Fantasy Football Notes: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a terrific 2008 season, capped by a 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII in head coach Mike Tomlin’s second year at the helm. However, despite the team’s success, the offense left much to be desired as the Steelers did not rank higher than 17th in any major offensive category.

Luckily, the Steelers’ boasted the premier defense in the league. The unit ranked first in points allowed, total yards allowed and passing yards allowed, while finishing second in rushing yards allowed, as they carried the team throughout the season.

Number wise, Ben Roethlisberger finished the year with 3,301 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. His favorite target continued to be Hines Ward, who led the team in receiving with 81 catches for 1,043 yards and seven touchdowns, while Santonio Holmes had 55 receptions for 821 yards and five touchdowns. (Holmes, also, made the spectacular catch over three Arizona defenders in the corner of the end zone that clinched the Super Bowl for Pittsburgh.)

Meanwhile, Willie Parker rushed for 791 yards and five touchdowns on 210 carries; splitting time with Parker was Mewelde Moore, who had 588 yards and five touchdowns on 140 attempts.

KEY ADDITION

The Steelers did not add any key players during the off-season.

KEY DEPARTURE

Byron Leftwich (QB) - Leftwich was a solid backup quarterback behind Roethlisberger; however, Big Ben, despite the numerous injuries that have befallen him, is a fairly durable quarterback, playing in 15-plus games in each of the past three seasons. Thus, the lost of Leftwich shouldn’t impact the team too greatly.

Bryant McFadden (CB) – Losing McFadden is perhaps the biggest blow the Steelers took this offseason. McFadden was a solid corner for the Steelers and he knew the system well, playing four years with the team. Ike Taylor and Deshea Townsend will stay, so the secondary should remain solid, but the loss of McFadden will be felt.

Nate Washington (WR) - Washington had shown flashes of becoming a solid second-receiving option during his time in Pittsburgh, but was too inconsistent to get there. Case and point: his 2008 season. While Washington was able to find pay dirt for three straight weeks in weeks 5, 7, and 8 (Week 6 was a bye week), those were the receiver’s only scores on the year.  With the emergence of Holmes and Hines Ward not slowing down, the loss of Washington should be one the team can overcome.

ROOKIE TO WATCH

Evander Hood (DE) – One of the biggest areas that the Steelers needed to improve on during this offseason was the defensive line. In landing former Missouri defensive lineman, Evander Hood, who will play as an end for Pittsburgh, the Steelers took a huge step towards doing just that. Hood stands 6’3” and weighs 300 lbs but can move greater than his size would suggest. He looks to be a perfect fit in the Steelers’ 3-4 defense.

BRUNO BOYS SPOTLIGHT

Ben Roethlisberger (QB) – Roethlisberger didn’t quite meet fantasy owners’ expectations in 2008 as he compiled just 17 passing TDs, a far cry from the 32 he had in 2007. Still, while fantasy owners’ may be a bit disappointed with Big Ben’s stats from last season, they cannot deny that the man rises to the occasion when the Steelers need him most. Roethlisberger is the penultimate gamer, making plays out of nothing when it counts the most. That may not make him the best fantasy QB, but it does make him fun to watch.

Rashard Mendenhall (RB) - Mendenhall missed the majority of last season after suffering a fractured shoulder in a week four matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, which also happened to be his first professional start. With Parker slowing down and Moore too inconsistent to be relied upon, Mendenhall will be counted on to play a big role this season, provided he can stay healthy. If he does, expect more than 100 carries for Mendenhall.

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