Final opportunity: While Saturday's preseason game against the Titans was the final dress rehearsal for the starters for the regular season, Thursday night against the Panthers is the final opportunity for some young players to make a name for themselves and fight their way onto the 53-man roster.

Coach Mike Tomlin has challenged them, and shared stories of players such as Stefan Logan who made the roster thanks to a strong performance in the final few games.

"We realize that we are 90 trying to become 53," said Tomlin. "I appreciate the efforts of a lot of guys out there. The quality of work of a lot of guys out there. I encourage all of these guys to lean in at the tape and we've had some quality work. We've had great competition as we go into our last week.

"It's been a hard fight. It's been a tiresome fight at times for young players, but I don't want to see anybody let up as the road gets narrow. We need to have the type of guys that display the grit, that can lean in and fight to the finish."

The Steelers have to reduce their roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. on Saturday. The team can then add to their practice squad, which is announced on Sunday.

Play ball: The Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., ended over the weekend, but the memories will last a lifetime, especially for Tyler Beck from Peachtree City, Georgia.

Beck is a diehard Steelers fan, and when Thomas Tull, a member of the Steelers ownership group learned of Beck's love for the black and gold, he wanted to do something special for him. Tull presented Beck with a game ball signed by Ben Roethlisberger.

Tull, who played in the Maine-Endwell Little League in New York as a kid, was enshrined into the Little League Hall of Excellence over the weekend for his continued support of Little League baseball.

He said it: The Steelers defensive coaching staff underwent some changes during the offseason, and as the preseason is set to wind down the comfort level the players have with them is right where it needs to be.

Dan McCullers on defensive line coach Karl Dunbar:
"It's been great. He is a great coach, hard-nosed. He teaches you a lot. He makes sure you are ready to go. He likes me a lot as a player and person, so I am going to go out there and work for him."

Mike Hilton on defensive backs coach Tom Bradley:
"We feel like Coach Bradley taught us in the secondary that fundamentals are just as important as athleticism. A lot of people forget about the fundamental part. They let their athleticism take over. You have to be technically sound to play this game."