OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: Doritos Bowl Match Up - Taylor Swift vs San Andreas Fault

[JTG]

He called plays in Denver and in Minnesota

But he wasn't the coordinator. And Tomlin specifically said he wanted a coordinator...not someone to call the plays in.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

But he wasn't the coordinator. And Tomlin specifically said he wanted a coordinator...not someone to call the plays in.

Technically he was a passing game coordinator but your right not a true oc

 

[Peat]

But he wasn't the coordinator. And Tomlin specifically said he wanted a coordinator...not someone to call the plays in.

Kubiak was OC in Minnesota for a year

 

[xlm34]

Can’t say I know virtually anything about Van Pelt to know whether it’d be a good hire, but I could easily see their explanation for hiring him.

Born in Pittsburgh, went to Pitt, drafted by the Steelers, familiar with the AFC north? It’s like their wet dream coordinator hire.

 

[T1K]

Just for clarity, I wasn't necessarily advocating for him. I was just looking for previous OC who were available for reasons other than being fired as a OC (Reich being fired as a HC, obviously). He does intrigue me, though.

No, I hear you, just wanted to give kudos for the idea since I haven’t seen it anywhere before your post.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Can’t say I know virtually anything about Van Pelt to know whether it’d be a good hire, but I could easily see their explanation for hiring him.

Born in Pittsburgh, went to Pitt, drafted by the Steelers, familiar with the AFC north? It’s like their wet dream coordinator hire.

Except he didn’t call plays in Cleveland

 

[Goalie_Bob]

Yeah, Van Pelt doesn't seem to fit the criteria. And I don't see why they would want him. Baker regressed under Van Pelt/Stefanski, Watson hasn't looked very good and up until they lucked into Flacco there was talk about Stefanski needing to go.

And after how they looked in the playoffs.....? I just don't see how they would be interested.

 

[Peat]

I mean the Bucs signed Baker in FA to a $4m deal and are still playing.

You can get a long way in the NFL with a bit of luck regarding the route. Tampa are in the playoffs as one of only two 9-8 teams because they won a very division, and it's probably only that division that allowed them to get to 9-8 to begin with. Then they got to play an Eagles team that had hit the skids hard.

But sooner or later, you have to get through one of the heavyweights in real form, and either you have a QB that can handle that or you can't get through that. I don't think Tampa has that and I wouldn't view them as a legit contender.

You can get QBs that bust through that in FA or trade but it's, imo, the exception rather than the rule. Which is why I'm with Jiggy.

I don’t agree with Rudolph having no reason to sign here. This is definitely an attractive spot.

If I’m him, I’m either back in the Burgh or chasing a 2023 Carolina Panthers QB situation and going to a team that takes a QB early.

If you’re Rudolph the destination is about guaranteed money and a shaky QB room. We 100% have the latter (and I don’t hate KP).

If I'm Rudolph I'm considering team quality too. I don't know if he's thinking about it this way, but he's still only one bad year away from scrabbling for QB3 again. Playing 8 games in a dysfunctional mess where nobody can shine and getting cut is probably worse for his career than playing 3 good games in a team that then brings him back. Like getting involved in a Panthers team is the last thing I'd want. Maybe he's backing himself to think "I can make any situation work", that sounds like the pro athlete mentality, but I think the sober judgment is he is in the tier of QB that needs the right situation. He should be picky.

Maybe watching Trubisky come into the wrong situation for him because it was the biggest opportunity and trash his career will have given Rudolph a few pointers there...

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

I mean the Bucs signed Baker in FA to a $4m deal and are still playing.

We’ll see how that shakes out.

As of now, aside from Brees, the only other FA QBs to win a SB were Brad Johnson and Trent Dilfer, and those QBs rode two of the most dominant Ds of the modern era.

You could win with insane Ds like that back then, which is where Tomlin’s mind seems stuck.

Johnson and Dilfer also turned back into pumpkins and rarely had success after their Ds carried them to SB wins, going a combined 32-37 for the rest of their journeyman careers afterwards.

This also was 20+ years ago before the league evolved into what it is today.

Which again makes one playoff win Cousins the most successful FA QB of this era… a guy who has won in the playoffs and had any type of sustained success.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Yeah, Van Pelt doesn't seem to fit the criteria. And I don't see why they would want him. Baker regressed under Van Pelt/Stefanski, Watson hasn't looked very good and up until they lucked into Flacco there was talk about Stefanski needing to go.

And after how they looked in the playoffs.....? I just don't see how they would be interested.

Don't see how they SHOULD be interested. Sadly, I can see how they WOULD.

 

[xlm34]

Except he didn’t call plays in Cleveland

Except the time they put up 40+ against us in the playoffs. But yeah maybe that would take him out of the running.

