By Alan Robinson

Published: Tuesday, October 2, 2012, 10:58 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Is there a leadership void on a Steelers defense that hasn't been intact since the middle of last season?

Troy Polamalu won't say there is, but he gave an interesting answer when asked to assess this team's personality.

“We don't have guys like James Farrior and Aaron Smith, the core leadership since I've been here,” he said.

Farrior, the longtime defensive captain and inside linebacker, and Smith retired after last season. Smith missed most of the previous three seasons with injuries, but the Steelers still haven't effectively replaced a multi-skilled defensive end who was adept at pass rushing and stopping the run.

One problem: Stars Polamalu, James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley have played together only once in the past 15 games. The Steelers were 19-6 when Harrison and Polamalu both played the past two seasons and 14-5 when Harrison, Polamalu and Woodley all played.

1. Steelers hope new blocking scheme kick-starts running game
2. Steelers notebook: Gilbert hopes to stay on left side of O-line
3. Steelers’ Polamalu trim, fit as he arrives for OTAs
4. Steelers quarterback Roethlisberger likes the revamped offense
5. Steelers veteran outside linebacker Woodley: ‘I’m good to go’
6. Steelers notebook: Slimmed-down Redman optimistic for 2013
7. Steelers notebook: Less talk, more work is Tomlin’s theme
8. Steelers rookie moves on after PSU scandal
9. Steelers might be looking at a youth movement in 2013
10. Ex-Steelers QB Batch learns new form of 2-minute drill
11. Steelers reach agreement with sixth-round pick Williams

There are currently no comments for this story.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.