Behind the Steel Curtain

Pittsburgh Steelers 2012 Schedule Preview: at Denver Broncos

2012-05-27T18:00:04Z

The Pittsburgh Steelers are on the road in Week 1, and will take on the team that ousted them from the playoffs in January, the Denver Broncos.

Taking a look at where the Broncos are in May, it will be a daunting task. But one the Steelers need to get used to. With perhaps the toughest schedule overall they've had since 2008, this isn't the last good team they'll play in 2012.

They're only the first.

Broncos Improvements

Obviously the replacement of QB Tim Tebow with QB Peyton Manning stands out the most. While it's easy to look at the game of football in an absolute zero-sum sense, that isn't quite the way it works. The Broncos offense was geared around the strengths it had last year - running the ball, improvising play from its quarterback and calculated deep passing.

Of that, deep passing is likely to be the only carry-over from last year's playoff run. But that area, along with others on their offense, will be even better.

Manning looked sharp in OTAs to this point, as most would expect from a man as driven as Manning is. WRs Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker give Manning an underrated backbone of receivers and as a unit, its offensive line played well enough to establish a formidable run game. Move the yards from the rushing column in 2011 to passing, add more scoring and you've got the Broncos.

It's an outstanding football team, and Denver isn't an easy place in which opposing teams can pull out a win.

Broncos Losses

The defensive secondary may take something of a hit with the loss of SS Brian Dawkins (retirement). It's generally an underwhelming unit as a whole, particularly with the advancing age of CB Champ Bailey.

Steelers Advantage

The Steelers had an advantage in terms of deep passing in their overtime playoff loss, but a lack of protection up front along with an injured quarterback prevented them from connecting on a few deep throw opportunities they had. Denver will look to protect its secondary with the continued domination of its pass rush. Pittsburgh's newly remodeled offensive line could help prevent that, but assuming Mike Adams and David DeCastro are named the Week 1 starters (not a lock just yet for Adams, nearly a certainty for DeCastro), they'll be making their first NFL starts in a hostile environment.

Steelers Disadvantage

Steelers CB Ike Taylor had possibly the worst game of his career in the playoff loss, and while it seems strange to say this, it seems more likely he'd have a better chance of success against a better and more traditional quarterback like Manning. Taylor was playing for the interception far too aggressively against the weak-armed Tebow, and the Broncos exploited that for several big plays. They also exploited OLB James Harrison's desire to get up the field, and had Tebow simply escape outside Harrison, who abandoned the edge.

These aren't problems the Steelers can't fix rather easily, particularly when you play a quarterback as good as Manning. Discipline is key, and it's something that will be stressed heavily leading up to the game.

This series will go through each of the Steelers games slated on the 2012 NFL Schedule, and we'll evaluate how they stand post-draft and pre-training camp. We'll revisit this again in August, but for now, we're comparing where each team is compared to where they were last year.

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New York Giants WR Hakeem Nicks' Foot Surgery Gives Mike Wallace More Reason to Skip OTAs

2012-05-27T16:00:31Z

Reports indicate Giants WR Hakeem Nicks' foot surgery was successful. hat's a good thing for Nicks and the Giants. And Steelers fans should be resigned to understanding why WR Mike Wallace is not participating in OTAs.

Nicks broke the fifth metatarsal in his right foot Thursday while running a route in the defending champs' OTA session. He had surgery the following day and is expected to be inactive for the next 12 weeks (although Nicks' agent, Peter Schaffer, told the New York Post they're waiting on a post-surgery estimate).

If it is the 12 week originally anticipated for recovery, Nicks would be out for their entire training camp.

Injuries are often fluke things, occurring despite outstanding conditioning, proper technique and usual stress. While the odds of what happened to Nicks happening to any other receiver in the league are low, it's still a big risk to take for a player like Wallace, who's eyeing a long-term extension.

