The Steelers looked ok in their first pre-season game on Friday against the Eagles.  In fact, I imagine both teams felt pretty good about themselves.  The loss of Charlie Batch is an issue, but he is just the backup quarterback.  The Steelers may be better off without him if Byron Leftwich has anything left in the tank.  And, Dennis Dixon, the rookie QB from Oregon looks like he's got some game. 

Ben drove the team down the field with ease on the Steelers' first possession.  He only threw two passes, but completed both of them.  Willie Parker didn't appear to be any slower than he was at his fastest.  Rashard Mendenhall is going to be a very big part of this team as time moves on.  Limus Sweed got his name in the paper.  Santonio Holmes is going to have a big year.

The offensive line was pretty decent.  This is accounting for the fact that neither defense was doing anything out of the ordinary.  The young Steeler defenders did get some pressure late, but the first string did little to upset McNabb's rythem.  They also were without Casey Hampton and Troy Polamalu.  Lawrence Timmons made a nice track down of a Philly runner.

As for the line play, it is becoming apparent that the Steeler line of 2007 had been infiltrated by a maverick who sabotaged the whole continuity of the line.  Alan Faneca.  Faneca, alledgedly, either didn't understand the new blocking scheme of a new coaching staff or chose not to follow the new blocking pattern.  That would explain why Ben Roethlisberger was under attack so often.

It was preseason of course and no defense is really putting a great deal of layering into their plan.  It's called vanilla defense.  But the line protected when the quarterbacks threw and they blocked when the running backs ran.  Only a few times did we see missed assignments and QB's on the run.  You can be sure, the line will be put to the test early and often.  Houston could be one of the up and coming teams and has a fine pass rusher in Mario Williams

The Steelers open with Houston.  And given the strength of their schedule this season, they absolutely have to beat the Texans in week one if they've got any hope of putting together a successful year.

Charlie Batch may as well have pointed a gun at his collarbone and pulled the trigger.  He was foolish for trying to pick up yardage, lowering his shoulder at the end of his run.  Not that Batch is an important part of the team, but you must have someone that is ready to go, just in case. 

Dennis Dixon looks like he'll be a good player, but he just isn't ready to go to war in the NFL yet.  He looked like he could make some plays, but he'll have to have a bit more seasoning before you can expect him to be able to handle leading the team.  Getting Byron Leftwich takes care of the problem.  Since he really hasn't played much in recent years, his health should be good.  Coach Tomlin says he is lean, which he wasn't when he was starting for Jacksonville.  And maybe he can give the coaches a few tips on beating the Jaguars.  If the Steelers have a nemesis, it's them.

This week, they'll take on Buffalo in Canada.  You'd hope Ben will play most of the first half and that Leftwich will get a chance to go relatively early.  But Dixon must get some PT too. 

Special teams made some points with me.  Coverage on all but one kick was pretty good, although an Eagle did slip and fall on his own.  Ernster's punts were acceptable and he did something I'm not sure you noticed.  He kicked off and put the ball in the end zone.  Jeff Reed cannot do that.  Ernster would be a valuable addition to the kicking team if he could just hit the end zone on kickoffs.

Eddie Drummond had a nice return.  Jeremy Bloom didn't get a chance to return any, he fair caught everything.

This is a month long practice, getting ready for the season.  The first live step was Friday.  So far so good.