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2005 Team Report: Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterbacks
Starter: Ben Roethlisberger
Starting QB: Perhaps the biggest story in the NFL last season was Ben Roethlisberger's unlikely rookie run. Installed as the team's starting QB after Tommy Maddox suffered an elbow injury in week two, Roethlisberger went on a tear, winning an NFL rookie record 15 straight games. Roethlisberger showed great efficiency for a rookie, finishing the season with a 98.1 passer rating, which ranked fifth in the NFL among starting QBs. Only Peyton Manning averaged more yards per passing attempt than Roethlisberger's 8.9 yard average. He also showed an uncanny sixth sense in detecting the blindside rush and remarkable agility in avoiding it. Roethlisberger slowed down considerably toward the end of the season, though, likely from the combined effects of the long NFL season, a series of minor injuries, and opposing defenses effectively game planning the limited schemes the Steelers were running. In 2005, look for Roethlisberger to bear a bigger share of the offensive load as he gains more experience and a better sense for reading defenses. Also expect the Steelers offensive scheme to become more complex as Roethlisberger proves that he can effectively diagnose defenses and run more intricate plays.
Backup QB: Tommy Maddox is the type of experienced, veteran backup QB that any NFL team would love to have on its roster. He led the team to the playoffs in 2002 and came within a field goal of leading his teammates to the AFC Championship game. He has a tendency to force the ball into coverage, but he has a good arm and generally makes good reads. If he has to enter the game, the Steelers game plan will remain largely unchanged. Charlie Batch was an unrestricted free agent this offseason but saw little interest from other teams as he was still recovering from a knee injury suffered in the 2004 preseason. As a result, Batch signed a one-year deal with the Steelers and will again be the team's emergency QB.
Running Backs
Starter: Duce Staley, Jerome Bettis
Starting RB: Duce Staley's name appears at #1 on the RB depth chart for the Steelers. In 2004, however, self-proclaimed "gap filler" Jerome Bettis had his most productive season in years. Filling in for the injured Duce Staley who missed six games with a hamstring injury, Bettis had a team-high 941 rushing yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns last season. Bettis was also the team's short yardage and goal line back, which was attributed to his vast experience with the team's compact formations. Bettis was so successful last season that many people forget that Duce Staley started the season strong with 707 rushing yards in seven games before injuring his hamstring. Staley's lack of work in the Steelers' short yardage packages is troubling, but with this season being Bettis' last, look for the team to get Staley some experience in their compact formations in 2005. With both nursing injuries, the ultimate distribution of carries remains to be seen. Backup RBs: Second year man "Fast Willie" Parker made the team last season as an undrafted free agent out of North Carolina. He played a major role in only two games but both were good showings: he had eight rushes for 44 yards in Cleveland, and later against Buffalo he gained 102 yards on 19 carries in just under three quarters of work. Even though Parker is more of a scatback than a 'big back", he's been given the nod in Week One as neither Bettis nor Staley appear ready for a full workload. Verron Haynes a capable backup and will likely serve as the team's third down back. Injuries, however, are Haynes' biggest issue as he missed four games last season with various knee and toe problems. Herron, a 7th round selection from Northwestern, looks very similar to Haynes.
Fullback: Dan Kreider is a hard-nosed blocking back who rarely sees the ball. His primary mission is to lead the ball carrier into the hole and take out the first would-be tackler who presents himself. Given the success of the Steelers power running attack a year ago, this is a task at which he excels. Kreider will occasionally get a carry of his own or catch a swing pass out of the backfield - he did have a reception for a touchdown last season -- but these occasions are rare.
Wide Receivers
Starters: Hines Ward, Antwaan Randle El
Starting WRs: The loss of Plaxico Burress to the Giants was the top story for the Steelers this offseason. Will the loss of the Steelers big-play threat cause opposing defenses to crash down on the line of scrimmage, clogging up the running lanes and filling up the seams? The man charged with replacing the physically imposing Burress as a deep threat will be the small but elusive Antwaan Randle El, who had 43 receptions for 601 yards and three touchdowns as the Steelers' slot receiver in 2004. He has the speed to get deep if the Steelers can tailor their downfield passing game to his strengths. Hines Ward was expected to return as the undisputed WR1 following a disappointing fantasy season where he significantly underperformed his draft position in most leagues, finishing with 80 receptions for 1,004 yards and only four touchdowns. Ward held out for most of training camp, but returned in mid-August. In early September, Ward and the team agreed on a four year extension through 2009. With Burress gone Ward should become Roethlisberger's main target, and Pittsburgh can't possibly pass any less than they did in 2004. Backup WRs: The Steelers acquired Cedrick Wilson in free agency to compete with Antwaan Randle El for the WR2 spot. The two athletes are remarkably similar in size, speed, versatility, and playing style. Both are small speedsters who will make the tough catch over the middle. Randle-El won the job in camp, however, given his three seasons in the Steelers system and his experience as the team's emergency QB. Wilson now inherits the slot receiver spot as the team's WR3. Having Wilson on board will provide valuable depth, though, and Wilson could shine if he gets a chance to play at WR2. Quincy Morgan, recently released by Dallas, was brought in for depth and displaces long-time Steeler vet Lee Mays.
