The Pittsburgh Steelers wake up this morning in first place in the AFC North. Yes, technically, the Cincinnati Bengals are tied for first, but due to the win over the Bengals earlier this season, Pittsburgh leads the division. Taking over first place on your bye week makes things even sweeter. The trade deadline is tomorrow, and Pittsburgh has a chance to add some help for the stretch run.
Sunday Night Football just got a lot more interesting in Week 10 as the two division leaders will square off for sole possession of first place. Both teams are riding a four-game win streak, and it will be no easy task to come away with a victory on the road for the Steelers. Business is about to pick up.
Here is Monday’s Three Rivers Report.
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Steelers discussion: Mike McCarthy has been excellent
Mike McCarthy has pushed all of the right buttons so far in terms of coaching hirings, benching guys, changing things up schematically, and just overall.
This goes back to when McCarthy made all of his hirings in the offseason and how he took a chance on cast offs like Patrick Graham, James Campen and Domata Peko. All 3 of these guys were looked at as uninspiring hirings but have ended up bolstering and helping this team significantly. Peko in particular was a guy who's never coached in the NFL and was an under the radar hire that has paid great dividends for us.
Another thing Mike McCarthy has done is bench guys extremely quickly if they're underperforming. He was quick to bench both Spender Anderson, and Dylan Cook when they couldn't get the job done and he put Hoffman and Max in their place. The O-line has been much more physical, much more cohesive, and overall much better ever since. Great move.
McCarthy also benched/cut Rayshawn Jenkins when he couldn't get the job done and inserted Robert Spears-Jennings our 7th round rookie in his place. The secondary has been more physical, less confused, and much faster ever since. Another great move in terms of moving off of a guy quickly if he stinks. And he's continued to play Jennings even with Elliot back in the fold. Great stuff again.
I also like what the Steelers are doing in terms of running the football schematically. They're having the O-line moving and pulling, they're moving Darnell Washington around all over the offensive line to help block, they're even using the FB alot more to lead block and push guys out of the way which given Dowdle and Warren a head start with the football in their hands. It's alot of physicality up front and bully ball in terms of scheme and then he'll trick teams by faking screen passes to our WR's just to throw it to Darnell who's wide open. I love the creative playcalling recently.
I also wanna mention how he's been great in Drew Allar's development by immediately working with Allar as soon as he was drafted and refining his mechanics and footwork before the season started. He was attached to Allar's hip showing him how he wants him to throw with his base, and how he needs to operate in this offense mechanically for things to work. I think working with Drew and giving him homework and time to mold on things will be a massive benefit for him by next season. It's good to have a guy who actually knows how to develop a QB and teach him, and Drew is an extremely talented piece of clay McCarthy can mold.
Overall I was down on the McCarthy hiring at first, but I've seen alot of growth in guys, alot of development helping in certain players, and alot of things to like in terms of coaching. We feel less stale as an organization, we actually adapt when things fail, and we actually hold guys accountable when they fail. It's been a good job by McCarthy so far honestly.
Regardless of your preseason thoughts, Mike McCarthy has pushed all the right buttons.
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Pittsburgh Steelers news and notes
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Sunday is a massive test for Pittsburgh: All eyes on SNF
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