11/29/22-Kenny Pickett Should Be Steelers Only Focus Down Stretch

By: Mike Pelaia

The Steelers enter the final six games of the season with a 4-7 record. Normally, this time of year, there is only one objective in mind for Pittsburgh, finding a way to get into the playoffs. It’s been that way for the last 18 years.

But this year, it isn’t and shouldn’t be the objective. Ben Roethlisberger is gone and he’s not coming back. The team is now Kenny Pickett’s and the mission over these next six weeks should be simple, develop him. Let Pickett learn on the job and gain as much experience as possible to come back next year ready to lead that traditional December playoff charge.

Through his first eight games, Kenny Pickett has completed 66% of his passes for exactly 1,600 yards. Those numbers aren’t bad. He however has only thrown three touchdown passes compared to eight interceptions.  The good news though, he hasn’t thrown an interception in his last three games and six of the eight interceptions have come in two games, including three in his very first one.

There are things to build upon.  The time to do that is now.

The team can start by continuing to run the football effectively. Over the last three weeks (which coincide with Pickett not throwing interceptions), the team is averaging over 4.0 yards per carry and the Steelers have gone 2-1 in that time.  A healthy run game is a life line for a young quarterback, it must continue. Picket’s quarterback rating has improved in each of those three weeks, from 79, to 85 to 87 in the his latest outing.

Those are the things the team needs to see in the final six weeks of the season. Forget about wins and losses, let Kenny progress.

The more they run the ball, the more the clock is controlled by the Steelers, the more points they score and the less work their defense has to do.  All are important development tools for Pickett.

As he concludes his rookie campaign, a few things to look for will be his increased completion percentage, throwing more touchdowns than interceptions and taking very few sacks, from a statistical standpoint.

Some of the intangible items like throwing the ball away, working through his progressions and calling audibles are all additional items these next six weeks will help the young gun develop.

By this time next year, Pickett should be the leader of a playoff contender and this invaluable experience this year will help get him into that position.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons

The Steelers take their 4-7 record on the road this week to face the 5-7 Atlanta Falcons who by virtue of playing in a poor division are in the thick of a playoff race.  The Falcons don’t do anything particularly well but have found a way to win some games they shouldn’t and lose some games they shouldn’t too.

I expect Pittsburgh to march into Atlanta and let their run game do the talking. A running game by committee seems to be the way to go and I hope to see a lot more of Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland. I like the way they run and I’d lessen the work load for Najee Harris.

If the offensive line can continue to allow the Steelers to run the ball at 4.0 yards per clip. Then Kenny Pickett will find time to hit George Pickens, Diontae Johnson (if he doesn’t drop the ball or run backwards) and Pat Friermuth down the field.

The Steelers defense will need to contain Marcus Mariota in the pocket and keep him from running the ball. I’m looking for TJ Watt to break through with a couple of sacks and force Mariota into some ill timed throws and mistakes.

I believe the team is on a bit of a roll and while they are extremely unpredictable week over week, I suspect they’ll go into Atlanta ready to play and ready to win.

Steelers 24  Falcons 16

11/23/22-Steelers have very few players worth keeping

By: Mike Pelaia

 

At 3-7, the Steelers have a lot of problems.  This wasn’t a new discovery after their latest debacle, a 37-30 loss at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals, but it was magnified in this defeat.

Watching this team play both offense and defense is painful for any Steeler fan or even any fan of the game of football.  Their largely inept, on both sides of the ball.

Who’s to blame?

You can start with the now ex general manager, Kevin Colbert. He left this team with far too many holes and quite frankly his last few drafts left something to be desired.  You can absolutely blame Matt Canada, the world’s worst offensive coordinator. You can blame Mike Tomlin for not firing Canada and you can blame Teryl Austin on defense for not making adjustments with one of the more talented units in the league. But mostly, you can blame the bulk of the players, they just aren’t delivering when they need to.

With that said, I wanted to take a look at this 3-7 roster and admit that these last seven games of the season should largely be used as a dress rehearsal for 2023 and beyond.  Therefore, the team should be broken into 3 buckets; Must Keep, Could Keep, Can Move On.

In the Must Keep Category, you have:

TJ Watt – The world’s best linebacker and one of the most important players in the NFL. Watt is a game changer and can’t be taken for granted.

Minkah Fitzpatrick- He’s a ball hawk and a play making safety that makes a big difference.  He’s one that has to stay.

George Pickens – He is only a rookie but you can already tell he’s a big play threat and a budding number one receiver. He can be a difference maker for years to come.

Pat Friermuth – He’s very good tight end who could be Travis Kelce if the right plays were called. He needs to get the ball far more than he has so far.

Chris Boswell – He’s one of the best kickers in the NFL and you don’t let those guys get away.

That’s the list. That’s the must keep.  Only four players.  That is far too little.

The Could Keep, is a list of players that you’d like to keep but if they leave, you won’t lose sleep over it.

Cam Heyward – Largely, he’s a must keep. He’s a playmaker and a leader. The ONLY reason he’s on this second list is due to his age. I don’t think he’ll be relevant when the Steelers are good again so if he were to move on or the Steelers to move on from him, I could live with it.

Alex Highsmith – He makes plays and leads the team with nine sacks but he’s largely effective when TJ Watt is on the field. Without TJ, I see Highsmith as rather ordinary.  He can stay or go and the Steelers will be ok as long as TJ is on the opposite side of this spot.

