Tomlin already thinking about the Pats

[convertedpatsfan]

When I first saw this, I thought it was ridiculous. The difference between Tomlin and Belichick is as vast as the east and west coast of America.

But the more I think about it, the more I understand it and accept it. We are on top. Belichick focuses on what it takes to stay on top. The Steelers are climbing up and always getting knocked down. They know they can scale almost every mountain but one. And they keep getting knocked down over and over and over again.

So their mentality is not a championship mentality, but in all fairness, they can't remember what that's like. So while Belichick spends every week thinking about what to do to stay on top, Tomlin has blinders for the one bully that keeps beating him up over and over and over again. It seems unfair to mock Tomlin for his loser's mentality since he's a loser, he should feel that way.

 

[PatriotsReign]

I think by now most of us realize that Mike Tomlin isn’t too bright.

 

[Ozymandias]

I agree with what you’re saying with the improvements in the front seven and that is helping their back end. As you claim, they are certainly susceptible and you’re right about Burns being overrated, although I don’t think he’s quite as bad as you’re stating. He’s a more physical tackler who is at the very least, familiar with playing more man coverage, so that alone makes him something of an improvement in my opinion.

Regarding your first point, what is really helping their defense is the below average offenses and quarterbacks that they've had to face. Many defenses would look great against non-NFL-ready rookies like DeShone Kizer, washed up and overpaid veterans like Joe Flacco, soon to be journeymen like Mike Glennon, bottom-basement starters like Blake Bortles, and backups who are clearly not NFL-caliber players like Brett Hundley.

As for your second point regarding Burns, when you say "physical tackler" you surely don't mean "good at tackling." Because if you did that is a falsehood. Burns is a big reason why the Steelers have had the most missed tackles so far this season. Furthermore, in terms of coverage he is every bit as bad as I am stating. Burns occupies the RCB position, or the left side for the offense. The Steelers defensively rank dead last in terms of pass defense on that side of the field and are especially atrocious in the deep part on that side of the field. Which is why they lead the league with 6 50+ yard touchdowns allowed. 5 of which have come in the last 3 weeks. Four of those have come in plays with Burns directly involved.

So as it stands the Steelers are a defense that misses a lot of tackles and lately is allowing a plethora of big plays against them, all the while playing backups and ineffective starters. The Patriots can and should light this defense up.

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

Regarding your first point, what is really helping their defense is the below average offenses and quarterbacks that they've had to face. Many defenses would look great against non-NFL-ready rookies like DeShone Kizer, washed up and overpaid veterans like Joe Flacco, soon to be journeymen like Mike Glennon, bottom-basement starters like Blake Bortles, and backups who are clearly not NFL-caliber players like Brett Hundley.

As for your second point regarding Burns, when you say "physical tackler" you surely don't mean "good at tackling." Because if you did that is a falsehood. Burns is a big reason why the Steelers have had the most missed tackles so far this season. Furthermore, in terms of coverage he is every bit as bad as I am stating. Burns occupies the RCB position, or the left side for the offense. The Steelers defensively rank dead last in terms of pass defense on that side of the field and are especially atrocious in the deep part on that side of the field. Which is why they lead the league with 6 50+ yard touchdowns allowed. 5 of which have come in the last 3 weeks. Four of those have come in plays with Burns directly involved.

So as it stands the Steelers are a defense that misses a lot of tackles and lately is allowing a plethora of big plays against them, all the while playing backups and ineffective starters. The Patriots can and should light this defense up.

You did your homework. It will be up to our o line to give brady protection. I did notice that offensive line for the squealers for the most part has done a good job protecting burger.

 

[FourierSeries]

This game won't be just your typical ass whooping or blowout. It will be a sexual assault the likes of which even Hollywood has never seen. Harvey Weinstein's indiscretions will seem like child's play compared to what the Patriots will do to the Steelers.

 

[SaCaCh]

Can this game be flexed? Its Dallas Oakland that night and that might be two missing playoff teams.

 

[supafly]

Can this game be flexed? Its Dallas Oakland that night and that might be two missing playoff teams.

No. They’ve already made the decision to keep it at 4:25. CBS won’t let go of the rights, and I don’t blame them.

 

[Angelpats]

Our game with pitt won't be be deciding HFA. I see the squeelers losing the next two games. They barely won their last two.

 

[BaconGrundleCandy]

Said a few weeks ago, in terms of our O vs their D it's extremely simple.

Their front 7, particularly DLine. Cam, Hargrave & Tuitt vs our Oline.

GB had some success running power and GB is def not a power running football team.

 

[supafly]

Regarding your first point, what is really helping their defense is the below average offenses and quarterbacks that they've had to face. Many defenses would look great against non-NFL-ready rookies like DeShone Kizer, washed up and overpaid veterans like Joe Flacco, soon to be journeymen like Mike Glennon, bottom-basement starters like Blake Bortles, and backups who are clearly not NFL-caliber players like Brett Hundley.

As for your second point regarding Burns, when you say "physical tackler" you surely don't mean "good at tackling." Because if you did that is a falsehood. Burns is a big reason why the Steelers have had the most missed tackles so far this season. Furthermore, in terms of coverage he is every bit as bad as I am stating. Burns occupies the RCB position, or the left side for the offense. The Steelers defensively rank dead last in terms of pass defense on that side of the field and are especially atrocious in the deep part on that side of the field. Which is why they lead the league with 6 50+ yard touchdowns allowed. 5 of which have come in the last 3 weeks. Four of those have come in plays with Burns directly involved.

So as it stands the Steelers are a defense that misses a lot of tackles and lately is allowing a plethora of big plays against them, all the while playing backups and ineffective starters. The Patriots can and should light this defense up.

Like I said, he seems to be susceptible to certain routes, particularly ones that allow the receiver to get in space, but he’s still used to playing in a more physical type of scheme at Miami, and I think that makes him a bit hit/miss. In that regard, you’re definitely right that we should be able to take advantage of that type of weakness, particularly with our shiftier and speedier players.

However...even with issues gambling in space, I still think that you’re selling him short a bit. Let’s look at a comparison to other first round CBs taken much higher last year who many feel are already pro bowlers, or at the very least, up and coming young stars at the position:

Jalen Ramsey (5th pick) CB
65 tackles, 2 INTs, 14 passes deflected

Eli Apple (10th pick) CB
51 tackles, 1 INT, 7 passes deflected

Artie Burns (25th pick) CB
65 tackles, 3 INTs, 13 passes deflected


It would seem as though Burns hung in there pretty well with his competition, particularly when you consider that they were top 10 selections. Now, is he anywhere near as good as the 2 CBs that I compared him to? Absolutely not. Like I said, I believe that he’s overrated. But I don’t think he’s quite as bad as you’re suggesting, either.