skeptik
Member
- Feb 7, 2003
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So the first round of preseason games is finally just around the corner. My anticipation is high, as I am excited to see how a lot of the Steelers' young players perform. Not a lot of opportunities in camp this year to earn starting roles, but there are some key battles in depth areas that could be crucial to the team's success down the line this season and into the future. What players or narratives on your teams are you most looking forward to catching a glimpse of during this preseason? Here are some of the things that I will be looking for in the Steelers' games.
I'm looking forward to seeing about a quarter of the roster pretty eagerly, but I will reserve it to 10.
1. CB Keenan Lewis tops my list. I feel that he is on the cusp of finally proving himself in his third year. If he can finally catch up mentally to his physical abilities and see somewhat significant playing time this year, then that will improve the weakest link in the defense. Dale Lolley wrote today that he started in practice in place of McFadden today and had one of his better practices. The jury is still very much out on this guy, but he is one of the players that would immediately improve the team if he finally steps up.
2. We have heard about CB Crezdon Butler a lot more than we have seen him. He only featured on special teams last season and looked poor in doing so. Today on the Talking Steelers show, Mike Prisuta I believe mentioned that he spoke to Butler earlier in camp and he said that he didn't put much effort into his special teams play last year, but that he has dedicated himself to it this year. I am interested to see if they play him at safety in preseason at all as well. Ray Horton spoke last year that they had him practicing at all DB spots and I'm wondering if he could potentially move into the safety position if two of the younger cornerbacks (say Lewis and Brown) actually pan out). Polamalu and Clark are not getting any younger either, although, by that same token, neither are Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden.
3. I don't think much really needs to be said about why people will be eyeing WR Limas Sweed. He has a potentially elite skill set, but can't get on the field because he does not have the trust of his coaches. He must earn his way onto the roster in the next few weeks or face potentially looking for a new career.
4. I am interested in seeing just how complete a player RB Baron Batch actually is. I have read that he has not shined nearly as much of late and that Mewelde Moore has thus far had a very good camp. Performing well in the backs on backers drill is one thing, but recognizing a blitz in a game situation is another matter. Isaac Redman had this issue in his first camp. Lawrence Timmons obliterated him once in the backfield in 11 on 11 I believe. I am curious to find out how much of a threat he can be as a runner with his size, however. He has quickness and takes very sharp cuts, and seems to have fairly good vision as well, but will size be an issue? And how successfully will be he able to execution the third down passing offense at the NFL level? Perhaps most importantly for his rookie season, can he make it on special teams?
5. Although Chris Scott seems more likely to earn a starting position, I am more interested in seeing G Keith Williams. From descriptions, it sounds like he could turn into a superior version of Chris Kemoeatu without his flaws. He is a vicious roadgrader in the run game with the potential to be an adequate pulling guard and doesn't appear to be as mentally incapable of reading the play as Kemoeatu tends to be. His pass protection has been in question the entire time, but I have read a favorable report or two regarding his game in this area thus far, so I am willing to believe that he has the potential to grow in this area. I have surprisingly high hopes for this year's 6th and 7th round picks.
6. Being that the competition for the right guard spot is evidently completely wide open, I am interested in seeing both Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster, but I would especially like to get my first look at last year's 5th round pick, G/T Chris Scott. There were favorable reports about him in OTAs last year before he went down with an injury, and the team elected to carry him on the 53 man roster when he was removed from the PUP list when Max Starks' injury afforded them this opportunity. He has been receiving extremely positive feedback thus far and played a significant amount of time with the first team at right guard, especially currently with Foster, the incumbent starter, suffering from minor concussion symptoms. Gerry Dulac has already predicted that he will be the opening day starter at right guard, and with Foster still on the roster, that would have to mean that Scott is an upgrade at the position, which is always a good thing. Should he make the roster, it will be interesting to see how the right side of the line plays out this year with Pouncey at center and Willie Colon returning at right tackle.
