Detroit Lions Need to Let Go of the Past and Focus on the Future in 2010

The breakup is over.

It has been over for almost two years.  At some point we need to get off the couch, put down the ice cream and quit feeding our emotions.   The guy wasn’t a knight in shining armor, as was advertised.  He was supposed to take us to the next level.  Instead he used us and left us to wallow in our misery.

Matt Millen just wasn’t that into us.

But now, its time to move on.

It’s time we take off our sweats and start looking like someone who has a purpose.  The only uses of the past is to remember good times and learn from failures.  Well, our recent past has only left us with one option.

What I mean by that is to quit living in the past.

It’s true.  The Detroit Lions are not a good football team.  It’s also true they’re losing at an historic pace.  What is also true, however is there is nothing any one can do about it.  At least not right now.

Matt Millen left this team in terrible shape and to expect a brand new staff to fix it overnight is—to put it plainly—stupid.  The roster is the equivolent of a huge practice squad.  It’s the place players go to get on the field.  It’s a reason all these players were available in free agency and on waivers.  The last time I checked, waived was another word for cut and claiming players off cutters just doesn’t sound right.

The new regime needs time.  If I understand the rules correctly, each team gets a max of ten players per draft.  We all know, ten players will not improve this team enough to satisfy our expectations.  Admit it, even if this team won six games this season, fans would’ve been mad about the other three that could have gotten us in the playoffs.

The 2009 draft class turned out to be pretty solid.  The first overall pick, Matthew Stafford, turned out to be better than advertised.  The unwanted first round pick, Brandon Pettigrew, drew some praise as the season progressed before his injury. 

Second round stud Louis Delmas is a monster and seems to be the anchor of the defense for the future along with third round pick DeAndre Levy, who is making quite a name with his opportunity.  Sammie Hill, a fourth round selection from a D-III school is a starter who playing well after being considered a prospect.

Aaron Brown, drafted in the sixth round, seem to be solid when he is not making mistakes and Zack Follet is a heatseeking, kickoff missile who destroys returners.  The jury is still out on Derrick Williams, Dan Gerberry and Dan Gronkowski.  Williams doesn’t do the one thing he was brought to do well, but the special teams unit as a whole has been unimpressive.  How much of that is his fault?  I’m not sure.

So, Lion’s fans, let us take the first step towards moving forward.  Matt Millen is gone and will not be missed.  In order to move on, we have to forget the damage he caused.  We know the team is not good, but instead lets look at what they do right (quit laughing). 

From here on out, we should turn our attention to the youngsters, at least the healthy ones.  We have one more game.  Considering the turnover about to take place, this is identical to the last preseason game.  We know who will be here long term and who is just auditioning.  Is there a hidden gem? I honestly don’t know, but there’s nothing wrong with a treasure hunt. 

Basically, the constant mentioning of losing is not helping anyone.  Its not helping the coaches, the players or our own psyche.  It’s nothing but a constant reminder of the Millen Era.  We knew the damage was long term, and we still gripe about it.  This is 2010, a whole new decade.  No reason to worry about the old one. 

We’re showing the league that we are finally over Millen, because he was over us in 2002.  It’s about time we catch up.

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Jacksonville Jaguars-Cleveland Browns: Once More with Feeling

It will be a cold and blustery day in Cleveland, but this is football weather, and the Browns have the advantage over the Florida team.

 

The Jaguars must win to keep their playoff hopes alive. They need a lot of help from other teams, but a loss seals their fate. This should mean this game will be a knockdown, drag-out, slugfest since the Cleveland players are auditioning for jobs next year.

 

The most interesting aspect of this game will be the coaches. Eric Mangini and his merry band of fellows now are twisting in the air, unsure if they’ll still have jobs after today.

 

A failure to make the playoffs on the Jaguar’s part could mean changes on that particular staff as well. Everyone is going to be bringing their “A” game today.

 

My feeling, as of today, on the Brown’s coaching situation is that the future already has been decided and today’s outcome won’t affect that one way or the other. That feeling could change. We’ll see if Mike Holmgren has anything to say after the game.

 

With the renewed emphasis on the running game, look for Jerome Harrison to get a lot of carries again. Conversely, don’t be surprised to see Maurice Jones-Drew scampering for a lot of yards.

