Did anyone notice?

tfetterman — Fri, 02 May 2008 03:36:36 -0000

Is it me, or has anyone else noticed that the Offensive Line really has not been addressed? It is the most crucial restructuring that Pittsburgh has to do, and they really haven't done anything. Ben can't connect to Limas Sweed if he's on his back, and no running back is going very far without a good line. They haven't even addressed the glaring Full Back issue. I'm sorry, but I am finding Tomlin's inexperience to be quite apparent here. With the schedule that he has in front of him, the O'line was paramount and Tomlin blew it. Why would you draft another running back or QB just because he's there when there are so many pressing needs. The only pick that really makes sense is Limas Sweed. Granted, they are great players, but this is a team sport. I love this team, but I just don't get it. Yeah, they got an OT in the fourth round, but he's not playing for a couple years. Max Starks signed, but they made him a transition player for a reason. They question his ability! All of this with losing Faneca! I am so disappointed. I hope they can prove me to be wrong here, and I would love that to be the case. However, I'm just not convinced.

Just because they are a current member of the Steelers...

tfetterman — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:36:07 -0000

I'm a huge Steelers fan and I bleed black and gold. I know some of you are aflicted with this glorious condition far beyond I am. However, you have to realize that just because we love our team, it does not make every player on the squad the best player out there. Currently the Steelers appear to be in transition from primarily a running team to a 50/50 passing and running team. When Cowher coached he designed the current offensive line to get THE BUS down the field. However, when Ben showed up, it threw a monkey wrench into that philosophy. Lines designed to support the run go straight ahead and knock people out. Lines that support a passing quarterback drop back and a few steps and hold their ground. The nature of Ben Roethlisberger is to hold onto the ball a bit longer than most quarterbacks. When you combine the current line and Ben's nature, you get 47 sacks. Alan Faneca was a guard that supported the running game. It is why he was drafted roughly 10 years ago. Additionally, that is why Max Starx hasn't gotten a long term deal. Now that the investment has been made in Ben, the line has to change to give him the time he needs to pick defenses apart. Imagine Ben with 2 more seconds in the pocket! Tom Brady's record would fall with ease, for he has something Tom doesn't have, the size and strength to take on a linebacker when he does have to scramble. Yes, the Steelers are good, but you may have to see them disassemble some great players currently on the team before they can once again compete with the New England's of the NFL. That's my Story and I'm sticking to it.

Poll

What other areas do you think need rebuilt?

Cornerbacks

2 votes

Defensive Ends

8 votes

Nose Tackle

0 votes

Secondary Running Back (Willie STAYS!)

1 votes

Place Kicker

0 votes

Kick Returner (Moore isn't signed at this point.)

1 votes

Offensive Coordinator

3 votes

Defensive Coordinator

0 votes

15 votes | Poll has closed

SB Nation User Blog: tfetterman

Did anyone notice?

Just because they are a current member of the Steelers...

What other areas do you think need rebuilt?

Cornerbacks

Defensive Ends

Nose Tackle

Secondary Running Back (Willie STAYS!)

Place Kicker

Kick Returner (Moore isn't signed at this point.)

Offensive Coordinator

Defensive Coordinator