DC NFL Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

2007 Record: 10-6

Key Additions:
Rashard Mendenhall (RB) - Draft - Illinois
Limas Sweed (WR) - Draft - Texas
Mewelde Moore (RB) - FA - Vikings
Justin Hartwig (G) - FA - Panthers

Key Losses:
Cedrick Wilson (WR) - FA - Not Signed
Allen Rossum (CB) - FA - 49ers
Alan Faneca (G) - FA - Jets
Clark Haggans (LB) - FA - Cardinals

I hate this team with all my heart, but I will try to be objective here.

Offense:
Pittsburgh had the 3rd best running attack last year, and it looks like it just got a whole lot better with the addition of Rashard Mendenhall. I am a big Mendenhall fan, and I hate that I have to hate him now, but the combination of Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall will be deadly. Ben Roethlisberger is one of the toughest QBs to figure out. On one hand he is one of the best play action passers in the game. His legs get him out of a lot of trouble, and he can be very accurate even on the move. On the other hand his passing offense was ranked 22nd on the NFL, and his pocket presence can be shaky at times. He is great on the move, but sometimes doesn't give his receiver time to run their routes. That could be an even bigger problem with Faneca gone. The good news for Roethlisberger is that Heath Miller and Santonio Holmes has another year under their belts. I am not that big a fan of Holmes as a lot of people are, but he is a good deep threat that can stretch the field. The addition of Limas Sweed will be very interesting to see if he can be that 2nd or 3rd receiver that could push this team over the edge. The Steelers are going to need Hines Ward to stay healthy, and do more that his 732 yards and 7 TDs. Ward is now 32 years old, and seems to be losing a step.

Defense:
The Steelers always put a decent defense on the field, and last year was no different as they were ranked as the #1 in total defense. Still, there are some problems with this squad. One, is the health of Troy Polamalu. If he is not on the field this is a very different looking squad (very similar to the Pats without Harrison). Two, is the depth in the secondary, and they will need to force more interception than the 11 they forced in 2007 (fewest in the league). Overall, the Steelers defense will blitz a lot, and be a pain the ass for any QB to go against.

Overall:
The Steelers have a hell of a team (I can't lie), but they also have the hardest schedule in the NFL. Still I see this team winning the division, but the big question will be if they have any energy come playoff time. Part of me says they will be battle tested and ready, but the other side of me says they will be exhausted, and be a 1st round knockout.

Predicted Record: 11-5

Next up will be the Houston Texans

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Teams done so far:
Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins
New England Patriots
New York Jets
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Baltimore Ravens
Pittsburgh Steelers


-BMack