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| Peter Diana/Post-Gazette |
Training camp is in full swing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It has been an offseason full of turmoil. Fortunately, training camp marks the beginning of the NFL season. This means the organization and Steeler fans alike, can now focus on what is most important, football. While it is refreshing to see camp underway, the effects of a tumultuous offseason are quite evident.
Players who have been faces of the franchise in recent years such as Santonio Holmes and Willie Parker are both with new teams. In the same respect, this year’s camp has seen the return of some familiar faces. Bryant Mcfadden, Larry Foote, and Antwaan Randle El, who were all a part of the Steelers 2005 Super Bowl team, have returned for a second go-around. While those offseason stories were big, none of them could compare to the suspension of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger has been suspended for the first six games of the regular season. As you may have guessed, the result of the suspension has created the opportunity for a quarterback controversy to develop for the starting position.
There are many eyes on the Steelers’ rookie draft class consisting of players such as center Maurkice Pounsey, linebacker Jason Worilds, and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. Not to mention, newly acquired veteran right-tackle Flozell Adams. It will be of much interest to see how quickly these players can get acclimated to the system. But, of all the hot topics at camp the one that is garnering the most attention is the battle that is currently taking place for the position of starting quarterback, between Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon. At this point, it is Leftwhich’s job to lose. He has the experience and the stronger arm. However, it would be naïve to count out Dixon. Dixon is younger and can truly add a different element to the quarterback position, with his quickness and mobility.
It is safe to say that there are many challenges ahead for this football team. Training camp is where teams build their foundation for success. After the most eventful offseason for the Steelers in recent memory, this team can now move forward in a new direction. Hopefully, that direction will lead this team to Dallas, Texas on February 6th.
Players who have been faces of the franchise in recent years such as Santonio Holmes and Willie Parker are both with new teams. In the same respect, this year’s camp has seen the return of some familiar faces. Bryant Mcfadden, Larry Foote, and Antwaan Randle El, who were all a part of the Steelers 2005 Super Bowl team, have returned for a second go-around. While those offseason stories were big, none of them could compare to the suspension of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger has been suspended for the first six games of the regular season. As you may have guessed, the result of the suspension has created the opportunity for a quarterback controversy to develop for the starting position.
There are many eyes on the Steelers’ rookie draft class consisting of players such as center Maurkice Pounsey, linebacker Jason Worilds, and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. Not to mention, newly acquired veteran right-tackle Flozell Adams. It will be of much interest to see how quickly these players can get acclimated to the system. But, of all the hot topics at camp the one that is garnering the most attention is the battle that is currently taking place for the position of starting quarterback, between Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon. At this point, it is Leftwhich’s job to lose. He has the experience and the stronger arm. However, it would be naïve to count out Dixon. Dixon is younger and can truly add a different element to the quarterback position, with his quickness and mobility.
It is safe to say that there are many challenges ahead for this football team. Training camp is where teams build their foundation for success. After the most eventful offseason for the Steelers in recent memory, this team can now move forward in a new direction. Hopefully, that direction will lead this team to Dallas, Texas on February 6th.
By M.C. Smith
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ReplyDeleteI truly believe our team can overcome the offseason woes and turn in a great regular season. At the end of the year, we will have forgotten the emotional rollercoaster ride that we have recently gone through.
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