Christopher Carter's Steelers and Pitt chat: 10.12.26
powered byJotCast
This chat is available to members only. Please log in to participate.
Christopher Carter
1:03
Alright, I've got my coffee after talking with Pat Narduzzi and we've got a little under two hours before Mike McCarthy speaks. Let's get into it!
Ryan
1:03
What is the biggest fuss over how the defense played?  We won thanks to them.
Christopher Carter
1:04
I think it's that the pass defense still has big questions. The Steelers did a great job shutting things down when the Colts got into their territory. But, the pass rush was mostly non-existent and the coverage downfield left a lot of options open for a better quarterback not named Daniel Jones.
1:05
BUT, to your point, they allowed one touchdown and the Steelers won. I don't think they played poorly, just not to the level that makes people feel confident when they face better offenses moving forward. Fortunately for them, they've got Jalon Daniels and the Buccaneers this week.
Ryan
1:05
Would you agree that both Rogers and Warren have been playing as a top 5 QB & RB in the NFL the last 3 weeks?
Christopher Carter
1:18
I think Warren is there regardless of 3 weeks or not. His 128 yards from scrimmage per game is 4th-best among all NFL players right now. That's only behind Kenneth Walker, Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson. He's lighting it up. The biggest thing is I think there's still the big names who've been around for a while like Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley who don't have those numbers but do carry that respect.

So it depends on who you ask, but I think specifically isolated to how they've played this year, Warren deserves to be in a top 5 discussion.

Aaron Rodgers has done well, but top 5 is harder to put him in. He's got 10 TD passes, tied for fifth-most. But the only people with 9 TD passes or more who have a worse TD-INT ratio than him are Tyler Shough and Jacoby Brissett. There's some QBs really playing well and it would be hard to rank him over them.
1:20
Now if you just limit him to the past three weeks, he does lead the NFL in TD passes during that span with 9. But he's also 10th in passer rating, 7th in yards, 8th in yards per attempt, 10th in TD-INT ratio, and has been sacked 8 times --  7th-most in the NFL during that time.

I'd say he could be pushing top 10 for the past 3 weeks. But not top 5.
Ryan
1:20
Do you feel Warren has done enough to be a 3 down back?
Christopher Carter
1:21
Yes and if the Steelers have him split carries with Rico Dowdle anywhere lower than a 75%-25% share I think they'd be doing themselves a disservice. Warren's had durability issues in the past so I got it before. But he's showing the ability to keep going and he's your best weapon. You have to lean on him right now.
Fletch
1:21
Happy Monday, Christopher. Thank you for the chat. Another bounce back game and home win that I think showed some ability to deal with adversity given what's transpired recently and the in game injuries they had. That said, their performance in away games is noticeably different and it feels like they have an internal struggle with what they want their identity to be. Seems like they are better suited to be a running team but the offense is set up to emphasize the passing game and the players would prefer to play more man on D but the scheme is mostly zone. Do you think the coaches need to adjust their philosophy to fit their players skill set better for this to be a successful season? Thanks.
Christopher Carter
1:27
Happy Monday, Fletch!

Thanks for being here! This has been my biggest gripe to the Steelers' approach to 3/5 of their games so far. Against the Falcons, Patriots and Browns, I've seen them try to embrace a style of play that doesn't fit how they've built the roster.

Against the Bengals and Colts, they did the opposite and they looked tough. This team has built its offensive line through the draft, they've paid two very talented tight ends, they've put together big, physical receivers, and have a dangerous running back. They need to lean on a plan that emphasizes all of those strengths. They did that Sunday. They need to do it again when they play the Buccaneers and moving forward.

I do think there might be an internal battle between Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy about what style their offense needs to be.
Dormont_Legacy
1:27
Hey Chris! That game felt like old times. Even though it was a battle until late, it felt like a professional offense and a D that, while not making splash plays, they made THE plays that they had to. Did we see some growing up happening?
Christopher Carter
1:32
I think there was some growing up on offense and there was some stepping up from the young defensive line. Yahya Black and Gabriel Rubio looked tough against the run and helped keep the linebackers clean so they could all team up to stuff Jonathan Taylor in the backfield a lot in this game.

