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Winners and losers from preseason game 1.

FordFairLane

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Winners-
All three QB’s. I was extremely impressed with all three collectively. But I’m going to rank them 3-1 and explain why below.

3. Dobbs played very well and the first drive with the nice gainer to Washington was his second best play. My nitpicking is Washington was open by 5 yards and if he leads him at all it’s a touchdown. At least he gave Washington a shot at it and it was a nice gainer.
His best play was a scramble for a first down that used his quick feet. To me this is what Dobbs will be. He will end up a 10 year backup who can do enough to not lose a game but never be “the guy”. Nothing wrong with making millions holding a clipboard and using what’s between your ears during meetings and sideline adjustments but he doesn’t have the accuracy to be much more.

2. Hodges really impressed which came as a shocker. My expectations of Hodges was to look down receivers and make bone head throws into coverage. Contrary to that he went through progressions and seemed to have a good grasp on the offense. Which is impressive this early. He also had enough zip on the ball which was a nice surprise.

1. Rudolph just looks the part of our future quarterback. He seems to just have that command of the huddle, understands the offense, read the defense and defenders correctly, good accuracy, and decent zip on the football. Looking how Ben’s and Rudolph’s contracts line up I could see Roethlisberger retiring after 2020 and the Steelers using that money to extend Rudolph’s contract. Reminds me a little of Favre and Rodgers but lets hope it’s a more amicable parting than Favre and the packers.

RB’s- Jaylen Samuels continues to impress. I loved the pick coming out of college and he impressed last year. He looks to be every bit the player last year and maybe more. Conner and JaySam should be a great tandem this year.

Trey Edmunds in my opinion was the second best back vs Tampa. He didn’t have many reps but should power and a little more speed than Snell. The two things I saw from Snell I liked was pass pro and hands seemed decent.

WR’s- James Washington is my breakout receiver this year. He really stepped it up at the end of the year and looks to have taken another large step forward this year. His double move to open the series with Dobbs was awesome and he almost brought it that td with a toe tap. The back shoulder TD from Rudolph was a thing of beauty. I see Barron and Moncrief in the same boat this year. Fighting for playing time.

TE- Gentry had a better game than I thought he would. Showed awareness and decent hands. Couldn’t make out his blocking much though.

OL- Zach Banner might be our future at RT. He was good in pass pro but in run blocking he was making holes. Massive guy who didn’t slow down and played the majority of the snaps.

DL- McCullers had some nice plays blowing up the offensive line and forcing the running back to bounce out of the middle early. He doesn’t offer much besides push the guy in front of you back but in short yardage and punt/kick special teams but in a different era McCullers would be a stud.

OLB- Ola and Skipper were men amongst boys. I don’t know if Ola was vs the starting OT or backup and I saw Skipper was vs the third string OT but it wasn’t even close in skill level. I think these two have paved the way for Dupree to move on after the season. Dupree would 10+ sacks to make me consider signing him and if he does I’d ask where was that the last few years.

ILB- The two rookies Bush and Ulysees had phenomenal games. Bush vs mostly starters and Ulysees vs the backups but I like where they are. Then even Dirty Red made some plays. Lots to like here and the question is do we keep 5 ILB like last year? Hopefully we don’t cut one or the young guys and try to stash on the PS because I think Barron and even Williams might be gone after this season.

CB- Cam Sutton seemed to be around the ball a lot and had strip but the receiver touched out of bounds. All together not a great performance but not bad either. Seemed very bend not break.

S- Kameron Kelly looked good getting his nose in on the tackles early. Looked to read and react quicker than the others. Might be an AAF gem. Marcus Allen must have pissed in Tomlins Cheerio’s because he didn’t see the field until way late. Surprised as he was a guy not long ago Tomlin mentioned as a potential replacement for Morgan Burnett.

I know it’s early but overall I liked what I saw from the young guys. Still feel CB will be our Achilles heel on defense. My hope is Tomlin doesn’t let that first round pick name tag keep Dupree on the field and Ola on the bench. QB pressure is a sure way to cover up an average secondary.