What if Nicks blew out his ACL? He's likely out for the entire season. Since it would be considered a football injury, he would still accrue a season of eligibility, thus making him an unrestricted free agent in 2012, but his stock, coming off a severe knee injury, would likely drop off quite a bit.

The NFL is ultimately a business, and Nicks' injury only gives Wallace more reason (not defending or supporting his agenda) to avoid team-issued workouts.

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Former Steelers Linebacker James Farrior's Agent Says 'Waiting For a Championship Opportunity'

2012-05-27T14:00:30Z

Following up on a story we ran Friday in regards to the possibility of former Steelers linebacker James Farrior retiring, his agent, Ralph Cindrich, responded to a question posed via Twitter about it.

Cindrich's response suggested Farrior, the 13 year veteran, is waiting for a "championship opportunity."

Will one of those present itself for Farrior? It's an interesting question.

He's just getting around to the retirement part. On hold to see if a Championship opportunity came around. @NealCoolong
— Ralph Cindrich (@RalphCindrich) May 25, 2012

Whether it will happen remains to be seen, obviously, but one team I can think of that loves players in these situations is the New England Patriots.

Few teams in the league look to sign veteran free agents facing the twilight of their careers as much as the Patriots do. They've recently gotten high production out of DE Kevin Carter and OG Brian Waters. This year, they've brought in WR Brandon Lloyd, OG Robert Gallery and RB Joseph Addai, recently of the St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts, respectively. Even going back a few years, there's LB Junior Seau, WR Deion Branch and WR Jabar Gaffney.

The Patriots spent what seemed to be 45 draft picks on defensive players, including three of their first four picks addressing the front seven (DE Chandler Jones, ILB Dont'a Hightower and DE Jake Bequette). The Patriots have also built themselves to become versatile enough to play a variety of different looks in their front seven, depending on the situation.

It wouldn't be surprising if the Patriots, come training camp, took Farrior out for a test drive, and the Patriots, the defending AFC champions, certainly fit the title contender status Cindrich says Farrior is looking for.

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Former Colts K Mike Vanderjagt Still Hearing About 2005 AFC Divisional Playoff Game

2012-05-27T12:00:56Z

Allegedly, former Colts K Mike Vanderjagt still knows how to choke.

Only this time, it wasn't at the end of a playoff football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was the throat of a student after he taunted Vanderjagt by chanting "Wide Left! Wide Left!" in reference to his missed kick at the end of the 2005 NFL Divisional Playoff game between the Colts and Pittsburgh.

Vanderjagt, a volunteer coach and school parent at Charter Middle School in Marco Island, Fla., according to witnesses, grabbed a student by the throat and began swearing at him after the student was seen and heard yelling "wide left" through a rolled up poster board.

Vanderjagt said he placed his hand on the student's shoulder, by the base of his neck, and did not choke him.

Local police reviewed the matter and sent an incident report to the state's attorney general's office, who concluded no charges would be filed. Vanderjagt also said he's spoken with the boy's family, and he apologized. The boy also apologized.

The school board voted 4-2 in favor of allowing the school's principal to handle the decision of whether to keep Vanderjagt on as a coach.

Apparently, the boy he allegedly choked (and admittedly touched) was only the latest of many who were taunting Vanderjagt in a similar fashion over the months.

Obviously accosting a child is against the moral code of any teacher or child, but a certain level of respect should be given to those coaches and teachers. It seems like a good life and history lesson for both Vanderjagt, the student and everyone involved with the incident.

For life, one must learn to overcome failures, accept them and move on. For history, they should all remember the kick was wide right, not left.

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Weekend Check Down: The Top Stories of the Week

2012-05-26T11:43:54Z

I'm feeling pretty good about doing the Check Down this week. With the start of OTAs there are plenty of interesting stories to highlight. For many of the past several weeks I've been feeling like someone tasked with serving a banquet armed only with a bag of saltine crackers and a can of sardines. Where to begin? How about starting with a story that will get your hackles up.

