which side comes together quicker

which side of the ball will thrive first? the offense? the defense? let's look.

offense:

young QB. new offensive linemen. possibly ne TE worked in. maybe a new offensive tackle. new guard. a couple of new WR's. still the youngest offense in the league.


defense:


new NT. young guys as subs on the d-line. new ILB'ers. new DB's. some new subs at every level.


special teams:


possibly new players here as well. this one is up in the air but we may see many new players in coverage. may see a new LS. maybe a new punter. maybe a new kicker (doubtful but ya never know). new gunners possibly. coverage units will be different. returner possibly. kick and punt.


coach:

new offensive assistant. new LB coaches. a few other minor moves were made as well.

 

Offense will take longer to come together.

 

If the defense don't come together quickly,the steelers are in huge trouble

 

I agree with Strummer. Defensive Captains like TJ and Cam, solid veteran guys like Minkah and Peterson will lead the way.

I see the offense as being a collection of groups at this point with some young talented guys who need to swallow the ego and buy into Kenny as the guy. They do that and good things will follow.

Also they need to get Najee away from the press. He isn't wrong in what he is saying but read the room, they are looking for soundbites while he is looking to discuss football. They will never be on your side.

 

I’m not too concerned about Najee’s comments to the press. However, the offensive line with at a minimum one new piece has to figure out how to work as a cohesive unit again. It took the 5 of them basically half a season to figure it out. Hopefully it will take significantly less time with one possible two new starters there. Honestly pickett’s progression is probably my biggest concern. He has to play better against zone coverage. He also has to be more accurate on short to intermediate passes. Far too many times did we see his passes force a receiver to turn to catch the ball. Lead them and the yac is there. If he’s off target there again this offense will struggle.

 

On the Offensive side of the ball; I am curious to see if Mitch truly embraces the roll of a Backup QB, and becomes a part time gameday QB coach for Kenny and a veteran presence in the offensive locker room.

For me it was a huge thing for Mitch to sign the extension admitting that he was no longer an NFL starting QB.

I didn't like Mason's attitude/comments for the 1 week he was active last year, so I think he brings nothing to the table other than being a 3rd string QB that knows the system.

 

Defense should be fine out of the gate. We have enough veterans.

im more concerned with the offense. Offense was looking better toward the end of last season, but that was against mediocre competition who probably has one eye on next season. In addition now there will be tape on KP and Canadas collaboration.

I don’t know how well they’ll adapt against playoff caliber defenses, Who should be able to handle Canadas roll outs. I have more faith in KP than Canada that’s for sure

 

Sometimes the unexpected happens.

We may be finding ourselves complaining only about the defense a few months from now for all we know.

 

Traditionally, defense is easier to get on track. Create chaos for the offense and usually win the play. Personally, I think this defense is going to be pretty dominant for a while.

We will be able to learn a lot about the offense in TC and especially during 7-shots. Defense should dominate mostly but hopefully we will see the offense get more even later.

ST’s are becoming irrelevant other than cover teams and FGs. Take the touchback or fair catch the punt has become the norm.

 

Actually Mason was talking to KFP quite often on the sidelines. At least at the home games. Especially right after Mitch was pulled.

 

Shhhhhhh. No jinx

 

Agreed.
It usually is this way. Let's just hope they all gel quickly.

 

I think Najee's frustrations are being felt by most RB's in the league, especially the top tier guys. He knows he has a limited time, especially coming into the league as an older guy. If they excercise his fifth year option, then tag him he will never hit the FA market, and even if he did look at all the guys without contracts. Not saying it's it's right or wrong, it it what it is.

 

He’s 25 years old and already made more than the vast majority of people in this country will in their lifetime. His complaints will get no ear time from me.

 

That was the subject being discussed on sports talk radio when I got in my truck after work. These running backs are unlikely to ever see a really big payday on their second contract so the first one is where they are going to make their money. While the position itself is still valuable to teams, most teams simply don't use one single primary back like they used to. Even teams that don't run the ball much can spread the carries between multiple backs and even receivers.
Even so, as Strummer said, I'm not going to lose any sleep over their lack of a second big payday.

