PITTSBURGH
Storyline of the week
Rookie TE dominates: The Steelers got their one and only preseason taste of QB Ben Roethlisberger, and despite playing less than a quarter, he was sharp. Roethlisberger threw two TD passes, both of which went to rookie TE Pat Freiermuth. Adding Freiermuth to an already loaded group of offensive skills players gives Roethlisberger perhaps his most reliable tight end since Heath Miller retired. Seeing Freiermuth play so well in limited action will just force opposing defenses to account for the long, athletic pass catcher in the red zone.
Rookie watch
Third-round pick and C Kendrick Green was in the starting lineup with the rest of the scheduled starters on the offensive line. Green was drafted to be the replacement for Maurkice Pouncey, and despite the fact he hasn’t come along as quickly as some might have expected, Pittsburgh HC Mike Tomlin is going to give him the nod for the start of the season and relegate veteran C J.C. Hassenauer to the bench. Green will need to improve his functional strength against NFL defensive tackles.
– Curt Popejoy, Steelers Wire