Pittsburgh Steelers 2011 Outlook: Rust on the Steel Curtain?

March 3, 2011   ·   Andrew Pregler   ·   Jump to comments

It was the same question the Steelers faced all of last season: is the defense that has consistently been excellent too old to succeed? Last season, with a unit with an average age of 34, the fountain of youth seemed to have spouted out in Point Park as the Steel Curtain dropped hard on the rest of the league.
The linebacking core was one of the best in the league with the emergence of Lawrence Timmons, and the defensive line showed depth with Nick Eason and Ziggy Hood being energized by Brett Keisel's beard. The secondary was not the best in the league, but was nowhere near the worst and was led by Defensive Player of the Year Troy Polamalu.
Yet, another year passes, a low draft pick hinders the Steelers' ability to draft a true playmaker, the CBA negotiations prevent trading up in said draft (for now) and ownership will sign an expensive free agent the day that Charlie Sheen decides he is a loser.
So yes, the question will be asked again: is this unit too old? Will the...

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