Steelers Offensive Preview

Quarterback-

It is still my contention that if Big Ben had played well in the Super Bowl, people would talk about him the way they talk about the likes of Brady and Manning. A top 3 QB who is a sure fire first ballot hall of famer. Instead, the memory of that game clouds some peoples minds. Still, in 4 seasons, the man has won a Super Bowl, led a team to a 15-1 record, had a 32 TD season, and racked up over 11,000 yards passing. He is the least of this team's concerns, and is poised for another 30 TD, 3000 yard season. The backups on the other hand may be a different story. The stability is gone with Batch on IR, so we get two first year Steelers. First, Byron Leftwich, who struggled on a bad Atlanta team last year after being cut by the Jags will be Ben's predominant backup. Not that he's a horrible player, but the less we see of him the better. The third QB job belongs to rookie Dennis Dixon. Hopefully the inexperienced Dixon will never be forced into any actual QB duty. A slash role would be a Perfect fit for a pure athlete such as himself. Lets see if Arians has the stones to use him the way he should.

Wide Reciever-

Santonio Holmes is the new number 1 on this team. He is an electric player who has the opportunity and talent to have a pro-bowl season. 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns should be easily attainable. Whiney Hines Ward will attempt to catch a few passes this year. That is, when he isn't complaining about having to go to too many practices, thinking about holding out, or wishing it was still 2002. I hope he proves me wrong, but he is a borderline number 2 wideout at this point of his career. If Nate Washington or Limas Sweed would step up and make some big catches, they could start to push Hines out of the starting lineup. Doubt that will happen this year though. Maybe 09 will be the year of Sweed.

Tight End-

Heath Miller and Matt "Outer" Spaeth are both underrated tight ends in this league. And to quote every Steeler fan and analyst over the past 18 years, THROW THEM THE BALL MORE. These 2 need to see more balls than the umpire in the last game Rick Ankiel pitched.

Running Back-

Unless Rashard Mendenhall decides to end his career as a Leon Lett impersonator, Willie Parker Needs to see a strong majority of the carries this year. Parker is still a dependent back with an explosive burst who can still be a feature back in this offense. Mendenhall has talent, and could turn out to be a stud, but it would be unwise to force him in untill he is fully ready. Mewelde Moore should slide effortlessly into the 3rd down back role, running screens and draws. Gary Russell and Cary Davis round out the backfield, and give the Steelers serviceable options should there be any injuries.

O-Line-

Wow. Gone are the days of all pro's like Alan Faneca and Jeff Hartings anchoring this once dominant line. Here now are the days of the question mark. Every member of this line has some questions swirling about him. Justin Hartwig is a relative unknown, but at least we know he isn't Sean Mahan, so he has that going for him. Chris Kemoeatu is unproven, as is Willie Colon. But if Colon should stumble, 9 million dollar man Max "Dibiase" Starks is ready to step in. Marvel Smith could still have a great year, but again, injury concerns could be his undoing. Kendall Simmons rounds out the starting group and is poised for an amazingly average year. Dark horse of the year is backup Darnel Stapleton, the coaching staff seems high on this kid (or PCP) and seem to think he has future starter written all over him. I guess i'll take their word for it, since the 2nd half of most preseason games found me not watching backup offensive linemen, but instead getting reacquainted with NES classics like Mega Man 2 and Bubble Bobble.

Overall-

This team is probably closer to going 4-12 than they are to going 12-4, but i dont think either will happen. They have a tough schedule, but they are talented enough to win a relatively weak division. 10-6 again, seems about right.