When you’re the AFC Champions, and have been for three of the past six years, you would think there wouldn’t be many needs on the roster. However, despite being clearly one of the best teams in the NFL, there are still a few areas that the Steelers can work on.
Pittsburgh has one of the best run defenses in the league as well as an outstanding pass rush, but they can become an even stronger defense overall by adding in key areas.
On offense, Ben Roethlisberger is one of the best quarterbacks in the league and has a few play makers around him but one problem hurt the Steelers all season and with that fixed this team could become unstoppable.
Offensive Line
To be completely blunt, pretty much all of the Steelers offensive line could use an upgrade for 2011. Their projected starting lineup is currently Max Starks, Chris Kemoeatu, Maurkice Pouncey, Ramon Foster and Flozell Adams. At left tackle, Starks played seven games and managed a -9.5 rating. He is 29 and coming off of a neck injury yet he is one of the bright spots for this group.
At left guard is Kemoeatu, who ranked as the second worst left guard in the 2010 season. While we feel Pouncey is over rated at center compared to what many in the media think, he is still an above average run blocker and is here to stay. At right guard is Foster who has started since Week 10. In his time, he managed a -12.9 rating. At the other end of the line, Adams rated as the sixth worst pass-blocking right tackle. At age 35, he’s not on his way up.
Backups who had rough 2010’s also included tackle Jonathan Scott, center Doug Legursky and free agent guard Trai Essex. This leaves the only offensive linemen on the team that we think could make a quality starter is Pouncey. In 2009, Willie Colon was one of the best tackles in the game, but he is unlikely to return. This is a line that clearly is in need of a makeover. Left guard and right tackle are probably the biggest needs, but any starters or depth they can get would be a huge help.
Cornerback
The Steelers’ starting cornerbacks last season were Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden with William Gay as the slot corner. The team very rarely used anyone other than these three. The best of them was Ike Taylor who played well against the run and just below average against the pass. He is 30 years old and a free agent. While I would guess Taylor would return to the Steelers, he isn’t a long term solution at the position.
Opposite of Taylor was McFadden, who struggled a bit more. During the regular season he allowed 816 receiving yards, eighth-most in the league. He is 29 and more likely to begin a decline than a rise. Both he and Gay ranked in the bottom 20 in terms of coverage for cornerbacks.
If Taylor comes back, both McFadden and Gay could be replaced. Even if that doesn’t happen this year, locking in some future talent would be a smart decision. If Taylor leaves, then the Steelers will be in desperate need for help at cornerback.
Outside Linebacker
If the Steelers could fix their offensive line and cornerback situation for 2011 they would be set. However, to keep looking for the future, outside linebacker would be a good place to target. While James Harrison is one of the best – if not the best outside linebacker in the league – he will reach the age of 33 by the start of the next season and who knows how long he can keep playing at his established level.
On the other side, Lamarr Woodley has developed into one of the better outside linebackers in the league as well. However, the Steelers placed the franchise tag on him and the price will be high to keep him beyond this season. The Steelers should be prepared just in case he leaves after 2011.
Jason Worilds was drafted in the second round last year for just this situation. He didn’t get much of a look in 2010, but having additional depth to groom at outside linebacker would be a smart move.
Yes, the Steelers hope they will have both Woodley and Harrison for a few more years, but it’s time to start prepping for life after they’ve gone with a “better safe than sorry” plan.
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