So since I slacked on the game report last week, figured I should “atone” for my slacker-ocity (That’s a word, I don’t care what people say.) I have been very focused on my other sports passion…alas not the Pirates but the New York Yankees. Totally pulling for the Pirates but the Yankees are my team. Something occurred to me last night as I cuddled in my bed with KGB still tossing and turning over sports. I have great kids, this is the stuff I worry about. Then something came to me and I slept all night until KGB set off the alarm three times (In honor of the Three Rivers no doubt)…The Steelers are going to be just fine.
I know I am a fan and a freaking blogger to boot, what do I know about football to make such a bold prediction? I am buoyed not by fan passion or by idle blood lust for all that is black and gold. I simply found solace in the facts and the rich history that we cherish so much as Steelers fans.
Let me tell you some facts; number one, Martavis Bryant is back and with him, Markus Wheaton, Darrius Heyward-Bey and of course the incomparable Antonio Brown, the offense is going to break out even if we had Rick Strom as QB, let alone a slinger like Michael Vick. Ben is slated to return in KC. Couple that with a vastly improved offensive line, the best one two running back combo and something special is bound to happen. Oh yeah we also have Heath Miller and Will Johnson who both are playmakers at their spots. Man for man no one can take on our offense.
While that is exciting, what I am most excited about is wait for it…THE DEFENSE. I love this front seven and now everyone is jumping on my bandwagon nationally. Putting Bud Dupree and James Harrison opposite each other was brilliant. They are an absolute force. I also love Jarvis Jones with Arthur Moats and that rotation is stout and scary. Someday, it will be Jarvis and Dupree and when both come into their own, teams will be in big trouble!
The middle linebackers are the best in football bar none. The Steelers are FOUR deep at Middle Linebacker. Vince Williams who is really the odd man out is a good run stopper and a bona fide thumper, he doesn’t even play a 1/4 of the snaps. Sean Spence has been nothing short of a miracle and his “second” year he has shown improvement after a very good year, last year. Lawrence Timmons should be a Steelers folk hero. He comes to work everyday an excels. What more could you ask for? He also dishes out whippings pretty regular and was a force on Thursday night. Leaving the best linebacker prospect I think I have ever seen. Ryan Shazier has to stay on the field. The fact that he was injured in garbage time really hurts, because he is an unstoppable force when he has his legs under him. His speed and power are the best I have seen in years.
To make this work, you need to be tough up front. Steelhead Heyward is the best player on the Steelers defense. He is an absolute playmaker and our best defensive end since Aaron Smith. Stephon Tuitt is coming into his own and really dominated the game on Thursday of last week. Steve McClendon needs to continue to improve, teaming him with Mt. McCullers is a great idea and watch these guys get it done. McClendon is athletic and after two years of getting pushed around, looks like he is making the leap the coaches expected.
The secondary is a work in progress and I even tweeted Coach Tomlin to find out why Brandon Boykin has barely played. This is still the Achilles heel of this defense. But they have shown improvement and within two years the Steelers completely rebuilt a sagging defense.
Special Teams is the Achilles heel of the Steelers. Josh Scobee should have been an awesome pickup, instead he cost at least one game and maybe two. They have had several mishaps on special teams over the years. Some years it gets better but it has been a specter of the Steelers since 1973! We just have to white knuckle it and hope we solved the kicking issue. Again I put faith in our Coaches.
Being a student of history I always find solace and answers in the past. November 4, 2001 the Super Bowl Champion Ravens came to Heinz Field. The Steelers smacked them around all game, but couldn’t put them away. Kris Brown missed FOUR Field Goals and the Steelers lost by three. Does that sound familiar? Here is the box score:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200111040pit.htm
The Next time they played…the Steelers jumped the Ravens on Sunday Night Football with Bobby Shaw gashing the Ravens with a 90 yard touchdown. Box Score:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200112160rav.htm
What makes this story better…they squared off in the playoffs and the Steelers sent the Super Bowl Champions home and did it by a wide margin. Box Score enclosed:
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200201200pit.htm
So that is my rant for today, hope you are on board and thanks for reading.
Forever Forward!
BEER WE GO STEELERS, BEER WE GO!!