Because the Pittsburgh Steelers present up at Latrobe tomorrow for the beginning of coaching camp, the wait and anticipation is nearly over. We’ll quickly see gamers placed on the pads and begin enjoying actual soccer once more.
There have been lots of tales and superlatives floating round throughout the offseason useless. Nonetheless, I’ve put collectively a want listing of 5 issues the yinz ought to stay up for seeing as soon as coaching camp begins.
1. No main accidents to gamers at two depths
This one is a little bit of a gimme, however nonetheless could not be extra important to Pittsburgh’s success this season. Dropping a starter throughout coaching camp or preseason can fully change the outlook for the remainder of the yr, whether or not it is a four-week harm or season ending. The identical could be stated with key contributors who might not play all of the cliches however make their presence felt on a rotational foundation.
Yearly we hear information coming in throughout the league of gamers affected by torn ACLs, Achilles, and so on. throughout the first two days of coaching camp. After all, the occasional bump and bruise from working towards on daily basis after a break goes to occur, and your occasional rolled ankle cannot at all times be prevented. Nonetheless, the Steelers should keep away from the harm bug of their gamers two deep on the roster, maintaining the highest of the roster wholesome and intact earlier than the beginning of the common season.
2. Kenny Pickett is “the person”
The story of Kenny Pickett making the bounce into his second season was stunned at this level, however the level nonetheless holds true. Pickett’s growth performs instantly into the success or failure of this crew this coming season, and Pickett will dictate precisely how far this crew can go given the performs round it.
If Pickett commanded the huddle, executed the two-minute drill successfully, and used each weapon at his disposal within the passing sport in opposition to that protection, Pittsburgh ought to really feel fairly good about their probabilities of not simply securing a playoff spot, however successful that elusive playoff sport.
3. Inside linebackers make a splash
The within linebacker place has been a black gap for the Steelers over the previous few seasons, regularly dismissing an underperforming veteran after underperforming a veteran to the scrap heap after failing to pretend a splash on the place. Devin Bush additionally did not work after getting back from a knee harm in his second season, trying like a shell of himself as he did not make a splash and appeared hesitant to play a bodily mark of soccer.
The Steelers overhauled their ILB room this offseason, signing Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts, Nick Kwiatkoski and Tanne Muse to accompany Mark Robinson. Pittsburgh went the veteran mid-level free agent route once more this offseason, however a minimum of Holcomb and Roberts have proven they will play bodily soccer. If they will present any semblance of a splash on protection, Pittsburgh must be in place.
4. Pittsburgh feels assured in Nickel Nook Spot
The slot cornerback place has been an enormous query mark for Pittsburgh all through the offseason after releasing Arthur Maulet and seeing Cameron Sutton stroll in free company. They signed CB Chandon Sullivan who has beginning expertise there and has experimented with CB Patrick Peterson getting run inside, however for sure, outsiders trying inside aren’t positive what Pittsburgh’s plan is with regards to his nickel again.
If Sullivan flashed in coaching camp or if Peterson held his personal on the within when he ran right into a nickel, Pittsburgh’s protection would profit significantly. For a protection that has a bunch of latest faces heading into 2023, it is vital to have chemistry and communication on level. Having a major slots defender ought to assist with that, and if any of the talked about choices step up and play effectively, Pittsburgh’s defensive teaching workers can in all probability sleep higher at evening.
5. WR Calvin Austin III flashes as receiver/returner
WR Calvin Austin III solely did just a few practices final season throughout coaching camp earlier than being known as off for the season with a foot harm. Throughout this brief time, nonetheless, we might see and listen to Austin’s dynamic velocity on show, making performs on the sphere and producing YAC.
As he enters his second season, Austin appears wholesome and able to make up for misplaced time. If he fires up the passing sport with a speedster they’re at the moment lacking whereas making performs within the return sport, the Steelers will discover themselves sitting effectively into the common season, having a passing sport that may beat you in a plethora of how with cross catchers of all sizes and shapes at Kenny Pickett’s disposal.
