NFL Camp Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are fresh off their second Super Bowl win in four seasons and with little turnover from last year’s roster they look to remain in the mix again come January. The Steelers were able to bring home the Lombardi Trophy despite the fact the offense was mediocre to bad at times and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger taking more hits than a pinata at a kids birthday party last season. If the Steelers are going to repeat as champs they are going to need better play from their offensive line.
The struggles of the Steelers offense last year was, in large part, due to the offensive line’s inability to produce. The team allowed a whopping 49 sacks and ranked 29th in yards per carry at 3.7. The Steelers really struggled against teams who could get after the quarterback and they were simply lucky enough to face a team in the Super Bowl that did not have a very strong defensive line. Pittsburgh is pressing its luck if it thinks Roethlisberger can stand up to that kind of beating for another season and win another championship.
Another thing to keep an eye on here in the early going is how much, if at all, the impending civil suit for an alleged rape against Roethlisberger affects both his and the teams preparation for the upcoming season and whether or not it spills over into the regular season.
Key Veteran Additions – Shaun McDonald (WR)
The Steelers have very few holes to fill on the roster and wide receiver Shaun McDonald is the only veteran acquisition likely to see any significant playing time. With #3 wideout Nate Washington signing a free agent deal with Tennessee the Steelers signed McDonald away from the languishing Lions. McDonald is coming off a disappointing year in Detroit but is only one season removed from his career year of 79 catches and 6 touchdowns. McDonald should be a good fit for the Steelers in the slot provided Limas Sweed is not ready to be elevated on the depth chart.
Key Rookie Additions – Evander “Ziggy” Hood (DL), Kraig Urbik (OL)
Again with very little roster turnover this summer do not expect many of the Steelers’ draft picks to see signficant playing time. Top pick Evander Hood played tackle in college but is expected to move to end in the Steelers’ 3-4 defense. Hood is a very productive player who plays the run well and can get after the quarterback. The biggest knock on him is his inability to shed blockers due to his lack of strength. Essentially, if he does not beat his guy off the ball he can be taken out of plays. However, with both starting ends on the wrong side of 30 Hood should get ample playing time in a reserve role to keep those guys fresh for the playoff push.
Given the horrid play of the offensive line last season there is a strong possibility that Urbik could grab one of the starting guard positions. Urbik has pretty good instincts and can battle with the best of them and would probably benefit from some seasoning before being thrown into the starting lineup.
Key Position Battles
There really are not many interesting battles to keep an eye on in Steelers camp this summer. The two key jobs up for grabs are at right cornerback and the #3 receiver positions. With Bryant McFadden leaving via free agency the Steelers have an opening in their secondary. The expectation is that third year man William Gay will finally be ready to assume a starting role for the Steelers and is considered the favorite to win the job. If Gay is not ready for prime time Deshea Townsend, who once upon a time held the starting job prior to McFadden is still on the roster.
The Steelers are hoping that second year man Limas Sweed is done suffering through rookie year growing pains and is ready to assume the #3 wideout role vacated by Nate Washington. Sweed has all of the physical tools teams love in their wide receivers but he struggled mightily last season with dropped passes and mental errors. If Sweed is not yet up-to-snuff McDonald will fill in quite nicely.
