Art Rooney II weighs in on his opinions of the 2012 Steelers Season. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USPRESSWIRE

Frustrated.  That seems to be the consensus all over Steeler Nation in regards to our emotions about the 2012 season.  This week Steelers President Art Rooney II made his first public comments about the Steelers 8-8 season and the future of the franchise.   The frustration keeps on going, too.  From the 2012 draft class that amounted to mostly injuries and arrests to an offense that could never seem to get on the same page.  The missed opportunities on defense and the impending salary cap issues will continue to cause frustration for the front office and fans alike.

Last season Rooney startled everyone when he stated in his post-season interview that he though Roethlisberger needed to “tweak” his game in order to prevent him from injuries.  Then of course he went on to announce the “retirement” of offensive coordinator Bruce Arians starting the sh** storm that still seems to be swirling around the team’s OC position as inconclusive reports on whether or not current OC Todd Haley has interviewed for a head coaching position in Arizona came out this week.  Rooney stated that he believes both Tomlin and Haley did a good job this season and expressed confidence in both coaches going forward.  For all the unnecessary drama that followed Haley and Ben during their first season together, none of it would have been as bad as it was if Rooney hadn’t of handled the transition of Arians to Haley so poorly.  Whether the majority of Steeler Nation wants to admit it or not, the best thing moving forward for the Steelers offense would be for Haley to continue to be able to implement a system in which Ben is protected more and his offensive weapons talents are maximized.  It’s obvious that didn’t get a chance to fully develop this season, with Ben still missing games due to injury and coming back a shell of his first half of the season-self.

What offensive weapons will Ben have in the next season?  Rooney also spoke about the salary cap issues that have presented themselves for the 2013 season.  The Steelers are projected to be roughly $10 million over the projected cap of $121 million with just about 30 players under contract.  Rooney would not discuss which players he thinks will be salary cap casualties and which will be asked to restructure as he stated that Tomlin was still in the process of evaluating the players.  Rooney stated in regards to the salary cap,

“We’re tight, similar to where we’ve been the past few years.  We’ve got work to do there.  That will be one of the challenges of this offseason, really trying to figure out how we’re going to put this jigsaw puzzle back together.”

Another topic Rooney tackled in his interview was the turnover situation.  The Steelers defense couldn’t create any and the Steelers offense couldn’t stop turning the ball over.  That’s a combination that will certainly secure a team’s fate of not playing any games in January.  While the Steelers defense ended the season with the overall #1 ranking in the league, that ranking only relates to yards allowed as the defense ranked 25^th overall in takeaways with 20 on the season.  The Steelers offense, on the other hand, coughed up the ball 30 times, most of those seemingly coming in that disaster of a game in Cleveland in Week 12.  In my humble opinion, the turnovers are going to haunt me the most this offseason.  With all the criticism of the offense, the lack of consistent rushing game, the defense not getting enough sacks or turnovers, and questionable discipline problem leading to ridiculous amounts of penalties and missteps made, the Steelers still had a chance to control their own destiny, still had a chance to make it into the playoffs until Ben threw that interception in overtime against the Bengals in Week 16.

In the midst of Rooney making his end of the season review, the Steelers unfortunately became the first team with an offseason arrest with RB Chris Rainey getting arrested in Gainesville, FL for domestic battery.  Rainey was almost immediately waived by the Steelers in response.  This brings the draft class of 2012 to a new low with their third round pick Alameda Ta’amu having been arrested during the season for a multitude of charges involving a DUI on the South Side.  Ta’amu wasn’t immediately waived like Rainey was and there seems to be no consistency involving the treatment of the two situations unless of course you take into account the fact that Rainey had already had a history of issues with domestic violence while he was a student at UF.  The rest of the draft class included the #1 overall pick David DeCastro spending the majority of the season on IR and Mike Adams not lasting the entire season falling to injury as well.

