This team exemplifies Professionalism, Heart and Passion for what they do with little to no publicity.\u00a0 The\u00a0 Unsung and Often Overlooked Team Players that Drive Team’s to the Ultimate Team Goal, The Lombardi Trophy!<\/p>\n
This write-up will break down a top ten list of Players and Coaches that live by the Tomlin manta “the standard is the standard”.\u00a0 The guys that may not get the media’s attention and may never make a Pro Bowl, the guys that step up in big spots and never back down from a challenge; The guys that bond winning franchises and dynasties for their selfless workmanship.\u00a0 We, as fans, all love our superstars such as Troy, Ben, Lamar, Hines and James and Mike Tomlin but superstars do not make a team, it is a WE mentality that makes a winning team.\u00a0 Not everyone gets to be the star quarterback or team captain thus the reason for this team.\u00a0 A lot must go into the maturation of a Super Bowl Champion Caliber team and in a lot cases there are people that just do not get the publicity.\u00a0 That is where we come in to give some credit where credit is due!\u00a0 So, without further adu, Your 2010 All “Merril Hoge” Team:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before I address this team, I need to take a moment and think about the guy that made this all possible, the late and great Arthur “The Chief” Rooney.without him none of this discussion may be relevant.\u00a0 Hail to the Chief!!<\/p>\n
10.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Greg Warren: A model of consistency, never noticed yet a key cog in the machine.\u00a0 I know I for one will never forget the fateful day last year that he was injured.\u00a0 The Silverback snapping is something that I will hope to never have to see again!!<\/p>\n
9.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ziggy Hood:\u00a0 Again, I remember last year when Aaron Smith went down.\u00a0 The defense went from the best rush defense in the league to middle of the road.\u00a0 Not this year!!\u00a0 Ziggy performed!!\u00a0 Ziggy made plays and proved that the high draft pick was well deserved.\u00a0 Our hats off to the big man, keep developing and you will be a perennial Pro Bowler.<\/p>\n
8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Antonio Brown \/ Emmanuel Sanders \/ Mike Wallace:\u00a0 Talk about stepping up!!\u00a0 Losing Tone in draft I know I was not the only one with doubt.\u00a0 In comes the new generation Steeler receiver.\u00a0 The Young Speed Guns!!\u00a0 You literally blink and these guys are past you.\u00a0 An honorable mention to “El Yeah” and Hines for assisting in this development.\u00a0 The spot was a toss up between the Young Guns vs the wily veterans as I think Hines does more with Heart and Passion than anyone else on this team but in the end I felt as though he is also quite public and how could you be an unsung hero after a Super Bowl MVP.\u00a0 These Young Guns are the real deal and are well on their way to becoming bona fide superstars.\u00a0 I recall a few years back, Ben requested Big Physical receivers, I’m sure he would have a 2nd opinion now as this is a speed game and we have the weapons to beat any defense when these guys touch the field!\u00a0<\/p>\n
7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Keyaron Fox:\u00a0 The leader of the special teams and one of the best role players a team could have!\u00a0 This guy would absolutely start on over half the teams in the league.\u00a0 Is he disappointed to not be a starter?\u00a0 Probably. Does this show in his play every Sunday?\u00a0 Hell No!!\u00a0 The guy is a difference maker and a leader amongst men!!\u00a0 17 special teams tackles for a linebacker is not too shabby either!!<\/p>\n
6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lawrence Timmons: Do you realize what this guy has done?\u00a0 Led the NFL’s top ranked defense in both Solo and Assisted tackles with a 135 total.\u00a0 When you name the defense like I did earlier, you probably name 5 guys before you get to his yet he performs each and every play as if it was his last.\u00a0 Take it a step further, 1st round draft picks that do not start for 2 years yet you do not hear their mouth screaming for more playing time is rare!\u00a0 Especially ones that make plays when they do see playing time.\u00a0 Further to this point, a guy drafted behind him was starting and producing and well on his way to superstardom in Woodley.\u00a0 Did this phase Lawrence?\u00a0 I think not!!\u00a0 It only fueled the fire to help him become quite possibly the NFL’s most improved player.\u00a0 Most teams, he would be number #1 on a list like this, however, we are talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers here!!\u00a0<\/p>\n
5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Shaun Suisham \/ Jeremy Kapinos:\u00a0 I apologize for not having statistics to back up the argument, all I know is we started the season with different well established pieces to the kicking game and did not miss a beat after they were either cut or injured.\u00a0 The cherry on top was the day that Suisham carried both duties which was a highlight to the season if you ask me.\u00a0 TEAM PLAYERS!!\u00a0 These guys have done everything asked of them and more and receive very little publicity in doing so!!\u00a0 Three cheers to the Kicking game as with a defense as good as our, this piece to the game is critical and better off being unmentioned.until now!!<\/p>\n
