What training camp battle are you most excited for this preseason?

For me it's the secondary, they signed a bunch of UDFAs that play in the secondary, I expect a few of these guys to make the team. I want to see what Shakur Brown, and Mark Gilbert can do, also draft pick Tre Norwood.

 

I too am interested in this group. I also hope the TE position is up for grabs.

 

I got 2 go CBs also , and sprinkle in OLB.
I think Roche may push 2 get some important playing time. That is if he can hold up in the Run.

 

I'm pulling for Moore to turn heads.

 

Dan Moore right?
I agree then I thought might be talking about a USFA.

 

Backup QB. Can Haskins be fixed? Will Mason take another step with a new OC?

 

Big Ben vs The Ice Machine.

 

The #2 QB spot will be interesting to watch. We get the extra HOF game this year as well to have a longer look.

Then its the outside CB opposite Haden, like most have mentioned. I am hoping Pierre locks that one down so Sutton can stay in the slot. If Sutton has to switch from outside to slot all the time, I think that will only lead to communication breakdowns.

 

QB

To see who will play most of the season

 

Definitely green and Finney

 

LoL.
You should be ashamed.

 

O LINE for me

Really want to see both OTs anf C just take the spot and run with it.. no matter who it is.

HAXK

 

RB, does Samuels have a chance to make the team?

LT, Chucks has lost every position battle he has been asked to compete for in Pittsburgh.

Center, Finney may have a soft spot in the hearts of some Steeler fans, but he was a washout on 2 different teams last year and never saw a single offensive snap last year.

P. I have been wishing Berry would leave town for the last 2 years after his 2019 disaster of a season easily cost the Steelers 2 games and the Playoffs. Could this be the year?

And, I still believe our #2 CB is currently not on the roster!!!

 

Berry vs. Harvin

 

If Ray Guy Award winner Harvin can channel the original RG (who used to murder the Steelers in the 70's) I'll be happy. Hoping he can make his home in Coffin Corner , a lost neighborhood for the Steelers in recent history.

 

corner. OL. ILB. OLB. WR. RB. QB. TE. S. just about everywhere. we have a lot of new guys and young guys hungry to make their mark. that's a good thing.

 

The punter vs Primanti brothers.

 

Yup, and that picture was taken 3 or 4 seasons ago so we also have to figure in depreciation.

 

They better have a short leash on Ben.

 

I think they gave Sutton that new contract with the expectation he will be starting opposite Haden, Pierre might be the #3 CB, but I don't see him starting.

 

Haskins vs team psychiatrist.

 

I shouldn't laugh at that, but I did so hard I spit perfectly good Guinness out my nose. Now it's got my eyes watering, and my nose burning.
Thanks

 

Plenty of Training Camp battles to look forward to this season and more so than the previous three! Of the ones on tap, three stand out for me. They are as follows;



1.) Justin Layne vs. James Pierre:



To say that Layne has had much success in the NFL would be the equivalent of stating that it is easier to find a Five Dollar Bill vs. a nickel on the sidewalk. I was really looking forward to Layne's 2020 Season. Sadly, it was ups and downs for him; some bright spots for sure but also some lowlights that even darken some of the highlights. Come the 2020 Super Wild Card week, a little known corner named James Pierre stepped onto the field and, actually, did very well against the likes of Jarvis Landry and the rest of the Browns Receiving Corps when matched up 1v1. That said though, Pierre has played fewer than 40 total snaps on the Defensive Side of the Football. That is quite the leap of faith that some have crowned him the new starter alongside the likes of Haden and Sutton. If anything, I am interested to see how this plays out for both; more so for Layne. Should Layne fail this test, he is likely out of Pittsburgh come 2022. Should Pierre fail this test, Pittsburgh will likely keep him but he will retain his Special Teams role for another year.



