Ever since the teams that the Steelers play in 2008 has come out, I’ve had a sick feeling about next season.

It certainly didn’t help matters the way the Steelers played the last month and a half of the 2007 season, therefore, I’m extremely nervous for the 2008 season. I’m not nervous because we don’t have a decent team, but because even if we have a better team we may have a worse “net” outcome at the end of the season. The schedule is very unkind as Peter King, of Si.com, has observed the terrifying sight that we all observed a month or so ago.

The 2008 edition of the Pittsburgh Steelers could very well be a much improved team over the 2007 version, yet have much less to show for it. I am convinced that the ONLY way to the playoffs in 2008 will be by winning the division. The Steelers must remember that at ALL times and not get soft with any amount of lead they may get during the season. A schedule which features 10 teams that were +.500 on ‘07, as well as 8 games against ‘07 playoff teams and of those teams the Steelers play all but two 2007 division winners. It’s going to be a long ride.

Here are the positives:
*The AFC North plays very similarly tough schedules (except we land as a bonus for winning the division: NE and SD)
*I believe we will still own the ugly step child Browns yet again. Derek Anderson’s magic ride has closed and with the tougher schedule the Browns will certainly revert to the Brownies that we know and love.
*The Ravens will be better…but they have a long way to go and with no QB and a new head coach, it’ll be tough.
*The Bungles…well, I think the seat continues to get much hotter for Marvin.
*We could literally get to all of our road games in 2008 by bus if we so chose. Ok, not exactly, but the Steelers don’t leave the eastern time-zone all season. This will be HUGE.
*The Redskins will likely take a step back with a first time head coach…and a complete change in the staff. I hope we get them early in the season while they are still getting to know each other.
*We hate the Patriots and I can’t wait to stick it to them.
*Even though we could be better with a worse record I think there will be a noticable difference in year two with Mike Tomlin really beginning to put his mark on this team.
*The home turf is good for a few home wins… Maybe that will be how we slow down the Colts, Chargers and Cowboys.

I think I’m beginning to talk myself out of the self-loathing hole I’ve been in since seeing this slate of teams. So what if we have a stinky record?…win the division and with such a super high RPI (if there was such a thing in the NFL) we’ll be battle tested and no one will want to face us come playoff time. The playoff games may even seem easier to us after playing this brutal schedule.

I think it’s time to start on the other hand.

A few links from the day that was…

• Changing of the guard. It appears that the Steelers are moving forward with life. We knew it was inevitable but no one wants to think that it really is going to happen. I feel like we all know that it’s time to shoot Old Yeller and we know that it will happen, we just don’t feel like the day would ever come. As Mr. Faneca leaves us, it’s time to embrace Chris Kemoeatu. I think it’s wise that the Steelers are going to try and keep what we can rather than putting all of our eggs in the draft basket and into the hands of a couple rookie O-Linemen.
• Football Outsiders has some entertaining “awards”…a few Steelers got mentioned, thus the link.
• I guess I’m not the only Steelers blogger to feel the lonliness and sadness of the NFL in late February.
• The Patriots seem poised to make their already ancient defense even older. What, Andre Tippet wasn’t still available?
• The Ravens are dirty rotten criminals!? We all think that…but rumor has it they even ripped off their own logo from some poor sap.
• The retention of depth at both sides of the line continues. Travis Kirschke will remain with the Steelers after filling in for Aaron Smith for the last four games as he was injured.
• NFL.com has their top 10 special teams plays of the 2007 season. THE STEELERS MADE THE LIST! However, it’s not a good thing. That trainwreck of a tackling job the Steelers displayed against Josh Cibbs made number 2 on the list. I’m not quite sure how Phil Dawson’s ricochet kick wasn’t number one. I don’t think we’ll ever see something as freaky as that ever again.