I don't know about the rest of you, but I have to say I loved the way the Steelers answered some questions on Saturday. Big Ben looks like the same guy, The two additions to the receiving core look to have some serious talent and Anthony Smith looks to be a late round steal to ad some depth to our secondary. They stuffed the run as usual but did give up a bunch of third downs. This secondary will take some hits before the gel. Once they start bringing their real package come opening night this will be another solid black and gold defense. This team will be even better than the one that stormed through the final two months of the season to bring home #5!!
seems youre pretty confident but i think the steelers were a one year del. With the Bengals in the division theyll win again but maybe the steelers cn make another wild card run.
It sounded to me more like he was doubting their ability to win the division. They look like a better team than they were last year and Cincinatti looks ready to take a step back. Time will tell, there will be alot of talented teams come playoff time. I only hope that The Steelers can peak at the right time like they did last year.
Willie Parker will not be asked to be a full time back. He will get about the same number of carries he got last year and Staley will take the role that the bus filled last year.
In my opinion, they wouldn't have won last year if Palmer wouldn't of got hurt. As for this year I think that the division will be close, but the Bengals will take it again. Steelers will fight for a wild card spot.
If you remember right, and im sure you don't...Pittsburgh beat up Palmer in their first meeting last year....216 yards and 2 picks. Then the bengals barely held of the Steelers 38-31 in a game that Big Ben threw for 386 yards.... so what exactly did you see in the first minute of the first quarter in the playoffs that told you that the Bengals would have won that game? Had Palmer not gotten hurt, and he managed to score a few more points...you would have seen a red hot Big Ben unleashed on the second rate Bengals secondary.... again. Lets not cry about the what-ifs, nothing takes away from the Steelers stellar super bowl run.
MOS; Lets see how the 1st half, if not most, of the regular season goes before we crown the Steelers anything. They are the defending champs but its alot harder w/ the other 31 teams ALL gunning for ya. Staley IMO has been a bust. He can't stay healthy. I would put more stock in Verron Hayes. I was skeptical about the Bengals w/o Palmer. A. Wright did look good enough to keep Cincy afloat until Carson returns.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (manofsteel)</div><div class='quotemain'>Willie Parker will not be asked to be a full time back. He will get about the same number of carries he got last year and Staley will take the role that the bus filled last year.</div> Staley won't be able to fill the role of the Bus. He's not as good as a leader and he's not as good as a player. Staley will have big shoes too fill. The lost of Randel El will hurt a little bit and Kimo was no easy lost to take as well. Pittsburgh will sure to be in contention though but I expect only a wild card out of them this season.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (porky88)</div><div class='quotemain'>Kimo was no easy lost to take as well.</div> YEah now who are they gonna have take out the knees of QBs?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (blackadder)</div><div class='quotemain'>MOS; Lets see how the 1st half, if not most, of the regular season goes before we crown the Steelers anything. They are the defending champs but its alot harder w/ the other 31 teams ALL gunning for ya. Staley IMO has been a bust. He can't stay healthy. I would put more stock in Verron Hayes. I was skeptical about the Bengals w/o Palmer. A. Wright did look good enough to keep Cincy afloat until Carson returns.</div> Im not crowning them with anything...I simply said they are a better team this year than they were last year. Staley was ready to go last year, they just had a crowded depth chart and had no need for him to take any carries. And I assume you meant Verron Haynes, and he will be an option to come in on more than just third downs if someone above him on the depth chart gets hurt. I don't think anyone really appreciates the situation the Steelers and Staley were in last season. He was dressed for a few games, even took a carry or two. But, when you have Bettis and Parker clicking like they were, why throw Staley in at all last year when you could let him rest until this year when he would be asked to start? I think you are going to see Staley running with a chip on his shoulder come opening day. And what did you see from Wright against they first team defense? a few incompletions and a couple sacks..... I really don't think it will come to that either way. I think it will be Palmer on opening day even if it is not at 100%
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FLORIDA PACKER)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (porky88)</div><div class='quotemain'>Kimo was no easy lost to take as well.</div> YEah now who are they gonna have take out the knees of QBs?</div> The Steelers expected Kimo to be leaving, they had no intention of even offering him a deal. They signed Brett Keisel to a long term deal because they didnt want to keep Kimo. Not sure who Keisel is? ask Denver....he had 4 tackles, back to back sacks and a forced fumble in a part time AFC Championship game performance.
[quote name='manofsteel']Im not crowning them with anything...I simply said they are a better team this year than they were last year.[/quote] Your thread title & giddy optimism imply otherwise. [quote name='manofsteel']I think you are going to see Staley running with a chip on his shoulder come opening day.[/quote] I'd rather see DS w/ shoulder pads. B-roth can wear a helmet if he wants. JT, Carter, & Crowder are gonna smack the taste off his lips regardless LOL. [quote name='manofsteel']And what did you see from Wright against they first team defense? a few incompletions and a couple sacks..... I really don't think it will come to that either way. I think it will be Palmer on opening day even if it is not at 100%[/quote] Last time, I checked the Redskins D could bring it and AW held up fairly well. I suggested that A Wright would be an adequate caretaker until Carson returns. [quote name='manofsteel']They signed Brett Keisel to a long term deal because they didnt want to keep Kimo. Not sure who Keisel is?[/quote] BK is from Wyoming and played collegiately @ BYU. He is a cousin to my Aunt's (my Dad's sister's) ex-husband. He and Shaun Nua (also from BYU - I think?) will work as duo to replace Kimo Von O as I understand it. KVO left of his own free will for more $ w/ the jets. I'm sure the Steelers would have kept him if the circumstances were right.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (manofsteel)</div><div class='quotemain'>The Steelers expected Kimo to be leaving, they had no intention of even offering him a deal. They signed Brett Keisel to a long term deal because they didnt want to keep Kimo. Not sure who Keisel is? ask Denver....he had 4 tackles, back to back sacks and a forced fumble in a part time AFC Championship game performance.</div> Kimo is a cheap shot artist and nothing more, Brady, C-Pepp, and Losman had better watch them selves this year, The Ball game would have Been COMPLETELY different had Cowher and KImo not arranged the blow to the knee of Carson Palmer.
I got no bias to any of these teams but I wouldn't forget the Ravens this year. The division will be a lot harder. Even Cleveland could be hard two sweep
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FLORIDA PACKER)</div><div class='quotemain'>Kimo is a cheap shot artist and nothing more, Brady, C-Pepp, and Losman had better watch them selves this year, The Ball game would have Been COMPLETELY different had Cowher and KImo not arranged the blow to the knee of Carson Palmer.</div> Careful, you're starting to sound like BF1, lol. Kimo might of meant to take a cheap shot, but I don't think it was pre-meditated, nor do I think he meant to seriously injure him.
Maybe he is rubbing off on me, I honestly do believe is was a Pre-meditated plan, Cowher KNEW how much trouble Carson could give that 1 man secondary and their Defensive Coordinator Knew exactly what they were dealing with if Carson was put out, Kitna a solid QB who lacks the arm strength to threaten with the deep ball, thus allowing them to bring guys up into the box and pressure Kitna knowing the deep ball was gone. Dick LeBeau, Bill Cowher, and KImo Von Olehoffon all 3 played a part in it.
