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

[WickedWrister]

I don't really understand the NFL cap and don't really care to learn.

But I saw what this defense looked like with him and without him in 2023 and I knew they couldn't let him go.

They do need to start on a succession plan, though.

Fortunately there are a number of good DT's in this years draft. Mason Graham from Michigan is probably gone by the time we pick but his teammate Kenneth Grant is #25 on Dane Brugler's board (from November). He's got Derrick Harmon from Oregon #14, Tyleik Williams OSU #19, Walter Nolen Ole Miss #20, and Deone Walker Kentucky #34 in his top 50.

 

[JTG]

I like all of those DTs. I don't think we can lose.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Right now, my hope without including a potential Pickens trade would be WR in round 1, DL in round 2, RB in round 3 and BPA beyond that. I'd be looking at UFA to fill the CB2 spot, with plans on using a high draft pick in 2026 on a CB.

Replace Van Jefferson with the 1st round WR, Ogunjobi with the 2nd round DL and Harris with the 3rd round RB. In addition to CB, I'd also be looking at signing another #2/3 WR option (someone who can play both slot and outside) and probably another veteran DL to help the 2nd rounder ease into the NFL in FA.

If the money is available, I'd also probably re-sign Moore to continue being the LT. I've pretty much given up on Jones at this point and want Moore and Fautanu to be their OTs. Obviously don't cut Jones but I'd demote him to swing OT and not plan on retaining him after his rookie deal is up.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

No way i want anything to do with paying moore 15 million a year. Jones has been better than we will sink or swim with him and fauntu. Probably why they go with Fields at Qb next season
If you’re not going to draft a cb in top 3 rounds just run back DJ and Trice competing for cb2.
Benton is Larry O replacement but they need a guy who can take over from Cam in a season those guys don’t fall to round 3.
I don’t want wait until the draft for a wr get Godwin in FA if your not going can’t get Higgins.
I am interested in bringing back Daniels. I also think TE is in play over drafting a wr

No way i want anything to do with paying moore 15 million a year. Jones has been better than we will sink or swim with him and fauntu. Probably why they go with Fields at Qb next season
If you’re not going to draft a cb in top 3 rounds just run back DJ and Trice competing for cb2.
Benton is Larry O replacement but they need a guy who can take over from Cam in a season those guys don’t fall to round 3.
I don’t want wait until the draft for a wr get Godwin in FA if your not going can’t get Higgins.
I am interested in bringing back Daniels. I also think TE is in play over drafting

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

I'll be honest. I definitely was in the needed to move on because he wasn't worth 22mil. They signed him to an extension and lowered his cap hit to an amount I thought was acceptable.

That being said, Cam came back and played at a 22mil+ level. Bravo to him. I will never doubt him again. IMO, he was the team MVP.

Interesting enough, Cam has a 13.45 roster bonus due on March 18th. I figure they rework his contract and give him the 13.45mil as a signing bonus to spread it out over two years, lowering his cap hit to 12.95mil from 19.65mil for the 2025 season as well as guarantee his 1.3mil base salary. That would increase his 2026 cap hit to 25.875mil and dead cap to 11.625mil from 4.9mil.

Fully agree. I'll eat the crow too on Cam

 

[Peat]

With Smith's offense and how much he likes to use heavy packages, probably.

I don't know if it's necessary in the NFL anymore, though. You can still have an effective run game and pick up short yardage situations by spreading teams out. Penn State does it. Yes, Allen is a more north-south type of runner, but they still use Singleton in short yardage situations a lot, too. I mean, he scored 3 TDs last night all from within 7 yards.

Real talk, I don't even know if it's the best idea, I just know that I like highlights of big boy runners and I like highlights of speedy boy runners, so I'm happy to go with the idea of it.

But trying to think about usage... no, you don't need a big guy for short yardage. If there's one place where I think this team went backwards under Smith compared to Canada, it's use of spread plays to generate short yardage.

But Detroit sure seems to love Montgomery so I'm sure there's got to be something good about them. Plus, well, we can feel fairly safe knowing what's coming with Smith too, so let's hope they've got a point.

I guess the one thing I would say about having a large punishing runner is that, well, they're punishing. There's plenty of plays where any RB is going to have roughly the same success providing they clear the acceleration and agility threshold, so you might as well hand it to a heavy brutal man who's going to hurt the defenders a little more and get a little more yardage falling forward. I don't think that's ever going to go out of fashion - or being able to use the threat of that to scheme things open.

 

[pistolpete11]

Fortunately there are a number of good DT's in this years draft. Mason Graham from Michigan is probably gone by the time we pick but his teammate Kenneth Grant is #25 on Dane Brugler's board (from November). He's got Derrick Harmon from Oregon #14, Tyleik Williams OSU #19, Walter Nolen Ole Miss #20, and Deone Walker Kentucky #34 in his top 50.

I think they have more pressing needs (like WR) for the 1st round, but since they are going to get a first for Tomlin, sure, why not

Right now, my hope without including a potential Pickens trade would be WR in round 1, DL in round 2, RB in round 3 and BPA beyond that. I'd be looking at UFA to fill the CB2 spot, with plans on using a high draft pick in 2026 on a CB.

Replace Van Jefferson with the 1st round WR, Ogunjobi with the 2nd round DL and Harris with the 3rd round RB. In addition to CB, I'd also be looking at signing another #2/3 WR option (someone who can play both slot and outside) and probably another veteran DL to help the 2nd rounder ease into the NFL in FA.

If the money is available, I'd also probably re-sign Moore to continue being the LT. I've pretty much given up on Jones at this point and want Moore and Fautanu to be their OTs. Obviously don't cut Jones but I'd demote him to swing OT and not plan on retaining him after his rookie deal is up.

I'd at least like to see Jones at LT before I declare him a bust. Dotson was a bum, too, until he was played in the position he was most comfortable.

Moore has improved, but I still wouldn't call him 'good' and don't really want to spend that much money on him (unless they can afford him after taking care of their other needs of course).

 

[Peat]

Looking at Brugler's All Rookie Team article. McCormick as 2nd team Guard, Frazier as 1st team C (and maybe the best rookie OL despite Alt's ridiculous season and Puni being great), Wilson 1st team LB... oh wait, I can stop reading with all the injuries. Oh wait, no, HM for Bishop at CB.

 

[Empoleon8771]

I'd at least like to see Jones at LT before I declare him a bust. Dotson was a bum, too, until he was played in the position he was most comfortable.

Moore has improved, but I still wouldn't call him 'good' and don't really want to spend that much money on him (unless they can afford him after taking care of their other needs of course).

Issue is Jones has been so bad in his first couple of years that I don't really want to put him at a position of importance like LT. He gave up 10 sacks this year, which was 139/141 registered OTs.

I don't want him anywhere even close to a starter next year.

 

[xlm34]

I thought Jones has actually been a lot better after an awful start to the season which may have been because whatever elbow injury he had. He hasn’t been great but also hasn’t been killing them like he was.

 

[pistolpete11]

Issue is Jones has been so bad in his first couple of years that I don't really want to put him at a position of importance like LT. He gave up 10 sacks this year, which was 139/141 registered OTs.

I don't want him anywhere even close to a starter next year.

....out of position because of injuries. Did we learn nothing from watching this team f*** Dotson up?

Even if they bring Moore back, I make it an open competition between him and Jones. They moved up to get this guy to be their starting LT and have dicked around with him because of their RT's. They need to give him a chance.

I thought Jones has actually been a lot better after an awful start to the season which may have been because whatever elbow injury he had. He hasn’t been great but also hasn’t been killing them like he was.

I'd agree with this as well. Against better competition, too.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

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.

 

[Andy99]

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.

Highly doubtful. What we’ve seen over the last five games and every playoff game over the past decade is that the team gets down big in the game whenever it’s late in the season and a big game because Tomlin’s coaching is so predictable. Everyone knows what his team is doing because he believes football isn’t really about Xs and Os but about beating the man in front of you. When you don’t have the superior talent that doesn’t work. You actually have to out coach the opposing team by going against tendencies and doing something different and being able to change game plans on the fly when you’re figured out. As these last games show, Tomlin hasn’t figured that out yet in 18 years lol

 

[bigdaddyk88]

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.

It is going to come down does Harbaugh out think himself. Theres no reason Henry doesn’t have 25 carries tomorrow. I would but Trice on Bateman and expect alot of 2 te sets from bmore. I think Jpj starts out on andrews
RW is playing for his nfl future and I expect a decent fields package

Issue is Jones has been so bad in his first couple of years that I don't really want to put him at a position of importance like LT. He gave up 10 sacks this year, which was 139/141 registered OTs.

I don't want him anywhere even close to a starter next year.

We have watched Moore for 4 seasons and he is just now an average Lt who gave up 10 sacks himself. Jones is 2 years away from us even worrying about paying him.

 

[xlm34]

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.

I don’t expect it at all, but Harbaugh has been almost as bad as Tomlin in the playoffs over the last 10 years.

If the Steelers can somehow jump out to an early lead, I think the Ravens will kind of panic and completely phase out Derrick Henry.

 

[T1K]

I can’t believe some of you guys want to trade GP

 

[UnrealMachine]

I don’t expect it at all, but Harbaugh has been almost as bad as Tomlin in the playoffs over the last 10 years.

If the Steelers can somehow jump out to an early lead, I think the Ravens will kind of panic and completely phase out Derrick Henry.

Steelers have been outscored in the 1st quarter a combined 66-0 over their past 5 playoff games. Got a plan B?

 

[xlm34]

Steelers have been outscored in the 1st quarter a combined 66-0 over their past 5 playoff games. Got a plan B?

Yeah I think the Steelers should score more points than the Ravens.

 

[Peat]

Also re stuff on this page

OT - Pre-bye I'd have been tempted to agree with keep Moore, shrug about Jones. Post-bye, I think Jones has stabilised (PFF grade is 66 iirc) and Moore has shown he can't be trusted vs elite rushers, so I'm back to bye bye Moore and gamble on Jones

WR - Right now this draft looks WR poor and I'd really hope to solve things in FA or through trade before getting there. The bonus of having a ready to go adult is a nice thing too

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.

I wouldn't say expect, but I wouldn't be surprised at all. I mean, it's Ravens-Steelers, how can anyone be surprised if it turns out to be a close fought Steelers victory?

Of course, nobody would be surprised by the Steelers getting blown out either.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

Don't get me wrong.

The Steelers have been completely exposed as pretenders and frauds and have zero chance to go anywhere in the playoffs.

I am not saying that the Steelers can win against the Ravens.

I am saying that the Ravens can look past the Steelers and lose.

The two are completely different things.

And if it happens, Tomlin will be given all the (undeserved) credit, and a job for life.