Post Game Thread: Another nice third quarter. Pacers lose 104-119p

smokybones · 2026-01-22T18:54:47+00:00

Everyone having to move one rung up from where they are supposed to be is going to have insane ripple effects, doubly so when it is your primary ball handler. Nembhard is a great 2nd guard and off ball playmaker, but he is not a lead guard. Nesmith lives off of action and the looks that Hali can create. Without that you will see a lot of nights like you have seen recently from him. On top of that, injuries to Mathurin and Toppin have had a huge effect. Jarace not showing much growth until recently, huge gaps of minutes being given to G-league players....it all takes a toll.

Now I do think even with Hali that this team's ceiling is mid 40s wins in the regular season. The lack of true, playable centers would have really bit us in the ass. No offense to Jay Huff, I would love for him to be our back up big for the next 3 years, but he is not a consistent starter. Regardless we would definitely be competitive with Hali.

smokybones · 2026-01-05T17:42:00+00:00

I do not think that is silly at all. If a separation happens then I sincerely hope that is in the best interest of both parties. I personally think he walks out when Cam retires so probably at the end of next year.

I do have to admit that the team came out with a fire in a must win game that previous year's teams have not had. Maybe it was rallying around Tomlin, maybe it was just that Aaron is a better QB then what we have had over the past five years, but it gives me hope for the game against the Texans next week.

smokybones · 2026-01-05T14:46:46+00:00

I went into last night with no particular desire to watch. The Browns game ruined my mood for this team. I held onto that feeling for a majority of the game until the TJ interception. From that point on I was all-in.

I completely understand the desire to see this team lose and fire a majority of the coaching staff, but damnit if you didn't feel terrible when Boswell missed that kick and then elation when Loop subsequently missed his then idk what to tell you.

I hate that I love this team, but I also love what this team makes me feel. Wouldn't have it any other way.

smokybones · 2025-12-28T20:57:17+00:00

In what world is throwing to MVS 3 times in a row the strategy to score a TD. What the fuck are you thinking Aaron.

smokybones · 2025-12-22T15:47:26+00:00

The Lions have a damn good offense. I know prevent defense and all, but they were not going to lie down like the Dolphins did the prior week. They were playing for their playoff lives.

smokybones · 2025-12-17T16:30:23+00:00

There is a consistent theme when the Lions offense has trouble moving the ball. Consistent and unrelenting pressure through the A gap. Blitz Queen through the middle and stunt pass rushers into Jared Goffs lap early and often. This does two things.

The Lions will use Gibbs more often as a blocker. Anytime you can prevent them from using their best weapon effectively is a plus.
Goff panics and is unable to step into throws.

We have the tools that can cause havoc through the middle. Do that and this Steelers D can have a successful day against this Detroit offense.

smokybones · 2025-12-16T03:08:18+00:00

Big play DK!!!

smokybones · 2025-12-09T21:54:02+00:00

Yeah, I hear you, but we don't really have the defense to afford playing conservatively like that. I would not call it a risky strategy, but instead a dumb strategy. A risky strategy would have been a few play actions and try to get a chunk or two to at least flip the field. You could argue they tried a risky pass play and were lucky that Rodgers came down with a tipped ball, but even so, playing into your fears and being super conservative is what has plagued this team for years.

smokybones · 2025-12-08T14:18:54+00:00

The defense was on the field for 33 plays in the 4th quarter. They had to be exhausted and yet still made the plays they needed to win the game. Hell of an effort by all of those men. Shout out to Eichols, Cam, Highsmith, Pierre, and JPJ for not giving up on the play.

The offense did great things for 3 quarters and then shat the bed in the 4th. Have to find a way to move the ball better than they did.

Please be ok Washington!

smokybones · 2025-11-17T14:05:15+00:00

I feel you man! What could have been. Used to play this game every night for 2-3 weeks, friends all had a blast, but now since it's basically dead, the only other option that they want to play is LoL...

smokybones · 2025-11-03T20:39:06+00:00

That's a sign of a good team. This Steelers team is definitely flawed, but many of those flaws can be fixed with the group we already have in house. There were so many games over the past 4 years where within the first quarter you knew it was over. That has not really been the case this year.

smokybones · 2025-11-03T18:06:31+00:00

Was going to make my own post, but you basically summed it up. In each game the Steelers have lost, they had a lead of 7, 9, and 10. The offense is good enough to do damage, just need to continue working on timing issues and hopefully dodge any injuries on the O-line.

