| Quest For Six
Steelers Aim To Repeat
By Joe Starkey
What's there not to like about the 2006 Steelers?
Sure, you could quibble about the backup running back situation,
worry yourself sick over Hines Ward's injured hamstring or spend
large chunks of your life wondering whether Chris Hope and Antwaan
Randle El can be adequately replaced.
But you have to admit the Steelers are stacked again - stacked
for another big season on the heels of two in which they've gone
31-6.
That doesn't necessarily mean they'll win a second consecutive
Super Bowl. It just means they'll be in the hunt.
The Steelers' roster is dotted with players of All-Pro pedigree,
players who either are among the best in the league at their positions
or soon could be. Those include quarterback Ben Roethlisberger,
tailback Willie Parker, Ward, tight end Heath Miller, guard Alan
Faneca, center Jeff Hartings, tackle Marvel Smith, defensive linemen
Casey Hampton and Aaron Smith, linebackers James Farrior, Joey
Porter and Clark Haggans and defensive backs Troy Polamalu and
Ike Taylor. A superior coaching staff has returned intact for
a third consecutive season.
The offseason held its share of challenges, to be sure. Tops
among them were Roethlisberger's near-fatal motorcycle accident
and reports that this could be Cowher's final season. Neither
seemed to be much of issue during the preseason, though, and no
news was good news at the team's 40th training camp.
A closer look at the 2006 Steelers:
QUARTERBACKS
Big Ben's next frontier
Roethlisberger never has to look far for motivation. Last year,
he had a chip on his shoulder pads because he thought people were
anticipating a sophomore letdown. This year, he's convinced they're
looking for him to fail in the wake of his horrific motorcycle
accident. Hey, whatever works. Big Ben is 27-4 as a starting quarterback,
including playoffs, and last year became the youngest quarterback
(23) to win a Super Bowl. From day one, his training-camp performance
made it seem as if those seven hours of reconstructive face surgery
never happened. Roethlisberger has more speed around him that
at any time in his three-year career and a promise from offensive
coordinator Ken Whisenhunt to throw the ball more often. That
will include, at times, a no-huddle offense with Big Ben calling
the plays. Roethlisberger is lighter than he was last season and
has a much better command of the offense, according to quarterbacks
coach Mark Whipple. If the line stays intact, there is no reason
to believe he won't have his best season, at least from a statistical
standpoint. Whether he can win another Super Bowl remains to be
seen. Nine-year veteran Charlie Batch is much healthier than he
was this time last year and is solidly entrenched as the backup.
He's also coming off a season in which he actually played a few
games. Batch is an excellent insurance policy.
RUNNING BACKS
'Fast' Willie's show
Third-year pro Willie Parker is coming off the sixth-most prolific
rushing season (1,202 yards) in Steelers history. His breakaway
speed gave the offense a much-needed new dimension - witness his
record-breaking 75-yard touchdown run in the Super Bowl. Parker,
who will touch the ball 20-25 times per game, came to camp in
prime physical condition, proving that his head didn't balloon
with all those post-Super Bowl accolades. Now, he must prove he
can do it all again - and prove he can handle short-yardage duties.
Verron Haynes is a tough, steady third-down back who made some
big plays last season. Dan Kreider remains a key part of the running
game as perhaps the finest blocking fullback in the league.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Rock solid
The entire line returns intact for a second consecutive year.
Assuming it stays healthy, it figures to improve for two reasons:
1. Right guard Kendall Simmons finally had a trauma-free offseason
and turned in the best camp of his five-year career. 2. Right
tackle Max Starks, a second-year starter, has only begun to realize
his vast potential. There isn't a left side in the league better
than guard Alan Faneca and tackle Marvel Smith. Faneca, who has
made five straight Pro Bowls, is the best guard in Steelers history.
Smith's value was evident in his four-game absence last season.
Veteran center Jeff Hartings, 33, has made two consecutive Pro
Bowls. Backup center Chukky Okobi made a quick recovery from preseason
neck surgery. Rookie center Marvin Philip had a good camp. Second-year
players Chris Kemoeatu (G), Trai Essex (T) and rookie Willie Colon
(T) provide largely untested depth.
