OK, now don't get all in a tizzy and start a WAVE before reading through.  I know  how most folks on this site just love to back their Steelers to the bitter end, even when they are ready to be put out to pasture, and I think that quality is awesome and helps promote a great atmosphere in Pittsburgh that keeps a few players here for a a little less $.  Congrats Steeler Nation, 12th man award year after year, no contest.  Now, on to Leftwich

Continue reading this post »

Saw the all-mighty one play in Rochester Saturday.  Thought I'd let all you folks hear one fans opinion.  I was completely un-impressed.  Obviously, a one game analysis from a non professional fan which much more 'expertise' dealing with infielders than pitchers/catchers should be taken for what it is.... not much more valuable than a fan shot crying to bring teh kid up or trade teh kid. 

Anyhow, here's what I saw.  The Scranton Yanks faced Kevin Slowey, a major leaguer who's had some injury issues this year and hasn't pitched that well, however, he was good Saturday night.  The Good: Jesus knocked in an unearned run in the first by fighting off an inside pitch and blooping a single toward the RF line.  The Bad:  The ball wasn't hit hard enough to go for two and the right fielder got to the ball well short of the corner.  Montero is never gonna fool anyone into thinking he has wheels, and looked terribly slow out of the box.  However, as the right fielder got to the ball almost 200 feet away from first, Montero jogged around first and rounded the bag with two baby steps, maybe 6 feet total.  When the right fielder kicked the ball 10 feet away Montero was in no position to take second.  LAZY.  More Bad:  GIDP in the third. Grounded to short next time up and jogged to first.  A silver lining:  When first baseman leaped high for the terrible throw, he came down all over the bag, fortunately, Montero was barely two thirds down the line at a snails pace and had no trouble avoiding a collision.  The overthrow allowed Jesus to get to first, but the first baseman walked over to pick up the ball and held him there.  Nice hussle.  Grounded to short again in last AB.  did I say he's terribly slow out of the box???  The Ugly:  Montero's body of work behind the dish.  On a full count in the first, the runner on first was stealing.  The pitch was low for ball four and Jesus never got out of his crouch.  I had first row seats just past first, so I could see it was two inches low...but last time IU checked, umps aren't always correct (ask the Pirates to confirm this) .  I would expect my catcher to pop up ready to throw hoping to hear the strike three call?  The next base stealer seemed to get a decent jump but Montero again never came out of crouch???  WTF?  It wasn't ball four, it didn't look like Rickey Henderson with a big jump...no throw?  Not even jumping up?  WTF?  It was a good pitch to throw on.  Maybe I missed something????   Later, with the bases juiced, Adam Warren hit the front of the plate with a curve ball.  Montero, in his crouch, mitt stretched out to one-hand scoop the pitch, was in perfect position to allow the wild pitch to to bounce off his mitt and over him, run scores.  Nice effort :(

Like I said, One game, one non-professional fans view, but what I saw was an inexperienced Manny Ramirez.  Can't recall a lazy MLB catcher in all my years of watching baseball.  After this one game I'd rate this dude's chances of making the bigs as a catcher at 0.00%.  Maybe Jesus can walk on water, but he sure made very little effort to run on dry ground Saturday night.   

Notes:  Russo played a very good second base, Golson laid down an excellent sac bunt and burned down the line barely making out, a Right fielder named Jordan Parraz showed an excellent arm and prevented runners from advancing several times, Mike Lamb went yard off a crappy reliever, Adam Warren was not sharp and took the loss, and Jorge Vazquez ended the game by getting doubled off second on a blooper caught by the first baseman heading out to RF.....with one out in the ninth down four runs!  OMG, don't they know baseball?

