Get ready for camp: Steelers offensive preview

By Kyle Chrise  |   Monday, July 28, 2008  |  Comments( 4 )

Pittsburgh Steelers
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Last week, RealFootball365.com gave fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers a preview of the stories and position battles that are in store for the team's defense during training camp. Today, let's check out the offensive side of the ball.

Quarterback

As the old cliche goes, Ben Roethlisberger should feel like a kid at the candy store these days. He has plenty of weapons to utilize this year, and he's coming off his best season as a pro with 32 touchdown passes, a 104.1 QB rating and a trip to Hawaii. Oh, and don't forget that $102 million contract he signed in the offseason.

Set to back up Roethlisberger is Charlie Batch, who's returning for his seventh year with the Steelers.

The player to watch at QB this camp is rookie Dennis Dixon. The former Oregon star's shot at the Heisman Trophy and a national title went down the drain last year when he torn the ACL in his left knee; that injury was a major reason why he fell to the Steelers in the fifth round. Nevertheless, Dixon showed some quickness and a strong arm at spring practices, but he has a lot to work on when it comes to his technique and learning the Steelers' system. Pittsburgh's front office drafted Dixon hoping he'll make the team as this year's third quarterback who could one day replace Batch as Roethlisberger's backup. Like former Steeler Antwaan Randle El, fans want to see Dixon used in gadget plays, but head coach Tomlin says that's not in the cards at this point.

Running back

Willie Parker has recovered from last season's broken leg and is looking to have his fourth straight season with 1,200 or more rushing yards. There are a couple concerns hanging over Parker as he comes into camp, though. For one, durability: Parker has racked up nearly 700 touches over the last two seasons; secondly, there's the fact that he only found the end zone twice in 2007. So the Steelers brought in a lot of help, including former Viking Mewelde Moore, who will step in on third downs to catch passes and help protect Roethlisberger.

Of course, the marquee addition to the running game is this year's first-round pick, Rashard Mendenhall, a former Illinois star who's physical and powerful between the tackles; what's more, Mendenhall's quick and able to make defenders miss in the open field. Mendenhall appears to be a great fit for goal-line packages, but he's going to have to earn that role in camp. As an untested rookie, Mendenhall will start out only as a spell to Parker. But as he learns more and more about the offense, his touches will increase. By the end of the season, Pittsburgh could possibly be splitting Parker and Mendenhall equally.

Carey Davis played fullback last season and will be back in the mix, and the Steelers see potential in youngster Gary Russell, who should also land a roster spot.

Wide receiver

Hines Ward enters his 11th season with the Steelers to lead what could be one of the most exciting receiving corps in the AFC. If he avoids injuries this season, Ward should become the Steelers' all-time leader in games played for a receiver. Santonio Holmes is entering his third season in the league and is expected to have a breakout campaign. Holmes led the team in receiving yards last year, and many look for him to land his first 1,000-yard season.

The fun at camp will start in the battle for the No. 3 receiver spot. Nate Washington is back for his fourth camp with Pittsburgh and is looking to become the next Steelers success story. Washington was undrafted out of Tiffin University, but he has managed to make an impact in each of his first three seasons. Washington has good speed and at times shows acrobatics that make him look like the second coming of Lynn Swann; however, he's dropped too many routine passes and needs to become more consistent. The upside for Washington is that his catch percentage increased in 2007 and he's entering a contract year, so he'll be playing for a payday.

Washington will be looking over his shoulder at second-round rookie Limas Sweed, an immensely talented former Texas Longhorn who slipped to the Steelers because of a wrist injury that plagued him as a senior. The athletic Sweed is tall, has great leaping ability, can go over the middle, and likes to block. His size alone should make him an immediate threat in the red zone, but Washington knows the offense and has a fan in Roethlisberger. It shouldn't be a surprise if Washington starts the season at No. 3 on the depth chart, but that could change by the end of the year.

The fight for the fifth receiver spot could also heat up in training camp. Second-year man Dallas Baker turned heads last season on the practice squad and has spent a lot of time in the offseason working to make the 53-man roster. His disadvantage is a lack of high-end speed and quickness. Meanwhile, third-year receiver Jeremy Bloom signed with the Steelers on New Year's Eve after being cut by Philadelphia. If he can show some of the greatness he had in the return game at the University of Colorado, he could land a roster spot. Also, third-year wideout Willie Reid is hoping his return skills keep him on the roster, but his history of muffed punts could put him on the chopping block. Finally, undrafted rookie free agent Kevin Marion -- who led the Atlantic Coast Conference in kickoff returns last year -- was impressive in spring practices.

Tight end

It's Heath Miller's fourth year in the league, and, considering he set career marks in receptions, yards and touchdowns, 2007 was his best yet. Below Miller on the depth chart is second-year player Matt Spaeth, a 6-foot-7 target who had only five catches as a rookie but three touchdowns. If Pittsburgh keeps a third tight end, watch for Jonathan Dekker, who spent the 2006 season on the practice squad.

Offensive line

The Steelers' line going into camp is the most unsettled it's been in years, so this is the area for fans to keep an eye on during camp. One thing's for sure: Marvel Smith is back at left tackle and healthy after having back surgery. The nine-year vet will anchor an O-line that gave up 93 sacks over the last two seasons.

The fight at right tackle could be the most interesting. Third-year man Willie Colon became the full-time starter last season, but he gave up the most sacks on the line. Consistency was a big problem; some plays he dominated, but on others he looked lost.

Colon will be battling the 6-8, 337-pound Max Starks, who had an interesting offseason. Although he backed up Colon last season, Pittsburgh slapped Starks with the transition tag, giving him a nearly $7 million salary for this year. Starks is a force to be reckoned with in the run game and was the starter for two years before losing the job to Colon last season. Motivation is the big knock against Starks, but he'll be a free agent after this season, so he could be extra inspired to play for a new contract. If Starks wins the starting job, Colon has the skills to move to one of the guard spots.

At left guard, fourth-year man Chris Kemoeatu is expected to step up now that the great Alan Faneca left for the Jets. Kemoeatu is physical, aggressive and passionate, but he's struggled in pass protection. Kendall Simmons and his 76 career starts returns at right guard. 2007 was his worst season as a pro, but part of it can be blamed on an inexperienced Colon to his right. If Colon gets a shot to play guard, many say it will be to replace Kemoeatu, but don't be surprised if Simmons is the man on the outside looking in.

Sean Mahan was the starting center last season, but Pittsburgh brought in free agent Justin Hartwig to battle for the No. 1 job. Mahan was a disappointment in 2007, lacking the strength to handle big defenders while playing outside of his natural position. Hartwig is a natural center, but he's had problems staying healthy. Although Tomlin said last week that the battle at center will be "hotly contested," Hartwig should win the job over Mahan and instantly improve the offensive line.

A couple young linemen to watch this camp are Darnell Stapleton -- an undrafted rookie last year who took reps with the first team at guard this spring -- and Tony Hills -- a fourth-round rookie who was a decorated blocker at Texas.

Now you're suited up for camp, Steelers fans, and your team's preseason opener is just 11 days away.

Training Camp: An entirely new kind of fantasy game!
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About Kyle Chrise

Like a modern-day Moses, Kyle was found drifting down the Monongahela River, wrapped in a Terrible Towel, next to what was then Three Rivers Stadium. Found and raised by the stadium's grounds crew, Chrise lived and breathed Steelers football. As a youngster, he earned the trust of new head coach...
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