OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: Steelers need a new ball thrower for the handball game thingy

[OnMyOwn]

I only have question marks about QB and to a lesser extent OL. I think we did really well in FA and the draft with addressing needs.

It wouldn’t shock me to reach the playoffs or be out of it, depending on QB. The skill positions are set so it’s really up to the QB to execute.

 

[xlm34]

It all depends really how the offense comes together. If Mitch can be a solid stop gap, minimize mistakes, and the young RBs and WRs come through, they could actually do some damage if the defense plays as well as they should.

If the offense doesn't come together, It's a 0.500 season at best. If the offense doesn't come together and the defense lays an egg, we are picking top 10. On paper the defense should win us games, but I'm not sold on them, to be honest. No corners, Edmunds is an average safety, Bush/Spillane isn't enough next to Myles Jack, Alualu is 35 years old at NT. I don't think we will be able to stop the run well enough.



In all fairness, on paper, that draft was as good as I've seen in a really, really long time.

I actually really disagree on the corner situation. There’s no clear cut number one guy, but I think the group of Wallace/Witherspoon/Sutton is really solid with the potential to be above average depending on Witherspoon.

He played like a shutdown guy last year down the stretch when he got the chance to start. Consistency has always been the question with him, but if he can even be close to what he was last year, the secondary should be in good shape.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

I actually really disagree on the corner situation. There’s no clear cut number one guy, but I think the group of Wallace/Witherspoon/Sutton is really solid with the potential to be above average depending on Witherspoon.

He played like a shutdown guy last year down the stretch when he got the chance to start. Consistency has always been the question with him, but if he can even be close to what he was last year, the secondary should be in good shape.

Really hard to say. Even broken down Haden was still pretty good AND he was a major help in the run game.

Be interesting to see how it shakes out. Can your secondary be ok without a true #1? I say it can be if your pass rush is good enough.

I just worry about Watt. If memory serves correct, they didn't win a game without him. So where will the pressure come from if offenses eliminate him?

In short, this season is full of question marks
Can you name 1 area where you aren't wondering "how is this group going to perform?"

 

[xlm34]

Really hard to say. Even broken down Haden was still pretty good AND he was a major help in the run game.

Be interesting to see how it shakes out. Can your secondary be ok without a true #1? I say it can be if your pass rush is good enough.

I just worry about Watt. If memory serves correct, they didn't win a game without him. So where will the pressure come from if offenses eliminate him?

In short, this season is full of question marks
Can you name 1 area where you aren't wondering "how is this group going to perform?"

I think Witherspoon has that potential to be true number one guy. It's a small sample size, but his numbers last year were pretty insane. But like you said, it's another question mark. All of the question marks though are what's going to make this year a lot of fun for me to watch.

Last year you just knew how the whole season was going to play out. And I don't have hopes this year that they'll contend, but I truly don't know how it's going to play out. It could go a bunch of different ways.

 

[JTG]

I think Witherspoon has that potential to be true number one guy. It's a small sample size, but his numbers last year were pretty insane. But like you said, it's another question mark. All of the question marks though are what's going to make this year a lot of fun for me to watch.

Last year you just knew how the whole season was going to play out. And I don't have hopes this year that they'll contend, but I truly don't know how it's going to play out. It could go a bunch of different ways.

The corners have ability, but they are unproven. Throw them in the mix with everyone else. I think part of the fun (anxious excitement) for this team is that things COULD be really good. On the other hand, it is not out of question for them to go really poorly also.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

I think Witherspoon has that potential to be true number one guy. It's a small sample size, but his numbers last year were pretty insane. But like you said, it's another question mark. All of the question marks though are what's going to make this year a lot of fun for me to watch.

Last year you just knew how the whole season was going to play out. And I don't have hopes this year that they'll contend, but I truly don't know how it's going to play out. It could go a bunch of different ways.

As someone just said, that's part of the fun of where you don't know how things will shake out with this group.

I guess this is what it feels like to be Forest Gump

 

[pistolpete11]

I think the #1 determining factor for this season will be the health of Watt and Heyward. If they stay healthy, I think they can win 9-10 games. Without one of them, I think the defense falls apart. Even if things go well for the offense, they aren't going to win any shootouts and things could get reeeeeal ugly.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Hearing Joseph and Miller are out for the season. Waiting for a confirmation/link

 

[Goalie_Bob]

Steelers' Karl Joseph, Anthony Miller placed on injured reserve after suffering season-ending injuries

Joseph suffered an ankle injury and Miller hurt his shoulder

www.cbssports.com

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Steelers' Karl Joseph, Anthony Miller placed on injured reserve after suffering season-ending injuries

Joseph suffered an ankle injury and Miller hurt his shoulder

www.cbssports.com

Sucks- couple of decent depth players out.

