A Checkup in the Steel City…Steelers Training Camp

Rashard Mendenhall runs in for a score.

Entering this season, the topic of conversation surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers is the quarterback position. Ben Roethlisberger will miss at least the first 4 games of the year, and a shaky start could end the Steelers’ playoff hopes early into October. Of course, head coach Mike Tomlin needs to find Roethlisberger’s replacement, be it either Byron Leftwich or Dennis Dixon. Ignoring signal callers, here is your training camp report from Latrobe, Pennsylvania…

Players To Watch

Maurkice Pouncey, C/G - Yes, there has been much controversy recently swirling around his college years at Florida, but Pouncey promises to be the missing piece in the Steelers offense. He bolsters an inconsistent offensive league, which looks to regain its form of the past, in hopes of reestablishing a dormant running game. It will be interesting to see how Pouncey develops chemistry with his offensive line mates, considering he played alongside twin brother Mike Pouncey in Gainesville for his entire college football career.

Mike Wallace, WR - Santonio Holmes is gone. Yes, his off-field problems caused headaches throughout the organization, but the Steelers wouldn’t have traded the 2009 Super Bowl MVP without any reassurances at the wide receiver position. Enter, Mike Wallace. In his rookie season, he emerged as a legitimate third threat down the field for Ben Roethlisberger, filling the role of former Pittsburgh speedster Nate Washington quite well. He looks to follow in the footsteps of Holmes on the field, at least, for Pittsburgh in 2010. The former Ole Miss star has top end speed, similar to Holmes, but Wallace possesses a larger frame, at 6 feet 200 pounds.  Ultimately, his development in year number two really will determine the Steelers’ success. If Wallace struggles, Hines Ward will find it difficult to be productive as the team’s primary option at 34 years old, and the aerial attack in Pittsburgh will stall.

Position Matchups

Cornerback - Undoubtedly, this is the Steelers biggest need. Without Troy Polamalu last season, the team could not stop anybody, in which they fell statistically from the number one overall defense to the middle of the pack.  Obviously, the organization wasn’t worried. The Steelers drafted just one cornerback this year, Clemson standout Crezdon Butler.  In my opinion, Ryan Clark is the only solid cornerback, who has become notorious for his sickle cell disease, garnering him unable to play in the high altitude of Denver.  The other starting cornerback spot is indeed a mystery. William Gay started last year, but was largely ineffective. Butler isn’t really an option. He needs more seasoning at the NFL level. Bryant McFadden is my choice, having started last season with Arizona. He had excelled with the Steelers in the past, before heading south to former offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt. McFadden was traded back to Pittsburgh this offseason.

Offensive Line - The Steelers have had incredible difficulty when it comes to the offensive line. Over the last five years, Ben Roethlisberger has been hurried more than any other quarterback in the league. And the only team that has allowed more sacks over the same period of time has been the St. Louis Rams. Bringing in Maurkice Pouncey will help the team, but he wasn’t the team’s first choice. The Steelers would have much rather had OT Mike Iupati from Idaho, but Pouncey will fit in just fine. The biggest concern for the Steelers will be if the offensive line can hold up without LT Willie Colon. The native of Bronx, NY recently tore his Achilles tendon, and will miss the entire season. This change will affect the team, but Ramon Foster should be just fine, in relief.

Individual Spotlight

Rashard Mendenhall – The Steelers’ first round choice in 2008, Mendenhall entered the organization with much acclaim. He was nearly unstoppable at the University of Illinois, but such was not the case with Mendenhall in his rookie season. He was lost for the majority of the season following a broken shoulder, which resulted from the so-called “bounty” placed on Mendenhall by the Baltimore Ravens.

His sophomore campaign did not begin well either. Mendenhall was benched early in the season because he did not know the playbook well enough, but the 5 foot 10 inch 223 pound running back rebounded to run for 1,100 yards.

Entering his 3^rd NFL season, Mendenhall will be relied on even more, especially in the absence of Ben Roethlisberger. If the Steelers want to overtake the Bengals this season, they will need Mendenhall to perform at the highest level. Just don’t expect, Mendenhall to put up gaudy numbers. He has to face the run stifling defenses of Cleveland and Baltimore twice a year.

-Zach Parnes