It is that time of year again, as another fruitless Pirates summer gives way to the glorious return of Pittsburgh Steelers football.  The 76th season for the Black and Gold looks to be a daunting one, but its not the automatic death sentence that a lot people think it is.  No two ways about, the Steelers schedule is the toughest in the league with some brutal stretches in it, but this is a veteran laden team that knows how to win.  Here is a position by position breakdown of the 2008 team looking to defend their AFC North crown, and make another run at the Super Bowl.

QB- Ben Roethlisberger Backups: Byron Leftwich, Dennis Dixon, Charlie Batch (IR)

With Big Ben, the Steelers have a true prize at starting QB.  While he isn't held in as high of a regard as he should be league and nation wide, his numbers spell out an elite quaterback.  Second in passer rating to only Brady last year, set the franchise TD pass record, .789 winning percentage (39-16) third among active QBs, and he needs 64 more passes to qualify for the alltime career passer rating record, and when he does he will 5th alltime.  He has become a true leader on the team as well as its biggest playmaker.  Quite simply nobody moves out of the pocket and can create on the run better then Big Ben.  Even if he you think he is just a manager of the offense, you can't scoff at the fact that he simply wins.  Said it last year, and I will say it again, the Steelers will go as far as Big Ben can take them.  Byron Leftwich is a nice veteran option to go to as a backup.  Still has to learn the offense, but hopefully we have plenty to do that.  Dennis Dixon had a decent camp and pre-season, but has a lot to learn.  It seems like the Steelers would just rather him focus on his QB duties then using him any slash role.

RB- Willie Parker Backups: Rashaard Mendenhall, Gary Russel, Mewelde Moore

Coming into camp, people had big question about Willie Parker's health after suffering a broken leg late last season.  Parker put all doubts to bed with a fine camp and pre-season, showing no ill effects from the injury.  Parker is an explosive threat, but I still don't know why the Steelers won't trust him at the goaline.  His size doesn't show his strength and grit that he runs with.  It is very strange that while he was leading or at top of the league in rushing, he was near the bottom in touchdowns.  The team's first round pick Mendenhall has showed flashes of ability, but has shown more a disturbing trend of not being able to hold onto the ball.  If Mendenhall wants to contribute anyway this year, he must learn to secure the ball.  He won't be saddled with a big load, but that doesn't mean the Steelers don't expect great things out of him.  Moore will the third down back, but is being more counted on in the kicking game.  Gary Russel should see sparse playing time on offense, but will be on both kick coverage units.

FB-  Carey Davis

The team's only fullback this year and last was ok his first year.  But he wasn't making anybody forget the solid Dan Krieder.  Davis does have more of an ability to carry the ball and catch out of the backfield which is appealing to coordinator Bruce Ariens.

OT- Willie Colon, Marval Smith Backups: Tony Hills, Trai Essex, Max Starks

Willie Colon wasn't overwhelming in his first year, and really struggled with speed rushers.  Colon again was able to hold off Starks for the starting job.  Colon can be physical, but he also has to keep his man in front on him.  Has to backup the claim of the Steelers line not being a question mark any more.  Smith is in the last year of his contract, and the veteran another solid year last year.  Health always seems to be a question with him, and he must focus on staying on the field.  Max Starks will mysteriously be payed 7 million dollars to backup this year, as this year seems destined to be his last in a Steeler uniform.  Nobody is quite sure why, but Starks and head coach Mike Tomlin have never gotten along, and Starks is yet to get out of his doghouse despite some fine play in spot starts last year.  Essex is also in the last year of his deal, and he to has shown ability in spot starts.  If he is pressed into action, how he plays will determine if he bought back.  Fourth Round Pick Tony Hills impressed no one in camp, and was lucky to make the team.

OG- Chris Kemeoatu, Kendall Simmons Backup: Darnell Stapleton

One of the areas where the Steelers can simply not afford an injury of any kind.  Chris Kemeoatu has big shoes to fill, as the departed Alan Faneca left quite a legacy LG.  Kemeoatu certainly has the size(6'3, 344) but it remains to be seen if he can be as good in space as Faneca was.  The LG in particular is ask to pull a lot in the Steelers running game, and Kemeoatu has to step up.  Kendall Simmons can be either good or very bad.  A bit too often he is very bad.  He must be more consistent as a lot ot teams were able to exploit the Steelers line by rushing the middle of it.  Darnell Stapleton is loved by the coaching staff for his ability to play guard and center. 

C- Justin Hartwig

  The Steelers have now had nearly as many centers the last 3 years then they had the previous 40.  Sean Mahan had a very poor year in '07, lost the job to Hartwig, voiced his displeasure, and was shipped out.  He won't be missed.  Hartwig has to stabilize the line, as like I said before, the line was exploited with big nose tackles and heavy blitzes up the middle.  Hartwig has resposibilites in this offense that he hasn't had previously, such as line and blitz pick ups.  Hartwig has to lead the pass blocking, as the Steelers simply cannot afford Big Ben hitting the ground 47 times again.

WR- Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes Backups: Nate Washington, Limas Sweed, Dallas Baker

Hines Ward in the warhorse of the offense.  No other reciever puts a fear in DBs in run blocking like Ward does.  Just ask Ed Reed.  Ward still makes the tough catches across the middle, and argueably the best reciever in Steelers history is still trucking.  Santonio Holmes seems poised for a breakout year.  Holmes is the Steelers big play threat, as his speed stretches the field.  After a slow start his rookie season, he has developed a great repore with Big Ben, and his favorite target to find while scrambbling.  Nate Washington overcame a dropping problem early last season to become a solid No. 3.  Sweed didn't wow anybody in pre-season, and has played himself out of a bigger role.  But, thats not saying he can't get a bigger role as the season goes on.  Dallas Baker worked hard to make the team this year, and could see some playing time.

