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As Usual, No Respect

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  • EDIT: And Dick Lebeau is the man BUT he's not the reason these players are good, they'd be good on other teams. I'd also love a explanation for the "wrought iron term". Frankly Gipper you don't know enough about the roster to even make this comment. The players that are now gone have been replaced with talent just as good at this stage or better. Aaron Smith is gone because he had lost it, Farrior the same. It's what the Steelers do, make the tough decisions and continue to improve. I'll be shocked if the defense isn't inside the top 10 this coming season, absolutely shocked.

    I don't know....or care about your roster. I do know that it was stated all over ESPN that Pittsburgh had the highest average age in the league when it came to defensive starters. That 7 of them were over 30. (maybe these included Smith and Farrior, I don't know).

    I am only going by what I heard.

    You are free to list the Steelers defensive depth chart, giving ages of the starters if you want to clear up this "misunderstanding". It is not one of my creation.

  • Nevermind. As usual I have to gather the facts.

    Steelers official website lists its defensive starters. I did not see ages, but it did give "years of experience":

    NT Casey Hampton 12 years

    LDE Ziggy Hood 4 years

    RDE Bret Keisel 11 years

    LOLB Woodley 6 years

    LILB Sylvester Stevenson 3 years

    RILB Lawrence 6 years

    ROLB James Harrison 9 years

    FS Ryan Clark 11 years

    SS Troy Polamalu 10 years

    RCB Ike Taylor 10 years

    LCB Anthony Madison 6 years

    Even without Smith and Farrior there appear to be 6 starters over 30.

    Obviously many players can certainly play well well into their 30s, and certainly several of these may. And just as obvious, it is entirely possible that some of these will replaced as first team on the depth chart by younger players (you mentioned Cameron Heyward)

    Just don't say that age isn't a potential issue.

  • Browns defensive starters and ages:

    DE Juqua Parker 33/Frostee Rucker 28 (not sure who is supposed to start)

    DE Jabaal Sheard 22

    DT Ahtyba Rubin 25

    DT Phil Taylor 24

    OLB Chris Gocong 28

    MLB D'Qwell Jackson 28

    OLB Scott Fujita 33 (many do not expect him to be the starter)

    FS Usama Young 27

    SS TJ Ward 25

    CB Joe Haden 23

    CB Sheldon Brown 33

    If Rucker starts, as expected, and Fujita is replaced, as expected...and required for at least the first 3 games, then only Sheldon Brown..who might actually end up being the nickel back...or move to FS would be the only starter on the Browns defense over 30. (and even he could end up being replaced by Buster Skrine or Dmitri Patterson...both much younger)

  • @sickofthiscrap said:

    So as usual all the talking heads are saying we have no team and Weeden will get raped by the Ravens etc. etc.

    It's no secret that this franchise is a joke but why do they have to always talk garbage on Cleveland as a city?

    We have more culture, hotter women, more jobs and less crime than Pittsburgh. Can they just get over themselves? All I hear are people talking about how much we, collectively, suck.

    If this were the south in the 50s we'd be the oppressed black people. So sick of this crap. Up yours ESPN

    Haven't figured it out yet? ESPN has devolved into the National Frontrunner Network. As others have said, the Browns will get some love and respect when they EARN it.

    A serious argument can be made the post- '99 Browns are as bad as some of the horrendous Bengal teams of the late 80s- 90s.

    Has nothing to do with the city either. The Cavaliers were getting plenty of love when you-know-who used to play for them. Now? Not so much.

    @hoorta said:

    Haven't figured it out yet? ESPN has devolved into the National Frontrunner Network. As others have said, the Browns will get some love and respect when they EARN it.

    Yes indeed there- ESPN hype machine destroyed the coverage of the Masters this year, with their Tiger pom poms.

    ESPN is great for sports highlights. The downside is they hype up individuals over teams constantly. "Manning vs. Brady," "Rivers vs. Big Ben," etc.

