By Tim Clark / / Column, Tim's Two Cents, Football
Two

There are redeeming victories, and then there is whatever that was Sunday in Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are not very good. Beating Atlanta with a third string quarterback who should be bagging groceries at the local farmer’s market is nothing to crow about. Beating them largely on the backs of two interceptions —one returned for a touchdown— is marginally embarrassing. The Falcons were a team that was begging to be beaten by thirty.

I said the ceiling for the Steelers was 9 wins this year. After just one game —and a victory at that— the ceiling seems a bit too high.

The defense was good, but the quarterback on the opposing side was beyond dreadful. TJ Watt showed he still can bring it when not overworked. The sad thing is, without Watt’s heroics that game would have been a nail biter. Peyton Wilson played well, which will be necessary for this defense to reach its peak. Others performed well, but star Falcons running back Bijan Robinson was working them over at times.

Because of how poorly Cooper Rush played, it is difficult to examine the performance of the Steelers secondary. I have a feeling stiffer competition will expose that unit. I absolutely do know that without Joey Porter the Steelers secondary will be far less effective.

The Porter situation sort of encapsulates my feelings on the lethargy of the Steelers organization. Maybe lethargy isn’t the right word. Confusion, lack of understanding, imprudence may fit better. Or maybe asinine fits best. How else can you explain backing up the Brinks truck for Nate Herbig, Keanu Benton, and Darnell Washington —all who I am glad they signed— and quibbling with the most important piece of the defense. Porter proved he is a lock down cornerback. He is moving into his prime years, playing a position that can make or break a defense. Yet, it has been a contentious back and forth leading to Porter sitting out week one and talks of a possible trade being mentioned.

The same team that shuffled George Pickens off to Dallas then signed DK Metcalf to far too much money for less production. Insisting that they are true contenders, they brought in Aaron Rodgers last season and then practically begged him to come back this season. Rodgers turns 43 and is a shell of his former self. He is washed, as the kids would say. Oh, he will make a throw or two but not consistently. With the Steelers offensive line —another area that has been in constant flux— Rodgers could get stretchered out before year’s end.

In one breath they act like they are one tick away from a Super Bowl, and in the next breath they stonewall one of the most important players on the team.

Yea, asinine fits.

As for that offense lead by the geriatric quarterback, it is less than adequate. Knowing they would have an aged quarterback, the offensive line was left for oft released players, rookies and second year players, and  seventh round draft choices. Zach Frazier is the only moderately proven players up front. The running backs are adequate. Neither Jaylen Warren nor Rico Dowdle is a game breaker. The line coupled with average backs led to 58 total rushing yards against the Falcons.

 The receivers continue to be subpar. DK Metcalf drops passes on the regular and was certainly on his drop game Sunday. Michael Pittman is a professional receiver, but Geremie Bernard is an unproven rookie and Roman Wilson flat out stinks. Both did next to nothing on Sunday.

The tight ends are solid. Both Pat Friermuth and Darnell Washington should have seen more targets.

Against the Falcons, the Steelers offense was putrid. Again, if not for a pick six from Watt and a gift interception by Jaquan Brisker that was returned to the 31 yard line the offense would not have scored a touchdown.

There are maybe five or six teams —maybe— that a performance like that leads to a victory. Cooper Rush won’t be under center for the rest of the Steelers opponents.

The Steelers are owned by a guy who insists they are contenders but won’t pay his shutdown cornerback. The former stale head coach finally stepped down, only to be replaced by another stale 62 year old head coach. Sunday’s game nearly put me into a coma it was so boring.

The Steelers looked like a team treading water. The problem is there won’t be anyone throwing them a life preserver.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were lackluster in week one. It is hard for me to believe they will be anything more than that all season long.

Tweet of the Week

The Steelers did have a few highlights Sunday. This was my favorite. Darnell Washington is not a man, he is some type of cyborg.


The Weekly Shiny Penny

There are still four months of the NFL season left, but you won’t find a better effort play than this for the rest of the season.

 


A Penny For My Final Thoughts…

NFL Final Thoughts…

  • The Jets are tied for first place. Say it while you can Jets fans.
  • The Chargers continue to befuddle me. Losing to the Cardinals and Jacoby Brissett —who outplayed Justin Herbert— does nothing to squash that befuddlement.
  • Maybe Justin Herbert just isn’t that good. Fooled me.
  • Do the Vikings come back to beat the Packers if Kyler Murray is still in the game?
  • Two quarterbacks I am not as high on as others got off to rocky starts. Bo Nix and Drake Maye were not good in week one.
  • The Rams didn’t exactly seem to embrace the game in Australia. Good for them. It is silly.
  • Josh Allen got bailed out with a dropped interception in the end zone on the last drive. Never bail out Josh Allen. The next play was the game winning touchdown.
  • The Lions baffle me, too. Up 21-0 at home and nearly blow the game against the Saints. Only a failed two point conversion in overtime by the Saints save the Lions. I am starting to question Dan Campbell.
  • Has Jerry Jones officially ruined the Cowboys. He has meddled and meddled, and Dallas just looks lost.
  • Hopefully week two will have some improved play. Remember, for the starters of almost every team, week one was basically their preseason game.
Just my two cents…