Steelers Changes In 2013 A Good Thing: Don’t Bet On A 6-10 Season

[stillers4me]

Across the world for many Pittsburgh Steelers fans, the sky is falling, and optimism for the 2013 season has all but dissipated and has been replaced by a pessimism that is forecasting a 6-10 season or worse. While the first week of free agency has not provided many reasons to celebrate with the departure of many big name starters, the approach of the organization should not come as a surprise, as it has always been the standard.

And for the last ten plus years, it has been effective............

read more @ http://www.steelersdepot.com/2013/03/steelers-changes-in-2013-a-good-thing-dont-bet-on-a-6-10-season/

[bayz101]

Insert fair-weather fans "How about 5-11?" statement. :chuckle:

[fansince'76]

You kiddin'? This team will be lucky to win 4 games!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO04VXBIS0M

:chuckle:

[st33lersguy]

Some will even say "First overall draft pick"

[polamalubeast]

Some will even say "First overall draft pick"

It was a joke!

[X-Terminator]

Don't see too many people around here predicting 6-10 and 5-11 seasons. There have been a LOT of people predicting that they take a step back this season due to the losses, and I don't see what is wrong with that.

[Count Steeler]

SO FAR, there are NOT a lot of promising signs for 2013. The draft will be the key to the shift in optimism, but even that can be unwarranted because we don't know how the rookies will perform or whether they stay healthy.

I would say comparing the 2013 Steelers to the 2012 Steelers, we have more holes to fill right now. Last years team, without injuries, were probably a 12-4, 11-5 team. This year, despite the changes in the other teams in our division, the 2013 Steelers would impress the hell out of me if they finish 10-6. That is my sentiment on this day, and it is subject to change.

And despite what we are going through this off season, there is NO franchise in SPORTS, that I would rather be a fan of. I have followed the Steelers since 72 and I will remain a Steeler's fan until this corpse has breathed it's last breath. HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO!

[zulater]

Don't see too many people around here predicting 6-10 and 5-11 seasons. There have been a LOT of people predicting that they take a step back this season due to the losses, and I don't see what is wrong with that.

I predict they'll take a step foward if they get anything close to a healthy 16 from Ben.

[Craic]

Don't see too many people around here predicting 6-10 and 5-11 seasons. There have been a LOT of people predicting that they take a step back this season due to the losses, and I don't see what is wrong with that.

True, but a step back from 8-8 is what, exactly? Personally, I think we stay about the same as last year, I'd imagine the first couple games will be interesting, then it'll look pretty back for about a month, month and a half before the team starts to hit a rhythm. I could see everything from 6-10 (with a number of our wins coming in the second half of the season once things settle down), to 9-7. If Manny comes back and our lines stays healthy, we may even make 11-5. I know that's a broad window, but I think it's realist to expect anything in that group. We're not going to go 5-11, and we're not going to win 12 or more games I think.

[bayz101]

I predict they'll take a step foward if they get anything close to a healthy 16 from Ben.

This.

Ben wasn't the same player after injury, and if he avoids injury altogether, we'll win more games. Hell, we'll probably have a legitimit shot at going into February.

[Pristas]

Something to think about when considering what our record will look like in 2013... We may not have a healthy Heath Miller. He is getting up there in age and that was a serious injury. And One other forgotten injury concern is the Shawn Spence project. That guy was getting some buzz in camp last year until he Destroyed his leg. Damn shame too. Last I heard is that he still has nerve damage, so his return is questionable at best. Baron Batch hasn't panned out. Leftwich will be gone. Charlie Batch will barely make the team as a backup backup QB. Really, as Zu said, everything this season rides on the health of Big Ben. Everything.

[NCSteeler]

We could be headed into a season with the best O line since XL. Add a healthy Ben a draft RB , a coaching staff forced to finally play Cotchery and Burress. We could get into some serious shoot outs, if the D finds their stride we could win 11 games. On the other side of the coin we could easily end up 8-8 again watching the Bengals win the division .

What's obvious is that this is a young team that NEEDS some coaching.

[GBMelBlount]

True, but a step back from 8-8 is what, exactly? Personally, I think we stay about the same as last year, I'd imagine the first couple games will be interesting, then it'll look pretty back for about a month, month and a half before the team starts to hit a rhythm. I could see everything from 6-10 (with a number of our wins coming in the second half of the season once things settle down), to 9-7. If Manny comes back and our lines stays healthy, we may even make 11-5. I know that's a broad window, but I think it's realist to expect anything in that group. We're not going to go 5-11, and we're not going to win 12 or more games I think.

I completely agree with this and with Zu's comment about Ben being healthy.

The one thing that may help more than anything is the purging of problem players with bad attitudes.

