We all should have seen this coming...

[Ohio Cards Fan]

...especially with how the QB situation was handled in the offseason. We signed a has-been at QB that really hasn't done anything since his "no lose" situation with the Rams. I honestly believe Tom Tupa could have gotten the job done taking snaps with the greatest show on turf. No QB taken in the draft this year was mind boggling. I personally would have loved to have had Andrew Walter (or insert another name here) in the games at this point, grooming him for next year.

The QB situation is far from being the entire problem. It just establishes the point of just how bad of a train wreck Denny Green has made of this team. Large steps backward were taken this year. Now Denny has "his" players after ill-conceived and shocking timing of cutting players for personal reasons. The scope of the team was never in his mind while making those decisions. As a result, the O-line is very ordinary at pass blocking, and horrendous at run blocking. Now we don't know if Marcel Shipp is healed or if Arrington truly is a bust. The lackluster intensity of our D puts us in holes makes it equally difficult to accurately assess the status of the run game.

To fix the situation, I see clear moves that need to be made. DRAFT A FREAKIN' QUARTERBACK. Many people identify with the QB. For us, we have a good kid who doesn't have all of the abilities needed to be an NFL QB, a Ram, and a Michigan dud (go Buckeyes). I personally don't identify with any of these options. Bring in someone to create some excitement.

A couple of additions, via free agency, should be adequate to fix the O-line...especially after a year of playing together. They already show signs of improvement. Additionally, a free agent corner is needed. Next item, we need a big time back. Not a mini speedster that dances, nor a brute who couldn't outrun a linebacker. I want a full package back. I don't see him this year, so draft the QB and get a year under his belt before we bring in the RB.

All in all this is a 2-3 year fix. It could have been less if we had only properly addressed the QB situation this year. I'm not going to throw Denny to the wolves yet, however "...in Denny we trust" should not be as easy for any of us to say after this mess.

This is the most disappointing seasons that I can remember in 25 years. Not a great way to introduce a new stadium next year. Geez!!!

 

[traveler]

You speak the truth. QB, running back and free agent linemen. I thought Green was the answer, but it's obvious he isn't. This is a dismal team with Gomer Pyle at QB. I can't identify with him, and my interest is gone.

 

[conraddobler]

This all started with the Josh is going to be awesome as a way to divert attention from drafting Big Ben and getting LF.

Now, I love LF but all those thinking Josh is a goofball, and he is, remember why we have him as our starter in the first place.

Another coach could have at least kept LJ, kept big at guard drafted another guard and gotten a better FA tackle.

For all his hype DG whiffed on Arrington big time, Barber looks to be much better and where was he drafted?

I never mentioned the PK guy either, I don't think he's that good.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

This all started with the Josh is going to be awesome as a way to divert attention from drafting Big Ben and getting LF.

Now, I love LF but all those thinking Josh is a goofball, and he is, remember why we have him as our starter in the first place.

Another coach could have at least kept LJ, kept big at guard drafted another guard and gotten a better FA tackle.

For all his hype DG whiffed on Arrington big time, Barber looks to be much better and where was he drafted?

I never mentioned the PK guy either, I don't think he's that good.

so your gonna put it on DG? Are you saying if we would have went with your guy when we made the coaching change we be 5-2 right now instead of 2-5?

 

[conraddobler]

so your gonna put it on DG? Are you saying if we would have went with your guy when we made the coaching change we be 5-2 right now instead of 2-5?

Yep squarely on DG.

Every personell move he's made with the former players on offense has pretty much blown up in his face.

I do like him cutting Clement though, that was dead on.

Who said Josh would do wonderful things? I didn't.

Who said Arrington this and that, who said LF at that spot was a good idea.

It was DG.

Graves wanted Ben, I think Graves was right on that one and that is hurting our team right now.

All someone really had to do to fix the line was tell Pete Kendall to shut up, tell LJ to play harder and cut Clement.

Then they would have had to have the sense not to aquire Ross as the answer at tackle and the line would have been good not awful.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Yep squarely on DG.

Every personell move he's made with the former players on offense has pretty much blown up in his face.

I do like him cutting Clement though, that was dead on.

Who said Josh would do wonderful things? I didn't.

Who said Arrington this and that, who said LF at that spot was a good idea.

It was DG.

Graves wanted Ben, I think Graves was right on that one and that is hurting our team right now.

All someone really had to do to fix the line was tell Pete Kendall to shut up, tell LJ to play harder and cut Clement.

