THE GOOD: The Steelers didn't give up even though they suffered thru many injuries to key personnel. Mike Tomlin can coach and win. Predictions of a very bad season were off! The addition of Minkah Fitzpatrick. James Washington took a step forward from year 1 to year 2. Dionte Johnson looks like he will be another good WR. Drafting Devin Bush T.J. Watt Bud Dupree (hopefully not his last season in Pittsburgh playing at this level) We now know more about Mason Rudolph so the team can better prepare for Ben's eventual retirement. Team Chemistry (i.e. lack of drama) And who isn't glad that AB got out of Pittsburgh? Steelers Defense was 5th in Total Defense (304.1 Yards per Game) 3rd in Passing Yards per Game (194.6) 5th in Receiving Yards per Game (215.9) 14th in Rushing Yards per Game (109.6) 1st in QB Sacks (54) 2nd in Interceptions (20) T-5th in Points Allowed (303) 6th in Touchdowns Allowed (32) (from NFL.com stats section) THE BAD: Injuries to Ben Roethlisberger, Stephon tuitt, J2S2, JC, Mason Rudolph, Jaylen Samuels, Vance McDonald Steelers offensive line - perhaps they miss Munch more than they realize. Steelers Offense was 30th in Total Offense (276.8 Yards per Game) 31st in Passing Yards per Game (186.3) 31st in Receiving Yards per Game (200.9) 29th in Rushing Yards per Game (90.4) T-9th in QB Sacks Allowed (32) (from NFL.com stats section) THE UGLY: At least one turnover in 23 straight games. The brawl in Cleveland. STEELERS 2020 DRAFT PICKS: https://www.dkpittsburghsports.com/2020/01/01/steelers-2020-draft-picks-fdl/ Round 1, Pick 18, Traded to Miami Round 2, Pick 49 Round 3, Pick 83, Traded to Denver Round 4, Pick 114 Round 4, Pick 117, From Miami through Tennessee (based on Tennessee's current playoff position) Round 5, Pick 137, From Jacksonville Round 5, Pick 145, Traded to Miami Round 6, Pick 179 Round 7, Pick 210
Boswell was very good this year. Hope he keeps it up The D was very good. Considering how often they had their backs against tbe wall because of the offense, I'm impressed. Washington and Johnson stepped up this year. Both will do well when Ben returns Mason Rudolph was Ok until his concussion. I think he can be solid. Tomlin had a great year developing players. 8-8 was a big deal for this team. Duck has no business starting in this league at this point in his career. Good game planning help disguise a major deficit at QB. Conner is too injury prone. Saw it last year too. I like him but he needs to be healthy or they need to move on. Snell is OK but I need to see more to be sure. Lot's of free agents to sign and only four draft picks could make it tough to replace talent. I'm sure I'll think of more
Loving the playoffs! The Ravens were so happy when the Titans made the playoffs two weeks ago. They were rocking to that country song as they celebrated... I got friends in low places!!!
Last night was a good night to be a Steelers fan. Our not so beloved Balt exposed as the frauds they were this season and Cowher Power into the HoF joining beloved Noll who will both be joined by beloved Tomlin in around 10 years or so.
The Good: Washington took steps to be the next it receiver in Pittsburgh Dupree Took that next step finally Watt is a beast Bush played well enough to give hope that he will be the next beast linebacker of the Steelers The trade for Fitzpatrick Boswells bounce back lends credence to the theory he was injured for a much larger part of last season than the Steelers admitted to The Okay: A lot of people are down on Rudolph but I think many of them are looking at it unrealistically. Rudolph was not meant to be a long term starter this season. Yes he was the #2 but he was meant to spot start a game or two at most and spend the rest of the time developing and learning. Instead he was pressed into duty too soon and it showed but I think he showed a few flashes here and there to suggest he can be a legitimate starter in the NFL. The Bad: The injury to Ben but not for the reason most people think. The injury to Ben unfortunately gave Tomlin a free pass on the season and because the Steelers got to 8-8 despite injures all over the place people are mistakenly drinking the Tomlin Great Kool Aid. Ill be killed for this even more than the above but so be it. While the defense looked good I do not think they are quite as good as most people are thinking. The Steelers benefited from playing a very weak schedule against some very bad teams this year. 10 of their games came against teams ranking 16th or worst in scoring. 8 ( or a full half) were vs teams that finished 21st or higher in scoring. 50% of their sacks came in 6 games facing teams in the top 10 for allowing sacks. I think the D is moving in the right direction I just dont think they are quite as good as people made them out to be this season. The front office. Yes they made the move for Fitzpatrick which looks like a no Brainer but to not bring in a veteran to back up Rudolph once Ben went down is downright wrong (again IMHO). Moncrief has to rank as one of the worst moves in team history (and considering some recent draft moves and trades that is saying something). Dupree Breaking out in his final year. Yes he is in the good but because he broke out when he did it is going to cost to keep him. To bas the Steelers didnt see it coming and extend his contract before he blew up. JuJu not the year many were predicted for JuJu sure he was injured but it still goes down as a bad season and lands him on the bad list. His posting of driving 100mph was not a good look either.
With the injuries in the BAD segment you forgot Conner and Nix, I think Nix was missed a great deal more than they thought it would. In the good I thought the defense gelled together really well after the trade for Fitzpatrick, I’m really looking forward to this defense next year!! we have 6 draft picks this year to play with and restock: 2nd 3rd comp (we r getting it might as well pencil it in) 2-4th rounders 6th 7th