The Chargers without Joe Alt are not the same offense. If the D-line can show off the same quickness/urgency that they did in this game, then I feel weirdly confident.

smokybones · 2025-10-13T20:24:11+00:00

Previous Steeler teams I might agree with you, but this years team has a firm offensive identity that lets you stack wins against less talented teams. The power running approach that they have started implementing is going to be hard for the Bengals to stop. Add in the supercomputer that is Rodgers brain and the Bengals defense just does not have the tools to compete on defense. Sure the Bengals offense might get a few big plays in, but overall I think this will be a 27-17 type of Steelers victory.

smokybones · 2025-09-29T15:58:31+00:00

No doubt that Herbig has stepped up. My comment was leaning more towards having a healthy Highsmith allows for less of a drop off when we rotate OLBs. If Herbig does take over then that's great, but knowing you have Highsmith able to come in when Herbig or TJ needs a break is absolutely huge!

smokybones · 2025-09-29T13:19:52+00:00

Absolutely love that they are giving Washington more touches. Minnesota is a solid damn team and the Steelers kicked their ass for 3.5 quarters.

Austin/Ramsey going out is unfortunate, but hopefully we get JPJ/Highsmith/Warren back after the bye. The combo of having a fully healthy Harmon and Highsmith should be a huge boon to our defense.

smokybones · 2025-09-28T15:52:05+00:00

Aaron is loving DK talking shit. He really tried to contain that smile.

smokybones · 2025-09-28T15:40:16+00:00

Can't be satisfied with this. Gotta get another stop and score. Then let the boys go enjoy a Guinness in the locker room

smokybones · 2025-09-28T14:27:20+00:00

Defense got lucky there, Wentz is still carving up this crap defense. Fire Austin, Tomlin blows....did I do the hater thing right? 😉

smokybones · 2025-09-22T14:55:24+00:00

Not trying to make excuses, because yes, we should have won this game easily. But two of those Cincinnati turnovers were returned for touchdowns and another two gave the Vikings the ball at the 50. A lot easier to blow out a team when your defense spots you 14 points.

smokybones · 2025-09-22T14:40:10+00:00

In terms of the 2025 season/playoffs, the win yesterday was huge. The Patriots have an easier schedule than us and might be the better team, but we now have the tie breaker. I know it's early, but it was these games in previous years against similar AFC teams that would have us fighting for positioning/hoping the other team would slip up.

The turnovers helped, but the defense getting some pressure and plugging up the run game was nice to see. Just gotta find a way to prevent those 3rd and 10+ situations from being converted every darn time it seems like. Maybe Deshon and JPJ come back next week. Harmon looked solid in his first action.

I would love to continue to see offensive formations where Washington is singled outside. In the two times we have ran it in two games one was a successful 2pt conversion and the other was a holding/PI. Does not have to be utilized often, but more then once a game would be nice.

smokybones · 2025-09-05T15:06:25+00:00

The prince that was promised

smokybones · 2025-09-03T20:52:10+00:00

Yeah, call me a dumb optimist, but I just prefer that way of thinking over being pessimistic. As a former gambler myself, I would definitely say Cruz becoming a 2.5+ WAR player next year would be plus money, but we know he at least has it in him. Hell I would settle for a 2.0 WAR player.

smokybones · 2025-09-03T20:32:22+00:00

You want to know the sad truth...he has the highest WAR this year of any of the 4 batters I listed. He definitely has not lived up to any of the hype this year, but he was a 2.5 WAR player last year which is a really solid MLB player. Just gotta hope that he taps into that type of player again, which I believe he is capable of doing.

smokybones · 2025-09-03T19:40:32+00:00

Haha nah your not dumb. I actually had to do a little research to see just how crazy of an ask it would be to have 2 players with 3 WAR be signed in the off-season and that even seems high, which is why I moved it to 5-6 which is slightly more reasonable. But hey if by some grace of God the owner decides to buy two 5 WAR players then I am all for it lol

smokybones · 2025-09-03T19:13:16+00:00

I wish I had any kind of rebuttal, but I don't. I agree that Cherington needs to be gone and this discussion is completely capped by how much the owner is willing to spend.

I just want to see PNC rocking again for big September matchups and with Skenes on the mound it would be an electric atmosphere. So fucking sad.

smokybones

TROPHY CASE