29-year old WR/RB Stefan Logan will likely be the Steelers’ kickoff return man once again in 2010.  He played in 16 games for the Steelers last season and he returned 55 kickoffs for 1,466 yards (26.7 avg).  Logan has good speed and a lot of moves so the Steelers hope he gives the offense solid starting position in 2010.

31-year old WR Antwaan Randle El is the backup plan.  He played in 16 games for the Redskins last season but he didn’t return any kickoffs.  He has played in 127 games in his NFL career and he has returned 79 kickoffs for 1,759 yards (22.3 avg) with 1 TD return. 

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE STEELERS KICKOFF RETURNERS in 2010:  B

The Steelers have already lost their best O-Lineman (Willie Colon) for the season and the line wasn’t that good with him.  LT Max Starks is a solid run blocker but he has issues with speed rushers which will lead to quite a few hits in the back for Steelers’ QBs in 2010.  LG Chris Kemoeatu is a solid run blocker because he’s so strong but he needs to improve his pass blocking.  Center Justin Hartwig has been terrible his last two seasons as a pass blocker giving up 14 total sacks.  If he doesn’t improve soon rookie 1st round pick Maurkice Pouncey could bounce him out of a starting job soon.  It seems more likely that Pouncey will battle Trai Essex for the starting RG guard job in 2010.  Essex started all 16 games for the Steelers last season but that doesn’t mean he’ll start over Pouncey.  RT will be manned by Flozell Adams who is a much better run blocker than a pass blocker at this point in his career.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE STEELERS O-LINE in 2010:  D+

The Steelers lost to the Chiefs, Browns and Raiders down the stretch last season and it cost them a chance to defend their Super Bowl Championship.  The Steelers were a very disappointing 9-7 (56.3%) last season as they missed the playoffs.  Tomlin has a regular season record of 31-17 (64.6%) in his three years with the Steelers.  The Steelers are 3-1 (75%) in the post season under Tomlin and he earned a Super Bowl ring in 2008.  Tomlin is a solid football coach but he will be tested this season playing at least 4 games without Ben Roethlisberger and the whole season without Santonio Holmes (he was traded to the Jets).

31-year old kicker Jeff Reed might get drunk and arrested once in a while but he’s still a solid kicker.  Reed played in 16 games for the Steelers last season and he connected on 27 of 31 field goals (87.1%).  He also made all 41 of his extra point attempts last season to finish with 122 points.  Reed has now played in 118 games with the Steelers and he has made 189 of 227 field goals (83.3%).  He has also made 288 of 291 extra points in his career and he has scored 855 points for the Steelers.  As long as he can stay out of jail, I see Reed having another solid year for the Steelers in 2010.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE STEELERS KICKERS in 2010:  A

The Steelers pretty much gave Santonio Holmes away ditching him for a fifth round pick (to the Jets).  That’s a shame because he was one of the best receivers on the team.  34-year old Hines Ward will be the #1 WR for the Steelers despite his advancing age.  Ward played in 16 games (all starts) for the Steelers last season and he caught 95 passes for 1,167 yards (12.3 avg) with 6 TD grabs.  He has now played in 186 games (166 starts) in his 12 years with the Steelers and he has caught 895 passes for 10,947 yards (12.2 avg) with 78 TD grabs.  He also has carried the ball 56 times for 430 yards (7.7 ypc) with 1 TD run in his career.  Ward has made it to 4 Pro Bowls with the Steelers.  Ward still has something left in the gas tank and he will be needed more than ever this season without Holmes around.  He still is a outstanding blocker downfield.

23-year old Mike Wallace burst onto the scene for the Steelers as a rookie last season because of his speed.  He played in 16 games (4 starts) for the Steelers last year and he caught 39 passes for 756 yards (19.4 avg) with 6 TD grabs.  Wallace will have to step his game up even more in 2010 as he will be moving into Santonio Holmes’ old starting role.  That means he will be guarded by starting corners instead of nickel and dime backs.

30-year old Antwaan Randle El is back for a second tour of duty with the Steelers.  He played in 16 games (3 starts) for the Redskins last season and he caught 50 passes for 530 yards (10.6 avg) with no TDs.  Randle El has now played in 127 games (71 starts) in his 8 years in the NFL and he has caught 348 passes for 4,214 yards (12.1 avg) with 15 TD grabs.  He has also carried the ball 78 times for 436 yards (5.6 ypc) in his career.  When the Steelers want to get tricky they could always let Randle El toss a deep pass.  He has completed 20 of 25 passes (80%) for 281 yards with 4 TD passes and 0 INTs (153.1 QB Rating).  Randle El will likely serve as the Steelers’ #3 WR in 2010.

The Steelers have high hopes for 3rd round pick Emmanuel Sanders out of SMU.  He is a tad on the small side at 5′11″, 180 pounds but he’s a speed burner.  The Steelers hope he can stretch defenses when he’s on the field.

30-year old Arnaz Battle will be around in 2010.  He is a solid #4 or #5 WR who also helps out on special teams.  Battle played in 15 games (0 starts) for the 49ers last season and he caught 5 passes for 40 yards (8.0 avg).  Battle has now played in 88 games (38 starts) in his 7 years in the NFL and he has caught 178 passes for 2,150 yards (12.1 avg) with 11 TD grabs.  He has also carried the ball 22 times for 77 yards (3.5 ypc) with 1 TD run in his career.

6th round pick Antonio Brown out of Central Michigan is a longshot to make the Steelers.  Like Sanders, he’s a small guy at 5′10″, 186 pounds.  He will have to bring his A-game to training camp if he wants to make the Steelers.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE STEELERS WRs in 2010:  B