Beer We Go Steelers

So… camp is here and the NFL 2013 season has begun. The Steelers are picked as third place dogs in the division. The cupboard is bare supposedly and the Ravens and Bengals will be fighting for the division…not so fast.

A quick message to all the Ravens fans and Bengals fans… don’t go buying the division T-shirt just yet. The Steelers are on a rebound and put together one of their most complete drafts in years. This is a site written by Steelers fans, and while we aren’t going to run down the Steelers we will always be honest. This team is younger and more athletic, and that is a fact.

Here are the five biggest questions going into Camp?

5. Who replaces Silverback?

BWG Take: You can’t.  A guy like him isn’t just sitting around. The Steelers defense relies on a strong pass rush and Silverback’s departure leaves a void. The Steelers have some awesome talent and they drafted well to compensate for his loss. Jason Worilds, in limited duty, has shown to be capable and he should hold off the young buck Double J, Jarvis Jones. A good season by Worilds and some strong play by Jones will light a fire under the under-achieving LaMarr Woodley. The Steelers need Woodley to produce, and between the three players mentioned they should make up for Harrison statistically.

4. Will the offensive line finally protect Ben?

BWG Take: The Steelers want smaller and more athletic lineman. They jettisoned Willie Colon, Doug Legursky and Max Starks. They are going with mostly inexperienced, but tough, linemen. The penciled in starters right now are LT Marcus Gilbert, LG/RG Dave Decastro, and Ramon Foster depending on how they sort it out, All Pro Center Maurkice Pouncey and Mike Adams at RT. If things go right, this could be a huge strength after years of issues.

3. Will Steelhead Heyward and Ziggy Hood finally step up?

BWG Take: It’s time for both players to take the leap. Hood has shown flashes but lacks consistency, this should be his year. Heyward is athletic and has all the ability to be a force up front. This will be the make or break year for both players and both will make significant contributions.

2. Who will lead this team?

BWG Take: The Steelers have lost in consecutive seasons James Farrior, Aaron Smith, Hines Ward, James Harrison and Casey Hampton. They still have Brett Keisel and they need Big Ben to be the leader that everyone thinks he can be. Someone has to step up and lead this team.

1. Can we stay healthy?

BWG Take: This is the difference between being 12-4 and 8-8 last year. The Steelers lost a whopping 78 Starts including, Troy Polamalu, Big Ben, Harrison, Woodley, and almost every starter on the O-line at least once. The Steelers lost Big Ben for the heart of the season, they dropped games to the Ravens by 3 and lost to the dreadful Browns by six. After having his best start ever, when he returned he was never the same. If any of these guys could have stayed on the field this discussion would be a completely different conversation. The Steelers lost 5 games by 3 or less last year and if they have a healthy team I find it hard to believe they couldn’t have at least split.

The top things that the “real” media has gotten totally wrong?

3. The Steelers upgraded the backup QB.

This is partially true because Landry Jones is a nice pickup and he gets them a fresh look at QB. I am not however, sure how Bruce Gradkowski, who I personally like, but think is dreadful, is an upgrade over Charlie Batch who beat the Super Bowl Champ Ravens last year. Gradkowski is a local boy who made good, but has a 6-14 record as a starter and a miniscule QB rating. He is familiar with the division…familiar losing to every team in it.

2. Todd Haley and Big Ben are at odds.

Somehow these two have become Kardashians. Who really cares if they like each other? Seriously, the numbers don’t lie and Ben was off to the best season of his career when he was injured. So if he doesn’t like Haley, WHO CARES?  If he produces like he did at the beginning, the Steelers will be in this thing all season. Tom Janicki volunteered to take Haley’s spot at Ben’s poker night if they can’t patch things up. Lets get back to scoring points.

1. The Steelers lost several key players.

With the exception of Keenan Lewis who was a bona fide starter, the Steelers got younger and more athletic. Mike Wallace is a world class talent but the Steelers are not going to pay 11 million dollars for a receiver who had a pretty awful season. Miami will rue that contract. Casey Hampton and Silverback still had more to contribute but it is hard to fault the Steelers for going with Worilds and McLendon when they have proven to be capable when they have played. The Steelers almost always get these decisions right, see Levon Kirkland replacing Hardy Nickerson, Jason Gildon replacing Kevin Greene, Silverback replacing Joey Porter.

