Pittsburgh Steelers
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NFL Team Column Column Open 2009 Draft Review 2010 Draft Review |
Pittsburgh enters the bye week tied for first place in the division
If you would have said before the season that the Steelers would be 3-1 sharing first place in the division with the Baltimore Ravens, you would have made many Steeler fans happy. With their star quarterback suspended for the first four games, the first quarter of the season should be considered a success for Pittsburgh. The Steelers have the week off and will welcome back their star QB Ben Roethlisberger for practice this week. Don’t believe for a second that the team didn’t miss their star quarterback. "Every single one of the guys I've seen gave me a big hug. I was just so happy to see that, and they were so happy to see me as well." –QB Ben Roethlisberger at a news conference Monday morning.
Game Summary | Ravens 17 Steelers 14
Sunday’s game was a true heavyweight fight with Baltimore throwing the final blow. Baltimore QB Joe Flacco threw the game-winning touchdown pass to WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh with 32 seconds remaining. This was the fifth consecutive regular-season game that was decided by four points or fewer. The Steelers had their chance to put the game away in the fourth quarter but could not get anything going on offense. Two false start penalties killed their drive and they were forced to punt. On the punt there was a holding penalty on Pittsburgh which gave the Ravens a big advantage with 1:08 remaining on the clock. Games in the NFL are usually decided by the quarterback’s play and this one was no different. QB Joe Flacco threw an absolute beautiful pass to win the football game and what they say is true, there is no defense for a perfect pass.
Pittsburgh will come out of their bye week I believe a rejuvenated team. The timing of their bye week couldn’t be any better either, due to the fact it will give Big Ben an extra week of preparation. They will gear up to play their hated rival, the Cleveland Browns at home followed by an away game in Miami. QB Ben Roethlisberger is a top five player at his respective position. If you pair Roethlisberger’s return with the NFL’s second leading rusher RB Rashard Mendenhall, you have a recipe for success. Pittsburgh’s defense is giving up a NFL best 12.5 points per game so far this season as well. Linebacker Lawrence Timmons is leading the NFL in tackles with 48. This team is in great shape so far in the 2010 NFL season and circle this date on your calendars – December 5th, Sunday night The Pittsburgh Steelers will head into Baltimore for the much anticipated rematch.
The Steelers are a force to be reckoned with in 2010
A lot of sportswriters, analysts, and so-called "experts" thought that Pittsburgh would have a difficult time getting off to a fast start with the absence of their two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. With 'Big Ben' being out for the first four games due to a suspension for off the field incidents, it was widely speculated that the Steelers would be 2-2 at best before the return of Roethlisberger in week six against Cleveland, after the team's bye week in week five.
You can go ahead and throw that thinking out the window, Pittsburgh is 3-0 and firing on all cylinders. Through the first three games the defense has allowed two touchdowns and has forced ten turnovers. The defense has been playing like its usual self after several key injuries hurt the unit in 2009 (which the defense still finished 5th overall). S Troy Polomalu is back with a vengeance and has proven his worth time and time again as the heart and soul of the defense. His presence alone makes offensive coordinators cringe and hinders what teams can do against Pittsburgh's defense. A key cog that also has returned is DE Aaron Smith who Peter King from Sports Illustrated selected to his all-decade team for the 2000's. Smith is a guy often overlooked due to his position as defensive end in the 3-4 defensive scheme. The defensive lineman in this scheme rarely gets any recognition in most media outlets even though they are every bit as important as the linebackers and secondary.
Aside from these two returning stars, Pittsburgh's defense is full of playmakers. All four starting linebackers could easily start for almost any team in the NFL. Lead by former AP Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 LB James Harrison, who already this season has twenty three tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles; this core of linebackers is second to none. Former All-Pro James Farrior continues to be stout in the middle along with the up and coming former Florida State Seminole Lawrence Timmons, who has Steelers fans extremely excited with his explosiveness and athleticism. Timmons is currently second in the NFL in combined tackles with 33. The last piece of this line backing core could have been mentioned first, LB LaMar Woodley, who has been nothing short of consistent since coming out of the University of Michigan in 2007 and joining the long legion of great Steeler linebackers. Woodley has had 13.5 and 11.5 sacks the last two seasons and looks well on his way to another pro bowl caliber year, he has two sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble through three games.
