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or articles that use PFF stats for their analysis
Quarterly grades, All starters, plus key subs that play enough snaps to mention.
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A few thoughts on your grades, many of which I agree with.
Bell, who has played one game, gets a lower grade than Finney, who has also played one game? I don't care if he was suspended for the first three (and it shouldn't be a factor), his performance was OUTSTANDING. A+
Grimble gets bumped down and James stays where he is. Though, James is developing how I thought he would and that is a solid option as a No. 2 tight end. He uses his height very well.
Not sure why Pouncey's cap value influences his performance grade.
Boswell gets a solid A, if not A+. The block wasn't on him and his kickoffs have been very good, especially his placement against the Chiefs. That alone allowed the coverage team to get down and get some outstanding stops.
The only way Tuitt gets a B- is if you look at the stats alone. He has been one of the top defenders in every game and was outstanding last week against the Chiefs.
Jarvis has played better than Moats this year. Chickillo has performed worse than Jones and Moats. Unless you're grading on a curve, they should reflect that.
Cockrell is better than a C+.
Did you "want to see" or did "you want" Monday to take his job? He's been excellent.
Beyond that, I agree with most of what you said. Probably too harsh on Davis with the built in bias, but a C or C- is fair for him at this point.
Bell, who has played one game, gets a lower grade than Finney, who has also played one game? I don't care if he was suspended for the first three (and it shouldn't be a factor), his performance was OUTSTANDING. A+
Grimble gets bumped down and James stays where he is. Though, James is developing how I thought he would and that is a solid option as a No. 2 tight end. He uses his height very well.
Not sure why Pouncey's cap value influences his performance grade.
Boswell gets a solid A, if not A+. The block wasn't on him and his kickoffs have been very good, especially his placement against the Chiefs. That alone allowed the coverage team to get down and get some outstanding stops.
The only way Tuitt gets a B- is if you look at the stats alone. He has been one of the top defenders in every game and was outstanding last week against the Chiefs.
Jarvis has played better than Moats this year. Chickillo has performed worse than Jones and Moats. Unless you're grading on a curve, they should reflect that.
Cockrell is better than a C+.
Did you "want to see" or did "you want" Monday to take his job? He's been excellent.
Beyond that, I agree with most of what you said. Probably too harsh on Davis with the built in bias, but a C or C- is fair for him at this point.
Pouncey and Foster (as well as Finney) are the only linemen who have not been credited for giving up a sack.
He stated preseason that Monday WAS an upgrade. Not could be or might be, but WAS an upgrade over Berry. A heated debate ensued. He WANTED Monday to take his job. There is no question there.
No there isn't. Just like before Davis became his whipping boy it was also Burns who was a reach of epic proportions. Burns has been playing well so it's all quiet on that front til he gives up a big play
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You're welcome. Please tell me which grades if any you disagree with.
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To best define my position I think Pouncey is a good to very good ( but not great ) player when healthy who's currently overpaid. The next man up at Center was not an issue when he was out in two separate seasons, meaning he's not one of the top players we can least afford to lose.
Is he better than most centers? Yes. Is he injury prone? Yes. Does he have some off the field incidents? Yes. Would I re-sign him for 10+ million a season after his contract is up? No. Would I re-sign him for 5 million a season for 3-4 years? Likley if he medically checks out.
I hope that defines my thoughts on #53
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You must have a reading retention issue. I most certainly have praised Burns ability to break up passes and makes plays on the ball.
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I would be interested how you would have graded Aaron Smith back in the day versus how you grade Tuitt now. Smith had 44 sacks in a 13 year career (a tick over 3 per season) and from everyone who ever faced him considered Aaron a force at DE without the all-world stats. He ate OL bodies which is what you want in a 3-4 DE. I see Tuitt trending the same with 7.5 sacks in just over 2 seasons of play. I really see him grading higher.
How the heck can you give Artie Burns a better grade than Ross Cockrell? Cockrell might have had a rough first game but go back and watch the Bungles game! He shut down AJ Green. Green had 2 catches for 38yds. Have you seen what Green did in his other three games this season? He pretty much tore up Revis in NY in week 1 and in the other three games this season he's caught 29 recepetions for 430yds.
Cockrell definately deserves a better grade than a C+!
Cockrell definately deserves a better grade than a C+!
He doesn't like Cockrell. Really that simple. He's on record for saying he is not a no 2 CB. So therefore he will never give him his just due cause that will make his initial analysis WRONG
On record
http://www.steelernation.com/showthread.php?8370-The-state-of-our-secondary&highlight=Coach+cockrell
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btroutman001
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di castro is being overpaid
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How many times can a guy be wrong? I do like Cockrell. Where did I say I did not? So far I think Cockrell was better last season.
Cockrell has but two plays on the ball in 4 games and has been beaten a few times.
You're become a bit too obsessed.
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Well, we harldy play 3-4 these days.
Smith played in a very different system. If Smith was in a 4 man line as often as Tuitt is, he'd make a lot more plays. Smith was super strong vs the run, made a good amount of tackles for a 3-4 end, was a decent pass rusher, decent at deflecting passes and a very good overall player. Lebeau called him the best our the defense at one point.
