End of Regular Season Thoughts...

[Legacy User]

Haven't posted in a while. Here goes...

1.) What a season by, Ben. Another example of how truly gifted he is. Imagine if all those dropped TDs he had this season were actually caught. Someday he'll get his just due. For now, he'll have to be truly appreciated by just us.

2.) Antonio Brown, physically, is to football, what Allen Iverson was to basketball. Not big enough, to do what he does, and yet, he does it. Amazing to watch. He's the games best. Without doubt.

3.) Levian Bell, is a true Y2K compliant RB. He can do it all. Literally, everything. To me, for my money, the games best all around RB. Let's hope he's healthy. We'll need him. Cutting, Blount, was fucking stupid.

4.) Heath Miller, I agree with Ben, is the teams MVP. He's rock solid, and does everything amazingly quiet.

5.) O-Line, what a turn around. Munchak effect. A joy to watch.

6.) Martavis Bryant, bright future, we'll need him huge if we're gonna make a legit run at this.

7.) D-Line, outside of Cam Thomas, who's absolutely beyond terrible, is rounding into form, and threatening to become a strength.

8.) Sean Spence, to be playing is amazingly, to be playing as well as he has, is quite another. Between Timmons, Spence, and Williams, we have an embarrassment of riches at MLB. The next play Shazier makes, will be his first. Jervis, sucks. Worlds, might be just good enough. Moats is a JAG. Harrison, is the straw that stirs the drink. He makes this entire thing go. He's timeless. Ageless. He plays how a Steeler should play.

9.) Haley, say what you will, but the dude has constructed the greatest offense the Steel City has ever assembled. Wrap your mind around that....EVER!

10.) Tomlin, what a nice recovery. To me, his finest coaching year. He took a team that was and demoralized, and keep them on life support. He's showed more fire and emotion, than I can ever remember. My hats off to him, and for me, that hasn't always been the case.

This offense can play with anyone. We need health, momentum, and energy. Our secondary will be what prevents us from winning it all. We have to be able to minimize damage. Blake, Gay, and McCain won't be enough to slow Brady down. We'll need more. We'll need points. Lots of them. I think we could be up to the task...

[jewelsongs]

Haven't posted in a while. Here goes...

1.) What a season by, Ben. Another example of how truly gifted he is. Imagine if all those dropped TDs he had this season were actually caught. Someday he'll get his just due. For now, he'll have to be truly appreciated by just us.

2.) Antonio Brown, physically, is to football, what Allen Iverson was to basketball. Not big enough, to do what he does, and yet, he does it. Amazing to watch. He's the games best. Without doubt.

3.) Levian Bell, is a true Y2K compliant RB. He can do it all. Literally, everything. To me, for my money, the games best all around RB. Let's hope he's healthy. We'll need him. Cutting, Blount, was fucking stupid.

4.) Heath Miller, I agree with Ben, is the teams MVP. He's rock solid, and does everything amazingly quiet.

5.) O-Line, what a turn around. Munchak effect. A joy to watch.

6.) Martavis Bryant, bright future, we'll need him huge if we're gonna make a legit run at this.

7.) D-Line, outside of Cam Thomas, who's absolutely beyond terrible, is rounding into form, and threatening to become a strength.

8.) Sean Spence, to be playing is amazingly, to be playing as well as he has, is quite another. Between Timmons, Spence, and Williams, we have an embarrassment of riches at MLB. The next play Shazier makes, will be his first. Jervis, sucks. Worlds, might be just good enough. Moats is a JAG. Harrison, is the straw that stirs the drink. He makes this entire thing go. He's timeless. Ageless. He plays how a Steeler should play.

9.) Haley, say what you will, but the dude has constructed the greatest offense the Steel City has ever assembled. Wrap your mind around that....EVER!

10.) Tomlin, what a nice recovery. To me, his finest coaching year. He took a team that was and demoralized, and keep them on life support. He's showed more fire and emotion, than I can ever remember. My hats off to him, and for me, that hasn't always been the case.

