Mike Wallace's Homecoming Is A Must-Win For Steelers

“It’s like a playoff, must-win atmosphere,” said Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor. “Both teams are in the hunt for the playoffs....This is a huge game. It’s going to tell a lot. This game is like a playoff game.”

After being on the road the past two weeks, the Steelers will be glad to be home again. But they aren't the only ones who will have a homecoming.

Wide receiver Mike Wallace returns to Heinz Field Sunday where he averaged 17.2 yards per catch on 235 receptions in four seasons with the Steelers. He had more touchdowns of 40 yards or longer with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (14) than any other duo in franchise history, a number that was also second all-time in the NFL (behind Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne).

Though Wallace's receptions haven't diminished this season (his 56 catches have him on a career-high pace), his impact has. His yards per catch has dropped to 13.3 YPC and he has only three touchdowns.

Wallace seems, however, to have been peeking at the schedule - in what might be perceived as a dress rehearsal of sorts, he has 12 receptions for 209 yards and two of his three scores in the last two games.

But Wallace isn't the only threat. The aforementioned Taylor usually draws the assignment of the opponent's No. 1 WR, meaning he'd likely cover Brian Hartline. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has a lot of respect for Hartline, and rightly so as he leads the Dolphins in receptions (62) and yards (804).

But Taylor has surrendered more yards than any other cornerback this year, with 854 to date. Wallace, on the other hand, is a receiver who is 61st at his position in receiving yards, despite being the NFL’s 15th-most targeted receiver.

Regardless, the Steelers have given up seven passing plays of at least 50 yards this season, so whoever draws Wallace will get have to have safety help over the top. The last thing defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau wants is for Wallace to have another big game at Heinz Field.

"Mike's one of the faster receivers in the league and he's got good run-after-the-catch," said LeBeau. "You could say, make sure he doesn't get behind you, but if you get too far off him he can catch it in front of you, and he's hard to get on the ground."

So, as LeBeau would also point out, defensing the "ball in the air" and tackling the catch (if caught) thereafter is imperative. But there's something else that's even more important.

"I've said this many times," LeBeau added, "that the best pass defense is sack the quarterback, so he can't throw it."

Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill has been sacked 45 times this season and has a poor QB rating when under duress, which is similar to his QB rating (63.5) on throws toward Wallace. So hurrying, harassing and hitting him is especially important this Sunday. Whether LaMarr Woodley or Jason Worilds, a relentless pass rush is vital. - http://tinyurl.com/jvqrmcb

Historically, when taking into account players like Paul Warfield, Bob Griese, The Marks Brothers and Dan Marino on one side, and Mel Blount, Donnie Shell, Rod Woodson and Carnell Lake on the other, if I had told you that this Sunday's game was a matchup between the NFL's ninth-ranked pass defense and its eight-ranked passing offense, you'd probably have the opponents transposed in your mind.

But when the Dolphins visit the Steelers this Sunday, the Steelers passing game will test its mettle against the top-ten passing defense of the Dolphins. A pass defense that is spearheaded by seven-year cornerback Brent Grimes.

The soft-spoken veteran quietly leads the Dolphins with four interceptions, one of which he returned 94 yards for a touchdown, and with 14 passes defended. As of last week, he ranked as the second-best cornerback in league according to Pro Football Focus. He hasn't allowed a touchdown all season and quarterbacks have a rating of under 63.0 when throwing to his coverage area.

The 5'10", 180-pound CB has great hips and will likely draw the Steelers WR Antonio Brown. Grimes' ability to turn and run will be needed against the Energizer Bunny that is AB, who has the third-highest receiving grade per Pro Football Focus.

Because of what they run schematically, Grimes is used to being on an island, mainly on the left, and will need that experience against AB, though AB does move around the formation almost half of the time.

But a big reason Grimes and the rest of the Dolphins' secondary do so well is because of their front seven - a group mainly responsible for their defense having a takeaway in each game this season and for 37 QB sacks, led by their defensive ends.

In that case, it is that very aspect of the Steelers offense, AB's moving around the formation, that will be needed Sunday. Spacing will be important. Spread Miami out and keep them spread. Also, a bunch & 1 formation highlighting AB alone on one side should be effective as well.

Additionally, five total receiving targets keeping the secondary occupied opens lanes for Le'Veon Bell. When running to the strong side, the Steelers have extra help with tight end Matt Spaeth being activated Saturday. If the Dolphins vacate to defend the pass, then running to the left would be an option as well.

Either option is predicated upon the patchwork offensive line. Cody Wallace will start at center, the Steelers' third this season, and starting right guard David DeCastro is not likely to return to the lineup. So, the probable lineup will be:

LT-Mike Adams
LG-Ramon Foster
C-Cody Wallace
RG-Guy Whimper
RT-Marcus Gilbert

It is Steelers' tackles Mike Adams and Marcus Gilbert, though, who will have the biggest jobs as they will have to contend with Dolphins' DEs Olivier Vernon and Cameron Wake respectively. Olivier leads the Dolphins with 10.5 sacks and Wake has 6.5 sacks of his own. They will be a handful for the Steelers tackles, especially Adams. - http://t.co/XnRkddmQ0e

"They have multiple guys that can rush the passer," Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley said. "Adversity, and how you handle it, is really the key thing. You can handle it in a couple of different ways. [Adams] has chosen to handle it in a positive manner and it's allowed him to work harder and get better, knowing that his opportunity would come up again." - http://tinyurl.com/lbg55z8

It will likely come down to how the Steelers handle the Dolphins' pass rush as to set their offense in motion. In four career games against the Dolphins, QB Ben Roethlisberger has a 108.2 QB rating.

All of Big Ben's Houdini-like tricks will be needed in order to help combat the newest hits taken to the OLine. If he can and if the Steelers current No. 1 WR can outplay their former No. 1 WR, they can take the game and take one step closer to a potential playoff run.

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TIDBITS: Steelers Injury Report - Missing practice for the Steelers on Friday: Keisel, Beachum, DeCastro and McLendon. Woodley was limited. Adams and Le'Veon were full participants.

The Steelers medical staff will continue to monitor Le'Veon Bell’s status through the week to make sure he continues without symptoms. At present, he is probable.

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Steelers activate TE Matt Spaeth from the IR/Designate list, get a little blocking help: http://t.co/6xpjkpfcYq

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Earlier this week, the Steelers signed C/G David Snow to active roster; C Brandon Jones replaces CB Devin Smith on PS. They have signed center/guard David Snow. They were granted a roster exemption for OT Butler after he was placed on the Exempt List.

Mike Wallace's Mouth Running Faster Than His Feet Needs To Stop

by Jayden

Well, I said we wasn't going to go there, but he pushed once too often, so now I have to go there. His comments last weekend, on top of the others he had made, pushed me to the point where I can no longer be nice. I have never bashed him and have been appreciative of the things he did for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but enough is enough. It is time for Mike Wallace to shut up.

First, he took a jab at his former quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, in saying that his new quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, has a stronger arm. Maybe so. However, I remember people raving about the great arms of Dan McGuire, Ryan Leaf and Jamarcus Russell. Remember them? Me neither. So...his point is?

Now, I'm not going to go all Terrell Owens on y'all and cry, "That's my quarterback....It's not fair." But without that inferior-armed quarterback, Wallace would not have had all those deep passes thrown to him. As a matter of fact, I do believe Wallace was overthrown a couple of times. Go fig. It was also that same QB who put up with Wallace's inconsistent route running and dropped passes, yet still gave him opportunity after opportunity. And this is how he talks about him?



But what really pushed it over the edge was what he said most recently: “Everybody has a college mentality around here. It’s a lot different than where I came from. Everybody’s hungry. Everybody wants to get better, get to where we need to be – that’s a winning record.”

OH, NO YOU DIDN’T!

Well, that was the icing on the cake for me. When he bashes a franchise that has done nothing but win and then compare them to a team that has averaged a whopping 6.5 wins a season over the last six years, that is the last straw for me. Hell, he wasn't even alive the last time the Dolphins even went to the Super Bowl. The Dolphins are all about 'getting better'? Well, no sh*t, Sherlock! What choice do they have?

Again, I have tried not bashing Wallace, but frankly I wasn’t upset when he left. Just as I wasn’t upset when Santonio Holmes was traded, and, frankly, Holmes was twice the receiver he is. At least he stepped up and proved he wanted to win in Super Bowl 43. To me, that showed the kind of receiver Holmes was, and something that Wallace never showed. Did he ever go to Big Ben and say, 'Hey I want the ball. Give me the ball and we can do this'? I highly doubt it. From your comments here it was probably more on the line of, "Hey, I need more touches to pad my stats and make Mike Wallace more bankable."

I'm not the only one who doesn't get him, either. Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wondered why Wallace continues "to disparage the Steelers, the city of Pittsburgh and Ben Roethlisberger?" - http://t.co/lB4ve3WTSq

These most recent comments tell me what I already knew: he is not about being a team player and is all about himself. He is a spoiled, enabled, self-entitled Divo who thinks that all of sudden he is the second coming since the Dolphins gave him a big contract. Well, guess what? He isn't. I'm not the only one who believes that, either. As NFL.com's Adam Schein wrote back in March, Wallace is "all about the money" and doesn't 'prioritize winning'. - http://tinyurl.com/kgulnhy

Sure, under new Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin, the Green Bay Packers offense ranked in the top 10 in the NFL for points scored and total yards every year he was either the offensive line and tight ends coach and offensive coordinator, but Wallace is hardly Donald Driver or Greg Jennings and Tannehill is not even close to Aaron Rodgers.