So when will this frustration go away?  We have yet to even scratch the surface of what this offseason will bring for the Steelers.  It remains to be seen whether or not Haley will return as OC or will be accepting a head coaching position elsewhere, there will be a search for a new OL coach along with potentially a new Special Teams coach, not to mention the news that Omar Khan might be on his way out as well with an interview for the GM position with the Jets.  There’s another change, well not necessarily a change as much as a return, for the Steelers this offseason.  Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney has relinquished his position as United States Ambassador to Ireland and will presumably return to the Steelers organization.  How much affect the 80 year old Rooney will have over the football operations remains to be seen.  The offseason is frustrating already for those of us who live and breathe for the Black & Gold.  Especially when it’s longer than it was expected to be.  Here’s hoping the front office can make the right moves this offseason to prevent some of the frustrations of the 2012 season from repeating themselves in 2013.

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Can LaMarr Woodley become a defensive leader in 2012?

A quick inventory of players who will NOT be in Latrobe this summer for the 2012 edition of Camp Tomlin:

- The franchises all-time leading receiver, and spiritual leader of the offense for the past six years.

- A starting middle linebacker who had earned the Captain patch by leading the defense into battle for the past decade.

- Two long-time defensive linemen who were leaders in the locker room and respected unconditionally by every player that has come through Pittsburgh during their tenures.

That, my black and gold minded minions, is what we call in the business “Leadership”.

The Steelers off season isn’t even over yet, and already the team is heading into 2012 with a major gap in leadership – a tangible quality that no NFL team wins without.  While it doesn’t show up in stat lines or your fantasy football box score, leadership counts in a league where the roster is populated by 52 young men with a ton of money and very little life experience.  Without leadership, you can have all the talent in the world and achieve absolutely nothing (see Jets, New York 2011).  Players like Hines Ward, Aaron Smith, Chris Hoke, and James Farrior led on and off the field.  They ensured that players gave their all in every practice, treated each other with respect, followed the game plan, and most importantly they mentored your players who needed to be looked after.  There is a reason why James Farrior was the man to pump up the team before they headed out of that Heinz Field tunnel on Sunday – respect.  Farrior had earned that right by proving to the coaching staff and ownership that he was able to bring the defense group together into one cohesive unit.  Do you ever wonder why teams like the Washington Redskins always seem to have so much talent, yet they never win anything?  It’s because football is a team sport, and the strongest link in the chain is the most important one of all.  Teams like the Redskins have too many guys pulling chains in every which direction, never together.  The players the Steelers have lost this off season were some of the best leaders this franchise has ever seen, and to replace them will require numerous men to step up and take the reins as vocal and spiritual leaders of the most successful professional football franchise in NFL history.  It is not an easy task, and very few current players have the swagger and overall team respect to forge ahead as the new leaders of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

On offense, its very simple.  Ben Roethlisberger is a future Hall of Fame quarterback who has been to the brink of losing it all and rebounded to reclaim the love and respect of his peers.  With Hines Ward gone, he is the unquestioned leader of the offense, and frankly, the entire team.  Roethlisberger is now two years removed form his social issues, and has continued to develop into the type of man the Rooney family wants representing their team.  “Big Ben” has done everything short of play with a broken neck, he is a tireless competitor who will never allow injuries to keep him out of a game, even though he spends most weeks getting thrown around like a sack of potatoes.  Ben Roethlisberger is now the “face” of the Steelers, a position he has earned through hard work and persistence.  Coach Tomlin knows that he has a leader in his quarterback, and he will be calling on him to keep the troops in line this season.

On defense, things are a bit trickier.  Most fans would say that Troy Polamalu is a fine example of a leader, but despite the fact that he is the best player on the field – when he is on the field – Polamalu is a man of few words.  Let’s just say that the chances of seeing #43 leading the pre-game rally in the tunnel is pretty slim.  Polamalu leads by example on the field, and off the field.  He is a deeply religious man who values his family over anything the game of football could ever bring him, which are the reasons that he is beloved by so many.  However, as a leader in the locker room – the soft-spoken safety may have trouble getting his point across.  Better we leave Troy to the issue at hand- scaring the snot out of opposing quarterbacks and slot receivers going over the middle.

