Can the Steelers offense turn it around? Here's how...

[steelmann58]

The Steelers front office totally missed the boat when figuring this Offense line they thought they had the players but it turned out the missed bad. They underestimated the come back time for Banner and thought Chucks was going to. be able to handle the LT spot.
Green is very Green at Center and defiently Stronger his is getting pushed right back into the QB

[ToddHaleysNineIron]

How are you being proven right?

Are you watching the same games I’m watching?

Najeh is getting hit in the backfield and at the LOS the vast majority of time.

Running behind two rookies who are struggling, a total POS RT, a second year guy who is regressing and a pregnant lard ass….and after 3 games “you’ve been proven right?”

Laughable

My whole point was that RBs are a cheap commodity; we needed to invest in the line and not waste a premium pick on a RB.

looking back at who was available, which OL do you take in R1 and when was that OL actually taken?

[Havoc]

Our center is too small and our RB is too slow... an awful combination.

Green looks backup small to me. I'm not writing him off that but was my concern from the beginning.

I think Harris will be a good solid player and too slow for my preference for the position.

[MJG75]

Love Najee. He is going to show you doubters something once he gets some running room. There were some good plays called back for penalties. Yeah I know they don't count but we are starting multiple rookies and whatever we may think of that in and of itself, it is a fact that rookies often take a while to "get it". I have faith that this team will come around sooner than later.

[shellwagnerblount]

Our center is too small and our RB is too slow... an awful combination.

Green looks backup small to me. I'm not writing him off that but was my concern from the beginning.

I think Harris will be a good solid player and too slow for my preference for the position.

It's like they saw another Pouncey and went with it. I'd rather have a center who can anchor the run game with SOME mobility as a bonus. Let the guards do the pulling...But it's very early in his career. of course. He clearly needs to get stronger and bigger..

[Rod & Wire Mill]

Has anyone else seen the video of Green doing a reverse sit-up? I don’t think strength is going to be a problem. His balance, timing and footwork seem to be the issues. And, of course, inexperience. I’m thinking he just needs time, maybe some on the pine, but he could turn out fine.

[K_C_]

First, fuck off. Your insults are childish and lack subtly.

Second, learn to read. Do I think Harris will be a solid RB for a few years. Of course. My point was on value.

RB shelf lives are basically C1. So, if you are spending a first round pick on a RB, they need to produce massive surplus value during the C1 years. Couple that with RBs being largely a commodity position (i.e., you can pick guys up and plug them in at RB easier compared to most positions), in my mind for a RB to justify a first round grade they need to produce like a top 3 RB in the NFL.

Does Harris look like a top 3 RB in the NFL? Hell no. He looks like a competent starter. Maybe he pulls a Bell, but odds are stacked against him since he was overage for his draft year.

So, my point isn't that Harris is a bust but that he is proving to be exactly what I said on draft night -- bad value. Steelers would've been better off trying to trade down and get more line help.

But yeah keep calling me a hillbilly or meth head. That is a real winning argument. You really should be banned until you pass a test that shows you possess reading comp at, I don't know, the level of a 9th grader.

He's played in 3 games, you mook.

3 games.



Ben will be gone after this year. His contract will be gone. They will upgrade the line with an early pick and likely a free agent.

Jesus H Christ.

Okay. Let's say Ben is gone at the end of the year. Who is walking through the door to play QB that can win a championship? Probably no one, right? So that's two years where Harris isn't really contributing to a SB caliber team (unless Ben continues to improve game over game). Shelf life for a RB is at most five years and the fifth one is expensive.

So now, you are at most hoping that Harris is a top three back in his years 3-5. That isn't a smart bet, especially for an overage product.

The pick was always dumb because RBs in the first round are luxury picks for teams that are close to a SB but lack a dynamic back.

It heartens me to see that you disagree. It means I am likely right.

Our QB sucks now. Why bring in a lineman who may or may not pan out to block for a guy on a retirement tour?