  • EDIT: And Dick Lebeau is the man BUT he's not the reason these players are good, they'd be good on other teams. I'd also love a explanation for the "wrought iron term". Frankly Gipper you don't know enough about the roster to even make this comment. The players that are now gone have been replaced with talent just as good at this stage or better. Aaron Smith is gone because he had lost it, Farrior the same. It's what the Steelers do, make the tough decisions and continue to improve. I'll be shocked if the defense isn't inside the top 10 this coming season, absolutely shocked.

    I don't know....or care about your roster. I do know that it was stated all over ESPN that Pittsburgh had the highest average age in the league when it came to defensive starters. That 7 of them were over 30. (maybe these included Smith and Farrior, I don't know).

    I am only going by what I heard.

    You are free to list the Steelers defensive depth chart, giving ages of the starters if you want to clear up this "misunderstanding". It is not one of my creation.

    @the-gipper said:

    EDIT: And Dick Lebeau is the man BUT he's not the reason these players are good, they'd be good on other teams. I'd also love a explanation for the "wrought iron term". Frankly Gipper you don't know enough about the roster to even make this comment. The players that are now gone have been replaced with talent just as good at this stage or better. Aaron Smith is gone because he had lost it, Farrior the same. It's what the Steelers do, make the tough decisions and continue to improve. I'll be shocked if the defense isn't inside the top 10 this coming season, absolutely shocked.

    I don't know....or care about your roster. I do know that it was stated all over ESPN that Pittsburgh had the highest average age in the league when it came to defensive starters. That 7 of them were over 30. (maybe these included Smith and Farrior, I don't know).

    I am only going by what I heard.

    You are free to list the Steelers defensive depth chart, giving ages of the starters if you want to clear up this "misunderstanding". It is not one of my creation.

    I seriously don't see what difference it makes from a age stand point if they're still producing on the field. The only positions on our team where there isn't a clear cut heir apparent for each position is at FS/SS. The other positions have been back loaded with youth through the draft.

    Harrison, Taylor, Clark, Polamalu, Keisel and Hampton are all over 30.

    Harrison - Worilds was drafted to play behind him and or Woodley in case of injury. Timmons can also be bumped outside also.

    Taylor - Curtis Brown and Cortez Allen broke the typical Steeler standard by contributing as rookies in our difficult secondary scheme/playbook. Keenan Lewis also stepped up. I expect Brown to start opposite Taylor this season or at the very least back up Keenan Lewis.

    Clark - back up problem

    Polamalu - back up problem

    Keisel - Ziggy Hood and Cam Heyward

    Hampton - Alameda Ta'amu (draft day steal, he looks ready to go right now)

    It's not like these starters don't have players waiting in the wings. It's what the Steelers do and they do it well, that aging defense still finished well inside the top 10 last season and I'd consider last season a down year.

  • Browns defensive starters and ages:

    DE Juqua Parker 33/Frostee Rucker 28 (not sure who is supposed to start)

    DE Jabaal Sheard 22

    DT Ahtyba Rubin 25

    DT Phil Taylor 24

    OLB Chris Gocong 28

    MLB D'Qwell Jackson 28

    OLB Scott Fujita 33 (many do not expect him to be the starter)

    FS Usama Young 27

    SS TJ Ward 25

    CB Joe Haden 23

    CB Sheldon Brown 33

    If Rucker starts, as expected, and Fujita is replaced, as expected...and required for at least the first 3 games, then only Sheldon Brown..who might actually end up being the nickel back...or move to FS would be the only starter on the Browns defense over 30. (and even he could end up being replaced by Buster Skrine or Dmitri Patterson...both much younger)

    @the-gipper said:

    Browns defensive starters and ages:

    DE Juqua Parker 33/Frostee Rucker 28 (not sure who is supposed to start)

    DE Jabaal Sheard 22

    DT Ahtyba Rubin 25

    DT Phil Taylor 24

    OLB Chris Gocong 28

    MLB D'Qwell Jackson 28

    OLB Scott Fujita 33 (many do not expect him to be the starter)

    FS Usama Young 27

    SS TJ Ward 25

    CB Joe Haden 23

    CB Sheldon Brown 33

    If Rucker starts, as expected, and Fujita is replaced, as expected...and required for at least the first 3 games, then only Sheldon Brown..who might actually end up being the nickel back...or move to FS would be the only starter on the Browns defense over 30. (and even he could end up being replaced by Buster Skrine or Dmitri Patterson...both much younger)

    Just for the sake of argument how many of those players would start for the Steelers right now? Joe Haden and with Hampton coming off an injury possibly Phil Taylor who was drafted in the first round. I liked Taylor for us in the first round but he obviously didn't fall that far. Beyond those two not one other player would crack our starting line up unless our starter is injured.

  • Here are the starting defensive lineups and ages for both the Ravens and Bengals:

    RAVENS:

    LDE Pernell McPhee 23

    NT Terrence Cody 23

    RDT Haloti Ngata 28

    LOLB Paul Kruger 26

    LILB Ray Lewis 37

    RILB Jameel McClain 26

    ROLB Courtney Upshaw 21 replacing Suggs

    LCB Lardarius Webb 26

    SS Bernard Pollard 27

    FS Ed Reed 33

    RCB Jimmy Smith 23

    BENGALS:

    LDE Robert Geathers 28

    NT Domata Peko 27

    RDT Geno Atkins 24

    RDE Michael Johnson 25

    SLB Manny Lawson 27

    MLB Rey Maualuga 25

    WLB Thomas Howard 28

    LCB Nate Clements 32

    SS Taylor Mays 24

    FS Reggie Nelson 28

    RCB Leon Hall 27

    Only Lewis and Reed are over 30 on the Ravens D. Of course, those two are potential Hall of Famers and are still seen as the heart and soul of the Ravens defense...expecially with Suggs gone.

    Only Clements is over 30 on the Bengals.

    So, if age is a factor, then I think Endymion is right to be concerned about where in the pecking order of AFCN defenses the Steelers may stand.

  • @the-gipper said:

    Browns defensive starters and ages:

    DE Juqua Parker 33/Frostee Rucker 28 (not sure who is supposed to start)

    DE Jabaal Sheard 22

    DT Ahtyba Rubin 25

    DT Phil Taylor 24

    OLB Chris Gocong 28

    MLB D'Qwell Jackson 28

    OLB Scott Fujita 33 (many do not expect him to be the starter)

    FS Usama Young 27

    SS TJ Ward 25

    CB Joe Haden 23

    CB Sheldon Brown 33

    If Rucker starts, as expected, and Fujita is replaced, as expected...and required for at least the first 3 games, then only Sheldon Brown..who might actually end up being the nickel back...or move to FS would be the only starter on the Browns defense over 30. (and even he could end up being replaced by Buster Skrine or Dmitri Patterson...both much younger)

    Just for the sake of argument how many of those players would start for the Steelers right now? Joe Haden and with Hampton coming off an injury possibly Phil Taylor who was drafted in the first round. I liked Taylor for us in the first round but he obviously didn't fall that far. Beyond those two not one other player would crack our starting line up unless our starter is injured.

    Homotron said:

    Just for the sake of argument how many of those players would start for the Steelers right now? Joe Haden and with Hampton coming off an injury possibly Phil Taylor who was drafted in the first round. I liked Taylor for us in the first round but he obviously didn't fall that far. Beyond those two not one other player would crack our starting line up unless our starter is injured.

    Sheard, Rubin and Taylor are I believe as good as the players you have. At least, I like their future better.

    None of our LBs would. (that is an obvious weak spot on the Browns D, and a strength for the Steelers)

    Haden and TJ Ward would...if Ward were slotted at FS, not SS. (but he is a SS)

    I perceive Ike Taylor and Sheldon Brown to be a wash. Both are fairly old and warn.

