The window is closed however.....

[Dee Dub]

I do believe the window for winning another championship has closed but I also believe it could be re-opened very quickly in this off-season if the right moves are made. This team desperately needs a legitimate corner. Look at the Cardinals defense and what it has become since the arrival of Patrick Peterson. He has completely change the entire dynamic of that team/defense.

Troy, Woodley, Ziggy, Heyward, Harrison, and Clark are enough to build around. However, Taylor, Hampton, Keisel, Foote, and Timmons are becoming non-factors and in the case of Taylor and Foote are liabilities. Worilds and Carter are nothing more than bodies. Neither one has shown anything that would reflect any positive return.

A blue chip corner and a legit inside run stuffing LB is a major priority for this team if it wants to win another championship.

[lloydroid]

Patrick Petersons come around, oh, like once a decade or so. I don't know if there is ANY CB in college who offers what he does. His size and speed ratio, and football instincts, are off the charts. That dude is ridiculous. I doubt there is anyone in the draft who is comparable. He is the ultimate athlete. It's a shame that they basically missed on the Hood, Heyward, Timmons, and those other 6-10 LB prospects, or we wouldn't be in so much trouble. This team is bordering on less than average in a big hurry. Our O-line and rushing game are already far below average, and now the D is falling as well. We are basically going to resemble high wire, pass all the time teams that have no D or rushing game. No fun to me.

[Dee Dub]

Patrick Petersons come around, oh, like once a decade or so. I don't know if there is ANY CB in college who offers what he does. His size and speed ratio, and football instincts, are off the charts. That dude is ridiculous. I doubt there is anyone in the draft who is comparable. He is the ultimate athlete. It's a shame that they basically missed on the Hood, Heyward, Timmons, and those other 6-10 LB prospects, or we wouldn't be in so much trouble. This team is bordering on less than average in a big hurry. Our O-line and rushing game are already far below average, and now the D is falling as well. We are basically going to resemble high wire, pass all the time teams that have no D or rushing game. No fun to me.

I dont argue that Peterson is a cut above however if we look at the draft there are several bonafide CB's who have come out recently. Morris Clayborne, Patrick Peterson, Darrelle Revis, etc. And then there have been some pretty solid ones too, Joe Haden, Devin McCourty, Vontae Davis, Leon Hall, etc. This upcoming draft has some guys who have a chance to stand out and have the size-speed ratio that are very attractive....Jonathan Banks, David Amerson, and Xavier Rhodes.

[Jooser]

I still scratch my head that we draft a DE like Timmons and expect to convert him into some kind of MLB phenom. He's a talented athlete, but seems lost most of the time because he's playing out of his natural position. He was a great speed rusher in college, but has slowed way down because of the bulk he's added to play LB. Foote is old and busted and was a stop-gap measure this season to cover Farrior's departure. We need a legit MLB.

[Oviedo]

I do believe the window for winning another championship has closed but I also believe it could be re-opened very quickly in this off-season if the right moves are made. This team desperately needs a legitimate corner. Look at the Cardinals defense and what it has become since the arrival of Patrick Peterson. He has completely change the entire dynamic of that team/defense.

Troy, Woodley, Ziggy, Heyward, Harrison, and Clark are enough to build around. However, Taylor, Hampton, Keisel, Foote, and Timmons are becoming non-factors and in the case of Taylor and Foote are liabilities. Worilds and Carter are nothing more than bodies. Neither one has shown anything that would reflect any positive return.

A blue chip corner and a legit inside run stuffing LB is a major priority for this team if it wants to win another championship.

I disagree that Timmons is a non-factor. However I do agree that changes need to be made. This season isn't a lost cause yet but if our defense continues to play the passive bend don't break (but really break) style then the season will be lost. Passing offenses are too sophisticated with too many options to play that anymore. I would rather finish the season 8-8 but have our defense in attack mode every play than the nonsense we saw in Week #1 and yesterday.

I will say after the season we need a real objective and honest assessment of what defense we play and what our current roster is best suited for. Plus what style of defense we can keep the young players coming in and contributing early versus serving extended internships making marginal contributions.

[Oviedo]

I still scratch my head that we draft a DE like Timmons and expect to convert him into some kind of MLB phenom. He's a talented athlete, but seems lost most of the time because he's playing out of his natural position. He was a great speed rusher in college, but has slowed way down because of the bulk he's added to play LB. Foote is old and busted and was a stop-gap measure this season to cover Farrior's departure. We need a legit MLB.

