1/16/18-PODCAST STEEL NATION RADIO SEASON WRAP

By: Mike Pelaia

I do one final podcast ripping the team for their embarrassing performance against Jacksonville this past Sunday. It was inexcusable and I make my feelings known in this latest addition of Steel Nation Radio.

1/15/18-Wait Til Next Year….Again

By: Mike Pelaia

The Steelers talked the talk, but they definitely couldn’t walk the walk. Specifically, on defense.  The 13 win season, the division title, the first round bye; all for not.  The season, in my estimation,  is a failure.

The Black and Gold defense let them down against the Jaguars offense who is about as dynamic as a High School team in Allegheny County.  The blue print to stop them is pretty simple. Stop Leonard Fournette and make Blake Bortles beat you. 

Apparently, despite the fact that everyone with a pulse knew that, the Steelers couldn’t execute.  Fournette gashed them and because of that, Bortles was able to make just enough plays to keep Jacksonville moving the ball.  The Jaguars, who had already used this model to throttle the Steelers in October, garnered 45 points against a defense who showed weaknesses against the run as well as the pass.  Stuffing the box did nothing.  Don’t even get me started on third downs, they allowed 3^rd and fives to turn into 40 yard gains. 

The offense isn’t without it’s blame, we’ll get there, but anytime the offense would get the team within striking distance, you could bet dollars to doughnuts the defense was going to fail.  It was like clockwork. There is no question the loss of Ryan Shazier surely impacted this team defensively, he was their most dynamic playmaker on that side of the ball and would have made a difference against the run. He wasn’t available and most likely never will be again and the Steelers cannot use that as an excuse. They didn’t game plan well, period.

Keith Butler should be fired. I don’t see it any other way.  I don’t care that his defense led the league in sacks, they couldn’t get pressure on Bortles this past week, let alone a sack!  I don’t care if there has been an increase in turnovers created since Butler took over, they didn’t get one in the win or go home scenario they faced on Sunday. 

Let’s face it, there was a clear plan to stop the Jags and a sample sheet from October to tell them what to do and they failed, miserably. Because of that, the Steelers, and their fan base, must wait til next year…again. 

The defense came up miserably short in the postseason last year because Butler and Mike Tomlin for that matter, have no ability to adjust the plan in game. They are stubborn and would rather die by the original plan vs. making necessary adjustments to advance. Egos are getting in the way. I’ve written this before but the definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over and getting the same result. Therefore Butler, and Tomlin are insane. At least insanely defiant and a bit ignorant.

Apparently, they don’t realize that the Super Bowl window for this team is closing, quickly and they allowed it to shut on the 2017 season.

But it’s not just the defense, the offense isn’t without blame. First and foremost, I believe Tomlins decision to sit just about all of the starters in week 17 backfired, not surprisingly. I guess he didn’t learn from his good buddy Jim Caldwell with the Colts a little less than a decade ago. They did the same thing and lost every time they were in the playoffs. The blueprint for failure was already laid out, Tomlin ignored it. I understand not playing them the whole game, but a quarter or even a half would have been fine.

The offense came out flat and it cost them.

Ben Roethlisberger had an all-world game but he’s not without some blame either. The pick inside of their own red zone and the fumble returned for the touchdown can be considered the difference in the game.  Yet, Todd Haley’s calls on 4^th and one are certainly questionable. Or how about the Steelers not kicking the field goal on fourth down early in the game? Think they’d like those three points now? 

There is plenty of blame to go around but one thing is certain, in-between now and next season, things need to change. 

The offense is in good shape with Roethlisberger committed to returning.  I expect Le’Veon Bell to play for the Steelers in 2018 so they should be equally as potent. If that’s under a new offensive coordinator, so be it, Haley has certainly proven he’s capable of bone headed play calls. Big Ben is a coordinator on the field at this point anyway. 

From a coaching standpoint, Butler should go. He’s terrible. If the Steelers fail to release him of his duties; Tomlin will be displaying his usual defiance and ignorance that costs this team regularly. He needs to make the right, sometimes tough decision. If he and the organization are committed to getting another Lombardi trophy, they need to prove this off-season that they are capable of doing the right thing.  If they don’t, this team will continue to do what they are doing right now, waiting til next year.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers Divisional Round Playoff Game

By: Mike Pelaia

It’s here. It’s finally here!  The playoffs have arrived and the Steelers get the game they say they wanted.  The Jacksonville Jaguars visit Pittsburgh for the second time this season after drubbing them 30-9 in the first go round.

