3 Rivers Rundown 9/8/17: Steelers In Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear

By Jaison Roberts, @Kratoslives


The object in the Steelers mirror is the 7th Lombardi trophy.

This 2017 Steelers team is on the cusp of making history or being tracked down. This may sound confusing but the Steelers have two options; win it all and be alone in the NFL history books, or move over and make room for the New England Patriots who can win their 6th trophy. Me as a Steelers fan, would prefer the 1st option and they can do it. We have a team right now that is the perfect blend of old and seasoned, with their leaders and captains.

The team is now built for multiple Super Bowl runs with the past 3 years of drafting. The team average age is 28 years old minus 8 players in their 30's. Their nucleus is all under 29 years old and they are in good position with the salary cap, with relief coming. All while being able to win and repeat as champions just as long Kevin Colbert & Mike Tomlin play their cards right. Let's look into the current state of the team starting with our QB's.

We all know the Steelers are being led by a hall of fame QB in Ben Roethlisberger. Quietly, he is back in the position as he was as a rookie. This team no longer needs Big Ben to win it all but just lead them like he did in his first 2 years. After Ben, the QB room lacks the talent to strike fear in opposing defenses. Landry Jones is a journeyman who has it from the neck up, just not physically. Josh Dobbs has both the smarts and physicality, but lacks the experience.

The running backs are led by Le'Veon Bell. The only thing he can't do so far is stay on the field for all 16 games of a season. If he can stay healthy or avoid suspension, he's a threat to all past NFL rushing records. When you look at this man, the only thing that comes to mind is, "Did Barry Sanders and Marshall Faulk combine their DNA?" After him, here comes James Conner & Terrell Watson the Steelers prototypical RB. They're big, they're fast, but the knock on them is they're green so expect some mistakes when Bell finally needs a rest.

The receivers are a pure nightmare with the talent sitting in that room, led by Antonio Brown. When you have a number one receiver in Martavius Bryant as your number two, you know your unit is a problem for the opposition. This is followed up with Darrius Heyward-Bey, Justin Hunter, Eli Rogers and Ju Ju Smith-Schuster. I guess this isn't fair but I'm not complaining. It's my team we're talking about.

The tight ends leave a semi-sweet taste in your mouth. Not just mine but the staff, which led to the team trading for Vance McDonald from the San Francisco 49ers. Jesse James and Xavier Grimble both who know the playbook, but haven't seized the #1 spot. So this may be the only weakness on the offense, but the receivers make up for it.

As far as the O-Line is concerned, there are two things; they are healthy for once and Mike Munchak. Thank you again Tennessee Titans for firing him. After Mike's arrival, the O-Line had lived up to the billing. The wild part is now injures don't phase them because of the coaching.

The defensive line is just nasty with the return of Cameron Heyward and the play of Stephon Tuitt and Javon Hargrave. This will be the best front three since Brett Keisel, Casey Hampton and Aaron Smith, who used to wreck havoc on offensive lines, which these three can do.

Now for the freaks of the defense, the linebackers are going to feast this year. With the front three so disruptive, you now have Ryan Shazier, Vince Williams, Bud Dupree and T.J. Watt hunting in your back field. All while having James Harrison resting and preparing for a strong Super Bowl run. All of this can happen while having the young guns being lead by Arthur Moats. This unit has the chance to have three people with double digit sacks.

Now here comes the black sheep of the family: the secondary.

Arty Burns & Sean Davis both had solid rookie seasons and both got better in the 2nd half, including the playoffs. However, that still didn't stop the Steelers from seeking and getting help in the form of Coty Sensabaugh, J.J. Wilcox and the big prize, Joe Haden. This unit should all thrive with the front seven pressuring the QB. Mike Mitchell should be free to help on blitzes and run support as well.

The special teams should be solid again especially if Todd Haley's offense is scoring tons of points. This team should be able to go 13-3, but I'm going with my gut with a 1 game improvement. So, I'm giving the 2017 Steelers 12-4 record with a Super Bowl win.

#HereWeGo

Browns Preview 12.30.16: Cleveland Browns @ Pittsburgh Steelers

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

The (1-15) Cleveland Browns travel to Pittsburgh to take on the (10-5) Steelers. This is going to be a weird game for a few reasons. First off, the Steelers are expected to sit Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell, and Antonio Brown this week since they already clinched the third seed in the AFC playoff standings. On the other hand if the Browns lose this week, they will clinch the 1st overall pick for the first time since 2000.


