Minkah Fitzpatrick + Joe Haden.........Have they......

[Chicoman]

Watching the game Monday night made me wonder if the secondary combination of Haden & Fitzpatrick has turned offenses off to throwing at their side of the football field....didn't see Cincy really test that right side of the Steelers Defense most of the night. Feel free to discuss.....

 

[TDX27]

And Haden still isn't 100% from his shoulder injury.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

I didn't know fitzpatrick had a side...

 

[slashsteel]

I didn't know fitzpatrick had a side...

Yes two sides and a front and back.

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[Muddler]

In terms of the secondary, one thing I have noticed is that Monday was the first time I really noticed Nelson's name being called and it was only a couple times. When a CB goes unmentioned during a game that is generally a good thing. I think Nelson has really helped solidify our secondary (at least up to this point).

 

[Steelworth]

When a CB goes unmentioned during a game that is generally a good thing. I think Nelson has really helped solidify our secondary (at least up to this point).

I'm with you, I think Nelson has been really solid for the most part. I can't say for sure without all-22 or a really good eye for CB play (for which I have neither), but the couple times I focused on him in the Seattle game he looked good. Granted, that Metcalf is a rookie but Nelson's played 4 games now and we've barely heard his name mentioned. Like you said, when you're a CB, that's a good thing.

 

[Steeltime]

I saw Nelson challenge a pass play down the field and running with the receiver hip-to-hip in what appeared to be man coverage. Good man coverage.
I saw Hilton bat a pass down thrown to the slot receiver. Very good zone coverage as he was looking at the receiver the whole way.
I saw Bush bat down a pass to the TE on what appeared "Rosie O'Donnell in a medium dress"-tight zone coverage.
I saw Barron pick a ball in the endzone on double coverage, in what was once again very good coverage.
I saw Haden drop a sure interception on more very tight coverage.

In short, I saw a lot of damn good coverage. "Oh, it was only the Bungles." Okay. So when is the last game that anybody can recall, against any team, any time, anywhere, where we last saw coverage this good?

 

[madinsomniac]

I saw Nelson challenge a pass play down the field and running with the receiver hip-to-hip in what appeared to be man coverage. Good man coverage.
I saw Hilton bat a pass down thrown to the slot receiver. Very good zone coverage as he was looking at the receiver the whole way.
I saw Bush bat down a pass to the TE on what appeared "Rosie O'Donnell in a medium dress"-tight zone coverage.
I saw Barron pick a ball in the endzone on double coverage, in what was once again very good coverage.
I saw Haden drop a sure interception on more very tight coverage.

In short, I saw a lot of damn good coverage. "Oh, it was only the Bungles." Okay. So when is the last game that anybody can recall, against any team, any time, anywhere, where we last saw coverage this good?

Hayden.... Hilton.... fitzpatrick.... all have the common thread of not being developed by this staff... all play the ball instead of trying to hit the wr into next week all the time...hmmmm

 

[Vader]

In short, I saw a lot of damn good coverage. "Oh, it was only the Bungles." Okay. So when is the last game that anybody can recall, against any team, any time, anywhere, where we last saw coverage this good?

How about last year against the bungles? They only gave up 95 yards passing and had 71 net passing yards?

 

[Steeltime]

How about last year against the bungles? They only gave up 95 yards passing and had 71 net passing yards?

You're serious. You mean the game where the Bengals had the great Jeff Driskel passing? Jesus, he averaged 5.7 YPA, so he must suck worse than Mason Rudolph!!

 

[skyhigh44]

Watching the game Monday night made me wonder if the secondary combination of Haden & Fitzpatrick has turned offenses off to throwing at their side of the football field....didn't see Cincy really test that right side of the Steelers Defense most of the night. Feel free to discuss.....

What I'm noticing most since the acquisition of Fitzpatrick is the absence of blown coverages. The communication on the back end seems to be much improved. Coincidence?

 

[Steeltime]

What I'm noticing most since the acquisition of Fitzpatrick is the absence of blown coverages. The communication on the back end seems to be much improved. Coincidence?

Good point. Whole lotta completions on challenged passes, a couple to guys too open over the middle of the field, but no receiver running 15-20 yards downfield, uncovered.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Hayden.... Hilton.... fitzpatrick.... all have the common thread of not being developed by this staff... all play the ball instead of trying to hit the wr into next week all the time...hmmmm

Beat me to it. Our best DB's (in recent memory) all came from other teams. It's possible that Tombert has realized they don't know jack **** about drafting DB's and have come around to the idea of letting other teams do it for them. A man's got to know his limitations.

 

[FSF]

In terms of the secondary, one thing I have noticed is that Monday was the first time I really noticed Nelson's name being called and it was only a couple times. When a CB goes unmentioned during a game that is generally a good thing. I think Nelson has really helped solidify our secondary (at least up to this point).

Agreed.

He’s not a star, but definitely a solid player


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[bermudasteel]

Bermuda approves of this thread.

