Steelers still talented enough to make Super Bowl run
At press time, the Steelers were 2-0 in the preseason for the first time since 2017.
The only other 2-0 preseason start under Mike Tomlin was 2010. The time before that was 2005.
The results of those ensuing seasons:
2017 – 13-3.
2010 – Super Bowl appearance.
2005 – Super Bowl win.
Not too shabby.
Does this Pittsburgh Steelers team have what it takes to get to the Super Bowl?
No doubt the talent is there. Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell are gone, but a fast, smart, deep defense might’ve come to maturation while no one was looking.
Remember that 2017 team? It was fresh off the 2016 humiliation in the AFC Championship Game when Tom Brady had his choice of throwing at a cornerback trio of rookie Artie Burns, 31-year-old William Gay and Ross Cockrell, who was traded before the Steelers’ next game for a conditional seventh-round draft pick.
At safety were rookie Sean Davis and Mike Mitchell.
That secondary group has evolved to the point now where Burns is probably the No. 4 cornerback — and this off a strong pair of preseason games.
No, this year’s defense could be very interesting with the additions in the middle of first-round pick Devin Bush and free agent Mark Barron, and at cornerback with free agent Steven Nelson.
They may lack some offensive firepower without Brown and Bell, but, boy, the air is sweeter. The tension those two provided the last couple of seasons is gone and the group has come together after being ridiculed — justifiably or not — by the national media most of the offseason.
Speed, talent, a world-class quarterback, and a revived espirit de corps make this Steelers team a Super Bowl contender.
Then again, we already knew that with the 2-0 preseason record, am I right?
So here’s the breakdown by position group:
QUARTERBACK — May have to go back to 2010 for a group of quarterbacks this good. The Steelers needed a deep group that year because of the pending suspension of Ben Roethlisberger. This year, it’s because of some decent drafting in preparation for Roethlisberger’s departure. But Roethlisberger remains fit, his arm’s still strong, and he’s more determined than ever to prove everyone wrong in light of the barrage of criticism sparked by his departed receiving star. Behind him, both Josh Dobbs and Mason Rudolph have made great strides since being drafted in the high middle rounds the last couple of years. Grade: A+.
RUNNING BACK — James Conner not only replaced Bell and made the Pro Bowl last year, he fit in so well, and the offensive linemen rallied around him so hard, that Bell was afraid to return prior to his late-season deadline. Conner’s in even better shape this year and appears ready to shatter the 1,000-yard barrier that a late injury wouldn’t allow last season. Speaking of being in shape, Jaylen Samuels is proving this camp that last season’s 142-yard performance against New England was no fluke. He’s looking like much more than just a receiving back. The Steelers drafted a three-down backup in Benny Snell, and at fullback they have quality special teamers in Rosie Nix and Trey Edmunds. Grade: A-.
WIDE RECEIVER — JuJu Smith-Schuster was a beast last season with 111 catches for 1,426 yards. The team voted him MVP, which probably lit the match to Brown’s meltdown. Can Smith-Schuster put up those kinds of numbers without Brown drawing so much attention? That will depend on whether James Washington can continue the torrid pace he’s set this preseason. Washington’s skying to make the catches that grabbed everyone’s attention his rookie camp, but this camp he actually knows what he’s doing. Washington, though, could be the No. 3 receiver behind free agent addition Donte Moncrief. In spite of an injury-plagued camp, Moncrief was a Roethlisberger favorite in the spring when the QB raved about Moncrief’s instincts and understanding of the position. The two slot receivers are Ryan Switzer and Eli Rogers, and this year’s rookie phenom is Diontae Johnson, who might have the same sweet feet that Brown has. Johnson can ease into this, but I expect he’ll be making big plays in the second half of the season. Grade: A-.