 

If the weather is half as bad as it looks, both offensive coordinators would be wise to stay on the ground.

 

For Cleveland, what little success Brian Daboll has had has come with the running game, and he should stick to it. Plus, every time you take the ball out of Derek Anderson’s hands, it’s one fewer interception attempt.

 

Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan really has gotten the best he can out of his last-ranked defensive unit. If they can make one last stand today and shut down the Jaguar’s running attack, it’s one more reason to keep Ryan around next year.

 

Jaguars Defensive Coordinator Mel Tucker used to hold the same title in Cleveland under Romeo Crennel. He knows Cleveland, having also grown up in the city, but more importantly, he knows exactly what his new team is walking into.

 

This game will come down to which defense can hold up better under the conditions and whoever can capitalize on the most mistakes. The Browns turnover ratio is -12 to the Jaguars +2, so the Browns have to protect the ball.

 

In an early January game to be played in arctic conditions, it probably will be a low-scoring affair, but I’ve been wrong before.

 

Jaguars 17, Browns 13

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Jacksonville Jaguars-Cleveland Browns: Once More with Feeling

It will be a cold and blustery day in Cleveland, but this is football weather, and the Browns have the advantage over the Florida team.

 

The Jaguars must win to keep their playoff hopes alive. They need a lot of help from other teams, but a loss seals their fate. This should mean this game will be a knockdown, drag-out, slugfest since the Cleveland players are auditioning for jobs next year.

 

The most interesting aspect of this game will be the coaches. Eric Mangini and his merry band of fellows now are twisting in the air, unsure if they’ll still have jobs after today.

 

A failure to make the playoffs on the Jaguar’s part could mean changes on that particular staff as well. Everyone is going to be bringing their “A” game today.

 

My feeling, as of today, on the Brown’s coaching situation is that the future already has been decided and today’s outcome won’t affect that one way or the other. That feeling could change. We’ll see if Mike Holmgren has anything to say after the game.

 

With the renewed emphasis on the running game, look for Jerome Harrison to get a lot of carries again. Conversely, don’t be surprised to see Maurice Jones-Drew scampering for a lot of yards.

 

If the weather is half as bad as it looks, both offensive coordinators would be wise to stay on the ground.

 

For Cleveland, what little success Brian Daboll has had has come with the running game, and he should stick to it. Plus, every time you take the ball out of Derek Anderson’s hands, it’s one fewer interception attempt.

 

Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan really has gotten the best he can out of his last-ranked defensive unit. If they can make one last stand today and shut down the Jaguar’s running attack, it’s one more reason to keep Ryan around next year.

 

Jaguars Defensive Coordinator Mel Tucker used to hold the same title in Cleveland under Romeo Crennel. He knows Cleveland, having also grown up in the city, but more importantly, he knows exactly what his new team is walking into.

 

This game will come down to which defense can hold up better under the conditions and whoever can capitalize on the most mistakes. The Browns turnover ratio is -12 to the Jaguars +2, so the Browns have to protect the ball.

 

In an early January game to be played in arctic conditions, it probably will be a low-scoring affair, but I’ve been wrong before.

 

Jaguars 17, Browns 13

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New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers Week 17 NFL Picks

The almost undefeated Saints travel to Carolina to take on the surging Panthers Sunday January 3 with out Drew Brees and Darren Sharper in the line-up.  The Saints Coach Sean Payton said he will start veteran Mark Brunnel to give their star quarterback Brees much needed rest.

Drew Brees will set a new NFL passing record with a completion percentage of 70.60 percent which was set back in 1982 by Ken Anderson of the Bengals. You can bet the Saints vs. Panthers game online at BetUs.com and enjoy a 100 percent deposit bonus up to $500 so if you deposit $500 you will get $1,000 in your account.

The oddsmakers currently have the Carolina Panthers favored by just seven points after the line opened to favor them by 9 points earlier in the week. The posted total for this game is at 41 points after it opened at 42.5 points last Monday.

Since Drew Brees will not be in this game a lot of people are taking the Panthers to win by seven points Sunday. If you are looking for New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers Week 17 NFL Picks I would also take the Panthers to cover the seven points at home.

