Last season was a major disappointment for all of Steeler Nation. As one of the most storied and respected franchises in the history of not only football, but all of sports, Pittsburgh Steelers fans expect to be in contention for another championship every season. When the black and gold are in the big game, nothing but perfection is acceptable.
After losing to the Green Bay Packers in the Superbowl, the front office of our beloved team went straight to work in improving our team for the upcoming season. With free agents re-signed, draft picks on board, and young players getting more and more comfortable at this level, there are FIVE reasons why the Pittsburgh Steelers will not only contend for another world championship, but (in my opinion) will be hoisting the prized Lombardi Trophy in Indianapolis this season.
(The following list is in no specific order of significance)
1.Veterans
The Steelers are filled with veteran players who know how to play the game at a championship caliber. With nine starters returning on offense and a staggering 11 starters returning on defense, the Pittsburgh Steelers are entering the 2011 NFL Football Season with virtually the same team that took them to the Superbowl the previous year. The offense brings back all of its skill players and about half of it’s offensive line (which will include rookie Marcus Gilbert of Florida).
More impressively though, the Steelers have retained every single defensive starter from a year ago; all who were part of the defense that was ranked number one in the NFL. With Ziggy Hood, Chris Hoke, and rookie Cameron Heyward adding depth to the often beat up defensive line, the Steelers can rotate their players more at those positions hoping to preserve their players for another run at the Superbowl.
2. Offseason Gains > Losses
Gains: During this tumultuous off-season, filled with CBA agreements and the like, the Pittsburgh Steelers quietly solidified their team. Adding rookies Cameron Heyward, Curtis Brown, Malcolm Gilbert, and (the now injured) Baron Batch during this seasons draft filled some holes and added depth to positions in need of assistance last season. Picking up players on both the offensive and defensive line will surely help with the injury problems that plagued the trenches last year. After the CBA was reached, the black and gold brought back Ike Taylor, Willie Colon, William Gay, Chris Hoke, Mewelde Moore, Shuan Suisham, Daniel Sepulveda, and Jonathan Scott. With these additions and re-signs, the Steelers have definitely gained more this off-season than they have lost
Losses: With the Steelers resigning most of their free agents, the only two major contributors to the team last season that were released were Flozell Adams and Max Starks. Flozell stepped in and did a great job run blocking all season, but his age and cost were a big factor in his departure. Willie Colon was hurt all of last season and was replaced by the re-signed Jonathan Scott. While Starks still has some ability left, this was probably a salary cap related move and the Steelers giving Starks the chance to thrive with another club. Another note-able loss is hometown favorite Antwaan Randle El, who’s expertise on special teams is no longer needed due to the success of now second year players Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders.
3. Defense <(tried for seriously 25 minutes to get this to move over, wont happen so oh well)
Across the country I’m not sure that this is as valuable as it is here in Pittsburgh, but in Steeler Country, defense wins championships…literally. With most teams throughout the league running up the score while allowing the opposing team to try to outscore them, the Steelers continue to win games 16-10. Now six points may not seem like much, but this is a dominating six points. While holding the opposing team to sub-100 yard rushing and almost no scoring opportunities, our hometown team will pound away at the other team’s quarterback until he is rendered virtually unable to perform. While only allowing an average of 276 yards per game total offense, the revamped Steel Curtain racked up a league leading 48 sacks and tied for fifth with 21 interceptions (this with Troy Polamalu injured for most of the season).
Last season the Steelers ranked first in rushing yards allowed per game. This was achieved by only allowing on average 62.8 yards. That’s slightly over half of the field in an entire game! The team behind them, Chicago Bears, allowed 27.3 yards per game more than the league leaders. If that isn’t pure dominance, then I don’t know what is.
Returning all eleven starters and adding some depth to the secondary and defensive line, look for the Steelers to repeat last season’s best defense. Hell, they might even be better depending on the health of some of last year’s key injuries (Aaron Smith and Troy Polamalu).
4. Coaching
Sure, any avid Steeler fan will tell you that Bruce Arians has lost us more games with his awful play-calling than won. Well it is hard to argue with that because I often wonder why some plays are called and why some aren’t. But when it comes down to it, I trust him calling plays. The Steelers have had great success since he has taken over the offense and I am sure he knows a lot more about football than all of us combined. So, regardless of what Steeler Nation thinks, the man is a good coach and continues to be part of winning teams.
Well, now that the only controversial coach is out of the way we can move on to the other two major influences on our sidelines. Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Defensive Mastermind…oh I mean Co-ordinator Dick LeBeau. First lets just get the fact that Dick LeBeau may be the greatest coordinator (offensive or defensive) of all time. The man is getting old, 73 years old, but he is still coming up with the freshest and most innovative blitzing packages that the game has ever seen.
Every season teams will tell the media that playing the Steelers is a true crapshoot. Linebackers coming from different holes, safeties coming overtop of the line, corners screeching in from the outside….talking about it, I am even beginning to confuse myself. That is why Dick LeBeau is so important to our team. Not only does he happen to have a very, very talented core of defensive players, but he himself may be the most skilled of them all with his packages and different looks that he gives the offense.
Last but certainly not least is the Head Coach, Mike Tomlin. Replacing Bill Cowher was not an easy job, but Tomlin took the task head on and hasn’t looked back. Posting an overall record of 43-21, Tomlin has led the Pittsburgh Steelers to 3 AFC North Titles, 2 AFC Championships, and 1 Superbowl Victory in only four years. His accomplishments speak for themselves, and any other character questions can be answered by listening to his professional press conferences where he puts plenty of blame on himself for mistakes and is clearly behind his team 110%.
5. Ben Roethlisberger
Yeah, yeah, yeah. We know he was accused of sexual assault a few times but the guy was never proved guilty and has since gotten married and done nothing but shown how good of a person he is. This guy can put the team on his back at any time and lead them to victory. With 23+ game winning drives, two Superbowls, and the heart of a champion, Ben Roethlisberger might be the best quarterback in the NFL.
Yeah I said it, the best in the NFL. Sure, Tom Brady’s long locks of hair can propel the ball perfectly down the field and Peyton and Aaron Rodgers can sure light up the stat sheet. When it comes down to it though, I wouldn’t rather have anyone in the NFL leading my team on to the field down a score in the fourth quarter. Hell, I wouldn’t rather have anyone in the NFL leading my team on to the field after kickoff. I’ll tell you right now, I am about as biased as it gets when it comes to Ben Roethlisberger. He is my ideal quarterback from top to bottom. He scrambles, stays alive, makes all the throws, takes shots, puts his team on his back, wins games, wins big games, and grows a pretty nasty beard.
The guy has some controversial issues behind him and hopefully that is where they stay. When it is all said and done, Ben Roethlisberger will be the greatest Steeler of all time. He has at least two more Superbowls in him, and I don’t even flinch when saying that. He is the heart and soul of this team, and is definitely one of the top five reasons the Pittsburgh Steelers will be returning to the Superbowl.
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