While it’s still a bit shocking that the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t preparing for another Super Bowl appearance (yinzers are so spoiled when it comes to football), there is still plenty of discussion and handwringing going on to fill up Super Bowl week(s).

For the first time since Troy Polamalu’s hair was barely shoulder length, the Steelers have some difficult decisions to make this offseason.

The defense was old at key positions this season, but was able to compensate for it with pure guile and a few strong performances from younger players like Jason Worilds and Ziggy Hood.

The Steelers also eked out another year from ancient backup quarterback Charlie Batch.

The status quo won’t cut it going into 2012.

Here are some of the moves the Steelers will or should make this offseason:

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Get younger. Casey Hampton has destroyed his last post-game buffet at Heinz Field.The husky defensive tackle drew double-teams for 11 years for the Steelers. He’ll be 35 next season and his best days are long gone.The same can be said for defensive end Aaron Smith, who can’t stay healthy for more than a two-game stretch.Chris Hoke has retired because of a neck injury.It’s pretty clear the Steelers will look to get better on the defensive line in the draft.•

Keep Hines, but pay him less. Hines Ward wants to come back and the Steelers should let him — at a bargain basement price.Ward was phased out of the offense almost completely near the end of this season. The only reason he played as much as he did was to reach the 1,000-reception milestone.Ward, though, is valuable more as an influence in the locker room and on the sideline on game day.•

Find a reliable backup QB who isn’t a dinosaur or made of glass. There is one absolute guarantee for next season: Ben Roethlisberger will get hurt.Big Ben’s style lends itself to injury. He’ll sprain an ankle (or two), he’ll twist a knee (or two), he’ll get concussed. He will miss a game (or two).Skating by with below average backups won’t cut it.Batch simply can’t be counted on anymore and some strange injury will befall Byron Leftwich.There are plenty of QBs out there who can win a game (or two) in a pinch. It also wouldn’t hurt to draft one in the mid-rounds.•

Find a young, speedy third-down back. The Steelers are OK when it comes to grinding out the yardage in the running game.Rashard Mendenhall needs to stop auditioning for “Dancing With the Stars” on every carry and just hit the hole, but he’s solid if he recovers from his knee injury. Isaac Redman has shown he can move the pile.What the Steelers lack, though, is a speed back who can catch a few passes and be a change of pace.The Steelers aren’t in bad shape. They just need some fine tuning.Mike Kilroy is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.