8:00 pm
What to Watch For:
1. Offensive Line. Speculation has been flying this week that center Justin Hartwig isn’t going to make the final roster cut. Why? Because first round pick Maurkice Pouncey has been an absolute monster. The Steelers O-line still has a long way to go to become one of the elite lines in the league, but they have looked better with each game. The starting 5 seem to be more or less figured out at this point: Starks, Kemoeatu, Pouncey, Essex, Adams. However, guys like Jonathan Scott, Tony Hills, and Kraig Urbik are battling for roster spots. The young guys have looked good so far this year, but that has been against 2nd and 3rd team defenses. It would be nice to see some of them thrown in there against first team competition to see how they fare.
2. Wide Receivers. Conventional wisdom is that the Steelers will keep 6 wide receivers. We’ve been ecstatic over what we’ve seen from Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown so far in the preseason. We’re looking for even more from them tonight as they continue to grow into their roles in the offense.
3. Playing time with the first team. The third preseason game is usually the one where the starters see extended playing time, sometimes into the second half. Given the Steelers current situation at quarterback and the position battles elsewhere, it will be interesting to see how many reps certain players get with the first team. Tomlin has already said that Dennis Dixon will get to take some reps with the first team offense.
4. Safeties. With Ryan Clark out, this will be an excellent opportunity to see what Will Allen and Ryan Mundy can bring to the table. As we saw last year, the safety position is one of the most important on the defense. Knowing that we have capable backups in the secondary will go a long way to helping this defense.
5. Outside linebacker. Jason Worlids played a decent first game, but no one has separated themselves from the competition for the #3 OLB position yet. The Steelers will definitely keep Worlids on the roster, as he was their #2 draft pick this year. However, between Thaddeus Gibson and Patrick Bailey, the competition is still on for who will become the top backup at OLB.
Like the first two preseason games, they were basically exhibitions. The young guys showed some good stuff and the coaches got to see a lot of the take a lot of reps. But now it’s big game time. The Steelers will have to make their first roster cut after this week’s game. This might be the final audition for some players. Also, the starters generally play at least half of the game in the third preseason game, giving it the feel of a regular season game. Along the same lines, our Behind Enemy Lines guest this week brought his regular season form, not shying away from bashing the Steelers in his answers. Solid. But don’t expect us not to bash back.
This week’s guest is Ian from Bronco Talk. Don’t like their responses? Job them on Twitter: @BroncoTalk
Getting to see the number one Denver Broncos’ offense matched up against the number one Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense. The Broncos top offense has been incendiary against the Detroit Lions and the Cincinnati Bengals defense in the last two weeks. Kyle Orton looks prolific, as does Jabar Gaffney, Eddie Royal, Marquez Branson and anyone the Broncos decide to stick at running back. It will be very interesting to see this Denver offense matched up for three quarters against a stellar Pittsburgh defense.
Our first string defense is something to look at, but with all of the injuries and the Steelers debating between Dennis Dixon and Bryron Chamberlin it’s the same-old, same-old. The Broncos defense, due to injuries and the preseason schedule has yet to be tested, truly in this preseason. They still don’t look like they’re going to get a true test until week three in the regular season.
You want the low down on Dumervil? The man is a freak, he’s expected to be replaced by a first round draft pick in Robert Ayers (who was the definition of disappointment last season) and a player (who was another first round draft pick) Jarvis Moss who has been a disappointment his entire career and even contemplated retirement last preseason. That’s how much the Broncos care who is rushing in as the ROLB. Dumervil won’t be missed, he will remain on the 53 man roster, play sometime in November/December and contribute nothing ultimately to the Broncos overall.
Denver’s defense however, they’re in good shape, you’ve got too many super fly brothers on that side of the ball to count out. Jamal Williams and you’re screwed, put D.J. Williams behind him and follow that up with a secondary that includes Champ Bailey, Brian Dawkins and Andre Goodman– that spells good night my friend. Someone’s going to get to the quarterback, I don’t care who it is.
Tim Tebow is a non factor for the Broncos this season (at worst). I hope, from the depths of my heart, that there are actual packages in place for Tebow, because the man will not be denied a touchdown… However, in Denver, the guy’s a third string quarterback. A prolific one at that, but he’s still a third-stringer. Prolific or not he knows his role and will fill it.
All scary picks I know, but the value is there. Make the Broncos your sleepers and I’m serious.
On top of that there’s always Eddie Royal, who I don’t have a ton of faith in, but he’s ultimately the most talented out of everyone I just pointed out earlier.
That being said, I respect that.
I’ll be watching the game at home in Manhattan for that exact reason. I don’t have the muscle to punch a Steeler’s fan’s nose in.
That’s all.
You’ve got a choice Byron Leftwhich or Dennis Dixon, there ain’t a damn one of you who would draft either in Fantasy Football. Pray to the football Gods that your defense can overachieve until Ben Roethlisberger gets out of his suspension, because once Big Ben is out you won’t have a worry in the world.
Go Steelers!
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