Joe blows.... game after game with his pitching moves.  Any reliever, even Mo, will blow a game now and then and that's not on the manager.  But last night surely was.  Was CC tired after mowing down 17 in a row?  Yes Soriano is supposed to shut the door in the 8th and Mo in the 9th, but Mo pitched 3 days in a row and could have used the night off.  In fact, Mo was not available for the 4-out save the Yanks needed, so why pull CC?  To make matters worse, Joe pulls Robertson after 2 batters and has to go with Boone Logon in the 10th.  I've never seen a manager blow as many games as Girardi, it's sad.    I stopped counting blown games by Girardi last season after I got to 4 by early May.  I guess with the Yankees talent it doesn't much matter, but it's not a coincidence that the only time Jeter, Rivera, Pettitte, and Posado didn't make the playuoffs with the Yanks was under Girardi.  Yanks won 2009 WS title in spite of him, not because of him. 

I'm not sure where some of you guys get some game footage to analyze this guy or that, or when you find the time, but keep it coming, the more info the merrier.  In fact, there seems to be at least a half dozen or so that look like you've spent time coaching or at least make excellent efforts to share your analysis.  Not saying your analysis is always right, but getting game film(or just DVR), making a decision and then backing it up with pics, video, or even text of some or all the specific plays makes for great reading. 

I tried to key on Farrior Sunday as it's a goal of mine to turn everyone on this site against Farrior and influence the coaches to bench him...just kidding/exaggerating...I'm big on that and read somewhere that italics are a good way to show that if you're writing style is like mine and pisses some people off if they don't know you are being sarcastic.  The content of my comments is often pretty good at pissing others off without the need to do it with misunderstandings...but I digress.  Benching Farrior won't happen this season until coach dad determines he lost at least 2 more games this season...yes, I blame just him for 2 losses last season; ST, TO, lack of power running game and defensive fatigue had nothing to do with it (sarcasm). 

Anyhow, seems like Farrior is always heading the right way, getting into position to make a play and when he gets there...nothing.  IMO he lacks the mental edge or the athletic skill these days to make plays.  Passes come his way, he turns and tries to make a tackle, lacking the ability and reaction time to make a play for the ball.  Ball carrier comes his way, he holds his lane but doesn't make solid play stuffing the back, he justs diverts him to the side and gets a half of tackle on a five yard gain :(    Can't remeber the last time he shed a blocker and stuffed ball carrier for short gain or loss...2008, 2007?   If unblocked and he gets penetration, he then falls to the ground near Turner and just taps him on the knee...wouldn't even got credit for the tackle in a game of 2-hand-touch.  Blitzes?  Please...he just doesn't have that drive and determination to fire at the line and find a crease, he runs into the line not to be seen again for 3 seconds...although he is good at disengaging backwards and cleaning up a QB trying to escape the pocket.  Pass coverage?  well, for an ILB reading the play and being in the proper lane is far more important that the ability to cover a back man-to-man...Farrior has no equal on this team, but it sure would be nice if he had the atletic skill set to prevent a QB or RB from getting first down.

How many differnt DD posts are out there this week, wouldn't it be nice if there was just one then all of our smart/cute/witty/dumb/whatever comments would be in one spot?  Like I qualified at the beginning, don't have anything other than live games on TV for this harsh Farrior bashing, hope I'm wrong because I'm more likely to be packing my bags for hanging out on BTSC during work than Farrior is of not getting a hat. So, my somewhat ignorant/partially informed analysis of Farrior was meant to light a fire under the masses and get what i really want...a much more expert and organized look at individual players.  There's the topic for our first in the series...James Farrior.  I'm looking for volunteers/nominations for the jobs.  I can't remeber where I parked let alone who are the best analysts out there.  Just learned a few days back that there are 2 NYCSteelers out there?  I can nominate myself to head up a weekly poll to see who the masses would like to learn about and use that poll as a way to coordinate. 

Looking for volunteers for Farrior job and recomendations of the best writers/posters if the poll is favorable?

It's totally ridiculous that MLB has 2 "leagues" that use different rules.  The time has come to get together and compromise.

DH positives:  More Offense, better hitter, horrible hitting pitchers don't have to hit, horrible fielder can play every day, fans can still see an old loved vet, one more higher paid player than NL.