ESPN predicts Steelers finishing 3rd in the AFC North

A SportsCenter panel of Herm Edwards, Bill Polian and Marcellus Wiley unanimously concluded that the Steelers would finish third behind the Ravens and Bengals in 2012. The explanation given by Edwards is too much change.

I was ticked off for about a nanosecond. But one of my superstitions is that the Steelers do best when they have been written off by the media and the fans, so of course, I think this is good news. Besides, Edward's assertion isn't crazy, if you haven't been following the team that closely it appears to make a lot of sense on the surface. If you were told last year that the Steelers would be going into the 2012 season without Hines Ward, Aaron Smith, James Farrior, Chris Hoke, Casey Hampton, Rashard Mendenhall, Bryan McFadden, Chris Kemoeatu and Willie Gay what would your reaction be? Well, besides the fact that many would be dancing a jig to celebrate being rid of Gay (remember this is last year).

Steeler Nation has placed a great deal of confidence in a group of players with little or nothing in the way of experience competing in the NFL. That confidence isn't baseless, Steeler Nation isn't considered among the most knowledgeable fan bases in the league for nothing. On the other hand it would be foolish to dismiss the risk involved with such a high turnover of front line players and leadership, even if it consists only of a sensible period of acclimation to new responsibilities and relationships. In a division as competitive as the AFC North that may be enough to cost a team the championship. But don't get me wrong, I love the hand Pittsburgh has been dealt. And I especially love flying under the radar.

But most of the news this week has come out of the OTAs conducted from Tuesday through Thursday. One of the first things we learned is that...

Troy steps up

Safety Troy Polamalu usually isn't seen much around Pittsburgh in May. Normally this time of year he's in California or Tibet or some such place receiving specialized instruction in being a super hero. No one minded because the results were always spectacular. That was just Troy's way. So, it has caused more than a little stir that Polamalu is here apparently for the duration of the OTAs. The reason is leadership. According to Troy he was asked by Mike Tomlin to show up in order to help fill the void created by the loss of so many veteran players. However, don't expect a major personality change from Troy. He has been, and will continue to be more of a leader by example type as opposed to being highly verbal. It appears that the other veteran players may have been more affected by his appearance than the younger players.

And it's not only Troy who has increased his profile in response to the leadership needs of the team. Larry Foote, Willie Colon, Trai Essex, Ike Taylor, Jerricho Cotchery, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders have all become more verbal and visible. We're even hearing a lot from Isaac Redman. What is becoming clear, painfully so for me, is that the number of three Super Bowl Steelers, those veterans who were part of the '05, '08 and '10 Super Bowl squads is dwindling. Even a relative bit player like Essex has to be afforded a great deal of respect because there are few people that have ever played the game who can make a claim to having this level of championship experience.

These guys must be considered a special advantage for the Steelers. The Ravens and Bengals have no one like them. It also appears that leadership will not be the sole responsibility of a few, but dispersed among many. I get the feeling this team will have no shortage of leaders moving forward.

Then there is the matter of who didn't show up...

Mike Wallace and other absentees

As predicted (feared), Mike Wallace has been a no show so far. But there is more to the story than that. Wallace did make an appearance at the Steelers facility last week, and among others, apparently spoke with Coach Tomlin. He also left with a copy of the new playbook thereby reducing the greatest concern about lack of participation to this point; that he would fall behind in learning the new system. If you pay close attention to Tomlin's comments about the matter (always a wise thing to do) you come away with the impression that all of this is a necessary, short term business issue that will be fully resolved eventually with little long term impact. As others have said, Wallace has few options beyond negotiating a long term deal in good faith or simply signing his tender. At present he appears to be a hostage to his agent's strategy, whatever that might be. Please leave me out of the ongoing effort at character assassination as it references Wallace. I think he'll be back in the fold sooner rather than later and we'll be glad to have him.