  • Here are the starting defensive lineups and ages for both the Ravens and Bengals:

    RAVENS:

    LDE Pernell McPhee 23

    NT Terrence Cody 23

    RDT Haloti Ngata 28

    LOLB Paul Kruger 26

    LILB Ray Lewis 37

    RILB Jameel McClain 26

    ROLB Courtney Upshaw 21 replacing Suggs

    LCB Lardarius Webb 26

    SS Bernard Pollard 27

    FS Ed Reed 33

    RCB Jimmy Smith 23

    BENGALS:

    LDE Robert Geathers 28

    NT Domata Peko 27

    RDT Geno Atkins 24

    RDE Michael Johnson 25

    SLB Manny Lawson 27

    MLB Rey Maualuga 25

    WLB Thomas Howard 28

    LCB Nate Clements 32

    SS Taylor Mays 24

    FS Reggie Nelson 28

    RCB Leon Hall 27

    Only Lewis and Reed are over 30 on the Ravens D. Of course, those two are potential Hall of Famers and are still seen as the heart and soul of the Ravens defense...expecially with Suggs gone.

    Only Clements is over 30 on the Bengals.

    So, if age is a factor, then I think Endymion is right to be concerned about where in the pecking order of AFCN defenses the Steelers may stand.

    @the-gipper said:

    Here are the starting defensive lineups and ages for both the Ravens and Bengals:

    RAVENS:

    LDE Pernell McPhee 23

    NT Terrence Cody 23

    RDT Haloti Ngata 28

    LOLB Paul Kruger 26

    LILB Ray Lewis 37

    RILB Jameel McClain 26

    ROLB Courtney Upshaw 21 replacing Suggs

    LCB Lardarius Webb 26

    SS Bernard Pollard 27

    FS Ed Reed 33

    RCB Jimmy Smith 23

    BENGALS:

    LDE Robert Geathers 28

    NT Domata Peko 27

    RDT Geno Atkins 24

    RDE Michael Johnson 25

    SLB Manny Lawson 27

    MLB Rey Maualuga 25

    WLB Thomas Howard 28

    LCB Nate Clements 32

    SS Taylor Mays 24

    FS Reggie Nelson 28

    RCB Leon Hall 27.

    Only Lewis and Reed are over 30 on the Ravens D. Of course, those two are potential Hall of Famers and are still seen as the heart and soul of the Ravens defense...expecially with Suggs gone.

    Only Clements is over 30 on the Bengals.

    So, if age is a factor, then I think Endymion is right to be concerned about where in the pecking order of AFCN defenses the Steelers may stand.

    So you didn't read anything that I said? I guess Harrison is a bum and the same goes for Polamalu. You mention Reed and Lewis but ignore Harrison and Polamalu AND you completely ignored what I said above. No point in continuing this discussion if that is going to be the case.

  • Homotron said:

    Just for the sake of argument how many of those players would start for the Steelers right now? Joe Haden and with Hampton coming off an injury possibly Phil Taylor who was drafted in the first round. I liked Taylor for us in the first round but he obviously didn't fall that far. Beyond those two not one other player would crack our starting line up unless our starter is injured.

    Sheard, Rubin and Taylor are I believe as good as the players you have. At least, I like their future better.

    None of our LBs would. (that is an obvious weak spot on the Browns D, and a strength for the Steelers)

    Haden and TJ Ward would...if Ward were slotted at FS, not SS. (but he is a SS)

    I perceive Ike Taylor and Sheldon Brown to be a wash. Both are fairly old and warn.

    @the-gipper said:

    Sheard, Rubin and Taylor are I believe as good as the players you have. At least, I like their future better.

    None of our LBs would. (that is an obvious weak spot on the Browns D, and a strength for the Steelers)

    Haden and TJ Ward would...if Ward were slotted at FS, not SS. (but he is a SS)

    I perceive Ike Taylor and Sheldon Brown to be a wash. Both are fairly old and warn.

    Ike Taylor is MUCH better than xxxxing Sheldon Brown. I also don't like Sheard or Rubin anymore than anything on our roster currently. Taylor is the exception and i mentioned him above. I also wouldn't start Ward over Ryan Clark especially considering his on field relationship and understanding with Troy.

