In the second of my three articles on the futures of three NFL teams for the 2007-8 season, I gladly took the role of Steelers reporter as my favourite team in the NFL gets the treatment on Atomic Sports Media; read the article on AFC North in full by clicking here (I'm on page 4 of 4)!
Roethlisberger needs to bounce back from a tough2006 for the Steelers to be in contention
Did Ben Roethlisberger recover from his helmet-less bike-crash escapade before last season? Yes, and apparently very quickly, letting all Steelers fans (including myself) breathe a sigh of relief. However, with Big Ben becoming the King of Interceptions with 23 passes to the other team in 2006, one may have questioned whether he recovered to his 2005 season standard.
With an interesting personal life, including a substantiated rumor that he's dating Heroes star Missy Peregrym (the lucky devil!), Big Ben’s focus must remain on his team, as he is the fundamental key to the Steelers’ success. Pressure does not get to him, as Super Bowl XL proved; if he gets his head in the game, there may be no stopping him.
The other topic du jour around Steelers camp will be Mike Tomlin's appointment as head coach. Although untested at the highest level, the former Buccaneers and Vikings defensive coach seems to be a great replacement for Bill Cowher. His clarity of judgment and intelligence in relation to football is seemingly unquestioned by critics in the news, and so his approach to his new team will prove to be an interesting AFC talking point.
When one door closes, so they say, another one opens. Joey Porter's move to the Miami Dolphins will worry many fans, but with two potential outside linebackers in Lawrence Timmons (OLB, Florida State) and LaMarr Woodley (DE, Michigan) added in the first two rounds of the 2007 NFL Draft, alongside existing strength in depth, the Steelers are well prepared. Besides, Troy Polamalu's four-year contract extension will keep the Steelers’ best defensive player on the roster for the foreseeable future. The Steelers’ defense is as haunting as the folklore has always made it out to be. Be warned.
With Ken Whisenhunt now at the helm of the traditionally woeful Arizona Cardinals, offensive coordinator duties now fall at the feet of Bruce Arians. With the consistent Hines Ward and developing star Santonio Holmes handling wide-receiver duties, and young Willie Parker, another rising young star, who had no problem filling legend Jerome Bettis' boots in 2006, the offense is very competent. And with guards like Alan Faneca, a Pro Bowler for the last six years straight, the Ravens and Bengals will be wondering what the Steelers have lined up.
The Steelers still need Roethlisberger to give the ball away first, though, and that may be a problem. If he’s tossing downfield to Ward or handing off to Parker, the future looks bright. If he’s putting the ball in the hands of opposing DBs, it could quickly turn into a nightmare season in Steel City.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO:
The Bengals and Ravens are overturned by the Steelers, with Tomlin creating a new image for Pittsburgh after long-time coach Cowher’s departure. A finish at the top of the AFC North gains them a place in the playoffs, probably losing out in the Divisional round to the Colts - themselves proving a point since their last title meeting in 2005. Anyone else remember Big Ben's last-gasp tackle?
WORST-CASE SCENARIO:
Roethlisberger fails. Miserably. Charlie Batch gets more game time but, and regardless of his impressive plays in 2006, is too late to save the flailing Steelers. The impressively strong Ravens and Bengals laugh off the opposition, leaving the Steelers in third… again. Unless the Browns suddenly turn out to be amazing.
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