Official 2013-2014 Pittsburgh Steelers Thread

[Crankshaft]

I don't think that Kaepernick is "better" than Ben (or at least hasn't been in the league long enough to say that).

hes one of the nfl's shiny new toys. you're not allowed to question his greatness.

At the very least, he threw, scrambled, and ran better than Ben on Sunday.

Ben looked like he was going to have a great game before DeCastro took out Pouncey.

[pittsoccer33]

which steeler was it that said something stupid on twitter mocking fans and bragging about being a millionaire? i thought it was pouncey but when i google pouncey twitter controversy all i get is free hernandez

[Crankshaft]

which steeler was it that said something stupid on twitter mocking fans and bragging about being a millionaire? i thought it was pouncey but when i google pouncey twitter controversy all i get is free hernandez

this?

https://twitter.com/AntonioBrown84/stat ... 9970709505

It's hard being rich young n black ! I got to coupe with that

[pittsoccer33]

it wasnt too recent, i was talking about it with a friend but cant for the life of me remember what it was. cook or smizik called them out at the time.

[slappybrown]

I think it was Pouncey

[Idoit40fans]

which steeler was it that said something stupid on twitter mocking fans and bragging about being a millionaire? i thought it was pouncey but when i google pouncey twitter controversy all i get is free hernandez

this?

https://twitter.com/AntonioBrown84/stat ... 9970709505

It's hard being rich young n black ! I got to coupe with that

I assumed someone saying something like that on the Steelers was Brown.

[viva la ben]

The Steelers signed former titan C Fernando Velasco,
He started all 16 games last season.

[Crankshaft]

Just a quick search of Fernando Velasco - not a bad pick up, at all. I thought for sure they were going to roll with Cody Wallace.

[Dickie Dunn]

Definitely seems like a solid pickup. And now Beachum can go back to starting at TE.

[KennyTheKangaroo]

pouncy ran his mouf after the super bowl loss. he was promoting some hip hop album on the twitter an hour or so after the game and fans got on his case. so he started bragging about his riches.

in hindsight, at least he and his boys didnt shoot the people giving him crap on twitter.

[viva la ben]

Does deer antler velvet extract work on torn biceps too?

[Crankshaft]

pouncy ran his mouf after the super bowl loss. he was promoting some hip hop album on the twitter an hour or so after the game and fans got on his case. so he started bragging about his riches.

in hindsight, at least he and his boys didnt shoot the people giving him crap on twitter.

Oh yea, I forgot about that. The whole "your life sucks, I'm rich" thing.

[Rocco]

Here is a great point regarding the running game

@JoeStarkey1: 49ers averaged 2.6 yards per rush attempt; Broncos 2.8. Geez, how did they score so much without "establishing the run"?

Yet the 49ers still gave the ball to Gore 21 times despite the fact he averaged about 2 yards a carry and may be done.

[slappybrown]

Nice work by Football Night In America analysts Rodney Harrison and Scott Pioli on the impact of the season-ending injury to Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey:

Pioli: "After looking at that 'street' list of centers, it doesn't look very good right now...Not only is he the best center in the league, he very well may be the best player on the offense of the Pittsburgh Steelers."

Harrison: "If I'm Mike Tomlin, I am concerned. I lose Maurkice Pouncey, who is the best center in the league. That offensive line, they can't block. The run game has been completely shut down. I believe that they miss Mike Wallace, and his ability to go down the field and open up. Big Ben, he wants plays down the field. They no longer have the luxury of depending on their defense to create three or four turnovers and score touchdowns."

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/n ... z2eQf0rKHj

The NFL echo chamber is amazing. Once something gains traction -- Pouncey is the best C in the NFL -- its almost impossible to stop.

[WDWBurghGooner]

Nice work by Football Night In America analysts Rodney Harrison and Scott Pioli on the impact of the season-ending injury to Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey:

Pioli: "After looking at that 'street' list of centers, it doesn't look very good right now...Not only is he the best center in the league, he very well may be the best player on the offense of the Pittsburgh Steelers."

Harrison: "If I'm Mike Tomlin, I am concerned. I lose Maurkice Pouncey, who is the best center in the league. That offensive line, they can't block. The run game has been completely shut down. I believe that they miss Mike Wallace, and his ability to go down the field and open up. Big Ben, he wants plays down the field. They no longer have the luxury of depending on their defense to create three or four turnovers and score touchdowns."

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/n ... z2eQf0rKHj

The NFL echo chamber is amazing. Once something gains traction -- Pouncey is the best C in the NFL -- its almost impossible to stop.

I noticed this with the "exotic blitzes" line so many commentators use when talking about the Steelers. Meanwhile, the D has had trouble getting to the QB for years. I'm not sure "Fire X" is exotic anymore.

[Rocco]

Nice work by Football Night In America analysts Rodney Harrison and Scott Pioli on the impact of the season-ending injury to Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey:

Pioli: "After looking at that 'street' list of centers, it doesn't look very good right now...Not only is he the best center in the league, he very well may be the best player on the offense of the Pittsburgh Steelers."

