OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: Super Bowl? Thats like a giant pot of chips or popcorn right?

[Power Surge]

Mel Kiper gave our draft a B+. What a boob.

He's a known Raven fan so it's his way Trolling Steeler fans every year.

 

[Jaded-Fan]

NFL power rankings: Where all 32 teams stand after 2023 draft

Rampant parity has made this a challenging exercise in the wake of free agency and the draft, but here’s The Post’s post-draft NFL power rankings.

nypost.com

Pittsburgh at 9, although the Bengals are 2.

 

[JTG]

NFL power rankings: Where all 32 teams stand after 2023 draft

Rampant parity has made this a challenging exercise in the wake of free agency and the draft, but here’s The Post’s post-draft NFL power rankings.

nypost.com

Pittsburgh at 9, although the Bengals are 2.

I'm not sure if we are quite that high yet. Few things that we do know -

If this offense sputters, Canada needs to be shit canned. Absolutely no excuses now.

If Najee can't run behind this line, and continues to show lack of vision, he needs to be replaced.

There is no excuse for this team to be bad in the red zone.

 

[Pens1566]

I'm not sure if we are quite that high yet. Few things that we do know -

If this offense sputters, Canada needs to be shit canned. Absolutely no excuses now.

If Najee can't run behind this line, and continues to show lack of vision, he needs to be replaced.

There is no excuse for this team to be bad in the red zone.

Yeah, too high.

I think the offense is still going to struggle to put up points. Harris isn't a home run threat, and we haven't shown any ability to stretch the field in the passing game.

 

[JTG]

Yeah, too high.

I think the offense is still going to struggle to put up points. Harris isn't a home run threat, and we haven't shown any ability to stretch the field in the passing game.

Yep. The passing game SHOULD be better just with Kenny getting training camp with the 1's. Pickens should make some progression. Hopefully Pickett and DJ can find some chemistry. If they can't, then they really should try to flip DJ to Houston or another WR desperate team.

I think this is a big year for Najee. He needs to be better. I know it's crazy to say a guy who rushed for 1000 yards last year needs to be better, but honestly, him running up the backs of his OL was a common occurrence. That needs to really change. The gap between Najee being in the game v. Jalen Warren needs to be noticeable.

Another difference is going to be on defense - Minkah shouldn't have 100 tackles this season. He should be able to go back to doing his thing and being a ball hawk. That's going to make a huge difference. The defense could be really, really good if the MLBs and SS are productive.

 

[pistolpete11]

There was a noticeable difference in Harris and the offense in general after the bye week. They really committed to the run game and it worked for them. That's the gameplan they need to follow and based on this FA and draft, I think they know it. I don't expect them to score a lot more points, but control the ball, control the clock, keep the defense fresh, make big plays when you have to. Follow the 2005 Steeler blueprint.

 

[Pens1566]

Yep. The passing game SHOULD be better just with Kenny getting training camp with the 1's. Pickens should make some progression. Hopefully Pickett and DJ can find some chemistry. If they can't, then they really should try to flip DJ to Houston or another WR desperate team.

I think this is a big year for Najee. He needs to be better. I know it's crazy to say a guy who rushed for 1000 yards last year needs to be better, but honestly, him running up the backs of his OL was a common occurrence. That needs to really change. The gap between Najee being in the game v. Jalen Warren needs to be noticeable.

Another difference is going to be on defense - Minkah shouldn't have 100 tackles this season. He should be able to go back to doing his thing and being a ball hawk. That's going to make a huge difference. The defense could be really, really good if the MLBs and SS are productive.

I don't feel like getting into a huge debate about the quality of the passing game (in any aspect really) today, so I'm going to leave that alone. But it's concerning on several levels.

It's not just Najee running into his OL either. Dude seems to just run into contact no matter what. You can see the space and it's obvious and he just runs into someone. I have serious questions about his vision.

 

[JTG]

There was a noticeable difference in Harris and the offense in general after the bye week. They really committed to the run game and it worked for them. That's the gameplan they need to follow and based on this FA and draft, I think they know it. I don't expect them to score a lot more points, but control the ball, control the clock, keep the defense fresh, make big plays when you have to. Follow the 2005 Steeler blueprint.

