State of the Steelers (Post 2012 season)

After not a great season, where do we go from here? what moves do we make? Who goes and who stays? Where should we go in the draft?

This could be a very busy offseason for us. Much more active than the last couple.

First of all, i think our strength and conditioning needs a change. With all the injuries we have year in and year out something is wrong there.

Offensive skill positions-I think most of us would agree that we should not bring back Wallace and Mendenhall. I would love to see Brown, Plax, Cotchery as the top 3 wr's. Not sure where sanders will fit in but i'd be a fan of spending a mid round pick on a wr who could return punts. Not sure i want Brown returning punts any more. He is too valuable as a WR. I'd like to address RB in the draft. Maybe Stepfan Taylor from Stanford or Monte Ball from Wisconsin in the 2nd round. Keep Dwyer to battle for job and probably be #2 and Rainey as situational 3rd down back and KR. Maybe pick up a QB in 3-4 rounds as a developmental back up for Ben.

Offensive Line- I would like to see the offensive line addressed more. Love Pouncey and Decastro, but we need to add another stud in the interior. I'm done trying to be positive about Colon and waiting for him to come around. He is injured too much, holds too much, and is too unathletic. Hope they address it in free agency. If Adams and Gilbert could stay healthy i would feel confident that at least one of them could end up being solid.

Defensive Line- I think the DL doesn't need much changing for now. I'd resign Casey. i think he can still be valuable. Mclendon and Heyward did a decent job when playing. Keisel is still playing well. I wasn't a big fan of Ziggy Hood's season but i think he will be in a contract year so he will either earn a new one or be gone.

Linebackers-This should be a high priority in the offseason. I would be looking to spend a high draft pick or sign a free agent to replace Larry Foote at the Buck spot. Ray Malauga is a Free Agent, i think he would be a reasonable option. I like Teo but i doubt he will be there at #17. I also like Aurthur Brown from Kansas State, but not sure if he would be a good fit for the Buck. As for OLB's i would keep Harrison and hope that him and Woodley can stay healthy. I still think they can be very productive if on the field together. I wouldn't be opposed to spending an early or mid draft pick on a good OLB prospect if other area were addressed via Free agency or earlier in the draft.

DB's-Our corners can always be upgraded via Free agency or draft. I'd try to resign Keenan Lewis if it wasn't too expensive. Ike didn't have a great start to the season, but came on later before getting hurt. Typical IKe, shows signs of being great but lack consistency and gets too many penalties. As for Safety's If Troy can stay healy we are good. Ryan Clark had an outstanding year. Would like to spend a mid round pick here to upgrade depth. Mundy will not be back.

What does everyone else think?

 

Offensive Skill positions: (Our offense is the problem not defense)
- We need a big receiver to help Ben. If this is Plex then fine but keep him on the field. Otherwise we need to draft one in the top 3 rounds. I think we should let Wallace walk due to cap space and lack of productivity
- I usually am not a fan of drafting a backup QB as there are many vets out there unless you think we are ready to groom a new starter
- I agree we need another running back but perhaps in 3-5 rounds as Dwyer/Redman are adequate as long as the line opens the holes.

Let Mendy and Wallace walk and draft a Running back and WR in top 5 rounds.

Offensive Line
- If there is a good LG available in the top 3 rounds then we should grab it. Colon should be let go and Foster is ok but more of a backup.
- We should resign Starks as Adams has not proven himself yet and injuries seem to be affecting Gilbert/Adams

Let Colon go and draft LG in top 3 rounds.

Defensive Line
- I agree we should resign Casey. No one has shown they can take over for him yet.
- Keisel may be a cap casualty. I'd prefer to keep him but how long can you sit a first rounder (Heyward) as a backup
- If front office thinks Ta'amu can replace Casey eventually then fine but otherwise cut him and draft another nose tackle

LineBackers
- I would resign Foote. He had a good year and showed leadership. Sean due to injuries is unproven.
- Harrison may be a cap casualty. I don't think the drop from Harrison to Worilds is worth what we are paying him but if we can fit in the cap then keep

DBs:
- Cut Mundy
- Resign Keenan
- Resign Allen (I think he played great when Troy was out)

Cut Mundy and draft a new Safety in top 3 rounds to groom to replace Troy


So our top 5 drafts should be
- Safety to replace Mundy and groom for Troy (top 3 rounds)
- LG to replace Colon (top 3 rounds)
- WR to replace Wallace
- RB to replace Mendy
- LB

 

i agree with a lot of what you said except 2 things.

1st is Sanders is a very good reciever. he is much better than Cotchery and Plax. Plax has the size, but Sanders runs great routes and has great hands. i know he had a couple fumbles, but im chalking that up to a terrrible season by everyone. it happens.