Tight Ends
Starters: Heath Miller [r]
As expected, the Steelers selected Heath Miller from Virginia with the 30th pick of the 2005 draft. Miller, a smooth, fluid receiver, was widely regarded as the top TE prospect in the draft. He will be counted on to make an immediate impact in the passing game to help offset the loss of Plaxico Burress. Last season's starter Jerame Tuman will be the backup TE and will likely play in short yardage situations and in two-TE sets where he could see an occasional reception. Matt Kranchick, a second year player out of Penn State, has prototypical TE size (6'6" and 280 lbs) and showed good hands his senior season in college. Place Kicker Jeff Reed : Reed rebounded from a disappointing 2003 with a very strong 2004. He connected on 28 of 33 FGs (84.8%) and was good on all 40 PATs - which totals 124 points (third in the NFL). He's above average on kickoffs. The Steelers recently rewarded him with a new five-year contract. Kick and Punt Returners Kick Returners: Ricardo Colclough, Ike Taylor, Willie Parker, Cedrick Wilson, Antwaan Randle El With the departure of Plaxico Burress, WR Antwaan Randle El could be more involved in the passing game which might lead to a decrease in special teams work. First to go would probably be KRs. He's explosive in both venues, but his running style is best suited to PRs. Last year, CB Ricardo Colclough demonstrated that a player from small from tiny Tusculum College could return kicks in the NFL (26 returns, 21.8 avg). Ike Taylor was the third KR last year (11 returns, 16.7 avg). Colclough and Taylor start the regular season as co-KR starters. RB "Fast" Willie Parker displayed in the third preseason game that he can be a threat on KRs. The new option is recently acquired WR Cedrick Wilson - the leading KR for San Francisco in 2003 (37 returns, 22.6 avg, 1 TD). Punt Returners: Antwaan Randle El, Ricardo Colclough, Nate Washington, Cedrick Wilson Randle El has handled the majority of the punts for several years, including his best outing in 2003 (45 returns, 12.0 avg, 2 TDs), and retains the starting job again in 2005. Colclough had just one PR for the Steelers last year (13 yards) but did return punts in college (10.1 avg, 1 td his senior year). WR Nate Washington has had a solid camp and has impressed coach Bill Cowhers. Wilson returned punts on occasion while with the 49ers. Offensive Line
Projected Starters: RT Max Starks, RG Kendall Simmons, C Jeff Hartings, LG Alan Faneca, LT Marvel Smith
Not many organizations can lose two starters from the offensive line (T Oliver Ross and G Keydrick Vincent) and actually look just as strong or stronger heading into a new season, but the Steelers do just that. The five linemen all have exceptional ability, and the mix between proven veterans and young players is perfect. Not only is this group one of the best in the NFL, but they have the potential to remain so for a long time into the future. Look for the younger players such as huge tackle Max Starks, guard Kendall Simmons (who but missed all of last year), and Marvel Smith to continue showing improvement throughout the season. Veterans Alan Faneca and Jeff Hartings are both exceptional players. The only potential trouble spot is the questionable depth behind the starting five (with no proven players coming off of the bench), but as long as the starting five can stay healthy, this should be a dominating group. Team Defense The Steelers defense returned to prominence last season as the return of ex-DC Dick LeBeau and his attacking, zone-blitzing scheme energized the young defense. The result was a defense that finished first in the NFL in both scoring defense and total defense, allowing a league-low 15.7 points and 258.4 yards per game. The team tied for eighth in the league in takeaways with 32, and was tied for seventh in sacks with 41. The Steelers featured a balanced attack on defense, giving up an NFL-low 81.2 rushing yards per game and 177.2 passing yards per game which was good enough for fourth in the league. These statistics are revealing in that the Steelers front seven is among the finest in football while the defensive backs (particularly the cornerbacks) can be somewhat inconsistent. The release of Chad Scott, the arrival of second round pick Bryant McFadden, and the anticipated emergence of Ricardo Colclough at CB should all help polish up this lone rough spot in the Steelers defense. The Steelers defensive unit suffered no major losses in free agency and is poised to repeat their 2004 success as one of the top fantasy defensive teams in 2005. Defensive Line
Starters: DE Aaron Smith, DE Kimo von Oelhoffen, NT Casey Hampton
Starting DL: The Steelers defensive line was very productive in 2004 in spite of losing Pro Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton for the season in the sixth game of the year. Aaron Smith had the best season of his career and was named as an injury replacement player to the AFC Pro Bowl squad after posting 35 tackles, nine assists, two fumble recoveries, and a team-high eight sacks. Smith is definitely the top fantasy producer on the Steelers' defensive line. The 12-year veteran von Oelhoffen played steadily on the right end of the line, grabbing two fumble recoveries and posting a sack. The Steelers employed a platoon system to keep Smith (and especially von Oelhoffen) fresh by rotating in Keisel and Kirschke. Hampton is expected to be fully recovered in time for training camp and should resume his regular spot anchoring the middle of the Steelers defensive line. Backup DL: The title "backup defensive linemen" really does not do justice to most of this group. Chris Hoke was outstanding in filling in for Casey Hampton following his knee injury against Dallas. He registered 14 tackles, 10 assists, a sack, and one and a half tackles for loss in only eight games - not bad for a backup nose guard. If Hampton does not return to full strength for some reason, the Steelers will have no qualms about inserting Chris Hoke to fill the gap. Similarly, Keisel and Kirschke saw regular action spelling von Oelhoffen and occasionally Aaron Smith at defensive end.
Linebackers
Starters: ILB James Farrior, ILB Larry Foote, OLB Joey Porter, OLB Clark Haggans
Starting LBs: The strength of the Steelers 3-4 defensive alignment is the linebacker group, and the leader of that group is unquestionably James Farrior. Farrior moved into the realm of the elite fantasy LBs in 2004 with an outstanding statline of 73 tackles (seven for losses), 22 assists, three sacks, three fumble recoveries, four interceptions, 12 passes defensed, and a defensive touchdown on a 14-yard interception return. His success earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl and he was named the Steelers team MVP. While it is difficult to project a repeat of last season's success, Farrior is in the perfect position to make plays as the leader of the Steelers 3-4 scheme. Second year pro Larry Foote stepped into the lineup next to Farrior on the inside and had a solid first season as a starter with 58 tackles and three sacks. Foote's success made oft-injured Kendrell Bell expendable in free agency. Fiery OLB Joey Porter registered seven sacks and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2004. Porter will miss the entire preseason after having surgery to remove loose cartilage from his knee, but he is expected to be ready for the beginning of the regular season. Clark Haggans notched six sacks in only 13 games during his first season replacing the Steelers' all-time sack leader Jason Gildon. Backup LBs: Top OLB backup James Harrison made a strong impression in his first season as a regular player in the Steelers lineup. Harrison excelled both as a tackling machine on special teams and as a rush LB when he started four games for the injured Clark Haggans. Journeyman Clint Kriewaldt returns as the top backup ILB following Kendrell Bell's departure to the Chiefs in free agency. The team also drafted Rian "Goo" Wallace from Temple in the fifth round to improve their depth inside. "Goo" could be called on to gum up the middle much sooner than expected if either Foote or Farrior are injured.
Defensive Backs
Starters: SS Troy Polamalu, FS Chris Hope, CB Deshea Townsend, CB Willie Williams
Starting DBs: Pro Bowl strong safety Troy Polamalu exploded onto the scene in his first season as a starter. Playing with reckless abandon, Polamalu was the second leading tackler on the team with 72 tackles and 22 assists with three tackles for losses. He led the team in interceptions (five) and in passes defensed (15) and scored a touchdown on a 26-yard interception return. The combination of Polamalu's superior tackle numbers with his exceptional pass defense statistics makes him a compelling fantasy DB with excellent upside potential. Chris Hope, the Steelers' first year starter at free safety, had a solid fantasy season with 63 tackles and 27 assists (ranking third on the team) along with an interception and five passes defensed. The Steelers hope that Hope will show improved hands next season. Steady Deshea Townsend was the Steelers best CB in 2004, he posted 51 tackles, four interceptions, four sacks, and a touchdown and is the safest Steeler CB to choose in your fantasy draft. Willie Williams is entering his thirteenth season, but played well enough in preseason to hold onto his starting job. A skilled cover corner, Williams will likely play in nickel and dime formations even if he winds up as a reserve at some point. Backup DBs: Ricardo Colclough, a second round pick in 2004, saw more playing time as the season progressed and should begin the year as the team's nickel back. Rookie Bryant McFadden is a physical player and sound tackler who is not afraid to support the run and should be a good fit in the Steelers defense. Ike Taylor is a hard-hitting corner who also returned kickoffs last season but saw his playing time diminish as Colclough's increased. Mike Logan is the Steelers' top backup at safety, but he played only three games in 2004 before a hamstring injury put him out for the season. Logan enjoyed a strong preseason, even outplaying Hope at times, and the Steelers expect him to be their top reserve safety once again in 2005. Tyrone Carter was signed off the waiver wire after Logan was placed on injured reserve last season and can fill in at safety or cornerback as needed.
Last modified: 2005-09-06 15:14:18
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