Tenn @ Pitt Opening Night Discussion & In Game~!

[Details-Details]

Ok, I’m just going to get some thoughts out on this game, and although it looks like some of the guys have got their picks in already I’d like to discuss this one a little bit more.

First thing everyone should do is take a look at the depth charts for each of these teams. Pitt looks pretty stacked on both sides of the ball. Tenn on the other hand looks very shaky both ways.

The loss of Haynesworth the big man inside is really going to hurt them, cant stress that enough. Collins had a nice 08 season, protect the ball, throw the occasion pass, and hand off a lot. But he has no weapons on the outside. Rookie Kenny britt and Bears cast off Justin gage aren’t scaring anyone in the Pitt defensive backfield and we are liking to see 8 guys in the box loading up to stop Chris Johnson and LunchPale. The Tenn D, on paper, is very unremarkable although I have a soft spot in my heart for Finnegan at CB, real scrapper that gets under the skin of opposing wideouts

Pitt D we know is going to be solid this year, they run the best 3-4 in the NFL and have solid if not all pro players at each level of their Defense. I don’t see Tenn being able to put up too many points in this one. I think the Pitt Offense comes out firing as Big Ben puts that crazy Ho from tahoe behind him and gets off to a nice start. Nice weapons in the passing game and 2 solid RBs, keep an eye on Mendenhall in the passing game, could break a big one.

Throw in a rowdy home field crowd only adds to the Titans woes tonight, coming off a SB win the Steel City should be rockin!

6 seems like a lot of points to lay against a team that was 13-3 last year and played Pitt tough every minute. Kinda weird….

So, I’ll lay the points and take PITT -6 for 2 units

Good luck all

[Horfin]

I am a homer so take my thoughts with a grain of salt.

1. The Pitt OL is nothing to write home about.
2. The two defenses were #1 and #2 last year (depending on which stat you are grading on). The Tenn OL is better than the Pitt OL.
3. Regarding Haynesworth. Tenn has about three guys to replace Haynesworth. They should be fresh all game long. The Pitt d is better than Tenn D but not by much.
4. Tenny does have Nate Washington as a new addition and the TE plays a HUGE role on offense.
5. Both QBs suck when they are pressured. BUT (and I will get bashed for this one), Big Ben sucks worse than Collins the play AFTER he was hit (this is known in the league...so much so that if Ben gets hit, pitt usually runs the ball the next play unless they HAVE to pass). He will get hit more often than Collins because of the OL problems

You said 6 is too large and I agree. The Line should be 0 or Pitt -3 AT MOST.

I am a Homer......Don't ripp me too hard!

Horf!n

[JohnnyMapleLeaf]

What Horf said. lol.

Not to mention Ben has already been banged up this pre-season, and from reading a few articles, the word out of Pittsburgh is that they plan on throwing more this year, with Parker slowing down and Mendenhall not really impressing. With that O-line, and Ben's sometimes wildness, could be interesting this year in Steeltown. Good or bad.

Looking forward to tonight. GL Everyone!

[Details-Details]

I'll defend the bears to the death, so i wont fault you for being a homer.

I think the Pitt OL takes a big step forward this year, last year losing faneca really hurt and now after a year they should be considerably better. I just dont see whos gonna be hitting Big ben. i like kearse but his days a a solid DE are numbered and no 3 guys rotating in and out can replace what haynesworth brought to Tenn. tenn does have a nice pair of TEs but they still dont match up that well against the OUTSTANDING pit LBs and Polamalu.

I see Pitt stacking the box, stopping the run and gettin after the QB early. Pitt looks like the superior team in the superior situation, but thats why they play the games.

GL this year Horfin

[daft_picks]

You tell em Horf! My sentiments are on the same side, you may want a less biased opinion though. TN may have depth issues that will hurt them as the season goes on but tonight they will be primed and ready. I predict a close game with more than 35 points.

[Queen]

Originally Posted by Horfin

You said 6 is too large and I agree. The Line should be 0 or Pitt -3 AT MOST.


Horf!n

Good God Horfin you have a crystal ball??

[Details-Details]

Nice play Horf.

Good read on the line....turns out the line was the most dramatic possible with Heinz fumbling on his way into the end zone, he never saw that guy with the strip.

I left very unimpressed with the Pitt Offense, a lot of dink and dunk and Ced benson type runs. Not sure how much credit goes to the Tenn D, they sacked Ben 4 times I think, but he holds the ball too long, it seems. Gage looked good, suprisingly. Collins was more good than bad, actually mostly good.

Hines fumbling was borderline comical. But thats gambling. i.e. clemson goin down 21-0 on 3 ridiculous plays...comin back to take the lead...and then losing by 3 and covering at the end... OPENING NIGHT!!! YAAAA_HOOO!

[akatdrake]

Even though that Ward fumble hurt, kind-of, he wasn't breaking another three tackles and getting into the endzone to cover. I was foolish enough to be on the Steelers when 5.5 points was way too much. It happens - and it's a marathon!

As for the Ga Tech game - I was really happy with the beginning, but Nesbitt throwing the ball was pretty much a joke. Their play-calling was atrocious after the first quarter! 0-2 night :( boo!

[akatdrake]

You know, after looking at the replays, Ward might have made it into the endzone if he slips that strip attempt... *doh*

[BUNK MORELAND]

I don't blame ward for the fumble. That was a hell of a play by Griffin
Great Game . Great Game to be at ..


Pittsburgh's NORTH SHORE is really something now adays.. Lots of stuff to do . Including a new casino... Lots of bars, outdoor activities. The city was nice last night !!!!

"GOT A GET THAT BOOM BOOM BOOM "

Pittsburgh's O LINE is down right bad !!!! Tennessee should of won that game. Two missed field goals really hurt. They pressured the QB better and they ran the ball better. I feel they should of won that game. But they didn't.

GOOD CALL if you were on the TITANS ..