The Future Is Bright...

Yes, the end of the Steelers season was disappointing.  The defensive collapses were particularly troubling for a team reputed for its defensive prowess. The 2009 Steelers squandered more fourth quarter leads than i care to recount.  But rest assured that The Terrible Towel will compete for Championships with the NFL Elite for the next three years at a minimum. 

Every great sports franchise has an off season from time to time. The Steelers have achieved so much because they stick to the fundamentals of winning. You build a champion by drafting well. It is a strategy that contemplates the possibility of a down year or two within a decade where your veterans get older before more recent picks pan out.  With Tyrone Carter, Deshea Townsend and James Farrior all losing a step, it is time for the Steelers to do what they do.  Build their team through the draft with an eye toward the future.  

The Steelers go into the 2010 draft with the highest draft position since they jumped up to grab Troy Palamalou with the 13th overall pick, number 18.  Quite a neat place to be if you need to shore-up a leaky secondary with USC S Taylor Mays or toy with the idea of going to "Steeler Two," (there is no longer a dispute about where the "Tampa Two" originated is there?) by selecting Terrence Cody, NT Alabama. The pairing of Cody and Hood would give the Steelers a solid rotation with Aaron Smith returning to full strength, even if Casey Hampton is not franchised and leaves the team. Assuming the new offensive line coach is up to snuff, the Steelers can address the offensive line with 2nd and 3rd round choices.

With the core of their team coming back all these Steelers need is an infusion of more talented players and some rest for a team that has been to the post season for the past two years.  So let those teams who don't really know what its like to compete for a championship get a taste of the post season.  Let them measure themselves against what the Steelers have accomplished six times over.   (I'm talking to you Bengals!) 

You will see these Steelers holding St. Vince high again, and soon.  The Steelers Future is Bright, so fret not young ones.