If you still rely on ESPN for anything more than news and highlights, you may want to reevaluate that decision. Its become abundantly clear over the years that their analysts are utterly reactionary, and their knowledge is scattered across the major sports, leaving little in depth analysis for specific teams. For insider news and information, you have to do research, but that's not what this post is about. Despite ESPN's flaws, many still consider them a reliable source of analysis, so when SportsCenter did an hour long special on the AFC North, (Here's part of the video), I'd had enough. Needless to say, I disagreed with their findings, because yet again, the geniuses have given my Steelers no respect and I'm here to defend them.
I'm tired of this shit. The Steelers went 12-4 in 2011 and were one play away against Baltimore from winning the division and nabbing the top seed in the conference. That one play separates the entire outlook that the "experts" at ESPN and the NFL Network give them, going into 2012. Yes, they lost to Tim Tebow and the Broncos in the playoffs. Yes, they lost mainstays in Farrior, Ward, Smith and Hoke. Yes, Rashard Mendenhall is hurt. And yes, they've got a whole new offense coming in and Mike Wallace isn't attending OTAs. Which is why it might seem odd that my expectations for 2012 are higher than they were a year ago. I realize the need for veteran leadership, but from a production standpoint, what we lost in these guys were a situational 37 year old ILB who was already splitting time with Foote, a #5 receiver, a guy who has spent 4 of the last 5 years on IR and a career backup NT. Even if your worried about not having their veteran presence, you mean to tell me that guys like Keisel, Foote or Clark couldn't step up and fill their void. In reality the two most significant losses we've had, and I touched on this in my Post Draft NFL Power Rankings, were William Gay and Max Starks. Gay at least started last year, and I could make the case for Max Starks as team MVP, given that his return to the offensive line may have saved our season. And here's why even those losses don't worry me: one is replaceable and the other may still be brought back. Keenan Lewis has already announced that his goal in 2012 is to make the Pro Bowl, and Starks may still be resigned by training camp (once he's healthy), if the Steelers don't trust starting Mike Adams right away.
Now that that's cleared up, let's talk about this new offense. People were calling for Bruce Arians head for years, and now that he's gone, those same geniuses believe that Haley is going to reduce Ben to tears and the offense will be completely dysfunctional because our receivers can't possibly learn a new system. Obviously it will take time for Haley's offense to work the kinks out, get the timing right and reach it's potential, but let's keep in mind that as coach of the Chiefs, he implemented a new offense and they made the playoffs with the top rushing attack in football. He knows how to use talent, no one can deny that, and in Pittsburgh this year, he'll have more to work with than ever before.
Mendenhall's injury doesn't concern me. He was a mess last year because he relies on finesse, and for that to work, he needs good run blockers. In 2011, he didn't have any. If he returns in 2012, he absolutely will. Willie Colon has Pro Bowl potential at guard, drafting DeCastro still seems like a dream to me, and Pouncey should be recovered after having a down year in 2011, when he fought nagging injuries. Gilbert has a year of experience under his belt, and the other tackle will be Starks, if he's brought back, or Mike Adams, if he shows he's capable. I would prefer the former of the two scenarios but we'll see. So as much as people in Pittsburgh might have been annoyed by Mendenhall last year, it wasn't entirely his fault. The reason they (myself included) love Redman is because he doesn't need great blocking to get the job done. He'll barrel guys over and take the four yards, but that won't be as necessary this year. So while he can be a workhorse, what you see is what you get. I would prefer to have Mendenhall's big play ability, but I still believe that Redman can be a 1000 yard rusher if he gets 225-250 carries in 2012. Whoever lines up behind Roethlisberger will have a fine year, and though unlikely, it remains a possibility that Mendenhall could be healthy by week one. Plus, with our revamped line, he could have his best year as a pro.
What were the other concerns? Age? Wallace's contract? Ben's feelings? You kidding me? Age is just a number in most cases, Wallace will get a long term deal before the season starts and if Ben doesn't like getting yelled at, he shouldn't make mistakes.
My point you ask? The Steelers are better now than they were three months ago. The Ravens on the other hand, have lost their best offensive linemen to free agency and their best defensive player, and reigning player of they year, to injury. Not to mention, while the Steelers lost just one full time starter in William Gay, the Ravens lost their other OLB in Paul Kruger as well as DE Cory Redding. Not to mention, people seem to forget that the Ravens have a new coordinator too. Chuck Pagano left for Indianapolis and Dean Pees became the 3rd different coordinator the Ravens have had since Rex Ryan became head coach of the Jets in 2009. Offensively, Flacco is one of the least consistent QBs I've ever seen, and if anything were to happen to Ray Rice, this team goes from double digit wins, to six or seven.
I bring this up because all three of ESPN's "experts" (Herm Edwards, Marcellus Whiley and Bill Polian), predicted that the Steelers would finish 3rd in the division, and miss the playoffs. No, they weren't joking, their just that out of touch with reality. Let's review: the Ravens added nothing this offseason (Courtney Upshaw is going to need time to learn that defense), instead losing key starters, while Ed Reed and Ray Lewis head into 2012 coming off of down years, where their age started to show. The Steelers got rid of the guys whose age was starting to show, with the exception of Casey Hampton. The Bengals filled some holes in the draft and look to be competitive again this year in Dalton's second season at QB, but let's remember that the Bengals went 9-7 last year and squeaked into the post season. My favorite stat is that they went 0-4 against the Ravens and Steelers. Until Dalton can show that he can play with these defenses, the Bengals won't be able to challenge for more than a wild card spot. Offensively they still have questions at WR across from Green and they've got a new RB in Green-Ellis, but what it boils down to is avoiding a sophomore slump, if your Dalton.
It just seems that despite the major improvements the Steelers have made on the offensive line, the fact that they still have two defensive players of the year or that there is only one QB in football not named Roethlisberger, with more Super Bowl appearances (Tom Brady), they still get little recognition as a contender. If I've learned nothing else about the Steelers over the years, its that you can never count them out. Bill Cowher retires-they make the playoffs in Tomlin's first year. In 2008, the offensive line can barely stand, let alone block, and they win the Super Bowl. Roethlisberger gets suspended for four games-they come up one drive short of a 7th Lombardi. Nine months ago, people said the defense was too old to function, and they go 12-4 with the top defensive unit in football, coming up one play short of a division title and #1 seed in the AFC. This year, they're saying there's been too much change in Pittsburgh for them to succeed. I don't buy it, and neither should you.
I love you #NOHomo
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