With the Steelers he had a lot of weapons surrounding him. In Miami, that simply won't be the case, because Brian Hartline is a decent receiver but he is no Antonio Brown. Not even close. Sadly, Philbin just doesn't have the arsenal he had in Green Bay. But, hey, keep up with that "college mentality" and see how that works out, because this isn't college.

Also, all of this comes from a guy who says they are all about winning. Well, where was all of this when he was playing for the Steelers last season? (pauses for effect) Well, he knew he was leaving and didn’t care. He held out, he dropped key passes and didn’t run routes. The sad thing is that not one Steelers player has said anything negative about Wallace, in fact, they have all be singing his praises, calling him their "brother" and wishing him the best. But all that had come out of Wallace's unappreciative mouth had been shots at his former team and teammates.

I think we all remember quite well the last rumblings from a Philadelphia team that made big splashes in the offseason during the free agency. Vince Young used the words "dream team" to describe the Eagles and, eight wins later, that dream a nightmare. Could history repeat it self here?

Yet, there were rumblings last season that receivers were more concerned about their individual stats and/or free agency than about winning. Hmmm...I wonder who that was? According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review last December, he even publicly complained about the team’s new offense and his lack of touches saying that "when you don't get the ball for two-and-half quarters, you lose focus." Is someone is telling on himself a little bit?

Now, when you add the backtracking he did with the homophobic Jason Collins tweet on his Twitter feed, Wallace looks like Michael Jackson with as much moonwalking as he's done. Once more his PR people, er uh, he has apologized for running his mouth by tweeting this on Monday: "I want it to be known that I have nothing but love and respect for everybody" in the Steelers organization. He said the Steelers players "are my brothers for life beyond football so to all the people who think I take shots at them it is totally misleading."

Uh-huh... Does he really think now, though, that any fan will accept or believe that or defend him? Sadly, I know there will be some who will, but I will no longer be one of them.

So when he takes the field this year, he'd better hope he didn’t write checks his ASStounding speed can't cash. He also had better hope that Ryan Clark doesn't remember. Why? Ask Willis McGahee, or Ed Dickson, or Victor Cruz, or...

The Steelers Wide Receivers: Will Emmanuel Sanders & Markus Wheaton Look To Reinvent "Young Money"?

by Jayden and Jason

"I know my talent," said Emmanuel Sanders. "I'm really good when I get the opportunity."

Ask and you shall receive.

The veteran wide receiver was a restricted free agent this offseason and was tagged with an original-round ($1.3 million) tender. He signed an offer sheet, but the Steelers matched it and, according to Sanders, there is talk of a potential long-term deal between the two camps.

“Of course, and those conversations are going on right now,” Sanders said on The Fan Morning Show last Wednesday after the day's OTA session.

Will the Steelers be able to afford him? Is a player who has never started worth what he may want? That will be covered in part 2 of this discussion. For now, we're looking only at the field of play and whether "Young Money" can become "Future Dividends."

First off, it is not a stretch to expect Manny Sanders to augment his numbers next season. Last year was his most productive as he caught 44 passes (22 in 2011) for 626 yards (288 in 2011). If he does as expected and has another solid jump in production next season, as If It Ain't Steel recently wrote, a season of 60 receptions for 800-900 yards season is completely feasible. Manny says, however, that the sights are set even higher.

"They're expecting 70 catches for 1,000 yards, and that's the same thing that I expect for myself," Manny said a couple of weeks ago.

Manny caught at least one pass in 15 out of 16 games in 2012, and demonstrated that he can make the clutch catch on third downs. So, lofty though they may be, the expectations from the Steelers are within reach. However, Manny did turn the football over twice, fumbling in back-to-back weeks against the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens. So, while his production is important, his ball security is also.

So, moving forward, Manny will most likely be the Steelers' starting split end, with rookie Markus Wheaton pushing Jerricho Cotchery for the honors of the slot position. As we said in a previous post, Wheaton will likely line up both wide and in the slot. If he lives up to his billing and college production, he should also adequately fill the role of erstwhile Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace.

Wallace is very good at what he does, and his production will be missed. But, as Pro Football Focus pointed out, the legend is a bit less ethereal and a bit more earthly when scrutinized. As they covered in a recent posting, though 'considered to be the best vertical receiving threat in the NFL, Mike Wallace simply wasn't anything close to that during his final season with the Steelers.'

"Wallace finished second-to-last in deep passing catch rate. Of the 21 eligible receivers for the stat (50 percent or more of team's total deep targets, or passes that travel 20 or more yards in the air), Wallace finished 20th."

They went on.

"Steelers quarterbacks targeted Wallace on deep passes 31 times (accounting for over a quarter of his total 2012 targets) and completed just six of those passes. Wallace dropped two of the eight catchable attempts."

Wallace finished 2012 with a total Pro Football Focus grade of -4.5, far and away his worst finish to a season in his professional career.

Wallace was obviously much better in previous years, but his steep drop off in 2012 was obviously a sign that he'd already mentally left the team.



So, can Wheaton adequately fill the vacancy left by Wallace? The immediate answer is no. In his rookie season, Wallace only had 39 receptions, not between 60 and 72 catches. The current Steelers offense also takes fewer shots down the field, so a 20-yard per catch average won't likely be seen, either.

As the season progresses, though, and as Wheaton becomes more familiar with the offense, he definitely has the ability to make defenses have to account for him. He has the requisite hands, tenacity and route-running ability to make his presence felt as soon as he sees the field regularly. He also has decent size and the willingness to give up his body to make a play.

Wheaton can be as good eventually, mainly because should play with more hunger than Wallace showed in 2012. If so, Wheaton's numbers could look similar, with some expected drop in yardage. The main issue at that point, though, is the impact of those numbers and the fear factor Wallace brought. Though, if everything else falls into place, that will come in time.

The two wide receivers are talented, to be sure, but making certain that translates onto the field in the form of production and wins is the bottom line of this ledger sheet signed by the reinvented Young Money, Inc.

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TIDBITS: Speaking of Wallace: "Why does #Dolphins Mike Wallace continue to disparge the #Steelers, the city of Pittsburgh and Ben Roethlisberger?" - http://t.co/lB4ve3WTSq

As one of the subscribers to If It Ain't Steel's Facebook Page said, "His attitude is just like Burress'. Plaxico left and found that life can be great when you're a team player. Wallace will grow up or he'll burn out like 85 [Chad Johnson/OchoCinco/Johnson] and T.O."

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Veteran safety Ryan Clark envisions finishing career as a member of Steelers.

“I want to be here. I would love to be a Steeler until I retire,” Clark said. “But I don't want this to be my last year. I did the ESPN thing because it's smart to do it. I didn't do it because I'm ready to stop playing football.”

As the article says, "Clark's level of play has not dropped. The 2012 season was one of the best of his career, with 74 tackles, two interceptions and an important role on what again was the NFL's No. 1-ranked defense." - http://t.co/c0vv6taktO

But how much time left does he have before the degree of diminishing returns is too high? I love RC25, but I know that time left is reduced.

Making The Case For Tavon Austin And Stedman Bailey In The 2013 NFL Draft

photo by J. Meric/Getty Images
by Jayden Matthews

When the news broke Wednesday that Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders signed a $2.5 million one-year tender with the New England Patriots, it divided a nation. Sanders is a restricted free agent and if the Steelers decide to not match the Patriots offer, then they would receive their 3rd-round pick in the 2013 draft. It has not been determined yet what the Steelers are going to do, but the uproar from fans on social media has been divided. Some fans say let him go and take the pick, while others are clamoring for the the Steelers to match the offer saying that otherwise this will kill the team. There have been rumblings that the Steelers are not taking care of their franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, by first letting wide receiver Mike Wallace walk, and now by only tendering Manny at his original draft round instead of using the high-round tender like they did last season with Wallace. But, the one question asked often and loudly is 'how do you replace their production?' Well, I am here to enlighten because that's what I do.

Can the production of Wallace and Manny be replaced? It's a good question because, in their time with the Steelers, these two receivers accounted for a total of 5,332 yards and 37 touchdowns, with Wallace accounting for 32 of those in his four years. So again can it be replaced? You bet your sweet backside it can be. Both the speed that Wallace brought and the overall production and skills from both he and Manny.

The Steelers were most likely going to draft a wide receiver this April, but if they do not match the Patriots offer to Manny, then they most likely will need to draft two, and there are several options for the Steelers to look at in this draft. There is Robert Woods from USC who could be taken in the third round and Keenan Allen from the University of Cal. Woods is a Wallace clone and should be available in the second or third round. And after a poor performance at his Pro Day, Allen could be possibly fall to the second round and would be a “steel” at that point. But there is a tandem that stands out to me who, like Wallace and Manny, have also played together for three years, but whose production is off the charts. They are the real deal - TDs, speed, route-running ability, can play in the slot or outside, good hands, running the ball and punt/kick returning.

That two-headed monster is none other than Tavon Austin (aka Tavon Awesome) and Stedman Bailey (aka STUDman Bailey) out of West Virginia. This tandem was responsible for 6,631 receiving yards and 70 TDs, and for 7,675 and 76 TDs from scrimmage in the three years they played together.