 

OL should be pretty quick

OL will only have one new starter and he’s known for being smart and he’s replacing a guy who well wasnt

 

There really isn't much of a question that it will be the defense. We have Heyward, Watt and Minkah returning and our only huge turnover is in the ILB room and we all know what a disaster that was for us last season. It would be hard to be worse. Peterson in for Sutton and Neal/Kazee in for Edmunds is about the only other changes. NT isn't used enough to cause major concers... and Adams/Alualu were essentially warm bodies anyways, so I'm sure Benton and whoever else makes the roster inside will do the job just fine.

Offensively, I think we come together quicker than most think... but it is all dependent on whether or not KFP makes a leap. The OL will need a bit of time to gel (or develop in Jones' case), but they SHOULD be a good bit better. Plus we return our top 3 receiving threats from last season (DJ, Pickens, Freiermuth) and added Robinson, Austin, and (to a lesser extent) Washington to the mix. Barring major injuries, our offense should be good. Its talented in all areas and really just needs Canada to figure it out.

 

RB is the most physically taxing to the body as they get mauled on nearly every play, so I get where he is coming from too. There are a few issues that make this an issue that isn't going away...

1. Its a QB driven league, so just organically RB's are devalued.
a. this means that RB's HAVE to have a pass catching and blocking expertise in their game or they are automatically relegated to tandem duty. Their skillset has to match the game, or else they don't get paid.

2. The tax their body takes yearly makes their careers very short. Going to be hard to change this fact.

3. The difference between the best backs in the league and an average back isn't as wide as it is for WR, and there are an abundance of "average" backs in the league. Same can't be said about WR.
a. 4 WR's get regular playing time vs. 1 or 2 for RB's, so just due to the numbers game teams have a better chance at having a full suite of competent backs than they are having 3-4 competent WR's.

4. With salary caps going up, the positions of highest value skyrocket while the lower value ones kind of flatline. QB, WR, EDGE, LT and CB are going to continue to climb quicker than the rest of the positions.

Najee was an old rookie. It sucks that he could go 5th yr option into franchise tag, into career back up without every truly hitting the market. Future RB's need to understand this and hit the league sooner rather than later. He still makes a ton of money (more than most would dream of), but the position is still technically undercompensated compared to other positions. Most wont shed any tears for him, but if we were in his situation would be thinking the same thing. Its a tough business.

 

This.


Offense is going to take some time. This all said, remember that the Defense has seen massive turnaround in the Secondary; all corners doubly so. Expect some growing pains; the lack of a Slot CB being the biggest obstacle right now UNLESS P2 really is it and can still play at an elite level.

 

Who is to say that Dotson won't be out of Pittsburgh before the start of the season?! I am still in the belief that the team can still make a play for trading an ILB though the Cardinals having Paris Johnson Jr means that he can play either inside or outside. Even if it is not Simmons, I still would expect the Steelers to trade Dotson should Spencer Anderson and/or Kendrick Green turn some heads during Pre Season.

 

I think you missed my point

The one new starter is replacing Dotson

 

I think the bye week is perfectly placed this year, it'll come early enough to make necessary adjustments to salvage the season. Historically defenses tend to come together quicker than offenses. Less off season practices and less practices during camp and one less preseason game really puts this defense in a bind. Chemistry is everything. You can have 11 all pros back there and doesn't mean squat if they don't trust one another. The schedule did us some favors because outside of Watson and Burrow I really don't see a huge QB threat. Purdy can cause problems, but I don't see him on their level.

 

They were talking a lot about this on Dan Patrick today, and it was pretty much what you stated. Inside LB's and RB's, once coveted positions are devalued. The Bus was interviewed and they shared his number of carries in different years, insane. One of the outliers is the college NIL money. If a guy is given a 4th or lower round grade as a Junior and at a school where the NIL money is greater, why would he opt out? It's not long term big money, but if you can make more for those 2 years of college ball, then you might as well take advantage.

 

Oh I understood your point just fine.


For that matter, I was excited when the team signed Isaac Seumalo back during Free Agency as I was one of many to see Dotson replaced. When I had asked you if Dotson was even going to be a Steeler, I did not mean in terms of him starting as that answer by the team had already been made clear. I would imagine some team would want Dotson but finding that trading partner is essential.


I only brought up Isaiah Simmons and the Cardinals as I thought they would be a very good choice... until I realized Paris Johnson Jr is not only on the roster but solves their Left Guard concern.

 

Are you counting out Broderick Jones to earn the starting LT spot?