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2009 Steelers Final Report Card: Offense Was Good, Shoulda Been Better

Published: January 5, 2010

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Almost across the board, the conventional numbers say the Steelers offense was among the best in the league, and for the better part of 80 yards, it was all of that. It ranked among the leaders in total yards (seventh overall) and time of possession (third).

It’s the hidden numbers that tell the real story of the 2009 Steelers offense, however. What they say is that, based on experience and talent level, coordinator Bruce Arians and his group underachieved to some extent this season.

Based on the league average of one point for every 15.6 yards gained, the Steelers should have averaged 23.8 points per game. They finished at 23.0, a 13-point difference that was crucial for a team that lost five games by a mere field goal apiece.

Where did the Steelers leave those points on the field? Look no further than the red zone.

The most productive offenses inside the 20-yard line are almost always those with the best front lines. The ability to run the ball consistently is crucial to success close to the goal, and this regard, the Steelers fell short of the mark. As even some players would admit later, the unit also was too predictable in the way of personnel and formations.

A closer look shows the offense had more negative yards on sacks (minus 328) and turnovers (minus 201 as computed from the line of scrimmage) than any team in the league. And there is no bigger drive-killer than a sack or turnover. It also ranked a mediocre 17th in third-down conversation rate (39 percent). Overall, give the group a B grade, but it amounts to a kick in the A, really.

The individual grades:

Offense regulars

WR Hines Ward
Weekly grades: B/B/C/B/A/A/D/A/C/B/B/B/D/B/B/B
Final grade: B-
Comment: Dependable pass receiver (95 catches, 1,167 yards) but not as consistent in other areas. Ill-advised remark about Ben Roethlisberger compromised team chemistry. Was watched closely by referees, result was more penalties. At 33, gritty veteran should have two more productive seasons at least.

LT Max Starks
Weekly grades: B/F/C/B/C/C/C/A/C/D/B/B/F/F/D/C
Final grade: C
Comment: Fared well against average competitive, but more agile pass-rushers posed problems. Not force in ground game, but not liability, either. Paid like left tackle, played like right tackle. Move to natural position would benefit him and team.

LG Chris Komoeatu
Weekly grades: D/C/B/A/B/B/B/C/D/B/DNP/C/F/DNP/DNP
Final grade: C
Comment: Made mark as physical, Pro Bowl-caliber blocker in run game. Was particularly effective as lead man on counters to right side, not so much in pass game. Injuries reduced his effectiveness in final five games. At 27, he has growth potential if spirit moves him.

C Justin Hartwig
Weekly grades: F/C/B/A/B/B/B/A/D/B/B/B/F/C/D/B
Final grade: C+
Comment: Most consistent member of the front line. Rarely had subpar performances in consecutive games. Not a brawler, but he held his own against jumbo nose tackles for most part. At 31, how much tread does he have left?

RG Trai Essex
Weekly grades: C/B/C/B/D/D/C/C/F/C/C/B/F/D/D/B
Final grade: C-
Comment: Average starter for also-ran, above-average reserve for contender. “Tweener” lacks physical strength to be quality tackle, agility to be standout guard. His value as experienced two-position player cannot be underestimated, though.

RT Willie Colon
Weekly grades: D/B/C/A/C/C/A/A/F/D/B/B/D/F/F/D
Final grade: C
Comment: Had commendable first half, mostly forgettable second one. Provided consistent forward push on run plays. Spotty in pass protection. Unforced mistakes were fewer in number, but focus still drifted at times. Move to right guard is reasonable alternative.

TE Heath Miller
Weekly grades: A/B/B/A/A/A/A/C/C/D/C/D/C/C/B/A
Final grade: B
Comment: At his best, there was no better player. But despite a career-high 76 pass receptions, more should have been expected here. Too many drops, too many penalties, too many missed assignments. Did contract extension affect his focus?

WR Santonio Holmes
Weekly grades: A/D/F/C/B/A/C/A/B/B/A/A/B/B/B/D
Final grade: B-
Comment: Had 79 passes receptions, 1,248 yards, but mental lapses reduced effectiveness. Failure to read blitz against Bengals resulted in one of most crucial plays of the season. Especially dangerous after the catch. Had too few chances on punt returns.

WR Mike Wallace
Weekly grades: B/C/A/B/B/B/A/A/D/D/D/C/F/A/A/B
Final grade: B-
Comment: Had no competition for team Rookie of Year honors. Quick learner who rarely seemed out of place. Provided much-needed deep threat. Pass routes could use work, but they should come in time. Had five-game lull as expected but finished strong.

QB Ben Roethlisberger
Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/B/B/B/B/D/A/DNP/A/B/A/B/A
Final grade: B+
Comment: Unlike ’06 disaster, don’t blame this dive on him. Played at high level in 14-of-15 games, sat out one other. Twenty-six TDs, 12 interceptions, 4,328 yards. Silenced critics who said he couldn’t be prolific pocket passer. Sacked 50 times, but wasn’t carted off field on gurney even once.

RB Rashard Mendenhall
Weekly grades: C/B/INC/A/A/D/D/A/C/A/B/A/C/B/F/C
Final grade: B-
Comment: His emergence as go-to guy in run game was most positive development of season. Combined speed and power for 1,108 yards on ground. Hit hole quicker, juked less. Master of spin move but fumble waiting to happen. Raw talent who should get better with experience.

RB Willie Parker
Weekly grades: D/C/B/DNP/DNP/D/INC/INC/INC/B/C/C/INC/B/B/A
Final grade: C+
Comment: Soon-to-be free agent was slowed by injuries. Even so, he could have done more if given chance. Twenty-nine-year-old showed enough in final games to believe he could be bargain for some team next season.

RB Mewelde Moore
Weekly grades: B/C/C/A/B/B/B/B/B/C/D/C/D/B/INC/INC
Season average: C+
Comment: Normally reliable veteran was replaced by Mendenhall as third-down specialist late in season. Wasn’t as effective in blitz pick-up in obvious pass situations. Still only 27, but his future is uncertain future here.

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Steelers/Week 17: End of Season, End of Era?

Published: January 4, 2010

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Here’s my take on the Steelers’ 27-24 victory against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon:

1. Rejoice, Steelers World, you can tell your grandkids that you witnessed the biggest letdown season in franchise history!

Well, name a bigger one then.

In 2006, the Steelers tanked as the defending Super Bowl champions, but this season ranks worse than that one. A lot worse.

The ‘06 team opened the season with a lame-duck head coach (Bill Cowher) and a quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger) with physical issues. The ’09 team started the season with no such problems, unless you count Big Ben’s legal controversy, which appeared to have no effect on the field.

Not only that, but this team had a bunch of Twinkies and Ho Hos on its schedule.

The 1995, 2001 and 2004 teams are on the short list, but for as many hearts as they broke, at least they advanced to the postseason. What did this one accomplish except a lot of anger and frustration and lousy football?

