Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp Outlook: The Offensive Backfield

This is the sixth and final article in a series exploring each position and the battles going on in Pittsburgh Steelers training camp and the preseason. Today we look at the quarterbacks and running backs.

 

Quarterbacks

Ben Roethlisberger returns for a chance to win his third Super Bowl title in six seasons, putting him in the same league with the likes of Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana, Troy Aikman, and Tom Brady.

Roethlisberger has the size, skill, mindset, and other intangibles that go into making a great quarterback.

Big Ben has been spot on in the preseason and barring any unforeseen injuries, should have another stellar campaign.

Backup Charlie Batch returns from a season-ending injury in 2008, bringing leadership and experience to the role. Having a veteran like Batch, who knows the offense inside-out, makes things easier for any coach.

Batch is entrenched as the No. 2 signal caller.

Dennis Dixon is slowly developing into an effective pro-style quarterback after years in a spread offense in high school and college. He was playing his best football when he went down with a shoulder injury two weeks ago.

He’s rounding back into playing form and should continue to get better under the direction of quarterback coach Ken Anderson, a former NFL great with the Bengals.

Running Backs

The Steelers are deep at the running back spot. So deep in fact that special teams ace and top blocker, Carey Davis, was let go in the final cuts.

Willie Parker returns with the full confidence of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. He is the No. 1 man. No controversy in the Steel City. Parker is the prototypical speed back.

Rashard Mendenhall returns for his second season, bigger and stronger than last season. He’s a run-between-the-tackles back and the Steelers shouldn’t miss a beat when Fast Willie takes a blow.

Mewelde Moore has carved his own niche as a solid third-down back with his excellent receiving and rushing skills. The former Tulane star is also a top-notch special teams player.

Rookie Frank “The Tank” Summers beat out Davis for the fullback job, despite the fact he missed most of the preseason with a hamstring injury. He is being groomed to be the short yardage, goal-line back.

The key for this unit is staying healthy. Parker and Mendenhall went down last season, causing the Pittsburgh run game to fall to 23rd in the league.

The Steelers have a deep, experienced backfield that should be a major strength in 2009. If the line can improve and do their job, Pittsburgh should return to the top of the offensive charts.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp Outlook: Offensive Line

This is the fifth in a series of articles exploring each position and the battles going on in Pittsburgh Steelers training camp and the preseason. Today we look at the offensive line.

 

Offensive Line

If the defending champs have a question mark, it’s here.

The offensive line gave up the most sacks of any Super Bowl champion, 58 counting the playoffs. If the Steelers want to return to defend their crown, that number must be reduced.

To expect quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to stay upright without dropping the sack total is overly optimistic. Big Ben has already suffered a minor ankle injury after being rolled up on in practice. Lucky for Pittsburgh, he’s a fast healer.

The problems extended to the ground game as well. The Steelers rushing attack was near the bottom of the league last season, albeit due to key injuries in the backfield.

Head coach Mike Tomlin was hoping the line would improve with a season under their belt and the reps they’d get in camp. That scenario never happened.

Any hope of continuity ended when starting RG Darnell Stapleton went down the first week of camp with a knee injury and Justin Hartwig couldn’t practice after fracturing his toe.

Hartwig is back, but the high hopes Stapleton had of getting back in time for the regular season ended when he was put on injured reserve today, ending his 2009 campaign.

The good news for the Steelers is they have a capable replacement in Trai Essex, who moves over from right tackle to guard. Essex doesn’t have the beef of Stapleton, but he’s an experienced veteran, versatile, and more athletic.

The Stapleton injury also gave second-year pro Doug Legursky much-needed work in camp. Tomlin likes his lineman to be “position flexible,” meaning they can play more than one position on the line. Legursky improved his stock by seeing action at center and guard.

With that, here’s a position-by-position look at the Pittsburgh offensive line:

 

Centers

Hartwig is back healthy and anchoring the offensive line. He’s a smart, capable veteran who relies more on technique and smarts than brute force. He’s the quarterback of this line.

Legursky played well enough in the preseason to earn the roster spot as Hartwig’s backup. Stapleton was listed as the backup center on the depth chart. The job now falls to Legursky.

Former Penn State star A.Q. Shipley will most likely be placed on the practice squad. Legursky’s ability to play two positions gives him the edge over Shipley.

 

Guards

The starters are set with Chris Kemoeatu on the left side and Essex on the right. Essex has had a great preseason, but Kemoeatu has been a little shaky. Bills DT Kyle Williams had his way with the fifth-year pro last Saturday, one of the only down moments for Pittsburgh in the 17-0 victory. Kemoeatu needs to tighten up his play for the line to prosper.

