The next phase of the Steelers offseason program begins a week from tomorrow when offseason training activities, or OTAs, begin at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. It’s the first time the Steelers will go through a practice as a team since January.
The Steelers will have 10 days of OTAs spread over three weeks followed by three minicamp practices from June 14-16. After that, the Steelers have five weeks off before reporting to Saint Vincent College for training camp.
Much has transpired in the past four months. Here are my top five storylines heading into OTAs:
1. Health of Le’Veon Bell and Maurkice Pouncey – The two former All-Pros are coming off season-ending injuries and their status has been tightly guarded by the Steelers. Don’t expect Bell to take part in any of the practices this spring, which means you’re not likely to hear from him. If players don’t take part in OTAs there is no obligation to speak with reporters. Bell, who suffered a major knee injury Nov. 1, has a longer road than Pouncey, who broke his leg in August. I expect we’ll see Pouncey on the field at some point this spring. I don’t think we’ll see that with Bell until training camp. All of which means we’ll have more speculation about his availability for the season opener for months to come.
2. The receiver group – We’ll get the first look at the new-look receiving corps without Martavis Bryant. All-Pro Antonio Brown will be flanked by Markus Wheaton. But who will be the No. 3? This spring it’s likely to be Darrius Heyward-Bey, a favorite of Ben Roethlisberger who has been dependable if unspectacular in his Steelers tenure. This fall, my belief is the Steelers would like it to be Sammie Coates for a variety of reasons. Wheaton is entering the final year of his contract and the Steelers have to find out if Coates can eventually take over that role. His performance in the playoff game at Denver suggests he can, but he’ll have to prove that over the long haul. The battle for the No. 5 receiver will be waged between Eli Rogers, Demarcus Ayers and Shakim Phillips.
3. New-look tight end – For the first time since the 2005 season the Steelers will have a new starting tight end, and he’ll be much different from Heath Miller. Ladarius Green was signed in free agency to replace Miller, the reliable blocker and possession receiver. Green played behind future Hall of Famer Antonio Gates in San Diego, but he flashed big-play potential with the Chargers. His speed and ability to produce in the red zone will be a welcome addition for an offense that will be searching for ways to replace Martavis Bryant’s production. When was the previous time the Steelers had a tight end that could threaten a defense down the seam? Eric Green? The flip side of that question, of course, is when was the previous time the Steelers didn’t have an accomplished blocker at the position?
4. Will the rookies be thrown into the fire? – The Steelers have starting positions open at corner, safety and nose tackle. It just so happens that the Steelers invested their first three draft picks in those positions. Artie Burns, Sean Davis and Javon Hargrave have an opportunity to seize playing time if they demonstrate they are ready. That won’t happen in the first practice. I fully expect to see Ross Cockrell, Robert Golden and Daniel McCullers occupy those positions on May 24. The more important question is whether Burns, Davis and Hargrave can occupy those positions by August 24. Davis and Hargrave probably have a better chance to achieve that, but plenty of eyes will be on Burns to see how the No. 25 overall pick performs.
5. Who will be Ben’s blindside protector? – The Steelers return one of the strongest offensive lines in the NFL, but there will be competition at one of the most important positions on that line. Kelvin Beachum signed with the Jaguars in free agency and Alejandro Villanueva and Ryan Harris will battle all spring and summer for the starting job. Villanueva started the final 10 games last season after Beachum was injured. Harris was the starting left tackle for the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos. Expect Villanueva to start with the ones in OTAs, but Harris is a veteran with 70 NFL starts to his credit. If Villanueva falters at any point the Steelers have Harris to plug in.
First Published: May 16, 2016, 11:17 a.m.
