Now that the dust is settling,ARE WE better this year?

[DanRooney]

I like how for NE you put "never been to the Super Bowl since." Its been 3 years since they've been to the Super bowl. I mean the Colts lost the Super Bowl last year and they haven't been in 1 year either. Must be a trend forming here!

[Sixburgher]

Originally Posted by DanRooney

I like how for NE you put "never been to the Super Bowl since."

If we lose Ben for the year in the first quarter of the season opener against Baltimore the way the Patriots lost Brady in 2008, it's probably a really safe bet we won't sniff the playoffs, never mind the Super Bowl.

[steeltheone]

Originally Posted by tanda10506

I think it's to early to tell. First off, even though I always have confidence in the Steelers, I do worry about the post SB blues. Hopefully we won't see any of that. Most of the team is the same. The "talent" spots on the offense are the same. The WR's and starting tight end are the same and have an extra year of experience (Brown, Sanders), so overall that looks good. Mendenhall played real well at the end of last year. Ben is always great. On the other side of the ball, the D line starters are the same and they all perform well, although I'm not sure how Smith will play this year. No problem though cause Hood and Heyward are ready to step up. The LB group is bulletproof as always, I'm not worried about Farrior's age at all, Harrison will still be a beast as will Woodley. Timmons has been playing well and we have young talent behind them. Clark and Polamalu are back. Other then the post SB stuff, my main worries are the CB's and the O line. The O line has been bad for years, but we still win. I don't think we can do that every year. With Colon and Legursky starting this year I expect them to be a bit better, but still not good. I wouldn't say we are better in that area. Last year McFadden was always getting burnt and he's back. Also teams saw how we are seemingly defenseless against quick passes and spread formations. Unless Brown steps up big we will be "mediocre at best" as far as coverage goes. Not necessarily worse then last year, but I don't think we can go to the SB like that again. Ultimately, I think it's to early to tell. Brown at corner and Gilbert on the O line have a lot to do with if we are better or not, even though they are rookies, because of the position they play. Overall, I'm optimistic and think we can win it all still, but it will be tough. My .02

Not worried about our LB'S? Brady or Rodgers will play Farrior like a puppet and Harrison is 33 coming off back surgery...I hope you are right!

[tanda10506]

Originally Posted by steeltheone

Not worried about our LB'S? Brady or Rodgers will play Farrior like a puppet and Harrison is 33 coming off back surgery...I hope you are right!

I think we are worrying about age to much on this forum lately. Don't misunderstand me, I know it's a factor and important, I just think we are making to big of a deal out of it. As far as Rodgers playing Farrior "like a puppet", I wouldn't give Rodgers that kind of credit. I didn't say Farrior was young and a great coverage guy, but he can read plays and routes well. As for when we play Brady, that's a team problem, and although your probably right, I can't help but think LeBeau has something this time around for the Patriots. We only play them once, and I don't see Farrior being the weak link in our losses against them. I know for football 33 is far from young, but Harrison is in great shape, he's a beast, and he will be this year. We have Worilds and Sylvester also.I know the Pats and Packers picked us apart and that the linebackers could have done more, but with Timmons, Woodley, Harrison, Farrior and some young talent behind them, LB is just not a spot I'm worried about, rarely is it in Pittsburgh. I do see your point, I just disagree, this year at least.

[DanRooney]

Originally Posted by Sixburgher

If we lose Ben for the year in the first quarter of the season opener against Baltimore the way the Patriots lost Brady in 2008, it's probably a really safe bet we won't sniff the playoffs, never mind the Super Bowl.

Nah man we got Dennis Dixon

[solardave]

Originally Posted by thumper

I think I had us at 12-4 last year if memory serves. But this year we
could start out 1-3 if things stay as they are. Our OL, secondary
and WR units are in shambles. No other way to describe it.

How about flux? The preseason just started . I don't have the luxury of seeing them practice. They might look terrible. I also have seen them stink it up in preseason and come together when the season starts. I see some youth stepping up. Butler in the nickel, Brown as a receiver. Carter on STs. Pouncey will only get better which will filter out into the o-line. It did last year. What about this Greenwood kid. Is he really 6'7"? Can he catch? The best thing for a suspect secondary is a great pass rush. Heyward,Ziggy taking up blockers,big snack plugging up the middle and Harrison + Woodley coming off the edges. What's not to like there? I'm getting fired up just thinking about all this.

[3rdandlong]

I'm really only worried about our kicker this year. Many games come down to a field goal kick, and I don't think Suisham is as reliable as Reed was in his best years

[3rdandlong]

Originally Posted by Fire Arians

Limas Sweed will have 1000 yards receiving this year!

Been hearing that Sweed is dropping balls in practice. If he does the same thing during the preseason, we're going to have to part with him

[lnjoelle]

We all need to calm down and at least wait for the pre season. Games are never won on paper, let's just trust that the coaches know what they are doing. My only concern is Arians. We have enough fire power on offense that we could field an offense like the Rams' greatest show on turf. But i don't think Arians has the smarts to put it to good use, esp. without being predictable.

[Dodens Grav]

Originally Posted by 3rdandlong

Been hearing that Sweed is dropping balls in practice. If he does the same thing during the preseason, we're going to have to part with him

Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown were dropping balls too. It does happen.