The fact that you are even at this site tells me you are as crazy as I am.

Don't you realize the Steelers will not be playing a game that counts for another 8 months? Sure you do. But that Steeler-fire that burns in all of us refuses to die. It keeps asking the question: What next?

We got the first dose of "what next" when Coach Cowher announced that he was relieving OC Kevin Gilbride of his duties. Although the offense had shown subtle improvement during his tenure, the improvement was not drastic enough to keep him around. Cowher pointed out that the passing offense was 29th in the league when Gilbride arrived, and 29th when he left. The overall offense did improve, but not enough to warrant retaining his services.

Cowher didn't wait long to fill the vacancy. He promoted TE coach Mike Mularkey. Most feel this is a wise move. Mularkey is well liked by his players, and well respected around the league. Rumor has it that if he wouldn't have been promoted, he would have been hired as the new OC of the Detroit Lions.

Mularkey has been in the system since 1996, and he won't make any major changes to the offense. He plans on using the TEs more than they have been, and also plans on using the RBs in the passing game as well. Maybe the best news is that he plans on letting Kordell Stewart utilize his athleticism. He has never been a pocket passer, and he never will be. It will be nice to see what he can do when he is finally let loose.

With the hiring of Mularkey, it looks like the whole coaching staff on the offensive side of the ball is in for some drastic changes. For the first time, Cowher will hire a quarterbacks coach to work side-by-side with Kordell Stewart. This is something the majority of us have been clamoring for for years. The Steelers haven't had a quarterbacks coach since 1971-73 when Babe Parilli served under Chuck Noll.

On top of that, Cowher must hire a tight ends coach to replace Mularkey and an offensive line coach to replace Kent Stephenson, who retired. It also looks like Bob Bratkowski, the WR coach may be moving on. The Cincinnati Bengals are interviewing him for their OC position.

It looks like there will be some major changes on the offensive side of the ball. I don't think this will be a bad thing. It's not like they were tearing up the league before. Maybe the new blood will find a way to get this offense going.

The offseason has just started, and already I have something to be excited about. That is why it is great to be a Steeler fan 12 months of the year. Sure, the team has been denied a playoff spot 3 years running, but with the changes to the offensive staff, we can now pin our hopes on the new personnel. Haven't we all wanted to see Kordell return to more of the "slash" role? Mularkey may be just what the doctor ordered. 8 months to go, and I can't wait.

What's next? Will Bettis be re-signed, who gets released, what free agents do we acquire, what direction do we go in the draft, etc. etc. etc.

There is lots to be excited about, and lots of questions yet to be answered. Stay tuned during the offseason, and I will try to keep you informed of the changes our Pittsburgh Steelers are making.

by SteelerGil (January 9, 01)