Author Archives: Steven Ridley

About Steven Ridley

A Canadian loving gamer and analytical American Football fan; Steven has turned to the Black 'n Gold since the days of seeing Troy Amuna Polamalu way back in 2008. Since then, he has been getting more engaged with the sport. In addition of studying the aspects of the game, college prospect scouting is one of his favorite pastimes.

Steven Ridley’s 2018 NFL Mock Draft

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Greetings to everyone and hope you are having a good week. As we only have but a few days before the NFL’s biggest offseason event, writers and analysts across the world wide web ramp up their predictions even more as new information is obtained everyday. Here at TheSteelersFans, these same principles apply but this writer elects to go the extra step for the readers. This will only be covering the first round but there are going to be some interesting picks and one trade (using the Draft Value Trade Chart from Drafttek.com). To that end, here today will start another 2018 NFL Mock Draft . Before we begin though and, as always, a disclaimer;

These opinons are only a representation the writer and do not represent or are transparent with the opinions other members of TheSteelersFans board of site members, moderators or site adminstrator.

With that out of the way, let us get started. One more note. Please be sure to note the ” D.V.” and “T.D.V.” acronyms (Draft Value and Total Draft Value).

With the first pick in the 2018 Steven Ridley Mock Draft, the Cleveland Browns select:

Josh Allen; Quarterback from the University of Wyoming.

Ah yes, the odd age NFL truth; you cannot go anywhere far without the right guy at the Quarterback position. Sadly, someone must have forgotten to tell the Cleveland Browns that after their revival in 1999. Over 26 Quarterbacks selected and yet little to no success. Enter John Dorsey; former GM of the Kansas City Chiefs. His former tenure of being GM is one of two main reasons why Josh Allen is the selection; Tyrod Taylor coincidentally being the other. While at Kansas City, Dorsey elected to go for a big armed and talented Quarterback in Pat Mahomes II. This season, no different for Josh Allen sans his ridiculous potential. However, the other reason why Dorsey will likely make this pick is due to the fact that Allen will likely not be ready for the 2018 season. As many of us suspect, Taylor is but the bridge that will lead to the gates of relevance and hopefully success soon thereafter. Allen is very, very raw in terms of pre snap recognition, decision making and most importantly, his footwork. Having all the arm talent and strength in the world means very little if your accuracy is not very good. Knowing this however is why Josh Allen is the number one pick as Dorsey is using 2018 as a redshirt year for Allen to learn the do’s and do not’s of the NFL. Once 2019 is here is where Dorsey and the Browns will hopefully see the fruition of a year’s worth of experience.

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A Terrapin’s Steel Shell: Sean Davis Saga

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A turtle’s best defense lies in the thick shell that it carries its entire life. The more resilient of turtles often live the maximum amount of its lifetime should they ultilze their defenisve mechanicsm effectivley. This allows them to hold out long enough against would be predators that threaten its quality of life

For an NFL player, their best defense is employed and deployed through their means of performance and conditioning on and off the American Gridiron Football Field. For these athletes to maximize their careers, a majority of their time will be spent on ensuring that their bodies and mental makeup are ready for the vigors of sixteen different sets of challenges; each being more arduous than the last. Not only does the phsycial element of these players need to be at peak form but also the mental austerity players need to bounce back from either team or individual failures.

The latter of which is being implied for this week’s X Factor: Sean Davis. Defensive back from the University of the Maryland Terrapins.

Last season, we had seen the pure form of rawness but potential of the rookie who was initially a safety for the Terrapins. However, during his senior season, injuries had begun to take their toll on the Terrapins secondary. With few options to go to, then Head Coach Randy Esdall elected to have Davis switch to a corner position in order to stabilize a secondary that was quickly depleting.

While the move did indeed ensure that Maryland would have someone that was willing to play one of their most vulnerable positions, that vulnerability would only surface more as Davis had struggled to not only learn this new position as the season wore on but constantly deal with opposing number one receivers in the BIG 10 Conference. This form of despair had given Davis two options; crack under pressure or persevere through adversity. Davis elected the latter and his mental austerity ended up being one of the many reasons Mike Tomlin sought to make him the second pick for the Steelers in the 2016 NFL Draft. While Davis’ dream had been realized and his body was ready, it was his mentality that would be put to the test once again as he was not only tasked with learning the slot corner position but also re-educate himself on the principles of playing his original position at Safety.

As with his switch from safety to corner did not go well at Maryland, his transition back to his original spot proved less so at the professional level. It would be quite some time before many would see Sean Davis again after suffering a back injury in week three against the Eagles and being demoted soon thereafter. Even with his chance to start once again against Miami, Davis’ progression appeared to sink; his lowest point being a costly penalty towards the end of the showdown with the Dallas Cowboys in the final quarter of the game. Afterwards however, Davis’ play had received a jumpstart against Cleveland. From that point onwards, Davis had showcased the mental fortitude to not only shrug off demotions and individual shortcomings but also unfortunate endings as was the case against Dallas.

However, coming into this season, now fully healed, many expected Davis to become one of the up and coming stars after solid performances against both Miami and Kansas City in last seasons AFC Wild Card and AFC Divisional match ups respectively. However, since the beginning of the preseason, Sean Davis has not demonstrated much improvement, his worst game being arguably against the Cleveland Browns; the most morbid form of irony considering said team ignited his improvement a season ago. While Sean Davis still has the tools to excel due to his phsycial power, his mental power in terms of catching up with the game have not caught up yet; bad news given the fact that Pittsburgh’s next opponent can use the inside of the field towards their advantage.

To start out with, Kyle Rudolph may not be either Travis Kelce nor Rob Gronkowski but can still cause mismatch issues in the secondary given his abilities to find the seams within defensive coverages. Add the fact that Adam Thielen is going to ensure that possessions continue for Minnesota given his own combat catch abilities in addition to the likes of Stephon Diggs finding holes in zone coverages and one equates this to arguably Sean Davis’ greatest weakness, sluggish diagnosis.

Much of this inability to progress through opposing offensive routes is due to the fact that Sean still has an issue diagnosing some of what the opposition is doing. This form of inadequate awareness is causing Sean to ponder more than react. Such time is critical and may prove to be Pittsburgh’s downfall come tomorrow morning should these issues persist.

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Tomorrow’s outcome will come down towards how more adept Sean’s diagnosis is when reading opposing offensive receiving routes are. Should Sean be able to react without pondering what Minnesota’s offensive attack plans are, Pittsburgh’s defense can win against Minnesota’s explosive yet possession based offense. Should Sean falter, this game could tip the scales to Minnesota as Pittsburgh will be playing into Minnesota’s hands; score enough point and allow the defense to hold onto the lead until time expires. How much Sean Davis has learned thus far will determine how well Pittsburgh’s defense fares against the likes of Thielen, Rudolph and others.

Emperor’s Will: Whatever It Takes

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Throughout the period of the 1970s, the Pittsburgh Steelers always seemed to be finding ways to win even against all odds. From the “Immaculate Reception” to Super Bowl XIV, Chuck Noll and his Steelers had faced impossible odds; only to find a way to win. Throughout much of that decade, a mentality and a philosophy was essential to maintain their dominance. While Chuck Noll was constantly constructing ways to beat the Cowboys and Raiders of the world to ensure a Super Bowl would reach the Steel City, his philosophy for those 70’s teams became the foundation for not just his teams of the 70s but onward into the current day.