He was running better, but it still was not exactly where they should have been. I do think they have a commitment to the run this season. This line is going to get push in the run game. If it doesn't, it's a coaching thing, because aside from RT, these guys are all good run blockers.

I don't feel like getting into a huge debate about the quality of the passing game (in any aspect really) today, so I'm going to leave that alone. But it's concerning on several levels.

It's not just Najee running into his OL either. Dude seems to just run into contact no matter what. You can see the space and it's obvious and he just runs into someone. I have serious questions about his vision.

Yeah, I agree with you about his vision. It is a concern I share. We really need him to be a bell cow this year and we need to be a run first team while this passing game sorts itself out (if it sorts itself out).

 

[Peat]

9th feels way too high for a team that didn't make the playoffs but at the same time, I'm looking at the teams below and asking myself who's definitely above us. Doesn't really feel like a whole lot.

Last season was defined by TJ Watt playing only two games at full efficiency and embedding a new QB. Well, the new QB is embedded, and at the end of the season looked really good (bar not being able to throw for a touchdown). I'm not expecting TJ Watt to be 100% healthy all the time but I think he'll manage more than two games.

We've replaced the two weakest members of the OL. We've replaced the weakest member of the receiving corps and hopefully Harris doesn't have to have a metal plate this year which upgrades the rush game. If Ogunjobi is fit enough to actually practice this year, that'll be a DL upgrade. I dunno if we upgraded the ILBs but it'll be difficult for them to be worse. I dunno if we upgraded the CB room for next year but if Peterson ain't too old, and not playing with sight problems help Wallace, and Porter is advertised, its probably a yes.

Things always go wrong. That's sport. But I think the base is pretty strong now if Pickett is a starter.



edit: Harris was 4th for yards after contact and 3rd for tackles broken among the guys who rushed for 500 post-bye. For a team looking to play attritional, ball possession football, that is very clearly doing the job they want. Keep going forwards, make the defence hurt. They didn't want explosive plays, they wanted ball control.

We'll see what happens if they decide to open things up but his ability to get big gains looked in line with his peers in the second half of last year when they weren't nakedly running ball control, so I'm optimistic enough.

 

[Coastal Kev]

NFL power rankings: Where all 32 teams stand after 2023 draft

Rampant parity has made this a challenging exercise in the wake of free agency and the draft, but here’s The Post’s post-draft NFL power rankings.

nypost.com

Pittsburgh at 9, although the Bengals are 2.

It all comes down to KP/Canada's offense and their sense of urgency to start football games. The winning formula is to jump out early, throwing the ball around to get a lead and then pounding the run in the second half.

Cautiously excited for next season .

 

[JTG]

This team really does have the ability to play a demoralizing brand of offense. We have a massive RB and an IOL that can road grade. We have two TEs that are matchup nightmares. Moving the chains should not be an issue this year.

There was a thing going around for a while that owning the clock was not a predicator of success. It's bullshit, in my opinion. If we can keep our defense off he field, they are fresher and our injury prone guys should be less likely to be injured.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Honestly the Steelers really don’t seem to have any major flaws going forward after all they’ve added in the off-season. It still remains to be seen how the new picks do, but I’m not seeing many flaws on the team going forward.

The only super notable name that’s a free agent next year is Highsmith. I’d be planning on not retaining him and using the 2024 1st on an edge. But beyond that, they’re sitting really well IMO.

I don't think we've talked enough about the other starting Safety on this defense. I really like Kazee and I feel their defense was better whenever he was on the field. But there are injury concerns and I think they'll use him as a package player like before.

I don't want to sound whiny or anything, but someone posted along the lines of "I don't hate the Porter pick, but I preferred Branch"
I feel the same way. I predict JPJ will have a career like Joe Haden: solid but not spectacular 8 plus year starter. Nothing wrong with that for a 2nd round pick.

But I think Branch has more potential, is more dynamic and has the ability to eliminate a ton of mistakes our ILB's make in coverage.