  • @the-gipper said:

    EDIT: And Dick Lebeau is the man BUT he's not the reason these players are good, they'd be good on other teams. I'd also love a explanation for the "wrought iron term". Frankly Gipper you don't know enough about the roster to even make this comment. The players that are now gone have been replaced with talent just as good at this stage or better. Aaron Smith is gone because he had lost it, Farrior the same. It's what the Steelers do, make the tough decisions and continue to improve. I'll be shocked if the defense isn't inside the top 10 this coming season, absolutely shocked.

    I don't know....or care about your roster. I do know that it was stated all over ESPN that Pittsburgh had the highest average age in the league when it came to defensive starters. That 7 of them were over 30. (maybe these included Smith and Farrior, I don't know).

    I am only going by what I heard.

    You are free to list the Steelers defensive depth chart, giving ages of the starters if you want to clear up this "misunderstanding". It is not one of my creation.

    I seriously don't see what difference it makes from a age stand point if they're still producing on the field. The only positions on our team where there isn't a clear cut heir apparent for each position is at FS/SS. The other positions have been back loaded with youth through the draft.

    Harrison, Taylor, Clark, Polamalu, Keisel and Hampton are all over 30.

    Harrison - Worilds was drafted to play behind him and or Woodley in case of injury. Timmons can also be bumped outside also.

    Taylor - Curtis Brown and Cortez Allen broke the typical Steeler standard by contributing as rookies in our difficult secondary scheme/playbook. Keenan Lewis also stepped up. I expect Brown to start opposite Taylor this season or at the very least back up Keenan Lewis.

    Clark - back up problem

    Polamalu - back up problem

    Keisel - Ziggy Hood and Cam Heyward

    Hampton - Alameda Ta'amu (draft day steal, he looks ready to go right now)

    It's not like these starters don't have players waiting in the wings. It's what the Steelers do and they do it well, that aging defense still finished well inside the top 10 last season and I'd consider last season a down year.

    Homotron said:

    I seriously don't see what difference it makes from a age stand point if they're still producing on the field. The only positions on our team where there isn't a clear cut heir apparent for each position is at FS/SS. The other positions have been back loaded with youth through the draft.

    Harrison, Taylor, Clark, Polamalu, Keisel and Hampton are all over 30.

    Harrison - Worilds was drafted to play behind him and or Woodley in case of injury. Timmons can also be bumped outside also.

    Taylor - Curtis Brown and Cortez Allen broke the typical Steeler standard by contributing as rookies in our difficult secondary scheme/playbook. Keenan Lewis also stepped up. I expect Brown to start opposite Taylor this season or at the very least back up Keenan Lewis.

    Clark - back up problem

    Polamalu - back up problem

    Keisel - Ziggy Hood and Cam Heyward

    Hampton - Alameda Ta'amu (draft day steal, he looks ready to go right now)

    It's not like these starters don't have players waiting in the wings. It's what the Steelers do and they do it well, that aging defense still finished well inside the top 10 last season and I'd consider last season a down year.

    I haven't even ventured into the question of backups. God knows how good they would be if forced into the starting lineup....and I am talking about Browns/Steelers/Ravens/Bengals.

  • @the-gipper said:

    Here are the starting defensive lineups and ages for both the Ravens and Bengals:

    RAVENS:

    LDE Pernell McPhee 23

    NT Terrence Cody 23

    RDT Haloti Ngata 28

    LOLB Paul Kruger 26

    LILB Ray Lewis 37

    RILB Jameel McClain 26

    ROLB Courtney Upshaw 21 replacing Suggs

    LCB Lardarius Webb 26

    SS Bernard Pollard 27

    FS Ed Reed 33

    RCB Jimmy Smith 23

    BENGALS:

    LDE Robert Geathers 28

    NT Domata Peko 27

    RDT Geno Atkins 24

    RDE Michael Johnson 25

    SLB Manny Lawson 27

    MLB Rey Maualuga 25

    WLB Thomas Howard 28

    LCB Nate Clements 32

    SS Taylor Mays 24

    FS Reggie Nelson 28

    RCB Leon Hall 27.