Suppose that makes the WR cuts slightly easier

 

[Andy99]

Luckily no one of significance…yet …lol…that’s one to pare down the crowded WR options…

 

[bigdaddyk88]

I took the over and I can see this team winning 11 games. I also put money on the upset in week 1 against Cincinnati. I think Flores and company will have a surprise defense plan like last year in Buffalo. I figured at worst 3/3 in the division but if Watson getS a year than that’s 4-2. I think 3-1 against the east with Buffalo as the loss. They beat the colts lose to Philly go 2-2 in the south Tampa Saints. With the weapons on offense the ability to extend plays and escape the pocket play action I think Mitch will be a top 17 QB this year. The defense will be top 5

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

As someone just said, that's part of the fun of where you don't know how things will shake out with this group.

I guess this is what it feels like to be Forest Gump

They could use that guy in the return game.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

Between small hands Kenny and Pickens, I have some hope for this season. Also nice to see Pickens has no issue after his ACL. Might end up being an insane pick up in the second round.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Thought everyone would enjoy this from The Athletics Ted Nguyen:

The Steelers have a scary group of skill players (not including QB) - The Steelers already have Diontae Johnson, who is a No. 1 receiver, Chase Claypool, who is a good No. 2 receiver, and if Pickens proves to be a No. 1, opposing defenses will have their hands full. Tight end Pat Freiermuth is a good player and running back Najee Harris looks like he can be an elite running back.

Obviously he points out the limitations of their scariness being held back by their QB situation, but Tomlin and Colbert look to have done a masterful job rebuilding the offense in short order.

Now it’s up to the QBs, Canada and the o-line not to f*** it all up.

 

[Peat]

Linking to the whole article - 6 preseason thoughts: Jordan Davis, Kenny Pickett, Trey Lance, Jordan Love and more

I like what he had to say about Pickett too, talked up the quality of his ball placement.

 

[xlm34]

I'm pretty confident that Pickett can be solid enough to take advantage of these weapons. Time will tell whether he can turn into something more though.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

I'm pretty confident that Pickett can be solid enough to take advantage of these weapons. Time will tell whether he can turn into something more though.

Yeah I feel Pickett is a more mobile Tua and jones. If he hits he can be Cousins

 

[JTG]

Say Trubisky is a top 10 QB this year and the reclamation project is complete. Does this organization have enough gumption to trade him at the draft and let PIckett take over? I don't think they do. I think they are completely fine with letting him play out his contract and Pickett being the starter in 2024. This situation I think will show what Khan is working with. Is he going to be the same old in terms of letting things free flow? Or is he going to be a shark like some other GMs are by maximizing assets and being aggressive in making deals?

 

[bigdaddyk88]

Say Trubisky is a top 10 QB this year and the reclamation project is complete. Does this organization have enough gumption to trade him at the draft and let PIckett take over? I don't think they do. I think they are completely fine with letting him play out his contract and Pickett being the starter in 2024. This situation I think will show what Khan is working with. Is he going to be the same old in terms of letting things free flow? Or is he going to be a shark like some other GMs are by maximizing assets and being aggressive in making deals?

No they will trade Mitch they if Pickett is ready they aren’t going to waste his rookie contract

 

[JTG]

No they will trade Mitch they if Pickett is ready they aren’t going to waste his rookie contract

You would hope, but the Steelers really don't operate with a mindset like that.

 

[Peat]

Not sure we can really point to a set mindset for how the Steelers handle this situation tbh. Like, do they see this as asset management, or an open contest, or all about Kenny, or what?

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

I can’t see it happening… BUT if MT has such a dominating year, he’s going to want to get paid if the Steelers elect to keep him.

If he makes the Pro Bowl and does all this great stuff, he will never come back next season to play for a quarter of what he could then command.

He would be passing up his big chance to make bank.

He could sit out until he gets a big extension or force a trade. But I can’t see a scenario where he has a massive year then comes back and plays for NFL scrap money.

 

[Peat]

Omar Khan said today he didn't anticipate trading a QB. Could be bluff, could be just shooting it straight.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

MT has built in bonuses and escalators that if he and the team do well the Steelers would gladly pay. However so would another team QB play is sparse in the league. They drafted Pickett to be the guy after the guy who took over from the HOF 7. I could see them flip Mt and bring back mason as the backup he will have a batch type carrer and take a development guy day 3

Omar Khan said today he didn't anticipate trading a QB. Could be bluff, could be just shooting it straight.

Yeah unless someone offered a day 2 pick for Mason that was always the case this year.