Pittsburgh Steelers Predictions
June 26, 2008
The Pittsburgh Steelers let go of seven-time Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca in free agency and only added some spare parts through the market in the offseason. The Steelers didn’t do much at all to change their team, but they feel they have enough talent to stay atop the AFC North this season. But the toughest schedule in the NFL will give the Steelers their fair share of headaches as the season unfolds. Let’s take a look at Info Plays‘ 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers predictions and team preview below.
Offense:
The Steelers did make a very important move this offseason, and that was signing franchise quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to an eight-year, $102 million contract. Roethlisberger rebounded from his worst season with his best, earning the deal. He set Steelers records with 32 TD passes and a 104.1 passer rating, which says a lot considering Terry Bradshaw wore a Steelers’ jersey for years. He also cut down on his interceptions after throwing 23 in ‘06 to just 11 in ‘07. But Big Ben was sacked 47 times last season, second-most in team history, and 93 times over the past two years. That can’t continue and Big Ben must get rid of the ball sooner. Charlie Batch is the perfect backup and rookie Dennis Dixon will be No. 3 this season.
Willie Parker ran a 4.4 mark in the 40-yard dash in March after breaking his right fibula three months earlier. The Steelers drafted Rashard Mendenhall in the first round to add another bruiser. Parker and Mendenhall should become a tough 1-2 punch for opponents to try and stop. Parker has recorded three seasons with over 1,200 yards rushing and would likely have become the league’s rushing champ last season had he not suffered the broken leg. Veteran Mewelde Moore signed to become the team’s third-down back.
Santonio Holmes looks primed to take over as the top wideout. Holmes led the team with 942 yards last season and led the NFL with 18.1 yards per catch as well. Haines Ward remains the Steelers’ clutch go-to receiver and shows little signs of slowing down at age 32. He led the Steelers for the ninth straight season in receptions with 72 last year. The lack of depth was erased with the drafting of 6′4″ Limas Sweed out of Texas. Folks in Pittsburgh believe Sweed will surpass Nate Washington as their No. 3 receiver. The Steelers have tall red-zone targets in tight ends Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth as they remain one of the most efficient red zone teams in the league.
One the team’s strength, the offensive line now has become a weakness. Faneca left without an offer, and the Steelers have asked the inexperienced Chris Kemoeatu to replace him at left guard. They signed center Justin Hartwig from Carolina to replace the ineffective Sean Mahan. Marvel Smith is still a force at left tackle, and Kendall Simmons remains at right guard. Max Starks was demoted at right tackle to make way for Willie Colon. But the Steelers must have plans for Starks this season, after signing him to a $6.9 million one-year deal. Whether he starts or not, that makes Starks the second highest paid player on the team. Confusing, we know.
Defense:
The defensive line for the Steelers remains stout other than the depth factor. Left end Aaron Smith is solid and Casey Hampton still ranks among the NFL’s best nose tackles after making his fourth Pro Bowl last year. Both players will be at least 31 years old when the season starts, though. His backup, Chris Hoke, is 32. Brett Keisel, 30 before the season, looks like a solid end. He’s quick and pressures the quarterback, but his 7.5 sacks in two seasons hasn’t really showed it.
The Steelers talked about converting to a 4-3, but their linebackers are built for the 3-4 so their scheme won’t change this season. James Harrison was the team’s MVP and made the Pro Bowl last season at outside linebacker. LaMarr Woodly is a dominant pass rusher and well on his way to a Pro Bowl berth. He replaces the departed Clark Haggans on the left side. UCLA’s Bruce Davis will add depth to the outside after being drafted in the third round. In the middle, Lawrence Timmons will challenge Larry Foote for the starting job. Ultimately, Timmons will replace James Farrior on the inside, but Farrior’s still a stopper in the middle.
Strong safety Troy Polamalu is still the secondary’s biggest playmaker and needs to return to form. The four-time Pro Bowler missed five games with injury before having knee surgery at the end of the season. He had no sacks or interceptions because health issues kept Polamalu from being as aggressive as he likes to be. Free safety Ryan Clark had his spleen removed last November, and Anthony Smith was ineffective in his place. Starting corner Deshea Townsend may be the answer at free safety. But that may not happen this year unless Bryant McFadden can finally establish himself as a starting corner opposite Ike Taylor.
Info Plays 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers Predictions
The Steelers have the ultimate balance on offense and defense that teams need to win a championship. Their defense is still the best in the AFC North Division and their offense is near that of the Cleveland Browns. Their window is closing on a return trip to the Super Bowl, so this veteran-led team will be hungry to make the most of their opportunity. The fact that Pittsburgh was talked the talk and walked the walk with a Super Bowl victory recently gives them the mental edge over the rest of this division. They find a way to win the big games. The Steelers make easy picken’s of the Bengals and Ravens while splitting games with the Browns this season, ultimately winning the AFC North title again in 2008.