Stairway to Seven: Preseason Opener vs. Texans
There’s something just absolutely sublime about a day like this. I walk outside and there’s a chill in the air. I’m off work for the day. My kid is running around with my dog; they’re hyper as fuck and having a great day together. And, the Pittsburgh Steelers play football today. It really feels like a Sunday in the Fall, but NOPE. It’s a Friday in August, and the good lord knew I would be appreciative of the fall vibes.
The Houston Texans are traveling to the Steel City for their second preseason game at Hei- I mean…Acrisure Stadium against the Steelers tonight at 7 pm eastern. It’s the first in-game look we’re going to get of the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers - well….most of them.
Mike Tomlin has elected to sit Russell Wilson, TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cam Heyward, Patrick Queen, Alex Highsmith, and Isaac Seumalo. When he spoke to the media the other day, ahead of this game, he made it clear that none of these guys were dealing with any significant injuries, and that they’re not playing, because they “don’t need as much runway” to get going before the regular season.
I’m so excited to have this team back in a stadium for a full contact game, even if the game doesn’t mean anything. I can’t recall a time in my fandom where this team had this many new faces coming into a new league year. Getting a chance to watch the all-22 replay of the game later on will also be much easier than stalking reports and training camp and trying to make judgments based on that.
For me, personally, I want to see how this offensive line is lined up at the beginning of the game. Does Fautanu get to start? Which side is Broderick Jones spending the most time? How much Zach Frazier are we gonna get? Which of our backups is going to solidify their spot on the 53-man roster?
Like everyone else, however, I, too, want to see what Justin Fields looks like as the QB1 of my offense. Tomlin acknowledged that most starters would get to play a few series during this game, which means we could get a whole quarter, if not more, of Justin Fields. Yinz gotta understand, I know you had Kordell Stewart, but I was a little too young to know what the fuck was going on during that time. So the entirety of my fandom has consisted of Ben Roethlisberger, followed by whatever the hell you want to call the last couple of years. Moral of the story: I’ve never gotten a chance to root for a guy like Justin Fields on MY squad. I’m excited to see what his athleticism can bring to our offense - but, more importantly, I want to see if he can do the ROUTINE shit that Tomlin was talking about. He has done admirably in training camp so far, but those guys in Houston are going to be trying to take his head off. I’d like to see him go through some reads, and make on-time, on-target throws.
HOW ‘BOUT BIG DARNELL WASHINGTON? Has he improved as a run blocker? Can we get that man some targets??? I’d like to see him carve out a significant role on this offense as this preseason unfolds.
The wide receiver room deserves some attention tonight, as well. We can’t let this whole Aiyuk situation make us forget that this season goes on with or without him in our locker room. So, let’s focus on the guys that are here. I’m sad we won’t get any Roman Wilson, but how ‘bout a guy like Scotty Miller? Speedy veteran with a real chance at securing a role on this team. I’d like to see him or Calvin Austin III blow the top off the Texans’ defense at least ONCE. And, let’s not forget about our current WR2 Van Jefferson, who has been impressive as hell during camp. We should hear his name quite a bit in the first half, I would hope.
During the aforementioned press conference held by Coach Tomlin, he made sure to point out that he’s not looking to do anything challenging from a scheme or strategy perspective, but he, instead, wants to see solid fundamentals, limited penalties, and the old Tomlinism: “routine things routinely”. It’s also going to be the first time the Steelers take the field, against another team, with the new kickoff routine, so I, personally, will be getting my first look at it, since I didn’t watch that weak ass HOF Game.
I’m not going to get too wrapped up in the outcome of this game. I would just like to see individual lights shine bright in this particular matchup. It’s football. It’s fuckin football. Tonight. Stay healthy.
Here. We. Go.
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