7. Ed Bouchette has been beating the drums for WR Tyler Grisham for the past two years and I honestly never seriously considered him as a legitimate contender. However, after spending the previous two years on the practice squad, his back is now against the wall to make the 53 man roster due to no longer being eligible for the squad. Roethlisberger apparently has somewhat of a rapport with him, and his performance in practice so far has been described by the Pittsburgh Tribune as "difference-making" (for himself, obviously), so I am beginning to reconsider his chances. A lot can happen after a few preseason games, but it seems at the moment that Grisham may have the inside track on Sweed's roster spot.
8. TE Weslye Saunders is another player that entered camp with a lot of hype and hope like Baron Batch, but has also slowed in his ascent. After doing very well in blocking drills, he now seems to be struggling in this area, which would be his primary role as the 2nd or 3rd tight end in the Steelers' offense. One also must seriously question how much an undrafted rookie with a significantly truncated offseason experience can contribute immediately. I had previously had high hopes of him making the roster, but I now believe that he will be fighting fellow undrafted rookie tight end Jamie McCoy for a spot on the practice squad. He could potentially be the primary backup to Heath Miller as early as next year if things go right.
9. I was already amply impressed with the play of ILB Stevenson Sylvester in the preseason last year, though slightly less so in the minimal playing time that he received on defense during the regular season in junk time scenarios. He has turned himself into a special teams ace, however, and reports about his camp have been so glowing that I can't help but be eager to see him play again. He seems to have largely corrected his issue with pad level and continues to read defenses very well. I have read that seemingly the only area of his game that he still needs to work on is to let the play come to him and be in position to make the play instead of trying to chase the play.
10. A spot must be reserved for WR Emmanuel Sanders. The health of his feet can potentially be critical to the success of the Steelers' offense in 2011. The second year receiver was beginning to find his niche late in the season and became an absolute beast in third and long situations (though most may forget this due to Antonio Brown's helmet catch on 3rd and a day late in the Ravens game in the postseason). He has the potential to be both an explosive deep threat and a danger beneath the coverage. I believe he will be the future Hines Ward, however, with Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown also being significant deep threat targets, so I believe that they will nurture his game toward more of a slot receiver role. Reports since his bone marrow injection in his foot have only been positive, so I can't help be be slightly optimistic. He claims that he should return to practice on Monday and will be getting x-rays tomorrow. I need to see how much this injury sets back his progression, however. I wager that his spot as the third receiver may be in short-term jeopardy to start the season and he may have to earn it back from Antonio Brown, who has taken full advantage of this opportunity, especially while Ward was also on the PUP list recovering from thumb surgery.
These are the 10 player narratives that intrigue me the most, but I will be watching for many more things. I want to see if 2nd round versatile tackle/guard Marcus Gilbert can show consistent aggression and determination. I want to see how Willie Colon and Aaron Smith perform in game situations recovering from their injuries. I want to see how well Polamalu's Achilles holds up while making full bursts on the field. I want to see how limited James Harrison will be this year as he battles what will surely be a year long back issue. I want to see if Ziggy Hood maintains his tremendous growth from last year and if his starting position being once again put on hold due to Smith's return sets him back at all. I'm slightly less interested to see Cameron Heyward simply because I do not expect him to contribute much this year and because everything that I've read thus far as matched what my expectations were. Even Ziggy has said that Heyward is further along than he was in his rookie year and Heyward did not have the benefit of an offseason. I want to see if Arnaz Battle will get a legitimate shot to be a part of the offense this year. He has shined in practice like he did in preseason last year, but he was relegated to his role as a special teams ace. Does he get more responsibility this year? How does Curtis Brown look? Will he play so well that he force Lebeau to put him into some sort of nickel or dime rotation at some point during the season, or will he be limited to special teams duty in his rookie year? How does Chris Kemoeatu look once he is able to practice? He has been battling an arthritic knee with bone fragments all offseason. His starting spot at left guard may be in jeopardy. Or he might start the season on the PUP. I could really go on and on.
