Will The Steelers Be The New Browns?

[Purple_ICE 81]

For the past....for ever the Clevland Browns have been rock bottom of the AFC. The Bengals have kind of been up and down too, but if you asked the average football fan who the worst team in the AFC North is...they will probably say the Browns.

This year I see the Steelers taking a huge plummet. and it has aleady started. Recently the Steelers have been gutting their overpriced veterans to make some type of cap room. After cutting Hines Ward, James Farrior , Bryant Mcfadden, Aaron Smith amongst others. And by doing this, they only managed to dive $10M under the cap which is pothetic considering their offensive leader other than Ben Rothelisburger-Mike Wallace is a free agent and will be up for grabs. I consider Mike Wallace the Steelers "Ray Rice". To us in Baltimore Ray Rice is our offensive leader he has been the most consistent peice to our offense the past couple of years. And we all know how valuable Wallace is to the Steelers, over his 3 years in the NFL he knotted up 3200 yards which is nearly 1000yds/season since being taken in the 3rd round of the 2009 draft. He was always making plays for them, and the Steelers really dont have much offensive stars if you think about it. They have an overrated soon to be dumped RB in Mendenhall, the had an aging Hines ward who hasnt done much in years, and now are stuck with young questionable receivers. Mike Wallace was really the only "Beast" they had. And if he were to go..which is very likely, their depth chart will look like.


1.Emanuel Sanders
2.Antonio Brown
3.Jimmy Brown
4.Derrick Williams

Once Wallace gets taken if thats the case, the Steelers will get whoever claims him's 1st round pick. So if the Bengals signed him they would likely give up their 22nd pick(or whatever it is). Then the Steelers will likely use that on a WR I mean they are looking at the most reliable receiver on their team being their tightend Heath Miller, they would be stupid not to draft one.

And with the Browns likely to make a huge splash this offseason with free agency and their huge selection of draft picks they will likely slide up behind the Bengals who already made a huge turnaround last year making the playoffs with a rookie QB and WR combo.

I think the Steelers are going to get dominated on offense, their running game has declined the past couple seasons, and the only reason those young WRs Brown and Sanders flourished was because Wallace took off alot of pressure. I think the only thing to hold them together will be Rothelisburger and whatever will be left of what is already an aging defense.

Thanks Ozzie and Co. for managing our salary cap so well. We had that hiccup last off season where we had to cut Derrick Mason, Todd Heap, and Kelly Gregg and lost other good players. BUT we made up for it with smart cap savvy transacations and made it to the AFC Championship. So I will take not getting the "big name" allstar free agents in turn getting close to the superbowl.

Next year its on like donkey kong...Ball So Hard University is about to RAGE

[berad]

No, I wish, but the Steelers will still be strong contenders. Just because they trimmed some fat in Ward, Smith, and Kemoatu doesn't mean they'll take a big step back - those guys needed to go.

Now, as Roethlisberger keeps aging, Polamalu continues to disappear, Harrison fades, and their OL continues to struggle you may be onto something but they're going to be strong for the foreseeable future.

[Cville-Raven]

They still need CBs and lineman, and chances are they're not going to get both in the same draft: especially if they lose Wallace. I don't see their defense getting any better until they get younger pass rushers and better Corners, I just don't see them being as good of a defense as they are normally.

[Purple_ICE 81]

Im not just saying they
[quote name='berad' timestamp='1330718986' post='1009881']
No, I wish, but the Steelers will still be strong contenders. Just because they trimmed some fat in Ward, Smith, and Kemoatu doesn't mean they'll take a big step back - those guys needed to go.

Now, as Roethlisberger keeps aging, Polamalu continues to disappear, Harrison fades, and their OL continues to struggle you may be onto something but they're going to be strong for the foreseeable future.
[/quote]
How would you see their passing attack being without Mike wallace? Their depth chart is pretty ugly without him and even though they have 2 up and coming players-Sanders, and Brown, they wont be as good without Wallace taking the majiority of the coverage. Also their running game has been taking a dip over the past couple years and Mendenhall may not even play for the start of next season if his knee doesnt heal in time.

