what this team accomplished this year........

[Starlifter]

it has nothing to do with the record. I wanted to take a step back and look at this team with a macro view over the past 3 years.

in 2012 we were the oldest team in the league. ike and troy were definitely slowing down. so was the defense as a whole. we had 'young money' in the WR corps - but no answer for the backfield.

the steelers were on a mission to transform this team, get younger and surround ben for the last 5-6 productive years of his career. (he may likely play longer - but that's another debate).

I think it's clear the steelers have pulled off the overhaul.

Can anyone point to a significant hole in the offense? it's going to be an amazing group. we are deep everywhere. the defensive line was impressive this year. 4 first round LB's. Timmons looked a little heavy and slower to me this year - but he still had a great season. yes, our secondary is the weak link. however with no big free agents looming to resign - i think the team can tweak the cap and plug some holes.

bottom line - colbert and the front office has successfully completed their mission.

ben is surrounded with a young team, loaded with talent.

I think the next 4-5 years are going to be very very special.

[Chadman]

Dude, you seriously didn't get the memo did you?

You can't be positive now! You need to wait at least until August before we even mention the word 'special'. From today through to training camp, you need to remember that the team is over rated, Tomlin can't coach, Colbert can't draft & we have multiple holes across the roster.

On top of that, we can never afford FA's, we lose anybody off contract, and all our players are rubbish, until signed by another team- which will, amazingly, elevate the level of their play & ability to an all-pro level (this in turn, goes back to "Tomlin can't coach" territory).

The Steelers CANNOT survive without drafting a CB in Round 1. To be more accurate- trading up into the Top 3 to "grab an elite CB". Of course- if we do trade up, Colbert is enforcing the "Colbert is an idiot" mantra, for giving up all our draft picks to grab 'some bum'.

Note however- that these topics are only valid until Training Camp, where you are officially allowed to then proclaim that the Steelers will win the SB 'this season'. Don't let the 3-4 posters on here who are paid to be 'Negative Nancies' dissuade you- they will ALWAYS be negative, even in the face of your 16-0 claims.

You must be careful though to not let your 16-0 mantra travel too long. Not past week 1, actually, where you must immediately revert back to "we will be lucky to go 8-8" & follow it up with either "Bring back Cowher" or "Haley is useless".

Look, don't let everyone know Chadman let you in on the memo. But we'll make sure you are on the mailing list at the end of next season...

[Starlifter]

Dude, you seriously didn't get the memo did you?

You can't be positive now! You need to wait at least until August before we even mention the word 'special'. From today through to training camp, you need to remember that the team is over rated, Tomlin can't coach, Colbert can't draft & we have multiple holes across the roster.

On top of that, we can never afford FA's, we lose anybody off contract, and all our players are rubbish, until signed by another team- which will, amazingly, elevate the level of their play & ability to an all-pro level (this in turn, goes back to "Tomlin can't coach" territory).

The Steelers CANNOT survive without drafting a CB in Round 1. To be more accurate- trading up into the Top 3 to "grab an elite CB". Of course- if we do trade up, Colbert is enforcing the "Colbert is an idiot" mantra, for giving up all our draft picks to grab 'some bum'.

Note however- that these topics are only valid until Training Camp, where you are officially allowed to then proclaim that the Steelers will win the SB 'this season'. Don't let the 3-4 posters on here who are paid to be 'Negative Nancies' dissuade you- they will ALWAYS be negative, even in the face of your 16-0 claims.

You must be careful though to not let your 16-0 mantra travel too long. Not past week 1, actually, where you must immediately revert back to "we will be lucky to go 8-8" & follow it up with either "Bring back Cowher" or "Haley is useless".

Look, don't let everyone know Chadman let you in on the memo. But we'll make sure you are on the mailing list at the end of next season...

lmao.......that's awesome!

but chadman should know by now, starlifter marches to the beat of his own drum. It's a lonely path I walk sometimes.......

[fordfixer]

Dude, you seriously didn't get the memo did you?

You can't be positive now! You need to wait at least until August before we even mention the word 'special'. From today through to training camp, you need to remember that the team is over rated, Tomlin can't coach, Colbert can't draft & we have multiple holes across the roster.

On top of that, we can never afford FA's, we lose anybody off contract, and all our players are rubbish, until signed by another team- which will, amazingly, elevate the level of their play & ability to an all-pro level (this in turn, goes back to "Tomlin can't coach" territory).

The Steelers CANNOT survive without drafting a CB in Round 1. To be more accurate- trading up into the Top 3 to "grab an elite CB". Of course- if we do trade up, Colbert is enforcing the "Colbert is an idiot" mantra, for giving up all our draft picks to grab 'some bum'.

Note however- that these topics are only valid until Training Camp, where you are officially allowed to then proclaim that the Steelers will win the SB 'this season'. Don't let the 3-4 posters on here who are paid to be 'Negative Nancies' dissuade you- they will ALWAYS be negative, even in the face of your 16-0 claims.

