I noticed the Steelers are doing a bit more this game of downblocking…thank goodness. Crazy it took this long when we saw the same progression last year. Tried zone blocking, didn’t really work that well and now we’re doing this and lo and behold it’s looking so much better (and against a really talented Jets front)

I feel like some of the 2nd year players didn’t take the step forward I’d like to see them. I’m talking (obviously) Broderick Jones, but Benton in the run game is about the exact same as he was last year, with fewer splash plays outside of the knockdowns.
-I’d like to see the Steelers draft or acquire a nose next year to play Benton more in a 3 tech cause he is a little undersized for the nose. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still good, but I’d love to see him get more one on ones.

The other 2nd year guy that hasn’t taken the step forward is JPJ, although I think that’s more due to the scheme changing. They don’t run him in press man as much and it disappoints me. I’d love to just have him pressed up every down no matter the coverage, make it hard for the QB to read what he’s going to do since he can do it all from press alignment with his length.
-He has gotten much better against the run though

Two 2nd year guys def took step forwards though. Darnell Washington is looking real nice at TE (not perfect, but I like him) and obviously we all know Nick Herbig and what he’s done by now. Hope he heals up soon.

Steelers got worked all game by shallow checkdowns and screens. Which is concerning since Baltimore is so good at that, plus it’s like the easiest thing in the world for the offense to do. Open field tackling was a major issue
-I will say the refs didn’t seem to care about block in the back calls (remember, if either hand is on the back it’s a block in the back) so that didn’t help the tackling.

I still don’t know why this staff isn’t doing more to help TJ. They need to have a designated hitter, someone to go out and chip the chip man back. Make em think twice before teeing off on TJ. Use a man to take out a man, that’s great math.

I see the refs just don’t care about early get offs by the tackles anymore.

Hopefully the Steelers realize soon that when teams aren’t chipping TJ it’s 90% chance it’s a short pass concept or screen.

Talk about 2nd year bumps. I hope Peyton Wilson works on his ability to take on o-linemen this offseason.
-but man does he have great sideline to sideline speed. Can be REALLY special. (as long as he doesn’t learn coverage from Patrick Queen, that guy is a traffic cone out there not looking for work

I think Arthur Smith had his best game of the season. Is that due to Russell making changes at the line, the updated run game or Arthur just getting better with his personnel? Whatever it is, shout out to him
-I really liked all the rub routes to get separation on the man coverage the Jets were playing

Talking about man coverage, my new line of jockstraps have come in. So buy them at your local shopko.

But talking about man coverage last night it was interesting to see the Steelers switched to more man press later when Donte Jackson came out the game with an injury and Pierre filled in. I wonder why that is, is it due to the steelers staff thinking it’d be better for the gameplan? Is it due to them not trusting Donte in press since he’s better in off man coverage? Because JPJ looked remarkable in press late, but it saddens me to take your best corner and put him in a worse role because the other starter can’t play it.
-I just don’t understand why they can’t call split coverages more to take advantage of the talents they have.

Beanie Bishop…We’ve been frustrated with you for a while. Great to see Tomlin’s patience pay off. Amazing game with the pics and the other plays.

Talk about Tomlin’s decisions…Russell Wilson seems to have turned a lot of fans opinion around.

About Russell…I thought he played really well once he settled in. How often in this blog have we begged them to just throw the ball deep to Pickens. So far he’s been the most effective at it. Both the placement and the game script of play action it’s been great. Although some of the placement was a bit behind Pickens so it ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. (more of moonballs)