MasterStrategist

Steelers got banged up a bit on defense against Jets, but think most of them finished the game. That's a lot of points, and we're one dimensional on offense right now (similar to LY). Steelers offense still predicated with the 50/50 deep passes, even with Pickett. And still capable of generating pressure with only 4man rush. I'd take Bills, if forced to bet, but would stay clear of this one.

Not overly worried yet, especially bc he has had limited opportunities. I think we should be giving him more reps. Motor is the better overall back, right now, but the way we run our offense I don't understand why he's not getting more chances. Other than if the coaches aren't convinced on his pass protection yet. Dressing "4 RBs", with Jones, is a waste with our offense. Moss should be sitting and we should be dressing another WR each week...but with recent injuries, not sure that changes.

Would love it if Hodgins stepped up, but he barely created separation in the preseason against 2nd-3rd stringers. Honestly think Speedy has more of a chance at making an impact, he has playmaking potential. Should know this week how close he is to returning from IR. We have had issues beating press coverage, now every team doesn't have personnel in the secondary to execute, but that problem continues to be evident. At least, with Davis banged up. I had hopes we'd get more production frrom Knox/Mckenzie/Crowder/Cook, but it's not happening yet. Front office isn't going to make a snap decision. but if things don't turn around soon (and with recent injuries), think its definitely possible we look to add another WR.

Curtis Samuel is really the one unrealistic target, as Bills would be on the hook for base salary (not bonus money). Both Cooks and Clapyool have <$2m cap implication to Buffalo, with a hypothetical trade. Cooks is most realistic. We shall see, but so far think the front office plan of using Crowder/McKenzie in the slot and Cook as a pass catching RB threat, has mainly whiffed. Obviously early in the season, but think we need to figure out how to better utilize Knox/Cook/Shakir, or look outside the organization to acquire.

Davis is legit, but agree he needs to stay healthy. My thinking heading into the season is that we had a complimentary group of players, and it might still turn into that. But with Davis dinged, Crowder likely out for several weeks, and a lack of getting Knox/Cook involved, it seems we are back to being very Josh/Diggs dependent. I don't think that was the intention, but the front office and coaching staff needs to decide if they are "missing a piece" on offense, or how to better utilize their current group.

Now through 4 weeks of the season, time to take a step back and look at our roster & potential roster moves over the next 4-6 weeks: Biggest Concerns: 1. WR 2. OL/Run game YAC & speed is a key component missing, IMO. What would you do?: 1. Should we look to make a trade for a WR? 2. Do we give Shakir, and possibly, Hodgins/Speedy a chance to show what they can do? 3. Option 2, and look to sign someone like OBJ later in year (if needed)? 4. Stay the course with current group? IMO, I think we need to get another playmaker immediately (especially w/Crowder & Kumerow out). I'd be looking for Beane to swing a trade, and think these players could be available in the coming weeks: 1. Brandin Cooks - Texans: Houston quickly falling into oblivion, and Cook is the type of speed weapon that we could use in this offense. Estimate he'd take a 4th rounder to acquire 2. Curtis Samuel - Commanders: he's a top target player for Washington, but they have McLaurin and Dotson that they are ultimately building around. They aren't making the playoffs this season, but likely will ask for a 3rd rounder. Samuel isn't the deep ball threat, but more a YAC guy who this offense could use. He carries a decent cap hit, so it might be too costly 3. Chase Claypool - Steelers: this will be a difficult decision for Omar Khan, as he was a 2nd rounder & early producer for their offense. Flip-side, he brings a "diva" attitude & they just gave Diontae his $$$s and drafted Pickens (looks like a very good future player) in the 2nd. Steelers might be looking to keep as many playmakers as possible, as they acclimate Kenny to the NFL...but they are clearly in a rebuild period. Likely would cost a 2nd rounder, as he's on his rookie deal & 1 more year under a cheaper contract. I haven't assessed OL options, but think they are "all-in" with this current group (for this year). My guess, we'll give Shakir a chance & look to swing a trade for a Brandin Cooks type at the trade deadline.

It's called draws to our RBs, and pump faking by Josh to get more time/passing lanes.

That would be big news. Groot and Von need to contain those edges.

Might be indication that Ed misses tomorrow, or that we might dress 5 DTs and only 4 DEs.

Re: Al Michael's comment, he said Tua asked coach (as he was being taken off on stretcher), what happened on the play, eg: complete or incomplete pass. The comment was made in regard that Tua was not only conscious, but also had his barrings to engage in conversation with his coach.

We just put up 490+ yards on offense, and held Miami/Tua to their lowest output of the season. We blew at least 10-14 points yesterday. There were 6 plays: 1. End of half, botched snap/spike. Cost us 3 points 2. Bass usually money, shanks a run of thr mill FG. 3 points missed 3. Davis drops a TD. 4 point swing 4. Milano drops a pick 6. 5. Josh misses Lil Dirty on a out route, that he makes in his sleep. Cost us 7. 6. End of game, a bit of poor clock mgt and lack of urgency. Now we don't expect to have everything bounce our way, but alot to go against us. Heat/decimated by injury, lack of execution all led to these. But if 1-2 go our way, then this is a completely different topic. And most games, we aren't looking back at this many missed chances. Time to rebound, will be another tough game, but we have plenty of "learning opportunities" to reflect on.

That's why Hart has been dressing instead of Doyle?! Bad luck with thr injury, but Doyle was our 9th lineman.