    Only Lewis and Reed are over 30 on the Ravens D. Of course, those two are potential Hall of Famers and are still seen as the heart and soul of the Ravens defense...expecially with Suggs gone.

    Only Clements is over 30 on the Bengals.

    So, if age is a factor, then I think Endymion is right to be concerned about where in the pecking order of AFCN defenses the Steelers may stand.

    So you didn't read anything that I said? I guess Harrison is a bum and the same goes for Polamalu. You mention Reed and Lewis but ignore Harrison and Polamalu AND you completely ignored what I said above. No point in continuing this discussion if that is going to be the case.

    Homotron said:

    So you didn't read anything that I said? I guess Harrison is a bum and the same goes for Polamalu. You mention Reed and Lewis but ignore Harrison and Polamalu AND you completely ignored what I said above. No point in continuing this discussion if that is going to be the case.

    You CLEARLY didn't read what I said.....let me quote myself:

    "Obviously many players can certainly play well well into their 30s, and certainly several of these may".

    Do you bother to even read my posts before you rip them? This was in the post when I listed their ages Open you eyes.

  • @the-gipper said:

    Sheard, Rubin and Taylor are I believe as good as the players you have. At least, I like their future better.

    None of our LBs would. (that is an obvious weak spot on the Browns D, and a strength for the Steelers)

    Haden and TJ Ward would...if Ward were slotted at FS, not SS. (but he is a SS)

    I perceive Ike Taylor and Sheldon Brown to be a wash. Both are fairly old and warn.

    Ike Taylor is MUCH better than xxxxing Sheldon Brown. I also don't like Sheard or Rubin anymore than anything on our roster currently. Taylor is the exception and i mentioned him above. I also wouldn't start Ward over Ryan Clark especially considering his on field relationship and understanding with Troy.

    Homotron said:

    Ike Taylor is MUCH better than xxxxing Sheldon Brown. I also don't like Sheard or Rubin anymore than anything on our roster currently. Taylor is the exception and i mentioned him above. I also wouldn't start Ward over Ryan Clark especially considering his on field relationship and understanding with Troy.

    Is Taylor much better? I don't know. I know that we Browns fans are anxious to replace Brown...but, that said, I have heard nothing but complaints about how Taylor is contantly turned into burnt toast.

    Sheard and Rubin have far more future upside than what you have on your roster currently.

    And though there may be something to be said about "chemistry" TJ Ward at this point is again, the player with the far better upside than Clark.

  • Homotron said:

    I seriously don't see what difference it makes from a age stand point if they're still producing on the field. The only positions on our team where there isn't a clear cut heir apparent for each position is at FS/SS. The other positions have been back loaded with youth through the draft.

    Harrison, Taylor, Clark, Polamalu, Keisel and Hampton are all over 30.

    Harrison - Worilds was drafted to play behind him and or Woodley in case of injury. Timmons can also be bumped outside also.

    Taylor - Curtis Brown and Cortez Allen broke the typical Steeler standard by contributing as rookies in our difficult secondary scheme/playbook. Keenan Lewis also stepped up. I expect Brown to start opposite Taylor this season or at the very least back up Keenan Lewis.

    Clark - back up problem

    Polamalu - back up problem

    Keisel - Ziggy Hood and Cam Heyward

    Hampton - Alameda Ta'amu (draft day steal, he looks ready to go right now)

    It's not like these starters don't have players waiting in the wings. It's what the Steelers do and they do it well, that aging defense still finished well inside the top 10 last season and I'd consider last season a down year.

    I haven't even ventured into the question of backups. God knows how good they would be if forced into the starting lineup....and I am talking about Browns/Steelers/Ravens/Bengals.

    @the-gipper said:

    I haven't even ventured into the question of backups. God knows how good they would be if forced into the starting lineup....and I am talking about Browns/Steelers/Ravens/Bengals.