Three draftees (Adams, DeCastro and Ta'amu) are unable to participate due to rules relating to when they graduate. Have you wondered what it must be like for these three guys, bouncing off the walls while their new teammates are practicing and bonding? A few players missed one or more of the practices due to personal or other issues and several others were present but didn't participate because of injury concerns, but it doesn't appear that anyone simply blew the activity off. A good thing.

Redman spills the beans concerning the Haley offense

A couple of weeks ago we didn't know anything about the new Steelers offense. Details have begun to emerge as the players have been candid about their reaction to the opportunities and challenges that the new system contains. Steeler running back Isaac Redman revealed that a fullback would be part of Haley offensive system. He went further to say that David Johnson has been ‘transferred' from the tight ends room to the running back room. In other words, he is now officially a fullback. Taking in consideration Redman's comments and those made by Manny Sanders we can expect more of a play action focus with the offense in the coming months.

And speaking of running backs...

Mendenhall ahead of schedule on rehabilitation

Not long ago the common wisdom was that Rashard Mendenhall would not be a significant part of the team equation this year. That was fine with the anti-Mendy faction of Steeler Nation. Between rehab and his contract we had seen the last of Mendenhall, and good riddance. We have adequate replacements, or so we have come to believe. Redman had a good game against the Broncos (let's not think about that little fumble fest he had in Cleveland), Dwyer has had one really good run, as has Clay. Baron Batch hasn't had a carry in a preseason game yet let alone the regular season, neither has Chris Rainey.

This is not to trash the running back corps. I'm as optimistic about their potential as anyone. But let us not forget that it is just potential that we are talking about so far. None of these backs have proven that they can fulfill the running needs of a professional franchise over the course of a sixteen game season, plus playoffs. And how come Mendy doesn't get much in the way of slack relative to the performance of the offensive line? Who says that he doesn't gain 2,000 yards behind this new group?

It's not clear exactly when Mendenhall will be back, but it is clear that he is determined to return to the line up sooner rather than later. For some of us that's good news.

Ben vs. Haley

Or so you would think. This stinks of a made up controversy, quite frankly. On the NFL Network and on this site folks are taking bets as to when these two will have their first on the field scrap. But as a commentator pointed out, regardless of what Ben thinks or what Haley does at the end of the day Tomlin is in charge. And how much BS do you think he's going to tolerate? Do you really think he's going to let this turn into a circus?

Watching the team get a handle on this new offense will be fascinating to watch. It will be a particular challenge for Ben (and all the quarterbacks) because, obviously, their understanding has to be so much greater. As such I am more inclined to take Ben at his word rather than to think that every utterance is some veiled reference to his displeasure with the new system. Whether or not the new system suppresses Ben's natural gifts remains to be seen, but should not be anticipated for the mere fact that it is no one's interest to do so. In the meantime people have to sell newspapers and advertising.

Harrison vs. Goodell

James Harrison has weighed in on the lawsuit filed by Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma against NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Deebo characterized the suit as a "win-win" for the players. He also questioned the relative health benefits of the mandatory use of knee and thigh pads. As Neal Coolong has pointed out in his post on the subject this has become an intriguing little war being conducted by Harrison against an authority figure that has in the past shown the ability and the will to make Harrison's life somewhat miserable from a football standpoint. While Harrison will not win any awards for tact or diplomacy, he has the advantage of being right (imo) more often than not.

With the player safety concerns, legal actions and media attention increasing don't expect this little war to end any time soon. Many fans wish that Harrison would be more discrete (as in ‘Shut the Hell up!') probably fearing that he will incur Goodell's wrath in the form of a suspension at an inopportune time. Deebo clearly doesn't care.

Lewis, Allen and the secondary

Cornerback Keenan Lewis has swept past the issue of whether or not he will earn a starting position at cornerback and is expressing his ambition to make the Pro Bowl. Having such a goal certainly makes sense in light of the fact that it would have him keep pace with his childhood friend Mike Wallace. The fact that he is also in a contract year would be a factor too. Nothing wrong with aiming high.