I mean, this season was so godawful that Steelers World was forced to root for the Oakland Raiders on the final day of the regular season.

Yuck.

2. Sorry, but I don’t see any quick fixes here, either. Like the ‘Burgh itself, the Steelers organization is slow and methodical, not quick and aggressive, salary cap or no salary cap.

This is an ancient team whose best days are behind it. I’ll be surprised if it finishes better than 8-8 next season.

3. I hold general manager Kevin Colbert responsible for this nightmare of a season.

Colbert also brought back the same nucleus for a year ago. Bad idea. Championship teams don’t repeat with the same guys nowadays, especially ones that have a bunch of 30-somethings on their rosters.

If course, the one guy he should have brought back, cornerback Bryant McFadden, he allowed to walk out the free-agent door.

4. I hold Mike Tomlin responsible for what happened this season.

When a plane is on autopilot like the Steelers were last season, it’s easy to navigate. But when it hits turbulence, it takes experience and know-how to steer clear of trouble. Clearly, Tomlin didn’t have the experience and know-how to handle the kind of problems that confronted his team this season.

The head coach talked a good game, anyway.

5. I hold the players responsible for what happened this season.

This team had too many fat cats at the start of the season. (Yeah, that includes you, LaMarr Woodley.) There’s no excuse to lack motivation, especially when you’re the defending champs.

6. Can’t say enough good things about Roethlisberger, the one guy who held up his part of the deal throughout the season. When he drove the team to a late field goal despite a limp right arm, I thought that John Wayne had made a comeback.

Forget talent level. If everyone displayed the grit and determination that Big Ben did this season, then this team would be headed to the playoffs right now.

7. Why anyone outside of family, friends and opponents would want linebacker James Farrior and cornerback Deshea Townsend on the field in obvious pass situations beats the hell out of me. They killed the defense on third down time after time after time.

I mean, if you’re gonna get toasted, better to get toasted with young guys who at least will gain experience from it.

8. The company line was that Willie Parker had lost a step because of injuries, but in what may have been his final game in black and gold, Fast Willie put up 91 yards in 12 carries and didn’t look slow to me.

Parker and Tomlin had a personality clash, but ego shouldn’t interfere with the best interests of the team. Parker should have touched the ball a half-dozen times every game. Minimum.

9. I understand the urgency to get Rashard Mendenhall more involved, but the kid was handed the third-down job even though he wasn’t ready for it.

In the last two games, Mendenhall dropped one sure TD pass and botched another because he wasn’t aware of the sideline.

Meanwhile, the guy who would have been ideal for the role sat and watched the entire season. Stefan Logan is his name.

10. Congrats to shoulda-been Steelers head coach Ken Whisenhunt, who guided the Arizona Cardinals to the playoffs for the second time in as many seasons.

History says that one of the Super Bowl teams fail to make the playoffs the next year, but who would have thunk that the Steelers would be it?

(For the final Steelers grades and analysis, see Paul Ladewski’s story in Bleacher Report on Tuesday.)

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QBER/Week 16: The Curious Case of Ben Roethlisberger

Published: January 1, 2010

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(QBER is short for Quarterback Efficiency Rating, a more comprehensive, easily understood rating system that I devised to place the emphasis where it belongs—the ability of a quarterback to advance the ball, avoid negative plays, and score touchdowns in comparison to his peers. A rating of 100.0 is the league average.)

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/256842-brees-romo-mcnabb-are-week-1-qber-leaders

Few quarterbacks have put up better raw numbers than Ben Roethlisberger this season. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ most valuable player ranks among the league leaders in completion percentage, pass yardage and yards per pass attempt.

Who thought they would live to see a Steelers quarterback pass for 503 yards in one game? Even more impressive, Roethlisberger did it outdoors with an ordinary offensive line in front of him.

Nonetheless, Roethlisberger has never ranked higher than 11th in QBER at any time this season. Because what the numbers don’t say is, Big Ben has more negative yards than any quarterback in the league, and that has significantly reduced his effectiveness.

Although not entirely his own fault, Roethlisberger has lost more yards on sacks (330) than any QB in the league. He has lost 137 yards on interception returns, also the highest total in the league.

In addition, Roethlisberger has had three turnovers returned for touchdowns. Only Jason Campbell and Jake Delhomme (four apiece) have more in the league.

Roethlisberger ranks among the best quarterbacks in the league—he was the real Super Bowl XLIII Most Valuable Player—but until Big Ben and company limit the number of negative plays, he may never get the recognition he deserves.

The QBER leaders through Week 16 of the regular season:

1. Philip Rivers 137.8

2. Peyton Manning 135.1

3. Drew Brees 134.9

4. Aaron Rodgers 134.8

5. Brett Favre 131.2

6. Donovan McNabb 128.1

7. Tom Brady 125.2

8. Tony Romo 124.1

9. Matt Schaub 121.2

10. Eli Manning 114.968

11. Vince Young 114.967

12. Kyle Orton 113.5

13. Ben Roethlisberger 113.3

14. Joe Flacco 111.4

15. Carson Palmer 108.6

16. Kurt Warner 108.4

17. Matt Ryan 109.2

18. Alex Smith 101.3

19. David Garrard 93.4

20. Jason Campbell 88.9

21. Jay Cutler 88.3

22. Matt Cassel 85.19

23. Matt Hasselbeck 85.15

24. Chad Henne 84.1

25. Brady Quinn 82.3

26. Marc Bulger 79.7

27. Josh Freeman 68.5

28. Matthew Stafford 68.0

29. Mark Sanchez 65.9

30. Jake Delhomme 47.1

A few observations:

Peyton Manning lost more than chance for an unbeaten season last weekend, when Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Caldwell benched the starters in the second half. Manning dropped out of first place in the QBER race as well. For the first time this season, Philip Rivers is the most efficient signal-caller in the league. Since Week 10, the San Diego Chargers quarterback has produced 13 net touchdowns and been sacked only seven times in a span of 206 pass plays.
It’s too early to write off Matt Cassel, but it’s safe to say his first season with the Kansas City Chiefs has been a disappointment. The Southern California product has cracked the top 10 in QBER only once this season, and in last seven weeks, he has not been higher than 18th place. Cassel signed a six-year, $63-millon contract after he and linebacker Mike Vrabel were acquired from the New England Patriots in return for a first-round draft pick last spring.
The Carolina Panthers may have found their quarterback of the future. In his first four starts, Matt Moore posted a QBER of 138.2, which would lead the league if he had enough attempts to qualify. In 124 pass plays, Moore has totaled seven net touchdowns. Predecessor Jake Delhomme had four net TDs in 350 pass calls.
Although the NFL passer rating formula does not take them into account, the ability of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to make plays with his feet has had no small role in his success. The leader of the Pack has run for 302 yards and three touchdowns on intended pass plays. Both totals lead the league.

