SB Nation User Blog: PaulMorel

Timmons Re-Tweaks Ankle

PaulMorel — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:31:15 -0000

Timmons Re-Tweaks Ankle

Sigh. It looks like we may miss Timmons for another game. Sweed also left practice with a minor injury.

Browns' RB Davis injured in one-car accident

PaulMorel — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:53:11 -0000

Browns' RB Davis injured in one-car accident

James Davis injured in a minor car accident that apparently wasn't alcohol or drug related.

Observations After First Preseason Game

PaulMorel — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 04:43:01 -0000

What did we learn from the first preseason game? Decidedly, not very much. Still, some of the personnel battles were highlighted, and some of the fog was removed.

If you missed the game, watch the highlights here: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d811e0ad2/Steelers-20-Cardinals-10

Here's what I saw, but please hit up the comments with your own observations, or to counter mine.

1. WR Battle

The 3rd WR spot is going to be an interesting battle. Sweed definitely showed that he has the stuff, and had a few moments where he looked like Nate Washington, but Shaun McDonald also came to play. The Veteran definitely showed that he has a spot on the team. So, this could be interesting, but I would look for the Steelers to stick with their draft pick, Limas Sweed.

2. Daniel Sepulveda Can Kick

Do I need to go on? Sepulveda will consistently give us shorter fields. In my opinion, he is our biggest upgrade this season ... and after watching Mitch Berger punt last season, he seems like a god. Oh, his AVERAGE punt distance was 49.5 yeards ... without my glasses on, I can't even see that far.

3. The Rebirth of the O-Line Has Been Grossly Exaggerated

For the past few weeks, there has been a lot of talk about how the O-Line is going to be better because this is their second year together. Okay, we didn't really get to see the supposed week 1 starters, but the group that was out there looked about as abominable as ever. While the first team was on, there were few holes for running, and Ben seemed to get the same hit-or-miss protection that he got last year.

4. Rookies Looked Capable

I'm not going to start gushing about the rookie class after one game; on this team, it's unlikely that any will be starters at any point this year (barring injuries)... However, the rookies certainly looked competent. Ziggy Hood had a sack. Joe Burnett had an INT. And Mike Wallace had a few nice catches. I didn't notice Shipley or Urbik too often, and that is probably a good thing.

5. What Distraction?

I knew that Ben wouldn't be distracted. Okay, this wasn't a regular season game, but still. Good stats from the two-time champ: 4/6 - 33yds - 80.6 rating

6. QB Depth

Both Dixon and Batch looked surprisingly good to me. I was expecting a rusty Batch to throw a few picks, but I was pleasantly surprised. And Dixon didn't look like a rookie (as he did last year). QB depth might not be as bad as I, personally, thought it would be.

7. RB Depth

Anyone see some trades developing with one or two of our RBs? Parker, Moore and Mendenhall each could fight for a starting spot on a number of teams, and Mendenhall is the only one of the three to whom the Steelers seem to be committed. With how competent Ike Redman looked as a depth RB, I wouldn't be surprised to see Parker or Moore hit the trade market.

8. Miscellanea

-Big Play Willie Gay looked great - he had a great pass defensed against Boldin

-I know that we had a muffed punt, but I was out of the room. Who muffed it? I would like to see more of Joe Burnett in the return game, assuming that it wasn't him.

What did I miss?

Update:

-Many commenters are saying that Frank Summers blocked well, and played well on special teams. Apparently, he was blocking on the two TDs.

Hampton and Sweed Leave Practice with Injuries

PaulMorel — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:14:25 -0000

Hampton and Sweed Leave Practice with Injuries

Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton left practice Sunday with a knee injury, although coach Mike Tomlin said the four-time Pro Bowl player is expected to be fine. Second-year wide receiver Limas Sweed (hamstring) also didn't finish practice.

Another Look at the Schedule

PaulMorel — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:35:02 -0000

I was looking at this year's schedule, and a few things occurred to me. First, the schedule is front-loaded; we will make or miss the playoffs in the first 8 weeks. Secondly, there is one distinct trap game on our schedule.

After the jump, take a look at the schedule, and tell me what you see.

Here's the 2009-2010 schedule:

1	Thu, Sep 10	Tennessee	8:30 pm		NBC
2	Sun, Sep 20	at Chicago	4:15 pm		CBS
3	Sun, Sep 27	at Cincinnati	4:15 pm		CBS
4	Sun, Oct 4	San Diego	8:20 pm		NBC
5	Sun, Oct 11	at Detroit	1:00 pm		CBS
6	Sun, Oct 18	Cleveland	1:00 pm		CBS
7	Sun, Oct 25	Minnesota	1:00 pm		FOX
8	--	bye	--	--	--
9	Mon, Nov 9	at Denver	8:30 pm		ESPN
10	Sun, Nov 15	Cincinnati	1:00 pm		CBS
11	Sun, Nov 22	at Kansas City	1:00 pm		CBS
12	Sun, Nov 29	at Baltimore	8:20 pm		NBC
13	Sun, Dec 6	Oakland	1:00 pm		CBS
14	Thu, Dec 10	at Cleveland	8:20 pm		NFL
15	Sun, Dec 20	Green Bay	1:00 pm		FOX
16	Sun, Dec 27	Baltimore	1:00 pm		CBS
17	Sun, Jan 3	at Miami

