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Minkah Fitzpatrick analysis

Slaine

Slaine

Still wants to trade Fu for a third
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I really enjoyed this in-depth article on Minkah. Like a lot of others I've been puzzled by not hearing his name much this season.

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...t=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

The summary is:

By Geoffrey Benedict @phantaskippy said:
But for this film room I wanted to show that Minkah Fitzpatrick is still playing good football, He’s making smart reads and shutting down what he should shut down. Right now he isn’t getting the chance to make plays, he’s often covering for the Steelers who are getting those chances, namely the pass rush, but also, teams have learned his tendencies and are able to avoid him more often.
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Pretty much how I envisioned him...... he will get some splash play opportunities they will come. Overall I agree with the notion he is playing solid football.
 
I would still really like to know how they're using him compared to last season.

He was always around the ball last season and now nothing.

He can be "ignored" only so much, unless all his teammates in the secondary are really that bad.
 
Here is the million dollar question though. What are you prepared to pay against the Salary Cap for that. Because to me that is a Ryan Clarke level player not a Troy Polamalu. A great Safety. someone who is a cornerstone, can cover up the back end and still make plays. And frankly, I would disagree with the level he is covering up particularly on Third down.
 
SteelerSask said:
Here is the million dollar question though. What are you prepared to pay against the Salary Cap for that. Because to me that is a Ryan Clarke level player not a Troy Polamalu. A great Safety. someone who is a cornerstone, can cover up the back end and still make plays. And frankly, I would disagree with the level he is covering up particularly on Third down.
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****, took them how many years to find even a Ryan Clarke level replacement?
 
The splash plays will happen again. Teams are trying not to throw the ball anywhere near the guy. When they do, he will be there.
 
Hines57 said:
The splash plays will happen again. Teams are trying not to throw the ball anywhere near the guy. When they do, he will be there.
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Sorry, I've watched the games and am not buying the Minkah island no fly theory. That simply is not happening.
 
SteelerSask said:
Sorry, I've watched the games and am not buying the Minkah island no fly theory. That simply is not happening.
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The OP article shows a few plays how Philly did just that...read the single high safety and go to the other receiver.
Over at DKPS, they posted a good analysis as well that showed some other issues as well. For example, on the Philly TD where Fulgrahm was uncovered and Minka comes over late DKPS talks about how Nelson actually failed to funnel him across the field into Minkah.
I suspect it is a combination of things, but I am not overly worried just yet. This team is notorious for starting slow and getting better as the season goes on.
 
I lay MOST of the blame on the coaching staff. Because of the large sack numbers people think they are playing supper aggressive. In my opinion they are not. Fitzpatrick is playing super off coverage on the Cover One. But he was spaced out on the Last TD clearly covering grass. And like I said he was in Cover Two and covered nothing on the long shot to Fulgrahm on third and 12 after the Hilton sack. If you could just stay away from a safety explain how a guy like Ed Reed got all of his. Even th elong TD run where was Fitzpatrick. I'm thoroughly underwhelmed by both Fitzpatrick and Bush to be frank. Those are not supposed to be good players. They are supposed to be game changers.
 
SteelerSask said:
I lay MOST of the blame on the coaching staff. Because of the large sack numbers people think they are playing supper aggressive. In my opinion they are not. Fitzpatrick is playing super off coverage on the Cover One. But he was spaced out on the Last TD clearly covering grass. And like I said he was in Cover Two and covered nothing on the long shot to Fulgrahm on third and 12 after the Hilton sack. If you could just stay away from a safety explain how a guy like Ed Reed got all of his. Even th elong TD run where was Fitzpatrick. I'm thoroughly underwhelmed by both Fitzpatrick and Bush to be frank. Those are not supposed to be good players. They are supposed to be game changers.
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I am certainly not saying that the single high read accounts for all of the issues. I alluded to that when I said a combination of things. Has it happened? Sure. Is that the only thing going on? Probably not. Part of the issue, I suspect and as you say, is coaching...it seems like they are playing conservative on the back end - especially on third down. Drives me nuts, but to be honest, I am more concerned about our corners.

Bush and Fitz are still very young players. This won't be popular, but I am with you on Bush. He is good, but has not wow'ed me yet. Fitz flashed last year when he seemed to be free lancing more. This year, seems different use of him, but I don't have replay this year so can't look at the all22 and game tape. That said, I am not yet that concerned as I think they will tighten up the coverage issues based on an article Carter over at DKPS wrote. Time will tell though.
 
SteelerSask said:
Sorry, I've watched the games and am not buying the Minkah island no fly theory. That simply is not happening.
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Minkah's targets relative to the other staring DB's is a lower number. IMO the Steelers need to move him round a bit to give give a better chance to make plays either in the middle soft coverage, or man to man, depending on the match up.
 
Hoot said:
I am certainly not saying that the single high read accounts for all of the issues. I alluded to that when I said a combination of things. Has it happened? Sure. Is that the only thing going on? Probably not. Part of the issue, I suspect and as you say, is coaching...it seems like they are playing conservative on the back end - especially on third down. Drives me nuts, but to be honest, I am more concerned about our corners.

Bush and Fitz are still very young players. This won't be popular, but I am with you on Bush. He is good, but has not wow'ed me yet. Fitz flashed last year when he seemed to be free lancing more. This year, seems different use of him, but I don't have replay this year so can't look at the all22 and game tape. That said, I am not yet that concerned as I think they will tighten up the coverage issues based on an article Carter over at DKPS wrote. Time will tell though.
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Coach said:
Minkah's targets relative to the other staring DB's is a lower number. IMO the Steelers need to move him round a bit to give give a better chance to make plays either in the middle soft coverage, or man to man, depending on the match up.
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Both very good points.

