I’m beginning to…..

[SteelerDayTrader]

Like the look of this team


I’m not sure my longshot faves will make the cut

And ON THE SURFACE at least……thats potentially a good thing……it means that they’ve been cut by better players obstensibly ……although we all know NFL rosters are rarely completely about the best player through the entire 53

Imo much of this season is going to come down to a few things


- Can Russ Wilson and the WR unit get on the same page quickly in games and put pressure on opponents for the entire 60 mins. If so the Steelers are gonna win more games than many expect. Wilson can cover up some weak spots on the team if the Steelers let him


- Will the heavy investments in the OL be given the green light sooner rather than later ? And can they coalesce quickly and become a reliable unit ?


- The Steelers close to vest style really needs fresh RB legs late in games. Will they roster a solid RB in addition to Harris and Warren AND make sure he gets enough carries to keep Harris and Warren from wearing down as the season progresses ?


- Will the TE unit make its presence felt in Smith’s offense ?


- Can Benton and the rest of the DL be good enough to let the OLBs and ILBs play to their strengths ?? If that happens the Steelers D might be good enough to beat the better QBs in the league. I’m not betting on though. My least favorite group outside of Benton


- Can the raw but talented DB prospects come together sooner rather than later ?? If so the Steelers have some guys with the tools to do some damage. If the Steelers can make just 1 or 2 of those guys into capable starters along with Porter that unit could be a difference maker from last year

- Havent seen it discussed much but Cameron Johnston is an upgrade that potentially could add another win or two by himself if the rest of the team does no worse than par


- Tomlin/Smith/Austin. Will those three shine ? Will they play young talent soon enough to have enough snaps to become difference makers later in the season ? Will they stay predictable in key moments ?Will they put the game in the hands of less familiar talent and say go win the game ??

We will see

I think Russ Wilson, Porter Watt and Highsmith can hang with any team if given a fair shot

If those entities have a big year the Steelers are gonna surprise some people

[TimmayLake]

Despite the sweeping changes I predict a similar result for a Tomlin coached team: 9-8 and a first round playoff loss.

[Louis Lipps Service]

Despite the sweeping changes I predict a similar result for a Tomlin coached team: 9-8 and a first round playoff loss.

This is where I'm at, too. I really like our roster, but we have so many new pieces that I think it's going to take about 12 weeks for Tomlin to do his "ease into the season" act. And by then, we'll be getting into the truly difficult part of the schedule. We'll upset some of those teams during that stretch, but it won't be enough.

Best case is to get into the playoffs and have our doors blown off as we try and play our butt-puckered version of attrition football while whomever we play spent the week leading up to the game putting together a good, aggressive gameplan. We'll be outscored 17-0 in the first quarter, as is tradition.

[Stosh-67]

- Havent seen it discussed much but Cameron Johnston is an upgrade that potentially could add another win or two by himself if the rest of the team does no worse than par

Yup. Under the radar signing.

If we just eliminate the shanks that PH3 was prone to.....
and add in a few boomers at the right time........
The signing will be huge.


Bill Burr look alike Cam Johnston averaged 48.1 and 47.7 the last 2 years.
47.3 avg in his 6 years.
Only 1 punt blocked.
104 punts inside 20 last in the last 3 years.

PH3 43.7 avg in his 3 years.
only 75 inside 20 in those 3 years ( granted our offense was not playing on the other half of the 50 too much ).

CJ - 242 punts last 3 years, 47 games
PH3 - 217 punts in 47 games, last 3 years







picking up 4 yards a punt on avg., dropping more inside the 20, and fewer shanks will be refreshing and field flipping, which we have been missing the last 3+ years

[lifelongsteel]

A punter who can punt? Check
A center who can snap? Check
An MLB who can cover? Check
An OC who can coordinate? Check
A QB with some juice? I guess we'll see

[Mick]

I’m somewhat hopeful that we’ve been waiting for the June 1st date to pass for certain roster options to become more available.

Beyond that, I’m expecting a lot of breathless reporting that one of the F-tier WRs or CBs on our 90-man roster is doing a better job against our F-tier CBs or WRs than the other F-tier WRs and CBs, really “standing out” or “making a push” etc.

But to me, when a known terrible player looks better than the other guys on the roster, that’s actually not encouraging at all.

[Ice]

When "bringing back Juju" articles are actually being written, it's clear WR outside of Pickens might be a problem, and D-line... even though Benton flashed, it's hard admitting a second year player is probably the strength of the group.

I remain at a reserved level of cautious optimism, though. Great OP, STD.

