The good, the bad and the ugly from the Steelers' preseason opener, a 24-23 loss on a field goal in the final seconds by host Philadelphia.
The good ...
RB Chris Rainey: Between his 57-yard, dipsy-doodle, bursting touchdown off a simple swing pass and his glimpses on returns, the rookie running back from Florida lived beyond his billing. Running (a 14-yard run on third-and-13 but a minus-13 on three other carries), receiving (two for 65 yards) and returning, this was just as the Steelers expected in drafting him. If Mike Wallace doesn’t show until the final six games, Antonio Brown must remain clear of the return game that got him to the Pro Bowl, so a versatile rookie such as Rainey could prove eminently valuable. “He is explosive,” QB Ben Roethlisberger told reporters after the game. “You never know what you are going to get. You just give him the ball, and you sit there and watch, because he is explosive and fun.”
Todd Haley’s offense: In the Steelers' first three possessions, the new coordinator’s offense possessed the ball with ease -- 26 snaps and 101 yards -- and scored three times. The opening possession, with the first team as currently constituted, needed 16 plays (only one longer than eight yards) and some 10 minutes to cover 62 yards via quick-decision throws, short gobbles of yards and a handful of runs. Later, with second- and third-stringers, Haley also had several teachable moments and opportunities to brandish his glares and screams for his new team.
NT Steve McLendon: Big Mac is starting to look like the heir apparent to the Big Snack, the former Pro Bowler Casey Hampton who is nursing back to health (ACL). McLendon actually tied for the team-high with three tackles and a sack, unheard of production for a nose tackle.
The bad ...
Rookies Mike Adams and David DeCastro: The second-round and first-round draft picks didn’t fare all that well. While OG DeCastro played at a mediocre level, losing some snaps and winning others, OT Adams got beaten for 2.5 sacks on the left edge and battered -- hurting his right knee on a second series sack-fumble he allowed (recovered). True, it was their first NFL game experience. It proved inconclusive at best. With OT Max Starks on the PUP list and OG Willie Colon’s ankle likely close to resuming work, both rookies may get to sit rather than start to open this season. On the whole, the OL allowed seven sacks -- and Haley’s new offense is supposed to be easier for them.
CB Curtis Brown: He wasn’t all bad, but it sure looked that way on two Eagles touchdown passes encompassing 114 yards combined. Remember, a year ago he was drafted one round ahead of Cortez Allen, who seems to have secured the nickel-back role, let alone an outside shot at still starting. Meanwhile, Brown may have to go back to terrorizing on special teams.
The ugly ...
Injuries to FB/H-back and No. 3 TE David Johnson (knee) and Adams (knee) plus backup RB Jonathan Dwyer (shoulder) removed them from action in the first half, though Johnson’s could be season-ending.
Follow Chuck Finder on Twitter for real-time updates from Steelers training camp @CBSSportsNFLPIT.
