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        the Gridiron >> the Red Zone >>  Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
        
(Message started by: Philly on Jan 28^th, 2004, 1:00pm)

Title: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by Philly on Jan 28^th, 2004, 1:00pm

Looks like Amos Zereoue is gone and the Bus will return (willingly accepting less playing time and a restructured contract).

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04027/266068.stm

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by StegRock on Mar 1^st, 2004, 2:47pm

Well, ESPN.com, available on "the Gridiron Newsstand", is reporting that Jerome Bettis has agreed to take a pay cut to stay with the team for at least one more year:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1748198.

Every time we count the Bus out, he bounces back! [smiley=shrug.gif]

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by StegRock on Mar 9^th, 2004, 10:16pm

HOT off "the Gridiron Newsstand", signing with the Steelers, Duce Staley moves from the eastern end of Pennsylvania to the western side. Here's the LOCAL proof:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/steelerslive/s_183735.html.

It will be interesting to see how they split up the carries between the Duce and the Bus...

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by DOLFAN on Mar 10^th, 2004, 12:32am

Good for Duce, at least he got something. He is worth the $. Too bad though I bet he only last 3-4 yrs then they dump him. This allows PITT to focus their draft to other areas.

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by #1 Steelers Fan on Mar 10^th, 2004, 10:09am

Duce is a great runner, but if you don't have an O-line that can block it doesn't matter who is toting the rock.

They failed to address OL during FA and it is going to cost them again.

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by BarnabyWilde on Mar 11^th, 2004, 10:53pm

Steelers | Zereoue Cut - from www.KFFL.com
Thu, 11 Mar 2004 13:32:12 -0800

Updating a previous report, Steelers.com reports the Pittsburgh Steelers have released RB Amos Zereoue.

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by StegRock on Mar 12^th, 2004, 12:05am

Here's the LOCAL report on the release of Amos Zereoue from "the Gridiron Newsstand":

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/steelerslive/s_184072.html.

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by bgsgfan on Mar 14^th, 2004, 2:15pm

on 03/10/04 at 10:09:10, #1 Steelers Fan wrote:

Duce is a great runner, but if you don't have an O-line that can block it doesn't matter who is toting the rock.

They failed to address OL during FA and it is going to cost them again.

A lot of the poor line play last year can be attributed to injuries. There is a lack of depth, but with the addition of one good OT they will be right where they need to be. Even without any key aditions they should be OK as long as they don't go beyond one key injury to the line.

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by bgsgfan on Apr 19^th, 2004, 1:37am

Heading into this weekend's draft, the Steelers have a bevy of needs and really only have a couple solid areas as a team. Their QBs are old, and Maddox suffered in his second season as a starter. The running game also suffered, but they applied a temporary stop gap with Staley. If both the running game and passing game was disappointing, you know the line play was sub par, and even if the majority of the poor play along the front is blamed on injuries, there is a need for depth here as well. Their receivers appear to be one of the strong points, but Burress apparently will be gone after this season and this draft is just loaded at that position. Bruener is also gone, and Riemersma did not supply much of a spark last year.

On the other side of the ball, they desperately need help with their pass Defense, especially in the form of a shut down cornerback. Speaking of their pathetc pass D, they have not spent much attention on outside linebackers and have a definite need for depth on there. As far as starters go, the D line appears to be as strong as their receivers, however they could use some depth there as well (depth is getting to be a continuing theme).

Pittsburgh has nine picks in the seven rounds, one in each round and 3 in the sixth round. Look for multiple players to be taken for the CB, OLB, and OT positions. I wouldn't be surprised if these were the first three positions filled in the draft although that could change depending on who is available.

Curious about who the Steelers are looking at with their first round selection (11th overall) in the upcoming draft? Well, most of the talk is about Phillip Rivers, but that is coming from the analysts and mockers more than internal indications. Listening to Cowher, the organization is not displeased with their current QB situation:
Quote:

"With Tommy and Charlie, I think those guys are like they were two years ago," Cowher said. "I think there were a lot of factors that led into some of the inconsistencies we had last year; not just Tommy, but the offensive line.

"There's no question if you surround (Maddox) with the right people, he's a very, very efficient quarterback."

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/steelerslive/archive/s_189950.html

Then, you can also take a look at their actions. 6 of the 19 draft prospects they visited with recently have been cornerbacks. Oh yeah, the QB they talked to? Ben Roethlisberger.

Anyhow, here is my take on the most talked about prospects (you can probably get a better look at these guys through the draft profiles available here "Between the 20s" - but this is real brief from the Steelers perspective).

Phillip Rivers

Extremely productive with an erratic throwing motion. Generally considered 3rd best QB available. Is he a product of his system ala Drew Brees?

Ben Roethlisberger

Big, fast, talented QB. Probably won't be available at the 11th spot. The question about Big Ben is the competition he faced while playing at Miami (OH).

DeAngelo Hall

Fast cover corner who is also a good return man. Not quite as physical as the Steelers usually look for, but seems to have potential to be the shutdown CB they covet right now.

