Why might the Steelers be in trouble tomorrow?  Let me explain:

Richardson has done a nice job so far during his Rookie campaign. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

Trent Richardson

Most of the Steelers Defenders are either injured, playing hurt, or simply calcifying before our eyes this year.  In addition, this unit is coming off of their most physically demanding outing of the year to this point, and to their credit played some of their best football in close to two years.  Although the Ravens are not tomorrow’s opponent, Pittsburgh will have a tall-order in front of them in the form of Trent Richardson and must find a way to contain the talented and bruising Rookie Back.

Richardson has been Cleveland’s work-horse this year, and has performed quite well over his first 10 games when one considers the inexperience around him on the Offensive side of the ball.  On the season, Richardson has already rushed for 670 Yards on 180 Carries and scored 5 Touchdowns on the ground.  In addition to Richardson’s impact as a runner, he has also been quite the effective weapon as a pass-catcher out of the backfield too.  Richardson has already caught 37 passes for 289 Yards, and scored 1 Touchdown through the air.  In fact, Richardson has been one of Quarterback Brandon Weeden’s most favorite target this year, and is actually tied for 2nd on the team in total times targeted in the passing game (51).  The Steelers have had their fair share of issues in the past containing versatile Running Backs (Ray Rice, Maurice Jones-Drew, etc.), and might expect to see a steady dose of Richardson tomorrow if the Browns elect to take some pressure off of Weeden.

Piss-Poor Special Teams Play/Josh Cribbs

To say that Josh Cribbs has been a “Steeler Killer” over the course of his career would be an absolute disservice to him and the performances he has put on against the Black & Gold over the last seven years.  Although Cribbs has been a “Swiss Army Knife” over his career, he has done the most damage against the Steelers as a Kick and Punt Returner in 14 total games.  Overall, Cribbs has bedeviled Pittsburgh’s coverage units in the return department to the tune of 42 Kick Returns for 1,063 Career Yards and 3 Touchdowns, and put up 17 Punt Returns for 189 Career Yards to boot.

Unfortunately for the Steelers, their Kick and Punt coverage units have been inconsistent and extremely undisciplined this season.  To witness these units take Points off the board because of stupid penalties (Antonio Brown, Oakland Game) and give the opposition free points with sloppy coverage (Jacoby Jones, Last Week) has been painful to watch.  Overall though, these units have been sub-par when they have not committed penalties and have simply tried to execute.  Through 10 games, the Steelers’ Special Teams have allowed the 4th most Kickoff Return Yards (904),  the 9th highest Kickoff Return Average (25.8), and the 10th Highest Punt Return Average (10.9).  All of this is bad news for the Steelers, because Cribbs enters tomorrow’s game as one of the N.F.L.’s most successful returners so far in 2012.  Cribbs ranks 3rd in Kickoff Return Yards (887), 6th in Yards per Kickoff Return (28.4), 3rd in Punt Return Yards (330), and 5th in Yards per Punt Return (13.2), and is always a threat to score when he gets the ball in his hands in the Return Game.

Steelers Defense & Their Turnover Trouble

If the game is indeed tight tomorrow, the Steelers Offense might need an extra possession or two to secure either insurance points for their Defense, or points to simply stay in the game from a competitive standpoint.  Takeaways however have not been this 2012 Defense’s strong suit, and meaningful Turnovers have eluded this group over the year’s first 10 games.

So how bad has it been for the Steelers’ and their inability to record Takeaways?  Well, Pittsburgh ranks Tied for 30th (9 Total) in the Takeaway department this season.  But if that was not bad enough, the Steelers have not scored a Defensive Touchdown since Week 3 of the 2011 season, and were unable to force one single Turnover last Sunday night against the Ravens.  With their 3rd and 4th string Quarterbacks now 1st and 2nd on the depth chart, the Steelers Offense will be in no way the well-oiled machine it was with Roethlisberger in charge.  On the road, and likely in inclement weather at “The Mistake By The Lake,” every possession will extremely crucial for this Offense to either play for field position, and most importantly, put points on the board to win.

