Do you believe the hype?

[flippy]

Is it just me or has this off season brought us with an unusual amount of hype?

Here's some of what I'm lead to believe. What's true and what isn't?

1. Limas Sweed = Randy Moss with a good work ethic

2. Ziggy Hood is the next Richard Seymore

3. William Gay is a beast and would shut down Larry F 1 on 1 this season with no safety help

4. Urbik is the anchor of our line

5. The strength of our team is the OLine

6. Willie Colon is an All World RT, the best in the game

7. AQ = Dirt

8. Trai Essex would make the probowl if he were on any other team. Just too much talent in front of him on the depth chart.

9. Mike Wallace - making Hines Ward unnecessary

10. Nance = making the roster because of his college play with Ben

11. Woodley will probably break all time sack record by mid season

12. Rashard = better Ladanian

13. Tyler Grisham = Wes Welker but there's probably not a spot for him cause we got 5-6 WRs that are better than Wes Welker

14. Danny Boy is booming 90 yard punts and dropping everything inside the 10 yard line. We don't need an offense. Just a punter and our D and lets roll.

15. Ben = Brian St Pierre

16. Willie Partner is less valuable than Carey Davis

17. Reed is kicking 60 yard FGs left footed and hasn't missed one yet

18. Tank = better version of the Bus

19. Dennis Dixon - if he played for AZ, he'd have beaten us in the last SuperBowl

20. Mewelde Moore = camp fodder and 1 guy that might be less valued than Parker

21. Lewis = Asomugah

22. Lawrence Timmons = Derrick Brooks but way better

23. Mike Tomlin is God

[Oviedo]

Re: Do you believe the hype?

I don't think anyone has overhyped anything in the off season. The facts are you have a Super Bowl champion who is bringing back 20 of 22 starters. A Super Bowl champion who did not lose a significant player to free agency or retirement. A Super Bowl champion who has good young players who will be challenging to get on the field. How is that overhyping?

Just because the off season has not been one blathering fool after another yelling that the "sky is falling, the sky is falling" doesn't mean that anyone is overhyping or are overconfident. It is simply seeing the glass half full versus the propensity many have to see it half empty.

[proudpittsburgher]

Re: Do you believe the hype?

Well, Flip . . . if 23 is correct, and many here believe it is, then 1-22 will take care of themselves, right?

[NW Steeler]

Re: Do you believe the hype?

I think that it pretty easy to say that the Steelers will be better than they were a year ago. But they played in so many tight games last year that one or two plays made the difference in many of our games. It all went our way last year. You know how that goes. We need to put out foot on the other teams' throat this year and put them away. We have the talent to do just that. Our offense cant wait until the fourth quarter to show up. An improved SB Champion team? I'll take that! Just stay healthy and a showdown with The Gaytriots looms.....


Oh yeah,

[feltdizz]

Re: Do you believe the hype?

well... our schedule on paper screams SB repeat

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Do you believe the hype?

well... our schedule on paper screams SB repeat

I think a big reason why we were successful in the playoffs last year is because we were battle tested with such a tough regular season slate. While that won't be the case with this season's schedule, you have to hope that getting everyone's "best shot" since they will all be giving their top effort to try to beat the champs, will help us to get prepared for the rigors of the playoffs.

[flippy]

Re: Do you believe the hype?

I don't think anyone has overhyped anything in the off season. The facts are you have a Super Bowl champion who is bringing back 20 of 22 starters. A Super Bowl champion who did not lose a significant player to free agency or retirement. A Super Bowl champion who has good young players who will be challenging to get on the field. How is that overhyping?

Just because the off season has not been one blathering fool after another yelling that the "sky is falling, the sky is falling" doesn't mean that anyone is overhyping or are overconfident. It is simply seeing the glass half full versus the propensity many have to see it half empty.

Every training camp report I read, someone literally walks on water.

Every hit is the biggest hit ever.

Players worked out in the offseason and many added 15-20 lbs of muscle.

I'm as big a believer in this team as anyone and what it can be.

And I think Tomlin is a god.

I'm just looking for real reporting on camp.

What's really happening?

What's going on behind the hype?

The real story.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Do you believe the hype?

I don't think anyone has overhyped anything in the off season. The facts are you have a Super Bowl champion who is bringing back 20 of 22 starters. A Super Bowl champion who did not lose a significant player to free agency or retirement. A Super Bowl champion who has good young players who will be challenging to get on the field. How is that overhyping?

Just because the off season has not been one blathering fool after another yelling that the "sky is falling, the sky is falling" doesn't mean that anyone is overhyping or are overconfident. It is simply seeing the glass half full versus the propensity many have to see it half empty.

Every training camp report I read, someone literally walks on water.

