It should be smooth sailing for the defending Super Bowl Champs right? They didn’t lose lose any major parts from their team in the off season. And they’ve gone through two weeks of training camp without any major injuries. (everyone keep your fingers crossed) So going back to back for the third time in franchise history should be a piece of cake. But with every new season comes new problems, question marks and players trying to prove themselves. so with that being said I give to you my top 5 storylines going into the season for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

5. 2008 draft picks must step up

Teams never want to expect to much from the rookies that they bring in. But you do want them to have the production that would justify their draft position. For first round pick Rashard Mendenhall, and second rounder Limus Sweed, its time to show your worth. I know Mendenhall miss the last 3 quarters of the season after a week four shoulder injury. Up until that point he only had 58 yards on 19 carries. When you are the back up to Willie Parker, who has proven he cant stay healthy, you must be ready to step in there and carry the load. This team and city is in love with running the football someone better pass that message along to rashard if he plans on staying here. And as for sweed, what do you remember from his rookie season? Allow me to answer that for you, a big touchdown blowing drop in the afc championship game. Which pretty much told the story of the season for sweed. Reasons for his struggles were everything from eye troubles to not being able to handle the speed of the game. Whatever the reason he must step up into the 3rd wide out role for the team.

4 Dealing with the Super Bowl hangover

Some would tell you that the Super Bowl hangover doesn’t exist. I, for one, do not believe that to be true. If your hungry for something, once you eat, your not hungry anymore. And Steelers fans have seen this story before. After winning Super Bowl 40, the steelers finished the next season 8-8 after starting the season 2-6. It will be hard for the team to block out the notion of winning the superbowl when everywhere they go they’re reminded that they play in six-burgh.

3 Can anything fix this O-line?

There was talk after the Super Bowl that the offensive line couldn’t have been as bad as people said they were because they won the Super Bowl. Child, please. In the words of an American Idol host, the Steelers offensive line is “absolutely dreadful”. The steelers were 4th in sacks allowed last season (49) and when Big Ben did throw the ball someone would have to pick him up off the ground anyway.

2 Ben’s off the field actions

Just like the summer following the superbowl 40 victory, the actions of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger could prove to be a distraction to a trying to repeat as champions. Most steeler fans blame Roethlisberger’s motorcycle accident for the reason why the Steelers got off to such a slow start that season. Hopefully for the sake of Ben, the team and the fans his case will be handled quickly after the season.

1 Can this defense be as close to dominant as they were last year?

Lets face it, you could make a strong case that last year’s version of the steel curtain was the greatest defense the league has ever seen. The numbers back it up. The Steelers gave up the least amount of yards, points and points per game. They were number one against the pass and number 2 against the run. (thanks to a meaningless game at the end of the year vs Cleveland). Even with the departure of two pieces to that puzzle (linebacker Larry Foote to the Lions and cornerback Bryant McFadden to the Cardinals) the Steelers defensive should be just as hard to solve this season.