Its Over. 2019 silver lining playbook.

[Iron Steeler]

As I type this the Titans just scored again to make it 35-14 and we are down 10-19 against the Ravens with 4:50 to go.

I love this team, they never quit! And that creates culture. Our young players who just got thrusted into starting roles now have in game experience.

1. We get a better draft pick in the 2nd round, still alot of talent fall there.
2. Ben is back next year.
3. Our Defense is elite! Ben if healthy can take a more of game manager role.
4. Patriots loss today, makes them lose bye week and home field advantage. Titans will put up a better fight than us.

It's officially draft prospect season. I say we pray a stud RB falls to us.

[Edman]

Ben wasn't exactly setting the world on fire when he was in there, and even before, there were some big time flaws on Offense that he covered with his warts with Antonio Brown, and he can't cover them all.

With him returning from an arm injury and Randy Fichtner still at Offensive Coordinator, I do not expect much improvement on Offense in 2020. Slightly better, but not good. Our skill players are meh. James Conner is not good, and Juju is mediocre at best, and the Offensive Line has fallen off a cliff.

If the Steelers had a somewhat competent OC, then I could see much better results. Its going to take a big time intervention on the team and coaching staff of this team is going to return to the playoffs.

At least they have a Defense, which will give them a shot.

[Neversatisfied]

Its a hell of a thing. 2 short years ago the Steelers had a thrilling offense with the killer B's and now this team can't find the ability to sustain drives. All of the talk of how great of a job the Steelers have done with their limited offense.
The Steelers organization had known for quite some time Brown was unhappy and was as good as gone. The Bell situation was a ticking time bomb since the Steelers first used the franchise tag on him. They allowed the best TE they have had since Heath Miller (James) sign with Detroit. The Steelers did an especially poor job finding a competent backup for an often injured 38 year old Ben. The offensive woes were written on the wall for far more that the last 12 months.

[steelreserve]

Well, we found out what our QB-of-the-future prospects were really like this year, instead of after Ben retired and then we're stuck with garbage. So I guess the early warning is a good thing. Boy, I don't know if I've ever seen an offense suck so bad, though.

You could say the same thing about our RBs - a lot of ok players but no one who is a real game-changer. I am disappointed that Samuels basically turned into Mewelde Moore.

On defense, obviously getting Fitzpatrick changed everything, and Watt has turned into a guy nobody can deal with no matter what they do. We are well set up for next year.

I still think re-signing Dupree is a trap, though. Which is exactly why we'll do it, and then before the 2020 season even starts - what do you know, 4-game PED suspension, uh-oh. Calling it now.

[Iron Steeler]

Ben wasn't exactly setting the world on fire when he was in there, and even before, there were some big time flaws on Offense that he covered with his warts with Antonio Brown, and he can't cover them all.

With him returning from an arm injury and Randy Fichtner still at Offensive Coordinator, I do not expect much improvement on Offense in 2020. Slightly better, but not good. Our skill players are meh. James Conner is not good, and Juju is mediocre at best, and the Offensive Line has fallen off a cliff.

If the Steelers had a somewhat competent OC, then I could see much better results. Its going to take a big time intervention on the team and coaching staff of this team is going to return to the playoffs.

At least they have a Defense, which will give them a shot.

well like i mentioned with this defense Ben wont have to set the world on fire. The biggest thing we really missed this year is a QB that can change the play at the line.Bens ability to recognize coverages and ability to quickly adjust the team correctly at the line is a huge asset. Its almost having a coach on the field, fictner wont have to do much.

[pczach]

Its a hell of a thing. 2 short years ago the Steelers had a thrilling offense with the killer B's and now this team can't find the ability to sustain drives. All of the talk of how great of a job the Steelers have done with their limited offense.
The Steelers organization had known for quite some time Brown was unhappy and was as good as gone. The Bell situation was a ticking time bomb since the Steelers first used the franchise tag on him. They allowed the best TE they have had since Heath Miller (James) sign with Detroit. The Steelers did an especially poor job finding a competent backup for an often injured 38 year old Ben. The offensive woes were written on the wall for far more that the last 12 months.

