Benton’s Talents Wasted by Tomlin

[diver]

We've had a bit of that lately too, Jones, Pickens, Dionte, quit mid-play as well, and Tomlin just gave them all a pat on the back, no punishment.

I know, which is a mystery to me then why he is still employed. We are told one of his greatest strengths is relating to players and getting the most out of them. That isn't happening consistently enough. Might as well hire a better x's and o's guy then if the players he is supposed to be able to relate to are tuning him out.

 

[steelhurt]

I know this is about football, but I have been praying for Charlie's family, regardless of the idiots in Congress.

Charlie is fine now.

RIP Charlie Kirk. You most definitely made a huge difference in such a positive way. There is no place for this violence in our society.

 

[bermudasteel]

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.

Question... while this MAY BE true (this year) - last year Benton WAS A BEAST AT NT.

So, how does he get on the field once Heyward and Harmon are back and clicking on all cylinders??? Seems like a major reduction in snaps to me???

Yes, he can sub in for both but it's that maximizing his potential to relegate him to 2nd string???

 

[bermudasteel]

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.

How do you suggest they stop the run more effectively for 3 and 4 WR sets??? Run the famous LeBeau 3-4???

I hope that's not the answer because then the complaints will be - this defense can't stop the passes for_____...

 

[slashsteel]

Question... while this MAY BE true (this year) - last year Benton WAS A BEAST AT NT.

So, how does he get on the field once Heyward and Harmon are back and clicking on all cylinders??? Seems like a major reduction in snaps to me???

Yes, he can sub in for both but it's that maximizing his potential to relegate him to 2nd string???

Was Benton a beast last season? That run D late in the season looked horrific.

 

[bermudasteel]

Tomlin is the head coach, picks his assistants unilaterally, is rarely pressured to fire assistants, he is heavily involved in the draft, he’s responsible for everything, full stop

Either Tomlin screwed up in the draft on countless players in the last 8 years or his staff didn’t put them in positions to succeed, or they didn’t develop them, pick a reason they are all on him- because hes the HEAD COACH, that’s how it works. Thats why hes “highly compensated”

Yes Watt is a success and a great pick. Name some other good draft picks in the last 8 years to balance out the missed picks of: Pickett, Najee, Jones, Benton, Kendrick Green, Wilson,

If the player can’t “beat the man in front of him”, he gets cut or doesn’t get a 2nd contract, where is Tomlins consequences?

Najee was a missed pick???

 

[bermudasteel]

Was Benton a beast last season? That run D late in the season looked horrific.

Not every game was he getting dominated.

We need to look at big picture as we cast criticism. Again, I'm asking - what defensive scheme could you propose against a team that can run out of 3 and 4 WR sets with 5 OL and a 250 pound RB and a QB that runs like a gazelle AFTER playing 2 games (in a 10 day span) against the Superbowl winning Eagles and the Chiefs???

The a Jets did that a lot in Week 1 too. Oh, 85% of the players didn't play together during preseason so it was trial by fire and they lost both a starting FS and DB in the game - and won... oh, lest we forget that Cam didn't decide to "play" until Friday as well.

I don't think it's fair to compare last years ineptitude against the run with one game under their belts. But I also believe that it's going to be very hard to stop the run when teams spread them out with passing formations.

Just Berm's two cents...

 

[Avoid_Lloyd]

Najee was a missed pick???

Your boy Tomlin sure thought so, no 2nd contract offered to a 1st round pick….something sure went wrong eh…what was Najee’s playoff performance like??

Or did Tomlin get that wrong??? Bet you won’t say it

 

[bermudasteel]

Your boy Tomlin sure thought so, no 2nd contract offered to a 1st round pick….something sure went wrong eh…

Or did Tomlin get that wrong??? Bet you won’t say it

I think you missed my point.

Najee was a very good pick, who, at times, voiced his displeasure with the organization as he compared it to the glory days of Bama. Ranging in various topics/complaints which lead to his departure.

He was not jettisoned based on his performance...

Coach Tomlin has gone on the record "volunteers over hostages". This, while not my favorite move, was a prime example of that.

The problem is Johnson is not NFL-ready and Najee was from Day 1.

Care to offer a rebuttal???

 

[Avoid_Lloyd]

I think you missed my point.

Najee was a very good pick, who, at times, voiced his displeasure with the organization as he compared it to the glory days of Bama. Ranging in various topics/complaints which lead to his departure.

He was not jettisoned based on his performance...

Coach Tomlin has gone on the record "volunteers over hostages". This, while not my favorite move, was a prime example of that.

The problem is Johnson is not NFL-ready and Najee was from Day 1.

Care to offer a rebuttal???