Final Thoughts

Am I crazy for saying that the Browns are primed to pick up a “W” against Pittsburgh for only the second time since 2003?  Possibly.  But you know what readers?  I smell a “Trap Game,” and I would not be shocked if the Steelers are looking ahead to next week’s do-or-die contest against the Ravens in Baltimore.  The aforementioned factors and weaknesses I described above have cost Pittsburgh at pivotal times this year, and I believe that the Browns have the personnel to exploit these weaknesses with Big Ben on the sidelines.

The Browns gave the Ravens everything they could handle only three short weeks ago in Cleveland (they led in the 4th Quarter), and have been a competitive team all season long.  While the Browns’ season might be lost (2-8), what better way for this team to inspire hope, faith, and ecstasy amongst their fanbase than to deliver a victory over their long-standing rivals?  The signal of “blood in the water” has gone out to the rest of the League with Pittsburgh’s Pro Bowl signal-caller on the sidelines, and the Browns could be the next in line to take advantage.

Readers:  Will the Browns pull the upset?  Or will the hobbled Steelers take care of business?  Share your thoughts’ below.

Stats Courtesy of Pro Football Reference.com

Weeden is the apparent "future of the franchise." Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

Slotted at #6 overall in the 1st Round of a Draft which would eventually produce four Pro Bowl Quarterbacks, the Browns were in a prime position to take one of three highly-touted signal-callers which were assumed to go in the Top 10 (Matt Schaub went in Round 3).  Yet as they had done so many times before, and have done so many times since, the Browns dropped the ball, and the rest is history.

Apparently set with the depth they had at the position at 1st and 2nd string (newly acquired Jeff Garcia and Kelly Holcomb), Cleveland waited until Round 4 to take a Quarterback (Luke McCown).  Worst of all though, Cleveland opted to go with Tight End Kellen Winslow II in Round 1 instead of a Quarterback that played his college ball in Ohio named Ben Roethlisberger.

After doing a bit of fact checking and research on the subject, I found out that Weeden will be the 13th different Quarterback to start a game for Cleveland since that fateful 2004 season.  Because of this, I figured that it would be interesting to take a look at how Cleveland Quarterbacks have done since they decided that Big Ben apparently was not the answer, and how both franchises have fared since that Draft over eight years ago:

(Warning: If you are a Browns Fan you might want to look away, it gets pretty ugly and some painful memories might be drudged up)

2004 (4-12, Last in A.F.C. North)

Kelly Holcomb: (1-1) 59-87, 737 Yards, 7 TD 5 INT

Jeff Garcia: (3-7) 144-252, 1731 Yards, 10 TD 9 INT

Luke McCown: (0-4) 48-98, 608 Yards, 4 TD 7 INT

2005 (6-10, Last in A.F.C. North)

Trent Dilfer: (4-7) 199-333, 2321 Yards, 11 TD 12 INT

Charlie Frye: (2-3) 98-164, 1002 Yards, 4 TD 5 INT

2006 (4-12, Last in A.F.C. North)

Frye: (4-9) 252-392, 2454 Yards, 10 TD 17 INT

Derek Anderson: (0-3) 66-117, 793 Yards, 5 TD 8 INT

2007 (10-6, Tied 1st in A.F.C. North, Lost Tiebreaker to Pittsburgh (0-2) record)

Frye: (0-1) 34-7 Week 1 Loss to Steelers caused him to lose job (4-10, 34 Yards, 1 INT)

Anderson: (10-5) 298-527, 3787 Yards, 29 TD 19 INT

The "Brady Quinn Experiment" did not work out so well. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-US PRESSWIRE

2008 (4-12, Last in A.F.C. North)

Anderson: (3-6) 142-283, 1615 Yards, 9 TD 8 INT

Ken Dorsey: (0-3) 43-91, 370 Yards, 0 TD 7 INT

Brady Quinn: (1-2) 45-89, 518 Yards, 2 TD 2 INT

Bruce Gradkowski: (0-1) 7-21, 26 Yards, 0 TD’s 3 INT

2009 (5-11, Last in A.F.C. North)

Quinn: (2-7) 136-256, 1339 Yards, 8 TD 7 INT (Beat Steelers 13-6 on Thursday Night Football)

Anderson: (3-4) 81-182, 888 Yards, 3 TD 10 INT

2010 (5-11, 3rd in A.F.C. North)

