Should the Steelers build their future now, and bite the bullet in 2013?

[Shawn]

I agree with the thoughts about a larger turnover. But, as long as Ben is healthy we will be competitive...we will have a shot at a SB. Were the Ravens that much better than a healthy Steeler team this year? I think not.

[papillon]

I agree with the thoughts about a larger turnover. But, as long as Ben is healthy we will be competitive...we will have a shot at a SB. Were the Ravens that much better than a healthy Steeler team this year? I think not.

The offense has proven that they can't and don't outscore anyone. Without a defense that is giving up fewer than 24 points a game Ben and the offense won't be able to overcome the defense in my opinion. The offense under Ben has never been consistently good enough (save for three playoff games in 2005) to outscore and opponent, more than likely they will have stretches without making a first down or miss opportunities to score than they are to consistently make plays and move the football.

Ben is a great quarterback, but he isn't the machine that Brees, Rogers, Manning (Peyton) and Brady are when it comes to offense. He makes great plays, but doesn't necessarily make a lot of good plays consecutively and that's what the other guys do. They make a lot of average to good plays consecutively to keep drives alive and scoring chances at a maximum; Ben will make plays, but gets impatient at times and has a greater chance of having a misfire or a sack or some other event that causes drives to stall.

Ben needs a defense a little more than the others, IMO.

Pappy

[RuthlessBurgher]

The Steelers don't normally overhaul the team in one year, which is what would be happening if too many vets are cut or released.

Well, the overhaul started a year ago when we said goodbye to the likes of Hines Ward, James Farrior, Aaron Smith, and Chris Hoke.

[supersteeler]

The offense has proven that they can't and don't outscore anyone. Without a defense that is giving up fewer than 24 points a game Ben and the offense won't be able to overcome the defense in my opinion. The offense under Ben has never been consistently good enough (save for three playoff games in 2005) to outscore and opponent, more than likely they will have stretches without making a first down or miss opportunities to score than they are to consistently make plays and move the football.

Ben is a great quarterback, but he isn't the machine that Brees, Rogers, Manning (Peyton) and Brady are when it comes to offense. He makes great plays, but doesn't necessarily make a lot of good plays consecutively and that's what the other guys do. They make a lot of average to good plays consecutively to keep drives alive and scoring chances at a maximum; Ben will make plays, but gets impatient at times and has a greater chance of having a misfire or a sack or some other event that causes drives to stall.

Ben needs a defense a little more than the others, IMO.


Pappy

Spot on Pappy. This offense never wowed anyone for years, we need to finally fix the real problem, the offense. Our defense bailed them out as long as I can remember, it's time the offense return the favor.

[Oviedo]

Be a good year to go young and start fresh as Baltimore is going to have to do much the same.

Personally I would gut the defense, switch to the 4-3 Tampa 2, and go young.

Yes to this. It would ease the transition of the young players because they would play familiar positions. Won't hapen though as long as "Gramps" is in charge because "not invented here."

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Harrison isn't Harrison and never will be. He didn't do anything down the stretch that waWe hs Harrison'ish. The stat sheet doesn't reflect his play on the field. He has taken significant steps back and he will be another year older. Harrison is a "vet min" player at this point in his career. The only reason Steeler fans can't see it is they want to pay him for what he did in the past and not what he could do now.

Wow. Amazing take. What I saw was that the D began to play well about the time that Harrison rounded into form. The last quarter of the season, he was making plays. And a "vet min" player? You will soon see that NFL teams don't agree. Now, as to whether the Steelers should keep him, different story. We are in cap hell and face some tough decisions...and unless James is willing to play for a drastic pay reduction, I think we will (and should) cut him loose. We almost have to, in order to have any chance of building a competitive team going forward.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

I think they can do both. For example, I would not be surprised if they decide to re-sign one or even 2 of these players discussed on here as a possible cut......

what he said... Most of those guys get a restructure to save cap (Ben, Lamar, Troy and Harrison). They make their $ this year, and count less towards this year's cap. Yes, this was an 8-8 team... one that lost most games by 3 points or less.... while missing Ben, Troy, Harrison and a handful of offensive linemen... This is easily an 11-5 team and with the right additions (draft, FA) could be a 13-3 team.

[squidkid]

we neede to get rid of cowhers players as soon as possible and get tomlins on the field exclusively.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

we neede to get rid of cowhers players as soon as possible and get tomlins on the field exclusively.

hoping that was sarcasm... Ben... Troy... Heath... not ready to lose any of the 3... and there are others...

[squidkid]

hoping that was sarcasm... Ben... Troy... Heath... not ready to lose any of the 3... and there are others...

i dont want them gone either but sure am ready to see how great of a coach tomlin is with his own players.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Wow. Amazing take. What I saw was that the D began to play well about the time that Harrison rounded into form. The last quarter of the season, he was making plays. And a "vet min" player? You will soon see that NFL teams don't agree. Now, as to whether the Steelers should keep him, different story. We are in cap hell and face some tough decisions...and unless James is willing to play for a drastic pay reduction, I think we will (and should) cut him loose. We almost have to, in order to have any chance of building a competitive team going forward.

The defense played well as a unit. The improved CB play is what made the defense top flight. Harrison never came into form. Woodley took a year off. Hampton was barely average. The 3 must win games at the end of the year Harrison had 10 TT 1 FF 1 SK 0 PD 0 INT. That is not the Harrison I knew. I had to look for #92 watching the games. He didn't jump out.

He is a vet min player at 35 given the CBA. Whatever he gets is guranteed if he makes a week 1 roster. A 35 year old clearly in decline is a risk. He will get released and contender will give him a Signing Bonus and a 2-3 mil base.