You have no idea who the QB will be next year and how he’ll perform. Dude might ball out immediately. Gonna be rough for anybody to play as bad as Roethlisberger is currently.

BTW Harris is playing just fine, especially as a receiver right now and he’ll improve as the line improves in front of him.

They’ll have cash to improve the o-line further after this year and a new QB. It might even be a veteran.

You act like some o-lineman they take instead of Harris is a sure thing. Pssssssst….that isn’t the case. Expect veterans plus a draft pick to be brought in to shore up the lin.

The Steelers will look very different next season and they could be much improved very quickly. Harris will be a huge part of that improvement.

The kid has played 3 games and he’s already a bust. Just so incredibly stupid but in your case, par for the course.

[Steeler Owl]

KC The target of your post argues that drafting an O lineman instead of Harris would have been the prudent draft move.

Let's say they did that and got a guy who could play right away at a high level. Now you have a stud and four stiffs on the interior O line and Benny Snell starting at RB. How is that an upgrade.

GENIOUSS!!

When the time comes Harris will be part of the solution. In three games the eye test indicates a HUGE upgrade over Conner. The guy is not JAG which will become clear as the season goes where its going to go.

Unless he is over used to the point of a physical (and/or mental) breakdown. Unfortunately right now things are trending this way.

But no worries. Ben is steadily IMPROVING.

[zeke5123]

He's played in 3 games, you mook.

3 games.



Ben will be gone after this year. His contract will be gone. They will upgrade the line with an early pick and likely a free agent.

Jesus H Christ.

Okay. Let's say Ben is gone at the end of the year. Who is walking through the door to play QB that can win a championship? Probably no one, right? So that's two years where Harris isn't really contributing to a SB caliber team (unless Ben continues to improve game over game). Shelf life for a RB is at most five years and the fifth one is expensive.

So now, you are at most hoping that Harris is a top three back in his years 3-5. That isn't a smart bet, especially for an overage product.

The pick was always dumb because RBs in the first round are luxury picks for teams that are close to a SB but lack a dynamic back.

It heartens me to see that you disagree. It means I am likely right.

Our QB sucks now. Why bring in a lineman who may or may not pan out to block for a guy on a retirement tour?

You have no idea who the QB will be next year and how he’ll perform. Dude might ball out immediately. Gonna be rough for anybody to play as bad as Roethlisberger is currently.

BTW Harris is playing just fine, especially as a receiver right now and he’ll improve as the line improves in front of him.

They’ll have cash to improve the o-line further after this year and a new QB. It might even be a veteran.

You act like some o-lineman they take instead of Harris is a sure thing. Pssssssst….that isn’t the case. Expect veterans plus a draft pick to be brought in to shore up the lin.

The Steelers will look very different next season and they could be much improved very quickly. Harris will be a huge part of that improvement.

The kid has played 3 games and he’s already a bust. Just so incredibly stupid but in your case, par for the course.

You don’t know how to read. Seriously. I made a point to say he isn’t a bust; just a bad pick by value. Kind of like Edmunds. I actually like Edmunds. Think he is a solid player. But you don’t draft at safety a solid player in the first. Edmunds isn’t a bust but better player could’ve been chosen.

And of course no one is a sure thing in any draft. Just like Harris isn’t a sure thing. The point is about trying to extract the most value. Taking a RB in R1 is really hard to extract excess value; so far it’s looking like we won’t extract excess value.

Also, what rookie QB do you think they’ll get next year that is going to come in and light it up? It’s possible but pretty damn unlikely.

[zeke5123]

KC The target of your post argues that drafting an O lineman instead of Harris would have been the prudent draft move.

Let's say they did that and got a guy who could play right away at a high level. Now you have a stud and four stiffs on the interior O line and Benny Snell starting at RB. How is that an upgrade.

GENIOUSS!!

When the time comes Harris will be part of the solution. In three games the eye test indicates a HUGE upgrade over Conner. The guy is not JAG which will become clear as the season goes where its going to go.