Then they would have had to have the sense not to aquire Ross as the answer at tackle and the line would have been good not awful.

Hard to argue that DG has not pulled the right string a lot since he's been here.

But, we've had bad luck this year, and the DAL game was almost an impossible win. Still too early to make a good call on exactly how we did this year. Just too many games still on the table. 9 to be exact. That's a lot of games

Still, If we go 7-9 or worse next year, I think he should be toast.

 

[conraddobler]

We've had bad luck this year, and the DAL game was almost an impossible win. Still to early to make a good call on exactly how we did this year. Just too many games still on the table. 9 to be exact. That's a lot of games

However, If we go 7-9 or worse next year, I think he should be toast.

All you in favor of Leinart remember this, coaches in pivotal year threes don't have a lot of love for taking a QB in the draft.

He's going to talk us into Culpepper.

We are then going to watch Leinart win 4 Super Bowls for someone else while Culpepper dies behind our line.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

All you in favor of Leinart remember this, coaches in pivotal year threes don't have a lot of love for taking a QB in the draft.

He's going to talk us into Culpepper.

We are then going to watch Leinart win 4 Super Bowls for someone else while Culpepper dies behind our line.

And I'll counter that argument by saying that DG knows drafting Leinart would by him another year.

 

[conraddobler]

And I'll counter that argument by saying that DG knows drafting Leinart would by him another year.

Maybe, maybe.

It's all moot though we wont' lose out.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Maybe, maybe.

It's all moot though we wont' lose out.

One game at a time conrad, one game at at ime.

 

[conraddobler]

One game at a time conrad, one game at at ime.

LOL

Warner will start, he'll do ok but lose then just at the wrong time get hurt and Josh will beat Houston on a last second play to crush us yet again..

 

[wierwolf]

Big Ben would be killed with this O line. What makes ben so great is his Oline. Period..... Put Peyton with this line, you would be saying the same thing. Get some Oline help. Run the ball and you can put any Qb in..... Run the ball and stop the run.... You can make this talk go back to Bryant johnson... How much talent we could have gotten over him... But that has been beaten to death... He wasn't there for that draft. Denny can only fix the hand he has been dealt.... It takes a little longer than people want to clean house of a losing organization. Half of this talent wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for green.... We are on the brink. Mark my words.... Denny WILL make nessessary changes to this team to bring a winner.... Today it was on the defense.... Miss tackle after miss tackle..... That is what killed us...

 

[conraddobler]

Big Ben would be killed with this O line. What makes ben so great is his Oline. Period..... Put Peyton with this line, you would be saying the same thing. Get some Oline help. Run the ball and you can put any Qb in..... Run the ball and stop the run.... You can make this talk go back to Bryant johnson... How much talent we could have gotten over him... But that has been beaten to death... He wasn't there for that draft. Denny can only fix the hand he has been dealt.... It takes a little longer than people want to clean house of a losing organization. Half of this talent wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for green.... We are on the brink. Mark my words.... Denny WILL make nessessary changes to this team to bring a winner.... Today it was on the defense.... Miss tackle after miss tackle..... That is what killed us...

Half the defense if not more are DG guys.

It's not looking like he's turning any corners soon.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Half the defense if not more are DG guys.

It's not looking like he's turning any corners soon.

Well PHI's defense got shredded today to the tune 49 points.

I know DEN's o is better DAL's but I'm just saying.

Obviously, I'm still holding out hope that DG can get it turned around next year.

 

[Scott MS]

Obviously, I'm still holding out hope that DG can get it turned around next year.

We're all holding out hope that it will get turned around at some point before we get old and gray and live in a nursing home.

Green has been unimpressive. He has no "master plan" agenda, it's obvious. He's got a group of guys who still can't win in the NFL.

Too bad he cut Charles Lee . . . if Boldin is out, he'll be back this week.

 

[BigDavis75]

Big Ben would not have worked out. I still like the Fitz pick. He will be one of the best recievers in the league in a couple of years. The problems we have now are the downright worst problems you can have with a team looking toi be a contender; O-Line, can't defend run, and inconsistency. We are at least one more year away and the best option IMO would be to go with a line player in the draft, unless we are top 3 overall.

 

[coyotesareback]

Agreed if we are out of the top 5 in the draft I think we need the best OL available and also need to aquire some in FA. Fixing the Oline should be the TOP priority in the offseason. If we are in the top 5 and have a shot at Leinart you have to take him or Bush. I beleive Lendell White will be the best RB drafted off that team for the NFL though. If we get Leinart or Bush then the rest of the draft and offseason should still mainly be focused on the Oline and maybe a FA corner and build some LB depth.