To quote the late Steelers Legend Dwight White from “America’s Game”:

“We understood what it took to get there. In fact, Noll had a statement in ‘Whatever it Takes’. We bought into that and we bought into it big time.”

For players like Dwight White, Mike Wagner and others, doing whatever it takes to win meant just that; find a way to win the game for your team. Such a philosophy has been and continues to be imbeded into every Steelers player since the conclusion of Chuck Noll’s retirement. We shall call this “Emperor’s Will”, an omage to Chuck Noll’s nickname with his teachings. As many of us in SteelersNation found out yesterday, things did not go as well as the Steelers would have loved. However, specific individuals would find ways to pull through for the team allowed Pittsburgh to clinch its first win of the season. As such, today we shall honor those players who not only showcased expectional abilities but found ways to make key plays to secure the win. Before we begin though, a disclaimer.

This articles thoughts and opinions are soley reflected upon the author and is not a representation of other members or staff of TheSteelersFans community.

Now that we are done with introductions, it is time now to annoit those who have showcased the teachings of Chuck Noll.

Antonio Brown:

Widely reputed to be the best receiver in the league, Antonio Brown once again showcased this on a day in which he answered the “Bell”. Not only did he receive 11 passes thrown his way but also caught all 11 of them. Most impressive was that each pass yielded a major contribution towards the victory for Pittsburgh; the 11th one being the most critical. The stat line of 11 catches for 182 does seem quite nice but it was his ability to earn yards after the catch that became a critical turning point in the game. 94 total yards after the catch became a major reason as to why the Steelers were able to effectivley move the ball.

Add the fact that Antonio Brown accounted for roughly 55% of the teams offensive yards and one could easily make an argument that Antonio Brown can possibly be considered an NFL MVP candidate. On a day in which the majority of the offense was messy, Antonio Brown led the way for the team. While he did not record a score, another player who was challenged just before the start of the season.

Jesse James:

If Tomlin’s criticism of the tight end group was not enough, trading to obtain Vance McDonald was definitely the wake up call Jesse needed. After a lackluster showing in the preseason, Jesse had to find a way in order to ensure he remains the number one tight end and Big Ben’s security blanket. He not only found the endzone once but twice. In addition, he was able to find open spaces within the holes in Cleveland’s defense. He also showcased some of the traits Heath showed by blocking selflessly for Antonio on a big play the latter received. The most important aspect of Jesse’s development is the fact that Jesse, like Antonio, did whatever it took for his team to win by accounting for 100% of the teams redzone scores as well as their offensive touchdowns. Much like Antonio Brown, Jesse also had to answer the “Bell” when the offense struggled to do so.

Anthony Chickillo:

Incorrect. That is a word this writer would describe what Anthony Chickillo’s career has been dating back to his days at “The U”. Not only was his latent abilities and potential nearly ruined single-handedly by the infamous coach in Al Golden, the position he played was inadequate as well. Coming out of High School as a Five Star Recruit being a monstrous pass rusher, Chickillo’s development was stymied. In fact, during the 2015 NFL Draft, some even considered Chickillo to be at worst undraftable as some thought of him to be a player without a position. However, this did not nullify Tomln’s plans to draft him; still seeing that potential of him.

Three years later, two if accounting for the fact he had to learn his natural position all over again, much of Chickillo’s latent potential assisted Pittsburgh in getting the first points on the board. While many may have tossed aside Chickillo overall due to his lack of abilities, his two sack performance and consistent showcasing of his abilities assisted the Steelers into grinding down Clevelands rushing attack; spearheaded by the likes of Joe Thomas, Joe Bitonio and J.C. Tretter no less. Against Shon Coleman, Chickillo not only set the edge on rushing plays but also beat Shon consistenly in the passing game, so much so that Hue Jackson was forced to call upon the services of tight ends like David Njoku to assist him.

While the dominance of a second year offensive tackle does not seem too much for a third year player like Chickillo, bear in mind that, given the fact that Bud Dupree has missed consecutive season openers, Chickillo found a way to not only ensure that Keith Butler’s pass rush was steady but also the run defense as well. Much like how I started with Anthony and will end it as well, the general consenus about Anthony’s inability to be a player without a position were just as the first word of his performance; incorrect.

T.J. Watt:

Last week saw the premiere series of TheSteelersFans “X Factor” making its return; T.J. being the lead off for the 2017 season. Given the fact that he had to go up against a lock for Canton in Joe Thomas, a player who has played nearly 10,000 consecutive snaps, the odds were surely stacked against him. Bear in mind that, during the preseason, he went up against a top five offensive tackle in Jake Matthews and received some “Welcome to the NFL” moments. There was no gurantee that T.J. would have much success. In fact, T.J.’s performance was called on by many to be a major factor. While these pundits from beat writers and analysts were correct in stating that T.J.’s performance was going to be a major factor, few would have guessed what the rookie would do to a hall of famer.

Against Joe Thomas himself, Watt not only collected seven tackles but had two sacks against him. The most impressive aspect about T.J.’s performance was not just his ability to beat Joe but his ability to find ways to do so. Good pass rushers often use either their technique or athleticism to mask their deficiencies in counter moves. Great pass rushers have contingency plans should their initial attack plans fail. The former was T.J. during the preseason. The latter showed up on Sunday and delivered upon putting the heat on DeShone Kizer. It was his interception against DeShone towards the end of the third quarter that assisted Pittsburgh in controlling the remainder of the game.

Not only was this interception a hallmark of T.J.’s situational awareness and athleticism, it also showcased his ability to redeem himself after costing his team some yards a play earlier. To add a wonderful debut, T.J. became the first rookie ever to record two sacks and an interception in his first game. Even more impressive was that only two other players have done so since Charles Glaze and Tommy Haynes did it in 1987. Unlike Watt however, both Glaze and Haynes were replacement players, not rookies. While T.J. Watt will have his fair share of poor showcasings, Sunday’s performance does give not only him but SteelersNation that such occurances can be few and far between.

Given the fact that, in a divisional game in which the Steelers did not look like Super Bowl contenders, they did showcase some championship worthy traits that will yield more impact than it does currently. As Chuck Noll’s legacy carries on:

Whatever it takes.

Watt?! T.J.’s Welcome To His Dream Could Become A Nightmare

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Every dream takes shape when one is able to work hard to achieve them. Be it one’s objective to reach a new promotion at their job or obtaining their right to showcase their talents, everyone has some form of dream they want to accomplish, be it big or small. For the Steelers, their dream remains the same since the AFL-NFL merger took place in 1970: Be the last team standing. To that end, the organization has undergone over 50 years of change since then to nab six Super Bowl titles, making the Steelers the literal “Lord of The Rings” in the most popular sporting event in North America.

