Steelers Depth Will Be Tested Sunday Night



Rookie Sean Spence = Quality YOUNG Depth

 The Steelers are always that NFL team the "experts" say draft so well that its the "next man up" mentality that Mike Tomlin always preaches.  As a High School Head Coach I say the same thing, but it isn't always just the "next man up" that is able to perform at the same level.  Thats why there are starters and reserve players.  Nonetheless, the Steelers made several decisions this offseason with "trimming the fat" by letting some veteran players go.  The services of Hines Ward, Chris Hoke, Aaron Smith, and James Farrior were no longer needed within the organization.  With getting rid of those players comes new issues. 

The main issue is the quality of depth at certain positions.  When you read the title of the post, in no way shape or form am I suggesting that the Colts are going to be a "water mark" for the Steelers depth.  Rather, I'm going to use a "Tomlinism" and say that the "standard is the standard regardless of who is out on the field".  If you listened to my podcast yesterday I discussed the RB and OLB situation and how the depth is thin at both positions.  We will see how well the Steelers draft and produce players on Sunday night.  How will you guage such a thing?  After the "No. 1s" have departed the scene, you will see the same intensity with the same fundamental skill that the starters had.  Sure there is a learning curve for young players, but the fundamental skill of catching, throwing, and tackling remain the same.  A good example of this depth would be, from the Preseason Week 1 Loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, rookie ILB Sean Spence.  When he entered the game he brought the same intensity that the starters had and was flying around the field making superb plays.  He just lacks the experience of knowing the complex Dick Lebeau offense, and when you watch him play you are realizing you are seeing a future starter on the field. 

The Steelers depth will be tested Sunday not because the Colts are making the Black n' Gold shake in their cleats, but because the YOUNG players need to step up and prove that the depth this organization has, is such that the veterans by the names of Ward, Smith, Farrior, etc will not be missed, but just replaced.