Einstein

No disrespect intended, but this is simply false. At no point did the CB have outside leverage (except pre-snap). It was definitely an option route. And Brian Baldinger confirmed it was as well.

We already talked about it. See here and here.

Well said. That was my takeaway as well.

Field goals are going to be tough. I'm hoping we get minimal snow.

The defender only had open hips because Gabe went to the boundary. He didn't start there. He started inside, with base, and any option route is going to tell you to run boundary or deep there. Wait, what? Inside leverage = outside break or deep. Since we are in the endzone, deep is not an option. NOT a slant. Running a slant on inside leverage is asking for the defender to jump the ball and intercept it. Here are two examples: Which is exactly why Gabe originally went outside, and then fought back inside.

Leverage is how we choose the pattern on an option route. Eli Apple had inside leverage. Gabe should have went to the boundary (which he originally did). That’s why the defender had open hips. Then he decided to stop and fight through the leverage, back toward the defender. It was not a sick move. Gabe was not open due to his route running. He only looked open because the defender stopped following him when Allen threw the ball to where he was supposed to. Defender looks at Allen, then stops to catch the ball that Davis abandoned. Gabe is only “open” because the defender stops to catch the INT. Not only does it not make sense what Gabe did based on leverage, but also based on the defense. He knew Allen was only going to have a second or two to release the ball. So he ignores his leverage and runs back through it, taking more time than Allen had.

In the NFL, passes are not thrown once a receiver wins the route. That’s not a thing. It’s throwing with anticipation. This was an option route. if Gabe kept going, that’s a touchdown. Heck, the defender who was behind Gabe even caught it.

He 100% threw it in the direction of the boundary. Which, based on the defenders leverage, is where Gabe should have went. When Allen releases the ball, the red circle below is where he is throwing to - and you can see that Gabe is headed directly toward it. Then Gabe suddenly stops and fights back THROUGH the defender, for some reason that I can’t even begin to understand: And the defender intercepts it exactly where Gabe should have been. And here they are side by side.

Both the QB and WR should be making their decision based on reading the defensive back. Everything about Eli Apple’s positioning (he has inside leverage against Gabe) screams to either run toward the boundary, or do a comeback route. Literally nothing about his positioning tells Gabe to run inside to where the defender already is! Gabe’s decision to go inside is part of why it took him so long to get open. Gabe had to fight back through the defender in order to get separation. Inside leverage: Deciding to fight back THROUGH the defender for some reason: And the only reason Gabe ever got separation is because Eli Apple let him go and stood still, since he was looking at the backfield and saw Josh release the ball. This was just a fail in every way for Gabe Davis imo.

Definitely not in panic mode, but i’m also not taking the Steelers lightly. They’ve been playing well over the past 3 games. I was shocked at how confident their fans are on their forum. They absolutely expect to beat us.

Update: Wink Martindale reportedly cursed out Daboll before quitting. https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/report-wink-martindale-cursed-out-brian-daboll-after-learning-of-defensive-staff-firings

Does Rudolph have a weak arm? I googled it and I got conflicting info. Not sure what to believe.

I wish the forecast wasn't calling for so much wind. Allen is ready to go on a tear passing. After the game on Sunday he said "On those final 2 drives the ball was coming out of my hands the best all year".

He didn't play much. Only 2 more snaps than Von. Floyd and Rousseau were the mainstays.

It's telling that Dorian Williams has lost some favor with the staff at the current moment. He has been higher on the depth chart since training camp, and this is the first game where McD turned to Spector over Williams. We had a LB go down, and Dorian still garnered 0 snaps. Prior to the Philly game, Dorian was getting between 15% and 80% of defensive snaps on a near weekly basis. Dorian had a good block on the Hardy punt return TD though.

Totally understand that, and I am open to Von being back to his normal self next season and helping us. But right now - this season - he is just wasting a gameday roster spot.

True fact. Aaron Maybin generated more QB hits per pass rush snap in his final NFL season, than Von Miller is this season.

Agreed. Spector struck a nice balance.

Agreed. Stupid decision on Titans part, in my opinion.

Just watched the game again and he exceeded my expectations. Granted, my expectations were low when I saw him jog onto the field... I also think it's telling that McD went to Spector instead of Dorian Williams. What I noticed is that Spector is a bit more reserved than our other LB'ers. He doesn't burst right off the snap, instead opting to wait a split second. This can be bad when you need a short distance stop, but in some ways that proved advantageous on Sunday night. Instead of immediately rushing and getting himself caught in the fray of linemen, that split second wait helped him diagnose the play and make a clean tackle. Below is an example of this that I posted to my Twitter:

Daboll’s last two games in Buffalo is one of the best offensive playoff performances in franchise history. If it had any impact, it was for the good.

Very well could be. But it’s happening with Gabe at a significantly higher clip than any other WR. Whether that be because Allen assumes Gabe will do the wrong thing so he pattern matches, or something Gabe is doing makes Allen unable to read what choice he will take, there is some sort of miscommunication that is happening with Gabe and Gabe alone.

Keep in mind that Pitt’s QB is 6’5 235 pounds and for some reason has decided to play well the last three weeks after being terrible for most of his career. My main concern with the weather is being able to kick field goals if necessary. For whatever reason (injury, confidence, etc) we do not trust Bass to kick long this year. We have not even attempted a field goal over 50 yards in over 10 weeks. We either go for it on 4th down or punt. Add in 20+ mph winds and i’m thinking that field goal range is going to shrink even further.

Would you rather play KC or Baltimore?