Last Year:
Would you rather watch Anacondas: The Hunt for The Blood Orchid or watch tapes of the lethargic Pittsburgh Steelers running game? Well the good news is that you don?t have to choose, but the bad news is that it was easier for Steeltown to search for a flower that extends life than successfully run the ball. Known for a rosy running game and a prickling defense, Pittsburgh budded neither last year which lead to quarterback Tommy Maddox?s wilting. With a healthy offensive line and a flourishing rush attack are the Steelers ready to blossom once again?
What we Learned from Last Year:
The Pittsburgh Steelers? offense was more painful to watch than Perdita Felicien?s hurdling, but as the saying goes: that?s how the cookie crumbles.
The running game was absolutely embarrassing last year averaging a paltry 93 yards per game. The offensive line should attract some of the blame as they allowed only 9 less sacks than the worst in the league.
The pi?ata who took the beating for all the shortcomings was none other than Tommy Maddox. His statistics plummeted resulting in Steeler lows in the quarterback rating and completion percentage categories.
Spectral contributions from Jerome Bettis and Amos Zereoue pained the air attack making it easy for opponents to assume a pass was the next play. When your two top running backs tally a measly 3.3 yards per carry, adversaries will blanket receivers knowing the backfield deficiencies. No wonder Plaxico Burress? and Hines Ward?s numbers took a big hit last year.
The Steeler defense ranked a deceptively high 10th but what has gone unnoticed for years is the secondary, which has been an a discernable catastrophe. For some reason Chad Scott and Dewayne Washington are pawned off as starting cornerbacks even after incessantly mediocre performances. This tandem is a legitimate two and three fit, but matching either of these defensive backs on a number one receiver may be detrimental to the coach?s health.
Behind the two starters, safeties Brent Alexander and Mike Logan were not nightmare instigators for Saturday night sleeps for offensive coordinators.
Pittsburgh?s defensive signature has always been the dominating front seven. Linebacking productivity tailed off a bit as Joey Porter and Jason Gildon were not their normal punishing selves. James Farrior and Kendrell Bell played as top ?backers while picking up the slack for their two co-members.
The defensive line was accountable and even sack productive. Using the 3-4 scheme the Steelers depend on linebacker pressure but blue collar workers like Kimo Von Oelhoffen enjoyed a career high eight sacks. Tackle Casey Hampton proved to be a Pro Bowl menace in the running game.
Will Cowher have two bad seasons in a row?
What Has Changed?:
Fox?s The Family Guy is set to make its comeback next season but the Steelers hope their running game doesn?t take that long to resurface.
Most Pittsburgh natives have missed the tastes of an influential running back almost as badly as most Family Guy fans have missed the cynical retorts from the football-headed baby, Stewie Griffin.
As Stewie would say, ?I?m on to you. Oh yes!? in his British and subtly sarcastic voice, and I too am on to the Steelers and what they plan to achieve this season. With the addition of Duce Staley a big sigh can be relieved by a slew of members of the offense ? if they run the ball effectively.
Staley offers a different approach to the ground game than the wide-load bus Jerome Bettis, but combined between the two, this rush attack will get back on its two feet. Staley offers speed and excellent hands out of the backfield, characteristics that may land him the full-time and Bettis sideline time. The offensive line, even without Kendall Simmons for the year, should be grateful that they will not have to protect for the pass on every down. Finally Tommy Maddox, Hines Ward, and Plaxico Burress will all resurface as capable players now that they pose offensive ambiguity as a whole. Teams can no longer afford to force Maddox to get the wins through the air, as a couple of quick feet from Staley or a tough run from Bettis will keep everyone honest.
As Stewie re-iterates, ?Life is like a box of chocolates?, and the Steelers materialized a few sweets in the form of Plaxico Burress, Hines Ward, and Antawn Randel El which sort of distracted the direction of the offense. With Mike Mularkey jumping ship, Pit has rededicated to pounding the ball persistently. If you think Burress and Ward?s numbers will suffer, it should have the opposite effect since defensive backs won?t be draped all over them this year. As far as blocking is concerned, these two starters are near the top in the NFL.
