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5 burning questions for the Steelers first preseason game

By Edward Hunt

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 09: Defensive end Arden Key #99 of the Oakland Raiders forces an incomplete pass from quarterback Joshua Dobbs #5 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at O.co Coliseum on December 9, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-21. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 09: Defensive end Arden Key #99 of the Oakland Raiders forces an incomplete pass from quarterback Joshua Dobbs #5 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at O.co Coliseum on December 9, 2018 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Raiders defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-21. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 31: Darrius Heyward-Bey #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a 29 yard touchdown run in the first quarter during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field on December 31, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 31: Darrius Heyward-Bey #88 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a 29 yard touchdown run in the first quarter during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Heinz Field on December 31, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Who will step up at gunner?

The Steelers are looking for who is going to feature on special teams and I don’t think they have their lineup set yet. We may have an idea of who will be the up-back on punts and covering punts on the interior, but we don’t know who will play that all important gunner position?

The Patriots have gotten a lot of production out of that role and have payed Matthew Slater dearly for that job. Most teams in the NFL do not value special teamers like Bill Belichick does, but that is something that needs to change. The Patriots have always had great special teams units and that has contributed to the six Super Bowls of the Brady and Belichick era.

The Steelers have not had much luck with the primary gunner job this year. Darius Heyward-Bey was not resigned and that was probably due to age. Alexander Myres was a player that had some promise in that role and had the combine numbers to back that idea. Johnny Holton has also been injured and my hope is that he will be healthy for these preseason games.

I don’t know who will win the job at gunner, but I think Johnny Holton is a strong candidate to take Darius Heyward-Bey’s role. There are also a bunch of young players like Kameron Kelly who should get a chance at the job. Worst case scenario is they have to go with Brian Allen and Cameron Sutton at the role in 2019.

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