Raiders Head Coach "Disturbed" By Rolando McClain Allegations

By: Tyler Ward

Former Alabama star and current Oakland Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain was arrested Thursday on misdemeanor assault, firearms and other charges for allegedly firing a gun during a fight in his hometown in Alabama.

McClain, a crucial piece of Alabama's 2009 National Championship team, reportedly held a gun to a man's head during an altercation and the man apparently begged McClain for his life. McClain then proceeded to remove the gun from the man's head and fired it up in the air, according to a statement.

"The victim told officers that following the fight, he crawled to his car. He said that when he reached his car, Rolando McClain produced a pistol and aimed it at him," the police statement said. "He said that while he was still on the ground, McClain walked over to him and put the gun to his head."

The victim told officers that "he begged McClain not to shoot him and that McClain took the gun away from his head, held it next to his ear and fired it."

No one was shot, but police say a man was injured in the altercation and drove himself to the hospital where he was eventually treated and released.

The linebacker was released on a $2,000 bond by police. He is currently facing charges of assault, reckless endangerment, menacing and firing a gun within the city limits. Another man, Jerradius Willingham was also charged with assault and was released on a $500 bond. The man, 23, is presumed to be one of McClain's friends.

McClain's attorney, Billy C. Burney II, said the linebacker denies firing the gun and said he was not involved in the fight.

Burney said in a statement, "Mr. McClain asserts his innocence. We are confident that Mr. McClain will be cleared of all charges."

McClain was also facing legal problems in Alabama already before his arrest.

The Raiders organization had no comment on the matter.

Raiders coach Hue Jackson said that McClain will play this week when the Raiders travel to Miami to play the Dolphins. He did not say for certainty that McClain will play, but he will "as far as I know".

"I can tell you we understand and know exactly what's going on, and we feel very comfortable with our information and we don't have any further comment at this time," Jackson said.

On Friday, Jackson said that he was quite disturbed by the allegations that have arisen about McClain.

"I'm disturbed by everything. Anything that hurts this organization or hurts this football team and what we talk about and what we're trying to become, I'm very disturbed by it," Jackson told reporters on Friday. "There's a right way to do things and a wrong way to do things, and obviously there was something done wrong."

There is no doubt that McClain will face some type of punishment by the organization and the NFL and Jackson was not hiding his dismay whatsoever when he talked to reporters on Friday. He said he will not wait for the NFL to hand down their punishment before he and the organization make their decision.

"I have 52 other players that are doing things the right way and doing things as I see they should be doing it and we're getting ready to play a game," Jackson proclaimed. "I will deal with Rolando when that time comes."

He would go on to say, "The league's going to do what they're going to do, and I respect that. But this isn't right now about the league. This is about the Raiders and this organization and coach Jackson and this football team. We'll deal with it accordingly when that time comes."

"I'm not going to let anybody stop this train from where it's going. I don't care who it is, and I think the team's that way. And this team has taken on my personality, and I know that and I believe that," he would go on to say. "We're not going to get concerned about anybody that's not on the train the right way. We're going to get ready to go to Miami to win a football game. That's all they know, that's all I know, and that's what we're going to be concerned about."

McClain had reportedly been in Alabama to attend his grandfather's funeral and he missed his third straight practice on Friday. It is not known if he will join the rest of his team in Miami.

He is currently the Raiders' second-leading tackler and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game.

McClain currently has 57 tackles and two sacks this season.

The linebacker was chosen eighth overall in the 2010 draft. McClain was a vital part of Alabama's 2009 team that won the national championship.

Hall-of-Famer George Blanda Dies At 83

By: Tyler Ward

George Blanda, one of the greatest players of his era, has died at the age of 83. Blanda spent 26 seasons in the NFL – 10 with the Chicago Bears, part of one with the Baltimore Colts, 7 with the Houston Oilers, and the final 9 with the Oakland Raiders.

Blanda was most known for the time he spent with the Raiders and he and owner Al Davis remained close friends before passing away on Monday. The Raiders released a statement, stating “We are deeply saddened by the passing of the great George Blanda. George was a brave Raider and a close personal friend of Raiders owner Al Davis.”

When Blanda retired before the 1976 season, he was the all-time leader in points scored with 2,002 points – he kicked 335 field goals and 943 extra points, along with 236 passing touchdowns and 9 rushing touchdowns. He was also elected to four Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981.