That hurt us as much as anything else last season imo.

[zulater]

We could be headed into a season with the best O line since XL. Add a healthy Ben a draft RB , a coaching staff forced to finally play Cotchery and Burress. We could get into some serious shoot outs, if the D finds their stride we could win 11 games. On the other side of the coin we could easily end up 8-8 again watching the Bengals win the division .

What's obvious is that this is a young team that NEEDS some coaching.

The running game was working fine until the injury bug decimated the offense. Don't get me wrong I hope they add another quality back. But Redman and Dwyer are capable if the rest of the offense is functioning at a high level.

[86WARD]

It only took 7 weeks for a back to get more than 85 yards...I wouldn't say that the run game was working that well. It was actually quite bad as a team. Over the 100 yard mark as a team once in 8 weeks (7 games.). There was a streak over 3-4 games were it was decent but far, far from "working fine."

[steelreserve]

I think we'll take a step back while getting roughly the same result, maybe even win a couple games more, if that makes any sense. Last year, injuries destroyed this team so completely that it probably had about the same effect as losing all the guys we did in the offseason. We way undershot our potential because of that. This year, I'd put my sights a little lower - we should still be at least somewhat competitive, but I'd be surprised if we went 14-2 and challenged for a Super Bowl or anything.

[zulater]

It only took 7 weeks for a back to get more than 85 yards...I wouldn't say that the run game was working that well. It was actually quite bad as a team. Over the 100 yard mark as a team once in 8 weeks (7 games.). There was a streak over 3-4 games were it was decent but far, far from "working fine."

The streak extended over 5 games, (weeks 5-9, Steelers rushed for a combined 644 yards) and ended when the rash of offensive injuries derailed the offense as a whole in Kansas City.

[GBMelBlount]

It only took 7 weeks for a back to get more than 85 yards...I wouldn't say that the run game was working that well. It was actually quite bad as a team. Over the 100 yard mark as a team once in 8 weeks (7 games.). There was a streak over 3-4 games were it was decent but far, far from "working fine."

Good point but who is to blame? These same running backs that averaged only 3.7 ypc in 2012 average 4.5 in 2011.

[Craic]

The streak extended over 5 games, (weeks 5-9, Steelers rushed for a combined 644 yards) and ended when the rash of offensive injuries derailed the offense as a whole in Kansas City.

Hmm. I wonder where that would have put us for sixteen games. (Doing the math as I type this, it's an interesting state you bring up).

So, 644 yards for 5 games extrapolated to sixteen games equals 2060 yards. According to last years stats, that would have put us ninth in rushing yards. We were 14th in passing yards already, and I don't buy that adding rushing yards would have taken away from passing yards, because rushing yards may have lengthened drives. Add that to being first against the pass in yards, first against the pass in yards per attempt, sixth against the pass in percent completions, seventh against he pass in TD's allowed, Second against the rush, fourth against the rush in yards per attempt, sixth against the rush in TD's by rushing, and I think you have a very, VERY different season.

[NJarhead]

Don't see too many people around here predicting 6-10 and 5-11 seasons. There have been a LOT of people predicting that they take a step back this season due to the losses, and I don't see what is wrong with that.



Thank you. It's not like we haven't been 6-10 in the last decade. It happens. Considering our struggles with all the talent we lost, it's difficult to imaging us being better not knowing who's going to be filling those spots. If I think my team's going to struggle next year, I'm suddenly a "fair-weather fan?" Yea, okay.

[zulater]

Thank you. It's not like we haven't been 6-10 in the last decade. It happens. Considering our struggles with all the talent we lost, it's difficult to imaging us being better not knowing who's going to be filling those spots. If I think my team's going to struggle next year, I'm suddenly a "fair-weather fan?" Yea, okay.

If you've convinced yourself they're in for a rough year or two, while I personally disagree, that's just a difference of opinion, and doesn't make you any better or worse of a fan than anyone else.

What makes a fair weather fan (imo) is one that suddenly questions the competence, and commitment to quality of product of those that have been making decisions for the Steelers for the past 5 ( Tomlin) to 12 (Colbert and Khan) years or longer. ( Rooney's)

If you can't respect the track record of this franchise and the people making the decsions then I'm not sure who you've been watching the past 20 years?

As they say "scoreboard".

[NJarhead]

If you've convinced yourself they're in for a rough year or two, while I personally disagree, that's just a difference of opinion, and doesn't make you any better or worse of a fan than anyone else.

What makes a fair weather fan (imo) is one that suddenly questions the competence, and commitment to quality of product of those that have been making decisions for the Steelers for the past 5 ( Tomlin) to 12 (Colbert and Khan) years or longer. ( Rooney's)

If you can't respect the track record of this franchise and the people making the decsions then I'm not sure who you've been watching the past 20 years?