Unless he is over used to the point of a physical (and/or mental) breakdown. Unfortunately right now things are trending this way.

But no worries. Ben is steadily IMPROVING.

Hey look it’s the idiot brigade.

First, drafting someone else other than Harris doesn’t mean go with Benny Snell. It likely means attacking RB through FA / later round pick. I loathe Snell.

My whole thesis is that RB is largely a function of players around him and they have a short shelf life. Look at a guy like Barkley. In a cap world, it is imperative that your first round picks give you excess value. It is exceedingly difficult for a RB to do this. So far, Harris is looking more like a solid starter instead of the top 3 back he would need to be to justify the pick.

That isn’t really a knock on Harris; that’s just the reality of picking a RB in R1. For the pick to be good value; the player has to be super elite at his position.

[K_C_]

Okay. Let's say Ben is gone at the end of the year. Who is walking through the door to play QB that can win a championship? Probably no one, right? So that's two years where Harris isn't really contributing to a SB caliber team (unless Ben continues to improve game over game). Shelf life for a RB is at most five years and the fifth one is expensive.

So now, you are at most hoping that Harris is a top three back in his years 3-5. That isn't a smart bet, especially for an overage product.

The pick was always dumb because RBs in the first round are luxury picks for teams that are close to a SB but lack a dynamic back.

It heartens me to see that you disagree. It means I am likely right.

Our QB sucks now. Why bring in a lineman who may or may not pan out to block for a guy on a retirement tour?

You have no idea who the QB will be next year and how he’ll perform. Dude might ball out immediately. Gonna be rough for anybody to play as bad as Roethlisberger is currently.

BTW Harris is playing just fine, especially as a receiver right now and he’ll improve as the line improves in front of him.

They’ll have cash to improve the o-line further after this year and a new QB. It might even be a veteran.

You act like some o-lineman they take instead of Harris is a sure thing. Pssssssst….that isn’t the case. Expect veterans plus a draft pick to be brought in to shore up the lin.

The Steelers will look very different next season and they could be much improved very quickly. Harris will be a huge part of that improvement.

The kid has played 3 games and he’s already a bust. Just so incredibly stupid but in your case, par for the course.

You don’t know how to read. Seriously. I made a point to say he isn’t a bust; just a bad pick by value. Kind of like Edmunds. I actually like Edmunds. Think he is a solid player. But you don’t draft at safety a solid player in the first. Edmunds isn’t a bust but better player could’ve been chosen.

And of course no one is a sure thing in any draft. Just like Harris isn’t a sure thing. The point is about trying to extract the most value. Taking a RB in R1 is really hard to extract excess value; so far it’s looking like we won’t extract excess value.

Also, what rookie QB do you think they’ll get next year that is going to come in and light it up? It’s possible but pretty damn unlikely.

This season isn’t going to go well. The Steelers have a GENUINE shot at a top 5 pick. Without a doubt top 10.

Most likely next season Rudolph starts while the kid (the certain high first round QB they’re going to take) prepares to take over.

With another high pick going towards the o-line and at least one veteran being added, the line can get better quickly. Diontae will be back. As will Claypool. Freiermuth will be improved. Hell JuJu isn’t breaking any bank. He might return too. With an improved line, a big time young RB and nice weapons plus a first round QB who isn’t a fucking statue, it may not take years to climb back to respectability.

Having a terrible year this year could end up being a good thing. Dumblin, as Steeler Owl mentioned, has to be careful and not run Harris’ wheels off. If that fucking imbecile destroys this young back quickly then all bets are off.

[Steeler Owl]

Look in the mirror if you want to see an idiot.

Football is a TEAM game. The success of every player depends on every other player. You can keep saying this is moreso true of RB than any other position. How do you explain Sam Darnold?

