For RB, I think the Steelers just need a 3rd back and allow Conner and Samuels to get the bulk of carries for the next 4-5 years. I think that position is going to be solid for a long time.lemieuxReturns wrote:Today sucks knowing the Steelers are done until next season but they had no business in the playoffs this season anyways.
Couple observations:
- RB position is an overpaid position. Watching Conner step into the Bell's spot and play just as well and even outperform in some cases and then seeing him go down and Samuels stepping in and doing the same has me thinking the Steelers need to take a guy and just sign him to a small dollar contract and take the savings and move it to a position that does actually demand high money. Maybe RB by committee.
- Tomlin needs to be let go. I am not one of the guys who has been saying it for 10 years, but the staleness needs to change. The only real argument on the "Keep Tomlin" side is that the Steelers have not had a losing record. But that really shouldn't be the "standard" as Tomlin likes to say.
- The Steelers need to focus on drafting a LB.
- The running game should be a focus again for the Steelers. Longer drives help the defense too you know.
- The Steelers need to employ a replay coach to help the head coach with what to challenge and what not to challenge.
- Bye bye Butler. and any other coaches the new coach doesn't want.
I'm with you on Tomlin. I think he's the Bylsma of the NFL. If "the standard is the standard" applied to him, he'd have resigned by now. The Patriots game shows the man can coach and prepare the team, which makes the other 15 games all that more frustrating. If they were that prepared vs. Oakland, they route them like Carolina. He allows the inmates to run the asylum and that has to change. I get being a players coach, but he takes it to the level of friendship.
I agree about the running game needing to be the focus, but the short quick passing game with screens can work just as well. I just think they need to be closer than what seems to be 80/20 pass/run ratio (probably less, but ought to be about 60/40 through the season).
I don't think the replay coach is the problem, I think Tomlin going by his gut over facts is the problem (IE, fake punt where they try to run on one of the top run stopping teams in the NFL)
I don't know if Butler is the problem or if Tomlin is interjecting too much into the defense. It's like they have a cover 3/zone blitz mixed defense and no one knows what the hell is going on from one play to the next. If the QB audibles, the defense is awful at communicating. Probably because the defense is so complex with contradictory schemes that no one knows anything. Not saying Butler isn't the problem, but let the new HC make that call. Randy Fichtner I'd keep.
Just to add, I think talent wise, the Steelers are a legit Super Bowl contender. I think what holds them back is lousy coaching. Look at their losses/tie, this team should have won all those games (though the Chiefs game might have been a loss) but they weren't prepared in one way or another.