You are the weakest link: OFFENSE

[Born2Steel]

Who is this offense's weakest projected starter? As a group TEs are probably our weakest position, but is Jesse James our weakest offensive starter? Maybe it's someone from our starting Oline? Slot receiver is a good discussion, some have Rogers, others would start JuJu. If your weakest starter is Bell, I would love to read that explanation.

Thoughts......

[polamalubeast]

No doubt, this is the TE position.

As long as James or others will not have 10 yards per catch or more, it will be a weakness.

[st33lersguy]

Easily it's James by a mile. He just isn't productive. He's better served as a no. 2 TE. Every other offensive position is strong

[Born2Steel]

I see James as a weak link too. Is he a weaker starter though than Rogers/JuJu in the slot? I think our slot guys get help from AB, and will get more from Bryant, being on the field. Has James improved as a blocker and/or pass catcher? As a starter, i would rather lose one of Rogers/JuJu than James. That may speak more to the position group as a whole, rather than the one player though.

[BurghBoy412]

Ben. He must play better on the road

[steelreserve]

TE and it's not even close. Every other position has one or more All-Pro level players. I worry a bit about backup RB, but we're not talking about backups unless the starter gets hurt.

[Born2Steel]

Ben. He must play better on the road

I wondered if I would see Ben's name in this thread. With weapons like the Steelers have right now, it could very well come down to QB play and Ben's decision making. However, I see Ben as the catalyst for the entire team's performance. Therefore, he has to be our strongest link. And I think he has been that over his career. I can't see why that won't continue this season.

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TE and it's not even close. Every other position has one or more All-Pro level players. I worry a bit about backup RB, but we're not talking about backups unless the starter gets hurt.

When has the starting RB not missed playing time? Maybe not a weak link from the standpoint of ability, but what about availability? Could also look at it the same way and say Bryant is a weak link? The TE position as a group is definitely weakest. What if...news out of TC, James and Rogers lost for the season. Which loss means more?

[BurghBoy412]

I wondered if I would see Ben's name in this thread. With weapons like the Steelers have right now, it could very well come down to QB play and Ben's decision making. However, I see Ben as the catalyst for the entire team's performance. Therefore, he has to be our strongest link. And I think he has been that over his career. I can't see why that won't continue this season.
I wanted to go with something different. I didn't want to bash a young unproven TE group. I'd have to say they're unproven not a weak link. I could say 12 game LeVeon. This guy has a knack for disappearing at the wrong time. But then you also have to wonder where the team would be without him all together. So I suppose I'd rather have him for 12 games a year and a game and a half in the playoffs than not have him at all.

[polamalubeast]

Surprised that no one has said Todd Haley right now!

[BurghBoy412]

Surprised that no one has said Todd Haley right now!
Fire Tomlin!

[Born2Steel]

I wanted to go with something different. I didn't want to bash a young unproven TE group. I'd have to say they're unproven not a weak link. I could say 12 game LeVeon. This guy has a knack for disappearing at the wrong time. But then you also have to wonder where the team would be without him all together. So I suppose I'd rather have him for 12 games a year and a game and a half in the playoffs than not have him at all.

Agreed. Without Bell probably no playoffs, without James, I don't see how our playoff chances change much. But hoping James makes a much bigger impact this season.

[BurghBoy412]

Agreed. Without Bell probably no playoffs, without James, I don't see how our playoff chances change much. But hoping James makes a much bigger impact this season.
James is just 23 and entering his 3rd season. I'm really excited to continue watching his progression. I believe he has all the pieces to make a few pro bowls before he's done.

[Dwinsgames]

Its the Outlaw Jesse James so I will agree with the majority here , that being said when a player as good as James is ( not that he is great but he is a decent player ) is considered the weakest link its a good problem to have

[Steeldude]

James.

[Psycho Ward 86]

Jesse James yards per catch is horrid, much of it being a result of him taking so long to secure the ball and move upfield after catching it. His 3rd down catch rate is shit (4 for 12 targets), and half of those receptions on 3rd down didnt even move the chains. And he had something like 2 explosive plays in around 1000 snaps? Gotta look for the steelers depot article on that one. i think he'll be able to fix his problems to a degree but i think any breakout season will be more a result of him being a tertiary level weapon among our arsenal if anything.

