SB Nation - Ziggy Hood

MHR Chalk Talk - Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos MNF ('09, wk 8)

Steve Nichols — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:57:29 -0000

Folks, this is the game I've been waiting for all season. There is an awful lot to look at between these two teams, and from a purely Xs and Os standpoint, this game should be a feast for football lovers.

The Steelers are the defending SB champions. Their young coach had to start under the shadow of a big name. This is a team that has excellent players in just about every facet of the game, and they are used very well by the coach.

The Broncos have emerged from a few years wandering the wilderness, and have a near perfect record. Their young coach had to start out in the shadow of a big name. Excellent players? Check. Great coaching? Check.

And this game will be on Monday night. Does it get any better?

Read on....

Offensive Postion Analysis

I'm going to break this week down a little differently than what we're used to. Let's start with my comparison of the teams' units.

QB - PIT

Let's face it; Kyle Orton is for real. His 95.5 rating is due in big part to a lack of INTs. In 7 games, he has 1 INT thrown on a "hail Mary" pass to close out a half. Orton makes his living in Denver by throwing screens, hitches, and curls. He is willing to throw the ball away or to take a sack rather than throw an INT. This looks ugly to many fans, but it demonstrates a style of play that isn't what Denver fans are used to. Gone are the "gamble and scramble" days. Orton doesn't gamble; he picks his targets or throws off. Boring? Yes. Effective? It wins games.

But "Big Ben" is an established QB, with a lot of good football behind (and ahead) of him. He does it all. Ben Roethlisberger can throw and run, and has experience up to and including the Super Bowl. His rating is 102.6

Ben gets that rating by completing his passes. Where Orton is at a career best 63.6 completion percentage, Big Ben is at 70.4. Both QBs are good at what they do, and Orton has been terribly underrated. But I have to give Ben the advantage here.

WR - tie

Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward are two big names in the NFL football ranks. While the Steelers have always been a tough, smash mouth team, they are airing out the ball this year. Holmes and Ward have been a big part of the 5-2 start. Both players are not only key in the pass game, but can get physical and run block as well. These guys present a solid 1-2 punch.

Denver isn't lacking either. Brandon Marshall has estabalished himself as a real star this year. Changing his mind on being a hold out, and (it is to be hoped) having put the off field issues behind him, Marshall has proven that he is a physical receiver who can run you over. Against the Cowboys though, he proved he can zig and zag through a defense too. Opposite Marshall is Eddie Royal, who garnered 2 returns for TDs in a game. A legit #1 receiver, Royal has speed and cuts that make him a deadly threat if he catches the ball in full stride. Denver's hidden strength is depth at WR, with route specialist Jabar Gaffney and smart / physical Brandon Stokley equaly deadly at the slot position.

TE - DEN

This is a tougher call than many Denver fans might think. Obviously, Daniel Graham is a monster blocker with good hands, and Tony Scheffler is a receiver in a TEs tough body. And yes, Richard Quinn is a tough blocking rookie. Yes, I'll take Denver. But don't be fooled, because Pittsburgh is loaded too.

Heath Miller is an excellent TE, as is Matt Spaeth. David Johnson can be brought in for a 3-TE look, and (in fact) I would call PITT one of three teams capable of playing 3 TE sets on a consistent basis this year if they wanted to. (DEN and NE are the other two, based on history with the formation and other factors).

I give Denver a slight edge here.

RB - DEN

You have to love Correll Buckhalter. Anyone who averages 6 yards per carry this far into the season is a keeper. His 18 receptions aren't shabby either. Rookie Knowshon Moreno has been getting his feet wet, and owns a 3.9 average.

Rashard Mendenhall is a power running back who has better speed and elusiveness than most power runners. His 5.4 average is very, very good. PIT could run the ball a lot more with this kid if they wanted to. The only criticism I've heard is that he can fumble the ball. He has two fumbles (both for losses) this year, but that's better than Moreno (3 fumbles - all lost) and tied with Buckhalter (also two fumbles, but lost one).

OL - DEN

The most notable issue for Denver is the loss of RT Ryan Harris. One of the best RTs in the League, he'll be missed this week. While I think Tyler Polumbus can hold his own against most teams, I respect the Steeler's defense, and TE Daniel Graham will likely need to be limited to Pass blocking duty to offset the loss.

Denver's other strength is LT Ryan Clady, who is arguably one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL today, and still young. And while Ben Hamilton and Chris Kuper are both very good at what they do, Center Casey Wiegmann is the real anchor in the middle of the OL.

Denver's only weakness on the OL is the lack of power for short yardage. Denver seems to be asking the athletic and agile lineman to assist with power runs up the gut, something they aren't built for. As the season has worn on, Denver has gotten further from their zone blocking tradition. For what it is worth (and in the eyes of Denver's coaching staff, it isn't going to be worth anything), I think Denver needs to get back to the ZB. If Denver wants to transition into a typical run blocking scheme, then they should at least play to the current strength of the OL players. The ZB is always run as a short yardage play, with the very real possibilty that it will break open. Right now, we don't have the bodies to support dives and slams.

On the other hand, if PIT has a weakness, I think it is the OL. Big Ben has been sacked 20 times this year, and faces a terrific pass rush from Denver. I think the OL is improving, but they have a ways to go.

Offensive Overview

Denver's rankings - stats and (rank) Pittsburgh's rankings - stats and (rank)

Avg pt.s per game - 20 (20th) 23.9 (14th)

Yards avg per game - 344.6 (14th) 383 (6th)

Pass avg per game - 221.4 (16th) 276 (5th)

Rush avg per game - 123.1 (11th) 107 (19th)

Folks, we need to wake up and smell the coffee. We are not in the top ten in any single offensive category I've listed. There is no room for Orton bashing. It is clear that Orton is doing his job, and doing it well. A QB rating in the 90s means a good QB, and we've seen what our receivers can do. We are also over 100 yards per game rushing, which is the classic standard. But we have some things to address, and we need to move fast.

First, we need to fix our short yardage issues in the running game. Next, we need to start getting TDs. A 6-1 record is a good thing, and each of our players are doing a good job. But if we are going to make the playoffs, we will need to be able to put up more points.

I wrote in last weeks article that Denver is NOT a shoot out team. We have come back from poor 1st halfs all year, but we can't rack up points if the opposing team decides to make the game high tempo. It was a major key for Baltimore last week, and they executed. Like NE, Denver likes to accumulate small advantages and chip away at the other team, winning close if neccassary. But Denver needs to be more like NE in another respect; Denver needs to be able to run up scores when needed.

At this point in the season, Denver has a cushion to find out what the problems are (6-1). But we'll need to see some adjustments quickly. Coach McDaniels has proven that he can make adjustments during half time. Now we need to see if he can make adjustments over the course of a season, which is a completely different skill set for a coach.

PITT has the better QB, and the better passing game. PITT's only concern is the OL, but that is a big concern. I think PITT's running game could be better if they committed to the run, but they haven't needed to. If we were comparing offenses, I would give the advatage to PITT. They beat us in everything except running the ball. But folks, we don't compare the same units (off vs off). We compare offenses to defenses. Before we do that, let's look at the defenses so that we'll know what to compare.

Defensive Position Analysis

We have two great defenses lining up this week, and this is a real treat for fans of defense. I love the Iron Curtain almost as much as I love the Orange Crush. This year, both units are in elite form.

DL - PITT

Just how good is the PITT DL? Consider this. Aaron Smith goes down for the season. Losing a starting DE is a rough thing to deal with. Then his back-up goes down for this week (Travis Kirschke). Does PITT panic? Not at all. Ziggy Hood and Nick Eason step into the gap without missing a beat. Like Denver, PITT is ok with rotations on the line, and they have depth.

Denver (on the other hand) may not see Ryan McBean at LDE this week (LDG if you consider the DEnver defense to be a true 5-2). This is a bigger problem for Denver. Denver rotates the line too, but I wouldn't yet put the defensive line in PITT's league. I'm not saying that the Denver DL isn't good by any stretch. I'm just saying that we are great, but PITT is excellent.

OLBs - DEN

I don't care if we call them DEs or OLBs, but Denver is stacked at the position and can rotate all day long.

One guy to keep in place is Elvis Dumervil. With 10 sacks for the season, you can bet that PITT is scheming to stop him. Playing at RDE (ROLB), Doom is a sack master who uses his low center of gravity and long wingspan to out-judo his opponents in the bull rush, and uses speed and agility to get around blockers when rushed wide.

Denver can sprinkle in Mario Haggan, Darrell Reid, and Robert Ayers to stay fresh. (Watch for PITT to counter with the no-huddle. More on this later).