2nd is the defensive line. to me this is their biggest problem. Hampton has 1 or 2 good plays a game and thats it. he never gets any pressure on the qb and theres a young stud just waiting to play in McClendon. Keisel is one of my all time favorites, but i think age has also caught up to him and with his latest injury who knows how effective he can be. he also has a young stud behind him in Heyward.

i know in DL defense the 3 dlineman "arent supposed to get sacks" i put that in quotes because its a bunch of bull if you ask me. there is no reason why your front 3 cant and shouldnt get sacks. they rely way to much on the OLB's to get all the pressure and the occasional ILB and safety rush. if they want to start creating turnovers they need the front 3 to start getting to the qb. address this issue and this team will be a real #1 defense again.

 

I personally don't understand resigning Hampton. McClendon has been a nightmare to block every time he's been in the game. He appears to be almost unblock-able at times. Is it true that he doesn't know the playbook or is that just what the coaches are saying to justify going with the veteran? Who knows, either way, there's no better way to learn than being thrown in the fire. Stick him out there and let him learn. The playbook will come easily, it's the physical tools he has that can't be taught. Either you have it or you don't, and he appears to have it. Time for Hampton to go.

Keisel should be let go as well. He hasn't been dominant like in years past anyway, and we can't afford him. We drafted Hood and Heyward high for a reason, so throw them out there and let them prove themselves. If they don't have what it takes, we replace them in the draft next year. Either way, they need a year as full time starters to show they either have it or they don't. I personally think Hood is a bust in our 3-4 and we'll be replacing him in time. Heyward needs to get more reps though.

 

.[/QUOTE] i agree with a lot of what you said except 2 things.



2nd is the defensive line. to me this is their biggest problem. Hampton has 1 or 2 good plays a game and thats it. he never gets any pressure on the qb and theres a young stud just waiting to play in McClendon. Keisel is one of my all time favorites, but i think age has also caught up to him and with his latest injury who knows how effective he can be. he also has a young stud behind him in Heyward.

i know in DL defense the 3 dlineman "arent supposed to get sacks" i put that in quotes because its a bunch of bull if you ask me. there is no reason why your front 3 cant and shouldnt get sacks. they rely way to much on the OLB's to get all the pressure and the occasional ILB and safety rush. if they want to start creating turnovers they need the front 3 to start getting to the qb. address this issue and this team will be a real #1 defense again.[/QUOTE]

good point, in a 3-4 the NT is not supposed to be a pass rusher, but the Steelers have had DE over the years who were very good at rushing the passer- in fact, Keith Willis, who has the 4th or 5th most sacks in a season for the Steelers, was a DE in a 3-4 who played mostly just in passing situations.

 

Just read Keenan wants to test the market and was unhappy we didn't sign him long term before the season. If this is true i dont think we will get him back because we would need to overpay to do so.

Responding to other posts...

I didn't explain my reasoning on our DL in my initial post. I think Casey can give us enough to warrant a new 1-2 year deal. I love Mcclendon and think he is very versatile. I think he can play nose and also 5 technique. I don't think we will get rid Kesiel. I don't think what he will save us in Cap space is worth what we will lose. I also think Cam will keep improving and could start this season. McClendon and Cam are still young and their best football is ahead of them. As for Ziggy, i really was displeased with him this year. I'm not sure where he goes from here. Hopefully since he will be in a contract year he will raise his play. I honestly wouldn't mind seeing him put a little more weight on and see how he could fair at nose. He is too big and not mobile enough to be an elite 5 technique. I also wouldn't spend a high draft pick here since we have invested two 1st's in the recent couple of years. I also think we are ok at nose with Casey and McClendon, maybe even ziggy.

Couldn't agree more with getting rid of Colon. He stinks and costs too much. I agree also with keeping Starks for depth. Not really a big fan of his but he isn't terrible and could help Gilbert and Adams develop.

I think Plax is the big WR we need. He won't cost too much and he seemed to impact the game game whenever he played this year. As for Sanders, i'm not really a big fan. Maybe it is because i expected more from him. I feel like others are more productive with the time they are given on the field. Whenever Cotchery is in he is making plays, same for Plax. Would love to draft a speedy return guy who could play 4th or 5th wr. S. Baily or T. Austin from WVU or even Ace Sanders from SC (if he leaves early).

Here is how I would list our needs.

1)ILB-I like Larry Foote, but i think he is done. We really need a solid BUCK LB. Would like to spend a very early pick here or address via free agency.

2) Guard- Would like to address this in Free agency since we spent a 1st here last year.

3) RB- I would spend an early pick here.

4) CB- We will probably lose Keenan Lewis and could never pass a solid corner, however we could get one.

5) Safety- I would draft a young safety to take over for Clark or Troy in a couple years

-I would also not be upset if we took an OLB early in the draft. It appears there will be some great prospects out there this year

-I think we will need to add 2 solid Free abgents that will come in and start. It may be tough due to our cap situation, but this year our team really needs some upgrading.

 

That would be fine if there was a real deep RB draft but from what I have been hearing this is going to be another defense heavy draft with very few skill players coming out. So finding some high quality players for high picks at RB\WR\QB is going to be tough.

 

Agreed, i was thinking targeting 2nd or 3rd round on RB. Stepfan Taylor from Stanford or Monte Ball from Wisconsin would be good.

