Steelers Blogger Roundtable: We're Ready for Some Football, Even if It Doesn't Count

Dagger over at PostGameHeroes, one of the best Steelers blogs on the Internet, has put together some roundtables of Steelers bloggers. Here's a roundtable of me, Iron City from SteelerFury.com (another site definitely worth checking out) and Dagger about tonight's Eagles-Steelers preseason game.

What was quickly apparent is that I should have written more about each of the questions in my email back to Dagger, but Dagger and Iron City's comments are worth passing along.

1. After 2 weeks of training camp what has been your favorite or most interesting Steeler camp story thus far?

IC: It definitely has to be the daily reports I hear on how QB Ben Roethlisberger continues to grow within this offense and continue taking on more of a leadership role. The guy is filled with intangibles and is just now beginning to enter his prime and the sky is the limit for a player like that. He watched locker room leaders Joey Porter, Jerome Bettis, and Alan Faneca all depart for greener pastures and the leadership role hasn't skipped a beat as Ben has stepped right into that role seamlessly.

JJ: I'm excited to see what Lamar Woodley does this year. If Woodley continues to improve (and it sounds like he is this preseason) he could give the Steelers their best pass-rushing OLB combo since Jason Gildon and Joey Porter.

Dagger: For my money it has to be the emergence (seemingly) of Lamarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons. It seems like just yesterday we were talking about the possible decline of the Steelers defense. They were getting older, getting fewer and fewer sacks, giving up a lot of passing yardage, and seeking to get younger, faster, and more athletic across the board. This week former Steeler OLB Kevin Greene and others are calling Timmons "special" and saying Woodley will be one of the best OLBs/pass rushers the Steelers have ever had. I know we haven't even played one preseason game yet but if Woodley and Timmons have stepped their level of play up the way we are hearing, then the Steelers will once again have one of the, if not THE best linebacking corps in the NFL for a number of years. Not a bad group: Woodley, Harrison, Timmons, Foote, Farrior, Davis

2. Has anybody been surprisingly or disappointingly quiet through the first 2 weeks of camp?

IC: With the high profile additions of Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore to complement pro bowler Willie Parker, I fully expected it to bring out the best in 2nd year RB Gary Russell to step up and stake his claim as someone who has a role in this offense. Coming in as an UDFA on hard times to a rookie who made the traveling squad, I wanted to see him push for more time than he has. To date, the only positive I've heard from him is scoring on a goal line drill.

JJ: When you pay a guy $7 million, you kind of hope that he'll at least be battling for a starting job–that doesn't seem unreasonable does it? The fact that Max Starks was set to be a backup from the minute he walked into camp makes the transition tag even more baffling. The fact that he hasn't apparently shown enough to make the Steelers consider moving Willie Colon inside makes it even worse.

Dagger: I couldn't agree more. Is Russell struggling or are people so focused on Mendenhall that Russell is "silently" having a good camp? He looked solid last year and is one of the guys I'm pulling for this preseason. I'll go with a surprise pick here: Matt Spaeth. I was hoping that this guy would burst onto the scene his 2nd year and become a Heath Miller clone. He has the pedigree. Early last season the Steelers utilized Miller, Spaeth, and Tuman to perfection and had defenses tripping over themselves trying to figure out Bruce Arians 3 TE formations. With the team now running a singleback offense with basically no FB, the Steelers need 2 VERY GOOD tight ends and a 3rd TE that is serviceable. Spaeth needs to be able to motion into the backfield and block, hold his block on the edge of the line at TE, and also be a pass receiver. He is an important part of this offense if you ask me. I was hoping to hear more about him from the Pittsburgh reporters/media-types watching camp each day. Honorable mention: CB William Gay and DL Ryan McBean.

3. Who has a better chance to be in the starting lineup for Week 1: Limas Sweed over Nate Washington, Bryant McFadden over Deshea Townsend, or Lawrence Timmons over Larry Foote?

IC: I don't believe Limas Sweed is ready to start in the slot in week one and the Steelers had the leagues #1 defense in 2007 with Bryant McFadden manning the nickel role, so I don't expect that to change either. But Lawrence Timmons has all but exceeded expectations so far in camp and is pushing Larry Foote out the door a little more each day. At the very minimum, I expect Timmons to bring a new dimension to the Steelers pass defense and become an equalizer for divisional pro bowlers Todd Heap and Kellen Winslow.

JJ: None of the above? I don't think any of the three will happen, but I'd give Timmons the best chance.