At ILB, Denver has Andra Davis, who has been rejuventated playing in Denver. Davis uses strength and leverage to get his way. To his right, D.J. Williams continues to be the anchor for the LBs. His skill set is based more on speed and agility, but he is as tough as nails and not a light LB. Even back-ups Spencer Larsen and Wesley Woodyard are dangerous when put on the field.

PITT also has an excellent LB corps. There is some concern about whether Lawrence Timmons (RILB) will be able to play on Monday. I expect him to show up, and to play 100%. Like talking about the DL, I may sound like I'm putting down a unit because I pick the other. Not so. Both teams have great DLs, and I gave the edge to PITT. Both teams have great LBs, but I'll give the edge to Denver.

CBs - DEN

Some folks will find fault with the PITT CBs. Not me. Ike Taylor is a good CB, and so is William Gay. Both are fundementaly sound, underrated, and a terrific tandem. (Watch Ike for blitzes. He is one of the best blitzing CBs in the League. If he doesn't get to the QB, he still typicaly causes hurry ups. He may be moved between left and right CB as well).

However, they are nothing near Champ Bailey and Andre' Goodman. Bailey is going to the Hall of Fame some day, and Goodman is playing better ball in Denver than in Miami. In fact, he's doing it even though he's going to get a lot of throws his way when QBs avoid Bailey.

And while Jack Williams is ill, Denver does fine with rookie Alphonso Smith playing at nickle.

SAF - DEN

Both teams have excellent safeties. Denver has the player that revolutionized the safety position - Weapon X - Brian Dawkins. Older? Yes. Depleted? Not yet. Dawkins is tearing up the field for Denver by being in on most plays and keeping the defense fired up. He is the leadership this defense has been missing. Next to him, Renaldo Hill (like CB Goodman) has come to Denver and is playing better football. Together, these two safeties have been amazing. Their back-ups would be worth writing about, but many are injured (Josh Barett and David Bruton). Rookie Darcel McBath has the potential if he is needed.

But PITT has Troy Polamalu at Safety, and he's a beast. Don't let the shampoo comercials and the soft voice fool you. Troy is one of those safeties that can do it all - hit, tackle, intercept, disrupt, and cover. He is arguably one of the top five (if not number one) safeties in the League, along with Dawkins and Reed. He's coming off of an injury, but expected to play.

The big news this week is Ryan Clark at free safety. Because of a rare blood disorder, Clark should not be playing in Denver's altitude. My heart goes out to the guy, as there is talk he may not even be allowed to make the trip.

STs - DEN

You didn't think I'd give STs their own section did you? Of course not.

Ok, there may be reason to worry about Prater. Read more from MHR member OrangeandBlue27 here. And we just switched out punters, didn't we? But PITT has the kick and punt coverage that Denver must have had last year. PITT has given up 3 TD on STs in the last 3 weeks. Royal has been know to get two TDs on returns in one game.

Defensive Overview

Denver's rankings - stats and (rank) Pittsburgh's rankings - stats and (rank)

Avg pt.s per game - 13.7 (2nd) 18.4 (7th)

Yards avg per game - 266.7 (1st) 291 (8th)

Pass avg per game - 180.6 (8th) 214.4 (16th)

Rush avg per game - 86.1 (3rd) 76.6 (1st)

I'm hearing a lot about the almighty Steelers defense this week. Let's give credit where credit is due. Pittsburgh has a great defense. But Denver beats Pittsburgh in every category but one, where Denver still manages a third best in the League ranking. Another stat to throw in - Denver allows 1/3 of opposing 3rd down conversions (33.3%), while PITT is allowing 43.3%.