I'm looking forward to seeing about a quarter of the roster pretty eagerly, but I will reserve it to 10.
1. CB Keenan Lewis tops my list. I feel that he is on the cusp of finally proving himself in his third year. If he can finally catch up mentally to his physical abilities and see somewhat significant playing time this year, then that will improve the weakest link in the defense. Dale Lolley wrote today that he started in practice in place of McFadden today and had one of his better practices. The jury is still very much out on this guy, but he is one of the players that would immediately improve the team if he finally steps up.
2. We have heard about CB Crezdon Butler a lot more than we have seen him. He only featured on special teams last season and looked poor in doing so. Today on the Talking Steelers show, Mike Prisuta I believe mentioned that he spoke to Butler earlier in camp and he said that he didn't put much effort into his special teams play last year, but that he has dedicated himself to it this year. I am interested to see if they play him at safety in preseason at all as well. Ray Horton spoke last year that they had him practicing at all DB spots and I'm wondering if he could potentially move into the safety position if two of the younger cornerbacks (say Lewis and Brown) actually pan out). Polamalu and Clark are not getting any younger either, although, by that same token, neither are Ike Taylor and Bryant McFadden.
3. I don't think much really needs to be said about why people will be eyeing WR Limas Sweed. He has a potentially elite skill set, but can't get on the field because he does not have the trust of his coaches. He must earn his way onto the roster in the next few weeks or face potentially looking for a new career.
4. I am interested in seeing just how complete a player RB Baron Batch actually is. I have read that he has not shined nearly as much of late and that Mewelde Moore has thus far had a very good camp. Performing well in the backs on backers drill is one thing, but recognizing a blitz in a game situation is another matter. Isaac Redman had this issue in his first camp. Lawrence Timmons obliterated him once in the backfield in 11 on 11 I believe. I am curious to find out how much of a threat he can be as a runner with his size, however. He has quickness and takes very sharp cuts, and seems to have fairly good vision as well, but will size be an issue? And how successfully will be he able to execution the third down passing offense at the NFL level? Perhaps most importantly for his rookie season, can he make it on special teams?
5. Although Chris Scott seems more likely to earn a starting position, I am more interested in seeing G Keith Williams. From descriptions, it sounds like he could turn into a superior version of Chris Kemoeatu without his flaws. He is a vicious roadgrader in the run game with the potential to be an adequate pulling guard and doesn't appear to be as mentally incapable of reading the play as Kemoeatu tends to be. His pass protection has been in question the entire time, but I have read a favorable report or two regarding his game in this area thus far, so I am willing to believe that he has the potential to grow in this area. I have surprisingly high hopes for this year's 6th and 7th round picks.
6. Being that the competition for the right guard spot is evidently completely wide open, I am interested in seeing both Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster, but I would especially like to get my first look at last year's 5th round pick, G/T Chris Scott. There were favorable reports about him in OTAs last year before he went down with an injury, and the team elected to carry him on the 53 man roster when he was removed from the PUP list when Max Starks' injury afforded them this opportunity. He has been receiving extremely positive feedback thus far and played a significant amount of time with the first team at right guard, especially currently with Foster, the incumbent starter, suffering from minor concussion symptoms. Gerry Dulac has already predicted that he will be the opening day starter at right guard, and with Foster still on the roster, that would have to mean that Scott is an upgrade at the position, which is always a good thing. Should he make the roster, it will be interesting to see how the right side of the line plays out this year with Pouncey at center and Willie Colon returning at right tackle.