    You really don't follow your division. Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown have already performed and at a high enough level to enter the line up as rookies. A feat unheard of in our defense. Ziggy Hood has already started and Cam Heyward played in spot starts, both in case you've forgotten are first round picks waiting for their opportunity. Worilds has also already started in the event of an injury to Harrison and Woodely. It's not like these guys are bums that were thrown on the roster to hold a spot for an eventual replacement. They were drafted to start, not to experiment.

  • Homotron said:

    So you didn't read anything that I said? I guess Harrison is a bum and the same goes for Polamalu. You mention Reed and Lewis but ignore Harrison and Polamalu AND you completely ignored what I said above. No point in continuing this discussion if that is going to be the case.

    You CLEARLY didn't read what I said.....let me quote myself:

    "Obviously many players can certainly play well well into their 30s, and certainly several of these may".

    Do you bother to even read my posts before you rip them? This was in the post when I listed their ages Open you eyes.

    @the-gipper said:

    You CLEARLY didn't read what I said.....let me quote myself:

    "Obviously many players can certainly play well well into their 30s, and certainly several of these may".

    Do you bother to even read my posts before you rip them? This was in the post when I listed their ages Open you eyes.

    I missed your experience break down post as you tend to throw a bunch of posts out rather than simply replying to one already posted. Lost in translation. Keisel will be a starter and is wildly underrated. Heyward will be competing with Hood unless they move Hood in to the nose if Casey isn't ready and Alameda doesn't pick things up in a hurry. No the age of the defense is not a worry because there were players drafted in the top of each draft to replace those players. If I'm worried about anything it's our safeties because if either gets injure I'm not confident in the back ups.

  • Homotron said:

    Ike Taylor is MUCH better than xxxxing Sheldon Brown. I also don't like Sheard or Rubin anymore than anything on our roster currently. Taylor is the exception and i mentioned him above. I also wouldn't start Ward over Ryan Clark especially considering his on field relationship and understanding with Troy.

    Is Taylor much better? I don't know. I know that we Browns fans are anxious to replace Brown...but, that said, I have heard nothing but complaints about how Taylor is contantly turned into burnt toast.

    Sheard and Rubin have far more future upside than what you have on your roster currently.

    And though there may be something to be said about "chemistry" TJ Ward at this point is again, the player with the far better upside than Clark.

    @the-gipper said:

    Is Taylor much better? I don't know. I know that we Browns fans are anxious to replace Brown...but, that said, I have heard nothing but complaints about how Taylor is contantly turned into burnt toast.

    Sheard and Rubin have far more future upside than what you have on your roster currently.

    And though there may be something to be said about "chemistry" TJ Ward at this point is again, the player with the far better upside than Clark.

    Ike Taylor was a pro-bowl snuff this past season. He's not "constantly turned in to burnt toast" Where the hell are you reading this sh.it?

  • @the-gipper said:

    I haven't even ventured into the question of backups. God knows how good they would be if forced into the starting lineup....and I am talking about Browns/Steelers/Ravens/Bengals.

    You really don't follow your division. Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown have already performed and at a high enough level to enter the line up as rookies. A feat unheard of in our defense. Ziggy Hood has already started and Cam Heyward played in spot starts, both in case you've forgotten are first round picks waiting for their opportunity. Worilds has also already started in the event of an injury to Harrison and Woodely. It's not like these guys are bums that were thrown on the roster to hold a spot for an eventual replacement. They were drafted to start, not to experiment.

    Homotron said:

    You really don't follow your division. Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown have already performed and at a high enough level to enter the line up as rookies. A feat unheard of in our defense. Ziggy Hood has already started and Cam Heyward played in spot starts, both in case you've forgotten are first round picks waiting for their opportunity. Worilds has also already started in the event of an injury to Harrison and Woodely. It's not like these guys are bums that were thrown on the roster to hold a spot for an eventual replacement. They were drafted to start, not to experiment.

    Everybody's backups play some. Everybody was drafted to start. If they are all so great, then they would be displacing all those old guys right now.

    Don't ballyhoo unproven products to me.