In sum, both teams should stop the run this game. That much is clear. But how do the units match against there opposite numbers? What about the systems, the plays, and the head to head match ups?

~~~

Pre-Game Analysis

Strategic

Denver is 6-1. SIX AND ONE! They are at home on a Monday night, and except for one key injury, are all on the field. Pittsburgh is 5-2, including a close loss to CIN (a team Denver beat) and CHI. Both loses were close, so PITT is pretty darned close to being unbeaten themselves. I'll grant that. But 6 and 1 is nothing to sneeze at. Unless you are a sports writer (more on that in a moment). PITT may be missing some players, and others are coming off of injuries. Still, PITT had a bye week to rest and prepare.

I love the media. I really do (not). Some of my favorite things I've read this week include a ridiculous story about how accurate those Vegas guys are, knowing to pick against an undefeated Denver team and to go with Baltimore. Nice. Don't bother mentioning that Denver is 6-1, despite Vegas being wrong in six of those games (Denver was only favored one time). Another article (I won't mention John Clayton by name) buys into the mantra that Orton has a weak arm. Yet another claims that the Ravens and the Steelers have similar defenses. They're both physical, and both play a lot of 3-4, but the Ravens have been playing the 2 gap Fairbanks-Bullough system, while the Steelers have been playing the Lebeau Zone Blitz.

The minute Denver loses "one" game, the doubters came out (as predicted by many at MHR). All of a sudden, we are a team preparing to enter a death spiral. All of a sudden, we're not as good as we thought we were.

As of today, factoring in tie breaks, Denver is the number two team behind unbeaten Indianapolis in the AFC. In the NFL, Denver ranks as the fourth best team (Saints and Vikings are 2nd and 3rd).

Not enough for you? Denver has beaten the 5th, 6th, and 7th best teams in the NFL (CIN, DAL, and NE). One game is not the end of this team. In fact, a loss at this point in the season (while not prefered) gives the team better film to study. There isn't as much to find on film from a win, but a loss provides much room for analysis and growth for a good team. Rather the loss now than in the playoffs.

Let's not sell PITT short. As I mentioned earlier, their only two losses were close ones, and this team has star power.

But certainly don't sell Denver short. Denver has a 6-1 record against teams with an average winning percentage of .510 (opposing teams combined for 26-25 record). That beats PITT's opponents, who have a losing average. Those opponents are at .451 (a combined 23-28). More amazing is to factor in that Denver's opponents have a better record than PITT's, despite the fact that each of Denver's opponents had to play "Denver", who gave 6/7ths of those teams a loss (compared to PITT, who handed out losses to 5/7ths).

In other words, we have two very, very good teams on the field. A lot of folks are nervous because Denver has lost one game. But over the course of this season, Denver has played better ball and has a better record and stats to show for it.

Let's revisit the comparisons between rankings, but look at offensive vs defensive match-ups.

Denver Offense PITT Defense

Avg pt.s per game - 20 (20th) 18.4 (7th)

Yards avg per game - 344.6 (14th) 291 (8th)

Pass avg per game - 221.4 (16th) 214.4 (16th)

Rush avg per game - 123.1 (11th) 76.6 (1st)

On offense, we see that PITT beats us relatively in every category but one (the pass game), where we rank even. Now let's look at how PITT does on offense.

PITT Offense Denver Defense

Avg pt.s per game - 23.9 (14th) 13.7 (2nd)

Yards avg per game - 383 (6th) 266.7 (1st)

Pass avg per game - 276 (5th) 180.6 (8th)

Rush avg per game - 107 (19th) 86.1 (3rd)

Here, we beat PITT in every category but one. Again, it is the pass game that is different. Here PITT beats us. So relative to how each team has played so far (as measured in rankings), DEN wins in 6 stats, PITT wins in 7, and the teams tie in another.

The margin in the difference in rankings over all favor PITT by 29 "ranking points" when we have the ball, and favor Denver by 20 When PITT has the ball. On the other hand, Denver's defense is 32 points better than PITT's defense, while PITT's Offense is only 17 pts better than Denver's.

The key is the actual points on the score board at the end of the game, and this is where efficieny comes in. Remember the stat I mentioned about third down conversions? It comes into play when we look at teams moving the ball down the field. Even though PITT averages about two more minutes in time of possession, Denver runs the ball better, even though both teams are near each other in terms of rushing defense. While PITT is likely to stop Denver on the ground, they'll have a harder time stopping the Denver running game relative to Denver stopping PITT's 19th ranked run game. The pass offenses and defenses are very close for both teams, and is a wash.

Tactical

I see three approaches for the Steelers on offense this week.

No huddle scheme
Run heavy scheme
Passing attack

Those are over-simplifications, but they'll make the points easier to understand.

First, the no huddle looks good on paper. Every one from Clayton to Big Ben are advocating it for this week. I see some problems with this approach. First, this game isn't in Baltimore, it is in the Mile High city. Assuming that Denver is conditioned to the altitude (metabolic levels, etc), does PITT really want to level the playing field between the defense and offense in terms of endurance? The way to beat a defense at altitude is to win time of possession by keeping the defense on the field. You do that with no-huddle, but the higher tempo leads to a change of possesion quicker (whether from a turnover, score, or inability to convert a down). Why not just keep the ball, and move down the field consistently? Besides, Denver has almost certainly devoted a lot of practice hours to adjusting for the no huddle in light of last week's game.

The second approach is to run the ball more. I this approach much more. PITT hasn't been winning games on the ground, they've done it in the air. Folks might argue that the low ranking in average run yards is because of a lack of commitment to the run, and this is true. But against the third best run defense in the League, why not give the ball to your star QB, or at least strike a balance?

The passing attack may be the way to go. The best players on the offense are arguably at QB and WR, and this has been working for PITT. The question is, can the OL protect Ben? Denver has a great sack scheme, and PITT'S OL isn't the best right now. Ben can take hits, and can throw on the run. He's a big, fast player in the mold of an Elway.

For Denver, they need to throw the ball. The run has been under utiized by PITT, but despite Denver's decent individual stats, Denver just isn't tearing teams apart with the run game. Together, the run and the pass have moved the ball down the field for Denver, but not created a lot of points in quick strikes. This will beat most teams, but won't win shoot outs. In fact, if Denver hope to beat INDY in Dec, they had better learn how to put up points on every long drive OR put up points quickly on most drives.

In a surprise twist, I wonder if McDaniels feels that Orton can handle a no huddle or two? This would be the game to bring it out. You can beat a physical defense at altitude with a good no huddle.

Denver needs to keep their TEs in to block this game. PITT's zone blitz is formidable, and two TEs are the standard counter to a 3-4. Graham (TE) in particular will be needed to assist the right side of the line in pass blocking with the Harris missing at RT. I don't expect many passes to TEs in this game. If Orton uses a safety valve, it will likely be a running back.

Expect bump and run from the Steeler CBs, but coverage to be over the top. Expect the safeties of PITT to play the pass more than the run in deep zone. LBs and DLs will take turns in zones and rushing the passer in the typical zone blitz manner. I expect the PITT defense to do a good job shutting down the run.

Expect the Denver defense to play off or on coverage, but not tight. The Denver CBs will play underneath in most match-ups. While one Denver ILB zones the middle, mans the RB, or blitzes, the other ILB will take one of the other two assignments. The OLBs (DEs) will rush or zone.

PITT will vary their offense, presenting 2 TE sets, I forms, and 3 receiver sets. I don't expect Denver to use a FB, so expect 2 TE or 3 WR sets.

Keys to the Game

Denver

Denver lost last week when they let the Ravens get after Orton. Denver's OL must hold.
Denver lost last week when they let the game turn into a shoot out. They probably can't run against the Ravens very well, but too many passes may lead to a shoot out. Denver needs to complete a lot of intermediate and short passes, get into a rhythm, and move the ball consistently and slowly (this will also tire the PITT defense).
Ben is a terrific QB. But he makes mistakes. If the pass rush can reach Ben (and it should against the Steeler's OL), an elite secondary has the chance to make key INTs. Rush Ben, and don't drop those INTs.

PITT

Win time of possesion. If you want to win in the altitude (something PITT hasn't done much of), you need to keep your defense off of the field. Try the no-huddle if you want to, but keep the oxygen handy for your guys on both sides of the ball.
Challenge with the run game. If Mendenhall can match his terrific YPC average, run down the Broncos. At worst, it doesn't work and you still have a great passing game. But try the run out.
Don't kick to Royal. You're better off kicking out of bounds on punts.

This game could go either way. For every stat that favors one team, another stat counters it. PITT is a more physical team, and a more balanced team. Denver has the better defense. Perhaps the Baltimore game has helped to prepare Denver for the Steelers.

This will be a great Monday Night Football encounter. I like Denver at home, with the better record against a tougher schedule in the first 8 weeks (7 games). For that reason, I don't understand PITT getting 3 points in Vegas. Still, PITT is no joke, and I'm not fully confident with picking Denver. The reason? While we have a SB caliber defense, our offense is "just" doing well. It needs to play much better than that if we are going to beat the many types of teams we'll be playing this year. We rank in the bottom half of the League in passing yards per game and points. The points stat really stands out.

Good teams lose ball games, but they lose close (as PITT has). Yes, we had one loss, but it wasn't close. An inability to dominate is the problem. Good teams "find a way to win". That's what we've been doing. Great teams dominate, and we have yet to do that.

This week, I'm confident that the Steelers come in with a good game plan and players ready to execute. I know the Denver players will be fired up (or Dawkins will be kicking butts in the locker room). What I'm looking forward to seeing is how McDaniels adjusts to a loss. I've already bought in to the McDaniels way, and I'm hoping that he's on top of this aspect of coaching too.

