NFL: Do the Pittsburgh Steelers Have a Top 5 Quarterback, Running Back and Wide Receiver?
The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for another season where it's Super Bowl or bust. Such superior expectations always come aboard when you've won the most Super Bowls in NFL history.
The Steelers have always been known for their hard-hitting elite defense, but it's their offense that has been winning games for them lately. The Steelers defense has ranked 13th and 18th overall the last two seasons. Regardless, the Steelers still won the AFC North last year ahead of the Baltimore Ravens.
The Steelers have one of, if not the best triplets in all of football. Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown created arguably the best three headed offensive monster in the league. Some people have gone as far as to compare them to Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin from the 1990s Dallas Cowboys. Steelers faithful has compared this trio to Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris and Lynn Swann.
So, this begs the question: do the Steelers currently have a top five quarterback, running back and wide receiver?
Let's start off with "Big Ben." Roethlisberger led the NFL in passing yards last season with 4,952. His passing efficiency was outstanding throwing for 32 touchdowns and just nine interceptions with a 103.3 passer rating. Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning will easily get top five votes, but others such as Drew Brees, Andrew Luck and Tony Romo can make their case as well.
Roethlisberger is a two time Super Bowl champion having led the Steelers to a game-winning drive over the Arizona Cardinals in their last championship game. On top of clutch plays, Roethlisberger is also a mobile quarterback who frequently makes plays with his feet. He's not easy to bring down. Roethlisberger is also a good outdoor quarterback having won a lot games in the snow.
Catching balls downfield is Antonio Brown. Brown is without a doubt a top five wide receiver. Last season he led the entire NFL with 129 catches and 1,698 receiving yards. His 13 touchdowns were second to only Dez Bryant. Brown is so gifted and hard to defend because he has elite downfield speed, and he can make plays after the catch.
Brown was a sixth round draft pick and only stands 5-foot-10, but these things have never held him back.
Let's also not forget Brown even returns punts -- don't remind Spencer Lanning of the Cleveland Browns, who found out the hard way last season via karate kick. Brown has eclipsed the 1,100 receiving yard mark in three of the last four seasons. He doesn't have the same size as Calvin "Megatron" Johnson, but he does have better hands.
Then, of course, there's Le'Veon Bell. Bell is a great running back who finished second in rushing yards last season behind only DeMarco Murray. Bell was selected by the Steelers in the second round in 2013, and he has exceeded expectations. Bell will not play in Week 1 against the New England Patriots because of suspension.
Not only did Bell run for an impressive 1,361 yards last year, but he dominated defenses through the air as well. Bell had 83 catches for 854 receiving yards, inserting himself as possibly the most dynamic back in the game. He draws comparisons to Jamaal Charles because of his playing style. Bell is widely regarded as the best dual threat back in the league. Adrian Peterson, Murray, Marshawn Lynch and LeSean McCoy are other elite running backs in the game today.
What do you think? Do the Steelers have a top five quarterback, running back and wide receiver? Feel free to vote in our fan poll below.
Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1