It's time to clean out a few things from the Steelers' Super Bowl championship before it gets too close to the start of the Pirates' spring training.

Sorry to remind you of that.

Anyway, I took a little abuse for writing why the Steelers would lose.

First of all, I never said anywhere that the Steelers would lose. I did give a detailed account about the reason, if they were to lose.

There's a big difference right there.

I took one for the team, throwing myself under the bus for the good of the franchise. Would you believe not one thank you call or e-mail? Nothing.

At least I'm not bitter.

And another thing. I did predict the score correctly: 27-23. Sure, I said if the Cardinals won, it would be by that score. By saying the Cards could win with that score, I actually wrote it meaning Pittsburgh would win — by that score. remember, I wrote the pro-Cards side to not jinx Pittsburgh.

AlbertEinstein was underappreciated too, so that's pretty good company.

But, now it's time to look forward.

On the prospect of the team's ability to repeat, I'd say there's a very good chance they will. As quarterback Ben Roethlisberger showed, with a strong defense, the Steelers will be in every game and Roethlisberger gives the team a chance to win.

He's equaled Green Bay's Bart Starr and Denver's John Elway with two Super Bowl rings, and he's just 26 years old. He can still reach Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw (four rings) and Troy Aikman and Tom Brady (three) to put him in esteemed company.

The offensive line looks to be one area the team will upgrade. Look for the team to grab a lineman early and sign a free agent or two (don't be surprised if they trade up again), much they way they did when they went after Troy Polamalu a few years ago.

Protecting Big Ben will be a top priority, no matter how much Roethlisberger defended them. An injured Ben is bad for the Steelers. With that improved line and a healthy Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall, the ground game should be more of a factor next season.

At receiver, Hines Ward will lead the way, but Santonio Holmes has shown his ability and Limas Sweed will return with a much-improved attitude and some confidence as well. Learning under ward has helped Holmes and it will help Sweed. Plus, the team still has Nate Washington and tight end Heath Miller.

On special teams, Jeff Reed returns as one of the NFL's top kickers, as will injured punter Daniel Sepulveda, who should make an impact on field position again.

Defensively, the team can't keep everyone, of course, but look for the core players to remain intact. Look for the team to add some depth.

Remember, this is a team that won the Super Bowl without any major help from last year's draft. After 2007's big haul (linebackers Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley, TE Matt Spaeth, CB William Gay), the team is due to gain strength this year.

So, with coach Mike Tomlin at the helm, I'll say go ahead a put the Steelers in the Super Bowl next year

If anyone asked, though, you didn't hear that from me.

gle.