Pittsburgh Steelers 2010 Season Preview

Football Betting Lines

08/25/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2010 campaign intent on re-establishing their identity in the wake of a season of unfulfilled expectations, followed by an offseason embroiled in turmoil.

It's been a long and arduous 18 months for the Steelers since the franchise captured an unprecedented sixth Lombardi Trophy with a thrilling 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. Last year's team would fall victim to two of the pitfalls that have befallen many a returning champion in the past -- injuries and complacency -- during a disappointing 9-7 season that fell just short of qualifying for the AFC Playoffs.

While last year's outcome was humbling, what transpired afterward was downright humiliating to an organization renowned for its stability and its dignity. Two months after the Steelers closed out the 2009 season, star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was being investigated for sexual assault following an incident in a Georgia nightclub.

While the standout signal-caller would avoid criminal charges, he will sit out at least four games after being found in violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy, leaving the offense in the less capable hands of either journeyman Byron Leftwich or still-raw prospect Dennis Dixon for the first quarter of the upcoming season.

Roethlisberger wasn't the only Pittsburgh player to bring shame to both the team and the league for his reckless antics. Wide receiver Santonio Holmes, the recipient of "Big Ben's" memorable game-winning touchdown pass in the final minute of Super Bowl XLIII, was handed a four-game suspension of his own for breaching the NFL's substance abuse laws, which prompted the embarrassed Steelers to trade the playmaking pass-catcher to the Jets in April for below- market value.

Pittsburgh will also be without its top offensive lineman for all of 2010 after right tackle Willie Colon tore his Achilles' tendon during a summer workout, presenting yet another challenge for head coach Mike Tomlin and his staff.

With the offense in a state of flux as a result of Roethlisberger's punishment, the Steelers will lean heavily on a defense that wasn't quite able to regain the havoc-wreaking form the unit displayed during the 2008 championship run. Getting perennial All-Pro Troy Polamalu back from a lingering knee injury that sidelined him for the majority of last year should help restore the group to prominence, as Pittsburgh went 4-1 in the five games the energetic safety did compete in a season ago.

Below we take a capsule look at the 2010 edition of the Pittsburgh Steelers, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:

2009 RECORD: 9-7 (t2nd, AFC North)

LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2008, defeated Arizona, 27-23, in Super Bowl

COACH (RECORD): Mike Tomlin (31-17 in three years with Steelers, 31-17 overall)

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Bruce Arians

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Dick LeBeau

OFFENSIVE STAR: Ben Roethlisberger, QB (4328 passing yards, 26 TD, 12 INT)

DEFENSIVE STAR: Troy Polamalu, S (20 tackles, 3 INT)

OFFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 19th rushing, 9th passing, 12th scoring

DEFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 3rd rushing, 16th passing, t12th scoring

KEY ADDITIONS: QB Byron Leftwich (from Buccaneers), WR Antwaan Randle El (from Redskins), WR Emmanuel Sanders (3rd Round, SMU), WR Arnaz Battle (from 49ers), T Flozell Adams (from Cowboys), T Jonathan Scott (from Bills), C Maurkice Pouncey (1st Round, Florida), OLB Jason Worilds (2nd Round, Virginia Tech), ILB Larry Foote (from Lions), CB Bryant McFadden (from Cardinals), S Will Allen (from Buccaneers)

KEY DEPARTURES: RB Willie Parker (to Redskins), FB Carey Davis (to Redskins), WR Santonio Holmes (to Jets), T Willie Colon (out for season/injured), G Darnell Stapleton (not tendered), DE Travis Kirschke (retired), LB Rocky Boiman (not tendered), CB Deshea Townsend (to Colts), S Tyrone Carter (to Redskins)

QB: Roethlisberger (26 TD, 12 INT in '09) has few faults on the field, and the strong-armed triggerman turned in arguably his finest season in 2009 in spite of his team's shortcomings. The 28-year-old established club records for passing yards (4,328) and completion percentage (66.6) while eclipsing the 300-yard mark in five games, a single-year best as well. Leftwich (594 passing yards, 4 TD, 3 INT with the Bucs), who served as Pittsburgh's backup quarterback in 2008 before a forgettable one-year stint in Tampa Bay, was reacquired in the spring to presumably fill the void caused by Roethlisberger's suspension, but the lightly-played Dixon (145 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) is making a case to start with an impressive preseason. While the third-year pro doesn't possess Leftwich's experience and arm strength, he's far more athletic and mobile than his counterpart. The Steelers may keep graybeard Charlie Batch on board as a No. 3 guy to start the season, but the 35-year-old is as good as gone once Roethlisberger returns.