7. Ed Bouchette has been beating the drums for WR Tyler Grisham for the past two years and I honestly never seriously considered him as a legitimate contender. However, after spending the previous two years on the practice squad, his back is now against the wall to make the 53 man roster due to no longer being eligible for the squad. Roethlisberger apparently has somewhat of a rapport with him, and his performance in practice so far has been described by the Pittsburgh Tribune as "difference-making" (for himself, obviously), so I am beginning to reconsider his chances. A lot can happen after a few preseason games, but it seems at the moment that Grisham may have the inside track on Sweed's roster spot.
8. TE Weslye Saunders is another player that entered camp with a lot of hype and hope like Baron Batch, but has also slowed in his ascent. After doing very well in blocking drills, he now seems to be struggling in this area, which would be his primary role as the 2nd or 3rd tight end in the Steelers' offense. One also must seriously question how much an undrafted rookie with a significantly truncated offseason experience can contribute immediately. I had previously had high hopes of him making the roster, but I now believe that he will be fighting fellow undrafted rookie tight end Jamie McCoy for a spot on the practice squad. He could potentially be the primary backup to Heath Miller as early as next year if things go right.
9. I was already amply impressed with the play of ILB Stevenson Sylvester in the preseason last year, though slightly less so in the minimal playing time that he received on defense during the regular season in junk time scenarios. He has turned himself into a special teams ace, however, and reports about his camp have been so glowing that I can't help but be eager to see him play again. He seems to have largely corrected his issue with pad level and continues to read defenses very well. I have read that seemingly the only area of his game that he still needs to work on is to let the play come to him and be in position to make the play instead of trying to chase the play.
10. A spot must be reserved for WR Emmanuel Sanders. The health of his feet can potentially be critical to the success of the Steelers' offense in 2011. The second year receiver was beginning to find his niche late in the season and became an absolute beast in third and long situations (though most may forget this due to Antonio Brown's helmet catch on 3rd and a day late in the Ravens game in the postseason). He has the potential to be both an explosive deep threat and a danger beneath the coverage. I believe he will be the future Hines Ward, however, with Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown also being significant deep threat targets, so I believe that they will nurture his game toward more of a slot receiver role. Reports since his bone marrow injection in his foot have only been positive, so I can't help be be slightly optimistic. He claims that he should return to practice on Monday and will be getting x-rays tomorrow. I need to see how much this injury sets back his progression, however. I wager that his spot as the third receiver may be in short-term jeopardy to start the season and he may have to earn it back from Antonio Brown, who has taken full advantage of this opportunity, especially while Ward was also on the PUP list recovering from thumb surgery.
These are the 10 player narratives that intrigue me the most, but I will be watching for many more things. I want to see if 2nd round versatile tackle/guard Marcus Gilbert can show consistent aggression and determination. I want to see how Willie Colon and Aaron Smith perform in game situations recovering from their injuries. I want to see how well Polamalu's Achilles holds up while making full bursts on the field. I want to see how limited James Harrison will be this year as he battles what will surely be a year long back issue. I want to see if Ziggy Hood maintains his tremendous growth from last year and if his starting position being once again put on hold due to Smith's return sets him back at all. I'm slightly less interested to see Cameron Heyward simply because I do not expect him to contribute much this year and because everything that I've read thus far as matched what my expectations were. Even Ziggy has said that Heyward is further along than he was in his rookie year and Heyward did not have the benefit of an offseason. I want to see if Arnaz Battle will get a legitimate shot to be a part of the offense this year. He has shined in practice like he did in preseason last year, but he was relegated to his role as a special teams ace. Does he get more responsibility this year? How does Curtis Brown look? Will he play so well that he force Lebeau to put him into some sort of nickel or dime rotation at some point during the season, or will he be limited to special teams duty in his rookie year? How does Chris Kemoeatu look once he is able to practice? He has been battling an arthritic knee with bone fragments all offseason. His starting spot at left guard may be in jeopardy. Or he might start the season on the PUP. I could really go on and on.
Of course I knew Boley as well. I'm a Giants fan. I do like Sintim though. Kiwanuka's transitions to LB is going to be...rough at best.
