2013 NFL Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers
Last Season: The 2012 season was one of bitter disappointment for the Pittsburgh Steelers. After a 6-3 start that saw them battling for first place, they lost five of their last seven games, including a tough loss at home to the Cincinnati Bengals that all but ended their playoff hopes. The Steelers defense, once again, was very good, topping the NFL in yards per game and finishing sixth in points per game. However, the offense was disappointing, winding up the season ranked 22nd in scoring. The running game, normally a strength, was abysmal and ranked 28th in the NFL. The lack of a great running back and injuries that hampered Ben Roethlisberger were mostly to blame for an uncharacteristically poor offense, especially down the stretch.
Offense: Big Ben once again lines up under center in 2013, and as one of the truly elite QBs in the NFL, automatically makes Pittsburgh a contender. His style of play, and his own injury history, gives fans pause every time he takes a hit. His tendency to break tackles and avoid sacks allow him to make some breathtaking plays, but it also makes him more likely to be hurt. If Ben misses games, the Steelers are in trouble, so protecting him is of the utmost importance. Up front, Maurkice Pouncey anchors a young offensive line. David DeCastro, a first round pick a year ago, will look to get a full season in at RG. The line should see improvement as they gain experience. Jonathan Dwyer starts the year as the starting RB, but rookie Le'Veon Bell could take that job quickly, bringing size, power, and good speed to the position. One potential hangup is at TE, where Heath Miller, Roethlisberger's favorite target, is recovering from injury and might not be ready to start the year. The WR position loses Mike Wallace and has to prove they can thrive without the speedy Wallace forcing defenders deep down the field. They'll rely on rookie Markus Wheaton to take over that job.
Defense: The salary cap forced the Steelers to make some changes on defense. Gone are stalwarts James Harrison, Casey Hampton, and Keenan Lewis. In order to continue their success on defense, they will need some of their young talent to show they can take the next step. The nose tackle spot is one of concern, and they would love to see second-year man Alameda Ta'amu take control of it. At linebacker, they keep up the tradition of greatness with ILB Lawrence Timmons, who makes plays all over the field. Lamarr Woodley will look to get back on track after recording just four sacks last season. Jason Worilds will have a spotlight on him as he attempts to replace Harrison's production at the other OLB spot. The secondary was very good last year and returns mostly intact, though Lewis will be missed at CB. Ike Taylor is solid and Ryan Clark is as dependable as anybody. Troy Polamalu is a marvel at the safety position, but his style of play lends itself to injury and he may be a single hit away from the end of his career.
Why the Steelers Will Win the Super Bowl: There is still loads of talent on the roster. Roethlisberger is one of the best in the league, and keeps them in every game. The running game will be improved with Bell, who fits the Pittsburgh style of play perfectly. The offensive line should be better as well. On the other side of the ball, the Steelers are still talented. Timmons, Woodley, and Brett Keisel are great players, and Polamalu is a stud on the backend. They will hold oppenents to low scores, and control clocks. The offense won't need to score 30 per game, and the Steelers can play true Pittsburgh football.
Why the Steelers Will Miss the Playoffs Again: The Steelers have a talented roster, but some key positions are held together with tape and a prayer, and there might not be a more important training staff in the league. Aside from the potential injury issues, there are just too many changes. They have lost a lot of veteran leadership on defense and have a potential problem on the defensive line. A team that wasn't great in the sack department last year might struggle to even reach that number in 2013. On offense, no Heath Miller to start the year, and no Mike Wallace at all will hamper Big Ben and their ability to score points. With Cincinnati seemingly on the rise, the Steelers are on the verge of a fall.
Instant Impact: The Steelers offense was hampered by a sub-par running game in 2012. They had to rely almost solely on the pass, which led to hits on Ben and eventually a disastrous finish and a trip home for the playoffs. Le'Veon Bell is a perfect back for the Pittsburgh offense and could take the starting job by the time the season starts. He'll allow the offense to be more efficient and take the pressure off of Ben.
Questions I Have: Can the defense generate a strong enough pass rush with the new starters? Can Antonio Brown be great without Mike Wallace extending the defense? Can Ben adjust his style to extend his career?
