Steelers 2014 Season: What Were You Wrong About?
By Kim Myers
The Steelers have finished the regular season at 11-5, clinching the AFC North title and a home playoff game. After consecutive 8-8 seasons and a 3-3 start to this season it seemed as if the Steelers were going to be stuck in a rut they wouldn’t be getting out of any time soon. But, the team turned it around and in spite of ugly losses to bad teams; they controlled their own playoff destiny into the final week of the season and reclaimed themselves as Kings of the North.
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Steelers fans and football fans in general really, are prone to overreactions, absurd predictions, and negative feelings. We’re especially spoiled in Pittsburgh, having the franchise with the most Super Bowl victories in the league so we’re accustomed to being at the top and anything less feels like a total let down.
At the start of the season, there were predictions galore. Even after the first few weeks of the season, more predictions as to how it was going to end up. Well, before the playoffs begin I think it’s time for some catharsis. Let’s let go of what we were wrong about and move into the playoffs with a fresh start and a clean conscience.
I’ll start it off. I was wrong about LeGarrette Blount. I thought he and Le’Veon Bell were going to be an amazing tandem in the backfield together. I didn’t realize that Blount was such a jagoff or that Bell was more than capable to be the powerhouse he became. Bell finished the regular season with 1,361 yards on the ground for a 4.7 yards per carry average along with 83 receptions for 854 yards and 11 total touchdowns. He also finished with zero fumbles for the entire season. Not even the rushing leader, DeMarco Murray can claim that.
I was also wrong about the receiving corps behind Antonio Brown. I thought that the Steelers would struggle to find someone to replace the production left vacant by Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery and there was no struggle at all. Martavis Bryant, Markus Wheaton, and Lance Moore provided all the production the Steelers needed behind the league-leader in receptions and receiving yards, Antonio Brown.
Another thing I was wrong about was Mike Mitchell. I thought for sure he was going to be the new, younger Ryan Clark and one of the best free agent signings in a long time. Through the majority of the season, however, he was a nonfactor on the field. Surprisingly, he’s played well in the final few weeks since Troy Polamalu has been sidelined with injury.
What were you wrong about Steeler Nation? You can admit it, this is a safe place. Were you wrong about Todd Haley’s offense this year? Were you wrong about Dick LeBeau’s defense? Were you wrong about what their record would be or what players would excel or decline? Let it out, you’ll feel better.
Here we go Steelers! Here we go!