As they say "scoreboard".


You've never heard me saying anything about the organization or the track record, period.

I've blindly predicted 12-4 seasons in the past more than losing ones. In fact, I can't remember the last time I thought we'd do poorly. I want to say we're going to the playoffs and beyond in 2013, but track record (see three year cycle) would be the only thing I have to go on at this point.

I'll tell you what though, anyone who would even consider calling me a "fair-weather fan" or a "sky is falling" type can kiss my ass, because they have no idea who they're talking to or what they're talking about.

[GBMelBlount]

What makes a fair weather fan (imo) is one that suddenly questions the competence, and commitment to quality of product of those that have been making decisions for the Steelers for the past 5 ( Tomlin) to 12 (Colbert and Khan) years or longer. ( Rooney's)



Questioning decisons = fair weather fan (iyo).

OK.

[Dwinsgames]

If you've convinced yourself they're in for a rough year or two, while I personally disagree, that's just a difference of opinion, and doesn't make you any better or worse of a fan than anyone else.

What makes a fair weather fan is one that suddenly questions the competence of those that have been making decisions for the Steelers for the past 5 ( Tomlin) to 12 (Colbert and Khan) years or longer. ( Rooney's)

If you can't respect the track record of this franchise and the people making the decsions then I'm not sure who you've been watching the past 20 years?

As they say "scoreboard".

I do not believe question anyone makes you fair weather fan either , after all when your team under performs and loses 4 games to teams that are horrible and loses the turnover battle in every one of them you SHOULD question somebody or you just are not paying close enough attention or do not care enough to make the effort ....

when someone or something becomes above reproach normally that is when things go horribly wrong ....

Fair weather fans are fans that like you when you are doing well and like someone else when you are not , it is just another name for bandwagon fans .....

I have not witnessed one person here say well that is it I am going to be a Broncos fan now or whatever ....

I will always question the powers that be when it is clear to me there is a problem and just as clear that little or nothing is being done to correct it .... if that makes me a " Fair weather fan " in your eyes then I will accept your tag and wear it proudly .....

This team has had a growing list of issues for a few years most of which have been pointed out over time , be it age , lack of talent or depth in key areas , discipline by some whether it be on or off the field or in conditioning or chest thumping and the hey look at me mentality that has crept into the building over the last few years .....

Pointing fingers rarely solves anything , pointing things out is the only way to make people take notice , and you have to take notice before you can take action to solve things ... some just see it before others even though they are watching the same things go on day after day week after week

[zulater]

Questioning decisons = fair weather fan (iyo).

OK.

Re read it, because that's not what I SAID AT ALL.

[zulater]

I do not believe question anyone makes you fair weather fan either , after all when your team under performs and loses 4 games to teams that are horrible and loses the turnover battle in every one of them you SHOULD question somebody or you just are not paying close enough attention or do not care enough to make the effort ....

when someone or something becomes above reproach normally that is when things go horribly wrong ....

Fair weather fans are fans that like you when you are doing well and like someone else when you are not , it is just another name for bandwagon fans .....

I have not witnessed one person here say well that is it I am going to be a Broncos fan now or whatever ....

I will always question the powers that be when it is clear to me there is a problem and just as clear that little or nothing is being done to correct it .... if that makes me a " Fair weather fan " in your eyes then I will accept your tag and wear it proudly .....

This team has had a growing list of issues for a few years most of which have been pointed out over time , be it age , lack of talent or depth in key areas , discipline by some whether it be on or off the field or in conditioning or chest thumping and the hey look at me mentality that has crept into the building over the last few years .....

Pointing fingers rarely solves anything , pointing things out is the only way to make people take notice , and you have to take notice before you can take action to solve things ... some just see it before others even though they are watching the same things go on day after day week after week

Again there appears to be some comprehension issues going on around here.

Questioning individual decisions that have been made is fine.

But not giving people with a proven track record of success ( wins and losses is how NFL success should be measured, not March free agency signings and departures) any benifit of the doubt, to just assume they're wrong, when the offseason hasn't even played out yet, nor has the 2013 season come crashing down about us yet, well that just seems absurd to me.

So maybe "fairweather fan" isn't the right word. Perhaps a more apt way to say it is spoiled rotten fan that has no appreciation for what he's been given over the years, and who's been in place to do that giving.

[Dwinsgames]

Again there appears to be some comprehension issues going on around here.

Questioning individual decisions that have been made is fine.

But not giving people with a proven track record of success ( wins and losses is how NFL success should be measured, not March free agency signings and departures) any benifit of the doubt, to just assume they're wrong, when the offseason hasn't even played out yet, nor has the 2013 season come crashing down about us yet, well that just seems absurd to me.