2.) Ulysees Gilbert III vs. Buddy Johnson and Robert Spillane:


Drafting Buddy Johnson was not just about finding Vinny's replacement in the near future but to also assist in the now by pushing Gilbert III. As the saying goes, one cannot make the club in the tub. For that matter, Gilbert III is starting to remind me eerily of Senquez Golson with one major exception; Gilbert III has actually played while Golson never could. For Gilbert III, him staying healthy is only apart of the challenge as Buddy Johnson, while raw in pass coverage (not a liability), has a tremendous skill set to himself that would compliment the likes of Devin Bush Jr. favorably should Vinny himself succumb to injury.... if Johnson actually catapults himself that far ahead of Robert Spillane. Speaking of which, Gilbert III also has another challenger in the form of Robert Spillane. Spillane already has something that Gilbert himself lacks; experience. While Spillane is not the athlete Gilbert is, he does have the technical skills and experience to immediately hop into a role in which he has already performed at. Given these circumstances, things are not looking good at all for Mr. Gilbert III. Should he fail to improve or, even worse, get injured again, expect Pittsburgh to obtain a waiver claim and subsequently release him.



3.) Mason Rudolph vs. Dwayne Haskins:



This battle will definitely come down to the wire more than others believe. Yes, I understand that Haskins flamed out in Washington. Yes, I understand that Mason Rudolph is playing for his NFL Future right now but has yet to show if he is even a consistent starting QB. Not to mention, yes, the 2022 NFL Draft Class, while not even being close to as loaded talent wise as 2021, still has very good to potentially great QB options to select from. All that said, this does not detract the fact that both Haskins and Rudolph will be pulling out all the stops to state their claim as the heir to Big Ben. While I personally do not believe that either is, I do believe though that one of them can be Bridge QB to allow the true heir to develop properly and allow him to take over in 2023. Of the two, Rudolph seemingly does have the experience of being in the system but there is a new dynamic to this that will be Matt Canada's Offense; a new slate for both QBs. In addition, their performances will not just be of their own abilities as well as Matt Canada's either. Mike Sullivan, the forgotten man, is now the new QB Coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. While that name does not ring too many bells (sans Penguins Fans), Mr. Sullivan coached up Eli Manning during his best years. Now again, I am not stating that Mr. Sullivan is going to transform either Rudolph or Haskins into Franchise QBs overnight. I am stating though that both young guns should be better than they were in 2020; OTA's and Training Camp being IMMENSE benefits that few have mentioned thus far. That said, it will come down to talent, IQ and skill level. May the best man win.



*** Side Note ***


Really should not do this as I believe that it is best to have these situations play themselves out but if one were to hold my feet to the proverbial fire, here would be the players I would want to win:


1.) Justin Layne: I get he is not the most liked Corner on the team; doing asinine activities doubly so and no less. However, the athletic potential is still there for him to be great. Remember that Teryl Austin is now commanding this secondary; a secondary that had its best overall performance in over a decade. Furthermore, look at what Austin has done for Terrell Edmunds; 2020 being his best season to date. Who is to say that Layne cannot make the turnaround; OTAs and Training Camp returning for more hands on development no less?!


2.) Buddy Johnson: I like Buddy Johnson... a lot. His overall style of play reminds me a bit of Vince Williams himself.. with one major difference. Johnson has the potential to be a true three down linebacker with the ability to cover vs. Williams who could not cover as well... even during his prime. Yes, Spillane does have the experience advantage but Buddy Johnson is no stranger to communication; wearing the Green Dot at Texas A&M the past two seasons a testament to his own Football IQ and Communication skills. I seriously doubt he is going to start alongside Devin Bush Jr. barring a serious injury to both Spillane and Vince but I would be interested in a pairing of two hyper athletic linebackers on this team nevertheless.


3.) Haskins: Again, Haskins did flame out at Washington. No argument here. That said, I can understand why even someone like Dan Snyder selected him where he should not have been. Haskins not only has the arm talent but the arm strength that is definitely Franchise Quarterback capable (keyword here is capable, not ready). By comparison, while Mason has shown to have greatly improved overall in his throwing mechanics, ball placement, timing and velocity (middle of the field to near sideline being the biggest ones) he is still susceptible to feeling pressure and, when forced to do so, has still not made those improvements. That said, there is also a lack of tentativeness that I personally saw from the final game of the 2020 Season. However, I REALLY DO QUESTION how much of that tentative nature was due to Randy Fitchner himself. I doubt that Matt Canada is going to be so passive in his approach... but the same Offensive Coordinator will be Haskins' as well. Given the fact that Haskins does have the superior arm and a new clean slate, I will be surprised for certain if Haskins can outduel Mason. If he can (in a big way even) perhaps then having Haskins start a few games should Big Ben go down will give us a more transparent picture... even though losing Big Ben is not an ideal option to gauge improvement.