an "NFL.com Experts" description of the Steelers

"Boy, Dick LeBeau is going to have to do one of his best coaching jobs ever this season. Rule changes have already caused the middle of the field to be gravy for tight ends across the league. Troy Polamalu can be a liability in coverage, while the jury is out on safety Ryan Clark at this stage of his career. Meanwhile, 10-year veteran Larry Foote isn't exactly posting the kind of Darrell Green-esque times necessary to keep up with athletic tight ends from his inside linebacker spot. Todd Haley had better give this team three touchdowns and a Shaun Suisham chip shot each Sunday if Pittsburgh hopes to play in the postseason."

Oh I can't wait to prove them wrong once again Haven't been this excited going into a season in awhile.

 

I hate the media. they definitly play favorites, but this is probably right. I hate to say it. troy is one of my all time favorites, but he cant cover very well. lets face it our pass d has been bad for a few years. I know we lead the league last year. I still picture tebow lighting us up in my nightmares

 

Got to let that go. It was a great coaching job by the Broncos and one of the few times the defense got caught. It wasn't like that team was going to come back and take out New England after that rash of injuries.

 

Actually that is one of the smarter (and more accurate) comments that I've read from the media in quite a while.

The rule changes are making the middle of the field a lot safer, earlier you (I'm fairly sure that around '05) didn't get in any kind of trouble if you lit up a receiver that was too slow getting his head out of the line of fire - and the middle of the field (which is where the Steelers have been getting burned time and time again the last years ...) is so crowded that you just had more or less no chance of making a catch without paying for it. The other stuff about Troy and Clark - like someone said in the Troy-Thread, Troy has gotten a bit slower and he is relying more on guessing/reading plays - which can backfire. Clark is a good #2 guy and a great hitter (but ... see above).

 

wonder how much this rule change was brought on by Brady throwing all those passes to Gronkowski, his TE this past year? Goodell needs to throw his buddy Kraft a bone.

 

Not terribly inaccurate comparisons. Despite that, I still think we're going to be very successful.

 

ef 'em

 

You are mistaken, the rule change is the reason Brady was able to throw all those passes to Gronkowski last year.

 

We hear this crap about our team every year...they are too old except where they are too young, they are too slow except where they are too fast, they hit too hard except where they don't hit hard enough, they don't have enough depth except where they have too much, there coach is too old and the others are too young, there not good enough except where they are too good, they can cover but Ike can't catch the ball to save his a$$(ok, that one is true). Anyhow, to listen to the "experts" the Steelers should have been a sub .500 team for the last decade. We will be competative just like we always are!