Roster set - thoughts

My main thing, that nobody seems to be talking about, and it comes down to roster depth, is protecting Pickett. The biggest obvious difference between Roethlisberger and Pickett is size. He's not a big guy. He's historically been prone to concussions, due to lack of protection. As has been discussed extensively in other forums, the backup QB situation is not good. I therefore see it as essential that the entire offensive line and by that I mean the backups too, be ready at any moment to provide the ultimate protection to Kenny Pickett. And the running backs and the tight ends have to be versatile enough to make sure he can get the ball out of his hands and into a good place when needed.. We have to have the best possible people on the field on every play to ensure that he has the time and the resources to complete downfield plays without getting hit but also without having to hide in a dink and dunk. So among other things I think that makes it imperative to develop Jones and Washington quickly. And we absolutely have to have a center who's not going to be hurling the ball out into no-man's-land, and who can pull to make the blocks needed to support the running game.

 

PS I will say the above illustrates the value of having kept. The Hines word factor. A quick aggressive guy crossing the field short in the flat on all options and play action place.

And that's one great utility I see as wise in the decision to keep Gunner Olszewsky on the roster. A tough, quick guy with sure hands, crossing the middle short in the flat on all option and play action place. A consistent alternative target and an extra blocker.

 

One of Colbert's biggest criticisms was his seemingly under-valuing the OL. He let it turn into crap twice: once before the addition of Pouncey, DeCastro, Big All, et al, and then after that group. He even admitted so last year IIRC.

 

If Weidl has done anything it has brought back focus on the trenches. He may get a chance on GM soon, but hopefully they will learn to think like him. Someone posted every major/position is under contract through at least 24, if they perform well it gives the team an opportunity to do options on where they want to go, I said C simply because, Cole has been OK and with the strengthened line may become more than many think. Still think O and D line are something we will invest in.

 

This may not be popular (with the obligatory "How do you know? You can't know for a fact, now you're backtracking" assertions added in) but I think Tomlin added into the lack of prioritizing the trenches, especially the OL. I call your attention to after the 2008 draft when Tomlin was asked about not drafting much in terms of a hurting OL, his response (which I will paraphrase) was something along the lines of "We drafted players that will help Ben in other ways."

So who were these players who they drafted who would "help Ben in other ways?"


8 1 Rashard Mendenhall 23 RB
2008 2 Limas Sweed 53 WR
2008 3 Bruce Davis 88 LB
2008 4 Tony Hills 130 T
2008 5 Dennis Dixon 156 QB
2008 6 Mike Humpal 188 LB
2008 6 Ryan Mundy 194 DB

I don't think its necessary for me to review how those draft picks, in fact, didn't "help Ben." A RB who eventually earned the moniker "Spin and Fall," who many blame his fumble for losing Super Bowl XLV, a WR who simply stunk badly his entire career, a worthless LB, a weak, ineffective OT, and so on.

And if that transgression wasn't bad enough, they repeated their ignoring the OL once again until Kahn/Weidl showed up. All I can say is, thank God for Kahn/Weidl. The Steelers have put attention back on the trenches with their arrival.

 

Yes
Yes
No

Frugal has nothing to do with it there is a cap

 

First

You earn it in camp practice and preseason games and the occasional snap in real time

Second

Associating me with Sribe defames my fine reputation here and just ain’t not right

 

Who did he beat out in camp? Warren? Austin? Robinson? Washington? Heyward? Every snap he gets takes one away from one of those guys. Every one of those guys belongs on the field ahead of McFarland.

The funny thing is, I actually have more faith in McFarland in this regard than you do. You are assuming that he lacks the intrinsic motivation to work hard regardless of his playing time. You don't. If I was him, I would find your view insulting.

 

You are assuming these were Tomlin's decisions, ignoring that it Colbert had as much or more power in those situations.

A quality running back doesn't help a quarterback? Also, Roethlisberger lobbied for a big wide receiver for years. Of course, in hindsight, Sweed didn't work out, but the intent was right. The first pick did help Roethlisberger. The second was the right idea, but the wrong player. They did draft a tackle. His not working out is more hindsight.

There is a good argument to be made about the Steelers not placing a high enough priority on the offensive line for a long time, but you didn't come close to making it.