Cortez Allen was also in the news. It appears that the nickel back position is his to lose. I am impressed with the progress of both Lewis and Allen, but I would write those names down in pencil until Curtis Brown is heard from. We are watching with interest to see if Carnell Lake's unit can build upon the momentum they created last year. At the moment confidence doesn't seem to be a problem.

Marcus Gilbert and the offensive line

The goal for Mike Tomlin and his staff at this point of the season is to create competition within the team to challenge and facilitate the development of the players, plus to determine who has the will to step up when it matters during the season. People have been penciling in Gilbert in the right tackle slot on the offensive line, but Gilbert has not entirely abandoned his desire to play the left tackle position. This is a reminder that this unit is very much a work in progress at this point. The only thing close to certain at this point is that, barring injury, Pouncey will start at Center. Everything else is up for grabs.

James Farrior

There are reports that, like Hines Ward before him, James Farrior is considering retirement. Hopefully, he will receive the recognition that he deserves if he goes through with that decision.

Miscellaneous

It has been such a big news week that these items get only a one line mention.

The NFL Owners have ruled that the wearing of hip, thigh and knee pads are now mandatory for its players. Hines Ward's victory lap continues as he was honored this week by the Governor of Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth Legislature. The NFLPA has accused the NFL of collusion in setting an unofficial salary cap for the 2010 season. New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks broke his foot during OTAs yesterday. Art Rooney II was honored this week by the Pittsburgh Public Theater.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend everyone.

Report: Former Steelers LB James Farrior Talking With Steelers About Retirement

2012-05-25T18:00:52Z

Ralph Cindrich, the agent of former Steelers LB James Farrior, said his free agent client is in discussion right now with the Pittsburgh Steelers about retirement. Cindrich said this on FM 93.7 The Fan radio in Pittsburgh Friday afternoon.

Farrior, a free agent, was released by the Steelers this off-season in the team’s roster purging. WR Hines Ward was also released, only to return to Pittsburgh to announce his retirement after testing the free agency market.

Farrior played with the Steelers from 2002-11, earning two Pro Bowl bids and two All-Pro selections, both coming in 2004 and 2008. He was the Defensive Player of the Year runner-up to Baltimore’s Ed Reed in 2004. Originally drafted by the Jets with the 8^th overall pick of the 1997 draft, Farrior, in his prime, fit perfectly as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. A great blend of athleticism and intelligence made him a captain on the Steelers, and was generally regarded as the team’s defensive leader for the last decade.

The Steelers have already moved on from Farrior, looking to replace him in the short term with veteran Larry Foote, and possibly long term with Stevenson Sylvester, a third-year pro from Utah.

Steelers 2012 OTA First Week Brings Excitement for 2012 Season

2012-05-25T14:01:48Z

We've seen a few storylines emerge as the Steelers powered through the first week of Phase 3 OTAs. Some good things, some bad things, and a lot to look forward to starting with the next set of three OTA sessions beginning May 29.

Johnson vs. Johnson

The conversion of David Johnson to fullback and his subsequent battle with rookie UDFA Will Johnson, the Workout Warrior of West Virginia, is something that may heat up quickly from minicamp straight to training camp.

It's hard not to love Will Johnson's attitude. After having gone undrafted in 2011, and the lockout-induced chaos the league went through, he wasn't able to land on a roster. The Steelers signed him after a workout they watched in March. His strength, size and speed could give him an advantage over the athletically limited David Johnson, but his lack of experience will hinder him this year.

David Johnson has positional flexibility over Will Johnson. He's heavier, and is going to be the more polished blocker of the two from an inline perspective. David Johnson gives the Steelers all three positions - fullback, H-back and tight end.

