Welcome again on your weekly mailbag, particular pre-sport version forward of this night’s contest between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. As all the time, we’re right here for the following hour to reply to no matter is to your thoughts.
To your questions!
SteelCity:
Alex,
Reason(s) for optimism for offense? Feel the protection is appearing higher training and sport making plans thus far?
Alex: I’m simply taking it sport-by way of-sport. We knew this offense wasn’t precisely going to move out and cling 30 issues a sport. But there’s rising pains they usually gained’t all the time be this restricted. Claypool’s now not going to reasonable 5.5 yards all season, Johnson gained’t be at 8.6, Harris at 2.9 consistent with raise. But I’m now not in reality looking to search for or be expecting optimism. I’m simply taking all of it in.
The protection has accomplished neatly. They’re a excellent unit. Elite? No, particularly now not with out Watt. But they’re maintaining up their finish of the discount.
hdogg48:
Alex…
After 2 video games what do you suppose would be the Steelers mos necessary
Defensive adjustment going into this night?
Offensive adjustment?
Alex: Finding techniques to fabricate force. The instantly/usual 4 guy rush with occasional force isn’t going to chop it with out Watt. Doesn’t imply you all the time must ship the home however they’re going to must have a greater scheme to get guys house. That’ll be key. Of route, how they play the run might be key however there’s much less to regulate there. That’s extra about executing.
Offensively, I’m now not certain. I believe “throw deep” is a little bit too elementary and coffee-placing fruit. Scheming up techniques to get George Pickens the ball can be great, even supposing it’s simply say, two top objectives. Some leap ball probabilities to him. I simply need Harris to hit the opening, Trubisky to make the elemental reads, and the offense to care for the soccer. That’s mainly the gameplan each unmarried week.
Kevin Reich: Has both of Mitch’s first two video games seemed higher than Rudolph ultimate season?
Alex: I’d have to return and watch. It’s laborious for me to take a look at to match and Rudolph didn’t know he used to be the starter till 24 hours earlier than the sport. He didn’t have the ones reps, even supposing he had extra time within the gadget. They’re most probably equivalent. Some unhealthy selections, Rudolph most probably driven the ball just a little extra, and the OT fumbles weren’t on him, clearly. I’m making a bet they’d have a equivalent grade, even supposing the manner used to be most likely just a little other. Trubisky used to be definitely higher in Week One than Week Two.
Jake Sas: Do you notice explanation why for worry with Najee lacking reads within the run sport? Seems just like the oline is offering some push, however he has little to no religion and is attempting to push outdoor.
Alex: I don’t. I’m tremendous assured in Harris. He did omit most probably two reads in that sport however the mistakes there are overstated, his imaginative and prescient is in large part excellent, and a few other folks suppose he ignored holes he didn’t. They didn’t perceive the scheme. Harris is a skilled participant. The foot accidents had been probably the most being concerned factor however he seemed fitter than I believed in opposition to the Pats. He’ll be excellent.
srdan: I love what I’ve observed from Leal. He looks like he has possible to take force off the workforce from having to draft a lineman in reality top. Where are you on him?
Alex: He’s accomplished a pleasing process. Good athlete, sporting that further weight neatly, strikes in reality neatly for his measurement. High-effort dude. Still must be extra technical, now not recover from his ft, and must anchor in opposition to the run however he’s flexible and accomplished a pleasing process. But he’s two weeks into his profession so there’s nonetheless some distance to move.
Matt Manzo: Happy Gameday Thursday Alex!!!!
Do you suppose the Browns will be capable of do away with Cam Heyward the best way the Pats did? Is getting extra inventive with blitzes the solution to that?
Alex: Same to you, Matt! I believe they definitely may just. They have a forged LG in Joel Bitonio and re-staring at the sport, there used to be a large number of lend a hand being slide Heyward’s method on 3rd down. The Pats have been clearly relaxed letting the RT pass 1v1 in opposition to Malik Reed versus T.J. Watt. So yeah, with the ability to duvet up and threaten that middle extra would lend a hand Heyward win extra steadily 1v1. Like I stated above, the power to fabricate force might be key.
Henning:
Hey Alex, how do you are feeling about our CBs as of at this time?
And do you suppose it’s difficult to provide Mitch a damage for the offensive woes, taking into consideration our receiving ability? I imply Canada isn’t doing a lot to lend a hand however I additionally take a look at this offense as an entire with an incredibly excellent go block to this point and will’t consider it after I see the numbers..
Alex: They’ve accomplished adequate. Depends on who you’re speaking about. Sutton’s performed neatly. Wallace has been alright however seemed uncomfortable over slot, as Tyler Wise identified. Witherspoon has proven extra physicality however has to complete reps on the catch level higher. Maulet is a bodily slot nook however deficient in protection. Norwood hasn’t performed up to I believed he would.
I’m now not in reality having a look to provide him a damage. I didn’t have top expectancies for him, other folks didn’t like my stat prediction for him (20 TDs, 12 INTs, which seems about not off course at this time) however I didn’t see him as the following Ryan Tannehill. Sitting and finding out in Buffalo is sweet however it doesn’t develop into you as a QB. There’s faults in Canada’s offense and the Steelers’ gadget is inherently conservative, they’re making an attempt to not lose the sport, however Trubisky is making mistakes, too. There is ability and he’s gotta be capable of maximize that.