Steelers-Bills: Live preseason chat, updates and analysis
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Christopher Carter
7:24
Many have said that each of the last three years too.
SteelerNationBoston
7:24
Hi Chris, looking forward to another season of your insightful, well-reasoned, and detailed analyses. No offense to the prior coaching staff, but I'm more excited about this season than I've been in years in view of having a new coaching staff (not that I was thrilled w the choice, but it was painfully obvious we needed a fresh start after 19 years). Question: Do you sense a lot of Steeler Nation feels the same way?
Christopher Carter
7:26
I think there's a decent amount of excitement over a fresh coaching staff. Even those who didn't hate Mike Tomlin and the core of the staff that left I think are ready to root on whoever comes through and see what an offensive-minded head coach could look like here.
7:28
After a holding penalty that set the Bills back, the defense holds and Kevin Jobity Jr. gets a 3rd down sack up the middle.

Kaden Wetjen doesn't do anything with the punt. But according to the NFL stats keeper, the Bills committed an illegal formation and will re-do the kick.
7:29
Wow. The re-kick works out for the Steelers with a 25-yard shank.

Steelers ball at the Bills' 28.
Lou
7:29
Chris, generally speaking…what do you think fans should pay attention to the most during a preseason game?
Christopher Carter
7:30
Young players you're excited to see grow and how they work in their matchups. For example, Germie Bernard, Gennings Dunker, Will Howard all out there right now.
Tim
7:30
I hope I’m wrong but Wetjen seems like a wasted 4th round pick.  More so , real reach
Christopher Carter
7:31
Have to admit, that's what I thought as soon as they picked him. He was a 7th round prospect I had my eyes on in case they wanted really late WR depth and a returner. But in the 4th? I thought therewas a lot better value out there.
7:32
So far, it's been the Lew Nichols drive. Two runs moves the chains, then a checkdown to him goes for 12 to create 1st and goal at the 5.
AB Normalville
7:32
Nichols looks good. Not sure how the Steelers could  keep Johnson
Christopher Carter
7:32
It is not a good look for Johnson to not be out there in this 3rd preseason game with the 1s.
7:34
TOUCHDOWN: Will Howard with a QB option pass gets it to TE Lake McRee who leaps over a defender and gets in for the score.

Bills also assessed a personal foul after the PAT.

Drive: 5 plays, 28 yards, 1:53.

Steelers 14, Bills 3. 2:20, Q1.
NcRob
7:34
Nichols first step seems explosive and quick. Johnson should be concerned for a spot
Kevin M
7:34
Chris, other than being a 4th Rd selection do you think Wetjen has earned a roster spot? Not too impressed at this point.
Christopher Carter
7:35
I know some were excited about his 74-yard catch and run, but I don't think he's done enough at WR to justify a spot there. But they seem locked in on making him their return man -- even when I think several other players could do that job very well.
George C. from Scott
7:35
Is Shedur Sanders the real reason the Pro Bowl was finally killed off? The number of players declining to play made the replacements getting the Pro Bowl title just to fill a roster ludicrous.
Christopher Carter
7:37
I don't think Sanders himself was the cause. But it's evident there has been a diminishing of the value of the game for many years now. As usual, I'd be it came down to money.

How much does the NFL shell out to make that event happen just for nobody to watch it?

That was probably the deal.
Yitzer
7:37
What?  There’s no more pro bowl?
Christopher Carter
7:37
Yep. It's just an honor now. No game will be played.
Tim
7:37
Chris, give me 3 surprise cuts you think are coming
Christopher Carter
7:40
Hmmmmm. Dpends on what you call a surprise. Because I think it's been very loud what their plan seems to be at most positions.

Kaleb Johnson (not so surprise though)
Dean Lowry -- too much younger DL depth
Ryan McCollum -- backup center, but Brock Hoffman can do that.
7:43
END OF 1ST QUARTER.

Steelers 14, Bills 3.

Bills have the ball on their own 26 for a 3rd and 14.

Things to like:

Offense taking what's there. The team's only drive that didn't start with excellent field position went nowhere. But the drives where they didn't have far to go, they used quick, short passing to make defenders miss and score.

Run defense is there.

Things to not like:

No downfield passing yet. Want to see more from Will Howard.

Pass defense hasn't been strong yet. The defensive front is doing a lot of the work to stuff the run and win in the pass rush. But coverage has been meh.
7:44
Defense forces a checkdown and the Bills will punt.

After Kaden Wetjen losing yards on the punt, it's Steelers ball on their own 18.
JeffB
7:44
How about 3 trade possibilities Mr Carter?
Christopher Carter
7:46
Now that's more fun.

1) Broderick Jones. Maybe not right now, but if they can get him some regular season experience where he does well, I can see him getting a team to want him beacuse teams want big OTs with NFL starting experience. Look at what the Titans paid Dan Moore Jr.

2) Will Howard. There are some really bad QB rooms out there (looking at you Miami). Can see that happening.

3) Asante Samuel Jr. They shouldn't but I can see a team really liking what he's doing and willing to offer something the Steelers might want in a draft pick.
Brent
7:46
Do you think Spears-Jennings makes the cut?
Christopher Carter
7:47
Yep. Like him a lot and think he's done enough on special teams to make it.
Will Howard moved the chains once with a nice throw to Max Hurleman.
7:48
INTERCEPTION: Will Howard with a terrible throw over the middle where it looks like he miscommunicated with Lake McRee on what should've been the right adjustment.

Ball goes right to former Pitt safety Damar Hamlin.
AB Normalville
7:48
Oh boy that was an awful throw and decision
Christopher Carter
7:49
Third Will Howard interception this preseason.
JeffB
7:49
That int was not on Howard. Receiver ran route wrong.
Christopher Carter
7:50
That's an assumption. The safety was sitting on that inside space and it looked like McRee was cutting to the area that was open. Even if that's where the TE went, would've been a crowded ball at best.

Didn't see McCarthy consoling or even listening to Howard when he was trying to explain what happened, either. Which is, not a good sign.
AB Normalville
7:50
Not a good drive for Dunker either. Spencer Anderson would by my choice to start at right guard in game 1
Christopher Carter
7:51
Dunker has been really rough in camp. The job has been Anderson's for some time now.

But honestly, Brock Hoffman might push him for time.
Peter
7:52
Hi Chris Do you know why Troy F didn't dress?
Christopher Carter
7:53
They sat a lot of the starters today. No McCormick, Harmon or several others either.
Steeltown
7:53
Chris, does Nichols make the active roster?
Christopher Carter
7:53
I think he might have a case as the RB3. I think he's been better than Travis Homer.
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