mesaSteeler
09-09-2009, 07:14 PM
Drive for repeat could reach Giant roadblock
http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Print/Steelers-Tab-column
What will the Steelers do for an encore?
Maybe win another Super Bowl.
One thing they are unlikely to do is falter as they did in 2006 following their previous Super Bowl victory.
In 2006, the Steelers were a team in transition, even if they didn't know it. Veteran leader Jerome Bettis retired following the Super Bowl victory over Seattle. Head coach Bill Cowher was heading into his final season. And in his third year, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger would struggle for the first time in his career, mostly because of injuries.
There's no question who the leaders are on the 2009 Steelers. They're the same players as in 2008: linebacker James Farrior, wide receiver Hines Ward, Roethlisberger and a few others.
And head coach Mike Tomlin isn't going anywhere soon.
As for injuries, they're about the only thing that can derail the Steelers.
As good as the Steelers were last season, they could be better in 2009. Punter Daniel Sepulveda, who sat out last season after having knee surgery, is back and should help determine field position better than the duo of Paul Ernster and Mitch Berger. Lightning-quick kick returner Sefan Logan also should help.
Considering the Steelers were near the bottom of the league in net punting and return yards, those two things can only help make this team better.
"With Stefan returning kicks and Sepulveda back, that should be big for us," Ward admitted.
The defense should again be among the best, if not the best, in the NFL. The offense needs only to match last season's somewhat mediocre numbers for this team to be good.
Who will challenge the Steelers?
Look no further than the same team they defeated in the AFC Championship game, the Baltimore Ravens.
The Ravens spent the past eight months thinking about how they lost three games to the Steelers last season. They will certainly be a factor in the AFC race in 2009.
New England, Tennessee, Indianapolis and San Diego look to be better than the rest of the AFC, though Houston or Jacksonville could surprise.
In the NFC, things are a little more wide open.
The Giants, Cowboys or Eagles could win the NFC East. In the NFC South, New Orleans, Atlanta and Carolina are very close. In the NFC Central, Green Bay, Chicago and Minnesota all have a shot to win. Only in the NFC West, where Arizona again looks to be the class of the division, is there any clarity.
Look for the Giants, Eagles, Packers, Vikings, Saints and Cardinals to represent the NFC in the postseason.
Who will come out of the two conferences to meet in the Super Bowl?
Look for the Giants to beat the Packers in the NFC Championship, and the Steelers will beat the Chargers in the AFC title game.
But Pittsburgh's run at winning back-to-back titles will be derailed by the Giants in the Super Bowl, as New York's fierce defensive front will be too much for the Steelers to handle.
F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter. com
Copyright Observer Publishing Co.
http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Print/Steelers-Tab-column
What will the Steelers do for an encore?
Maybe win another Super Bowl.
One thing they are unlikely to do is falter as they did in 2006 following their previous Super Bowl victory.
In 2006, the Steelers were a team in transition, even if they didn't know it. Veteran leader Jerome Bettis retired following the Super Bowl victory over Seattle. Head coach Bill Cowher was heading into his final season. And in his third year, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger would struggle for the first time in his career, mostly because of injuries.
There's no question who the leaders are on the 2009 Steelers. They're the same players as in 2008: linebacker James Farrior, wide receiver Hines Ward, Roethlisberger and a few others.
And head coach Mike Tomlin isn't going anywhere soon.
As for injuries, they're about the only thing that can derail the Steelers.
As good as the Steelers were last season, they could be better in 2009. Punter Daniel Sepulveda, who sat out last season after having knee surgery, is back and should help determine field position better than the duo of Paul Ernster and Mitch Berger. Lightning-quick kick returner Sefan Logan also should help.
Considering the Steelers were near the bottom of the league in net punting and return yards, those two things can only help make this team better.
"With Stefan returning kicks and Sepulveda back, that should be big for us," Ward admitted.
The defense should again be among the best, if not the best, in the NFL. The offense needs only to match last season's somewhat mediocre numbers for this team to be good.
Who will challenge the Steelers?
Look no further than the same team they defeated in the AFC Championship game, the Baltimore Ravens.
The Ravens spent the past eight months thinking about how they lost three games to the Steelers last season. They will certainly be a factor in the AFC race in 2009.
New England, Tennessee, Indianapolis and San Diego look to be better than the rest of the AFC, though Houston or Jacksonville could surprise.
In the NFC, things are a little more wide open.
The Giants, Cowboys or Eagles could win the NFC East. In the NFC South, New Orleans, Atlanta and Carolina are very close. In the NFC Central, Green Bay, Chicago and Minnesota all have a shot to win. Only in the NFC West, where Arizona again looks to be the class of the division, is there any clarity.
Look for the Giants, Eagles, Packers, Vikings, Saints and Cardinals to represent the NFC in the postseason.
Who will come out of the two conferences to meet in the Super Bowl?
Look for the Giants to beat the Packers in the NFC Championship, and the Steelers will beat the Chargers in the AFC title game.
But Pittsburgh's run at winning back-to-back titles will be derailed by the Giants in the Super Bowl, as New York's fierce defensive front will be too much for the Steelers to handle.
F. Dale Lolley can be reached at dlolley@observer-reporter. com
Copyright Observer Publishing Co.