No DH positives:  Good hitting pitchers don't hit, managers need to consider lineup when considering pitching changes...maybe use a double switch or try to get one more batter out, more players used/game as pinch hitters than AL.

Possible Solution: The Modified DH Rule.

1.     On the starting lineup card, a team indicates whether they will (A) or will not(B) employ a DH for the starting pitcher. 

2A.    A team choosing to begin the game with a DH for the starting pitcher looses the DH when the starting pitcher is replaced as the pitcher.

2B.    A team can allow the starter to hit and save the DH for all pitchers entering the game after the 5th inning.

Does this solve the problem, keeping all the positives (strategy, vet hitter, and pinch hitters) or not?  Note the extra advantage given to the home team ("cuz if they don't win it's a shame") using rule 2B to allow them to use the DH in the 6th+ while the away team can't use theirs until the 7th+. 

Of course they will, they always do.  Not to mention this year there are more glaring week spots than normal.  Currently, after the Yankees 8 positional starters and Posada, no one else has shown they really deserve a MLB contract.  I could give Thames a pass as he was playing well against lefties only until he was asked to play more, then got hurt...or I could fail him as he only hit 2 HR's and caught even fewer flies.  The same can be said of the pitchers, 5 starters + Mo, everyone else on the roster has pitched rather poorly.  Ace and Mitre certainly get a pass, but a short reliever with an ERA between 4 and 6 is pathetic. 

So, there are plenty of places where the Yanks can get better, who knows where the trade(s) will come.  But know this, Cashman brought in Wynn, Granderson, Vazquez, Park, Johnson, Hoffman and Logon to a team that won WS.   If Javy blows up again it'll be a complete oh-fer.  If Yanks don't win WS, especially if the remaining 2010 additions don't come through, Cashman is looking for work.  He's gotta pull the trigger to save his job. 

Adam Dunn, another defensively challenged OF to play part time might happen?  Relief help is a good possibility, but Joe will probably mess that dude up also.  My best bet is Cliff Lee, even though the Yanks really don't need him.  Seattle is looking for top catching prospect and the Yanks have catchers not named Jesus in system that are likely going to be catchers in the bigs, too easy to sign a DH if you try.  Jesus is on the hook just waiting for the big fish. 

I don't think Montero alone would bring Lee, who else would you send to Seattle?  Hughes and Jesus is just plain ridiculous, Jaba and Jesus might happen...I certainly wouldn't consider it but my job isn't on the line after the worst GM season in Yankee history.  Would you send Ace and/or Robertson?  I know Ace is loved but really hasn't shown the ability to stay healthy?

Here is the question.  You are Brian Cashman, you're on the hook after a bunch of moves are not panning out, however, you are in first place.  Seattle is calling offering Lee for Jesus and a current major league player (not someone like Huffman or Curtis that very few ever heard of before last month).  Quick answers, what do you do?  do you stand pat, trade for someone else, or package Jesus and _____?

I'm thinking Cash would offer Ace and his bulging disk first, then try to send Robertson, and ultimately, if Lee would sign with Yanks, Jesus and Jaba.  Again, what do you think Cashman will do?

Two months ago, Steelers had 3 key players ending contracts this season and hitting FA...Holmes, Colon, Woodley.  No disrespect to the others with expiring contracts, but they are either replaceable or the money required to sign them won't break the bank  (Reed, Fox, Gay, Essex, Spaeth, Memo, Eason, Frazier) 

FO was probably hoping to sign two of Holmes, Colon and Wood, but now there is only one left.   Too bad for Willie, he might still get paid a little something, but backing up and planting sure does stress the achilles.  Looks like Woodley can stay in Black and Gold. 