 

[Coastal Kev]

They were among the league leaders in turnover differential which is ultimately why they made the playoffs. The offense put the defense in bad position with turnovers in the buffalo game. Get your eyes checked.

Also lol at bringing up a game from week 1, against the best team in the league.

I’m not saying the defense is perfect, but you’re not being very logical.

Cleveland and Baltimore's Defense slapped SF's offense around, Pittsburgh at full strength couldn't even compete. lol...... at you trying to deflect a fact. "You're out of your element Donnie. "

 

[vodeni]

Technically he was a passing game coordinator but your right not a true oc

let me think this straight, he wants a great OC with NFL experience who is currently unemployed (I assume). I would assume if you were a forme OC and are unemployed that thats for the reason (probably you sucked at being an OC), if you are good OC, you probably have a job as an OC already. All the recent great OCs pretty much came to those positions as promissing young football minds, just need to find them. Hire a great QB coach with experience to work with your young QBs

 

[bigdaddyk88]

let me think this straight, he wants a great OC with NFL experience who is currently unemployed (I assume). I would assume if you were a forme OC and are unemployed that thats for the reason (probably you sucked at being an OC), if you are good OC, you probably have a job as an OC already. All the recent great OCs pretty much came to those positions as promissing young football minds, just need to find them. Hire a great QB coach with experience to work with your young QBs

Not necessarily a guy like moore whose the chargers oc a new coach for the chargers might not keep moore but he is technically employed or benemy in Washington they ate hiring a new hc could be available.
You bring in a guy whose been a passing game coordinator like Kubiak whose got a year as an oc he can fill out staff maybe brings griese as the qbc

 

[robopigeon]

Philly is an interesting case study on how important OC's can be in the modern NFL. Last year they ran a pretty basic offense, but Steichen always knew how to match up against the D and adjust in-game as necessary, with just enough wrinkles to throw teams off. Jalen Hurts looked incredible and they dominated some really good teams on the way to the SB. This year their OC ran a pretty similar playbook, but with zero situational awareness and with absolutely no idea how to adjust in-game. Jalen Hurts looked awful and they completely collapsed once there was enough game tape for defenses to study.

With how intricate and complex good defenses are now it takes more than talent to beat coverage regularly.

 

[Peat]

Here's the list of OC candidates Mike DeFabo has given at The Athletic

Kliff Kingsbury (currently unemployed in the NFL)

Klint Kubiak (49ers passing game coordinator, 1 year OC experience)

Eric Bieniemy (Commanders OC)

Darrell Bevell (Dolphins quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator, lots of OC experience)

Shane Waldron (Seahawks OC)

Zac Robinson (Rams quarterbacks coach and passing coordinator, no OC experience)

Thomas Brown (Panthers offensive coordinator)

Mike LaFleur (Rams offensive coordinator - might seem unlikely but he'd get to call plays here, which was enough for Bieniemy to move)

Kellen Moore (Chargers OC)

Byron Leftwich (Unemployed)

Frank Reich (Unemployed)

Josh McDaniels (Unemployed)

Greg Roman (Unemployed)

Ken Dorsey (Unemployed)

 

[T1K]

@Wattsburgh

https://x.com/farabaughfb/status/1748422016992956430?s=46&t=YE2NPYWvXyArt8F6TGk8yA

 

[pistolpete11]

let me think this straight, he wants a great OC with NFL experience who is currently unemployed (I assume). I would assume if you were a forme OC and are unemployed that thats for the reason (probably you sucked at being an OC), if you are good OC, you probably have a job as an OC already. All the recent great OCs pretty much came to those positions as promissing young football minds, just need to find them. Hire a great QB coach with experience to work with your young QBs

This is why I mentioned Frank Reich and Arthur Smith (and Josh McDaniels, but I for sure don't want him).

Both have OC experience and are unemployed because they failed as a HC, not an OC. As an OC only, maybe they'd be alright. Not directly comparing them obviously, but it's similar to Lebeau. He was one of the greatest defensive minds in the game, but failed as a HC. So he went back to being a great DC.

 

[DanielPlainview]

Why are people acting like Rudolph is suddenly a hot commodity? Lol Rudolph’s best and probably only shot at starting next season is in Pittsburgh. He’ll be back.

 

[pistolpete11]

Philly is an interesting case study on how important OC's can be in the modern NFL. Last year they ran a pretty basic offense, but Steichen always knew how to match up against the D and adjust in-game as necessary, with just enough wrinkles to throw teams off. Jalen Hurts looked incredible and they dominated some really good teams on the way to the SB. This year their OC ran a pretty similar playbook, but with zero situational awareness and with absolutely no idea how to adjust in-game. Jalen Hurts looked awful and they completely collapsed once there was enough game tape for defenses to study.

With how intricate and complex good defenses are now it takes more than talent to beat coverage regularly.