 

[dogpoo32]

LOL

Warner will start, he'll do ok but lose then just at the wrong time get hurt and Josh will beat Houston on a last second play to crush us yet again..

Sad yet true. I know I for one will whole heartedly jump back on the Josh McCown Kool-Aid wagon. I could lie and say I'm over that but its not healthy to kid yourself. Lets just hope Denny wakes up and realizes we need a franchise QB. Someone else to build us up and then crush us.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Big Ben would not have worked out. I still like the Fitz pick. He will be one of the best recievers in the league in a couple of years. The problems we have now are the downright worst problems you can have with a team looking toi be a contender; O-Line, can't defend run, and inconsistency. We are at least one more year away and the best option IMO would be to go with a line player in the draft, unless we are top 3 overall.

what? please tell me your kidding.

He's 6 foot 6 and 240 pounds and can move pretty good. He's got a cannon, can read defenses, is poised etc. etc. The only question about him was that he didn't play against the best competition in college.

But Rothliesburger would have been the best pick this organization had ever made.

WRs are a dime a dozen. You can shut down a WR if you really want to. You can't shut down a good QB.

 

[Pariah]

Big Ben would not have worked out. I still like the Fitz pick. He will be one of the best recievers in the league in a couple of years. The problems we have now are the downright worst problems you can have with a team looking toi be a contender; O-Line, can't defend run, and inconsistency. We are at least one more year away and the best option IMO would be to go with a line player in the draft, unless we are top 3 overall.

Big Ben would have help the organization along moreso than Fitz. Big Ben would have been a stroke of genius from the Cardinals.

Don't get me wrong, fitz is very good...he might end up being great. But it was a monumental mistake to pass on him.

 

[AZCB34]

Big Ben would be killed with this O line. What makes ben so great is his Oline. Period..... Put Peyton with this line, you would be saying the same thing. Get some Oline help. Run the ball and you can put any Qb in..... Run the ball and stop the run.... You can make this talk go back to Bryant johnson... How much talent we could have gotten over him... But that has been beaten to death... He wasn't there for that draft. Denny can only fix the hand he has been dealt.... It takes a little longer than people want to clean house of a losing organization. Half of this talent wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for green.... We are on the brink. Mark my words.... Denny WILL make nessessary changes to this team to bring a winner.... Today it was on the defense.... Miss tackle after miss tackle..... That is what killed us...

I am not trying to speak for Conrad but I think he saying, Graves was right for wanting to draft Ben R and the line deal could have been handled completely different thus Ben R would have never been behind THIS line and maybe things wouldn't actually be so dire. Simply put, a better plan for the OL than blowing it completely up and throwing a rookie OL coach into the fire and Ben would have been fine then it would have been more fine-tuning than overhauling which is what will have to happen next year with the offense again.

 

[conraddobler]

Big Ben would have help the organization along moreso than Fitz. Big Ben would have been a stroke of genius from the Cardinals.

Don't get me wrong, fitz is very good...he might end up being great. But it was a monumental mistake to pass on him.

I totally agree.

I was actually for Williams there because Fitz is too much like Boldin, I can say now that was wrong, but I didn't know much about Ben, then again, I don't do this for a living.

I never know much about college players, I only follow Mizzou but I do know what we needed and a QB like Ben would have been the right choice.

 

[BigDavis75]

what? please tell me your kidding.

He's 6 foot 6 and 240 pounds and can move pretty good. He's got a cannon, can read defenses, is poised etc. etc. The only question about him was that he didn't play against the best competition in college.

But Rothliesburger would have been the best pick this organization had ever made.

WRs are a dime a dozen. You can shut down a WR if you really want to. You can't shut down a good QB.

He hasn't been able to read defenses that well, until just recently. I have watched every pro game of his, so if you want to go into a deeper discussion we can. A QBs success has a great deal to do with O-Line and run game. Ben has both. Ben is special and ads that extra bit to put the Steelers over the top, but here it wouldn't have mattered. Are you only saying he would have been the right pick because he has worked out bueatifully? Az. is a whole different place to play than Pittsburgh, small fan base and a history of mediocrity. There was little talent here last year and there still is not a lot. No QB could have succeeded and will succede unless changes are made.

BTW you casn shut down a good QB:

Favre (10/30/05): 26/39 279 1/5
Ben (Last years divisional): 17/30 181 1/2

Just two I looked up off the top of my head.