With Parker Doubtful, Is Mendenhall Ready To Shoulder The Load?

Rashard Mendenhall has certainly made an auspicious start to his NFL career, logging 107 yards in seven games since being drafted in the first round last year by the Steelers.

Last week, his personal stock took yet another hit when Steelers coach Mike Tomlin effectively benched him for failing to prepare effectively and practice professionally before the team’s game against the rival Cincinnati Bengals.

Now, with Willie Parker suffering from an untimely case of turf toe, Tomlin may have no other choice but to insert Mendenhall into the Steelers’ backfield.

But is he ready?

The biggest problem with analyzing Mendenhall is that he has only played in seven games since being drafted. There’s too small a sample size to really gauge his effectiveness in games that count.

Mendenhall has also had two rather pedestrian training camps, this year’s being worse than last year’s. That makes the Steelers wary of playing him.

But Mendenhall has shown flashes of what made him a high draft pick. Most recently, he ripped off a 39 yard run against a stout Chicago defense that set up the Steelers deep in Chicago territory.

But Mendenhall doesn’t always run hard and, as Mike Tomlin pointed out in his recent assessment of the back, he often misses blocking assignments and open holes. This makes him a huge liability as an every down back.

It appears, though, that Mendenhall will get his chance. A good game against the ailing Chargers won’t absolve him of all his woes, but it would go a long way to the coaching staff gaining confidence in him.

A poor performance against the Chargers, however, could place Mendenhall squarely on the bench. With the versatile Mewelde Moore also available, Tomlin won’t hesitate to use the hook if Mendenhall is unfocused or ineffective.

He, like Limas Sweed, is on a very short rope.

My bet is that Mendenhall will start against the Chargers, with Moore mixing in to keep him fresh. I think that this is the perfect chance for Mendenhall to have a big game.  Shawne Merriman is banged up and the Chargers haven’t exactly been staunch against the run this season. 

A big game here earns him a bigger role, or at least a chance to contribute regularly in tandem with Parker. Mendenhall is still the top choice to replace Parker, who is unsigned after this season, so he will be given every opportunity to earn his pay and his starting job.

This storyline, especially now that Parker is doubtful on the injury report, definitely bears watching Sunday night.

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Steelers-Chargers: A Look Inside the Game

At 1-2, the margin for error is now razor thin for the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

Back home, where they usually dominate, the Steelers face what is almost a must-win game against the San Diego Chargers.

Limas Sweed is all but benched.  Frank Summers, ineffective from the fullback position, is on injured reserve with a balky back. Shaun McDonald and Carey Davis are in for the Steelers.

Here’s a look inside the Steelers’ Week Four matchup with the Chargers:

Five Questions To Answer

1. Can the running game continue to build on its recent success?

2. Can the Steelers’ secondary slow down Philip Rivers?

3. Is Shaun McDonald an upgrade over Limas Sweed?

4. Can the defense, particularly the linebackers, create pressure?

5. Can the offense finish more drives?

 

Four Fantasy Tips

1. If you haven’t already, pick up Mike Wallace.

Wallace has proven to be one of Ben Roethlisberger’s favorite targets, racking up his first 100+ yard receiving performance against the Bengals. Ben has showed increased confidence in him, particularly in key situations. He is fast developing into a breakout rookie.

2. Be careful with playing Philip Rivers.

Rivers is a great quarterback. He isn’t even a bad fantasy option. But anyone who watched his playoff performance against the Steelers, not to mention his regular season showings, would tell you that he does not play well against Pittsburgh. The Steelers defense may be weak, but they will be able to key on Rivers and the passing game this week.

3. Don’t Start Darren Sproles (or LaDainian Tomlinson).

Sproles and Tomlinson are also great players, but have been ineffective so far this season.  Sproles gained only 41 yards against the Dolphins and isn’t likely to do better against the Steelers.  His value would primarily be as a returner, but that is another area where the Steelers are likely to keep him hemmed in.

4. Sleeper: Steelers Defense.

The Steelers defense has yet to play a full game, but this is probably a better matchup for them than Cincinnati. Right now, the Chargers offense is one dimensional, so the Steelers will be able to play their usual staunch run defense and key on quarterback Philip Rivers. The defense is also due for a big game and always play tough against San Diego.

 

Three Key Matchups

1. Willie Parker/Rashard Mendenhall/Mewelde Moore vs. Chargers Rush Defense

Willie Parker has turf toe, which could sideline him Sunday night. Rashard Mendenhall didn’t play last week after a poor week of practice and preparation. If Parker can’t go, Mendenhall best be ready. Mewelde Moore will likely be mixed in more often either way.

This group of running backs has talent, but so far they haven’t put up too many good results. Sunday is their chance to be more effective. Miami’s running game was quite effective last week against the Chargers, racking up 149 yards and one touchdown.

With the offensive line playing much better, the running backs must now shoulder the blame if the Steelers cannot move the football on the ground.

2. Steelers Pass Defense vs. Philip Rivers

This is, by far, the most important matchup of the game. Rivers is a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback. The Steelers are usually one of the league’s best defenses. Something will give on Sunday.

Rivers does not throw for a lot of touchdowns, but he does get a ton of passing yardage to set up the weak running game. The Steelers have to limit his opportunities and shut down Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson.

