2008 Pittsburgh Steelers season

Infobox NFL_season
team = Pittsburgh Steelers
year = 2008
record = 4–1
division_place = 1st AFC North
coach = Mike Tomlin
stadium = Heinz Field
playoffs = TBD
previous = 2007
next = 2009

The 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers season is the franchise's 76th season in the National Football League (NFL). The team entered the season as defending champions of the AFC North division and looking to improve upon their 10–6 record from 2007. Despite having the most difficult schedule in the league, the team has been called a Super Bowl contender by ESPN. [cite web |url= http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/powerranking?season=2008&week=0|title= NFL Power Rankings: May 2008 edition|accessdate=2008-06-02 |publisher= ESPN.com] The Steelers drafted their first running back in the first-round of the draft since 1989, in an possible effort to explore the option of using the "pony backfield" on offense. [cite news |last= Bouchette|first= Ed |title= New horses for offense, Arians|publisher= Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date= 2008-04-29 |url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08120/877467-66.stm|accessdate= 2008-04-29] Pittsburgh finished their preseason with a record of 3–1. The Steelers opened up their regular season on September 7, with a win over the Houston Texans. They will conclude the regular season against the division rival Cleveland Browns on December 28.

Offseason

Entering the 2008 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers lost ten-year lineman Alan Faneca, after his contract expired, and he signed with the New York Jets.cite news |last= ESPN.com news services|first= |title= Roethlisberger Faneca agrees to five-year, $40 million deal with Jets|publisher= ESPN|date= 2008-02-03 |url= http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3272497|accessdate= 2008-03-25] The Steelers released Allen Rossum, Jerame Tuman, and Clint Kriewaldt, on February 22. [cite web |url= http://www.nfl.com/teams/pittsburghsteelers/transactions?transactionWeek=02%2F24%2F2008&team=PIT|title= Pittsburgh Steelers Transactions: Week of Feb 24|accessdate=2008-05-31 |author= NFL.com|date= 2008-02-24|work= Pittsburgh Steelers Transactions|publisher=NFL.com] The Steelers also lost Dan Kreider, Verron Haynes, Brian St. Pierre, and eight-year veteran Clark Haggans to free agency. [cite web |url= http://www.nfl.com/teams/pittsburghsteelers/transactions?transactionWeek=03%2F02%2F2008&team=PIT|title= Pittsburgh Steelers Transactions: Week of March 2|accessdate=2008-05-31 |author= NFL.com|work= Pittsburgh Steelers Transactions|publisher=NFL.com] The Steelers renewed quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's contract with an eight year, $102 million agreement, the largest in franchise history.cite news |last= Smith|first= Michael |title= Roethlisberger gets more than $36 million in guarantees in new deal|publisher= ESPN|date= 2008-02-03 |url= http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3274467|accessdate= 2008-02-03] The team resigned Max Starks to the largest single-year deal in franchise history, despite him not being a starter during the 2007 season. [cite news |first= Ed|last= Bouchette|title= Starks hopes to make big impact|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08161/888463-66.stm|publisher= Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date= 2008-06-09|accessdate=2008-06-10] Nate Washington, Chris Kemoeatu, and Trai Essex also agreed to one-year deals. [cite web |url= http://www.nfl.com/teams/pittsburghsteelers/transactions?team=PIT|title= Pittsburgh Steelers Transactions|accessdate=2008-05-31 |author= NFL.com|date= 2008-04-21|publisher=NFL.com] cite web |url= http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/4809816/Pittsburgh-Steelers-Strategy-and-Personnel?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=5|title= Pittsburgh Steelers Strategy and Personnel|accessdate=2008-06-02 |author= Sports Xchange|date= 2008-05-30|publisher= Fox Sports (USA)] The Steelers acquired seven-year center Justin Hartwig and Mewelde Moore as free-agents, both were signed to multi-year deals; in addition, free agent linebacker Keyaron Fox agreed to a single-year deal. Going into 2008, 14 members of the Steelers are entering the final year of their contracts. [cite news |first= John|last= Harris|title= Steelers facing contract issues|url= http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_579657.html?source=rss&feed=3|publisher= Pittsburgh Tribune-Review|date= 2008-07-27|accessdate=2008-07-27]

