By Mike Nicastro: Dedicated Steelers Supporter and Enthusiast
7. William Gay – The secondary as a whole was a concern last year for this team, and has been horrific against top notch quarterbacks so far to date on this campaign (Tom Brady, Drew Brees). But let me be more specific. Will somebody please explain to me why William Gay is still a cornerback in the National Football League? Gay was burnt not once, not twice, but three times vs. the Patriots Sunday night, adversely by a rookie tight end, resulting in 3 touchdowns. If he cannot be replaced because whoever is behind him is not as worthy, then tells you a lot about the troubles and current quandary the Steelers have regarding the depth and play of their defensive backs. Here’s to an attempt at bringing NFL Network Rod Woodson out of retirement, or Ricardo Colclough if we’re simply discussing an upgrade.
6. The every 3 years law – In the recent decade the Pittsburgh Steelers won the super bowl in 2006 (defeating the Seattle Seahawks capping an improbable run) and in 2009(overcoming the resolute Arizona Cardinals, thanks to a Santonio Holmes toe tap). This in no way shape or form is relevant to this Steelers team, or this Steelers season, but amusingly in my book, it is appropriate. Check your facts. Check your calendar. It’s 2011.
5. Raw – It may be somewhat delusional of me to refer to this offense as inexperienced, but I choose to use it in a different context. Inexperienced in the roles they are being asked to assume, is the stance I opt to take. Glance at Rashard Mendenhall for example, sure he was effective last season rushing for over 1000 yards and a respectable 4.6 yards per carry. But remember Willie Parker was still in the mix, and Mendenhall ran like a prize fighter trying to land a knockout blow, quite frankly because he had to prove to his coaches, teammates, and fans that he was not injury prone, and could eventually live up to his first round pedigree. Well now the burden and the load is exclusively on his shoulders. Opponent’s game plan solely for Rashard Mendenhall in the backfield. You’re mistaken if you think i'm questioning his motivation, but what you have to understand that he is still growing into his role as the primary option out of the backfield for this team, and he's not going to be as consistent as most of us terrible towel wavers would like at this stage in the game. Call me crazy, but maybe the Steelers do miss Fast Willie Parker. Or maybe the Steelers need to take a memo from the rest of the league, and find another back to join the rotation, or Mendenhall’s career and success may be short-lived.
Another example, Mike Wallace. For all intensive purposes this guy looks like a star in the making. But once again, it is his first year as a starter, and as a primary target of Ben Roethlisberger. In these final 6 games I’m interested to see how he responds to double coverage, as well as the pressure that winning football games down the stretch conveys.
4. Antwaan Randle El – To declare that this man has not lost a step or two from his prime, would be the equivalent of saying that John Stallworth hasn’t lost a step or two from his prime. Or Bob Barker hasn’t lost a step from his prime. Yes, I did just compare Antwaan randle el to a 64 year old John Stallworth, (I know Randle El/Stallworth, Apples/Oranges), and an 85 year old game show host who is on the verge of deceased, but you get my point (and I really couldn’t come up with anything more creative). Randle El has lost ten steps. And I’ll be the first to say I was the ring leader of the bring back Randel El fan club, but recently I’ve burned my t-shirt. He may be an emotional leader off of the field, but on the field he’s nothing more than a motionless cheerleader. El is a caterpillar out of his breaks, and I will admit is usually sure handed, but dropped a crucial what would have been touchdown reception in the Steelers throbbing at the hands of the patriots. If his name was Joe Schmo, and not Antwaan Randle El, he would be working at the McDonalds down the street, or selling real estate. And I’ll give you one name. . Antonio Brown. A talented, dynamic, budding receiver’s progression is being blocked by one el yeah. Oh, and Antwaan Randle El through six weeks was still taking on punt return duties, despite his abysmal 2.7 avg per return this season? ? El, no.