So maybe "fairweather fan" isn't the right word. Perhaps a more apt way to say it is spoiled rotten fan that has no appreciation for what he's been given over the years, and who's been in place to do that giving.


I think the one key component here is this ....

The proven track record in which you speak of is because the team has been built and maintained primarily through the draft and a low budget sprinkling of FA guys who play a role on ST and spot duty in situational football ...

the problem is our draft classes have not been up to snuff as of late and those guys drafted the past have dozen years are for the most part long gone for one or more reasons ( mostly poor drafting ) so the reload value of this football team is at an all time low with veterans in the system laying in waiting for their time to shine .... that is a huge problem ...

someone is to blame for this , poor scouting evaluations ? ( there the hell is Bill Nunn ??? )
Poor decision making by Colbert when rummaging through the scouting departments notes ?
Poor player management by the coaching staff ?
Poor developmental skills as a coaching staff ?
Poor roster moves at cut down time ?
**Poor decision making on draft day , leaving better talent on the board than what you take off in the middle to late rounds of the draft ** ( I believe this has a lot to do with it ) sure we hit on some but I almost always am pissed off from round 3 onward when I head names Like Essex called or Spaeth or Hills etc etc when I see 50 guys rated higher than them still sitting there ( many times 3 or 4 players of the same pos ) and not guys rating higher just on stats ... guys who pass the eye ball test while the ones selected fail that same test


if you are a team who builds and rebuilds through the draft and you are not rock solid with 4 picks a year at some point your team starts to fall apart at the seems and gets very long in the tooth .... this is where we stand ... long in the tooth for the most part in terms of the guys who are on the roster that possess real NFL talent ..sure we have a few young guys that are grade A but only a few ....

Fingers need pointing and people need questioned , and they need to be held accountable ....

I am not saying it is Colberts fault ( but it very well may be BECAUSE ) it is his scouting department , he hires and fires those guys and they are under his watch ...

but they either need to make better evaluations or he needs to listen more to what they are saying ... it is one or the other ...

Just sayin

[zulater]

I think the one key component here is this ....

The proven track record in which you speak of is because the team has been built and maintained primarily through the draft and a low budget sprinkling of FA guys who play a role on ST and spot duty in situational football ...

the problem is our draft classes have not been up to snuff as of late and those guys drafted the past have dozen years are for the most part long gone for one or more reasons ( mostly poor drafting ) so the reload value of this football team is at an all time low with veterans in the system laying in waiting for their time to shine .... that is a huge problem ...

someone is to blame for this , poor scouting evaluations ? ( there the hell is Bill Nunn ??? )
Poor decision making by Colbert when rummaging through the scouting departments notes ?
Poor player management by the coaching staff ?
Poor developmental skills as a coaching staff ?
Poor roster moves at cut down time ?
**Poor decision making on draft day , leaving better talent on the board than what you take off in the middle to late rounds of the draft ** ( I believe this has a lot to do with it ) sure we hit on some but I almost always am pissed off from round 3 onward when I head names Like Essex called or Spaeth or Hills etc etc when I see 50 guys rated higher than them still sitting there ( many times 3 or 4 players of the same pos ) and not guys rating higher just on stats ... guys who pass the eye ball test while the ones selected fail that same test


if you are a team who builds and rebuilds through the draft and you are not rock solid with 4 picks a year at some point your team starts to fall apart at the seems and gets very long in the tooth .... this is where we stand ... long in the tooth for the most part in terms of the guys who are on the roster that possess real NFL talent ..sure we have a few young guys that are grade A but only a few ....

Fingers need pointing and people need questioned , and they need to be held accountable ....

I am not saying it is Colberts fault ( but it very well may be BECAUSE ) it is his scouting department , he hires and fires those guys and they are under his watch ...

but they either need to make better evaluations or he needs to listen more to what they are saying ... it is one or the other ...

Just sayin

I got no real issue with what you're saying here.

But at the same token I don't believe things are nearly as bad as you sem to think they are.

I think there's a strong possibility that you'll have a Ziggy Hood or Cameron Heyward have a breakout season, and thus the loss of Harrison will be lessened.

I think Cortez Allen will prove to be a significant upgrade to Keenan Lewis once he hits his full stride. Of course I still wish they would have kept Keenan over Ike.

I think the young offensive line will gell and give the Steelers the highest quality of play they've got from that unit since 2005.

I think the loss of Mendenhall was no loss, so his absense will be of no consequence. How many yards did he gain last year again? Not so hard to replace. I hope they sign Bradshaw, he could put that unit over the top.

