Pittsburgh Steelers: Has The Offense Improved Enough?

[B]Pittsburgh Steelers: Has The Offense Improved Enough?[/B]

May 14th, 2013 by Matt Shetler

Coming off of a disappointing 8-8 season in 2012, the Pittsburgh Steelers had a lot of holes to fill on both sides of the ball.

As badly as they needed playmakers on the defensive side, they also needed some on the offensive side as well.

Last season, the Steelers offense finished a disappointing 21st in total yardage and 22nd in points per game. Disappointing seasons by Mike Wallace and Rashard Mendenhall were a major reason for this poor performance.

Wallace and Mendenhall are gone, which ultimately could be a good thing. Tight end Heath Miller also must be replaced for the short-term as he is coming off an ACL injury suffered late last season.

Give Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert credit for addressing the need as they focused on the offense in the middle rounds of the draft.

But did they do enough to dramatically improve a struggling offense?

Let’s take a look position by position:

[IMG]http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/234/files/2013/05/6890696.jpg[/IMG]

[B]Quarterback[/B]

Any time you have Ben Roethlisberger under center, you are in better shape than three quarters of the teams in the NFL. The problem is that Big Ben often can’t be counted on to play 16 games. That being said, the backup quarterback position needed addressed. There will be a lot of talk about Landry Jones, who the Steelers drafted in the fourth round, but if things go right then Jones will never have to play a snap.

The biggest improvement the Steelers made wasn’t drafting Jones, but it was the signing of Bruce Gradkowski. Gradkowski isn’t anything special, but he represents an upgrade over both Charlie Batch and Byron Leftwich. In addition Jones gives them a quarterback with upside. Overall, the Steelers are in a much better spot with Gradkowski and Jones behind Roethlisberger instead of Leftwich and Batch.

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[B]Running Back[/B]

The Steelers needed a running back and they got one in Le’Veon Bell, but did they get the right guy?

Coming off of a season in which they finished 26th in the league in rushing, averaging 3.7 yards per carry, the Steelers needed a feature back that can carry the load. Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman are both back and can spell Bell, but there is the possibility of Dwyer potentially being traded. The thing I don’t like is that the Steelers basically have three plungers. Bell is faster than both Dwyer and Redman, but I worry about his lack of breakaway speed.

Not having a back with home run type speed could prove to be a problem in the long run, but I do like the versatility of Bell as he can be a factor in both the running and passing games. I also like the idea of bringing in LaRod Stephens-Howling to possibly fill the third-down back role.

Bell is big at 6-foot-1, 230 pounds and runs with power. Despite his size, he has deceptive speed and can run between the tackles or get to the outside. The Steelers had him as their top rated back in the draft. They need to be right.

More importantly, Bell can block out of the backfield and has soft hands that will help him get onto the field early—potentially as the Week 1 starter.

If Bell can become a legitimate No. 1 back, he will help in more ways than one. Roethlisberger is fantastic with play action, but you have to be able to sell the run. That’s something that wasn’t possible a year ago.

There’s no doubt that the Steelers have improved in the backfield. How much remains to be seen.

[IMG]http://cityofchampionssports.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/234/files/2013/05/6716488.jpg[/IMG]

[B]Wide Receiver[/B]

The loss of Wallace hurts and the Steelers didn’t do much to replace him. Their best player is Roethlisberger and surrounding him with weapons is the easiest way to win games.

The talent at receiver is very thin.

Antonio Brown will miss having Wallace on the outside and his production is likely to decrease again. Sanders will get the first crack to fill Wallace’s shoes, but I have my doubts on what kind of performer he can be playing on the outside. I like Sanders playing in the slot where he can take advantage of frequent mismatches, but putting up big numbers on the outside is a different story. The Steelers could do worse than Sanders, but they certainly can do better.

I like the Markus Wheaton draft pick but whether he is ready to contribute right away remains to be seen. The Steelers will need him to be a big part of their offense.

