Steelers Report Card: 2010 season
-
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Share with others:
Considering everything that transpired, Ben Roethlisberger's on-field performance might have been the best of his career. His command of the offense and understanding of opposing defenses is one of the reasons he threw a career-low five INTs. His comeback victories vs. the Ravens, especially in the playoffs, were the pivotal points of the season. What's more, the 3-1 record Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch compiled during Roethlisberger's suspension is an accomplishment that is not to be underestimated.
The Steelers were faced with an edict to improve the run game and they did. Rashard Mendenhall had a career-best 1,273 yards and 13 rushing TDs and was even better in the playoffs. But his fumble in Super Bowl XLV was the most damaging turnover of the season. And his average of 3.9 ypc was second-lowest among the NFL's 1,000-yard rushers and reflective of the area's inconsistency. Still, the goal-line rush offense was improved and Isaac Redman's TD catch-and-run in Baltimore was one of 2010's biggest plays.
In his second season, Mike Wallace showed he can be one of the most dangerous WRs in the league. He led the team with 1,257 receiving yards and 10 TDs and led the AFC in yards per catch (21.0). But he also showed in the postseason he has to develop into more of a complete receiver. While Hines Ward's numbers declined, his role as a clutch performer did not. TE Heath Miller was not the factor he was a year ago, but the advent of rookies Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown was a pleasant surprise.
Their evaluation cannot be measured in numbers, even though sacks were down and rushing totals were up. Considering they lost both starting tackles and started three different players at right guard, the line can only be commended for what it was able to do. Rookie C Maurkice Pouncey was an instant star. But what the Steelers were able to get from veteran RT Flozell Adams, the only lineman to start every game, was beyond their wildest expectations. Put him up there with line coach Sean Kugler for best 2010 additions.
They lost DE Aaron Smith for the final 13 games, including postseason, and DE Brett Keisel for six in the middle of the season and still were the unsung reason the Steelers set a franchise record for fewest yards rushing (1,004). It was also the third lowest total in a 16-game season in NFL history. Attention and acclaim isn't easy to achieve in a three-man line, but Keisel finally earned an invitation to the Pro Bowl. Smith's injury has a silver lining because it allowed for the rapid development of DE Ziggy Hood.
First Published February 13, 2011 12:19 am