4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Doug Legursky: This guy could be classified as “utility extraordinaire”.\u00a0 Guard.check.\u00a0 Fullback.check. Center in the Super Bowl.check?\u00a0 The one guy that epitomizes the manta “the standard is the standard”\u00a0 Back-up for an Pro Bowl center and missed very few beats.\u00a0 He could probably plug a hole in the Steelers locker room if needed.\u00a0 Great off season pick-up, has played admirably all season plugging holes and now due to an injury has his time to accept and bask in the spotlight.Doug, this spotlight is well deserved, now kick some Raji Ass!!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Charlie Batch:\u00a0 Performance from Charlie can measured on so many levels.\u00a0 As you can and will see, he is the transistor on this list from Player to coach to upper management (a hint of what’s to come).\u00a0 Charlie stepped in when we needed him most and provided a calming stability that could have come at a better time.\u00a0 If it wasn’t for a late defensive relapse against the Ratbirds in the 4th week, we would have been 4-0 headed into the bye and Big Ben’s return.\u00a0 Upon Ben’s return, Charlie stepped back into the role that he excels in.Game time preparation and Management \/ Coaching as the Game unravels.\u00a0 We all know that his insight to in game strategy is unparalleled.\u00a0 His knowledge and experience with the system is irreplaceable for a back-up quarterback.\u00a0 He is one of many players on this team as you can witness above that puts himself second to the successes and failures of the team.\u00a0 He is happiest when others receive the accolades for his hard work.\u00a0 We are blessed to have such a man to continue to build championships.\u00a0 Not to mention his off the field work within the community.\u00a0 Charlie, your approach to your work & life gives me chills and we can only hope to walk in a similar path as you are as an ultimate “Unsung Hero” on and off the field.\u00a0 We are glad that we have you and will hope that you stay with us well after your playing career is complete!!<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sean Kugler: This guy was brought in to replace Larry Zeirlein under a very strenuous and up hill situation to coach an offensive line that was never billed to be even average at best.\u00a0 This unit for many years has been the weak link to an otherwise strong team.\u00a0 Then things got worse.\u00a0 Before the season even really got started we lost over half of the starters from 2010 and replaced them with career back-ups, aging veterans or an unproven Rookie.\u00a0 To think that the Starting five in the Super Bowl includes a Kemoeatu, Foster, Legusky, Adams & Scott and we ran over the Jets in the AFC Championship game speaks volumes towards the tremendous job that Kugler has done.\u00a0 I’m sure that he is humble and gives the credit to the players and organization as a whole.\u00a0 Sean, you deserve more credit than Captain Tailgate at a Steelers Bar the day before the Super Bowl buying Bill Hillgrove his Jameson’s on the rocks!!\u00a0 We love you Bill but Captain Tailgate was a bit dissapointed that you didn’t hold up your end of the bargain and mention Captain Tailgate during the game…well there is always this year to make up for that!!\u00a0 Sean, your results driven mentality could only be dubbed as a miracle.\u00a0 Crazy to think that Kugler is one miracle away from becoming a Saint…let’s pray that we run up 500 yards on the Pack and next year we will be going to Saint Sean of Heinz Field on Sundays!!<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kevin Colbert:\u00a0 The building of a dynasty may as well start with you Kevin; you are a mastermind of judging talent and work ethic from the top to the bottom of this fine organization.\u00a0 I am not sure if people truly realize the moves that you have made this year to shake up the establishment that was a Super Bowl caliber team that missed the playoffs the year before.\u00a0 This is this year, I could probably write a novel over your career on the success ratio of your decisions and how they molded this dynasty but that is a completely other post.\u00a0 To shed some light, let’s start with leading up to draft day, (excuse my ignorance if this is not in chronological order as this is coming straight off the skull and I am doing this at work with no internet access) what was the major problem with last years season?\u00a0 Special Teams!!\u00a0 What did Kevin do, bring back veterans that understand the importance of special teams such as El yeah and Arnez Battle.\u00a0 Then he brought back into the fold additional past Steeler Super Bowl Champions such as McFadden (through he draft) and Foote to help bring the swagger back to this team.\u00a0 Then there was the draft, Pouncey, Worilds, Sylvester, Sanders and Brown have all contributed to this veteran laden team.\u00a0 Add the Flozell cherry on top along with the hiring of Kugler and whalla, it’s history and Steeler Lore for years to come!!\u00a0 Could this history make us spoiled to the point that this generation will be telling there children and so on down the line of the tough and gritty Pittsburgh Steelers Dynasty that we are smack dab in the middle of!!\u00a0 This is again a classic example of selfless professionalism and taking pride in the end result.\u00a0 Stairway to 7 could not be possible without you Kevin!!\u00a0 You are a Godsend and will never get the national public respect that you deserve!!\u00a0 Here’s to you Kevin Colbert.\u00a0 A leader of men and a person that people want to give everything to follow!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This team exemplifies Professionalism, Heart and Passion for what they do with little to no publicity.\u00a0 The\u00a0 Unsung and Often Overlooked Team Players that Drive Team’s to the Ultimate Team Goal, The Lombardi Trophy! This write-up will break down a top ten list of Players and Coaches that live by the Tomlin manta “the standard […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-246","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-from-the-desk-of-president-tom-janicki"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/bwgsteelers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/bwgsteelers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/bwgsteelers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bwgsteelers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bwgsteelers.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=246"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/bwgsteelers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":250,"href":"http:\/\/bwgsteelers.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246\/revisions\/250"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/bwgsteelers.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=246"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bwgsteelers.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=246"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/bwgsteelers.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=246"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}