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2023 Pittsburgh Steelers. Banged up team loses to Buffalo. Looking ahead to 2024 now (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter Godsbrother
- Start date
apalmer
Footballguy
I'd be really interested in a list of the teams that do have one player who can consistently control/contain Kelce, because it sure doesn't happen very often.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
The Steelers have to deal with Kelce this week, so I'm not going to worry about whether the Bengals or Patriots can/can't handle him any better than they can.
Pittsburgh doesn't have an answer for him, "single player" or otherwise, and that's a big problem for them pulling off an upset. That was my main point.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Najee Harris was a full participant in practice today but is listed as questionable. JuJu also practiced today but has not yet been activated for Sunday’s game at KC
Godsbrother
Footballguy
JuJu Smith Schuster activated from IR and expected to play
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
Well after the NE showing tonight at least we won’t have the most embarrassing loss of wildcard weekend! 
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
Blick
Footballguy
I think outside of Diontae, they have nothing at WR. Especially someone willing to go over the middle.
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
Agreed - and I hope it does move the needle. Just not sure what JuJu (first game back in months) brings to the table.
Blick
Footballguy
You’re probably right. Probably just wishful thinking on my part. But they don’t have a slot WR.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Not sure about needles but I’m willing to go out on a limb and say JuJu is an upgrade over Ray Ray.
HellToupee
Footballguy
Well that’s that. It over
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
crushedspirit
Footballguy
Another embarrassing loss in the playoffs. Up to 4 stinkers in a row and counting under coach Mike. For once please scheme a game plan come playoff time. Teams know what the Steelers are going to do before the first snap, why?, because it never changes. Mike is a coach who just leaves everything up to player execution, and unless you have superior talent all over the field, that stale approach will fail more often than not.
A shiny regular season record overall only gets you so far. What is the real goal?
A shiny regular season record overall only gets you so far. What is the real goal?
Gold Fox
Footballguy
I was not surprised by the outcome, but I was disappointed with the approach. I wanted to see more rushing attempts in the 1st half, and I was expecting a few 4th down risks to keep it aggressive. The 1st half offense was worse than advertised (and that’s saying something).
Lots of changes coming. I am hoping this offense will be unrecognizable next year.
Lots of changes coming. I am hoping this offense will be unrecognizable next year.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
I have managed baseball and girls softball teams over 20 years, and even though it was only up to the high school level, I can tell you that superior talent is what it is all about. The Steelers were outmatched throughout the 2021 season and still managed to win 9 games. I think this was one of Tomlin's better efforts.
For me, the goal is to make the postseason to get a shot in the tournament. If anything less than a league championship is a failure then good luck finding that coach
crushedspirit
Footballguy
No, I'm not in the SB or bust crowd, but there are some issues at play come playoff time. TJ and Ben single handedly took over some games in the regular season, and lady luck got them in the playoffs, as all are aware. The difference this year is that the team was not a playoff team at all, so the sting of it doesn't hurt as much. Actually, both 7 seeds looked out of touch with reality, which shows it was a joke to extend it beyond 6, but NFL wants more money.
Problem being there is a trend in the last 4 playoff games, and it needs to be rectified. Using the lack of execution line after every post season loss is not a legitimate reason, or else why need coaches at all. It's obvious they have the exact same plan every year, and it's not working. Our "will" wins the day is not a game plan. It works for the most part in the regular season, but you need more come playoff time. I can't help those that don't see it as a fundamentally flawed approach.
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steelers1080
Footballguy
What everyone thought would happen, happened. I don't really blame the defense even though they gave up 42 pts. If you have the ball for 7 possessions and get like 40 yards, you don't deserve to be even close to a win. There are whole games where we have 7 possessions total. The play calling on offense was stale and our WRs didn't make clutch catches until the game was already over.