Browns Offense vs Steelers Defense

It sounds like Robert Griffin III will start this week, since he was cleared to be taken out of Concussion protocol. If Griffin doesn't start, Cody Kessler will start in place of him. Another a few other shifts on the offensive line. Jonathan Cooper was released this week and Alvin Bailey was activated off of the suspension list and will start this week. Cam Erving will shift over to right tackle in place of Austin Pasztor and either Anthony Fabiano or Gabe Ikard will start at center this week.

The game plan this week should be the same as the past few weeks with Griffin at quarterback. Use Griffin's legs to set up the zone-read running game for Isaiah Crowell. The Browns should run the ball a lot to the right to test Cam Erving at right tackle. It will be interesting to see if the Browns active Darius Jackson this week. Jackson was claimed a few weeks ago from Dallas and has yet to be activated for a game.

The passing game should be the same also. Take some shots down field to keep the defense honest, but overall just take what the defense gives Griffin. Corey Coleman should get a lot of targets since Terrelle Pryor is still banged up. Duke Johnson should get his normal touches out of the backfield in the check down game.


Browns Defense vs Steelers Offense

Landry Jones will be starting this week for the Steelers. He has a career record of 1-2. And the one win was against the Browns last year when he got hurt and Big Ben replaced him. DeAngelo Williams will start and get the bulk of the carries with Bell out.

The Steelers should play conservatively. They don't want anyone to get hurt this game, whether its a backup or a starting offensive lineman. So heavy running, winning the time of possession, and limiting turnovers is going to be their game plan for this week,

The Browns will need to force a turnover or two to be able to pull out this game. And to do that they need to get pressure on Jones. Jamar Taylor should get multiple opportunities to make a play this.  On the run defense side, Shelton needs to set the tone at the line of scrimmage since DeAngelo Williams will get the start and many carries.


Five Guys to Watch

Cam Erving: Cam's is getting his first start at right tackle and it sounds like he could be the right tackle in 2017.

Robert Griffin III: This could be his last start in a Browns uniform. The Browns will need to make a decision about him this off-season and depending how things go, Griffin could be out of the NFL.

Isaiah Crowell: It will be interesting to see how the running game will play with a new look offensive line. Crowell is 200 yards away from 1000 for the season. Yes it seems unlikely but hey...its something to watch out for.

Emmanual Ogbah: Ogbah will need to get to the quarterback this week. Hopefully Ogbah can close out this year on a high note. He's played really well since moving to the defensive line.

Danny Shelton: The Steelers are going to run the ball with Williams a lot this week. Shelton is an easy pick this week. He needs to set the line of scrimmage and can't let the Steelers running game get into a rhythm.


Injury Report
Weather
Betting Line: Pittsburgh -6


Prediction: 24-17 Steelers

Don't worry Browns fans, they clinch the number one overall pick and draft talk can begin next week. The only good thing about this week 17 is that no changes should be made on "Black Monday". The Browns didn't go 1-15, aren't firing coaches, and clinched the number one overall pick...I'd say that a fairly successful "try-out" year.

Browns Recap 11.21.16: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

The Browns fall to 0-11 after their 24-9 loss to the Steelers. This game was personification of the 2016 Cleveland Browns and four plays proved that.  The first was the Browns punting on 4&33 and then two penalties at the end of the first half (which would have ended the half at 6-0) allowing the Steelers to take a 14-0 lead into the locker room. Then in the second half the quarterback Cody Kessler suffered a concussion and Josh McCown had to take over. Each quarterback suffered four sacks and were hit hard multiple times.


The First Half:

Defensively the Browns played a "bend, but don't break defense". The Steelers completely dominated the time of possession having the ball for just over 20 minutes. The Steelers had 217 total yards on 41 plays. 132 of the 217 yards were through the air with Le'Veon Bell as the Steelers leading receiver with seven catches for 50 yards. Bell also carried the ball 16 times for 85 yards and a touchdown (which was the result of the two penalties at the end of the half). The Steelers were also 4/7 on third down and 1/1 on fourth. Roethlisberger was 18/25 for 132 yards.

