You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 10.10.25
powered byJotCast
Christopher Carter
10:21
Hi everyone! Sorry running behind here, just got done recording with Batko for the North Shore Drive pod. Let's get into it!
Peter
10:21
Hi Chris. Thanks to you and all the PG staff for the chats. I have a technical question. Is blocking below the waist, chop block etc, still legal? Or has it just fallen out of favor? I never see it anymore and it used to be a staple. Good technique for smaller players or if you are losing control at the line.
Christopher Carter
10:23
Chop blocks are still illegal, yes. You can block below the waist, but you can't do so to a player who's already being engaged by another blocker above the waist.
Jeff M
10:23
Hi Chris, do we get too caught up with potential trade additions? The last player I can remember having an impact getting on the "moving train", acquired in training camp or later, was Joe Haden. Should they just ride with who the got?
Christopher Carter
10:26
The Steelers should always be active listeners in the trade market to see who's out there, but they also shouldn't blow things up all the time either. But I think a big part of what plays into this is the why a player was added. Was it an emergency due to injury? Or just an addition to the team like Mike Williams last year?

If it's a big name player like Joe Haden, that would make sense to have a big impact. But rarely do you see the Steelers involved in such a midseason trade where big assets are moved all over.
Rocky Mountain Yunzer
10:26
How much do you think the Steelers will continue to use the Jumbo package with Anderson & Washington?  I know it depends on the team they're playing but if they can dictate the game via that package it seems to me they should lean into it.
Christopher Carter
10:29
I think you'll see it against teams that like to load the box -- which means get ready to see it a lot Sunday. The Steelers have used 12 personnel at the 2nd highest rate in the NFL and 13 personnel the 5th highest rate.

Meanwhile, the Browns stack the box on defense at the 3rd highest rate. That's what we call a collision course.

But will the Steelers always be like that? I don't think so. I think against smaller offenses they may opt for more speed on the field.
Bill Snyder
10:29
I noticed that players are wearing their pants above the knee (like Bermuda Shorts length) without knee pads.  I thought the players always wore slightly longer pants where they tucked it in the knee pads.  I thought knee pads helped avoid injury to the knee.  Could you explain this?
Christopher Carter
10:31
Personally I think players are crazy to not wear knee pads. But the basic answer is that it slows them down and speed is often the moneymaker in the NFL. I just think about how when I bump my knee I'm basically out for the next five minutes pulling a Peter Griffin.
Rudolph’s Mustache
10:31
Hi Christopher. Thanks for the chat and great work. I watched some OL footage from the all 22 for the first 3 games. Two things that seemed consistent were Jones and McCormack are weak on fundamentals, especially Jones and Warren reads holes too slowly, almost like he’s running to designed gap even if a different gap opens. Do you think some of the success against the Vikings was because Gainwell reads holes better or was it mostly help given to Jones?
Christopher Carter
10:36
Thanks for being here!

Jones and McCormick do need to work on technique. Where they currently make up for it is how aggressive and strong they play. I think it's something that will eventually have to be combined in their games: technique and aggression. But as a person who studied both extensively last year, I'd say both are making progress.

One thing about running back "vision" is that people need to understand that a big part of that comes from anticipation with where your OL will win. I think Warren's vision is fine, but blocks haven't been reliably won consistently. That was Najee Harris' biggest problem.

For a comparison, go back and watch Rashad Mendenhall when Maurkice Pouncey was blocking for him vs when he wasn't. Wasn't completely night and day, but once Pouncey got on the OL Mendenhall could run more aggressively because he knew which interior gaps to trust. If this OL develops, Warren will find that too.
Yates
10:36
Hi Chris-  Based on what we have seen from Fields and Russ should the Steelers coaching staff get more credit for last season’s results?
Christopher Carter
10:47
Hi Yates!