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Steelers Report Card Week 16: Dose of Humility Needed, Not Playoffs

Published: December 28, 2009

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Here’s my take on the Steelers’ 23-20 victory against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday afternoon:

1. The Steelers are still in the playoff hunt, but don’t count on it. Too much has to happen in the final week of the season, not the least of which is a victory against the Dolphins in Miami. Would it surprise anybody if the Steelers put themselves out of their misery?

Even if the Steelers make the cut somehow, they’re one and done. Too much age, too many problems. Besides, any team that loses to the Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders and Cleveland Browns doesn’t deserve to be in the tournament.

Better to watch the playoffs on television, I say. A large dose of humility wouldn’t hurt the organization one bit. In fact, if it motivates the higher-ups to address some chronic needs in the off-season, then it could be the best thing that happened this season.

2. The league did the Steelers no favors when it moved the Cincinnati Bengals-New York Jets game to an 8:30 p.m. start on Sunday.

If the New England Patriots clinch the No. 3 seed in the conference with a victory against the Houston Texans in the afternoon, then the Bengals will be assured of the No. 4 seed and rest several starters as a result.

Think the “Who Deys” have forgotten the final game of the 2006 season, when the Steelers knocked them out of the playoffs? Don’t think so.

3. The Ravens were guilty of 113 yards in penalties, but that should come as no surprise, despite what the haters had to say about it. If the critics had paid attention this season, they would have known that the Ravens were the second most penalized team in the league.

4. After Ravens wide out Derrick Mason dropped a sure touchdown pass in the fourth quarter, the first thing I could think of was: Did Limas Sweed get traded?

5. Mason was so wide open that Deshea Townsend barely was a in the same zip code. So much for him as a starter again.

Townsend has had a nice career for himself, but it’s painful to watch the ancient cornerback attempt to play pass defense. He’s not a cover guy anymore. He’s a safety now. That’s the only position that he should play, if he plays at all.

6. Then again, ill-advised personnel decisions are no small reason for the Steelers’ predicament right now.

Take defensive end Ziggy Hood, for instance.

The Steelers like rookies to earn their keep, and for months we were told that Hood wasn’t experienced enough to be on the field. Meanwhile, the veterans wheezed through one fourth quarter after another.

Well, Hood sure looks ready to me. He had two tackles, one sack, recovered a fumble, and gave the pass rush the kind of lively legs that it could have used earlier this season.

7. The flip side is feature back Rashard Mendenhall, who has been given too much responsibility in his second season.

Or to put it another way, any guy who drops a sure touchdown pass and loses a fumble in the same game deserves to sit for a while, regardless of how much the head coach likes him.

8. Ben Roethlisberger went down four more times. That’s 47 for the season. Only Aaron Rodgers (50) has been sacked more often.

I hate it when a lousy quarterback wrecks a great offensive line.

9. I thought scatback Stefan Logan would have taken one to the house by now, but no way should the guy be considered a disappointment.

The last time a Steelers player averaged as many as 26.0 yards per kickoff return and 8.0 yards per punt return was Jon Staggers in the 1971 season.

Not only would I offer Logan a contract for next season, but I would occasionally play him on third down, as well.

10. Linebacker LaMarr Woodley had another monster game—seven tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble—and pretty much treated the Ravens like Ray Lewis did the Steelers all those years.

Woodley leads the team with 11.5 sacks. Think how many he would have if had showed up the first month of the season.

The Grades:

Offense Regulars

WR Hines Ward: B

Weekly grades: B/B/C/B/A/A/D/A/C/B/B/B/D/B/B

Season average: B

LT Max Starks: D

Weekly grades: B/F/C/B/C/C/C/A/C/D/B/B/F/F/D

Season average: C

LG Chris Komoeatu: DNP

Weekly grades: D/C/B/A/B/B/B/C/D/B/DNP/C/F/DNP

Season average: C

C Justin Hartwig: D

Weekly grades: F/C/B/A/B/B/B/A/D/B/B/B/F/C/D

Season average: C+

RG Trai Essex: D

Weekly grades: C/B/C/B/D/D/C/C/F/C/C/B/F/D/D

Season average: D+

RT Willie Colon: F

Weekly grades: D/B/C/A/C/C/A/A/F/D/B/B/D/F/F

Season average: C

TE Heath Miller: B

Weekly grades: A/B/B/A/A/A/A/C/C/D/C/D/C/C/B

Season average: C+

WR Santonio Holmes: B

Weekly grades: A/D/F/C/B/A/C/A/B/B/A/A/B/B/B

Season average: B

WR Mike Wallace: A

Weekly grades: B/C/A/B/B/B/A/A/D/D/D/C/F/A/A

Season average: C+

QB Ben Roethlisberger: B

Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/B/B/B/B/D/A/DNP/A/B/A/B

Season average: B+

RB Rashard Mendenhall: F

Weekly grades: C/B/INC/A/A/D/D/A/C/A/B/A/C/B/F

Season average: C+

RB Mewelde Moore: INC

Weekly grades: B/C/C/A/B/B/B/B/B/C/D/C/D/B/INC

Season average: C+

RB Willie Parker: B

Weekly grades: D/C/B/DNP/DNP/D/INC/INC/INC/B/C/C/INC/B/B

Season average: C

Defense Regulars

LE Travis Kirschke: B

Weekly grades: C/B/C/C/B/B/B/DNP/DNP/DNP/B/DNP/F/B/B

Season average: C+

NT Casey Hampton: C

Weekly grades: B/B/B/C/B/A/C/A/B/A/D/B/D/A/C

Season average: B

RE Brett Keisel: C

Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/A/A/A/B/B/C/B/D/D/C

Season average: B

LOLB Lamarr Woodley: A

Weekly grades: D/D/D/D/C/B/B/B/B/A/A/A/A/B/A

Season average: C+

LILB James Farrior: B

Weekly grades: B/A/C/B/C/A/A/B/B/C/B/C/F/F/B

Season average: C+

LILB Keyaron Fox: C

Weekly grades: A/A/C/C/B/D/A/A/F/C/B/C/F/D/C

Season average: C+

RILB Lawrence Timmons: D

Weekly grades: DNP/B/B/D/B/A/B/DNP/B/A/A/B/B/D/D

Season average: B

ROLB James Harrison: A

Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/A/B/A/A/C/A/B/A/D/D/A

Season average: B+

LCB William Gay: C

Weekly grades: C/C/B/B/B/C/D/C/B/D/F/F/D/F/C

Season average: D+

RCB Ike Taylor: A

Weekly grades: C/B/A/A/B/D/B/C/A/A/C/D/D/D/A

Season average: C+

SS Tyrone Carter: C

Weekly grades: C/B/B/D/A/D/D/A/B/B/B/C/C/F/C

Season average: C+

FS Ryan Clark: B

Weekly grades: B/B/A/B/A/B/B/DNP/A/D/C/B/B/D/B

Season average: B

Special Teams Regulars

PK Jeff Reed: A

Weekly grades: B/F/C/A/B/B/D/B/C/B/A/B/A/A/A

Season average: B

P Daniel Sepulveda: C

Weekly grades: A/A/A/A/B/B/B/A/A/B/B/A/C/D/C

Season average: B

KR Stefan Logan: A

Weekly grades: B/D/A/C/B/B/B/C/C/B/C/A/INC/D/A

Season average: C+

PR Stefan Logan: A

Weekly grades: C/C/C/F/C/INC/C/B/B/B/B/F/INC/D/A

Season average: C

Coaches

HC Mike Tomlin: C

Weekly grades: B/C/D/A/C/B/B/A/D/F/C/F/F/F/C

Season average: C

OC Bruce Arians: B

Weekly grades: C/D/C/A/B/A/C/B/F/C/C/F/F/A/B

Season average: C

DC Dick LeBeau: B

Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/A/B/A/A/A/B/F/F/C/B

Season average: B

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QBER/Week 15: Manning Sets Pace, but Race Is Too Close to Call