[berad]

[quote name='Purple_ICE 81' timestamp='1330721052' post='1009937']
Im not just saying they

How would you see their passing attack being without Mike wallace? Their depth chart is pretty ugly without him and even though they have 2 up and coming players-Sanders, and Brown, they wont be as good without Wallace taking the majiority of the coverage. Also their running game has been taking a dip over the past couple years and Mendenhall may not even play for the start of next season if his knee doesnt heal in time.
[/quote]

You can be a good team without ballin' WRs - i.e. us. They may take a step back next year but the Browns?

[T3hRaven]

Even without Wallace, who they'll probably lose, the Steelers still have a lot of talent at the offensive skill positions. That defense will get by playing dirty, as always, but they've lost a step. For a while I bet they'll be driven by offense, especially with a good OC now.

[harfordravenfan]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1330718986' post='1009881']
No, I wish, but the Steelers will still be strong contenders. Just because they trimmed some fat in Ward, Smith, and Kemoatu doesn't mean they'll take a big step back - those guys needed to go.

Now, as Roethlisberger keeps aging, Polamalu continues to disappear, Harrison fades, and their OL continues to struggle you may be onto something but they're going to be strong for the foreseeable future.
[/quote]

Sadly, I agree. Just can't see the steelers struggling that bad due to these needed cuts. They, like the ravens are a well run organization but they will struggle with all this restructuring they are doing.

[BloodRaven]

The defense got lucky in every key position for a long time but they won't be able to replace Smith, Hampton and Farrior to the same level. Also theres no replacing former DPotY Harrison and Polamalu as they start to decline.

[display name]

[quote name='Purple_ICE 81' timestamp='1330718649' post='1009874']
For the past....for ever the Clevland Browns have been rock bottom of the AFC. The Bengals have kind of been up and down too, but if you asked the average football fan who the worst team in the AFC North is...they will probably say the Browns.

This year I see the Steelers taking a huge plummet. and it has aleady started. Recently the Steelers have been gutting their overpriced veterans to make some type of cap room. After cutting Hines Ward, James Farrior , Bryant Mcfadden, Aaron Smith amongst others. And by doing this, they only managed to dive $10M under the cap which is pothetic considering their offensive leader other than Ben Rothelisburger-Mike Wallace is a free agent and will be up for grabs. I consider Mike Wallace the Steelers "Ray Rice". To us in Baltimore Ray Rice is our offensive leader he has been the most consistent peice to our offense the past couple of years. And we all know how valuable Wallace is to the Steelers, over his 3 years in the NFL he knotted up 3200 yards which is nearly 1000yds/season since being taken in the 3rd round of the 2009 draft. He was always making plays for them, and the Steelers really dont have much offensive stars if you think about it. They have an overrated soon to be dumped RB in Mendenhall, the had an aging Hines ward who hasnt done much in years, and now are stuck with young questionable receivers. Mike Wallace was really the only "Beast" they had. And if he were to go..which is very likely, their depth chart will look like.


1.Emanuel Sanders
2.Antonio Brown
3.Jimmy Brown
4.Derrick Williams

Once Wallace gets taken if thats the case, the Steelers will get whoever claims him's 1st round pick. So if the Bengals signed him they would likely give up their 22nd pick(or whatever it is). Then the Steelers will likely use that on a WR I mean they are looking at the most reliable receiver on their team being their tightend Heath Miller, they would be stupid not to draft one.

And with the Browns likely to make a huge splash this offseason with free agency and their huge selection of draft picks they will likely slide up behind the Bengals who already made a huge turnaround last year making the playoffs with a rookie QB and WR combo.

I think the Steelers are going to get dominated on offense, their running game has declined the past couple seasons, and the only reason those young WRs Brown and Sanders flourished was because Wallace took off alot of pressure. I think the only thing to hold them together will be Rothelisburger and whatever will be left of what is already an aging defense.

Thanks Ozzie and Co. for managing our salary cap so well. We had that hiccup last off season where we had to cut Derrick Mason, Todd Heap, and Kelly Gregg and lost other good players. BUT we made up for it with smart cap savvy transacations and made it to the AFC Championship. So I will take not getting the "big name" allstar free agents in turn getting close to the superbowl.