Expect to see more blitzes against San Diego after Miami did a good job of creating pressure last week. With Lawrence Timmons healthy, the Steelers will likely try to use him with James Harrison so that the Chargers cannot continually double team one linebacker.

3. Lamarr Woodley vs. the Chargers’ Offensive Line

Woodley is about as close to ineffective as you can get after three weeks. He seems to be having a second season slump as a starter, struggling to make any plays in the passing game and unable to get pressure or get off blocks.

While Woodley’s starting job is likely safe in the long term, he must start making plays if the defense hopes to be anything like last year’s unit.

Woodley should have some space to operate with James Harrison drawing a double team on every play and Lawrence Timmons and James Farrior taking up the middle of the field.

How Woodley plays could be a determining factor in the final score. No kidding.

 

Two Players in the Spotlight

Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Wallace

Wallace had his breakout game against the Bengals. Now everyone knows him and fantasy players are scrambling to pick him up before this weekend’s action.

For Wallace, Limas Sweed’s epic failures are an opportunity to step up into an increased role on offense. Ben Roethlisberger already targets Wallace in crucial situations and, so far, Wallace has been brilliant.

Wallace has great deep speed, something the Steelers have generally lacked for several years. He also has sure hands and excellent route running skills. He seems to be one of the draft’s steals, but its a young season and Wallace still has a lot of proving to do.

San Diego Chargers: Philip Rivers

Rivers surely will remember what happened the last time he played at Heinz Field. He was ineffective and battered by a tough Steelers defense.

Now, Rivers has a nice stable of receivers and will be playing a Steelers defense seemingly crippled by the loss of Troy Polamalu and several nicks to other stars. He has no excuse for not performing well after a stellar opening to the season.

Rivers does not do well with pressure, so he will have to prove that he can handle the Steelers pass rush if it finds a way to penetrate consistently. He will also have to overcome the team’s lack of a consistent, effective rushing attack.

 

One Bold Prediction

Steelers 20, Chargers 16

Ben Roethlisberger and company turn in a couple of early touchdowns and then attack the Chargers with a strong rushing performance by Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore (assuming Parker is out). The Steelers play their best and most complete defensive game, complete with a now-rare Lamarr Woodley sack.

The Chargers put together a late rally but fall short on a late turnover/sack by Philip Rivers.

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Film Study: Ben Roethlisberger’s Way Works for Steelers

It’s not always pretty. In fact, it’s rarely pretty. But it works.

Brett Favre is the classic gunslinger. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning throw the pretty passes from the pocket. Donovan McNabb has the flashy running skills. 

Ben Roethlisberger? He’s the guy who thinks every stadium is no different than his own backyard.

He will probably never set league passing records, regardless of an upward trend in pass attempts the last two seasons. 

But he has two Super Bowl rings before entering the prime of his career, so he must be doing something right.

In this week’s edition of Film Study, since there is such a focus on what’s wrong with the Steelers, we instead take a look at the unique style of play that makes Ben Roethlisberger so successful.

 

Quarterback Measurables

Stat Line Through Week Three:

78-109 (71.6 percent), 860 yards, three TD, four INT, seven sacks, 88.5 rating

 

Arm Strength

If you didn’t see Roethlisberger’s (almost) touchdown pass to Limas Sweed, then you should go back and take a look at the tape. 

Ben didn’t just heave the ball deep into the end zone as most quarterbacks do. He gunned an absolute laser right on target to Sweed, who had the ball perfectly cradled until he fell over and let the ground pop the ball loose.

These displays of arm strength by Roethlisberger are not limited to one or two pass attempts. Going back to his rookie season, there are several. 

Ben has the strength to make all of the throws and also can power the ball through coverage using nothing more than sheer speed (and some luck).

 

Accuracy

As I said in my report card yesterday, throw out the touchdown to interception ratio. At least two of the interceptions were not due to an error in decision making by Roethlisberger, instead being caused by a hit arm (intended for Mike Wallace against Chicago) and a Hail Mary (end of the first half against Tennessee).

Ben would have at least one more touchdown if not for Sweed’s drop against the Bengals and would probably have an even higher completion percentage if not for some drops by Santonio Holmes.

As it is, 71.6 percent is extremely good, considering the drops. Ben is certainly hitting on all cylinders in the early going.

For the most part, Roethlisberger throws great to spots and also can lead receivers with passes. Many quarterbacks are good at one or the other, but not both. 

 

Mechanics

One of the most important parts of quarterbacking deals with throwing mechanics.

Last year, Roethlisberger exhibited one questionable, but not necessarily bad, tendency: He held on to the ball too long.

For most coaches, quarterbacks are supposed to have a four-second clock in their heads, counting down from the snap until the average time it takes the pass rush to penetrate. Holding the ball longer than four seconds is usually considered to be holding on too long, therefore risking a sack or fumble.

But for Roethlisberger, it is a different sort of game. His large build, quick thinking, and escapability allow him to hold onto the ball until the last possible moment and still make a play with his arm.

Outside of that, mechanics consist mostly of footwork. Solid footwork allows you to step into throws and therefore get more power behind them. Poor footwork such as throwing off the back foot leads to passes that “sail” or “flutter.” This leads to incompletions or interceptions.

