Happy New Year! Now pack your stuff and get out!

End of the regular season start of playoff football and the ESPN ticker is flying fast and furious with news of HC and Gm firings.Now it won't happen for some time but with all these personnel changes there is going to be plenty of player turnover coming in the off-season as new head coaches and General Managers start molding their teams into what they want. The Steelers are ne big and flashy in the free agent market and the money problems hamstring them there as well but there is going to be players to be had out there.

The Rooney's don't typically get active in the staff turnover game especially on the day after the regular season ends but after last season Art II did make some changes. The loss of playoff revenue for the second year in a row may prompt some more owner driven changes. What could we see happening as the New Year is ushered in?

 

Well everyone seems to want a new conditioning coach, and definitely a new special teams coach here. I, myself, am interested to see what is going to happen in Arizona. Whisenhunt is definitely on the chopping block, and if thats the case Russ Grimm might be gone there as well. Idk if Tomlin would ever switch out O-line coaches, but I would love to have Grimm back in the 'Burgh. But he might still be sour from the Rooney's passing on him for Tomlin. All I can think of is that if Cowher would return to the NFL any time, this would be the year to do it if Whisenthunt is fired by Arizona. Cowher could have his OC and Oline coach back on his staff wherever that might be. But I doubt cowher comes back.

But as far as free agency goes around here, the cap is going to kill any chance of signing anyone with a big name. Its going to be another year of restructures and cap casualties again. Maybe not as big as last year, but I think the front office will be focused on signing Keenan Lewis for the most part.

 

He has to switch out htis season as it has been reported the Coach Kugler accepted a head coaching job in college football.

 

Some interesting names got fired today, Lovie Smith, Chan Gailey.

 

Yea you're right. I completely forgot about that. My bad

 

Any desire to see DL retire and try lovie smith out? Or should we be content to let DL retire eventually and promote from within (linebackers coach in waiting)?

 

Nope - DL can stay with the Steelers for as long as he continues to stay healthy as far as I'm concerned.
He consistently has a top 5 rated defense. Why does everyone say the game is passing him by is beyond me. More Turnovers and sacks this year would have been nice but we don't have that splash playmaker on defense anymore that can remain on the field. He can draw up the plays but if the lineman cannot get pressure then that tells me the game is passing them by and we need to get new talent that can rush the QB better.

 

I'm far more worried about how this offense runs than I am the defense. Lebeau needs a playmaker or two and the offense needs to get its act together. Too much talent to perform so poorly.

 

i think Timmons really stepped his game up this year and showed a lot of big play ability. i think he will become the guy Troy used to be. i also liked what i saw from Cortez Allen. he was forcing turnovers and he could actually catch. the defense seemed a bit more aggresive with him in the game.

i think we will see some changes on defense. i think Hampton, Keisel, Harrison and Foote could all be gone or not starters. that would be 4 very significant changes. i also think Cortez will be fighting both Ike and Lewis for a starting job. although i think all 3 will see the field alot.

 

I agree, we need to get younger and deeper on defense but it's in pretty good shape. The oline and our scheme still seem to need major help.

 

If LeBeau retires and Butler isn't named DC, Rooney's name will not be worth chit! Butler will be the next DC unless he gets tired of waiting for Dick to retire or die. Me? I am happy with Dick LeBeau

 

As long as Ben don't revert to taking hits again, this O will do fine. When Ben rebels and gets hit, we circle the drain as in shi**er drain

 

If Haley is hired as head coach for the Cardinals (Steelers West), what are the chances Chan Gailey gets a look at OC?

 

Did we go an entire season w/o a ST coach?

 

I'm happy with Lebeau too, but eventually he's going to tire of the game and retire. Just wanted to see what everyone thought about Butler (in waiting) or an outside coordinator.

 

Honestly, that might just be an upgrade. Those penalties really killed us this year.