Comments on: PFT’s Preseason Power Rankings No. 6: Pittsburgh Steelers

By: steviesteeler

steviesteeler — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:12:54 +0000

THE NFC EAST???? Really? Every year this is the most overated division in football. On paper it looks great then they collapse. After all the “Coughlin needs to be fired” is over the Giants come out of nowhere so maybe they beat the Steelers.
“Steelers are getting old.” where are they old? They have one of the youngest offenses in the league with many players that haven’t hit their prime yet and the D will be much younger on the line and corners especially in the nickel. They have two linbackers, one corner, and two safeties that are semi-old… That leaves 6 young players with 5 vets. I LOVE THIS MIXTURE!
And finally, when did the AFC North get 2 more good teams? The two Ohio teams have too many young players to be considered good yet. They haven’t proved anything. How can a person say the Steelers are too old to be good but the Ravens arent?
I like the ranking and I think they have a big early season advantage since no teams will have game film on their new offense. It will be week 6 before teams can figure them out.

By: clashpoint

clashpoint — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 04:52:16 +0000

I don’t get all this “oh they are too old” thinking.

Offense:
On the offensive line, the oldest players are Colon and Starks, and both should be right about in their prime. Their center is a 3rd year player and two time pro-bowler. Right tackle is 2nd year and one guard will be a rookies. Lots of youth. Their WRs are one 4th year, two 3rd years and cotchery who is in his 8th I believe. RBs are all young, except mendenhall who is in his prime.

Defense:
Of their top six linemen, two are older, and four are 4th year or less. LBs are a bit older, but Woodley and Timmons are right in their prime, and all the back-ups are young. At corner, only Taylor is old, the others are all very young. Safety is the only position that’s older and it’s stocked by a pro-bowler in Polamalu and a slightly older guy in Clark. Expect rookies there next year.

They’ve had three straight really good rookie crops, including this one, that have supplied a lot of new players. This is not an old team, across the board. I’d say this just about the right ranking, although considering their off-seasons they could well be ranked higher than the ravens who after all finished with the exact same record as the Steelers last year.

By: holeinone09

holeinone09 — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 16:54:58 +0000

Can’t argue too much either way about the ranking. Haley’s impact will be interesting to watch, but I think overall it will be more positive than negative. Both the OL and DL will be major things to watch this season. The OL has the potential to be much better, but the 2 high draft choices are yet unproven. If the line gives Ben time to let plays develop for passes and opens up better holes for the run game, they can be scary on offense. While it is tough to lose the caliber of player like Smith (although he was injured a lot the past 3 seasons) and Hampton for some time this year, at least by Hood and Heyward have some experience. Losing Farrior won’t be that big a deal except for leadership, but they have enough other leaders on defense. If Woodley, Harrison and Troy can stay healthy, it will have a major impact.

Getting excited about the season, and the chance to payback the Ravens and Denver.

By: steeelfann

steeelfann — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 12:00:34 +0000

The Steelers could go either way. Remember, Harrison and Woodley hardly played together last year when healthy.

Their middle 3 on the offensive line, Colon-Pouncy-DeCastro could be really something. Colon was one of the most effective tackles in the NFL before missing basically the last 2 seasons. He is fresh. He is going to be a nasty guard. Pouncy is a 2-time pro-bowler in 2 years, and DeCastro may be one of the NFL’s best guards by year end. Adams has the athletic ability they have missed for years at Left Tackle.

If Harrison and Polamalu are healthy all year, i would say watch out. If not, hard to say.

By: joerevs300

joerevs300 — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 02:54:57 +0000

I don’t see an in-between on this season.

Either the Steelers offense will thrive under Haley, the defense will stay (relatively) healthy, and the Ravens will struggle without Suggs, etc. and they’ll go 12-4/11-5 and win the AFC North.

Or the whole offensive experiment blows up in their face, losing nearly their entire starting DL and father time catches up with Harrison and Polamalu, the Bengals continue their improvement and they end up 6-10/7-9, much to the joy of NFL fans not part of Steeler Nation.

So 10-6 and a possible WC birth seems about right as another poster said.

By: jr4real

jr4real — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 00:52:15 +0000

Even as a Steelers fan i think this ranking may be too high. But Florio loves the Steelers so i don’t mind it!

But which teams in the NFCE are really going to beat them?

Giants and Eagle could but I give it a split.

Redskins: RG3 maybe can put points up but even with a good D they may struggle with Pitt O.

Thats all the teams right?……

By: ravenseattheirownpoop

ravenseattheirownpoop — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 23:25:56 +0000

Steelers will prove everyone wrong again as the get their 7th superbowl win. All the Ravens fans will be saying “I hate them but damn do I respect them”!

By: walkingtalking1

walkingtalking1 — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 22:43:51 +0000

Florio, you suck!

By: mj1818

mj1818 — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 21:09:49 +0000

I would actually say at this point that they aren’t old with the exception of a few players. They have young inexperienced and unproven players.

Zack, which 3 of the 4 NFC east teams are you referring to? The eagles? They had a good year last year.. The redksins? Yah they might lose to them on any given Sunday.. Cowboys? They had a solid year last year at 8-8. You must be thinking of the other 5 teams that had 12+ wins.

