Pittsburgh International Airport last month
Heath Miller Jersey , equal parts bleary eyed and adrenaline fueled following a trade that helped the second-year safety flee the rebuilding Miami Dolphins for
the decidedly more stable Steelers.From the jetway to the concourse, from the
shuttle to the main terminal, Fitzpatrick was struck by the number of people who
recognized him and wished him well even though he’d been in town for all of five
minutes.“Pittsburgh is a football city, a sports city,” Fitzpatrick said.And
Miami?“It’s a different type of culture down there,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s not
as big.”With good reason. The Dolphins haven’t won a playoff game since Bill
Clinton’s final days in office and are yet in the midst of a massive reset under
first-year head coach Brian Flores. Miami is winless (0-6) heading into Monday
night’s visit to Pittsburgh (2-4), very much looking like a team that could use
an intelligent, versatile and dynamic player such asFitzpatrick. And yet he’ll
walk onto the Heinz Field turf wearing black-and-yellow after asking the
Dolphins to continue their reboot without him .Fitzpatrick stressed it wasn’t
personal, just business. He has no agenda he’s trying to push. No axe to grind.
He wanted a change. The Dolphins — who are aggressively stockpiling draft picks
in hopes of accelerating their makeover — accommodated him. When Flores scans
Pittsburgh’s defense under the lights there won’t be any pangs of what might
have been when he spots Fitzpatrick’s familiar No. 39.“It’s something that
happens,” Flores said. “We’ve moved on.”Miami doesn’t really have a choice. The
Dolphins received Pittsburgh’s first-round selection in next spring’s draft for
Fitzpatrick and Flores has buried himself in trying to figure out a way to at
least make his team competitive.“I think if you start to think about everything
other than that, ‘If this happens … Why’d this happen? Why’d that happen?’ (it’s
not beneficial),'” Flores said.Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, has certainly looked
every bit worth the investment the Steelers made when they moved aggressively to
land him just hours after losing safety Sean Davis for the season with a
shoulder injury. Davis was entering the final year of his contract and
Pittsburgh had made no overtures to re-sign him. Bringing in the 22-year-old
Fitzpatrick addressed a need and in some ways provided an upgrade over Davis,
who has been solid but not spectacular through three-plus seasons.Less than a
week into his new gig, Fitzpatrick picked off a pass and forced a fumble in a
loss at San Francisco. He’s missed all of one defensive snap in four games with
the Steelers while winning over his teammates with his preparation and his
professionalism.“He doesn’t play like a second-year guy,” veteran cornerback Joe
Haden said. “He has the ease of a player who’s been in the league at least five
years. He’s very, very, very mature and takes the game seriously. He doesn’t
just talk for no reason. He’s really focused, locked in. Very smart. Knows all
the plays. All the checks.”Fitzpatrick shrugs off the compliments. Call it the
byproduct of playing safety for Nick Saban at Alabama. Saban doesn’t have his
coaches dumb things down to accommodate the Crimson Tide’s playmakers. If
anything
John Stallworth Jersey , Saban forces his coaches to go the other way because he knows it will help prepare his stars for what awaits at the next level. It’s one
of the reasons Fitzpatrick has been able to adjust so quickly. The playbook
Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler handed Fitzpatrick when he arrived
was the third one Fitzpatrick downloaded in less than a year. And yet he’s
rarely found himself out of place on the field.“To me, he is very sudden,”
Butler said. “What I mean by that is once he realizes what is going on, he is
quick to attack and do his job. I think that has probably helped us as much as
anything else.”Focusing on football also helps. Fitzpatrick spent his first week
in Pittsburgh at a nearby hotel waiting for his gear to arrive from Miami. He
then met with a real estate agent after the Steelers returned from San
Francisco. He asked teammates for recommendations on where to live and told the
agent he didn’t need much to get by. A bed. A sofa. A kitchen. That’s it.When he
heads home for the night, Fitzpatrick will often hop in his car and just drive
around in an attempt to get a feel for his new town, a unique challenge of its
own in a place — unlike Miami — where there are no palm trees, straight roads or
easy ways to get from here to there. Yet Fitzpatrick has always prided himself
on being able to find his way around no matter where he is. Residue from his job
description.Besides, as he put it “I don’t just want to sit at home on the
couch. I’ve got to check things out.” So Fitzpatrick will cruise around, drink
it in and try not to ask his phone for help getting back home. So far, so good.