Published: December 25, 2009

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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/256842-brees-romo-mcnabb-are-week-1-qber-leaders

Maybe it should come as no surprise that less than 4 percentage points separate Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre and Philip Rivers in the QBER race this late in the season.

Manning, Brees, Rodgers and Favre have been at or near the top since Week One, and no quarterback has been more efficient than Rivers in recent weeks.

The gap between the top-ranked Manning and runner-up Brees is closer than ever—fourth-tenths of 1 percent—which also follows a familiar pattern. In the first 15 weeks, Brees ranked No. 1 on five occasions, while Manning set the pace six times. Favre (three weeks) and Matt Hasselbeck (one) are the only others to rank first overall.

Manning is a distant fifth in the NFL passer ratings, primarily because they do not take into account sack, fumble and interception yardage. Thus far, he lost only 69 yards in those categories, one of the lowest totals in the league.

The QBER leaders through Week 15 of the regular season:

1. Peyton Manning 135.7

2. Drew Brees 135.3

3. Philip Rivers 135.0

4. Aaron Rodgers 133.9

5. Brett Favre 131.8

6. Donovan McNabb 128.0

7. Tony Romo 125.3

8. Eli Manning 121.0

9. Matt Schaub 120.2

10. Tom Brady 118.2

11. Ben Roethlisberger 114.2

12. Joe Flacco 112.6

13. Kyle Orton 111.6

14. Carson Palmer 107.3

15. Kurt Warner 106.6

16. Matt Ryan 103.0

17. Alex Smith 97.9

18. David Garrard 95.2

19. Matt Hasselbeck 91.0

20. Jason Campbell 90.7

21. Matt Cassel 85.9

22. Chad Henne 82.3

23. Brady Quinn 81.9

24. Jay Cutler 81.5

25. Marc Bulger 79.4

26. Josh Freeman 70.4

27. Matthew Stafford 67.4

28. Mark Sanchez 63.9

29. JaMarcus Russell 54.0

30. Jake Delhomme 46.4

A few observations:

In December, the priority shifts to the run game, right? Not in the modern NFL it doesn’t. Last week there were more pass attempts (1,143), yards (8,265) and turnovers (45) than in any other this season, further proof that the forward pass is where it’s at these days.

A 479-yard, three-touchdown, zero-turnover performance vaulted Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger into 11th place, his high point of the season. If not for the league-high 506 yards that he lost on sacks, fumbles and interceptions, Big Ben would be on an even shorter list.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme is done for the season, and not a moment too soon. The veteran ranked last or next-to-last in QBER every week this season. The culprit was a 21-to-4 turnovers-net touchdowns ratio. In his first three starts, successor Matt Moore totaled four TD pass and two turnovers.

It has been this kind of season for JaMarcus Russell , the embattled Oakland Raiders signal-caller: When he totaled 34 yards, one touchdown and zero turnovers in 12 drop-backs last week, his QBER improved to 54.0, his best rank in nine weeks.

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Steelers Report Card/Week 15: Team MVP? Ben There, Done That

Published: December 21, 2009

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Here’s my take on the Steelers’ 37-36 victory against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon:

1. OK, now can we stop the silly talk about the Steelers’ most valuable player this season?

While safety Troy Polamalu watched in street clothes one more time, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger passed for a team-record 503 yards and willed victory in the final minutes again. Yes, the defense misses Polamalu in the worst way, but to be an MVP, you have to actually play the games.

2. What went overlooked is how close Roethlisberger came to something really special. If Santonio Holmes, Heath Miller, Mike Wallace, and Hines Ward don’t drop a ball apiece, then Big Ben would have threatened the NFL record for most pass yards in one game.

In the first week of the 1951 season, Los Angeles Rams quarterback Norm Van Brocklin passed for 554 yards, a record that has been in the books for 58 years. For my money, it’s the most underappreciated record in pro football. Been that way for a while.

3. If Roethlisberger hadn’t done his Ben-Hur impersonation, then head coach Mike Tomlin would have lots of ‘splainin’ to do about his mindless decision to attempt an onside kick in the fourth quarter.

Yeah, I know. The special teams couldn’t stop the Little Old Lady from Pasadena these days. The defense couldn’t be trusted either—it had been burned for 22 points in the fourth quarter already. If it were the first half, then I could see it. But with the lead this late in the game? No way.

Really, what message does it send when the head coach quits on his team?

4. Almost everything that the Steelers needed to happen around the league did happen, as they gained ground on the Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets in the chase for the final two conference playoff berths.

Still, even if the Steelers win their final two games, it’s difficult to get excited about a 9-7 record and a wild card berth, not with their defense in such sorry shape.

5. Liked the way O-coordinator Bruce Arians went pedal to the metal on the first play from scrimmage and refused to ease up the rest of the way. Problem is, there’s so much age at the defensive side, guys such as end Brett Keisel and linebacker James Farrior simply can’t keep up with that kind of pace for four quarters.

Especially on third-and-pass situations, cornerback Joe Burnett, Keyaron Fox, and Ziggy Hood should be on the field more often. It’s also time to activate cornerback Keenan Lewis, who can provide another fresh pair of legs.

Besides, I’m convinced that a mannequin could play better than William Gay right now.

6. As usual, the secondary had more holes than a strainer, but it didn’t get much help either. The pass rush took down quarterback Aaron Rodgers only once in 48 attempts.

I’m sure that D-coordinator Dick LeBeau has a very good reason to drop sackmaster James Harrison into pass coverage so often, but I sure as heck don’t know what it is.

7. Placekicker Jeff Reed deserves some credit here. On a day when there were no gimmes, he made good on three field goals in as many tries, while Packers counterpart Mason Crosby gagged on a 34-yarder in the second period.

Nonetheless, if the Steelers cut the cord with Reed after the season, then it’s fine with me under these conditions: 1) His replacement converts at least 80 percent of his field goal tries; and 2) said player boots a kickoff into the end zone once every game.

This season Reed has one measly touchback, eight fewer than a year ago, and that has made a lousy kickoff unit even worse.

