Preview of ‘07 Steelers
By Adam Kiefaber
AFC NORTH PREVIEW
XL Super Bowl Champs
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
2006 Record: 8-8
Last Year Summary: In 2006, the Steelers won their opener and QB Charlie Batch’s only start against Miami (28-17) while QB Ben Roethlisberger sat out. After the win on opening day, the Steelers went 1-6 to start the season, including a 0-9 loss to Jacksonville. Roethlisberger had a serious motorcycle accident in the preseason and it looked as if he would recover in time to start the season. However, then he underwent an appendectomy. 
Roethlisberger wasn’t the same QB in ’06 as he was in ’04 and ’05. In ’06, he threw a league-high 23 interceptions and was sacked 46 times leading Pittsburgh to a 7-8 record in his starts. In comparison, his record as a starter his first two seasons was 27-4. Pittsburgh finished the year strong going 6-2, which included a 23-17 win in OT over Cincinnati that ended their rivals’ playoff hopes. Steeler fans were worried that RB Willie Parker wouldn’t be able to handle the load himself, but he rushed for 1,494 (third most in club history) on 337 carries and had an impressive 13 touchdowns. LB James Farrior led the defense in tackles with 128.
Additions: RB Kevin Barlow (NYJ), OL Sean Mahan (Tampa Bay)
Subtractions: LB Joey Porter (to MIA), C Jeff Hartings (retired), RB Verron Haynes, WR Sean Morey (to ARI), DE Rodney Bailey (to ARI) and OT Ulish Booker.
2007 Season Summary: Coach Bill Cowher quits after 15 seasons. The Steelers will break in their third head coach since 1969. New coach Mike Tomlin has a solid nucleus in his first stint as an NFL head coach. Tomlin has been coaching the Tampa Bay secondary since 2001 and was tutored by Tony Dungy in the cover 2 defense. Tomlin kept most of the coaching staff together except he lost offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, who left to be the head coach of Arizona. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is back and will be in charge of the 3-4 zone blitz. If Pittsburgh is to be successful Tomlin will have to stand clear of LeBeau’s defense. Tomlin says he wants to run the ball, but new OC Bruce Arians wants to use the four-WR set more often. It sounds like the coaching staff might clash and will need some time to find a happy medium. If they don’t find it in the preseason, this team could struggle. The only big loss on the roster is LB Joey Porter. Tough road games include Denver (Oct. 21), Cincinnati (Oct. 28), New England (Dec. 9) and Baltimore (Dec. 30). Tough home games include Seattle (Oct. 7), Baltimore (Nov. 5), Cincinnati (Dec. 2) and Jacksonville (Dec. 16).
Best Rookie: P Daniel Sepulveda- I know it’s hard to believe that the Steelers had a good draft class when I name the punter as the best rookie. However, I believe the Steelers had a great draft despite their average grades given by the media. OLBs Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley will play right away. Timmons can play inside and outside while Woodley can play outside and as a pass-rushing DE. Sepulveda, a fourth-round pick, was the only punter ever to win the Ray Guy Award twice. In the last three seasons for Baylor, Sepulveda has averaged over 46 yards per punt. He might be the best punter since Ray Guy himself. Also, third-round pick TE Matt Spaeth is a good receiving target, but has to backup Heath Miller.
Big Games of the Year: at Cincinnati (Oct. 28- 1:00pm), vs. Baltimore (Nov.5- 8:30pm- Monday), vs. Cincinnati (Dec.2- 8:15pm), at New England (Dec. 9- 1:00), at Baltimore (Dec. 30- 1:00pm- Last game of the year)
2007 Projected Record: 8-8
Futures (Bets): The current odds for the Steelers to win the AFC North is 12/5. The win total betting is set at 9 games. Currently, the Steelers odds to win the Super Bowl are set at 25/1.
However, each loss could have easily been a win – Cincinnati got a terrible roughing-the-passer call on a Justin Smith sack in a 14-13 loss at Tampa Bay. Then Michael Vick had his best game of the season in a 29-27 loss to Atlanta. Then the Bengals lost on the road 26-20 to Baltimore when T.J. Houshmandzadeh didn’t get a pass-interference call late in the game. The most heart-breaking game was the home contest against San Diego. The Bengals led 28-7 at halftime only to lose 49-41. With a record of 4-5, Cincinnati turned it around with four straight wins that included wins on the road against New Orleans (31-16) and at home against Baltimore (13-7). Just as it was looking that the Bengals would return to the playoffs, they lost the last three games of season at Indianapolis (16-34), at Denver (23-24) and at home against Pittsburgh (17-23 in OT). Cincinnati lost the Denver game on a poor snap by Brad St. Louis, which would have tied the game after a 90-yard touchdown drive. Then with eight seconds left in the Pittsburgh game, Shayne Graham missed a 39-yard field goal that would have won the game. If the Bengals had won any three of those games they would have made the playoffs