Denver wins (fingers crossed and nervous as Hell).

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Steelers Rookies Seeing Significant Playing Time

Blitzburgh — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:00:39 -0000

I just wanted to throw this discussion starter out there to see what some of you guys thought - are the Steelers making more little mistakes early on in the 2009 season because they are working in a high volume of rookies compared to in years past? It's fairly well documented that rookies don't often see the field much during their first season in Pittsburgh. There have been exceptions, for sure, but for the most part, players are forced to learn the ropes for a year or two behind more seasoned, veteran players before getting their first real crack at making an impact for the Black 'n Gold.

Take last season, for example. The 2008 Rookie of the Year for Pittsburgh was reserve linebacker and special teams contributor, Patrick Bailey, an undrafted free agent rookie out of Duke. Donovan Woods (also undrafted) saw the field sparingly; so did Bruce Davis, the team's 3rd round pick. Other than that though, there was very little playing time for any of Pittsburgh's 1st year players last year.

What about in 2005, the other recent year Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl? The Steelers were introduced the services of Heath Miller that year, and he played quite a bit and fairly well. There was also rookie cornerback Bryant McFadden, who was also forced in to action later in the year due to injuries. Outside of those two, the Steelers other crop of rookies didn't play too much. Trai Essex was used sparingly; same with Chris Kemoeatu and Nate Washington. Undrafted free agent Andre Frazier made a few plays on special teams, and rookie long snapper Greg Warren saw playing time. That's about it though.

This year, the Steelers are incorporating quite a few first year players in to the fold. And they're doing so with mixed results I'd say. 1st round pick Ziggy Hood has played very little, but has appeared in all three games. The team's two 3rd round picks - Mike Wallace and Keenan Lewis - have also played early on. Wallace of course has been largely spectacular through three games. He caught 7 passes for 102 yards in Sunday's loss and now has 12 catches on the year, and at least 2 in each of his first three professional games. Despite his outstanding play, he's nevertheless made a few rookie mistakes the past two weeks. The most notable one came last week when he didn't stay in bounds late in the 4th quarter when the Steelers were on the move and trying to set up a potential Jeff Reed game-winning FG. By not staying in bounds, the Steelers left enough time on the clock for Jay Cutler to engineer a game-winning drive of his own following Reed's second costly miss. Wallace looks like he's going to be a player, but he can still help the Steelers chances of winning by eliminating some of the small, mental mistakes that players tend to outgrow as their careers progress.

Then there's Joe Burnett, who muffed his way out of a more prominent role on special teams during the preseason. By doing so, he opened up the door for Stefan Logan to win the return duties. That's all fine and well, and congratulations to Logan for seizing the opportunity and performing fairly well so far, but giving up a roster spot for a return specialist perhaps also has repercussions that aren't necessarily visible or easy to identify just yet.

Then there's Frank Summers, who also was seeing the field frequently before sitting this past Sunday's game out. Summers has shown promise on special teams and he's got every opportunity in the world to learn the nuances of being a professional fullback. But for now, he's missing assignments and not really making his big, bruising frame work for him or the running game.

Again, I'm not really pointing to specific plays or instances where the 2009 Steelers rookie class has cost the team. I'm just making a general point that the team is working in far more young bodies than we are accustomed to. This will pay dividends for the organization down the road, and perhaps even for this team later on in the 2009 season. There will be more growing pains though I'd guess before things really all start to come together for this particular squad. That's part of the process and the reality of life in the National Football League. As fans, we must be both excited about all the fresh talent in the pipeline while also remaining realistic about the growing curve that these young players must face and overcome before consistently contributing to a ballclub with championship aspirations.

Thoughts?

Chat with Behind The Steel Curtain for Redskins/Steelers Game

KevinE — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:00:12 -0000

With all the time and effort it takes to keep up with all the Redskins daily updates, it becomes almost impossible to truly know the ins and outs of every football team, so it works out well that each week leading up to the Redskins game, I will be able to do a Q&A session with the Redskins' opponents SB Nation blog. In this week's case, Behind the Steel Curtain. These Q&A session will give us a nice insight of what to expect and some key players to look for (fantasy?!).

Hogs Haven: The Steelers offensive line seems to be quite shaky. What are you expectations and predictions for how it will hold up this week against the Redskins D-line, which is one of the best in the business. Haynesworth and Orakpo will both be playing Saturday.

Mike Tomlin has said that he expects the Steelers first team to play around a full quarter on Saturday. I would assume the Redskins first team would probably play a similar amount perhaps less, so we should have a full quarter of work for our first team against a top ten defense. If last week against the Cardinals is any indication I expect the offensive line to look improved upon from last year and more confident working together as a cohesive unit. Darnell Stapleton who started for the Steelers last season during their Super Bowl run is injured and former back-up tackle Trai Essex looks to fill his spot, although reports are he was likely to do so anyway. The back-up group looked very impressive against the second and third teams of the Cardinals so fans are very excited to see their progress against a top level defense.

Hogs Haven: On the flip side, the Redskins offensive line is a major concern here in Washington. What can we expect from your d-line in your starting defense and backup defensive players who will see the majority of time?

I think the Steelers defensive line is criminally underrated and frequently forgotten about due to the play of the linebackers and Troy Polamalu who tend to overshadow the group. Casey Hampton, Aaron Smith, and Brett Keisel form probably the best 3-4 defensive line in the NFL and with the addition of first round draft pick Ziggy Hood this season I think this defensive line will help create a lot of chaos for NFL teams including Jason Cambell and company on Saturday.

Hogs Haven: What type of minutes will Big Ben, Charlie Batch, and former Dennis Dixon play? I imagine the former Oregon Duck will see a lot of time. He seemed to impress his first pre-season game.

Mike Tomlin has said the starters will likely play a quarter. I would expect Charlie Batch to lead them into halftime and Dennis Dixon likely getting the majority of the second half. Dixon did look good in the first pre-season game, and it really isn't surprising considering he was a Heisman Trophy candidate before his injury his senior season at Oregon. A lot of media are speculating that Dixon could be a possible "Wildcat" type player but I would be very surprised to see him work out of that type of formation much on Saturday, as he is in the process of proving he can be an NFL drop-back quarterback not a gimmick.

Hogs Haven: Any lesser known players to look out for that you expect to contribute/step-up heavily this year that was not a major contributer on your Super Bowl run last year?

Steelers fans will be looking heavily at undrafted free agent running back Isaac Redman who scored two touchdowns in the Steelers first pre-season game. Redman is the career rushing leader at Division II Bowie St. and has been very impressive at Steelers training camp this season. The Steelers and their Fans are hoping Redman can provide a goal-line spark that has been missing from the team since Jerome Bettis left to be on Football Night in America.

Other players that Steelers fans will want to keep an eye on are Limas Sweed, Shaun McDonald, and Mike Wallace, who are all battling for the third wide-receiver spot. It appears second year man out of Texas, Limas Sweed, has the edge and it is his job to lose; but rookie Mike Wallace's speed has been eye-opening so far which isn't surprising considering he was the second fastest man at the Combine behind Darrius Heyward-Bey. These two players and veteran Shaun McDonald, who led the team in catches and yards during the last preseason game, are all trying to prove they can make an impact on the 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers.

A quick update, Big Ben hurt his foot in practice yesterday and probably will not play Saturday. This is a big shame since I really wanted to see Washington's first defense go against a QB who is so tough to bring down and so great at making the tough plays. A full half of Charlie Batch?? I mean, it will be comical, but I really want to see our guys tested.

via www.post-gazette.com

The Sacred Rules of Jersey Purchase

ncoolong — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:14:18 -0000

I've gotta buy a new Steelers jersey. This has kept me up nights, and any die-hard fan in the same situation should treat this monumentous decision the same way.

See, there's far more that goes into a fan's jersey selection than most think. It's a commentary of that fan's ownership of the team. It's a proud statement that shows the devotion and loyalty to America's greatest team.

Is it your favorite player? Is it a tribute to the olden days of the team? Is it commemorating one of our two recent Super Bowls? These are all factors, but the "coolness" of that player or the uniqueness and rareity of that jersey is also very important. Longevity and likelihood of that player's continued employment by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

One of the big reasons the Steelers achieve success year in and year out is due to their ability to maintain their group of core players. Every successful team in today's NFL focuses on three major tenets of management: Get a franchise quarterback, give long-term extensions to 12 or 13 franchise players and replace outside of those 12 or 13 via the draft or inexpensive free agents.

This plays into jersey selection because the fan is ultimately looking for the highest rate of return possible. That means the selection should be made based on either that player's inclusion in that group of core players, or the likelihood of that player being a core player in the near future.

Here are the main rules behind the purchase of a new jersey.

The Oversaturation Rule (Ben Polamalu Clause): "While allowable, it is discouraged to buy the jersey(s) of the most popular player(s)."

