Questions Steelers Need To Answer
By Jerry DiPaola

Here are five questions that Steelers' Coach Bill Cowher will investigate, late at night in the film room when the fields are finally quiet:

1. Will quarterback Kordell Stewart develop an immediate relationship with backup wide receivers Terance Mathis, Antwaan Randle El, Lee Mays, Lenzie Jackson and will he finally find a comfort level with Troy Edwards?

Stewart pushed for Mathis' signing.

2. How quickly will linebacker James Farrior, who has spent his entire career with the New York Jets, learn the Steelers defense?

The Steelers signed Farrior to replace Earl Holmes at inside linebacker, but John Fiala won't give up the job without a fight.

3. How will Todd Peterson adjust to a new holder, new snapper and a new home field?

Peterson was signed from the Kansas City Chiefs to replace Kris Brown, and he scoffed at Heinz Field's reputation as a graveyard for kickers.

His work, actually, will start before training camp when he visits Heinz Field this month for practice sessions and starts getting used to the winds and the turf.

4. What will offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey do to improve the Steelers' red-zone inefficiency?

The Steelers talked to 6-4 wide receiver Herman Moore, largely because they scored only 20 touchdowns on 52 trips inside the 20-yard line last year, the second-worst percentage in the AFC, and they thought Moore might help. The team, though, rejected Moore in favor of Mathis.

5. Can the Steelers avoid a Super Bowl hangover?

Strange question, because the Steelers haven't been in the Super Bowl for six years. But there is so much talk about the inevitability of the team getting to San Diego that maybe some players will lose focus on the regular season. The hangover could come from talk about the Super Bowl, before the game is even played.