State of the Steelers

With all the off season drama, increased free agent activity, and draft mysteries, the State of the Steelers may have some heads spinning. Listening to SCR broadcast this morning with Jim Wexell really had me thinking. Are the Steelers going to run the ball more next year? Is our franchise getting away from its tried and proven system of building through the draft, and letting aging vets walk? Is this whole off season a mistake waiting to happen?

We started off the action, this offseason, with Ben's new problem. One that hasn't escaped many ears. One that the media is already closing it's doors on. Unless Ben raped that girl he isn't going anywhere. He isn't going to get another mulligan though. For Ben, guilty or innocent, this will be his last chance. So now that we have established that Ben is starting, what position do we draft at 18?

Wexell pointed out that with Foote coming back and last years draft being heavy in the secondary we might not be drafting McClain or Hayden. That we might be looking at our thinnest corp on the defense, the outside LBs. You wouldn't think off the bat that we need help in those areas but consistent play by both Woodley and Harrison have shadowed the need for depth on the outside. Patrick Bailey a ST ace, and Andre Fraizer are strapping on their helmets if either 56 or 92 goes down. How does that make you feel? With a secondary that is already having problems do you think we can afford to ease pressure on opposing QBs? Yeah me either.  The ILB is the "QB" on the D. It takes a lot of intelligence to manage LeBeau's 3-4. As great of a pass rusher that Timmons is, I and many others don't think he has the capacity to be that guy. In comes Foote to help a slowing Farrior. Timmons can now be moved outside and create depth with no drop off, or play in 3rd down packages.

Last year's secondary should be looking better with Lewis and Burnett making their second year debut. One needs to blossom into the corner we drafted them for. FA signings that included Battle will help on ST no doubt, but I'm not so sure about an impact next year in our secondary. Carter might be gone, and we all know Gay isn't cutting it in his current position. The fact is that we drafted for our biggest need last year.  Rookies in the Steeler system aren't always asked to contribute the first year. This year we need to see what these 2nd year boys have got.

Lastly, to uphold Mr. Rooney's request that we get back to the Steeler way and run the football more, we need to take a good look at our line and RB situation. Mike Iupati is a favorite to go in the 1st rd if he drops to 18. All indications point to him being road grader and a great guard. His pass protection raises some eyebrows though. He can't move around as fast as some of the other prospects in regards to getting his man on pass plays.

Our RB squad is another piece in the puzzle of where the Steelers will be going in April. Mendy is getting it done and showing that he's our guy. Tough and physical, he's starting to get it no doubt. Willie Parker might still be getting shipped off and Moore is a discount that we need. With all the talk of Frank the Tank doing everything he can in the playbook to get on the field next year we seem to have the RB situation set, or do we? If we are going to run more will we have the big man that can punch it in a yard or two? Do we need a bruiser to achieve that? Can Redman come out of the Practice Squad Hall of Fame and get it done?

There's a lot of questions to be asked. And a lot of people to ask them to but most of mine are pointed towards the man I really don't care for too much. Here he is ladies and gentleman, the one, the furher:

Mr. Bruce Arians.

Bruce my questions and, the state of this franchise all seem to point to you. Will you try to run the ball more next year? Which could lead us to drafting Iupati. Or, do you plan on keeping your pass heavy attack, which may lead us to drafting a pass protecting lineman? Tell me what you are planning Bruce!

Whatever the case may be I hope that we get our man in the first round. I really want a safety but I don't see it happening. Don't be too surprised if we draft a RB also. I'm not an insider by any means. I just want to get some conversation going and for the season to start already. Here we go Steelers!