Beer We Go Steelers

We were remiss in talking about the Bus’s induction in the Hall of Fame. There has been so many great articles about it and I wanted to write something worthy of my thoughts on him. Let me just say, the Bus is one of my favorite players in Steelers history. The Steelers traded a 2nd round pick in 96 and their 4th in 97 to the Rams for Bettis. The Rams picked Lawrence “Lady Killer” Phillips as their starter, the Steelers went with Bettis. Bettis is now in Canton, Phillips is now in a California State Prison. Guess the Steelers chose wisely!

People always forget that on the depth chart the Steelers had RB Erric “PeeWee” Pegram ahead of him, I remember wanting to see Bettis in action. It didn’t last long and while Pegram played well “the Bus” was born. Bettis put together a monster year. He rang up 14oo yards and 11 Td’s. It would be a string of SIX straight 1000+ yard seasons for the Bus as he was the lynchpin of the Steelers offense.

The Steelers experimented with other backs, but Bettis always held off all challengers. In 2004 after a few slower seasons, the Steelers brought in Deuce Staley. Staley started out great and they were a great tandem together. Unfortunately Staley was injured after he rushed for 125 yards against the Patriots and “The Bus” was called upon again.

I was at the game and got to meet Bettis in the Hotel Lobby. When I saw him, I knew it was going to be a special day. We watched as Bettis destroyed the Philadelphia Eagles rushing 33 times for 149 yards! The Steelers won out the rest of the season and Bettis had five more 100 yard games. Including a 140Yard Performance against the Giants. (Which I was at.) The Steelers sat him out the last game of the season, opting to let their backup’s backups beat the Bills, and Bettis was denied another 1000 yard season. He finished the year with 941 yards! It was a magical season with a bitter end as the Steelers lost to the Patriots. (Who everyone knows cheated.)

Of course we know how the story ended. He came back for one more year, while he only had 110 touches he had a whopping NINE Td’s and finished as a Super Bowl Champion in his home town!

We are proud to dedicate this year’s shirt to “The Bus” Jerome Bettis!

Some cool links!

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BettJe00.htm

Steelers square off this week with Jacksonville. I will try and cobble a game report together depending if I can see the game in the NY market.

Also we were totally remiss in not writing about “The Bus” this week and will have something.

While it didn’t matter and was an exhibition there were some very good signs and some very bad signs during Sunday’s games. Here is the Beer We Go Take:

-Number one rule of preseason, don’t get hurt. Steelers broke the rule as steady but unspectacular kicker Shaun Suisham is out for the season. Look for a new kicker to be signed this week. (BTW tough night for kickers as it looks like former Steeler “Skippy” Reed pulled his drunk show and was kicked out of the game Sunday night.)

-Ryan Shazier is a monster and Timmons can still lay the wood. I have said all along the Steelers front seven looks very special, they certainly showed signs of that Sunday night. They have a “Thunder and Lightning” quality that was apparent.

-Stephon Tuitt has “anchorability” he was immovable at the point of attack and had to be double teamed at the point of attack.

-Dri Archer can still be special. He needs to get better and learn his abilities, but he is a “HR” hitter when called upon.

-If Big Ben gets hurt…we are dead. That isn’t exactly news but the Steelers look very shaky without Ben. Landry Jones had a nice first half and then faded away rather quickly. To be fair he had some opportunities that other players “messed” up. He also didn’t play with any of the Varsity playmakers. I don’ think he played poorly but he certainly didn’t make a great case.

-Alejandro Villanueva is going to push to make the team and send Mike Adams home. He had a good game and was the best lineman Sunday night. He played great and graded out near perfect. He is also just downright massive.

-Jesse James might have played the worst game I have ever seen. He was downright awful. I am pulling for him but the competition for the number two tight end is WIDE open now. He did nothing to help his case and every Steeler fan should be praying for Heath Miller to stay healthy.

-The biggest question mark is the secondary and they still don’t look great. It is hard to make that statement given it wasn’t the entire starting secondary but nobody impressed me or stood out.

