DEFENSIVE LINE

As discussed in my teaser article earlier today, it looks like the Steelers made a wise choice with their first round draft choice this year with Ziggy Hood. Of course preseason stats don't accurately tell the story of how a player will do during actual games against other team's starters but there is a reason for preseason games other than giving more revenue to the teams. It is to evaluate the new players to see if they measure up. As I said Ziggy seems to be measuring up. He has been providing pressure on opposing QBs in these first two games and that is great to see. The other good news is that the Steelers did not lose any of their starters, so the line remains intact and unless Ziggy blows them away he will not be taking any of their positions this year, but providing much needed quality depth as these guys are getting up there.

The starters
Aaron Smith: When he went down the year after the Super Bowl the Steelers defense had quite a bit of trouble stopping the run. He should have been making the Pro Bowl every year for the last 4 or 5 years, but the end is not the focal point in this defense and it's not their job to get the sacks, but he's provided plenty of pressure on QBs and is the reason the defense was No. 1 for most of the year last year against the run.

Casey Hampton/Chris Hoke: The 2 headed monster. Hampton plays the running downs and takes up double teams while the linebackers rack up the sacks. Best run stopping Nose Tackle in the game, he is a free agent after this year and the Steelers need to resign him if there's any money left. Chris Hoke is the prime example of unselfishness. He has been on this team for 9 years and could have gone to other teams and started for most of them. He is a quality 1B player. He comes in on passing downs and provides a little more mobility for the defense. There is very little dropoff from Hampton.

Brett Keisel: took over a few years ago and Kimo VO left via free agency. He is just as important as the other 2 guys and it looked like early in his years with the Steelers he would provide some sacks. He has one occasionally but he's mostly another run stuffer.

The backups:
If Ziggy continues to play well I would expect him to be the number 1 or 2 backup, but the coaches could have different ideas. They might want him to watch and learn for a while.

Travis Kirschke will continue to back up Aaron Smith but this is his 13th year.

Scott Paxson in his 2nd year out of Penn State will be the number 3 Nose Tackle if they keep 3. If not he'll probably end up on the practice squad or be one of those guys that gets signed, released and resigned. Hopefully the other 2 will stay healthy and he won't be needed.

Nick Eason will back up Brett Keisel. He is in his 7th year out of Clemson.

Steve McLendon, a free agent, and Ra'Shon Harris, their 6th rounder will fight it out for any remaining positions on the D Line. Expect them to Keep Harris as a project.

All in all these guys are the best 3-4 defensive linemen in the NFL. But they need some youth. That's where Ziggy comes in.

Look for the next poll question: How many sacks will Ziggy have?


Next up: Special teams