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Sign ONE upper tier free agent to make a real run in 2016....so who?

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We are all painfully aware that this team barely lifts a finger when it comes to free agent signings, and most of us agree that going too heavy FA route is usually FAIL.

That being said, our window with a franchise QB is closing. If you don't have a good QB, chances are you won't win a ring. We need to go for it all while we still have Ben. And with some glarring holes, we better fill at least one of those holes with a quality FA.

So what are our options to consider?

I think we all agree that S, OLB (pass rusher), and CB are the 3 critical needs. A legit OLB who is an edge rusher would allow us to send 4 and send 7 back into coverage, which is what a truly sound D can do (see both Super Bowl teams). They also BOTH have secondaries who offer tight coverage and ball skills. I believe if we shore up these areas, we are as legit as a contender as any team.

First, the OLB list.

Dwight Freeney 3-4 OLB 36 ARI
Lamarr Woodley 3-4 OLB 31 ARI
Albert McClellan 3-4 OLB 30 BAL
Chris Carter 3-4 OLB 27 BAL
Courtney Upshaw 3-4 OLB 26 BAL
LaRoy Reynolds 3-4 OLB 25 CHI RFA
Sam Acho 3-4 OLB 27 CHI
Scott Solomon 3-4 OLB 27 CLE RFA
Lerentee McCray 3-4 OLB 26 DEN RFA
Von Miller 3-4 OLB 27 DEN
Andy Mulumba 3-4 OLB 26 GB RFA
Mike Neal 3-4 OLB 29 GB
Nick Perry 3-4 OLB 26 GB
John Simon 3-4 OLB 25 HOU RFA
Andy Studebaker 3-4 OLB 30 IND
Dezman Moses 3-4 OLB 27 KC
Frank Zombo 3-4 OLB 29 KC
Calvin Pace 3-4 OLB 35 NYJ
Ray-Ray Armstrong 3-4 OLB 27 SF RFA
Junior Galette 3-4 OLB 28 WAS
Will Compton 3-4 OLB 26 WAS RFA

First of, I cross off guys over 32. So that removes Freeney and Pace from this list. Von Miller is the obvious top talent, in his prime, but Denver will tag him, and even not, the Steelers won't shoot that high for a FA, regardless. I can't believe Woodley is only 31, as he has been over the hill for years now, like 5 or so. Looking at this list, OLB might have to be addressed in the draft. Bruce Irving is a player who some have suggested signing, but, IDK, he gives off a less-than-trustworthy work ethic vibe, like once he gets his big deal, he will fade off like Woodley did.

CB

The scary part is, even if we had everyone back from last season, we'd still be thin here, obviously, but worse yet, two of our best CB are FAs themselves (Gay and Boykin). So that puts us extra in the hole. Tomlin's obvious disdain for Boink means it's doubtful he is coming back (even though he was probably our best cover guy we had, even though rarely used). I'd roll the dice on one of the mid-20 year olds and hope they end up worth their price tag. Boykin is listed as the 8th-best FA CB for 2016. That is sad, that although rated that high, although our DBs were so horrible, that he rarely got playing time. Norman is the best CB on the market, and we all know we won't go there. Adam Jones is a solid player, but, even though he has cleaned up his act, there is simply too much bad blood to consider him. Sean Smith is somewhat interesting; got busted for hippie lettuce, but has great size (6-3) with decent speed (4.5 40). I say add at least a solid prospect for mid-tier money.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2606325-2016-nfl-free-agency-power-ranking-every-position/page/8

S

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2606325-2016-nfl-free-agency-power-ranking-every-position/page/10

A lot of you keep saying how Weddle will likely land in Pgh. I am not sure why such optimism exists, but, if true, he would shore up our backfield quite nicely. The player I am intrigued with is Eric Berry. He has comeback from a battle with cancer and, by season's end, he was once again excelling. Even in college, his skills blasted off the tv screen. KC is going to fight to keep him, and, if not, there will be a long line of teams interested. Between the three positions, it seems most likely that S would be the position they fill in FA.

Thoughts?
 
I think it is more than one player away kind of problems...

especially with a laundry list of free agents

pick up two corners including Gay
one NT
one SS


not a benched player, someone just who happened to be a free agent and has proved to be a decent player...


we don't need stars at the weaknesses just upgrades
 
Freeney had a nice end to 2015. I don't know if it was the roids or what. I might look into him if he'd play for reasonable money. Our OLB rotation would be really solid and they could pick their spots and keep the snaps down. Who knows if James is coming back again, but a 5 OLB rotation with Freeney/Dupree/Harrison/Moats/Jones could keep everyone fresh and we could get a necessary amount of sacks.
 
If the Steelers are truly serious about winning a title before Ben is done, it does need to happen starting this year. They just can't wait. His window is probably 3 years. As much punishment as he has taken, I can't see him lasting as long as Manning or Brady are doing. Ben isn't in the greatest of shape either.

So, hopefully, we do see something this offseason where they can bring in either a good pass rusher or a good CB. I'm not talking pro bowler here (although that would be nice but we can't afford it) but a significant upgrade to what we currently have. The problem with this is I don't know if they know what good is. They have swung and missed with Cortez and then Boykin. Why they sat Boykin is still a mystery to me as he was definitely better than what we had. Their talent evaluation for the secondary has been mostly awful for quite a while now.

