Enough with the ‘no talent’ excuse.

[whatever]

Unless you guys can show me where you all said our last 5 years drafts sucked and our Fa pick ups were terrible, I’m not buying it.

[snarky]

If your salary cap situation is messed up enough you can draft well, do well with FAs and still end up with an OL that gets blown up on nearly every play.

[Chucktownsteeler]

KC has the superior talent. I don't even think that can be debated.

[Northern_Blitz]

Unless you guys can show me where you all said our last 5 years drafts sucked and our Fa pick ups were terrible, I’m not buying it.

1) No one really knows anything about draft picks until they play (usually for multiple years).
2) Absolutely everyone on this board was worried about the OL being terrible this year. Although some were holding out hope that they would get better throughout the season. And at least be good at run blocking because they are "nasty".
3) Sometimes guys just decline over time. So they were amazing, franchise defining picks when they were drafted. But age out.

And ultimately a couple of questions for you:
(a) What were your expectations going into the season? Personally, I didn't think we were good and assumed we'd miss the playoffs. I'm happy that I was wrong about that.
(b) What was your prediction going into the playoff game against KC? Were you saying:
(i) "The Steelers are just as good at KC on paper, should be a close game?",
(ii) "This team has no business being in the playoffs because they are so bad. They only got in because we other teams collapsed and got covid at the wrong times", or
(iii) "I can't believe that KC isn't terrified of stepping on the field with our guys. We're so amazing this year that no one can stop us!"

I 100% get why people were pissed that when we lost to the Jags.

And while I didn't think we'd beat Cleveland last year, I didn't think we'd get humiliated either. So that was a big dissapointment.

But this year? I was hoping for a closer game...especially after the DTD, when I starting thinking "we're +2 in turnovers and we have a DTD, those are good numbers". But I don't think anyone legitimately thought we had much chance. We ended up +2 against the Rats too, but needed OT because our offense was absolutely terrible...pretty much all year.

[Djfan]

During the game, one of the network hacks said something like "KC was embarrassed by their O Line in the last superbowl. So, they went out and fixed it."

I thought "What the heck type of team leadership is that, that they just address weaknesses in the offseason? How odd!"

[whisper]

KC has the superior talent. I don't even think that can be debated.

Clearly, the most important position on the team, QB - big time KC.
Huge part of a team's worth, head coach. Clearly KC.
Giant part of team quality, OL. KC by a mile.
WR - Didn't see any drops by KC's WRs, Hill a top 3 WR in NFL. KC.
RB, as a unit, push.
TE, with Kelce? KC.

D front 7 - KC
Secondary - KC

[whisper]

During the game, one of the network hacks said something like "KC was embarrassed by their O Line in the last superbowl. So, they went out and fixed it."

I thought "What the heck type of team leadership is that, that they just address weaknesses in the offseason? How odd!"

Well, the only reason their OL was so bad in the SB was from injuries, they lost both starting OTs. But they did "fix it." Unfortunately, we had so many more areas that needed "fixed," starting with our OL to begin with: we needed a new C, OGs and OTs. Plus, in hindsight, we needed a new QB, new TE, new RB, new ILB. That a lot of things to fix.

[Chucktownsteeler]

Well, the only reason their OL was so bad in the SB was from injuries, they lost both starting OTs. But they did "fix it." Unfortunately, we had so many more areas that needed "fixed," starting with our OL to begin with: we needed a new C, OGs and OTs. Plus, in hindsight, we needed a new QB, new TE, new RB, new ILB. That a lot of things to fix.

The OL should take priority, as proven by KC. They drafted a generational center (which we passed on twice), traded for an all-pro LT and signed a RT. They are speed personified. Take care of the OL and you will be surprised how fast (no punintended) the other pieces fall into place.

[Ernie]

The OL should take priority, as proven by KC. They drafted a generational center (which we passed on twice), traded for an all-pro LT and signed a RT. They are speed personified. Take care of the OL and you will be surprised how fast (no punintended) the other pieces fall into place.

Exactly....

[NorthCoast]

Well, the only reason their OL was so bad in the SB was from injuries, they lost both starting OTs. But they did "fix it." Unfortunately, we had so many more areas that needed "fixed," starting with our OL to begin with: we needed a new C, OGs and OTs. Plus, in hindsight, we needed a new QB, new TE, new RB, new ILB. That a lot of things to fix.

Add in Cap Hell to the mix.

[steeler_george]

2021-Najee, Mouth, Green, Moore, B Johnson, Loudermilk, Roche, Norwood, Harvin
2020- no #1, Claypool, Highsmith, McFarland, Dotson, Brooks, Carlos Davis
2019-Bush, No #2, Dj, Layne, Snell, Gentry, Sutton Smith ILB, Buggs, Gilbert, Gray
2018-Edmunds, Washington, Mason, Okorafor, M Allen, Sammiels, Fazier
2017- Watt, JuJu, Sutton, Conner, Dobbs, 3 x scrubs
2016- Burns, sean Davis, Hargrave, scrubs

Looking at the drafts:
2016 was a bust besides Hargrave.
2017 WOW
2018 Solid
2019 starting to think that was a bust besides DJ
2020 Solid, WOW If Claypool turns it around
2021 Wow besides Green jury still out maybe a good guard

Otside FA have been horrid the past 3 years, 2021 Finney, Haeg, Cowerd, 2020 Wisniewski & Ebron, 2019 Mark Barron, Moncrief, Nelson

Their is talent on this team, but the biggest question I had was why letting Feiler go and signing Banner & Ebron. Especially when it was last year of Vill, Banner still hurt, and Okar last year of contract in 2021. We risked our OT position on Banner recovery and Haeg. LucKy we got with Moore. Another question is why didn't we go after a starter at C, and went all in with drafting Green.

