I'm OK with purging our aging/underproducing Stars

[pczach]

Originally Posted by Steelers5895

I think this has been a long time coming.

Some of you may be new steelers fans (Bettis Era) but if you go back to the 90's when Free Agency started, the Steelers were always a roster that was attacked by other teams. We would lose starter after starter and keep winning.

Why?

We always had someone as productive waiting in the wings.

We loose Thomas Everett and Aaron Jones and we replace them with Carnell Lake and Darren Perry

DJ Johnson gets replaced by Willie Williams

Hardy Nickerson gets replaced by Levon Kirkland

Gerald Williams by Joel Steed

Yancey Thigpen by Charles Johnson

Eric Green by Mark Bruener

I can go on and on and on with this.

The issue now is we are NOT replacing these players we cut or allow to walk via free agency with as good or better replacements.

So, based on that, the Steelers held these players like Farrior, Harrison, Taylor, Keisel, Hampton, Starks way too long. No one groomed to replace them so as their skills decline so does production. The fact we were the #1 defense means NOTHING...again...NOTHING...one more time...NOTHING!!!!

Its time to let the young guys play, to include rookies and let them take their lumps. As long as we have Big Ben, get a decent RB which we can draft and a solid OL, we can compete and in 2014 we will be better for it.

Trade down, accumulate picks, develop them ON THE FIELD and look for another 3-5 years of a championship run starting 2014.

This group has had a nice 10 year run, I'm fine with a 1-2 year fall from grace (like 98-00) to reload for another 10-12 year run.

You're right. They did tend to let a lot of players go, and they did replace them with young draft talent. There is one glaring difference between those 90's teams and this current team. They didn't win any Super Bowls. When you win Super Bowls, you try to keep as many productive players as you can from that group until the run is over. Having a QB that they believe they can win with has probably made them keep some players they would probably have let go 10 years ago. I think it's a common problem when teams win and win big. It's a nice problem to have.

[harrison'samonster]

Originally Posted by pczach

You're right. They did tend to let a lot of players go, and they did replace them with young draft talent. There is one glaring difference between those 90's teams and this current team. They didn't win any Super Bowls. When you win Super Bowls, you try to keep as many productive players as you can from that group until the run is over. Having a QB that they believe they can win with has probably made them keep some players they would probably have let go 10 years ago. I think it's a common problem when teams win and win big. It's a nice problem to have.

Very well said. It's one thing to try and improve every year, but why would you let go ppl who were helping you get to the SB?

[steeltheone]

Originally Posted by Steelers5895

I think this has been a long time coming.

Some of you may be new steelers fans (Bettis Era) but if you go back to the 90's when Free Agency started, the Steelers were always a roster that was attacked by other teams. We would lose starter after starter and keep winning.

Why?

We always had someone as productive waiting in the wings.

We loose Thomas Everett and Aaron Jones and we replace them with Carnell Lake and Darren Perry

DJ Johnson gets replaced by Willie Williams

Hardy Nickerson gets replaced by Levon Kirkland

Gerald Williams by Joel Steed

Yancey Thigpen by Charles Johnson

Eric Green by Mark Bruener

I can go on and on and on with this.

The issue now is we are NOT replacing these players we cut or allow to walk via free agency with as good or better replacements.

So, based on that, the Steelers held these players like Farrior, Harrison, Taylor, Keisel, Hampton, Starks way too long. No one groomed to replace them so as their skills decline so does production. The fact we were the #1 defense means NOTHING...again...NOTHING...one more time...NOTHING!!!!

Its time to let the young guys play, to include rookies and let them take their lumps. As long as we have Big Ben, get a decent RB which we can draft and a solid OL, we can compete and in 2014 we will be better for it.

Trade down, accumulate picks, develop them ON THE FIELD and look for another 3-5 years of a championship run starting 2014.

This group has had a nice 10 year run, I'm fine with a 1-2 year fall from grace (like 98-00) to reload for another 10-12 year run.

Aaron Jones was a Defensive End for the Steelers....When Yancey left via FA, the Steelers drafted Ward and Troy Edwards the following 2 years.

[lloydwoodson]

Originally Posted by steeltheone

Aaron Jones was a Defensive End for the Steelers....When Yancey left via FA, the Steelers drafted Ward and Troy Edwards the following 2 years.

Are you implying Darren Perry wasn't a capable 3-4 DE???

[Steelers5895]

Originally Posted by maddog78

Franchise QBs don't go on trees. If we're going to blow it up and start over after wasting two seasons, may as well trade Ben while his value is high.

great point but if you have great quarterback play you have a chance to win a super bowl. its a quarterback driven league not a defensive driven league.

we are closer to being a championship offense then championship defense because we have Ben.

Our OL is showing proimise and is young so if they can keep Ben upright that window expands.

We will draft a RB and replace Wallace so we will be fine on offense.

[Steelers5895]

Originally Posted by steeltheone

Aaron Jones was a Defensive End for the Steelers....When Yancey left via FA, the Steelers drafted Ward and Troy Edwards the following 2 years.

yes i missed on Thigpen i meant GARY Jones. You get my point, we were able to replace players.

[NSMaster56]

'Purging' would make more sense if the Steelers hadn't whiffed on so many picks the last 3-5 years.

Because of the 'misses', the Steelers will be forced to keep a few of the aged vets.