As I looked at this season's version of the Pittsburgh Steelers and began to evaluate their upcoming season, I noticed that the units and/or players are considerably different than they were just a few short years ago.
Not so long ago, Steelers fans were "Riding the Bus to New Orleans"...or San Diego...or Jacksonville.
It seems just like yesterday, that the Steelers were inserting pedestrian quarterback after efficient quarterback behind center, leaving the fans longing for the proverbial "franchise" quarterback...and a tight end that could do more than block.
Then, I blinked my eyes, and Bettis was old, the Steelers had a play-making quarterback, and there was a legitimate pass-receiving tight end on the roster...a first round selection, at that.
Do not get me wrong: the intersection on the Venn Diagram between the Steelers of old and the new Steelers is still considerably large: Cowher is still committed to running the ball 60 percent of the time. The defense is stingy and full of playmakers. Dick LeBeau is still the defensive coordinator. And, Hines Ward is still smiling.
But, I digress. Back to the issue at hand: change.
RUN, WILLIE, RUN
I had been saying for months, that the Steelers would run
Staley...until he gets hurt (six games). Then, they would start
Verron Haynes...unitl he gets hurt (another six games). Then, Bettis,
will come in and finish off the last seven games of the season: all
wins!
Low and behold, the Steelers are way ahead of schedule: Staley had surgery after the first practice of the season, and Bettis injured a calf in the third pre-season game. Ergo, Verron Haynes became a little tentative about crossing the street and/or walking under ladders.
Despite Verron's being healthy (for now), the time has come for Willie Parker. And, in my opinion, by the time Staley returns, wee Willie will have wowed those watching with such wonderment, that Staley will never start for the Steelers again.
How confident am I in Willie? In my fantasy football league, I started Willie as my running back for Week One...and put Curtis Martin and Stephen Davis on the bench.
Alas, the only drawback to Willie is that he may be a little too small to run up the middle for 16 games. Then again, maybe the offense might run a play or two to the outside...maybe...I hope. Regardless, Willie is amazing to watch.
The worst case scenario is that Willie runs out of steam towards the end of the season, and the Steelers have to "rely" on Staley and Bettis for the play-offs. Egad! That is akin to having to choose between chocolate-chip cookies and peanut-butter cookies. In other words, Cowher's cookie jar of running-backs is brimming.
THE FRANCHISE QUARTERBACK
I know that people will jump all over me for saying he is not "great"
or a "superstar" (yet)...but, the Steelers did not go 16-1 last season
because of Ben Roethlisberger. He was surrounded by great talent,
great chemistry, and a great team. Let us not forget that Ben was
only asked to throw about 18 times a game; the Steelers won by running
the ball and playing stellar defense.
I completely, fully, and totally expect a sophomore slump to occur for Ben. As a rookie, Ben was asked to do very little. This year, he will be responsible for much more. As Ben is given more responsibility, he will indeed make more mistakes...but, at the same time, he will learn form those mistakes, and become a better quarterback for it. Hence, I plead with Steelers fans to be patient. Ben will assuredly struggle...but, that is part of the process in developing a "franchise" quarterback.
IS THAT ERIC GREEN OUT THERE?
For the first time in ten years, the Steelers have a tight end worth
anything on their roster. To clarify, I loved watching Mark Bruener
block linebackers into next Tuesday, but at the same time, everyone
knew that he was not going to make many receptions. Hence, teams have
stacked the line of scrimmage for the past decade. Now that the
Steelers have Heath "Offensive Rookie of the Year" Miller on the
roster, teams will have to respect his ability as a receiver.
Plus, Miller can block pretty darn well (see: Maryland vs. Virginia).
