State of the Steelers

I have a few questions for some of you knowledgeable guys on here. I am an avid Steelers fan but I live in MD so all I here on radio and press is Redskins and Ravens (yuck!) so I am not as filled in on a few things regarding our roster.

-> What is going on with E-man Sanders? I didn't realize this injury (foot?) would keep him sidelined this long. He hasn't been on the field since his mom passed right? I thought he was closed to healed up around that point and was supposed to come back the week after all that or at least the following week. Did he re injure it or did it turn out worse than previously expected?

-> So is Chris Kemo-eat-u 3rd stringing it now? I know he has been garbage this season and his STUPID penalties are so ridiculous I wouldn't be surprised if he was demoted but I do not see him listed on the depth chart and I don't see anything about him being injured so I guess he is just demoted on the depth chart? If so, we need guards bad. If we are not going to use a REAL FB we at least need some strong maulers on the inside because this running game is just not what we are used to and with the way Ben play's and if we want to keep defenses guessing and allow these fast young guys more seams we need to spell the pass game better with the run.

-> Willie Colon is on injured reserve right? Do you think we are done with him? What is the general consensus on Gilbert? Is he our starter from here into the future? What kinda of contract are we sitting on with Colon at the moment?

-> Is this Farrior's last year? At least last year starting? Foote is still reliable but he can be easily burned and just not as fast as he needs to be, what will we do for ILB? Timmons is a total freak and he will only get better in my opinion but what is up with Stevenson Sylvester. I feel like he got some play time earlier in the season and actually made some plays. Not sure how consistent he is, he is young with not much experience but is he a guy we may be looking at as a replacement to Farrior? Or is he just going to be a special teamer forever? If so, shouldn't we see him on the field here and there during the games or is he already playing a bit? And if not, we may need to draft another guy. (might have to either way, gotta have strong ILB corp

-> Last thing I want to mention is about Mendenhall. Is there a buzz about whether we keep him after this season. If I'm not mistaken, this is a contract year for him? He's not playing like it. Granted, the entire run offense system is kinda broke but at least Redman makes the best of it given the lack carries he gets. Mendenhall STILL does his whole dancing with the stars routine and its like NO ONE pulls him aside by his facemask and says "WE TELL YOU WHAT HOLE TO HIT AND YOU HIT IT NO MATTER WHAT, NO HESITATING NO DANCING!!!" Or they are telling him and he either won't listen or has some type of mental thing he can't break. Is it just me or was he really not doing that so much last year? What changed to cause that this year? Change in scheme, or personnel? OR just a mental thing? Anyways, I wouldn't be too worried bout letting him go, RBs are a dime a dozen as they say and I am more than confident in Redman and Dwyer and would be interested to see them get more carries. Btw I think Moore needs to go as well, yeah yeah he comes through with 1st downs but the mere fact hes on the roster somehow forces BA to design these HORRIBLE plays DESIGNED for Moore and im sick of seeing draws on 3rd & 15+ to get better field position on the punt... GO FOR 1st DOWNS!!!

Ok thats it. My apologies it is so much, but thanks in advance to any of you guys willing to read it all and give some good feedback. Also feel free to post your own questions or comments regarding the state of our beloved black and gold.

GO STEELERS!

 

I think colon and mendenhall are done.....there are 20 other guys who can do what mendenhall can do

 

Not sure about Colon but I agree about Mendy, I think there may even be one guy already on the team who can do better.

 

I say we recruit Tebow to replace Mendy

 

I think Mendy and Colon will be back next year. The only way is if Mendy gets some big contract from another team.

Kemo is dead man walking. If not for the injuries on the line I think he would have been cut by now.

Silvester is going to get his chance in camp next year to start. I think Farrior will come back unless the Steelers win it all.

