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Post-Gazette Steelers chat: 12.17.19
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Steelers insider
1:59
Ok let's get the chat going. Post your questions!
Rob
2:00
Why do we not throw the ball in the middle of the field? What is the worst thing that happens another int? Any above average defense only needs to cover half the field against us.
Steelers insider
2:03
Nick Vannett had some targets and catches against the Bills. I think he finished with five catches. But yes, they haven't utilized their tight ends very much this season. I wrote about this about a month or so ago. With a young QB you;d think the TE would be his best friend -- a big target in the middle of the field. I think Vance McDonald's health has been a factor as well as his inability to beat man coverage. So why throw to a covered TE or WR? The other part of the equation is the lack of a strong slot WR. JuJu Smith-Schuster is very effective in the slot when healthy, but he hasn't been healthy. And when he was healthy he was playing outside because the Steelers needed him there. If/when he does come back this season I think you could see him inside a bit more because James Washington has established himself as an outside threat in JuJu's absence.
AK
2:03
I assume that every team that plays the Steelers will put 8 in the box to make them pass.  How do they combat that?
Steelers insider
2:05
You combat that by hitting on some deep balls. The Steelers were able to do that three times -- twice to James Washington and once to Diontae Johnson. They just didn't do it enough. But they also need to be able to run against 8-man fronts once in a while. Teams with good offensive lines can do that. You can't let the opponent dictate to you. And you can call more short passes and try to turn them into longer gains, though the Steelers didn't do that very well against the Bills. That was a big part of the problem.
AK
2:05
If the Steelers return to having 4 RBs active; who doesn’t get a helmet?
Steelers insider
2:07
Good question. Tomlin talked today about how he was unhappy with the division of labor at RB in the Bills game. There were some breakdowns on blitz pickups and I think there was just a general lack of rhythm with that group. They dressed five due to James Conner and Jaylen Samuels coming off injuries. So I think you'll see those two get a helmet because they came through the Bills game good from a health standpoint. I think they like Kerrith Whyte as a returner and change of pace back and obviously they like Benny Snell as a late-game hammer. So my guess is Trey Edmunds is down or maybe Snell because Conner has plenty of experience closing games too.
livinthedream
2:08
Games like Sunday night's make me think signing 48 to a big$, long term contract would be a mistake. I'm not saying he played poorly. I am saying the greatness upfront was coming from 97 and 90. 48 was ok. You don't pay 11 or 12 mil a year for ok. What say you.
Steelers insider
2:09
The point is another team will because they'll be desperate for a pass rusher. I wouldn't pay him crazy money either, but I do think another team will. And $11 or 12 million wouldn't be that crazy. He's already making $9.8 million this season.
AK
2:09
Think maybe Bell wishes he had stayed with the Steelers?  Think maybe he might have a lot more yards and catches than he does now?
Steelers insider
2:10
The grass isn't always greener. He's finding that out the hard way. But some guys really get influenced by the wrong people. That's what happened to Bell. Someone told him he would reset the RB market, and he believed them. He did no such thing.
Steelers Outsider
2:11
I believe sticking with Duck is a mistake. They used a 3rd round pick on MR and publicly stated that they had a first round grade on him yet they are sticking with an undrafted FA who they cut and nobody picked up. Doesn’t make sense to me unless MR never fully recovered from concussion. What are your thoughts?
Steelers insider
2:11
Tomlin is giving Duck a chance to respond much in the same way he did with Rudolph after he had a bad game in Cleveland. If Duck struggles against the Jets I think you'll see Tomlin go to Rudolph to see if he can provide a spark.
schnail
2:11
They mentioned on Sunday night that Ben hasn't started throwing yet (and won't shave his beard until he can).  When might the "normal" time be for that, given his injury?
Steelers insider
2:13
Ben told Ron Cook of the Post-Gazette a while back that he expects to be back by the spring. Not sure if that's for OTAs or June minicamp. But the expectation is for him to be throwing by then. I would imagine he'll be doing some light throwing in the early months of the year once he is cleared to do so by doctors. But there is no rush. They'll take their time and make sure he's good to go for the season.
Tampa Too
2:13
Why wasn't there more Benny Snell in the game?  Also why didn't Pittsburgh run more?  It made no sense to me that they passed so much especially with Ju Ju and Vance out for the game.
Steelers insider
2:15
Well, other than two Conner runs -- both for 17 yards, I think -- the running game wasn't very effective. The Bills had an effective running game. Devin Singletary was always getting positive yards. The line was getting a push. The Steelers weren't doing that. Their offensive line didn't ave a very good game, and I think that showed in the low running totals and the sacks. Have to get better out of the guys up front.
DaquidoBazzini
2:15
It seems to me that with a couple cuts (Chickillo, etc) and restructures, it's feasible to keep Dupree for another year with the franchise tag. Am I somewhat right or completely wrong?