Blanda entered the NFL in 1949 as a 12^th-round draft pick out of Kentucky. He spent most of the decade with the Bears, but played one game with the Colts in 1950. He won the Bears starting job in 1953, but got injured the next season and was benched. The Bears felt that he was no their solution at quarterback and Blanda retired from the NFL in 1959 at the age of 31. His retirement didn’t last long as he would leave for the AFL’s Houston Oilers the next season.

He is perhaps the best player in AFL history. In seven seasons with the Oilers, Blanda threw for 19,149 yards and 165 touchdowns. He was named the AFL Player of the Year in 1961.

Oilers owner Bud Adams, who was another good friend of Blanda, said of ex-Oilers great, “He was the perfect fit for the start of the AFL, joining our league from the NFL and displaying the ability to lead a high-flying offense. His play garnered our league a lot of attention and fans. We had a celebration last year in Houston for the 1960 and 1961 AFL championship seasons and the team hall of fame members and it was great to have George join us and remember fondly those early years.”

In 1967, Blanda left the Oilers and many considered his career to be finished. However, the Raiders took a shot on him and wanted to use him as a back-up quarterback and kicker. He would last nine seasons with the Raiders and perhaps played his greatest for the Raider faithful. He played great for the team and led the Raiders on a remarkable five-game stretch in 1970 – he led the Raiders to four wins and a tie, while advancing to the playoffs. Blanda led them to late touchdowns or field goals to seal the victories. In the playoffs, he became the oldest quarterback to start in a championship game, but lost to the Baltimore Colts in the AFC Championship game.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said of Blanda, “George Blanda will always be remembered as a legend of our game including his amazing career longevity of 26 seasons in four different decades. George’s multi-talented flair for the dramatic highlighted the excitement of pro football during an important period of growth for our sport.”

For that 1970 season, here’s what Blanda accomplished:

-         Replaced injured Daryle Lamonica and threw three touchdowns in a 31-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers

-         Kicked a 48-yard field goal in the final seconds to tie the Kansas City Chiefs, 17-17

-         Threw a tying touchdown pass with 1:34 remaining in the game; he then proceeded to kick a 52-yard game-winning field goal against the Cleveland Browns; the Raiders won the game 23-20

-         Threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff to secure a 24-19 victory over the Denver Broncos

-         Kicked a 16-yard field goal in the final seconds to beat the San Diego Chargers, 20-17

On Monday, the NFL lost one of the greatest players in pro football history. He was elected to four Pro Bowls and won two AFL championships. The NFL will sorely miss Blanda and we appreciate everything he did for the NFL to make it what it is today.

R.I.P. George Blanda (September 17, 1927 – September 27, 2010)

AFC West Preview

By: Tyler Ward and Stephen Patterson

1. San Diego Chargers (Head Coach: Norv Turner)

Key arrivals: CB Nathan Vasher, TE Randy McMichael, OT Tra Thomas, WR Josh Reed, RB Ryan Mathews (draft)

Key departures: RB LaDainian Tomlinson, CB Antonio Cromartie, QB Charlie Whitehurst, DT Jamal Williams

TW: The Chargers are certainly on the decline. They let go of LaDainian Tomlinson, perhaps one of their best players in franchise history. With unproven rookie Ryan Mathews handling most of the run duties, their run game could be in the bottom half of the league. Rivers is one of the top 5 QB's in the league, statistically, but with the uncertainty of Vincent Jackson coming back, the Chargers' aerial assault will not be what it was last season. Their #1 receiver is now Malcom Floyd, excluding tight end Antonio Gates. Their offensive line could also be a problem since it is not known when Marcus McNeill, a premier tackle, will get his contract dispute handled. They also released nose tackle Jamal Williams, the staple of the Chargers' defense for the past few seasons. Shaun Phillips and Shawne Merriman will have to play stupendous if the Chargers want to succeed in the regular season, along with the playoffs. The one thing that saves the Chargers is the weak division they play in and that is probably why the Chargers will win the AFC West.

