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2009 Team Report: Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarterbacks

Starter: Ben Roethlisberger
Backup(s): Charlie Batch, Dennis Dixon, Mike Reilly

Starting QB: Ben Roethlisberger already has two Super Bowl rings in his short career, but other than 2007 he really hasn't been much of a fantasy force. He threw for 32 TD passes in 2007, and many expected him to repeat his performance and throw for at least 25 TDs in 2008. With the league's best defense Roethlisberger didn't have to carry the team and only threw for 17 TDs. Pittsburgh hopes to have improved pass protection this year because its QB was battered each and every week behind one of the league's worst offensive lines. His athletic ability, size, and strength allowed him to make plays out of nothing. However, that week-in and weekout type of beating will certainly take a toll in the long run. The Steelers lost WR Nate Washington to the Titans in free agency, but they expect Limas Sweed to be a more than adequate replacement. The same passing game formula should once again be in place for the 2009 season which makes Ben a nice QB2 or bye-week QB in fantasy leagues.

Backup QB: Charlie Batch has proven to be a capable backup for Big Ben and is the perfect game manager that will not throw the game away. He missed all of last season with an injury and Byron Leftwich took over as the No. 2 QB. Leftwich left for a starting opportunity in Tampa Bay, which means Batch should be the backup to Big Ben once again. Dennis Dixon is an athletic playmaking QB that ran the spread option at Oregon. Dixon is working on becoming a better passer but could be asked to play some Wildcat QB for the Steelers in 2009. Mike Reilly is a record-setting QB that played at Central Washington, but he is a project QB that could take several years to develop.

Running Backs

Starter: Willie Parker
Backup(s): Mewelde Moore, Rashard Mendenhall, Justin Vincent
Fullback(s): Carey Davis, Frank Summers [R]

Starting RB: Willie Parker's days as the feature back for the Steelers are close to coming to an end. He started off the 2008 season with a bang in a game against Houston where he had 138 yards rushing and three TDs. The rest of his season was marred with injuries and inconsistencies. He ended up with the lowest rushing yards, yards per carry, and attempts since his rookie year. He did have a big game against San Diego in the playoffs (146 yards and two TDs), but when Willie plays a tough run defense he cannot rise to the occasion. He lost goalline opportunities to Gary Russell, and he lost third downs to Mewelde Moore. If Rashard Mendenhall had stayed healthy, he might have lost even more carries. This season is shaping up to be a three-headed committee, and while Willie Parker will be the starter, he could once again not be the leading fantasy back on his team.

Backup RBs: Mewelde Moore was a fantastic pickup for the Pittsburgh Steelers even though his signing originally went unnoticed. Moore helped fill in for an injured Willie Parker and was the Steelers best receiving back. He scored six TDs on the year and was able to make several big plays throughout the year. He should once again be the third down back who can put up bigger numbers if his role is expanded because of injury. Rashard Mendenhall was the Steelers first-round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft and some expected him to take over for Willie Parker by the end of his rookie season. Instead Mendenhall ended up missing the rest of the season after an injury in Week 4. When Mendenhall did play he did not stand out which led to some inside the organization questioning his motivation. A bigger role is there for the taking so we'll have to see if Mendenhall can prove the doubters wrong and live up to his high draft status. At the very least the Steelers would like to see him become a goalline threat. Justin Vincent hasn't looked the same since his freshmen season at LSU and will be on the roster bubble in training camp.

Fullback: Carey Davis is more of a traditional FB who can block effectively and catch a few passes. The Steelers drafted the next Fuamatu-Ma'afala when they selected Frank "the Tank" Summers in the 2009 NFL Draft. Summers is a big back that can pick up tough yards between the tackles and has surprising speed. We could see Summers end up being the goalline vulture for the Steelers running game now that Gary Russell is no longer on the team.

Wide Receivers

Starters: Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes
Backups: Limas Sweed, Mike Wallace [R], Shaun McDonald, Dallas Baker, Martin Nance

Starting WRs: Hines Ward is one of the toughest WRs in the game today, and every Sunday he gives his full effort. He finished 2008 with another 1,000 yard season (the fifth of his career) and once again led the Steelers in targets on the year. He doesn't appear to be slowing down and could have a couple of more seasons with similar production. Santonio Holmes made huge strides as a receiver in his third year. Holmes' season was capped off by an incredible game-winning TD catch that helped him win the Super Bowl MVP. He was targeted over 100 times on the season and proved to be a trustworthy receiver for QB Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers are expecting him to increase his production, and he could perhaps crack 1,000 yards receiving in a season for the first time in his career.

