View topic - This an old team in more than one sense

[relictele Profile]

While we all welcome the return of football, the cessation of Byzantine labor negotiations and the prospect of a full season, it's never too early for a little cold hard reality.

This team is old and getting older. Fans love their favorites and the favorites return this love with interest but it seems that many - especially those in management and media who should know better - are ignoring the strange creaking and popping noises that emanate from the practice field.

Chronologically many players are living on borrowed time. Hines Ward is approaching Willie Stargell territory in terms of folk hero status but to say he's lost a step implies he had that step to begin with. Can a team plan for or execute long drives or 2-minute drills when one of the two primary WRs is limited to short buttonhook routes that invariably find him falling down as he makes the catch (perhaps intentionally)? Doesn't this make an opposing DC's job much easier in terms of deep coverages when an offense isn't potentially stretching 1/2 of the field? There were some rumblings last year about relegating Ward to a non-starting position but politically such a move went nowhere.

Ben Roethlisberger is 29 but it's an old 29 when you consider that he's been playing full-time since his rookie season. The long playoff/Super Bowl runs are equivalent to at least another season of wear and tear (especially since there is no off-season between the regular season and the playoffs) and then there is, of course, the brutal pounding that he's suffered behind a patchwork OL for multiple seasons. Were he not 'Big' Ben he would probably be crippled and/or out of football by now.

Other positions and departments have the same issue. We've all praised management and coaches for avoiding sentimentality over the years but there do seem to be an awfully large number of 30-somethings still donning the black and gold. James Farrior has his own unpaid PR hack in Ron Cook but the 'unquestioned leader' is still 36 with a lot of miles on the odometer. Aaron Smith's value in full-career terms cannot be overstated but those arm muscles/ligaments took a very long time to heal and the obvious fear is that a recurrence of the problem will force him to retire.

And then there is defensive linchpin Troy Polamalu. These days it's a surprise if he DOESN'T get up from making a play limping or grimacing. Like Smith, he has at least one injury that appears to be chronic i.e. no amount of time off seems to allow it to heal properly.

Don't get me wrong - I detest the meat-grinder, revolving-door, who-are-you aspect of some teams and the NFL in general and despite the 'pure meritocracy' nonsense spouted by pundits there is much to be said for having veterans, mentors, wise old heads etc. in addition to some fresh bodies especially at playoff time when the playbook chess matches begin in earnest.

It may be impossible to bridge the gap between experience and the raw vitality of youth but this team seems to have an unusually high quotient of stars that are in a very fragile state.

[thesteelhammer Profile]

nice post.
part of problem is front office hasn't drafted youngsters or the coaching staff hasn't developed those youngsters,
who have been able to take the jobs from the old guys.
We'd let old guys walk if young guys had earned the starting job.

How many picks have we spent on WRs? yet Ward still starts.
DE?

[Steel Holiday Profile]

relictele raises some realistic concerns... Yet, remember Perception is 90% reality. Older players can't buy into the notion that they are over the hill and washed up, or it won't be too long before they actually are. Ward, Smith, Farrior ect. have to sustain the belief that their presence makes the team better. "Presence" could be translated as making plays on the field, giving advice during practice, or merely being a locker room leader. For this up coming season, given that the NFL is fresh off of 'lockout', I like that Pittsburgh has some seasoned veterans. The Steelers blend of youth and experience tells me that they are built to win now.

hammer Young guys have to step up and earn playing time. Recently (late last season, or during the off season) the Steelers made it public that the organization would like to get production out of its draft picks sooner rather than later. Opportunities are going to be presented. Progression in that area will be a critical factor in determining how competitive the team can be going forward. The rookie(s) contributions to the YMC's (Young Money Crew) success last season was great to see. Competition is probably the best way to further achievement. It was clear Pittsburgh had a plan in place with an eye towards the development of those two receivers.

[LenSherwood Profile]

Older players get washed up because this is the most demanding sport that there is--it is a physical reality that you cannot keep playing at a high level once the body breaks down from age or injury...

Steelers are probably in trouble this year. Other teams in the AFC got better and they got older. Tonight's pre season game, (of course it is preaseson) looks like shit.

[No l Gravity l Profile]

It's not that the team is old, it's that the FO is scared to bench their vets. By biggest problem being Hines Ward. Antonio Brown makes a play every time he touches the ball. There's really no reason for him to be the #4 receiver. He caught a Dixon pass and ran it for a TD in his first preseason, returned a kickoff the first time he touched the ball in the regular season, made 2 catches to win games in the playoffs, and yet had another stellar first game of the preseason playing at the #2 spot opposite of Wallace. Ward, meanwhile, hasn't had that kind of impact in years.