Monday, September 9, 2013

Guest Blog by Justin Brumbaugh: Where can the Steelers Find Some Help


There have been many shitstorms throughout history, take for instance the Titanic. Now none of us were there (I assume) but I can say from various literature and that one movie, that it sucked. 

Due to work I was not able to watch the game live, but after reading a few select texts, posts, and tweets I can assure you that I won't. I am hoping our performance was an anomaly, but one thing that will not change is the fact that 3 vital players were lost for the season due to injury.

Pro-bowl C Maurkice Pouncey(knee) ILB Larry Foote (bicep) and back -up RB LaRod Stephens-Howling(knee) have all been lost for the season. Replacing all 3 may be impossible but there are a few free agents that could provide a band-aid to potentially help keep this fast sinking ship afloat.

Replacing LS-H, may or may not be a priority, as the steelers have Isaac Redman and Felix Jones on the roster, and Alvester Alexander available for a call up from the practice squad until Le'Veon Bell is able to return. However there are still a few decent options on the free agent market:

Mewelde Moore- If the steelers have proven anything over the years, it's that they are not afraid to bring back a familiar face. Moore was effective in 3rd down situations for us in the past.

Beanie Wells- At 25, Wells is young, and unproven, only a few seasons removed from over 1,000 yards, Wells was cut due partly to health concerns, and ultimately the almighty dollar. If healthy Wells could provide some scrappy yards to a team that obviously needs it.

Micheal Turner- I see this move wished for by steelers fans multiple times a day. Turner is a cannonball on speed, and the fact he isn't on a team right now baffles me. I honestly believe if the Steelers were to sign him today, he is starting and producing by week 3. His 500 yard drop off from 2011-2012 was an anomaly as he received over 100 less carries. If the steelers are serious about winning this season, this move needs to be made.

The steelers also could drop to their knees and beg Jonathan Dwyer to return, but lets face it, that probably won't happen. (but I bet they try like hell)

If there is one thing the steelers will always keep, it's depth at LB however there are a duo of backers that could contribute to the black and gold:

Takeo Spikes- Lose a seasoned vet in Larry Foote, why not replace him with another. Spikes has been in the league seemingly forever (98 to be exact) but is still just as tough and gritty as ever, might have the juice for 1 more run.

Barrett Ruud- a solid, not spectacular backer who could provide depth.

The loss of Pouncey will hurt the most. I have long said there are fewer good centers than there are teams in the league. Looking over the available free agents there is 1 recognizable name, Rex Hadnot, and probably because I heard it time and time again after a steelers player would bust through the line for a sack on the brownies. It's most likely that the Steelers will try to make due with what we have on the offensive line.

I didn't expect much from our team this year, to me 8-8 would have been nice. Unfortunately, that is looking like a pipe dream, and we are likely wasting another year of our franchise QB's prime. Great teams always find a way to overcome this type of adversity. I hope the Steelers can prove that we are that caliber of team.


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