Backup WRs: Nate Washington is gone, but the Steelers are hoping that Limas Sweed can take his game to the next level. Sweed was singled out by Head Coach Mike Tomlin for having inconsistent hands, and it's something that really struck a nerve with the young receiver. He is a huge target, but he doesn't have the deep speed to challenge a defense. With better concentration Sweed could turn into a nice red zone option for the Steelers. In the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft the Steelers selected Mike Wallace from Ole Miss. He has the footwork and speed to develop into a No. 2 WR but is raw and is still learning the intricacies of the position. Shaun McDonald was signed to compete as a slot receiver and to contribute as a returner. Dallas Baker has size and long arms but hasn't shown much progress as a route runner. Martin Nance was Big Ben's favorite target when they were at Miami (OH). He is a large receiver but is too slow in and out his breaks to get open consistently.

Tight Ends

Starters: Heath Miller
Backups: Matt Spaeth, David Johnson [R], Sean McHugh

Heath Miller missed a couple of games for the first time in his pro career, and his production slipped from his usual Top 10 status. He caught one more pass than he did in 2007, but he also had four fewer TDs. As long as he can stay healthy for all 16 games his production should slightly increase from 2008. Miller is a great option in the red zone and has the athletic ability to do some damage in the deep middle of the field. He is also very savvy and knows how to push for extra yardage and move the chains. Matt Spaeth didn't have any TD catches in 2008 but still presents a huge target for his QB.

Place Kicker

Jeff Reed : Jeff Reed hit a career best 92.0 pecent (23 of 25) on field goals in 2007. It was a big turnaround from 2006 when he hit only 74.1 percent on field goals, the second lowest percentage of his career. He again did well last year, making 27 of 31 (87.1 percent) field goals. He was perfect on field goals under 40 yards in 2007 and missed only one from that range last year. Reed had always managed to kick fairly well at Heinz Field, a place that has probably cost some kickers their job. Over the last three years, however, 10 of his 13 missed field goals have been at home. Last year he missed a PAT, his first miss since 2003. The Steelers have ranked 18th, 25th, and 18th the last three years in attempted kicking points, limiting Reed's fantasy value.

Kick and Punt Returners

Kick Returners: Joe Burnett, Mike Wallace, Mewelde Moore, Rashard Mendenhall, Carey Davis, Santonio Holmes, Ike Taylor, Brandon Williams, Stefan Logan

Last year on kickoff returns, the Steelers utilized quite a few players, including Gary Russell and Najeh Davenport who are no longer with the team. This year two rookies are the initial favorites to handle kickoffs. Fifth round draft pick CB Joe Burnett added kickoff returns to his resume during his senior season and scored two TDs. Third round draft pick WR Mike Wallace scored a kickoff return TD in each of his last two seasons at Mississippi. RB Mewelde Moore was primarily used on punt returns when he was with the Vikings, although he did have a couple kickoff returns. Last year he averaged 18.5 yards on 10 returns for the Steelers, and is probably the fallback position this year if the rookies don't pan out. Potential backups and upmen include RB Rashard Mendenhall (6 returns, 19.2 avg.) and FB Carey Davis (6 returns, 17.7 avg.). WR Santonio Holmes shared the primary kickoff return load as a rookie in 2006 (18 returns, 24.2 avg.), but had none the last two years. CB Ike Taylor has previously served as a backup KR (4 returns, 18.0 avg. in 2006). WR Brandon Williams was with San Francisco in 2006 and then went to St. Louis part way through 2007. He served as the return specialist, but failed to keep the job. The long shot candidate is RB Stefan Logan who played for British Columbia in the CFL last year.

Punt Returners: Santonio Holmes, Joe Burnett, Mewelde Moore, Shaun McDonald, Keiwan Ratliff, Brandon Williams, Stefan Logan

Santonio Holmes took over the punt return job during his rookie season and had ball handling issues. The Steelers stuck with him however, and he turned things around (26 returns, 10.2 avg., 1 TD). After not handling any returns in 2007, he resumed the role last year (34 returns, 6.6 avg.). This year Joe Burnett is probably first in line for the lead punt returner role. He scored three times on punt returns during his college career. Mewelde Moore averaged 11.7 yards on punt returns in 2005, 10.1 yards in 2006, and 10.0 in 2007 for the Vikings. He scored two TDs during that span. WR Shaun McDonald was the Rams leading punt returner in 2004 and in 2006 (23 returns, 7.5 avg.). Last year he averaged 9.5 yards in 11 returns for Detroit. CB Keiwan Ratliff led Cincinnati in punt returns for three years starting in 2004 (27 returns, 6.5 avg. in 2006). Last year he led Indianapolis in punt returns (16 returns, 5.6 avg.). The Steelers have ranked 32nd and 29th in fantasy returns the last two years, leaving plenty of room for improvement.