Ike Taylor would be a candidate based on seniority.  Ike has been with the Steelers since 2003, and has been a starter since 2005.  He re-signed with the team last year when he probably could have taken a more lucrative deal elsewhere, and he has earned a reputation as one of the best cover corners in the league by people who obviously do not watch enough Steelers football.  Ike Taylor is not a leader, he is a great player who will follow a great leader and probably be better for it.  Lawrence Timmons is a beast, easily the best athlete on the defense and a scary human being to see running at you full speed.  He is also a laid-back type of locker room guy, with no patience for the “Ra-Ra” energy a defensive leader needs to have (think Ray Lewis – unfortunately).  Casey Hampton has had opportunities to step up as a leader before, and never fully embraced it then.  I would assume he is happy with his current role of speaking softly and eating opposing running backs for mid-game light snacks.  James Harrison is a player that is respected by all, but he is a tad bit on the not-so shall we say…..sane side.  There is also the matter of his ongoing battle with the NFL over decapitating opposing players to contend with.  Better to leave Harrison alone.  Ryan Clark is a leader, outspoken and brash, with a tendency to hit first, think later (here’s looking at you Willis McGahee).  Clark has become a vocal leader for the team and could very well be the guy who replaces James Farrior as the leader of the defense.  Additionally, Clark plays free safety – a position that is integral to most of the plays in the Dick LeBeau bag of tricks.  Could Ryan Clark emerge as the next defensive captain of the Pittsburgh Steelers?

Last but not least, I give you my choice.  The Michigan Monster, the man with the stomp, the Steelers most intimidating defensive player.  LaMarr Woodley has embraced Steeler Nation, he has been one of the most consistent forces on the Steelers defense, and he has in his possession a Super Bowl ring.  All prerequisites for anyone who wants to be the Steelers defensive captain.  Woodley is entering his sixth season with the team, and is signed through 2017.  By the time his career comes to an end, he should be a lifetime Steeler, just like Ward, Smith, and Hoke.   Woodley is an outside linebacker, a position that is the calling-card for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  He is a shining example of a player who works hard in the community as well as on the field, and is a good role model for younger players.  The time is right for LaMarr Woodley to become the new leader of the Steelers defense.

From Bradshaw t0 Franco to Swann to Lambert to Hoge to Ilkin to Gildon to Porter to Ward to Smith to Farrior and now to Woodley.  The tradition of leadership in the Pittsburgh Steelers organization continues in 2012.  We may see some younger players – Antonio Brown, Keenan Lewis, Maurkice Pouncey – emerge as leaders in the future, but for 2012 this Steelers team will rely on the leadership of Ben Roethlisberger and LaMarr Woodley to lead them to the promise land.  With much more off season to go before the trip to Latrobe, anything can happen.  However, the Steelers should feel pretty good about having these players wearing the C patch – at least theoretically – this season.

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Yesterday, hometown fans sent the Pittsburgh Steelers off in style with a raucous rally at Heinz Field.  An estimated 18,000 card-carrying members of Steeler Nation braved weather colder than your mother-in-law’s stare for one last opportunity to support their Black and Gold clad heroes before they head off for godforsaken (but seasonably warm) Dallas.  I tend to be a bit jaded when it comes to pro athletes, particularly football players and their massive egos, but the fact almost half the team (twenty-seven players) showed up for the festivities really speaks to the connection many of them share with this city.

Among the highlights were Brett Keisel, owner of the greatest playoff beard ever, singing the “Here We Go” fight song.  James Harrison acting typically badass before beat-boxing (?!) while Rashard Mendenhall busted a move.  The crowd going absolutely ballistic when “Renegade” played on the scoreboard.  And, of course, a chorus of boos greeting obnoxious mayor Luke Raven, er “Steelerstahl,” who didn’t reveal whether he would be attending the Super Bowl on the city’s dime like he did the Stanley Cup finals.

This display of Steeler Pride has inspired me to run one final contest before the big game next Sunday.  Awhile back, I was contacted by a company called Coveroo.  They sent me a snazzy Troy Polamalu emblazoned cover for my iPad which was the envy of all my co-workers.  Well, now it’s your chance to win some free Steeler swag of your own.