It’s well documented how poorly Ben Roethlisberger played and his comments afterwards. It’s also widely expected that a performance such as that won’t be repeated by him or anyone else on the roster. The team is on a mission to win Lombardi number seven and that quest begins on Sunday afternoon

Here Are The Keys To Victory:

1. First and foremost, the Steelers need to make Blake Bortles beat them.  The Jags have a legitimate rush attack, led by Leonard Fornette and their key to winning games is keeping the ball out of Bortles hands.  If the Steelers can get ahead and force the Jags to throw, Bortles is destined to mess up.
2. The offensive line must keep Big Ben upright. The Jags amassed 55 sacks in the regular season, one short of the Steelers for league lead. They have a pretty strong duo of sack masters with Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue who totaled 26.5 sacks between them.  They need to be kept away from Roethlisberger at all costs. If they get their pressure, he could be forced into some messy throws.
3. The black and gold must stay disciplined. They cannot afford any of the bone headed penalties of the 15 yard variety. This is playoff football now, no more egregious errors allowed.
4. The offense should start with Le’Veon Bell. I think Bell can break this game open and can run on the Jags. If he’s able to do that, the field will open up for Ben and the receivers from there.

Here Are A Few Things To Watch:

1. Antonio Brown should be back and the question is how will he perfrom coming off his injury? I expect him to be just fine. 
2. This could be Big Ben’s last game at Heinz Field. Enjoy what he gives you, just in case.
3. The Jags are a bit arrogant and were trash talking after the last game and are starting to bark leading into this one. How will that impact the way the game unfolds?
4. Watch rookies JuJu Smith-Schuster and TJ Watt in their first playoff action ever. Will they rise to the necessary level of play to push the Steelers into the next round?

I expect this to be another hard fought, hard hitting, chippy game that the Steelers will have to win late. I think they are ready for this and I think Roethlisberger is going to show why he wanted the Jags again. In the end the Steelers will come out on top, 20-16 and head to New England the following week to take on the Patriots once more.

1/9/18-PODCAST STEEL NATION RADIO Steelers vs. Jaguars preview

By: Mike Pelaia

The bye week is over and it’s time to get down to business. The Steelers will be ready for Jacksonville this time and Ben Roethlisberger has a chance at his revenge.  Find out how they need to do it in this podcast. Hint, I think they need to make Blake Bortles beat them.

1/8/18-Roethlisberger Ready For A Return Visit From The Jaguars

By: Mike Pelaia

“Maybe I don’t have it anymore” uttered Ben Roethlisberger after a 30-9 beating at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars in October, dropping the Pittsburgh Steelers to 3-2.

Roethlisberger had just thrown five interceptions and looked bad. The offense was anemic, and there were several questions about how good this team really was. 

Since that time the Steelers have gone 10-1, Roethlisberger has been on fire and the offense has exploded to elite levels, as was expected from the get go. This was the rematch hat the offense wanted and it wasn’t much of a secret. Roethlisberger said as much in his weekly radio show during the bye week. He wants revenge and I expect him to make the Jags pay.

The Jaguars were trash talking Roethlisberger after their first matchup, saying he was flustered and confused, they spoke of him as a rookie, new to the league rather than the Hall of Famer quarterback that he truly is.  They didn’t show any respect for the Steeler legend and you best believe, he heard every word.

He was upset enough with himself for his lackluster performance but I’m certain the Jags taunts will come back to haunt them this week.  Since that time, Ben has been arguably the best quarterback in football, specifically in the second half of the season. His desire to grab one more ring before he retires is strong. His will to prove the Jaguars can’t contain him twice in the same season is high and his pedigree for winning big games in the playoffs can’t be underestimated.

You can bet he’s watched the film of the game in October. You can bet he watched the Jaguars narrowly escape the Bills this past Sunday. He knows the Jaguars have a stellar defense, but he also knows the weapons he has.

I expect a heavy dose of Le’Veon Bell and with the return of Antonio Brown, I expect some big plays down the field.  If the Jaguars focus on Bell, Ben will be ready to strike. JuJu Smith-Schuster has emerged since the last time these foes met. Vance McDonald is a viable weapon for Ben too.  Even Martavis Bryant has his head on straight now.

Ben will lead this team to victory through shear will and motivation let alone the fact that he has since proven he’s still an elite quarterback in this league and the Jags shouldn’t have said otherwise.

