2010: My Take

[Shawn]

I usually go into each season breaking down each section of offense and defense to look for improvement. I also like to look at the reasons we lost in the previous season.

So, looking at the 2009 season it's obvious we couldn't close games. We lack a closer. We lack the ability to eat clock and stifle opposing Os late. Why?

-There is no doubt Mendenhall has the power to be a short yardage back. But, our O line couldn't beat the Dlines we have played when the opposition knew we were running. It's as simple as that. Mendenhall had no lanes...and often had a guy in his face in those short yardage late game situations.

-Defensive fatigue and injuries were the main reasons we gave up leads. Our D line is old and couldn't hold it together for 4 quarters...certainly not without Smith.

2010

QB situation-it won't help us to have Ben out. But, I do think we go 2-2 without him. There is no reason Ben's absence should cripple us. (worse)

Running Game-I don't see it being vastly improved. With the loss of Colon our OLine will take a significant hit. Pouncey will help...but he is still a rook. Dwyer will help but he can't create lanes like Bettis. Mendenhall will run for 1500 yards but we will still struggle in short yardage situations. (slightly improved)

WRs- The loss of Holmes is a big deal no matter how you slice it. Ward is still nursing two bad hammies and won't make it through the year intact. The addition of the aging ARE was not all that helpful. Battle is very interesting and I'm looking foward to seeing the rooks play. (worse)

Oline- The addition of Pouncey was huge. But, the loss of Colon was just as huge. Even with the new coach I see us struggling early. (same)

Dline-Having Smith back is wonderful. Hood is going to be the real deal and can spell our aging front. (Improved)

Linebackers-Farrior was just bad last season in coverage...and not much better in run support despite getting some decent stats. I do think Timmons will be better this year...and Foote to be an improvement over Farrior. (Improved)

Secondary-Clearly the area we have improved the most. McFadden is terrific in our system. Troy being healthy is a crucial. Our 2nd year guys are coming on. This should be a great year for our secondary. (Huge Improvement)

Questions

Can we close games this season?
Can we find new go to guys on O?
Can we withstand a huge injury?
Will Ben come back and play well?

If we stay healthy there is no reason we won't win 11 games. If we lose Troy or Ben for a significant time...no playoffs again.

[SteelCrazy]

[jj28west]

Nice breakdown assesment. I share many of the same concerns. With money, injuries, etc I cant understand why we do not bring in the D players in a little more early then year two or three.

I know the scheme is complicated but the quicker you sprinke these guys in the quicker the game slows down it would seem. I am sure there is a good reason for the slow maturation. Maybe they are simply not there mentally and it does take time to understand your roles in a 3-4 based on what the offense aligns in.

[Steelers>NFL]

Nice breakdown assesment. I share many of the same concerns. With money, injuries, etc I cant understand why we do not bring in the D players in a little more early then year two or three.

I know the scheme is complicated but the quicker you sprinke these guys in the quicker the game slows down it would seem. I am sure there is a good reason for the slow maturation. Maybe they are simply not there mentally and it does take time to understand your roles in a 3-4 based on what the offense aligns in.

Agree. Seems like the Steelers are the only team that does not play their rookies.
And by the time they play FT or significant, they are already in year 3 of a 4 or 5 year contract. Let them play. Let them learn on the job training. JC! I understand how complicated the defense schemes are. But at least put them in position where they can play and produce. Let's infuse some youth into this old defense. NOW!

[Oviedo]

My take on your assessment:

2010

QB situation-I agree that 2-2 is very likely with 3-1 a possibility if the defense plays up to the highest level. Where I disagree is I think Ben will come back on a mission and totally focused. He will come back wanting to prove something to the world. If channeled properly this could be a huge lift. My assessment: same

Running Game-Colon is a huge loss which is why with no cap I think the FO needs to go out and sign the best veteran they can find for the OL. As far as the RBs themselves I actually expect them to do better than last year. I think Mendy will improve and I think Dwyer will prove to be at least as good as FWP was last year. I also expect Summers to improve. I want Sean McHugh to make the roster over David Johnson because IMO McHugh is a much better lead blocker out of the backfield. My assessment: slightly improved only because the Colon loss will hold them back from a major improvement.

