steelersfan87
Posts : 356
Join date : 2012-06-17
 | | Subject: 5 things to look for during the preseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers Wed Aug 08, 2012 5:13 pm | |
| My article: - Quote :
- Every team has questions in training camp, and despite their pedigree, the Pittsburgh Steelers are no different. For the fans, the best opportunity to look for their own answers is to watch the preseason games.
The Steelers will open their preseason schedule against the Philadelphia Eagles tomorrow, so here are a few things to look for, in no particular order, that could be key to the team’s success during the 2012 season:
1. Defensive line success
The Steelers are likely to start the 2012 regular season with only one third of the players that opened the 2011 season on the defensive line. Left defensive end Aaron Smith is retired and nose tackle Casey Hampton might start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. And even if he does not, he may not start immediately.
4th year former first round defensive end Ziggy Hood will be entering his first season as a starter, despite being forced into a starting role many times over the past two years due to Smith’s health. He had a pretty underwhelming season last year by some measures, but underwent a rigorous offseason training program this year.
Steve McLendon is no longer the 280 pound man he is listed as on the Steelers’ website. Reportedly now a lean 325 pounds, McLendon has reportedly had an electric camp. Hood and McLendon will likely only get a series or two in the first preseason game, making initial evaluations difficult, but it will be the first opportunity for most to see for themselves how the two young men have developed since January.
2. Health at wide receiver
With star wide receiver Mike Wallace still holding out, 3rd year man Emmanuel Sanders is currently slotted as a starter alongside 2011 team MVP Antonio Brown. Sanders broke his foot at the capitulation of the 2010 season in Super Bowl XLV and struggled with injuries throughout the 2011 season, so how he holds up will be crucial to the Steelers’ success.
Jerricho Cotchery, either the 3rd or 4th receiver depending on if Wallace decides to join the team, battle hamstring injuries last year, but seems to be free of nagging ailments thus far. With Wallace’s continued holdout, however, quality depth at receiver is relatively thin. The top three guys must stay healthy, or the team may be forced to seek help elsewhere. Read more: http://www.examiner.com/article/5-things-to-look-for-during-the-preseason-for-the-pittsburgh-steelers-part-1 | |
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