So you want to coach the Pittsburgh Steelers? Welcome to hell Mike Tomlin!

Crazy title I know but the meaning reigns true. I have been reading other blogs and Steelers news across the net today and the one theme I am finding after the Pittsburgh Steelers colossal collapes the last four weeks is that Mike Tomlin should be fired, that the team that has been one of the best the last 20 years should just panic and go against what makes them so great. Yup the view of a Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

Don’t get me wrong but I am a diehard myself. I have some crazy views of my own, so when I say what I am about too I mean it with true passion for my team. “Shut the hell up!!!”

I am so tired of Steelers fans who call Ben Roethlisberger the best thing since fried chicken one week then call for Charlie Batch the next. I am tired of my fellow friends in Steelers country calling Mike Tomlin a god after he wins the Super Bowl then turning on him when he has a few bad games. Just in case you don’t know, Players play. Coaches coach. Tomlin can not go out on the field and make a play for the defense when they are choking away the lead late in the game.

So I say blamn the players, blamn the system, blamn the bad bounce but whoever you blamn be sure it is for the right reasons. Mike Tomlin did not allow the Raiders to score 21 points in the 4th quarter, the defense did. Big Ben did not allow it either, the defense did. Want something real to blamn? Then blamn the greed of the players as well.

What do I mean by that, blamn them for needing more money then they can ever spend and forcing the team to allow solid players like Bryant Mcfadden to be let go due to the salary cap crunch. Blamn them for William Gay laying an egg all season long. I can assure you if Tomlin had his way McFadden would still be on the team and our secondary would be much better for it. When you constantly rely on 3rd or 5th rounders to start at cornerback because your paying backups more money then they are worth, then you can’t blamn the coach.

Also those who wish Bill Cohwer was back in the fold, you can blamn him just as much for leaving the team with little to no depth on the defensive side of the ball. Tomlin inherited this team and can not replenish the depth over night. The age of our defenders is too blamn as well. Maybe it is time to spend a couple of bucks in free agency on some young talent as well. I am not saying go for broke, that does not work, but keep the guys you have unless you know you have a solid player to replace them with. I am sure a better DB could have been found via free agency then William Gay as well.

With that said I regress and will list the things I feel are the real cause of the state of the Steelers. Some will agree and some will call me crazy but thats what makes blogging so much fun.

1. Age of the Defense: As much as I love the Steelers and guys like James Farrior, Deshea Townsand, Casey Hampton and others, their age is catching up to them. The result is the fourth quarter let downs as they are tired and worn down by then.

2. Football is a game of inches and the Steelers seem to be one to many inches behind on some plays. The are not getting the luck or bounch of the ball their way. A few examples are Ryan Mundy getting beat for the game winning touchdown. He was just inches from blocking the pass. Joe Bennett dropping the interception that could have ended the drive. Just inches away. Missed sacks as Gradkowski got away one too many times. there is a fine line between winning and losing and this season the Steelers have not got the same breaks they got last year. They have been just inches away from them.

3. Injuries: Troy Polamalu, Aaron Smith, Chris K, etc… The Steelers do not have the depth to overcome some of their best players being hurt. Just like verse the ravens with Dennis Dixon being inches away from the win, he made some mistakes Big Ben may not have made. The loss of Polamalu is huge as well. The entire defensive scheme is wateredown with him out. He is the only playmaker who creates turnovers and that hurts a ton when he is out of the game.

4. Bruce Arians: As much as he and Ben get along it won’t be easy to replace him. Ben’s 100 million dollar contract gives him some pull I am sure. Though keeping Arians is a mistake. He is too simple of a play caller and has zero creativity. Every run he calls the entire world screams run and I am sure the defense does too. His passes are the same routes over and over. The same formations, nothing changes week to week. He is also too aggressive sometimes calling bombs when he only needs 5 yards to move the chains, etc…

I will use two plays as examples of the faults of BA. Against the Chiefs in OT on 3rd and 5 BA calls a toss run play to Mewelde Moore. It gets stuffed for a loss. I understand Batch was hurt and at the time the fans did not know this, but Willie Parker should get the outside, speed type runs, not Moore. Why not if you know batch is hurt and can’t throw, why not put in Dixon, let him run the toss? I garuntee he had a better chance of getting it then Moore. That theme can be talked about all day so lets move on.

The next play I will use as an example of Arian’s stupidity is in the Ravens game, again 3rd and 5 on the 50 yard line in OT. You have a 3rd string QB in the game who has next to no game experience. You know the Ravens are running zone to confuse him and you call a slant? The worst possible play verse a zone defense. On top of that your QB has 4.5 speed and already had a 24 yard touchdown run and a 31 yard scamper called back on a hold and the best play you can come up with is a slant?

Why not call a bootleg, roll him out with Heath Miller and Hines Ward out front. (I have seen such plays ran by Big Ben so don’t tell me they don’t have it in the playbook.) Give Dixon the option to pass or run. Use his strengths not set him up for failure with a play call a vetern would have trouble running. I could go on all day but you guys are smart and get the point.

5. Hunger: I don’t care who you are you are not as hungery after a big meal as you are first thing in the morning and the Steelers need to win is not as much as it was before winning the Super Bowl. This leads to players taking plays off and not having a sense of urgency in games. Thus leading to fourth quarter meltdowns.

Ok enough of listing the problems, lets move on to how to fix the problems. Be warned though, I do not feel these problems can or will be fixed overnight. So going into panic mode will not help nor is it gonna get the Steelers into the play offs. Below is my list of fixes so to say and almost everyone will have to wait until the off season.

1. Eveluate the entire team and decide who needs benched. Start with William Gay. It worked with Mendenhall and will show the team nobody is untouchable and everyone is accountable. If your not producing then you don’t play. That simple. Give the young guys a head start on next season and who knows maybe one will suprise, step up and make that play we have been missing late in games. Let Joe Bennett start at CB oppisite of Ike Taylor. He can’t do any worse then Gay has. He showed great instincts in the few plays he did get on the field after Gay got hurt. Maybe a few young guys is what the defense needs to create a spark.

2. Fire Bruce Arians. Then find a solid OC that is both creative and fits the Steelers talents. Bring back Gailey or Malurky if thats what it takes. This will have to wait until the off season but it is something that MUST be done if the Steelers are to return to form next season.

3. Smack Big Ben around until he learns to throw the ball away or check down to the safety valve. I love Ben and feel he is one of the best in the league so a few treaks in his game can only make him better. Too many times have I noticed a HB wide open that could have gained yards when Ben decides to throw it long and it does not connect. I love Bens killer instinct but checking down now and then will lead to more substained drives and keep the defense off the field and rested for when we really need them late in the game.