Sanders may or may not go? I hope he stays of course. But regardless, Big Ben took a team to the Super Bowl with Ced Wilson as a starting receiver. With or without Sanders, we wont know the final make up of the unit until possibly the end of August. So I'll reserve judgement for now.
I also expect a big rebound year from Antonio Brown in 2013.

My biggest fear going into 2013 is how many games ( if any) will Heath miss? And when he comes back will he be the same player?

Anyway bottom line I think there's still a lot to like about the 2013 Steelers, and in the end it will come down to keeping Ben healthy for the majority of the season and especially the home stretch.

[NJarhead]

I got no real issue with what you're saying here.

But at the same token I don't believe things are nearly as bad as you sem to think they are.

I think there's a strong possibility that you'll have a Ziggy Hood or Cameron Heyward have a breakout season, and thus the loss of Harrison will be lessened.

I think Cortez Allen will prove to be a significant upgrade to Keenan Lewis once he hits his full stride. Of course I still wish they would have kept Keenan over Ike.

I think the young offensive line will gell and give the Steelers the highest quality of play they've got from that unit since 2005.

I think the loss of Mendenhall was no loss, so his absense will be on no consequence. How many yards did he gain last year again? Not so hard to replace. I hope they sign Bradshaw, he could put that unit over the top.

Sanders may or may not go? I hope he stays of course. But regardless, Big Ben took a team to the Super Bowl with Ced Wilson as a starting receiver. With or without Sanders, we wont know the final make up of the unit until possibly the end of August. So I'll reserve judgement for now.
I also expect a big rebound year from Antonio Brown in 2013.

My biggest fear going into 2013 is how many games ( if any) will Heath miss? And when he comes back will he be the same player?

Anyway bottom line I think there's still a lot to like about the 2013 Steelers, and in the end it will come down to keeping Ben healthy for the majority of the season and especially the home stretch.


But based on what?

I agree about the O-Line, but that's clearly been a work in progress, with progress being made.

I have zero idea about what to expect from our running game.

Who is Woodley? Is he the guy who dominated in 2008 or is he the injury prone, out of shape non-factor we saw last year?

Would you call Worilds an upgrade over Harrison or a downgrade? I'd be inclined to state the latter.

We know little-to-nothing about Cortez Allen.

These are the things I'm considering when I anticipate an off-year for us.

[Dwinsgames]

I got no real issue with what you're saying here.

But at the same token I don't believe things are nearly as bad as you sem to think they are.

I think there's a strong possibility that you'll have a Ziggy Hood or Cameron Heyward have a breakout season, and thus the loss of Harrison will be lessened.

I think Cortez Allen will prove to be a significant upgrade to Keenan Lewis once he hits his full stride. Of course I still wish they would have kept Keenan over Ike.

I think the young offensive line will gell and give the Steelers the highest quality of play they've got from that unit since 2005.

I think the loss of Mendenhall was no loss, so his absense will be of no consequence. How many yards did he gain last year again? Not so hard to replace. I hope they sign Bradshaw, he could put that unit over the top.

Sanders may or may not go? I hope he stays of course. But regardless, Big Ben took a team to the Super Bowl with Ced Wilson as a starting receiver. With or without Sanders, we wont know the final make up of the unit until possibly the end of August. So I'll reserve judgement for now.
I also expect a big rebound year from Antonio Brown in 2013.

My biggest fear going into 2013 is how many games ( if any) will Heath miss? And when he comes back will he be the same player?

Anyway bottom line I think there's still a lot to like about the 2013 Steelers, and in the end it will come down to keeping Ben healthy for the majority of the season and especially the home stretch.


trust me I am not " doom and gloom" ing this to death ... but I feel there are a lot of unanswered question and I see a steady downgrade in talent team wide over the past 3-4 years or so ....

Cortez Allen IMO is an upgrade so no issue there at all ( wanted him as the starter in 2012 and am on record on the old board saying that ) feel free to have a look :)

but where is our young backups at S ?
same at ILB ?
same at OLB ?
same at QB ?
same at WR ?
same RB ?
hell where is the starting RB ?

we are slowly but surely becoming devoid of talent , we NEED a super solid draft where 6 or 7 guys not only make the team but make a contribution to the team those sort of drafts do not come along very often in todays NFL with 32 teams looking for players and the internet and cable TV making it possible to see every game every week and you do not physically have to attend to see the kids play like you did for the most part back in the day ... every team has the capability ...

we need a bigger and more talented scouting department ...

it makes it tough to sit and watch your favorite team draft guys you yourself as a fan knows beyond a shadow of a doubt does not have the skills needed to play at the NFL level get drafted in the 3rd and 4th round while guys who could start for that same team are left on the board ... and it happens almost every year ( I still hear the words echo in my head Matt Spaeth can stretch the field .... ) when Scott Chandler , Brent Celek and Kevin Boss where still on the board ......

