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Part II Rating our offensive starters. Going with a 3WR, 1 RB and 1 TE set for the starting group.
Ratings are a mix from last season and past seasons as a Steeler.
10. HOF player in his prime years.
9. Pro Bowl player in his prime. Among the top vote-getters at his position. Possible candidate for the Hall of Fame.
8: Fringe Pro Bowl player (Great on field play, may or may not make the Pro Bowl depending on injuries and Superbowl exemption status of players before them). *Props to Cope for coming up with a better description.*
7. Very good NFL starter.
6. Better than average NFL starter
5. Slightly below average NFL starter
4. Below average NFL starter. Best suited as a backup
3. Fringe player, would not start on 90% of the teams. 2nd to third 3rd man.
2. The 45th to 53th man on most teams. A 3rd string man.
1. Practice-squad type of player
My grades.
STARTERS
Brown: 10. The best receiver in the NFL likely would have had a 2,000-yard season if Ben wasn't out for several games. He's mentally and physically on top of his game and makes the tough catch look easy.
Roethlisberger: 9.5 Yes-- Ben is likely going to the hall of fame. He's still in his prime. To rate higher, he just needs to limit his bad throws and interceptions. His mobility looks to have lost a 1/2 step, but he can still avoid the rush or run if needed.
Bell: 9. Bell is a very good all around run, catch and block back. He does, however, lack some open field speed and has had injury / off the field issues which bring down his grade. With our skill players and OL, I wonder if Bell is "that" Great as Williams did just as well when he went down. Pretty rare for a back in his 30's like Williams to have one of his best seasons on a new team.
Boswell. 8.5. A true find! Boswell is money on field goals ranging from 20-55 yards, and decent on kickoffs. He has pro bowl ability and did it in one of the toughest stadiums to kick in. I only need to see him do it again to call him elite.
DeCastro: 8.5 A very mobile guard who can block on the second level and a very good technician. Solid in pass protection and rather smart. I know he made the pro bowl this season, but I still think he's only average as an inline run blocker.
Gilbert. 8 Perhaps the most improved player on the offense, Gilbert is a mauler in the run game, and good as a pass protector. I seldom hear his name called for penalties. I thought he deserved the pro bowl this season.
Pouncey. 7 Injured yet again, Pouncey is a very athletic and mobile center capable of pulling and blocking on the second level. I think his best season was his rookie season. Untradeable due to upfront paid bonuses, he's likely the most overpaid player on offense.
Bryant. 7. Bryant has the ability to rate much higher. In some games, he can play like a 9 or 10! He's got Randy Moss like ability. The trouble for him is consistency and off he field issues.
Miller. 6.5 Miller going into his 12th season. No longer in his prime, he's still a very good overall tight end. For me, his best think his best asset is how he can help a team and flexibility in deployment. In the Running game, Miller can be deployed as an in-line blocker or pulling player. As a pass blocker, he's among the best in the NFL. His receiving ability has tailed off a bit due to declining speed, but he's still dependable in this department.
Foster. 6.5 An underrated player. Solid in both phases of the game. The main drawback is a lack of foot speed and range to deploy him. I think he's a goner in free agency and we will miss him as the next man up isn't nearly as good.
Wheaton. 5.5. Wheaton has value as an outside receiver, a slot receiver and returns man. On another team, however, I think he could have much better performances as the Steelers don't feature him often do to better talents at receiver. A free agent soon I think we should try to trade him now.
Villanueva. 5.5 Villanueva gave up a lot of sacks, but this is to be expected for a new starting left tackle. Villanueva biggest flaw is a lack of foot speed vs. speed rushers. This can not be fixed. He's a nice run blocker and a gamer. With his first year under his belt, I expect he'll be better next season, but will he be good enough to keep the job for several years? That remains to be seen.
OTHERS:
Williams 8.5. He offers better inside power running and speed in comparison to Bell, but isn't quite as nifty as a receiver or blocker.
Nix. 6. A true hammer type of FB, who makes plays on special teams. I appreciate his game.
Heyward-Bey. 5. A nice 4th WR who can make plays when called upon.
Coates. 5 with an upward pointing arrow. Raw, but he's something to see with the ball in his hands.
James. 5 The rookie showed some things, and could prove to be a decent pass catching Tight End. His blocking is on the weak side.
Wallace. 4. A gamer who has journeyman ability, he's the primary back-up at Center, and possibly guard for now. Might start next year if we lose Foster.
Jones 3.5 Clearly not the long term answer as the main backup. He had weapons and a nice OL and has been in the system for three years. No excuses.
Hubbard. 2.0. Just awful in the pre-season.
PRIMARY OFF SEASON AND DRAFT NEEDS
Interior OL Depth / starter at guard if Foster leaves. Possible 3rd or 4th round pick spent here. Or a free agent is signed.
A better backup QB. I prefer to sign a veteran who wants a ring and can upgrade us
A better pass catching TE
Better depth at tackle. Possible 4th or 7th round pick spent here.