However, like each dream must come a nightmare. For Pittsburgh, shortly after the conclusion of the 2012 season, that nightmare finally surfaced. No longer were stalwart heroes like Troy Polamalu or Brett Kiesel making impact plays and saving the day. No longer was Casey Hampton clogging those rushing lanes and defeating opposing teams ability to smash through Pittsburgh’s defenses. Most importantly, no longer were the Steelers the class of the NFL when it came to their defense. From 2013 onward, the nightmare was a reality; Pittsburgh had approached a “winter” on its most celebrated phase of the game and SteelersNation weathered and endured every second.

Much like Warren Sapp stated way back when in 2011: “Too old. Too slow. They are done.”

However, within these last three years, SteelersNation and Mike Tomlin, through the most dark mists of this tumultuous winter, did see a glimpse of what was to become the beginning of a beautfiul spring. Like a radiant shine, Ryan Shazier, a young, eccentric rookie from Ohio State, flashed brillance in his first preseason action against the Buffalo Bills. Since then, Tomlin has found a fourmula for success much in the same vein his predeccessors did in Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher; draft exceptional athletes and transform them into great football players. After Shazier and his classmate Tuitt, Bud Dupree would come soon after. Artie Burns, Sean Daivs and Javon Hargrave would not only succeed Bud but would play an integral part of the defenses resurgence in the second half of the 2016 campaign.

One more piece however was needed as both SteelersNation and Mike Tomlin knew. To correct the mistakes of the past and to erase the final phase of the nightmare, a new radiant star with big dreams would have to shine brighter than the trepidation of his predecessor. One that would signal the end of the nightmare and correlate into a new era of defensive dominance.

Enter T.J. Watt.

Much like Ryan Shazier before him, T.J. Watt was the shining beacon that the Steeles have long sought after since 2010. Given the fact that his two brothers in J.J. and Derek had both assisted him in his development on what it takes to be NFL ready, many of us were excited to see just how bright this new form of light could shine.

It would not take long.

Against the New York Football Giants, T.J.’s first two plays had earned him two sacks. Not only was he getting sacks, he was also dispelling another misconception within the weaknesses he has heard within his 2017 draft profile; not strong enough agains the run. Given the fact that T.J. had tackles for loss against the Giants and showcased the ability to set the edge, much of those fears in itself were quelled as he showcased those run stuffing traits for the remainder of the Preseason. It was his continued evolution of his pass rushing ability that many of us wanted to see against Atlatna and more specifically, Indianapolis.

In neither game did T.J. record a sack or a pressure. However, in the Atlanta game, T.J. received his first unoffical “Welcome to the NFL” moment upon facing the talented Jake Matthews; son of the great Pro Football Hall of Fame Offensive Lineman Trent Matthews. While T.J. traded evenly with Jake on running plays going his way that day, he was humbled by Jake’s superior experience upon defeating T.J.’s ineffective tactic to bullrush and dip-rip the All Pro. However, while this was just preseason, his next test will come against a future Hall of Fame player in Joe Thomas.

Not only has Joe Thomas looked as solid as ever for the DawgPound, he still is a top five offensive tackle in the league after playing for 11 seasons. He may be 32 years of age but he still has plently to offer in protecting their newly anoited starter in rookie DeShone Kizer. This leads me to believe that T.J. Watt will play a big factor in Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.

While I am certain that, much like his matchup against Jake Matthews, T.J. can hold his own against the run, it is the pass rush that will ultimatley decide Sunday’s contest. This is also not accounting for the fact that this form of the Cleveland Browns, while some years away, are starting to see the light as well within a much better offensive line. If Joe Bitonio was short on friends along the interior, having the likes of J.C. Tretter, a top 15 offensive center and Kevin Zeiter, a top 10 offensive guard, gives Cleveland more options to use when running the ball, be it offensive guard pulls or stretch runs. While this will not directly impact T.J., a much improved interior will be critical for T.J. to showcase his abilities to maintain the edge on short yardage situations.

More than just merely be a run stopping force though, T.J. will be tasked to best a future Hall of Famer in rushing the passser. Given the fact that Canton will not be too far off for Mr. Thomas, T.J. must use everything he has learned from training camp to just hold his own against him. Should he find success, Pittsburgh’s pass rush can and will make it tough for DeShone Kizer to find time to complete passes. Should he fail, the game overall could be much closer than others are making it out to be.

With the stage now set, two opposing forces will clash on Sunday. Will Pittsburgh’s newest radiant light be able to best a living legend? Time will tell as we will have to wait and see.

Mock Of Ridley: Free Agency Period. First Take.

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As the 2017 NFL Football Season begins in its infancy, teams and their respective fanbases gear up for what is to be yet another intensive grind to get to the big game. For some franchises like the Cleveland Browns or Sam Francisco 49ers, to get better, one has to start at the bottom. For other teams like the Green Bay Packers or Pittsburgh Steelers, it is about finding that one missing piece to get them over the top. Any way one observes, the focus remains the same; get in the playoffs, go deep into it and win the Super Bowl.

However, for every ending to that season, a new one must emerge. As such, players from the previous season may either depart for “greener pastures”, remain with their team or retire. To ensure that teams that are getting there, are close, or have already reached the summit, finding new able bodies is required. One of which is the Free Agency Period. The other is the NFL Draft in which we will talk about today and what it means for our Black ‘n’ Gold team

Given the fact that this draft has the usual suspects of deep positions in the form of defensive back, pass rusher, wide receiver and running back, one position that is shaping up to the one of the best in recent memory is the tight ends. From O.J. Howard to Gerald Everett, teams looking for a tight end need to look no further. For our Steelers however, these two positions are an absolute priority come round 1:

1.) Pass rusher

2.) Defensive Back

With these major positions in hand, let us take a look at a first round mock draft. With that out of the way, let us get started.

*** DISCLAIMER NOTICE ***

All opinions of this article are only from the writer of this article and do not represent or are transparent with the opinions of TheSteelersFans writing team.

1.) Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett:

As much as I would love to do a full breakdown of Myles Garrett himself, the fact is that Myles’ colligiate career speaks so much about how rare his talent is. In this episode of “Can’t Miss Prospects”, Myles Garrett is what Andrew Luck was when coming out of Stanford; a prodigy and no less. Such talent is what the Browns need to become relevant again.

2.) San Francisco 49ers: Solomon Thomas:

I am certain that any of the questions that surrounded Solomon’s athletic abilities have been quelled since the end of the combine. In spite of the fact that the 49ers are moving back to a base 4-3 defense, this does not mean that Thomas is overkill to have. Given the fact that two other PAC-12 stars like Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner can be moved around to play multiple spots… it seems fitting that adding another talent like Thomas can solidify their front seven.

3.) Chicago Bears: Jamal Adams:

Eddie Goldman and Leonard Floyd were the starting point of building another incarnation of “Monsters Of The Midway.” Given the deep nature of this pass rushing class, I am certain that Chicago will elect to select one later as the back end surely does need help. That being said, a do it all safety like Jamal Adams is exactly what John Fox is looking for. Be it from the box or the back, Jamal can solidify a young nucleus with Adrian Amos.

4.) Jacksonville Jaguars: Marshon Lattimore:

Just missing out on the Jamal Adams sweepstakes, I am sure Doug Marrone will have no issue in obtaining arguably the best corner in the draft. Thanks in part to Jacksonville’s recent free agent acquisitions, adding one more piece in the secondary like Lattimore can put Jacksonville over the top for a serious AFC South division run.

