Enemy Lines

an opposing team's scout sizes up the Steelers

"One big question is whether Kordell Stewart will play as well as he did last season. He threw three interceptions in the AFC Championship Game loss in 1997 and spent the next three years in a funk. After seeing him throw three picks in last year's AFC Championship Game loss, I have to wonder if the same thing will happen....

Plaxico Burress needs to take another step. He grew up some last year, but he has the talent to be special....

The offensive line is impressive, with three former first-round picks and a second-rounder....

The defense should be strong again. Replacing inside linebacker Earl Holmes with James Farrior was an upgrade in talent, but they'll miss Holmes. He was a thumper, and in that defense you need a thumper. The other inside linebacker, Kendrell Bell, is good, but he makes a lot of plays by running around instead of sticking his nose in there....

Aaron Smith is a great 3-4 end because he has strength and athleticism and, like all their defensive linemen, a high motor. In the secondary, corner-backs Chad Scott and Dewayne Washington aren't spectacular, but they know the system and don't put themselves in bad positions....

The Steelers are the team to beat in the division and probably in the AFC. They have a bitter taste in their mouths from last year, because they thought they deserved to be in the Super Bowl."