Offseason Acquisitions: Pittsburgh Steelers

Let’s face it, we don’t usually associate the Steelers with drafting early or signing big named free agents.  Pttsburgh continues to have success by drafting smart with players like Roethlisberger at 11 in the 2004 draft, similair to the Patriots.  (Say what you will about the man but the football player has led his tesam to 2 NFL Championships).  This year the team’s first pick in the draft was C Maurkice Pouncey out of Florida (who is now involved in a scandal of his own).  The Steelers also drafted former Ohio State OLB Thaddeus Gibson and potential steal of the draft 1st round projected RB Jonathon Dwyer out of Georgia Tech with the 188th pick overall.

Pittsburgh has an interesting way of approaching free agency.  They signed mostly ex-Steelers like S Ryan Clark, WR Antwaan Randel-El, LB Larry Foote, and QB Byron Leftwich.  Leftwich may be the starter week 1, as Roethlisberger faces a potential six game suspension due to violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.  The team also has some veterans that will be 1st time Steelers, signing WR Arnaz Battle and DB Will Allen.

The real question for the Steelers will be if they can overcome injury and tragedy that they have been beset by in the offseason.  Starting RT Willie Colon will miss the entire season because of injury.  They traded last years second leader in receptions with the team (79) in Santonio Holmes and contemplated trading Roethlisberger because of his second rape allegation in two years.  Pittsburgh has two choices.  They can fold and miss the playoffs for the 2nd straight year.  Or they can use the adversity to improve the unity and make another playoff run like they did in 2008.