Johnson 15 targets, Ju-ju 14 targets, Claypool just 1

[madinsomniac]

i still have no idea how people don't see that DJ is really good. People act like he drops every other pass and never makes big plays. I also don't understand how people don't see that DJ brings an element to this offense that no other WR can bring with his ability to get open quickly on the short throws and to make people miss in open field.

He is extremely good... but we are so freaking deep that we probably don’t need to force passes to any wr ... ben was throwing into coverage all day... sometimes he threaded the needle... other times he didn’t...

Dj is young... he still runs some wrong routes and he loses focus on catches, but the skillset for him to be great is there.. he just needs to put it all together and he could be a pro bowler...

 

[black and gold apex]

I actually like someone different stepping up and being the play maker. Team team team

 

[Ike Kelly]

All Pro ceiling?

Given Johnson lack of durabiity, it would not surprise me if he was limited our out for the next game. The guy has thin build and pin legs, a what they heck type of football IQ, and unreliable hands. Yes he has talent. Lots of players do. You give Claypool 15 targets he's getting a lot more than 80 yards.

The Steelers offense seems unable to call play action or execute a screen pass well. Why is a good question.

As expected.....start a thread so as to defend your agenda. DJ has the best separation of all the WRs in this squad. Vrabel did the Belicheat blueprint of taking your best option away and force you to manage elsewhere. Luckily, there are 5 great pass catchers on this offense.

I was at the game, watched intently Claypool’s match up each series. He was bracketed all day. Every time Ben saw him in single coverage, the safety or nickel would roll over after the first cadence, and Ben would check out of it. As Cope said DJ has the best separation. JuJu was clutch all game. Had some fantastic catches. They were rotating the receivers and TE after every play, trying to get a favorable match ups. You have to acknowledge the other team had a good scheme to stop the biggest mismatch.


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[SteveA]

You give Claypool 15 targets he's getting a lot more than 80 yards.

So you want Ben to go back to force feeding the #1? Dude couldn’t get decent separation to warrant the targets

 

[bermudasteel]

I am sure a good bit of it was pre-snap reads. Ben has proven time and time again this year his mastery of reading a defense and taking what the defense is giving. I don't have tape to look at this year, but I suspect they showed a lot of over the top help for Claypool. That leaves someone else open. And, it wasn't just JuJu and DJ. Ebron seems to have earned Ben's trust, Vance had a couple and so did Conner.

I'll add this...Ben was not very sharp yesterday. On the last INT - he had (Claypool IIRC) wide open underneath - but he forced it into triple coverage to JuJu...

 

[Drink IRON City]

On that I agree but his yards per catch is below average as he's not that fast. He is easy to bring down and too small to a factor outside the hashmarks. Since the Steelers have so many weapons, he can shine at times. The TD catch was a sweet play. On a team with average receivers, he'd struggle as a #1.

I just wish his hands were better and he was on the same page with Ben ad he was more durable. Moving him off the PR duties was a tremendous move by the Steelers. Glad it happened even if Tomlin saw it the other way around to start the year. Ray-Ray has pro bowl ability as a punt return man.

Deonte Johnson made the pro bowl last season so he has that capability as well. I'm glad he is off PR duty as well but don't sell him short on ability. His durability is a factor but also remember he is only 1/2 way through his second season as a PRO-BOWL player in the NFL





Salute the nation

 

[Stryker]

As expected.....start a thread so as to defend your agenda. DJ has the best separation of all the WRs in this squad. Vrabel did the Belicheat blueprint of taking your best option away and force you to manage elsewhere. Luckily, there are 5 great pass catchers on this offense.

I was at the game, watched intently Claypool’s match up each series. He was bracketed all day. Every time Ben saw him in single coverage, the safety or nickel would roll over after the first cadence, and Ben would check out of it. As Cope said DJ has the best separation. JuJu was clutch all game. Had some fantastic catches. They were rotating the receivers and TE after every play, trying to get a favorable match ups. You have to acknowledge the other team had a good scheme to stop the biggest mismatch.


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And don't sleep on Ebron's performance. He quietly had one of his best games with us. Vance also in on a couple clutch catches. This team is deep.

Also all of our WRs give us something different.

DJ gets separation in the short yardage game, and can turn a slant into a TD
Wash is a combat catcher, and can make those tough catches with a guy draped on him
JuJu is all around good at everything, route running, catch radius, speed, size. He's very tough for LBs and NCBs to defend, though give props to 55, he was sticking with JuJu last game.
Claypool is the best deep threat option we have. He has good hands speed, and even some wiggle to let his long frame extend the ball forward when he goes down. Also will add, he runs a nice endaround.
Ray Ray is a pinball. Quick and elusive, with excellent COD skills. Pair that with his speed and comfort with the ball in his hands and you have a deep diverse crew on the edge this year.

 

[Coach]

So you want Ben to go back to force feeding the #1? Dude couldn’t get decent separation to warrant the targets

Are you dating claypool can’t get separation? He’s our best big play option.

