FanHouse NFL Season Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers -- Good Team, Bad Schedule

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is right around the corner, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: When Ben Roethlisberger went 15-1 as a rookie, many critics said he was the beneficiary of a system that didn't ask him to do too much--never mind the fact that he sets rookie records for wins, completion percentage and passer rating. The next year, when he led the Steelers to the Super Bowl, critics still weren't sold. And when he fell apart during a brutal 2006 season, it seemed to make the critics look prescient. But after an outstanding 2007 season, there are few doubters left. Roethlisberger has the size and escapability that's needed behind an offensive line that likes to send random pass rushers his ways just to keep him on his toes. With Charlie Batch hurt, the Steelers were fortunate to snag Byron Leftwich, a long-time starting quarterback, as a well-qualified backup. Dennis Dixon, a rookie from Oregon, is a promising developmental quarterback with great feet to go with a strong arm. Roethlisberger doesn't deserve to be compared to Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, but as we've watched Jim Sorgi and Matt Cassell, it is fair to say that the Steelers' combination of depth and talent is pretty rare. Heat Index: 9.


Running Backs: Willie Parker is one of the fastest tailbacks in the NFL, but in his first year, Mike Tomlin said he'd run Parker "until the wheels came off." They did in Week 15 when he broke his leg against the Rams. On second thought, Tomlin went out and brought in first-round pick Rashard Mendenhall, who should help ensure that Parker doesn't blow a tire this year. Before his injury, Parker had 20 or more carries in all but two games last year. The Steelers somewhat logically hope that less carries will mean more big plays for Parker, while Mendenhall helps keep the team out of third and eights by helping move the chain. Mendenhall has uncharacteristically had a fumble problem this preseason after never fumbling in college. Mewelde Moore is a better fit for the third-down back job than Najeh Davenport, while Gary Russell is a very solid No. 4. Carey Davis is a better runner than the fullback he replaced, but he still needs to prove he's the lead blocker that Dan Krieder was. Heat Index: 9.

Wide Recievers: Hines Ward is the meanest, nastiest wide receiver in the world if you're a defensive back. But hey, he lays crushing blocks on safeties with a smile. What's changed is for the first time since Ward became a starter is that he's longer the team's best receiver. He's still a very solid possession receiver, but barring injury Santonio Holmes should be a 1,000-yard man and one of football's best deep threats. Nate Washington drops too many passes, but he also has the ability to consistently beat single coverage, which is pretty valuable for a No. 3 receiver. Limas Sweed will eventually replace Washington, but for now, the rookie looks somewhat lost, as he's dropping a third of the passes thrown his way. Heath Miller is the best tight end that casual fans don't notice, while Matt Spaeth will be a solid No. 2 tight end if he can improve his run blocking. Heat Index: 8.

Offensive Line: Up to this point, you would be fair to think I'm describing a potential Super Bowl team. And then we get to the offensive line, which has the potential to be a putrid pile of poo (hey it's AOL I have to keep it clean). The Steelers gave up 47 sacks during the regular season last year, and there's not much to show that the problem will get better this year. The good news is that Chris Kemoeatu has looked pretty comfortable replacing Pro Bowler Alan Faneca. Kemoeatu's problem was always learning the playbook, as his size/power combo is outstanding. And Marvel Smith's back seems to be healthy, which means he's a solid left tackle. Other than that, pray for Roethlisberger's health. The Steelers have replaced Sean Mahan at center with Justin Hartwig, which should help the team's struggles against 3-4 nose tackles, but Kendall Simmons and Willie Colon--the two Steelers offensive linemen who gave up the most sacks last year, are still starting. Simmons struggles with latching on to defensive tackles and functional strength, Colon's troubles are that he's just a little short and slow to be a right tackle, although he should show some improvement in his second season starting. At least the depth is a little better this year with a $7 million backup in Max Starks. Heat Index: 3.

Defensive Line: When you talk about the Steelers' starters, things are pretty good. Casey Hampton is back to clog the middle after spending August melting away pounds in the Latrobe heat. Aaron Smith is showing no signs of problems as he comes back from a torn bicep and Brett Keisel is a very athletic defensive end, although he struggles when teams run right at him. But the Steelers' backups are mediocre, and the group as a whole is ancient. The Steelers will likely start the season without one defensive lineman younger than 29. If an injury or two crops up, this could get ugly quickly. Heat Index: 6.

Linebackers: Before last year's Monday Night Football game against the Ravens, most non-Steelers fans only knew of James Harrison because he leveled a Browns fan who ran on the field during a game. The first-time Pro Bowler will head into this year acknowledged as one of the best 3-4 outside linebackers in the game. Harrison's job as a pass rusher should get a little easier this year because LaMarr Woodley, last year's second-round pick, will be coming from the other side. Woodley is a ferocious pass rusher, what we haven't seen yet is how well he'll handle the run and pass coverage. Inside, James Farrior is very steady, and Larry Foote has proven to be a solid run-stuffer, but expect to see Lawrence Timmons replace Foote in the near future. Timmons will make some mistakes, but he'll also provide sacks, big hits and pass coverage. The depth should be better than it was last year, with three legit starters on the inside, including one (Timmons), who could slide outside if needed. Heat Index: 8.

Defensive Backs: The Steelers defense makes it hard for cornerbacks to shine--they're asked to play the run as much as the pass, and they don't play a lot of man-to-man. It's a scheme that allows short passes but is designed to not give up the big play. It's also a system that allows Deshea Townsend to keep plugging away, even if he's undersized, not exceptionally fast and will be 33 next month. Townsend and Ike Taylor fit what the Steelers are looking for--guys who don't mind hitting and know the scheme. Bryant McFadden will likely leave after the season to try to win a starting job somewhere else, but for now he'll be a very solid No. 3 CB. If Troy Polamalu's healthy, he'll be a Pro Bowler, but he has struggled with nagging injuries over the past year and a half. But even as important as Polamalu is, Ryan Clark might be just as vital. When he got hurt last year, the Steelers pass defense fell apart. Heat Index: 8.

Special Teams: Jeff Reed missed two field goals all of last year--one of them was a 60+yard plus attempt, and the other was a kick from the mud bog that Heinz Field was during the Dolphins downpour last year. The punter situation is a little sketchier, as Paul Ernster and Mitch Berger have been battling to be Daniel Sepulveda's fill-in. And when it comes to the Steelers' coverage teams, they're guilty until proven innocent, as poor coverage has been a problem going almost back to the Chuck Noll days. Heat Index: 5.

Coaching: Mike Tomlin deserves a lot of credit for coming in, replacing a legend and getting the team back to the playoffs. He's a different style coach than Bill Cowher, but he's showing that he should be around Pittsburgh for years to come. Dick LeBeau is 70 going on 40, which gives Pittsburgh one of the game's best defensive coordinators. Bruce Arians had a solid first year as offensive coordinator last year, although he'll have to be creative to gameplan around the team's offensive line issues. Heat Index: 7.

Intangibles: The Steelers should be a better team than they were last year, but because of the schedule, they'll likely not look the part. There is not a game outside of the division that looks like a clear win. Like everyone else in the AFC North, the Steelers will face the NFC East (no gimmies) and the AFC South (no gimmies), and since they won the division last year, they'll also be facing the Patriots and the Chargers. Yes, that makes a root canal look like a pleasant way to spend the day. Heat Index: 4.

Total Heat Index: 67.

If it wasn't for their schedule, it would be a fair to predict a 11-win season for the Steelers. But with this schedule, nine wins might be enough to win the division, and would be the sign of a very good team.