This offense can play with anyone. We need health, momentum, and energy. Our secondary will be what prevents us from winning it all. We have to be able to minimize damage. Blake, Gay, and McCain won't be enough to slow Brady down. We'll need more. We'll need points. Lots of them. I think we could be up to the task...

Really nice post.

[Legacy User]

Agree with almost all. I still believe that we have great plans for Shazier. This kid hustles,doesn't mope or whine and has great athletic ability.

[Legacy User]

Good post, I want to add one unsung hero that was crucified around here and Collinsworth nicely pointed out

Marcus Gilbert has been very good. Excellent in run game and much improved in protections. I would've said Beachum but he's been recognized some as of late.

77 is beginning to earn that deal. That's on Tomlin bringing in Munchak, and Munchak coaching him up

[BethlehemSteel]

You're giving way too much credit to NE's offense. I say if we meet up with them this year, God willing.......we humble them!!

[Legacy User]

I realize the Bengals are last in sacks but they didn't get anywhere near Ben all night.

Also, our pass rush is really starting to create havoc. Great push up the middle by Heyward and Tuiit. Deebo and Worlids are dangerous as fuck.

[StillerInCT]

Good post Ron.

In regards to Shazier: I think it's too early to tell. There's a role for him in this defense. He didn't flash last night but he was all over the field if I remember correctly. He was hitting too. It's ok to me if he never fills an ILB role. With the sub-package football that we play it should be easy to find a spot for him to make an impact. He just needs to be a disrupter which this defense could really use and I don't think he has to do it from a traditional position. Plus it took a while for Timmons to flash too, but now I think he's quietly one of the best ILB's in the game. He's definitely a top 3 3-4 ILB in football.

As for the D-Line I think we have the makings of another Smith-Keisel combo in Heyward-Tuitt. They both look really good and looked dominant last night. A legit pass rusher to replace Harrison and a marquee guy in the secondary and this defense will be back in the top 10. With the Gay, Blake, and McCain I think we have solid secondary depth but we don't have the standout guy. The defense is a hell of a lot closer than it was in the 1st half of the season.

Hats of to the coaching staff. It took a while to see it but this has been a fine showing.

[Legacy User]

In a year or two Steelers will have best LB corps in NFL

[StillerInCT]

Good post, I want to add one unsung hero that was crucified around here and Collinsworth nicely pointed out

Marcus Gilbert has been very good. Excellent in run game and much improved in protections. I would've said Beachum but he's been recognized some as of late.

77 is beginning to earn that deal. That's on Tomlin bringing in Munchak, and Munchak coaching him up

Timing couldn't be any better. We've spent a lot of premium picks on the line. It would suck to have to use more resources on it. At this point I don't think we have to. We can add depth/projects in the later rounds, but the core of the line is good enough to compete in this league.

I'd say the most improved player on the team is Beachum. It's apparent how much work he's put in. Not bad for a guy that was 7 spots away from being Mr. Irrelevant in 2012. I'm really rooting for the kid.

I do hope we can keep Munchak around for another season or two.

[Havoc]

9.) Haley, say what you will, but the dude has constructed the greatest offense the Steel City has ever assembled. Wrap your mind around that....EVER!

No. It's not.

Slow down. Maybe someday this offense will accomplish all the things the late 70's offense did, but it has a long long way to go to equal the things that offense accomplished.

[Hacksaw Jim Duggan]

I think the one benefit of being in the AFC this season is that the defenses that made the playoffs arent particularly scary.

The Broncos don't allow much yardage per game, yet they give up just as many points a game as the Steelers do. I don't know what that speaks to.

The Patriots give up 19.6 points a game, but I don't see them stopping this offense (figure by that time, Bell is three weeks healthier).
The Ravens, who give up less points a game/season than any other AFC playoff team, got 40+ dropped on them by Pitt earlier this season.