-The Steelers have so many good WR it is embarrassing. Even the backups, backups look like playmakers. Shakim Phillips WR may make the practice squad absolutely torched the Vikings first round pick Trae Waynes several times.

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It was a good start for the Steelers tonight!

Good News:

-Dri Archer and Landry Jones both had flashes tonight.

-Ryan Shazier was laying the wood in the first half.

-The defense was physical!

Here are your training camp quick hits for this week:

-The Steelers defense is being underestimated by most of the National Media. SURPRISE. Lindy’s picked the Steelers to finish in 3rd, Sporting News picked the Steelers 2nd. The strength of schedule is scary, no question. The Steelers usually rise up to the competition.

-Senquez Golson, the long awaited DB draft pick, looks like he is headed for season ending surgery. That is a terrible blow for the season, but not something that can’t be overcome.

-….because the Steelers had a great pickup in Brandon Boykin! Boykin is outspoken, has the right attitude and should push to start.

-I was honored that Jerome Bettis, The Bus, retweeted one of my tweets about the Steelers defense. It’s pretty simple, I like the defense and think we are going to be excellent this year. The secondary is still a huge question mark, but the front seven could be one of the best we have ever had.

-The Steelers most likely will start FOUR number 1 picks at LB this season; Jarvis Jones, who will breakout this season, Bud Dupree who looks like he has been playing here for years, the speedy Ryan Shazier, who can be a huge difference maker and the Pro Bowl veteran Laurence Timmons. With the backups being Sean Spence, Vince Williams, Arthur Moats, possibly Howard Jones and the very scary and dangerous Silverback James Harrison in the wings. They are deep, fast and nasty. Look for the bounce back we have been waiting for.

-The D-Line will compliment them nicely. Look for a breakout season from Stephon Tuitt and the continue excellence of SteelHead Heyward. Mt. McCullers will have a second season to show his stuff. We need steady play from Steve McLendon.

-Mike Adams, might be at the end of the line. Look for Alejandro Villanueva to push him. The Steelers are dreadfully thin at Tackle so keep an eye on the waiver wire or an undrafted free agent.

-The WR will again be downright scary for opposing teams.

Sunday’s game:

-Starters should get one series maybe two.

-Players who are most on the spot: Dri Archer, who looked outstanding in the first preseason game last year, but was a disappointment overall. Landry Jones, who is running out of some days. With Gradkowski getting out of the gate slow this may be Jones’ last and best chance.  Cortez Allen who is looking good early on in camp. He is a big piece of the puzzle.

-Most important is NO ONE GET HURT!!!

First and foremost it is great to be back!!! We are now up to 1400+ subscribers and we expect to be over 2500 by the start of the season. I am grateful, humble and excited for the 2015 season.

Stay tuned and we will be posting every week now moving forward!

The Steelers in desperate need of defensive backfield help picked… another linebacker! However, I am not going to pan the pick unless we miss today on DB. Absolutely love this kid and he is the prototypical 3-4 linebacker.

Stay tuned!

The 2015 NFL draft kicks off tomorrow and the Steelers have some work to do! The offense is in great shape and will look for great bargains or can’t pass up guys, the Defense needs a reload…not a rebuild. The building blocks are in place, the Steelers need to focus getting on Defensive Backfield help.

Needs:

1. Cornerback:

Current: The Steelers struggled at the cornerback position most of last season. Cortez Allen looked lost, Ike Taylor showed every second of his age and ended his illustrious career. Brice McCain and Antwon Blake both had flashes of brilliance but also looked overmatched at times. McCain left town and is headed to Miami. Blake will be back but it is hard to see him as more than a nickel or dime back. William Gay played well all year and will go to camp as the starter.

The Draft: This years draft is not a great one for Corner but there are several good looking prospects that the Steelers can get sitting at 22. No matter what happens the Steelers need to spend at least two picks on this spot. Last year we missed two great prospects, so this is a must address. I would also consider trading out of 22 if you can get better value.

