Ron, I think we all agree the secondary got torched way too often last season. However, if you’re expecting wholesale changes, you’re going to be disappointed. The Steelers always do these things at a glacially slow pace. In fact, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if Gay starts next season. Remember how many seasons they wasted on Chad Scott?

The sad fact is (and this goes for the O-line, too), the Steelers refuse to spend money on quality free agents so the only way they can improve is through the draft. Look at the Jets, who just got excellent CB Antonio Cromartie for a 3rd round pick. The Steelers wouldn’t do that (even though it would vastly improve the team) because they’d rather pay a cheap 3rd round pick and HOPE he pans out rather than spend more money on an established veteran.

The chances of finding high quality starters in the 4th-6th rounds are very slim. Yet every year for the past several seasons, that’s where the Steelers have looked when drafting OL and DB help. Until they start addressing those needs with higher picks or opening up the checkbook for capable vets, the OL and secondary are going to continue going downhill.

I appreciate your kind words about my site.

From a defensive standpoint, the secondary got torched way too many times (especially in the 4th qtr) to satisfy me. Chicago, Cinci, Brett Favre, Oakland, Kansas City….. on and on and on.. Just think back to these games – the secondary was pathetic. Yea, we won the Vikings game, but only because of some big defensive plays. Only Troy gets an “A” grade from me when he played. The rest are B-C and C-D, especially Carter and Clark. Being big hitters like Clark and Carter after an opponent gains 15 yards isn’t going to help get W’s. Ike played adequately. Twinkle toes Gay gets a D-F grade for sure… I wouldn’t expect much more from a Louisville guy ! The pass rush and gaming can’t be blamed for all of the secondary failures.. Time to refresh the whole defensive backfield.

From an offensive standpoint, Yea, Big Ben was great, but we had way too many 3 & outs which put extreme pressure on the defense. The running game was mediocre and didn’t help when we needed it. Pass, pass, pass…..

Ok, some coaching issues are in there, play calling issues…. but regardless of the final statistics, the Steelers have an average running game. It is hard to win with 5 rushes for 1 yard each, and then a 7 yard burst. A dominant running game getting a 4 -5 yard average destroys a defenses stamina and will. Pound that ball !! I totally agree that Colon hasn’t grown in 3 years of starting. He should be much better than he is after the experience he has accumulated. He gets a C. Hartwig, Essex, C graders. Too many C’s on the line to grind out a 4th quarter running game victory. I like the idea of getting back to pounding the ball down the opponents throat, so getting Baluga, Iupati,maybe Pouncey in the 1st round would be great.