October

Oct. 10, 2008   

Strong D-line depth and a healthy Smith make running on Steelers quite difficult

Through five games, the Steelers were allowing only 66.8 yards per game on the ground — and this was with DE Brett Keisel missing three of those games and NT Casey Hampton missing two of them. The Steelers' ability to stop the run without those key players speaks to the talents of reserves Chris Hoke (nose tackle) and Travis Kirschke (defensive end). Hoke long has been an important part of the defense; Hampton just isn't able to log that many snaps, and Hoke's strength and stamina have earned him considerable respect among his teammates. Another factor that has contributed to the Steelers' tough run "D": DLE Aaron Smith is healthy and playing at a high level. In Smith's last 16 regular-season starts (11 in 2007 and five this season), the Steelers are allowing 70.2 rushing yards per game. Contrast this to the five regular-season starts Smith missed last season, when Pittsburgh surrendered 129.8 yards per game on the ground.

Oct. 3, 2008   

Bye coming at right time for lineup-shuffling Steelers

Updated at 10:02 a.m. EDT Monday, Oct. 6

The Steelers' Week Six bye comes as the club deals with a spate of injuries that has tested — and, in the case of running back, exhausted — the club's depth. By the end of the Steelers' 23-20 overtime win vs. Baltimore in Week Four, the Steelers had only one healthy running back — third-down back Mewelde Moore, and essentially the club's fourth option when it came to taking hand-offs — because of in-game injuries suffered by RB Rashard Mendenhall (shoulder) and FB Carey Davis (ankle) and the sprained knee that had landed starter Willie Parker on the inactive list.

With Mendenhall's injury a season-ending one, the Steelers moved quickly to sign RBs Gary Russell and Najeh Davenport, who were the club's top two backs in Pittsburgh's playoff loss to Jacksonville in January after Parker suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 16 but were passed by Mendenhall, the club's first-round pick, and Moore, a free-agent signing from Minnesota, in the pecking order. Moore was effective in Week Five, rushing for 99 yards on 17 carries in the Steelers’ win over the Jaguars.

But with Parker having a good chance, from all accounts, to return for the Steelers' Week Seven contest at Cincinnati, the worries about the RB depth chart soon could be dashed.

The Steelers' offensive line also took a hit in the Baltimore game, losing ORG Kendall Simmons to season-ending Achilles injury. Simmons was replaced by Darnell Stapleton, who got the start in Week Five. Trai Essex, who was also under consideration to start, went into replace OLT Marvel Smith, who left the Jacksonville game with an injury.

Simmons’ injury also opens the door to another round of speculation about whether ORT Willie Colon, who has struggled with speed rushers, might be best at guard. Such a move would pave the way for Max Starks — who's making $6.895 million this season as the team's “transition” free agent but has not cracked the starting lineup — to move in at right tackle. Head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged the possibility of Colon moving inside could be considered if the other ORG candidates struggle, but we're told the club has some of the same concerns about Starks' ability to pass-protect that have been expressed about Colon.

September

Sept. 25, 2008   

Steelers' pass protection again under the spotlight

How the Steelers protect QB Ben Roethlisberger is again a hot-button issue. Entering Week Four, and encompassing a span that started last November and includes the postseason, Roethlisberger had been sacked at least three times in 9-of-12 starts. And rarely, if ever, has Roethlisberger been under more pressure than he was in the Steelers' 15-6 loss to the Eagles on Sept. 21, when Philadelphia sacked him eight times and knocked him out of the game with a hand injury. The way we hear it, no one factor is leading to the pass protection issues. Each of the Steelers' five starting linemen had surrendered at least 1¼ sacks through three games. Communication among the line is an issue to keep an eye on, as breakdowns plagued the Steelers at Philadelphia. Another story line that bears watching is whether the Steelers make any schematic adjustments on offense with an eye on protecting Roethlisberger better.

