Steelers 09 better than 08

I would be crazy to say the Steelers will definitely repeat as Super Bowl Champions.
There are too many other very good teams and everything must go right to win the whole thing.
However, I believe the 09 Steelers will be better than the 08 Steelers.

Why?

QB: Ben’s performance in the Super Bowl will be a spring board to a great 09 season.
Ben will move into the same house that Peyton & Tom currently reside.
Dennis Dixon will be sprung onto the NFL world as the Steelers version of the Wildcat. He will be dangerous and make teams prepare.

RB: Willie Parker is determined to bounce back from a mediocre 08 & his is playing for a new contract.
Mendenhall will return and give the Steelers a 1-2 punch that rivals any team.
The rookie Summers is perfect as the sledge hammer short yardage back.

WR: Holmes has not made huge money yet. He is poised to join the NFL elite.
Ward is Ward. Nuff said.
Sweed will walk into camp with confidence this year and his physical skills are scary.
The rookie Wallace has measurables & college production that stack up favorably with Maclin. He actually is faster, jumps higher and farther. His college production is not quite as impressive as Maclin’s but he started 3 years in the SEC and his numbers are good.

Jeremy Maclin - pick 19 - 6'0 200 - 4.45 40YD - 35" VJ - 10' BJ
2 year starter in Big 12, 2300 yards 22td's- 24.0 KR avg with 1 td -
vs.
Mike Wallace - pick 84 - 6'0 200 - 4.33 40YD - 40" VJ - 10'10" BJ
3 year starter in SEC, 1900 yards and 15 TD's, 24.6 KR avg with 1 TD
Sweed and / or Wallace will need to bust the zone deep and both have the physical tools to do so.

TE: Miller will continue to morph into Jason Witten’s twin brother. Witten is no.1 in my book.

OL: The Steelers replaced 4 starters in 08. (LT-LG-C & RG) This group is not great by any stretch but they will continue to work better together. Watch the tape of the final drive of the Super Bowl and they completely stone the Cardinal pass rush on the last 5 plays when it really counted.

DL: The top 3 are strong and tough. Will they get better? Probably not. But the infusion of a young energetic Ziggy Hood on passing downs is really going to juice an already great pass rush.

LB: Woodley will continue to blossom. He does not make much money now and he has the good fortune of playing opposite of one of the greatest Steeler LB’s of all time.
Yes Harrison is that good. He beats tackles 1 on 1 without scheme.
Timmons is going to be real good. This kid was born on 5/14/86. He will be 23 years old today. He was a baby when the Steelers drafted him. He is a very explosive player that is going to have the NFL world buzzing very soon.

DB: Tough to say we will be better since Troy, Ike and Ryan have reached their potential.
However, all are still relatively young and no reason to expect a down turn. Losing McFadden is tough. Gay has showed promise and Colbert and Tomlin have really brought in allot of competition for that spot.
( Gay - Ratliff - Bryant - Lewis & Burnett )

Comparing Jenkins to our pick Lewis says we got good value.

Malcolm Jenkins- pick 12 - 6'1 200 - 4.5 40YD - 33" VJ - 10'4" BJ - 31.5 arm
3 year starter in Big 10, 7 INT's in final 2 seasons
vs.
Keenan Lewis - pick 96 - 6'1 200 - 4.5 40YD - 38.5 VJ - 10'10" BJ - 33.25 arm
4 year starter in PAC 10, 7 INT's in final 2 seasons

Summary: Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert continue to build a roster that is scary deep.
The Steelers of 09 will be a load to handle and better than the 08 Super Bowl Champions!
Steeler Nation is well pleased with this current crop of Steeler players and coaches.