I don't mind the Benton pick, but again would have been super cool to get JPJ and Branch. That would have solidified their secondary for the next 5 years or so. I do understand the Benton pick bc the Dline needs more talent. So that reads to me that Loudermilk is donezo in Pitt

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

There was a noticeable difference in Harris and the offense in general after the bye week. They really committed to the run game and it worked for them. That's the gameplan they need to follow and based on this FA and draft, I think they know it. I don't expect them to score a lot more points, but control the ball, control the clock, keep the defense fresh, make big plays when you have to. Follow the 2005 Steeler blueprint.

I'll keep repeating the Steelers' tail end of their schedule: Quality of Competition

And I give them credit for the beginning of the year where they had a tough schedule.
So they weren't as good as people think they were at the end nor were they as bad at the beginning

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Yeah, too high.

I think the offense is still going to struggle to put up points. Harris isn't a home run threat, and we haven't shown any ability to stretch the field in the passing game.

Tomlin apparently made Canada be extremely conservative, so is it because they can’t stretch the field because of talent, Tomlin was living in his fears, or Canada?

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Tomlin apparently made Canada be extremely conservative, so is it because they can’t stretch the field because of talent, Tomlin was living in his fears, or Canada?

I guess we'll truly see what MT wants this season right?
Before it was all because "Ben's mobility is limited". Well we get mobile QB's and see the exact same get to 3rd down and chew up clock mentality that we've seen since 2016.

I'm still convinced MT wants to play late 1990's football where you pound the rock and win with defense. Now he has the players to execute it. Should be no more excuses.

 

[xlm34]

This team really does have the ability to play a demoralizing brand of offense. We have a massive RB and an IOL that can road grade. We have two TEs that are matchup nightmares. Moving the chains should not be an issue this year.

There was a thing going around for a while that owning the clock was not a predicator of success. It's bullshit, in my opinion. If we can keep our defense off he field, they are fresher and our injury prone guys should be less likely to be injured.

Yeah I don’t mind them going for a possession based offense next year. They need to add some more explosive plays at times, but I don’t think they’re ready yet to try to keep with some of these offenses in the AFC.

The next best thing is to keep guys like Mahomes off the field, and when he is on the field have a rested defense.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

I guess we'll truly see what MT wants this season right?
Before it was all because "Ben's mobility is limited". Well we get mobile QB's and see the exact same get to 3rd down and chew up clock mentality that we've seen since 2016.

I'm still convinced MT wants to play late 1990's football where you pound the rock and win with defense. Now he has the players to execute it. Should be no more excuses.

Tomlin had some wide open offenses with Roth, so I’m not worried about him being a Cowher type in that regard.

He’s a former flanker also, so the passing game is likely something he enjoys, but that’s just a guess.

Tomlin did live in his fears making the offense so conservative, but it worked after the bye, so I guess he wasn’t all wrong.

If he wants to win a SB, he’s going to need balance on offense and for KP to keep developing.

I’m 100% sure there will be playoff games they won’t be able to run and will need KP to win those games… going toe to toe with the big dawgs of the AFC is going to come down to KP’s development, zero doubts about that.

If they become too reliant on the run, they will be nothing more than the Titans 2.0 - A good running team with a QB who can’t get it done in the clutch.

 

[JTG]

There was a specific poster who liked talking about how the ground game was something the Steelers should abandon and that yinzers were stupid for wanting the team to run the ball, and that the team will never experience success running the ball as a primary means of offense, and that owning the clock doesn't matter.

Ahem...

Get Ready - The Steelers Are Playing Bully Ball In 2023

Look out, NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers figured out who they wanted to be in 2022. Critically, they’ve added the pieces to truly play that way in 2023. The first half of Pittsburgh’s 2022 season was a mess. A complete, utter disaster. But things changed after the bye. It still wasn’t pretty, they...

steelersdepot.com

Yeah I don’t mind them going for a possession based offense next year. They need to add some more explosive plays at times, but I don’t think they’re ready yet to try to keep with some of these offenses in the AFC.

The next best thing is to keep guys like Mahomes off the field, and when he is on the field have a rested defense.

Play action is how this team is going to win. Najee needs to be an effective runner, and teams need to respect that we are going to smack them in the mouth. Pickens will have a field day if we do.