Sept. 18, 2008   

Steelers' return game in need of a spark

Updated at 9:10 a.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 22

It is hard to have many qualms with much of the Steelers’ play so far — especially in the first two weeks of the season — but one area where they’re likely looking for improvement is in the return game. In his first two games as the Steelers’ punt returner, Mewelde Moore lost two yards on two returns. He didn’t do much in Week Three, contributing one fair catch as a punt returner. Moore was also not much of a factor on kickoff returns. Nor was rookie RB Rashard Mendenhall, who tripped over FB Carey Davis and misplayed a kickoff in the Week Two win at Cleveland. Mendenhall returned a pair of kickoffs for 48 yards in Week Three. Moore has been a productive punt returner in the past, but he has bulked up slightly to become a more stout pass blocker, the way we hear it. Mendenhall has very good speed but little experience returning kicks.

Sept. 11, 2008   

Steelers' oft-criticized offensive line gets off on the right foot

Updated at 9:09 a.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 15

The Steelers’ offensive line was one of the league’s most scrutinized position groups entering this season after not playing up to its high standards in 2007 and the offseason departure of OLG Alan Faneca. But the early returns in ’08 have been positive, with C Justin Hartwig and ORG Kendall Simmons especially getting high marks for their performances in a dominant win vs. Houston in Week One, the way we hear it. Solid play from Hartwig is particularly important, given the problems predecessor Sean Mahan had last season. Another positive sign: OLT Marvel Smith’s strong play in the running game. The line didn’t fare quite as well in Week Two, surrendering three sacks at Cleveland, but the Steelers ground out an important win in windy, wet conditions.

Sept. 4, 2008   

Mendenhall's fumbling doesn't concern Steelers

In Pittsburgh, we hear there is little long-term concern about the summer fumbling problems of rookie RB Rashard Mendenhall, who coughed up the ball three times in four preseason games. In the short term, the 5-10, 225-pound Mendenhall’s opportunities at getting significant work down near the goal line will be compromised, but he is too talented to keep off the active game-day roster, and he is likely to get a few first- and second-down carries spelling starter Willie Parker. Another talented but green rookie who won’t have a big role early in his rookie season is WR Limas Sweed, who struggled somewhat in the preseason and might not get many snaps as the No. 4 wideout. However, the Steelers remain high on Sweed, who works hard and figures to be a key part of the offense in the years to come, and perhaps as early as the 2009 campaign.

August

Aug. 30, 2008   

Up-and-comers fueling resurgent Steelers pass rush

Although Pittsburgh’s defense ranked No. 1 overall last season, its players don’t seem satisfied and they’re excited about unleashing an even better, more agile unit, according to sources. The team has been particularly pleased with its pass rush, which generated eight first-half sacks through the first three preseason games when the starters have been seeing the most playing time. We hear DE Brett Keisel, the youngest starter on the team’s line, looks more comfortable than ever before, and his teammate, DE Aaron Smith, has gone on record as saying that he thinks Keisel is headed for a Pro Bowl season. The biggest boon to the defense this season, however, might be the insertion of two rising stars — LOLB LaMarr Woodley and RILB Lawrence Timmons — into the starting lineup. The Steelers are counting on Keisel, Woodley and Timmons to add some versatility to an aging defense, and based on preseason results, the team is optimistic that they can deliver.

Aug. 22, 2008   

Hartwig seizes Steelers' starting center job

Updated 4:40 p.m. ET, Sunday, Aug. 24

The Steelers’ search for a starting center is over, the way we hear it. Despite the fact that Sean Mahan started the Steelers’ third preseason game, sources say Justin Hartwig appears to be the winner of a position battle with Mahan and will top the depth chart in Week One of the regular season. Hartwig, who was released by the Panthers after last season, looks like a stronger, bigger option with a better base. Word is he has a sound understanding of the playbook and has gained the faith of OL coach Larry Zierlein. Center was the only position on the O-line in which there was a battle for a starting role, so Pittsburgh finally can move forward with full knowledge of its front five in the remaining weeks before the season opener. While Mahan is relegated to backup duty for now, it might not be for long. Hartwig battled injuries throughout his two-year stint in Carolina, appearing in just 17 games.