I read in some other post some crazy rule makes it very difficult for the Steelers to sign Woodley now, but I'd expect a contract typed up and ready to go before FA starts next winter.  Timmons will definitely get his next winter also.  After Woodley and Timmons, no one else needs a new big contract next off season.  Mendy will have 2 years left, Hood 3.  Guys like Smith and Ike will be coming due soon, but at their age they won't command big money, a pay cut is more likely.  Depending on BB's concussions and/or his antics involving little Ben, he's not likely in line for a raise anytime soon.  Once the Steelers cut dead wood Farrior and Hartwig there is going to be some good money to actually make a FA splash?  Doubtful, but the money should be there.

Given the current state of the O-line...excluding Pouncey I'd rate the rest of the line from left to right as: Average, Average, worst in league, worst in league, worst in league.  Hopefully Pouncey can work through his rookie-ness and take one spot from worst to poor to adequate, average, or even solid by January?  I don't have a lot of hope finding one average starter among the rest of the dudes on the roster...finding 2 is going to be next to impossible. Maybe Foster can upgrade a spot to serviceable, but we already know Hartwig and Essex are the 2 worst starters in the league and Legursky and Urbik were worse than them last year :(  Don't know much about Scott other than he played for Buffalo, gave up somehtin like 8 sacks on six plays and lost his starting job....you gotta be rally bad to lose a starting job in Buffalo.  One silver lining I see is that most of the players mentioned have good beef and strength...maybe with a power blocking scheme all will be better than they were as zone blockers?  The other silver lining is that Arians is the first guy to hit the street when the season is over.  Let's Go Defense!!!!

I'm hoping the Steelers take the cash they are not paying to Colon or Holmes, consider the fact that very few players/positions will require raises over the next several seasons, and try to make a move for a starting RG or RT.  Surely somebody young and good is playing for a loser and is going to become a FA...maybe even unhappy about their current contract?  Steelers need to make a move, give up next years first pick and bring in someone who can play. 

We can argue the skills, experience, style of football etc, and we have in other posts.  Those are important factors and the Steelers aren't simply going to start a guy that hasn't earned it.  But, if DD is anywhere close to Leftwich, he starts.  Here's my take on the off-the-field picture.

This is the NFL.  It's a business.  Presuming there is some sort of a CBA similar to the last:

DD is in final year of a 3 year deal and Steelers need to know 2 things:  1. Do they give him a high, mid or low tender and 2. After he signs that tender (low $2M at most) is DD a viable starter for them or anyone else?  If he looks good, a $2M starting QB is worth as much if not more than a $15M superstar QB...you can add 1 or 2 all-pros with the extra $13M.  Discussing contract extension with a guy who's earned about $1M in his career and has $2M on the table is pretty easy..."You want to earn that $2M, risk injuring that knee again and then go start your life's work,,,or, do you want to sign a 5 year/$20M deal, almost half guaranteed and bonuses up to about $30M?"  $4-$6M for a starter is still very cheap, especially an exciting marketable starter. 

Not to mention, if the Steelers still want to move BB, they'll need to know if DD is capable and under contract.  I know the majority of posters think I'm foolish for even suggesting it, and the rest think it's just plain blasphemous.  Anyhow, foolish to trade the superstar, far more foolish to trade him without giving the young, physically talented replacement a real world tryout.

Playing Leftwich will not give the Steelers the DD answers they need to know.  If DD looks good for 4 to 6 games, maybe doesn't even have a bad game/slump/injury...the market for him will be incredible.  The starting offer has to equal the Cutler deal and then the bidding starts.  Hell, someone might even give up the two firsts before he signs the tender....this is all moot if DD doesn't shine, which he won't if Leftwich plays.    In essence, starting Leftwich costs the Steelers a chance at two free first-rounders.  

I like Leftwich and he's played his best football in Pittsburgh.  It's hard to believe the Steelers think his potential is any higher than marginal/adequate starting QB?  What was he worth, a seventh rounder?  I'm guessing DD, an injured 5th, potential 1st, 2 years and 1 good game under his belt is worth a number 2 at worst.   Of couse market value doesn't matter, winning games does.  It seems that Tomlin and the Steelers are headed down the Leftwich path.  Is this to keep pressure/media off DD for a while and then let him swoop in?  I doubt it.  I guess Tomlin and the Steelers feel Leftwich gives them the best chance to win games this season and will let the DD thing just work itself out? 

