Ben Roethlisberger, Bruce Arians, and Troy Polamalu: Steelers Game Notes

I had to go way back into the archive to remember my format for writing up a Steelers loss. Here’s what the research produced:

 

Fatal Error

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ special teams fails again and lets the Bengals’ Bernard Scott return a first half kickoff for a touchdown. And yes, they let him do it. Just watch Jeff Reed run across the field only to go right past Scott without even an effort to tackle him.

 

Valiant Effort

The Steelers’ overall defense. While no single player had an outstanding game, the unit only allowed 218 yards of total offense to the Bengals, who average 334.2 yards per game. No one on Cincinnati’s offense had a great game, unless you argue that Carson Palmer had a good game just because he didn’t turn it over.

 

Exposed Weakness

Bruce Arians: This isn’t really a new weakness, but one that has been overlooked during what was a five-game win steak. Arians has admitted to getting too greedy and looking for big plays when he shouldn’t be. What worries me is that he hasn’t learned. Arians took one of the NFL’s most talented offenses and made it look like the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Will someone please fire this guy already?

 

Game Notes

• While Bruce Arian’s play calling was atrocious in this game, pretty much the only offensive player who didn’t have their worst game of the season was Mewelde Moore. Moore seems like the Hines Ward of the backfield. He isn’t flashy but he gets the job done and does everything well.
• Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Wallace need to work more together on their timing during the week. As another brilliant Steelers mind pointed out to me, even during their good games Big Ben doesn’t appear to be able to hit Wallace in stride. Maybe Ben just doesn’t have the right chemistry with Wallace yet or maybe he’s continuously underestimates Wallace’s speed. Either way they need to work together to overcome that.
• Wallace’s disappearance in the game is understandable, but how do both Hines Ward and Heath Miller completely disappear for an entire game? The two combined for only 50 yards of offense. It’s hard to believe the Bengals’ defense, while much improved, was good enough to shut down both for an entire game.
• If the production, or lack thereof, isn’t enough to make Steeler fans puke, the 80 yards rushing should be. Amazingly, despite the low total, the Steelers running backs averaged four yards per carry. That’s not half bad. Why Bruce Arians only called 16 running plays?
• Only five of the 16 run plays were in the red zone during the Steelers’ four appearances there. Sorry to keep asking rhetorical questions, but does that make any sense to anyone?
• It’s also dumbfounding how bad the Steelers’ kick coverage unit has been this season. They have allowed three kick returns for touchdowns this season. All of them have come at crucial times in games and have either cost, or come close to costing, the team a win.
• The Steelers defense is continuing to follow its season-long trend of shutting down running backs and deep passes, but giving up tons of short passes and intermediate passes, especially on third down. The conclusion seems to be that they’ll take away big plays and the running game and pray the opposing QB isn’t good enough to methodically pick apart the shorter coverage.
• Troy Polamalu usually makes the QB’s task of picking apart the short coverage a lot harder. Just ask Kyle Orton and Kerry Collins. Too bad he doesn’t have the same effect from the sidelines.
• Polamalu’s injury aside, there should be no qualms about the Steelers defensive personnel, except for maybe William Gay. Gay has shown the ability to cover receivers and can tackle fairly well, but he’s also been picked on a lot this season, particularly on curl routes and out routes. Hopefully he’ll learn to jump those better.
• The other problem in the secondary is the stone hands of both Gay and Ike Taylor. Taylor’s bad hands have been well documented throughout his career and Gay looks like he has the same issues.

 

What Steelers Fans Should Think

• Be upset at the Steelers poor special teams. Tomlin still has two special teams coaches on his staff. Clearly neither of them is very good at teaching kick coverage.
• Be disappointed in Stefan Logan, who looked like Darren Sproles during the preseason and looks completely average as both a kick and punt returner so far this season. Mike Wallace replaced him as a kick returner by the end of the game on Sunday.
• The Steelers are still a better team than the Bengals. Cincinnati won both games without Polamalu on the field and during two of the Steelers worst games offensively. Look for a repeat of 2005 if the two meet in the playoffs.
• Fans shouldn’t, however, take the Bengals lightly. No one should. They have proven that they are a quality team in the NFL this year. The only thing they haven’t proven is their ability to win in the playoffs. Time will tell if they can or not.

