Sporting News Top Rankings

Prosdo · 08-03-2005, 12:50 AM

Where the Steelers rank on all their lists.

Wide Receiver Rankings

NO. 6 HINES WARD, Pittsburgh Steelers

Center Rankings

NO. 3 JEFF HARTINGS (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Strengths: Has the ability to play through pain and shows excellent toughness. Plays at a high tempo and with some edge. Has great vision, solid athleticism and quickness off the snap. Shows awareness in pass protection and does well protecting his edge. Rarely puts his body in poor position. Gives a solid downfield effort. Can stand up defenders at the snap with a solid punch.
Weaknesses: Has a history of knee problems. Has average playing strength and does not have great power or explosiveness. Sometimes has anchor issues in pass protection against powerful nose tackles.
Bottom line: Hartings has the smarts, toughness and technical ability to play at a high level if his knees hold up. He can be so tough to beat that he can wear on the psyche of his opponent. Grade: 8.0

Offensive Guard Rankings

NO. 2 ALAN FANECA (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Strengths: Is tough and plays with an edge. Is durable, possessing an excellent combination of strength and athleticism. Works hard and is smart and shows exceptional vision and awareness. Takes excellent angles in the running game. Makes a great effort to get downfield and find blocks. Keeps his hands active and in sound position.
Weaknesses: Can be a little too aggressive in pass protection. Doesn't consistently anchor in pass protection and can get pushed back. Athletic defensive tackles sometimes beat him on his edge.
Bottom line: Faneca is the key to the Steelers' running game. He pulls and leads many of the signature running plays. Grade: 8.1

Defensive Tackle Rankings

NO. 6 CASEY HAMPTON, Pittsburgh Steelers

Inside Linebacker Rankings

NO. 5 JAMES FARRIOR (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Strengths: Is tough, physical and competitive. Makes plays all over the field against the run and pass. Has excellent instincts and consistently beats offensive linemen to the spot. Can stand up fullbacks and offensive linemen. Played faster last season than in the past. Can sift through traffic to make plays and takes excellent angles in pursuit. Is tough to block when attacking the line. Excels in coverage and has a great feel in zone. Is a playmaker and ballhawk.
Weaknesses: Can struggle when matched up in man coverage and when he has to open his hips and run.
Bottom line: Farrior dominated last season, making the Pro Bowl and turning in the best year of his career. He didn't have a sack in his last 10 games but made the players around him better. Grade: 8.0

Safety Rankings

NO. 9 TROY POLAMALU, Pittsburgh Steelers

Punters

NO. 5 CHRIS GARDOCKI (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Is a big, solid athlete. Has the NFL's fastest handling and get-off times. Holds the record for attempted punts without having one blocked. Gets excellent hang time and can make directional punts. Skills have diminished a tad in recent seasons. Still performs at a high level and shows little decrease in his abilities. Grade: 6.6

Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...=tsn&type=lgns

ironcitychef · 08-04-2005, 05:07 PM

Not to be picky, but Reed isn't in the top 10 of kickers? Top 5 accuracy, and understand Kickoffs, but everyone outside of Akers is a warm weather or dome kicker?

Prosdo · 08-04-2005, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironcitychef

Not to be picky, but Reed isn't in the top 10 of kickers? Top 5 accuracy, and understand Kickoffs, but everyone outside of Akers is a warm weather or dome kicker?

I found that odd as well. He was solid last year and won games for us.

ironcitychef · 08-04-2005, 06:25 PM

I just challenge any kickere to have to kick off to the open end of Heinz field for 8 games and be in the top 10 of KO's.

Fox · 08-04-2005, 06:36 PM

Joey Porter isnt a top 10 OUtside Linebacker?

Are you kdding?

ironcitychef · 08-04-2005, 06:49 PM

I am on the fence on this one, he could be again this year, but if his actions would match his mouth the way lloyd's did, then fine, till them I can see him on the outside looking in. But Bell before him?

bigbensgirl7 · 08-04-2005, 10:14 PM

I agree...what are they going on with putting Bell on the list at all. His injuries have sidelined him every season...he definately hasn't proven that he should be named one of the top in the league.

Prosdo · 08-05-2005, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbensgirl7

I agree...what are they going on with putting Bell on the list at all. His injuries have sidelined him every season...he definately hasn't proven that he should be named one of the top in the league.

Very true. When he was healthy he was great, but after injuries took a hold of him he hasn't been the same. In my opinion I don't think he should be on the list because he hasn't played that much since the injuries started.

Livinginthe past · 08-05-2005, 04:04 AM

There are a few strange rankings on this list.

Vick and Aaron Brooks above Delhomme?

Its also interesting that when you read the 'weaknesses' of the top 5 players at any given position it makes it sound that they are so fundamentally flawed that they shouldn't be playing at all!

It sure puts into context the draft ratings.

