OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: New Quarter Backs for the Handball team!

[DanielPlainview]

Under the radar guy I'm looking forward to seeing grow is Keeanu Benton. At times he looked unblockable last year as a rookie both with great attacking technique and pure brute force. If he can improve his consistency, the DL will have its anchor for awhile.

Also curious to see what Arthur Smith does with Darnell Washington. He seemed very underutilized by Canada's scheme.

 

[Peat]

Baby Heyward is the guy who I see maybe getting the biggest bump from Smith. I'm assuming he plays a FB role more often. Mildly surprised they didn't bring one in.

 

[JTG]

Another interesting tidbit from the Depot - Steelers worked out McCormick last minute at C

Mason McCormick Worked Out For Steelers As A Center Last Minute Says South Dakota State Offensive Coordinator

Before the 2024 NFL draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a massive hole at center, cutting previous starter Mason Cole earlier in the offseason and missing out on all of the major free agents at the position. Now, that problem is solved with the team drafting Zach Frazier in the second round, a...

steelersdepot.com

The 02 draft is really underrated… they landed Simmons, Randle El, Foote, Hope, and Keisel.

That 02-04 run was insane and really set that team up for their SB runs.

I think that was probably their best draft. Last year was right there. Last year will be determined by how Jones does, but right now Porter and Benton look like Pro Bowlers to me, and if Herbig got more work, he would have absurd numbers. That class is probably my favorite every. I think they yanked 4 studs.

Under the radar guy I'm looking forward to seeing grow is Keeanu Benton. At times he looked unblockable last year as a rookie both with great attacking technique and pure brute force. If he can improve his consistency, the DL will have its anchor for awhile.

Also curious to see what Arthur Smith does with Darnell Washington. He seemed very underutilized by Canada's scheme.

For sure. He and Herbig are going to be huge pieces of this going forward. They should have Washington doing shit like this...

Baby Heyward is the guy who I see maybe getting the biggest bump from Smith. I'm assuming he plays a FB role more often. Mildly surprised they didn't bring one in.

I'd love to see them get him more involved. He can really catch the football.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Film Room: Evaluating LB Payton Wilson In Coverage

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected NC State LB Payton Wilson with the 98th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, the second of the team’s two third-round selections. The Steelers showed plenty of interest in the inside linebacker position during the pre-draft process, having LB Coach Aaron Curry go to...

steelersdepot.com

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

I think that was probably their best draft. Last year was right there. Last year will be determined by how Jones does, but right now Porter and Benton look like Pro Bowlers to me, and if Herbig got more work, he would have absurd numbers. That class is probably my favorite every. I think they yanked 4 studs.



For sure. He and Herbig are going to be huge pieces of this going forward. They should have Washington doing shit like this...





I'd love to see them get him more involved. He can really catch the football.

98-2000 was such a low point with the botched pick of Edwards and coming off two consecutive losing seasons, then Kent Graham was named the starter to kick off the 2000 season.

That opening game against the legendary Ravens D with Graham at QB, getting shutout and Graham looking like a HS kid forced to wear cement shoes… most hopeless feeling I ever had as a Steelers fan.

 

[JTG]

I will be very surprised if Fautanu, Frazier, and McCormick aren't at the very least solid starters in this league. There is some risk with Payton WIlson to boom or bust.

 

[BackToTheBrierePatch]

Under the radar guy I'm looking forward to seeing grow is Keeanu Benton. At times he looked unblockable last year as a rookie both with great attacking technique and pure brute force. If he can improve his consistency, the DL will have its anchor for awhile.

Also curious to see what Arthur Smith does with Darnell Washington. He seemed very underutilized by Canada's scheme.

I would like to see him utilized in jumbo short yardage packages. He could be a problem for defenses in certain situations

 

[Peat]

I think that was probably their best draft. Last year was right there. Last year will be determined by how Jones does, but right now Porter and Benton look like Pro Bowlers to me, and if Herbig got more work, he would have absurd numbers. That class is probably my favorite every. I think they yanked 4 studs.