Third-round pick Kraig Urbik will be at one backup spot. He’s been inconsistent like most rookies are, but Tomlin is willing to give him a year to learn, get stronger, and build his confidence up.

With Stapleton out, look for Ramon Foster to grab a roster spot. The undrafted rookie was moved from tackle to guard in camp and shined. He needs development time, but he could end up being a nice find for Pittsburgh.

 

Tackles

RT Willie Colon has had a great preseason, especially in run blocking. Put him with LT Max Starks and the Steelers have a solid 1-2 combo at tackle.

The duo must stay healthy for Pittsburgh to thrive, because the depth at tackle is thin.

Second-year player Tony Hills is getting better and better and he’ll be the main backup. The Steelers will keep nine linemen and if Foster isn’t the one, the final roster spot will go to either Jason Capizzi or Jeremy Parquet.

 

Despite the sacks given up last season, the line was still good enough to win a Super Bowl. With another year together this unit should be much better. If they can limit the sacks and keep Big Ben healthy, a deep title run is in the cards.

Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp Outlook: Receivers and Tight Ends

This is the fourth in a series of articles exploring each position and the battles going on in Pittsburgh Steelers training camp and the preseason. Today we look at receivers and tight ends.

 

 

Wide Receivers

The Steelers begin 2009 with two solid starters in Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes.

Ward, the all-time leading receiver in franchise history, is still one of the best in the league even as he enters his 12th NFL campaign.

Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin has given Ward a number of days off during training camp to keep him fresh and in good spirits.

The strategy is already paying dividends.

Ward had a great camp. He looks sharp and is unquestionably a team leader. The veteran works with the younger guys on a regular basis giving advice and demonstrating proper technique. It’s really a two-for-one deal for the Steelers. Ward is not only a player; He’s a coach as well.

Santonio Holmes came to camp with a swagger after being named MVP of Super Bowl XLIII. Look for the Ohio State product to be even more productive this season. He’s getting more and more comfortable in Bruce Arians’ offense, so expect Holmes to emerge as the go-to guy with Ward settling into a more of a No. 2 role.

The Pittsburgh starters are among the best in the NFL. It’s a different story with the backups.

Nate Washington took his 40 receptions and bum hamstring to Tennessee and left the Steelers looking for a legit No. 3.

The team hopes Limas Sweed will take over the role. He’s big and has all the skills to thrive in the job. The problem is not his body it’s his head.

Sweed is the poster child for frustrating coaches and fans with his inconsistent play. One minute he looks like a future All-Pro, making amazingly difficult grabs. The next, he looks like he couldn’t catch a cold let alone a football.

No matter the inconsistencies in his game, Tomlin and company are giving him every chance to take the job and run with it.

Veteran Shaun McDonald escaped the prison known as Detroit and has shined in the preseason. He’s leading the team in receptions and unlike Sweed, McDonald catches everything thrown his way.

Versatility is another strong point. McDonald returns punts, can play the slot, and work on the edge. The seven-year pro should have a spot locked up.

Another roster slot will be occupied by speedster Mike Wallace. The rookie had a decent camp, showcasing his blazing 4.3 speed and surprisingly good hands. He was inconsistent at times, most rookies are, but Wallace earned his way on the 53 and could be a force once he gains experience.

Wallace even worked with the first unit in three receiver sets against Washington last week, replacing Sweed. That should tell you how much the Pittsburgh coaching staff likes him. Throw in his ability to return kicks and you have a potential draft-day steal in the making

If the Steelers decide to keep a sixth receiver it will be between Dallas Baker, Brandon Williams, or Martin Nance.

Undrafted rookie Tyler Grisham doesn’t have great size, but has soft hands and could land on the practice squad.

 

 

Tight Ends

The Steelers are blessed with two solid tight ends in Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth.

Miller had sports hernia surgery in the offseason, but by the end of camp, looked in mid-season form. With the No. 3 receiver situation so cloudy, look for Miller to improve on his numbers (48 receptions, 514 yards) from last year.

Spaeth has always had decent hands, but his blocking skills were suspect. The Minnesota standout focused on blocking during the offseason and it showed in camp. He’s exploding off the ball with good leg drive and solid positioning.

With his new-found skills Spaeth should see even more playing time in 2009.

The battle for the third tight end spot is between veteran Sean McHugh and seventh-round pick David Johnson.

McHugh came to camp with a new contract and the favorite to make the team. Someone forget to tell Johnson.

The Arkansas State product is a devastating blocker, he even knocked James Harrison back a step during drills, with good receiving skills.

