Thoughts on Steelers game

[sherck]

My 2 cents,

1. While Tolzien played better, he still has the deer in the headlights look way too often when his protection breaks down. That INT was as bad of a rookie toss as you see one make. The overthrow of Dorsett in the back of the end zone was a throw I expect a 2nd year player make, not a 6th year player. Tolzien is at the very peak of his abilities and they are average at best.

I think that Morris brings more to the table with his ability to create space and his cool delivery when on the run. He even has the ability to consistently gain yards on the ground if the pocket goes south as demonstrated last year.

2. Defenses take a while to gel. I see some individually good plays out of our new front 7 but it will take a while for them to trust each other and not play as individuals but as a team. Luckily, we do not face a powerful offense until Week 4 (SEA) and can, hopefully, gel more playing the likes of LAR, ARI and CLE.

3. Having said that, we held a pretty good QB and offense to 6 points during the first half against PIT. Sure, we did a lot of "bend and don't break" which is frustrating because it often loses games but the scoreboard is the ultimate measure of success and the Colts defense succeeded in the first half of the game.

4. I like a RB depth chart of Gore, Turbin, Mack and Pope. I like the pass protection of Gore, Turbin and Mack (have not seen Pope enough to judge) and Mack's ability out of the backfield will be killer when exercised. Gore is running like he is a decade younger than he is and it is fun to see. Turbin still brings short yardage power. I think those four guys can really bring a lot to the running game.

5. Defensive backfield is still a fluid mess but I am excited about some of the young individual pieces like Hooker, Wilson, Hairston, Farley and Melvin. Like the rest of the defense, they need time together to gel but I feel like we have some guys whom can be better than "average" once they dial it in.

6. While I don't think that Jeff Locke is going to be making me forget PattyMac anytime soon, I am pleased with his preseason performance and have little qualms about his taking over KO and punting duties. I was not high on his signing earlier in the spring but he has been a steady performer.

I really like Sanchez as well and sort of see the whole Tolzien/Morris thing in those two; Locke is the experience veteran who will never be more than average while Sanchez has, I think, the potential to do great things but will also burn you with the occasional young guy mistake. I think retaining Locke is the right thing for 2017 but I would love for Sanchez to get stashed on the practice squad for 2017.


That's really it. If our offense can play like Sat then we will win at least 1 of our 2 first games and hopefully Luck will be back for game 3.

Walk Worthy,

[DrSpaceman]

I think if you are looking for a replacement QB for anything more than a few games, Morris would be the choice. He clearly has more upside than Tolzien and if given a chance could develop into a solid QB, even a starter somewhere. With Tolzien, I agree, you aren't getting any more than what you have seen. he is as good as he is going to get

But my guess is if Luck is out just 1 or 2 games, they will stick with Tolzien just because he has more experience.

[Hoopsdoc]

Jeff Locke released. Looks like the beaner is our punter.

This doesn't displease me, even though there will be growing pains. I suspect Sanchez can be as good or better than Locke.