What Did the Steelers Draft Tell Us About the Team?

[black and gold apex]

They seem to think they have a team that can win, even though last year showed we have to many players that cannot stay healthy. The still have no TE in the category of the TE's that beat us every game. We did nothing to improve our biggest weakness inside the red zone to score TD's. I say they are happy to be in the middle of the pack. and maybe lower as the teams in our division, on paper, improved .

 

[Litos]

They seem to think they have a team that can win, even though last year showed we have to many players that cannot stay healthy. The still have no TE in the category of the TE's that beat us every game. We did nothing to improve our biggest weakness inside the red zone to score TD's. I say they are happy to be in the middle of the pack. and maybe lower as the teams in our division, on paper, improved .

so what's Ebron? Isn't he a pass catching/red zone threat kind of TE? They also drafted a 6´4" WR that highpoints the ball. You really think they didn't improve our red zone weakness?
Add a FB that can catch too to that

 

[Paul G]

They seem to think they have a team that can win, even though last year showed we have to many players that cannot stay healthy. The still have no TE in the category of the TE's that beat us every game. We did nothing to improve our biggest weakness inside the red zone to score TD's. I say they are happy to be in the middle of the pack. and maybe lower as the teams in our division, on paper, improved .

Funny thing is on paper doesn't mean much........ ask the 6-10 Browns who were supposed to light the league on fire.........more like crashed and burned

Ravens put up an astounding 14-2 record last year.........but crashed in the playoffs......... yeah I will say with the draft capital they had they did very well in the 2020 draft.... on paper ....but lets see how it plays out through the year..........doubt they will post another 14-2 record........ but they may have improved their team overall...........I will hold judgement until after the season

As for the Steelers .......... Minkah round 1 ,,, I know I saw a DEF last year that has been sorely missed for a period of time....... Ebron, Watt, Stef & Worm ...FA signings don't come as shattering top 10 guys but they are solid and affordable additions to the club......... Claypool gives us size we have not had in quite some time and McFarland some wheels at RB........ we do live in a salary cap environment and year after year stay close to the cap while producing a contending team. Injuries are part of the game...... they all at some point suffer them.....so it is a constant unknow that has to be dealt with by depth.

Please enlighten the rest of us on what you would have done to solve the red zone issues you speak of using FA or the draft...........

Oh and I would hope that the answer does not include bringing AB back........someone that quit on the team, is a headcase and already cost us 20 million in dead cap wasted for the team
Or the self proclaimed wonder L Bell...... who decided to walk away from money offered in excess of what he eventually signed for.......he never found the endzone much for such a highly touted RB

 

[21STEELERS21]

The Steelers offense was #4 in yards in 2018 with Ben at QB and #30 last year with his back-ups. 2020 is pretty much on Ben's shoulders, if healthy, we have a potentially better
offense than 2018.

 

[jitter77]

Now the latest is JuJu will be gone and we are going to sign aaron rodgers in a year or 2. I personally like Rodgers and wouldn't mind having him but i just don't see it happening. If i were Rodgers i would be pissed though. He had a horrendous Wr core most of the year and not only did they not draft any Wrs they took a QB in round 1. You give a guy a huge deal then give him no help.

 

[Hypocycloids]

I was going to give it a "like", but I really need to hear what Coach has to say first.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

I think we didn’t need to address the TE position because we already have enough in Ebron, McDonald and an improved Gentry; from a year ago.

i don’t think TE is a need for the future. McDonald showed he’s not a guy who can handle every snap. He wears down and is injury prone. Ebron is just a big WR and may be just a rental. Gentry has shown absolutely nothing so far. Jesse James was able to contribute some as a rookie and showed that he would at least be a competent backup. Gentry didn’t even show that. Also, James was much stronger. Gentry’s tall, thin, and weak. Unless he put on a lot of muscle, I don’t see him being much of a blocker.

Steelers should be OK for this year, but next year TE may be the top priority.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Steelers should be OK for this year, but next year TE may be the top priority.