Never did understand the disproportionate disappointment with Rogers on this board and the optimism with James. Rogers put up bigger numbers than Antonio Brown and Manny Sanders COMBINED across the board as a rookie. But somehow steeler fans were excited about those 2 and not Rogers.

[polamalubeast]

I have much more confidence in Rogers than in James.

[ALLD]

NFL marijuana rules.

[teegre]

NFL marijuana rules.

:applaudit:

Really though, that is indeed the biggest hurdle for this offense.

[86WARD]

WR. There's no proven/dependable depth beyond AB. He goes down and the team is crippled. Jesse James hasn't been the weakest link...he gets shit on because he's an easy target but his play hasn't been the weakest link in the offense.

[Steeldude]

WR. There's no proven/dependable depth beyond AB. He goes down and the team is crippled. Jesse James hasn't been the weakest link...he gets shit on because he's an easy target but his play hasn't been the weakest link in the offense.

I like James, but out of all the starters on offense I would say he is the weakest.

[BurghBoy412]

:applaudit:

Really though, that is indeed the biggest hurdle for this offense.
There will come a day when it will be shocking that players where suspended for marijuana use. I wonder how many careers will needlessly be affected by this archaic rule.

[Hawkman]

Camp can't get here soon enough. Just because you can start a thread............

[DesertSteel]

Road Ben

[tube517]

Surprised that no one has said Todd Haley right now!

No Sproles/Spindenfall or Joe Thomas. The whole offense sux!! :chuckle:

[Mojouw]

Away games?

[Steel Peon]

I was trying really hard to not sound like a broken record, but I can't help it, so whoever's occupied the #2 WR position since Hines Ward retired has been our weakest link, consistently.

[Godfather]

:applaudit:

Really though, that is indeed the biggest hurdle for this offense.

That would make Leveon/Martavis the weakest links. Those boneheads can't even stay on the field because they come up dirty on a drug test they know is coming.

[Craic]

There will come a day when it will be shocking that players where suspended for marijuana use. I wonder how many careers will needlessly be affected by this archaic rule.
Not enough. I hope the rule stays. After all, marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, which trump all state level laws. Of course, using archaic is pretty strange seeing as almost half the states still have laws against all marijuana use and only eight states have legalized it across the board.

Perhaps, you meant something more along the lines of "This passe rule." I'd still argue it, but . . .

And, getting this post back on track . . . until Bell and Bryant can stay sober, I'm in complete agreement they're the weakest links. Sure, they're great on the field. But they can't contribute when they're sitting at home.

[BurghBoy412]

Not enough. I hope the rule stays. After all, marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, which trump all state level laws. Of course, using archaic is pretty strange seeing as almost half the states still have laws against all marijuana use and only eight states have legalized it across the board.

Perhaps, you meant something more along the lines of "This passe rule." I'd still argue it, but . . .

And, getting this post back on track . . . until Bell and Bryant can stay sober, I'm in complete agreement they're the weakest links. Sure, they're great on the field. But they can't contribute when they're sitting at home.
I suppose by stating " not enough". You're implying the hopes for more punishment against users of marijuana? Why would you hope for people to be punished for using a substance that has been scientifically proven safer than alcohol?

Archaic- adj. Very old or old fashioned. Synonym : Obsolete
I said archaic because the rule/law is archaic.

[Six Rings]

I was trying really hard to not sound like a broken record, but I can't help it, so whoever's occupied the #2 WR position since Hines Ward retired has been our weakest link, consistently.

Not when Bryant is on the field.

The loss of Heath Miller still looms....James is our weakest starter.

[st33lersguy]

No Sproles/Spindenfall or Joe Thomas. The whole offense sux!! :chuckle:

Espeshully when they use Roosevelt Nix and David Johnson

[BlackAndGold]

Jesse James. But with the weapons around him, he's fine. Wish Green stayed healthy.

Already been mentioned, road Ben is a big weak link. He needs to figure out that issue.

[Steel Peon]

Not when Bryant is on the field.