[NorthCoast]

Clearly, the most important position on the team, QB - big time KC.
Huge part of a team's worth, head coach. Clearly KC.
Giant part of team quality, OL. KC by a mile.
WR - Didn't see any drops by KC's WRs, Hill a top 3 WR in NFL. KC.
RB, as a unit, push.
TE, with Kelce? KC.

D front 7 - KC
Secondary - KC

Funny how Reid went from a 0.583 win % to 0.710 after he gets a franchise QB. QBs can skew perceptions.

[flippy]

I do think we should stop drafting choir boys and go for some players with a little more attitude.

I think we over corrected post AB.

[NorthCoast]

2021-Najee, Mouth, Green, Moore, B Johnson, Loudermilk, Roche, Norwood, Harvin
2020- no #1, Claypool, Highsmith, McFarland, Dotson, Brooks, Carlos Davist
2019-Bush, No #2, Dj, Layne, Snell, Gentry, Sutton Smith ILB, Buggs, Gilbert, Gray
2018-Edmunds, Washington, Mason, Okorafor, M Allen, Sammiels, Fazier
2017- Watt, JuJu, Sutton, Conner, Dobbs, 3 x scrubs
2016- Burns, sean Davis, Hargrave, scrubs

Looking at the drafts:
2016 was a bust besides Hargrave. forgettable except Hargrave (wish we could have kept him)
2017 WOW - great draft
2018 Solid - Edmunds is a solid starter, the rest are upgradeable
2019 starting to think that was a bust besides DJ Gentry in the 5th is good value, Bush -TBD but not promising, Sutton - maybe, DJ solid starter
2020 Solid, WOW If Claypool turns it around Highsmith and Dotson were excellent value, Claypool - TBD
2021 Wow besides Green jury still out maybe a good guard way too soon to judge but clear winners are Najee and Muth

Otside FA have been horrid the past 3 years, 2021 Finney, Haeg, Cowerd, 2020 Wisniewski & Ebron, 2019 Mark Barron, Moncrief, Nelson - Nelson was a top rated CB for the Steelers, the rest backups

Their is talent on this team, but the biggest question I had was why letting Feiler go and signing Banner & Ebron. Especially when it was last year of Vill, Banner still hurt, and Okar last year of contract in 2021. We risked our OT position on Banner recovery and Haeg. LucKy we got with Moore. Another question is why didn't we go after a starter at C, and went all in with drafting Green.

___________

[Terrapin]

1) No one really knows anything about draft picks until they play (usually for multiple years).
2) Absolutely everyone on this board was worried about the OL being terrible this year. Although some were holding out hope that they would get better throughout the season. And at least be good at run blocking because they are "nasty".
3) Sometimes guys just decline over time. So they were amazing, franchise defining picks when they were drafted. But age out.

And ultimately a couple of questions for you:
(a) What were your expectations going into the season? Personally, I didn't think we were good and assumed we'd miss the playoffs. I'm happy that I was wrong about that.
(b) What was your prediction going into the playoff game against KC? Were you saying:
(i) "The Steelers are just as good at KC on paper, should be a close game?",
(ii) "This team has no business being in the playoffs because they are so bad. They only got in because we other teams collapsed and got covid at the wrong times", or
(iii) "I can't believe that KC isn't terrified of stepping on the field with our guys. We're so amazing this year that no one can stop us!"

I 100% get why people were pissed that when we lost to the Jags.

And while I didn't think we'd beat Cleveland last year, I didn't think we'd get humiliated either. So that was a big dissapointment.

But this year? I was hoping for a closer game...especially after the DTD, when I starting thinking "we're +2 in turnovers and we have a DTD, those are good numbers". But I don't think anyone legitimately thought we had much chance. We ended up +2 against the Rats too, but needed OT because our offense was absolutely terrible...pretty much all year.

It isn't just losing, it's HOW we lose. Routinely getting blown the F out, and looking like we don't have any plan or clue whatsoever out there. Having WRs and TEs running 20 yards down the field without a defender within 15 yards of them isn't due to talent. That's scheme. The same as against Minnesota. There were tons of missed tackles, but Cook was routinely gaining 10-20 yards without anyone even close to him. Offense is the same. Our line is putrid and our WRs suck. What do teams do when we can't stop the pass rush? Designed screens to the RBs. How about some passes over the middle to our big stud TE? How many of those have we seen this year?

We have little talent, but our coaching is embarrassing