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Sometimes I finish watching a game and immediately sit down and hammer something out for your reading enjoyment. Other times, I take the opportunity to watch a little more tape and absorb more deeply what I’ve seen with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The latter applies here. Here are my observations from last night’s 24-16 win in Philadelphia.
On Offense
- I don’t think there is any doubt that Dwayne Haskins outplayed both Mason Rudolph and Josh Dobbs last night but here’s another angle. I also have observed that the unit as a whole seems to respond more to Haskins than the other two. There’s a sense of urgency and more enthusiasm. Go back and look and you’ll see what I mean.
- I’ll also add though that Rudy hasn’t been “bad” he just hasn’t been as dynamic as Haskins and hasn’t led the team to any points either.
- I love Najee Harris and everything he brings but he’s got stop the hurdling. That will eventually catch up with him. It always does.
- Chuks Okorafor does not look ready to be this team’s starting left tackle. I’ll give him the fact it was his first go on the year last night but he was humbled by two different rookies on routine pass rush moves.
- The receivers are not blocking down-field worth a damn and that cannot sit well with Mike Tomlin.
- Pat Freiermuth looked good last night despite a holding call that nullified a big Harris’ run. Freiermuth looked the part of an NFL tight end.
- Benny Snell is in serious trouble. The Steelers have a stable of really nice backs right now and if he can’t get on the field he’s going to have a hard time making it. Anthony McFarland and Harris look great and even Jaylen Samuels is making some plays, but Trey Edmunds looks like a guy fighting for his football career too.
- Kevin Dotson responded well to his tongue-lashing last week. He and rookie Dan Moore make a nice duo.
- Don’t look now but Zach Gentry and Kevin Radar can both block and block well.
- One of the major concerns with rookie Kendrick Green starting at center is that he’s pretty light at just over 300 lbs. That was evident a couple of times last night as he was literally shoved into the lap of the QB.
- Bad holding call on Trai Turner that negated a good run. He hardly grabbed the defender and it was way behind the play.
On Defense
- Did it really surprise anyone that the Steelers were in the midst of trading for inside linebacker help during the game? Both Robert Spillane and Devin Bush (and eventually Ulysees Gilbert III too) were all beaten soundly in pass coverage.
- I really like Isaiahh Loudermilk. Not only does he look a bit like Cam Heyward but he plays like him at times too.
- Could Cassius Marsh be the odd guy out at OLB? I have a hard time seeing them letting Quincy Roche or Jamir Jones go to the Practice Squad. Both are impressive and making plays. Jones’ hustle is awesome.
- Not a good night for Cam Sutton. He got beat deep on what should have been a 98-yard TD but thankfully the ball was poorly thrown. He got turned around on several other plays as well.
- Tre Norwood will be working on his angles of pursuit this week in practice.
- Arthur Maulet got a lot of time at nickel with Antoine Brooks out. I have to say the jury is still out. Maulet did some decent things but there were things that also concern me big time.
- Melvin Ingram is fun to watch isn’t he? The guy is so stinking strong… He just overpowers blockers one after the other.
- Opposite him is Alex Highsmith who was again a wrecking ball on several occasions last night.
On Special Teams
- Don’t count out Jordan Berry just yet. He had a couple of splendid punts buried deep inside the 10-yard line. Unless Chris Boswell just can’t handle anyone other than Berry holding for him on his kicks I still think Pressley Harvin III wins the job.
- While James Pierre has done a great job at cornerback he has also thrived on Special Teams as well.
- Anthony McFarland has been getting a lot of attention at running back but he also made at least one really nice tackle on the kickoff team too.
