What are the obstacles for Steelers to repeat?

[Forkboy]

Wilcots: Run game must improve

This question is often asked, but seldom answered with concrete candor -- which suggests that even a six-time Super Bowl champion has room for improvement.

If third year coach Mike Tomlin can convince his team that the party is long over, then the celebration will give way to a change in perspective, allowing a new Steelers team to get ready to compete for a title instead of simply defending one.

--

Woodson: Difficult to repeat

The most difficult thing for the Steelers in 2009 is the realization that everything has to go perfect in order to repeat what happened in 2008.

When you go back to how dominant the Steelers were on defense last season, can they repeat that? Even if the defense drops off a little bit, that means the offense is under that much more pressure. Is the offensive line going to improve, and not let Ben Roethlisberger get hit and sacked so often? Eventually he's going to get run down and injured. Lastly, can the Steelers prove they can run the football? Will they be a solid running team down the stretch like they have been in the past?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d811435a1&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

[madinmaryland]

1. Is this the year that the Chargers put it all together and challenge the Steelers??

D'oh! Norv Turner is still their coach!

[BlooInBloo]

2. 31 other teams.

[KamaAina]

14. Better make that 30

Sorry, Michiganders, the Lions don't count.

[Auggie]

3. They do not have a tough season schedule

Home: Tennessee, San Diego, Cleveland, Minnesota, Cincinnati, Oakland, Green Bay, Baltimore
Road: Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Denver, Kansas City, Baltimore, Cleveland, Miami

The last three games are not pushovers -- Green Bay and Baltimore at home and Miami on the road, yet if they have a big enough lead at week 16 they don't have to worry about Miami.

11-5, possibly 12-4. A lock to win the Central again, I'd say, and home field for the Divisional playoff game. If they stay healthy they have a good shot.

[Yavin4]

4. One Big One

This guy is back. Nipples and all.

[PRETZEL]

5. No matter who wins the SB, things have to go perfect

we have just as good shot as any of the top teams.

Last year, especially in the beginning, the O-line looked more like a High School line than a professional one. But O-lines take time to develop and learn how each other play. As the season went on, they improved. By that time though, both FWP and Mendenhal were hurt. The O-line also got somewhat a bad reputation (although not totally undeserving) for giving up a ton of sacks. A third of them are on Ben. He continues to hold the ball too long trying to make every play. At some point in time, he has to learn the 3rd & 10 is still better than 3rd & 15.

We may actually be better on D than we were last year. The D-line is really only there to free up the linebackers. We know what Harrison and Woodley can do, it's now time for Timmons to show he was worth being a first round pick. He's a whole lot faster and stronger that Larry Foote was, but not as smart.

Sepulvida coming back will be just as important as anything. Mitch Berger just doesn't cut it over the course of a season. We also picked up 2 return men who may actually be decent.

[Baclava]

8. 20 of 22 starters coming back, I like our chances.

Steelers roadmap - stay healthy! - get hot at the end of the year and carry it through the playoffs.

As long as the O-line can keep Ben from getting killed we should be in the mix.

Mendenhall should be ready to carry the load, can't wait to see what he's got.

Steelers were really lucky the defense stayed healthy all year - that was the key.
They never let up.

Training camp is only a week away! Woo-hoo!

C'mon Sweed, show us something. We need that 5 wide!

[Arkana]

10. You guys practically exude linebackers--sometimes I wish we had

that talent in New England. Sure, we created the whirling dervish that is Jerod Mayo, but other than him...

[TZ]

6. Injuries

It seems to me in this day and age of parity, its the team with the best luck in keeping their key players healthy (espec on the OL in my opinion) that have the best chance. Ask the Pats about that one...

[Forkboy]

7. It's a huge factor, no doubt.

As Pats fans know, all it takes is one key guy to go down and the season is suddenly in jeopardy. You don't think us Pats fans will be chewing our nails on those first few games with Brady back, waiting to see if he can take a hit? :scared:

[Arkana]

9. Assuming Big Ben throws off the rape allegations

I'd say there are a few teams that will challenge them for it. A Patriots team that just got Tom Brady back (OH GOD PLEASE LET HIM STAY HEALTHY), a Colts team that's never far from the action, and a few teams like the Titans and Ravens who've been resurgent lately.

[Baclava]

11. Remember last year? WE get to listen to all the loonies in the AFC North

Happens every year, all the pom-pom wavers come out....



Below is another sample of what ESPN.com readers were saying about the division last summer.


•"Big, big year with Ben Utecht. He gives the Bengals a 2WR + TE formation that will put up a TON of yards."

•"Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Ben Utecht, Antonio Chatman, second-rounder Jerome Simpson, third-rounder Andre Caldwell, a healthy Rudi Johnson, a healthy Chris Perry and the best pass blocking O-Line in the NFL... Cincinnati's offense will be in the top 10 -- no question."

•"Look up the road to the Dawg Pound for the best o-line in football."

•"As a Bengals fan, I hope the controversy in Baltimore over their sorry list of QBs continues until the day before opening day. With a terrible offensive line and two aging corners and one suspended the Bengals will be toasting them all day long in the passing game. The Ravens are a few years away from contending for our AFC North crown this year."

•"Flacco may start later in the season, but he is not ready yet. It would be a big mistake to get him under center so early."

•"It's extremely unlikely anyone in the AFC North will win 11 games this year."


•"Enjoy your No. 1 schedule. I'll enjoy watching the league pound Pittsburgh into the ground."

•"The Browns do not have a single rookie starting this year!! The Steelers will be lucky to go 6-10 this year. I just hope the Browns win the North by four games over the Steelers because I don't want to read about all the good teams the Steelers had to play. BROWNS 11-5, BUNGLES 8-8, RATBIRDS 8-8, STEELERS 6-10."


Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcnorth?archiveId=3&start=61

[Arkana]

12. Heh...shitting all over Joe Flacco was particularly funny.

I like Joe. He's got a big arm and reminds me of Bert from Sesame Street.

[Baclava]

15. "The Steelers will be lucky to go 6-10 this year"

Browns fans are sooooooo funny.

[SteelPenguin]

13. Couple Things

I think the Steelers, barring injuries or something unforseen will make the playoffs, so the question really is what can they do to get through the playoffs against the other top teams.

1) Offensive Line - While not weak overall, it could use some improvement. A great O-Line creates a great running game, a great passing game, a dominant offense, and less injuries on the QB. Without the O-Line taking a step forward, I don't think they repeat.

2) A Solid Starting Runner - Anyone these days (in the NFL that is) can get 1,000 yards in a season behind a good O-Line. The question is does Pittsburgh have someone who can take it to the next level. Without that, I don't think they repeat.

3) Consistently Solid D - I think they'll cover this one. As good as last years, I don't know, but if I had to put my money on a weakness for the team it's not going to be the D this year.

4) Luck - This is the big one. You get alot of good teams every year but it comes down to which way the ball bounces more often than not.

--

I'd never put my money on any team to repeat. It's just really hard to do these days in the NFL. Could they? Sure, they're capable. But there are 31 other teams in the league who are going to do anything they can to make that not happen.

[Baclava]

16. Running game? Phhffftp

Willie/Mendenhall are plenty good, besides, smashmouth is dead - we don't need no fatback.

Passing wins SB's!



5 WIDE!