Aug. 15, 2008   

Leftwich's future in Pittsburgh unclear beyond this season

Updated 4:51 p.m. ET, Sunday, Aug. 17

The Steelers reacted quickly when No. 2 QB Charlie Batch suffered a broken collarbone in the preseason opener, signing former Falcons and Jaguars QB Byron Leftwich to replace him. However, while the Steelers were pleased to see a quarterback with Leftwich’s talent and credentials still on the market, he may just be a one-year solution at the position. He’s signed only for this season, and the starting job in Pittsburgh is unlikely to come open any time soon. The Steelers are also high on fifth-round pick Dennis Dixon, who is likely to be the No. 3 quarterback for the time being. As of this writing, it’s unclear whether the Steelers will place Batch on injured reserve or release him, but it’s unlikely that Pittsburgh would carry four quarterbacks on the active roster. Batch’s injury, which is excepted to keep him sidelined six weeks following surgery — as well as the presence of Leftwich — may cause the Steelers to move on.

Aug. 8, 2008   

Kemoeatu back at practice, focused on technique

The Steelers welcomed OLG Chris Kemoeatu back to practice this week after he missed the opening of camp with a triceps injury. The 6-3, 344-pound Kemoeatu, who’s entering his fourth season, is replacing Alan Faneca, who signed with the Jets. Faneca is known both for his strength and his movement ability. For his part, Kemoeatu believes his physicality is his greatest strength at this stage of his career. Kemoeatu told PFW he has worked hard on consistently “using the (correct) technique for the right play,” work he had to undertake off on the side in the first week of camp. But now he’s back in the lineup, and from all accounts, it’s his job to lose, with center the only starting position up for grabs along the line. The way we hear it, Kemoeatu immediately made a strong impression upon his return, especially in goal-line drills.

Aug. 1, 2008   

Steelers' search for special-teams help may not be over

The Steelers moved quickly to replace injured P Daniel Sepulveda, claiming Paul Ernster off waivers from Detroit on the same day Sepulveda suffered a season-ending right knee injury. However, a source close to the club suggests that Ernster's ability to keep the job into the regular season could be tied to the quality of punters hitting the waiver wire throughout training camp. In short, Ernster, who has punted for the Broncos and Browns, will need to perform well in the camp and preseason, and he'll need to prove he's a better option than any of the veterans who may be cut. In another intriguing development, the Steelers worked out ex-Chiefs and Lions RS Eddie Drummond on July 31. The Steelers have competition for the kick- and punt-returner spots.

July

July 19, 2008   

Is Timmons' ascension to the starting lineup a sure thing?

Steelers observers will be keeping an eye on the number of reps that second-year ILB Lawrence Timmons will be getting with the first-team defense in training camp. It has been widely assumed that Timmons will likely push Larry Foote out of the starting lineup, but as a source close to the club notes, Foote got most of the snaps with the first-team base defense in the summer. Timmons, the Steelers' first-round pick in 2007, is all but assured of having an expanded role in passing situations this season, but it's no sure thing that he'll take the bulk of the snaps in the base "D." Timmons has better speed than Foote, but the latter has a reputation as a strong run stuffer — and has a significant edge in experience. In short, don't be surprised if there's room for both players to have key roles in the defense.

