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| What Grade does "Big Ben" Get for the 1st Quarter... |
QUARTERBACK - Ben Roethlisberger has been under duress the entire season. There is no avoiding that, but at the same time, when Ben does have time he has been inaccurate with his throws. He has lacked those big plays that have become synonimous with "Big Ben". Lets also not forget that Roethlisberger has accounted for 10 turnovers this year and we are only 4 games into this thing. 5 fumbles and 5 INTs are unnacceptable through 4 games. Plain and simple. Although he doesn't deserve all the blame, he does deserve his fair share.
GRADE: C-
WIDE RECEIVERS - After a dull week 1, Antonio Brown has been the bright spot for the Steelers are the WR position. People asked if #84 could be a true "Number 1" at WR, and I feel the last few weeks he has answered that with a resounding 'Yes'. Brown isn't the only one that has been performing well, Emmanuel Sanders finally seems to be making some plays, Jerricho Cotchery is playing like the veteran he is, and Markus Wheaton is only going to get better. Another bright spot has been Heath Miller who has shown no ill effects of the knee surgery after playing just 2 games. With all the bright spots at the WR / TE position, the team has struggled in the redzone, and has also made routine plays look abismal. Alot of that is on the OLine and the QB, but that drags down the WR grade.
GRADE: B-
RUNNING BACKS - The revolving door of Running Backs continues to swing open and shut. Le'Veon Bell's door is swinging open as Isaac Redman's closes. Bell's performance Sunday has bolstered his stock as a legitimate starter and you saw why Tomlin has been high on this kid since training camp. Nonetheless, the inconsistency at the RB position has hobbled a struggling offense. The Steelers have yet to garner 100yds collectively as a group in any given game, and again, although alot of fingers can be pointed at the Offensive Line, the RBs also have to make things happen. Bell showed that ability on several runs Sunday, but not at the consistency the Steelers need from their RBs. This position needs to improve before the Steelers get back to their winning ways...
GRADE: D-
OFFENSIVE LINE - This was the one section that I wanted to really think about. Not only because they are so awful, but I actually believe that there are a few bright spots on the OLine. When you lose a captain, your pro bowl center, and leader...you typically can't just pick up someone off the street to step in, but the Steelers were able to do that. Volasco has stepped in and done his job and has been a very viable option for the Steelers at the center position. David DeCastro is now starting to really find his groove at guard too. You saw on a couple plays Sunday that he was able to get out around the edge and really seal off the block for the RB. This is what was said about him when he was drafted, and people need to remember that he is still learning. Ramon Foster is average. Plain and simple. Doesn't mess up alot, but doesn't dominate either. Then you have the tackles...goodness gracious the tackles...just really bad (I'll be nice).
GRADE - D- (Volasco, Foster, and DeCastro save them from Failing)
DEFENSIVE LINE - The "trenches" is where games are won and lost, and we know what the OLine has been up to, but the DLine hasn't been much better. Brett Keisel looks every bit of his age, Ziggy Hood is not making plays, and Cam Heyward (although improved) is just not a difference maker. Al Woods is getting time, but it isn't significant enough to even grade. Steve McLendon is having himself an average year this year, but average doesn't shut down opponent's running games, as was obvious Sunday in London. This group has disappointed me alot this year.
GRADE - C-
DEFENSIVE BACKS - On a team that has little experience in a lot of places, DB isn't one of them. Ike Taylor, William Gay, Ryan Clark, and Troy Polamalu are all seasoned veterans. Cortez Allen is still a young starter, but has experience in the slot. There is no excuse for this unit playing sub standard football, but thats exactly what is happening. Watching the Vikings catch and run their way to victory was reminiscent of the days of Chad Scott and Dewayne Washington...which was pretty pathetic if you recall. This should be the strength of the defense, but instead has turned into a liability. With the new NFL rules on hitting, Ryan Clark looks like he doesn't have a weapon in a fight. There is nothing intimidating anymore about this group, especially when Troy Polamlu essentially plays linebacker more than he does safety. Oh yeah...and they can't take the ball away...
GRADE - C
LINEBACKERS - Okay its time for a pop quiz. When was the last time you heard someone announce Lawrence Timmons' name for a big play? Nope? Okay, how about Jarvis Jones? Nope? How about Lamarr Woodley? Oh he has 3 sacks...okay. How about Jason Worilds? NO getting bulldozed into the endzone doesn't count as an announcer saying his name! The once proud linebackers of the Steelers have been invisible. 100% invisible. There is no pass rush, there are not big plays made in the backfield, there are no turnovers, no fumble recoveries, no interceptions....NOTHING. This group is essentially the most average group on the field...just bland and vanilla...nothing spectacular.
GRADE - C
SPECIAL TEAMS - Please don't put me on the list for being in the Zoltan Meskos fan club. I have been happy with the Steelers special teams units except for that man. Shaun Suisham has been money in the bank (as he was last year), the coverage units are improved (a little bump in the road in London), and the return game is okay even though they haven't broken that big run yet. The biggest weakness in Special Teams right now is our punter. His inability to pin defenders inside their 10, his inability to flip field position, and his inability to do much besides flop like a fish against the Bears has the Steelers fighting poor field position almost all game.
GRADE - B
COACHES - I will simply focus on the main coaches here. Mike Tomlin, Todd Haley, and Dick Lebeau. I find it hard to pin any blame on any coach that doesn't have a direct impact on the offense, defense, or overall impact of the team. That being said, the coaching on this team has been suspect from top to bottom in the first quarter of the season. Mike Tomlin's overall game management continues to baffle me, Toddy Haley's play calling is questionable (at best), and Dick Lebeau's schemes without the best defenders in the league seem old and worn out. The coaching staff needs to be blamed for alot of the failures of this team. Poor preparation of the inexperienced players and an overall lack of leadership directly points to failures of the coaching staff.
GRADE - D-
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