Burke Not Impressed With Steelers Offseason

[stillers4me]

If you have not read Chris Burke’s 2012 offseason grades in the “Audibles” section of CNNSI.com, do yourselves a favor and look them over “Steeler Nation.” Why you may ask? Take a look at the grade Burke gave to the Steelers and his “explanation” below:

"Some good fortune in the Draft helped Pittsburgh land two potential OL starters (Mike Adams, David DeCastro) plus a DL contributor (Alameda Ta’amu). Still, the Steelers lost a ton this offseason, mainly due to cap issues. Replacing Hines Ward, James Farrior and other long-time vets will be just as hard in the locker room as on the field. The Mike Wallace situation also could be a massive distraction this year."
Grade: C

Normally I understand how members of the media “pop-off” and say controversial things to gain more readers and stir the proverbial pot (cough*Warren Sapp*cough). Yet in Burke’s case, I believe I need to put my “Two Cents” in and wonder aloud about his offseason grades. So ready yourselves NPC readers, because today I would like discuss my issues with the “C” offseason grade given by Burke to the Steelers and why............

Read more @ http://nicepickcowher.com/2012/07/21...ed-with-grade/

[GBMelBlount]

Nice knee jerk analysis by Burke.

Yes, we lost some great players who were in the twilight of their careers but I think we will see a net improvement of starting talent over a team that was 12-4 last year.

[Michael]

The hard fact is that every vet player that is no longer playing for the Steelers this year HAD TO BE LET GO. PERIOD. The team on the field will be improved by their replacements. These so call media experts know less about the Steelers then most of evry one of us members of S. U. Your better off paying attention to your fellow Steeler fan's opinion. This years team will be considerably quicker and more athletic over all. I hate to admit it, Sapp was not entirely wrong the team was "slowing" down. Certainly Ward and Farrior were and A Smith was injured much of the time.

Now the issue of leadership remains to be seen. Ben , Taylor , Clark, Miller, Pouncey, Antonio Brown must and I think will step up. I loved their off season. Wallace signs this week and the script could not have been written any better . Once camp starts we don"t have to spend time reading the so called pundits. Reality is in place and it will be a great reality.

Our biggest problem is the Czar Goodell who may outlaw Black Uniforms as the color black causes stress and night mares for opponets and is a real safety. issue.

[Edman]

In 2007, It was going to be a rough transition year.

In 2008, they couldn't overcome a difficult schedule.

In 2010, the Steelers couldn't win without Ben.

In 2011, the Steelers were too old.

Now, the Steelers lost all our veterans and Todd Haley & Ben R are going to tear up the locker room.

The Steelers may experience some offensive growing pains under Haley but I can say with full confidence that this is a team that will contend not only this year, but years down the road. As they always have, they have prepared themselves well for the future with these last three drafts.

[salamander]

In 2007, It was going to be a rough transition year.

In 2008, they couldn't overcome a difficult schedule.

In 2010, the Steelers couldn't win without Ben.

In 2011, the Steelers were too old.

Now, the Steelers lost all our veterans and Todd Haley & Ben R are going to tear up the locker room.

The Steelers may experience some offensive growing pains under Haley but I can say with full confidence that this is a team that will contend not only this year, but years down the road. As they always have, they have prepared themselves well for the future with these last three drafts.

And to add on what you said...

2007 - Made it to the playoffs with the first new head coach in 15 years.

2008 - Won the Super Bowl.

2010 - Made it back to the Super Bowl for the 2nd time in 3 years.

2011 - Went 12-4 and made it back to the playoffs after an 8-8 record the year before.

I definitely have to agree with what you said. The pieces are definitely there for another championship run.

[The Duke]

In 2007, It was going to be a rough transition year.

In 2008, they couldn't overcome a difficult schedule.

In 2010, the Steelers couldn't win without Ben.

In 2011, the Steelers were too old.

Now, the Steelers lost all our veterans and Todd Haley & Ben R are going to tear up the locker room.

The Steelers may experience some offensive growing pains under Haley but I can say with full confidence that this is a team that will contend not only this year, but years down the road. As they always have, they have prepared themselves well for the future with these last three drafts.

funny how 2009 was the only year the media was praising us, and it was an awful season

[st33lersguy]

He overestimated the impact of losing Hines Ward. Yes he is a legend, but the Steelers had 2 1,000 yard receivers, and none of them were named Ward. Plus, they seem to have plenty of capable replacements for Farrior

[bayz101]

Okay, over-emphasize the loss of Farrior and Ward, but completely forget that, Timmons is on our defense, and we had TWO 1,000 yard receivers: Ward wasn't one of them. On top of all of that, basically say our A+ draft didn't count because we we're lucky. Really? I smell a Baltimore fan.

[Edman]

funny how 2009 was the only year the media was praising us, and it was an awful season

Not awful, just disappointing. Though awful by our standards, 9-7 wasn't bad.

6-10 in 2003? The late 90's? Years of 1985-1988? Those were awful.

[polamalubeast]

funny how 2009 was the only year the media was praising us, and it was an awful season

I always believe that if the Steelers were in playoff in 2009, they would have been very dangerous, as they won their last three games, including a victory against the Ravens and Packers. It was a frustrating season, since they have lost five games by three points or less and seven games by seven points or less


And 9-7, it is the same record that the last super bowl champions!

[smokin3000gt]

Well for the record, I'm not impressed with Burke! Put that in your pipe and smoke it, Burke!!

[steelerdude15]

There's always someone who is never happy. Whatever, they'll just have to prove him wrong.

[fansince'76]

[steelreserve]

Hey, I'm not impressed with Burke's ability to blow me, but he can do it anyway.

Seems there are two kinds of sportswriters covering this: The ones who at least kind of paid attention to the team last year, and the ones who didn't. The former kind were aware that most of the long-time vets that we "lost" weren't playing very much anyway. I wouldn't have called any of them more than a role player last season. Hoke was the only one we "lost," and that might have been the biggest blow of all.

[tube517]

Who the fuck is Chris Burke? And this doesn't even register on FS 76's Give a fuck O meter.

[X-Terminator]

I can say with a degree of certainty that I don't give a tuppeny fuck about Chris Burke or his "opinion."