i do have very high expectations for the new offense and expect it to be the highest scoring of the ben era, because of improved line play and a better redzone coordinator

we also need to just get wallace off the field inside the 10, he is horrible in traffic, that is not his MO, i would rather have a tightend split wide to give a size mismatch in our favor because speed does not mean nearly as much when you are close to the goal line

i see ben throwing 38 tds this season and running in 2 more, can't wait to see it all in action

go steelers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Was that entirely out of Arian's hands? Was it just a coincidence that the year Haley comes in they draft OL 1 and 2?

I mean, the line has been pathetic for several years now. Did Haley scrub some tape and plead for OL help in the draft?

That's a real stretch...

Does the OC have more control over the draft than Colbert and Tomlin?

Or could it be that two things happened:

1) The FO was forced to address the OL
2) DeCastro and Adams fell into their laps

Can not be an "I" Fullback...That will be David Johnson...Scrunge doesn't like that...He is the only pure fullback on the roster.

Haley is a big fan of the I formation every team he has coached utilized the formation(Jets Cowboys Cards Chiefs) with a pure fullback

Will Johnson will compete with Paulson...Johnson is 6-2 240 he ran a legit 4.43 40...He is strong...A tad bit stiff in his route running

I never once said to sign Carl Nicks as a Free agent...I would have loved to draft him in the 5th round...Two time 1st team All Pro. Also Jason Peters in the 7th

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http://www.gofundme.com/2vpa9o

My prediction:
By the 3rd quarter of Game 1, some will start questioning Haley's play-calling on this board
By the Bye week, some will say his volatile personality is having an impact on the team
By the Midway point, some will be claiming that "they miss the consistency of Arians"
By game 12, some will be calling for his head

...After we win the Superbowl, some will say it was "in spite of Haley"


Just sayin'.... He's an OC in Pittsburgh.

LTW, I'll buy that the draft (finally, after many frustrating years) fell just right for the Steelers to address the offensive line in a meaningful way. But I have to believe that the offensive coordinator does have some input into the draft. Rainey screams Todd Haley, for instance.

It's also thoroughly possible that a fresh mind with a fresh perspective came in, watched the tape and said it's time to stop trying to make chicken salad out of chicken shit on the offensive line. Kugler's rep has always been developing high effort overachiever types. Perhaps it was the new guy that said we go all in on some real talent.

I don't necessarily care how it got done, by the way, just that it did get done.

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"In a coat of gold or a coat of red, a lion still has claws,
and mine are long and sharp, my lord,
as long and sharp as yours."
-George R.R. Martin

They took an OL in the 2nd round last year and an OL in the 1st round the year before that.

True, HN. And the impact of each of those picks was felt immediately. I have to believe that a double dose will do wonders for that line this year.

Really excited for camp to start. Has the potential to be a great year.

Also nice that if the coaches are going to ask Ben to change his style of play to help extend his career that they are willing to put their money where their mouths are and really address the protection issue. Particularly on his blind side.

_________________
"In a coat of gold or a coat of red, a lion still has claws,
and mine are long and sharp, my lord,
as long and sharp as yours."
-George R.R. Martin

Many here (myself included) are suffering from "post draft delusions of grandeur" regarding all the rookies and UDFA's right now.

If we are being truly realistic, we will be lucky if just one of our draft picks has an immediate impact this year. Pouncey was really the exception to the rule coming in and immediately establishing himself as a Probowl player. Defensive rookies on the Steelers don't tend to have a major impact their first year, with a few exceptions due to the complex playbook.

I would love to see all of these rookies come in and help lead us to an undefeated season... Just want to bring it back to reality a little.

FO had to realize we will not compete for SB with the same oline/OC/game plan as in the last couple of years because Ben will be crippled by the late playoffs. Building from the lines outward is such a good idea. Skill players will come and go but if the lines are good, we will compete at a high level with Ben as QB.