fordfixer
09-05-2011, 01:41 AM
Commentary: Nothing but depth chart woes can stop these Pittsburgh Steelers
Published: Sunday, September 04, 2011, 8:00 AM
By JIM CARLSON, The Patriot-News
http://blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewsspo ... pth_c.html (http://blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewssports/2011/09/commentary_nothing_but_depth_c.html)
Let's face it, football fans, there aren’t many NFL units out there that will be able to stop this year’s Pittsburgh Steelers offense.
Baltimore will have a shot and perhaps New England, but there’s really only one thing that can, and that’s the depth chart.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a wealth of extremely talented receivers; that corps is so deep the Steelers could even weather a key injury.
If Ben falls, though, it’s Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon. Both appear to be serviceable and relatively dependable if rather vanilla. Ben cannot fall, nor can he falter.
His offensive line was patchwork last season and it still got him to the Super Bowl. Second-year center Maurkice Pouncey (ankle) must stay healthy to keep Doug Legursky at guard, and Trai Essex subbing at either position.
Rashard Mendenhall is a beast at running back and likely will get the Willie Parker treatment — run him until his wheels fall off or go flat. Mewelde Moore, Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman provide adequate depth.
Defensively, the unit is aging, but don’t tell them that. James Harrison will be fighting back problems throughout the season and Troy Polamalu appears to have recovered from his Achille’s problems, but that’s a dangerous injury, one that likely weighs on one’s mind.
Lawrence Timmons and James Farrior and LaMarr Woodley and Larry Foote make for a linebacking nightmare for running backs.
Linemen Aaron Smith and Casey Hampton are getting a bit long in the tooth, but Ziggy Hood and rookie Cam Heyward will sub in nicely.
The secondary remains the weakest link, but the countless blitz packages and pressure from up front undoubtedly will help the coverage.
That said, how does this team not return to its ninth Super Bowl, most likely in a rematch against the Packers?
If anything, the NFL lockout helped this squad because it’s such a veteran team that didn’t need a lot of preseason work and more time than usual to heal old wounds.
Throw in some new, relaxed practice regulations and coach Mike Tomlin easing off a bit and it’s a recipe for success — a Super one.
You read it here first. Only a rash of injuries can stop them — and not much else.
Published: Sunday, September 04, 2011, 8:00 AM
By JIM CARLSON, The Patriot-News
http://blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewsspo ... pth_c.html (http://blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewssports/2011/09/commentary_nothing_but_depth_c.html)
Let's face it, football fans, there aren’t many NFL units out there that will be able to stop this year’s Pittsburgh Steelers offense.
Baltimore will have a shot and perhaps New England, but there’s really only one thing that can, and that’s the depth chart.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a wealth of extremely talented receivers; that corps is so deep the Steelers could even weather a key injury.
If Ben falls, though, it’s Charlie Batch and Dennis Dixon. Both appear to be serviceable and relatively dependable if rather vanilla. Ben cannot fall, nor can he falter.
His offensive line was patchwork last season and it still got him to the Super Bowl. Second-year center Maurkice Pouncey (ankle) must stay healthy to keep Doug Legursky at guard, and Trai Essex subbing at either position.
Rashard Mendenhall is a beast at running back and likely will get the Willie Parker treatment — run him until his wheels fall off or go flat. Mewelde Moore, Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman provide adequate depth.
Defensively, the unit is aging, but don’t tell them that. James Harrison will be fighting back problems throughout the season and Troy Polamalu appears to have recovered from his Achille’s problems, but that’s a dangerous injury, one that likely weighs on one’s mind.
Lawrence Timmons and James Farrior and LaMarr Woodley and Larry Foote make for a linebacking nightmare for running backs.
Linemen Aaron Smith and Casey Hampton are getting a bit long in the tooth, but Ziggy Hood and rookie Cam Heyward will sub in nicely.
The secondary remains the weakest link, but the countless blitz packages and pressure from up front undoubtedly will help the coverage.
That said, how does this team not return to its ninth Super Bowl, most likely in a rematch against the Packers?
If anything, the NFL lockout helped this squad because it’s such a veteran team that didn’t need a lot of preseason work and more time than usual to heal old wounds.
Throw in some new, relaxed practice regulations and coach Mike Tomlin easing off a bit and it’s a recipe for success — a Super one.
You read it here first. Only a rash of injuries can stop them — and not much else.