With all due respect to Ben Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu, those two are without question the most popular on the team (add Hines Ward to this as well). While I cannot fault the logic of selecting their jerseys based on the fact both of them are under contract for a long time, and both will continue to provide plenty of value, they represent the Oversaturation Rule. One of of every two jerseys you see are of either Roethlisberger or Polamalu. Try to be a bit more unique.

The Bandwagon Rule (Silverback Clause): "A breakout Steelers player will emerge every year. Be careful not to join the masses in buying his jersey a year too late. Find the breakout player before he breaks out."

An often controversial clause, you'll see exactly what I mean by Week 2. Everyone will be wearing a James Harrison jersey. What's been great about Harrison from a fan's perspective is he's been roughly off the radar since he became a starter. He was only known to die-hard fans before 2007. I called him out in 2004, not long before his body-slamming of that moron Browns fan. At that point, I strongly considered getting a No. 92 Harrison jersey. I've had a Hines Ward jersey since 2001 (right before he broke onto the national scene), and I've vowed to keep it until he reitres.

Just like Ward in 2003, Harrison is about to enter the Oversaturation level. Get the trendy player's jersey before he becomes a trend. Uniqueness and rareity are essential.

The Committment Rule (Dermontti Dawson Clause): "A player has to be assured of being on the team for at least another few years."

If the player has at least three years remaining on his contract, for what we know, that player will be on the team for a long time. Failure to know the remaining legnth of the player's contact is unacceptable. Wearing jerseys of players who are no longer on the team but is still in the leauge (i.e. Alan Faneca) is a sin, and should be punished thusly. I understand it's expensive to change out your jersey each year, but that's exactly why a fan must pay attention to these things. The second he's not on the team, you have to get another one, and retire your old one. That's just the law, I'm sorry.

The Throwback Rule (The Steel Curtain Clause): "A former player reaches Throwback Status when he has been retired from the league for five years, or has been off the team for three years, played somewhere else and has just retired (aka the Rod Woodson Clause)." A colloary to this is Recyclization, which is continuing to wear the jersey of a player before the five-year mark, and claiming it's a Throwback.

Any authentic jersey from the Steel Curtain years is phenominal. It's a great tribute, attention-grabbing and very cool. Keep in mind, though, you are in violation of Recyclization if you are currently wearing a Plaxico Burress, Antwaan Randle-El or, now, Larry Foote. You must upgrade immediately.

The biggest violation of Recyclization is the Bus. Jerome Bettis has not yet achieved this status. All that means is you kept wearing your Bettis jersey and chose not to upgrade to a current player, or a qualifying Throwback.

The Wary Rookie Rule (Troy Edwards Clause): "Caveat Emptor (buyer beware) in purchasing a rookie's jersey - in particular, the first-round choice. While it does fit the Committment Rule, and the Steelers are known for an excellent track record selecting in the first round,it will likely border on Oversaturation. I'm loving what I'm hearing about Ziggy Hood, but it's not quite enough to make the bold statement that he's a core player.

It's named after Troy Edwards, because he's a sad reminder of what can happen when rookies flat-out don't make it. Too many people bought his jersey right away, and there hasn't been a bigger Steelers first-round flop in the last 20 years. Be wary! However, if you've got the guts, get a rookie's jersey from the second round, or even the second day of the draft. That's a sharp way to build street cred, assuming your prediction that player will be huge his rookie year is valid (Mike Wallace is tempting right now).

The Double-Entendre Rule (William Gay Clause): "If the player's last name is awkward, or suggests something else, it's probably better to just leave it alone."

It's named after William Gay. That pretty much explains it. It's unfortunate, because Big Play Willie Gay is going to be an excellent player. But...yeah. Truthfully, though, this used to be called the Miroslav Satan Clause, because I knew people who purposefully bought his jersey so they could wear something with "Satan" on the back (even though it's pronounced sha-TAN). This also includes the purchase of any No. 69 jersey.

Don't be That Guy. You're not wearing a jersey for comedic value. You're showing your membership in Steeler Nation.

The Pirates Rule (Dress the Part Clause): "The cheaper alternative is rarely the better alternative. Buy the real thing."

The Pittsburgh Pirates are mired as also-rans not only in their sport, but in their hometown because they have dedicated their franchise to not spending money. Wearing the knock-off jersey-shirts purchased at your local Giant Eagle makes you look like a bandwagon fan. If you're a die-hard, spend an extra $50 and get a replica. I'm talking about the $80 screen-printed ones, mind you, the rules do not require a hand-stitched, $275 jersey. If that's your thing, then more power to you, just wear the officially licensed apparel.

The Pirates Rule brings me to today.

My wife and I were married this past June, and we've been together since 2006. When my father, perhaps the most generous man alive, felt bad for her showing up at the Steelers bar not wearing a jersey, he decided to buy her one.

He travels internationally, and a trip to Korea brought him to some street vendor. He bought my then-girlfriend a Polamalu jersey, and the only accurate parts of the jersey are the number 43, the spelling of his last name and the fact the Steelers wear black, gold and white. Other than that, it looks as if someone created it despite never having seen a real one before.

My main priority in our first Steelers season post-wedding was to get her a real jersey. I appreciate it, Dad, but she's not wearing that anymore.

Applying the rules to my current situation, who am I getting?

She's only been a fan of the team since 2006, so a throwback is a bit out-of-place. It's definitely not Troy, Silverback, Hines or Ben. I'm not big on the rookie jersey (although getting on the Keenan Lewis, Mike Wallace or Frank The Tank bandwagon is very tempting), and it'll be someone who's going to be on this team for at least the next three years. Someone whom the entire league will be talking about this year, or, someone who Steelers fans are buzzing about, but of whom the rest of the league is more or less unaware. Someone who's proven something in the league, that level varies though.

Just missing the cut: Casey Hampton, Brett Keisel, Ryan Clark (contract status), Willie Parker (oversaturation, contract), Willie Colon (contract, borderline Double Entendre), Limas Sweed and Rashard Mendenhall (both need another year).

The Short List: Heath Miller, James Farrior, Lawrence Timmons, LaMarr Woodley, Ike Taylor and Aaron Smith.

I really want to put Ryan Clark on here, and if he gets an extension tomorrow, I'd likely get his. Without one, though, I can't take the chance. Aaron Smith is referred to as underrated so often, he's borderline Oversaturation. That's his jersey's only flaw, though. I see Heath Miller as 2009's Bandwagon Rule (like Harrison in 2008). My wife can't stand Ike Taylor's "Swaggin'" comment in his game intro, so I have to drop him for that.

It comes down to the two best players the Steelers have drafted since 2004. But considering there is only one player in NFL history to log multiple sacks in four consecutive playoff games, and he was the guy who forced the game-ending fumble in Super Bowl XLIII, my choice...the third-year outside linebacker out of Michigan, 6-foot-2, 265 pounds, number 56, LaMarr Woodley.

The jersey is on the way, ready to be unveiled before the Aug. 14 game against Arizona.

Poll

Which player's jersey would you buy for this year?

Heath Miller

710 votes

James Farrior

237 votes

Ike Taylor

112 votes

Lawrence Timmons

593 votes

LaMarr Woodley

1063 votes

Aaron Smith

181 votes

2896 votes | Poll has closed

Bengals settle lawsuit with fans; Sam Wyche is mulling a seat in Washington D.C.

Kirkendall — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:03:32 -0000

In 2004, several Bengals fans filed a lawsuit against the team "claiming it was forcing them to buy tickets they didn’t want." The Bengals settled last week.

The 129 fans will split $50,700 paid by the Bengals – no one received more than $2,600 and most received just $100 – and the fans’ attorneys were paid $175,000 by the Bengals. Abaray’s firm spent more than 1,000 hours on the suit and could have charged $350,000 but accepted half of that to allow the case to be settled.

James Walker responds to a reader on whether the Bengals would be interested in signing Chris Henry beyond this year. Henry is playing the final year of his two-year contract. And yes, that question is better served being asked in January -- not July.

In his continuing break-down of positions heading into Training Camp, Joe Reedy looks at Special Teams. Five story lines to watch | Practice schedule and tips.

Fox Sports ranks teams offensive line packages -- giving the Bengals a 30th ranking, pointing out that the Bengals have a lot of unknowns.

Running Back Marlon Lucky, who is a long-shot to make the roster, wants to impress the Bengals.

Dexter Jackson is still looking for a team. So is John Thornton, who will be ready when a team comes calling.

Ben Utecht says that his "primary identity is as a Christian, not a football player or musician."

Former Bengals head coach Sam Wyche is mulling a run at the United States House of Representatives with Gresham Barrett leaving his seat to run for Governor of South Carolina.

Deals with several AFC North draft picks are being made. Ravens sign second-round pick Paul Kruger | Steelers signed first-round pick Ziggy Hood | Browns sign first-round pick Alex Mack.

On Saturday, the Reds lost their fifth straight, seventh in eight and ninth of their past 11 games. Since they were a season high six games over .500 on May 27th, the Reds have gone 18-32.

Camps around the NFL beginning to open for the 2009 season

BigBlueShoe — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 07:53:17 -0000

Yesterday, the Buffalo Bills opened their camp. Today, the Eagles, Patriots, Texans, and Chargers open camp. Tomorrow, players for the Broncos, Ravens, and Jets are required to report to their respective camps.

It's starting, folks. Football is finally starting.

As camps begin, we are already getting camp reports from our network bloggers.

We are also getting news regarding rookie holdouts. Currently, very few round picks are signed. This means that, baring some kind of last minute negotiation by many teams, teams like the Eagles and Chargers could start camp without their top rookies. We do know that Ziggy Hood just signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The contract is for five years with 6 million in guaranteed money. This is significant for the Colts because their first round pick, Donald Brown, was drafted two spots higher than Hood.

