2009 Record: 9-7
KEY ADDITIONS:
Will Allen, S, Tampa Bay
Arnaz Battle, WR, San Francisco
Larry Foote, LB, Detroit
Byron Leftwich, QB, Tampa Bay
Bryant McFadden, CB, Arizona
Antwaan Randle El, WR, Washington
Jonathan Scott, OT, Buffalo
KEY LOSSES:
Tyrone Carter, S, Free agent
Santonio Holmes, WR, N.Y. Jets
Travis Kirschke, DE, Free agent
Willie Parker, RB, Washington
Darnell Stapleton, G, Free agent
Deshea Townsend, CB, Free agent
Offense:
They have to play at least the first 4 games without Ben Roethlisberger, and that could spell trouble since I have 0 faith in guys like Byron Leftwich, Dennis Dixon, and the ageless Charlie Batch (who really reminds me of Tim Wakefield). To add to those woes the Steelers are also going to have to learn to play without former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes. There is good news here though. Mike Wallace looks ready for a breakout year, and Hines Ward just doesn't seem to age. Their offensive line should be much improved even with Willie Colon tearing his Achilles tendon in June, and that could be huge when Roethlisberger returns. Mendenhall, in just his second year and his first full season after injury abbreviated his rookie campaign, cut loose for 1,063 yards in just 13 games. I expect big things from him this year, and although I'm a little worried about their depth at RB they should still have a good enough running game to keep them in games while Roethlisberger sits and the corner and thinks about what he did.
Defense:
Casey Hampton is the big guy that makes this whole 3-4 defense work. The key for the Steelers is health. If Polamalu and end Aaron Smith stay healthy then this is a top 3 defense, but if they don't think is really just a little more then an above average unit. Obviously their linebackers are sick no matter who they put out there. It really is the truth. Larry Foote is their run-stopping extraordinaire. Woodley had 13.5 sacks last year, and Lawrence Timmons/James Farrior are great up the middle. Mcfadden and Gay are two underrated CBs, and they should be able to control big name WRs. Like I said if Polamalu is out there and 100% this defense goes from top 10 to top 3.
Overall:
Big Ben made a big mistake, and the team is going to have to pay the price. I expect him to only miss 4 games, and those games are Atlanta, @Tennessee, @Tampa Bay, and Baltimore. I only see them going 1-3 in those game, but once Ben is back this whole team should turnaround. I don't seem them winning this division, but I also don't seem them being out of the race.
2010 Record: 10-6
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