Coveroo creates custom phone covers, cases, battery doors, face plates and back plates for iPhones, iPads, BlackBerries, and dozens of other phones and portable electronic devices.  It’s not a skin.  It’s not a decal.  It’s not a cheap sticker.  It’s an actual casing that replaces your existing casing with one bearing a design of your own choosing.  You don’t need to send your phone, iPad, or iPod to Coveroo, just replace your existing case with the one they send you.

Coveroo holds cover-art licenses for many bands/musical artists, TV shows, and movies.  There are over 5,000 designs in their catalog, from university and corporate logos to cartoon characters and tattoo designs.  People can also upload any original artwork or designs they want, such as their child’s artwork or a favorite photo.  All you do is visit their website by clicking on or going to  Coveroo.com, choose the cover or case  you prefer, and they’ll ship it within 48 hours.

Best of all,  Coveroo holds an exclusive license for the Pittsburgh Steelers!  If you want your cell phone, iPod, or iPad pimped out in Black and Gold, this is your golden opportunity (check out the designs by clicking here).  You can also choose from any of their other designs (such as Pitt or the Pirates) but I’m going to assume people want use their electronic gadgets in public.

Usually when I run a contest, I tie it in with an upcoming game.  Unfortunately, there are no football games this weekend except the Pro Bowl, which can only loosely be defined as football.  I don’t want to tie it in with the Super Bowl because let’s face it, there’s already enough on the line as it is.  So I’m going to do something different, something inspired by last night’s rally at Heinz Field.

I want to see your Steeler Pride.  Other websites have had readers send in pictures of themselves waving Terrible Towels at the top of the Eiffel Tower or some such.  Therefore, I’m giving you the chance to represent Steeler Nation.  I want to know the person winning the contest is a diehard member.  That’s not unreasonable, is it?

Simply post a photo showing off your Steeler Pride.  It can be anything from a shot of your black truck with the logo painted on the hood to you dressed up as Troy for Halloween to your dog wearing a Terrible Towel themed ran slicker.  It can even be something as simple as you wearing the jersey of your favorite player (bonus points for females wearing actual authentic jerseys instead of those disgusting pink abominations).  I don’t care what you share as long is it shows you’re a member of the Nation.

Here’s the best part, I have three free Coveroos to giveaway.  THREE.  Since I want all entrants to have a fair chance, I’m going to put everybody who submits a photo’s name in a hat and then pick three winners.  HOWEVER, to reward creativity, people who submit a particularly unique or clever (or out and out crazy Steeler obsessed) photo will get multiple names put in the hat.

In other words, if you submitted a picture of your dog looking like this:

It’s one picture but instead of your name going into the hat once, you’d get three pieces of paper with your name in the hat because you’re awesome.  Note:  that was a professionally done grooming job.  Please don’t dye your dog yourself.  Noting pisses me off more than animal cruelty.  Also note:  I’ve seen plenty of fan-photos from the various Pittsburgh related websites on the web.  If you a steal a photo, I will call you on it.  Don’t be a dick.

Contest will run until Friday so you have plenty of time to get your photos in.  My blog doesn’t support images in the comments so you’ll have to just post the link.  If you’re shy or don’t have any way to get it uploaded, you can email it to me directly by using this email address (clickable):  nicepickchris@gmail.com

Good Luck.   And Go Steelers!

And you thought there was a conspiracy against the Pittsburgh Steelers…

Ah, the 90s.  The X-Files being the best show on television.  The Buffalo Bills getting pounded in the Super Bowl.  Some things you could just count on year in and year out.  Of course, an uber-geek like myself found it endlessly amusing when the two intersected in a particularly memorable episode where the secretive and ultra-powerful Cigarette Smoking Man revealed he alone was responsible for Buffalo’s annual misery.

Last year, the Bills thought they may have a chance to end a decade long playoff drought and even went with the nuclear option of signing the player more cancerous than pack of smokes, Terrell Owens.  Unfortunately, they began the year with a gut-wrenching loss at New England and never recovered.  Finishing 6-10, their fifth straight losing season, signaled the beginning of massive changes starting with firing their head coach.

