Jason La Canfora had a great Season Preview on CBSSports.com. You can read it here: http://goo.gl/17BWfk
Offense:
Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Todd Haley are on the same page. Their communication issues are a thing of the past and, while it's still possible things get combustible at times on the sidelines, they at least now have a foundation of a relationship to move forward after any potential fireworks.
Moving Emmanuel Sanders out of the slot and to the wing with Mike Wallace gone will be a good thing, and they have two slot weapons in Jerricho Cotchery and rookie Markus Wheaton. That's key, because tight end Heath Miller, who thrived under Haley last year, was on the PUP list and the options at tight end are hardly overwhelming.
More than anything else, the Steelers will get back their balance on the ground, The re-shuffled offensive line is younger and more athletic -- key attributes given Tomlin's mandate to incorporate more zone stretch plays. Once rookie running back Le'Veon Bell gets himself healthy -- he's currently down with a foot injury -- the team could have the kind of franchise back that used to be synonymous with Pittsburgh football. When he's 100 percent, he can run you over, or run away from you.
Defense:
I find myself wondering a little but about this secondary. Troy Polamalu appears to be at the end of his run. Fellow safety Ryan Clark is so smart, and that bodes well, but he isn't getting any younger, either. Top corner Ike Taylor is on the wrong side of 30 as well. Look for teams to keep trying to spread the Steelers out and attack the depth corners, especially if the pass rush isn't up to the normal impeccable standards.
The Steelers also are without some long time stars in outside linebacker James Harrison and nose tackle Casey Hampton, and it's time for guys like Cam Heyward and Ziggy Hood, recent high picks, to solidify the defensive line. Bottom line is this group led the NFL in yards allowed a year ago and were sixth in points allowed, and should be better. LaMarr Woodley, much like Terrell Suggs in Baltimore, seems primed to get back to top form. Look for rookie linebacker Jarvis Jones to ignite the rush on the opposite side.
With Dick LeBeau calling the shots, the Steelers will be aggressive. If they can limit the big plays against them, good times are ahead.
Steelers Schedule
01 - 09/08 - vs
- 1:00pm CBS 02 - 09/16 - at
- 8:40pm ESPN 03 - 09/22 - vs
- 8:30pm NBC 04 - 09/29 - at
- 1:00pm CBS****BYE WEEK***
06 - 10/13 - at
- 1:00pm CBS07 - 10/20 - vs
- 4:25pm CBS 08 - 10/27 - at
- 4:05pm CBS 09 - 11/03 - at
- 4:25pm CBS 10 - 11/10 - vs
- 1:00pm CBS 11 - 11/17 - vs
- 1:00pm FOX 12 - 11/24 - at
- 1:00pm CBS 13 - 11/28 - at
- 8:30pm NBC 14 - 12/08 - vs
- 1:00pm CBS 15 - 12/18 - vs
- 8:30pm NBC 16 - 12/22 - at
- 4:25pm CBS 17 - 12/29 - vs
- 1:00pm CBS*Week 4 against Minnesota will be played in London, England.
AFC North Rankings
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TEAM W-L DIVISION STREAK
1 Steelers 0-0 0-0 -
1 Ravens 0-0 0-0 -
1 Bengals 0-0 0-0 -
1 Browns 0-0 0-0 -
LGP User Season Predictions
- Code: Select all
Rylan.........................11-5
viva la ben...................11-5
Froggy........................10-6
Ian Moran.....................10-6
Troy Loney....................10-6
ulf...........................10-6
Chefpatrick871.................9-7
Letang is the Truth............9-7
Sam's Drunk Dog................9-7
shafnutz05.....................9-7
slappybrown....................9-7
Pens Fan Since 1970............7-9
Why Not Us.....................7-9
Beveridge......................6-9-1
Crankshaft.....................6-10
Free Candy.....................6-10
jprolley.......................6-10
largegarlic....................6-10
Rocco..........................6-10
columbia.......................5-11
idoit40fans....................5-11
MRandall25.....................4-12
Kaizer.........................2-14
