?Shutdown Corner? offseason TPS report: Pittsburgh Steelers (Shutdown Corner)

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Over the next few weeks, "Shutdown Corner" will pay homage to "Office Space" (TPS reports) as we take a quick look back at each team's 2012 season and a look at what lies ahead for the 2013 offseason. We continue with the Pittsburgh Steelers. 2012 record : 8-8 What went wrong : The Steelers overcame early-season injuries involving linebacker James Harrison, safety Troy Polamalu, running back Rashard Mendenhall and first-round guard David DeCastro to start the season 6-3, a mark that had them in contention for the AFC North title. The Steelers then lost Ben Roethisberger to a right shoulder injury and his backup, Byron Leftwich, to a rib injury. Pittsburgh would lose two of the three games in Roethlisberger's absence and, even after No. 7 returned to the lineup, would finish the season with five losses in seven games to miss the playoffs. Three of those losses were by three points –in total, five of the Steelers' eight losses were by a field goal margin – and two other losses came against inferior opponents that Pittsburgh easily should have handled: A 20-14 defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Browns and a 34-24 loss at home to the San Diego Chargers. Only one team – the Houston Texans – had a higher time of possession than the Steelers did in 2012, but under first-year coordinator Todd Haley, who stepped in after Bruce Arians was shown the door, ranked 21st in total offense was 26th against the run. When you adjust for opponents, as Football Outsiders' advanced metrics do, the Steelers declined from sixth in 2011 to 19th in 2012 and were 31st in the league when running the ball. What went right : Pittsburgh's defense remains formidable, ranking first in the NFL in total defense, first against the pass and were second against the run. It is worth noting, however, that the Steelers did not rank as highly in FO's metrics, ranking 13th in defensive DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) and outside of the Top 5 against both the run and pass. Individually, inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons had a Pro Bowl-caliber season, finishing the year with over 100 tackles, including six sacks and 10 tackles for loss, both of which tied for the team lead. Timmons also led the Steelers with three interceptions. On offense, tight end Heath Miller returned to the Pro Bowl after catching 71 passes and establishing career-highs with 816 yards and eight touchdowns, ranking third in Football Outsiders' DYAR (Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement) metric. Coaching/front office changes : Mike Tomlin fired special teams coordinator Al Everest last summer and his replacement, assistant Amos Jones, left the team to take the same position with the Arizona Cardinals. Danny Smith is now the team's special teams coach. The Steelers lost offensive line coach Sean Kugler (UTEP) and receivers coach Scottie Montgomery (Duke) to the college ranks. Estimated 2013 cap space : $12.63 over their estimated adjusted cap number.

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