The Browns were horrible offensively only managing 50 total yards. Kessler was 3/7 for 60 yards and one interception, but what really killed this team was Kessler being sacked three times for a total of 29 yards. The running game didn't do anything. 19 rushing yards on seven carries. Isaiah Crowell had five carries for nine yards and Duke Johnson had two carries for 10. The leading receiver was Terrelle Pryor with one catch for 30 yards. Andrew Hawkins had a catch for 28 yards and rookie Corey Coleman had a catch for four yards, and he also had two dropped catches.


The Second Half:

The defense played well holding the Steelers to 96 total yards in the second half. Bell had 66 of the 96 yards. 61 on the ground and five through the air. Bell ended the game with 146 yards on the ground on 28 carries and a touchdown. And eight catches for 55 yards. Roethlisberger ended his day with 167 yards on 23/36 passing. Antonio Brown tied Bell as the game leader in catches with eight and had the team lead in receiving yards with 76.

The Browns leading tacklers were Christian Kirksey with nine, Jamie Collins with eight, and Demario Davis with seven.

Offensively the Browns were the Browns. They couldn't run the ball at all and their quarterback got hurt. Kessler suffered a concussion and McCown came in. McCown played like he always does. 118 yards on 14/27 passing and throwing the Browns only touchdown of the day. A 14 yard pass to tight end Gary Barnidge. Two plays back-to-back really hurt the Browns. After getting the ball while down 17-9 McCown threw a ball over the middle to Terrelle Pryor. Pryor didn't catch it because it was overthrown but suffered a big hit and was taken off of the field. The next play while scrabbling, McCown fumbled the ball into the end zone and it was recovered by the Steelers for a touchdown. So like stated before..."McCown played like he always does". Terrelle Pryor ended his day with five catches for 97 yards, Duke Johnson had three catches in the second half for 46 yards, and ended his day with 4 catches for 39 yards.

The offensive line was terrible all game. They couldn't get a push in the running game resulting in 33 yards on 13 carries and the Steelers having eight sacks for 70 yards.

Overall Thoughts:

These games are hard to watch, but this team isn't quitting and that says a lot. It says a lot about the coaching of Hue Jackson and his staff. He is trying to get as much as he can with what he has. We all knew this year was going to be tough but no one thought it was going to be this tough. Its hard to win when you play six different players at quarterback, numerous offensive line combinations, and injuries on both sides of the ball.

This game also showed me that Kessler isn't going to be our starting quarterback for the future...and that is okay. Kessler seems to hesitant to get the ball out. Yes its a combination of the lack of play-makers and offensive line but its becoming obvious that the Browns will draft their future quarterback in April. Also expect Robert Griffin III to start either this week against the Giants (if he's cleared) or week 14 vs the Bengals and to play for the reminder of the season.

Most Valuable Brown (MVB): Terrelle Pryor continues to play well with a murky quarterback situation. He is proving he can be a top-level receiver and should get paid handsomely this off-season whether its in Cleveland or not.

3 Rivers Rundown 10.21.16: Steelers Mid-Season Report & Big Ben's Vacation

By Jaison Roberts, @Kratoslives


Most sports blogs have already given their mid-season reports, but this is the Steelers. Our mid-season just started, since Big Ben got hurt. How is this mid-season, you might be asking? Well, he is on schedule to miss his yearly 4 games.

At this time, the Steelers are 4-2. This is with two devastating losses, with the worst being the loss to Miami. That loss was the start of Big Ben's yearly vacation and his nagging injuries. His knee injury from the previous year flared up and needed another surgery. This wouldn't be as bad if it wasn't for the defense already being a walking M.A.S.H unit. Cam Heyward, Ryan Shazier and Bud Dupree are on the shelf. Not bad considering we are 4-2, but here comes the Patriots.

With our defense in complete shambles, this is the wrong team coming to town. They're going to kill us since we can't generate a pass rush. Tom Brady is going to go nuts and our secondary is his target. Our rotation of Tuitt, Hargrave and Heyward can't get pressure on the QB. Daniel McCullers & Ricardo Matthews are major disappointments. They have the size, just not the functional skills.