    It is a foolish as me saying that The Sausage King and Bill Winn and our other rookie defensive players are all that and a bag of chips. Or that Buster Skine and Eric Hagg are the Cat's Meow.

    All of that may be true by the way.

  • @the-gipper said:

    You CLEARLY didn't read what I said.....let me quote myself:

    "Obviously many players can certainly play well well into their 30s, and certainly several of these may".

    Do you bother to even read my posts before you rip them? This was in the post when I listed their ages Open you eyes.

    I missed your experience break down post as you tend to throw a bunch of posts out rather than simply replying to one already posted. Lost in translation. Keisel will be a starter and is wildly underrated. Heyward will be competing with Hood unless they move Hood in to the nose if Casey isn't ready and Alameda doesn't pick things up in a hurry. No the age of the defense is not a worry because there were players drafted in the top of each draft to replace those players. If I'm worried about anything it's our safeties because if either gets injure I'm not confident in the back ups.

    Homotron said:

    I missed your experience break down post as you tend to throw a bunch of posts out rather than simply replying to one already posted. Lost in translation. Keisel will be a starter and is wildly underrated. Heyward will be competing with Hood unless they move Hood in to the nose if Casey isn't ready and Alameda doesn't pick things up in a hurry. No the age of the defense is not a worry because there were players drafted in the top of each draft to replace those players. If I'm worried about anything it's our safeties because if either gets injure I'm not confident in the back ups.

    OK, don't worry. Others are apparently doing it for you...including Endymion and any number of other commentators I have heard. And if, as Endymion says, the Steelers defense ends up being the worst in the division, don't worry then. Just lose.

  • @the-gipper said:

    Is Taylor much better? I don't know. I know that we Browns fans are anxious to replace Brown...but, that said, I have heard nothing but complaints about how Taylor is contantly turned into burnt toast.

    Sheard and Rubin have far more future upside than what you have on your roster currently.

    And though there may be something to be said about "chemistry" TJ Ward at this point is again, the player with the far better upside than Clark.

    Ike Taylor was a pro-bowl snuff this past season. He's not "constantly turned in to burnt toast" Where the hell are you reading this sh.it?

    Homotron said:

    Ike Taylor was a pro-bowl snuff this past season. He's not "constantly turned in to burnt toast" Where the hell are you reading this sh.it?

    TV, radio, on here, in the ether.. Rest assured, Joe Haden would have made the Pro Bowl at CB last year before Ike Taylor did.

  • Homotron said:

    You really don't follow your division. Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown have already performed and at a high enough level to enter the line up as rookies. A feat unheard of in our defense. Ziggy Hood has already started and Cam Heyward played in spot starts, both in case you've forgotten are first round picks waiting for their opportunity. Worilds has also already started in the event of an injury to Harrison and Woodely. It's not like these guys are bums that were thrown on the roster to hold a spot for an eventual replacement. They were drafted to start, not to experiment.

    Everybody's backups play some. Everybody was drafted to start. If they are all so great, then they would be displacing all those old guys right now.

    Don't ballyhoo unproven products to me.

    It is a foolish as me saying that The Sausage King and Bill Winn and our other rookie defensive players are all that and a bag of chips. Or that Buster Skine and Eric Hagg are the Cat's Meow.

    All of that may be true by the way.

    @the-gipper said:

    Everybody's backups play some. Everybody was drafted to start. If they are all so great, then they would be displacing all those old guys right now.

    Don't ballyhoo unproven products to me.

    It is a foolish as me saying that The Sausage King and Bill Winn and our other rookie defensive players are all that and a bag of chips. Or that Buster Skine and Eric Hagg are the Cat's Meow.

    All of that may be true by the way.

    Come on now gipper. It's because the veteran players in place are still playing at the top of of their game and in some instances top 5 for their respective positions. (Harrison/Woodley) It's not rocket science. You should just try admitting that the Steelers are a very good team that continually drafts well. Their ability to hit in the draft has allowed them to stock up at key positions. You'll see a lot of those guys step in when they veterans are either ready to move on or at a point where they have to move on. (See Aaron Smith and Farrior)