polamalubeast
06-23-2010, 06:49 AM
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/409479-the-10-players-the-pittsburgh-steelers-cannot-do-without-in-2010#page/11
The 10 Players the Pittsburgh Steelers Cannot Do Without in 2010
10. James Harrison: OLB
Coming off a career year in 2008, Harrison followed up his defensive player of the year award with 10 sacks and 60 solo tackles, earning him his third straight trip to the Pro Bowl.
Harrison is one of the most feared edge-rushers in the league, but he has been no stranger to the trainer’s table. A reoccurring biceps injury in 2009 was the latest in a line of injuries, highlighted by a neck injury in 2007.
Despite early and often nagging aches and pains, Harrison has been surprisingly durable since taking over for Joey Porter as the starter in 2007—missing only one game.
He will be 32 this season, and the small nicks and bumps that start to add up around this age will need to be kept to a minimum.
Harrison and his counterpart, LaMarr Woodley, are responsible for the larger part of the Steelers’ pass-rush. Although they drafted an ungodly number of linebackers in April, none are ready to step in and be what Harrison is for the defense.
9. Bryant McFadden: CB
It is obvious that the franchise has little confidence in the current state of their young players at the position.
Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis are both promising young players, but will need at least another year to develop. Crezdon Butler is nothing more than a question mark as rookie.
After incumbent starter William Gay disappointed in every way in 2009, the Steelers were willing to give up one of their fifth-round picks in 2010 to reacquire McFadden in order to solidify their porous pass defense.
The Steelers spent a second-round draft pick in 2005 on McFadden, who signed a two-year contract in Arizona to play under former Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm last season.
He started and played in all 16 games for the first time in his career during his first season with the Cardinals, setting career highs in tackles (64) and passes defended (15).
McFadden knows the scheme and had success in Pittsburgh during his first run in black and gold. The Steelers will count on McFadden to step in and pick up where he left off during their Super Bowl run in 2008.
If they are to improve on their 16th-ranked pass defense this season, McFadden will have to stay healthy and be there to team up with the inconsistent Ike Taylor, in order to make it happen.
8. Greg Warren: LS
It may be uncommon to see a long snapper appear on a list like this, but the Steelers have learned just how valuable a healthy man at the position can be.
Since being signed by the Steelers, he has suffered season-ending knee injuries in each of the last two seasons.
After suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week Five of the 2008 season, Warren tore his ACL during Week 14 last season, leaving the Steelers to turn to guys who have more experience bagging groceries than playing in the National Football League.
If the Steelers are going to regain Super Bowl form, they are going to have to make it through the season without having linebacker James Harrison snapping the ball with field goals on the line in 2010.
7. Lawrence Timmons: LB
After being the 15th overall pick by the Steelers in 2007, Timmons has been a slow bloomer. Making the move to inside linebacker has put him in more of a position to succeed, and he finally showed signs of coming into his own last season.
Timmons played in 14 games last season, starting 13 of them on his way to 86 tackles and seven sacks.
The two games he missed were due to a hamstring injury. Timmons has missed some considerable time during training camp, which hurt his early development as a rookie.
This may very well be captain James Farrior’s last season with the team. With Farrior’s speed on the decline, Timmons has an opportunity to become the number one guy.
If Timmons can stay on the field this season, and he works on fighting through lead blocks, he could easily lead the team in tackles as Farrior rides into the sunset.
6. Chris Kemoeatu: OG
The 10 Players the Pittsburgh Steelers Cannot Do Without in 2010
10. James Harrison: OLB
Coming off a career year in 2008, Harrison followed up his defensive player of the year award with 10 sacks and 60 solo tackles, earning him his third straight trip to the Pro Bowl.
Harrison is one of the most feared edge-rushers in the league, but he has been no stranger to the trainer’s table. A reoccurring biceps injury in 2009 was the latest in a line of injuries, highlighted by a neck injury in 2007.
Despite early and often nagging aches and pains, Harrison has been surprisingly durable since taking over for Joey Porter as the starter in 2007—missing only one game.
He will be 32 this season, and the small nicks and bumps that start to add up around this age will need to be kept to a minimum.
Harrison and his counterpart, LaMarr Woodley, are responsible for the larger part of the Steelers’ pass-rush. Although they drafted an ungodly number of linebackers in April, none are ready to step in and be what Harrison is for the defense.
9. Bryant McFadden: CB
It is obvious that the franchise has little confidence in the current state of their young players at the position.
Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis are both promising young players, but will need at least another year to develop. Crezdon Butler is nothing more than a question mark as rookie.
After incumbent starter William Gay disappointed in every way in 2009, the Steelers were willing to give up one of their fifth-round picks in 2010 to reacquire McFadden in order to solidify their porous pass defense.
The Steelers spent a second-round draft pick in 2005 on McFadden, who signed a two-year contract in Arizona to play under former Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt and Russ Grimm last season.
He started and played in all 16 games for the first time in his career during his first season with the Cardinals, setting career highs in tackles (64) and passes defended (15).
McFadden knows the scheme and had success in Pittsburgh during his first run in black and gold. The Steelers will count on McFadden to step in and pick up where he left off during their Super Bowl run in 2008.
If they are to improve on their 16th-ranked pass defense this season, McFadden will have to stay healthy and be there to team up with the inconsistent Ike Taylor, in order to make it happen.
8. Greg Warren: LS
It may be uncommon to see a long snapper appear on a list like this, but the Steelers have learned just how valuable a healthy man at the position can be.
Since being signed by the Steelers, he has suffered season-ending knee injuries in each of the last two seasons.
After suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week Five of the 2008 season, Warren tore his ACL during Week 14 last season, leaving the Steelers to turn to guys who have more experience bagging groceries than playing in the National Football League.
If the Steelers are going to regain Super Bowl form, they are going to have to make it through the season without having linebacker James Harrison snapping the ball with field goals on the line in 2010.
7. Lawrence Timmons: LB
After being the 15th overall pick by the Steelers in 2007, Timmons has been a slow bloomer. Making the move to inside linebacker has put him in more of a position to succeed, and he finally showed signs of coming into his own last season.
Timmons played in 14 games last season, starting 13 of them on his way to 86 tackles and seven sacks.
The two games he missed were due to a hamstring injury. Timmons has missed some considerable time during training camp, which hurt his early development as a rookie.
This may very well be captain James Farrior’s last season with the team. With Farrior’s speed on the decline, Timmons has an opportunity to become the number one guy.
If Timmons can stay on the field this season, and he works on fighting through lead blocks, he could easily lead the team in tackles as Farrior rides into the sunset.
6. Chris Kemoeatu: OG