Further you dont explain your anybody but Harris draft strategy. Who would you have taken that would have singlehandedly ignited the offense. Penei Sewell if available? He was the consensus top prospect. How are the Lions doing? Yep, a little better in total offense than the Steelers but who isnt?

You say Snell wouldnt be the starter if Harris wasnt here. How do you know? Benny Oneyard is second on the depth chart right now, the only other RB to see the field on offense. No more coulda, shoulda responses.

You have convinced yourself via circular argument based on three games that Harris was the wrong choice during the wrong season. Time will tell. But I have seen the guy do some things already that JAGs cant do. Consistently? Stacking stats? A definite no. Who on our offense is?

I am waiting for your explanation of how taking an OL with the pick would have provided an upgrade over where we are now.

In the meantime our QB Herman Munster will lead us to the promised land.

[zeke5123]

Look in the mirror if you want to see an idiot.

Football is a TEAM game. The success of every player depends on every other player. You can keep saying this is moreso true of RB than any other position. How do you explain Sam Darnold?

Further you dont explain your anybody but Harris draft strategy. Who would you have taken that would have singlehandedly ignited the offense. Penei Sewell if available? He was the consensus top prospect. How are the Lions doing? Yep, a little better in total offense than the Steelers but who isnt?

You say Snell wouldnt be the starter if Harris wasnt here. How do you know? Benny Oneyard is second on the depth chart right now, the only other RB to see the field on offense. No more coulda, shoulda responses.

You have convinced yourself via circular argument based on three games that Harris was the wrong choice during the wrong season. Time will tell. But I have seen the guy do some things already that JAGs cant do. Consistently? Stacking stats? A definite no. Who on our offense is?

I am waiting for your explanation of how taking an OL with the pick would have provided an upgrade over where we are now.

In the meantime our QB Herman Munster will lead us to the promised land.

God. This is painful.

Of course football is a "TEAM" game. Outside of golf and single tennis, every pro sport is to some degree a team game. But in the NFL some positions are more team dependent compared to other positions. RB as has been shown for a while is very team dependent. It is why guys from nowhere show up and show out. It is why RBBC is very successful. RB is a commodity position.

Who would I have drafted? I would've tried to move up two picks to snag the OT selected by the Vikings or tried my best to move down to get another pick. After moving down, would've aimed for C or OT. But this whole question is of course bullshit. The point isn't about execution (which is what you are harping on) but strategy. That is, does it make sense to take a RB in the first.

As for your third paragraph, no one can know what would've happened if Harris wasn't selected. I also didn't say we wouldn't go with Snell; just that we likely would look elsewhere. Only an idiot thinks the choice was squarely between Harris and Snell. My point is that your best resources shouldn't be spent on low value positions (e.g., don't spend a first on a kicker); not that no resources should be spent on low value positions (e.g., it is fine spending a 7th on a punter). While a RB isn't as low value as a kicker or punter, it is one of the least valuable positions in the NFL (borne out by cap space spent on RBs).

Now, to your fourth paragraph. I don't know if anyone else picked could help the offense more today compared to Harris. That is also irrelevant. My point is that the Steelers could have gotten more value out of the pick by selecting a player at a more high value position. If they hit on starter at say OT that guy would be with the Steelers for ten years even if he doesn't make today's Steelers offense better (though I think he likely would). Harris won't. That is my point about value. They choose to take a guy who to get fair value needed to absolutely kill it in his first few years. We've seen Harris in preseason. We've seen him in the regular season. He looks like a good back; not a top 3 back. He has gotten into open space and looked good, but not great. That is the kind of skill that jumps off the screen -- we don't need to wait 8 games or 12 games to see. I'll let you try to explain how that is "circular" logic.

Also, Ben's play is much better than you and KC think (still of course not good). I expect Ben to be good this Sunday.

[Steel Bingo]

First, drafting someone else other than Harris doesn’t mean go with Benny Snell. It likely means attacking RB through FA / later round pick. I loathe Snell.

