Steelers coach Bill Cowher couldn't be better setup for a chance to get his first Super Bowl ring. But things looked pretty good last year when an underdog Patriots team sneaked into Heinz Field for a championship game.

The key word for Steelers fans is Heinz Field. The increased revenues from the new stadium have been reinvested in the team, allowing Pittsburgh to sign most of its core players to long-term, lucrative extensions. If the Steelers sign defensive end Aaron Smith to a lengthy deal, they will probably lock the league's highest payroll for 2002.

	CAMP AT A GLANCE
	Kordell Stewart tossed 14 TDs and just 11 INTs last season.
	Location: St. Vincent College, Latrobe, Pa. Rookies report: July 24 Veterans report: July 25 Preseason schedule:    Aug. 8: N.Y. Jets    Aug. 18: at Washington    Aug. 24: at Detroit    Aug. 29: Minnesota

Now that the Rooney family has showed the team the money, it's time for them to go for the ring. Players sense they are close. They lured linebacker James Farrior, quarterback Charlie Batch and wide receiver Terance Mathis on the chance for a trip to the Super Bowl. Aiding things is the league's second easiest schedule. The Steelers face opponents with records of 110-130 (.458). Remember the Jaguars of 1999, who could be forecasted to win a division and have home-field advantage for the championship game. That's the Steelers of 2002.

It's up to Cowher to win the championship game and take the team to the Super Bowl. Unlike the Jaguars, they won't have to start breaking up the team after the season.

Man in the spotlight
Of course, with the Steelers, it's always Kordell Stewart. The Steelers are always going to be among the league's top defenses under Cowher and the talent that he has for his 3-4 scheme. It's up to Stewart to take the team to the next level. Last year, Stewart did great. Under offensive coordinator Mike Mullarkey, Stewart produced the league's third best offensive numbers for yardage, but he didn't do well enough in scoring touchdowns. The Steelers were too reliant on their field goal kicker. The offense scored 33 touchdowns, while attempting 44 field goals. Whether it was the breeze off the rivers in Heinz Field or something else, Kris Brown missed 14 of 44 attempts and was replaced by Todd Peterson.

Key position battle
This shows you how solid the Steelers starting lineup remains. The best battle is at right guard between Oliver Ross and first-round choice Kendall Simmons. Ross or Simmons replaces aging veteran Rich Tylski, who was cut and signed with the Patriots.

Injury update
All eyes are on the backfield. Groin problems plagued Jerome Bettis late in the second half and cost him a chance to be a factor in the playoffs. Bettis's groin problems lingered into the offseason and prevented him from getting into his best physical condition before camp. Backup Amos Zereoue signed a four-year extension for more than $2 million a year so apparently the team doesn't think that benign cyst removed from his liver will be a problem.

Rookie report
The Steelers have the luxury of taking the time this season to have Simmons and wide receiver Antwaan Randle El ease into playing roles on what could be a Super Bowl team. Simmons will work at right guard behind Oliver Ross. Randle El can take the first half of the season to learn the slot role in the three-receiver set from veteran Terance Mathis.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.