The jig is up. The information is out.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are doing the Billionaire Strut as they boast a gap salvo of wins, bringing their tally as much as 3-0. That is largely on account of the truth that their protection is statistically on the high of the charts within the Nationwide Soccer League.
Oh…and did we point out their run recreation is coming in like a wonderful wrecking ball as soon as once more?
Might an Iron Metropolis be chilled extra completely in the case of this frosty mug of a seasonal begin?
Properly…sure. Sure, it may. 4-0 could be much more beautiful. In spite of everything, Steelers Nation just isn’t a folks group well-known for its contentment.
To get their fourth win, the Steelers might want to go to Indianapolis and take down a Colts workforce that will likely be determined to remain NFL related after a tragic pony journey of a 1-2 begin.
The Steelers run protection will likely be examined by the elite skillset of one of many league’s best runners in Jonathan Taylor, and their secondary will likely be beneath fixed risk of being crushed by a game-altering deep throw by the rocket-armed sophomore Anthony Richardson.
That is no straightforward out.
Will the Steelers be capable of lasso in one other encouraging victory, or is the sport the place they get bucked off their excessive horses?
For a deeper look, let’s give it a Spin.
Inexperienced Felt
With every impressively accomplished Justin Fields move, fewer voices hold forth that Russell Wilson is assured to be the Steelers’ beginning quarterback as quickly as he and his calf say they’re able to take over the wheel.
With blushing faces, extra pundits are admitting that Justin Fields would possibly simply be the ticket in spite of everything now that he escaped Chi-town.
Nonetheless, there are a couple of of you holding out for grasses which might be a lot greener. You end up underwhelmed by Justin Fields’ passing potential, and also you’re nonetheless holding out hope in a moist paper bag that Wilson will nonetheless get the chance to reclaim his beginning position and “present us what he’s obtained.”
You’re clinging to that dreamy idea of the Wilson of ten years in the past instantly showing in a black and gold cape.
However at this level within the course of, it could be like being dealt a “19” and saying, “Hit me!” for the slim probability of touchdown the one quantity within the deck to get you “21”.
That form of considering has gamblers lining up at on line casino ATMs at 2 a.m.
Look. Russell Wilson’s previous greatness can’t be denied. However learn the small print. Previous efficiency just isn’t a assure of future outcomes particularly when that efficiency is pretty far prior to now.
Look, we’re successful! It is a successful hand.
Las Vegas loves the gambler who can all the time be counted on to offer again the cash.
However let’s not get grasping. Let’s be good right here; this 12 months, we would simply beat the home.
Finest Job In The Enterprise
This isn’t all dangerous information for Wilson. He could have landed in Pittsburgh simply in time to assert the best future for himself in these sunsetting days of his profession.
The percentages could be in opposition to Wilson to be an elite beginning quarterback as soon as once more, however he’s a certain factor in the case of being the proper bullpen quarterback for the Steelers for this 12 months and years to return.
This is among the sweetest gigs within the enterprise. You pull your draft from the best organizational keg within the NFL, and also you accomplish this with out having the full-time job of being sat on by 350-pound nostril tackles and getting pummeled by freakily engineered NFL linebackers.
It’s not retirement. It’s the timeshare of your desires.
You let the child take all the hits, and when he takes one too many, you trot onto the sector amidst the glowing cheers of tens of hundreds, take over the huddle, and pocket somewhat glory beneath the lights.
Ask Byron Leftwich. Ask Charlie Batch. Heck…Charlie remains to be cashing in Steelers-related paychecks, and all he has to do now’s discuss.
The crucial query turns into: What does Russell really need at this stage in his profession?
If he believes he’s destined to get pleasure from a number of extra years as a top-flight beginning quarterback within the league, at the very least three different groups within the NFL are able to attempt to make this want upon a star a actuality.
The Miami Dolphins would begin him tomorrow, even when he needed to hop on the sector on one leg like Captain Ahab chasing the large whale, which likely would finish with an identical end result.
Nevertheless, if he solely has his coronary heart set on reaching that beginning purpose in Pittsburgh, then his solely path now’s hoping that Justin Fields fails. On this mindset, he would change into extra of a legal responsibility than an asset. Fields wants the arrogance and assist of his teammates and coaches, not the new breath of a wolf on the again of his neck.
If that is so, the Steelers could be significantly better off getting some commerce worth out of Wilson’s profession pursuits.
However, if he would critically embrace taking up the supporting position, he could be top-of-the-line sideline weapons within the league.
On this case, it could be silly to commerce him at nearly any worth.
Clutch Performers
There are nonetheless a couple of headline-grabbing specialists bloviating about how the “Steelers can’t count on to go far with a quarterback like Justin Fields.”
I may give you an ideal instance of how far a workforce can go together with a quarterback like Fields. His identify was Ben Roethlisberger.
Now…earlier than you spit out your dentures and begin going all Troll on me within the feedback part, hear me out.
Younger Ben was…effectively, younger. In his first three years within the NFL, he threw 52 touchdowns and 43 interceptions. Fields’ numbers over that very same first three years of his profession are 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions. They’re mathematically superior.