WRs- I agree Holmes is a huge loss but lets face it this was going to be his last year here anyway. I also agree that Hines will not play in 16 regular season games. Where we differ is that I look at this a a receiver corps (includes TEs and RBs) not just outside guys. I think the loss of Holmes can be mitigated with Miller and other TEs getting more looks. Spaeth is an excellent receiver who has been underutilized here in that role. I also think that Mendy can be a 30-40 catch guy. Key to this is to reign in Ben's penchant for wanting to force the ball downfield. Iactually think that Lefty can set the tone in this respect in the first four games and lay out a template for success by using the TEs and RBs more since he seems to be more willing to do that than Ben. Hopefully Ben watches and his eyes are opened. My assessment: Same if implemented as described

Oline- As I said Sean Kugler is the team's most important off season addition. I expect the player on the OL to all improve individually. Key is how to they improve collectively. I think an adequete solution will be found externally or coached up internally at RT. My assessment: Same

Dline-I think Smith back is great but the key to the DL will be an apparently recommited Hampton and an improving Hood. I think Hood will have a monster year relieveing Smith and he will make Smith better by allowing him to get a breather and stay fresh. Kiesel is one of the most underrated players in the NFL and will have another good season. My assessment: Improved

Linebackers-I actually see this as an area of concern. IMO Farrior is a situational player now but getting Foote back can help. My major concern is James Harrison (Are we seeing the Jason Gildon situation repeated) and his only getting 2 sacks in the final 8 games. Yes he was held but so what. He gets paid to beat that and needs to figure out how. Woodley needs to start playing before mid season and pile up sacks early especially in those critical first four games. The key to the LBs is Timmons and I expect him to have a breakout season. I think he will get double digit sacks plus play superior pass coverage. My assessment: Improved because of Timmons

Secondary-Troy has to stay healthy which means LeBeau has to stop playing mad scientist with him and get him off the line of scrimmage and back playing a more centerfield role. Transition the mad scientist plays to Timmons but keep Troy back and healthy. Bmac being back will help and he fits the system well but I think we see major improvements from Burnett and Lewis who will push Bmac and Gay and force them to be better or be out. Will Allen will be a huge insurance policy if Troy gets hurt and a vast improvement over Ty Carter. My assessment: Improved

Special teams-I add this because I expect to see vastly improved special teams play with the additions of Battle and Allen, the additional experience of Burnett and Lewis plus the addition of rookies Worilds and Gibson. We have addedd better athletes to the ST unit for coverage. I also expect that Sanders and/or Brown will push Logan off the roster and still provide a solid return game. My assessment: Improved

[flippy]

I share none of your concerns :wink

This is practically the same team that won a SuperBowl 2 years ago. No reason we can't do it again. Plus we've added some young talent.

[Oviedo]

I share none of your concerns :wink

This is practically the same team that won a SuperBowl 2 years ago. No reason we can't do it again. Plus we've added some young talent.

Hopefully that young talent can get on the field especially on defense. I think the offense has done a good job every year of getting young players playing time (Summers before he was hurt, Wallace, Foster, David Johnson, etc.). That sems to be an elusive concept for the defense and as we saw last season the defensive player may need a breather more than they are getting.

[SteelerNation1]

A couple quick takes on your assessment Shawn. 1st, I think the Ol will be just fine w/o Colon. I was never a big Colon fan, so I'm in that camp. He is a serviceable OL, definitely replaceable IMO.

I think the emergence of Mike Wallace and the long overdue use of Heath Miller are the keys to our offensive season. If Heath can have a 2009 Dallas Clark type of yr, then Tone will be an afterthought.

On D, staying healthy is going to be key. With Ike in a contract yr I look for another solid season out of him. He's got one more potentially large payday looming at the end of 2010. As I have said before, either Joe Burnett or Keenan Lewis are going to have to take that 1st--->2nd year leap. One of those two has to step up and be counted on to play a large roll in the secondary in 2010 and beyond.

[Oviedo]

If Heath can have a 2009 Dallas Clark type of yr, then Tone will be an afterthought.

I agree about Heath. he is the key on the offense but the success will have to come out of clear intent and not accident. In other words he needs to have the plays called where he is the primary target not #2 or #3 in the prograssion.

If they do it right, Miller can get 70+ catches. Add Mendy getting 30-40 catches and we will be fine on offense.

[Captain Lemming]

I share none of your concerns :wink

This is practically the same team that won a SuperBowl 2 years ago. No reason we can't do it again. Plus we've added some young talent.

No Santonio and no SB that year.