5 things to watch in Steelers preseason game vs. Lions

There hasn’t been an announced crowd of more than 5,909 paid patrons for a home Pittsburgh Steelers game since Dec. 15, 2019. In the 20 months since, a total of 15,949 officially have viewed the Steelers play at Heinz Field.

Probably more than three times that number will be in the stadium Saturday night for what is the lone Steelers home preseason game of 2021.

Preseason games, for many, have become punchlines. But for plenty of Steelers fans, there probably will be a new sense of appreciation in watching their team in person Saturday — even if by halftime, they will be seeing only backups, practice-squad players and others who will be out of football in the coming weeks.

Here are some things to watch for in the game:

1. Ben’s beginning

If this ends up being Ben Roethlisberger’s final season, Saturday is his last seasonal game debut and the final preseason game he’ll ever play. It’s also one of the most important he’ll play in years because it’s under a new scheme. Big Ben and coach Mike Tomlin have been rather open that Roethlisberger could use the in-game seasoning in executing new coordinator Matt Canada’s offense.

In his 18th season, Roethlisberger, under normal circumstances, might not need the work in August. But plenty will be eager to see how the 39-year-old looks physically almost as much as how sharp he is mentally in the new offense.

"I would love to get as many reps as I can." -- Ben Roethlisberger looking ahead to his preseason debut Saturday night.https://t.co/nrhpHICmR2

— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) August 19, 2021

2. The Joe ‘Scho

Seven days after his acquisition via trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars was announced, Joe Schobert not only will make his Steelers debut, he will start and, apparently, wear the “green dot” helmet signifying the in-helmet communicator between the coaches and his teammates on defense.

It’s folly to read too much into preseason, but it is notable that the Steelers are treating this game as their “dress rehearsal” for the regular season, and that includes gameplan and personnel deployment. Eyes will be on if Schobert stays on the field when (or if) the Steelers go to their dime package, for example.

Will fellow inside linebacker Devin Bush come off the field in some packages while Schobert stays on it?

“He’s adapting quickly and gaining the detail, but playing with people and communicating and working the play together is something that is going to be continually addressed with him," #Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of newly acquired ILB Joe Schobert. https://t.co/NbaUh1Swo8

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) August 19, 2021

3. Oh, line

From the beginning of this offseason, it was clear the offensive line was an area of concerns. With the possible exception of cornerback, a case could be made that every other position group the Steelers have is, at worst, above-average. But the outlook for the offensive line is shaky enough it could render all that moot.

Saturday figures to be the first (and only?) opportunity for the projected starting five to play together this preseason. Not one of them was a primary starter last season for the Steelers at his given position this season.

There are question marks ranging on the spectrum to “mildly concerning” to “alarming” with all five because of inexperience, injury and/or age. Cohesion is a worry, too, amidst a training camp in which it has been rare the starters even practiced together.

Saturday is the first chance for Zach Banner, Trai Turner, Kendrick Green, Kevin Dotson and Chuks Okorafor to allay all those fears.

Clarity began to take shape Saturday on the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line. https://t.co/NyFIMTZCu5

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) August 15, 2021

4. Canada’s dry run

It’ll be vanilla, of course, because the game doesn’t count. But Saturday is still the first true in-game peek at how Canada will call plays. The Steelers, as much as can be done this time of year, gameplanned for the Lions, and they intend to treat their play-calling accordingly. Also, of course, it’s Canada’s first time calling plays with Roethlisberger (and other first-teamers, too).

Much has been made about the longtime college coordinator’s deployment of pre-snap motion and usage of wide receivers in the run. Canada’s offenses also have been known to involve some pre-snap shifting. Expect to see more of Roethlisberger under center than he was last season. The play-action game will be back, too.

https://t.co/krS5hH89Jp

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) August 18, 2021

5. Sifting for gold

This is the preseason game in which the big names will play the most. But that doesn’t mean lesser-known players or those on the fringe fighting to make the team won’t stand out as the game goes on.

Some names that casual fans might not be as familiar with to keep tabs on include rookies such as defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk, defensive backs Shakur Brown and Mark Gilbert and outside linebacker Quincy Roche. Another player who has no NFL regular-season experience but has had a strong camp is receiver Cody White.

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