Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp 2010: Ground Game Still Needs a Push

A week into Pittsburgh Steelers training camp and the ground game looks no more effective than last season. This should be a concern for all Steelers fans.

Watching the team run the ball from the sideline Friday night left a lot to be desired.

The Steelers offense was consistently stopped for losses or short gains of three or less yards.

Much of this can be attested to the Pittsburgh run defense, which is outstanding with a healthy Aaron Smith back in the mix. However, the AFC North is a very good defensive division the Steelers will face top run defenses throughout the year.

Beyond the defense, the Steelers still lack a push from their offensive line. When Ben Roethlisberger returns to the lineup, this problem will be masked because he is so dangerous through the air. Until then, it is imperative that the run blocking improves while Byron Leftwich is starting.

Rashard Mendenhall will only be able to make so much happen on his own, particularly early in the season when opponents will likely key in on the run forcing Leftwich to beat them with his arm.

Behind Mendenhall, the Steelers have Mewelde Moore, a solid backup, but beyond him, lack any experienced backs.

The early edge for the third running back goes to Isaac Redman.

Redman earned the nickname “Red Zone” last year for his ability to get into the endzone. He has once again showed the ability to pick up short yardage in camp, including scoring one touchdown on two tries in the goal line drill on Sunday.

Redman has also shown more versatility beyond his short yardage capabilities. He has improved both his inside and outside running and feels more comfortable with the offense.

“It’s up to me whether I make this team or not and I just have to find that niche or whatever it is,” said Redman.

So far, that niche is as a short yardage back, but recently he has also been playing some fullback as well. This versatility is making him a favorite to earn a roster spot.

Jonathan Dwyer also finally got back onto the practice field. He actually had the best showing picking up yardage at practice, but struggled in the blocking department.

In Sunday’s goal line drill, he only scored on touchdown. However, if Dwyer can prove he can gain yardage in preseason action, he can quickly move up the depth chart.

Beyond the running backs, the Steelers need improvement on the offensive line.

After attending several practices, I believe the solution is to let first round draft pick Maurkice Pouncey start at center.

Pouncey will go through some growing pains making calls, but he can get help from the players around him. He also will not get physically dominated like Justin Hartwig.

Friday night, Pouncey got knocked down on one play, but came right back, completely unphased on the next play.

This would also enable the Steelers to start Ramon Foster at right guard, meaning the starting line from left to right would be: Max Starks, Chris Kemoeatu, Pouncey, Foster, and Flozell Adams.

Entering the season with this lineup would put the best five linemen on the field. Anything besides this lineup would mean a more talented player is sitting on the bench.

Camp Notes:

Risers and Fallers

Several players have generated a lot of excitement early in camp while others have disappointed.

The early risers have included a number of young players as well as veterans.

From this year’s draft class, Pouncey has been very impressive as have rookie receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown.

Sanders routes have been very good and his hands are excellent. Brown has also run good routes and has shown decent hands, in addition to his return abilities.

The early thought is that Sanders will be the fourth receiver with the potential to move into the slot role before the end of the year. Brown is going to make it hard for the team to only keep five receivers.

One thing is for sure, Brown will not make the team over Arnaz Battle. Battle had a great practice Friday night, catching one touchdown from Roethlisberger and has had an overall good camp.

Another young receiver to keep an eye on is Brandon London. At 6-4, he is a big target and has been a nice camp surprise.

The biggest riser, though, has been Ziggy Hood, who at times has been unblockable. He will make a very big impact with the defense this year.

Cornerback Keenan Lewis has improved his coverage skills shutting down many of the receivers that he has matched up against.

The Steelers also have a couple of young linebackers flashing potential in Thaddeus Gibson and Stevenson Sylvester.

Gibson has shown the ability to rush the passer and Sylvester has been around the ball a lot recently. Watch these two once the preseason games begin.

Not all has been good though.

Offensive tackle Tony Hills is struggling and is likely on his way out. There was hope that this would finally be the year he put it together but that does not look to be the case.

Dwyer’s injury and blocking issues has dampened the excitement that he generated on draft day.

David Johnson had a solid rookie year, but unless he can be a dominant blocker he will have trouble making the roster. He has dropped a number of passes that have come his way, basically eliminating himself as a receiving option.

Dennis Dixon has struggled lately as well.

Between practices on Friday and Sunday, Dixon has had a number of bad incompletions and interceptions and has looked flat out bad. For someone that had hopes of starting, he is not making the most of his opportunities.

Hall of Fame

Big congratulations to Dick LeBeau for finally making the Hall of Fame. It was well deserved for both his playing career and coaching career.

With the Hall of Fame weekend here, it got me thinking, what recently retired or current Steelers have a chance to enter the Hall of Fame? Here is my list and I encourage you to comment and discuss each as well as others that I have not mentioned.

• Dermontti Dawson – The greatest center of his generation, he will get in very soon.
• Jerome Bettis – The best big back of his time, Bettis may not be a first ballot Hall of Famer due to the competition next year, but he is a lock.
• Bill Cowher – A great coach who sealed his Hall of Fame entrance with the victory in Super Bowl XL.
• Alan Faneca – Regarded as one of the top linemen of the past decade.
• Hines Ward – The Steelers all-time leading receiver and Super Bowl MVP. He will have a wait, but is a Hall of Fame worthy player.
• Troy Polamalu – No safety plays the game like Polamalu, he is one of a kind.
• Ben Roethlisberger – A unique quarterback for this era already has two Super Bowl victories and is just entering the prime of his career.

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