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.
