Challengers to the throne
July 12, 2009
By Donald Starver
I was asked by Most Valuable Network (MVN) to write a 2009 season preview on the Steelers. In this article, I made a statement that upset some Steelers fans. I stated that I didn’t think that the Steelers were the best team in the NFL last season.
If you think back to the 2008 season, you’ll remember that the Steelers were soundly defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles. Frankly, I wasn’t looking forward to facing them again. Similarly, the Tennessee Titans manhandled the Steelers during the regular season. Perhaps it is blasphemous for me to say this, but I breathed a sigh of relief when the Baltimore Ravens knocked the Titans out of the playoffs. The New York Giants had also beaten the Steelers during the regular season. Though that game was much more competitive than the Eagles or Titans games, I still think the Steelers and Giants were pretty evenly matched, and a rematch could have gone either way. Lastly, who predicted that the Arizona Cardinals, the lowest seed in the NFC playoffs, would take out the top-seeded Carolina Panthers? The Panthers were probably the hottest team in the NFL going into the playoffs. One could have made an argument that any of these teams was actually better than the Steelers.
So were the Steelers the best team in the NFL in 2008? There’s no way of knowing. But the Steelers got it done when it counted, and that is all that anyone will ever remember. Moreover, that’s all that counts.
Going into 2009, the Steelers appear to be just as good as they were in 2008, if not better. The team returns almost all of the starters from their Super Bowl championship team. They are likely to get a greater contribution from their 2008 rookie class (which made almost no impact last year). They also had an excellent 2009 draft. Combine that with a much easier schedule than they had in 2008, and the Steelers appear to be guaranteed to make another deep playoff run.
Unfortunately, the rest of the NFL isn’t just going to hand the Steelers the title. If the Steelers want to repeat as champions, they are going to have to hold off several worthy challengers to the throne.
Below is my list of the teams that may pose the greatest challenge to the Steelers’ continued dominance. Please note that these teams are not listed in any particular order:
New England Patriots - Let’s face it. The Patriots just aren’t the same team without Tom Brady. As much as I hate to admit it, Brady may be the best quarterback in the NFL.
In 2007, the Patriots almost went undefeated. Brady and Randy Moss rewrote the record books. Matt Cassell’s Patriots of 2008 were a mere shadow of the 2007 team. But the 2009 Patriots should be very reminiscent of the 2007 team. Only they’ve added Fred Taylor and Joey Galloway. Gulp!
The Patriots are the most important hurdle for the Steelers to overcome. Not only must the Steelers prove that they are more than just interim champs who were merely keeping the throne warm until Tom Brady’s return. They must also establish their dominance over the Patriots in order to prove that they, and not the Patriots, are the team of the decade.
New York Giants - The Giants won the Super Bowl the year before the Steelers did. Moreover, they beat the Steelers in 2008.
The Giants are a very well-balanced team, finishing 2008 in the top 10 in both total offense and total defense.
Perhaps their only question mark is their receivers. Amani Toomer is done, and Plaxico Burress will never play for the Giants again. However, the Giants have several receiver waiting in the wings to fill the void. Sinorice Moss may finally be ready to be the field-stretching receiver that he was drafted to be. Super Bowl hero David Tyree is still in the mix. Former Michigan star Mario Manningham is highly regarded by the team, and 1st round draft pick Hakeem Nicks may be the best of the bunch. Suffice it to say that wide receiver should emerge as a strength for the Giants.
Oh yeah, did I mention that Osi Umenyiora will be returning to the line-up?
Philadelphia Eagles - I don’t understand Philadelphia fans. Donovan McNabb has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL for a long time. He consistently takes the Eagles to the playoffs, yet at the end of each season it seems like Eagles fans are trying to run Donovan out of town.
Personally, I think the Eagles will once again be a playoff contender. Besides McNabb, the Eagles still have Brian Westbrook, arguably one of the best running backs in the NFL. Wider receiver DeSean Jackson will be an experienced veteran, and should be even better than last year. Rookies Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy should contribute during their freshman year.
If you look at the offensive weapons that the Eagles have provided Donovan McNabb, one could easily argue that this year’s Eagles could be even better than the Terrell Owens team that went to the Super Bowl a few years back.
Chicago Bears - The Chicago Bears haven’t had a good quarterback since…..well, ever. Now they have a young Pro Bowl caliber quarterback in Jay Cutler.
