The 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers End of Year Presser with Art Rooney II: Takeaways

Then how did the Chiefs fix their O line in one offseason after their Super Bowl loss to the Bucs?

 

They spent big money on Thuney in free agency and hit on a couple of draft picks at the position, they also traded for a LT.

 

...and yet have the worst OL coach in the NFL. They're not really serious about the OL.

 

Yeah as really need an new OL coach to build up and not let the QB's whether Fields or Wilson sent into early retirement.

 

I doubt Meyer is the worst OL coach in the NFL, he got two rookies ready to start this past season.

 

He's pretty close. His teams always rank near the bottom.

 

Can we see the verifiable facts that document this proclamation

Or is this just

 

I agree Meyer is not the worst, but given our personnel he isn't good enough either, if the goal is to win the post-season (which it is not).

This team doesn't have a franchise quarterback, Fields and Wilson are not difference makers, so that O-Line needs to be absolutely stellar to have any chance to be competitive.

The O-Line unit overall was ranked 9th, our rushing was 11th, but our two band-aid QB's were 27th in passing. We were 29th in Red Zone offense. Ouch. I think our offense vastly overachieved this year to be honest.

I don't think we overachieve next year, and there is zero chance of winning in the post-season unless the O-Line is top 5.

 

Okay then who do you suggest they hire as OL coach?

 

Might as well have watched last years end of season presser.

 

I actually think he did a decent job considering we were starting two rookies, a 23 year old RT, and one of the worst pass pro LT's in the league for years now. I think much of the anger is because they are terrified that Jones is a bust because he looked lost sometimes. I think he'll be ok.

I'm not even saying that it was all Jones fault, if McCormick makes mistakes, it can appear that it was Jones. We don't know enough about the blocking schemes. I think he'll get straightened out. I like the kids fire. He's always the first guy into the middle of a scrum defending his guys. Once he gets the X's and O's figured out, and learns to play to the whistle(he stops on the play sometimes, thinking he held up long enough), I think he'll be ok.

 

People keep pointing to the likes of both Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick having either solid or string Rookie Seasons. What is not being accounted for either is that both played over 45 games in college; 45!! That level of experience and production over that period of time is simply not normal by any means.


Yes, both had their issues coming out but neither possessed glaring weaknesses to be used in Arthur Smiths Wide Zone Rushing Offense. Mason McCormicks athleticism as a Guard is tailored built towards it while Zach Frazier proved he was more athletic than his post injury Pro Day results suggested. Yes, Meyer did play a hand in catching both up to speed of the NFL but to say that the vast experience both Frazier and McCormick possessed coming out meant nothing would be an absolute disservice to them.


Long story short?! Zach and Masons preparedness had a lot more to do with their unusual amount of polish coming out as opposed to Meyer coaching them up.

 

Whereas inexperienced Jones has gone backwards although I lay a lot of that at the feet of Tomlin and his complete mis-use of a 1st LT.

 

Did anyone listen to Cowherd's interview with Andy Reid today? Cowherd asked him if there was one thing that would define Reid as a coach, what would it be? Reid's answer was teacher. The same thing Chuck Noll said about himself. I am guessing that is no coincidence.

 

I disagree here.


If we are talking about the first half of the season of Broderick jones?! Oh absolutely. That said, much like Zach and Mason, Broderick needs to apply himself here. There is only so much a coach and say and do to be successful. For that matter, Broderick's response to his early season struggles was more than enough of an indication that he wasn't applying himself enough.


Second half of the season?! Different story. Broderick, once again, showcased those traits that made Pittsburgh trade up for him. What now needs to happen is Broderick fully applying himself in 2025 to reach his ceiling. That aspect befalls on Jones and not Meyer. However, some of the fundamental mistakes Broderick still made even in the second half of the season?!


That isn't a talent based issue. That is coaching. That befalls on Meyer.

 

There's a lot of factors including Jones himself that has gone into a disapointing 2 seasons - Jones, mis-use, coaching, injury He was absolutely horrible in the first half, improved 2nd half. I thought a lot of his 1st season was good.

