Pittsburgh Steelers Have Big Challenges and Changes Ahead

In a season that will now most likely end without playoffs, the Steelers have become a team in transition.

If and when the team is eliminated from playoff contention, sweeping changes could be made to both the roster and coaching staff. Coach Mike Tomlin has made no secret of his displeasure and has already begun making over the roster by benching veterans in favor of untried players.

While some may see Tomlin's recent roster moves as panicked, most agree that Tomlin is doing what is necessary for his team to become competitive again. Even if the Steelers are eliminated, the rest of the regular season is essential for evaluation of the existing roster and coaches so that the correct adjustments can be made during the offseason.

Here's a look inside what could happen and what needs to happen if the Steelers fail to make the playoffs this season.

Coaching Changes

It's no secret that many fans are unhappy with offensive coordinator Bruce Arians' play-calling.  There's only a small chance, however, that he will be dismissed following the season.

Unfortunately for those who feel Arians is a contributing factor to this season's swoon, a few overtly awful play calls (the toss play in overtime at Kansas City for example) are unlikely to doom him in a year that saw the offense reach new heights in production.

Two candidates are likely to be out of work come season's end, however. Special teams coaches Bob Ligashesky and Amos Jones have much to answer for after the Steelers plummeted to the bottom of the league in special teams efficiency.

The Steelers' coverage units have allowed several key touchdowns as well as consistently long returns by opponents. This has obviously been a main contributing factor in their recent losing streak and season-long inability to dominate opponents.

A more under-the-radar possibility is the retirement of defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. LeBeau has been rumored over the last few years to be considering retirement and this year has been tremendously difficult for him. One has to wonder if he'll hang it up following the season. Let me stress, however, that I am in no way encouraging this course of action.

Defensive backs coach Ray Horton also has to be on the hot seat after the team's secondary has been consistently burned by receivers for long completions.  Ike Taylor, the team's top cornerback, has taken a step backward. Also, William Gay has failed to mature into an effective corner. Both of these items fall to Horton to correct. If rookies Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis fail in expanded roles the rest of the year, Horton could be out.

Offensive Personnel Changes

While the offense has remained productive all season, there will likely be a few personnel moves once the season concludes.

I would expect Limas Sweed to see more field time down the stretch as the team evaluates his development and his long-term viability as a wide receiver. The failure to move him at the trade deadline (Kansas City was rumored to be interested) points to the team's belief that Sweed can overcome his run of dropped passes and become a productive second receiver.

If Sweed fails to seize the opportunity down the stretch, however, he will likely find his way off the roster after the season. The team is unlikely to hold open a roster spot for him now that Mike Wallace has proved to be a viable option.

Also, the team will most likely say goodbye to running back Willie Parker at season's end. Parker lost his starting job to Rashard Mendenhall after an injury put Parker on the sidelines after Week Three.

The team will not give Parker a large contract to be a backup and it is likely that Parker will want to start for another team. So unless he is willing to settle for a backup role and around $1 million, he will be wearing different colors next year.

The team would be wise to evaluate their offensive linemen at the end of the season as well. Willie Colon, while a sturdy option at right tackle, makes too many mental mistakes.

The team may also consider a replacement at right guard if there is an upgrade over Trai Essex. Darnell Stapleton is unlikely to beat Essex out in open competition, so if the team seeks an upgrade, they would have to search outside the organization.

Also, the team will have to make a decision on center Justin Hartwig, who will be a free agent. Hartwig has been solid since his arrival two years ago and the team would be wise to extend him as there is no other viable option on the roster.

Finally, the team will have to decide what to do about backup quarterback Charlie Batch. Batch has proven to be fragile over the last several seasons and second-year man Dennis Dixon proved against Baltimore that he's more than viable as a backup to Ben Roethlisberger.

Ideally, Batch will stay with the organization as either their third quarterback or as a coach. His work on the sidelines with Roethlisberger is evident and effective. The team would be wise to hold onto him in some capacity.

Defensive Personnel Changes

The greatest turnover could perhaps be on defense, where the team is getting noticeably old and fragile.

The secondary figures to see the most sweeping changes, with William Gay and possibly even Ike Taylor replaced before the team opens camp next season.

Gay was effective as a nickel and dime player in 2008, so he may return to that role. Deshea Townsend may be sent packing if that happens.

Before any of that, however, the team must decide on starters. Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis are the likely candidates already on the roster, and the remainder of this season will be used as their audition. If both perform well, they could be the team's starting duo next season.

Taylor has seemed to have lost a step and may be replaced. He has terrible hands, but his coverage skills were always a hallmark of his game. Now, he has struggled against top competition and has been beaten more frequently this season.

Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu figure to return next season as the starting safeties. The team would also be wise to hold onto backup Tyrone Carter. Ryan Mundy, Clark's backup, will likely get a look as the season winds down, but I'd expect him to face competition from someone in training camp.

The linebacking corps could also face a small makeover. James Farrior may retire or be assigned a reduced role. Farrior is an excellent player, but he has clearly lost a step to age. The team will likely pursue a long-term replacement in the draft or through free agency, so I would expect that, if nothing else, next year will be Farrior's last as a starter.

Along the defensive line, the team will benefit from the healthy return of Aaron Smith, but there are questions that linger about the team's front three.

Casey Hampton may not return now that his contract is up. He and coach Mike Tomlin have a rocky relationship and Hampton has continual concerns about his weight. The team could pursue other options at nose tackle.

Smith is excellent when healthy, but he's sustained two season-ending injuries in three seasons. He's no spring chicken either. The team drafted Ziggy Hood to succeed him and it's likely that Hood will see more of a platoon situation next year to keep Smith healthy and fresh.

The team may also seek an upgrade to Travis Kirschke and Nick Eason as the primary backups along the defensive line. Both players are solid, but Kirschke is aging and injury prone and Eason is not a viable starter for a long stretch.

Specialists

As clutch as kicker Jeff Reed is, there are whispers his off-field issues could cause the team to seek a new kicker now that Reed's contract is up.

I think the most likely scenario is that Reed, who has been on his best behavior since an early season incident outside a Pittsburgh bar, resigns with the Steelers. As the Washington Redskins can attest, good kickers are hard to find. Reed has an uncanny mastery of the conditions at Heinz Field, so he has some leverage.

The team will likely retain recently re-acquired Anthony Madison, who has been a special teams stud for the Steelers in recent seasons.

Several other players utilized almost entirely on special teams will likely be out of work once the season concludes. The recent additions of linebacker Rocky Boiman and defensive back Corey Ivy have paid some dividends, so those players are most likely to return.

There's no way that Tomlin and his staff will allow the Steelers to continue to struggle on coverage, so this is where several sweeping changes could be made through free agency.

Stefan Logan is virtually a lock to be back after he proved to be a tremendous upgrade in the return game. He may share punt return duties with Mike Wallace, however.

The Bottom Line

Any time a perennial playoff contender falters, changes will be made. That's a given.

The changes laid out above will likely not all occur, but some will have to for the team to return to its usually dominant form.

Coach Tomlin doesn't seem like a man who will make the same mistakes twice, so if the Steelers do miss the playoffs, I would expect him to do everything possible to ensure that next year they not only return to dominance, but also return to the postseason.

The most glaring needs are in the defensive secondary and on special teams. Other than that, the team will likely see some of their veteran backups either retire or depart.

Whatever happens, the team will likely not return as many players as it did this year.