4. It is time to draft a true number 1 cornerback. The Steelers made the move to get Troy Polamalu and they need to do it again to get a real shutdown CB, one that can create turnovers. They could of had D. Revis with a trade or two a few years back and it is time to do what it takes in the next draft to get our own Revis. My number one priority in the draft is cornerback. Depending on 5th rounders does not cut it any more.

5. Find James Farriors future replacement in this years draft. They missed their chance last year when they passed on Rey Maualuga for Ziggy Hood, a mistake in my opinion as I am still not sold on Hood. I am Farriors biggest fan, I love the guy but he only has a year or two left and already is showing signs he can no longer cover TE’s  and HB’s in the passing game.

6. Fire the offensive line and special teams coaches. We have some solid talent on the OL but too many times they have been confused with who to block and that goes back to coaching more then lack of talent. Same goes with special teams. Where is the wedge? Where is the creativity?

7. Sign Ryan Clark and Casey Hampton. I love Hoke but he is no Hampton, if you can’t sign Big Snack then franchise him and trade his ass for a solid draft pick. No use letting his talents get away for free. After you handle those two, hand Jeff Reed his walking papers. He is a decent FG kicker but his kick offs are way too short and he is a pussy when it comes to making tackles. If you keep him then let the punter kick off. He would get better distance and not be afraid to get dirty making a tackle.

8. John Stallworth is now part owner of the team so use his talents to help Limas Sweed get to were his talents should be. Sweed has too much talent to allow it to be wasted. Find a way to get him were he needs to be. I love Holmes and Wallace, but we need another big redzone target and Ward will not play forever. So instead of just cutting your loses and wasting another much needed draft pick on yet another big WR that don’t make the cut, do what is needed to get Sweed on the field and making plays next year.

Well thats all I can think of right now guys. I hope you enjoyed this post and will take the time to post your comments. Tell us what you think the Steelers need to do to get back on track. Tell us we are a bunch of idiots, its ok we can take it. Tell us anything you wish but don’t give up hope. The season is not over yet and anything is possible. The road won’t be easy but it is not completly blocked. Thanks again for reading this guys.

Steelers back up Safety, Tyrone Carter, Joins Mile High Club

By Scott Brown, TRIBUNE-REVIEW

DENVER — Not much has come easy for the Steelers during their tour as reigning Super Bowl champions.

They nonetheless arrived at the midway point of the season with a five-game winning streak in tow.

Ben Roethlisberger threw for 233 yards and three touchdowns and the Steelers’ defense scored more TDs than it gave up Monday night in front of an announced crowd of 76,108 at Invesco Field.

As a result, the Steelers won a regular-season game in Denver for the first time since 1990. Their resounding 28-10 victory also set up a showdown with the Bengals on Sunday at Heinz Field with sole possession of first place in the AFC North on the line.

The Steelers (6-2) got to this point in large part because the defense scored the first touchdown of the game and shut down the Broncos in the second half when the outcome still hung in the balance.

Free safety Tyrone Carter returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown early in the second quarter to get the Steelers on the scoreboard. Strong safety Troy Polamalu helped put the Broncos (6-2) away by intercepting Kyle Orton deep in Steelers’ territory in the fourth quarter.

That set up Roethlisberger’s 25-yard touchdown pass to rookie wideout Mike Wallace on a third-and-10 play with just over seven minutes left in the game. It allowed the Steelers to open up an 11-point lead.

That touchdown pass proved to be one of the biggest plays in the second half. The Steelers also got several big runs by Rashard Mendenhall, who rushed for 130 of his game-high 155 yards after halftime.

“I think everybody helped contribute, it wasn’t just one guy” said Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, who caught a pair of touchdown passes. “Right now, we’re just playing with a lot of confidence.”

The Broncos outgained the Steelers by more than 100 yards in the first half. Denver, however, trailed at halftime because of Carter’s big play.

Down by four points at the start of the third quarter, the Broncos wasted little time in stopping a promising Steelers drive — and answering Carter’s big defensive play.

Kenny Peterson forced a fumble when he sacked Roethlisberger from the blind side. Robert Ayers scooped up the loose ball and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown.

The Broncos didn’t hold the lead for long, as Roethlisberger needed a little more than two minutes to drive the Steelers 80 yards for a touchdown.

The Steelers were driving for another score near the end of the quarter, but Andre Goodman intercepted Roethlisberger in the end zone.

It was Roethlisberger’s only incompletion in the third quarter.

The Broncos never seriously threatened following the turnover because of the stifling Steelers’ defense, which allowed only one first down in the fourth quarter.

“It’s a good win for us, but I’m not satisfied,” said Roethlisberger, who threw a pair of touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. “I think, offensively, we’ve got a long way to go. We have to keep searching for the ceiling.”

King Troy returns as Stillers down Stains

The return of Troy Polamalu may have been the cure for what has been ailing the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. Since “King” Troy’s injury week one against the Titans, the defense has suffered an identity crisis. That was not the case week six though as the Cleveland Browns or better known around these parts, the Stains, came to town.

Troy’s return was marred by the news of “All Pro” defensive end, Aaron Smith, being lost for the season but the defense seemed to find themselves even in the wake of Smiths trip to injured reserve, the main reason being the play of Polamalu. Though he did not seem to be 100%, his presence was enough. Add in a drive killing interception deep inside Pittsburgh territory and the “King” is officially back.

Along side the return of Polamalu was the return of the Steelers pressure defense and confidence that if the pressure did not get to the QB, there was back up in the secondary to save the day. No fourth quarter let down, no come from behind drives, no scare for the fans, the Steelers defense finally played 60 minutes and they have Troy Polamalu to thank as he was the missing ingredient.

Though I wish that was the end of the story I am sad to report as well as the defense played the offense was the ones trying to allow a Browns rally. After building up a 17-7 lead the third quarter became a game of ”hot potato” as the Steelers and Browns would trade a flurry of turnovers in a period of 6 minutes.

First Big Ben tossed an interception when he over threw Hines Ward, then Lawrence Timmons would sack Derek Anderson and force a fumble, and right back at ya, Willie Parker coughed up a fumble back to the Stains who said “no you take it” just a play or two later when a second Timmons sack led to yet another Anderson fumble. Whew, what a game, but wait the turnover carousal was not over as Rashard Mendenhall wanted in on the action and fumbled the ball right back to the Stains.

