SCB Steelers Quick Hitters: The “Week 9 Observations” Edition

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Good Victory Tuesday to you Steelers fans.
Not all wins are beautiful. In fact, the majority are not. Last night was one of the uglier wins in recent memory but they all count the same in win-loss column. Here are my thoughts following Pittsburgh’s 29-27 win over Chicago.

Offense

  • Bizarre gameplan at times last night from Matt Canada.
  • Third and short and third TE Kevin Rader is the option?
  • Where is Derek Watt? You’re getting killed in the middle on short yardage. Give Najee Harris some help.
  • Where would this offense be without Harris and Pat Freiermuth?
  • Someday we will truly respect Ben Roethlisberger. He didn’t play all that well last night but when the team needed him, he drove them down and got them into position for what would be his 50th game-winning drive. That’s third all-time.
  • Kendrick Green is terrific in space, moving and attacking. He is awful when it comes to straight-ahead, in-line blocking. It’s that simple. Has to improve his overall strength.
  • Not a great night for Dan Moore. A week after doing a solid job against Myles Garrett, he was beaten several times by veteran Robert Quinn. Moore has to work on finding that consistency with each and every play.
  • What a night for Pat Freiermuth. You want to see a receiver fight for and win a 50/50 ball? That’s exactly what we need to see from all of our receivers. His blocking on the move was superb as well.
  • Chase Claypool had some good moments last night. Am I wrong for wanting more out of him though?
  • No clue as to why Anthony McFarland didn’t get a helmet last night but the Steelers need to find a backup period.
  • Not I understand the ‘end around’ calls on second and short a few times.

Defense

  • Way too many blown coverages last night. You should never see guys getting that wide open in zone coverage. Furthermore, you should never let guys get behind you. It’s a cardinal sin.
  • T.J. Watt 3 sacks. Enough said.
  • Arthur Maulet one-on-one in coverage scares me to death.
  • Cam Heyward always seems to make at least one huge play every game.
  • Chris Wormley had some real good moments last night.
  • I like Alex Highsmith a lot but I have to wonder when he starts getting to the quarterback more often.
  • I’m trying really hard to give Devin Bush some leeway due to last year’s injury but he just looks lost at times.
  • Minkah Fitzpatrick laid some serious lumber last night.
  • Keith Butler definitely favored zone last night. Early on I think Justin Fields struggled but his confidence grew throughout the game.
  • Joe Schobert was very much invisible last night save for short yardage stop.
  • Stephon Tuitt needs to get back ASAP.

Tweet of the Day… Boy does this tweet make sense today.

 

Special Teams

  • Ray Ray McCloud has to be out of chances. You absolutely cannot fumble the ball up ten. Just go down.
  • Pressley Harvin III is struggling and I honestly don’t know how long you stay with him. The lack of consistency is alarming.
  • Chris Boswell doesn’t need me to tell him that he just can’t miss PATs like that. He knows. But he also rebounded in a big way nailing all three field goal attempts including the game-winner. And he had a fumble recovery too!
  • Justin Layne does a really good job on Special Teams in terms of tackling and pursuit.

Officiating

  • There is obviously a lot to discuss in regards to the officials last night so allow me to do so.
  • The taunting call on Cassius Marsh was incredibly weak. No argument from me at all. The problem is that it falls under EXACTLY what the league is trying to get rid of which is taunting of the opponent. Marsh may not have said anything but his position and demeanor could have not have been anymore clearer.
  • As far as Tony Corrente’s “hip check’ of Marsh? That was totally uncalled for and unprofessional.
  • Many of the calls against the Bears were legit. You can’t be in illegal formations and you can’t be lined up offsides and expect those things to NOT get called.

Coaching

  • I had no problem with Mike Tomlin’s challenge on the deep catch. Did the receiver have the ball? Yes. Did the receiver ever control the ball? I have a hard time seeing that.
  • Danny Smith has things to take care of this week. While I don’t expect changes, he has to look at someone else to return punts. He’s also got to decide how long they will hang with Harvin. No team can afford those types of punts this often.
  • Both Matt Canada and Keith Butler have work to do. Canada needs to find ways to get the ball downfield more often while Butler has to find the right combination in the secondary. Maulet was eventually replaced by Cam Sutton in the slot while James Pierre took over for Sutton on the boundary.

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