Andrew Barlow – Offensive preview
Unbalanced, inconsistent, the epitome of average…all words accurately descriptive of Todd Haley’s offense in an 8-8 2013 season last year for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was a unit that averaged about 23.7 points per game, good for 17th of 32 in the NFL and seventh of 16 in the AFC. Ranked 12th overall in passing yards per game, it was definitely Ben Roethlisberger‘s offense as the running game struggled, ranking just 28th with only 86.4 yards per game on the ground. With a defense that often struggled to keep the opposition out of the end zone, the air attack was usually asked to keep grinding to try staying in games. A 5-8 record with three weeks to go blossomed into an 8-8 finish and nearly squeaking by into the playoffs, but early season troubles proved too costly to the cause. Steelers Nation watched a playoffs void of the black and gold yet again, and the pressure is on Haley and head coach Mike Tomlin to reconcile that.
So what shall we expect from this group? Consider first who is no longer there. Early in 2013, there were four running backs seeing playing time. Only one of them is there now, second-year starter Le’Veon Bell. LaRod Stephens-Howling was injured early last year and is now without a job heading into the 2014 campaign. Felix Jones started briefly while Bell was hurt last year, but he now lacks a team to call his own, as well. Jonathan Dwyer saw some time too, but had fumbling issues and is now a member of the Arizona Cardinals. Those three have been replaced by LeGarrette Blount and third-round draft pick, Dri Archer. Also missing from last year’s squad is Emmanuel Sanders, who is now with Peyton Manning in Denver. Sanders has been replaced at the team’s number two receiver internally by last year’s draft pick Markus Wheaton, as well as free agent veterans Lance Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey.
Without a lot of cap room to work with and focusing early in the draft on defense, the Steelers offense lacked any big impact additions. Yet, another year of Roethlisberger buying into Haley’s offense, an improved rushing attack, more excellence from top pass-catcher Antonio Brown, a healthy Heath Miller and offensive line, and perhaps an easier early season schedule could all mean big things for the offensive attack. Here is a position-by-position look at what to expect when the Steelers have the football, and how they should stack up against the competition:
QUARTERBACK: You all know about “Big Ben” Roethlisberger and his championship pedigree. Entering his 11th pro season, Roethlisberger comes off an excellent year. He played in all 16 games last year for just the second time in his career, throwing a career-high 584 times (completing a career high 375 of them — over 64 percent) for 4,261 yards — second most in his career (2009). His 28 touchdowns were also second most in a season for Roethlisberger, behind his 2007 mark of 32 scores via the pass. With two Super Bowl rings, good health entering the season and even more improved familiarity in Haley’s offensive scheme, the Steelers have a quarterback in the top echelon league-wide. Roethlisberger is in his prime and, especially with good protection from his line, ought to have another stellar season.
RUNNING BACKS: To say the very least, this group needs to be much better than last season. They certainly did not take a step in the right direction when Bell and newcomer Blount were arrested in mid-August on drug possession and DUI charges. Tomlin indicated that no team suspension would be handed down and the league has yet to announce any punishment, but one can be expected. If Bell and Blount are both out for even one game, it severely hampers the offense. Archer, out of Kent State, is extremely quick and exciting, but all should be concerned about his ability to take 25 carries and be effective up the middle. That is not why he was drafted. Bell was solid in 13 games last season, tallying 860 yards (3.5 per carry) and eight touchdowns. An increase in yards per carry would be very welcome and, behind a healthy line, Bell should be able to provide that. Blount will be a great goal-line option, though there has been no indication that he will get those opportunities exclusively. Archer will also be a return specialist, providing a quality option for the special teams.
