Because of the Bye Week, this is technically the 3/4 season report.
What has gone right?
Despite several key injuries, the Steelers sit in second place and well within striking distance of the first place Bengals. The Steelers have to wonder if they played the Bengals full strength or if they closed out the Ravens what might have been. Either way, I am very happy where they sit.
Antonio Brown has been the lynch pin of the offense. To say he has been a playmaker is like saying Picasso painted a little. He has been amazing.
Signing D’Angelo Williams might be the best offensive free agent acquisition ever. He has more than picked up the slack and losing Le’Veon has been rough but Williams has done a great job!
The front seven still is a work in progress, but they have EVERYTHING they need to make a great second half run. I like what we are seeing especially on the D-Line. The Linebacker has put together a solid performance as well.
The Offensive line has been excellent. The protection packages are really working well. Keep in mind the Steelers lost their starting Center and starting Left Tackle. Cody Wallace and Alejandro Villanueva are both doing well in fill-in roles. That is a tribute to not only the scouting department, but to Coach Munchak, he should be the Mayor of Pittsburgh. He has done a great job!
Ben Roethlisberger when healthy has been outstanding. Landry Jones was a nice surprise this season as well. Despite lagging stats Landry for all intents and purposes saved the season, when he came in for a struggling Michael Vick. The Steelers needed a split in Ben’s absence and got it!
What has gone wrong?
Injuries have been awful again, this is the exact comment I typed last year. Well last year was a picnic compared to this year. The Steelers lost their starting running back, starting QB for four games, their Pro Bowl Center, their left tackle, starting Middle Linebacker, Starting Defensive End and a host of defensive players for all or part of the season.
The secondary is “leaky” at best and the Achilles heel for the Steelers right now. Too many conversions on big plays. They rank 27th oin pass defense but they have employed a bend but don’t break strategy. They need to step it up in a big way. Where is Brandon Boykin? What was the point of trading for him, if he is never going to see the field!
The special teams cost the Steelers big time. Josh Scobee was a nightmare. Dri Archer played his way off the team.
Reasons for Concern: The secondary could be what derails a promising season. Injuries, if the Steelers take on anymore injuries the season is over.
Offensive Game Beer: Has to be Antonio Brown again or the second year, he has been spectacular and stepped up when needed, he has 79 catches (including 17 against the Raiders) and 1100+ yards receiving. He is also a great teammate! He beats out D’Angelo Williams who has been a savior.
Defensive Game Beer: Cam “Steel Head” Heyward has put together a great performance. He is tough as they come and the anchor of the Defensive line. Also considered, Mike Mitchell who is the best performer in the secondary.
Disappointment of the first half: Losing to the F-ing Ravens, in a game the Steelers clearly had won. It was a mental let up and seriously inexcusable. The Steelers had breakdowns on all sides of the ball at key times. If they pull that one out, they are one game out with a second shot at the Bengals.
Most Improved: I am going Jarvis Jones who is starting to round into form. He will press for my playing time. The pass rush in general is 100% better than it has been in years. Mike Mitchell was coming off a disappointing first year, now he looks pretty tough.
GRADES:
QB: A-, Big Ben has played well when not injured, He gives the Steelers a chance to win every week. Landry Jones has done a good job when called upon, Michael Vick has been a disappointment.
RB: A-, This could have been an A+ if Le’Veon wasn’t injured. He performed well in his limited time. D’Angelo Williams has been great as we wrote earlier, we love that guy. Will Johnson has done his usual good job, Roosevelt Nix has been extremely fun to watch as a smash mouth fullback. Someone else needs to step up, so D’Angelo doesn’t run out of gas. Being a Native New Yorker I am calling D’Angelo the D-Train!
WR: A-, They have a Superstar in Antonio Brown, who has been a force. Martavis Bryant needs to continue to improve but absolutely is a tremendous player with ridiculous upside. Where has Markus Wheaton gone? We need him back! Darrius Heyward-Bey did well at the beginning but seems to have faded. Also, look for Sammy Coates to press for playing time.
TE: B+, Heath Miller has played extremely well and is the unsung hero of the offense. He is Matt Spaeth has filled his roll well. Jesse James is pressing for playing time and could be a pass catching threat.
OL: B+, The line has played extremely well, considering two of their best starters are out. Cody Wallace brings attitude in the absence of Maurkice Pouncey, Alejandro Villanueva, has ton a very job considering his experience. The rest of the line has performed well.
DL: B+, Heyward and Tuitt are excellent bookends. McClendon has done well in the middle and they have become the anchor of the Steelers defense. Look for Mt. McCullers to press for playing time.
LB: B-, If you took out the Raiders game and the Chiefs game this could be an A performance. But the LB’s were non-existent in those games. Otherwise, they have played well and the coaching has done a great job moving players in and out. I love the Dupree-Harrison outside combo. Timmons and Shazier are spectacular in the middle. The Steelers are deep and this will be what makes or breaks the season. The Steelers rank fifth in run defense.
DBs: C, The secondary has some issues. William Gay have been doing okay. Mike Mitchell has been a playmaker and looks like a great addition. Will Allen is holding his own but for how much longer. Antwon Blake has struggled. Ross Cockrell has been a nice find. Cortez Allen is most likely done as a Steeler. This is what can undo the whole season. I would like to see Shamarko Thomas and Brandon Boykin see the field.
Coaching: A-, I love this coaching staff! Make no mistake about it, they play to win and they have done a great job juggling injuries and non-performance of key players. (Josh Scobee nearly ruined us) While it may have been “foolish”, winning MNF against the Chargers with a Wildcat formation and Le’Veon Bell was gutsy and downright exciting. Great job!
What does part two look like: The Steelers have the division within reach and the Wild Card in their grasp already if they play well. Given what the schedule looks like, 4-2 is reasonable to ask which puts the Steelers at 10-6 and in the playoffs as the North winner or the AFC’s first wild card. The last wild card spot is still attainable at 3-3. But the Steelers really need four wins to guarantee the playoffs. Maybe it is a death wish, but I want the Patriots in the playoffs! A rematch is what I am asking for, also need to put a complete hurting on the Ravens and Bengals in the regular season.
BEER WE GO STEELERS! BEER WE GO!