Ryan Clark would put an end to the flurry as an interception on the Steelers 1 sealed the deal and the Stains fate of losing yet another game to the Steelers.

Josh Cribbs was the lone bright star on the day for the Brownies as he was able to gain his team some momentum both via his running in the wildcat and via a kick off return for a touchdown. The problem was he became the first player in league history to run back a kick and throw an interception in the same game since 1950. You guessed it, Polamalu interception came off a Cribbs pass attempt out of the wildcat formation.

To top it all off the Browns are ranked number 32 in rush defense in the league but the Steelers and Big Ben would put on a passing fancy as Roethlisberger and his receivers would make history on the day.

Ben threw for 417 yards (a team record) and a pair of scores while both Ward and Santonio Holmes had over a buck receiving apiece.

“I don’t even think we know how good we can be here,” Roethlisberger said. “Truth be told, I think we have to keep striving for excellence.”

Roethlisberger completed 23 of 35 passes and nine of those catches wound up covering more than 20 yards on the Big-Play Ben afternoon. The Steelers’ 543 yards in total offense were the most in 14 years.

“This is the best I’ve ever seen him play,” tight end Heath Miller said of Roethlisberger.

Hines Ward, challenging for the NFL lead in receiving, caught eight passes for 159 yards — third most in his career — including a 52-yarder for a touchdown. Santonio Holmes caught five for 104 yards and Miller five for 80 yards, including one of 8 yards for a score, his fourth touchdown in the past three games.

It is only the second time the Steelers have had a 400-yard passer and two 100-yard receivers in the same game.

“He’s really good,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of his quarterback. “He’s in total command of the offense. It’s fun to watch at times.”

With the return of “King” Troy and the maturation of the Steelers offense the sky is the limit for this team. The defense seems to be back on track and at 4-2 the Steelers are tied with the Bengals for the division lead.

Agreed this win was one they were supposed to win, even the 27-14 score seemed to be less then it could have been, but at the end of the day the Pittsburgh Steelers seem to be back to themselves and if they continue to play 60 minutes then they could be well on their way to repeating as Super Bowl Champions.

Mike Tomlin and the Fear of the Lord

 By Jeffrey Burton

Last week my blog was a mystery entitled “Who stole Hines Ward’s Smile?” That mystery may never be solved, but Hines Ward’s galaxy class smile is back and looks like it could be here to stay. All of the things that seemed to be mysteriously stolen from the Steelers were back Sunday night.

Santonio Holmes hands; check. He had only one forgivable drop. That was it. Otherwise he was the same Santonio we know and love. The star receiver tonight though was Hines, blowing people up on blocks, running as Chris Collinsworth said, like a Fullback, and making every key catch as Ben’s prime receiver. Heath Miller, the Best Tightend in the NFL (we saw a great one tonight in Antonio Gates, but sorry you give me the choice, it is nothing but “Heeeaaatttthhh!”, say it at home, say it loud and say it proud,) was spectacular.

Mewelde Moore, was in the game for a receiving touchdown AND a passing touchdown. The Un-Dirty-Word, Believable, Big Check.

This game felt like Christmas to me given all the things I had on my wish list last Sunday.

I’d like to welcome some people back to the Steelers:

Bruce Arians – There has obviously been some imposter using Bruce Arians name, masquerading as the Steelers Offensive Coordinator. Double reverses, running backs throwing passes? Then Santonio Holmes almost throwing a pass as Doug Legursky played some Full Back/H-Back? Incredible trap blocking and pulling block plays? I thought his only trick was the Bunch Formation called by some the Banana Bunch and I wish that when he uses it at home they should play the theme from the Banana Splits. Check Youtube or Goggle you’ll see what I mean.

Rashard Mendenhall – This is where the fear of the Lord comes in. Tomlin seems to be able to summon that at will. He put in Santonio last season. He put it in Rashard last week and he has no doubt put in Limas Sweed this week. We can only hope that Limas responds like Mendenhall. This was the first round draft pick we had been missing, slashing, spinning, powering through, popping outside, exploding through the line and protecting the ball. His blow up block got a collective “Oh yeah!” out of the home crowd. As a long time resident I would like to welcome you to Steeler Country Mr. Mendenhall.

Isaac Redman – I thought you should have been on the roster from the beginning. I hope you will get some touches next week. Go Red zone!

The Offensive Line – They were a bit skittish in the beginning and a lot of plays seemed to be getting done in spite of them, not because of them. Then they settled in. Yeah, it’s a Charger Defense that is missing some starters, but we are missing Troy, which is like missing two to three starters. They were blowing big holes on run blocking and doing a good job on pass blocking Chris Kemeotou had a great game, minus the one holding call.

Mr. James Harrison and Mr. Lamar Woodley – They got consistent pressure on the extremely cagey Phillip Rivers, though they did not sack him much they consistently broke up his rhythm. Harrison’s strip at the end was classic Harrison.

Some things that need work:

Ben, please no longer one inch above the turf passes to Mike Wallace.

Get Stefan Logan on the field more please. Despite of the stand-up fumble that Collinsworth dwelled on, Stefan is an explosive offensive presence. Get him on the field, get him the ball and let him run.

My plea from last season is the same as it’s been from the beginning of my 36 year affair with the Steelers. Could you just play one regular un-dramatic game?

How do you let a team that was in the bag, score 21 points in one quarter?

I think that Mike Tomlin will hit the entire Defense with that this week. One thing I believe now is that when Tomlin summons the Fear of the Lord the players feel it. You get that into our defense and even without Troy next week the opposition will feel it as well.

Go Stillers!

Chargers @ Steelers – Week 3 Match Ups.

After opening the season with a hard fought 13-10 overtime victory against the Tennessee Titans the Pittsburgh Steelers have given up back to back early leads to the Bears and Bengals and at 1-2 are at an impasse and possibly facing a must win game verse the San Diego Chargers this week.

The offense has had fast starts turn into duds while the defense has given up last minute game winning drives in back to back games. Up next are the high powered Chargers and the red hot Phillip Rivers who finally has a few decent receivers to toss the rock too. The problem for the Bolts is they have about as much balance as the Steelers do with their run game being missing in action the last few games.

Games are won and lost on the outcome of situational football as Mike Tomlin likes to call it. How teams handle the situations and match ups the face on every drive in every game is usually the difference between a win and a loss and this week’s match ups to watch are as follows:

1. Steelers run game verse Chargers rush defense.

With Fast Willy Parker slowed by a turf toe and a possible scratch from the roster by the start of the game, Rashard Mendenhall could see his first extended action since being drafted by the Steelers. Also in the mix, if Parker can’t go, will be Mewelde Moore who could get a handful of touches as well.

