Dwyer came through big time for the Steelers in Cincy. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-US PRESSWIRE

What We Learned in Week 7 in the NFL:

• Eli giving Giants solid start
• Flacco ain’t no elite quarterbacko
• Patriots outlast Jets in OT
• Steelers earn their first road win of the season

Aren’t Mondays so much better after a Steelers victory?  The coffee tastes just a little bit better, the traffic isn’t quite so frustrating, and your boss isn’t that much of an idiot on a Monday morning following a Steelers victory.  One thing is certain; this particular NFL Sunday had some great finishes and some entertaining games. (more…)

You can always trust Kimmy's picks.

It’s that time of year again when I gaze into my crystal ball and pull out sure to be inaccurate predictions for the NFL season that is upon us.  I’d like to say that there is an in depth statistical analysis that goes into my picks but it’s so much more than that.  There are also my deep rooted biases and a hefty amount of guessing that goes into it as well.  When it all comes down to it, those “analysts” that get paid to do this are pretty much guessing as well.  There’s no way to know who’s going to get injured, who else is getting suspended, and who is just going to tank.  Not since the Patriots in 2003 has the team with the best regular season record hoisted the Lombardi Trophy surrounded by confetti that same February.  Just as the Packers and Giants from last season can tell you, it’s all about getting hot at the right time.  So without further ado, here go my predictions sure to go wrong team by team for the 2012 NFL season. (more…)

How Awesome Has Suggs Been from 2003-Present Against the Steelers?

Poor Ben has gotten his lunch handed to him by Suggs a bit too often during his career. Mandatory Credit: Don Wright-US PRESSWIRE

Even if you have watched the Steelers with a passing interest over the last decade, or have even lived under a rock for most of the 2000′s, you still would know that Terrell Suggs has played like an absolute monster against Pittsburgh over his first nine seasons.  And when I say “monster” I mean it, the guy has just shown up when both teams have played.  As much as it pains me to say it, but kudos must go to Suggs and the fact that he (and some of his other teammates) has brought his “A Game” essentially every time both of these rivals have clashed during his career.  How good has Suggs been from statistical and overall impact standpoints though?  Let’s take a look:

Over his career, Suggs has logged 13.5 Sacks and made two extremely key Interceptions which led to Ravens victories.  The first of which led to a game winning Field Goal in Overtime in 2005 and almost helped to derail a Super Bowl season for Pittsburgh.  The second of which helped to thwart a Pittsburgh drive deep into Baltimore territory last season.  You remember that one don’t you?  Where Suggs along with every other person at Heinz Field and who watched at home read the patented “Bubble Screen” which to his credit Suggs read and subsequently snagged on an athletic play.

As for the Sack numbers, those really speak for themselves as Suggs has been Baltimore’s most lethal pass-rushing threat for almost his entire career.  With Haloti Ngata eating Offensive Linemen for lunch and taking on double-teams up front for the last six seasons, Suggs has flourished as an all-around beast off the edge.

Compounding Suggs’ recent production in terms of the havoc he has wreaked off the edge has been Pittsburgh’s declining play at Tackle during the last three to four seasons.  When matched up against an oft-injured Max Starks, an ineffective Jonathan Scott, and an elderly once-Pro Bowler in Flozell Adams, Suggs has mostly had his way with them.  And if you take away some of Big Ben’s most awesome “escapes,” (the one where he shook Suggs off in the 4th in Baltimore in 2010), Suggs might even have more Sacks against the Steelers.  Yet the regular season is not the only place where Suggs has showed up against Pittsburgh.  In fact, Suggs has taken his game to even more ridiculous levels against the Steelers when the stakes have been at their highest: the postseason.

In two playoff games against the Steelers, Suggs has logged 5.0 Sacks, forced a Fumble which went for a Touchdown, and played overall good football.  I know that I feel a bit dirty as an Arizona alumni and a Steelers fan to tip my cap to a former Sun Devil and current Ravens player, but credit must be given when it is due, especially after that 2010 Divisional Playoff Game at Heinz Field.  After that wacky yet exciting contest on that cold afternoon, I actually felt bad for Suggs as he left the field that day.  Suggs notched 3.0 Sacks and forced the fumble which went for a Touchdown and helped the Ravens take their first lead in the game.  It was more Baltimore’s Offensive miscues which let Pittsburgh back into the game, not the Ravens’ Defense.  Sure, Antonio Brown was allowed to convert that 3rd and 19 bomb, but that game should never have gotten to that point in the first place had Borat, Rice, and Cameron done their jobs.

How the Steelers Can Take Advantage

I am sure many of you are saying: “Sure, Suggs is out.  But does that mean the Steelers will take advantage?  Baltimore’s Defense might be old, but they still perform at a high level.”  While those things are true, Pittsburgh is in quite a position to use Suggs’ absence as a positive for themselves this season.

Helping out with the fact that Suggs will likely be sidelined for both meetings this season is that Pittsburgh might have finally found some adequate depth as well as terrific talent along their Offensive Line.  Marcus Gilbert and Mike Adams are the most gifted players that the Steelers have had at the Tackle position in a very long time, and figure to be the bookend Tackles for quite some time.  Plus, with the interior of their Line being shored up with a hopefully healthy Willie Colon, Rookie David DeCastro, and All-Pro Center Maurkice Pouncey, the Steelers actually have something for Offensive Line Coach Sean Kugler to work with in the coming seasons.