A lot of people knock Austin for his size...fine, let them. Because if you think that this kid can’t change a game in a hurry, then you are fooling yourself. If he isn’t changing games for the Black and Gold on Sundays next season, he will for some other team. Austin is also a great kick and punt returner (and with AB being the No. 1 WR now the Steelers need a guy like that). He returned 97 kicks for 2,407 yards for a 24.8 yard average and four TDs, and 34 punts for 433 yards for a 12.7 average and one TD in his four years. He also had 1,031 rushing yards and six career rushing TDs to his credit. Yes, he can the ball too. Don’t believe me? Go take a look at his highlights. Hell, watch the highlights from the game against Oklahoma alone. The Big 12 is known for its defenses, but Austin made them look mediocre at best that night. And as Fox Sports analyst Charles Davis said, they had no answer for the “Awesome One.” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3_UNFZHSQU

Austin himself accounted for 572 total yards, including 344 rushing yards, and 2 TDs against Oklahoma, and Bailey accounted for 205 receiving yards and 4 TDs. So again, the production of Wallace and Manny can’t be replaced? Um...yeah, it can. So if Manny does leave, then the Steelers will need players like these two that can help a team right away. The extra third-round pick would potentially allow them to get both players, and their familiarity with one another also means won’t have to learn to work together because they have been doing so for so long now. It would be a win-win situation.

Austin is projected to go in the first round, with several mocks having him going at No. 16 to the Rams. Even though they are are projected to take him, it does not mean they will. Jeff Fisher likes his tall receivers after all. He may go earlier, like possibly to the New York Jets with the 9th pick. But they are a hot mess on offense and in general, so who knows? The New Orleans Saints may take him with the 15th pick, which is also rumored, but if he is sitting there at No. 17 when the Steelers pick they absolutely should pull the trigger. With all the questions the Steelers now have on offense, and knowing that they always take the best player available, well...you do the math. Some fans may not like that pick and will complain, but once Austin takes the field and does his thing, he will silence his critics.

Just imagine all that talent and then you throw Antonio Brown in there to boot. An offense that is pretty well dead-in-the-water and has Big Ben pulling his hair out, with those two would go from dead to deadly. If WVU QB Geno Smith could do all that damage with those two, just imagine the damage that Big Ben could do. (And that is by no means a knock on Geno, because I love me some Geno, but truth is truth.)

Even if they don’t nab Austin, I am still optimistic that they will take Bailey, who is projected as a late second-to-third rounder. It has also been said that he will transfer well from college to the pros. His numbers do not lie, and drops were rarely an issue. His style of play (both, actually) is in line with the style offensive coordinator Todd Haley has brought to Steelers offense, i.e. short passes that produce yards and control the clock - Bailey had over 300 yards and five TDs against Baylor from an array of catches lineups - and the occasional deep pass to keep the defense honest - he averaged 15.3 yards per reception in his three-year career. You get both with Bailey. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TWLXrlF8SE

Look, I know this is a bit of a pipe dream, especially with both of them. In the last 162 draft picks, approximately 20 years, the Steelers have drafted exactly two WVU players: running back Amos Zereoue and safety Ryan Mundy. But I am hoping that things line up and that this little dream can become a reality. Big Ben would be happy, Haley would be happy and some Steelers fans may not be happy at first, but they'd come around. But it would end the question once and for of whether or not Wallace and Manny can they be replaced.

Do Recent Pro Day Visits Indicate Who Steelers Will Draft?

by Jayden and Jason

No matter how you say it -- "Be more efficient on offense" ... "Move the football better" ... "Take advantage of opportunities presented" ... "Get more playmakers!" -- it all still means the same thing: score more points.

At various points in the 2012 season, all of those were challenges. Failing those challenges, and now facing the exodus of some key players, puts the team in a unique position: to rebuild rather than to reload. Certain recent pro day visits may just shed some light on where the Pittsburgh Steelers may be looking in 2013 NFL Draft. And despite the contention of previous posts from this blog, those looks might just be toward offense.

Regardless of the losses sustained in the recent week, Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said at the NFL's annual spring meetings that they won't knee jerk themselves into feeling must replace needs. "I don't like to use the word 'need,'" said Colbert. "I never did. I never will. It's going to be 'wants.' We don't know yet. We don't know until we get through free agency. We're going to continue to monitor every guy who's available."

Those "wants" were hinted at via visits to Michigan State and West Virginia respectively.

The inability to find a stable running back amongst the stable of running backs last season was a pet peeve for both Steelers fans and head coach Mike Tomlin. He said as much while answering media questions in Phoenix at aforementioned NFL meetings.

When asked about the running back situation, the loss of Rashard Mendenhall and tendered RBs Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman, Tomlin said, "Obviously, we need to add to the pool of talent we have at that position." - http://tinyurl.com/bun5lzr

Could their visit to East Lansing last week be an indicator as from where the 'adding to that pool of talent' might come? Michigan State's Le'Veon Bell hopes so.

Hopefully they pull the trigger," said Bell, who used Wednesday's pro day 'to show off his hands and route-running abilities in receiving drills.' The Steelers were well represented at the pro day, with Tomlin, Colbert, running backs coach Kirby Wilson, and tight ends coach James Daniel being in attendance. Tomlin had even taken Bell dining the previous night, possibly being a further sign of the team's interest in him. - http://tinyurl.com/cey879k

If so, the Steelers would be getting a strong 6'1", 230-pound back with quick feet, very good balance and knows how to run low to the ground through contact. Deceptively light on his feet, yet tough to bring down. A smooth accelerator and downhill runner, he ran a 4.6/40 at the NFL Combine (though, he's also been clocked at as low as 4.52).

He seems to like the number three - 3,346 career rushing yards and 33 touchdowns in three years at Michigan St. and will likely be found in the third round - and isn't lacking in confidence when recounting his abilities.

"I feel like I can do everything," Bell said. "I can be in the game on third-and-1, I can be in the game on third-and-10 or I can be in the game on first-and-10. I can be a punt returner and a kick returner, I'm great in pass protection and get a consistent 5 yards every carry. I just feel like I'm one of the more complete backs."

Bell wasn't the only one wined...well, just dined that Tuesday night. As was stated, tight ends coach James Daniel was in attendance at the pro day and as the previously quoted article pointed out, the 6'5" 280-pound Sims would seem to be an option "for a team that plays a hard-nosed, physical style like the Spartans do."

Sims' possibility of being drafted by the Steelers dropped dramatically with the re-signing of Matt Spaeth. But the addition of the sixth-round compensatory pick in this year's draft allows that possibility to remain, however small it may be.

As we've said before, speed can be replaced. As awesome as Mike Wallace's numbers and accomplishments were, there was a bit of a 'Reggie Jackson effect' involved with him: along with the home-run bombs, there were also the strikeouts - dropped passes, fumbles, subpar route-running ability and an overall attitude.

The former, speed, can be found in the draft, the latter they can do without. We've already highlighted several who would be viable choices. Wide receivers highlighted to this point have been Cordarrelle Patterson, Robert Woods and Ryan Swope (http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-steelers-at-nfl-combine-week-in.html), as well as Marquis Goodwin and Tavon Austin (http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2013/02/whether-offense-or-defense-steelers.html).

Being West Virginia Mountaineers football fans at If It Ain't Steel, we know those players very well. We've actually written more than once on first-round prospect Tavon Austin and his 1,289 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, 643 rushing yards and three touchdowns and 978 return yards and two touchdowns. Or in other words, Tavon Awesome. Jim Wexell of Steel City Insider and Steelers Digest hasn't exactly been reticent on Austin, either. - http://tinyurl.com/cp9uwrw

But on his "Young Soon-To-Be Money" teammate, Stedman Bailey, we've been negligent. Though the first choice of one half of If It Ain't Steel (Jason) was Bailey, the better half (Jayden) preferred Austin from the beginning. Well, it's time to shed light STUDman's way.



Bailey, who projects as a third rounder, had 114 receptions and led the country with 25 touchdowns in 2012 (39 total in his career). WVU's most reliable and productive receiver the past two years, Bailey combines precise route running, above-average blocking, great eye-to-hand tracking of the ball and durability in a 5'10", 193-pound package that puts one in the mind of a young Hines Ward.

Bailey's speed isn't world class, but he's steadily increased it from a reported 4.57/40 in college, to a 4.52 at the NFL Combine, to a 4.48 at the other pro day being considered in this article. - http://tinyurl.com/ctd4w76

Colbert and Tomlin spent a good amount of time with both Austin and Bailey, and the latter could be a choice in the third round if the former is gone by pick No. 17 in April. But don't just take our word for it, John Harris of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. - http://triblive.com/sports/johnharris/3680790-74/bailey-steelers-austin#axzz2O3ZYsXxK

Either player would be a great fit for the Steelers. Austin being ideal for the West Coast-style offense, turning a four-yard hitch into a 40-yard gain, or taking a GO pattern to the house: "I'm a smart runner, whenever I touch the ball I turn into a running back....I'm the best all-around player in the draft. - http://tinyurl.com/c8q8ptr

Going deep with Bailey would be different as he doesn't quite have the explosive, break-away speed that Austin has. What he does have, though, is the ability to track the ball as well as anyone, and to go up and fight for it and catch it with his hands. Thus allowing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to improve on the 8-37 and 317 passing yards in splash plays (21+ yards) from 2012.

