Who are our x-factors this season?

[AggieSteel]

Not asking who will be our BEST players.. But, sitting here on July 30 looking forward, which players will determine the success or failure of the team?

My top 5:
1) Ben
2) Jarvis
3) Wheaton
4) Cortez
5) Beachum

I am counting on our best guys having great seasons.. So I'm not saying these 5 are our "best" 5.. But in my opinion, if these 5 players all have very good seasons, it would take a monumental collapse by a lot of great players to be anything less than 11-5.

 

[antdrewjosh]

I'm rooting for Justin Brown to provide a big body presence at WR that we have lacked for awhile.

 

[Skott]

I think Blount and Wheaton are

 

[slashsteel]

Probably the weakest links.

Wheaton
Jarvis
Truitt/Cam Thomas
Shazier
Ike


If these five can solidify weak areas

good things.

 

[Punxsutawney]

Roethlisberger is obvious, I'll exclude him and other players that are universally expected to perform well.

1) Beachum
2) Worlids
3) Wheaton
4) Allen
5) J. Jones

 

[TAS]

If our front 7 on D doesn't step up we're ******.

 

[Penguins&Steelers]

I'd say ( In no particular order)

Justin Brown
Mike Mitchell
Jason Worilds
Ben Roethlisberger
Jarvis Jones

 

[steelerscotty]

Jones and Worilds on defense. When our olb's get to the qb, the defense thrives. The o-line on offense. If they play like they did that last half of last season . . .well look out! We averaged more than 28 a game during that run.

 

[SteelChip]

From what I can gather, we have 2 or 3 potential improvements right out of the gate that are worth further analysis , I think...

#1..has to be Shazier..just keeping our strong safety in the backfield will be an improvement. What I can gather so far is that he's 'all that' and
maybe more !

#2 ..Mitchell brings the reputation of being a young Ryan Clark..only faster. Lord knows Ryan could have used some giddy-up last year.

#3...Hopefully Blount can play "Bus 2" and carry some late game mail.

#4...I don't see anyway some roster surprises don't reveal a lot stronger bunch of 2's...they are deeper at every position 'sept Qb, OLB and maybe CB.

 

[Spike]

If any of you can buy me beer and house me this off-season I can come up and advise you personally

Where can I park my camper in Latrobe for training camp?

 

[Drink IRON City]

From what I can gather, we have 2 or 3 potential improvements right out of the gate that are worth further analysis , I think...

#1..has to be Shazier..just keeping our strong safety in the backfield will be an improvement. What I can gather so far is that he's 'all that' and
maybe more !

#2 ..Mitchell brings the reputation of being a young Ryan Clark..only faster. Lord knows Ryan could have used some giddy-up last year.

#3...Hopefully Blount can play "Bus 2" and carry some late game mail.

#4...I don't see anyway some roster surprises don't reveal a lot stronger bunch of 2's...they are deeper at every position 'sept Qb, OLB and maybe CB.

Great post and covered my bases clearly.

Salute the nation

 

[Litos]

Roethlisberger is obvious, I'll exclude him and other players that are universally expected to perform well.

1) Beachum
2) Worlids
3) Wheaton
4) Allen
5) J. Jones

I like your list

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Aside from the core players, the guys the steelers need to make an impact this year in order to contend are

1. Shazier - they need a playmaker on defense. If he's what they think then he should help the pass rush, the run defense, and pass defense. He can also allow the steelers to stay in base 3-4 more often. That's a big advantage to match up with teams trying to do hurry up.

2. Jarvis - even if Worilds steps up, they need a legit second pass rush threat. If Jarvis is ineffective again then Worilds can be doubled and it will be up to Lebeau to try to scheme up pressure with blitzes.

3. Mike Mitchell - the big plays need to stop. Clark was terrible last year. The defense needs turnovers. If the safeties are weak then the CBs can't take many chances and Troy will have to cover mistakes instead of making plays.

4. Wheaton - we saw how the offense struggled with Sanders inconsistent play outside. Lance Moore is just a slot guy. Bryant is not ready to be an every down player. Justin Brown is slow. DHB is inconsistent. If Wheaton doesn't step up as a legit #2 it will handcuff the offense.

5. Tuitt - If he can't win the job, it could be a problem. I'm expecting Keisel to be re-signed if they don't think Tuitt will be able to start. Similar to Jarvis, it doesn;t matter if Heyward is great on one side if they are weak on the other.

 

[Hineswardkickedurpanzyass]

Heath, Wheaton, Jarvis, Adams, Whoever starts at NT

 

[deljzc]

To me it comes down to where the super star of the Tomlin selections really is.

I know "technically" Timmons and Pouncey have made a pro bowl, but they have been inconsistent and anyone that FOLLOWS the Steelers or looks inside the numbers knows it. I know Antonio Brown is a hell of a receiver. More than I ever imagined. But is he really THAT good? Consistently in all parts of the field?

To me someone else has to step up. Tomlin isn't going anywhere. Someone has to be "HIS GUY". Someone has to be "HIS LEADER". And it probably has to be on defense (since Ben is really the guy on offense).

The potential pro bowlers are there. DeCastro. Pouncey. Brown. Heyward. Worilds (playing behind Heyward). Timmons. C. Allen. Even Jones/Shazier (our last two premier picks).

Who rises up and stakes their claim as a "Steelers Great" over the next 3-4 seasons with consistently good and great play?

For this team to be a consistently 10-11 win team, someone has to. Someone has to emerge to be counted upon for big plays in big moments.

 

[In Ben We Trust]

Offense - Wheaton
Defense - Jones

 

[CorpusDsteelers]

I thought Heyward was now in front of JJ did he not move sides after all?

I think Mitchel and Shanzier make a big impact this season.
Speed creates turnovers one thing Clark and last few inside LBs didn't have.

Timmons also moved spots? Rights.

Thanks fo the good posts guys this I what this board is for
Not the bitchfest that 121 page thread has turned into

 

[SteelerFan448]

I'm looking at x-factors as the guys who aren't supposed to suppose to put up monster stats. For that reason, Roethlisberger, Brown, Polamalu, Timmons, Worilds, etc. won't be on my list.

1. Ryan Shazier - Rarely do the Steelers depend on their rookies to be playmakers, but they really need him to be just that as a rookie. His speed should be an asset and when rushing the passer.

2. Cam Heyward - He began to develop into a star last season, but if he can generate pressure from the defensive end position, that will be an added bonus.

3. Dri Archer - Isn't this what they drafted him for? His role will be limited on offense, but he can hopefully change field position in the return game.

4. Lance Moore - Won't be a big-time playmaker, but rather that dependable option that can move the chains on third downs.

5. Mike Mitchell - It is his first year in the system and he has missed the early part of training camp, so I don't know what to expect. All I know is that they need more production in terms of turnovers from the safety position.

 

[Steelerfan]

Offense - Wheaton
Defense - Jones

You beat me to the post. Agree completely.