By Sean Geddes 

Sunday night the Steelers square off with the New England Patriots, in what I believe is the Steelers toughest test to date. And for the first time all year, I have defensive concerns. The way this Patriots offense matches up with the current Steelers defensive squad will keep me focused on our secondary more than in any other game this season.

Our defensive philosophy for some time now is to not allow the big plays, and limit the opposing offense to short passes.  Make the opposing offense dink and dunk, until they make a mistake or we stop them.

Unfortunately their offensive philosophy revolves around short passing plays, timing routes, and receivers making plays with the ball in their hands. Since the Randy Moss trade the Patriots have looked much more like the team that started the 2000’s a perennial Superbowl contender and less like the aerial fireworks show that brought them offensive success but no championships in the last few seasons.

Only emphasizing this is the fact that Tom Brady has been making great decisions, and not making very many mistakes. His interception rate is at 1.4%, which would be his lowest over the course of his hall of fame career. Throwing only four interceptions on 261 attempts, Brady will not give us many opportunities to turn a drive around in our favor. He isn’t even fumbling, which is something that has bothered him from time to time.

Don’t read this the wrong way, there are many ways that this game can easily (okay, relatively easily for professional football) be a win. The Pats’ secondary has been beaten multiple times this year and this Roethlisberger guy is no slouch. Their running defense has been shredded, including just last week by Peyton Hillis and the Browns.

Our offense is capable of winning us this game, especially with the Patriots defensive concerns. As long as our beat up line gives us a chance, we will be in this game.

I think we still win this game, I’m just saying I think this is the toughest matchup we have faced defensively all year; and at the very least this is the game that could further prove that this Steelers team can overcome adversity like no other team in the game today.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/

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Nose Tackle

Casey Hampton turns 35 in September and is going into a contract year. He’s also a candidate to start the year on the PUP with a torn ACL, assuming he isn’t cut first. The Steelers don’t have another nose tackle. If Dontari Poe is available at 24, they pull the trigger in a heartbeat.

Middle Linebacker

James Farrior is another candidate to be released as the Steelers are pressed for cap room and need to resign Mike Wallace. Even if he isn’t released now, he’ll be a 38 year old free agent next offseason and they don’t have a clear long term solution at the position behind him.

Offensive Tackle

Max Starks has a torn ACL. Even though he’s only 30, his career could be over. He didn’t sign with the Steelers until October because he was out of shape and he has a history of weight and injury problems. This could be the last straw for him. He’s also a free agent. The Steelers are expected to move Marcus Gilbert, a rookie right tackle in 2011, to left tackle to replace Starks. That leaves them needing a new right tackle. Willie Colon could be that guy, but he can’t stay healthy. Meanwhile, Jonathan Scott, who always seems to have to play, isn’t very good.

Guard

Chris Kemoeatu was benched last season. He could be a cap casualty. They really need a new left guard regardless.

Cornerback

The Steelers always need help at cornerback. Bryant McFadden is pretty mediocre and could be cut, while Ike Taylor is getting older. They’ve taken some cornerbacks in the mid rounds in the last few years, but if they aren’t impressed with their developmental, they could do so again this year.

Wide Receiver

Hines Ward is expected to have played his last game in a Steeler uniform. Meanwhile, they’ve given Mike Wallace a first round tender. Given their cap situation, they may be unable to match any contract he’s offered so they could just take the first rounder and let him go. That would leave them with just Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders at receiver. Even if Wallace is resigned, they’d have 3 receivers who are deep threats. They need a Hines Ward esque possession guy in the mix.

Safety

The Steelers love building for the future on defense so they could start looking for young safeties behind Troy Polamalu and Ryan Clark, two safeties on the wrong side of 30 with a history of injury problems.

Running Back

Rashard Mendenhall is another player who tore his ACL. He might not be able to play at all in 2012. If that’s true, he may have played his last game in a Steeler uniform because he’ll be a free agent after next season and given how bad their cap situation is, they may not shell out the kind of money he wants, especially since he’ll be coming off a major injury. They’re talking up Isaac Redman as a feature back, but they may want one more complimentary guy, depending on what they think of Jonathan Dwyer and John Clay.

Free Agency Priorities

Cornerback 

They added two young cornerbacks through the draft, but they should resign the veteran Ike Taylor as well. If they don’t, they need to find a veteran replacement or even two while the young cornerbacks develop. 

Guard

Right guard was a position that they didn’t address through the draft until late. Maybe they’ll find someone through free agency. They could also resign Willie Colon and move him inside to guard.

Draft Needs 

Guard

Big Ben won’t be able to play into his late 30s like Favre did or like Brady and Manning (barring a freak injury) will, if he keeps taking all these hits. Chris Kemoeatu is a keeper, but they need a new right guard.