July 12, 2008   

Timetable for Steelers' sale is up in the air

The way we hear it, the NFL has set no firm timetable for the Steelers' ownership restructuring. The team announced this week that Steelers chairman Dan Rooney and his son, team president Art Rooney II, were working to buy the ownership shares of Dan Rooney's four brothers: Art Jr., John, Patrick and Timothy. Reports in the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times have suggested Dan Rooney's plan has run into some resistance from his brothers, some of whom are expected to sell parts or all of their Steelers' stakes and keep their interests in the family's gaming interests in New York and Florida. Something else to keep in mind when taking a closer look at the sale talks: Any ownership transfer would have to be approved by at least three-quarters of NFL owners. Dan Rooney is held in great regard around the league, and a source close to the club suggests that his blessing of any proposed sale would be no small factor when it would come time to take a vote.  

July 3, 2008   

Moore off to good start with Steelers

Early reports from Pittsburgh suggest RB Mewelde Moore could prove a free-agent steal, the way we hear it, with the play of the ex-Vikings back in offseason workouts drawing comparisons to Patriots pass-catching RB Kevin Faulk from a veteran Steelers observer. Moore, who signed a three-year contract reportedly worth up to $4.95 million in March, has a chance to be Pittsburgh’s most formidable receiving threat out of the backfield in recent memory. The Steelers haven’t had a back catch 40 passes since Amos Zereoue caught that many in 2003, and you have to go back to 1994 to find a Pittsburgh back with 50 catches or more (FB John L. Williams, who caught a team-high 51 passes). Moore is unlikely to be in the mix for the team lead in receptions, but he could be more of an offensive threat than may have been expected.

June

June 27, 2008   

Steelers' guard play to be scrutinized

The play of the Steelers’ guards figures to be a much-discussed topic throughout the summer. Stalwart OLG Alan Faneca has departed, replaced by Chris Kemoeatu, who has yet to put it all together in his four NFL seasons. However, we’re hearing there’s a sense he could be more secure in his job than ORG Kendall Simmons, who struggled at points last season and could eventually get a look at center. Second-year pro Darnell Stapleton filled in for Simmons at times during the spring and likely would be in the mix were the ORG spot to come open. And there’s still speculation about ORT Willie Colon perhaps moving inside to guard at some point, perhaps so the highly paid Max Starks can find a way into the lineup.

June 13, 2008   

Keisel looking to improve on sack total in '08

Steelers DRE Brett Keisel knows that defensive linemen in the Pittsburgh defensive scheme aren’t judged solely on their statistics. “All of us know our defense is not made for us to make a lot of plays,” Keisel told PFW. [DL coach John Mitchell] tells us, ‘I don’t care if you don’t make one play. Do your job.’ ” All the same, Keisel wants to improve upon the two sacks he posted a season ago. “I got close a lot last year,” he said. “I want to finish those plays.” Keisel, 29, enters his third year as a starter after four seasons as a reserve. Picking up Dick LeBeau’s defense, he said, is easier said than done, noting that he's seeing some of the Steelers' young defensive linemen having to work hard to pick up the scheme. “His defense is awesome,” Keisel said, “but it can be complex. It took me about three years (to get comfortable).” As a whole, the defense is looking to bounce back after struggling somewhat in the final weeks of the ’07 season. “We’ve learned from it,” Keisel said.

May

May 29, 2008   

Mendenhall making a positive impression in Pittsburgh

The way we hear it, Steelers rookie RB Rashard Mendenhall looks as though he will be a solid fit in Bruce Arians' offense. Mendenhall has caught the ball well in his brief Steelers career, and he's also shown the speed that helped make him such a well-regarded prospect. Mendenhall and probable third-down back Mewelde Moore are likely to be the first backs off the bench for Pittsburgh, which will have a more versatile backfield than it did a season ago. Mendenhall, who is healthy again after suffering a hamstring injury early in May, will primarily play the role of keeping starter Willie Parker fresh. At the NFL Players Rookie Premiere, Mendenhall told PFW he can learn a lot from the productive Parker simply by "seeing how he works every day, just his attitude about everything. I learned that when I got there, and I just feel like I’m picking up a lot just being under him."