So whether it's Austin (Jim Wexell: "Whoever passes on that kid is going to regret it. Don't care if he's 4-8"), Bailey (Dave-Te' Thomas of Scouting Services, Inc.: "Bailey is the best value pick in the draft, and the best route runner"), or Bell (Todd McShay: "He's a guy that - even though he's bigger, and a physical back - that you can flex him out in the slot"), expect the Steelers to draft one of them.

All three wouldn't be bad, either.

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TIDBITS: Tomlin tells critics "See you in the Fall." We won't see Max Starks or Casey Hampton, though. - http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/tomlin-to-steelers-critics-see-you-in-the-fall-679961/

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Tomlin also isn't afraid to say that the Steelers are a team in transition...despite what Colbert attests. - http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/3685449-74/tomlin-steelers-season#axzz2O3ZYsXxK

Steelers Free Agency Decisions Creating Due And Undue Criticism

“I don’t view it as dramatically different than other years,” Rooney told Steelers reporters on Thursday and as reported by Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “The recent history is, we face decisions like this almost every year in terms of making decisions on players who made key contributions. I always say, every year is a new jigsaw puzzle and you have to put together the pieces the best way you can and shaping contracts is a big part of that."

There are a few pieces missing to that puzzle. Several key free agents have decided to leave the friendly confines of Heinz Field for greener pastures, or at least what they think will be greener, prompting the head coach of his team, Mike Tomlin, to say recently, "I'm concerned about a myriad of things." As he should be. This very well could be a watershed year for the triumvirate of Rooney, Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert. Now, add to that, one more player may be leaving.

“I have NOT been offered anything. Balls out of my court. All I can do is continue to grind and trust the {Man} above. He has the plan for me...," restricted free agent Emmanuel Sanders said on his Facebook account. “If they do offer then I will have a HUGE decision to make. But that's not the case right now. The Pats are interested and it's just that at this point.” (Brackets ours)

Sanders isn't yet a part of the Pittsburgh Steelers free agency sieve, an exodus that has seen playmakers on both sides of the ball depart for other locales, but he still could be. In other words, New England is weighing options regarding their wide receiver (Brandon Lloyd) and draft picks (five) issues. By placing a $1.323 million tender on Sanders, the Steelers have the right to match any offer from the Patriots. The Steelers would also get their 2013 third-round draft pick (91) as compensation if they lose him.

If Sanders does go to New England, the Steelers would be left with Antonio Brown as the only remaining member of the "Young Money Crew" that was supposed to do so much. Instead, the only wide receivers on the roster with game experience would be Plaxico Burress, who will be 36 next season, and Jerricho Cotchery, who has been underutilized (just 33 receptions) in two seasons with the Steelers. That just wouldn't be enough.

A Sanders departure would mean losing a more-than-solid slot man who caught 44 passes and led the Steelers with a 14.2 yards-per-catch average. According to stats.com, Sanders was tied for 17th in the league last year with a '70.5 Clutch Reception Percentage (minimum 40 Total Receptions).' He's an above average blocker and route runner.

Unfortunately, as Neil McCauley said, "there's a flip side to that coin." Sanders has had problems staying healthy. After leaving Super Bowl XLV against the Packers early with a foot injury, he followed that up by having surgery on both feet to repair fractures. Sanders also suffered from fumbling issues in 2012. His was one of the eight fumbles in the Steelers' piss-poor performance in the eight-turnover Cleveland Browns game at Cleveland 20-14 loss. He fumbled twice overall last season and lost both of them.

Regardless, another loss of a playmaker could ultimately be crippling for the Steelers next season. They're in a strong AFC North division that just so happens to have the NFL champions. The margin for error in this draft infinitesimal. There will be no grading on a curve. Only 21 (22 if Sanders stays) out of the last 59 players drafted, spanning the Bill Cowher and Tomlin eras, are still with the team, and none from the 2008 draft class. So the need for playmakers and core players is prodigious.

Ones who would replace such game-changing players as Mike Wallace and Sanders, James Harrison and Keenan Lewis. (UPDATE: One who could provide such help is former Denver Broncos OLB and free agent Elvis Dumervil. With the Steelers having approximately $8 million space under the Salary Cap, this is at least feasible. There is also interest in former Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw. But the Steelers already have one AB, and Bradshaw's injury history dictates he should only be signed at the veteran minimum and if he comes with his own insurance policy.)

Lewis had a fairly lockdown-like season where he had 71 tackles, 23 passes defended and only allowed three touchdown passes. I personally have been enamored of Lewis since all of the buzz in Training Camp his rookie season. He finally showed what his potential could be in 2011 when playing as a Nickel defensive back.

Lewis then emerged in 2012 and was a great compliment to Ike Taylor. To show how much faith the coaches had in Lewis, they allowed then-starter William Gay to leave, cementing Lewis as the starter. Also, Taylor used to take the opponent's No. 1 receiver. The emergence of Lewis, however, allowed him to roam the right side most of the season.

Whether you feel that Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert and company were wrong in letting Lewis go or not, the Steelers definitely took a step back and made a mistake not even offering a contract, to listen to Lewis tell it, to four-year veteran: "I will miss my steelers fans, but they didn't offer me a deal. Sean Payton believe in me. I love him as a coach. Made me feel comfortable. I love that man. He is a king. I respect him so much!" - http://tinyurl.com/ctzcr6v

Not even making an offer to him means they like what they see in second-year cornerback Cortez Allen, who locked down Patriots' tight end Rob Gronkowski in 2011 (his rookie season), and forced six turnovers in three games at thw end of 2012 (his second season). Fine, but the loss of Lewis also means the loss of a quality Nickel/slot defensive back. Unless you count William Gay. Regardless, his value hasn't gone unnoticed, neither by the coaches nor the national media as Pro Football Focus has Allen ranked as the second-most undervalued player the Steelers have. - http://tinyurl.com/bvwx6ov

Regardless, the quartet of Curtis Brown, DeMarcus Van Dyke, Josh Victorian, Justin King and Robert Golden (who could be moved to safety) are all put on notice and their learning curve just shortened greatly. While it wasn't by any means an embarrassment of riches, it is most definitely an unknown commodity now.

So, whether you stand on the side of Lewis being an 'emerging star' or a 'one-hit wonder', his loss hurts the Steelers secondary, and as Kevin Colbert said, 'players who once looked unavailable in free agency, unaffordable, suddenly become available.'

The loss of Harrison, though, doesn't hurt...as in opponents won't get hurt as much when playing the Steelers. Harrison put out more lights than The Clapper and put more men to sleep than Ambien. The Steelers will miss his ferocity, toughness and playmaking. The depth behind him being suspect at best.

The one that the Steelers would miss the least is Sanders.

Sure, from a depth standpoint it's a major loss, especially when coupled with Wallace taking his talents to South Beach. However, with Sanders never completely living up to the potential expected, it is entirely possible the Steelers don't match the Patriots' offer. After all, it would result in a third-round pick and the erstwhile "Young Money Crew" were all taken in the third round or later: Wallace and Sanders were both third-rounders and Brown went in the sixth.

The Steelers' brass has certainly had to make some difficult, albeit bewildering at times, decisions this offseason. I have faith in them, but it isn't blind faith. When the last of Chuck Noll's players finally left, Cowher had losing seasons - is the same coming for Tomlin? Though I don't believe that to be the case, reverse several turnovers or get more of their own and 8-8 could have been 11-5, it is still a possibility.

Usually the seeds they plant are in fine soil, but this offseason has yet to yield any fine fruit. If much more is allowed to happen, if any more players are cut or are allowed to walk, Steeler Nation all may end up drinking the bitter wine of sour grapes.

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TIDBITS: PLAYERS GAINED:

Larry Foote - ILB = three years ($5.5 million, $2.5 million guaranteed)

Plaxico Burress - WR = one year veteran-minimum deal ($940,000)

Greg Warren - LS = one year veteran-minimum deal ($840,000)

Bruce Gradkowski - QB = three years (details yet unrevealed)

David Johnson - TE = one year (details yet unrevealed)

William Gay - CB = three years ($4.5 million)

Isaac Redman - RB = RFA tender ($1.323 million)

Jonathan Dwyer - RB = RFA tender ($1.323 million)

Baron Batch - RB = ERFA tender ($555,000)

DeMarcus Van Dyke - CB = ERFA tender ($555,000)

Ramon Foster - OL = three years ($6 million)

Matt Spaeth - TE = Mark Kaboly reports the Steelers' third-round pick in 2007 appears set to rejoin the organization if he passes a physical Monday.


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PLAYERS LOST:

Mike Wallace - WR = UFA, New team: Miami Dolphins - five-year deal ($60 million)

Keenan Lewis - CB = UFA, New team: New Orleans Saints - five-year deal ($26 million)

Rashard Mendenhall - RB = UFA, New team: Arizona Cardinals - one-year deal ($2.5 million)

Ryan Mundy - S = UFA (New York Giants)

Willie Colon - OL = June 1st release designation; New York Jets - one-year deal ($1.2 million deal)

James Harrison - OLB = No team yet; Cap savings of $5.1 million

An Honest Opinion on Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown; Free Agent Updates

by Jayden Matthews

The free agency circus has started and, as expected one, the free agency signing period has Steelers Nation at each other’s throats. Mike Wallace signed with the Miami Dolphins yesterday as expected and got the big contract he wanted: five years, $65 million with $30 guaranteed. Congrats to you Mikey, hope it all works out for you. I am not going to be bitter towards Wallace that is not my style, never has been, but I will be honest.

