For the Stillers, the Future is Right Now
February 20, 2015
By PalmerSucks
It’s no hype: this off-season period is the most important one the Stillers have faced in 20 years. James Harrison’s flashes of past brilliance notwithstanding, the core personnel that formed the championship unit of the last decade is pretty much gone. The team now stands at a critical crossroads: take the steps needed towards becoming a true contender again, or step backwards into decline.
The good news is, the Stillers aren’t that far off from contention. Unlike most teams, they possess a franchise QB and the kind of dual-threat offense needed to win in today’s game (assuming they don’t blow the upcoming contract negotiations to keep said QB). What they do lack, however, is a defense capable of bringing home the trophy.
Once known for leading the league in yards and points allowed, the Stiller D is now famous for handing out long drives and big plays. If Pittsburgh can improve on that side of the ball, the Stillers can compete with anyone in football. If they don’t, they risk becoming the modern-day version of the Dan Fouts era Chargers.
Most NFL analysts have focused their attention on the draft, but for the Stillers, the free-agent market is just as important. That’s because the team needs immediate, veteran help – not to mention its fear of playing rookies in the first place. The Stillers, more than most teams, need to take a hard look at the upcoming free-agent crop, especially as this year’s edition is one of the deepest and best in years.
Value Players: The Key to Winning in the Salary Cap Era
Sure, I’d love to see Jordan Cameron in a Stillers uniform, but even if he does decide to bolt Cleveland, he’ll likely command a much bigger sum than the team would be willing to pay. The following players, on the other hand, don’t have such big names, but offer big value – they’re the kind of solid performers who form the backbone of every successful squad:
TERRANCE KNIGHTON, DT, DENVER: He’s relatively unheralded, but that might only be because he’s played in Denver’s 4-3 scheme. Knighton just might shine at NT in a 3-4, and at 330 lbs. he has the bulk to do it. T.K. isn’t cut out as a rusher, which his sack stats show; fortunately for 3-4 teams in search of a middle mauler, this has lowered his asking price dramatically. The Stillers have been lacking a force in the middle since Hampton left, and big Terrance could fill the gap – literally.
DAVON HOUSE, CB, GREEN BAY: According to Monday Morning Quarterback, “The Steelers have always believed that their matchup zone system requires only mid-round-level corners.” Maybe this attitude needs to change. House has nice size and bump-run ability, and would bring some welcome aggressiveness to the cushiony-soft Stillers defensive backfield. He’s also a good tackler, making him a black-and-gold kind of guy. Another corner worth considering: Buster Skrine from Cleveland, a solid #2 type who kept big-name rookie Justin Gilbert on the bench most of the year.
ROY HELU JR., RB, WASHINGTON: Maybe the Stillers have learned their lesson in the wake of the whole Blount fiasco. If they have, they should give Helu’s agent a call. Helu Jr. would be an ideal back-up, possessing Bell’s talent for both passing catching and blocking. He’s a solid hit-the-hole-and-go back, which should thrill the linemen. Obviously the team freaked at Josh Harris’s inexperience; here’s a chance to bring in a vet and make everyone feel all comfy.
RAHIM MOORE, FS, DENVER: Raise your hand if you thought Mike Mitchell was a complete flop this season. The fact is, though, his lackluster performance wasn’t all his fault. I watched Mitchell during his Ohio U. days, where he mostly played strong safety – and anchored a Bobcats secondary that made multiple bowl-game appearances. But in typical Stillers Dri-Archer, square-peg-round-hole fashion, the team signed and stuck him at the free spot.
New England’s Devin McCourty is the season’s big catch, but he’ll either get the franchise tag or the big bucks on the open market. Moore on the other hand would cost less – and still allow Mitchell to return to his natural position, where he could let loose and start laying the wood again. Moore brings good ball instincts and hands, and would represent the first step in a badly-need secondary overhaul.
BYRON STINGILY, OT, TENNESSEE: The Stillers look fine at guard and center, but their outside linemen are another story. This Titan tackle would be a natural fit reuniting with his ex-coach, Mike Munchak. Stingily possesses size and agility, and the versatility to play guard. He’d look good, though, at right tackle, where he could help spare Ben Roethlisberger some of his annual beat-downs. Yes, the Stillers need defensive help, but the O-tackle spot looks just as needy – unless you’re a fan of Marcus Gilbert and Mike Adams.
JABAAL SHEARD, OLB, CLEVELAND: Expect Sheard to join the group of rats deserting the sinking Cleveland ship. Sheard shows good run-stopping ability, and his low sack totals are more the product of Pettine’s schemes than talent. Maybe instead of overpaying Worilds again, the Stillers can look outside the organization for the solution. Bonus: Sheard played at Pitt, where he was allowed to put his rush skills on display. Feel free to look up his highlights and see what I mean.
Like I said, this year’s free-agent class is stocked with talent. A borderline contender like the Stillers can quickly step up a notch with a few well-placed moves – much more quickly than through the draft. Nor would they likely have to pay a ton of cash for the players I’ve listed – meaning there’s no excuse not to act.
I said in the last commentary this is the most important draft for the Stillers in two decades. The truth is, however, the entire off-season period is critical. The team can’t afford to sit on the couch and watch everyone else make moves. It’s time now for management to strap it on and get in the game. The key to on-field success isn’t just about players – it’s about the guys who sit in the offices, too.
Speaking of quality management, looks like the Stillers will be starting the season without Bell in the line-up. You’re going to hear a lot of talk about how the team isn’t to blame, circumstances beyond control, yada yada. Don’t believe a word of it. As I posted once before:
Let’s just hope the Stillers make better moves going forward than they have backwards. All that’s at stake is the future of the franchise.
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I got a lot of responses about my thoughts on Seattle’s last offensive play of the Super Bowl. Most people, understandably, are still scratching their heads over Carroll’s choice of not running Lynch into the line. But Carroll’s decision didn’t surprise me; it’s not the first time he’s made a curious move at crunch time in a championship game.
In the 2006 Rose Bowl, Carroll chose to take superstar back Reggie Bush off the field on a critical 4th-down play late in the game. By doing so, he removed any threat of Bush’s outside-run capabilities and allowed the Texas defense to key on stopping Lendale White up the middle. White got stuffed, Vince Young got the ball back, and the rest is Trojan tragedy. To this day Carroll’s own players question the call: http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2014-12-31/2006-rose-bowl-vince-young-matt-leinart-pete-carroll-a-football-life-nfl-network
What’s more, Carroll made another such choice in this year’s Bowl, opting to take a shot at the end zone with just six seconds left in the first half – risking the loss of the sure field goal. Of course, that gamble paid off, so at that point he was a hero to the dumb sports media. If winning is the great deodorant, as John Madden once said, then losing is a rotten onion rubbed into the armpits.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: For fans of bowing down and sucking scrote, the NFL Network is currently airing its “Tom Brady Week” tribute. Happy slurping.
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