8. Tackle Max Starks couldn’t have played much worse if he had worn a blindfold. He was repeatedly outquicked off the edge, allowed two sacks, and was guilty of hold and false start penalties.

Other than that, Mrs. Starks, how did you like the game?

9. As much as the higher-ups would have us believe that the O-line is fine and dandy, it looks no better than it was a year ago, when it was average at best.

Here’s my solution: Move Starks to right tackle where he belongs, shift right tackle Willie Colon to right guard, bench Trai Essex, and draft a stud left tackle to protect Big Ben for the next half-dozen years.

10. Is that really Stefan Logan out there on third down? No, it can’t be!

The Grades

Offense regulars

WR Hines Ward: B

Weekly grades: B/B/C/B/A/A/D/A/C/B/B/B/D/B

Season average: B

LT Max Starks: F

Weekly grades: B/F/C/B/C/C/C/A/C/D/B/B/F/F

Season average: C

LG Chris Kemoeatu: DNP

Weekly grades: D/C/B/A/B/B/B/C/D/B/DNP/C/F/DNP

Season average: C

C Justin Hartwig: C

Weekly grades: F/C/B/A/B/B/B/A/D/B/B/B/F/C

Season average: C+

RG Trai Essex: D

Weekly grades: C/B/C/B/D/D/C/C/F/C/C/B/F/D

Season average: D+

RT Willie Colon: F

Weekly grades: D/B/C/A/C/C/A/A/F/D/B/B/D/F

Season average: C

TE Heath Miller: C

Weekly grades: A/B/B/A/A/A/A/C/C/D/C/D/C/C

Season average: C+

WR Santonio Holmes: B

Weekly grades: A/D/F/C/B/A/C/A/B/B/A/A/B/B

Season average: B

WR Mike Wallace: A

Weekly grades: B/C/A/B/B/B/A/A/D/D/D/C/F/A

Season average: C+

QB Ben Roethlisberger: A

Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/B/B/B/B/D/A/DNP/A/B/A

Season average: B+

RB Rashard Mendenhall: B

Weekly grades: C/B/INC/A/A/D/D/A/C/A/B/A/C/B

Season average: B

RB Mewelde Moore: B

Weekly grades: B/C/C/A/B/B/B/B/B/C/D/C/D/B

Season average: C+

RB Willie Parker: B

Weekly grades: D/C/B/DNP/DNP/D/INC/INC/INC/B/C/C/INC/B

Season average: C

Defense regulars

LE Travis Kirschke: B

Weekly grades: C/B/C/C/B/B/B/DNP/DNP/DNP/B/DNP/F/B

Season average: C+

NT Casey Hampton: A

Weekly grades: B/B/B/C/B/A/C/A/B/A/D/B/D/A

Season average: B

RE Brett Keisel: D

Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/A/A/A/B/B/C/B/D/D

Season average: B

LOLB LaMarr Woodley: B

Weekly grades: D/D/D/D/C/B/B/B/B/A/A/A/A/B

Season average: C+

LILB James Farrior: F

Weekly grades: B/A/C/B/C/A/A/B/B/C/B/C/F/F

Season average: C+

LILB Keyaron Fox: D

Weekly grades: A/A/C/C/B/D/A/A/F/C/B/C/F/D

Season average: C+

RILB Lawrence Timmons: D

Weekly grades: DNP/B/B/D/B/A/B/DNP/B/A/A/B/B/D

Season average: B

ROLB James Harrison: D

Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/A/B/A/A/C/A/B/A/D/D

Season average: B

LCB William Gay: F

Weekly grades: C/C/B/B/B/C/D/C/B/D/F/F/D/F

Season average: D+

RCB Ike Taylor: D

Weekly grades: C/B/A/A/B/D/B/C/A/A/C/D/D/D

Season average: C+

SS Troy Polamalu: DNP

Weekly grades: A/DNP/DNP/DNP/DNP/A/A/A/INC/DNP/DNP/DNP/DNP/DNP

Season average: A

FS Ryan Clark: D

Weekly grades: B/B/A/B/A/B/B/DNP/A/D/C/B/B/D

Season average: B

Special teams regulars

PK Jeff Reed: A

Weekly grades: B/F/C/A/B/B/D/B/C/B/A/B/A/A

Season average: B

P Daniel Sepulveda: D

Weekly grades: A/A/A/A/B/B/B/A/A/B/B/A/C/D

Season average: B+

KR Stefan Logan: D

Weekly grades: B/D/A/C/B/B/B/C/C/B/C/A/INC/D

Season average: C+

PR Stefan Logan: D

Weekly grades: C/C/C/F/C/INC/C/B/B/B/B/F/INC/D

Season average: C

Coaches

HC Mike Tomlin: F

Weekly grades: B/C/D/A/C/B/B/A/D/F/C/F/F/F

Season average: C

OC Bruce Arians: A

Weekly grades: C/D/C/A/B/A/C/B/F/C/C/F/F/A

Season average: C

DC Dick LeBeau: C

Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/A/B/A/A/A/B/F/F/C

Season average: B

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QBER/Week 14: Unbeaten Colts Beware—Dangerous Rivers Ahead

Published: December 18, 2009

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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/256842-brees-romo-mcnabb-are-week-1-qber-leaders

Already there is talk of a first-ever Super Bowl between two unbeaten teams, but if a hot quarterback means anything—and it almost always does—then reservations for the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints should be on hold until further notice.

Based on performance and experience at the most important position on the field, the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and San Diego Chargers have to be considered serious threats to perfection.

The Chargers have to like their chances for two reasons—the recent play of Philip Rivers and their track record against the Colts in recent years. No quarterback has been better than Rivers in the last three weeks, a period in which he committed only two turnovers and averaged a ridiculous 11.03 yards per pass play. At 136.1, he ranks third among the QBER qualifiers for the second consecutive week.

Despite chronic health problems, the Eagles have stayed in the hunt largely because of Donovan McNabb, whose QBER never fluctuated between 127.5 and 133.7 in the last six weeks. What also stands out is his 19-to-8 net touchdowns-turnovers ratio, which ranks behind only Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers in the league.

As for Favre, his lowest QBER was an impressive 124.9—and that was in the first week of the season. The 40-year-old ranked either first or second in each of the last six weeks, a sign that his late fade of last season was a thing of the past.