On the field and off.“He’s a Swiss Army knife,” Haden said. “He can do
anything.”Previewing the Steelers Enemy, Week 3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa
Bay Buccaneers come off wins against two of the best teams in the NFL last
season, the New Orleans Saints and the Philadelphia Eagles. How have they done
it? Through high-powered offense and a bit of Fitzmagic to go along with it.
They do not have a flashy defense, and it is not particularly good, but they get
back a few key players this week, which could hinder the Steelers’ plans as a
whole. QuarterbackI simply do not know what to expect from Ryan Fitzpatrick. Is
he a good QB? No. But he has some magical runs where he plays like a top tier
QB. This seems to be one of those runs. If Fitzmagic shows up like he has the
past two weeks, the Steelers are going to have a tough time stopping him through
the air. The secondary will be getting Joe Haden back, but CB2 is in turmoil
with the uncertain nature of who will start there. The correct answer to start
is Artie Burns, not Coty Sensabaugh. As for Fitzpatrick, he has shown tremendous
accuracy in the past two weeks
Jack Butler Jersey , but has faltered under pressure. It will be up to the Steelers’ DL and OLBs to get pressure so Fitzpatrick can’t drive the ball at
will. Running BackI wish I could describe how bad this backfield is. It is one
of the worst in the NFL. Peyton Barber is an average RB who will get around 3
YPC all game, but has serious vision issues and offers very little out of the
backfield in the receiving game. He, by Koetter’s estimates, is the best RB on
the team.Jacquizz Rodgers is a back who has some power in him and can grind out
yards in the late game, but yet again, he is painfully average. Solid run
defense, which the Steelers lack at times, is the way to stop Rodgers, otherwise
he can put up yardage. As for Ronald Jones, I believe he is the Bucs’ best back,
but he has shown nothing in his short time in Tampa Bay. Jones looked great at
USC, and maybe it is just the issue of finding the correct ways to use him in
this high powered offense, but if he gets going, watch out.Wide Receivers and
Tight EndsThis receiving core is a top five receiving core in the NFL. Led by
top 10 receiver Mike Evans, Fitzpatrick has an array of options to throw
to.Evans himself can stretch the field and win on jump balls easily. He has one
of the best releases off the line in the game, and over the past year has really
improved as a route runner. Evans has polished his game and looks to be one of
the biggest mismatches in the NFL. Whoever is covering him will have their hands
full. Regardless of how well Evans is playing, he is always a factor due to his
height and speed combination.As for who is opposite of Evans, that would be
DeSean Jackson. Jackson appears to be back after new Offensive Coordinator Todd
Monken has found out how to use him — get him deep. Jackson’s speed is always an
issue in the screen game and on slants, but even more so on the streak. He may
be getting older, but his down year last year was due to Dirk Koetter’s
inability to scheme him correctly. This game
Joe Greene Jersey , Jackson is going to be a force and a hard stop for the Steelers’ defense.However, if that was not enough, one of the most promising
young receivers in the game, Chris Godwin, will be playing as well. Godwin is a
do it all WR, but where he really shines is as a chain mover who can gain
serious yards after the catch. Godwin is also a premier deep threat, but is
first and foremost a Golden Tate-like receiver how he works best out of quick
breaking routes. For the Buccaneers, he is their JuJu Smith-Schuster. At Tight
End, OJ Howard and Cameron Brate combine to make possibly the best TE duo in the
NFL. Howard may only be in his second year, but he has finally blossomed into
the receiver they hoped he would be. He is a virtual mismatch against anyone he
faces. Brate is a chain moving tight end, but where he really comes in handy is
the red zone. He has not been much of a factor so far, but he has gotten the
snap count, so he could still be a factor.The TrenchesThis offensive line is
tough to read. I like some pieces, but others really leave some substance to be
desired. Ali Marpet is a pro bowl Guard and is one of the best in the NFL. He is
easily the best guard the Steelers have seen all season and his matchup with
Cameron Heyward is going to be one of the most enjoyable matchups of the game.