Bengals suck. Indy might have the worst defense.

It's all just kind of bleh.

All are middling in plus plays too.

Broncos and Pats are tied for 13th in takeaways this season with 25. Baltimore has 22. Pittsburgh has 21.

On the contrary, New England obviously is ranked highly in turnover margin at +12 (2nd in the league), while all the other teams in the division are about equal. Denver is +5, Baltimore +2, Pitt even.
Surprisingly, Bengals are even also..with Andy Dalton at QB.

How each team is playing NOW obviously doesn't get taken into account.

The Broncos defense hasnt been tested too much recently. Ravens have looked sloppy on both sides of the ball in the past few weeks. New England struggled vs. Jets then pretty much took a bye week this week.

Don't turn the ball over. Score 7 instead of 3. You have as much a chance as any team.

Denver, NE, Balt can get to the QB....I like how this line has protected. Winning the trenches will be huge...This is just basic football crap though,.

[Legacy User]

I agree with mostly everything.

But I'm really tired of the Ben is under appreciated for walking on water. I agree he will be a HOF QB-but to many of you he transcends the game. He had a very good statistical season but he also has arguably the best skill position players in the NFL and he still had some shitty games.

Bottom line anything less then a SB win and this season will be as forgettable as every other season that didn't end with a SB win. And if Ben plays the way he did vs the Jets or Stains 2 to end the year his whole damn season is in the shitter as far as I'm concerned.

[bradshaw2ben]

Good post, I want to add one unsung hero that was crucified around here and Collinsworth nicely pointed out

Marcus Gilbert has been very good. Excellent in run game and much improved in protections. I would've said Beachum but he's been recognized some as of late.

77 is beginning to earn that deal. That's on Tomlin bringing in Munchak, and Munchak coaching him up

I thought Gilbert was outstanding last night in pass pro, Beachum, too. bengals aren't exactly worldbeaters in sacks but OL looks to have really improved in that aspect of the game.

[Legacy User]

I was thinking of another way to look at this thread - given what you've seen recently - what do you see as the team's biggest holes.

Not looking past the playoffs - but looking at where this team goes from here.
Certainly a running back to help Bell.
Corner, TE

[Steelafan77]

Nice thoughts Ron. Pretty much on the same page as you. I think this team is hot and still getting hotter at the right time. This next game will be a huge hurdle but should tell us and the NFL community what the Steelers are all about. I think the Steelers hammer the rats Saturday.... look the fuck out!

[Legacy User]

But I'm really tired of the Ben is under appreciated for walking on water. I agree he will be a HOF QB-but to many of you he transcends the game. He had a very good statistical season but he also has arguably the best skill position players in the NFL and he still had some shitty games.
.

Slow clap

[Stosh-67]

Good thoughts.............
Ben, Bell, AB..........incredible season.
We all know what kind of season those three had.......
but to think we would get so much more out of the other guys is amazing
Heath 66/760
Wheaton 53/644
Bryant 26/549.

Suishy 29/ 32

How bout Timmons.........heat seeking missle all year........did not matter what color uniform either...lol.
He had big hit after big hit last night......stopped Hill in his tracks on one play. Was a wow tackle/pop.

Gotta be excited about the depth of the LB..........
considering players that we were not expecting much out of stepped up....Williams and Spence..........with the hope that Jones and Shazier live up to their draft clippings and first round expectations.
If that happens with these two.........look out.

And love the tandom of Heyward and Tuit. Those are two kids with very good size.........both 6'-5"......and both are strong. Tuits potential is scary.
The pressure these two have been creating up the middle has been a difference maker.
More importanly..........its that pressure up the middle that is most effective vs. a Brady and Manning.

Think about what players we were counting on to start the season.............and how things turned out, what changes we went thru and the players starting last night. Specifically the defense.

