Hope and Concern: Steelers

By James Walker

Biggest reason for hope: Veteran talent and experience

The Steelers are built to win now. They have been to two Super Bowls in the past three years and should be a contender once again in 2011. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is distraction-free this year, the Steelers don't have many big-name free agents and Pittsburgh's extended offseason may actually keep this team healthy and well rested. ...

Biggest reason for concern: Cornerback

Pittsburgh doesn't have many big-name free agents, but the situation involving cornerback Ike Taylor could be problematic. The team's No. 1 corner is seeking market value, which could price Taylor out of Pittsburgh. Solid starting cornerbacks are getting paid $8-$10 million per season. Taylor, 31, may be able to get that number (or close to it) elsewhere, but it doesn't appear to be a price tag the Steelers are willing to match. ...

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/28501/hope-and-concern-steelers

First, Ben isn't distraction free. He's getting married in July, and that's a huge distraction. Especially as the media will once again be flocking all over him come training camp (should there be one).

Two, our veteran leadership is excellent. We've got a lot of second stringers that could be starters on more than half the other teams in this league. So having that type of leadership in front of them, setting the standard while they learn to play Steelers football, only means greater things for those second stringers. However, with that being said, we've also got the great problem of telling this young guys IT IS TIME TO STAND UP and take what you BELIEVE IS YOURS!

Three, IKE SCHMIKE! I like Ike Taylor but he couldn't catch a cold if he was given the C O L. Might as well call him NyQuil, because he warns off any INT. He's a good coverage guy but I believe that we can find someone younger and just as good in coverage for less the money he's asking for. He should simply give a home town discount because I've seen a few games that because of his inability to catch a ball, cost the Steelers a game.

stlrtruck wrote:

First, Ben isn't distraction free. He's getting married in July, and that's a huge distraction. Especially as the media will once again be flocking all over him come training camp (should there be one).

Two, our veteran leadership is excellent. We've got a lot of second stringers that could be starters on more than half the other teams in this league. So having that type of leadership in front of them, setting the standard while they learn to play Steelers football, only means greater things for those second stringers. However, with that being said, we've also got the great problem of telling this young guys IT IS TIME TO STAND UP and take what you BELIEVE IS YOURS!

Three, IKE SCHMIKE! I like Ike Taylor but he couldn't catch a cold if he was given the C O L. Might as well call him NyQuil, because he warns off any INT. He's a good coverage guy but I believe that we can find someone younger and just as good in coverage for less the money he's asking for. He should simply give a home town discount because I've seen a few games that because of his inability to catch a ball, cost the Steelers a game.

I agree with almost everything you said, truck ... especially about Ben's distraction. But I disagree a little with Ike. Yeah, he can't catch a cold, but he's a solid cover corner. If we allow him to leave and don't replace him, and none of the young guys pan out, can you imagine McFadden and Gay as the starting corners?

I hope that the Steelers suck this year.

I'm concerned that they won't suck.

JonM229 wrote:

I hope that the Steelers suck this year.

I'm concerned that they won't suck.

We tend to underperform the year after a Super Bowl. Although the last 2 were Super Bowl wins.