[zulater]

But based on what?

I agree about the O-Line, but that's clearly been a work in progress, with progress being made.

I have zero idea about what to expect from our running game.

In the five games where the o-line was healthiest last season the team ran for 644 yards on 144 attempts for a very respectable 4.47 ypc. Mendenhall accounted for only 68 yards of this total, so this shows that with the line functioning at a competent level Dwyer and Redman can be productive. Now of course i expect the Steelers to add a quality player or two to the backfield through the draft or through free agency.


Who is Woodley? Is he the guy who dominated in 2008 or is he the injury prone, out of shape non-factor we saw last year?

Don't forget Woodley was dominating as recently as the first 9 games of the 2011 season. He hasn't been the same since blowing out his hammy against the Patriots.

But to your question as to what Woodley? Hard to say? Ike Taylor's workout gurus supposedly devised an offseason workout program that would focus on Woodley's hamstring area. Hopefully he follows it.


Would you call Worilds an upgrade over Harrison or a downgrade? I'd be inclined to state the latter.

Downgrade of course. But it's still not a given Harrison wont be back. He probably wont be, but word has it he hasn't seen an offer even close to what he turned down from the Steelers when he left. So if the Steelers final offer is still on the table and Harrison isn't too pridefull to come back there may be a chance we'll get an encore performance from 92? :pray:


We know little-to-nothing about Cortez Allen.

We actually know a lot more about Cortez than we knew about Keenan Lewis this time a year ago. According to Profootballfocus Allen was the best nickel back in the NFL last year. And anyone who went to Latrobe last year and watched multiple practices would tell you that it was neck and neck between lewis and Allen as to who would win the starting LCB position. With the deciding factor being expererience. At every point of the their first two NFL seasons Allen has been ahead of Lewis in comaritive quality of play as to relative NFL experience. It would be a major shock to the Steelers organization if Allen isn't at least as good as Lewis was last year.


These are the things I'm considering when I anticipate an off-year for us.

Fair enough. We'll just have to wait and see. Long way to go before we kick off the 2013 season. I have faith the quality of the product will be strong enough to compete for the AFC North title, with the one caveat being we get a relativley healthy and full season from Big Ben.

[zulater]

trust me I am not " doom and gloom" ing this to death ... but I feel there are a lot of unanswered question and I see a steady downgrade in talent team wide over the past 3-4 years or so ....

Cortez Allen IMO is an upgrade so no issue there at all ( wanted him as the starter in 2012 and am on record on the old board saying that ) feel free to have a look :)

but where is our young backups at S ?
same at ILB ?
same at OLB ?
same at QB ?
same at WR ?
same RB ?
hell where is the starting RB ?

we are slowly but surely becoming devoid of talent , we NEED a super solid draft where 6 or 7 guys not only make the team but make a contribution to the team those sort of drafts do not come along very often in todays NFL with 32 teams looking for players and the internet and cable TV making it possible to see every game every week and you do not physically have to attend to see the kids play like you did for the most part back in the day ... every team has the capability ...

we need a bigger and more talented scouting department ...

it makes it tough to sit and watch your favorite team draft guys you yourself as a fan knows beyond a shadow of a doubt does not have the skills needed to play at the NFL level get drafted in the 3rd and 4th round while guys who could start for that same team are left on the board ... and it happens almost every year ( I still hear the words echo in my head Matt Spaeth can stretch the field .... ) when Scott Chandler , Brent Celek and Kevin Boss where still on the board ......

Quality depth is an issue with this team, but how many teams isn't that true of?

Who knows maybe we get one more great year out of Troy? Maybe Woodley comes back to early 2011 form? Still possible Harrison could come back? None of these things are far fetched. Yet even with Troy missing the majority of last season, Woodley being a stiff, and Harrison missing some early playing time, the defense was still one of the NFL's best.

There going to add another back to the equation and who knows with receiver? Don't even discout the possibilty they draft a tight end in the foirst two rounds of the draft?

In other words it's too early to write the obit just yet. Come June things could be looking a lot better.

[NJarhead]

In the five games where the o-line was healthiest last season the team ran for 644 yards on 144 attempts for a very respectable 4.47 ypc. Mendenhall accounted for only 68 yards of this total, so this shows that with the line functioning at a competent level Dwyer and Redman can be productive. Now of course i expect the Steelers to add a quality player or two to the backfield through the draft or through free agency.



Don't forget Woodley was dominating as recently as the first 9 games of the 2011 season. He hasn't been the same since blowing out his hammy against the Patriots.

But to your question as to what Woodley? Hard to say? Ike Taylor's workout gurus supposedly devised an offseason workout program that would focus on Woodley's hamstring area. Hopefully he follows it.



