Written By: Logan Leslie
For the first time in nearly 7 months Steelers Football is back as they take on the Super Bowl Champions in Philadelphia. The game will take place tonight at 7pm on through a local broadcast on KDKA-TV with Bob Pompeani and Charlie Batch calling the game. This will also be available locally on WDVE 102.5 FM or WBGG 970 AM.
Players Likely Out:
Ben Roethlisberger has always sat out the first preseason game in recent years. Coach Mike Tomlin explicitly said Ben would not suit up for the preseason opener. It is also very likely we do not see Brown, Watt, McDonald and Dupree as they have been nursing minor injuries during training camp. Although Tomlin has not specified whether any other veteran players will sit out it is very likely we do not see: DE Cam Heyward, CB Joe Haden, LB Vince Williams, G David DeCastro, or C Maurkice Pouncey.
Three Players to watch:
1. Mason Rudolph:
Rudolph has widely been the most discussed player throughout training camp and is viewed by many to be the heir to Ben Roethlisberger. At the start of training camp Rudolph did not look overly sharp but recently has been showing a lot of improvement and has "been progressing quicker than anticipated."
“I just want to progress,’’ Rudolph told reporters on Tuesday. “You guys can analyze how big the steps are. But I’m just focused on completing passes, making sure I’m taking mental steps forward every day, making sure I’m controlling the line of scrimmage with the offensive line protection, making sure the guys are in the right spots.”
If you're a Steelers fan that is what you like to hear from your Rookie Quarterback. Hopefully Rudolph shows us all tonight how promising the future is.
2. Terrell Edmunds:
Edmunds, like Rudolph has shown a lot of improvement throughout training camp but we are unsure of where and how much he will play due to Sean Davis and Morgan Burnett likely manning the Safety Positions. It is possible with a strong showing in the preseason, the first round pick could play his way into more playing time Week One.
On Monday DC Keith Butler said, “I think Terrell has done a good job for us.” “He likes the challenge of it. He’s done a good job of talking. He understands he’s a young guy, he’s willing to listen to the veterans. Talk with them. I think he’s done well.”
3. Jaylen Samuels:
I wrote after the Draft that I believed Samuels could be the steal of the draft. I still strongly believe this to be possible. Samuels is good at a number of different things due to his experience at RB, TE and WR in college. This makes him very valuable to a Steelers team featuring some of the best offensive weapons in the game. It will be very interesting to see how the Steelers will utilize him in their offense. This could be a sneak peak into life after Le'Veon Bell if he does in fact leave after the 2018 season, Conner and Samuels could be the tandem at this time next year.
