2012 Steelers will have first losing season since 2003

[Oviedo]

Yee of little faith, we will be 11-5 and will win the AFC North. The offense will be better with Haley and hopefully the defense can be at least a the level they were last year (minus the Denver game).

Ravens will take a step backwards as will the Bumgals. Both will be 9-7.

Browns will be 5-11 or 6-10 as Weedan gets hammered.

[Slapstick]

The Ravens are dealing with almost exactly the same problems that people list as reasons for the Steelers doing poorly this year:

Age on Defense
Inconsistent Offensive Line
Uncertainty at WR

They might have Ray Rice, but our QB is a lot better than theirs...

[steelblood]

great post $$$$
you're welcome in my neck of the woods anytime Pops...

Used to be, when this board was first getting started that the only opinions not lambasted were ones that involved slurping the Steelers and all that they do. For the most part, if you were negative, you were on the outs. In the past few years, I believe things have mellowed. This is still a mostly positive place were "negative" opinions often find instant resistance. But, in general, there are a lot of open minded folks around who are willing to take off the rose-colored glasses and see this team for what it is (good or bad).

I certainly think it is possible this team could struggle. I believe that they will have a winning record and be in the playoff hunt. But, I think a subpar season is absolutely a possibility (especially with injuries).

[GGPa]

We play one game at a time.
The first one is scary Due to no Ryan Clark witch makes Troy Polamalu just another good safety.
(Kind of like a Cryptonite effect)

[hawaiiansteel]

Previewing and predicting the Steelers

AUG 30
By Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com

Drum roll please ... my prediction for first place in the AFC North is the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Now, before you crack open an Iron City in celebration, I should let everyone know my track record when it comes to predictions. I'm very good at predicting games week to week. But I'm absolutely terrible at season predictions. Last season, my forecast for the division (from first to worst) was: Steelers, Ravens, Browns and Bengals. In other words, I was wrong on every team.

Here's the preview page for the Steelers. And here's five things you need to know about them:

1. They want to run the ball: At least, run the ball more than they did last season, when they kept it on the ground 42 percent of the time. The 434 rushing attempts in 2011 were the Steelers' second-fewest total in the past 20 years. New offensive coordinator Todd Haley has returned the fullback to the Steelers' offense, and set the tone in training camp by running on nearly every play in the first full-team drill. With starting running back Rashard Mendenhall (knee) expected to miss the first month of the season, the Steelers are turning to Isaac Redman, who has averaged 4.5 yards per carry in his two-year career and ran for 121 yards in the playoff loss at Denver. Durability is a question mark for Redman, because he's had double-digit carries in only four career games and missed time this preseason with an injured hip.

2. Top-ranked defense isn't satisfied: The Steelers' defense finished No. 1 last season for the third time in Mike Tomlin's five years as coach, but the players don't feel as if they were dominant on that side of the ball. Pittsburgh was tied for 17th in the NFL with 35 sacks, and ranked last with 15 takeaways. The Steelers either had no takeaways or just one in 13 of 17 games last season (including the playoffs). Increasing the pressure on quarterbacks should increase turnovers. Healthy versions of James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley -- they missed a combined 11 games last season -- would boost both sacks and takeaways.

3. Stability on offensive line is much-needed: The blockers for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger were stuck in a bad game of musical chairs last season. The Steelers used a league-high 25 different offensive-line combinations, and they started four players at left guard. Pittsburgh showed its commitment to creating some continuity on the line by selecting offensive linemen with its first two picks in the 2012 draft (guard David DeCastro and tackle Mike Adams) and by re-signing tackle Max Starks. The Steelers moved Willie Colon from tackle to left guard, and started DeCastro at right guard from the start of the preseason. DeCastro, injured in the preseason against Buffalo, might not play this season, however. Starks and Adams are battling for the left tackle job.

4. Cornerbacks will get tested: Even though the run defense dropped from first to eighth last season, the target is on the Steelers' unproven cornerbacks. Keenan Lewis, the nickelback last season, is taking over for William Gay. Lewis has fought through injuries in training camp to keep the starting job from Cortez Allen, who is expected to be the third corner. Quarterbacks aren't going to be throwing in the direction of Ike Taylor. Only 41 percent of passes were completed against the seven-year starter last season. That means the pressure is on Lewis and Allen, who have combined for one start and one interception in their careers.

