What to Watch For - Steelers @ Panthers - Preseason Wk 4

"The Standard is the Standard" - Mike Tomlin

The Steelers are finally in the last leg of their preseason schedule, and thus ending the meaningless games.  This scares alot of SteelerNation as they might have their hesitations regarding the upcoming regular season.  Lets not jump to conclusions though...simply have to get through the preseason.  Lets break this final worthless game down...

- STAY HEALTHY - Last year we saw rookie LB, Sean Spence, go down in the 4th game of the preseason with an excruciating knee injury that has some people wondering if he will ever step on a football field again as a player.  This is the worst case scenario for the Steelers...having a player go down that is going to be counted on to contribute to the team in some way, shape, or form.  The Steelers are already banged up at RB, TE, CB, as well as extremely thin at OL...they cannot afford to lose anyone else.  So that is why STAY HEALTHY is the first key to watch for as the Steelers travel to Charlotte, NC.

- Let the Young Bucks Run - Regardless of position, regardless of Offense or Defense, regardless of status...this game is going to make or break some players' careers on whether they make the team or don't.  Within that situation is desperation, and desperate times call for desperate measures.  Hopefully the starters are sat down and allowed to rest up for Week 1, and the coaching staff gives players like Shamarko Thomas and Landry Jones plenty of playing time so they can see what kind of potential these players have at the ultimate level.  Sometimes, watching this final game can be entertaining because some of these players aren't just playing for a roster spot, but for their livelihoods.

- The Standard is the Standard - Ahh yes, one of my favorite "Tomlinisms".  This saying that has become so very overused within Pittsburgh is one that will certainly be on display Thursday night.  The Steelers back ups and rookies will be expected to not only get the Steelers their only win of the preseason, but also to uphold the same expectations that the starters are on.  No stupid penalties, don't turn the ball over, run the systems, cause turnovers, and don't make bone headed mistakes.  This game will tell alot about the quality of Pittsburgh's depth...whether its good or bad.

- Just Win a Damn Game - The Steelers are 0-3 in the preseason.  The last time they went 0-4 was in 2006, and that was the last preseason that Bill Cowher would coach the team.  I have said it before, and I will say it again, I am a very superstitious man.  I am "that guy" that thinks what he does while viewing the game somehow has an impact on the outcome of the game.  I am also a guy that hears "No team has won the Superbowl that went 0-4 in the preseason since...well forever"  I don't want that bad "ju ju" haunting this team...so backups or not...just win a damn game!

- Take This Game With a Grain of Salt - Although I want them to win, if the Steelers lay an egg and the team ends up going 0-4, it doesn't mean the world is ending.  The Steelers have alot up their sleeve both offensively and defensively.  I am excited to see what they have to offer when the games start counting and Chris Johnson and the Titans come to town in a little over a week.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Carolina Panthers
8/29/13 - 7:30pm - KDKA TV