 

[Drink IRON City]

In terms of the secondary, one thing I have noticed is that Monday was the first time I really noticed Nelson's name being called and it was only a couple times. When a CB goes unmentioned during a game that is generally a good thing. I think Nelson has really helped solidify our secondary (at least up to this point).

Definately seems like it. He is playing better than he did at KC, in my visual opinion. Those three and add in Hilton, we actually seem to have a formidable secondary to go with our pass rush,.......... Except the 2DL set.



Salute the nation

 

[Vader]

You're serious. You mean the game where the Bengals had the great Jeff Driskel passing? Jesus, he averaged 5.7 YPA, so he must suck worse than Mason Rudolph!!

Yup. They had things buttoned down. Of course the bungles team we just played had a walking MASH unit for an OL and they have a new coach and system. Fact is they didn't give up anything against them last year. The bungles are horrible and will be horrible for awhile.

 

[Crimsonsteel]

The defense is definitely trending upward. The addition of Fitzpatrick is a dream come true for me. I honestly haven't been this excited about getting a player since we drafted Roethlisberger. There is a lot of talent, youth and new talented players on this defense. It's only natural that it would take some time for them to gel. They're 4 games in ( only 2 in with Fitz ) and we're seeing growth. I'm really liking what I'm seeing thus far.

 

[keslerclan]

Collapsing the pocket and getting to the passer have a lot to do with making coverage look better too. When you force a QB to be just as concerned with where the pressure is coming from you limit his vision of the field.

Under Dick Lebeau, we played with some really suspect DBs and got away with it because our blitz packages forced errant throws to the non-open receivers.

This week will be a real test because Jackson has some escape abilities. Mobile QBs used to be the nemesis under the 90's defenses too.

 

[Stryker]

Collapsing the pocket and getting to the passer have a lot to do with making coverage look better too. When you force a QB to be just as concerned with where the pressure is coming from you limit his vision of the field.

Under Dick Lebeau, we played with some really suspect DBs and got away with it because our blitz packages forced errant throws to the non-open receivers.

This week will be a real test because Jackson has some escape abilities. Mobile QBs used to be the nemesis under the 90's defenses too.

Pocket was also collapsing because no one was open. Nelson killed it last game. His best IMHO. He's getting better every week, after his poor showing against NE.

Dick had Ike, who would have had the same press as Revis, if he could catch. Dude was a true shutdown corner. Loved me some Swaggin!

This group is doing great and getting better each game where they can play together. Edmunds is improving as well. The weak link of the D is now becoming a strength. We have the speed, it's just getting comfortable in the responsibilities that will change this D into a top unit.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

cope I put stock in your opinion.

But the only person who gets a pass as far as responsibilities on this defense, are bush barron and Fitzpatrick. Fitz is fine.
Bush is a rookie trending up.
Barron im not sure about yet. But was better last game.

And to me this ALL goes back to the preseason. Tomlin doesn't live in his fears ,,, right? Well how about letting your starting players get some work in during the preseason. Offense and defense.

lastly: nelson, haden, Fitzpatrick and Hilton all trending up. Edmunds is the question mark imo. All the preseason hype said he was gonna bust out and make big impact. I haven't seen it. My question cope, am I missing it?

 

[Hines57]

You need to add Nelson's name to the title. He's going to get more balls thrown his way with Haden opposite him, but these cats are MUCH better than anything we've had in the secondary in a long time. You've also seen better play from Edmunds in just two games with Fitz on the roster.

 

[steelermania]

cope I put stock in your opinion.



And to me this ALL goes back to the preseason. Tomlin doesn't live in his fears ,,, right? Well how about letting your starting players get some work in during the preseason. Offense and defense.

Unfortunately, this has little to do with Tomlin. It's become the league wide norm. Teams just don't want to risk their high priced players during the preseason. Adding to this is the fact that the salary cap makes it harder to have decent backups, or to acquire replacements during the season.

 

[BLITZ]

We have a better secondary than I can recall. That being said why test the outside corners when the middle of the field is usually wide open..

 

[Stryker]

cope I put stock in your opinion.

But the only person who gets a pass as far as responsibilities on this defense, are bush barron and Fitzpatrick. Fitz is fine.
Bush is a rookie trending up.
Barron im not sure about yet. But was better last game.

And to me this ALL goes back to the preseason. Tomlin doesn't live in his fears ,,, right? Well how about letting your starting players get some work in during the preseason. Offense and defense.

lastly: nelson, haden, Fitzpatrick and Hilton all trending up. Edmunds is the question mark imo. All the preseason hype said he was gonna bust out and make big impact. I haven't seen it. My question cope, am I missing it?

You may be missing the improvement. When 2 playmaking safeties work together, special things happen on D. Minkah and Edmunds are communicating well. The game isn't perfect, and other teams will make plays, but they are playing well together, and the addition of solid players at each of our secondary slots, make Edmunds better and allow him to free range a bit. It should equate to more splash plays by Edmunds, but his mistakes are diminishing.