Next year its on like donkey kong...Ball So Hard University is about to RAGE
[/quote]
[quote name='Purple_ICE 81' timestamp='1330718649' post='1009874']
For the past....for ever the Clevland Browns have been rock bottom of the AFC. The Bengals have kind of been up and down too, but if you asked the average football fan who the worst team in the AFC North is...they will probably say the Browns.

This year I see the Steelers taking a huge plummet. and it has aleady started. Recently the Steelers have been gutting their overpriced veterans to make some type of cap room. After cutting Hines Ward, James Farrior , Bryant Mcfadden, Aaron Smith amongst others. And by doing this, they only managed to dive $10M under the cap which is pothetic considering their offensive leader other than Ben Rothelisburger-Mike Wallace is a free agent and will be up for grabs. I consider Mike Wallace the Steelers "Ray Rice". To us in Baltimore Ray Rice is our offensive leader he has been the most consistent peice to our offense the past couple of years. And we all know how valuable Wallace is to the Steelers, over his 3 years in the NFL he knotted up 3200 yards which is nearly 1000yds/season since being taken in the 3rd round of the 2009 draft. He was always making plays for them, and the Steelers really dont have much offensive stars if you think about it. They have an overrated soon to be dumped RB in Mendenhall, the had an aging Hines ward who hasnt done much in years, and now are stuck with young questionable receivers. Mike Wallace was really the only "Beast" they had. And if he were to go..which is very likely, their depth chart will look like.


1.Emanuel Sanders
2.Antonio Brown
3.Jimmy Brown
4.Derrick Williams

Once Wallace gets taken if thats the case, the Steelers will get whoever claims him's 1st round pick. So if the Bengals signed him they would likely give up their 22nd pick(or whatever it is). Then the Steelers will likely use that on a WR I mean they are looking at the most reliable receiver on their team being their tightend Heath Miller, they would be stupid not to draft one.

And with the Browns likely to make a huge splash this offseason with free agency and their huge selection of draft picks they will likely slide up behind the Bengals who already made a huge turnaround last year making the playoffs with a rookie QB and WR combo.

I think the Steelers are going to get dominated on offense, their running game has declined the past couple seasons, and the only reason those young WRs Brown and Sanders flourished was because Wallace took off alot of pressure. I think the only thing to hold them together will be Rothelisburger and whatever will be left of what is already an aging defense.

Thanks Ozzie and Co. for managing our salary cap so well. We had that hiccup last off season where we had to cut Derrick Mason, Todd Heap, and Kelly Gregg and lost other good players. BUT we made up for it with smart cap savvy transacations and made it to the AFC Championship. So I will take not getting the "big name" allstar free agents in turn getting close to the superbowl.

Next year its on like donkey kong...Ball So Hard University is about to RAGE
[/quote]
I agree with most of what you said, except for the bad grammar. The AFC North is the best division in the USA's NFL. I will now summarize over time how it's looked since it came from the AFC Central in 2002:

The Pittsburgh Steelers are usually on top. They have won 6 Super Bowls (2 with the AFC North). They are one of the best franchises in NFL history. But, Pittsburgh may seem to go down, as they gave way to the rival Ravens in 2011 twice and cut many key players in the following offseason, good news for Baltimore. Still, Steel City is well run.

The Baltimore Ravens are a classy team that could dominate year in and year out in any other division not as tough as the AFC North. They won Super Bowl XXXV in 2000. Baltimore usually comes in 2nd to Pittsburgh in the division, and the Ravens Steelers rivalry is lengendary. The Steelers have won slightly more often, but almost never easily.

The Cincinnati Bengals are a wild card inconsistent, snakebit team. They have appeared in 2 Super Bowls, but never won. They make the playoffs every other year, but have never really scared anyone with the exception of 2009, when they came out of nowhere to sweep and won the entire division, including the shocked Steelers. But, they followed that up with a 4-12 mark in 2010. Only once has Cinci ever made the playoffs in back to back seasons. Really, there largest effect would be helping out either the Ravens or Steelers by beating the other, which Cincinnati sometimes does.

The Cleveland Browns suck, and are the only team in the division that does. The old Browns (before Art Modell moved the struggling team from Cleveland to Baltimore to become the Ravens) and new ones have rarely showed even the slightest signs of relevance. Even when they do, they blow it. The other three teams almost always have no problem knocking the dog house out of the way.