I'll admit that when TJ returned the fumble for a TD I started to get excited and hopeful, but after KC scored and our offense went 3 and out I came back to reality. Diontae had some back breaking drops that would have moved the chains, Ben was off target often, and our running game was not effective at all. If we had run the ball more early in the game it would have lead to the same result. We didn't attempt any sweeps or misdirection. For a team with nothing to lose we didn't play like it at all. 0 trick plays, didn't go for it on 4th down until we'd already lost, and nothing crazy on defense or special teams. We just played like we do every week which means our offense does absolutely nothing until there's 20 minutes of game time left.
Some people have said that Big Ben was holding back Matt Canada's offense, but if you can't create an offense around the players you have then you aren't a good OC in my opinion. I hope we move on because I just don't think he's a good fit. He doesn't seem to create a scheme to face a specific opponent, he just calls a standard set of plays regardless of what's across the field. How do you not throw the ball more against the Ravens who have 6th string secondary players starting and the #1 run defense until the 4th quarter and OT? Burrow had just lit them up for a ridiculous amount of yards, it was the obvious play but that doesn't mean it's not the right one.
Offseason priorities:
I'll admit that when TJ returned the fumble for a TD I started to get excited and hopeful, but after KC scored and our offense went 3 and out I came back to reality. Diontae had some back breaking drops that would have moved the chains, Ben was off target often, and our running game was not effective at all. If we had run the ball more early in the game it would have lead to the same result. We didn't attempt any sweeps or misdirection. For a team with nothing to lose we didn't play like it at all. 0 trick plays, didn't go for it on 4th down until we'd already lost, and nothing crazy on defense or special teams. We just played like we do every week which means our offense does absolutely nothing until there's 20 minutes of game time left.
Some people have said that Big Ben was holding back Matt Canada's offense, but if you can't create an offense around the players you have then you aren't a good OC in my opinion. I hope we move on because I just don't think he's a good fit. He doesn't seem to create a scheme to face a specific opponent, he just calls a standard set of plays regardless of what's across the field. How do you not throw the ball more against the Ravens who have 6th string secondary players starting and the #1 run defense until the 4th quarter and OT? Burrow had just lit them up for a ridiculous amount of yards, it was the obvious play but that doesn't mean it's not the right one.
Offseason priorities:
- Replace OC
- Improve O-line
- Add WR
- Defensive Replacements and Depth Everywhere
- New QB
If you consider "New QB" at #5 then we better accept a lot of bad years to build those other parts because it isn't going to be done in one year. Even if we get a quality WR and pick up a good lineman, this team will suck with Mason Rudolph or Dwayne Haskins as our future. Plus how do you even know if you got an upgrade a WR when your QB is Mason Rudolph. The only guy he throws to is James Washington.
and let get ready of this fantasy that an Aaron Rodgers is coming here. That ship has sailed. if we are looking at free agents, we will be fighting for bums like Carson Wentz
and let get ready of this fantasy that an Aaron Rodgers is coming here. That ship has sailed. if we are looking at free agents, we will be fighting for bums like Carson Wentz
crushedspirit
Footballguy
Either go with Rudolph until you draft one, or take a cheap flyer on a Winston or Mariota. Don't go after a Jimmy G who is a systems QB, and will be exposed elsewhere. That's money wasted.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
I put new QB down on the list for 2022 because without building a respectable line there is no point in acquiring a good QB. Let's focus on the offensive line and filling holes on defense and if we suck in 2022 because of Rudolph/Haskins/Dobbs then we'll have a higher pick to get a potential franchise QB in 2023.
HellToupee
Footballguy
They need to totally reconstruct the OL. There are holes everywhere but I’m spending draft capital here unless some player surprisingly slips
Not sure it’s fair to judge Canada but things were bad under his watch
I’ve seen enough of Rudolph to know he’s not the answer at QB , not the correct answer as backup QB
Not sure it’s fair to judge Canada but things were bad under his watch
I’ve seen enough of Rudolph to know he’s not the answer at QB , not the correct answer as backup QB
steelcityman
Footballguy
Glad I lived thru the Ben years, but glad its over now. No one can play forever except Brady. Time to move on and rebuild this team while they still have Watt, Minkah and Najee. Free agency will be fun for the first time I can remember, steelers will be buyers, and they can draft 6 different positions in the first rd. But I think they should trade down and accumulate picks.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
I agree that Rudolph is not the answer at QB but there is only so much you can do in an offseason. The Steelers are picking at #20. Corrall will likely be gone, Pickett might be as well. If either is there you have to feel they are capable of being a potential franchise QB, not just an upgrade over Rudolph.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Here is the list of Steelers free agents.
