The Steelers 2022 Awards Projection: Preseason Version, Half 2

It’s “awards prediction season” within the NFL, of us. Earlier this week, I posted an article projecting the Pittsburgh Steelers award winners for conventional classes like MVP and Rookie of the Yr. On this piece, half 2 of the identical venture, I needed to invest about some much less conventional “awards” for 2022.

Similar to with the earlier essay, I’ll embrace a brief descriptor to every, and make a case for who I’ve picked. However I’ll additionally embrace a ballot for every class, together with “different” as an possibility (in case you are feeling like I missed an vital selection).

My objective, as at all times, is to begin just a few arguments within the feedback part, so have at it. Additionally, since there is a chance to revisit these things at midseason or the top of the yr, if anybody has a suggestion for a class so as to add, toss it out within the feedback. On with the present. Go Steelers.

The shorthand record. Explanations and polls to comply with.

Folks’s Alternative Award: Kenny Pickett
Folks’s Goat “Award”: Benny Snell Jr.
Greatest (projected) Disappointment: Takeaways
Nice (projected) Shock: Mid-range passing
Weakest Hyperlink: Offensive Line
Strongest Unit: Broad Receivers
Greatest Loss: Joe Haden
Addition by Subtraction: JuJu Smith-Schuster
Unsung Hero: Terrell Edmunds
Greatest Want for Common Season: 6-0 division document

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Folks’s Alternative Award —

It is a good place to begin. I feel there are guys that, each time they do one thing (something), all of us get stoked. Consider followers chanting “Heeeeeath” even after he retired. Or how Brett Keisel’s beard grew to become a sensation whereas he was taking part in Professional Bowl degree, or how likeable Juju in his rookie season. Who do you count on to say, “man, I like this man!” not less than a few times per recreation?

My Alternative: Kenny Pickett. Man, it is a robust one. It got here all the way down to Pickett and Robinson for me. Pickett’s charisma and native ties are already borderline legendary (you possibly can hear the “Kenny” chants from Ohio). And Robinson has a terrific story (who converts from working again to ILB in the midst of faculty, and makes it work?); plus he’s a tough hitter and big-time hustler. I like his play. However I’ve bought a sense we’re not going to see sufficient Robinson within the defensive rotation to make us all excited. I count on to see Kenny underneath heart earlier than season’s finish.

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Folks’s Goat “Award” —

I’ve requested this one a pair occasions; it’s one among my extra favourite questions for the polls. I think about it a chance for Steelers Nation to confess that we’re not at all times honest to our personal. In the event you have been a fan within the 90s, consider Kordell Stewart as a very good instance. A dozen years in the past, you might need stated Rashard Mendenhall — a two-time 1000 yard rusher who carried the offense throughout Ben’s 2010 suspension, however was oddly hated by many. 5 years in the past, it might need been Bud Dupree, who was by no means a foul participant, however bought smeared as a bust for years (earlier than his breakout in 2019). These aren’t essentially stars, however they’re additionally not bums — they’re completely tremendous gamers who’re simply detested for some cause.

My Alternative: Benny Snell. Few gamers take as a lot abuse from the fan base (not less than on BTSC) as Snell — a backup working again who actually hasn’t performed badly in any respect, regardless of suspect offensive line play, mediocre offensive scheming, and inconsistent QBs. I’ve by no means understood it. (Did Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala have this many haters?) Whether or not you suppose he’s a helpful fourth quarter clock-bleeder that the Steelers under-utilize (like I do), or that he’s an under-performing backup who will get his hat for particular groups (like most of you most likely do), the fervour behind hating Benny Snell has at all times appeared disproportionate to me. Mason Rudolph might be the betting favourite for this award (for good cause), however Snell is my winner.

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Greatest (projected) Disappointment —

This isn’t actually an “award” in fact. I’m pondering of it as a component of the group that seems to be a energy (or not less than stable), however which you suppose will wind up disappointing us all. Nothing would make me happier than to have all of those areas stay strengths, however nobody can know simply but.

