Final Report Card

Out with the regular season, in with the business season.  Steelers wrapped their finale with a less than convincing win in Miami before sitting around preying to the football gods for the opportunity they couldn’t earn themselves.  I’m not going to dwell on it, we’ve been over it 10,000 times already.  I’m here to let you know who failed.

Quarterback B-

Yeah, yeah,  franchise passing records,  100 plus QB rating.  That stuffs all fine and dandy, but you left it on the field when it mattered.  I have never seen a QB in my life with the ability to be great in most crucial moments of a game or season, then turn around and lay an egg the next.  Seven set the bar high for himself, that’s why I’m so critical.  He finished strong with a nice game in Miami elevating his QB rating just over the century mark displaying good leadership and decision making.   The good definitely outweighs the bad here, but Hall Of Fame QB’s don’t let their team go on a 5 game slide in a pennant race.  It needs to get better next year. 

Analysis:  Ben is Ben. Live and die with him. I’m glad he’s on my team.  A lot of evaluation needs to be done on Dennis Dixon if he’ll remain #2 with the amount of hits Ben takes.  A vet presence is needed in a backup role, whether it be #2 or #3.  If DD is the guy, look for a late round developmental QB to be brought in.

Wide Receiver B

Santonio Holmes finishes amongst league leaders in yards while Hines Ward finishes the same with catches.  Rookie Mike Wallace started off on fire and finished like gang busters after being quieted for a stretch of the season.  I had hoped Limas Sweed would’ve gotten a chance to redeem some of the bad press, but didn’t.  The problem here was the inability to beat man coverage.  This unit struggled to get separation at times.  It got better by the end of the year but that was obviously too late.  I can deal with some drops, that’s a part of football,  it just needs to be kept at a minimum.

Analysis:  Sign Santonio Holmes and forget about this position on draft day

Tight End C+

A higher grade that I had planned for them.  Heath Miller set the franchise record for catches by a TE which elevated their status.  The TE’s continue to struggle in the run game, even though David Johnson improved with reps.  Matt Spaeth was utterly disappointing all year long

Analysis:  Leave this unit alone. Let Spaeth play out his deal and use that year to see if Johnson can elevate to TE2 before bringing in new blood.

Offensive Line D+

Where to begin?  How about the pain I endured trying to watch Trai Essex and Justin Hartwig lead a designed swing pass to Mendenhall.  The play did work, but it was ugly.  Fans want know why we don’t run screens, sweeps, or draws,  I refer you to that play.  The fact is the interior OL is talentless.  Justin Hartwig spends way too much time on the ground, Essex is just lost, and Kemo just doesn’t understand who to block half the time.  Max Starks definitely regressed as the season wore, not unexpected from someone as soft as him.  The worst parts, the aforementioned 4, are still better than Willie Colon.  The penalties, the sacks, the miscues.  It’s time to part ways with young Willie. 

Analysis:  Time for a talent upgrade.  It’s overdue.  Either top IOL or top RT available to start day one, develop,  and insert starter #2 in year 2.  Make the overhaul happen. Preferably a RT with LT potential in 2-3 years.

Defensive Line B+

Down from the A grade they almost had.  I thought these guys chewed on nails this year and played tough.  They were pushed around a little the last couple games, but the depth was depleted.  Casey Hampton had a monster year in my book.  He did lose the hand fight battle in Miami allowing Grove to get in his centerline and LEGALLY hold him inside the shoulders though.  I thought Ziggy came on nicely by season’s end and Nick Eason has come a long way in 2 years.  He’ll provide good depth.  Aaron Smith and Keisel return next year, that’s a solid tandem with solid depth in Ziggy and Eason. 

Analysis:  No choice but to retain Casey Hampton.  Sign him, tag him, whatever.  Don’t let him walk.  It is time to part ways with a personal favorite of mine, tough guy Travis Kirscke.  It’s just not there anymore.  His play really declined heading into 2009.  Steelers need to search the waiver wire for NT depth, unless Casey comes back on a one year run then it will probably need to be addressed top of the draft

Outside Linebacker:  A-

Face, these guys are rock solid.  Way over 20 sacks again and monsters in the run game.  Best tandem money can buy right now.  Little to no depth anywhere on the roster,  it will need to be addressed.  Harrison fell off a the end and missed several sacks the last few games with an apparent shoulder or biceps injury that seemed to cause him to fall off several tackles. 

Analysis:  Solid starters, but its time to find some depth.  Mid RD pick is needed to solidify depth

Inside Linebacker:  C-

Not a great year from these guys.  It’s going to be tougher playing run when Aaron Smith isn’t lined up in front of you, but the attacking ferocity just wasn’t there this year.  Neither Farrior nor Timmons tried to plug run lanes with contact; they sat back and fell off way too often.  Its apparent James Farrior was a step slower this year, I don’t know if its weight, injury,  or age,  but he needs that step back.  Keyaron Fox continues to be solid depth.   Both starters are quality blitzers when unleashed.

Analysis:  Give Fox an extension, keep the starters intact,  and we’ll be fine for another year.  No need to even look at ILB on draft day in my book.   You need 3, we got 3.

Cornerback:  D

It got bad at times this year.  Willie Gay couldn’t keep his footing with 9 inch spikes on.  Deshea Townsend stepping in didn’t do much better allowing the offensive version of Tyrone Carter (Davonne Bess) get deep on him on a busted play.  Ike played decent at times this year, but not good enough.  A #1 CB not registering an INT until the last 3 minutes of the season sucks actually. 

Analysis:  Time to let Deshea walk and get Willie Gay out of the starters spot.  Time to let the rookies have a chance.  We’ll know draft day how Burnett and Lewis are actually thought of.  If they’ve shown potential in practice, CB is no more than a mid-late RD need this year until they’ve gotten their shot. 

Safety:  F

It was bad, real bad.  It got so bad at times this year I didn’t even recognize Ryan Clark.  He’s a better football player than what he put on tape this year.  It’s obvious he was pressing with the absence of Troy.   Tyrone Carter doesn’t deserve to play in this league any longer.  His time has come and gone.  He no longer possesses NFL skill sets in the passing game and he isn’t needed in the run game, which is his strong suit.  Ryan Mundy will continue to develop but new blood is needed.

Analysis:  A rangy FS needs to be brought in via free agency or the first 3 RD’s of the NFL draft. 

Bruce Arians:  C

This offense moved the ball at will between the 20’s this year and did a decent job limiting turnovers,  but the red zone and run game has to improve.  Talent upgrades along the OL will help that immensely.  I think we’re all in agreement to scrap the 2 TE stuff and get Spaeth off the field. 

Analysis:  Nothing to see here, move along

Dick Lebeau:  C

Why the 4^th QTR meltdowns Dick?  Are your playcalls repetitive?  Is it a conditioning thing?  I know you won’t accept the injury excuse they try to give you.  I’m confident you’ll fix it, that’s what you do, you fix things.

Analysis:  See ya next year Dick

Mike Tomlin:  C

You let a 6-2 team fall apart.  That’s a sign of lack of discipline.  I realize you’re the type of coach that lets your assistants do their thing while you sit back and evaluate them.  You waited a minute to long to step in before Thanksgiving and right the ship.  At least you got them back on track and wouldn’t’ let anyone lay down at the end. 

Analysis:  Take a vacation, get some rest,  and come back and swallow your whistle and hold training camp that will make everyone remember losing 5 in a row under your watch.