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| Tuesday, July 15 Updated: August 19, 1:09 PM ET Steelers: Training camp report Pro Football Weekly |
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In Pro Football Weekly's third and final installment of training-camp reports, we look at the good (biggest positive), the bad (biggest disappointment) and the ugly (injury update) factors surrounding every team halfway through the 2003 preseason. We also set our sights on a rookie to watch on each team, for whatever the reason. Parts 1 and 2 are below. Aug. 19 Biggest positive: The Steelers have to be very pleased with the way their kickers have looked thus far. Punter Josh Miller missed the early part of camp with a right-knee injury, but he is back and kicking well. He averaged 52.7 yards per kick vs. the Lions on Aug. 9. Place kicker Josh Reed hit both kicks vs. the Lions. The Steelers, who struggled in the kicking game for much of the 2002 season as Miller nursed an injury and Todd Peterson lost his accuracy, look to be much improved in this area. Biggest disappointment: The offensive line has been hit with injuries and hurt by ineffective play by its tackles. The Steelers need offensive left tackle Marvel Smith to step up his play; Smith was given a $26 million contract in the offseason, but he was pushed around by Lions defensive ends Robert Porcher and James Hall in the preseason opener. However, Smith is traditionally a slow starter. Offensive right tackle Oliver Ross is going to have to hold off Todd Fordham to keep his job, and no one's entirely sure Ross can do that. Along the interior of the line, the Steelers are hoping right guard Kendall Simmons can round back into form. Simmons missed the start of camp after it was learned he had a diabetic condition.
Injury update: The Steelers will have to monitor center Jeff Hartings' health all season. Hartings lacks cartilage in his left knee, and he will have to cut back on his practice time. Hartings' backup, Chukky Okobi, is back at practice after missing a few days with an ankle injury. Simmons must keep on enough weight to be effective, and whether he can do that remains to be seen. Offensive right tackle Todd Fordham's elbow injury is not regarded as serious, nor is the separated shoulder sustained by No. 4 wide receiver Lee Mays in the Detroit game. Rookie to watch: Strong safety Troy Polamalu's athleticism is undeniable. But what Steelers assistant defensive back coach Darren Perry would like to see is less thinking -- and more reacting -- from his young safety. For now, Polamalu backs up veteran Mike Logan. Part 2, Aug. 12 Veteran to watch: It wouldn't be fair to term this a make-or-break season for RB Jerome Bettis; he's had a long and productive career. However, the veteran back struggled with injuries and his weight a season ago. If similar struggles trip him up this season, this will probably be his last campaign in Pittsburgh. Early reports indicate, however, that Bettis is in great shape. With Amos Zereoue having a tough time staying healthy thus far in camp, Bettis could again capture the starting running back job. Player on the verge: Nose tackle Casey Hampton is underrated. He's an excellent run-stuffer and the anchor of the defensive line. The linebackers get all the publicity in Pittsburgh, but Hampton's an integral cog in Tim Lewis' defense. There's a reason why the Steelers are so good vs. the run, and it has a lot to do with Hampton. Strongest position: Like we said, the linebackers get all the publicity. But this isn't to say they don't deserve it. The Steelers' starters are as good as they get. Right outside linebacker Joey Porter is a terror off the edge and very good in coverage. Right inside linebacker Kendrell Bell could have a tremendous season after his injury-plagued 2002 campaign. Left outside linebacker Jason Gildon is coming off a Pro Bowl season, and left inside linebacker James Farrior has the talent to make it to Hawaii too. Weakest position: The Steelers couldn't combat the pass last season, and it killed them in the playoffs. Rookie strong safety Troy Polamalu has the play-making ability the secondary lacked in 2002, but he will have to win a starting job first. CBs Chad Scott and Dewayne Washington must play better than they did a season ago. Washington particularly struggled in the playoffs. A lack of quality depth is another trouble spot here. Part 1, July 18 Most significant changes: If healthy, SS Troy Polamalu is the athlete the Steelers have been craving in the secondary. The offensive line has a new look. Marvel Smith moves from right to left tackle. Oliver Ross is likely to start at right tackle. Reasons for optimism: The Steelers have a potent passing offense led by resurgent QB Tommy Maddox. On defense, for all of their troubles stopping the pass at the end of last season, they were nearly impenetrable against the run. Causes for concern: Polamalu's hamstring bothered him at minicamp. Veteran Mike Logan, who is challenging him for the SS job, is coming off knee surgery. So that's one area to worry about for Steelers fans. Another is the offensive line. ORT Kendall Simmons is coming off elbow surgery. And Smith and Ross need to get settled in. Training-camp battles to watch: At running back, Amos Zereoue and a slimmer, faster Jerome Bettis will fight it out. Polamalu vs. Logan could also be interesting. Second-year player Chris Hope could take the job if both Polamalu and Logan are slowed. Don't be surprised if: The Steelers run more three-WR sets on offense. On the other side of the ball, look for the Steelers, taking a cue from the Buccaneers, to utilize nickel packages much more than they've done in the past.
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Material from Pro Football Weekly.
