NFL team previews — AFC Central
By Mike Ciarochi
As published in print Aug. 21, 2000
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Steelers WR
Plaxico Burress
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Nobody expects much from the Steelers this season. Nobody except Dan Rooney, one of
five new members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After back-to-back losing seasons,
which include 15 losses in their last 21 games, the Steelers are viewed as a team in
decline. Steelers head coach Bill Cowher, whose coaching future is on the line this
season, can’t afford such a pessimistic view. He is hell-bent on righting this ship.
For Cowher to accomplish that goal, he’ll need Pro Bowl-type seasons from some
players who are capable and many who are not. So far, the results have been mixed. The
team won its first three exhibition games, but it did so, for the most part, without the
benefit of a passing game. Worse yet, QB Kordell Stewart has played poorly at home, a
recurring theme in 1999, when the team seemingly hit rock bottom by losing seven of its
last eight games to finish 6-10.
Since last season, Cowher won a power struggle over Tom Donahoe, who was replaced by
Kevin Colbert as the team’s director of football operations. At season’s end,
Cowher promised a rededication to the principles that brought the 7-9 Steelers team he
inherited in 1992 to Super Bowl XXX four seasons later.
He talked in very generic terms about fixing what was broken and reinforcing what
wasn’t. In terms of specifics, however, little has changed. Stewart most likely will
be the team’s starting quarterback, a job he never had to earn, for the fourth
consecutive season. The running game will be the team’s offensive staple, but both
starter Jerome Bettis and backup Richard Huntley have missed significant time with
injuries, as has C Dermontti Dawson.
Defensively, the Steelers look as solid as ever and may be improved along the defensive
front. The linebackers may be the best in the business and the secondary seems poised for
a great season.
None of it will matter, however, if the offense in general and the passing game in
particular don’t produce touchdowns. Cowher is calling for patience, but it is in
short supply among Steelers fans.
Top of page
| Quarterbacks |
Grade D |
| Stewart returns as the starter, with Kent Graham replacing
Mike Tomczak as the primary backup. Anthony Wright and Tee Martin were battling for the
third job, and the team may keep all four. Stewart had what Cowher described as a spotty
training camp, looking terrific a few times but erratic more often than not. Graham is
still learning coordinator Kevin Gilbride’s offense. Graham might be a factor by
midseason, but the Steelers may need him sooner if Stewart struggles. The only encouraging
aspect of Stewart’s game has been his willingness to escape the pocket and use his
athletic ability to run with the ball. He was unwilling to do so last season, as he tried
to master Gilbride’s offense. In two home exhibition games, Stewart ran for more
yards than he passed for. That is not necessarily an encouraging statistic, but it could
be a start for Stewart and the Steelers’ offense. Rarely in his career has Graham
looked pretty while winning, but he has proven he can win games in many different
offenses. As he becomes more comfortable with Gilbride’s system, he could become a
factor. Neither Wright nor Martin is ready to challenge for playing time. Top of page |
| Running backs |
Grade B |
| This position was believed to be the strongest on offense
coming into camp. Bettis is entering the final year of his contract, and Huntley signed a
multi-year extension. Add in second-year man Amos Zereoue and versatile Chris
Fuamatu-Ma’afala, and you could see the reason for optimism. Jon Witman is a solid
starting fullback. Everyone learned the importance of depth in the backfield during
training camp, when Bettis suffered swelling in the same knee (left) that forced him to
the sideline last season. Bettis was followed to the bench by Huntley, who suffered a mild
hamstring injury he reaggravated when he tried to return to practice too quickly.
Fuamatu-Ma’afala ran wild in one exhibition game but suffered a rib-cage injury a
week later. Zereoue stepped in and looked equally impressive. Fuamatu-Ma’afala was
moved to fullback at the beginning of camp but went back to halfback when Bettis and
Huntley were injured. The team needs Bettis and Huntley healthy, however, for the running
game to remain a strength. Top of page |
| Receivers |
Grade B |
| Without question, this is the most improved position on the
team. Plaxico Burress, the team’s top pick in the draft, gives the unit instant
credibility. He has big-play ability all over the field and should be especially effective
in the red zone. He will team with Troy Edwards, last year’s top pick, to give the
Steelers a totally different look at the position. Edwards and Burress are involved in a
bit of a competition with each other, which is being viewed as a positive by the coaching
staff. Malcolm Johnson has improved tremendously since his rookie season and will battle
Hines Ward, a starter last season, for playing time in multiple-WR sets. Bobby Shaw and
Courtney Hawkins, another starter from last season, were battling for roster spots with
rookie Danny Farmer. TE Mark Bruener has blossomed into a fine blocker and occasional pass
catcher, but second-year man Jerame Tuman might emerge as a pass-catching threat.
