Pittsburgh Steelers

HISTORY
Founded as the Pittsburgh Pirates of the NFL in 1933. Changed name to pittsburgh Steelers in 1941. Moved to AFC in 1970 as part of the AFL/NFL merger, and has never relocated.

CHAMPIONSHIP SUMMARY
League Championships: 5 – 1974 (Super Bowl), 1975 (super Bowl), 1978 (super Bowl), 1979 (super Bowl), 2005 (super Bowl), 2008

Conference Championships: 6 – 1974 (AFC), 1975 (AFC), 1978 (AFC), 1979 (AFC), 1995 (AFC), 2005 (AFC), 2008, 2010

Division Championships: 17 – 1972 (AFC Central), 1974 (AFC Central), 1975 (AFC Central), 1976 (AFC Central), 1977 (AFC Central), 1978 (AFC Central), 1979 (AFC Central), 1983 (AFC Central), 1984 (AFC Central), 1992 (AFC Central), 1994 (AFC Central), 1995 (AFC Central), 1996 (AFC Central), 1997 (AFC Central), 2001 (AFC Central), 2002 (AFC North), 2004 (AFC North), 2008, 2010

Playoff Appearances: 1947, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010

2005 Finish: 11-5, 2nd Place AFC North, SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS

Recent Records:

2004: 15-1 2005: 11-5 2006: 8-8 2007: 10-6 2008: 12-4 2009: 9-7 2010: 12-4

2011 Draft Grade

Pittsburgh Steelers (C+)
31: Cam Heyward (31, 26 = 29) +2
63: Marcus Gilbert (78, 81 = 80) -17
95: Curtis Brown (76, 69 = 73) +22
128: Cortez Allen (185, 176 = 181) -53
162: Chris Carter (122, 93 = 108) +54
196: Keith Williams (201, 192 = 197) -1
232: Baron Batch (255, 255 = 255) -23

The Steelers had another solid draft, but it could have been a lot more if they didn’t reach up the board for Cortez Allen. I like the Cam Heyward pick, and even though he was eventually rated right around their 31st selection, he was a pre-season Top 5 draft pick, so there had to be something about him that people loved. Pittsburgh does a good job of finding what they something was and using it to their advantage. Chris Carter was a nice value pick for the Steelers, and counteracted their reach with pick 128 (plus 1, actually). Overall, Pittsburgh grabbed some guys that will help right now. They picked up a couple guys that could help in the secondary, big Cam Heyward, and yet another impressive rush linebacker (Carter).

Draft Pick Total: 907– Player Rankings Total: 923 —- TOTAL RANKING: -16

2011 Mock Draft

Pittsburgh Steelers 12-4 – Aaron Williams, CB, Texas: The Steelers definitely need youth and athleticism in their secondary, and Aaron Williams is a very solid player, though not one of the fastest corners in the draft. He’s still a darn good player, and the Steelers could definitely use him. I like Ras-I Dowling but I think he’s a bit of a reach here. Brendan Harris, Brandon Burton, and Brandon Harris are all solid options as well. The Steelers could also shoot for improving their offensive line, something that could always use some new blood.

2008 NFL DRAFT GRADES

Pittsburgh Steelers: A

The Steelers are great at this game. If the draft was Scrabble, Pittsburgh just spelled a word using X, Z, Q, and J – hit the triple word score, and used all their letters. (Yeah, I dig Scrabble – so what?) Anyway, these guys always pick the best players regardless of their needs. That’s the best way to get great talent and productivity on your team and they know it, that’s why they are always in the game. Their first 6 picks were all great.

Rashard Mendenhall was my favorite running back in the draft. Yes, over Stewart and McFadden. Rashard has great speed and size and an explosiveness that moves him ahead of Stewart. He doesn’t have much wear on his legs, yet he was at his best against the best last season. This gives the Steelers two great running backs that can really do it all.

Limas Sweed was another great pick, and this gives Ben Roethlisberger two offensive weapons that both have 1st Round talent. Sweed has great size, above average speed, and the athletic ability to go get the ball at it’s highest point. Unfair comparisons to Mike Williams had some teams scared, but Sweed is faster and will help immediately.

Bruce Davis is a great pick in Round 3. He can make plays all over the field and has great anticipation. He gets to the ball quick and can rush the passer as well.

Tony Hills is a guy who used to play TE and has his best football ahead of him if he can stay healthy. The Steelers did a nice job of picking a lineman with great upside in Round 4.

Dennis Dixon is just a player. He was the MVP of college football before his knee injury cost him the last few games of his college career. Ask any defense that faced him, his speed is deceiving and it’s almost impossible to pick an angle on this guy. He’s skinny, but has upside at receiver as well as quarterback… Slash #2?

Mike Humpal is a special teams guy with solid size and a possibility to become a back-up linebacker. I don’t see him getting much time right away, but if he makes the team, he’ll help right now on special teams.

Ryan Mundy was on a pretty porous defense at West Virginia, and while he’s not real big or physical, he has some nice skills and can really run.


2007 Pittsburgh Steelers

The post Bill Cowher era begins in Pittsburgh in 2007, after the Steelers failed to make the playoffs after winning the Super Bowl in 2006. The off-season was tumultuous to say the least, as the Bus retired, and Ben Roethlisberger was nearly killed after getting hit riding his super bike motorcycle without a helmet. Nice move, indeed. Big Ben’s season was one he’d soon like to forget, as the Steelers just couldn’t get it done fast enough. The Steel Show pulled together at the end, winning 6 of their last 8 games trying to make a playoff push, but their 2-6 start left them just out of the post season. Hines Ward’s numbers were down, Heath Miller had a slow year, and Santonio Holmes took a while to get his NFL legs under him, but Willie Parker was fantastic in his first full season carrying the load in Pittsburgh. Fast Willie sprinted to 1,494 yards rushing, and over 1,700 yards from scrimmage in ’06. I expect much of the same from him this season. Big Ben’s struggles are well documented, as he through 5 more interceptions than touchdowns (18-23), but also had some solid games throughout the season. Mike Tomlin takes over for the Steelers, bringing his tough-nosed defensive style to a Steeler team that should find their way back to elite status in ’07.


2007 Off-Season Plans:

The Steelers have some interesting personal decisions they’re going to have to make all off season, as Tomlin is a 4-3 coach, coming into a defensive scheme that has succeeded in the 3-4 for as long as I can remember. The first think Pittsburgh did was let Joey Porter walk down to Miami, which would make me assume Tomlin’s influence is already in full motion, as Joey is strictly a 3-4 rush linebacker. I’m sure Tomlin will incorporate both defenses into the plans next season, but don’t expect Pittsburgh to draft 3-4 type players, and don’t expect Tomlin to beat around the bush either. This young coach is as honest as they come. Looking into the upcoming season, the Steelers already have an advantage, with a week non-conference and overall schedule, playing Seattle, St. Louis, San Francisco, Arizona, Buffalo, and Miami. I’m not saying Seattle or the rest of the NFC West isn’t tough, but the NFC West isn’t tough. The Steelers haven’t lost much, aside from Joey Porter, during the off season, but haven’t gained much either. Paul Posluszny might have pushed himself into the Steelers’ plans with two fine workouts in the combine and during his pro-day workout, but I would imagine the Steelers take a lock-down corner with their first round selection. I have Revis going to Pittsburgh, and they reason I expect Tomlin and the Steel Show to go corner, is the Steelers gave up too much deep last season, and a shootout doesn’t suit Pittsburgh’s style. Defensive help is on the way in Steel Country.

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