The Panthers are coming off of back to back dominating wins against the Vikings and Giants. During their two game winning streak the Panthers outscored their opponents 67 to 16 winning by an average of 25.5 points per game.

For the Carolina Panthers this is their Super Bowl game and they will end the season on a high note by dominating a Saints team that is resting their key players. The Panthers have covered the spread in six straight games against a team that has a winning record. Look for the Saints to get their second loss of the season Sunday.

Check out our experts’ New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers Week 17 NFL Picks and come out on the winning side Sunday.

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New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers Week 17 NFL Picks

The almost undefeated Saints travel to Carolina to take on the surging Panthers Sunday January 3 with out Drew Brees and Darren Sharper in the line-up.  The Saints Coach Sean Payton said he will start veteran Mark Brunnel to give their star quarterback Brees much needed rest.

Drew Brees will set a new NFL passing record with a completion percentage of 70.60 percent which was set back in 1982 by Ken Anderson of the Bengals. You can bet the Saints vs. Panthers game online at BetUs.com and enjoy a 100 percent deposit bonus up to $500 so if you deposit $500 you will get $1,000 in your account.

The oddsmakers currently have the Carolina Panthers favored by just seven points after the line opened to favor them by 9 points earlier in the week. The posted total for this game is at 41 points after it opened at 42.5 points last Monday.

Since Drew Brees will not be in this game a lot of people are taking the Panthers to win by seven points Sunday. If you are looking for New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers Week 17 NFL Picks I would also take the Panthers to cover the seven points at home.

The Panthers are coming off of back to back dominating wins against the Vikings and Giants. During their two game winning streak the Panthers outscored their opponents 67 to 16 winning by an average of 25.5 points per game.

For the Carolina Panthers this is their Super Bowl game and they will end the season on a high note by dominating a Saints team that is resting their key players. The Panthers have covered the spread in six straight games against a team that has a winning record. Look for the Saints to get their second loss of the season Sunday.

Check out our experts’ New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers Week 17 NFL Picks and come out on the winning side Sunday.

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Vikings-Giants: Five Keys to a Minnesota Vikings Victory

So here we are: the last game, home field, and the playoffs looming.

Questions have been aplenty the past four weeks, with nervous fans scratching heads over a team that seems lost.

Fortunately for the Vikings, they are already guaranteed a playoff spot, and the pressure isn’t about winning, but winning in convincing fashion.  The Vikings have a golden opportunity to capitalize on a broken team in the former Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

This game isn’t about Favre’s revenge from the last time he faced them; it’s worth more than that. It’s about reining in his horses and leading them into the playoffs with confidence.

Despite their recent struggles, the Vikings have worked on the overall approach to their game, drilled the offensive line, and took the necessary steps to enter the playoffs in the right mental state.

For today’s game, it comes down to the ability to forget the last few games and focus on winning, and here are the five keys to that victory.

First , the most important phase of this game relies on protection and the offensive line’s ability to create adequate running lanes for Adrian Peterson. 

This must-win battle has the team’s longevity in its hands, for if they fail today, the damage may be too profound to get out of their heads.

If they move the line and keep the blitz in check, Favre will be able to see his options downfield and strike.  One thing about Brett is: if he doesn’t have the confidence in his protection, he will rush and force things to happen.

This is paramount, and if the offensive line can find themselves, then New York will be in for a long day.

Second , the wide receivers must create separation and run crisp routes against the Giants’ secondary.  Switching formations and play-action passing is sure to keep the secondary guessing, and the Vikings should rely heavily on the No. 3 receiver to step up and contribute if they want to keep things honest.

Third is the special teams; namely, the punt and kickoff coverage.  The Vikings cannot afford to give the Giants a short field, and in turn must keep the average starting position around the 25-yard line or less. 

The benefit here is there is no weather to adversely affect the kicking game; however, there must be a solid effort on personnel to commit to a goal and keep the Giants pinned as far back as they can.

Fourth , the Vikings’ secondary must play with pressure coverage, fluster the receivers off the line, and disrupt their rhythm.  The Vikings’ corners must communicate and take calculated risks when the opportunity is there.