They were manhandled by a weak Miami offensive line that just ran right at them and through them. Not only was it sad but telling of things to come. Which leads to our own offensive line, which is hurt and influx with too many injuries. This is causing major problems with pass protection. That was clear when we played the Eagles and their "Wide Nine" defense. This defense worked so well causing break downs, the Dolphins duplicated it and got the same results the win. The great news our bye week is here.

When we come off our bye week, we get the Ravens and Cowboys. Even if the Steelers lose, we'll still be in second place. Hard to imagine that, but the Bengals have come back down to Earth. A Cowboys loss is out of the division, so not as bad as losing in the division. That will lead to the return of Big Ben and the return of offensive stability. Our defense will be up and running after the bye week so I'm hoping we'll have a chance of stealing a win or two.

Now back to our mid-season report, the Steelers are ahead of schedule which is amazing. We have found a new offense which seems to be 2 to 3 deep in skill positions, other than QB. The TE position is actually the most surprising with Xavier Gimble and Jesse James trying to phase out TE Ladarius Green.

The only weak spot remains our offensive line, due to injuries, not due to poor play. This is a great problem to have since in our recent past, it was just poor playing. Our defensive line is now in the same boat as our past offensive line with poor play, but it's due to injury. But most importantly it's also due to bad drafting & free agent signings (McCullers & Matthews).

Now here comes the real issue with our defense, our linebackers are still rebuilding. Yes, we have Shazier, Dupree and Timmons. Sounds good for a core until you realize Jarvis Jones is still under performing and Shazier & Dupree are hurt. Father time has finally caught up to James Harrison and the newbies at LB are still learning.

Speaking of our newbies at linebacker, they're a least a season away from making that position formidable again. Its great but still sucks since we are in the middle of this season. Now as for the Steelers defensive backs, other than Mike Mitchell, it's crickets and I do mean crickets. They make so much noise during practice and pregame warm ups but during the games, NOTHING. Other than improving on tackling they, all need hand transplants. Our special teams have held their own but no Splash Plays have come from them to this point.

The coaching has gotten better on the offensive side and the defensive side, excluding Carnell Lake. He continues to be the coaching staff albatross, so let me say, Carnell it's time for you to go. I can't believe I said it, but really Carnell Lake it's time for you to go. You were a great player for us but you are not a good coach. I feel you have a wealth of knowledge, but you may not be a teacher which is a problem if you can't convey the message.

So as we prepare for the second half, the team has a clear cut path to the playoffs. We just need to go .500 until Big Ben's return. Which means the offense should revolve around Le'Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams. Stick to this plan that will give quarterback Landry Jones a chance to use play-action passes to move the ball deep. The whole league knows we are deadly when going deep.

Mike Tomlin, Head Coach: grade B+, would've gotten an A but Carnell Lake is on your staff
Todd Haley, Offensive Coordinator: A, you're proving why you'll get another head coaching job
Mike Munchek, Offensive Line: B, only due to the injuries
Richard Mann, Wide Receiver Coach: A+, your a God among men when it comes to picking talent
James Saxon, Running Back Coach: A, two words Bell & Williams
Keith Butler, Defensive Coordinator: C+, injuries are keeping your grade down
Mike Mitchell, Defensive Line: C+, Injuries and bad picks are hurting you
Joey Porter & Jerry Olsavsky, Linebackers Coach: B, injuries and Jarvis Jones
Carnell Lake, Defensive Backs Coach: C, Only reason why your grade is this high is Mike Mitchell
Danny Smith, Special Teams: C, Haven't lost or won a game, so I won't go higher

Overall Team Grade: B-, Again injuries and Carnell Lake are the main reasons why the grade is so low. You must prove it after the Pats & bye week or 3/4 season grade may be lower.

Colin Kaepernick: How Is He The Most Disliked Player In The NFL?

By Pat Luhta, @PLuhta

I got a message from ESPN the other day that said a recent poll showed the 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick is the most disliked player in the NFL. The sample was rather small, only 1,100 people were asked, but 29% of those involved with the research said Kaepernick's name when asked who their most disliked player. That's 319 of 1,100, practically 1 in every 3 people have him as the most disliked and it was a landslide as well with Jameis Winston coming in a #2 at 22% (242 people disliked him the most).

