Steelers judged to have NFL’s 6th-worst roster

[hawaiiansteel]

by Dale Lolley
Thursday, June 12, 2014

Some of those trashing the Pouncey signing point to Pro Football Focus' ranking of Pouncey outside the top 12 in NFL centers as proof.

PFF's rankings are ridiculous. Some of the same people who use the PFF rankings to rip Pouncey also rip cornerback William Gay, who was one of PFF's highest-rated cornerbacks in the NFL last season.

There is no way somebody sitting on a couch somewhere can accurately judge how well or how poorly every player on a football field performed on every given play of a game. It's just not possible without knowing assignments and other things that go into it.

That's not to say that PFF doesn't have some good statistics. The site's breakdowns on where plays are run and such are excellent.

But don't quote me their player rankings as the be-all, end-all. It's just not the case.

[URL]http://nflfromthesidelines.blogspot.com/2014/06/otas-wrap-up-with-pouncey-contract.html[/URL]

[NorthCoast]

NorthCoast: I call a team being "under the radar" when media types pretty much agree that the team won't do very well. So I say bring on more of these articles. Let's keep them coming all summer. I hope they all predict the Steelers to finish 4th in the division.

Ummm, what is your definition of "under the radar"?

1. under the radar(Adverb)
   Without attracting notice; in an undetected or secretive manner.

so, to my point, an article like this will attract alot of attention because the model franchise is now supposedly looking shabby due to poor drafts and subpar roster.

[skyhawk]

I quit reading when Heath Miller is rated as average. Maybe in fantasy football stats. But you have the best TE in Steeler history and most likely the best all around TE in the league even AFTER 10 + years, someone is obviously not evaluating talent, or anything else. What a joke.

[8467thekraken]

No respect.

Nothing new,right here.

Wait and see.

[Keyplay1]

NorthCoast said: "The good thing, the Steelers recognized shortcomings and have taken rather dramatic actions to fix them. It should be a fun season watching the new blood emerge!"

I think so too! For several years now I have been suggesting the team brings in Cowher as a consultant to evaluate possible player pickups. Really what that meant was something has to be done to reinstill the Steeler identity. Apparently they did.

Since day1 season end the moves could not have been better if BC was handling things. So whoever is there is okay.

But as they say pre-season talk is well just that. We'll see soon enough if all these moves pan out.

[RobinCole]

If Cowher had a hand in picking Jamaine Stephens, Alonzo Jackson, Richard Colclough, Troy Edwards, Omar Jacobs, and 20 or 30 others I could name, I think we can do without his evaluations.

Not saying he was bad, mediocre or good; just that he had hits and misses like everyone else. I don't see him bringing anything special to the war room.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I quit reading when Heath Miller is rated as average. Maybe in fantasy football stats. But you have the best TE in Steeler history and most likely the best all around TE in the league even AFTER 10 + years, someone is obviously not evaluating talent, or anything else. What a joke.

Agreed. Heath has his best statistical season in 2012 (71-816-8) but blows out his knee late in the year. The rehab from ACL surgery delays the start of his 2013 season, but he still catches 58 passes last year for nearly 600 yards. Plus, he's not just another former basketball player who is essentially a tall WR masquerading as a TE...dude actually blocks as well. Best all around TE in the game (even going into his 10th year). To call him average is an absolute joke.

[K Train]

Average is a joke but hes not the best overall TE in the game. Id say Vernon Davis or Jason Witten gets that title.

Davis has as many yards, 13 more TDs in 2 less years and he is an absolutely dominant blocker

[feltdizz]

Agreed. Heath has his best statistical season in 2012 (71-816-8) but blows out his knee late in the year. The rehab from ACL surgery delays the start of his 2013 season, but he still catches 58 passes last year for nearly 600 yards. Plus, he's not just another former basketball player who is essentially a tall WR masquerading as a TE...dude actually blocks as well. Best all around TE in the game (even going into his 10th year). To call him average is an absolute joke.

which is why fans need to calm down on using this site as the holy grail of stats and rankings

[papillon]

Average is a joke but hes not the best overall TE in the game. Id say Vernon Davis or Jason Witten gets that title.

Davis has as many yards, 13 more TDs in 2 less years and he is an absolutely dominant blocker

Ok, for debate's sake, I'll give you Witten and Davis as better overall TEs than Heath, that puts him third, calling the third best overall TE average is still wrong.

Pappy

[K Train]

I know, hes far above average. Really is a guy that gets no credit for just going out there and producing on the field

[Captain Lemming]

If we have the sixt worst roster and can finish 8-8 I guess we have brilliant coaching.

That IS what I tell you all the time OV.

[feltdizz]

Ok, for debate's sake, I'll give you Witten and Davis as better overall TEs than Heath, that puts him third, calling the third best overall TE average is still wrong.

Pappy

I'm not sure Heath is the 3rd best... whether we want to admit it or not the NFL cares about receptions over solid blocking and importance to the overall team.

I still think Heath is above average but he is probably a top 10 talent... not top 3.

[K Train]

I'm not sure Heath is the 3rd best... whether we want to admit it or not the NFL cares about receptions over solid blocking and importance to the overall team.

I still think Heath is above average but he is probably a top 10 talent... not top 3.

Theres better receivers out there that play TE....just kind of looking at the tranditional TEs not Jimmy Graham, Julius Thomas ect...Im not sure Gronk can even be ranked anymore

[Captain Lemming]

Heyward and Timmons are criminally underrated.

I read this the other day....the browns are ahead of the steelers lol....what a joke.

Look at the standard people. The guys the rate as "elite" tend to be close to HOF caliber. I don't argue Timmons and Heyward at all.