Obviously, the production from this unit will stem from the play of the quarterbacks, but
the Steelers have certainly set the table for their quarterbacks to enjoy success. Top of page |
| Offensive linemen |
Grade C- |
| Once the trademark of great Steelers rushing offenses, this
season’s offensive line might be a weak link. The team is hoping Dawson can regain
his health and return at center to anchor the unit. Dawson missed nine games last season
with a hamstring injury and was limited to one series through three exhibition games with
the same hamstring problem. Dawson is the key to the entire unit because OGs Alan Faneca
and Rich Tylski are better with Dawson at center. The team hopes it has finally solved its
annual problem at right tackle with rookie Marvel Smith. He’ll be the Week One
starter, even though he has never played the right side before. The team has high hopes
for OLT Wayne Gandy this season. Gandy was shaky at times last season, but it was his
first year in Pittsburgh and the team hopes he will be more steady with a year under his
belt in this system. The team was quite impressed with free-agent rookie Hank Fraley, a
guard who played tackle at Division I-AA Robert Morris. Fraley started at center while
Dawson recuperated and handled himself well. At worst, Fraley is targeted for the practice
squad. Top of page |
| Defensive linemen |
Grade C |
| This unit could feature three new starters on opening day.
Gone are Joel Steed (retired) and Nolan Harrison (not re-signed), while Kevin Henry
continues to rehabilitate a surgically repaired knee. The two definite new starters are
Kimo von Oelhoffen, signed from Cincinnati, at nose tackle and Chris Sullivan, signed from
New England, at right end. Rookie Chris Combs might start at left end if Henry isn’t
healthy. The team has been impressed with Combs and fellow rookies Kendrick Clancy and Al
Lucas, both at nose tackle. Also showing life is Aaron Smith, a second-year player. There
is plenty of promise along the line, but it must transform into production. Newness alone
won’t accomplish that feat. Top of page |
| Linebackers |
Grade A |
| This is the best and deepest position on the roster. The
Steelers go eight-deep at linebacker. Inside starters Levon Kirkland and Earl Holmes are
exceptional talents, and Holmes might be headed for his first Pro Bowl. Outside starters
Jason Gildon and Joey Porter are both solid. Porter might beat Gildon to the Pro Bowl in
this, his second season. Depth on the outside will be provided by Mike Vrabel, who may
finally have found a home as a 3-4 outside linebacker, and Clark Haggans, a rookie who was
a college teammate of Porter’s. Inside, the Steelers have steady John Fiala and Chad
Kelsay. Undrafted rookie free agent Donnel Thompson led the team in preseason tackles
through three games and may stick around. This is the group that makes Pittsburgh’s
defense tick. Top of page |
| Defensive backs |
Grade B |
| The return to form of CB Chad Scott might lift the secondary
to new heights. Scott has played superb football throughout training camp and appears on
the verge of a breakout season. Scott automatically makes Dewayne Washington better on the
other side, and the emergence of FS Scott Shields could allow Washington to gamble more.
Shields has improved a great deal since his rookie season, when he still managed to tie
Washington for the team lead with four interceptions. SS Lee Flowers is a leader in the
locker room and on the field. Deshea Townsend and rookie Hank Poteat are backups at
cornerback, while the Steelers replaced Travis Davis with Brent Alexander as a backup
safety. Alexander is an upgrade who could start for many teams. Top of page |
| Special teams |
Grade B |
| P Josh Miller was the offense’s best weapon and the
defense’s best friend last season. He kept the Steelers in many games with his
booming leg. Miller will contend for a Pro Bowl spot this season. PK Kris Brown set a
league record with 13 consecutive field goals to start a career and converted 25-of-29 in
an outstanding rookie season. He is not superstitious and is level-headed enough to not
allow the sophomore jinx to affect him. The coverage units are generally solid, and the
return game should be better. Top of page |
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