A few months ago I posted an
article on the signing of Brett Keisel and the recent reversal of trends on the North Shore regarding the awarding of contracts to guys over 30. A few of you offered comments, and we all agreed that Keisel's signing was a good thing, while acknowledging the potential pitfalls of the "rain forest" effect. Today, as the team and it's 2009 season are spiralling around the rim of the toilet bowl, everyone's favorite poison pen assassin, Edward Bouchette, issued a
fairly well written and damning report regarding the result of this practice, and the ending of the current era.
If you don't feel like clicking on the link, I'll summarize Bouchette's obituary: while the Steelers made a great run from 2004 thru 2009 (which I recently dubbed the "Silver Era"), the front office took calculated risks in keeping an aging defense in tact, and now as this defensive unit looks suddenly and alarmingly geriatric, these moves seem to be, in hindsight, bad. Furthermore, with the potential losses of Breakfast Buffet Hampton and hitman Ryan Clark, and no true budding superstars waiting in the wings, this sinking ship could be at Titanic stage (post iceberg) once the off season mercifully arrives.
The reality here is that the Steelers are staring down the barrel of their first sub .500 season since 2003, and with some tough decisions ahead, this bad situation could become worse before it becomes better. How did this happen so quickly? It probably started in the off season of 2008 when the team extended the
contract of ILB James Farrior, and began etching the script on the wall that the younger
Larry Foote would be expendable. The trend continued when the team allowed young CB Bryan McFadden to enter his contract season without a deal in place. Then came the mega deal to the over 30 James Harrison, and then the Keisel deal in September, even as the team had drafted Ziggy Hood in the 1st round and had Aaron Smith locked through 2011, and Hampton without a new deal.
The purpose of these tactics, as we've discussed a few months back, was clear: win now at the risk of two things that had been staples in the Cowher era - youth development and age management. At midseason, with a 6-2 record, this all looked like smart casino logic. I think we all would have accepted a potential down season or two for another deep run this year or next. Now, all the armchair GMs are saying the same thing, the Steelers got themselves into a mess, and in a hurry, with no clear and easy exit strategy.
The armor started chinking when All Everything safety Troy Polamalu went down. Then we all saw that William Gay is really not an every down player on a team that wishes to win, thus causing a hindsight review of the McFadden exodus. Concurrently, Deshea Townsend somehow lost his technique as he stood in line for his social security check, and our one strong corner, Ike Taylor, added sloppy coverages and poor tackling to his resume, alongside the inability to catch anything beyond a cold.
At least the front seven are doing their part, right? Well, no. Thursday night's failure against the hapless Brownies reminded us of the painful effects of age. Farrior looked just plain old as he missed tackles and failed to run down ball carriers of any shape or size. Although James Harrison still has it on the edge, he is certainly not the player that blew up offenses and made game changing plays. The line is serviceable, but rarely delivers when it really needs to, in the fourth quarter. All in all, one big mess.
So what has to happen? In Mike Tomlin's press conference following the stunning home loss to the Raiders last week, he said he was looking for answers. Some of these answers will most likely be painful:
- Casey Hampton. The team seemed to be ok with letting His Rotundness slip into his contract year. There had better be some kind of plan here, because neither Keisel or Hood are 3-4 nose tackles, and undersized Chris Hoke is most likely not the long term solution. Maybe Smith can get moved inside,...maybe. Maybe Hampton gets the franchise tag to buy one year. Maybe a free agent NT. Maybe the team moves to 4-3,...lots of maybes. Hampton devours running lanes as if they were made of cookie dough, and he is a principle reason the Steelers have been so stingy on the run this decade.
- Farrior. MP recently stated that Farrior was probably the best free agent signing that the team has ever made. I will agree with that statement, but that signing was in 2002, and although Potsie's career in the 'Burgh was nothing less than stellar, well, you know what they say "he ain't getting any younger". The answer might be to just cut ties with Farrior in the off season, giving his duties to Lawrence Timmons, and putting Kerayon Fox in the MACK position. The other option might be to keep Farrior, and just alter his role, swapping he and Timmons and giving the elder the MACK duties. The third option would be to find the next Farrior, an undervalued free agent ILB to anchor the corps and serve as playcaller.
- Deshea Townsend. Honestly, I don't see a scenario in 2010 that includes Townsend. He's had an admirable Steeler career, and he wears a pair of rings to compliment his efforts. As far as I'm concerned, watching him make that huge pick on Tony Romo on the jumbotron during Renegade is all I expect to see from #26 next year. Surely there is a Super WallMart that needs a new greeter.
- Ike Taylor and William Gay. Now the loss of McFadden looms large. Hopefully Tomlin and staff can execute a reclamation project on both of these disasters. They have both shown the ability and desire, (moreso with Taylor), and hopefully some good coaching and tough love can get these guys back on track. I could live with a scenario that reduces Gay's role, maybe as a nickle or dime guy in 2010.
- Youth movement. I guess we will see more of Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis. I would expect that both of these young corners are viable candidates for more playing time this season and next. I guess I should also throw safety Ryan Mundy into this mix. All in all, I would imagine that at least one, if not two, of the first four picks in the 2010 draft will go towards the secondary, an area that has been sorely neglected in the last few drafts. The reality here is that the Steelers need to find at least one young playmaker in the secondary to compliment Polamalu.
With all these things being said, it's safe to assume that regardless of how the next three weeks play out, this team will be very busy in the off season. The 2010 draft and free agency period will suddenly be of utmost importance to address and correct the 2009 shortcomings. Now, if you have any fingernails left to chew, ponder the latest speculations that the team may lose guru Kevin Colbert in the off season, and once again, one must picture those icy North Atlantic waters, only without the buxom Kate Winslet to rescue. We haven't even touched on the offense, although that solution seems obvious: re-allocate the beleagured Bruce Arians' spot in the lifeboat. Gregg Rodgers is calling for Charlie Weiss as the 2010 O.C. Hmmm, Charlie Weiss with Big Ben...
Before we, in MP's words, all climb to the top of the Clemente Bridge, let me leave you with this. The Steelers are one of the few teams that can figure this shit out quickly. I referenced the abortion of 2003, well, the follow up was a 15 win season and the emergence of savior Ben Roethlisberger. Let forget pride, let's put away our brazen "Got 6?" tee shirts, and let's stop worrying about our spot along the parade route this year. The only parades we should be concerned with right now should include a Snoopy float and Santa in a convertible. Let the smart guys get this team figured out. They will. The empire will rise again...
I'll hunker in the bunker and await your most inspired retorts...