Paul Miller over out BuffaLowDown was kind enough to answer some questions about the current team which started the year 0-8 but has won their last two in a row, including a win last week against a gutless Bengals team which rolled over in embarrassing fashion.  Let’s ask Paul some questions, starting with his thoughts on new Bills head coach and former Steelers offensive coordinator, Chan Gailey.  My questions in bold, his responses in italics:

How’s Chan working out?

My opinion of Chan Gailey is still up in the air.  I mean anyone who is the coach of an 2-8 team isn’t going to be liked by many.  But the Bills have shown a lot of heart and character over the past couple of games, and I hope this is a sign that Gailey’s work ethic is finally starting show out on the field.  For a 1-8 team to come back from a 28-7 deficit on the road definitely shows that the players are behind their coaching staff, so hopefully things are looking up in Buffalo.

STEELERS DEFENSE vs. BILLS OFFENSE

Last week, Bills wide receiver Steve Johnson went off, catching 8 balls for 137 yards and three touchdowns.  He also goofed on “Batman & Robin” (T.O. and Ocho) with his fantastic “Why So Serious?” t-shirt.  The No Fun League fined him a cool $5,000 (or 1/5 of what Richard Seymour was docked for sucker punching Ben Roethlisberger).  If I had the cash, I’d pay the fine for him.

That was the third time rising star Johnson has surpassed 125 yards in the last five games.  He’s in the top 10 for overall receiving yards while his 9 TDs tie him for third among NFL receivers.  Combined with multi-time 1,000 yard receiver Lee Evans, the Bills have a true Dynamic Duo.

The offense has began to click since jettisoning draft bust Trent Edwards and turning to former Bengal Ryan Fitzpatrick.

The Bills dropped 49 on the hapless Bungles last week.  In fact, it seems you’ve been scoring much better since the Harvard man took over.  What’s led to the offensive explosion?

One word confidence.  When Trent Edwards was behind center, the wide receivers were basically running their routes for nothing.  95% of the time Edwards settled for the check down, never giving his playmakers a chance.  With Fitzpatrick, he is not shy of throwing the ball down the field or into tight spots leaving it up to his receivers to make the catch.

It’s been awhile since the Bills have been any good.  Any of those high draft picks working out?

High draft picks working out?  Is this meant as a joke? Ha-ha.  The main problem behind the Bills being so bad for so long is that they’ve had a terrible time drafting the right player in the 1st round on the NFL draft.   Just take a look at some players picked 1st over the past ten years: Erick Flowers, Nate Clements, Mike Williams, Willis McGahee, Lee Evans, Donte Whitner, John McGargo, Marshawn Lynch, Leodis McKelvin, Aaron Maybin & C.J Spiller.

Four of those players are no longer on the team, two of those players aren’t even dressing on Sundays, and the rest (besides Lee Evans) are still up for debate.  Hopefully Buddy Nix will be able to change the Bills misfortune in the upcoming NFL Draft.

For the Steelers, it’ll be interesting to see how our rotten secondary handles a pair of bonafide top notch receiving threats and a quarterback who improves by leaps and bounds every week.

Bret Keisel is expected to see his first action in a month although I expect his playing time to be limited since there is no sense in risking re-injury with big games against Baltimore and the Jets looming.  The rest of the defense appears healthy as one can be at this time of year so much like last week where they harassed and confused Jason Campbell (when they weren’t being flagged for bogus penalties), how well they fluster a young and inexperienced offense will be the key to this match-up.

STEELERS OFFENSE vs. BILLS DEFENSE

The Bills currently rank 24th in total defense and dead last against the run.  Rashard Mendenhall had a somewhat disappointing game last week although he was running behind a really banged up line.  Mike Tomlin pulled a surprise switcheroo starting Ramon Foster at RG and is now saying that move is permanent.  I’ve said I liked what I saw from Foster, particularly in run blocking, so I’m glad to see him get playing time over hobbled Trai Essex or wretched Doug Legursky.

Let’s talk some Bills defense with Paul:

The Bills aren’t on television much so forgive my ignorance.  Who’s your best player we’ve probably never heard of?