We also have the good news that Tom Moore and Howard Mudd are returning to their old duties full time. Camp for the Colts opens in 8 days!

Go Colts!

Shallow Thoughts & Nearsighted Observations

Ted Bartlett — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:30:17 -0000

Happy Monday, fellow MHR community members. It's time for another version of ST&NO. We're getting to the part of the offseason where I am really starting to long for the preseason to start. When you get your information from your eyes, your eyes start to miss having anything to look at. Here's hoping the next 8 weeks goes by quickly.

Today, we'll look at the AFC North, since the Broncos will play all 4 teams this season. We'll also talk about some of the few headlines around the league, and maybe talk a little Brandon Marshall. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry (if it is your wont to cry over weird things.) It will be shallow, and narrow. Ready.... BEGIN!!!

1. As previously mentioned, our around-the-league discussion turns to the AFC North this week. As I live in the first suburb west of Cleveland, I get a fair amount of exposure to the division, so, hopefully that helps me with this 8-week road show I am on. See you after the jump.

a. Pittsburgh Steelers (2008 Record 12-4, Won Super Bowl)

Smart Personnel Moves - Kraig Urbik, a 3rd round choice from Wisconsin, has a chance to start at Guard on the Steelers' terrible offensive line. He is a big, physical run-blocker, who fits the personality of the team. I think Ziggy Hood is a good 4-3 DT, but I have my doubts about him as a 5-technique DE in the Steelers' style of 3-4. Giving Kevin Colbert the benefit of the doubt, and assuming Hood's skill set translates well, he'll probably be a rotation contributor as a rookie. Shaun McDonald is an average slot WR, which is better than the Steelers have had in that role lately.

Questionable Personnel Moves - Not that Marvel Smith is a great player, because he isn't, but I don't see how you let him leave when your offensive line is already one of the worst in the NFL. Max Starks sure isn't the answer on a 1-year, $8.5 million deal. I'm also not Bryant McFadden's biggest fan, but he'll also be somewhat challenging to replace. I didn't really care for the rest of Pittsburgh's draft, but they have to hope that either Joe Burnett or Keenan Lewis can contribute at CB as rookies. I am also not sold on the full-time promotion of Lawrence Timmons or the release of Larry Foote. Truth be told, I almost never like Pittsburgh's offseasons, so take it for what it's worth.

ST&NO Outlook - The Steelers will do what they have been doing for 35 years. They'll run the ball, stop the run, and pressure opposing QBs. Their potential for improvement comes from Rashard Mendenhall and Limas Sweed, their top 2 picks in 2008, who gave the team virtually nothing as rookies. Both are talented, and if they develop their skills, could add new dimensions to the Steelers' offense.

This team will have to keep Ben Roethlisberger healthy, which I expect they'll have some trouble doing. Their line (Did you hear? It's awful) really struggles in pass protection, and I don't expect the arrival of Urbik to substantially change that. The defense should again be good in the front 7, but I expect that a team which can pass-protect, like the Broncos, will be able to accomplish some things against their below-average secondary.

The Steelers will again be in the mix to play in another Super Bowl, but I expect them to take a half-step backwards from last season.

b. Baltimore Ravens (2008 Record 11-5, Lost in Divisional Playoffs)

Smart Personnel Moves - I like virtually their entire draft, which is typical for them. Michael Oher is a big-time talent, and I think he will eventually move Jared Gaither to RT, where he really belongs. Paul Kruger is a high-motor pass rusher, and a favorite of mine. I expect him to compete for snaps right away. Jason Phillips was an undervalued ILB from Texas Christian, and represented good value in the 5th round. I expect him to help make up for the loss of Bart Scott. On the free agency front, I liked the low-dollar signings of CB-RS Chris Carr and TE L.J. Smith, and I think both can make the team and contribute. The Ravens had to re-sign Ray Lewis, and did it eventually.

Questionable Personnel Moves - They lost the talent exchange huge in signing C Matt Birk, and letting Jason Brown leave as a UFA. Brown is a mauler, who fit the Ravens' style, and Birk is totally a finesse guy. Domonique Foxworth is a great guy, and an average CB, and there's no way he warranted a 4-year, $28 million contract. He can't replace Chris McAllister, who was cut in a somewhat weird salary dump. I also would take Jim Leonhard over Dawan Landry any day, and I think the Ravens should have tried harder to retain Leonhard.

ST&NO Outlook - I believe that the Ravens overachieved in 2008, and I expect them to take a step backwards to 8-8 or 9-7 this season. I didn't address the loss of Bart Scott in either of the two categories above, but I think it will hurt the interior of the defense. I also think the only above-average player in the secondary now is Ed Reed, and that portends for trouble. I do like the promotion of Greg Mattison to defensive coordinator. He worked as co-Defensive Coordinator at the University of Florida for 3 years, which is how I came to be familiar with him.

On offense, Joe Flacco had a very nice rookie season, and I'll be interested to see what kind of improvement he experiences in his second year. The offense isn't great, and if the defense isn't dominant, it would be hard to imagine them having a lot of comeback ability. That's the scenario which I envision for the Ravens in 2009. They'll be well-coached, but a little short on talent.

c. Cincinnati Bengals (2008 Record 4-11-1, Missed Playoffs)

Smart Personnel Moves - In the draft, I really liked the selection of TE Chase Coffman from Missouri. I think he will grow to become their best pass-catcher at TE since Dan Ross in the 1980s. On talent, you have to like T Andre Smith, ILB Rey Maualuga, and DE Michael Johnson, but all three are considered major threats to underachieve. Since we're in benefit-of-the-doubt mode, we'll just focus on the talent for now. In my opinion, Laveranues Coles is a more threatening player than the departed T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and they got him for less than Who's-your-mama cost Seattle. I liked the trade for RB Brian Leonard, which fell a little under the radar. He has some similarities to Peyton Hillis, that I think Bengals fans will enjoy. They also paid reasonable money (2 years, $7 million) for Cedric Benson, who really played pretty well for them last season.

Questionable Personnel Moves - I would have moved WR Chad Ochocinco out of town, and not thought twice about it. With the signing of Coles, and the high draft picks spent on Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell last season, Ocho isn't worth the headache that you know he is going to be. I think J.T. O'Sullivan is a big downgrade from Ryan Fitzpatrick as a backup QB, which I guess reminds you how little I think of J.T. S Roy Williams is not the answer for the Bengals secondary. He ought to just move to WLB, where he may actually be able to be a good player.

ST&NO Outlook -The Bengals are likely to struggle again in 2008. The main reason they have been so consistently bad is their cheap approach to business. Their coaches are all low-paid relative to their peers, and you don't get quality that way. The team should have fired Marvin Lewis two years ago, but money seems to have prevented that. The Bengals spend by far the least money on scouting, and they rely very heavily on The National service for their evaluations.

Offensively, the key variable is Carson Palmer. I believe that he has never been the same player since that catastrophic knee injury in the 2006 playoff game. Now, he is coming off a serious elbow injury, and he chose not to have Tommy John surgery for it. I am not terribly optimistic for him, or the Bengals' offense.

The defense will be bad against the pass, but could improve against the run, if Keith Rivers returns from injury well, and Rey Maualuga is able to help some against base personnel packages on first and second down. The Bengals need better play out of Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall at CB, as both were first-round picks.

c. Cleveland Browns (2008 Record 4-12, Missed Playoffs)

Smart Personnel Moves - Their best moves were non-moves. It was the right thing to do in holding on to Brady Quinn and Braylon Edwards. People here in Cleveland are down on Edwards, but if he plays better, that will be a distant memory. Fan attitudes in Cleveland change like the weather. I liked the acquisition of DE Kenyon Coleman, S Abram Elam, and QB Brett Ratliff in the trade for the #5 overall pick. Regular readers will note that I don't like top-10 picks, but Coleman and Elam are likely to start, and I think Ratliff will end up backing up Quinn. Brian Robiskie will be a good possession WR, even if the Browns over-drafted him. I really liked the acquisition of Mike Furrey in free agency. He is one of the best slot guys in the NFL when he is used correctly.

Questionable Personnel Moves - I didn't care for the Alex Mack pick on a couple of levels. I like Eric Wood better, but that's a difference of opinion. Really, though, the Browns needed to take Chris Wells or Donald Brown. The Browns' RB situation is abysmal, and it's hard to have an identity as a running team, without the horses to do it. Kevin Shaffer was lousy at RT, but John St. Clair is worse, so I don't see how you let Shaffer go. Sean Jones should have also been re-signed. In the draft, I was not a lover of the Mohammed Massaquoi pick. I have seen him a lot, and he is just a guy.

ST&NO Outlook - I think the Browns are on the right track, generally. If any team needs a coach to ignore the howls of the local radio idiots and their un-knowledgeable callers, it's the Browns. Eric Mangini is the embodiment of the guy who doesn't care what Mike Trivisonno thinks about anything. You hear about stuff like the rookies taking a bus trip, and coaches working until midnight, but I tend to think Mangini's prickliness is OK, because he knows how to build a program. He was on the way in New York, and he got hamstrung by the Favre expectations, and then lost his job when it didn't work out.

I am nearly certain that Brady Quinn will win the starting QB job. He is very technically sound, and he processes the game really quickly and decisively, which is the opposite of Derek Anderson. The left side of the O-Line is very good, although there are odd rumors that Eric Steinbach is out of favor, as noted in this space last week. I think that Jamal Lewis is washed-up, and that rookie James Davis may beat him out for a lot of carries.

The defense is kind of a disaster story. NT Shaun Rogers is outstanding, and I have always liked CB Brandon McDonald (who was the burnee on Eddie Royal's 93-yard TD last season.) Beyond that, I am not too fond of anybody on their defensive unit. Eric Wright has talent, and may improve, and Kamerion Wimbley could be good if he ever learned to do anything more than speed rush.

