my first half grades......

with half of the season in the books, i felt the need to analyze where we are, and where we might be going the rest of the season..... here goes

qb:
ben --- A- .......... i'm being a little nit picky here. the few int's he threw were bad descisions. overall i would say that ben's having the best season of his career. he kept us afloat when the running game was sputtering, and made plays when needed. he deserves to be placed on the list of elite qbs

leftwich/charlie batch --- A+............. i know that they haven't seen the field, but they deserve a nod just because they're team players, and provide an extra set of eyes on the sideline for ben when it comes to recognition and reflection.

rb:
mendenhall --- c+.............. obviously, coming back from acl surgery is significant. his first full game for us was incredible. he gets knocked down in my grades because he can't stay healthy.

redman --- c+................ i nearly bumped him up a grade simply for the giants' game... he finally looks healthy and is running strong. he also impressed me with his 100yd. receiving day, but i worry about his durability almost as much as mendy

dwyer --- b- ................ dwyer came to camp in shape and it seems like the light has finally come on. when the o-line was struggling, dwyer showed ability to be productive. his 2 consecutive 100+ games were the first since willie parker 4yrs ago. also has durability issues, but is showing quite a bit of upside.

rainey --- b- ............... it's only a matter of time before he brings a kick-off to the house, and he's starting to come into his own as a runner. my real issue with him is really not him. it's the way the coaches are using him. i continue to scratch my head when we run him as if he were dwyer or redman. i'd like to see some more plays that are more tailored to his skill set. imho he is producing in spite of the coaches, not because of them.

batch --- c- .............. one of the best blockers on the team, but one of the worst runners. he's strictly a straight ahead runner with no real moves.. kind of reminds me of willie parker without the blazing speed. of course he didn't do himself any favors by dropping a sure td pass either. will be lost in the shuffle with the other 4 in front of him.

will johnson ---- b+ .......... a beast as a lead blocker, and a real weapon catching passes out of the backfield. would like to see him used more, but i understand that there just aren't that many balls to go around.... i think we found a real gem here.

wr:
antonio brown ---- b+ .......... just does what is asked of him. never complains, and moves the chains. developing well as a route runner. only a matter of time until he brings a punt to the house (and doesn't get it called back due to stupid penalties)....

mike wallace --- c- .............. dropping way too many passes for my taste. his speed is still feared by opposing defenses, as it should be (just ask the giants), but needs to show alot more consistancy, especially if he wants that big payday.

emmanuel sanders --- b+.......... produces when called on, and really stepped up in the return game when rainey went down... could start on a number of teams in the league.

jericho cotchery ---- b+ ............. lost in the shuffle with the other 3 ahead of him, but is always ready when called on, and is a stabalizing factor in the group.

te:
heath miller --- A+ ........... break-out season. the most complete te in the game. would be offensive mvp if not for ben

david paulson --- A- .......... moved ahead of pope in the depth chart and made saunders expendible...... not used much in the offense, but produces when called on. look forward to great things from him in the future paired with heath.

leonard pope --- d+ .......... not much more than a big body.... very stiff on the field, and i was surprised that he was kept over saunders.... i don't expect him back next season.

o-line:
max starks--- b+ ........... come back remarkably fast from acl surgery for someone his size, signed as an afterthought and is having what appears to be his best season.

willie colon --- b-.......... this grade will probably be an A by the end of the season..... early issues slowed him down, but he has really developed. if he continues his current development, a pro bowl invite is not out of the question.

markice pouncey --- A ....... still the anchor. starting to remind me of dermonti dawson........ i don't care what they say about his brother...... we got the better pouncey.

ramon foster --- B ............ technically sound, and showing some really good aggression.......... almost makes me sorry we drafted decastro (ALMOST!!!)

marcus gilbert --- c............ needs more time in the weight rm... having a hard time keeping his ground. not sure if it's footwork or functional strength (maybe a combination of both). still has upside, if he continues to work on deficiencies, but window is closing on him.

mike adams --- b.......... was already a beast in the running game, but showed in pre-season that his pass blocking technique needed major work...... obviously, that work was done. looking like the skies the limit for him.

doug legursky --- A ......... probably the best back-up center in the game (could start on alot of teams). i don't worry as much if pouncey gets hurt...... just keep him away from the guard postion.

kelvin beachum --- b-.......... guard is probably his best position.. reminds me of willie colon without the strength.. some time in the weight rm. and we may just have ourselves a real steal.

john malecki --- inc. ........... has upside, but i secretly hope i don't have a chance to grade him this season.


d-line:
brett keisel --- c ........... started out slow, but has started to find his groove in recent wks.... he's pushing the pocket well again and getting good pressure.

casey hampton --- d ......... the only reason this grade isn't an F is because he worked his tail off to come back from injury. like starks, to come back as quick as he did at his size from acl surgery is remarkable.... that said, it's clear that he isn't the same player.... at times he's a liability. i don't see him back next season.

ziggy hood ----- d- ........... one would think that this work-out warrior would make teams pay for constantly double teaming woodley all the time, but that just hasn't been the case. he has been active on a few occassions, but those times have been few and far between. definitely needs to step up.

steve mcclendon --- A .......... practically unblockable at times and always pushes the pocket.. why he doesn't get more time is the biggest head scratcher yet........ clearly the future of the nt position.

