Will the Steelers rebound next year?

[carolinatony]

Morning all
They lost Cowhler which will means a new coaching staff and time to adjust.
I was also reading that are only 3.1 mil under the cap which is not a lot to work with. They still need a RB to replace the Bus.
And the big question is.. Is Big Ben back to his old self after his accident. He was never a Brady or Manning imo.

I think the Ravens fall back this year and the Browns are the Browns so that leaves the Bengals. Can they keep their players out of jail to give the Steelers a run for first?

 

[Denism]

Morning all
They lost Cowhler which will means a new coaching staff and time to adjust.
I was also reading that are only 3.1 mil under the cap which is not a lot to work with. They still need a RB to replace the Bus.
And the big question is.. Is Big Ben back to his old self after his accident. He was never a Brady or Manning imo.

I think the Ravens fall back this year and the Browns are the Browns so that leaves the Bengals. Can they keep their players out of jail to give the Steelers a run for first?

I dont think they will, The Loss of The Bus & Randel-el was hugh. Yes they made abit of a run in the 2nd half of the season & ultimatly their bad start cost them a playoff start. They'll probably make the playoffs but IMHO thats all.

IMO if the Ravens can get a Decent QB & work on their Offense they might be a Team Challanging next year (Bare in mind they kept Colts to only F/G's all game). Their D is good but they badly lack an Offense (See Colts Game)

Titans might be a Team to look out for aswell next Season!!

 

[wdkantro2]

I think the Steelers will be good, but not great because of their loss at HC. Don't forget in the second half of the year in 06, the Steelers ONLY lost to the Ravens. They could have snuck into the playoffs if they just had one more win.

 

[patsfaninpa]

I see 8-8 or 9-7. Don't see them rebounding to an elite level yet.
J.Hartings - C retired too. Big loss for them. For them to win division, Rothliesberger must step up. Has to be a qb that can carry the team. Not one who can manage the game if they are running the ball well.

 

[Digger44]

Morning all
Is Big Ben back to his old self after his accident. He was never a Brady or Manning imo.

Did his accident change his play? He looked like the Big Ben that showed up for the SuperBowl.

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

Morning all
They lost Cowhler which will means a new coaching staff and time to adjust.
I was also reading that are only 3.1 mil under the cap which is not a lot to work with. They still need a RB to replace the Bus.
And the big question is.. Is Big Ben back to his old self after his accident. He was never a Brady or Manning imo.

I think the Ravens fall back this year and the Browns are the Browns so that leaves the Bengals. Can they keep their players out of jail to give the Steelers a run for first?

1. Mike Thomlin is NOT a 3-4 guy

2. The whole "salary cap" thing is nothing but a myth-look at the Washington Redskins. Year in and out, they have the WORST shaped salary cap sit, but somehow, they end up getting the big dogs and are able to keep their team OK.(at least on paper)

3. Willie Parker is doing fine

4. I doubt it-the guy almost had a horrific death, he just doesn't seem to be quick on reading Ds like he used to be

5. The Ravens have few FAs-they'll bounce back, but Billick needs to change his offensive philosophy

6. Agreed on the Browns

7. Marvin is a POOR disciplinarian, things'll be the same in Cincy

To overall-no, don't think Pitt will bounce back.

 

[Digger44]

2. The whole "salary cap" thing is nothing but a myth-look at the Washington Redskins. Year in and out, they have the WORST shaped salary cap sit, but somehow, they end up getting the big dogs and are able to keep their team OK.(at least on paper)

The Skins wet themselves beacause they won 1 sinlge playoff game in 2005 since 2000 on. One, 1, Uno freaking playoff game win in 5 years. Snyder bought the team in 1999 and they won 1 playoff game in that year as well, but that wasn't his doing.

How the heck do you cite that they are able to keep their team ok?????

In fact let me restate the point. Since Snyder bought the team in 1999, do you know how many times the team has made the playoffs? Try 2 times!!! That is it. How the heck are they OK????? Please I really want to hear your logic. I need to be enlightened.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I think for the Steelers, Browns, Ravens and Bengals it could get worse before it gets better. Could add KC to that group too.

Cowher had a handle on Ben in 2004 and a handle on the team in 2005. He lost it in the glow of one for the thumb. This year will be all about whose team is it, Ben's, some new HC's, who will the veterans support.

Romeo is just hangin' on for dear life. He could be gone by mid season. McNair was just a bandaid but he'll likely get them through another regular season in playoff shape only to fold when the playoffs arrive. Talk is cheap in Cincy and until you change the culture and build a selfless core all that crap and self absorbed ego will just keep injecting itself into every season at some point. Trent Green is a guy who should probably join Ted Johnson on the concussion awareness circuit (along with Ben). And he may yet when they ask him to cut his salary down to Pennington's level. And Huard is an UFA. Herm can coach defense some if they buy him enough talent, but they are struggling cap wise after acquiring Ty last season, and Herm can't manufacture offense. Which is going to be their downfall because in just one season he managed to kill a fairly potent pre-existing one.

