10 Reasons to be optimistic about 2010
Many Steelers fans are already thinking pessimistically about the Steelers’ 2010 season. I hear all of the usual excuses. I’m sure that you’ve heard them too. Here are a few of them:
“Big Ben is going to miss the first 4-6 games.”
“The defensive line is too old.”
“The offensive line was already weak, and now Willie Colon is out for the entire season.”
“The defensive backs suck!”
“We can’t run the ball effectively.”
“The team was 9-7 and missed the playoffs last year.”
Blah, blah, blah. Yada, yada, yada. I’m sick of all of the pessimism. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m actually optimistic about the Steelers’ chances in 2010.
Here are 10 reasons why I am optimistic about the Steelers’ 2010 season:
1. Troy Polamalu is back
I think the 2009 season showed us just how important Troy is to the Steelers’ defense. Troy wasn’t healthy last year, and the defense suffered. All indications are that “The Tasmanian Devil” is feeling great this year, and the rest of the NFL had better watch out.
2. Byron Leftwich
If Big Ben has to miss games due to suspension, I am mighty glad that we have Byron Leftwich waiting in the wings to take his place while he is out. Some fans may have forgotten that Byron is a former franchise quarterback who was selected just one year ahead of Big Ben. In fact, he was drafted higher than Ben was (#7 versus #11). Does anyone else remember how tough those games against Leftwich’s Jacksonville teams used to be?
3. “Hines Ward is too old”
Every year they say that Hines Ward is too old. And every year, Ward uses that as motivation to come into training camp in even better shape to prove everybody wrong. Ward’s game has never relied on speed or jumping ability, so he won’t be as affected by age as players like Terrell Owens or Randy Moss might be. But I hope people keep telling Ward that he’s too old.
4. The re-emphasis of the running game
Don’t get me wrong. I love the Steelers new passing attack. However, I also want to see them be more effective in the running game. I got tired of seeing the Steelers get stopped when they tried to run the ball in “3rd and 1″ situations. I think that the Rooney’s ultimatum that the team re-emphasize the run will help the team in two ways. firstly, it will ease the pain of not having Big Ben. Secondly, it will resurrect a tough, physical attitude that the offense seemed to be lacking last season. Frankly, it doesn’t seem feasible that a team with Rashard Mendenhall, Isaac Redman, Frank Summers, and Jonathan Dwyer, can’t run the ball in short yardage situations.
5. William Gay won’t be starting
As a starting cornerback, William Gay has to be one of the worst that I’ve seen wearing a Steelers uniform. And if God is merciful, he will make sure that Gay is not a starter this year. Hallelujah!
6. Mike Wallace should get more opportunities
I’ve said it since last year in training camp; “I love Mike Wallace”. The average cornerback just doesn’t stand a chance against him. I loved seeing him burn cornerbacks for long touchdowns last year. And now that Santonio Holmes is gone, Wallace should get even more opportunities. Oh yeah!!!!
7. Aaron Smith is back
Aaron Smith is possibly the most under-appreciated defensive end in the entire NFL. He is one of the best at what he does, and he gets little credit for it. Well Aaron, I am giving you the credit that you deserve. I am soooooooo happy to have you back this season.
8. Maurkice Pouncey
It was so good to see the Steelers take an offensive lineman early in the draft.
9. LaMarr Woodley is more experienced
Last year, LaMarr Woodley quietly emerged as the best player on the Steelers’ defense. This year, he is more experienced and should be even better.
10. Did I mention that Troy Polamalu is back?
(If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a comment below. Also, please subscribe to our blog by pressing the orange button below. You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter by clicking the doohickies at the bottom of the right column of this page. Thanks.)
I hope the running game is better. We have the backs to be more efficient. The running game will be important early in the season.
1Hi, just wanted to let you know that each time I try to access your site i get a warning that a Trojan Horse virus has been detected. Not sure if it has something to do with when your site was hacked, but just thought I’d let you know.
Now that that’s out of the way, I loved this post. My brother and I just had this conversation last week. He was saying he had no desire to even watch football this season. I had to basically talk him into having faith in our team! Having McFadden in place of Gay is a big deal for me. I also like the idea of Wallace having more chances to make big plays.
