GETTYSBURG TIMES: What does this season hold for the Pittsburgh Steelers?
* SCOT ANDREW PITZER'S VIEW *
Potentially, the Pittsburgh Steelers are poised to have a successful season in 2008.
Realistically, it could be a painfully long year in the Steel City.
When we last saw the Steelers, they were in a tailspin, having lost four out of their last five games, including a heartbreaking 31-29 home playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Pittsburgh’s offensive line was in shambles, and their running game — once they lost Willie Parker in Week 16 to a season ending injury — was listless.
But the Steelers (10-6 in 2007) are the returning AFC North Division Champions, and they do return a formidable defense, which was the top ranked unit in the league last year.
The offense, featuring quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, isn’t too shabby either. Big Ben arguably had the best season of his four-year career in 2007, hurling the pigskin for more than 3100 yards. He also threw 32 touchdowns, and cut back on his interceptions (11), earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl.
Are the Steelers a playoff team this year? Possibly, but there is little margin for error.
Here are this season's burning questions.
Is running back Willie Parker healthy?
Fast Willie was having a breakout year in 2007, leading the NFL in rushing with 1,316 yards, until he broke his leg in a meaningless late season game against the three-win St. Louis Rams.
His season-ending injury hurt the team — immensely. The Steelers were forced to rely on journeyman backup Najeh Davenport, and the running game never recovered.
Pittsburgh’s brain trust, as evidenced by this year’s college draft, isn’t sure if Parker can return to form, so they drafted Rashard Mendenhall, a stud tailback from Illinois. Mendenhall’s immediate role with the Steelers is unclear, however the 225-pound back was a first round pick, so he’ll likely split carries with Parker, especially at the goal line.
What’s wrong with the defense?
Statistically, Pittsburgh had the NFL’s top-ranked defense in 2007.
But don’t let that fool you.
At times, the defense was vulnerable to the run: in the team’s two losses to Jacksonville, running-backs Maurice Jones Drew and Fred Taylor cruised up and down the field with ease, as if they were parting the Red Sea.
The unit's shoddy pass coverage was also exposed last season. New England dismantled the Steelers in Foxboro by a 34-13 score, and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had a monster game in the air, throwing for 399 yards and four touchdown passes.
Defensive Coordinator Dick Lebeau is the mastermind behind Pittsburgh’s 3-4 defense, but he needs to figure out what went wrong in 2007.
Is Big Ben a leader?
Over the last four seasons, Roethlisberger has transformed from a rookie sensation, to an inconsistent gunslinger, into a franchise quarterback.
In the off-season, the Steelers signed the 26-year-old to an eight-year, $102 million contract. Is he worth the money? Pittsburgh fans hope so.
Big Ben went 14-1 in 2004-05, including the playoffs. In his second season, he became a legend in Pittsburgh, leading the team on an improbable late-season run, culminating with a Superbowl victory.
But tragedy struck soon thereafter. Roethlisberger was involved in an off-season motorcycle accident that almost took his life, and then needed an emergency appendectomy just before the 2006-07 season. Pittsburgh missed the playoffs that year, primarily because Roethlisberger had a dismal season, tossing 23 interceptions. He rebounded nicely in 2007-08, throwing for more than 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns, leading the Steelers to a division title.
Which Roethlisberger shows up to play this year? Hopefully, the 2007-08 version. Without him, it’ll be a long season.
Is the offensive line adequate?
Roethlisberger was sacked a bazillion times last year. Well, OK, he was only sacked 47 times, but that was still among the most in the league. He somehow made it through the season alive.
To complicate matters, Pittsburgh did not offer a contract in the off-season to All-Pro offensive lineman Alan Faneca, who signed with the New York Jets.
Pittsburgh’s Week One starting lineup features an offensive line consisting of: Trai Essex, Justin Hartwig, Chris Kemoeatu, Max Starks and Willie Colon.
Oh my.
If Roethlisberger stays off the ground, the Steelers could contend for a division title.
Will the league’s toughest schedule derail the Steelers?
The National Football League schedule-markers didn’t do the Steelers any favors: Pittsburgh has the league’s toughest schedule.
Pittsburgh plays nine teams that had a winning record in 2007, plus two more teams that went 8-8.
Also, seven of Pittsburgh’s opponents qualified for the playoffs last year: Jacksonville, New York Giants, Washington, Indianapolis, San Diego, New England, and Dallas.
That’s insane.
There are no pushovers.
Is it a playoff season in Pittsburgh?
If the Steelers take care of opponents within their own division and play well at home, Terrible Towels will be flying high this January.
Scot Pitzer is a Times staff reporter.
Realistically, it could be a painfully long year in the Steel City.
