State of the Steelers – Week 4
Author: DrafttekStaff_Patrick | Filed under: 2009 NFL Regular Season, 2010 NFL Draft Topics
This is my first installment as Steelers correspondent for DraftTek. Please enjoy and post your comments!
The first three weeks of the season for the Steelers have been pretty trying. They’ve had 3 close games and ended up on the losing end of the last two. There’s been plenty of blame to spread around for these team losses:
- Drops by Holmes and Sweed have been costly.
- The offense has struggled to produce points and sustained drives late in the game.
- The defense has likewise yielded long fourth quarter drives to give up some wins.
- Defensive play calling has been somewhat conservative without Polamalu.
- Pressure on the passer has not resulted in many sacks.
- The team has started using Townsend and Ratliff to cover for Carter at SS during passing downs, but the result has not been good enough to shut down opponents in key situations.
- And yes…. the running game continues to be a work in progress.
Coach Tomlin
Of note from a personnel standpoint, Tomlin seems to be stockpiling guys on the IR with somewhat minor injuries. TE Sean McHugh, RB Frank Summers, and OG Darnell Stapleton are on the IR for injuries that are either fairly minor or only vaguely described. Frank Summers had not looked sharp in games 1 and 2 this year.
These moves did allow the team to keep promising young talent in TE David Johnson as well as OG/C Doug Legursky. With Summers relegated to the IR, the Steelers have brought back Carey Davis at FB. Davis has been cited as the closest thing the RB group had to a leader to mentor struggling second year back Rashard Mendenhall. Although he’s been a fan scapegoat for troubles running the ball, he’s an obvious improvement over Summers.
With each post here, I’m planning on giving my take on the personnel situation by position. Here’s a start, looking at the Defensive Line.
Nose Tackle:
Casey Hampton
Chris Hoke is a very capable, and likewise old, backup with the capability to play DE as well. In past years he’s filled in for Hampton with no noticeable drop-off.
Steve McLendon on the practice squad figures to compete for a roster spot next year. He’s an UDFA pickup but the coaches like what they see in him. At 6-4 280 he’s built more like a 3-4 DE, but saw pre-season action at nose.
Despite some speculation to the contrary, this year’s number one pick Ziggy Hood is not projected to contribute as a NT.
There is definitely room for next generation talent at nose tackle, particularly for an exceptional athlete with the right fireplug physique. If the right talent is available in early rounds, the Steelers would definitely pull the trigger.
Defensive End:
Aaron Smith continues to control the left side of the line and has been effective against the run. At 33, his productive years are likely limited however.
Brett Keisel is a coaches’ favorite at RDE. He’s an exceptional athlete and a high character guy. At 31 he’s not young, but he’s a low mileage player with only a few years as a starter. He’s not contributing much to the pass rush so far this year.
Travis Kirschke is a very capable backup who’s served in relief duty over the last several years. He’s 35 and an UFA this year.
Nick Eason is a slight step down from Kirschke as far as consistency. A few years back he seemed like a liability, but during the 08 season he definitely picked up the level of his play. He’s fairly young at 29. Also an UFA this year
Ziggy Hood is the first round draft pick this year. He won’t see much action this year with heavily entrenched starters and very capable backups. In preseason, however he flashed the athleticism and drive that could make him a starter in short order.
The Steelers have tended to take a somewhat short term view of talent at DE, choosing to keep competent aging backups over more raw young talent. Assuming that Ziggy is able to start or be a primary backup, the team should have room for a player to compete for a backup role.