The Bears almost made the playoffs with Kyle Orton at the helm. What will they do with a star QB running their offense?
Cincinnati Bengals - Just joking folks. I just wanted to see if you were paying attention.
Indianapolis Colts - Sure, Tony Dungy is gone. But the Colts shouldn’t lose a beat under the leadership of Dungy’s hand-picked successor. Besides, Peyton Manning runs this team. As long as he’s under center, the Colts will be a force to be reckoned with.
Baltimore Ravens - The Ravens were the 2008 AFC runner-up. Thus, they have to be considered to be a contender. However, with Rex Ryan leaving as defensive coordinator, Ray Lewis getting yet another year older, and Bart Scott no longer on the team, I don’t think the Ravens will be in the Steelers’ class.
Tennessee Titans - The Titans had a great season last year. But I don’t expect to see a repeat performance from them this year. Albert Haynesworth was the heart and soul of that team. I’m not sure if there is another defensive player in the league who is as important to his team as Haynesworth was to the Titans. The Titans’ defense should see a significant decline without him.
On offense, I think “smash & dash” will prove to be one-hit wonders. I just don’t believe that LenDale White can be a consistent threat in the NFL.
Carolina Panthers - Is there a better running back tandem in the NFL than DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart? Julius Peppers will be back with the team next year. So will Steve Smith. The only thing holding this team back is Jake Delhomme. It’s too bad the Panthers signed him to a 5-year, $42.5 million extension.
San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys - Both teams are better on paper than their on-field performance indicated in 2008. I expect the return of Shawn Merriman to help the Chargers. Similarly, the Cowboys should benefit from the removal of distractions like T.O., Tank Johnson, and Pac-Man Jones.
Notice I didn’t include the Arizona Cardinals. Despite making it to the Super Bowl last year, the Cardinals are still……..the Cardinals. They were the lowest seed in the NFC playoffs last year, and I believe that the Bears and Cowboys will be greater threats in the NFC in 2009.
I feel much better about the Steelers’ chances this year than I did last year. With a better team and a much easier schedule than they had last year, a 14-2 regular season record is very feasible this season.
Will they bring home another Lombardi Trophy? Only time will tell. After all, anything can happen in the playoffs. But one thing seems certain, if the Steelers can stay healthy they will be a playoff team.
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THIS YEARS EDITION OF THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS ARE VERY GOOD, AND COMPACENCY SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM THIS TIME AROUND AS IN 06. MY THOUGHTS AS TO HOW THIS YEARS OFFENSE SHOULD DO IS VERY HOPEFUL. JUST LIKE IN THE 79-80 SEASON, I BELIEVE THIS OFFENSE WILL DO ITS PART, AND HOLD ITS OWN, AND ALSO BE THE REASON THE STEELERS MAKE IT TO SUPERBOWL XLIV. THO I AM GONNA THROW SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN HERE, THE STEELERS LAST TWO SUPERBOWLS HAVE BEEN WON AGAINST BIRDS OF A FEATHER, NOTABLY THE CARDINALS IN 43, AND THE SEAHAWKS ( NOT A REAL BIRD ) IN XL. THIS TIME ITS GONNA BE AGAINST SOMETHING GIANT, YES THE CLASS OF O4 WILL MEET WITH THE NUMBER ONE PICK EIL FACING THE NUMBER 11 PICK, AND WE ALL KNOW WHO GOT TO THE BIG DANCE FIRST. ROTHLISBERGER AND THE STEELERS WILL WIN A THIRD RING AND ALL WELL TRAVELED STEELERS FANS WILL BE HIGH ON THE THROWN AGAIN. LET ME PUT THIS CHAMPIONSHIP ISSUE TO REST, THE PACKERS HAVE BEEN TO THE MOST PRE SUPERBOWL TITLE GAMES, THE STEELERS HAVE WON THE MOST POST SUPERBOWL TITLES, THERE IS A DIFFERNCE, SO LETS RESPECT BOTH TEAMS, AND KEEP THINGS IN ITS RIGHTFUL PERSPECTIVE TIME.
1Don,
Welcome back after a long Hiatus. First, a correction - although it looked like they deserved to be the lowest seed with the way they played in December - the Cardinals were actually the 4th seed. Atlanta and the Eagles were the 5th and 6ht seeds.
