Is The Buzz Around the Steelers Positive or Negative?
- Fairly good

By Ken Cross, Lindy's Sports

Although the Ben Roethlisberger sexual assault allegations and his suspension seem to be the only news associated with the Steelers this off-season, the consistency of the Steelers' defense and it's penchant for keeping the team in position to win cannot be underestimated going forward into the 2010 season.

During the last nine seasons, the Steelers defense has been virtually impossible to run against as opponents have jaunted for only 89.3 yards per game, second in the AFC and third in the NFL. In addition, the 'Burgh has only allowed nine 100-yard rushers in the past seven seasons.

The return of Aaron Smith to his defensive end position will be huge after missing most of last season with a shoulder injury. Factor Smith's return with the return of the heart and soul of the defense in safety Troy Polamalu, and Mike Tomlin should be able to lean on his defense even more until Roethlisberger returns. Polamalu, a first-team All-Pro selection in '05 and '08, missed most of 2009 with a knee injury. He was coming off a career high seven interceptions in '08.

The stacked linebacking corp of LeMarr Woodley and James Harrison on the outside and James Farrior and Lawrence Timmons in the middle should once again complement the line and make this one of the most feared defensive fronts in the NFL.

Woodley had 50 solo tackles and a team-high 13 1/2 sacks last season while Harrison had 60 and 10 from the opposite side. Farrior is in the twilight of his career at age 35, but he is still one of the game's most fierce warriors with Timmons, who has grown into a stalwart beside of Farrior in just four seasons removed from Florida State.

The predication of the team's dynamic defense could rely on how well Rashard Mendenhall runs the football in Roethlisberger's absence. He had a break out year in 2009 as he rushed for 1,108 yards on 242 attempts with seven touchdowns. The key will be the realization that without Roethlisberger, Mendenhall will all of a sudden be more of a part of opponents' defensive game plans.