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Post-Gazette Steelers chat: 12.03.19
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Steelers insider
1:55
Ok let's get the chat started.
T Rex
1:55
With what we know now, do you think it would have been better to draft DK Metcalf in the first round rather than trade up for Devin Bush?
Steelers insider
1:57
No I don't. Metcalf is a nice player. Obviously, some of the concerns with his game were unfounded. He fell to late in the second round and I'm sure some GMs will regret that decision if he continues to play well. He has 44 catches for 705 yards. That's more than any Steelers receivers by a wide margin. However, I think Devin Bush will develop into a very good player for the Steelers defense. There have been some growing pains, but the upside is sky high.
Turk in MD
1:57
Is Tomlin riding with Duck until the wings fall off?
Steelers insider
1:57
Certainly until he loses.
Artie Bridge
1:57
What do you make of the drastic decline in our tight end play?  Eroding skills?  Bad schemes?  No Ben?
Steelers insider
2:01
I think it certainly has something to do with the QB situation. For whatever reason, Ben and Vance McDonald clicked and they were productive together. He hasn't clicked with Rudolph or Hodges. At least not to this point in the season. I wrote a story a few weeks ago about this. When Ben was placed on IR opposing defensive coordinators began playing almost exclusively man-to-man defense against the Steelers. And the WRs and TEs haven't been able to gain a lot of separation. It certainly could be that McDonald's skills are eroding, or maybe he just got open against zones more than the average fan knew. Whatever the case, it's exposed a big weakness in the Steelers offense. I would imagine the Steelers will be targeting a pass-catching tight end that will be more effective against man when the 2020 draft rolls around. Or maybe another big WR that can get open. There just hasn't been enough plays made by the skill players all season.
Tampa Too
2:01
Have we seen the last of Ryan Switzer?
Steelers insider
2:03
Well, he won't play again this year because he was placed on IR with a back injury. He's another one of those skill players that wasn't effective vs. man coverage. It got to the point where Ficthner wasn't even putting him out there. He was exclusively on the roster to be the punt returner. Maybe with Ben back they'd keep a slot guy that can work against zones, but maybe they just go in another direction altogether and look for someone else.
Tampa Too
2:03
If AB never plays another down in the NFL is he Hall of Fame worthy?
Steelers insider
2:04
I think so. But he'd definitely be one of those guys people thought about because their on- and off-field behavior was deplorable.
Mo
2:04
With Antoni Brown coming off the books, will that free up the Steelers to pursue High Level Free agents, since they do not have a first round draft pick?
Steelers insider
2:05
No, I don't think they'll be in financial position to spend big in free agency. Not that they ever have. They don;t believe in building their team that way.
Luke S
2:05
With James Washington playing well do You feel that it will open up juju's game? Up until his injury, he has not had a good season
Steelers insider
2:06
That's a great point. Washington's emergence should open things up for JuJu and Diontae Johnson once JuJu does return. Doesn;t sound like JuJu will practice tomorrow, but it sounded like there's a chance he could get on the field later in the week.
Luke S
2:06
Is it Benny Snell or better offensive line play that has improved the running game over the last 2 weeks?
Steelers insider
2:08
I noted this in my report card on Sunday. His downhill running style helps the offensive line. He doesn't get tackled for losses very often. And 2-yard gains become 4-yard gains because he is always falling forward or fighting for extra yards. He might not be a game-breaker in terms of his speed, but his running style has given this offense some semblance of an identity late in the season.
Jeff
2:08
i get this will not be a popular take since most think Pouncy walks on water but the running game is better with Finney, whether at center or guard.  11 yard gain straight up the middle when the defense knew it was coming?  hasn't happened all year.
Steelers insider
2:10
Finney is a tremendous reserve. They're something like 12-1 when he is asked to start. I think he could start on half the teams across the NFL, including the Steelers. But let's also take into account the opponents. The Bengals were the NFL's worst rush defense when the Steelers played them. The Browns were among the bottom five teams in the league against the run. This week they play another bad defense. The Cardinals are dead-last in total defense. Another week the Steelers running game should do well.