The reason Steelers fans are tearing at each other is there are some that believe this will cripple the Steelers offense. There are some who feel that this was a good move by the front office to let him go. But I have even also been seeing that others hope the Steelers "stink" this season because of letting Wallace go to free agency. Time will tell on that whether it was a good move or not so good of a move.

The reason a lot of fans are up in arms was the way Wallace and his agent handled the whole situation going into last season. He wasn’t the first and will surely not be the last. Then the ones that wanted Wallace to stay are up in arms because Antonio Brown was signed. I have been seeing this was a bad move. Well, is it actually? I've seen that Brown wasn’t as productive as Wallace was last season and had more drops and missed passes than Wallace. Did he? Well the numbers say otherwise.

Per ESPN.com stats:

Mike Wallace: 64 receptions to 119 targets, 836 yards, eight touchdowns, 53.8% reception percentage, averaged 13.1 yards per catch, 33 receiving first downs, two fumbles (losing one).

Antonio Brown: 66 receptions to 105 targets, 787 yards, five touchdowns, 62.8% reception percentage, averaged 11.9 yards, 43 receiving first downs, two fumbles (losing one).

Just for good measure, I will throw in the production of Emmanuel Sanders who will move up from the 3rd wide receiver spot to the 2nd spot. Some people have said that he was a waste too. But, again, his numbers say otherwise:

Emmanuel Sanders: 44 catches to 74 targets, 626 yards, one touchdown, 59.5% reception percentage, averaged 14.2 yards per catch, 31 receiving first downs, two fumbles (losing both).

Notice that Sanders had only two fewer first down receptions while playing many fewer snaps and getting many fewer touches. Pretty good I would say for a third-string wideout/slot man. Wouldn't you say so?

What I am seeing here and what a lot of fans do not want to see, outside of three more TDs and a few more yards, is that Brown was just as consistent. So, that is why I cannot understand: is all the Brown hate because Wallace wanted to leave? This was his choice. They say that Brown got Wallace’s contract, but that is not the case, either. The same contract that was offered to Wallace and he chose to play his tender out and test the free agency waters. It paid off for him, and the Steelers knew they needed to keep at least one of them. They couldn't let both of them walk, could they?

I will be the first to admit that Wallace did stretch the field, as he is the owner of 19 TDs for 30 or more yards, the most of any NFL wideout since 2009. That is very impressive. Brown has been just as clutch, though. Though he may not have as many TDs Wallace, he has come up with play-after-play when they were needed. It’s funny how some forget the "boombox catch" that sent the Ravens packing in 2010 playoffs. Remember that? I bet you won’t admit it, though.

The only issue that I had with Wallace was that he did not fight for the ball. That is one thing that all receivers should do. That is something I have seen Brown do on several occasions. Yes, with the loss of Wallace, Brown will now draw the double coverages. This will be again the tale of the tape as to whether his contract was a mistake or not. If he proves that he wasn’t the wrong one to sign, will the negative Nancy’s or Ned’s admit they were wrong? I doubt it.

Last season, none of the wide receivers had anything to brag about. They were neither prolific nor overly consistent. They all had their issues with missed opportunities, fumbles and dropped passes. The only consistent receiver the Steelers had was Heath Miller, who will miss games this season. That, to me, is truly something to worry about, not the hub-bub that has been going on the past couple of days.

I know this post will offend some but, like others, I am entitled to my opinion. I feel that it wasn’t a mistake to sign Brown. I think it is too early to make that call. Just like it is too soon to say whether the Steelers made a mistake not signing Wallace (not that they had the money this offseason to do it in the first place). He may go to Miami and light it up, we don’t know yet. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Brown may go on a roll themselves and start lighting it up. Again, time will tell.

Just giving my honest opinion on why I don’t think it will hurt us as bad as some think, and we didn’t make as big of a mistake as some want to think in signing Brown. But again they are entitled to their opinion and I respect that, as I hope they respect mine. I know they say speed can’t be taught, but I also know it can be replaced.

With the signings from the Steelers Front office, they are quietly showing that they are making the necessary moves to get this team back on track. Do I think we will be a contender? Probably not, but I think we are headed in the right the direction.

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TIDBITS: Buck linebacker Larry Foote was signed to a three-year contract Tuesday. The complete terms weren't disclosed, but he will receive $2.5 million as a signing bonus. This makes sense considering he won't see the completion of this contract. But it needed to happen in order to get someone in to be groomed for the position before his departure.

Plaxico Burress was re-signed by the Steelers on Tuesday to a one-year veteran minimum deal, which should be approximately $940,000 for a player of his tenure.

The Steelers restructured the contract of LaMarr Woodley on Tuesday to save $5 million in Salary Cap space. If It Ain't Steel suggested before that the Steelers may wait to restructure after seeing whether he came back in shape or not. Though they go ahead and restructure, they still only did so for less than what could have. Keep an eye on this one...this will be a proving year for him.

In addition to Wallace, Rashard Mendenhall signed a one-year deal with (who else?) the Arizona Cardinals for $2.5 million.

Steelers officially release offensive lineman Willie Colon. It is a June 1st designated cut, so the $5.5 million saved won't take affect until then. However, it brings with it a dead money hit of $4.9 million in 2014, and his salary will be split over the next two seasons. The Hofstra product was a fourth-round draft pick in 2006. In three of his seven years he was on the injured-reserve list.

The Steelers signed free agent QB Bruce Gradkowski Wednesday morning to a three-year deal, terms undisclosed. Gradkowski, who beat the Steelers 27-24 in 2009 while with the Oakland Raiders, has a career 6-14 record. The 30-year-old QB will likely be the backup going forward with Uncle Charlie Batch playing third-string if he is indeed brought back.

The Steelers signed tight end/H-back/fullback David Johnson to a one-year deal. With Heath Miller being surely PUP listed for the first six games, DJ will likely return to TE allowing Will Johnson to be left at fullback.

Dan Connor, former inside linebacker of the Dallas Cowboys, visited the Steelers. Indianapolis Colts free agent inside linebacker Moise Fokou will also visit the Steelers this week. Originally drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles, the 27-year old Fokou had 43 total tackles, one sack and one forced fumble last season. Bringing in a second inside linebacker this week is an indication of lack of complete faith in the LBs behind Foote and Lawrence Timmons, as well as a desire to get younger at the Buck position.

Exclusive Rights free agent DeMarcus Van Dyke signed his tender on Tuesday. ERFAs have no choice but to sign their tenders or they simply won't play at all, for anyone else, that season. The ERFA tender this season is $550,000.

The Steelers Will Miss Heath Miller More Than Some May Think

by Jayden Matthews

With free agency set to start on Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers have several players who could be leaving. Wide receiver Mike Wallace is looking to get a huge payday in this market and some Steelers fans believe this will hurt the team's offense. While it may, we at If it Ain’t Steel have said more than once that "speed kills," but the fact of the matter is that it can also be replaced. What a lot of people are overlooking is that there is something and someone not so easily replaced, considering that the Steelers may be without unsung hero on offense, that being tight end Heath Miller.

Miller sustained a season-ending knee injury in the fourth quarter of the Bengals game in week 16. My heart was in my throat as I watched him being helped off the field, and I knew the season was done. With Mr. Dependable done for the season, I knew the offense would suffer. As expected, the Steelers lost the game and then missed the playoffs finishing with an 8-8 record. Miller isn’t on pace to return by the start of the season and will start out on the Reserve PUP list, because his injury is worse than the typical. In fact, it is one of the worst a football player can have, as he tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments and damaged the posterior cruciate ligament (the ACL, MCL and PCL). The PCL, being that it must heal on its own, will take longer. Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert somewhat confirmed our initial fears when he said that it was "uncertain" when Miller will return. This will be a larger blow, in my opinion, than the loss of Wallace.



Miller was named to the Pro Bowl this season and was voted the team’s MVP, and rightfully so. With all the issues of dropped passes and fumbles, he was the only offensive player with significant playing time who did not have a fumble. He led the team in receptions with 71 (out of 101 targets), seven more than Wallace (out of 119 targets). He also tied Wallace for the lead in touchdowns with eight. Again, though, with no fumbles. He was the only true consistent piece on an offense that was three games without its starting quarterback, a less-than-effective running back-by-committee and receivers that frankly didn’t produce to their potential. Before Ben Roethlisberger's injury, he and Miller were on a roll, and when Big Ben did get injured, Miller was the one constant that could bail out Uncle Charlie Batch.



Since Miller doesn’t put up Madden-like numbers, many overlook him and what he does for the team. He and his intangibles will surely be missed. When the line was riddled with injuries yet again this past season, Miller provided that extra block that was needed to free the running backs. He was also the bail out for Big Ben in the passing game, or the block needed to help protect him. No, he isn’t going to burn you down the field with blazing speed, but when he gets open and gets the ball in his hands he moves the chains in his own way.

