Pittsburgh Steelers 2011 Preseason thread

• Commander of Awesome

  

  killer_ewok;870991 wrote:For all of the talk about the Steelers' age....they're locking up young studs for the foreseeable future. Very nice.

  
  Have to be happy with the resignings if youre a steelers fan. Looks like the Browns are following suit with resigning Joe Thomas. I know Non and Capwned don't think he's very good, but he's the best LT in the league. sorry to say for you steeler fans since you'll have to go against him for the forseeable future.
• GoPens

  

  Seems like Wallace just hit the scene. Hard to believe his contract is up already.
• Non

  

  The good news is they can franchise Troy and get away with not paying him a crazy amount of money for one year as Safety's don't get paid a ton.
  
  For all of the talk about the Steelers' age....they're locking up young studs for the foreseeable future. Very nice.

  I agree. Definitely smart to lock up Timmons and Woodley and wait until after the season to decide what to do with Troy.
  
  Most likely the franchise tag.
  
  Steelers have done a good job adding some key pieces. They may have a slight drop off this year just because it's a high standard trying to get back to the Super Bowl. And there are a lot of other teams in contention in the AFC. But I don't think the Steelers are done. They still have a good opportunity over the next five years or so to get back and win again.
• Non

  

  most improved players I'd say
  
  offense - Antonio Brown, WR
  ...Looks like he could be set for a breakout second year.
  
  defense - Ryan Mundy, S
  ...He's continued to get better which is a good sign for the defense, considering Polamalu gets hurt a lot. They can't afford to lose Polamalu for the season but I think they're better prepared than they were a couple years ago if he goes out for a few games.
• killer_ewok

  

  Definitely agree about AB.
• Non

  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  Date: Saturday, Aug. 27
  Time: 7:30 p.m.
  Site: Heinz Field
  TV: KDKA
  
  
  Intriguing third preseason game between a pair of likely contenders.
  
  After a lackluster performance in week one of the preseason against Washington, the Steelers responded in week two with a thorough 24-14 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
  
  The defense set the tone with four interceptions, including three picks off Eagles starter Michael Vick.
  
  Meanwhile, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger looked sharp, completing 14 of 19 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns.
  
  The Steelers will look for a similar effort when they host the Falcons Saturday night at Heinz Field.
  
  The teams collided in the regular season opener last year with the Steelers prevailing 15-9 in overtime. Both teams went on to have successful campaigns after that.
  
  The Falcons went 13-3 during the 2010 season before falling to Green Bay in an NFC Divisional Playoff Game. The Steelers reached Super Bowl XLV, also losing to Green Bay.
  
  This one won't count in the standings but could serve as an important tune-up for both teams. The Steelers starters are expected to play the entire first half and coach Mike Tomlin said one of the units may go into the third quarter depending on performance and the number of reps.
  
  The major areas of concern for the Steelers continue to be offensive line and cornerback.
  
  Injuries have prevented the Steelers from putting their first team on the field and that will be the case all the way up until the regular season opener at Baltimore.
  
  Starting cornerback Ike Taylor will miss Saturday's game as he recovers from a broken thumb. The status of fellow cornerback Bryant McFadden is uncertain. McFadden has missed the first two preseason games with a hamstring/groin injury.
  
  The offensive line will be without left tackle Jonathan Scott, who left last week's game with a knee injury. He expects to be ready by week one, but rookie Marcus Gilbert will start in his place Saturday. Tony Hills will start at right guard. Hills is in a battle with Ramon Foster and Doug Legursky for the starting spot.
• Non

  

  
  
  
  
  Roster battles
  
  
  No. 3 QB
  - Charlie Batch
  - Dennis Dixon
  
  Batch was probably in the lead heading into the preseason, but Dixon has played well. In last week's win, Dixon completed 8 of 11 for 90 yards and had a 96.8 quarterback rating.
  
  It's possible the Steelers may consider trade offers for Dixon but if it just comes down to these two, they'll likely keep the younger player, Dixon.
  
  
  No. 6 wide receiver
  - Arnaz Battle
  - Tyler Grisham
  
  Battle's trademark is his special teams play but he stepped up offensively last week with three receptions for 47 yards. That doesn't bode well for Grisham, who has been knocking on the door for a few years now.
  
  
  No. 3 tight end
  - John Gilmore
  - Weslye Saunders
  - Jamie McCoy
  - Miguel Chavis
  
  Gilmore should have the edge here as a veteran but the fact that he hasn't locked this up shows that the Steelers are not that impressed. Saunders is the most athletic of the group but might be a bit raw at this point. He could be a practice squad option for this year. McCoy is a darkhorse but the Steelers have used him quite a bit in the H-back role during preseason.
  