Sure, when you use a first round pick on someone and don’t even offer him a 2nd contract-that’s a failure by the organization and a wasted pick, and on the man who bragged about picking Najee

The team is how it is-an also ran without a playoff win in 8 seasons-because of missed picks on players like Pickett and Harris who were shown the door and not offered a 2nd contract

 

[bermudasteel]

Sure, when you use a first round pick on someone and don’t even offer him a 2nd contract-that’s a failure by the organization and a wasted pick, and on the man who bragged about picking Najee

The team is how it is-an also ran without a playoff win in 8 seasons-because of missed picks on players like Pickett and Harris who were shown the door and not offered a 2nd contract

You failed to note his accomplishments while here.

Reminder - 1000 yards in his first 4 seasons - regardless of how he got the yards. Only 13 guys have done that - ever.

I already have you the reason why he wasn't offered the tender or 2nd contract.

Do you claim he was a missed pick because he didn't get the second contract or lack of production caused that?

Najee and Kenny are night and day as players; do explain the comparison...

 

[slashsteel]

Not every game was he getting dominated.

We need to look at big picture as we cast criticism. Again, I'm asking - what defensive scheme could you propose against a team that can run out of 3 and 4 WR sets with 5 OL and a 250 pound RB and a QB that runs like a gazelle AFTER playing 2 games (in a 10 day span) against the Superbowl winning Eagles and the Chiefs???

The a Jets did that a lot in Week 1 too. Oh, 85% of the players didn't play together during preseason so it was trial by fire and they lost both a starting FS and DB in the game - and won... oh, lest we forget that Cam didn't decide to "play" until Friday as well.

I don't think it's fair to compare last years ineptitude against the run with one game under their belts. But I also believe that it's going to be very hard to stop the run when teams spread them out with passing formations.

Just Berm's two cents...

I am not thinking just back of last years collapse. But the run games futility in many of seasons on the tail end. So part of me thinks Benton is just not in the right spot ( at NT) and part of me thinks the D scheme in general just needs to be kicked like a can down the road.

I don’t even expect them to be top 5 but please just don’t look embarrassing.

Of course one game doesn’t mean anything but it doesn’t paint a rosy picture either. We will see I hope they prove me wrong. I always prefer that over my doubts coming true…

 

[bermudasteel]

I am not thinking just back of last years collapse. But the run games futility in many of seasons on the tail end. So part of me thinks Benton is just not in the right spot ( at NT) and part of me thinks the D scheme in general just needs to be kicked like a can down the road.

I don’t even expect them to be top 5 but please just don’t look embarrassing.

Of course one game doesn’t mean anything but it doesn’t paint a rosy picture either. We will see I hope they prove me wrong. I always prefer that over my doubts coming true…

Don't get me wrong. I absolutely hope that Yahya takes over at NT as soon as he is ready but I didn't see that when he got steamrolled by that Bama beast in Quinnen Williams...

 

[slashsteel]

Don't get me wrong. I absolutely hope that Yahya takes over at NT as soon as he is ready but I didn't see that when he got steamrolled by that Bama beast in Quinnen Williams...

who what? How did that happen don’t the both play defense?

 

[Omar10213245]

Not being over sensitive at all. Merely just stating my views.
I think we agree on some stuff but not on others . That’s ok! It’s called healthy debate like my friend Charlie Kirk believed in.
All cool on my end!

you were friends with Charles Kirk??

 

[steelhurt]

Question... while this MAY BE true (this year) - last year Benton WAS A BEAST AT NT.

So, how does he get on the field once Heyward and Harmon are back and clicking on all cylinders??? Seems like a major reduction in snaps to me???

Yes, he can sub in for both but it's that maximizing his potential to relegate him to 2nd string???

Great question! I’d have Black as my NT. I’d have Cam and Harmon on the edge and Benton relieving Cam and Harmon. You rotate those three Harmon, Cam, and Benton keeping them fresh. That’s what I’d do but who knows what Tomlin will do.
Black is built for that NT and I think he’d go a long way in helping fix the run problem. That’s my thoughts.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

That's the problem, Tomlin only uses 3 DL like 28% of the time, that's exactly how you get your a55 ran over, you line up an undersized D and expect them to stop the run, that's what alot of this discussion has been about, Tomlin not putting the players in position to succeed. I'm not sure why it's so hard for everyone to see. 5 300+OL, blocking 2 300lb DL, and then 250lb lb's. Then when you play Baltimore, you have a 250lb RB.

