Five underachieving Steelers in 2016
Associated Press
Steelers tight end Ladarius Green crosses the goal line for a touchdown after taking a pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during the second half against the New York Giants in Pittsburgh last season. Green missed the majority of the 2016 season and the three playoff games. He was released on Thursday by the Steelers.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Sammie Coates (14) pauses during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday in Kansas City, Mo.
New England Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan (15) is hit by Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jarvis Jones (95) to force a fumble during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Steelers special teams coach Danny Smith, center, talks to his team as they come from the field during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game on Aug. 10, 2013 in Pittsburgh.
Associated Press
Steelers defensive back Justin Gilbert warms up before the AFC championship game in Foxborough, Mass. Gilbert was released on Monday by the Steelers.
Five Steelers who disappointed in the 2016-17 season.
LADARIUS GREEN
The Steelers signed Green to a four-year, $20 million contract in free agency as Heath Miller蘑菇视频 replacement at tight end to add another compreliminary vertical receiving threat for Antonio Brown. His off-season ankle surgery wasn鈥檛 much a concern at the time of the signing, but it quickly turned into one when Green missed all of OTAs and training camp and then remained on the PUP list for the first eight games. He came back, and was relatively effective in a short span given the missed time with 18 catches for 304 yards and a touchdown. Albeit that quickly became irrelevant when Green suffered his third-career concussion in Week 15, and missed the remaining five games into the AFC Championship. His underwhelming first season as a Steeler causes serious doubt that the once prized free agent acquisition will ever live up to his potential.
SAMMIE COATES
It蘑菇视频 hard to tell where it all went wrong for the Coates. In the first five games of the season, he registered 19 receptions for 421 yards and two touchdowns. In his last 14? Just four catches for 48 yards. Coates broke multiple fingers in the Week 4 win over the Jets and it蘑菇视频 unknown how much the injury had an effect. Though it still isn鈥檛 an issue that should have lingered for a full three months into the AFC Championship. He played strictly special teams during the latter portion of the season, and was eventually removed from offensive game plan with Cobi Hamilton and Demacus Ayers holding higher roles. Coates鈥� critical drop on a would-be touchdown in the first quarter was a microcosm of his second season. He appeared to be in perfect position, but slowed down with his outstretched arms a foot short of the ball. Coates appeared to be off to a great start in his second year, but then tapered off. His struggles magnified the glaring issue that the Steelers lack a true No. 2 receiver.
JARVIS JONES
It蘑菇视频 likely that the former first-round pick has played in his last game as a Steeler. Jones came into a contract year with high expectations of a 10-sack season, and earned a starting spot in the OLB rotation out of camp. But a lack of production, especially in the pass rush, caused Mike Tomlin to decrease Jones鈥� reps and eventually replace him in favor of James Harrison. The demotion was warranted as Harrison played at a high level during the second half of the season, but it was the final writing on the wall that Jones doesn鈥檛 have a future in Pittsburgh. He ends his career in Pittsburgh with 128 tackles and six sacks in four years with the Steelers. For perspective, Harrison finished with combined 7.5 sacks in the 2016-17 regular season and playoffs alone.
DANNY SMITH
If there蘑菇视频 one member of the Steelers coaching staff that is on the hot seat this off-season, it蘑菇视频 special teams coordinator Danny Smith. Chris Boswell and Jordan Berry were high notes, but the coverage and return units were inconsistent. Without a formidable returner, the Steelers averaged 21.5 yards per kick return (ranked 17th in the NFL) and were held without a touchdown. Opponents averaged 24.7 yards per kick return (ranked 30th) and 9.6 yards per punt return (ranked 23rd). The Steelers should look for a quality returner in the draft and/or free agency, but Tomlin may elect to replace Smith with a fresh face regardless.
JUSTIN GILBERT
Although Gilbert was acquired by the Steelers before the season for virtually nothing (2018 sixth-round pick), he failed to provide any kind of upgrade to the cornerback position. He appeared in 12 games, primarily on special teams, and failed to register a pass breakup along with just three total tackles. The former first-round pick by Cleveland also was a highly touted kick returner in college, but didn鈥檛 offer any impact to the return game. Most notable was his massive mistake on a return late in the AFC divisional game against the Chiefs that nearly could have cost the Steelers the season. The Steelers will likely address the cornerback position in the draft, which could cause them to part ways with Gilbert in the last year of his rookie deal. He is due to earn $2.1 million in 2017.