Drafted Keith Williams (#196) 

Offensive Tackle

More offensive line help. Willie Colon is solid, but a free agent. If he’s resigned, he might be best off at guard as a mauling blocker, but that would leave them needing two new tackles for the future. Jonathan Scott sucks and Flozell Adams is in a contract year in 2011 and he turns 36 in May. He’s a stopgap and nothing more.

Drafted Marcus Gilbert (#63) 

Cornerback

Bryant McFadden had a good contract year in 2008 with Pittsburgh and landed a nice deal in Arizona. He got to Arizona and sucked. Pittsburgh thought they could revive him in their scheme and traded for him. He still sucked. They need a new starter opposite Ike Taylor.

Drafted Curtis Brown (#95), Drafted Cortez Allen (#128) 

3-4 Defensive End

Other than Evander Hood, their top 3 defensive ends are all over 30. They like to build for the future so it might be time to look at future replacements for the soon to be 33 year old Brent Kiesel.

Drafted Cameron Heyward (#31) 

Nose Tackle

Still looking towards the future, Casey Hampton turns 34 in September.

Middle Linebacker

Looking towards the future again. James Farrior is 36 while backup Larry Foote turns 31 in June. Foote can start if Farrior retires soon, but they need someone for the future.

() FA Rank 

QB Dennis Dixon

RB Mewelde Moore

TE Matt Spaeth

OT Willie Colon (#17)

He was hurt all season in 2010, but this is the best pure run blocking right tackle in the league when healthy.

OT Jonathan Scott

OT Tony Hills

G Trai Essex

G Doug Legursky

NT Chris Hoke

3-4 DE Nick Eason

RLB LaMarr Woodley (#6)- franchised

Would he be as good without James Harrison across from him? Can he play a 4-3? We probably won’t find out the answer to either of those questions this offseason. The Steelers are expected to franchise Woodley, who has 35 sacks in 3 years as a starter.

MLB Keyaron Fox

CB Ike Taylor (#48)

Pittsburgh’s best cornerback had a much better 2010 than 2009, but he’s not the same when Troy Polamalu isn’t on the field and he’s had a ton of help from his front 7. He’s no more than a solid #2 cornerback.

CB William Gay

CB Anthony Madison

S Ryan Mundy

P Daniel Sepulveda

P Jeremy Kapinos

Offseason moves:

Franchised LaMarr Woodley

Draft

OT Mike Adams (Ohio State)

G Kelvin Beachum (SMU)

RLB Andre Branch (Clemson)

G Brandon Brooks (Miami-OH)

WR Greg Childs (Arkansas)

WR Toney Clemons (Colorado)

TE Michael Egnew (Missouri)

NT Hebron Fangupo (BYU)

TE Ladarius Green (LA-Lafayette)

MLB Jerrell Harris (Alabama)

NT Akiem Hicks (Regina)

MLB Dont’a Hightower (Alabama)

WR Stephen Hill (Georgia Tech)

WR T.Y. Hilton (Florida International)

3-4 DE John Hughes (Cincinnati)

RB LaMichael James (Oregon)

RLB Cam Johnson (Virginia)

CB Jeremy Jones (Wayne State)

MLB Mychal Kendricks (California)

WR Keshawn Martin (Michigan State)

OT Bobby Massie (Mississippi)

LS Zach Nolan (Stanford)

TE David Paulson (Oregon)

RB Isaiah Pead (Cincinnati)

RLB Nick Perry (USC)

NT Dontari Poe (Memphis)

TE Adrien Robinson (Cincinnati)

OT Mitchell Schwartz (California)

G Amini Silatolu (Midwestern State)

CB Keith Tandy (West Virginia)

RLB Olivier Vernon (Miami)

3-4 DE Derek Wolfe (Cincinnati)

By Sean Geddes 

Charlie Batch willed a team to victory with shear guts and his smarts, a little luck helped too.

Rashard Mendenall ran hard and could have broken a few more than that great 34 yard TD.

Isaac Redman does the little things that help this team win; including a great block on Batch’s run.

Mike Wallace is extremely fast, and I don’t need to say anything more.

Hines Ward worked hard all day, and it didn’t show any more than on that TD catch.

Antwaan Randle El hadn’t made much noise until a clutch third down grab just before the two minute warning.

Heath Miller is too good of a player to only catch two passes.

Max Starks neutralized Tampa’s best pass rushers all day.

Chris Kemoeatu pulls around the line and no one will get in his way.

Maurkice Pouncey did a great job against three of the younger promising DT’s in football, and gets to the second level very quickly.

Doug Legursky proved he deserves another shot starting at RG, and Trai Essex might get Wally Pipp-ed.

Flozell Adams is a dominating run blocking force when he gets the chance to be. 

Aaron Smith made two linemen look silly way too often; he’s really just that good.

