Did the Steelers meet, exceed, or fall short of your expectations for them?
I really had no idea what to expect of this team as we began the season. I was excited about young linebackers stepping up and playing big, and young wide receivers with a lot of upside actually breaking through. I think I'd have to say they slightly exceeded my expectations by winning the AFCN
Do you feel they are trending in the right direction?
Yes. Rebuilding a team is a multi-year process, not something that can be fixed in a single draft or free agency. The owners knowingly and willingly made a choice to put us in a deep personnel hole when they decided to keep the SB team together longer than normal. That cost us, but I still agree with their decision.
Why?
The Oline is better than it's been in almost a decade. Our WR corp is up and coming, with a legitimate WR that would be #1 on 30+ of the 32 teams in the NFL. Our number two receiver has good mechanics, catching the ball away from his body and seems know where to be on the field (though he's rookie, and mistakes are assumed), moreover, he has measurables to go along with that—height and speed—that, if Hines Ward had, he would have challenged Jerry Rice as the best WR ever in the game. We finally have a complete running back that's not a head case. He's capable of playing in the new NFL, but can revert to three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust in the fourth quarter to run out the clock (where I'm happy to see it being played). We still have strong TE's and beyond all that, our offense is playing well as a unit. Those two games in the middle of the year shows that this offense and OC, when they're all on the same page, can take on anyone.
The defense is trending in the right direction as well, but not as perceptible. Tuitt, McClendon, and others are doing well. Heyward had 7.5 sacks and 33 tackles. For a LDE in a 3-4, those numbers are definitely not bad. By comparison, Aaron Smith only had two 8 sack years in his career, four years where he had more tackles. On the other side, Kiesel's never had that much production in sacks and only two eyars where he's exceeded that production in tackles (and one where he's matched it). Tuitt came on the last part of the season, logging a sack, 8 tackles, and 1 assist in the last three games of the regular season (if he keeps that up next year, it's 5+ sacks and 40+ tackles over a season). Nose tackle needs a player to step up, or FA/Draft pick to step in. Unlike many, I was actually surprised and happy with our CB play in the latter half of the year. I think Gay, Blake, and McCain played well together and will be stronger when we get our safeties figured out. That remains our true weak point right now.
Who or what was your biggest disappointment with the 2014 season?
Dri Archer and LeGarrette Blount. The first for what he didn't do, the second for what he did do.
Biggest overall surprise? ( positive vein)
How good this team was when they managed to put all the pieces together, like that game against the Colts.
Who do you think will be most improved Steeler next year?
I have no idea. Part of me wants to say Bryant—if he sticks in AB's back pocket and picks up his work habits. But, I think maybe Shazier and Jones. They both flashed moments of great LB play before getting injured. If they can continue that direction, it'd be great (BTW, also don't forget it took Timmons about three years to come into his own—many were calling him a bust, and we all know Harrison's story).
Who is headed for the steepest decline in 2015?
Again, Bryant. Sophomore season is hard on players many times. Bryant could have a break out year, or he could decline. Either way, I'll be patient with him. Also keeping my eye on Bell. He came awfully close to the magic number for times rushing. If it holds, his production will fall off drastically next year, either because of injury or simply not doing it on the field. Hope I'm wrong, though.