Next year will be an interesting one. A lot will depend on how Ben looks this season. If it looks like he has another strong year, I could see ILB or LT being a need. Kaboly speculated that Williams and Villanueva (if he has another down year) could both be cap casulties. If Chuks or Banner don't win a starting job this year, will they realistically be anything more than a backup? Either way, the biggest help for a young QB is a great offensive line and a great defense. The defense looks like it should be pretty good for at least another couple of years and we have some young, developing WRs. It'll be time to solidify the OL preparing for our next QB that we draft the year after Rudolph shows once again he isn't a franchise QB (I will GLADLY admit if I'm wrong on that).

 

[slashsteel]

Yours

Ok care to share why you disagree with it? I am curious on your take on the subject.

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[Drink IRON City]

Ok care to share why you disagree with it? I am curious on your take on the subject.

Sent from my moto g(7) power using Steeler Nation mobile app

It might be the fact that you ONLY referenced once the fact about Olivia's stretch pants.

Some don't factor in the Minka draft for 1st. Round. They look at our draft and think HumHa when in fact it's a pretty good draft and add in the 1st rnd and you have a home run.

As for improving the "O" in the red zone, It has definately been addressed. Just the fact of a new HEALTHY fullback should help and combine it with a spent draft pick on the tall *** WR with high point (not beer) ability is another plus. Dotson at the very least is improving OL if only bey depth and that translates to improvement in all aspects of the offensive game, including the red zone.

Slash, you should have addressed Joan Jett and "shot through the heart" as if we didn't address the red zone.!





Salute the nation

 

[TDX27]

TE's? We have McDonald, who played very well 2 years ago with Ben. Not so much last year as he was blocking most of the time. We added a huge TE target in Ebron, giving us 2 legit (assuming no injuries) TE's. And, we added another HUGE redzone target in Claypool. If all 3 are on the field, who do you cover? Each one is 6'-4" with good verticals and large wing spans. Throw it up and let them go get it. That should open up the running game and the underneath stuff in the redzone as well.

 

[F83]

ok lets assume juju has sat a 80 rec 1100 7 td year he should mkt wise be in the cooks and ty Hilton so range between 13-16 mill and us hoping for a hometown discount maybe to 12 mill. With the amount of weapons i think the ball is going to spread more and maybe the best juju puts up is 60 rec 1000 5-7 td even at that we should pay him 10 mill + his character play making skills are too good. we can think about the cap implications after Ben retires as well as pouncey who i dont see being resigned after his deal is up.

 

[ZonaBurgh]

I was going to give it a "like", but I really need to hear what Coach has to say first.

Cooch will be starting a new thread with Tape's analysis.

 

[Paul G]

ok lets assume juju has sat a 80 rec 1100 7 td year he should mkt wise be in the cooks and ty Hilton so range between 13-16 mill and us hoping for a hometown discount maybe to 12 mill. With the amount of weapons i think the ball is going to spread more and maybe the best juju puts up is 60 rec 1000 5-7 td even at that we should pay him 10 mill + his character play making skills are too good. we can think about the cap implications after Ben retires as well as pouncey who i dont see being resigned after his deal is up.

Sorry man but I don't see the " home town discount" as being considered by any agent or any player about to sign their 1st contract after the rookie deal (especially if they outperformed the expectations as a rookie) If you are talking about $250000 between playing for Pittsburgh as opposed to Cincy then call it a home town discount if you want. But no one without CTE is taking 10 to 25% below market value.
The only exception to this is a guy in the twilight of their career who doesn't need to play for any financial reason and either wants to play one more year (Larry Fitzgerald) or the guy that has been stuck on a perennial loser for 10 years and has the chance to play for his hometown team to finish their career or go to a team that has a really good chance to hoist a Superbowl trophy.