I'm not here to tell anyone to not hate Colin Kaepernick, that discussion is for another time. I'm aware of the reason why he is hated, some look at the American flag as a sign of freedom and patriotism and not standing for it is a sign of disrespect to veterans that provide such freedoms. Others think that he's just being a spoiled brat and that kind of attitude is a turn off so they hate him for acting that way, and some definitely feel that his protest is wrong because they do not believe that the social injustices of which his protest is based off of is valid and he's just taking a stand for the wrong reason. Whichever reason it may be, I get that he is disliked...but the most disliked of all the players in the NFL? Really?

There's a thing known as being a "prisoner of the moment", meaning your current emotions are falsely dictating your thoughts of the entire landscape. For instance, a player makes an incredible catch and automatically it's "the greatest catch in the history of the sport!!!", when really it's just the most fresh in your mind and once you stop and think about it then it becomes "ok so there were others that were better but this one was pretty good." That's happening here, Colin Kaepernick is freshly talked about on the news so he's obviously the most disliked player around, people spend a lot of time hating him and don't take a second to think about the other things that current NFL players have been involved in.

There's also the uniformed situation, where Kaepernick is the most disliked based on not knowing all of the other players in the league and what they've done. Going back to the greatest catch example, someone else will counter and say "greatest catch ever? What about (name's player and game) catch?" which is followed by "oh...I don't remember seeing that one." People pick what their most liked or disliked people, things, places etc. based on what they know, can't really fault them but at the same time there shouldn't be an absolute to their answer then.

So whether you are a prisoner of the moment and need some thing re-hashed to get your memory going again or just unaware of other player in the NFL, here's a few examples to show that Colin Kaepernick being the most disliked player is absolutely ridiculous.

The first being Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger. I find it hard to believe that the majority of people voting on this would not know who he is because well, he's really good and at a position that gets a lot of the spotlight. He is one of the top QB's in the NFL, is breaking all kinds of Steelers' records and has won the Super Bowl twice. Do you know what else he's been involved in twice? Sexual assault.The first time coming in 2009, where Roethlisberger was at a suite in Lake Tahoe, lured a hotel attendant to his room, blocked her from leaving and assaulted her to the point that she needed to go to the hospital. Due to a lack of evidence and a "he said, she said" back and forth, the case was settled for an undisclosed amount of money. Then just a year later, Roethlisberger was again accused of sexual assault, this time in a nightclub's bathroom and the victim being a college student. She also needed to go to the hospital after Roethlisberger followed her into a bathroom and raped her in a stall. Due to a lack of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, Roethlisberger escaped jail time and was not charged, slipping away on technicalities. The NFL was not amused at his antics though and suspended him for 6 games that season along with placing him in a mandatory behavior evaluation class where he underwent therapy for his problems with keeping his hands off of women.

There's another guy in the NFL that you should know about, his name is Sheldon Richardson. He is a defensive lineman for the NY Jets, and he had a rather forgettable offseason in 2015. Coming off a Pro Bowl season, Richardson's offseason started by being suspended 4 games for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Then his got a bit worse for him as 2 weeks later he was arrested after street racing at excess of 140 MPH, taking the cops on a chase through the streets of St. Louis and after he surrendered, the police found a loaded handgun(later proved to be legal), marijuana smell on him and one of the passengers in his car was a 12 year old kid.  Let's rewind it back just so I can go through the timeline of events...Sheldon Richardson got high, started driving with a 12 year old in the car, decided to street race at 140 MPH, and tried to alluded police by driving recklessly through residential streets. There are times that people use bad judgment and mistakes are made, but I find this kind of bad judgment to be far past just chalking it up as a mistake. This was a reckless decision that Richardson was lucky to just get away with just a large fine and 2 years probation since they decided not to charge him with child endangerment.

