Pittsburgh Steelers Capsule

Posted July 21, 2016 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (11-7)

OPEN CAMP: July 29, St. Vincent College, Latrobe, Pennsylvannia

LAST YEAR: NFL's third-ranked offense - led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown - led Steelers to second straight playoff berth. Pittsburgh actually led eventual Super Bowl champion Denver on road in fourth quarter of division round before fumble by Fitzgerald Toussaint - filling in for injured Le'Veon Bell and DeAngelo Williams - gave Broncos chance for late comeback. Young defense gave up plenty of yards but also created 30 turnovers, third highest in league.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: TE Ladarius Green, LT Ryan Harris, CB Artie Burns, S Sean Davis.

IMPORTANT LOSSES: TE Heath Miller, LT Kelvin Beachum, CB Cortez Allen, K Shaun Suisham, WR Martavis Bryant (suspended), QB Michael Vick, S Will Allen

CAMP NEEDS: Settle the secondary and figure out who will protect Ben Roethlisberger's blind side. Bell's health coming off second season-ending knee injury will be focus during camp.

EXPECTATIONS: Seventh Super Bowl ring. Steelers were one of top teams in AFC before injuries to Brown and Williams slowed them in playoffs. While they lost ever-reliable Miller to retirement and talented but troubled Bryant to year-long suspension for violating league's substance abuse policy, they splurged in free agency to bring Green over from San Diego. There are plenty of questions on defense, most notably in backfield where first-round pick Burns and second-round pick Davis will be given every opportunity to play immediately. Considering offensive firepower, defense might have time to figure things out.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

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