He is very under appreciated as he isn’t considered by enough as one of the best tight ends in the NFL. He isn’t compared to the Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates or Rob Gronkowski types, but, then, he does more than just catch the ball. He is one of the best "true", or "all around", tight ends in the NFL and what he does for the Steelers offense will be missed. They will suffer from the loss of his blocking ability, quiet leadership and being open in those clutch moments. Even if he is only gone those first six games, they will feel the loss. You can’t just pull a guy off the streets and plug him in expecting him to give the team what Miller does. If that was the case, this wouldn’t even be a discussion. I don’t think there is a tight end out there that can do it.

Miller is a quiet guy and he doesn’t showboat on the field, but you know he has impacted a game when you hear the resounding roar of “HEEEEAAATTTHHHH!!!" Steelers fans love this guy for what he does for the team. Even fans sitting at home watching on t.v. do it. Admit it, you do the Heath cheer, don't you? I know I do. He rarely does interviews, but when he does, he never is an all about "me", he’s all about the team. He doesn’t care about stats or what records he breaks with the Steelers, he just plays the game and plays it well. That is why I call him the unsung hero. He never gets the praise he rightfully deserves.

His being voted team MVP was very well deserved, and, as stated earlier, he was the only consistent player on the Steelers offense. He was also finally named to the Pro Bowl after eight seasons. The ironic thing being the timing - because of the injury he was forced had to miss it.

I am hopeful that he will return this season. The Steelers offense should be able to manage to hold it together in his absence and win some games. Even without Wallace, I believe they can weather the storm of Miller's absence. Then, when he is able to return, this could be one of those stories for the ages: The Unsung Hero returns and the Steelers offense go on a roll.

I am realistic in that they need some other pieces and I believe they will address them this offseason. I, unlike other Steelers fans, am not throwing in the towel on this season. I am well aware its going to be tough and hard road but if any team can do it this team can. They have to do it, and make it worth his returning.

Steelers Hire WRs Coach Richard Mann; Roethlisberger Inducted

"Steelers hire Aliquippa native Richard Mann as their new WRs coach." - Bob Labriola

The Steelers went into their backyard to find their next wide receivers coach. The Aliquippa native has 28 years of experience as an NFL WRs coach. He has coached with the Baltimore Colts (no typo), Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. - http://tinyurl.com/b6n24ol

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and Mann have a history together as they coached together in Tampa. When Mann joined them in 2002, Tomlin was their defensive backs coach. The 65-year old Mann, though, hasn’t coached since the 2009 when his contract wasn’t renewed by then-head coach Raheem Morris.

The veteran Mann may just be what "Young Money" needs, though at least some of that money is travelers checks as Mike Wallace is sure to be gone this offseason.

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Speaking of wide receivers... If you missed it, the Steelers wideout Antonio Brown says he wants to spend career with the Steelers, and is working hard to be able to be a leader next season. - http://tinyurl.com/bc5lpuj

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TIDBITS: Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch would love to be back with the Steelers in 2013, even though he realizes plenty of changes are coming this offseason.

“I definitely want to play another year. The body feels fresh," Uncle Charlie said. "Right now, I don’t know what’s going to happen, but you have to figure at some point changes will be made."

The 1998 second-round draft pick who led the Steelers to a win at Baltimore in December, emphasized this by stressing the importance for the Steelers organization to succeed. "Not making the playoffs won’t be tolerated by the Rooneys much longer.”

The Steelers need a viable and young backup to starter Ben Roethlisberger. Uncle Charlie had indicated he wanted to retire toward the end of the season, but he seems to want to try another go at it. As long as they get a solid No. 2 QB as insurance for Big Ben, I'm all for it.

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Speaking of Big Ben, we all know he's on an NFL Hall of Fame curve, but he's already received one induction. The Miami of Ohio University inducted the veteran quarterback into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Big Ben holds all of Miami of Ohio’s major passing records, and was also named Miami’s Male Co-Athlete of the Year in 2001 and 2003 and the MAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2003. Congrats, Big Ben. It's a stepping stone to the other HOF in Ohio, which you'll get to in about 10 years or so. - http://tinyurl.com/af84dlk

Art Rooney II - The State Of The Steelers, pt. 1: 'Frustration'

The president spoke, he delivered his address and everyone took note. However, this wasn't Obama or the State of the Union, but Pittsburgh Steelers' team president Art Rooney II speaking to the local media on the State Of The Steelers.

With the offseason for the Steelers underway, Rooney II's now annual season wrap-up featured a few points of interest for Steelers fans. Nothing, however, that was unexpected nor anything that took football's version of Pythagoras to figure out. In a word, it was "frustrating."

"It was clearly a frustrating season, mostly because we had so many opportunities that we didn't take advantage of," said Rooney. - http://tinyurl.com/ajgrk3k

One of those missed opportunities was turnovers related. The defensive side of the turnover ratio, as we've covered in previous blog posts, was a result of the lack of pressure on the quarterback. As Rooney II stated, "We have to get more pressure on the quarterback. Anybody will tell you that creates turnovers."

As he pointed out, the Steelers need a better pass rush, more turnovers on defense and fewer on offense. These are priorities for 2013, and will be discussed in more detail in part two of the interview. None of them, though, are going to happen if one thing in particular isn't taken care of first: the Salary Cap problem.

ESPN reported recently that the Steelers currently are $10.8 million over the Cap. Rooney said that it's much more than the $10 or so million over. As we said also, add the exclusive rights free agents and it's around $12 million. - http://tinyurl.com/akdduo5

However, as some have further reported, add the dead money that's owed and it is closer to about $15-$16 million over. There are more tough decisions ahead, Rooney said, and called it a "jigsaw puzzle."

Many of the pieces in that puzzle are amongst the unrestricted free agents as they attempt to determine who will be kept and who will be allowed to go off into free agency making room for the restricted free agents they'll need to retain. These are the ones we believe will be allowed to go:

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS:
Casey Hampton
Ryan Mundy
Justin King
Brandon Johnson
Greg Warren

OFFENSE:
Charlie Batch
Byron Leftwich (Injured so much he got a hangnail clicking this link)
Plaxico Burress
Rashard Mendenhall (2014 compensatory draft pick)
Mike Wallace (2014 compensatory draft pick)
Ramon Foster (Unless they decide to cut Willie Colon after June 1st)
Doug Legursky

There is unfortunately one more on that list: Max Starks. Starks was the only Steelers lineman to play every snap this year. We'd love to see the team extend a two-year deal to him since he has given so much to the organization. Will it happen? Probably not. What does he think will happen? - http://tinyurl.com/byb7g7u

Starks isn't the only player on the team who is contemplating his future. Many realize how much of a possibility it is to be in another uniform next season, or simply looking for work. It can be a sobering thought, especially when one's season ends unfulfilled. - http://tinyurl.com/cfggnt4

There are a few currently under contract as well who might have to be let go because of not fitting into that puzzle anymore. The most obvious of those are defensive end Brett Keisel ($2.8 million), linebacker James Harrison ($10 million), and guard Willie Colon ($1.2 million). Releasing those players would save the Steelers about $14 million in Cap space.

The problem with that is whether or not their backups would be ready to step into their vacated positions? There's the rub. A jigsaw puzzle indeed.

Rooney II also spoke on the problem the team has had lately with injuries. He said that while injuries do come in cycles, the Steelers will evaluate their training methods to see if they need to change anything.

Here's a consideration: In June of 2011, Ariko Iso, the first and only female NFL athletic trainer, left the organization to take the position of head athletic trainer at her alma mater, Oregon State. She seems to have taken with her the knowledge, training tactics and experience that the current person does not have. It also might be pure coincidence. But it is a feasible thought considering that the last two years have been replete with injuries. It is something worth considering at the very least. - http://tinyurl.com/bkd8uwy

Rooney II naturally spoke on the offense as well and gave both head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Todd Haley votes of confidence, saying that each did a "good job." He made the point that nine games into the season, the offense was functioning at a high level and that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was taking fewer sacks. Something that he had wanted to see when former offensive coordinator Bruce Arians' contract was not renewed. Points that were discussed and emphasized on Talkin' Steelers Football: http://tinyurl.com/anal7by

He's basically accurate. Through those first nine games, the Steelers were 6-3, were scoring 23.0 points per game, were just -1 in turnover differential and were averaging 103.8 rushing yards per game. Not record setting numbers, but certainly winning football.

The last seven games on the other hand, they were 2-5, scored only 17.5 PPG, had a turnover ratio of -9, and their rushing YPG dropped to 86.1.

The two biggest reasons for this was the putrid turnover ratio and the declined play of Big Ben. Regarding his part in this equation, Big Ben admitted after the season was finally over, that he came back too early from his injury and, because of either not trusting the game plan, not trusting his teammates enough or both, he tried to do too much. - http://tinyurl.com/cxjdje6

It wasn't just him, though. Frankly, how could he completely trust his teammates when his top two wide receivers, Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace, were in double figures in both drops and fumbles?

How could he completely trust the game plan when it went away from Heath Miller about halfway through the season? A man whom Ben calls the "best player on the field whenever he's on the field." Or, for that matter, when Tomlin and Haley couldn't settle on a feature running back? A point that was perplexing and that even brought "friendly criticism" from one teammate in particular. - http://tinyurl.com/cuka6mf

But Big Ben believes the offense can work if they simply execute properly. He said so earlier in the season when he attempted to dismiss any philosophical disagreements with Haley. Big Ben is quoted as saying that he was convinced the offense “works for us. When we‘re executing, I think it works.”