What were they supposed to do? Trade Antonio Brown and then listen to people like you bitch and moan about it and call the entire organization idiots for letting him go?

That's exactly what would happen. You would be in the game day threads bitching about the entire team, including the offense.....and now in hindsight, you want to go back to those days?

Or better yet, you think they should have traded AB? Or you think they should have traded Bell? So you could accuse everyone of being clueless and giving away all the talent?

Are you serious?

Hindsight.....If only we lived in that reality where everyone knows what happens before it actually does.

[Craic]

Well, we found out what our QB-of-the-future prospects were really like this year, instead of after Ben retired and then we're stuck with garbage. So I guess the early warning is a good thing. Boy, I don't know if I've ever seen an offense suck so bad, though.

You could say the same thing about our RBs - a lot of ok players but no one who is a real game-changer. I am disappointed that Samuels basically turned into Mewelde Moore.

On defense, obviously getting Fitzpatrick changed everything, and Watt has turned into a guy nobody can deal with no matter what they do. We are well set up for next year.

I still think re-signing Dupree is a trap, though. Which is exactly why we'll do it, and then before the 2020 season even starts - what do you know, 4-game PED suspension, uh-oh. Calling it now.

Most of his improvement was said to be because of film study and hard work off the field. So, it wouldn't be PEDs. I'd go with a suspension for amphetamines.

[dislocatedday]

Well, we found out what our QB-of-the-future prospects were really like this year, instead of after Ben retired and then we're stuck with garbage. So I guess the early warning is a good thing. Boy, I don't know if I've ever seen an offense suck so bad, though.

You could say the same thing about our RBs - a lot of ok players but no one who is a real game-changer. I am disappointed that Samuels basically turned into Mewelde Moore.

On defense, obviously getting Fitzpatrick changed everything, and Watt has turned into a guy nobody can deal with no matter what they do. We are well set up for next year.

I still think re-signing Dupree is a trap, though. Which is exactly why we'll do it, and then before the 2020 season even starts - what do you know, 4-game PED suspension, uh-oh. Calling it now.

I think some team is going to throw big $$$ at Dupree, and I believe the Steelers will let him walk. I think Hargrave is the guy they will keep and re-sign on defense.

The offense as you noted was absolutely horrendous this season......possibly the worst I have seen from a Steelers team in my lifetime. While I watched the team in the later half of the 80s, and they were not good, I don't remember them being this inept.......but perhaps they were.

As a Steelers fan, I think we have to really hope that Ben comes back strong first and foremost. I'm going to assume he does, so from there, the draft and offseason needs to focus on improving the offense across the board as much as possible as well as finding someone to replace Dupree (again...I am assuming he leaves for bigger $$$ elsewhere). This team needs more talent at all position groups on the offensive side.

[Neversatisfied]

What were they supposed to do? Trade Antonio Brown and then listen to people like you bitch and moan about it and call the entire organization idiots for letting him go?

That's exactly what would happen. You would be in the game day threads bitching about the entire team, including the offense.....and now in hindsight, you want to go back to those days?

Or better yet, you think they should have traded AB? Or you think they should have traded Bell? So you could accuse everyone of being clueless and giving away all the talent?

Are you serious?

Hindsight.....If only we lived in that reality where everyone knows what happens before it actually does.

What were they supposed to do? How about more effort replacing the #1 WR and #1 RB with something more than just mid grade draft picks? What did they expect?

[steelreserve]

Most of his improvement was said to be because of film study and hard work off the field. So, it wouldn't be PEDs. I'd go with a suspension for amphetamines.

Really? I thought all the coaches were saying publicly that it was drugs. It would be really strange if they chalked it up to something benign like good old-fashioned hard work and dedication.

[Steeldude]

What were they supposed to do? How about more effort replacing the #1 WR and #1 RB with something more than just mid grade draft picks? What did they expect?