Jake Delhomme: (2-2) 93-149, 872 Yards, 2 TD 7 INT

Seneca Wallace: (1-3) 64-101, 694 Yards, 4 TD 2 INT

Colt McCoy: (2-6) 135-222, 1576 Yards, 6 TD 9 INT

2011 (4-12, Last in A.F.C. North)

Wallace: (0-3) 55-107, 567 Yards, 2 TD 2 INT

McCoy: (4-9) 265-463, 2733 Yards, 14 TD 11 INT

Whenever I think that watching Bubby Brister, Kent Graham, or any of the other Quarterbacks the Steelers started between Terry Bradshaw and Big Ben was awful, I remind myself of what Browns fans have had to go through on a yearly basis as of late and tip my cap to those which have managed to watch with both eyes open.  So how bad has it been?  Well, Cleveland has not made the postseason from 2004-2011 (and not since 2002), has finished with a winning record only once, notched one win in sixteen chances against the Steelers, and finished with a dismal 42-86 record overall.

Compounding the absolute craptacular nature of all of this for the city of Cleveland is the fact that Derek Anderson can be considered the most “effective” Quarterback of this era simply due to the the fact that he won 10 of his 15 starts in 2007 (a season which the Browns did not beat a team with a +.500 record), yet still finished with a 16-18 regular season career record overall.  Cleveland’s Offenses were so ineffective during this era that Cleveland finished 27th (out of 32 teams) or worse in Points Per Game from 2004-2011 (excluding their 2007 season), and finished 26th or worse (excluding 2007 again) every season in Total Yards Per Game as well.

Even though Haslam wants to buy the team, the future of the Browns is still up in the air.

The Cleveland Browns were up for sale and a Steelers fan stepped in to take control of the team.  Business is business and loyalties lie where the dollar sign resides.  But, according to a Forbes article, Rodger Goodell is not so sure about this transaction.

According to Forbes, Goodell has sent a memo out to all 32 teams of the NFL expressing ‘concern over the buyer currently being an investor in the Pittsburgh Steelers.’  That buyer is James Haslam of the nationwide Flying J and Pilot stations.  Haslam also happens to have 1 of 22 stakes in the Steelers Corporation.  That’s a problem because the NFL won’t allow anyone have an investment in more than one team.  The Steelers will have to buy Haslam’s share, and it will probably have to come from profits of the team.  There are no details as to how much Haslma’s share in the team is and therefore how much the 21 other investors need to shell out.

All of this seems on the up and up, yet Goodell has issues with Haslam buying the team.  Why?  Is it because of his current share in the Steelers?  Is it because he doesn’t want the Steelers to have to buy out Haslam’s share?  Is it because he is worried about Haslam dispensing information about the Steelers to the Browns?  I’m going to guess the first and last questions are at the top of Goodell’s concerns.  I’m guessing he wants the stake in the Steelers to go away before any power over the Browns organization is granted to Haslam.  I would believe that he is also concerned that Haslam could use any and all information – off the field operations and on – to benefit the Browns against not only the Steelers but also the rest of the AFC North.  Now that wouldn’t be very fair now would it.  And why wouldn’t Haslam use learned information to his and his new team’s advantage?  He’s now charged to make this team better – wouldn’t you use any advantage you had… when millions of dollars are at stake?

With Goodell’s memo, it’s unclear if this deal will go through.  The owners will vote on the validity of the Haslam transaction.  If Goodell has swayed the masses, we could see a rejection on our hands.

Haslam (left) with Rooney (right). Courtesy CBSsports.com

Ever wonder what it would be like to be a Steelers fan and own a different franchise?  Yeah me neither, but it could be a reality real soon.  Randy Lerner, lead stake holder in the Cleveland Browns since their rebirth in 1999, wants to give up controlling interest of the team.  Who’s at the top of the list of interest in buying the team from Lerner – a Steelers fan.

Not just any Steelers fan either – one who is self-described as being a ’1,000% ‘ Steelers fan and a minority owner of the same organization.  Jimmy Haslam, president and CEO of the Pilot J truck stops across the U.S. has begun talks with Lerner to acquire controlling stake of the Browns.  The main concern from the Browns and team president Mike Holmgren is to keep the Browns in Cleveland.  And why wouldn’t Haslam keep the Browns in Cleveland?  There’s no chance of redrawing the division lines, and the Steelers (and Bengals and Ravens) love kicking around one of the worst teams in the NFL.  Why acquire the team and then move them and risk taking two wins away from your beloved Black & Gold.  Ok, maybe moving them to L.A. would be more profitable.  But, who cares about profit when you are a ’1,000%’ Steelers fan?

