A Christmas Wish?

by frankrmineo on Dec 12, 2008 2:09 PM EST Comment 25 comments

Since the Christmas season is upon us and during the holiday season miracles and wishes are common I decided to pose a hypothetical questions to all the Steelers fans. (And probably some of the Raven’s fans that are still lurking around here at BTSC).

The question is simple and easy, if you could have one offensive and one defensive player from any team in the NFL this year and place them on the Current Steelers roster to help with our Playoff (and hopefully super bowl run), who would you pick?

On the defensive side I have thought long and hard and every time I think of a possible player (ie: Ed Reed, Albert Haynesworth, Justin Tuck) I get sad about replacing a player like Ryan Clark, Ed Reed, and Aaron Smith. But I would say the best possible upgrade on our defense would be at the cornerback position. Having said that I think the best player at that position this year is Nnamdi Asomugha, his stats are not that gaudy but he is the definition of a shutdown corner and every team has just decided they won’t throw to his side, and on a team as bad a the Raiders this is possible. If you put him on a defense like the Steelers I think his stats would be ridiculous.

On the offensive side of the ball I think there are a lot of needs, I would tend to think a stud left tackle would be of great importance, but would the addition of one lineman actually make a big difference on the offensive line as a whole? I think it might and perhaps it would spare Big Ben from a few sacks a game. So perhaps Walter Jones, or Joe Thomas would be the player that makes a huge impact in the playoffs. But if I had to pick one player for our run I would like to see Calvin Johnson added to the roster. Sorry Nate “the great” Washington, but Calvin Johnson plays on piss poor team and still has Over 1000 yards receiving and 9 touchdowns on a team where he is the only offensive weapon. Going down the stretch having a player that we can throw a jump ball in the end zone would make it a lot easier for us to avoid being stuffed on 4th and 1 type situations.

There are hundreds of players we could pick up with this once in a lifetime Christmas miracle, who would you add?

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From a Raven's perspective...

Offensively, I’d take Hines Ward. He plays the kind of ball Baltimore plays. He can catch the ball and he can block. He may not be the fastest in the league, or even have the best hands in the league, but IMO his toughness (as WR) can’t be beaten.

I’ll have to get back to you on the defensive side of the ball as defensively, like for you guys, it’s quite a bit tougher. I mean with defenses so good, what can either of us add.

Kevbo: [to George Sherrill] George, you look a lot like Vin Diesel...

Flatbill: Let's get somethin' straight... Vin Diesel looks like me.

-From "The Making of Orioles Magic"

by dayzd toe on Dec 12, 2008 2:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

wooops

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/12/12/walter-jones-done-for-the-year/

by frankrmineo on Dec 12, 2008 3:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Calvin Johnson

is a good WR but his stats are a product of a system that is always playing from behind… they have to throw the ball as much as they do… don’t get me wrong, Johnson would be a nice addition buy WR is by no means a necessity…

I think offensively you have to go OL, no question…

by WETSU on Dec 12, 2008 4:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree, but is one OL going to make a difference on a line that is full of poo poo’s?

by frankrmineo on Dec 12, 2008 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The answer is yes.

Having a dominant linemen immediately improves the play of his neighbors, and they in turn improve the play of their neighbors.

If a center can magically single team any NT, the play of the guards becomes better because they aren’t constantly worrying about the NT steaming through. They can then pay attention to their other responsibilities, etc. etc.

In the case of tackles, having a tackle that we don’t need to baby with TE or RB help blocking allows said TE/RB to actually do something with their game. In effect, every time we help Colon out we wouldn’t have to if the RT were solid, and the TE/RB could do something useful. In the run game the TE could lead the block, in the pass they could get open.

by steelguy99 on Dec 12, 2008 4:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm...

I think on defense the point has been raised this week, but I’ll take Ed Reed in our secondary. Putting him and Troy next to each other would be ridiculous.

On offense… It’s a cop out, but can I take Peyton Manning and just make him be offensive coordinator?

by Chicago Steeler on Dec 12, 2008 4:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

haha

seriously I think a great offensive coordinator would help more than any single player

by schnifin on Dec 12, 2008 4:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Who is the dream OC then for this group of offensive players?

by frankrmineo on Dec 12, 2008 5:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

that guy in baltimore :(

I hate to mention it again, but man, I just don’t think BA fits the steelers- his play calling style fits the raiders, or maybe the lions, or maybe oakland. Failing that, we need a new coach for our pee wee league here too.

by SteelersVT on Dec 13, 2008 8:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Dayzd Toe

I appreciate you acknowledging Hines toughness. And yes, speed is not his strong suit, never has been.

But, his hands. I have to say, as someone who has watched Hines his whole career, I feel, he is in the top tier (top 5, top 10…hard to quantify) as far as catching ability. The guy, has made tough catch, after tough catch, time and time again.

Would other Steeler fans agree?

by SteelerMike on Dec 12, 2008 5:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree 100%, although this year he seems to be dropping more catches than I ever recall.

by frankrmineo on Dec 12, 2008 5:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He’s had a serious case of the dropsies lately. Blitzburgh usually argues that he makes the important catches, the clutch catches, and I’d agree. But, I’d really like him to catch the ball more.

