ESPN.com, AFC North Predictions
Expert Picks (Consensus: 3rd)
James Walker
DIVISION FINISH: 3 I like this veteran group, but not without its franchise quarterback for four games. The AFC North is simply too tough. But the Steelers could still challenge for a wild-card spot late in the season.
John Clayton
DIVISION FINISH: 3 Don't count out the Steelers despite Ben Roethlisberger's four-game suspension. The defense is tackling better than last season, plus the return of Troy Polamalu brings back the unit's swagger.
Adam Schefter
DIVISION FINISH: 2 If the Steelers can survive the first quarter of the season and the suspension of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, they'll be poised for a sprint in the last quarter.
Matt Williamson
DIVISION FINISH: 1 I am predicting the Steelers will have the best defense in the league. Watch out for this team once Big Ben comes back to ignite a squad that goes 3-1 without him.
Seth Wickersham
DIVISION FINISH: 3 Can the backups win until Big Ben returns? How will Mike Wallace replace Santonio Holmes? Is Troy Polamalu's knee healthy? We could keep asking, and that's just the problem.
Intelligence Report
Five things you need to know about the Steelers:
1. The Steelers' D is back: Pittsburgh statistically was good on defense last season, finishing as the No. 5 unit in the NFL and ranking second in sacks with 47. But the Steelers' inability to hold leads in the fourth quarter was uncharacteristic. Troy Polamalu's healthy return from a left knee injury has helped Pittsburgh get back to form. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is allowed to completely open his playbook again. So look for Pittsburgh to be able to bring more zone-blitz packages and better disguise them to help create more turnovers.
2. Opponents will test QBs: The Steelers are known to do a lot of blitzing, but expect opposing defenses to do the same to their quarterbacks early in the season. Starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. Therefore, Dennis Dixon or Charlie Batch must prove they can move the offense through the air. Look for a lot of eight-man fronts against Pittsburgh to stop the running game. Dixon or Batch obviously don't strike the same fear in opponents as Roethlisberger.
3. Offense wants to set physical tone: Despite Rashard Mendenhall rushing for 1,108 yards last season, Pittsburgh often used the pass to set up the run. The Steelers are trying to get back to being a more physically dominant team offensively, especially in the red zone. Pittsburgh hired new offensive line coach Sean Kugler to bring a more physical style in the trenches. Backup tailback Isaac Redman also could help the Steelers in short-yardage situations with his ability to break though tackles and low center of gravity.
4. Maurkice Pouncey is a stud: The Steelers look like they have a keeper in Pouncey. The offensive lineman looked great in training camp and the preseason, where he eventually won the starting center job from veteran Justin Hartwig, who was cut. Pouncey moves well, has a mean streak and finishes his blocks to the end of the whistle. There has been debate over where Pouncey should start the season, but I believe it was wise to put the rookie in his natural position, which is center. That's where Pouncey is at his best. Pittsburgh drafted him to play long term. The Steelers will be strong in the middle with Pouncey and can build the rest of the offensive line around the talented rookie.
5. Mike Wallace is ready for a breakout season: More opportunities should equal more production for Wallace in his second season. He recorded 756 yards as the team's No. 3 receiver and takes over a starting role for the departed Santonio Holmes. Wallace has plenty of speed and a good work ethic. He has diligently worked on his route-running ability to become a more complete receiver. With Roethlisberger's suspension, it might take a while for Wallace to put up big numbers. But he should be a dangerous threat in the second half of the season.
Scouts Inc.'s Fabulous Five
1. Troy Polamalu
(Grade: 92) Polamalu, who missed most of 2009 with an injury, might be the most valuable Steelers defender in terms of versatility, leadership and setting the tone for a game.
2. James Harrison
Harrison had a solid 2009, but his production fell off some because teams slid protection his way and he received more double-teams.
3. Ben Roethlisberger
Roethlisberger is coming off one of his best seasons as a pro. Physically, he is everything you look for at the position. He moves incredibly well for a big man and has a powerful right arm.
4. Aaron Smith
Smith, who was injured most of the 2009 season, has been a mainstay on the left side of the Steelers' defense. He has very good size and plays extremely strong in all phases.
5. LaMarr Woodley
Woodley has put two excellent seasons together after earning a starting spot in 2008. He is an exceptional pass-rusher who blends speed and a wide array of moves with a high-end motor.
Grading scale: Elite (90-100), outstanding (80-89), solid starter (75-79), good starter (70-74)
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I cannot wait until the Steelers prove them all wrong. While Peter King picks us as the Super Bowl victors, I’m not quite ready to go that far, but a playoff team I believe we are. Only time will tell. That and being injury free. We all know what injuries can do to a team (Troy Polamalu-2009).
