There has been a lot of talk about the changes that are coming for the Steelers during the 2013 off-season. Over the next two weeks they will have to become compliant with the NFL salary cap. To do so they will have to make some very tough decisions with multiple players on their roster. The Steelers will also be left with decisions to make on how much cap space to clear if they are intending to re-sign some of their own free agents.
Corner Keenan Lewis is said to be a priority for the team in free agency, but they will need to open up enough cap space to sign him. They will also need cap space to sign their draft picks, restricted free agents, and any unrestricted free agents they are looking at. It is rumored that the Steelers are the favorites to sign Steve Breaston and although he will help boost the receiving core they will need the cap space to sign him. Other unrestricted free agents they will likely be looking at are Ramon Foster, Doug Legursky, and Larry Foote.
A couple weeks ago all of the upcoming changes were considered a very bad thing. Many fans were, and are, concerned that the Steelers are heading towards a rebuilding season in 2013, but some change may be just what the Steelers need.
When anonymous comments from a Steelers player, or possibly coach, were released berating LaMarr Woodley for an “awful” 2012 season it started a snow ball effect. Ike Taylor, Ryan Clark, Antonio Brown, and even Hines Ward talked about the issue and it became apparent that there were some issues in the Steelers locker room last season. Brown stated that the locker room was divided in 2012 and Ward stated that the Steelers locker room is in “total disarray.”
That’s not exactly pleasing to the ears for fans who were hoping that 2012 was just an off-year. It now seems like some changes will need to be made and that change may be for the best.
Today BehindtheSteelCurtain.com reported that there was some “awkwardness” between Brown and Wallace in 2012. Wallace held out of training camp and the pre-season in hopes of getting a new contract, but when Wallace allegedly turned down the Steelers final offer they turned their attention to Brown. Brown was then signed to a new deal and Wallace ended up returning and playing on a one year contract and is now expected to leave as a free agent.
Perhaps some of that awkwardness between the receivers is the reason for the “Young Money Crews” terrible performance in 2012. Wallace led the wide receivers in yards and touchdowns, but Brown was the leader in the group with 66 receptions to Wallace’s 64. It was the things they did wrong in 2012 that stood out more than their stats, however.
Wallace dropped six passes during the 2012 season and did not always look like he had a vested interest in the game. Brown also dropped multiple passes and he also lost two game-changing fumbles against the Raiders and Cowboys. Sanders, the third member of the group formally known as the “Young Money Crew,” also struggled and dropped a couple passes as well as losing a fumble that turned into a touchdown drive for the Ravens that almost cost the Steelers the game.
If the receiving core was a fractured group it could explain their level of play in 2012 and maybe letting Wallace walk in free agency will be the best thing for the team. It’s hard to imagine the defense having problems in 2012, but weird things happen when a team starts losing. There weren’t many new guys on the defense in 2012 so a divided locker room on that side of the ball is hard to see unless players began to blame each other for losing games, which is possible.
Instead it seems likely a lot of the issues were on the offensive side of the ball. The offense struggled at times in 2012 and there was a well-known frustration when Bruce Arians was forced out of Pittsburgh. Ben Roethlisberger probably didn’t help things by not buying into Todd Haley’s offense especially when he called him out publicly after a game. A finger could also be pointed at running back Rashard Mendenhall.
Mendenhall decided not to show up to the Steelers game against the San Diego Chargers. He was told that he would be inactive for the game so instead of coming to cheer on his teammates he decided to just stay home. That’s the kind of attitude and demeanor that the Steelers need to clear out of their locker room this off-season.
The pending loss of veterans won’t help the process and it will be up to some of the younger guys to step up and become leaders in 2013, but this change may be a good thing. If the Steelers can pinpoint the problems in the locker room from 2012 they should make sure and either get rid of the problem players or have a long talk with the team and make sure that this group comes together as a team in 2013 and gets back to playing Steeler football.