Then I'd like to bring up a guy by the name of Josh Brown. Kickers are usually not remembered unless they are kicking game winning field goals in the Super Bowl (Adam Vinatieri), or missing field goals to lose the Super Bowl (Scott Norwood), so I wouldn't be shocked if Josh Brown's name isn't recognized by many people. Aside from having a lengthy career in the NFL, Josh Brown has also had a lengthy issue of domestic violence. Back in 2015, Brown was arrested on domestic violence charges after his wife(now ex-wife) went to the police with claims that she felt threatened by him and as she went to call, he grabbed her wrist and an assault occurred. So that was one incident, but details have emerged lately about his past with her and they aren't pretty at all. The disturbing reports came out that he had been physically violent with her 20 times in the past, instances ranging anywhere from holding her down and threatening to kill her to pushing her into as mirror and throwing her onto the floor. There was a time that they were arguing over the mail and he became enraged to the point where he grabbed her shoulders and pushed her into a door, this incident happened in 2009 when she was at least 4 months pregnant.

Yes you read that right...SHE WAS PREGNANT. With his child too, not that it makes any difference, but I wanted to clear that up incase anyone wanted to heinously justify his actions by wondering if she was having an affair, got pregnant and when he found out the child wasn't his then he went into a fit of rage. She was his wife and that was their kid that she was bearing and he still assaulted her. That was the first physical incident of the 20, ranging from 2009 to 2015.

My point here is that things need to be kept in perspective. Like I said, hate Colin Kaepernick for whatever reason you'd like, go ahead and think he's a prick for doing what he's doing; it's every bit your freedom to dislike him for kneeling during the National Anthem as it is his to kneel during it. But things like rape, child endangerment and serial domestic abuse should piss you off a hell of a lot more than someone protesting peacefully and silently. On average, around 40 NFL players are arrested each year ranging from unpaid fines to assaulting an elderly person, there are plenty of other players to choose from as your most hated and things you should find way more egregious than his protest. That's also why I will never understand the rationale behind this "NFL boycott" that people are trying to start up, where they refuse to watch NFL games or buy any merchandise until the NFL suspends Kaepernick and others for protesting.

Where was the boycott when Rae Carruth was hiring someone to kill his pregnant girlfriend? Where was the boycott when Ray Lewis was charged with obstruction with involvement of stabbing people? Where was the boycott when Adam "Pacman" Jones was shooting up a strip club? Where was the boycott when Aaron Hernandez was executing 2 people in a gang affiliated style? Where was the boycott when Ray Rice was knocking out his girlfriend in an elevator? So far, the only boycotts have been when Michael Vick signed a contract after serving 2 years in prison and now this? So dogs and flags are boycott worthy, but assaults and killings of people are not?

And just for the record, yes I support Colin Kaepernick. I'm not advocating that people see his side though, or my side even. That's for another time and if anyone wants to have a civil conversation on Twitter or Facebook or if you know me personally then we can have it in person, I'm fine with debating this subject overall and if you also dislike me for agreeing with Kaepernick and understanding his protest then that's your right. But when you say that he's your most hated NFL player because of it though and rank it as being worse than beating up a pregnant woman, then I'm not on board with that.

Hating Colin Kapernick isn't wrong, hating him the most is.

3 Rivers Rundown: 7 Is The Gateway To NFL Immortality

By Jaison Roberts, @Kratoslives


As the Pittsburgh Steelers set out to start the NFL 2016 season, something should be on the minds of fans and the NFL.

If the Steelers win their seventh Lombardi Trophy, they will be widely viewed as the New York Yankees of the NFL. They will represent everything the NFL wants it's fans to believe in. That any team, no matter what city, big or small, your team is in it every year.

With a group of wide receivers that can do anything on the field, this team's aerial attack may become historic, especially with Antonio Brown leading the charge. He alone with Big Ben staying healthy may be the NFL's first 2000 yard receiver. He has proven that he can't be covered all the time, whether its in single or double coverage. Also with second year receiver Sammie Coates and Darius Heyward-Bey stretching the field, Brown and Markus Wheaton will be open for quick hitters. Even with the retirement of Heath Miller, this offense may be just to much for the league to handle.

The run game isn't going to be any type of cupcake either. With Le'Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams, they are going to force defensive coordinators into cold sweats. In my opinion, you are looking at the best overall back in the league when on the field in Bell. The only thing that seems to stop him are horse collar tackles and drug suspensions. Bell might miss the first four games this season, but could win his appeal on August 18, and be ready to go in Week 1. This could be scary for other teams but with Williams' rebirth at the age of 33, there should be no offensive worries.