Dagger: Deshea Townsend is a guy that I often underrate. For the longest time I lumped him together with guys like Chad Scott and Willie Williams. CBs that were only starting on our team because our pass defense and cornerbacks in particular were so mediocre. I might be coming around and I think I'll finally give Deshea some credit. He deserves to be the starter right now but doesn't it say something about Bryant McFadden if he can't find a way over the course of two seasons to beat out a slower, aging veteran?

I want Limas Sweed to start over Nate Washington right now, but it's not going to happen right away. If Sweed has a solid exhibition season it should be clear to everyone that Nate doesn't bring as much to the table as Sweed does. Still, if you have guys like Spaeth and Miller to work the middle of the field and Santonio and Ward on the outside, you don't really need to rush Sweed into the lineup. He will be a nice asset for Arians in 4WR/5WR formations though.

I'll say Timmons over Foote is the most likely. Reports out of camp indicate Foote will be your Week 1 starter, but I don't know how you keep a guy as explosive and tenacious as Timmons off the field. He's and every down LB and he needs to be out there as much as possible.

4. Three things or aspects of the game you are going to focus in on as you watch the game vs the Eagles on Friday?

IC: First and foremost, I'll be completely focused on the center position and how he works with protection calls with a new LG. Sean Mahan will get the start with Hartwig to follow, but I'll also be watching the ability to get movement on inside zone runs and the ability to hunt down a backer at the 2nd level in the run game as well. Im looking for fluidity and a seamless transition between LG and OC.

Secondly, I'll be focused in on the TE position. This offense proved to be a big red zone threat out of 3TE sets last year and at this point Im not sure if anyone is capable of becoming enough of a threat in the pass or run game to warrant a roster spot behind Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth.

Last, I'll be looking at the coverage units, punts and kickoffs. A severe weak spot from a year ago. I want to see if and how the starters fit into the equation and specialty players like Keyaron Fox and Eddie Drummond, both noted as good coverage players, where they fit into the mix. And how they've gelled in timing with new acquisition Paul Ernster.

JJ: I love/hate watching the Steelers offensive line, so I'll be keeping a close eye on Justin Hartwig., Sean Mahan and Darnell Stapleton. It will be cool to see Rashard Mendenhall out there for the first time and I want to see if Dennis Dixon can be the first late-round Steelers quarterback in 20 years to actually show something.

Dagger: Kick and Punt Returners. Eddie Drummond and Mewelde Moore are proven commodities and don't have to prove anything to me this offseason. I will be focusing in on Jeremy Bloom and Willie Reid. Not only are they competing for the 5th WR spot, but they are trying to make a big impact on special teams. Since Randle El departed for the Washington Redskins, I can't remember the last time I watched a Steeler field a punt without holding my breath in anticipation of a fumble or botched catch. Specials teams are supposed to be a weapon, not a weakness. As a fan you are supposed to get fired up when you see your PR/KR take the field. You are supposed to anticipate a backbreaking return that drives a dagger into the hearts of your opponent. As things sit right now, I would prefer to "decline" the opportunity to return the punt/kickoff. Just place the ball down at our 20 and bring out the offense; at least we won't have to suffer a possible gamechanging special teams error.

Hartwig vs Mahan. Sounds like a boxing match. The center of the line, the spearhead of your attack, the OL's anchor, the guy getting the initial push in the redzone....the center position is HUGE for this team. Have a good center and the rest of the line will fall into place. Have a good center and Kemo and Simmons won't have to "help" Mahan on almost every snap like they were doing last season. Look at some film from last year and watch how many blitzes vs the Steelers offense came right up the middle. Teams were taking advantage of the fact that our LG/RG/C were all tied up blocking two DL because Mahan couldn't do his job on his own. Hartwig is going to be under the PGH microscope and we seriously hope he has a good preseason, starting tonight.

Defensive Line depth. Is there anyone beyond the top 4 (Hoke, Hampton, Smith, Keisel) that really deserve to be on an NFL roster? I could run into Travis Kirschke in my driveway and I wouldn't be able to tell you who the heck he is. Has anyone in the history of professional sport stolen a paycheck like this guy has? I think he has been on this team for a few years now and has piled up an impressive 0.5 tackles. Nick Eason looked awful last year off the bench. "Project" Ryan McBean needs to get better in a hurry if he wants to make this team. He has the size and athletic ability to be a solid contributor but he doesn't seem to be able to put it all together. Kyle Clement is an undrafted FA that many people are looking forward to watching tonight. Not sure who is going to do it, but somebody needs to step up and show us that if we suffer more injury issues, it won't be the end of the world.

5. Prediction time: give me one younger guy on offense, defense, and special teams (so 3 guys total) who will improve their stock with good games on Friday.

IC: Offense – I think this preseason is when Darnell Stapleton steps up and shows he can be a quality interior swingman. He's caught the coaches eye for two consecutive camps and as he matures, he could be the one that pushes Sean Mahan off the roster by next camp.