Did anyone think Rashard Mendenhall should be back? Not likely.  The Steelers grabbed a solid back in Le’Veon Bell in the draft and have two good bangers in Jon Dwyer and Ike Redman. Baron Batch and LaRod Stephens-Howling should really round out the corp.

My sleeper players to keep an eye on:

Offense: Nick Embernate; has a nasty streak and fits what the Steelers are trying to do on the offensive line, he should find a spot. He was like getting a free draft choice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd4z903GKew

Honorable Mention: Plaxico Burress; many have written him off, I haven’t.  I like his chances for one more great season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHED1YttiiM

Defense: Stevenson Sylvester; he has huge upside and this is his make or break camp. I think he can make a huge push to at least be the top backup at the Mac linebacker spot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGHOnGctDZQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4ZPoWFDITA

Honorable Mention: Al Woods; who may be a one trick pony, but he is pretty damn good at his one trick.

Camp is a few short weeks away!

First and foremost these guys earned this and deserve it, but this image ABSOLUTELY sickens me.

I am using it as motivation for this year, WE GOTTA GET BACK!

I wanted to share with you this video of Ike Taylor and Ambassador Rooney!

http://prod.www.steelers.clubs.nfl.com/video-and-audio/videos/Ike_Taylor_Interviews_Steelers_Chairman_Dan_Rooney/13e95245-4c4b-47fb-b2c5-29b1d8f0d26a

Over the next few weeks we are going to start to publish again! KEEP POSTED!

When you are the best of anything it usually is prestigious. When you are the greatest Steeler that is saying something more. “Mean” Joe Greene has officially retired from the Steelers. He leaves behind the legacy of being the greatest Steeler of all time. Greene is the rock that Chuck Noll built his dynasty on, arguably the greatest defensive lineman in history and he is without question the greatest Steeler player of all time.

 http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/joe-greene-retires-for-final-time-686617/

He has been a part of all Six Super Bowl wins, four as a player and two in his front office position.

I am proud to wear his number on Sundays!

I tell my kids stories of when he appeared on “The Great Space Coaster” and they created a song about him! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMugnTspS2c

The commercial is a timeless classic and considered one of the greatest Super Bowl Commercials ever; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xffOCZYX6F8

To steal a line from the commercial; “I think you’re the best ever.”

Photo from Mean Joe Greene Fan Page on Facebook

2013 Draft Class Pittsburgh Steelers:

This has the potential to be a very good draft with many of the picks contributing early. The Steelers filled several key needs including running back, wide receiver and safety depth.

Biggest Surprise: Trading up to grab a QB. No Offensive lineman?

1 Jarvis Jones, OLB: The Steelers biggest need was at linebacker and they grabbed the best one in the bunch! This was a tremendous pick and the Steelers were lucky he had fallen. He is a perfect Steeler, great motor, solid character guy, who will make an impact early. BWG is very excited about this pick!

2 Le’Veon Bell, RB: This seemed a little bit like a reach as I think we could have snatched him in the third round. That being said, he is the exact type of runner that we need. He is a banger who can catch a pass and he actually blocks pretty well. The Steelers are drawing heat on this because he is similar to Dwyer and Redman. The Steelers don’t seem to have faith in either guy.

3 Markus Wheaton, WR: This pick made the Bell pick look a whole lot better, because Wheaton was still around in the third. He had a first or second round grade depending on which guide you believed. He is a great speed player who can stretch the field. He will add the element that Wallace took with him to Miami. This might be the steal of the draft!

4 Shamarko Thomas, S: This was another very good “Steeler pick” as Thomas will be a serious upgrade over Ryan Mundy and will give us depth. He plays Steelers football and has raw skills that will be a great fit for LeBeau’s defense. He will serve a two year apprenticeship under Polamalu and Clark.

4 Landry Jones, QB: This was the big head scratcher to me. I didn’t understand the pick and not only that the Steelers traded up to grab him? I didn’t see this one coming at all. That being said the Steelers were adamant to grab a developmental player at QB and they grabbed a good one. Jones has good arm strength and plays fundamentally well. He needs time to develop and will spell the end of the Charlie Batch era in Pittsburgh.

5 Terry Hawthorne, CB: Has good physical tools and he fits the Steelers size. He is a capable tackler and covers the bigger receivers. Best case he can be a productive nickelback, worse case he will wash out pretty quick and be gone by the end of camp. This is a nice development guy.

