The Pittsburgh Steelers Are Looking For Answers

Mike Adams' Struggles in Pass Protection Leave
the Steelers Looking for Answers at Tackle

If you think of a football team and its 53 man roster, its similar to a 300 piece jig-saw puzzle.  Right when you think you've found the pieces that fit...you find out you really aren't that close.  The Pittsburgh Steelers are going through this process right now, and its obvious that the Steelers are in search of some answers to some of their questions.  The answers won't be so easy to find.  Read on for this to make more sense.

The Steelers injuries have spiked again, and after a short lapse of time when SteelerNation thought the team was getting healthy at the right time...that seems like a long time ago.  One position where the Steelers are REALLY looking for answers would be at the offensive line.  NO ONE thought Mike Adams would start this year, but due to injuries he was forced into action.  Adams is a tremendous run blocker, but has struggled in pass protection since Day 1.  You want to know why Heath Miller's numbers have suffered the past few weeks, just ask Mike Adams.  When the Steelers throw the football now, Miller typically has to stay in and help block with Adams.  If he doesn't help block, the QB is usually under immediate duress.  Marcus Gilbert was the starter, and some members of the Pittsburgh media were wondering if Gilbert would get his job back when healthy...I think that answer is a resounding YES.  The Steelers run game has improved under Adams, but I think it is a product of the entire line, and not just one player.

Another piece of the puzzle that has left a gaping hole in the middle is the QB situation.  Everyone knows the injuries to Ben and Byron that have led to Chuck Batch running the show on Sunday against the Browns.  I have full faith in Batch, but just prays that he can stay healthy through this game.  Reports were yesterday that Roethlisberger was seen not wearing his sling and using his right arm to do every day tasks.  Listen, I'm not going to read too much into reports like this, but it is a sign of improvement. I don't see him playing against the Ravens, but they have shocked me before.  If he starts throwing this week (even lightly), then I will give him a 50-50 shot of playing next week in Baltimore.  Regardless of Ben's status, the offensive line needs to keep Batch upright and healthy against the Browns defense so the "answer" at the QB position in Mr. Hoyer from New England.  The man was JUST signed this week, and all of SteelerNation hopes that all he has to do is hold a clipboard.

The Wide Receiver position is another part of the entire picture that needs to be addressed.  With the addition of Plaxico Burress, the Steelers made a statement.  That statement was that Jerricho Cotchery's rib injuries could keep him out of game action for weeks, and that without Antonio Brown possibly this week, the Steelers needed to bolster their WR core.  To add a player like Burress to an already stellar WR core can do wonders...when Big Ben returns.  With Charlie Batch, you can assume that the correct decision will be made and that the ball will be delivered on time; however, Batch's arm strength and mobility can be a cause for concern with the offensive protection breaking down at times.  The biggest answer that I am awaiting is what do the Steelers do with their WRs when Cotchery and Brown are healthy again?  Where does Plax fit into this situation?  Obviously, Wallace (even though he isn't on my "nice" list) and Brown will be the starters, but you have to figure Sanders will remain #3.  That leaves two WRs for 1 WR slot.  Should be interesting to see what the Steelers do.

The injury to Troy Polamalu and the revolving door that is the Steelers running back situations are just other pieces of the puzzle that leave the Steelers looking for answers.  How do they handle David DeCastro returning to practice after that devastating knee injury in the preseason?  I don't have the time or space to go into all of the Steelers' issues right now, but I can tell you this...if the Steelers are able to get HEALTHY, and some of these answers answer themselves this team can win a championship.  All they have to do is get invited to the dance...and that starts Sunday vs the Cleveland Browns...a MUST WIN game.