Considering that they are now a collective 0-7 now and the Steelers won 10 games with them last year, I do think it shows that the Steelers did a better job with them than others have -- and maybe would be the case in general with quarterbacks. Most journeyman that come through Pittsburgh seem to have better times as QBs there than other spots where they weren't in the early stage of their career when someone believed in them to be a franchise QB.
Yates
10:47
Chris-  in your opinion are the Eagles, Ravens, or Chiefs most likely to rebound and be relevant in Week 27?
Christopher Carter
10:51
I'll assume you meant week 7 LOL.

Ravens are on a bye week, Chiefs have the Raiders, Eagles have the Vikings, so I'll go Chiefs just based off their opponent!
J D
10:51
Chris, what is the most important part of their game the Steelers must do to continue their winning streak, not including staying healthy?
Christopher Carter
10:57
They have to show their run fits on defense are actually taking a step forward. Their game against the Vikings showed more cohesion across the board in knowing where to go, how to counter the OL, and working together.

If they show they can do that consistently in the coming weeks, they'll force more teams to be one dimensional, and probably win most of those games.
Hi Chris -
10:57
What is the end game your Cory Trice?  It just seems he can’t stay healthy.  Should that time, attention, and roster spot be filled elsewhere?
Christopher Carter
10:58
It's unfortunate that he continues to have availability issues. I truly think the Steelers may NEED to get a cornerback in this upcoming draft. Ideally you'd like to have a young guy pair with Porter when he'd sign a long term deal to stay with the team. Be a good time to have a young guy learn next to him and Ramsey. If Trice gets healthy and plays well, that's what I'd call a good problem to have.
Hi Chris -
10:59
With Harmon’s size, I still don’t understand why they play Benton at the Nose.  One game aside, he’s really built for the 3/5 technique, no?
Christopher Carter
11:00
It depends on how you want to use your nose. Some teams just want the nose tackle to be the blunt force in the middle of the line that eats space. Other teams want their nose to be quick, knifing and disruptive to the interior to break up what the OL is setting up.

The Steelers want Benton to be the latter. If you're thinking, "but Chris, who even plays nose tackle like that," my best recent example for Steelers fans would be Javon Hargrave. He was even smaller than Benton, but was so quick and good with his hands that he would break apart what OLs were trying to do. They're hoping Benton can get there.
Yates
11:01
Chris-   Help me make sense of the Brown’s decision to trade Flacco after one game from Gabriel?   Although they would never admit it does it come down to knowing they are going nowhere so why not see what Gabriel can produce?
Christopher Carter
11:02
I gotta be honest, I don't get the move. They got to swap a 6th for a 5th, and now don't have their break glass in case of emergency QB. Maybe they just put that much value into having a better late day three pick, but that move was perplexing to me.
Hi Chris -
11:02
Their inability, desire, or arrogance to not address a compliment to their #1 receiver still blows my mind.  Did anyone actually think Wilson, Miller, CAIII, or anyone else on the roster would threaten any defenses?
Christopher Carter
11:05
Hi!

Not finding a big name complement receiver for DK Metcalf is probably something they looked at as not as big a priority as say, CB depth or OLB depth. I get the frustration, but if the Steelers had --- let's say AJ Brown -- would they actually be getting targets right now?

The Steelers have a hard time getting a high volume of targets for anyone not named Metcalf at the moment. I think that's their logic for now.

But I do imagine that in the very near future they'll want to change that philosophy; especially if they draft a QB early and the offensive line improves across the board as I expect it to do.
J D
11:05
Chris, has Rodger's been using audibles much?  Do you think he gets the green light to do what he wants?
Christopher Carter
11:06
Trust me, Rodgers has a lot of liberty at the line. That was made clear to use right away in camp and you can see him adjust things on tape. Now he doesn't just make stuff up on the field or call his own plays or anything like that, but Arthur Smith can give him a wider variety of looks/checks/hot reads because of Rodgers' knowledge and skillset.
Gracie Lou
11:07
Inside the division games are a must win in my opinion.  Cleveland has a top notch defense no question about that comment.  Cleveland is starting a raw Quaterback, Cleveland has been on a big plane for hours to get home. Their record is less than stellar in Pittsburgh. Question is, can I grab my diet coke sit on the couch with my dog Gracie lou,  and enjoy destroying the Browns ?  " with no worries "
Christopher Carter
11:09
Did you just ask if you can watch stress-free Steelers football? In this economy?!