We'll see the Browns in Week 2, but they are at least one draft away from being very scary. I'd rather be them than the Bengals, though.

2. I think it is absurd that Brandon Marshall may face additional discipline if he is convicted in the Watley case, which has now been postponed until August. It seems to me that the NFL is having it two ways, and that it's unfair. Think about it like this. In the Paul Tagliabue days, the League always waited until after legal matters were resolved to levy punishments. Roger Goodell has asserted his right to rule before legal matters are finalized, and in fact, it seems that that is standard practice.

So, when Marshall was suspended last year, for getting arrested a few times, it seemed that that penalty encompassed this allegation, as well as all of Brandon's past transgressions. That the NFL is saying they can still penalize Brandon for the known allegation would not be fair. Guru said that he speculated the NFL's position to be maintenance of flexibility in the event that new allegations emerge in this trial, which would be slightly more understandable. My position is that the underlying allegation has been penalized, and that the NFL should stop saber-rattling, and do nothing further. I would say that even if we were talking about Philip Rivers.

3. Brett Favre had surgery to fix his shoulder. Good times, huh? It looks like he'll be a Viking this season. It says here that Brett will not deliver a championship for them, and that they'll struggle to even make the playoffs with him in the lineup. He is a chemistry killer at this point in his career.

4. I liked what I heard from Josh McDaniels about how he planned to use Peyton Hillis this season. I think any smart coach would look for ways to use a guy like Peyton, in both the running and passing games.

5. Coming back to Marshall, I don't think that there is very much substance to this business about him holding out for more money. It is just the kind of thing that a Pork Chop or one of his ilk will try to make a big deal about, to fill some space. While I am sure that Marshall would like more money, it's not a big deal until he starts skipping mandatory events.

6. Mike Lombardi had an interesting nugget in his Sunday at the Post column.

Word I hear out of Denver is that the Broncos are very happy with both quarterbacks. However; Kyle Orton should be the starter when the season starts. Chris Simms is getting better with each practice, speeding his game up and making decisions faster. But Orton still has the upper hand.

My goodness, two QBs who can play? Who saw that coming? How could a team be happy about Orton and Simms?

With a slow news week comes a short list. We'll see you next week, for more ST&NO. We'll talk about the AFC East, and anything that may come up this week.

Poll

Who will win the AFC North this season?

Pittsburgh Steelers

439 votes

Baltimore Ravens

100 votes

Cincinnati Bengals

15 votes

Cleveland Browns

14 votes

568 votes | Poll has closed

BTSC Steelers Daily Six Pack- The O.J. Bowl Edition

drinkyourmilkshake — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:56:33 -0000

IX- The Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers may very well be the favorites to win their respective conferences and compete for Super Bowl 2009. The Steelers are of course the defending Super Bowl champions who are returning all but three starters and the Eagles have surrounded Donavan McNabb with his best group of skill position players since the days of Terrell Owens. But this wasn't always the case; back in 1968 the Eagles and the Steelers were both 0-6 and set to meet on October 27^th. Check out this article on "The O.J. Bowl", a game that indirectly led to the Steelers selecting a somewhat unknown player from North Texas State that would anchor the Steelers defense for four Super Bowl Championships.

X- The Steelers' drafted another Defensive end in the first round this year, and are hoping his impact will be similar to "Mean" Joe Greene's. Jim Wexell reports from OTA's on the progress that Ziggy Hood is making, and according to long time NFL executive Charlie Casserly, he looks very impressive so far. Starter Casey Hampton is also impressed with Hood's abilities, especially his ability to use his hands to keep blockers off of him. The most surprising thing in the entire article was Hood's quotes on the much maligned tackle, Willie Colon.

"He was an eye opener for me, something I had to go in the film room and watch. It was rough out there. The first practice was going fine until he came along, and that really opened me up because he came right at me like a raging bull. There was nothing I could do about it."

XIII- A local Pittsburgh employee of NFL films was able to put together the highlight real from this years' 2008-2009 NFL season and it premiered at Heinz Field last Friday. The 23 minute film will also air on the NFL network in the near future. In order to tide you over until then, here is a video that 2005steelers4life posted originally in a fanpost.

XIV- Hines Ward says "We are thin at the wide receiver depth." He mentions that Limas Sweed looks much more confident as we have heard reported multiple times. He also had kind words for Mike Wallace and Shaun McDonald. Hines Ward's physical skills may be slightly on the decline, but his attitude, work-ethic, and skills as a mentor make him one of the more valuable members of the team. It will be a sad day in Pittsburgh when Hines Ward hangs up his cleats.

XL- Time to beat up on the Cleveland Browns one more time. This reason this time is new head coach, Eric Mangini's decision to "ask" his rookie players to ride 20 hours by bus on a weekend to help support his football camp. While Mangini's camp is certainly a good cause, it's not a good sign the rookie players and their agents feel they were forced into going to the "voluntary" camp.

XLIII- MMA is not something I am a regular viewer of, but I can say I will probably watch at least a few episodes of Kimbo Slice on "The Ultimate Fighter 10." Dude is a pure beast and although he has been very unimpressive so far in his previous MMA bouts it should be make for some decent T.V. Who would win in a fight James Harrison or Kimbo Slice?

OVERTIME-In the spirit of wishing the Penguins good luck tonight, I am mentioning that they play game three in Pittsburgh tonight, down 2-0 in the series. I mentioned their games in the previous two series and they pulled those out, so hopefully in the interest of brining another title to Pittsburgh, check out Pensburgh tonight for the live chat.

Steeler Draft Grades and Analysis (Late)

HighSchoolSteeler — Mon, 18 May 2009 02:37:58 -0000

Editor's Note: Many thanks to HSS for his writeup and analysis about the 2009 NFL Draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Well done as usual from the young'n. If there was one player that I would disagree with his assessment about it would be Ra'Shon Harris. The DL out of Oregon most certainly has a steep hill to climb to make it in the National Football League, but I actually view him as a player with tremendous sleeper potential due to being a late bloomer physically. Take a look at photos of him during college and then during mini-camps. He looks much more toned and fit already. Anyway, I don't think it was a bad pick in the 6th Round by the Steelers front office. I also think that the Burnett pick was a fantastic one. Kid can flat out play football - great natural instincts for the game. Definitely the type of player that will find a way to make plays, in whatever capacity possible. Regardless well done and much appreciated. -Blitz-

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Another year come and gone, and another new crop of rookies for us to mold into the stars of tomorrow. Sorry to get a little cheesy there but as most of you know I'm pretty damn passionate when it comes to the draft. Here are my thoughts on the newest Pittsburgh Steelers. I apologize for this being late, but if the NFL can do it, so can I.

Before I do anything else, let me take a moment to pause and grieve for a fine young man, now lost to the bowels of Cleveland; the person I speak of is of course is Alex Mack. I'll always remember what could have been, but at the same time I have to laugh at a moronic pick by Cleveland. Sure, Mack is a great prospect, but the Brownies passed up on many more players who could have filled much bigger needs. Regardless, Alex Mack is a Brown now, and the time for feeling sorry for him will soon come to an end when we face the Browns in the upcoming season.

Anyway onto our picks.

Round 1-Ziggy Hood, DL, Missouri

The Good: Ziggy is an athletic defensive lineman with a great motor and an even better attitude. At, 6'3" 300+ lbs, Hood has top end strength, and is a guy who can definitely push people around, and has the speed and moves to be devastating. He excels at rushing the passer, which, in a 3-4 scheme, will be harder to do for a defensive lineman, but will add hell to our already devastating outside rush. His character itself speaks volumes about him as a person and a player. Hood is the type of competitor who just doesn't quit, and gives his all on every play. At Mizzou, he was looked to as a leader on and off the field, and was a top force for opponents in the Big 12.

The Bad: Ziggy is not accustomed to being 3-4 DE, but instead a 4-3 DT. He played with a much-less complex Mizzou-playbook, in contrast to the highly intricate workings of Dick LeBeau, and the 3-4 scheme. In addition to making the move to end, he'll also have to improve his run defense which has been inconsistent at times. The Steelers themselves, as they do so often, will wait on Ziggy, who will have an immense challenge at adapting to a 5-technique, 3-4 DE.

Bottom Line: What the future holds for Hood is unclear, as it is for any player, but it will ultimately come down to his ability to adapt to the Steelers system. I could see Hood having trouble in succeeding in our defense, but based on his work ethic, character, and overall talent, I could see Hood turning into a tough defensive end, and an important piece in our dominant defense.

Grade: B+

Round 3, Pick A-Kraig Urbik, OL, Wisconsin

The Good: Big, Physical Mauler who will most likely challenge Stapleton for the RG position. Urbik has power, and ideal size for his position-6'6", 320+ lbs. He's also known for a nasty blue-collar attitude that will fit in just right with our organization. In addition to character he's versatile to play tackle or guard on either side.

The Bad: Poor footwork. On a video shown by the NFL after Urbik was drafted, the NFL Network Team explained how he wasn't all that great one on one in space in pass protection. These flaws can lead to multiple holding calls if he's not corrected.

Bottom Line: Again and again it has been said that Urbik may not be a star, but his versatility combined with a good attitude and work ethic could mean a very long career in the NFL. Look for him to possibly press either Stapleton or Willie Colon in training camp and the rest of the preseason.

Grade: B

