Le'Veon Bell

[ATL96Steeler]

And they don't have any WRs that really scare defenses. Steelers fans can clamor all thy want that Brown is a better WR than Wallace, that Wallace only runs one route, that Wallace won't be that missed, but they are full of it. Every analyst, scout, and people who have higher connections than I said that defense game planned and feared Wallace far far more than they ever have Brown.

Brown is a legit starter in the NFL, he's proven he can consistently beat 1 on 1 coverage...the problem imo is...he's really a #2. And a legit question would be is Sanders a #2, if he is, the PIT OFC will be okay. Sanders will get plenty of 1 on 1 chances to prove he is worth #2 money in FA. I know he wants to cash in.

In terms of being a complete WR, Brown he is better than Wallace, but imo Wallace made a huge difference in dictating coverage...that's sort of the silent value that he brought to the table. Teams did have to game plan for him. The #3 WR & TE until Miller returns are my biggest concerns.

The talent is there, but now we get to see how the Bengals play with expectations from outside of the team/fans. A lot of people in the media are picking them...it's a different kind of pressure.

 

[vancelot23]

Glad to see realistic Steelers fans. It's hard to ever count them out, but it's just as likely that they suffer a bad year.

Their offense just doesn't scare anybody. Ben is Ben, but the o-line isn't very good right now, especially at the tackle spots. Miller is hurt. As mentioned, Brown is a fantastic #2, but without Wallace to take the top off the defense, he's going to be limited. On the other side of the ball, they're counting on an awful lot of new guys to produce that haven't done so thus far. And Polumalu is a hit away from retirement with his style of play. I wouldn't bet against them with money on the line, but I could very easily see a sub-.500 season.

 

[bengaldoug]

Color me paranoid, but I always fear the Steelers.

 

[SFNL]

Color me paranoid, but I always fear the Steelers.

Cleveland may end up with a better record than us but I know what you mean... If Ben stays healthy we still have a chance at .500. If not? Well.... Johnny Football!!!!

 

[cincygrad]

It's all Big Ben.... He's a difference maker. If he has a good year the Steelers will be fine. Maybe they don't compete for the title, but definitely in the mix for the playoffs.

 

[dare2be]

I don't get the comment about Ben's OL. It is atrocious, and will be the reason Ben doesn't last the entire season (or any QB back there). Run blocking is better than pass protection, but all that will mean is a very poor 3rd down conversion rate, translated into poor field position and lots of stalled drives.

Unless something magical happens with the OL as the season progresses, I see 6-10.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I don't get the comment about Ben's OL. It is atrocious, and will be the reason Ben doesn't last the entire season (or any QB back there). Run blocking is better than pass protection, but all that will mean is a very poor 3rd down conversion rate, translated into poor field position and lots of stalled drives.

Unless something magical happens with the OL as the season progresses, I see 6-10.

I was just making a statement based on what Ben had said before the preseason games had started. Maybe he didn't realize how shitty they were until they actually played someone else in full pads. *shrugs*

Even though the Steelers lost some key players such as wide receiver Mike Wallace and halfbackRashard Mendenhall, Roethlisberger is upbeat -- about himself, his team's prospects, his offense and his reformulated offensive line. The Steelers did not try to re-sign tackle Max Starks and released guardWillie Colon. They plan to start relatively young players at both tackles, Marcus Gilbert and Mike Adams, and one at guard, David DeCastro.

"If they can stay healthy, I think that can be one of the best groups we've had in a long time," Roethlisberger said. "I really do. I've seen more cohesiveness among these guys right now than I have in a long time."

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger upbeat, optimistic on everything including relationship with Haley - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

It's safe to say that everyone can agree that unless the Steelers' O-line makes a drastic improvement this week when they play an entire half of preseason football, then this team is headed toward a .500 or worse record.

As a fan that follows this team really closely, I am not at all worried. No matter what anyone says! I think the team will start to gel better once the season starts. The O-line may have been atrocious last week, but they will get better. They are very young, and can only improve. You don't invest high draft picks into an o-line to have it fall to mediocrity or worse (unless injuries occur), it just doesn't happen that way. All it boils down to is inexperienced talent. Plus, all you see in the preseason are watered down offensive schemes. An offense can look terrible in the preseason and still be best in the league once the season starts.

...Just my 2¢ worth with an optimistic outlook.

 

[dare2be]

I was just making a statement based on what Ben had said before the preseason games had started. Maybe he didn't realize how shitty they were until they actually played someone else in full pads. *shrugs*

I wasn't directing it at you, I meant to say "I don't understand Ben's comment..."

Mostly just lip service to try to instill confidence in his group and stand behind them, so to speak.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Glad to see realistic Steelers fans. It's hard to ever count them out, but it's just as likely that they suffer a bad year.