Wheaton is a small, quick receiver in the mold of Brown and Sanders and will fit offensive coordinator Todd Haley’s scheme well. He is a strong route runner with excellent speed and can make plays happen after the ball is in his hands. These skills will translate well to the short passing game as either an inside or outside receiver.

I like the idea of him starting on the outside and leaving Sanders in the slot but we will see how that plays out.

Wheaton can add a dimension to this offense because of his terrific deep speed. He may not be the pure burner that Wallace was for the Steelers, but he has the speed to pull away from defenders on deep patterns.

Plaxico Burress and Jerricho Cotchery are back and hopefully they play bigger parts in the offense.

Overall I don’t like the looks of the receiving corps on paper but they have enough talent to potentially be a surprise.

[IMG]http://cityofchampionssports.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/234/files/2013/05/6894356.jpg[/IMG]

[B]Tight End[/B]

I don’t particularly like where the Steelers are at wide receiver, but I really don’t like where they are at tight end to begin the season.

With Miller sidelined to begin the year, the Steelers will have to rely on the likes of Matt Spaeth and David Paulson to fill Miller’s shoes.

That’s something they can’t do and without the threat of Miller being able to stretch the middle of the field, more attention can be paid to the Steelers wide receivers.

The tight end is a weapon for Roethlisberger and it’s something he doesn’t have the luxury of relying on to begin the season.

Hopefully they will be able to get by with the likes of Spaeth and Paulson, but they won’t be able to fill Miller’s shoes.

[B]Overview[/B]

As long as their young offensive line lives up to expectations, the new playmakers on offense will provide a nice boost for the offense. Anytime you have No. 7 under center, things can turn around in a hurry. I believe the Steelers have upgraded enough to be more explosive, but they still have a ways to go to become one of the elite offenses in the game.

Health will always be a concern, especially at quarterback and the offensive line, but if the Steelers stay healthy, they should be able to put up more points on the board in the second year of Todd Haley’s offense.

The problem here is they will be relying on a lot of young players to play big roles, which usually isn’t a good thing. But talent always wins and the Steelers have at least upgraded their talent level at a few key positions.

[URL]http://cityofchampionssports.com/2013/05/14/pittsburgh-steelers-have-the-steelers-improved-enough-on-offense/4/[/URL]

Tight End is a huge hole in the offense right now. I think we will have problems there all season. We should have added another TE instead of Justin Brown at WR.

I think that the Steelers are perfectly happy with the TEs they have on the roster...I don't think a late round TE would be of any help...

The number 1, primary KEY to the offense is a healthy Ben. Keep him clean and we have a good shot to make it to the playoffs with this roster. If he goes out again like last year, season over.

Keeping him clean means more than just a healthly O Line. Ben himself needs to be more careful with his style. I don't want him to go cowering like Brady/Manning at the first sign of pressure but he needs to avoid having big, fat dudes falling on him with their full weight.

"Their best player is Roethlisberger and surrounding him with weapons is the easiest way to win games." Does Crash receive royalties when these words are used?

[QUOTE=Slapstick;563352]I think that the Steelers are perfectly happy with the TEs they have on the roster...I don't think a late round TE would be of any help...[/QUOTE]

I agree.. .

Going position by position makes them all sound equal, but they are not. Two kids at tackle and Ben. If they can do the job and Ben stays healthy then this team is better through 16 weeks than last year. If the kids can't get the job done, and/or Ben goes down or plays with the types of injuries he has had over the past few years, then we will be worse.

No one knows sh-t until we play are first few games

[QUOTE=pittpete;563374]No one knows sh-t until we play are first few games[/QUOTE]

I thought we all did. That is why we post on this site.

Did he just write a whole article about the Steelers offense and not mention the OL?

[QUOTE=SanAntonioSteelerFan;563376]Did he just write a whole article about the Steelers offense and not mention the OL?[/QUOTE]

They were mentioned in the overview.

