Calm Before the Storm: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-Season Review

Coming off a season in which the Steelers finished 10-6, won their division, and hosted a playoff game, fans of many franchises would consider the season a successful one.  Not in Pittsburgh.  Even though the franchise had the most turnover it had had in the past 15 years, with a new coach and members of a new staff, the bar was raised ever so slightly.

Tomlin's second off-season began a troublesome one, to say the least.  All-World Guard Allan Faneca, verbally sparring with the club throughout the season over a new contract, left via Free Agency.  Faneca was the staple of the Offensive Line and the blow of a departed All-Pro on the line for the second straight year definitely hurts (All-Pro Center Jeff Hartings retired the year before), especially on a line which allowed Big Ben to be sacked 47 times, the most of his young career.

Also gone in Free Agency were tenured LOLB Clark Haggans (a former starter) and TE Jerame Tuman (another former starter), both of whom signed with former Steelers OC and 2nd-year Cardinals Head Coach Ken Whizenhunt in Arizona.  Haggans was a productive player for his part and a great 5th-round pick, but his time had come and Pittsburgh, which always seems to know when a Linebackers' time has come, released him after a disappointing season in which he tallied only 4 sacks and sometimes disappeared altogether in games.  Haggans was also outplayed by rookie LaMarr Woodley, who had as many sacks in severely-limited playing time.  Tuman was a role-player in recent years who was barely seeing time as the #2 TE.

Starting FB Dan Kreider was also let go, as age and a versatile Carey Davis fueled his decline.  Kreider, undrafted (like more and more productive Steelers now-a-days) out of New Hampshire was one of the great run-blocking FBs in Steeler history and will be missed in the run game as well as the locker room. 

KR/PR man Allen Rossum was cut as well; the Steelers traded a 6th-round pick in this years draft to acquire him for the past season.  Although Rossum did provide a spark for the return game in Antwaan Randle El's absence, it wasn't a great enough spark to keep around considering Rossum's age.

The Steelers, not known for making big splashes (or splashes at all, for that matter) may have snagged two of the best role-players from this years crop in RB Mewelde Moore and C Justin Hartwig.  Moore is a fast, versatile RB who can carry the ball 5-15 times a game, come in on 3rd downs, and contribute in the return game.  Even with the Steelers crowded backfield, look for the explosive Moore to have a good year and be one of the steals of the Free Agency period.  Hartwig will challenge the turnstile Sean Mahan for the starting Center job.  Other signings of any significance include LB Keyaron Fox, who will contribute on Special Teams, and most recently QB Byron Leftwich, who was signed after back-up QB Charlie Batch broke his collarbone in the first Pre-Season game.

The Steelers 2008 Draft didn't go the direction most fans and even experts expected, as the Steelers avoided O-Line help in the early rounds.  1st Round selection Rashard Mendenhall will split carries with Willie Parker.  Mendenhall, at 5-11 210, has the speed to get outside and the size to be-hypothetically, anyway-somewhat of a tough, between-the-tackles runner for Pittsburgh.  Mendenhall left Illinois a year early, where he showed great speed and power for the Ron Zook-led Illini.

The 2nd Round came and the Steelers passed on more Offensive Linemen, taking Texas Wide Reciever Limas Sweed.  The addition of Sweed provides a tall, physical target for Big Ben Roethlisberger to throw to and a solid combination of Holmes/Sweed for the Steelers to build on for the future.  Sweed will fight Nate Washington for the 3rd WR spot and will see extended playing time in the redzone as well.  Sweed will also take some of the strain off of All-Pro WR Hines Ward

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