Their offense just doesn't scare anybody. Ben is Ben, but the o-line isn't very good right now, especially at the tackle spots. Miller is hurt. As mentioned, Brown is a fantastic #2, but without Wallace to take the top off the defense, he's going to be limited. On the other side of the ball, they're counting on an awful lot of new guys to produce that haven't done so thus far. And Polumalu is a hit away from retirement with his style of play. I wouldn't bet against them with money on the line, but I could very easily see a sub-.500 season.

For the 1st time really in my 40 yrs of watching the Steelers they are counting on a lot of young players...LeBeau has proven he will produce a competitive DEF...McClendon will not be the block of granite that Casey was drawing the C/G dbl team or blowing up the C, but he's much quicker...will create more havoc in the gaps, more splash plays...if Woodley plays like the pro bowler he was, they could possibly be better than LY at creating pressure because Jarvis Jones is going to make some plays on the other side if the attention is on Woodley...The young SS Thomas has looked good in camp...if Troy goes down, I don't expect play to drop off as much if at all...I'm not that concerned about the DEF.

It's the young players on OFC that I think have the biggest learning curve.

Based on the preseason...sub .500 is possible, but I don't see that happening. Opening game will be a physical test as the Titans want to pound it, then your Bengals so we'll know pretty early what kind of team they will be.

For CIN...I think it will be the OFC playbook, how to make all the talent work from game to game...Zim is very sharp on the DEF.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

It's safe to say that everyone can agree that unless the Steelers' O-line makes a drastic improvement this week when they play an entire half of preseason football, then this team is headed toward a .500 or worse record.

As a fan that follows this team really closely, I am not at all worried. No matter what anyone says! I think the team will start to gel better once the season starts. The O-line may have been atrocious last week, but they will get better. They are very young, and can only improve. You don't invest high draft picks into an o-line to have it fall to mediocrity or worse (unless injuries occur), it just doesn't happen that way. All it boils down to is inexperienced talent. Plus, all you see in the preseason are watered down offensive schemes. An offense can look terrible in the preseason and still be best in the league once the season starts.

...Just my 2¢ worth with an optimistic outlook.

I'm not that concerned either....especially about the DEF if Woodley plays inspired. I've seen enough football to know an OL takes some time...Wheaton, Paulson I have some questions about, but I think Dwyer will take advantage of Bell going down....I have to think they are holding back on Wheaton deep...if he's the real deal the OFC will be okay.

 

[Cincyfan78]

The OL might be better, but that is marginal when you consider what the baseline is that Ben is comparing it to. Saying this is the best OL he's had in a while only underscores how piss poor the OL has been in Pitt over the past 3-4 years.

Call me crazy about their defense, but I'm just not worried about them right now. Troy looks better, but he will wear down. Their CB's aren't that great, and their DL/LB don't bring the same things that they have in the past. Also, a big part of this is, their depth anywhere is non-existent. Through the year, teams are going to get nicked up and have injuries. The key has always been that Pitt has had guys who were able to step in and there will be little to no drop in play. I don't see that as the case this year. Anywhere along the WR/OL and anywhere on Def, if a starter goes down for a long period of time, it is going to affect their play dramatically.

That being said, Tomlin and DL are great coaches that get the most out of their players. They should be in the thick of things, but I don't see them having the horses this year to simply stay in the race for the long haul.

 

[DanBengalfan]

Felix Jones traded to Pittsburgh Steelers by Eagles - NFL.com

 

[ATL96Steeler]

The OL might be better, but that is marginal when you consider what the baseline is that Ben is comparing it to. Saying this is the best OL he's had in a while only underscores how piss poor the OL has been in Pitt over the past 3-4 years.

Call me crazy about their defense, but I'm just not worried about them right now. Troy looks better, but he will wear down. Their CB's aren't that great, and their DL/LB don't bring the same things that they have in the past. Also, a big part of this is, their depth anywhere is non-existent. Through the year, teams are going to get nicked up and have injuries. The key has always been that Pitt has had guys who were able to step in and there will be little to no drop in play. I don't see that as the case this year. Anywhere along the WR/OL and anywhere on Def, if a starter goes down for a long period of time, it is going to affect their play dramatically.

That being said, Tomlin and DL are great coaches that get the most out of their players. They should be in the thick of things, but I don't see them having the horses this year to simply stay in the race for the long haul.

DEF...the days of the attacking, turn you over type DEF are gone in PIT they will be an effective DEF from the 30 on in. Clearly the Bengals are more talented on the DL...the LBs & back 4...I would keep what I have...imo where CIN has a leg up on the DIV much less PIT is the OFC...if Dalton truly is the guy it's time to show it. He has enough talent around him now to be an 11-12 win team.

 

[vancelot23]

Ah, Felix Jones. Clearly they're saved now.

 

[dare2be]

That being said, Tomlin and DL are great coaches that get the most out of their players. They should be in the thick of things, but I don't see them having the horses this year to simply stay in the race for the long haul.

I see it the other way around...the young inexperienced players will take time to gel, thus a slow start out of the gate and improvement as the season progresses, but by that time they will be too far back in the race to make any kind of move. Most likely will play the role of spoilers late in the season.