It may be a close game come Sunday afternoon, but I assure you this, Ben Roethlisberger will be ready and it will show.

1/4/18-SCU 6 Steelers Who Made A Difference In 2017

By: Joe Kuzma

 

As the Pittsburgh Steelers entered the 2017 season, there were a number of questions which didn’t have answers. Which players would be the best additions and potentially get the team over the hump toward their goal of a 7th Super Bowl title?

With the 2017 season now in the rearview mirror, we can look back and see which Steelers made that big of a difference between the 2016 season and the 2017 season. I came up with six whom I felt made the most impact.

Let’s have a look.

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Mike Hilton

Before the NFL Draft, everyone was still contemplating on whether or not former second-round pick Senquez Golson could stay healthy and become the contributor he was expected to be when selected in 2017. However, it wasn’t Golson, rather, his college teammate Mike Hilton, who made headlines during the offseason. Hilton became a “camp darling”, a player who shines when teams aren’t playing with pads, and while he looked sharp, the undersized corner wasn’t expected to do much once the regular season kicked off.

Unfortunately, Golson once again couldn’t stay on the field. When health problems once again limited his snaps, Hilton took over and never looked back. The latter made the 53-man roster and with an injury to rookie cornerback Cameron Sutton, he would immediately get time to play in the slot.

Hilton would finish the season with 2 interceptions and 4 sacks: 3 of which he had in one game against the Houston Texans. The performance earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for Week 16.

Just thinking of that, compared with where the Steelers were at the same position a year earlier, makes Hilton a major upgrade to the Steelers defense.

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Joe Haden

When speaking of upgrades and training camp, was there ever more concern about the Steelers secondary than when Ross Cockrell and Coty Sensabaugh were “two dogs fighting over one bone?”

The Steelers were seeking secondary help and showed interest in free agents such as Dre Kirkpatrick, Davon House, and Logan Ryan before settling on their current situation when those names came off of the market.

Then the Cleveland Browns gifted the free agent market, and Pittsburgh, with the release of CB Joe Haden. A former Pro Bowl caliber player, Haden had seen better days as the Browns continued their downward spiral of mediocrity. The team released veteran players left and right, and Haden became a camp casualty, much to the delight of the Steelers, who quickly signed him to a long-term deal.

Such as the impact of Joe Haden, that he started the season on less than a full week of practice and helped the Steelers defense lockdown an entire side of the field. With his name rarely called, he went unnoticed until his injury following the bye week. With a platoon of other corners, such as Sensabaugh, attempting to fill Haden’s shoes, the secondary was getting beat for big passing plays unlike when Joe was in the lineup.

With Haden back, there’s a noticeable difference once again in how the Steelers defense plays. He may be the biggest free agent signing the team has had in years and if he continues trending upward, perhaps one of the biggest ever.

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T.J. Watt

Over the last few seasons, I’ve heard casual fans make comments such as “What if the Steelers had drafted J.J. Watt?”

J.J., of course, is the Houston Texans star defensive end who was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, not once, not twice, but a whopping three times. If only Pittsburgh had a player like THAT!

Enter J.J.’s younger brother T.J. Watt, the Steelers first-round draft pick, who drew ire from fans who felt the younger brother was being drafted off of name recognition and family pedigree. T.J. started playing college ball as a tight end and barely has a resume as an edge rusher. This pick could be a bust!

Fast forward to today. Watt’s rookie season was so strong and unexpected, that T.J. Watt made James Harrison so obsolete that he had to beg to be released! Watt finished the regular season with 7 sacks, 8 passes defensed, an interception and a forced fumble.

He is such a game changer, that looking back on the draft, it’s a wonder he fell to Pittsburgh’s 30th overall selection, had anyone known just how good he would be.

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JuJu Smith-Schuster

And one more player who should’ve never fell in the draft landed in the Steelers lap in the second round when JuJu Smith-Schuster‘s name was called by the team.

Fans again were irritated: “Why do we need another wide receiver?”

They weren’t wrong, necessarily, as the team boasted a roster full of talent including last year’s starters Antonio Brown, Eli Rogers and Sammie Coates, part-time starter Cobi Hamilton, 2016 seventh round pick Demarcus Ayers, free agent acquisition Justin Hunter, and the returning (from suspension) Martavis Bryant.

