Hello readers,
This is my first day to the forum so I just wanted to start out by say hi and to ask you to follow me on twitter ( @SteelerDelivery ). I am much like all of you , a DIE HARD fan. I want to get right into Steelers talk so here goes.
We all know last years story by now , 0-4 start , to a 2-6 record half way through the year. The team looked awful and coaches were questioned. The team finished 6-2 the last 8 and missed the playoffs by a simple 41 yard field goal miss from Chiefs kicker Ryan Succop vs the Chargers in week 17. We all , I am sure, were heart broken as result but it is finally time to move passed that. Thank God.
The 2014 season SHOULD be a lot different as the team has had a lot of change and I think this has been one of the best off-season's in recent Steeler history. With key additions of LaGarette Blount and Mike Mitchell , the Steelers add primed vets coming off good seasons, on both sides of the ball. However, the biggest additions come from the 2014 draft , where GM Kevin Colbert made some fantastic picks. I was in Latrobe watching practice and the rookies were SHINING . Shazier and Archer have already shown their explosiveness in preseason games this season. Guys like Tuitt and McCullers will become better as the they learn and as the season progresses. Those guys were getting pressure on almost every 11-on-11 they were in at camp. I can really see all these guys having major roles midseason , some even before that. Martavis Bryant was like a light switch, sometimes he was ON, sometimes he was OFF. He is very raw, I can't say I love him or hate him at this point. Would love to see him work harder because there is undeniable talent there, just needs to "want it". I really love this rookie class.
The Steelers , of course, still have 2 future HOF players on both sides of the ball. As long as #7 and #43 stay healthy, the team will have a chance to win. That being said, the concern for the Black and Gold has always been keeping Benny boy healthy. Which is why I LOVE the bringing in of O-Line coach Mike Munchak. A 9 time pro bowler as a player in this league SHOULD do wonders for the young and now talented Steeler blockers. This will be key if the Steelers want to play games come January.
With a RB tandem of Le(Veon/Garette) the Steelers have a solid 1-2 punch at this position. Mix in little Dri Dri for some carries and the offense is elusive. The Steelers have a long time tradition of ground and pound running first football, but I would love to see that change this year. Let the HOF QB throw the ball. Run, Run, Pass does not work in this league anymore. So although I love the RBs , I want more pass. With a better O-Line and RB core, a top WR in the game (Antonio Brown), young raw WRs (Markus Wheaton, Martavis Bryant, Justin Brown) , veterans in Lance Moore and Heath Miller , and of course the HOF QB , the Steeler offense can be something special.
The Pass Rush and Secondary was a major concern for the Steelers last year and it might very well stay that way. With no key addition to the cornerback position , neither through the draft or free agency, the Steelers may be in for some long games vs pass heavy offenses. The Steelers didn't record an INT last year until week 6 vs rookie QB Geno Smith. The Steelers D was blown up by Tom Brady last season as the Patriots* ended up scoring over 50 points. That blow out was result of no pass rush or coverage which like I mentioned is a big problem the team will have this year. Hopefully guys like Tuitt, McCullers, Heyward, Worilds etc etc can step in/up and help out the dismal CBs. Some may ask why I don't include Jarvis Jones to this group and that is because I don't see anything from this former 1st round pick. I have seen him at 2013 camp, through out the 2013 season, and now 2014 camp and he is invisible on the field. He cannot get off a Kelvin Beachum block in practice. Jones looks like a bust to me but I REALLY HOPE I am wrong.
I really do expect to see a better team this season and as always am thrilled for it to start.
I think Ben , if healthy, can break personal records and have a monster season.
He can't carry the team alone though, the D needs to step up.
My prediction this season is for a 10-6 record which will hopefully translate to a playoff spot.
Thank you to whoever read this post and of course , Go STEELERS!
Tweet me !! ( @SteelerDelivery )