Check out our receivers this year:
Ward – target 98 times (12th most in afc), 38 not caught, 7 dropped (T-4 in afc)
Holmes – target 92 times (14th most in afc), 48 not caught, 6 dropped (T-7 in afc)

Lets pretend that the “not caught” were uncatchable (not true, but roll with it). I’ll create a percentage that is the targets – caught + dropped. So ward could have caught the ball 67 times, and holmes could have caught it 50 times.

So ward has dropped 10% of the balls he should have caught, and holmes has dropped 12% of them. That is unacceptable, especially for the veteran Ward.

Our receivers can NOT be in the top 10 of dropped passes, especially BOTH of them. I won’t pick on Nate stickyhands washington right now.

by steelguy99 on Dec 12, 2008 5:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hines hands

Idk if he just isnt getting as many manicures or what. But I have noticed this as well. I think a lot of it comes down to the fact that the weather has been TERRIBLE in several games.

by Mechem on Dec 12, 2008 8:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think so. He’s dropped just as much in fine weather games as bad weather games, maybe even more.

by steelguy99 on Dec 13, 2008 10:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Who would I pick...

If I could have annnny Offensive player. Just one. Tough call.

See I cant go O-line, cause we need far more than one player there.

Its going to be a WR. Because ours have as mr Steelguy mentioned, had a little dropsy this year. I think I would have to ask for somebody like Brandon Marshall this year. He has great possession ability and can still breakaway. He had what like a 16 catch game this year. Thats what I like. Doesnt really HAVE to be him, but I like it.

Defensively… God we have the #1 defense how greedy can I get? I would have to ask for a guy like Brian Urlacher to replace Larry Foote. He is to me the weakest of the 4 LB’s.

by Mechem on Dec 12, 2008 8:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I still say one offensive line guy could make a huge difference, certainly more than a new WR.

Great RT, colon shifts to guard, stapleton goes to LG. If colon can actually play guard, we have just improved our entire line greatly.

by steelguy99 on Dec 13, 2008 10:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wishing Well

1) Ken Whisenhunt Offensive Coordinator
2) Mario Williams or Albert Haynesworth D Line

When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen

by 5020 on Dec 12, 2008 8:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

My Picks

Anquan Boldin – his style screams Steeler (Hines and him are the two best blocking WR)
Patrick Willis – I don’t really think Steelers need anything but I’ll take the next Ray Lewis

by ZnJersey on Dec 13, 2008 1:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I’d take Joe Thomas at LT and put Colon on the bench, but I know the coaches would play him over Starks on the right. It would be nice to have Calvin Johnson/Andre Johnson/Boldin/Fitz at WR, although I don’t know which is best.

Defense I’d take Ngata at start him at RE.

charity standing orders

by BadMaafala on Dec 13, 2008 3:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ngata at RE

That wouldn’t be fair.

by SteelerBuddha on Dec 14, 2008 9:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm taking

Brandon Jacobs just beacuse he he would change our style of play (more power running), he would make BA revert back to good ol steeler football, and more running means less pressure on Ben.

I’ll forefeit my defensive pick and take the money to buy a Terrible towel to those less fortunate. Ya know, the fans of losing teams who won’t make the playoffs.

by SoCalSteelerFan on Dec 13, 2008 5:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Jacobs not a bad choice

but I think I’d take Marion Barber over Jacobs

by schnifin on Dec 13, 2008 6:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

heres what I would do

Pick up Joe Thomas from the Browns……….for the offensive player.

Then I’d get Ed Reed for the defense then trade him to the Giants for one of their Guards.

Two offensive linemen, thats what I want.

by shleeve on Dec 14, 2008 1:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Okay, defense is easy

and some of you have already said it:

Ed Reed at FS. Can you imagine that? Deebo, Troy AND Ed Reed on the same D? 3 absolute turnover machines. Our D would score 14 points a game.

On offense, tough call, we need to get better at getting tough yards. Our inability to run to kill clock when we have the lead or run successfully in short yardage situations puts a ton of pressure on our passing game and D. So many huge problems but I think the worst player on our OL has to be Colon. Not only does he fail to make blocks in critical situations (like last week on 4th and goal when he literally fell flat on his face) but he also commits terrible penalties that screw up drives and negate big plays by our offense. For example, against the Giants, Roethlisberger hit Washington for a 50 yard TD that would have put us up 10 points . . . called back by holding on Colon. What made it even worse was the fact that Colon held the DE when the DE made an inside move and Colon had help on the inside! His help could have (and did) taken care of the DE! Okay, okay, deep breaths, deep breaths, serenity now . . . give me the best RT in the league, whoever that is, all the pro-bowl tackles are LTs so I have no idea who the best RT is. Other close ones are (in order): Hutchinson (Guard), Walter Jones (Tackle) and Brandon Jacobs. Another thing that would be good is an offensive coordinator.

by houksyndrome on Dec 14, 2008 1:50 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

In retrospect

Could we get Koch the punter from the ravens for one of our picks? That man was nearly the MVP of the game on Sunday. Till Robo-punter repairs himself I’d love to have a punter like that.

Oh crap! We’d need a holder!

by Chicago Steeler on Dec 16, 2008 12:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs