Steelers camp preview
By
Matt Williamson
Scouts Inc.
Pittsburgh Steelers Camp
Site: St. Vincent College
Location: St. Vincent College
Start date: July 28 (rookies, vets)
2005 Record: 11-5
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Three Burning Questions
Since the Super Bowl, the Steelers have faced a lot of off-the-field issues. Is this something to worry about?
The Steelers have had more than their fair share of issues since they hoisted the trophy in Detroit. Like all Super Bowl winners, they dealt with the hype of visiting the White House, getting their rings, parading through downtown, having teams try to lure away their coaches, having their roster purged in free agency and selecting last in the NFL draft. What they couldn't have counted on was the fuss made by
Joey Porter over his contract, Bill Cowher's public statement that he will take his coaching career one year at a time, first-round pick
Santonio Holmes' troubles with the law and quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger's motorcycle accident. All these situations certainly will make winning a second consecutive title more difficult.
Camp battle to watch
Santonio Holmes vs. Cedric Wilson
Wilson
HolmesBill Cowher doesn't keep his first-round picks on the bench for long. Pittsburgh moved up in the draft to nab the top player at its biggest need. The off-the-field incidents aside, Holmes' aggressive style of play will fit in well in Pittsburgh. Wilson is a known commodity who began to feel much more comfortable in the system later in the season and in the playoffs, but he is probably best suited as a third receiver. Wilson should be the starter opposite Hines Ward on opening day, but don't expect him to hold down that role for long.
What impact will the retirement of Jerome Bettis have on the 2006 season?
Bettis' loss will be felt more in the locker room than on the field. Players like Roethlisberger and
Hines Ward will have to step up their leadership on offense in his absence. Bettis was a very effective short-yardage and spot-duty runner in his final seasons, but
Duce Staley and/or
Verron Haynes can compensate. Any time you lose a Hall of Fame player, it is going to hurt, but his emotion, personality and leadership will be the biggest loss for the Steelers.
Can the Steelers repeat as champions?
As for any Super Bowl champion, it is going to be a very difficult climb back to the promise land. The AFC North has improved and Pittsburgh didn't even win this division a year ago. The Steelers face a brutal schedule and every team they play will be gunning to knock off the champs. The AFC postseason tournament is a nightmare for any team and the Steelers have had many off-the-field issues and roster changes since raising the trophy. The experience from last season will be invaluable and Roethlisberger often seems to walk on water. Steelers' fans shouldn't reserve rooms in Miami quite yet, but Pittsburgh has a fair shot to repeat.
The player under the microscope
Roethlisberger is the obvious choice in this category, but
Willie Parker will once again be the primary ball carrier in the Steelers' vaunted rushing attack. He isn't the typical Cowher type of running back and must prove he can absorb and dish out the pounding week in and week out. When the Steelers get a lead, the air quickly comes out of the football and they beat teams into submission with their running game. Parker will get help in this capacity from Haynes and Staley, but the brunt of that responsibility will lie on his not-so-wide shoulders.
Breakout player
The Steelers' roster has quite a few players who showed great promise early in their careers, but
Bryant McFadden will get plenty of opportunities to show his stuff opposite
Ike Taylor. Taylor is quickly becoming one of the league's top cornerbacks and will be playing for a contract at the end of next season. Teams are going to throw away from Taylor. McFadden is the favorite to start on the opposite side. Incumbent
Deshea Townsend is a fine corner is his own right, but McFadden is a very good fit in Pittsburgh's scheme. He is tough, strong, physical in the run game and not afraid to mix it up. For a second-year corner, he has very good ball skills and a knack for making plays. He plays hard and with an edge the Steelers love.
Comeback player of the year
Although he is a fine candidate for this honor, Staley gets the nod pretty much by default. The Steelers really don't have very many players who would qualify as comeback stories. Staley spent a lot of time watching games from the sidelines last season. After Bettis' retirement, the Steelers showed confidence in Staley by not acquiring another big-name runner. Staley will spell Parker and should take over Bettis' goalline responsibilities. He still runs hard and Pittsburgh will lean on him to help close out games and instill the physicality in their running attack that Cowher demands.
Offensive philosophy
Cowher will loosen the reigns on Roethlisberger more this year, allowing him to call more audibles and take some added chances deep down the field. But the Steelers will continue to set up the pass with a nasty running game that features a lot of zone and power runs. With Parker as the primary ball carrier, they ran more off tackle runs than in recent years and this should continue next year. Of course, no team in the league has had more success with the execution and timing of its gadget plays. Don't expect that to change just because
Antwaan Randle El is now in Washington. The Steelers will still run first, but this offense will be in Roethlisberger's hands now much more so than in his first two seasons in the NFL.
Defensive philosophy
Not a lot changes with the Steelers' defensive scheme year after year. This is are a pure 3-4 team. Pittsburgh stresses stopping the run and putting offenses in third-and-long situations. Once the Steelers have teams where they want them, **** LeBeau gets very exotic with his fronts, blitz schemes and coverages. The Steelers are an attacking defense that brings pressure from many directions. It rattles young quarterbacks better than any defense in the league and consistently ranks near the top in most defensive categories. The Steelers' outstanding three-man front affords their secondary a lot of freedom to shine and make plays. They did lose two starters on defense, but look to be in good shape with their replacements.
Matt Williamson was a scout for the Cleveland Browns in 2004. He spent the previous three years as a recruiting assistant at the University of Pittsburgh.
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