OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: 5 and 2 Justin who? Hand the Fields to Wilson

[Jaded-Fan]

The real takeaway for me from yesterday was the offense taking shots down field.

You can caveat it all that you want to. Crappy team in the Giants, on and on. But, that never stpped Tomlin from idiot-upping the place in the past.

It was shocking to me to see the long ball become a regular part of the offense. I hope that this was not a one off but a real change. Tomlin does learn. It takes years, sometimes decades.

Remember when he would have the team run the ball out of the endzone every time and fail most of the time?

Challenge multiple calls and fail almost every time?

Mismanage the clock?

OK, he still is failing on learning on two of those.

But, at least there is hope.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

I wouldn't have a problem with spending a first on a true gamebreaking RB. Harris is not even close to that. For example, that clean run to the left would have been a TD for any RB that has any kind of speed. Bijan Robinson or Jahmir Gibbs easily score. Breece Hall, Kyren Williams, etc.

That being said, I don't think it is necessary, just look at what Taylor did for NYG. Good running backs can be found in the 2-5th rounds.

Exactly what I was going to say. This doesn't have to be a 1st rounder. Back in the day, this team found effective RB's through the later rounds: Willie Parker, Redman, etc.

I would not be opposed to a RB in the 2nd round provided he's not a plodder like Najee. In fact, I think it's wise to start restocking the offensive skill positions.

DLine/WR/RB should be in play the first few rounds of the draft.

 

[ImporterExporter]

Also find it funny how much shit James Conner got while he was here and the dude is still balling out as a productive back at 29. Well over 7K yards from scrimmage, 65 TD's and counting.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Also find it funny how much shit James Conner got while he was here and the dude is still balling out as a productive back at 29. Well over 7K yards from scrimmage, 65 TD's and counting.

Conner's issue was his health and nothing more. He was generally productive when he was here and ironically he'd be the perfect back for us now.

Believe I read somewhere that the air quality in Arizona vs Pittsburgh had a detrimental affect on his body.

 

[TooManyHumans]

The real takeaway for me from yesterday was the offense taking shots down field.

You can caveat it all that you want to. Crappy team in the Giants, on and on. But, that never stpped Tomlin from idiot-upping the place in the past.

It was shocking to me to see the long ball become a regular part of the offense. I hope that this was not a one off but a real change. Tomlin does learn. It takes years, sometimes decades.

Remember when he would have the team run the ball out of the endzone every time and fail most of the time?

Challenge multiple calls and fail almost every time?

Mismanage the clock?

OK, he still is failing on learning on two of those.

But, at least there is hope.

Ben took plenty of deep shots until his arm was shot. I think the lack of deep shots has more to do with the QB than Tomlin. Heck, they tried it with Pickett at times and he would routinely throw uncatchable balls out of bounds. My issue right now is that they need to go deep earlier in games to back the defense off. With both games under Wilson the offense opened up after taking deep shots.

 

[xlm34]

Kind of a weird fit.

 

[Peat]

Issue is pretty much any drafted QB beyond the top-5 is bad value, and even the top-5 picks miss regularly. I'd even consider using a 1st rounder on a QB if someone like Milroe manages to slide to the mid 1st. Milroe sitting behind Wilson seems like an excellent plan for the future for the QB room.

All QBs are awful value because there's not enough good ones and everyone's desperate for one. You just got to hope you're one of the lucky ones who wins the gamble.

But there's a difference between "awful value but if we don't act now someone else will" and "awful value and everyone else will agree if we don't act". The NFL has been verging ever more and more to never drafting a QB after pick 36 or so until about the 4th/5th round.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1848786416987476269

Yeah, this points to the value of Harris. He's never going to tear off many long range TD runs but, in this mood, with the team functioning around him, he's going to just brutalise any team that doesn't prioritise stopping him. To me, that's game changing.

The real takeaway for me from yesterday was the offense taking shots down field.

You can caveat it all that you want to. Crappy team in the Giants, on and on. But, that never stpped Tomlin from idiot-upping the place in the past.