And while he’ll never be known as a great pass-catching tight end, Johnson’s blocking is first rate. The Steelers have used him as a fullback on goal-line situations in camp.

Despite McHugh’s contract and six years in the league, Johnson is ahead right now on the depth chart. McHugh’s hamstring issues in camp hurt him as well. The battle should go down to the final preseason game before a decision is made.

The Steelers have a solid group of tight ends and a great starting duo at wide receiver. Someone from the list of Sweed, McDonald, and Wallace must emerge as the No. 3 receiver. If not, Miller and Spaeth will have to increase production in a hurry.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp Outlook: The Front Seven

This is the third in a series of articles exploring each position and the battles going on in Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. Today we look at the front seven—defensive line and linebackers.

 

Defensive Line

The Steelers front seven is arguably the best in football.

Not just statistically, but in on-field intimidation as well. Could it be any other way in Pittsburgh?

The success of the franchise has been because of rugged defenses and this version is one of the best in team history.

It all starts up front with big nose tackle Casey Hampton.

Listed at 325 pounds, believe me he’s much bigger, the University of Texas product is the prototypical NFL nose tackle. His job is simple: clog up the middle and be disruptive.

Boy is he disruptive. Hampton is a run-stuffing machine who came to camp in much better shape than last season. Except for a slight knee twinge that kept him out of one practice, he’s been his old, dominant self. Should he miss any time, Chris Hoke is a capable backup.

Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel return to man the starting defensive end slots. Both have been consistent in camp and should be counted on for solid 2009 campaigns.

Breathing down their necks is first-round draft pick Evander “Ziggy” Hood.

Hood has performed better than even the coaches thought he would. He’s been alternating at both defensive end and nose tackle with equally impressive results. Ziggy has looked more comfortable and consistent as camp progresses. Give him a year of seasoning and he’ll be a starter in 2010.

The other backup end spot should be held by veteran Travis Kirschke, even though Sonny Harris and Nick Eason are giving him some competition.

 

Linebackers

This is without a doubt the best line backing corps in the NFL.

The Steeler’s backers play fast, hit hard, and love to intimidate their opponents. They personify the old-school way of playing football.

The leader of this unit is ILB James Farrior.

Farrior is the quarterback of the defense, the play caller, and the one who makes sure everyone is in their right place. Farrior is a savvy, experienced leader who understands Dick LeBeau’s idea of defense better than anyone.

Manning the inside with Farrior is third-year pro Lawrence Timmons, who takes over for the departed Larry Foote in the starting rotation. Timmons struggled early on in camp trying to learn the calls and make his reads, but with his athleticism and skills he should make the adjustment to a starter in smooth fashion.

The NFL 2009 Defensive Player of the Year, James Harrison, is back and looking better than ever.

Harrison set a Pittsburgh record with 16 sacks last season, but he isn’t resting on his laurels. He came to camp in the best shape of his life. Harrison is bigger, stronger, and he’s cut his body fat down by two percent, thanks to a better diet. Up close, he looks like a big tree trunk.

His partner on the outside, LaMarr Woodley, has been battling a sore knee in camp, but should be ready to go full throttle by the season opener.

Woodley is a bonafide superstar who might have been MVP if not for his teammate. The former Michigan star blossomed in his second season, recording 60 tackles and 11.5 sacks. Look for more of the same in 2009.

ILB Keyaron Fox has had a great camp backing up Farrior. The defense hasn’t looked at all different with Fox in calling plays and that’s a good thing. He is a lock to make the team.

Also a lock is outside linebacker Andre Frazier. The fifth-year pro has played well in camp when Woodley rested his swollen knee.

The other two linebacker spots are up for grabs between Donovan Woods, Patrick Bailey, Arnold Harrison, Andy Schantz, Tom Korte, and Bruce Davis.

Schantz has been hitting people like a wrecking ball and may stick around if he keeps playing like that.

A big disappointment in camp so far is Davis.

The former UCLA standout is one-dimensional and even his pass rushing has been suspect. He’s a liability against the run and even in his second year, he’s having trouble learning his position. He was a defensive end in college and worked with his hand on the ground. If he doesn’t start playing better, the third-round selection in 2008 will be cut.

The strength of the Steelers defense is the front seven. The only concern may be their ages. Seven players on the two-deep are over 30 and with age the chance of injuries rise.

If they stay healthy, Pittsburgh once again will have the best front seven in all of football. Look for another dominating performance from this group in 2009.

Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp Outlook: Defensive Backs

This is the second in a series of articles exploring each position and the battles going on in Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. Today we look at defensive backs.

