OT: The PittsburghER Thread: Steelers Win AFC North | Go Oregon Ducks!

[Big McLargehuge]

Oh, definitely. I may hate Arsenal (Spurs fan), but their academy is way better than the mid-00s MLS. Adu probably could have been something if he came along now...but unfortunately he was pegged as the savior when the MLS was close to bottoming out and...yeah. He Daigle'd on us...which is an insult to Daigle as Adu today isn't a better player than he was at 16.

Adu was assinged into the MLS (and played) at the age of 14. Who could have possibly thought that was a good idea? And the 'draft' was set up specifically so he'd go to the powerhouse DC United instead of floundering Dallas...and...yeah.

Mario Lemieux wouldn't be Mario Lemieux if he was playing in the ECHL at the age of 14. No one in the history of North American sports has ever played at that young of an age, and it isn't even close.

 

[Captain Hook]

The Ravens truly aren't that good. The key to beating us is clear and simple, beat us through the air. Flacco is a mediocre QB. I'm not worried even if Bell can't go. If they didn't rally in the 4th, they would've lost to a Browns team being led by future franchise superstar Connor Shaw.

Yeah, I think this game would come down to Flacco vs. Big Ben even if Bell were 100%. This isn't a game that will be won with the running game. Both teams are hard to run on and both teams have issues in their secondaries. It's just a matter of which QB can expose the other teams weak secondary the most. Ben won that battle the last time these two teams met when he had 6 TD passes. I don't see 6 TD's again but he will need to have a big game if the Steelers are to win and so will Flacco if Baltimore is going to win.

The things I worry about with the young RB's are the things we take for granted with Bell. Mostly the fact that Bell never fumbles. You can't afford to give away points in this game with turnovers. Hopefully these kids hang onto the ball.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Yeah, I think this game would come down to Flacco vs. Big Ben even if Bell were 100%. This isn't a game that will be won with the running game. Both teams are hard to run on and both teams have issues in their secondaries. It's just a matter of which QB can expose the other teams weak secondary the most. Ben won that battle the last time these two teams met when he had 6 TD passes. I don't see 6 TD's again but he will need to have a big game if the Steelers are to win and so will Flacco if Baltimore is going to win.

The things I worry about with the young RB's are the things we take for granted with Bell. Mostly the fact that Bell never fumbles. You can't afford to give away points in this game with turnovers. Hopefully these kids hang onto the ball.

Also have to worry about protection, as Bell is very good at picking up his assignments and also is a great safety valve for checkdowns.

The Ravens pass rush is better than Cincy, so if Bell is out, that could be a problem.

 

[cheesedanish87]

Yeah, I think this game would come down to Flacco vs. Big Ben even if Bell were 100%. This isn't a game that will be won with the running game. Both teams are hard to run on and both teams have issues in their secondaries. It's just a matter of which QB can expose the other teams weak secondary the most. Ben won that battle the last time these two teams met when he had 6 TD passes. I don't see 6 TD's again but he will need to have a big game if the Steelers are to win and so will Flacco if Baltimore is going to win.

The things I worry about with the young RB's are the things we take for granted with Bell. Mostly the fact that Bell never fumbles. You can't afford to give away points in this game with turnovers. Hopefully these kids hang onto the ball.

Ben is the better QB, but Flacco is capable of playing a great game, you just don't know what your going to get out of Flacco, he could be great, or he could be terrible.

 

[H382]

Ben Tate a possibility. Not sure how much he will help, but can't hurt to have him if Bell can't go.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000451747/article/ben-tate-reportedly-to-visit-rbneedy-steelers

 

[TNT87]

Also have to worry about protection, as Bell is very good at picking up his assignments and also is a great safety valve for checkdowns.

The Ravens pass rush is better than Cincy, so if Bell is out, that could be a problem.

This point can not be understated.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

So the Steelers ****ed up the playoff tickets. Apparently they did not get them out to season ticket holders and are telling people to go on the website and print them out. I am trying now and can not even get in, am told am in que because of 'unusually high website traffic'. Been in que for ten minutes plus now just spinning.

This can only end well given that many Steeler fans are older and think computers still use punch cards or are the demon's device.

 

[Shockmaster]

Not sure why the Steelers didn't look more closely at Tate about a month ago when they had the chance. Going into the final month of the regular season and eventually the playoffs with only one legit NFL RB was a really bad idea.

I think the most important thing for the RBs in this game won't be rushing yards, but pass protection.

 

[H382]

Not sure why the Steelers didn't look more closely at Tate about a month ago when they had the chance. Going into the final month of the regular season and eventually the playoffs with only one legit NFL RB was a really bad idea.

I think the most important thing for the RBs in this game won't be rushing yards, but pass protection.

From what I read, they said Bell would get the majority of the carries and Tate was looking for more of a Role than that.

 

[TNT87]

Steelers 2015 schedule has been announced:

HOME - Baltimore, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Denver, Oakland, Indianapolis, Arizona, San Francisco

AWAY - Baltimore, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Kansas City, San Diego, New England, St. Louis, Seattle.

 

[Shockmaster]

Steelers 2015 schedule has been announced:

HOME - Baltimore, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Denver, Oakland, Indianapolis, Arizona, San Francisco

AWAY - Baltimore, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Kansas City, San Diego, New England, St. Louis, Seattle.

Automatic loss to Oakland.

 

[Asuna]

Automatic loss to Oakland.

It's at home...we have a chance.

 

[OnMyOwn]

So Tate is signed and Justin Brown was cut. I like our chances a little more now that we have a decent RB if Bell can't go.