Lastly , the Vikings must pressure the QB, and make him think he has to get rid of the ball quickly.  Disguised blitzing and a heavy dose of linebacker pressure should bring this to fruition.

Overall, the Vikings have the talent to easily handle the Giants, but if they get too comfortable, they will again be snake-bitten and head into the playoffs damaged.

The Vikings have a golden opportunity to right the ship today; the question is, which team will show up?

My prediction: Vikings 35, Giants 17

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Denver Broncos Playoff Hopes Hinge on Exploiting Chiefs Rush Defense

The last time the Chiefs and Broncos played, Denver’s offense ran up and down the Arrowhead Stadium turf like it was their own backyard. In that game, six different Broncos ran the ball 45 times for 245 yards, leading the Broncos to a dominant 44-13 victory over the Chiefs.

Needless to say, the Broncos will be putting their playoff hopes in the hands of their rushing offense again this Sunday at Invesco Field at Mile High. Rookie Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels, already down one playmaking wide receiver in Eddie Royal, has benched Pro Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall and tight end Tony Scheffler for Sunday’s game.

So if the Broncos are to make the playoffs, they’re going to have to do it with defense and their running game. That means if the Chiefs are going to play spoiler, they’ll need a much better performance on Sunday from their defensive front seven than they turned in back on December 6th in Kansas City.

The Chiefs rush defense has been the single most disappointing thing about the team all season. Only the Buffalo Bills defense has allowed more rushing yards this season than the Chiefs’ 2,420, which equates to over 161 yards allowed per game. By contrast, the Chiefs offense is only averaging 107.5 yards per game.

Sunday also marks the last opportunity for players like defensive tackle Ron Edwards and linebackers Corey Mays and Derrick Johnson to make a case for being members of this team next season.

The line of Edwards, rookie end Tyson Jackson, and second-year end Glenn Dorsey has struggled to keep opposing offensive linemen off the Chiefs linebackers. As a result, players like Mays and veteran Demorrio Williams often get swallowed up by lead blocking guards and fullbacks, springing opposing running backs for big gains.

Additionally, in the passing game, the Chiefs front three has yet to produce a single sack this season. In fact, the Chiefs sport the only defensive line in the entire NFL without a single sack by one of its starting defensive lineman.

And since the Broncos won’t likely be throwing much on Sunday, there’s a good chance the group of Jackson, Edwards, and Dorsey will end the season with a goose egg in the sack column. 

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Sitting And Starting: Whose In and Whose Out

At the moment the NFL is in a bit of a frenzy.  Players and coaches are having squabbles over who should sit and who should start, and at the same time are trying to motivate their team to have momentum going into the playoffs.

Numerous shoe in teams for the postseason have listed who they are going to start and who is going to have the week off.

So far the standouts are as follows.

Drew Brees

Coach Sean Payton has decided to let number nine take the week off.  He may play for a few snaps during their upcoming fixture against the Panthers, but there is no need for him to play the entire game. 

For all the Saints fans out there, they should take this as good news.  If the inevitable happens and the Saints do lose to the Panthers this weekend, they can at least rest assured knowing that their prized quarterback is fit and healthy.

Michael Vick

Although the Eagles are looking like they are going to play the majority of their starters, Eagles fans will be glad to know that Michael Vick is set to backup McNabb in their away game next week against Dallas. 

Andy Reid is a smart coach.  Don’t be surprised if he takes McNabb out for at least a play in every drive to give Vick some decent playing time.  If the Eagles get blown out early, expect Reid and Offensive Coordinator Marty Mornhinweg to take a precautionary measure and sit McNabb out. 

Just like Drew Brees, there is no need to risk anything.  Michael Vick is a great backup to have, and I think I speak for Eagles when saying that the game could still be won quite easily with Vick under centre.

Troy Polamalu

This decision is still on the cards.  The Steelers have spoken about resting Polamalu for  their final game of the season against the Dolphins next week.  Troy is still not 100%, and has barely practiced all week.

This shouldn’t hurt the Steelers chances however.  They’ve done well enough without him all season, and the Dolphins are lacking the explosive gene they once had in their offense.  Another bonus that Steeler fans should count their blessing for is the fact that Dolphins running back Ricky Williams is listed questionable for the game.  Without Williams, the loss of Polamalu is not such a big deal.