Max Starks was our starting LT, and Colon our LG both gone so a lot depends on how our O-line plays and if they can stay healthy. Obviously we'll need a healthy Ben all season if we have any chance of being a playoff team.
I'm not too concerned with the WR's as much as this article points out and think a better run game will help offset the loss of Wallace, I just hope Miller can come back sooner than expected.

[QUOTE=Sugar;563377]They were mentioned in the overview.[/QUOTE]

IMHO, the offense is Ben and the OLine. WRs and RBs are dime a dozen pieces in any offense. I think the big question mark is the left side of the line. I think we're all set with Pouncey - DD - Adams. LG and LT are another story.

I hope you are right flippy. I agree that we are solid with pouncey (if healthy)... but I am afraid that DD and Adams have not yet lived up to the hype. Hopefully that will be a different story this year.

[QUOTE=supersteeler;563382]I just hope Miller can come back sooner than expected.[/QUOTE]

You and me both. Spaeth is OK at best and that sucks since Heath was such a weapon last year. Here's to hoping that the others can pick up the slack. :Beer

An effective run game will also be key. It can help hold up some of the ROLBers or DEs to the benefit of our LT whoever that may be. Especially on play action passes which BB is very good at. Spaeth can also help out on the left if it comes down to it. I just think a more productive run game can really turn it around this year. Really liking the Bell pick right now.

[QUOTE=Big Ern McCracken;563386]I hope you are right flippy. I agree that we are solid with pouncey (if healthy)... but I am afraid that DD and Adams have not yet lived up to the hype. Hopefully that will be a different story this year.[/QUOTE]

Adams showed it in his starts. He's a mauler on the right side of the line. He's a big boy that can really move some bodies and open up some holes. He just needs to stay healthy.

DD looks like he put in the work this offseason and looks like he's got a complete new body type from last year. With his pedigree, I think he'll be ready to rock and roll. If results match his efforts, he's gonna be head and shoulders our best OLineman.

I'm not a fan of any of our LT options, but think Gilby has the best feet and just needs to get stronger. I'm also not a big fan of Foster at LG because I don't think he's got the quickness to pull and I think he makes it difficult for Ben to throw over his height on the interior.

Maybe we move DD to the left? Foster and Adams were good run blocking together on the right side.

I dunno, I just don't feel we have the right combo of guys on the OLine.

[QUOTE=flippy;563406]Adams showed it in his starts. He's a mauler on the right side of the line. He's a big boy that can really move some bodies and open up some holes. He just needs to stay healthy.

DD looks like he put in the work this offseason and looks like he's got a complete new body type from last year. With his pedigree, I think he'll be ready to rock and roll. If results match his efforts, he's gonna be head and shoulders our best OLineman.

I'm not a fan of any of our LT options, but think Gilby has the best feet and just needs to get stronger. I'm also not a big fan of Foster at LG because I don't think he's got the quickness to pull and I think he makes it difficult for Ben to throw over his height on the interior.

Maybe we move DD to the left? Foster and Adams were good run blocking together on the right side.

I dunno, I just don't feel we have the right combo of guys on the OLine.[/QUOTE]

Thats what I was thinking too. Move DD to left guard and and put Foster over at right. Since DD can pull both sides and is more athletic then Foster..

[QUOTE=Eich;563354]The number 1, primary KEY to the offense is a healthy Ben. Keep him clean and we have a good shot to make it to the playoffs with this roster. If he goes out again like last year, season over.
[/QUOTE]

I completely agree, the offense was fine before Ben got hurt last year and was never the same afterwards.

[B]Steelers may involve fullback Johnson in passing game more[/B]

By Mark Kaboly
Published: Monday, June 10, 2013

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[B]Steelers fullback Will Johnson's statistics last season:[/B]

Receptions 15

Yards 137

Touchdowns 1

Yards after catch 81

Targeted 22

Neither offensive coordinator Todd Haley nor running backs coach Kirby Wilson specifically told Will Johnson he will be used more in the passing game this year. But three weeks of organized team activities may have revealed their intentions for the Steelers fullback.