Cam Sutton – I like him as a cornerback on this team but I’m not convinced he’s a number one corner.  I’m fine with him being the number two, however.

Terrell Edmunds – He’s turning into a pretty good safety but still gives up some big plays.  He is a guy that can be developed more but if he were to leave, he can be replaced.

Diontae Johnson- He drops too many balls and tends to run south after the catch before turning north, which drives me nuts but he’s a good speedy receiver who can be a big play threat if the right play is called.

Najee Harris – He has shown some good things but he hasn’t broken out yet in his second year.  I think he can be a feature back but it better happen soon.

Kenny Pickett – I’m pretty sure he’s not going to be a franchise quarterback and I was very close to leaving him off this list because I didn’t think the Steelers should have drafted him in the first round but he is only a rookie and since he was a first round pick, I’ll place him here.  However, should the Steelers have a top five pick in next year’s draft, they might want to consider drafting a quarterback again and trading Pickett.

And that folks, is your list.  If they didn’t make the first two, they fall to the Move On list.  Everyone else is replaceable.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts

The Steelers will head to Indianapolis for what shapes up to be a Monday Night Football clunker. The Steelers sit 3-7 and the Colts now sit at 4-6-1 after their last minute loss at home to the Philadelphia Eagles.  Neither team looks to be in playoff contention, though you could make the case the Colts could jump back into the conversation with a win against Pittsburgh.

The Steelers don’t have a shot in this one. Had they beaten the Bengals, I may have said otherwise but after seeing the Colts lead the Eagles nearly the entire game and the Steelers have a dismal second half, I’m not convinced the Steelers will put up much of a fight.

If Matt Canada doesn’t allow Kenny Pickett to learn by doing, as in throwing the ball downfield, then I don’t even know what the rest of this season will be about.  I don’t see him doing that. I don’t see the offensive line protecting Pickett or giving Najee Harris room to run and TJ Watt can’t win the game on hi own.

The Steelers will not have an answer for Jonathan Stewart and Matt Ryan will distribute the ball with ease. Steelers lose big.

Colts 31  Steelers 13

 

 

11/9/22-Steelers Lose The Bye Week

By: Mike Pelaia

You wouldn’t think it to be possible. A loss over a bye week. Yet, that’s exactly what the Steelers did, they lost.

How? How do you lose a bye week?

Well, let me tell you.  It’s quite simple, as the Steelers proved.  You lose by not firing the worst coach in the league. No, not Mike Tomlin.  Matt Canada.

Matt Canada should have been fired after last season, wasn’t, was allowed to coach an offense through eight games that ranks 28^th in the league in total yards.  They rank 31^st in scoring, averaging a mere 15.0 points per game, which is half of what the top team in the league, the Chiefs average and maybe my favorite of all stats, they’re wide receivers have less receiving yards combined than Tyreek Hill.

All of this is unacceptable.  And that’s where I do fault Mike Tomlin.  Tomlin is a smart man.  He has won a lot of games in the NFL over his career. He’s found a way to be .500 or better in every season he’s coached. He’s been to two Super Bowls, he’s won one. Yet, he hasn’t won one in 14 years and hasn’t been back in 12 years.

Tomlin is a highly competitive individual, as all coaches are. And for someone as competitive as Tomlin is, who clearly has the passion and fire to win, it’s shocking he didn’t step up and pull the plug.

I realize, as we all should, that it’s not as simple as firing a coach and naming someone else as a replacement.  But, if there is a guy on the staff that you think could be Canada’s successor, this would be the time for a trial run. There’s half a season left. The team is going nowhere, fast.  Give it a trial by fire and see what happens. If it fails, you know your answer and find a full time replacement in the offseason. If it succeeds, you have your guy and he’s begun working with young Kenny Pickett and Co. already.  It’s not that hard of a concept.

If the Colts can fire their head coach and bring in a guy from the TV booth to replace him, then the Steelers can certainly do this.

Tomlin’s loyalty is going to burn him here. No, Coach Tomlin won’t be fired after this season, regardless of what happens, but if he doesn’t turn this ship around, his seat will warm up heading into next season.

Canada must go. Period.

It didn’t happen at the most opportune time of the year so I guess we’ll have to wait until the off season comes and the Steelers are sitting at home with one of the most ineffective offenses they’ve ever seen.

New Orleans Saints at Pittsburgh Steelers

The New Orleans Saints visit town this coming Sunday with a 3-6 record and are underachieving this year.  The Saints, do however average over 23 points a game and nearly 400 yards per game on offense. While the Steelers defense is giving up almost 400 yards per game (395) and allowing 24.6 points per game. The advantage seems to be in favor of the Saints.

There is no longer a home field advantage in Pittsburgh and I don’t expect turn out to be great for this one.

Yet, I don’t know why but I think the Steelers will have a chance to win.  Mainly because Tomlin usually comes out of a bye strong with an 11-4 record. The Saints aren’t good. Andy Dalton is their starter right now at QB and I think his best days are behind him and, perhaps the most impactful player in the game, TJ Watt, should suit up for Pittsburgh. He is a game changer, especially against bad teams.

If the Steelers give the ball to Jaylen Warren instead of Najee Harris, allow Kenny Pickett to get the ball downfield and win special teams, they have a shot at actually winning this ball game.

Let me make it clear, the Saints are the better team in this one but sometimes the best teams don’t win and this time, the Steelers will find a way.

Steelers 17  Saints 16