First 3 games are home vs. Atlanta and @ Tennessee and Tampa, 3 teamss who were not very good on defense last year.  I sure hope the Steelers see it my way and give DD some reps and a fair shot at starting...sure would be nice having a superstar QB and a young promising starter...the "who to trade posts" would be plentiful.

Best way to get me to stop reading a post is to do a wave.  Hate 'em.  Can we ban these things? 

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75.

Way to early to annoint new guys as players and cut dead wood before they even show they stink yet, but I'm gonna do it anyway.  Gotta come back and check in September to see how good/bad my crystal ball is.  I'm gonna go with and active 45 and then give the inactive 8 because saying a guy is gonna make the team as a specialist or ST player is one thing, but that means he needs to dress.  The inactive 8 are backups waiting for an injured starter or young dudes you don't want to cut but aren't ready to play.  Here goes:

2 QB:  Dixon, Leftwich (2)

4 RB:  Mendenhall, Moore, Summers, Dwyer (6)

3 TE:  Miller, Johnson, McHugh (9)  ...very tough call on TE/big back.  With Summers and Dwyer will Johnson play much h-back?  Will Arians be dumb enough to keep Spaeth active and let him 'anchor' the o-line again?

5 WR: Ward, Wallace, Randle El, Battle, Logon (14)

7 O-line

LT: Starks, Essex (16)

LG: Kemo, Essex (18)

C: Hartwig, Legursky (19)  Pouncey could get beaten early at RG and still have time to oust Legursky

RG: Foster, Essex (20)  Wild guess here betwen Foster/Urbik/Pouncey, essex needs to be told he's a backup at 3 or 4 spots and the younger guys need to start and learn.

RT: Colon, Essex (21)

2 NT: Hampton, Hoke (23)

4 DE: Smith, Keisel, Hood, Eason (27)

7 LB:

OLB: Woodly, Timmons, Frazier, Worilds(31)

ILB: Timmons, Foote, Fox (34)

4 CB: Taylor, McFadden, Lewis, Gay (38)

4 S: Polamula, Clark, Allen, Mundy (42)

3 K Reed, Sepulvada, Czech  (45)

no LS.   ...This is just wishful thinking.  It's always been my hope the Steelers would use a KO specialist and then use the backup center as a long snapper.  If the LS spot is so valuable, why ask that guy to cover punts?  Just snap the ball and then watch out for low blocks at your knees.  Steelers like to let Skippy pound the KO all the way to the 12 and keep a LS???

Had a lot of trouble deciding on the 4th RB, 2nd+3rd TE, or 5th CB.  Went with Summers and Johnson+McHugh with Burnett inactive, although I'd like to see him takes Gay's spot...he is a better playmaker and better at ST.  I think Gay is a great practice player, while burnett steps it up on Sunday.  I'll leave it up to LeBeau to put the best man on the field.

ST coverage:  Fox, Allen, Battle, Summers, Mundy, Worilds, Frazier, Lewis, and 2 of Foote/McFadden/Gay/Wallace/Dwyer/McHugh/Johnson.

Inactive:  Pouncey, Sanders, Harris, Gibson, Urbik, Burnett, Spaeth, Sylvester.

Memo to FO:  no one will sign James Farrior, Charlie Batch, or Matt Spaeth if you need to cut them.  They will be available any time you have an injury.  Don't keep old expensive vets on the inactive roster, it doesn't make sense.  Keep the youth, sign the vet if you have an injury.   I cut Batch also, may as well keep/protect a project, gonna have to cut Batch in week 4-6 anyhow when BB returns.  DD or Leftwich gets hurt, Batch is likely close by, probably even on the sidelines as a QB coach. 

