Pittsburgh Steelers
By Joe Starkey

The final practice at the Steelers' 38th training camp ended with a bunch of defensive players taping rookie cornerback Ricardo Colclough to the goal post and dousing him with ice water.

Fans are hoping the team treats opponents the same way, and if the tenor of camp was indicative, fans will get their wish.

The theme song in Latrobe should have been, 'Let's Get Physical.'

After last season's 6-10 debacle, in which his team played soft on offense and safe on defense, coach Bill Cowher was determined to get back to classic Steelers-style football.

And that means trying to stuff the ball down people's throats on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

The running game, which finished 31st in the NFL last season, will feature ex-Philadelphia Eagle Duce Staley and looked impressive for most of the preseason, despite the season-ending knee injury suffered to right guard Kendall Simmons.

'From the get-go, (the running game) has been a point of emphasis in training camp," Cowher said. "We are just playing more physical football."

Other significant changes include two new coordinators, former tight ends coach Ken Whisenhunt (offense) and familiar face Dick LeBeau, plus a younger, faster secondary and a starting quarterback-in-waiting in first-round draft pick Ben Roethlisberger.

When Charlie Batch went down with a blown-out knee in camp, Roethlisberger was elevated to the No. 2 slot behind Tommy Maddox.

That situation bears watching. If Maddox starts to falter, the 'We Want Ben!' cries will be hard to stifle. But Maddox had a cool and efficient camp and looks to be positioned to regain his form of 2002.

The high points of camp were the solid offensive line play and the performance of young players such as Roethlisberger, Colclough and safeties Troy Polamalu and Chris Hope.

The low point, by a longshot, was losing Simmons with a torn ACL. Keydrick Vincent, who has 11 NFL starts under his belt, must replace Simmons. Vincent played well in his first two preseason starts.

The Rooney family showed their faith in Cowher by awarding him a two-year contract extension that could keep him in Pittsburgh through the 2007 season.

'It's about doing what I was brought here to do 12 years ago, for one of the classiest owners in the league (Dan Rooney),' he said. 'That's what drives me and will continue to drive me.'

QUARTERBACKS

Tommy's team - for now.

The Steelers gave Maddox a $2 million signing bonus and a two-year extension that could keep him here through 2007. He was sharp and accurate for most of camp and figures to prosper if the line and running game stay healthy. He is coming off a mediocre season in which he set the team record for pass attempts but was intercepted 17 times while passing for 18 touchdowns.

The 6-foot-5 Roethlisberger showed why he was so highly touted. He has a cannon arm, can throw on the run and has a commanding presence. Brian St. Pierre, who showed drastic improvement from last year's camp, is No.3 on the depth chart.

RUNNING BACKS

Duce is loose.

Staley is the new featured back. He brings quickness and toughness and the ability to play on third downs. A slimmer Jerome Bettis looked good in the exhibition games but figures to see limited action behind Staley. Speedy Willie Parker was a revelation in the preseason, rushing for 106 yards at Philadelphia. Verron Haynes also figures in the mix. Dan Kreider returns as a solid blocking fullback.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Trouble on the right?

Marvel Smith has settled in at left tackle and apparently is free of the nerve problem in his neck, which ruined his 2003 season. Alan Faneca might be the best left guard in the business, and center Jeff Hartings looks to get another productive year out of those rickety knees. The right side of the line remains a question mark, with Vincent and tackle Oliver Ross, who held off competition from Todd Fordham and hulking rookie Max Starks. This isn't an overly deep unit, although Chukky Okobi is capable back-up center.

TIGHT ENDS

Quietly efficient.

Jerame Tuman had a good camp and will line up all over the place as the starting tight end. Jay Riemersma provides a good target in passing situations.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Something to prove.

A couple of unhappy campers will look to solidify their NFL futures with big seasons. Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress are playing for contracts. Burress, who missed mini-camp and the voluntary coaching sessions, showed up in excellent shape for what figures to be his final season in a Steelers' jersey. He can be an unrestricted free agent. Ward has two years left on his current agreement but is confident he'll get a new deal after this season. Antwaan Randle El showed that he is serious about becoming a legitimate threat at wide receiver instead of just a trickster. Chris Doering and Lee Mays were battling for the fourth receiver slot.

DEFENSE LINEMEN

Solid from top to bottom.

This might be the deepest unit on the team, with nose tackle Casey Hampton, plus ends Kimo von Oelhoffen and Aaron Smith providing an experienced, competent front, backed by impressive newcomer Travis Kirschke, a healthier Brett Keisel, Kendrick Clancy and Chris Hoke.

LINEBACKERS

Discard the handcuffs.

Three of the four starters return for a group that can't wait for LeBeau to unleash them in his smorgasbord of blitzes. Clark Haggans is slated to replace Jason Gildon and will join Joey Porter, James Farrior and Kendrell Bell. It's a talented group, starting with Farrior, the team's leading tackler last season. However, Bell struggled with a shoulder problem at camp and has yet to regain the form he displayed as a rookie in 2001. Porter wasn't his usual self last season after a gunshot wound to the buttocks the week before the opener. He had an excellent camp and is back at his old spot in passing situations, rushing the passer from the right end. Alonzo Jackson, a second-round pick from 2003, was unimpressive at camp and will play behind Haggans, who must prove he was worth the $3 million signing bonus the Steelers gave him after they were rebuffed by free agent Marcus Washington. Adrian Ross was brought in for depth on the outside. Larry Foote has shown improvement on the inside.

SECONDARY

A whole new look.

Veteran cornerback Chad Scott is the only starter still in the lineup from last year's opener. He'll be flanked by Deshea Townsend and a pair of young, hard-hitting safeties in Chris Hope and Troy Polamalu. Both have the look of impact players. Speedsters Colclough and Ike Taylor are the future at cornerback and will see time in obvious passing situations. Mike Logan adds valuable veteran leadership at safety. A few other veterans, including Willie Williams, provide depth.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Getting better all the time.

Mostly an improved outfit last season, as Kevin Spencer was selected by his peers as the NFL's Special Teams Coach of the Year. Kicker Jeff Reed, however, missed more attempts (three) inside 30 yards than any kicker in the league last season and is looking to bounce back. Part of his struggle likely was attributable to a bum left hip that required surgery after the season. Chris Gardocki replaces Josh Miller as the punter and arrives with an incredible statistic to his credit: He has never had a punt blocked in his 14-year career.

The coverage and return units have improved under Spencer. Colclough should provide another large dose of ammunition to the return game, complementing Taylor (kicks) and Randle El (punts). The Steelers should have one of the more dangerous return games in the NFL.