Gavin with a report from the final preseason game that he attended.
The men of Steel capped off a successful preseason with a 17-14
victory over the Minnesota Vikings at Heinz Field. The starters looked sharp
in running the score out to a 14 - 0 lead, playing almost the entire first
half. Kordell looked like the confident and precise leader of last season,
using his athletic ability to scramble for two real nice first downs and
finding Plexico downfield once as well as setting up Randle El and Terrence
Mathis for two real nice grabs in traffic. The offense basically moved at
will, especially behind the left side of the offensive line led by the
dominant play of Alan Faneca and Wayne Gandy. The Bus looked a little
quicker, breaking a nice 27 yard run early in the contest and scoring on a
two yard plunge as well. Fu looked very sharp as well, running very hard and
making sharp cuts and breaking numerous tackles. The only concerns on the
first team offense seem to be the inconsitent play of Oliver Ross at right
guard, who has really struggled in one on one pass blocking assignments.
Luckily Kordell can usually make the first guy miss. The subs on offense
really struggled, especially Charlie Batch who may have quieted the clamors
to have him supplant Stewart for the starting job with some very poor
decision making. Jeramy Tuman looked impressive in a blocking role, he looks
much stronger this season, as did Chuki Okobi and Keydrick Vincent on the
backup line. Lee Mays has a bunch of ability at wideout, but seems to lack
the hands and polish, as well as the toughness to go across the middle
without fear.
The defense played better but still tackled pretty poorly. Nothing
the lights of Monday Night Football can't cure, especially with the return of
Kendrell Bell to the lineup. I am still not sold on James Farrior in the
middle, someone needs to replace earl holmes in taking on the fullback or
lineman and allowing the other middle to make some plays. He does not seem
to love the contact like Earl and Levon did. The secondary looked a little
more confident and I feel like this will be the year Chad Scott puts it all
together. Hank Poteat did a great job, with two picks and two other passes
defensed and he looks like he will be a solid corner at some point down the
road. There is still not enough pressure on the passer but we tend not to
give away our blitz packages in the preseason historically under Cowher. I
think Aaron Smith and Kimo will need to play better in New England, though I
like what Rodney Bailey brings on third downs rushing the passer. The
special teams was again erratic, with Todd Petersen missing a field goal to
the dreaded open end zone (left this time for you Kris Brown fans) and
shanking a ball out of bounds on a kick off. Poor coverage led to a
midfield start at one point as well, though Poteat had two nice returns in a
rare bright spot in the return game.
All in all, I was impressed by the regulars and feel like our depth is
pretty strong in some key spots. Our receiving corps is the best I can
remember it since the glory days. The quarterbacks are a strength as should
be both lines in time. Only ten days til the opener in new Gillete Field in
New England. Get your Iron City ready for a huge one.