My whole thesis is that RB is largely a function of players around him and they have a short shelf life. Look at a guy like Barkley. In a cap world, it is imperative that your first round picks give you excess value. It is exceedingly difficult for a RB to do this. So far, Harris is looking more like a solid starter instead of the top 3 back he would need to be to justify the pick.

That isn’t really a knock on Harris; that’s just the reality of picking a RB in R1. For the pick to be good value; the player has to be super elite at his position.

You've made known you disagreed (and still do) with the selection of Harris, but have evidenced no alternative plan which would be obviously superior with regards to player personnel. Who would you rather see right now at the Steelers RB position other than Najee Harris?

And please keep in mind, Pittsburgh's offense as it has been now for the past 25+ years (maybe longer), still utilizes a primary player for its running back. Unlike the majority of teams in the NFL these days who have 2 guys which work on a more evenly distributed basis (60/40 or 70/30), the Steelers are more 85/15.

So who can handle 85%, or more, of the Steelers offensive snaps at running back this season better than Harris?

[K_C_]

Also, Ben's play is much better than you and KC think (still of course not good). I expect Ben to be good this Sunday.

Holy shit.

Just holy shit.



This is just so beyond ridiculous.

[COR-TEN]

Interesting.

Coaching vs Execution. This board? All coaching. Players themselves are seldom blamed for poor execution, and it's always the FO and HC's fault for selecting sub par players. Even when they don't.

Now we have the O line VS RB debate. An average to good RB with a poor O line VS an average to good O line with a poor RB? People seem to forget Johnathan Dwyer, Will Johnson, and others. Mewealde Moore? Redman? I'll take NHarris over any of those guys hands down.

Also, you can't place value on the unknown. Selecting an O lineman instead of RB and getting better results is pure speculation, and that doesn't even factor in [time] as a variable - meaning this O line might gel well enough by game 4 or 5. If they get through the rough patch at 2-3 or 3-2, the season is still not lost. I'm unfazed at teams that blow their wad at the quarter pole. Although I admit the packers will likely steam roll the steelers on sunday.

Put me in the camp that selecting Harris was a good move. He's shown plenty so far. They may have over evaluated the current O line, but I remember the chargers coming to heinz with players they signed that week and made the steelers D look like amateurs. I don't think this O line is nearly as bad as the last two games. I hope I'm right.

[zeke5123]

First, drafting someone else other than Harris doesn’t mean go with Benny Snell. It likely means attacking RB through FA / later round pick. I loathe Snell.

My whole thesis is that RB is largely a function of players around him and they have a short shelf life. Look at a guy like Barkley. In a cap world, it is imperative that your first round picks give you excess value. It is exceedingly difficult for a RB to do this. So far, Harris is looking more like a solid starter instead of the top 3 back he would need to be to justify the pick.

That isn’t really a knock on Harris; that’s just the reality of picking a RB in R1. For the pick to be good value; the player has to be super elite at his position.

You've made known you disagreed (and still do) with the selection of Harris, but have evidenced no contingency plan which would be obviously superior with regards to player personnel. Who would you rather see right now at the Steelers RB position other than Najee Harris?

And please keep in mind, Pittsburgh's offense as it has been now for the past 25+ years (maybe longer), still utilizes a primary player for its running back. Unlike the majority of the NFL these days whose teams have 2 guys which work on a more evenly distributed basis (60/40 or 70/30), the Steelers are more 85/15.

So who can better handle 85%, or more, of the Steelers offense snaps at running back better than Harris this season?

My point is that it doesn't matter -- saying who you replace Harris misses the point.

You guys are fixated on the today as opposed to the could be. You ask who would I pick instead of Harris. Who would you pick instead of Chuks? What do you think would make this offense better (both today and in the future)? Replacing Harris with an average back and replacing Chuks with a late first / early second OT or the status quo? What about next year? What about five years from now?

For what it is worth, I would've rather signed JC and drafted another back in R3-5 range. Go RBBC. The fact that Tomlin refuses to do that is yet another reason why Tomlin should be fired.