Rooks:

Pouncey makes squad, about 50/50 for active duty

Worilds makes squad... he or Gibson will be active

Sanders makes squad but can't dress without injury, too many players ahead of him

Gibson makes squad, he or Worilds will be active, both if one can show he's ready to play D as well as Frazier

Butler has no chance to beat out Gay/Lewis/Burnett for roster spot, PS possibility

Sylvester 50/50 to make roster.  Steelers are possibly dumb enough to keep Farrior throwing away draft pick

Scott gets cut, not gonna make it in NFL

Dwyer maks club easily.  Summers and Dwyer are only candidates to replace FWP.  Summers has run poorly and shown he can lead block and play ST.  Dwyer has RB speed and goal-line power.  That leaves Dwyer nearly without competition as Mendenhall's backup and goal-line. Oops, sorry bloggers, forgot your favorite player Redman, a much slower, older player than Dwyer.   20 year old Dwyer has first round skills, no way a PS players beats him for a job.

Antonio Brown:  Why?  He'll battle Grisham, Chery, and London for bragging rights about not being the first WR cut.  about a 10% chance to make the 65-man roster. 

Worthington's a DL project the Steelers will try to stash on PS.  Slim chance of beating Eason or Harris for roster spot.

D. Taylor gets cut first.  Hes gonna be fun to blog about the first time he blows up a rookie LB or one of the several no chance to make the squad backup LBs the Steelers have on the roster.  Everyone will be clamoring about what a great FB this guy would be when in reality he won't be able to just learn that job so quickly.  Summers will be the lead back, play on ST and can run the ball in a pinch.  Taylor goes to PS and bloggers will write about him nearly as much as Lord Redman.

This post is intended for football related facts and opinions about BB.  Please put your "I Love Him", "He's a rapist" "I think this is what happened" opinions on another post.  Thanks. 

Big Ben Football Facts

1.  Ben is a Helluva football player.  (yes, that's an opinion but for this post it's a fact).
2.  Ben makes lots of $$$$, much of it front loaded meaning if there is a CBA and a cap the Steelers have mortgaged some of the future payroll for Ben's current contract.  (another opinion, but he is the highest paid Steeler and all his salary has not been accounted for under the current CBA's cap rules).
3.  I or any other posters on this site will likely never know if Ben made an error in judgement or committed sexual assault.
4.  Ben is likely to get hit with a suspension.

My Football Opinions:
1.  This whole thing will definitely disrupt the Steelers in '10.  
2.  Depending on the severity, Ben is one more "incident" or blow to the head away from being done in the NFL. 
3.  Opinion #2 makes BB a very high risk to the Steelers.
4.  BB is paid fairly for his services and if/when he gets suspended or concussed he becomes a financial liabilty to the Steelers which has a severe detriment to the organization's ability to stay competitive.   Injuries are usually worse than suspensions regarding the cap, but either way a season ending injury/suspension forces the Steelers to operate with a payroll $15M less than the other top teams. 
5.  Many of you dudes/dudettes who seem to have a very disturbing love for BB will disagree, but, from a football vantage point (having nothing to do with wild accusations or judging a man I do not know) I think the Steelers would be wise to trade him now for a first round pick or better.   His risk is too high.

The NFL draft is all about making your future team better, and maybe helping this year's team a bit, and occasional some poorly run franchises target a player to sell a few tickets.  Sucks to be them.  Guessing who will be available and who the team will pick is tough, but, determining who the Steelers plan to replace is a little simpler.  Basically the team expects everyone from R1-R4 to stick and maybe a palyer or two from R5+.  So, who's out?

QB:  starter, vet backup, young potential starter:  no picks here, of course they need another arm for august but they won't waste a pick.

Center:  Both the starter and the backup are potential targets.  Hartwig is easily replaceable and the Steelers could get a starter in R1.  It's also a good year to ditch the contract Hartwig signed last year without a cap hit.  Everyone loves Legursky and wants him to be the man, but, he hasn't wrestled the position away from a marginal starter.  Strong chance of R1 pick or even R2 pick expected to start sooner than later.  Legursky has to show he's nearly as good as Hartwig for the back-up role.  No chance the Steelers draft a center late again, it's just wasteful unless the dude can long snap. 

