steelcityraven

Hester will be fine... just a little rusty. The old man needs some WD40 and he will be everything we hoped for!

The injury that scares me that most this week is CJ... I am hoping he can go... He is (out of all of our injuries) the hardest to replace!

As far as the WR corps.... We still have Mike Wallace who will play. We have Perriman (who needs to take the next step under Marty and this will be a great chance) we have CMoore who needs more reps. We have Kamar who needs to play better. We have Pitta, Gilmore and the addition of Waller. We have Dixon, Allen and West who are all threats in the passing game as well. We still have a lot of weapons without SSS. Obviously, we are better with Steve out there but if he cant go... we still have a ton of weapons that Trestman simply was not utilizing enough!

Hold on.... We have Zuttah at C.... we can play both Urschel and Jensen at G... (all three started games last year) We have Alex Lewis back and he actually is a T... We have Hurst who has started way too many games over the past 2 season (but can go) ... it sounds like Stanley will be a go). Ducasse is a quality back up if needed. (I would be shocked if both Yanda and Wagner missed- they are both some pretty tough dudes).... Yes we are banged up and nicked up but I really do not believe that the OL is that bad. (in fact... I am going to say that I expect 3 of our 5 starters to play Sunday at minimum) the insurance policy is for two reasons: 1. Practice dummies 2. In case those bumps and nicks get worse through the game or through the season.

Agreed that the Raiders OL looks great but I also think that we need to add a Khalil Mack type of guy to help attack some these OLs... with guys like Mack... it is easy to make an OL look bad!

Monroe would get hurt signing the contract LOL.... We would have a better chance of singing Ogden out of retirement!

OK.... we need to win or several reasons. 1. To stop the bleeding. 2. 4-2 is much better then 3-3 as far as confidence and momentum goes. 3. We need to keep pace with Pittsburgh and the rest of the AFC for the matter and this is a very winnable game. 4. 4-2 gives us a little more cushion then 3-3. at 4-2 we now have to win possible 5 or the last 10 games or 6 of the last ten. (winning half your games or 1 better then half- should be very reasonable). but at 3-3 we need to win 6 or the last ten and possibly 7 of the last ten to get in winning 70% of your games in the NFL is a much tougher position then say 50% 5. A win here when we are down can re-affirm the type of character this team has. Winning through adversity in OCT forges the type of mentality necessary to overcome the type of adversity and pressure that NOV and DEC brings in the NFL. (and JAN and FEB)

My goal is simply to have a OC who will take the handcuffs off of Joe a little. Joe is a veteran and needs to have a little more freedom. Marty needs to simply utilize all of the weapons that we have. I feel like Trestman was afraid to implement some of our weapons (Perriman, Moore, etc.) Hope to see marty get these guys more involved, create mismatches and keep defenses off balance. There is a natural progression in play calling and plays should build to setting up what the defense is giving us. I feel like Trestman missed this point and simply tried to force every thing. He don't have to re-invent the wheel just be a little more creative in utilizing the weapons we have and attacking a defense where they are weak.

I will admit.... I really thought that Trestman would produce a little better then he did.... he simply never seemed to be able to make progress. I think we were stuck under him... and this was clearly the right move at the right time. Glad we had a guy like Marty in house and on staff.

Gotta disagree. Peyton Manning before his decline is about the caliber QB you need for that. Offensive coordinators serve a purpose, we just had the wrong one Agreed.... if we don't think coaches make a difference... answer why Billicheck went 3-1 without a QB or why Andy Ried turned the Chiefs around so fast... or why the other Harb changed the culture so quickly and dramatically in SF and then when he left... it went back that quickly. Or why Mike Zimmer is having so much success in Minnesota (without Bridgewater or Adrian Peterson). Or how Bruce Arians turned the Cardinals around. Coaches make a big difference and probably equally as big or bigger then the players. Its not just pitch and catch it is execution and precision in the execution. Anyone who makes it to the NFL is in the top 2 % of anyone who plays the game. TOp 2 %... they can all pitch and catch.. but the Browns remain the browns bc of poor execution... the top teams remain on top because of preparation and attention to details. The coaches jobs are to ensure that this happens consistently and clearly some do it better then others.

