Expect changes for Steelers in 2010

[mesaSteeler]

Expect changes for Steelers in 2010
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print...597&type=story

Under terms of a revamped stockholder model, nearly a dozen new partners of Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney and president Art Rooney II will have prized spots in the owner's box at Heinz Field for the 2010 season.

They are almost certain to look down on a Steelers team that has undergone change on the field and the sideline.

Only one season removed from a Super Bowl XLIII championship, the Steelers enter the final two games of the season a .500 team and unlikely to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2006. More important, however, Pittsburgh (7-7) appears to be a flawed club, one that is aging (particularly on defense) and requires some fresh parts and maybe fresher thinking.

"Everybody probably understands in their hearts that there's going to be some change," acknowledged standout nose tackle Casey Hampton, for nine seasons the centerpiece of the Steelers' renowned 3-4 defense but a veteran expected to move on in free agency. "That's just the way it is."

Hampton, 32, is part of a defense that began the season with starters who averaged 28.9 years of age, and five them are 31 or older. Only two starters for Sunday's matchup against Baltimore, linebackers LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons, are younger than 28. And it is a unit that has played a significant role in six defeats in which the Steelers led or were tied in the fourth quarter.

Despite ranking sixth in the league in defense and first against the run, the Steelers have not been as dominant as in the past. Although their 40 sacks rate as the second most in the league, the Steelers have been unable to knock offenses off the field, and only one team has fewer interceptions than Pittsburgh's eight. Pittsburgh cornerbacks have zero interceptions.

"We're accustomed to being [a defense] that closes out games," said free safety Ryan Clark, another veteran who might exit as an unrestricted free agent. "But that hasn't been the case this season."

The absence of whirling dervish strong safety Troy Polamalu, around whose unique abilities renowned defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau constructs many of his schemes, has been cited for many of the unit's shortcomings. Polamalu will miss his 10th game Sunday because of a knee injury.

But the failures reach beyond one man and one unit.

Several stalwart players -- including Hampton, tailback Willie Parker and kicker Jeff Reed -- are likely to depart through free agency or management's choice. Special-teams coach Bob Ligashesky, whose unit has been deplorable and has surrendered four kickoff returns for touchdowns, could be replaced. Coach Mike Tomlin -- who declared weeks ago that Pittsburgh would "unleash hell" in December but whose team lost the first two games of the month -- must regain locker room confidence and control. During a five-game losing streak that scuttled a 6-2 start to the season, Tomlin threatened to make lineup changes. There were no significant maneuvers, however, until this week, when Tomlin benched starting cornerback William Gay.

Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians has come under fire despite an attack that ranks eighth in the league. The offense is no longer the grind-it-out Steelers, with about 58 percent of the snaps pass plays.

"It's probably hard for people to wrap their heads and their fingers around, but this offense is changing," said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who last week threw for a franchise-record 503 yards against Green Bay. "It's not a run-it-first team anymore."

Yet the problem is not that Pittsburgh hasn't entirely been able to run the ball at all, but rather that the Steelers haven't been able to run when they want to. And that is pretty much unthinkable for traditional Steelers fans.

Not qualifying for the Super Bowl tournament is anathema to Steelers fans and the Rooney family. That's why, despite losing seven games by an average of just four points, there will be changes for 2010.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

[markymarc]

Nice article by Len. It will be a very interesting off season!

[GridironWarrior]

All they need is balance. If if they aren't getting big yards in the run you gotta try and keep the D honest. This team is not built like SD and Indy to pass about 60% of the time. It also helps to not be predictable and do a 5 wide empty set on 3rd and short.

Traditional Steelers fans remind me of the father from Fiddler on the Roof. TRADITIIOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!

[KYsteelfan]

I know people have alot of problems with Bruce Arians, but i really hope we dont drop him. i think that this could be detrimental to the offense. i know that there are some questionable calls, but we can score in bunches. its a solid offense. the worst thing is that there wouldnt be that chemistry btwn ben and the coordinator. Big ben and arians trust each other. plus another coordinator may try to keep ben from keeping the play alive. i know alot of ppl hate on ben for runnign around so much and holding the ball for too long, but thats where these big extrodinary plays come from (i.e. superbowl winning td) but thats just my humble opinion

[markymarc]

Originally Posted by KYsteelfan

i know that there are some questionable calls, but we can score in bunches.

And when you say score in bunches do you mean like being ranked #15 in scoring offense? So in other words we are 1 spot up from being middle of the pack in scoring offense compared to other NFL teams. Considering all the talent we have on offense, being ranked #15 is not very good at all.

[Psyychoward86]

i hope all of Ben's success doesnt save Arians' ass