Five things to look for at Steelers training camp

Five things to look for at Steelers training camp

July 19, 2015
By Ed Bouchette / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette



Le'Veon Bell is becoming perhaps the best running back in the NFL, but does he have an adequate replacement early in the season?

Some people swear things come in threes, but we’re always looking for five of them in training camp and here they are:

1. Will Butler open new doors for the defense?

Can Keith Butler become an overnight sensation at age 59? It’s tough to follow a legend and Dick LeBeau certainly was that as defensive coordinator with the Steelers. Butler, though, has been with them longer on a continuing basis, back to 2003, when he was hired as linebackers coach under coordinator Tim Lewis.

He has turned down several opportunities as coordinator elsewhere and will add his own ideas to those that worked well under LeBeau. One big change: He wants the defensive linemen to become more than blocking sleds for the linebackers, wants them to become more active in the pass rush.

2. Young Money II

YM I eased into the locker room in 2010 when Mike Wallace took over the team receiving lead from Hines Ward and Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown were emerging. The three flourished until eventually Wallace and Sanders left as free agents.

Now Brown is the undisputed king, leading a group of young and talented receivers that includes Markus Wheaton, Martavis Bryant and Sammie Coates — picked in the third or fourth round one in each of the past three drafts. That is where the Steelers have found some of their best receivers over the years.

3. Who will rise as Bell pays his toll?

As of now, the AFC’s leading rusher will be suspended for the first three games of the season for his marijuana/DUI conviction last preseason. Le’Veon Bell still awaits word on his appeal of that suspension and whether the NFL might cut it to one or two games.

The Steelers signed veteran DeAngelo Williams to start in Bell’s place and ultimately serve as his backup. While not as versatile as Bell, Williams did catch 26 passes in 2013 when he also rushed for 843 yards and a 4.2-yard average.

Since Bell will not count on their roster during his suspension, a halfback can be expected to replace him on the roster for the games he misses. Assuming Dri Archer makes it, that other spot is still wide open for a youngster to fill it as the Steelers enter camp.

to read rest of article:

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2015/07/19/Five-things-to-look-for-at-2015-Steelers-training-camp/stories/201507190193

I'm still calling that the 6th thing to look for will be the pleasant surprise of Anthony Chickillo.

7. still looking for Dupree's first sack

harrison'samonster wrote:

7. still looking for Dupree's first sack

Yeah, at this rate he better step it up or he will be fighting to make the team.

I hear that Walter Ambercrombie is looking like the truth so don't sleep on him, fam!

I also feel like Gabe Rivera could crack the starting lineup if the coaches would just give him a chance and stop holding him back.

I'll add #6: the release of Cam Thomas, a.k.a. "Black Jello."

FrancoLambert wrote:

I'll add #6:  the release of Cam Thomas, a.k.a. "Black Jello."

Unfortunately for fans, I don't think that is going to happen. I don't think its very likely the Steelers go into the season with Geathers and LT Walton as the reserve DE's. Cam is likely here for one more year of depth.

Nick Williams or Josh Mauro look good right now huh? I'd rather they didn't keep DHB or BW Webb and kept one of the other DE's on the 53 last year. Would at least have some better DE depth. Maybe a late camp cut ends up here.

Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp: 5 Early Storylines to Watch

By Andrea Hangst
Jul 20, 2015



We're a mere five days away from the Pittsburgh Steelers opening their 2015 training camp, which means the football season is not far behind. But before the Steelers can face the New England Patriots* in Week 1, they must get the team ready to do battle.

Many new storylines will emerge as camp unfolds, but there are already ones to keep an eye on in training camp's early days. Here are the five to watch right now.