[bradshaw2ben]

A punter who can punt? Check
A center who can snap? Check
An MLB who can cover? Check
An OC who can coordinate? Check
A QB with some juice? I guess we'll see

1 & 2 are pretty much set. 3 would be true if they use Wilson in coverage but I wouldn't hold your breath. I'm telling you they think Queen is the cover LB. The vibe around OTAs is that it'll be Roberts & Queen, so take that for what it's worth.

I/m not sure at all that Arthur Smtih is a good coordinator for the NFL circa 2024. He's more a guy who did it an old school way once so he's convinced he can do it again. The best OCs continue to innovate forever.

Russ Wilson throws a dynamite deep ball on go routes. He's got some issues on almost everything else.

I'm pretty sure we are going to see something along the lines of 2020 Steelers offense, but with more focus on PA and some more window dressing on run plays. An overreliance on running the ball on 1st and 2nd down, especially early in games. Go route deep throws, especially on 3rd and short and other lo-risk matchup situations.

[RemoAZ]

A punter who can punt? Check
A center who can snap? Check
An MLB who can cover? Check
An OC who can coordinate? Check
A QB with some juice? I guess we'll see

1 & 2 are pretty much set. 3 would be true if they use Wilson in coverage but I wouldn't hold your breath. I'm telling you they think Queen is the cover LB. The vibe around OTAs is that it'll be Roberts & Queen, so take that for what it's worth.

I/m not sure at all that Arthur Smtih is a good coordinator for the NFL circa 2024. He's more a guy who did it an old school way once so he's convinced he can do it again. The best OCs continue to innovate forever.

Russ Wilson throws a dynamite deep ball on go routes. He's got some issues on almost everything else.

I'm pretty sure we are going to see something along the lines of 2020 Steelers offense, but with more focus on PA and some more window dressing on run plays. An overreliance on running the ball on 1st and 2nd down, especially early in games. Go route deep throws, especially on 3rd and short and other lo-risk matchup situations.

And that is exactly why Tomlin hired him. Instead of the change the organization said was happening, we may have gone even farther backwards.

[Jobu]

And that is exactly why Tomlin hired him. Instead of the change the organization said was happening, we may have gone even farther backwards.

Truth!

[bradshaw2ben]

And that is exactly why Tomlin hired him. Instead of the change the organization said was happening, we may have gone even farther backwards.

Truth!

One things for sure: it’ll look unstoppable in preseason.

[Jobu]

And that is exactly why Tomlin hired him. Instead of the change the organization said was happening, we may have gone even farther backwards.

Truth!

One things for sure: it’ll look unstoppable in preseason.

[Mick]

And that is exactly why Tomlin hired him. Instead of the change the organization said was happening, we may have gone even farther backwards.

Truth!

One things for sure: it’ll look unstoppable in preseason.

not sure why there should be confidence in that. The 2022 1st team preseason offense was probably the worst i’ve ever seen, and that wasn’t too long ago. Before that, it was pretty much a decade of garbage preseason offense any time Ben wasn’t out there.

[lifelongsteel]

A punter who can punt? Check
A center who can snap? Check
An MLB who can cover? Check
An OC who can coordinate? Check
A QB with some juice? I guess we'll see

1 & 2 are pretty much set. 3 would be true if they use Wilson in coverage but I wouldn't hold your breath. I'm telling you they think Queen is the cover LB. The vibe around OTAs is that it'll be Roberts & Queen, so take that for what it's worth.

I/m not sure at all that Arthur Smtih is a good coordinator for the NFL circa 2024. He's more a guy who did it an old school way once so he's convinced he can do it again. The best OCs continue to innovate forever.

Russ Wilson throws a dynamite deep ball on go routes. He's got some issues on almost everything else.

I'm pretty sure we are going to see something along the lines of 2020 Steelers offense, but with more focus on PA and some more window dressing on run plays. An overreliance on running the ball on 1st and 2nd down, especially early in games. Go route deep throws, especially on 3rd and short and other lo-risk matchup situations.

Yeah. I guess i would call Smith a professional OC vis-a-vis a Canada or Fichtner. Doesn't have to be great to be a huge improvement. on the QBs at minimum i'm hoping to have an athlete back there vs. a statue (late Ben) or scared child (Kenny).

[Ice]

It's been discussed to death, but until there's change at the top, there's a ceiling on what we can bring in as a coordinator on offense (shit, maybe, probably, defense, too). Uncle Artie is a caveman in a three piece suit, at least.

[lifelongsteel]

It's been discussed to death, but until there's change at the top, there's a ceiling on what we can bring in as a coordinator on offense (shit, maybe, probably, defense, too). Uncle Artie is a caveman in a three piece suit, at least.

