NFL Pittsburgh Steelers

5 Things the Pittsburgh Steelers Must Improve Over the Offseason

5 Things the Pittsburgh Steelers Must Improve Over the Offseason

Mike Tomlin
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers have never been a team to discount the value of a full offseason. Coming off an active period in which the team made some tough cuts and splurged in free agency, the Steelers will need to improve in a different way before the 2015 season. Here are five ways the Steelers can become a more complete team.

5. The Defense’s Ability To Force Turnovers

Mike Mitchell, Antwon Blake
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

5. The Defense’s Ability To Force Turnovers

Mike Mitchell, Antwon Blake
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

How exactly does one fix an issue like this one while there are no games to be played? Improve through the draft? Sign a big-name free agent? Place an emphasis on ball stripping and tip drills in practice? Whatever it is, the Steelers need to make it a priority. The defense has been better since starting its four-game winning streak, but continues to lag behind top-tier contenders.

4. Special Teams

Shaun Suisham, Brad Wing
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

4. Special Teams

Shaun Suisham, Brad Wing
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Football is played with brains, arms and legs, and the Steelers have been lacking in the latter all year. Shaun Suisham’s stats are respectable enough, but he lacks confidence from long range, and not just at Heinz Field either. Meanwhile, it’s hard to see rookie punter Brad Wing on the roster next year on account of a lack of strength and inaccurate leg. Don’t be surprised to see both positions filled by new faces over the offseason.

3. Fixing Slow Starts

Ben Roethlisberger, Heath Miller
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

3. Fixing Slow Starts

Ben Roethlisberger, Heath Miller
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Two seasons ago, the Steelers started 0-4. The team was better this season, getting off to an unconvincing 2-2 record before it finally started to develop an identity. The NFL season is far too short to be giving up head starts to any team, let alone divisional opponents. Yes, the Steelers finished the year as division champions, but relying on a huge winning streak to end the year is often the first step toward failure.

2. Converting Dri Archer To Wide Receiver

Dri Archer
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

2. Converting Dri Archer To Wide Receiver

Dri Archer
Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Steeler Nation has already seen enough of Dri Archer at running back. The third-round sparkplug out of Kent State was initially drafted as a wideout – hence why he wears No. 13 – but reverted to his original college position during training camp. His elusiveness is deadly, but he is rendered useless when trying to push the pile or pass block. The sooner he replaces Lance Moore in the slot, the better the offense will become.

1. Team Mentality vs. Bad Opponents

Troy Polamalu, Dick LeBeau
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

1. Team Mentality vs. Bad Opponents

Troy Polamalu, Dick LeBeau
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Dating back to the pre-Cowher days, the Steelers have had a nagging inability to put away lesser opponents. The team rarely looks focused, instead floundering on offense and appearing totally inept at stopping anyone on defense. And if you think this isn’t a problem provided Pittsburgh squeaked into the playoffs, consider this: wins against the atrocious Buccaneers and Jets would have earned the Steelers the top seed in the AFC this season.

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