 

Corners

The Steelers have a nice mixture of veterans and youth in training camp and that makes for some interesting competition for the probable six corner slots to be filled on the final 53-man roster.

The starters appear to be set with Ike Taylor on the left and William Gay taking over for departed Bryant McFadden at right corner.

Taylor is the unquestioned leader of the corners and will be counted on to go against every opponent’s best receiver, usually in man-to-man situations. The seven-year veteran is more than up to the task.

There have been problems in camp with Gay dropping sure interceptions. The most recent bobble had head coach Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau talking to Gay away from the rest of the squad.

If Gay, who has looked decent in pass coverage, continues to struggle, look for veteran Deshea Townsend to take over. Townsend has been battling some hamstring issues in camp but has been an effective starter in his career and his leadership skills are unquestioned.

Make no mistake, Tomlin and LeBeau want Gay to emerge as the man. He has youth and quickness on his side, which the 33-year-old Townsend doesn’t have any more.

Free agent acquisition Keiwan Ratliff will see a lot of playing time in nickel and dime situations, while Anthony Madison will have to fight off rookies Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis. Roy Lewis appears to be a camp casualty.

Taylor, Gay, Townsend, and Ratliff are locks to make the team with Madison battling Burnett and Keenan Lewis for the final two roster spots.

 

Safeties

The Steelers are loaded at the safety position.

Most of the NFL would love to have the depth at safety that Pittsburgh has.

Headlining that depth is SS Troy Polamalu. The five-time All-Pro begins his seventh season in Pittsburgh and has solidified his place as one of the all-time greats in the history of the game.

Polamalu has been fighting nagging hamstring and calf injuries in camp, but should be fine for the start of the regular season.

Veteran Ryan Clark starts alongside Polamalu at free safety. Clark is a solid performer with above average coverage skills.

The Steelers have so much depth that Tyrone Carter comes off the bench. The 10-year veteran would be a starter on most NFL teams. He had an outstanding 2009 season with three interceptions.

Ryan Mundy should hold off Derrick Richardson for the fourth and final roster spot.

The key to success for the Steelers secondary in 2009 boils down to Gay and how he handles the pressures of being a starter. He’s going to be challenged constantly this season. If he holds his own, Polamalu and company will take care of the rest.

Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp Outlook: Special Teams

This is the first in a series of articles exploring each position and the battles going on in Pittsburgh Steelers training camp at Latrobe, Penn. Today we look at special teams.

 

Punter

The Steelers are thrilled to have punter Daniel Sepulveda, who missed all of last season with an injury, back in the fold.

The battle for field position is often overlooked in the grand scheme of football, but it’s an essential element to success. Sepulveda brings that to the Steelers in spades.

He’s been booming the ball in camp, hitting in the 50-55 yard range consistently. His longest so far has been 68 yards.

The Steelers released Dirk Johnson after OTAs, so the job is Sepulveda’s lock, stock, and barrel. Look for the Baylor product to have a chance at All-Pro honors this season.

 

Kicker

Piotr Czech was brought in as a camp leg and will probably be gone in the first cut. Jeff Reed begins his eighth season in Pittsburgh and his leg shows no signs of getting weaker.

Reed is almost a lock from 45 yards in and he still has the range to hit from beyond 50. He likes to lift and keeps himself in good shape. The job is his for as long as he wants it.

 

Punt Returns

There is some heated competition for this spot.

Head coach Mike Tomlin wants to take Santonio Holmes off punt return duties after he emerged in 2008 as a legitimate No. 2 receiver.

The Steelers are looking at as many as five guys to take over.

That list includes RB Mewelde Moore, WR Shaun McDonald, WR Brandon Williams, CB Joe Burnett, and RB Stefan Logan.

Moore and McDonald have NFL experience returning punts, while the rookie Burnett has looked the best so far in camp.

Keep an eye on Logan, though.

The former CFL standout doesn’t have much size, but he’s stocky and versatile. Logan has been used at RB, WR, and on special teams in camp. It’s that versatility that could land him a roster spot.

 

Kick Returns

Not as much drama here as in punt returns, but there’s competition nonetheless.

Pittsburgh has used three guys in camp and the winner will emerge between Moore, Logan, and rookie WR Mike Wallace.

Wallace is the fastest of the group, but Moore is the most experienced.

It’s still too early to get a handle on who’ll emerge as the leader simply because the Steelers have practiced kick returns only sporadically. My hunch is Wallace gets it.

 

Long Snapper & Holder

Greg Warren begins his fifth year as Pittsburgh’s long snapper, while Daniel Sepulveda will be Reed’s holder.

