¡La espera terminó! Por fin esta semana los Pittsburgh Steelers tendrán su primer partido oficial de la campaña 2021, al enfrentar a los Dallas Cowboys en el Juego del Salón de la Fama en Canton. Oficialmente arranca la Pretemporada NFL 2021 y aunque en este partido los titulares suelen tener muy poca actividad (o casi nula), aquí te presento mi previo con lo que me interesa ver de este juego.
1.- Najee Harris
Es una práctica común que los titulares no tengan mucha acción durante la pretemporada, y aunque técnicamente Harris (22) ya es el corredor titular del equipo, también es un novato y me parece que tendrá participación en algunas jugadas (no más de 10).
Quiero ver qué es lo que hace en esos snaps, ya sea acarreando el balón, en protección de pase o incluso como receptor. Si bien sólo veremos una pequeña muestra del Playbook de Matt Canada, el pick de primera ronda de Pittsburgh tiene una enorme cantidad de expectativas.
2.- La pelea por el puesto de QB suplente
Mason Rudolph (2) vs Dwayne Haskins (3) será uno de los espectáculos que podamos ver el jueves por la noche. Ambos quarterbacks quieren ser el sucesor de Big Ben y la primera opción en caso de que ocurra una lesión.
Rudolph entra a su cuarta temporada con el equipo, mientras que Haskins llegó vía agencia libre después de un decepcionante inicio de carrera en Washington. Durante los entrenamientos Haskins ha brillado más, mientras que Mason tuvo una actuación complicada el viernes por la noche en frente de los aficionados.
3.-. Los cornerbacks contra un buen equipo de receptores de Dallas
Al igual que los Steelers, los Cowboys van a limitar las jugadas de su ofensiva titular (en especial por el regreso de lesión de Dak Prescott), pero su cuerpo de recepciones es uno de los más talentosos de toda la NFL, con Amari Cooper (19), Michael Gallup (13) y CeeDee Lamb (88).
Si bien su rol será limitado, los cornerbacks que están peleando la titularidad (James Pierre y Antoine Brooks Jr.) tendrán un reflector interesante para tratar de ganar ventaja en uno de los duelos más cerrados del Training Camp.
4.- Pat Freiermuth
Otro de los novatos de los Steelers, el TE Freiermuth (88), tendrá más tiempo para seguir impresionando y luchar por tiempo de juego durante la Temporada Regular. Para muchos el segundo mejor ala cerrada disponible en el Draft NFL 2021, Freiermuth tiene los atributos físicos para ser dominante en la liga. Vamos a ver cómo se traduce en su primer partido en la NFL.
¿Qué ocurrió en los entrenamientos de la semana pasada?
Durante el fin de semana hicimos una recapitulación del entrenamiento nocturno del equipo, la cual puedes leer aquí. Sin ser redundante, la defensa sigue teniendo un Training Camp espectacular y parece que cada día esta unidad termina con el balón en las manos, sin importar quién sea el QB de la ofensiva. El sábado pasado sólo un jugador, Kallen Ballage, logró atravesar la zona de anotación.
Take a look at the best photos from Week 1 of the Steelers training and preparing for the 2021 season at Heinz Field
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Dax Raymond (49) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton (20) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Tre Norwood (21) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool (11) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Chris Wormley (95) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Henry Mondeaux (99) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Stephen Denmark (38) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Rico Bussey (84) and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle John Leglue (77) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cassius Marsh (49) and Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Derek Watt (44) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Benny Snell Jr. (24) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool (11) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Anthony McFarland Jr. (26) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, July 29, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton (20) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Marcus Allen (27) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Melvin Ingram III (8) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron (85) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Anthony McFarland Jr. (26) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jarvis Miller (45) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Trey Edmunds (33) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Marcus Allen (27) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Wednesday, July 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Melvin Ingram III (8) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron (85) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Derek Watt (44) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Zach Gentry (81) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Melvin Ingram III (8) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins (3) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool (11) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Quincy Roche (48) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Derek Watt (44) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton (20) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Friday, July 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Arthur Maulet (35) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Cameron Sutton (20) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Friday, July 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (34) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Friday, July 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins (3) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Friday, July 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Friday, July 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Derek Watt (44) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Friday, July 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Friday, July 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Benny Snell Jr. (24) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Robert Spillane (41) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Friday, July 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back James Pierre (42) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Friday, July 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool (11) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Friday, July 30, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