On the offensive side of the ball players have stepped up in a big way so far this season. WR Mike Wallace in just his second year has looked to have improved his route running to become one of the most dangerous deep threats in the NFL. He is making fans forget about WR Limas Sweed has been a bust as well as WR Santonio Holmes who the team traded due to off the field issues. Along with Wallace, RB Rashard Mendenhall has replaced the departed RB Willie Parker. The keys to the team's running game have been handed to the Illinois product and so far this year he has Pittsburgh third overall in rushing offense. With the offense back to the ground and pound style we are accustomed to from Steelers teams all the quarterbacks have had to do is not make mistakes. With QB Dennis Dixon going down last week, journeyman QB Charlie Batch started against Tampa Bay and went 12 of 17 for 186 yards 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. If Pittsburgh can continue to operate on all cylinders this week, when QB Ben Roethlisberger returns after the team’s bye week there are only two words left to say for the remaining teams on their schedule, watch out.
This week the team faces off against their nemesis the Baltimore Ravens, who this season look as powerful as ever before on both sides of the ball. Heading into the week 4 showdown, starting RB Ray Rice for Baltimore has a "serious" knee contusion and his status for the game is up in the air at this point. Although Baltimore has adequate replacements in RB Willis Mcgahee and RB Le'Ron McClain, neither offers the versatility of Rice. His possible absence will make life extremely difficult for Baltimore's running game. Baltimore last week gave up 144 yards rushing to RB Peyton Hillis of the Browns, so RB Rashard Mendenhall will be counted on to get the run game off and running this week in a big way. Don't expect much offense from either team though, these two defenses are two of the very best and the Ravens gave up the first offensive touchdown of the year last week.
Key Matchups
*RB's Willis Mcgahee & La'Ron McClain vs. Pittsburgh's run defense. As mentioned before, these two guys are going to have to come this week ready to play the game of their life for the Ravens to have a chance at winning.
*QB Joe Flacco vs. Pittsburgh's defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. Flacco looked great last week against Cleveland, but the week before against a formidable defense in Cincinnati, Flacco threw four interceptions. LeBeau is a hall of fame player and coach who has been doing this for a long time, look for him to disguise blitzes and come at Flacco from every possible angle.
*RB Rashard Mendenhall vs. LB Ray Lewis and Baltimore's run defense. You may remember two years ago LB Ray Lewis welcoming Mendenhall to the NFL with a fractured shoulder on a huge hit. Rashard has to come ready to play in a big way to take pressure off of QB Charlie Batch.
Prediction
Pittsburgh 20 Baltimore 19
Steelers Grab a Center In the 2010 NFL Draft
PITTSBURGH - You gotta love the Steelers. First, Instead of taking a glory pick, or letting the Ben Roethlisberger situation affect they way they think, they go with with their blue collar roots and draft a lineman.
With the 18th pick of the 2010 draft, the Steelers selected Center/Guard Maurkice Pouncey of Florida.
"I don’t think there was any big secret or surprise, because I think that every mock draft that I saw had us picking Maurkice Pouncey,” said director of football operations Kevin Colbert. “We’re extremely excited that he was available for the 18th pick.”
At 6-foot-4, 304 pounds he has NFL size. He started as a true freshman, and last year was dominate. It was a reason originally many draft boards had him as a late firrst to early second rounder, but his stock soared as the draft neared.
"I'm so happy to be a Pittsburgh Steeler," Pouncey said,I'm so happy they picked me. I just like the Steelers that much."
His list of postseason honors includes the Remington Trophy, given to college football best center, and making several All American teams such as the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and The Sporting News.