 

The rest of the special teams unit will be decided during the good, old dog days of summer. It’ll be fun to see how the roster shakes out in the coming weeks.

News and Notes from Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp

With Pittsburgh Steelers training camp in full swing at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA, here are some news, notes and observations of the first couple days of action.

 

The Running Backs Look Strong

Rashard Mendenhall and Willie Parker look solid. They both are healthy and running hard. Mewelde Moore has also looked good, especially coming out of the backfield on passing situations.

If the injury bug stays away, Pittsburgh should once again return to the top of the NFL rushing charts.

 

The Wide Receivers Need to Be More Consistent

Starters Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes look good. They came to camp in great shape and are catching everything thrown at them. Veteran free agent Shaun McDonald has been his usual reliable self—running tight routes and catching with his hands, not his arms or chest.

Limas Sweed, the favorite for the No. 3 job, looks much better this year. He played stiff and a little scared last season. He looks very comfortable out there.

Mike Wallace is fast, boy is he fast. The key is consistency. Like most rookies, he looks like an All-Pro one practice and an undrafted free agent the next. He has fluid hips and runs decent routes. Once he gets some seasoning, the Mississippi State product could be a real gem for the organization.

Dallas Baker and Brandon Williams have been inconsistent. Baker was even given a chance to work with the first unit in practice, but he may be no more than a fifth or sixth receiver if he makes the team. Baker and Williams have dropped balls thrown right at them. At one point, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians gave Baker a real tongue lashing.

Undrafted rookie Tyler Grisham has made some acrobatic catches. His chances of making the team are slim, but if Baker and Williams continue to struggle, you never know. What he lacks in size (he’s only 5’11”, 180 pounds), he more than makes up for in heart.

 

The Defense Looks in Midseason Form

Dick LeBeau’s troops are practicing fast, working hard, and looking like they’re ready for another Super Bowl run. No matter how much the offense puts up points, the Steelers will always be about tough defense. In this league, there is no defensive unit tougher.

NT Casey Hampton is in much better shape than a year ago and rookie DE Ziggy Hood looks like he could be a future mainstay at defensive end for years to come.

At linebacker, James Farrior is having a solid camp and James Harrison is just a beast. A great word to describe him is “thick.” The man is built like a tree trunk. On a down note, LB Lawrence Timmons has been having cramp issues and SS Troy Polamalu is being limited due to hamstring and calf problems.

Polamalu is a real cause for concern. Hamstring injuries have a tendency to linger and get worse if pushed too hard. The coaching staff is making sure he gets proper rest and attention.

 

The Offensive Line is Much Improved

The offensive line was shaky last season and beaten up pretty bad on several occasions.

OT Willie Colon stated at the opening of camp that the line is determined to get better this season. If training camp is any indication, the o-line is doing just that.

With a full year together, the line is starting to jell.

They’ve looked sharp in camp, but only in a live game situation will we know if the improvement is real or imagined.

 

The Steelers are a First Class Organization Because of Their People

Once you’ve been around camp for a few days, it’s easy to see why the Pittsburgh Steelers are such a successful franchise.

It’s the people within the organization.

The media relations people are the best. They make you feel welcomed as soon as you enter camp.

Communications Coordinator Dave Lockett bends over backwards to help in any way humanly possible. He’s a first-class individual. One of the good guys.

One of the good gals is Emily Scerba. She’s been so helpful to me—I would have been lost without her help.

A heartfelt thank you to all the great individuals in media relations, the Steelers football staff, and the fine people of St. Vincent College for their hospitality.

 

A Good Start

Camp is shaping up quite nicely for Pittsburgh. If the Steelers can avoid the injury bug, look for them to make a successful run at ring No. 7.

Five Questions Needing Answers at Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp

All NFL teams have questions they need to answer during training camp, even a defending Super Bowl champion with 20 of 22 starters returning.

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter camp in great shape with a capable front office, solid coaching staff, and a perfect mix of veterans and youngsters on the roster.

The Steelers are in a better position than most defending champs of the past, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have some issues.

As training camp opens on Friday, July 31, at St. Vincent’s College in Latrobe, here are five questions Mike Tomlin and company need answers to if they hope to repeat and grab hold of ring No. 7.

 

1. Will the team be distracted by the impending Ben Roethlisberger civil suit?

The short answer is no.

This is a veteran team composed of leaders who’ve captured two world titles in four years. These accusations will have zero effect on a team like Pittsburgh.

Besides, Tomlin has the personality type that won’t allow for distractions to bother his team and the goals he’s set.

 

2. Can Big Ben stay healthy and off his back in 2009?

For Pittsburgh to get back to the Super Bowl, Roethlisberger must stay healthy. If he goes down, it could be lights out to the season.