5.) Tenessee Titans (pick acquired from Los Angeles Rams) : Malik Hooker:

I understand that this choice is quite odd to begin with, but given the fact that Malik Hooker is earning comparisons to the likes of Eric Berry and Ed Reed; the latter being one of Dick LeBeau’s adversaries in the past, having a ballhawking free safety in the deep end will fortify the Titans big defensive weakness.

6.) New York Jets: Leonard Fournette:

Now armed with Jay Cutler, Todd Bowles can focus on that ground game given the fact that theirs was not as successful in 2016 as they would have hoped. Enter Leonard Fournette; a freight train who can easily carry well over 25 touches a game and still be able to smash through AFC East defenses. Sounds “New York Tough” to me.

7.) Los Angeles Chargers: Jabrill Peppers:

Ah yes.. here is where the controversy comes in.

“Way too high.”

“Jabrill is not that good”.

“What a reach! LOL!”

However… a former Charger also had questions about his game. His name? Eric Weddle. Both Weddle and Peppers were both considered “ultra talented” and being able to “play anywhere”. Add the fact that Peppers was faster (4.46 vs. 4.48) and more explosive ( 35.5 inch vertical and 10 ft. 8 inch. broad jump vs. 33.5 inch vertical and 9 ft. 5 inch. broad jump), do not be surprised to see if Peppers gets his name called after boosting his performance in not only the athletic drills but positional ones as well. Add the fact he is a dynamic return man and Los Angeles can add to their young but talented defense.

8.) Carolina Panthers: Derek Barnett:

Being the most decorated pass rusher in Vols’ history, no one is going to deny the production value that Barnett brings to the table. Having a stellar level of productivity against SEC teams is no east feat and yet Barnett has delivered. He may not be explosive but he is quick on his feet and displays violent hand usage and sound technique; all of which are what Carolina need after losing Kony Ealy.

9.) Cincinnati Bengals: Reuben Foster:

While some would have him lower and even going Corey Davis for this route in addition to Foster’s recent injury history, having that top flight, alpha dog level mentality of linebacking in the brutal AFC North is exactly what our division rival needs. Besides, who is to say when the next Vontez Burfict incident is to happen? To ensure no issues, here is some insurance.

10.) Buffalo Bills: Corey Davis:

John Ross is so tempting to place here for Bills fans. A speedster to team up with Sammy Watkins would give even New England fits. However, given the fact that Sammy Watkins has had issues staying healthy in addition to having no help at all when he is not does not bode well for the University of Washington’s legendary speedster. So instead of going for the need for speed route, “slow and steady wins the race” trumps here with Corey Davis. He may not take the top off a defense, but his route running and possession abilities will open up opportunities for Watkins and Tyrod Taylor to excel.

11.) New Orleans Saints: Marlon Humphery:

After adding Hau’oil Kikaha, Stephone Anthony, Sheldon Rankins and P.J. Williams, the Saints still have defensive woes. However.. one more piece is all they need to get their defense back to being good. Someone like Humphery, who has done well against SEC competition, would add a number one corner in the Big Easy.

12.) Cleveland Browns (pick acquired from Philadelphia): Sidney Jones:

Nabbing a quarterback this high is not worth Cleveland’s first round pick at all. Improving the defense for the next Cleveland starter is. Within the same token, please remember that this is a “post combine” mock draft and not a “post free agency” one. Given the fact that the Browns now have Brock Osweiler as their guy, nabbing Jimmy Garrapolo seems more feasible but only if Cleveland elects to. Either way, should they not elect to pursue Jimmy, solidifying that back end is top priority. A player like Sidney Jones who is proficient in a multi arrary of coverage schemes would increase Clevelands now ascending defense.

13.) Arizona Cardinals: Mitch Trubrisky:

Drew Stanton is not Carson Palmers successor. A backup yes but otherwise no. A gift for the “Quarterback Whispherer” in Bruce Arians and Carsons successor can be an easy pick. While one year of starting experience is definitely questionable, his leadership abilities and arm talent is not; both of which are trademark Arians pre-requisites.

14.) Philadelphia Eagles: Quincy Wilson:

Being arguably the most pro ready cornerback should land Wilson higher in some aspects… but given the fact that Teez Tabor played alongside him did not do him any favors. A top 15 worthy combine performance however did boost his prospects and now can land him with a young but talented Eagles squad who seem like they arw ready to take the next step and potentially challenge the NFC East.

15: Indianapolis Colts: Taco Charlton:

While this pick is head scratching on paper given Charltons run stopping abilities vs. his pass rush, the fact is that he can slim down and still retain his immense power; not to mention adding some much needed pass rush.

16.) Baltimore Ravens: Malik McDowell:

While Brandon Williams will be staying in Baltimore for a while yet, his buddy Timmy Jerngian still needs an every down attack partner. Realistically, if it had not been for lack of desire, Malik is easily a top 10 or even top 5 pick given his talent level. His ability to overpower his opposition and get to the quarterback are second only to Johnathan Allen; something I am sure Ozzie himself will not mind.

17.) Washington Redskins: Zach Cunningham:

Addressing the defensive line would be nice here… but outside of Caleb Brantley, I do not believe that overdrafting a need is wise here. To that end, why not have a dynamic linebacker to shore up some run defense woes? Zach takes good angles to the ball and has sound tackling to boot. While he needs to work on fighting through the opposition to get to the ball carrier, once he has a clean shot, Cunningham is as “Steady Eddie” as Reuben Foster is.

18.) Tenessee Titans: Gareon Conley:

While Gareon does not have the caliber of talent that his Ohio State teammate Marshon Lattimore does, that does not indicate Gareon is not first round worthy either. Given his workout at the combine along with his tape, Conley along with his fellow teammate Hooker complete the back end rebuild of the Titans and can now can contend for the AFC South crown.

19.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dalvin Cook:

Corner or safety help is desperately needed for the Buccaneers. Within the same vein, so is adding talent to assist Jamies Winston’s development. Getting to know a former college teammate is one thing but knowing he is the second best RB in the draft with home run capability and receiving skills to boot is another. Dalvin, Winston, and Evans; a new trio is born in Tampa to assist their ascension in the NFC South.

20.) Denver Broncos: Garet Bolles:

Trevor Siemian was running for his life in 2016. I do not think either Gary Kubiack nor John Elway want that again. Having a dancing bear at left tackle is a good starting point to keep Siemian cool and composed. While Bolles is going to be 25, his footwork and pass protection are second to none. If Ryan Ramcyzk is the mauling monster, Garet Bolles is truly the dancing bear.

21.) Detriot Lions: Tre’Davious White

No pass rushing options are available at this point, so the Lions focus on another area in corner. While one could also argue for Adoree Jackson here, Tre’Davious White is just as good an option even if he is not the athlete Jackson is. Besides, in a division with receivers who are either some of the best in the game or up and comers like Jordy Nelson or Stephon Diggs, White can mirrors those receivers well and will not suffer the same lapses Adoree would.