By: kuta82

kuta82 — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 18:27:28 +0000

6th is too for a team is going down defensively. They are good offensively but I hope Wallaces business problem don’t drag em down..New OC is not an issue because they are a veteran team plus they all participated in the offseason workouts. I think they will struggle to run the ball. Their Oline will start off slow if they decide to start both rookies..last but not the least this division the most toughest in the league..its no longer Baltimore and Steelers coz the Bengals are on the rise and they’ve always found ways to get in between. I think cincy and bal will be too much for them but I won’t be suprised if it ends up being a 3team fight again

By: runtheball

runtheball — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 18:12:04 +0000

Polamalu is a unique player the most overrated player is Ryan Clark. He is too slow to cover anyone. His specialty is the big hit, but with the emphasis on protecting defenseless receivers and helmet-to-helmet contact it is a useless skill. Right or wrong 98 times out of a 100, it will draw a flag.

This ranking seems fair. They may start slow with the new pieces, but inexperience as a weakness is much better than a lack of speed.

By: londonbengal

londonbengal — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 17:17:51 +0000

I predict the AFC-N is gonna be another slugfest this year. They all have real good top-ten type defences, and like to run the ball.

Wouldn’t surprise me if all 4 teams finish with 7 to 9 wins this year.

By: fbgal0504

fbgal0504 — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 17:16:23 +0000

And anyone saying if we run the ball we will lose?!?! See, were the steelers….we run the ball down our opponent’s throats, granted we have been missing that part of our game for a while, but that’s why we got Haley……and if it doesn’t work we throw the ball to our young money receivers…..we are versatile!!!! No one trick ponies in Pittsburgh!!!!!

By: johntonioholmes

johntonioholmes — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 17:01:40 +0000

randallflagg52

Has never been and will never be another player like Polamalu.

The only player I’ve ever seen who can lined up at corner, safety, linebacker and d-line and make an impact where ever he is.

When he gets on the line, the offensive lineman go after him and not the ends or tackles.

By: samoanjungle

samoanjungle — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 15:45:58 +0000

I can’t see them being 6th. Too much change in the offseason, too much loss of leadership and too many guys over 30.
They should have a great passing game though.

By: electionconfidential

electionconfidential — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 15:44:15 +0000

Rooney is the only owner out there betting against the passing game. If Haley focuses on the run like Rooney wants him too they won’t make the playoffs or certainly not as division champions. You’ve got really good receivers and a very good QB… use ‘em!

By: mcdenn519

mcdenn519 — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 15:39:05 +0000

If they stay healthy, they’ll beat anybody. It always comes down to heath with them.

By: r66x

r66x — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 14:18:39 +0000

They need offensive line to be good to keep Ben healthy. Polamalu needs to stay healthy too. This rating may be a bit high but Steelers are always good.

Don’t see them making the Super Bowl….Ravens, Patriots, Denver, Houston are all capable of beating them.

By: thedudesnotin

thedudesnotin — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 13:18:52 +0000

I can forsee a 10-6 season for the Yinzers.

May not be enough to get a wild card. Not sure why that would equate to as high as a 6 ranking. They are getting old, and yes they had a pretty good draft overall, but, I personally do not see them any higher then 16th.

Just saying. No hating.

By: maozedarmiento

maozedarmiento — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 13:04:53 +0000

I think the Steelers are underrated. Kinda strange to say about a team ranked 6th.

But this team reminds me of the Steelers team that won in 2008. Similarly losing in the playoffs the year before (in 2011 to the Broncos, and in 2007 to the Jaguars), they have gone under the radar the following year.

With Baltimore losing T-Sizzle (and Ben Grubbs via free agency), I think the AFC North will be the Steelers division in 2012. They are my pick to make it to the Superbowl as well.

Hopefully my Eagles maybe one day will learn how to play defense and get there themselves for the Keystone state Suberbowl showdown, but thats just wishful thinking.

#Pittsburgtherealdynasty

By: zack2482

zack2482 — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 12:22:27 +0000

Most of these rankings are not bad, but this one is curious. The Steelers won’t beat 3 out of the 4 NFC East teams this years schedule. Not to mention, this is the first time in a long, long time that this division isn’t just a two team race. It won’t be easy anymore.

They are old and starting to look like a 3rd place team in the North. They are not making the playoffs this year. Did they forget that they lost to Tebow in the playoffs last year? Tebow!!

By: pizzon

pizzon — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 12:21:50 +0000

this team will be fine, ownership and the coaching staff along with clubhouse leadership dont allow for distractions or nonsense. the media is and always has been riding the whole Ben vs Haley thing in hopes of starting controversay when there isnt any. Haley brings toughness and discipline so how is that a bad thing especially considering this is part of the culture that was already in place. the Steelers will be just fine when all is said and done expect to see them again at the top of their division and competing for another Lombardi.

By: randallflagg52

randallflagg52 — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 12:14:18 +0000

You listed Troy Polamalu as a safety, I think you should have listed him as a linebacker. After all he is great against the run, but get’s torched far too often to be considered a good safety.

Easily the most overrated player in the NFL.