mesaSteeler
08-12-2009, 05:32 PM
Five reasons the Steelers could repeat as Super Bowl champions
Dennis Dillon
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/article/2009-08-11/five-reasons-steelers-could-repeat-super-bowl-champions
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009 - 5:46 p.m. ET
LATROBE, Pa. — Winning back-to-back Super Bowls is difficult for myriad reasons. Teams often lose key players or coaches after they win a championship, they sometimes don't have that same drive the second time around and every game they play becomes a heavyweight championship bout for their opponents.
"Every team in the NFL marks you on the calendar," Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith said. "If they can beat the Super Bowl champs, even the teams that are struggling, that's a mark for them to say, 'Hey, we're on our way up. These are the Super Bowl champs from last year. If we can beat them, then we're doing the right thing.' "
That will be a weekly challenge for the '09 Steelers. But instead detailing reasons why the Steelers won't repeat in '09, here are five reasons they could successfully defend their championship:
1. A stable roster
The Steelers return 20 of 22 starters from the '08 season. The only losses were cornerback Bryant McFadden and linebacker Larry Foote, who probably would have been replaced this season anyway by third-year player Lawrence Timmons. And Mike Tomlin, who has led the Steelers to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons as coach, kept his staff intact.
"Continuity always helps," said wide receiver Hines Ward, heading into his 12th season with the Steelers.
2. A winning quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger might not put up Manning- and Brady-like numbers, but he is a two-time Super Bowl winner who can make the big plays when they need to be made. Exhibit A: Roethlisberger's game-winning, 6-yard TD pass to Santonio Holmes with 35 seconds left in Super Bowl 43.
"As long as you can keep the game close with (No.) 7 in there, you've got a chance," Smith said, "because he's the type of guy who can pull it out."
3. A premier defense
Led by Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison, the Steelers led the NFL last season in yards allowed (237.2 per game), passing yards allowed (156.9) and points allowed (13.9). They also were second in stopping the run. The addition of Timmons as a full-time player should make the unit even better.
"I think we have some young guys who soon will be breakout players," wide receiver Hines Ward said. "Lawrence Timmons, LaMarr Woodley — those guys are coming into their own. You're starting to see kind of the passing of the torch at linebacker. Those two guys are going to be the foundation for years to come for the defensive side."
Oh, and one other thing about defense: There's not a better defensive coordinator in the NFL than the Steelers' Dick LeBeau.
4. A favorable schedule
The Steelers went 12-4 last year despite playing what was considered, heading into the season, the NFL's most difficult schedule. It looks easier on paper this year. Four of their games are against AFC West foes Denver, Oakland and Kansas City — a combined 15-33 record in '08 — and Detroit, which went 0-16.
5. A different attitude
After the Steelers won Super Bowl 40, they didn't return the next season with the same sense of urgency.
"It was like a weight off everybody's shoulder," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said of winning that Super Bowl. "We all relaxed."
Players and coaches alike contend they won't allow themselves that luxury this time. If you believe what they are saying, the Steelers have put last year's championship in their rear-view mirrors.
"Repeat hasn't been in any of our coaches' vocabulary, especially when coach Tomlin addresses the team," safety Troy Polamalu said. "We're not worried about the past six championships. All of the stuff that has happened in the past with the Steeler organization is really irrelevant to how we proceed from this point and throughout the rest of the year."
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
Dennis Dillon
http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/article/2009-08-11/five-reasons-steelers-could-repeat-super-bowl-champions
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009 - 5:46 p.m. ET
LATROBE, Pa. — Winning back-to-back Super Bowls is difficult for myriad reasons. Teams often lose key players or coaches after they win a championship, they sometimes don't have that same drive the second time around and every game they play becomes a heavyweight championship bout for their opponents.
"Every team in the NFL marks you on the calendar," Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith said. "If they can beat the Super Bowl champs, even the teams that are struggling, that's a mark for them to say, 'Hey, we're on our way up. These are the Super Bowl champs from last year. If we can beat them, then we're doing the right thing.' "
That will be a weekly challenge for the '09 Steelers. But instead detailing reasons why the Steelers won't repeat in '09, here are five reasons they could successfully defend their championship:
1. A stable roster
The Steelers return 20 of 22 starters from the '08 season. The only losses were cornerback Bryant McFadden and linebacker Larry Foote, who probably would have been replaced this season anyway by third-year player Lawrence Timmons. And Mike Tomlin, who has led the Steelers to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons as coach, kept his staff intact.
"Continuity always helps," said wide receiver Hines Ward, heading into his 12th season with the Steelers.
2. A winning quarterback
Ben Roethlisberger might not put up Manning- and Brady-like numbers, but he is a two-time Super Bowl winner who can make the big plays when they need to be made. Exhibit A: Roethlisberger's game-winning, 6-yard TD pass to Santonio Holmes with 35 seconds left in Super Bowl 43.
"As long as you can keep the game close with (No.) 7 in there, you've got a chance," Smith said, "because he's the type of guy who can pull it out."
3. A premier defense
Led by Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison, the Steelers led the NFL last season in yards allowed (237.2 per game), passing yards allowed (156.9) and points allowed (13.9). They also were second in stopping the run. The addition of Timmons as a full-time player should make the unit even better.
"I think we have some young guys who soon will be breakout players," wide receiver Hines Ward said. "Lawrence Timmons, LaMarr Woodley — those guys are coming into their own. You're starting to see kind of the passing of the torch at linebacker. Those two guys are going to be the foundation for years to come for the defensive side."
Oh, and one other thing about defense: There's not a better defensive coordinator in the NFL than the Steelers' Dick LeBeau.
4. A favorable schedule
The Steelers went 12-4 last year despite playing what was considered, heading into the season, the NFL's most difficult schedule. It looks easier on paper this year. Four of their games are against AFC West foes Denver, Oakland and Kansas City — a combined 15-33 record in '08 — and Detroit, which went 0-16.
5. A different attitude
After the Steelers won Super Bowl 40, they didn't return the next season with the same sense of urgency.
"It was like a weight off everybody's shoulder," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said of winning that Super Bowl. "We all relaxed."
Players and coaches alike contend they won't allow themselves that luxury this time. If you believe what they are saying, the Steelers have put last year's championship in their rear-view mirrors.
"Repeat hasn't been in any of our coaches' vocabulary, especially when coach Tomlin addresses the team," safety Troy Polamalu said. "We're not worried about the past six championships. All of the stuff that has happened in the past with the Steeler organization is really irrelevant to how we proceed from this point and throughout the rest of the year."
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.