Philip Rivers

- TW's Prediction: 10-6

SP: The Chargers are always one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl, yet they somehow always find a way to fall short of their goals and fizzle out early in the postseason. With the Tomlinson Era officially over, expect things to be a little rough for the defending AFC West champs. Ryan Matthews was drafted to take over and replace LT, and while fantasy experts think he will have an amazing season, I'm not so convinced. He will probably have a decent season being the main back for San Diego, but I don't think he will break the 1,000 yard mark. Philip Rivers will likely be without his best receiver, as Jackson has been firm on his contract holdout. Even with Antonio Gates and Malcom Floyd, I don't think Philips will have the type of MVP season many people are projecting. The only reason he has a chance to achieve decent numbers this year is because he plays in a weak division. I'm not sure if he got the memo, however, as some of those division rivals have improved on defense since last season. The defense has also declined, and the losses of Antonio Cromartie and Jamal Williams will likely hurt them this season. Expect them to still finish above .500 due to being in a fairly weak division, but they won't have double digit wins in my opinion.

- SP's Prediction: 9-7

2. Denver Broncos (Head Coach: Josh McDaniel)

Key arrivals: QB Brady Quinn, RB LenDale White, OT Maurice Williams, RB Justin Fargas, DT Jamal Williams, DE Jarvis Green, DE Justin Bannan, WR Deymarius Thomas (draft), QB Tim Tebow (draft)

Key departures: WR Brandon Marshall, TE Tony Scheffler, OL Ben Hamilton, DE Vonnie Holliday, OL Casey Weigmann

Knowshon Moreno

TW: Personally, I don't know what Josh McDaniels is doing in Denver. Why would you trade a potentially great quarterback (Cutler) and a prolific wide receiver (Marshall)? That makes no sense. And draft Tim Tebow in the first round and then say he's the future Broncos quarterback? Tebow may be a decent quarterback, but he will never be what everyone wants him to be. I like what they've done with the running game since they added LenDale White. But, their wide receivers are suspect at best. The Broncos drafted Demaryius Thomas to supplant Marshall, but Thomas is still a rookie. Eddie Royal now becomes the #1 receiver, with Thomas falling closely behind him on the depth chart. Denver also dealt away tight end Tony Scheffler, who has proven he could be very dependable on the field. Not only is their offense questionable, but their defense is now, too. Elvis Dumervil, one of the premier pass rushers in the league, could possibly miss the entire season. The Broncos have implemented a 3-4 defense, who provides pass rushers the ability to get to the quarterback. They really have no pass-rushing game, especially with Mario Haggan being a starter. Their defensive line is shaky at best - Ronald McBean and Justin Bannan are the starters at the defensive end spots..for now.Denver is mediocre on offense and defense and for that, I think they'll be below .500.

- TW's Prediction: 7-9

SP: The Denver Broncos are in for a rough year and their fans may be getting used to if Tim Tebow is indeed the franchise's future. While he might have the "leadership and intangibles" that got him drafted, he doesn't have the arm and the skill set to excel in the NFL. He may surprise me, but I don't think he will every be a Pro Bowl caliber player (he may get voted by the fans, but it won't be for his numbers). Also, trading away Brandon Marshall, arguably the teams' best player last season, may turn out to be a really bad idea for the team. While Marshall was definitely a distraction at times, he is one of the best receivers in the NFL and has been consistently for the past three seasons. Find a top-level wide receiver that doesn't have a little bit of an attitude and occasionally draws attention to himself over the team. There are some players that good and that well behaved, just not on Denver's roster. Their receiving core took a steep hit, even with the selection of Deymarius Thomas in the Draft. Denver still has a pretty decent defensive unit, but losing Elvis Dumervil for the season won't do the team any favors. If Quinn or Orton plays at QB this season, the Broncos will win a few games. If they give the job to Tebow, the story might be a little different, especially at this point in his career. He already had to revamp his entire throwing style, and in his first preseason action, reverted back to his previous elongated motion. If he starts a majority of Denver's games this season, expect them to have an even lower record than I'm projecting.

