Making the Case For the Steelers in 2014

I got the idea for this article when reading Matthew Berry’s 100 facts you need to know for fantasy football in 2014.  This article will be set up similar to how Berry sets up his blind player comparisons.  This article will focus on making the case for the Steelers in 2014 as division champions.  Even if some of this is information pulled out of left field, it really shows how up in the air the Steelers’ season is this year.  Here we go. It’s hard not to like this team’s chances when you look at the most important position on the field, the quarterback.  They are led by a signal caller who has been the regular starter for every year of his career.  He has won 2 Super Bowls, and led the team to 3.  Among the guys he is tasked with throwing the ball to is a receiver who is arguably one of the 3 best in the league.  His second option at wide receiver is a guy who could have been an early second round pick in the 2013 draft, but fell to the Steelers in the third round.  Did I mention that he also has a tight end who has been among the best possession receivers in the game and among the most consistent tight ends since the beginning of his career. The team also has an elite stable of running backs to go along with their passing game.  The feature back is a very talented second year player who was already among the top 15, maybe even top 10, running backs in the league last year.  Behind him is a player in his prime who played as a feature back for some of last year in a different uniform.  To go along with the top two, they have the fastest player in the 2014 draft who will see time at running back and receiver. The offensive line is led by a center who has been to multiple pro-bowls and been an all pro.  They have two guards who are worthy starters.  One of them is going into his third year and is already viewed as a future pro-bowler.  Their left tackle stepped into the line

Nov 28, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

up for the second half of last year and is the best left tackle that has been on the team in years. Aside from a head coach who is the youngest to ever win a Super Bowl, there are also two former head coaches on the offensive staff. The defensive side of the ball is anchored by the linebackers.  The combination of inside linebackers is one of the best among 3-4 teams in the league.  Their two outside linebackers aren’t too shabby either.  One of them had a breakout season a year ago and could be in for a huge season this year.  The other outside linebacker is coming into his second year in the league and was a first round pick in the 2013 draft. The defensive line is led by a defensive end who is coming into his fourth year in the league and he also had a breakout season last year.  The line is anchored by a veteran nose tackle who has played much better than anyone has expected him to up to this point in his career.  There are two athletic freaks fighting for the starting job at the other end position. The secondary is the weak point of the defense, but it isn’t terrible.  The cornerback group is led by a young player who many expect to have a breakout year, a veteran who has been among the best at the position throughout his career, and a slot corner who could be one of the best if he could play consistent.  The safeties are led by one of the top 5 safeties of all time and a player entering his prime who had a breakout year in a different uniform next year. All of this combined makes the case very good for a division championship to come back to Pittsburgh.  Even if they don’t end up winning the division, there is still a good chance that they could go to the playoffs as a wild card.