With the Week 9 bye week, the Pittsburgh Steelers have reached the halfway level of the season.
The primary half was quite good to the Steelers as Pittsburgh sits at 6-2 on the season and is using excessive coming into the bye week, due to a shot within the arm from quarterback Russell Wilson within the final two video games, in addition to a particular groups unit that’s arising with splash performs time and time once more below Danny Smith.
Issues look superb for the Steelers proper now.
On the halfway level of the season, the Steelers Depot workers voted on some midseason crew awards since there are eight video games to go off of. We gained’t get away the crimson carpet but and plan the afterparty, however there’s an excellent probability many of those midseason award winners discover themselves within the dialogue late within the season, too.
The midseason award winners, a proof, and full tallies beneath. Get pleasure from!
OFFENSIVE MVP: RB NAJEE HARRIS – 9 VOTES
Fairly clear one right here. Operating again Najee Harris is on a dominant run within the final three weeks, placing up three straight 100-yard dashing performances. He’s taking part in a few of the finest soccer of his profession, and is being rewarded for it from a statistical facet.
Coming into the season with a chip on his shoulder after having his fifth-year choice declined, Harris slimmed down and appears extra explosive and fluid. His imaginative and prescient continues to enhance, too, and he’s stepping into an actual groove inside Arthur Smith’s scheme. With the entire accidents the Steelers have handled this season alongside the offensive line and within the backfield, Harris has been the regular presence the Steelers have wanted offensively.
Harris sits at 592 dashing yards and two touchdowns on 136 carries at midseason. He’s on tempo of a career-high 1,332 yards. Fairly spectacular 12 months.
Others Receiving Votes: OT Dan Moore Jr. (2), Ok Chris Boswell (1), QB Justin Fields (1)
DEFENSIVE MVP: LB T.J. WATT – 10 VOTES
After successful the Depot Defensive MVP award final season, T.J. Watt is on tempo to take action once more this season. Whereas he’s not placing up jaw-dropping sack numbers proper now, he’s impacting the sport time and time once more, discovering methods to make performs in key spots.
Watt has 6.5 sacks on the season and leads the NFL with 4 pressured fumbles, recovering two within the course of. He’s single-handedly modified video games in current weeks with punchouts towards the Raiders and a strip-sack towards the Giants, resulting in Steelers wins.
He attracts a ton of consideration from opponents, who’re chipping him on the league’s highest charge. But regardless of the added consideration and obstacles to get round as a go rusher, Watt continues to make performs in a season by which he’s already eclipsed 100 profession sacks and is continuous to re-write the file books in Pittsburgh.
Others Receiving Votes: DE Cameron Heyward (2), S DeShon Elliott (1)
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: C ZACH FRAZIER – 12 VOTES
One other fairly clear midseason award right here for the Steelers. Even after lacking the final two video games with an ankle damage, middle Zach Frazier has been the very best rookie in a strong class for the Steelers, even with some late competitors coming from linebacker Payton Wilson and cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr.
Frazier stepped into the beginning lineup within the preseason after Nate Herbig was misplaced for the season. Since then, he’s been a steadying power for an offensive line that has handled quite a few accidents and has needed to roll out fairly just a few completely different beginning lineups.
Whereas he’s had some points with snaps at occasions with quarterback Justin Fields, Frazier has been an excellent addition to the Steelers and appears like a long-term franchise middle for the Black and Gold.
Others Receiving Votes: LB Payton Wilson (1)
BIGGEST SURPRISE: CB DONTE JACKSON — 5 VOTES
The closest vote of the midseason awards occurred to be the class of “Largest Shock.” In the end, veteran cornerback Donte Jackson acquired 5 votes, edging out the likes of security DeShon Elliott and cornerback Beanie Bishop.
Since coming over to the Steelers following a mid-March commerce from the Carolina Panthers for vast receiver Donte Jackson, the veteran has been an excellent addition. He at present leads the Steelers with three interceptions, and his play reverse Joey Porter Jr. has allowed the Steelers to get away with retaining the second-year nook from having to journey with the highest goal for the opponent.
