Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 08.14.26
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Dr. J
11:27
In your opinion, what does the Elandon Roberts signing indicate?
Christopher Carter
11:28
That Malik Harrison's days are numbered.

Also that maybe this team is thinking about keeping 5 ILBs with Queen, Wilson, Holcomb, Bruener (special teams ace) and now Roberts as the thumper on clear run downs.
KJ
11:29
Has any update been given on the status of Michael Pittman? And how have you seen his camp was going up to the time of his injury? It seems as though very little was being reported on his progress through camp up to that point.
Christopher Carter
11:31
Nope. And they don't have to until it's regular season time.

But as far as Pittman in camp, I haven't seen anything wrong with him. But he also hasn't stood out either. Maybe that's just because they're working hard to get Bernard and Wilson involved and Metcalf-Rodgers already have a connection. But I saw Pittman as an immediate boost for this offense who'd get a lot of targets and training camp has me questioning just how many he'll really get.

I don't think his injury is that serious. When it happened Saturday, trainers looked at him briefly and he walked around the rest of practice. I think they know they've got a talent in him and don't feel pressed to rush him while they look more at Bernard, Wilson, Wetjen and company.
Ryan
11:32
Chris what do you think about the play of Gabe Rubio he played good last night by the way nice article you wrote about him
Christopher Carter
11:35
Thanks for reading that!

I thought he lived up to the hype. I haven't had as much of a chance to study him specifically on the all-22 yet, but I liked the moments I noticed him and Yahya Black just moving guys at the line or keeping the ILBs clean.

Dare I say, but this defense might be really deep. We could be talking about 6 DTs they're confident to play in Heyward-Harmon-Benton-Black-Joseph-Day and Rubio, 4 ILBs in Queen-Wilson-Holcomb and the return of Roberts, 6 CBs they like in Porter-Dean-Ramsey-Samuels-Echols-Everrette, and of course the 4 edge rushers in Watt-Highsmith-Herbig-Sawyer.

Only problem is safety.

Steelers fans should like what they see.
Kevin in Charlotte
11:35
Hi Chris, thanks for doing the chat! You’re by far my favorite.
Seems like the RB situation didn’t change much. Do you think Homer is more of a lock because of his special teams play as well?
Christopher Carter
11:39
Hi Kevin! Thanks for the compliments and for being here!

Travis Homer's made his way in the NFL by being that special teams helper, and that looks like what he's doing again for the Steelers.

He's never had even 200 rushing yards in a year, but he's on his 8th NFL season. He's got to be doing something right!

I also think Kaleb Johnson needs to find a way to make an impact, and fast. Help on special teams, be a better pass protector, something. Homer doesn't look like a good pass protector (got mauled last night) and isn't that good of a runner. That's where Johnson can make up some ground too.
Mr Rooney
11:40
QB play is all the talk after last night against GB. However I was just as encouraged about our defense. Especially our front against the run and secondary defending downfield passing. Granted Love was only on for one series. But he didn't seem to find any rhythm in the passing game and his receivers looked pedestrian as our secondary pretty much swallowed them up. Could it be PGH is finally looking to sport a defense that matches their collective payroll this season?
Christopher Carter
11:44
I thought the defense flowed well. Didn't see a lot of busted coverages. But granted, they mostly played against Kyle McCord, who I saw throw five interceptions --  INCLUDING THREE PICK 6s -- to Pitt's defense on that same field all in one game just a couple years ago.

Still, I got encouraging feedback about their comfort in the defense from some of the defensive players I talked to after the game.

I don't know if they're going to be elite or anything -- Jamel Dean gave us the "best of all time" quote last week that Juan Thornhill gave us last year -- but I do think they look locked in and ready for what Patrick Graham is dialing up.
itsallmoot
11:45
I didn't get to see the entire game but reading the box score the running game didn't seem to do much (2.6 yard average). Thoughts on how the Oline blocked for the run game. I know our top two RB's didn't play and some of the projected starting OLine didn't play much so  hard to get a feel but seemed disappointing.
Christopher Carter
11:45
Yeah, I thought the offensive line was one of the more disappointing aspects of the game. There weren't many holes, and there was a lot of pressure allowed to the Packers' starters.

They know they need to do better. Troy Fautanu said as much when I asked him about it after the game. I'll be working on a film study on them to come out soon.
Mr Rooney
11:46
Penalties were atrocious last night...134 yards!!! GB gained only 160 yards without them. It's only preseason of course, but this game was a laugher. PGH dominated a SB contender. How much stock do you put into that as we look towards the regular season. Granted it's nothing until the games count, but it also ain't nothing to outplay a quality team over four quarters at all depth chart levels. What say you?
Christopher Carter
11:48
The penalties absolutely have to get cleaned up. Beyond just the procedural mistakes and a holding call that wiped out a touchdown, all the personal fouls were a bad sign of discipline. Ben Skowronek's didn't make any sense and erased a solid field-flipping punt from Cameron Johnston.

If those don't get cleaned up, they will come back to bite this team in games that matter.

As for dominating a Super Bowl contender, I'll now say woah rather than sick'em.