cameron heyward --- b-.......... active and plays with a bit of a mean streak..... needs more time on the field on both sides of the d-line... if ziggy doesn't get it together, i can definitely see hayward starting.

al woods-------- inc. .......... lost in the shuffle, but is active and has upside.

lbers:
james harrison--- c-........... admittedly is not where he needs to be health wise, but is still the best option we have. in his current condition is a liability in pass coverage and at this point should be used primarily in the pass rush.

larry foote --- A............ if anyone had told me before the season started that foote would be one of our best defenders, i would've slapped them. i was convinced that he would be the weak link on this defense..... i currently have a plate of crow in front of me as i type this.

lawrence timmons --- b......... very steady..... has not had many monster games because the coaches have been using him in multiple ways depending on how we scheme against certain offenses... when he is turned loose, it's a sight to behold.

lamar woodley --- b.......... that nagging hamstring keeps holding him back, but he appears to be regaining his burst.. constantly facing double teams due to the lack of production of our lde..... but expect to see his numbers increase in the games to come.

jason worilds --- b.......... has stepped up well when called on..... is still our best option off the bench.

chris carter --- d............ hard worker, but clearly is not ready to see the field in the defensive rotation

stevensen sylvester --- inc. .......... still feel that he has a chance to prove himself, but the window is closing fast.

brandon johnson/adrian robinson...... inc...... both are active with upside, but i hope we don't have to rely on them anytime soon.

cb:
ike taylor--- c+......... most of this grade came from his early struggles. it is my belief that the playoff game was still in his head... over the last few weeks though, ike has really stepped up and it appears that swaggin u is back in business.

keenan lewis ---- c+ ..... like taylor, this grade is based on early struggles. also like taylor, his recent play is making those struggles a distant memory. we may just have ourselves a keeper here......... now if either of these two could actually consistantly catch....... oh the possibilities

cortez allen --- c+......... another that had early struggles, but is finding his stride

curtis brown --- d+.......... will find it very hard to be more than a special teams ace unless he starts to put in the work

demarcus van dyke --- inc......... so far, he's only a one dimensional speed demon. if the coaches can actually help him add tequnique to that speed, then we have a steal (big if though)

S:
ryan clarke --- A.......... in a battle with larry foote for our defensive mvp

will allen --- b.......... surprise of the defense...... has done a very good job of stabalizing the safety position...... i'm really getting fat on crow right about now.

ryan mundy --- d......... i don't know what happened this season, but mundy is starting to look like a head case on the field. depending on what we do in the next draft, i don't expect to see him next season.

robert golden --- inc........... would really like to see what this kid can do


K:
shaun suisham --- A+.......... here goes yet another plate of crow...... suisham has been money and his kick-offs are consistantly deep

P:
drew butler --- A ............. strong and accurate leg...... should stabalize the position for yrs. to come.



coaches:
mike tomlin ---- c-............. good motivator, but needs to work on his descision making skills

dick lebeau ---- b+............ who says the game has passed him by..... after some early misshaps on defense, lebeau has really impressed me with the way he has schemed for each offense we play

todd haley --- A-............ overall, love his play calling. some issues with the way he uses rainey

sean kugler ---- A+.............. the work he's done with the o-line in general, and mike adams in particular is nothing short of amazing.

carnell lake ---- A+ (see above)

amos jones -------c-..... will be replaced next season

keith butler ----- b...... lebeau jr. is doing the best with an injury riddled group

kirby wilson ----- B+........ we have 3 lead backs.... that's got to count for something

 

very good analysis...thank you for taking the time to complete it
and yes you are way too hard on Ben he has earned a A++++++++++++++++

 

Did you forget we have this guy named Troy, on the team?!?
I understand it`s an easy oversight, given his limited time on the field, but you graded out plenty of other injury-plagued players, just wondered what your take on him was?
Overall, I agree with most of your assessment, and appreciate the effort.
I personally wouldn`t have been as hard on Hampton, and MAYBE not on Hood, but I really haven`t focused on him too much.
I was actually impressed that Hampton was doing as well as he has, when he`s in there, this soon after surgery.
I think he was already a shell of himself, BEFORE the injury, so I wasn`t expecting much, to begin with.
I agree it`s a head scratcher, why McClendon isn`t getting the majority of the snaps.
Also, I don`t think I would go so far as to say that Adams has put in the work on pass protection, and "problem solved"...
Getting better? Definitely, but still has a way to go in that department, IMHO.
And, I think I would give Legursky a "B"... Dunno that he has impressed me THAT much, but does seem better than last year. Definitley a decent back-up, but sure wouldn`t want him as a starter.

 

How can you breathe with a mouth full of Ben's nutz?

 

I'm not sure I understand giving Paulsen an A-, when Dwyer is on a B-. Paulsen is playing as well as Roethlisberger?

Having said that, appreciate the in-depth account, some food for thought.

 

you know what they say. "everyone loves the backup qb"

i also find it strange that the backups get a better grade than the starter who to this point is having as good a season as any starting qb in the league.

 

I would give AB a higher grade ....other than that, looks pretty fair.

 

to me all the RBs are rated toooo low

HINES

 

you have an avatar with Ben on it too........what do you rate him?

 

What???

 

LOL![/quote:1azwl5z9]

Who's MY daddy?