May 21, 2008   

Sweed learning a new set of routes

WR Limas Sweed, like every other rookie, is learning a new playbook. But Sweed, a second-round pick from Texas, isn’t just getting used to learning the Steelers’ terminology or mastering his responsibilities at split end, the position he’ll play in Pittsburgh. Sweed is also running routes he didn’t run in college. So while Sweed understands the value of studying the playbook, he knows plenty of on-field repetition is what he’ll need to get up to speed. “You can read stuff and do it all day, but you’ve got to go out there and actually run the routes,” Sweed told PFW last weekend at the NFL Players Rookie Premiere in Los Angeles. “Some of these routes I’ve never ran in my life — post-curl corner, post-curl comeback, crazy stuff like that, different combinations of routes I’ve never run in my life. Even when I was back home after the minicamp, I was practicing those routes day-in and day-out.” The good news for Sweed: The Steelers’ playbook features variations of post and corner routes, his favorite patterns to run.

May 14, 2008   

FS Clark back running with first team after eventful '07 season

One of the more interesting developments from the Steelers’ latest minicamp was the return of FS Ryan Clark to the starting lineup. Clark missed most of last season after suffering an inflamed spleen and undergoing a splenectomy. The nature of the injury caused some speculation about Clark’s future with the club, but it appears he will have the edge to start opposite SS Troy Polamalu come training camp. When Clark left the lineup in October, the play of the Steelers’ secondary did not fall off noticeably initially, but opponents began to pick on reserves Anthony Smith and Tyrone Carter as the season progressed. Clark has reportedly gained back much of the weight he had lost after the surgery.

May 9, 2008   

ILB Timmons has starting job in his sights

Steelers LB Lawrence Timmons' rookie season was something of a disappointment; he suffered a groin injury in minicamp and never seriously threatened for consistent playing time on defense. Expectations remain high for Timmons in his second NFL season, and he's positioned to have a chance to fulfill them, the way we hear it. Word is Timmons will push hard for ILB Larry Foote's starting job. Foote is stronger vs. the run, but Timmons has superior speed, and we hear Timmons looked more instinctive and sure of himself at the Steelers' latest minicamp. An ILB tandem of Timmons and James Farrior would bolster an already strong Pittsburgh pass defense. Farrior, 33, is said to be as quick as ever. And there is no doubting Timmons' wheels.

April

April 23, 2008   

OT Starks gets starter's money, but starting job could be tough to come by

Max Starks

The Steelers gave OT Max Starks the transition tag and waited to see if a market would develop for the massive former starter. None developed, and Starks signed his one-year, $6.895 million tender on Monday. Where Starks fits in the Steelers’ lineup figures to be one of the more interesting training-camp storylines for Pittsburgh. We've heard the Steelers’ coaching staff is not sold on the idea of re-inserting Starks into the lineup at right tackle in place of Willie Colon, who struggled at times in his first season as a starter. However, head coach Mike Tomlin, in the week leading up to the draft, said that Colon would get a look at guard in the offseason. Colon replaced Starks at right tackle after the latter had an ’06 season to forget. Considering the problems the Steelers have had at this position the past two seasons, the play of both Starks and Colon figures to be scrutinized throughout the summer. At the very least, Starks will be the first tackle off the bench.

April 18, 2008   

Steelers may add a bigger complement to RB Parker in draft

The pre-draft chatter from Pittsburgh is that the Steelers wouldn't mind finding a bigger back to complement, and reduce the wear-and-tear on, RB Willie Parker. However, we're hearing it's unlikely the Steelers would add a back in Round One. The top big back in the draft, Oregon's Jonathan Stewart, is expected to be off the board before the Steelers exercise the No. 23 pick. But with one pick in each of Rounds Two through Six (Nos. 53, 88, 123, 156 and 188, respectively), the Steelers will have a chance to bring in competition for Najeh Davenport and Gary Russell, currently the backs next in line were Parker to miss any time because of injury, as he did a season ago. Former Vikings RB Mewelde Moore, who is most effective in space, is likely to see consistent work in passing situations. However, he's of similar build to Parker and would probably, at most, share carries were Parker to go down.

