Joey Porter (55/LB) - As a rookie in 1999, there were signs that Porter would become something special. He took giant steps in that direction in 2000 as he teamed up with Pro Bowler Jason Gildon to create a dangerous 1-2 punch on the Steelers' defense. Porter could be the next Steeler Linebacker to make the Pro Bowl. 

Hank Poteat (22/CB) - Poteat was a highly rated Cornerback coming out of the University of Pittsburgh in 2000 and the Steelers jumped on the opportunity to draft him. But unable to crack the starting lineup at his natural position of Cornerback, the Steelers lined him up to return kickoffs and punts, and with Will Blackwell out with an injury returning kicks became Poteat's specialty. And Poteat excelled at it. He became one of the AFC's best, and we can only expect great things from Poteat in future seasons. With Dewayne Washington and Chad Scott safely holding the starting roles at d-back, Poteat will either be the primary kick returner or will share the duties with Will Blackwell if Pittsburgh resigns the Wide Receiver. 

Shar Pourdanesh (68/OT) - Nothing needs to be said about this character. He has already declared that he will not return to the Steelers. So Shar, take your attitude elsewhere. Mike Schneck (54/LS [long snapper] - Schneck has been a specialist for Pittsburgh for two years running specializing as a long snapper. And his reputation is that he is one of the best in the business. Being the only one that performs only this role on the team, his job on the Steelers is a lock. 

Chad Scott (30/CB) - Scott's career in Pittsburgh thus far as been up and down. His rookie season got off to a very shaky start, he settled down and finished his first year as one of the most promising rookies in the NFL. His sophomore season was wiped out by a knee injury and in 1999 he showed signs of rust upon his return. Last season, he still did not appear to be at the top of his game, although at moments he showed he can still play with the best. Given the Steelers turnaround in 2000, Scott should be able to feed off that momentum and have a fine season in 2000. 

Bobby Shaw (82/WR) - "Superman" as made evident by a t-shirt he was wearing under his uniform in 1999, Shaw signed as a free agent when he came to Pittsburgh when the team was in need of receivers. He shined when given the opportunity to play, but has not been consistent enough to become a regular threat on offense. Shaw can make big catches, but must improve on his number of dropped passes. 

Scott Shields (47/S) - Shields came to Pittsburgh from Weber State as a Safety, Kicker, and Punter. But Safety was the position he was drafted at and the position he won a starting job at with the Steelers. That starting role came in 2000, his third season. But Brent Alexander won that job from Shields as Shields' play regressed more and more. Now Shields is simply fighting for a roster spot. The Steelers have talked about free agent Safeties or even drafting one. Shields faces the possibility of not even making it through training camp this year. 

Jason Simmons (23/CB) - Never a threat to be a starter, Simmons has kept his roster spot by playing well on special teams and in the dime defense, or nickel packages. But he seems to be barely clinging on with each training camp that goes by, and with a wide open draft expected in April, if Pittsburgh gets a few quality db's in camp, Simmons days could be numbered. 

Marvel Smith (77/OT) - Smith was one of the highest rated lineman coming out of Arizona State in 2000. The Steelers were very happy to land him in the second round of the draft. It did not take long for him to win a starting job, but after an injury, he could not win his job back. The Steelers know they have a good one in their ranks and with Russ Grimm as a mentor, Smith could develop quickly, and be a solid performer on the o-line. 

Aaron Smith (91/DE) - The "Dan Kreider" on defense, so to speak, Smith unlike Kreider was not a rookie in 2000. But like Kreider, Smith was the big surprise on defense outside of perhaps Joey Porter. Smith won a starting job on the d-line and gained momentum as the season progressed. By season's end he gave Steeler fans something to look forward to in 2001. Although not the feared pass rushing defender the Steelers are in desperate need of, Smith was effective against the run and showed good speed in catching runners breaking to the outside. The more Smith learns the better he gets. 

Kordell Stewart (10/QB) - Has "Slash" finally reached the plateau that QB's around the NFL try to reach? Benched in favor of Kent Graham at the start of the 2000 season, Stewart go back his starting job when Graham got injured. That lasted for several games, until Graham returned but played poorly. So, Bill Cowher went back to Kordell and Stewart excelled. Now, with a Quarterbacks coach in Tom Clements, the big question is "how good can Kordell become?" I believe he has found his game again, has restored confidence, and because of Clements looking over his shoulder, he will play much better in 2001. 

Chris Sullivan (74/DE) - Brought in as a free agent in 2000 to replace Nolan Harrison, Sullivan never started a game in the NFL while with the New England Patriots. He was handed the starting job when arriving in Pittsburgh and Sullivan lost it to Aaron Smith when he went down with an injury. Sullivan proved to be what many fans saw him as; a backup. His roster spot may not last through the end of training camp.