The secondary: Ike, Troy, Mitchell, Tez...........all big parts of the secondary plans......two have been banged up, one big FA dissapointment and our most promising CB stink, stank, stunk.
The bandaids and reserves: Gay, Blake, McCain.............a depth slot DB in Gay turned into our best corner. Two street guys came in and made a difference
The forgotten piece or question mark; Shamarko

The LB's: Jarvis, Timmons, Shaz, Worilds..............injuries to Jarvis and Shaz and a slow and dissapointing start by Worilds.
The bandaids and reserves: amazing what Harrison came in and did, Williams, Spence and Moats
The forgotton piece or questions mark. Jones and Shaz.

The line: Heyward, Mac, Thomas...........two reliable vets and the big turnstile.
The badais and reserves: amazing what Keisel came in and did, Big Dan, Tuit....
The forgotton pieces and question marks: Big Dan.

Just looking at the players who started the season who were not in the game last night or played a much smaller roll than they did to start the season. Ike, Troy, Tez, Shaz, Jarvis, Thomas..........6 out of 11 starters.

Great job by the staff in not only having guys ready to step in due to injury....but to also make the changes based on performance.

Excited fot eh playoffs....but also excited to add three or four pieces to this defense in the draft and FA..............with the hopes to hit on two solid difference makers.

[Legacy User]

Who cares what people think about Ben? There comes a time in life when you can't be worried about what other people say about you and just do what you do. There is no doubt that Ben should be in the conversation for MVP. Heck they've been trying to get Romo in the conversation and he's not even the MVP of that team. The MVP trophy should be renamed to the Top Fantasy Points Producer Trophy because that's all it is. In all honesty JJ Watt should win it. He willed that team to 9 wins and never threw a pass.

I think that outside of SBs Ben could care less about having any more attention or having people in Heart She Holler, KY thinking he's great. I would say this if you gave Ben a choice between the MVP or the SBMVP- then which one would he take?

[Steelafan77]

Gimme a fucking break. Yeah you can say what you want about Ben and his "poor games" and even that he has "arguably" some of the best skill position players in the league. And? So what!

Something that manning, brees, brady, rodgers, rivers, romo have all enjoyed too. I hate the discrediting of Ben that goes on here. Like Ben doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as other successful QB's that have had stellar skill position players and excellent OLine protection just about their entire careers.

Finally, for once Ben is being protected well (the most sacked QB since the stats inception) along with ideal skill position players. Now we finally get to see/enjoy the Ben Roethlisberger that Steelers fans have always understood him to be. About fucking time.

[RemoAZ]

But I'm really tired of the Ben is under appreciated for walking on water. I agree he will be a HOF QB-but to many of you he transcends the game. He had a very good statistical season but he also has arguably the best skill position players in the NFL and he still had some shitty games.
.

Slow clap

Yeah I think he's received plenty of credit from the experts. We all know he's never going to get the NFL PR machine behind him because of his past issues. He's hot right now and has to stay hot for us to win. We can't afford one of the stinkers he had earlier in the season. He's got a shot for 7 now. That's what's important. Where he ranks in the MVP voting doesn't mean shit. He's BenVP to us.

[Gonzo]

But I'm really tired of the Ben is under appreciated for walking on water. I agree he will be a HOF QB-but to many of you he transcends the game. He had a very good statistical season but he also has arguably the best skill position players in the NFL and he still had some shitty games.
.

Slow clap

Long yawn

[Legacy User]

It isn't even being critical of Ben. I'm a fan.

It's a team sport. And it seems there are two constants here. Attack J Jones. And Ben is Neil Young- while the rest of the team is as interchangable/relevant as Crazy Horse and the Silver Bullet band.

It verges on gay love.

[lifelongsteel]

It isn't even being critical of Ben. I'm a fan.

It's a team sport. And it seems there are two constants here. Attack J Jones. And Ben is Neil Young- while the rest of the team is as interchangable/relevant as Crazy Horse and the Silver Bullet band.

It verges on gay love.

