The following owners have players that are on my wishlist. Failure to comply may result in your removal of the league.. dablakpope - DT Marcel Dareus klaximilian - DE Mohammed Wilkerson Big hitter13 - CB Vontae Davis, CB Darius Butler dakota7 - OLB Whitney Mercillus niner_empire86 - DE Kendall Reyes RVallee - SS Tyvon Branch Miki1369 - MLB Mychal Kendricks JSimms - CB Xavier Rhodes ThaBayouChef - CB Keenan Lewis Michael Overman - CB Desmond Trufant CHUNKNESS ness - OLB Bruce Irvin Mugga - CB Patrick Peterson Now obviously I can't trade for all of these guys at once but they WILL BE ON MY TEAM before the end of the franchise whether you want to or not. League rules
My favorite part of Curt's post is that it's obvious he truly recognizes that his Steeler defense is ancient and sucky. Not a single offensive player was requested.
2014 ROOKIESIn our first segment of our Team Preview we will take a look at the 2014 Draft Class and assess how they will fit in. Armed with 9 selections the Steelers definitely turned some heads with a few of their picks but overall we feel they came away with a pretty solid draft and have some guys that will be counted on to make a difference immediately. Ryan Shazier – 1/15, 6’1, 237 Key Attributes: 74 OVR, 92 SPD, 89 ACC, 63 AWR, 82 TKL, 74 BSH The first shock of the Steelers 2014 draft comes with their 1st rd pick, MLB Ryan Shazier. Many had pegged the Steelers to take a CB with this pick and with Darqueze Dennard still on the board, pundits figured it was a match made in heaven. The Steelers elected to choose Shazier, who played OLB in college with the intent to move him inside to MLB in their 3-4 defense. Shazier immediately steps in and provides more speed and athleticism for a defense that sorely lacked both. He will have to get stronger but being pared next to Lawrence Timmons, he will have time to grow. Stephon Tuitt – 2/46, 6’5, 303 Key Attributes: 74 OVR, 73 SPD, 91 STR, 85 TKL, 83 PMV, 89 BSH Continuing the theme of upgrading the talent and athleticism on defense, the Steelers grabbed Tuitt in round 2. With Brett Keisel unsigned and the emergence of LE Cameron Heyward, Tuitt will also step in immediately and start opposite Heyward. Tuitt has the prototypical size to be a perfect defensive end in the 3-4 and has been showing flashes proving that thus far in training camp. Dri Archer – 3/97, 5’8, 173 Key Attributes: 65 OVR, 98 SPD, 97 ACC, 76 CTH, 83 RTN, 87 ELU, 88 SPIN, 94 JKM With the second shock of the draft, the Steelers selected the second fastest man ever at the NFL Combine, Dri Archer with their Steelers compensatory pick in the 3rd round. While he may be small and the Steelers appeared set at the RB position, his speed and explosiveness was too much for the Steelers to pass up. He will not only help in the running game but will also be counted on to help in the passing game and in the return game. Martavius Bryant – 4/118, 6’4, 211 Key Attributes: 66 OVR, 93 SPD, 91 ACC, 76 CTH, 88 SPC, 79 CIT, 55 RR The Steelers elected to take on a project with their 4th round selection of Martavius Bryant. After essentially playing just one season, Bryant is mainly all potential at this spot. However, with his combination of size and speed he can become a major red zone target and the red zone target the Steelers have longed for. Shaquille Richardson – 5/157, 6’0, 194 Key Attributes: 68 OVR, 91 SPD, 92 ACC, 57 CTH, 74 MCV, 82 ZCV, 83 PRS The selection of Shaquille Richardson was a surprise not because he was selected but because the Steelers chose to wait to select a CB until the 5th round. Richardson actually has a pretty good chance of contributing right away as he has nice coverage ratings but will need to improve on his awareness and play recognition first. Wes Johnson – 5/173, 6’5, 297 Key Attributes: 69 OVR, 83 STR, 79 RBK, 73 PBK, 76 IBK With their second selection in the 5th round the Steelers selected versatile OL Wesley Johnson. Having played both tackle positions as well as Center in college, Johnson brings great versatility to the offensive line. However, he may be nothing more than a career backup. Jordan Zumwalt – 6/192, 6’4, 235 Key Attributes: 64 OR, 83 SPD, 87 ACC, 77 TKL, 78 PMV, 68 BSH Another pick for versatility was their 6th round selection of OLB Jordan Zumwalt. Zumwalt played all 4 LB positions in college and should provide depth at the OLB position. He has a chance to make the team but will need to really impress coaches in training camp and the preseason to do so. Daniel Mccullers – 6/215, 6’7, 352 Key Attributes: 62 OVR, 88 STR, 85 TKL, 74 PMV, 85 BSH The manchild, Daniel Mccullers was selected with their 2nd selection in the 6th round. It’s impossible to not notice the physical beast that Mccullers is upon looking at him. However, his physical size has not always translated onto the field. He has a shot to make the team due to the lack of depth at the DT/NT position and should be ready to contribute after a couple seasons of progressing. Rob Blanchflower – 7/230 – 6’4, 256 Key Attributes: 68 OVR, 76 SPD, 72 CTH, 72 RBK, 68 PBK, 75 SPC, 81 CIT, 56 RR The last pick the Steelers elected to address the TE position. Blanchflower is not good at any 1 thing but with the lack of talent behind Heath Miller he will have a solid shot at making the team. However, the Steelers will be looking to free agency as well to provide some competition.
