The glass is half full and the sky is the limit!

Steeler Nation  , the Steelers are 5 -3 half way through the 2012 season and things are beginning to take shape. The Steelers beat the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants in New York now winning 3 straight and it looks as though this year's Steeler team is once again a contender.


It all starts with Ben Roethlisberger. Ben Roethlisberger is having what may be his best season yet . He has a QB rating of 101.1 with 16 touchdown and only 4 interceptions. Roethlisberger has been playing lights out this season and it looks like he has bought into offensive coordinator Todd Haley's offense . The new offense has cut down on sacks with an emphasis on faster passes and also more passes to the running backs. This philosophy has helped keep Roethlisberger upright allowing only 17 sacks through the first 8 games.

Roethlisberger is an elite quarterback and the Steelers will go as far as he can take them and at this rate the sky is the limit.

 The offensive line has really been coming on strong now that the same five starters have been playing together for a few games and some continuity has set in. Willie Colon has adjusted well to his new position at guard and with Colon and Maurkice Pouncey setting the tone the line is becoming one of the most physical in the league. Haley's new offensive philosophy is built for offensive lineman and the line all seem to love it. This line is a huge reason for the reemergence of the running game.

The running game has came on as of late and it does not seem to matter what running back starts. Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer have both excelled with every starting opportunity. The Steeler's starting back has ran for over 100 yards in 3 straight games. Dwyer had 102yds and 122yds followed by Redman getting 147yds against the Giants. Dwyer and Redman are both physical running backs and have show to be very capable starters at the NFL level. Mendenhall provides big play capabilities when healthy. Rookie Chris Rainey and Baron Batch have also shown to be good role players in the back field. This unit once a question mark has became a strength.

The receiving core may be one of the best in the NFL. Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown are both on their way to 1000 yards and Emmanuel Sanders keeps coming up with big catches at crucial moments . Jerricho Cotchery is a great veteran presence and is a great luxury to have in such a young group.

Tight end Heath Miller is having an outstanding season and is finally getting noticed nationally as the best all around tight end in the game . Miller is being used as a key part of the offense and he has not disappointed leading the team in receiving touchdowns with 6. Miller is one of the most consistent players in the league blocking and catching  and no player deserves to go to the Pro Bowl  more than Heath Miller.

After a slow start the Steelers defense has come on strong and defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau has made the adjustments needed playing without Troy Polamalu and a  new starting corner Keenan Lewis

The Steelers defense after 8 games is ranked  # 1 in the NFL. 1st in total yards yielded at 262 yards per game. 1st against the pass at 174yds a game.  7th against the run giving up only 88.6 a game. The defense is ranked 9th at points allowed at  20.5 points a game. This defense is one of the best in the league.

 Inside linebacker Larry Foote has done a great job being the defensive play caller and leads the Steelers with 56 tackles and 3 sacks. Lawrence Timmons has played solid and shown flashes of greatness.

Outside linbackers LaMarr Woodley  and  James Harrison have been hampered by injuries early on but seem to be coming on of late . Woodley has 3 sacks as does back up Jason Worlids. Harrison seems to be playing his way into game shape and gets a little better each game.

In the secondary with the absence of Safety Troy Polamalu , Ryan Clark is playing at a Pro Bowl level and continues to punish wide outs who try to cross the middle of the field . Will Allen has stepped up and played solid in Polamalu's spot.

Cornerback Ike Taylor is back to playing good after a slow start and Keenan Lewis is playing great lately and may have locked up that position for years to come. Cortez Allen plays the nickel package and also shows a lot of promise. This may be the strongest group of corners the Steelers have had in years.

On Special teams the Steelers have some great punt and kick return options with Chris Rainey, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders all capable of taking one all the way. The problem has been penalties . This must be corrected because this is a great bunch of returners.

Rookie punter Drew Butler is doing a solid job averaging 43.5 yards a punt and 13 downed inside the 20.
Shaun Suisham 17 0f 18 missing only a 54 yard try. Suisham may be having his best season.

Steeler Nation the season is half over and the glass seems to be half full as I'm feeling very optimistic about this Steeler team and the rest of the season. After a slow start the Steelers are right back in the hunt for a division title and Super Bowl run. Ben Roethlisberger is playing at a very high level and may be having his best season yet. The defense is among the best in the league and only going to get better.

So to sum it up...the Steelers have an elite quarterback playing at an elite level and a very good defense and with that combination the glass is half full and the sky is the limit!


Steeler Nation thanks for reading and check back often. Please spread the word and feel free to comment about this blog.You can follow me and the blog on twitter @STEELERSNSTUFF.

Later Steeler Nation and Go Steelers!