 

[Digger44]

I think for the Steelers, Browns, Ravens and Bengals it could get worse before it gets better. Could add KC to that group too.

I totally agree. As far as KC, you are right on. Under Herm it will only get worse. When he is fired it will get better.

 

[carolinatony]

I never understood the Chiefs. I live in KC for a year and they support that team great. They go 10-6/ 9-7 every year but no better and I can't remember when they last won a playoff game.
They have had one of the better offense's in the league but one of worse defenses to go along with it. Every year they do beat the Donkeys at K.C.

 

[DaBruinz]

I think that the Steelers will be in full re-building mode this year. They lost their entire coaching staff. They also lost Jeff Hartings. That is a huge hole for them to replace.

 

[DaBruinz]

1. Mike Thomlin is NOT a 3-4 guy

That is good news for us.

2. The whole "salary cap" thing is nothing but a myth-look at the Washington Redskins. Year in and out, they have the WORST shaped salary cap sit, but somehow, they end up getting the big dogs and are able to keep their team OK.(at least on paper)

People keep saying this and I have to say that they really don't know what they are talking about. The Skins back-load their contracts. They also give more signing bonus money. That automatically spreads the hit out across the length of the contract. As such, they could give the player the minimum salary and still keep the cap hit low. The Player gets money in his pocket, but that team gets only a small cap hit.

3. Willie Parker is doing fine

Will he be doing fine with a brand new center in front of him? It remains to be seen.

4. I doubt it-the guy almost had a horrific death, he just doesn't seem to be quick on reading Ds like he used to be

5. The Ravens have few FAs-they'll bounce back, but Billick needs to change his offensive philosophy

The Ravens have very little cap money and its unlikely they will be able to Franchise Adalius Thomas, their most versatile LB. If they lose Jarrett Johnson, the Ravens will have lost two of their top 6 LBs. Mason also supposedly wants out.

6. Agreed on the Browns

7. Marvin is a POOR disciplinarian, things'll be the same in Cincy

To overall-no, don't think Pitt will bounce back.

Gotta agree with you there. I don't see Pitt bouncing back. Granted, they've replaced Burress with Santonio Holmes and they have Hines Ward and Heath Miller, but the big question is with the center. Without someone good, they'll be hurting.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I never understood the Chiefs. I live in KC for a year and they support that team great. They go 10-6/ 9-7 every year but no better and I can't remember when they last won a playoff game.
They have had one of the better offense's in the league but one of worse defenses to go along with it. Every year they do beat the Donkeys at K.C.

It's a mindset thing. In Foxboro they are looking to build a team around winners. And we may miss out on some on smelling the roses along the way as a result. In KC they are looking to build a team around huggers. So if they don't win the big one they can still all share their emotions with us and each other post game and that becomes the experience that carries them on to next season. It worked with Vermeil, somehow I think Herm's got a sketchier resume and a few temperement flaws that are closer to Jim Mora Sr. than **** Vermeil which may make mere hugging less fulfilling going forward.

 

[PatsMyBoyz!]

Timlin will end up being a good move for them-I think they needed change- but imo the biggest X factor is Rothliesburger.Regardless of his injuries nobody's been 100% sold on him since the SB. He definitely has flashes of brilliance but last year took away from his development,plus I'm convinced he came back too soon from each of his injuries.
If Ben's on all season they may have a shot at making the playoffs but they'd be eventually eliminated.
Aside from that,this is a big year for Ben. If he doesn't step up or he starts showing signs of effects of his accident, the Steelers will probably be taking a close look at that situation.

 

[martingale]

1. Mike Thomlin is NOT a 3-4 guy

Tomlin retained **** Lebeau as the defensive cordinator. I do not think Tomlin being a "Tampa 2" guy will cause problems for the Steelers. Besides, Tomlim stated in his press conference is he not wed to any particular defense.



3. Willie Parker is doing fine

Willie Parker actually might have a better year next year. The new cordinator, Arians is changing the offense. The Steelers playbook is based of Ron Earhardts offense of the early 1990s, with each successive cordinator just adding more plays. Arian is scrapping it and installing a new system to some extent. He stated he wants to use more 3 and 4 wideout formations. I think Willie Parker, since he is a speed back, we do better with an offense that tries to spread the defense out rather than just pound the ball in the traditional I formation.


5. The Ravens have few FAs-they'll bounce back, but Billick needs to change his offensive philosophy

I doubt the Ravens will be able to duplicate this year's record. McNair is a year older and does anyone think he can stay healthy all year? Also, since the Ravens finished 1st in the AFC North, they have to play a harder schedule next year. That will make a difference.


6. Agreed on the Browns

7. Marvin is a POOR disciplinarian, things'll be the same in Cincy

To overall-no, don't think Pitt will bounce back.

I hope the Steelers do bounce back. I like the addition of Tomlin, and I suspect his "fundamentalist" approach will correct the many self-inflicted wounds the Steelers had last year. Baring injuries, I think it is safe to say the Steelers will make the playoffs next year.

 

[nescott]

No headed the way of Oakland basement no playoffs and major losses