Ben tried to force feed yesterday. A reason why he was picked.


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[Hines57]

You are worried about targets, the rest of us know only 1 stat matters, W.

 

[Steelworth]

You are worried about targets, the rest of us know only 1 stat matters, W.

 

[Steelworth]

Are you dating claypool can’t get separation? He’s our best big play option.

I think he was insinuating he wasn't getting separation with his short routes (which was what they were doing & what Ben was predominantly looking at). He was struggling, but give Malcolm Butler credit as well.

And he's a damn rookie. He isn't going to light it up every damn week.

 

[Ike Kelly]

And don't sleep on Ebron's performance. He quietly had one of his best games with us. Vance also in on a couple clutch catches. This team is deep.

Also all of our WRs give us something different.

DJ gets separation in the short yardage game, and can turn a slant into a TD
Wash is a combat catcher, and can make those tough catches with a guy draped on him
JuJu is all around good at everything, route running, catch radius, speed, size. He's very tough for LBs and NCBs to defend, though give props to 55, he was sticking with JuJu last game.
Claypool is the best deep threat option we have. He has good hands speed, and even some wiggle to let his long frame extend the ball forward when he goes down. Also will add, he runs a nice endaround.
Ray Ray is a pinball. Quick and elusive, with excellent COD skills. Pair that with his speed and comfort with the ball in his hands and you have a deep diverse crew on the edge this year.

^^^This^^^

Too bad the OP can’t see the obvious.

Ebron and McDonald both had fantastic 3rd down catches yesterday. Ebron is gaining more confidence with Ben, and Vance is silently showing really how much he has improved as a blocker.




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[SteelerInLebanon]

Are you dating claypool can’t get separation? He’s our best big play option.

Ben tried to force feed yesterday. A reason why he was picked.


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So you want him to force feed someone else? Lets just throw to the open person no matter who it is. We have 4 if not 5 good to great receivers, 2 good tight ends, and they will get their turns. They won't all get them every week or we are throwing way to much. As great as Claypool is he is probably still a bit behind in the playbook.

 

[wig]

I would like the "football guys" to take a look and give us some insight on what changes defensively the Titans made in the 2nd half, because they pretty much shut the Steelers down after they'd run roughshod over the Titans in the 1st.

It is nothing but comforting that the Steelers can utterly dominate a team as good as the Titans while only throwing to Claypool 3 times. (admittedly, one was more of a forward handoff, but you know.) The Ravens have to be on notice that they can't simply key on a guy and shut him down. Ben WILL go to another option. Had Ben been willing to take a couple more checkdowns yesterday, teams would probably be ******** their pants. Instead, because he forced a couple throws to Johnson and JuJu, the offense came off as looking fairly pedestrian in the 2nd half.

I suspect the Ravens game will end up being a shootout.

 

[Coach]

I think he was insinuating he wasn't getting separation with his short routes (which was what they were doing & what Ben was predominantly looking at). He was struggling, but give Malcolm Butler credit as well.

And he's a damn rookie. He isn't going to light it up every damn week.

Given Claypool size and speed, he should be a very good quick on WR ( As the DB will give him some cushion ) quick outs or a hard to get around WR on curl routes. Both cam be medium or short type of passes.

Butler had help, but I saw Ben over look Claypool when he was open. The fact the Titans put their best DB on Claypool tells me Vrabel who is a good coach respected and feared him the most.

I think Claypool sure can light it up any week, he just needs the targets. While Johnson has sweet open field cuts and moves, he's very unlikely to deliver big plays that lead to scores or score outright.

IMO Claypool need at least 5 targets a game.

 

[wig]

I'd love to see Claypool get some targets. On the last offensive play it was either Claypool or Johnson running a crossing route underneath and Ebron in the shallow seam. Either of those guys gave a really decent chance for a 1st down and were really open. Conner was uncovering on the left sideline as well. Ben just chose to go for the throat. While it was a bad decision and not the perfect throw, give credit to JuJu for actually reaching around a defender and getting his hands on the ball, however briefly.

Fact is, the Titans did some things in the 2nd half that really changed what the offense was trying to do. I don't know enough foosball to identify specifically what they were doing (waiting for you eggheads for that.) However, the thing I want MOST is Ben not forcing the ball to a guy just because. So if Claypool isn't showing what Ben wants, fine. Go another direction. But please, for the love of god, don't just throw to Johnson because IF he catches it he may do something nifty. If he's open, you bet. Throw it to him. If he isn't, don't force it. There are too many other guys who can make plays.

 

[Shane Falco]

I don’t get Fichtners reasoning for all of Johnson’s targeting and snaps. Personally, the games without Johnson- the passing game seemed to run smoother. Juju, Washington and Claypool are 3 big targets. Add in Ebron and Big Mac- that’s a lot for a defense to contend with. You have to pick who’s going to be doubled and who’s going to get single coverage.