This is where I'm at Clem. People have been using Ben's greatness for years to tear down pretty much every other member of the team, the coaching staff and the FO. Lately i've heard that our 2008 defense wasn't really that good because Ben was so great in our stretch run that year.

[Steelafan77]

Well clem the constants you refer to are from the few that enjoy confrontation here. Read into the gay love thing all you want. That's just your perception. As far as JJ goes? I like JJ and believe that the nay sayers are in for a surprise but that's just an opinion. Fully agree this team has come together and gotten hot at the right time. Ben has the same opportunities as those mentioned in my previous post. I think he delivers. As far as neil young goes? Can't stand the dude's voice.

[zeke5123]

Great post Ron.

People don't act like Ben is infallible. I've seen tons of criticism of Ben. If anything, people critcize the guy way too much. He is a legit MVP candidate, won the passing title, and led his team to a division win. Yet he has been critcized for everything from dropped passes to not elevating the defense. Ben actually had a mediocre game last night and still put up huge numbers. It's fine to offer tepid criticism while acknowledging the general awesomeness that is Big Ben.

[Legacy User]

Good post, I want to add one unsung hero that was crucified around here and Collinsworth nicely pointed out

Marcus Gilbert has been very good. Excellent in run game and much improved in protections. I would've said Beachum but he's been recognized some as of late.

77 is beginning to earn that deal. That's on Tomlin bringing in Munchak, and Munchak coaching him up

I thought Gilbert was outstanding last night in pass pro, Beachum, too. bengals aren't exactly worldbeaters in sacks but OL looks to have really improved in that aspect of the game.

For years now Ive compared Beachums size to former pro bowler Matt Light. The guy that kept Marcia Brady clean at LT. Same size as an all pro LT and with physical skills to move. That's also why Pouncey is Beachum's backup.

Now he's getting the top quality coaching from Munchak that he and the others needed to put their god given skills to optimum use.

Beachum isn't too small, not at his age. He'll be very serviceable for 5 plus years.

[Stosh-67]

Yes.....amazing that Romo has jumped up into the MVP talk..when as mentioned.....he probably not even the MVP of his team ( Murray)
and Given that he has the best OL in the game with a top 3 RB, as well as a top 3 WR, and a top 10 TE..........plays in great weather most every game....
and has had an easy schedule down the strech..........

The PS have had a playoff type game for 4 straight weeks.........vs. teams fighting to get in as well. Ben and the PS went 4-0...just like Romo.
I do not think many on this site are blind to Bens warts..................i said on the podcast before Houston game....That Ben needed to play better.

I think the fact that we see every single snap of Bens game/career...........allows us to see the bad plays, passes of Ben..........
9 picks in 600 attempts? 3 or 4 of those probably tips?..........In a year in which 4 of his 6 WR's never caught a pass from him.....while the 5th one had 6 catches from him.
Think of that for a moment............5 of his 6 WR's caught a combined 6 balls from him......ever.

While some of the so called ellite guys seem more ellite..........because we do not watch every single snap.
Since most of us just see the good to great highlights (Espn, NFL Network) of the other top QB's....as opposed to seeing every single snap, pick, should of been a pick and wtf throws.

Ben's bad games are one pick...sometimes two...........some of his bad games he rights the ship and finishes the game strong.
His bad games are not colassal bad games like the Mannings have had, like Brady and Rodgers have had this year ( maybe not colassal for these two...but certainly shut down). Like Brees has had many times this year......a year in which he has thrown 15 or more picks for the 8th season........( Ben twice)..........while playing about 10 of 16 games ina dome every year.

On the other hand..........I do think Ben has to walk on water to get approval or appreciated by a few on this board. I'm ok with that.......that is not an issue i have.....or can help someone thru.
When one finds that QB that can walk on water....and be perfect pass after pass, series after series, game after game...............i will then know that football is no longer football.....and will start picking up more books on Sundays.