Steelers' Round 1 draft pick, outside linebacker Bud Dupree, has already spent time with the first-team defense during OTAs and minicamp, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. It is a trend that is likely to continue through training camp given what a quick study he has been so far.

to read rest of article:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2526525-pittsburgh-steelers-training-camp-5-early-storylines-to-watch

Steelers 2015 Training Camp: 5 Storylines To Watch Closely

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2015/07/steelers-2015-training-camp-5-storylines-to-watch-closely/

Pittsburgh Steelers training camp schedule: Tickets, location, dates

BY SI WIRE
Posted: Thu Jul. 23, 2015



The Pittsburgh Steelers will begin training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., on July 25. Camp breaks on Aug. 22, one day before the Steelers’ third preseason game.

The Steelers are coming off an 11–5 season in which they won the AFC North before losing to the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC wild-card game. Pittsburgh enjoyed an especially successful season on offense, where the Steelers ranked seventh in yards and second in points for the franchise’s best season since 1979.

In 2015, the Steelers will seek to improve a defense that ranked 18th in both yards and points allowed last season. Cornerback Brice McCain left for the Miami Dolphins in free agency, and cornerback Ike Taylor and safety Troy Polamalu both retired. Also gone is legendary defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, who left for a job with the Tennessee Titans.

The Steelers’ highest-profile free-agent move was signing former Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams, who will see early action while LeVeon Bell is suspended for the first three games of the season.

Steelers training camp schedule (all times ET):

Saturday, July 25: All players report by 4 p.m. No practice.

Sunday, July 26: 2:55 p.m. and open to public.

Monday, July 27: 2:55 p.m. and open to public.

Tuesday, July 28: No practice.

Monday, July 29: 2:55 p.m. and open to public.

Thursday, July 30: 2:55 p.m. and open to public.

Friday, July 31: 7 p.m. at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium.

Saturday, August 1: 2:55 p.m. and open to public.

Sunday, August 2: 2:55 p.m. and open to public.

Monday, August 3: 2:55 p.m. and open to public.

Tuesday, August 4: No practice.

Wednesday, August 5: 2:55 p.m. and open to public.

Thursday, August 6: 2:55 p.m. and open to public.

Friday, August 7: 2:55 p.m. and open to public.

Saturday, August 8: No practice.

Sunday, August 9: First preseason game vs. Minnesota Vikings (Hall of Fame Game, 8 p.m., NBC)

Monday, August 10: No practice.

Tuesday, August 11: 2:55 p.m. and open to public.

Wednesday, August 12: 5:30 p.m. at Saint Vincent College.

Thursday, August 13: No practice.

Friday, August 14: Second preseason game at Jacksonville Jaguars (7:30 p.m., KDKA)

Saturday, August 15: No practice.

Sunday, August 16: 2:55 p.m. and open to public.

Monday, August 17: 2:55 p.m. and open to public.

Tuesday, August 18: No practice.

Wednesday, August 19: 2:55 p.m. and open to public.

Thursday, August 20: 2:55 p.m. and open to public.

Friday, August 21: 2:55 p.m. and open to public.

Saturday, August 22: No practice (camp breaks)

Sunday, August 23: Third preseason game vs. Green Bay Packers (8 p.m., KDKA)

Saturday, August 29: Fourth preseason game at Buffalo Bills (4 p.m., KDKA)

Thursday, September 3: Fifth preseason game vs. Carolina Panthers (7:30 p.m., KDKA)

Tickets:

Tickets are not required for the majority of training camp events. Admission and parking may be limited due to space. For most afternoon practices, parking lots will open at 11 a.m. and camp will open at noon.

Location:

Steelers training camp will be held at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa.

http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/07/23/pittsburgh-steelers-training-camp-schedule-tickets-location

Here's what I'm looking for

- Offense kicking ass
- Defense kicking ass

5 Questions Concerning the Pittsburgh Steelers Entering the 2015 Season

AthlonSports
By Marky Billson, 7/30/15

Mike Tomlin's defense will look much different following an offseason full of changes
The Pittsburgh Steelers are an enigma entering the 2015 NFL season. They would appear to be a team on the rise after an 11-5 regular season record and winning the toughest division in the league.

