The Steelyard

Golden Age of Steelers Football Continues

2013-09-11T05:29:00.003-07:00

For the past seven years or so, whenever a Steelers fan has complained to me about a loss or how bad the team looks, I remind them that regardless of how any individual game (or season) turns out, we are in the midst of a golden age of Steelers football: “Enjoy it now,” I like to say, “because these good times aren’t going to last forever.”

And despite the opening day loss to the Titans (and the remarkable level of doom and gloom that has surrounded it), this golden age continues. You know why? The Steelers still have a franchise QB in Ben Roethlisberger and one-of-the-best-ever defensive coordinators in Dick LeBeau, two of the primary reasons why Pittsburgh has been a Super Bowl contender almost every year since 2004.

I’m not necessarily suggesting the Steelers are going to rebound and have a good season. It may be that the lack of talent on the offensive line, at running back, and at wide receiver (where we have Antonio Brown and an intriguing prospect in Markus Wheaton but not much else), will drag the team down and leave us with a five- or six-win season. But what the Steelers have going isn’t fundamentally broken, and a strong turnaround could come relatively quickly.

It’s even possible that the 2013 team could rebound and surprise. (Le’Veon Bell and Heath Miller could make a big difference, though I fear their help will be too little, too late.) And if you think that the 2013 opener was ugly, go back and watch the 1989 opener, which the Steelers lost 51-0—at home, to Cleveland. The Steelers followed up that beatdown with a 41-10 loss at Cincinnati. After those two games, I’ll bet no one though the Steelers would make the playoffs—and win a playoff game—that year, but they did.

And what if the Steelers win just five or six games in 2013…? Another thing I like to remind people—and this annoys them even more than the golden age sentiment—is that going 6-10 in 2003 was a blessing in disguise. That was just enough losses to allow the Steelers to draft Roethlisberger and bring us three Super Bowl appearances in nine years.

So save your breath. No matter what happens this year, Mike Tomlin isn’t getting fired after this season (not with a contract that runs through 2016). And Todd Haley doesn’t deserve to get fired; he’s an excellent coordinator, the players simply aren’t getting it done. Do you really think Haley wants to be calling plays where Isaac Redman is the feature back and Emmanuel Sanders is serving as the deep threat?

I figure the Steelers are likely to get this partial rebuilding process finished in relatively short order. It’s what happens after the Roethlisberger/LeBeau era that Steelers fans ought to be worried about.

Le’Veon Bell, durability

2013-09-02T03:33:00.001-07:00

In light of Le’Veon Bell’s inability to stay on the field during training camp/preseason, I thought I’d review the writeup in Pro Football Weekly’s Draft Preview, which is—er, was—the best draft preview available. (PFW projected Bell to be a second- or third-round pick.) Naturally, there are many “positives” listed, including “Outstanding agility for his size,” and “Extremely soft hands and natural receiving skills.” The write-up also notes that Bell was “highly durable throughout [his college] career.”

But it’s last line of the summary that may give Steelers’ fans pause: “Has the balanced skill desired in an every-down back, but may struggle to re ach his second contract given his upright running style and inability to avoid direct hits.”

Max Starks Re-Visited

2013-08-30T17:05:00.002-07:00

The Steelers have signed Max Starks off the street before. Is it time to go there again? In case you haven't heard, the Chargers cut Starks today, in the wake of a sorry preseason performance that saw him give up three sacks and allow one other hit on his QB. That doesn't bode well for his NFL future. On the other hand, Starks has a long history of providing an 'answer' for the Steelers at the all-important left tackle position. And at the moment, the Steelers have a big question mark there--at both tackle spots, in fact.

Could it hurt to bring him back to Pittsburgh for a look-see? I know he's 31 and doesn't fit the zone blocking scheme the Steelers claim they will be using extensively this season. But Mike Adams isn't inspiring a whole lot of confidence at the moment. If--and this is a big if--Starks could ... one last time ... solidify the left tackle spot, that would allow the team to move Adams to the right side (where he seems best-suited) and Marcus Gilbert to the bench.

More and more it appears that the Steelers' most pressing need in next year's draft will be left tackle.

Five challenges for the Baltimore Ravens in 2013

2013-02-03T20:16:00.002-08:00

Now that the Baltimore Ravens have won the Super Bowl, they will find that it’s more difficult to get back to the Big Game than to win it. Here are five challenges the Ravens’ organization will face in 2013 (and in some cases beyond).
1. QB Joe Flacco is going to cost a lot more against the salary cap going forward, leaving less financial resources available for other players.

2. The Ravens will play a slightly more difficult schedule than divisional rivals next year. For example, while the Steelers go against the Raiders and Titans, the Ravens will get the Texans and Broncos.

3. Selecting last in the draft in 2013 (#32), the Ravens are less likely to add impactful rookies next year. By comparison, the Steelers pick at #17, and the Bengals at #21.

4. Key veterans like Ray Lewis and Matt Birk (and perhaps Ed Reed) will no longer be with the team.

5. Instead of being the hunter, the Ravens will be hunted by both the Steelers and Bengals. And Baltimore will also have to contend with the all-too-common Super Bowl letdown.

But, expect the Ravens to host the Steelers or Patriots in week one of the 2013 season.

Unfortunately, the Curse of the Terrible Towel did not strike the Ravens this year.

Curse of the Terrible Towel to befall Ravens, boost Steelers?

2012-11-23T04:28:00.000-08:00

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice has come under fire this week for derisively waving, wearing a Terrible Towel following the Ravens’ 13-10 win over the Steelers at Heinz Field on Sunday night. Pittsburgh linebacker LaMarr Woodley took to Twitter to call out Rice, tweeting: “If youre not a steelers fan, dont put your hands on a terrible towel.” And then “Bad idea ray just ask lendale white and tj whosyourmama.”

Woodley was making reference to the Curse of the Terrible Towel, which seems to befall opposing teams that disrespect the towel. Consider the case of LenDale White and Keith Bulluck, who stomped on a Terrible Towel following a convincing 31-14 win over the Steelers at LP Field in Nashville in December 2008. At that moment, the Titans seemed Super Bowl bound, sporting a 13-2 record. But Tennessee was shut out 23-0 in its season finale at Indianapolis, and then lost to the sixth-seeded Ravens 13-10 in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh went in the opposite direction, winning its season finale 31-0, and then defeating the Chargers and Ravens en route to a Super Bowl victory over the Arizona Cardinals. (Incidentally, during the week before that Super Bowl the Cardinals’ mascot was seen wiping his furry armpits with a Terrible Towel and the mayor of Phoenix mock blew his nose in one.)

But the Titans’ misery wasn’t over. Tennessee started the 2009 season 0-6 (including a season-opening loss at Pittsburgh), a streak topped off by a 59-0 drubbing at the hands of the Patriots. At that point, Nashville radio host Thom Abraham stepped in to try to “reverse the curse,” by sending a Terrible Towel signed by White and Bulluck to the Allegheny Valley School (which cares for people with physical and mental disabilities and receives proceeds from the sale of Terrible Towels) along with the message: “Please release the curse.” A few days later, on November 1, 2009 — ten and a half months after stomping the towel — the Titans finally tasted victory again with an easy win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Bengals have also been hit by the curse. On December 4, 2005, during a 38-31 win over the Steelers, Cincinnati wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh wiped his feet with a Terrible Towel. At that point in time, the Bengals seemed poised to reach the Super Bowl, but Cincinnati lost its final two games of the season — and then bowed to Pittsburgh in the playoffs (after Bengals QB Carson Palmer tore his ACL on the second play of the game). The Steelers went on to beat the Colts and Broncos en route to a Super Bowl victory over the Seahawks. As for the Bengals, they didn’t post another winning season until 2009.

Jason Zasky on the Steelers at post-gazette.com

2012-06-19T19:48:00.002-07:00

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is on vacation this week. So I'm helping to fill the insatiable demand for Steelers news and commentary with a guest "slog" on the newspaper's Web site. The column is titled Roethlisberger, LeBeau (Not Tomlin) Key Steelers' Success

I'm guessing it will inspire more than a few comments in the Post-Gazette's Steelers section. Feel free to weigh in with additional comments here. Or follow me on my new Twitter feed at @jasonzasky

Pittsburgh Steelers 2012 schedule

2012-04-17T16:08:00.001-07:00

Sun. Sept. 9 at Denver 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Sun., Sept. 16 N.Y. Jets 4:15 p.m. (CBS)
Sun. Sept. 23 at Oakland 4:15 p.m. (CBS)
Sun., Sept. 30 BYE ---
Sun. Oct. 7 Philadelphia 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Thurs., Oct. 11 at Tennessee 8:20 p.m. (NFL Network)
Sun. Oct. 21 at Cincinnati 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Sun., Oct. 28 Washington 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Sun. Nov. 4 at N.Y. Giants 4:15 p.m. (CBS)
Mon., Nov. 12 Kansas City 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Sun., Nov. 18 Baltimore 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Sun. Nov. 25 at Cleveland 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Sun., Dec. 2 at Baltimore 4:15 p.m. (CBS)
Sun. Dec. 9 San Diego 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Sun., Dec. 16 at Dallas 4:15 p.m. (CBS)
Sun. Dec. 23 Cincinnati 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Sun. Dec. 30 Cleveland 1:00 p.m. (CBS)

Pittsburgh Steelers unveil 1934 Throwback Uniforms

2012-04-17T15:44:00.004-07:00

The 2012 Pittsburgh Steelers schedule is set to be released any minute now. But at the moment fans are no doubt distracted by the look of the 1934 throwback uniforms (pictured above) that the Steelers will wear for two home games this season. Personally, I like them better than the hideous yellow helmet throwbacks they have been sporting in recent seasons.

Pittsburgh Steelers 2012 opponents

2012-01-02T06:11:00.000-08:00

Home: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, San Diego, Philadelphia, Washington and the New York Jets.

Away: Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Oakland, Dallas, the New York Giants and the Tennessee Titans.

Bengals: What are the Chances...?

2011-12-04T08:32:00.001-08:00

The Bengals have experienced a certain amount of success at Heinz Field over the years (at least as compared to the games played in Cincinnati). But I like Pittsburgh’s chances today, though I don’t necessarily believe the Steelers will cover the 6.5 point spread. Bengals fans have good reason to be optimistic about their club’s future, as rookie QB Andy Dalton and rookie WR A.J. Green have the potential to be stars for years to come. But I’m not sure that Dalton has what it takes to defeat Ben Roethlisberger and Co. at Heinz Field, where the Steelers’ defense has been very, very good for most of the season. I’m giving the Steelers a 60 percent chance of victory.

Prediction-wise, 6-2 thus far in 2011; 65-28 all-time.

Chiefs: What are the Chances...?

2011-11-27T11:50:00.001-08:00

The Steelers are a ten-point favorite at Kansas City tonight—and deservedly so. Arrowhead Stadium is one of the toughest venues for a visiting team, but with Tyler Palko at QB and numerous key players lost for the season due to injury, it’s difficult to imagine the 4-6 Chiefs coming away with a win against Pittsburgh. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Kyle Orton makes an appearance in relief for Kansas City if Palko struggles, as can be expected. I’m not confident the Steelers will cover the spread, but I’m assigning Pitt a 75 percent chance of victory.

Prediction success rate in 2011? 5-2 thus far (missed a couple games); 64-28 all-time.

Bengals: What are the Chances...?

2011-11-13T08:16:00.001-08:00

Pittsburgh has won nine of its last ten games at Cincinnati, and are favored by three points today. The key to the game might be whether the Steelers can force rookie QB Andy Dalton into making mistakes, if not game-changing turnovers. Being that it’s very, very windy today in Cincinnati, that could allow the Steelers defense to play closer to the line of scrimmage, which ought to play into Pittsburgh’s hands against the Bengals’ mostly conservative offense. Most likely, Pittsburgh will need to hold Cincinnati’s offense under 21 points or so, because the Steelers’ inconsistent O isn’t likely to score many more than that against Cincy’s stout defense. Historically, the Bengals have had difficulty handling success — and though maybe they aren’t far enough along to be considered successful — I still believe the Steelers will find a way to win today.

Cardinals: What are the Chances...?

2011-10-21T18:32:00.000-07:00

The Steelers’ performances on the road thus far in 2011 have ranged from downright awful to barely adequate. So it’s something of a surprise that the Steelers are a four-point favorite at Arizona -- against a Cardinals team that has been competitive in all its games but one (a blowout loss two weeks ago at Minnesota). Of course, Arizona has the home-field advantage, and has also had two weeks to prepare, as the Cards are coming off a bye. So it would not surprise me if Arizona pulled off an upset, especially when one considers that Pittsburgh has shown a propensity for turning the ball over when away from home. It probably doesn’t help that the Cardinals’ coaches are intimately familiar with the Steelers’ schemes and much of their personnel. Yet the Steelers have been trending positive, while the Cards have been moving in the wrong direction. So the pick is the Steelers.

What are the Chances…? is 4-2 in 2011 and 63-28 all-time.

Jaguars: What are the Chances...?

2011-10-16T09:34:00.000-07:00

The Steelers are a 12-point favorite against the struggling 1-4 Jaguars. Colt McCoy's first game against the Steelers aside, Pittsburgh usually makes life difficult for rookie QB's - and Blaine Gabbert's experience should be no different. Though Gabbert has tremendous upside, I doubt we'll see a strong performance from him today. The pick is Pittsburgh, though I don't necessarily believe the Steelers will cover the spread.

What are the Chances is 3-2 thus far in 2011 and 62-28 all-time.

Titans: What are the Chances...?

2011-10-08T06:12:00.000-07:00

The Steelers are a three-point favorite against the Titans — surprising, considering how well Tennessee has fared this season and how shaky the Steelers have been. Pittsburgh’s problems are now compounded by the rash of injuries that have hit the team. Of course, Ben Roethlisberger’s foot is the most significant. Even if Big Ben plays on Sunday, one wonders how effective he will be while hobbling around behind his makeshift, banged up offensive line. And with James Harrison out of the lineup the Steelers will be without one their two big playmakers on defense. Perhaps Pittsburgh will be reinvigorated by its home crowd, but I wouldn’t count on it.

I do like the fact that the Steelers have brought back Big Max (Max Starks) to protect Big Ben’s blind side, though it seems like a daunting challenge for him to go from being unemployed on Monday to starting left tackle on Sunday. But Starks has come back from being out of favor before. Let’s hope he can do it this season, too.

At any rate, I’m picking the Titans to win. What are the Chances is 3-1 thus far in 2011 and 62-27 all-time.

Texans: What are the Chances...?

2011-10-01T19:23:00.001-07:00

The Steelers are a 3.5 point underdog against the Texans, and deservedly so. The Texans have the kind of talent on their defensive line that may further expose the Steelers’ weak and banged up offensive line. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, the Texans have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, and could potentially gouge Pittsburgh’s run defense, which has been porous more often than not thus far this year. Bottom line: I like the Texans to win this one.

What are the Chances is 2-1 thus far in 2011 and 61-27 all-time.

Tomlin challenged when it comes to challenges

2011-09-25T21:10:00.000-07:00

I’ve been saying for years that Mike Tomlin is not nearly as good an in-game coach as Bill Cowher and one reason is his use (or lack of use) of challenges. Example: In tonight’s game, on the fourth quarter drive in which the Colts drove 80 yards to tie the score at 20-20, the Colts appeared to be stopped just short on a third down play at the 30-yard-line. But Indy got a favorable spot and was awarded a first down. In my opinion, that seemed a good time to throw the challenge flag, as a (likely) successful challenge would have left the Colts with fourth and inches. Instead, the Colts built momentum and went on to score.

Sure, the Colts would likely have converted on fourth down, but I like putting the other team in a convert-or-lose situation any time I can. Especially when a still-wobbly Curtis Painter is the other team’s QB. Little-noticed missteps like these lead to losses; fortunately the Steelers escaped with a win tonight.

Colts: What are the Chances...?

2011-09-25T16:54:00.000-07:00

It seems the main way the game can go wrong tonight at Indianapolis is if the Steelers’ tackles can’t slow down Colts DE’s Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, a not unlikely scenario considering that Pittsburgh’s OT’s are Jonathan Scott and rookie Marcus Gilbert. It could be that the Steelers will run the ball more than usual, especially early on, in hopes of avoiding the kind of negative plays that might energize the hometown crowd.

On the other side of the ball, the Colts’ scheme is the kind that can give Pittsburgh problems, and with four quality receivers — Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie and tight end Dallas Clark — the Steelers don’t have the cover guys to shut down such a diverse attack. But Kerry Collins isn’t what he used to be, and hasn’t looked particularly good thus far in 2011, faced with the task of adapting to an offense designed for Peyton Manning.

I’m not sure if the Steelers will cover the 10.5 point spread, but I think that Pittsburgh will win. What Are the Chances…? is 1-1 in 2011 and 60-27 all-time.

Seahawks: What are the Chances…?

2011-09-17T19:25:00.000-07:00

The Steelers are a 14-point favorite against the Seahawks, a shocking large number considering the Steelers’ performance in week one. But if the Steelers play with the emotion and intensity that was missing last week versus Baltimore, they might very well cover. The Steelers should be able to make big plays in the passing game, and it’s hard to imagine Seattle QB Tavaris Jackson exploiting the Steelers’ D. Expect a double-digit victory for Pittsburgh. And if it doesn’t transpire, then there will be cause for concern going forward.

What are the Chances is 0-1 in 2011, but 59-27 all-time.

Ravens: What are the Chances...?

2011-09-11T05:08:00.000-07:00

The Ravens are a slight favorite over the Steelers in today's season opener, a minor surprise considering the recent history between the teams. In all likelihood this game will come down to which team does the best job of protecting its quarterback, as both Baltimore and Pittsburgh are expected to struggle with pass protection this season. Historically, Roethlisberger has played exceptionally well in week one games and the Steelers have more weapons in the passing game, which is why I like Pittsburgh to come away with a win - 55 percent chance.

Entering the 2011 season What are the Chances is 59-26 all-time.

Sun columnist Preston refers to Roethlisberger as ‘Drama Queen’

2011-09-06T03:14:00.000-07:00

In a Sept. 4 post, Baltimore Sun sports columnist Mike Preston asks Where is the Drama Queen? – a reference to Steelers’ QB Ben Roethlisberger, who he says, always leaves us wondering whether he’ll play. “If it ain't his arm, it's his knee. If it ain't his knee, it's his ankle. It it ain't his ankle, it's a fingernail,” writes Preston, who ain’t in the business of writing eloquently, and apparently doesn't recall that Big Ben played most of the 2010 season with multiple broken bones, including a broken foot.

Perhaps Preston is just sore that Roethlisberger has been a “Raven Killer” (as the longtime columnist freely admits). But if he’s wondering why there hasn’t yet been any drama regarding Big Ben’s health, it’s because it’s only week one. In other words, Roethlisberger hasn’t yet had the opportunity to play behind his subpar offensive line, which hasn’t been able to keep from suffering an inordinate number of hits and sacks in recent seasons. But don’t fret, Mr. Preston, by the time the Steelers meet the Ravens again on Nov. 6, Roethlisberger’s injuries will once again be fodder for columnists like yourself.

2011 Steelers Schedule

2011-04-20T08:48:00.000-07:00

Sunday, Sept. 11 at Baltimore 1 p.m CBS
Sunday, Sept. 18 SEATTLE 1 p.m. FOX
Sunday, Sept. 25 at Indianapolis 8:20 p.m. NBC
Sunday, Oct. 2 at Houston 1 p.m. CBS
Sunday, Oct. 9 TENNESSEE 1 p.m. CBS
Sunday, Oct. 16 JACKSONVILLE 1 p.m. CBS
Sunday, Oct. 23 at Arizona 4:05 p.m. CBS
Sunday, Oct. 30 NEW ENGLAND 4:15 p.m. CBS
Sunday, Nov. 6 BALTIMORE 8:20 p.m. NBC
Sunday, Nov. 13 at Cincinnati 1 p.m. CBS
Sunday, Nov. 20 Bye
Sunday, Nov. 27* at Kansas City 8:20 p.m. NBC
Sunday, Dec. 4* CINCINNATI 1 p.m. CBS
Thursday, Dec. 8 CLEVELAND 8:20 p.m. NFL Network/KDKA
Monday, Dec. 19 at San Francisco 8:30 p.m. ESPN
Saturday, Dec. 24* ST. LOUIS 1 p.m. FOX
Sunday, Jan. 1* at Cleveland 1 p.m. CBS

Packers: What are the Chances...?

2011-02-06T06:48:00.000-08:00

The Packers are the favorite in today’s Super Bowl, and with good reason. Green Bay has a huge advantage in terms of its front seven versus Pittsburgh’s injury depleted offensive line (which will include just one opening day starter). Meanwhile, the fact that the game is indoors also favors the Packers and their precision passing game. The Steelers will need to put an exceptional amount of pressure on Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers—otherwise Pittsburgh’s secondary figures to get carved up ten and fifteen yards at a time. Still, it’s difficult to bet against Ben Roethlisberger, who seems to have a knack for finding a way to win games—especially post-season games. My pick is the same as my pick from two years ago—Steelers have a 52 percent chance of winning.

Jets: What are the Chances...?

2011-01-23T11:46:00.000-08:00

Today’s AFC Championship game at Heinz Field is a little like last week’s divisional playoff in that the Jets — much like the Ravens — have a better roster top to bottom than the Steelers. But Pittsburgh again appears to have the advantage at the QB position, a not insignificant differential. Certainly the Steelers should benefit from having the services of Troy Polamalu and Heath Miller in this rematch, as their replacements played poorly in the December game against New York.

The oddsmakers have the Steelers as a four-point favorite, which sounds about right to me. I’m giving Pittsburgh a 60 percent chance today, hoping to build on my 11-5 prediction record this season (59-25 all-time).

Ravens: What are the Chances…?

2011-01-14T18:24:00.000-08:00

The Steelers may be a 3.5 point favorite in tomorrow’s divisional playoff, but the game is really a pick ‘em proposition. In my estimation, the Ravens (13-4) have the better team, but the Steelers (12-4) have a potentially significant edge at quarterback. And while the Steelers are well rested, the Ravens may have the advantage early in the game, as Baltimore’s offense is more likely to be in rhythm. But offensive line play figures to be the key to the game, as mistakes in pass protection are likely to lead to stalled drives and/or turnovers. Crowd noise could be more of a factor than it usually is at Heinz Field, thanks to the temporary bleacher seats behind the end zone in the open end of the stadium (installed by the NHL for the Winter Classic). I like the Steelers – but just barely, assigning them a 52 percent chance of victory.

My track record for predictions: 10-5 this year, 58-25 all-time.