3. Bruce Arians – Arians has recently won the award for “Worst Red Zone play caller in the history of offensive coordinators”. Going back to the Miami game, where the coordinator had his 6’5 250 lb quarterback who you can ill afford to lose due to injury, scramble two times inside the ten yard line. One, a 2nd and goal in which Ben rolled out to the right, picking up a yard. And two, a quarterback draw on 3rd and goal, resulting in what would have been a game-ending fumble recovery by the dolphins if not for an NFL rule coming into effect that needs to change. Let’s just take 6’5 Heath Miller, 6’9 Matt Spaeth, and Mr. Reliable Hines Ward, out of the equation completely in a monumental series inside the ten yard line. And if my recent memory does not deceive me, Arians elected to throw 3 passes in the direction of Antwaan Randle El (see #4) in goal to go scenarios against New England. One of those calls, of course, a fade pattern. Congratulations Bruce on your award, this one for the refrigerator.
2. Injuries – Plain and simple. Year after year the bug seems to plague the Steelers at the most inopportune times, and thus far it’s been no different for the black and gold. The offensive line is suspect to begin with, slow-footed, and just simply not suited for straight up drop back passes. But the injuries obviously can’t help. To date, Max Starks, Chris Kemoueatu and Willie Colon have all missed significant playing time, with two of these skyscrapers most likely out for the season in Starks and Colon. It is almost impossible to win football games, yet a super bowl with an offensive line that can’t protect the quarterback. Ironically, the Steelers possibly were the exception to that rule in 2009 when they made their super bowl run without 2 starters in the trenches.
Keeping it in the trenches, the backbone and the vertebrae of the Steelers defensive line are also currently injured. Highlighting the injury list, 3 time pro bowl defensive end Aaron Smith is out for the season, and Brett Keisel is day to day with a hamstring injury. An injury list that featured 8 players this week vs. New England, the previous high on the season being 5. Mike Tomlin was quoted as saying “The standard is the standard. We have to prepare very smart with these guys and even look at potentially alternative modes of preparation to make sure enough of these men get sufficient looks at what is necessary for us to play. I am more concerned about the readiness of the able-bodied guys, the guys who are going to play for us; We have a group of men we believe are capable if prepared. They have to prepare as if they are going to get the opportunity. We will see how some of the injuries sort out in the later part of the week. Hopefully this holds true for coach, but the word alternative (also known as back up’s, or guys who aren’t good enough to start in the first place) usually isn’t an option or a route you are excited about taking.
And the number 1 reason the Steelers will not represent the AFC in the Super Bowl is . . (Drum roll please)
Tom Brady – In 2006, the 6. Seed Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals, and Denver Broncos in the AFC, en route to winning their first super bowl in 30 years. In 2009 the Steelers defeated the San Diego Chargers, as well as the Baltimore Ravens before capturing the one for the thumb, against the Arizona Cardinals. Where am I going with this and why is this significant? Well in this recent era, the Pittsburgh Steelers have not beaten the New England Patriots in the playoffs. In 2006, Denver providentially beat the Patriots in the Divisional Round, allowing the Steelers to handle the Broncos rather easily in the AFC Championship. In 2009, Tom Brady was injured on New England’s 3rd play from scrimmage, and their dreams and aspirations went down the drain when they later received the diagnosis, out for the season. The Patriots missed the playoffs that year, and Pittsburgh cruised through the AFC without looking back. In 2 AFC Championships, 2004 and 2001, New England defeated the Steelers, in Pittsburgh, en route to winning their first and second of what would be three championships in the decade. Pittsburgh has never defeated New England in the postseason, and if anything was proven in last week’s AFC Showdown between the two teams, the road to the super bowl this year goes through Foxboro. And not to mention one Tom Brady, who is now 6-1 lifetime against the 'burgh with a 97.5 quarterback rating. Is one of two quarterbacks in NFL history to throw for 300 yards, 3 times, in 3 individual performances against the Steelers. Now I know you can only beat the teams that are in front of you, and may the cards lie where they fall, but if the Steelers have a number, Tom Brady stole that number, and now has that number. And if the Steelers want number 7, they’re going to have to first most likely get through number 12.
Honorable Mention – Jeff Reed.
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