RECEIVERS: Brown has stormed on to the scene the last couple years and is a force. He almost certainly will continue to develop a special rapport with his quarterback and has the ability to top his eye-popping numbers from a year ago. With 110 receptions for 1,499 yards and eight touchdowns, Brown was a difficult target to defend and he has the ability to make a game-changing play at any given moment. Without Sanders, Brown must hope that tight end Heath Miller remains healthy and that the additions to the passing game are successful, or he will likely be double covered and, thus, less dangerous and productive. Wheaton and Heyward-Bey can be good options on the outside opposite Brown and Moore can bring the experience from his days with Drew Brees in New Orleans to make Sanders’ departure forgettable in a hurry.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Often the under-celebrated, unrecognized lifeblood of an offense, the offensive line will undoubtedly be the difference for this Steelers offense. Maurkice Pouncey was lost on the opening drive vs. Tennessee last season when David DeCastro tumbled and fell into his knee, ending the center’s season. Both former first-round draft picks are healthy in advance of the opener and hope to stay that way, as each has missed significant time in one of the last two seasons. The line will also feature Marcus Gilbert, who impressed last year and in the preseason, earning the job at right tackle. Over on the left side, it’s Kelvin Beachum and Ramon Foster, who also put a stranglehold on their starting jobs with quality late-season play last year. Perhaps this line can stay strong and avoid the injury circus it has been the last several years. If so, expect Ben to pick apart defenses and count on the diverse running game to establish once again the famous Steelers ground game.
Gar Bercury — Defensive preview
The Pittsburgh Steelers head into the 2014 season coming off two straight 8-8 seasons. Though that might be a reason for celebration in places like Cleveland or Oakland, it certainly does not work in a city where winning, strike that actually, where winning championships is the standard.
If the Steelers are going to get back to its winning ways, there is no question the defense is going to have to be better than it was last season. The Steelers were 13th in the league in total defense, and ended up an alarming 21st against the run. After seemingly leading the league in rush defense year in, year out, this significant drop stopping the run was a key factor in the Steelers failure to stop opponents offensive attacks with consistency.
There are a lot of new faces in the mix, and a number of younger players will be asked to step up into larger roles. Can players like Jarvis Jones, Ryan Shazier, Mike Mitchell and Stephon Tuitt step in and be solid contributors? Can Steve McClendon and Cam Thomas anchor the nose tackle position, allowing the Steelers to get back to their normally stingy run defense? Will the Steelers cornerbacks be good enough to stop pass happy offenses from dominating through the air?
Let’s take a more detailed look at the Steelers defense.
DEFENSIVE LINE: At nose tackle, once again the reports are that McClendon is ready to do the job. McClendon came into camp at 330 pounds in the hopes that he will be able to hold the point of attack, making it easier for the linebackers to make plays. His improved play will be absolutely critical if the Steelers hope to have marked improvement against the run. Thomas, who was brought in as a free agent signee from the San Diego Chargers, has the ability to contribute both at nose tackle and defensive end. His flexibility will be important, as it is very likely he will be asked to spell McClendon and has also been listed as the starter at defensive end for much of camp.
Rookie Daniel McCullers is as raw as he is massive. At 6’7, he has struggles using his 350 pounds to hold the point at NT, due to getting too upright and losing leverage to his opponents. The hope is that he can be a major contributor down the line, but his impact in the 2014 season could be limited as backup inside.
Of course, with the late re-signing of fan favorite Brett Keisel, it is quite possible the long time veteran will replace rookie Stephon Tuitt as the starter at DE. There are two trains of thought here; the first is Keisel is still capable of being a viable starter and contributor for the Steelers. The other is the play of Thomas, and the lack of progression of Tuitt, forced the Steelers to bring back an aging player who has little left in the tank. Either way, Keisel brings leadership, and should be able to help stabilize the defensive line, as long he is able to stay healthy, which is a big question mark.
On the other side, Cameron Heyward is looking for his fourth season to be his best, and the Steelers are depending on it. After a slow start, Heyward started to show why he was a first-round pick last season. If he continues this progression, there’s reason to believe the defensive line as a whole will be much better in 2014.
LINEBACKERS: The expectations are high for the linebacking group this season. Injuries dogged this unit last year, and with opening day starters LaMarr Woodley and Larry Foote gone, this unit is not only younger, it looks to be as athletic as it has been in a long time. The real question with that youth and athleticism translate to production on the field?
