If the third preseason game is the one to take the most from when it comes to how a team will perform inside the regular season, the Steelers appear to be in mid-season kind already. The Steelers offense is clicking on all cylinders with Ben Roethlisberger throwing 4 TDs in three games and getting a preseason passer rating of 146.6. On the defensive side the Steelers front seven seem to be even greater than last year.

The Steelers enhanced to 2-1 on the preseason with a 34-16 win more than the Atlanta Falcons. Just before we get to the Great News and Undesirable News of Preseason Game No. 3, let us have a look at some of my thoughts on this game.

** Wonderful to determine the offense get off to one more speedy start. It took only three plays to score a touchdown following a 51-yard opening kickoff return by second-year rising star Antonio Brown. Brown is definitely an explosive player who's going to produce a name for himself this season, even when he's the No. 4 receiver. Brown will get plenty of snaps during the normal season, specifically if he continues to play like he has this preseason. As I will be advocating inside a future column, the Steelers offense will be significantly much better off providing Brown, Emmanuel Sanders and Mike Wallace nearly all the snaps this season. The days of gameplanning to get Hines Ward open should be more than.

** No,Cheap Jewelry, Steelers fans,Brian Dawkins Jersey, you happen to be not dreaming if you see the Steelers using a successful display game this preseason. For your previous several years the Steelers have lacked the quick, athletic offensive linemen necessary to become productive at it. But using the shocking emergence of Tony Hills at correct guard provides the Steelers an additional fast, athletic lineman who's capable of moving speedy enough to obtain towards the 2nd level and setup blocking for that screen game to operate. This new wrinkle gives the currently explosive Steelers offense nevertheless another way to beat teams.

** I am convinced the Steelers defense could set a franchise record for turnovers this season. It looks like on practically each and every snap against the Falcons, the Steelers had been within the excellent position. They either were in a position to make a fast tackle and avert a run-after-catch or they have been in position to make a play on the ball. If they're able to commence to get standard stress around the quarterback, these are going to become very harmful. Positive, they have a weakness at cornerback, but a healthful Troy Polamalu plus a dominating pass rush will greater than cover for it.

** On the Steelers offensive line: As very good as they've looked at occasions this preseason, they looked just as poor within this 1. Only the Steelers O-Line could receive a holding penalty on a play in which three opposition defensive player are ready to meet with the quarterback. General, the tackles looked regular and Chris Kemoeatu looked like his normal less-than-stellar self. But Maurkice Pouncey and Tony Hills looked rather very good.

** Speaking of Pouncey, his ankle injury is definitely an specifically troubling a single. If this offensive line can gel and give Ben Roethlisberger time to throw,Derrick Mason Jersey, the Steelers offense might be one of the most explosive within the NFL. Fortunately, Pouncey appears like he's going to become okay, so perhaps there's no cause to fear.

** Hopefully the Keenan Lewis injury is just not severe. Lewis is key for that team's long term. They require him to build to the No. 2 CB behind Ike Taylor and he looks like he's on his approach to carrying out just that. It will be devastating if it have been a major injury.

** Final year an injury to Byron Leftwich permitted Charlie Batch to become kept around the roster when it looked like he was going to be cut. This season it was yet another Leftwich injury which has enabled a Steelers back-up to continue to be on the roster. If Leftwich's injury will force him to go on Injured Reserve because it seems it may well, Dennis Dixon will go from odd man out for the #No. 3 QB around the depth chart.

Now we'll examine the Excellent News and Poor News in the game:

The Good News: Ben Roethlisberger is on an entirely distinct level than ever just before in his career. He threw only 5 interceptions in 12 video games final year and if his overall performance therefore far this preseason is any indication he may possibly come close to rivaling that number in 16 video games this season.
The Poor News: If the Steelers offensive line continues to struggle, Roethlisberger might not be capable of last 16 video games.

The Good News: Antonio Brown is going to great. True good.
The Bad News: He will not get almost the level of snaps he deserves this season since the Steelers continue to trot Hines Ward out onto the area. Hines is obviously the veteran with the receiving corps and deserves playing time, but he cannot get open on his own any a lot more and also the Steelers offense will benefit from not having to run routes intended especially to have Ward open.

The Great News: Jonathan Dwyer showed some signs of daily life within the second half and if he can possess a excellent game Thursday night in Carolina,Jordy Nelson Jersey, the Steelers will have most likely located their fourth operating back.
The Negative News: The Steelers still do not have an answer towards the backup tight end question. Converted DE Miguel Chavis apparently injured his shoulder in Saturday night's contest and wasn't likely to produce the group anyway. Outside of Chavis, the Steelers have not discovered any person who appears to desire to step up and take Matt Spaeth's spot. The Steelers choose to use David Johnson as an H-Back and would choose a more traditional tight finish to play alongside Heath Miller.

The Very good News: Troy Polamalu is wholesome and getting a terrific preseason.
The Negative News: He was visibly limping right after numerous plays in the first half causing me to wonder no matter whether or not he's fully healed from last season's Achilles injury.

Undrafted Free Agent View: DT Anthony Gray has a possibility to create the team as the third DT. Weslye Saunders also could potentially make the team as the No. 2 TE using a powerful functionality as a blocker in the game against Carolina on Thursday.

Following up on the Steelers' schedule could be the Cam Newton-led Panthers this Thursday evening in Carolina. As usual using the final preseason game,Air Conner Shoes, the starters will probably not play a single snap, giving the bubble players an opportunity to generate a name for themselves and get a spot on the roster.

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-- CHASE KENDERES
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