The cap will continue to go up and so will player salaries. No matter how we get attached to guys like JuJu as fans it still remains a business and if you have produced in the league and are a good guy, you will definitely see multiple offers. Some states don't charge income tax, so going to a location like that, is the only reason I would see someone factor in discounts in salary. Knowing that they will still garner more cash by playing in that state.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Sorry man but I don't see the " home town discount" as being considered by any agent or any player about to sign their 1st contract after the rookie deal (especially if they outperformed the expectations as a rookie) If you are talking about $250000 between playing for Pittsburgh as opposed to Cincy then call it a home town discount if you want. But no one without CTE is taking 10 to 25% below market value.
The only exception to this is a guy in the twilight of their career who doesn't need to play for any financial reason and either wants to play one more year (Larry Fitzgerald) or the guy that has been stuck on a perennial loser for 10 years and has the chance to play for his hometown team to finish their career or go to a team that has a really good chance to hoist a Superbowl trophy.

The cap will continue to go up and so will player salaries. No matter how we get attached to guys like JuJu as fans it still remains a business and if you have produced in the league and are a good guy, you will definitely see multiple offers. Some states don't charge income tax, so going to a location like that, is the only reason I would see someone factor in discounts in salary. Knowing that they will still garner more cash by playing in that state.

There is one more exception thaN WHAT YOU DESCRIBED. The cheatriots figured out a way to funnel t*mmyb*y money so as it didn't count towards the cap. That allowed t*mmyb*y to give what appeared to be a hometown discount thus enshrining him even further in football lore. Just remember that MOST of his "football Lore" is of the cheating nature.........





Salute the nation

 

[slashsteel]

Sorry man but I don't see the " home town discount" as being considered by any agent or any player about to sign their 1st contract after the rookie deal (especially if they outperformed the expectations as a rookie) If you are talking about $250000 between playing for Pittsburgh as opposed to Cincy then call it a home town discount if you want. But no one without CTE is taking 10 to 25% below market value.
The only exception to this is a guy in the twilight of their career who doesn't need to play for any financial reason and either wants to play one more year (Larry Fitzgerald) or the guy that has been stuck on a perennial loser for 10 years and has the chance to play for his hometown team to finish their career or go to a team that has a really good chance to hoist a Superbowl trophy.

The cap will continue to go up and so will player salaries. No matter how we get attached to guys like JuJu as fans it still remains a business and if you have produced in the league and are a good guy, you will definitely see multiple offers. Some states don't charge income tax, so going to a location like that, is the only reason I would see someone factor in discounts in salary. Knowing that they will still garner more cash by playing in that state.

We saw that with BJ. He is a Steeler fan but yet out the door he went. To be fair the Steelers were prepared to let him go as they could have matched the offer. But perhaps didn't feel he was long term starting material. But yeah those home town discounts are few and far between. As was mentioned more probably come on the tail of their career.

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[Paul G]

There is one more exception thaN WHAT YOU DESCRIBED. The cheatriots figured out a way to funnel t*mmyb*y money so as it didn't count towards the cap. That allowed t*mmyb*y to give what appeared to be a hometown discount thus enshrining him even further in football lore. Just remember that MOST of his "football Lore" is of the cheating nature.........





Salute the nation

They just filtered it to Gisele ......who is going to notice a lousy 5 million deposit here or there when you are pulling in 50+ year .......

But we must all learn to forgive and forget ...DRINK..... so part of your therapy going forward shall consist of throwing 3 Hail Marys, putting up a prayer, completing one Immaculate reception and listening to the the track from FROZEN each and every night, until you too can just "LET IT GO"

 

[Paul G]

We saw that with BJ. He is a Steeler fan but yet out the door he went. To be fair the Steelers were prepared to let him go as they could have matched the offer. But perhaps didn't feel he was long term starting material. But yeah those home town discounts are few and far between. As was mentioned more probably come on the tail of their career.

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Sorry but I don't believe paying extra for a BJ is warranted, even if the girl is a homer and once they get near the end of their career the tail should be almost free.

 

[slashsteel]

Sorry but I don't believe paying extra for a BJ is warranted, even if the girl is a homer and once they get near the end of their career the tail should be almost free.

