Steelers Receiving Corps could be scary good this year

[DaBruinz]

With Ward and Holmes as their starters, Shaun McDonald as the slot man and Limas Sweed and Mike Wallace behind them, the Steelers look to have a very strong receiving corp. Glad the Pats don't have to face them.

 

[jmt57]

Yeah, I think Pittsburgh is flying under the radar right now, if that's possible for a defending champion. Hines Ward is a consummate professional. Besides being a consistent 1000 yard receiver he's fundamentally sound, from getting open for a first down to being one of the best WR run blockers in the game. Santonio Holmes has gone over 800 yards in each of his first three seasons and should only get better. Add Sweed and McDonald, along with TE Heath Miller and they'll be tough to cover.

In addition their offensive line was hurt badly by injuries last year so they should be improved in pass protection as well. If that's not enough they also get the addition of RB Rashard Mendenhall who only played a couple of games last year before going on IR.

This offense is probably better than the one Pittsburgh had in Roethlisberger's rookie year with Ward, Burress and Randle El as his receivers, and that team went 15-1. They still have one of the best if not the best defense in the NFL; put it together with what their offense appears to be capable of and they could be in line for another very big season.

 

[Dino 6 Rings]

Now if they can just start converting those short yardage running plays...they may be headed back to the playoffs.

 

[Triggerfish]

Now if they can just start converting those short yardage running plays...they may be headed back to the playoffs.

...or if they figure out that it's ok to throw on 1st and 2nd down too (not JUST 3rd). Run, Run, Pass. I like their potential on Offense this season, but Arians has gotta get away from the "vanilla playcalling". Way too many 3rd and longs last season and an O-line that wasn't able to contain the blitz that was obviously coming each time.

I keep waiting for big things from Mendenhall, but so far (albeit it in limited action) I'm not impressed. I REALLY hope he doesn't turn out to be a dud. Such potential and a great draft pick in my opinion, but dude needs to step up this year for sure and earn his keep.

 

[Synovia]

In addition their offensive line was hurt badly by injuries last year so they should be improved in pass protection as well. If that's not enough they also get the addition of RB Rashard Mendenhall who only played a couple of games last year before going on IR.

I'm not sure about that. While their backups weren't good, I'm not sure they were any worse than the starters. Theres a huge lack of talent in that O-Line.

 

[Kontradiction]

With Ward and Holmes as their starters, Shaun McDonald as the slot man and Limas Sweed and Mike Wallace behind them, the Steelers look to have a very strong receiving corp. Glad the Pats don't have to face them.

I'm not glad the Pats don't have to face them. They do have a deep receiving corps but I would love to see a Pats/Steelers regular season and/or postseason game. To be the best, you have to beat the best.

I do have a feeling that we'll be meeting the Steel City squad in the playoffs at some point though.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Steelers also have the best front 7.

their o-line is not good so if we do play them this is where we have to attack. taking down ben could be a problem.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Yeah, I think Pittsburgh is flying under the radar right now, if that's possible for a defending champion. Hines Ward is a consummate professional. Besides being a consistent 1000 yard receiver he's fundamentally sound, from getting open for a first down to being one of the best WR run blockers in the game. Santonio Holmes has gone over 800 yards in each of his first three seasons and should only get better. Add Sweed and McDonald, along with TE Heath Miller and they'll be tough to cover.

In addition their offensive line was hurt badly by injuries last year so they should be improved in pass protection as well. If that's not enough they also get the addition of RB Rashard Mendenhall who only played a couple of games last year before going on IR.

This offense is probably better than the one Pittsburgh had in Roethlisberger's rookie year with Ward, Burress and Randle El as his receivers, and that team went 15-1. They still have one of the best if not the best defense in the NFL; put it together with what their offense appears to be capable of and they could be in line for another very big season.

With Brady healthy, the Steelers would be lucky to stay within 3 touchdowns.

 

[Dino 6 Rings]

With Brady healthy, the Steelers would be lucky to stay within 3 touchdowns.

That's so cute.

 

[ausbacker]

Steelers aren't flying under the radar. They are the defending Superbowl champions with a fundamentally sound defense, however Brady has proven that you can shellack them if you're good enough.

I'm not pleased we aren't playing them during the regular season. I always want to play against the best opponents.. and beat them.

 

[Kontradiction]

That's so cute.

Your offense is good and we all know what your defense can do. However, if there is one quarterback in the entire league that can tear up a **** LeBeau defense, it's Brady. And you guys know damn well what our offense can do. Now keep in mind that, for the first time in a few years, Belichick has a good mix of youth/speed and veteran leadership on this defense. I'm not saying our defense is going to be number one but they have the potential to be pretty damn good. I wouldn't call it a 3 touchdown blowout like someone else did but I do think that we can hang 30-34 on the Steelers and still keep Big Ben and that offense around 20-21, if even that.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

After the 2007 game, someone asked Bouchette on the Post Gazette blog how many games the Steelers would win against the pats in a 10 game format.

