Pittsburgh Q&A with Matt Loede, Steelers Gab

Matt Loede covers the Pittsburgh Steelers as the Senior Editor for the site Steelers Gab, which you can find at: http://www.steelersgab.com/

Steelers Gab is part of the larger NFL Gridiron Gab network, which you can find at:
http://www.nflgridirongab.com/

In addition to being the Senior Editor for Steelers Gab, Loede is the Editor for the entire AFC. Living in Cleveland, Loede also covers baseball as the beat reporter for the Indians on 92.3 The Fan.

Loede can be found on Twitter at:
http://twitter.com/#!/MattNFLGG

Steelers Gab:
http://twitter.com/#!/SteelersGab

NFL Gridiron Gab:
http://twitter.com/#!/NFLGridironGab

With the Ravens heading to Pittsburgh for the game Sunday night, Mr. Loede has kindly agreed to answer some Steelers questions.

Baltimore Sports and Life: “There has been talk on some of the National shows this week about Roethlisberger having elevated his game, and being among the 2 or 3 best QB’s in the game. I’ve always considered him to be in the upper echelon, first handful of guys – but I don’t see anything different statistically this year vs. the past couple of years. Watching him each week, do you see any difference with his play?”

Loede: “Week one was a wash, as no one on the Steelers played well.  Since then, Ben has made good and smart decisions, and I think that’s why his game is being more regarded than years past.  Steeler fans and those that cover the team know how good he is, and basically in this four game winning streak he’s done it with injured players, a bad O-line, and his worst game was still a win over the Jaguars.  Last week he slayed some demons beating Tom Brady and the Pats.  To me, he’s by far the team MVP right now, and should be in the running for the AFC or even NFL MVP.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “After signing the 5 year $29M deal in July, RT Willie Colon suffered a triceps injury in the Opener which caused him to miss the rest of this season. Starting at RT is 2011 2^nd rounder Marcus Gilbert. What have you seen out of Gilbert?”

Loede: “He’s shown some ability, but he’s still raw.  One play he’ll throw a block and you’ll think he’s making progress, and the next play he’ll whiff on a block and allow Ben to get in major trouble.  I think this season he’ll look back as a good learning experience, but not having Colon on board is hurting this team right now.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “Mendenhall has broken 20 carries just once, and has had four games with 13 or less carries. Obviously the Steelers are having success in the passing game (8^th overall), but do Steelers fans believe Mendenhall needs to be more involved overall?”

Loede: “The Steelers have had a rep the past few seasons of running their feature backs in the ground, and I think this season knowing they have a couple solid WR’s, there’s no reason to have Mendy carry the ball 20 or more times a game.  When he was hurt, Issac Redmen and Jonathan Dwyer filled in nicely, and I think that showed that they can share some carries as well.  Mendy will get his carries, but they want to keep him fresh for December and beyond.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “2^nd year WR Antonio Brown (6^th rd. Central Michigan) has emerged with 34 receptions (12.7 yards per reception) this year. He is also having success in the KR game. Do you see him replacing Ward as the primary possession WR going forward?”

Loede: “Very possibly, as he has not only made some clutch catches, but he’s also making big plays for first downs.  He played the role of Ward Sunday vs the Pats, and played an excellent game.  The Steelers young core of WR’s are the best in the game right now, and Brown could be the best after Mike Wallace, who is already reaching star status.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “It feels as if Heath Miller has been around longer, but this is only his 7^th year in the league. After 42 grabs in 14 games last year, he has already caught 30 passes in the 8 Pittsburgh games this year. Do you still see a guy with spring in his step? Is he be used any differently this year?”

Loede: “In camp they used him more wide for the first time, and then early on in the season he didn’t get a lot of looks.  Now with the pass game in full effect, he’s a huge weapon, and it showed last week on the first few drives against the Pats, when he couldn’t be covered.  He is a weapon, and a great safety valve for Ben.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “The Defensive Line is getting regular playing time from 2009 1^st rounder Ziggy Hood, and 2011 1^st rounder Cameron Heyward. Are they capable of pushing the pocket, or do they project as more of run-stopping ends?”

Loede: “Steeler D-linemen are more known for their run stopping than their ability to get to the QB.  Anytime one of them does, it’s a bonus, as usually that’s reserved for the linebackers. This season Hood needs to come into his own, as with it looking like Aaron Smith retiring after neck surgery, his position will go to Hood.  Heyward hasn’t done much yet, but the club has high hopes for him going forward.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “James Harrison has missed the past 4 games with a broken eye socket. Is there an expectation of when he will return? The Steelers have also been without 2010 2^nd rounder Jason Worilds with a thigh injury. Will he be in action Sunday night?”

Loede: “That’s the 100 dollar question for Sunday night, as Harrison’s stated he won’t play, but his agent said he would.  I can’t see him going, the team doesn’t want to risk him coming back early, and while this is a huge game, they want him for the stretch run.  They are hoping that Worilds will be back, and it appears as of today he should be able to play.  Not having LaMarr Woodley, James Farrior and Harrison is a huge blow to the team.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “There is a perception in Baltimore that the Pittsburgh Secondary is vulnerable, but the Steelers are actually leading the league in Pass Defense. While the pass rush (The Steelers have 20 sacks, tied for 9^th in the league) certainly helps, the Secondary itself has to get some credit. What are your thoughts on this group?”

Loede: “Ike Taylor is having an All-Pro season, and he deserved a lot of credit for the unit stepping up in 2011.  Willie Gay is playing well, and with Troy Polamalu running around making QB’s nervous, there’s no question that this unit is having it’s best season in a long time.  After what the Packers did in the Super Bowl last season, the team knew they needed better play in the secondary, and they are for sure getting it this season.”

Baltimore Sports and Life: “The Steelers enter Sunday night with a ½ game lead in the division, and winners of 4 straight. I am expecting a tilt that approximates most of the hard fought tight games which are typical for this series, vs. what we saw in the opener. What are the keys for Pittsburgh, and if you were the Ravens, how would you attack the Steelers?”

Loede: “Ray Rice had a great game the first time around, and I would start with him.  If the Ravens can get a good game from him, it will only help them get closer to a win.  With the LB’s out, the Steelers pass run won’t be nearly as powerful as with their three big guys in there.  Joe Flacco has to be careful, and not throw picks and make mistakes.  The Ravens D won’t have the same success as the first game, but they need to get to Ben, and bring him down when they do.  Should be a great game, and I think if you are the Steelers, you have to be quick with decisions on offense, just like a week ago vs the Pats.”