THE LEAUGE only uses 3 DL around that same percentage. This is not simply a Tomlin thing. The Bills hardly ever line up in their base defense. Of all the things to bash him for this isn't one of them, this is the trend in the league. I can see it changing again as running offenses come back into vogue but with QB centric run teams that changes the equations again and causes issues with 3 DL. When Harmon gets back and if Black can get rolling we may just see a bit more if our DBs can hold up well in base.

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

Question... while this MAY BE true (this year) - last year Benton WAS A BEAST AT NT.

So, how does he get on the field once Heyward and Harmon are back and clicking on all cylinders??? Seems like a major reduction in snaps to me???

Yes, he can sub in for both but it's that maximizing his potential to relegate him to 2nd string???

Less can be more for all of them. Cam can play less snaps splitting time with him and they can both be fresher. At least that is my hope.

 

[steelhurt]

you were friends with Charles Kirk??

Charlie was everyone’s friend who is a God fearing Christian who stood up for freedom of speech and believed in debate not bullets.
Did I know him personally? No but I felt like I did if that makes any sense. So yes in a sense I will always consider him my friend.

 

[bermudasteel]

who what? How did that happen don’t the both play defense?

BWAHAHAHA! I'm water drunk...

 

[Avoid_Lloyd]

You failed to note his accomplishments while here.

Reminder - 1000 yards in his first 4 seasons - regardless of how he got the yards. Only 13 guys have done that - ever.

I already have you the reason why he wasn't offered the tender or 2nd contract.

Do you claim he was a missed pick because he didn't get the second contract or lack of production caused that?

Najee and Kenny are night and day as players; do explain the comparison.

Show me any evidence Najee was jettisoned for his attitude from the mouth of Tomlin, or anyone else in power on this team….

It absolutely matters how he got his yards. His career average yards per carry is 3.9, the league average is 4.3. If he showed a knack for short yardage conversions that would be one thing, but we both know he wasn’t good at that either. Was he durable and carried the ball a lot-yes. You don’t draft a RB in the 1st round to average 3.9 a carry and be durable. You could have gotten someone mid to late round to do that, it happens all the time on other teams.

They didn’t offer him a 2nd contract because he didn’t provide the value. Let me say that again—they didn’t even make him a low ball offer to 1st round draft pick- that’s how little was thought of his performance.

You build the team through the draft, when you don’t even offer your first round pick another contract, it’s a failed pick

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

Show me any evidence Najee was jettisoned for his attitude from the mouth of Tomlin, or anyone else in power on this team….

It absolutely matters how he got his yards. His career average yards per carry is 3.9, the league average is 4.3. If he showed a knack for short yardage conversions that would be one thing, but we both know he wasn’t good at that either. Was he durable and carried the ball a lot-yes. You don’t draft a RB in the 1st round to average 3.9 a carry and be durable. You could have gotten someone mid to late round to do that, it happens all the time on other teams.

They didn’t offer him a 2nd contract because he didn’t provide the value. Let me say that again—they didn’t even make him a low ball offer to 1st round draft pick- that’s how little was thought of his performance.

You build the team through the draft, when you don’t even offer your first round pick another contract, it’s a failed pick

I might have agreed with this in the past but not in today's NFL CBA agreement. Many decent 1st round players don't get their option picked up. Not because they weren't good but because they weren't affordable and relatively easy to replace.

 

[Avoid_Lloyd]

I might have agreed with this in the past but not in today's NFL CBA agreement. Many decent 1st round players don't get their option picked up. Not because they weren't good but because they weren't affordable and relatively easy to replace.

It wasn’t just his option not getting picked up, there was no offer to him as a free agent this spring. They didn’t want him, didn’t even try to low offer ball him

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

It wasn’t just his option not getting picked up, there was no offer to him as a free agent this spring. They didn’t want him, didn’t even try to low offer ball him

He was the wrong type of running back for Smith's offense. His lack of vision didn't translate to his zone scheme. He would be fine in a deep back pro or I set offense but there aren't many of those anymore. He wasn't a failure by any stretch, but he wasn't the right fit in the end.

 

[Avoid_Lloyd]

He was the wrong type of running back for Smith's offense. His lack of vision didn't translate to his zone scheme. He would be fine in a deep back pro or I set offense but there aren't many of those anymore. He wasn't a failure by any stretch, but he wasn't the right fit in the end.

He didn’t fit Canadas offense that he was drafted into either. When your first round RB averages 3.9 yards a carry and you don’t offer him even a low ball 2nd contract it’s a failed pick, unless your drafting standards have been Tomlinized too…

I didn’t call Najee a failure, I called the teams decision to invest a 1st round pick in him a failure

When they extend Warren- an undrafted free agent to a modest extension in the same off season you don’t even make Najee ANY offer-as he walks away-that tells all you need to know about how good a 1st round pick it was