 Contributor: James Pete, Steel Tradition
Team Needs: OG, OT, CB, S, WR, ST, DL, ILB
Key additions: LB Keyoran Fox (Kansas City), C Justin Hartwig (Carolina), RB/KR/PR Mewelde Moore (Vikings)
Key Losses: OG Alan Faneca (NY Jets), KR Allen Rossum (San Francisco), TE Jerame Tuman (Arizona)
Key Free Agents Retained: OL Max Starks (transition), DE Travis Kirschke, OG Chris Kemoeatu, LB/DL Andre Frazier, OL Trai Essex, Long Snapper Greg Warren
Free Agency Notes: Pittsburgh's offensive was really in disarray as the season progressed last season. Some attribute it to injury, but Pittsburgh's line hasn't been that good in two years. Pittsburgh lost their best lineman, OG Alan Faneca, who signed a mega-deal with the New York Jets. Faneca is one of the best run blocking guards in the game, but pass-blocking isn't his specialty. Faneca struggled in the Steelers' passing game, because of Ben Roethlisberger's mobility. The team's key moves have been on the line. Sean Mahan, the big OL signing last year, was continually blown off the ball at center, which led to the Steelers to sign center Justin Hartwig from the Carolina Panthers. Hartwig provides a more seasoned center than Mahan, and while he's not a long-term solution, he should be an improvement in the middle. Mahan will add versatility, and will challenge for one of the guard positions, and provide the Steelers with a swing lineman who can back up the guard and center positions. Pittsburgh re-signed OG Chris Kemoeatu, who will be battling Mahan for the departed Faneca's guard position. He's inexperienced, but may be better than people think, especially against the run. Trai Essex was also re-signed, and can play both guard and tackle. He should be in the mix. The watch is now on for Max Starks, who the Steelers have labeled as a transition player. Nobody has offered him a contract, and the Steelers are still working on a deal. If they can't sign him, he'll make the average of the top 10 OL in the league, which would be 6.9 million. Pittsburgh addressed several needs when they signed former Minnesota RB/KR/PR Mewelde Moore. Moore immediately becomes the Steelers third down back, and return man. This will be a major upgrade over old-man Allen Rossum, who was allowed to leave after a disappointing season. Pittsburgh also signed LB Keyoran Fox from the Chiefs to help the Steelers in special teams. He also will move from OLB to ILB to back up a thin position. The Steelers still need to address several areas, including the defensive backfield, the defensive line, wide receiver and special teams. It may be difficult to do with their limited cap space, although the recent release of Cedrick Wilson gives them 2 million more to play with.
Grade: C+ The needs are being addressed, but it's hard to do with restricted cap space.
Review of Grade: In truth, the Steelers have their hands tied with Cap Space, so the moves they have made have fit what they can do. Still, this team really hasn't addressed their issues with any real depth. The offensive line lost Faneca and added Hartwig, while re-signing backups without experience, and keeping the others that weren't all that effective. Nothing against Hartwig, but him at center, with Mahan or Kemoeatu at guard probably isn't the answer. The Steelers line needs an overhaul. The defensive backfield is very thin. Troy Polamalu is as good as it gets, but there are injury issues that keep coming up. Ryan Clark fits well with Polamalu, but after getting injured last year, it's unknown what or if to expect him back and up to snuff. Tyrone Carter is to small and Anthony Smith bites on every play action, provided nothing but burnt toast as fill-ins. The Corners, Ike Taylor and Deshea Townshend are as inconsistent as they come, and have needed replaced for the better part of two-years, but they do just enough to keep their jobs. The defensive line is solid, but Casey Hamption, Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel are all 30 years and over, and after Smith went down, we saw how little depth there is on the dline. The WR position also has two solid starters in Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes, but not a consistent back-up with size and hands. Special Teams still needs addressed. At the end of the day, the Steelers need to add depth in the draft, or it could be a long season. |
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Chris Fry created this group on SportProjections.com. 