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What if O'Donnell/Erhardt stay in the 'Burgh beyond '95?
Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2017 2:31 pm
by 74_75_78_79_
Had Cowher and Ron simply put their differences aside, and Neil accepts Rooney's offer instead of going to Jets, maybe Neil's performance still dwindles anyway not being able to get over SBXXX, but IMO not as likely. Can't really see them finishing at just 10-6 the following year and, just as long as Jags knock Denver out the way, can't really see them not returning to the SB. The following year, they probably don't get past Denver anyway although the game would have likely been even closer than it already was. '98 they likely make playoffs yet again. And just imagine if Kordell accepts his continual role as "Slash" through it all which, of course, he wouldn't have in such a hypothetical. The 'Burgh would have avoided those lesser turn-of-century OCs along with those even leaner years between Kordell's only two Pro Bowls (Kent Graham). One thing for almost-certain though, it would have ripple-effected Big Ben from ever coming to town (and the 'Burgh likely, still to this day, stuck at just four Lombardis). Thoughts?
Re: What if O'Donnell/Erhardt stay in the 'Burgh beyond '95?
Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2017 12:47 am
by Jeremy Crowhurst
If O'Donnell stays, they know they can throw the ball 500+ times, and they probably don't trade for the Bus. They might look for a back in the draft, and instead of taking Jamain Stephens at 29, maybe they take Mike Alstott, or Stephen Davis in the 3rd. Or, you know, one of the many turds that make up the RB class of 1996.
In any event, not trading for Bettis would have a pretty immense ripple effect.
Re: What if O'Donnell/Erhardt stay in the 'Burgh beyond '95?
Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2017 1:19 am
by 7DnBrnc53
Jeremy Crowhurst wrote:If O'Donnell stays, they know they can throw the ball 500+ times, and they probably don't trade for the Bus. They might look for a back in the draft, and instead of taking Jamain Stephens at 29, maybe they take Mike Alstott, or Stephen Davis in the 3rd. Or, you know, one of the many turds that make up the RB class of 1996.
In any event, not trading for Bettis would have a pretty immense ripple effect.
Maybe, although they did just lose Bam Morris to a drug possession charge in Texas. So, they still could have traded for the Bus.
However, if they didn't, where does he go?
Well, maybe Tampa Bay is an option. They ended up drafting Alstott that year, but if the Bus is available, maybe they decide to flip their second rounder and a 97 4th-rounder to the Rams for Bettis and a 96 third-rounder.