The Pittsburgh Steelers were solid as usual in 2007, winning games and making it to the playoffs with stifling defense and a less-than-usual conservative offense under first-year coach Mike Tomlin. Offensively, the Steelers flashed some new formations but for the most part stuck to their tried-and-true formula of running the ball, racking up 511 carries for 2,151 yards. Willie Parker rushed 321 times for 1,316 yards but had just two touchdowns while backup and spot starter Najeh Davenport had 107 carries for 499 yards and five touchdowns. Hines Ward had a typical season, catching 71 passes for 732 yards and seven touchdowns. Second year wide receiver Santonio Holmes only caught three more passes in 2007 than his rookie year but went for 118 more yards and six more touchdowns. Tight end Heath Miller had his best season, catching 47 passes for 566 yards and seven touchdowns, setting career highs in each category. Even Nate Washington and Cedric Wilson got in on the receiving action, with Washington catching 29 receptions for 450 yards and five touchdowns, whild Wilson hauled in 18 receptions for 207 yards and one touchdown. All those receiving yards had to come from somewhere and Ben Roethlisberger was that man as he enjoyed his finest season as a pro, throwing for 3,145 yards, 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while completing 65.3 percent of his passes. Roethlisberger was incredible, throwing at least one touchdown in all but one regular season game, and throwing nine multiple-touchdown games.
The addition of Tomlin, a former defensive coordinator, helped bolster an already strong defense that ranked second in the league in points allowed, first in total yards allowed, third in passing yards allowed and third in rushing yards allowed.
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Key Departures
Najeh Davenport (RB) — Davenport had his best season last year, setting career highs in attempts (107), yards (499), rushing touchdowns (five), receptions (18) and receiving touchdowns (two). He averaged 4.7 yards per carry and still has yet to lose a fumble as a Steeler. However, with the Steelers drafting Rashard Mendenhall they felt Davenport was a roster casaulty, which led to his release. Davenport is currently shopping for an NFL team, and would fit in nice as a backup running back on a team who needs depth.
Clark Haggans (LB) and Alan Faneca (G) — Neither is a player that you would own in a fantasy football league, unless you play in a league with individual defensive players (IDPs), but both had a big impact on the Steelers. Faneca, one of the better guards in the league, was unhappy with his contract situation last year and finally got his desire to leave this year, bolting for the New York Jets shortly after free agency began. The loss of Faneca could hurt Willie Parker and his fantasy football value though the Steelers are traditionally good at finding new interior linemen. The loss of Haggans could hurt one of the top defenses, but the Steelers have enough playmakers around the football to hedge the loss.
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Key Additions
Mewelde Moore (RB) — Maybe a reach, but the signing of Moore signals that Pittsburgh wants another running back to come in and take away a few carries from Parker (and a fallback for Mendenhall), who simply should not carry the ball 321 times in a season. You may remember Moore from his days as a Minnesota Viking, a guy that flashed some potential a few times but got hurt before he was able to capitalize on it. Even with Moore and Mendenhall in the backfield, Parker will start the season as the primary ball carrier, so Moore can’t really be considered a fantasy option right now, but would be a good start if the two backs ahead of him go down.
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2008 Bruno Boys Crystal Ball
Ben Roethlisberger (QB) — Roethlisberger followed up his worst season in 2006 with his best last year, making it that much more difficult to predict what he will do this year. It’s nice to see that Roethlisberger can throw more touchdowns, but it was important to see him cut down on his turnovers. Perhaps part of the reason that Roethlisberger enjoyed such a good year was that teams focused more on Ward and Parker, allowing Roethlisberger to find open receivers in Holmes, Washington and Miller. Perhaps it’s Roethlisberger making good on all his potential, but until we see it for consecutive seasons, a minor regression is a better bet. Expect 3,100 passing yards, 28-30 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Still, these numbers are good enough to target "Big Ben" as a top 5-6 quarterback.