Every hit is the biggest hit ever.

Players worked out in the offseason and many added 15-20 lbs of muscle.

I'm as big a believer in this team as anyone and what it can be.

And I think Tomlin is a god.

I'm just looking for real reporting on camp.

What's really happening?

What's going on behind the hype?

The real story.

You never can be sure what the real story is because everything is subjective, especially now that every Joe Schmoe within driving distance to Latrobe can report on their personal blog or Twitter account as if they were writing their own personal Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback column. In one report, Ziggy Hood looks unblockable and Kraig Urbik looks like a turnstile. In another report describing the same sequence of drills between those two rookies, Urbik is dominating Hood two thirds of the time. Everything that is reported from camp should be taken with several hefty grains of salt. Half of the guys that appear to be all world today will be unemployed after the first round of cuts are announced. I try to focus mostly on the input of guys that have a history of quality reporting on the team, such as Dale Lolley or Jim Wexell, as opposed to some random fan's perspective. Just my (minus 18 cents).

[flippy]

Re: Do you believe the hype?

I don't think anyone has overhyped anything in the off season. The facts are you have a Super Bowl champion who is bringing back 20 of 22 starters. A Super Bowl champion who did not lose a significant player to free agency or retirement. A Super Bowl champion who has good young players who will be challenging to get on the field. How is that overhyping?

Just because the off season has not been one blathering fool after another yelling that the "sky is falling, the sky is falling" doesn't mean that anyone is overhyping or are overconfident. It is simply seeing the glass half full versus the propensity many have to see it half empty.

Every training camp report I read, someone literally walks on water.

Every hit is the biggest hit ever.

Players worked out in the offseason and many added 15-20 lbs of muscle.

I'm as big a believer in this team as anyone and what it can be.

And I think Tomlin is a god.

I'm just looking for real reporting on camp.

What's really happening?

What's going on behind the hype?

The real story.

You never can be sure what the real story is because everything is subjective, especially now that every Joe Schmoe within driving distance to Latrobe can report on their personal blog or Twitter account as if they were writing their own personal Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback column. In one report, Ziggy Hood looks unblockable and Kraig Urbik looks like a turnstile. In another report describing the same sequence of drills between those two rookies, Urbik is dominating Hood two thirds of the time. Everything that is reported from camp should be taken with several hefty grains of salt. Half of the guys that appear to be all world today will be unemployed after the first round of cuts are announced. I try to focus mostly on the input of guys that have a history of quality reporting on the team, such as Dale Lolley or Jim Wexell, as opposed to some random fan's perspective. Just my (minus 18 cents).

I think my problem is I'm reading everything.

[TCB]

Re: Do you believe the hype?

I don't think anyone has overhyped anything in the off season. The facts are you have a Super Bowl champion who is bringing back 20 of 22 starters. A Super Bowl champion who did not lose a significant player to free agency or retirement. A Super Bowl champion who has good young players who will be challenging to get on the field. How is that overhyping?

Just because the off season has not been one blathering fool after another yelling that the "sky is falling, the sky is falling" doesn't mean that anyone is overhyping or are overconfident. It is simply seeing the glass half full versus the propensity many have to see it half empty.

Every training camp report I read, someone literally walks on water.

Every hit is the biggest hit ever.

Players worked out in the offseason and many added 15-20 lbs of muscle.

I'm as big a believer in this team as anyone and what it can be.

And I think Tomlin is a god.

I'm just looking for real reporting on camp.

What's really happening?

What's going on behind the hype?

The real story.

You never can be sure what the real story is because everything is subjective, especially now that every Joe Schmoe within driving distance to Latrobe can report on their personal blog or Twitter account as if they were writing their own personal Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback column. In one report, Ziggy Hood looks unblockable and Kraig Urbik looks like a turnstile. In another report describing the same sequence of drills between those two rookies, Urbik is dominating Hood two thirds of the time. Everything that is reported from camp should be taken with several hefty grains of salt. Half of the guys that appear to be all world today will be unemployed after the first round of cuts are announced. I try to focus mostly on the input of guys that have a history of quality reporting on the team, such as Dale Lolley or Jim Wexell, as opposed to some random fan's perspective. Just my (minus 18 cents).

I think my problem is I'm reading everything.

The early days of camp drive me crazy. I am ready for some football (like everyone else) and like you, Skippy, I read everything. I just don't believe most of it and wait until the scrimmages (or whatever they are caling them these days) to begin and observe for myself.

[aggiebones]

Re: Do you believe the hype?

Maybe you just need to relearn how to read.
:P
In all fairness to your illiteracy, there does seem to be alot of 'head turning' with some players. Maybe they just don't suck as much as they did last year in some cases. I'm definitely looking forward to the season. The preseason pains me...but not as much as Pirate baseball, which is like taking an anchor in the arse.

