Missing Pieces: What It Will Take For The Steelers To Win

[Steeler Nation]

Just as everyone predicted, the 2020 postseason saw the Pittsburgh*Steelers*getting manhandled by the Cleveland Browns*on Wild Card Weekend, the Browns giving the Kansas City Chiefs a run for their money (but losing 22-17), the Chiefs laying a beatdown on the Buffalo Bills, and*Tom*Brady*leading the*Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their second Super Bowl victory (his seventh) in […]

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[steelerscotty]

Only piece missing is an Oline that can block.

 

[Steelr4evr]

Fix the OL. Commit to running the ball. Play great defense that doesn't completely die and get shredded when you can't get to the qb.

Rebuild the Steeler mojo. Be the ones who hit the hardest again. And you can damn sure still hit hard and tackle with controlled violence within the rules. See 70's Steel Curtain for proper techniques. Minus a few Joe Greene head slaps. You can also add in our defenses in the 90's and our last 2 superbowl winning teams.

But really back to the most simple fundamental thing running the ball. That one element will take them far considering the wideouts they have.


It's not hard to find they've got 6 blueprints in house.

 

[slashsteel]

[emoji3166] No new head coach comment yet, yinz are slipping.[emoji28]

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[BLITZ]

Fix the OL. Commit to running the ball. Play great defense that doesn't completely die and get shredded when you can't get to the qb.

Rebuild the Steeler mojo. Be the ones who hit the hardest again. And you can damn sure still hit hard and tackle with controlled violence within the rules. See 70's Steel Curtain for proper techniques. Minus a few Joe Greene head slaps. You can also add in our defenses in the 90's and our last 2 superbowl winning teams.

But really back to the most simple fundamental thing running the ball. That one element will take them far considering the wideouts they have.


It's not hard to find they've got 6 blueprints in house.

yep. We haven't been a "blue collar" team in a decade at least. use what ever cliché you want, we don't out muscle anyone , we don't impose our will. The tv announcers still talk about how physical of a team the Steelers are, but we just aren't anymore.

We are more of a scheme team now. and we dont really change.up. Teams figure us out during the season

Our seasons will continue to end the way 2020 did until well go back to the type of football we were known for for so long.

 

[Coryea]

Oline that can open running lanes. Need a RB, Conner is probably not coming back and Snell and McFarland give me no confidence.

Tomlin needs to let Butler run the damn D, or he needs to call the D like he did in 2019. He himself said he calls the defense differently when Ben is starting, which if just ******* stupid.

 

[Badcat]

1. Hire an offensive coordinator who knows what he's doing. I believe they did this
2. Hire an OL coach who knows what he is doing. Failed
3. Restructure a few contracts to gain cap room.
4. get at least one FA OL
5. Draft a couple offensive lineman.
6. FA or Draft a primary RB

The Steelers only hope is that Canada can develop an offensive scheme that masks the piss poor OL play, cause they gonna suck for at least two years.

 

[kev4heels]

Fix the OL. Commit to running the ball.

End of story.

 

[Steelr4evr]

yep. We haven't been a "blue collar" team in a decade at least. use what ever cliché you want, we don't out muscle anyone , we don't impose our will. The tv announcers still talk about how physical of a team the Steelers are, but we just aren't anymore.

We are more of a scheme team now. and we dont really change.up. Teams figure us out during the season

Our seasons will continue to end the way 2020 did until well go back to the type of football we were known for for so long.

Exactly. We get figured out and never change in season. They're not a tough physical football team. That culture is gone. It can be rebuilt. I don't think they have anyone on staff who can do it. If the owners are cool with what's going on then there's really nothing than the status quo will remain the same. We have mediocrity down to an art form right now. This brand of football is failing miserably.

 

[Steelr4evr]

End of story.

That tends to change the mindset of a team and it damn sure helps the passing game. They'll have to invest in that line. The whole thing starting with a new center.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Great write up Jordan and thanks bunches for the opurtunistic view.


I'm right with you in thinking that even a few players can make a big difference. OL draft is key and I would like Pouncy to retire or complete "cap" friendly restructure and open competition to the center position. Big Dot is solid and should be starter without a question. DeCastro should be solid and now it hinges on draft / depth / to fill the tackle positions.

We also desperately need a solid RB and the draft could be our friend. Conner on a very friendly cap contract could be a #2 / depth but we need a true #1 to compliment the new OL.