The QBER leaders through Week 14 of the regular season:

1. Drew Brees 144.7

2. Brett Favre 136.8

3. Philip Rivers 136.1

4. Peyton Manning 131.9

5. Donovan McNabb 130.5

6. Aaron Rodgers 130.0

7. Tony Romo 125.4

8. Tom Brady 120.0

9. Matt Schaub 119.3

10. Eli Manning 115.8

11. Kurt Warner 113.3

12. Kyle Orton 110.6

13. Ben Roethlisberger 108.2

14. Alex Smith 106.4

15. Carson Palmer 106.0

16. Joe Flacco 105.8

17. Matt Ryan 102.1

18. Matt Hasselbeck 100.3

19. Jason Campbell 95.4

20. David Garrard 91.8

21. Brady Quinn 88.3

22. Jay Cutler 87.4

23. Chad Henne 85.2

24. Matt Cassel 80.1

25. Marc Bulger 79.6

26. Matthew Stafford 67.6

27. Mark Sanchez 65.6

28. JaMarcus Russell 49.1

29. Jake Delhomme 46.3

A Few Observations

A lot has been made of the Dallas Cowboys and their inability to win in December, but don’t blame Tony Romo at least for now. In the last three weeks, his QBER improved from 112.4 (12th overall) to 118.1 (ninth) to 121.8 (seventh) to 125.4 (seventh), respectively. Romo did not throw an interception or lose a fumble in that span, which totaled 119 pass plays.
The inability of Eli Manning to protect the ball continues to be an issue. He has lost six fumbles, more than any quarterback except David Garrard, who also has coughed up the ball a half-dozen times. Otherwise, Manning has fared quite well in the other two primary categories—the ability to move the ball (119.7 rate) and produce touchdowns (145.1).
The decline of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck has coincided with that of the Seattle Seahawks as a whole. Since Week Five, the veteran has seen his QBER drop from first (149.6) to 18th (100.3) overall. In the last four games, he produced only two TD passes in 120 pass plays.
Proclamations that Carson Palmer has returned to his old form may be a tad premature. Even with a solid run game to complement his right arm, the veteran cracked the top 10 on the QBER list the only once this season, and that took place five weeks ago.
To say that St. Louis Rams rookie Keith Null had a debut to forget last weekend would be an understatement. His 45 pass attempts, 107 net yards, zero net touchdowns and five turnovers resulted in a QBER of minus 34.1, which is far below the Delhomme Line even.

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Steelers Report Card/Week 14: Same Old Steelers Face Bleak Future

Published: December 11, 2009

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Here’s my take on the Steelers’ 13-6 defeat against the Cleveland Browns (the Cleveland friggin’ Browns?!) on Sunday afternoon:

1. They said hell would freeze over before the defending champions lost five games in a row, so maybe we should have known that Cleveland would be the place. What should concern Steelers World far more is the future of this team, because it couldn’t be much darker if it was stuck in the middle of the Fort Pitt Tunnel right now.

Take a look at the two-deep roster. Ryan Clark, Justin Hartwig, Brett Keisel and Jeff Reed are 30 years old. Brett Keisel and James Harrison are 31. Casey Hampton is 32. Tyrone Carter, Chris Hoke, Aaron Smith and Hines Ward are 33. James Farrior and Deshea Townsend are 34. Charlie Batch and Travis Kirschke are 35. And the two most important players – Troy Polamalu, 28, and Ben Roethlisberger, 27 – are 30-something in football years.

Other than Ziggy Hood, Rashard Mendenhall, Mike Wallace and perhaps Dennis Dixon, there’s not a lot of upside here.

Brace yourself, Steelers World. The fall could be so steep for this team in the years to come that Kennywood might have to name a ride after it.

2. OK, lemme see if I got this straight. Head coach Mike Tomlin just guided one of the most storied franchises in football history to its worst losing streak in six years, pretty much ran it six feet into the ground, and Steelers management will reward him with a cushy contract extension and a juicy raise in a few months all because the team won one Super Bowl in spite of him.

Hey, Mr. Rooney, where do I apply for one of those?

3. Basically, the players quit on Tomlin the way he had quit on them after the debacle against the Oakland Raiders days earlier, when he pretty much dismissed their playoff chances as null and void.

Tomlin was on the money for a change – his team was history at the time – but he violated one of the golden rules in coachdom: Never, ever give your team a chance to mail it in, because chances are it will do just that and you’ll look really stupid when it happens.

4. Tomlin promised changes for the Brown game, but when it came time to act on his words, Mr. Unleash Hell backed down again. Cornerback Joe Burnett played one series, and Keenan Lewis didn’t play at all. In fact, Lewis was placed on the inactive list.

The veterans haven’t been pushed hard enough since the start of training camp, but when a head coach hasn’t been in this position before, it’s impossible to know it and act accordingly.

5. Tomlin did replace Stefan Logan with Mewelde Moore on the kickoff return unit. He was concerned about the wind conditions, and Moore is the most sure-handed one of the bunch.

Problem is, Moore couldn’t break one if you spotted him 10 yards of open field. Furthermore, the move took place only days after Logan had his best game of the season; three kickoff returns, 45.0 yard average.

Oh, and any time offensive coordinator Bruce Arians wants to use Logan on 3rd-and-medium is fine with me.

6. Arians versus Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was no contest. The way to beat the Steelers is to crowd their wide-outs and blitz like crazy, and the Browns executed the plan as well as any opponent this season.

Of course, it would have been nice to have a blocker in the backfield once awhile, but Roethlisberger hadn’t had a concussion in two weeks, so why bother, right?

7. I’m appalled but not surprised by how little respect the Steelers star players get from the referees these days.

Roethlisberger (horsecollar tackle), Harrison (chokehold) and Ward (arm bar) should have drawn penalties, but the obvious infractions were ignored.

Grab one of the Mannings by the neck and it’s 30 years in prison without parole.

8. Browns multi-purpose monster Joshua Cribbs killed the Steelers again. If the Browns don’t ante up soon, Cribbs reportedly will ask to be traded, and you just know that Steelers management has him on their short list already.

Yeah, right.

9. Farrior played the game with a Steinway on his back, but this one is on defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, who can’t seem to cut the cord with some veteran players, either.

In August, Farrior signed a five-year, $18.25 million contract extension, money that could have been used to sign, oh, I don’t know . . . Cribbs maybe?

10. Boy, I sure hope the Penguins have taken notes the last five months.

The grades:

Offense regulars

WR Hines Ward: D

Weekly grades: B/B/C/B/A/A/D/A/C/B/B/B/D

Season average: B

LT Max Starks: F

Weekly grades: B/F/C/B/C/C/C/A/C/D/B/B/F

Season average: C

LG Chris Komoeatu: F

Weekly grades: D/C/B/A/B/B/B/C/D/B/DNP/C/F

Season average: C

C Justin Hartwig: F

Weekly grades: F/C/B/A/B/B/B/A/D/B/B/B/F

Season average: C+

RG Trai Essex: F

Weekly grades: C/B/C/B/D/D/C/C/F/C/C/B/F

Season average: C

RT Willie Colon: D

Weekly grades: D/B/C/A/C/C/A/A/F/D/B/B/D

Season average: C+

TE Heath Miller: C

Weekly grades: A/B/B/A/A/A/A/C/C/D/C/D/C

Season average: B

WR Santonio Holmes: B

Weekly grades: A/D/F/C/B/A/C/A/B/B/A/A/B

Season average: B

WR Mike Wallace: F

Weekly grades: B/C/A/B/B/B/A/A/D/D/D/C/F

Season average: C+

QB Ben Roethlisberger: C

Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/B/B/B/B/D/A/DNP/A/C

Season average: B

RB Rashard Mendenhall: D

Weekly grades: C/B/INC/A/A/D/D/A/C/A/B/A/D

Season average: C+

RB Mewelde Moore: D

Weekly grades: B/C/C/A/B/B/B/B/B/C/D/C/D

Season average: C+

RB Willie Parker: INC

Weekly grades: D/C/B/DNP/DNP/D/INC/INC/INC/B/C/C/INC Season average: C

Defense regulars

LE Travis Kirschke: F

Weekly grades: C/B/C/C/B/B/B/DNP/DNP/DNP/B/DNP/F

Season average: C+

NT Casey Hampton: D

Weekly grades: B/B/B/C/B/A/C/A/B/A/D/B/D

Season average: B

RE Brett Keisel: D

Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/A/A/A/B/B/C/B/D

Season average: B

LOLB Lamarr Woodley: A

Weekly grades: D/D/D/D/C/B/B/B/B/A/A/A/A

Season average: C+

LILB James Farrior: F

Weekly grades: B/A/C/B/C/A/A/B/B/C/B/C/F

Season average: C+

LILB Keyaron Fox: F

Weekly grades: A/A/C/C/B/D/A/A/F/C/B/C/F

Season average: C+

RILB Lawrence Timmons: B

Weekly grades: DNP/B/B/D/B/A/B/DNP/B/A/A/B/B

Season average: B

ROLB James Harrison: D

Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/A/B/A/A/C/A/B/A/D

Season average: B+

LCB William Gay: D

Weekly grades: C/C/B/B/B/C/D/C/B/D/F/F/D

Season average: C

RCB Ike Taylor: D

Weekly grades: C/B/A/A/B/D/B/C/A/A/C/D/D

Season average: C+

SS Troy Polamalu: DNP

Weekly grades: A/DNP/DNP/DNP/DNP/A/A/A/INC/DNP/DNP/DNP/DNP

Season average: A

FS Ryan Clark: C

Weekly grades: B/B/A/B/A/B/B/DNP/A/D/C/B/C

Season average: C+

Special teams regulars

PK Jeff Reed: A

Weekly grades: B/F/C/A/B/B/D/B/C/B/A/B/A

Season average: C+

P Daniel Sepulveda: C

Weekly grades: A/A/A/A/B/B/B/A/A/B/B/A/C

Season average: B+

KR Stefan Logan: INC

Weekly grades: B/D/A/C/B/B/B/C/C/B/C/A/INC

Season average: C+

PR Stefan Logan: INC

Weekly grades: C/C/C/F/C/INC/C/B/B/B/B/F/INC

Season average: C

Coaches

HC Mike Tomlin: F

Weekly grades: B/C/D/A/C/B/B/A/D/F/C/F/F

Season average: C

OC Bruce Arians: F

Weekly grades: C/D/C/A/B/A/C/B/F/C/C/F/F

Season average: C

DC Dick LeBeau: F

Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/A/B/A/A/A/B/F/F

Season average: B

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Steelers Report Card/Week 13: Paging Shanahan! Paging Mike Shanahan!

Published: December 6, 2009

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Here’s my take on the Steelers’ 27-24 defeat against the Oakland Raiders (the Oakland friggin’ Raiders?!) on Sunday afternoon:

1. So the Steelers embarrassed themselves once again. Is anyone surprised? A loss against the sorry-butt Raiders is as bad as it gets, but the Steelers have been an uninspired bunch since the get-go this season.

The real question is, what to do with Mike Tomlin, ol’ Unleash Hell himself?

Actually, the answer is pretty simple. You show him the door after the season and hire Mike Shanahan, a brilliant offensive mind who has forgotten more about football than Tomlin remembers. When I spoke with Shanahan before the season, he sounded like a guy who had much respect and admiration for the organization. If he listened to what the Buffalo Bills had to offer recently, do you think he would be all ears if the Steelers called him?

The fact is that the Steelers have underachieved in two of the three seasons that Tomlin has been around. And if not for Dick LeBeau, the defensive coordinator whose coattails he rode to the Super Bowl last season, he would be three of three. As a motivator and problem-solver, the guy has yet to prove that he can cut it at this level.

Tomlin has one year left on his contract, so it would take a fair amount of testosterone to pull the plug on him. But the market for free-agent coaches is as good as it will ever be, so it would be wise to make the move now before it’s too late.

I guarantee you, if Shanahan came aboard with a handpicked offensive coordinator, Steelers World would see a real, live NFL-caliber offense for a change.

2. So what do you think, Black-and-Gold Kool-Aid-drinkers? Weeks ago, I said this team lacked the focus, chemistry, and leadership to repeat as Super Bowl champions. Do you believe me now?

3. Of all the questionable moves, the decision to attempt a 53-yard field goal with a four-point lead in the fourth quarter made the least sense of all. Jeff Reed could kick from now until next happy hour and not make one of those. Better to pin the other team inside the 10-yard line and hope for the best.

Although I have to admit, to have recently concussed Ben Roethlisberger stick his head in the pile on four-and-short in the first period was a close second on the dumb list.

4. The defense allowed one of the worst offenses in the league to score 21 points in the fourth period. The Raiders hadn’t scored more than 20 points in any game, for godsakes.

What this latest meltdown tells me is that LeBeau has finally lost his magic. The guy had a great run, but he’s 72 years old now. It’s time to pat him on the back, hand him a gold watch, and wait for his Hall of Fame induction. This team needs some fresh ideas at that side of the ball.

5. Cornerback should be a top priority in the next draft. William Gay has regressed so badly, it’s clear that he’s not good enough to start for a playoff contender.

In fact, Gay has been burned so many times that I refer to him as Toast now.

6. Where have you gone, Bryant McFadden?

7. The season hasn’t been at total waste. At least the Steelers discovered that not only can feature back Rashard Mendenhall play at this level, but he can do so at a high level.

8. You have to feel good for Bruce Gradkowski, who is a Pittsburgh guy. The Raiders quarterback had a career day: 308 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Or was that Daryle Lamonica dressed up as Bruce Gradkowski?

9. Now that the Steelers have four meaningless games left on their schedule, it’s time to sit Roethlisberger and give third-stringer Dennis Dixon some experience behind center. It makes no sense to put Big Ben in the line of fire and risk another head injury, or worse.

10. As for injured safety Troy Polamalu, he can take an early vacation, too. You know, sort of like the defense does every week.