Guard:  Kemo's young, under contract, adequate, and hopefully getting better.  Kudos to Essex for developing into a marginal starter at Guard and Tackle.  He's easily replaceable with a R1 starter, which would send tony Hills to the unemployment line.  Interesting position as R2-R3 talent should be better than Urbik.  It's very soon to give up on a young player like that, but if Kemo, Essex, Foster, Legursky, and draft pick are all better than him then....Day 1 pick guaranteed unless Steelers are confident Urbik can play.

Tackle:  Rather strong position with starters Starks entrenched by mass and contract and  Colon going nowhere this year but is not under contract for next.  Hills goes first , but Essex and Foster are the backups likely battling for spots with any picks.  Steelers kept just 9 OL last year, mostly because they only had 7 who could play.  Maybe one new Guard and one new Tackle and the Steelers keep 10, sending just Hills away.   1  Middle to late rounder +UDFA attempting to earn 1 roster spot is likely.

WR:  No room for any bodies here.  Ward/Holmes/Wallace and now Randle El are gonna have to fight for balls.  A middle round backup who can play ST- oh wait, already signed that guy (Battle).  No R1-R5 picks wasted here, maybe R6-R7 for the practice squad.   Tonio doesn't get fat payday, why do that now if there is no football next year?

RB:  Mendenhall and Moore are solid.  Team employed FWP(98/389) and needs to replace him.  No power back or FB was utilized last year.  Summers, Redman, and R3, R4 picks will battle for the part time roles available.  no way the Steelers draft a RB in R1.    

TE:  This is tricky.  Will Arians keep 5, 6?  Hopefully he learned that Spaeth is not suited to start and anchor the end of the offensive line.  McHugh is replaceable by middle/late/UDFA blocking TE, Johnson also.   Spaeth is only valuable if Miller is out but should never dress if Miller is healthy.  Might be easy to cut him but keep his stuff in the locker, who else wants a guy that can't block and has rarely been used in the passing game?  

DL:  Hampton/Smith/Kiesel/Hood are staying. Steelers used a #1 last year and never played him, even though the starter at his spot was out??  Not likely to happen again.  Hoke is marginally replaceable by R1 talent, but why would you use that pick for a guy who will back up fat Casey for 2 years and then only play one or two downs in the future?  Stopping the run has not been a problem nor will it be for the next couple of years.  Expect a PS NT and another middle/late pick to battle Harris for the last active DE spot.

LB:  Fox and Woodley are up after this season, Farrior is probably done already; plus he's another guy to cut now and avoid the cap hit.  Frazier and Bailey are replaceable.  That leaves Timmons and Harrison.  Woodley is a very high priority to resign, ILB is a must for the draft.  It appears that Timmons will replace Farrior full-time while Foote plays on running downs, not sure who will play on passing downs but I'm hoping for DB.  Expect Steelers to get an OLB in R4-R5 and more late.  McClain in R1 is strong possibility.  Expect Farrior, Frazier, and Bailey to battle for the last LB spot. 

S:  Pola and Clark, Allen and Mundy.  Seems like high draft pick not very likely.  Middle to late likely to battle for Mundy's and/or Allen's role. 

CB: Ike is still the #1.  Burnett/Lewis/Gay appear as talented as any DB available in draft.  One more can be added to send Madison or Gay home. 

Best Guess:  Steelers should be and probably are willing to move up whenever they get a shot.  R5+ picks are likely no better than young players the Steelers already have.   Redman makes team but dresses only if Mendenhall, Moore or draft pick can't go, Summers becomes fullback, new Guard starts week 1, new CB rarely plays or dresses as Pola, Lewis/Burnett (and the lack of Farrior) make huge difference in secondary.   Steelers employ P.Czeck or someone like him to KO.   

