I’m really not a pessimist. I truly do want to see the best in everything but at the same time I’m honest and realistic about what I see and what I see with the 2014 Pittsburgh Steelers worries me a great deal. In fact what I’ve seen so far this summer tells me that the Steelers will be on the outside looking in for the third straight season when it comes to the playoffs.
Reason One: The Run Defense. We can discuss how much of an impact that Brett Keisel will make in terms of stopping the run but I’ve got news for you; it isn’t going to be that significant. We cannot question the leadership and presence that Keisel will provide to the youngsters along the defensive line but in terms of overall play I’m not expecting a lot.
If the defensive line cannot occupy gaps and players then those players get to the second level which means they get to our linebackers. The Steelers cannot afford to consistently allow teams to get four plus yards per crack. This not only allows the opponent’s running game to flourish but it sets up the passing game as well.
I do believe the Steelers will improve upon their 30th ranked rush defense from the preseason but I don’t think it’ll improve that much. Ultimately, you are what you are.
Reason Two: The Offensive Line Remains Too Thin. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Mike Munchak is best offensive line coach the Steelers have had in quite some time. His track record speaks for itself. The problem is that while I believe you’ll see this offensive line play better and more consistent, the lack of depth is a problem.
If Maurkice Pouncey goes down, I’m OK with Cody Wallace stepping in. He proved he could handle the job late last season when Fernando Velasco went down on Thanksgiving night. After that however, the Steelers lack both talent and experience. Besides the starters and Wallace, the roster includes Mike Adams, Wesley Johnson and Chris Hubbard.
Adams can be serviceable, especially at right tackle and overall in the running game but he is still a major liability in pass protection. If we already know that Adams is the first tackle off the bench and what’s left is incredibly inexperienced then how can we feel good about that?
Reason Three: The Receiving Corps is Still Unproven. We know what to expect from Antonio Brown and Heath Miller but can we honestly say we know what we are going to get from Markus Wheaton, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Martavis Bryant and even Lance Moore?
The reason I have concerns with the veteran Moore is because he’s been dinged up already but the bigger reason is will he know what his role is? If he can play in the slot, which means Markus Wheaton is doing well in the #2 spot then I believe he will thrive.
But if Wheaton struggles (and his performance in Philadelphia didn’t do much to make me feel better) then Moore may have to go to the number two spot where I think he will be less of a threat.
Here’s the positive caveat on this though; if Wheaton shows up and plays well and Bryant and Heyward-Bey suddenly start to contribute in big ways then this concern goes right out the window. The problem for me personally is that I haven’t seen strong signs of this happening yet.
Overview: This team will go as far as Ben Roethlisberger is allowed to carry it offensively and if the defense creates lots of turnovers. Special teams cannot afford poor punting and missed field goals either. The one alarming thing that always intrigues me is the schedule. If I’ve learned anything about NFL schedules over the years it’s that it is never the way it looks.
Right now, the Steelers’ schedule screams ten wins doesn’t it? The problem is that some of the bad teams will be better and some of the good teams won’t be so good. But how will that ratio play out?
My heart screams for a 10-6 season and a trip back to the playoffs but my gut tells me another 8-8 season is coming.
Marc Uhlmann writes for and co-owns www.steelcityblitz.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteelDad and the website @SCBlitz. Check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/steelcityblitz and on Fancred.com. You can hear him weekly during the season on Trib-Live Radio
Photo courtesy burghlife.com
11 comments
no NOT another 8-8 season this team will be Boom (Lucky/overachieve) or BUST (reality/injuries) so 10-6 or 5-11
Believe me Mario. I can see arguments for 10-6 and I can see them for 6-10. So many questions on this year’s team.
I’m not sure I agree. I agree on the problems you presented… but I still think with the schedule the Steelers have they may squeak in.
I’m curious Marc. Has your opinion changed at all on the need for a Hampton-esque nose tackle? I think I am. I think the position has been devalued with Louis Nix dropping to the 3rd round… but he’s a total prototype 0-technique. Looking back, I’d have spent a 3rd on one.
I think you’re asking a million dollar question with regards to the NT Chris. With the team in nickel/dime almost 60% of the time I don’t know where the value is anymore. One part of me says yes, go get the guy you know will clog the middle on first down while the other part of me says don’t waste the pick for a guy who won’t be on the field much.
With offenses being so pass-first now I just don’t know.
Steeldad I see why your thinking they will miss the playoffs for the 3rd straight year but I truly believe they can win 10 or 11 games. Yes the run D is a problem but they will get it together and will manage to hold the run. 9 OL are on this 53 man roster and to you it’s still not enough come on man. If this team had double digit OL on the roster you wouldn’t be happy either cause you would complain that by doing that it weakens the other positions of need. Well guess what the OL is gonna get hit with injuries but who cares. Honestly the way you present your reason your just as cynical as Mark Madden is when he made his prediction just the other day. The days of hitting the Deep Ball with a speedy WR are literally gone and it is replaced with 5-15 yard plays that do 2 things: Chew up the clock and keep the young Steeler D off the field. I had a chat with my older brother early yesterday morning and he feels the same way I do the D will find a way to get it together. How many times did I come on this site and get criticized for my viewing of Wheaton and you all told me to give him another year well now it’s my turn to do the same thing to you guys cut the D some freaking slack and let them figure it out themselves. Even now you guys are bashing Wheaton and the other WR’s for not doing much well about you take your own advice and give them a chance to prove there worth.
It’s not cynicism, it’s reality. This team gave up over 600 yards rushing in the preseason! Yes, that will improve but but it isn’t going to be that drastic. As for OL, the number of linemen isn’t the problem; it’s the talent of the depth. DO you really want Chris Hubbard or Wesley Johnson getting significant snaps this season? If they do we are in huge trouble.
In terms of Wheaton, I think the sky is the limit but what has he shown us to further that thinking? When he starts doing it in the regular season then I’ll be all in. Also, I don’t have a problem with throwing the short stuff. Ben has never been a great deep ball guy in the first place. My issue with Haley is when he goes to the multiple TE crap and starts running for 1.5 yards a carry rather than spread out the defense.
i agree with your article except i think more like 7-9 or 6-10
Sadly I can see that too J.
Did you stop and think that maybe Haley see’s something in a multiple TE set that we as fans don’t? So what if guys like Hubbard and Johnson gets snaps? The whole point if guys get hurt is to allow others to take snaps and get adjusted to how Ben runs the offense. Don’t expect that whole line to stay healthy. The D will be better. No they won’t be like the D we want to see but have faith in that these guys will get it together in the long run. Trust me when I say you will have the good and the bad moments for this defense. There are going to be times during the season where the D not only plays well but looks good but there will be times where you will scratch your head and say “what is wrong with the defense”. The key to the season is tomorrow’s game vs the Browns. They win that game and that monkey of facing a bad start or even falling to 0-2 will probably fly out the door.
I can’t believe you are concerned about Wheaton. He flashes impact to me. If anything effects the passing game, it will be injuries on the OL. The secondary is what worries me. The linebackers can’t stop the run and cover up for a deep hole at corner.
Wheaton proved he can handle it and I’m more than happy to say my doubts may have been unnecessary.