Pittsburgh Steelers: 5 things to watch for in preseason opener
By Matt Shetler
4. Special Teams
Other than Shaun Suisham kicking field goals, the Steelers were pretty brutal in every other aspect of special teams last season.
Jul 27, 2013; Latrobe, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jarvis Jones (95) participates in drills during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
So far special teams have been a real focus in practices and new special teams’ coach Danny Smith has seemed up to the task.
Being good on special teams is usually all about attitude.
Getting off to a good start in not only the return game, but the coverage teams will be big.
5. Rookies, Rookies, Rookies
There’s not much to get excited about a team’s first preseason games, as most regulars won’t make it through two drives before being pulled out of the game.
But it is the first opportunity to get a good look at the rookies, which is always exciting. It’s also the first real opportunity for these youngsters to show that they can play at the NFL level.
All eyes will on the likes of Jones, Bell, Markus Wheaton Shamarko Thomas and others as the Steelers take the field for the first time.
Bell and Wheaton have had terrific camps so far, and all signs speak to it not being very long before they develop into significant contributors for the offense.
The same can be said about Jones and Thomas on the defensive side of the ball.
All four rookies have the chance to make a real impact on this Steelers team this year, which is rare. It will be interesting to not only see how much each rookie pays, but what situations they are placed in and what type of responsibilities they are given.