BTSC Answers Five Questions For Music City Miracles

by Michael Bean on Sep 9, 2009 11:45 PM EDT

My turn to answer a few questions about the Pittsburgh Steelers heading in to the 2009 season and more specifically, about the home opener at Heinz Field between Pittsburgh and Tennessee. Thanks to Jimmy at Music City Miracles for arranging the back-and-forth. - Blitz - (Michael B.)

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1) In the match-up between these two teams last season the Titans were able to sack Big Ben 5 times and force him to throw 2 picks. Is the Steelers offensive line better this season than it was last season? Why or why not?

BTSC: It's not clear if the Steelers offensive line will be any better than they were in 2008 when they allowed Big Ben to take a beating all year round. The personnel is largely the same, with only veteran guard Trai Essex replacing incumbent right guard starter Darnell Stapleton amongst the top 5. On the one hand, that has to concern Steelers fans. On the other, we all know how important continuity and experience playing together is, particularly at that position. So we'll just have to see if this group of mostly the same guys is better with a year of rough-and-tumble experience under their belts. Titans fans might want to keep an eye on right tackle Willie Colon, the whipping boy of the offensive line for Steelers fans last year. He reportedly had a great camp and has undeniably looked better in limited action this preseason. If he can take a step - and preferably two or three...big ones - forward this year, the line could be substantially better than it was a year ago.

2) Obviously a lot has been made of the incident with the terrible towels at the end of last season's game. I know that is a big deal to the fans, but do you think it adds any motivation for the team?

BTSC: Well, Coach Mike Tomlin apparently spent all of five seconds talking about it. My guess is he said something along the lines of 'the team that wins gets to do the talking.'

3) Do you think the Steelers can repeat in 2009? Why or why not?

BTSC: Absolutely I think they can repeat. It begins and ends with their defense, which should again be at worst one of the league's five or ten best defenses. If you can keep Ben Roethlisberger in close ball games, we all know he can take over from there.

4) Talk to us about Nate Washington. He was the Titans biggest offseason acquisition. Do you think he can be a #1 receiver in this league? Why did the Steelers not make more of an effort to keep him?

BTSC: No, he can not be a #1 receiver in this league. He's too frail and lacks confidence and guts catching the ball over the middle with a looming safety. He improved in that department during his time in Pittsburgh, but he's more or less a one-trick pony, and that's stretching the field. I will say though that he'd be a bigger asset if Vince Young were quarterback than if Kerry Collins is behind center. Why? Because Washington's also good when plays break down and the quarterback moves outside of the pocket trying to make something out of nothing. Obviously that's something Roethlisberger did/does a lot. And he often looked to Nate in those situations. I obviously don't see Collins breaking contain too often and trying to make a play outside of the pocket.

5) Write the headline in Friday morning's Tennessean.

BTSC: 'Steelers Avenge Desecration of Towel, Mop Up Titans, 24-14'

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Comments

Urbik?

You deliberately trying to mislead these guys. Urbik probably won’t even dress. And it seems like coaches look at Essex as an upgrade. Line should be better.

Also disagree about Nate. He developed into a solid number three who made a number of important plays in crunch time. Maybe not a number one receiver, but not a one trick pony, either. Wish him well, beginning in Week Two.

by euwolfie on Sep 9, 2009 11:55 PM EDT reply actions

that was typo on my part with Urbik

was hurrying, meant Essex.

As for Nate, I answered that he was not a #1 because he’s not multi-dimensional enough. I don’t think calling him a one trick pony is fair, granted, but that’s why I went on and said he was good in broken down improvisational plays. Don’t think he fits in that well in TN.

Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)

by Michael Bean on Sep 10, 2009 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Nate

Two-trick pony.

Given time, and some creative coaching, he could make a solid #2. But it really would depend on how effectively they use him.

by Varmint on Sep 10, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree with ya Blitz

Nate will be Tennessee’s Randle El. He fit in tremendously well as a third option for us, but he will fall short of expectations in an increased roll. I don’t think he has good enough hands, precision moves, or route running ability to be a #1 and maybe not even a solid #2. I think that situation, as you said, is made worse by the fact that Collins is not a deep ball guy.

by John Stephens on Sep 10, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Great Title

Made me laugh.

by PaulMorel on Sep 10, 2009 1:55 AM EDT reply actions

Perhaps this ...

relatively young line will get the opportunity to get up off the canvas and once again prove to us that they are capable of being a Super Bowl caliber line. I can’t think of a worse place to be than on the offensive line. Locked into a fixed position by rule and upon the snap immediately engaged by who knows how many players, it has got to be tough. Without the supporting threats of a RB who can catch or receivers who can stretch the field and tie up defensive players, the offensive line can be faced with a daunting challenge — asked to hold off greater numbers — does Custer ring a bell?

by tenthmtnman on Sep 10, 2009 1:15 PM EDT reply actions