Steelers Team Talent level at #9 in NFL

Here's an interesting article showing the Steelers in the ninth spot in terms of team talent. Take a look at the list and see if you'd make some changes ...

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...1222106=1&utm_source=t.co&utm_medium=referral

 

I have to question the Titans, Chargers and even the Saints as having more talent than the Steelers (on paper).

 

The chargers have been ranked as one of the most talented teams, on paper, since 2007 at this point I think it's just one of those things people keep hearing so they keep saying it.

The Saints I can understand. With how surprisingly well their defense played last season, it should be better (should) this year, plus they did a pot in free agency.

The titans I don't understand at all

 

When I read it and he had the Giants at ten, he lost all credibility.

 

Lym:
I have to question the Titans, Chargers and even the Saints as having more talent than the Steelers (on paper).

I agree with this Lym and even as I do think the Saints are coming on defensively, they aren't there yet and time will tell if they actually do get there ...
The Titans have a longer row to hoe and as rR1 said, the Chargers have been tagged with this moniker for years and have not yet produced ...
and I could not have agreed more Gid ... really? the giants? you'll see why in a minute...

so this isn't all the stats he'd have gone by to get to his article topic, but they are very telling in a big picture view...

offense team total stats

NO #2
PGH #3
Charger#4
Jax#6
Philly#7
ATL#8
RAMS#10
Minn#11
NY#21
TENN#23

Defense team total stats

Minn#1
Jax#2
Philly#4
PGH#5
ATL#9
TENN#13
Chargers#15
NO#17
RAMS#19
NY#31

http://www.espn.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/total/position/defense

according to these numbers, again in the big picture for seasons end last year, I think he's missed on all the occasions you guys do and looking closer, perhaps a few others if you balance out both Offense and Defense numbers. I mean, not outrageously but I do question some of the placements.

and, of course, not to be a homer but the Steelers are only 1 of 3 teams top 5 in both categories... so #9 seems a tad low to me.

 

I just looked at that article now. I agree with the top 4 at least, although I'd move the Rams to 2nd. I'd probably have the Steelers at 5.

 

Gill Brandt is highly anti-Steeler because we kicked the Cowboys asses twice in the SB while he worked for them.

 

My top 10 teams ranked on "Talent" on all sides of the ball... not necessarily cohesion of that talent (or the Pats would be Top 3):
1. Eagles
2. Rams
3. Jaguars (I was high on that talent there before last season started)
4. Vikings
5. Steelers
6. Saints
7. Falcons
8. Texans (there is tons of talent that just needs to come together better)
9. Patriots
10. Titans (need to get over the injuries completely but they edge out teams like the Panthers and Chargers, for now)

Clearly where that talent is exactly and how it's used is important. My list has 5 teams from each Conference but if I did Power Rankings then there'd be only 3 teams from the AFC in the top 10.

 

I’m gonna have to put some thought into this, but my phone inititial thoughts are the list in the article needs some work.

 

It uses different criteria for each team. It's BS.

 

Joe, I agree with top 4 with Rams in #2... they re going to be freaking scary this year. I also like your top 10 w/ Steelers at #5. That, IMO is a much better placement of all the team talent and survey should have included the Pats in the first place. I'm looking forward to Tim's final thoughts. Sure they may not mimic yours but will be surprised if not more in line than Gil's.

Joe:
It uses different criteria for each team. It's BS.

This certainly allows for the "Gill Brandt is highly anti-Steeler" from Gid. I'm sure Brandt would disavow all claims of such, but still leaves him open to criticism by using vying criteria for each team. It is BS and IMO an unprofessional approach (unless it's just intentionally him poking the bear for something to do until September)

 

Aren't he Rams already facing some injury woes?

 

I think KC should be in the top 8 IMHO. I understand they don't have A. Smith now, but obviously they believe they have upgraded at QB with Pat Mahomes.

 

They have a talented offense, we'll find out if it Mahomes will run it as well as Smith did. Where they lack the talent though is D. Lost their aging leader in Derrick Johnson, traded their shut down corner/turnover machine Peters, Justin Houston has been dinged up the last couple years and that begins to take a toll. Thats a lot of talent they lost, especially with Peters who really is the only loss of talent, but thats a damn big loss. They were so desperate for a #2 CB the called Revis, who's island has become a vacation spot over the years. Their best talent on D is Berry and that is one talented safety when healthy. He brings talent that they were lacking when he was out with injury last season. I'm not saying they aren't a top 8 talented team, I'd put them somewhere 8-12 myself.