This is certainly true. But, if you're guy at the top is dedicated to a "defense wins championships" and "run the damn ball" game plan, you might as well have an OC that knows how to run the ball.

[Ice]

It's been discussed to death, but until there's change at the top, there's a ceiling on what we can bring in as a coordinator on offense (shit, maybe, probably, defense, too). Uncle Artie is a caveman in a three piece suit, at least.

This is certainly true. But, if you're guy at the top is dedicated to a "defense wins championships" and "run the damn ball" game plan, you might as well have an OC that knows how to run the ball.

That much is certainly true. Beats a lot of what came before, for sure.

[bradshaw2ben]

Truth!

One things for sure: it’ll look unstoppable in preseason.

not sure why there should be confidence in that. The 2022 1st team preseason offense was probably the worst i’ve ever seen, and that wasn’t too long ago. Before that, it was pretty much a decade of garbage preseason offense any time Ben wasn’t out there.

Preseason is really changing––even since 2022. Other teams aren't playing starters, aren't gameplanning, aren't playing hard, satisfied to give some bottom of the roster types some vanilla reps. The Steelers seem to be going in the opposite direction-- last year they played like it was the Super Bowl. With the Tomlin focus on starting fast out of the gate, I'd expect more like last year.

[bradshaw2ben]

A punter who can punt? Check
A center who can snap? Check
An MLB who can cover? Check
An OC who can coordinate? Check
A QB with some juice? I guess we'll see

1 & 2 are pretty much set. 3 would be true if they use Wilson in coverage but I wouldn't hold your breath. I'm telling you they think Queen is the cover LB. The vibe around OTAs is that it'll be Roberts & Queen, so take that for what it's worth.

I/m not sure at all that Arthur Smtih is a good coordinator for the NFL circa 2024. He's more a guy who did it an old school way once so he's convinced he can do it again. The best OCs continue to innovate forever.

Russ Wilson throws a dynamite deep ball on go routes. He's got some issues on almost everything else.

I'm pretty sure we are going to see something along the lines of 2020 Steelers offense, but with more focus on PA and some more window dressing on run plays. An overreliance on running the ball on 1st and 2nd down, especially early in games. Go route deep throws, especially on 3rd and short and other lo-risk matchup situations.

Yeah. I guess i would call Smith a professional OC vis-a-vis a Canada or Fichtner. Doesn't have to be great to be a huge improvement. on the QBs at minimum i'm hoping to have an athlete back there vs. a statue (late Ben) or scared child (Kenny).

The OC does have to be great to overcome Mike Tomlin. That's more of an issue than the QBs.

[bradshaw2ben]

It's been discussed to death, but until there's change at the top, there's a ceiling on what we can bring in as a coordinator on offense (shit, maybe, probably, defense, too). Uncle Artie is a caveman in a three piece suit, at least.

This is certainly true. But, if you're guy at the top is dedicated to a "defense wins championships" and "run the damn ball" game plan, you might as well have an OC that knows how to run the ball.

That much is certainly true. Beats a lot of what came before, for sure.

Bill Callahan, Mike Munchak, Kyle Shananan... these are offensive guys who know how to build a running game. Arthur Smith is a couple of plateaus below that. He knows how to play "ball control"/keep scoring low.

[Ice]

So, Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer OC it is, then

[tbsteel]

Still think they're a year away outside of that whole QB position thing from having a potential top 12-14ish roster. Love what they've done the last couple of drafts, but here's how I see it going wrong (and please be sure to tip me for any futures bets once these all hit):

The OL will struggle early. Russ is going to make both Jones and Fautanu look like busts with his inability to see the field, process, and get the ball out vs. his ingrained washed up hero ball. I also have some concerns about Jones' motivation and conditioning. I think there's some immaturity there with some bumps to be experienced along the way. Thought he looked like a real flabby dabby at OTAs. Maybe he plans to use his saggy tits to breastfeed opposing pass rushers into a coma this year? Interesting strategy, young Broderick. Frazier surprisingly struggles at Latrobe and doesn't look like a great fit in Smith's scheme, leading to Nate Herbig to start the year at center for the first month, and it doesn't go swimmingly.

Harris is poised for his best year as a pro... which still won't be that impressive. So he decided to cut weight this offseason and train to work on his explosion (like I said three years ago he should've done viewtopic.php?f=2&t=19638)? They'll ride Najee early until quietly shifting more to Warren as the 60/40 option the second half of the year as long as he doesn't fumble that opportunity away. Pickens will have some outbursts but they'll excuse it and do what they can to keep him since they're absolutely fucked if he goes down.

