PSR Showdown
Will The Steelers Take a Step Forward or Backward This Season?

Backward
By Mike Bires
Beaver County Times

Here are my most vivid memories from last year:

o   Ben Roethlisberger, lying face down and motionless for nearly two minutes on the Georgia Dome turf, knocked out cold during a Oct. 22 loss in Atlanta courtesy of a vicious hit from defensive end Chauncey Davis.

o   A week later, Chris Carr, a third-string cornerback, returning a Roethlisberger interception 100 yards for a touchdown to clinch Oakland's stunning upset 20-13 upset of the Steelers.

o   Linebacker Bart Scott violently slamming Roethlisberger to the ground in a 27-0 Ravens rout of the Steelers on Nov. 26 in which Baltimore recorded nine sacks.

Why do I bring up ancient history now as Mike Tomlin, the effervescent first-year coach, embarks on a fresh chapter in Steelers' history?

Why bring up some of Big Ben's woes from 2006 when he's healthy, confident and determined to put the nightmares of last year behind him?

I do so because the Steelers enter '07 with serious troubles on the offensive line. Yes, in place is a franchise QB, an electrifying, Pro Bowl running back (Willie Parker) and a receiving corps that includes the leading pass catcher in team history (Hines Ward) and two recent No. 1 draft picks (tight end Heath Miller and wideout Santonio Holmes).

But an O-line that played a significant role in allowing 46 sacks last year remains a major question mark. Quite frankly, there are issues at all five spots, even at left guard when perennial All-Pro Alan Faneca remains disgruntled because he didn't receive a lucrative contract extension.

As Jerome Bettis used to always say, "We will go as far as our offensive line takes us."

I don't think this line will take the Steelers very far despite an intriguing arsenal of offensive weapons.

Moreover, the once-proud defense could be in for a letdown, too.

Specifically, I'm worried about the linebackers, supposedly the heart and soul of a 3-4 defense. I don't think the cast of Clark Haggans, James Farrior, Larry Foote and James Harrison will strike fear into any opposing offense.

So will the Steelers improve on last year's 8-8 record?

I don't think so.

It might even be worse.