2010 NFL Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers 2009 season was pretty disappointing, going 9-7 and missing the playoffs. This was disappointing, especially after winning the Super Bowl in 2008, but due to injuries and inconsistency, the team ended up missing the playoffs for the first time since 2006, despite going 9-7.
But the offseason was more tumultuous than they could bear.
Ben Roethlisberger's rape accusation was a situation that angered the Rooney's, Roger Goodell, the NFL, and most importantly, the Steeler Nation, simply because it was unnecessary for him to be in the situation in the first place. He's fortunate to be in Pittsburgh still because he's more valuable and no other team wanted to give up their first round pick on him. However, with Santonio Holmes also having an incident, the Steelers made an example of him and shipped him off to the New York Jets for a fifth-round pick.
Now with a suspension for Roethlisberger that was originally set for six games, but most likely will be reduced to four, can Pittsburgh keep afloat until he returns to the team? Or will they fall off the wagon before the season even begins and miss the playoffs for a second straight year? Technorati goes inside the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Recap:
- 2009 Record: (9-7, 3rd AFC North, missed playoffs)
- Key Additions: QB Byron Leftwich (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), WR Antwaan Randle El (Washington Redskins), WR Arnaz Battle (San Francisco 49ers), OT Flozell Adams (Dallas Cowboys), OT Jonathan Scott (Buffalo Bills), ILB Larry Foote (Detroit Lions), CB Bryant McFadden (Arizona Cardinals), S Will Allen (Tampa Bay Buccaneers).
- Key Departures: RB Willie Parker (Washington Redskins), WR Santonio Holmes (New York Jets), G Darnell Stepleton (UFL), DE/DT Travis Kirschke (free agency), CB Deshea Townsend (Indianapolis Colts), S Tyrone Carter (Washington Redskins).
Overview
Offense: So with Big Ben and his 4,328 passing yards and 26 touchdowns from last season will be missed, so Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin has had an open competition on who will be the starting quarterback between Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon. Of course Leftwich has had experience starting five games for the Steelers in 2008 during their championship season, and Dennis Dixon, who played very well for the team in place of Roethlisberger, but even after a preseason game this past Sunday against the Denver Broncos, Charlie Batch should get a look. Right now the depth chart shows that Leftwich has the inside track to start, and with the final game of the preseason against the Carolina Panthers coming up, Roethlisberger may see plenty of action, considering it will be his last action for the next 4-6 weeks.
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