PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line has been part of a rushing offense ranked in the NFL's top five in the past two seasons, with two players that have combined for eight Pro Bowl berths.

But right guard Kendall Simmons says the line is still not properly recognized as one of pro football's top units.

"We don't get credit for it, but I feel like we already are one of the best in the league," Simmons said.

The franchise long has prided itself on a dominating running game, a philosophy that paid off in February with a Super Bowl victory.

The 2005 unit featured two different starters from the one that helped Pittsburgh to a 15-1 record in 2004. One of them, right tackle Max Starks, became a starter in only his second season in the league.

Two starters (Keydrick Vincent and Oliver Ross) were lost to free agency before last season. Two years earlier, center Jeff Hartings thought his ailing knees might end his career sooner rather than later. Simmons tore a knee ligament in August 2004 to end his season before it started.

This season, the entire unit is healthy and has been playing together for a year, raising hopes that the line might be the Steelers' best yet in the new century.

"We are just picking up where we left off last year," Hartings said. "I think we are all very comfortable."

Left guard Faneca has been to the last five Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro last season. Hartings joined him in Honolulu in February for the third time. Marvel Smith is entering his seventh season as a starter and Simmons is finally completely healthy — he was diagnosed with diabetes before the 2003 season — and played at a level that justified his status as a first-round draft pick in 2002.

"Late in the season into the playoffs, we played a lot better as a unit," Simmons said. "I tried to pick up my game and just help everyone around me, too."

Behind the starting five, the Steelers can boast depth as well. Second-year tackle Trai Essex started four games last season when Smith had an injured ankle. Sixth-year man Chukky Okobi — who had neck surgery last week — said Wednesday that he plans on being able to return early in the regular season as Hartings' backup. Second-year player Chris Kemoeatu and rookie Willie Colon have impressed in practice.

"I feel like we have guys at every position that one day will end up starting for this team or start for another team in this league and possibly be Pro Bowlers," Hartings said.

But the Steelers are hoping that time comes later rather than sooner — meaning their five starters will remain healthy and playing at the level they have recently. For now, the younger guys are content to learn from the combined 34 years of NFL experience of the starters.

"Some of the stuff Alan can do, I couldn't do if I was in the league 10 years," Colon said. "Alan's just... the guy's just amazing. I watch him every day and shake my head. It's a blessing just looking at him for me as a young offensive lineman."