In our next installment of our Team Preview we will look at the key additions the team made through free agency. Although, the Steelers aren't known for making any splashes in free agency they did come away with some quality pickups. FS Mike Mitchell – 83 ovr Key Attributes: 83 OVR, 88 SPD, 90 ACC, 78 AWR, 82 ZCV, 90 HPW Mitchell comes over to provide youth, athleticism and playmaking ability to the defensive backfield. He takes over for long time starter Ryan Clark who the team chose not to resign in the offseason. Mitchell had a breakout year with the Panthers in 2013-2014 and the Steelers hope he is only scratching the surface on what his potential can be. HB LeGarrette Blount – 83 ovr Key Attributes: 83 OVR, 88 SPD, 90 CAR, 95 TGH, 96 TRK The bruising back will come in to spell 2nd year back Le’Veon Bell and will be counted on to step up and take the lead back role if Bell starts slow out the gate or if he suffers an injury. With his physical size and the power he runs with, Blount will be looked to in short yardage and goal line opportunities. DT/DE Cam Thomas – 78 ovr Key Attributes: 78 OVR, 95 STR, 88 TKL, 83 PMV, 88 BSH With the team intent on starting rookie DE Stephon Tuitt, Thomas will be relegated to first backup at all 3 defensive line positions, the role the team envisioned for him when they signed him this offseason. Thomas has experience playing all 3 positions and his versatility will be a welcomed addition to the defensive line. OLB Arthur Moats – 74 ovr Key Attributes: 74 OVR, 82 SPD, 86 ACC, 79 TKL, 86 PMV, 88 HPW Moats comes over from the Bills and will take over as the first backup at both OLB positions. He has a nice blend of speed and power but will have to get acclimated to the nuances of the 3-4 OLB position after being primarily a 4-3 OLB in Buffalo. The Others(will probably only help in Madden lol) WR Darrius Heyward-Bey – 72 ovr No matter what they say, speed will always be a factor in Madden and DHB is a threat every time he steps on the field with his 96 speed regardless if he has stone hands. Brice Mccain – 69 ovr Mccain has the speed(94) to keep up with most any WR but needs major work on his coverage skills in order to become a consistent contributor. Nonetheless he provides depth.
Excellent words my friend... I thought the Falcons were going to make a hard push for FS Mitchell ...but alas...we did not
SIXburgh Steelers 2014-2015 Season PreviewIn our final installment of our team preview, we take a look at the team as a whole. Coming off consecutive 8-8 seasons the Steelers have to improve if they want to get over the hump and reign supreme in the AFC North again. OFFENSE Quarterback Returning for his 11th season leading the team is Ben Roethlisberger. The unquestioned leader of the offense, Big Ben provides stability at the most important position. It’s no secret that the team goes as far as Big Ben leads them and his health is always a major factor each season. However, with Big Ben getting up there in age(32) the team will be forced to look for his eventual replacement for the franchise as they do not believe current backups Bruce Gradkowski and Landry Jones fit are franchise quarterbacks. Running Back One of the most loaded positions on the team, the Steelers have everything they need in the backfield. Le’Veon Bell provides excellent ball carrier vision as well as the ability to be major threat as a receiver out of the backfield. LeGarrette Blount provides the bruiser that the Steelers have been looking for since the retirement of Jerome Bettis. Speedster Dri Archer will be looked upon to provide big plays running as well as receiving out of the backfield and will be a major mismatch if he is covered by a linebacker. Wide Receiver Antonio Brown returns as one of the top wide receivers in the game but after him, there are loads of question marks. With the departure of Emmanuel Sanders the Steelers are hoping 2nd year wide receiver Markus Wheaton can step up and fill the void. Veteran WR Lance Moore was brought in to fill the slot position with the departure of the sure handed Jerricho Cotchery. Rookie Martavius Bryant will begin the season as the 4th WR with the hope he can eventually overtake Lance Moore and become the teams 3rd WR. After that, the Steelers will have to decide between Darrius Heyward-Be and former practice squad players Justin Brown and Derek Moye for the 5th WR spot. Tight End Possibly the weakest position on the team is tight end. Besides mainstay Heath Miller the Steelers have a bunch of unproven guys that will be forced into playing time. The Steelers will have to pray Miller stays healthy all season because if he doesn’t their offense could be in big trouble not only because they would miss his receiving skills but also his blocking skills. Offensive Line Over the past couple years the Steelers have invested pretty heavily into their offensive line. Led by All Pro C Maurkice Pouncey the offensive line has been steadily improving. Health is what is holding this group back as it seems the best 5 lineman can never be on the field at the same time. With the team recently locking up RT Marcus Gilbert along with Pouncey, the team has secured 2 of their pillars for the near future. RG David Decastro and LG Ramon Foster provide stability inside and Decastro has the makings to be a top Guard in the league. The team still needs a left tackle and hopes 3rd year man Mike Adams will play himself into the job, otherwise they will be in the market for one. Defense coming soon...