When we last saw the Steelers, they were in a tailspin, having lost four out of their last five games, including a heartbreaking 31-29 home playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Pittsburgh’s offensive line was in shambles, and their running game — once they lost Willie Parker in Week 16 to a season ending injury — was listless.
But the Steelers (10-6 in 2007) are the returning AFC North Division Champions, and they do return a formidable defense, which was the top ranked unit in the league last year.
The offense, featuring quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, isn’t too shabby either. Big Ben arguably had the best season of his four-year career in 2007, hurling the pigskin for more than 3100 yards. He also threw 32 touchdowns, and cut back on his interceptions (11), earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl.
Are the Steelers a playoff team this year? Possibly, but there is little margin for error.
Here are this season's burning questions.
Is running back Willie Parker healthy?
Fast Willie was having a breakout year in 2007, leading the NFL in rushing with 1,316 yards, until he broke his leg in a meaningless late season game against the three-win St. Louis Rams.
His season-ending injury hurt the team — immensely. The Steelers were forced to rely on journeyman backup Najeh Davenport, and the running game never recovered.
Pittsburgh’s brain trust, as evidenced by this year’s college draft, isn’t sure if Parker can return to form, so they drafted Rashard Mendenhall, a stud tailback from Illinois. Mendenhall’s immediate role with the Steelers is unclear, however the 225-pound back was a first round pick, so he’ll likely split carries with Parker, especially at the goal line.
What’s wrong with the defense?
Statistically, Pittsburgh had the NFL’s top-ranked defense in 2007.
But don’t let that fool you.
At times, the defense was vulnerable to the run: in the team’s two losses to Jacksonville, running-backs Maurice Jones Drew and Fred Taylor cruised up and down the field with ease, as if they were parting the Red Sea.
The unit's shoddy pass coverage was also exposed last season. New England dismantled the Steelers in Foxboro by a 34-13 score, and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had a monster game in the air, throwing for 399 yards and four touchdown passes.
Defensive Coordinator Dick Lebeau is the mastermind behind Pittsburgh’s 3-4 defense, but he needs to figure out what went wrong in 2007.
Is Big Ben a leader?
Over the last four seasons, Roethlisberger has transformed from a rookie sensation, to an inconsistent gunslinger, into a franchise quarterback.
In the off-season, the Steelers signed the 26-year-old to an eight-year, $102 million contract. Is he worth the money? Pittsburgh fans hope so.
Big Ben went 14-1 in 2004-05, including the playoffs. In his second season, he became a legend in Pittsburgh, leading the team on an improbable late-season run, culminating with a Superbowl victory.
But tragedy struck soon thereafter. Roethlisberger was involved in an off-season motorcycle accident that almost took his life, and then needed an emergency appendectomy just before the 2006-07 season. Pittsburgh missed the playoffs that year, primarily because Roethlisberger had a dismal season, tossing 23 interceptions. He rebounded nicely in 2007-08, throwing for more than 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns, leading the Steelers to a division title.
Which Roethlisberger shows up to play this year? Hopefully, the 2007-08 version. Without him, it’ll be a long season.
Is the offensive line adequate?
Roethlisberger was sacked a bazillion times last year. Well, OK, he was only sacked 47 times, but that was still among the most in the league. He somehow made it through the season alive.
To complicate matters, Pittsburgh did not offer a contract in the off-season to All-Pro offensive lineman Alan Faneca, who signed with the New York Jets.
Pittsburgh’s Week One starting lineup features an offensive line consisting of: Trai Essex, Justin Hartwig, Chris Kemoeatu, Max Starks and Willie Colon.
Oh my.
If Roethlisberger stays off the ground, the Steelers could contend for a division title.
Will the league’s toughest schedule derail the Steelers?
The National Football League schedule-markers didn’t do the Steelers any favors: Pittsburgh has the league’s toughest schedule.
Pittsburgh plays nine teams that had a winning record in 2007, plus two more teams that went 8-8.
Also, seven of Pittsburgh’s opponents qualified for the playoffs last year: Jacksonville, New York Giants, Washington, Indianapolis, San Diego, New England, and Dallas.
That’s insane.
There are no pushovers.
Is it a playoff season in Pittsburgh?
If the Steelers take care of opponents within their own division and play well at home, Terrible Towels will be flying high this January.
Scot Pitzer is a Times staff reporter.
*************************************
* JOSH MARTIN'S VIEW *
Fast Willie broke his leg, the defense broke down in another home playoff loss, and Alan Faneca broke the bank by leaving for the Jets.
Fortunately, nothing in my house was broken during these breakdowns that took place during and followng the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2007-08 season, although it was touch-and-go during the painful playoff exit against Jacksonville.What will this season hold for the beloved black & gold?