For me, Nick Herbig has to prove he'd be as effective is used a ton more. Most guys get less efficient for more usage. Markus Golden was nearly as efficient at getting sacks on a per snap basis, but I don't think anyone would think he'd hold up to 900 snaps.

I also need to see Porter and Benton do it again. I feel like too many Steelers draftees have gone backwards rather than forwards in their second year.

 

[ChaosAgent]

For me, Nick Herbig has to prove he'd be as effective is used a ton more. Most guys get less efficient for more usage. Markus Golden was nearly as efficient at getting sacks on a per snap basis, but I don't think anyone would think he'd hold up to 900 snaps.

I also need to see Porter and Benton do it again. I feel like too many Steelers draftees have gone backwards rather than forwards in their second year.

I think Benton is a top 5 most important Steeler this year, as a hot take. If he becomes an upper tier NT we will shut down the run. If not and with Heyward aging...

 

[DanielPlainview]

I think that was probably their best draft. Last year was right there. Last year will be determined by how Jones does, but right now Porter and Benton look like Pro Bowlers to me, and if Herbig got more work, he would have absurd numbers. That class is probably my favorite every. I think they yanked 4 studs.



For sure. He and Herbig are going to be huge pieces of this going forward. They should have Washington doing shit like this...





I'd love to see them get him more involved. He can really catch the football.

Using him as a pulling blocker for Warren would be great. And then utilizing some PA in a similar motion to lob it over the top to him.

Frankly, it's sad we in a message board can find ways to use the guy while the professional OC they had last year couldn't seem to put it together.

 

[Peat]

I think Benton is a top 5 most important Steeler this year, as a hot take. If he becomes an upper tier NT we will shut down the run. If not and with Heyward aging...

Given that Heyward playing through a groin injury recovery seemed more important vs the run than Benton last year then I think that's a trifle hot, yeah. Heyward fully recovered but a year older should at least be equal to Heyward not fully recovered and I'm not expecting Benton to make that jump like that. Would be nice if he did though, really nice.

 

[ChaosAgent]

Given that Heyward playing through a groin injury recovery seemed more important vs the run than Benton last year then I think that's a trifle hot, yeah. Heyward fully recovered but a year older should at least be equal to Heyward not fully recovered and I'm not expecting Benton to make that jump like that. Would be nice if he did though, really nice.

Respect this take.

Still, why not both then?
Benton is a high volatility player. If he's just a guy, I don't think our defensive front is very good and very dependent on an aging Cam. If he's a star or near-star we are much better. Ogunjobi is what he is as a 3rd piece.

I also think Watt and Highsmith leave big gaps by the nature of how they rush the passer. Generating a push up the middle is crucial.

 

[Peat]

Respect this take.

Still, why not both then?
Benton is a high volatility player. If he's just a guy, I don't think our defensive front is very good and very dependent on an aging Cam. If he's a star or near-star we are much better. Ogunjobi is what he is as a 3rd piece.

I also think Watt and Highsmith leave big gaps by the nature of how they rush the passer. Generating a push up the middle is crucial.

Agree he's going to be very important for better or worse as I share your belief that Ogunjobi ain't Heyward's Robin and Heyward probably isn't Batman any more. He's more some second rater superhero like Hawkeye.

 

[JTG]

Using him as a pulling blocker for Warren would be great. And then utilizing some PA in a similar motion to lob it over the top to him.

Frankly, it's sad we in a message board can find ways to use the guy while the professional OC they had last year couldn't seem to put it together.

With how he has been used this past year, he would be better off being a developmental RT. The dude can legitimately block. The game against one of the Bosa's Washington BURIED him a few times. His blocking ability is elite and if we aren't going to get him involved in the offense, make him a T, move Fautanu inside. They have to get these linemen moving. That can be our wrinkle that many teams dont have. Our big-uglies can motor.

Smith has a tall task in front of him, because this offense needs to immediately look good to get buy in from anyone around here.

 

[Peat]

With how he has been used this past year, he would be better off being a developmental RT. The dude can legitimately block. The game against one of the Bosa's Washington BURIED him a few times. His blocking ability is elite and if we aren't going to get him involved in the offense, make him a T, move Fautanu inside. They have to get these linemen moving. That can be our wrinkle that many teams dont have. Our big-uglies can motor.