Pouncey also has a mean streak and one thing about him is most of his starts came against high caliber teams. Pouncey also understands angles and puts himself in a good position to finish off opposing players. He also is strong and aggressive.
The Steelers were looking to draft a center last year, but the two they had their eyes on all went before they picked, meaning Pouncey, who can also play multiple positions was a very viable option in the 2010 draft. Although Justin Hartwig is the incumbent, Pouncey, who is just 20, is he heir to a position that has seen greatness for the black and gold since the 1970's. He is expected to begin play at guard for the team.
According to Wes Bunting of the National Football Post
"Pouncey is a massive 6-5, 318-pound interior lineman who displays the flexibility and power to consistently overwhelm defenders in the run game, as well as the fluidity and athleticism to slide his feet and mirror in pass protection. Pouncey not only looks like the nation’s top center prospect, he grades out as one of the draft’s top overall talents in my opinion. He has the makings of someone capable of winning a starting job in training camp and eventually developing into one of the league’s top centers."
Here is Maurkice Pouncey's complete Scouting Report.
Steelers Dive into Free Agency
PITTSBURGH - Fresh off their retreat to the mountains, Mike Tomlin and his coaching staff wasted no time diving into the free-agency market, as the team signed four players including a familiar face in one of the most active days in team history.
In somewhat of a surprise, because he said he had planned on staying in South Beach instead of returning to the South Side, the team also re-signed veteran Ryan Clark. The deal to be a 4 year deal in the neighborhood of $17 million with at least $5 million of the contract to be paid during the first year.
"It's a four-year deal. My agent should be on the phone with them right now," Clark told Josina Anderson of Denver's Fox 31 news."But I think in the end, both sides got what they wanted."My plan was to retire a Steeler. It took a little longer than I wanted it to to get this deal done."
The Steelers are also bringing back a key component of the Super Bowl XL winning team, Antwan Randel El. He has signed a three year contract with terms unknown.
Also signed were veterans Will Allen and also as speculated by numerous sources wideout Arnaz Battle.
Both are special teams aces, both are familiar with members of the coaching staff, and both should see playing time, with Allen filling Tyrone Carter's role of backup safety. Allen's contract is believed to be a three-year, $4.4 million contract that included a $975,000 signing bonus, while Battle's is a three year deal worth $3.9 million.
In addition, former Bills lineman Jonathan Scott, who is 6-foot-6, 318 pounds and started eight games for offensive line coach's Sean Kuglar's old team last season, was also signed. Scott was a former fifth round pick of the Lions.
Another former Steeler could be making a homecoming too, as two sources have told the Pittsburgh Sports Examiner that Larry Foote could be coming back to town. Foote is expected to meet with both the Cardinals and Redskins this week.
BIOS ON THE NEW GUYS:
Battle (6-1, 208) was originally drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame. He spent seven seasons with the 49ers and played in 88 career games as a wide receiver, kick returner and punt returner. For his career, Battle has 178 receptions for 2,150 yards and 11 touchdowns as a receiver. In 2009, he was the 49ers primary punt returner with 21 returns for 61 yards and added three kickoff returns for 68 yards.
Allen (6-1, 200) has played all six NFL seasons with Tampa Bay after being drafted by the Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. Allen made two starts in 2009 before being placed on the team’s Reserve/Injured List following Week 9. In his six seasons with the Buccaneers, Allen had 63 special teams tackles and was named the team’s special teams captain in 2008. He started 26 games in six years and had 174 career tackles and four interceptions
2009 NFL Draft Analysis
1st Round – Pick 32 = DT/DE Evander “Ziggy” Hood ~ 6’3” 300
College - Missouri
Ziggy Hood was one of my favorite players from the 2009 Senior Bowl and I have felt that he would fit as a 3-4 defensive end better than any other position. He is stout against the run and has good pass rush moves and is more athletic than given credit for. I addressed the Steelers defensive line as a need that had to be addressed due to the age of the group. Every starter is over 30, so Hood will have his chance to start in a year. He may even take snaps away from RE Brett Kiesel this season.
