Mid Term Grades

For the third time in three seasons Mike Tomlin and the Steelers find themselves at 6-2 at mid season. In keeping the tradition of virtually every sports news outlet, PittsburghFan is once again prepared to issue mid term grades for our Black and Gold. Helping out this year with the grading will be our very own MP and JD McNugent. Away we go...

OFFENSE:
Quarterback:
Briwatt: A-
MP: A
JD: B+
MP: "Ben continues to grow as one of the elite."

Running Backs:
Briwatt: B
MP: B+
JD: B
Briwatt: "Rashard Mendenhall responded very well to Tomlin's challenge. Mewelde Moore proving again to be a versatile and important role to the offense. Can Willie make one more dash as a Steeler..."

WR/TE's:
Briwatt: A-
MP: A
JD: A
MP: "Addition of #17 makes them dangerous."
JD: "Ward and Holmes have been unstoppable while Miller has been clutch. Wallace now puts them over the top."

Offensive Line:
Briwatt: A-
MP: B
JD: B+
Briwatt: "Unheralded group that may be unjustly critiqued for last season's shortcomings. Consider that Ben holds the ball to ridiculous lengths at times before judging this crew on sack totals. Since Week 2 the run blocking has been up to the high standards set for a Black and Gold line."

DEFENSE:
Defensive Line:
Briwatt: B+
MP: B
JD: B
MP: "Given the injuries (Smith, Kirshke), perhaps this rating might be higher."

Linebackers:
Briwatt: A-
MP: B
JD: A
Briwatt:"After a sluggish start, this elite group is once again the heart and soul of the Steelers defense. Expect more from Woodley in the second half. Fox adds depth."
JD: "Harrison is a stud, Farrior is a tackling machine...now let's get Timmons healthy."

Defensive Backs:
Briwatt: C+
MP: B-
JD: A
Briwatt:"Potentially the Achilles heel. Loss of McFadden compromises depth. A healthy Polamalu makes up for a lot, however."

SPECIAL TEAMS:
Kickers/Punters:
Briwatt: B-
MP: B
JD: C
MP: "Still thinking about Chicago."

Return Units:
Briwatt: B-
MP: B-
JD: C
MP: "The big return against us still feels like it could happen at any moment."

COACHING:
Briwatt: A-
MP: B+
JD: A
JD: "In his third season, head coach Mike Tomlin has done a great job of forgetting he just won the superbowl. He has a five game winning streak after a 1-2 start. He has his team focused and on point like never before."

OVERALL:
At 6-2, this team is on pace to equal last season's 12-4 mark. That may be where the comparisons end. This team has a whole new look and feel, with an offense emerging and transforming alongside of it's blue chip quarterback. The team is just starting to play at the level it's capable of playing, on both of the ball. The special teams are still shaky, despite the return of punting phenom Daniel Sepulveda. All in all, this team is exactly where Coach Tomlin wants it to be...in the hunt and "on the rise".
GRADE: A-