Pressure is something you feel when you don't know what the hell you're doing

The Steelers needed a win and they got it Sunday against a very talented Eagles team. The Steelers did suffer a major loss when TP re-injured his calf early in the game. I don’t know when TP will be back…Muscle injuries can be chronic and his career could be winding down. I have no clue how much TP has left in the tank…If I don’t know I can promise you the obese monstrosity from the Trib does not know and senile Ron Cook doesn’t have a clue either. Every player is unique…Genetics plays a big part in the ability to avoid and overcome injuries. The same thing can be said for Lamar Woodley and his hamstring. No doctor or trainer has an answer for chronic muscle injuries…I will close by saying this…I don’t believe Woodley or TP could have done anything to avoid these injuries....It wasn’t a lack of preparation or work that led to these injuries…It’s pure bad luck.

I hate Thursday games everything is so compressed and it just screws up my weekends…That being said,  The Titans are a very talented team on paper…Jake Locker has shoulder issues and will be replaced by Matt Hasselback…The Titans like the Steelers have been hit hard by the injury bug.

The Steelers for the 1^st time this season need to show up for a road game as a complete team.

Titans with the Ball

Common sense tells you the Titans want to establish twitching Chris Johnson in the run game…They want to set up safe easy throws for Hasselback to his trio of quality receivers. The interior of the Titans offensive line is in a transition period…That’s football jargon for the players suck or are underperforming. The Titans have two excellent book end tackles…The Titans tight ends and receivers could not block themselves out of wet paper bags. I believe the Titans will really miss Locker’s mobility…Locker could do so much more than Hasselback with his legs.

Titans Run Game

Keisel and Roos- The battle of two declining players…Roos has always been a wall off blocker… at this point he cannot get movement at the point of attack…Keisel may not walk Roos into the backfield; Keisel will hold his gap and force the running back to cut it back or bounce the run outside. Keisel did a really good job against the run for the most part against the Eagles…Keisel did not make plays…He disrupted running plays by congesting the point of attack with blockers…Keisel did not attempt to overplay the run game…He trusted Harrison would set the edge and Timmons would clean things up.

Hampton Timmons Foote and Hutchinson Velasco and Harris- When most people watch a run play and they see Hampton getting moved in the run game they assume he is getting beat…At times these people would be correct…The reality is they don’t know what to look for a majority of the time…They think they know what to look for; The reality is they don’t know their asshole from their elbow in this regard. If Hampton is double teamed and the guard has to stick with that double team for longer than a second it’s a huge win for Hampton…Foote or Timmons should make the play. If Hampton is stunting and the center does not cut off his pursuit that’s a win for Hampton…The backside pursuit have responsibility for the interior run gaps. I was a fan of Velasco when he played at Georgia…He had quick feet and great movement skills…He struggled when he was covered. The story is always the same for the Steelers in the run game. Hampton must eat up blockers or he must eat up space…Timmons and Foote must play down field and attack the ball carrier…They must finish the deal…Form tackling and proper angles to the ball. Steve Hutchinson, at one time, was the best offensive guard in the NFL…He is a shadow of the player he once was…Hutchinson lost a step or two and a ton of power to father time over the years. Leroy Harris was another player I really liked coming out of North Carolina State…I would call Harris a bust at this point…He continues to start because the Titans have no other options.

Hood and Stewart- Ziggy Hood better be ready for anything goes warfare…David Stewart beat Aaron Smith into submission numerous times…He took Smith’s heart and pissed on his carcass. That was then, this is now…Stewart is still very dirty…He still is a very large man…Stewart has lost a step.  He can no longer root players off the line of scrimmage legally…When offensive linemen lose the ability to react they cheat…Stewart gets away with more hands to the face and holding penalties than any player in the NFL…Stewart makes Colon look like a choir boy. Ziggy Hood has to play low and fast…His motor cannot stop…If Hood attempts to play rock ‘em sock ‘em robots with Stewart he is going to get pissed on like Aaron Smith…Stewart is bigger stronger and way nastier than Hood. If Hood plays to his strengths he will announce his presence to the national viewing audience…Hood is real close to making some plays for this defense.

The Steelers played team defense with no draft dodging John Wayne hero bullshit…Everyone has a job…Do your job and believe in the man beside you to do his.