Fitz has shown he can play. Now last year there could have been times he free lanced and came out on top. ALSO the "D" played in desperation mode as no-one in their right mind thought our QB situation was going to win many games. The "D" took it upon themselves and played with nothing to lose.

This year is quite a bit different, the have a QB they feel they can win with so the "D" play isn't all out nothing to lose type play (that kind of play can give up big plays and points). It's sort of a catch 22 cauldron and to date we are winning that scenario !!!






Salute the nation
 
Drink IRON City said:
Both very good points.

Fitz has shown he can play. Now last year there could have been times he free lanced and came out on top. ALSO the "D" played in desperation mode as no-one in their right mind thought our QB situation was going to win many games. The "D" took it upon themselves and played with nothing to lose.

This year is quite a bit different, the have a QB they feel they can win with so the "D" play isn't all out nothing to lose type play (that kind of play can give up big plays and points). It's sort of a catch 22 cauldron and to date we are winning that scenario !!!




Salute the nation
Click to expand...


Would you be for or against having Fitz and Edmunds switch sides at times, just to see if the defense is paying attention?
 
Drink IRON City said:
Both very good points.

Fitz has shown he can play. Now last year there could have been times he free lanced and came out on top. ALSO the "D" played in desperation mode as no-one in their right mind thought our QB situation was going to win many games. The "D" took it upon themselves and played with nothing to lose.

This year is quite a bit different, the have a QB they feel they can win with so the "D" play isn't all out nothing to lose type play (that kind of play can give up big plays and points). It's sort of a catch 22 cauldron and to date we are winning that scenario !!!






Salute the nation
Click to expand...

It is just frustrating as hell.

Last year, they get great secondary play, but don't have a QB.

The QB comes back and the secondary conveniently turns suspect again.

There have been too many missed tackles and blown coverages back there.

Tomlin was supposedly this great secondary coach with the Buccaneers, but I've seen little evidence of that background in his time with the Steelers.
 
Coach said:
Would you be for or against having Fitz and Edmunds switch sides at times, just to see if the defense is paying attention?
Click to expand...
Let's see put a natural FS at SS and a natural SS at FS. Um .... No.




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Coach said:
Would you be for or against having Fitz and Edmunds switch sides at times, just to see if the defense is paying attention?
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Coach, I don't think so as there is no need to put two players out of position. I think our "D" will come around just need a little more time. Cleveland will test them and I think they will be up to the challenge. I think Edmonds may sneak up on a tight end a little. I haven't been paying attention but has Edmonds played any of that Highbred LB yet???

Cam and co. Are going to have to keep baker within the hash marks to get him to throw turn overs.




Salute the nation
 
slashsteel said:
I actually want Mink to stay at FS. It is his best position. I don't want him overthinking I want him reacting on a high level.

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This is my line of thin king as well, Stay the Course iOS said for a reason.




Salute the nation
 
Cooch would lose his damn mind the second Edmunds gave up a deep TD in the back end. I keep thinking of the lack of reps Sutton is getting. Perhaps it is time to give him some more at Hiltons expense..
Drink IRON City said:
This is my line of thin king as well, Stay the Course iOS said for a reason.




Salute the nation
Click to expand...

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slashsteel said:
Cooch would lose his damn mind the second Edmunds gave up a deep TD in the back end. I keep thinking of the lack of reps Sutton is getting. Perhaps it is time to give him some more at Hiltons expense..

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Click to expand...

Are you saying Edmunds is ill equipped to cover the back end? I'm not saying put him there, I'm saying mixing them up on 3 and 7 might confuse the QB a bit, give Fitz who is being avoided a chance to make a play.
 
Coach said:
Are you saying Edmunds is ill equipped to cover the back end? I'm not saying put him there, I'm saying mixing them up on 3 and 7 might confuse the QB a bit, give Fitz who is being avoided a chance to make a play.
Click to expand...



I'm not so sure but that probably already actually happens. Sometimes the "D" is dictated by the offense and possibly those two get hoodwinked into changing roles. I know you are saying us to surprise them and If you or I can think of it I'm sure the STEELERS coaching staff has thought of it as well.





Salute the nation
 
To me this concept of targets is ridiculous. He is a safety. Anything that happens in about a 25 x 25 yard box is a target. No they are not throwing right at the Single high safety 30 yards down field. Do the Steelers? A safety is paid to
1. Tackle. Cover up mistakes on the front end.
2. Man- Cover if you go zero, but they have not been going zero.
3. Make them pay for mistakes. Like that play Hilton had against the Texans where Watt smashed Watson and he threw late against the grain. This was by far most of his turnovers last year. Deflected balls, Johnny on the spot
4. Anticipate the play and make a ball play or stuff a guy short on Third down.
Now the ones you are gonna pay north of ten million dollars a year for its about 4. I would like everyone to watch Fitzpatrick's highlights from last year and watch the game today. It is not the same player. Watch the number of plays he makes from the LOS to the first down marker. Now as I have said previously, that may be from Tomlin and Butler design (Though I would argue that is a pretty ****** design.) But I would not be paying a player north of 14 million a year to do what they have Minkah Fitzpatrick doing for the first 4 games of the season.
 
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