Great first half by the Steelers everywhere but on the O-Line. Adams got beat twice, both for fumbles that he (thankfully) recovered. Gilbert decided not to show up. The interior was good. All these complaints about Decastro from TC but he was a rock come gametime. He blew open a huge hole for Dwyer to breeze through in the game. Still had some rookie lapses, but the talent we've heard about was still on display. Pouncey was Pouncey, and Foster held his own.
First team offense wasn't in for very long but I saw what I was hoping from AB - picking up where he left off. While this is his 3rd season it's really his sophomore year as a starter so i'm worried we might see a slump, especially with Wallace not taking up double teams. Brown looked good for the time he was in. Sanders looked good as well. Again, if Wallace doesn't show up we need a big year from him.
First team D was on for such a short time it was hard to read anything on them, so I mainly focused on the D-Line. McClendon is a force. He was breaking the Eagles O-Line on almost every play. Hood was generally invisible, but again, they weren't out there long.
Game was dominated by mostly scrubs after that, so I didn't watch much of the second half, but Rainey was amazing. immediately noticeable speed and shiftiness. Get him in space and he'll tear it up, but if anybody gets their hands on him he's down for sure. Guy is little. I spent the rest of the game watching Sean Spence. The guy has all the tools mentally, he just needs size. I really want the guy to succeed at the NFL level, but so far it seem that he can't shed blockers when engaged.
Also, it's just now sinking in just how new this team is. New numbers to learn everywhere, some players with longtime Steelers jerseys. Weird seeing Maze with Jeef Reed's number 3, Corbin Bryant with Smith's 91 and Spence with Farrior's 51. Past seasons it was gradual, so it was easier to accept.
He didn't look like the Manning of old, but he looked like a pretty good qb (top 10 qb). Definite loss of arm strength, not sure that is coming back. But I would have to imagine that his rust (loss of timing and some accuracy issues) is going to get better as the season comes along.
I don't remember receivers having to come back to the ball or having to deal with as many bounce passes before.