2It’s all going to come down to our first few games without Big Ben. If we can win half our games, we’ll be in good shape.
3Great to have you back in time for training camp. I wish I was as optimistic as you about this season. My concern is all about both lines. The O-line got better with Pouncey (loved that pick!) but took a step back with the Colon injury. There is a lot ‘To Be Determined’ with that group. It is TBD as to who will step up and be the starters. It is TBD to see if we can run block effectively. I am a strong believer in having some blue -chippers along the O-line. We have one – Pouncey. I am hopeful that someone (Foster, Urbik,Essex, one of the Scotts) steps up and seizes the opportunity! The D-line is aging right in front of our eyes and we have done little to get young replacements ready to step in. Other than Hood (and the jury is still out there) our back-ups (Eason & Hoke) are north of 30 also. It still remains hard to see Harris and/or Worthington having an impact. I believe it was a big mistake not to take a DL/NT with our 2nd Rnd or 3rd Rnd pick in what was supposed to be the deepest DL draft in years. On the positive, we have some athletes who can play special teams, we have strong veteran contributors and locker room leaders (Foote, Randle El, Allen & Battle) our DB’s (with the grace of God) have to be better; our RB situation will be solid and I am optimistic about our WR possibilities. The QB situation ISWII!! Lastly, I believe that the most important person that must have his best year yet is Tomlin. He has to step up and be an improved leader and manager of this team. His skill at navigating the team through this season -especially the early part- will be tested. I truly hope he excels. Can’t wait for camp to start!
4I agree with you 100%, Troy being back will mean a lot alone. I mean last year there where like 5-6 games we would had won if troy was playing at 100% or even playing at all.
As for big Ben being out, I’m happy he is. I for one think the stories hold some type of truth, but like I always said. There is 3 story’s to everything. Yours, theirs and the truth.
I personally think people will see that we don’t need Ben as much as people think. Yes he’s good, but just being good doesnt make a real steeler in my eyes. His off the field antics needs to change.
We are going to have a real good season, I would put money on that one, We will do much better then last year.
Also ward is getting older, how ever I donot see any lack of skill on his part in any way.
Can’t wait to read your next article.
Mark.
5I love how when Ben was in, he was a “game-manager” on an awesome team, then when he’s out the haters are saying “they need him, they will suck without him!” LOL haters.
Our short yardage problems are all scheme related. A proper goalline formation needs an FB. Of course, there wasn’t one on the field. I seem to recall seeing a 4 TE tight formation. Yeah…no. Our backs can do it. Mendy and Dwyer will be a great combo, then add in Moore and maybe Redman, and all we need is a blocker. Either Summers or that 270-lb. guy that was just signed. Heck, can Redman block? Steelers fans would eat that up.
As long as Troy is healthy, the D will be fine was long as Gay isn’t starting. My only worry is the OL. Still, The 2010 Steelers will not be a world beater by any means, though they are a darkhorse for the playoffs, as the whole AFC is wide open this year.
6I really like the Steelers chances in 2010. we all watched those games last year where we carried a lead into the forth quarter and then watched the opposing QB dismantle our secondary for a last second TD. I think McFadden was a beneficiary of TP. He had to of been. Not to say that he’s no good but the only way to say for certain is to play him without TP on the field and I’m not ready to do that. That said, we’re one injury away from having an average secondary. Our O line has been greatly improved with the signing of Flozel Adams. He’s a pro bowl tackle and even if he is 35 he should be an obvious improvement over any of the Steelers remaining options at RT. Hence our running game should take a giant leap forward. I read comments about not being able to execute on 3rd and 1. Pathetic. We had leads that should’ve been able to secure with even a decent running game. The D line is improving, at a snails pace, but is improving. ZH should be about ready to compete with Kiesel for a spot. He did just fine last year in place of Arron Smith. He may have been a reason that Wodley was able to achieve what he did.Oh, one last thing about our DB’s. Does anyone remember Chad Scott? We could take a poll and see who your readers think is worse, Chad “If I don’t let you catch it I’ll definitely bump you to draw the flag” Scott to Willie Gay…
7