This group is a talented group but has not shown much thus far on the season. They have improved each game though and with Mendenhall back from his excel to the bench just a week ago, he might finally get to show what the future has to hold. The Dolphins racked up 149 yards on the ground just last week verse the Chargers and the Steelers should try to copy that effort and take some pressure of Big Ben and the defense.

2. Steelers DB’s verse Bolts high powered air attack.

This matchup is one of the most important of the game. How the Steelers handle Phillip Rivers, Antonio Gates and the emerging Vincent Jackson could be the difference between a win and a loss. The good news is Rivers traditionally has less than stellar games verse Pittsburgh’s pressure based defense.

To win this match up the Steelers will need to kick James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley in the ass and get them to create some pressure and pull down a couple of sacks. Rivers usually falls flat when pressured and the best way to slow him down is to knock him down, then do it again and again until he taps out.

The possible return of Troy Polamalu to the mix could go a long way in determine how this match up turns out.

3. Darren Sproles verse Stefan Logan

We already know just how dangerous Darren Sproles is on special teams but how the Steelers handle the return game and how their own Stefan Logan performs could go a long way in determining the outcome.

It has been a while since the Steelers could boast about a return specialist, but after proving himself in pre-season and earning a roster spot by doing so, it is time for Logan to return on that investment. His returns have been better then what was offered last season but he has yet to break a big one that counts.

If the Steelers can win this match up then they will also win the field position battle. Shorter distances and quality field position can help an offense get out of a late game funk. While pinning the opposing team deep in their own territory can go a long way in helping a defense stop a late game charge.

4. LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison verse the Chargers offensive line.

Two of the best linebackers in the league just a year ago, neither Woodley nor Harrison have found their groove thus far on the current season. What better way to get the motors running then verses a team that lives and dies by the pass? The return of a healthy Lawrence Timmons should help take pressure and some of the double teams away from Harrison as well.

If the Steelers can do what they do best and stop the Chargers run game, then San Diego will be forced to become one dimensional and help the Steelers pass rush specialist finally get after the QB. Three games into the season and only one sack from this due is not going to cut it. This is the game these two stars need to shine bright and return to last season’s form.

5. Mike Wallace verses the nickel corner.

When the season started it was all but decided that Limas Sweed would be the slot receiver in the Steelers offense but after another big drop, that should have resulted in a touchdown, Sweed may be on is way back to the bench. Top that with the rookie wide out Mike Wallace having his NFL coming out party in the same game and the speedster could be the next big thing in Pittsburgh.

Wallace has the speed the Steelers have lacked for years and has caught every ball thrown his way. In the loss to the Bengals he had 7 catches and went over a 100 yards receiving. He has shown he can be trusted when it matters most and has become somewhat of a security blanket for Ben Roethlisberger when it counts. It was his big catch that saved the day verse the Titans after the veteran Hines Ward almost fumbled it away.

No it is not time to hand Wallace the keys to the city, we are not Buffalo, but it may be time to give him more reps and let him grow into the role and see what happens. His speed and clutch catches are match up nightmares for most nickel backs in the league and the ability to exploit the mismatches could add a whole new dimension to the Steelers offense.

How the Steelers respond to the late game melt downs and how they fair in the match ups they will be faced with verse the Chargers will be the difference in this week’s game. I fully expect them to bounce back and if they play 60 minutes of football I expect them to win as well. Everything comes down to this, the entire season could be on the line and how they respond, will tell allot about how the rest of the season will go.

Four Steelers starters out tonight against Carolina

Thursday, September 03, 2009

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette CHARLOTTE, N.C. –

At least four starters, if not more, will not play for the Steelers tonight against the Carolina Panthers in the fourth and final preseason game. Linebacker James Harrison, the NFL defensive player of the year in 2008, will be held out, although not injured. Andre Frazier will replace him at right outside linebacker. Halfback Willie Parker and wide receiver Santonio Holmes also will not play because of minor injuries. Linebacker Lawrence Timmons, who has a high ankle sprain, did not make the trip.

Training Camp: Day 4-5

Well it happened, my being busy getting the new Pittsburgh Blitz Community Forums ready to go kept me from posting about day 4 of the Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp. So today I will post an update on day 4-5 together. Again since I can not be live at camp this article will focus on providing excerpts and links from around the net to those who can.

Day 4-5:

What Steelers Today had to say:

Today marked the fourth day of the Steelers 2009 training camp.  The crowd was blessed with great weather, and things are starting to get heated on the field.

The competition between the offense and the defense is starting to show, and several fights broke out today.  There was also some non-fight related contact that was harder than necessary.

A couple of players are starting to stand out to me.  They are:

Mike Wallace – This kid is a player.  He has caught passes along the sideline, made sliding catches, and beaten everybody deep (more than once).  Unless the sun explodes, he is going to make the team.  He may even shock the world and win the #3 receiver position…..

Read More…

Pittsburgh Post Gazette:

Steelers’ defense has one goal: Be better

Imagine, if you will, the Steelers’ offense failing in those final few minutes of Super Bowl XLIII and that Arizona actually had pulled out a 23-20 victory.

It would have ranked as the biggest collapse in any Super Bowl. The NFL’s No. 1 defense, a dominating force all season, would have been remembered as blowing a 13-point lead in the final 7 1/2 minutes to lose the Super Bowl.

The gloom would still hang over all of Steelerdom. Instead of playing host to the only six-time Super Bowl champions, Saint Vincent College’s training camp might resemble the old monastery’s cemetery behind Bonaventure Hall on a hill beyond the practice field. Instead of Sixburgh, there would be Sickburgh….

Read More…

Steelers Notebook: Tomlin offering little information about Stapleton

Offensive lineman Darnell Stapleton continues to watch practices and coach Mike Tomlin continues to shed little light about what is wrong with his second-year starter.

Stapleton has a left knee injury that has kept him from practicing since Sunday. He had at least one MRI (Monday), but Tomlin remains mum about what might be wrong with him.

“No new news with Stapleton,” Tomlin said, and, when asked about him a second time, said, “Again, when I’m ready to talk, we’ll talk about it.”

Stapleton, who started 15 games at right guard through the Super Bowl last season, opened training camp at center for injured Justin Hartwig. Veteran backup tackle/guard Trai Essex has been at right guard and is likely to stay there, no matter what happens with Stapleton.