You must be careful though to not let your 16-0 mantra travel too long. Not past week 1, actually, where you must immediately revert back to "we will be lucky to go 8-8" & follow it up with either "Bring back Cowher" or "Haley is useless".

Look, don't let everyone know Chadman let you in on the memo. But we'll make sure you are on the mailing list at the end of next season...

Who sent you the memo?

[SidSmythe]

Chadman?? Where u been??

This team is a dominant pass rusher and a playmaker in thr secondary away from greatness.

[phillyesq]

it has nothing to do with the record. I wanted to take a step back and look at this team with a macro view over the past 3 years.

in 2012 we were the oldest team in the league. ike and troy were definitely slowing down. so was the defense as a whole. we had 'young money' in the WR corps - but no answer for the backfield.

the steelers were on a mission to transform this team, get younger and surround ben for the last 5-6 productive years of his career. (he may likely play longer - but that's another debate).

I think it's clear the steelers have pulled off the overhaul.

Can anyone point to a significant hole in the offense? it's going to be an amazing group. we are deep everywhere. the defensive line was impressive this year. 4 first round LB's. Timmons looked a little heavy and slower to me this year - but he still had a great season. yes, our secondary is the weak link. however with no big free agents looming to resign - i think the team can tweak the cap and plug some holes.

bottom line - colbert and the front office has successfully completed their mission.

ben is surrounded with a young team, loaded with talent.

I think the next 4-5 years are going to be very very special.

Great post. The Steelers have a young, controllable core on both sides of the ball and have largely moved on from some of the dead money, bad contracts and restructures that plagued them before. And now those guys have playoff experience.

The defense still needs a few pieces - particularly help in the secondary and depth on the defensive line. They also need one of the young pass rushers to emerge. But it looks like the Steelers are in position to have a run of success.

[Slapstick]

After this year, there is less than $1 million in dead money on the books...

[Oviedo]

it has nothing to do with the record. I wanted to take a step back and look at this team with a macro view over the past 3 years.

in 2012 we were the oldest team in the league. ike and troy were definitely slowing down. so was the defense as a whole. we had 'young money' in the WR corps - but no answer for the backfield.

the steelers were on a mission to transform this team, get younger and surround ben for the last 5-6 productive years of his career. (he may likely play longer - but that's another debate).

I think it's clear the steelers have pulled off the overhaul.

Can anyone point to a significant hole in the offense? it's going to be an amazing group. we are deep everywhere. the defensive line was impressive this year. 4 first round LB's. Timmons looked a little heavy and slower to me this year - but he still had a great season. yes, our secondary is the weak link. however with no big free agents looming to resign - i think the team can tweak the cap and plug some holes.

bottom line - colbert and the front office has successfully completed their mission.

ben is surrounded with a young team, loaded with talent.

I think the next 4-5 years are going to be very very special.

Best post in weeks. Nice change from hysterical, reactionary fools

You are right on the mark

Thank you for your thoughtful intelligent post

[BURGH86STEEL]

The arrow is definitely pointing upwards for this team. If they can manage to add a couple more pieces to the defense, resign a few of the up coming players, and remain relatively healthy they will have a real shot at winning another SB.

[NorthCoast]

I'm probably in the minority but I think CB in Rd 1 is high risk. Rather they look safety or OLB once again. The ability to pressure the QB in the modern NFL is key. If the QB is feeling no heat, they will find an open man.

[SidSmythe]

I'm probably in the minority but I think CB in Rd 1 is high risk. Rather they look safety or OLB once again. The ability to pressure the QB in the modern NFL is key. If the QB is feeling no heat, they will find an open man.

You're not alone. I said the exact same thing. SS is the biggest need in our secondary and since we picked two CBs last draft I'm think ROLB and SS are our top off season priorities.

[fezziwig]

Chadman?? Where u been??

This team is a dominant pass rusher and a playmaker in thr secondary away from greatness.

I agree, but can it happen ?

[fezziwig]

It would be nice to get both. I thought James Harrison ability back in the day really put our defense over the top and not enough could ever truly be said how his abilities elevated the entire defense to get the job done. He made everyone better. Who's the next James Harrison, can we get one ? Can we afford him ? I also felt this season our offense was that special force that it could put up enough points to leave the opponents in the rear view mirror. Wrong again.

[Oviedo]

I'm probably in the minority but I think CB in Rd 1 is high risk. Rather they look safety or OLB once again. The ability to pressure the QB in the modern NFL is key. If the QB is feeling no heat, they will find an open man.

I think you are right on the mark. Look at the guys touted the past two drafts who everyone wanted. Have any of them set the world on fire? With the new rules, I think CBs are very high risk in Round 1 because they need time to develop. I also would go Safety or pass rush. Wildcard might be on the Off Line.

[fezziwig]

Do you guys think Boykin will be on this team next year and if so, will he see more playing time ? Also, is there a chance of picking up a proven CB with FA ?