2. Outside Linebacker:

Current: This is another position that must be addressed in the first three rounds. The Steelers have lost Jason Worilds to retirement. He had an inconsistent season and struggled at times. Jarvis Jones is running out of “some days” and this is his make or break year. I think he will benefit from a leadership change and I wouldn’t count him out. James Harrison, our beloved Silverback, will be back and he had a great comeback season. Again, I wouldn’t count him out but it isn’t realistic to have him as an every down linebacker at 37+ years. He needs to be in on pass rushing series to make his season last. Howard Jones is someone to keep an eye on in camp:

The Draft: This years draft is solid but again not great at OLB. There are several great value picks here. The Steelers also look at “tweener” Defensive Ends and there are several that can be had late to sure up this position.

3. Safety:

Current: An era ended when Troy Polamalu retired and ended his Hall Of Fame Career. It is impossible to replace a Troy Polamalu as he is a once in a generation player. The Steelers have Shamarko Thomas who was drafted as the heir apparent, but like Jarvis Jones is running out of “some days”. This is his make or break year. The Steeler brought back Will Allen who is a capable backup but can’t be the starter. Mike Mitchell had an awful season and needs to step it up or he will be out of the ‘Burgh.

The Draft: The Steelers will struggle to grab a huge impact player in this spot. There will be several huge upside prospects toward the last two days of the draft.

The rest of the  positions:

QB: Look for at least one pick spent on this.

RB: Not a dire need with the signing of De’Angelo Williams but look for the Steelers to grab a banger if one falls in their lap. The draft is deep with good backs.

WR: The Steelers have the best WRs in football and it is hard to see them investing in this spot.

TE: Absolutely need to take a long hard look. Heath Miller is about to wind down his Canton worthy career and the Steelers have no heir apparent ready.  Their are a bunch of great upside prospects but no clear cut can’t miss guy

OL: After years of this being a huge liability the Steelers have a very good interior line and underrated Tackles. Not a major need but always worth a look as great values can always be had.

DL: The Steelers need some D-Line hep at depth. But Stephon Tuitt and Cam “Steelhead” Heyward have it locked down on the ends. I don’t see anyone who jumps out but the Steelers will almost certainly draft a DT.

ILB: The Steelers are set inside.

Specials: Brad Wing scares me but not half as much as the idea of wasting a draft pick on a punter.

BTW I think Jameis Winston is going to be a huge bust if he stays out of trouble long enough to actually play in the NFL.

BEER WE GO STEELERS!!!

So as many of you know, Troy Polamalu has decided to hang them up and today Ike Taylor announced his retirement too. It is the end of an era and the close of one of the great partnerships in football history. I thought about the year they were both drafted and my draft day story.

I was in NYC and actually at Radio City Music Hall on the day of the draft, that’s the good news, the bad news I was seeing “Dora the Explorer” live on stage, (Which my kid was terrified of.) and the draft was still at the Sheraton, NY. Since the Steelers were drafting so late there was no way I could miss the Steelers pick. However, for the first time in team history, The Steelers traded up in the first round, giving its 27th, 92nd (third round) and 200th (sixth round) picks to Kansas City in exchange for the 16th pick in the draft. I missed the pick!

The Steelers selection Troy Polamalu! At that moment Steelers history was made and the journey started for Troy and the Steelers. His career has been an amazing highlight reel of high flying plays and timely stops.

The Steelers whiffed on pick 2 at 59. Alonzo Jackson was a washout at best. They had no pick in the 3rd round so that made the 4th extremely important. Guess what they did it? They nailed it, in the 4th round they grabbed Ike Taylor at 125 overall. Taylor’s career was unspectacular but still excellent and he is one of the key contributors to the Steelers success. 

The Steelers had 1/2 of their base secondary for the next decade or so. The rest of the draft was a bust, the Steelers missed on three of the five players taken but they hit HR’s on the two they got right.

Troy is a sure Hall of Famer and Ike is a step below, but both deserve our admiration and respect. They helped lead us to two Super Bowl victories and three AFC Championships. The defense in their tenure ranks number one overall. Most of all they both represented everything a Steelers should be, humble greatness, punishing defense and a reserved dignity!