Despite a threat of a lockout, salary cap issues and an aging team, the Steelers will be returning their entire starting defense from the beginning of the 2010 season.
The Steelers average age on defense (starters) will again lead the league at 31.0, up from their league leading 29.2 last season.
But despite their age, the defense led the league in 2010 with the least points per game at 14.5, the least rushing yards allowed per game at 62.8 (second being Chicago allowing 90.1) and the second least total yards allowed per game at 276.8.
Aaron Smith (age 35) – Left DE – After suffering season-ending tricep and rotator cuff injuries the past two seasons, Aaron Smith will need to prove that he can stay healthy for an entire season at left defensive end.
Casey Hampton (age 33) – Nose Tackle – Hampton has been the center point of the Steelers top run defense over the years and is in the second year of a three year contract.
Brett Keisel (age 32) – Right DE – Coming off a season in which he missed five games with a hamstring injury, Keisel also needs to stay healthy after missing 12 games over the last three seasons.
Defensive Line Backups – The Steelers probably have the most depth on the defensive line with 2009 first round draft pick Ziggy Hood and 2011 first round draft pick Cameron Heyward as backups on the corners and recently re-signed Chris Hoke as backup to Hampton at nose tackle.
LaMarr Woodley (age 26) – Left Outside LB – The Steelers locked up Woodley for six more years in a Steelers uniform with a contract worth $61.5 million (including a $22.5 million signing bonus)
James Farrior (age 36) – Left Middle LB – Farrior is coming off a season in which he played all 16 games (he has missed only 8 games in his 14 year career) and recorded 109 tackles and six sacks.
Lawrence Timmons (age 25) – Right Middle LB – Timmons enters the final year on a five year contract so he will be motivated to put up numbers to get a big contract next year.
James Harrison (age 33) – Right Outside LB – Harrison has had 10 or more sacks in each of the last three seasons (16 in 2008, 10 in 2009, 10.5 in 2010).
Linebacker Backups – Like the defensive line, the Steelers linebackers have a mix of good young backups in Jason Worilds and Stevenson Sylvester with veteran leadership in Larry Foote.
Ike Taylor (age 31) – Left CB – Taylor signed a 4 year contract to stay with the Steelers, giving them a solid shutdown cornerback.
Bryant McFadden (age 29) – Right CB – McFadden was thrown at 120 times last season and was the 7th worst cornerback in the league in receptions per coverage snap.
Cornerback Backups – With William Gay and Keenan Lewis as the options in the nickel and as backups, it could be a long season on the corners for the Steelers.
Troy Polamalu (age 30) – Strong Safety – Polamalu is the saving grace of the secondary without a doubt, if he stays healthy. He is entering the final year of a four-year contract extension, but is said to be in negotiations with the Steelers on a long-term extension.
Ryan Clark (age 31) – Free Safety – Clark signed a four-year contract last year and is hard hitting coming up from the secondary.
Image Source – (Photo by Shawn McCullough/Ohio Valley Athletics)
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