RB: Last year saw a changing of the guard in the Pittsburgh backfield, as 2008 first-round draftee Rashard Mendenhall (1108 rushing yards, 25 receptions, 8 total TD) displaced longtime starter Willie Parker in October and staked his claim to be the featured runner with a strong season. The talented youngster will have a prominent role in the game plan once again in 2009, especially early on with Roethlisberger ineligible. Parker wasn't retained during the offseason, creating a camp competition for the backup job among rookie Jonathan Dwyer (6th Round, Georgia Tech), third-down specialist Mewelde Moore (118 rushing yards, 21 receptions, 2 TD) and practice-squad promotee Isaac Redman, a dark-horse candidate who's shined during exhibition play. Sophomore Frank Summers, who missed most of last season with a back injury, appears to be the front-runner at fullback.

WR/TE: Whoever wins the preseason quarterback derby will have a fine stable of receivers to work with. Tight end Heath Miller (6 TD) set a team record for his position by making 76 catches last year and earning a first career Pro Bowl nod, while venerable wideout Hines Ward (95 receptions, 6 TD) hasn't slowed down despite his advanced age, as the now 34-year-old's 1,195 receiving yards in 2009 were the second-highest total of his storied 12-year tenure. Holmes' field-stretching presence will be difficult to replace, but the Steelers are confident that second-year speedster Mike Wallace (39 receptions, 6 TD) will be able to build off an excellent rookie season in which he led the NFL in yards per catch (19.4 avg.) and that free-agent signees Antwaan Randle El (50 receptions with Redskins) and Arnaz Battle (5 receptions with 49ers) can both provide some additional veteran stability to the group. The 31-year- old Randle El was a dangerous and versatile weapon for Pittsburgh from 2002-05, but is more a possession-type at this stage of his career. The Steelers are also excited about the potential of 2010 third-round pick Emmanuel Sanders, a slightly-built blazer who could emerge as Ward's heir apparent in the slot. Blocking whiz Matt Spaeth (5 receptions) returns as Miller's primary backup, with Sean McHugh and 2009 draftee David Johnson fighting to stick as the third tight end.

OL: Though all five regulars are still on the roster, the AFC-high 50 sacks Pittsburgh's front wall surrendered last year led to the dismissal of line coach Larry Zierlin, with former Bills assistant Sean Kugler tabbed by Tomlin to assume that post. He'll have to deal with the season-ending loss of Colon, a blow that should be softened by the astute pickup of ex-Cowboys stalwart Flozell Adams just prior to training camp. The five-time Pro Bowler remains a devastating run blocker as he enters his 13th NFL season, while his eroding protection skills won't be as big an issue playing on the right side. The Steelers also used their first-round choice in April's draft on Florida center Maurkice Pouncey, and the All-American stands a good chance of supplanting either declining incumbent or pedestrian right guard Trai Essex in the starting lineup. The left side is more established, with Chris Kemoeatu a solid two-year starter at guard and Max Starks a serviceable performer at tackle. Jonathan Scott, a pupil of Kugler's in Buffalo, was signed in March to compete with third-year man Tony Hills and rookie Chris Scott (5th Round, Tennessee) to be the swing tackle, with holdovers Ramon Foster and Kraig Urbik the main interior backups.