If we don't see any significant move in free agency, then we have to hope and pray Bud and Shaz continue to improve and stay on the field. And, we have to hope and pray one or two of our recent draft picks in the secondary somehow come into camp and win a starting spot.
 
I'd rather they address CB if we could only choose One. I'd look for a rookie safety to groom while Golden gets a starting spot
 
TDX27 said:
If the Steelers are truly serious about winning a title before Ben is done, it does need to happen starting this year. They just can't wait. His window is probably 3 years. As much punishment as he has taken, I can't see him lasting as long as Manning or Brady are doing. Ben isn't in the greatest of shape either.

So, hopefully, we do see something this offseason where they can bring in either a good pass rusher or a good CB. I'm not talking pro bowler here (although that would be nice but we can't afford it) but a significant upgrade to what we currently have. The problem with this is I don't know if they know what good is. They have swung and missed with Cortez and then Boykin. Why they sat Boykin is still a mystery to me as he was definitely better than what we had. Their talent evaluation for the secondary has been mostly awful for quite a while now.

If we don't see any significant move in free agency, then we have to hope and pray Bud and Shaz continue to improve and stay on the field. And, we have to hope and pray one or two of our recent draft picks in the secondary somehow come into camp and win a starting spot.
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lot of hoping and praying

almost like ******** in one hand....


this is the year they need to attack free agency with some upgrades

instead of sitting back and hoping


and letting the other hand fill up
 
slashsteel said:
lot of hoping and praying

almost like ******** in one hand....


this is the year they need to attack free agency with some upgrades

instead of sitting back and hoping


and letting the other hand fill up
Click to expand...
And, as a fan, I am hoping and praying they do something in free agency. The years before Ben sucked! It's very rare for a team to go from one great QB to another. They need to do something now. Hoping and praying!
 
AggieSteel said:
Von Miller
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He would instantaneously make the D formidable.

Not sure Denver is willing to let him go (tag), not that the Steelers would go after such a player...
 
if the steelers could somehow add Von Miller, this defense would be instantly top 10. Maybe top 5 even with the suspect secondary. Miller would open it up for Heyward and Tuitt and whoever played the opposite OLB. They would be able to get pressure without blitzing anf it would allow Shazier to drop in coverage and make plays.

Add Von Miller and this steeler team without a single other addition would win the Super Bowl.

It's a pipe dream though.
 
Eric Berry? wow. that would solve a lot in the secondary.
 
tapeANaspirin2it said:
if the steelers could somehow add Von Miller, this defense would be instantly top 10. Maybe top 5 even with the suspect secondary. Miller would open it up for Heyward and Tuitt and whoever played the opposite OLB. They would be able to get pressure without blitzing anf it would allow Shazier to drop in coverage and make plays.

Add Von Miller and this steeler team without a single other addition would win the Super Bowl.

It's a pipe dream though.
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Agreed. The problem is the best free agents seldom leave their team at pass rusher or CB.
 
That's tough, would love to have Miller, but he had 11 sacks and 36 tackles this season. I think I would go with Norman at CB, we haven't had a top flight CB here since Woodson, maybe Ike a couple seasons, but that would let us take away one side of the field to an extent.
 
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We won't see a splash in the FA pool, at least the Top Tier talent end.

Put that pipe down...
 
That Lamarr Woodley guy might look good in black and gold. Wasn't used properly in AZ.
 
There seems to be quite a few free agent DB's, I'd lock up Gay quickly and get another mid-tier free agent DB.
Wouldn't mind snagging Leon Hall away from Bengals. He's 31, but has 3 or 4 years left in him. If the secondary
looks decent going into the draft, they might spend the #1 on NT. Get a quality NT and we have a A+ front 3.
I'm not so concerned with OLB, I think James comes back for another year, because he smells Super Bowl.
And near the end of the year, you could see us getting more sacks up the middle with Timmons and Shazier
blitzing. That would increase with a beast at NT.
 
Von Miller would be great but I just can't see us spending $10+ million per year on any free agent. But, if they do sign him, the D would be instantly much better. Him on one side with an emerging Bud Dupree on the other would be awesome. But, again, that is a pipe dream as we won't spend that kind of coin and Denver isn't going to let him go.
 
tapeANaspirin2it said:
if the steelers could somehow add Von Miller, this defense would be instantly top 10. Maybe top 5 even with the suspect secondary. Miller would open it up for Heyward and Tuitt and whoever played the opposite OLB. They would be able to get pressure without blitzing anf it would allow Shazier to drop in coverage and make plays.

Add Von Miller and this steeler team without a single other addition would win the Super Bowl.

It's a pipe dream though.
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Remember when Suh was going to make Miami a sure SB contender?
 
No NFL team has ever bought a championship, many have screwed themselves trying. Everybody forgets this.
 
We don't need to buy a championship. We have the core players on the team that we drafted, just like we always do. Adding a veteran here and there to round out the team is all we need. One or two mid-plus tier free agents are all we need to help shore up our D.
 
I think one isn't enough. This organization has to deal with the reality that Ben is only going to be playing at this level for maybe 3 or 4 years if that. His style of play and the injuries he incurs because of it do not lead me to believe he is going to be playing at a high level when he reaches 37-38 years old like some other QB's that have avoided hits during their careers. In order to win another one while Ben is still playing great, some major upgrades on defense are needed and there simply isn't time to wait for young talent to develop. The secondary needs proven commodities that can be difference makers immediately.
 
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