Steeler in Virginia
2:10
First, thank you to all the P-G writers and editors for all that you do. We support your efforts. Second, what is the actual injury to JJSS's knee? If the playoffs were out of reach, would he be having surgery?
Steelers insider
2:11
It's a knee injury. We haven't been given any details. All I can tell you is he's worn a big brace around the facility the past two weeks. He's rehabbing and the hope is he can return at some point. Not sure if it'll be this week against the Cardinals, but there is hope he can play again.
TJ
2:12
Your take on Edmunds ? Missed three tackles in first quarter alone, average player at best? Another DB tomlin hasn’t developed?
Steelers insider
2:14
I think there is room for growth in Edmunds' game. I like that he is dependable. However, he's not a great open-field tackler. Usually your strong safety has that quality. He's not great in coverage either. So I guess I'm wanting to see what he does well and for him to become a difference-maker for the defense. He's obviously a starter on a very good unit, but I just feel like he can and will do more with more experience.
Questfor7
2:14
Have the Steelers ever lost a game that BJ Finney has started? It seems like they never miss a beat when he fills in.
Steelers insider
2:15
They usually don't. They did lose one game when Finney started at guard. I don't recall which one.
Blackdog
2:15
Will our offensive coordinator called a conservative game or let Duck open it up? Like using the wildcat again to break things open and keep the opposing defense on its back foot.
Steelers insider
2:16
If they're ever going to let Duck open it up it will be this week. Arizona is by far the worst team in the NFL defending the pass. I don't know if the Steelers can take advantage because Hodges is young and somewhat limited in his game, but it's not a very good defense.
Greg
2:16
Based on what we've now seen, in what round do you think Duck should have been drafted? He is outperforming some mighty highly chosen QBs (in a small sample size).
Steelers insider
2:16
You said it. Small sample size.
iowasteelerfan
2:16
Duck = Team MVP if we make the playoffs?
Steelers insider
2:17
How about T.J. Watt? Or Minkah Fitzpatrick? Or Cam Heyward. Or... name another defensive player. I get your point, but this team is built around the defense.
NickFromVA
2:17
Has the offense turned a corner? The Browns have some good players on defense.
Steelers insider
2:19
I wouldn't say that. We saw some mistakes from Duck and some limitations in his game. I am encouraged by the development of the running game. I think that obviously can have a positive effect on the offense, but I'm not sold on this offense turning the corner.
Tom in Dallas
2:19
What happened to the chats last week?  And there are no reporters names now on the online articles.  When and why did this change?  Feel like we lost the personal connection between reader and local reporter.
Steelers insider
2:21
Our union is on a byline strike to call attention to some issues in our workplace. But we're still the same reporters and columnists supplying the same great content. Thanks for your continued support and reading our content. Our names will return to our copy at some point in the future.
Tom in Dallas
2:21
On the interception, did we ever find out if it was a bad throw, or the receiver ran the wrong route?
Steelers insider
2:23
Tomlin did not address that today, but if you watch the play Johnson stopped on the route. Duck threw it deep because he expected Johnson to keep running. Unfortunate mistake, but I blame the play call as much as I blame Johnson or Duck. Tomlin talked today about taking calculated risks to secure victory, but I think they could have been a little bit more conservative in that situation especially given that the Browns just kicked a field goal to get within seven points.
NickFromVA
2:24
Are the Steelers finally back to being a running team?
Steelers insider
2:25
Benny Snell has done a nice job of closing out games the past two weeks, but I'll be sold that this is a running team again when they can run the ball whenever they want. If you've watched the games closely, you know the offense really struggles early in games. The Steelers need to start running the ball better at all times.
Franco
2:25
Terrell Edmunds- Has he been bad this year? or has he been solid staying quite and doing his job just not creating any turnovers?
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