The Pittsburgh Steelers' preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers was a mixed bag, with some bright spots and some areas for improvement. While the team showed promise in certain areas, there were also some glaring issues that need to be addressed. Here's a breakdown of the winners and losers from the game, with a heavy dose of personal commentary and analysis.
Winners
Asante Samuel Jr.: The Ball-Skills Cornerback
Asante Samuel Jr. had a strong performance, breaking up two passes and showcasing his ball-skills. His play mirrored his strong summer performance, and he's shaping up to be an excellent depth option. With Joey Porter Jr.'s absence due to injury and contract holdout, Samuel is in line for a sub-package role. Personally, I think Samuel's ability to break up passes and his ball-skills make him a valuable asset, and I'm intrigued to see how he develops throughout the season.
Germie Bernard: The Gamer
Germie Bernard had an impressive debut, showing a good feel in zone coverage and reliable hands. He displayed his strength with multiple broken tackles and created a ton of YAC on his receptions. Bernard's performance was a welcome surprise after a less-than-inspiring training camp. In my opinion, Bernard's ability to step up in a game like this is a testament to his work ethic and talent, and I'm excited to see how he develops as the season progresses.
Will Howard: The Two-Minute Drill Master
Will Howard had a strong debut, leading the Steelers downfield with touch and accuracy on layered throws. He came inches away from his first passing touchdown and made key moments, including a fourth-down completion and a two-minute score. Howard's performance was a positive debut, and I'm intrigued to see how he develops as the season progresses. Personally, I think Howard has the potential to be a solid backup quarterback, and I'm excited to see how he performs in future games.
Lew Nichols: The Hard-Charging Running Back
Lew Nichols continues to impress with his hard-charging brand of football. He pushes the pile forward and gets yards after contact, including a key fourth-down conversion. Nichols' performance was a welcome surprise, and I'm intrigued to see how he develops as the season progresses. In my opinion, Nichols' ability to break tackles and gain yards after contact makes him a valuable asset, and I'm excited to see how he performs in future games.
Ben Skowronek & Robert Tonyan: The Key Catches
Ben Skowronek and Robert Tonyan made key catches, with Skowronek having an early third-down conversion and Tonyan getting open and available in the two-minute drill. Skowronek's special teams value and Tonyan's work towards securing a spot on the 53-man roster are notable. Personally, I think both players have a chance to make the roster, and I'm intrigued to see how they develop throughout the season.
Yahya Black & Gabiel Rubio: The Solid Run Defenders
Yahya Black and Gabiel Rubio played solid run defense up front, with Black beating his block and Rubio two-gapping to take away the inside lane. Rubio's downfield tackle in the second half was also impressive. Personally, I think both players have the potential to be solid run defenders, and I'm intrigued to see how they develop throughout the season.
Kaden Wetjen: The Return Man
Kaden Wetjen flashed the talent that got him drafted as college football's top return man, breaking multiple tackles on his kick and punt returns. Wetjen also made a 'wow' play on offense, taking a short completion and turning it into a 74-yard completion. Personally, I think Wetjen has the potential to be a game-changer on special teams, and I'm excited to see how he performs in future games.
Drew Allar: The Accurate Quarterback
Drew Allar had a strong performance, following Will Howard's act with similar shine. He had accurate and on-time completions, and his timing and accuracy in the short and intermediate game were impressive. Allar's performance begins to answer one of the biggest concerns from his college tape, and I'm intrigued to see how he develops as the season progresses. Personally, I think Allar has the potential to be a solid starting quarterback, and I'm excited to see how he performs in future games.
Daylen Everette: The Competitive Cornerback
Daylen Everette held his own, filling and fitting the run and being competitive in coverage. Personally, I think Everette has the potential to be a solid cornerback, and I'm intrigued to see how he develops throughout the season.
Jamin Davis: The Pass Rusher
Jamin Davis defended the boot game well and made a tackle in the flat in the first half. He also picked up a sack in the fourth quarter, splitting it with Kyler Baugh. Personally, I think Davis has the potential to be a solid pass rusher, and I'm intrigued to see how he develops throughout the season.
Losers
Discipline & Penalties: The Sloppy Game
The Steelers finished the game with 11 penalties for 143 yards, which is an area for improvement. The penalties came on all sides, including false starts, late hits, and special teams penalties. Personally, I think the Steelers need to clean up their discipline issues, and I'm concerned about how this will impact their performance throughout the season.
Kaleb Johnson: The Missing Snap
Kaleb Johnson didn't log a single offensive snap in the first half, and his performance was underwhelming. He had just two carries for 3 yards, and I'm concerned about his role on the team. Personally, I think Johnson needs to step up his game and prove himself, or he may be on the chopping block.
Troy Fautanu: The Rust Off the Edge
Troy Fautanu didn't look his best, allowing some pressure off the edge and picking up penalties. Personally, I think Fautanu needs to knock off the rust and improve his performance, or he may be in trouble. I'm not as harsh on him as others will be, but there will need to be better days ahead.
In conclusion, the Steelers' preseason opener was a mixed bag, with some bright spots and some areas for improvement. While the team showed promise in certain areas, there were also some glaring issues that need to be addressed. As the season progresses, I'm intrigued to see how the Steelers develop and improve, and I'm excited to see how they perform in future games.