Now, Massive Ben threw for extra yards throughout that point, however he didn’t have anyplace close to as many speeding yards as Fields, who has solely begun to scratch the floor of that expertise as a Steeler.
And, for those who bear in mind, Roethlisberger didn’t precisely mild it up within the first Tremendous Bowl by which he participated. He was 9 for 21 in throwing with no touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Steelers gained that Tremendous Bowl regardless of Massive Ben, not due to him. How did the Steelers win the Tremendous Bowl in 2006? With an elite protection and a strong taking part in, blossoming rookie quarterback. Sound acquainted?
Now. Don’t get me fallacious. Younger Ben matured into Corridor of Fame Ben in a short while.
However think about this as effectively. Corridor of Fame Ben by no means gained a Tremendous Bowl. Simply Younger Ben…and an elite protection.
Justin Fields could not end the season in addition to he began. He could revert to creating poor choices like he did with the Chicago Bears.
But, the 3-0 model of the Steelers Justin Fields? And this elite protection? Sure. They will go so far as Younger Ben did.
Collapsing Below Stress
Keep in mind these days of Steelers defenses of the previous the place it was so fulfilling to take a look at the NFL’s workforce statistics every week? So typically, the Steelers’ defenses have been ranked primary in almost each workforce class.
Properly…these days aren’t fairly again but, however they might not be that distant. They presently maintain the pole place for the fewest allowed whole yards and rank excessive each in opposition to the move and the run.
How are they doing this? Primarily with push up the center.
Cameron Heyward. DeMarvin Leal. Larry Ogunjobi. Keeanu Benton. Montravius Adams. Isaiahh Loudermilk.
These guys are getting the job achieved.
They’re collapsing the pocket and shutting the run lanes. They’re making opposing offensive coordinators pay the worth for doubling the workforce’s edge rushers.
Sadly, their work isn’t the sort that attracts consideration. Demanding a double workforce contained in the trenches is as necessary of a job as there’s on a workforce protection as a result of it breaks an offense on the seam.
There’s an inherent weak spot in a 3-4 protection. It’s that for those who can’t preserve your center linebackers clear, it merely gained’t work. Not on this fashionable period when these linebackers should be extra greyhound than Rottweiler as a way to sustain with protection assignments.
Because of the Steelers’ defensive position, the workforce’s linebackers are clear…and free to hunt.
Minkah Mouse
There was a query rising in heightened whispers among the many sports activities media and Steelers followers. It’s: “What’s occurred to Minkah Fitzpatrick?”
In spite of everything, Minkah just isn’t previous, however at 27, it’s starting to be that point in a security or cornerback’s profession when gamers begin shedding a step or two. Has Minkah misplaced his as soon as extremely praised functionality of constructing game-changing performs?
For those who’re going to guage Fitzpatrick solely by interceptions, there’s a compelling case that he’s all however fully vanished off of the workforce’s defensive playmaking radar.
After bagging a complete of 17 interceptions in his first 4 seasons for the reason that Steelers acquired him in a blockbuster commerce, he didn’t get a single decide in all of 2023. The interception drought continues by the primary three video games of this season.
Do I care? I don’t.
What we’d like most of all on this protection is to not see Minkah Fitzpatrick in any respect. He might be quiet as a mouse…and that’s simply high-quality.
Earlier than he joined Pittsburgh, we had too a few years of poor security play. The end result was recreation after recreation the place our secondary was constantly getting postered as they helplessly chased the exhaust pipes of NFL receivers racing for touchdowns.
Fitzpatrick’s quintessential position on this protection is to be the captain of the secondary and the guardian of the gates. There are such a lot of crucial moments in video games when he’s the final man standing to interrupt up huge performs.
Typically, it’s a deep move to a receiver who has managed to outwit or outrun a cornerback. Different occasions, it’s a shoestring deal with that retains a working again from turning an 8-yard run right into a 60-yard one.
Sure. We love splash performs. And, with Minkah’s athletic capability, we get pleasure from any time he will get the ball in his palms.
However, for our protection to proceed its spectacular ascent, I’m blissful holding Minkah out of the headlines and the flashing digicam lights.
When all is quiet within the secondary…all is sweet with Minkah.
3’s Into 7’s
The issue with undefeated groups is that you simply don’t actually know an excessive amount of about their character. Character is finest revealed with losses.
This is the reason this present scorching begin by Coach Mike Tomlin’s squad needs to be applauded and celebrated, but it surely also needs to be approached with a measure of warning.
What if Fields has a foul day? What if the protection falters?
There will likely be setbacks, and there would possibly even be one in opposition to the Colts on Sunday.
Nevertheless, there’s extra proof there will likely be rising optimism, quite than diminished hopes.
It is because the Steelers have been attaining victory whereas counting on a gradual, unhealthy food regimen of subject targets.
The breakthrough for this workforce is when the three’s begin turning extra persistently into 7’s.
When that begins taking place? The Pittsburgh Steelers will likely be formally again among the many league’s elite. We’ll return to these Fields of Glory.
‘Bout time.