I still think there are some serious issues with how the covereage and pass rush are working together right now and that will get tested as they face better offenses moving forward. But I did think Asante Samuel Jr. had his best game as a Steeler yet.
Mozart
1:32
What happened to the Steelers Drumline group ?  I see them walking into the stadium but they are no longer on the field.
Christopher Carter
1:34
So, they're still around the stadium for sure and they do pre-game shows. But it does seem like they're not as featured during games. Maybe there were some limitations to when they could be out there? Being honest, that's not something I'm too knowledgeable about.

But being a former trumpet section leader of an HBCU marching band, I do kinda want to figure this one out lol
Dormont_Legacy
1:34
Chris - did Narduzzi rely too much on a fill in starter? 40 passes in his first game? I thought his heavy pass play calling late with plenty of time on the clock was poor. One set he threw two incompletions then called runs?!?!?!? Is this why he can’t win when ranked?
Christopher Carter
1:36
So I think some of this was circumstantial. Early on, I got what they were trying to do with the passes because they were trying to make UNC be honest and not sell out to stop the run.

It worked to move the ball as the run game led the offense and they were pretty balanced, but they only got 10 points out of it. They needed to finish drives better and build up a bigger lead.

When they were down and UNC was just run blitzing every early down, it forced Pitt to go to the air. I don't think it was their initial plan to have Holden Geriner throw that much. But I do think they need to have a better plan with how to make that easier when teams sell out to stop their run.
Or, Geriner just needs to hit some wide open guys.
DaquidoBazzini
1:36
Can you shed some light on how the NFL is letting kickers have a special ball? On the CBS telecast yesterday, JJ Watt mentioned that they can pick their own ball before the game. Why is this and what kind of air are they putting in it? It's pretty clear there is a reason for the extra long FG's, and I think they've over done it.
Christopher Carter
1:42
So, for those who don't understand, kickers/punters are allowed to have special balls -- known as K-balls -- and have been since around 1999/2000. These are balls that can be kicked, washed, scrubbed by a brush and broken in by the kickers/punters who use them so help break the ball in to make the ball more suitable to being kicked.

What's different is that before 2025, there was only a certain amount of time teams had before games to pull that off and kickers had to get used to those balls in the hours leading up to kickoff. Now, as long as the balls pass inspection, kickers can practice with them leading up to a game.

It's less about the air and more about the texture of the ball. I'm not as well-versed in that area but that's how I've understood that.
Fletch
1:42
I know the JPJ debacle has been beaten to death but still confused by it. Based on what I've read, both sides were OK with the length of contract and AAV but they were far apart on guaranteed money with the team only willing to guarantee 1 yr salary with some additional money for an injury guarantee. Haven't read what JPJ's side wanted in guarantee but the market for CB's has that at roughly 70-80% of the total contract value. The team's offer was essentially 38%. I don't think JPJ should have been offered a 70% guaranteed contract but 60% would put him where he should fall in the current top 15 CB contracts. The team knows the market - why not make that offer in Feb or Mar and if JPJ balks, trade him for additional draft capital before or during the draft when his value is higher? Seems like a mistake by the FO. Trading him after how he negotiated was a necessity IMO but letting it get there cost them more than it should have. Thoughts?
Christopher Carter
1:47
I think the biggest part of this was the timing of the process and the limited return they got back. If they didn't want to give him the guaranteed money he was looking for and they could've known that in the spring, Porter probably would've fetched a bigger deal than a 2nd round pick in 2028. To me, that's the biggest mistake. He was the best player of the group they wanted to consider re-signing.

They needed to put him at the front of the list to get done. And if it wouldn't get done, they could've acted on it faster and gotten it done before it got out of hand.
George T
1:47
Hello Chris, in the Browns game why was TJ only credited with one sack? To me it look like he had two. Was the force fumble not a sack and why.
Christopher Carter
1:48
So, you're thinkin of the forced fumble on Deshaun Watson that TJ Watt also recovered. The official scorers designated that as a run because Watson tried to take off as if it was an RPO where he just kept the ball rather than a pass where Watt stopped him from throwing it.
SMP
1:48
Any fix to the pass rush, without it, we have no hope of winning in the playoffs, if we make it. Herbig, is definitely not a blitzing inside backer.
Christopher Carter
1:49
Yeah, we just asked him about that today. He still thinks he can do it, but it's certainly not working. They need to get back to winning 1-on-1s or eventually teams with legitimate passing attacks will rip up the Steelers.
Sal
1:49
Thanks for your chats Chris! You give PG audience a great insight on X and Os!!!! How do we fix the steelers perimeter and the pass rush?
Christopher Carter
2:05
Thanks Sal!

