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

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.

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.