Darnell will cement himself as a glorified extra tackle. TEs that move like they're playing with ankle weights don't do much in the NFL. To anyone who still wrongly believes he has any chance of challenging Pat, please watch this video and how each guy moves:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9ZRuQPE69c&t=158s

Look how slow and heavy his feet are, and how long it takes him to gather himself from one movement to the next. Just not good enough. Still say he should put on weight and be a tackle like Alejandro Villaneuva did. I just don't see much there as a receiver beyond of coverage busts and jump balls.

Defensively, we'll be okay. Minkah quietly had a meh season last year. I think he bounces back in a big way. And I actually think Corey Trice stays healthy and makes a positive impact. I tend to think Cam is mostly done. He was hurt this past year, but that tends to happen the older you get and the more wear and tear you incur. I think he'll be fine, but think his end pass rush days are gone. Maybe this is the last great year of TJ Watt, or maybe he moves into another part of his career this year.

8-9, last in the division, and picking 13th in the draft.

[K_C_]

Still think they're a year away outside of that whole QB position thing from having a potential top 12-14ish roster. Love what they've done the last couple of drafts, but here's how I see it going wrong (and please be sure to tip me for any futures bets once these all hit):

The OL will struggle early. Russ is going to make both Jones and Fautanu look like busts with his inability to see the field, process, and get the ball out vs. his ingrained washed up hero ball. I also have some concerns about Jones' motivation and conditioning. I think there's some immaturity there with some bumps to be experienced along the way. Thought he looked like a real flabby dabby at OTAs. Maybe he plans to use his saggy tits to breastfeed opposing pass rushers into a coma this year? Interesting strategy, young Broderick. Frazier surprisingly struggles at Latrobe and doesn't look like a great fit in Smith's scheme, leading to Nate Herbig to start the year at center for the first month, and it doesn't go swimmingly.

Harris is poised for his best year as a pro... which still won't be that impressive. So he decided to cut weight this offseason and train to work on his explosion (like I said three years ago he should've done viewtopic.php?f=2&t=19638)? They'll ride Najee early until quietly shifting more to Warren as the 60/40 option the second half of the year as long as he doesn't fumble that opportunity away. Pickens will have some outbursts but they'll excuse it and do what they can to keep him since they're absolutely fucked if he goes down.

Darnell will cement himself as a glorified extra tackle. TEs that move like they're playing with ankle weights don't do much in the NFL. To anyone who still wrongly believes he has any chance of challenging Pat, please watch this video and how each guy moves:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9ZRuQPE69c&t=158s

Look how slow and heavy his feet are, and how long it takes him to gather himself from one movement to the next. Just not good enough. Still say he should put on weight and be a tackle like Alejandro Villaneuva did. I just don't see much there as a receiver beyond of coverage busts and jump balls.

Defensively, we'll be okay. Minkah quietly had a meh season last year. I think he bounces back in a big way. And I actually think Corey Trice stays healthy and makes a positive impact. I tend to think Cam is mostly done. He was hurt this past year, but that tends to happen the older you get and the more wear and tear you incur. I think he'll be fine, but think his end pass rush days are gone. Maybe this is the last great year of TJ Watt, or maybe he moves into another part of his career this year.

8-9, last in the division, and picking 13th in the draft.

“And I actually think Corey Trice stays healthy and makes a positive impact.”

You have to be drunker than I am.

[tbsteel]

Still think they're a year away outside of that whole QB position thing from having a potential top 12-14ish roster. Love what they've done the last couple of drafts, but here's how I see it going wrong (and please be sure to tip me for any futures bets once these all hit):

The OL will struggle early. Russ is going to make both Jones and Fautanu look like busts with his inability to see the field, process, and get the ball out vs. his ingrained washed up hero ball. I also have some concerns about Jones' motivation and conditioning. I think there's some immaturity there with some bumps to be experienced along the way. Thought he looked like a real flabby dabby at OTAs. Maybe he plans to use his saggy tits to breastfeed opposing pass rushers into a coma this year? Interesting strategy, young Broderick. Frazier surprisingly struggles at Latrobe and doesn't look like a great fit in Smith's scheme, leading to Nate Herbig to start the year at center for the first month, and it doesn't go swimmingly.

Harris is poised for his best year as a pro... which still won't be that impressive. So he decided to cut weight this offseason and train to work on his explosion (like I said three years ago he should've done viewtopic.php?f=2&t=19638)? They'll ride Najee early until quietly shifting more to Warren as the 60/40 option the second half of the year as long as he doesn't fumble that opportunity away. Pickens will have some outbursts but they'll excuse it and do what they can to keep him since they're absolutely fucked if he goes down.