Biggest thing I've seen is that the pass rush isn't winning their 1-on-1s and the coverage isn't doing that enough either against talented WRs.

Sunday, I thought Asante Samuel Jr. played very well. But he also faced a below average QB and a WR unit missing its top guy. Moving forward, they've got to find a way to get the pass rush back to disrupting teams. They've been able to survive 2 wins where the pass rush wasn't a major factor for most of the game. But that's not how thiseam is built to win.
Greg
2:05
How do you think our long-term plan at CB plays out? Starting Everette seemed to help but those last few incompletions looked overthrown rather than like good coverage. Better throws and those get caught. Is this group really good enough?
Christopher Carter
2:11
Well, that's about to hit a big reset. Joey Porter Jr. WAS the long term CB plan, and now that he's gone they've got to find a new guy to build around.

From what I understood, Daylen Everette was the guy they wanted to build into being Porter's CB2 for the long term. But now, they need to rethink who will be that CB1.

I think how this works is they draft a new CB1 high in the next draft or 2 and start over. If Everette works out, they stick with him but still get a high-end guy to make the new pair moving forward. But this is probably going to be a long term project.
Yates
2:11
Hi CC -  why has Echols fallen out of favor?
Christopher Carter
2:13
Hello! I think primarily because his best role was as a slot CB and that's basically where they have Jalen Ramsey now. Last year, Ramsey dropped back to safety and that opened up space for Echols. Samuel and Everette are the guys they want on the outside and I think they're saving Echols as their reserve slot for if Ramsey can't be there.
Gene
2:13
Nice win yesterday but we have major problems with our pass defense. We should have signed Porter and do you think our defense will get better with Elliot coming back.
Christopher Carter
2:13
I agree that these are major problems and could come back to bit them if they're not solved.
JDT
2:13
CC, are there any Steelers beside Warren and Watt who are looking like potential pro bowl selections after 5 games?
Christopher Carter
2:17
Maybe Zach Frazier. He had a rough game against the Patriots but he's been very consistent otherwise. I think with how well he's played over the past three years that more people nationally are ready to anoint him.

I think if Pat Freiermuth keeps up his red zone production, he might finally get that acknowledgement. 4 TDs in 5 games is a ratio that if maintained could lead to a 13-ish TD season and get him there.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
2:17
Regarding Pitt football, I like Narduzzi, but does he have an overinflated opinion of himself and the team? Most of their players are the 3-star variety and it is hard for him to compete with the big boys. Every year it seems like the beat the small school types and the bottom feeders of the ACC but when they have to play the cream of the ACC they go down hard. Can they or will they ever get over the hump to compete for a CFP spot or is that out of reach? My opinion is they are a middle tier team that just can't get over the top.
Christopher Carter
2:22
I don't think it's about being overinflated, but more about working with what you have. If you're a coach, do you want to come out and say, "hey, we know our guys aren't the best and most expensive roster assembled out there but we're still going to give it our best?" probably not.

Narduzzi does a good job to make the most out of Pitt averaging around spending 9th-most among the ACC football rosters. They're regularly in the top half and have gone to the ACC title game multiple times and are one of the few to have won the title game.

What will get them over the hump? More money. Pitt doesn't have the funds to get the talent these other top schools do. One OT on Miami's roster cost more than the entirety of Pitt's offensive line.

Pitt might have a cinderella run, but that carriage will turn back into a pumpkin eventually in today's NIL climate. They need more funds.
SoCalFan
2:22
I know Aaron is old and can be quite prickly, but let’s be honest. The Steelers haven’t had QB play nearly this good since pre-injury Ben, and it’s not even close. His arm talent, command of the offense, etc…Am
2:23
am I right Chris?
Load More Messages
Connecting…