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Pittsburgh Steelers
By Joe Starkey

Nobody in his right mind expects the Steelers to match last year's 15-1 regular-season record. They were, after all, the only team in AFC history to win 15 games.

But plenty of people expect the Steelers to win one more playoff game, advance to the Super Bowl for the first time in a decade and maybe even win the darn thing for the first time in a quarter-century.

The feeling around and within the organization can be summed in two words: It's time.

"We've been close," says running back Jerome Bettis, who resisted retirement to return for a 13th season. "But close doesn't count."

If the Steelers aren't the AFC favorite, they would appear to be one of a handful of teams with a realistic chance to displace the two-time defending conference champion New England Patriots, who must overcome the loss of both coordinators and several key players.

Then again, the Steelers are no cinch to win their division, not with the rejuvenated Baltimore Ravens finally surrounding Kyle Boller with some weapons and the Cincinnati Bengals loaded for bear on offense.

Like every team, the Steelers are less than perfect. Outside of Joey Porter, they do not have a superior pass rusher; they do not have an elite cornerback; they are thin at linebacker, aging in the offensive backfield, small at wide receiver and raw at right tackle.

Strengths include a five-star quarterback who's coming off a record-breaking rookie season, a devastating left side of the offensive line, an All-Pro receiver and several defensive players who rank among the best in the league at their positions. Those include Porter, inside linebacker James Farrior, strong safety Troy Polamalu and left end Aaron Smith.

Add to that a top-notch coaching staff headed by Bill Cowher and coordinators Ken Whisenhunt (offense) and Dick LeBeau (defense) and it's easy to see why so many people pick the Steelers to emerge from the AFC pack.

Cowher last year signed a contract extension that should keep him in Pittsburgh through the 2007 season. He has won more division titles than all but five coaches in NFL history, but his playoff record is a disappointing 8-9. And, as everybody knows, he has yet to win the last game of the season.

Is it time? Only time will tell.

A closer look at the 2005 Steelers:

QUARTERBACKS: Big Ben's revenge.
Ben Roethlisberger had the winningest rookie season of any quarterback in NFL history and is entering the year with a chip on his shoulder, determined to avoid a sophomore slump. Teammates say Roethlisberger has grown up since last year's camp, when he had to check plays on a wrist band in the huddle. More of the playbook should be available to Roethlisberger, as it's unlikely the Steelers will run the ball 61 percent of the time again. Last year, they were the first team in 20 years to do run that often. Maddox had an outstanding camp and appeared to solidify himself as the back-up.

RUNNING BACKS: Old men, young men>br> Staley, 30, went down with torn cartilage before he took a training camp carry. He only managed to play in 10 games last season. Jerome Bettis, 33, wavered for part of the offseason before deciding to return for one more shot at the Super Bowl. There's a lot of mileage on these sets of tires, which is why the third and fourth backs better be prepared to play. Fast Willie gives the Steelers the kind of breakaway threat they've been missing. Verron Haynes needs to prove he can stay healthy. Dan Kreider is simply the best blocking fullback in the game.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Questions on the right
There isn't a left side in the league better than guard Alan Faneca and tackle Marvel Smith. Veteran center Jeff Hartings continues to roll along on wobbly knees, with Chukky Okobi providing capable depth. It's the right side where questions lurk. Fourth-year pro Kendall Simmons has All-Pro potential but also a history of health issues. Second-year right tackle Max Starks drew positive reviews at camp, but his pass blocking remains a question mark.

TIGHT ENDS: Miller time?
Jerame Tuman came to camp in tremendous shape and made it clear he wasn't going to hand over his starting job to first-round pick Heath Miller. Both are likely to see significant time. Cowher had nothing but compliments for Miller's camp showing, although those expecting Miller to replicate the feats of Antonio Gates should ratchet down the expectations. He's not a breakaway tight end; he's more of a sure-handed, middle-of-the-field type who could thrive in the red zone.

WIDE RECEIVERS: No small task
Whether there is life A.P. (After Plaxico) will depend largely on whether Cedrick Wilson looks as good during games as he looked during camp. He dropped a sure touchdown in the second exhibition game. Although the Steelers lack size at this position, they have three versatile players - Antwaan Randle El, Hines Ward and Wilson - who can play any spot and cause some trouble after the catch. Ward enters the year as the only receiver in Steelers history to surpass 1,000 yards three consecutive seasons and to play in four consecutive Pro Bowls. He needs 33 catches to surpass John Stallworth for most on the team's all-time list.

DEFENSE LINE: Quietly efficient.
This might be the deepest unit on the team, with nose tackle Casey Hampton, right end Kimo von Oelhoffen and left end Aaron Smith providing an experienced, competent front. They're backed by Travis Kirschke, Brett Keisel and Chris Hoke. Smith, at 29, has entered the prime of his career at left end. Hampton proved at camp he was fully recovered from a blown-out knee. Rookie Shaun Nua is one to keep an eye on.

LINEBACKERS: Playmakers
James Farrior picked up in the preseason where he left off last season - as a dynamic, game-changing inside linebacker. He has proven to be a brilliant free-agent signing back in 2002. Larry Foote has established himself as a capable run-stopper inside next to Farrior. Clark Haggans seems ready to elevate his game on the left. Joey Porter is a dynamic talent on the right and should be fully recovered from his knee injury in time for the opener. The problem here is depth. James Harrison might be the top back-up at every position.

SECONDARY: Safety first
The safety position is set and solid, with Troy Polamalu and Chris Hope forming a young, speedy, hard-hitting combo. Polamalu took a gigantic step forward last season and closes on the ball as quickly as any defensive back in the league, although his aggressiveness sometimes works against him. Ike Taylor moved ahead of fellow youngsters Ricardo Colclough and Bryant McFadden at corner, but all three remained behind veterans Willie Williams and Deshea Townsend. Both were outstanding at times last season but also were burned for one TD apiece in the AFC title game. Mike Logan returns healthy to provide valuable veteran leadership at safety.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Big plays needed
While kicker Jeff Reed and punter Chris Gardocki were excellent last season, the coverage and return units failed to make enough game-changing plays. Punt coverage was solid, tying for third in the AFC in net average and not allowing a TD. Kick coverage ranked in the middle of the pack and allowed a 91-yard TD return to the Giants' Willie Ponder. The punt and kick return units were disappointing, ranking in the middle of the league and failing to score a TD. If the exhibition opener was any indication, that could change. Ike Taylor scored on a 100-yard kick return and Ricardo Colclough on a 66-yard punt return. Reed had a bounce-back season, improving his field-goal percentage from 71.9 to 84.8 and nailing three late game-winners. He's 4-for-5 in his career from 50-plus yards. Chris Gardocki proved to be an excellent acquisition. He has not had a punt blocked in his 14-year career, upping his NFL record-total to unblocked 1,045 punts last season.

Joe Starkey is a columnist for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.