How far are the Steelers from their next super bowl appearance?

[Ron Burgundy]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on...-loss-seahawks-favored-to-win-2016-super-bowl

Vegas puts us at the 8th best odds for next year. I'd say that's pretty fair although the draft and free agency should shake up the odds before the beginning of the season. Funny that they give the Seahawks the best odds over the Pat*s.

I still think we're only a few defensive pieces away from getting back. We definitely have the potential on Offense.

I think that's a fair assessment but what concerns me is Tombert's track record for drafting defensive players. They have demonstrated virtually no ability to draft and/or develop decent players on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[SteelerFan448]

The Steelers are pretty close as long as they can play to their potential and doesn't look like hot garbage for a third of the year.

Offensively, the Steelers are right there with the talent. Add a backup running back and a legitimate backup tight end and you are set with personnel. The receivers should be better, but they need more consistency from the line and Roethlisberger.

The defense has some nice pieces in place with Heyward, Tuitt and Timmons. They are decent at nose and have quantity at ILB next to Timmons, with Shazier having a big upside. Clearly, the secondary is an issue. If Allen and Mitchell could play to their potential and expectations, that is 50 percent of your fix right there--but that is a lot to ask. Who knows what they'll do at LOLB, but one thing we all know is that Jarvis Jones must show that he can be a starter in this league next year. It is year three. He can't be injured on the bench and invisible for 90 percent of the game when he's out there.

 

[ExUSAF]

Tomlin's contract is up in 2016. I see no talks of an extension. I think he's coaching for his status as the head coach. A 11-5 year, and he sticks. A 7-9-to 9-7 year with no playoffs, and he could be replaced.

This team might win a playoff game, maybe even make it to AFC championship, but I see no Super Bowl appearance with Tomlin as head coach. What are the odds Ben is gone before Tomlin is gone?

 

[Vader]

We won a Super Bowl with Clark ******* Haggans. This dislike of Worilds is displaced. When our defense was dominant we had a ROLB who was a sack master. Porter & Harrison. The pressure is really on Jarvis Jones to become what we drafted him to do. The LOLB does have to drop back more in our 3-4 defense. That said, we don't know what wrinkles Butler will add to our defense just yet. Worilds still tied for the team lead in sacks. I think Worilds is our best option at LOLB, but only if we get him at the right price. We can't overpay him. Its a tough spot to be in because we would create a new need in the draft if we let him walk when we really need to focus on building a new secondary.

Did you watch any of Worilds this year? He didn't have a sack against an OL all year. He was going against TEs and RBs. Tying for the team lead in sacks is a useless stat when you are tied with a 3-4 DE. Harrison had 5.5 and only started 4 games. Moats had 4 sacks in limited action and probably 1/3 the snaps as Worilds. And Moats was going against the best OL on offense not RBs, TEs, and RTs. It's insane to signs this dolt to a high dollar contract.

 

[wig]

I have to agree, both Worilds and Jones have been pretty sad.

I'm not going to use the "B" word yet but I'd be shocked if I don't "bust" it out next year for both of them. Sorry fellas. That's the ways I sees it.

 

[steelerscotty]

19 to 20 games away . . .

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I have to agree, both Worilds and Jones have been pretty sad.

I'm not going to use the "B" word yet but I'd be shocked if I don't "bust" it out next year for both of them. Sorry fellas. That's the ways I sees it.

For me a "bust" is someone who doesn't live up to their expectations. In other words, a 5th or 6th round pick can't really be a bust because you weren't expecting much to begin with.
Jones was a first round and Worilds was a second round so yeah, they're busts. Sooner they're gone the better.

 

[Wingman]

Well if you want it in miles likely 700 to 2000. It won't be in the burgh, so travel will be involved. If you want years they could go next year if they buy tickets. Right now it does not look good for the team with all the travel. The defense is going to need a major reload or change to fit the skills of what players are left. Ben is not going to have a record setting year, we may have seen his last good year but maybe he can get a few more good games out before he retires. We saw how much the team needed Bell when he went down and we had to play the ravens and lost. I think we are now on the way to the 80s again.

 

[jitter77]

The offense has a lot of potential, but it is so streaky. They could go from putting up 50 to 10 the next game. The D is a mess and hard to predict due to so many roster questions. I would keep moats and try to resign harrison for one more year. Worilds played himself out of a nice contract and would only sign him for cheap. Middle we have Shazier and timmons. The DL is solid and dont see kiesel coming back. Gay is the only sure thing in the secondary. Personally I would show mitchell the door and hope troy retires so he does not have to be released. Will Allen and Ike (moved to safety) would hold down the fort. Have to draft a CB early, dont see any way around it. So we would have Gay / Allen / draft pick / FA and our guys from last year....Hopefully with Butlers wrinkles it would work.
As far as the superbowl goes I only see NE as being a team we probably could not beat. If Manning comes back and looks like he did last game I dont see Denver going anywhere. Obviously we can lose to anybody, but I think the team is capable of beating just about anyone as well.

 

[SteelerSask2]

Shazier is on the smaller side, but can run. Why not look at moving him to safety. I think him as a hybrid LB/S could work. I guess in all reality, I just want Mitchell gone.

And Ben is tall lets move him to tight end. Shazier will be an Inside Linebacker for the next 7 years on this team. Hopefully he grows a little hair and stops being a puss, but he has the skill set for sure. Lets hope Mitchell (who was injured all season and couldn't figure out where Troy was will be better). I think Thomas could be ok, but would hedge that pick with a FA. The big move in my mind is to get Jones out of the ROLB. He could be a Clarke Haggans as some have discussed. I think they should draft a beast here. They need to get a friggen home run in that spot. Let Worilds walk unless he plays cheap and move Jarvis left and get a killer there. I know people want a corner, but it may have to be second round.