Timmons was a LB in college not a DE. He came out as a classiic weakside OLB in a 4-3 defense and was favorably compared to Derrick Brooks of the Bucs. However, we moved him inside where his speed was marginalized and then he gained weight to be strong at the point of attack against the run. However, if our DL was playing the way they should the OL should never get to him. It is a waste to take an athlete that talented out of the "run and hit" mode to the MLB run stuffer mode.

[Eddie Spaghetti]

enough with the excuses for timmons already.

the guy is average at best and nowhere near worth the checks he is cashing.

anybody who says otherwise is just pushing an agenda as usual.

[steelfin]

enough with the excuses for timmons already.

the guy is average at best and nowhere near worth the checks he is cashing.

anybody who says otherwise is just pushing an agenda as usual.

+1...Thank you...you beat me to it...

[Slapstick]

Timmons was a LB in college not a DE. He came out as a classiic weakside OLB in a 4-3 defense and was favorably compared to Derrick Brooks of the Bucs. However, we moved him inside where his speed was marginalized and then he gained weight to be strong at the point of attack against the run. However, if our DL was playing the way they should the OL should never get to him. It is a waste to take an athlete that talented out of the "run and hit" mode to the MLB run stuffer mode.

Timmons actually played strong side LB in college...I much preferred his speed and play making ability at the mack when he was down to 235-240 lbs...

[pittpete]

"Build around" and "Ziggy" should never be mentioned in the same sentence.
Ziggy has gone for so many rides this year he should have a bus pass.
As long as Ben is here there is always a shot for another superbowl win.

[steelz09]

Timmons was a LB in college not a DE. He came out as a classiic weakside OLB in a 4-3 defense and was favorably compared to Derrick Brooks of the Bucs. However, we moved him inside where his speed was marginalized and then he gained weight to be strong at the point of attack against the run. However, if our DL was playing the way they should the OL should never get to him. It is a waste to take an athlete that talented out of the "run and hit" mode to the MLB run stuffer mode.

The d-line isn't Timmons' only problem. The reality is that you need to be able to fight off a block if you play LB. He's not very good at it.

He takes HORRIBLE angles. He plays on roller skates. Someone made that analogy earlier and I think that describes his play quite well.

He doesn't have very good natural ILB instincts. I've said it time and time again... 3-4 ILB is a very difficult position to be good at. There is A LOT going on. The ability to fight off blocks, read/react, good vision and quickly diagnose plays, shifting through the trash on the inside, taking good angles.. etc. It's more Colbert and Tomlin's fault than it is Timmons. He was drafted as a 3-4 OLB and he was a bust at that. The only way the Steelers could save face and not have him be a complete bust was to move him to ILB.

[phillyesq]

enough with the excuses for timmons already.

the guy is average at best and nowhere near worth the checks he is cashing.

anybody who says otherwise is just pushing an agenda as usual.

Agree as well.

[lloydroid]

The d-line isn't Timmons' only problem. The reality is that you need to be able to fight off a block if you play LB. He's not very good at it.

He takes HORRIBLE angles. He plays on roller skates. Someone made that analogy earlier and I think that describes his play quite well.

He doesn't have very good natural ILB instincts. I've said it time and time again... 3-4 ILB is a very difficult position to be good at. There is A LOT going on. The ability to fight off blocks, read/react, good vision and quickly diagnose plays, shifting through the trash on the inside, taking good angles.. etc. It's more Colbert and Tomlin's fault than it is Timmons. He was drafted as a 3-4 OLB and he was a bust at that. The only way the Steelers could save face and not have him be a complete bust was to move him to ILB.

I agree and it depresses me. Plays on roller skates is accurate. He was a bust of a pick, he was supposed to be our next terror at OLB, which this D MUST have or it fails. We lucked out on finding Harrison, and hit on the Woodely pick or else we'd not have had much success in recent years. Can you imagine how much weaker this D would be if we were relying on LTs to be our OLB? Goose would be cooked. He is no good there. And he really has added weight to become a thumper; I noticed how much thicker he appears these days. He is not natural at ILB. Instincts stink. Flies around but runs by plays far too often. Depressing.

[Slapstick]

I guess I'm not ready to concede that "the window has closed" with 13 games left to play this season...

[RuthlessBurgher]

I guess I'm not ready to concede that "the window has closed" with 13 games left to play this season...

Me neither. Ben is having his best NFL season, and we should be getting some serious talent back after the bye. I think the defense might improve just a little bit by adding a couple DMVP's. And although many folks aren't fans of Mendenhall, he does have multiple thousand yard rushing season and 30 NFL TD's, which is much, much better than what we have been getting from our running game so far this season. I'm also looking forward to the return of my boy DeCastro in the second half of the season, which should help our run game even more (perhaps by then Willie Colon will be more comfortable at LG too).