Draft

The 2008 NFL Draft was held on April 26 and April 27, 2008, at Radio City Music Hall. In the first round, the Steelers selected running back Rashard Mendenhall, from the University of Illinois, with the 23rd overall pick.cite news |first= Ed |last= Bouchette |title=Steelers draft RB from Illinois, WR from Texas to protect Big Ben |url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08118/877010-66.stm|publisher= Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date= 2008-04-28|accessdate=2008-04-27 ] He was the first running back selected in the first round by the Steelers since 1989. The Steelers selected Limas Sweed, from the University of Texas, in the second round. Sweed was ranked by the Steelers as one of the top three receivers in the draft. The drafting of Sweed came after quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's suggestion of acquiring a tall wide receiver; Sweed is 6-feet 4-inches in height. [cite web |url= http://news.steelers.com/article/88964/|title= Roethlisberger gets his wish|accessdate=2008-06-02 |author= Teresa Varley|date= 2008-04-30|work= |publisher=Steelers.com] In round three, the Steelers selected Bruce Davis, of UCLA. [cite web |url= http://news.steelers.com/article/88658/|title= 2008 NFL Draft: Bruce Davis|accessdate=2008-06-03 |publisher= Steelers.com|date= ] Davis primarily played defensive end at his alma mater, however, he is expected to switch to linebacker at the pro level. [cite web |url= http://news.steelers.com/article/88658/|title= 2008 NFL Draft: Bruce Davis|accessdate=2008-06-03 |publisher= Steelers.com|date= ] The Steelers traded their fourth-round pick (123rd overall) to the New York Giants for the Giants' fourth and sixth-round selections, 130th and 194th overall, respectively.cite web |url= http://news.steelers.com/article/88936/|title= Steelers Select Seven Players in 2008 NFL Draft|accessdate=2008-06-03 |publisher= Steelers.com] The Steelers selected offensive tackle Tony Hills with the 130th overall selection, in the fourth round. [cite web |url= http://news.steelers.com/article/88791/|title= 2008 NFL Draft: Tony Hills|accessdate=2008-06-03 |publisher= Steelers.com|date= ] Like second-round pick Sweed, Hills came out of the University of Texas where he had been elected a captain of the football team during his senior season. With their fifth-round selection, the Steelers chose quarterback Dennis Dixon. [cite web |url= http://news.steelers.com/article/88794/|title= 2008 NFL Draft: Dennis Dixon|accessdate=2008-06-03 |publisher= Steelers.com|date= ] Prior to an injury in 2007, Dixon was a Heisman Trophy candidate. In the sixth round, the Steelers chose their second linebacker of the draft, Mike Humpal out of the University of Iowa. [cite web |url= http://news.steelers.com/article/88795/|title= 2008 NFL Draft: Mike Humpal|accessdate=2008-06-03 |publisher= Steelers.com] Also in the sixth round, the final selection of the team was safety Ryan Mundy, a Pittsburgh native. [cite web |url= http://news.steelers.com/article/88896/|title= 2008 NFL Draft: Ryan Mundy|accessdate=2008-06-03 |publisher= Steelers.com] The Steelers did not pick in the seventh round, due to a 2007 trade with the Atlanta Falcons.cite news |last= Bouchette| first= Ed| title= Tomlin vows to shore up deficiencies in kickoff, punt coverage| publisher= Pittsburgh Post-Gazette| date= 2007-11-14| url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07318/833669-66.stm| accessdate= 2008-04-02] The Steelers Kevin Colbert said of the draft, "we’re happy with the way things turned out."cite web |url= http://news.steelers.com/article/88920/|title= Director of Football Operations and Coach Mike Tomlin|accessdate=2008-06-03 |publisher= Steelers.com|date= 2008-04-27] Also stating that the first and second-round selections were players who the team expected to have already been chosen. Coach Mike Tomlin said that the Steelers tried to selected skilled offensive "weapons" over a strong offensive line, which struggled the previous season. [cite video |people= Mike Tomlin|date2= 28|month2= April|year2= 2008|title= Tomlin on Steelers' Draft|url= http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d808076b6|format= |medium= Interview|publisher= NFL Network|accessdate=2008-06-02 |time= 2:41] The following day, the Steelers signed twelve free-agent rookies. [cite news | last= Bouchette| first= Ed| title= Steelers sign a dozen rookie free agents| publisher= Pittsburgh Post-Gazette| date= 2008-04-28| url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08119/877298-66.stm| accessdate= 2008-04-29] The Steelers agreed to terms with all of their draft picks on July 25, two days prior to the start of training camp. [cite news |first= Ed|last= Bouchette|title= Steelers sign top picks Mendenhall and Sweed|url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08207/899545-66.stm?cmpid=sports.xml|publisher= Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date= 2008-07-25|accessdate=2008-07-25]

* Green background indicates win.
* Red background indicates loss.

