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 10.23.15: New Steelers For A New Generation #Steelers

By @Kratoslives

How can a injury galvanize a whole team? We suck in the secondary. Our linebackers are unproven and young. More important than that, we lost our franchise quarterback to a knee injury.

Well, say hello to the NFL's version of last season's Cleveland Cavaliers. Injuries are wrecking the Steelers' starting lineup. But just like the Cavs, the Steelers needed to make a move.

Now, we have to get current Steelers' quarterback Michael Vick up to speed. Also, Pittsburgh needs to give LeVeon Bell the ball & continue to give Martavis Bryant opportunities in the passing game.

Guess our season is over.... WRONG!!

It was just the spark we needed! The defense has started to gel. Especially in the secondary, which was giving fans and coaches alike, nightmares and bad dreams.

The front seven already have 17 sacks compare to last year's total of 33. Cam Heyward has turned into a force that offensive coordinators hate, while defensive end Stephon Tuitt leads the team with 3.5 sacks. This "hybrid 3/4 Tampa 2" defense has bad intentions that is making Steelers Nation proud. All of the main starting linebackers have sacks.

The offense has scored just enough to win, except for the Cardinals game (which was a team effort). With the most unlikely savior on offense, Landry Jones, coming in to ice the game. I believe that Big Ben will make his return either against the Chiefs or Bengals. It seems as if the football Gods are lining us up for another Super Bowl run. This time though, it seems to be the run that will make this team a more deadly force to deal with. We have a late bye week, with a chance for a first round playoff bye week, due to many AFC teams that are coming back to Earth.

With a good push and hopefully better luck on the injury front, the Steelers will make a deep run in the playoffs.

We must start with a beat down of the depleted Kansas City Chiefs, that will be without star running back Jamaal Charles, and an offensive line in worse shape than Pittsburgh's.

I'm looking for a 5-6 sack performance from the Steelers' front 7, with a couple of interceptions thrown in for good measure. This should be backed by 130 yards rushing by the aforementioned Bell. Receivers Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant should both have 130 yard receiving outings apiece. I'm expecting this, no matter if its Landry Jones or Big Ben Roethlisberger taking snaps under center.

So on Sunday, we begin the reboot of our season and we have 12 games to set the tone. No excuses. No "well, this happened". Nothing is acceptable other than a appearance in the AFC championship game.

So buckle up, take a deep breath and deliver on what Mike Tomlin has on the wall plaque;

"The Standard Is The Standard"

3 Rivers Rundown 3.1.15: Back To The Past Thru Our Future

By @Kratoslives

Ok the season is over. Combine has come and gone. It is time to get back to our past. So with that said, it's time to do the unmentionable: cut Troy Polamalu. I know what I'm saying is crazy to some, but it is time. So with a heavy heart and leap of faith, we move on. Thank You Troy, we love you. However, we must address our past so that means one more year for James Harrison and Brett Keisel who showed they have one left in them.   

Now for Shamarko Thomas and Mike Mitchell it's time to shine and take over the middle of the secondary. Ok here is where it gets scary CB we must strike gold in this draft. We also need a serious NT, we must clog up the middle. Mike Tomlin, yes you, I'm calling you out on this one. I need to see the coach from his second year at the helm. That man could get a rabbit to kill a rattle snake with a feather. That coach is really needed because we must also go young on D. Bye Ike Taylor. You're killing us by getting beat across the middle, and Cortez Allen....man up. 

To the coordinators Todd Haley and Keith Butler, mainly Keith, you must breathe new life into the defense. Todd, stay in Ben's head the passing game was spectacular last year. Mike Munchak, no words are needed. Our O-Line is in great hands. Now for the players themselves, you must lose this friendly attitude. Other than Cam Heyward the intensity level has to go up. Believe it or not, if you play more violent the refs will let that be your style of play. 

Mr. Kevin Colbert it's time to get your draft picks back in order. You must strike oil with this 2015 draft class. If not, I'll lead the parade for your resignation and it will be messy. These things must be accomplished because truthfully last year we should've been 8-8. We truly lucked out in a couple of those games. Guess what Pittsburgh? Your the team to beat this year when it comes to the AFC. With only two pieces really needed on the offense, tight end and running back, we will be one of the most feared units. 

As far as the AFC North goes, we will be in a fight again for the title with the Bengals and Ravens waiting on us to stumble because of the schedule. Sorry Cleveland, but you're not going to be a factor this year. So with zeal and hesitation I push forward looking for great things for our team. Including sliding down to Canton to watch "The Bus" Jerome Bettis go into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. April 30th, I also will be crashing another draft party representing the Black & Yellow. Time to get ready folks! So let's meet again maybe in a month, talking more Steelers football.