Roethlisberger ever since his rookie year has had solid footwork. He routinely steps up and into throws but also has the strength to throw awkwardly if necessary. He has shown an ability similar to (although the two players are not comparable) Rich Gannon, who was adept at throwing from different arm angles with accuracy.

Ben’s physical tools will always allow him to overcome any mistakes in mechanics, so these are not a concern.

 

Quarterback Intangibles

Leadership

During his first two seasons, Roethlisberger was the beneficiary of a veteran core of leaders. Hines Ward and Jerome Bettis helped Ben adjust to the NFL and tutored him in the finer points of leading the team.

By his third season, Roethlisberger stepped up and took charge on his own. He is now the unquestioned leader. He has also taken a leadership role in the offense, taking on some of the play-calling duties and taking control at the line of scrimmage.

 

Decision Making

Few of Roethlisberger’s decisions can be questioned. So far in 2009, almost none of his decisions have been poor. He has made a bad throw or two, but you cannot discount the possibility that receivers ran incorrect routes or the fact that, every now and then, defenders just make a great play.

Roethlisberger’s play-calling in the no-huddle has also been spectacular. Make no mistake, when the team has moved most effectively in 2008 and so far in 2009, it is because Roethlisberger is calling the plays and showing a great knack for it.

 

Playmaking Ability

Here is where Roethlisberger beats out Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. No one can do as much with nothing as Roethlisberger.

Do you think Brady or Manning could escape the pocket, scramble around for six or seven seconds, reset themselves, and throw a strike while two defenders drag them down?

Roethlisberger can, and often does, do just that.

This is the “it” that coaches describe loosely but can never fully define. It is the ability to make plays when the original formation, routes, and blocking schemes are total failures.

For example, the trademark play of Super Bowl XLIII was essentially a broken play. To hear Roethlisberger explain the play, Holmes was his third read (following Mewelde Moore at the front of the end zone and probably Heath Miller in the back middle of it).

Roethlisberger’s pocket was disrupted on the left side, so he angled back and to the right, calmly read the play, and saw Holmes and a small sliver of daylight. 

The next thing he knew, he was hoisting a Lombardi Trophy.

Roethlisberger has 18 times in his still young career led the Steelers on game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime. That pace is unmatched. 

Many people say that he draws a very favorable comparison to another No. 7: John Elway. 

It took Elway his entire career to win two Super Bowls. Roethlisberger still has most of his career ahead of him.

 

The Bottom Line

Like or hate his style of play, you have to admit that Roethlisberger does what every quarterback is asked to do: He wins football games.

But he does so much more than that.

During his tenure, he not only has shown an impressive and unmatched knack for snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, he has also shown an equally impressive lack of mind-blowing, poor decisions that cost the Steelers games.

Sure, he’s had his ups and downs, his signature wins and mistake-filled losses, but he wins a lot more games than he loses.

I don’t think too many learned Steelers fans would want anyone else under center during a crucial game.

Is he the best quarterback of this era? Statistically, he’s not even close. But he’s quickly closing the gap everywhere else.

Guys who win are remembered. In that category, he’s almost second to none.

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Steelers-Bengals: A Look Ahead

After two weeks of their hunt for back to back championships, the Pittsburgh Steelers are 1-1. What originally looked like an easy contest against the Cincinnati Bengals has gradually emerged as a possible can’t-miss matchup.

Here’s a look inside the Steelers’ Week Three game with division rival Cincinnati:

 

Five Questions To Answer

1. Can the Steelers find their running game?

2. Will Antwaan Odom penetrate the Steelers’ offensive line?

3. How will Jeff Reed react after two heartbreaking misses in Week Two?

4. Can Cedric Benson run against the Steelers?

5. Which offensive line will show up for Pittsburgh?

 

Four Fantasy Tips

1. Reconsider Starting Carson Palmer

Palmer threw three touchdown passes last week against Green Bay, but he also threw for only 185 yards and tossed two picks. Be careful starting him against a Steelers’ defense that is much better than Green Bay.

2. Start Heath Miller

Santonio Holmes has emerged as Ben Roethlisberger’s top receiver, but tight end Heath Miller is his favorite target in key situations. Miller is a tough player who gets yards in the middle and always seems to be near the ball. Against a relatively weak Bengals’ secondary, expect Miller to find space in the middle of the field.

3. Don’t Dump Jeff Reed

Make no mistake, Reed’s game in Chicago is the exception, not the rule. Reed has consistently been one of the most under-appreciated (outside of Pittsburgh) and underrated kickers in the NFL. He is clutch, particularly in difficult winds at Heinz Field.  He will rebound just fine after his rough game. This guy doesn’t usually miss.

4. Sleeper: Willie Parker

Parker has struggled so far, but it usually is only a matter of time. With the offensive line showing better blocking and Parker showing more speed and cutting ability during Week Two, he should be back on track against a so-so Cincinnati rush defense that he has gashed many times in the past.

 

Three Key Matchups

1. Max Starks and/or Chris Kemoeatu vs. Antwaan Odom

Odom has seven sacks through the season’s first two weeks, which leads the NFL. He has proven a beast on the pass rush and this week he will be attacking what can only be labeled the weakest part of the Steeler offensive line.