Harrison: "If I'm Mike Tomlin, I am concerned. I lose Maurkice Pouncey, who is the best center in the league. That offensive line, they can't block. The run game has been completely shut down. I believe that they miss Mike Wallace, and his ability to go down the field and open up. Big Ben, he wants plays down the field. They no longer have the luxury of depending on their defense to create three or four turnovers and score touchdowns."

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/n ... z2eQf0rKHj

The NFL echo chamber is amazing. Once something gains traction -- Pouncey is the best C in the NFL -- its almost impossible to stop.

Or maybe Pouncey is better than fans realize.

[Crankshaft]

Nice work by Football Night In America analysts Rodney Harrison and Scott Pioli on the impact of the season-ending injury to Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey:

Pioli: "After looking at that 'street' list of centers, it doesn't look very good right now...Not only is he the best center in the league, he very well may be the best player on the offense of the Pittsburgh Steelers."

Harrison: "If I'm Mike Tomlin, I am concerned. I lose Maurkice Pouncey, who is the best center in the league. That offensive line, they can't block. The run game has been completely shut down. I believe that they miss Mike Wallace, and his ability to go down the field and open up. Big Ben, he wants plays down the field. They no longer have the luxury of depending on their defense to create three or four turnovers and score touchdowns."

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/n ... z2eQf0rKHj

The NFL echo chamber is amazing. Once something gains traction -- Pouncey is the best C in the NFL -- its almost impossible to stop.

Or maybe Pouncey is better than fans realize.

* When he's playing.

[slappybrown]

Nice work by Football Night In America analysts Rodney Harrison and Scott Pioli on the impact of the season-ending injury to Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey:

Pioli: "After looking at that 'street' list of centers, it doesn't look very good right now...Not only is he the best center in the league, he very well may be the best player on the offense of the Pittsburgh Steelers."

Harrison: "If I'm Mike Tomlin, I am concerned. I lose Maurkice Pouncey, who is the best center in the league. That offensive line, they can't block. The run game has been completely shut down. I believe that they miss Mike Wallace, and his ability to go down the field and open up. Big Ben, he wants plays down the field. They no longer have the luxury of depending on their defense to create three or four turnovers and score touchdowns."

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/n ... z2eQf0rKHj

The NFL echo chamber is amazing. Once something gains traction -- Pouncey is the best C in the NFL -- its almost impossible to stop.

Or maybe Pouncey is better than fans realize.

Given that you read the same advanced stats sites I do that are tracking this stuff on a play to play basis, I think you know that those metrics indicate he's not as good as conventional wisdom suggests. That doesn't mean he's not very good, just that the whole best center thing is belied by (1) my own eyes and his regression last year and (2) the analysis done by sources I trust.

[Crankshaft]

What source do you read, slappybrown? How did Fernando Velasco compare to Pouncey in 2012?

One article I read (forget where) that Pro Football Focus ranked Velasco the #12 center in football last year.

[slappybrown]

For stuff like that, I read Pro Football Focus, Football Outsiders, Cold Hard Football Facts, and Advanced NFL Stats. Chris Brown at Smart Football is good too, but he's obnoxious.

[Rocco]

Nice work by Football Night In America analysts Rodney Harrison and Scott Pioli on the impact of the season-ending injury to Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey:

Pioli: "After looking at that 'street' list of centers, it doesn't look very good right now...Not only is he the best center in the league, he very well may be the best player on the offense of the Pittsburgh Steelers."

Harrison: "If I'm Mike Tomlin, I am concerned. I lose Maurkice Pouncey, who is the best center in the league. That offensive line, they can't block. The run game has been completely shut down. I believe that they miss Mike Wallace, and his ability to go down the field and open up. Big Ben, he wants plays down the field. They no longer have the luxury of depending on their defense to create three or four turnovers and score touchdowns."

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/n ... z2eQf0rKHj

The NFL echo chamber is amazing. Once something gains traction -- Pouncey is the best C in the NFL -- its almost impossible to stop.

Or maybe Pouncey is better than fans realize.

Given that you read the same advanced stats sites I do that are tracking this stuff on a play to play basis, I think you know that those metrics indicate he's not as good as conventional wisdom suggests. That doesn't mean he's not very good, just that the whole best center thing is belied by (1) my own eyes and his regression last year and (2) the analysis done by sources I trust.

He slipped last year but was excellent the two prior years. I can't fault a guy for having his play drop off when he's saddled with two sacks of crap in Foster and Colon on either side.

[Rocco]

Suisham has a hamstring injury and may not be available. Thankfully the greatest kicker ever Shayne Graham is available and is ready.

[FreeCandy44]

Wonder what Jeff Reed is up to?

[Crankshaft]

Wonder what Jeff Reed is up to?

[DelPen]

If Velasco is as good as Legurski was I'll be satisfied but by all means he looks better.

I'm fine with Graham too, he doesn't suck which is all we need right now unless we lose 8-7 after he misses a 20 yard FG.