Only time – and perhaps a revamped offensive line – will tell.
Here’s what I like about the 2008-09 Steelers:
BIG BEN: Ben Roethlisberger is healthy, happy (who wouldn’t be after signing a $100 million contract) and steadily climbing into the top tier of NFL quarterbacks. Big Ben passed for 3,154 yards and a team-record 32 touchdowns against only 11 picks, and has become one of the best decision-makers in or out of the pocket, as verified by his 104.1 QB rating.
LETHAL LINEBACKERS: While they didn’t conjure up visions of the Blitzburgh days featuring sack-happy linebackers Greg Lloyd and Kevin Greene, Pittsburgh’s LB unit was stout enough to lead the Steelers to a No. 1 overall ranking in total defense. Veteran James Farrior (96 tackles) is a rock in the middle, and James Harrison exploded on the scene with a team-best 8.5 sacks and 86 total stops.
What could take this unit to the next level is the emergence of second-year players LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons. Woodley is slotted to start opposite of Harrison, and of his 13 tackles last season four were sacks.
Timmons is pushing Larry Foote for a spot alongside Farrior, and should crack the starting lineup at some point this season.
OFFENSIVE BALANCE: Part of Big Ben’s career year could be attributed to the number of available weapons at his disposal. Willie Parker was a 1,300-yard back despite having his season curtailed by an injury, and the receiving trio of wideouts Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes, and tight end Heath Miller pulled downa combined 170 passes for 22 TDs.
Ward still plays the slot as well as anyone, Holmes has become a field-stretching streak – he averaged 18 yards per snag a year ago – and Miller is a sure-fire target capable of pulling down 60-65 balls a year.
Add thick-as-a-brick halfback Rashard Mendenhall of Illinois and skyscraper wideout Limas Sweed of Texas to the mix, and the Steelers suddenly have options aplenty.
Here’s what I don’t like about the 2008-09 Steelers.
KILLER SKED: I’m not sure was twisted soul dreamed up this schedule, but whoever it was clearly doesn’t wave a Terrible Towel. Pittsburgh’s non-conference opponents include New England, Indianapolis, San Diego, Dallas and Jacksonville, not to mention the Super Bowl champion N.Y. Giants. A particularly brutal stretch sees the Steelers take on the Colts, Chargers, Patriots and Cowboys over the course of five weeks.
From the standpoint of winning percentages, this schedules stands as the most difficult in NFL history.
Before anyone suggest that I use my Terrible Towel to wipe up the tears, a schedule can’t be used as an excuse if a season goes awry. (Although I may have to be reminded of that in December).
SUSPECT SECONDARY: When healthy, Troy Polamalu is a one-man tsunami, wiping out offensive game plans with his long locks waving in the breeze. Sadly, No. 43 hasn’t been able to shake the injury bug, which has not only robbed NFL fans of his dazzling defensive abilities, but also sapped the Steelers’ secondary.
Polamalu’s absence becomes more pronounced by the so-so play of corners Ike Taylor, Deshea Townsend and Bryant McFadden. Granted, Pittsburgh ranked 3rd in the NFL in passing yards allowed last season, but also ranked 30th in interceptions with just 11.Here’s the one thing that makes me wake up with chills in the middle of the night (besides big, hairy spiders):
AWFUL O-LINE: Much like the secondary, it’s a two-sided coin with the earth movers up front. The shiny side of that coin shows us that the Steelers ranked third in rushing offense at 135.5 yards per game.On the grimy side of the coin we see that Roethlisberger was sacked a whopping 47 times in 16 games, which doesn’t count the six times he was dropped in the playoff downer against the Jags.Just how hot is the pocket when Big Ben looks to throw? No. 7 hit the deck roughly once every nine times he dropped back.Losing an All-Pro like Faneca didn’t help matters – which were so dire that the Steelers gave tackle Max Starks nearly $7 million to be a backup this season.
The development of left guard Chris Kemoeatu and health of right guard Kendall Simmons and left tackle Marvel Smith will be key. Should they stay healthy, Big Ben should stay upright.
Any breakdowns up front and we’re likely looking at bone breaks for the big QB.
Despite the uncertainties in the trenches and difficult road to travel, the Steelers are widely considered the favorite to win the AFC North. Doing so may only require nine wins in a division that has oodles of schizophrenic qualities with the likes of rebuilding Baltimore, confident Cleveland and dysfunctional Cincinnati.
We rarely like to see mediocrity rewarded, but hey, if 10-6 or 9-7 means another title in the Steel City, we’ll take it.
Josh Martin is the Times Sports Editor.
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