The GOOD, The BAD, and The UGLY - 2013 SEASON REVIEW

THE GOOD:

For the most part, the Steelers offense under Todd Haley. There have been several bumps, and a little heavy leaning on the WR screens (understand the philosophy is to deal damage to blitzing defenses), but the offense generated the 3rd highest amount points in the final 8 weeks of the season. Things look good here.

Le'veon Bell is, as predicted, a BEAST. Had he not missed the initial 3 weeks, and had less "platooning" he would have easily won ROY. I state that clearly based on what he did down the stretch. Great hands, even better vision, and the refusal to go down on the first hit,and the kid never falls backwards.

Antonio Brown put up career and record numbers. The choice to re-sign him over Mike Wallace should have no one scratching their heads any longer. One of, if not THE most consistent receivers playing in the NFL. I'd still like to see him lay out for the occasional over thrown pass. Seems like that's a lost art in the NFL anymore.

Cameron Heyward has developed. As each week went on, you could see his confidence growing, the batted balls started coming, the tackles for loss came, and he got better pressure on the QB.

Jason Worilds made the decision who to keep in the off-season plain as day, IMO. Monetary considerations aside, there is little doubt this kid has more value than Woodley and he needs to be brought back.

The O-Line, as a banged up unit. Yes,the Steelers recently fired their line coach, but this unit DID give up less sacks, (probably the beneficiaries of Haley's screen happy offense and no huddle) but they played better, none the less.

Ben Roethlisberger is ELITE. Give Ben a solid running back for 16 games and we see even higher numbers and WINS. He stayed healthy, made few mistakes,and took even fewer dumbestass sacks than in years prior.

Troy Polamalu showed very little signs of nearing retirement. He's still flying all over the place, I just wish he'd not be out of position as frequently,and stop guessing so much. Bring him back at a home town discount and allow him to retire coming out of a least a playoff run.

Todd Haley. I know I've bashed him on occasion, but the guy's offense worked. Once the pieces stay HEALTHY for 16 games, they could push for one of the league's top offenses in 2014.

Brett Keisel gave everything he had, right through the final game against the Browns. He'll be missed.




THE BAD:

Mike Tomlin's inability to incent his players to motivate for 16 games. They continue to struggle against inferior opponents, they couldn't beat the crap awful Raiders or Titans, which cost them once again this year. Until Tomlin decides to cut his bullshiit schtick and rhetoric routine, this team will continue to struggle against bad opponents. The "Standard" must be raised in 2014. Of course, I said that last year, and where'd that go?

The Steelers secondary. Ike Taylor could be the most over-rated corner in the NFL's history. Called a shut down corner, he was anything but. HE can't cover, he can't catch, and he can't tackle. Reputations are sometimes given with no credibility behind them. Taylor was exposed 2 years ago, and it buried him as a Steeler in 2013. See ya Ike.

Ryan Clark retired last year, obviously. He played much of this season NOT TO GET HURT. I heard very little out of him, and I don't mean his typical blabber mouth.

Special teams. Any team that has Felix Jones as the "premier kick returner" deserves everything they get from that. There was NEVER any thought of changing a game via a kick return. Way too many mistakes and game killers from this entire unit. Except for one trick play,this season was a disaster for the special teams, and I expect Danny Smith to be shown the door next.



THE UGLY

LaMarr Woodley you are a mess. Got paid, got lazy. Contributed absolutely nothing over the past 3 seasons, and should have been traded out last year. the guy has to go, and it's going to cost the team no matter by what way they choose to do it.

Starting 2 - 6. Pathetic. The pre-season was evidence enough of just how weak Tomlin's coaching really is. The Lolli-Poppers will point to the 6 - 2 finish, but the damage was already done, and mediocrity doesn't fly for MOST Pittsburgh fans. They only have 6 games against 2013 playoff teams next year, which means 10 weaker than league best opponents. If nothing changes, do not expect playoffs in 2014 either. Pray they don't see the Titans week 1 - 5!

Maurkice Pouncey. Out played by two back-ups, not one. Pouncey got by on reputation, also. Too bad, now it (his rep) has become "injury prone and unable to stay healthy for 16 games".

 

I have no issues with most of what you wrote...all good stuff...but this,

is silly. Sometimes I wonder what it is you are watching. Velasco played well for a street free agent, but he was no Pouncey. Pouncey's reputation is deserved. We don't have another lineman that gets to the second level like he does. I honestly believe that if DeCastro doesn't shred Pouncey's knee (I don't know how anyone can be pissed at Pouncey for getting hurt, btw!) on the first series of the season, this team wins at least 2 of their first 4 games. He is that important to this offense and the unit looked lost for half a season without him.

 

The Good:
We saw some young players develop over the season and that gives the Steelers a better understanding of what positions they want to draft. The year after the 0-4 start was nice but too late. I was surprised they were in it until the last game of the season. I have to admit that I was one of the people knocking them during that stretch. But the AFC is soooo mediocre. This is what the NFL & GODell want with the playoff system. 4 teams battling for the last wild card, right?

