While it's not actual football yet, it's one giant step towards September 8th. Even though there's just over a month left and 4 (ugh) preseason games to get through first, training camp sets the tone for the season. The question is what will these Steelers' mentality be going into a much more traditional, drama-less, season per say. How will they rebound from January. Given the lack of flash from the arrivals, we're happy where the head-space is now; so we're going to rundown what we think are the top headlines going into practice:
 |
| triblive.com |
New Tone for the Team
 |
| sportingnews.com |
ith Bell and AB now out of Pittsburgh (thankfully), this Steelers team will have a new identity and tone set to them and it is going to be a lot of fun to watch it play out over camp. Over the past few years, it was all about the individual with AB and Bell, and fans got caught up into that to flocking to Latrobe to see these two guys practice; however, this team is going to be different, and the focus is going to be on the TEAM. We will no longer be looking at what one player can do, but what a collective group of determined Steelers can achieve (Wow, we should give the pre-game speeches).
Devin Bush
 |
| espn.com |
Devin Bush, that's the headline. No addition to the 2019 Steelers can have as big of an effect on this team as Devin Bush. We all know how great Bush was at Michigan in college and the potential that he has to make an impact immediately on the field, but as we all know, we do not know anything until we put the pads on. If Bush is as good as we anticipate, he can skyrocket this defense to a level we have not seen since 2011 and will increase the overall aggressiveness of the defense. We can't wait to watch this play out!
Youth Movement at WR
 |
| sportingnews.com |
Out go AB and DHB, in come Moncrief and Diontae Johnson along with young guns like James Washington and Ryan Switzer (although Aaron despises him). JuJu is going to have a big year, we all know that and anyone who cannot see that he is a #1 receiver has not been watching closely. It is going to be interesting to see how the rest of the WR corp pans out with Moncrief showing potential over his NFL career and James Washington showing flashes towards the end of last season. Throw in Rogers and Switzer in the slot and the potential of Diontae Johnson on the outside, and we may have ourselves a heck of a group.
Kicking/Special Teams
 |
| triblive.com |
To be frank, this unit absolutely sucked last season. Boswell was terrible and was one of the reasons the Steelers missed the playoffs and our punt and kick return teams were atrocious. Aaron despises Ryan Switzer and thinks he is an awful return man, but we hope to see more from the return game this year; maybe Diontae Johnson can fill the return man role? And Ryan despises Danny Smith and doesn't know why he's still on the coaching staff, he should be on the hottest seat out of any coach, can he improve the performance of the unit? If anything, Boswell needs to be MUCH better.
Backup QB Battle
 |
| post-gazette.com |
Is the heir to the throne on the roster? Dobbs or Rudolph? Who will be the next Steelers QB to win a ring? Honestly, no telling and that pressure isn't on these two right now. But to quote former Blue Mountain State University Quarterback Alex Moran "backup QB is the best position in sports" because no one expects you to do much and you still get the girls. I don't know how Mason and Josh are doing in the girls department but the first part doesn't really apply to them. Not only are they looked at as possible futures of the great franchise but if they go in, it means the air is sucked out of Western Pennsylvania as a future HoF QB is either hurt or took a 30 point lead. Either way, they will be an important part of a team that expects to compete for a championship.
Right now, how do you see training camp shaping up and what do you think the answers to these headlines will be? Share your thoughts but most importantly, let's rejoice in the return of football!
- Aaron and Ryan, TGYK
Comments
Post a Comment