The Pittsburgh Steelers' preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers showcased a mix of promising performances and areas for improvement. 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.: Clamps and Ball Skills
Asante Samuel Jr. lived up to his billing as a ball-skills cornerback. His performance mirrored his strong summer play, breaking up two passes, including a slot fade on third down. Samuel's ability to get his head around and make plays on the ball is a testament to his talent. He's not just excellent depth but also a potential sub-package role player, especially with Joey Porter Jr.'s absence due to injury and contract holdout. Samuel's performance is a sign that he's ready to step up and contribute.
Germie Bernard: Gamers Come Alive
Germie Bernard, who had an uninspiring training camp, showed his true colors once he stepped onto the field. He displayed a good feel for zone coverage, reliable hands, and strength with multiple broken tackles. Bernard's performance was a stark contrast to his previous weeks, generating a lot of buzz. His ability to come alive in games is a trait that can't be taught, and it's a positive sign for the Steelers' receiving corps.
Will Howard: Touch and Accuracy
Quarterback Will Howard had a solid debut, showcasing his touch and accuracy on layered throws. He led the Steelers downfield with precision, coming inches away from his first passing touchdown. Howard's performance in the two-minute drill was particularly impressive, as he marched the team downfield with confidence. His ability to handle key moments and make accurate throws is a positive sign for the Steelers' offense.
Lew Nichols: 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' ability to keep his legs going and push through contact is a valuable trait. He also played over Kaleb Johnson, who didn't log a single offensive snap in the first half. Nichols' performance is a strong argument for his spot on the 53-man roster.
Ben Skowronek & Robert Tonyan: Key Catches
Wide receiver Ben Skowronek and tight end Robert Tonyan made crucial catches, showcasing their reliability. Skowronek had an early third-down conversion and a fourth-down catch, while Tonyan got himself open and available during the two-minute drill. Their special teams value is also a bonus, as Skowronek is likely to make the roster for that reason. Tonyan's continued improvement is a positive sign for the Steelers' tight end position.
Yahya Black & Gabiel Rubio: Solid Run Defense
Defensive linemen Yahya Black and Gabiel Rubio played solid run defense, 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. Their performances are a positive sign for the Steelers' defensive line, especially with the presence of Derrick Harmon and Keeanu Benton.
Kaden Wetjen: Top Return Man
Kaden Wetjen, drafted as college football's top return man, flashed his talent with multiple tackles on kick and punt returns. He also forced a touchback with a fake fair catch, showcasing his versatility. Wetjen's 74-yard completion and touchdown drive in the fourth quarter were highlights, demonstrating his ability to turn short completions into big plays. His performance is a strong argument for his spot on the roster.
Drew Allar: Accuracy and Timing
Quarterback Drew Allar followed Howard's lead with a strong performance. His accuracy and timing in the short and intermediate game were impressive, answering concerns from his college tape. Allar's ability to make on-time throws and lead the team downfield is a positive sign for the Steelers' offense.
Daylen Everette: Competitive Coverage
Cornerback Daylen Everette held his own in coverage, filling and fitting the run and being competitive. His performance is a positive sign for the Steelers' defensive backfield, especially with the presence of the rookie class.
Jamin Davis: Positive Plays
EDGE Jamin Davis had a solid performance, defending the boot game well and making a tackle in the flat. He also picked up a sack in the fourth quarter, splitting it with Kyler Baugh. While Davis isn't on track to make the 53-man roster, his positive plays are a sign that he can contribute.
Losers
Discipline & Penalties: Sloppy Mistakes
The Steelers' discipline and penalties were a major issue, with 11 penalties for 143 yards. False starts, late hits, and special teams penalties, including an unnecessary roughness call, frustrated Art Rooney II. The team needs to clean up these mistakes to improve their performance. The sloppy play carried over from a rough camp, and it's a concern for the season ahead.
Kaleb Johnson: Lost Ground
Running back Kaleb Johnson didn't log a single offensive snap in the first half, and his carries didn't yield many yards. He's clearly lost ground and doesn't look like a fit in Mike McCarthy's scheme. With Eli Heidenreich closing the game out, Johnson's future is uncertain, and he may be traded or cut later this month.
Troy Fautanu: Rust and Penalties
Offensive tackle Troy Fautanu didn't have his best game, allowing pressure and picking up penalties. While there's context for some of the issues, he's still knocking off rust after shifting to left tackle. Fautanu needs to have better days ahead to improve his performance.
In conclusion, the Steelers' preseason opener had its share of winners and losers. The team has a lot of work to do to clean up discipline and penalties, but there were also promising performances from several players. The winners showcased their talent and potential, while the losers need to improve to secure their spots on the roster. The Steelers have a long way to go, but this game provided valuable insights into their strengths and weaknesses.