Smith didn't play much after 2008. He was banged up and out of the line up for the most part. So using data from 2009 2010, and 2011 really doesn't mean much. His full data can be viewed below
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitAa99.htm
Right there in the link posted
The state of our secondary.
Cornerbacks:
Gay - He's the best we have, and a player that would be difficult to replace if injured as he's more than competent on the outside or slot
Cockrell - A smart playmaker type who lacks some speed. More of a sub package player than a starter.
Grant - A bit of a surprise, Grant looks faster and more confident in his second season. His tackling and playmaking ability were on display in the first two pre-season games. I think he's a little small for the outside but could help out a bit in the sub packages. Apparently, the coaches do not think he's suited for the slot corner role.
Burns - His camp and pre-season were ruined by injuries. When he practiced it was clear he wasn't ready. Because he's a rookie, Burns might not see the field unless an injury promotes him for a while.
Golson - Injured again, he's a complete question mark. It's unclear if he can play at all and alarming for a young player to have the what amounts to 1 1/2 seasons worth of injuries in his second year as a pro.
TBA. I'm not sure who our 5th corner is. He could be playing for another team. It might come down to special teams, though due to being Bruns being very green and Golson hurt, maybe it doesn't. Shabazz stood out in the Eagles game.
Conclusion: This unit lacks size, speed, and experience among the reserves. I think this is our worst cornerback unit in the past 15 seasons.
The pass rush must deliver, and I highly suspect coach Butler will have the men playing off in a zone type alignment more often than not, allowing too many easy completions to help prevent big plays.
Safties:
Mitchell - Looks solid in all phases of the game. If he matures just a bit and doesn;t get flagged he can rate among the best 10 safeties in football
Golden - I think he's our best pure coverage safety. Could be an under appreciated and undervalued player for us. Golden needs to stay healthy be as there is not depth behind him.
Davis - I wasn't a fan of the Davis pick. Had it been in round four okay, but I felt his coverage ability and tackling were red flags in college He has missed tackles in the pre-season and made just 1 vs. the Eagles. I do not think he's suited for the slot and feel deploying him as a rookie could be a little dangerous.
Thomas - Whether he has it above the neck this season is debatable. I did see some improvement, but I also saw him looking too unaware. A good man for special teams.
TBA - Usually this spot goes to special teams, and one of our best in
Ross Ventrone is hurt. Dangerfield is an option, but Tomlin hasn't shown him much respect in the pastThere a good chance this spot goes to a waiver wire player.
Conclusion: Our starters appear to be very solid, but the depth is a major issue. Pick your poison between the rookie who's missing tackles in Davis, an assignment challenged Thomas or TBA.
The glass is half full: With two rookies and Golson coming back, this unit will be better as the season progresses. The Steelers do have a lot of youth among the DB's
The glass is half empty. I see lots of holes in our dime defense, and if a front line starter goes down, the next man up will be exposed. Last year this unit rated 30th in the NFL, and faced 7 back up QB's. I tend to doubt we'll be facing as many back up QB's this year.
From another thread. Should I continue???
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Thanks, appreciate the reply.
So...Coach is a tap dancer now???
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I think I would have to give Gay an A- as he does his job quietly and is a solid tackler. Cockrell shut down AJ Green so he at least deserves a B+. Timmons I think deserves a C+ along with Williams as they both are solid run stuffers but haven't offered much in the way of coverage or blitzing. Harrison has gotten a little pressure but unless we are judging on a curve is a C. Jones, Moats, and Chick are all D's at this point. DWill is an A all day long after stepping up while Bell was out.
Search feature is a ************
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You're mixing apples with oranges. The grades were given to their play in the season to date, not for their past accomplishments. Yes, I think Cockrell is more or a 3rd corner than a true #2 starter a team would not look to replace. Cockrell does lack some speed. We drafted a corner #1 for a reason. For some reason, Tomlin played Blake on the outside instead of Cockrell. A mistake that I mentioned a few times If I hated Cockrell I would not have sid that, would I? DUH.
I like Cockrel for who he is. A cut player that we picked up for peanuts, who has quickly learned the system.
The rain limited Green and Brown that day.
The comments I made before the season started on the state of the secondary are fine. I even agree with you that Thomas, a player I really don't like is decent on special teams.
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Maybe I should try it with you. Except you are wrong so often there really isn't much of a need to do it.
Gay is getting younger?? Maybe that played a part too..
The point is your grades mean **** cause bias against players you don't like or better yet your ego is so out of control you didn't grade them properly cause you can't admit you may have been wrong in the past about said player.
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Cockrell a #3? After all he has done? GTFO
Last season Blake was the 3rd CB, Cockrell was always ahead of him.
Give the guy his due and stop with your stupid bias, is not like anyone here thinks you are some kind of knowledgeable sports writer
Last season Blake was the 3rd CB, Cockrell was always ahead of him.
Give the guy his due and stop with your stupid bias, is not like anyone here thinks you are some kind of knowledgeable sports writer
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As soon as Burns gets up to #2, heck yes Cockrell is #3. Agreed?
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