NFL Preseason: 10 Keys to The Pittsburgh Steelers Preseason Opener

The Pittsburgh Steelers kickoff their 2010 preseason schedule against the Detroit Lions Saturday night.

While training camp provided flashes of talent, such as Emmanuel Sanders, and disappointment, Tony Hills, all can be forgotten with an outstanding preseason performance or a disappointing one.

The preseason gives us a first glance at how these players can perform with full contact against a different colored jersey.

Of greater importance, though, is to see how the rookies are integrated into the team, particularly those who can contribute this season, as well as how Mike Tomlin will handle the quarterback snaps.

Tomlin may offer some insight during his Thursday press conference, but that still will not answer all of the questions.

Here are some areas to concentrate on Saturday night.

The Quarterback Rotation

Photo by: Chris G.

Ben Roethlisberger is possibly having the best training camp of his career. He has been extremely accurate and is setting himself up for a great season. However, it has only been practice. Will his camp success translate to the field?

Of greater importance for the start of the season is to evaluate Byron Leftwich’s performance.

The likely starter for the beginning of the season, Leftwich has had his struggles in camp, particularly with accuracy. In spite of this, he has still been the second best quarterback in camp and it will be interesting to see if he and the receivers are on the same page.

Regarding Dennis Dixon, will Bruce Arians put in special plays that utilize his abilities to move outside of the pocket to create plays with his arm or legs?

The coaching staff will need to do something because Dixon has been an overall disappointment in camp and does not have the look of a starter.

It is unlikely that Charlie Batch will get many snaps, if any since the Steelers need to get Leftwich and Dixon ready for the beginning of the season.

Which Running Back Will Step Up?

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PITTSBURGH - AUGUST 29: Running back Isaac Redman #33 of the Pittsburgh Steelers carries the ball in the third quarter during the game against the Buffalo Bills at Heinz Field on August 29, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty

Behind Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore, there is still a competition for the running backs.

The early leader for the third spot on the depth chart goes to Isaac Redman, who has performed quite well in camp. He has shown a greater understanding of the offense and provides the Steelers with a power option.

After a slow start to camp due to injuries, rookie Jonathan Dwyer finally received some praise from running back coach Kirby Wilson, who said today that he was excited to see him in action Saturday night.

Beyond the yards gained, Redman and Dwyer will also have to demonstrate good hands catching out of the backfield and more importantly, their blocking ability.

Redman already has an edge here as he has had some reps at fullback.

Can The Rookie Receivers Continue to Shine?

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Sanders and Antonio Brown have both demonstrated good skills throughout the first week and a half of camp.

Each player runs good routes and has very good hands, particularly Sanders.

Sanders has the look of a player who can step up and contribute this season and he will have an opportunity to continue his transition from the slot position, which he played in college, to the outside.

Brown has been a bit of a pleasant surprise. As a late round selection, he was a long shot to make the roster, but with his early performance as a receiver and his ability as a returner, he has an excellent shot at a roster spot.

Another young player to keep an eye out is Brandon London. He is 6-4 and has also stood out.

The Offensive Line Shuffle

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Given the injury to right tackle Willie Colon, the Steelers had one additional position battle beyond right guard.

Flozell Adams seems to have the position locked up, but it is a new position for him, after playing the left side for Dallas. He struggles with pass protection, but should give the Steelers a massive body to open up holes for the ground game.

As of now, Trai Essex is slated to play guard next to Adams, but first round draft pick Maurkice Pouncey has demonstrated that he can play at a high level.

It is important that Pouncey puts on a solid display so he continues to work his way into the starting lineup. The sooner he gets in it, the better the Steelers will be.

A couple of interesting players are Ramon Foster and Kraig Urbik.

Foster had a pretty successful rookie year, particularly as an undrafted free agent last year. He can play both guard and tackle and still has a chance at winning a starting job.

Urbik has been buried on the depth chart, but is a better in game performer than a practice player.

If both players have good showings, the Steelers will have a nice set of young talent to build the offensive line.

Hood Is On a Roll

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LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 22: Ziggy Hood #96 of the Pittsburgh Steelers rushes the quarterback during the game against the Washington Redskins at Fed Ex Field on August 22, 2009 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Last year’s first round draft pick, Ziggy Hood, has had maybe the best camp behind Roethlisberger, though Sanders also gets consideration for that.

Nearly unblockable at times, Hood should see plenty of playing time against first stringers Saturday, allowing the Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel to rest.

If Hood can display the same talent against opposing offensive linemen as he has the past couple of weeks, it will be difficult to keep him out of the starting lineup for long, and given Smith’s and Keisel’s presence, that is excellent news for the Steelers.

Beyond Hood, can Sunny Harris or Doug Worthington establish themselves as a viable backup along the defensive line?

Stevenson Sleep-vester?

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 02: Linebacker Stevenson Sylvester #10 of the Utah Utes celebrates after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 31-17 during the 75th Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 2, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo b

Stevenson Sylvester has a number of veterans ahead of him at inside linebacker: James Farrior, Lawrence Timmons, Larry Foote, and Keyaron Fox. Will the Steelers keep five inside linebackers?

If Sylvester continues to play the way he has practiced he will.

With the ability to contribute on special teams and his knack for being around the ball and showing a comfort in the defense already, Sylvester may be the best rookie linebacker. 

Jason Worilds has been injured and Thaddeus Gibson is a little behind because of missing offseason workouts due to classes at Ohio State.

Lewis' Time To Shine

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After being plagued with injuries as a rookie, Keenan Lewis has flashed the potential that he can be a starting cornerback.

Lewis is well ahead of Joe Burnett and Crezdon Butler, though Butler has caught the attention of the coaching staff. 

But despite this, William Gay is a better fit for the nickel role than Lewis which may leave him lower on the depth chart than his talent indicates.

The Steelers should allow Lewis to matchup against one of the Lions top receivers to see what he can do against starting caliber talent.

Putting the “Special” Back in Special Teams

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Daniel Sepulveda, not Jeff Reed, should get most of the kickoff duties Saturday.

This may not be the case, but after showing some success with kickoff duties, Sepulveda should get a good, in-game tryout and there is no better time to start this tryout than the preseason opener.

If Sepulveda can put the ball deeper in the opponent’s territory, it should reflect in their starting field position.

For the Steelers, they have a plethora of options at returner with Stefan Logan, Burnett, Brown, and Sanders, then of course Antwaan Randle El as an emergency option.

Logan will get his opportunities early, but if anyone is going to cost Logan his roster spot, it will be Brown.

Dedication to The Run

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Possibly the most important area to watch is how the Steelers treat the ground game.

This is something they can not just turn the switch on to get it going. It takes practice and a commitment.

The first game is the beginning to getting the offensive line to gel as well as to develop running back depth.

Key areas in which the Steelers need to improve on are:

• Positive yards on first down.
• Third and short running.
• Running inside the ten yardline.

Discussion Points

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Here are some discussion points for the upcoming preseason game as well as major issues as we approach the regular season.  Please comment below.

• How would you treat the quarterback rotation?  Should Roethlisberger even play?
• Should Pouncey see time with the first team line?
• Who will perform better: Redman or Dwyer?
• Which rookie linebacker will shine the most?
• Would you play Polamalu or Smith?
• Which returner do you want to see get the job?

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