Pittsburgh Steelers: Passing Grades on Post-Bye Week Report Card

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At 5-2, Pittsburgh is in a de facto tie for first place in the AFC North with the Cincinnati Bengals. They technically are in second place by virtue of the Bengals' 23-20 win over Pittsburgh in Week Three.

But how do the Steelers grade out? Here's a look.

Top Offensive Performers

Ben Roethlisberger

First, let's have the statistics through seven games:

164 of 233 (70.4%), 2,062 yards, 11 TDs, 6 INTs, 20 sacks, 102.6 rating

Now, let's take a look inside the numbers.

Roethlisberger has the second-best completion percentage in the NFL, trailing only Peyton Manning. He's also one of the top passers in yardage and passer rating. But these statistics are more team attributes than actual individual numbers. 

Of his six interceptions, only two were the sole result of poor decision making by Ben.  He's also had a touchdown called back by penalty and one dropped by Limas Sweed.  Santonio Holmes also began the season with a series of poor games. Roethlisberger's numbers could easily be higher.

The best way to measure a quarterback's individual performance is to examine their intangibles and the way they utilize their physical skills. If Roethlisberger didn't already get a passing grade for his stat line, he gets one here. 

In the clutch, there is no one better than Roethlisberger. He has 18 career victories from behind in the fourth quarter or overtime. Judging solely on this season, Roethlisberger has gotten it done when the game was on the line. 

Ben also utilizes his physical tools better than most quarterbacks in the NFL. His mobility is his greatest weapon. He also uses his arm strength to get throws to Mike Wallace, the team's newest speed threat. 

Intangibles, for me, are broken down into decision making and mechanics. Ben doesn't have the best mechanics, but when he actually is dropping back, they are quite sound.  He throws extremely well from multiple arm angles and while on the run, so he's mechanically a very good quarterback.

His decision making has improved markedly this season and may be the single biggest improvement in his overall game from last season.

Also, Ben has shown increasing aptitude for running the offense and reading defenses.  Roethlisberger routinely checks down to secondary targets and does a phenomenal job of looking off defenders and using a realistic pump fake.

Overall Grade: A

Rashard Mendenhall

Again, let's have the statistics first:

78 carries, 418 yards (5.4 YPR), 4 TDs, 8 receptions, 69 yards, 0 TDs

I include receiving statistics for Mendenhall because he has been used increasingly on screen plays.

It's probably safe to say that the jury is still out on Rashard Mendenhall.  He's proved to be the tough inside runner the Steelers had hoped for when they drafted him in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, but he still hasn't developed into a complete player.

It took a benching from coach Mike Tomlin to get Mendenhall to prepare effectively and professionally. Since, he has been dominant with one exception. 

In four starts, he has fumbled twice, losing both.

If there is an area for improvement that could be considered glaring, it would be in his mechanics. He runs tall, which is OK as long as you protect the football. Mendenhall doesn't. He holds it out and also makes unnecessary dives (like the one against Minnesota that caused one of those fumbles).

Mendenhall must take better care of the football. 

As far as the other areas of his game, he is solid. Mendenhall keeps his legs moving through contact, making him hard to bring down unless he is wrapped up low or taken off his feet. 

He also shows a toughness to run inside the tackles, something Pittsburgh has lacked since the departure of Jerome Bettis. He also has the ability to get outside and turn the corner, making him a very dangerous threat for opponents.

Overall Grade: B+

Hines Ward

Ward continues to be a force in his 12th NFL season. Here are the statistics:

42 receptions, 602 yards (14.3 YPC), 2 TDs

The two touchdowns aren't a good indication of how Ward has played. He hasn't been targeted near the goal line (that has been where Heath Miller has gotten most of the touches).

Ward is still the go-to receiver on the team, although rookie Mike Wallace is emerging as Roethlisberger's favorite third down threat.

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