Following the Steelers loss to the Ravens I’m not as down in the dumps as some fans. I thought that the Ravens were a beatable team, but I didn’t really believe this Steelers squad had what it takes to win a Superbowl.
I saw an offense that struggled to keep up without Le’Veon Bell, and a defense that did their best but just doesn’t have the talent to really be a very good defense.
Despite that, think about the Steelers team this time last season…
This time last season the team had an offense with a good Quarterback, a good Wide Receiver, and a young promising running back… that all may not be able to produce behind a pretty shaky offensive line…
Now we’re talking about an offense with maybe the best WR and best RB in football, that’s lead by a future hall of fame QB that showed he can be a dangerous pocket passer when given time, and a young improving OL that just played a hell of a season. We also found a potential game-changer in the 4th round in Martavis Bryant, and a capable complementary option in Markus Wheaton.
We’re talking about an offense that finished the season 2nd in total yards by less than half a yard per game.
There’s still issues. Depth along the OL and behind Bell at RB need to be addressed. Heath Miller needs an heir to take some pressure off of him… and the defense needs a lot of work.
Despite all that, this offense is absolutely good enough to win a Superbowl as of me writing this today.
The defense held the team back for much of the year, and all of the concerns people have had about the secondary, and aging stats moving on a legitimate concerns…
But there are reasons to think that maybe this defense isn’t completely a lost cause either.
This defense is a long way off from the squads that won Superbowls recently, but they don’t need to be that good with this Big Ben lead offense.
I think the defensive line has a solid core with Heyward, McLendon, and Tuitt. They need more depth at DE, but I think McCullers can be a capable backup at NT.
Behind that, the Steelers are very deep at inside linebacker and have a lot of different types of players that they can mix and match depending on the match-up.
After those spots though, things get shaky fast. Outside I’m not expecting Worilds or Harrison to be back, which means the 2015 starters are probably Jarvis Jones and Arthur Moats (if he’s re-signed). If Worilds isn’t retained, OLB will be high priority in the draft.
At corner, while it’s a high draft priority, I’m pretty encouraged by the depth at the position. Journeymen Brice McCain and Antwon Blake proved this season they should be part of the Steelers’ long term plans even if it’s not as starters. McCain is a free agent, and I think he should be a priority after Ben and Heyward get extensions. I believe he has #2 corner potential.
Cortez Allen bouncing back like Ike Taylor once did would really help the Steelers out. With Cortez, Gay, McCain, Blake, and hopefully a 1st or 2nd round pick; the Steelers have some talent there.
That’s not a group that will shut down passing games completely, but the Steelers’ scheme is built on pressure. The pass rush has to get better.
The safety position has a ton of question marks. Will Troy Polamalu retire? I predict yes. Will the Steelers cut Mike Mitchell? I predict he gets 1 more year.
I’ve been a big fan of Shamarko Thomas since drafting him, and assumed he’d step right into Troy’s spot ready to go in 2015… but the fact that Will Allen has played over him when injuries have occurred has me wondering if Shamarko will ever be a starter.
My point in all of this is that a year ago I felt like there were holes nearly everywhere except QB. One year later, I see a re-building roster with potential.
I’m not saying it will be easy, but I think the Steelers should spend nearly every draft pick on defense in the 2015 draft. It’s very early, but I wouldn’t be opposed to trading down for more picks.
Despite the disappointing end to the season, I’m encouraged with the direction of this team, and that’s something I couldn’t say at the end of the past couple of seasons.
13 comments
Let the truth begin, The o-line went from very poor to average , acquiring an athletic pass catching TE is a must, with that said carrying 4 TE’S and only 1 RB was fool hearty. As we stand right now we have no pass rush, with that in mind there isn’t a position on defense that couldn’t use an upgrade. The main problem on offense is when they start clicking they go away from whats working sometimes never to return to it. Yes if this team were to get hot at the right time they could be dangerous, but that’s an if.
No Athletic TE I despise that type of TE. By adding an athletic TE you take away the Steelers run game. The TE for the Steelers is tied as the 4th option along with Bell, the top 3 Options are Brown, Bryant and Wheaton. Either they find a way to make Spaeth a better pass catcher or put Blanchflower in at the 2nd TE spot. The only way I would ever accept an athletic TE is if Miller retires and until that happens cut the BS talk on athletic TE’s. For the OLB’s they need to have the attitude that Woodley and Harrison had when they were at there best. Resign Blake and McCain to at least 1 years deals but once the offseason hits this team will be about 2mil over the Cap and guys will need to let go. I warn people if you think by adding younger CB’s and OLB’s will help this D next season I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news. The fact of the matter is if they go that route you will see the D get shredded like never before. The 2015 Steelers will have deal with NFC West which has 4 of the top 15 Defenses in the league, not to mention playing Luck, P.Manning and Brady and Rivers as well. So I want fans to really look at the 2015 Steelers and you tell me with a BRUTAL SCHEDULE how is playing young guys and having there confidence get absolutely shattered and facing Defenses that will hold the Steeler offense in check and that is no lie you watch and you’ll find out what I mean how they can succeed?