Offensive Line

Projected Starters: LT Max Starks, LG Chris Kemoeatu, C Justin Hartwig, RG Darnell Stapleton, RT Willie Colon
Key Backups: T Kraig Urbik [R], C A.Q. Shipley [R], G Trai Essex

The Steelers offensive line is nowhere near as productive as they were a couple of seasons ago. The new starters have struggled to find consistency on the field, and the once-vaunted rushing attack has fallen on had times. Max Starks in particular is really struggling at left tackle. He has been fighting injuries and does not have the quickness to deal with speed rushers. He will be pushed in training camp by rookie third-round pick Kraig Urbik from Wisconsin. This is a mediocre unit heading into this season. The rushing attack will once again find it difficult to move the ball consistently, while Ben Roethlisberger will be forced to scramble often.

Team Defense

Pittsburgh is the birth place of the 3-4 zone blitz defense. It's an aggressive attacking style of play which at its best, forces offenses to react to the defensive scheme rather than the other way around. By its design the zone blitz is meant to create a lot of big plays. Thus over the years the Steelers have been one of the most consistently productive options in the fantasy game. The 2008 season was no exception as Pittsburgh sported defensive player of the year James Harrison, and was once again among the Top 3 fantasy defenses in any scoring system. It's hard to beat a unit that finishes first in yards, scoring and pass defense while coming in second versus the run, recording 51 sacks, 29 takeaway and three defensive scores. There were no immediate impact additions over the offseason, but every starter is returning except ILB Larry Foote. That change only happened because Lawrence Timmons is an upgrade. Some will make an argument for Baltimore as the first defense off the board but the Steelers have more depth and are a can't-miss option.

Defensive Line

Starters: DE Aaron Smith, DE Evander Hood [R], DE Brett Keisel, NT Casey Hampton
Backups: DE Travis Kirschke, DE Nick Eason, DE Ra'Shon Harris [R], NT Chris Hoke

Starting DL: In a 3-4 scheme the defensive line gets little glory but sets the foundation for the scheme to be successful. Nose tackle Casey Hampton is a 4 time pro bowler who may well be the best 3-4 nose tackle in the game. He doesn't put up great numbers but his contribution to the perennial success of this defense is unquestioned. He is the quintessential 3-4 nose tackle, a massively strong fireplug of a player with a very low center of gravity, whose responsibility is to tie up multiple offensive linemen and clog up the middle of the field. Ten year veteran Aaron Smith is the Steelers longest tenured lineman. With an outstanding mix of quickness, power and size, Smith is an excellent fit at end in the Steelers 3-4. He can hold ground at the point of attack and tie up multiple blockers but is also an above average pass rusher who has contributed 30.5 sacks over the past 7 seasons. Rookie first round pick Evander Hood will eventually replace veteran Brett Keisel as the starting DE opposite Smith. Hood represents the first day one draft pick the club has used on a defensive lineman since they took Hampton in the first round eight years ago. The rookie is a high motor guy with both strength and mobility. He should fit well in the scheme. A 7th round pick in '02, Keisel saw very little action prior to '05 but since that time has become a solid contributor. He will likely be the starter at the outset of the season but his job is contingent on how fast Hood develops and grasps the scheme.

Backup DL: Chris Hoke is an excellent backup for NT Casey Hampton. It was business as usual for the Steelers when he replaced and injured Hampton for the final 10 games of the 2004 season. Hoke hasn't seen a lot of action since but is proven capable if called upon. Travis Kirschke is the steady veteran of the DE group. He's not a flashy player but the club doesn't loose much when he spells either of the starters. Nick Eason was a backup in the Browns 3-4 before joining the Steelers heading into the '07 season. He will contend with 6th round pick RaShon Harris for a spot in the pecking order and possibly a roster spot. Harris will be given time to develop before being asked to contribute. The Steelers rarely spend early picks on the DL but they do a great job of getting their kind of guys in the late rounds and then developing them. Prior to the selection of Hood, Hampton was the only first day pick the team had on the DL. That has never stopped them from putting together a very strong and deep defensive line. This year is no exception.