1- I feel ya on this one. I just look at it in a different perspective. Had we won all 5 of our previous games then Trestman would have kept his job regardless if we lose the next 5 on a row. Now we at least have a chance come playoffs coz Trestman was never gonna win us 3 playoff games in a row no matter what. So it's gonna hurt but I think it's growing pain. Don't take too many risks on O and let the D carry this team. 2- I don't think we've been drafting system as much as wev been taking best available. We have 4 versatile TEs and each is unique in his way. We also have a combination of possession WRs and burners. A down hill RB and a pass catching back. This next coordinator may favor some players over others but the talent is there. 3- I also fear the same. Flacco is no Rodgers. No shame in that. Just stop using him like he is. He's probably the best game managing QB out there so let him be the best and let the Ws speak. Sometimes I feel like our FO are trying too hard to make Flacco into a 5k yard passer and that's just not his game. I'm more than satisfied with 3500 yards 25 TDs and 12 INTs. Then show up in the playoffs "with efficiency" like always. Halsheyeji.... I am with you on point # 3. I think we are the only ones who take the "Is Flacco Elite" seriously. Everyone says that winning super bowls is what makes you elite. If Joe retires with 2 or 3 rings... I don't care if he is mediocre everywhere else... he will be considered elite. 2. The OL were the system players I was speaking off. We do go with best available player but I feel like we may veer from the course a little on the OL? 3. I love the perspective on #1. I agree that if Tresman was our OC in the play offs.. we would have surely staled at some point .... different way of looking at it but I think you are right on with that one!

Im with you... I hope Pees is on notice.... at least bring him in an assistant to help him out!

I have mixed emotions on this move: First: I am happy that we made the move bc we may now be able to take the handcuffs off of the offense and really start to utilize the weapons and potential that we have. Second: I like Morninweg's pedigree... plus he has the Andy Reid / Harbaugh connection Third: I love that fact that he is a QB coach and has produced 5 pro bowl QBs- I think Marty will be good for Joe Those are the positives: Here are the negatives. First: It is another new coordinator and another new system. I do think that the introduction of 5 new OC over the past 9 years limits what this offense can be. While I believe that it will be an upgrade... I hope that the learning curve isn't to steep and takes 8 weeks to start clicking Second: We have drafted personal to fit into our current system... wonder how the transition will be for some players. (I get it sometimes you need to prune a tree for it to grow) But I wonder what that looks like in real life Third: With offensive success being so hard to find through 5 different OC in the Harbaugh era (Kubiack really being the only one to have much sustained success) I am beginning to wonder if the problem is not systematic and bigger then an OC... I guess time will tell on this one. Finally.... I am excited about the opportunity to grown and move forward. I am excited to finally take the handcuffs off of this offense and while I never thought Dean Pees would outlast Trestman... I am looking forward to what this brings.... last time we fired an OC in the middle of the season... we won the Super Bowl. Hope that history repeats itself!

We need more Elvis's in the world.... especially in the football world... While so many athletes are getting into trouble bc they are living solely for themselves, Dum is a shining light in a too often dark area of the world. Thanks for being an example ED

Waller makes us more dangerous and more diverse immediately. Not sure how many snaps he will see but I bet if the deadskins sit in two deep he will be used to bust the seams quite often. Pitta will still be the guy to move the chains but Waller allows us to attack a defense differently and as a result our RB's should have a big day on Sunday!

What's so bad about our defense? Come on man, we're top five in the league! There was a lot of pressure on Pees during the off season, but he's probably the coach with the least amount of pressure on the team...are you sure you're not watching DVR'ed games from last season instead of this year's games? Sure, the secondary could always use more work, but they're not all that bad (we're among the leaders in fewest points allowed) and true the pass rush needs to be more focused, but it's night and day compared to last year...Sorry, but no team is going to be "perfect" in all phases, but I think it's head scratching to berate a defense that's been keeping us in all our games... eze17... just like last season... when we were so improved over the second half of the season on defense (that had more to do with our schedule then it did schematic changes). The start of the year...we haven't given up much (bc of our schedule). The first time we face a good offense with a decent QB and legit WR threat (ACooper) we give up 4 TDS (including the game winner in the closing seconds of the game). The defense does look a little better this year but we have made some big investments there over the past two-three years. Draft picks -FA's like Weddle- and trades (like Will Davis etc). It is time that Pees produces against good teams- not just the bad ones. I have no faith that he can close any team out with the game on the line!

what are we waiting for to place Waller back on the roster? Maybe just trying not to show our hand... so the skins have less time to prepare?

