The 2012-2013 season was a season to forget for the Pittsburgh Steelers. They finished 8-8, third in the division, and headed into the off season with dozens of questions. They had one of the worst cap situations in the NFL, and had key free agents to re-sign. Kevin Colbert addressed the media at the start of the off season, saying changes will and need to happen.
The first step to fixing a problem is admitting you have a problem, and that is exactly what Colbert did. After hearing the press conference I think we were all excited to see what these changes were. That excitement soon turned to frustration. After a little over a month of free agency, the Steelers are in worse shape and leave a top five franchise QB in his prime with hardly any weapons.
Lets look at what the Steelers lost:
Mike Wallace
Rashard Mendenhall
Willie Colon
James Harrison
Keenan Lewis
Ryan Mundy
Will Allen
Chris Rainey
Casey Hampton
Casey Hampton
Mike Wallace wasn't a surprise, but still left the Steelers with out one of their best play makers on offense. Rashard Mendenhall leaving left a huge void at running back. Willie Colon played 13 games the past three seasons and was set to make 5.5 million, yeah not going to happen. Keenan Lewis leaving wasn't set in stone, but seemed more than likely.
The Steelers drafted Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown in 2011, and Lewis had one good season so the writing was on the wall. James Harrison is 34, and didn't want to take a pay cut. If Lamar Woodley can hold off on the Big Macs and get in shape losing Harrison won't be a big issue. They were on the verge of losing Emmanuel Sanders when New England signed him to an offer sheet, but they had no choice to match the offer. Oh, and the teams MVP last year, Heath Miller, is likely going to miss most of 2013 with a torn ACL/MCL.
The Steelers drafted Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown in 2011, and Lewis had one good season so the writing was on the wall. James Harrison is 34, and didn't want to take a pay cut. If Lamar Woodley can hold off on the Big Macs and get in shape losing Harrison won't be a big issue. They were on the verge of losing Emmanuel Sanders when New England signed him to an offer sheet, but they had no choice to match the offer. Oh, and the teams MVP last year, Heath Miller, is likely going to miss most of 2013 with a torn ACL/MCL.
Aside from Sanders, the Steelers seemed content with letting talent walk out the door, but they have to make moves to replace what they lost right? Ha, that's just what they want you to think.
Here's what the Steelers have added:
Re-signed Larry Foote, Ramon Foster, and Plaxico Burress
Signed free agents: William Gay and Matt Spaeth
Yeah, that's it. This has to be a joke right? I wish. The Steelers offense is in bad shape. Right now your starting skill players are: Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, David Paulson, and Jonathan Dwyer. Look at other teams with franchise QB's: The Pats have two of the best tight ends in the league and when they lost Wes Welker they signed Danny Amendola almost immediately.
The Broncos signed Wes Welker, and they already had two pro bowl receivers. Even Tony Romo has Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Jason Witten and Demarco Murray. What does Ben get? Antonio Brown is a great receiver but has only seven touchdowns in three years. Emmanuel Sanders has potential, but needs to stay healthy and has never been more than the third receiver. Plaxico Burress and Jericho Cotchery are on the roster but that's less than exciting considering it's 2013 not 2005. David Paulson and Matt Spaeth at Tight End would be decent in the Pac-12, maybe. Jonathan Dwyer isn't an every down running back, and neither is Isaac Redman.
The Broncos signed Wes Welker, and they already had two pro bowl receivers. Even Tony Romo has Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Jason Witten and Demarco Murray. What does Ben get? Antonio Brown is a great receiver but has only seven touchdowns in three years. Emmanuel Sanders has potential, but needs to stay healthy and has never been more than the third receiver. Plaxico Burress and Jericho Cotchery are on the roster but that's less than exciting considering it's 2013 not 2005. David Paulson and Matt Spaeth at Tight End would be decent in the Pac-12, maybe. Jonathan Dwyer isn't an every down running back, and neither is Isaac Redman.
It is hard to say what the Steelers plan is. Colbert said going 8-8 was unacceptable. I'd say 8-8 seems best case scenario right now. Its hard to argue with the Steelers way of doing business. In the last 10 years they have been to three Super Bowls and won two. But this is by far their worst off season in recent memory. Drafting under Colbert and Tomlin has been less than impressive, and the draft might be their only hope to turn things around for the upcoming season.
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