In the 1st Rd I would be targeting Teo from ND (I think he will run slow at the combine and drop), Jonathan Banks CB Miss State (tall, long, fast, and physical), Dee Milner CB Alabama. Would also consider Arthur Brown LB Kansas State, Alec Ogeltree LB Georgia, Chance Warmack OG Alabama.

 

I would like to get Mendy back if possible, because we will not get a better back. Too bad I think Tomlin dogged him too much and he will leave. He will do well.

I would like a Guard, ILB, S, WR inyje draft, maybe another TE.

I would like to see maybe Minter or Olgletree next to Timmons.
I want JH back with a restructured contract and a rehabbed knee - he will be back to dominating form.
Try to sign Lewis, and Cortez seems to be progressing well.
I would like to see Elam in the draft at S. Would not pass on a good CB.
I want aa LG early in the draft too.

We will not be able to be active in FA with anything but role type players due to Cap.

The offense is this teams problem not the defense. Oh and ST - get a good ST coach!

 

Why would we giv big money when he proved nothing. We willl be ok with other corners on our team.1

 

We drafted a guard in 1 last year beachum could play guard. Please do not use another early pick on oline. This has left other positions really shallow. We need safety,LB, and TE early. Paulson ok as backup but not to play 60% of game like this year.

 

This is another problem with Lebeau's ideology of sitting rookies for 2 years. Just when we see what our young guys are capable of, we lose them to free agency.

With the way the league is these days, we have to start changing stuff up. If teams like GB, SF, NE, etc. can start rookies, why can't we? I don't buy that our defence is so complicated it takes 2 full years to learn. Nothing is that damn complicated, especially not in football. I can learn to read, write and speak a new language in less than that, so there's no way these guys can't learn a playbook in under 2 years. The fact is, Lebeau doesn't like to use rookies. That needs to change moving forward. We have needs at DE, CB, S, ILB and OLB. We can't keep losing our young guys before we get a chance to truly evaluate them.

 

Keenan Lewis, in particular, got quite a few chances since he got here. In some of those games, he made your life flash before your eyes. I know we all recall this. We thought he was headed out of town on more than one camp cutdown. He has shown flashes of potential-more and more, then finally a solid season. This was almost do-or-die. Some of these guys just don't pick it up in the first 1 or 2 seasons. They have to develop good, consistent habits on and off the field; that doesn't come automatically. Some contribute right away; others just don't get it.

 

Lewis and Allen both look promising when teamed up w/ Ike and a decent pass rush. I would try to keep both long term.

If we lose Mendy we're going to need a RB, and a good one.

Guard too.

Mundy is gone. I think they'll be looking in this area too.

 

Ding-f'n-ding!

You mentioned earlier about McClendon maybe not knowing the playbook and you called BS - and I agree. What kind of playbook is there for a NT? The more I paid attention to our DL this year the more I noticed that all they do is slide to the left or right on run plays, and stunt to open holes for a bltizing ILB in the pass game. Yeah, it's probably more complicated than that but I'm not convinced that if we plug in younger guys that their athleticism won't make up for their mental mistakes.

We've been sticking with an unathletic Mundy for a few years now and we all saw vs Denver last year that the vets still make mistakes. It's time we play the most dominant player, whether it be McClendon, Worilds, Cortez Allen, Ta'Amu or Heyward.

People learn from doing, not from playbooks and watching from the sidelines. Fact is Keenan Lewis didn't become good until he received consistent playing/practice time; same is probably true for everyone else.

The formula has been working for us on defense, but our lack of turnovers and pressure may start to catch up to us as we maintain focus on our vets and ignore the younger guys.

 

I couldn't agree more.

Remember how many people were coming down on Worilds as a waste of a pick before this season? He proved them wrong by getting playing time. Keenan Lewis too. Now, there has to be a limite - there's only so much time you can give William Gay before you realise he just isn't going to cut it - but players only get better by playing.

 

I'm not so sure our lack of turnovers and pressure hasn't already caught up to us. Our defense is always very good but I am a firm believer that you need some "splash" plays once in a while to win. Our defense just does not create the "splash" plays.

 

this is why some coaches are reluctant to play young guys. you only have 16 games and practices are only shadows of the real thing, especially in todays no pads or contact reality. it becomes difficult to yank people and make changes if you are having any kind of success

 

The DL is the key to the defense, if they are handled easily then the LBers can't get pressure or stop the run which is the case for the Steelers. The CBs were not a huge problem as the DL was able to penetrate and cause havoc in the middle but now Keisel gets double teamed as big snack is getting cut at the legs and Ziggy is dancing with his guy so it isn't hard for the TE and RB to pick up the LBs. Start Heyward, sit Ziggy or place him on IR until his contract is gone and then get rid of him and draft a replacement.

 

i agree ziggy is a bust , if keisel is gone i wouldn't mind pick sheldon richardson in rd 1 , iknow we already took two de in rd 1 but unfortunately one is not performing

 

Sorry to disagree, freak, but two are not performing. Neither Ziggy Hood nor Cam Heyward are living up to their billing and unfortunately, DL is a need position going into the off-season.