You despise athletic TE’s? Why would you not want to add another dimension to the offense that teams like New Orleans, New England, San Francisco, Denver, etc. have? Nobody is saying replace Heath completely (although he will eventually given Heath’s age). They use enough sets with multiple TE’s that they can mix and match according to the situation.
I don’t understand what you’re even saying with regard to drafting defense. We shouldn’t draft defense because rookies will get shredded? Uhh… the D got shredded this year, so I think I’d rather inject some young talent that can improve than stick with what we have now.
My point is this by adding young DB’s and LB’s the 2015 defense will make the 2014 Defense look like all pro’s you watch. As far as the teams you mentioned what exactly was the end result for those teams. Miller has 2 rings and gone to 3 SuperBowls that is more than any of the TE’s form Ne, Den, SF and NO put together. those teams have Athletic TE’s and they get rid of there run game. That is a fact not a myth and not an opinion but a 100% fact. The Offensive options is as follows; 1.AB, 2.Bryant, 3.Wheaton T4.Bell and Miller and then everybody else that can catch will get a catch. No Athletic TE’s. By adding somebody like that you take the run game and you end up playing guys on rotation and when it comes playoff time they all choke and you know that. Since Gronk came in 2010 what exactly has NE done? What about what the Broncos and there TE? They have not done 1 damn thing in the post season that is going to convince me that athletic TE’s as the best option. Where was Gronk when they faced the Ravens or where was J.Thomas when they faced Seattle in the Superbowl? Everything I have posted here is a fact it’s just that you and everyone else refuse to either accept it or believe it.
I don’t think the entire running game revolves around Heath Miller, and AGAIN I’m not saying get rid of Heath, I’m saying find him a complement and eventual replacement. And FYI the Saints ranked higher than the Steelers in rushing this season.
That’s true but the Steelers have the Better RB and they made the playoff’s what exactly did the saints do with a rotation of RB’s and no real starter? There run game needs Miller. If he is not there then how can this team run the ball successfully? Miller is like a 6th OL. He blocks so that bell can run through the hole and not get stopped behind the line of scrimmage. Miller’s replacement will come when he says “I’m retiring” then I will say find his replacement until then it’s not a concern. My solution is either find out if Spaeth can catch the ball or put Blanchflower in at his spot and go from there. All those Athletic TE’s for NE and Den and NO all they do is pad up stats but when it comes time in the playoffs for them to make something happen they shrivel up and disappear and if you don’t believe go back and rewatch those games and you tell me what did they do that was so great?
Let the truth continue, 1, Any TE on this roster not named Heath Miller didn’t contribute this year[let’s give him some help] 2, Wake up it’s 2015 and this is a passing league we need better db’s 3, we need to be able to put more more pressure on the other teams QB any way necessary 4, let’s get a solid 2nd RB so we can enjoy Bell for more than 2 years. In closing this team does have potential but it will need the front office to do a much better job than recent history to take the next step.
Well they way I see it either find out if Blanchflower can be that No.2 TE or find a way to incorporate Spaeth into the passing game. Yeah they need better DB’s but be careful what you and the rest of the fans wish for cause once it happens and they get torched and believe me they will get TORCHED AND BURNED AND SCALDED AND BE HUMILIATED LIKE NEVER BEFORE you will see why I avoid going all young at the secondary spot you just watch. The backup RB spot is simple there not giving on Harris and they may just keep Tate as well. Now all of you are going to hate that but I guarantee you that is what the Steelers will do. DB’s can only cover they can’t even get near the QB. A weak secondary can succeed if the pass rush is there and everybody knows that. I trust Jones to be that next top notch OLB but he must develop the Attitude that other guys before him and it wouldn’t hurt to add a bit of a gut if you know what I mean. I stick by what I said and do not forget the QB’s that secondary will face next season and here is a short list of those guys: Manning, Luck, Brady and Rivers. So I ask you: would you trust a young secondary knowing that they will get Torched for 30 points a game next season believing they will come out of it for the better?
You sir make no sense, Blanchflower , Spaeth, jones, taylor, Justin Brown , Archer, Troy ,Worlids and Mike Adams all need to go. this team needs fresh talent and cap space to do something. 2015 can be a rebirth or just another year of hanging on to poor drafted choices and aging talent for too long.
Adams stays as well as Archer, Blanchflower, Speath and Jarvis Jones. Those guys stay cause I feel they can contribute on the Steelers. I see no reason why the Steelers should take a Athletic TE they take away from the run game and here are 2 prime examples of that notion. NE and DEN. Both have Athletic TE’s but they can’t run the ball and when the playoffs come around you need to be able to run the ball not create dumb mismatches for your TE just for the sake of it. Watch both AFC Divisional games this weekend and you will see why I says what I say about Athletic TE’s. 2015 will be a non playoff season based on 2 things: there BRUTAL SCHEDULE and the way the 2015 Steeler Defense will make the 2014 version look like All Pro’s.
Polamalu just got signed to a 2 year deal it appears.
Not sure where you’re getting your information. Not seeing that anywhere, and seems very unlikely.
I ask you people are you willing to accept a young secondary in 2015 knowing that they will be HUMILATED BY BRADY, MANNING AND LUCK? I know that the secondary is bad but what makes any of you so sure that young CB’s can hold there own against the likes of the 3 QB’s I mentioned plus Rivers, Kapernick and Wilson?