Read More…

From Steelers.com:

Sweed making big strides

What to watch at Steelers training camp

By Scott Brown, TRIBUNE-REVIEW

What happened in 2008 is old news — like VCRs and coffee shops that don’t have Internet access.

That is the position the Steelers, who report to training camp today, will take as they begin their quest to win back-to-back Super Bowls.

The journey, as Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is apt to call it, starts in earnest tomorrow, when the team holds its first preseason practices at St. Vincent College in Latrobe.

With the Steelers hoping to add another Lombardi Trophy to the six they already display at their South Side practice facility, here are seven things to watch during training camp.

ROETHLISBERGER’S SITUATION

Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers were jolted when the franchise quarterback was recently charged with sexual assault in a civil lawsuit.

Roethlisberger has vehemently denied the charges and has vowed to stay focused on football.

His situation, even though there are no criminal charges pending, will loom over Roethlisberger and the Steelers. The key for both is to minimize the biggest distraction facing the Steelers as they embark on the 2009 season.

The best way for Roethlisberger, 27, to do that is to continue to show growth as a player and a leader.

CAMP TOMLIN

The Steelers are scheduled to have two practices on seven of the first 10 days of camp.

It will be a surprise if Tomlin doesn’t cancel a couple of them or at least excuses established players from a handful of them for a simple reason.

It’s likely that no team needs training camp less than the Steelers. They have a lot of veteran players who know what they have to do to get ready for the season, and their starting lineup is practically set.

Unlike his first year as coach in 2007, Tomlin doesn’t have to show the players who is in charge. Nor does he need the extra practice time to evaluate players as he did in his initial season.

As if Tomlin needed another reason not to put his players through a grinding camp, the Steelers are coming off a season that lasted a month longer than most.

SECOND-YEAR PLAYERS

The Steelers got virtually nothing out of their 2008 draft class for a variety of reasons including injury (Rashard Mendenhall), the reason Stick-um was invented (Limas Sweed) and consistency … as in consistently on the inactive list (Bruce Davis and Tony Hills).

Tomlin has said players make the most improvement from their first season to their second. As such, he is likely to lose patience with second-year players that don’t show significant progress, starting with training camp.

None of the players from that class, with the possible exception of Mendenhall, are pushing for starting jobs. The Steelers, however, do need to get more return on the investment they made in the 2008 draft.

CAMP BATTLES

There isn’t a whole lot to watch here as far as starting positions go.

Lawrence Timmons is ticketed to take over for Larry Foote at inside linebacker. William Gay takes over at cornerback for Bryant McFadden — provided he doesn’t flop in camp.

A battle that appears to be wide open is the one for third wide receiver, a role Nate Washington filled well enough to land a big contract from the Tennessee Titans. Tomlin said at the conclusion of off-season drills that no one has separated himself out of a group that includes Sweed, veteran Shaun McDonald and rookie Mike Wallace.

Sweed should be given every opportunity to win the job, given his blend of size and speed and the fact that the Steelers used a second-round pick on the former Texas star.

Nothing, however, will be given to him.

MENDENHALL’S EMERGENCE

As with Sweed, the Steelers are hopeful that Mendenhall, who had his rookie season wiped out by injury, is ready to assume a significant role in the offense.

If the 2008 first-round pick is able to do that, the Steelers will have their first legitimate tandem at running back since 2005, when Willie Parker and Jerome Bettis shared carries.

Mendenhall has fully recovered from the broken shoulder he sustained last September, and he could be the future at the position with Parker going into the final year of his contract.

Parker is still the Steelers’ top threat in the backfield, but he broke down in 2008, and a heavy workload the previous two seasons seemed to catch up with him.

If Mendenhall can complement Parker this season, that will bolster a rushing attack that ranked 23rd in the NFL in 2008 and too often spun its wheels.

CONTRACT SITUATIONS

As busy as the Steelers were signing their own players during the offseason, they may have some unfinished business.

Starters going into the final year of their contracts include Parker, nose tackle Casey Hampton, defensive end Brett Keisel, free safety Ryan Clark and kicker Jeff Reed. Right tackle Willie Colon, meanwhile, will become an unrestricted free agent if a collective bargaining agreement between the players and owners is reached following the 2009 season.

The Steelers have a policy of not negotiating player contracts once the regular season starts. They may use training camp not only to evaluate the veterans who are in the final year of their contract but also players that are potential replacements for them.

ROOKIES

Just as in Tomlin’s first two years as head coach, the Steelers have the luxury of bringing the rookies along slowly.

First-round pick Ziggy Hood is at a position (defensive end) where the Steelers are deep and experienced. Third-round pick Kraig Urbik may be the only rookie with a chance to win a starting job as he is expected to push Darnell Stapleton at right guard.

One area where rookies could make an impact is the return game.

Fifth-round pick Joe Burnett was a decorated kickoff and punt returner at the University of Central Florida. And third-rounder Mike Wallace has blazing speed, which makes him an intriguing option to return kickoffs.

Four Position Battles To Watch In Training Camp

by jonathan staub

When a team that is fresh off a Super Bowl victory goes into their following season with 20 of 22 starters returning, it is hard to pinpoint where the position battles will ensue.

For the most part, returning players know their place and incoming rookies know that their chance of breaking into the starting lineup, or even seeing a significant amount of playing time, is scarce.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, fresh of an instant-classic caliber win against the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, lost only Larry Foote and Bryant McFadden from their starting lineup in the offseason, and enter the 2009 season with very lofty expectations.

In what will be one of the blandest mini-camps in recent memory, the Steelers have beyond adequate replacements ready to fill in for their departing starters, as well as enough depth to hint that their aspirations for this following season will go unfilled if they do anything other than hoist the Lombardi Trophy again at the end of the season.

There are, however, four position battles that will be worth watching, and a couple minor storylines that should keep things interesting in the hot summer weather of Latrobe at St. Vincent’s College.

The offensive side of the football is cluttered with one of the most solid arrays of talent in the NFL…once you get past the offensive line of course.

Pittsburghhas the potential to conceivably send four or five players to the Pro-Bowl in February with Ben Roethlisberger, Willie Parker, Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and Heath Miller filling out their skill positions.

Their performances rely heavily on the success of the offensive line which, unless you have been kept out of the loop, is the known weak-point of the Steelers attack.

An interesting storyline that will monopolize much of the press this upcoming season is whether or not the front five of Max Starks, Chris Kemoeatu, Justin Hartwig, Darnell Stapleton and Willie Colon can build on last year and develop the cohesiveness necessary to turn one of the NFL’s weakest front five into the traditional stalwart unit that has paved the way for one of the most tenacious rushing attacks in NFL history.

