5 questions facing the Steelers in training camp

NFC Camp Previews
DAL | NYG | PHI | WAS
CHI | DET | GB | MIN
ATL | CAR | NO | TB
ARI | STL | SF | SEA
AFC Camp Previews
BUF | MIA | NE | NYJ
BAL | CIN | CLE | PIT
HOU | IND | JAX | TEN
DEN | KC | OAK | SD

The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing their first season in 12 years without veteran Pro Bowlers Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor. With continuity throughout most of the past decade, the Steelers have always been able to compete for the AFC North crown, even in down seasons.

Now, their identity has shifted. This really is Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown's team, and the offense is likely to be a primary focus for teams matching up against the Steelers each week.

Here are five questions facing the Steelers heading into training camp:

Can the offense develop into the league's most dominant?

With an incredible array of weapons for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to exploit, complete dominance could be possible for the Steelers this season. In reality, the team's identity has long been a potentially explosive offense combined with a defense that makes just enough plays to get it done. But now the talent distribution has swung wildly to the offensive side of the ball.

This is the deepest group of receivers the Steelers have had since 2008. Martavis Bryant, Markus Wheaton, and talented rookie Sammie Coates are all looking to get reps alongside arguably the game's best receiver, Antonio Brown.

How does the defense look without Dick LeBeau?

While the pass rush could be improved, the secondary is a major question mark. That's even before you consider the departure of Hall of Fame defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.

Replacing LeBeau will be Keith Butler, the longtime linebackers coach who's earned the respect of the dressing room during his 12 years in the Steel City. Butler is expected to put his stamp on this defense without changing too much of what's been successful under LeBeau.

A renewed focus on getting inside pressure from the defensive line appears to be a priority, so Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt will have to step up in order for the talented group of linebackers to transform the defense back into the sack machine it once was.

Who takes the snaps at running back?

A three-game suspension to your best player would cripple most teams, but the Steelers have planned adequately for this early season blip. DeAngelo Williams and Dri Archer are expected to get most of the carries early on and will likely see increased reps in training camp in order to get acclimated to carrying the load.

Williams will probably see the majority of snaps, but it'll be interesting to see who runs with the first team the majority of the time. Le'Veon Bell's level of health seems to be a moving target at this point. Even thought he only hyperextended his knee in Week 17 last year, his return to 100 percent has dragged into July.

Bell should be good to go for training camp, but will likely be limited unless his suspension is reduced to a single game.

Bud Dupree: LaMarr Woodley or Jarvis Jones?

The Kentucky product sure looks like the next Steelers pass-rushing sensation, doesn't he? But the other guy who looked like their next pass-rushing sensation, Jarvis Jones, is still on the roster. Jones has only tallied three sacks in his first two seasons after being selected with the 17th overall pick in 2013.

Jones and Bud Dupree will actually compete for snaps at the same position, with way more on the line for Jones than Dupree, as this is likely the Georgia product's last chance to make an impact with the Steelers.

If the defense can mix up the rotation, with these two seeing snaps alongside James Harrison and Arthur Moats, the Steelers could have a formidable outside rush.

Who emerges from the secondary's training-camp battle?

Take away aging veterans Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor, who were noticeably at less than top speed the last two seasons, and you're left with Mike Mitchell, Cortez Allen, and a bunch of unknowns.

After selecting cornerback Senquez Golson in the second round, the Steelers followed it up by taking the speedy Doran Grant in the fourth. Both could compete for significant snaps right away, but will need to outplay veterans William Gay and Antwon Blake in order to get a starting job. The mix should create an interesting training-camp battle, with three of four starting jobs basically up for grabs.