Pittsburgh Steelers Heading Into 2013 With Low Expectations

For the first time in almost two decades ,the Pittsburgh Steelers are heading into the 2013 season with extremely low expectations. Now, Steelers fans may have Pittsburgh winning the Super Bowl, but the realistic expectations are that this team will miss the NFL playoffs.

Mike Tomlin runs a tight ship in Pittsburgh, however he can’t deny that the Steelers are undergoing a facelift to say the least. Mike Wallace was the team’s leading receiver last year and he will be playing his games for the Miami Dolphins this Fall. In addition, the team finally said goodbye to running back Rashard Mendenhall who was poised for a comeback season in 2012, but got derailed with a torn ACL.

There will be a new look to this team as they will be without James Harrison who was released after 12 years with the club. It’s not going to be easy replacing a defensive stopper like Harrison, but the Steelers find a way to be relevant each and every season. Every inch of my body is telling me peg this team as a third place or even last place squad, however they are the Steelers and Tomlin always has an ace up his sleeve.

Ben Roethlisberger has missed eight games in the last three seasons combined and the Steelers front office is taking notice. Reports have surfaced that the team is interested in drafting Tyler Bray this April who dazzled underneath center with the Tennessee Volunteers. Bray has drawn comparisons to Big Ben, but I’m sure the latter isn’t to fond of being replaced just yet.

While the stat sheet may see the Steelers taking a leap into mediocrity this year, I still have faith in Tomlin to get this team into the postseason.