With Heath Miller recovering from knee surgery that likely will keep him out at least the first part of the season, and with no viable replacement at the position to put a dent in his team-high 71 receptions, the Steelers could turn more to their bruising-but-soft-handed fullback.

“We are doing a lot more; that's been evident (during OTAs),” Johnson said. “In the red zone, they put some angle routes in there for me. We are doing a lot of things. If they are impressed, they will show me by adding plays where I can get out in some routes, particularly in space. That's how I will know if they are interested in using my hands.”

Johnson's just interested in continuing what has been a Cinderella story. He missed his window into the NFL, worked three part-time jobs, accidentally was seen at a workout not meant for him and wound up playing in all 16 games for the Steelers last year.

“I will do whatever I can do to make myself more valuable to the team, and if that means catching passes, then I am fine with that,” Johnson said. “You have to be ready for everything, but my main focus will always be blocking. I don't mind catching the ball that's fine and all but first and foremost is blocking.”

Johnson (6-foot-2, 238 pounds) was an important part of the Steelers offense last year when he was an emergency replacement for David Johnson, who tore his ACL in early August. Will Johnson started seven games. He rushed only twice for 7 yards but was a solid lead blocker and even part of the passing game. Johnson was in the pass pattern 134 times, targeted 22 and caught 15 for 137 yards, including a Week 8 touchdown reception against Washington.

Johnson was on the field a lot. He played in as many as 32 snaps (about half of the offense snaps per game) a handful of times last year.

“I want to perfect my craft,” Johnson said. “I want to become a better coachable player, and if there was anything that was lacking last season, I am trying to focus in on that and sharpen that.”

Johnson's biggest problem last year was sustaining blocks.

“My initial attack is there, but I need to stay on them longer and finish them,” he said.

So Johnson is working out with the tight ends hitting the blocking sled and working on line-of-scrimmage blocking to help him when he is in the standup position outside the tight end.

“Every day I am learning something different, especially using the outside zone scheme,” Johnson said. “You can see that I am still learning how to read it.”

Johnson, 24, doesn't mind the extra work, especially knowing how he went from working odd jobs to scoring an NFL touchdown within a couple of months last year.

“It was definitely a dream come true, but is something that you can't take for granted,” Johnson said. “Coach (Mike) Tomlin tells me all the time to not become complacent and satisfied, to set a new goal and continue to strive to reach it. I will become a better player because of it. Hopefully I can continue to build off last year's success.”

[URL]http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/4170397-74/johnson-steelers-game#ixzz2VsgQO6SC[/URL]

[QUOTE=hawaiiansteel;564670][B]Steelers may involve fullback Johnson in passing game more[/B]

By Mark Kaboly
Published: Monday, June 10, 2013

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[B]Steelers fullback Will Johnson's statistics last season:[/B]

Receptions 15

Yards 137

Touchdowns 1

Yards after catch 81

Targeted 22

Neither offensive coordinator Todd Haley nor running backs coach Kirby Wilson specifically told Will Johnson he will be used more in the passing game this year. But three weeks of organized team activities may have revealed their intentions for the Steelers fullback.

With Heath Miller recovering from knee surgery that likely will keep him out at least the first part of the season, and with no viable replacement at the position to put a dent in his team-high 71 receptions, the Steelers could turn more to their bruising-but-soft-handed fullback.

“We are doing a lot more; that's been evident (during OTAs),” Johnson said. “In the red zone, they put some angle routes in there for me. We are doing a lot of things. If they are impressed, they will show me by adding plays where I can get out in some routes, particularly in space. That's how I will know if they are interested in using my hands.”

Johnson's just interested in continuing what has been a Cinderella story. He missed his window into the NFL, worked three part-time jobs, accidentally was seen at a workout not meant for him and wound up playing in all 16 games for the Steelers last year.

