Pickens

it was actually more of a criticism of myself. I’ve been here long enough to know the vast majority ignore the details. Little things like losing Shazier. Losing Tuitt etc etc etc. When things like that happen the team has to scramble and try to replace them. We’ve struggled through the loss of Shazier until this season. Then we lost his replacements in consecutive weeks. Tuitt was an outstanding player and we tried to fill that loss with the likes of wormley?and now ogunjobi. Ogunjobi is a decent player, but more of a role player than a direct replacement.

 

Pouncey says hello

 

Shazier was 6 years ago...Tuitt was 3 years ago

 

We lost Shazier 12/17/2017. 2017 is the date you chose. As I stated in the post we have struggled to replace him. Just as we’ve struggled to replace tuitt. You don’t just wave a magic wand to replace great players.

 

Of course but every team loses players but the best teams are able to recover in the short or medium term...The Steelers were one of his teams in the past, but that's no longer the case

 

Right . Let’s not forget #7 played a few years too long. We’re trying to rebuild our entire offensive line, wide receivers, tight ends, running backs…

 

It's not just Ben who stayed too long....The biggest problem with the Steelers is that they keep their problems way too long instead of getting rid of them and that's how they created this mess.It's unacceptable they kept Matt Canada last January despite our offense being such a mess...But the wins against the NFC south, raiders, backup QB of the Ravens blinded the Steelers...The Steelers needed new news so badly idea and a new system in offense but they kept the same thing.The steelers are the only NFL team who would kept Canada despite 2 awful year on offense

It was criminal!

 

Clearly there were other things at play that led to our terrible offense. 17 different offensive line combinations isn’t exactly a recipe for success

 

Good try but they had the same offensive line for the entire season last year....And the result was bad

Every teams have changes and challenge, no matter the position...It's impossible to be stable at every position...Every team has challenges like salary cap, injuries, free agency, etc, it's part of the game but the best teams are capable of overcoming that,like the Steelers in the past but it's no longer the case

 

Good lord

Ben’s last season dude

 

Last season of Ben was 2 years ago....It was last year our offensive line was healthy all season long but it was still awful...Stop with the weak excuses

 

Actually our offensive line started out poorly and improved significantly as the season progressed.

quit being obtuse

 

But not our offense but you were talking about the offensive line as a weak excuse

 

Sorry, but no. The struggles of the offense don't excuse his childish, lazy behavior.

 

The defense was ruined by injuries. This began in the first quarter of the opener, when a groin injury ruined Heyward's season. Khan did a great job fixing the middle of the defense, then all of that work was undone by injuries to Holcomb, Alexander, and Neal. Losing Fitzpatrick for long stretches made things even worse. Losing Kazee and him on consecutive plays yesterday was devastating. Don't be fooled by the one drive that was all runs. Fitzpatrick is an excellent run defender, but also, the passing game put them in control and the Steelers' ability to stop it ended with the loss of their starting safeties.

 

The Shazier injury had so many trickle down effects and may, in hindsight, been a turning point. The franchise traded up for Devin Bush, they've signed numerous free agents, they've expended a lot of energy and resources to no avail. And if you can't find a good ILB then get the best safety you can, first round pick be damned, despite the fact we didn't have a heir apparent to an aging QB coming off elbow surgery. It sort of goes back to the whole philosophy of the franchise. Defense above all.

 

Pickens sucks. Overrated as hell. Hope Steelers draft WR in 24. Pick up a good FA WR.

 

He’s going to half ass if for two more years and then suddenly be a superstar for another team? Y’all crack me up

 

I think Pickens would be sloppy, lazy and disinterested in a great offense. But he’d have better numbers.

 

Give me Weegie Thompson, Hines Ward, Jericho Cotchery any day over Pickens. WRs who show up every game and don't slack or take plays off.

 

Johnson has gotten into arguments with teammates and coaches this year. That happens sometimes and it isn't enough reason by itself to move on from him, so I'm not saying that, although it's a sign of problems. I just think there's a cultural problem in that locker room. There's clearly no accountability.

 

That's part of all sports though. Losing Shazier suddenly is no different than drafting someone in the 1st round and them being a bust. Either way, that spot is vacant and needs to be filled. Teams draft guys all the time that don't end up playing. They move on and find ways to fill the gaps.

During their dynasty years, the Patriots were moving on from good starters fairly regularly. They didn't miss a beat, and yes, many of those players were on defence.

Guys are going to be busts. Guys are going to get hurt, sometimes often, sometimes career ending. Guys are going to retire unexpectedly. Guys will sign with other teams. That's just part of sports and it's the teams job to fill those spots. The Steelers aren't unique in this area

 

His flaws can be fixed, but that will only happen if he chooses to fix them. So far, he hasn't shown the interest and maturity to do so.

 

He has the physical talent, but I question his work ethic and mental toughness. Some guys are great athletes, but that alone doesn't make for a great football player

 

He's only it for himself and is a fair weather player but will never be the guy who does the dirty hard work, extra time at practice, show up early, etc. I have no facts beyond that but I would be willing to bet that is who he is.