That's a lot of blabbering.  In a nut shell, which players are likely not Steelers on opening day?  Mine are Hartwig, Hills, Johnson, McHugh, Farrior, Bailey, Frazier and Madison.

The Steelers are scoring early and the D is taking care of business early giving the team nice leads.  Then the fourth quarter comes along and the D cannot get off the field.  What is wrong?  Obviously Troy Polamulo is missing.  I think It's worse than that.  We're not getting much push from anyone on the D-line other than Harrison, our back-ups in the secondary are not very good, and our oldest, slow footed LB who plays every down is gassed and slower than ever in the 4th quarter.  The Nickel and Dime need fixing.

Possible Solutions:

1. Clone Polamulo.

2. Bench Farrior in obvious passing situations.  I like Farrior and I think he can still play in the NFL.  He's a solid Def QB and has ability to play both run and pass.  He cannot be on the filed every down and there are far better options when the opponent has to pass.  Mundy, K.Lewis, or even p.s Donovan Woods all have the size, speed and ability to play that middle LB position vs. the pass.

3.  Not sure of the exact nickel/dime rotations with Carter starting.  I think it's some combo of Ratliff and Townsend.  If they can't get the job done then it's time to let Mundy, Burnette and Lewis try.  The young blood can at least learn from mistakes and hopefully get better by January.  Townsend/Carter/Farrior are only gonna get older, slower and more tired by then...  I think they we're all thinking about the early-bird special during the 4th quarter of the Cincy game, and it was way past bedtime vs. SD.

4.  More rest up front.  Andre Frazier and/or Arnold Harrison need some PT to both rest Woodley and give him that fear of losing his job, maybe he should lose it.  Ziggy Hood needs to play a lot more downs to get better and to rest Smith and Kiesel more.  Hood should also be in for Woodley in dime packages.  Has Kirshke gotten within 10 feet of the ball this season?

Anyway, that's my 2 cents, which is about how much the Steelers nickel and dime are worth right now.  Thoughts??

Wow, we got Hines and Tonio plus the unbelievable success others have had this summer.  The more I read, the more I hear:  "Sweed looks great, gets deep every other day", "Wallace gets deep every other snap..uh-oh says Tomlin, he ran past CB, uh-oh, ran past safety, TD", "MacDonald catches everything - underneath, over the middle, touchdowns...", Grisham and Nance making plays in practice, they look good but won't have any room on this incredibly talented squad?  ...er...not?

Anyone stop to think that our secondary is horrible?  Sure I'll line Ike up any day 1-on-1 with top WR and take my chances, Pola may lack a bit in coverage but he is and extraordinary football player.  Clark plays CF and covers for Pola's rogue play...plus any one who can lay the wood like that gets to start on my team.  After those 3, I'm terrified.  I have faith in Gay....but haven't seen much.  Townsend was a small, serviceable corner who is getting older, weaker, and slower.  Moving him to safety isn't gonna help.  Same for Carter (old/slow).  Haven't seen much on Ratliff except the char marks that the WRs left while burning him.  Roy Lewis?  Mundy?  Richardson?  Not.  Madison couldn't cover my sleeping 7 year old with a blanket.  Keenan Lewis is a project, can't see him dressing on Sundays unless he can quickly learn to play ST better and help as a goal-line corner, Burnett is done...makes team only if the coaches decide everyone else stinks more.   After the starting 4 Madison is the only lock to be active on Sunday's.   Is it going to be Ratliff in Nickel, Townsend in Dime?

There is a silver lining....Harrison looks better and stronger, Woodley is in year 3 so there is room for improvement from last year's excellent season, same for Timmons plus he gets to play on first and second downs, Hood is a huge improvement over Eason.  Maybe FO won't spend money on Kiesel, keep him hungry.  Hopefully our weak links in the secondary won't get exposed too often. 

PS have big trouble if any starter goes down :(   We need a safety, anyone available on the waiver wire????