NM

08-03-2005, 12:50 AM	#1
Prosdo Banned Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,326 Gender: Female Member Number: 86 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sporting News Top Rankings Where the Steelers rank on all their lists. Wide Receiver Rankings NO. 6 HINES WARD, Pittsburgh Steelers Center Rankings NO. 3 JEFF HARTINGS (Pittsburgh Steelers) Strengths: Has the ability to play through pain and shows excellent toughness. Plays at a high tempo and with some edge. Has great vision, solid athleticism and quickness off the snap. Shows awareness in pass protection and does well protecting his edge. Rarely puts his body in poor position. Gives a solid downfield effort. Can stand up defenders at the snap with a solid punch. Weaknesses: Has a history of knee problems. Has average playing strength and does not have great power or explosiveness. Sometimes has anchor issues in pass protection against powerful nose tackles. Bottom line: Hartings has the smarts, toughness and technical ability to play at a high level if his knees hold up. He can be so tough to beat that he can wear on the psyche of his opponent. Grade: 8.0 Offensive Guard Rankings NO. 2 ALAN FANECA (Pittsburgh Steelers) Strengths: Is tough and plays with an edge. Is durable, possessing an excellent combination of strength and athleticism. Works hard and is smart and shows exceptional vision and awareness. Takes excellent angles in the running game. Makes a great effort to get downfield and find blocks. Keeps his hands active and in sound position. Weaknesses: Can be a little too aggressive in pass protection. Doesn't consistently anchor in pass protection and can get pushed back. Athletic defensive tackles sometimes beat him on his edge. Bottom line: Faneca is the key to the Steelers' running game. He pulls and leads many of the signature running plays. Grade: 8.1 Defensive Tackle Rankings NO. 6 CASEY HAMPTON, Pittsburgh Steelers Inside Linebacker Rankings NO. 5 JAMES FARRIOR (Pittsburgh Steelers) Strengths: Is tough, physical and competitive. Makes plays all over the field against the run and pass. Has excellent instincts and consistently beats offensive linemen to the spot. Can stand up fullbacks and offensive linemen. Played faster last season than in the past. Can sift through traffic to make plays and takes excellent angles in pursuit. Is tough to block when attacking the line. Excels in coverage and has a great feel in zone. Is a playmaker and ballhawk. Weaknesses: Can struggle when matched up in man coverage and when he has to open his hips and run. Bottom line: Farrior dominated last season, making the Pro Bowl and turning in the best year of his career. He didn't have a sack in his last 10 games but made the players around him better. Grade: 8.0 Safety Rankings NO. 9 TROY POLAMALU, Pittsburgh Steelers Punters NO. 5 CHRIS GARDOCKI (Pittsburgh Steelers) Is a big, solid athlete. Has the NFL's fastest handling and get-off times. Holds the record for attempted punts without having one blocked. Gets excellent hang time and can make directional punts. Skills have diminished a tad in recent seasons. Still performs at a high level and shows little decrease in his abilities. Grade: 6.6 Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...=tsn&type=lgns

08-04-2005, 05:07 PM	#2
ironcitychef Assistant Coach Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,384 Gender: Male Member Number: 109 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Sporting News Top Rankings Not to be picky, but Reed isn't in the top 10 of kickers? Top 5 accuracy, and understand Kickoffs, but everyone outside of Akers is a warm weather or dome kicker? __________________

08-04-2005, 06:25 PM	#4
ironcitychef Assistant Coach Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,384 Gender: Male Member Number: 109 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Sporting News Top Rankings I just challenge any kickere to have to kick off to the open end of Heinz field for 8 games and be in the top 10 of KO's. __________________

08-04-2005, 06:36 PM	#5
Fox Water Boy Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 7 Gender: Male Member Number: 522 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Sporting News Top Rankings Joey Porter isnt a top 10 OUtside Linebacker? Are you kdding?

08-04-2005, 06:49 PM	#6
ironcitychef Assistant Coach Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,384 Gender: Male Member Number: 109 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Sporting News Top Rankings I am on the fence on this one, he could be again this year, but if his actions would match his mouth the way lloyd's did, then fine, till them I can see him on the outside looking in. But Bell before him? __________________

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08-04-2005, 10:14 PM	#7
bigbensgirl7 Assistant Coach Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 1,303 Member Number: 292 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Sporting News Top Rankings I agree...what are they going on with putting Bell on the list at all. His injuries have sidelined him every season...he definately hasn't proven that he should be named one of the top in the league. __________________

08-05-2005, 04:04 AM	#9
Livinginthe past Living Legend Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Crushing the AFCE...annually Posts: 7,520 Member Number: 478 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Sporting News Top Rankings There are a few strange rankings on this list. Vick and Aaron Brooks above Delhomme? Its also interesting that when you read the 'weaknesses' of the top 5 players at any given position it makes it sound that they are so fundamentally flawed that they shouldn't be playing at all! It sure puts into context the draft ratings. NM

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