Pittsburgh was not as active in the draft as initially suspected in regards to building depth at the offensive line position.

They selected two linemen in Wisconsin’s Kraig Urbik and 2008 Rimington Trophy winner, given annually to the player considered to be the best center in college football, A.Q. Shipley of Penn State; Shipley was voted the 2008 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year as well.

Shipley will be an interesting rookie to watch develop. He scored a 40 on the Wunderlik Test, which is twice the NFL average, benched pressed 33 reps of 225 pounds (fifth among offensive linemen, measured a 31-inch vertical jump (eighth), ran a 7.46 in the three-cone drill (second) and a 4.40 in the 20-yard shuttle run (fifth).

Pittsburghmay have the steal of the draft in Shipley, he has all the athletic tools to succeed and the smarts to be the quarterback of the offensive line, but at 6’1”, 304 pounds, there is concern that he may be undersized against some of the league’s bigger nose tackles.

While the offensive line makes for an interesting storyline heading into the season, the most important position battle will be taking place amidst a group of individuals vying for a non-starting spot in trying to become the Steelers third option at wide receiver.

Position Battle No.1 – No.3 Wide Receiver

The Steelers boast the NFL’s first ever pair of Super Bowl MVP’s at wide receiver in Hines Ward (XL) and Santonio Holmes (XLIII).

Ward, perhaps the team’s all-time greatest receiver, continues to make the hard catches in heavy coverage, over the middle, while laying out vicious blocks that not only shatter jaws (my apologies for the painful reminder to Keith Rivers), but change NFL rules.

Holmes’ break-out game in the Super Bowl has him poised to emerge as Big Ben’s go-to-guy, as well as one of the AFC’s elite. His ability to create yards after the catch makes him a dangerous threat in the open field, and he has developed enough chemistry with Roethlisberger that he knows when to break-off a route and improvise as Ben scrambles.

The departure of Nate Washington has created a void in the deep passing game for Pittsburgh.

Washington had been a deep threat for Pittsburghfor three seasons, before signing a six-year 27 million dollar contract with Tennesseein the offseason, as he never averaged below 15.5 yards per catch in a season.

In 2008, Nate caught a pass of 48-yards or longer in four straight games; three straight with a reception of 50-yards or longer.

In seven of 16 regular season games Washington recorded a reception of 20-yards or longer en route to a 40-catch year with 631 yards and three touchdowns.

His ability to stretch the field enabled Holmes and Ward to catch balls underneath, Mewelde Moore to catch 40 balls out of the backfield for 320 yards and one score.

The 6’1”, 185lb Washington will be sorely missed, but the Steelers, as they consistently do on defense, should have no trouble plugging the hole with a completely capable cast of individuals ready to fill-in.

The prohibitive favorite to fill-in immediately is recently signed veteran Shaun McDonald.

McDonald, entering his seventh NFL season, spent the last two seasons with Detroit after serving his first four NFL seasons with the St. Louis Rams.

For his career, McDonald has registered 220 receptions, 2,490 yards (11.3 average per catch) and 11 touchdowns.

His best season came in 2007, while with Detroit, when he hauled in 79 receptions for 943 yards and six touchdowns; he dropped off a bit last year, while only playing in 12 games, with 35 receptions, 332 yards and one touchdown.

In his 12 games last season, McDonald registered four or more receptions in six games.

The former two-time All-Pac 10 receiver, third team AP All-American, and Biletnikoff finalist was selected in the fourth round (106th overall) of the 2003 NFL entry draft by the Rams.

McDonald’s only disadvantage is his size. Standing at 5’10”, 183lbs, he would find himself looking up at Hines Ward (6’0”, 205lbs) and Santonio Holmes (5’11”, 192lbs).

His experience gives him an edge over the other men competing with him for the job, and he should find himself in the number three spot come opening day.

His primary competition for the role will come from 2008 second round pick (53rd overall) Limas Sweed.

Sweed had a bittersweet rookie campaign with Pittsburgh, becoming better known for his dropped balls and inability to grasp the playbook than the big-time potential he displayed while at Texas.

Sweed only caught six balls for 64 yards in a Steelers uniform last year while sporadically seeing the field; his first taste of NFL action came in the seventh week against Cincinnati where he registered one catch for 11 yards.

When asked to fill in for Hines Ward in the AFC Championship game, Sweed dropped a 50-yard bomb in the endzone after looking at the scoreboard as opposed to his hands; there was no one within 15 yards of him at the time; he subsequently laid on the field after his drop and cost the Steelers their final time-out before the half.

It was very reminiscent of that old Snickers commercial where the trainers asked the fallen football play what was hurt.

“My feelings,” he replied with a sniffle…as the deafening boo’s rang down upon Sweed after his drop, Steelers fans across the nation knew that he was more frustrated with himself than anyone at that given moment.

Sweed would redeem himself in the second half when he landed an absolutely crippling blow on Corey Ivy that sent Heinz Field into a frenzy.

While Sweed may be the long-term option at receiver, it will be up to him to make his case for playing time this season.

There will be little room for error in Pittsburgh, and Sweed will need to show that he can hold on to the ball before he is challenged to hold onto a significant role in the offense.

At 6’4”, 220lbs, Limas Sweed could be the big receiver that Pittsburgh has sought since the departure of Plaxico Burress.

Two other players will also be vying for a role in the Steelers passing game this season.

While not as publicly prominent as McDonald and Sweed, Dallas Baker and Mike Wallace will also be given opportunities to earn playing time in camp.

Baker, a seventh round pick (227 overall) out of Florida in 2007, has split time between the practice squad and the 53-man roster for Pittsburgh.

The former first team All-SEC standout played in eight games for the Steelers in 2008, registering only one catch for six yards.

At 6’3”, 206lbs Baker adds an element of size that only Sweed can match, but still has a lot of work to do if he hopes to play a significant role this upcoming season.

Mike Wallace, the team’s third round selection (84th overall) out of Ole Miss in this year’s draft will most likely be asked to fill a preeminent role on special teams returning kicks.

However, after recording 784 yards and seven touchdowns on only 39 receptions in the 2008 collegiate season, he only played in six games by the way, Wallace will warrant some looks at wide receiver.

In 2007, the 6’0” 199lb Wallace saw action in all 12 of Ole Miss’ games, with nine starts at slot receiver, and recorded 716 yards with two 100-yard games, seven catches of at least 40-yards or more, three catches of 50-yards or more, was first in the SEC in yards per catch at 18.8 and was named to the third-team all-SEC.