Darnell will cement himself as a glorified extra tackle. TEs that move like they're playing with ankle weights don't do much in the NFL. To anyone who still wrongly believes he has any chance of challenging Pat, please watch this video and how each guy moves:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9ZRuQPE69c&t=158s

Look how slow and heavy his feet are, and how long it takes him to gather himself from one movement to the next. Just not good enough. Still say he should put on weight and be a tackle like Alejandro Villaneuva did. I just don't see much there as a receiver beyond of coverage busts and jump balls.

Defensively, we'll be okay. Minkah quietly had a meh season last year. I think he bounces back in a big way. And I actually think Corey Trice stays healthy and makes a positive impact. I tend to think Cam is mostly done. He was hurt this past year, but that tends to happen the older you get and the more wear and tear you incur. I think he'll be fine, but think his end pass rush days are gone. Maybe this is the last great year of TJ Watt, or maybe he moves into another part of his career this year.

8-9, last in the division, and picking 13th in the draft.

“And I actually think Corey Trice stays healthy and makes a positive impact.”

You have to be drunker than I am.

I've calculated the odds of it happening are 52.3%. The math never lies, KC.

[Mick]

Porter, Jackson, and Trice are the only three CBs on our roster you can reasonably hope to be capable of being a top four NFL CB this year.

I understand skepticism of Trice, but wow things are bad if he flops.

[bradshaw2ben]

Porter, Jackson, and Trice are the only three CBs on our roster you can reasonably hope to be capable of being a top four NFL CB this year.

I understand skepticism of Trice, but wow things are bad if he flops.

I’d have Darius Rush, Josiah Scott, & Beanie Bishop have a more realistic chance of being CB3-CB4 than Trice, and I think all 3 can be average to above average.

[Dan Smith--BYU]

The more I look at that late schedule, the more I think this is the year NHALS fails

8-9 is where I am going

Also I think this is Baltimore's year

[Mick]

Porter, Jackson, and Trice are the only three CBs on our roster you can reasonably hope to be capable of being a top four NFL CB this year.

I understand skepticism of Trice, but wow things are bad if he flops.

I’d have Darius Rush, Josiah Scott, & Beanie Bishop have a more realistic chance of being CB3-CB4 than Trice, and I think all 3 can be average to above average.

the rest of the league has passed over all three as not being worth replacement level CB money in the past…7 months? Someone is going to get CB3 snaps on our roster, and if its not Trice it will obviously be someone else. But those three are extremely unlikely to be able to perform at replacement level this season, much less merely below average, and it would take a miracle for any of them to achieve mediocrity.

[bradshaw2ben]

Porter, Jackson, and Trice are the only three CBs on our roster you can reasonably hope to be capable of being a top four NFL CB this year.

I understand skepticism of Trice, but wow things are bad if he flops.

I’d have Darius Rush, Josiah Scott, & Beanie Bishop have a more realistic chance of being CB3-CB4 than Trice, and I think all 3 can be average to above average.

the rest of the league has passed over all three as not being worth replacement level CB money in the past…7 months? Someone is going to get CB3 snaps on our roster, and if its not Trice it will obviously be someone else. But those three are extremely unlikely to be able to perform at replacement level this season, much less merely below average, and it would take a miracle for any of them to achieve mediocrity.

Beanie's an overged rookie, but he's an experienced college slot player with skills. I think he'll be the CB3 unless Scott is as good as he was playing for Philly... which was not too bad. The battle for the CB2 spot is between an average to above average starter in Jackson or one of those two other guys proves ready. Rush was playing ahead of Trice at OTAs, but it's early. I actually think Rush is was a better CB prospect than Trice coming out, so we'll see.

[Mick]

I’m optimistic that in year 2 on Bishop has maybe a solid ~20% chance of being a useful contributor. As a rookie UDFA though, that number is way lower for this season, and odds of being ‘average’ aren’t remotely close to 1%.

Scott was the #10 CB in one of the worst secondaries in the league last season. He’s gotten lit up in coverage every year they’ve given him 20 defensive snaps, and doesn’t do anything well coming downhill either.

Rush was a reasonable prospect, but picking him up after he got cut is like picking up a scratch off lottery ticket after someone discards it. It’s possible they misread it, but in general the odds are way lower that there’s value there then for a comparable prospect who wasn’t cut.

Trice is still injury limited. But i’d guess CB3 simply isn’t on the roster yet.