Back to the topic: I can see the Steelers declining, but not to the point where it's 9/11 every time. There glory days of the 1970s Steel Curtain and 2000s are over, for now.

[Purple_ICE 81]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1330723318' post='1009972']

You can be a good team without ballin' WRs - i.e. us. They may take a step back next year but the Browns?
[/quote]
Its not just the steelers passing game, there running game and defense has been deteriorating as well. Im not saying they are going to be as bad as the Browns in a performance stand point, they still will be a good team. I just look at what the Bengals did last year and can see the Browns emulate that. They have alot of draft picks a lot of cap space to make a splash in free agency and could make a run for the 3rd spot in the AFC. I just dont see the Steelers getting passed the Bengals or Ravens. The Bengals are only getting better, obviously the Ravens ar on top, the Steelers will always be a contender but I just think the Browns are on the move from the bottom feeder spot. And who knows what else is going to happen with the Steelers cap issues

[MsMarvel73]

As much as I would love to see it, I highly doubt the Steelers will sink to the same level of futility that has been the Cleveland Browns. The Steelers will struggle a bit with this rebuilding/restructuring but they have always had a good FO team, unlike the Browns.

[gabefergy]

I dont see it. The Steelers are a smart Franchise. I dont think they will let Wallace go and even if they did that extra 1st round pick will be very useful. A lot will depend on how well they draft this year considering the number of holes they have to fill.

[Ravens4Real]

Some of you guys are really good at grasping at straws when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers. You guys are joking when it comes to saying their Defense is getting old and falling off right? They were #1 in the league last year for god sakes. They also had the #1 Pass D in the league. Someone also said they have to old of pash rushers? Harrison is old but Woodley is just entering the prime of his career. Suggs is up there in age also so can't the same thing be said about the Ravens?

And for the dumbest remark so far,

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1330798538' post='1010796']
The defense got lucky in every key position for a long time but they won't be able to replace Smith, Hampton and Farrior to the same level. Also theres no replacing former DPotY Harrison and Polamalu as they start to decline.
[/quote]

This has got to be a joke. Aaron Smith has been hurt the past two years and they have two young 1st round picks at his position. Farrior was splitting time at MLB for them last year already and they didnt show much of a drop off. Hampton is still on the team so I don't know what you are talking about there.

All I am saying is the same thing the Steelers did on their team this year teams do every year. The Ravens did it last year with Vets and they still do pretty good. What are people going to say in a year or two when Ray and Reed hang it up? Because they sure in hell have no one on the team to play at the level they did. Are the Ravens going to fall off the face of the earth?

Sorry guys, but the Steelers have just as much young talent as anyone in the league. That is why they are consistenly good. They have veterans and a good mix of younger players.

The only way I see them falling off in the forseeable future is if their restructuring comes back and bites them in the [profanity deleted]. But that is probably not going to happen because the reports are that the Salary Cap will go up a large amount in the next couple years which will save them.

[berad]

[quote name='Ravens4Real' timestamp='1330977236' post='1012446']
Some of you guys are really good at grasping at straws when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers. You guys are joking when it comes to saying their Defense is getting old and falling off right? They were #1 in the league last year for god sakes. They also had the #1 Pass D in the league. Someone also said they have to old of pash rushers? Harrison is old but Woodley is just entering the prime of his career. Suggs is up there in age also so can't the same thing be said about the Ravens?

And for the dumbest remark so far,



This has got to be a joke. Aaron Smith has been hurt the past two years and they have two young 1st round picks at his position. Farrior was splitting time at MLB for them last year already and they didnt show much of a drop off. Hampton is still on the team so I don't know what you are talking about there.

All I am saying is the same thing the Steelers did on their team this year teams do every year. The Ravens did it last year with Vets and they still do pretty good. What are people going to say in a year or two when Ray and Reed hang it up? Because they sure in hell have no one on the team to play at the level they did. Are the Ravens going to fall off the face of the earth?

Sorry guys, but the Steelers have just as much young talent as anyone in the league. That is why they are consistenly good. They have veterans and a good mix of younger players.

