Chemistry, communication and Stability

When I look at the roster vs the money the Steelers have to spend, I'm just reminding myself how dire the Steelers situation is. Hell, I made a similar thread last year talking about how chemistry would be an issue with the defense and some of yinz laughed me out of the room. It's just not sustainable to be adding 3-4, or more, starters on defense via FA a year.

This year we're talking about needing a slot corner, #3 Safety and a corner in the secondary alone. 5 years ago I wouldn't have considered a slot cb and a #3 Safety starters, but with as many reps those two positions get, they're vital parts of the defense. Elandon Roberts is a FA that may end up leaving and there's talk of cutting Larry O. So that's 5 new starters on defense going into 2025, or depending on how you look at it, 3.

I think it's paramount to at least re-sign Roberts and bring back Donte Jackson for some semblance of continuity. Now this doesn't stop me from drafting a CB in the first two days, nonetheless. Our answers are continuity and drafting depth in the mid/late rounds and spending the bulk of the available cap space on offense. Then focus on retooling in future drafts.

Even the same can be said on offense. Is completely overhauling the QB room back to back years a good thing? How can you expect WRs like CAIII and even Pickens to grow if they're having different guys throwing them the ball on a yearly basis? How can we expect THE OL to grow if different QBs with different cadences and playing styles are behind them? Steelers need continuity and some sense of stability to grow as a team. This formula of going all in to win this upcoming season hasn't worked since 2020 and there's no quick fix even if there's better outside options than a Donte Jackson. That only makes the underlying issues worse.

 

beanie bishop slot corner

ryan watts safety

logan lee DL

did you forget those three?

bishop was a rookie, but he played very well at times. just dumping him creates some of the holes you are speaking of.

watts was doing quite well prior to the injury. watts neck injury was a concern. if healthy we may have at least filled the kazee spot.

lee played very well in college and deserves a spot before he is just dismissed. we really didn't have a spot for him last year. i'd like to see what he's about.

year two for these guys could and should make a difference. if ogunjobi is cut, there are some younger more productive free agents out there. i think he has peaked and may be going the other way in his career. other than loudermilk, i don't think this is a big downfall at the position.

i'd re-sign roberts and hope they do.

 

Those three are forgettable, so maybe he did. Bishop isn't good. As you acknowledged, Watt needs to be healthy. Lee is likely a backup. They need upgrades at those three positions.

 

Larry O and Jackson needs to be replaced with upgrades, Payton Wilson will start even if Roberts returns. They won't be replacing 5 starters most likely it will be 3.

 

I liked Beanie's play when he was in for Sutton . Give Beanie some more 1st team reps at slot corner this off-season and we may have found the next Mike Hilton.

I think the Steelers completely overestimated Cam Sutton's abilities last year when he returned from suspension.

 

So much for chemistry

 

Beanie had a lot of trouble in coverage

He was a rookie so I’m taking a wait and see approach

But I am not optimistic

 

He looked a little better as the season went on but he couldn't look more lost than he did in the first half. Word is they really like Ryan Watts as their 3rd saftey/nickle, and still do. But, when he went down, just going with Beanie as the starter was ridiculous. I know they were waiting for Sutton to get back, but that was inexcusable by Omar to not sign some vet to sure up that position, at least, a little. Hell, Pat Pete was just waiting for a phone call from anyone.

 

Thought this might have been about recreational chemistry

 

The team lacks on-field leadership. Our biggest on-field leaders are a 35 year old Heyward, and recently signed Patrick Queen. On offense it was Wilson... and that's it. Watt is more a quiet, lead by example (and just flat out being good), but that isn't a true "locker room leader".

The reason why our SB teams won was because we had Ward, Bettis, Farrior, Clark, Harrison, Ike T., Troy... etc. They were just full of leaders. Our offense has none really. The closest thing we had (outside of corny Russ) was Harris, and he is kind of a bum. Not all elite talent has to be leaders (Ben wasn't, and that's ok. AB and Bell clearly weren't lol), but you need to have quality players step up and take control of a locker room and hold each other accountable. This team has almost none of that. I hope we can find a vet or two to come in and bring some vocal locker room leadership (Chris Godwin could bring some of that to the offensive side, along with being a quality #2 WR).

I think accountability has been our biggest downfall the past few years. Tomlin is a "player's coach" but you're not getting everything you need from the HC. We need a couple players to step up in this regard, and honestly, some coordinators that garner respect from the players. We could use a LeBeau, a Munchak, or an Arians... but we've been cursed with nobodies since like 2017. Its been brutal.

 

Love the Death Row Records jacket.

 

Without chemicals, life itself would be impossible.

- A 1970’s ad from Monsanto

 

What part of what I said was wrong?

 

The Steelers are in a precarious position.
No real answer at QB and none on the horizon is no way to go through life as a franchise.
I see it as only a magician could pull this off.

Our front office just isn't good at pulling off those type of deals. It's just not their strong point.
Something could be said about coaching identifying skillsets and applying those to get the most out of a player.
We are sort of middle of the road, stick to staying between the lines operators.

I wonder what if we drafted Travis Hunter?
Would he just be platooned at CB or WR and no attempt to use him as a weapon?
I'm absolutely positive Andy Reid would build packages to utilize him as a weapon.

But back on topic.
Building team chemistry is a crucial element.
You have to draft/acquire players who fit and then excel.
And coaching has to be innovative enough to take advantage of players being supplied.

If there has been any year to impress, this would be the year to pull off some wizard like moves.

 

hahah yeah, you're right.... This team is FULL of on-field leadership. What a joke.

You couldn't be more wrong.

 

Thanks! My son got me that jacket because he thought he was making fun of my age. Little did he know that Snoop DOg now owns death row records. Since Snoop is a Steelers fan this was the perfect gift!