On a side note, those Chargers do look awfully talented. If they figure out how to play in September they'll be a player come January. Seems like every year they come out flat to start the season then come on strong to finish and end up a game short. You can't tell me Buffalo or Tennessee was a better team at the end of the regular season. Both LA teams are top in talent, whether they can put it together on the field remains to be seen.

The Steelers at 9 is low IMO. That being said, I hope the rest of the media follows suit. They seem to let good press go to their heads...

 

My first thought before even looking at the list - Coaching

NE isn’t even mentioned in the top 10, sure maybe thy should be but no higher than 8 or 9 like beloved LAOJoe has them ranked and they’ll probably be at worst in the AFC championship game again because of their coaching.

Tired of arguing how much talent the Steelers have, Tomlin and the coaching staff have to do a better job and stop getting out coached in the playoffs.

 

Interesting list...

1. Eagles - probably deserve to be up here but I really don't like the talent in the secondary and at WR. But the front 7 and o-line (running game) is so ridiculously talented it helps cover those warts. Definitely Top 3.
2. Jaguars - don't see this at all. If we're ranking based on draft position than I get it because they have a glutton of Top 10 talent but not all of those guys have lived up to their draft position. Defense is pretty good but their two big acquisitions (Dareus and Bouye) last year haven't lived up to the hype. Offensively this team is severely lacking in playmakers outside of the RBs. I probably wouldn't have this team in my Top 10.
3. Rams - Pretty balanced team. I don't like their LB (both inside and edge) talent but they are so good at creating pressure inside it makes up for it. That said, if they were to lose Donald for any portion of the season I think that defense would really struggle. I think they belong in the Top 5.
4. Vikings - If I were going to put a team ahead of the Eagles this would probably be that team. Definitely Top 3.
5. Titans - Huh? I guess they are hyping the off season acquisitions (Butler, Landry, Evans) for this ranking but I'd like to see them fit with the team before I put them in the Top 5. This offense if very, very underwhelming. A big season from Corey Davis could move the needle for me because I think he could be really good but without that big-time offensive player I don't see it. Not even sure if they make my Top 10. I'd have to do more research.
6. Chargers - Until these guys as a group can play consistently winning formula I just have to ding them. I get it's an exercise of talent but sometimes winning is a talent and this group hasn't done it. They also get dinged at TE. Not sure if this posted before or after the Henry injury but they really needed him to break out on offense this year and he's gone now.
7. Saints - This team is probably the most underrated on the list. I'd have them in my Top 5. This team is very deep and I expect them to make a run in 2018.
8. Falcons - Another underrated, deep team. I would easily have them ahead of the Jags, Titans and Chargers.
9. Steelers - I doubt anyone will look at my analysis here as anything less than biased but I think it's pretty ridiculous to look at what this team has done over the last 3 seasons and have them at 9. Yes, the Shazier loss is huge for this team and until they fix that hole they appear weak but this team has all of sudden become very deep at DB and their d-line is very good. Add in the ridiculous amount of talent on the offensive side of the ball and they're a Top 5 team. And they've played like it.
10. Giants - Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha... It would take a significant investment of time that I don't have but I'm not sure they make my Top 20.

So my list...

1. Vikings
2. Eagles
3. Steelers
4. Rams
5. Saints
6. Falcons
7. Cowboys - the talent didn't dry up because they had a bad season. They don't have many holes. Depth is poor but when healthy they are very balanced.
8. Bengals - don't laugh. This team may win the division next year. I'll be surprised if they are not a playoff team. Need quality Center play from the rookie.
9. Jaguars
10. Chargers

 

I think the to 7, at least the ones I have are a clear top 7. After that I picked the Texans, Patriots and Titans but you can replace then with half a dozen other teams. The reason I have those are because of injuries causing them to under-succeed, or, in the case of the Pats, the different kind of talent compared to the norm.

 

I kinda forgot about the Texans. They're pretty talented sans the o-line which is not good at all. And o-line goes a long way.

 

Ya well there seems to be a big flaw in "talent" on all the teams as you go down the list and the drop is steep from 7 to 8. IMO.

 

Your list is pretty good. I don't agree with the Bengals, who will reside in mediocrity while Dalton is the QB. Don't like their WR corps outside of Green, not a huge fan of their DL. Cowboys are another I am unsure about, they lost Witten and Bryant, and Prescott has to prove his rookie year was the norm and last season was an aberration, but they have enough talent elsewhere that they make a good enough argument for this spot...I would remove the Bengals, move the Jags and Chargers up and place the Raiders, Broncos, or Texans at #10. I personally feel that there isn't a big difference in talent from 8-14.