Bookending the outside will be Jason Worilds and Jarvis Jones. Worilds had a solid year in 2014, notching eight sacks for the season. This was enough to convince the Steelers front office to place the transition tag on him, allowing the team to sign Worilds to a one-year deal at $9.754 million. Now firmly entrenched as the starter at LOLB in place of the departed Woodley, Worilds will likely need to have a big year in order get a long-term deal beyond this season.
Jones, the Steelers first-round pick in 2013, struggled in his first season. After putting together a tremendous Junior season at the University of Georgia, the Steelers drafted Jones believing he could be the next great outside linebacker for the organization. Many young players have struggled to gain traction early learning Dick LeBeau‘s tough defensive schemes, including top players like Troy Polamalu, Lawrence Timmons and Cameron Heyward. The Steelers are hoping Jones can take a significant jump in his second year, if not, there could be no so subtle whispers that Jones could be a bust.
Interestingly, the Steelers must feel pretty good about the Worilds/Jones combo, as they only kept one other OLB on their 53-man roster, veteran Arthur Moats.
As for inside linebacker, Timmons should be ready to be the linchpin once again for the linebacking group. After two consecutive seasons where it could be argued Timmons played at a Pro-Bowl level, the eighth-year pro looks primed for another big year.
At the other ILB spot, first round pick Ryan Shazier will be the first rookie to start for the Steelers defense since Kendrell Bell did in 2001. If Shazier can have the same type of impact as Bell did as a rookie (Bell won NFL Defensive Player of the Year), the Steelers will be in great shape at ILB.
The good news is there is great depth at ILB, with Vince Williams and Sean Spence both capable of starting if needed.
Defensive Backs-
The Steelers chose to keep 11 defensive backs, five safeties and six corners, to begin the 2014 campaign. Safety looks to be a strength, with Troy Polamalu and Mike Mitchell pairing up to potentially be one the top tandems in the league. Polamalu is certainly heading towards the twilight of his career, but proved last season that when healthy, he can still play at a high level.
Adding Mitchell could be a major plus for Polamalu. Mitchell, who signed with the Steelers this off-season after a terrific year in Carolina, brings range, coverage skills, and a hard hitting style that should compliment Polamalu’s style.
Second-year safety Shamarko Thomas admitted to some growing pains both on and off the field as a rookie, but seems primed to play a bigger role for the Steelers this season. There is certainly a possibility that Thomas will get playing time in the Steelers “Big Nickel” package, which could mean having Polamalu, Mitchell, and Thomas on the field at the same time.
Will Allen is an experienced player who can fill in at either safety position if needed, and has been a special teams standout for the Steelers. The same can be said for Robert Golden, who locked up a roster spot in no small part to his ability to contribute in the game’s third phase.
At cornerback, the Steelers will rely on the trio of Cortez Allen, Ike Taylor and William Gay to handle the bulk of the work. Allen heads into his fourth season looking to take over Taylor’s long standing duty as the team’s top cover corner. There is reason to believe Allen can step up and handle the role, and with a potential long term extension on the line, Allen should be motivated to prove he’s an elite corner.
Now 34, Taylor’s days as a top CB look to be finished. After taking a pay cut to stay with the Steelers after what can only be considered a down year, Taylor comes in with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. The hope is that Taylor will have a better year with Allen taking over his normal role of shadowing the opponents top receivers.
Gay quietly had a solid year as the Steelers nickel corner. Though rarely getting credit for the job he does covering opponents slot receivers, Gay has proven to be a reliable, solid player who rarely costs the Steelers on the field. His continued solid play would go far in helping the Steelers defense against the pass.
Brice McCain, who notoriously was rated the worst at his position last season by Pro Football Focus, comes to the Steelers looking for a fresh start. He, Antwon Blake, and newly acquired B.W. Webb will provide depth at the position, along with assisting with special teams duties.