TIGHT ENDS
More Miller Time
Yes, Virginia, the Steelers do throw to the tight end. Ex-Virginia
star Heath Miller caught more passes last season (39) than any
Steelers rookie TE since Eric Green in 1994. He followed that
with a marvelous playoff, including his 36-yard catch on the key
opening drive in the upset at Indianapolis. Miller has a fine
rapport with Roethlisberger and should up his numbers this season.
Jerame Tuman battled an injured hamstring in camp but figures
to again provide solid blocking in the team's two-tight-end formations.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Will young talent blossom?
Despite the loss of Antwaan Randle El, position coach Bruce Arians
calls this group "the most talented I've been around." It starts
with Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward, who became the franchise's all-time
leading pass catcher last season but missed nearly all of training
camp with an injured left hamstring. Ward's likely running mate
is veteran Cedrick Wilson, who was hard to find during the regular
season but very prominent in the playoffs. After those two, it's
probably veteran Quincy Morgan and batch of talented kids. Second-year
pro Nate Washington came to camp with the upper hand and likely
will see lots of time in the slot. Santonio Holmes, the team's
first-round draft pick out of Ohio State, is a game-breaker who
was making up for lost time in camp. It might take a while before
his true impact is felt, though he'll appear early in four wide-receive
sets. Willie Reid, a third-round pick, is a better receiver than
most thought and could shift the momentum of a game.
DEFENSE LINE
New man on block
Everybody knows about massive nose tackle Casey Hampton. He's
the main ingredient in the Steelers' run-stuffing defense. Eighth-year
end Aaron Smith is a known commodity, as well, providing consistent
excellence and energy. The unknown commodity is fifth-year pro
Brett Keisel, who replaces Kimo von Oelhoffen. Keisel had a good
camp, helping to ease concerns about his ability to stop the run.
His pass-rushing skills became evident last season, particularly
when he registered two sacks in the AFC title game. Chris Hoke,
Rodney Bailey and Travis Kirschke provide depth.
LINEBACKERS
Porter's House
The big question here is whether outside linebacker Joey Porter,
who had a knee scoped in the spring, can stay healthy and be as
dominant as he was in the playoffs. If not, James Harrison might
have to play an increased role. Harrison proved last season that
he can be an impact player in his own right. Clark Haggans had
a breakout season on the left side, registering nine sacks, third
in the NFL among linebackers, despite missing three games. James
Farrior didn't have the MVP-type season of a year earlier, but
he provides a steady, hard-hitting veteran presence on the inside.
The other inside 'backer, Larry Foote, made people forget Kendrell
Bell. Foote's signature game occurred in Minnesota, when he sparked
a goal-line stand and made a tackle for a safety. The drop-off
after Harrison is steep.
SECONDARY
High Hopes
Strong safety Troy Polamalu is a potential NFL defensive MVP.
He joins a possible star-in-waiting in cornerback Ike Taylor,
who could be playing his final year in Pittsburgh. Taylor's scheduled
to become an unrestricted free agent after the season. Polamalu
closes on the ball as quickly as any defensive back in the league
and lines up all over the field to drive offenses crazy. Of course,
he could also drive his fellow safety nuts if that player isn't
prepared. The Steelers hope one of two veterans - Ryan Clark or
Tyrone Carter - can play off Polamalu as well as Chris Hope did
last season. Veteran Deshea Townsend held off second-year pro
Bryant McFadden and third-year man Ricardo Colclough at the right
cornerback spot, though Townsend also sustained a fractured thumb
and might open the season playing with a cast. McFadden has the
goods to replace Taylor next season. The Steelers are hoping the
light goes on for Colclough the way it went on for Taylor last
season. Veteran Mike Logan returns healthy to provide valuable
veteran leadership at safety, while rookie Anthony Smith was one
of the real bright spots in camp.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Good Reed
Kicker Jeff Reed enters the season with a 82.9-percent success
rate on field goals, highest in team history. Punter Chris Gardocki
was fighting off Mike Barr in camp but figured to be the man once
the season began, thanks to a clutch postseason which included
seven punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line. He's still never
had a punt blocked. The coverage teams should remain solid, but
it remains to be seen whether the dynamic Randle El can be replaced
as a punt returner. Lightning-fast rookie Willie Reid figures
to get plenty of opportunity there.
Joe Starkey is a columnist for the
Pittsburgh Tribune Review. |