Adam Vinatieri

Out with a knee injury, Adam Vinatieri is doubted to play next week in Buffalo.  With the plane already left well and truly for Ralph Wilson Stadium, Vinatieri and six other Colts players are staying home. 

Not a meaningful loss at all for Indianapolis.  Although they could have their hands full with the Bills, as they are struggling to fill the required number of players to play on Sunday. 

The Bills have something to prove next week, and will no doubt be going hard out in doing so.  Without a great kicker like Vinatieri in the lineup, the Bills may just steal one.  We’ll have to wait and see though.

Matt Willis

I wouldn’t blame you if you haven’t heard of him.  I hadn’t at first either.  With the big story still brewing with Brandon Marshall in Denver, Eddie Royal is also unlikely to play on Sunday.

The Broncos therefore called up Matt Willis from their practice squad to fill the void.  Tight end Tony Scheffler has also been benched by Josh McDaniels along with Brandon Marshall, so the Broncos are definitely short in terms of receivers this Sunday.

Matt Willis catches his big break amongst all the chaos.  Let’s see if he can make a statement.

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Pittsburgh Steelers: Playoffs or Not, Reality Check Needed

As we all settle in for what will possibly be the last hurrah for the reigning Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, it’s time to start looking ahead.

The playoff hopes that the team and its fans are clinging to are slim, with the Steelers needing to win and then get help from several other teams to sneak in as the sixth seed.

Whether or not the Steelers pull off an improbable comeback from five consecutive losses, mostly to teams of lesser talent, and return to the postseason, is immaterial.

The fact that the roster and staff need a reality check before 2010 is much more important.

Here’s a look inside to address what needs to be done.

Offensive Coaches

Bruce Arians has taken his lumps for poor play-calls, particularly in crucial situations.  Does he deserve to keep his job? That’s very debatable. Does he keep it thanks to a good relationship with his quarterback? Possibly. Does that mean he can keep on trotting out his poor game plans? Absolutely not.

Arians is living on borrowed time. Had the Steelers not won Super Bowl XLIII, it’s highly possible he would have been fired. Now, he’s riding a good relationship with his players and hoping that it’s enough to hang on to his job.

Arians isn’t a bad coach. He’s actually a good position coach. I just don’t think he’s the ideal coordinator, especially for a team with such diverse weapons. Arians runs a very basic system that depends on balance and sound fundamentals.

So what’s the problem with that?

Well, to start, Arians has a quarterback who, while very sound mechanically, does not play what anyone would describe as a fundamentally-sound game. Ben Roethlisberger routinely holds onto the ball too long, takes unnecessary hits, and scrambles madly out of the pocket.

You can’t change that, however. Roethlisberger is an elite quarterback because he does those things. He’s a playmaker, and one of the best at his position simply because he never quits and knows how to deal with less-than-ideal situations and broken plays.

Another problem with running a basic system is that Arians has the weapons at his disposal to do so much more.

The team has two upper-echelon receivers (Mike Wallace and Santonio Holmes) when it comes to speed, yet the team rarely runs reverses.

He has a college quarterback (Hines Ward) and a backup quarterback (Dennis Dixon) who would be adept at running trick plays, yet the team has never used Dixon unless Roethlisberger and regular backup Charlie Batch were hurt. No wide receiver has attempted a pass in the last two years either.

So, if I say that it’s time to make a change at the offensive coordinator position, it’s not because I want to blame 2009 on Bruce Arians. It is instead because I think there are other coaches in the NFL who could use the Steelers’ players more effectively.

For Mike Tomlin, who preaches execution and effectiveness, it’s time to make the change.

I’m not a fan of Larry Zierlein, either. In this case, I point the finger directly at him for not developing the talent that the team has put at his disposal.

Tony Hills and Kraig Urbik mid-round draft choices the last two years have yet to show enough consistency to crack the lineup.

Max Starks has regressed this year, and has often been the biggest liability along the offensive line.

Willie Colon is still a major offender on what I categorize as stupid penalties (false starts, particularly at home, and not lining up correctly).