Downgrade of course. But it's still not a given Harrison wont be back. He probably wont be, but word has it he hasn't seen an offer even close to what he turned down from the Steelers when he left. So if the Steelers final offer is still on the table and Harrison isn't too pridefull to come back there may be a chance we'll get an encore performance from 92? :pray:



We actually know a lot more about Cortez than we knew about Keenan Lewis this time a year ago. According to Profootballfocus Allen was the best nickel back in the NFL last year. And anyone who went to Latrobe last year and watched multiple practices would tell you that it was neck and neck between lewis and Allen as to who would win the starting LCB position. With the deciding factor being expererience. At every point of the their first two NFL seasons Allen has been ahead of Lewis in comaritive quality of play as to relative NFL experience. It would be a major shock to the Steelers organization if Allen isn't at least as good as Lewis was last year.



Fair enough. We'll just have to wait and see. Long way to go before we kick off the 2013 season. I have faith the quality of the product will be strong enough to compete for the AFC North title, with the one caveat being we get a relativley healthy and full season from Big Ben.

That's all I'm saying. There are seemingly a lot more "ifs" involved this time around than in the recent past as it relates to any predictions to our success. I'm not ready to claim the AFCN title for our beloved Steelers just yet.

[Dwinsgames]

That's all I'm saying. There are seemingly a lot more "ifs" involved this time around than in the recent past as it relates to any predictions to our success. I'm not ready to claim the AFCN title for our beloved Steelers just yet.


IF....

The biggest little word in the English language .....


I am with you , and normally that is not the case , at this time of the year I know we do little in FA signing period and I am fine with that so it has little bearing on how I am feeling ....

normally I am pumped up for the draft and ready to rock n roll to a division crown ... this year I have my doubts and can see us finishing 3rd and maybe even fourth in the division ....

I think the Browns will be much improved ,The Bengals will be better as well ....

I see the Steelers and Ravens not being as good from a talent perspective ....

if the Browns improve a couple games , and we get 1 game worse or stay the same ( same with the Ravens ) the Bengals could win the division and it be a 3 way battle for 2nd place ... and the difference in 2nd and 4th may only be 1 game ... the balance of power may be here

we still have some options ( lets hope Spaeth fails the physical for starters )

maybe we get lucky and Land Bradshaw , maybe we get lucky and Harrison returns at a lesser contract number ... maybe we have a good draft ... lots of maybe's ..... but it could happen .. I just will not hold my breath in waiting

[NJarhead]

IF....

The biggest little word in the English language .....


I am with you , and normally that is not the case , at this time of the year I know we do little in FA signing period and I am fine with that so it has little bearing on how I am feeling ....

normally I am pumped up for the draft and ready to rock n roll to a division crown ... this year I have my doubts and can see us finishing 3rd and maybe even fourth in the division ....

I think the Browns will be much improved ,The Bengals will be better as well ....

I see the Steelers and Ravens not being as good from a talent perspective ....

if the Browns improve a couple games , and we get 1 game worse or stay the same ( same with the Ravens ) the Bengals could win the division and it be a 3 way battle for 2nd place ... and the difference in 2nd and 4th may only be 1 game ... the balance of power may be here

we still have some options ( lets hope Spaeth fails the physical for starters )

maybe we get lucky and Land Bradshaw , maybe we get lucky and Harrison returns at a lesser contract number ... maybe we have a good draft ... lots of maybe's ..... but it could happen .. I just will not hold my breath in waiting
Don't get me wrong. I LOVE Bradshaw and being in NJ I got to see a lot of him. What I didn't like was his fumbling problem (19 times in 921 career carries: Average of about one fumble every other game). They also seemed to be at the most inopportune times. What was equally alarming to me is, his coach was able to solve that same issue for Tiki Barber. Why not him? I know Coughlin loved him though and called him a very hard worker.

I'd welcome him if he joined us.But won't be heart broken if he doesn't.

Personally, I like that we lay low in FA. It seems to be a proven method (building through the draft). I do think we've let potential contributers walk away over the years and questioned why, but I don't know that the $$ was not the sole reason. This year for example, I thought we'd sign Victor Butler and was shocked when we didn't.

[zulater]

That's all I'm saying. There are seemingly a lot more "ifs" involved this time around than in the recent past as it relates to any predictions to our success. I'm not ready to claim the AFCN title for our beloved Steelers just yet.

I never said i was ready to claim it. I'm just not ready to concede it.

[slashsteel]

I haven't seen enough of free agency and the draft to zero in on. But that withstanding, injuries will play a significant role once again on how the season ends. Healthy at the right time, and I like the Steelers chances with the best of em.