Ben Roethlisberger
Joe Haden
Ju Ju Smith-Schuster
Eric Ebron
Akhello Witherspoon
Trai Turner
Terrell Edmunds
Miles Killebrew
James Washington
Josh Dobbs
Ray-Ray Mcloud
B J Finney
Arthur Maulet
Kalen Ballage
Chuks Okorafor
Dwayne Haskins
Marcus Allen
Robert Spillane
J C Hassenauer
Montravius Adams
Taco Charlton
Ben Roethlisberger
Joe Haden
Ju Ju Smith-Schuster
Eric Ebron
Akhello Witherspoon
Trai Turner
Terrell Edmunds
Miles Killebrew
James Washington
Josh Dobbs
Ray-Ray Mcloud
B J Finney
Arthur Maulet
Kalen Ballage
Chuks Okorafor
Dwayne Haskins
Marcus Allen
Robert Spillane
J C Hassenauer
Montravius Adams
Taco Charlton
steelers1080
Footballguy
It seems that many people have done 0 research on the 2022 QB class or looked at the free agent QBs. The 2022 QB class is the worst its been in a decade, this is not the time to spend a 1st on a QB when we have so many other needs. I agree that Haskins and Rudolph are not the long term answer for the Steelers, but they are a cheap bridge. We need to address QB in 2023, waiting 1 year is not insanity when your O-line stinks, you have 2 WRs signed for next year, the defense has 0 depth and aging players, and you generally need a lot more talent.
Free agent QBs include: Big Ben, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jameis Winston (expected to stay in NO), Andy Dalton, Cam Newton, Teddy Bridgewater, Marcus Mariota, Joe Flacco, Mitch Trubisky, etc. Are any of them better than Rudolph? Because I would say they're about the same.
We could trade for a star QB if they're actually serious about leaving and their team is ok with it, but why would Rodgers or Wilson or Watson waive their trade clauses for a trip to Pittsburgh. We were not in any of the serious conversations when they mentioned where they'd be willing to go, and for good reason. We have many holes that will not be fixed in 1 year, so lets work to fix those holes with BPA. If we take a 1st round QB this year I would be absolutely shocked if they had any success because the rest of the team is lacking.
steelers1080
Footballguy
I think they re-sign about 10, mostly depth players. Witherspoon could be a starter signed to replace Haden. I hope we also extend Diontae and Minkah. Those drops by Diontae are killer, but his route running is too amazing to let walk.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
I'm not sure what the asking price for JuJu will be but I wouldn't mind having him back if it is not too high. I agree 100% with the rest of your analysis
Gold Fox
Footballguy
Boone22
Footballguy
Give me Mariota or Bridgewater over Rudolph as a bridge QB with a strong lean toward Mariota. I’m heavily in the “Rudolph isn’t even backup material” camp. I’d rather keep Haskins and see if there’s anything there at all.
Edited to add… Minshew! Give me Mariota or Minshew as a bridge QB until we can find a long term answer.
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Godsbrother
Footballguy
Mason Rudolph is a $4 million cap hit if you cut him. He may not win the starting job but he is not going anywhere.
Wigglytuff's Gruff
Footballguy
HellToupee
Footballguy
Can’t afford to take a QB at 20. Couldn’t afford Najee in the 1st last year but what done is done. I understand why they took him .
yes Trubisky please. i wanted Ben to retire and Trubisky to be signed last off season.
he may not be the future but is clearly better than Rudolph. Trubisky can move and throw on the move and the QB will need to behind even an improved OL. Trubisky should be affordable and interested in a good chance to start.
