Post-Game Instant Analysis: The second pre-season game at the Steelers

The Good, The Bad and The UGLY

 

The Good:

The first string offense (minus David Bakhtiari at left tackle) looked very good taking the ball 80 yards in 10 plays on the opening drive of the game to a score. The good elements of the drive were not only good passing by Aaron Rodgers, but excellent running by Eddie Lacy, including a touchdown run from the seven. Then surprise, surprise James Starks converts the two-point conversion on the ground for only the second time since 2009.

The Bad:

Aaron Rodgers about to be sacked for a Safety

Don Barclay at left tackle was a disaster. He gave up a sack in the end zone for a safety and gave up another sack as well as many shaky runs in between with the first string. Barclay stayed in the game with the second string until there was 1:40 left in the third quarter and wasn't any better until his final series against the third stringers.

The worst part about Barclay's shaky play is that it might force the coach's hand to move Bryan Bulaga from right tackle to left if Bakhtiari is either slow from recovering from his knee injury or his spotty play continues. That would, like I've said many, many times in the past, would weaken two positions. The top reserve at right tackle is Barclay and he was skaky there too, in the first pre-season game. If Barclay can't get the job done the next man up is Josh Walker, who was on the practice squad last year as a rookie. He seemed to play well from what I could tell.

 

The last time Bulaga was asked to play left tackle when Marshall Newhouse was finally benched in 2013 he immediately torn a knee and missed the entire season.

 

I'm a firm believer in how the body gets used to certain positions and when you change to a different side, especially after several years, it puts stress on muscles not used to the stress and injuries happen.

 

It not only happened to Bulaga, but it happened to a fine defensive end Aaron Kampman. When he was moved to outside linebacker he torn his left knee after nine games. He then tore his right knee twice after signing with Tampa Bay, which ended his career. It seems Julius Peppers has been able to make the transition, but I think if you do a little research you will find the transition has been not successful the majority of the time.

 

Punter Tim Masthay continues his horrible training camp. Like I said after last week's game something is wrong with Masthay. His stats look good from the game, but if you actually saw the game he was shaky, too. The Packers cut his only competition last week, but they might have to look for another punter if Masthay can't seem to come out of his funk.

 

Special teams haven't been special. Elevating Ron Zook from the previous staff doesn't seem to have made much difference. The kick coverage teams, both kickoff and punt, are still porous with bad angles and missed tackles continueing to plague the units. It could be another long year in the kicking game.

 

Penalties, stupid penalties, are another been there and done that. Roughing the passer when a good play had been made. This has to stop with a defense that can't afford to remain on the field any longer than it has to.

 

WIDE OPEN - Dri Archer

Wide open. I have yelled, "WIDE OPEN" so many over the past four or five seasons, my voice box can do it without me thinking about it. One of many negative hallmarks of a Dom Capers defense is receivers are f***ing wide open in the middle on third and long. Why can't the defensive backs cover people when they know what is coming, or at least they should know what is coming, I do almost every time. I've just about had it. Shucks, I HAVE HAD IT!!!!!!!!

 

THE UGLY:

Wide receiver Jordy Nelson is most likely done for the season with a torn ACL suffered on that first drive on a non-contact play. He tore his knee when he came down with the pass and planted his leg before he got tackled. Freak injury. The Packers seem to be plagued with injuries, freak or otherwise.

 

Jordy Nelson gets hurt:

 

T. J. Lang also left the game with a possible concussion as did No. 2 quarterback Scott Tolzien.

Late in the game defensive end Datone Jones was playing well with a sack and a near sack, but as it's been with him his entire career I noticed him limping off the field. Nobody mentioned him in the post-game, so let's see if he shows up on the injury report.