The responsibility of keeping Big Ben upright falls to the offensive line, a unit that gave up 58 sacks last season, including the playoffs.

All five starters return to a unit that did play better towards the end of the season and throughout the playoffs. The addition of rookie Kraig Urbik, who will challenge Darnell Stapleton for the right guard spot, could make this line even stronger.

 

3. Who will emerge as the No. 3 receiver?

The Steelers are hoping that 2008 second-round pick, Limas Sweed, will fill the role vacated when Nate Washington signed with Tennessee in free agency.

Sweed struggled to learn the offense, but that happens to most rookie wideouts. The Texas product has size, speed, and good hands, but needs to improve his route running. Another year in the system should see a marked improvement.

If Sweed struggles, look for veteran Shaun McDonald or rookie speedster Mike Wallace to get a chance. If both falter, tight ends Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth will be asked to produce even more in 2009.

 

4. Can Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall bounce back from injuries?

When healthy, the Steelers have a nice three-headed backfield with Parker, Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore.

Last season, staying healthy was a big problem.

Parker went down after 11 games, Mendenhall replaced him and proceeded to follow suit. Moore took over and finished out the regular season. The result was a Steelers ground game that fell to 23rd in the league.

The good news: everyone is healthy and now the Steelers have a fourth head in the form of Frank “The Tank” Summers, a bruising back from UNLV. Look for the Pittsburgh ground game to return to form in 2009.

5. Is William Gay the man at corner?

The Steelers lost only two starters on defense in free agency—CB Bryant McFadden and ILB Larry Foote. Both were let go by choice.

Foote was replaced by emerging Lawrence Timmons and McFadden’s spot at right corner will be taken by Gay, entering his third season with Pittsburgh.

Gay started four games last season and looked the part when given the chance. The show is his now and he must perform at a high level. Rest assured, opposing offenses will focus on him until he proves his worth.

 

As the Steelers head to training camp most of these questions will be answered. The important thing to remember is as long as the Steelers have Roethlisberger and a Dick LeBeau-led defense, the Super Bowl is always within their grasp.

Ben Roethlisberger, Welcome to the Wonderful World of Junk Journalism

It’s been a banner two weeks for the creators and consumers of what I like to call ‘Junk Journalism’, also known as cotton candy reporting.

From the Steve McNair and Arturo Gatti tragedies to the latest report about Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, the junk journalists have been out in full force ready to vomit more sensationalist drivel down our throats.

On Friday, Roethlisberger was named in a civil suit that claimed he sexually assaulted a woman in a Las Vegas hotel room last year.

As soon as the news broke, the junkalists—my nickname for these idiots—were ready to pounce on Big Ben.

Never mind that he’s innocent until proven guilty. Forget the fact that it’s a civil suit and zero criminal charges have been filed against him. Let’s ignore the fact she waited a year to file the suit and never filed a criminal complaint at all.

Do away with common sense, reason, and decency—all that matters is selling papers, getting noticed, and making money at someone else’s expense.

Such is the mind of a practicing junk journalist.

What used to be reserved for the tabloid rags at the supermarket checkout counter is now everywhere—thanks to cable TV, satellite radio, and the Internet. The cotton candy brigade is running rampant on blogs, web 2.0, and the so called 24 hour news networks.

As the somewhat sordid details of the civil suit were disclosed, Roethlisberger has already been judged and condemned by these poison pen artists, even though not one shred of evidence has been uncovered proving his guilt.

It doesn’t matter to the scandal—mongers.

Just like it didn’t matter when Gatti’s wife was tried and convicted by the police and press before any forensic evidence was even collected. Now, it looks as if Gatti may have committed suicide by hanging.

Just like it didn’t matter to the families of Steve McNair and Sahel Kazemi, who have been devastated and will never fully recover from what happened. It’s a sad tragedy, yet the only coverage getting fed to us is of the sensational kind. Like the recent report that McNair was drunk when he was shot in the head.

Who cares? Will it change what happened?

Where are the stories on the good McNair did in the community? How about an article on the kind of person Kazemi was before her life spiraled out of control?

How about some light once in a blue moon instead of all this darkness?

A return to common sense thinking is needed, especially with the enormous amount of information, good and bad, readily available to us at the click of mouse.

Is the woman who accused Roethlisberger telling the truth?

I don’t know.

What I do know is this: the truth always comes out in the end, and it’s better to wait on truth than to cast stones at people, famous or not.

What we need, now more than ever, is to remove the beam from our own eye before trying to find the speck in someone else’s.

