It's almost July, which means Steeler fans know Latrobe is right around the corner. Last year at this time, I was less than optimistic, a schedule as brutal as any in the past 20 years at least. Our offensive line was a huge question mark, and the line of scrimmage determines the outcome of football. I thought 9-7 would be a victory for that team. What surprised me, and what Mike Tomlin never seems to get the credit for, was that the vaunted Pittsburgh D suddenly was defending the pass well.

For years, the group of Ike Taylor, Bryant McFadden & Deshea Townsend had been gashed routinely. With injuries, guys like William Gay were called upon. Who? A 5th round pick from Louisville, Gay stepped up admirably, so much so that McFadden became expendable this past off-season. Tomlin, a DB coach, got the cornerbacks of the Steelers to excel, and with LeBeau, the Steelers were no longer the team that you could spread out and drive right down the field on. Tomlin's influence and coaching cannot be ignored as this group finally lived up to their potential.

So, here we are, Super Bowl Champions, Six-Burgh. When we won our fifth, expectations were high, and the ensuing season's results, low. Big Ben was sacked routinely,  the team, and its coach, the once-fiery Cowher, lacked desire and passion. No playoffs, an 8-8 year, when many thought we'd be a contender again.

After going 12-4 against the toughest schedule in the league, the Steelers have one of the softest this season, 29th of 32 teams. Our offense and defense return 21 of 22 starters.  On paper, it looks like we have a real shot at repeating.  We play the NFC North and the AFC West, with our 2 other games being the Dolphins (who will come crashing back to earth after playing a division winner's schedule rather than a last place, Brady-less one)  and Tennessee. Those two end and begin the season respectively. I for one cannot wait to blast the Titans and their arrogance off of Hienz Field. The Steelers will not forget the disrespect shown the Towel.

The game though is played on the field and the bullseye on their backs is gigantic. The Ravens will no doubt be hungry and stout again, even with the exodus of many to the Jets. The Bengals are going to surprise this year, and counting on 4 wins against the Ohio boys and a split with our arch enemies is certainly not a given. Injuries can severely ruin chances, ask any Patriot's fan. You just never know what is going to happen, but you can control your team and its game readiness.

Tomlin will not let this team fail. When Cowher won his Super Bowl, it was a "finally" moment. Bettis won his ring, and Cowher won the big one, putting to rest the big game failure tag. Super Bowl XXX was gone, as were the AFC championship flops. What else was left for Cowher to prove? He was a great coach and became satisfied. Tomlin is entering his THIRD year! He will not rest on his laurels, and I believe he will have our team ready to play come September. 

I cannot wait to see guys the growth and maturation of guys like LaMar Woodley and Lawrence Timmons, who will replace Larry Foote at ILB. I think our D can be better this year than last. How sick is our LB core? Harrison, Farrior, Timmons, and Woodley? Polamalu and Ryan Clark intimidate in vastly different ways from the safety positions, and while the O-Line still worries me, especially from a depth standpoint, the D should once again be in the top 5 in every category. Steeler fans will also be pleasantly surprised by 1st-round pick Ziggy Hood.

I am looking for big things from our 2007 draft class, particularily Mendenhall and Sweed. With Nate Washington gone, Limas Sweed will be key to stretching teams. As a since-birth Steeler fan, it is so hard to not dream about Seven...burgh?  I just cannot wait for the season to begin. Big Ben is also going to improve. People tend to forget he is still very young, and that he carries a chip on his shoulder that even with 2 rings, he is not considered a top-tier QB. After SBXL, the rumor around town was he changed, slacked off a bit. Now, no one works harder than him, spending hours at the Southside UPMC complex and the OC. I am so stinking excited!!  So, join me now, Here We Go Steelers, Here We Go! Is it September yet?