THE 50-YARD LINE

 7 PRESEASON OBSERVATIONS

1)Chris Rainey was the darling of preseason. He's  triple-threat with kickoffs, rushing, and pass-catching.

2)Injuries have left the depth charg paper-thin. Waiting around for players like Harrison, Worilds, and Mendy to heal is going to make the 53-man roster seem like it's cut in half.

3)The O-Line is still a big question mark. The injury to David DeCastro has put a big hole in the O-Line that may be difficult to fill.

4)We fired the special teams coach but holding penalties continue to make special teams not so special.

5)Where's the quality control coach? Still getting penalties for 12 men on the filed. It's little details like this that can bite you during the regular season. I'll gladly take this gig. I can count to 11 and tell time.

6)Last round-up? Take a good look at some of the veterans. You may not see them next year: Harrison, Thampton, Keisel, Batch...

7)Magic Mike? #17 should have been paying attention while he was away. You show up and do your job, you get paid like Timmons, Woodley, AB, etc. If you don't, you get shown the door like Santonio. Considering all the swag he was sporting when he, finally, showed up, he can't be hurting for cash that badly. Will the real Mike Wallace please stand up? Will the playmaker show up all season or will he pull his disappearing act in the second half?

No matter how it shakes out, I got a feeling, Pittsburgh's going to the Super Bowl! Go Steelers!!!!!!