[Shawn]

I think we have a championship caliber team if we can get Troy, Mendy, and Harrison back...coupled with playing sound fundamental football.

1) Get healthy
2) Protect the football
3) Minimize penalties

our days of havin a dominate D might be over but our Passing game is the real deal. If the D can be solid, Mendy can breathe a little life into the running game...I know Bens arm can take us there.

[SS Laser]

So when we pick in the 1st round 2013 do we take ILB Manti Te'o or a CB?

[Oviedo]

I think we have a championship caliber team if we can get Troy, Mendy, and Harrison back...coupled with playing sound fundamental football.

1) Get healthy
2) Protect the football
3) Minimize penalties

our days of havin a dominate D might be over but our Passing game is the real deal. If the D can be solid, Mendy can breathe a little life into the running game...I know Bens arm can take us there.

I think you are wildly optimistic. We may be able to get into the play offs but would likely never see a championship game. Our offense is on the upswing but our defense is on the downslide proabably at a rate we can't overcome without changes to scheme and personnel.

I really hope I am wrong about the defense but what I have been trying to point out for two seasons now is coming to the fore in spades.

[Slapstick]

Again, it's a 16 game season and the first 1/4 is not even over yet...

[flippy]

No reason we can't go 17-2. We all hated the early bye week before we played the Raiders. Now it looks pretty good.

[aggiebones]

Way too much overreacting on this board lately. No defense in this league is infallible. Even the Seahawks b*** raping the Packers last night, will struggle at times this year.
We will improve as some newer players adjust, and other players come back to their starting rolls.
Defensive mistakes may cost a game or 2 as will offensive mistakes.


Yes, the phone butchered this the first time and now the edit button was making me explain why I wanted to change what I said, while I was in traffic. So I waited til I got to work. lol

[feltdizz]

Way too much overreacting on this board lately. No defense in this league is infallible. Even the Seahawks to b*** raped the Packers last night, will struggle at times this year.
We will improve as some newer players I just, and other players come back to their starting rolls.
Defense of mistakes may causes a game or 2 as well office of mistakes.

Are you typing on a phone or did you lose a bet and fail to pay the bookie?... lol.

I think this is a big problem and I don't think getting Troy and JH will cure our Defensive woes... We are making QB's look like HOFers... this isn't going to get any better anytime soon.

I have a feeling we will get swept by the Rats again this year. Someone told me Flacco said we will never win the AFCN again as long as he is the QB. I know it sounds crazy but I think he has Lebeau figured out. If we are in a one possession game do you feel good with our D making a stop?

I remember when people asked if Tebow could beat us if he had to make one drive and we laughed at the notion. It's not funny anymore. We struggled against the COLTS last year with a guy named Painter.. THE COLTS!!! Our pass defense's standard has dropped considerably.

I watched GB struggle last night vs the Seahawks... but I've also watched GB struggle last year in the playoffs and early this year. The problem IMO is our DB's have a trend and it isn't good. This isn't a one off... this has been going on for years now.

[aggiebones]

When you get players that have excelled at some point, they become expensive. And capwise, you can't just cut them when they are slipping or it depletes your cap. Good teams ALWAYS have this problem. We normally overcome it to a degree. As bad as we were last yeasr in some peoples eyes...we were 12-4 with Ben playing with 1.2 legs. I still don't know how he finished that game where his leg was pointing the wrong direction on the ground. The old gray mare must be flexible.

We are in abit of a hole, so winning the division may be tough. But NE and Baltimore will struggle at times too. Houston looks great but they had to release some top players due to salary in the offseason. Our conference is WIDE open and we won't likely quit. We have been there as a team and will be a force to be reckoned with shortly.

In fine print...some times things don't work and injuries mount and we pick around 10-15. So this could be that year.
That said, Patrick Peterson's and the like will not be falling down to us very often and we won't mortgage the farm like say, the Skins, who have found their QB, but will never win due to lack of other good picks and no depth.

[Shawn]

I think you are wildly optimistic. We may be able to get into the play offs but would likely never see a championship game. Our offense is on the upswing but our defense is on the downslide proabably at a rate we can't overcome without changes to scheme and personnel.

I really hope I am wrong about the defense but what I have been trying to point out for two seasons now is coming to the fore in spades.

How would you know until we have a complete D? Anything beyond that is merely reactionary and emotional.

[ikestops85]

I think you are wildly optimistic. We may be able to get into the play offs but would likely never see a championship game. Our offense is on the upswing but our defense is on the downslide proabably at a rate we can't overcome without changes to scheme and personnel.

