The [intlink id=”19″ type=”category”]Pittsburgh Steelers[/intlink] face the Atlanta Falcons in the all-important third exhibition game tonight at Heinz Field. If you’re going to the game, don’t walk under any ladders. Stay clear of black cats. And if you own a rabbit’s foot, by all means bring it with you.
The third preseason game is where many a season is won or lost. It’s the game where starters see the most amount of work in anticipation of the season opener. [intlink id=”45″ type=”category”]Mike Tomlin[/intlink] has already stated he’ll be be playing the starting units almost the entire first half. Hopefully when that half is over, everybody will be healthy and ready for the regular season.
Beyond praying to the Injury Gods that they watch another game tonight, there will be a couple interesting little side notes to keep tabs on. First, [intlink id=”85″ type=”category”]Tony Hills[/intlink], who has been a total bust as a tackle, will start at right guard. The Steelers have talked of the move during training camp and this will be Hills formal audition for the job as for some reason Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster have fallen out of favor. I don’t know what Chris Kemoeatu or Jonathan Scott have done exactly to be penciled in as sure thing starters either but I guess beggars can’t be choosers.
Also, for fans of [intlink id=”55″ type=”category”]Dennis Dixon[/intlink], this may be your last chance to see Slash 2.0 in the Black and Gold. I believe Dix will get a lot of work in the second half as the Steelers try to showcase him for other teams. I make no secret of my love for the guy but he’s not really what a Super Bowl contending team needs in a number three starter. The Steelers would dearly love to get a draft pick for him rather than simply cutting him loose. Considering the Raiders wasted a third rounder on a glorified power forward like Terrelle Pryor while the Colts just signed 45 year old redneck racist Kerry Collins to fill-in for an injured Pey-Pey, there has to be SOME market for a young quarterback with Dix’s upside.