Chris Kemoeatu has developed nicely this season, but he still has lapses that aren’t addressed, particularly when it comes to defending against blitzing defenders.

Position coaches bear more blame, at least in my opinion, for failures of individual players or positional units than do coordinators. It is the responsibility of Larry Zierlein to coach the offensive linemen.

I’m not talking about sacks, because I think most of Ben Roethlisberger’s sacks are due to his propensity to try to make a play. I’m talking about the line’s failure to consistently protect him in the pocket and also their inability to consistently open holes for the team’s running backs.

The failures of the line this year are not due to the scheme. Arians’ basic scheme should, if nothing else, help the linemen. The failure is with the players themselves.

 

Offensive Personnel

Offensively, there are not a lot of holes when it comes to roster depth or starting players. The Steelers are very sound.

Could they use some help? Sure, but how many teams in the league couldn’t use a little help somewhere on both sides of the football?

They need to face a few realities, however.

At some point, they are going to have to replace Hines Ward. Hines is wrapping up his 12th season in the NFL and, while he’s not slowing down, he’s certainly become slightly more injury-prone.

Ward rarely comes down with a major injury, but he has been getting banged up more often in recent years with hamstring tweaks and other minor dings. With the way he plays the game, Steelers fans should consider themselves fortunate that Ward has never suffered a major injury.

But eventually, even the best players age and retire. It would be prudent to bring in a wide receiver through the draft, perhaps in the third round, who could eventually replace Hines Ward.

Mike Wallace is a good player, but I don’t see him as being a future No. 1 or No. 2. He’s best suited to playing in the slot where he can use his speed to get past linebackers or split deep coverage.

Also, it would be prudent to use a first or second-round pick on an offensive lineman who could start right away. I would look for a tackle to replace either Starks or Colon. They are the weak links in the line.

It wouldn’t hurt to get a guard, too, although Trai Essex seems to have stabilized the right guard spot for the time being. I’m not sold on him or Darnell Stapleton, whom he replaced before the season, however.

Outside of those areas, the Steelers are in good shape offensively. The biggest changes to the depth chart next year might simply be the departure of the disappointing Limas Sweed and the permanent promotion of Dennis Dixon to the No. 2 spot on the quarterback chart.

 

Defensive Coaching

Anyone want to fire Dick LeBeau? I’ve heard some people whispering about how it’s time that he retired, and also about how he failed to overcome the loss of Troy Polamalu, one of the most dynamic players in the NFL.

Okay, I understand the frustration of fans. I wasn’t exactly pleased with the defense either this year, but I’m not going to suggest firing one of the league’s best assistant coaches.

LeBeau should take heed of the warnings that 2009 presented, however. He did not adjust well to losing Polamalu and too often pulled back from blitzing because he did not have that great playmaker in the lineup.

The Steelers are at their best when they blitz and create pressure. They’ve never really had a great secondary in the last decade, so they count on their front seven to disrupt the momentum and rhythm of opposing offenses.

When they don’t blitz, bad things have happened. The world found out just how valuable Bryant McFadden was when William Gay turned in one of the worst seasons ever by a cornerback.

Part of the problem is schematic. The Steelers have one of the best linebacking corps in the NFL. They should be blitzing on virtually every down. Lamarr Woodley and James Harrison are great at collapsing the pocket. Lawrence Timmons and James Farrior are good at slashing through the middle of opposing offensive lines.

The other schematic problem is allowing the Steelers’ cornerbacks to play zone defense. Ike Taylor and William Gay are not good in pursuit, but are at least passable in man and press coverage. When they are asked to cover a zone, they get burned.

Now, let’s talk about position coaching again.

Ray Horton, defensive backs coach, please turn in your keys.

Horton replaced the respected Darren Perry when Mike Tomlin arrived. Since Perry left, Ike Taylor has regressed from his status as a solid cover corner, now supplementing his atrocious hands with poor speed and pursuit.

Let’s not even mention Gay. Everyone knows he’s the weakest link in a weak secondary. Gay was Horton’s to develop and he hasn’t developed at all.

Like Zierlein, if you cannot develop players, you aren’t doing your job. More than the coordinator, the position coach is responsible for the failure of this unit. He needs to go.