Yet questions on defense prevent them from being regarded as a primary contender in the AFC. Las Vegas puts Pittsburgh’s odds at winning the Super Bowl at 30-1, only the ninth-best odds among the 32 teams.

Here are five of the most pressing questions facing the Steelers as their 50th training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., is now in session.

Will Cortez Allen start or even make the team?

Will the real Cortez Allen please stand up? Whereas Allen only allowed one touchdown pass in his first two seasons with the Steelers, thus resulting in a lucrative contract and starting position, he all but disappeared in the second half of the 2014 season. Not only did he not make a tackle in Weeks 9-11, those also were the last games he played, as he missed Pittsburgh’s final six contests due to injury.

In the last game he DID make a tackle, Oct. 26 against Indianapolis, the Washington Post highlighted Allen's duel with Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton as the "NFL Matchup of the Week." Hilton torched Allen for 155 yards on six catches and a touchdown.

The Steelers were built last season to win 31-28 games. That isn't likely to change unless Allen lives up to the potential Pittsburgh saw in him when the team signed him last year to a four-year contract worth more than $31 million.

With Allen due to make $13 million over the next there seasons, it’s possible that he could find himself on the roster bubble. That is especially the case if he falters during training camp or Senquez Golson, the Steelers’ second-round draft pick, shows why he was a first-team All-American after collecting 10 interceptions for Ole Miss. In fact, if Golson shows he’s ready to be thrown into the fray right away, it could mean the end of Allen’s tenure in Pittsburgh.

What’s up with the front seven?

For the past several years, the Steelers have made a concentrated effort to rebuild their front seven.

The last three first-round draft choices have been either defensive linemen or linebackers. This trend extends to four of the last five first-round selections, five of the last seven, and six of the nine such picks the Steelers have had under head coach Mike Tomlin.

Unfortunately the results have been mixed. True, linebacker Lawrence Timmons, the Steelers' very first draft choice under Tomlin's tenure, made the Pro Bowl last season. It was perhaps the only highlight coming from the box last season though. Pittsburgh’s 4.4 yards allowed per rush and 33 sacks ranked just 25th and 26th in the NFL.

Linebacker Jarvis Jones, 2013's first-round pick, failed to make a tackle after Week 3 in 2014 and he has only three sacks in his first two injury-plagued seasons. Last year's first-rounder, Ryan Shazier, lost his starting position in Week 10. Free agent Arthur Moats also suffered through an injury-plagued campaign.

Pittsburgh was forced to ask James Harrison and Brett Keisel to turn back the clock, as both become starters. Keisel was released in March, but Harrison returns and will battle Jones for the right outside linebacker spot. Rookie first-round pick Bud Dupree is set to challenge Moats for the other starting outside linebacker job.

Cameron Heyward, the team’s first-round pick in 2011, may not be a Pro Bowler yet, but he is a serviceable player, as evidenced by his 7.5 sacks. He's flanked by Stephon Tuitt, a 2014 second-round choice, who also showed signs of impact and became a starter at the end of the season at left defensive tackle.

With the question marks in the secondary, the front seven must improve. There are enough options at outside linebacker and enough progression at the defensive tackle spots that productivity should go up this season. The biggest question comes in the middle, where Shazier is slated to start alongside Timmon, while journeymen Steve McClendon and Clifton Geathers man the nose tackle position. Keisel has become the new Charlie Batch; a popular veteran player whose skids have been greased by Tomlin to make way for a younger player, only to see the younger players aren't as good as the veteran.

What will be the impact of new defensive coordinator Keith Butler?

to read rest of article:

- See more at: http://athlonsports.com/nfl/5-questions-concerning-pittsburgh-steelers-entering-2015-season#sthash.p2TR9HLh.dpuf

this might be the year, if you got $1000.00 laying around, to put on the Steelers winning the Super Bowl at 30 to 1 odds.

the defense might be good enough to keep opposing offense from scoring more points the Steelers offense. because the offense can score points.