Starks has not played up to the expectations that come hand in hand with being tagged a franchise player and then being lavished with a large contract. He has gotten pushed back and off his blocks and has been beaten, particularly toward the inside of the line.

Kemoeatu is having a poor season thus far. He is the weakest link on what is right now a mediocre offensive line. He has become a turnstile for opposing rushers and often needs help with his blocks from either Starks or center Justin Hartwig.

How this matchup plays out may just determine who wins the game.

2. Steelers’ Pass Defense vs. Cincinnati Pass Offense

OK, it’s very general matchup, but this will be interesting. Last week, Chicago, with a receiving corps staffed with virtual unknowns, passed for 236 yards and two scores against a Pittsburgh unit that ranked No.1 in the NFL last year.

Pittsburgh’s secondary has certainly suffered from the loss of Troy Polamalu. With Tryone Carter also nursing an injury (he’s expected to play), this unit could be in trouble. 

Carson Palmer is healthy and Chad Ochocinco has seemingly returned to form. Palmer shredded the Packers’ weak pass defense Sunday. The Bengals look revived on offense.

Ike Taylor and William Gay must step up to cover the Bengals’ receivers and Ryan Clark needs to cover the middle with Carter while providing big hits on receivers who attempt to find a soft spot.

3. Pittsburgh Rush Offense vs. Cincinnati Rush Defense

The most maligned cog in the usually well-oiled Pittsburgh machine has been the rushing attack. In two weeks, the Steelers have barely gained 100 rushing yards combined and have failed to execute in critical 3rd-and-1 situations.

This has forced the Steelers to rely much too heavily on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and has made the Steelers a one dimensional offensive unit.

The Bengals’ rush defense held Green Bay to 89 yards (43 by quarterback Aaron Rodgers) on 18 carries. The Bengals employ a bend but don’t break philosophy and it has helped them vastly improve their leaky rush defense.

Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall must step up this week. Against a stout Chicago defense, the offensive line proved its blocking ability and Parker and Mendenhall proved that they could find open holes and gain positive yardage. Now they must also show the consistency that has long been a hallmark of Steelers football.

 

Two Players in the Spotlight

Pittsburgh Steelers: Willie Parker

Parker has not been the same since a broken fibula ended his 2007 season.  He has been injury prone and has looked indecisive.

For Parker to be successful again, he has to hit the hole with more authority and speed and rediscover his missing cutback skills. He also needs to be kept out of runs up the middle, where he is not bulky enough to gain yards, and utilized on runs to the outside, where his speed becomes dangerous.

The offensive line has proven its ability to block after holding off a vicious Bears attack in Week Two. Now Parker must prove he can still be a consistent, quality back in the NFL.

Cincinnati Bengals: Cedric Benson

Benson has experienced a career revival since arriving in Cincinnati and had a stellar game last week (141 yards on 29 carries).

This week, however, Benson will have to navigate a Steelers’ rush defense that hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in over a season. Benson’s bruising style is similar to what the Steelers saw in Week One from LenDale White, who the Steelers held to 28 yards on eight carries.

Benson likely won’t gain 141 yards again this week, but he will be one of the x-factors in the game. If he can penetrate the Steelers’ defense and allow the Bengals to establish a ground attack, the Steelers will not be able to key on Carson Palmer and the Bengal receivers. If Benson struggles, then the Bengals will be forced to play a very obvious pass-happy game.

 

One Bold Prediction

Steelers 24, Bengals 13

Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall turn in a combined 100-yard performance and allow Ben Roethlisberger to set up a balanced attack. Cedric Benson struggles against the Steelers’ defense and the Bengals fall into a pass-happy style that leads to an interception. Chad Ochocinco is held scoreless and below 100 yards.

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Film Study: Pittsburgh Steelers’ Defense Struggles without Troy Polamalu

After one week without the heart of their defense, the Pittsburgh Steelers are certainly feeling like they might be in some hot water until Troy Polamalu returns.

That’s not to say that Tyrone Carter doesn’t fill in admirably for Polamalu.  Carter just doesn’t have the unbelievable versatility that Troy does.  He also doesn’t strike fear into offensive players.

In fact, the Steelers’ defense hasn’t scared anyone that much since Polamalu was taken off the field in week one after trying to recover a blocked field goal.

While the rush defense has not seemed to suffer (43 yards allowed against Chicago), the pass defense has gotten considerably less frightening.

Jay Cutler put up 236 passing yards and two touchdowns Sunday.  Cutler had little trouble finding receivers open in the secondary.  He also didn’t throw an interception after throwing four against the Packers in week one.

Polamalu might not have changed any of that.  But it’s a sure bet he would have at least made Cutler think twice before throwing long to an inexperienced crop of young receivers.

While the Steelers pressured Cutler often, particularly in the second half, they continually failed to sack him and often lost containment, allowing him to make plays outside the pocket.

Polamalu would have changed that.  The greatest asset Troy has is his ability to be everywhere at once.  He can get anywhere on the field in moments.  Were Cutler to escape the brutal rush of James Harrison, Lamarr Woodley, or James Farrior, he would almost surely have had to contend with Polamalu somewhere on the field.