I have never been a fan of July prognostications. Too much is a question at this point and injuries during the season can change things drastically. I can’t disagree, however, with most of your analysis. The only teams changes I might make would be to exclude Chicago and add either Minnesota or the Cardinals.
I would expect both Green Bay and Minnesota to be better than chicago this year (if Farve is healthy and joins the Vikes). I am just not sold on Jay Cutler being the solution to the Bears problems. On the Cardinals, one must be cautious, but Whisenhunt has made some effective changes to their culture over the last 2 years and they are in the weakest division in football. If Warner can stay healthy they have a great chance to make it back to the playoffs and, once your in, anything can happen(as they showed last year).
2John,
I understand where the misunderstanding comes from. The Cardinals were the #4 seed according to playoff slotting. However, they were really the lowest rated team. They had the worst record of all of the playoff teams. However, the silly rules that state that each division winner automatically gets a playoff spot worked to their advantage. The same rules benefitted the Chargers and hurt the Patriots last year. The Pats had a better record, but the Chargers played in a weak division, so they got the nod. I absolutely hate that rule, but it is the system that we have, so we have to accept it.
You are right about what Whiz has done in Arizona. He has changed the culture of the Cardinals. But I just keep expecting them to return to old form.
I also agree about making predictions in July. Who would have ever predicted that Tom Brady would get hurt in the first game of the season and miss all of 2008? Or who would have guessed that Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco would have the great rookie seasons that they had?
BTW, training camp is 3 weeks away. Time to get started on that series. Do you want to kick it off, or shall I? Send me an e-mail to let me know your thoughts.
3Hey, let’s be real…the best team doesn’t always win the Super Bowl. It’s the team that is playing the best at that time of year. Our 2005 Lombardi Trophy is the most obvious reminder- if you need one. I like the objectivity of your comments. In the AFC, the Patriots, Titans, Chargers, & Ravens will all be formidable. Interestingly enough, they each have major question marks coming into the season: Pats (Brady’s health); Titans (Can Kerry Collins repeat?) Chargers (Which LT & which SD team will show up?) & Ravens (How devestating will the changes on D be to a team that relies on D? Flacco-super soph or sophomore slump?) Our Steelers are not above questioning: Can we find balance on offense? Can we protect Ben? What about that O-line? Can the D play up to the same level?
4In the end, I believe that the speculation-with every club-at this time of year is warranted. To those who want to be blind to the dynamics of moving from season to the next and believe that because we won last year; we are favorites this year just don’t get it. In the Steeler dynasty years of the 70′s that was true but in today’s game, if don’t improve; you fall behind. There is no standing still…unless you are the Texans!
If the Pirates were better, we wouldn’t be so starved for engaing sports news! Don’t want to wish my life away - but I can’t wait for Latrobe!
John#21,
Excellent comments. But even in the 70′s, nothing was guaranteed. The Steelers players from the 70′s will tell you that the team that they thought was their best of that decade didn’t even win the Super Bowl. Instead, injuries to both Franco and Rocky Bleier caused them to miss what should have been another championship. So as you mentioned, nothing is ever guaranteed. One injury to a key player could ruin a season. Can you imagine what would have happened last year if James Harrison had missed the entire season with an injury? Or do you remember how different the defense was in 2007 when Troy Polamalu fought injuries for most of the season.
BTW, Latrobe will be here before you know it. Like you, I cannot wait.
5First off to David stop yelling and turn off your Caps Lock. Now I’ve mentioned this before that the Patriots are our biggest threat, besides adding a tick in the W column, the team would recieve a huge boost mentally if we can beat them in the playoffs with Brady, which would in turn give us a huge push in momentum.
Now based on our schedule I see anywhere from 10-14 wins in the regualr season. But all of the real problems would come in the playoffs against the Patriots, Colts, Chargers, and possibly the Bills and Ravens will be fighting for a Superbowl berth.
On the injury front I think Tomlin, as well as the rest of the coaching staff, will be able to plug in a suitable replacement if something should happen as long as it isn’t a season ender to a key player. The Steelers throughout the years have depth at many positions.
In the end though this just me playing analyist just wishing that the season was a closer than what it actually is.
On a side note does anyone see the Ravens possibly not even making the playoffs as they typically do not string together back to back winning seasons.