Casey Hampton anchored the line against a running game who managed a total of 75 yards.

Brett Keisel runs extremely well for a 290 pounder if I do say so myself.

LaMarr Woodley didn’t register a sack for the first time in ten games, but is improving in the coverage department.

Lawrence Timmons looked less beast like, but got his first sack in what was still a very good game.

 James Farrior played a good game again, and is proving he can still play at a high level despite his age.

Larry Foote not only made an appearance, but looked really good in the time he played.

James Harrison absolutely scares the bejeezus out of me… and several Buccaneers players I bet.

Ryan Clark showed impressive hand eye coordination on that quick fumble snag and run.

Troy Polamalu may have only played about a half, but still made plays on the sideline after a great performance on the field.

Ike Taylor still can’t catch a cold… or a gift wrapped over the shoulder pass.

Bryant McFadden again played great football, within this system he is a great corner.

William Gay proved that he is a much, much, much better nickel corner than he is a number two.

Jeff Reed continued kicking off well, and made every kick he lined up for.

Daniel Sepulveda had one punt and it bounced right for 62 yards.

Every single back up we had come in either made a play, or almost made an even bigger play trying.

This was by far the Steelers most impressive win, thanks in part to the great play of Charlie Batch, whose veteran savvy benefited the Steelers much more than Dixon’s athleticism proved to in week one and week two. Like I said, a little luck helped too, with one interception turning into a Mike Wallace touchdown, and one Mike Wallace touchdown that might have been an interception against a more aware (and non-rookie linebacker turned safety) safety in the ball game, but you definitely take TD’s that way too. We ran the ball for 200 yards, and didn’t allow a single sack, which was nice to see. Mendenhall looks like he’s about to break one every few runs, and is playing the way we all expected when he was drafted in the first round a few years ago.

Defensively we remain on an absolute terror. Constantly pressuring the QB, and making plays everywhere on the field; despite their sixth overall ranking defensively, it’s safe to say this is probably the best defense in the league right now. Our linebackers are ferocious, including Jason Worilds, who got his first career sack this past Sunday. Our line is controlling the trenches, and our corners and safeties are stopping their receivers and letting the splash plays come to them. This defense is a thing of true beauty right now.

Game Ball- Offense: Mike Wallace (solid tip of the cap to Charlie Batch)- Those two log TD’s were what you would expect from a guy who can outrun just about everybody and almost every pass too/

Game Ball- Defense: Brett Keisel– I’m not sure how you can’t give it to the Beard after that return TD   

Opponents who Stood Out– Josh Freeman, who played as good of a game as you would expect from a young guy facing Dick LeBeau’s defense for the first time. LeGarrette Blount runs hard, and fights hard for every yard. Ronde Barber is ageless.

This Sunday… The Ravens. Get ready for a fight.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/

By Steve Janis 

Wait, the Buffalo Bills have an interesting game at the end of November at the Ralph? Well, sorta. Obviously the Bills are out of it and the Steelers basically have a playoff birth wrapped up. But, this game is still going to be interesting.

I would rather them lose out and get back into the Andrew Luck sweepstakes. That probably won’t happen with perhaps 3 more winnable games left on the schedule. So lets evaluate Ryan Fitzmagic against a good to great defense in the National Football League in a game actually played in Buffalo elements.

People are jumping on the Fitzpatrick bandwagon faster than Jim’s tacos flying out of mine system after consuming them. He has played awful teams, has put up stats, and has made a ton of mistakes exposing his talent level.

If he can play adequate to even decently good Sunday against this Steelers team perhaps I would consider him as a near term option at the quarterback position. Right now Fitzpatrick has not done enough to warrant another season as the “franchise quarterback”. He is a player that does some great things, some good things and enough awful things to have serious reservations about his long term prospects of being a starting QB. 

Sunday will be a gigantic litmus test for Fitz and just about every other player on this team. If he puts up points and stats (not in garbage time) and keeps the team in it for 50+ minutes or even wins outright my opinion will have to change. For now, he is still a good story, a nice player, and a good back for a playoff team.

I may even stay soberish enough in drive 5 to remember it.

http://wnywatercooler.blogspot.com

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By Sean Geddes 

The Steelers start the season with a win, but it was certainly hard fought.

Mike Tomlin told Dennis Dixon the whole playbook was open to him, and the element the Steelers lacked in many a fan’s eye was back in the Steelers overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons. That missing factor was the run, something Bruce Arians has shied away from in his tenure as offensive coordinator. What was known as “Steeler Football” seemed to have vanished as the run pass ratio crept more and more towards the latter. But 31 runs, as compared to 29 passes attempted is more familiar to most fans of the Black and Gold.