Steelers insider
2:16
No, you;re not wrong, but when you make some cuts you're creating holes on other parts of the roster. Not so much with Chickillo but with other starters you might want to cut. But I'm with you. I'd like to keep the defense together if possible even if that means making some hard decisions on guys.
thomastown
2:16
I don’t think the Steelers have recalled anyone from IR yet. I thought they were allowed two. Is anyone on IR a candidate for recall from IR, especially if they make the playoffs?
Steelers insider
2:17
Two can be recalled, but no team is required to use those designations.
Tom in Dallas
2:17
It's hard to win with 4 INTs and some fumbles.  Can we assume the game plan Sunday will be revert back to more short passes and more runs?
Steelers insider
2:17
If they can run the ball, then yes. But the Jets are stout against the run. It won't be easy.
Mark
2:18
Although I disagree, I'm thinking there are two reasons why Duck will start in this upcoming game; 1) The Jets defense unlike the Bills, is soft in the middle with a weak secondary, and 2) They think the mistakes Duck made against Buffalo are fixable.  What say you?
Steelers insider
2:20
Tomlin is giving him a chance to respond to the bad game. That's it. Of course he has to play better. Tomlin will make a change if he's not. The playoffs will be on the line. He can't afford to sit back and watch his season implode if Duck has another bad game. I thought only one of Duck's INT was really bad. That was the one to White that was returned 49 yards. The first one was like a punt. And the other two in the final two minutes were desperation passes. I didn't like the way Duck or the coaches managed the clock on the first two-minute drive, but as far as the last two picks go, they weren't egregious errors. He was trying to make a play.
Michigan
2:20
Glad to see Hodges still getting a shot; everyone has a bad day. Two INT were trying to win the game at the end. I think he gives the Steelers the best chance to win because he moves in the pocket not a statue like Rudolph ( the defenders tee off on a spot ). Your thoughts?
Steelers insider
2:21
I'd have stuck with Duck, too. I think he earned a chance to rebound from the bad game. But if he struggles don't be surprised if Mason makes a return.
Pitt Panther in NC
2:21
IMO with Duck and the woes of the offense, our coaches are making it more difficult with their bone headed play calling. Is a lot of the poor performance on HC & OC?
Steelers insider
2:23
I think the play calling -- going to the wildcat, etc. -- is a sign of a lack of playmakers on offense. They need to manufacture yards somewhere, and they believe they can do it via the wildcat. But I'm not a fan. Too much can go wrong. If all you do is hand the ball off three times and punt you'll still be in the game with this defense. That's why I think the wildcat has run its course.
NC Yinzer
2:23
Is Duck allowed to audible?  If not, I feel that’s a huge disadvantage on offense, felt like Buffalo sucked the box many times on first and second down and we just ran it anyways.  How bad can it be to get into a presumably better call?
Steelers insider
2:24
I saw Duck change the play on more than one occasion. I can;t tell you he got into the right play, but he does have the freedom to change at least some of the plays.
Lloyd's 3-Count
2:24
I know Steelers like to rotate the DL but seemed Alahu benefitted from extra snaps. Do you think that extra time on field was by design or play?
Steelers insider
2:24
Out of necessity. They only dressed four DL because they wanted to dress five RBs
Tom
2:25
Can a passing game built around 5-yard passes succeed?  Hodges is pretty bad if he has to throw further than 7 yards, but then that's probably why he was available.
Steelers insider
2:26
He had a 34-yard pass and a 32-yard pass to Washington. He also had a 29-yard pass to Johnson. I'm not saying he's a great deep ball thrower, but he can push the ball down the field on an occasion.
Gene
2:26
As a long time Steeler season ticket holder I just can’t understand how you can sell your tickets to Buffalo’s fans.  I know it was a night game and and cold but this was a very important game and when the opposing team has that many fans in the stands our players see this and maybe wonder do the fans really care.  I would appreciate your thoughts on this matter. Thanks
Steelers insider
2:27
Unless you're going to step up and buy those tickets for the price Buffalo fans paid then you can't say anything. Maybe those people bought the tickets as an investment and paid for their kids' Christmas presents with the money.
Kevin in Houston
2:27
How do you think TJ Watt stands up in the DPOY voting?
Steelers insider
2:28
I think he'll get strong consideration. He obviously doesn't have the name recognition of a guy like Aaron Donald or some others around the league, but it's hard to argue against him. He's having a monster season.
Steeler Fan In Patriot Nation
2:28
Peculiar play call to have James Conner run the Wildcat inside the 10 against the Bills when he hasn't run it all year, and Jaylen Samuels has. With success of that formation dwindling next to nothing of late, do you expect the Steelers to (hopefully) put it on the shelf for the remainder of the season?
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