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Brett Keisel, Hines Ward, and Monday Night: Pittsburgh Steelers Game Notes

Just as the Pittsburgh Steelers are meant to beat the Browns they are also meant to win on Monday Night Football.

 

Favorite Moment

Hines Ward effortlessly leaps Champ Bailey for the Steelers’ final touchdown. The brilliance of the play? He made the entire play while never losing the worlds widest smile. The score sealed the Pittsburgh victory, and seared another childlike grin in the memories of Hines Ward fans.

 

Favorite Play

Rashard Mendenhall’s twisting, juking, driving, 18-yard run on 1st-and-10 in the fourth quarter. Mendenhall continues to prove that he is a legitimate NFL starter. The play also showed a glimmer of hope that the Steelers can regain their unstoppable closing ability that they have lacked since the retirement of Jerome Bettis.

 

Favorite Stat

40.0 vs. 33.4; that is the average yards per punt totals for Daniel Sepulveda (PGH) and Mitch Berger (DEN) respectively. Sepulveda was drafted in the fourth round of the draft three years ago but was placed on IR last season.

His replacement was Mitch Berger who tried hard but did not perform well. The almost seven yards of field position difference between those two punters have a much bigger effect than meets the eye.

 

Game Notes

• If there is a point where raving about Hines Ward’s effort, performance, and character gets old, I have trouble imagining what the point would be. He is a coaches dream and a fan’s hero.
• Coming into the season the Steelers’ receiving core was filled with questions. Some thought Santonio Holmes would replace Ward as the go-to-guy and most saw Limas Sweed becoming a stud. It’s now apparent that Ward is still the main target and that Mike Wallace and not Sweed is the future stud.
• Speaking of future studs, Rashard Mendenhall will officially be placed in that category if he can just learn to hold on to the football. While he did have a recorded fumble against Denver, he still almost lost the ball on a goal line carry late in the game. Great backs don’t fumble like that.
• One more thing on Rashard Mendenhall. He is a promising back but it would be really nice to see him lower his shoulder or cut to the middle when he gets to sidelines instead of just running out of bounds.
• Defensively the Steelers continued to dominate. They forced three interceptions and allowed only 27 rushing yards to a usually efficient Denver offense.
• When Aaron Smith placed on IR, a fear arose that Pittsburgh’s run defense would begin to struggle specifically against the run. When his replacement Travis Kirschke became inactive for the Monday night, that worry grew.
• Brett Keisel and the rest of the defense silenced the doubters.
• Speaking of players who stepped up and made doubters forget about injuries, Keyaron Fox and Tyrone Carter made big plays and showed just how deep the Steelers’ defense is.
• Fox has started two games this season. In the first game he tied for the second most tackles on the team. In his second start (this week) he tied for the team lead. The dude is a player.
• For the last three years the Steelers’ offensive line has been the weakest link of the team. This season they are one of the better units in the NFL. Not only has the lines chemistry improved but individuals like Chris Kemoeatu and Willie Colon have greatly improved their play.

 

What I Think Steeler Fans Should Think

• Fans should begin believing in this football team. They are finally turning their potential into performance and look solid if not great in every aspect of the game.
• Fans need to give Bruce Arians some credit for finally figuring out how to call a good run game. Being an offensive coordinator is more than just calling a run at the run time, it’s about calling the correct type of run. For the first time in his career Arians is calling the correct runs.
• Fans shouldn’t give Bruce Arians too much credit as an offensive play caller as a whole. After three first quarter runs, Rashard Mendenhall had 14 yards rushing, which was an average of almost five yards per month. That being said he consistently chose to pass the ball on second down.
• Fans should start buying Rashard Mendenhall and Mike Wallace jerseys. These two are for real and well be solid players if not stars for the Steelers for many years. If you want the underdog jersey, however, take a chance on Keyaron Fox. He just might be replacing James Farrior at middle linebacker in a few years.