So why on Earth did Pittsburgh draft another receiver? Coates had been up and down, but surely he could bounce back? How is there room if Bryant’s back? Is he in trouble again that they need an insurance policy?

As evidenced by a thin receiver corps in 2016, depth is never a bad thing. A depth of talent is an even better problem to have, as JuJu made obvious with his stellar rookie season. He finishes the regular season second in receiving yards on the team (917) and receiving touchdowns (7). For everything Bryant was to be, Smith-Schuster actually was: a true number two next to Brown who would put up points. JuJu is also a deep threat and a special teams weapon, as seen when he returned a kick for a touchdown against Cleveland in Week 17.

Like T.J. Watt, would you want to go back and change this pick? Do you think other teams who drafted receivers ahead of Smith-Schuster might have buyers remorse as well?

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Vince Williams & Cameron Heyward

The final two choices for this feature might not seem as obvious since they were already on the team. However, each made 2017 their season for different reasons.

There were a number of people who criticized the Steelers for not keeping LB Lawrence Timmons and felt Vince Williams couldn’t fill his role on the defense as a full-time starter.

Williams then went out and did something Timmons never did: have an eight-sack season. He more than lived up to the loss of the veteran linebacker and in some instances, actually surpassed not only expectations but also his predecessor.

On the other hand, everyone already knew what Cam Heyward could bring to the Steelers, but his inclusion here is mainly because we had all forgotten what he’s capable of doing on the field.

After missing nine games due to injury in 2016, Heyward returned to play all but one game this season (benched to rest in Week 17) while leading the Steelers defense with a dozen sacks: the first time any defender has had a double-digit sack season since 2010. He was also the first Steelers defensive lineman to lead the team in sacks since Keith Willis did so in 1986.

Heyward also earned two AFC Defensive Player of the Week awards this season for his performances.

Cam’s a clear choice as a difference maker this season.

6 Steelers who made a difference in 2017 appeared first on Steel City Underground.

1/2/18-PODCAST STEEL NATION RADIO BROWNS WRAP UP AND PLAYOFF TALK

By: Mike Pelaia

I discuss the Browns game minus all the starters. I thought Landry Jones played admirably and there were some positives that came from the game. However, it wasn’t without it’s concerns as well and I lay those out here too.  Find out all my thoughts on this latest addition of Steel Nation Radio.

1/1/18-They’ll Be Ready

By: Mike Pelaia

13-3, the 2017 regular season record of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  The record is phenomenal, exceeded by nobody in the NFL this season. After projecting an 11-5 record for this team in late August, I’m certainly impressed with where they landed by the last day of December.

It was a wild ride that saw a loss to the Bears in overtime, a crushing loss to the Jaguars at home with Ben Roethlisberger throwing five of his season total fourteen interceptions; and a controversial loss at home to the New England Patriots which ultimately cost the Steelers the number one overall seed in the AFC playoffs.

The black and gold swept through the AFC North with a perfect 6-0 record. They also won the close contests this year with nine of their wins being by a touchdown or less.  They showed resiliency by overcoming the Le’Veon Bell holdout, the National Anthem controversy in Chicago, the injuries to Ryan Shazier and Antonio Brown late in the season as well as the early season struggles of Roethlisberger.

Now, at 13-3, they earned a first round playoff bye and they get to wait. They will face one of three opponents on Sunday January 14^th.  Whichever team they face will be a rematch. It will be either the Titans, Chiefs or Jaguars who visit Heinz Field.

The Steelers will be ready for anyone they face. They won’t fret in the face of a rematch with the Jags, a team who smashed them in Heinz Field by 21 points early in the season. They’ll be ready.

They won’t worry about already having punished the Titans handily in November or owning the Chiefs the last several years, having to beat either team again. They’ll be ready.

They’re resilient, a 13-3 record, having to overcome all they have overcome is proof of that.  The colossal rematch with New England sits on the horizon. It just takes one win by both teams to get there.  The Steelers won’t overlook their next opponent, they know what it takes to get the results they desire. 

They will take the next couple of weeks to rest, game plan and surely take a peak at possible opponents they may face.

From there, they’ll get to work.  They have plenty of extra motivation to win this season. If not for each other, for Dan Rooney, the late owner who passed this off-season. Or for Ryan Shazier or just to keep the Patriots from tying their NFL record 6^th Super Bowl titles.

Whatever the use for motivation, one thing is certain, this team will be ready to continue their quest for number seven and it will start in two weeks.