STEELERS RIP WINLESS PANTHERS TO FINISH EXHIBITION PLAY

While some NFL teams are trying to put a winning preseason behind them and get down to business in the regular season, the Carolina Panthers are doing the opposite—they’re trying to forget a dismal exhibition campaign.  The Pittsburgh Steelers trailed the Panthers in every major offensive category but leveraged their superior defensive and special teams play to beat Carolina 21-10.  The defense forced a three-and-out on the Panthers’ first offensive series before Stefan Logan ran back the ensuing punt 80 yards for a touchdown.  Steelers’ starting QB Ben Roethlisberger played one series and then turned the game over to the reserves who took care of business the rest of the way.  The Steelers finished the NFL preseason with a 3-1 record; Carolina slumped to a winless 0-4 mark.

The Steelers won outright as +3 road underdogs, completing the NFL preseason with a 3-1 mark against the spread.  Carolina matched their straight up record as well, stumbling to a pitiful 0-4 record against the number.  The 31 points the two teams put on the board went UNDER the posted total of 33’ and gave the Steelers and their stout defense their fourth UNDER result in four games.  The Panthers split their O/U verdicts at 2-2.

Steelers’ coach Mike Tomlin was low key despite a 3-1 record and his defense not allowing a TD during the preseason:

"This brought to a close a productive preseason for us.”

Pittsburgh defensive stalwart Troy Polamalu was a little more optimistic in his remarks:

"Personally I feel great. The obvious things are especially on special teams. We're going to make a big change there from last season and I think that will help our offense and defense out."

It’s been a tough preseason for Carolina off the field as well.  Team owner Jerry Richardson is still recovering from a February heart transplant.  Earlier this week, his two sons abruptly resigned from their positions with the team.  TCU athletic director Danny Morrison was hired almost immediately to replace Mark Richardson as team president.

Not that there haven’t been enough problems on the field—though there are some signs for optimism.  Starting linebacker John Beason who has been nursing a sprained knee suggested that he’ll be back for the regular season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles:

"I really don't have any doubt in my mind."

The Panthers’ defense hasn’t quite jelled under new coordinator Rob Meeks.  Beason’s return will help provide some much needed leadership on the defensive side of the ball.

As for the rest of the team, they know that there’s plenty of work to do.  Receiver Mushin Muhammad noted:

"The one thing that you can take from this is that there's definitely some room for improvement. We need to put points on the board, obviously, and eliminate some turnovers."

The Steelers will begin defense of their Superbowl crown on Thursday night as they host the Tennessee Titans in the NFL’s opening game of the 2009 season.  The following week they’ll head to Cincinnati for a game against the Bengals.  Carolina will get their season underway on Sunday, September 13th as they host the Philadelphia Eagles at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium.  The following week they’ll play a NFL South game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome.