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Steelers outlook: Super Bowl loss might fuel another run
by Gerry Dulac 6/21
Sporting News
In a season when he had to wade through a minefield of suspensions, fines, injuries and controversial trades, it’s incomprehensible that Mike Tomlin didn’t receive a single vote for NFL Coach of the Year.
After all the problems and injuries he endured, including a four-game suspension of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, Tomlin should have been the hands-down winner.
James Harrison threatened retirement after receiving extra attention from the NFL for his violent hits. (AP photo)
The Steelers lost only four games in 2010, won their 20th division title since 1970 and made it to their third Super Bowl in six years. Now Tomlin gets to see if he can do it again.
“We have a veteran-laden group with really good leadership,” Tomlin says. “A little extra is required when you’re trying to find a winning edge, a winning formula—and that is something our guys embrace.”
The previous two times the Steelers made it the Super Bowl—after the 2005 and ’08 seasons—they missed the playoffs the following year. But in each of those Super Bowls, the Steelers were victorious. The loss to the Packers in Super Bowl 45 might be enough to inspire another run through the playoffs.
What's new
Offense: There was some question whether Bruce Arians would be back as offensive coordinator, but after the run to the Super Bowl, why not? The Steelers leaned more on the run in 2010 with Arians, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says it was because they were told to do so.
Arians silenced a lot of critics with his ability to mix the run with the pass, something he will continue to do with Roethlisberger and running back Rashard Mendenhall. But look for the offense to open up again in 2011.
Considering the offensive line lost both starting tackles to season-ending injuries and started three different players at right guard, it should be commended, not criticized, for what it was able to do with so many different combinations. The team drafted Florida tackle Marcus Gilbert in the second round and will fit him in at guard. Gilbert has good size (6-6, 330) and athleticism.
Defense: Defensive end Aaron Smith’s season-ending triceps injury had a silver lining because it allowed for the rapid development of end Ziggy Hood and showcased some of his talent—something the Steelers can’t ignore in 2011. They will attempt to do more of that with rookie end Cameron Heyward, their first-round draft pick this year. He will be brought along in the same manner as Hood.
The defensive warts were exposed in the Super Bowl when the Packers used four- and five-receiver sets to spread the field and force the cornerbacks into single coverage. That’s not a problem for Ike Taylor, a top corner the team hopes to re-sign. But Bryant McFadden and nickel back William Gay become liabilities in those situations and are often picked on by opposing offenses.
The team is hoping Keenan Lewis, a third-round pick in 2009, and Crezdon Butler, a fifth-rounder in 2010, are ready to challenge McFadden for a starting spot. If not, the same problems will exist in 2011. The team added corner depth with third-round pick Curtis Brown and fourth-rounder Cortez Allen.
Opponent's view
(An anonymous opponent breaks down the Steelers)
“The Packers discovered the way to beat the Steelers—spread that defense out and force those corners to cover, something they just don’t do very well. If you go back a number of years, the Patriots started doing that to the Steelers with Tom Brady, and they still do it. What happens when you spread the field, No. 1, it gets Casey Hampton off the field in their nickel defense. No. 2, when you use four and even five wide receivers, it gets some of the linebackers in mismatches with the running backs and teams look for that. You’ve seen other teams challenge (inside linebacker) James Farrior in those situations.
“But the whole purpose is to get the Steelers’ corners in one-on-one situations, and they’re just not very good in those situations. Now, Ike Taylor is, but he doesn’t make a lot of plays on the ball. The problem is on the other side, where Bryant McFadden needs help over the top because he has a hard time in single coverage. Whenever the Packers saw McFadden in single coverage, they almost always went at him.”
Bottom line
Pittsburgh has the talent and depth to make another run at the Super Bowl, especially since it returns a number of players who missed significant portions of last season with injuries. A big concern is that age has settled in on the defense, where five of the front seven starters will be 32 or older.
But that was also a source of concern last season, and there was no drop off in production on defense. If the defense defies age again and Roethlisberger continues his late-game heroics, Pittsburgh should again be in contention for the division title and postseason run.
Breakout candidate
Ziggy Hood, DE. Hood started the final 13 games (including the postseason) when Aaron Smith was injured, and his performance got better each week. Even though he might not begin the season as the starter, Hood has earned plenty of playing time and could become a dominant force.
"Ziggy's done a great job, and I expect him to keep on doing the same. He's gotten better. He's a first-round pick, so you expect him to improve and get better.” — NT Casey Hampton
Depth chart
Offense
QB Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich
FB David Johnson, Isaac Redman
RB Rashard Mendenhall, Isaac Redman
LT Max Starks, Jonathan Scott
LG Chris Kemoeatu, Trai Essex
C Maurkice Pouncey, Doug Legursky
RG Ramon Foster, Marcus Gilbert
RT Willie Colon, Flozell Adams
TE Heath Miller, Matt Spaeth
WR Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders
WR Hines Ward, Antonio Brown
Defense
DE Aaron Smith, Ziggy Hood
NT Casey Hampton, Chris Hoke
DE Brett Keisel, Cameron Heyward
OLB James Harrison, Chris Carter
ILB James Farrior, Larry Foote
ILB Lawrence Timmons, Stevenson Sylvester
OLB LaMarr Woodley, Jason Worilds
LCB Ike Taylor, Crezdon Butler
SS Troy Polamalu, Ryan Mundy
FS Ryan Clark, Will Allen
RCB Bryant McFadden, William Gay
Specialists
K Shaun Suisham
P Daniel Sepulveda
KR Antonio Brown
PR Antonio Brown
LS Greg Warren
Read more: [url="http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/feed/2011-06/nfl-outlook/story/super-bowl-loss-may-fuel-another-steelers-run#ixzz1Px8SvIja"]http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/feed/20 ... z1Px8SvIja[/url]
by Gerry Dulac 6/21
Sporting News
In a season when he had to wade through a minefield of suspensions, fines, injuries and controversial trades, it’s incomprehensible that Mike Tomlin didn’t receive a single vote for NFL Coach of the Year.
After all the problems and injuries he endured, including a four-game suspension of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, Tomlin should have been the hands-down winner.
James Harrison threatened retirement after receiving extra attention from the NFL for his violent hits. (AP photo)
The Steelers lost only four games in 2010, won their 20th division title since 1970 and made it to their third Super Bowl in six years. Now Tomlin gets to see if he can do it again.
“We have a veteran-laden group with really good leadership,” Tomlin says. “A little extra is required when you’re trying to find a winning edge, a winning formula—and that is something our guys embrace.”
The previous two times the Steelers made it the Super Bowl—after the 2005 and ’08 seasons—they missed the playoffs the following year. But in each of those Super Bowls, the Steelers were victorious. The loss to the Packers in Super Bowl 45 might be enough to inspire another run through the playoffs.
What's new
Offense: There was some question whether Bruce Arians would be back as offensive coordinator, but after the run to the Super Bowl, why not? The Steelers leaned more on the run in 2010 with Arians, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger says it was because they were told to do so.
Arians silenced a lot of critics with his ability to mix the run with the pass, something he will continue to do with Roethlisberger and running back Rashard Mendenhall. But look for the offense to open up again in 2011.
Considering the offensive line lost both starting tackles to season-ending injuries and started three different players at right guard, it should be commended, not criticized, for what it was able to do with so many different combinations. The team drafted Florida tackle Marcus Gilbert in the second round and will fit him in at guard. Gilbert has good size (6-6, 330) and athleticism.
Defense: Defensive end Aaron Smith’s season-ending triceps injury had a silver lining because it allowed for the rapid development of end Ziggy Hood and showcased some of his talent—something the Steelers can’t ignore in 2011. They will attempt to do more of that with rookie end Cameron Heyward, their first-round draft pick this year. He will be brought along in the same manner as Hood.
The defensive warts were exposed in the Super Bowl when the Packers used four- and five-receiver sets to spread the field and force the cornerbacks into single coverage. That’s not a problem for Ike Taylor, a top corner the team hopes to re-sign. But Bryant McFadden and nickel back William Gay become liabilities in those situations and are often picked on by opposing offenses.
The team is hoping Keenan Lewis, a third-round pick in 2009, and Crezdon Butler, a fifth-rounder in 2010, are ready to challenge McFadden for a starting spot. If not, the same problems will exist in 2011. The team added corner depth with third-round pick Curtis Brown and fourth-rounder Cortez Allen.
Opponent's view
(An anonymous opponent breaks down the Steelers)
“The Packers discovered the way to beat the Steelers—spread that defense out and force those corners to cover, something they just don’t do very well. If you go back a number of years, the Patriots started doing that to the Steelers with Tom Brady, and they still do it. What happens when you spread the field, No. 1, it gets Casey Hampton off the field in their nickel defense. No. 2, when you use four and even five wide receivers, it gets some of the linebackers in mismatches with the running backs and teams look for that. You’ve seen other teams challenge (inside linebacker) James Farrior in those situations.
“But the whole purpose is to get the Steelers’ corners in one-on-one situations, and they’re just not very good in those situations. Now, Ike Taylor is, but he doesn’t make a lot of plays on the ball. The problem is on the other side, where Bryant McFadden needs help over the top because he has a hard time in single coverage. Whenever the Packers saw McFadden in single coverage, they almost always went at him.”
Bottom line
Pittsburgh has the talent and depth to make another run at the Super Bowl, especially since it returns a number of players who missed significant portions of last season with injuries. A big concern is that age has settled in on the defense, where five of the front seven starters will be 32 or older.
But that was also a source of concern last season, and there was no drop off in production on defense. If the defense defies age again and Roethlisberger continues his late-game heroics, Pittsburgh should again be in contention for the division title and postseason run.
Breakout candidate
Ziggy Hood, DE. Hood started the final 13 games (including the postseason) when Aaron Smith was injured, and his performance got better each week. Even though he might not begin the season as the starter, Hood has earned plenty of playing time and could become a dominant force.
"Ziggy's done a great job, and I expect him to keep on doing the same. He's gotten better. He's a first-round pick, so you expect him to improve and get better.” — NT Casey Hampton
Depth chart
Offense
QB Ben Roethlisberger, Byron Leftwich
FB David Johnson, Isaac Redman
RB Rashard Mendenhall, Isaac Redman
LT Max Starks, Jonathan Scott
LG Chris Kemoeatu, Trai Essex
C Maurkice Pouncey, Doug Legursky
RG Ramon Foster, Marcus Gilbert
RT Willie Colon, Flozell Adams
TE Heath Miller, Matt Spaeth
WR Mike Wallace, Emmanuel Sanders
WR Hines Ward, Antonio Brown
Defense
DE Aaron Smith, Ziggy Hood
NT Casey Hampton, Chris Hoke
DE Brett Keisel, Cameron Heyward
OLB James Harrison, Chris Carter
ILB James Farrior, Larry Foote
ILB Lawrence Timmons, Stevenson Sylvester
OLB LaMarr Woodley, Jason Worilds
LCB Ike Taylor, Crezdon Butler
SS Troy Polamalu, Ryan Mundy
FS Ryan Clark, Will Allen
RCB Bryant McFadden, William Gay
Specialists
K Shaun Suisham
P Daniel Sepulveda
KR Antonio Brown
PR Antonio Brown
LS Greg Warren
Read more: [url="http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/feed/2011-06/nfl-outlook/story/super-bowl-loss-may-fuel-another-steelers-run#ixzz1Px8SvIja"]http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/feed/20 ... z1Px8SvIja[/url]
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