6 Justin Brown, WR: A very large and very raw talent, he adds depth and will have a tough road to make the team. He has great potential and certainly is worth a look. Good practice squad candidate!

6 Vince Williams, LB: A downhill run stopping linebacker, that adds depth to the inside linebacking core. He does project inside and outside so it is a good pick for the later rounds. I really want this to work out, love his attitude and think he has a good chance. This pick basically means Sean Spence is not coming back anytime soon.

7 Nick Williams, DT: This could be a great sleeper pick! He is more likely projected to be a 3-4 end, than a defensive tackle. He is a good athlete but needs help before he will be anything productive. I think he is headed to the practice squad.

Because the Steelers didn’t draft O-line this year, they grabbed some nice players as unrestricted free agents. Nick Ebernate looks like a nice sleeper pick in this group. I also am pulling for Mike Golic Jr.!

The Steelers Unrestricted Free Agents:

• Brian Arnfelt, DE, Northwestern
• Alan Baxter, LB, Northern Illinois
• Reggie Dunn, WR, Utah
• Nik Embernate, OT, San Diego State
• Mike Farrell, OT, Penn State
• Mike Golic Jr., OL, Notre Dame
• Cordian Hagans, DE, Louisiana-Lafayette
• Chris Hubbard, G, UAB
• Omar Hunter, DT, Florida
• Luke Ingram, LS, Hawaii
• Joe Madsen, C, West Virginia
• Curtis McNeal, RB, Southern Cal
• Anthony Rashad White, DT, Michigan State
• Ivory Wade, C, Baylor
• J.D. Woods, WR, West Virginia

The Steelers picked what they needed most, the best LB in the draft!

He is explosive off the edge and can shed a block. USA Today draft guide summed him up best;

“Intense, Competitive and Tough”

It looked like he could fall to 17 when the Browns, Miami and Detroit passed on him. Welcome to the BWG Nation Double J!!!

I am also going to steal a Ben line, “Hey O-line who is laughing now?” As an O-Lineman myself, It was pretty awesome to see SIX of the first ELEVEN guys chosen were O-Line. Could O-Line be the new glamour position in the NFL? Probably not but hey a guy can dream. 

Let’s grab a Running Back or Corner in round 2!

It’s the most wonderful day of the offseason for football fans, as the NFL draft kicks off tonight! For the first time since 2010, the Steelers will draft in the top twenty at seventeen.  It’s the one perk of coming off a mediocre season.  The Steelers finished 2012 at 8-8 and missed the playoffs for only the third time in nine years. It is time to get back to work.

The Steelers have several needs in this year’s draft and they will look to add at every position. Here is the Beer We Go assessment:

Quarterback: (Need Factor: 2) The Steelers already have a top five QB and have a very competent backup in Bruce Gradkowski. Plus, I am holding out hope that they will bring back Charlie Batch as the number three guy.

BWG Advice: Grab a good athlete that can carry a clipboard if they fall into our laps, maybe find some type of “wildcat” capable QB.

Running Back/Fullback: (Need Factor: 8) The Steelers have nice complementary backs, but with the departure of Rashard Mendenhall the Steelers need an impact runner who can help now. This is actually the biggest glaring hole the Steelers have but it’s not their biggest need.

BWG Advice: DON’T REACH! There are several good backs available and one of them will fall to us.  I want a banger(Eddie Lacy, maybe) but would take a speed demon if the right one fell. (Ray Graham from Pitt anyone?)

Wide Receiver: (Need Factor: 6) The Steelers lost Mike Wallace and nearly lost Manny Sanders. That being said, I don’t see the Wallace departure as that big of a loss. I like our current roster of guys. Antonio Brown and Manny Sanders are excellent starters, Plaxico Burress is a great target and red zone guy, Dave Gilreath looks like a nice prospect.

BWG Advice: Grab a project guy in the middle rounds and let them develop. This is another DO NOT REACH!

TE: (Need Factor: Not Sure) This all depends on Heath Miller. If Heath is healthy, we have the best TE in football. We also have capable backups. The question is, where is he in his rehabilitation?

BWG Advice: Given Todd Haley’s offense, a Tight End is important, so this is a sleeper pick.

OL: (Need Factor: 5) The Offensive line has awesome potential and the interior line looks great with DeCastro and Pouncey. They have solid, young talent that could make this a great unit for years to come. The Steelers will look to get more athletic as they are shifting the blocking schemes and have drafted an O-lineman in every draft for over 13 years except ‘03, so this should be no different.