Smith has a tall task in front of him, because this offense needs to immediately look good to get buy in from anyone around here.

It's tricky because the team has personnel issues and as long as his work doesn't look incompetent or stifling of talent I'm inclined to be generous but at the same time, my patience with the team is very much eroded.

 

[JTG]

It's tricky because the team has personnel issues and as long as his work doesn't look incompetent or stifling of talent I'm inclined to be generous but at the same time, my patience with the team is very much eroded.

Agreed. His leash is probably 4-5 games for me and then I'm going to start looking for changes at the HC.

 

[JTG]

I think Fautanu and Frazier immediately move the needle for us. I think McCormick could also potentially move the needle for us in specific packages because him and Herbig on rushing downs is massive for us. We are going to be able to run the ball. If we can't it's schematics.

I think Wilson has enough weapons in the pass to have a really strong play action game. I think he can still be a really good game manager at minimum. If they can keep this defense off the field and keep the defense fresh...this is an outstanding looking team.

 

[Peat]

Agreed. His leash is probably 4-5 games for me and then I'm going to start looking for changes at the HC.

I wanted changes at HC but given he's escaped and given he's made swinging changes, I've got no clock on what happens next. For me it's how. If it looks like Smith is being told to run conservative offences and it's continuing to cause trouble, the clock will basically explode. If it looks like Smith's being given freedom to run an offence but it turns out a very young offensive line and QBs with flaws go ugly then... well I guess that still comes back to Tomlin but I'll be more understanding.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Baby Heyward is the guy who I see maybe getting the biggest bump from Smith. I'm assuming he plays a FB role more often. Mildly surprised they didn't bring one in.

I don't think they view Heyward as a FB. Expect 1 to be brought in fairly soon though

 

[Goalie_Bob]

I thought the Smith offense didn't use a fullback......

 

[Night Shift]

I wanted changes at HC but given he's escaped and given he's made swinging changes, I've got no clock on what happens next. For me it's how. If it looks like Smith is being told to run conservative offences and it's continuing to cause trouble, the clock will basically explode. If it looks like Smith's being given freedom to run an offence but it turns out a very young offensive line and QBs with flaws go ugly then... well I guess that still comes back to Tomlin but I'll be more understanding.

Tomlin has been meddling with the offense for years, this is why he likes "yes men" like Canada who (like him) don't know what their doing.

I can totally see Tomlin trying to micromanage Smith. Smith probably regrets coming here already.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

I wanted changes at HC but given he's escaped and given he's made swinging changes, I've got no clock on what happens next. For me it's how. If it looks like Smith is being told to run conservative offences and it's continuing to cause trouble, the clock will basically explode. If it looks like Smith's being given freedom to run an offence but it turns out a very young offensive line and QBs with flaws go ugly then... well I guess that still comes back to Tomlin but I'll be more understanding.

My fears exactly.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

I wanted changes at HC but given he's escaped and given he's made swinging changes, I've got no clock on what happens next. For me it's how. If it looks like Smith is being told to run conservative offences and it's continuing to cause trouble, the clock will basically explode. If it looks like Smith's being given freedom to run an offence but it turns out a very young offensive line and QBs with flaws go ugly then... well I guess that still comes back to Tomlin but I'll be more understanding.

Apparently Rooney is tired of not winning a playoff game, but I can’t take that rumor seriously TBTH.

All excuses have been removed… first it was Roth… then Canada… then KP…

Tomlin is again out of excuses and Khan has given him more than enough to win a playoff game.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Apparently Rooney is tired of not winning a playoff game, but I can’t take that rumor seriously TBTH.

All excuses have been removed… first it was Roth… then Canada… then KP…

Tomlin is again out of excuses and Khan has given him more than enough to win a playoff game.

This should be 100 percent accepted and universally agreed upon the bare minimum this season upcoming is a playoff win

 

[DanielPlainview]

Hoping for a playoff win and accepting that as the goal. The Art II era has officially turned this franchise into the Browns.