32 Teams In 32 Days: Pittsburgh Steelers

[Tom Kessenich]

Next up on our team previews are the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers combined a standout defense with a solid offense and big-play moments from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to win the sixth Super Bowl title in their team's history. The Steelers return their key players intact for 2009 and will again contend for a Super Bowl title in the strong AFC. From a fantasy perspective, this team has few prolific producers but plenty of solid options who will help strengthen any roster.

Here's a look at the Steelers for 2009:

Projected lineups, with starters first:

QB: Ben Roethlisberger, Dennis Dillon, Charlie Batch

RB: Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore, Carey Davis

WR: Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Limas Sweed, Mike Wallace, Dallas Baker

TE: Heath Miller, Matt Spaeth

K: Jeff Reed

Defense: 2008 1st in total yards allowed, 3 defensive TDs, 0 special teams TD

2008 Record: 12-4, First Place
2009 Prediction: 11-5, First Place

Current Average Draft Positions on MockDraftCentral.com using NFFC scoring system:

Santonio Holmes, 64th
Willie Parker, 66th
Hines Ward, 69th
Ben Roethlisberger, 88th
Rashard Mendenhall, 101st
Pittsburgh D, 121st
Heath Miller, 187th
Mewelde Moore, 218th
Jeff Reed, 221st
Limas Sweed, 232nd

Analysis: After a brilliant fantasy campaign in 2007, Ben Roethlisberger was a huge fantasy bust in 2008. He went from 32 TDs and 11 INTs to just 17/15 and tortured the owners who believed he would be a Top 10 QB. He spent most of the season battling nagging injuries, a suspect offensive line and his own poor decision making. He failed to throw a TD pass in five games and was held under 200 yards passing eight times. When you consider that in 2006 and 2008, he has thrown 18 and 17 TDs, respectively, it becomes clear his 2007 production was an anomaly. Roethlisberger is a gamer but the Steelers do not afford him the opportunity to be a prolific passer, making him more of a QB2 despite the fact he's already won two Super Bowl rings. He has ranked among the Top 10 in fantasy QBs just once in his five-year career. He has become the new Troy Aikman - a big-time NFL quarterback whose fantasy production is mediocre at best.

Willie Parker endured an injury-plagued season in 2008, failing to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career. He finished with 791 yards and five TDs. When healthy, he was quite productive, posting four 100-yard games and reaching the 70-yard level six times. His YPC has dropped the past two seasons and he's not an option in the passing game (only three receptions in 11 games last year). Combine that with the expected increase in carries for second-year RB Rashard Mendenhall and Parker's value has declined considerably this year. In my eyes, though, that makes him a fine value pick. Last year, he was overrated but he's looking like a nice value this year. The Steelers are going to run the ball and though it's tough to trust Parker to stay healthy, it's important to remember he's still the team's best RB. If you can get him as a RB3, you'll have done well at this still critical position. Mendenhall also endured a difficult campaign in 2008. His rookie year lasted only four games and he failed to make it through his only start as he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 4. He's healthy now and the Steelers plan to utilize him more to give the team a dynamic complement to Parker. Mendenhall is big, strong and fast and has plenty of talent. It's uncertain how many carries he'll receive, but if he can get at least 40 percent of the rushing attempts, he'll be a worthy flex option many weeks. The forgotten RB in this group is Moore. All Moore is done is produce whenever he's gotten the opportunity to start. he topped 50 yards rushing six times last year, with one 100-yard game, and had at least three receptions in eight games. He's a fine receiver out of the backfield and he'll continue to be a factor for the Steelers in the passing game. He's a terrific End Game pick in PPR formats especially.

Santonio Holmes was the Super Bowl hero, clinching the win over the Cardinals with his dramatic catch in the closing seconds. However, he came up small for the fantasy owners who believed he was on the verge of greatness. He caught 55 passes and five TDs in 15 games after snaring eight TDs in 13 games in 2007. He finished 32nd among WRs in standard scoring leagues as he was held under four receptions in a game eight times. He's asked the coaching staff to get him more targets this season and if that happens, he could crack the Top 20. But given how this offense isn't going to turn into Arizona's anytime soon, it's better to project Holmes as more of a WR3, especially since he's still not the best WR on this team. That distinction continues to belong to Hines Ward. The 33-year-old Ward keeps chugging along, offering little fantasy excitement on Draft Day but plenty of rewards during the season. He caught 81 passes last season and enjoyed his first 1,000-yard receiving season since 2004. He had at least four receptions in 11 games and finished with four 100-yard performances. He's still a rock-solid veteran who plays hard, plays hurt and will make the tough catches all over the field. You can't go wrong with Ward as a WR2 in PPR leagues. With Nate Washington gone, Limas Sweed will move into the No. 3 role. Sweed caught only six passes in 11 games as a rookie but the Steelers have been impressed with the strides he's made so far. Unfortunately, he lacks fantasy upside since this is a conservative offense which doesn't produce gaudy passing numbers. He'll need an injury to Ward or Holmes to become a starting option.

