OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: Its January and we are still talking about Handball!?! Currently 10-6

[Peat]

I asked my OSU fan and he mentioned that Edbuka can both play slot and outside, but he also said that the Steelers just drafted a lesser version of him last year with Roman Wilson. Egbuka does seem really interesting but I wonder if going after a more deep threat like Bond fits the WR group more.

That said, if Wilson would have done anything this year, I think we'd have a significantly more clear picture on what kind of WR they should be looking at.

Kind of like where we were with CA3 a couple years ago. I don’t say “plan as though Wilson’s not there” but almost kinda that. I like the Amon-Ra comp for Egbuka but can the Steelers offense get the most out of a guy like that?

The thing about this is that Wilson and Austin aren't a million miles apart; undersized, very fast, some outside capability but don't count on it. I can get sort of going "forget that Wilson is there, see what happens" but both of them?

 

[Empoleon8771]

The thing about this is that Wilson and Austin aren't a million miles apart; undersized, very fast, some outside capability but don't count on it. I can get sort of going "forget that Wilson is there, see what happens" but both of them?

I think DSL meant that Austin earlier in his career was a "don't plan on him being available", because he missed his first full year due to injuries as well.

So don't make lineup decisions based on assuming Wilson will be anything, and if he turns out into something, that's just nice extra depth. I think that's basically what happened with Austin as well.

 

[cookthebooks]

the wilson injury stuff has really made for rampant speculation about his maturity, but the ca3 injury analog does seem like it is instructive?

 

[Peat]

I think DSL meant that Austin earlier in his career was a "don't plan on him being available", because he missed his first full year due to injuries as well.

So don't make lineup decisions based on assuming Wilson will be anything, and if he turns out into something, that's just nice extra depth. I think that's basically what happened with Austin as well.

No, I get that, I just don't think it's applicable when Austin is on the roster as well.

 

[Empoleon8771]

No, I get that, I just don't think it's applicable when Austin is on the roster as well.

Austin is a FA after next year and I figure Wilson replaces him in the depth chart at that point.

Next year, I figure Wilson (if he's healthy) is their #4 or #5 and he hopefully takes over the #3 role for Austin once Austin leaves as a free agent.

Austin only put up 17 receptions and 180 yards in 2023 as a depth WR for the Steelers. If Wilson is healthy, I expect about that level of involvement for him next year, with hopes he can take the jump like Austin did this year (36 receptions, 548 yards) after next year.

 

[Peat]

Austin is a FA after next year and I figure Wilson replaces him in the depth chart at that point.

Next year, I figure Wilson (if he's healthy) is their #4 or #5 and he hopefully takes over the #3 role for Austin once Austin leaves as a free agent.

Austin only put up 17 receptions and 180 yards in 2023 as a depth WR for the Steelers. If Wilson is healthy, I expect about that level of involvement for him next year, with hopes he can take the jump like Austin did this year (36 receptions, 548 yards) after next year.

But that's still pretty much all the speedy slot routes you could want covered. Maybe not amazingly but covered.

But there's a giant gap for a guy who can be a passing game threat and a blocking game threat, and a guy who can be an outside compliment to Pickens (or his successor).

Egbuka's not a complete no-no too similar guy to them being a fair bit bigger but the scouting reports do seem pretty clear he's going to run into physical limitations on the boundary. I don't know if that works, particularly with Smith's planned scheme.

 

[ColePens]

Is there a single person here who expects the Steelers to beat the Ravens?

Kind of a trap game for the Ravens.

They are looking past the Steelers just as we are. Their All Pro receiver is out but Harbaugh says that he will be back in round two of the playoffs.

The Steelers are fairly healthy too.

This is just the kind of game teams blow. The Steelers might actually end up winning one despite Tomlin.

I doubt it. But Tomlin has a horseshoe up his rear with his job. So, in a backward logic do just enough

to keep that genius rep with a certain segement kind of way, the Steelers might just edge a win out so that Tomlin remains coach for life.

This... is NOT the words of a jaded fan.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

No, I get that, I just don't think it's applicable when Austin is on the roster as well.

You don’t think “don’t plan for Wilson” applies when CA3 is in the roster? Literally “don’t plan for Wilson” involves not planning for Wilson. Just like not planning for Austin - at that time - meant not planning for Austin.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

This... is NOT the words of a jaded fan.

The end result making Tomlin coach for life?

Talk about a Pyrrhic victory.

How much more Jaded can you get?