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The Pittsburgh Steelers: Who They Are and Where They’re Going

So far this season the Pittsburgh Steelers have the been second best passing offense in the NFL, playing their worst football in the fourth quarter, getting solid play from their offensive line, and actually throwing to their tight end.

They are 4-2 but have had wins against the Cleveland Browns, the Detroit Lions, and the Tennessee Titans.

Most puzzling of all, the Steelers are tied atop the AFC North with the Cincinnati Bengals. No that’s not a typo, they are tied with the Bengals and not the Ravens.

So…who are the Steelers really?

First of all, the Steelers are a more talented team then they were last year. They have more potential as well.

• Mike Wallace is better and has more upside than Nate Washington.
• Rashard Mendenhall gives the Steelers a fresh star in the run game, absent last season.
• Lawrence Timmons is more explosive than Larry Foote and is learning to be as consistent.
• William Gay is just as good as Bryant McFadden.
• Heath Miller is now a top five tight end.
• The offensive line is now good despite almost the exact same personnel from last year.

All of these are true, but just ask Jerry Jones and Dan Snyder if talent and potential create good teams. Or maybe you should ask their fans, because they don’t really see the difference.

While the Steelers have the personnel to be better than last season, they just haven’t put together the whole package yet.

From the time he was hired, Coach Mike Tomlin has stressed the importance of team chemistry. Both Tomlin and multiple players have sighted teamwork and overall cohesion as the largest reason they won the Super Bowl last year, particularly the defense.

There is still plenty of time for this team to have their Gettysburg “Remember the Titans Moment,” but Denzel Washington doesn’t seem to have shown up just yet.

The defense has been picked apart in the fourth quarter multiple times, the offense has been great statistically but very inconsistent, and there have already been multiple mistakes made on Special Teams this season.

Bottom line—the Steelers are a top five team in talent who have yet to take the step into being one of the NFL’s top teams.

Where are the Steelers Going?

Last year Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl with the same basic core of players they have this season. While the Titans and Panthers are proving that keeping a core of players doesn’t guarantee similar results, the Steelers core makes them Super Bowl contenders automatically.

That being said, they aren’t a legitimate Super Bowl team right now. As mentioned before, consistency is the major problem.

Consistency is possibly the most important word in the NFL, maybe in sports.

Without it, talented draft picks turn into busts, preseason favorites miss the playoffs, and stars lose their luster.

To achieve it players run extra repetitions for hours, and coaches try to build team chemistry.

The Steelers will go as far as their consistency or inconsistency allows them.

After watching Coach Tomlin for the last two years and after seeing Ben Roethlisberger develop into one of the best passers and leaders in all of football, it is hard to not see this team making the Wild Card at the very worst.

Based on current performance, potential, and history—it is quite reasonable to expect the Steelers to go deep into the playoffs and be one of a handful of teams competing for the Super Bowl.

However, much to my own chagrin and that of many many Steelers fans, I am sure, I just don’t think the Steelers have it this year.

Bottom line—they’ll reach the AFC Championship game and lose. They need another year before bringing a seventh Lombardi trophy to the ‘Burgh.

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Heath Miller, Hines Ward, and Troy Polamalu: Steelers Game Notes

The world just wouldn’t be right if the Steelers weren’t beating up on the Cleveland Browns.

Favorite Moment

Ryan Clark intercepts Derrick Anderson to close out the game, giving the Steelers defense three turnovers in the Browns’ last four drives. All the talk of the defense blowing leads in the fourth quarter have been shut up. For now at least.

Favorite Play

Ben Roethlisbergers touchdown pass to Heath Miller early in the second quarter. Not because it was a great catch by Miller, or because it was the Steelers first score, but because Roethlisberger had a good seven seconds to throw the ball with no need for him to scramble. I know it was the Browns and they only rushed three but for the last two years it hasn’t matter who and how many have been rushing, they we never blocked for that long.

