Lewis, who was injured the majority of last year has high expectations from the coaching staff and fans alike especially given the struggles last year with the loss of Polamalu. The steelers defense needs another playmaker in the secondary; lewis may be that guy.

Lewis has looked impressive in training camp and preseason. Although Lewis gave up a touchdown against the Detroit Lions, Lewis played well matched up against Calvin Johnson, one of the most talented and physically gifted receivers in the NFL.

Pouncey has been impressive during the preseason. He’s anticipated to be the best Steelers center since Dermontti Dawson, a Hall of Fame candidate. With Hartwig’s high price tag, the Steelers may be inclined to cut Justin Hartwig.

Hartwig has been an adequate plug but its only a matter of time until Pouncey takes over.

With that being said, why not make Woodley happy and give him a 2 million dollar pay increase this year and release Hartwig. Hartwig is due to make 2 mil this year and that’s too muh for a backup center. Release Hartwig and give Woodley the 2 mil.

Both players are respectively one of the youngest “up and coming” stars in the National Football League (NFL) and both will be commanding huge, long-term contracts.  This begs the question that if the Steelers can afford extending Woodley then can’t they afford to sign Revis instead?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a history of developing great outside linebackers.  However, they haven’t been as lucky in developing top tier cornerbacks.  Revis is a gem and quite possible one of the best all around defensive players in the league.  Revis is being compared to a young Champ Bailey, a true lock down which many “experts” say cannot exist in today’s pass happy NFL.

With that being said, which player would you rather have?  If the Steelers could sign either player based on their current status and contract demands, would you choose Revis or Woodley?

Florio is so biased against the Steelers it’s almost humorous but yet exhausting.  Purely opinionated, most consider Florio and Pro Football Talk the paparazzi of the National Football League (NFL) reporting.

In his list of 5 players that should NOT be in the Hall of Fame include both Dick Lebeau and Lynn Swann.  Out of all the players in the Hall of Fame, Florio picks 2 Steelers in his list of 5.  Big Surprise!

If Florio looks at Lebeau’s statistics like he does everyone else, then he’ll see that Lebeau clearly deserves his Hall of Fame bid.

Lynn Swann not deserving to be in the Hall of Fame is laughable.  Maybe the most clutch wide receiver in playoff and Super Bowl history.  He compares Swann’s stats which are in fact on the low end, to today’s players.

Someone needs to tell Florio to wake up…. Swann played in a completely different era and mostly in a run first offense.  How can you possibly compare Swann to a wide receiver of today which is a “pass first” league?

I guess Florio doesn’t take in consideration a players playoff appearances & wins as well of Super Bowl rings in his analysis of who should get into the Hall of Fame.

If Florio still has any sport writer credibility left, he lost it all in his latest article:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=tsn-fivewhoshouldbeinthehallo20100806

Pouncey, a standout center for the University of Florida is expected to compete for a starting job at either the center or guard positions.

Center is the Steelers worst position along the offensive line and Pouncey is expected to be a huge upgrade over Justin Hartwig.

Mike Tomlin in particular was all smiles. And why not? He just signed a nice extension when some thought he may be coaching for his job this year given the embarrassing meltdown last year against far inferior opponents.

However, with the excitement also comes many question marks and I believe Tomlin acknowledges that. Here are just a few of those question marks:

1) Can the Steelers survive the first six games without Big Ben (possibly 4 games)?

2) Is this Woodley’s last year in a Steelers uniform?

3) Can Mike Wallace be productive against teams #1 cornerbacks?

4) How will the loss of Colon impact the offensive line?

5) Is Polamalu healthy and can he stay healthy?

6) Will the secondary be improved with McFadden starting? Will Burnett and Lewis step up in their second year?

7) Will Pouncey start? If so will it be at center or guard?
Will Mendenhall share carries with Jonathan Dywer

9) Will Farrier, given his age, struggle like last year? Is this Farrior’s last year?

10) Can Ward stay healthy? Is this Ward’s last year before retiring?

It is expected that Roethlisberger’s suspension will be reduced to 4 games but that has not been confirmed by the NFL league office.

Planet Steelers has seen an incredible amount of growth the past couple of years (basically 2 years old) and this has continued for quite some time and I don’t see Planet Steelers slowing down.

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This is bad news for the Steelers and Sweed. Sweed had the perfect opportunity to fill departed Santonio Holmes shoes. Sweed has gone through self inflicted tough times in his short career with the Steelers, having high expectations as a 2nd round pick from Texas.

With the injury, Sweed will enter the final year of his contract next season. That’s assuming the Steelers decide to keep Sweed.