For what it's worth, I do think the Steelers and Browns will be tight in the first half and then they'll build up a decent lead in the third. But division games are often weird. Ask the Eagles how they're feeling about losing to the Giants last night.
Chuck from Michigan
11:10
Chris, I enjoy your chats and analysis. Khan/Weidl always tout their desire to employ large bodies on the OL/DL to dominate those sides of the ball?  This strategy would work better if Coach MT changes to a 4-3 defense and employs a speedy set of LB’s (i.e. Eagles defensive strategy).  Appreciate your thoughts, thanks.
Christopher Carter
11:11
Thanks for being here!

I think this also depends on their OLB situation. Because Watt-Highsmith-Herbig are not 4-3 DEs and you'd have to completely recontruct one of the most important position groups on the team if you did that. You can still be plenty big and run the 3-4.with an elite defense.
Pittfan
11:11
Hi Christopher. The great group of college qbs isn’t stacking up as predicted. Right now there 2 maybe 3 who are worth a first round pick. None are doing any better than Will Howard from last year. If this college season continues this way, do you think the Steelers will reach for a qb?
Christopher Carter
11:15
I actually think this class is still pretty decent. Mendoza is way ahead of where he was supposed to be, Sellers is right on with where I thought he'd be in South Carolina's meh offense, Dante Moore has emerged as an interesting prospect and I'm interested to see John Mateer when he comes back from his hand injury.

I'd also say Mendoza is doing A LOT better than Howard. No quarterback this year has the offensive talent Howard had around him last year. Think about it, THREE offensive players from Ohio State went in the first round, then TWO went in the second. And that doesn't even include Jeremiah Smith, who might be better than ALL of them.

Howard was a late pick because he was maybe the 7th-best player on the offense. Maybe. And this is from someone who was pounding the table for the Steelers to draft Howard in the 4th, let alone the 6th.

As it stands, as long as there's 3-4 QB options I think are legit, I still see the Steelers taking one early.
Mass Fan
11:16
Benton was more noticable in a good way in Dublin. Hayward seems to be bringing it still. What have you noticed from Harmon and Black? Thanks CC
Christopher Carter
11:17
Derrick Harmon's fundamentals are way ahead what I expected, and that's saying something because I loved his technique in college. That's a really good sign he could be the real deal early in his career.

Yahya Black doesn't have the technique, but his size and motor are perfect for a rotational guy right now. Both are adding to this defense in a very positive way.
Pittfan
11:17
Hi Christopher. Can Highsmith become trade consideration potentially for a wide receiver? If that’s the case who would you consider trading him for?
Christopher Carter
11:19
No.

I will say this in every week's chat if I have to; the Steelers should NOT trade Alex Highsmith for a receiver. Get rid of Highsmith and now the OLB room is just Watt/Herbig/Sawyer/Leal. This team and defense is built off having a talented edge rush at all times and having the depth to answer when there's an injury.

With Highsmith back, now they can have the full group and insurance in case Watt or Herbig have to sit out some time.
Jim
11:19
Good Morning Sir, Who is more disruptive on Sunday, TJ or Myles?
Christopher Carter
11:23
Good morning!

It depends what you consider more disruptive. Garrett has generated more pressures, but Watt has one less sack, 2 less QB hits, 2 less tackles and 3 less TFLs than Garrett.

But Garrett has also played one more game, and Watt has an interception, a forced fumble and a recovered fumble while Garrett has yet to have anything to do with a turnover.

If you want pure pressure, Garrett. If you want playmaking, Watt.
Lou
11:23
Hey Chris. Let’s imagine the Steelers make it to the AFC Championship. Do you think AR comes back to try to finish the job, while the Steelers still draft a high QB and maybe in 2027 they start fresh? Maybe Will Howard vs John Doe for QB1?
Load More Messages
Connecting…