[zeke5123]

Interesting.

Coaching vs Execution. This board? All coaching. Players themselves are seldom blamed for poor execution, and it's always the FO and HC's fault for selecting sub par players. Even when they don't.

Now we have the O line VS RB debate. An average to good RB with a poor O line VS an average to good O line with a poor RB? People seem to forget Johnathan Dwyer, Will Johnson, and others. Mewealde Moore? Redman? I'll take NHarris over any of those guys hands down.

Also, you can't place value on the unknown. Selecting an O lineman instead of RB and getting better results is pure speculation, and that doesn't even factor in [time] as a variable - meaning this O line might gel well enough by game 4 or 5. If they get through the rough patch at 2-3 or 3-2, the season is still not lost. I'm unfazed at teams that blow their wad at the quarter pole. Although I admit the packers will likely steam roll the steelers on sunday.

Put me in the camp that selecting Harris was a good move. He's shown plenty so far. They may have over evaluated the current O line, but I remember the chargers coming to heinz with players they signed that week and made the steelers D look like amateurs. I don't think this O line is nearly as bad as the last two games. I hope I'm right.

We got good production out of Redman, etc. when we had a good line. Not sure why you think that is a winning argument.

Can you name a single RB in the last 7 years that giving C2 money was the smart move?

If you can't, then justify drafting a player with a first you intend not to give a C2.

[zeke5123]

Also, Ben's play is much better than you and KC think (still of course not good). I expect Ben to be good this Sunday.

Holy shit.

Just holy shit.



This is just so beyond ridiculous.

We shall see

[Professor Half Wit]

I wanted the team to draft o line early and often because it was clear to me from last year that Ben is greatly diminished. If this team was going to have a chance this year, Ben needed pockets clean for more than 3 seconds.

I like Harris, I think he is going to be a player....but.....Ben needed better to be effective. He's on the decline and the line is so bad he looks like he's seeing ghosts to me.

[K_C_]

I wanted the team to draft o line early and often because it was clear to me from last year that Ben is greatly diminished. If this team was going to have a chance this year, Ben needed pockets clean for more than 3 seconds.

I like Harris, I think he is going to be a player....but.....Ben needed better to be effective. He's on the decline and the line is so bad he looks like he's seeing ghosts to me.

A rookie o-lineman wasn't going to make a major difference in the time Ben Roethlisberger had to throw this year, unless (as Steeler Owl noted) we somehow landed Penei Sewell.

Besides, why would you pass on a potentially great RB (and there is zero doubt Harris has that potential) to draft an o-lineman to protect a QB who was almost certainly headed into his final year as an NFL player anyway?

C'mon, the Steelers weren't contending for shit this season. Anybody believing we were had to be fucking high or brainless. Ben's 39. His shit play the second half of last season and so far this year isn't some outlier. Dude took an enormous amount of punishment early in his career, played through it and had a Hall of Fame career, but that punishment now has his body broken down and his mind isn't nearly as sharp as it once was, in regard to what he's seeing on the football field.

Harris was a great pick PROVIDED Dumblin doesn't ruin him. Where is Ballage who looked excellent in the preseason? If Snell is going to be the only other guy to see carries other than Harris, just fucking punt on first down.

[Professor Half Wit]

I wanted the team to draft o line early and often because it was clear to me from last year that Ben is greatly diminished. If this team was going to have a chance this year, Ben needed pockets clean for more than 3 seconds.

I like Harris, I think he is going to be a player....but.....Ben needed better to be effective. He's on the decline and the line is so bad he looks like he's seeing ghosts to me.

A rookie o-lineman wasn't going to make a major difference in the time Ben Roethlisberger had to throw this year, unless (as Steeler Owl noted) we somehow landed Penei Sewell.

Besides, why would you pass on a potentially great RB (and there is zero doubt Harris has that potential) to draft an o-lineman to protect a QB who was almost certainly headed into his final year as an NFL player anyway?