Favorite Stat

543 yrds vs. 197 yrds: This the Steelers offensive production vs. the Browns offensive production. That stat basically says it all.

Game Notes

• In a way the Steelers are showing more potential this season than they did last year. At the same time they also look a lot less complete and not nearly as polished.
• One problem that appeared Sunday was some apparent fumblitis. Not a problem Steeler fans are accustomed too. Willie Parker’s fumble shouldn’t be much of a worry because he’s proven he’s generally reliable in that department but Rashard Mendenhall needs make sure he learns to hold on to the ball in a hurry.
• As good as Ben Roethlisberger has been this year, and he has been very good, Heath Miller has been even better. Week after week Miller continues to become one of if not the primary target of the passing game. He may have surpassed Ward the most reliable pass catcher on the team.
• Don’t take that as a knock on Ward. In fact he’s on pace to have one of the best seasons of his incredibly productive career. 
• Many expect and fans thought this year would be a transition where Holmes would take over Ward’s role as the go-to-receiver on the team. Steeler fans should know better. Don’t expect Ward to get old in a hurry. He’s going to keep playing in this league for a few more years and if he’s playing, he’ll be a go-to guy.
• The Steelers offensive line is officially a solid unit for this football team. Pittsburgh’s linemen have been scrutinized more than any unit in awhile but they have finally proven that the personnel are there. The time together was the problem and it is now solved.
• Does anyone think Roethlisberger actually looks uncomfortable standing in a well protected pocket? He doesn’t seem to know what to do with himself when he isn’t running for his life.
• Speaking of running for one’s life, Dick LeBeau is finally making offensive coordinator do just that again. So is Troy Polamalu.
• Polamalu had his second interception of the season on Sunday and his second in three quarters of football when you take his injury into account.
• Not only is Polamalu a ball hawk but he’s a big time ball hawk who makes his plays when the team needs it. His interception on Sunday, although early in the game, was one of the key plays in the game. The Browns were inside the Pittsburgh 20 sure to at least take a 3-0 lead and instead came away with nothing.
• Throughout the offseason Mike Tomlin talked about how Lawrence Timmons should be the Polamalu of the linebacker corps. After two sacks and two forced fumbles on two straight drives, Timmons is showing he has that potential. He also has been improving his run stopping ability as well.
• The Steelers never cease to develop star linebackers. If Penn State is Linebacker U then Pittsburgh is Linebacker Incorporated.

What I think Fans Should Think

• Fans shouldn’t be worried but should be a little concerned that Ike Taylor got schooled by rookie Mohamed Massaquoi.
• Fans should be happier but not happy with Bruce Arians who called a fairly smart game until the fourth quarter were he forgot to run the ball with a lead and continued to call a balanced offensive scheme till the very end of the game.
• Fans should start hoping for Mewelde Moore late in games. He isn’t nearly the home run threat Parker, or even Mendenhall is, but he gains yards more consistently the other two backs and more importantly holds onto the ball.
• Fans should love Mike Wallace for showing great heart and surprising power when he finished his 21 yard end-around by fighting for extra yards instead of running out of bounds.
• Fans should know to thanks Hines Ward for Wallace’s toughness.

 

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Pittsburgh Steelers-Detriot Lions: Game Notes

 

Favorite Moment

After James Harrison recorded his second sack of Daunte Culpepper for a 14-yard loss in the third quarter he gets up, jumps in the air, lands on both feet and grinds his cleat into the grass. For those who didn’t recognize that, it was former Steeler and current Lion, Larry Foote’s signature celebration. I don’t think Harrison did it with malicious intent, but it a made statement and William Gay followed suit in the fourth quarter.

 

Favorite Play

Ben Roethlisberger’s 47-yard Touchdown completion to rookie Mike Wallace. The play was really deciding score in the game but even more importantly showed that Wallace has the mental fortitude to recover from a bad play. Wallace dropped a deep pass earlier in the game but stayed focused and made the play when he was needed. Wallace is a rookie so he’s going to have a drop or two. What’s important is how he deals with it.