- SP's Prediction: 6-10

3. Oakland Raiders (Head Coach: Tom Cable)

Key arrivals: DT John Henderson, QB Jason Campbell, LB Kamerion Wimbley, QB Kyle Boller, LB Quentin Groves, LB Rolando McClain (draft), OT Bruce Campbell (draft), DT Lamarr Houston (draft)

Key departures: LB Kirk Morrison, QB JaMarcus Russell, DT Gerard Warren, WR Javon Walker, LB Greg Ellis, RB Justin Fargas

Michael Bush

TW: I actually think the Raiders have improved. I like what they've done with the acquisition of Jason Campbell - and the release of JaMarcus Russell. The Raiders now have a decent passing game and Derrius Heyward-Bey could blossom this season. I also think RB Michael Bush could be in for a big season. And they also have Darren McFadden, who is a quality backup running back. Zach Miller, the tight end, has shown signs of promise since being drafted and I think he could play fairly well with Campbell as the quarterback. But, I particularly like what they did on defense. The acquisitions of John Henderson and Kamerion Wimbley gives the Raiders a steady anchor on defense. The trio of Wimbley, Thomas Howard, and rookie Rolando McClain could be one of the best linebacking cores in the NFL.  Henderson, the former Jaguar, gives them a big body in the middle and should prove to better than Warren Sapp when he was in Oakland (remember that stint?). Nnamdi Asomugha has to prove that he is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, after signing the richest contract for a cornerback a few years ago. The Raiders are definitely headed in the right direction, but I just don't think they can put it all together and make the playoffs. Oakland could be a contending team in a few years. I'm surprised Al Davis was a part of all these acquisitions. Unbelievable.

- TW's Prediction: 7-9

SP: For the first time in years, there isn't much I can say negatively about the Raiders. Well, I guess I could mention the fact that the corpse of Al Davis is still the worst owner in the entire NFL, but at least he or whoever is controlling his body made some decent moves for once this offseason. They finally cut ties with JaMarcus Russell, the QB that Davis thought was one of the best things to ever happen to his franchise. We all know how that ended. The team made a move on the second day of the 2010 Draft to acquire Jason Campbell of the Washington Redskins, who became expendable after they landed Donovan McNabb. While he never quite lived up to expectations with the Redskins, Campbell has the potential to be the best QB the franchise has had since Rich Gannon, who led the Raiders to the Super Bowl in 200_, which coincidentally was the last season Oakland actually mattered in the NFL. While his receiving core isn't the best, he does have Derrius Heyward-Bey and Zach Miller, which are pretty decent players. If their running backs can be productive, they have a fairly decent offense this season. Also, their defense has greatly improved. Drafting Rolando McClain, signing John Henderson, and trading for Kamerion Wimbley definitely will upgrade a fairly weak defense. Nnamdi Asomugha is also one of the best corners in the league, although he is vastly overpaid and one of the reasons Darrelle Revis of the Jets wants such a massive deal, in my opinion. I expect the Raiders to finish somewhere around .500 if they can stay healthy and Campbell can finally begin living up to his potential.

- SP's Prediction: 8-8

4. Kansas City Chiefs (Head Coach: Todd Haley)

Key arrivals: RB Thomas Jones, OG Ryan Lilja, CB Javier Arenas (draft), S Eric Berry (draft), RB/WR Dexter McCluster (draft)

Key departures: WR Bobby Engram, WR Bobby Wade, LB Zach Thomas, RB Kolby Smith

TW: I just think that the Chiefs will be bad yet again. I just don't believe in Matt Cassel..at all. He's not a top-tier quarterback, and I think he could honestly be the worst starting quarterback in the NFL. They do have an efficient running game since they added Thomas Jones in the offseason.  Jones is penciled in as the starter, even though Jamaal Charles ran for over 1,000 yards last season. Outside of Dwayne Bowe, they really have no aerial game. What really brings them down is their defense. They have drafted defensively the last two seasons, using first-round selections on Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson.  They have to play well if the Chiefs want to have any chance of doing decent on defense. I do like the selections of Eric Berry and Javier Arenas, but the Chiefs will have to put pressure on them since they're going to be heavily depended on. I think it's going to be very hard for the Chiefs to win games this season. They square off against teams such as San Diego (2x), Indianapolis, Houston and play decent teams like Arizona, Tennessee, San Francisco, and Denver (2x), and Jacksonville. I think the Chiefs have to do a lot more if they want to regain the form of the Priest Holmes/Trent Green era.