In protection, in response to Professional Soccer Focus, Jackson has allowed 22 receptions on 39 targets for 273 yards. He hasn’t allowed a landing on the season.
In 443 defensive snaps, Jackson grades out at 55.0 general from PFF, together with a 68.6 towards the run and a 53.0 in protection. He’s been higher than these numbers recommend, too. Nonetheless, he’s had some points within the tackling division in current weeks, sitting second in missed tackles on the 12 months with eight.
However he’s been a welcome addition to the Steelers and his stage of play in protection within the first half of the season has been spectacular.
Others Receiving Votes: CB Beanie Bishop Jr. (4), S DeShon Elliott (3), TE Darnell Washington (1)
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: RT BRODERICK JONES — 13 VOTES (UNANIMOUS)
Sadly, there was no different reply however this one within the “Largest Disappointment” class. Second-year offensive deal with Broderick Jones has actually struggled this season. It began within the preseason and hasn’t gotten a lot better.
Jones handled an elbow damage in coaching camp that hindered him within the preseason, resulting in some ugly performances. That continued into the common season and noticed him benched for rookie Troy Fautanu going into Week 2 towards Denver. Jones solely acquired again into the lineup as a result of Fautanu’s season-ending damage, and even with the second probability, Jones has been a large number. He’s struggled with penalties and has allowed a sack in three straight video games.
Offensive line coach Pat Meyer said that Jones simply must focus every play. That’s regarding to listen to, particularly for a younger participant. Hopefully the second half of the season is far, a lot better for Jones.
MOST UNDERRATED: LT DAN MOORE JR. — 7 VOTES
A participant many believed would wind up being the swing deal with for his last season in Pittsburgh has been arguably the very best offensive lineman for the Steelers by way of the primary half of the season. Dan Moore Jr. has been a gradual, constant presence. You haven’t heard a lot about him, however that’s an excellent factor.
Moore has allowed simply 14 pressures on the season and two sacks. He’s been strong as a run blocker, too, and is beginning to actually take off now that left guard Isaac Seumalo is again within the lineup and getting his legs beneath him.
He hasn’t been stellar, however he’s been strong, and that’s ok for the Steelers.
Others Receiving Votes: P Corliss Waitman (3), LB Elandon Roberts (2), DL Larry Ogunjobi (1)
BEST ADDITION: S DESHON ELLIOTT – 8 VOTES
Shortly after the Steelers signed security DeShon Elliott to a two-year deal in free company, the transfer acquired little or no fanfare. Certain, many had been proud of the transfer because it was including a veteran, reliable security. However within the first half of the season, Elliott has been a key piece for the Steelers, taking part in at a excessive stage defensively.
Elliott has thrived within the field as that further defender for the Steelers, bringing a major stage of physicality to the desk for the Steelers. He’s made some key performs, too, choosing off a go within the season opener and forcing a fumble in Week 4 in Indianapolis.
On the season, Elliott has 58 tackles, which leads the Steelers. He additionally has two tackles for loss, 4 passes defensed, one pressured fumble and one fumble restoration. He’s been an enormous addition to the Steelers.
Others Receiving Votes: QB Russell Wilson (5)
COACH OF THE YEAR: OC ARTHUR SMITH – 6 VOTES
That is one that would have gone in any course, whether or not that was head coach Mike Tomlin for having the Steelers at 6-2 and completely navigating the QB scenario this season, or particular groups coordinator Danny Smith for the affect his models have had on the season.
Even offensive line coach Pat Meyer might have gained the midseason award for Coach of the Yr for the work he’s accomplished retaining the OL in form even with all of the accidents and transferring elements which have occurred.
However, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is the Depot’s Midseason Coach of the Yr. In his first 12 months in Pittsburgh, the offense has regarded rather more explosive than in previous seasons, has an actual plan of assault to it, and is placing gamers in place to succeed week after week.
Now, with Russell Wilson below middle, the offense might take off even additional below Smith. That’s very encouraging. He’s accomplished an excellent job to date.
Others Receiving Votes: ST Coordinator Danny Smith (3), OL Coach Pat Meyer (3), HC Mike Tomlin (1)
