Steelers Taking a Page Out of The Ravens Playbook?

**PeterB58** · 01-09-2012, 10:59 AM

Found this interesting:

It isn't just that Farrior, Harrison, Hines Ward, Brett Keisel and Casey Hampton are 33 or older. It isn't just that Taylor and most of the secondary, which had its statistics propped by lousy offensive opponents, is 30 or older. It's not even the sad sight yesterday of Keisel, Hampton and others getting hurt, seemingly every other play.

It's that it looked like the average age of this roster dragged everyone down.

Look at Baltimore and the decidedly different approach the Ravens took last offseason, shipping out a few veterans, keeping a few and allowing the youngsters to pick up the slack when the Ray Lewises went down.

I thought it would knock the Ravens backward. Instead, it gave them fresh life.

I raised that example with Rooney after this game, and the man with the final say on these things didn't exactly give a ringing endorsement for keeping everyone together again: "That's something for us to sit down and consider in the days and weeks to come. Right now, the loss just hurts."

http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbur.../s_775706.html

**bensmotorcyclehelmt** · 01-09-2012, 11:14 AM

As a Ravens fan, I'm hoping the Steelers continue to stick with James Harrison, Hines Ward, Ben Roethlisberger, that awesome O-line, and Ike Taylor.

**PeterB58** · 01-09-2012, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by bensmotorcyclehelmt

As a Ravens fan, I'm hoping the Steelers continue to stick with James Harrison, Hines Ward, Ben Roethlisberger, that awesome O-line, and Ike Taylor.

I hear ya....but unfortunately (or maybe fortunately if they choose poorly), the salary cap is going to force them to make major changes on their roster.

**52decleetzu** · 01-09-2012, 12:15 PM

It is funny for such an "educated" fanbase most of them have no idea what is around the corner. Reading their board they just don't realize what is about to hit them, and some of the BIG names that might have to be sacrificed.

**Complex** · 01-15-2012, 03:26 PM

Yeah - because all of the other fanbases are so "educated." Just like every other team does, they will work it out.

Originally Posted by 52decleetzu

It is funny for such an "educated" fanbase most of them have no idea what is around the corner. Reading their board they just don't realize what is about to hit them, and some of the BIG names that might have to be sacrificed.

**bacchys** · 01-15-2012, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by Complex

Yeah - because all of the other fanbases are so "educated." Just like every other team does, they will work it out.

Steelers fans like to claim they are, and many of them deny they have their whiners, complainers, and overwrought homers. A run through any Steelers forum I've visited belies that, but I've yet to meet one who admits to it.

Whereas most Ravens fans know we have a lot of Baltimorons amongst us.

I've seen what 52 is talking about, moreover. The Steelers are looking at an offseason of turmoil. They're going to have to cut a lot of players. Tomlin's a good head coach, imo, and I expect they'll field a competitive team. Even so, he, the rest of the coaching staff, and the front office have their work cut out for them trying to snake in under the cap.

**Complex** · 01-16-2012, 08:38 AM

I would not generalize about other fans (it comes across as smarmy), they are all the same. Just different colors. Some are shrewd, informed, objective-minded people. Others are reactionary, knee-jerk, and overly emotional. Yet more are total nitwitted meatheads who are holier-than-thou with no grasp of reality. And there are a small percentage that actually understand all of that. Steelers fans are no worse than any other fans as a whole. There may be a forum that lends to one type of fan over another, but it all evens out.

Yes, the Steelers have some decisions to make. The talk seems to of be ditching some of the older guys such as Farrior. Hoke is done too, as is Aaron Smith. I am thinking Kemo will be gone too, along with a few other lineman. If Ward sticks around, he will not get much. Wallace is up for negotiation, and he has sort of disappeared the second half of the season, his production was way down and his work ethic has been scrutinized. He could be gone.

Some players will yet again restructure, which is standard practice. The Steelers will have to think carefully about their draft picks. They are in an odd situation; they need some young talent but they are not going to draft very high. Even so, as they did this year despite being decimated by injuries (especially Reothlisberger who better get his foot surgery this off-season), they will remain competitive.

I admit, all fanbases are the same.

Originally Posted by bacchys

Steelers fans like to claim they are, and many of them deny they have their whiners, complainers, and overwrought homers. A run through any Steelers forum I've visited belies that, but I've yet to meet one who admits to it.

Whereas most Ravens fans know we have a lot of Baltimorons amongst us.

I've seen what 52 is talking about, moreover. The Steelers are looking at an offseason of turmoil. They're going to have to cut a lot of players. Tomlin's a good head coach, imo, and I expect they'll field a competitive team. Even so, he, the rest of the coaching staff, and the front office have their work cut out for them trying to snake in under the cap.