Steelers OTAs: Our Team Assessments at the Close of May
By John Wooten
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (right) watches organized team activities at the UPMC Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
It’s still only been pads and shorts up to this point, so while validating real meaning for 2013 is as elusive as determining our starting Left and Right Tackles, we can at least generally look at some relative themes around the Pittsburgh Steelers as we get ready to cure our Summertime Blues heading into June’s official Training Camp. Rather than (yet another) breakdown of individual “pad-performers”, let’s take a look at some broader realities that have been playing out in Pittsburgh.
THE PHILOSOPHY: Cow’r Power v. The Standard
Is a little Cowher-like wrath what the Steelers need to step it up?
In Pittsburgh, the Steelers do not rebuild but instead reload; the doctrine of “the Steeler Way” is a tried and true methodology that is revered around the League and labels our Front Office as being one of the best run organizations in professional sports. A consistency of Head Coaches (a mere 3 in the last 45 years) adhering to the same/similar organizational practices have led to Lombardis. Lots. In the post-Noll era with Bill Cowher and Tom Donahue/Kevin Colbert as General Managers, Coach Cowher held an incredible and nearly indomitable voice in the organization and its decision-making processes. There are some apparent diversions from our organizational philosophy as of late, however; without breaking down the merits specifically, we have not seen as much organizational control out of Mike Tomlin. While Coach Tomlin was over-ruled (and, seemingly not even asked) on the keeping of then Offensive Co-ordinator Bruce Arians, Mike does seem to be gaining some degree of executive powers with player selection (exampled by his directive in the selection of Le’Veon Bell in Round 2 of the 2013 Draft). These shifts, both in organizational control and personnel decisions, are an extension of much larger organizational change(s): the Steelers underwent a major move in 2009 from a changed group of shareholders and from commanding Father-figure Dan to Art Rooney, II. Aggregately, all of these shifts were bound to have at least some effect upon our tectonic plates; while the Standard remains the Standard in Pittsburgh, some changes in chemistry and attitudes were not only inevitable, but desired.
THE CHEMISTRY: Infusion of Youth
Steelers linebackers Jarvis Jones (95) and Larry Foote (50) exemplify the mix of Veterans and Youth in Pittsburgh. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
For decades, veteran leadership and its inherent stability has also been a trademark hallmark of the Pittsburgh Steelers. That “Steeler Way” involved system-seasoned players, performers acclimating over multiple years as understudy before given any opportunity as “next man up”. Leaning in to 2013, potential exists for a good number of Rookies and 2nd and 3rd year roster holders being looked upon as Starting potential. David DeCastro, Mike Adams, Marcus Gilbert, Le’Veon Bell, Markus Wheaton, Cortez Allen, Cam Heyward and Jarvis Jones (just to name a few) are all poised in a veritable “youth movement” that will reduce the average age of the typical Steeler Starting lineup quite a bit, comparatively. Pittsburgh has made a calculated move towards younger talent on the Offensive Line, the Defense as a unit and skill positions (RB, WR/Slot) – hey, we’ve even gotten much younger at backup Quarterback! Quietly, and rather quickly, the Steelers in Pittsburgh have gotten younger.
THE PERSONNEL: Cult of Personality
Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey exudes the leadership qualities needed in Pittsburgh. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
This section can be taken interchangeably with the one immediately above; the infusion of youth leading to better chemistry is inseparable from the individuals (personnel) involved and the personalities brought with them to the locker room, and onto the field. We have moved on and hopefully away from the selfish distractions of a Mike Wallace and a Rashard Mendenhall towards players with more of a team-first, Hines Ward mentality. Going against the grain of some of our traditional approaches to personnel and contractual negotiations, Colbert & Co. seemed to have been determined to purge negative attitudes right along with aging veterans, and targeted a certain “mold” of Player as replacements (not that we didn’t before), but the targets and signings from 2013 were all towards Men known to exhibit commanding Team Leadership and strong civic responsibilities. Needed most, however, are veteran leadership to supplant losing the likes of James Farrior, Aaron Smith, Hines Ward, Casey Hampton and James Harrison the last few seasons. Exuding and exhibiting the leadership qualities much-needed in Pittsburgh, Maurkice Pouncey is an ideal candidate for Team Captain, but Roethlisberger, Cotchery, Burress, Keisel, Taylor, Clark and Polamalu all must now take on the direct roles and obligations of Veteran field and locker room leadership. Additionally, so does Mike Tomlin.
STEELER NATION: The Unceasing Constant
Steeler Nation, the Ultimate Football Fans!
Perhaps the greatest constant of all is the loyalty and passion of Steeler Fans. Few fan bases rival the impassioned spirit, fervor and Terrible Towel waving allegiance of Steeler Nation. While all of the above causes us some concern, it also gives us glimpses of hope and promise towards a successful future. Steeler Nation is looking for answers, and now demanding corrections, from an uncharacteristic 8-8 finish in 2012; the Philosophy, Chemistry and Personnel changes this organization has undergone will have to be utilized fully in addressing those answers.
Man, oh man, am I looking forward to June! At that point, we can actually start gleaning some meaning from all of the above. Who’s ready for Camp?!