Those are the 3 prospects who seem to be mentioned most in conjunction with the Steelers - Roethlisberger as an obvious if he falls that far, Rivers and Hall if they are available and Roethlisberger isn't. So what happens if none of those 3 are available? Dunta Robinson, Chris Gamble, and trading down seem to be viable options. Robinson is rated closely behind Hall as the second best CB in the draft and is a bit more physical with just a touch less speed (still in the 4.3s). Gamble would not be a surprise from my perspective because of his versatility (see Kordell Stewart, Hines Ward, and Antwaan Randel El). If the Steelers trade down, look for them to go for an offensive tackle.

I believe the Steelers will not go QB with the first pick for the simple reason that it will be seen as an admission that they need to, and are, rebuilding. Roethlisberger could change that if he happens to drop. I see the pecking order as Rothlisberger, Hall, Robinson, Rivers, trade down, and finally Gamble.

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by bgsgfan on Apr 25^th, 2004, 3:51am

on 04/19/04 at 01:37:46, bgsgfan wrote:

I believe the Steelers will not go QB with the first pick for the simple reason that it will be seen as an admission that they need to, and are, rebuilding. Roethlisberger could change that if he happens to drop.

My opinions on who the Steelers would and should draft changed several times after I wrote that up until they finally drafted Big Ben. However, my concerns regarding the selection of a QB being an admission that this is a rebuilding year still haunts me. Our second round selection of Colclough and third round selection of Starks have done nothing but confirm that we are rebuilding. The following article does a nice job showing the negative viewpoint, for this year, of these draft picks:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/steelerslive/s_191063.html

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by StegRock on Apr 28^th, 2004, 12:46pm

How about this off "The REAL Feed"? ...

NFL ROUNDUP: Angry Maddox meets with Cowher
FREEP: Football (28.04.2004 05:09)
PITTSBURGH -- An angry Tommy Maddox met Tuesday with Steelers coach Bill Cowher, presumably to discuss the team's use of a first-round draft pick on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Maddox, Pittsburgh's starting quarterback for the past two seasons, left the team's training complex without talking...

Here is ALL the LOCAL talk on "the Gridiron Newsstand":

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/steelerslive/s_191423.html;

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04119/307653.stm;

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/nfl082/3240863/detail.html;

(Related story about the Steelers draft beginning with somewhat in-depth consideration of Roethlisberger)
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/steelerslive/s_191421.html.

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by Coachnorm on Apr 28^th, 2004, 1:31pm

Maddox in a huff? He must have been the only person who didn't think the Steelers were going to draft a QB. ;)

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by StegRock on Apr 29^th, 2004, 11:45pm

This, from "The REAL Feed",...

Maddox: I am not angry... and I'm still the starter (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1791719)
ESPN: NFL (29.04.2004 20:52)

Maddox needs a time-out [smiley=newbie.gif] ... and a reality check [smiley=doseofreality.gif] ! ;)

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by bgsgfan on May 8^th, 2004, 9:37am

Burress is a no-show at camp (from sources available on the Gridiron Newsstand):

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/steelerslive/s_193193.html

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/steelerslive/s_193135.html

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04129/313184.stm

To summarize, it appears that Burress is unhappy about not being extended. However, his agent maintains that the absence relates to a personal matter - supposedly Mother's day and the death of his mother 2 years ago.

Also, the Steelers are finally talking with Maddox about a raise. It is interesting to contrast Maddox's behavior the past few years when he has been one of the most underpaid players in the league with Burress's.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04129/313123.stm

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by StegRock on May 10^th, 2004, 6:51pm

Here is the latest coming off "The REAL Feed" and out of "the Gridiron Newsstand" regarding the still absent Plax:

Steelers irked as Burress is a no-show
ESPN: NFL (10.05.2004 15:16)

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/nfl082/2239018/detail.html.

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by bgsgfan on May 15^th, 2004, 11:45am

From the Gridiron Newsstand: "Burress clears air about minicamp"
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/steelerslive/archive/s_193879.html

I wish there was more on this
Quote:

Cowher said on Sunday he hoped that everyone would return May 18 for the start of voluntary coaching sessions, but Burress didn't tell Brown yesterday that he would be there. He did commit to showing up for the start of regular training camp July 30 at St. Vincent College.

"I'll be there the first day of camp, ready to go," he said.

Was Burress asked about the coaching sessions or not? If he was asked about them and he did not commit to being there, it is an issue. More simply, if he shows up for them, this goes away; if he doesn't, there is concern.

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by bgsgfan on May 19^th, 2004, 12:08am

No official link yet, but the Steelers' message boards are stating that Plax missed the voluntary coaching session on Tuesday.

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by bgsgfan on May 19^th, 2004, 12:11am

And 2 minutes later I find a link...http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1804063

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by StegRock on May 19^th, 2004, 2:11am

Here's more LOCAL talk on the Burress issue, bg, everybody, from "the Gridiron Newsstand":

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/steelerslive/s_194723.html;

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04140/318589.stm.