“I will do whatever I can do to make myself more valuable to the team, and if that means catching passes, then I am fine with that,” Johnson said. “You have to be ready for everything, but my main focus will always be blocking. I don't mind catching the ball that's fine and all but first and foremost is blocking.”

Johnson (6-foot-2, 238 pounds) was an important part of the Steelers offense last year when he was an emergency replacement for David Johnson, who tore his ACL in early August. Will Johnson started seven games. He rushed only twice for 7 yards but was a solid lead blocker and even part of the passing game. Johnson was in the pass pattern 134 times, targeted 22 and caught 15 for 137 yards, including a Week 8 touchdown reception against Washington.

Johnson was on the field a lot. He played in as many as 32 snaps (about half of the offense snaps per game) a handful of times last year.

“I want to perfect my craft,” Johnson said. “I want to become a better coachable player, and if there was anything that was lacking last season, I am trying to focus in on that and sharpen that.”

Johnson's biggest problem last year was sustaining blocks.

“My initial attack is there, but I need to stay on them longer and finish them,” he said.

So Johnson is working out with the tight ends hitting the blocking sled and working on line-of-scrimmage blocking to help him when he is in the standup position outside the tight end.

“Every day I am learning something different, especially using the outside zone scheme,” Johnson said. “You can see that I am still learning how to read it.”

Johnson, 24, doesn't mind the extra work, especially knowing how he went from working odd jobs to scoring an NFL touchdown within a couple of months last year.

“It was definitely a dream come true, but is something that you can't take for granted,” Johnson said. “Coach (Mike) Tomlin tells me all the time to not become complacent and satisfied, to set a new goal and continue to strive to reach it. I will become a better player because of it. Hopefully I can continue to build off last year's success.”

[URL]http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/4170397-74/johnson-steelers-game#ixzz2VsgQO6SC[/URL][/QUOTE]

I think Will Johnson has great potential to help fill the gap while Heath is out. Will J is 100x the player that Dennis Johnson was at FB. To come in as a rookie and do what Will did last year is a great sign for the future.

I'm a big Will Johnson fan. Not just because I think the guy can play but because of his attitude. We need a team full of that.

[QUOTE=Shawn;564676]I'm a big Will Johnson fan. Not just because I think the guy can play but because of his attitude. We need a team full of that.[/QUOTE]

Will Johnson is a great story. Out of football and on the street but a few short months later he is on an NFL roster. With a season under his belt he will only get better.

[B]Report hints at the idea of Steelers throwing deep more in 2013[/B]

By Neal Coolong on Jun 12 2013

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A report indicated the Steelers were throwing the ball deep more often in minicamp. A "coy" Ben Roethlisberger would neither confirm nor deny if that's going to be a larger part of the offense this year.

Tribune Review reporter Mark Kaboly laid out a quiet nugget of intrigue in his notebook Wednesday. In it, he asked Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to confirm whether what he saw - much more deep passing in the first session of the Steelers' full team minicamp - was a glimpse of things to come.

Roethlisberger neither confirmed nor denied Kaboly's observation.

'"I don't know," said a coy Roethlisberger. "We are going to have to wait to see what happening in game one. I don't want to unveil any secrets yet."'

Rookie wide receiver Markus Wheaton is not in attendance, and won't be this week, because his class at Oregon State has not yet graduated. But when he arrives, it's enticing to think about designed deeper passing with the speed they have in Wheaton, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders in a three-wide receiver formation.

While none of them have the blazing speed of departed WR MIke Wallace, the ability all of them possess with inside route running can set up double-moves aimed to get the ball deep and exploit softer coverage on any of them.

Perhaps that's why Roethlisberger is smiling. Wheaton is a more polished receiver than Wallace, Brown or Sanders were upon entering the league, and if the Steelers did lose something when Wallace signed with the Dolphins in terms of deep passing, it may not be as much as some feel it is.