 

[Captain Hook]

The Tate signing is interesting. I always liked him in Houston but my god was he bad in Cleveland and Minnesota this year. I guess it's worth a shot. The Steelers certainly needed a veteran RB in case Josh Harris gets dinged or has issues putting the ball on the ground. Dri Archer isn't a legit option in that regard. He's pretty much a specialty player at best. He just isn't a capable every down runner.

Amazing Justin Brown was the 3rd WR for this team at the start of the season. This team has come a long way since then.

 

[Penguins23]

Steelers 2015 schedule has been announced:

HOME - Baltimore, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Denver, Oakland, Indianapolis, Arizona, San Francisco

AWAY - Baltimore, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Kansas City, San Diego, New England, St. Louis, Seattle.

Wow. Next year could be REALLY rough.

Denver, Indy, Arizona, San Fran at home and KC, San Diego, Seattle and Patriots on the road. That is some tough sledding.

 

[brewski420]

Steelers 2015 schedule has been announced:

HOME - Baltimore, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Denver, Oakland, Indianapolis, Arizona, San Francisco

AWAY - Baltimore, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Kansas City, San Diego, New England, St. Louis, Seattle.

Seattle!!! I will be there!!

 

[T1K]

The Tate signing is interesting. I always liked him in Houston but my god was he bad in Cleveland and Minnesota this year. I guess it's worth a shot. The Steelers certainly needed a veteran RB in case Josh Harris gets dinged or has issues putting the ball on the ground. Dri Archer isn't a legit option in that regard. He's pretty much a specialty player at best. He just isn't a capable every down runner.

Amazing Justin Brown was the 3rd WR for this team at the start of the season. This team has come a long way since then.

Tate had his moments, but once Mack went down he fell out of favor in Cleveland. I really like this signing. Harris isn't a bad back, but Archer is trash, talk about a waste of a pick. A Tate/Harris tandem should be enough to get us past Baltimore, but we'll need Bell back vs Denver if we have any hopes of winning that one.

 

[Shockmaster]

If the Steelers wanted someone like Darren Sproles, maybe instead of drafting Archer they should have spoken with the Saints about getting Sproles last off season before the Eagles did.

 

[Big McLargehuge]

Sproles is also 31. Archer most certainly was not drafted with this year in mind.

Tate...brutal season, but at least he's a NFL running back...or at least has been (and is only 26, so it's not like it's a huge physical decline). I'd rather have Tate than the nothing that we have behind Bell...at least Tate should be able to throw a block, if nothing else.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

As others have said, the game with the Ravens was never going to be about the running game. Tate gives insurance that if Bell is not 100% the Ravens have to stay honest at least.

Most likely the two split carries, if Bell is mostly alright he could be effective blocking and receiving, which is where he would have done most of his damage anyways.

 

[Captain Hook]

Wow. Next year could be REALLY rough.

Denver, Indy, Arizona, San Fran at home and KC, San Diego, Seattle and Patriots on the road. That is some tough sledding.

True but the good thing is the Steelers seem to do better when the schedule is harder and worse when the schedule is easier. Games against teams like the Jets, Raiders and Bucs probably give the team nightmares at this point.

Bigger picture, beyond this year, it seems like the offense is mostly set now. The O-Line has finally been solidified, they have a franchise QB, RB and WR. They've found their #2 and #3 WR's for years to come in Martavis and Wheaton.

They just need to load up on defense early in this next draft. A couple CB's and a pure pass rusher are badly needed. They could build this thing back up to a true Super Bowl contender in no time if they make the right picks at those positions. I know it's really early for mocks but the first one I've seen had them taking Florida State CB PJ Williams with a mid-20's range 1st round pick. I haven't seen enough of him to know what to think of that yet and obviously a lot can change between now and the draft.

 

[Big McLargehuge]

The only offensive position where we don't have a long-term option is TE, really. Being able to focus the draft almost entirely on the defense will be nice.

 

[Cherpak]

True but the good thing is the Steelers seem to do better when the schedule is harder and worse when the schedule is easier. Games against teams like the Jets, Raiders and Bucs probably give the team nightmares at this point.

Bigger picture, beyond this year, it seems like the offense is mostly set now. The O-Line has finally been solidified, they have a franchise QB, RB and WR. They've found their #2 and #3 WR's for years to come in Martavis and Wheaton.

They just need to load up on defense early in this next draft. A couple CB's and a pure pass rusher are badly needed. They could build this thing back up to a true Super Bowl contender in no time if they make the right picks at those positions. I know it's really early for mocks but the first one I've seen had them taking Florida State CB PJ Williams with a mid-20's range 1st round pick. I haven't seen enough of him to know what to think of that yet and obviously a lot can change between now and the draft.

Sounds like a prototypical Steelers DB. Big and physical. Part of the #1 secondary in the country. If this is accurate he would be a great #1 pick for us.

2014 Outlook: Physical, ball-hawking corner who is considered one of the best all-around cornerbacks in the country heading into his second season as a starter in the nation’s top secondary. Displayed tremendous improvement from Year 1 to 2 and will look to make a similar leap in Year 3. Is a great tackler and has elite vision and speed in addition to a knack for making the big play.

 

[bathroomSTAAL]

Ravens keepin' it classy

http://www.tmz.com/2014/12/31/baltimore-ravens-darren-wilson-alleged-sexual-assault-stadium/

 

[Pens1566]

The only offensive position where we don't have a long-term option is TE, really. Being able to focus the draft almost entirely on the defense will be nice.

I'd argue QB as well. Ben isn't getting any younger and with his injury history and penchant for getting hit I don't think he'll keep up this level of performance for more than the next 3 or so years. I don't think it's necessary this year, but sometime in the next 2 drafts you have to seriously look at a long term replacement.