 

Favorite Stat

100 percent: the percentage of touchdowns scored by the Steelers when inside the red-zone. Pittsburgh was atrocious in the red-zone early in the season and it cost them two wins. Now that the offense is scoring seven instead of three when inside the twenty, they are winning games.

 

Game Stats

• Something completely unexpected has happened in Pittsburgh. Bruce Arians is running the offense with great success and finally intelligence while Dick LeBeau’s defense is playing beneath itself.
• While the defense let up way to many plays on Sunday they did do something in the fourth quarter that should make their fans feel better. They actually blitzed in the fourth quarter.
• On the Lions second to last drive LeBeau called three and four man pass rushes as the Detroit marched down the field. With the game on the line and the Lions on the Steelers side of the field LeBeau dialed up three straight blitzes. Result? Three straight sacks.
• Speaking of three sacks that’s how many James Harrison had, along with another forced fumble. Harrison is now fifth in the league in sacks and still leads the league in forced fumbles.
• The defenses biggest problem without Troy Polamalu on the field is forcing turnovers. Or more accurately recovering them. Detroit fumbled four times on Sunday. The Steelers recovered exactly none of them. It appears the Steelers only have one ball hawk, and he’s been dressed in a hoodie since Week Two.
• Ben Roethlisberger is good, he’s really good.
•  23-30; 277 yards; 3 touchdowns is a solid stat-line for any quarterback. He did throw one interception, but Brett Favre throws a lot of interceptions as well. The important thing is that not only can Big Ben lead this team to wins but he can now make the offense a scoring machine on a consistent basis.
• Consistency is the key to this football team. Can Rashard Mendenhall stay a constantly effective runner? Will Mike Wallace get more consistent as the year goes on? Can the defense play consistent football for four quarters?
• The true models for consistency on this team are Hines Ward, as always, and Heath Miller.
• Miller is second in receptions and tied for second in touchdowns for NFL tight ends. He’s proving he’s worth his contract extension. All off-season teammates talked about how underrated Miller is. He’s proving he’s one of the best in the business.
• Aaron Smith is the Heath Miller of the defense and any seasoned Steelers fan knows he’s one of the most important players in Pittsburgh three-four system. Mike Tomlin reported that Smith is out indefinitely due to injury. If its a significant length of time, its trouble.
• Perhaps next week will be time for rookie DE, Evander “Ziggy” Hood to show what he can do. Succeeding in the NFL is about performing when given opportunities. Next could be Hood’s big opportunity.

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Pittsburgh Steelers-San Diego Chargers: Game Recap

From the notebook of a fan who cannot for the life of him figure out who was wearing No. 34 for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night, I know for a fact it wasn’t the same person who was wearing the number during the preseason and training camp. It just can’t be.

 

Favorite Moment:

When Carey Davis’s face popped up during NBC’s run-through of the offense’s starting lineup. Not only is he back on the team, a truly delightful return, it also means the Steelers started a fullback. A true breakthrough in Bruce Arians’ offensive plan.

Favorite Play:

Mewelde Moore’s touchdown pass to Heath Miller was the play of the game on so many levels. It showed Heath Miller as an increasingly targeted player. It put the game out of reach for the Chargers (or so everyone thought). It was a brilliant throwback to the Jerome Bettis throws of years past. And it was a sign that Arians is finally willing to be creative.

 

Favorite Stat:

Steelers’ time of possession: 40:20; Chargers’ time of possession: 19:40.

Now normally I don’t put much stock in time of possession. A team who scored very quickly could have a very low TOP and still dominate a game. The reason this statistic is important is because it shows the Steelers finally gave a significant performance in the run game. TOP is generally a reflection on which team was more physical. For the first time all year, it was the Steelers.