 

Another thing i meant to mention is about Dennis Dixon. He faired decent when we had to use him last year. Although he was inconsistent and had "happy feet", he appeared to be a solid back-up QB. Batch just can't play anymore, i mean c'mon lets be honest. We love the guy, i would love him to stick around as a coach or something but he shouldn't be taking snaps unless hes just handing it off. Has the FO lost all confidence in Dixon? And if so, why did they not bring in anyone? They have basically put us in a situation that if Ben goes down we are DONE. And the way he plays and our O-line plays that is going to happen sooner or later, hell hes banged up bad enough now as it is and if we had a solid number 2 that the FO trusts we could let him rest and keep him healthy for the post season. Ben isn't exactly the most loved guy in the league, you hate to say or think players want to hurt eachother and for the most part im sure they don't but I wouldn't be surprised if some 49er defensive end or lineback happens to roll on Ben's injured ankle... what do we do then?

 

I smell a fight coming up. The Mendy lovers are not going to like this. I hope they play Redman tonight!!

 

Kemo is toast, no doubt about it. Mendenhall is a problem. I think the Steelers really need to do their homework and come up with his replacement. Let him go with all that dancing with the stars business. Moore's replacement is already with the Steelers, Baron Batch the rookie back who was doing so well in training camp before he got injured. He will take Moore's spot.

Yes, I agree that the Mendenhall lovers are not going to like the talk about him not coming back, but if the Steelers know like I know, they will let him go. His best days are over. They need to work with Redman and Batch and a free agent or a draft pick. They must do their homework and fine a pick like A. Brown.

 

Let's put it this way: the most impressive offensive showing of the season (vs Titans in week 5) was the game Mendenhall missed due to injury.

 

First off Kemo will not see the field again barring injuries. His ability to pull is all that has kept him on the field, but his stupid drive killing penalties are just not worth it! Also, Legursky seems to be doing this pretty well and is a much smarter player. On Mendenhall, there is no doubt that the Steelers would like to sign him for another 3 years but if he gets a silly offer elsewhere, as I suspect he may, then he will be gone, they will determine a price for him and they will not pay a penny more. I hope it works out. Sanders had minor knee surgery the week after his Mom died. He was recovered from that and then he aggravated the foot. Apparently favoring the foot aggravated the knee and ulimately vice-versa, so they are trying to get him 100 percent before he comes back. They really want him as a weapon in the playoffs. I believe that Farrior will be back for 1 or 2 more years, but that could change if we win the Super Bowl this year. If we do, you may see him and Hines ride off into the sunset while they are on top! Dennis Dixon is on borrowed time. He has not shown any durability and his injury early this year came when they had planned on shopping him for a late round pick. Colon will be back, he was resigned before the season to a new contract. Two options here, either he comes back to start at right tackle and Gilbert moves to left next season, and let they let Stark go, or sign as a reasonable back up. Or they re-sign Starks, keep Gilbert in place at right tackle, and move Colon to guard to compete with Foster and Legursky, probably more so Legursky, because I think they are very happy with Ramon Foster at right guard, this would give us two nice back ups with Essex and Legursky. I hope this helps! Here we go Steelers!

Steelers- 23
Niners- 13

#1 seed is ours for the taking!!!!! Let's go get it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I think Mendy still has plenty of life in his legs, he's only 24 years old. The problem is the offensive game plan, not necessarily his running style. He's averaged 3.8, 3.9, 4.6 YPC the last three years along with 13 TD's just last year. He's also only carried the ball 187 times this season, a very low number for starting RB's in the NFL. Now if he demands "stupid" money, then yes he's gone but if he takes a reasonable contract I think he stays.

 

Yep....Redman is more than capable and dont forget we have Dwyer, too.

As far as Kemo and Colon, I would say they are both gone.

 

I think they keep Colon since he is a good lineman, when healthy. Problem is he has not been healthy 2 years in a row. I agree about Mendy. I am not sure he fits our system and if he comes with a high price tag let him go. If it is reasonable then keep him.

Kemo is done. That ship has sailed. The only way he sees the field again this year is due to everyone else injured.

 

Think we keep Colon and move him to guard next year and keep Gilbert at Tackle.