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Hodges has been impressing in camp and im glad to see he carried it over to game time. I said in a previous post I wouldnt be surprised if Dobbs is the odd man out.
I think Snell had a bit too much hype coming into the game I was very unimpressed, but he got stronger toward the end. Hopefully he was just shaking off the rust.
If Washington can continue the loss of AB will be much easier to swallow. I do not think Moncrief will be fighting for playing time though. I think JuJu, Washington, and Moncrief will easily be the 1,2,3 WRs and I envision a lot of 3 WR sets. 4th WR will be where things get tough. With Rogers, Switzer, Spencer, Johnson, that will be a tough battle.
ILB will also be tough. We barely play the base 3-4 so will the Steelers give Bush the keys and sit Williams? I see no reason why they should not let Bush start. I would use Williams as the 2nd ILB and in obvious running situations. Gilbert will be hard not to keep if he does anything like he did Friday. I think Barron has some value in sub packages so I can see him sticking around.
CBs / defensive backfield will be our downfall I believe no one has impressed me. Definitely need multiple players to step up.
Ola definitely should get a shot over Dupree. I just do not see the skills / athleticism I keep hearing about when it comes to Dupree.
 
Coach's notes.


Gilbert III. We might have something here.


On Allen I thought he was a bad 5th round pick.


Snell - Wasn't a fan of the pick, and you are correct. Edmunds was our 2nd best back vs Tampa.


Samules - I think he's better than most here think. Move him around, play him some at TE by surprise, he'll burn the LB's. .


Dobbs - The offense doesn't score often with him. Rudolph looks like a solid back up, but I still think his arm lacks zip. Hodges has zip on his arm and seems to have a good feel for the game. We might have something with Hodges. Sit Ben for game #2. Find out what Hodges has.


Kelly - Might prove to be better than Sean Davis. He tackled well and has ball skills. Things Davis lacks.


Bush was impressive. And yes I think Vince Williams value to this team is in decline.


Washington. The game was a good one, but I'll need to see it again with Ben throwing it before I'm sold. Too bad Johnson was out. Show us again James.



Final thoughts. It looks like we have some younger players who add depth and excite with potential. Its just one pre-season game. Last year we had a linebacker from FSU ( Matt Thomas ) who was very impressive in the pre-season and Tomlin cut him.
 
. Last year we had a linebacker from FSU ( Matt Thomas ) who was very impressive in the pre-season and Tomlin cut him.

Thomas signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2018.[6] He made the Steelers 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie, playing in 10 games before being waived on December 1, 2018 and re-signed to the practice squad

On January 2, 2019, Thomas signed a reserve/future contract with the Baltimore Ravens.[8] He was waived on August 1, 2019


You need to get a clue.
 
Thomas signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent on April 28, 2018.[6] He made the Steelers 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie, playing in 10 games before being waived on December 1, 2018 and re-signed to the practice squad

On January 2, 2019, Thomas signed a reserve/future contract with the Baltimore Ravens.[8] He was waived on August 1, 2019


You need to get a clue.

I gave you a clue. Last year we have an impressive rookie linebacker in camp. Tomlin cut him. Those are facts. You added nothing new here. Sorry Bleeder addition clues can't fix your IQ.
 
Sutton Smith needs to get healthy as you can't make the squad from the hot tub.

Kelly could make M.Allen expendable as good FS is a little more valuable than a struggling SS.

Gentry can make the team as a pass catcher while he is working on his blocking.

Cam Sutton to me is just a backup not sure he will be more than that.

Ola probably has earned more pass rush situational reps. Not sure if he has earned more than that.

Skipper has had a decent camp, but the roster is pretty stocked at LBer. PS is probably his calling card.

Banner IMO will have a place on the fina 53 had a good transformation since he was added to the roster.

Dobbs needs to be able to finish drives . In a passing league you should be able to do that, and if you can't let his home be on another roster.
 
Last year we had a linebacker from FSU ( Matt Thomas ) who was very impressive in the pre-season and Tomlin cut him.

And you want to keep bringing up my Dan Marino gaff...
 
I gave you a clue. Last year we have an impressive rookie linebacker in camp. Tomlin cut him. Those are facts. You added nothing new here. Sorry Bleeder addition clues can't fix your IQ.

Moron. You said he was very impressive and Tomlin cut him. That's a flat out lie. He made the team as an undrafted rookie and played in 10 games -- where at that point they obviously saw/knew he couldn't help them the way they thought. Baltimore apparently felt the same exact way. Those are the facts.

And you wonder why you catch so much **** from just about everybody on here, you're a self-serving, intellectually dishonest, agenda-driven douchebag.
 
I gave you a clue. Last year we have an impressive rookie linebacker in camp. Tomlin cut him. Those are facts. You added nothing new here. Sorry Bleeder addition clues can't fix your IQ.