James Harrison is the best outside linebacker in the NFL against the run. The Eagles could not get the edge against the Steelers with double teams against Harrison…The Eagles attempted to block Harrison with a tackle that did not work either…James Harrison with a healthy back can’t be blocked in the run game and that’s just a fact. Jared Cook has no chance of blocking James Harrison in the run game…I have no clue how the Titans expect to run to the edge…I don’t believe Cook can block Worilds in the run game either. By the way, Worilds is a far better left outside linebacker than right outside linebacker…Worilds plays faster on the left side of the defense…He doesn’t think he just reacts. I expect the Titans attempt to run behind H back Craig Stevens…Stevens lost about 15 pounds when he moved to H back…It has affected his ability to run block at the point of attack. I expect Harrison beats Stevens down…Worilds and Stevens could be an interesting matchup.

Chris Johnson has sucked the past two years…He still scares the crap out of me. He may not run 4.35 anymore, but he can still score from anywhere on the field. The Steelers need to lay some lumber on Johnson early in the game…If you cool off Johnson he will look for a place to lie down and play dead….If Johnson gets an early rhythm he can be difficult to slow down. I expect the Titans show some power looks with Quinn Johnson at fullback and Craig Stevens at tight end…The Steelers must beat blocks and do their jobs. The Titans change of pace back Javon Ringer is out he will replaced by Jamie Harper a big back with breakaway speed…Like Johnson if you lay the wood to him he will quit.

The Titans wide receivers have very little interest in run blocking. Ryan Mundy is in danger of losing his job….He must take better angles in the run game. Ryan Clark is a stud.

Hasselback’s feeble attempt to throw the ball

Harrison and Roos- I think Roos can handle Deebo rushing the passer. Roos is still a fine technician in pass pro…With that said I would not be surprised if Deebo lights up Hasselback for a couple of sacks. Harrison is just a wrecking ball…He changes blocking schemes the second he steps on the field…Teams must account for him every play.

Keisel and Hutchinson- This matchup is similar to the Harrison matchup. Hutchinson should be able to limit Keisel rushing the passer. The difference is Hutchinson is in a steady decline from an athletic perspective…Hutchinson no longer has the ability to recover and re-anchor which is a key skill in pass protection. The Steelers continue to stand Keisel up in the ranger package two Steelers defensive linemen have had success rushing the passer from this look…McClendon and Heyward….Hood and Keisel get stoned like FC at a Govt. Mule show.

Hood and Harris- This is a matchup the Steelers must dominate. Harris has bad wheels…His mobility is very limited…He struggles with mobile rushers with an assortment of counter moves. Hood needs to attack the offensive linemen in obvious passing situations with his best moves…Hood must play down and distance rushing the passer…If its 3^rd and 3;  I can understand the straight bulrush and looking for the draw…On 3^rd and 15 pin your ears back and attack the quarterback. Hood flashes…The ability is there…Hood has the potential to be very good…When I say very good I mean better than any end the Steelers had in the Cowher-Tomlin era. With the 1^st remark about Aaron Smith and now this…Smith was a freaking dump truck … Hood is more of a F150 with a cannon in the back….Hood has more potential rushing the passer….Smith will always be one of my favorite players…Athletically Ziggy Hood does jaw dropping things in every game….Hood has failed to translate his ability to the field over the past 20 games…He needs to find some answers quick…Performance wise Hood can’t carry Aaron Smith’s jock strap. Aaron Smith is one of the all-time Steelers greats because he never stopped battling…Stewart beat up Smith…He never made him quit. The Steelers need production from Hood rushing the passer…Woodley is out…James Harrison will draw attention…Hood must close the deal.

Worilds and Stewart- Worilds has no chance of beating Stewart inside with a bulrush…Stewart will grab him by his facemask before that happens. Worilds best chance of success is making the fat bastard move his feet. Worilds needs to speed rush Stewart…Make Stewart commit to the edge and then duck back inside. Worilds has to use his mind and athletic ability to beat Stewart rushing the passer. Worilds like Hood must provide a pass rush in place of Woodley…Harrison and Timmons will draw the attention.