The Bad:
Age and injuries have beset the the team as a whole and it's time for some new blood at a few positions. Fewer than most people probably think, except Steelers fans. Some draftniks have the Steelers picking an OL. This might be the LAST place they should draft at. Hopefully next year the OL and team can stay healthy and they have a good draft.

The Ugly:
The 0-4 start kind of ruined what would have been a good season. Getting screwed by the ref's all year, especially the Chiefs missed field goal. The Browns supposedly having more pro bowler's than any team in the North, yet finished in last place. The officiating has been terrible. Especially as to whether a knee is down for a fumble or not. Not sure I can remember a year it's been so bad. Obviously, some plays should be reviewed that aren't reviewable. Some of the rules are so messed up as to whether a team can challenge, the officials have to discuss it for 15 minutes and have a huddle with every official on the field as to their interpretation of a rule!

 

I'll be your huckleberry.

Following his 2012 campaign, Pouncey surrendered the second highest amount of sacks in the league among centers, fourth highest number of quarterback hits and hurries, and had 6 blown blocks in a run game that ranked 31st in the NFL going up the middle. That is not the resume of a Pro Bowler or anyone who is "one of the best centers in the league". Maurkice Pouncey is one of the most overrated players in the NFL.

 

Guys that make All-Pro in their first three seasons aren't overrated. Pro Bowls? Sure, lots of guys make that because it's voted on by the fans. The AP guys are at practices, training camps, in locker rooms, talk to opposing coaches and front office guys and have the pulse of the NFL.

The only place Pouncey is overrated is among Steelers fans (and Ravens fans because every Steeler is overrated). And that's not unusual. Steelers fans are always the Steelers' players harshest critics - with a few notable exceptions.

 

I take issue with that, i like both decastro and pouncey and get a good giggle every time i hear how bad pouncey is from steeler fans because id take him in a heart beat.

sure i think some players are overrated but we arent all perfect, its merely my opinion, bias or not, it doesnt matter, i came to my conclusion based upon wht i see, and im also sure im a bigger fan of timmons than most who sport the black and gold. and ben too.

2k

 

False, he surrendered two all season.

False, he was T-6th with 11 (Dan Koppen and Mike Pouncey led the NFL with 7)

Not sure where "blown blocks" come from but 6 in a season is phenomenal. Your stats are off and so is your evaluation of Pouncey. Stick to LBs Steelerking. Your evaluation of offensive players historically hasn't been good (A. Brown).

 

Sorry 2k. I shouldn't group you all together.

 

Just repeating what I read in a sports illustrated article: http://nfl.si.com/2013/08/20/the-audibles-all-overrated-team-the-offense/

So if I'm wrong on that, then so are they and they should amend their article. What's my history of being wrong about offensive players? Saying that Ben was better than Andy Dalton (you)? Antonio Brown...eh, yeah I did feel he was overrated (by some Steelers fans) going into the 2013 season but that doesn't exactly point to a poor evaluation of his talent on my part. Let's keep in mind that just like there are plenty among us who are the team's staunchest critics, there are an equal or larger number of fans who do have a tendency to overrate our players.

 

Yes they should. I don't always agree with PFF's evaluations but when it comes to stats they are the unquestioned leader in the clubhouse.

Yeah when you called Antonio Brown "overrated" in the Torrey vs. Antonio Brown thread I was pretty surprised. I think this year proves they are on two different levels. One guy is open all day, the other is a one trick pony. As for Ben vs. Dalton, I criticized Ben the first four weeks and he deserved it. His outright refusal to get the ball out of his hands the first four weeks made winning damn near impossible and if that's the way he was going to continue to play I would have taken a guy like Dalton over him (weighing in his salary). At least Dalton was taking to coaching and playing within the game plan. I always maintained Ben was twice as talented. Thankfully he bought in and they won 8 of the next 12 games. Either way, I was just busting your balls about the offensive player thing.

You're right but Pouncey isn't one of them. He is universally respected around the league for his ability to block guys at the second level and anchor against larger o-linemen. When you look around the league at centers you can find a lot of guys like Max Unger that can move but you put a NT over top of them and he gets pushed into the QBs lap. Conversely there are guys like Eric Wood that can anchor but can't hit LBs in space. Very few guys (Pouncey, Pouncey, Mangold, Myers, Mack) can do both and that's why he's so highly thought of by NFL people. I have a set of screenshots of Pouncey blocking Vince Wilfork one-on-one that is a thing of beauty. Not too many centers can do that under any circumstances.

 

And that doesn't account for the leadership he shows as well that according to everything I read is off the charts.

 

That's all well and good but you know as well as I do that this is a "what have you done for me lately" league. In that regard, Pouncey is definitely overrated if we're to still qualify him as one of the best in the league. However, if SI's numbers are wrong up there (which I previously didn't have any reason to question) then that definitely diminishes any supporting argument I could make. It's kind of strange that a sports authority of their reputation would publish so many glaring inaccuracies though. Send them a letter Beach.

