So you're pretty down about the Steelers? You are not alone. Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin have to be right there with you. They can't possibly like what they watched in the first two games even though their team is 1-1. They also can't be happy with their roles in the slow start. Players they brought in as free agents haven't helped. Players they rewarded with new contracts haven't lived up to the money. Even one of their all-time greats has been ordinary, at best.
All of it has made this Steelers team difficult to watch so far.
I know, it's early. It's only two games. It would be foolish to pass premature judgment. Things can change quickly in the NFL. Teams can be lousy one week, great the next. We saw it last season with the Steelers, who started 0-4 and 2-6 but were a pretty good team by the end of the season when they finished 8-8. I'm not going to write off this season with 14 games left. I'm not even ready to back off my prediction of a 10-6 or 11-5 record and an AFC North title, although that did seem pretty ridiculous Thursday night when the Baltimore Ravens embarrassed the Steelers in every phase of the game in a 26-6 beating. The game next Sunday night at Carolina will be rough and there will be panic in the streets if the Steelers lose. But the schedule lightens after that. Don't give up just yet.
But that doesn't mean the start of the season hasn't been disappointing. The Steelers were lucky to beat the lousy Cleveland Browns in the opener on a last-second field goal after leading, 27-3, at halftime. They were lucky in Baltimore that they weren't beaten by six touchdowns.
Let's be positive for a minute. Let's list the Steelers who have met or exceeded expectations. Running back Le'Veon Bell has been outstanding, both as a ball-toter and a pass-catcher. Wide receivers Antonio Brown and Markus Wheaton have caught everything. Shaun Suisham has converted all five of his field goals. Brad Wing has done a fine job punting.
So much for the positive.
The Steelers' list of underperformers is much longer. Ben Roethlisberger. Heath Miller. Marcus Gilbert. Cam Thomas. Steve McLendon. Jason Worilds. Jarvis Jones. Cortez Allen. Mike Mitchell. Ike Taylor. Even Troy Polamalu. Yes, Polamalu.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/ron-cook/2014/09/14/Ron-Cook-Negatives-far-outweigh-positives-for-Steelers-in-1-1-start/stories/201409140145
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