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Sunday, July 20, 2014

A look on what to look for at camp

With training camp set to open at week's end, there are surprisingly few starting spots up for grabs on the Steelers' roster.

That does not, however, mean that there won't be a few heated battles. Here's a quick look at what we can expect:

Punter-The Steelers would like to settle on one guy this year rather than this being a rotation of "JV" punters - to steal a phrase from Mike Tomlin - as it has been the past couple of seasons. Veteran Adam Podlesh was signed as a free agent and has been solid, if unspectacular, throughout his career. He averaged a career-low 40.6 yards per punt in 2013, but a big reason for that was that he placed 27 of his 68 kicks (40 percent) inside the opposing 20. In to challenge Podlesh is former LSU bad boy Brad Wing. The Australian has a big leg and averaged 44.6 yards in his college career but was suspended at LSU for a bowl game and also had an arrest for battery. He was released by Philadelphia at the end of training camp last year.

Right tackle-Marcus Gilbert is the starter right now and there's no reason to think he won't hold that spot down. But Mike Adams lined up at No. 2 there throughout the offseason and, with Gilbert going into his contract season, the team could take a long look to see if Adams is the better long-term option.

Inside linebacker-Ryan Shazier has been handed the starting spot held down for most of last season by Vince Williams. Williams is back and showed improvement last season, but not enough for the team to pass on the chance to take Shazier in the first round. Make this an all-around battle royal Sean Spence is back as well after missing the past two seasons with a serious knee injury. Rookie Jordan Zumwalt could be a special teams star and Terence Garvin also has shown some promise. Shazier and Timmons are guarantees to make the team and free agent signee Arthur Moats can also line up inside or outside. That could mean that just two out of the group of Williams, Zumwalt, Spence and Garvin make this roster, though Garvin and Zumwalt can also slide outside.

Wide receiver-Antonio Brown will start at one spot. But who starts on the other side? Markus Wheaton will get the first chance. But Justin Brown has looked good pretty much since last November. Lance Moore is more of a slot guy, while veterans Darius Heyward-Bey, Derek Moye and fourth-round draft pick Martavis Bryant are also in the mix. Rookie Dri Archer will also see some time at WR, while there are a couple of interesting prospects in former Virginia Tech star Danny Coale, Kashif Moore and Cal U's C.J. Goodwin. Todd Haley called this a deep group, and he wasn't wrong. But the Steelers need somebody to step up into a more prominent role opposite Brown.

Tight end-Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth are locks. But veterans Michael Palmer and David Paulson will be pushed for the No. 3 spot by interesting prospects Rob Blanchflower and Eric Waters, a pair of rookies. The Steelers had draftable grades on both Blanchflower and Waters and took Blanchflower in the seventh round. Both are considered solid blockers and receivers. The No. 3 spot could come down to special teams plays, though another spot is likely there for the taking on the practice squad.


15 comments:

  1. All the emphasis on speed has me worried that this team will turn into the Raiders...

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  2. Anonymous2:13 PM

    yeah patty, we should keep the old slow over the hill players. its worked well for us the past few years

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  3. Anonymous2:41 PM

    I just don't see where the pass rush is going to come for this team. There is much riding on Jarvis and Worlids having good to great seasons. The Dline isn't going to collapse the pocket like in years past either.

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  4. That wasn't me that posted. Here we go again...

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  5. Anonymous7:39 PM

    Steelers suck, go Johnny Football!!

    - Patrick

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  6. Heyward will get some push as well. And they'll get pressure with the inside backers. Remember, Kendrell Bell had nine sacks as a rookie. And he wasn't nearly as fast as Shazier.

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  7. I know Kendrell had his struggles with the intricacies of the defense, but how often have you seen a LB pancake O Linemen with frequency like that dude?! Bell had exceptional power and burst. He just made as many mistakes as slash plays, and finally the Steelers opted for consistency.

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  8. Bell was more injured than Woodley if I remember correctly.

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  9. Bell just refused to play hurt. There's a difference between hurt and injured. Plenty of guys play hurt. Bell had to be close to 100 percent or he wouldn't go. Frustrated the heck out of the coaching staff.

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  10. Anonymous8:19 AM

    Bell had no business playing in the 2002 playoffs. Balled like a mother in the wildcard game v Clev. Tried to gut it out again v Tenn.

    Maybe he saw what they did to Bettis to try to get him ready for games and thought, screw this. Dunno.

    If he was gimped in his contract year and didn't want to injury himself worse, I can't begrudge him that. Look at FWP. Everyone on earth knew at some point he was going to break under that insane load. Never reached his payday. Tossed like a Bic razor. Bell got his payday, but he was never the same. Guess maybe they shoulda listened to him.

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  11. In all fairness, they gave Parker a new contract before they needed to. He did get paid. $13.6 million over four years isn't chump change.

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  12. I think the Punter Job would be very Curious to watch as the camp gets going. I also like to see the Battle for the Other DE opposite Cam. Depth is thin we have young players but very inexperienced. I still believe that Brett returns somewhere during camp. The other spot is the OLB where we have two guys that are unproven and no depth at all sorry i don't buy that Carter is a legit backup. I think James has a good chance to be back also cause he would be a hugh upgrade. I also looking forward to see what MM gets out of Adams.

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  13. I might not agree with it, but the Steelers think both Moats and Zimwaldt can play OLB and possibly be a better option than Carter (if, in fact, he falls out of favor or loses his #3 designation). I agree it's thin at OLB on the experience angle, but this team is going young and that is probably for the best over the next 2-3 seasons.

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  14. Anonymous12:12 PM

    I think the Steelers should just hire someone from PFF to grade the training camp practices then determine their cuts that way...

    sorry,

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