My Alternative: Takeaways. The Steelers protection led the league in takeaways over a two-year interval throughout their latest resurgence (2019-2020). Whereas the turnover numbers dropped in 2021, they nonetheless weren’t unhealthy. Actually, throughout their late-season 5-2 dash, they averaged 2.4 takeaways per recreation, which might have led the league by a mile. So I feel we’re all anticipating the development to proceed. However I’m at all times nervous about TOs. Interceptions may be manufactured by an aggressive protection, however fumbles are a fickle mistress — when the ball hits the grass, chaos follows, so recovering fumbles is a craps-shoot. I’m crossing my fingers that the Steelers sustain their excellent tempo, however I worry they might not.

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Nice (projected) Shock —

That is the alternative of the Greatest Disappointment: the world that we’re most involved about based mostly on latest historical past, however that you simply predict will probably be a energy this season.

My Alternative: Mid-range passing. One in all my most constant irritations from the final two or three years has been the Steelers lack of ability/unwillingness to throw these 8-12 yard passes that maintain drives. A part of this derived from the offensive line’s failure to guard Ben Roethlisberger, who needed to get the ball out of his fingers at lightning tempo in consequence — thereby stopping his guys from getting up the sphere. However simply as usually, the Steelers’ offensive philosophy was (as former Offensive Coordinator Randy Fichtner put it): “cross brief; run lengthy.” However 25 two-yard passes, adopted by 5 50-yard bombs shouldn’t be the way you win video games. It’s important to work the sphere. I’m hoping that the cellular younger QBs can throw some mid-range darts this yr.

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Weakest Hyperlink —

This one might be self-explanatory. In selecting the choices, I made a decision to emphasise items fairly than particular person gamers, since gamers may very well be changed in the event that they aren’t measuring up. For instance, if we thought the weak hyperlink in 2020 was “RB,” it wouldn’t simply imply James Conner, however all the fellows behind him who couldn’t beat him out.

My Alternative: Offensive Line. I’m going for the low-hanging fruit right here. However I’ve a sense this one goes to win in a stroll. I’ve defended the offensive line a number of occasions lately — noting that OL is extra of a coordinated unit than we often suppose, and with a bunch of recent faces, there’s going to be some bumbling. However I’m troubled by a number of the precise particular person performances too. I anticipated James Daniels and Dan Moore to be rising stars this yr, but it surely’s not trying that means proper now. In the long run, I can’t consider a unit or aspect of this group that’s shakier.

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Strongest Unit —

My Alternative: Broad Receivers. Let me acknowledge off the highest that I can’t consider I’m together with particular groups on this record, however truthfully, they appear terrific. A number of good returners, among the best kickers within the league, an (apparently) improved punter, and good protection groups. What’s going to the Danny Smith haters do in the event that they preserve exhibiting up? That stated, it’s apparent to me that the WR room is in a category by itself. There have been most likely eight or ten our bodies in camp/preseason who may very well be legit NFL gamers, which is absurd depth. However the prime of the chart can also be spectacularly excessive. Diontae Johnson has been to the Professional Bowl already, and the potential for Claypool, Pickens, and Austin is thru the roof. In the meantime, would you are feeling nervous if Gunner O. and Myles Boykin needed to see some offensive snaps? I wouldn’t. The Tomlin/Colbert Steelers are borderline legendary for drafting large receivers. This yr’s crop is an effective instance why.

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Greatest Loss —

A group can really feel the absence of a lacking head in plenty of methods — generally it’s as a result of their bodily presence is lacking; generally it’s their management; generally it’s their intelligence.