6Yes, Brady is great and the Pats are an excellent team, however! Tom Brady was only hurt for ONE year! The Steelers have won 2 since the pats have won one, oh and the Colts and Giants won one each.
7I’M SO tired of the media and fans acting like Brady’s injury was the reason they didn’t win. They haven’t won a Super Bowl in 5 seasons, Brady was hurt for only one of those
Jason I understand that Brady was injured but in 5 to 10 years from now when people look back they will say we won without beating the Patriots in the playoffs but they beat us twice to win three of their titles. It’s not like anyone can take the titles back but it will prove that we beat the best to be the best. But they will look at our ’05 season and see that we beat the 3, 1, 2, and 1 seeds as a 6th seeded team which is likely to not be done again anytime soon.
Also this isn’t my site but I would love for people to check out http://www.afc-north.com/. It’s incomplete but its got some pretty cool information available.
8Jason,
I agree that the Steelers have won two championships more recently than the Patriots’ last championship. However, the Patriots still have more championships in the decade than the Steelers. The Steelers need one more to have a legitimate claim to the “team of the decade” crown. Also, despite not winning it all in 2007, the Patriots were a juggernaut. It took a miracle play by the Giants to keep the Patriots from going undefeated for the whole season and playoffs. That’s nothing to sneeze at. Moreover, the Patriots rewrote many passing records that season.
I want to see the Steelers play AND BEAT the Patriots in the playoffs. It will remove a historical stigma of the Steelers not being able to beat the Patriots in the playoffs. But also, I think it will put a definitive stamp on the Steelers as the team of the decade.
9great article.
however, i don’t think that the titans “manhandled” the steelers. they beat the steelers, but that was it. the score was more lopsided than the game. steelers held the edge in yards, TOP, and first downs. it was the 4 turnovers that did them in. you aren’t really manhandling another team if they outgain you and have the ball longer.
10I want the Steelers to win against the Pats in the playoffs as well, I’m just tired of everyone saying it was somehow lessened that the Pats were not there. As I said its been 5 seasons since their last championship, they are the team of the decade, but all of their rings came in the first half of the decade. 18-1 was impressive, and putting up Madden like QB stats are great no matter how easy their schedule was that year. A team can’t be blamed because another team failed to get there.
11What an article! When you want to list a few teams that may give the steelers problems you don’t name a third of the NFL! You ought to try weather forcasting too. They don’t get anything wrong either
12@Jason
It doesn’t lessen the win because we still won twice and don’t ever have to give them back, but the point still remains that winning a title is so much better when you do it against the all best teams in the league (Super Bowl XL run). Plus you have to believe that that will further motivate a team come playoff time. And don’t forget that it adds extra fuel when I’m rubbing it in to all my other coworkers how great our team is.
13Tony,
Is there a team on the list that you disagree with? If so, which one? Intellectual discourse is fun and makes us all better. Tossing insults is a waste of everyone’s time.
I hope that you appreciate that it is the off-season, and absolutely nothing is going on with the Steelers right now. Casey Hampton is at home eating donuts. Santonio Holmes is at home smoking a joint. Ben Roethlisberger is playing golf with celebrities. Troy Polamalu is doing whatever Troy does during the summer. Yet, I try to provide a few Steelers articles to help fans make it through the dry spell that is summer. Heck, I could be out fishing or playing golf. A “thank you” might be in order. But of course, common courtesy is a lost virtue on the internet.
14Lon-ton,
Valid point. The game was actually much closer than the score indicated. We had far too many turnovers, and practically gave the game away. However, the score is the score, and they beat us pretty badly.
I can’t wait until the first game of the season. I want to see the Steelers kick the Titans’ butts. We’ll teach them not to stomp on our towels.
15@ Tony
I think you might be missing the point of the article since we are the champs and listed above are the few teams that if we faced could potentially slow down the likelihood of us repeating this year. So yes there are 10 (11
) teams listed but you tell me what else are we going to talk about in the middle of the summer? On top of that it’s a free internet so you can always check out what the Ravens fans are talking about instead bashing a fellow Steelers fan. If want to add something worthwhile give me four teams on our schedule not in our division that will give us a hard time be it in the playoffs or regular season.