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by StegRock on Jun 7^th, 2004, 5:17pm

Well, Maddox got the new, lucrative deal he wanted! From "The REAL Feed":

Steelers reward Maddox with 4-year, $14M deal
ESPN: NFL (07.06.2004 15:17)
Team reworks contract to reward starterThe Pittsburgh Steelers rewarded Tommy Maddox's patience and loyalty Sunday night by reworking his contract and giving him a raise that should make him feel like the team's starting quarterback. Maddox agreed in principle to a new four-year deal that include...

Here is corroboration from the Steelers official site available on "the Gridiron Newsstand":

http://www.steelers.com/news/index.cfm?cont_id=245280.

I suppose this puts a ding in the value of Roethlisberger... for now.

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by Philly on Jun 8^th, 2004, 9:12am

I imagine they backloaded the contract quite a bit which will give the Steelers an out in another couple years. Maddox will start this season and Roethlisberger will probably only get in if the Steelers don't have a shot to make the play-offs.

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by DirkDiggler on Jun 8^th, 2004, 9:49am

on 06/08/04 at 09:12:15, Philly wrote:

I imagine they backloaded the contract quite a bit which will give the Steelers an out in another couple years. �Maddox will start this season and Roethlisberger will probably only get in if the Steelers don't have a shot to make the play-offs.

Couldn't agree more with Philly. I don't think that Maddox is a long term solution and I am sure Pittsburgh realizes the same thing. Ben is clearly the QB of the future in Pittsburgh.

It does devalue Ben in upcoming drafts. Does he now fall behind Phillip Rivers in value since Rivers will most likely start sooner than Ben?

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by Philly on Jun 8^th, 2004, 9:51am

on 06/08/04 at 09:49:57, DirkDiggler wrote:

It does devalue Ben in upcoming drafts. �Does he now fall behind Phillip Rivers in value since Rivers will most likely start sooner than Ben?

If I was drafting for some production this year, I'd have to go with Rivers over Big Ben or Eli. Looking at things long-term, it would be Ben-Eli-Rivers.

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by Philly on Jun 8^th, 2004, 3:15pm

Steelers fans must be loving this off-season... ::)

In light of Tommy Maddox getting a new contract, Hines Ward has some issues...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04160/328600.stm

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by bgsgfan on Aug 4^th, 2004, 11:57am

Need to tie up some loose ends here.

Burress reported to camp as promised: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04213/354808.stm

Roethlisberger signed: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04217/356448.stm

My view is that Burress could be a good value this year. His value went down when he missed workouts, and hasn't really rebounded. He is the type of player that will work harder in a contract year. Roethlisberger will not see the field unless Maddox gets injured or the team struggles. If you are a gambler, Maddox could be a very good value in redraft leagues.

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by steelkings on Aug 15^th, 2004, 10:44am

The new kids looked good in PSG 1.

DUCE STAYLEY
Staley's number was called on nine of the first 13 snaps, and he responded with 40 yards. The drive ended when Staley fumbled at the Lions' 10-yard line, and the ball bounced over the end line.

After two series, running back Jerome Bettis replaced Staley and ran five times for 5 yards. Staley finished with 45 on 11 tries.

BEN ROETHLISBOOGIE

Roethlisberger, the Steelers' No. 1 draft choice, replaced starter Tommy Maddox in the second quarter and completed eight of 13 passes for 84 yards and a 7-yard touchdown pass to Antwaan Randle El.
With Charlie Batch on the season-ending injured reserve list, Steelers coach Bill Cowher said after the game that Roethlisberger is his No. 1 backup quarterback.

"I thought Ben did a lot of good things," Cowher said. "I liked his presence in the pocket, obviously his athleticism that he has displayed in camp was very evident out there on the field tonight. He made good decisions and threw the ball very accurately, with touch."

LOOK OUT TOMMY!!!!!!!!

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by Philly on Aug 17^th, 2004, 3:58pm

Nice update steelkings! I think Antwaan Randle-El could surprise some people this year as a sleeper pick. He is an explosive WR who has not yet put himself in anyone's doghouse with contract demands or the like. If Ward or Plex have any issues, he will be a great pickup.

Also, don't worry too much about the Staley fumble. He'll do it once in a while, but he's pretty sure-handed.

I love to hear that Big Ben is doing well.

Title: Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
Post by bgsgfan on Aug 20^th, 2004, 4:51pm

An MRI thursday revealed a torn ACL in Kendall Simmons's fight knee. This is incredibly brutal news. I have seen several reports that called him the most improved or impressive player at camp this year. Last year he battled through diabetes, including losing 30 pounds, making this injury all that much more painful.

For now Keydrick Vincent will take his spot. He is an adequate backup who started 9 games last year at left guard when Alan Faneca moved over to left tackle. Vincent is a good backup, but not in the same class as Faneca or even Simmons when he is healthy.

For now, every single skill position player for the Steelers should be downgraded.