PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive line was one of the prime targets of critics after a late-season swoon that saw a 9-3 team lose four of its final five games, including the playoffs.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was sacked 47 times last season, and the team had trouble running the ball after Willie Parker broke his leg Dec. 20 in St. Louis. The offensive line was often blamed for both problems, but members of the unit don't necessarily see it that way.

"We did have the NFL's leading rusher until he broke his leg," said tackle Max Starks, referring to Parker. "Ben had a career season and went to the Pro Bowl. I think this line was pretty decent last year, and I think we have a pretty good line that will only get better this year."

That would be saying something considering the team lost perennial All-Pro Alan Faneca, its left guard for the past decade. Still, right tackle Willie Colon didn't flinch when asked if the group this year might be ahead of where it was last year.

"We're ahead. We are," he said. "We've got a group of guys that is focused and seasoned."

Veterans Marvel Smith and Kendall Simmons are entrenched at left tackle and right guard, respectively, and Smith is healthier this season after battling back problems late last year.

But there were question marks at the other three line positions heading into this training camp. The right tackle spot was billed as a competition between Starks — who started when the team won the Super Bowl three seasons ago — and Colon, though it has become apparent Colon is the choice.

Left guard will be manned by Chris Kemoeatu, who is in his fourth season but has never been a starter. He has the unenviable job of replacing Faneca, who was named to the franchise's all-time team.

"I'm excited. I've been watching the older guys, trying to learn and take steps," Kemoeatu said. "I've got big shoes to fill with Alan, so I have to go in there, work hard and try to do the best of my ability."

The lone job up for grabs is at center, where Justin Hartwig was signed this offseason to provide competition for Sean Mahan. Mahan started last season after being signed as a free agent to replace former All-Pro Jeff Hartings, who retired.

Mahan started the preseason opener but Hartwig the game last week against Buffalo. He is running with the first-team offense this week and will start Saturday night's preseason game at Minnesota.

Coach Mike Tomlin said he hoped to make a decision on the starter after that game, but he said not to read into the fact that Hartwig was starting the game.

"It's giving him another opportunity to get some group cohesion with the guys," Tomlin said. "It's easier for Sean because they have 17-20 games together, preseason included, dating back to last year, so we feel we need to get Hartwig in there to get a fair evaluation."

In other Steelers news, safety Troy Polamalu participated as expected in a full practice for the first time this preseason.

Polamalu, who was named to the past four Pro Bowls, was placed on the physically unable to perform list on the first day of training camp. He had injured his hamstring before arriving and has only worked out lightly on his own.

"I like the fact that they're taking it slow because a hamstring is the kind of thing that you definitely don't want to have linger throughout the season," Polamalu said.

Polamalu made it through practice at the team's facility Tuesday "looking pretty good," Tomlin said. Later, neither Polamalu nor Tomlin would commit to his playing Saturday.

"We're being cautious about how we get him back out there," Tomlin said. "We can't take steps backward as we proceed. We're very conscious of that."