[News] Late For Work 9/9: Ex-Steeler Says Pittsburgh Will Miss Playoffs; NFL Power Rankings

[BR News]

National media giving Ravens respect in power rankings. Balancing buzz, expectations for Maxx Williams.

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[Bat-mite]

I hope Ryan Clark is right, but I still see that four of the eight power rankings put the Steelers ahead of the Ravens. That's good. It will keep us motivated.

[bioLarzen]

Gotta love when obvious things that fans have been warned about throughout the summer are presented as something new... Many analysts kept saying over and over that rookie tight ends shouldn't be expected to come in and be good right away, because tight end is apparently one of the hardest positions to make the transition between the college and NFL-level. Therefore, neither Maxx Williams nor Nick Boyle should be expected to step in and be difference makers this season.

If you disagree, just look at Heap's or Pitta's rookie season - or Gronk's, for that matter. Or the latest example: Ebron.

Apparently, TE's typically take at least a season to get real NFL-ready. So, people, please, don't get harsh on our rookie TE's if they don't live up to your high expectations right away.

[Purpleghost23]

Elliot dont now anything about anything...and funny that litle guys are all posting thing about height at the same time

[ellicottraven]

I had once written about how a janitor at NFL's offices in NY knew so much more about football than Eliot Harrison. The more I read about his rankings and so forth, the more I believe I was wrong about him. I think I insulted the janitor gravely with that comparison.

[Dorota]

I think that Steelers will still perform well on offence, even with the suspensions, especially against teams with lackluster defenses, however, it's possible they will be victims to playing catch-up to the points they lose on defense. We will see. I wouldn't underestimate them. As for TEs, not sure what was up with Maxx Williams, but I think getting poked in the eye doesn't count as an "injury-prone" worry. Depends what he was out with the second time. I'd expect that maybe up to November, there will be some frustration, where everyone will keep saying they expected more, pierced with bright flashy moments in between. After then, he'll get the hang of it and he'll be fine. And I trust Crockett Gilmore. One thing I am really curious about is how we will be scoring points in September, as in who will be the most go-to guy, apart from Steve Smith Sr.

Edited September 9, 2015 by Dorota

[respecttheRaven]

Gotta love when obvious things that fans have been warned about throughout the summer are presented as something new... Many analysts kept saying over and over that rookie tight ends shouldn't be expected to come in and be good right away, because tight end is apparently one of the hardest positions to make the transition between the college and NFL-level. Therefore, neither Maxx Williams nor Nick Boyle should be expected to step in and be difference makers this season. If you disagree, just look at Heap's or Pitta's rookie season - or Gronk's, for that matter. Or the latest example: Ebron. Apparently, TE's typically take at least a season to get real NFL-ready. So, people, please, don't get harsh on our rookie TE's if they don't live up to your high expectations right away.

Agreed! I am however, really excited to see Crockett Gillmore in action. I think he will be a great weapon for Flacco this year!! Can't wait!!!

[ksk316]

I know he is friends with some of the ex-Ravens like Reed but is Ryan Clark trying to jinx us?

[TXRavensFan]

...and funny that litle guys are all posting thing about height at the same time

 

Willing to bet they were watching the last episode of Hard Knocks - they both posted that at the scene where O'Brien cuts James from the Texans mainly because of his size.

[ellicottraven]

By this time next year, our TE group will be hailed as NFL's best TE group! Guaranteed. Think about it - Crockett Gillmore, Maxx Williams, Nick Boyle? Read those names slowly and then tell me those names are not meant to be uber popular and repeated over and over again?

[Zeus]

This whole Perriman injury sucks - there has been no mention of him playing this weekend or in the near future

[salamander]

When an ex-Steeler like Ryan Clark is realistic enough about the deficiencies of Pittsburg to predict that they won't make the playoffs and will miss out to their rival division winning Ravens, that's saying something bold about how much the Steelers have declined. I hope the Pittsburgh defense is as bad as anticipated, that the Ravens gel and excel early....and that we win both Steelers match ups.

Edited September 9, 2015 by salamander

[757RavensFan]

I know he is friends with some of the ex-Ravens like Reed but is Ryan Clark trying to jinx us?

 

NO, he took off his black and yellow shades and called it like he sees it. I hope he's right.

Gotta respect him for not being biased and going with a homer pick and saying the Steelers are the team

to beat in our division.     

[757RavensFan]

This whole Perriman injury sucks - there has been no mention of him playing this weekend or in the near future

 

Let me help you out here, he didn't practice yesterday, not practicing today, he's not playing Sunday.  

 

Honestly, you probably shouldn't expect to see him before week 3.  

[fusuymada]

Gilmore is not a rookie tight end so I don't expect he will be limited by these "typical" numbers people expect of rookie tight ends. In addition, considering how important the tight end is in Trestmans offense, how much Joe relies on the tight end and the great hands of Williams and I think we will see a very atypical year for a rookie tight end. It was indicated in another story where these were the youngest group of tight ends ever that anyone could remember in the history of the game. Teams usually have a vet on staff that they pick up to alleviate the pressure on these rookie tight ends. That's not the case in Baltimore which makes me believe that rookie tight end records are going to be broken this year.

[runcontrol]

This whole Perriman injury sucks - there has been no mention of him playing this weekend or in the near future

 

Yesterday Harbaugh basically said that it seems unlikely that he will play this weekend since he hasn't practiced.  He is doing what every other coach in the NFL will do, give as little information as possible.   Like Hensely wrote the other day, based on the idea that he had a PCL sprain (not confirmed by the team, but what most people are speculating) the soonest he would return to the practice field is next week.  But it could be a few more weeks and than you have to see how he looks once he can actually practice.  Most guesses are saying he won't return until October. 