22.) Miami Dolphins: Hasson Reddick

Even with the acquisition of Lawrence Timmons (gone but never forgotten), more assistance is needed. Widely reputed to be arguably the biggest riser from the combine, Reddick showcases speed, agility and coverage skills that Adam Gase will be salivating to partner up with “Law Dog’s” experience and leadership.

23.) New York Giants: Jarrad Davis:

A surprise to some, but Davis’ combine workout and heat seeking abilities on the ball carrier are what the Giants need in an undergunned linebacking corps. Sure, his over aggression will get on some Giants fans nerves but his passion and violence will make him a fan favorite.

24.) Oakland Raiders: O.J. Howard:

One would assume that O.J.’s draft position is much higher than this. One would be correct. One can also state that adding more firepower to the Raiders would be overkill. In the same vein, that would be the point for Jack Del Rio and Derek Carr. A do it all tight end with two top shelf wide receiving targets? Not even Denver’s vaunted “No Fly Zone”, the Chargers own defense or Kansas City’s defense could handle all that firepower.

25.) Houston Texans: Patrick Mahomes:

Some would slot DeShone Kizer here. I do not think an average showcasing at positional drills warrants a first round selection no? Patrick on the other hand, has some serious arm talent with some fixable quirks to match. While an offensive lineman is needed here, with no quarterback, such a priority will have to come first.

26.) Seattle Seahawks: Forrest Lamp:

Germain Ifedi will be kicked to his left tackle spot at some point before the season begins; paving the way for Forrest. With Forrest along with Luke Jockel (who can hopefully turn it around), not only is Russel Wilson pocket better, but whomever is the next running back can have some more rushing lanes to run through.

27.) Kansas City Chiefs: DeShaun Watson:

Derrick Johnsons successor will have to wait for later. Andy Reid can focus on the future while being able to land arguably the best quarterback in the class.

28.) Dallas Cowboys: Charles Harris:

Seems that Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliot are in fact the future. On the defensive side, all looks well except for a pass rusher. Luckily for them, such a trait is Harris’ speciality. With Harris and the return of Malek Collins and Jaylon Smith, Dallas seems to be on top of the NFC East for a while yet.

29.) Green Bay Packers: David Nkoju

The loss of Jared Cook is not good. Even with defensive issues, Green Bay can stomach those given the immese level of talent at corenrback and pass rusher. Having the most athletic of the bunch land in their laps will make even Ted Thompson jump for joy. David’s sure hands and explosive capabilities will give Aaron Rodgers another weapon and Green Bay a step closer to returning Lombardi back to its true home.

30.) Pittsburgh Steelers: T.J. Watt

Reflecting on the 2016 season, Pittsburgh’s inability to get to Tom Brady and its own offensive red zone failures ultimately proved to be Pittsburgh’s downfall. To ensure that Pittsburgh gets back to the big game, finding Bud Dupree’s attack partner will be top priority. Even with one season under his belt, T.J.’s work ethic and motor may not be at the level of his brother’s or our own workout legend in James Harrison yet, but his efforts will be no doubt respected and admired for someone who will learn the “Steeler Way” under one of the franchises greatest players. By the way, that is plural as Joey Porter also counts.

31.) Atlanta Falcons: Obi Melifonwu:

Hmmm…. freak athlete + Dan Quinn.. what does that mean? Oh nevermind, just ask the likes of Keanu Neal and Deiom Jones. Adding Obi Melifonwu will further enhance not only Atlanta’s defensive speed but complete Dan Quinn’s own “Legion Of Boom”. Not only is Obi freakishly talented, he can also cover a wide range of field and easily find and attack the ball carrier.

32.) New Orleans Saints (pick acquired from New England): Evan Engram:

Given the fact this just happened today, one would assume that Sean would go after a wide receiver. However, with the likes of Micheal Thomas ready to take the next step, such a pick is not needed. This does not mean that Sean still cannot add more weapons. Since the departure of Jimmy Graham, Drew Brees still has enjoyed success but not to the levels of his 2011 campaign. While his bodh may no longer be on that level, a tight end like Engram can still give Brees his security blanket.

That is guys for the mock draft. All 32 teams have found their hopeful future stars for their teams to get better. For the collegiate stars awaiting their millions, their fate will come on draft day and you can be assured that this writer will be watching.

Do not fret though. I understand that some of these choices are subject to change given the current free agency period. As such, please come back for our next mock draft!

Hope to see you soon! Thank you for reading!

The Continuation Of A Legacy: Bud Dupree Saga

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Through the ages of the NFL, Pittsburgh has transformed from a team that was a doormat from its inception to a flagship sports organization that is celebrated and reputed worldwide. Part of the reason is that legendary Steelers Head Coach Chuck Noll developed a team that prided itself on two key components;

1.) Clock control

2.) Defense

The defensive aspect of the two however maintains a key component of Steelers defenses; the linebacking corps. From legends like Jack Ham and Jack Lambert, Levon Kirkland, Kevin Greene and Greg Lloyd, and to James Farrior, Joey Porter, and Larry Foote, Steelers linebacking has shown that, in spite of the names changing, much like the seasons, they come back better than ever.

Today, this brings us to today’s ‘corps who will be counted on to carry on the legacy of their predecessors.

One of them has a career that is nearing it’s sunset in James Harrison.

Another has their sun becoming a Supernova in Ryan Shazier.

One epitomizes stability yet faces uncertainty in Lawrence Timmons.

Today’s X-Factor however…. is becoming quite the force they need since Harrison’s sunrise back in 2008.

Ever since that fateful day on April 30th, 2015, Bud Dupree has flashed forms of brilliance. Since totaling four sacks in his first four games as a rookie, the consensus was that 2016 would be his breakout year. Sadly, an abdominal injury cut his 2016 campaign short.

Since coming back against the Browns, while it took him a while to get going, Bud Dupree has led all AFC linebackers with 4.5 sacks heading into the divisional round. His games against the likes of Buffalo, Baltimore and Miami showcase just how much he has grown since his unfortunate collision of the “Rookie Wall” last season. Even in the lack of games played, he has exceeded his sack total by half, improved his solo tackles by two from 17 to 19 and added his first forced fumble. However, this week his team will need him even more.

Against a similar resurgent Chiefs squad that boasts two quality bookend tackles in Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz, Bud’s ability to penetrate the backfield will be more difficult to stop given Alex Smith’s near instantaneous releases. Unlike the Miami game to top it off, the Chiefs have a good rushing attack led by Spencer Ware, ranked 15th in the league.

For Pittsburgh to succeed against the Chiefs, stopping the likes of Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill are one thing but ensuring Alex Smith does not have the time to do damage is another. For this to happen, James Harrison cannot do this alone. As such, Bud Dupree has to have a great performance. Should he and Harrison harass Smith, Kelce will be rendered a non issue and Hill’s offensive capabilities will be limited to return duties. If not, Kelce and Hill could be the least of Pittsburgh’s worries.

Throwin’ Some Shade: McCullers Saga

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What a difference a draft can make. Seldom does a team hit three picks like this.

