Gerry Dulac Sporting News
PITTSBURGH — It is a season of significant change for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Not only is it the biggest year of adjustment in coach Mike Tomlin’s six-season tenure, it is one of the biggest in recent memory for the franchise.
Ben Roethlisberger will operate with a new offensive coordinator. (AP Photo)
The change begins on offense, where the team went outside the organization for the first time since 1989, when Chuck Noll hired Joe Walton, to find an offensive coordinator. It also includes a wideout position that for the first time in 15 years will not have Hines Ward — the team’s all-time leader in receptions and yards.
That’s not all. The defense will be minus two of its biggest and best longtime players — defensive end Aaron Smith and inside linebacker James Farrior. They were each released in the offseason, along with longtime backup nose tackle Chris Hoke, creating a leadership void as big as the Golden Triangle in the locker room.
It’s not often a team decides to cut three of its captains — Ward (offense), Farrior (defense) and Arnaz Battle (special teams) — in one offseason. But that’s what the Steelers did as they attempt to transition from a team that had the NFL's oldest roster to one that is prepared to fill significant gaps with younger players.
What’s new: Offense Despite leading an offense that produced a 4,000-yard quarterback, two 1,000-yard receivers and a 1,000-yard running back, Bruce Arians was not retained as coordinator and was replaced by former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley.
The offense will still revolve around quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and receivers Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders, but Haley will also introduce more elements of the running game that will help take the pressure off Roethlisberger. The scheme will include using a fullback and more passes to the running backs.
The Steelers also used their top two 2012 Draft picks to bolster the offensive line. They expect first-round pick David DeCastro to immediately start at right guard and will eventually insert second-rounder Mike Adams at right or left tackle. They opened that possibility by moving right tackle Willie Colon to left guard, a position he hasn’t played before.
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