[Crusader]

Dream on, Yankees were to old too.

[goldenboldin]

i'm not worried about jinxing. i'm going to soak in the compliment an ex-steeler had to offer to the ravens... gotta respect a dude who can be objective

[rmcjacket23]

Gilmore is not a rookie tight end so I don't expect he will be limited by these "typical" numbers people expect of rookie tight ends. In addition, considering how important the tight end is in Trestmans offense, how much Joe relies on the tight end and the great hands of Williams and I think we will see a very atypical year for a rookie tight end. It was indicated in another story where these were the youngest group of tight ends ever that anyone could remember in the history of the game. Teams usually have a vet on staff that they pick up to alleviate the pressure on these rookie tight ends. That's not the case in Baltimore which makes me believe that rookie tight end records are going to be broken this year.

The real problem with rookie TEs, particularly somebody like Maxx, is that he's not a very good blocker, since he's more known for catching passes. Regardless of whatever role we think TEs can or should have, if you can't effectively block, you can't play.

 

As much as we like to pretend like guys like Pitta or even Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski are just receivers who run routes all the day, every single one of those guys spends significantly more time blocking than running routes. 

 

Jimmy Graham, a guy most people think just catches passes and is used in the red zone, was a blocker on about 60-65% of his snaps in the last three years in New Orleans, and Seattle has openly said they expect him to block roughly 75% of the time.

 

Maxx was already behind the eight ball for missing significant amounts of training camp due to injury, and so he didn't get nearly as much work needed on his blocking technique as he should have, which is probably why it will take at least several weeks before he's a factor in our offense and it may not even happen this season.

[The Mom Gene]

I hate to tell Rich Gannon.... The Ravens are beating the snot out of the Patriots this year in the AFC game... No Way are they going back again... We have seen how that works.

[The Mom Gene]

By this time next year, our TE group will be hailed as NFL's best TE group! Guaranteed. Think about it - Crockett Gillmore, Maxx Williams, Nick Boyle? Read those names slowly and then tell me those names are not meant to be uber popular and repeated over and over again?

I agree....  I think Gilmore is going to be a beast THIS year.  I'm thinking you're right...  maybe even by the end of this season.

[A Fish Called Yanda]

When an ex-Steeler like Ryan Clark is realistic enough about the deficiencies of Pittsburg to predict that they won't make the playoffs and will miss out to the rival, Ravens, who he also predicts will win the division, that's saying something bold about how much the Steelers have declined. I hope the Pittsburgh defense is as bad as anticipated, that the Ravens gel and excel early....and that we win both Steelers match ups.

 

The Steelers starters missed a collective 7 games last year, which is ridiculously low for an NFL team.  Our starters missed something like 60 games.  They were able to hide their weaknesses by being one of the healthiest teams in the league, but injuries have already reared their head for them in this preseason.

 

If the Steelers' offense is able to stay healthy, they will break records.  This is the only way they will win games this year with the horrendous defense  that they are putting on the field.  I don't see them doing that though.

[salamander]

Unfortunately, we only have 1 real seasoned vet among the receivers. Fortunately, that guy is SSS. Can't think of another receiver on any team that I would rather have mentoring, motivating and leading this young offensive group than SSS.

[GO_Ravens]

Start Crockett Gilmore on your fantasy team against the Broncos he is going to kill it.

[ravensfan2430]

The Steelers starters missed a collective 7 games last year, which is ridiculously low for an NFL team.  Our starters missed something like 60 games.  They were able to hide their weaknesses by being one of the healthiest teams in the league, but injuries have already reared their head for them in this preseason.

 

If the Steelers' offense is able to stay healthy, they will break records.  This is the only way they will win games this year with the horrendous defense  that they are putting on the field.  I don't see them doing that though.

A cool stat.... assuming it is accurate.

[January J]

Start Crockett Gilmore on your fantasy team against the Broncos he is going to kill it.

[FloridalovesRavens]

Please get over the injury to Perriman. It is what it is. He will play this season and that is what is important. Go Ravens.

[January J]

Gilmore is not a rookie tight end so I don't expect he will be limited by these "typical" numbers people expect of rookie tight ends. In addition, considering how important the tight end is in Trestmans offense, how much Joe relies on the tight end and the great hands of Williams and I think we will see a very atypical year for a rookie tight end. It was indicated in another story where these were the youngest group of tight ends ever that anyone could remember in the history of the game. Teams usually have a vet on staff that they pick up to alleviate the pressure on these rookie tight ends. That's not the case in Baltimore which makes me believe that rookie tight end records are going to be broken this year.

completely agree. These aren't your typical rookie tight ends, and they are coming into a team where the qb loves throwing to them and will make them better. They will be used heavily. Also Crockett and Boyles expertise is blocking first. These guys are very young but they will get past that learning curve very quickly.

As for Ryan Clark - smart guy.

[RavensFootballFan]

Official start of NFL, 1 day. Ravens, 4 days. I am ready! Raise your hands if you're surrre!

[PersianRaven]

Let's not forget Mr. Clark knows his business so it is no surprise he is calling out his team. The biggest mistake Pitt made was letting Dick LeBeau go. I don't know about you folks, but I'd take him as our Defensive Coordinator in a heartbeat. Mad Maxx will blossom into a highlight reel TE in the near future whereas Crocket and Boyle will be the guys who will just handle bizz down after down