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Tuesday, August 28 Stewart still the man in Pittsburgh By Jim Wexell Pro Football Weekly |
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The Pittsburgh Steelers proved once again this off-season that public relations don't really matter when it comes to professional football in Pittsburgh. The Steelers cut fan favorites Levon Kirkland and Dermontti Dawson in salary-cap-related moves but kept quarterback Kordell Stewart and made very few changes to the team's passing game, which ranked 29th in the league last year. A quarterback coach (Tom Clements) was added for the first time in nearly 30 years, and tight end coach Mike Mularkey was promoted to offensive coordinator, but the primary components of one of the league's worst passing games remain intact.
Offense
Running backs: Jerome Bettis returns for his ninth NFL season in great
shape. His annual preseason knee problems have been minimal this year. He'll
be backed up by Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala and Amos Zereoue. Built like Bettis,
Fuamatu-Ma'afala will be the team's back on passing downs, while the shifty
Zereoue provides a change of pace from Bettis. Fullback has been a problem
throughout camp. Jon Witman is not only recovering from a broken leg
suffered last season, but his back woes have resurfaced. Dan Kreider, last
year's Steelers Rookie of the Year, injured his calf prior to the start of
camp and spent time on the physically-unable-to-perform list. Bettis will
need one of the two fullbacks to remain healthy in order to perform
effectively between the tackles.
Receivers: Cowher declared Hines Ward the starting flanker, thereby moving
Troy Edwards back to split end, where he'll compete with Plaxico Burress.
Edwards has played so poorly he wasn't a certainty to make the final roster.
Bobby Shaw, the team's slot receiver, also had a poor camp, dropping several
passes and showing a lack of toughness over the middle. Ward, who's supposed
to be too small and too slow, has been the only bright spot. The play of the
tight ends has been encouraging. Mark Bruener remains one of the best
blocking tight ends in the league and has the hands to help the passing
game, but he's been an infrequent target. His old position coach, Mularkey,
will certainly attempt to change his quarterback's thinking in that regard.
The backups, led by Jerame Tuman, are satisfactory.
Offensive linemen: After an early problem with fumbled snaps, free-agent
acquisition Jeff Hartings appears to be making a successful conversion from
guard to center. The play of the former Lion in the middle of the line has
been above average, and he's also showed enough quickness to get outside,
similar to his predecessor, Dawson. Left tackle Wayne Gandy has become one of the
team's leaders, while left guard Alan Faneca continues to carve out a solid
reputation as a run blocker. Right guard Rich Tylski is a steady veteran, but
second-year right tackle Marvel Smith played poorly early in camp. Larry Tharpe
provides the line with its only depth at tackle, while rookie center Chukky Okobi
has been impressive backing up Hartings, sparking talk that Hartings could
be moved back to guard next year.
Defense
Linebackers: The departure of Kirkland forced the Steelers to add veteran
free agent Mike Jones and draft Kendrell Bell in the second round. Jones was
supposed to bridge the gap between Kirkland and Bell, but Bell's outstanding
preseason play may hasten the move and force Jones into becoming a
specialist on passing downs. Veteran Earl Holmes moves from the more
free-wheeling right inside linebacker spot to Kirkland's old "buck" backer spot, where Holmes
will be assigned to cover tight ends. On the outside, Jason Gildon and Joey
Porter are playing well enough to improve upon last season's combined sack
total of 24. The top backups are dependable -- John Fiala on the inside and
second-year man Clark Haggans on the outside.
Defensive backs: Cornerbacks Chad Scott and Dewayne Washington were given contract
extensions prior to camp, and both have provided solid coverage. In fact, at
times during camp, Scott's play has bordered on the spectacular. However, he
sprained his right medial collateral ligament on Aug. 25, and his status for
the regular-season opener was unknown at presstime. At free safety, veteran
Brent Alexander appears to have fought off the challenge of free-agent
addition Mike Logan, who's more athletic but may be of better use as a play
maker in the dime alignment. Strong safety Lee Flowers provides solid coverage skills
and toughness as a run defender. The top backup at cornerback the last few
years has been Deshea Townsend, but Hank Poteat is quickly gaining ground in
his second year.
Special teams Jim Wexell covers the Steelers for Pittsburgh.com.
Material from Pro Football Weekly. |
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