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Earlier this week, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin met with members of the media to discuss the week’s practice expectations, answer brief questions about potential starters, and discuss how the team is preparing for the next preseason game against the Detroit Lions. Of course, this comes on the heels of the first “cut day” in the NFL, as teams were required to reduce their roster to 85 players. We saw some expected names fall on the cut list and the ripple-effect in the depth chart as a result. Coach Tomlin was his usual self, being noncommittal to naming any starter competitions too early and forcing players to work for a starting job, regardless of tenure. Looking at this week, coach Tomlin explained there is a lot happening:
With that said, what are irons in the fire we’re watching this week? Here are three I’m following:
On Tuesday, rookie Kendrick Green returned to camp after an excused absence the last two days. Coincidentally enough, Green worked with the listed starters along the line and this was the first time they’ve ever worked together. This line included Chukwuma Okorafor, Kevin Dotson, Trai Turner, and Zach Banner. When asked if we can expect Green to start at center going into the regular season, Tomlin answered, “You can surmise that but there will be no bold announcements.” In my personal opinion, we’ll see Green start at center come September. Aside from Green, another name that was good to see in the rotation was Dotson. After some ominous comments from Tomlin last week, Dotson is back seemingly healthy and working with the 1’s. Looking at the other guard and tackle positions, we still have time and two preseason games to determine who will rise to the top of the depth chart come Week 1.
Between JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, and Chase Claypool, the starting receiver corps seems to be set. With that said however, there is still much to be decided in the fourth, fifth, and sixth spots. After Claypool left Tuesday’s practice with an ankle injury, fans immediately looked at who would be the next man up if this was a regular season week. We saw undrafted rookie Isaiah McKoy get cut this week with other names on the fringe, such as Rico Bussey, Cody White, Tyler Simmons, Mathew Sexton, and Anthony Johnson. Given recent events, I find it necessary to state that I consider James Washington as a steady rotating player in different wide receiver sets this year. It is time Washington is utilized as a legitimate starter in 2021. Going back to the fringe players, we’ve seen White and Bussey stand out in practice so far. But with that said, only Simmons and Johnson have caught touchdown passes so far in the preseason games. As the proverbial irons are sitting in the fire, Bussey, White, Simmons, Sexton, and Johnson need to find an edge to pass a second wave of cuts and ultimately that WR6 spot.
So far this preseason, the linebacker corps (both inside and outside) have been interesting. Looking at the outside spots, there is still much to be decided. With TJ Watt not participating, this has given opportunities to fringe players trying to earn a roster spot. We can assume second-year man Alex Highsmith will start opposite of Watt. Beyond that, we see Melvin Ingram, rookies Quincy Roche and Jamar Watson, veteran Cassius Marsh, and Jamir Jones jockeying for roster spots. It is safe to assume Ingram to make the final roster, leaving presumably one final spot left with three qualifying players to earn it. The remaining preseason games are going to be big tests for Marsh, Roche, Jones, and Watson in determining who makes the active roster and who lands on the practice squad.
Looking at the inside linebacker positions, we’ve seen some critical developments recently. After stepping up last season, we had Robert Spillane fairly high on our charts and even saw him starting next to Devin Bush. But after a sub-par preseason so far, the Steelers acquired Joe Schobert from the Jacksonville Jaguars to help bolster the depth chart. Schobert is going to provide a major lift in the inside, but the depth still needs to be decided. Rookie Buddy Johnson has performed well and looks to have what it takes to make the 53-man roster. Outside of him, we see Spillane, Ulysees Gilbert III, Calvin Bundage, Marcus Allen, and Miles Killebrew. Each of those names are in that fringe category (with the possible exception of Allen and Killebrew being more dime backers) and will need all the reps they can get to make it through another round of cuts.
What “irons in the fire” are yinz watching this week? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
With that said, what are irons in the fire we’re watching this week? Here are three I’m following:
Offensive Line
On Tuesday, rookie Kendrick Green returned to camp after an excused absence the last two days. Coincidentally enough, Green worked with the listed starters along the line and this was the first time they’ve ever worked together. This line included Chukwuma Okorafor, Kevin Dotson, Trai Turner, and Zach Banner. When asked if we can expect Green to start at center going into the regular season, Tomlin answered, “You can surmise that but there will be no bold announcements.” In my personal opinion, we’ll see Green start at center come September. Aside from Green, another name that was good to see in the rotation was Dotson. After some ominous comments from Tomlin last week, Dotson is back seemingly healthy and working with the 1’s. Looking at the other guard and tackle positions, we still have time and two preseason games to determine who will rise to the top of the depth chart come Week 1.
Wide Receiver Corps
Between JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, and Chase Claypool, the starting receiver corps seems to be set. With that said however, there is still much to be decided in the fourth, fifth, and sixth spots. After Claypool left Tuesday’s practice with an ankle injury, fans immediately looked at who would be the next man up if this was a regular season week. We saw undrafted rookie Isaiah McKoy get cut this week with other names on the fringe, such as Rico Bussey, Cody White, Tyler Simmons, Mathew Sexton, and Anthony Johnson. Given recent events, I find it necessary to state that I consider James Washington as a steady rotating player in different wide receiver sets this year. It is time Washington is utilized as a legitimate starter in 2021. Going back to the fringe players, we’ve seen White and Bussey stand out in practice so far. But with that said, only Simmons and Johnson have caught touchdown passes so far in the preseason games. As the proverbial irons are sitting in the fire, Bussey, White, Simmons, Sexton, and Johnson need to find an edge to pass a second wave of cuts and ultimately that WR6 spot.
Linebacker Corps
So far this preseason, the linebacker corps (both inside and outside) have been interesting. Looking at the outside spots, there is still much to be decided. With TJ Watt not participating, this has given opportunities to fringe players trying to earn a roster spot. We can assume second-year man Alex Highsmith will start opposite of Watt. Beyond that, we see Melvin Ingram, rookies Quincy Roche and Jamar Watson, veteran Cassius Marsh, and Jamir Jones jockeying for roster spots. It is safe to assume Ingram to make the final roster, leaving presumably one final spot left with three qualifying players to earn it. The remaining preseason games are going to be big tests for Marsh, Roche, Jones, and Watson in determining who makes the active roster and who lands on the practice squad.
Looking at the inside linebacker positions, we’ve seen some critical developments recently. After stepping up last season, we had Robert Spillane fairly high on our charts and even saw him starting next to Devin Bush. But after a sub-par preseason so far, the Steelers acquired Joe Schobert from the Jacksonville Jaguars to help bolster the depth chart. Schobert is going to provide a major lift in the inside, but the depth still needs to be decided. Rookie Buddy Johnson has performed well and looks to have what it takes to make the 53-man roster. Outside of him, we see Spillane, Ulysees Gilbert III, Calvin Bundage, Marcus Allen, and Miles Killebrew. Each of those names are in that fringe category (with the possible exception of Allen and Killebrew being more dime backers) and will need all the reps they can get to make it through another round of cuts.
What “irons in the fire” are yinz watching this week? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