My Alternative: Joe Haden. I thought-about together with Stephon Tuitt on this record, however he didn’t play final season both, in order that loss occurred in 2021. For this yr, I feel the group will miss Joe essentially the most. Importantly, the Steelers prime three corners (Wallace, Sutton, Witherspoon) are all stable gamers, and I wouldn’t essentially put Haden forward of them at this level in his profession. However Joe was a consummate skilled, a locker room chief, and a dependable veteran who knew the sport. (Witness: his short-of-the-sticks game-sealing deal with towards Tennessee late final season.) His presence will probably be missed, and there are certain to be one or two performs this yr that I’ll suppose, “Haden would have made that cease…” or “Haden would have damaged that up…” Let’s hope I’m unsuitable.

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Addition by Subtraction —

The other of “Greatest Loss,” this one is about eliminating useless weight. It doesn’t need to be mean-spirited, although it most likely sounds that means. The large query is: who’s departure will assist the Steelers enhance essentially the most?

My Alternative: JuJu Smith-Schuster. I like JuJu. I at all times favored JuJu. He performed bodily and labored onerous, and was each a high-end possession receiver and higher large play man than most keep in mind. Plus he left Pittsburgh with a specific amount of sophistication — taking no pictures on the Steelers on the best way out the door (not less than none that I noticed). However JuJu was (and is) immature and simply distracted. His curiosity in self-branding wasn’t only a unhealthy tone for a veteran participant (I feel he was no good for Chase Claypool), however he additionally fired up Steelers opponents often — dancing on their logos for TikTok or giving them pointless bulletin board materials (keep in mind “Browns is Browns”?) Shedding him additionally compelled the Steelers to have a look at WRs within the 2022 draft, which yielded George Pickens and Calvin Austin. JuJu was a very good man and I want him effectively. However the Steelers offense is healthier in the present day than it might be if he was nonetheless on the town.

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Unsung Hero —

That is additionally most likely self-explanatory, however let’s say the Unsung Hero is a secret weapon of types — a participant who doesn’t get his due within the speaking head world, and even generally down right here among the many followers, however who does the damned job and does it effectively.

My Alternative: Terrell Edmunds. Edmunds was my selection final yr, and he’s nonetheless my man now. The previous first spherical draft decide is a kind of guys who’s been maligned usually, however is definitely very stable as a participant. He’s by no means been a takeaway machine, and that’s why (I feel) he has a foul rep. However each time I’ve executed stat breakdowns on the Steelers protection, I’m shocked at how good Edmunds is. He very quietly had an excellent 2020 season and in some way bought higher in 2021. (Do you know he had eight tackles for loss final season? That was 2nd within the league amongst all defensive backs.) Edmunds most likely received’t go to the Professional Bowl this yr however I’m predicting that he may simply deserve it.

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Greatest Want for the Common Season —

I’m not together with “Steelers win the Tremendous Bowl” as a result of that’s too straightforward. I’m additionally not together with any of the steps alongside the best way (like “Steelers win out” or “Steelers get the 1-seed”). These issues are too apparent — all of us need them. As a substitute, these choices are somewhat extra modest, and due to this fact each likelier and extra debatable.

My Alternative: 6-0 division document. I at all times want for this as a result of the AFC North is sort of at all times one of the best division within the league (or not less than has an argument for it). You may argue that the Steelers’ 4-2 division document final yr was the largest driver for his or her sudden playoff berth in 2022. Importantly, although, whereas they swept each Baltimore and Cleveland, they bought blasted twice by upstart Cincinnati. Simply cut up these video games, and the Steelers host a playoff recreation whereas the Tremendous Bowl Bengals miss the playoffs. That’s how significant every recreation on this division is.

To go undefeated within the AFCN is very onerous, however it might be the form of gauntlet that may battle-test this group. The Steelers have solely swept this division thrice for the reason that 2002 realignment — 2002, 2008, and 2017. Their mixed document in these years, counting playoffs? 39-14-1 (.731), with a Lombardi. I’d accept a season like that once more.

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Alright, test again in for the outcomes. In any other case, let’s get this season began. Go Steelers.