No, they won’t be the talk of training camp. And you’ll be hard-pressed to hear much talk about them in August. But without fail, each year sleepers emerge on Chuck Noll Field at St. Vincent College. As OTAs finish up and training camp looms closer, these four players have a chance to turn heads.
Brian Moorman: Unsurprisingly, the Steelers were quiet in free agency. It wasn’t until April 30th the team added Moorman to compete with Drew Butler. And as Butler upset Jeremy Kapinos last season, Moorman has a chance to follow suit. Butler struggled down the stretch for the team and finished the year 27th in yards per punt.
The 37 year old Moorman’s best days may be behind him, but he produced better averages than Butler in each of the last three seasons, giving the long-time Bill a fighting chance to claim a roster spot.
LaRod Stephens-Howling: Another low-key offseason signing, Howling will never be confused as a workhorse back. But the former Pitt Panther carved out a role as multi-purpose threat in Arizona.
Even though Le’Veon Bell is ahead of most running backs in pass protection and out of the backfield, it’s still an area rookies struggle. Stephens-Howling could find himself a home as a third down back and possible return man. He led the league in kick return yards in 2010, taking two to the house.
Nik Embernate: An undrafted rookie guard out of San Diego State, the Steelers’ lack of depth will open the door for the former Aztec. Embernate’s best known for his tenacity and aggressiveness, telling National Football Post’s Erik Oehler, “I basically just try to knock someone out every play”.
While he does face some challenges, a learning disability and lack of versatility (all his starts at SDSU came at RG), there is an opportunity to follow the footsteps of Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster, two former UDFAs.
Al Woods: Rounding out the list is the reserve defensive end who was sparsely used last season. In late May, the Tribune-Review reported Woods running as the second-team nose tackle ahead of Alameda Ta’amu .
Of course, Ta’amu’s troubles last season are well-documented and it’s risky to read too much into the May depth chart. But like offensive lineman, versatility on the defense is important for back end of the roster players like Woods.
He may never be confused for a starter but should see more than the 32 defensive snaps he received in 2012.
Photo Credit: Flickr.com/Steve Snodgrass