BWG Advice: This is an excellent Tackle draft so grab a tackle in the middle rounds and a guard in the later rounds.

DL: (Need Factor: 7) The Steelers need some help here, as Cameron Heywood and Ziggy Hood have yet to really make an impact. With Alameda Ta’amu having serious question marks, the Steelers need to find another big man to fill the ample shoes of Big Snack. I love McClendon and think he adds a dimension that Hampton didn’t have.

BWG Advice: I think this is certainly a bigger need than WR and the Steelers need to grab someone in the early rounds to solidify this aging unit.

Linebacker: (Need Factor: 10) The Steelers are in serious need of linebacker help after the departure of Silverback. Our bread and butter is bone crunching defenses and the Steelers lacked a solid pass rush last season. Sean Spence was a great looking prospect, but he is coming off a serious injury.  Either Sly Sylvester or Jason Worilds will have an opportunity to make a move now that Silverback has gone down the river.

BWG Advice: Unless a huge “can’t miss” corner comes our way, grab the best Pass Rushing linebacker available in Round 1.

Defensive Back:(Need Factor: 9) The Steelers at some point need to invest in an impact Cornerback. The secondary performed great last season, but lost its most consistent performer in Keenan Lewis. The Steelers absolutely need an impact Cornerback.

BWG Advice: Unless a great pass rushing linebacker comes our way, grab the best impact Cornerback available in Round 1. We need to get a linebacker first and foremost.

Safety: (Need Factor: 4) The Steelers have a solid secondary and arguably the best Safety tandem in the game. The issue with them is that they are both are long in the tooth and Troy has played a full season only once in the last four years. Ryan Clark plays a punishing style of defense, and while he hasn’t shown signs of slowing down he won’t go on forever.

BWG Advice: This draft has some nice “project” guys who could be sleepers. Grab some depth in the later rounds and find the next Ryan Clark, or at least a better Ryan Mundy.

Special Teams: (Need Factor: .0005) Don’t waste  any picks on Special Teams.

BWG Advice: DON’T DRAFT A FREAKIN’ KICKER OR A PUNTER EVER AGAIN!!!

Some quick Steelers Draft facts:

-The Steelers first draft choice ever…Bill Shakespeare RB from Notre Dame, He also wrote several great plays…oh wait that might be a different guy.

– Byron “Whizzer” White was selected fourth overall in the 1938 draft – he went on to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. That actually happened.

-The Steelers have only drafted in the 17th position twice selecting Charles Johnson,WR 1994 and Keith Gary, DE 1981.

GOOD HUNTING!!!

Saturday, Aug. 10 — New York Giants, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 19 — at Washington, 8 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 24 — Kansas City, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 29 — at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 8 — Tennessee, 1 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 16 — at Cincinnati, 8:40 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 22 — Chicago, 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 29 — Minnesota (at London), 1 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 6 — Off

Sunday, Oct. 13 — at New York Jets, 1 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 20 — Baltimore, 4:25 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 27 — at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 3 — at New England, 4:25 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 10 — Buffalo, 1 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 17 — Detroit, 1 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 24 — at Cleveland, 1 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 28 — at Baltimore, 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 8 — Miami, 1 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 15 — Cincinnati, 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 22 — at Green Bay, 4:25 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 29 — Cleveland, 1 p.m.

Everyone take a DEEP BREATH AND DON’T PANIC!!! While I don’t think the Steelers have the talent they need to contend right now, I think they made some key moves and will get better during the draft.

As Coach Tomlin said this is March talk not fall talk.

So here we go with your March Quick Hits:

–Happy St. Patrick’s Day Steeler Nation: Next year we are producing a BWG St. Patrick’s day shirt so stay tuned!

–Mike Tomlin is not impressed with the read option: He is 100% right, Big Ben is a 100 million dollar asset and to have him make a break for it every time he can you are asking for trouble! RGIII got his bell rung a number of times last year.

–Steelers tendered contract offers to RB Jonathan Dwyer, RB Isaac Redman, NT Steve McLendon and WR Emmanuel Sanders: WE NEED ALL OF THESE GUYS BACK!!! Sanders has to be a priority!

