10 things that must happen for repeat

Forgive me if this was posted earlier.  We all know how difficult it is to repeat as Champs in the NFL.  But I think the Steelers are in a very rare situation this year after winning their 6th super bowl.  The fact that they have won the Superbowl recently and had Ben's worst year as a steeler, they already have first  hand experience on what it will be like as defending champions.  This allow them to prepare better this year for what awaits them.  There have only been 6 teams, that I can think of, that have repeated; New England, Cowboys, 49ers, Packers, Miami and the only team to do it twice is the Steelers.  Can we do it a third, if so heres what must have to happen.

1.  No Major Injuries

This has nothing to do with skill, its pure luck.  Its such a violent game and any play can be your last.  But injuries will occur, you just don't want them to be major.  Like Ben tearing an ACL or Troy dislocating a shoulder.  These players are irreplaceable and their absence would be detrimental to our season. 

Chances of this happening :  N/A

There is no way to predict injuries.

2.  The play of William Gay

This guy has to increase is level of play.  Not that it was so bad.  He started four games I believe last year and did so well that he split time on the field even after Branyt McFadden was fully healed.  Which was a necessity because Mr. McFadden ending up ditching the steelers to go play with the Cards.  But Gay needs to play a whole season and play it at a high level.  We cannot afford deep passes in our secondary.  If we end up playing the patriots in the ARCCG then Gay will have to hold down Welker and do it well.

Chances of this happening: Good

Although we havent seen him play a full season yet I'm pretty sure that with another year of experiences Mr. Gay will do just fine.

3.  Ben making the leap

When I mean by leap, I mean the leap to Elite.  Don't get me wrong in my book Ben is already in the hall of fame.  But there are several areas he can improve on to become that elite QB and everyone recognize it.  If he reads defenses better, throw the ball away sometimes insead of taking the sack, learn when to hold on to the ball better; then Ben stats will go up and our margin of victory will be wider - which means I won't need a pace maker this season. 

Chances of this happening: Very Good

I think that Ben can adapt to the line being poor if it doesn't improve and make plays.  If he raises his game mentally then he will be unmatched.  We have seen Ben put up great numbers, his 4th season.  I think he can return to those type of numbers and more because he knows what it takes now and if it wasn't for that motorcycle, which I believe set him back a little, then Ben career numbers would be off the charts.

4.  Offensive line improves

Only if our offensive line was more like Indy's or the Pats, and ben was taking 20 sacks a season, it wouldn't be fair to the opposition.  If our line improves that means the running game comes back and there is less chances of Ben getting sacked.  Hopefully Urbik takes Stapelton spot and Hills takes Colon, that will bode well for our future.  Only the mind can imagine what our offense would look like if Willie Parker had gaping holes and Ben had 5 seconds to throw.

Chances of this happening: Not so Good

I don't believe we have the talent there, and well cohesiveness may make a little improvements I believe there is a ceiling on the current starters abilities.  I don't see much improvement unless Urbik and Tony Hills improve enough to get starting roles. 

5.  Nate who?

Limas Sweed need to make us forget who Nate Washington was.  That will be a tough out.  Nate wasn't the greatest but he sure was a deep threat for been, in four straight games he caught TD passes for 40+ yards, it would have been 5 but you all remember that Giants game and the holding call bringing Nate's TD back.  Limas is just as fast as Nate and about 4 inches taller than Nate.  If he can fufill the 3rd string WR position then watch out, defense will find it hard to match up against Limas, Holmes and Ward - throw in Heath and its even more tough.

Chances of this happening:  Good

Do you remember Burress in his first year?  More of a headache than he was worth, and still is, but he was a shadow of himself then.  He made bonehead plays - spiking the ball after he caught it and fell to the ground (he forgot that in the NFL you have to be touched to be down).  I believe Sweed has the talent to be a big deal at the WR position and if he does, he already has a QB that can get him the ball.  Only thing that stands in his way is the mental part of the game and with a year under his belt we better see some improvement.

6.  Defense defy age

We need Casey to play well, Aaron Smith to play will, Farrior to play well, James Harrison to play well.  What is the common denominator on all these players, they are all over the age of 30.  We all know that 30 is old man status in this league and we need these guys to not break down in order to have a shot at another championship.

Chances of this happening: Extremely Good

Casey is in a contract year, Aaron Smith motor is always full blast, Farrior smarts supplements his declining athletic abilit and Harrison is only a 2 year starter, not much wear and tear on the body plus he is a work out addict.  I don't see these guys play dropping off, matter of fact I see Casey having one of his better years trying to show the world that he hasn't lost a step in his age in hopes for one more lucrative deal.

7.  Special teams must be special

Special teams is 1/3 of the game, a third that often gets over looked.  Tomlin has steadily improved our special teams play in each of the two years he has been here and this third year it looks to improve again.  Mike Wallace should return Kicks, while a host of players should return punts.  With robo punter back we won't have worry about 25 yard kicks, his legendary hang time ability should improve our punt coverage also.  If we can return a couple of punts or kicks this year and at least avg. decent returns now that we have speed as return guys our offense won't have to dig itself out of holes and the defense won't be stuck defending only one half of the field.  This will help our team out tremendously.

Chances of this happening: Certain to happen

With the addition of Daniel by it sill our special teams will improve, how much more it will improve will depend on how well mike wallacee and company and do in the return department.  I have my hopes.

8.  Timmons Chance

We all wish Foote was still around, there is nothing like depth for security purposes but he isn't here now its even more important for Timmons to have great endurance, no more turning a pick six into a falling down on the one inch line, and to impact the game we expect it.  He has the talent but he has to prove it as a starter.

Chances of this happening: Good

You never know what will happens when someone assumes a starting roll for the first time, but Timmons wasn't a number one draft pick for no reason.  He has the talent and just needs to put his whole game together, its scary when you think of the speed of this guy - he ran down darren sproles in the AFCDG last year.  He can make this defense more dynamic and more scary.

9.  The Sophmore slump?

If Rasard mendenhall can come and play like a first round draft pick is suppose to then the steelers will in theory feel like they got 2 first rounders this year.  As with the other guys Mendenhall has the talent, he is fast, has soft hands, and has the power.  But running in the NFL is much different than running in college, esp. the slow Big Ten.  Rashard can make a 1-2 punch with Willie P. and boom we have a dynamic running game and it will feel real good to see that.

Chances of this happening: OK

There is no way to tell how Rashard will bounce back from his injury plagued rookie season.  I'm not too sure about it and his sucess will depend on if Willie can stay healthy too simply because it's something extra for defenses to prepare for. 

10.  Old Man Ward

We need one more good year out of Hines Ward.  He began to break down at the end of last season and had very quiet playoffs.  We need time to help ensure that holmes can keep progressing and Sweed.

Chances of this happening: Certain

  I never doubt Hines, he always has played with a chip on his shoulder and always comes through for the steelers.

So what do you think we need to happen in order to repeat, please give thoughts.