Not since 1974 has Pittsburgh elected to start three defensive rookies. Now, in 2016, all three have been positive contributions. Most notably though was Javon “GraveDigger” Hargrave. The stat sheet has not shown as much of a contribution he has been since the Steelers loss to Dallas. Yes, the Steelers have just played two teams that are not good to start out with and one team with no rushing attack to speak of, but Hargrave’s abilities and talent speak wonders of what Tomlin and the team think of him.

During this three game win streak, the Steelers have surrendered just 60 yards per game and currently are sixth best against the run according to Team Rankings. What is more important though is that Pittsburgh is limiting opponents rush yards to just 3.6 per attempt. However, Hargrave is dealing with a concussion and it looks as if he may not see the field Sunday. With yet another big test against a team with a far superior rushing attack in Buffalo, Javon’s services will be missed…. or will they?

Ricardo Matthews and LT Walton are component fill ins for the rookies absence. However, one mans name lost in the shuffle is Daniel “Shade Tree” McCullers. Initially drafted to be the heir apparent for Steve McClendon when he left, Daniel could not do said task and lost his position to Hargrave. Now, with Hargrave out, Daniel will once again have to rise to the occasion to replicate Hargrave’s success.

On paper, Daniel McCullers has all the right tools for the job. Long 36.5 inch arms to ensure offensive lineman cannot reach him, 345 pounds of solid muscle and brute force, 6 feet seven inches making him near impossible to block one on one and three seasons with the team all sound like he is capable of filling in. However, here is where we run into problems. Part of the reason Daniel lost his starting job to Javon was not due to “nastiness” or lack thereof. The issue was with his fundamental breakdowns in gap control and his inability to use some of his rare physical traits. One premier instance of this was in Indianapolis. On the final play of the game, McCullers fails to neutralize a double team. However, much of that has nothing to do with McCullers skill set. A lot of that has to do with his inability to play with proper technique. In that final play, he was late engaging the double team; him being a non factor as a result. Such reasons are why Daniel McCullers is this week’s “X Factor.”

Going up against the likes of Tyrod Taylor and LeSean McCoy is one thing. That in itself requires precise sound execution in assignments. It is another to go up against the likes of Richie Incognito. Sure, said man has his own checkered past, but is still a quality level starter and veteran who can open up lanes for “Shady.” Even if Richie is not the side McCoy wants to go towards, John Miller is no slouch. Strong at the point of attack, him and Incognito have given LeSean the daylight he needs to not only move the chains but burn the clock. As such, should Pittsburgh be in its 3-4 alignment, expect “Shade Tree” to be the nose tackle.

This game not only hinges Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes but Daniels future as well. Should he rise to the occasion, Pittsburgh is just that much closer to the playoffs. Should Pittsburgh lose, this means that the run defense did not do its job in shutting down McCoy. More importantly, this mean that the rushing attack Buffalo employed will have worked mainly up the middle; McCullers main priority.

That all being said, Sunday’s game and Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes rest with Daniel McCullers. If this is a time for some “December to Remember” moments, this would be it.

Earning A Degree From “Swaggin’ U”: The Artie Burns Saga

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“We need a cornerback!!”

“Draft a cornerback!”

“Why don’t we pick cornerbacks early enough in the draft?

Such themes and more have described SteelersNation’s thoughts and feelings since 2011 when it was clear that Ike’s abilities were waning. Gone were the days where Ike’s pure speed and physical style of play allowed Dick LeBeau to have Ike do nothing but play on an island without too much a worry in the world. By 2014, even AJ Green, a player that Ike dominated earlier in his career, turned the tides on him. After such a season seeing himself fall from grace, on April 14, 2015, Ike hung his cleats.

Without him… Pittsburgh sorely felt that void as Antwon Blake was the incumbent starter for a new defensive coordinator in Keith Butler. Even though Pittsburgh committed 17 interceptions according to the official Steelers site, Antwon, Ross Cockrell (a newly acquired corner from the final week of preseason cuts), and William Gay all had two of them.

Again.. in comparison to Ike, these clearly are more numbers than he would usually have as three was his highest total. However.. much of these numbers are a bit deceiving. Yes, Blake was physical and generated turnovers… but also a lot of yards to opposing receivers and ended up breaking the Pro Football Focus record for most yards given up in a season at 1,074. In addition, while he did showcase some physicality, breaking yet another record at 28 total missed tackles from Pro Football Focus. Without their 2014 second round pick in Senquez Golson playing either… Pittsburgh would make it only to the divisional round and lose to the eventual world champion Denver Broncos.

As a result, heading into the 2016 draft, Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert decided that it was time to acquire a cornerback who was much like Ike Taylor but with better hands. One with speed reminiscent of Ike’s but with the physical style of play along with the edge to play the position; a height-weight-speed specimen. As such, with the 25th selection of the NFL Draft, Pittsburgh selected Artie Burns out of the University of Miami.

Fast forward to today and Pittsburgh’s shiny new age corner is slotted to start against some height-weight-speed specimens from the opposite side of the field in the form of BreShad Perriman and Mike Wallace; the latter of whom is an old friend. Both are known for their blazing speed and Joe Flacco’s trebuchet of an arm is still alive and well in spite of his stat sheet. It is now time to see if Artie is ready to graduate from Ike’s “Swaggin’ U” as he is this weeks X-Factor.

So far this season, Artie has shown all the tools that made him a first round choice in his ability to cover receivers in the limited time he has been in. From the batted pass near the end zone against the Bengals to his incredible showcasing of his track speed against a similar speed demon in Tyreek Hill against the Chiefs, Artie’s development in both zone and man coverage has seen its highs as aforementioned above and has had his lows such as not trusting Mike Mitchell on a deep pass against Miami. One thing that is constant thus far, and not in a good way, is his lack of ability to contain the perimeter. It is rather antipodean considering that Burns is a physical corner and has an edge. The issues have been in his discipline and form; both showcasing that he is still a rookie.

However, come tomorrow, none of that matters now as this not only the start of the second half of the season for the Steelers but Burns first introduction to a rivalry that has been as physical as these matchups have been close (last two decided by three points). To truly know if he is ready to take the stairs to graduation, tomorrow will be Artie’s biggest game of his career as Steelers-Ravens often introduces rookies of both teams how violent the NFL truly is. For Artie, it is time to pull up his big boy pants and solidify his 1st round status. If he does, Pittsburgh’s front seven can take care of the rest. If he cannot, it will be more of the same of what many of SteelersNation saw against Miami where Artie showcased to us all he is still in class and not ready for the podium.

Almost Halfway There: The Top Ten Steelers Players Thus Far

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Today, here at TheSteelersFans comes a list of the best of the best Steelers players of the midseason. As we approach the second half of the 2016 NFL regular season, let us reflect on who has impressed SteelersNation the most. Let us not dwandle any further and embark on the best of the best thus far. Now before we begin comes a disclaimer notice.

DISCLAIMER: These opinions are expressed only by the author and are not a reflection of TheSteelersFans site writers or forum members opinions or beliefs.

With that out of the way, let us begin.

Coming in at number 10.

Ross Cockrell:

The only defensive back to make the list, some might find this players position a bit surprising given Cockrell’s level of play garnering him a higher spot. Cockrell has shown to be capable of matching up against no. 1 receivers like A.J. Green and shutting them down. While this has been quite noteworthy, he has yet to record one interception the entire season. Could this be due to the newfound respect other NFL coaches have for Cockrell? It is possible, but Ross has had his chances and has yet to fulfill on them. Here is hoping that he can get his first one in the coming games.

