Once again....

[Mosca]

Big hits don't trump mental mistakes. Big hits are for highlight reels. the plays that don't make the highlight reels, the ones where the db stays step for step with the wr throughout the pattern and the qb has to dump the ball off, those plays win games. I'll take 20 "shadows" over 1 big hit any day.

When the guy who can lay the big hit can also do the shadow, then he can start. Until then, he can watch.


Tom

[Atlanta Dan]

Originally Posted by Mosca

Big hits don't trump mental mistakes. Big hits are for highlight reels. the plays that don't make the highlight reels, the ones where the db stays step for step with the wr throughout the pattern and the qb has to dump the ball off, those plays win games. I'll take 20 "shadows" over 1 big hit any day.

When the guy who can lay the big hit can also do the shadow, then he can start. Until then, he can watch.


Tom

Troy is the freelance DB - he needs someone at the other safety slot who is going to be where he is supposed to be (Chris Hope & now Clark) to avoid breakdowns in the secondary.

Until Smith becomes more disciplined he will sit.

[rog]

I think the fact that we can argue and debate that one guy should start over the other is great. It is only going to make this team better. I'm confident in Smith, Clark, Mcfadden and Townsend no matter who is in there I believe we got a quality starter with all these guys. Just because Clark starts does not mean Smith is not going to get meaningful playing time the same with the corners.

[LambertLunatic]

It's easy for us fans to judge who should start based on preseason games, but we haven't seen all the practices. I wasn't hired to coach the Steelers (and with good reason). Tomlin is the coach, and we have to assume he knows what he's doing.

One possibility is that when a younger player is pushing for the starting spot, Tomlin wants that player to take the spot in mid season, rather than the end of training camp. This would put all vets on notice that complacency will cause them to lose their starting position.

[Counselor]

Originally Posted by Atlanta Dan

Troy is the freelance DB - he needs someone at the other safety slot who is going to be where he is supposed to be (Chris Hope & now Clark) to avoid breakdowns in the secondary.

Until Smith becomes more disciplined he will sit.

I completely agree. Smith is not ready to start at FS with Troy---he has great ability and potential--but more is needed at FS. He has to basically call the play AND back-up troy. I completely understand why he is not starting.
We all moaned about Cowher keeping Townsend as the starter over McFadden last year, but to me Tomlin's decision to do the same just goes to show Cowher was making the right decision too---- Tomlin had no predetermined loyalties and still stuck with Deshea. That tells me that McFadden isn't ready either. I'm willing to allow that the coaching staff sees a lot more than we do.

[delhess]

i have been saying the same thing.. smith will start when he is ready. his time is coming. until then, lets make the right decision. tomlin knows more than we do.

[MasterOfPuppets]

Originally Posted by Mosca

Big hits don't trump mental mistakes. Big hits are for highlight reels. the plays that don't make the highlight reels, the ones where the db stays step for step with the wr throughout the pattern and the qb has to dump the ball off, those plays win games. I'll take 20 "shadows" over 1 big hit any day.

When the guy who can lay the big hit can also do the shadow, then he can start. Until then, he can watch.


Tom

and also....mental mistakes = 6 points for the other team...big hits DON'T win games...but mental mistakes DO loose games !!!!

[Welcome To Smashmouth]

Originally Posted by Mosca

Big hits don't trump mental mistakes. Big hits are for highlight reels.

Tom

they sure do when they jar the ball loose in the 4th quarter down by 3, and its taken to the house for a touchdown.....

[lamberts-lost-tooth]

I love Smith...but I'm not devasted by Clark starting ahead of him...Clark is steady if not flashy.
Not starting McFadden on the other hand bothers me. I would rather take my lumps with him then have to deal with another season of watching Deshea follow WR's into the endzone...Deshea is a smart player but he is always three steps behind talented #2 recievers.

[DACEB]

Originally Posted by lamberts-lost-tooth

Not starting McFadden on the other hand bothers me. I would rather take my lumps with him then have to deal with another season of watching Deshea follow WR's into the endzone...Deshea is a smart player but he is always three steps behind talented #2 recievers.

I thought I remembered reading in the training camp articles that in nickel packages Townsend would move to the slot and McFadden would take his place outside. I believe the article stated Townsend was a better blitzer.

For those that will watch the game (I'm stuck watching the Pats, I live in Mass.) please pay attention to see if this is the case.

If that is the case then McFadden will have plenty of oppurtunities against the #2 WRs.

Let me know!!