The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to address one of their unexpected weaknesses in 2007 — special teams.

According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, coach Mike Tomlin hopes to create a greater sense of urgency on special teams by devoting less practice time to this specific phase of the game.

“I have a better sense of who we are this season,” Tomlin told the Tribune-Review.  ”I wouldn’t change a thing in terms of our approach to it last year.  We were trying to find new leaders in that phase of the game.  The leaders that were there in the past were no longer there.” 

Though the overall numbers were respectable, there were key breakdowns in punt and kick coverage during Tomlin’s first year with the team.

The elevation of linebacker James Harrison to full-time starter, the departure of receiver Sean Morey, and the retirement of safety Mike Logan have been cited as one of the reasons for the problems.  So it becomes the duty of Tomlin and the front office to find backup players who can bring it on special teams.

Or, if none can, the challenge will be to persuade a few starters to put their bodies at risk in the phase of the game that arguably is as important as offense and defense.