Will We Be Better Next Season

After all of the personnel losses and gains over the off season, just curious as to how you feel MC and MT have done to prepare for next season. As usually is the case, I think we find what talent will benefit the team and be respectable and competitive. My lingering concern has been developing and maximizing this talent.

 

Same HC, same QB. End result will be the same result that has occurred since 2009 season.

 

The team will be better, but will not win as many games. It all comes down to Roethlisberger, and then Tomlin. If Roethlisberger can throw deep accurately and be under center more, the offense could be good. If Tomlin sticks with Roethlisberger, if and when he is ineffective or playing hurt, then it will be a long season.

 

I voted no but that doesn't mean we're doomed. Looking at position groups here's what I see:

QB- a full offseason instead of rehabbing but also a year older. SAME

O Line- we lost a few players but they were mostly on the decline. I'll be optimistic here and say the newer guys can at least maintain the "quality" of play as last year's guys. SAME

RB- BETTER

TE- the Vanimal wasn't used much as a receiver but we all know he's capable. I'll hope the new guy can replace him as an equal talent. SAME

Receivers- same

D Line: age is creeping up here with all 3 starters. There's a strong likelihood at least once of our main guys starts to decline. WORSE

ILB- SAME

OLB- lets say there's no dropoff from Dupree to Highsmith. I think that's actually possible. That still leaves us with no viable depth. WORSE

SAFTY- SAME

CB- We. Are. Doomed. Nuff said. WORSE

I'm comparing units from last May so I'm not taking into account returning injured players.
Yes, we get Bush back and everyone's healthy but injuries will occur again this year. This year's injuries could be be more devastating than last years.

If we had an injury bug vaccine I'd like our chances this year but depth is a real problem. I know every year we worry about depth but this years depth is the worst I've seen since the 80s.

 

No safety depth makes it worse. OL could be better if the philosophy changes and they run more.

CB is the elephant in the room, too many Steeler fans whistling past the graveyard with this, but it's going to be our achilles heel all year.

How's that for mixing metaphors?

 

So you don't think Canada's taking over at OC will mean much? Otherwise, I agree with you. It will be interesting to see how the relationship is between Ben and Canada when the bullets start flying. If Canada cannot inject his "offense" and Ben remains the de facto OC, it will be disappointing.

 

Agree. I don't see Canada out-ranking Ben in this situation, so I'm afraid we're gonna see more of the same. Predictable, continuous shotgun formations... limiting Harris' potential.

 

I voted no but think how Ben plays will dictate how things will end up. If he truly was hurting and is healthy, then we may actually better on offense but if what I saw at the end of last season persists, then we will be worse.

On the D side of the ball, Bud will be missed in the scheme of things. TJ and Bud were able to work in tandem, have to see what we got from the outset facing Buffalo.

 

....

 

Harris played a Sh!+ ton out of a shotgun, and pistol, and his Qb was far from being a ...scrambler.

 

Better than what? The first 11 games? Doubtful. The last 5? Maybe

 

TE: Better, we now have the ability to sit Ebron's ass on the bench if he starts dropping everything in sight.

WR: Better, because are young WRs will be older. More mature WR core should see some great things start to happen as JuJu returns to be a #2.

DLine: I think Tuitt is ready to explode into being an All Pro this year. He should have been there last year instead of Heyward.

Agree we are screwed on Depth and the CB position. I still think the Steelers will sign Watt to a new contract allowing them to bring in a starting CB.

Overall I think the team will be better, and be able to hold off Cleveland and Baltimore for another year to stay atop the AFC North.

 

Secondary was our achilies heel on defense before Minkah, and that hasn't changed since he got here.

 

Interesting take. I'm inclined to agree with that. Better team, more accurate record. We weren't a 12-4 team last season. And yes, I sense the rumblings of a certain crowd who are either going to jump all over me for saying that, or lose sleep because they didn't.

This team will be better, addition by subtraction. But just because we're better, doesn't mean we'll be really good, or even relevant by the end of the season (which IMO will not extend beyond week 17).

 

Mac Jones is definitely not a scrambler. You nailed that. But he threw for 4500 yards last season with an average per attempt of over 11 yards. Running out of the shotgun with that line and with that receiving game (of which Harris was a big part of) is FAR different than running out of our shotgun, regardless of Jones' lack of wheels.

 

There is a good chance that the offence is better, but regression on defence is inevitable.

I think the talent is there for this team to be good, what’s missing is depth. A couple of injuries on defence in particular would be a huge issue.

 

Just for fun CBS is already predicting next year draft. They have us drafting I believe 13 and taking QB Spencer Rattler. Cool name I'll give him that.

 

If they have us drafting at 13 that means Tomlin has another non-losing season! Success!

 

Better and more balanced on offense, but worse on defense.

 

Idk picking 13 I would say is around a 6-11 record.

 

ok CB is a weakness, but Shakur Brown, DeMarkus Acy, Stephen Denmark (sub 4.5 forty), Mark Gilbert look like decent prospects and I think chances are good that one or more can surprise people and be contributors on defense,

also added safety depth Wade and Stiner I believe, secondary is not doom and gloom, I think a couple of these guys breakthrough

so I say "Yes" we field a better team this year

 

I like our roster, 10 wins.

 

You're right. You'll have to forgive me. In my defense I was taught math at Turkeyfoot Valley School District (Somerset County).

 

Offensively we will be better. Our Offensive Tackles do give me concern but the interior is leagues ahead of what it was last season. I believe that Kendrick Green is going to turn some heads more so than others give him credit for and Kevin Dotson looks to be a possible Pro Bowler as well should he improve his game from year one and stay healthy. Najee Harris alone though is a major reason as to why this Offense will be better as the team now can sustain drives in more ways than merely utilizing different methods of passing the football.



Defense will take some time to gel together again; namely the back end where there is a lot of new pieces. I do believe though that the Front Seven will be much of the same though from the previous season. Alex Highsmith definitely looks like he is ready to take the next step in his evolution. That said, the Corner situation definitely is a concern. I trust Sutton and Haden but beyond them?! Lots and lots of question marks.

 

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