The credentials are there, and you can rest assured that he will be given a chance to lay his claim to a spot on the offense.

This battle, for all intensive purposes, will come down to Limas Sweed and Shaun McDonald.

McDonald will most likely have the spot on opening day, but don’t be surprised if come the season’s end that Limas Sweed has earned a spot alongside Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward.

Position Battle No.2 – Mewelde Moore vs. Rashard Mendenhall

In 2008 the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Rashard Mendenhall with the 23rd overall selection in the first round.

Expected to be a compliment to Willie Parker, the 5’10”, 225lb Mendenhall was expected to get the tough yards up the middle and take the big-bruising place of Jerome Bettis.

Fumbling problems in the preseason limited Mendenhall’s role early on, and at one point he was forced to carry a football around for an entire week after Hines Ward taped a note to the ball saying, “Take Mendenhall’s ball and he’ll pay you 100 bucks!”

In 2007, while at the University of Illinois, Mendenhall earned first team all-Big 10 and Big 10 Offensive Player of the Year honors after racking up 1,681 rushing yards (6.4 average), 17 rushing touchdowns, 318 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.

Initially considered a top-ten talent, Mendenhall fell down the draft board to Pittsburgh who stuck with a tradition of selecting the best player available.

The Illinois standout would carry the ball 19 times for 58 yards in 2008 as he would suffered a fractured shoulder at the hands of Ray Lewis in the Steelers fourth game of the season; Mendenhall got the start in this game after Willie Parker went down with an injury the prior week.

When Mendenhall went down, it was Mewelde Moore that would step in and play perhaps the biggest role of any Steeler in their quest for a Super Bowl.

The 5’11”, 209lb Moore was a fourth round pick (119th overall) out of Tulane; Moore was the second player in NCAA Division I history to rush for 4,000 yards and record 2,000 yards receiving.

He arrived in Pittsburgh after spending his first four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.

He finished the 2008 season with 140 carries for 588 yards and five touchdowns; he would also register 40 receptions for 320 yards and one score.

While his numbers are not staggering by any means, Moore may have been the team’s MVP for the role he played after Parker and Mendenhall were forced to miss extended time with injuries.

In the six games he was asked to carry, or assist a returning Parker in carrying the load for Pittsburgh, Moore carried the ball 107 times for 483 yards.

If not for Moore’s contributions during the Steelers time of need, it is highly doubtful that Pittsburgh would have remained an elite team in the AFC.

These two payers will be battling it out for the right to be Parker’s backup, as well as the third-down back, again.

This battle will all but come down to the progress that Mendenhall shows in recovery from his injury, and his ability to hold onto the ball on the field.

Moorehas the experience and has shown what he is capable of doing, and any improvements he can show will certainly help his cause, but the uber-talented Mendenhall could provide an upgrade in short yardage situations, something that haunted Pittsburgh all season, and take a considerable load off the shoulders of Willie Parker.

Position BattleNo.3 – William Gay vs. Keiwan Ratliff

Pound-for-pound this is the most even matchup of any position battle that could take place in Steelers training camp.

All indications are that this is William Gay’s job to lose, but the offseason acquisition of Ratliff should create a situation similar to that of the place-kicker every year.

Pittsburgh brought in a guy to challenge and push Gay in order to see if he is ready to take over as a starter in Dick LeBeau’s vaunted defense.

Ratliff is no slouch however, and could very well steal this job right out from underneath Gay’s nose if he is not up to snuff.

Gay, a fifth round pick (170thoverall) in 2007 saw significant playing time last year after injuries forced Bryant McFadden and DeShea Townsend out of the lineup.

The Louisvilleproduct filled in admirably, and showed enough potential that Steelers management allowed McFadden to sign with Arizonain the offseason.

Gay registered 41 tackles and one interception in 2008, and that one interception locked up the division title in Baltimore in week 15.

At 5’10”, 190lbs Gay has enough size to hold his own on the line, and has shown enough quickness to allow Steelers fans to feel comfortable with him taking over as a starter.

Gay was as close to a shutdown corner as Pittsburgh had all season last year during his time filling in, and barring a total mental collapse in training camp, he should find himself in the starting lineup.

However, nothing is a given in the NFL, and in the spirit of Herm Edwards’ “You play to win the game” rant, Pittsburgh brought in capable opposition to challenge Gay for that starting role.

With DeShea Townsend being relegated to mostly nickel and dime packages towards the tail end of his career, granted he is more than capable of filling in as the starter but he is better preserved in this manner, Keiwan Ratliff will offer the chief competition for William Gay in Steelers training camp.

Ratliff has quite the collegiate resume to his credit, as he accumulated numerous individual accolades in 2003 including a first-team all-SEC selection, first team All-American selection, the Sporting News SEC Defensive Player of the Year and a spot on the ballot as a Thorpe Award finalist, given annually to the player considered the top defensive back in all of college football, Ratliff’s pro-career has been that of a journeyman to say the best.

After being drafted by Cincinnati in the second round (49th overall) of 2004, and spending three seasons with the Bengals, Ratliff moved on to Tampa Bay, where he spent 16 days with the Buccaneers, Indianapolis for one season and now finds himself on the defending Super Bowl Champions.

The 5’11”, 188lb Ratliff had 32 tackles and two interceptions for the Colts last season, one against Pittsburgh, and has been continually trying to find a niche in the NFL that would allow him to return to his collegiate form.

Ratliff is well-traveled, as well as very experienced, but it may take him some time to learn the complicated schemes of a LeBeau defense.

However, while he might not find himself in the starting lineup, granted he has the ability, he is a beyond satisfactory addition that should provide some depth the NFL’s top rated passing defense.

Position Battle No.4 – LawrenceTimmons vs. Himself

Lawrence Timmons will start opposite James Farrior as an interior linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009, and the duo of James Harrison and Lamar Woodley will continue to flank the outside edges.

This tetrad of linebackers will be the focal point of LeBeau’s zone blitz schemes once again in 2009, and the athleticism that oozes from this quartet makes them among the best linebacking core in the NFL.

Larry Foote, the starting interior linebacker for the Steelers last season, got his wish and is out of Pittsburgh; he signed with his hometown Detroit Lions.

Foote, it should be noted, wanted out of Pittsburghdue to the increased playing time that Timmons was receiving.

The 6’1”, 234lb first round (15th overall) selection from Florida State earned it, period.