[zeke5123]

Yes.....amazing that Romo has jumped up into the MVP talk..when as mentioned.....he probably not even the MVP of his team ( Murray)
and Given that he has the best OL in the game with a top 3 RB, as well as a top 3 WR, and a top 10 TE..........plays in great weather most every game....
and has had an easy schedule down the strech..........

The PS have had a playoff type game for 4 straight weeks.........vs. teams fighting to get in as well. Ben and the PS went 4-0...just like Romo.
I do not think many on this site are blind to Bens warts..................i said on the podcast before Houston game....That Ben needed to play better.

I think the fact that we see every single snap of Bens game/career...........allows us to see the bad plays, passes of Ben..........
9 picks in 600 attempts? 3 or 4 of those probably tips?..........In a year in which 4 of his 6 WR's never caught a pass from him.....while the 5th one had 6 catches from him.
Think of that for a moment............5 of his 6 WR's caught a combined 6 balls from him......ever.

While some of the so called ellite guys seem more ellite..........because we do not watch every single snap.
Since most of us just see the good to great highlights (Espn, NFL Network) of the other top QB's....as opposed to seeing every single snap, pick, should of been a pick and wtf throws.

Ben's bad games are one pick...sometimes two...........some of his bad games he rights the ship and finishes the game strong.
His bad games are not colassal bad games like the Mannings have had, like Brady and Rodgers have had this year ( maybe not colassal for these two...but certainly shut down). Like Brees has had many times this year......a year in which he has thrown 15 or more picks for the 8th season........( Ben twice)..........while playing about 10 of 16 games ina dome every year.

On the other hand..........I do think Ben has to walk on water to get approval or appreciated by a few on this board. I'm ok with that.......that is not an issue i have.....or can help someone thru.
When one finds that QB that can walk on water....and be perfect pass after pass, series after series, game after game...............i will then know that football is no longer football.....and will start picking up more books on Sundays.

I've said this for years. Thanks for making the point better than I have tried.

[Jobu]

Yes.....amazing that Romo has jumped up into the MVP talk..when as mentioned.....he probably not even the MVP of his team ( Murray)
and Given that he has the best OL in the game with a top 3 RB, as well as a top 3 WR, and a top 10 TE..........plays in great weather most every game....
and has had an easy schedule down the strech..........

The PS have had a playoff type game for 4 straight weeks.........vs. teams fighting to get in as well. Ben and the PS went 4-0...just like Romo.
I do not think many on this site are blind to Bens warts..................i said on the podcast before Houston game....That Ben needed to play better.

I think the fact that we see every single snap of Bens game/career...........allows us to see the bad plays, passes of Ben..........
9 picks in 600 attempts? 3 or 4 of those probably tips?..........In a year in which 4 of his 6 WR's never caught a pass from him.....while the 5th one had 6 catches from him.
Think of that for a moment............5 of his 6 WR's caught a combined 6 balls from him......ever.

While some of the so called ellite guys seem more ellite..........because we do not watch every single snap.
Since most of us just see the good to great highlights (Espn, NFL Network) of the other top QB's....as opposed to seeing every single snap, pick, should of been a pick and wtf throws.

Ben's bad games are one pick...sometimes two...........some of his bad games he rights the ship and finishes the game strong.
His bad games are not colassal bad games like the Mannings have had, like Brady and Rodgers have had this year ( maybe not colassal for these two...but certainly shut down). Like Brees has had many times this year......a year in which he has thrown 15 or more picks for the 8th season........( Ben twice)..........while playing about 10 of 16 games ina dome every year.

On the other hand..........I do think Ben has to walk on water to get approval or appreciated by a few on this board. I'm ok with that.......that is not an issue i have.....or can help someone thru.
When one finds that QB that can walk on water....and be perfect pass after pass, series after series, game after game...............i will then know that football is no longer football.....and will start picking up more books on Sundays.

Excellent

[R_S]

Nice to see you no longer want to "blow it up" RON.