 

Game Notes

• Where did Rashard Mendenhall come from? What caused the change? 
• The best answer for the change is the brilliant coaching of Mike Tomlin. He benched Mendenhall last week and I’m sure he gave him a good chewing out in-house. If it was a kick in the butt from Tomlin, he deserves the Coach of the Year award just for turning Mendenhall around.
• All summer I watched Mendenhall in preseason and in training camp, and not once did he show any signs of what he showed Sunday night.
• Mendenhall was clearly the biggest story of the game, but plenty of other players had great games as well.
• The one Cris Collinsworth couldn’t seem to get over, and with good reason might I add, was Chris Kemoeatu. If any Steelers fans still miss Alan Faneca, STOP NOW! Kemoeatu can officially pull with the same athleticism, intelligence and power.
• The entire offensive line had their best performance since the retirement of Jeff Hartings at the end of the 2005 season. If this is a trend, the offense will be one of the best in the league.
• Ben Roethlisberger is really good. Those who have criticized his statistics take note; Big Ben is third in the league in passing yards and leads the league in completion percentage. When a passer completes 73.2 percent of his passes, he’s a great quarterback.
• James Harrison has been relatively quiet this season. But after last night, “Silverback” is tied for the league lead in forced fumbles. He’s still a force.
• Other defenders who played well for most of the game include Ike Taylor and William Gay, both of whom did a relatively good job shutting down a potent Chargers passing game for the first three quarters.
• What happens to the defense in the fourth quarter is beyond me. The only explanation is that Dick LeBeau was calling a different style of defense in an attempt to preserve a lead. Confusingly, I can’t imagine that after decades in the NFL he hasn’t figured out that changing a working defensive philosophy in order to protect a lead almost never works.
• The defense better figure out how to fix whatever isn’t working. The team won’t go very far if they don’t. 
• The most encouraging part of Sunday night’s game for the Steelers is the five straight touchdowns. They’ve lost two out of four games this season because they had to settle for field goals. Look what happens when they get touchdowns instead. They win.

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AFC North Preview, Via CBH Sports

This Preview of AFC North was written for CBHSports.blogspot.com, a sports blog written by Chris Hirsch. Chris asked me to be a question author on his blog and write this preview. The article along with Chris’s introduction and predictions can be read CBHSportshttp://cbhsports.blogspot.com/2009/08/2009-nfl-previews-afc-north.htmld.

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Notes From Steelers Vs. Cardinals Preseason Game

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The format for this article is inspired by Steelers Digest writer Jim Wexell.

From the notebook (literally) of a fan who spend an entire game sitting in the stands of Heinz Field taking notes on the game.

Favorite Moment: The preseason crowd exploded after Daniel Sepulveda’s first punt. Only Steelers fans would show so much appreciation for a punter. You can thank Paul Ernster and Mitch Burger for the gross amount of punting excitement.

Favorite Play: Joe Burnett’s early jump on a deep curl route that lead to an interception of a Brian St. Pierre throw.

Favorite Stat: 32 runs, 27 throws for the Steelers offense. The run game is still the focus and balance is still the key.

Favorite No Name Player: Donovan Woods who had three tackles and one tipped pass in one drive.

