Year End Awards

The Steelers named their end of the year awards today and I figured I would highlight those for you.

The Mean Joe Greene Award given to the best rookie was awarded to Marcus Gilbert. Gilbert was a second round 63rd overall draft pick. He was called into action after Willie Colon went down for the second straight year with an injury. I can't argue with this selection as he has clearly separated himself from the six other rookies on the roster.

The Chief Award given to the most cooperative with the media was awarded to veteran James Farrior. Farrior has played for the Steelers since 2002 after being drafted by the Jets in the first round 8th overall in 1997. This is his second time winning the award, the last coming in 2009. Again, I can't argue too much but this award could have easily went to Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward or the always entertaining Ryan Clark.

The MVP given to the most valuable player by the players was awarded to Antonio Brown. Brown is one of the Steelers best late round draft choices ever as he was drafted in the sixth round 195th overall. He is second on the roster in all receiving categories grabbing 63 passes for 1,018 yards averaging 16.2 yards per catch with two touchdowns. You can't ever argue with this award as it is awarded to a player by the players.

So, with the Steeler awards announced I figured I would give out at steelerfreak award to a player that does all his work out of the spotlight. Someone who has strapped it on this season and may not get all the recognition he is due.

My steelerfreak has to be Cortez Allen. Allen battled injuries early but in the last few weeks has really stepped up as a special team player. He is one of the better open field tacklers and has really impressed me on special teams and in his opportunities on defense.

Pro Bowlers

The Steelers will once again be a large part of the AFC Pro Bowl roster as five Steelers were selected to attend. Of the five selected four were selected to be starters and two of the players will attend their first ever.

Ben Roethlisberger was selected to his second and first since 2008, Maurkice Pouncey was named to his second consecutive and first as a starter and Troy Polamalu will be selected to his sixth all as a starter.

A pair of Steelers were also named to their first pro bowls as Mike Wallace was selected as a starter at receiver and Antonio Brown was selected as a returner.

In addition to the starters the Steelers also had three players named as alternates. James Harrison will be a first alternate while Ryan Clark and LaMarr Woodley were named as second alternates.

This is the eleventh straight year the Steelers have sent multiple players to the pro bowl. The last time multiple players did not represent the team was 2001 when only Jason Gildon was selected to his first pro bowl.

Proving Their Worth

I know that I am not the only fan who has breathed a sigh of relief that the Steelers have decided to bring back both Max Starks and Trai Essex.

Max was released prior to camp due to his over 400 lbs weight and with Tomlin comfortable with Jonathan Scott has his left tackle. Trai was seen as expendable with the mix of younger and older players the Steelers had at guard such as Chris Scott, Kemoeatu, Foster and Legursky.

Poor play along the line, especially at the left tackle spot forced the Steelers to bring back Starks who dropped down to his normal playing weight of 345 lbs. The Steelers seen an instant difference in the running game and passing game as Starks brought a huge frame and veteran leadership to a young group. Starks has started eleven games this season after being jobless through the first five weeks of the season.

Essex didn't have the same immediate impact as his impact has come in these later weeks. With injuries and inconsistent play, the Steelers have been forced to mix up their offense line constantly and Essex has been huge for this reason. Essex has played every position on the line at some point since being signed in week two. Essex could very well start at center in the final game of the season at Cleveland due to injuries to Pouncey and Legursky.

Essex and Starks have been huge for the Steelers and could help the Steelers in a big way as they head into the post season and seasons to come. With the emergence of rookie right tackle Marcus Gilbert, Pouncey, Starks and even Essex could help solidify what has been an inconsistent line.

Practice Squad Addition

The Steelers added Pittsburgh native, John Malecki to the practice squad today. Malecki spent most of the season with the Steelers on the practice squad before being released by the Steelers earlier this season.

John's spot was made possible when the Steelers placed Curtis Brown on IR and promoted John Clay to the active roster before the Rams game.

Malecki could find himself on the active roster this week if Legursky and Pouncey are ruled out for the season finale against the Browns.

Most people are probably looking past this game and towards the playoffs, but this could be one hell of a game. I'm extremely excited because Charlie Batch is playing for the injured Ben Roethlisberger.

I was hugely disappointed that the Steelers kept Big Ben in the 49er game even though I think anyone on the roster could have done a better job. Coach Tomlin and the medical staff made the right call today as they decided to sit him and let the Steelers seasoned veteran take over the snaps.

I don't want to make this game seem bigger than what it is, but I did see some really good things watching them play against the Bengals last weekend. Their defense looks good and has a great motor, but can be worn down over time with the run game. The offense has some sparks at running back but not much anywhere else.

The Steelers last met the Rams in Pittsburgh back in 2003. That game was a milestone for the Steelers as they played in their 1000 career game, the Steelers lost 33-21.

I am really hoping to see Hines Ward get in the mix as well this week. Hines needs 9 catches to surpass the 1,000 catch mark and there is no better place to do it than at home.

I think Batch and the running game gets it rolling and the Steelers win 24-6.

Practice Squad Moves

Steelers added two players to the practice squad today as defensive tackle Elisha Joesph formerly of Temple and running back Chad Spann formerly of Northern Illinois.

Elisha Joseph was originally signed by the Steelers on October 18th before being released a few weeks later. Elisha, 6'2 290 lbs, played multiple spots on the defensive line for the Temple Owls from 2007 to 2010 before going undrafted to the Green Bay Packers who released him on the final day of cuts.

Chad Spann played his college ball at Northern Illinois where he recorded 2.916 yards on 536 carries with 48 touchdowns. He finished his career second all time on NIU's rushing list while being named the 2010 MAC Player of the Year. Spann was signed as an undrafted free agent to the Indianapolis Colts but also has spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Week 14 "The Game"

 

This is the game.

I understand the whole Baltimore thing but I am old school and this is the game of the season. I may hate the Ravens and everything about them but Cleveland is a whole new ball game. I despise Cleveland, the colors, the people, the logo or lack there of, those jerk offs.

I know this rivalry has seen much better days but that doesn't change a single thing to me. The Steelers are 62-56 in their history with the Steelers going 39-21 in the Steel City. Since the Browns rejoining in 1999, the Steelers are 21-4 with their last loss coming in 2009. To add insult to injury Big Ben is 12-1 all time against the Browns.

This game is tradition. As a third generation Steelers fan, I grew up hating the Browns. While new fans are all about the Baltimore rivalry, I think most of the old school fans would agree with me that there is no game quite like this one.

The big thing that I will be watching in this game is the ever so amazing, Hines Ward. After the Steelers 35-7 beating of the Bengals, Hines Ward stands at 990 catches with 12, 021 yards and 85 career touchdowns. With ten more catches over the final four games Hines will be the only Steeler ever with 1,000 career catches and in my opinion will insure his induction into the Hall of Fame.

Week 13 Breakdown

The Steelers (8-3) will play their second match-up against their division rival Bengals (7-4) The Steelers are attempting to keep pace and secure a playoff spot, while the Bengals are looking to keep a hold of a wild card spot.

The Steelers are 51-32 against the Bengals all time; winning 27 and only losing 14 times in the city of Pittsburgh. The last meeting in Pittsburgh was last seasons 23 to 7 beating of the Bengals. The Steelers are 5-5 in the last the last ten games in Pittsburgh which doesn't bode well for the Steelers.

Steelers should be able to handle their business and get a win.

STEELERS WIN: 23-17