The Steelers are coming off a 16-7 lose to the Washington Redskins, while the Eagles are coming off a 13-6 win over the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers are 12-9 all time versus the Eagles in the preseason including two straight victories in 2007 and 2008.
The Eagles have had a busy off season acquiring former Pro Bowlers Jason Babin and Nnamdi Asomugha, former first round picks Ronnie Brown and Vince Young and all this while breaking in a new offensive line coach, defensive coordinator and still figuring out who is going to be their starting linebackers.
The Eagles were solid against the Ravens, sacking Raven quarterbacks six times and keeping the Baltimore team confused all game long. The same could not be said for the Steelers defense that looked rather suspect against the inconsistent Rex Grossman. The Redskins amassed a mind blowing 452 yards against the usually potent defense. With starters James Harrison and Troy Polamalu making their preseason debuts tonight, I doubt to see the same type of yard production.
Now that the team has a preseason game under their belt they have a better idea of where to put their focus. On offense the Steelers need to decide who their best five is on the offensive line and allow them to begin to jell with each other. The running game is there and the Steelers have the talent at the wide out and tight end spot to get them out of jams.
On defense the Steelers need to figure out their secondary. The Steelers will get All Pro Troy Polamalu back for the game but I don't expect him to play long. Ike Taylor will miss the remainder of the preseason as he recovers from surgery on his broken thumb and this really helps the younger and newer players to earn a roster spot.
Inactives:
Ike Taylor, Crezdon Butler, Bryant McFadden, Cortez Allen, Emmanuel Sanders
So, what should we all be watching or tonight? Here are my focuses for this preseason match-up.
Secondary:
The Steelers brought in two veterans this week by signing former NY Giant/St. Louis Ram Kevin Dockery and former Philadelphia Eagle/Washington Redskin Macho Harris. With Ike Taylor sitting the rest of the preseason with a broken thumb the rookies Cortez Allen, Curtis Brown and Niles Brinkley will have a bigger chance to impress the coaches. I expect Dockery and Harris to play little in the game but I am curious to see who can step up and earn a roster spot.
Widereceiver:
With Limas Sweed being released, the competition on Tyler Grisham just loosened up a bit for him to make a run at a roster spot. Grisham is going into his third year with the Steelers and the former Clemson receiver needs to impress the coaches now or forever hold his peace. Wes Lyons and Arnaz Battle were horrible in the week 1 preseason game against Washington and Grisham now has a chance to walk away with a spot in the Steelers young receiver rotation, if he can produce.
Linebackers:
I am still waiting on Mario Harvey to take the field and show the fans what he can do. In the meantime Mortty Ivy stole the show last week and I am curious to see if there is a encore for the fans. With the Steelers trimming cap space and the aging veteran Larry Foote backing up the starters with his three million dollar contract, there is a chance that Ivy could impress the coaches enough to steal a spot from Foote. All he has to do is stay consistent and this week is the next step to proving that.
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