So kickoff on the 2022 NFL season is almost here… The first of the post Ben Rothlisberger Era…
Here are ten reasons for Steelers fans to be optimistic about the season…(in no particular order)
Here are ten reasons for Steelers fans to be optimistic about the season…(in no particular order)
- The defense could be really good. Led by near legendary player TJ Watt and still underrated Cam Heyward, the defense’s only real question mark is the second ILB… which really can be minimized through scheme and utilization more than people think… This D could be a top 5 and at worse should be solid top ten.
- The secondary could be extremely good and will get better when Kazee gets healthy. People here underrate Sutton to some extent. Witherspoon always had the ability to be a top starter, he had been inconsistent. Wallace is starter quality on the outside… They have a ton of slot types like Norwood who have good coverage and playmaking abilities
- Depth on D… The defensive line has more depth than ever. Wormley is a low end quality starter at top backup. Adams is a true NT backup. Loudermilk looks like he will eventually inherit Cams position… and Leal would have been a steal in the second round, much less the third. We have a legit backup at OLB with potential as a starter… the secondary is low key deeper than people give them credit for… and at ILB Robinson gives them a legit prospect who might be a contributor by seasons end on top of solid backup Spillane
- The offensive line might gel after a few games… Look it’s a new system… Cole and Daniels are proven olinemen who looked much better as the preseason went on… Dotson is a legit guard if he gets time to settle in. Moore is a limited liability at LT, but he isn’t bad at run blocking, and still has potential to improve as he learns the scheme better… Olines notoriously get better as they play together and learn the system… there is a lot to hope for in this area for this season, even if it looks bad right now
- The WRs are beyond deep in playmakers. The move of Claypool to the slot is going to open things up for him or Freiermuth… If Pickens is as advertised, the receivers are going to be a huge problem for opposing defenses just based on coverage abilities
- The qbs will be able to actually run the offensive system. Roll outs, sneaks, screens, RPO’s Play action… Ben was limited in a lot of it and that let teams tee off on him, which led to the super short passes
- Special teams better be really special… we have multiple great returners. Several coverage experts… our kicker is one of the best in the league, and our punter is supposed to be the uber weapon he was billed to be coming out… if this unit doesn’t change games, Bubbles needs to retire
- Jalen Warren feels like a legitimate RB backup with potential. We know Najee will produce, but now both when he gets spelled and if he got hurt there is hope that the teams run O wont dry up
- The coaching staff is probably the best one Tomlin has had since he took over for Cowher. On the defensive side, with Flores, this is certainly true.
- On offense Matt Canada will get a shot to prove why his schemes have been incorporated into almost every high powered O over the last decade… but while the jury is still out on the OL coach, the WR coach Frismund Jackson already looks like a gem compared to hilliard, and Eddie Faulkner the RB coach might be the best we’ve had since Dick Hoak retired.
- And the utterly best reason… We are due for 7….. Damnit….