Trubisky was the 2nd overall pick in the same draft Rudolph was a 3rd rounder. Trubisky made the Pro Bowl after his 2nd season. he started 14 games that year leading the bears to an 11-3 record in them.
a couple days ago news came out of Chicago about Nagy failing Trubisky more than the other way around. Trubisky has more pro starts than Rudolph by far, but only had 1 season starting in college.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
I don't think they can keep Canada. It always seemed like his scripted plays were terrible. Maybe Ben limited him on some calls, but whenever Ben was in no-huddle, that is when the team performed best. They should have allowed that more often, and also tailored to the strengths of the team more. The offense looked lost and predictable.
Claypool needs to learn to stay on his feet and catch with his hands . . . .
DJ is a great route runner and after the catch guy. Those two drops were tipped and behind him.
Oline -- I don't know. Green may or may not be able to catch on at C. He also could be too small to go back to his college spot at LG. But maybe that is what happens, with JC at C, Dotson RG, Green LG, Banner back at RT, and Moore at LT?
Need help everywhere, but there also are some studs on the roster too. I hope Witherspoon sticks around.
Claypool needs to learn to stay on his feet and catch with his hands . . . .
DJ is a great route runner and after the catch guy. Those two drops were tipped and behind him.
Oline -- I don't know. Green may or may not be able to catch on at C. He also could be too small to go back to his college spot at LG. But maybe that is what happens, with JC at C, Dotson RG, Green LG, Banner back at RT, and Moore at LT?
Need help everywhere, but there also are some studs on the roster too. I hope Witherspoon sticks around.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Here are some potential cap casualties and the amount saved by cutting them:
ILB Joe Schobert $8.75 million
OT Zach Banner $5 million
DE Stephon Tuitt* $4.3 million
FB Derek Watt $2.8 million
OT Joe Haeg $2.6 million
DT Chris Wormley $2.3 million
RB Benny Snell $1 million
RB Anthony McFarland $0.9 million
* Not sure what the deal with Tuitt is. Obviously a great player when available but he was basically a no show in 2021. Cutting him would result in $9.6 in dead cap but might as well save $4.6 if you're not going to be able to rely on him.
ILB Joe Schobert $8.75 million
OT Zach Banner $5 million
DE Stephon Tuitt* $4.3 million
FB Derek Watt $2.8 million
OT Joe Haeg $2.6 million
DT Chris Wormley $2.3 million
RB Benny Snell $1 million
RB Anthony McFarland $0.9 million
* Not sure what the deal with Tuitt is. Obviously a great player when available but he was basically a no show in 2021. Cutting him would result in $9.6 in dead cap but might as well save $4.6 if you're not going to be able to rely on him.
themeistersinger
Footballguy
Well, one year my Bills needed a QB bad so we took JP Losman in the first. Another year we took EJ Manuel in the first.
Don't reach in the draft for a QB that stinks just because the QBs you have now stink.
steelers1080
Footballguy
This.
Also, Trubisky is just another bad QB, why spend more money to sign a bad QB when we already have our own bad QBs.
Due to our coaches and defense I think this team wins 5-9 games next year, pretty much regardless of who is playing QB. We're not getting an all-star QB like Wilson, Rodgers, or Watson, and I don't see a star in the making in any of the QBs that would be there at 20 (or really any of them).
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
A lot of info I've seen about Trubisky (who I'm ambivalent about, but at least he's still pretty young) from the past year seems to indicate that he was brought to Buffalo with heavy input from Brian Daboll....and if Daboll lands a HC gig, Mitch would quite likely be a prime target for him as his starting QB.
This is not the year to burn a #1 on a QB. They just aren't value. The only guy I even would want them to entertain drafting "early" from this crop is probably Strong, and I sure don't want them blowing a top 20 pick on him.
Just upgrade both lines, aggressively, via both draft and FA. Take your whoopin' at QB with Haskins/Rudolph, or if you can land a Minshew hella cheap for a year or two go for it. "Tank" for Stroud/etc. in 2023. Profit(hopefully).