The NFL’s 10 Greatest Defensive Teams of All Time

Cliches become cliches because they hold universal truths told in simple and easy-to-understand statements.

The most truthful—and also most overused—cliche in sports is “defense wins championships.” This is especially meaningful in the NFL.

On rare occasions, an offensive team will be so good (like the 1999 St. Louis Rams) that a strong defense isn’t needed—but those are the exceptions, not the rules.

In the majority of NFL history, a dominant defense can equal a championship, while a weak one means looking ahead to the draft.

There have been great defenses in NFL history, but who is the best of the best?

Ask any fan, player, sports writer, or coach, and you’ll get radical differences in opinion. That’s what makes writing and discussing sports so fun. It creates lively conversation.

Now, it’s my turn to create some of that conversation with my own top 10 list.

In making this list, I didn’t base my selections on just one outstanding season, so those expecting to see the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or the 1991 Philadelphia Eagles will be very disappointed.

To make my list, there were two criterion involved: the defense had to be consistently good for at least three years, and it had to be in the Super Bowl era.

Without further adieu, here is my version of the Top 10 Greatest NFL Defensive Teams of All Time.

 

10. Kansas City Chiefs 1960s

Hank Stram’s “Triple Stack” defense was a force in the AFL during the 1960’s and early 1970’s, capturing a Super Bowl crown in 1969.

Four players on the Chiefs defense have busts in Canton: DT Buck Buchanon, linebackers Bobby Bell and Willie Lanier, and CB Emmitt Thomas. In addition, DT Curly Culp, CB Jim Marsalis, and S Johnny Robinson were All-Pros.

In 1969, Kansas City held five opponents to fewer than 10 points, and gave up an average of less than two touchdowns a game. The Chiefs surrendered only 20 points during the playoffs on their way to a Super Bowl victory.

 

9. The Orange Crush Defense—Denver Broncos

Led by OLB Tom Jackson, ILB Randy Gradishar, and DE Lyle Alzado, the Orange Crush defense was a force from 1977-81. In 1977, the defense gave up only 148 points (10.6 ppg), to lead Denver to its first Super Bowl appearance, a 27-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

The Broncos went 50-28 with three division titles during the Orange Crush heyday.

 

8. The Big Blue Wrecking Crew—New York Giants

From 1985-90, the New York Giants, affectionately known as the “Big Blue Wrecking Crew,” were one of the most feared defenses in the National Football League. The strength of the unit was at linebacker, where two Hall of Famers roamed: OLB Lawrence Taylor, and MLB Harry Carson.

Carson was the brains of the defense—the run stuffer and the captain who kept everyone in line.

Taylor was the wild animal, let out of his cage every Sunday to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. Taylor, Carson, OLB Carl Banks, and ILB Gary Reasons formed the best linebacker corps in the 1980’s.

Adding All-Pro DE Leonard Marshall to the mix only made them more ferocious.

The Giants won two Super Bowls (1986, 1990) and four division crowns during that time.

 

7. The No-Name Defense—Miami Dolphins

From 1970-75, the Miami Dolphins ruled the AFC East—and for three years (1971-73), most of the NFL. The Dolphins were an incredible 67-16-1 over those six seasons, with three Super Bowl Appearances, two Lombardi Trophies (1972-73), and the only unbeaten season (1972) in NFL history.

The defense produced only one Hall-of-Famer (LB Nick Buoniconti), but had solid All-Pros in SS Dick Anderson, FS Jake Scott, DT Manny Fernandez, and DE Bill Stanfill. From 1971-73, the No-Name Defense surrendered just 11.8 points per game.

 

6. Monsters of the Midway II—Chicago Bears

From 1984-88, there was no better defense in the NFL than Buddy Ryan and his blitz-happy “46” defense. Da Bears were fast, physical, and loved to crush the quarterback.

Ryan’s boys led Chicago to six division titles in seven years, culminating in a Super Bowl championship in 1985.

The ’85 Bears are arguably the best defense ever put on the field for a single season. The stats are overwhelming: a 15-1 regular season mark, a 12.5 point scoring average, holding seven opponents under 10 points, and racking up 64 sacks.

The defense featured two players in the Hall of Fame: MLB Mike Singletary and DE Dan Hampton. DE Richard Dent, DT Steve McMichael, OLB Otis Wilson, OLB Wilber Marshall, and S Dave Duerson were All-Pros.

 

5. The Doomsday Defense I & II—Dallas Cowboys

From 1966 to 1983, Tom Landry had two versions of the “Doomsday Defense,” and both were outstanding.

