As the Steelers enter their first full week of training camp, I took a look through some of the All-Time Records to see if any were in danger of falling this season. While Hines Ward’s career receiving marks and Franco Harris’ rushing records are safe for the time being. Ben Roethlisberger already owns most of the quarterbacking records. Therefore, most of this post is not about a new career leader in the Steelers record books, but about three players moving up into the top 10 or top 5 in their respective stat categories. Since it would be nearly impossible to predict a single-season record being broken (though Antonio Brown came within 2 catches of tying Hines Ward’s 112-catch season last year), I decided to restrict this to only the Career lists. Additionally, since most of the
Terry Bradshaw holds the record with 107 wins over 15 seasons. Ben Roethlisberger enters the season with 95 career wins in 10 seasons. Big Ben could surpass Bradshaw with 12 wins this season. As an interesting aside, a 12-4 season for Ben would give him a 107-51 career record, the same as Bradshaw. Bradshaw also holds the record for most losses by a quarterback (51) which Ben could surpass if the Steelers lose more than 4 games.
Le’Veon Bell rushed for 8 touchdowns in his rookie campaign. If he repeats the feat in his sophomore season he will catapult into the top 20 on the Steelers all-time list in rushing touchdowns. Ben Roethlisberger enters the year with 15 rushing touchdwns and can move into the top 20 with just one touchdown, which he should get as he has averaged 1.5 per season in his career.
Heath Miller needs just 3 touchdowns to pass Buddy Dial for 4th on the Steelers all-time receiving touchdowns list. It is highly unlikely he will record the 11 he needs to catch Lynn Swann for third.
Antonio Brown obviously has a long way to go to catch Hines Ward’s 1000 career receptions. Brown enters the year with 261 catches and has the opportunity to make a gigantic leap in the standings. He needs just 4 catches to pass Plaxico Burress for 8th, 46 catches to pass Franco Harris for 7th, 69 catches to pass Elbe Nickel for 6th and 76 catches to pass Lynn Swann and break into the top 5. Last season Brown led the team with 110 receptions and came up just shy of Hines Ward’s single-season record of 112. A 98-catch season (which would be the third best single season in Steelers history) would put Brown ahead of Louis Lipps for 4th on the Steelers all-time receptions list.
Heath Miller is currently third on the list with 466 receptions and is the all-time leader in all categories for tight ends. While unlikely, if he could repeat his 2012 season of 71 catches he would tie John Stallworth for second on the all-time receptions list.
Antonio Brown enters the season 14th on the Steelers all-time list with 3561 yards. He has two 1000-yard seasons in his 4-year career. Brown needs just 359 yards to break into the Top 10 on the Steelers all-time list and could get as high as 7th on the all-time list with 1163 yards this season.
Heath Miller enters the season 5th on the all-time list with 5273 yards. He needs just 190 yards to pass Lynn Swann for 4th on the list. While it seems unlikely, a 745-yard season for Heath would catapult him ahead of Louis Lipps into third.
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