Phil Dzikiy …is a writer.

Pittsburgh Steelers Midseason Report Card

After Week 3, and the second last-minute road loss in a row, as crazy as it might sound, some people were ready to write the Steelers off. Never mind that it was only three weeks into the season — that 1-2 record was hard for a lot of fans to swallow. There was talk of the dreaded "Super Bowl Hangover." The team wasn't hungry enough. The defense wasn't the same. The offense was struggling in the red zone. The kicker was a mess.

The worst thing about the NFL is how fans constantly jump to long-term conclusions based on one or two games. You'd think folks would realize by now that teams usually don't go undefeated. But because the sport is so popular, and the games so infrequent compared to other team sports, there's nothing left to do but debate. And worry. Yes, even if you're a Steeler fan.

We often don't realize how good we have it. When one or two close losses are enough to bring the Chickens Little out of the coop, everyone should stop, take a deep breath, and thank the Lord that we're not fans of the Browns. Or the Rams. Or the Bills. Or the Raiders. And so on.

The thing is, deep down inside, we all know this. But it's hard to keep that in mind after Brian Leonard breaks a tackle on 4th and 10 to pick up a first down with 19 seconds left.

The Steelers, however, are still a very, very good team. It can be argued that our Stillers should have — and could have — won the Chicago and Cincinnati games. But there's no time for what-ifs. We're dealing in what is. And 6-2 is a fine place to be.

Quarterback

Ben Roethlisberger is playing the best football of his career. The only NFL QB definitively playing better at this point in the season is Peyton Manning. You can make the argument for Brees or Brady, certainly, but Big Ben is right there. Ben currently has a 70.9 percent completion percentage (best in the league), averages 8.76 yards per attempt (second, behind Brees) and a 2:1 TD-INT ratio (and one of the seven INTs was a Hail Mary attempt).

Setting the stats aside, as a Steeler fan, do you ever feel uncomfortable when Ben is on the field? I don't. No matter the deficit, we can always come back. I've never had that feeling with any other Steeler QB in my lifetime.

Grade: A

Offensive Line

Football Outsiders explained the importance of offensive line continuity in the 2009 "Football Outsiders Almanac." I'm inclined to agree. How else could this line, so beleaguered last year, be so solid this year? With the exception of the injury-forced Trai Essex — Darnell Stapleton swap (an upgrade), there's no difference between this year's line and last year's.

It's all about continuity. At the very least, the line isn't nearly as confused about its assignments as it was in the past. (See: last year's Eagles game.) Combine that with improved individual play, especially from the tackles (Max Starks in particular has been impressive), and you've got an offensive line that no longer stands out as a weak link.

Are there still some slip-ups? Sure. For instance, Denver's only touchdown in Week 9 came after Kemoeatu was beaten badly. But overall, what a difference a year makes.

Grade: B

Running Backs

Another NFL lesson in jumping to conclusions. So many Steeler fans were ready to label Mendenhall as a bust, despite the fact that going into his start against San Diego, Mendy had 26 total career carries. 26! These fans were undoubtedly some of the same people who once tried to coin the nickname "Bustamalu." (Shakes head)

Meanwhile, one of the first questions I'd ask my dad after every game was always the same: Where's Mendenhall? It would be one thing if Willie Parker was setting the world on fire, but that was far from the case. (Of all RBs who have carried the ball between 14 and 71 times this season, Parker is currently dead last in DYAR, a Football Outsiders stat that determines total value.)

I don't want to rail on Parker too much, but let's be honest ... the guy is probably done. He's definitely lost a step, and — take it from a guy who's had turf toe — his injury won't make things any easier this season. Take away his speed and he's nearly useless. He never was a great inside runner. He can't break tackles. And now he can't even get to the outside. There's a reason he didn't see the field against the Broncos.

Mendenhall is becoming a beast. He's stronger than Parker (probably faster now, too), has better vision, is tougher to tackle, has one of the best spin moves in the game and can stonewall blitzing linebackers. He's a decent receiver, but there is room for improvement.

Two fumbles in 109 touches is a problem, but it's no reason to overreact. Mendenhall should adapt and improve in this area, as well.

And then you've got Mewelde Moore, a fine third down back, as trusty as can be. As Mike Tomlin said, he's not low-maintenance, he's "no maintenance." Keep in mind, he's still only 27 years old. Conceivably, he could fulfill his current role for at least the next five years (just look at Kevin Faulk in New England). Picking him up as a free agent was one of the shrewder moves the Steeler front office has made in recent years.

Grade: B

Wide Receivers

What can one say about Hines Ward at this point? At 33, he's currently seventh in total receiving yardage and receptions and fourth in DYAR. Stop waiting for his decline. When Ward does retire, there will likely be a heated Hall of Fame debate. And Steeler fans will make the Art Monk campaign look like a Dennis Kucinich presidential campaign. I just want to warn all non-Steeler fans in advance. We will not back down on this.