[Discipline of Steel]

Re: Do you believe the hype?

well... our schedule on paper screams SB repeat

I think a big reason why we were successful in the playoffs last year is because we were battle tested with such a tough regular season slate. While that won't be the case with this season's schedule, you have to hope that getting everyone's "best shot" since they will all be giving their top effort to try to beat the champs, will help us to get prepared for the rigors of the playoffs.

With the team returning mostly intact, I think some of that battle tested effect will carry over into this season. Look for a fast start.

[steelblood]

Re: Do you believe the hype?

skip

[steelblood]

Re: Do you believe the hype?

1. Sweed - the writers have said that he has done well and seems more comfortable. However, most temper that with this is only a few days of camp. No one is saying that he will challenge one of the starters for time. I think you are off on this one.

2. Hood - maybe he is a bit overhyped so far. But, he is the #1 pick. He has won some one on one battles and had some scrimmage sacks. No one has talked about him stacking a double team though. I think he'll be a situational pass rusher this year and give Keisel a rest when he needs one on running plays. But, no one has compared him to seymour or more appropriately Aaron Smith when stopping the run.

3. Gay had a big hit and looks comfortable out there. That is good, right? I don't see the hype.

4. Urbik "is the anchor of our line." I missed this one. In fact, I've only read two or three positive comments about the kid. Mostly I've heard how Essex is the front runner for the RG job and how Urbik has been beaten or so so in drills and scrimmages.

5. Oline- strength. You have a point here. Multiple articles about how the line is young and will benefit from staying together. Most of the titles and some of the suppositions have been stretches at best.

6. Colon - again, you have a point. I'm not sure why anyone is trying to pump up colon as the best on our line. But, you have to consider the source here. Zierlin is usually the one quoted. His point is simply that Colon grades out well (at least in his book). I hate Zierlin and wish he were not retained.

7. AQ - haven't heard much at all about him. But, to be fair, he is a 7th round pick. He will have to earn his opportunities with strong play in the second half of the preseason games.

8. Essex - well pro bowl talent is a huge exaggeration. He is a smart kid who has good versatility. The franchise had to tell him that he could win a starting job to resign him. They will give him that opportunity. Looking better than Simmons and perhaps Stapleton is hardly a resounding endorsement.

9. Mike Wallace making Hines unnecessary. Please. No one has said anything of the sort. I think the comparison to Nate Washington is fair though. Wallace does have suspect hands and even Ben joked the other day about that.

10. Nance making the roster because of his relationship with Ben. I've never read this, but if all things were equal between him and someone else. I'm certain Ben's influence would count for something. However, I've heard nothing specific about Nance playing well.

11. Woodley deserves a little hype. Dude is a monster.

12. Mendenhall has looked good and missed a few open holes. No surprises from the reports.

13. Grisham compared to Welker - I thought that was laughable too. But, I do look forward to seeing him play.

14. Dan Sepulveda's 90 yard punt. Ok, I think you missed some math here. The blurb said that he punted from the 10 to the shadow of the opposite end zone. If he punted from the ten the snap would have come from the 25. The shadow of the end zone is a tough one to figure out, so I'll go with the five yard line. This would have been a 70 yard punt (or so). Impressive. But, not close to 90 yards.

15. Ben looks bad early in camp. No surprise here. Ben isn't exactly known for offseason work or coming to camp ready to light things up. I don't think anyone has expressed much concern over his poor throws so far.

16. I missed this article, I guess.

17. Reed. I don't even know what you are talking about.

18. Tank better than Bus. Haven't heard anything of the sort. In fact, I've read a few accounts that say he runs to upright and is not displaying much power.

19. Dennis Dixon - folks are talking about him challenging Batch for the backup job. Nothing more. I've read a few accounts of him making bad decisions still.

20. Moore - Arians has recently said that we wouldn't have won the Super Bowl without Moore. I think you are imagining this hype, and I would like to see the articles you've read that posit such notions. I suppose they don't exist.

21. Lewis - has been described as physical. he has had some good practices. he has also been beaten deep on more than one occassion. I don't see this hype.

22. Timmons was compared to Brooks in style. He hasn't earned the comparison yet, but I get it.

23. Mike Tomlin is God. Yeah, he gets a lot of respect. But, he has earned it. His players seem to like him very much and are comfortable with him. There is a little hype here, but he is a young phenom of a coach.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Do you believe the hype?

Steelblood, steelblood, steelblood....responding to a manic flippy kool-aid post with point-by-point analysis of actual camp happenings??? Tsk, tsk, brother. Just say "WOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" and move on to another thread.