Steelerfan81

Originally Posted by TMC

Every year when the season ends, I sit down and look at every position the Steelers have, look at the depth (young VS old), talent, who is leaving, and what positions need to be filled. I thought I would share some thoughts. I will list a rating scale at the bottom and rate the need of each position.


Quarterback-The Steelers are obviously set with Ben Roethlisberger as the starter. His contract runs through 2015 and he has emerged as one of the better quarterbacks in the game. Behind Roethlisberger, the Steelers have Dennis Dixon who is entering the final year of his 3-year deal but he can get tagged for a 4th season. I think that Dixon has firmly taken over the backup role especially after a pretty decent showing against the Ravens. Charlie Batch will hit free agency and I can see them bringing Batch back at a lesser cost if Batch does not retire. If Batch does not come back, the Steelers could potentially add a quarterback in the later rounds of the draft. Priority: 5

Runningback-Rashard Mendenhall entrenched himself as the full-time starter at the position. I feel, and I may be the only one, that Willie Parker still has some starting carries left in him and he will not want to sit behind Mendenhall another season, so I see Parker moving on. Mewelde Moore should move into the backup role and take most of the 3rd down snaps. I feel he was underutilized this past season. He is such a playmaker that I feel you have to get him 10 touches a game. Frank Summers should come back healthy and get a shot at being the starting fullback. Carey Davis is a free agent. Isaac Redman and Justin Vincent are young backs that show some promise. There have been rumblings of the Steelers wanting to return to the running game. I think if they actually want to return, we will see them look to add a Kreider type fullback through the draft or free agency. They could also add a runningback in the draft if they feel the depth here is shaky, but I would think it would be another later round addition. Priority: 3

Wide Receiver-Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, and Mike Wallace are stone cold locks. They own the top three receiver spots. Any other player on the roster or any rookie can forget about unseating these three. And, rookies that see playing time usually make a solid step forward from their rookie season to the second season, so I expect Wallace to be even better. I always preferred when the Steelers carried five wide receivers. It was a personal preference because if you have an injury, you have someone ready to step in and it is not limiting your offense. I also like a smaller receiver in the five spot that can give you some return abilities. Now, I failed to list Stefan Logan with the runningbacks for a reason. I think you have to get this guy into early camps and coaching sessions and work to make him a wide receiver. He is so elusive with the ball in his hands, he could be excellent as a guy that works underneath routes, swings, reverses, and other plays that allow him to create. I am not advocating dislodging the top three, but I think he should be developed in case you need him. Now, it is time to address the 300-pound gorilla in the room, Limas Sweed. I still like the potential of Limas Sweed. But, this is the offseason where the potential has to turn into production and I am not willing to sit idly by and allow him to continue to "develop" at his own pace. I look in the middle to late rounds of this draft to add another wide receiver. I would prefer a speedy guy with some return abilities, but I can live with a guy that can get open and catch the football. But, when it is all said and done, I add a wide receiver to put pressure on Sweed and honestly, to make sure Logan does not get complacent either. Priority: 4

Tight Ends-Unlike some fans, I like the current state of the tight end position and I can actually see the Steelers carrying four. Heath Miller may be the best tight end the Steelers have had. Ever. Matt Spaeth should get popped with the restricted tag bringing him back for a 4th season. Sean McHugh returns from injury and may be our best blocking tight end. I almost wish he were shorter so he could move to fullback full time. David Johnson played a solid number of snaps as a rookie and I think we see a solid step forward for him as we enter next season. I would be shocked if they added anyone to even challenge these four. In my opinion, they would be wasting a draft pick if they used one at the tight end position. And, I understand I advocate the best player available method for value, but if that player is a tight end, trade the pick. Priority: 5

Offensive Tackle-Max Starks has three years left on his new deal. Willie Colon will hit free agency if a new collective bargaining agreement is reached. If it is not, Colon will get the restricted free agent tag again. If a new CBA is reached, I think the Steelers make a push to ink Colon. I think the coaches and the front office feel he is our best offensive lineman and honestly, after last season, I think they are right. Tony Hills is the only tackle on roster behind both and while I like him as a left tackle and think he could still stick there, I do not like him on the right side. Ramon Foster is considered the backup at guard and tackle, but I like the potential he brings at guard. Foster may be our best guard right now so I feel the Steelers need to address the tackle position this offseason. I would love to see them grab a upper tier tackle as he would not be pressed into action his rookie season and could challenge for a starting role in his second year. But, that would be determined more by who is available in the draft. I do feel we need a pure tackle and not another tackle/guard tweener. Priority: 2

Offensive Guard-Chris Kemoeatu signed a new deal through 2013. While he is making roughly $4 million per season, his signing bonus is not huge. Trai Essex signed for two seasons making 2010 his final year under contract. Darnell Stapleton will be an exclusive rights free agent, so he will get tendered and retained, but with the emergence of Ramon Foster, I think Stapleton will become a full-time center. With Kraig Urbik sitting the bench and almost becoming the forgotten draft pick, the Steelers face a log jam at guard. Not only do they have four guards, they have youth, some depth, and a young guy in Foster that should challenge for a starting role. I would not be shocked to see Foster become the starting left guard and see Kemoeatu move to right guard, a position he may be better suited to play. This would allow the Steelers to pull in either direction, further helping the running game. Priority: 5

Center-The Steelers signed Hartwig carrying him through the 2013 season. I am not sure how I feel about this. Hartwig is currently the only center on roster with starting experience. I would like to see them draft a center, but I also wonder if Stapleton or Legursky can develop into that role. So, do I try to surround Hartwig with better guard play in Foster and Kemoeatu while these guys develop or do I scrap the time with them and hope to strike gold in the draft? I think this comes down to who falls where in the draft. The only center that I think would be better than what we have is Maurkice Pouncey and I am not sure I would draft him ahead of a better player at another position of need. Priority: 2

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