Much has been said and written about the fact the Steelers have no players on their roster from the 2008 or 2009 draft class. And rightly so, that's draft failure on a serious and damaging level, and if you want to know why the Steelers have flagged a little in the last two years, then look no further than that.
Yes, the Steelers are feeling the effects of some poor drafting a rarity for them, and frankly it is a little embarrassing.
However, take whatever anger, sorrow or embarassment you have and imagine if you can, that not only had '08 and '09 flown the coop, but virtually all of '06, '07 and '10 had as well.
Are you struggling to do that? Good, because if you aren't you are a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan.
Wow no 06, 07, 08, or 09 draftees left for Bucs. And now I'm the only 1 left from 2010 class. Crazy league we're in. What next!?!
— Gerald McCoy (@Geraldini93) April 4, 2014
Yes, the Bucs have only one member remaining from a pooled 41 candidates over 5 years. That is sensationally bad, that's setting the benchmark so low Curtis Brown would be looking good to the Bucs just now.
I don't have enough colorful descriptions in my arsenal to describe the front office failure that has taken place, but it should be little surprise that the Bucs have went a combined 50-78 between 2006-2013.
The Bucs are a shining example of the "draft and develop model", or rather how things look if you veer away from it. Jason Licht, the Buccaneers new GM, should just need to get one fish on the boat at the 2014 draft class to be in consideration for a statue outside Raymond James Stadium.
So, we may all be upset and critical over the Steelers 2008 and 2009 draft class fiasco, but we're a still a long, long way away from being the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I hope you take as much solace in that as I do.