Also in the top echelon of that DYAR list is Santonio Holmes, who is coming off a great game in Denver. Holmes only has one TD so far this season, but that's not his fault — he's just not getting as many red zone targets as Ward or Heath Miller. What he is getting is lots of YAC. Few NFL receivers are as dangerous on slants.

Then you have rookie Mike Wallace, a legitimate candidate for NFL offensive rookie of the year. What's most impressive about Wallace isn't his blazing speed — it's that, as a rookie, he knows how to use it. Useful rookie WRs are few and far between in the NFL, but Wallace is running good routes, and when Ben scrambles, he knows how to get open. He's everything Nate Washington was and much more, and he's only 23 years old. It's still early in his career, but there's plenty of reason to be giddy about the third-round steal.

Then there's Limas Sweed. Oh, Limas. Listen, anyone can drop a ball or two, even at the worst possible times. I defended him. I agree, you have to make the most out of your limited opportunities, but at least the guy could get open.

I'm not ready to write the guy off completely, but on this team, he's become irrelevant. The Steelers rarely use 4 WRs. When four or five guys are running routes, usually, one or two of them are a TE or RB. I still advocate using Sweed sparingly and dressing him over Shaun McDonald — Sweed has more upside, and Ward and Miller already fill the possession receiver role. Maybe he'll flash enough ability to be used as trade bait somewhere down the line, or he could become a good injury fill-in. If he holds onto the ball.

Grade: A-

Tight Ends

Heath Miller is a very good blocker, an extremely trusty receiver, and by all accounts, a fine human being. He's not as explosive as, say, Owen Daniels, but he doesn't really need to be in this offense. Though it would be nice to see him get a bit more YAC, it's hard to complain about a guy who catches 86 percent of all balls thrown his way.

Grade: A

Defensive Line

For the umpteenth straight year, nobody can run on the Steelers, and this is where it all begins. Casey Hampton still requires a double team. Brett Keisel can rush the passer better than most 3-4 ends. Aaron Smith is hurt, but so far, his replacements have been more than adequate. So far. Long-term, it's still a concern. Rookie defensive linemen are hardly ever dominant forces, and Ziggy Hood is no exception, but he'll have more of an opportunity to show his potential in the second half of this season. This unit is boring in its annual effectiveness. It's a very good kind of boring.

Grade: A

Linebackers

At this point, they're not getting quite the pressure they were last season, but I think they're on the way. LaMarr Woodley only has four sacks, but he's getting closer. Don't be surprised if he lets loose with a three-sack game soon.

Keyaron Fox has filled in very well for the oft-injured Lawrence Timmons. I'd love to see the explosive Timmons at 100 percent for more than a few games at a time, but I guess we'll have to keep waiting.

The guy who worries me the most right now is James Farrior, and even he doesn't have me all that concerned. He has looked a step slower at times, though.

The biggest flaw of this unit is its inability to cover TEs when need be (i.e., the Chargers game), but it's a problem that really only surfaces when Polamalu isn't on the field.

Oh, and James Harrison? Still eating souls on a regular basis. Don't be too shocked if he ends up as defensive MVP again.

Grade: B+

Secondary

It's tough to evaluate this unit when Troy Polamalu is out, other than to say it's far less effective. Tyrone Carter is a hard worker, but anyone who saw the Cedric Benson touchdown run in Week 3 could immediately see the difference between Ty and Troy. Carter took a poor angle on the run and Benson went right by him. If Troy was out there, Benson never sniffs the end zone. Because even when Polamalu takes a strange angle, his speed and quickness can make up for it. The Tyrone Carters of the world don't have that luxury.

Ryan Clark still hits hard and is positionally sound, the perfect safety companion for Polamalu. As it turns out, Clark is similar to Chris Hope, though I think Clark's better in coverage, especially on deep passes down the middle of the field.

Ike Taylor and William Gay have been workmanlike at cornerback. Taylor's having a solid year, but he hasn't been shutdown like he was for much of 2008. Gay is still learning to be the starter, and he's been picked on a bit, but other than getting trucked by Adrian Peterson, no extremely negative plays stand out.

Offenses have been able to work the Steeler secondary with a short passing game, though most of that has to do with the defensive scheme — the corners often give opposing wideouts sizable cushions. The Steelers seem content to let QBs dink and dunk a bit until the coverage tightens up when the opponents enter field goal range. Against most of the league's quarterbacks, this is a sound strategy. But elite QBs are patient and smart enough to take what is given to them, then skilled enough to make that one throw for a score in the red zone. The Steeler corners are, for the most part, excellent tacklers, which can hide this weakness at times. But in a close game against a good QB, it can doom the Steelers. It happened against Cutler and Palmer — it can certainly happen when facing Manning or Brady.