As strong safeties go, Polamalu is an excellent pass rusher.  He creates havoc in the backfield by dropping back a step or two before charging forward and either over or through linemen and backs.  His instincts are unmatched.

The Steelers’ defense gets no break, facing the potent Cincinnati offense next week and then taking on Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers.  They could also potentially face the Vikings and Adrian Peterson before getting Polamalu back (he’s expected to miss three to six weeks, making the game against Minnesota the sixth week he’ll be out).

So with the problem identified, where’s the solution?

The best thing the Steelers can do for the next two to five weeks is to bring creative blitzes from other players.  William Gay is fast at cornerback, so he is probably as good a choice as any to run some of the exotic Dick LeBeau blitzes. 

The Steelers should also see to it that Tyrone Carter gets help, particularly on deep routes. 

There’s no way to really disguise the hole in their defense, but the worst thing that could happen is for the team to stray from its identity while its star safety is sidelined.  Pittsburgh has blitz packages involving any one of their players, so the key is to find out which players can create havoc through zone blitzes and faking drops into coverage.

I’d be interested to see a little of Ryan Mundy, too.  He’s never going to be a top safety, but his speed may make him a better option than Carter in some obvious passing situations and for some blitz packages.  The key would be to not allow his involvement to become predictable.

One thing is for sure, LeBeau, his defense, and all of the Steelers will breathe a sigh of relief when they see No. 43 back on the field.

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Roethlisberger, Steelers’ Offense Still Listed as Questionable

After Week One, it is easy to dismiss something out of the ordinary, good or bad, as nothing more than a blip on the radar.

After Week Two, trends start to emerge. That’s not to say that these trends couldn’t be changed after four or even six weeks. But, for now, we have two regular season weeks worth of film to look at.

So how exactly are Ben Roethlisberger and his offense doing?

 

Roethlisberger

In my position preview on the Steelers’ quarterbacks, I listed several potential weaknesses for Ben’s play. One of my chief concerns was Roethlisberger’s tendency last season toward forcing the ball into tight spots, leading to interceptions.

After two games, Roethlisberger has three interceptions. We can throw out one because it was a hail mary at the end of the first half of the Steelers’ Week One matchup with Tennessee.

Of the remaining two interceptions, one is a perfect example of throwing into coverage while the other is part of another alarming trend that must be corrected soon.

In Week One, Roethlisberger tried to force a throw to rookie wideout Mike Wallace that sailed. Wallace was well covered, with no less than three defensive backs in range to close on the ball. One of them took the ball away.

Yesterday against Chicago, Roethlisberger once again targeted Wallace. This time, however, Ben underthrew his target and the pass was intercepted.

Now, neither time was Ben throwing badly into coverage. The first pass would likely have fallen incomplete had it not been overthrown. The second one would have been a touchdown had Ben not been short.

But that doesn’t mean that Roethlisberger hasn’t thrown into coverage. He’s just been incredibly lucky.

I will say that, so far, his decision making has been more sound. What alarms me most about his performance through two weeks is that he has often looked like he was having trouble on timing. He’s been short, wide, long, or low on several pass attempts. This has led to a couple of missed opportunities that would have put the Steelers solidly ahead in both contests.

The other negative to Ben’s game that I highlighted in the preview was his desire to hold onto the ball and try to make plays using his escapability.

This hasn’t changed. What has changed, at least between Weeks One and Two, is that his offensive line and running backs stepped up to the plate and took the heat off of him.

 

Offense

The Steelers’ offense played well enough as a unit to win one of their two games. The problem is that they still lost the game they played well enough to win.

When the Steelers give him protection and a rushing attack, Ben is almost unbeatable.  Sunday afternoon, we got a glimpse of just how good this offense will be once everyone starts clicking.

Against what is arguably one of the NFL’s top defenses, Pittsburgh’s offensive line pushed back the Bears onslaught and kept Roethlisberger upright most of the day. They also managed to open holes for a revived stable of backs, helping the Steelers improve markedly on Week One’s awful rushing total (36 net yards rushing).

It’s still early, and after two very different performances, it is hard to conclude much about how the offensive line is going to perform over a 16-game schedule. What they did prove, however, is that they certainly have the potential to be an effective unit.

There will be no more excuses after the way they handled Chicago’s front seven.

 

Putting It All Together

So what do the Steelers need to work on in advance of their meeting with division rival Cincinnati?

1. Roethlisberger

Roethlisberger needs to keep making good decisions with the football. He hasn’t thrown a pass yet that left me wondering if his head was in the game.

He does need to sort out the timing issues, particularly with speedy Mike Wallace. I believe that this issue, at least as far as Wallace goes, is due to a lack of chemistry (Wallace is a rookie) more than either player making bad choices.

Ben does overthrow other receivers, however. That needs to stop. He should be more than comfortable with Santonio Holmes, yet Holmes has several times had to either come back for a pass or try to run under a deep ball. Hopefully, that is something that can be corrected by another week of reps for the two stars.

Other than that, Ben’s game has been pretty sound so far. He still needs to recognize when he can’t do anything with the ball and learn to throw it into the stands. That, however, seems like it will always be a part of Ben’s game.

And that’s also where the offensive line and running backs come in.