Former Raven Ryan Jensen is a very good run blocker. He is not a great pass
blocker, but he will reach the second level in run blocking. Donovan Smith is
not particularly good, but he is not bad. He is an average LT, but he is facing
Bud Dupree, so he is not getting a very tough assignment in pass protection.
Demar Dotson has been one of the best pass blockers over the past five years but
he faces T.J. Watt who currently is 3rd in the NFL in pressures. Caleb Beneoch
will have his hands full, but he is so painfully average, and if Tuitt plays the
way he can
Ernie Stautner Jersey , Tuitt will have a big game.The Bucs will be without Vita Vea and Beau Allen, which are two significant injuries along the defensvie line,
but Gerald McCoy is still there. He is one of the best DTs in the game and will
continue to do so as a dominant 3 technique. Only Aaron Donald, Cam Heyward, and
Geno Atkins have a higher pass rush rate than McCoy. Vinny Curry and Jason
Pierre-Paul will flank him to create a solid trio inside. While both are great
run stoppers, their pass rush rate has been down to start the season, so it will
be something to watch with Matt Feiler likely starting at RT.LinebackersWith
Kendall Beckwith on the sidelines for now, Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander how
some uncertainly around them as Adarius Taylor and Jack Cichy split time. David
and Alexander are some of the best linebackers at their positions, although they
are not the greatest duo in terms of coverage, which could mean more
opportunities for JuJu Smith-Schuster. Cichy is a talented youngster who will
fly all over the field, but he is not polished enough yet to truly be a force.
Taylor is an average player, but has improved as his career has gone on, but
Beckwith was their option and they are taking steps down from him with these
two.SecondaryA battered and bruised secondary could get back Brent Grimes and
Chris Conte, but they are both questionable. Grimes is not fast enough to keep
up with Antonio Brown, nor is he physical enough to beat James Washington at the
line. If they trot out Carlton Davis, the physicality they would gain is a key
factor in stopping the Steelers’ aerial attack. Davis is promising and has
looked good so far. Ryan Smith has filled in admirably, but was picked apart by
Nelson Agholor as the game went on last week. With that said, it leaves
JuJu-Smith Schuster with another great matchup once again. MJ Stewart is a
promising slot CB who is fast and tenacious, but is he quick enough to keep up
with Antonio Brown? For a rookie, that is a tall task.As for safety
L.C. Greenwood Jersey , Justin Evans continues to grow and show improvement as he plays more. He is developing into a truly nice cover safety over top for the
Bucs. His backup Jordan Whitehead has shown his versatility in the slot and deep
on numerous occasions this season, and should get some playing time if they want
to maneuver Evans around. Isaiah Johnson seems likely to get the start even if
Conte is active, but Johnson and Conte both have to be more disciplined in their
instinctual reads on play action. That could be a key aspect in the gameplan of
Randy Fichtner. Player to Watch: OJ HowardReally bad matchup for the Steelers
this week to be facing such a lethal receiving tight end in OJ Howard yet again
this week. Terrell Edmunds will have to be on his best game as the Steelers will
likely employ man coverage as Fitzpatrick is the least mobile QB the Steelers
have faced this season. Will it work? We will see what the rookie can do.Matchup
to watch: DeSean Jackson vs. Artie Burns / Coty SensabaughThe second corner spot
is so hazy for the Steelers. However, if they want to stop these quick
receivers, it is always best to play with Artie Burns. No matter how much you
hate Burns, you can never deny that he is a good man coverage corner. That is
what he is. You cannot play him in a largely zone scheme. Give him safety help,
yes, but give him man assignments. Jackson will be the key cog in the deep play
possibility of the Buccaneers offense, so it will be key for Burns or Sensabaugh
to slow him down. My confidence increases greatly if Artie Burns is out
there.PredictionThe Steelers have looked bad the first two weeks. There is no
denying it, but they did not go 13-3 last season for nothing. This team still
has a ton of talent and at some time, especially with their backs against the
wall, they have to wake up. If there is anything we know about Mike Tomlin led
teams it is that when they are up against a wall, they come out with a
vengeance. Last season they traveled to Kansas City and got a huge win to really
propel the season forward after the loss to the Bears. I know the Bucs have
played dang well these first two weeks, but I think the Steelers finally wake up
and pull this one out.Prediction: Steelers win 34-28
