The brutally long NFL off season has finally come to an end, as the Steelers are set to take the field against the Giants in their preseason opener. This will be the second game for the Giants, as their debut was the Hall of Fame game last weekend. Being the first preseason game, obviously we won’t see much from the starters, if all them even play. Preseason is a game for the coaches to evaluate depth, talent, health and game planning. Here are a few things that we should look for from the Steelers during this preseason:
• How healthy is Sean Spence? This guy has worked his tail off for two years to rehab a broken leg he sustained in the last preseason game of his rookie year, and he has now worked his way back into rotation on the depth chart for the preseason opener. A healthy Spence can add even more depth and tough competition to a solid core of linebackers, lead once again by Joey Porter’s intensity.
• The defensive line has a young, athletic and very talented group, with multiple players that can play multiple positions on the line. Nick Williams has rehabbed a knee injury that he sustained in preseason last year, but showed signs of a good pass rush before that. This a group that still needs to provide an “identity,” and now is the time for them to build up some chemistry and competition amongst each other.
• With 11 wide receivers on the current roster, and a void that needs to filled by losing both Jerricho Cotchery and Emmanuel Sanders to free agency, you can take comfort in the fact that the Steelers always seem to find talent and depth in this area. With Markus Wheaton listed as the No. 2, Lance Moore as the No. 3, we should be seeing a ton of work from young guys like Justin Brown, Derek Moye, Martavis Bryant and veteran Darrius Heyward-Bey competing for jobs.
• Dri Archer is a multiple threat. We can only expect to not expect how he will be used. He is capable of playing running back, receiver, kick returner, punt returner and special teams. It may be a very exciting preseason watching him be moved around to different positions to showcase his talents, and his sub-4.3 speed.
• With the hiring of Hall of Famer Mike Munchak as offensive line coach, and a now healthy Maurkice Pouncey, this is a rejuvenated offensive line, and could bring back the zone blocking scheme the Steelers were experimenting with last year’s preseason. This is very good news for offensive coordinator Todd Haley. Coming into his third season as offensive coordinator, Haley has faced a lot of criticism for what some have referred to as a lack luster, dink-and-dunk offense. However, he has managed to keep Roethlisberger healthy and show flashes of explosion.
With so much youth and speed on offense and defense, and depth full of talent the Steelers have this year with coaches and players, there is going to be quite a bit of competition to make the final 53-man roster. This should be a pretty promising preseason for Steelers fans, and good signs of things to come this season.
