Good Monday to you Steelers fans.
The more things change the more they stay the same. In this case I’m going to add an asterisk. The asterisk will be given to the defensive line because Cam Heyward, Tyson Alualu and Larry Ogunjobi didn’t play thus leaving reserves to start the game. Where an asterisk won’t be given is to the offensive line where the primary starters, with the possible exception of Kendrick Green at left guard, started the game. Dan Moore did not look good at left tackle. Chuks Okorafor was “OK” while newcomers Mason Cole and James Daniels were above average in the run game and questionable in pass protection. While I’m not going to jump off the Clemente Bridge(I think I could survive anyway), this has to get better. Yes, it’s “just one game” but there’s a lot of room for improvement. Green was often overpowered at left guard where I have to believe Kevin Dotson will be the starter if healthy. Daniels was shaky at times in pass pro but I’ll give him and Cole a bit of a pass as communication is probably the culprit there. As for the defensive line, the gashes that we saw in 2021 have not closed up. Again, we didn’t have our starters but I can only evaluate who plays. Chris Wormley is not good against the run, it’s really that simple. Isaiahh Loudermilk is a good reserve but I’m not sure we can rely on him yet should he need to start. The two main concerns of this team are still concerns after one preseason game. They have to get better, period.
Bush
Any hopes that I had that Devin Bush would return to his pre-injury form went out the window quickly Saturday night. He continues to avoid contact. He isn’t getting off blocks and he is not seeing the play in front of him well at all. The patience of fans has nearly burned out. My own is near the end. Where is Mike Tomlin? Brian Flores? Teryl Austin? They have to see the same things I do and I’m not exactly confident in Robert Spillane either.
Tweet of the Day… He ain’t lyin.’
I don’t know if it’s just this app but the amount of fans celebrating a victory in preseason game one is super weird.
— ?????? (@scarpizio) August 15, 2022
The Running Back Room
Let’s go ahead and set Najee Harris aside because we know he’s the man. Benny Snell did not play Saturday. That allowed Anthony McFarland and others to get some snaps. McFarland looked very good. He showed elusiveness and the ability to break some tackles and that isn’t something he’s always done. Jaylen Warren also ran well. He gets so low to the ground with his pads that he’s difficult to tackle. He’s got better feet than I expected too. Master Teague and Mateo Durant got a few opportunities and looked solid but right now Warren is pushing hard to make this roster.
10 Years
This is the 10th year of Steel City Blitz. Yesterday I wrote a ‘thank you‘ of sorts because I can’t do this alone despite the fact that it’s exactly the way I started this thing. If you’re a regular reader you may enjoy reading it. Regardless, thank you for checking out the site.
Celebrating 50 years of “Immaculate”
We’ve got a brand new shirt/hoodie in our online store with DC4L Custom Tees celebrating the 50th anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception!” Get yours right here.
FOCO
The great people at FOCO have released their brand new Steelers Spring Collection and I’ve got it right here for you. We get a small percentage back on anything that you buy so please consider it! AND…. Check out their selection of reusable bags too! There are tons of great Steelers item on their site outside of the Spring collection too!
Our Online Store
Please visit our online store! We have been so fortunate to work with DC4L Custom Tees! They are wonderful to work with and are willing to work with you on just about any design you can come up with!
Quick Hitters is Brought to You By