5. Timing is right for Roethlisberger: The two-time Super Bowl winner turned 30 this year, hitting the prime of his career. And with the retirement of Hines Ward, all eyes are on Roethlisberger to lead this offense. The key to Roethlisberger has been and always will be his health. He's recovered from an ankle injury that derailed his season, and he doesn't seem concerned about a small tear in his rotator cuff. Roethlisberger, who has been sacked at least 40 times in five of his past six seasons, has built a reputation of playing through pain. Imagine what he could do in an injury-free season.

DIVISION FINISH: 1st -- With all of the camp drama now over, Pittsburgh has the fewest questions of any team in the division. As long as Roethlisberger remains healthy and the defense remains in the top five, the Steelers are the class of the division.

[URL]http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth[/URL]

[BigRob]

Health is going to be a huge problem for this team. Old roster and early injuries.

[Steelerphile]

Health is going to be a huge problem for this team. Old roster and early injuries.

The state of health concerns me a lot. They had three significant injuries during preason. DJ, (Eff the haters). He was coming on strong and was going to play an important role. A bigger loss than some fools realize. DJ to Pope is a downgrade and Will Johnson has ability and potential but does not seem completely ready. Although right now Ramon Foster might be DeCastro's equal, in due time, DeCastro was going to be really good and the OL depth becomes a problem. Other injuries will occur.

I liked Sean Spence, very instinctive. I like Slyvester less, he is injured also. Foote probably will struggle if he doesn't have good depth behind him. Harrison and Worilds are hampered by injury. Cris Carter better be the beast he is touted to be because they need him, but I'm reserving some judgement on him until he gets a few sacks in the games that count.

Injury to Redman. I like Dwyer but is he well-conditioned enough to carry the load? Mendenhall coming back from injury. I think they will be in trouble in the running game if Baron Batch becomes the lead back.

The Steelers really need to be lucky with injuries for the rest of the season.

[Starlifter]

as usual, in my mind it comes down to the O-line. If they are healthy and play smart consistent football this will be a successful season. The defense to me is a question mark - so we need an offense that controls the ball, clock and limits the time the defense is on the field. Of course, that's ALWAYS a key ingredient to success, but that's why I focus on the 5 up front. When they work well, the team wins. simple.

[hawaiiansteel]

Starkey: Steelers look like 10-6 team

By Joe Starkey
Published: Wednesday, September 5, 2012



Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin high fives Troy Polamalu after dropping Rams running back Steven Jackson for a loss on third down at Heinz Field Dec. 24, 2011

Their season starts in Denver, but the Steelers’ best chance for a successful campaign begins, as always, in the brutal AFC North.

Not even the Cleveland Browns can ruin this division’s reputation. It’s the only one that has sent multiple teams to the playoffs each of the past four seasons, including three in 2011.

Bet on this: More than one will make it again. The Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals all appear capable of winning 10 games or more.

“Baltimore will be at the top of the AFC, as they are year-in and year-out,” says Steelers safety Ryan Clark. “Cincinnati made a push, and I think they can become a team that advances in the playoffs.”

Tongue planted firmly in cheek, Clark added: “And the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be the Pittsburgh Steelers — we’re going to be old and slow, and we’re going to try to figure out if we can make some plays.”

The division’s nature has changed since its inception in 2002 (a year the Browns actually made the playoffs, by the way, with an offensive coordinator named Bruce Arians).

It’s a pass-first division now, no different than the rest of the league.

“The game is changing,” Clark says, “from a tough man’s sport into basketball with shoulder pads on.”

Conventional wisdom might still peg the Ravens as “run-first” and the Steelers as “getting back to the run,” but let’s be serious. The Ravens passed the ball 54 percent of the time last season, and the arrow is pointing up: They unveiled a no-huddle attack this preseason.

The Steelers have a $102 million quarterback and one of the NFL’s best receiving corps. Think they’re gonna line up with a fullback every play?

Like everybody else, AFC North teams must answer two critical questions if they are serious about winning a Super Bowl: 1. Can we pass? 2. Can we stop the pass?

Ancient Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis is a monument to the times: He has dropped 20 pounds in hopes of better defending the pass.

