Studs And Duds: Ben Roethlisberger And LeGarrette Blount
By Dave Thomas
To say the 2014 season has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for the Pittsburgh Steelers might be an understatement.
Seen before the season began as one of the favorites by many to grab an AFC playoff spot, the Steelers have had some impressive victories and some downright ugly losses.
Go back to the start of the season when the Black and Gold got out to a big lead on Cleveland, only to have to beat the Browns by a field goal in overtime. A few weeks later, the Steelers were shocked in the final minute at home by a lowly Tampa Bay squad.
Since that loss to the Bucs, Pittsburgh (7-4) has had impressive wins over the likes of Indianapolis (51-34) and Baltimore (43-23). But just when it appeared the Steelers' vehicle was moving full speed ahead, they went over to New Jersey the other week and laid an egg in an ugly loss to a bad New York Jets team.
So, with five games left in the regular season (New Orleans, at Cincinnati, at Atlanta, Kansas City, Cincinnati), which Pittsburgh team will show up down the final turn?
Big Ben Continues To Deliver
If there is one certainty that Pittsburgh fans can count on some 99 percent of the time, it is that their franchise player will find a way to deliver.
Despite at times getting knocked around like the little ball in a pinball machine, two-time Super Bowl champ Ben Roethlisberger has come through in the clutch many more times than not.
To date this season, Big Ben has thrown for 3,270 yards, 24 TD's and only six interceptions. While the numbers are solid as usual, Roethlisberger's ability to increase point production from this unit this season has been uncanny.
When you look at Pittsburgh on paper, the Steelers do not have the most dynamic offensive talent in the world, but a two game-stretch where they compiled 94 points against some pretty good defenses in Indianapolis and Baltimore speaks volumes about how quickly they can go from a ground and pound team to a big strike squad.
Another offensive talent showing off this season is running back Le'Veon Bell, who is closing in on a 1,000-yard season (951 yards rushing to date) in just his second year in the league.
Lastly, wide receiver Antonio Brown is once again a top offensive threat for Big Ben, having caught 88 passes for 1,161 yards and nine TD's so far this season.
On the defensive side of the ball, Pittsburgh is getting great contributions from the likes of linebacker Lawrence Timmons with 94 total tackles (65 solo) and the man who continues to play long into his career, linebacker James Harrison (four sacks, 18 solo stops). While Harrison may not have the big numbers this season, his veteran leadership both on and off the field is no doubt helping Pittsburgh's defensive unit.
Goodbye to LeGarrette Blount
With all the positive news for the Black and Gold comes a few negative notes.
First and foremost was the recent news that Pittsburgh parted ways with running back LeGarrette Blount (has since resigned with New England).
Blount, who had rushed for 266 yards and a pair of touchdowns so far this season, cinched his exit out of the Steel City this past Monday evening during the team's 27-24 win in Nashville over Tennessee.
For whatever reason, Blount made his way to the tunnel in Monday night's game while there was still time on the clock and Roethlisberger was lining up for the final snap. Needless to say, that likely did not sit well with head coach Mike Tomlin and company.
Even before the regular season began, Blount (along with Bell) was arrested back in August for a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession.
On the defensive side of the ball, 2014 draft pick (15th overall) Ryan Shazier (ankle) has only played in five games to date (16 solo tackles).
Getting more production from this linebacker going forward would certainly help a Pittsburgh defense that must contend with the likes of Drew Brees and the Saints, the Bengals twice, and Kansas City's Jamaal Charles in the weeks to come.
For more Steelers news and updates, visit Steelers Central.
Dave Thomas has been covering the sports world since his first job as a sports editor for a weekly newspaper in Pennsylvania back in 1989. He has covered a Super Bowl, college bowl games, MLB, NBA and more. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