I do have some fear of the Titans running backs and tight ends in the passing game. Chris Johnson is a tough matchup for any safety or linebacker. The Steelers must limit his yards after catch. The Steelers must eliminate the screen game from the Titans…The Steelers must beat blocks in space. Cook and Stevens the Titans tight ends are difficult matchups for the Steelers…Harrison and Worilds are both quality pass defenders…Foote in man coverage is a concern. Hasselback has limited arm strength and mobility…I expect the Steelers blitz packages will force the Titans to keep extra blockers in to keep Hasselback alive and upright.

Hasselback will take what’s there….His arm strength is laughable at this point. Hasselback will hit wide open throws and pick apart a soft defense. When Hasselback falls behind he will force balls which lead to turnovers. Hasselback has a big set of brass balls…He plays the game without fear…He will scramble and compete for yardage….The Steelers need to put him on his ass a few times.

Ike Taylor will draw Nate Washington. Washington is still the same player he was when he wore the black and gold…He is a freaky athlete who can make vertical plays in the passing game. Washington will drop balls and run sloppy routes at times. Kenny Britt, who was last seen drunk driving, will draw K Lewis in coverage…Britt is a big physical receiver who will win jump balls…Britt is no longer a speedster on the edge…Lewis should have no issues staying in his back pocket in coverage…Lewis must do a better job of locating the ball. Titans 1^st round pick Kendall Wright is the perfect slot receiver…Great route runner super quick he reminds me of Antonio Brown except Wright is a pussy over the middle of the field in traffic. Cortez Allen is going to have his hands full with Wright…Wright is deadly after the catch. Lavelle Hawkins and Damian Williams are exceptional 4^th and 5^th Wide receivers…Both would start for some teams in the NFL. As a Woody High graduate I have the right to say Ryan Mundy sucks…He needs to make plays on the ball….He must do a better job of tackling in space and competing. Ryan Clark is a stud.

Steelers Run Game

Starks and Wimbley- Starks should pound the piss out of Wimbley when they are matched up in the run game. The Steelers will down block with a tight end on the defensive ends in the run game. Miller and Saunders both have the ability to get movement on Wimbley in the run game. David Paulson has gone from a shit blocker to a decent blocker in a matter of weeks. I do expect Saunders to play on Thursday I also expect Leonard Pope is released Friday. The Steelers need wins in this matchup regardless of who the blocker is.

Colon and Casey- Colon is not only fat…He is really stupid. The holding calls he draws are from laziness and being retarded. You can grab cloth only at the numbers…If your hands go outside of the numbers its holding…That simple. Colon is slow off the ball…His first instinct is to grab which is fine…When you are grabbing inside of the numbers and not outside of the shoulder pads….Every holding call against Colon was proper…It was a good call. Colon is a good not a great run blocking guard when he gets off the ball. Colon has a nice motor and he plays with the proper temperament. Casey is a quick squat penetrating tackle who will give Colon fits if he is slow off the ball. If Colon plays a smart game and keeps his hands inside he could destroy Casey at the point of attack. Footwork and balance are two of the most overlooked skills for an offensive linemen…Colon has improved in both areas that improvement must continue.

Foster and Marks- Foster’s play varies play to play not week to week. Some plays Foster looks like a world beater others he looks like he is beating his pud. Foster like Colon is fine when he locks on…Foster has issues before contact…He is slow and high off the ball…His punch gets too wide…He gives up his pads and his balance. When Foster comes off the ball hard and low he is a beast…He can dominate at the point of attack. When Decastro returns I would move Foster to left guard…No chance the Steelers do it. Marks like Casey is a quick penetrating player with a little more size at the point of attack…Both Casey and Marks have to win matchups before the guard locks on neither can beat a block when engaged.

Gilbert and Morgan- Morgan is a disappointment as a pass rusher he can really anchor and play the run. The Steelers will attempt down blocks with the tight ends on Morgan…I don’t think they will have success. Gilbert will struggle to get movement on Morgan in the run game. Morgan may play the run as good as any 43 end including Peppers and Charles Johnson. This is a tough matchup from a Steelers perspective.

Miller Saunders and Paulson will have their hands full with the Titans defensive ends in the run game. They will also be asked to chase outside linebackers at times in the run game. Will Witherspoon is no Keith Bullock I will tell you that. Witherspoon is no longer a quick player so he is no longer an effective player against the run. Witherspoon at his best came under blocks and made plays…He no longer has that ability. Akeem Ayers is stout at the point of attack… he is very slow processing information and reacting. The Steelers have some favorable matchups on paper across the front seven…Execution of plays means proper technique and working as a unit…The Steelers can dominate the line of scrimmage if they execute. The Titans have a quality player in Zach Brown…I am not sure if Brown or Witherspoon will start…The Titans have talent at linebacker…They also have breakdowns.