Matt Cassel

- TW's Prediction: 3-13

SP: I like the direction the Chiefs are moving in, but I am still unsure if Matt Cassel is good enough to lead a team. He had a horrendous season for the most part last year, and while he played moderately well in the place of Tom Brady the season he got injured, I've never thought he was a great QB capable of taking a team deep into the postseason. The Chiefs have potentially one of the best run games in the NFL, with Jamaal Charles, Thomas Jones, and Dexter McCluster all being extremely explosive backs. The receiving core is a big question mark in my opinion, as I've never been high on Bowe and McCluster likely won't get too many receptions. I loved the teams selections of Eric Berry and Javier Arenas in the Draft and think both will excel at the NFL level. Arenas is a great player in the return game also, and had a 100+ yard kickoff return in his first preseason game called back on a penalty. Berry has the potential to be an Ed Reed type safety with his field vision and speed. While I like their direction, I think they are going to have another disappointing season without a solid passing game. If Cassel throw the ball, bad things are likely to happen. If he doesn't throw the ball, those three explosive backs are going to get crushed at the line every play. So until they get some quality receivers and Cassel improves some parts of his game, this team isn't going anywhere fast for at least another season or two.

- SP's Prediction: 4-12

JaMarcus Russell Arrested

By: Tyler Ward

Ex-Raiders Quarterback, JaMarcus Russell, was arrested today at his home for possession of a controlled substance (codeine syrup). Spokeswoman, Lori Myles, said that Russell was booked at Mobile County Jail at 4:22 PM. A few minutes later, Russell was bailed out on a $2,500 bond. 

Russell has to go to court on July 20. A bond hearing will be set for July 7.

This hurts Russell's chances of landing with a new team after the Oakland Raiders released him in May. The New York Jets have reportedly expressed interest in Russell, and they would undoubtedly not sign Russell. He went 7-18 as a starting quarterback with the Raiders after being taken #1 overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He is considered by many to be one of the biggest busts of all-time, having a QB rating of 65.2 with 18 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.

I never had any confidence in Russell. I thought that he would be selected in one of the middle rounds. I was astounded to see him go #1 overall, and immediately thought he would be a bust and owner, Al Davis, would eventually regret his decision. The only reason he got selected #1 overall was because his LSU team defeated the next best QB, Brady Quinn, and Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, 41-14. He did not deserve to be the #1 overall pick, and he considerably ripped the Raiders off for approximately $36.4 million. He played horrible, only winning seven games in three years with the Raiders. This arrest makes Russell's stock plummet even worse and he may not even be in the NFL again. If I were a GM, I would never take a chance on Russell as my starter. Even though he played on a horrible Raiders team, his stats may not have been better if he played for a perennial contender like Indianapolis or New England. Even if he does sign with a team, he shouldn't be signed to a multi-year deal. He is not worth it and will only bring doom to whichever team he may go to.

NFL Six Big Questions: AFC

By: Tyler Ward


Q: Are the Raiders on the right track?


A: I wouldn't say they're completely on track, but they're headed in the right direction. Jamarcus Russell was holding the Oakland offense back completely. He was one of the worst draft choices ever in NFL history (see my draft busts post). With the addition of Jason Campbell, they could finally get the offense stable. Also, with the signings of John Henderson and Kamerion Wimbley, the Raiders are slowly building their defense back to the Raider Nation's standards. Henderson and Richard Seymour can supply a formidable defensive line. Wimbley, along with young star Thomas Howard and newcomer Rolando McClain, can also produce a solid, young linebacker corps. The trade for Quentin Groves can provide a valuable back-up at the LB or DE position. Also, the Raiders' hiring of Offensive Coordinator Hue Jackson takes pressure off Head Coach Tom Cable, who was forced to call the plays last season. Their only real weak spots include lack of depth at Wide Receiver and the struggles of the offensive line. But, the Raiders could very well be a potential darkhorse this year and could contend at some point in the near future. They have definitely gotten better, but I think they will be competitive when Al Davis finally hands the reins over.


Q: Can Peyton Manning keep up the pace?


A: Of course, since I'm a Colts fan, I say yes. But, realistically, I think Peyton can put up the numbers he always does. Peyton has thrown for more than 4,000 yards in all but two of his NFL seasons. He has won 10 or more games since 2002 and although they may take a dip this year, I think they can still win more than 10 games. I also think that Peyton can pass for over 4,000 yards and 25 TD's this year. With the return of Anthony Gonzalez, Peyton has a nice corps of receivers in Gonzalez, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon, and Austin Collie. With the receivers that he possesses, they still have a very talented corps. Manning may not have that many years left in the tank, but what he does have will probably still be considered up to the Colts' standards.

