The Patriots beat the Ravens for the AFC Championship.
I will do the final season report during the week. I figured I should do something constructive v. stealing George’s Patriots flag again while I am watching the games.
Here is my final Report Card for the 2011 Season.
GRADES:
Coaching: A, Mike Tomlin won double digits for the fourth time in five years and avoided a Super Bowl hangover by making the playoffs. It would have been easy to rest on his laurels but the Steelers roared back after a horrendous loss to the Ravens and the Texans. He is a great coach, after picking Coach Noll, Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin the Rooney’s should be in charge of picking the President. Bruce Arians has retired and I think everyone is frustrated that the Steelers can’t run the ball consistently. That being said his development of Ben Roethlisberger is one of the reasons the Steelers have been a contender every season. He deserves our respect and gratitude. Dick LeBeau is the greatest defensive coordinator in NFL history. The defense despite several key injuries held opponents to the fewest points in the NFL, keep in mind they had 35 dropped on them in week 1!
QB: A-, Big Ben had a good season putting up more than 4000 yards and throwing for over 21 Touchdowns. He also sustained several injuries but was rarely sidelined. He is as tough as anyone in the NFL and played in Cleveland after getting his lower leg nearly ripped off. The downside, he turned the ball over 21 times, none more costly than on the last drive of the Broncos game. He still is the QB I would want and we at BWG believe in him! Charlie Batch does what he does, he wins in short doses when called upon. If this is his last season with the Steelers I will remember him as a great contributor who did what was needed!
RB: C-, It was a disappointing season for Rashard Mendenhall and when he finally got on track it ended with a serious knee injury. His numbers were respectable, but it was probably the worst season of his career. Ike Redman was outstanding and will push for playing time next season. Mewelde Moore did a nice job and so did Dwyer and Clay when they did spot duty.
WR: A, It was a great season for the wide receivers as Manny Sanders and Antonio Brown emerged as bona fide threats. Mike Wallace was awesome at the beginning but eventually slowed down. Hines Ward was slowed by injuries and was eventually phased out of the offense. He did get his 1000th catch. He is truly a great Steeler!
TE: A, Heath Miller continued to be a great threat and played his best game in Denver. He is one of the best in the game, Wesley Saunders has developed nicely and was a nice pickup. Dave Johnson played well as a great H-Back and was excellent as a blocker when called upon! (which wasn’t often enough)
OL: D-, It was a terrible season for the offensive line. At one point or another every player was injured and they never got the running push that was needed. The protection was brutal, as Ben was nailed 40 times! Several players had good flashes, but no one was consistent, except for Maurkice Pouncey who was excellent but for the second season in a row missed the biggest game of the year.
DL: B+, It was a very good season for the defensive line that lost several of it’s key players. Aaron Smith appears to be done for his career and he was an awesome Steeler. Casey Hampton, when healthy was an elite run stopper and he too appears to be in the twilight of a great Steeler career. Brett Kiesel played his best season, which is saying something. Ziggy Hood and “Steelhead” Heywood have begun to develop and the future is bright for this unit.
LB: B-, The strength of this team, was crushed by injuries. Silverback and LaMarr Woodley only played together four times all season. James Farrior was inconsistent and is beginning to struggle in coverage. Lawrence Timmons needs to be more in control of his pace of play. If healthy this is the best group in the NFL. They also have great looking prospects in Worilds and Sylvester.
DB: A, This would have been an A+ but the Denver debacle kind of soured a great season. That being said the numbers speak for themselves. The Steelers secondary had a great season and again have young exciting talent that is beginning to develop. Ike Taylor played excellent all season until he was torched in Denver. Ryan Clark played his best season as a Steeler. Troy played well and was a huge factor in several games. Keenan Lewis will be a starter next season!
BEER WE GO STEELERS! BEER WE GO!