He also said that a full offseason working with Haley should be productive, and that they just "need to continue to grow." - http://tinyurl.com/cy2u7ey

The only problem with that is whether he'll be able to or not.

On Thursday, January 3rd, the Arizona Cardinals officially asked for permission to interview for their vacant head coaching position. The Steelers granted permission and, according to those associated with the Steelers organization, Haley did interview.

What would happen to the Steelers offense if Haley were to leave? Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review offers this assessment: http://tinyurl.com/cetkzca

Yes, it is a big "if" on Haley's possibility of leaving. If he does leave, however, Kirby Wilson is considered the only one in-house replacement candidate. After that, there is long list of possibilities. Haley did say, however, during his final interview before the offseason, that he is happy where he is.

“Really, it isn’t anything I am thinking about,” said Haley about head coaching jobs. “I’ve said a bunch of times, and even when I came in and sat down with Mike {Tomlin} earlier on, this is where I want to be." - http://nflfromthesidelines.blogspot.com/2013/01/losing-haley-would-be-setback.html?spref=fb

If Haley and Big Ben are to be taken at their word regarding their relationship, and that their "feud" was more media-driven than anything, the full offseason time that Big Ben spoke about will be welcomed and needed, especially with him at an essential crossroads in his career. - http://nicepickcowher.com/2013/01/06/2013-career-crossroads-for-ben-roethlisberger/

The offense has its issues, yes, as Rooney II alluded to, but they are things that can be fixed. Through the upcoming draft, a possible dip into free agency and, most importantly, simply learning to execute better, the offense can be what they want it to be.

However, there is still one more thing, as touched on earlier, that they will need to address. Something about which Rooney II spoke extensively: turnovers -- but on both sides of the ball. We'll discuss this in part two of this series.

Poor Play And Coaching Lead To Steelers Defeat, 34-24

It's a good thing Ben, jr. won't remember his first NFL game. Ben, sr. would like to forget it too.

In a game where the return of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was supposed to inspire the offense, nothing was inspired. - http://tinyurl.com/b9emofu

On his performance and what went wrong Sunday, Big Ben said: "A little bit of this, a little bit of that. A lot of this, a lot of that. It was frustrating."

It should've been. He didn't exactly help his team early on in his first game after missing three games with rib and shoulder injuries. He now has a record of 3-4 in such starts.

He didn't get much help from his wide receivers, both Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown missed on big passes (one of which should've been a touchdown), or the offensive line in the first half, all of 25 yards rushing in first half, causing him to look even worse.

Big Ben was 9-20 for 105 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions in the first half. Steelers 2-9 on 3rd downs in first half also.

But he made two costly mistakes of his own early in the second half. Both happened deep in Steelers own territory and led to touchdowns.

A lateral bounced off of the helmet or back of tight end David Paulson and was recovered by the Chargers in the end zone. Although Brown should've just kicked it out of the end zone and suffer the safety, he tried to field it and couldn't. Result: touchdown.

Then, Roethlisberger was picked off at the Steelers' 17-yard line and the Chargers quickly converted that into a 15-yard touchdown pass by Rivers to 6'5" wide receiver Danario Alexander.

In a game also where the San Diego Chargers having Manny, Moe and Jack substituting on the offensive line was to have the defense's mouths salivating, they suffered from dry mouth.

Against men who were on practice squads and moving furniture last week, the Steelers managed just one sack. Also, the Steelers defense was third in the league on 10-play drives allowed this year. Then they go and allow a 17-play drive that resulted in a 20-3 deficit.

It was a completely pathetic showing. Maybe the worst Steelers performance at home since the December, 2006 loss (31-7) to the Ravens. And most pathetic showing against a bad team since something called a Tim Couch walloped them (33-13) in 2003. This after a majorly gutsy performance at the Ravens last week. Their inconsistency is disturbing. - http://tinyurl.com/aw2d4ma

The Steelers (7-6) simply laid an egg against a Chargers team that had lost seven of its last eight. Though the Chargers had been in every game and lost by an average of less than a touchdown, as we pointed out last week, this still shouldn't have happened. - http://tinyurl.com/akewovq

"In a lot of ways, we'll enjoy this win, but in reflection, we'll be sick," Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said. "We'll be sick we didn't find a way the last few weeks."

They shouldn't have this week, either. For some reason, the defense played soft on corners and got chewed up. Yes, their receivers are 6'4" and 6'5", but this week still should've been a press-coverage day.

Bottom line, the Steelers looked bad from the opening kick. As head coach Mike Tomlin said, they "coached poorly, [and] played poorly today." - http://tinyurl.com/apslzrs

Steelers linebacker Larry Foote offered up his assessment of their performance: "We lost. We got our butt whupped...a good ol' butt whupping. Why? I don't know."

You don't? Fellow defensive man Brett Keisel thinks he does. Keisel said he didn't think players were ready to play. "That's why we lost," he said. "The whole game felt out of hand. It didn’t really feel like we were in the game at all."

Cortez Allen agreed and added: "I feel like our enthusiasm wasn’t as high, our excitement, intensity wasn’t as high as it was previously in previous games."

Running back Isaac Redman said something similar: "We lacked enthusiasm. It showed on the field."

Yes, it did. Worse yet, they looked disinterested. Which raises a troubling question: If not now, when?

It's week 13 in a 17-week NFL season. When ARE you going to be ready and enthusiastic?

"Starting tomorrow," Foote answered, "we’ve got to correct this thing and start making a commitment. It’s going to be one of those gut-checking times." - http://sportstalk.triblive.com/content/chargers-34-steelers-24-postgame-quotes

"Tomorrow?" Allow me to quote Apollo Creed here: "THERE IS NO TOMORROW!" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UC_1U7xgAeY

"Tomorrow" is a Training Camp or preseason word, not an end-of-the-season word. Now is not the time to find your identity. Nor is it a time to still fumble your timeouts and your game/clock management in general.

Tomlin's game management continues to be poor. We at If It Ain't Steel are Tomlin fans to be sure. He is a true leader and motivator of men. He knows the game and his players respect him. However, his in-game management is lacking. It is something he has to get better at going forward, especially if this team is to make any sort of run in the playoffs.

There were some things for the Steelers to hang their hats on to some degree. Things that can be positives as they head into the last few games. One was that the Bengals lost in the final seconds to Dallas, meaning that the Steelers and Bengals remain tied for the last playoff spot in the AFC.

The Steelers also stayed two games behind the AFC North-leading Ravens (9-4), who lost at Washington in overtime.

That isn't just good because the Ravens lost (that always feels good), but because, believe it or not, the division can still be won. With that in mind, the Steelers players know they have to take advantage. - http://tinyurl.com/at59rmn

Also, Big Ben is obviously healthy enough to move around in and out of the pocket. All told, he was 22-42 for 285 yards, three touchdowns and the one interception. He also ran 31 yards with a 6.2 YPC average.

All-in-all, it was a poor performance in every aspect of the game. Though Ben, sr. will have to endure watching it again in film study, I doubt he'll keep it on his DVR for Ben, jr.

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TIDBITS: INJURIES - Colon (knee), Clark (hip), Sanders (AC joint) and Troy (Achilles).

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Big Ben on fans booing Mike Wallace: "Nobody should ever get booed. We are out their busting our butt. Nobody intentionally does anything to hurt the team. I don't intentionally throw interceptions and guys don't intentionally miss blocks or fumble. We don't intentionally do it. I just told him that I was going to come back to him, and keep his head up and he made plays for us late." Wallace's interview and reaction to his game: http://tinyurl.com/amne6d5

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Though no one should care about stats in a loss, Big Ben is now the 25th quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least 29,000 yards (29,151) and run for at least 1,000 yards (1,033) during the regular season.

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Steelers average starting field position Sunday was their own 19-yard line.

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Big Ben on why we didn't see Plaxico Burress more after his 18-yard catch on 3rd down: "Did you ask coach that?"

Unhappy QB?

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Wallace was pushed right in front of an official on the deep pass in the first half, but no flag. Per Jim Wexell, even the San Diego media was laughing at the no-call. *sigh*

~

Today marked the 14th time Big Ben and Wallace connected for a touchdown of at least 40 yards, extending their franchise and near-NFL record.

Steelers Look For History To Repeat Itself Against Chargers

In case you missed the news, not that it's been mentioned all week or anything, the San Diego Chargers are 0-14 against the Steelers in Pittsburgh during regular season.

That and a $1.50 will get you a coffee at Starbucks.

We say that because what happened in years past has no bearing what happens this year. Remember: that same franchise is also 2-1 against the Steelers in Pittsburgh in the playoffs. Ask Tim McKyer about that.

That said, it's the former history that the Steelers (7-5) want repeated, not the latter. This version of the Chargers (4-8) does have its issues, but don't expect them to just lay down and concede victory, either.

The Chargers have weapons to throw at the Steelers and have the ability to turn back missiles launched their way as well. Despite having lost seven of their last eight games, they've been in each game into the fourth quarter and have lost by less than a touchdown on the average (6.6 points). ColdHardFacts.com breaks down the last game even further in a recent column that you can find here: http://tinyurl.com/arpoatx

Keeping that in consideration, the main thing that will be on the minds of every Steelers fan when the offense is on the field is "Protect Big Ben." One way to do that is to be able to run the football. That won't be overly easy.