April 4, 2008   

Steelers may add players at cornerback and safety for a variety of reasons

Whether the Steelers will address the NFL's third-ranked pass defense from a season ago in the draft is one of the most interesting subplots surrounding the club. The team’s play at free safety left something to be desired once Ryan Clark (spleen) left the lineup in October, with both Anthony Smith and Tyrone Carter having struggled. Cornerback may also be a need: RCB Deshea Townsend will be 33 in October. The team’s No. 3 cornerback, Bryant McFadden, will be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. LCB Ike Taylor is signed for three more seasons, but he has never been a perfect fit in the Steelers’ defense, which requires a lot of zone coverages as a safety net against blitzers who don’t get to the quarterback.

March

March 26, 2008   

Release of Wilson saves money but puts Steelers on defensive

The Steelers' release of WR Cedrick Wilson early on March 20, a day after he was arrested for allegedly punching his girlfriend, reportedly saved the team more than $2 million in salary-cap space. It also opened team chairman Dan Rooney to criticism after he explained how the team handled the cases of Wilson and Pro Bowl OLB James Harrison. Earlier in March, Harrison was arrested on charges of simple assault and criminal mischief after allegedly slapping his girlfriend. Rooney told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Wilson's and Harrison's cases were "different," as Harrison wanted to take his son to be baptized where he lived and his girlfriend declined the request. The Steelers later released this statement: "To clarify the comments made earlier regarding the conduct of our players, in no way do we condone domestic violence of any kind. Each incident must be considered on a case-by-case basis. In the situation with James Harrison, he contacted us immediately after his incident and has taken responsibility for his actions. In [the] decision with Cedrick Wilson, we determined the situation was severe enough to warrant the player being released immediately. We trust that [the] roster move will indicate our intentions and send a message that we will not tolerate this type of conduct." The way we hear it, Wilson was a candidate to be released even before his arrest, as the team was in need of salary-cap space and Wilson was not one of the club's top three receivers.

March 21, 2008   

Steelers get involved in free agency's second wave

The Steelers were not aggressive at the outset of free agency, passing on the opportunity to jump into a market where impact free agents were few and the cost of doing business was rather steep. But they never stopped looking for players who could help them, scheduling frequent visits with free agents. And, quietly, they have been more active market participants than they were a season ago. They agreed to terms this week with former Panthers C Justin Hartwig; if, as expected, Hartwig joins the fold, he would be the Steelers’ third signing of an unrestricted free agent in the new league year. The Steelers added only two veteran free agents — RB Kevan Barlow and C Sean Mahan — last offseason. Barlow was cut before the season, and Mahan struggled as a starter, so much so that Hartwig would figure to make a strong push for his job, if not win it outright. Hartwig can also play guard and would give the Steelers another option if Chris Kemoeatu does not pan out at left guard.

March 12, 2008   

Steelers might be defensive-minded with No. 23 pick

The way we hear it, the Steelers could address the NFL’s top-rated defense from a season ago in Round One of the 2008 draft. The offensive line is regarded as the Steelers’ most pressing need, but the depth of the class overall — and particularly at tackle — may allow Pittsburgh to wait to add a young lineman. The top OT prospects are all but certain to be off the board when the Steelers exercise the No. 23 overall pick. The top guard, Virginia’s Branden Albert, can also play tackle, which enhances his value and may lead to him being selected before Pittsburgh picks. Hence, the Steelers' best bet may be to add more talent to an already formidable defense. Pittsburgh is not without needs on that side of the ball, especially along an aging D-line. But it's the line on the other side of the ball that appears to need the most work.

