NFL Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers


Key Additions:
DE Cameron Heyward (draft)
OT Marcus Gilbert (draft)
WR Jerricho Cotchery (FA) 


Key Departures:
T Max Starks 
TE Matt Spaeth 
DE Nick Eason 


Report:

Can the Steelers reverse the Super Bowl loss curse? My guess is, yes. The reason, QB Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben is one of the most clutch quarterbacks in the league. He may not have the best footwork are arm strength, but when it counts put your money on Roethlisberger. One player that fits the mold of the Steelers is RB Rashard Mendenhall. Mendenhall is a powerful runner who can finish in short yardage situations. A deep position for Pittsburgh is wide receiver. Hines Ward and Mike Wallace head up the starters, while Jerricho Cotchery, Emmanuel Sanders, and Antonio Brown round up the deep position. Also catching passes is reliable target TE Heath Miller. The offensive line may be an issue though. Last season it was below league average, and in this preseason Roethlisberger has gotten roughed up a bit. 

The bread and butter of Pittsburgh is their defense. At linebacker the posses 4 Pro Bowl players in LaMarr Woodley, James Farrior, James Harrison, and Lawrence Timmons. The defensive line is not flashy and does not apply great pressure to the quarterback, but is experienced and stops the run. Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, and Brett Kiesel are line pluggers and that is what they look for. Secondary is the biggest question mark for this team. S Troy Polamalu is the reigning defensive player of the year, but outside of him it is just average. S Ryan Clark and CB's Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden need to step it up if they want to win in a significantly more passing league.  


K Shaun Suisham and P Dan Sepulveda are good special team players. KR Antonio Brown has great speed, but has not put that into effect yet. 


Review:
Pittsburgh is an organization that knows what they are doing. They don't go after flashy free agents, but re-sign players that led them to the Super Bowl. Big Ben and the defense are what the Steelers are all about, and Mike Tomlin has them heading to another Super Bowl run.


Division Finish: TBA