Kevin Dotson believes he has won competition to start for Steelers at left guard

The competition for who will begin the season as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting left guard is beginning to look a lot like the one for who will start at quarterback.

A done deal, even if it’s not formally acknowledged by anyone in power.

While neither coach Mike Tomlin nor any of the offensive coaches have made any public declarations — they won’t do that at QB, either — Kevin Dotson by all indications has beat out Kendrick Green in the training-camp battle to be the first-team left guard for the regular-season opener Sept. 11 at the Cincinnati Bengals.

“I believe I will be (the starter),” Dotson said. “I think I am.”

Then again, Dotson’s belief is only as good as what Tomlin believes. And Dotson has not been informed of any decision.

“I haven’t been told anything,” he said. “I can’t give you a full 100% answer, but I’m pretty sure.”

Tuesday marked the beginning of a second consecutive week of practice in which Dotson has been taking first-team reps, and Dotson started the preseason finale Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

That seems to indicate Dotson’s standing on the depth chart, but that does not factor in any acquisitions the Steelers might still make. They made two trades Tuesday, including one for an offensive lineman in tackle Jesse Davis.

But as the incumbent at left guard, Dotson has outplayed Green, who last season as a rookie was the starter at center.

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