 

Defensive Personnel

More than anything, the Steelers need to overhaul their defense and face some serious realities.

First, the reality of aging. Aaron Smith isn’t getting any younger. Neither is Travis Kirschke or Casey Hampton.

Kirschke and Smith are going to start sliding down the slippery slope soon. Smith’s replacement is already on board in Ziggy Hood, who proved against Baltimore that he could be every bit as dominant as Smith.

Smith probably has a few years left, but he’s lost two of the last three years to injury. That’s possibly the start of a bad trend. It’s probably a good idea that Hood begins platooning with him next season, thus extending his career while keeping one of the team’s best players on the field.

Kirschke might be a backup, but he’s part of an important rotation around the line that keeps the starters fresh. He also makes some good plays and is not a liability when he’s called upon.

Hampton’s weight is likely to shorten his career and lessen his effectiveness as he ages. He may not even be re-signed. He’s not a workout warrior and, as he ages, that will start to cause injuries to pile up. He’s already lost a year to an ACL injury, which could creep up again if he isn’t careful.

I wouldn’t be sorry to see the team bid Hampton farewell if they had a replacement, but they don’t. They also have more pressing needs than nose tackle in the draft. Perhaps this is where they will look to spend some money in free agency (if free agency is even a viable option with the CBA in question).

That pressing need, and where I believe the team is best suited to spend its first-round draft choice, is at cornerback.

Ike Taylor is either aging or falling back into the lackadaisical routine that got him benched by Bill Cowher a few years back.

William Gay is not a starting corner and is possibly not an NFL corner at all. The backups, Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis, don’t inspire much confidence either, but could be successful with better coaching.

The reality is that the team could use a true shutdown corner, which they have lacked since Rod Woodson packed up in the late 1990s. Deshea Townsend is no longer an option to step in and start, so its time to spend the money and a high draft pick on improving the position.

Depth-wise, the team would be wise to address the inside linebacker position to have someone ready for when James Farrior hangs up his cleats. He’s a tremendous player and is still playing at a high level, but like Smith, his clock is ticking, too. It’s never too early to start grooming a replacement.

 

Special Teams Coaching

It’s no big secret that, whenever and wherever this season concludes for the Steelers, Bob Ligashesky will likely be sent packing.

The Steelers allowed way too many yards on kickoff and punt returns this season and far too many scores.

The problems range from poor tackling to poor coverage schemes. There isn’t just one problem. That’s when the coordinator has to be looked at as a problem. Ligashesky hasn’t been able to succeed regardless of the players he’s been given. They’ve been okay in recent weeks, but they are still giving teams good average starting field position.

There’s only the assistant coach, Amos Jones, to blame besides Ligashesky. It’s possible that both could go, depending on how they break down the responsibility for the special teams units.

 

Special Teams Personnel

Playing starters might be the only quick fix Mike Tomlin has when it comes to changing the personnel on his coverage units. While many teams do it, it’s not ideal because of the increased likelihood of injury and the increased strain on players.

The team would do well to retain Anthony Madison. He proved again that he is a great coverage man, and I’d be worried if they once again let him go.

There really isn’t much to be done. Special teams players are, in many cases, a dime a dozen. The best thing to do is to fix the scheme and preach sure tackling and a better approach to returners. It’s the best and likely easiest way to fix what hurts the team most.

 

Final Thoughts

Pittsburgh has the talent to be a champion every year. They are one of the few teams, along with Indianapolis and New England, that have continually weathered the rigors of free agency to avoid salary cap hell and remain threats to win every season.

The problem is that the Steelers often defeat themselves. This season has been the perfect example, with the Steelers losing six of their seven games after holding a lead in the fourth quarter, and the other by only six points.

The defense collapses too often, the offense can’t score consistently from inside the 20 yard line, and the special teams units can’t cover or tackle opposing returners. That’s a recipe for disaster and also a warning that changes are necessary.

Winning a Super Bowl is great. Following that up with a mostly-complacent season in which the team took a step back is not. Now it’s time to react, regardless of how the Steelers finish 2009.

 

 

 

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Dr. Grant, My Dear Dr. Sattler, Welcome to the New England Patriots Week 17

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