We'll see how it gels together next season for all the line, they absolutelyt have to go Jones LT, and Fauntanu at RT, I don't want to see any more of Tomlin's positional buffoonery.

I would like to have a look at how he has stacked up vs the other tackles taken in R1 that year, it was a decent class, not as deep as '24 though.

We haven't had a good line since the days of Pouncey, Ramon and DD.

 

Again, what is the goal? If the goal is the ceiling is 9-8, wildcard birth, blow-out in opening round, Meyer is good enough coach.

If the goal is to win a playoff game, Meyer might not be good enough to get them to top 5.

We can't get Munchak back, my choice, but look in college at Searles at Georgia or Rudolph at Notre Dame. It is a moot point, the goal is the former, so Meyer is fine for the sub-standard standard.

 

Hilarious, next you will tell me because Dan Moore started every game this year, he is one of the best LTs in the League.... You So CRAZY!!!


Both rookies were starters because of injuries not because of development, and also because Pat Meyer had not developed a single backup player in his first 2 seasons at Center or Guard.

 

Yes, Frazier and McCormick were much more experienced, good point. But they were still rookies, and we know that the leap to the NFL is a big one. And these guys weren't blue chip, first rd guys.

And Jones, the baby of the group, was three spots down the line from anyone who wasn't a rookie. Last year, when playing next to Daniels, he looked much better. With having far less starts total to the other guys, and flip flopping his position, there may be more going on than, Pat Meyers sucks.

We all wanted to see heads roll, but I'm pointing out that, perhaps, keeping Meyer may not be a completely disastrous decision. Things could get better without Meyer, then again we might be dealing with some severe growing pains. I'm saying that worse decisions may have been made, in the history of the world, than keeping Meyer.

 

I could give you a quick summarization of the First Round Tackles in order based on performance if you'd like!


They are as follows... but oddly enough... based on their drafted slots...


1.) Paris Johnson: He was projected to be the first Tackle off the board and, thus far, has played like a Franchise Tackle.


2.) Darnell Wright: Nothing went well for not just Wright but the entire Bears Offense during 2024. That said, Wright was their best lineman and has been on the upswing.


3.) Broderick Jones: As I said, abysmal first half of the season but a much better second half. He needs to apply himself and put it all together.


4.) Anton Harrison: Like Broderick, was good in his rookie season. What happened to Broderick happened to Harrison but opposite; started off very good but fell apart late. This is the second season this has happened.




Getting back to your original point, agreed. I am only pointing out the most obvious fixes for the best critiques players have to motivate themselves is... well.. themselves. Broderick should be no exception. Regardless, I do agree overall that Broderick has no choice but put it together. No ifs, ands or buts.

 

True.


However, if you correctly draft players that will fit your scheme, the transition will be much easier for them. As the saying goes, put the aces in their places. Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick are no different despite not being blue chip prospects. For that matter, the last Blue Chip Center any of us saw was Tyler Linderbaum circa 2022. As far as Guards go?! Go back to Quenton Nelson circa 2018. Such players at said positions are extremely rare. Getting back to the point though, Frazier and McCormick did indeed need to be taught specifics about the speed of the NFL Game when it comes to trench warfare but I doubt that Meyer was the primary reason both Frazier and McCormick saw success; doubly so in Frazier's case.


As for Jones?! I agree. For that matter, here is a perfect summary by Dan O from ESPN as to why Pat Meyer needs canned;

 

I was shocked when Kansas City traded for Brown, because Brown was on the last year of his contract. Giving up a 1st round pick for a guy who is on the last year of his contract seemed Stupid to me.

They franchised him the following year, and let him go to the Bengals after that. The Chiefs did win a Superbowl with Brown playing LT. That 1st round pick was for a LT that played for them for 2 years.

 

1. It sorta matters. Nobody is going to expect, both a late 2nd and late 4th rd pick to walk in and immediately start, and be highly sucessful on the OL. If you were talking about two top-15 picks, that would be more far less surprising.

2. So, if it wasn't Meyer that got them up to speed and prepared to succeed immediately, despite their lack of pedigree, who did? I don't know how many college players come into the league, with no coaching, and succeed, especially from the get go. I don't care how good they were in college.

