Pittsburgh Steelers
2010 Record: 12-4
Last playoff appearance: 2010, W31-24 BAL, W24-19 NYJ, L31-25 GB
General Manager: Kevin Colbert (2000-Current)
Head Coach: Mike Tomlin (2007-Current; 43-21)
Offensive Coordinator: Bruce Arians
Defensive Coordinator: Dick LeBeau
Defensive Alignment: 3-4
2010 NFL Rankings:
OFF: 23.4 PTS (12th); 345.3 YDS (14th); 225.1 PASS (14th); 120.2 RUSH (11th)
DEF: 14.5 PTS (1st); 276.8 YDS (2nd); 214.1 PASS (12th); 62.8 RUSH (1st)
AJ’s Outlook:
Much like the New York Yankees or the Detroit Red Wings, the Steelers are a team that will always be in the hunt for a championship. The Steelers are an organization that knows how to win (their six championships are the most by any NFL team) but does that mean they are a classy organization? Of course not. The Steelers have replaced the Raiders as the ugliest team in the NFL. Whether it’s James Harrison calling the commissioner a faggot, Hines Ward‘s DUI or Ben Roethlisberger you know . . . molesting people, the Steelers have had their share of off the field issues. Will these issues deter Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl chances? Probably not. Harrison may get a few suspensions for “dirty hits” and they may not have any “locker room leaders” (ESPN tried to find a true leading player for every team in the NFL, the Steelers were the one team that they could not come up with a leading player.) The Steelers are a train wreck waiting to happen, Mike Tomlin is just a hellova conductor.
Prediction:
The Steelers are definitely a playoff team. I don’t think they will win the division but it will be close. I see Pittsburgh ending the season with a 11-5 record winning one playoff game and then losing to the Ravens in the AFC Championship game.
Projected Starters:
QB – Ben Roethlisberger
RB – Rashard Mendenhall
WR – Hines Ward
WR – Mike Wallace
WR – Emmanuel Sanders
TE – Heath Miller
OT – Jonathan Scott
OT – Chris Scott
OG – Chris Kemoeatu
OG – Ramon Foster
C – Maurkice Pouncey
DE – Ziggy Hood
DT – Casey Hampton
DE – Brett Keisel
OLB – LaMarr Woodley
ILB – James Farrior
ILB – Lawrence Timmons
OLB – James Harrison
CB – Bryant McFadden
CB – Ike Taylor
S – Ryan Clark
S – Troy Polamalu
K – Shaun Suisham
P – Jeremy Kapinos
Fantasy Performers:
1. Ben Roethlisberger QB
2. Steelers Defense
3. Rashard Mendenhall RB
4. Mike Wallace WR
5. Hines Ward WR
2011 schedule:
Week 1 – Sep 11: @ Ravens
Week 2 – Sep 18: vs Seahawks
Week 3 – Sep 25: @ Colts
Week 4 – Oct 2: @ Texans
Week 5 – Oct 9: vs Titans
Week 6 – Oct 16: vs Jaguars
Week 7 – Oct 23: @ Cardinals
Week 8 – Oct 30: vs Patriots
Week 9 – Nov 6: vs Ravens
Week 10 – Nov 13: @ Bengals
Week 11 - Bye Week
Week 12 – Nov 27: @ Chiefs
Week 13 – Dec 4: vs Bengals
Week 14 – Dec 8: vs Browns
Week 15 – Dec 19: @ 49ers
Week 16 – Dec 24: vs Rams
Week 17 – Jan 1: @ Browns
Free Agent Acquisitions:
Morty Ivy LB
Baraka Atkins LB
James Johnson RB
Kevin McCaskill G
Jamie McCoy FB
Donovan Warren CB
Free Agent Losses:
Antwaan Randle El WR
Max Starks OT
Flozell Adams OT
Re-Signed:
LaMarr Woodley LB
Daniel Supulveda P
Eugene Bright TE
Damon Cromartie-Smith S
Chris Ellis LB
Tyler Grisham WR
Sunny Harris DE
Kyle Jolly OT
Trades:
None to speak of.
2011 Draft Review:
Overall Draft Grade: B
Picks in 2011 NFL Draft:
Rd 1, Pick 31: Cameron Hayward, DE, Ohio State – Hayward is a one of the more talented DEs in this year’s class. His athleticism and his speed are what separate him from the other DEs. He should fit in well with this rock-solid Steeler defense. Let the kid sit on the bench for a season or too and soak up knowledge from his teammates. Grade: A+
Rd 2, Pick 31 (63): Marcus Gilbert, OT, Florida – Gilbert is a quick and strong 330 pound kid from Florida. He is a monster on the O-line and should be able to step right into the Steelers’ offensive scheme (the Steelers offensive line will soon be their Achilles heel, due to player losses, retirements, etc.) A great, safe pick for Pitt. Grade: A
Rd 3, Pick 31 (95): Curtis Brown, CB, Texas – Curtis Brown impressed at the combine, posting a 4.51 second 40-yard dash and a 10 foot-5 inch broad jump. This kid has some major skills. He is quick and athletic. This pick was a nice steal for the Steelers (no pun intended.) Grade: B
Rd 4, Pick 31 (128): Cortez Allen, CB, Citadel – Taking Allen is a bit of a risk for Pittsburgh. Allen only played one year of high school ball before playing five years (red shirted due to injury in his second season) at Citadel, a school that’s competition is anything but NFL caliber. Allen has great height and athletic ability. It will be interesting to see where his career takes him. Grade: C-
Rd 5, Pick 31 (162): Christopher Carter, DL, Fresno State – A solid athlete and a strong tackler, Carter had a good four-year run at Fresno State. He is a very versatile player, playing both linebacker and defensive end during his college tenure. Grade: C-
Rd 6, Pick 31 (196): Keith Williams, OG, Nebraska – Keith Williams is 6 foot-5 inches and 310 pounds. He was a consistent started for the Huskers for three years and made the Second-Team All-Big 12 in 2010. The guy is big, athletic, and has fine potential. He’s big enough at his position but is he quick enough? Grade: C
Rd 7, Pick 29 (232): Baron Batch, RB, Texas Tech – Batch is coming out of an offensive system mostly known for it’s passing attack. Batch was Texas Tech’s go-to guy for four years when it came to the rushing game. Explosive athlete but at 5 feet and 9 inches he is a bit small. Grade: C-
2010 Stat Leaders:
Ben Roethlisberger: 240-389 (61.7%), 3200YDS, 8.2 YPA, 17 TD, 5 INT, 97 RTG
Rashard Mendenhall: 324 ATT, 1273 YDS, 3.9 YPA, 50 LNG, 13 TD
Mike Wallace: 60 REC, 1257 YDS, 21 YPC, 10 TD
Shaun Suisham: 14-15 (93.3%), 48 LNG
Lawrence Timmons: 135 TCK
James Harrison: 10.5 SCK
Troy Polamalu: 7 INT
Off Season Storylines:
Hines Ward gets busted for drinking and driving.
Rashard Mendenhall tweets about Osama Bin Laden.
James Harrison said what!?!?!
Be sure to follow us on Twitter! @85percentsports