** I reserve the right to edit these rankings after feedback and thinking about it. **
Ratings are a mix from last season and past seasons as a Steeler.
10. HOF player in his prime years.
9. Pro Bowl player in his prime. Among the top vote-getters at his position. Possible candidate for the Hall of Fame.
8: Fringe Pro Bowl player (Great on field play, may or may not make the Pro Bowl depending on injuries and Superbowl exemption status of players before them). *Props to Cope for coming up with a better description.*
7. Very good NFL starter.
6. Better than average NFL starter
5. Slightly below average NFL starter
4. Below average NFL starter. Best suited as a backup
3. Fringe player, would not start on 90% of the teams. 2nd to third 3rd man.
2. The 45th to 53th man on most teams. A 3rd string man.
1. Practice-squad type of player
My grades.
STARTERS
Brown: 10. The best receiver in the NFL likely would have had a 2,000-yard season if Ben wasn't out for several games. He's mentally and physically on top of his game and makes the tough catch look easy.
Roethlisberger: 9.5 Yes-- Ben is likely going to the hall of fame. He's still in his prime. To rate higher, he just needs to limit his bad throws and interceptions. His mobility looks to have lost a 1/2 step, but he can still avoid the rush or run if needed.
Bell: 9. Bell is a very good all around run, catch and block back. He does, however, lack some open field speed and has had injury / off the field issues which bring down his grade. With our skill players and OL, I wonder if Bell is "that" Great as Williams did just as well when he went down. Pretty rare for a back in his 30's like Williams to have one of his best seasons on a new team.
Boswell. 8.5. A true find! Boswell is money on field goals ranging from 20-55 yards, and decent on kickoffs. He has pro bowl ability and did it in one of the toughest stadiums to kick in. I only need to see him do it again to call him elite.
DeCastro: 8.5 A very mobile guard who can block on the second level and a very good technician. Solid in pass protection and rather smart. I know he made the pro bowl this season, but I still think he's only average as an inline run blocker.
Gilbert. 8 Perhaps the most improved player on the offense, Gilbert is a mauler in the run game, and good as a pass protector. I seldom hear his name called for penalties. I thought he deserved the pro bowl this season.
Pouncey. 7 Injured yet again, Pouncey is a very athletic and mobile center capable of pulling and blocking on the second level. I think his best season was his rookie season. Untradeable due to upfront paid bonuses, he's likely the most overpaid player on offense.
Bryant. 7. Bryant has the ability to rate much higher. In some games, he can play like a 9 or 10! He's got Randy Moss like ability. The trouble for him is consistency and off he field issues.
Miller. 6.5 Miller going into his 12th season. No longer in his prime, he's still a very good overall tight end. For me, his best think his best asset is how he can help a team and flexibility in deployment. In the Running game, Miller can be deployed as an in-line blocker or pulling player. As a pass blocker, he's among the best in the NFL. His receiving ability has tailed off a bit due to declining speed, but he's still dependable in this department.
Foster. 6.5 An underrated player. Solid in both phases of the game. The main drawback is a lack of foot speed and range to deploy him. I think he's a goner in free agency and we will miss him as the next man up isn't nearly as good.
Wheaton. 5.5. Wheaton has value as an outside receiver, a slot receiver and returns man. On another team, however, I think he could have much better performances as the Steelers don't feature him often do to better talents at receiver. A free agent soon I think we should try to trade him now.
Villanueva. 5.5 Villanueva gave up a lot of sacks, but this is to be expected for a new starting left tackle. Villanueva biggest flaw is a lack of foot speed vs. speed rushers. This can not be fixed. He's a nice run blocker and a gamer. With his first year under his belt, I expect he'll be better next season, but will he be good enough to keep the job for several years? That remains to be seen.
OTHERS:
Williams 8.5. He offers better inside power running and speed in comparison to Bell, but isn't quite as nifty as a receiver or blocker.
Nix. 6. A true hammer type of FB, who makes plays on special teams. I appreciate his game.
Heyward-Bey. 5. A nice 4th WR who can make plays when called upon.
Coates. 5 with an upward pointing arrow. Raw, but he's something to see with the ball in his hands.
James. 5 The rookie showed some things, and could prove to be a decent pass catching Tight End. His blocking is on the weak side.
Wallace. 4. A gamer who has journeyman ability, he's the primary back-up at Center, and possibly guard for now. Might start next year if we lose Foster.
Jones 3.5 Clearly not the long term answer as the main backup. He had weapons and a nice OL and has been in the system for three years. No excuses.
Hubbard. 2.0. Just awful in the pre-season.
PRIMARY OFF SEASON AND DRAFT NEEDS
Interior OL Depth / starter at guard if Foster leaves. Possible 3rd or 4th round pick spent here. Or a free agent is signed.
A better backup QB. I prefer to sign a veteran who wants a ring and can upgrade us
A better pass catching TE
Better depth at tackle. Possible 4th or 7th round pick spent here.
** I reserve the right to edit these rankings after feedback and thinking about it. **
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