NFL Preview Show Extravaganza: Pittsburgh Steelers

Our preview extravaganza takes us to Pittsburgh as we take a look at the defending AFC North champions, the Steelers.

What is there to say about the Steelers that hasn't already been said. They have a good team from bottom to top. They have a good quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger. They have a good running back in Willie Parker (until he got hurt).

They have good receivers in Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes. They also have a good defense led by Troy Polamalu. The Steelers also have a good young coach in Mike Tomlin.

The Steelers biggest problem is that they are good. In the AFC, good is not good enough to run the gauntlet. You have to be at that elite level with the likes of the Patriots and Colts. An elite team doesn't lose to Jacksonville twice at home, especially if the weather gives the elite team an advantage.

The Steelers have quite a ways to go before they can be in that class with the Patriots and Colts.

The Steelers open the 2008 season at home when they take on the Houston Texans. At home, the Steelers will face such notables as New York, Indy, San Diego and Dallas. On the road, the Steelers will face New England, Washington and Jacksonville.

Time for those burnin' questions (yearbook style):

• Roethlisberger will most likely: Start a Mexican Fast Food chain.....I mean throw for 3000 yards
  
  
• Number of times Roethlisberger gets hurt this season: At least once
  
  
• Name the injury: But it's too hard!
  
  
• Willie Parker will: Rush for 1200 yards
  
  
• Leading receiver: Hines Ward
  
  
• Ketchup or Catsup for Hines Ward: I think he's a Catsup type of guy (but does he use Heinz?)
  
  
• Most likely to be named after a McDonald's sandwich: It's a no brainer, Troy Polamalu
  
  
• Name of the sandwich: Duh! The Polamalu (Cheeseburger with pineapple slices)
  
  
• Coolest names (Top 3): Billy Latsko, Polamalu and Mitch Berger (The real Berger)
  
  
• 80s song to best describe team: Jack and Diane- John Cougar Mellencamp
  
  
• In 2008, the Steelers will: Go 9-7
  

Hump Day: The Pittsburgh Steelers

Happy Hump Day and happy me getting my laptop online again. We finish out the AFC North, with, the Steelers, home of Steely McBeam.

The Steelers finished the 2006 season in second place in the AFC North, going 8-8 and knocking Cincinnati out of the playoff picture in the final game of the season. This season, Bill Cowher won't be on the sidelines, so there's a new coach walking the sidelines on Heinz Field. He is Mike Tomlin, who worked with the Minnesota Vikings last season.

In the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft, the Steelers drafted Lawrence Timmons out of Florida State University.

The Steelers open up the regular season on the road, as they take on the Cleveland Browns. They also face the Cardinals, the Broncos, the Patriots and the Jets on the road. At home, they will face the 49ers, Seahawks and the Dolphins.

Time for those burnin yearbook style questions:

1. Most likely to be a back-up on my fantasy team this year: Ben Roethlisberger
2. Total passing yards for Roethlisberger: Not enough to catch Peyton Manning (CHA CHING)
3. 'Fast' Willie Parker most likely to be: Fast (DUH)
4. Hines Ward most likely to: Catch 10 touchdowns
5. The Steelers defense will: Miss Joey Porter dearly (But hey, they still have Polamalu)
6. Total years Tomlin stays with the Steelers: 10 years
7. Steely McBeam: Really Really Bad Idea
8. 'Kiss' song that best describes the team: Disqualification for coming up with Steely McBeam
9. In 2007, the Steelers will: Finish in second place in the AFC North, going 9-7, missing the playoffs.

We continue tomorrow with the AFC West.

SEE YA,

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