Division standings

The 2008 season is the Steelers' seventh as members of the AFC North Division. Pittsburgh will defend their division title from the 2007 season, which they obtained by tying the Cleveland Browns' 10–6 record, but holding the tie-breaker with two wins over the Browns. Through 2007, Pittsburgh is the only team to have won the AFC North three times, since its inception prior to the 2002 NFL season. [The Steelers won the AFC North during the [http://www.nfl.com/standings?category=div&season=2002-REG&split=Overall 2002] , [http://www.nfl.com/standings?category=div&season=2004-REG&split=Overall 2004] , and [http://www.nfl.com/standings?category=div&season=2007-REG&split=Overall 2007] NFL seasons.] Entering the 2008 season, the Steelers were chosen to win the division by sportswriter Ron Borges, [cite news |first= Ron|last= Borges|authorlink= Ron Borges|title= AFC North preview: Anticipating two-horse race|url= http://www.nfl.com/kickoff/story?id=09000d5d80a43f06&template=with-video&confirm=true|publisher= NFL.com|date= 2008-08-28|accessdate=2008-08-30] as well as nine of 13 analysts interviewed by ESPN.com. [cite news |title= Pittsburgh Steelers (Consensus division finish: 1st)|url= http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/preview08/team?team=pit|publisher= ESPN.com|date= 2008-08-28|accessdate=2008-08-30] Four NFL.com analysts wrote that the Steelers would finish with a 10–6 record. [cite news |first= Ron|last= Borges|authorlink= Ron Borges|title= Steelers preview: Face challenge from long-time rival|url= http://www.nfl.com/kickoff/story?id=09000d5d80a440b2&template=with-video&confirm=true|publisher= NFL.com|date= 2008-08-25|accessdate=2008-08-30]

Game recaps

Week 1: Houston Texans

Linescore Amfootball
Road=Steelers
R1=3
R2=3
R3=0
R4=0
RT=6
Home=Eagles
H1=0
H2=10
H3=0
H4=5
HT=15

Pittsburgh's first inter-conference opponent of the season was the Philadelphia Eagles, in Week Three. The Steelers scored on their first drive, getting a 37-yard field goal from Jeff Reed. The Eagles offense drove 85 yards on 13 plays on their ensuing drive and capped it with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Donovan McNabb to Correll Buckhalter, to give the Eagles a 7–3 lead. The Steelers turned the ball over twice in the second quarter, with one fumble leading to an Eagles' field goal. However, Bryant McFadden intercepted his second pass of the season witch allowed Reed to add his second field goal of the day—this one from 53-yards. The field goal brought the half time score to 10–6.cite web |url= http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/playbyplay?game_id=29573&displayPage=tab_play_by_play&season=2008&week=REG3&override=true|title= Week Three GameCenter|accessdate=2008-09-23 |work= Play-by-Play|publisher= NFL.com|date= 2008-09-21] cite web |url= http://www.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/29573/PHI_Gamebook.pdf|title= National Football League Game Summary|accessdate=2008-09-23 |work= Pittsburgh Steelers At Philadelphia Eagles|publisher= NFL.com|date= 2008-09-21]

A third quarter, diving Troy Polamalu interception, on Kevin Kolb's first NFL pass, was named a "Can't Miss Play" by NFL Network. [cite web |url= http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80afdad2|title= Polamalu INT|accessdate=2008-09-23 |work= Sprint Can't Miss Plays|publisher= NFL Network|date= 2008-09-21] However, the Steelers failed to capitalize, punting two more times in the third quarter. The Eagles defense sacked Ben Roethlisberger eight times throughout the game, two of which resulted in fumbles.cite news |first= Teresa|last= Varley|title= Rough outing for Roethlisberger|url= http://news.steelers.com/article/96372/|publisher= PittsburghSteelers.com|date= 2008-09-23|accessdate=2008-09-23] The Eagles entered the final quarter leading 10–6, but added two more points when a Roethlisberger was called for Intentional grounding while in the end zone. David Akers concluded the game's scoring with a 31-yard field goal—bring the final score to 15–6. Roethlisberger was forced to leave the game after his hand was stepped on in the final quarter—the hand was not broken. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians took responsibility for the offense's performance. [cite news |first= Scott|last= Brown|title= Arians accepts blame for struggles against Eagles|url= http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_590175.html?source=rss&feed=3|publisher= Pittsburgh Tribune-Review|date= 2008-09-26|accessdate=2008-09-26] "Anybody who wants anybody to blame for Philadelphia, you just blame me," Arians stated after the game, "and then we can get ready for Baltimore." [cite news |first= Gerry|last= Dulac|title= Arians: I'll take blame for Philadelphia fiasco|url= http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08270/915226-66.stm|publisher= Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date= 2008-09-26|accessdate=2008-09-26]

Week 4: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Current roster

Staff

References