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steelers1080
Footballguy
I really want them to re-sign Juju but I don't think they can re-sign both Juju and Diontae and I think they'd value Diontae more. IMO he's a Steeler and should be for a long time. I think with a new OC and better O-line he could return to closer to what he was a few years ago. At this point, I'd honestly rather have him long term than Claypool. How is a guy that strong and fast never open? He's like worse Dez Bryant, every catch is contested and a coinflip of whether he'll catch it or not.
If we could get Juju on like a 3 year $27 mil contract with incentives, first 2 years guaranteed, and like $13 mil in the final year, I'd go for that in a heartbeat. That would let him reach his next contract when he's 28 and still in his prime, while also giving him a raise and some security. That work ethic is something that needs to be passed on to new offensive talent. I've never heard anyone who would know critique his effort on the field or in practice. People hate that he's on social media and was dancing, but no one even noticed until the Steelers started losing and then they wanted a scape goat.
steelers1080
Footballguy
Daboll signed by the Bears and brings back Mitch. If that's the case, let's trade for Fields lol.
My off season priorities:
1. Fire Canada
2. Sign a cheap veteran QB. Bridgewater would be interesting. Dalton maybe. Just don't spend much money on somebody who is not the future.
3. Invest money and draft picks on the line on both sides of the ball.
1. Fire Canada
2. Sign a cheap veteran QB. Bridgewater would be interesting. Dalton maybe. Just don't spend much money on somebody who is not the future.
3. Invest money and draft picks on the line on both sides of the ball.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
#1 should have happened yesterday, IMO. Game ended? Thanks, Matt. Here's your last check. Clean out your desk.
I'd be lying if I didn't admit that, as much as I hate him, if they could sign Syndrome for dirt cheap they could likely do worse as a bridge to whomever comes next. I hate that freakin' ginger so, so much though. Plus, do guys like he/Bridgewater even want to play behind such a horrid OL? Sure, it's a starter's gig....but it's clearly a short-term one, and it'd quite possibly require you getting killed for a year.
Suppose it would all be predicated on what they do in FA/the draft for any FA QB they'd want to woo.
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5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
Hot take!
Tomlin gets named HC/GM and talks Mike Vick out of retirement (or brings in Newton). They run full-time RPO behind the league's worst OL. Hijinks ensue.
Tomlin gets named HC/GM and talks Mike Vick out of retirement (or brings in Newton). They run full-time RPO behind the league's worst OL. Hijinks ensue.
So what's next for Big Ben, has he said?
He loves drama, seems to love to hear himself talk. If he played for the Cowboys he'd be a shoo in for a major broadcasting job. He's comes off as a weird guy at times and has a face made for radio but he seems more inclined to go that route to me then coaching or quitley living in retirement.
Anyway I'm thankful we got to have him. I got into football and became a Steeler's fan in 1980 so I experienced a little bit of Bradshaw at the end of his career. Then it was about a quarter of a century were the debate for best Steeler QB during that era was probably Kordell or O'Donnell. We see teams like Bears and Browns go multiple decades without ever getting a franchise QB and I'm for sure worried we could see another long era without one, just hope it's not another quarter of a century wait.
He loves drama, seems to love to hear himself talk. If he played for the Cowboys he'd be a shoo in for a major broadcasting job. He's comes off as a weird guy at times and has a face made for radio but he seems more inclined to go that route to me then coaching or quitley living in retirement.
Anyway I'm thankful we got to have him. I got into football and became a Steeler's fan in 1980 so I experienced a little bit of Bradshaw at the end of his career. Then it was about a quarter of a century were the debate for best Steeler QB during that era was probably Kordell or O'Donnell. We see teams like Bears and Browns go multiple decades without ever getting a franchise QB and I'm for sure worried we could see another long era without one, just hope it's not another quarter of a century wait.
Godsbrother
Footballguy
Well they picked Green up in the 3rd and Dan Moore in the 4th and signed BJ Finney and Joel Haeg so not really ignored but obviously it wasn't even close enough.
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