question is where the **** is Pat Meyer in all of this?
Jones’ footwork and his hands look horrible and he’s getting pushed back into Rodgers consistently. Is Meyer not seeing this and working to correct this? Geez, the guy has the size and arm length and is athletic. Fix his mechanics!

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Read an interesting article by Tommy Jaggi on Steel Curtain how Tomlin is not using Benton correctly by playing him at NT rather than on the outside.
Said Tomlin did the same with Hargraves who didn’t begin to flourish until he left Tomlin and the Steelers.
These guys use their quickness and power to knife into the backfield to make plays and are not suited to play over the middle.
This writer was not very flattering of the defensive genius known as Mike Tomlin.
Also pointed out how he played Dotson out of his natural position on the OL and tried to make a center out of a guard in Kendrick Green.
Pointed out that Broderick Jones development may have been harmed by playing him out of position for two years to appease Dan Moore who wasn’t very good himself.
Gives you something to think about with Tomlin recognizing a players best position.

Sounds like Tommy perused the board and came up with a mash up piece from all the frequent posters. We’ve been preaching all these points for some time now.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Some of that is probably true, but with Jones and Benton, when do the excuses end as well? Sometimes you have to man up and beat the guy across from you. That is also true.

Tomlin would have CA3 in motion and assign him to clear a NT on a run play and you’d still fault the player…when does the HC actually put guys on a position to have success or coach guys up?

A majority of failures go back to Mike

Sure players have to play, but it can be a lot easier without the human hurdle to success, Mike Tomlin, shackling them before the assignments given.

Dude has squandered soooo much talent it’s pitiful.

But sure, play guys out of position and hand them asinine assignments and expect them to overcome the hurdles placed in front of them…or hire a good HC.

 

[xjx]

Tomlin has a history of moving offensive linemen to different positions because he knows best. If they don't work out its because of them. Not Tomlin.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

At this point I think he is simply a placeholder at that position until they are sure Black is ready. Benton could easily become a backup in the next 5 weeks with Harmon, Black and Cam starting. I think he will be very good as rotational piece. This is based by an article from today on this site.

 

[diver]

Tomlin would have CA3 in motion and assign him to clear a NT on a run play and you’d still fault the player…when does the HC actually put guys on a position to have success or coach guys up?

A majority of failures go back to Mike

Sure players have to play, but it can be a lot easier without the human hurdle to success, Mike Tomlin, shackling them before the assignments given.

Dude has squandered soooo much talent it’s pitiful.

But sure, play guys out of position and hand them asinine assignments and expect them to overcome the hurdles placed in front of them…or hire a good HC.

Oh c'mon. No I wouldn't. I've clearly said the scheme is lacking and they have Benton out of position. And your comparison isn't sound. Benton is still a defensive lineman, isn't he? And your aren't asking him to play CB and cover Jamar Chase.

From what I have listened to, Benton was about useless in that game. Ok. He's out of position. I understand that. But he couldn't make 1 play in the snaps he was in for?

You will never read me argue that he hasn't squandered talent. He has. But that is not true in every case. I'll buy that in the case of that talent he had with the Killer b's for example, or individually with a guy like Hargrave. But Hargrave made plays here even though he was miscast. Benton isn't. Some of that is on the player.

 

[diver]

Tomlin has a history of moving offensive linemen to different positions because he knows best. If they don't work out its because of them. Not Tomlin.

Besides Dotson and Hargrave, give me a player that has been miscast, left Pittsburgh, and been better?

 

[SteelerFan448]

Besides Dotson and Hargrave, give me a player that has been miscast, left Pittsburgh, and been better?

How about the guys in their own locker room? Drafting Timmons as an OLB. Playing TJ Watt on the wrong side early in his career or Bud Dupree.

 

[steelhurt]

Besides Dotson and Hargrave, give me a player that has been miscast, left Pittsburgh, and been better?

Kendrick Green sure as hell was no center but Tomlin put him in front of been for Ben’s last season. The guy never played center and was a guard at Illinois.
Also Broderick Jones who only played LT at Georgia but took him three seasons to get back to his natural position of LT. No telling what damage Tomlin has done to his development.
Tomlin is not an innovator or a visionary where he can try and recreate a player.
Forget past history of 2008 and 2010 but look at today. He’s just a mediocre football coach with a sub par coaching staff that he hired, questionable draft picks and free agents not all but most that he has a big hand in bringing to this team.
He’s living on his very early success from fifteen seasons ago. Should have been gone long ago.
Nothing will change this season as we will be in the same spot come January as we always are.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

Besides Dotson and Hargrave, give me a player that has been miscast, left Pittsburgh, and been better?

Vrabel

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

Devon Bush was miscast as a football player. We drafted him . Non renewed contract after how many years. HE leaves and is actually still in the league as a back up
which is amazing for him.

 

[diver]

Kendrick Green sure as hell was no center but Tomlin put him in front of been for Ben’s last season. The guy never played center and was a guard at Illinois.
Also Broderick Jones who only played LT at Georgia but took him three seasons to get back to his natural position of LT. No telling what damage Tomlin has done to his development.
Tomlin is not an innovator or a visionary where he can try and recreate a player.
Forget past history of 2008 and 2010 but look at today. He’s just a mediocre football coach with a sub par coaching staff that he hired, questionable draft picks and free agents not all but most that he has a big hand in bringing to this team.
He’s living on his very early success from fifteen seasons ago. Should have been gone long ago.
Nothing will change this season as we will be in the same spot come January as we always are.

You guys something else. In no way did I defend him. But you are so sensitive to anything you might even remotely perceive as a defense.

Broderick Jones doesn't finish blocks. The most basic thing to be a good tackle. That doesn't have one damn thing to do with what side he is on.

Kendrick Green is a not a good football player. He has done nothing elsewhere. The biggest mistake was drafting him.

Sorry. Sometimes the player just has to be better. That is just a fact regardless of your contempt for Tomlin.

 

[diver]

How about the guys in their own locker room? Drafting Timmons as an OLB. Playing TJ Watt on the wrong side early in his career or Bud Dupree.

Yeah. Tomlin really messed up both those guys.