[NJarhead]

I never said i was ready to claim it. I'm just not ready to concede it.


lol. Ravens are the defending AFCN Champs, not us.

I think we can agree that right now we're in post-season purgatory.

[zulater]

lol. Ravens are the defending AFCN Champs, not us.

I think we can agree that right now we're in post-season purgatory.

Defending champ means nothing unless it's boxing. Every year it's a clean slate. And the 2013 AFC North title is no more ( or less) the Ravens than it is ours. Again at this point I concede nothing. The story of the 2013 season has yet to be written.

[NJarhead]

Defending champ means nothing unless it's boxing. Every year it's a clean slate. And the 2013 AFC North title is no more ( or less) the Ravens than it is ours. Again at this point I concede nothing. The story of the 2013 season has yet to be written.

I agree about 2013, but the fact is, we were 3rd in our division in 2012. Down from 2nd in the division in 2011. Down from first in 2010. I agree about not conceding anything, but I'd get used to hearing "reigning champs" or "defending champs" a lot when the Ravens are discussed. It was the same with us a few short years ago.

Anyway, I'm not interested in splitting hairs. My views are based on what little is presently fact and as you put it, "the story of 2013 has yet to be written."

[dislocatedday]

....We actually know a lot more about Cortez than we knew about Keenan Lewis this time a year ago. According to Profootballfocus Allen was the best nickel back in the NFL last year. And anyone who went to Latrobe last year and watched multiple practices would tell you that it was neck and neck between lewis and Allen as to who would win the starting LCB position. With the deciding factor being expererience. At every point of the their first two NFL seasons Allen has been ahead of Lewis in comaritive quality of play as to relative NFL experience. It would be a major shock to the Steelers organization if Allen isn't at least as good as Lewis was last year.


I've thought since the end of last season that Cortez could potentially become a star at CB (not just a competent player). Coupled with that, I've also thought that if the Steelers were very comfortable with where he is as a player currently, it would likely play a significant role in whether the Steelers make a strong push to keep Keenan Lewis. I'm not saying this is why they did not make an all out effort to retain Keenan, but I'm sure it played into it. I think perhaps the Steelers long-term want to make Cortez their #1 CB and don't want to pay big $$ to Keenan now and then pay even more big $$ to Cortez in a year or two. I also think Ike can be productive for at least two more years. The guy stays in tremendous shape year after year and almost seems ageless.

I'll make my bold prediction now.....Cortez ends up in the pro bowl within the next 3 years. I've also read he is working out with Ike and his trainer this offseason ,which can only be good news.

[Craic]

I agree about 2013, but the fact is, we were 3rd in our division in 2012. Down from 2nd in the division in 2011. Down from first in 2010. I agree about not conceding anything, but I'd get used to hearing "reigning champs" or "defending champs" a lot when the Ravens are discussed. It was the same with us a few short years ago.

Anyway, I'm not interested in splitting hairs. My views are based on what little is presently fact and as you put it, "the story of 2013 has yet to be written."

Actually, no, it wasn't. Funny how we think that we always win the AFCN. Let's look at the last ten years:

2012, 3rd place
2011, 2nd place
2010, 1st place
2009, 3rd place
2008, 1st place
2007, 1st place
2006, 3rd place
2005, 2nd place
2004, 1st place
2003, 3rd place

So, first place 4 times, second place 2 times, and third place, 4 times. And let's look at the patterns. first, second, third from 04-06, first, first, third, from 07-09, first, second, third from 10-12. We can go back another three years and see another set - where it'd be 1st, 1st, 3rd, then 1st, 2nd, 3rd, then 1st, 1st, 3rd, then 1st, 2nd, 3rd.

So why should we be any more ready to hear "Reigning champs" concerning the Ravens than over any other time in the last ten (or even twelve) years? Makes no sense to me.

[NJarhead]

Actually, no, it wasn't. Funny how we think that we always win the AFCN. Let's look at the last ten years:

2012, 3rd place
2011, 2nd place
2010, 1st place
2009, 3rd place
2008, 1st place
2007, 1st place
2006, 3rd place
2005, 2nd place
2004, 1st place
2003, 3rd place

So, first place 4 times, second place 2 times, and third place, 4 times. And let's look at the patterns. first, second, third from 04-06, first, first, third, from 07-09, first, second, third from 10-12. We can go back another three years and see another set - where it'd be 1st, 1st, 3rd, then 1st, 2nd, 3rd, then 1st, 1st, 3rd, then 1st, 2nd, 3rd.

So why should we be any more ready to hear "Reigning champs" concerning the Ravens than over any other time in the last ten (or even twelve) years? Makes no sense to me.


Preach, did you comprehend what I wrote? Because your list states exactly what I stated.