–Steelers lose Mike Wallace to Free Agency: Did anyone watch Wallace play last year? This is actually addition through subtraction. He is ridiculously fast and ridiculously flawed. I love this guy and I am sad to see him go, but why people are freaking out is beyond me. Do you really want a 12 Million Dollar receiver? If you do, he needs to throw the ball to himself.

–Steelers lose Rashard Mendenhall to Free Agency: The guy was AWFUL last year and had serious attitude issues. He is a fumbler and wore out his welcome. I don’t think the Steelers have the answer yet at RB, but I know Mendenhall wasn’t the answer. BTW I think he is the candidate most likely to return in a year or two!

–Steelers release Silverback: This crushed me as he was my favorite player on the team. My friend Bill texted me in church to let me know and I was sullen for most of mass. He was nuts and I get that he is a marked man, but he just played football the way it should be played; not flashy, just head down, seek and destroy! Why I am not overly sad about this, is that history has taught me that the Steelers get these decisions right. I hope this is a Kevin Greene situation, where he continues to play well but the heir apparent Jason Gildon in Greene’s case; Jason Worilds in this case have great Steeler careers! LOVE YA’ SILVERBACK!!!

–Steelers release Willie Colon: Another of my favorites, but he had to go. Three years in a row he was on IR and “you can’t make the club when you are sitting in the tub”.

–The Steelers sign Bruce Gradkowski: We needed a more reliable upgrade here and I think Bruce gives us that. He is a Pittsburgh kid and will do a good job. I hope they bring back Batch as the number three QB.

–Steelers re-sign Plaxico Burress: Why Burress didn’t play much when he returned last year is a mystery to me. This was a good signing and will be a huge help! He has some gas left in the tank and I hope he makes good.

–Steelers re-sign Larry Foote: He is a solid veteran who can only help us in both the skills and leadership category!

–Steelers re-sign David Johnson: He will compete for the HBACK spot and backup at TE. I like Will Johnson but this move puts his spot in jeopardy.

–Steelers sign Matt Spaeth: This was another good, smart signing that will pay dividends without a huge investment. He has many tools and can ably fill in while Heath recovers. As a guy who has taken a leak just about everywhere I shouldn’t have, I am giving him a break on his indiscretion!

–Steelers sign Willie Gay: A terrific move, he will be a solid nickleback and press some of the young guys for playing time. He knows the system and showed signs of brilliance when he played here last.

Here are the Steelers 2013 free agents:

• Mike Wallace — Wide Receiver — Not worth the money, some fools will give him(See Plex 1, See Randle El)
• Keenan Lewis — Cornerback — Not worth the money he will command, for the right price definitely, but don’t think that will happen
• Emmanuel Sanders — Wide Receiver — Absolutely a keeper and should get signed
• Rashard Mendenhall — Running Back — Did a good job until last season, he wore out his welcome and it is time to move on
• Jonathan Dwyer — Running Back — Worth one more look, I would take a chance on “the minibus”
• Isaac Redman — Running Back — Worth one more look, had shown flashes of brilliance
• Ryan Mundy — Safety — played admirable but short on talent, time to say addios
• Max Starks — Offensive Tackle — Had a good season but it is time to part ways
• Doug Legursky — Center — Keep for depth, did well in a pinch last year
• Casey Hampton — Defensive Tackle — ONE MORE YEAR, ONE MORE YEAR
• Charlie Batch — Quarterback — Yes, but as the number three QB
• Byron Leftwich — Quarterback — Not getting it done when called upon, time to let him go
• Plaxico Burress — Wide Receiver — Worth a second look and could fit in nicely
• Steve McClendon — Defensive Tackle — ABSOLUTELY, Showed flashes of brilliance
• Stevenson Sylvester — Linebacker — Kind of torn on this one, really like his upside, but did nothing last year
• Will Allen — Safety — Did a great job last year when needed, definitely should bring him back
• Larry Foote — Linebacker — Need him here, should get one more year.
• Ramon Foster — Offensive Guard— Someone will pay him, we shouldn’t
• David Johnson — Fullback — Not coming back, I like Will Johnson
• Leonard Pope — Tight End — Bring him back with Heath being out
• Justin King — Cornerback — Worth a second look and would come cheap
• Brandon Johnson — Linebacker — I didn’t even know who this guy was, so see ya later
• Greg Warren — Long Snapper — Bring him back, the Steelers will try and solve this with a rookie or a cheaper alternative