16Who was the best team last year? THE STEELERS! If the team met the Eagles or Giants in SB43 or the Titans in the playoffs, who’s to say they would not have won? The Eagles beat AZ as well, but got their asses kicked when it mattered most - the NFC title game. That Eagles team was definitely NOT the best team in 2008. The Titans stomped on the Towel, but they folded in the playoffs as well.
This is not college football’s BCS B.S. In the NFL, it’s last man standing, and our team was clearly that.
17Mark,
I agree. The Steelers won it all. That’s what history will show. Nothing else really matters.
Frankly, I think the Patriots were better than the Giants in 2007. But the Giants won the game, so that’s all that matters.
18benny , get a LIFE
19i think since the bears aquired cutler, they are much improved, what once was thought to be an easy game now has become a tweeter, the titans are still there, but this game is in our house, so thats a plus, the chiefs aren’t as bad as you may think, ,they could win,,
20benny, 4 losses no matter from who will not automatically keep the steelers from post season play, but to entertain your thoughts here are the four teams that may give steel town the fits,
211 kansas city chiefs
2 chicago bears
3 miami dolphins
4 detroit lions - yes i spelled that right,,,,
Don and Others,
I couldn’t help but laugh out loud when I logged on today just to see if someone replied to my brief comment on the article.
Sorry, I was using my usual raw humor. Please don’t take it personal. I just thought it funny that we only had to worry about a third of the NFL to repeat.
Keep up the writing it sure does help pass the down time waiting for August/Sept to roll around.
OKAY, here is what I really think. The only team the Steel men need to worry about is the Steelers! They proved this in 2006. We have had basically the same team for the past 3 or 4 years give or take a couple. Why do we win a SB then go 8-8 and then win another SB with the toughest schedule ever? Because of the Steelers mostly, not the other teams.
Having said that, the Titans and the Patriots in the AFC will be roadblocks because the Steelers just have problems with these guys regardless of the talent level on either team. I live in Nashville and have watched the Steelers in person each time they have played here. And each time I leave the stadium wondering why I wear black and gold! LOL I promise to not go to the season opener guys!
If we we are fortunate to make it back to the SB this year we will find a way to beat any team in the NFC that comes along. But getting there will mean we have to not beat ourselves or think too highly of ourselves. Both of which are likely unfortunately.
Will we repeat? Heart says YES! As a fan, YES! Realistically? 71% chance.
Do I have any friends or are you still mad?
GO STEELERS!
22its a 16 game season, so there are 16 possible wins and then you can throw in the patriot act, and lose the superbowl,, lol,,,,,,,,,
23Tony,
Thanks for getting back to us.
Firstly, no harm done. After all, Steeler Nation is like family. What family doesn’t argue?
I appreciate your confidence in the Steelers’ ability to repeat. But the thing that I always keep in mind is that anything can happen in the NFL. That’s why I think it was correct to include so many potential contenders.
Think about it. Who predicted that the Arizona Cardinals would be in the Super Bowl? Who predicted that the Dallas Cowboys would NOT make the playoffs despite having a roster that included 12 Pro Bowl players from the previous year? Who predicted that the star-studded San Diego Chargers would have an 8-8 record? Most “experts” predicted that the Cleveland Browns would be the Steelers’ main challengers in the AFC North, not the Baltimore Ravens. In fact, many picked the Browns to win the division. Who predicted that Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan would have such outstanding rookie seasons? Who predicted that Tom Brady would miss the entire season? Who predicted that Matt Cassell, a quarterback who hadn’t started a game since high school, would lead the Patriots to a winning record? Who predicted that the Miami Dolphins would make the playoffs after almost going winless the season before?
My point is that things are never quite as simple as they seem. The best team doesn’t always win. Upsets happen. Teams that are good on paper sometimes don’t perform well on the field. Injuries happen.
If the obvious happened each year, Las Vegas would go out of business. But of course that isn’t going to happen.
Somebody is going to win it all next year. Hopefully, it will be the Steelers. But any of the teams that I mentioned could do it. So could several teams that I didn’t mention like the Vikings and the Cardinals.
It’s going to be an interesting season. GO STEELERS!!!!
24David,
25I agree about the Bears. Don’t sleep on that team. Remember, they were in the Super Bowl a few years ago. Jay Cutler could have a very powerful impact on that team. It’s just not clear if the impact is going to be positive or negative (after all, Cutler is a bit of a diva). Personally, I think he is going to have a strong positive impact.