Yesterday, the Steelers put their 2010 practice squad in order and named the captain for the forthcoming season. Ben Roethlisberger is no longer a captain as should have been expected. The captains this time around are: Heath Miller, James Farrior, Hines Ward and Keyaron Fox who captains the special teams again. As for the practice team roster, those elite eight are: Eugene Bright, Dorian Brooks, Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith, Tyler Grisham, Kyle Jolly, Steve McLendon, Frank Summers and Doug Worthington.
Additionally today, several players cut from the team did not last long on the unemployment line. Signed by other teams are:
Patrick Bailey (Titans), Kraig Urbik (Bills), Stefan Logan (reportedly Detroit). Keep in mind that other teams can claim members of the practice squad. More thought now on the naming of captains.
Mike Florio, ProFootballTalk.com, Four Steelers captains include no quarterbacks
In 2008, after four seasons with the team, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger finally was embraced by his teammates, elected as offensive co-captain along with receiver Hines Ward. Last year, even with an allegation of sexual assault pending against him in Nevada, Roethlisberger joined Wards and the rest of the six-team captains. This year, the Steelers again will have two offensive captains, but Ben isn't one of them. Joining Ward in 2010 will be tight end Heath Miller. The team announced a quartet of captains this morning. They are Ward and Miller for the offense, linebacker James Farrior for the defense, and linebacker Keyaron Fox on special teams. Farrior has been defensive captain or co-captain since 2004. From 2004 through 2006, he shared the honor with Joey Porter. Last year, Farrior and James Harrison were the defensive captains.
In 2009, Fox and kicker Jeff Reed served as the special-teams captains. This year, Reed's decision to publicly complain about his contract status and a string of off-field incidents dating back to early 2009 could have cost him ballots in the players-only vote, which for many football teams likely are counted exclusively by the head coach. (And all that that implies.) The election of two offensive captains from the outset of the season likely cuts off any effort by Roethlisberger to finagle the attachment of a "C" to his jersey after his four-game suspension ends. Of course, if he truly has changed, he'll be more concerned about earning the renewed respect and trust of his teammates, not politicking for it.
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While the aforementioned don’t like the Steelers chances, one man who played on a winning Super Bowl team isn’t on that negative bandwagon.
Trent Dilfer: “I'm all over the Steelers this year as my sleeper in the AFC because everybody's written them off. Everybody talks about personnel, how great the Ravens are going to be. I'm looking at the common denominator and saying, You know what? The Pittsburgh Steelers are ballplayers. They have the right mentality: Do your job. Get it done.”
This from a guy who won his title as a Raven. John Clayton, who hails from our hometown, might be one of the NFL’s best writers. Let’s check out what’s in his mailbox this week.
Q: As a Steeler fan, I want to know why you think a lot of analysts think the Steelers are going to be third in the AFC North when their Super Bowl XLIII defense is almost all back and their offense has adjusted to last year's problems.
Michael in Lawrence, Kan.
A: The problem is the Ben Roethlisberger suspension. Everyone thought before the Byron Leftwich knee injury the Steelers would struggle to get out of the first four games with a 2-2 record. Now, it will be even tougher. I think they will go with Charlie Batch over Dennis Dixon because Dixon, a younger quarterback, will make more mental mistakes than Batch. Batch can manage the game, but he doesn't have the arm strength of Leftwich. Sure, reassembling the Super Bowl XLIII defense is nice, but that defense is also a year older. A 1-3 start in a good division will be tough for the Steelers to overcome.
Ricardo in Mexico, the early line is that Charlie Batch will get the start over Dennis Dixon at quarterback for the Steelers, but expect Dixon to play in September. The Steelers worry that Batch might not hold up physically over four games, but they also know he's a quarterback who won't screw things up. Dixon is young, and young quarterbacks make mistakes. Believe me, this is a pretty good debate among Steelers coaches.
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You just have to love all the pre-season analysis and thought…
Michael Lombardi, NFL.com, Fifty-three reasons to be intrigued heading into the season
The magic number right now throughout the NFL is 53. If you were among those chosen for the final 53-man roster you're breathing a sigh of relief. There have been tons of storylines to monitor this offseason, but in keeping with the theme of making the cut, let's take a look at the 53 stories that matter the most as we head into opening kickoff this Thursday night.
7. Ben Roethlisberger
With his suspension reduced to four games, Big Ben looks like he is having fun once again. He is engaging his team, seems to be a better teammate and, most importantly, a better person -- which is what had to happen for him. I sincerely hope he has learned from his mistakes.
31. Dennis Dixon
With Roethlisberger suspended for four weeks and Byron Leftwich out, Dixon will get his chance to shine. However, no matter who takes the snaps from center for the Steelers, they must protect the ball and let their defense and special teams control the game.
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Email Mr. Steeler:
mistersteeler@comcast.net