2011 NFL Season Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers

Front Office:

Owner: Rooney Family

GM: Kevin Colbert

A: Best in the NFL. They have been contenders almost every year since the 70’s. When Colbert took over he has only improved and raised expectations of this team. The Steelers will always be a hated/envied team that will be in Super Bowl talks every year.

Coaching Staff

HC: Mike Tomlin

OC: Bruce Arians

DC: Dick LeBeau

A+: Mike Tomlin has kept this ship from going through any kind of interference. Ben Roethlisberger tries to sink the ship but Tomlin just patches up the damage. Arians has done a good job bringing the Steelers offense into today’s football world. Dick LeBeau is like Journey. He is good in any era.

QB: B+

Ben Roethlisberger is clutch. He performs when his team needs him. Now if he could simply stop being a scum bag than I would give this unit a higher grade. On any other team but the Patriots his antics would have stalled a few seasons. His team only needs him to perform and not be a leader which is key for Roethlisberger. Backup Dennis Dixon showed he can be a solid backup when needed last season.

RB: B

Rashard Mendenhall is beast who consistently beats up other teams. Like Ben, he is an idiot who needs to just play football and stay out of the media. Steelers lack depth in this position and for the time being Isaac Redman and the continue development of Jonathan Dwyer will have to do.

WR/TE B

Hines Ward and Heath Miller are on their last legs. Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders, and Antonio Brown are about to start their run. Wallace and Brown are big plays waiting to happen. Difference is,Mike Wallace is a great route runner with good hands. Brown showed he is capable but needs work. Sanders is a big body WR who has the ability to become a clutch WR. TE depth and youth are needed badly on this team.

OL: C

Injuries depleted this unit last season. The Steelers were able to salvage an okay OL but should be way better this season. First order of business was to resign Willie Colon. He is a rock at RT. Max Starks was released for his inability to put down the fork. Steelers also released Flozell Adams because he would not take a pay cut. Now the Steelers are preparing to start at LT newly drafted Marcus Gilbert. Ramon Foster is just a guy at RG. Chris Kemoeatu is a mauler at LG. Center Maurkice Pouncey might be the best center in the league and one of a long line of Great Steelers Centers.

DL: B+

This is soon to be a transitioning unit. Aaron Smith, Brett Keisel, and Casey Hampton were great for a long time but their time is at an end. Ziggy Hood seems ready to replace one of the DL and Cameron Heyward is going to be relied on to replace the other. Next offseason the search for the next NT will be on.

LB: A

James Harrison is both a great talent and a great distraction. Steelers have used the last two drafts acquiring his possible replacement in Jason Worilds and Chris Carter. On the other side LaMarr Woodley is a great talent who the Steelers who just signed a long term deal. Inside Lawrence Timmons has become one of the best ILB in the league. James Farrior and Larry Foote are both productive veteran ILB who will soon need to be replaced.

DB: C+

Ike Taylor is a FA who the Steelers were wise enough to resign. Troy Polamalu is perhaps the best safety in the NFL. Besides these two there is nothing special on this unit. FS Ryan Clark is okay and does not allow big plays or make them. Steelers hope they received a steal in round 3 with Curtis Brown. He fits this team well and reminds many of a young Ike Taylor.

2011 NFL Draft:

While I was not a big fan of Cameron Heyward I will admit he is a good fit on this team. He will be a steady LDE who does not make too many big plays. In rounds 2 and 3 the Steelers got future starters in Marcus Gilbert at OT and Curtis Brown at CB. Chris Carter was a steal in round 5 at OLB. He can be a huge pass rushing threat for this team. Round 4 was spent on CB Cortez Allen. I do not think he will be more than ST help and CB depth.

Offensive/ Defensive Sleepers

Antonio Brown last season showed glimpses of what he could be if he becomes more consistent. I think his action on offense will be limited this season but should become one of the league’s best Return Men. I can see him near the leader board on returns. As a WR I can see 30 receptions for around 450 yards and 2-3 TD’s.

Jason Worilds was a dominate ST player in his rookie season. He also showed ability in his limited snaps at OLB. I imagine his 2-3 year internship will end with him replacing James Harrison. For this season I can see 4-5 sacks in relief being a possibility.

2012 Season Prediction: 12-4

With the coaching staff the Steelers have, Ben Roethlisberger at QB, a healthy OL, and Dick LeBeau running the defense I can see another Super Bowl run for this team. I see them winning the division and obtaining a first round bye. However, I think they will stumble in the post season to the Colts or Patriots who will watch what the Packers did to them in the spread. Steelers are lockout proof.

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