Linebackers

Starters: ILB James Farrior, ILB Lawrence Timmons, OLB James Harrison, OLB LaMarr Woodley
Backups: ILB Keyaron Fox, ILB Patrick Bailey, OLB Arnold Harrison, OLB Bruce Davis

Starting LBs: By design the linebacker position is the heart of any 3-4 scheme and the Steelers are loaded at the position. James Farrior has been a mainstay at ILB for the last 7 years. He's been durable having missed just 4 games over that span, and has been a playmaker totaling 19.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, 6 recoveries and 6 interceptions since 2004. At age 34 Farrior is in the twilight of an excellent career but he has shown no sign of decline thus far. Lawrence Timmons was the 15th overall pick in '07 and has not disappointed. He was eased into the lineup last season when he shared time with now departed Larry Foote but despite the limited role, managed to rack up 5 sacks, force a fumble, recover a fumble and intercept a pass. He will work alongside Farrior for now but there is little doubt that Timmons will soon be the centerpiece of the Steelers defense. Strong as the team is on the inside, it's their outside linebackers who steal the show. James Harrison proved that his outstanding 2007 season was no fluke by following it up with 16 sacks, force 7 fumbles and an NFL defensive MVP trophy last season. He is arguably the best 3-4 OLB in the game. That is saying something when you consider the competition for that honor. Some of that competition comes from teammate LaMarr Woodley who quietly piled up 11.5 sacks and 5 takeaways of his own in '08. There are some 3-4 defenses in the league who are very strong at OLB but no tandem in the NFL is better than what the Steelers put on the field.

Backup LBs: The Steelers do an outstanding job of picking up young, under the radar players who fit their scheme, then developing them for a couple of years before eventually getting a quality return on their investment. The perfect example being James Harrison who was an undrafted free agent in '04 and didn't start until '07. Last year's third round pick Bruce Davis, 4th year pro Arnold Harrison and second year undrafted free agent Patrick Bailey all fit the profile. None of these guys entered the league with grand expectations but you can bet they will be ready to contribute if called upon. Keyaron Fox is one of the few free agents the Steelers have signed at the LB position over the past several years. With Foote moving on, Fox will provide veteran depth across the board and will enter the season as the top backup on the inside while contributing greatly on special teams.

Defensive Backs

Starters: SS Troy Polamalu, FS Ryan Clark, CB Deshea Townsend, CB Ike Taylor
Backups: CB Keenan Lewis [R], CB William Gay, CB Fernando Bryant, FS Tyrone Carter

Starting DBs: The nature of Pittsburgh's zone blitz scheme puts a lot of pressure on the secondary. Corners are often left on an island and must be able to handle man coverage while the safeties have to make split second decisions in a system that is very complicated. Of course it's much easier to do these things when the team racks up 51 sacks. Ike Taylor fits the bill well and is entrenched at one corner position. His best season came in '07 when he intercepted 3 passes and defended 16. Those numbers slumped a bit in '08 and the club would like to see a few more big plays from him this season. Deshea Townsend did managed to defend 14 passes in '08. Bryant McFadden passed Deshea Townsend on the depth chart last season but took the free agent express to Arizona. Townsend is a solid player but at age 34 is not a lock to return to the starting role. He will feel pressure from William Gay and possibly third round pick Keenan Lewis. After battling injuries for a couple of years Troy Polamalu changed his training program after the '07 season, and it worked. Not only did he stay healthy but he turned in the best season of his career which included 7 interceptions. Unlike the Ravens Ed Reed, Polamalu is a physical presence as well as a playmaker and add an intimidation factor. Ryan Clark doesn't have impressive statistics but his steady presence and solid tackling allows the Steelers to turn Polamalu lose a little more.

Backup DBs: With the loss of Bryant McFadden there is some uncertainty at the corner position. '07 5th round pick William Gay saw an expanded role last season and will be in contention for a starting job. as their nickel corner. Gay didn't display a great deal of big play potential but the strength of his game is man coverage. At the least he will continue to see extensive action in sub packages as he continues to develop. The complexity of Pittsburgh's scheme makes it difficult for rookies to step right in. Keenan Lewis however, will be given an opportunity to do so. Like the rest of the Steelers corners, Lewis was picked because he is good in press coverage. Having started 48 games while at Oregon will help his cause as well. Fernando Bryant probably doesn't figure into the starting mix but gives the club some veteran depth. Tyrone Carter is a versatile player who is mainly the #3 safety but can line up at corner is asked to and often gets on the field in nickel situations. What he lacks in stature at just 5'8" and 186, he makes up in tenacity, smarts and heart. He's a great fit and gives the coaching staff a lot of options, particularly when it comes to moving Polamalu around. If there is a thin spot in Pittsburgh it is at safety where beyond Carter there is no one with a single snap of NFL game experience.

Last modified: 2009-06-10 20:08:01