The Chargers are the NFL's seventh ranked run defense and they're tied for fifth in run average per carry (3.8 YPC). The Chargers defense is ranked ninth overall.

Nevertheless, establishing the run to keep the Chargers honest in their attack is prudent. The less Big Ben has to endure, the better. To aid in this, he will be wearing a special "compression vest" that will have a layer of Kevlar to help to absorb hits to his clavicle/shoulder areas. (photo courtesy Will Graves-Associated Press)

Per Pro Football Talk, the Steelers asked Unequal Technologies to create the protective vest for Big Ben to wear in order to protect his injured right shoulder. The vest will include Concussion Reduction Technology (CRT) padding already in some NFL helmets. - http://tinyurl.com/aoeu852

Even so, the Chargers aren't exactly sacking the quarterback at a record pace this year. They have sacked the QB even fewer times than the Steelers have, doing so only 23 times. Shaun Phillips leads them with seven so far on the season.

When passing, the Steelers will have all of Young Money, aka the Bugatti Boys, aka "the boo boo crew" to throw to again. One of whom caused a bit of a stir in an interview with Ralph Paulk of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Mike Wallace had some...interesting comments regarding his inclusion in the offense and his production. He referenced his drops as an issue he's well aware of.

"I've never been a guy who dropped balls or just lose focus," Wallace told Paulk. "The first three years, I was always involved, so you just warmed up in games and were just into it.

"But when you don't get the ball for two-and-half quarters, you lose focus," Wallace continued. "But that's the type of offense this is. We're spreading it around, so you're not going to get as many targets. When you get them, you have to make the best of them." - http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/3090560-85/wallace-yards-ball#axzz2EPi2Xplb

O...kayyy... Really?

Granted, Wallace was labeled as a co-starter (i.e. "demoted") by coach Mike Tomlin last week. Wallace did start against the Ravens, yes, but his snaps were significantly down compared to other games, per Mark Kaboly. Also, he's had just six targets over the last five games.

And as he pointed out, the Steelers wide receiver snaps vs. Ravens went as follows: Antonio Brown, 52; Emmanuel Sanders, 49; and Wallace, 41. - http://tinyurl.com/as58cl9

Does that equal fewer targets on the whole, though? Let's break down the key points of his assertion and see what's real.

1) "Focus" is a 'you' problem first of all. Faithful readers to If It Ain't Steel know that we've talked about this before. If he isn't involved early, he can become disinterested. Now, he's admitted it.

2) The "dropped balls" is much more of a problem this year as, I do believe, he's now credited with eight. He has 52 catches so far on the season. So, if he catches those other eight, he would have 60 by now, i.e. the total he had in 2010.

3) How can he say he's not getting "as many targets" when he's actually getting targeted more often? Look at the actual numbers:

Targets -
2010: 100 in 16 games (6.25 avg per gm)
2011: 113 in 16 games (7.06 avg per gm)
2012: 93 in 12 games (7.75 avg per gm)

Receptions -
2010: 60 in 16 games (3.75 avg per gm)
2011: 72 in 16 games (4.5 avg per gm)
2012: 52 in 12 games (4.33 avg per gm)

Now, help me with this, how is he less involved? He's currently on pace for 69 receptions. Not only that, but he could also attain a career high in receptions if he caught more of the passes where he was targeted.

That being the case, expect him to be looked for early in the game to appease him and to keep him from falling asleep at halftime. Either that or expect the team to buy stock in 5-Hour Energy.

With Willie Colon saying he "felt real good," and being listed as Probable on the Friday report (he says he's a game-time decision), that's added help against those rushers so Big Ben can gets Wallace those targets, and for pushing the run game that will be led once again by Jonathan Dwyer.

"He obviously is being tested, but he passed that first test. Now he has to come out and back it up," Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley said of Dwyer. Most of the questions naturally were about the return of Big Ben, but he did address his running back. - http://blog.steelers.com/2012/12/06/coordinators-corner-haley-lebeau-4/

“The older guys, we keep telling the younger guys about this. They’ve got to believe, they’ve got to understand how important these games are to us. We’ve just got to get a ticket.” - Steelers inside linebacker Larry Foote

Cam Heyward and Steve McLendon are two of those "younger guys." They saw more snaps against the Ravens last week and it needs to continue. They are proving themselves to as effective, and sometimes more so, as the "older guys" they're subbing in for throughout the game. This will continue to be necessary so that the Casey Hampton and Brett Keisel won't be so banged up heading into the playoffs.

No time like the present.

In the Chargers loss last Sunday to the Cincinnati Bengals, they lost starting right tackle Jeromey Clary (knee), left guard Tyronne Green (hamstring) and left tackle Mike Harris (high ankle sprain). Head coach Norv Turner said on Monday that he doesn’t expect any of those players to be able to go this Sunday.

He was right, don't expect any of them. The Chargers Friday injury/practice report said, among others, that Clary is out, Green is doubtful and that Harris is questionable. And if Harris does play, he'll be very limited.

To offset all the injuries, three different offensive linemen were signed off of their practice squad or off of the street during the week.

Maybe it's the chicken I have thawing in the sink, but I can literally smell blood in the water.

Steelers offensive coordinator Dick LeBeau will definitely dial up schemes designed to exploit those mismatches and get after Philip Rivers early.

"Yeah, that's what we do," quipped LeBeau. "I never answer any questions about game plan."

He did answer questions about his players, though, and what he expects of them. Specifically Troy Polamalu and James Harrison.

"Troy's instincts are so great and that's something you don't lose," LeBeau said. "From the first snap that he went in there, you could tell it was Troy in there. He's just a special player. We're happy to have him back."

Of his other former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, LeBeau said that he believes that the Silverback has 'turned the corner' and that "he's been getting better every week," but that he's finally "playing at a very high level."

It was Deebo's strip sack that fueled the comeback victory over the Ravens last Sunday, and he knows he'll need to continue his heroic play this week.

Despite having an offensive line decimates by injuries, the Silverback knows not to assume they'll just lie down for the Steelers. The sacks that Rivers has endured, 36 so far this year, has affected his overall play, resulting in poor numbers for Rivers.

Deebo, when asked about Rivers' poor numbers, said, "I'm not worried about that. I hope they get lower. That's not my problem."

Yes, sir, Mr. Harrison.

Deebo has always been that way, though. He has no regard for the opposing players and teams. He's judge, jury and executioner on the field when healthy. And, like LeBeau said, he's getting back there. - http://tinyurl.com/ac3oa2x

The other aspect of the defense that LeBeau spoke of, though, was the secondary and what to expect with Ike Taylor out for a couple of weeks.

Ike, who has never missed a game under LeBeau, had 32 tackles, 13 pass defenses and one interception in the 12 games prior to his injury.

Cortez Allen replaced Ike and, after giving up a long pass interference penalty and a 28-yard touchdown to Ravens receiver Anquan Boldin, settled down and played well having five tackles and three pass defenses.

Curtis Brown, who had a tackle and a pass defense against the Ravens, now becomes the third cornerback. In the nickel packages he'll stay outside and 'Tez Allen will move inside to his normal slot position as he has the most experience in it.

The other side of that coin is a player should be in Pro Bowl consideration: Keenan Lewis.

Lewis has recorded 57 total tackles and is one of the top cornerbacks in the league in passes defended with 19. He is only allowing an approximate 53% completion ratio on passes thrown his way.

He predicted back in May that he'd make the Pro Bowl, but having no interceptions may hurt his bid. Still, he's locking down one side of the field.

All of those men will be needed against the tall receivers of the Chargers. If they close the back door, though, and Deebo and Jason Worilds, who now leads the team in sacks with five, can bust down the front door, the Steelers could find themselves repeating history again.

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TIDBITS: Practice/Injury reports: Steelers - Mike Adams, Ike Taylor and LaMarr Woodley are out; Leftwich is questionable; Antonio Brown, Drew Butler (illness), Ryan Clark, Willie Colon, Jerricho Cotchery, Will Johnson, Troy Polamalu, Ben Roethlisberger, Emmanuel Sanders and Mike Wallace are probable.

Chargers - Donald Butler, Eddie Royal and Jeromey Clary are out; Tyronne Green is doubtful; and Mike Harris is questionable.

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Love for the big guy:
"Ben Roethlisberger is not only one of the best quarterbacks, but one of the best players, in the NFL. Having him back changes the mindset of all the players and gives them confidence. It gives the coaches confidence in what they’re trying to do in calling and designing plays.

“The one thing about Ben Roethlisberger that people don’t pay enough attention to is that he’s a terrific thrower of the football. When there’s a play to be made by throwing it down the field, he makes it. It always gets lost when people talk about these quarterbacks in the NFL. He may not put up the numbers of Drew Brees or Tom Brady but he takes advantage of every opportunity that’s presented to him." - Phil Simms

"He's awesome. He's a comeback quarterback, he's our leader, he's our field general -- he's everything....It's December football and we're trying to clinch a spot. With him back, our odds are good." - Willie Colon

"Ben's one of the best players on our team and one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Whenever we get him back that's good for us." - Heath Miller

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Charlie Batch is completely embarrassed after almost losing to Joe Flacco. - http://www.theonion.com/articles/charlie-batch-totally-embarrassed-after-almost-los,30634/