The Lions are my go-to example for how important the OC is.


2021 Lions Offense : 25th in points ; 22nd in yards
QB : Goff
RB : Williams, Swift
WR : Brown, Raymond, Reynolds
TE : Hockenson

2022 Lions Offense : 5th in points ; 4th in yards
QB : Goff
RB : Williams, Swift
WR : Brown, Raymond, Reynolds, Chark
TE : Hockenson


Chark is a decent WR, but I'm going to go out on a limb that his 500 yards wasn't the reason they jumped from 25th to 5th.

Guess what else changed? Yup. The OC.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

I do wonder how long Tomlin will coach for. If he wants to pull a Cowher and retired at 49 and never looked back. Tomlin is 51. If Tomlin wanted to do 3 more seasons, I do wonder if they would go after a Bieneimy and have the succession plan in place.

Bieniemy is someone I hoped for as a coach for the Steelers. You know, us Brits from Nebraska, big supporters.

 

[T1K]

The Lions are my go-to example for how important the OC is.


2021 Lions Offense : 25th in points ; 22nd in yards
QB : Goff
RB : Williams, Swift
WR : Brown, Raymond, Reynolds
TE : Hockenson

2022 Lions Offense : 5th in points ; 4th in yards
QB : Goff
RB : Williams, Swift
WR : Brown, Raymond, Reynolds, Chark
TE : Hockenson


Chark is a decent WR, but I'm going to go out on a limb that his 500 yards wasn't the reason they jumped from 25th to 5th.

Guess what else changed? Yup. The OC.

ASB didn’t really emerge as a critical part of their offense until week 13 in 2021, but you’re absolutely right about their OC being a huge influence on their success.

 

[JTG]

Bieniemy is someone I hoped for as a coach for the Steelers. You know, us Brits from Nebraska, big supporters.

Yeah, I could imagine.

 

[T1K]

x.com

x.com

Normally my “for you” twitter feed is pure garbage, but this was pretty funny

 

[Goalie_Bob]

Since the Steelers aren't going to be spending $$$ money on a FA QB.

Someone like Boyd could be a good get. He would replace Allen Robinson as the big slot receiver. PFF estimates his next contract as 2 years, 15 mil (7.5 AAV). Seems like the Steelers should be able to afford that kind of contract.

Just thinking of who they need from a starter prospective. And that they aren't going to jettison a Seumalo after one mediocre season. And that KP is the starter.

Offense:

QB: Pickett
RB: Warren or Harris
WR: DJ, GP, FA/Draft
TE: Freiermuth
LT: Jones or Moore
LG: Seumalo
C: Cole or Draft
RG: Daniels
RT: Jones or FA/Draft

Defense:
LDE: Ogunjobi
NT: Benton
RDE: Heyward or FA/Draft
LOLB: Watt
MLB: Roberts
MLB: Holcomb or FA/Draft
ROLB: Highsmith
LCB: JPJ
FS: Minkah
SS: Kazee or Draft
RCB: Draft

SlotCB: Sullvan/Trice/Rush

The 20th pick, will be a place for CBs, WRs and maybe RTs. There will probably be a crap load of Edge guys there as well but the Steelers don't really need one. Maybe they look to trade down a few places to pick up an extra 3rd. My early prediction would be a CB in the first. Then a C in the 2nd. Then see what is available in the 3rd.

From a Free Agent perspective. They should have a decent amount of money available (25-32mil) by cutting Robinson, Chuks, PatPete, Mitch (Des Post June 1st), Neal and reworking Cams contract to save 11-12mil. If Cam retires they save 16mil.

I have thought about cutting Ogunjobi as well but I would only do that if Cam was coming back and I knew I had a replacement in FA. Ogunjobi has a 4.75mil roster bonus due on March 16th. Free Agency starts on March 11th. Thus they could save 9.75mil for the 2024 season by cutting and designating him as a Post June 1 cut. But for now I kept him.

I also reworked Watt's contract to lower by about 10mil as far as cap hit. I gave him his next two years of salary (40mil) as a signing bonus, extended him 2 years and added a void year.

Thus, ~37mil to work with in Free Agency:

Backups:

Golden - 2
Rudolph/backupQB - 4.5
Killebrew - 1.2
Igwebuike - 1.1
Sullivan - 1.1
Kuntz - 1.1
Watts - 1.1

Free Agent Signing (~24.6mil left):

Boyd - 7.5
RT - 5-7

Draft Pick allowance and Roster filler: ~10.4mil

Then in the draft:

1st round: CB or OT- Wiggins/Kool-Aid/Dejean/Rakestraw/Arnold/Lassiter or Fuaga/Latham/Mims
2nd Round: C - Powers-Johnson/Van Pran/Frazier
3rd Round: Who knows, best available out of OT/G/S/WR/ILB/DL