Home Steelers 2015 Season Several Takeaways From the Steelers Loss to the Jags

Several Takeaways From the Steelers Loss to the Jags

by Steeldad

The Pittsburgh Steelers put forth an effort that seemed to be a lot better than they did on Sunday against the Vikings but the end result was still the same. The Steelers dropped a 23-21 game to Jacksonville.

1. Ben Being Ben. In his first action of the 2015 season, Ben Roethlisberger was 3 for 3 for 59 yards and a touchdown. That touchdown was a 44-yard strike to Martavis Bryant. The best part of this scenario is that the entire offensive line was together for the first time as well.

After struggling to score three points last week, it was good for the team’s confidence and the fans’ confidence as well to see the offense put up a touchdown. Thankfully, the Steelers were able get another offensive TD in the fourth quarter.

2. Defensive Depth is a Major Issue. The Steelers first team defense was pretty good overall. They forced a three and out on the first series and then, among some substitutions they surrendered a field goal to the Jaguars. After that however, things didn’t go well.

Blake Bortles and Chad Henne combined to go 20 for 25 for 205 yards and a touchdown. Preseason or not, that’s not good. While each guy was sacked once apiece, the overall pressure didn’t improve much from last week. Without Dan McCullers, the D-line depth was weaker and the questions about the secondary continued as well.

Right now, I think the Steelers will go with William Gay, Cortez Allen, Brandon Boykin and Antwon Blake as their top CBs and I’ll give the fifth CB advantage right now to Kevin Fogg. Until we know the fate of Senquez Golson, I have to assume he isn’t on the table right now.

The safety reserves are also coming down to a real battle. Alden Darby, Jordan Dangerfield, Ian Wild and Gerod Holliman are in one heck of a dogfight there. I’m not willing to say who wins this battle yet.

3. The Landry Experiment Is Over. I have to admit, 24 of 45 for 200 yards and a touchdown isn’t horrible for a guy destined to be nothing more than a second or third quarterback. The problem is that Jones put up a lot of those numbers against guys who won’t even be on the Jacksonville roster in a few weeks.

I’ll also go so far as to say that he didn’t get a lot of help from his receivers again this week but at the end of the day does Jones do anything to inspire confidence in his teammates, coaches or fans? I just don’t see it and it’s time to see what Tajh Boyd and Tyler Murphy can do.

4. Steelers’ Injury Report. Josh Harris has a foot injury. Lawrence Timmons was out due to a to injury in practice Wednesday.

5. Steelers’ Head Coach Mike Tomlin Comments. “Good to be challenged in a close game tonight… Confident that Boykin knows what to do… Not going to go into the two-point strategy… Liked the demeanor of Garrett Hartley…. Sammie Coates needs to get in better shape, all the young guys do… Shamarko did some nice things but needed to get over on that one touchdown pass.”

 

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4 comments

bob graff August 15, 2015 - 8:25 am

This is what i took away, Bryant is for real, Shazier misses tackles and can be burned on screens, Jarvis Jone and Bud Dupree look like mid round picks [and please don’t give me that they need time], overall again James Harrison looks like our best defensive player, Jesse James is improving and for the life of me why do J. Jones and Dupree keep crashing down the line on there pass rush, if they are being told to do that then they need to find a better way to use those guys and last but least L.Jones does not throw a receiver friendly ball, In short he only has one trajectory. It’s a good thing we have some time to improve i hope they use it well.

steeldad August 15, 2015 - 11:55 am

I always try to give rookies the benefit of the doubt regardless of what round they are chosen in so I’ll hold off on any criticism just yet. Am I concerned? Darn right I am.

Vittorio Di Stazio August 16, 2015 - 11:25 pm

Shazier is fine don’t worry about him. Jones needs to show more and Dupree will be fine it’s the fans who have no patience when it comes to the D. This is not going to be an overnight fix but everybody wants it to be well to bad you can either learn to be patient with the Young D or don’t bother commenting on them at all. The 1st team is in regular season forum which it should be. Shakim Phillips really didn’t help himself with that performance Friday Night but Coates while he is “out of shape’ made on big play on ST with that strip on the Kick Off. The D I felt that while they did get some pressure and a couple sacks really had problems defending the stretch running play. Go back and watch the Jags run the stretch play and you’ll see that the Steelers D really had trouble stopping it. Not a complaint just an observation. I do have a question that I would liked answered: With the “3rd” preseason game coming up next Sunday, I wonder will the starters get more time on the field or will it be like the Jags game where the get 5-8 snaps and be done with it for the rest of the night? 1 last thing, to any Steeler fan who wants to see Landry Jones be replaced by Tahj Boyd “I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news” Boyd will one of the first players to get cut by the Steelers. You can complain all you want about not wanting to see Landry Jones anymore he is not going anywhere and if you don’t believe me watch the next preseason game and I dare you to tell me I’m wrong.

bob graff August 17, 2015 - 10:27 am

What i’m looking for from these rookies are some plays plays that give some glimmer of hope for the future.So far they have been very uninspiring at best and Shazier, Jones and Dupree have all been on the field for longer than 5-8 snaps. I have rewatched both games trying to see something that indicates some solid linebacking play and so far it’s been lackluster.And you are right in being somewhat patient but you should see some , “wow did you see that” plays from time to time. As for L. Jones any could name 50 QB’s better than him and if J.Jones were not a first round pick absolutely no one would notice him. I feel like we are watching the Steelers doing the best they can to evaluate two failed draft choices. Problem is they are about to give J.Jones significant playing time without him having earned it and that’s something that just shouldn’t be done.

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