BEN ROETHLISBERGER has what it takes and I'm hoping he gets the help needed to present that fact. Yes he is NOT the young version but he is the best QB we have. He needs to stand by his comment of not caring what his wages will be and sign an extremely friendly cap contract.



Salute the nation

 

[Coach]

Great write up Jordan and thanks bunches for the opurtunistic view.


I'm right with you in thinking that even a few players can make a big difference. OL draft is key and I would like Pouncy to retire or complete "cap" friendly restructure and open competition to the center position. Big Dot is solid and should be starter without a question. DeCastro should be solid and now it hinges on draft / depth / to fill the tackle positions.

We also desperately need a solid RB and the draft could be our friend. Conner on a very friendly cap contract could be a #2 / depth but we need a true #1 to compliment the new OL.

BEN ROETHLISBERGER has what it takes and I'm hoping he gets the help needed to present that fact. Yes he is NOT the young version but he is the best QB we have. He needs to stand by his comment of not caring what his wages will be and sign an extremely friendly cap contract.



Salute the nation

We need

1 ) A new head coach that can build a staff around him actually win playoff games, and can make game time adjustments.

2 ) A replacement for Ben

3 ) An Upgrade at Running back

4 ) To reload the OL.

5 ) To get out cap situation under control.


If the Steelers are lucky, this can happen in two draft classes.

That's it, until Haden needs to be replaced.

 

[ZonaBurgh]

We all know the answer, why won't they listen?

 

[Drink IRON City]

We need

1 ) A new head coach that can build a staff around him actually win playoff games, and can make game time adjustments.

I kept the head coaching out of topic as we ALL KNOW that isn't going to change and bitching about it is senseless

2 ) A replacement for Ben

BEN is the best QB on the roster, yes we will need to address that but a rookie will not come in and take that job away. THIS is Ben's last year.

3 ) An Upgrade at Running back

Agree and in the draft, not a big name high dollar cap hit or extention of Conner as feature back

4 ) To reload the OL.

obviously

5 ) To get out cap situation under control.

obviously

If the Steelers are lucky, this can happen in two draft classes.

That's it, until Haden needs to be replaced.

Our staff has shown we can not either draft or develope top quality CBs. We will need to trade for an existing player.





Salute the nation

 

[Ike Kelly]

We need

1 ) A new head coach that can build a staff around him actually win playoff games, and can make game time adjustments.

2 ) A replacement for Ben

3 ) An Upgrade at Running back

4 ) To reload the OL.

5 ) To get out cap situation under control.


If the Steelers are lucky, this can happen in two draft classes.

That's it, until Haden needs to be replaced.

“Your” needs actually:

1. You’ve been frothing at this narrative for years.....buy yourself a new stuff animal.

2. So says Captain Obvious.

3. Captain Obvious strikes again......what a moron.

4. Reload OL. Really? We drafting 4 OL? Realistically there are 2 positions of need LT and C. Banner could be signed for LT along with a First round draft pick. If Pounce retires a high draft pick along with a FA will compete. Big Dot/DeCastro/Chuks are solid as is.

5. Proof of your ignorance regarding all things cap wise is for all to see. There is no cap situation numbnuts. The cap looks like it will come in around $185-195 mil. Just $4 mil less than last year. Retirements and restructures can recover over $15 mil which does not include Ben’s restructure which could save another $12 mil. One definitive resigning will probably be Sutton, maybe at the cost of Haden (or he restructures an extension). At this time, the Steelers will have $177 mil in cap space in 2022. They won’t spend it all, but it will allow them to keep the core signings on defense (TJ and Minkha) plus a couple FA (possibly C or TE). To simplify to your comprehension level, that’s $177 mil available (even with Ben’s dead money) to resign their own players and dabble in FA if necessary.

Instead of another stuff animal, maybe you need a 2x4 across the head to knock loose the plaque in your brain.




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[SteelerFan448]

4. Reload OL. Really? We drafting 4 OL? Realistically there are 2 positions of need LT and C. Banner could be signed for LT along with a First round draft pick. If Pounce retires a high draft pick along with a FA will compete. Big Dot/DeCastro/Chuks are solid as is.