Whether or not Browns fans will be at all thrilled if this transaction goes through is unclear.  Pretty much any citizen of the Dawg Pound disliked Lerner for his aloof approach when controlling the team.  Maybe they’ll think, ‘Well if the team’s still going to be in the shitter, at least it’s because the owner is trying to make that happen.’  I’m not really for this kind of thing.  Even if Haslam’s intentions are genuine and just wants to make money, you kind of want any and all members of your opposition to be fans of their own team – let alone have any stake in a rival organization.  Obviously, he would lose his stake in the Steelers.  It’s all in the spirit of competition.

More details are sure to unfold as the discussion continue and as the league begins to oversee everything.  LaCanfora released details today that the deal could be as much as $900 million (but less than $1 billion).

What are your thoughts on a Steelers fan owning the Cleveland Browns?

Is Weeden the God-send that the Cleveland Browns really need? Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

Earlier this week, we looked at the QB’s of the AFC North and who has a chance of having a great statistical season.  So far, Ben Roethlisberger is leading that poll, and surprisingly Brandon Weeden is a far away second with Flacco taking third and Andy Dalton bringing up the rear.  Given the forum this blog takes place in, I’m not surprised that Ben is leading, but is Brandon Weeden really poised to have a better season than Flacco or Dalton according to our voters?  This surprising result got me thinking and led me to the question – How good are the Browns and how well will they do in the division?

Last season, the Browns had an atrocious offense ranking near last in every category, but they were better on defense.  They were 2nd only to the Steelers (ranked 1st) against the pass and were 5th in points.  However, they were 30th against the run by allowing an average of 147.4 yards/game… ouch.

Peyton Hillis, who made the cover of Madden, was cursed with a very luke warm season – one that was very different from his 1,100+ yard season the year prior.  He’s made his way over to the Chiefs, and the Browns will look to Montario Hardesty, Brandon Jackson and rookie Trent Richardson from the ‘Bama to step up and lead the running game for the Browns.  Richardson will more than likely fill that role immediately.  His stellar play his final two years on the Tide got him drafted 3rd by the Browns, and they will be on their knees hoping he will be the answer for a running game that ranked 28th in rushing yards/game.

We already know of Brandon Weeden and the drama bound to happen at camp between current QB Colt McCoy and the rookie.  McCoy wasn’t the answer for the Browns for the last two seasons.  Will Weeden be ready to even compete for the starting job?  My guess is yes given how poorly things have gone the way for the Browns.  Oh right, and the guy is 29.  If you aren’t going to have your 1st round pick investment, who happens to be a year shy of 30, taking the snaps, then why are you even trying to manage a football team?

The Browns defense looks to be good again this season.  They made good late round picks this year in DL Billy Winn out of Boise State and LB James-Michael Johnson out of Nevada.  LB Scott Fujita is suspended for the first three games of the season due to his ‘role’ in Bountygate, which may not be much of a concern against the Eagles, Bengals and Bills.  Jabaal Sheard will be looking to emerge again this season as the teams sack leader.  He had one hell of a rookie season, and at 255lbs, Sheard is quick off the snap even though he is undersized for a DE.

Their schedule is very similar to the rest of the AFC North.  And, while playing the Colts used to be a worrisome thing, the Horseshoes might be still finding their stride with rookie Andrew Luck and the rest of the almost entirely new offense by the time the Browns roll into town.

So, I can’t believe I’m saying this but…. the Browns actually have a chance to make a run at the North.  Gulp.  That was harder to say than you think.  The Steelers and Ravens, who usually duke it out for the top spot, have the potential of falling hard and early this season.  Their schedules are front loaded with some tough games, and the Steelers have an early bye that could cost them late in the season.  If the Browns can stay consistent and make it to say 9-7, then they have a shot of at least tying for the division.  It’s doubtful that things will play out that way (come on you Brownie Homers, you didn’t think I’d really commit myself to that level of disillusion?!), but there is always the off handed chance that the offense gets behind a rookie QB and an already good defense gets even better with their run stopping capabilities.

So where WILL the Browns end up in 2012?