Love all of these comments, I'll try to throw my 2 cents in in order:
QB, I think Dave is spot on. Keeping Rudolph gives this team a chance with
any QB eventuality. I really thought he'd be active on Game Days for at
least the first week or two, but I'm hearing different. Great chance to
see what Trubisky can do, he's got the right leadership attitude, and I
quite honestly think that's what the Steelers leaned toward him over
Rudolph. Mason didn't set up QB/WR off-season workouts, Mitch did. And
THAT, makes a BIG difference.
OL, I have no idea why Haig was cut and the trade was made for the
ex-Dolphin. HAD to be Flores, and if it was, I'm good.
Canada, I think that the OL's inability to run a traditional offense may
play into Canada's hands from a play-calling perspective. He should be
able to use motion and the simple concept of the Steelers' linemen KNOWING
where they are supposed to go to set plays up. Maybe too optimistic, but I
guy can dream.
WR, I am frankly STUNNED that the 2 Tylers didn't get a sniff for the PS.
Too many smurfs?
DL, I, too, like what they have along the front. Employed with some
creativity, they could really do some damage, and that just helps the back
end of the D. Agreed and happy to hear on Leal.
ILB, love Dave's assessment of Jack and his effect on Bush. And Robinson,
I saw a quote from Wexell that Jack said that Robinson would be better than
Jack is.
CB, I also hate that they lost the big corner, he was the guy they tried to
slip through and the Gmen made them pay. That said, the ones left have
been better than he has so far.
ST, not a statement, a question.....what kicks will Austin return?
Kickoffs? Both?
Streetr
On Thu, Sep 8, 2022 at 3:13 PM David Reid <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
- I have no idea what they are going to get out of Trubisky, but I do
think it is too soon for Pickett. Which is why, in the event of injury or
calamity, the safe choice is Mason Rudolph to step in. And I think he’ll do
really well and he’s performed and behaved in an exemplary fashion all
summer. Trubisky needs to answer the questions that plagued him in Chicago,
his accuracy and his timing and anticipation. He will miss open receivers,
mark my words. And that is when we’ll find out about a) his mental makeup
and b) how the fans respond to him missing open receivers. It could get
ugly, especially if the Steelers persist against the prevailing public
mood.
- The offensive line woes proves one thing that everyone forgets.
Never assume that young players always improve with time and experience.
Dotson regressed last year, Green and Moore have regressed this preseason.
I have no idea how this group will perform. They have to coalesce and that
takes time. Tomlin always says the first few weeks of the season is where
they focus on getting better instead of who they are playing and the OL is
a big test of that.
- Protect Najee at all costs. He’s the focal point of this offense
now. And if he stays healthy, he’ll be brilliant. And it is absolutely
correct that Jaylen Warren supplants Snell as his backup.
- Let’s see what Canada can do with this group. Will the OL’s lack of
early cohesion mean that the playbook is curtailed as it was with Ben last
year, or will he be able to play with a full deck of cards?
- I like this receiving corps a lot and would like it even more if
Austin gets healthy and involved. I’d pick Pickens to win rookie of the
year awards if I knew he was going to get the ball regularly enough. Again,
go back to what I wrote around draft time, he could be the best receiver in
this draft and he might already be the best receiver in this team. Big year
ahead for Claypool, he needs to rebound. The TE depth is worrisome behind
Freiermuth, he has to stay healthy as I don’t think Gentry can carry the
load.
- The run defense will be better than last year. It’s that simple and
it has to be. And they now have depth along the DL to cover off any
injuries.
- Focused on him in the preseason and I’m pleased to report that
DeMarvin Leal is the real deal. Once he gets more consistent with his hand
placement, he’ll be a star, as it stands, he’ll make some splash plays this
season.
- I think Myles Jack is what this defense needs and Myles Jack is also
what Devin Bush needs.
- Intrigued by Mark Robinson, didn’t see much of him in college, very
raw, but he has the talent.
- Worried about the corner depth. Ahkello Witherspoon needs to repeat
what he did last season.
- Special teams will be fine. Harvin will rebound, the sooner we can
get Austin back for return duties, the better.
Predictions
Steelers - Winning season, but miss the playoffs.
AFC East: Buffalo
AFC North: Baltimore
AFC South: Indianapolis
AFC West: LA Chargers
Wild Cards: Cincinnati, Kansas City, Tennessee
NFC East: Philadelphia
NFC North: Green Bay
NFC South: Tampa Bay
NFC West: LA Rams
Wild Cards: San Francisco, Dallas, Minnesota
Super Bowl: Green Bay over Buffalo
Offensive Rookie of the Year: George Pickens
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Aiden Hutchinson
MVP: Aaron Rodgers
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