2. Offensive Line/Running Backs

If Roethlisberger is going to be sacked at least once per game (as he has in both contests) due to his desire to hang onto the ball, then the offensive line needs to minimize its mistakes.

In Week One, the line looked porous, allowing Tennessee to sack Roethlisberger four times and causing several plays, particularly running plays, to be broken up in the backfield.

That has to end.

For its part, the offensive line stepped up in Week Two. There will be no more excuses now that it has shown it can be effective against a good defense.

The running backs also stepped up in Week Two, breaking big gains several times and helping the Steelers execute screen and play action passes with a higher degree of success.

As with the line, there are no excuses now.

 

How ‘Bout The Bengals?

You don’t have to look far to find two players on the Bengals defense to worry about. 

Antwan Odom and Rey Maualuga are major concerns for Pittsburgh’s line.

Odom sacked Aaron Rodgers five times and Maualuga forced to fumbles and added a sack of his own yesterday against Green Bay. Odom now has seven sacks in two games. 

It would appear, at least for now, that the Bengals are improved from last year’s dismal incarnation. Defensively, they seem much more sound.

For the Steelers, the line will have to block Odom and Maualuga as well as the Bengals’ other pass rush threats.

Cincinnati hasn’t forced many interceptions, but they do have the potential to with cornerbacks Leon Hall and Jonathan Joseph in the secondary.

The bigger concern for Pittsburgh is that Cincinnati was particularly stout against the Packers’ rushing attack Sunday. The Packers have had similar issues with the running game, so it will bear watching as to how well Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall do on the ground.

Beating the Bengals will likely be more of a defensive issue, as the Steelers’ offense matches up well, particularly in the passing game, with what Cincinnati brings defensively.

 

Grading

Roethlisberger: B

Ben gets a solid B for his two performances. There haven’t been any mind-numbing mistakes, but there also haven’t been a lot of big plays early in games.

Roethlisberger gets some points for his game-winning drive against Tennessee, but loses a couple for overthrowing open receivers.

He has been solid and somewhat spectacular. He just has to iron out a wrinkle or two before he gets the A.

Offensive Line/Running Backs: C

I’m not giving these guys a C because they haven’t played well. They played great against the Bears and that is a tough task. 

But they did play awful football in Week One and that can’t be discounted. They get a C because, in short, we haven’t seen enough to give them anything other than a middle grade.

They can, however, bump it up with a good showing against Cincinnati.

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Pittsburgh Steelers Top 2009 Breakout Candidates

The Pittsburgh Steelers are famous for their low roster turnover from season to season.  In an era of free agency, where established stars seemingly change teams as often as socks, the Steelers always seem to find a way to retain most of their players.

There is no denying that players love playing in Pittsburgh, but the Steelers’ success in the age of free agency goes beyond the environment.  The Steelers have some smart football people in the front office.

Director of Football Operations Kevin Colbert and his staff have a zen for signing and drafting not only the right people, but people who will spend most if not all of their careers in Pittsburgh.

That does not mean that the Steelers lack several potential breakout candidates as they head toward the opening of 2009’s training camp.  In fact, for a team with so many established stars, the Steelers have quite a few players primed for a career year.

Here’s a look at those players:

 

Offense

 

Santonio Holmes, WR

It’s hard to say that a player coming off of a Super Bowl performance that earned him MVP honors is a breakout candidate, but Holmes’ stellar postseason performances masked a so-so regular season.

Holmes’ statistics from the 2008 regular season (55 receptions, 821 yards, 5 TDs) are pedestrian for starter.

As a former first-round pick, Holmes will be expected to step it up in his fourth year.

Hines Ward is approaching the downside of his career and, with the physical way he plays the game, is becoming an injury risk. Holmes should emerge in 2009 as Ben Roethlisberger’s top target.

His good hands, crisp routes, and circus-catch ability make him a potential star in the NFL, but he must avoid the mental lapses and off-field issues that seemed to mark his 2008 campaign.

I would expect Holmes to catch between 80 and 90 passes, eclipse the 1,000 yard barrier, and have around 10 touchdowns in 2009.

 

Limas Sweed, WR

If anyone had a more visibly difficult postseason than Sweed, the Steelers’ 2008 second-round draft pick, I missed it.

Sweed dropped a sure touchdown pass near the end of the first half of the Steelers’ AFC Championship matchup with Baltimore.  He made a nice block a few plays later, but he struggled to step up in the Steelers offense during his rookie season.

Now that Sweed has that experience under his belt, he will be asked to take on at least part of the role vacated by Nate Washington, who fled to Tennessee in the offseason.

Sweed has great tools, particularly his height and speed. He projects as a potential No. 1 or No. 2 receiver, but he played nothing like that in 2008.

For Sweed, success will be all about taking every opportunity to make a play of some kind. He has good blocking skills and decent route running ability (which should improve with experience) and, in college, nice hands.

Perhaps the best thing for Sweed will be the competition with Shaun McDonald and others for the third receiver spot.  If Sweed can thrive on the competition, he should have a breakout campaign much the way his predecessor (Washington) did.

I would expect Sweed to eventually emerge as the team’s third option in the passing game and to have 30-50 catches, 500-600 yards, and five touchdowns.

