Take your own advise Ben

But . . . If Alex Smith's year continues the way it started, to think you would get him for a 2nd round pick is delusional.

True, because right now he's playing at an MVP level, but if they reach the playoffs and don't win a game YET AGAIN in the first/second round, going 0-for their last 3 appearances, the organization and fans might think its time to go a different direction. Players that are already under contract AND paid big bucks are usually off limits to teams because they don't want to trade away picks AND pay the player they're acquiring top dollar with a small window remaining on their deal. The Chiefs are right up against the cap number for 2018', and cutting/trading Alex Smith would save them $14-17 mil, and he'd be looking for an extension after this season anyways, coming into his final contract year. Conversely, our Steelers are about $2 million over the cap prior to carry over from this year. If Ben were to retire prior to the new league year, we would save $12 million on the 2018 number, or $17mil if we designated him a post-June-1 cut and could make the trade work. Not sure how any "payback" to Pitt would work in the event of retirement. My point is, if they're trying to bridge the "post-Ben era"..........or have a short-term IMPROVED transition period (if you're Beach), its something that could be explored by the front office. Smith is 33, so it would have to be a trade & sign for and additional 2-3 years. Not sure if Smith has other contractual details that would limit trade possibilities though. If the Chiefs win it all or go deep in the playoffs, its probably a moot point anyways.

 

I'm not in a super-big rush to dump Big Dumb, but IF the Steelers win the SB this year, I wouldn't be opposed to push him out a little more quickly. EJ Manuel looked competent vs Denver when he came in for an injured Derek Carr. He nearly led them to a win. I liked Brissett in NE and now in Indy. These 2 options could "buy some time" for Dobbs to ripen, or just take over. I do doubt this thought, though... I could be COMPLETELY wrong, since I thought Kizer looked good vs Pittsburgh in Week 1. And I'm not too quick to throw #10 into the trade mix just yet. If J2-S2 pans out better/faster than expected, then perhaps, yeah.

 

And I'm not too quick to throw #10 into the trade mix just yet.

^^^^Nah. Keep Bryant here. If he can be extended for medium money and structured in a way that protects Pitt in the event that he "acts the fool" again, so that releasing him doesn't incur any large cap penalty, you gotta try. Bryant is a very talented guy, his potential is legit-#1 receiver, whoever we transition to away from Ben needs a compliment of weapons around him. Brown is here for 5 years, Smith Schuster another 3 after this season, if Bryant could be locked up for medium money for another 3 years, it makes sense to extend him a year early this coming Summer. Doubt they do it regardless of how this year unfolds, but they should at least consider. He can't command top dollar from any team being one failed test away from a likely indefinite suspension, possibly for life. At the very least, it would end his career and any team's willingness to sign him.

 

With the cast of talent currently in Pittsburgh Alex Smith would be a QB capable of flourishing right away. The Colts are never letting Luck go unless they know his shoulder is a time bomb. Then who'd want to give anything up to get him?

Four weeks in with a RB that didn't attend training camp and didn't look good until last week. A #2 WR that was suspended for a year and not allowed to take part in most of camp. A #3 WR that is a rookie. A TE that they were so impressed with that they traded for another TE. Expectations were a little unreasonable with those circumstances. Give it a few more weeks.

The offense, defense, and special teams sucked against the Bears. Take the blocked FG and fumbled punt out of that game and the Steelers win. Take the missed tackles and dropped interceptions out of that game and the Steelers win. The Bears ran for 222 yards and passed for 101. How can a team that can't throw the ball run for 222 yards against an NFL defense? Ben played like crap. If he doesn't the Steelers win. Looks like an overall team loss.

Four weeks in I'm not ready to say the Steelers offense is this bad or their defense is this good. The QBs they have played are Kizar, Kenum, Glennon, and Flacco. Three of these QBs are in the bottom four in the NFL for QBR. Kenum had his first start and worst game as a starter against the Steelers. I think they are getting better each week. It's going to be exciting to watch them play against QBs like Smith, Stafford, Rodgers, and Brady. After those games we will know how good this defense is.

Being 3-1 having played 3 games on the road with all things considered I'm pretty happy.

 

Take the blocked punt out of the Browns game and the Steelers are 2-2. Works both ways.

 

Josh Dobbs era?





Just kidding MoS (kind of). That would be a short “era” I wager though.



But what do I know anymore, Kizer is putting my long streak of predicting good starting QBs in jeopardy. The “factory of sadness” is tough to put on your shoulders?

 

I didn’t like AB’s FB Live stunt, but I like seeing water coolers thrown.

 

I agree Lyman. The point I was getting at is, a loss is a win or loss is very seldom because of one player.

 

Yeah cause I'm sure Pittsburgh would be taking a knee in Browns territory if they're trailing.

 

So 3-1 is right where they should be. I'll take it.

 

After

Actually I gotta agree with beloved Lyman here. Wouldn't Ben aka the big dummy be throwing an INT or making some kind of dumb decision to blow the comeback?

 

You speak truth beloved brother.

 

You didn't put money on that did you?