The Packers didn't play all their starters and Jordan Love left in quick order. I don't put much stock towards how this team will compete just yet. But I do think there were some good notes to take on young development players who were building off the experience.
Van Pelt
11:49
Again, waaaaay too early but Asante Samuel may end up being the #2 cb sooner than later…
Christopher Carter
11:50
I mean, he's been a lockdown cornerback all throughout camp and was again last night.

Asante Samuel Jr. did not look like a cornerback you'd want to test. So, whenever Joey Porter Jr. returns, that'll make for an interesting rotation.

I actually have a different idea for him though:

What if the Steelers move Jalen Ramsey into a permanent safety role and just let Samuel be the slot corner who rotates outside when necessary? I think him, Porter and Dean would make a nasty trio -- rivaling that of Haden-Nelson-Hilton when they played well together. Heck, they might even be better.
His Dudeness
11:51
Hi Chris.  How much useful information can you get on QB play against such a vanilla defense?
Christopher Carter
11:54
Hello!

So, when the vanilla defenses are out, the main thing I look for are the basics.

For QBs, do you avoid big mistakes? Keep to your footwork? Cycle through reads? They did that, so check.

For RBs, do you hit the designed holes, pick up blitzes and catch the ball out of the backfield? Didn't see that.

For WRs, do you get open, make routine catches and make plays with the ball in your hands? Bernard and Wetjen, yep. Wilson, not so much.

For the OL, do you change the line of scrimmage against the run and keep your QB clean all night? Didn't see that.

Accomplishing or failing here doesn't determine regular season success or failure, but they're more notes in the journal on their development -- or lack thereof.
yo yo
11:54
during the first part of McCarthy Presser after the game he said Howard was up and down. Was he referring to when Howard looked at only one receiver and panicked because of the rush and ran? That was shades of Kenny Pickett.
Christopher Carter
11:55
Yeah there were some moments I thought Howard rushed himself. But that's to be expected in a debut.
Epiballo
11:55
If Samuel keeps playing at a high level, could that impact the Porter negotiations?
Christopher Carter
11:56
I don't see that happening at all. I still think both sides come to the table and get this done before the season begins, just like Watt, Fitzpatrick, Johnson, Highsmith, Watt the second time, Heyward the 233485th time, etc.
Van Pelt
11:56
Who are the
Dragons?
Christopher Carter
11:57
That would be the Taylor Allderdice Dragons! My high school!
Epiballo
11:57
“Roughing the center?” Ever hear that penalty called before?
Christopher Carter
11:58
They meant to say longsnapper, and yes. You're not allowed to touch the longsnapper as they're vulnerable during their job. Important rule and one that has erased many stops in the NFL.
Turk in MD
11:58
Hi Chris.  Thanks for the chats!  I thought RSJ and Samuel Jr looked excellent when they got into the game.  What have you seen in practice?
Christopher Carter
12:00
Hello!

Asante Samuel Jr. looked really solid all camp and might've been the biggest benefactor of camp.

But Robert Spears-Jennings didn't look as confident as he did last night when we watched him at practice. He often was out of position, getting beat and looked like a rookie 7th round pick filling in for a position dealing with multiple injuries.

But last night? He looked comfortable and not afraid to get on the move. He's not someone I think will start and will probably be a tight fit to make the final 53, but I think he's done a good job.
Spike
12:00
Had seen a chat from you, got worried something happened
Christopher Carter
12:00
Don't worry, I'm here! Just training camp had me super busy.
putinbatch
12:01
i feel like the new special teams coach (after how long?!) is an interesting subplot that no one is talking about much. Even with the bad ST performance last night, I don't think Pomp or Batch16 even mentioned the new coach's name. Do you know his name? I'll also be interested to see how Danny Smith and his gum do wherever it is that he went.
Christopher Carter
12:04
The new guy is also a Danny -- Danny Crossman.

Danny Smith is now with the Buccaneers. And good for him. He's a good coach and a good dude.

One thing Pittsburghers might miss is how well he organized blocks on special teams.

Over the past four years, the Steelers blocked a combined 9 field goals, extra points and punts -- per Sumer Sports, that led the NFL (next closest was six). They also only allowed two blocks themselves.

That's a NET differential of +7, also an NFL best by far over the last four years.

Crossman's got a high bar to meet there. Wasn't the best start when it seemed like special teams took a penalty on every other play.
12:05
Last one here before I have to get to my other duties.
J D
12:05
Chris, do you think that McCarthy called all the plays or did Angelichio call some of them?  Also, what are his duties during a game?  Thank you for the chats.
Christopher Carter
12:07
Thanks for being here!

McCarthy called all the plays as far as I know and that's how it will be this season. McCarthy made that clear when he arrived because that's how he operates the offense.

Angelichio is involved organizing and preparing all the groups to make sure their plans best encompass all the strengths and weaknesses of their different position groups. On game day, he'll be the extra set of eyes for McCarthy and all the things that they look for to capitalize on.
Alright, that's all the time I can spare today. Have to get to working on a few more stories before I head back out to Saint Vincent College to finish out camp.

Happy Friday everyone and stay tuned for a lot more coming your way!
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