Steelers are officially eliminated from the postseason.

Disappointing year.

Bob Ligashesky will be fired as special teams coach. That we know.

And there are some other issues to work out beyond that.

Do they keep Arians and Zierlien?

Casey Hampton is probably gone. Word is they won't franchise him but they'll offer him a deal.....which won't be big enough to keep him.

Willie Parker is a goner as well.

Ryan Clark is probably gonna be back and there are mixed reports about Jeff Reed's future in the 'Burgh.

Secondary, o-line, d-line. All areas of need.

Non wrote: [size=xx-large]Steelers are officially eliminated from the postseason.[/size]
Disappointing year.

Bob Ligashesky will be fired as special teams coach. That we know.

And there are some other issues to work out beyond that.

This really breaks my heart.

I'd say top four areas of need.

NT
ILB
CB
OL

Defense will be better if Polamalu and Smith return to form but they still need to find long-term replacements for Casey Hampton and James Farrior and another cornerback.

Should be selecting about 18th or 19th overall in the NFL Draft, right?

I haven't seen yet but that sounds about right.

At nose tackle they can go in a few different directions.

They can sign Casey Hampton to a new contract.

Ryan Pickett is also a possible free agent from Green Bay they could get.

The two guys in the draft they'll look at are Dan Williams from Tennessee or Terrence Cody from Alabama.

I think they would probably take Williams who has come on this year.

Chris Hoke is still on the team and capable of starting until the rookie is ready.

This draft isn't very good for linebackers or cornerbacks.

Alterran Verner from UCLA is a decent CB that could go in rounds 3-4, he is good at playing the ball

Steelers could always sign Larry Foote back. He's only 30 and only signed a one-year deal with the Lions.

I'm not saying Dick Lebeau should be fired, but I wouldn't be surprised if he retires. He's the type of man that will take the performance of this years defense personal.

I'd love to have Larry Foote back as a Steeler.

There are two special teams coaches on the team...Ligashesky and Jones...Jones is responsible for kickoff/kickoff return....I think he goes over Ligashesky, but both will probably get axed.

Has Hampton been playing at a high level? If he has, you have to bring him back don't you? The NG is so important for their defense. Sure you can draft one but there isn't any guarantee they'll be as good as Hampton. I think it would be a mistake to let him walk.

jordo212000 wrote: Has Hampton been playing at a high level? If he has, you have to bring him back don't you? The NG is so important for their defense. Sure you can draft one but there isn't any guarantee they'll be as good as Hampton. I think it would be a mistake to let him walk.

I totally agree about Hampton, 3-4 noseguards are hard to find.

Fire STC
Fire Reed...seriously he's a pussy when trying to stop a return and there's a Gramatica out there I'm sure.
Fire the OL Coach
Fire the OL (all of them)
Find NT
Find ILB (draft)
Grab a stepladder and tell Ben to THROW THE FUCKING BALL AWAY

there are a handful of good NT's in this draft. 2 of which should be available at 16 which is where the steelers pick (I think)
Cody
Henderson

If that's a HUGE need, take one of those 2. Otherwise I'd got for an OL of which there are plenty in this draft worth looking at.

I'm pretty sure that the Steelers will have the 19th pick overall.

I really wouldn't be surprised if the Steelers converted to a 4-3 defense in the near future. I can't imagine that Lebeau will stick around much longer and the 4-3 was Tomlin's defense as the defensive backs coach in Tampa and the coordinator in Minnesota. I highly doubt that Pittsburgh will cash out the huge contract that Hampton will demand, especially with all the other needs of this team. Hoke would patrol one of the DT spots and possibly move Eason, Kiesel, or Kirschke to the other DT spot, or draft another DT as many have already mentioned. This would allow Smith and Hood to play the DE's, which both would be more suited for a 4-3 I believe. This will also help to alleviate the immediate need of another linebacker as Timmons could patrol the middle with Harrison and Woodley as OLB's. I also wouldn't mind seeing Woodley converted to an inside backer because of his size and let Timmons play an OLB because of his speed. Timmons would be tough off the edge and in coverage. As far as the secondary goes, the corners need significant improvement irregardless of whatever defense they run. Is there any chance that USC's Taylor Mays falls a bit in the draft and the Steelers can pick him up to play opposite of Troy? That would potentially be the best safety combination in the NFL. We all know what Troy can do, but combine that with a 6'5" 235 lb safety that runs a 4.2 40 yard dash and hits like a ton of bricks - that would be a phenomenal combination. I completely agree with what others have said regarding coaching - Special teams coaches need axed and personally I think Arians needs to go. Some improvements need to be made on the offensive line, but the offensive skill positions are all solid.

If mays runs a sub 4.3 40 in the combine, I'll eat my shorts.

^^^^I think that every law of physics indicates that it should be impossible for anyone that big to run that fast. I'll give him a 4.4 maybe

IF Terrence Cody is around at 16-19 I will be shocked.

Ken Anderson is retiring

Steelers will need a new quarterbacks coach

Steelers have the 18th pick

early indications are that they may give Hampton the franchise tag

I just seen Bobby April has become available. Go get him Tomlin!

they might be able to get Jim Zorn for QB coach

or Charlie Batch

Pittsburgh radio 1250 reporting that Lebeau will return and Arians will be fired.

Al Capone wrote: Pittsburgh radio 1250 reporting that Lebeau will return and Arians will be fired.

Yeah, just read this on a Steeler board, but no one's confirmed it. If true(about Arians), I'm not surprised.