I agree that Martavis has been our best #2 WR since Santonio Holmes (who also liked the reefer), but that position has been a sore spot for me for quite some time, and unless Bryant can make it onto the field and make a difference, then he'll be proving me right, even though I'll be happy as hell if I end up wrong.

[BurghBoy412]

I agree that Martavis has been our best #2 WR since Santonio Holmes (who also liked the reefer), but that position has been a sore spot for me for quite some time, and unless Bryant can make it onto the field and make a difference, then he'll be proving me right, even though I'll be happy as hell if I end up wrong.
Speaking of number 2's. I'm really glad the Markus Wheaton experiment is over. I suspect the organization has grown tired of inconsistent play at the position as well. Spending a 2nd round pick on JuJu gave them insurance in the case MB can't keep it together. You move JuJu out of the slot to #2 and let Eli start in the slot. If AB goes down somehow you can start JuJu , MB , and Eli. A lot of people questioned the early round selection but it makes a whole lot of sense.

[Born2Steel]

Speaking of number 2's. I'm really glad the Markus Wheaton experiment is over. I suspect the organization has grown tired of inconsistent play at the position as well. Spending a 2nd round pick on JuJu gave them insurance in the case MB can't keep it together. You move JuJu out of the slot to #2 and let Eli start in the slot. If AB goes down somehow you can start JuJu , MB , and Eli. A lot of people questioned the early round selection but it makes a whole lot of sense.

This draft class was full of WR talent. I'm hoping they saw more than slot or #2 backup with JuJu. A 2nd round playmaker needs to impress. As of right now, I would put JuJu behind Eli on the depth chart. I'm willing to give him a year to catch up though.

[BurghBoy412]

This draft class was full of WR talent. I'm hoping they saw more than slot or #2 backup with JuJu. A 2nd round playmaker needs to impress. As of right now, I would put JuJu behind Eli on the depth chart. I'm willing to give him a year to catch up though.
I'm sure they did see more. I was speaking for this season. I believe MB will be gone after his contract is up and JuJu will take his spot.

[Craic]

a substance that has been scientifically proven safer than alcohol?
:doh:

Not even worth it.

And when the current federal law and all but a few state laws ban it for anything but medical, an NFL policy that follows federal law is, by definition, no obsolete or old fashioned. It's contemporary to current law. But, enough of the thread derail.
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/derail
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I read Jesse James in a post below. I was pretty down on him because of his blocking, but supposedly the coaches are seeing some good things in him starting last year when it comes to that. I can only hope they're right.

[Born2Steel]

I'm sure they did see more. I was speaking for this season. I believe MB will be gone after his contract is up and JuJu will take his spot.

I agree Bryant has some things to set right. I doubt he gets a second contract too, but he could pull it off. Our depth at the 'Z' spot looks like Bryant, Coates, Hunter/DHB. Unless they decide to put JuJu behind AB, Hunter backing up Rogers, and Coates splitting with Bryant for 2017. Camp needs to start. I was thinking JuJu was replacing Wheaton at slot, but for now, I would put Rogers there. Which kind of makes JuJu a disappointing pick at 2. Guess time will tell what the plan is.

[Dwinsgames]

I agree Bryant has some things to set right. I doubt he gets a second contract too, but he could pull it off. Our depth at the 'Z' spot looks like Bryant, Coates, Hunter/DHB. Unless they decide to put JuJu behind AB, Hunter backing up Rogers, and Coates splitting with Bryant for 2017. Camp needs to start. I was thinking JuJu was replacing Wheaton at slot, but for now, I would put Rogers there. Which kind of makes JuJu a disappointing pick at 2. Guess time will tell what the plan is.


I posted in another thread way back around the draft I suspected JuJu would see slot duty and be an insurance policy for Bryant .... since have read a few places he will be working mainly from the slot early on and see how he progresses ...

as a former Rugby player he no question has the toughness to play the slot and would make us very dangerous if he can do both and be in the 4 wide groupings .. as a side note with the absence of Green I suspect we will run more 4 wide sets considering the depth we have at WR .... put your best 11 on the field as often as possible and force them to stop you