Defense - A guy whose progression I've been keeping an eye on is Arnold Harrison. Over the last couple of years he's added much needed weight and core strength and already has the length and burst to be able to sink a rip on a tackle and is ready to become a productive backup on a rotational basis. He's a player that I believe finally understands the game as it took a while for the light bulb to come as he matures.

Special Teams – Special teams play isnt always about practice or measureables, sometimes its about heart. The kind of heart it takes to become a collegiate tackling machine on limited measurables. Mike Humpal comes to camp, in my mind, in the Clint Kreiwaldt mold that has the work ethic and mentality to excel in a ST's role.

JJ: Roy Lewis at safety seems like a guy worth watching, especially since he can play a little cornerback too (Anthony Madison may have reason to be worried). On offense I'd say tight end Cody Body because the Steelers need a run-blocking tight end as their No. 3 tight end and he may fit that bill (and he's 6-foot-8, which could give the Steelers the tallest tight end corps ever). And on special teams hopefully it's Mewelde Moore, as I would love to see the Steelers not carry a dedicated returner this year unless they find one who is special, not below-average like Allen Rossum was.

Dagger: Offense: Dennis Dixon–he has been improving over the last 2 weeks and should give Steeler fans a brief glimpse as to why he can become a solid developmental QB behind Roethlisberger. Expect a few throws from outside of the pocket, some designed rollouts, and some scrambling.

Defense: Bruce Davis–The big knock on him right now is that he is not as strong as he needs to be to dominate at the NFL level. Not many rookies are physically ready 2 weeks into training camp so that's not a huge deal. He will put on weight and get stronger working with Steelers strength and conditioning coaches all year. Tonight he will most likely get some action later in the game against 2nd and 3rd team Tackles. His speed and quickness should allow him to toast a few slow-footed UDFA Philly linemen on the edge.

Special Teams: Paul Ernster. Not a sexy pick but hey, whatever. I'm predicting he shows a strong leg on kickoffs (he was top 5 in the NFL in kickoff depth a few years ago kicking in Denver–yes, the thin air helps, I know–and I think he will punt well enough to secure his spot on the team.

6. Prediction time: give me one younger guy on offense, defense, and special teams who will hurt their chances to make the team.

IC: Offense - The Steelers are said to love his footwork, but unless he shows something in the run game, 4th round pick Tony Hills could find himself the odd man out at the end camp only hoping for a practice squad spot. The Steelers are a run first team, and backup Trai Essex has looked exceptional to date and along with high priced Max Starks, Hills could be in trouble ...

Defense – Heading into his 2nd camp, the time is now for DE Ryan McBean to show he can play in this league. The Steelers defensive line is getting older and slower and its time a younger player step up and show he's ready. Unfortunately, reports say he lacks the needed strength and has been consistently beaten on double teams and unless he begins to show he can snap and press at the point of attack he may find himself on the outside looking in.

Special Teams – Competing in an already crowded safety rotation, rookie SS Ryan Mundy will need to show he can compete on ST's to find his niche with this team. He shows nice measurables on paper, but he'll have to take on an unselfish role and excel at it just to have a shot.

JJ: Defensive end Ryan McBean seems like a guy who looks better when his athleticism is on display than when he's actually trying to wrestle with an offensive lineman. Keyaron Fox will make the team as a special teams guy, but with Lawrence Timmons and Mike Humphal looking good, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of role for him on defense. And I'm not exactly sold that Paul Ernster's the answer at punter.

Dagger: Offense: Willie Reid–I hate to say this, but I think he will do what Willie has done in years past and he'll just disappear. He'll line up in the slot and he'll run his routes but he wont' have many balls come his way, he won't get a chance to show his skills, and it will be another wasted opportunity for him. Every season he starts off with a good first 2 weeks of camp, he gets JACKED UP by Anthony Smith, and during the preseason games you can't tell if he's in the lineup or not.

Defense: Ryan McBean. If you don't hear his name tonight, that is a bad sign. He needs to get into the backfield, hold his ground at the line of scrimmage, and have some sort of impact on the game while he is on the field. The Steelers can't invest 3 years into this "project" so if he doesn't get it done over the next few weeks, he's gone.

Special Teams: Jeremy Bloom. His impact on offense will likely rival that of Sean Morey; meaning he will be a complete non-factor. In a head-to-head competition against Willie Reid and Eddie Drummond, I see Bloom on the losing end. I'm not sure if it's going to be a bobbled catch due to nerves or a lack of "playmaking ability" or sub-par return stats, but something tells me this is Bloom's last shot at an NFL roster and he's not going to make the cut.