Willie Parker (RB) — Parker had his second straight season with more than 300 carries, but this year his production slipped. His average yards per carry dropped from 4.4 to 4.1 and his touchdowns went from 13 to two. In fact, since he became a full time player, his average yards per carry has gone from 4.7 in 2005 to 4.1 last year. Those are trends you do not like to see in a running back. The Pittsburgh Steelers offense should have another strong season, but the drafting of Mendenhall the signing of Moore indicate that the Steelers know that the wear and tear Parker has received is affecting his production. Without his speed, Parker is average at best, so having adequate backups is a good thing and he still should get the touches to warrant a bottom tier RB2. minor regression is realistic here so expect 250 carries, 1,100 yards and five touchdowns.
Hines Ward (WR) — Ward hasn’t been a 90-catch receiver since Roethlisberger came into the league but that’s hasn't hurt his fantasy football value. He might not be the WR1 he was a few years back, but Ward’s still a good receiver and one of the more consistent ones in the league. Now that teams have seen Holmes breakout, expect equal attention to be paid to both receivers. This will only benefit Ward, who should catch 70-75 passes for 800 yards and 7-8 touchdowns this year.
Santonio Holmes (WR) — It only took Holmes two years to make good on his first-round potential. The added yards and touchdowns are nice, but hidden to many fantasy football players was Holmes’ rise in yards per reception (18.1) and fumbles lost (0). He has become an explosive receiver and any concerns there were about his hands after rookie season should be gone by now. Holmes no longer will fly under the radar, but is a perfect complement to Ward. Expect 65 receptions for 1,100 yards and 7-8 touchdowns.
Heath Miller (TE) — With defenses focused so much on Ward, Holmes, Parker and Washington, Miller was able to exploit matchups with linebackers, often doing his damage in the red zone and end zone. Miller is one of the better pass-catching tight ends in the league and the team loves to go to him in key situations whether it’s third down or the Steelers are in the red zone. A similar season can be expected along the lines of 45 receptions, 550-600 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
Jeff Reed (K) — Kicking at Heinz Field has to be one of the toughest jobs, but you won’t see Reed complaining about it. He’s crested the 100-point mark for five consecutive seasons as a Steeler, though it would be nice to see some more consistency out of him. Last year, he had three-straight games with double-digit points, then had just three more the rest of the season. But from year to year, not many people are as consistent as he is. With the potential existing for the Steelers to have an incredible offense this year, expect Reed to score in the 110-120 point range, but in all realism he is a bye week filler in most leagues.
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Rookies to Watch
Rashard Mendenhall (RB) — What a steal it was for the Steelers to pick up Rashard Mendenhall so late in the first round. The addition of Mendenhall will take some pressure off Willie Parker and should help open up the offense. Mendenhall will have to make the transition from a zone-read offense at Illinois to a more traditional one in Pittsburgh, but it is not as difficult for running backs to do it compared to quarterbacks and receivers. Still, it is a crowded offensive situation for Mendenhall to join, but when he gets his chance he should be able to find success in a consistent rushing offense. Head Coach Mike Tomlin has been quiet about how he will use his bulky rookie, but with Parker struggling at the goal line in 2007, the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football staff wouldn't be surprised if Mendenhall takes that role.
Limas Sweed (WR) — While other teams were gambling on receivers with upside, one of the most polished receivers in the draft fell right into the Steelers’ laps. Sweed’s size and speed are a great combination and he should fit in well as the third or fourth receiver with the Steelers. If Sweed is able to wrangle away the third receiver position from Nate Washington, then he could put up some fantasy-relevant numbers this year. Most receivers struggle as rookies, but if anybody can make a quick transition it’s Sweed. With teams focusing a lot of attention on both Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes, Sweed could find himself matched up against bad cornerbacks and overmatched linebackers and if that happens, expect Ben Roethlisberger to exploit the mismatches.
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Other Team Capsules
NFC WEST - ARI I STL I SF I SEA
NFC SOUTH - ATL I CAR I NO I TB
NFC NORTH - CHI I DET I GB I MIN
NFC EAST - DAL I NYG I PHI I WAS
AFC WEST - DEN I KC I OAK I SD
AFC SOUTH - HOU I IND I JAX I TEN
AFC NORTH - BAL I CIN I CLE I PIT
AFC EAST - BUF I MIA I NE I NYJ