The Pittsburgh Steelers finished with an 8-8 record finishing stronger than they started. They dropped the first 4 games of the season and it looked like the season was over by the bye week in week 5. But, the Steelers hung tough and were in the playoff race all the way to week 17, after going 8-4 after the bye. A disappointing loss to the Raiders in week 8 was the nail that finished their season in retrospect. I didn’t like their draft and you can read why in my article, 2014 Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Draft Report Card and Player Analysis.
Impact of 2014 free agency
Free agency hurt the Steelers. They lost DE Ziggy Hood and NT Al Woods. Two impact players that will be hard to replace. They lost two receivers that Big Ben was used to throwing to in Jerricho Cotchery and Emmanuel Sanders. They lost their center-fielder Ryan Clark and OLB LaMarr Woodley. So You can see some big time players off the roster. They are attempting to replace the WRs with Lance Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey, two players that don’t equal what they lost. FS Mike Mitchell is a younger version of FS Ryan Clark so this could be a good move to get younger. But it remains to be seen if Mitchell wasn’t just a by-product of a great Panthers defense. Adding a punter was a weird move since Podlesh was one of the worst rated punters in the NFL last year. RB LeGarrette Blount should keep the mileage down on second year RB Le’Veon Bell and should be good for 8-10 carries a game and the end zone bull rush carries. Overall I think the Steelers regressed as far as roster talent and depth.
Players lost in the off season to other teams
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Ryan Clark, FS–12th season, signed by The Washington Redskins
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Jerricho Cotchery, WR–10th season, signed by The Carolina Panthers
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Jonathan Dwyer, RB–4th season, signed by The Arizona Cardinals
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Ziggy Hood, DE–5th season, signed by The Jacksonville Jaguars
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David Johnson, TE–5th season, signed by The San Diego Chargers
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Eric Olsen, G–3rd season, signed by The Tennessee Titans
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Emmanuel Sanders, WR–4th season, signed by The Denver Broncos
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LaMarr Woodley, OLB–7th season, signed by The Oakland Raiders
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Al Woods, NT–4th season, signed by The Tennessee Titans
Players signed in free agency from other teams
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LeGarrette Blount, RB–4th season, signed from The New England Patriots
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Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR–5th season, signed from The Indianapolis Colts
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Brice McCain, CB–5th season, signed from The Houston Texans
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Mike Mitchell, FS–5th season, signed from The Carolina Panthers
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Arthur Moats, OLB–4th season, signed from The Buffalo Bills
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Lance Moore, WR–8th season, signed from The New Orleans Saints
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Adam Podlesh, P–7th season, signed from The Chicago Bears
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Cam Thomas, NT–4th season, signed from The San Diego Chargers
Can The Pittsburgh Steelers make it to the playoffs in 2014?
The Steelers aren’t going to the playoffs in 2014. The Ravens will own the AFC North. The Steelers need a better offensive line and Big Ben is only getting older and slower. I am a little shocked that the Steelers didn’t protect Ziggy Hood or Al Woods as I saw them both as foundations for the defense. Replacing Cotchery and Sanders also seemed short-sighted especially with the way, Big Ben targeted them, especially Jerricho in the end zone. These two players will be truly missed and I got the Steelers going 6-10 this year. Long season ahead for the Black and Gold fans.
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2014 Cincinnati Bengals NFL Draft Report Card and Player Analysis
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2014 Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Draft Report Card and Player Analysis
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2014 Baltimore Ravens NFL Draft Report Card and Player Analysis
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2014 Draft Report Card and Player Analysis for the Cleveland Browns
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