It was shocking to me to see the long ball become a regular part of the offense. I hope that this was not a one off but a real change. Tomlin does learn. It takes years, sometimes decades.

I would posit it's not Tomlin learning, it's simply Tomlin having a QB he trusts.

 

[WickedWrister]

 

[xlm34]

Ben took plenty of deep shots until his arm was shot. I think the lack of deep shots has more to do with the QB than Tomlin. Heck, they tried it with Pickett at times and he would routinely throw uncatchable balls out of bounds. My issue right now is that they need to go deep earlier in games to back the defense off. With both games under Wilson the offense opened up after taking deep shots.

I feel like the Giants were purposely taking away the deep ball early, but Najee was gashing them. Which opened up deep ball opportunities.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Kind of a weird fit.

IDK I think DJ is a pretty good idea for Baltimore. They have a good WR in Flowers, but now they get a possession monster with DJ. That should help Lamar.

But if they were adding anyone it should be to their defense. It's bad

 

[Colonel Mustard]

The schedule after the bye is pretty brutal

 

[Peat]

Ben took plenty of deep shots until his arm was shot. I think the lack of deep shots has more to do with the QB than Tomlin. Heck, they tried it with Pickett at times and he would routinely throw uncatchable balls out of bounds. My issue right now is that they need to go deep earlier in games to back the defense off. With both games under Wilson the offense opened up after taking deep shots.

My guess from memory/the play by play is that the Giants basically started backed off so they simply cashed in on the easy runs and passes. They had 4 real drives in the first half, got to the red zone on the first three and probably get there on the fourth if Lawrence doesn't blow up a 3rd and 3.

Then after the first half the Giants adjust. First Steelers drive is three and out. Second one takes a while to happen as Austin gets his punt return TD, but Wilson throws three deep passes - the one Miller doesn't get, the one Van Jefferson does, then Austin's TD. Next drive has the moonball to Pickens and after that it's killing the clock.

All in all, I've got no problems with how they used Wilson's deep ball that game.

 

[WickedWrister]

I wouldn't have a problem with spending a first on a true gamebreaking RB. Harris is not even close to that. For example, that clean run to the left would have been a TD for any RB that has any kind of speed. Bijan Robinson or Jahmir Gibbs easily score. Breece Hall, Kyren Williams, etc.

That being said, I don't think it is necessary, just look at what Taylor did for NYG. Good running backs can be found in the 2-5th rounds.

2nd round is the sweet spot for the non premium positions like RB and C, yeah. But those guys you mentioned, Bijan and Gibbs were both early 1st round picks. This is supposed to be a good year for RB’s in the draft so I wouldn’t be opposed to taking one with our 2nd. My preference would’ve been to not have to spend any additional draft capital and just pick up Najee’s 5th year option though. Like, if you’re going to spend a 1st on a RB in the first place, might as well get your moneys worth.

 

[pistolpete11]

It was shocking to me to see the long ball become a regular part of the offense. I hope that this was not a one off but a real change. Tomlin does learn. It takes years, sometimes decades.

I think it's Tomlin finally getting the f*** out of the way because they hired an OC with some pedigree.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I think that DJ trade supports that getting someone like Slayton shouldn’t cost more than a 4th or 5th

 

[xlm34]

I don’t think I’ll ever understand QB decisions from NFL teams. They’re a better team with Flacco, but there’s a ceiling with a Flacco led team and it’s not a Super Bowl.

Drafting Richardson as high as they did was always a bizarre move, but if you’re gonna do it don’t be surprised that the super raw, inexperienced QB is raw and inexperienced.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

I don’t think I’ll ever understand QB decisions from NFL teams. They’re a better team with Flacco, but there’s a ceiling with a Flacco led team and it’s not a Super Bowl.

Drafting Richardson as high as they did was always a bizarre move, but if you’re gonna do it don’t be surprised that the super raw, inexperienced QB is raw and inexperienced.

I think the optics of Richardson asking out of the game bc he was tired was the last straw. It wasn't the ONLY straw, but it didn't help.

