2002 RECORD: 10-5-1 TEAM RANK (NFL): Defense (7th); Offense (5th) ADDITIONS: Free agents -- LB Clint Kriewaldt (Lions), OT Todd Fordham (Jaguars), TE Jay Riemersma (Bills), WR Chris Doering (Redskins). Draft picks -- 1. SS Troy Polamalu (USC); 2. DE Alonzo Jackson (Florida State); 4. CB Ivan Taylor (Louisiana-Lafeyette); 5. QB Brian St. Pierre (Boston College); 7. FB J.T. Wall (Georgia). SUBTRACTIONS: QB Kordell Stewart (Bears), K Todd Peterson (released), OT Wayne Gandy (Saints), TE Marco Battaglia (Dolphins), S Lee Flowers (Broncos). Team news | Roster | More on Steelers draft

		Thu., June 12 What kind of season should we expect from Maddox and the offense? In the Kordell Stewart days, the Steelers expected only 15 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions as the formula for success. As long as Stewart came up with those modest numbers, the Steelers felt they were good enough as a team to go to a championship game or maybe a Super Bowl. And the formula worked a couple of times. However, Tommy Maddox raises the bar. He threw 20 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions last season and it's not out of the question for Maddox to have a 30-15 ratio. Antwan Randle-El has come on as a third receiver and gives Maddox three incredible wide receiving options -- Plaxico Burress, Hines Ward and Randle-El. Throw in pass-receiving tight end Jay Riemersma and halfback Amos Zereoue, and the Steelers have five threats with the potential of catching at least 50 passes. Thanks to his Arena Football League days, Maddox knows how to release the ball quickly and accurately. He completed 62.1 percent of his passes last year and was sacked only 26 times in 377 throws. Given the full season, Maddox could throw for 4,000 yards, but the question is whether Maddox can stay healthy for 16 games. He has a new, unproven left tackle in Marvel Smith. Smith's move to the left side leaves the right side a little more uncertain. The Steelers are the top team in the AFC North and have the chance to be at 11 or 12 wins.

Expectations were high in Pittsburgh last season, following the Steelers' upset loss to New England in the 2001 AFC championship game. While the team rebounded from a 1-3 start to finish 10-5-1 and win their division, a devastating overtime defeat at the hands of Tennessee in the divisional playoffs made last season another major disappointment.

Nevertheless, the team was transformed by the play of quarterback Tommy Maddox, who won the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award after taking over for Kordell Stewart in Week 4. Due also in part to a knee injury to running back Jerome Bettis, the Steelers' offense became primarily an aerial attack, finishing ranked fifth in the NFL. Hines Ward and Plaxico Burress blossomed into one of the most dangerous receiver tandems in the NFL, racking up over 1,300 receiving yards apiece.

The Steelers' defense was typically stingy against the run, and ranked seventh in the NFL overall. But injuries hampered the unit at times, particularly the bad ankle of linebacker Kendrell Bell, who was the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2001. The secondary struggled and was often exploited. Pittsburgh gave up 30 or more points eight times (including the playoffs) -- in 2001, that didn't happen once.

What they've added?
The Steelers gave up a couple of draft picks to move up in the first round and snag USC strong safety Troy Polamalu, a big hitter with lots of speed. Lee Flowers is gone, but veteran backup Mike Logan might still start ahead of Polamalu at first. Defensive end Alonzo Jackson, an undersized pass-rusher from Florida State, and Ivan Taylor, a quick cornerback from Louisiana-Lafayette, have some talent and could see limited on-field action.

On offense, left tackle Wayne Gandy was let go -- the team feels right tackle Marvel Smith can handle the switch to the left side, and they also signed tackle Todd Fordham from the Jaguars. Tight end Mark Bruener has been banged up often of late, so the Steelers also brought in veteran pass-catching tight end Jay Riemersma from the Bills.

What they're missing?
Kordell Stewart was finally cut loose -- but Charlie Batch re-signed and will back up Maddox, so the Steelers have two quarterbacks who've had some success starting in the NFL. But Bettis has struggled with injuries, and his weight, the last two seasons. He has slimmed down some this offseason, but Amos Zereoue should still see plenty of action. No matter what, Pittsburgh's running game is not as strong as it once was. And it remains to be seen what effect the changes on the offensive line will have.

Fantasy Focus

After missing only three games in his first eight seasons, Jerome Bettis has sat out nine regular season games the past two years. He was out for the season's final five games in 2001 with a groin injury and was limited last season by a knee injury. Bettis' string of six straight 1,000-yard seasons was snapped last year when he rushed for only 666 yards on 187 attempts. He worked with track coach Bob Kersee in the offseason to strengthen his lower body. However, Bettis is competing with fifth-year talent Amos Zereoue to be the featured back this season. Zereoue had a breakthrough 2002 season by rushing for 762 yards on 193 attempts. Bettis, 31, may still win the starting spot, but his injury history and declining productivity makes him a risky fantasy pick. Bettis' owners must draft Zereoue as insurance in case the aging Bus breaks down for the third straight season. -- Roger Rotter, ESPN.com Fantasy editor

On defense, except for the addition of Polamalu, the secondary is basically the same as a year ago -- and that's scary. Either they do a much better job in coverage, or the Steelers will once more rely heavily on Maddox's arm to get them to the postseason.

At least the team may have finally found someone who can kick in Heinz Field. Jeff Reed, who as a rookie replaced an ineffective and injured Todd Peterson in Week 12 last season, made 20-of-24 field goals the rest of the way.

What it all means?
The Steelers' front-seven on defense is among the best in the NFL, and should continue to stuff the run and pressure the quarterback rather effectively. But unless the secondary's pass coverage vastly improves, Steelers fans should expect to see more shoot-outs, and less of their fingernails. The schedule doesn't do them any favors either. Nine of their 16 games are against teams that had .500 or better records last year.

Maddox was simply magical in his return to starting in the NFL last season. But he's still not far removed from the XFL. Can he keep it up? The Steelers are a playoff-caliber team -- but they'll need Maddox to excel once again for them to be contenders. He's got plenty of weapons to throw to -- but would benefit from a healthy Bettis and a more effective ground game overall.

Kieran Darcy works for ESPN The Magazine.