• The Steelers looked generally sharp in their first preseason game and seem to be continuing their efforts of pulling talented young players out of nowhere.
• The first player who stood out was ROLB, Dovovan Woods, who showed a great ability to hunt down the ball career in the run game and find the ball in the passing game. Is he the next undrafted wonder?
• The other two unexpected standouts were running backs Justin Vincent and Isaac Redman.
• The first surprise was Vincent getting time with the first time offense. The next surprise was his performance. Despite some unimpressive stats Jackson looked like the best running back wearing black and gold. He hit any hole no matter how small with confidence, showed quick moves and cuts once in the hole, and the ability to drive forward after contact.
• Redman only ran with the third team so his performance must be kept in perspective but the last runner to look like the clear best player on field with the third team was Willie Parker.
• I was very pleased with the play of the second and third team offensive lines. They protected the passers well and also opened up holes in the run game, a possible explanation for Vincent and Redman.   
• The starting squad, however, really worried me. They forced Big Ben to do even more scrambling. Max Starks got beat off the edge on the second play of the game and the line never created a good push in the run game.
• The starting five on the o-line was missing usual starters Jeff Hartwig and Darnell Stapleton so hopefully the blocking woes will dissolve when they return.
• My next biggest concern was the play of Lawrence Timmons. During their two defensive drives, Timmons missed two tackles in two attempts in the run game. On both plays he over pursued, got off balance, and could only try to make and arm tackle. His weakness in the run game could create a hole in an otherwise flawless defense.
• Some people thing even if Timmons isn’t quite as good in the run game that his blitzing ability will make up for it. On Timmon’s only blitz of the day he was blocked handily by Arizona running back Tim Hightower.
•  The best backup defender on the field was sixth year veteran Keiwan Ratliff. He led the team with six tackles and one sack. So far my money is on Ratliff filling the nickel spot at CB by the start of the season.
• William Gay also played good coverage as a starter, making a great read on a curl route by Anquan Boldin on the Cardinals first offensive play.
• All the headlines are talking about Limas Sweed and plenty of noise should be made about his two spectacular catches, just as much should be made about his drop. One drop every three passes is by no means ideal and consistency is the name of the game in the NFL.
• Shaun McDonald, on the other hand, was a man among boys while playing with the third string. What a receiver who was on the verge of a 1,000 yard season two years ago was doing playing with a bunch of undrafted free agents is beyond me. He looks like a poor man’s Hines Ward to me.
• The man throwing to McDonald was the much improved Dennis Dixon. Dixon showed the ability to properly read the field and proved he is accurate in the intermediate to short range passes. If he can learn to throw an accurate deep ball he could very well become a start worthy NFL passer.

 

Steelers’ Position Battle No. 4: Limas Sweed Vs. Shaun McDonald Vs. Mike Wallace

There is really only one position battle entering Steelers camp that has intriguing depth, important future implications, immediate consequences and undeniable fan attention.

The open competition for all 3 non-starting Wide Receiver spots should be the most intense competition in training camp. It also might have the largest effect on the team.

The last time the Steelers lost a key pass catcher was after Super Bowl XL when Antwaan Randle El left for a big contract in Washington.

His shoes were filled by veteran free agent pickup Cedric Wilson, unexpected up-and-comer Nate Washington, and speedy rookie Santonio Holmes. While Randle El’s presence was still missed the Steelers made smart choices regarding their pass catchers and the result was another Super Bowl.  

Now that Washington has once again exceeded expectations, Pittsburgh is stuck in a familiar spot: five Wide Receiver Spots and only two of them filled.

This time around the three players who need to fill some shoes are veteran free agent pick-up Shaun McDonald, the promising but worry-some Limas Sweed, and the speedy rookie Mike Wallace.

Sounds kind of familiar.

But the question remains, can the 2009 group of pass-catchers follow the example of their 2005 predecessors?

Just like former first round pick Holmes, 2008’s second-round selection Limas Sweed is garnering the most fan interest.

The 6’4” Sweed, a former Texas Longhorn, was highly touted after being selected 53rd overall. While most fans expected Sweed to be the long-awaited replacement for the tall but often incompetent Plaxico Burress, his performance paled in comparison, catching only 6 balls for 63 yards in his rookie season.

Sweed caped off the disappointment by dropping the most important pass of his career, in the AFC championship game against that Baltimore Ravens.

Still, Sweed is incredibly gifted and although disappointing at times he showed some flashes of brilliance in his first year as well. Also, coaches and peers alike say that Sweed has improved greatly from year one to year two.

The organization, along with the fans, hopes and expects Sweed to be the solution as the teams slot receiver. He is the tall target Ben Roethlisberger has been asking for and Pittsburgh would rather not have wasted their money and pick on someone who can’t even play the slot position.

If Sweed disappoints, or even if he doesn’t, seven-year veteran Shaun McDonald could make his performance significantly less important.

McDonald’s career statistics are both confusing and inconsistent.  2006 found him catching only 13 passes for only 136 yards and one touchdown, while the very next year showed him to be a receiver of great skill as he amassed 79 receptions, 943 yards, and six scores.

