Steel City Defense: A Pittsburgh Steelers Franchise

[matt314hew]

I am going to be starting a Steelers Dynasty using Madden 2010 and default rosters.

Starting Season: 2009
Settings:
Difficulty:
Quarters: 8 minutes, Acc Clock 15 Sec
Rules:
1. No unrealistic trades (Can't trade a scrub for a star or vice versa)
2. No more than 2 trades a year

With that being said, it is time to get some things set up before posting any games.

[matt314hew]

Pittsburgh Steelers 2009 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Sep 10	vs Tennessee Titans	Won, 17-9
Sep 20	at Chicago Bears	Won, 24-0
Sep 27	at Cincinnati Bengals
Oct 4	vs San Diego Chargers
Oct 11	at Detroit Lions
Oct 18	vs Cleveland Browns
Oct 25	vs Minnesota Vikings
Nov 1	vs BYE
Nov 9	at Denver Broncos
Nov 15	vs Cincinnati Bengals
Nov 22	at Kansas City Chiefs
Nov 29	at Baltimore Ravens
Dec 6	vs Oakland Raiders
Dec 10	at Cleveland Browns
Dec 20	vs Green Bay Packers
Dec 27	vs Baltimore Ravens
Jan 3	at Miami Dolphins

[matt314hew]

NFL Standings - Updated: Sep 6, 2009
AFC NORTH	W	L	T	PF	PA	HOME	ROAD	DIV
Pittsburgh Steelers	2	0	0	41	9	1-0	1-0	0-0
Baltimore Ravens	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
Cincinnati Bengals	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0-0
Cleveland Browns	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0-0

[matt314hew]

Breaking News: Steelers Trades
The summer after winning their 6th Super Bowl, the Steelers have decided to cut ties with a few players. One of those players is MVP of Super Bowl XLIII, Santonio Holmes. He was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for Jamal Charles, RB.

Now you would be thinking that they don't need another RB. But in another trade, the STeelers sent Willie Parker to the Washington Redskins for former Steeler, Antwaan Randle El.

The Steelers did re-sign Larry Foote, after much speculation that the Detroit Lions were going to get him. Details for all trades and signings were not released yet.

We did catch up to Randle El and asked him about the trade. "I feel great. I love Pittsburgh. I am glad that I can come back and help this team again."

When asked about Holmes, all he said was "I didn't know the guy as a teammate, but he was a heck of a player from what I saw. The organization must have had their reasons, but I dont' know them."

Charles was very excited to be a part of the team too. "I am glad to be a part of the team. After winning the Super Bowl, there are a lot of expectations. I know I have to face my former team this year, so I am hoping to get some time against them."

Holmes reached his new team and did answer our questions via a phone interview. Here are some of the questions and answers:

NP: Did the Rooneys mention why they traded you?
Holmes: That was between me and them. But I can tell you that I have no hard feelings.

NP: Did this have to do with your off the field issues?
Holmes: Like I said, between me and them.

NP: How does if feel to go from winning the MVP of the Super Bowl to going to a team expected to finishe 3rd in their division and not go to the playoffs?
Holmes: I get to bring my experience to them and help them out. We don't know how the season will go, but one thing is for sure, I have circled the home game against the sTeelers. I will be excited to be out there against them and playing with those guys.

NP: Any hard feelings towards the owners or team?
Holmes: I would be lying if I said, no, but the truth is we had an understanding and I didnt' hold up my end of the deal. What is done is done. I loved my time there and can't wait for my season to begin here.

There you have it. Holmes left along with Parker. Did the Steelers get players back that are equally as talented? We will have to wait and see.

[RJTurneR]

Quote:

Schedule with results coming Soon

Quote:

Super Bowl History Coming Soon, starting with this first season.

Quote:

Division Standings Coming Soon

Should keep you occupied for a while.

Look forward to reading though.

[matt314hew]

Quote: Originally Posted by RJTurneR

Should keep you occupied for a while. Look forward to reading though.

Haha.. true. I just haven't had the time to update the tables yet. Been pretty busy with work and getting stuff done at home.

[matt314hew]

Preseason (Simulated)

Vs. Cardinals W 31-21
@ Redskins L 34-7
Vs. Bills W 13-3
@ Panthers W 24-20

The Steelers finished at 3-1 and were humiliated against the Skins. That was the only game that hurt to see the score.

Coming up will be a preview of the Titans game and then the game itself..

I will probably only be able to play one or 2 games a week (might get a few more in this week, as thursday i might have a good 3 hours to play).

[matt314hew]

Tennessee Titans @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Preview

Greetings football fans, in less than 24 hours the 2009 NFL season gets underway with a game from Pittsburgh, PA. with a game between the Tennessee Titans and the World Champion, Pittsburgh Steelers.

What a way to open the season. The world champs against the Titans, who last time they played the Steelers, they won and then stomped on the towel. But that was the last win they received last year.

This will be a much different game between 2 teams that have the same style of defense and that is hard hitting. The game should be decided in the trenches. Whatever team has the best protection and can provide holes for the running backs should win the game.

Now to get a closer look at the action:

QBs - Ben Roethlisberger against Vince Young. We have to say that Ben has the poise and has proven that he can win big games. Young on the other hand has struggled against good teams, but can get out of the pocket and make things happen with his feet. But Ben has the upper hand in this matchup. Edge Steelers

HBs - Mendenhall against Chris Johnson. Steelers picked Mendenhall over Johnson a few years back in the draft and Johnson has something to say about that. He feels that he is the better HB and we agree. Johnson will get his yards against the STeelers, but he won't break 100. While Mendenhall will struggle to get 50 yards on the ground, he will be able to get out there and make things happen with his hands receiving the ball. Johnson wins this matchup. Edge Titans

WRs - The Steelers took a step back in this department when they traded Holmes to the Chiefs, but they did add Randle El back to the team. The Titans don't have the fire power that the Steelers do, but they do have Nate Washington, a former Steelers. He knows the team. he knows their tendencies. But will that help? We don't think so. The Steelers core receivers, along with Heath Miller, should be able to get open and make big plays. Edge Steelers

Defense - Overall, these are both great defenses. They are both tough against the run. The Steelers are known for not allowing 100 yard rushers. This streak will continue as they will contain Johnson. The Titans will punish Mendenhall and will force the Steelers to throw the ball. The big question here is whether the STeelers can stop Young when he takes off running. We have to say this is a PUSH.

Special Teams - No doubt about it. This game will probably be a battle of Defenses and the ST will need to be huge. The Steelers didn't do much to strengthen their Coverage teams, but did add Randle El to their return teams. Look for the Titans to try to get a couple big returns. Edge Titans.

Coaching - Mike Tomlin has a championship, Fisher was a yard away from getting one. Does that matter? Not really. Tomlin had a team that was built for championships before he took over. Fisher has built his team up. Fisher has a good track record against the Steelers. In this battle, it is another Push.

Edge Overall - Steelers for the fact that they are at home.

Predictions: Steelers 21-Titans 17.

Check back with us next week as we break down the Bears vs. Steelers.