SCB Steelers Quick Hitters: The “Hall of Fame Game Wrap” Edition

Good Friday to you Steelers fans.

The Black and Gold started their 2021 campaign off on the right foot last night with a 16-3 win over the Dallas Cowboys. Yeah, it’s just preseason but it always feels good to beat them. My general observations from last night were that I already like this offense. There are a few guys on defense who really did themselves a great service and as always there are things that need to be addressed. The opening odds favored the Steelers by -2 points last night for you betting folks so I’m hoping you made the right play. Below are my thoughts on what transpired last evening.

First Half Rumblings From Last Night

Mike Tomlin can’t be too thrilled with his defense in the first half. Dallas QBs went 17 for 26 for 164 yards. They did collect two sacks which were collected by Alex Highsmith and Cassius Marsh. It’s nothing to be disgusted by but considering these are backup QBs I’m guessing that’s too much for his liking… The running game in the first half was not good. 12 carries and 30 yards, 22 of which were gained by Najee Harris on seven carries isn’t quite the start you were looking for but… there is a clear change in this offensive line unit. They were more noticeably more aggressive and running backs don’t lose yards. They always seem to be moving forward… I mentioned Highsmith above. If he can do what’s he’s currently doing against starting offensive linemen then he’s in for a monster season… Robert Spillane makes me nervous in coverage. Always has and always will when he’s man-to-man…

Tweet of the Day… I’m not a huge Orlovsky fan but I agree 100% with this.

If I was a @steelers fan I would take 1 thing from last night and be very excited about it. The amount of pre/at snap motion used by the offense.
-they needed to be under center more this year
-they NEEDED more motion in offense

Good first step towards that

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) August 6, 2021

Second Half Rumblings From Last Night

How do you not like the play of Quincy Roche and Jamir Jones? Suddenly, the OLB spot looks deep… Yikes, how do you know turn around and play the ball Justin Layne?…After a rough start which included a missed field goal and a missed PAT Sam Sloman bounced back with a splendid 48-yarder and a made PAT… I like Buddy Johnson. Very smart, reads things well and aggressive at the point of attack. Lots to work on but I like the rookie… Hard not to line Kalen Ballage. Runs hard and falls forward every time… Great job by Josh Dobbs to hang in there a deliver a beauty of a TD pass to Tyler Simmons… Dobbs had a really nice night. For a guy getting very few reps I thought did a solid job… Jordan Berry should start packing his bags. Pressley Harvin III was really good last night with a variety of punts. I can’t see him losing the job… Anthony McFarland already looks light years ahead of where he was last season.

The QB Battle

Neither Haskins nor starter Mason Rudolph were overly impressive last night. That doesn’t mean they didn’t do some good things. Haskins went through his progressions like an old pro on several occasions and delivered strong, on target throws. Rudy made some good throws as well off of smart reads but I thought there should have been a few more deep shots that looked available. There seem to be a lot of fans in one corner or the other and I’m not sure it needs to be that way. Fans should want a confident and capable backup regardless of who it is. I’ll say this for Dobbs. His mobility and grasp of the offense is something I would covet in a third QB. Whether he makes it or not I have no clue yet.

Quick Hits

Kevin Radar is a really good blocker. Hope they find a way to keep him around.
Catch the ball Chase Claypool. Are the “drops” contagious?
This offense plays so much faster. I love it.
Donnie Shell was sporting Black and Gold Nike’s last night. Props to the Hall of Famer.
Jaylen Samuels started slowly but had some nice runs.
Didn’t see enough from either Antoine Brooks or Arthur Maulet to say who has the nickel job yet.