Redman, Rainey and Mendenhall

The Steelers' running back corps will be deep this year, and the current group they have (Rashard Mendenhall, Chris Rainey, Isaac Redman, Jonathan Dwyer, John Clay and Baron Batch) aren't all going to make the team, especially with the alleged intention to keep a fullback on the roster.

Even the release of a tight end upon TE Weslye Saunders' return to the lineup after Week 4 doesn't seem to benefit the backs. Mendenhall is rehabbing but doesn't appear to be near a return (read: after Week 1 at the earliest). Redman will continue filling in as the feature back, something he's looking forward to, per the Erie Times-News.

Also mentioned in that article was rookie Chris Rainey flying down the sideline to haul in a "rainbow" pass from QB Ben Roethlisberger. RB fly patterns...remember that.

Gilbert has no intentions of letting go of left tackle spot

The Steelers prepared this offseason with Marcus Gilbert penciled in at left tackle. That changed as soon as they selected Mike Adams in the second round. But Gilbert got the benefit of playing on the left side while Adams' college class finished up their course work this past week.

Adams is said to be given the first crack at it, but with veterans Jonathan Scott and Trai Essex waiting in the wings should he falter, it seems Gilbert is pretty much a certainty to start on the right side.

Corners preparing for battle

We've heard from Keenan Lewis and we've written on Cortez Allen. Lewis has Pro Bowl aspirations after putting his time in the Steelers' system. Allen is physically gifted and probably well ahead of schedule in his second year. What about Brown? He figures to be a lock for special teams stardom this year, and, due to him being arguably the best athlete of his cornerback brethren, still could surprise in training camp. His progress from Year 1 to Year 2 will be intriguing to watch, to say the least.

Roethlisberger's grasp of the offense

For whatever he says, Roethlisberger is a seasoned professional, and he'll eventually understand the Rosetta Stone. While it may be better overall for him to stop lofting softballs at the media and at least try to mention something he likes about the offense, what matters is his preparation on the field.

Whether it's him griping about a lack of perceived deeper pass opportunities, or him feeling like he's being targeted for the team's offensive slump in 2011, he has ample opportunity to learn the offense (doesn't have to be done in one day, mind you) and be the same highly productive player he is.

Maybe he's just letting off steam. We'll give him that, and hope he continues to do whatever he needs to do to enable him to lead this offense.

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Steelers CB Keenan Lewis Talks Post Season Awards

2012-05-25T12:01:36Z

It's as if the local fish wraps were hunting for CB Keenan Lewis exclusively after OTAs finished up in Pittsburgh Thursday.

And he had plenty to say, such as quotes in both the Tribune-Review and the Post-Gazette indicating Lewis sees himself joining the AFC's Pro Bowl team in 2012.

Lofty individual expectations are good. They show where a player's head is. Lewis, apparently, is very optimistic about his chances of starting opposite CB Ike Taylor this year, to say the least.

And why shouldn't he be? Brashness and arrogance are never traits one wants to openly see, but frankly, if you don't at least toe the line of being brash and arrogant in terms of your skills as a cornerback in the NFL, what good are you? It's a demanding position that required 110 percent confidence in oneself.

One thing is for sure, if Lewis was to make the Pro Bowl team, he'd be one of the biggest cornerbacks on either side. Lewis's best trait is his size; 6-foot, 208 pounds is a large corner, and combining him with the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Ike Taylor would give the Steelers one of the biggest starting cornerback combinations in the NFL.

Both challengers to Lewis's assumed starting position, Cortez Allen (6-foot, 196 pounds) and Curtis Brown (6-foot, 185) are both 23 years old, and growing into larger frames. The 26-year-old Lewis (high school teammate of Steelers WR Mike Wallace) has the edge to start over the talented younger corners in Pittsburgh due to having a bit more experience, but expect a hard charge from Allen. Brown, a freakishly athletic project type of corner, could have the highest ceiling of all of them.

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