Heath Miller is a fine tight end who the Steelers don't use as much as they should. After catching 12 TDs in 2006 and 2007, he had only three TD grabs last year and he finished outside the Top 10 among fantasy TEs for the third time in four seasons. He was held to 45 yards receiving or fewer in 10 games, making him an inconsistent starting option and someone who only should be considered as a bye-week or in-season matchup play.

What Jeff Reed lacks in long distance production, he makes up for in accuracy. Reed has made only two FGs from beyond 50 yards in the past three seasons, but he has converted at least 87 percent of his attempts the past two years. His 117 points last season were his most since 2005. He was rarely spectacular as a point producer, reaching double figures in only two games. But he's a steady kicker in a solid offense. That makes him a fine backup kicker and matchup play.

The Steelers defense overwhelmed the competition in 2008. Pittsburgh finished No. 1 in the league in yards allowed and points allowed (13.9) and they will be a stellar option again this year. Their LBs are formidable and safety Troy Polamalu remains one of the game's premier weapons. With 51 sacks and 42 takeaways last year, the Steelers were ultra-aggressive and productive. They are the No. 1-ranked fantasy defense in our estimation this season.

That's our take on the Steelers in 2009. Who else has some insights on the Steelers for 2009? Predictions on the team's record or our projected stats? Let's see them and keep this thread current throughout the off-season. Thanks all.

[ July 26, 2009, 07:55 PM: Message edited by: Greg Ambrosius ]

[Coltsfan]

What about Shaun McDonald? Will he challenge for the WR3 slot?


Wayne

[BillyWaz]

Originally posted by Coltsfan:
What about Shaun McDonald? Will he challenge for the WR3 slot?


Wayne Only if there is an injury, Wayne.

Limas Sweed was a pretty big talent at Texas and although he struggled picking up the offense last year, they want him to be more involved.

If you recall, Ben was begging for a TALL "big play" guy ever since Burress left. Not saying Sweed will amount to anything fantasy wise, but I think he is entrenched as the #3 WR.

[ July 25, 2009, 10:11 AM: Message edited by: BillyWaz ]

[King of Queens]

Did the Steelers get an offensive line in the off-season? One of the worst OL's to ever win a Super Bowl.

[pizzatyme]

Originally posted by King of Queens:
Did the Steelers get an offensive line in the off-season? One of the worst OL's to ever win a Super Bowl. Glenn, details details.

[BillyWaz]

No, they really didn't do much to upgrade the line.

The term "defense wins championships" was VERY apropos last year for the Steelers.

But hey, they had a BRUTAL schedule (many said it was the toughest EVER) last year and still found a way to win it all!

This year, with Ben's shenanigans, a noted weak o-line, along with the "Super Bowl hangover", I hate to say it, but it could be a rough year in the Steel City!

[RiFF]

Originally posted by GK:
...the one thing that SNAKE will agree with here is that if an owner can indeed get FWP as a RB3 and flex him each week, well, man that will equal Fantasy Gold in 2009...but will he really be available in Round 6 when DD actually arrives (SNAKE is not entirely convinced that he will be)?...SNAKE You might have been on to something if Pitt played Balt before week 12 and Lewis put another beat down on Mendenhall. But alas, that's not the case. Hope someone in all my leagues "wastes" a 4th or 5th round pick on NFWP (Notso Fast Willie Parker). And as has been pointed out; the Steelers O-Line sucks.

[slam]

Quote
"2009 Prediction: 11-5, Fourth Place "

Bold addd for emphassis

Am I missing something here?
I am sure this is a misprint.

Clev and CIN ahead of PIT?

I agree CIN will be better but ..........