Well I take it after last week, the whole world now knows about Steve Johnson.  So I will say NT Kyle Williams.  I’m sure some of your readers know about Williams since he is having a Pro Bowl type season on a very inexperienced Buffalo Bills defense.   Williams is in his 5th season out of LSU, and has a knack at making plays.  He is the Bills main run stopper, and has added putting pressure on the QB on his resume.  He only has 3 sacks so far this season, but for a 305 lb NT, he is definitely drawing the attention of opposing teams Offensive Linemen.

Big Ben and the offense had their finest showing of the season last week.  Another surprise move was inserting rookie Emmanuel Sanders in the #3 slot over Antwaan Randle-El.  Look, I like ARE but he is what he is.  He’s a middle of the field possession receiver and the Steelers already have two far superior versions in Hines and Heath.  Sanders hasn’t impressed as much as Mike Wallace did in his rookie year but has made some nice athletic plays while catching TD passes in two consecutive games.

So, Paul, is there anybody should Big Ben keep an eye out for on Sunday?

Big Ben should look out for Jairus Byrd on Sunday.  The second year player made a lot of noise during his rookie campaign with 9 INTS, but has yet to record any so far this season.  But, now with the Bills defense finally looking comfortable and players knowing their assignments, I’m expecting Byrd to break out in the final 6 games of the season.

Well, Paul’s optimism aside, this is a game the Steelers should not only win but win in convincing fashion.  This is also the type of game I confidently predicted would be an easy check mark in the win column last year only to see the Black and Gold go down in flames of embarrassment.   I think this team has learned from last year’s debacle, playing with heart and not taking anything for granted.  Against a gutsy Buffalo team which may be over-matched but never backs down, let’s hope they don’t.

It is officially the worst off-season ever for a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Earlier today, a lawsuit was filed by a woman in Orlando who claims that Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes assaulted her at a nightclub earlier in the month.  Stop me if any of this sounds familiar.  She alleges that her and her college-age friends where hanging with him in the VIP section of the Rain nightclub when a stupid argument between her and ‘Tone ended with him throwing a glass at her face.   Not the booze in the glass, mind you, THE ENTIRE GLASS.

What an idiot.   Everybody knows you take your groupies back to the private VIP bathroom before you assault them.   Has your fearless leader taught you nothing?

Yes, much like our douchebag quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, Holmes has a long history of being a troublemaking asshole.  He has three kids from two different mothers, neither to whom he’s married.  One of the baby mamas called the cops after he choked her, slapped her, and then threw her around.   She dropped those charges most likely when Mr. Green (aka cash money) found his way into her bank account.  On the plus side, he’s also been arrested for drug possession and disorderly conduct three separate times so not all his offenses are violent.

I already know what some of the comments are going to say.  “Ack!  Another lying ho looking for money!” or something along similarly misogynistic lines.  I guess she may be lying.  Although it seems a little odd to me that of thirty-two NFL teams and all their active players, most of whom are rich and famous, why is it that the same two Steelers keep getting accused of doing things they shouldn’t be doing?

Right now, I’m absolutely embarrassed to be a Steeler fan.  And anybody who lives in Pittsburgh, grew up in Pittsburgh, or has the faintest inkling of what it means to be a true Steeler fan has to feel just as sick as I do.  Over the next month or two we’re going to see exactly what kind of people Dan Rooney and his son Art II truly are.

Dan Rooney is the Ambassador to Ireland largely because he built up a reputation of being a man of strong character who runs his organization in a responsible and classy fashion. There’s a reason he has a sterling reputation while guys like Jerry Jones or Al Davis are laughingstocks. But this team has quickly become the joke of the NFL, full of criminals and idiots that reflect directly on him, his family, and his city of birth.

Time to start earning your reputation, Dan.  The time for sitting on your hands and turning a blind eye to these goofs on your team is over.  Start getting things under control or everything the Rooney name has stood for since the late great Art Rooney was in charge will be lost forever.  As a proud Pittsburgher, I can’t tell you how tragic that would be.