C'mon, the Steelers weren't contending for shit this season. Anybody believing we were had to be fucking high or brainless. Ben's 39. His shit play the second half of last season and so far this year isn't some outlier. Dude took an enormous amount of punishment early in his career, played through it and had a Hall of Fame career, but that punishment now has his body broken down and his mind isn't nearly as sharp as it once was, in regard to what he's seeing on the football field.

Harris was a great pick PROVIDED Dumblin doesn't ruin him. Where is Ballage who looked excellent in the preseason? If Snell is going to be the only other guy to see carries other than Harris, just fucking punt on first down.

I wanted o line rounds 1 and 2. And not just for Ben. I wanted it on the assumption that next spring we draft a QB in 1 and maybe get another quality lineman in 2 or 3—though I cannot remember how many rounds we don't have picks in.

[K_C_]

I wanted the team to draft o line early and often because it was clear to me from last year that Ben is greatly diminished. If this team was going to have a chance this year, Ben needed pockets clean for more than 3 seconds.

I like Harris, I think he is going to be a player....but.....Ben needed better to be effective. He's on the decline and the line is so bad he looks like he's seeing ghosts to me.

A rookie o-lineman wasn't going to make a major difference in the time Ben Roethlisberger had to throw this year, unless (as Steeler Owl noted) we somehow landed Penei Sewell.

Besides, why would you pass on a potentially great RB (and there is zero doubt Harris has that potential) to draft an o-lineman to protect a QB who was almost certainly headed into his final year as an NFL player anyway?

C'mon, the Steelers weren't contending for shit this season. Anybody believing we were had to be fucking high or brainless. Ben's 39. His shit play the second half of last season and so far this year isn't some outlier. Dude took an enormous amount of punishment early in his career, played through it and had a Hall of Fame career, but that punishment now has his body broken down and his mind isn't nearly as sharp as it once was, in regard to what he's seeing on the football field.

Harris was a great pick PROVIDED Dumblin doesn't ruin him. Where is Ballage who looked excellent in the preseason? If Snell is going to be the only other guy to see carries other than Harris, just fucking punt on first down.

I wanted o line rounds 1 and 2. And not just for Ben. I wanted it on the assumption that next spring we draft a QB in 1 and maybe get another quality lineman in 2 or 3—though I cannot remember how many rounds we don't have picks in.

Looking at who was available, who the Steelers possibly would have targeted when they picked Harris, the 2 that jump out (and eventually ended up second rounders) were Landon Dickerson and Teven Jenkins.

Jenkins had back issues in college and that continued after the Bears drafted him. He had surgery to (hopefully) fix the problem. I grew up in the Chicago area, have a shit ton of friends that are Bears fans and I'm flying there Sunday. They aren't exactly excited about Jenkins. He's a long way from being a difference maker on the o-line.

Then you have Dickerson (the guy was coming off a torn ACL at Alabama), who played so poorly against the 49ers 2 weeks ago, he himself admitted his play was far below the line, if you will. Hoped to play a lot better against the Cowboys. He didn't.

We'll see if either of these guys pan out but one thing is for sure: Ben would have still been in deep shit protection wise had we drafted either of these dudes, this year. Will they improve? Maybe. Nothing is guaranteed. Dan Moore (who might be our best o-lineman. Scary but true) and Kendrick Green will hopefully improve too. We'll add more o-linemen next season when Ben's contract comes off the books. I'm hoping they add veterans to the o-line instead of premium picks but right now, I'm very, very happy with the Najee Harris pick.

I'd do it again in a second.

[Professor Half Wit]

I'm not a Harris hater. I think he's going to be a good one. I'm just relaying what I wanted the Steelers to do and why. And I do tend to agree with those who ask what use is it spending high on an RB when the line is in such god awful shape. Maybe Harris was BPA. But he's getting hit in the backfield on like 70% of his snaps. It's fucking ridiculous. And I think Ben is seeing ghosts bc the o line is so shitty. Honestly, my judgment was that this team was never going to contend with Ben back given how he played last year. But I wanted to restock the o line for when we get Ben's replacement. We have a capable back. And dog shit at o line.