Sorry... didn't realize that TBrooks went to the Eagles.

Man..... I loved Quest coming out of college. At Wyoming he was rangy, athletic, and with great speed. I think the kid can play and is versatile enough to play CB also. However... I am a little surprised by this signing. With Brooks, and Kendrick Lewis as back ups... does Quest signing make as much sense as say signing a CB like Cromartie (who was cut). (Gotta give o Ozzie and company however... at 3-1 we are not satisfied with staying status quo... as a fan... we have to appreciate that much!

Wit.... I am a little confused. I like Daniel Brown and think he can contribute but I assumed that Forsett would make way for Dixon and Maxx would make way for Waller to come back this week. Why are we bringing DB into an already very crowded TE situation (which is about to get more crowded)? and Why wasn't Dixon activated in JF's spot? (who will we down grade to active JF and DW then?)?

KidNme...I agree that we need to find ways to generate more of a pass rush... we have invested way too much in that department to not be able to sniff he QB. I thought that Jimmy played well vs Amari Cooper. Shareece.... is a different story. I'm with you on the Webb situation... and I am not sure what to do there... hard to believe that Brooks cant not be at least that good? I think our ST is playing well and probably won two games for us this year but had an off day yesterday. Finally I am going to attribute most of the penalties yesterday to having two replacements on the OL. If the trend continues then Harbs will need to take some ownership there.

The defense won us three games so far this year without a pass rush. Lets give them some credit. Both our sack leaders are dealing with some stuff that they need to come back from. It's going to take some time for them to get it going. I'll give it after the bye and they should be hitting. This is effecting the DB's play forcing them to cover longer than what they should. Trading for a corner is not going to happen. No one trades good corners. We were unsuccessful in trading up to get Ramsey and Norman was wayyy to expensive. I thought Urschel should've played as well and the FG kick I agree with as well. Space11jams.... I hear you on the defense winning the past three games but we have the talent to do that to the lesser opponents. What about Cincy, Pittsburgh, NE, etc.. If we do not generate more of a pass rush... they wil pick us apart. I agree that an improved pass rush will help out our DBs but this was not Julio Jones, AJ Green or even Antonio Brown lighting us up. It was journeyman Michael Crabtree. I think Pees makes his living off of beating up weaker teams but never matching up with the better teams. Check the records. I really hope he proves me wrong and rewards Harbs for his loyalty but I have my doubts. Finally - Wonder if there is more wrong with Urschel then we are aware??? Cant wait to get Waller in the mix!

To be fair the chiefs played terrible and are being dominated as a team. Joe hasn't had an easy day so far this year. I agree... we need to get better at protecting him!

5 Thoughts: 1. We still cannot close out a team - With the game on he line. I am not confident that our defense can make a play to win the game. This is a Baltimore Ravens defense and a team that has invested a ton in that side of the ball. Still not a Pees fan! 2. Where is the pass rush. We passed on a lot of top notch players in the draft in order to build a pass rush and it seemed non existent vs the Raiders. We obviously have people who can get after the QB is it the scheme? 3. I would love to see us go out and get another CB (via trade)? IDK -but I am tired of seeing mediocre WR's like Crabtree burn us repeatedly! SMH 4. What is up with Urschel. Thought he would be inserted and that it would give us some help on the left side of that line. Hope Stanley gets better quickly bc Joe was under constant duress. 5. I wish we would have tried to kick the field goal at the end of the game. I know it would have been a 68 yarder but he does hit them in practice and I think the likelihood of converting a 4down and 10 was not much better. Give Tucker a chance to set the record (even is he missed - the result would have been the same!

The OL scares me a little right now. Would love to start to solidify this area... Wagner and Yanda look steady and solid as usual. Zuttah is scaring me but I wonder how much that has to do with a rookie playing beside him? Hope Urschel can come in and settle that down a little. Finally -really hope that Stanley is healthy enough to go!