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2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Season Preview
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2010 Pittsburgh Steelers Preview | 2010 NFL Team Previews
It's hard to come up with a 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Season Preview when it can't get any sweeter than last year, for Pittsburgh Steelers fans. Your Steelers took home the Super Bowl XLIII crown by defeating the Arizona Caridnals, by a score of 27-23, in dramatic fashion. When the Steelers had to have it, the marched down the field, and Rothlisberger found Santonio Holmes on the edges of the end zone, which effectively sealed the win. That Super Bowl victory put the Steelers atop the mountain of repeat Super Bowl winners, with 6 NFL Championships. Fans in Pittsburgh have dubbed it "One For The Thumb." If last year is any indication of this year, the 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers should once again have a very strong defense, and an efficient offense. Mike Tomlin returns to the Steelers, after winning the Super Bowl, for his 3rd year as head coach. The Steelers have retained all of their coaches, including Bruce Arians, offensive coordinator, and Dick LeBeau, mastermind of the defense A.K.A. defensive coordinator. This is a good thing, as most Super Bowl winning teams usually have coaching turnover.
Other 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Team Related Pages
2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Schedule | 2009 AFC North Preview
2009 AFC Conference Preview
2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Free Agency And Trades
2009 Pittsburgh Steelers NFL DraftIt's hard to improve upon something that was already the best, but in the 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Draft, the Steelers went for defense, by taking DT Evander Hood from Missouri, with the 32nd overall pick. The Steelers would not draft again, until the third round, but they would have 3 picks. With the first one, at pick 79, the Steelers selected Keith Urbik OT, from Wisconsin. The second of those picks, pick 84, was used on WR Mike Wallace out of the University of Mississippi. Finally, the Steelers added another DB, Keenan Lewis from Oregon State, with the 96th overall selection. The next selection for the Steelers was in the fifth round, and they would go for another DB, Joe Burnett out of Central Florida, with the 168th pick. The very next pick, at 169, the Steelers then selected Frank Summers, 5'9" RB, out of UNLV. The Steelers would add to the defensive line again, the the 6th round, with pick 205, by selecting DT Ra'Shon Harris from Oregon. Round 7, Pick 226, the Steelers went with the other side of the line, selecting Center A.Q. Shipley out of Penn State. With their final selection, of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Steelers took David Johnson, a Tight End, out of Arkansas State University, with pick 241.
2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterbacks
Back this year, once again at the helm of the 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterbacks, is two time Super Bowl winning quarterback Ben Rothlisberger. Entering his sixth season in the league, Rothlisberger looks to be better than ever. Early last year, the Pittsburgh offensive line struggled with certain blitz packages, making it difficult for Rothlisberger to find a rhythm. Eventually, the O-line bonded as a cohesive unit, providing Rothlisberger the protection he needed to get to, and win the Super Bowl. Backing Rothlisberger up, is 3rd year QB Dennis Dixon (Oregon), and rookie Mike Reilly, who was un-drafted coming out of Central Washington. Also on the roster is veteran QB Charlie Batch, who ended the 2008 season on reserve. Should Rothlisberger go down this year, for any length of time, they will no longer be able to turn to Byron Leftwich, as he was lost to free agency to Tampa Bay.
2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Running BacksThe stable of 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Running Backs will be back healthy, and full of familiar faces, for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers went most of 2008 without speedster Willie Parker, as he was gone due to various injuries. They also lost Rashard Mendenhall, 1st Round draft pick from 2008, with a broken shoulder, in mid-season 2008. Parker and Mendenhall will be back, with Mewelde Moore complementing the duo. They are sure to work rookie draft pick, Frank Summers from UNLV, into the mix, to get some carries under his belt, and to spell Parker and the other backs. Plus they will need an insurance policy for if and of the starters, and backups go down.
2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Wide ReceiversThe 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Wide Receivers aren't going to see many changes, with the exception of Nate Washington, who departed for Tennessee. Back are Hines Ward, and Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes. Also heavily in the mix will be Heath Miller, 5th year TE out of Virginia. The veteran core of receivers should be able to have the same, if not more, production than last year. In addition to their starters, the Steelers are looking for draft picks like Limas Sweed, Dallas Baker, and rookie Mike Wallace as well as free agent pickup Shaun McDonald, to fill the downfield void left by the departure of Nate Washington.