 

Beach can't be wrong . . . it's Sports Illustrated. *NO*

 

A letter? Am I talking to Burghball? Who sends letters?

I did one better. I tweeted him and asked him where he gets his stats from. His reply? Pro Football Focus

I already knew it because 1) he posted it in his All-Pro team article and 2) they are the only site out there that produces the combination of sacks, hits and pressures but I wanted first hand confirmation and I got it - isn't Twitter awesome??!!

So anyway, yes SI (really the author Doug Farrar) is wrong and Beach is right which I'm sure will disappoint some of you in here:

# Name Team Passing Plays Pass Block Snaps Pass Block % Sacks Allowed Hits Allowed Hurries Allowed Total Pressure Allowed PBE
1 Dan Koppen DEN 467 467 100.0 1 0 6 7 98.8
1 Mike Pouncey MIA 553 553 100.0 2 2 3 7 99.0
3 Stefen Wisniewski OAK 616 616 100.0 0 2 6 8 99.0
4 Eric Wood BUF 483 483 100.0 2 3 4 9 98.5
5 Jeff Saturday GB 554 554 100.0 3 2 5 10 98.5
6 Maurkice Pouncey PIT 455 454 99.8 2 1 8 11 98.1
6 Lyle Sendlein ARZ 489 489 100.0 3 2 6 11 98.2
8 Will Montgomery WAS 519 518 99.8 1 2 9 12 98.2
8 Fernando Velasco TEN 527 527 100.0 0 3 9 12 98.3
8 Chris Myers HST 584 584 100.0 2 2 8 12 98.4
8 Max Unger SEA 479 479 100.0 0 3 9 12 98.1
8 John Sullivan MIN 555 555 100.0 2 2 8 12 98.3
13 Nick Mangold NYJ 553 553 100.0 3 2 8 13 98.1
13 Alex Mack CLV 618 618 100.0 3 2 8 13 98.3
13 Roberto Garza CHI 557 557 100.0 4 1 8 13 98.1
16 Brian De La Puente NO 700 700 100.0 2 4 10 16 98.2
17 Dominic Raiola DET 789 788 99.9 3 2 12 17 98.3
17 Ryan Cook DAL 525 525 100.0 1 4 12 17 97.5
19 Jonathan Goodwin SF 513 513 100.0 0 4 14 18 97.4
20 Todd McClure ATL 661 661 100.0 5 4 11 20 97.5
21 Samson Satele IND 404 404 100.0 6 7 8 21 95.7
21 Brad Meester JAX 657 657 100.0 3 3 15 21 97.5
21 Nick Hardwick SD 583 583 100.0 3 4 14 21 97.2
24 David Baas NYG 563 563 100.0 1 7 16 24 96.8
25 Matt Birk BLT 572 572 100.0 3 5 17 25 96.6
26 Ryan Wendell NE 673 673 100.0 6 2 18 26 96.9
26 Dallas Reynolds PHI 633 633 100.0 2 10 14 26 96.8

I'm sure that's going to be all garbled up but up there is Maurkice Pouncey with 2 sacks, 1 hit and 8 hurries for a total of 11 pressures which ranks him 6th among Centers. Pretty interesting list from top to bottom. Shows some things we already knew - Velasco is pretty good in pass pro too ranking ahead of Mack and Mangold. If he were just a little more athletic he'd be a heckuva a center.

So anyway, yes even guys like Doug Farrar from Sports Illustrated can get it wrong sometimes. Not sure how he screwed that up but it's in black and white to anyone that has a PFF subscription. I actually went through and read some of his All-22 stuff and it's pretty impressive. I'd ask him but I don't want to look like a Twitter thug.

 

That wasn't very nice.

 

Thankfully,ajm, I'm fairly certain that the Steelers front office and coaching staff won't care about your campaign!

Getting rid of Pouncey would be stupid.

Getting rid of Woodley (at least right up until its absolutely necessary for cap reasons sometime in the summer, if at all) would be even stupider.

 

The only problem with dumping Woodley is other teams know his injury history too. Guys that continually get muscle pulls and tears are generally not worth much, because they can't seem to ever kick these.

 

WOAH, i think i disagree, getting rid of pouncey given the leagues lack of good centers, not many coming up through college and the plethora of solid olb's out there, i would be inclined to say getting rid of pouncey is far stupider!

2k

 

Can we all stop with the "down with Pouncey" campaign? I mean, seriously, it's insane to me that people think he is overrated. He started on the offensive line as a rookie, made the pro bowl every year he has played, and is better than almost every other center in the game. The reason the centers we had looked serviceable was because they ran so much of their offense out of a no-huddle formation, which is MEANT to cut down on sacks.

On top of that, remember how bad the centers have been after Jeff Hartings left. Sure, Pouncey has done a couple of stupid things off the field, but nothing illegal or drug-related. The Steelers will pay him this offseason and it will be fine.

 

The Good: The Finish 6-2
The Bad: The End Result 8-8
The Ugly: The Start. 2-6

On KC getting bounced yesterday because Andy Reid is over-rated. KARMA.



^ Finally one of these things actually worked yesterday.