Gameballs & Goats (Steelers vs. Dolphins)

The game started out as ugly as U G L Y could be, but they boys in black pulled it out.

Who you putting in the doghouse and who you putting the trophy case?

Goats:
First quarter defense: terrible effort all around
Offensive line: they made it difficult the entire night. Even when they would do something good, they would do something to offset it later
First half offense: they couldn't get out of their own way and after a BYE week they looked ill-prepared
Coaching staff: after a BYE week and the team shows no enthusiasm or aggression. Let alone the lack of adjustments in the first half and parts of the second.

Gameballs:
Mason Rudolph: bounced back nicely, although his lack of arm strength showed on the deep balls (or he lacks the understanding of how far he can throw it in time with his WR), he started to see the field late in the first half through the rest of the game.
James Connor: He was pushing the pile last night and was determined to find the endzone
Ju-Ju: the man is getting double teamed, he's not getting the ball as often, but he's the consummate team player
Diontae Johnson: made the most of every opportunity and made the Dolphins pay for their all out blitz
TJ Watt: He ripped the Dolphins in the 2nd half and made his presence felt forcing Fitzpatrick to be off kilter

Nobody is Troy. He was a one of a kind. I really like Fitz though - no drama, excellent player. A very welcome addition.

Nix - definitely deserving of a game ball. Absolutely huge difference with him in there. Can see why he is so highly valued.

Dupree. The dude is having a terrific year.

I agree with all of the ones mentioned above.

A note on Mason - while he's definitely a work in progress, and still has a lot of growth to do, I really like what I'm seeing from him - starting to see his escapability and ability to extend plays (something Ben did exceedingly well in his younger days). The 3rd and long TD pass to Diontae is an example of his mental growth: having to change the blocking schemes, and the pass pattern, to adjust to the defense - good stuff. His mind made that play as much as his arm did.

nine vegetable wrote:

Nobody is Troy.  He was a one of a kind.  I really like Fitz though - no drama, excellent player.  A very welcome addition.

Nix - definitely deserving of a game ball.  Absolutely huge difference with him in there.  Can see why he is so highly valued.

Dupree.  The dude is having a terrific year.  

I agree with all of the ones mentioned above.

A note on Mason - while he's definitely a work in progress, and still has a lot of growth to do, I really like what I'm seeing from him - starting to see his escapability and ability to extend plays (something Ben did exceedingly well in his younger days).  The 3rd and long TD pass to Diontae is an example of his mental growth:  having to change the blocking schemes, and the pass pattern, to adjust to the defense - good stuff.  His mind made that play as much as his arm did.  

I look at where Mason started out in this game and where he ended up. He showed he has the short memory needed and the football IQ. It can be said that he holds the ball too long but I think it was more his guys not getting open. He missed a couple long passes. The one to Washington looked to me like he just quit running and maybe had he kicked it into another gear he might have run right under that one. The throw that was called an INT and reversed went right through Washington's hands. He had a great block on the Johnson TD but he's not playing nearly as well as I'd hoped he would. I think Johnson has more upside at this point.

Gameballs:

T.J. Watt: Another all-pro game in an all-pro year
Minkah Fitzpatrick: he gets 2 gameballs
James Conner: Taking the team on his shoulders when we were struggling
JuJu: Great catches, that TD was huge
Diontae Johnson: reminds me of the young AB, has a knack for the ball

Goats:

Pouncey: From top 5 to bottom 5 in less than a year, embarrasing performance again
Washington: Looks more and more like a bust, Johnson is already on a higher level than him. I give him credit for the blocking on Johnson's TD though thaw was awesome.