Beer We Go Steelers

What has gone right?

Quite a bit actually! The Steelers survived a tough stint without their starting QB and finished 3 and 1 in that Span. Trust me if the Colts lost Peyton Manning for four games they wouldn’t be 3 and 1.

Despite a rash of injuries the team was played exceptionally well and tough. The Defense can also be coined as going right! The Linebackers are the best in football and I will have that argument with anyone who cares to take me on.

Some players have just absolutely developed, the best being Mike Wallace who is a “Home Run” threat playmaker and of course Lawrence Timmons. It is funny how I don’t hear we should have drafted “Poz” anymore. He is just a force of nature in the middle. Antonio Brown has slowed down but again showed flashes and Emmanuel Sanders has been an excellent big play special teams addition.

Some of the veterans have been nice additions. First and foremost Charlie Batch!!! He is not really an addition to this team but lets face it he was close to getting cut. A classy guy who never complained when he was getting shafted and he kept the season on track! Randle El has had less than stellar results in punt returns, but has played solid as a receiver and I hope Monday Night was a preview of what else he can do! Larry Foote brings a complete air of confidence as he plays well and again does what is asked.   

Lastly, coaching has been great. Mike Tomlin is a consummate coach who is exactly what you are looking for in a head coach. He is cool, calm, collected and pushes the right buttons. Dick LeBeau has of course been just outstanding! The addition of Sean Kugler has answered some very difficult challenges as his whole line has been injured. Losing Max Starks will put him to the test! Al Everest has my vote for mayor of Pittsburgh! It is amazing to watch a Steelers game without closing my eyes during special teams!  

What has gone wrong?

A RASH of injuries is troubling as the Steelers lost at one point or another, EVERY offensive linemen and two of their three defensive linemen. Aaron Smith’s injury was a double whammy because he is out and could be for the season and it cost the Steelers Thaddeus Gibson who looked like a solid prospect to find out. Don’t get me wrong I liked keeping the spot open for Aaron! The Steelers also lost Dennis Dixon who unfortunately never became the Willie Beymon we were hoping for. I was seriously hoping for a QB controversy. It was not to be, as Leftwitch was a DUD and Charlie did a fine job but just isn’t a starter in the NFL.

Reasons for Concern: Jeff Reed when he isn’t getting drunk and having his picture taken without clothes on or busting up paper towel racks and hassling shop keeps is one of the best clutch kickers in football. That has not happened this season. He simply has had a very mediocre first half. His misses have cost the Steelers dearly and some games were closer than they should have been. We are not going to win without Reed so keep your fingers crossed!

Losing Max Starks is a terrible blow to an already questionable line. For those keeping score at home every O-Line has been hurt at one point or another and both our Starting Tackles are now on IR. Nothing concerns me more than this unit!

The secondary is “leaky” but I have faith in Dick LeBeau and his cast of characters so I am not overly concerned. The stat that they are in the bottom of the league on Pass Defense is deceiving.

Offensive Game Beer: I am going with Rashard Mendenhall. He has had a very strong first half and he has carried an inordinate amount of weight for the first eight games!

Defensive Game Beer: I am going with Silverback; James Harrison! He is an unstoppable force albeit probably a broke one because of the ridiculous fines he has received. Without question my second choice is Lawrence Timmons. Has played an outstanding brand of BWG football and has made everyone around him better!

Disappointment of the first half: Is going to Aaron Smith! Not because of how he played, because how badly we are missing him. You can’t replace an Aaron Smith! I am pulling for the Zig but Aaron is one in a million. Dennis Dixon is easily the biggest disappointment from a pure letdown standpoint.

Most Improved: William Gay; has been a terrific nickelback after being a disappointment last year. 

GRADES:

QB: B, not great but never terrible despite playing four games without Ben

RB: A- when they have had room to run all the Backs have been great

WR: A+ Not sure how you can do better than this group. They have everything you could want and we are all thinking Santonio who?

TE: B would have been a B+ but that Miller fumble killed us! 

OL: C+ at times they look dominant at other times not so much!

DL: B+ Have played mostly a solid season and have been missing their two anchors

LB: A+ they are 6 deep with talent and savvy. I love this group!

DBs: B- The numbers are deceiving but they clamp down when they need to.

What does part two look like: Without any more serious injuries, this team should finish no worse than 11-5 and I am predicting 12-4. I would really like to whup the Ravens and the Jets as both teams really look to be contenders.

BEER WE GO STEELERS! BEER WE GO!