Prior to the days of offseason training activities (OTAs), training camp was all about the position battles that would take place.
OTAs changed that dynamic -- at least somewhat -- but football in shorts, as Mike Tomlin likes to call the offseason program, isn't a true measure of a player. The offseason can certainly open the eyes of the coaching staff, as it did for Mike Hilton two years ago, but it's what happens on the fields at Saint Vincent College that matters more.
That's what will begin Thursday when the Steelers officially report to Saint Vincent College for the opening of training camp.
10 days: Does Ben still have 'it?'
9 days: Is the defense fixed?
8 days: How to replace AB?
7 days: How do rookies fit in?
6 days: Turnovers, please?
5 days: Back by committee?
4 days:Are Browns really the favorite?
3 days: Is Boswell fixed?
The Steelers are one of the few teams in the league that actually has live tackling at their training camp. Tomlin likes to use the first two weeks of camp -- prior to the start of preseason games -- as a measuring stick and training tool for his team. He wants to see who can make the move from that football-in-shorts offseason to playing tackle football.
And that could help decide who makes the roster and who gets sent packing.
More importantly, it could help decide who wins a starting job and who doesn't. With that in mind, let's take a look at the most important battles that will take place starting this week.
We're not going to delve into who wins backup jobs or other less meaningful positions -- with one notable exception. We're going to dig into meatier subject matter that will have a greater effect on the Steelers' win-loss total in 2019.
Who starts at Right Tackle?
The prospects: Matt Feiler, Chuks Okorafor, Jerald Hawkins
Feiler, a former undrafted rookie, started 10 games at right tackle last season in place of injured Marcus Gilbert. Okorafor, a 2018 third-round draft pick, also made a start when both Feiler and Gilbert were out. Hawkins is entering his fourth season, having missed two of the previous three years with injuries. But the Steelers still like the 2016 fourth-round draft pick.
The skinny: Feiler is the frontrunner. He played well in 2018 and is more experienced in the system. But Okorafor has a better pedigree and, at least in an ideal world, would win the job and allow Feiler to be the team's top backup at right tackle and both guard spots. The team seems to like Hawkins as more of a pure left tackle, but if he can play on the left side, where he is the backup to Alejandro Villanueva, he can certainly play on the right side, as well. Feiler's experience probably wins out in this case, but if Okorafor wins the job, it wouldn't be a shock.
Who starts at inside linebacker?
The prospects: Vince Williams, Mark Barron, Devin Bush
The skinny: Williams will be the starter at the Buck linebacker position because he's the team's thumper on the inside. He's also an effective blitzer. But will he line up next to Barron or Bush? And will the Steelers come up with some packages that will have just Barron and Bush or all three inside backers on the field? The answer to the first question is probably Bush, but with Barron mixed in. In fact, it wouldn't be a surprise if Bush and Barron rotate early in the season until the rookie's talent wins out. But it also wouldn't be shocking to see Bush simply win the job outright if he shows he can handle things. By all accounts he's advanced beyond his age. As for packages where all three backers are on the field or Bush and Barron, that could happen, as well. The Steelers have been working hard to get the rookie up to speed making the play calls, something Williams has done since Ryan Shazier was injured. Certainly that could be because they want to have both starting inside linebackers available to make the calls. It also could be because they would like to keep Bush on the field full-time, regardless of defensive package. But with an overall lack of safety depth, it wouldn't be shocking if the team went with Bush and Barron when it goes to a dime defense.
Who's the No. 2 QB?
The prospects: Josh Dobbs, Mason Rudolph
Neither played a lot of snaps last season — Ben Roethlisberger didn't miss a lot of time and was forced to play in all 16 games. But Dobbs, a fourth-round pick in 2017, and Rudolph, a third-round selection in 2018, are both young and eager to be the guy who dresses behind Roethlisberger on game days this season.
The skinny: Dobbs surprisingly unseated Landry Jones as the No. 2 last season, but didn't exactly set the world on fire when given the opportunity to play. Yes, he made a throw from his own end zone against the Ravens. But he also failed to effectively move the team subbing for Roethlisberger in a loss at Oakland, going 4 for 9 for just 24 yards and an interception. He did scrambled twice for a pair of first downs, but his play was less than inspiring. Dobbs and Rudolph split snaps during the offseason program and will do so in training camp. Both played well in the preseason a year ago, and if both do so again this year, it could make things interesting. The Steelers had a higher draft grade on Rudolph a year ago than they did on Dobbs the previous season, but that means nothing. It's all about performance, and command of the offense and the huddle. Rudolph should be better at both in Year 2, but Dobbs has a head start on him. Rudolph spent part of the offseason working on his arm strength with noted throwing expert Tom House, trying to offset one of the knocks against him. It could be the most interesting battle of camp.
