Top 10 Steelers I'm Dying to See This Preseason

10. (tie) Willie Colon and Marcus Gilbert

I chose Willie for obvious reasons. He's playing a new position, has barely seen the field since 2009, and has been receiving rave reviews for his play at camp. But I think a lot of people are sleeping on Gilbert. He did quite an admirable job last year, especially when you consider that he was A) a rookie, and B) didn't have a full offseason due to lockout, and C) not preparing to play on the right side (he'd been at LT for all of preseason, I read), and D) wasn't even considered a real prospect at OT by basically the entire draft community. This year he's been working on both sides, but mostly the right, he's had a full offseason to learn and work, and he's got a whole season under his belt. There's no way he's not greatly improved this season.

9. Alameda Ta'amu

We all know he's enormous and strong, but I was surprised at how quick he looked when I saw some tape of him running through drills. I'm not expecting him to look like a genius, though. I hope he has a big game, going against whoever Philly's 2nd/3rd center is.

8. Sean Spence

I am happy to admit I have no freaking idea what to expect from Spence. I liked him coming out of college, but everything I read said that the Steelers would never take him and he'd be a terrible fit here. Everything. And I was inclined to agree, given the numbers he put up and his size. But they took him anyway and seemed thrilled about it, based on his football instincts. I have no idea what I'm gonna see, but if it looks like a football player at all I'll be thrilled.

7. Will Johnson

I am a HUGE supporter of our talented and versitile jack-of-all-trades David Johnson, but like the mighty Hines Ward and Jerome Bettis, there comes a time for all masters of the game to step aside for the youth. Will should have David beaten soundly in all parts of the game related to running (with or without the ball), receiving, and special teams. The real question mark is his ability to be a lead blocker. I've heard good things from camp, and if he can do a decent job, he'll be better than what we had last year and should earn a spot. And as a former wide receiver, he'll also represent a much larger threat in the passing game.

5. (tie) Steve McLendon and Ziggy Hood

This list is usually for rookies and 2nd year players, but each of these guys (going into their 3rd and 4th years) went through highly publicized offseason changes, adding bushels of muscle and shedding gobs of fat. They are possibly the two strongest players on the team. McLendon has supposedly made a huge leap in his mental game and is now far more comfortable than he was. Ziggy has said he was disappointed with what he saw in himself when reviewing film of last year, and claims to be more dedicated to improving himself in ways besides getting ready for bikini season. I expect to see a wider variety of pass rush moves from him this year.

3. (tie) Cortez Allen and Curtis Brown

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease be good I want to have good cornerbacks for once pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!!!!!!

1. (tie) Mike Adams and David DeCastro

No explanation needed here. Early on I had Adams at #1 and DeCastro at #2, because Adams was basically a huge question mark and DeCastro anything but. I still feel like DeCastro is going to be rock solid (probably right out of the gate) and Adams is the one we need to worry about, but all the talk about DeCastro and the debate about how much he's really struggling has me more anxious than ever to see him on the field with pros.

BLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!! CAN'T WAIT.

Honorable Mention - Dwyer, Batch, Rainey, Carter

You guys? Who are you dying to see?

 

Its not ten but....definitely DeCastro and Adams, then I would say Rainey, McClendon, Brown/Allen, some of the other backs, a legit FB, and Troy just because he is my guy....

 

Ooh, and Wallace would be nice.

 

Nice list Snack, but I've got one question for you...

...why not just make it a top 15 list???

Just kidding with ya. I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head with most of these players. I would add Antonio Brown to the list. I'm actually eager to see what he can do without Wallace taking the coverage to the other side. I'm one who believes he'll still be a great receiver even though there are those skeptics on here who firmly believe that the only reason that Brown had the successful season he did last year was because the DBs were cheating toward Wallace. We shall see soon enough. I'm also looking forward to seeing what Brown can do with a full year as a starter.

 

Surprised you left off Rainey. I'm excited to see how he's going to be implemented in our offense. I think Todd Haley's strength is finding guys talents and building the offense to take advantage of them... So Rainey could be awesome.

 

I'm not sure anyone believes that, exactly. I can't speak for others, but I don't question that he's a great receiver and deserving of the massive contract he just got. He's a great player who would probably work well in any system. However, no one can deny that he's significantly better with Wallace on the field. How many awesome $42 million receivers out there spend their entire careers against 2nd and 3rd DBs without every-play double coverage?

He's still great, but no way is he as great going against the kind of coverage Wallace has been getting. But that would be just as true for any receiver. If you flip it around -- jeez, can you guys imagine Wallace going against a #2 CB and no safety?

 

Yeah, I don't know how to do a slideshow, but if you want I can break up each of my top 10 into separate threads?

 

as far as the obvious o-line. batch, j.johnson,spence, sylvester,allen,brown,cromartie-smith,golden,fredrick,mcfadden,rainey,clay,jolly,beachum.

 

I'm still laughing at the David Johnson Line.

 

and carter and robinson.

 

I think I'm ready to start my list for next year's preseason. I already have number 1...