 

Rashard Mendenhall, RB

Mendenhall had quite possibly the shortest rookie season in memory.  Mendenhall played in four games and had only 19 carries for 58 yards before a hard hit by Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis broke his shoulder and ended his season.

Mendenhall has great skills, but until we see how he reacts in a full season of NFL action, it will be hard to judge whether or not he can run at the NFL level.

Healthy once again, Mendenhall could reasonably be expected to split the starting running back job with Willie Parker.  Mendenhall will be expected to get the tough yards in the middle that the smaller Parker cannot.

Mendenhall should give the Steelers a presence near the endzone as well. He will compete with rookie Frank Summers for the job that Gary Russell did last season. Mendenhall should win that job.

It is hard to project Mendenhall’s statistics with so little information to work with. If he successfully platoons with Parker and is the team’s red zone running back, Mendenhall should be expected to contribute at least 500-600 yards and 10-plus touchdowns.

 

Defense

 

William Gay, CB

Gay, now in his third season, filled in nicely when Bryant McFadden was injured last season.  Now, Gay gets the first crack at replacing McFadden, who bolted for Arizona this spring.

Gay has good speed and coverage skills to make up for his lack of height.  His vertical jump is also quite good.  His above-average hands make him a threat to take a pass away if he has the opportunity.

More so than veteran Ike Taylor, Gay is a smart player who does not often take pass interference calls. He plays large and fast. 

Gay should beat out aging Deshea Townsend for the starting job this season, and it would not be surprising to see him finish with a few interceptions and sacks next season. Dick LeBeau loves to bring the corners on a blitz, and Gay’s speed will make him dangerous in that regard.

 

Lawrence Timmons, LB

With veteran Larry Foote leaving for his native Detroit after this April’s draft, it is now up to Timmons to carry on the great tradition of Steelers linebackers.

Timmons should prove to be an upgrade from Foote because of his speed and pass rushing ability.  Foote was a good run-stuffer, but was not as effective on passing downs.  Timmons began to take playing time away from him last season. Now it will be his job to lose.

Expect the Steelers to use Timmons on several blitz packages and for him to play a role similar to that of Ray Lewis. His job will be to disrupt the middle of the field and be a threat to rush or drop into coverage. 

If Timmons plays to his potential, he will likely free up outside linebackers James Harrison and Lamarr Woodley even more. Timmons should contribute at least five sacks to the defensive effort if not more. I’d also expect him to come away with an interception or two thanks to his pass rush and coverage ability.

 

Rookies Who Could Contribute in 2009

Joe Burnett, CB; Frank Summer, RB; Mike Wallace, WR

 

Pittsburgh Steelers Roster Battles Few and Far Between

Rarely does an NFL team have little roster turnover from year to year. 

In Pittsburgh, however, it’s become more of a trend.

Of the team’s 22 Super Bowl XLIII starters, only two have departed in the ensuing offseason. 

That lack of turnover might make for a boring training camp devoid of position battles, but it is an unparalleled blessing for a team trying to win back to back championships.

There are a few intriguing spots up for grabs, however. Here’s a look at the Steelers’ principle position battles and the competitors. I’ve ranked these in order of importance to the team’s overall performance.

 

Cornerback: Deshea Townsend vs. William Gay

A year after the Steelers proved that their secondary was indeed up to the task, they have to replace starter Bryant McFadden.

On paper, it sounds pretty scary.

In reality, McFadden only started a handful of regular season games in 2008 and is far from irreplaceable in the Steelers’ lineup.

While McFadden was nursing an arm injury, both Townsend and Gay stepped up their game. Now, they will compete to replace him on a more permanent basis.

Townsend is used to competing.  Now in his 12th year, he has competed for either a starting spot or a nickel spot in each of the past four seasons.  While he has certainly lost much of his speed, Townsend still has exceptional coverage skills and a knack for making the big play.

Gay is in his third season and has proved to be great on special teams and in his opportunities on defense.  He stepped up in a big way while McFadden was out last year and also made several key plays during the team’s run in the playoffs. 

Gay isn’t physically threatening, but makes up for that with good speed, instincts, and coverage skill.

Edge: Gay gets the edge thanks to his youth and speed.  Otherwise, this is a pretty even match. 

Townsend plays his best football in the nickel formation, so it makes sense to leave him there and insert Gay as the starter opposite Ike Taylor.  He won’t embarrass in coverage and will make the same plays Townsend would without getting burned deep.

 

Slot Receiver: Limas Sweed vs. Shaun McDonald and Martin Nance

With Nate Washington departing to the rival Titans, Pittsburgh is once again in need of a reliable third option at wide receiver. 

Washington was a good receiver and certainly better than most small college prospects, but he had a propensity for dropping passes.  The biggest issue following his departure is finding a dependable replacement from a group of questionable characters.

The job is likely Sweed’s to lose.  He was the team’s second round draft choice and fourth receiver last season, so he will be given every chance to move up a spot on the depth chart. Sweed has great speed and height, both assets in the Steelers’ offensive scheme.  The Steelers need a tall receiver in the mix, so Sweed makes the most sense.

Sweed must prove he has good concentration and catching ability, both shown to be lacking against the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game.  He runs decent routes, but could stand to improve there as well.

