Pittsburgh Steelers, Defensive Team/Special Teams

July 9, 2009 @ 00:00:00

By KFFL Staff
Edited by KFFL Staff

Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Team/Special Teams

Bye Wk	Tot TD	Spec Tm TD	Fum TD	Int TD	Pass Int	Fum Rec	Sacks	Safety
8	2	1	1	2	18	12	48	1

Pros: The Steelers finished 2008 ranked No. 2 against the run and No. 1 versus the pass. They also led the league in scoring (13.9 points allowed per game) and ranked No. 2 in sacks (51). In defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's zone-blitzing 3-4 scheme, Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison (16.0 sacks) and linebacker LaMarr Woodley (11.5 sacks) lead the team's relentless pass rush while Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu (seven interceptions) anchors the secondary. Pittsburgh also ranked No. 9 (tie) in takeaways (20 interceptions and nine recovered fumbles). The Steelers have scored three touchdowns on returns two seasons in a row.

Cons: For all their hype, Pittsburgh, who will field a very similar club to last year, ranked 10th in fantasy points for defensive units in standard scoring formats last year. The odds are against Harrison (2008 Defensive Player of the Year) equaling a sack total that was nearly double his previous career best. The stellar play of Pittsburgh's front seven masks some mediocre cornerbacks. The punt return team has been lousy in recent years, and the kickoff return team has ranked below average for the last three-plus seasons.

Fantasy tip: Barring injuries or a Super Bowl letdown, Pittsburgh should be an elite fantasy defense again. They're being targeted in the early 10th round on average, but we feel they're overvalued in terms of ADP. Fantasy owners may be enticed by the soft schedule may reach for this unit sooner, but we urge you to resist that temptation.

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