A look at the contenders …

STEELERS

• What we like best: Point potential from an offense that was the AFC’s youngest by the end of last season. … Ben Roethlisberger, who gives this team its best chance to win a seventh Super Bowl. … Youthful energy along the defensive line and proven star power in the back seven.

• Don’t like: Age and lack of depth looming in certain sectors of the defense (sorry, Ryan). … The fact that an offensive line that was supposed to be significantly upgraded really wasn’t.

• Breakout player: Ziggy Hood.

• Keeping an eye on: The budding relationship between Todd Haley and Roethlisberger. Over-under on first sideline blow-up: third quarter of Jets game, Week 2.

• Record: 10-6 (wild card)

RAVENS

• What we like: Joe Flacco’s new position coach: Jim Caldwell, who brought the no-huddle concepts used with Peyton Manning. … Ray Rice. … Under-the-radar impact players on defense, including Jameel McClain, Pernell McPhee and Bernard Pollard.

• Don’t like: Age and lack of depth looming in certain sectors of the defense (sound familiar?) … The fact that an offensive line that was supposed to be significantly upgraded really wasn’t (sound familiar?).

• Breakout player: Torrey Smith.

• Keeping an eye on: Terrell Suggs’ return from a torn Achilles. He vows to regain top form immediately. Seems unlikely.

Record: 11-5

BENGALS

• What we like: Dalton to Green. You’re going to be hearing that a lot. As Clark says, “Green is a superstar.” … A full offseason for coordinator Jay Gruden to implement his offense. … Disruptive defensive line, especially if Carlos Dunlap fulfills his potential.

• Don’t like: Pass defense questions — Leon Hall coming off Achilles injury, Nate Clements aging and safety Taylor Mays unproven. Outside the division, Bengals faced a bevy of bad quarterbacks last season. They don’t have that luxury this year. Will see plenty of good ones over the second half, including the Manning brothers back-to-back.

• Breakout player: Jermaine Gresham.

• Keeping an eye on: Jeff Faine, released by Tampa, replaces Kyle Cook at center.

• Record: 9-7 (miss playoffs).

[URL]http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/2545299-85/com-sports-tribweb-editor-steelers-triblive-pittsburgh-clark-joe-assistant#ixzz25f9Ffx1e[/URL]

[BigRob]

A lot of you phukkers were giving me hell over this prediction, and now half the board is falling apart. Too hilarious.

[BigRob]

Maybe it is just my general morass about this season, but I am starting to get a strong feeling that this is going to be the first losing season for the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger.

I am predicting 7-9, what say you?

As an aside, I believe this will mostly be the case because Roethlisberger will miss 1 to 3 games with an injury.

I take no pleasure in this, but remember when everyone said It was stupid to post this prior to the season?

I really hope I am wrong at this point, but 7-9 looks very realistic.

[Oviedo]

I take no pleasure in this, but remember when everyone said It was stupid to post this prior to the season?

I really hope I am wrong at this point, but 7-9 looks very realistic.

9-7 at worst and 11-5 at best; most likely 10-6. I really believe we will win 3 of the next 7 at least. Now that I'm recovering from the psychological trauma of Ben's injury I actually think Lefty will do a good enough job to get us the wins we need to get into the playoffs. Once there though I think we are one and done without Ben.

[flippy]

I take no pleasure in this, but remember when everyone said It was stupid to post this prior to the season?

I really hope I am wrong at this point, but 7-9 looks very realistic.

I thought you were just pessimistic before, but now you think we're going 1 and 6 to finish the season. That's beyond pessimistic.

[BigRob]

I thought you were just pessimistic before, but now you think we're going 1 and 6 to finish the season. That's beyond pessimistic.

How is this beyond pessimistic?

This is a QB driven league more than ever before. We have already lost to the Raiders and Titans. We almost lost to KC in OT. That was WITH BEN.

Make all of the excuses you want, but look at our remaining schedule. What game do we have a decisive QB advantage? None.

You can also argue 2010 all you want. This is not the same defense. Clark(Concussion issues), Polamalu (Held together by string), Hampton (Not the same player).

Why is it not realistic to think we could go 1-6 to end the season?

[hawaiiansteel]

Make all of the excuses you want, but look at our remaining schedule. What game do we have a decisive QB advantage? None.

I would say we have a QB advantage over the Cleveland Browns and Brandon Weeden.