 

So is 42 attempts = no chance, zero chance to prove oneself? How many rushing attempt would be enough then? 100? 200? All with his 3.5 ypc? All with him falling down whenever he attempts to make a cut?

 

Historically prone to concussions implies that it has gone back a long time. Did he suffer any at Pitt? In high school? Two concussions last season is not "historically prone."

 

Blast is under the impression that McFarland put in a tremendous amount of work improving his game and that the Steelers need to put aside considerations such as who gives them the best chance to succeed so they can reward McFarland's effort. I believe they already gave McFarland his reward, a spot on the 53-man roster.

 

I can see why you might think that associating you with someone who makes strong rhetorical arguments and is usually right would run counter to your reputation.

 

That 2008 draft is as close to proving they didn't prioritize drafting for OL as you will ever see. Especially with Tomlin's quotes afterwards. And I argue that Spin-and-Fall was not a hit; sure they gave him attempts like he was, but he never really performed like a 1st round RB should, especially fumbling at the very worst time in the Super Bowl, costing us a shot at #7.

 

So Colbert and Tomlin should have known when they took him that he would fumble at the wrong time three years later?

Mendenhall wasn't a superstar, but he was a key component of that offense for three years. To argue that he didn't help Roethlisberger is to show you don't know what you are talking about.

Tomlin was absolutely right in his comments. A stud running back and a big receiver could absolutely help Roethlisberger in other ways. Your hindsight 15 years later doesn't change that.

 

I would argue that he even deserves the roster spot in 2023. Yea, I know Tomlin may be personally vested in the guy, but that gives him no right to waste a roster spot on a guy given 42 carries with little to show for them. I'm shocked Warren was able to break the "Tomlin barrier" which protects his favorite players.

 

I assume you meant to write that he doesn't deserve the roster spot in 2023. They were going to keep three running backs. Which guy that they cut after the last preseason game did more to earn a spot? I'll give you a hint. The correct answer is none of them. I'm obviously not a big fan of McFarland, but he was their best option for a third running back.

Tomlin cut McFarland last season, which you seemed to forget. I get that your motivation in these discussions is to find excuses to criticize Tomlin, but your points will be stronger if you keep your facts straight.

 

When viewed in the context of the kind of hit Pickett took to have the concussions occur, I would include the phrase "historically prone" to the description. It seemed like a stiff wind could cause him to be concussed last season. There really didn't seem to be much of a collision to cause his concussion here. Maybe the size and strength of NFL boys is just too much for him to take.

 

No need to refrain from factual accounts; Tomlin wants McFarland to make this team and it's obvious. He cut him last year, and then what? He's still around isn't he? And his amazing 3.5 ypc?

 

I think they could’ve brought in a vet with past success for 2 million more (like Keenum) and cut elsewhere (and release MT or not sign MR) I’m sure they could’ve fit that into the cap. But they didn’t want to. They have higher priorities - I don’t agree with it but I get the thinking - do or die with KP…maybe he doesn’t need the savy vet on the sideline.

 

It's amazing how much wrong you fit into such a short post. Even if you were right in your characterization of the concussion, it still wouldn't fit the phrase "historically prone." Something happening twice doesn't mean you are prone to it and historically implies something that goes back more than one season.

More importantly, the concussion didn't happen on the hit. It happened because he was unable to brace himself and his head hit the ground.

 

By all means, find a quote from Tomlin to back that up.

Also, I asked you a question. Which running back that they cut should have taken that roster spot? Running backs take a beating. That means injuries are a concern. That is why the Steelers usually keep at least three. Which back should have gotten the No. 3 job ahead of McFarland? I assume you dodged that question because you don't have a good answer for it.

Your compulsion to find fault in everything Tomlin does and even in things he didn't actually do is making you look foolish. There are plenty of good reasons to criticize the guy, but you seem to be unable to find them.

 

I’m going to plagiarize that

Especially since there is no longer a member’s monopoly on doing that

I suspect in your line of work this is acceptable

 

Does the WR room feel a little thin to anyone else? DJ and Pickens are ours guys in the room. CA3 and AR2 fall into hopeful. Gunner and Boykin have not been reliable.

Day before jitters maybe?