The defensive line could use some depth, and possibly another operative sacker. Kimo Von Oelhoffen overachieved and Aaron Smith underachieved last year but between the two of them there will be enough pressure provided. Casey Hampton has developed into an immovable nuisance for rival running backs. The four horsemen that back the line are expected to lend a helping hand. James Farrior is a tackling machine while quarterback sacks will be expected from Joey Porter and Kendrell Bell. Sophomore Alonzo Jackson will have the left outside linebacker position reserved in this 3-4. Linebackers are always a forte.
One of Stewie?s favorite lines is ?What the hell do you think you are doing?? and some may share his thoughts when observing the secondary transactions. Brent Alexander and Dewayne Washington are out while Ike Taylor, Willie Williams, and Ricardo Colclough are in. Nothing stellar has burst through the door yet, but a change of scenery and competition may rejuvenate a pedestrian grouping. Troy Polamalu has continued progress and he is teamed with the steady Mike Logan.
Last year matched Head Coach Bill Cowher?s worst season as the leader of the Pittsburgh Steelers mostly in part to the running game which was the leagues best in 2001 but was the league?s second-to-last a season ago. The defense is not the Steel curtain and will be submissive, but as long as the offense clicks the Steelers will knock on the playoff door.
O/U 7.5:
Oooh?a tough one. It?s challenging to predict the win total on a teeter-totter team in a tough division. If the running game flows, 9 or 10 wins is a more than attainable. Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Baltimore all have other thoughts. They play: OAK, @MIA, @DAL, NE, PHI, WAS, @JAX, NYJ, @NYG, and @BUF.
Fantasy Sleeper:
Duce Staley came to Pittsburgh for one reason: to get a regular amount of carries in an offense where he is the focal point. Touchdowns are the only concern for him as Jerome Bettis may spell him in the red-zone, but expect Staley to break 1000 yards, and supplement a dependable pair of palms in the passing game.
Would you rather watch Anacondas: The Hunt for The Blood Orchid or watch tapes of the lethargic Pittsburgh Steelers running game? Well the good news is that you don?t have to choose, but the bad news is that it was easier for Steeltown to search for a flower that extends life than successfully run the ball. Known for a rosy running game and a prickling defense, Pittsburgh budded neither last year which lead to quarterback Tommy Maddox?s wilting. With a healthy offensive line and a flourishing rush attack are the Steelers ready to blossom once again?
What we Learned from Last Year:
The Pittsburgh Steelers? offense was more painful to watch than Perdita Felicien?s hurdling, but as the saying goes: that?s how the cookie crumbles.
The running game was absolutely embarrassing last year averaging a paltry 93 yards per game. The offensive line should attract some of the blame as they allowed only 9 less sacks than the worst in the league.
The pi?ata who took the beating for all the shortcomings was none other than Tommy Maddox. His statistics plummeted resulting in Steeler lows in the quarterback rating and completion percentage categories.
Spectral contributions from Jerome Bettis and Amos Zereoue pained the air attack making it easy for opponents to assume a pass was the next play. When your two top running backs tally a measly 3.3 yards per carry, adversaries will blanket receivers knowing the backfield deficiencies. No wonder Plaxico Burress? and Hines Ward?s numbers took a big hit last year.
The Steeler defense ranked a deceptively high 10th but what has gone unnoticed for years is the secondary, which has been an a discernable catastrophe. For some reason Chad Scott and Dewayne Washington are pawned off as starting cornerbacks even after incessantly mediocre performances. This tandem is a legitimate two and three fit, but matching either of these defensive backs on a number one receiver may be detrimental to the coach?s health.
Behind the two starters, safeties Brent Alexander and Mike Logan were not nightmare instigators for Saturday night sleeps for offensive coordinators.
Pittsburgh?s defensive signature has always been the dominating front seven. Linebacking productivity tailed off a bit as Joey Porter and Jason Gildon were not their normal punishing selves. James Farrior and Kendrell Bell played as top ?backers while picking up the slack for their two co-members.