The success of this linebacking contingent will hinge greatly on Timmons ability to take the next step in his career.

After seeing time in all 16 games as a rookie, his time increased last season and he finished with 65 tackles, five sacks, one forced fumble and one memorable 89-yard interception return against the New England Patriots.

Timmons is the perfect mix of a defensive back’s athleticism, mixed with a safety’s speed and a defensive end’s strength all in the ideal package of a middle linebacker’s frame.

His progression is on par with many of history’s great linebackers, and he appears to be the next in what is a long lineage of Pittsburgh Steelers Pro-Bowl caliber linebackers.

Timmons will be virtually unopposed for the starting position in the Steelers 3-4 scheme, but that’s not to say he won’t have people vying to push him to his limits.

There will be several young studs trying to make a name for themselves in Pittsburgh’s training camp this season, they include, but are not limited to, Patrick Bailey (the teams rookie of the year last season), Donovan Woods, Bruce Davis, Arnold Harrison, Andre Frazier and Keyaron Fox.

Many of these men will find themselves on the Steelers special teams however, as the main obstacle awaiting Timmons is himself.

Lawrence Olajuwon Timmons, named after NBA great Hakeem, knows the system and what will be asked of him.

All that is left is for him to avoid any kind of letdown and continue to build on the success he has experienced in his young career.

Other things to watch for in Steelers training camp

As stated previously, a Super Bowl winning team returning 20 of 22 starters, with replacements already in place, will lack a lot of drama in training camp.

Players and coaches alike know what to anticipate when they take the field at St. Vincent’s College in Latrobe, PA.

There will be, however, a few other interesting things to watch come July and August.

Daniel Sepulveda may be the most important Steeler returning from injury this upcoming season. After Paul Ernster and Mitch Berger combined for the second worst punting season of any team in the NFL, Sepulveda will be looked upon to once again upgrade the glaring weakness on the Steelers roster.

The high-praise that first round selection Evander Hood has received from collegiate teammates and coaches has been well documented in Pittsburgh.

While his chances to see significant time are slim, they typically are for first round defensive linemen in Pittsburgh, he will have a chance to learn from one of the best in Aaron Smith.

His development will lie squarely on the shoulders of assistant coach John Mitchell, and with the depth and experience on the Pittsburgh defensive line he should have a full season to watch, learn and prepare for his sophomore campaign.

Mike Wallace, who is a long shot to see time at wide receiver, will be looked to in hopes of adding some speed to a weak return game.

Pittsburghdoes not want to risk injury to Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes, and the duo of Carey Davis and Gary Russell does not provide the Steelers with a true return man capable of break a big return.

With a returning Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore’s history of returning kicks in Minnesota (he still holds many punt return records for the Vikings) and Mike Wallace providing some depth, Davis and Russell could be in danger of losing their spot on the roster.

The Steelers do not have many holes to fill, after all they did win the Super Bowl will virtually the same team they will field to open the 2009 season.

There are, however, a few things to keep an eye on in Steelers training camp as Pittsburgh looks to hoist the Lombardi Trophy for a seventh time, make another run at defensive history and fully establish themselves as the NFL’s premier organization.

The Source

Why The Steelers, Not The Pats, Are Early Favorites

by Matt Miselis

The National Football League witnessed history in the 2008 season.

The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals to become the first franchise in the leagues history to win six Super Bowl Championships.

An accomplishment no one can say they have achieved, the Steelers fought through one of the toughest schedules in NFL history, including defeating the San Diego Chargers, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Arizona Cardinals to capture the trophy.

For years the Steelers have been known for the most dominant defense in the league, and have carried this tradition for decades.

In the playoffs, however, Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, and Santonio Holmes led the spark of offense the Steelers received when the defense couldn’t make the stops in certain situations.

The Steelers entered the offseason with confidence, signing Hines Ward and James Harrison to contract extensions. Locking up both of these players will help continue their dominance for the next few seasons.

Pittsburgh was very quiet in the offseason, they made very few acquisitions and released line backer Lary Foote into the free agent pool.

There also wasn’t much action taken place in the draft, with the Steelers trying to fill a few of their needs they have.

Their only weakness? The offensive line, which was once again very inconsistent throughout the season.

As the 2009 NFL season inches closer, with training camp soon beginning, the Steelers have to be the early favorite, don’t they?

With everybody coming back, including a healthy Hines Ward and full strength Willie Parker, you must at least give them the edge, correct?

Try telling this to many of the football fans of the NFL, who believe that the New England Patriots are the early favorite this season.

Hold on a second; why are they the favorites?

The story of the Patriots is a rather interesting one in 2008.

In week one against the Kansas City Chiefs, Tom Brady, the centerpiece of the franchise, tears ligaments in his knee, resulting in the end of his season after not even playing a full half.

The world began to shock, stumble. The Patriot’s dynasty to many was a lost cause, never again will we see a dynasty such as this one in New England.

Once again, more shock occurred, when Matt Cassel took the reigns of quarterback for the Pats, and finished with a Pro-Bowl caliber season.

Even though they were Bradyless, the team managed to finish 11-5, just a game short of a playoff birth.

During the season, Tom Brady did have the surgery, and at first, it was nerve racking.

It appeared to be that more issues with the knee occurred, and the odds of multiple surgeries seemed necessary.

With months of rehab, however, another surgery was not needed, and Brady hit the practice field in late winter.

At this point in time the league is currently in mini-camp mode, an unusual time for a player to use this opportunity as much as a player like Tom Brady does.

It seems it is going the Patriots way in the early going, and Mr. Brady will be ready for opening weekend.

People, just because we are going on the Patriots word that Brady will be ready to go, it means that we are just going to make them the favorite in the early going?

Sure, the entire structure of the team is coming back for another season, but the most important part is still in question.

Brady is most likely going to be comfortable through mini and training camp.

Yet, it is a completely different story from the games.

A rough start could occur for Brady in the early-going. How will his knee affect his play when having to play all four quarters at an exceptional speed?

To judge him based on success in camp does not mean anything, the public needs to see how he performs the entire game.

Remember, this is the knee, which will have to adjust to the multiple defensive ends and line backers coming his way.

Does this mean the Patriots have no shot at success this year? Of course not.

When and if the Patriots perform up to their expectations, they do deserve the credit they will receive.

However, it is the best bet to give the Steelers the reign as the early favorites to win it all.

A healthy quarterback, a top defense.

Until somebody knocks them off, you have to give the lead to the Super Bowl Champions.

Matt Miselis is a writer for BleacherReport.com

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