During that time, the Cowboys put together one of the greatest runs of success in sports history—”America’s Team” made the playoffs in 17 of 18 seasons, including five Super Bowl appearances and two Super Bowl championships (1971, 1977).

Doomsday I featured two Hall of Fame inductees: DT Bob Lilly, and CB Mel Renfro. Other standouts were DT Jethro Pugh, and linebackers Lee Roy Jordan and Chuck Howley.

Doomsday II was led by Hall of Fame DT Randy White, while defensive ends Harvey Martin and Ed Jones, and defensive backs Charlie Waters and Cliff Harris were perennial All-Pro selections.

 

4. The Fearsome Foursome I & II—Los Angeles Rams

“The Fearsome Foursome” was a name given to the defensive line of version one, but later encompassed the whole defensive unit of version two.

The original foursome was comprised of Deacon Jones and Lamar Lundy at end, with Rosey Grier and Merlin Olsen at defensive tackle. Jones and Olsen are in the Hall of Fame; Roger Brown would replace Grier, and the Rams had major success with George Allen in the late 1960’s. Jones and Olsen were voted to the NFLs All-Time team in 1994.

The second foursome was made up of Olsen, defensive ends Jack Youngblood and Fred Dryer, and DT Larry Brooks. But there was more to this unit than just the line.

From 1973-80, the Rams won seven consecutive NFC West titles, including a Super Bowl berth in 1979, and finished in the top 10 in total defense in seven of those eight seasons.

In 1975, the defense surrendered just 9.6 points per game, third-best in NFL history. MLB Isiah Robertson, and safeties Dave Elmendorf and Nolan Cromwell were All-Pros.

 

3. Green Bay Packers 1960s

There’s no fancy nickname for Vince Lombardi’s guys—just a powerful, intimidating defense.

The Packer defense of the 1960’s produced five world championships—including the first two Super Bowl titles—and a record five Hall-of-Famers: DT Henry Jordan, DE Willie Davis, MLB Ray Nitschke, CB Herb Adderley, and S Willie Wood.

The 1962 team gave up just 10.8 points per game and posted three shutouts, while holding opposing quarterbacks to a 43.5 rating.

 

2. The Purple People Eaters—Minnesota Vikings

This is the greatest defense not to win the big one.

“The Purple People Eaters” were dominant with a capital D. From 1969-76, the Vikings captured four NFC championships and seven divisional crowns. Minnesota was ranked in the top three in total defense for seven of those eight seasons.

The defense was led by Hall-of-Famers Alan Page (DT), Carl Eller (DE), and Paul Krause (FS). Other top performers were DT Gary Larsen, DE Jim Marshall, SS Bobby Bryant, and LB Wally Hilgenberg.

“The Purple People Eaters” held their 1971 opponents to only 9.9 points per game, capping what might be the best three-year defensive run in NFL history (in 1970, they gave up 10.2 ppg, and in 1969 9.5, the seventh and second-lowest totals in history; the 1971 team was fourth).

 

1. The Steel Curtain—Pittsburgh Steelers

Is there anybody else you’d put here?

“The Steel Curtain” was the most dominant, awe-inspiring, feared defense in the history of the game. No team could stop it, and many didn’t even want to go up against it.

The Steelers defense of the 1970’s had arguably the greatest front seven ever assembled on one team.

Joe Greene (DE), L.C. Greenwood (DE), Dwight White (DT), and Ernie Holmes (DT) made up the front four, while Jack Lambert manned the middle linebacker slot, with Jack Ham and Andy Russell patrolling the outside.

A record 10 Steeler defenders made the Pro-Bowl during the ’70’s: Greene, Greenwood, White, Lambert, Ham, Russell, Mel Blount (CB), J.T. Thomas (CB), Glen Edwards (FS), and Mike Wagner (SS).

Greene, Blount, Ham, and Lambert are enshrined in Canton, second only to the Packers for most defenders on one team in the Hall.

In 1976, after a 1-4 start, the Steelers’ defense surrendered only 28 points in the final nine games. Eight Steeler defenders made the Pro Bowl that season. Between 1973-78, opposing quarterbacks had only a 45.0 passer rating.

Pittsburgh won four Super Bowls in six seasons, and owned the 1970’s, thanks to the greatest defense to ever put on a uniform.

« Previous Page — Next Page »

NFL Sport Channel Latest

• Just How Far Would You Go?
• Sorry Rex, But It Isn’t Happening
• Super Bowl Predictions: Five Stat-Free Reasons Why the Eagles Will Reach The Super Bowl
• Seahawks Attempt to Turn Corner With Heavy Pursuit of Pete Carroll
• Bill Cowher Unlikely to Coach in 2010