  
  Offensive line backup(s)
  - Chris Scott
  - Keith Williams
  
  The Steelers drafted Scott in the 2010 draft out of Tennessee and Williams in the 2011 draft out of Nebraska. Both guards have flashed some potential, at times, but based on the numbers it appears they both could be in trouble.
  
  The Steelers will keep Jonathan Scott, Chris Kemoeatu, Maurkice Pouncey, Willie Colon, Doug Legursky, Ramon Foster and Marcus Gilbert. It's also likely they'll keep Tony Hills, who remains in a battle for the starting spot at right guard, and Trai Essex, who they recently re-signed because of his versatility at guard and tackle.
  
  That's nine. If there is another spot available there is only one more, which means the pressure is on Scott and Williams.
  
  
  Cornerback backup(s)
  - Keenan Lewis
  - Crezdon Butler
  - Donovan Warren
  
  There might be some question whether Bryant McFadden's roster spot is safe, but we'll assume in this case that it's safe. That would mean Ike Taylor, McFadden, William Gay and the two recent draft picks, Curtis Brown and Cortez Allen, are all locks to make the 53-man roster. There's probably two spots left. Donovan Warren may have put himself in the discussion with a strong performance last week, but he'll have to play well two more preseason games for the Steelers to cut loose either Lewis or Butler (probably Lewis).
  
  
  Punter
  - Daniel Sepulveda
  - Jeremy Kapinos
  
  There's no doubt Sepulveda has a strong leg but he's twice gone down with season-ending injuries. Kapinos came in last year and performed well. The competition has been close throughout training camp and preseason. It's a tough decision for the Steelers but I'd imagine they'll stick with Sepulveda.
• killer_ewok

  

  Steelers looking VERY good tonight against Atlanta. 10-0 late 1st Qtr.
• killer_ewok

  

  Pouncey went down with a left ankle injury (Dear Lord....please let it be minor) and Keenan Lewis hurt his left knee making a nice play (of course).
  
  O-line and CB.....can't afford to lose players at either position.
• killer_ewok

  

  Ben gets his helmet ripped off but never goes down and they call it an in the grasp sack. Yeah, okay.
• Hb31187

  

  killer_ewok;875344 wrote:Ben gets his helmet ripped off but never goes down and they call it an in the grasp sack. Yeah, okay.

  With how thye protect QB's and concussions are you really surprised that when one has his QB ripped off and is still scrambling that they call the play dead?
• killer_ewok

  

  Hb31187;875362 wrote:With how thye protect QB's and concussions are you really surprised that when one has his QB ripped off and is still scrambling that they call the play dead?

  Yes. How about a facemask penalty? Anything there since he's a QB and they "protect" them.
• Non

  

  I'm at work. Not watching but following the comments on several sites.
  
  How we looking?
• Hb31187

  

  killer_ewok;875378 wrote:Yes. How about a facemask penalty? Anything there since he's a QB and they "protect" them.

  You can get your helmet took off without a facemask penalty. I didnt see it live, just what you're saying
• killer_ewok

  

  Antonio Brown = Stud Mode
• killer_ewok

  

  Non;875382 wrote:I'm at work. Not watching but following the comments on several sites.
  
  How we looking?

  Pretty damn good, Non.
• killer_ewok

  

  Hb31187;875383 wrote:You can get your helmet took off without a facemask penalty. I didnt see it live, just what you're saying

  That's why I said....if not that call.....something. Anything. You can't pick and choose which QB's to "baby." Well, I guess they can.
• Hb31187

  

  killer_ewok;875389 wrote:That's why I said....if not that call.....something. Anything. You can't pick and choose which QB's to "baby." Well, I guess they can.

  Scrambling QBs get the shaft more than ones who sit in the pocket, thats for sure.
• Non

  

  killer_ewok;875344 wrote:Ben gets his helmet ripped off but never goes down and they call it an in the grasp sack. Yeah, okay.

  They called one last week in the grasp when a player just had Ben around the ankles for a split second.
  
  It's a give or take because you want safety but how many times has Ben gotten away from those under seige situations and made a play? All season long. They'll be calling in the grasp a lot.
• Non

  

  Pretty scary what AB is doing.
  
  Get him out of there. Don't want to see an injury now.
• Hb31187

  

  If this is how many targets Roddy White is gonna get all year, im pissed someone took him right before me at the end of the 1st round of the fantasy draft
• Hb31187

  

  Non;875393 wrote:Pretty scary what AB is doing.
  
  Get him out of there. Don't want to see an injury now.

  Our secondary will make yours look like the Jets/Eagles this year. I see nothing changed in the off season since the Packers raped us
• killer_ewok

  

  I'm in 2 FFL's so far and I drafted AB in both. Looking good right now.
• killer_ewok

  

  Ryan has been under duress much of the night.
• Non

  

  This would've been a hell of a game if it went four quarters.
  
  If you like passing.