Steelers Training Camp News & Notes

Anyone Else Ready for the REAL GAMES?!

The Steelers have 2 preseason games under their belt, along with about a month of training camp.  They have departed St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA and are now in their South Side facility home.  With all of that action, you better believe there are plenty of News and Notes for your reading enjoyment:

Mike Wallace's Return! Coming Soon (Reportedly) - Ed Bouchette and alot of other reporters / beat writers are going crazy about the potential return of speedy WR Mike Wallace.  It has yet to be seen whether or not Wallace will return after Saturday's game in Buffalo, but that is what the report details.  Lets assume that Wallace reports on Sunday to the Steelers' facility, signs his tender, and passes his physical.  After all of that is done he is allowed to meet with staff, practice, and also begin talks with the Steelers on a potential long term contract.  Hopefully the Steelers are smart enough to see in the first 2 preseason games that this offense just isn't the same without Wallace.  He does too much vertically to ignore the fact that it is because of him that alot of the underneath routes are open.  Wallace and Brown on opposite sides is a very dangerous proposal to ANY TEAM to defend.

Todd Haley Following Orders...For Now - The Steelers Owner has publically stated that he wants the team to run the ball more, and Offensive Coordinator Toddy Haley has provided him with a 56% running ratio.  I added "for now" because I have a feeling that Toddy Haley is the type of OC that will throw away the playbook, the game plan, and anything else if chucking the ball 50+ times means the Steelers win the game.  Rooney might not like it, but Haley seems like a guy who could care less what others (including Rooney) think of him.  I think the Steelers will run the ball and be effective doing it, but you'd be a fool to say they should run the ball almost 60% of the time.  When you have a QB like Roethlisberger, and weapons like Brown, Sanders, Cotchery, Miller, Wallace, and now Rainey you would throw the ball alot too.  Its only a matter of time till Haley realizes this and moves to action.

James Harrison Playing Week 1?? - Alot has been written and talked about James Harrison's knee injury and whether or not he will suit up week 1 in Denver.  Harrison recently stated that he isn't putting it past him to play in Denver, but is that truth or just wishful thinking?  I am no doctor, nor do I have inside access to Harrison and how his knee is actually responding to the treatment he is receiving.  However, I can say that the Steelers need Harrison opposed Woodley.  Harrison has the ability to take his game to the next level and that includes forcing the RB "help" on pass protections to have to choose either to chip him, or Woodley.  If Chris Carter would be forced into a starting job, there would be a big drop off.  Woodley would be getting double teamed all night long, and if you don't get to Peyton Manning...well you've seen what he can do.  James Harrison has been called a "fast healer" by Coach Tomlin...lets sure hope he is right.

Offense to Keep Defense Afloat - This Steelers offense could be one of the best in recent memory.  Once all players report (well 1 player), and everyone gets healthy, this Offense could be one that really keeps the defense afloat.  Do I think the Defense is due to take a step back?  No, I think they will be dominant as usual, but the run defense looks to be a little skeptical in my eyes.  When Big Snack gets in there he should help clogging up the middle.  As for the offense, this could be the first time that the Steelers could possess both a controlled offense as well as a big play offense that will keep the defense rested, and hopefully score alot of touchdowns (not FGs).  The Defense might not be what it once was, but they will still be good.  The offense this year has the potential to be great and really be the driving force behind the Steelers in 2012-2013.  Everyone thinks of defense when they think of the Steelers, but they might be thinking offense after this season.

Turnovers (on Defense) a Sign of Things to Come - The Steelers have been a team that traditionally relies on the defense to create turnovers to stay alive in alot of games.  Even though I believe the offense will be able to win without the turnovers, it puts a strain on an offense when you don't get those turnovers (see last year's Steelers team).  So far in the preseason the Steelers have gone back to creating turnovers (3 INT) and I have a feeling that this is just the start of things to come.  If you watched the DBs last season you saw them play off their receivers not trying to give up the big play.  They didn't give up the big play, but they also didn't create turnovers.  The Steelers have shown they are playing their receivers closer this preseason and that makes the QB put the ball in a smaller window.  A little bit off the mark and you can ask Andrew Luck what happens...Ike Taylor takes it 49yds to the house.  Pick-Six...a game changer.  I think you will see a defense that might not be as dominant, but will create turnovers and keep the Steelers in every game they play.

With alot of preseason left, some of these questions will be answered, and some will have to be a wait and see approach.  Either way, this Steelers team is going to be fun to watch!