Also working in the Steelers’ favor is the fact that they appear to have an Offensive Coordinator which will attempt to tailor his game-plans to his team’s strengths on that side of the ball.  No more Ben being at the mercy and taking 5 to 7-step drops against Baltimore and being at the mercy of Suggs, Ngata, and the rest of their pass rushers.  Haley will hopefully try to protect Big Ben against teams like Baltimore who want to get after him, and get the ball out of Ben’s hand in a timely manner.  And hey, it does not hurt that the Steelers have some incredibly talented guys at the skill positions.

Yet the thing which the Steelers can take the most advantage of is the fact that Baltimore has almost no experienced depth at Outside Linebacker.  Not only has Suggs been shelved for the immediate future, veteran Jarret Johnson went to San Diego as a Free Agent, and youngster Michael McAdoo is also out for the year with an Achilles injury as well.  Baltimore’s pass rush and the slack left by Suggs which needs to be picked up will be left up to 2012 2nd Round pick Courtney Upshaw, the underachieving Paul Kruger, and Sergio Kindle, a guy which has yet to play any sort of significant football for Baltimore since being drafted in the 2nd Round in 2010.

While I do like Upshaw quite a bit, I am not as sold on this group as a whole being able to replace Suggs’ statistical production on the field.  Furthermore, I am not sold in the least of either of these players being able to replace Suggs as a pass-rusher and matchup nightmare this season.  In time, I believe Upshaw could develop into that player, but similar to the Steelers’ Mike Adams at Tackle, we will see what happens.

Final Thoughts

This post is by no means a statement or belief that the Steelers will hang 30+ points per game on Baltimore in their 2 or more meetings this season.  I am simply stating that because one of the biggest thorns in Pittsburgh’s side over the decade is missing, things should at least be a bit better for Big Ben and the Steelers’ Offense when going up against the Ravens in 2012.  It is my belief that Suggs’ absence could hurt Baltimore much more than they think this season, and it could cost them even more when they play the division rival Steelers, a team which Suggs has played arguably his best football against over the course of his terrific career.  To me, with their improved Offensive Line and solid Offensive personnel (pending Mike Wallace signing of course through this season), Pittsburgh is in a prime spot to overtake the Ravens this season for control in the division, and take advantage of Suggs’ possible absence.

This is however the way I look at the possible scenario of Suggs missing both 2012 regular season matchups.  What do you readers think?

Will the Steelers take advantage if Suggs is indeed out for the year?  Can they take advantage, and why?  Let me know.

Stats Courtesy of: Pro Football Reference.com

For all your Steelers news and discussions follow us on Twitter @nicepickcowherC, follow me on Twitter @DominicDiTolla, and like us on Facebook.

Tomlinson spoke at Qualcomm Stadium for Junior Seau's memorial service in May. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

What We Learned This Week in the NFL Offseason:

• LaDainian Tomlinson to retire as a San Diego Charger
• Pacman Jones to speak at Rookie Symposium
• NFL turns over some bounty evidence to players getting ready for their appeals
• T-Sizzle still expects to play in 2012
• Steelers release Training Camp practice schedule

LaDainian Tomlinson will fly clear across the country to retire rather than play another down for the NY Jets.  LT will sign a one day contract with the Chargers today and officially retire a Charger.  Tomlinson ends his career with 13,684 rushing yards and 145 touchdowns.  LT was once a force to be reckoned with on the football field but was forced out of San Diego as they turned into a more pass-happy team under my favorite overrated QB, Philip Rivers.  Tomlinson will no doubt be considered one of the best backs to never win a title and by all accounts be headed to Canton eventually. (more…)

Perhaps he can enter some beauty pageants while healing up this season.... Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Correction:  Suggs sent a text to ESPN after this post was originally published to say that he tore his achilles during conditioning drills and not while playing basketball.

Your favorite T-Sizzle and mine could possibly be out for the entire 2012 season due to a torn achilles tendon while playing basketball.  Twitter is all fired up, but Schefter broke the news first earlier this morning.  Whether out for the season or a late return, this does not bode well for the Ravens.  And, it could spell relief for the Steelers.

Deemed the ugliest man in football (by me), Suggs has most recently been a pain (quite literally) for the Steelers offense and Ben Roethlisberger.  Suggs has racked up 5.5 sacks and 1 INT in his last 4 games against the Steelers.  His tackles are timely – in the sense that he broke up a play or sacked Big Ben at the right time to kill the drive.

Suggs is 30 this year.  Achilles tears are some of the hardest to come back from.  Everyone, including myself, is wondering if he will ever be the same once he returns.  Suggs thinks he can be back in October.  But, will he just be a shell of himself?  Or will he continue to be a force to reckon with whomever plays the Ravens?

I don’t think this makes winning the AFC North any easier.  It could mean the difference between a sack or a deep pass to Antonio Brown for a game winning touchdown.  But I guarantee that the rival will still be just as heated.  Suggs will still run his ugly mouth every week up to each contest with the Steelers.  And, the two teams will beat the piss out of each other twice in 2012.