3rd Round – Pick 79 (from Denver) = OG Kraig Urbik ~ 6’5” 328
College - Wisconsin
Urbik was another guy I loved during the Senior Bowl week. Urbik is a very big, very strong guard who played tackle in college. He lacks great lateral quickness but makes up for it with his excellent technique. He is a smash you in the mouth, blue collar blocker who will fit very nicely in black and gold. This pick also addresses the team’s biggest need which was their offensive line. Expect Urbik to compete for a starting spot and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he was the team’s starting right guard come week one.
3rd Round – Pick 84 (from Denver through Chicago) = WR Mike Wallace ~ 6’0” 199
College - Ole Miss
Once again here is another guy I was lucky to watch all week long at the Senior Bowl. Wallace will come in to replace WR Nate Washington who departed for Tennessee. Wallace is a legit deep threat with outstanding speed & jumping ability (4.33 in the 40 & a 40 inch vertical). He will battle with WR Limas Sweed for playing time as the #3 receiver.
3rd Round – Pick 96 = CB Keenan Lewis ~ 6’0” 208
College - Oregon State
Lewis made 48 starts in his college career and is known for his press man coverage. He has elite size and could fit in very nicely with Pittsburgh’s zone scheme. Lewis is another guy who was at the Senior Bowl. Cornerback was another need for the Steelers who lost starting CB Bryant McFadden to the Arizona Cardinals. Lewis will come in and battle CB’s Deshea Townsend and CB William Gay for the #2 spot.
5th Round – Pick 168 = CB Joe Burnett ~ 5’9” 192
College – Central Florida
Burnett was a great pick by Pittsburgh because of how well he fits into their scheme. He is at his best in a zone scheme because of his lack of top end speed (4.57 in the 40). What he lacks in straight line speed, he more than makes up for with his vision, instincts, strength, and hands. He is a very good kick returner because of these attributes, and can also go up and get the ball at its high point (35.5 inch vertical). He is in the mold of current CB Deshea Townsend and could eventually take his place on the roster.
5th Round – Pick 169 = RB/FB Frank Summers ~ 5’9” 241
College - UNLV
Summers is a guy Pittsburgh drafted to be a short yardage player who will get the tough yards, especially in the red zone. He has the reputation of being very hard to tackle, and also displayed very good hands in private workouts. He was used as a fullback part time in college but prefers to play tailback. Pittsburgh I’m sure will try and convert him to more of a full-time fullback role, but if not, just give him the ball in short yardage situations.
6th Round – Pick 205 = DT Ra’Shon Harris ~ 6’4” 298
College - Oregon
Once again the Steelers go for depth along their defensive line. Talk about the rich getting richer. Harris only started one year in college which could be cause for concern. What he brings to the team is the ability to take on the double team which is what he was known for in college. Playing in the 3-4, this is one of the most important factors in being a successful defensive lineman so the pick makes a lot of sense.
7th Round – Pick 226 (from Bucs) = C A.Q. Shipley ~ 6’1” 304
College – Penn State
Shipley lacks ideal size for the position but had a stellar career at Penn State. As a senior he received the Rimington Trophy which is given to the nation’s top center. Shipley also was a first-team All-American. Shipley is a fierce competitor who plays the game the right way. He was durable during his career and a leader. He also is very strong (33 reps of 225). He has the benefit of not having to start right away, so a few years down the line the Steelers could have a new starter at center.
7th Round – Pick 241 = TE David Johnson ~ 6’2” 260
College – Arkansas State
The Steelers will most likely try Johnson out at fullback because of his very good blocking skills. Johnson could be an H-back for the Steelers and even play a little tight end as well. He has soft hands and could backup multiple positions. This is a very solid pick for the 7th round, especially considering Johnson’s versatility.
Overall Grade - B+