5. Proof of your ignorance regarding all things cap wise is for all to see. There is no cap situation numbnuts. The cap looks like it will come in around $185-195 mil. Just $4 mil less than last year. Retirements and restructures can recover over $15 mil which does not include Ben’s restructure which could save another $12 mil. One definitive resigning will probably be Sutton, maybe at the cost of Haden (or he restructures an extension). At this time, the Steelers will have $177 mil in cap space in 2022. They won’t spend it all, but it will allow them to keep the core signings on defense (TJ and Minkha) plus a couple FA (possibly C or TE). To simplify to your comprehension level, that’s $177 mil available (even with Ben’s dead money) to resign their own players and dabble in FA if necessary.

Yes, the offensive line absolutely needs reloaded. LT and C together with Dotson becoming the full-time starter is a reload. Chuks is not good, but him or Banner would be serviceable as long as they find help at LT and C.

There is absolutely a cap situation when you could possibly lose Dupree, JuJu, Conner, Sutton, and Hilton all in one offseason...and that comes a year after losing Hargrave. That's way too many quality players without a second contract for the Steelers. These are the players they used to build their team around.

 

[alancac98]

An Oline and a DC that stops using a damn LB on a WR! Fix those two things we can go to the SB!

 

[slashsteel]

Reload will be slightly handcuffed. As what we will probably get is a shuffling of the deck. With Chukes at LT and Banner at RT. Also Pounce still might return.
So out of the gates might not be a reload. By seasons end that might change. If that doesn't send Ben into early retirement in the process. As far as those free agents your only blue chipper is coming off an injury that wouldn't make him available out of the gates anyways, Conner and Juju are replaceable. Not that I am not fond of them. Sutton and or Hilton might be back which would significantly lessen the loss impact. Also to keep in mind once they are done doing their seasonal push the cap hit forward they could still filler some of those losses in free agency. Almost like business as usual. Is it a bigger challenge for them? Sure. But it remains to be seen the severity of the free agent impact or our want for a rebuild.

Yes, the offensive line absolutely needs reloaded. LT and C together with Dotson becoming the full-time starter is a reload. Chuks is not good, but him or Banner would be serviceable as long as they find help at LT and C.

There is absolutely a cap situation when you could possibly lose Dupree, JuJu, Conner, Sutton, and Hilton all in one offseason...and that comes a year after losing Hargrave. That's way too many quality players without a second contract for the Steelers. These are the players they used to build their team around.

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[slashsteel]

Oh and there is also what the NFL is pushing forward. A cap influenced by a new TV deal. To this point we have heard nothing but conjecture in what that amount would be could be. There is a echo in the wind that the cap might be identical to last years. Which would also do the Steelers a big favor toward resigning some of their own mixed in with bringing in Joe damned if I know.

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[SteelerFan448]

Reload will be slightly handcuffed. As what we will probably get is a shuffling of the deck. With Chukes at LT and Banner at RT. Also Pounce still might return.
So out of the gates might not be a reload. By seasons end that might change. If that doesn't send Ben into early retirement in the process. As far as those free agents your only blue chipper is coming off an injury that wouldn't make him available out of the gates anyways, Conner and Juju are replaceable. Not that I am not fond of them. Sutton and or Hilton might be back which would significantly lessen the loss impact. Also to keep in mind once they are done doing their seasonal push the cap hit forward they could still filler some of those losses in free agency. Almost like business as usual. Is it a bigger challenge for them? Sure. But it remains to be seen the severity of the free agent impact or our want for a rebuild.

If that is their solution it's not an acceptable one, or at least not one that should be expected to produce anything more than 7-8 wins.

Okorafor was below average at right tackle and I would speculate he was probably in the bottom 20 percent of all starters at tackle. Not impressive against the pass and seemed clueless at times in the run game. Banner has the ability to dominate for the ground game, but is subpar in pass protection. With the right player, left tackle is a plug and play player. The Bucs arguably had the best RT in all of football last year as a rookie. Regarding Pouncey, I appreciate everything he's done for the Steelers over the years, but he's done. He's already thinking retirement and he gets physically manhandled by the powerful IDL in the league. I don't know if you can pull a rookie LT and C starter from the draft, but they need to at least sign a veteran stopgap. Pouncey's play vs. performance just isn't worth his cap hit.