I really hope I am wrong about the defense but what I have been trying to point out for two seasons now is coming to the fore in spades.

What scheme do you think guarantees success in the NFL? What defense in this era of offensive football has gone through unscathed? I look at Baltimore and they have had 2 horrible games defensively (sound familiar). San Fran didn't exactly look overwhelming against Ponder and the Vikings. How many points did TB put up on the Giants? The Titans went for 44 points against the Lions.

So who does that leave ... basically the Texans. They and San Fran seem to be the flavor last year and this year although both have had games where they were torched. I'd just like to know what this magic scheme is and wonder why the rest of the NFL hasn't gone to it.

[Oviedo]

How would you know until we have a complete D? Anything beyond that is merely reactionary and emotional.

It's not like Harrison played 16 games last year. He missed extended periods of time and the defense still achieved that #1 ranking.

Well we can take solace in the fact that the Pats and Giants made it to the Super Bowl last year with two of the worse defenses in the NFL. It appears our defense is going to let us try to do the same.

[RuthlessBurgher]

What scheme do you think guarantees success in the NFL? What defense in this era of offensive football has gone through unscathed? I look at Baltimore and they have had 2 horrible games defensively (sound familiar). San Fran didn't exactly look overwhelming against Ponder and the Vikings. How many points did TB put up on the Giants? The Titans went for 44 points against the Lions.

So who does that leave ... basically the Texans. They and San Fran seem to be the flavor last year and this year although both have had games where they were torched. I'd just like to know what this magic scheme is and wonder why the rest of the NFL hasn't gone to it.

In the era of the 5000 yard passers, everyone's pass defense sucks. Even the Texans (they faced the almighty Ryan Tannehill in his first ever NFL start and the amazing Blaine Gabbert in the first 2 weeks of the season...when they faced Peyton Manning last week, they gave up 330 yards and 2 TD's, which is more than the 253 yards and 2 TD's we gave him...they won that game because they had built a 20 point second half lead...before almost blowing it by allowing a couple of Denver TD's in the 4th).

[steelblood]

I think you are wildly optimistic. We may be able to get into the play offs but would likely never see a championship game. Our offense is on the upswing but our defense is on the downslide proabably at a rate we can't overcome without changes to scheme and personnel.

I really hope I am wrong about the defense but what I have been trying to point out for two seasons now is coming to the fore in spades.



This team has problems. But, so do the Pats, the Saints, and the Packers. The Texans and the Ravens are the class of the AFC. But, they are beatable.

[ter1230_4]

This team has problems. But, so do the Pats, the Saints, and the Packers. The Texans and the Ravens are the class of the AFC. But, they are beatable.

I share many of the concerns that have been expressed, particularly with respect to the current state of the Steelers Defense. But it is WAY too early to give up on the season. The Steelers have got a Franchise QB which means that as long as Ben remains healthy there's hope. Besides, lately it seems that the recipe for winning a Lombardi is to play most of the season mediocrely and then get hot at the end. Last season the Giants were 7-7 including a December loss at home to the Redskins, then got on a roll. The year before the Packers were 8-6 and needed a lot of help (including the Giants blowing a 21 point 4th quarter lead to the Eagles) to even make the playoffs. And the Steelers started this trend in 2005 when they were 7-5 and needed help to make the playoffs, then got on a roll and won it all. The teams that start out 10-0, 12-0, they NEVER win the Lombardi. So let's just enjoy the ride and see what this year's version of the Steelers is made of when all is said and done.

[Dee Dub]

I think we have a championship caliber team if we can get Troy, Mendy, and Harrison back...coupled with playing sound fundamental football.

1) Get healthy
2) Protect the football
3) Minimize penalties

our days of havin a dominate D might be over but our Passing game is the real deal. If the D can be solid, Mendy can breathe a little life into the running game...I know Bens arm can take us there.

Shawn (also Ruthless and Slapstick), I hope you guys are right and I am wrong. But let's not forget with Harrison and Troy in there last year on defense this team had a 21 year low 35 sacks and only 16 takeaways. I just dont see a championship caliber team this year. I think a reload is definitely in order. The guy lined up next to Timmons has to be a force in run support. Foote is far from it. And if you watch these games Casey Hampton is still taking on two blocks. Which means at least one inside LB is running free/clean. We need a legit corner. We have none right now. Ike Taylor is on a steady decline. He is holding and grabbing at will and yet he his still getting beat or giving up a costly penalty. Add and inside force and a descent corner and things will change. And I'd be willing to bet LeBeau or whoever the D-cordinator is would be a lot more aggressive in their attack.