Nothing is free with women, you are paying in one way or another.lulz

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[Drink IRON City]

Nothing is free with women, you are paying in one way or another.lulz

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Look at it this way, all the "man" needs is a place to pee & poop, then sleep where as the "woman" needs that in luxury and the rest of the house............................





Salute the nation

 

[bigben]

People talking big money contracts for JuJu should pump the brakes and look at his production last year, his season ending ball security issues, this kid has alot to prove before anyone gives him big money.
He's proven he can put up huge numbers when defenses are scheming to take away Brown, and treat him like an afterthought.
As a #1 he has everything to prove.

 

[Paul G]

People talking big money contracts for JuJu should pump the brakes and look at his production last year, his season ending ball security issues, this kid has alot to prove before anyone gives him big money.
He's proven he can put up huge numbers when defenses are scheming to take away Brown, and treat him like an afterthought.
As a #1 he has everything to prove.

Is that you AB ????........... surprised you didn't call him BOO BOO **** SHUSTER

Yes he had a down year, with some injury (4games), poor QB play, injury to others like Conner and not much help from guys like Moncrief. He has 2 colossal drops (Saints and OT Ravens ....I was at the game) He does need to protect the ball in key situations. If he hadn't put up such good numbers in the 1st 2 years, contributing 42rec and 552 yards this year wouldn't have looked so bad. Sure not having Brown on the field together with him is going to affect his production. He is however still only 23 years old and is a solid player. I don't see him as a true #1 WR like Brown, Green, Hopkins, Jones orThomas but it doesn't mean he won't see a substantial pay increase. With Ben back under center and barring injury he will make plays. He has some more OFF talent on the team this year but I would still think that he remains the # 1 or # 2 in targets and receptions this year. Nothing suggests that he won't bounce back with stronger numbers this season. He will receive offers if they let him become a FA. No he is not AB but he is also not a negative attitude either. The days of Ben to AB at all costs is over. I can get behind a team that spreads the ball around more, runs more and plays DEFENSE. We didn't win anything with the Killer Bee's playing together for years. Time to adapt and take another approach.......maybe it won't be so bad and neither will JU JU be.

 

[F83]

he needs a solid year even if he played hurt last year had several key drops go to the game in clv simple 3- short slant went right of his finger all he did was had to squeeze and drive moves, who knows if that drive would netted points and changed the out come as that blocked fg would of been something else
if he put s up 75 rec 1000+ 5-7 td then he is in the 13-16 range if less catches because he cant get open that might bring his price down. or because thier are so many more weapons his stats will be hard to pad. i am hoping a 5 years 68 mill deal

 

[TDX27]

JuJu does need a year with Ben back at the helm and in which he personally is healthy. That alone and I think he easily eclipses the 80 catch and 1,000 yard marks. That will be enough to warrant a 2nd contract but it certainly won't be top 10 money. I think he'll be just outside that range and worth the signing.

 

[deljzc]

I am not a fan of the Claypool pick. I just don't think he's as good as people think, is a "tweener" WR/TE and will struggle in the NFL to live up to his high hopes as our first draft choice/2nd rounder.

Highsmith is fine. High motor. Good work ethic. I worry he has a limited ceiling but that's okay if he can stay healthy and progress as a pro.

I am actually liking the McFarlane pick a lot. I think everyone here is wrong that thinks his potential is only change-of-pace or part time guy. He is not small. He is short. He is huge in the legs/thighs. Squats 500 lbs. We have seen a lot or 1000 yard rushers through the years in this league with very similar builds. They might not last into 2nd contracts very well, but they can be exceptional producers early in careers. If McFarlane lights up preseason and camp, Iook out. I don't think Conner (who was only a 3rd rounder) is marked in pen as our bell cow back. If he struggles to produce or get yards per carry up with an older offensive line, Tomlin might make a switch. McFarlane is definitely NOT Dri Archer.