March 5, 2008   

Moore to fill variety of roles for Steelers

Lost in the news of QB Ben Roethlisberger signing an eight-year contract extension with the Steelers on Monday was the addition of former Vikings RB Mewelde Moore. Moore, 25, is likely to make his biggest contributions as a kickoff and punt returner and as a receiving option out of the backfield on passing downs. The 5-11, 209-pound Moore also bolsters the Steelers’ RB depth, which was put to the test late last season when Willie Parker suffered a broken leg. Pittsburgh was looking for a returner after releasing Allen Rossum; Moore becomes the favorite to win that role. He may also be asked to contribute on the Steelers’ coverage units, as Pittsburgh is trying to bolster that group. 

February

Feb. 29, 2008   

Are Steelers preparing to strike in free agency?

The Steelers have long been known for being patient, and perhaps reluctant, free-agent shoppers. Yet, we're hearing they may be in the market for DL help, and perhaps early in the signing period. The Steelers want to bolster their DE depth, and it would not be surprising to see them make a play for a young veteran lineman, especially if they can lower OT Max Starks' salary-cap figure by signing the transition player to a long-term contract. Even if they don't add a defensive lineman in free agency, it would be a surprise if the Steelers didn't draft one; at present, the team's youngest starting D-lineman, DRE Brett Keisel, turns 30 in September.

Feb. 22, 2008   

Steelers commit to Starks, but at what position?

With OLG Alan Faneca expected to depart in free agency, the Steelers moved to keep reserve OT Max Starks in the fold, giving him the transition tag a little more than a week before the start of the signing period. Starks, 26, received a one-year tender for $6.895 million; player and team would prefer to strike a longer deal. Starks’ role on the offensive line is unclear; he could fit in at left tackle if Marvel Smith’s back continues to give him problems or at right tackle if Willie Colon moves inside to guard. Starks began the ’07 season on the bench but played well when he replaced the injured Smith at the end of last season. “Max was our sixth lineman this year, so he’s probably going to factor in more so than he did last year when he did lose his (ORT) job to Willie Colon,” said Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert. “How much he plays, that will be up to Coach (Mike) Tomlin, but I think it shows the organization’s commitment to keeping that player in the mix, so we have a decision to make. We’d rather have a decision to make with more guys than less.”

Feb. 15, 2008   

Steelers keeping grass surface at Heinz Field

It’s official: The Steelers will keep playing on a grass surface at Heinz Field, even after the turf condition deteriorated in the second half of the ’07 season, most memorably in a Nov. 26 Monday-night game vs. Miami played in quagmire-like conditions. “The majority of our players have told us that they prefer natural grass to any artificial surface, and grass is also the preference of our coaches and athletic training staff,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said Monday. “We also discussed this with University of Pittsburgh officials to make sure everyone is comfortable moving forward.” Before the Steelers announced their decision, NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw said he wanted FieldTurf at Heinz Field and noted that a union survey of Steelers players two years ago indicated the players didn’t like the field conditions. However, the Steelers have long been committed to a grass field, and will continue to do so for the “foreseeable future,” according to the club. Per the team’s Web site, the Steelers will continue to use the DD GrassMaster blend of Kentucky bluegrasses reinforced with polypropylene fibers as the turf. The Broncos, Eagles and Packers also currently use GrassMaster.

Feb. 1, 2008   

Roethlisberger says Steelers are well-positioned for '08

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger believes his team, which has 20-of-22 starters under contract through at least 2008, is set up for success next season. “I think we have a lot of the tools, and I think we have a lot of the players that are (an) essential core for next year,” he said from Arizona during Super Bowl week. “There are some things we all need to work on, myself included, and I think we’ll be just fine, because we have each other. Everybody we have in that room is talented, and we’ll get it done.” OLG Alan Faneca and LOLB Clark Haggans are the only free agents among the ’07 starters; Roethlisberger has lobbied for Faneca to return. Haggans may be a long shot to return considering the strides that rookie LaMarr Woodley made down the stretch.