The Blitzburgh Report

Tonight’s pre-season game versus the Philadelphia Eagles is an important one for many players hoping to make the team. But perhaps the most hotly contested positions are both halfback and fullback, where some veterans might be ousted.

Willie Parker is, of course, safe, but after him all spots seem to be open. Even Dan kreider seems in danger of losing his job. New comers Carey Davis and Gary Russell are making a strong case for the team, and Najeh Davenport and especially Kevan Barlow have been unimpressive.

Will Kreider Still be Leading the Charge this Season?

Kevan Barlow likely has no shot of making the team. He went from an interesting offseason signing to forgotten before the pre-season games even started. There were reports that he looked bad even in the training camp practices. Barlow probably wouldn’t make the team even if there wasn’t the log jam at the position.

Najeh Davenport will likely make the team, but he can strengthen his case with a better showing. For a big back, he is not great at moving the pile. Davenport’s strengths lie in pass catching and decent return skills. He shows just enough to make the team but is no long term answer for the Steelers.

Verron Haynes is another question mark. He is a talented third down back but his problem has always been injuries. Without all the good candidates, he would probably make the team, but the odds may be against him right now.

Carey Davis and Gary Russell have both been very impressive. There is a real chance both can make the team. Russell shows great vision and drive and Davis is a great blocker who is also nifty on his feet. Both players seem to be excellent pick ups for the Steelers, and if they make the team there would be four undrafted backs on the Steelers (if Krieder isn’t cut).

Carey Davis, in particular, may be a real threat to Dan Krieder. I am a huge Krieder supporter but the team seems to be moving away from pounding the ball behind a fullback. They have been using the fullback less and less and because Kreider is mostly one dimensional (although the thing he does well, blocking, he is one of the best at) Kreider faces the possibility of being cut. With Davis being a better runner, the team might opt for him instead because he can hold his own in blocking and also run and catch the ball. As much as I like Davis, personally I just think you can’t get rid of a guy like Kreider- just ask Ray Lewis about his blocking skills.

Here are some things to keep an eye on tonight:

-We should get to see Willie Parker’s first action of the preseason
-Lawrence Timmons will finally see some limited action
-Trai Essex will be playing most of the game at Left Tackle- this is make or break time for him
-Can Gary Russell and Carey Davis continue to impress and land a spot on the roster?
-Ben should see more time tonight then the 3 or so series he has seen so far
-Will William Gay continue to impress?

Mike Tomlin’s NFL head coaching career started off with a bang as his Steelers played impressive football in the 2007 Hall of Fame game. Both offense and defense shined as the Steelers went on to beat the New Orleans Saints 20-7 in their preseason opener. For analysis, check out the Blitzburgh Report’s Highlights and Lowlights of the Game.

Allow me to rant a bit more here then I normally do:
I don’t like NFL Network (especially since I don’t have it or the means to get it). Yes, these feelings are heightened by me not being able to see the Steelers’ first preseason game tonight, but hear me out. The reason I was happy the Steelers had the Hall of Fame game this year was because I knew it would definitely be televised. However, starting this year they show the game on the NFL network.

Include this with their creating “extra” games on Thursdays and Thanksgiving just to have games to show on their network, that most fans end up not being able to see (especially with Comcast now charging $5 a month for access to the channel- though that is not the direct fault of the NFL). I love football, but the NFL gets on my nerves so much lately with how cut-throat they are about getting every last penny they can. Anyone else remember that incident with that church wanting to show the super bowl earlier this year? Or the recent questions about the NFL’s copyrighting? Yeah, they are ultimately a business, but the NFL used to be basically sacred to me growing up, and now it is just like any other “evil” big corporation out there. But I am stuck because I still enjoy their product so much.