A big part of this problem are the 3rd and 4th corners. Deshea Townsend is a trooper, but he's 34. As green as William Gay is, we don't want an injury that will force Townsend into matching up with the other team's #2 WR. It won't work as well as it did in the past. And the less said about Keiwan Ratliff, the better. Hopefully, Joe Burnett or Keenan Lewis will improve and learn enough to take over the 4th CB position as the year goes on.

As for Polamalu, his incomparable presence can elevate a high "C" secondary to a low "A" secondary, so the first-half grade is ...

Grade: B

Special Teams

This is likely Jeff Reed's last year in a Steeler uniform. The Chicago game notwithstanding, he's been a trusty field goal kicker over the years, and it's tough to let that go. But you have to consider his off-field transgressions and astonishing lack of a kickoff leg: He has one touchback this season! In Denver! And he doesn't even average 60 yards per kickoff these days, placing him at a nearly impossible 37th overall.

Let me put that in perspective. Carolina's Rhys Lloyd gets 10 more yards per kickoff than Reed. While Lloyd's kickoffs land at the goal line, Reed's kicks are dropping at about the 10-yard line. This is a serious problem. It's probably no surprise the Steelers have allowed two kickoff return TDs already this season, including the inevitable Josh Cribbs TD. The punt coverage has been better than the kickoff coverage.

Some Steeler fans debate whether or not return specialist Stefan Logan deserves a roster spot. I always come down on the side of "Yes, of course." His 26.1 yards per kick return is in the top 10 for players who have 10 or more kick returns this season, and a 56-yard return is his longest. He doesn't have a TD yet, but he's capable, and it feels like he's about to break one. That alone makes him a tremendous improvement from last year's crop of returners, who could, at times, break one ... out to their own 40. Logan is more middle-of-the-pack on punt returns, and a few fumbles have forced Moore into return duty when the punts are likely to be caught near the 10. But Logan is dangerous; a weapon. And we all know that fumble in the Charger game was just plain surreal. I don't really count that.

Daniel Sepulveda would have been welcomed back with open arms no matter what this season, simply because he's not Mitch Berger. Sepulveda's net average places him in the top 10 so far. He's dropped 13 punts inside the 20; not spectacular, but more impressive when you realize he has as many touchbacks as Jeff Reed this season: one. But he's not supposed to get 'em, Jeff. You are.

And did you see that tackle Sepulveda made in the Denver game? All hustle. Compare that with Reed's "effort" on Percy Harvin, and well ... let's just move on.

Grade: C-

Coaching

Through 40 regular season games, Mike Tomlin has a 28-12 record. He's also 3-1 in the playoffs and has one Super Bowl victory in two seasons. He has the intensity of Cowher, but doesn't seem to be as hardheaded when it comes to certain aspects of the game. I appreciate that he understands Steeler football is meant to be winning football — not necessarily the type of football that requires a 60/40 running/passing split. He knows how to motivate (see Mendenhall's benching prior to his San Diego breakout) and has the team's unquestioned respect. He understands how to use his personnel and he won't hesitate to make improvements. There is no blind loyalty — Mendenhall is now the starter, Wallace has solidified the third WR position. He has been good at clock management (though it helps having a QB who can expertly run a two-minute drill). If you had the opportunity today to trade Tomlin for any head coach, considering both this season and the future of the franchise, would you? I wouldn't.

Far be it from me to question Dick LeBeau. I've expressed concerns about the soft corner cushions at times, but there's probably a good reason for it, personnel-wise. And it's not that different from how he's played coverages in the past. My only other real concern is this team's late game defensive meltdowns. Hopefully those are a thing of the past, but they probably have more to do with personnel than anything. Because the man can still make the second-half adjustments. Did you see the second half of the Denver game?

It seems that as the offensive line goes, so does Bruce Arians. We've all accepted that Big Ben is elite — if the offense is sputtering, it's usually either the fault of Arians or the line, right? Arians was as maligned as the line at times last year. Again, his failure to switch to a short, quick passing game against the Eagles last season gave the Steelers O-line (and Ben) no help when they needed it.

But I'm writing about this season. And really, there's not much to complain about, folks. I haven't found myself questioning the play calling nearly as much as I did. The Steelers can pass seven times in a row, and they're not afraid to do so. The trips bunch formation works so well, it's a wonder that more teams don't use it frequently. And the running game is improving drastically. If I'm nitpicking, I'd like to throw the quick bubble screen to Holmes more often than Ward, and I'd like to see the Mularkey pitch away from the counter every now and then for Mendenhall, but as the QB and line shine, so does Arians. Funny how that works.

Grade: A-

Final Thoughts

The Steelers aren't perfect, but no teams are. Nearly all units have been above average so far this season. A few tough matchups — including the upcoming Bengals game and two tilts with the Ravens — await, but the schedule still looks favorable in the second part of the season for one of the league's best teams.