TIGHT END — Speaking of beastly, Vance McDonald showed Pittsburgh fans why the man who drafted him in San Francisco, Jim Harbaugh, dubbed him the next Mike Ditka and even gave him Ditka’s number. McDonald still wears No. 89 and went on some of those Ditka-like rampages with the ball last season. He and Roethlisberger have a tight bond and this could be a big season for the 29-year-old McDonald. But depth is an issue. It’s time for Xavier Grimble to become a full-timer, as fifth-round rookie Zach Gentry will be little more than a red zone target. Pine-Richland’s Kevin Rader is a sleeper here. Grade: B.
OFFENSIVE LINE — Marcus Gilbert will be a loss at right tackle, but he had been breaking down physically. Replacing him will be the solid Matt Feiler, whom teammates call “Anchor” because of his strength. Another possibility is last year’s third-round pick Chuks Okorafor. The Steelers would like Okorafor to start with Feiler the valuable swing reserve on game days, but so far Feiler’s the better player and more likely starter. The rest of the line is excellent: Alejandro Villanueva, Ramon Foster, Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro are leaders on and off the field and the spine of the team. The reserve depth, led by B.J. Finney, is solid. Grade: A.
DEFENSIVE LINE — We’re doing a lot of looking back today, and I ask you to look back one more time at the Great Wall of Pittsburgh: Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton and Brett Keisel. Well, this defensive line could be better, and that’s not easy for me to say. But the way Javon Hargrave’s been playing, I’m not only whispering “Hampton” to my notebook, but also sending warning signs to Stephon Tuitt that he had better watch out for his starting job in what’s now become a 2-linemen line. Cameron Heyward, of course, is the third part of this exceptional crew. Behind them is valuable reserve Tyson Alualu, and behind him are about six with similar skills battling for a final spot or two. Grade: A+.
LINEBACKER — Mike Tomlin may have finally rebuilt this group — often considered the core of the organization — through high-round mistakes (Jarvis Jones, Jason Worilds) and injuries (Ryan Shazier, Sean Spence). Bush joins pass-rushers T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree to form a trio of first-round picks who’ll likely start the opener. They also acquired another former top-10 pick, Mark Barron, to play linebacker as a hybrid safety who can probably cover any tight end or running back in the league. That kind of speed and top-10 athleticism is shared by Bush. Watt, of course, broke out last year and is nearing superstar status, and Dupree is a man intent on proving he’s not a bust but a pass-rusher worth a lucrative contract. He’s been playing like it early. Vince Williams is the best run-stopper and pass-rusher (a unique combination good for weekly matchups) of the inside guys, and Anthony Chickillo and Ola Adeniyi are quality outside reserves. Grade: A.
SECONDARY — The team’s bugaboo since Ike Taylor and Troy Polamalu left, it’s probably a good sign that Burns has fallen to the bottom of the depth chart but not off of it altogether. He’s playing behind Joe Haden and Steven Nelson, two veteran corners the Steelers have acquired the last couple of years. Davis and last year’s first-round pick Terrell Edmunds might be the most athletic pairing at safety since Polamalu and Chris Hope back in 2005. Mike Hilton and Cameron Sutton provide quality depth at all of the secondary positions. Grade: B+.
SPECIAL TEAMS — So much emphasis on the coverage units allows us to forget, for a minute, last year’s problems at kicker. But the additions of rookies such as Snell, Justin Layne, Sutton Smith and Ulysees Gilbert will help a core unit that appears to be in much better shape, and has much more resolve, this season. Now, at kicker, Chris Boswell, who missed easy kicks at the ends of two non-wins, appears to be back to his elite status of 2016-17. He’s made just about every kick this preseason and is booming the ball with confidence. Punter Jordan Berry still had a fight on his hands as of press time. Undrafted rookie Ian Berryman not only has a booming leg but is beginning to show solid placement skills. As for the return game, if CFL record-holder Diontae Spencer can break the Rubik’s Cube numbers code and make the team, the Steelers will have a truly exciting punt returner. Otherwise, it’s rookie Johnson or last year’s sure-handed returner Switzer. Grade: B.