Future Hall of Fame Ben Roethlisberger is showing no signs of letting up either. Even though he can't run like he used to, his mind has sped up and he now carves up your defense from the neck up. So other than bringing his new tight ends up to speed, Jesse James and Ladrius Green, he will be driving a Bugatti-type custom-made offense, just for him.

Now to the defensive side of the ball, which was last year's albatross, mainly the secondary. It will be extremely difficult to handle with a very disruptive front seven led by defensive ends Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt. Tuitt has become just as violent at the point of attack as Cam and they both get after your quarterback with a vengeance. The linebacker crew is on the way up, once again led by "Deebo" aka James Harrison and Lawrence Timmons. They had the third most sacks in the league last year, even though no one had more than 7 sacks.

The secondary is rebuilt with young talent, other than seven-year veteran free safety Mike Mitchell. This unit will be tested early and often this year. Which also could be a make or break year for defensive backs coach Carnell Lake. If this unit can't produce take aways, I feel that Coach Lake is gone.

So with the first preseason game coming this Friday (versus the Detroit Lions), answers should start to be given to fans as the ride to immortality and title number seven.

3 Rivers Rundown 9.10.15: The Quest For 7 #Steelers

By @Kratoslives

Ok Steelers fans, it's time to start our quest for Lombardi Trophy number 7.

This journey starts with dealing with the strongest schedule in the league. This season will make us a strong favorite, with a dash of uncertainty. We're coming in to the season topsy-turvy, by Steelers standards, as we have a strong offense with a suspect defense. We're doing this without long-time defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau which has some faithful fans ready to jump off the Cathedral of Learning.

Guess what Steelers Nation? BRING IT ON!!!!!!

The last time we had the strongest schedule, we won Super Bowl XLIII over the Arizona Cardinals to capture our franchises’ sixth Lombardi Trophy.

The new guard taking the lead of the Steel Curtain is long time Steelers linebacker coach Keith Butler. “Keith who?”, you may be asking. Let me give you a quick resume of Mr. Butler. Porter, Bell, Harrison, Gildon, Farrior. All of these men had the Steelers Nation drooling. If you know these last names, meet their teacher, Mr. Butler. The man who worked with and developed them. To add to his credit, he has two of his star pupils on his coaching staff, Jerry Olavsky and Joey Porter. This franchise went thru this with roles reversed during Big Ben's second year, Super Bowl XL over the Seattle Seahawks.

Now with that out the way, I'm calling on John Mitchell, the Steelers defensive line coach. Let Cam Heyward loose, please!

He is our key to future Lombardi trophies plus our leader on the defense. No disrespect to James Harrison, but the changing of the guard is ready to happen.

From this point on, our defense must go old school 3-4 zone blitz violent. Forget trickery, forget finesse and guile. Pick up the biggest stick you can find and hit your opponent. In other words, make your mark with pure violent hitting, until everyone on defense is ready to use guile.

The perfect opportunity to show this is, with the season opener against the Super Bowl XLIX Champion New England Patriots.

No playing around with them. Just keep punching them in the mouth until they quit. By doing this you, will punk all 31 other offenses in the league and give our secondary time to gel. Especially since our secondary has just been put together during this offseason. This new philosophy would serve us well since we are going to be without 3 key offensive players. LeVeon Bell will miss two games, Martavis Bryant four games and Maurkice Pouncey won't be back until after the Week 11 bye-week.

Which brings us back to the top of my article. Offense, it's time to hold it down. Remember the defense held you down for many years including two of three Super Bowl rings with Ben as your QB. Now it's time for Ben to return the favor with this high powered offense. If all parts pay it's dues, I see the seventh Lombardi coming home to the Three Rivers.

3 Rivers Rundown 8.26.15: Calm Down Steelers Nation #Steelers

By @Kratoslives

You know what fellow Steelers fans, stop it, really just stop it. Yes it sucks Maurkice Pouncey is out and Bruce Gradkowski’s hand is busted. Don't forget LeVeon Bell will miss the first two games.

So let's all head to the tallest buildings in our towns and jump to our collective deaths. Ok, now it's time to count our blessings on all the early injuries. First of all, you want it to happen now, not mid-season. It gives your team time to adjust. Don't believe me? Let's go back to last year and pick a first place team. It derailed the Cleveland Browns. Bye, bye playoffs and Alex Mack.