I don't think AR will ever be a franchise guy so this just puts them further behind in their rebuild.

I still laugh at the Browns not resigning Flacco- he was good for them last year

 

[Peat]

Throwing out the Harris 5th year option as a retrospective thought experiment.

Would you rather have Harris + 2nd round WR, or Marquise Brown + 2nd round RB? It's not a perfect experiment as you're not going to get Brown on a one year prove it contract here, but the money matches up well enough.

I don’t think I’ll ever understand QB decisions from NFL teams. They’re a better team with Flacco, but there’s a ceiling with a Flacco led team and it’s not a Super Bowl.

Drafting Richardson as high as they did was always a bizarre move, but if you’re gonna do it don’t be surprised that the super raw, inexperienced QB is raw and inexperienced.

Eh. I think Richardson's confidence is shot - see the whole asking out of the game thing - and they pretty much have to get him out of there, let him reset, and try again later. Thing he needs to work on right now seems to be passing anyway, which he doesn't need game snaps for.

I also wouldn't be surprised if Ballard and Steichen are thinking they need to get a playoff appearance to save their jobs to try again next year.

 

[Pens x]

Do something, Khan. Christ.

 

[Pengwins]

just trade for Mike Williams already

 

[Empoleon8771]

I've pretty firmly come around to Slayton after seeing his performance last night. I think either he or Meyers would be the guys I'd want to trade for at this point. It shouldn't cost more than a 4th and both look like solid WR2 caliber guys. It's not anything amazing but I'm not sure you need anything amazing out of the WR2 spot.

Ideally Austin would be your WR4, but I don't think it's really a problem to have Pickens, Meyers/Slayton and Austin as your main 3 WRs with how this offense runs.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Throwing out the Harris 5th year option as a retrospective thought experiment.

Would you rather have Harris + 2nd round WR, or Marquise Brown + 2nd round RB? It's not a perfect experiment as you're not going to get Brown on a one year prove it contract here, but the money matches up well enough.

I'm not sold on Harris at all. His last few games have involved the other team flat out quitting in the 2nd half and last night was a defense that sucks against the run.

People are only pimping Harris bc he looks MUCH better than he had been. And even his "much better" results put him into the average NFL back category.

He's functional like the tires on my car. He's just there. While Warren is coming back from injury, I'm positive he could do just as well with the same opportunities. You do not commit cap space on this type of player. The value just isn't there unless you have an All Pro back like CMC or Kamara

 

[WickedWrister]

I don’t think I’ll ever understand QB decisions from NFL teams. They’re a better team with Flacco, but there’s a ceiling with a Flacco led team and it’s not a Super Bowl.

Drafting Richardson as high as they did was always a bizarre move, but if you’re gonna do it don’t be surprised that the super raw, inexperienced QB is raw and inexperienced.

Richardson has also been next level bad... completing 44% of passes this year. I want to say he has the lowest completion % of any QB with his number of career attempts but don't quote me on that. I post that efficiency graph every week and he has legit been breaking the X axis lol. If he was just normal bad they might be inclined to let him grow and develop but you can't even run a functional offense with him.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

I'm not sold on Harris at all. His last few games have involved the other team flat out quitting in the 2nd half and last night was a defense that sucks against the run.

People are only pimping Harris bc he looks MUCH better than he had been. And even his "much better" results put him into the average NFL back category.

He's functional like the tires on my car. He's just there. While Warren is coming back from injury, I'm positive he could do just as well with the same opportunities. You do not commit cap space on this type of player. The value just isn't there unless you have an All Pro back like CMC or Kamara

Warren if he is lucky he can be pollard. Najee is a better version of Montgomery. Teams can’t put 8 or 9 in the box because RW is in at qb.
Cmc and Kamara make 12 million a year or more

 

[pistolpete11]

I may be misremembering this, but wasn't there something with Harris running better with Rudolph last year because Rudolph was under C more than Pickett/Trubisky? And I think Russ is under C more than Fields was.

I definitely think the Jets and Giants just kinda suck, but maybe something to keep an eye on as we start to see them against better teams.