Pittsburgh Steelers: Top 5 Training Camp Position Battles
By Erik Lambert
Nov 10, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jarvis Jones (95) on the field during the fourth quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won the game 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Overcoming their difficult end in the playoffs back in January is top priority for the Pittsburgh Steelers. That will involve figuring out how to get the best players on the field. Which positions are the most wide open heading into training camp?
Third Wide Receiver: Sammie Coates vs. Markus Wheaton
Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant have emerged as the top two wide receiver options for Ben Roethlisberger in the passing game. Even though Markus Wheaton had more yards than Bryant, he played significantly more snaps. There is little doubt the bigger and faster Bryant will get more playing time. That means Wheaton will have to fight for the third slot on the depth chart, and his competition will be rookie Sammie Coates who brings lots of speed with him from Auburn. This may be a case for the coaches of depend possession guy vs. big-play upside guy.
Backup Tight End: Jesse James vs. Matt Spaeth
Age is beginning to creep up on the Steelers at the tight end position. Starter Heath Miller is 32-years old and his backup Matt Spaeth, their primary blocking tight end is also 32. That was a big reason why they brought in rookie Jesse James from Penn State. Like Spaeth, he’s known best for his size, strength and blocking ability. That puts the two in direct competition for the right to play behind Miller. What it may come down to is which of them proves more reliable as the occasional receiver in certain situations.
Outside Linebacker: Jarvis Jones vs. Bud Dupree
The writing certainly must be on the wall right now for linebacker Jarvis Jones. He’s had two seasons to take command of one of the starting jobs at outside linebacker. Last year looked like his time to shine but his momentum was killed after suffering a broken wrist. To date he has just three sacks in two seasons. That is primarily why the Steelers drafted Bud Dupree out of Kentucky in the 1st round. He’s going to push Jones for playing time and hopefully cover up the loss of Jason Worilds in the process.
Slot Cornerback: Senquez Golson vs. Antwon Blake
One of the more underrated pickups in the draft was when Pittsburgh landed Senquez Golson out of Ole Miss. Every scouting source said the same thing. He has all the athletic and technical traits of an NFL cornerback. The only problem is his limited 5’9″ frame. Most 3-4 corners need to be at least 6’0″ to function on the outside. That means Golson is a prime candidate for the nickel job in the slot, which puts him in direct competition with veteran Antwon Blake, who had hoped to secure the slot job with Brice McCain gone.
Free Safety: Mike Mitchell vs. Gerod Holliman
One of the quieter position battles nobody will talk about sits at free safety. Most will understandably assume Mike Mitchell, whom the team signed in free agency last off-season, retains the job. However, it must be pointed out that for the help he brought against the run, he was a liability in pass coverage, failing to register a single interception. That has to change if the Pittsburgh Steelers want to make a run through the AFC. Gerod Holliman may be their answer. Despite rampant criticism that he doesn’t tackle, the Louisville rookie is a savant in pass coverage. He tallied 14 interceptions in 2014. That kind of upside can be cultivated by the right coaching.