2023 Steelers Season Thread

I believe we have good reason to be optimistic, too. They finished 7-2 last year, and they've improved talent-wise on both sides of the ball since then.

I won't be surprised if the Steelers win the AFCN this season.
AmishGangster's Avatar
As long as our playbook is Canadian I will be surprised if we do better than 8-8.
Winning the north is a pipe dream right now.
Iceman's Avatar
Yes it's preseason, but I don't think you could ask for much more than what they did.

Pickett looks sharp and as if he has a command of the offense. Defense looks much improved at ILB and have good backups at OLB when Watt or Highsmith take a breather.
I’m drinking the cool-aid! I’m fucking bathing in it!!
AmishGangster's Avatar
Yes it's preseason, but I don't think you could ask for much more than what they did.

Pickett looks sharp and as if he has a command of the offense. Defense looks much improved at ILB and have good backups at OLB when Watt or Highsmith take a breather. Originally Posted by Iceman
I view Picketts ceiling as about the same height as Neil O’Donnell in his prime. Do we have the supporting cast currently that Neil had then?
I view Picketts ceiling as about the same height as Neil O’Donnell in his prime. Do we have the supporting cast currently that Neil had then? Originally Posted by AmishGangster
I think Pickett's supporting cast is on par with that of O'Donnell. Maybe even better. Pickens is a legit #1.
HDGristle's Avatar
Who are you hoping makes the team and who do you think is on the bubble?

Who do you absolutely want to see cut?
Who are you hoping makes the team and who do you think is on the bubble?

Who do you absolutely want to see cut? Originally Posted by HDGristle
Always an interesting question. This team is going to have more much needed turnover then we’ve had in years. Our new linebackers look nasty! Big improvements to our offensive line.
I’m curious if Gentry makes the team. Darnell Washington is a lock and Gentry is kind of redundant.
Shame because he seems like a good dude.
AmishGangster's Avatar
I think Pickett's supporting cast is on par with that of O'Donnell. Maybe even better. Pickens is a legit #1. Originally Posted by tommy156
I agree that Pickett is certainly starter quality. I get the impression his fans view him as the next big thing. If he gets to the meaningful portion of the post season I think his supporting cast will have to carry him there, his job will be to not fuck it up
I agree that Pickett is certainly starter quality. I get the impression his fans view him as the next big thing. If he gets to the meaningful portion of the post season I think his supporting cast will have to carry him there, his job will be to not fuck it up Originally Posted by AmishGangster
We feel the same about QB1. Pickett is "starter quality", but I can't go much beyond that. I wasn't a fan of picking him in the 1st round. I think the "local boy does good" story is what they were after, and not necessarily choosing the best available player at the time.

However, I do think Pickett has potential and with the proper pieces around him, this team can be a real contender. Many playoff games, championship games, and even a few Super Bowls, over the years have been won with mediocre talent at QB.
AmishGangster's Avatar
We feel the same about QB1. Pickett is "starter quality", but I can't go much beyond that. I wasn't a fan of picking him in the 1st round. I think the "local boy does good" story is what they were after, and not necessarily choosing the best available player at the time.

However, I do think Pickett has potential and with the proper pieces around him, this team can be a real contender. Many playoff games, championship games, and even a few Super Bowls, over the years have been won with mediocre talent at QB. Originally Posted by tommy156
Trent Dilfer and Jim Plunkett both have rings.

I think they reached for him in the draft out of partially desperation and partially the fear of not taking him and he ends up the next Marino.
HDGristle's Avatar
As for cuts I’d like to see - I have seen enough of Gunner Olszyzewski in a Steeler uniform. Sure he is a special teamer, but surely we can find someone else to fill that role and if Canada is going to continue with the jet sweeps I’d much rather see someone like Calvin Austin run them instead. I’d also think Kendrick Green should go. I think it’s pretty clear that he should be getting on with his life’s work at this point. He simply is not an NFL-caliber offensive lineman.
If the Steelers had picked “Kenny Pickett, QB from Oregon” in last year’s draft, and then he came in and played the way he did last year, I highly doubt there would be a lot of optimism or excitement surrounding him going into this year. The preseason he had might have changed that a bit, but I still think the fan base would be much more objective and cautious in that optimism.

Don’t get me wrong - I’m not saying he will be lousy or anything, but I hear a lot of talk about how he’s going to be a top level, elite franchise QB, and I just don’t see it, not yet anyway.
If the Steelers had picked “Kenny Pickett, QB from Oregon” in last year’s draft, and then he came in and played the way he did last year, I highly doubt there would be a lot of optimism or excitement surrounding him going into this year. The preseason he had might have changed that a bit, but I still think the fan base would be much more objective and cautious in that optimism.

Don’t get me wrong - I’m not saying he will be lousy or anything, but I hear a lot of talk about how he’s going to be a top level, elite franchise QB, and I just don’t see it, not yet anyway. Originally Posted by Smarty1
Agreed. He's definitely overrated among the homers. I don't think he'll be lousy either, but I don't expect him to be much more than adequate.