ESPN: Pittsburgh Steelers (Consensus division finish: 1st)

[STEELtownHAVOX]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/preview08/team?team=pit

2008 NFL Preview

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (Consensus division finish: 1st)

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Here is part of the article, too much to post.

Best offensive player: QB Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger had 3,154 yards passing and 32 touchdowns in '07. He is close to joining the NFL's elite quarterbacks and could solidify his spot next to Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer with an even bigger year in 2008.


Best defensive player: Safety Troy Polamalu. He is the heart and soul of the Steelers' defense, and his speed and smarts allow Pittsburgh a flexibility on defense that few teams have.

Best playmaker: Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger is dangerous with his arms and legs. Poor pass protection often has forced him to scramble and make plays on the run.

Best unheralded player: DT Casey Hampton. Playing the nose tackle in a 3-4 defense is one of the most difficult things to do in the NFL. Hampton's stats (33 tackles in 2007) rarely stand out, but he's one of the best at holding his ground at the point of attack and allowing other players like Polamalu and linebackers James Harrison, James Farrior and Larry Foote to run free and make plays.

[fansince'76]

He is close to joining the NFL's elite quarterbacks and could solidify his spot next to Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer with an even bigger year in 2008.

What is with the Palmer love fest? My bad - it's a Disney, err, ESPN article. All flash, no substance.

[stlrtruck]

Originally Posted by fansince'76

it's a Disney, err, ESPN article. All flash, no substance.

You mean it's all make believe and fantasy? Didn't you know that carson, right now is preparing to have breakfast with the princess'?

[43Hitman]

Originally Posted by stlrtruck

You mean it's all make believe and fantasy? Didn't you know that carson, right now is preparing to have breakfast with the princess'?

Cinderella or Snow White?

[STEELtownHAVOX]

Originally Posted by 43Hitman

Cinderella or Snow White?

Fiona, she's the only one that would accept him with that new nose.

[43Hitman]

[stlrtruck]

Originally Posted by STEELtownHAVOX

Fiona, she's the only one that would accept him with that new nose.

I thought it was Sleeping Beauty and Belle!!!

Maybe it's Lady from Lady and the Tramp

[lilyoder6]

i see that most of the analists are giving us the number 1 spot w/ a few number 2's...

[Atlanta Dan]

As is the case with ESPN, Sports Illustrated picks the Steelers to win the AFC North - projected 10-6 record

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.c...4661/index.htm

These are the unit grades

QB B+
Byron Leftwich provides quality veteran backup.

RB B+
Rookie Rashard Mendenhall adds a dimension.

WR B-
Need to keep Holmes healthy and get rookie Limas Sweed ready.

TE B
Miller is the latest standard-bearer for an always strong unit.

OL C
The team's Achilles heel; failed to protect Roethlisberger in '07.

DL A
Remains one of league's toughest clubs to run against.

LB A
Have some very good rushers and excellent speed.

DB B
Playmakers at all positions; best when the rush is going well.

ST B
From kicking game through coverage units, solid all around.

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.c...4662/index.htm

Giving Ben a B+ is a joke (Carson Palmer of course gets an A)

[Edman]

I'll take it for what it is. A late preseason fluff article. We could just as easily blow it against Houston Week 1 and then BSPN will jump on another bandwagon. How quickly we forget how the Steelers blew very winnable games to inferior teams and decided to not show up for most road games last year.

I agree that the Steelers have the talent and are capable of doing big things this year, if they don't trip over their own shoelaces.

Let the Carson Palmer slobber-fest continue. We'll see how elite he is when Cinci has another 8-8 season.