Previewing the Pittsburgh Steelers' Preseason Week 1 Game vs. Eagles

The Pittsburgh Steelers kick off their preseason slate of games on Thursday night when they travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles in a classic East-versus-West battle for Pennsylvanian bragging rights.

Well, it's not that dramatic, really—it is, after all, the preseason, and the first preseason game at that.

However, there are things worth looking out for, for both die-hard and casual fans. Here's a primer of what you can expect to see on Thursday night.

Rookies, Rookies, Rookies

Clearly, younger players and rookies will be getting a lot of playing time on Thursday—at least, those who aren't projected to be starters, that is.

Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that first- and second-round picks David DeCastro and Mike Adams will be in the starting offensive line, and though this will be a useful evaluative look at the two rookies, it's also a move borne of necessity.

DeCastro will be starting at right guard while Ramon Foster shifts to the left—Willie Colon will not be playing—while Adams gets the start at left tackle because his main competition at the position, Max Starks, is still on the active PUP list.

At Tuesday's press conference, Tomlin also added that fourth-string quarterback Jerrod Johnson will see "an extended second-half look," and that hybrid wide receiver/running back Chris Rainey will be used primarily as a kick and punt returner, with fellow rookies Marquis Maze and David Gilreath taking over those duties later in the game.

The crew of receivers vying for a roster spot, which includes Maze, Gilreath, Toney Clemons, Tyler Beiler, Derrick Williams and Juamorris Stewart, will be closely watched. Tomlin said that this group has been inconsistent (both "exciting" and "disturbing," in fact) and he's looking for someone to step up and take advantage of his on-field opportunities in the preseason.

Veteran and Starter Playing Time

Tomlin said in Tuesday's press conference that, for the most part, offensive and defensive veteran starters will play at most one or two series, but that this is subject to change if there are any players they'd like to get a more extended look at.

That means that for at least one or two drives, starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be facing the Philadelphia Eagles' much-improved defensive front seven, while Eagles quarterback Michael Vick will have to stare down that of the Steelers'.

However, the way the two teams approach one another in this game will likely look far different than the one scheduled for Week 5 of the regular season.

The Game Plan

The first game of the preseason is a time to test out new formations and plays with varying personnel, and for the Steelers we will see a heavy dose of that considering they have a new offensive coordinator in Todd Haley.

Expect to see a bit heavier focus on running—that's an area in which Haley excels in play calling and also one in which the Steelers need to be both more effective and efficient. Further, there is a glut of running back talent vying to get playing time behind starter Isaac Redman which will need to start distinguishing itself.

But don't forget the comments Tomlin made about the young, second- and third-string receivers and fourth-string quarterback Johnson. They'll likely test these players often, again, in hopes of finding a standout (or, in Johnson's case, a younger quarterback worth developing or at least holding onto).

On defense, the goal will be to see where the second-tier and younger linebackers may fit into the depth chart, namely Chris Carr, Stevenson Sylvester, Sean Spence and Mortty Ivy. Also, pay attention to the cornerback rotation—Keenan Lewis, Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown are all in the mix to start on the left alongside Ike Taylor.

The preseason is for experimentation and talent evaluation more than anything. Expect Thursday's game to be planned with this in mind. Wins and losses don't matter this time of year—it's about fine-tuning the details that will ultimately make an impact in the regular season.

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