Q: Is Tim Tebow the QB of the future for the Broncos?
A: Simply put, no. I don't think he is an NFL caliber player. He had success in college, but it does not translate well into the NFL. Many teams thought that he would be a RB/FB or a TE, so he really didn't even have a natural NFL position until Josh McDaniels took him 25th overall in this year's draft. After an emotional loss to Alabama in the SEC championship game, he realized that he would not have a shot at another title. Tebow ended his career with a dominating win against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Sugar Bowl. He entered the draft and was thought to get drafted anywhere from the 2nd-3rd round. But, McDaniels thought he was the best QB in the draft and even said that "Tebow would be the next Tom Brady". He isn't much better than Kyle Orton, but I think Orton can do a better job on the field than Tebow. I think that Tebow will end up being a bust and he will never succeed in the NFL like he did at the NCAA level.

Q: Will the Browns compete sometime soon?
A: They are the Browns, but they may be able to do decent. Mike Holmgren has proven they can lead a team. He led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl appearance in 2005, but lost to the Steelers. It was their first Super Bowl appearance ever and only one thus far. Eric Mangini isn't the best coach in the entire world, but he can do better with Holmgren hovering above him. Since they brought the expansion back in 1999, they have only been to the playoffs once (2002) under Butch Davis. They have somewhat solidified the QB position with the acquisition of Jake Delhomme. But, he is getting old and may not do that well on a very young Cleveland team. I think this is the last chance to revive his career because Colt McCoy will almost certainly be given the reins next year. The addition of CB Sheldon Brown also provides depth at that position and could have a formidable duo alongside Eric Wright. The retirement of RB Jamal Lewis hurts the running game slightly, but Jerome Harrison can be a very valuable player and with Peyton Hillis blocking for him, he could have another 1,000 yard season. Benjamin Watson's arrival works out for the passing game, as it was horrendous for Cleveland last year and the re-signing of WR/KR Josh Cribbs is spectacular because he may be the most electrifying player in the NFL. They are definitely a good amount of players away from competing, but when that happens they could be pretty decent. They will probably win 6-7 games this year, but they will not be the worst team in the NFL.


Q: Will the Jets supplant the Patriots as the best team in the division?


A: The Jets have slowly gotten better and better and I think they can possibly run the Patriots out of the AFC East lead. Mark Sanchez doesn't have a great arm, but he is solid enough to lead the franchise. With receivers like Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes, Jerricho Cotchery, and Dustin Keller, Sanchez can supply a good offense. And with the addition of LaDainian Tomlinson at RB, he can back up the underrated Shonn Greene. Jason Taylor also came over to help out one of the best defenses in the league last year. This is a very talented team, who could very well have had the best offseason than any other franchise. I think they can take over the East and beat out the older Patriots. New England has run the division since the beginning of the decade, but their time is running short. Miami is even getting better and could challenge both teams this upcoming year. Even though I wouldn't go as far to say the Jets will definitely make the Super Bowl, but I think they can go 12-4 or 13-3. I can say that they are my lock to win the division and this may be the year the Patriots finally take a downward spiral in the division.


Q: Is Roethlisberger's absence the end of the Steelers' season?

A: Ben Roethlisberger was suspended for the first 6 games by Commissioner Roger Goodell earlier this year for his off-the-field incidents. This leaves the Steelers with underachieving QB Byron Leftwich and incumbents Dennis Dixon and Charlie Batch at that position. The first six opponents for the Steelers include Atlanta, Tennessee, Tampa Bay, Baltimore, Cleveland, and Miami. They could very well lose 4 of those first 6 and almost fall out of playoff contention. The rest of their games don't get much better as they have tough games against New Orleans, Cincinnati (2x), New England, Baltimore, and the New York Jets. They may win 2 or 3 of those games behind Roethlisberger, but they will probably garner an 8-8 or 9-7 record. And with that, they will probably not make the playoffs. So, with the Steelers possibly starting off 1-5 or 2-4, they may not recover and miss the playoffs like last season.