Pittsburgh Steelers: RB Jonathan Dwyer Impressive In Second Preseason Game

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Week 2 of the preseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers gave the national television audience a chance to see how the new offense under first-year coordinator Todd Haley, as well as how the league’s best defensive unit, matched up with the NFL’s top overall selection in this April’s draft, Andrew Luck.

On the first drive of the night, the Steelers’ first team unit on offense featured some positive signs in the run game early on with RB Jonathan Dwyer, who ran the ball hard and showed some good burst in the open field. Dwyer would end the game with a per carry average of over 5 yards.

However, Ben Roethlisberger threw a bad pass intended for Antonio Brown that was intercepted by the Colts’ Antoine Bethea.

On the next drive, Roethlisberger operated in the no huddle for the first time this preseason, but the highlight of night belonged to yet another short pass that went for a long score, as WR Antonio Brown took it and put on some moves that would even make the Madden ‘13 gamers stand up and take notice.

The long touchdown of 57 yards was only possible due to excellent downfield blocking, notably by Baron Batch, who got action with the first team tonight.

Steeler fans should love the big play ability of Brown, but finishing the score by attempting a flip into the end zone is very unnecessary while the Heinz Field crowd holds their breath waiting for WR Mike Wallace to report to camp.

Watching the game, it seemed that the offense has yet to really get in rhythm. This seems to be with the new controlled passing game preferred by Haley, as well as the new starters across the offensive line. The Steelers seem to not even think of throwing the ball deep at this point in the preseason, which must be making Wallace feel more valuable during his holdout.

Pittsburgh went up two scores after CB Ike Taylor stepped in front of a Luck pass and took it in for a 49-yard touchdown return. However, the rookie didn’t put his head down after the interception.

Instead, on the next drive, he carved up the Steelers vaunted defense by marching 80 yards. The drive resulted in a touchdown run by Donald Brown. Luck seemed to dominate the Steelers defense in the second quarter by leading Indy to 17 points and the halftime lead of 17-14.

Looking at position battles for the Steelers in this game, it feels like they really have another option at running back in Dwyer. He has continued to impress with every game he plays. Batch had some good blocks tonight, but didn’t show much running the ball. Running back Chris Rainey was featured often again with short passes, being targeted four times as well as getting six carries from the backfield.

Rookie tackle Mike Adams again looked disappointing. Adams continues to get beat by any form of speed rush from the outside. The Steelers will likely rush Max Starks back into the lineup in time for the season opener if Adams continues to struggle.

Another interesting development in this game was QB Jerrod Johnson, who looked really sharp in guiding the Steelers for the game winning drive. It should be noted backup Byron Leftwich did not play, as veteran signal caller Charlie Batch and Johnson were the only others to see game action. Johnson may have a chance to be the third quarterback in Pittsburgh and Leftwich could be the odd man out.

The Steelers also may have found a new kicker in undrafted Danny Hrapmann from Southern Miss. Hrapmann connected on four field goal tries, including the partially blocked game winner that gave the Steelers the 26-24 victory.

2012-08-20 03:02:42

Source: http://www.nationalfootballauthority.com/2012/08/pittsburgh-steelers-rb-jonathan-dwyer.html