All of those players are replaceable, it just isn't a great way to build a team. You're losing talented young players with the potential to improve in favor of keeping older veterans on the downside of their careers. There's a lot of loyalty when it comes to those veterans, but they're going to be there to help the team for maybe 1-2 more years while those other guys could contribute for at least another 4-5 years. Without the pandemic, the cap issue wouldn't have been nearly as bad, but this is the reality now

 

[slashsteel]

If that is their solution it's not an acceptable one, or at least not one that should be expected to produce anything more than 7-8 wins.

Okorafor was below average at right tackle and I would speculate he was probably in the bottom 20 percent of all starters at tackle. Not impressive against the pass and seemed clueless at times in the run game. Banner has the ability to dominate for the ground game, but is subpar in pass protection. With the right player, left tackle is a plug and play player. The Bucs arguably had the best RT in all of football last year as a rookie. Regarding Pouncey, I appreciate everything he's done for the Steelers over the years, but he's done. He's already thinking retirement and he gets physically manhandled by the powerful IDL in the league. I don't know if you can pull a rookie LT and C starter from the draft, but they need to at least sign a veteran stopgap. Pouncey's play vs. performance just isn't worth his cap hit.

All of those players are replaceable, it just isn't a great way to build a team. You're losing talented young players with the potential to improve in favor of keeping older veterans on the downside of their careers. There's a lot of loyalty when it comes to those veterans, but they're going to be there to help the team for maybe 1-2 more years while those other guys could contribute for at least another 4-5 years. Without the pandemic, the cap issue wouldn't have been nearly as bad, but this is the reality now

It isn't acceptable long term but short term it is what it is. The Bucs rookie RT shining was a good story as was our BigDot. Maybe will will get that LT in the draft that eases in and a stop gap C is brought in we'll see.

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[Litos]

We need

1 ) A new head coach that can build a staff around him actually win playoff games, and can make game time adjustments.

2 ) A replacement for Ben

3 ) An Upgrade at Running back

4 ) To reload the OL.

5 ) To get out cap situation under control.


If the Steelers are lucky, this can happen in two draft classes.

That's it, until Haden needs to be replaced.

so basically start over from scratch

 

[Drink IRON City]

Pounce would have to be like BEN and not care about his wages in order to be resigned. ABSOLUTE vet minimum and 2 year deal knowing year two would not happen. Signed for depth




Salute the nation

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

a rookie run game from the dickliking post by coach posted by litos.

 

[Ike Kelly]

Yes, the offensive line absolutely needs reloaded. LT and C together with Dotson becoming the full-time starter is a reload. Chuks is not good, but him or Banner would be serviceable as long as they find help at LT and C.

There is absolutely a cap situation when you could possibly lose Dupree, JuJu, Conner, Sutton, and Hilton all in one offseason...and that comes a year after losing Hargrave. That's way too many quality players without a second contract for the Steelers. These are the players they used to build their team around.

Agree to disagree 448. LT and C have been noted as the primary spots for new blood since last year. Either through FA or the draft. Of note, Banner was considered the better LT over Chuks. The beat writers, including Lolley, reported it numerous times. Dotson was a starter for several games (should have stayed). It’s not a reload if you were already starting. “Chuks is not good”. Says who? PFF? The OL allowed only 14 sacks, the entire year. That’s a little over a 2% sack rate. That’s fantastic pass protection in any circumstance. Earlier in the year when Dotson and Chuks were the right side, the rushing attack was producing several 100 yd games. Then for whatever reason Ben went to the short pass scheme.

Losing FA is not the same as having a “cap situation”. They lose FA every single year because they spend to the cap keeping core players. “Quality” players is a very loose term on this board. There was zero chance Bud was going to be retained before he was injured, otherwise he wouldn’t have gotten the tag. Watt will get the large OLB contract. JuJu at this point is a luxury as they have 4 WR (3 draft picks) under contract already. I wouldn’t mind keeping him for the right price, but it isn’t a necessity. Conner is a role player and could be retained without disrupting the top 51.

The priority FA is definitely Sutton. He’s a better all around player than Hilton who is a liability in coverage. Hilton will be offered a contract elsewhere. The higher the better. Sutton if signed will be Haden’s replacement. His flexibility in run support/blitzes/zone would allow him to move inside on passing downs with Layne or Pierre on the boundary.

Additionally, I think Alualu is also a priority. He has been solid if not spectacular as the 3DL. Giving him an extension allows Buggs, Davis and another draft pick to take over in 23/24.


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