quick post from ibiza... Gavin via the Burgh with a Steeler update (look for his amazing insight in upcoming editions)....
The strengths of any great NFL team have got to be up the middle.
Everyone blames last year's early exit on the special teams when anyone who
knows football and attended the Pats game knows that we got blown away at the
line of scrimmage for the first time all year. To remedy this concern, we
have brought in first round pick Kendall Simmons as an upgrade at the right
guard spot. Simmons and Oliver Ross look steady, but one will have to step
up and combine with All-Pros Alan Faneca and Jeff Hartings to produce the
best interior O-line in the game. On the defensive side, look for Casey
Hampton to only get better in anchoring the middle and allowing Kendrell Bell
to roam free and make plays as only he can do. I am not sold on James
Farrior being physical enough to play 3-4 inside linebacker, he doesn't seem
to be able to take on a block and still stop a ball carrier as Earl Holmes
did so well for many years. John Fiala can certainly fit that mold, but does
he have the athleticism to play in the demanding Steeler scheme, especially
in terms of coverage? Gildon and Joey Porter should once again be all over
the quarterback, and hopefully Aaron Smith and Kimo will respond better to
their new found wealth than they did in the first preseason game. The
secondary flat out needs to get better coverage from the safeties - Lee
Flowers is turning into a fifth linebacker. He makes all kinds of plays in
run support but never downfield in support of the corners and Brent Alexander
is steady but unspectacular.
Steeler fans are salivating at the obvious excess of talent at the
skill positions this season. Burress and Hines Ward look fantastic early on
and the additions of Terrance Mathis who looks like he has some good years
left and the explosive Antwaan Randle-El give the black and gold all kinds of
weapons in the passing game. Troy Edwards could find himself unemployed if
he doesn't stop making stupid mistakes everywhere. All three quarterbacks
looked real sharp against the Jets minus one pick for Kordell who still was
very good, and Tommy Maddox threw the ball extremely well. Bettis looks slow
and hesitant but I've learned never to count him out, and Amos Zereoue looks
healthy and ready to assume more of the load this year in the backfield - he
made a couple of absolutely sick, ankle-breaking moves on would-be Jet
tacklers. The threat of the big play with Randle-El and Zereoue is a new and
exciting facet to the Steeler "O" that needs to be utilized more this year.
The one constant is Coach Cowher, still vocal and ill-tempered. He
got right in the face of new special teams coach Kevin Spencer after a couple
early gaffes in the punting game and looks focused on taking that next step.
By the way, everyone in Steeler country will be happy to note that Todd
Peterson looks sharp and had no trouble kicking at Heinz Field in his two
field goal attempts. The premature Super Bowl talk here reminds me of '96,
when we fell to San Diego at home the previous year in the AFC title game and
returned the nucleus of that squad. If you remember correctly, we started
off 3 and 4 and ended those talks quickly but it led to more focus and 8
straight wins and eventually a Super Bowl birth which should have been that
one for the thumb had Neil O'Judas not thrown the game. With the first games
at New England, Oakland, at Cleveland, and New Orleans, we could very easily
dig ourselves a big hole if we come out to cocky. I am hoping that the
preseason continues to remind the Steelers that they need to execute and play
with the passion of last season or they can lose to anybody (remember the
game at Cincinnati last year - exactly). The Jet game was about a B minus -
an 100 yard edge in total offense but once again poor special teams
performance, poor red zone execusion, and too many mistakes proved costly.
But the talent is so obviously there. There is certainly reason for guarded
optimism in the Burgh but we'll know in a hurry thanks to the NFL
schedule-makers just how good the 2002 version of the black and gold can be.
The strengths of any great NFL team have got to be up the middle.
Everyone blames last year's early exit on the special teams when anyone who
knows football and attended the Pats game knows that we got blown away at the
line of scrimmage for the first time all year. To remedy this concern, we
have brought in first round pick Kendall Simmons as an upgrade at the right
guard spot. Simmons and Oliver Ross look steady, but one will have to step
up and combine with All-Pros Alan Faneca and Jeff Hartings to produce the
best interior O-line in the game. On the defensive side, look for Casey
Hampton to only get better in anchoring the middle and allowing Kendrell Bell
to roam free and make plays as only he can do. I am not sold on James
Farrior being physical enough to play 3-4 inside linebacker, he doesn't seem
to be able to take on a block and still stop a ball carrier as Earl Holmes
did so well for many years. John Fiala can certainly fit that mold, but does
he have the athleticism to play in the demanding Steeler scheme, especially
in terms of coverage? Gildon and Joey Porter should once again be all over
the quarterback, and hopefully Aaron Smith and Kimo will respond better to
their new found wealth than they did in the first preseason game. The
secondary flat out needs to get better coverage from the safeties - Lee
Flowers is turning into a fifth linebacker. He makes all kinds of plays in
run support but never downfield in support of the corners and Brent Alexander
is steady but unspectacular.
Steeler fans are salivating at the obvious excess of talent at the
skill positions this season. Burress and Hines Ward look fantastic early on
and the additions of Terrance Mathis who looks like he has some good years
left and the explosive Antwaan Randle-El give the black and gold all kinds of
weapons in the passing game. Troy Edwards could find himself unemployed if
he doesn't stop making stupid mistakes everywhere. All three quarterbacks
looked real sharp against the Jets minus one pick for Kordell who still was
very good, and Tommy Maddox threw the ball extremely well. Bettis looks slow
and hesitant but I've learned never to count him out, and Amos Zereoue looks
healthy and ready to assume more of the load this year in the backfield - he
made a couple of absolutely sick, ankle-breaking moves on would-be Jet
tacklers. The threat of the big play with Randle-El and Zereoue is a new and
exciting facet to the Steeler "O" that needs to be utilized more this year.
The one constant is Coach Cowher, still vocal and ill-tempered. He
got right in the face of new special teams coach Kevin Spencer after a couple
early gaffes in the punting game and looks focused on taking that next step.
By the way, everyone in Steeler country will be happy to note that Todd
Peterson looks sharp and had no trouble kicking at Heinz Field in his two
field goal attempts. The premature Super Bowl talk here reminds me of '96,
when we fell to San Diego at home the previous year in the AFC title game and
returned the nucleus of that squad. If you remember correctly, we started
off 3 and 4 and ended those talks quickly but it led to more focus and 8
straight wins and eventually a Super Bowl birth which should have been that
one for the thumb had Neil O'Judas not thrown the game. With the first games
at New England, Oakland, at Cleveland, and New Orleans, we could very easily
dig ourselves a big hole if we come out to cocky. I am hoping that the
preseason continues to remind the Steelers that they need to execute and play
with the passion of last season or they can lose to anybody (remember the
game at Cincinnati last year - exactly). The Jet game was about a B minus -
an 100 yard edge in total offense but once again poor special teams
performance, poor red zone execusion, and too many mistakes proved costly.
But the talent is so obviously there. There is certainly reason for guarded
optimism in the Burgh but we'll know in a hurry thanks to the NFL
schedule-makers just how good the 2002 version of the black and gold can be.
posted by Champion at 3:47 AM
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