 

[Coach]

I'd love to see Claypool get some targets. On the last offensive play it was either Claypool or Johnson running a crossing route underneath and Ebron in the shallow seam. Either of those guys gave a really decent chance for a 1st down and were really open. Conner was uncovering on the left sideline as well. Ben just chose to go for the throat. While it was a bad decision and not the perfect throw, give credit to JuJu for actually reaching around a defender and getting his hands on the ball, however briefly.

Fact is, the Titans did some things in the 2nd half that really changed what the offense was trying to do. I don't know enough foosball to identify specifically what they were doing (waiting for you eggheads for that.) However, the thing I want MOST is Ben not forcing the ball to a guy just because. So if Claypool isn't showing what Ben wants, fine. Go another direction. But please, for the love of god, don't just throw to Johnson because IF he catches it he may do something nifty. If he's open, you bet. Throw it to him. If he isn't, don't force it. There are too many other guys who can make plays.

I can get on board with most of this. Our problem in this game was clock management. We should have run it more to kill clock in the second half, wait for the Titans to commit to stop it than take deeper shots. But we got too predictable as to the targeting two WR’s and Ben threw two more picks. End result the Titans missed forcing overtime with a missed field goal. A 20 point lead was almost blown.

Not great coaching. But we won so it won’t be a topic. I hope Tomlin learned something.


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[topseed]

I'd love to see Claypool get some targets. On the last offensive play it was either Claypool or Johnson running a crossing route underneath and Ebron in the shallow seam. Either of those guys gave a really decent chance for a 1st down and were really open. Conner was uncovering on the left sideline as well. Ben just chose to go for the throat. While it was a bad decision and not the perfect throw, give credit to JuJu for actually reaching around a defender and getting his hands on the ball, however briefly.

Fact is, the Titans did some things in the 2nd half that really changed what the offense was trying to do. I don't know enough foosball to identify specifically what they were doing (waiting for you eggheads for that.) However, the thing I want MOST is Ben not forcing the ball to a guy just because. So if Claypool isn't showing what Ben wants, fine. Go another direction. But please, for the love of god, don't just throw to Johnson because IF he catches it he may do something nifty. If he's open, you bet. Throw it to him. If he isn't, don't force it. There are too many other guys who can make plays.

It wasn't Claypool running that last crossing route. It was Johnson, and he was wide open...again. Ben forced it to JuJu on that play. Claypool wasn't even on the field; for some reason, they put Washington out there for the most important snap of the game after he was on the sidelines most of the day.

 

[SteveA]

Are you dating claypool can’t get separation? He’s our best big play option.

Ben tried to force feed yesterday. A reason why he was picked.

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Coach, he wasn't getting whole lot of separation yesterday. AT LEAST NOT QUICKLY ENOUGH....Which is why Ben went elsewhere. On his Postgame presser Ben acknowledged Claypool wasn't an "intended" decoy...So, clearly Claypool wasn't getting open in 2.05 seconds, which was Bens average release yesterday. Clearly our game plan was to get the ball out of Bens hands immediately.

So ******* what the rook got 1 catch?

Let em worry about all 4 of our #2 receivers AND Ebron, McDonald, Conner, & Samuel....Damn we got 8 guys that can wreck a Defense...**** we have 8 weapons, EIGHT freaking playmakers, let's use em all...

Just enjoy ithe show Coach...

 

[21STEELERS21]

Without Johnson, we would have lost yesterday.

Claypool is going to be a solid pro, but some of his early success has been the surprise element. In baseball, rookies tend to hit well until the pitchers become familiar with their weaknesses.
Claypool will experience similar growing pains as defensive backs start to learn his tendencies and defenses learn to take aspects of his game away. The Steelers strength is focusing on
one receiver creates opportunities for the other receivers.

 

[Steelworth]

I don’t get Fichtners reasoning for all of Johnson’s targeting and snaps.

You can blame Fichtner for his snap count, but the targeting is Ben. And Ben targets him because he's a great route runner already and gets open and can do a lot of damage after the catch. His COD is off the charts. He's still fighting mental lapses catching the ball and being in sync with Ben, but sky is the limit for this kid IMO.

He's going to break some poor DB's ankle soon. He's just one piece of a stacked arsenal, but an important one IMO. He's going to let the others eat when they gameplan for him, which I know the Rats coaches are doing right now.

 

[Steelworth]

Without Johnson, we would have lost yesterday.

Claypool is going to be a solid pro, but some of his early success has been the surprise element. In baseball, rookies tend to hit well until the pitchers become familiar with their weaknesses.
Claypool will experience similar growing pains as defensive backs start to learn his tendencies and defenses learn to take aspects of his game away. The Steelers strength is focusing on
one receiver creates opportunities for the other receivers.

You make so much sense sometimes.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Claypool is a rookie who had no camp and no preseason. Do you think he knows the whole playbook? This was also the first game where Claypool was defended as a main threat.

 

[SteveA]

DJ kicked *** yestrerday....