The Grades

Offense regulars

WR Hines Ward: B

Weekly grades: B/B/C/B/A/A/D/A/C/B/B/B

Season average: B

LT Max Starks: B

Weekly grades: B/F/C/B/C/C/C/A/C/D/B/B

Season average: C+

LG Chris Komoeatu: C

Weekly grades: D/C/B/A/B/B/B/C/D/B/DNP/C

Season average: C+

C Justin Hartwig: C

Weekly grades: F/C/B/A/B/B/B/A/D/B/B/C

Season average: C+

RG Trai Essex: B

Weekly grades: C/B/C/B/D/D/C/C/F/C/C/B

Season average: C

RT Willie Colon: B

Weekly grades: D/B/C/A/C/C/A/A/F/D/B/B

Season average: C+

TE Heath Miller: D

Weekly grades: A/B/B/A/A/A/A/C/C/D/C/D

Season average: B

WR Santonio Holmes: A

Weekly grades: A/D/F/C/B/A/C/A/B/B/A/A

Season average: B

WR Mike Wallace: C

Weekly grades: B/C/A/B/B/B/A/A/D/D/D/C

Season average: C+

QB Ben Roethlisberger: DNP

Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/B/B/B/B/D/A/DNP/A

Season average: B+

RB Rashard Mendenhall: B

Weekly grades: C/B/INC/A/A/D/D/A/C/A/B/B

Season average: B

RB Mewelde Moore: C

Weekly grades: B/C/C/A/B/B/B/B/B/C/D/C

Season average: C+

RB Willie Parker: C

Weekly grades: D/C/B/DNP/DNP/D/INC/INC/INC/B/C/C

Season average: C

Defense regulars

LE Travis Kirschke: DNP

Weekly grades: C/B/C/C/B/B/B/DNP/DNP/DNP/B/DNP

Season average: C+

NT Casey Hampton: B

Weekly grades: B/B/B/C/B/A/C/A/B/A/D/B

Season average: B

RE Brett Keisel: B

Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/A/A/A/B/B/C/B

Season average: B

LOLB Lamarr Woodley: A

Weekly grades: D/D/D/D/C/B/B/B/B/A/A/A

Season average: C+

LILB James Farrior: B

Weekly grades: B/A/C/B/C/A/A/B/B/B/B/B

Season average: B

LILB Keyaron Fox: C

Weekly grades: A/A/C/C/B/D/A/A/F/C/B/C

Season average: C+

RILB Lawrence Timmons: B

Weekly grades: DNP/B/B/D/B/A/B/DNP/B/A/A/B

Season average: B

ROLB James Harrison: A

Weekly grades: A/B/A/A/A/B/A/A/C/A/B/A

Season average: B+

LCB William Gay: F

Weekly grades: C/C/B/B/B/C/D/C/B/D/F/F

Season average: C

RCB Ike Taylor: D

Weekly grades: C/B/A/A/B/D/B/C/A/A/C/D

Season average: B

SS Troy Polamalu: INC

Weekly grades: A/DNP/DNP/DNP/DNP/A/A/A/INC/DNP/DNP/DNP

Season average: A

FS Ryan Clark: C

Weekly grades: B/B/A/B/A/B/B/DNP/A/D/C/C

Season average: B

Special teams regulars

PK Jeff Reed: B

Weekly grades: B/F/C/A/B/B/D/B/C/B/A/B

Season average: C+

P Daniel Sepulveda: A

Weekly grades: A/A/A/A/B/B/B/A/A/B/B/A

Season average: B+

KR Stefan Logan: A

Weekly grades: B/D/A/C/B/B/B/C/C/B/C/A

Season average: C+

PR Stefan Logan: F

Weekly grades: C/C/C/F/C/INC/C/B/B/B/B/F

Season average: C

Coaches

HC Mike Tomlin: F

Weekly grades: B/C/D/A/C/B/B/A/D/F/C/F

Season average: C

OC Bruce Arians: F

Weekly grades: C/D/C/A/B/A/C/B/F/C/C/F

Season average: C

DC Dick LeBeau: F

Weekly grades: A/B/C/B/B/A/B/A/A/A/B/F

Season average: B

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QBER/Week 12: For Brees, Nothing Succeeds Like Sixcess

Published: December 3, 2009

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Several quarterbacks have turned in dominant performances this season, but one stands out more than any of them. It’s the remarkable ability of Drew Brees to find the end zone.

In 361 pass calls, Brees has accounted for 26 net touchdowns, which is more than twice (102.9 percent) the league average of one TD per 13.9 pass attempts. Already the New Orleans Saints veteran has had games of three, four, five and six touchdown passes this season.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre owns the second most dominant rate in the yardage, touchdown and turnover categories, as his turnover rate is 67.7 percent higher than the league norm.

If not for a turnover rate that is nearly 12 percent worse than the league average, Brees would rank higher than second overall. On the plus side, he is one of 11 qualifiers who have not had an interception returned for a touchdown this season.

Brees threw five TD passes last week. Better yet, he was not guilty of a turnover for the second time in as many weeks. If he protects the ball at a similarly high rate in the final five games of the regular season, the Saints have to be considered a serious threat to finish with a 16-0 record.

The QBER leaders through Week Eleven of the regular season:

1. Brett Favre 146.2

2. Drew Brees 143.4

3. Peyton Manning 134.0

4. Philip Rivers 133.0

5. Aaron Rodgers 132.2

6. Donovan McNabb 127.5

7. Tom Brady 121.2

8. Matt Schaub 118.7

9. Tony Romo 118.1

10. Kyle Orton 115.4

11. Kurt Warner 115.1

12. Eli Manning 111.1

13. Carson Palmer 110.9

14. Joe Flacco 109.8

15. Ben Roethlisberger 107.1

16. Matt Hasselbeck 103.1

17. Alex Smith 102.8

18. Matt Ryan 101.9

19. Matt Cassel 94.2

20. David Garrard 86.3

21. Jay Cutler 84.3

22. Jason Campbell 82.9

23. Marc Bulger 82.6

24. Chad Henne 80.2

25. Trent Edwards 79.6

26. Kerry Collins 78.9

27. Matthew Stafford 71.4

28. Mark Sanchez 60.5

29. JaMarcus Russell 50.3

30. Jake Delhomme 45.6

A few observations:

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is on a serious roll. His QBER has never been lower than 122.5 in the last six weeks, and his current 133.0 rate is the highest that it has been this season. He did not have a sack or turnover in the last two games, a span of 51 pass calls.
Jake Delhomme can’t stand prosperity, it seems. A four-turnover performance put the Carolina Panthers signal-caller back in last place, a spot he held down in each of the first seven weeks of the season. His 21 turnovers (18 interceptions, three fumbles lost) are the most in the league.
Veteran Bruce Gradkowski may not be the long-term answer, but he gives the Oakland Raiders offense a chance at least. The biggest difference between Gradkowski and predecessor JaMarcus Russell lies in their abilities to produce points in the pass game. Gradkowski averages one TD per 37.3 pass plays, while Russell checks in at one per 118 tries.
All interceptions aren’t created equal. Those of Ben Roethlisberger (minus 139 yards from the line of scrimmage), Jay Cutler (minus 135), David Garrard (minus 102) and Chad Henne (minus 88) have been the most costly in terms of field position.

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