Mendy protect the fucking ball please. Mendy is very talented and explosive. Redman is a plow…He looks for contact and drops the boom…I love his toughness and desire. Chris Rainey is lost in the shuffle at this point….The Steelers and Rainey must stay patient the results will come. Will Johnson will be asked to iso block on Colin McCarthy…Johnson needs to find a way to get him blocked. I hate to admit it Johnson did a nice job at times against the Eagles in the run game.

Both Titans safeties Jordan Babineux and Michael Griffin like to get involved in the run game…Both players are ultra-aggressive and will lay the boom…I expect Haley finally attacks a defense with the vertical play action passing game…Mike Wallace was even…He is now leaving.

The Titans have a few decent wave players…Mike Martin should be a starter at defensive tackle…Karl Krug is another workmen who battles and make plays. The Titans don’t have a ton of depth or quality players off the bench in the nickel and dime…Zach Brown should start inside…Colin McCarthy was injured game 1 he returned last week…Brown is a play making machine…He should never come off the field.

Keep quiet Ben at work

Starks and Wimbley- I should have more belief in Max Starks than I do…Starks has been solid all season…Actually he has been very good most of the season. Wimbley is a very advanced pass rusher…Wimbley is skilled…I don’t believe he is more of a threat than Dumervil or Cole and Starks had his way with both players most of the game. The key for Starks is simple…Land his punch move his feet.

Colon and Casey/Martin- This is a matchup that concerns me for an unusual reason…Colon won’t give up the sack he will tackle the rusher before that happens. Both Casey and Martin are explosive and agile rushing the passer…They are going to give Colon fits rushing the passer. This is the worst possible type of matchup for Colon…2 ultra-quick athletic linemen with a variety of rush moves and lower body power.

Pouncey- When in doubt hit someone in a different uniform….Both guards are going to need help in pass pro…Pouncey must be active in pass pro this week to cover them up…The Titans are not a heavy blitzing team against the pass...I expect the Titans cover up both guards and blitz the A gap at times…Pouncey must recognize the front and orchestrate the blocking scheme.

Foster and Marks/Klug- Foster unlike Colon has a major weapon…Foster has a devastating punch…You hear the term heavy handed associated with offensive linemen…Foster has heavy hands. Foster can end a pass rush with his initial punch. Both Marks and Klug are quality rushers. Marks will beat a guard with athleticism…He will beat the guard across his face with quickness…He will spin off and drop step around the guard…Klug is more of a cerebral rusher…Klug is a counter rusher he will allow Foster to wind up for that punch and he will step around him with a swim move…He will rip inside of Foster when he is off balance. I fear interior pressure far more than pressure off the edge this week.

Gilbert and Morgan- Morgan is a big strong defensive end…He offers little to nothing rushing the passer…he just can’t beat blocks. Morgan is not explosive or quick twitch…I think Gilbert should just close him down rushing the passer.

Miller Saunders and Paulson will draw Brown/ Witherspoon and Ayers in coverage. I believe the Steelers can exploit Ayers/ Witherspoon in coverage…Brown is a different story. Brown can run and he really understands the passing game…Brown has rare ball skills for a linebacker. The Steelers will continue to use Mendy in the passing game…Brown is the only linebacker on the Titans with a prayer of covering Mendy. Will Johnson could have some easy plays in the passing game this week.

Wallace will draw Verner…Verner is fast and I expect the Titans at times will play only one safety over the top…If the Titans shade the safety too much I expect the Steelers attack Verner over the top with Wallace. Wallace has to make the easy plays…What most people don’t get…With Wallace on the field the defense must play one safety 16 yards off the ball…Wallace limits what defenses can do with coverage’s. AB will draw McCourty.  AB will own McCourty. AB is just too quick and slick for McCourty. Sanders will draw Ryan Mouton which is another major mismatch in the Steelers favor…Sanders like AB is ultra- quick and a very good route runner…Mouton does not have the quickness to check him.

Ben protect the ball and your body…No stupid decisions.

Special Teams

Discontinued

Score

Steelers-27

Titans-24