This writing isn't to put a finger on a blame. More to see reasons why on both sides of the ball the Steelers have the ability to be better. Even if the record at the end of the year doesn't reflect it.
The inability to adjust last year, led to the teams downfall. Lev Bell would go out a play, in would come James Conner. James was deficient against blocking and in the pass game. Maybe he will improve, but that remains a unknown. Ridley although a ok runner wasn't used as a pass catcher. So arguably there is a drop-off when Bell sits as a blocker and as a pass catcher. Enter JaySam who in the very least should be an upgrade in the passing game. Provided he shines in training camp and into the season.
Martavis Bryant could at times take the top off of coverage and was a decent blocker. But he wasn't a great route runner. And his lack of burst showed in his overall lack of production. Enter Washington who should be a push as a blocker, and should show a better route tree once he gets his feet wet. Washington is also slot capable, and might even shine there. I think you simply can do more with him than Martavis. We will see if he is that down the field wide-out. His overall workman like approach and good hands give him a fighting chance.
Bostic provided he stays healthy should easily be an upgrade over Spence. Dirty Red should be able to provide run defense relief provided he stays healthy as well.
Mitchell, Golden, and Gay no longer will be a step slow on the field, or simply not physically matching up. Removing them from the roster and replacing them with better speed and ability should help in certain sub-packages. As Burnett is a upgrade,and ditto the rest although they will need to show they are assignment sound capable. They give me no reason to believe that in other phases of the game, that they won't upgrade over those three stooges.
One would think Sutton would push Burns, or in the very least find himself on the field on extra defensive back formations.
Tuitt , Davis, and Burns need to step their level of play up a notch, but there is better depth this year, along with some new coaches to push them in the right direction.
Team like any other year will need to stay relatively healthy. But with better depth, that should help with any short term losses.
So
both sides of the ball will be better this year. BUY or SELL ?
For me I am buying, but Bostic will force me to watch the stock at the position closely.
The inability to adjust last year, led to the teams downfall. Lev Bell would go out a play, in would come James Conner. James was deficient against blocking and in the pass game. Maybe he will improve, but that remains a unknown. Ridley although a ok runner wasn't used as a pass catcher. So arguably there is a drop-off when Bell sits as a blocker and as a pass catcher. Enter JaySam who in the very least should be an upgrade in the passing game. Provided he shines in training camp and into the season.
Martavis Bryant could at times take the top off of coverage and was a decent blocker. But he wasn't a great route runner. And his lack of burst showed in his overall lack of production. Enter Washington who should be a push as a blocker, and should show a better route tree once he gets his feet wet. Washington is also slot capable, and might even shine there. I think you simply can do more with him than Martavis. We will see if he is that down the field wide-out. His overall workman like approach and good hands give him a fighting chance.
Bostic provided he stays healthy should easily be an upgrade over Spence. Dirty Red should be able to provide run defense relief provided he stays healthy as well.
Mitchell, Golden, and Gay no longer will be a step slow on the field, or simply not physically matching up. Removing them from the roster and replacing them with better speed and ability should help in certain sub-packages. As Burnett is a upgrade,and ditto the rest although they will need to show they are assignment sound capable. They give me no reason to believe that in other phases of the game, that they won't upgrade over those three stooges.
One would think Sutton would push Burns, or in the very least find himself on the field on extra defensive back formations.
Tuitt , Davis, and Burns need to step their level of play up a notch, but there is better depth this year, along with some new coaches to push them in the right direction.
Team like any other year will need to stay relatively healthy. But with better depth, that should help with any short term losses.
So
both sides of the ball will be better this year. BUY or SELL ?
For me I am buying, but Bostic will force me to watch the stock at the position closely.
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