by Barry BarnesFiled under: Steelers, AFC North
Inside the four walls of the Steelers' locker room this season, the team was expecting to finish where they started last season before the unexpected injuries and losses. The Steelers envisioned themselves in the position they are in and after Pittsburgh wrapped the AFC, it should be noted that a recent champion should never be counted out under any circumstances -- even the suspension the starting quarterback for the opening four games.The Steelers had their share of ups and downs this season, more ups, are firm believers of themselves in what they can accomplish. Experience plays a major factor as to why the Steelers returned to the Super Bowl for the third time in six years, but for the veteran players to perform with such an urgency as if they never have been to the league's title game is tremendous to witness and thrilling for the black and gold.
"It's just as exciting. It's more exciting," nose tackle Chris Hoke, who is playing in his third Super Bowl, told Steelers.com. "For us older guys we know that there are more years behind us than ahead of us so there was a sense of urgency to get back here again. We are fired up. We are excited to be here. We know it's not the end, it's just the beginning and we have to get prepared for the game."
Several things can be contributed to why the Steelers are looking to add their seventh Vince Lombardi Trophy to the Rooney Family name. Here are the top five reasons why Pittsburgh is playing on Feb. 6.
5. Running back Rashard Mendenhall jump-starting the Steelers running game.
It's common for the Steelers to have a solid, physical running game, dating back to the 70's when Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris helped set in stone Pittsburgh's philosophy -- solid run game, be physical, but play smart defensively and own the clock. However for the past two seasons, the Steelers had to convert into more of a passing team. Since the retirement of running back Jerome Bettis, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has aired the ball out more than ever before and -- over the last two years -- perhaps more than any time in franchise history.
Mendenhall was expected to pick up where Bettis left off, but after suffering a shoulder injury against the Ravens to end his rookie season, his ability to lead the Steelers' ground game was being questioned. After a slow start to the 2009 season, Mendenhall displayed the power and speed he possesses as the team's workhorse and finished his campaign with 1,108 yards and seven touchdowns.
This season despite the absence of Roethlisberger for the first four contests and a patch work offensive line, Mendenhall restored what was lost in the Steelers' formula for victories as he powered the backfield in crucial situations for tough yards, en route to 1,273 yards and 13 touchdowns. Mendenhall ignited the Steelers' power running game, which Harris, Bettis and the company of others laid before him.
4. Big Ben, the field general.
The main reason why the Steelers odds were knocked down signficantly before the season started was because of the anticipation of Roethlisberger's suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Originally, he was suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for six games, but Roethlisberger abided by what the commissioner laid for him and went above and beyond to have his suspension dropped to four games.
For an elite quarterback to miss a quarter of the season with a banged up offensive line, Big Ben wasn't expected to make much of an impact, but he did. Roethlisberger's patience and playmaking ability overshadowed most of the offensive line struggles and created opportunities for his young receivers to make plays. Because of the Steelers' circumstances offensively, they had no quarterback on their roster to carry them in critical situations like Big Ben, who consistently converted breakdown plays into large, important gains during the regular season and postseason. Most teams view third-and-longs as doom, but Roethlisberger looked at these situations as nothing but another play.
3. Polamalu's ability to quarterback the defense.
All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu was one of the key players from the 2009 campaign who was banged up, which hampered the Steelers' chances of defending their Super Bowl title. Quarterbacks Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch played well enough to win for the Steelers, but Polamalu was the player that controlled the games with his ability to quarterback the defense in Roethlisberger's absence.
The big leap over the Titans' offensive line to prevent a score in Week 2 was huge by Polamalu to help keep the Steelers undefeated. But Polamalu's quarterbacking continued when Roethlisberger returned. The big hit in the contest against the Bills to prevent a huge first down, his two picks against the Bengals in Week 14, causing Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco to fumble last in the fourth quarter which led to the Steelers' go-ahead touchdown in Week 13 and the countless times he made quarterbacks second guess themselves left Polalmu's mark. If he isn't the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, it will be a crime, but at least he gets to play for another ring.
2. Playing to win and not to lose.
There have been several periods in the regular season where the Steelers attacked, offensively and defensively, in situations where teams would be conservative, but when it counts in the playoffs is the reason why number two is important. In the divisional round against the Ravens when the score was tied 24-24, the Steelers were faced with third-and-19 deep in their territory. The Ravens' corner oddly played off the Steelers' receivers about 15 yards and dropped back eight defenders.
Pittsburgh could have easily played for the first down because it was there or just played it safe and ran the ball to punt and let their defense handle the rest. Against the Jets in the AFC Championship game, the Steelers, yet again, were faced with a crucial third-and-long. They could have just ran the ball and punted the ball away knowing that New York had no timeouts left, leaving them with a little over a minute of regulation to operate.
The Ravens and the Jets, during those occasions, started to put the momentum on their side as they were moving the ball. Instead of being conservative, they attacked and converted which led to victories. Roethlisberger connected with rookie wide receiver Antonio Brown on a 58-yard pass to setup the go-ahead touchdown run by Mendenhall against the Ravens. The the Jets game, Roethlisberger hooked up with Brown again for a 14-yard pick up, which led to a couple of kneels to earn another playoff berth.
1. Mike Tomlin trusts his system and his players.
Tomlin is the youngest head coach, at the age of 38, to reach two Super Bowls and it wasn't by mistake. Despite the injuries and youth at key positions, Tomlin could have panic and looked to sign free agent players or waiver wire finds to fill in. Instead, Tomlin trusted his system and his coaching staff and knew his young players would fall in line. And they did.
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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/25/top-5-reasons-why-pittsburgh-advanced-to-the-2011-super-bowl/
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