Steelers Close, Ben’s Game, Seven Questions
By Kim Myers
The Steelers offseason started with some surprises and certainly doesn’t look to be a boring one in the next few months. While the Steelers prepare for free agency and coaching moves, we’ll be busy looking around for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Tuesday, Jan. 20th.
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Close-knit team
Teresa Varley caught up with some of the Steelers players to ask them what stood out about the 2014 season. One common theme among the responses was the team had a special bond and camaraderie. She explains the team exuded a family atmosphere both on and off the field where teammates joined each other at charity functions, in the training rooms, and hanging out with each other’s families.
"“As a team we grew closer, we grew together and I think it showed in a lot of ways and I was happy to be a part of it. You saw everybody care for each other and that was the most important thing. Personally and on the field. We all wanted to play a part in this team and it showed in a major way. I was happy to see it.” – Ramon Foster"
Ben at his best
Ben Roethlisberger had statistically his best season of his career in 2014. Because of that the Steelers jumped off of the 8-8 train and won the AFC North division cites Ed Bouchette of the PPG. Also because of that, the Steelers are going to have to pony up some big cash to sign him to the extension that all sides are pretty certain is going to happen this offseason.
Bouchette predicts the contract extension could be in the six-year, $120 million range, with a $30 million signing bonus and some of that nice guaranteed money, in order to stay competitive with the contracts quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, and Drew Brees have signed recently. Time to pony up Mr. Rooney.
Seven Steelers Questions
The Trib reporters Mark Kaboly, Ralph N. Paulk, and Chris Adamski answered seven questions about the Pittsburgh Steelers quest for a seventh Super Bowl title. Among the questions asked involved the Steelers defensive alignment and if they’ll switch to a 4-3 under Keith Butler. Their responses were pretty uniform.
"“This is going to be the most overblown narrative of the offseason. The Steelers aren’t trotting out the Steel Curtain anytime soon. They’ve used four down lineman plenty during sub-packages under LeBeau and will continue to do so, but to go to it as the main alignment is foolish. They don’t have the personnel to support it. Besides, it isn’t going to make that much of a difference in putting pressure on the quarterback.” – Mark Kaboly“The reality facing Butler is that the defense isn’t talented enough that playing a 4-3 or 3-4 will matter. The Steelers used an array of formations last season that it’s practically irrelevant what base defense they play. Butler takes over understanding he has more pressing issues to resolve such as shoring up a secondary with obvious deficiencies and generating an aggressive pass rush.” – Ralph N. Paulk“In today’s NFL, how often is a team’s base (so-called “starting”) defense used, anyway? Sub-package football is the reality of the modern game, and under LeBeau’s 3-4, the nose tackle, for example, plays fewer than half the snaps. That said, even if Butler wanted to switch to a full-fledged 4-3, it’d be problematic pulling it off quickly and seamlessly after years of drafting outside linebackers and defensive ends built for playing the 3-4.” – Chris Adamski"