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(Sports Network) - Though the spotlight might not shine brightly upon him very often, Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton is a tough guy to miss.

Generously listed at 6-foot-1, 325 pounds, Hampton is literally at the center of a Steelers run-stopping unit that is widely considered one of the best in the NFL. Pittsburgh allowed a league-low 3.4 yards per rush during the 2005 regular season, was third in the NFL with just 86 ground yards per game allowed, and Hampton, who was voted to his second career Pro Bowl after making 42 tackles, was a major reason why.

"Casey has been so solid for us," said Steelers head coach Bill Cowher. "He's kind of the rock in the middle of that defense and he's a guy that uses up two blockers. He's got great balance, he can still go sideline to sideline and has a good feel for the game and understands what teams are doing to him."

Hampton's challenge on Super Sunday will be a daunting one, as he attempts to limit the effectiveness of reigning NFL rushing champion and MVP Shaun Alexander. For Hampton, who successfully recovered from a torn ACL that prematurely ended his 2004 season, that directive could seem like a piece of cake.

"It's not going to take some super-human effort," said Hampton of the prospect of slowing Alexander. "Obviously, everybody has to do their job and do what they've got to do. I'm confident in our defense, and, if we play the way we can, we can get the job done."

Hampton will be thrilled simply to run out onto the Ford Field turf on Sunday. The former first-round pick out of the University of Texas was forced to watch helplessly during the Steelers' final 12 games of 2004, and there were some that believed he would never return to his dominant ways following the injury. After a shaky start to 2005, Hampton proved the naysayers wrong.

"I felt I was back from the injury about midseason. Early on, I struggled. It was like I was playing on one knee. I babied it a little. I never panicked. I knew I was getting better each week. I knew it was going to take awhile."

Hampton's head coach cautioned the Seahawks not to overlook the big man in the middle (not that it was possible anyway), even if it is Troy Polamalu or Joey Porter that makes most of the defensive unit's big plays and headlines.

Said Cowher, "I think when people watch [Hampton] on tape they'll see how good a football player he is and how important he is to our defense."

Below is a capsule look at the defense of the Pittsburgh Steelers:

Defensive Line: Pittsburgh's primary defensive line group of Hampton (42 tackles) and ends Kimo von Oelhoffen (35 tackles, 3.5 sacks) and Aaron Smith (39 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT) was literally at the forefront of a unit that ranked No. 3 in the league in rushing defense (86 yards per game) during the regular season. Each member of the three-man front will be playing in his first Super Bowl. End Brett Keisel (33 tackles, 3 sacks) and nose tackle Chris Hoke (6 tackles) are the team's top line reserves, but both received only limited snaps with the defense in the regular campaign.

Inside Linebackers: James Farrior (119 tackles, 2 sacks) and Larry Foote (102 tackles, 3 sacks) were 1-2 on the Steelers in tackles during the regular season, and both have played well during the postseason. Farrior has two-and- a-half sacks and an interception in three 2005 playoff games, while Foote is tied for the team lead with 19 tackles and has an interception of his own. Top ILB reserve Clint Kriewaldt (30 tackles) started two games when Farrior was injured back in November, and received generally high marks for his play in those contests.

Outside Linebackers: The Steelers' pressure package is heavily dependent on outside linebackers Porter (56 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 2 INT) and Clark Haggans (59 tackles, 9 sacks), who were 1-2 on the team in sacks during the regular season. The Pro Bowler Porter leads Pittsburgh with three sacks in the postseason. James Harrison (45 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT) started three games in place of an injured Haggans back in October, but has just one tackle to his credit during the postseason. Pittsburgh's 47 sacks on the regular season ranked behind only Seattle (50) and Miami (49) in the NFL.

Cornerbacks: Ike Taylor (91 tackles, 1 INT) and Deshea Townsend (54 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 INT) were both good enough to start the entire season at corner for the Steelers, though neither is particularly renowned for his playmaking abilities. Taylor posted just his second interception of the year against Denver in the AFC Championship. Rookie Bryant McFadden (18 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) has appeared frequently as a nickel corner this season, seeing more time in that role than veteran and former starter Willie Williams (10 tackles). Williams, the only player on the roster with Super Bowl experience, has been active in just one of the team's last 11 contests. Williams played in Super Bowl XXX as a member of the Steelers.

Safeties: Pittsburgh's top playmaker in the secondary is the strong safety Polamalu (91 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 INT), who has been at his best in the 2005 postseason. Polamalu is tied for the team lead with 19 tackles along with an interception (not including a pick with which he should have been credited against Indianapolis) and half-a-sack. At free safety, fourth-year pro Chris Hope (96 tackles, 3 INT) is less heralded but led the team in interceptions during the regular campaign. Tyrone Carter (24 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT) has appeared frequently off the bench in the playoffs, notching 14 tackles, and Mike Logan (24 tackles) has seen time when the team has used multi-defensive back sets as well.

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