Oh now your starting to realize how the Steelers can recover from this minor set back?

Yes, that is not a typing error. A minor set back, because Pouncey will be back after the bye week. Besides, we are are getting a center back who knows the squad. Doug Legursky played and started a Super Bowl for us.

"But, but we're still scared!”

Then let me put it to rest for you. The Steelers have never won a Super Bowl after suffering major injuries during the season. I can only think of one team that has, but that player didn't play, Drew Bledsoe. The Patriots won their first Super Bowl with Bledsoe on the sidelines which was Tom Brady's first.

Now think about it. Your team learns to play with out the pressure of a win or loss on the line. Teams will be cutting players for numerous reasons which you may be able to get a steal. However, the most important part is the season still hasn't started. So if you listen and believe in Mike Tomlin, "The Standard Is The Standard". There is a chance for someone to become a starter elsewhere when Pouncey returns.

So all hands on deck! Cody Wallace, Doug Legursky, Chris Hubbard time to earn a decent contract in 2016. Even if it won't be with the Steelers, your family will thank you. The Steelers Nation will thank you. But more importantly than that, your financial future will be more secure.

Now to what really matters, buying time for Bruce Gradkowski to get healthy. We will need him more than Pouncey because of Big Ben. Roethlisberger has only played 16 games 3 times so far in his career going into his 12th season. I hear your hearts pounding, but let's all knock on wood.

After seeing all these injuries that hit us, this one is the one we can't afford to happen. Keep your fingers crossed and hope Ben continues to check down to avoid hits.



Now, that the Steelers have signed Michael Vick to a 1-year deal, let's move into this season the way we should.

With all eyes focused on Super Bowl 50.

3 Rivers Rundown With Jaison (@Kratoslives)

A Tale Of 2 Teams (Fighting For Control)
By @Kratoslives

Welcome to the Pittsburgh Steelers starring Big Ben, Antonio "Wiggle" Brown, Heath Miller, Markus Wheaton, Martavis Bryant and guest starring Le'Veon Bell. This is the new air force just ask the Colts secondary, which is now part of the NFL's record breaking game, even though they weren't too happy with their part in it.

Now hold on, this is about 2 teams as I stated in my title. Welcome to the Pittsburgh Steelers starring Le'Veon Bell, LeGarette Blount, Will Johnson & Dri Archer, guest starring Big Ben. This unit will haunt "River Boat" Ron Rivera and the Carolina Panthers front seven for a long time. Bell & Blount may still be running wild in their minds. I know the fans won't forget them no time soon.

These 2 teams are fighting for control of the Pittsburgh Steelers fan base, and for control of the team itself. Which in turn is driving me and the rest of the fan base insane. I'm cracking up right now doing this article. Quit laughing I'm not kidding I'm going nuts about this. Don't believe, me check this out.

Week 1 vs the Browns, the first half was EUPHORIA! I'm jumping screaming and partying like a fool. Now something has happened during halftime to my emotions, 1000% pure DYSPHORIA, stunned silence. I'm searching for a boulder to hide under. How? Really, how could this have happened, I was on cloud nine 15 minutes ago. Could someone have kidnapped our entire offense during halftime. Is Ashton Kutcher shooting a new episode of Punked? That's it, both teams ran into the locker room and switched uniforms, but Ashton still hasn't showed his face pointing at hidden cameras.

Man I feel like I have a split personality, wait a minute that's it. The Pittsburgh Steelers has a split personality. One game they are running the ball down their opponents throats. The next game they are airing it out, too the point they need their own airport. But then it's the second game against the Brown's where nobody showed up except the Brown's. Now that we have found the problem may I make a suggestion, stop over thinking! Your putting yourself in the lost column when you over think.

Stick with what's working, if the passing game is working don't stop. Make them stop you, and if the running game is clicking then ride our horses. Just don't take your foot off your opponents neck until you see this on the game clock 00:00. Now that we have come to a understanding, Mike Tomlin here's my bill, $150. I take pay pal, checks, cash or tickets to a home game. Just remember don't let up on your opponent until the game is over. I'm going to check in on you.

Your buddy, Jaison from Warrensville Hts.

P.S. I now accept all major credit cards.