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The Steelers were one of the league's more pass-happy teams last season, helping Ben Roethlisberger and his receivers rank among the best fantasy options for most of the year. That could change in 2010.
According to this article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Steelers president Art Rooney II believes it's important for the team to return to the run-based approach the team has long been known for. "We need to get better running the football," he said.
It's not all talk: the Steelers have already fired last year's offensive line coach. There have been various reports that the Steelers want Mike Tomlin to also consider replacing offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, although Rooney denies that.
It will be interesting to see how a desire to return to a run-based offense will show up in the team's offseason personnel moves, if at all. The offensive line will need to be upgraded, and the mix at running back will likely have to change. Certainly Rashard Mendenhall will be the feature back, but Willie Parker and Mewelde Moore could both be gone.
It's also possible that receivers like Hines Ward and Heath Miller will be overvalued next season, not to mention Roethlisberger, assuming the team carries through on Rooney's wishes.
That said, lots of teams say they want to run the football more, but find themselves with little choice but to play to their strengths. With the Steelers the last couple of years, that's been the passing game. A lot will have to change in the team's personnel before that does.
--Andy Richardson
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