polamalubeast
05-22-2010, 02:17 PM
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/sports/football/23steelers.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Quarterback Is Not Lone Issue for Steelers
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: May 21, 2010
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Steelers find themselves in an unprecedented situation, preparing for a season that will open without their suspended star, Ben Roethlisberger. If that were their only problem, perhaps the Steelers’ off-season would not seem so hectic, unsettled or disrupted, but it is not
There are numerous concerns on both sides of the ball as the Steelers go through a month’s worth of spring practices, and not all of them are likely to be resolved by the time training camp arrives. Or when the season starts, either. Or by the return of Roethlisberger from a six-game suspension that has disturbed nearly every aspect of the Steelers’ preparation.
They are auditioning three quarterbacks for a starting job at a time when nearly every N.F.L. team has that settled. Receivers are not working with the man who will throw them the ball most of the time.
Santonio Holmes’s departure thinned the Steelers’ depth at wide receiver and eliminated their most productive downfield threat. Mike Wallace was an effective No. 3 receiver as a rookie and significantly improved the Steelers’ speed. But as Hines Ward said, there is a big difference trying to get open on every down — as Wallace now must do — as opposed to doing so once or twice a series.
“We’ve got plenty of time for that to sort itself out,” Coach Mike Tomlin said.
Willie Parker, a three-time 1,000-yard running back, is gone, too, though injuries cost him the starting job last season.
His absence leaves the Steelers without a proven backup to Rashard Mendenhall, who has not gone a whole season as the No. 1 back.
“I think he is capable of a lot more, to be quite honest,” Tomlin said.
Although Mewelde Moore has been a capable fill-in runner at times, Jonathan Dwyer might be one of the N.F.L.’s most valuable sixth-round draft picks if he can make an immediate contribution.
Another concern is a secondary that repeatedly failed to slow opposing passing games in the fourth quarter. The Steelers lost six games last season in which they failed to hold late leads.
To address that, the Steelers brought back the former starting cornerback Bryant McFadden, but he was traded by Arizona because he caused a near-identical problem there.
There is also the problem of protecting Roethlisberger — or, for the first month of the season, protecting Byron Leftwich, Dennis Dixon or Charlie Batch.
The Steelers’ pass protection concerns are not likely to go away when Roethlisberger returns, or because they drafted lineman Maurkice Pouncey in the first round. Their 50 sacks allowed last season were second in the N.F.L. to Green Bay’s 51.
The offense is looking much different, and not only because Roethlisberger is barred from taking part in their workouts.
The offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is showing off more two-back looks than usual, an apparent response to the team president Art Rooney II’s proclamation that the running game — especially near the goal line — must be better. Last season, the fullback role was effectively filled by tight ends.
The Steelers might not have had so many blown leads, especially during their season-altering five-game losing streak late last season, if they had run the ball better near the goal line during their 9-7 season. Their only reliable goal-line runner was Gary Russell, and they let him go without explanation.
There is the age factor, too, another worry as the Steelers prepare for a season in which nearly all of their key defensive starters will be 30 or older. They were not the same defensively last season after safety Troy Polamalu and defensive end Aaron Smith were hurt, And no off-season preparation can prevent disruptive injuries, especially to the oldest and most-experienced players on a team.
“I’m not a fortune teller,” Ward said. “I don’t know how the season’s going to go. That’s what is uneasy, the uncertainty.”
Quarterback Is Not Lone Issue for Steelers
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: May 21, 2010
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Steelers find themselves in an unprecedented situation, preparing for a season that will open without their suspended star, Ben Roethlisberger. If that were their only problem, perhaps the Steelers’ off-season would not seem so hectic, unsettled or disrupted, but it is not
There are numerous concerns on both sides of the ball as the Steelers go through a month’s worth of spring practices, and not all of them are likely to be resolved by the time training camp arrives. Or when the season starts, either. Or by the return of Roethlisberger from a six-game suspension that has disturbed nearly every aspect of the Steelers’ preparation.
They are auditioning three quarterbacks for a starting job at a time when nearly every N.F.L. team has that settled. Receivers are not working with the man who will throw them the ball most of the time.
Santonio Holmes’s departure thinned the Steelers’ depth at wide receiver and eliminated their most productive downfield threat. Mike Wallace was an effective No. 3 receiver as a rookie and significantly improved the Steelers’ speed. But as Hines Ward said, there is a big difference trying to get open on every down — as Wallace now must do — as opposed to doing so once or twice a series.
“We’ve got plenty of time for that to sort itself out,” Coach Mike Tomlin said.
Willie Parker, a three-time 1,000-yard running back, is gone, too, though injuries cost him the starting job last season.
His absence leaves the Steelers without a proven backup to Rashard Mendenhall, who has not gone a whole season as the No. 1 back.
“I think he is capable of a lot more, to be quite honest,” Tomlin said.
Although Mewelde Moore has been a capable fill-in runner at times, Jonathan Dwyer might be one of the N.F.L.’s most valuable sixth-round draft picks if he can make an immediate contribution.
Another concern is a secondary that repeatedly failed to slow opposing passing games in the fourth quarter. The Steelers lost six games last season in which they failed to hold late leads.
To address that, the Steelers brought back the former starting cornerback Bryant McFadden, but he was traded by Arizona because he caused a near-identical problem there.
There is also the problem of protecting Roethlisberger — or, for the first month of the season, protecting Byron Leftwich, Dennis Dixon or Charlie Batch.
The Steelers’ pass protection concerns are not likely to go away when Roethlisberger returns, or because they drafted lineman Maurkice Pouncey in the first round. Their 50 sacks allowed last season were second in the N.F.L. to Green Bay’s 51.
The offense is looking much different, and not only because Roethlisberger is barred from taking part in their workouts.
The offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is showing off more two-back looks than usual, an apparent response to the team president Art Rooney II’s proclamation that the running game — especially near the goal line — must be better. Last season, the fullback role was effectively filled by tight ends.
The Steelers might not have had so many blown leads, especially during their season-altering five-game losing streak late last season, if they had run the ball better near the goal line during their 9-7 season. Their only reliable goal-line runner was Gary Russell, and they let him go without explanation.
There is the age factor, too, another worry as the Steelers prepare for a season in which nearly all of their key defensive starters will be 30 or older. They were not the same defensively last season after safety Troy Polamalu and defensive end Aaron Smith were hurt, And no off-season preparation can prevent disruptive injuries, especially to the oldest and most-experienced players on a team.
“I’m not a fortune teller,” Ward said. “I don’t know how the season’s going to go. That’s what is uneasy, the uncertainty.”