McDonald was signed after the draft as competition for Sweed and Nance.  McDonald has been a slot receiver before in Detroit and St. Louis, so his experience certainly gives him an edge over his competition.

McDonald lacks size and speed, so his biggest assets are his hands.  He rarely drops passes and is a dependable if unspectacular receiver.  Coming in late, he is at a disadvantage with picking up the offense. How well he does this before the preseason will determine his status as a serious competitor.

Nance is an unknown.  A MAC product from Ben Roethlisberger’s alma mater, he has never playing in a professional game and until his name surfaced in this competition was unknown to most sports analysts.  Nance has good size, but his route running and hands are questionable.  He also lacks game experience.

Edge: Sweed has the edge.  If he performs well in the preseason, it won’t matter what the other two receivers do.  If he fails, look for McDonald’s game experience to thrust him into the role.

 

Goal-Line Running Back: Mewelde Moore vs. Rashard Mendenhall vs. Frank Summers

With the release of Gary Russell, the Steelers are officially looking for help in the jumbo package.  Barring a late addition, three players will vie for carries in goal to go situations.

The Steelers were woeful inside the five yard line running the football.  The team failed to score on countless fourth and goal situations from inside the one yard line.  That can’t happen again in 2009.

The Steelers drafted Summers as a possible solution.  At 230 pounds, Frank “The Tank” will be the Steelers biggest back.  He is built similar to Jerome Bettis with a low center of gravity and good, driving feet.  He’s raw, but is undoubtedly a better option than Russell, who tended to lose his feet and get driven backward.

Moore played admirably as a fill in for starting tailback Willie Parker last season, but was no better than Russell inside the five yard line.  Moore lacks the size to push the pile, so he is less than ideal in close quarters and up the middle.  He also does not run with power, instead using quickness to make plays.

Mendenhall had an abbreviated debut last year, breaking his shoulder in a collision with Ray Lewis in his first game action in the NFL.  Mendenhall is certainly a powerfully built back, but does not run with authority in between the tackles.  If he discovers how to harness his power, he will likely be the team’s choice at the goal line.

Edge: It’s hard to say whether Mendenhall or Summers has the bigger edge in this battle.  Summers is the prototypical power back.  Mendenhall is more versatile.  The Steelers do occasionally run play fakes near the goal line.  In that case, Mendenhall’s catching ability would place him in front of the competition.

 

Backup Quarterback: Charlie Batch vs. Dennis Dixon

Rarely do NFL teams dress three quarterbacks.  With Ben Roethlisberger’s style of play, it might be wise to do so.  The question then is who goes in first if Big Ben goes down.

Batch is a seasoned NFL veteran with 12 years of experience.  He knows the offense and has shown an ability to execute it in Ben’s absence.  Batch lacks mobility, arm strength, and big play ability, but is an accurate, serviceable option.

But Batch has shown a propensity to be injured in recent seasons.  His return this year was questionable, but necessitated by the departure of backup Byron Leftwich.

Dixon was drafted last year in the fifth round.  He has exceptional mobility and also shows a strong arm and average accuracy that should improve with experience.  Dixon also has an injury history, but he gives the Steelers the “slash” potential that has been lacking since the departure of Antwaan Randle El.

Edge: It’s unlikely the team will dress three quarterbacks during the regular season, so the Steelers have to decide which way they want to go.  Batch is more likely to win the job thanks to his experience in the system, but don’t discount Dixon. 

If the Steelers choose to go with a more versatile offense utilizing more trick plays, Dixon would be an incredible asset.

 

Fullback: Sean McHugh vs. Carey Davis

Last year, the Steelers seemed to get away from the traditional fullback role.  This year they will likely continue to go with more of an H-Back look.  Who fills that role comes down to two players who each have important talents.

McHugh seemed to take over the role as the 2008 season progressed.  Acquired from Detroit before the start of the regular season, McHugh is a steady player who has no standout talent.  He’s a better blocker than Davis, however, and played more often on first and second down.

Davis is a good receiver out of the backfield, but lacks versatility and exceptional  blocking skills. He’s a one trick pony, which precipitated his departure from the regular lineup.  If his blocking improves, he should see more playing time.

Edge: McHugh has the edge thanks to versatility, but both players will likely see playing time depending on how the Steelers structure their offensive packages.  If McHugh can improve his catching, he could gain a stranglehold on the job.

 

Kickoff/Punt Returners: Open Competition

The Steelers are always on the lookout for a better option in the return game.  The team lacks a return threat, using Santonio Holmes in important game situations on punts and Mewelde Moore on kickoffs.

The Steelers could change returners yet again in 2009.  The most likely scenario would be to make Holmes the permanent punt returner and use Moore and Rashard Mendenhall on kickoffs.

The team could also mix in any of several rookies.  There really is no edge here, only an open competition for what is realistically three spots.  The likelihood is that Mike Tomlin will utilize many different players in these roles throughout the season.

The Best Steeler Draft Picks from the Last Decade

The Pittsburgh Steelers are consistently lauded for drafting top-tier talent regardless of where they are positioned in the draft. In the last decade, much of Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl roster was acquired through the draft.

Here is a look back at the Steelers’ ten best draft picks from 1999 to 2008 and a look ahead at who the next great Steelers draft pick might be come Saturday’s annual draft.

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