Pittsburgh Sports Column: Patience for Steelers Fans

Story posted October 9, 2013 in CommRadio, Sports by Mike Wargon

The Steelers haven’t won a game since December 30, 2012. After starting both the preseason and regular season 0-4, they desperately needed their bye this week. Ben Roethlisberger and the offense will look to re-group after a poor start to the season. Roethlisberger has five interceptions and only five touchdown passes.

His ratio will have to improve if the Steelers want to salvage their season.

The biggest thing the Steelers will need to improve on, is their running game. No player on the Steelers has accumulated more than 75 yards in a game. They saw a small ray of light last week with the emergence of rookie running back Le’Veon Bell.

After suffering an injury in the preseason, Bell rushed for 57 yards and two touchdowns last week in his first NFL game. It remains too little early to declare Bell as the next great Pittsburgh running back, but from what he displayed at Michigan State and last week, he has the talent to be just that.

On the defensive side of the ball we have yet to see that stout Pittsburgh ‘Steel Curtain’ defense that we’ve grown accustomed to over the years. The  defense has only forced two fumbles and hasn’t recorded an interception yet. For a team that is giving up 27.5 points per game, they need to force more turnovers.

The Steelers current turnover differential is -11. After their bye, they will need to completely turn things around. They need to protect the ball better and force more turnovers defensively. Even with the poor start, don’t expect the Steelers to part ways with head coach Mike Tomlin or offensive coordinator Todd Haley. If Pittsburgh wants to make any coaching changes, they will wait until the season ends.

The Pirates have finally made the playoffs and are trying to prove that they belong there. Game 5 is set for Wednesday night.

On the ice the Penguins have gotten out to a great start. Through a 2-0 start Sidney Crosby already has two goals. He is easily the best player in the world, and as long as he can avoid injury, he will again be a dominant force for the Penguins.

One of the problems for Pittsburgh in the past has been in between the pipes, but through two games it looks as if Marc-Andre Fleury has corrected his problems. He has only yielded one goal this year and has 48 saves. If Fleury can become steady in the net, this Penguins team is built to make a run for the cup.

Mike Wargon is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mjwargon@gmail.com.