Started out with a defensive back, but our next pick is not only the first of four total and offensive and defensive lineman on the list; highest count by position, but the only rookie to make this list. Yes, you guessed it.

Please enter at number nine:

Javon “Gravedigger” Hargrave:

Before I catch flak for having a rookie over a veteran, please hear me out. Usually rookies start due to either high draft pedigree, circumstances such as injury, or a lack of a better option. Javon’s case was different as he roughed it out with Daniel McCullers and won the starting job; something that has not happened since 1994 when Breston Buckner did it according to ESPN. Since then, Javon has been nothing short of a success in spite of his lack of productivity on the stat sheet.

From weeks four and five against the Chiefs and Jets respectively, fellow Steelers linebacker Vince Williams complied 24 total tackles during that span, 21 of them unassisted according to Pro Football Reference. While Williams’ level of play was awesome during that span, part of it was due to the level of play hat Javon had showcased; further showcasing that Mike Tomlin made the right choice in drafting not just a one gapping zero tech space eater but a 3-4 defensive end as well. Yes, Javon has yet to get to the stat sheet but now it is only a matter of time before he records his first sack of his NFL career.

While Javon has been getting acclimated to the game, our second of four lineman on the list is coming into his own after performing well in a certain players absence.

“Next Man Up” at number eight:

Alejandro “Big Al” Villanueva:

Often times it is imperative for a former rookie to see extensive action in his sophomore campaign considering they obtain the biggest increase for their levels of performance and can often help set the stage for the rest of their NFL careers. At the age of 28, Villanueva is by no means a rookie given his previous NFL experience. However, given the fact that he only played left tackle just last season after not seeing it since his days in college, Alejandro’s sophomore campaign has been nothing but exceptional.

Yes, he does lead the team currently in both sacks (three and a half) and penalties (four) according to Pro Football Focus but given the fact hat he is still learning the position, he has done admirably well. In fact, second to him on the list is 2015 First Team All-Pro David DeCastro already matching his totals from a season ago at two sacks and two penalties each. Given the fact that, he is keeping up with a current All-Pro, this shows us all that Villanueva can hang with some of the best in spite of his continued development; his eight place ranking a testament to the former Army Ranger.

Ahh.. sophomore years. They can have a profound effect can they not? If one does not think so, our next choice is a player that is eons ahead from what he was last year.

Flying by at number seven:

Sammie Coates:

Shortly after the 2015 NFL Draft, I deduced two possible reasons for the Sammie Coates pick:

Martavis Bryant was in hot water again.
Sammie’s arrival marked he beginning of the end for Markus Wheaton.

Fast forward a year later and we now have been confirmed of both scenarios. Martavis is out for the season serving a one year ban and Markus Wheatons days Pittsburgh are numbered. Either way, Sammie was supposed to step up anyway given the fact that his ending to his rookie campaign helped the Steelers nearly coming out on top against the eventual World Champion Broncos.

Being one of two wide receivers to make the list, Sammie has not disappointed. Currently, Sammie is the NFL’s leading receiver in erms of average yards per reception according to ESPN at 21.3. It was quite evident that after the events during the week five against against the Jets, Coates’ abilities were improving yet still needed polished. After breaking one of his fingers, Pittsburgh sorely missed his big play abilities. Coming off a bye however, look for Sammie to have better days yet again as is hand his doing much better.

Sammie’s level of play should have SteelersNation pretty excited about his return. If he is not enticing enough, the next choice is a welcoming back after missing a full season.

Paving the way at number six

Maurkice Pouncey:

http://gty.im/454040972

I understand that keeping such a player out of the top five is sacrilege but again hear me out on his one. While Pittsburgh missed Pouncey in 2015, Cody Wallace filled in admirably given the situation. This does not discredit Pouncey’s lack of availability but showcases just how in depth Pittsburgh is with their team. Fast forward to today and Pouncey is more than likely off to yet another Pro Bowl worthy appearance given the fact that he has yet recorded a penalty or sack to his name according to Pro Football Focus; a worthy candidate for the “NFL Comeback Player Of The Year” award no less . No other NFL center is as athletic as Pouncey is in space; his twin in Mike included. With him, Pittsburgh’s ground and air attack can be sustained due to his ability to recognize coverages and rely said information to his players; a complete cohesive offensive unit that is nigh omnipotent when firing on all cylinders. Ben still has the keys but Pouncey is the one who is still in the drivers seat and the linchpin of the offensive line.

Plenty of surprises right? Hope you are still with the as we now have five remaining players left. To kick things off at number five is unquestionably the unsung hero of multiple games throughout the first half.

Blazing red at number five:

Jordan Berry:

http://gty.im/499250214

“How is it that a Punter beat out a NFL CPOY contender in Pouncey?”

Well that answer is a bit more complicated than one realizes. As such, I will explain. Special Teams often is overlooked due to the fact of said phase lacking excitement from either a kickers or punters role with the sole exception of game winning field goals and high even hang times. However, one hidden treasure in the case of Jordan Berry and punters everywhere is that, outside of the quarterback, punters are the only other position in the NFL that can manipulate field position. This is where Jordan Berry comes into play and it is not due to the fact that he is the only special teams player to make the list either.

Currently, 16th in average yards, 15th in punts inside the 20 and 13th in net yards are not inspiring numbers, he has only done this on 30 punts. As such, said numbers do not look as bad given the fact that he is in the top ten for fewest punts of the season. In addition, we also need to take the context of the game into account as well. Given the terrible weather Pittsburgh had to trudge through to beat Cincinnati, Berry’s eight punts at a 58 yard average with five of them inside the 20 helped Pittsburgh win. If not for his performance against Cincinnati, the AFC North looks a whole lot different; his other great game against the Jets with three punts averaging 52 yards per punt while having all three inside the 20 no less.

One down, four to go. For those of you who like when things get interesting, you are in luck. This next choice will no doubt generate some discussion.

Dancing at number four:

Antonio Brown:

Antonio’s accolades speak for themselves. Top ten in nearly every category, AB is among the NFL elite in not just receiving but one of the games best players overall. His agility and explosiveness out of his breaks are what make Brown so dangerous in the receiving game. Perhaps his greatest asset is his malleable forms of playing style. He may not be a deep threat like Julio Jones but AB is still good enough to get the job done. Add his punt/kick returning abilities and his ability to ay anywhere within he receiving corps and AB is a weapon that must be schemed against for any team.

However, this still does not explain his reasons for being out of the top three. Antonio Brown is still a destructive force within the offense. In comparison to previous years however, Browns stats do not measure up to the standards of what many of us hold him to. Generally, he is tops in the league in receptions, yards and touchdowns. While he is still among the league leaders in ose categories, he usually is right at the top. This year, he is not top three in receptions, touchdowns or yards. Again, he is still an elite Ayer but is having an off year by Antonio Brown standards. As such, he will have to settle to being left out in the top three.

Three players are all that remains. Clearly, these players have to be the best of the best and are crucial towards Pittsburgh’s dreams of capturing that seventh Lomabrdi. Let us not dwandle any further and begin.