[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/6/12/4422324/steelers-offense-2013-deep-passing[/URL]

[QUOTE=hawaiiansteel;564747][B]Report hints at the idea of Steelers throwing deep more in 2013[/B]

By Neal Coolong on Jun 12 2013

[IMG]http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/14649593/20130611_kkt_al8_283.0_standard_500.0.jpg[/IMG]

A report indicated the Steelers were throwing the ball deep more often in minicamp. A "coy" Ben Roethlisberger would neither confirm nor deny if that's going to be a larger part of the offense this year.

Tribune Review reporter Mark Kaboly laid out a quiet nugget of intrigue in his notebook Wednesday. In it, he asked Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to confirm whether what he saw - much more deep passing in the first session of the Steelers' full team minicamp - was a glimpse of things to come.

Roethlisberger neither confirmed nor denied Kaboly's observation.

'"I don't know," said a coy Roethlisberger. "We are going to have to wait to see what happening in game one. I don't want to unveil any secrets yet."'

Rookie wide receiver Markus Wheaton is not in attendance, and won't be this week, because his class at Oregon State has not yet graduated. But when he arrives, it's enticing to think about designed deeper passing with the speed they have in Wheaton, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders in a three-wide receiver formation.

While none of them have the blazing speed of departed WR MIke Wallace, the ability all of them possess with inside route running can set up double-moves aimed to get the ball deep and exploit softer coverage on any of them.

Perhaps that's why Roethlisberger is smiling. Wheaton is a more polished receiver than Wallace, Brown or Sanders were upon entering the league, and if the Steelers did lose something when Wallace signed with the Dolphins in terms of deep passing, it may not be as much as some feel it is.

[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/6/12/4422324/steelers-offense-2013-deep-passing[/URL][/QUOTE]

As I have said, losing Wallce will prove to be addition through subtraction. We will have three more complete WRs on the field and the defense will have to guess who is going deep versus knowing who is going deep because it is pretty much his "one trick"

[B]Offensive Line Question Marks Could Be Bad News For Big Ben’s Health And Steelers[/B]

Jul 6th, 2013 by Dominic Di Tolla

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After a somewhat tumultuous (by player losses and salary cap fixing, not Aaron Hernandez tumultuous) offseason, the Steelers received a bit of good news over the weekend regarding the status of Ben Roethlisberger’s once-injured knee.

Roethlisberger reportedly said that his knee is “better than ever,” and it is assumed that he will return to the team once Training Camp begins at the end of this month.

I certainly hope that “Big Ben’s” knee will provide him with some extra mobility during the 2013 campaign, especially due to the fact that his offensive line has more questions than answers surrounding it as a unit.

Although the Steelers do have some big concerns in the offensive trenches, I would be remiss if I failed to mention the fact that the franchise does possess one of the best centers in the league.

Maurkice Pouncey has started all 45 games during his professional career with the Steelers. Best of all, Pouncey has made the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons with the team. Pouncey has a great mix of size, speed, and agility for a center, and his athleticism and down-field blocking prowess will only be utilized more now that the Steelers will employ more of a zone-based running game.

The Steelers were also very lucky when they locked up the ever-reliable Ramon Foster this offseason for a relatively cheap contract this past offseason as well. Since Foster made the team as a UDFA back in 2009, he has quietly emerged as one of the team’s most reliable options in the trenches. Foster has started 42 games since his rookie year, and has chipped in at both guard and tackle.

Last season Ramon really came into his own after he stepped in for an injured David DeCastro and started at right guard for the injured rookie. In addition to his work on the right side in 2012, Foster started the final three at left guard once DeCastro returned to the lineup in Week 14. As steady as Foster and the All-Pro Pouncey are though, the Steelers still have enormous question marks looming at their other three starting positions.

I will admit that I am less worried about DeCastro than I am about Pittsburgh’s projected starters at left and right tackle. The former Stanford Cardinal guard definitely had his ups and his downs during his shortened rookie campaign, and Bucky Brooks of NFL.com is of the impression that Pittsburgh’s 1st round pick in 2012 will improve greatly this year. Nevertheless, the talented guard will only have three regular season games under his belt by the time he heads to his his second training camp. Moreover, DeCastro must prove that he can anchor the right side of Pittsburgh’s offensive line and be an absolute mauler on the strong-side.

