Camp Battles: Top 5 Positional Battles to Watch for the Steelers in Camp and Preseason

I absolutely love football before actual football. By that, I mean I love reading about Steelers Jerseys camp, watching highlights about camp, and analyzing every single play of every preseason game. The positional battles that occur are always awesome to watch and, believe it or not, these big decisions will have a large impact on the season. These battles are usually for depth positions and ultimately end up having an impact when injuries occur. If you are not a preseason junky like me, you are in luck. I have prepared a checklist for you to watch this year.Here are my top 5 positional battles:5. 3rd Tight End4. Offensive Line Depth3. Nickle Cornerback2. The Fifth Wide Receiver1. 3rd Down Running Back 5. 3rd Tight EndIf you have not already heard, Matt Spaeth left for the Windy City, a move that pleases many Spaeth haters. Like him or hate him, his departure creates a major hole in our roster. In other words, Bruce Arians's entire playbook is worthless right now because he does not have enough Tight Ends. Therefore, we need someone to step up in a huge way. Right now, I would say it is a shoe in for David Johnson to be the 2nd TE, unless someone really upstages him and he is left at #3. Either way, I see him making the team.Players to watch: Weslye Saunders (44), Jamie McCoy (45), Vaughn Charlton (49)What you need to know: Saunders was projected as a 3rd round draft pick, but was suspended by South Carolina for violating team rules. He is a great pass catcher with some questions about his blocking prowess. McCoy converted to a TE while at Texas A&M. It was an instant success as McCoy became one of the Aggies "most dangerous pass catching threats in his first season at tight end", but questions were left about his blocking ability. Listed on Steelers.com as a TE, but other sites have him listed as a TE/FB. Lastly, Vaughn Charlton is big and slow. He converted to TE in his senior year and is a very raw talent.My pick: Wesyle Saunders (by mid season he is the #2)4. Offensive Line DepthThe biggest question marks have to be at Tackle. We all know last year was a disaster at the position and this year is not shaping up to be much better. It was great that the Steelers resigned Willie Colon, but then they cut Max Starks and Flozell LaMarr Woodley Jersey Adams. That pretty much places the starting roles in Colon and Jonathan Scott's hands without a serious competition. That has to concern you, at least a little bit. My guess at the line would be: Scott / Kemo / Pouncey / Foster / Colon. Outside of Pouncey and Colon, I am not very excited about that line up.Players to watch: C/G Doug Legursky (64), G/T Marcus Gilbert (65), T Chris Scott (61), G Keith Williams (62)What you need to know: Legursky is really a center, but he is not going to play there over Pouncey. He needs to show some flexibility and be able to cut it as a guard. Foster is not a lock for RG and a good camp showing could help Doug win that position. Gilbert is presumably the tackle of the future, but has the flexibility to play guard. He has all the measurables of an OT, but is still rough around the edges. Maybe, just maybe, he can have some Gator magic, like Pouncey, and win a starting position at guard before transitioning into a tackle. Scott was drafted in 2010 and then injured his foot and did not take a snap the entire season. Hopefully, he spent his time on the bench studying the playbook. Williams is projected as a back-up guard, which might mean starter for the Steelers. Santonio Holmes Jersey His lacking quickness hampers his pass blocking skills. He does show promise as a run blocker.My picks: Well, we will probably carry 8-9 OL, so I imagine all these guys make it.3. Nickle CornerbackThe Steelers just resigned William Gay and that should not be a surprise. We have a short off season and Gay provides solid competition for a DB roster spot. He is not the best cover-corner, but he is still a "Big Play" maker and knows the defense well.