DL: The Steelers have ranked among the NFL's top three teams in rushing defense in each of the past six years, in no small part due to the large man anchoring the center of the line. Nose tackle Casey Hampton (43 tackles, 2.5 sacks) received a fifth career Pro Bowl citation in 2009 and was rewarded with a new three-year contract in February for his stout work in the middle, with the massive plugger to be once again flanked by veteran ends Aaron Smith (9 tackles, 2 sacks) and Brett Keisel (54 tackles, 3 sacks). Smith is a proven difference-maker as well from his five-technique spot, but the 34-year-old needs to show he can stay healthy after missing 11 games last year due to a serious shoulder injury. The Steelers do have capable reinforcements at end in Ziggy Hood (8 tackles, 1 sack), the club's 2009 first-round selection, and Nick Eason (16 tackles), while Chris Hoke returns for a 10th season as Hampton's trusted understudy on the nose.

LB: The backbone of Pittsburgh's ferocious defense is a four-man linebacking corps that contains few peers in terms of talent and production. LaMarr Woodley (62 tackles, 13.5 sacks) and 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison (79 tackles, 10 sacks) form a destructive outside pass-rushing duo that accounted for half of the team's healthy total of 47 sacks in 2009, with both making the Pro Bowl for their efforts. Many feel inside starter Lawrence Timmons (78 tackles, 7 sacks) may soon join those two in Honolulu after emerging as an all-around force last season, the former first-round pick's first as a starter. Decorated 14th-year pro James Farrior (102 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT) is still an effective run stopper at the other interior spot, but the 35-year-old's wearing down at times last year prompted the Steelers to bring back physical former starter Larry Foote (99 tackles, 2 sacks with the Lions) for a second tour of duty after a one-year stop in Detroit. Special- teams captain Keyaron Fox (44 tackles, 1 INT) supplies further depth along the inside, while the team added two intriguing pass rushers in April's draft with the selection of Jason Worilds (2nd Round, Virginia Tech) and Thaddeus Gibson (4th Round, Ohio State). Both are converted ends who will have to make their mark on coverage units as rookies.

DB: The one sore spot on an otherwise sturdy stop unit came from last season's spotty play of starting cornerbacks Ike Taylor (62 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) and William Gay (78 tackles, 1 sack, 10 PD), which triggered the Steelers to obtain another familiar face in an attempt to rectify the situation. Bryant McFadden (69 tackles, 15 PD), a member of Pittsburgh's last two Super Bowl winners, was acquired from Arizona in a draft-day trade and is expected to hold down the left corner spot and push Gay back into a nickel role. Still, the biggest impact to the secondary will come from Polamalu (20 tackles, 3 INT), provided the dynamic safety is completely over his knee issues. Free safety Ryan Clark (89 tackles, 3 INT) is a vocal leader and quality complement to the soft-spoken Polamalu, and the Steelers made it a priority to re-sign the 30-year-old during the offseason. The team opted not to retain valued reserve safety Tyrone Carter but did land ex-Buccaneer Will Allen (20 tackles), a special teams demon who'll back up the two starters.

SPECIAL TEAMS: One major area of weakness for the 2009 Steelers was the special-teams coverage units, with the league-worst four kick return touchdowns the team allowed likely costing Pittsburgh a playoff spot and provided the impetus for the signings of players like Battle and Allen. CFL refugee Stefan Logan ranked second in the AFC in kick return average (26.7 avg.) and did a decent job handling punts as well, but his roster spot could be in jeopardy with the addition of rookie Antonio Brown (6th Round, Central Michigan), who offers greater upside as a receiver. The Steelers are in good hands at kicker, where the reliable Jeff Reed (27-of-31 FG's) has converted 89 percent of his field goal tries over the last three years despite playing in the difficult Heinz Field conditions. while punter Daniel Sepulveda (42.6 avg.) is adept at getting good hang time and pinning the opposition deep.

PROGNOSIS: There are plenty of pros and cons to consider when analyzing this year's Pittsburgh team. First off, this should be a highly motivated bunch that'll have last year's disappointment fresh in their minds, and keep in mind that all but three starters from the 2008 world championship squad are still on the current payroll. And getting a full season out of Polamalu certainly can't hurt either. On the negative side, a defense with seven projected regulars over 30 is getting a little long in the tooth, and the absence of Roethlisberger for a significant portion of the season could prove to be a major obstacle in a difficult division that contains two 2009 playoff teams. While it wouldn't be shocking to see the fiery Tomlin rally this team back to prominence, a second straight non-playoff trip appears just as likely.