Ground game still priority for Steelers
PITTSBURGH – First of all, there are no guarantees in the NFL. Just because the Steelers reached the AFC Championship game last season doesn’t mean they get a free pass into next season’s Super Bowl. Secondly, dynasties are dinosaurs, a thing of the past that free agency and the salary cap practically made extinct.
Neither of the above assertions, however, will keep the Steelers from trying to form the next dynasty by reaching and winning Super Bowl XXXVII. They made steps in that direction during Saturday’s first day of the NFL Draft.
By selecting Auburn guard Kendall Simmons, the Steelers didn’t just re-establish their commitment to the running game, they etched it in big, bold letters for every other NFL team to see.
“We’re going to run the ball,” the Steelers said. “Try and stop us.”
A year after leading the league in rushing, Pittsburgh’s ground game should be stronger in 2002.
Imagine that.
Then the Steelers solidified an improving corps of wide receivers by selecting Indiana quarterback-turned-receiver Antwaan Randle El in the second round. Just like the defense and the offensive line before it, a strong position got stronger.
Such is life when you seem to have a handle on the salary cap. That’s what it’s like when you can go into a draft not needing anything but spare parts and can afford to look beyond next season and deep into the mind of an innovative offensive coordinator.
Weeks after improving the league’s top-ranked defense by exchanging Earl Holmes for James Farrior, the Steelers went to work on the other side of the ball.
Simmons was the first guard selected in this draft, just like Alan Faneca was the top-rated guard when Pittsburgh picked him four years ago. Faneca is important to mention, along with left tackle Wayne Gandy because both of those starters will be free agents after this season.
There are no guarantees, however, that Simmons will be as good as either Gandy or Faneca, but ESPN’s film package of Simmons presented plenty of evidence that this kid can play.
Simmons was shown pretty much abusing two players picked ahead of him in the first round – North Carolina’s Julius Peppers and Syracuse’s Dwight Freeney. Plus, Simmons played against SEC competition, which was a big selling point to Steelers coach Bill Cowher.
“That’s a pretty tough conference,” Cowher said. “Kendall is all business. In all the film we’ve seen of him, he’s going until the whistle blows. He has a good, aggressive approach to the game.”
And while the Steelers led the league in rushing last year, left guard has been a bit of a trouble spot the last few seasons. That problem manifested itself in the AFC Championship game, when New England attacked left guard and contained the Steelers ground game. Cowher, careful not to tie Simmons to one side or the other, put his own spin on the situation.
“It allows us to keep stability along our offensive line,” Cowher said. “When we have not played our best, the offensive line was unstable. When Dermontti Dawson went down, we lost a tough, physical player. This player has that demeanor.”
While many teams around the league are loading up on offensive tackles in the first round, the Steelers realize the importance of having solid guard play.
“In our division (the revamped AFC North), Cleveland has two good defensive tackles, there is Sam Adams still in Baltimore,” Cowher said, failing to mention former Steeler Oliver Gibson of the Bengals. “We run the football and our guards are asked to do a lot.”
The Steelers pass the football, too, as evidenced by their twin 1,000-yard receivers during a 13-3 regular season last year. Randle El can do a lot for the Steelers. Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey intimated that he can replace Bobby Shaw as the slot receiver, plus return punts and … well, whatever else Mularkey can think of between now and next season.
But the fact they were 13-3 last season and don’t have immediate needs to fill made drafting Randle El possible in the first place. This guy is an innovative offensive coordinator’s dream.
“The wheels are spinning already,” Mularkey admitted. “It’s been talked about already. Stay tuned.”
Rest assured, the rest of the league will stay tuned to the Steelers through training camp and next season. The Steelers became a very good team last season and proved Saturday they plan on getting better next season.
Stay tuned, indeed.
Sports editor Mike Ciarochi may be reached online at mciarochi@heraldstandard.com