Top 3 things Steelers must address ahead of Bengals matchup
The Pittsburgh Steelers are banged up and badly injured. If you kept up with the BEASTwriter+ Newsletter you would know that a total of six players are on injured reserve (IR).
Injured Reserve (IR):
QB Joshua Dobbs (toe)
RB Anthony McFarland Jr. (undisclosed)
OT Zach Banner (ACL)
NT Tyson Alualu (fractured ankle)
DE Demarcus Christmas
DE Stephon Tuitt (mental health/overweight/knee injury)
“The standard is the standard.”
Last week witnessed the Steelers play without starters ILB Devin Bush (groin) and CB Joe Haden (groin). Their absence was noticeable. The team also lost NT Tyson Alualu (fractured ankle) on the game’s 4th scrimmage play leaving 3rd-year backup NT Isaiah Buggs to step in.
Alualu’s absence was also noticeable. Buggs is no where near the talent level of Alualu nor should that be expected.
Still, the Steelers mantra remains “The standard is the standard.”
How good is NT Isaiah Buggs?
No question the team needs new blood at NT. I even tweeted as much earlier (see tweet below). Not a knock on Buggs but he’s a backup depth piece at best. In 2019 Buggs backed up NT Javon Hargrave. In 2020-2021 he backed up NT Tyson Alualu.
If the team thought Buggs had starter potential they would’ve simply let Alualu walk last offseason. They didn’t as Alualu had a change of heart--inking a two-year deal.
Coach T always says, “One man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity.” This is Buggs opportunity to prove his worth as a 2019 draft pick. How will that fare? Time will tell.
I started covering the Steelers for Sports Illustrated/FanSided Network in 2019 and over the years covering the Niners as a beat writer (2013-2018) for the team, I developed my own grading system.
I don’t rely on PFF, I formulate my own analysis and use my grading system when exercising my year-end voting rights as a member of the PFWA (Pro Football Writers Association) for GM of the Year, MVP, Comeback POY, Rookie of the Year, All-Pro teams, etc.
In 2019 Buggs was graded average at best:
2 missed run-fits
1 pre-snap penalty vs Jets (Week 16)
1 tackle for no-gain
In 2020 Buggs fared slightly better while garnering a higher snap count:
7 missed run-fits
2 missed tackles vs run
5.5 tackle-wins
1 tackle for no-gain
1 QBH & 1 QBP
The verdict is out if Buggs can be a starter in the NFL. For the first time in his young NFL career--GM Kevin Colbert and company will gain a larger sample size to pull from as Alualu hits IR.
If Buggs can show he can anchor the POA in the heart-and-soul of the Steelers 3-4 defense--Colbert can turn his focus on addressing other needs in the 2022 NFL draft. Right now, Colbert and the scouting department is doing their due diligence in building their projected 2022 roster--starting with eligible draft prospects.
It will ultimately be up to Buggs to relish the starting role in 2021 as he should garner lion's share of the reps vs Bengals. If he’s unable to be a reliable two-down stuffer, a NT by committee approach will be forthcoming.
Steelers offensive line
The Steelers have a young, inexperienced, yet talented offensive line. On the surface, it looks like they were outmatched. Heck, even Raiders DT Solomon Thomas racked up 2.0 sacks. However, there was a silver lining when breaking down the film.
LT Dan Moore Jr. allowed 0 sacks
LG Kevin Dotson mauled consistently in the run-game
OC Kendrick Green was steady and consistent despite rookie growing pains
The problem was the right side. In my opinion, RG Trai Turner is the team’s best OL, yet he was ejected for spitting on a player. Earlier in the game, he struggled. After playing well against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, Turner fared poorly in Week 2.
However, the weakest link is backup RT Chukwuma Okorafor. He is filling in for OT Zach Banner (ACL) and is below-average at best. He doesn’t move defensive linemen off their spot in the run-game and displays questionable movement skills in pass-pro.
The Steelers are always doing their due diligence and despite the 2022 NFL draft is seven months out--you can rest assured OT/OG Evan Neal and OT/OG Kenyon Green are players high on their board.
But the entire unit collectively needs to do a better job. Dotson gave up a sack while the unit as a whole allowed numerous QB hits on Roethlisberger. This blame is not solely on Okorafor.
Big Ben was rattled. The hits piled up, resulting in a left pectoral muscle injury. He was officially listed as a DNP in yesterday’s practice. Roethlisberger spoke with Steelers beat writers and shed some light on his new injury and how it’s affecting him post-game.
“When I reach for something outside the framework of my body or trying to push up or get up off the ground--something like that.”
If the Steelers are to stand a fighting chance against the Cincinnati Bengals--Okorafor along with the entire offensive line needs to generate some push down inside the trenches.
A division rival that spent big money on DE Trey Hendrickson & DT Larry Ogunjobi this offseason--the Steelers offensive line must keep them at bay while keeping Roethlisberger clean.
Roll with CB Ahkello Witherspoon
Before you say CB Ahkello Witherspoon sucks-- look at the game film. That 61-yard touchdown yielded was a simply Cover-1 with FS Minkah Fitzpatrick playing middle of the field.
Witherspoon although in man-coverage was expecting safety help over the top (playing outside leverage). Fitzpatrick was more focused on bracketing Raiders TE Darren Waller down the seams than leveraging his split on the backend as single-high help.
The move allowed Ruggs to use his track speed (4.27) to win on a deep post route. Witherspoon is just as guilty as Fitzpatrick. Both are to blame for that busted coverage on the backend. But being the center-fielder that’s more on Fitzpatrick than Witherspoon. Just my opinion. But don’t take my word for it.
Fitzpatrick had this to say in his post-game presser:
“That’s on me 110%.”
Which begs the question--who should start if Haden is unable to go? I think Witherspoon should be the play.
Look, I like second-year CB James Pierre but Witherspoon has the intangibles you look for in a Cover-1 scheme while having starting experience.
Witherspoon even admitted to being more a true man-to-man type of athlete.
“I think just a lot of man-coverage is important for my game. And then just switching it up, giving the QB different looks so we’re not predictable.”
I covered Witherspoon while with San Francisco, so I know what he brings to the table. Trust me, Witherspoon should be playing over Pierre. Time and time again, Pierre was picked on resulting in the Raiders moving the chains--the film doesn’t lie. Let’s give Witherspoon a shot and see what he can do.
With the Steelers hosting the Bengals, it will be a game where positional depth is to be evaluated on both sides of the football. Can Buggs be a plug-and-play? Is Pierre the answer in 2022 when Haden bolts in free-agency? How about Witherspoon? A lot of questions that need to be answered, sooner rather than later. Here We Go!
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