Six Pittsburgh Steelers Who Need to Step Their Game Up in Week 2

After getting blown away by the Baltimore Ravens 35-7, the short answer is that every single player and coach must step up in the team's Week 2 contest against the Seattle Seahawks. No player has proven to be perfect to this point, so everyone has room for improvement.

The Steelers will need all hands on deck if they are going to rebound from their loss to their biggest rival and dismantle and undermanned and under-talented football team in the Seahawks.

Here are six players who have to most to improve upon after their first week's performance.

Jonathan Scott

Last Week

Scott was completely over-matched at left tackle, being consistently turned around, pushed back or beaten by Baltimore's front seven rushers. He couldn't maintain his position and couldn't protect quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who was repeatedly flushed to his right.

What Needs to Change

Scott isn't an NFL starter, but now that Willie Colon is out for the season, he'll likely man one of the tackle spots from now on. That's bad news for Pittsburgh.

For Scott to improve, he has to work on being more aggressive and increasing the speed of his jump when the ball snaps. If he can't get on a rusher quickly, he's going to find himself chasing a lot.

He also needs to be more sturdy and stable in his foot placement and upper body usage. He's getting manhandled by opposing players and it isn't because he doesn't have the size. He's just not using it.

Bryant McFadden

Last Week

McFadden was continuously burnt in coverage against possession receiver Anquan Boldin and eventually became a target for Joe Flacco regardless of his placement on the field. Boldin had an excellent game for the Ravens and was able to either beat McFadden or out-physical him on almost every play.

What Needs to Change

McFadden looked great before an injury sidelined him early in camp. Some of what happened on Sunday could be labeled as rust, but Ike Taylor, who missed a nearly identical amount of time, looked in great form during the game, holding Lee Evans without a catch.

Part of the problem is schematic. McFadden is playing off too far. He doesn't have the athleticism to catch up if a receiver does something unexpected. He needs to be put into more man and press situations where he's able to jam a guy at the line of scrimmage.

In reality, McFadden would likely be better covering a less athletic tight end than a receiver but the team cannot afford to move him out of the second corner spot.

Doug Legursky

Last Week

Legursky seemed to have difficulty at the guard spot after playing all over the place and being primarily a backup center in 2010. Legursky's inability to master right guard blocking schemes led to Rashard Mendenhall's fumble and several instances of Ben Roethlisberger being harassed into mistakes or taking hits.

What Needs to Change

Legursky has to get on board with the rest of the line calls. He's used to making those calls, but he now has to play alongside Maurkice Pouncey, who does the line assignments. Until he gets used to the new position, he's going to be a liability.

The Steelers need Legursky to play better and be more consistent as well. There was a period during the second quarter where the line was playing well and giving Roethlisberger enough time to adjust to the defense. That didn't last.

Legursky and Jonathan Scott are the weak links right now. Legursky's problem seems to be one of adjustment, but that needs to happen more quickly.

Ben Roethlisberger

Last Week

Roethlisberger threw three interceptions and spent most of the day under pressure. While his problems were not solely his fault, he didn't do a good job of adjusting to the game conditions and could do little to rally the team in the second half.

What Needs to Change

Unlike some people that said the Charlie Batch should have played the rest of the game, I think playing everyone all the way was a good chance to let them sort things out amongst themselves.

The problem is that by the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger was so pressured that he started feeling it from places where it wasn't coming from. He began forcing throws, executing sloppily and abandoning his usual strengths.

Roethlisberger must adapt to his offensive line. They aren't going to be able to protect him consistently, but if the Steelers are to have any hope, he must find a way to adapt. More seven step drops and more shotgun formations are likely the best chance until the line settles in some.

Troy Polamalu

Last Week

Polamalu didn't show up, making no plays of note and seeming a step slow much of the time. He tried to get back to his old tactics of blitzing and appearing everywhere, but wasn't able to faze Joe Flacco or the Ravens, who simply ignored him.

What Needs to Change

It's often been said that the Steelers are a different team when Polamalu is on the bench. He might as well have been there during Sunday's game.

Polamalu's contract extension may end up being a mistake simply because I'm not sure he's fully back to where he was in 2009.

If he's going to have an impact, he needs to get better in coverage and stop relying on his speed and athleticism to make the plays. He must play with more sound fundamentals.

It's crazy to believe he's done, but Polamalu hasn't shown much since his late-season injury in 2010. He'll need to start making a few plays soon or teams will simply start picking on everyone else.

James Harrison

Last Week

Like Polamalu, Harrison was a non-factor for the Steelers. It took three quarters for him to break through Bryant McKinnie, Baltimore's left tackle. Even then, he didn't get a sack on Joe Flacco. He then bruised his knee, which isn't going to help matters.

What Needs to Change

This seems to trace some roots to the back surgery Harrison had during the offseason. He seemed a step slower on Sunday and wasn't playing with the same intensity and reckless abandon that he's been famous for to this point.

If Harrison is fully healed, he must overcome the mental part of the injury and start playing with a higher motor. He was unable to dent McKinnie, who easily held him up with arm bars and some minor and major holding.

Those things don't usually stop Harrison. The knee injury is concerning because it could nag. He needs to be healthy to have an impact. Until then, he won't be able to jump the snap as easily and get into the backfield to wreak havoc.

More Players Who Could Use Some Improvements

Here are a few more guys who need to step it up this week:

1. Marcus Gilbert

He's now the team's starting right tackle. Those are big shoes to fill and, with the issues on the other end of the line, Gilbert must fill them quickly and effectively. It's a lot to ask for a rookie.

2. Lamarr Woodley

Big contract, no results. That was a story for a lot of teams Sunday, but Woodley is much better than he showed. At least he managed a sack. He needs to get into second gear.

3. Hines Ward

He got manhandled. I don't know when that's ever happened before, but it shouldn't happen again. He also had a costly drop. That definitely needs to stop.