The only way I see them falling off in the forseeable future is if their restructuring comes back and bites them in the [profanity deleted]. But that is probably not going to happen because the reports are that the Salary Cap will go up a large amount in the next couple years which will save them.
[/quote]

We get it, you have a soft spot for the Steelers - it's a lot of what you post about. Where's the young talent on their roster? The receivers and...

[Ravens4Real]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1330979685' post='1012501']

We get it, you have a soft spot for the Steelers - it's a lot of what you post about. Where's the young talent on their roster? The receivers and...
[/quote]

No, I just hate when posters constantly state things that are not true. I mean if you guys want to be huge homers and discredit the Steelers team then you can go ahead. I will be here to bring you guys back down to earth.

To answer your question, Mendenhall and Redman are young, Pouncey, Ziggy Hood, Cameron Heyward, Timmons, Woodley, Wallace, Brown. And their one O lineman, who's name I forget, had a good year last year and is a starter for them.

Just because I respect a rival and am not like most of the posters, along with you, that say the Steelers will completely suck and be irrelevant in two years does not make me have a soft spot for them. It makes you guys Homers.

[berad]

[quote name='Ravens4Real' timestamp='1330980262' post='1012520']
No, I just hate when posters constantly state things that are not true. I mean if you guys want to be huge homers and discredit the Steelers team then you can go ahead. I will be here to bring you guys back down to earth.

To answer your question, Mendenhall and Redman are young, Pouncey, Ziggy Hood, Cameron Heyward, Timmons, Woodley, Wallace, Brown. And their one O lineman, who's name I forget, had a good year last year and is a starter for them.

Just because I respect a rival and am not like most of the posters, along with you, that say the Steelers will completely suck and be irrelevant in two years does not make me have a soft spot for them. It makes you guys Homers.
[/quote]

Just saying, you said Casey Hampton is the best NT in the league...

Mendenhall's got an ACL, Redman is going on 28 and didn't do much, Pouncey is overrated, Hood is wildly inconsistent from solid to bust (we've discussed him before), Heyward was a rookie, didn't do much - jury's still out, Timmon's regressed, Woodley is coming off that hamstring and is pushing 28 also, I gave you the WRs, and you're probably thinking of Gilbert who was a rookie last season.

Look at my post at the top, I said the Steelers will remain a good team for the foreseeable future but their "young talent" is lacking, in my opinion. I wish they would suck but it probably will not happen.

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1330973036' post='1012373']
I dont see it. The Steelers are a smart Franchise. I dont think they will let Wallace go and even if they did that extra 1st round pick will be very useful. A lot will depend on how well they draft this year considering the number of holes they have to fill.
[/quote]

This is the only reason why they could hold it together, they are still a team that gets the best out of it's players. The odds are against them however, and you won't see them striking gold at nearly every position again.

[Ravenslifer]

The big question to me is Roethlisberger and his health. He just turned 30 and has already had numerous football and non-football related injuries over the course of his career. We see what Peyton Manning's future looks like, and this is a guy who looked outwardly perfectly healthy for 12 straight years. The style of play Roethlisberger has lends to a lot of punishment. Once he's gone, I don't know if they'll be contenders for a while.

[magna481]

Yea, cuz Antonio Brown's 1,108 yard season isn't still better than all our receivers.

[-Truth-]

I don't see their running game as declining. Not with how well Isaac Redman produced in relief of an injured Rashard Mendenhall. In fact, Redman finished the season with 213 combined rushing yards in his last 2 contests, averaging just under 6.0 YPC. I'm sure that their deficiencies up front aren't helping make it any easier on the backfield, but I wouldn't at all agree with the notion that it's getting worse.

[SpearSrai]

The thing about having an elite quarterback is that, even if you cut all of his weapons, he will just turn the new guys into weapons.

ARE YOU LISTENING, JOSEPH VINCENT FLACCO?

[flynismo]

You guys are forgetting all the young talent on that defense. Keisel and Smith will be replaced by Ziggy Hood and Cameron Heyward -- two 1st round DE.

Jason Worilds is itching for Harrison to retire or get cut.

Their front seven likely won't skip a beat. They can address the secondary via FA and the draft.