Round 3, Pick B-Mike Wallace, WR, Ole Miss

The Good: Wallace is blazing fast. Though his combine 40 time and his pro day say 4.33, Mike Mayock said that he clocked him at 4.28. It's a wonder Al Davis didn't get him right? In addition to his pure speed, Wallace has a great vertical as well posting 40" at the combine. This makes his 6' size a lot more dangerous down field. His addition to the team should make up for the loss of Nate Washington and maybe even then some. On top of all that, Wallace is also an accomplished kickreturner, and had 2 return TDs at Ole Miss.

The Bad: Despite his supreme athleticism, Wallace does have some flaws, as with any prospect. Though his hands are reportedly better than average, he'll repeatedly let the ball into his pads resulting in some nasty drops. We'll have to see how frequent this happens and if that is something that he can eliminate with experience. In addition to that, Wallace is hard to place as route runner.For the routes that he's accustomed too he'll be fine, but when asked to do new routes from a new playbook, Wallace may struggle. Although he shows and has stated a willingness to block, his slim frame may hinder him in that aspect of the game.

Came from a rough background in New Orleans where out of his 5 siblings, 1 brother is in jail, another brother was shot and killed several years back, and one of his sisters was recently shot but ended up being alright (don't have an exact link for this, but I've gathered it from several sources including an interview with Wallace I believe). Though it doesn't appear to be an issue, you have to be a little wary of any character problems that may arise, something I'm not too worried about.

Bottom Line: Quite possibly my favorite pick in this draft, Wallace could become a deadly receiver. In addition to adding a much more dynamic threat to the return game from day 1, he will also push Sweed and McDonald for playing time. Though I'll be pulling for Sweed, that's gonna be one hell of a position battle. Ultimately I see Mike Wallace not only replacing Nate Washington, but surpassing him as well.

Grade: A-

Round 3, Pick C-Keenan Lewis, CB, Oregon State

The Good: Lewis has drawn a lot of comparison to current Steeler corner Ike Taylor in his style of play. Considering that Ike has recently been a stud in our pass defense, that is definitely a good thing. Lewis is big for a corner standing at 6'1" 208 lbs and yet can still run in the high 4.4's and low 4.5's. Though he's not a ball hawk, he gets into breaking up passes and does a good job in man coverage and can match up with the big receivers.

The Bad: Despite Lewis' size, he's not a consistent tackler. A lot of members of BTSC pointed this out after he was drafted, and to me this is something that could make or break Lewis. Though our Corners are not called upon to be involved the run support, it is definitely something that will get you noticed on the team. Like Ike, his hands are not the softest as he had only 7 career interceptions at Oregon State.

The Bottom Line: There might not be a better team right now than the Steelers at drafting corners on day 2 and turning them into starters. Just look at our current two. While the jury is still out on William Gay, we know how solid a player Ike Taylor has become after the years of grooming he went under in our depth chart. In many ways, I think Lewis could be the same; rough around the edges, but with some coaching, he could develop into a real solid player. At the very least, he provides much needed depth at corner which is something we lost with the departure of Bryant McFadden.

Grade: B

Round 5, Pick A-Joe Burnett, CB, UCF

The Good: A ballhawk. At UCF, Burnett picked off 16 passes during his career, setting a school record. As a returner he was just as effective returning 2 kicks for TD's and 3 punts (could've been 4). According to DraftguysTV, he's also a willing defender in stopping the run, which is definitley supported by his 221 career tackles.

The Bad: Though he is a great return prospect, Burnett does not have blazing speed. His 40 time sits in the 4.5's, more often than not in the high 4.5's. It has also been stated that Burnett is much better suited for a Tampa 2 scheme, as zone-coverage is his forte. Despite his play-making ability, Burnett is only 5'9", something that may or may not hinderhim against taller receivers.

Bottom Line: I like what Joe Burnett potentially brings to the table. He has a real nice array of skills, backed by great college production. If he makes the team (which he should) he'll contribute immediately to the return game, but probably won't see too much action at corner as he'll most likely be 5th or 6th on the depth chart. That 5th or 6th could change to a much higher level if Burnett can translate to the NFL.

Grade: B-

Round 5, Pick B-Frank "The Tank" Summers RB, UNLV

The Good: Ahhh yes we come to Frank the Tank. What's not to like about this pick; Summers is a classic, bruising, smash-mouth style running back that the Steelers love to have in their backfield, and is something that has been greatly missed since the departure of Jerome Bettis. Summers is a bruiser, and at 5'9", 241 lbs, is as compact as they get.

In addition to great size, Summers can move. At his UNLV Pro-Day, he turned a 4.55, which is average to below-average for most Running Backs, but for a big man like Summers it's a scout's dream come true. Another great thing; in his two years at UNLV, Summers never fumbled the football once (knock on wood) and showed soft hands at his pro day. He can play both Fullback and Running back. As a former linebacker in high school, Summers is more than willing to play special teams coverage as he "loves to hit people." Has Dreads.

The Bad: Though Summers has surprising 40 speed, he does not possess great agility. He will struggle to bounce a run to the outside. Though he's listed as a fullback, he has not shown a great willingness to play fullback and doesn't really have consistent enough blocking skills to do so. Will be 24 at the start of the season.

The Bottom Line: I was being confirmed during the later part of the draft so I had no idea what was going on. What I do remember was saying a little prayer to the big man upstairs that the Steelers draft Frank the Tank. When I got home a couple hours later I eagerly opened my laptop and checked the draft tracker. Steelers draft pick Round 5, Pick 33 (169)-Frank Summers "F Yeah Thank you Lord!" IMO, Summers will have us wondering who Gary Russell was as his first role will be to take the carries on 3rd and 4th and short and goal line situations.

I think he'll definitely line up as a Running Back due to inconsistencies in his blocking skills. In any case, I'm thrilled to see a "Big Back" back in Pittsburgh, and now there's another vehicle in the Steeler backfield.

Grade: A-

Round 6-Ra'shon "Sonny" Harris, DL, Oregon

The Good: Athletic for his size, at 6'4" 298, having decent speed, and good build. Harris gets a good jump off the snap and is good at collapsing the pocket, and can match up well with double teams. Sonny has good versatility and could play either DE or DT in our 3-4 scheme.

The Bad: According to NFL.com, Harris needs to have a better work ethic. He's inconsistent off the snap and doesn't play with good leverage, and can be maintained in blocking, and is not very shifty in changing direction. He only started one year at Oregon.

Bottom Line: I could see Harris as being a Brett Kiesel type of player, being a late draft pick that could fit our 3-4 well, but he will need to be brought up through the practice squad system, and in my mind I'm not really liking his chances. If what is said about his work ethic is true, then I'm not seeing him on the 53 man roster come September, but if he surprises me he could be a good fit in the 3-4 defense and make a solid contribution to the defense.

Grade: C

Round 7, Pick A-A.Q. Shipley, C, Penn State

The Good: A huge steal in the 7th round, many people were shocked to see Shipley fall this far. A character kid who grew up in the Pittsburgh area, Shipley is thrilled to be a part of his favorite team, and looks to model himself after former Steeler and HOF Center, Mike Webster. Both Shipley and Webster are built very similarly and took the same criticisms coming up in the NFL-too short, arms to small, but at 6'1", 304 lbs, Shipley can play some ball. This past season at Penn State, Shipley was team captain, a first team All American, and won the Rimington Trophy, an award given to the best center in college football, something neither Alex Mack or Eric Wood won. As for technique Shipley plays with a real strong base and can handle the pass rush well. He is a physical (33 bench reps at the combine) and intense player that plays through the whistle and is not intimidated by anyone.

The Bad: Again and again it is pointed out how short Shipley's arms are, something that Shipley's idol Webster has proven, doesn't mean everything. However Shipley's lack of height may also pose an issue against bigger defensive tackles, such as the Ravens' Haloti Ngata. As for blocking schemes, some say that Shipley is only a real fit for the zone-blocking scheme.

Bottom Line: I really like this pick. Many people saw Shipley as a third round pick, but instead he fell due to his size. Shipley does not seem phased by this criticism and can use it to his own motivation. Personally I think he may make the team but won't beat out Hartwig this year. I think he'll learn from him though and only get better from the experience. I wouldn't be surprised at all however, if Shipley turned into the tough, blue collar center of our future within a few years.

Grade: B

Round 7, Pick B-David Johnson, TE, Arkansas State

The Good: Better than good blocking skills. Johnson is very good at inline blocking, especially in open space. He can take on those much heavier than him and still succeed as well. Johnson has good hands and can get deep from time to time. He can also play fullback in most formations.

The Bad: Not known for his hands and isn't really a receiving threat. At only 6'2", Johnson can be overwhelmed by the larger defensive players.

Bottom Line: Not really being a big time standout in any aspect of his game, I'd be surprised if Johnson makes the team. Depending on where Sean McHugh lines up-either at TE or Fullback, there really won't be room for Johnson. I can see him as a practice squad kid who can be used as insurance if one of the TE/FB go down.

Grade: C-

Predictions

Number of Rookies Who Make the Team: 7/9

Number of Rookies that Start: 1-Kraig Urbik

Steeler Rookie of the Year: Mike Wallace

Surprise Rookie: Joe Burnett

Final Grade: B

Credits

Ziggy Hood via cache.daylife.com, www.post-gazette.com lp.imageg.net

Kraig Urbik via lp.imageg.net, static.steelers.com

Mike Wallace via static.steelers.com, lp.imageg.net

Keenan Lewis via lp.imageg.net, static.steelers.com

Joe Burnett via lp.imageg.net, static.steelers.com

Frank Summers via lp.imageg.net, static.steelers.com

Rashon Harris via lp.imageg.net, static.steelers.com

AQ Shipley via lp.imageg.net, static.steelers.com

David Johnson via lp.imageg.net, static.steelers.com

Thank you to NFL.com, Youtube, ESPN, for stats, scouting notes, and player info.