Bouchette's answer: As many as they have already won.

Considering how Arizona lit up that defense, I would not worry.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

After the 2007 game, someone asked Bouchette on the Post Gazette blog how many games the Steelers would win against the pats in a 10 game format.

Bouchette's answer: As many as they have already won.

Considering how Arizona lit up that defense, I would not worry.

yeah other than polamalu their secondary is pretty weak. it's their LB corp that scares me. they will be tough to run against, much like the giants.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

yeah other than polamalu their secondary is pretty weak. it's their LB corp that scares me. they will be tough to run against, much like the giants.

Essentially you ndon't have to run against them. The better passing teams can handle the zone blitz and let the torching begin.

The Steelers are the least of our worries.

 

[ICSB]

The Steelers are the least of our worries.

Your offense is good and we all know what your defense can do. However, if there is one quarterback in the entire league that can tear up a **** LeBeau defense, it's Brady. And you guys know damn well what our offense can do. Now keep in mind that, for the first time in a few years, Belichick has a good mix of youth/speed and veteran leadership on this defense. I'm not saying our defense is going to be number one but they have the potential to be pretty damn good. I wouldn't call it a 3 touchdown blowout like someone else did but I do think that we can hang 30-34 on the Steelers and still keep Big Ben and that offense around 20-21, if even that.

You guys are such homers here.

 

[Kontradiction]

You guys are such homers here.

Why am I a homer? I think that's a pretty fair assessment. Nobody, not even Manning, picks apart LeBeau's defense like Brady does.

I guess the resident posters at ColtFreaks aren't homers though, right?

 

[ICSB]

I guess the resident posters at ColtFreaks aren't homers though, right?

I can't stand that place.
I was honestly just teasing you though.

 

[Kontradiction]

I can't stand that place.
I was honestly just teasing you though.

Good. If you weren't, I was gonna track you down and put an Internet Bad Ass beat down on you.

 

[ICSB]

As for the Steelers receivers I am sure they will be good but I am not sure about scary good.

The big question for me about that team is the o line. They did manage to win the Super Bowl with it but it sort of reminds me of the 2006 Colts run D. Did the problem really get fixed or was it just a unit getting hot at the right time? Time will tell.

You know your o line is bad when you could not even run the ball on last years Colts.

 

[Dino 6 Rings]

Your offense is good and we all know what your defense can do. However, if there is one quarterback in the entire league that can tear up a **** LeBeau defense, it's Brady. And you guys know damn well what our offense can do. Now keep in mind that, for the first time in a few years, Belichick has a good mix of youth/speed and veteran leadership on this defense. I'm not saying our defense is going to be number one but they have the potential to be pretty damn good. I wouldn't call it a 3 touchdown blowout like someone else did but I do think that we can hang 30-34 on the Steelers and still keep Big Ben and that offense around 20-21, if even that.

I would like to see the game, we'll see what happens. I like to think that returning 9 starters on defense, upgrading our Special teams with our Punter back and a new Punt Return man, and Kick off Return man, and our Offense having 3 healthy backs instead of 1 journeyman 3rd down back to carry the load should be enough to open up our Passing game even more. The Loss of washington is being washed out with the pick up of McDonald for a slot guy, Sweed as the tall receiver (when he doesn't drop the ball) and Wallace, the rookie 3rd round pick out of Ole Miss with the blazing speed.

Secondary wise, Troy and Clark run the backfield, Ike Taylor is a good corner, not shut down and has stone hands, but he's good, and we'll see if Gay can perform up to the standard of McFadden, also we have Deshea Townsend (if he makes the final cut) as our veteran back up and nickle back who can play corner or safety in a pinch. I don't even have to mention the linebackers or downline men.

The oline just had Stapleton put on the IR but that might be a good thing. It should actually be a better unit this year with a year and entire off season of working together instead of the hodge podge we went into last season with when we still had Mahan fighting for the Center position and what not. I Hope they improve. Its the only real question mark.

I have all the confidence in this team that I had last year. Our Schedule isn't as brutal this season, hopefully, they stay focussed each week and don't do something brain dead like lose to teams they should beat like they did 2 years ago with the Cardinals and Jets losses. We Start with the Titans. Its a big test, but honestly, I think the Titans will suffer a dose of reality this season and be a just over .500 team. They have a tougher schedule themselves this year so we'll see what happens when they start 0-1 after we stomp their faces into the mud next thursday night for our home opener. The Terrible Towel Curse is in effect for them. Doomed just like the Bengals from 05.