[harfordravenfan]

As fly mentioned, the steelers will still be competitive. The big question is who the bengals and browns continue to develop and how they draft.
Just wished we could have 2 first round picks or a better 1st round. But don't wanna have a sucky season to give oz that. Lol

[redrum52]

Steelers are the new Browns, Steelers are the new Browns!! Shut up Meg.. Seriously, think if they picked up Griffin and Michael Floyd? Could be a huge turned around with teams not named the Ravens or Steelers if they draft right and we slip up.

[mhead66]

[quote name='Purple_ICE 81' timestamp='1330972175' post='1012354']
Its not just the steelers passing game, there running game and [size=5][b]defense has been deteriorating as well[/b][/size]. Im not saying they are going to be as bad as the Browns in a performance stand point, they still will be a good team. I just look at what the Bengals did last year and can see the Browns emulate that. They have alot of draft picks a lot of cap space to make a splash in free agency and could make a run for the 3rd spot in the AFC. I just dont see the Steelers getting passed the Bengals or Ravens. The Bengals are only getting better, obviously the Ravens ar on top, the Steelers will always be a contender but I just think the Browns are on the move from the bottom feeder spot. And who knows what else is going to happen with the Steelers cap issues
[/quote]
I hate to point this out, but the Steelers' defense was ranked #1 in the NFL last year. Yes, they're aging - but, like Fly pointed out, they've been drafting replacements, much like Ozzie has. Everyone was worried about [b]our[/b] CB situation last offseason, and Cary Williams and Lardarius Webb quickly turned a (potential) weakness into a strength. Great FOs, like the Ravens - and the Steelers - don't rebuild, they reload. I think your prediction is a bit optimistic.

[Yatagarasu]

Hahaha

The Browns will be the doormat for the division for a while, since they didn't have enough balls to trade up for RGIII. Maybe Colt McCoy is going to be a solid QB, but the BRowns haven't upgraded the talents around him. I'm surprised they got a lot of key pieces on defense, which does look like top 10.

Key Defensive Pieces:
Jabaal Shread - DE
Phil Taylor - DT
Joe Haden - CB
D'Qwell Jackson -LB
Ahtyba Rubin - DT
T.J. Ward - S
Sheldon Brown - CB

Looking at this defense, they have enough pieces to have a consistent defense.

In the draft, they should go offense, offense, offense, and more offense.

Get a WR, OT, G, RB, and all offensive pieces, since they're going to miss out on the good QBs.

[redrum52]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1331994300' post='1025429']
Hahaha

The Browns will be the doormat for the division for a while, since they didn't have enough balls to trade up for RGIII. Maybe Colt McCoy is going to be a solid QB, but the BRowns haven't upgraded the talents around him. I'm surprised they got a lot of key pieces on defense, which does look like top 10.

Key Defensive Pieces:
Jabaal Shread - DE
Phil Taylor - DT
Joe Haden - CB
D'Qwell Jackson -LB
Ahtyba Rubin - DT
T.J. Ward - S
Sheldon Brown - CB

Looking at this defense, they have enough pieces to have a consistent defense.

In the draft, they should go offense, offense, offense, and more offense.

Get a WR, OT, G, RB, and all offensive pieces, since they're going to miss out on the good QBs.
[/quote]

They have quietly been drafting pretty well lately. I agree with you on going offense. I have them taking Trent Richardson and Floyd if still available. If he isn't I could them trading down or maybe trading the earlier pick and pick miller later in the first. Then rebuild the line cause the draft is deep at interior line which they need. Right picks could have have the offense set and maybe McCoy will show out if given real tools to work with.

[George70]

It is the nature of the beast, as the old term goes, for a club to suffer a down season, or even a number of them. However, I tend to think that the Steelers will still bedevil their opponents from time to time, especially here in the AFC North.

Who knows, we may just see the Steelers lose a few steps and the Browns improve in the course of this season, as well as in the draft and free agency period, not to mention training camp.

[admartian]

I honestly don't think so.

While they have more holes than usual; as long as they have Ben and a running game and that defense, they'll never be the Browns.
Plus they're frugal in FA too which emans they won't cripple their cap anytime soon.

[Ravens4Real]

The Steelers will be as competitive as they were last year. Their receivers will have another year in which they are only going to get better and their line should improve after the draft and if Colon can stay healthy.