Five Steelers topics not related to O-line

By Neal Coolong  |   Thursday, August 14, 2008  |  Comments( 6 )

Pittsburgh Steelers
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Steelers fans see the No. 47 and immediately think of the word "sack." That's the amount of times opposing defenses sacked Steelers Pro Bowl quarterback Ben Roethlisberger last season, and the main topic of conversation surrounding the team at training camp at St. Vincent's College in Latrobe, Pa., has been the offensive line.

Who's going to snap Roethlisberger the ball? Will it be Sean Mahan or Justin Hartwig? Is Chris Kemoeatu going to be good enough to ease the loss of decorated guard Alan Faneca, who signed with the Jets during free agency?

Those questions will be answered in due time. For now, though, here are five topics -- none of which relate to the O-line -- to debate going into the Steelers' first trip to another country, taking on the Bills in Toronto in both teams' second preseason game.

1. Timmons vs. Foote:

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin took some flak last season when first-round linebacker Lawrence Timmons couldn't stay healthy during camp. Now, he's clearly Pittsburgh's most improved player, and he's challenging incumbent Larry Foote for the starting position. Timmons, who has otherworldly speed, was explosive during the Steelers' 16-10 win over Philadelphia in their preseason opener. Foote lacks that level of athleticism, but he's been savvy enough to finish in the top three on the team in tackles since 2003.

2. LB unit poised to dominate:

Steelers fans weren't surprised to see James Harrison, ex-Steeler Joey Porter's former OLB backup, have a big impact last season. It's a stretch to say people expected to see him perform at a higher level than Porter had over the previous three seasons. He's paired this year with LaMarr Woodley, who seemed to notch a sack every time he was on the field as a rookie. Woodley replaces Clark Haggans, who did not provide much QB pressure. Harrison and Woodley make up the best pair of pass rushers the team has had in several years, and seeing double-digit sacks from both of them this season is a possibility. Add in the athleticism Timmons brings out of the nickel package, the run-stopping ability of Foote, and the coverage ability of veteran James Farrior, and this linebacking unit could be the best the Steelers have had in years -- and that says a lot.

3. Santonio Holmes ready to break out:

Roethlisberger and Holmes connected for a 19-yard touchdown off a blitz read at the line of scrimmage against the Eagles. Expect more of the same from these two this season as Holmes has the ability to become one of the top receivers in the league. His blazing speed will make defensive coordinators think twice before blitzing from Holmes' opposite side. He was the hot receiver against the Eagles on that touchdown pass, giving Roethlisberger all the confidence in the world to look the way of his third-year wideout.

4. Russell vs. Mendenhall:

Drafting Illinois product Rashard Mendenhall in Round 1 won't bump Willie Parker out of the starting running back position, but the rookie will help keep the starter fresh.

Parker broke his leg in Week 15 after leading the NFL in carries (and yards) up to that point. But the Steelers threw more often inside the 10 than they ever had. That's in part to a talented duo of tight ends -- Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth (they combined for 10 touchdowns) -- but also thanks to a lack of an outstanding goal-line runner. Second-year back Gary Russell is competing for a roster spot, and he will have outperformed Mendenhall in short-yardage situations if he gets it. Russell has been doing that so far in camp.

5. Leftwich could replace Batch:

Longtime backup QB Charlie Batch broke his collarbone against Philadelphia, and the Steelers replaced him with former seventh overall pick Byron Leftwich. Batch's contract is up at the end of this season, and the Pittsburgh product may very well have played his last game as a Steeler. Tomlin had nothing but glowing things to say about Leftwich when he signed him, and Batch did not play for quarterbacks coach Kenny Anderson, who was brought in last season. Anderson was Leftwich's position coach in Jacksonville. Batch was a holdover from the Bill Cowher era, and if Leftwich is impressive enough, he could take the backup job behind the oft-injured Roethlisberger.

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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one...
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