TE- Heath Miller Backups: Matt Spaeth, Sean McHugh

Heath Miller has seen a bigger role as his career has gone on, and now is the time to let his loose.  Miller is big weapon that I still feel is underused.  In the playoff game against Jacksonville, Miller could not be stopped.  Quite simply there are few linebackers that can match up with him.  Spaeth disgressed as the season went on, and saw less and less playing time.  He is a big goaline target, but he has to work on the other areas of his game.  Sean McHugh was just signed to the Steelers, and is more then anything a depth signing.

NT- Casey Hampton Backup: Chris Hoke

Casey Hampton was the story of training camp, as he showed up out of shape and was immediately banished to lone workouts while the rest of the team practiced.  Time will tell if he public airing out will effect Hampton's play, but he has seemed to get the message.  He is still a force in the middle, and among the elite NTs in the game.  Chris Hoke was once again a solid backup, and will again see time on third down and pass rushing situations.

DE-Aaron Smith, Brett Keisel Backups: Orpheaus Roye, Travis Kirschke, Nick Eason

The old saying goes that you don't know what you got until its gone, proved no truer when Aaron Smith went down with a torn pectoral muscle.  Smith was long the most undervalued part of the Steelers defense, and his worth was truely seen as the line was repeatedly gashed in his absence.  Smith is healthy now, and he must stay that way.  Keisel didn't seem to live up to all the special game planning done for him, as he had few big plays last year.  He once again will be moved around a lot, but has to make more plays to justify that.  He is still solid against the run.  The Steelers graybeard Travis Kirschke refuses to be put out to pasture despite lackluster when he was forced into a starting role last year.  Roye is back in a Steelers uniform after 10 years in Cleveland exile.  Him and Eason will be better suited if they are not forced into starting roles.

LB- James Farrior, LaMarr Woodley, Larry Foote, James Harrison Backups: Lawrence Timmons, Bruce Davis, Keyaron Fox, Donovan Woods, Andre Frazier

James Farrior returns again to quarterback the Steelers defense, and he recieved an extension on the basis of leading the team in tackles again as long as sacks last year.  Larry Foote has been nothing but solid for the Steelers, but right now he just holding the spot for Timmons.  James Harrison was last year's breakout star as he made the Pro Bowl and was the team MVP.  Big things again will be expected out of him.  LaMarr Woodley came on strong late last season, and his two sacks in the playoff game give him momentem for this year.  The sack total has dropped each of the last two seasons, and Woodley and Harrison have to play a big part in getting it high again.  No player impressed more in the pre-season then for the team then Lawrence Timmons.  He was seemingly always around the ball, blowing up, and finishing plays.  It just seems a matter of time before he is starting.  Davis, Fox, Woods, and Frazier should all see time on special teams.  Fox especially looked impressive in that area.

S- Troy Polamalu, Ryan Clark Backups: Tyrone Carter, Anthony Smith

This is potentially a big question area.  Troy Polamalu is coming off a camp and pre-season where he saw basically no time with a hamstring problem.  Injuries hampered him last season, as his dynamic play-making ability seemed slowed.  He is coming into this season cold, and could have be slower to game speed.  Ryan Clark seems fully healthy after a blood disorder which caused the removal of his spleen.  Clark's absence seemed more glaring as the season went on.  Tyrone Carter again filled in nicely in the nickle and dime packages, as well as starting for Polamalu.  Oh, Anthony Smith.  If only he would get his head on straight and keep his mouth shut, he would be a fine player.  His biggest problem is that he refuses to be humbled and shamed.  He still hits like a truck, but he has to work on his coverage abilities.

CB- Deshea Townshend, Ike Taylor Backups: Bryant McFadden, Anthony Madison, William ####

Deshea Townshend just refuses to relant his starting spot at RCB.  Year in, year out Deshea just remains consistent as ever.  Old Stone Hands Ike Taylor could be at the top of interception rankings every year if he could only hold onto the ball.  That being said, he still is a underrated cover corner, as Chad Johnson has still yet to catch a TD with Ike on him.  Bryant McFadden has yet to take the starting job, but I think that has more to do Deshea's play then any failings of his.  William #### has come along steadily, and is becoming a good player.  Anthony Madison still mainly contributes on special teams, and he might be the Steelers best player there.

P- Mitch Berger, Daniel Sepulveda (IR)- 

Losing Sepulveda stings, but having a former Pro Bowler take his place isn't a bad option.  The veteran beat out Paul Ernster for the spot and will also hold for Jeff Reed this season.

K- Jeff Reed- 

Was very good for the Steelers last year, and he above any other, seems to have tamed the savage Heinz Field.  Made two game winners in the pre-season, and continues to make all the kicks asked of him.

Special Teams- Coverage units were a huge problem last year.  As much focus was put on them, things just weren't working.  That has to change this year.  Field postition is always critical and the coverage units always seemed to give up big returns when it mattered the most.  Kick returning was also a problem last year.  Plenty of canidates were given a shot in camp, and none overwhelmed.  Mewelde Moore was handle the duties mainly, and while he doesn't have to be Devin Haster, he at the very least can't consistantly get short returns.