Par: 5 - Kickers and punters are odd, because nobody drafts them, and yet games can be decided solely but their legs. Similarly, nobody notices the coverage units...unless they allow a return for a touchdown.
Score: 5 - As far as punters go, Chris Gardocki is not flashy, but he has never had a punt blocked. Furthermore, he does not punt into the end-zone (i.e. a touchback). In short, Gardocki will not hurt his team. Jeff Reed is a solid kicker. He is currently on a streak of 19 straight kicks, which is impressive considering he plays half of his games at Heinz Field. The Steelers coverage units were beaten twice late in the season, but for the most part, Clint Kriewaldt, Sean Morey, Chidi Iwuoma, and James Harrison stifle most returners.
Hole #16: Return Game
Par: 5 - A touchdown on special teams can re-energize
a team and change the momentum of a game. Hence,
every team wants an Eric Metcalf (or Dante Hall) as a
returner.
Score: 3 - In my opinion, when Antwaan Randle El
returns punts, it is the best seven seconds in
football; even when he loses yards, it is exciting to
watch. If Antwaan does indeed start at wide-out next
season, I besiege Cowher to still allow him to return
punts. As far as the kick-off return-men go, Ike
Taylor and Ricardo Colclough are not as flashy as
Randle El, but they are decently effective.
Hole #17: Coordinators
Par: 6 - These positions can make or break a team.
Remember Kevin Gilbride and Ray Sherman. Yes, I
know...I try not to remember them either.
Score: 4 - The return of Dick LeBeau to Pittsburgh was
a godsend. Not only did he bring back an
aggressiveness to the defense, but he put the players
in positions that utilized their strengths (instead of
exposing their weaknesses). Similarly, Ken Whisenhunt
realized that his offense was best suited to run the
ball...and run they did just that.
Hole #18: Head Coach
Par: 5 - For some reason, owners have decided that a
coach should be able to fix the woes of a team in one
year. Hence, some teams change coaches every time
they have a losing season. Others change coaches even
if they win. In short, the coach appears to be the
lightning-rod for an owner's angst.
Score: 3 - Some fans do not like Cowher because he has
not won a Super Bowl. I, on the other hand, applaud
him for taking his team to five AFC Championship games
in eleven years. While nay-sayers will point to
Cowher's 1-4 record in those games, I point out the
fact that in those games he lost to: a team of destiny
(San Diego), and a dynasty (New England...twice).
Despite losing free agents every year, Cowher is able
to replace All-Pros with no names...and those no names
eventually become All-Pros themselves (e.g. exit Kevin
Green, enter Jason Gildon). That trend continued
mid-season this year; when starters became injured,
the back-ups played just as well (e.g. Chris Hoke
replacing Casey Hampton). While this past season did
not end with a Lombardi Trophy, it was probably
Cowher's finest job of coaching yet.
Hole #19: The Owner
Par: 5 - Some owners do not care about winning, and I
feel that they should not be allowed to own a team.
Conversely, others owners overspend in an attempt to
win. The fine line between overspending and smart
decision making is hard to discern.
Score: 1 - When it comes to making decisions, the
Rooneys do not overreact to wins or losses; they do
not go with trends or fads; and they do not consider
"what the media might think" during their thought
process. Instead, they evaluate all of the facts and
make a decision that they feel is in the best interest
of the organization, its players, and its fans. To
use an analogy: for the Rooney family, that
aforementioned "fine line" is neon yellow and a foot
thick. In short, to say that they are successful is
an understatement.
Summary
Par: 90
Final Score: 68
With a mixture of athletic young players and
experienced yet unselfish veterans, the Steelers have
themselves a team that will be able to contend for the
Lombardi Trophy for several years to come. And, if
history is any indicator, that trend will continue,
even after these players are long gone. The Steelers
have not been a quality NFL team for decades merely by
luck. Heady decision making, commitment to winning,
and quality of character starts with the owner, and
transcends to the coaches and players. But, enough
football; I have a tee-time in an hour. Fore!
