Every team in the NFL has questions that they need to provide answers for during training camp, including the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers team that has 20 of its 22 starters returning.

Pittsburgh enters training camp in great shape with their highly competent front office, very solid coaching staff, and perfect blend of youngsters and veterans on their roster.

Although the Steelers enter training camp in a much better position than many other defending champions have in the past, doesn’t mean that the team doesn’t have any issues.

With the team’s training camp opening on Friday, July 31 in Latrobe at St. Vincent’s College, there are five central questions that Mike Tomlin and his coaching staff must answer if they intend to repeat and grab their seventh Super Bowl championship ring.

1. Will Ben Roethlisberger’s impending civil suit distract the team?

The short answer would be no.

These accusations should have no effect on this veteran Pittsburgh team that is comprised of leaders who have been able to capture two championships in the last four years.

In addition, Tomlin doesn’t allow distractions to upset his team or get in the way of the goals he has set.

2. Can quarterback Ben Roethlisberger stay healthy for the 2009 season?

If Pittsburgh is to return to the Super Bowl, it is necessary for Roethlisberger to stay healthy. If Big Ben goes down, the season could be essentially over for the Steelers.

The offensive line is responsible for keeping Roethlisberger healthy. This is a unit that surrendered 58 sacks during last season, which included the playoffs.

The line did start to play better at the end of last season as well as during the playoffs, and all five starters will return. Rookie addition Kraig Urbik could make the offensive line even stronger, as he challenges Darnell Stapleton’s right guard position.

3. Who will emerge as the team’s Number 3 receiver?

The Steelers are counting on the fact that Limas Sweed, 2008 second-round pick, will be able to fill Nate Washington’s role after Washington signed as a free agent with Tennessee.

Last season Sweed struggled learning the team’s offense, but that happens quite often with rookie receivers. The receiver from Texas has speed, size and a good set of hands, however he does need to improve on his route running. With another year in the team’s system, he should show improvement.

If Sweed continues to struggle, it could be rookie Mike Wallace or the veteran Shaun McDonald who gets the chance. If both of these two falter, then the tight ends Matt Spaeth and Heath Miller will need to be even more productive in 2009.

4. Will Rashard Mendenhall and Willie Parker be able to bounce back from their injuries?

When all three are healthy, the Steelers have a great trio backfield of Mewelde Moore, Mendenhall and Parker. Last season, it was a problem staying healthy.

After 11 games, Parker went down and was replaced by Mendenhall who then also fell to injury. Moore then stepped in and finished off the regular season. All of this resulted in the Steelers rushing game falling to 23rd in the NFL.

The good news so far is that everyone is healthy now, and the Steelers have added a fourth to their backfield, a bruiser running back from UNLV, Frank “The Tank” Summers. Expect the Steelers’ running game to be back in form for 2009.

5. Is the man at the corner William Gay?

In the off season Pittsburgh only lost two defensive starters to free agency. They were inside line backer Larry Foote and corner back Bryant McFadden. They were both let go by choice.

Foote has been replaced by Lawrence Timmons and the right corner, McFadden’s former position, will be assumed by William Gay in his third season with the team.

Last season Gay started four games. When he was given the chance he did look the part. Now that he has been handed the opportunity, he needs to perform at a consistently high level. Opposing offenses will undoubtedly focus their efforts on him until he is able to prove his worth.

Most of these questions will have answers coming from the Steelers training camp. Keep in mind that for as long as the Steelers have a defense led by Dick LeBeau and Roethlisberger at quarterback, that the team has an excellent shot at the Super Bowl.