Steelers have work to do this off-season

[STEELtownHAVOX]

little fyi for my fellow steelers fans

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7...his-off-season

Pittsburgh (10-7)
Looking back: After a 9-3 start, Mike Tomlin's first season as Pittsburgh's head coach fell apart. The Steelers dropped four of their final five games, including a 31-29 home playoff loss to Jacksonville. Injuries played a key role in Pittsburgh's demise, but Tomlin's troops also lost four road games to non-playoff teams. That inconsistency must stop if Tomlin is to match the success of predecessor Bill Cowher.

Biggest need area: If you ask Ben Roethlisberger, it's adding a taller wide receiver to a smallish unit. Roethlisberger, though, needs better protection after being sacked more times (47) than any other quarterback besides Detroit's Jon Kitna (51). Left tackle Marvel Smith is entering the final year of his contract, The Steelers may want to strongly consider selecting the eight-year veteran's heir apparent early in April's draft.

Player/coach to watch: Left guard Alan Faneca. Keeping with their tendency to not invest heavily in older players, Faneca's magnificent 10-year run with the Steelers is about to end. Coming off his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl season, Faneca will command top dollar in free agency and leave a massive hole that Pittsburgh could struggle to fill.

Projected cap space: $13.5 million. The Steelers don't have the same cap problems that maligned the team in recent years but don't expect wild spending either. The most likely scenario has Pittsburgh signing one big-ticket player and making some less-expensive additions in free agency. Pittsburgh's most positive development last season was Roethlisberger's continued emergence, especially at improvising under pressure. Those strides should help pave the way for a lucrative contract extension.

2008 outlook: Very good. Pittsburgh fielded the NFL's top-ranked defense but the unit never rebounded after being picked apart during a 34-13 December loss to New England. The return of two injured starters (safety Troy Polamalu and defensive end Aaron Smith) and projected emergence of second-year linebackers Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley should help. With a few other tweaks and a successful comeback by running back Willie Parker, Pittsburgh could be contending for a Super Bowl once again.

[HometownGal]

Nice read, STH - thanks!

I think an ST overhaul should also be added to the work the Steelers need to do in the offseason.

[Dino 6 Rings]

ST needs more guys that can cover kicks and tackle in the open field...please

[OneForTheToe]

Also don't forget ,we need to cut Willie and pick up a power back, resign John Khun to a huge contract, release Ben because of his rumored snotty public behavior, fire Tomlin because he doesn't show enough emotion on the sidelines, hire Wiz because he looks like Cowher, and finally, get the Rooney’s to start spending big on underperforming high priced free agents, ala Dan Snyder.

Whoa, did I miss anything?

[HometownGal]

Originally Posted by OneForTheToe

Also don't forget ,we need to cut Willie and pick up a power back, resign John Khun to a huge contract, release Ben because of his rumored snotty public behavior, fire Tomlin and hire Wiz and finally get the Rooney?s to start spending big on underperforming high priced free agents ala Dan Snyder.

Whoa, did I miss anything?

Yes you did. FIRE BRUCE ARIANS!!! He's the culprit behind everything that went wrong last season! While you're at it, get rid of that geezer Lebeau.

[Dino 6 Rings]

And don't do anything to improve the O-line...its just fine how it is...

and bring in Randy Moss and Terrell Owens, they are both tall and we want tall receivers after all...

[Elvis]

Why would you need to sign Moss and Owens if you have just released our franchise QB in Charlie Batch?

You guys/gals are funny. I think that the most important thing for the Steelers to do this offseason is truly improve their Offensive Line and get some depth at Defensive Line. Someone to compliment Smith at DE would be nice, because they aint nobody on the roster that can get it done on a consistent basis.

[memphissteelergirl]

Originally Posted by OneForTheToe

Also don't forget ,we need to cut Willie and pick up a power back, resign John Khun to a huge contract, release Ben because of his rumored snotty public behavior, fire Tomlin because he doesn't show enough emotion on the sidelines, hire Wiz because he looks like Cowher, and finally, get the Rooney?s to start spending big on underperforming high priced free agents, ala Dan Snyder.

Whoa, did I miss anything?

Originally Posted by Dino 5 Rings

And don't do anything to improve the O-line...its just fine how it is...

and bring in Randy Moss and Terrell Owens, they are both tall and we want tall receivers after all...

Ahh...sarcasm!

[Galax Steeler]

I think everybody knows what we need to improve on the offensive line and special teams.

[LVSteelersfan]

I think we should draft two more tight ends so we can run a 4 tight end set. Lets fire the whole O-line and put the defensive line in their place. No one would get past Casey Hampton at center. Change to a 4-3 with the linebackers being linemen and Troy can just cover everything in the secondary because Anthony Smith is not capable. New England won't be able to figure it out because they can't tape it. CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!!!!