In the past, the third and fourth preseason games always played specific roles in the roster development process of teams around the NFL. The third game was a dry rehearsal for the starters and the fourth game was a final tryout for players looking to make the 53-man roster. Now, with only three preseason games, Mike Tomlin and the Steelers are trying to find a way to mesh the two together.
On Thursday, Tomlin declared that the team's mindset heading into Saturday's matchup against the Lions is to get the "best of both worlds." The starters and "all those that are healthy" will play, according to Tomlin, but the team will also give players who are still trying to prove themselves a final opportunity as well. Both play an important role in how this season will play out.
"We’ve got a desire, maybe, to move on from some known regulars rather quickly, to provide an opportunity for others to show what they're capable of in respect to the old fourth preseason game model," Tomlin said. "So, we'll manage it. We'll play it by ear. A lot of our transitional things in terms of the amount of play that people will get will be determined by quality of play, of individuals and of units."
Tomlin described the discussion about how they would approach this game as a "complex" one because the team is trying to find that perfect balance of making sure its starters are prepared for the regular season while also having a proper opportunity to evaluate players that could make the roster. It's no secret the starting offense needs more in-game reps to build a rapport before the beginning of the season which plays into Russell Wilson garnering another preseason start.
However, some players are still seeking opportunities to prove they belong on the roster and position battles still need to be decided before the Steelers head to Atlanta to take on the Falcons on Sept. 8. This game will play a large role in those decisions and Tomlin still isn't quite sure how snaps will be divided up.
"It's not etched in stone. We want our regulars to find some rhythm, to use it as a dry rehearsal," Tomlin said. "But then we want to move on and provide as many opportunities as we can for others to show what they're capable of."
The Steelers will need to make decisions all over the field. One happens to be at slot corner. It's been an ongoing battle since Cam Sutton was suspended for the first eight games of the regular season. Beanie Bishop Jr. has been one of the primary contenders for the role and battled against Grayland Arnold through the beginning of camp but he is now facing off with Thomas Graham.
Arnold suffered an injury at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. and looked solid when he returned but a second injury resulted in his release.
Bishop has repped with the first teamers at times throughout camp but had his workload managed this week due to a "day-to-day, training camp injury," according to Tomlin. Tomlin added that they held him out this week because of the weight that's put on "in-stadium performance" in their evaluation process and prioritized having him ready for the game rather than participating in practice. When asked if Bishop had shown him enough already, Tomlin responded, "Absolutely not." So, the former Mountaineer is a player who could benefit from those extra reps in this final preseason game.
Graham is another. He's tried to take advantage of his practice reps as much as he can but position battles and roster spots are won in the stadium and he's now looking to show what he can do against the Lions.
"Just keep showing my playmaking ability, I think that's what got me here," Graham said. "We all have our strengths and our weaknesses and one thing for me is just making plays on the ball. I've done that my whole college career and when I got my opportunity in the NFL. So I just want to continue to show that and my tackling ability. I know Mike T loves little guys that can hit. So if I can go out there and show them I'm a little guy that can hit, I can show them I can play here."
Players all over this roster are looking to do the same thing. Despite him probably being a practice squad candidate, John Rhys Plumlee described the situation perfectly after practice on Thursday. He's a player who's been doing whatever he can to try and make the roster. He's listed as the fourth-string quarterback but has taken reps at wide receiver and has also returned kicks and punts.
"I hope that I'm able to display all that I'm able to do and hopefully have success at the highest level," Plumlee said about what he's hoping to get out of Saturday's game.
One could imagine Bishop and Graham will get plenty of reps due to their battling for the starting corner slot. T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Alex Highsmith, Minkah Fitzpatrick and other veterans probably won't play a significant amount of snaps, giving others an opportunity for more reps. But offensively, the starters' success will determine the amount of reps players down the depth chart will get.
The Steelers can accomplish a multitude of things Saturday, but it will be dependent on finding the perfect balance of preparing their offense for the regular season and having enough of a chance to evaluate the players that could make an impact on the 53-man roster.