Wellz the Great Hairball didn't even see enough in him to keep him in TC. Thomas had one good preseason game against people were either no longer on a team or were 3rd string/PS people. I demonstrated every tackle in that game showing this very thing.
 
Sutton Smith needs to get healthy as you can't make the squad from the hot tub.

Kelly could make M.Allen expendable as good FS is a little more valuable than a struggling SS.

Gentry can make the team as a pass catcher while he is working on his blocking.

Cam Sutton to me is just a backup not sure he will be more than that.

Ola probably has earned more pass rush situational reps. Not sure if he has earned more than that.

Skipper has had a decent camp, but the roster is pretty stocked at LBer. PS is probably his calling card.

Banner IMO will have a place on the fina 53 had a good transformation since he was added to the roster.

Dobbs needs to be able to finish drives . In a passing league you should be able to do that, and if you can't let his home be on another roster.



Pretty good post slash and I'd like to add the importance of pass overage DUPREE gives that Ola does NOT. Dupree isn't as bad as MOST here say he is. Some don't even watch the games and down talk him. Bud has been pretty disruptive and had a pretty good season last year.




Salute the nation
 
I gave you a clue. Last year we have an impressive rookie linebacker in camp. Tomlin cut him. Those are facts. You added nothing new here. Sorry Bleeder addition clues can't fix your IQ.

Tomlin didn’t cut him. He was signed off our practice squad. Besides if he was that great then why did the Ravens cut him knowing the need they have at ILB?
 
My biggest surprise???

Steeler Nations finest came to final conclusions of player abilities & adament over-reactions after the very first preseason game...:pop2:
 
Last edited:
I gave you a clue. Last year we have an impressive rookie linebacker in camp. Tomlin cut him. Those are facts. You added nothing new here. Sorry Bleeder addition clues can't fix your IQ.

this is why you are widely considered to be a ********. Your post reads like the kid was cut out of training camp. It makes no mention that he was not cut until December.....
 
for the love of shirt-wearing Ark and all that is holy, Cooch - the guy is in his second season. He's not going anywhere. His name is Samuels.

We have no one on roster named Samules, you inbred donkey ****.
 
for the love of shirt-wearing Ark and all that is holy, Cooch - the guy is in his second season. He's not going anywhere. His name is Samuels.

We have no one on roster named Samules, you inbred donkey ****.



Quit insulting DONKEYs.....................





Salute the nation
 
Tomlin didn’t cut him. He was signed off our practice squad. Besides if he was that great then why did the Ravens cut him knowing the need they have at ILB?

Didn't even keep him on the 90 man roster going into TC. That is how awesome he was.
 
there must be something wrong with Thomas, attitude maybe?
 
Coach will tell us what is wrong I'm sure.

Inbred donkey **** that he is.
 
TE- Gentry had a better game than I thought he would. Showed awareness and decent hands. Couldn’t make out his blocking much though.

I saw some analysis of that out there and he was actually only in on 5 running plays to block. 2 of the runs didn't go to his side and out of the other 3, 1 looked impressive. The other 2, meh. So way too small a sample size to judge ATM.
 
To be fair I liked Thomas last year as well. Many did. The rats have two good young ILB including Kenny Young (a guy I picked in my mock along mock) and looks to be a stud. Thomas probably had an uphill battle for a roster spot. I would gather he ends up on some clubs PS.


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Coach will tell us what is wrong I'm sure.

Inbred donkey **** that he is.

Coach waived bye bye to rationality a long time ago. TMC owning him in every argument could be the watershed moment. Sort of like Big Chest now and Burfect’s hit a couple years ago.....


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To be fair I liked Thomas last year as well. Many did. The rats have two good young ILB including Kenny Young (a guy I picked in my mock along mock) and looks to be a stud. Thomas probably had an uphill battle for a roster spot. I would gather he ends up on some clubs PS.


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Nobody disliked him. My issue is, he was put on the PS squad because Tomlin is an idiot and the great harbaugh snatched him up because he could see what the idiot Tomlin could not. Thomas did not play any games for the Rats I do not think.

The rats have another young ILB that, I believe, that they thought enough of to let Mosely go (can't remember his name). Whether the rats have good young ILB is one thing.

That would explain not making the 53-man roster, but not making 90-man roster? That indicates an issue with Thomas himself, IMO. Litos may have hit the nail on the head.
 
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