The defensive line was accountable and even sack productive. Using the 3-4 scheme the Steelers depend on linebacker pressure but blue collar workers like Kimo Von Oelhoffen enjoyed a career high eight sacks. Tackle Casey Hampton proved to be a Pro Bowl menace in the running game.
Will Cowher have two bad seasons in a row?
What Has Changed?:
Fox?s The Family Guy is set to make its comeback next season but the Steelers hope their running game doesn?t take that long to resurface.
Most Pittsburgh natives have missed the tastes of an influential running back almost as badly as most Family Guy fans have missed the cynical retorts from the football-headed baby, Stewie Griffin.
As Stewie would say, ?I?m on to you. Oh yes!? in his British and subtly sarcastic voice, and I too am on to the Steelers and what they plan to achieve this season. With the addition of Duce Staley a big sigh can be relieved by a slew of members of the offense ? if they run the ball effectively.
Staley offers a different approach to the ground game than the wide-load bus Jerome Bettis, but combined between the two, this rush attack will get back on its two feet. Staley offers speed and excellent hands out of the backfield, characteristics that may land him the full-time and Bettis sideline time. The offensive line, even without Kendall Simmons for the year, should be grateful that they will not have to protect for the pass on every down. Finally Tommy Maddox, Hines Ward, and Plaxico Burress will all resurface as capable players now that they pose offensive ambiguity as a whole. Teams can no longer afford to force Maddox to get the wins through the air, as a couple of quick feet from Staley or a tough run from Bettis will keep everyone honest.
As Stewie re-iterates, ?Life is like a box of chocolates?, and the Steelers materialized a few sweets in the form of Plaxico Burress, Hines Ward, and Antawn Randel El which sort of distracted the direction of the offense. With Mike Mularkey jumping ship, Pit has rededicated to pounding the ball persistently. If you think Burress and Ward?s numbers will suffer, it should have the opposite effect since defensive backs won?t be draped all over them this year. As far as blocking is concerned, these two starters are near the top in the NFL.
The defensive line could use some depth, and possibly another operative sacker. Kimo Von Oelhoffen overachieved and Aaron Smith underachieved last year but between the two of them there will be enough pressure provided. Casey Hampton has developed into an immovable nuisance for rival running backs. The four horsemen that back the line are expected to lend a helping hand. James Farrior is a tackling machine while quarterback sacks will be expected from Joey Porter and Kendrell Bell. Sophomore Alonzo Jackson will have the left outside linebacker position reserved in this 3-4. Linebackers are always a forte.
One of Stewie?s favorite lines is ?What the hell do you think you are doing?? and some may share his thoughts when observing the secondary transactions. Brent Alexander and Dewayne Washington are out while Ike Taylor, Willie Williams, and Ricardo Colclough are in. Nothing stellar has burst through the door yet, but a change of scenery and competition may rejuvenate a pedestrian grouping. Troy Polamalu has continued progress and he is teamed with the steady Mike Logan.
Last year matched Head Coach Bill Cowher?s worst season as the leader of the Pittsburgh Steelers mostly in part to the running game which was the leagues best in 2001 but was the league?s second-to-last a season ago. The defense is not the Steel curtain and will be submissive, but as long as the offense clicks the Steelers will knock on the playoff door.
O/U 7.5:
Oooh?a tough one. It?s challenging to predict the win total on a teeter-totter team in a tough division. If the running game flows, 9 or 10 wins is a more than attainable. Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Baltimore all have other thoughts. They play: OAK, @MIA, @DAL, NE, PHI, WAS, @JAX, NYJ, @NYG, and @BUF.
Fantasy Sleeper:
Duce Staley came to Pittsburgh for one reason: to get a regular amount of carries in an offense where he is the focal point. Touchdowns are the only concern for him as Jerome Bettis may spell him in the red-zone, but expect Staley to break 1000 yards, and supplement a dependable pair of palms in the passing game.