Running game starts with the O-line. Need a OL coach.

[Hawkman]

What were they supposed to do? How about more effort replacing the #1 WR and #1 RB with something more than just mid grade draft picks? What did they expect?

Right!! With everyone here screaming to fill the holes at LBs and the secondary. You can’t do it all. And gee....what round was AB picked in?

[Craic]

Really? I thought all the coaches were saying publicly that it was drugs. It would be really strange if they chalked it up to something benign like good old-fashioned hard work and dedication.

it goes further than that. TJ was discussing how they've started doing film-study together. Also, he looks neither stronger nor faster than normal. What did change was his arc into the backfield, his anticipation, and so on. That's all indicative of study rather than PEDs. I'm not going to say it couldn't be that. Perhaps he always saw those things and just needed a little boost to get there. But, when looking at all the factors for PEDs (size, speed, and so on), it just doesn't match. I'd be more willing to bet on HGH to help heal and stay healed than PEDs.

[pczach]

What were they supposed to do? How about more effort replacing the #1 WR and #1 RB with something more than just mid grade draft picks? What did they expect?

Why didn't you tell all of us that you knew AB was going to go crazy and Bell was going to hold out the entire season. You should have called the team to let them know about all the things only you know.

You do know there's a salary cap....right?

[Rotorhead]

Wow, people are upset after this season? I am thrilled! We went 8-8 with an undrafted rookie QB and a backup playing his first snaps this season. We lost our #1 WR and our #1 RB for most of the season. We had 2 other WRs turn into players (imagine them with a good QB). We watched our defense turn into one of (if not the) best defenses in the league and almost all of them are young. Of course we have a few holes to fill, every team does, but as long as Ben returns next season we will be legit contenders. Teams won’t be able to stack the LOS with Ben in there and our running game will be fine. We have 3 good WRs now, all of which are still young and will grow into their roles better next season.

I get everyone is upset we didn’t win or make the playoffs, but we all knew we weren’t going anywhere in the playoffs anyway, I am happy the way this team has stuck together and come together to keep the hope alive until the last game of the season.

[Mojouw]

Plus, I honestly believe 2020 Ben plays more like 2016 or 2017 Ben. I think his elbow was shredding in 2018 and he played through it. Explains the almost overnight evaporation of his deep ball.

[teegre]

Wow, people are upset after this season? I am thrilled! We went 8-8 with an undrafted rookie QB and a backup playing his first snaps this season. We lost our #1 WR and our #1 RB for most of the season. We had 2 other WRs turn into players (imagine them with a good QB). We watched our defense turn into one of (if not the) best defenses in the league and almost all of them are young. Of course we have a few holes to fill, every team does, but as long as Ben returns next season we will be legit contenders. Teams won’t be able to stack the LOS with Ben in there and our running game will be fine. We have 3 good WRs now, all of which are still young and will grow into their roles better next season.

I get everyone is upset we didn’t win or make the playoffs, but we all knew we weren’t going anywhere in the playoffs anyway, I am happy the way this team has stuck together and come together to keep the hope alive until the last game of the season.

/thread

[Butch]

Wow, people are upset after this season? I am thrilled! We went 8-8 with an undrafted rookie QB and a backup playing his first snaps this season. We lost our #1 WR and our #1 RB for most of the season. We had 2 other WRs turn into players (imagine them with a good QB). We watched our defense turn into one of (if not the) best defenses in the league and almost all of them are young. Of course we have a few holes to fill, every team does, but as long as Ben returns next season we will be legit contenders. Teams won’t be able to stack the LOS with Ben in there and our running game will be fine. We have 3 good WRs now, all of which are still young and will grow into their roles better next season.

I get everyone is upset we didn’t win or make the playoffs, but we all knew we weren’t going anywhere in the playoffs anyway, I am happy the way this team has stuck together and come together to keep the hope alive until the last game of the season.

Yep me too, after we won 8 it was like playing with house money (just icing on the cake). I'll take 8-8 over what the Browns did with all that "Talent'.