Well, it's only three weeks in. Maybe by week 10 or so we'll have more hope.

[anpsteel]

I think their under the radar target was Jamin Davis, who the Redskins took at 19, to my complete dismay.

Javonte Williams was my target back, but it was clear going into the draft, you'd almost certainly have to move up in Rd 2 to get him, and that is how it played out.

I think the Steelers FO was stuck in "catch up" mode in this draft. Each round, the people they wanted, were coming off the board ahead of them, and they were taking the best of whats left.

I don't have a huge issue with the selection of Najee Harris at 1.24, given how it played out; but ideally, RB isn't your first round pick. Of course, the perceived value of the RBs dropped off significantly after the first 3, and I was completely not sold on Etienne- so he was out for me.

[K_C_]

I'm not a Harris hater. I think he's going to be a good one. I'm just relaying what I wanted the Steelers to do and why. And I do tend to agree with those who ask what use is it spending high on an RB when the line is in such god awful shape. Maybe Harris was BPA. But he's getting hit in the backfield on like 70% of his snaps. It's fucking ridiculous. And I think Ben is seeing ghosts bc the o line is so shitty. Honestly, my judgment was that this team was never going to contend with Ben back given how he played last year. But I wanted to restock the o line for when we get Ben's replacement. We have a capable back. And dog shit at o line.

Well, it's only three weeks in. Maybe by week 10 or so we'll have more hope.

To me, all you have to do is look at the Browns talent-laden roster.

How'd they assemble that roster? By not having to pay a franchise QB. Soon enough, because they're going to be forced to pay a guy franchise money who isn't a franchise QB, that roster will look drastically different.

Next year, the Steelers can be serious players in free agency for some quality o-linemen. to protect our new young signal caller. Without Munchak on hand to develop these young o-linemen, going the free agency route to fortify the offensive line is almost certainly the smarter route.

Do you have faith in the current Steelers coaching staff to coach up young offensive linemen?

[Professor Half Wit]

Do you have faith in the current Steelers coaching staff to coach up young offensive linemen?

If you're going to throw that criterion out for roster moves, I do not think any strategy matters.

[K_C_]

Do you have faith in the current Steelers coaching staff to coach up young offensive linemen?

If you're going to throw that criterion out for roster moves, I do not think any strategy matters.

I get that to a point, but it's most glaring on the offensive line since Munchak departed.

In comparison, Claypool was fantastic his rookie year (even after our WR coach passed away before the season). Diontae was excellent also as a rookie. What JuJu did early in his career was ridiculous, etc. Freiermuth looks like the real deal and there's no doubt he's going to get better.

I can't comment on the young QB's because only Ben has played in recent games that matter (Rudolph played well in his only appearance last season). Where we're in the most trouble, almost yearly since Munchak left, is on the offensive line.

I do not trust this coaching staff to develop the young guys, so I hope to hell they add some quality veterans to maybe help mentor the youngsters following this year. Trai Turner doesn't look like he's that guy.

[955876]

just fucking punt on first down.

Given how often the offense moves backyards due to penalties, sacks, and RBs stuffed in the backfield punting on 1st down might yield better results when Jibbs is out there playing “field position”.

This idiot must think he can trade time outs and field position for Bitcoin or some shit.

[shellwagnerblount]

Put me in the camp that selecting Harris was a good move. He's shown plenty so far. They may have over evaluated the current O line, but I remember the chargers coming to heinz with players they signed that week and made the steelers D look like amateurs. I don't think this O line is nearly as bad as the last two games. I hope I'm right.

There's no trouble like O-line trouble...It throws a monkey wrench into everything. I hope they can fix it before this season is lost.
We can but hope.