Avoiding Early Slump is Key for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Many would be willing to say that the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise is the best franchise in the NFL. Whether you look at it from an ownership standpoint, to a business standpoint, success on the field, etc... This is just a franchise that gets it and continuously proves that they are a success. Their six Super Bowl wins speak for themselves.
Stability is a key also. The Steelers have had only three coaches since the NFL and AFL merged. They are: Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin.
The franchise also has built itself a classy, clean reputation and that reputation was important enough for the team to trade away former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes after he was arrested a second time. Owner Art Rooney instructed management to get rid of him at any price, which resulted in the Steelers trading him for merely a fifth round pick, not nearly sufficient return value.
Rooney didn’t explore a trade for his franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after his second scandal, leaving the door open for criticism due to a double standard in the team. Two Super Bowl championships must have outweighed the two allegations of rape.
All off-the-field issues aside, there are many questions surrounding the team this season. Many are wondering if some big departures combined with the major arrivals in Cincinnati and Baltimore will hurt the Steelers season and get them to miss the playoffs for a second straight year after winning the Super Bowl in the 2008 season.
On offence, of course, the team will be without Roethlisberger for at least four games, possibly six, or even eight. Big Ben is serving a six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, but the suspension may be reduced to four games. In the meantime, Byron Leftwich will likely start at quarterback. Leftwich is a statue in the pocket and has a slow-release, which may make life difficult for an offensive line that has allowed at least 46 sacks in each of the last three seasons.
A big challenge will also be replacing Santonio Holmes. Holmes is an unbelievable playmaker who will be missed on the field. The Steelers still have good options in the sure-handed physical Hines Ward and the emerging star Mike Wallace, who is fast and is an excellent route-runner. Antwaan Randle El is back after leaving the team in 2006, but is not the same player. He has lost a lot of his speed that made him the great player he was.
Tight end (TE) Heath Miller provides a secure option underneath and will be a huge help in avoiding sacks and moving the ball on third down.
The Steelers will have to look for a more balanced offensive attack, especially when Big Ben is sitting out. Running back Rashard Mendenhall is improving and is both powerful and agile. Mewelde Moore is a great option on third down and will be the top backup for Mendenhall.
The offensive line will have to be very sharp. It may come down to them for everything to come together. They’ll have to keep whatever quarterback they have upright and will be instrumental in the Steelers running game improving from last year.
Safety (S) Troy Polamalu provides the best playmaking abilities of any safety in the league with remarkable instincts. His absence due to injuries last year exposed the weaknesses in the "Steel Curtain." His health will also help fellow safety Ryan Clark be more consistent.
At cornerback, the team is solid with Ike Taylor being a bona fide number one corner, who just has to work on his dropping habits on interceptions. He and Bryant McFadden make a good combination.
James Harrison and Lamarr Woodley are perhaps the best outside linebackers in the NFL. They provide speed, power and athleticism; all tools required at linebacker.
On the inside, James Farrior may be 35-years-old but has unbelievable instincts and is usually the first tackler towards the ball carrier.
On the front line, nose tackle (NT) Casey Hampton plugs holes at will and is the main reason why the Steelers are so good against the run.
Hampton is joined by defensive ends (DE) Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel. Smith is coming off season-ending rotator cuff surgery, but if he stays healthy, he’ll play at a high level. Keisel is also a perennial run-stopper and is quick on the line.
Kicker (K) Jeff Reed is a reliable, accurate kicker but his kickoffs will need some work. The whole coverage team must improve as the Steelers allowed four touchdowns on kickoff returns last season.
Punter (P) Daniel Sepulveda is a very good placement punter, and Stefan Logan is a good return specialist with his dashing quickness.
The Steelers are still very solid. The only concern for them is that they’ll have to avoid a slump while Roethlisberger sits out. A .500 record without Roethlisberger is a success and then they can still be counted as playoff contenders.
Tags: