Pittsburgh Steelers' Offseason Preview

Now that the parade is over downtown, the Steelers are in the same boat as the NFL's other 32 teams. They are looking for ways to put together a team that can win next season.

For the Steelers, this is especially important. They have the opportunity to repeat-err (sorry Mike Tomlin)-win a seventh Super Bowl next season.

But what do the Steelers have to do to get there? They are sure to have most of the franchise's major pieces back in place. But, as Mike Tomlin reminded us, this is the era of free agency, where there are always changes to every team between seasons.

So let's dissect the Steelers position by position.

Coaching Staff

The entire staff should be back in place for 2009. While Bruce Arians has been a target for fans this season due to the team's lack of offensive success-particularly running the football—it is safe to assume he will get another chance to prove his coordinating mettle.

Having the whole staff back already puts the Steelers in a position many thought was unlikely. 

There have been rumors of Dick LeBeau's retirement, particularly during Super Bowl week. But, much to the terror of offenses everywhere, LeBeau's genius is still residing on the Pittsburgh sideline.

Quarterback

Ben Roethlisberger's fourth quarter comeback drive in the Super Bowl cemented his place in Steelers lore. It's safe to say he's not going anywhere now. He's an elite signal caller who has a knack for clutch performances. You can't coach that. Behind him, we have our first questions. 

Byron Leftwich has starting potential and likely won't spend another season carrying a clipboard, so the Steelers will have to look elsewhere for the all important backup to Big Ben. Leftwich proved valuable multiple times last season, so the importance of this roster spot cannot be underestimated.

Charlie Batch could return at a reduced rate to his old spot as the No. 2, but he could just as easily retire to an advisory role.  He seems to be a coach in the making. Dennis Dixon was the No. 3 in 2008, but may be ready to step into an expanded role in 2009. 

He likely won't be the team's primary backup since they prefer a veteran in that position, but he will be seen more often next season if Arians elects to employ some trick plays.

The guess here is that the Steelers will pursue Batch or go with another experienced veteran. Those kinds of guys are always available, but the Steelers first option should be Batch.

Running Back/Fullback

And here is where some big questions lie. The Steelers rushing attack was anything but solid last season. Willie Parker was often injured and missed a good chunk of time with shoulder and knee ailments.

When he was in, he wasn't usually effective. Rashard Mendenhall had only a few carries before a fractured shoulder sidelined him for the remainder of the season, so his value can't be judged. Mewelde Moore emerged as the most dependable back on the roster, yet he doesn't seem primed for a full time job.

Gary Russel was the team's short yardage back, but failed multiple times to score on short goal line carries where he was most needed.

Its hard to gauge the Steelers rushing attack due to the poor line blocking they received, but its safe to say this will be one of the most scrutinized areas when Mike Tomlin and company start breaking down the season. A healthy Mendenhall could paint a whole new picture in 2009. 

The Steelers won't make any major changes here, although Mendenhall will ideally assume Russel's carries, so the same guys will be expected to put the Steelers back among the league's elite in rushing.

Carey Davis is the fullback, but his spot is not guaranteed. The Steelers could pursue a free agent fullback or draft one late to take over. Davis is a decent blocker and receiver out of the backfield, but he doesn't always pick up the blitz well, something that team's with poor offensive lines require.

Receivers/Tight Ends

Santonio Holmes cemented himself as a hands man with his toe-tapper in the end zone to win the Super Bowl. He rightfully earned the MVP honors for the game. Now he has to put together a regular season that is Pro Bowl worthy.

Holmes struggled during the season at times and was ironically known for big drops. He should rebound this year now that he has that experience.

Look for him to be a 1,000-yard guy.  His starting mate, Hines Ward, had a so-so post season but still managed to make huge plays. Ward is definitely the NFL's scrappiest player.  He hits like a linebacker yet he can make a Lynn Swann-type catch to put his team in the win column.

But the brutal reality is that Hines is getting old. The guy who used to never miss a game has been increasingly prone to little nicks and scratches. Finding his replacement, whether its from within or not, is something that bears watching. One of those guys from within is Limas Sweed, last year's second round pick.

Sweed so far is best known for his huge TD drop in the AFC Championship Game, but hopefully that experience will give him a springboard to being becoming a playmaker.  He certainly has the skills.

Nate Washington is another candidate, but he seems to have found a home as the third receiver. Washington runs good routes but has a habit of dropping the easy pass and catching the circus catch.

The Steelers could draft someone, but will not likely spend a high pick on a receiver with so many needs elsewhere. Washington is a UFA, but he will likely resign with the team that gave him a chance. Outside of that, this is another area lacking changes.

Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth are a dynamic duo at tight end. Both are complete players (meaning they can block and go out for passes). Sean McHugh is a nice hybrid player-a poor man's Chris Cooley-who could be kept around because of his versatility. Miller needs a new contract, something that should be taken care of quickly.

Offensive Line

HERE is where the fun begins. Not only did the Steelers have one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL in 2008, they also have a host of free agents along that line that will force them to make some tough choices.

Marvel Smith, Max Starks, Trai Essex, Chris Kemoeatu, and Willie Colon are all either UFAs or RFAs this offseason. The Steelers probably cannot afford to keep all of them, so they will have to decide who is most likely to contribute to an improved (that's the key here) offensive line next season. 

Starks and Kemoeatu are the best of that crop. Smith is too injury prone to be counted upon again and will likely ask for a higher salary figure than the others. Essex could be kept for his versatility (he can play ever spot except center), but it will depend on his contract numbers. Colon has been mistake prone beyond belief and was probably the Steelers' worst starter. He may not be asked back. 

The Steelers have some cap space, so they could go after Jordan Gross in free agency. He would be a solid signing, but the Steelers like to play things differently, so he may not be in the cards. If they sign him, they may have to let Starks go, so it will be a dicey situation.

The best thing the Steelers can do is spend two high picks on linemen.  Alex Mack (not played by a young Michelle Trachtenberg) is listed as one of the linemen who could possibly fall to them with the 32nd pick.

If the Steelers covet someone, recent history shows that they will move up to get them, so this could be one of those situations. If Mack isn't ready to start at center, Justin Hartwig can stay the course. He was a nice pickup last year and is around for another. If Mack is ready, Hartwig can slide around to another spot along the line.

Of course, if you want the best of three worlds, the Steelers keep Starks and Kemoeatu, draft Mack, and sign Gross. Imagine that line, because it just isn't going to happen.

Defensive Line

The Steelers have a great defensive line. It's one of the league's most underrated, but all three starters and their backups are solid. But, they are aging. Casey Hampton and Aaron Smith are at the tipping point where they will soon start to slow down (well, Hampton can't really get too much slower). 

Brett Keisel isn't getting younger either. The primary backups, Travis Kirschke and Chris Hoke, have been around, too. This is a situation that the Steelers will have to start effectively addressing in the draft in the next two years.

Hampton is a candidate to not be resigned when his contract is up, so finding his replacement is key. Let's not forget Tomlin benched him during camp for a poor work ethic. It's not the first time Hampton has disappointed with his conditioning.

The Steelers would do well to draft a guy this year in the second or third round. Maybe another late. It's hard to say who will be available to them yet, but closer to the draft, this will bear a second visit.

Linebackers

One of the areas the team absolutely does not need to worry about. The Steelers churn out linebackers like USC churns out Heisman candidates. Look at what they've done with James Harrison. Then add to that that they have James Farrior, Lamarr Woodley, Lawrence Timmons, and Larry Foote. That's a pretty hefty set of solid players.

But Foote is where the questions start to come. Before the Super Bowl, he told the Detroit Free Press that he'd like to play for the Lions. That's a far drop in the standings, but a lot of players want to play for the home team. The question is whether or not the Steelers try to trade Foote now before he hits the market next season.

With Timmons, they won't resign him. He has value now as a young, solid playmaker. He doesn't do anything spectacular, but he has a knack for making plays and plugging holes. He might be worth a third rounder to Detroit, where defense doesn't seem to exist.

James Harrison needs a new deal and will likely get one in the $100 million range after his MVP season. This will be the Steelers top priority and negotiations are already in the works. This will be done quickly.

The remaining questions center around the backups. Kenyaron Fox is a free agent that the team should take a run at. He was excellent on special teams and in a reserve role and should be able to contribute again. 

The team will eventually have to replace Farrior, but they have a couple of years to find someone we've never heard of and make him into Greg Lloyd 2.0. It's just what the Steelers do.

Cornerbacks/Safeties

The only question here is whether the Steelers resign cornerback Bryant McFadden. McFadden is another unsung hero who does everything well but doesn't stand out. He should command a decent salary in a corner-starved market, so the Steelers will have to pay him if they want him to stay. 

McFadden, like Nate Washington, wants to be back, so he may give the Steelers some leeway in negotiations.  Getting him back is essential with Deshea Townsend aging fast. Townsend has become a solid nickel back again and will return for another year. 

The safeties are solid. Ryan Clark is a perfect compliment to Troy Polamalu and hits harder than most linebackers. His hits often leave opponents wondering where they are. Polamalu was Pro Bowl caliber once again and will be healthy again next season if all goes well.

Tyrone Carter, Anthony Madison, and Anthony Smith are the backups. Smith is a fringe prospect who has a poor attitude at times. He is one of those candidates for departure and he likely won't be missed. Carter and Madison look like locks to return and their contributions are important.

Kicker/Punter

No one seems to like Mitch Berger. Opponents spit on him and ran him over. Fans said he couldn't punt far enough or good enough. Yet he hung in there and actually had a good post season.

He will, however, not return. Daniel Sepulveda will reclaim his old job coming off an ACL tear. Sepulveda was great as a rookie and should be back to his old strength. He will give the Steelers yet another weapon to go with the NFL's most unsung kicker.

Jeff Reed is Adam Vinatieri without the press clippings. He kicks in the NFLs most difficult stadium, does it extremely well, and also seems to mystically get better with age. But Reed goes unnoticed. 

He needs a new contract and should get a nice payday, but don't look for him to go anywhere. Not many kickers can handle Heinz Field and Reed has it down to a science. 

Looks like special teams are set for 2009, so lets take it to the finish.

Biggest Offseason Tasks

Finding a few good men for the offensive line

Resigning Bryant McFadden and Max Starks

New contracts for James Harrison, Heath Miller, and Jeff Reed

Making sure there is no Super Bowl hangover (I'll give Mike Tomlin less than 10 seconds to remind his players of this when he gathers them once again).

Most Likely To Return in 2009

Max Starks

Bryant McFadden

Kenyaron Fox

Charlie Batch

Least Likely To Return in 2009

Byron Leftwich

Mitch Berger

Willie Colon

Anthony Smith

Storylines To Keep an Eye On

New contracts

Pursuing Jordan Gross and/or Julius Peppers

Draft strategy

The Bet So Far

The Steelers look primed to be in the Super Bowl next season. The trick will be getting there if the teams that were decimated by injuries in 2008 return to form. If Ben Roethlisberger keeps leading fourth quarter comebacks, it really won't much matter.

They will almost definitely make the playoffs unless there's a tremendous fall off. With Mike Tomlin at the reigns, don't look for that to happen. No one wants to be in "The News."