Leading the charge at number three:

Cameron “Wreck It” Heyward

To say Pittsburgh missed Heyward against the Dolphins and the Patriots is an understatment. Allowing 335 yards of rushing in the span of two weeks further drives this point home. Heyward is not just the best defensive player on the team but the heart and soul of it as well. While Mike Mitchell may be the enforcer, Cameron brings stability and play making ability to the team. His three sack performance against the Cheifs is a testament to showcasing his level of determination and dedication that others can follow. Without question the teams best defensive player and number three on the list.

“…. And then there were two.” Who is the runner up? Who is the winner? Time to find out.

In at number two:

Le’Veon Bell:

Even without him, Pittsburgh has a potent offensive attack. With him, it is easily the NFL’s best when firing on all cylinders. Part of that reason is Bell’s unique skill set. He is the games ultimate running back. Need a new pass? Bell is there. How about some tough yards? Bell is even tougher. A pesky pass rusher ruining your day? Bell’s blocking abilities are second to none. Even if I went and displayed every stat., none of that would matter. What he brings is not a war chest of gaudy numbers but another dimension to the Steelers. If the NFL is still in the third dimension, Pittsburgh transcends to the fourth with Bell. Considering that there is half a season left, Bell still has plenty of work to do before obtaining his shiny new contract.

So, nine names down the one remains. Before we get into the number one, let us find out who just missed the cut.

Mike Mtichell:

If not for Mike, Pittsburgh’s secondary woes would be much worse. Outside of Cameron Heyward and Ryan Shazier, no else brings more value. Speaking of which….

Ryan Shazier:

Playing with a even of tenacity the SteelersNation have not laid eyes on since the prime of Troy Polamalu’s career, Shazier shows flashes of being the NFL’s best linebacker not named Luke Kuechly. However, due to the style he plays, it often comes at a price. If Shazier learns how to control his “do or die” style, First Team All-Pro honors will soon follow.

Marcus Gilbert:

In the year Gilbert should have been to his first Pro Bowl, an injury robbed him f doing so. He still has time though, so look for him to bounce back. To be end, this concludes this segment

Now, time to find who reigns supreme in the Steelers top ten.

The number one player at the midpoint of the season is:

Benjamin “Big Ben” Todd Roethlisberger:

This is still Ben’s team. As such, Pittsburgh goes as far as Ben goes. With him, they are contenders. Without him, they are ordinary. Much like Le’Veon, no stat. I can bring up will quantity his value nor do Big en service. As such, Ben Roethlisberger is the number one player of the halfway point. Keep in mind that with half a season to go and Ben coming back soon, Pittsburgh’s aspirations of the seventh ring are still alive and well.

As such, this concludes the list. Again, not everyone could make this list and there will always be players missing as a result. However, one thing is certain, the 2016 Pittsburgh Steelers need to play the to obtain that goal of World Champions.

Strike Three Your Out: The 3rd Down Saga

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Many of us football fans know what it takes to sustain drives and score points: move the chains. For the 2016 Pittsburgh Steelers, this has been seldom an issue. Currently…Pittsburgh ranks fifth in the league in 3rd down efficiency. As a result…it is no surprise that Pittsburgh has been able to not only score a point average over 30 in their 4 wins, but have a 51.92% rating on third down efficiency; easily among the best in the league.

Such an ability to sustain drives is why Pittsburgh has the offense of world champions. Not only does this allow Todd Haley to become more flexible in his playcalling, it forces opposing defenses to be honest. Most importantly though, it wears the defense down, which in turn, allows the offense to control the game.

Against the New England Patriots, one would think that the Belichek led squad is nigh omnipotent given their fundamental, precise approach with an emphasis to execute. However… one anomaly does stand out; 3rd down defense. This is where we can find kinks in Matt Patrica’s seemingly impervious armor.

Aug 15, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia on the sideline as they take on the Philadelphia Eagles in the first half during the preseason game at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 42-35. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

For a team that has been widely reputed as the NFL standard of executing assignments and playing fundamental, one would think that such an area is where a coaching candidate like Matt Patricia would be effective. However, this is not the case as they are not even in the top 10; 15 not even. Coming into Sunday’s matchup, New England is ranked 27th. Yes, you are reading that right.

New England is ranked 27th.

For Mike Tomlin and Todd Haley, of all their chances to win, this one sticks out like a sore thumb. Despite this, there is the issue with Big Ben Roethlisberger not playing; Landry Jones being the frontrunner at quarterback. As horrific as this sounds, Landry is not alone. He does still have Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown to assist him. Add the fact that he has been in the system and did enough to win Pittsburgh a game against an evenly talented Arizona squad from a year ago and the prospects of Jones starting in absence of Ben is not as dreadful as some of SteelersNation makes it out to be.

Now, Do not get me wrong, this is easily the Steelers toughest test of the year; no Ben making it even more so. However, if Landry was as bad as people say he was, why is he on the roster? There is no one else out there in free agency that neither Tomlin nor Colbert trust to bring in. Better yet, if Jones was that terrible, he would have been let go after the 2013 preseason.

Either way, while Jones’ track record in starts has been spotty, he is good enough to be Ben’s backup. However, it is not Landry SteelersNation should really be focusing on.. , but rather the Steelers third down defense.

If we are going by face value, Pittsburgh ranks 10th in the league for said statistic. However, much like we have seen from Pittsburgh’s “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” season, there is more to this defense than the stats are letting on. When factoring all four Pittsburgh wins, their 3rd down defense is preventing teams from converting 19.29%. However, when Pittsburgh loses, the percentage skyrockets to 45.83%. Much like before, this is as “Jekyll and Hyde” as you are going to get.

As for the Patriots, their offense is also much of the same like Pittsburgh minus the sneaky loss stat. For their third down percentage when factoring in all of them, the amount equates to 55.73%; a higher value then even when Pittsburgh wins. However, in the lone New England loss…, their total is 8.33%. Clearly, this number is abysmal. There is one catch however. A hobbled quarterback usually equates into a downgrade in performance, a third string doubly so. Jacoby Brissett’s injury clearly limited his abilities; the first ever shutout at the hands of their rival in the Buffalo Bills as a result. So really.. remove that statistic and New England’s percentage is great; not a good sign for the Steelers who do not have Cameron Heyward and may not have Ryan Shazier either. As such, Pittsburgh’s third down efficiency is the X Factor for this week.

If there was ever a time to ramp up the fundamentals and execute assignments, then this is the time that Pittsburgh needs to do it. Given their sloppy performances against the likes of Eagles and the Dolphins, Pittsburgh has truly been the “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” of the NFL’s top tier teams and it is not even close. For Pittsburgh to beat Tom Brady’s “Revenge Tour Express”, Landry Jones and the defense has to play mistake free football to win it while sustaining drives. This means racking up consistent third down conversions. The more Tom Brady stands on the sidelines, the more of a percentage the Steelers will win. Otherwise, this game can get out of hand very quickly given the bevy of weapons Brady has not named Rob Gronkowski.

Either way, I do expect the Steelers to come out more focused and play more fundamentally and execute effectively.