The possible reasons for these fluctuations are many, ranging from mere chance to organizational problems, and also rather speculative in nature. What is not speculative is his potential to be a valuable and productive slot receiver.

The former Detroit Lion and St. Louis Ram is a veteran who although possibly inconsistent is still proven while retaining an element of upside. If he can perform anywhere close to his 2007 self he will dwarf the need for Sweed and make Pittsburgh fans forget all about Nate Washington.

Sweed and McDonald are both question marks to a degree but the true x-factor in this three-way battle is rookie Mike Wallace.

Wallace, a third-round selection out of Ole Miss, has been added to the team to be a deep threat with average expectations but great potential. As quite easily the least experienced and largest unknown of the group Wallace could sink, swim, or merely float along in his rookie year. 

As the second fasted receiver in the 2009 combine and the leader in yards per catch average in the SEC in 2007 Wallace has a knack for the big play but big plays are not enough to with the slot or fourth WR spot for the Steelers.

Consistency is the key to life in this battle, not just for Wallace but for all three pass catchers. Good hands, crisp routes, and dedication will win the job.

General football knowledge says the veteran McDonald will display those desired qualities but Sweed has the raw ability to dominate and enough untested ability to make him the favorite.

Steelers Position Battle No. 3: Charlie Batch Vs. Dennis Dixon

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The backup quarterback, as the cliché says, is the most loved player on an NFL team.

While Hines Ward, Ben Roethlisberger, and a few other Steelers might want to dispute that cliché, there are two players on the roster hoping to live it.

Veteran Charlie Batch has lived that for the last seven seasons, and while last year was spent on injured reserve—he has proven that his cerebral strengths make him a valuable puzzle piece to a Super Bowl squad.

As ESPN’s Seth Wickersham discusses in a column from April 6, “The real value of backup quarterbacks lie not only in their ability to step into the game at the drop of a hat and play consistent football, but also in their role as part player, part coach on the sidelines.”

Batch has been the definition of what a second-string quarterback should be. Consistent, smart, and willing to do whatever he can to help the team.

While no one doubts Charlie’s importance to the team as sideline asset, the fans are starting to wonder if he is becoming more of a coach with a helmet, and less of a legitimate NFL quarterback.

If Batch has lost a step, then he will open the door for Dennis Dixon to take a step up in his second NFL year. Batch has the job right now, and Dixon must impress to take it from him. But, many quarterbacks make their longest strides in their second season.

Dixon, a fifth-round pick out of Oregon, could have been a top draft pick and therefore an expected starter in the NFL if not for a knee injury at the end of his senior year and his talent is intriguing. 

Not only is Dixon’s talent intriguing but so is the potential he displayed at times last preseason.

Against Buffalo, in his longest performance of the preseason, Dixon went 6-for-15 for 73 yards and ran for 54 yards and a touchdown. The 40 percent passer rating might seem less than savory, but for a rookie’s second NFL preseason appearance, it could be much worse.

Add his obvious running threat and two fourth down conversions, and Dixon’s play against Buffalo shows some real raw ability.

Raw ability, however, won’t cut it for the Steelers’ staff. Dixon now has a year of experience under his belt and should have full grasp of Pittsburgh’s playbook. These factors, along with added team chemistry, often leads to immense improvements for second year throwers.

If it does, Dixon could challenge Charlie Batch’s position as the second string passer.

If it doesn’t, he will follow the likes of Omar Jacobs and Brian St.Pierre as failed fifth round draft picks for Pittsburgh. 

While most position battles can create or eliminate important holes on a team, this battle really shouldn’t make a large difference in the team’s performance. Barring a serious Roethlisberger injury, Dixon and Batch’s placement on the depth chart will only matter for a game or two at most.

Where the interest lies is in the future of the position. This season could very well dictate if Dixon will be Jacobs, Seneca Wallace, or Matt Schaub.

It could also dictate if Batch’s role on the team is as a glorified quarterback coach or if he remains a legitimate substitute for Big Ben.

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