Jones must go! And other preseason dreams
by PalmerSucks
August 21, 2015
Two games in, and the Stillers’ preseason begins to take shape both for better and for worse. Here are some more quick thoughts:
--The Stillers may need to take Roethlisberger up on that “30 points a game” promise after the way their defense has looked. So far my impression of the new Cover 2 look is this: no pressure, and more holes than a gopher colony. Both the Vikings and Jaguars found huge gaps in coverage, making for easy completions. Cover 2 is easy to beat when you can isolate your receiver behind the corner or linebacker before the safety has time to slide over, and both Minnesota and JAX have been able to do just that. The Stillers need to correct this problem before the real games start. Both Bortles and Henne took turns slapping around the defense Friday, and if the mediocre Jacksonville offense can do it, then the team’s in real trouble when the Bradys and Lucks roll around. Another problem that’s resurfaced: the old give-it-up-on-third-and-long softee defense.
--How many YEARS do I have to rant now before the Stillers realize what they don’t have in Landry Jones? Drafting Jones was another April Fool’s joke by the front office, who overrated Jones based on his college win-loss record. Jones took 14 passes to gain what Roethlisberger notched in three; what more do you need to say? In fairness to Jones, both Coates and Philips took turns dropping his passes, but overall Jones showed little feel for the game. His placement on the corner end-zone fade should’ve been picked except for the alert play of C.J. Goodwin. The excuse the local Pittsburgh media made for Jones last week was that he didn’t have the benefit of the first-string receivers. Well, Friday Night Jones had Martavis Bryant – boy did he have Martavis Bryant – and sailed it about 15 feet over his head. “Mr. Sunshine,” as I’ve said before, is the anti-Roethlisberger; when things break down, so does Jones. That’s exactly the kind of QB you can’t have in Pittsburgh. Thankfully, Gradkowski has returned, so let’s see what the team does now.
--Speaking of C.J. Goodwin, anybody else impressed? He made several tough catches Friday, and has managed to stand out in a crowded WR field. The numbers are against him, but the Stillers would be wise to keep him in the fold.
--The guy Martavis Bryant absolutely torched was Davon House, one of the top free agents I mentioned in my commentary last February. House signed a big contract with Jacksonville, and is no slouch, making the play all the more impressive. But the best thing about Bryant’s TD was that he made the catch with his hands; the ball never touched his chest. My one concern with Bryant was his ability to catch with his hands, but he appears to be doing fine in that regard. This season could be a monster one for #10.
--It’s been a while since the Stillers have found a free-agent gem, but it looks like they might have with Alejandro Villanueva. I’ve had a good time watching him play LT, where he’s often just swallowed up rushers with his huge 6’ 9” frame. Next game keep your eye on #78: watch how he sets his feet into a wide base, allowing him to beat his man even playing as upright as he does. Already he’s shown more of a feel for the pro game than Mike Adams. If he’s this good now, it’ll be fun to see how far he can develop under the tutelage of Mike Munchak.
--As I mentioned in my last commentary, the Stillers drafted Bud Dupree for his athletic potential, not his pro-readiness. That’s why I ranted last February for the Stillers to take a crack at landing Jabaal Sheard (who was scooped up by New England). The Stillers needed a veteran to step in and replace Worilds; instead they sat around and watched everybody else play the free-agent sweepstakes. They’re paying the price now.
--As I’ve said, Anthony Chickillo is more developed right now than Dupree, and if you watched him against Minnesota, you saw Chickillo’s instincts in action. Chickillo had a really nice knife-in and takedown for a loss in his first outing. Dupree’s status as a first-rounder guarantees him a roster spot; Chickillo doesn’t have that luxury. I’m just hoping he doesn’t get caught up in the wash.
--When your starting OLB is Arthur Moats, you have a personnel problem. Don’t get me wrong: I like Moats, but as a sub or back-up. Moats looks lost in space, getting absolutely jock-juked by a Minnesota receiver last week. I hope I’m wrong and he comes on, but so far, not so good. Again, had the Stillers signed Sheard, they’d have had their starter (and could’ve even traded up to nab Marcus Peters, in my opinion the top corner in the draft, rather than taking Dupree). My hope for Dupree right now is to see some splash plays, and build towards replacing Moats.
--Another defensive prob: the safeties have been s-l-o-w in getting over in coverage help (I’m talking to you, Shamarko Thomas). That can’t happen in a Cover 2 scheme, so let’s hope Gerod Holliman develops soon. (At least Holliman got near the receiver, although he got called for an absolute horseshit personal foul, a defenseless-receiver flag where he barely made contact.)
--Could we lay off Jesse James? Good Lord! Some of the comments I read after the Minnesota game made me wonder when the mob was going to show up at Tomlin’s door demanding the kid get cut. Yes, James dropped a likely TD pass and goofed another against Minnesota, but for Cripes sake he was a rookie playing his first pro game. (By the way, Jones had Goodwin standing all alone in the end zone on that play and never saw him.) Also, James learned before the game that his best friend had just died, so he may have been a little distracted. Like I said, James is a decent player and will be fine.
--Roosevelt Nix, the “Lumberjack,” did a nice job laying the wood on the opening drive, helping to open a hole for Williams. He also added a nifty catch and run late in the game. Nix further helped his chances of making the team by chipping in a couple of special-teams tackles Friday.
--Watch for this guy: Ian Wild. Another product of Western Pa., Wild started his career playing in Canada. A safety by trade, he’s been called to play inside linebacker thanks to some injuries to his teammates. Word is Wild is absolutely ripping it up in drills; nobody can seem to block him and he’s been crushing ballcarriers. The only concern is his weight – at 215 lbs. he can’t last a full season at LB. It will be interesting to see if Wild can stick around at safety once the regulars return healthy. He has good downfield speed and coverage instincts.
--When your most impressive defender is 37-year-old James Harrison, you’ve got issues. Jarvis Jones showed some promise before he got hurt last season, so let’s hope his early invisibility uh… disappears soon.
--Also impressive has been Ryan Shazier, who looks to be making that leap you want to see from freshman to sophomore years. Shazier has flashed in both games, and, other than the concern I have for his ability to stay healthy, appears to be right on track.
--Dri Archer’s shown some progress at RB/WR and has made a couple of nice plays. However, he still can’t return punts, which unfortunately means the job will probably go once again to Antonio Brown. Friday night Archer fielded a punt and had at least ten yards between him and the oncoming defenders, yet “Mr. Sideline” still opted to run wide left – and out of bounds. Both the kick-return and kick-coverage games stunk, and there’s plenty of work to do in both departments.
OK then, up next is Aaron Rogers, which doesn’t sound too encouraging. A respectable showing against a premier QB would instill some much-needed confidence after two lame performances. Let’s hope Butler turns the guys loose this Sunday and they can generate some pressure. Note: in case you aren’t aware, the game has been flex-scheduled and will be nationally televised on NFL Network at 1 p.m.
Comments? Send ‘em to PalmerSucks@Stillers.com