The biggest question facing the Steelers’ offensive line is: “Who will man the left and right tackle spots?”

Pittsburgh’s coaching staff obviously feel that Marcus Gilbert and Mike Adams were capable of manning Ben’s blind-side this past offseason, especially since they allowed Max Starks to walk to San Diego as a free agent. I believe that the loss of Starks could be huge, particularly because neither Gilbert nor Adams has started a regular season game at the left tackle position at the N.F.L.-level.

Gilbert is the more athletic of the two and is the better pass-protector in my opinion so it was no shock that he received most of the reps on the left side. Unfortunately, Gilbert was much more inconsistent during his second year in 2012 and he was limited to only five games due to an ankle injury. To his credit, Adams started six games and stepped up to play well on the right side during his rookie campaign. However, Adams’ season was also cut short due to an injury and both projected starters only have a combined 24 starts between them.

Kelvin Beachum is a solid role player and a terrific “swing-tackle” to have on game-days behind Adams and Gilbert. Beachum however reportedly took a number of second-team reps at the center position during the spring, and the Steelers’ coaching staff appear to be making him a “jack-of-all-trades, master of none” type of lineman. If anything happens to Pittsburgh’s top six in their offensive line rotation though, then the situation could become dire for Big Ben’s health and the Steelers’ fortunes.

The recently signed Guy Whimper, whose performance in Jacksonville made Jonathan Scott’s stint in Pittsburgh look Hall of Fame-worthy, is the only backup with any extended professional experience besides Beachum and the seldom-used Jon Malecki. Behind Whimper are developmental prospects like Joe Long, Justin Cheadle, Nik Embernate, and Mike Golic, Jr., none of whom I should mention have logged any snaps in a professional game.

There is talent along Pittsburgh’s offensive line, make no mistake. In fact, the team’s starting five could develop into one of the best young units in the league. I just hope that Ben’s knee is as “good as new,” because he might have to be moving around quite a bit if his guys in the trenches struggle mightily once again this year.

[URL]http://nicepickcowher.com/2013/07/06/offensive-line-question-marks-could-be-bad-news-for-big-bens-health-and-steelers/[/URL]

[B]Steelers offense to be 'faster-paced than ever' in 2013[/B]

By Neal Coolong on Aug 4 2013

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Why shouldn't the Steelers increase the tempo of their offense in 2013? Ben Roethlisberger wonders that, and with the right personnel packages, it could be the boost this group needs.

Tribune-Review reporter Alan Robinson gave a devotion to the number three in a notebook published Sunday.

Under the subhead "Three New Wrinkles," he mentioned the Steelers' offense will be run faster than it ever has before. In his words, not Patriots or Chip Kelly fast, but the pace will be bumped up a few notches.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been a long-standing advocate of a no-huddle offense, giving him the ability to make decisions at the line of scrimmage, and attack the defense that's on the field continuously.

There are pros and cons to this, like with anything. The depth and versatility of both the offense and defense is the question. Multi-faceted players like Antonio Brown, Le'Veon Bell and Markus Wheaton could spell trouble if the wrong defensive package gets stuck on the field. Wheaton can be utilized in a short or deep passing attack, just as Brown can, and Bell has shown the ability to run, catch and block, giving defenses a hard time basing personnel decisions on his presence.

If the Steelers want to work up-tempo this season - as many teams in the league are now doing - they run the risk of rushed mistakes costing them downs. This ultimately detracts from their time of possession - something offensive coordinator Todd Haley emphasized frequently in 2012.

But with what seems to be a more physical camp, increased fitness will be one of the gains they'll have. If they have the right playmakers on the field, it's a weapon Roethlisberger should be able to use to strong gains.

[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/8/4/4587322/steelers-offensive-preview-2013-up-tempo-todd-haley[/URL]