The conservative play calling early on was a welcome change. Watching Rashard Mendenhall pound the rock, while being spelled successfully on short yardage by Isaac Redman was what most fans expected from the offense early as Dennis Dixon made his second career start for the suspended Ben Roethlisberger.  The first drive resulted in a 52 yard field goal, which is only one yard short of the longest ever made at Heinz Field, notorious for swirling winds off the river and hills.

The defense came out ready for the power running game from Michael Turner. He never really got going early, and never got going late, and didn’t look that great in between. No other ball carrier fared any better, as the Falcons ran the ball 25 times for a total of 58 yards, 42 of which came from Turner’s 19 carries (his longest was only seven yards), the defense really looked good holding the former 1700(ish) yard rusher to just 2.2 yards a carry.

Matt Ryan’s passing attack was slightly more successful as Coach LeBeau’s “bend but don’t break” pass defense philosophy did just what it was designed to do. Ryan was able to complete 27 of 44 passes, for 247 yards and no touchdowns. Roddy White was the recipient of almost half of Ryan’s tosses, catching 13 balls for 111 yards. His 13 receptions tied the record for most catches by an opposing player in Steelers history. Speaking of history, tightend Tony Gonzalez caught his 1000^th pass in the NFL, most ever by a tightend, and only the seventh player ever to accomplish the feat.

Dixon played well, known primarily for his ability to run, he remained fairly pocket conscious as he was spied on most plays, the Falcons clearly expecting the scramble. Through the air, Dennis looked nervous and maybe a little shaky early, as the Steelers tried to keep it short to middle, asking him to time his throws while mixing in the run. Dixon finished 18 of 26 with one interception, but could have thrown another one or two, as a few of his throws lacked the touch or placement to get them in through the crowd. He did however, make enough plays to get the Steelers into scoring range on several drives, despite not getting the ball into the endzone.

This was a battle of kickers, with Matt Bryant nailing 3 of 4, while Jeff Reed knocked home three field goals, but missed two. After the 52 yard boot, he tried a 55 yarder that was long enough but knocked off the upright and fell no good.

The play of regulation was definitely the Troy Polamalu interception, which followed a short lived drive by the Steelers after Matt Bryant’s third field goal, which tied the game at nine. The Steelers drive that started with just under 3:30 left on the clock, and lasted just a minute and a half, and made some fans (this fan) think about what could have been, with a clutch Ben Roethlisberger under center. But before we could really even delve deeper into that thought, on the first play from scrimmage with under two minutes to play, Troy Polamalu jumped the out route that Matt Ryan and Roddy White made look as simple as Unitas to Berry all game. It reminded everyone watching why he was so dearly missed last season, and gave everyone hope for a thrilling win late in the game.

After another short lived drive, this time only lasting three plays and just over a minute, Jeff Reed lined up for a game winning forty yard field goal. The kick sailed right, and the Steelers took the game to oh-so familiar territory versus the Falcons, overtime.

The defense held firm, and with some assistance from a holding call on third down, gave the ball back to the offense after a punt to the fifty. And that is when Dixon handed off to Rashard Mendenhall, who had a quietly solid performance already that night. He broke right through a hole cleared by Flozell Adams and Trai Essex, with some help from Hines Ward and Heath Miller, and a great two man eliminating block from David Johnson, Rashard rushed hard, stumbling but regaining his stride all the way to the game winning touchdown.

Another tight, chair gripping, nail biting, make your heart race win for the Steelers. This is how this team seems to like to win, although I’d bet anyone in that locker room would have taken a 42-3 beat down, a win is a win, is a win.

Of Special Note: Hines Ward caught his 900^th pass in the NFL, all with the Steelers. He extends his franchise record to 901 pulling in six catches against the Falcons. With his 108 receiving yards he also crossed 11,000 yard plataeu; he is only the 24^th player to have ever done that in the NFL. 

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/ 

2010 Record: 12-4

Draft Position: 31

2010 Season Recap: Click Here

Offseason Needs: Click Here

Free Agents/Team Transactions: Click Here

Draft Grades: Click Here

Key Offseason Moves: None

Steelers Blogger: Sean Geddes

2010 Posts:  

After His Worst Season As a Pro, Jeff Reed Has Been Waived, Steelers vs. Patriots- An Interesting Battle of Philosophy, Sometimes A Close Win Still Contains Some Losses…Again, Steelers vs. Bengals- Who, What, Where, When, Why, Sometimes A Close Win Still Contains A Loss, Ben’s Return- The Longest Offseason, Steelers/Ravens Recap, Steelers/Ravens: Who, What, Where, When, Why, Steelers/Bucs Recap, The Curse of Big Ben?, Steelers Titans Review, Steelers 15 Falcons 9 (OT), Steelers vs. Panthers- Who, What, Where, When, Why, Pittsburgh Steelers Season Preview