cbear

The most amazing thing to me is that Pierce hasn't complained once about the way he's used. Keeps his mouth shut, runs his routes (though it must be discouraging to know you probably won't smell the ball) and block (where he does an outstanding job). I've said this before, but give him mpj role and see the kind of numbers he puts up (and vice-versa).

I heard that as well. In effect he's the sacrificial lamb to allow Minshew to play his game of fairly safe short and intermediate throws. He should be given his props instead of the scorn he gets.

At least a few times a game they need to design deep plays for Pierce and Minshew needs to commit to them, not always looking at 5-7 yard curls because he's worried about the rush.

I agree. Violent or deviant behavior (granted that is subjective) is what I have a real problem with. Peds, gambling, getting drunk, smoking weed all fall under the knucklehead category imo. Certainly bad, especially since your hurting your team, but living in the world we do, you have to expect it to happen at times no matter how careful you are picking players.

As long as your not one of those fans who criticised him for taking too many nice guys and are now criticizing him because he may not have, then that's fine. My point is the hypocrisy of some fans is absurd and irritating.

So you think he purposely doesn't take character as seriously now as opposed to a few years ago? Or is your problem with cb due to the players not having a high enough ceilings to warrant the risk?

He's been fired twice and is no longer in football and he's still the whipping boy of many frustrated fans here. Always need someone to hate on. I remember Ballard (and Reich) were criticized by many for taking character too seriously. "They take too many nice guys." Now that some players have gotten into trouble he's getting blamed for that. Takes too many nice guys...takes too many bad guys. Sad is thing probably a lot of the same fans are blaming him for both.

Weren't some here criticizing the team for worrying about a guy's character too much and that was hurting the team by depleting the potential talent pool? Or was that just more Ballard bashing at the time?

Does it matter who wins Pitt vs cinny?

Q's PFF numbers are puzzling. Of course he used to grade out much higher. Given that, he should be grading out even higher now since he has Raimann and Kelly on either side playing well. So either PFF is using different methods to grade players or someone's been assigned to Q that is crazy critical. The other is that our fondness of him has blinded us a bit and he's playing just like he's graded. Which is good, nothing great. The eye test tells me he playing better than his grade but I admit I'm a huge Q fan.

Funny, I was sort of thinking the samething. Just curious as to what they can do. Of course if they both suck this time, I reserve the right to disavow that thought.

Amazing how Riech is still getting dumped on. Based on what? Rumor, innuendo, internet chatter and still being angry about last year? He's been fired from Carolina mid-season. That should be enough to calm you people down.

Why was mackinzie inactive? What did I miss? I know he had the muffed punt, but overall, he was contributing.

First time in a long while where he stayed in the pocket with flinching at the sign of pressure (real or not). There were a couple of plays where he reminded me of Andrew. Pocket closing down, but he stood there kept looking down field and found a receiver even with a crowd around him.

Their names are too similar. That could become a problem for me. But they both played well.

Imo, Pierce was no different in his play this game or game 1. The only difference is they threw him the ball. As has been pointed out numerous times, he's been open, but for whatever reason, he's not getting the ball. As to why he got it this time, I can only assume the coaching staff emphasized it more pointedly or Minshew had some kind of epiphany either in his confidence in his arm or the fact that Pierce can catch the ball.

You need to talk to Steichen or Minshaw.

AP is this year's whipping boy. Every year we have to have one right? The only way you can judge how Pierce is doing is if you watch the coaches feed. He is open a lot, but Minshew just doesn't have the arm (or confidence to go to him). Those short crossing routes that Minshaw does throw are usually reserved for Pitt and Downs. If they changed his roll, I have no doubt Pierce would easily put up impressive numbers. They just don't have the QB to get it to him.

I hope there is no lingering animosity toward Jeff. He took a lot of cheap shots from some fans and a lot of his media "brethren." He took a shot at a once in a lifetime opportunity. Can't blame him for that.

He said one thing that sounded bad. But I could easily see what he was probably trying to say in his usual ham fisted, very inelegant way. Now, had he brought race into it more directly (as in I'm more discriminated against than minorities), something like that, it might be different.

I'd add to number three that he may not be the old Shaq due to his lack of confidence or maybe just fear of re-injury and going through the last two years again. Not that it's a bad thing necessarily, but he does seem like a guy that would worry and be sensitive to such thoughts.

Wouldn't releasing him now be in his best interest? He's going to get his money regardless and he won't have to sit on the bench. Maybe a fresh start somewhere. If so, wouldn't that be doing right by him?

No, but that actually looks fun!

I do the samething. I don't pretend to be an expert, but I'll trust my own two eyes.

Lord of the Rings fan? 😄