STEELERS FANTASY NEWS

March 7, 2006 9:00 AM ET

Left for dead following a home loss to the Bengals, the Steelers bounced back with a vengeance. Eight straight wins later, Bill Cowher was spraying the Lombardi trophy with a mix of tears and spittle while Jerome Bettis basked in the glow of a career-ending title—and, get this: it came in his home town of Detroit, in case you weren't aware.

Finally, the Steelers have their long-awaited "one for the thumb." But will it be another 26 years before they start working on the other hand, or will enough talent take the home-town discount to make a run at a repeat. Don't forget, while the championship team had to take the long way to the Super Bowl—winning three straight road games just to get to the dance—the 2004 edition was a solid 15-1. In other words, the NFL's reigning dynasty just might be somewhere south of Boston.

Needs
While heroes can be found up and down the Steelers roster, the lineup that reports for minicamp to open defense of the title will certainly have some holes to fill.

There's little question Ben Roethlisberger is the future of the franchise, but Tommy Maddox was a cap casualty and Charlie Batch is a free agent. Given the way Steeler quarterbacks have been banged up the past few seasons, Pittsburgh will certainly seek a veteran insurance policy for Big Ben in free agency.

The Steelers' vaunted ground game could also lose some key cogs. Bettis will ride off into the sunset with his long-awaited championship ring, but Willie Parker had already taken the starting duties from him so that loss, while emotional, will likely impact the locker room more than the backfield. More painful may be the potential departure of versatile Verron Haynes, who filled several roles including fullback and third-down back for the Steelers. Duce Staley could pick up the slack, but he's older and has been prone to injury so Pittsburgh may need to round out this position with depth from the lower end of the free agent pool or possibly the draft.

Multi-threat Antwaan Randle El, who sported the best passer rating in the Super Bowl, will have to decide between the franchise that gave him a shot out of college and provided him with a Super Bowl ring… and the call of big money, as he'll be among the most sought-after wideouts on the free agency market. Cedrick Wilson, last year's value find in free agency, could replace Randle El as a pass catcher, but the special teams would lose a top-flight kick returner and offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt would be lost without Randle El's versatility. Quincy Morgan, who was another solid free agent acquisition from the bargain bin, and special teams standout Sean Morey could also depart, leaving Roethlisberger with a dearth of experienced targets.

The Steelers addressed the tight end position at the top of last year's draft, and Heath Miller was an outstanding addition to the game plan. However, the potential free agent departure of Jerame Tuman creates the need for depth at this position, specifically a block-first tight end as Miller is more than adept at the pass-catching part.

Defensively, most of the Steel Curtain circa 2006 is under contract, but the three exceptions are significant. Safety Chris Hope is an ideal complement to Troy Polamalu and would be difficult to replace should he find work elsewhere. End Kimo von Oelhoffen is aging, and even if he returns to the Steelers the team will likely need to start working on finding his eventual replacement. If Deshea Townsend also goes the free agent route, Richard Colclough should be able to step in… but then the depth of the secondary is depleted. And it wouldn't hurt the Steelers to start looking for the next great Pittsburgh linebacker, as the current corps is certainly a veteran unit.

Salary Cap Situation
With the recent release of Maddox and three defensive backs, the Steelers are under the proposed $94.5 million salary cap—but not by much.

Unrestricted Free Agents
QB Charlie Batch, RB Verron Haynes, WR Antwaan Randle El, WR Quincy Morgan, WR Sean Morey, TE Jerame Tuman, T Barrett Brooks, DE Kimo von Oelhoffen, DE Brett Keisel, LB Clint Kriewaldt, CB Deshea Townsend, S Chris Hope

Restricted Free Agents
CB Ike Taylor

Free Agent Signings
None.

The Draft
To the victor goes the spoils… and the 32nd pick in the draft. Pittsburgh's strategy will be predicated not only by what the teams in front of them do, but also which free agents they're able to retain.

This isn't a particularly strong draft for receivers, but if all three UFAs at that position leave the Steel City, they may target Santonio Holmes, Sinorice Moss, or Chad Jackson should one slip to the end of the first round. The Steelers could also play the waiting game and hope Derek Hagan, Maurice Stovall, or Martin Nance remain on the board for their second pick.

Another potential position of need is safety, where the team could lose Chris Hope to free agency. That loss wouldn't be as painful if the 32nd pick were to yield Ko Simpson or Darnell Bing. And if Deshea Townsend is to be replaced, Antonio Cromartie or Ashton Youboty could turn the trick.

The Steelers are famous for filling holes through the draft, then either locking up players before free agency or refusing to get into a bidding war and letting some players walk—and their track record at knowing which talent to retain is pretty decent. Later picks on day one might not be as eye-catching as what Paul Tagliabue serves up during the first round, but don't be surprised if Pittsburgh plucks talent that contributes within a year or two. Among the names to watch are Minnesota center Greg Eslinger, Tennessee defensive tackle Jesse Mahelona, Miami cornerback Kelly Jennings, and Nebraska safety Daniel Bullocks.

Injury Watch
Roethlisberger's thumb should be healed by the time the Steelers start formally working on defense of their title, though his production through the first three postseason games might encourage him to wear the glove regardless of injury or weather. Staley has already accepted a restructured deal and could return as either a third down back (if Haynes leaves) or the goal-line heir apparent to Bettis. He's had trouble staying healthy the past two seasons, and he's certainly not getting younger, but at least he should enter training camp with a clean bill of health. Morgan broke his leg in the team's playoff win over Cincinnati, but he may be another team's problem when training camp rolls around.

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