Overall: The Steelers have a lot to prove in 2013. Pittsburgh hasn't missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons in this century, and after an absence from the 2012 postseason, they'll be on a mission this year. However, with stiff competition in the AFC North, it won't be easy. The biggest factor will be health, especially that of Roethlisberger, Polumalu, and along the offensive line. There are some roadblocks on the horizon, and they'll need to be at their best, but it's hard to doubt their ability as a franchise to recover. They seem to always find a way.
Offense: Big Ben once again lines up under center in 2013, and as one of the truly elite QBs in the NFL, automatically makes Pittsburgh a contender. His style of play, and his own injury history, gives fans pause every time he takes a hit. His tendency to break tackles and avoid sacks allow him to make some breathtaking plays, but it also makes him more likely to be hurt. If Ben misses games, the Steelers are in trouble, so protecting him is of the utmost importance. Up front, Maurkice Pouncey anchors a young offensive line. David DeCastro, a first round pick a year ago, will look to get a full season in at RG. The line should see improvement as they gain experience. Jonathan Dwyer starts the year as the starting RB, but rookie Le'Veon Bell could take that job quickly, bringing size, power, and good speed to the position. One potential hangup is at TE, where Heath Miller, Roethlisberger's favorite target, is recovering from injury and might not be ready to start the year. The WR position loses Mike Wallace and has to prove they can thrive without the speedy Wallace forcing defenders deep down the field. They'll rely on rookie Markus Wheaton to take over that job.
Defense: The salary cap forced the Steelers to make some changes on defense. Gone are stalwarts James Harrison, Casey Hampton, and Keenan Lewis. In order to continue their success on defense, they will need some of their young talent to show they can take the next step. The nose tackle spot is one of concern, and they would love to see second-year man Alameda Ta'amu take control of it. At linebacker, they keep up the tradition of greatness with ILB Lawrence Timmons, who makes plays all over the field. Lamarr Woodley will look to get back on track after recording just four sacks last season. Jason Worilds will have a spotlight on him as he attempts to replace Harrison's production at the other OLB spot. The secondary was very good last year and returns mostly intact, though Lewis will be missed at CB. Ike Taylor is solid and Ryan Clark is as dependable as anybody. Troy Polamalu is a marvel at the safety position, but his style of play lends itself to injury and he may be a single hit away from the end of his career.
Why the Steelers Will Win the Super Bowl: There is still loads of talent on the roster. Roethlisberger is one of the best in the league, and keeps them in every game. The running game will be improved with Bell, who fits the Pittsburgh style of play perfectly. The offensive line should be better as well. On the other side of the ball, the Steelers are still talented. Timmons, Woodley, and Brett Keisel are great players, and Polamalu is a stud on the backend. They will hold oppenents to low scores, and control clocks. The offense won't need to score 30 per game, and the Steelers can play true Pittsburgh football.
Why the Steelers Will Miss the Playoffs Again: The Steelers have a talented roster, but some key positions are held together with tape and a prayer, and there might not be a more important training staff in the league. Aside from the potential injury issues, there are just too many changes. They have lost a lot of veteran leadership on defense and have a potential problem on the defensive line. A team that wasn't great in the sack department last year might struggle to even reach that number in 2013. On offense, no Heath Miller to start the year, and no Mike Wallace at all will hamper Big Ben and their ability to score points. With Cincinnati seemingly on the rise, the Steelers are on the verge of a fall.
Instant Impact: The Steelers offense was hampered by a sub-par running game in 2012. They had to rely almost solely on the pass, which led to hits on Ben and eventually a disastrous finish and a trip home for the playoffs. Le'Veon Bell is a perfect back for the Pittsburgh offense and could take the starting job by the time the season starts. He'll allow the offense to be more efficient and take the pressure off of Ben.
Questions I Have: Can the defense generate a strong enough pass rush with the new starters? Can Antonio Brown be great without Mike Wallace extending the defense? Can Ben adjust his style to extend his career?
Overall: The Steelers have a lot to prove in 2013. Pittsburgh hasn't missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons in this century, and after an absence from the 2012 postseason, they'll be on a mission this year. However, with stiff competition in the AFC North, it won't be easy. The biggest factor will be health, especially that of Roethlisberger, Polumalu, and along the offensive line. There are some roadblocks on the horizon, and they'll need to be at their best, but it's hard to doubt their ability as a franchise to recover. They seem to always find a way.
Comments
Post a Comment