We've got 5 scary teams on the scedule: Tennessee, Chicago, San Diego, Minnesota and Baltimore. Of those 5, only the Baltimore games come in the second half of the season. In other words, our season will be determined by the first 8 weeks. If we start fast, and go at least 2-2 against Tennessee, Chicago, San Diego and Minnesota, then our chances to make the playoffs look good. Conversely, if we start slow, and drop a game that we should win, against Cleveland or Denver for instance, then making the playoffs could be tough.

Why?

Because we play Baltimore twice in the second half of the season. They're the only really threatening opponent in the second half, and although some have argued that they will struggle this year, they always play hard against the Steelers. In other words, if we lose 3 or 4 games in the first 9 weeks, then the Ravens will have the opportunity to keep us out of the playoffs, and you can bet that will be a motivator.

What else does the schedule show us?

Trap game December 10th at Cleveland. Short week against an underrated divisional opponent. You can bet that I have that game circled in red ink.

There are also a few opponents who could surprise us. In this category, I see Miami, Green Bay and Kansas City.

Anyway, if I had to guess at our losses, I'd take Tennessee, Cleveland, Baltimore and Oakland (upset, like last time).

What do you think about our schedule, and who do you see us losing to? Do you think that any of our divisional opponents will be significantly different from last year?

Poll

What will be the biggest UPSET loss for the Steelers?

Cinncinati Bengals

17 votes

Cleveland Browns

4 votes

Detroit Lions

7 votes

Kansas City Chiefs

8 votes

Oakland Raiders

2 votes

Denver Broncos

6 votes

No real upsets. The Steelers will only lose close games against contenders.

59 votes

103 votes | Poll has closed

Achilles ends Kemoeatu's season

PaulMorel — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:05:18 -0000

Achilles ends Kemoeatu's season

Did you have a little heart attack when you read the headline? That's what happened when I saw that link on SI.com ... If only SI were aware that there are two Kemoeatus in the NFL...

James Harrison on SNL

PaulMorel — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 05:43:49 -0000

James Harrison on SNL

Super Bowl DVD

PaulMorel — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:32:53 -0000

This is just a little poll, to satisfy my own curiosity. I am addicted to the Steelers Super Bowl DVD. I probably will remain that way until the start of the season (although the NHL playoffs help ... marginally).

After the draft, it will be a long road to the regular season... but I am psyched to finally see who the Steelers will pick. Anyway, now I am just filling space for the word limit. Vote in the poll.

Poll

How often do you watch your Super Bowl 43 DVD? (even just a little bit)

every day

1 votes

a few times per week

4 votes

a few times per month

12 votes

I've only watched it once or twice

15 votes

It's still shrink-wrapped (or waiting on Amazon.com)

5 votes

37 votes | Poll has closed

James Harrison on SNL

PaulMorel — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:35:38 -0000

James Harrison on SNL

Our Projected Pick, from Every Mock Draft

PaulMorel — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:28:43 -0000

Before I run down this list, I should note that the Steelers have one or two valuable free agents, so there is a not-insignificant chance that the Steelers will trade up (as pointed out by betelgeuse in this comment).

With that in mind, here is my collected run down of our projected 1st round pick, from all of the supposed draft-masters on the internet (that don't charge money to see their picks).

The Big Sites

Yahoo Sports - William Beatty, OT, Connecticut

Sporting News - Duke Robinson (G)

Sports Illustrated - Duke Robinson (G)

ESPN's Todd McShay - Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

Fox Sports - Max Unger, C/OT, Oregon

NBC Sports - DT Peria Jerry, Mississippi

MockingTheDraft - Eben Britton, OT, Arizona

Random Sites Found Via Google

Scout.com - Duke Robinson, OG Oklahoma

draftcountdown.com - MAX UNGER, C, OREGON

newnfldraft.com - Alex Mack, C, Cal

walterfootball.com - Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU

draftking.com - Duke Robinson, OG, Oklahoma

nfldraftdog.com - OT, Eben Britton, Arizona (JR)

thefootballexpert.com - Alex Mack, C, California

A lot of people on this list like Duke Robinson, Tyson Jackson or Max Unger.

It's interesting that everyone on this list has us taking a position on the offensive line, or else Tyson Jackson at DE. That's interesting because Colbert almost NEVER reaches for players in the draft. He is more apt to take the best player available, then to reach for a lower ranked player in a spot we need to fill.

Obviously we need players for the offensive line. The question is this: is the situation dire enough that Colbert will break tradition and reach for an offensive lineman? Or will he just take the best player available?

I'm not a draft analyst, so I have no idea.

In the comments, link me to the drafts that I missed so that I can add them to this list.