2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive LineMost of the muscle that made up the 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Line is back to anchor the 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Line. In fact, the 2009 starters, started all but 9 games, from the 2008 season. The Steelers line will feature OT Willie Colon, OT Max Starks, OG Chris Kemoeatu, and C Justin Hartwig. In the 09 Draft, the Steelers selected A.Q. Shipley, Center from Penn State, in addition to OT Kraig Urbik from Wisconsin, to start developing. Among the losses to the line are Marvel Smith and Kendall Simmons who only started and played in 9 games in 2008. The spotlight will be on this group, as well as TE Heath Miller and TE Matt Spaeth to keep the pressure off Rothlisberger, giving him time to find the receivers.
2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Line
Looking at the 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Line can bring chills to most skilled offensive lines. In 09, the Steelers have the behemoth NT Casey Hampton returning for his ninth season, from Texas, to plug the middle, in the 3-4 system that Pittsburgh runs. Outside of Hampton are a pair of 6'5" defensive ends, Brett Keisel and Aaron Smith, both of which have many years experience, 19 years combined. Between Hampton, Keisel, and Smith, the trio started all but 9 games in 2008. Since the D-line is beginning to show some signs of age, the Steelers went with DT/DE Evander Hood from Missouri, with their first round pick. Hood should see plenty of snaps, preseason play, as well as brief playing stints, in the regular season.
2009 Pittsburgh Steelers LinebackersThe core of Linebackers for the 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers are the heart and soul of that vaunted 3-4 defense. Their physical abilities, combined with Dick LeBeau's blitz packages can wreak havoc on the best offenses. For the most part, this group is young, with the exception of ILB James Farrior, 13 seasons from Virginia. Others in the defensive backfield include ILB Lawrence Timmons, OLB LaMarr Woodley, and a newly resigned OLB James Harrison. If this group enters 2009 as hungry as they left 2008, offensive coordinators, around the league, are sure to have many sleepless nights.
2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Secondary
The defensive secondary for the Pittsburgh Steelers will be tested in 2009. It is unlikely teams will have much success against the Steelers, with the run, and will most likely resort to passing, early and often, to drive the ball. A lot will depend on how much pressure the front 7 is able to produce. Another reason the Steelers' secondary will be tested, is the loss of Bryant McFadden to the Arizona Cardinals. After taking the starting position, last year, McFadden took the opportunity to bolt to the desert for more money. Even then, the 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Secondary isn't bare. With "Face Me" Ike Taylor, and Troy Polamalu, quarterbacks will be sure to be aware where those two are at all times. William Gay CB, and Ryan Clark S, make up the other two starters in the secondary. Pittsburgh will also be looking for solid play from free agent pickup Keiwan Ratliff CB from Indianapolis.
2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Draft Picks
Round 1: Pick 32 - Evander Hood DT (Missouri)
Round 3: Pick 79 - Kraig Urbik OT (Wisconsin)
Round 3: Pick 84 - Mike Wallace WR (Mississippi)
Round 3: Pick 96 - Keenan Lewis CB (Oregon State)
Round 5: Pick 168 - Joe Burnett CB (Central Florida)
Round 5: Pick 169 - Frank Summers RB (UNLV)
Round 6: Pick 205 - Ra'Shon Harris DR (Oregon)
Round 7: Pick 226 - A.Q. Shipley C (Penn State)
Round 7: Pick 241 - David Johnson TE (Arkansas State)
| 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Free Agency Acquisitions and Trades |
| Shaun McDonald from Detroit Lions - Wide Receiver |
| Keiwan Ratliff from Indianapolis Colts - Defensive Back |
| 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Free Agency Losses and Trades |
| Bryant McFadden to Arizona Cardinals - Defensive Back |
| Byron Leftwich to Pittsburgh Steelers - Quarterback |
| Larry Foote to Detroit Lions - Linebacker |
| Orpheus Roye to Unsigned - Defensive End |
| Kendal Simmons to Unsigned - Offensive Guard |
| Anthony Smith to Green Bay Packers - Safety |
| Marvel Smith to San Francisco 49ers - Offensive Tackle |
| Nate Washington to Tennessee Titans - Wide Receiver |
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