The Steelers are just better than the Bengals

[*wildcats forever*]

(11-09-2018, 01:14 PM)Wyche Wrote: Meh.....prior to this year, I would agree.  This season, they essentially parlayed their first round pick into a promising young center, and at least a decent LT.  Those were the biggest reasons Andy Dalton was murdered last season.  We had a backup center (at best), a LT that shouldn't be anything more than practice squad fodder, an aging RT that had to play all over the line to compensate for the fact that neither of our young tackles should be on a NFL roster, and old man Eric Winston out there playing what was left of his ass off out there.  Even though Hart is backup material, even he is an improvement over that.  They have gotten good service out of undrafted Trey Hopkins filling in for Price.  We have 4 new starters on the oline this season, and the scheme and coaching is better now.  

They've never done this that I can remember under Son of Paul.  So, if the trend continues this season....I don't see why they can't get it fixed by TC.  They get at least another tackle, I think you'll see marked improvement.  The thing is, they'll have to be more aggressive than last year, meaning, dare I say it, an impact FA on the oline, or at LB.

Hart has been an improvement, but still isn't the long-term fix we need (something I think you recognize too). Once he is replaced, I don't even want him as a backup if at all possible. I'm not even sure Glenn is better than a good backup T, which may be overly harsh to say. But Hell, when the entire unit isn't as good as needed, everything is subject for improvement. Upgrades at backups across the board are needed imo, but that's probably being greedy. Then again, you usually won't get it unless you ask for it.   

The LB group needs new leadership ala what Frank Pollack has done for the Oline. Give me a LB coach version of Pollack, and let him sort out personnel, and see where it all lands after that.  Whether that means Burfict or Brown remains is something I really don't care to invest time in tbh. What once was or could have been doesn't matter. We need production now. Give us modern day schemes with competent players who consistently execute what they're being coached, and move on to the next area of need.