2012 is the year that Steeler Nation sees a whole new horizon. I have never seen the Steelers make so many changes in the off-season in all of my years as a Steeler fan. I believe this to be the best bitter sweet moment in Steeler history. We have let go of players that have been with us for years. They were leaders, and not to mention great players for our city. However, times do change. So Pittsburgh has to change with it. I believe this to be just the start of something amazing for the Steeler Nation. Lets however not forget those that have departed from our team. This team wouldn’t be where it is now if it wasn’t for them. However, many people wonder what will the team look like next year without Ward, Smith, Farrior, and others yet to be named. Well, I am here to provide you with that very information. This is exactly what you have been looking for.
The Steeler Offense has been potent over the past couple years since Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown have emerged has one of the best tandems in the NFL. Isaac Redman runs like a bull, and Ben is still the gunslinger we all know and love. However, we can’t discount the fact that our Offensive is our Achilles heel. We have cut, or are planning to cut Chris Kemoeatu our starting Left Guard. Kemoeatu has been underproductive on the Steelers line and I am glad to see him go. Lets see some rough nose players who can make some room get a chance to play. I believe that Mendenhall is done in Pittsburgh. I believe he is a good running back, don’t get me wrong. However, lets face some facts, Redman can run harder, stronger, and better than Mendenhall. I have never seen such a dominant force at running back. Redman is the Steelers running back next year. Heath Miller is still strong and our receiving core is still strong, but Ward will indeed be missed in the locker room, and on the field. With the future hall-of-famer leaving the Steelers, his shoes will need to be filled by Mike Wallace, if the Steelers can retain him. He is our biggest concern, but I have no doubt that he will be wearing black and gold this season. With all of that said here is what I believe our starting offensive lineup will look like in the season opener next August:
QB: Ben Roethlisberger
RB: Isaac Redman
FB: David Johnson (look for him more often this year. Todd Haley likes using fullbacks.)
WR 1: Mike Wallace
WR 2: Antonio Brown
TE: Heath Miller
LT: Max Starks
LG: TBD (Draft could decide this real quick.)
C: Maurkice Pouncey
RG: Ramon Foster
RT: Marcus Gilbert (Watch for him to improve. He was a teammate of Pouncey’s. They should work well together.)
Now as for our defense. The Steeler Nation has really made some changes this year. We have cut James Farrior and Aaron Smith already. I could see more cuts coming up here in the near future. Foote will exit, to make more cap room. The defense was good last season, but could have been even better if they were not injured plagued. I see them bouncing back this year and lighting up the NFL with their new and younger look. We will still have the blitzing tandem in James Harrioson and LaMarr Woodley this year, not to mention Ike Taylor and Polamalu. One thing the Steelers did well with is drafting players to replace the aging guys on their way out. Ziggy Hood will start next year now that Smith is gone. Timmons will take on an even larger role this season and Stevenson Sylvester will get his chance to prove what a force he can be. This line backing core will be amazing this year. I don’t see Casey Hampton leaving us this year though. I believe his will play one more season here in Pittsburgh and will be replaced next year by a draft pick. Don’t expect him to be replaced this year. He is still much needed. Injury aside, he will still be a force. Our secondary is what scares me. Ike is aging, Polamalu isn’t everything he once was, Clark isn’t real young anymore, even though he played like it last year. However, the most looming issue is that we don’t have a second cornerback. Look for Cortez Allen or Keenan Lewis to get a chance at that role. I believe Allen will win it in the end. In addtion, expect guys like Heyward and Worilds toi start making a push for starting roles. So here is what I believe the starting defense will look like upcoming this season:
LDE: Ziggy Hood
NT: Casey Hampton
RDE: Brett Keisel
LOLB: LaMarr Woodley
LILB: Lawrence Timmons
RILB: Stevenson Sylvester
ROLB: James Harrison
LCB: Cortez Allen
FS: Ryan Clark
SS: Troy Polamalu
RCB: Ike Taylor
Finally, our special teams. The Steelers have found a good kicker in Suisham. He won’t be bothered at all this year. Sepulveda has done his time here and will be on his way out. I hope. Kapinos will punt for us this year. Emmanuel Sanders will be kick and punt returning this year now that Brown will assume a starting role. You can’t have a starter getting hurt on special teams.
In conclusion, I believe, overall, the Steelers will be a success this year. They haven’t done anything to tell me that they won’t be. I see them making a better run for the division title this year and going deep into the playoff picture in 2012-2013. They have the makings of a great team, but only time will tell how they will play.
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