 

[pistolpete11]

I'll keep repeating the Steelers' tail end of their schedule: Quality of Competition

And I give them credit for the beginning of the year where they had a tough schedule.
So they weren't as good as people think they were at the end nor were they as bad at the beginning

In terms of W/L, I totally agree. I'm just talking about Harris and how the offense looked, though. Some of Harris' best games in terms of Y/A came in the second half of the season against some of the best defenses in terms of Y/A (BAL, CIN, ATL was middle of the pack....granted he also got stuffed up pretty good in the other game against the Ravens after the bye). He just looked different and I think that could continue given the upgrades to the OL and Washington.

 

[Peat]

Yeah I don’t mind them going for a possession based offense next year. They need to add some more explosive plays at times, but I don’t think they’re ready yet to try to keep with some of these offenses in the AFC.

The next best thing is to keep guys like Mahomes off the field, and when he is on the field have a rested defense.

The question there is whether this serves Pickett's overall development. If we want effective explosive plays, he's going to need reps. Too much possession football and I don't know if he gets those reps.

I want to see him given his head a little more next season. Last year's possession strategy was great for building confidence and aiming for valuable playoff experience. But I want them to take that confidence and build something a bit more all court.

 

[WheresRamziAbid]

The question there is whether this serves Pickett's overall development. If we want effective explosive plays, he's going to need reps. Too much possession football and I don't know if he gets those reps.

I want to see him given his head a little more next season. Last year's possession strategy was great for building confidence and aiming for valuable playoff experience. But I want them to take that confidence and build something a bit more all court.

I think it was done specifically to help his development by protecting him. Both phyiscally, as he didnt have a line that could block, and mentally, to build confidence which i think we saw manifest in those comeback drives.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

The question there is whether this serves Pickett's overall development. If we want effective explosive plays, he's going to need reps. Too much possession football and I don't know if he gets those reps.

I want to see him given his head a little more next season. Last year's possession strategy was great for building confidence and aiming for valuable playoff experience. But I want them to take that confidence and build something a bit more all court.

I'm obviously not a big Tomlin fan, given his epic failures the last decade or so.

But I try my best to be fair to him as well.

I don't believe Tomlin is stupid or that he's a frothing, braindead imbecile.

He's doing many things I clamored for... taking KP over Willis, understanding KP's the future and sticking by him when he had a real rough patch, and now he's taken a LT like I begged for.

So it would be disingenuous of me to rail on Tomlin and pretend he doesn't do anything right.

Despite my misgivings about his coaching prowess, I feel pretty confident he understands that at some point KP will need to graduate from caretaker to lead dog.

 

[The Old Master]

Despite my misgivings about his coaching prowess, I feel pretty confident he understands that at some point KP will need to graduate from caretaker to lead dog.

seems like he's doing things that will give kp the chance to do just that.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Tomlin had some wide open offenses with Roth, so I’m not worried about him being a Cowher type in that regard.

He’s a former flanker also, so the passing game is likely something he enjoys, but that’s just a guess.

Tomlin did live in his fears making the offense so conservative, but it worked after the bye, so I guess he wasn’t all wrong.

If he wants to win a SB, he’s going to need balance on offense and for KP to keep developing.

I’m 100% sure there will be playoff games they won’t be able to run and will need KP to win those games… going toe to toe with the big dawgs of the AFC is going to come down to KP’s development, zero doubts about that.

If they become too reliant on the run, they will be nothing more than the Titans 2.0 - A good running team with a QB who can’t get it done in the clutch.

We haven't seen a "wide open offense" in quite some time. Hell even in 2016 we still suffered through the odd fascination of a methodical march down the field stuff. While the individual players themselves may have shook off defenders for long gains, I didn't see anything that replicated the "bombs away" approach they could have enacted with the personnel on hand.

MT's philosophy hasn't deviated from his 2008 squad despite the difference in personnel. He believes in defensive oriented football and he thinks that the best way to protect the defense is to give them rest. Well my philosophy (and most of the NFL) believes that in this day and age, the best thing you can give your defense is points because offenses can score quickly in the modern NFL.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Something the offense is gonna have to do is back defenses off some. You can play 2 TE and run out a mauling OL but they do need to threaten enough home run/splash to make defenses pay for packing the box. If they don’t it’ll be much of the same from last season, with little in the way of space and a field that feels very small.