Pittsburgh Steelers Ripe For A Super Bowl Repeat

The Steelers have all the right components to be serious Super Bowl contenders in 2009.

A few personnel changes have taken place, but for the most part the roster remains the same.

Hines Ward signed a three-year contract extension, seemingly guaranteeing the fact that he will retire a Steeler.

With the retention of Ward, Big Ben will be able to play catch with his favorite target along with Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes, Limas Sweed, rookie Mike Wallace, and the sure-handed Heath Miller.

Charlie Batch back on active duty rounds out the growing and ever-improving passing game.

The 2009 season will see the return of Rashard Mendenhall to the Steelers running game. With the likes of Mendenhall, Parker, Mewelde Moore, and Frank “The Tank” Summers, the running game will be firing on all pistons.

The offensive line remains one of, if not the, weakest in the league. This could prove to be a problem again this season.

The defense, on the other hand, is set. James Harrison—defensive player of the year—signed a lucrative six-year contract, so he’s not going anywhere.

With the exception of losing Larry Foote to the salary cap, the modern day Steel Curtain remains in tact with Harrison, Hampton, Farrior, Smith, Lawrence Simmons to fill the void left by Foote, and newcomer, rookie Evander “Ziggy” Hood.

All in all, the changes that have been made aren’t significant enough to change the outcome of another dream season.