You wanna make sure that people know that Meyer may not be great, and I wanna make sure that people know that firing Meyer may not be the fix-all that they think it'll be. That ultimately, he may not be "the problem".

 

It's never 100% this and 0% that, Jones has some effort issues and so forth, but Pat Meyer sure as hell isn't the solution. Could we do worse? Sure, but we could do a lot better and that's just not how Deuce rolls. Marginal guy has a contract so he stays. Same reason Austin isn't going anywhere. Same reason Canada got well into a 3rd season before the outcry was simply too much to ignore.

 

Nobody is going to expect Frazier and McCormick?! Interesting.



Many outlets, draftniks and even NFL Scouts and Front Office execs pegged Zach Frazier as the most Pro Ready of the Centers in the class. If anything, had Frazier not had that Broken Leg, he would have easily been in the Late First Round. The athleticism was solid but the fundamentals, technique and discipline were all worthy of a 1st Round Grade; top 20 even. That leg injury tanked his draft stock. Regarding Mason McCormick?! He was considered anywhere between a spot starter or a developmental piece. I agree that projecting him would have been difficult as going from South Dakota State to the NFL would have been a massive leap. That said, part of the reason that gave some comfort was McCormick's ridiculous level of experience; 55 games played if I recall. While that number means nothing in the NFL from the outsiders point of view, to have that many games starting under your belt and receive notable accolades nonetheless?! That is going to get the attention of NFL Front Offices for certain; NCAA FBS, NCAA FCS or otherwise. Now, did both McCormick and Frazier need tutelage?! As I said, they did. However, I never said that Meyer did nothing. I only stated that Meyer taking credit entirely for their Rookie Seasons was disingenuous to both Frazier and McCormick; doubly so in Frazier's case. From a technical standpoint?! Frazier was as polished as any Center coming out in the draft and, arguably one of the most polished Centers to come out in some time. Discipline was much of the same. Athleticism and reaction speed though were his two biggest notable weaknesses; the former of which has now been debunked for leg injuries take a longer time to heal than the listed recovery time by Doctors.


Meyer coached up both for certain to understand how fast the game is. He also taught the importance of acting and reacting in terms of both hand placement along with leverage and stance when blocking. There are other techniques that Meyer has taught to McCormick and Frazier as well but Meyer's biggest, the importance of using one's hands individually from a blocking standpoint, is something that Frazier and McCormick had little issue of in college; very little in Frazier's regard.



Overall, I am not saying that Pat Meyer is inept in terms of coaching. For that matter, Dan Moore is going to get paid and Pat Meyer for certain deserves major credit for that given how the likes of Tomlin and Colbert both royally effed up development and talent acquisition along the Offensive Line. Not just him but also Ryan McCollum; a reliable spot starter. His kudos should also be extended to both Zach and Mason for getting them ready for the season. However, lest we forget, coaches coach and players play. It is up to the likes of Zach and Mason to actually make the blocks needed to win. Coaching only takes a player so far. The players that are on the field have to figure out the rest. Given how polished Frazier and McCormick are, their only major question heading into the Regular Season was how quickly could they adapt?! I believe that has been answered by both; Pat playing a hand.



However, this does not excuse Pat Meyer for not just the above clip I showed you but countless other gaffes shown throughout the season. For that matter, speaking of Dan Moore, why did Dan Moore collapse during the second half of the season after a tremendous first half?! Even not accounting for the regression of Dan Moore, him being the Run Game Coordinator hasn't amounted to much in 2024; now armed with a more competent Offensive Coordinator in Arthur Smith.



Long story short?! Pat Meyer isn't the problem but he sure isn't the solution. Finding an upgrade should be a major priority. As far as replacements go?! T. J. Paganetti of the Eagles would be my top pick for an Offensive Line Coach. Mehki Becton proved to be one helluva reclamation success story while Tyler Steen didn't miss a beat in the absence of Landon Dickerson. If not him, Zak Kromer of the Los Angeles Rams. Steve Avila has become a Top 10 Guard under him while Beaux Limmer was a Top 15 Center... as a Rookie. A Wild Card pick?! Why not a former Steeler in Darnell Stapleton?!