Steelers Start Planning for Next Year

Mike Tomlin apparently wasn't thrilled with Willie Reid's disastrous stint as the Steelers fill-in kick returner last week.

Just a day after Reid fumbled away the opening kickoff and almost fumbled away another, the Steelers signed wide receiver/punt returner Jeremy Bloom to their practice squad. If Allen Rossum is healthy enough to play this week against the Jaguars after sitting out last week's game with a sore hamstring, Bloom will likely stay on the practice squad for the remainder of this year, but it also makes it likely he'll be competing for the Steelers' returner job next year.

The Steelers brought Bloom in to interview before the 2006 draft and were predicted to draft the former Colorado star by several mock drafts. They opted to draft Reid in the third round instead, while Bloom fell to the Eagles in the fifth round.

It's hard to rip the Steelers for passing on Bloom--he spent the 2006 season on injured reserve with a hamstring injury and was cut before the 2007 season began. He's considered a speedy returner but without the size to make more of an impact at the NFL level, and at this point he's more famous for his work as a snowboarder than as a football player. But the Steelers can be criticized for drafting Reid that early. Most mock drafts had him lasting until the second day of the draft, and he went before wide receivers Demetrius Williams, Brad Smith, Brandon Marshall and Marques Colston, all of whom have dramatically outperformed him.

The Steelers traded a seventh-round pick to the Falcons for Rossum this year, but considering Rossum's age and poor production this season, it's likely they'll be looking to replace him next year. Signing Bloom is one of those moves that could end up meaning nothing, but it does give Willie Reid a signal he might not be in Pittsburgh for much longer.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-01-2008 @ 6:36AM

chris said...

NFL means Not For Long if you can't hold on to the football

1-01-2008 @ 10:44AM

Bill Walters said...

Planning:

1. Fire Arians
2. Fire Arians again
3. Fire Arians

Results:

A winning team with an offense that has more than three plays in their book.

FIRE Arians

1-01-2008 @ 1:41PM

ohiosteelerfan20 said...

Retard:

1.Bill Walters
2.Bill Walters again
3.Bill Walters

Results:
A guy who wanted Chalie Batch in for Ben

Bill Walters- retard

1-01-2008 @ 2:31PM

Tim said...

Hey guys I think that there is at least one more game this season before looking ahead to the next one. As I have said in another post there is still a lot of talent on this team and if they play like they are capable of playing, they can compete with anybody. The stuff that needs to be corrected is just basic fundamental football. The whole thing doesn't need to be blown up just yet. I think they may surprise a lot of people on Saturday. Lets Go Steelers!

1-01-2008 @ 2:43PM

I just read in the Post Gazette that Max Starks and Clint Kriewaldt have been placed in the IR....please disregard previous post........So, about next year...

1-01-2008 @ 2:45PM

After firing Arians look hard at signing/drafting an offensive line that is mobile and can move the pocket with Ben.

You are the retard ohio--wannabe---a--- steelerfan. I screamed for batch; saying all along Ben needed to prove himself after his debacle last year, which he "SLIGHTLY" has.

Arians is definitely not the coordinator to have with Big Ben. Arians is to limited in his ability and allowed Ben TO MUCH decision making in the play book. Ben doesn't have the maturity to be given that authority......YET.

Maybe you better come out of the "closet" Ohio man and cheer you bungles on.

1-01-2008 @ 3:30PM

Ben has his best year ever, by far, and you Bill Walters, say Arians went wrong with him. He should be fired. Ben doesnt have the maturity "YET". 32 tds 11 ints, div title. All with that horrible O line. What exactly are you looking for? Tell us Bill, what would you do diferently?

1-01-2008 @ 4:52PM

Steelers Gift Baskets said...

I'm mixed on Arians as OC. The only pass plays he seems to call are 7-step drops & throw deep. No screen passes at all.

As far as the draft, please no more players from Florida State (Alonzo Jackson, Wille Reid, Timmonds).

1-01-2008 @ 5:32PM

Just think what Bens stats would be if Arians had anything more than he does. Arians is a second rate coordinator. He failed Cleveland....clevland fired him and their ofense is climbingtowards the top.

We hire im and bfore the season is half over we get shut down.
Come on ohio fan look at reality get off your infatuation and you would see that Arians ha to go or we will soon look like Baltimore then soon after we look like Miami.

Yes Ben is a qtrback that has a lot of Maturing to do. With a good coordinator and (great QB mentor) Ben can make Brady and Peyton look like amatures.