Don't disagree with the YAC guy. All good points and KC played a similar style defense, not afraid of our WRs. I do think Cook could give us mismatches, in most situations LBs and Safeties are going to be who he's matched against. But agree this isn't the same as having a Yac/speed guy in the slot, or outside. We just have to be more efficient at finishing drives, much more sharp in the redzone/from inside OPP 40 (if we can't hit the homerun plays). We can obviously still move the ball, practically 1 punt or less per game is excellent... but can't be missing out on 10-14 points per game due to poor execution or playcalls.

Unfortunately true, in part. Shakir will obviously get his chance, Speedy might be back from IR soon. Those are our best options, along with getting Davis healthier. Keep getting Cook involved, he's a playmaker, and Knox. But yesterday was not the Jags game all over again. We struggled to move the ball LY, our problem yesterday was countless injuries, heat exhaustion, and poor redzone efficiency/bad playcalling. Not many complaints about Dorsey, but hope he learned an early lesson of not going shotgun on 2nd goal from the 1 and running read option. Too easy to put an extra defender down and take away the RB and QB (not to mention get Josh hammered unnecessarily). Better to go jumbo/under center and play action rollout, if we want to use Josh athleticism in those situations.

This worked to our advantage, like many said, a go ahead FG is more likely than a TD (with no timeouts). I'll have to rewatch, but I thought Crowder should have let that "free kick" bounce. He was going backwards to field it, any chance at a return was gone after losing momentum that direction. There's a chance it goes out of bounds, better chance it goes into the end zone for a touch back.

Just bad luck right now, but this happens to at least 1 very good team each yr. Maybe he can play thru it, but I'd guess he's heading to IR (4 weeks). Need to sign at least 1 corner if Dane is still out this week. Either Benford or Kumerow to IR, depending if Jake has a high ankle

Given our other injuries at CB, I'm most concerned about Benford. He returned, but only on S/T in 2nd half. He said they "clubbed" it up (likely casted or heavily wrapped), then deferred further questions to the Coaches to answer. Not sure this is good. Worse case he has a broken hand, which isn't unheard of to play thru, but obviously concerning & could lead to missed games. Best case, he had a bad contusion/immediate swelling. I'd expect they would already know if he broke it (xray available at the stadium). Bates injury was 'head-related', Van Roten seemed to have a left leg injury, then all others were "heat related". Hopefully get good news on all of these.

Agree his hand definitely wasn't 100% on that play. But don't think that caused the incompletion. Josh appeared to "double clutch"/second guess what he was seeing on that pass (it's a house call if not read correctly). His base was completely off and screwed up his throwing mechanics, you could tell by his reaction he was clearly upset with his decision-making. That's OK, Josh makes that throw 90+ times out of 100. Several key plays (ie: this one, Milano pick 6, Bass missed FG, etc) didn't go our way and it was still a 2 point game. We'll be good, need to get some guys back... hopefully Morse, Poyer, Ed will be ready for Bmore.

i don't know if it was Van Roten snapping, or another reason, but we didn't go under center much at all. That eliminates the "threat" of running & playaction looks. I also don't get whey we NEVER go into a 'bunch' formation, against man/blitz looks. Daboll didn't do this either, I feel like it's easy to get clean releases & rub routes when stacking WRs. Difficult to complain about 490+ yards and 90 plays ran though. It's all about finishing drives with points though, specifically TDs. We stalled out too much, same problem plagued us at times LY, I have a feeling they will get it corrected. Big loss to the OL with Morse out, and then several guys going down in the heat.

Maybe this has been discussed, but I think Milano or Edmunds missed an assignment. I think one of them was supposed to rush/blitz. We ran a similar concept Week 1 against the Rams (blitzed Milano/Dropped Von). This time Groot dropped in coverage... Very odd to run a Cover 2/only 3 man rush concept on 3rd and 22. We NEVER rush just 3 guys, like once out of a 100 plays. Something was miscommunicated, JMO.

Took a hit to his hand, helmet or facemask. Josh & Coach both said he's ok after game (this is after xray were done).

No problem having all the RBs active, they all made impacts plays and got plenty of action in the passing game. But yes, bigger concern is OL. Same concern prior to the season, especially at G.

That's fair, if you also look at how many "critical" errors we made in execution, and not coaching. We botched a FG, Josh missed an easy TD pass, we botched at least 1 (likely 2) end of half FG opportunities and Milano dropped a pick 6 that might have sealed the game. That's poor execution, not coaching. We had a backup secondary, minus Taron, and still held Tua to 13 completions....bottom line is we choked on too many critical plays. That won't happen all the time, but we need to learn to make those plays in close games.

Why? Because Josh double clutched a TD pass, or because Quesenberry held when in FG range? Or when Milano dropped a pick 6? or a bad snap at end of 1st half cost us a FG? Gimme a break, they overcomed alot this week and came up short because they made too many mistakes in crucial situations. Factor in playing in 100 degree heat. And before anyone says Miami deals with the same thing, their sideline is shaded the ENTIRE game. Not sure how the league or union doesn't look at heat index and consider that as dangerous as lightning... do we need to see a star QB come out due to the heat before considering a rule change

Hate to see this. But things happen for a reason: 1. First and foremost, Johnson has been ready and waiting, contract year for him too. Never know what we have until we give him P/T 2. Lewis was likely 1st cut once Tre and Dane returned. This gives him a clear path to perhaps focus on the safety role (which he had been cross training at) 3. Injuries happen to all teams, as Von alluded to, very rare to go unscathed and not lose a key player/difference maker at some point in the season. Others said it in the preseason, but we had 2 backups (Johnson and Hamlin) that could start for many teams in this league.